Pursuit?....
2 Timothy 2:21-22 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Galatians 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Against such things there is no law.
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
It has been so engrained in me over some of the years of my life that I have to watch out for perfection, do things right, act rightly or according to others expectations. Certain tasks are only done certain ways, and to do them differently is almost a travesty. Whether it be a "clean, spotless house", or disciplining children or acting "appropriately" in various social settings...there were rules and regulations to abide by, even who we associated with was guided by these "rules".
Legalism in it's most abhorrent way...seeped in every notion....performance based life ....not looking into "who or whose" other people really are...none of these things are named in 2 Timothy as a list of pursuits....or in Galatians' list of the fruit of the Spirit....
It was a rule based life not a love based life...if rules were abided by, then they were accepted...so far from God's pursuit of each of us...every generation faces it, and we each have to decide whether we want to live by godly "pursuing" or man's rules...
Thank YOU that YOu see our hearts...help me to pursue Your righteousness, faith, love, peace....
Sunday, November 27, 2016
Friday, November 25, 2016
Thanksgiving celebrations...
Thanksgiving celebrations....
Most cultures have some type of "thanksgiving " celebrations, a way of giving thanks to their gods, god or the true God, the creator of the all...
Yesterday in America was no exception. Our is based on the Pilgrims saying thanks for the help of the Native Americans helping them, and God's provision a long time ago...it may not have been as sumptuous as the TV ads or what many of enjoyed, but it was truly a blessing.
Yesterday, I gathered in a household of ages ranging from 8 months to 80+ years...all talking, visiting on family issues, football, target practice, growing children, college classes, "how much you have grown", comparing dogs, to watching Guinea hens fly to the high trees, ducks waddling around, and a friendly potbelly pig wandering around foraging for whatever food she might find.....the youngest and the oldest taking naps as they sat...
There were crawlers, toddlers, preschoolers, elementary, 20, 30, 50, 60, 70 and 80 year olds all spread around the house enjoying one another's company..
When I was a child, and later as a young adult, we had the same scene, different people...same discussions, different ages spread around. We would visit parents, grandparents and great grandparents. One gathering included 36 spread throughout a big two story old refurbished home, with a parlor. We would take those family portraits once in awhile, noticing changes each year.
Talk, chatter, an occasional whimper from the youngest, an argument about whose lap the little ones would choose...
Sugar highs and turkey tryptophan lows, a day truly blessed with so many people all wanting the best for each other and themselves...relating stories of the past, present and the future...hearing the meal blessings of the aged and young alike....
A Highlight of the season....thanksgiving....in the hearts of many...across the nation and the world....thank YOU for this time to reflect on YOUR goodness to many...help us be good stewards of the vast provisions you have given us..
Psalm 69:30 I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.
Psalm 95:2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.
Most cultures have some type of "thanksgiving " celebrations, a way of giving thanks to their gods, god or the true God, the creator of the all...
Yesterday in America was no exception. Our is based on the Pilgrims saying thanks for the help of the Native Americans helping them, and God's provision a long time ago...it may not have been as sumptuous as the TV ads or what many of enjoyed, but it was truly a blessing.
Yesterday, I gathered in a household of ages ranging from 8 months to 80+ years...all talking, visiting on family issues, football, target practice, growing children, college classes, "how much you have grown", comparing dogs, to watching Guinea hens fly to the high trees, ducks waddling around, and a friendly potbelly pig wandering around foraging for whatever food she might find.....the youngest and the oldest taking naps as they sat...
There were crawlers, toddlers, preschoolers, elementary, 20, 30, 50, 60, 70 and 80 year olds all spread around the house enjoying one another's company..
When I was a child, and later as a young adult, we had the same scene, different people...same discussions, different ages spread around. We would visit parents, grandparents and great grandparents. One gathering included 36 spread throughout a big two story old refurbished home, with a parlor. We would take those family portraits once in awhile, noticing changes each year.
Talk, chatter, an occasional whimper from the youngest, an argument about whose lap the little ones would choose...
Sugar highs and turkey tryptophan lows, a day truly blessed with so many people all wanting the best for each other and themselves...relating stories of the past, present and the future...hearing the meal blessings of the aged and young alike....
A Highlight of the season....thanksgiving....in the hearts of many...across the nation and the world....thank YOU for this time to reflect on YOUR goodness to many...help us be good stewards of the vast provisions you have given us..
Psalm 69:30 I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.
Psalm 95:2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
Board games, driver's licenses , Legos......
Board games, drivers licenses, Legos....
I have two "generations" of grandchildren, teenagers and 6 and unders....their interests are varied....the older ones are self sufficient, busy with teen activities, and are almost adults ....they know current praise songs which are on the Christian radio....talk about about subjects...fun and wonderful to be around...
The younger ones are playing simple board games, simple Lego directions, want to play in the dish water or help cook with those little aprons, learning school age Christian songs, chatter all the time, try their limits...
All are so wonderfully designed....with their varied personalities, likes, looks, temperaments, abilities...
I watched the four year old pull out a Bible, open it on a table, and start to expound on the story of Joseph, Daniel and someone else....she turned pages like she was sermonizing to a crowd...all alone in the dining room...I have seen that scene before in the lives of her parents and aunts and uncles..."playing church".....oh, how I am blessed that they are being brought up to know the Saviour...another generation that is being taught the truth...
I love this passing the baton, knowing that Jesus reigns in each of the children from the oldest teen to the youngest floor creeper....each one learning the Word....thank YOU...
Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children.
Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
I have two "generations" of grandchildren, teenagers and 6 and unders....their interests are varied....the older ones are self sufficient, busy with teen activities, and are almost adults ....they know current praise songs which are on the Christian radio....talk about about subjects...fun and wonderful to be around...
The younger ones are playing simple board games, simple Lego directions, want to play in the dish water or help cook with those little aprons, learning school age Christian songs, chatter all the time, try their limits...
All are so wonderfully designed....with their varied personalities, likes, looks, temperaments, abilities...
I watched the four year old pull out a Bible, open it on a table, and start to expound on the story of Joseph, Daniel and someone else....she turned pages like she was sermonizing to a crowd...all alone in the dining room...I have seen that scene before in the lives of her parents and aunts and uncles..."playing church".....oh, how I am blessed that they are being brought up to know the Saviour...another generation that is being taught the truth...
I love this passing the baton, knowing that Jesus reigns in each of the children from the oldest teen to the youngest floor creeper....each one learning the Word....thank YOU...
Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children.
Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
Airport observations....
Airport observations...
I have been in 5 different airports in the last two days...it is interesting watching people as I wander around. (I usually walk as much as I can and don't sit too much, as I will sitting in the plane long enough).
Anyway, by the gates that are going to the tropics, the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, many people are clad in bright colored shirts and shorts, sandals....
The ones going to New York, Chicago, are more business suits, a little more dressy ....
The ones headed to Alaska, parkas, UGGS, wool shirts, heavy outdoorsy apparel is the the norm...
Yesterday my destination was to the southeast, so the gates I was near were Little Rock, Hunstville, Knoxville....men's suspenders, cowboy boots, plaid shirts, beards.....
And that is not counting the foreign country gates with a huge variety of dress...
Then there are those of us thousands of nondescript, middle of the road dressers.....interesting...
What a hogue pogue of people, costumes, cultures, languages....
It reminded me of James and partiality...even thoughts this is discrimination of rich and poor...
James 2:1-4 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
Or....
Romans 3:22-24 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
God's redemption is for all...
He came for all, no matter where they come from, no matter which continent or island they reside, rich or poor, color of skin, Language spoken.....whatever....
Thank YOU....for your salvation .....
I have been in 5 different airports in the last two days...it is interesting watching people as I wander around. (I usually walk as much as I can and don't sit too much, as I will sitting in the plane long enough).
Anyway, by the gates that are going to the tropics, the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, many people are clad in bright colored shirts and shorts, sandals....
The ones going to New York, Chicago, are more business suits, a little more dressy ....
The ones headed to Alaska, parkas, UGGS, wool shirts, heavy outdoorsy apparel is the the norm...
Yesterday my destination was to the southeast, so the gates I was near were Little Rock, Hunstville, Knoxville....men's suspenders, cowboy boots, plaid shirts, beards.....
And that is not counting the foreign country gates with a huge variety of dress...
Then there are those of us thousands of nondescript, middle of the road dressers.....interesting...
What a hogue pogue of people, costumes, cultures, languages....
It reminded me of James and partiality...even thoughts this is discrimination of rich and poor...
James 2:1-4 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
Or....
Romans 3:22-24 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
God's redemption is for all...
He came for all, no matter where they come from, no matter which continent or island they reside, rich or poor, color of skin, Language spoken.....whatever....
Thank YOU....for your salvation .....
Thursday, November 17, 2016
Chained with pain...
Chained with pain...
Every once in a while, I have the opportunity to be "chained with pain" I will call it...my whole body seems to be filled with infection that leaves me wracked with pain in every fiber of it..even my hair aches...I take yet another round of antibiotics and within a few days I am back to "normal" with no pain, but wondering when it will appear again. There doesn't seem to be a pattern of when it will hit nor why...sometimes it is one kind of bacteria and other times it is another...with no rhyme or reason...it just is there and must be endured...aging...they say...anatomy...hereditary ....???... Endurance...perseverance...
I had had it yet again this week and was reading in 2 Timothy 2---
2 Timothy 2:8-13 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David.
This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.
Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
Here is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with him, we will also live with him;
if we endure, we will also reign with him.
If we disown him, he will also disown us;
if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
Paul is writing to Timothy with passion...here he is chained as a criminal for his love of the gospel, his dedication and declaration of God's word...saying that God's word won't be boxed into that cell with him, nor silenced because of chains...God's promises will continue on, His faithfulness is eternal ...outside into the world...He is not silenced...nor confined...He is everlasting...
I am suffering a little here, but it is fleeting compared with eternity...I have watched my parents and husband suffer through their final illnesses, knowing that they were faithful and that they would enter into their eternal home, forgetting the "chains of pain"... Thank YOU...that there are those who went before like Paul who endured so much but knew where he was promised to enter with Jesus the resurrection ...
Psalm 36:5-7 Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep. You, Lord, preserve both people and animals. How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
Every once in a while, I have the opportunity to be "chained with pain" I will call it...my whole body seems to be filled with infection that leaves me wracked with pain in every fiber of it..even my hair aches...I take yet another round of antibiotics and within a few days I am back to "normal" with no pain, but wondering when it will appear again. There doesn't seem to be a pattern of when it will hit nor why...sometimes it is one kind of bacteria and other times it is another...with no rhyme or reason...it just is there and must be endured...aging...they say...anatomy...hereditary ....???... Endurance...perseverance...
I had had it yet again this week and was reading in 2 Timothy 2---
2 Timothy 2:8-13 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David.
This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.
Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
Here is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with him, we will also live with him;
if we endure, we will also reign with him.
If we disown him, he will also disown us;
if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
Paul is writing to Timothy with passion...here he is chained as a criminal for his love of the gospel, his dedication and declaration of God's word...saying that God's word won't be boxed into that cell with him, nor silenced because of chains...God's promises will continue on, His faithfulness is eternal ...outside into the world...He is not silenced...nor confined...He is everlasting...
I am suffering a little here, but it is fleeting compared with eternity...I have watched my parents and husband suffer through their final illnesses, knowing that they were faithful and that they would enter into their eternal home, forgetting the "chains of pain"... Thank YOU...that there are those who went before like Paul who endured so much but knew where he was promised to enter with Jesus the resurrection ...
Psalm 36:5-7 Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep. You, Lord, preserve both people and animals. How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
Chained with pain...l
Chained with pain...
Every once in a while, I have the opportunity to be "chained with pain" I will call it...my whole body seems to be filled with infection that leaves me wracked with pain in every fiber of it..even my hair aches...I take yet another round of antibiotics and within a few days I am back to "normal" with no pain, but wondering when it will appear again. There doesn't seem to be a pattern of when it will hit nor why...sometimes it is one kind of bacteria and other times it is another...with no rhyme or reason...it just is there and must be endured...aging...they say...anatomy...hereditary ....???... Endurance...perseverance...
I had had it yet again this week and was reading in 2 Timothy 2---
2 Timothy 2:8-13 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David.
This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.
Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
Here is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with him, we will also live with him;
if we endure, we will also reign with him.
If we disown him, he will also disown us;
if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
Paul is writing to Timothy with passion...here he is chained as a criminal for his love of the gospel, his dedication and declaration of God's word...saying that God's word won't be boxed into that cell with him, nor silenced because of chains...God's promises will continue on, His faithfulness is eternal ...outside into the world...He is not silenced...nor confined...He is everlasting...
I am suffering a little here, but it is fleeting compared with eternity...I have watched my parents and husband suffer through their final illnesses, knowing that they were faithful and that they would enter into their eternal home, forgetting the "chains of pain"... Thank YOU...that there are those who went before like Paul who endured so much but knew where he was promised to enter with Jesus the resurrection ...
Psalm 36:5-7 Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep. You, Lord, preserve both people and animals. How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
Every once in a while, I have the opportunity to be "chained with pain" I will call it...my whole body seems to be filled with infection that leaves me wracked with pain in every fiber of it..even my hair aches...I take yet another round of antibiotics and within a few days I am back to "normal" with no pain, but wondering when it will appear again. There doesn't seem to be a pattern of when it will hit nor why...sometimes it is one kind of bacteria and other times it is another...with no rhyme or reason...it just is there and must be endured...aging...they say...anatomy...hereditary ....???... Endurance...perseverance...
I had had it yet again this week and was reading in 2 Timothy 2---
2 Timothy 2:8-13 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David.
This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.
Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
Here is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with him, we will also live with him;
if we endure, we will also reign with him.
If we disown him, he will also disown us;
if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
Paul is writing to Timothy with passion...here he is chained as a criminal for his love of the gospel, his dedication and declaration of God's word...saying that God's word won't be boxed into that cell with him, nor silenced because of chains...God's promises will continue on, His faithfulness is eternal ...outside into the world...He is not silenced...nor confined...He is everlasting...
I am suffering a little here, but it is fleeting compared with eternity...I have watched my parents and husband suffer through their final illnesses, knowing that they were faithful and that they would enter into their eternal home, forgetting the "chains of pain"... Thank YOU...that there are those who went before like Paul who endured so much but knew where he was promised to enter with Jesus the resurrection ...
Psalm 36:5-7 Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep. You, Lord, preserve both people and animals. How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
Saturday, November 12, 2016
Glorious desperation....
Glorious desperation...
I took a spiritual gifting test again yesterday...I knew what the outcome would be, it really hasn't changed over the decades...but the manifestations of the gifting has...
I used to be in the everyday life on the local body of believers, involved in the
decision making, the guts of the church, the office work, the creativity of activities, the planning of conferences, teaching, facilitating, decorating, weddings, Bible Study development, meetings on goals, staff meetings about the lives of the body of believers of which I was a part...busy...loving every minute of it...
My husband was on boards, teaching, mentoring on various subjects-especially money management, encouraging others...involved as well...
We felt so fulfilled...so alive in what God was doing in our lives...
Then the "cancer" word and its ramifications hit and changed our family's lives forever...we continued to live out his short last months as well as we could...then fog...mazes of new "to us" directions, moving to a new community, dramatic changes...finding new paths, purposes slowly manifested itself and I am still finding my way...over 4 years later...oh, how I miss the former days...the usefulness I felt, meeting others needs daily, counseling, mentoring ...."the leeks" of a former home...
I miss the day to day love of my husband, the common goals, the activity of those around us, the purpose, the creativity of ideas...
But, on the other hand, I am learning so much in this new life, meeting new people I would have not met if I stayed where I was, watching my children and grandchildren grow and mature, learning new life lessons, writing things I never took time to put down....a new chapter...and maybe many new chapters...
Studying 2 Timothy, Paul's last book...brings light to these years...how he trusts, how he wants to encourage his "dear son" to carry on the gifts that God has entrusted to him...
And that word "entrusted" is key to all of our lives...we are entrusted with so much from God, nothing is wasted, no experiences, no years of activity or no activity, no teaching....nothing is wasted...and that is hard to wrap my head around...God uses everything to grow us, entrusting us with more and more to give ...
Thank YOU....
2 Timothy 1:11-14 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am.
Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.
What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.
Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
I took a spiritual gifting test again yesterday...I knew what the outcome would be, it really hasn't changed over the decades...but the manifestations of the gifting has...
I used to be in the everyday life on the local body of believers, involved in the
decision making, the guts of the church, the office work, the creativity of activities, the planning of conferences, teaching, facilitating, decorating, weddings, Bible Study development, meetings on goals, staff meetings about the lives of the body of believers of which I was a part...busy...loving every minute of it...
My husband was on boards, teaching, mentoring on various subjects-especially money management, encouraging others...involved as well...
We felt so fulfilled...so alive in what God was doing in our lives...
Then the "cancer" word and its ramifications hit and changed our family's lives forever...we continued to live out his short last months as well as we could...then fog...mazes of new "to us" directions, moving to a new community, dramatic changes...finding new paths, purposes slowly manifested itself and I am still finding my way...over 4 years later...oh, how I miss the former days...the usefulness I felt, meeting others needs daily, counseling, mentoring ...."the leeks" of a former home...
I miss the day to day love of my husband, the common goals, the activity of those around us, the purpose, the creativity of ideas...
But, on the other hand, I am learning so much in this new life, meeting new people I would have not met if I stayed where I was, watching my children and grandchildren grow and mature, learning new life lessons, writing things I never took time to put down....a new chapter...and maybe many new chapters...
Studying 2 Timothy, Paul's last book...brings light to these years...how he trusts, how he wants to encourage his "dear son" to carry on the gifts that God has entrusted to him...
And that word "entrusted" is key to all of our lives...we are entrusted with so much from God, nothing is wasted, no experiences, no years of activity or no activity, no teaching....nothing is wasted...and that is hard to wrap my head around...God uses everything to grow us, entrusting us with more and more to give ...
Thank YOU....
2 Timothy 1:11-14 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am.
Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.
What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.
Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
Friday, November 11, 2016
Taps....a tribute...
http://www.coolestone.com/media/15818/John-Wayne---Taps---An-American-Tribute-to-Veterans/#.WCXPt5A76K1
Thursday, November 10, 2016
Spiritual lineage....
Spiritual lineage....
Ever since I wrote about "convergence" I have been thinking about spiritual lineage and then this morning, the writer of a Bible study brought up the term again...how we can look back in our parental and bloodlines and see our spiritual lineage, but also all the people who were instrumental in our lives, who taught, encouraged, challenged, loved, prayed, etc...who were involved in our lives to bring us to the point where we are currently....who encourage us to move forward.....
I remember sitting at a little children's table, probably about 2nd or 3rd grade, memorizing the 23rd Psalm for a prize of my own Bible (I still have that first Bible), singing "Jesus loves Me" with my mother in front of church when I was about 6 years old...those first stirrings/memories that church was important, that God's Word was worth working for, reading, knowing...that teacher who took time to instill in children's lives a love and desire to know God...that mother who taught me children's songs about Jesus' love....
So many others through life, Bible Study teachers, pastors, critics, friends, books, family members, correspondence schools, seminaries.....multitudes....who knowingly and unknowingly pointed my heart, mind and soul in His direction...mentoring...encouraging ....being a light in dark times...joyful in the good times...wrapping me in arms of love in hard times...sharing tears of joy and sorrow....
In application, am I doing the same for those who enter my sphere of life...am I entering other people spheres for good...encouraging them in their walk, being a part of their spiritual lineage? I, who have been entrusted with much, am I giving freely of that trust??? Oh, please, God, open my eyes to those whom you have purposely put in my life, my path...to offer what you have offered to me...thank YOU...
Job 37:5 God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding.
1 Thessalonians 2:12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
Matthew 10:8b ......Freely you have received; freely give.
Ever since I wrote about "convergence" I have been thinking about spiritual lineage and then this morning, the writer of a Bible study brought up the term again...how we can look back in our parental and bloodlines and see our spiritual lineage, but also all the people who were instrumental in our lives, who taught, encouraged, challenged, loved, prayed, etc...who were involved in our lives to bring us to the point where we are currently....who encourage us to move forward.....
I remember sitting at a little children's table, probably about 2nd or 3rd grade, memorizing the 23rd Psalm for a prize of my own Bible (I still have that first Bible), singing "Jesus loves Me" with my mother in front of church when I was about 6 years old...those first stirrings/memories that church was important, that God's Word was worth working for, reading, knowing...that teacher who took time to instill in children's lives a love and desire to know God...that mother who taught me children's songs about Jesus' love....
So many others through life, Bible Study teachers, pastors, critics, friends, books, family members, correspondence schools, seminaries.....multitudes....who knowingly and unknowingly pointed my heart, mind and soul in His direction...mentoring...encouraging ....being a light in dark times...joyful in the good times...wrapping me in arms of love in hard times...sharing tears of joy and sorrow....
In application, am I doing the same for those who enter my sphere of life...am I entering other people spheres for good...encouraging them in their walk, being a part of their spiritual lineage? I, who have been entrusted with much, am I giving freely of that trust??? Oh, please, God, open my eyes to those whom you have purposely put in my life, my path...to offer what you have offered to me...thank YOU...
Job 37:5 God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding.
1 Thessalonians 2:12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
Matthew 10:8b ......Freely you have received; freely give.
Monday, November 7, 2016
Psalm 92....
Psalm 92...
Psalm 92:1-15 (amplified) It is a good and delightful thing to give thanks to the Lord, To sing praises to Your name, O Most High,
To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning And Your faithfulness by night, With an instrument of ten strings and with the harp, With a solemn sound on the lyre.
For You, O Lord, have made me glad by Your works; At the works of Your hands I joyfully sing.
How great are Your works, O Lord! Your thoughts are very deep beyond man’s understanding.
A senseless man in his crude and uncultivated state knows nothing, Nor does a self-righteous fool understand this:
That though the wicked sprout up like grass And all evildoers flourish, They will be destroyed forever.
But You, Lord, are on high forever.
For behold, Your enemies, O Lord, For behold, Your enemies will perish; All who do evil will be scattered.
But my horn (my emblem of strength and power)You have exalted like that of a wild ox; I am anointed with fresh oil for Your service.
My eye has looked on my foes; My ears hear of the evildoers who rise up against me.
The righteous will flourish like the date palm long-lived, upright and useful; They will grow like a cedar in Lebanon majestic and stable.
Planted in the house of the Lord, They will flourish in the courts of our God. Growing in grace they will still thrive and bear fruit and prosper in old age; They will flourish and be vital and fresh rich in trust and love and contentment;
They are living memorials to declare that the Lord is upright
and faithful to His promises; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.
I was not able to go to church yesterday. But woke up to this psalm this morning...a psalm for the sabbath day...how appropriate...especially this last Sunday before the most irregular national elections that I have ever seen in my voting life...
God is in control, He raises up and tears down...His will will be done...
Thank YOU...he knows who is righteous and who are the enemies...He knows who will rise and who will fall...He knows who will flourish, grow in grace, who will thrive ....He knows who is self righteous and senseless ....
You, are on high forever....and as the battles go on before me, I need to remember that fact...thank YOU....
Psalm 92:1-15 (amplified) It is a good and delightful thing to give thanks to the Lord, To sing praises to Your name, O Most High,
To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning And Your faithfulness by night, With an instrument of ten strings and with the harp, With a solemn sound on the lyre.
For You, O Lord, have made me glad by Your works; At the works of Your hands I joyfully sing.
How great are Your works, O Lord! Your thoughts are very deep beyond man’s understanding.
A senseless man in his crude and uncultivated state knows nothing, Nor does a self-righteous fool understand this:
That though the wicked sprout up like grass And all evildoers flourish, They will be destroyed forever.
But You, Lord, are on high forever.
For behold, Your enemies, O Lord, For behold, Your enemies will perish; All who do evil will be scattered.
But my horn (my emblem of strength and power)You have exalted like that of a wild ox; I am anointed with fresh oil for Your service.
My eye has looked on my foes; My ears hear of the evildoers who rise up against me.
The righteous will flourish like the date palm long-lived, upright and useful; They will grow like a cedar in Lebanon majestic and stable.
Planted in the house of the Lord, They will flourish in the courts of our God. Growing in grace they will still thrive and bear fruit and prosper in old age; They will flourish and be vital and fresh rich in trust and love and contentment;
They are living memorials to declare that the Lord is upright
and faithful to His promises; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.
I was not able to go to church yesterday. But woke up to this psalm this morning...a psalm for the sabbath day...how appropriate...especially this last Sunday before the most irregular national elections that I have ever seen in my voting life...
God is in control, He raises up and tears down...His will will be done...
Thank YOU...he knows who is righteous and who are the enemies...He knows who will rise and who will fall...He knows who will flourish, grow in grace, who will thrive ....He knows who is self righteous and senseless ....
You, are on high forever....and as the battles go on before me, I need to remember that fact...thank YOU....
Friday, November 4, 2016
Convergence.....
Convergence .....
I know I have written about this before , but was reminded of it again this week...convergence...
Patrick McManus writes about it ....
Beth Moore writes about it...
God writes about it....
Convergence.....how everything in our lives, events-good and bad, people-helpful and unhelpful, challenges, experiences, birth order, etc., etc., etc...work in our lives to make us who we are...
Nothing is by accident...everything is filtered by a loving God for our good...
Look at Biblical people....God rearranged the world so that His ways could happen...Moses, Joseph, Ruth, Joseph and Mary, Job, John the Baptist, Paul, Timothy....to name a few...God strategically placed each one so that His will could be carried out....
And He still does that today in our lives and those around us...I had to ask myself again, what have been all the events, people, etc. and look deeper into the answers to thank God...I don't see the big picture of my life like He can...and there many painful things that have happened, but they added dimension and character qualities as did the good things in life...He uses everything to build and teach us...thank YOU.....
Romans 8:28-30 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
Exodus 33:14 The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Psalm 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Acts 2:28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’
John 14:26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
I know I have written about this before , but was reminded of it again this week...convergence...
Patrick McManus writes about it ....
Beth Moore writes about it...
God writes about it....
Convergence.....how everything in our lives, events-good and bad, people-helpful and unhelpful, challenges, experiences, birth order, etc., etc., etc...work in our lives to make us who we are...
Nothing is by accident...everything is filtered by a loving God for our good...
Look at Biblical people....God rearranged the world so that His ways could happen...Moses, Joseph, Ruth, Joseph and Mary, Job, John the Baptist, Paul, Timothy....to name a few...God strategically placed each one so that His will could be carried out....
And He still does that today in our lives and those around us...I had to ask myself again, what have been all the events, people, etc. and look deeper into the answers to thank God...I don't see the big picture of my life like He can...and there many painful things that have happened, but they added dimension and character qualities as did the good things in life...He uses everything to build and teach us...thank YOU.....
Romans 8:28-30 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
Exodus 33:14 The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Psalm 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Acts 2:28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’
John 14:26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
Thursday, November 3, 2016
Amazing beauty...
Amazing beauty....
This is the fifth time I have been to these islands that make up the state of Hawaii...and they are still filled and will continue to be awe inspiring ...the "jungle " of vegetation , the dry deserts with hidden springs, the sunsets, the waves relentlessly crashing on the endless miles of coastlines, the canyons of color, the rivers and streams, the beautiful birds, the clouds which weave in and out of the mountain spires, the people-both visiting and residents, the tidal pools, the fields of crops, fish in schools of color, the volcanoes and their landscapes, etc, etc, etc....
Thank YOU for the creation You designed for our pleasure...for the love of color and beauty...how You must enjoy creating...designing...giving us awe...
Psalm 104:1-25 Praise the Lord, my soul. Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty.
The Lord wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters.
He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind. He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants.
He set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved. You covered it with the watery depths as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains.
But at your rebuke the waters fled, at the sound of your thunder they took to flight; they flowed over the mountains, they went down into the valleys, to the place you assigned for them.
You set a boundary they cannot cross; never again will they cover the earth. He makes springs pour water into the ravines; it flows between the mountains.
They give water to all the beasts of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
The birds of the sky nest by the waters; they sing among the branches. He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the land is satisfied by the fruit of his work.
He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate— bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts.
The trees of the Lord are well watered, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.
There the birds make their nests; the stork has its home in the junipers. The high mountains belong to the wild goats; the crags are a refuge for the hyrax.
He made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down.
You bring darkness, it becomes night, and all the beasts of the forest prowl. The lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God.
The sun rises, and they steal away; they return and lie down in their dens. Then people go out to their work, to their labor until evening.
How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.
There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number— living things both large and small.
All creatures look to you to give them their food at the proper time. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things.
When you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust.
When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground.
May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works— he who looks at the earth, and it trembles, who touches the mountains, and they smoke.
I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the Lord.
But may sinners vanish from the earth and the wicked be no more. Praise the Lord, my soul. Praise the Lord.
This is the fifth time I have been to these islands that make up the state of Hawaii...and they are still filled and will continue to be awe inspiring ...the "jungle " of vegetation , the dry deserts with hidden springs, the sunsets, the waves relentlessly crashing on the endless miles of coastlines, the canyons of color, the rivers and streams, the beautiful birds, the clouds which weave in and out of the mountain spires, the people-both visiting and residents, the tidal pools, the fields of crops, fish in schools of color, the volcanoes and their landscapes, etc, etc, etc....
Thank YOU for the creation You designed for our pleasure...for the love of color and beauty...how You must enjoy creating...designing...giving us awe...
Psalm 104:1-25 Praise the Lord, my soul. Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty.
The Lord wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters.
He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind. He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants.
He set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved. You covered it with the watery depths as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains.
But at your rebuke the waters fled, at the sound of your thunder they took to flight; they flowed over the mountains, they went down into the valleys, to the place you assigned for them.
You set a boundary they cannot cross; never again will they cover the earth. He makes springs pour water into the ravines; it flows between the mountains.
They give water to all the beasts of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
The birds of the sky nest by the waters; they sing among the branches. He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the land is satisfied by the fruit of his work.
He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate— bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts.
The trees of the Lord are well watered, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.
There the birds make their nests; the stork has its home in the junipers. The high mountains belong to the wild goats; the crags are a refuge for the hyrax.
He made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down.
You bring darkness, it becomes night, and all the beasts of the forest prowl. The lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God.
The sun rises, and they steal away; they return and lie down in their dens. Then people go out to their work, to their labor until evening.
How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.
There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number— living things both large and small.
All creatures look to you to give them their food at the proper time. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things.
When you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust.
When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground.
May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works— he who looks at the earth, and it trembles, who touches the mountains, and they smoke.
I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the Lord.
But may sinners vanish from the earth and the wicked be no more. Praise the Lord, my soul. Praise the Lord.
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