Been running across passages for the past several weeks that have been speaking to me and really moving me though it's not always clear why...
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:6,7
"So too the Holy Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness; for we do not know what prayer to offer nor how to offer it, but the Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads on our behalf with unspeakable yearnings and groanings too deep for utterance."
Romans 8:26
"God is not a God of confusion, but of peace."
1 Corinthians 14:33
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
John 14:27
Hmmmm...He understands our "unspeakable yearnings" and our "groanings too deep for utterance," thoughts that we can't even put into words, and still He says, "don't let your heart be troubled, and don't be afraid"... "my peace I give you."
Thank you Father...
I've been prayed for today (as have you).
Monday, July 31, 2006
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Another Reply to "God 'In It' With Us"
Today's RST is a response to an earlier one about God being with us all the time and especially when we're "neck deep in 'it'"---whatever "it" may be...
"There is great peace in leaving our worries, challenges and concerns at the foot of the cross. I've experienced that over the last week, and it's awesome. Trouble is, like Ronnie has done, I too will likely find myself picking them right back up and trying to make a difference on my own.
"I'd just read the RST last night, and this morning in my devotional I opened my Bible to Ps. 125:1,2, what a great follow-up, I thought I would share, this is awesome: 'Those who trust in the Lord are as secure as Mount Zion; they will not be defeated but will endure forever.' Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, both now and forever. May our faith in God grow so much that we can leave our cares at the foot of the cross, knowing full well that this is where we ought to be ourselves, trusting and believing that God wants to pour out his blessings upon us. Trusting in God ensures security and promises His loving arms around us.
"So dump the trailer Ronnie [ed.: a highly amusing choice of phrase given your recent experience with way-loaded trailers in Yosemite], and let the blessings flow! God bless."
Thanks, Noemi, for sharing your thoughts with the rest of the list. I know we've quoted it before but I never get tired of hearing it (and need to keep it at the forefront of my mind and heart, regardless of what's going on around me). Turns out He wants me to bring my heavy, awkwardly-shaped, painful burdens, and exchange them for His peace and rest of soul--Matthew 11:28, 29 says: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
You've been prayed for today...while we're at it, why don't you pray, too--how 'bout some rest for your soul? He wants to give it to you.
"There is great peace in leaving our worries, challenges and concerns at the foot of the cross. I've experienced that over the last week, and it's awesome. Trouble is, like Ronnie has done, I too will likely find myself picking them right back up and trying to make a difference on my own.
"I'd just read the RST last night, and this morning in my devotional I opened my Bible to Ps. 125:1,2, what a great follow-up, I thought I would share, this is awesome: 'Those who trust in the Lord are as secure as Mount Zion; they will not be defeated but will endure forever.' Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, both now and forever. May our faith in God grow so much that we can leave our cares at the foot of the cross, knowing full well that this is where we ought to be ourselves, trusting and believing that God wants to pour out his blessings upon us. Trusting in God ensures security and promises His loving arms around us.
"So dump the trailer Ronnie [ed.: a highly amusing choice of phrase given your recent experience with way-loaded trailers in Yosemite], and let the blessings flow! God bless."
Thanks, Noemi, for sharing your thoughts with the rest of the list. I know we've quoted it before but I never get tired of hearing it (and need to keep it at the forefront of my mind and heart, regardless of what's going on around me). Turns out He wants me to bring my heavy, awkwardly-shaped, painful burdens, and exchange them for His peace and rest of soul--Matthew 11:28, 29 says: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
You've been prayed for today...while we're at it, why don't you pray, too--how 'bout some rest for your soul? He wants to give it to you.
Friday, July 28, 2006
Loss
Well, even today I have to say that our Lord is good and loving and that, as the saying goes, He does in fact have a thousand ways (maybe more) to provide for us that we know nothing about...
Earlier today I ran across today's thought completely by accident (yeah, I know, right? --- one of those God accidents that I'm beginning to recognize more and more frequently) and it is based on a brief essay by Joey Kibble, one of the singers in the gospel/jazz group Take 6, and I think it has a very interesting take on loss (BTW, for those who know Take 6's music, this essay kind of makes the song "Grandma's Hands" ring a little more poignant and deep--take a listen if you have it, and if not, stand by, I'll send it out next week).
Today, in your time with our Heavenly Father, please remember the Zatarain family whose matriarch Guadalupe passed away yesterday afternoon.
_________________________________________
"This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, thus showing yourselves to be my disciples."
John 15:8
When I was a little boy, I used to travel with my family to Huntsville, AL to visit my grandmother. Like any other grandmother, she would have many treats that I looked forward to. Specifically, I looked forward to her peach cobblers. Soon after I arrived at her house, I would find myself playing in her backyard around her three peach trees. When those peach trees would yield their fruit, she would have peach cobbler, peach preserves, frozen peaches and peach nectar, "any and all things" peach.
One summer, as we pulled up into the driveway, I noticed that the peach trees were laden with hundreds of peaches. Concluding that this, again, was another prosperous "year of the peach," I ran inside and asked my grandmother if we would have all the wonderful peach products that we normally have. "No, not this year," was her response. Shocked and amazed, I couldn't understand why there wouldn't be such a harvest as other years, especially since there were so many peaches on the trees. My grandmother explained, "I didn't get the opportunity to prune my trees last year, so all the fruit you see is bitter and under-developed. Don't be fooled by the multitude of peaches you see!"
I really didn't understand the connection between pruning trees and sweet fruit until many years later, when my grandmother died. Death seems to be much more prevalent at this time in my life, as more friends and family are being claimed by it. As many humans do, I asked God why He allowed people to die, notwithstanding my prayers to keep them alive. The answer didn't become clear to me until moments before I was to sing for my grandmother's memorial service. My thoughts were taken back to the solitude of the peach trees in my grandmother's backyard. Under the shade of those trees, I understood that pruning involves the removal of fruit, excess foliage, and quite often, large limbs. Strangely enough, I did remember coming to my grandmother's house and finding the trees cut back so thoroughly, that it seemed they would never grow back again; but it was precisely this process that ensured that nourishment would be focused on the limbs that remained.
God allows certain "branches" of our family trees to be removed as is the natural order of life here on this fallen earth, knowing that those of us that remain will become more fruitful. Many of us are yet bitter and under-developed like those peaches; for some, the fruits of the Spirit--love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control--are still missing in our lives, and will likely remain this way until certain circumstances, or people, are gently removed and we grow and assume new roles and responsibilities. God has promised that the righteous will be raised incorruptible when Jesus returns, so we will see our loved ones again. Death might mean that we will surely cry sometimes, but it can also make us sweeter and further develop our character as surely as pruning makes peaches sweet.
Thank you, Grandma, rest easy, and I'll see you in the morning.
"But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow and grieve as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord: that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord."
1 Thess. 4:13-17
You've been prayed for today (and some of you are much on my heart and on many hearts and minds today). Funny, another Take 6 reference comes to mind, a paraphrase of a line from one of their songs: "Because of God, we know our death is not a period--just a pause." Hmmm...sounds a lot like Psalm 30:5, "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."
Amen...gotta hang in there 'til morning.
Earlier today I ran across today's thought completely by accident (yeah, I know, right? --- one of those God accidents that I'm beginning to recognize more and more frequently) and it is based on a brief essay by Joey Kibble, one of the singers in the gospel/jazz group Take 6, and I think it has a very interesting take on loss (BTW, for those who know Take 6's music, this essay kind of makes the song "Grandma's Hands" ring a little more poignant and deep--take a listen if you have it, and if not, stand by, I'll send it out next week).
Today, in your time with our Heavenly Father, please remember the Zatarain family whose matriarch Guadalupe passed away yesterday afternoon.
_________________________________________
"This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, thus showing yourselves to be my disciples."
John 15:8
When I was a little boy, I used to travel with my family to Huntsville, AL to visit my grandmother. Like any other grandmother, she would have many treats that I looked forward to. Specifically, I looked forward to her peach cobblers. Soon after I arrived at her house, I would find myself playing in her backyard around her three peach trees. When those peach trees would yield their fruit, she would have peach cobbler, peach preserves, frozen peaches and peach nectar, "any and all things" peach.
One summer, as we pulled up into the driveway, I noticed that the peach trees were laden with hundreds of peaches. Concluding that this, again, was another prosperous "year of the peach," I ran inside and asked my grandmother if we would have all the wonderful peach products that we normally have. "No, not this year," was her response. Shocked and amazed, I couldn't understand why there wouldn't be such a harvest as other years, especially since there were so many peaches on the trees. My grandmother explained, "I didn't get the opportunity to prune my trees last year, so all the fruit you see is bitter and under-developed. Don't be fooled by the multitude of peaches you see!"
I really didn't understand the connection between pruning trees and sweet fruit until many years later, when my grandmother died. Death seems to be much more prevalent at this time in my life, as more friends and family are being claimed by it. As many humans do, I asked God why He allowed people to die, notwithstanding my prayers to keep them alive. The answer didn't become clear to me until moments before I was to sing for my grandmother's memorial service. My thoughts were taken back to the solitude of the peach trees in my grandmother's backyard. Under the shade of those trees, I understood that pruning involves the removal of fruit, excess foliage, and quite often, large limbs. Strangely enough, I did remember coming to my grandmother's house and finding the trees cut back so thoroughly, that it seemed they would never grow back again; but it was precisely this process that ensured that nourishment would be focused on the limbs that remained.
God allows certain "branches" of our family trees to be removed as is the natural order of life here on this fallen earth, knowing that those of us that remain will become more fruitful. Many of us are yet bitter and under-developed like those peaches; for some, the fruits of the Spirit--love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control--are still missing in our lives, and will likely remain this way until certain circumstances, or people, are gently removed and we grow and assume new roles and responsibilities. God has promised that the righteous will be raised incorruptible when Jesus returns, so we will see our loved ones again. Death might mean that we will surely cry sometimes, but it can also make us sweeter and further develop our character as surely as pruning makes peaches sweet.
Thank you, Grandma, rest easy, and I'll see you in the morning.
"But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow and grieve as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord: that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord."
1 Thess. 4:13-17
You've been prayed for today (and some of you are much on my heart and on many hearts and minds today). Funny, another Take 6 reference comes to mind, a paraphrase of a line from one of their songs: "Because of God, we know our death is not a period--just a pause." Hmmm...sounds a lot like Psalm 30:5, "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."
Amen...gotta hang in there 'til morning.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Replies To "God Is With Us In The Middle Of It All"
Today's RST starts with a couple of responses to the previous thoughts...
"I think I remember reading these this past semester. It's a great reminder because times seem like they are getting harder and every day life is a battle. If I just get a break, it's only a brief rest for what's next to come. It's never ending! One issue passes and here comes another. So far it's only been raining one day at a time and I am thankful it's not the snowball effect--those times are the worst ones!"
"Dude, I don't know how you knew how extra HEAVY LADEN I've been feeling this week but nonetheless, thank you for that comforting reminder! I just wish sometimes that I could engrave these promising words onto my thick skull so as to serve as a constant reminder that I'M NOT IN CONTROL! I keep telling myself, 'I've left them at the foot of the cross,' only to find myself picking the @#$%^! things back up again and dragging them with me all over hells half-acre! (Have you noticed that semi-trailer of baggage I've been lugging around lately? That ain't just a bunch of A/V equipment I've been housing in there, believe you me!). So thank you again for the prayers with extra "umph." Lord knows we all could use an extra measure of His blessing every day. The question comes to mind is, how many of us are actually going to drop the 'umbrellas' that prevent us from harvesting the bounty of His grace, the blessings that continue to pour down around us?"
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Juana and Ronnie...Kinda gets a dude thinkin'...
"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14
"If my people would but listen to me, if Israel would follow my ways, how quickly would I subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!"Psalm 81:13,14
Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon."For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:6-9
The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.Psalm 34:10
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also...No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?...Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?...So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."Matthew 6:19-34
You've been prayed for today...
"I think I remember reading these this past semester. It's a great reminder because times seem like they are getting harder and every day life is a battle. If I just get a break, it's only a brief rest for what's next to come. It's never ending! One issue passes and here comes another. So far it's only been raining one day at a time and I am thankful it's not the snowball effect--those times are the worst ones!"
"Dude, I don't know how you knew how extra HEAVY LADEN I've been feeling this week but nonetheless, thank you for that comforting reminder! I just wish sometimes that I could engrave these promising words onto my thick skull so as to serve as a constant reminder that I'M NOT IN CONTROL! I keep telling myself, 'I've left them at the foot of the cross,' only to find myself picking the @#$%^! things back up again and dragging them with me all over hells half-acre! (Have you noticed that semi-trailer of baggage I've been lugging around lately? That ain't just a bunch of A/V equipment I've been housing in there, believe you me!). So thank you again for the prayers with extra "umph." Lord knows we all could use an extra measure of His blessing every day. The question comes to mind is, how many of us are actually going to drop the 'umbrellas' that prevent us from harvesting the bounty of His grace, the blessings that continue to pour down around us?"
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Juana and Ronnie...Kinda gets a dude thinkin'...
"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14
"If my people would but listen to me, if Israel would follow my ways, how quickly would I subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!"Psalm 81:13,14
Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon."For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:6-9
The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.Psalm 34:10
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also...No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?...Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?...So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."Matthew 6:19-34
You've been prayed for today...
Monday, July 24, 2006
God Is With You
So, yeah...pretty hard stretch for several of you these days. Here are some more reassurances that God knows and He's there in the middle of it all with you...hang in there, lean on Him, talk to Him about it--that's what Eternal Fathers are for...
When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.
Isaiah 43:2
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed...Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:8,9,16-18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us...The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express...What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?...
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?...No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8
You've been prayed for today, and that earnestly.
When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.
Isaiah 43:2
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed...Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:8,9,16-18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us...The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express...What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?...
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?...No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8
You've been prayed for today, and that earnestly.
Saturday, July 22, 2006
God Is Our Refuge and Strength
For those of you weary and heavy laden...
(2 Samuel 22:32-34)
For who is God except the Lord?
Who but our God is a solid rock?
God is my strong fortress;
He has made my way safe.
He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
leading me safely along the mountain heights.
(From Psalm 46)
God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.
So we will not fear, even if earthquakes come
and the mountains crumble into the sea.
The Lord Almighty is here among us;
the God of Israel is our fortress.
"Be still and know that I AM God!"
(From Psalm 91)
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
(Matthew 11:28-30)
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
You've been prayed for today...
Thursday, July 20, 2006
More On Outer Reflection of Inner Life
Hey, Y'all,
Here's the conclusion to the previous RST on how the "hidden" inner things overflow into the visible life. Tomorrow, however, we'll take a different tack--some thoughts on "God is our refuge and strength"--I know some of you are facing very trying times and heavy burdens, so stand by.
Here're today's thoughts (don't know where these came from, sorry).
Each thought you think builds your character. Every action you take creates your life. The small moments and the big occasions all form the person you are. The public expressions and the private thoughts all weave together to form the fabric of your life.
Every moment counts, because every moment serves as a starting point for the moment that comes next. All those details, the ones you can't recall and the ones you can't forget, have brought you to where you are now.
Every moment counts, and that can be either a burdensome curse or an amazing blessing. It all depends on what you do with those moments from here on out. Even when no one is watching, what you think and what you do still matter very much.
Choose to give God your very best to this moment, right here, right now, and keep on making that positive choice--there'll be no limit to where those decisions, now your life's string of brilliant moments, can lead.
Got me thinking about Phil 4:8 (in two different versions):
And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. (NLT)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things. (NIV)
You've been prayed for today
(and some of you with a little extra "umph"
).
Here's the conclusion to the previous RST on how the "hidden" inner things overflow into the visible life. Tomorrow, however, we'll take a different tack--some thoughts on "God is our refuge and strength"--I know some of you are facing very trying times and heavy burdens, so stand by.
Here're today's thoughts (don't know where these came from, sorry).
Each thought you think builds your character. Every action you take creates your life. The small moments and the big occasions all form the person you are. The public expressions and the private thoughts all weave together to form the fabric of your life.
Every moment counts, because every moment serves as a starting point for the moment that comes next. All those details, the ones you can't recall and the ones you can't forget, have brought you to where you are now.
Every moment counts, and that can be either a burdensome curse or an amazing blessing. It all depends on what you do with those moments from here on out. Even when no one is watching, what you think and what you do still matter very much.
Choose to give God your very best to this moment, right here, right now, and keep on making that positive choice--there'll be no limit to where those decisions, now your life's string of brilliant moments, can lead.
Got me thinking about Phil 4:8 (in two different versions):
And now, dear brothers and sisters, let me say one more thing as I close this letter. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. (NLT)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things. (NIV)
You've been prayed for today
(and some of you with a little extra "umph"
).
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Outer Reflection of Inner Life
Hey, y'all,
Got to thinking about that last RST, remembered I'd saved these thoughts previously--and thanks, Gladys, for these quotes (from Ralph Marston)--kinda got me thinking some more...
How accurately does the person you are on the outside express the reality of the person you truly are on the inside? The more faithfully your outer life mirrors your inner thoughts and values, the more fulfilling [and peaceful] your whole life will be.
Conversely (and naturally), the greater the discrepancy between what's going on the inside and what's visible on the outside, the greater the dissonance and stress and strain we feel inside--so much so that we tire and are eventually unable to keep up the charade and everything on the inside comes pouring through anyway.
You have the opportunity, in this very moment, to begin expressing and fulfilling that consistent, ideal life--the life God's wanted for you all along. In some small yet meaningful way, you can start right now to make the outer view a reflection of your most deeply held values.
That is how we need to live; and this is what we need to think about, always: everything we put into our minds or allow into our minds, everything has an effect, because like Christ said in Matthew 12:34 "out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks"--our actions are born of our thoughts, and they are a result of what we load into our minds and hearts.
(In fact here's Matthew 12:33-35 so you can see it in context: "Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.").
What is my mouth saying about my heart's state? What does my life say about what my mind and heart are full of? Hmmm...more on this issue next RST.
You've been prayed for today...
Got to thinking about that last RST, remembered I'd saved these thoughts previously--and thanks, Gladys, for these quotes (from Ralph Marston)--kinda got me thinking some more...
How accurately does the person you are on the outside express the reality of the person you truly are on the inside? The more faithfully your outer life mirrors your inner thoughts and values, the more fulfilling [and peaceful] your whole life will be.
Conversely (and naturally), the greater the discrepancy between what's going on the inside and what's visible on the outside, the greater the dissonance and stress and strain we feel inside--so much so that we tire and are eventually unable to keep up the charade and everything on the inside comes pouring through anyway.
You have the opportunity, in this very moment, to begin expressing and fulfilling that consistent, ideal life--the life God's wanted for you all along. In some small yet meaningful way, you can start right now to make the outer view a reflection of your most deeply held values.
That is how we need to live; and this is what we need to think about, always: everything we put into our minds or allow into our minds, everything has an effect, because like Christ said in Matthew 12:34 "out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks"--our actions are born of our thoughts, and they are a result of what we load into our minds and hearts.
(In fact here's Matthew 12:33-35 so you can see it in context: "Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.").
What is my mouth saying about my heart's state? What does my life say about what my mind and heart are full of? Hmmm...more on this issue next RST.
You've been prayed for today...
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Curbing the Tongue
Hey, Y'all,
Ran across this verse a couple of days ago...
I will watch my ways
and keep my tongue from sin.
Psalm 39:1
...which reminded me of this passage...
We can make a large horse turn around and go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a tiny rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot wants it to go, even though the winds are strong. So also, the tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do. A tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is full of wickedness that can ruin your whole life. It can turn the entire course of your life into a blazing flame of destruction, for it is set on fire by hell itself. People can tame all kinds of animals and birds and reptiles and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it breaks out into curses against those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter?
James 3:3-11
...which took me to this passage...
Hmmm...blessings and cursings coming from the same mouth...worthless religion...deceiving self...hmmm...(memo to self).
You've been prayed for today...
Ran across this verse a couple of days ago...
I will watch my ways
and keep my tongue from sin.
Psalm 39:1
...which reminded me of this passage...
We can make a large horse turn around and go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a tiny rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot wants it to go, even though the winds are strong. So also, the tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do. A tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is full of wickedness that can ruin your whole life. It can turn the entire course of your life into a blazing flame of destruction, for it is set on fire by hell itself. People can tame all kinds of animals and birds and reptiles and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it breaks out into curses against those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter?
James 3:3-11
...which took me to this passage...
Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry...If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.
James 1:19, 26
Hmmm...blessings and cursings coming from the same mouth...worthless religion...deceiving self...hmmm...(memo to self).
You've been prayed for today...
Friday, July 7, 2006
Contentment, Regardless
Hello one last time from (after several beautiful days) once-again-not-very-sunny South Florida. Had a perfect weekend in North Florida at the reunion followed by a day of rain and then several gorgeous days in Miami and the Keys, and the last couple have been stormy and restful--nothing like a real thunderstorm for reading and napping and generally relaxing!
Today's RST was triggered by a quote Bud used as his "signature" for a while--and it got me thinking...
"I have learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not on our circumstances."
--Martha Washington
Sounds like Ms. Washington did some reading of her Bible, because Philippians 4:11-13 says, "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."
Thanks, Bud, always good to recall that passage and apply it to my life (yet again).
You've each been prayed for today...and happy Sabbath!
Today's RST was triggered by a quote Bud used as his "signature" for a while--and it got me thinking...
"I have learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not on our circumstances."
--Martha Washington
Sounds like Ms. Washington did some reading of her Bible, because Philippians 4:11-13 says, "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."
Thanks, Bud, always good to recall that passage and apply it to my life (yet again).
You've each been prayed for today...and happy Sabbath!
Monday, July 3, 2006
Follow-Up to "The Want Ad" ... "Can I Live For Jesus?"
Hey, Y'all,
Greetings from (at the moment) not-so-sunny South Florida--it's been a ridiculously great trip already and the week's just beginning (20th high school reunion)! Today's RST is a follow-up to the last one...
Hi Juan, after reading today's RST I had mixed feelings. Not because I disagree with any of it, on the contrary, I desire it so much that it becomes almost too unrealistic in my everyday walk. It can describe a moment in human life, but not HUMAN life. I long for it, but it seems too good to be true, too good to be true for man, but not for GOD.
Greetings from (at the moment) not-so-sunny South Florida--it's been a ridiculously great trip already and the week's just beginning (20th high school reunion)! Today's RST is a follow-up to the last one...
Hi Juan, after reading today's RST I had mixed feelings. Not because I disagree with any of it, on the contrary, I desire it so much that it becomes almost too unrealistic in my everyday walk. It can describe a moment in human life, but not HUMAN life. I long for it, but it seems too good to be true, too good to be true for man, but not for GOD.
I think that when we talk about such values and virtues as truth, honesty, courage, duty, ability to stand strong in spite of everything else falling around us, we simply cannot forget to give the glory back to the One it rightly belongs. If we want truth for the sake of truth, honesty for the sake of honesty, courage for the sake of courage, we, as humans, inevitably fall into Lucifer's trap when self tries really hard to go as high as it possibly can (unfortunately, most of the time Self forgets a parachute ). Ouch!
On the other hand, because God did not put on us 'more than we can bear' we are capable of withstanding trials and saying 'no' to fears that come in this package called HUMAN. Can you die for Jesus? Yes, if God gives me grace.
[Ed.: to your question "can I die for Jesus?" I would add the one which now seems to me to have become a much harder one--"can I live for Jesus? Will I live in such a way that people see His influence in me?"]
I really like your question "Can you live for Jesus?" Truly, if you are under His influence you are being transformed into His likeness and Jesus living in you becomes the biggest testimony of truth, courage, honesty, and ability to withstand trials. As you often say, He does the hard stuff; I just work here.
). Ouch!On the other hand, because God did not put on us 'more than we can bear' we are capable of withstanding trials and saying 'no' to fears that come in this package called HUMAN. Can you die for Jesus? Yes, if God gives me grace.
[Ed.: to your question "can I die for Jesus?" I would add the one which now seems to me to have become a much harder one--"can I live for Jesus? Will I live in such a way that people see His influence in me?"]
I really like your question "Can you live for Jesus?" Truly, if you are under His influence you are being transformed into His likeness and Jesus living in you becomes the biggest testimony of truth, courage, honesty, and ability to withstand trials. As you often say, He does the hard stuff; I just work here.
As I was reading chapter 55 of Messiah today, I came across something that I find very much in tune with that RST. If the parallels don't seem too obvious, please just take these words as they are:
"The kingdom of God comes quietly and personally to human hearts. It is not flashy and demanding like the things of this world. It is set up by the influence of the Holy Spirit changing the hearts of humans. God's Kingdom is with those who live and share this spiritual truth: 'I was put to death on the cross with Christ, and I do not live anymore, it is Christ who lives in me' (Galatians 2:20). 'In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling' (Exodus 15:13)."
Thanks--you know who you are --that quote reminds me that I have to seek that time with God, that if I passively hope for the best and then wait for something to happen it never will because there are too many distractions, too many other things competing for my time and attention, for me to expect to grow spiritually without expending some effort to find a quiet time and place to do so--God respects me too much to impose Himself on me...ironic.
You've been prayed for today...
Thanks--you know who you are
--that quote reminds me that I have to seek that time with God, that if I passively hope for the best and then wait for something to happen it never will because there are too many distractions, too many other things competing for my time and attention, for me to expect to grow spiritually without expending some effort to find a quiet time and place to do so--God respects me too much to impose Himself on me...ironic.You've been prayed for today...
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