This week, we had a tragedy in our office. A young couple lost their newborn baby. They knew a month before that there was a problem with the baby, and they didn't disclose this to most of us. The baby boy was born on Tuesday and lived a mere forty minutes. We do not know what the condition was that made this infant leave this earth so quickly, but we do know how heartbroken his parents are and how all of us in the office are just stunned. We here are having a hard time knowing what to do. We want so much to help this couple out, but we are at a loss on how to help them. We want to do something special to remember Baby Ian, and to honor his parents.
We are all doing the usual things, asking questions, praying, and it has made a lot of us remember that our problems aren't that big of a deal in comparison. The question is, what, would be an appropriate way to go about doing something for this family? Should we talk to them first, make a donation to the hospital in the baby's name? Maybe we can plant a tree or purchase the headstone for the grave, is there is one. Has anyone else gone through something similar? What was something that you now appreciate that you didn't even realize was such a big deal at the time?
God really has started working around here. We are a charitable group and when something happens to one of our own, then we want to jump in and help. But in this case, we are kinda at a loss.
Psalms 135:13
Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever; and thy memorial, O LORD, throughout all generations.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Give up the Guilt
Psalm 88 is depressing. The psalmist keeps talking about being put in the pit, how he is taken from his closest friends, how God's wrath weighs on him. To me that sounds like guilt! When we feel the guilt and shame of our sins, sometimes we think that everyone knows what we have done and that we are shameful and trying to hide something. But, God knows. Whether anyone else knows or not, God knows. The only way out of that feeling is to ask God for forgiveness and to forgive yourself. Then you ask for the same forgiveness of our brother that you wronged. The best part is when you ask God for forgiveness, he will remember the sin no more. That is the good news. God will save you from that guilt and shame. So tell God your sins, give up that guilt and shame and live a life that is knowing God loves you and forgives you.
Psalm 88:1a
1 LORD, you are the God who saves me;
Psalm 88:1a
1 LORD, you are the God who saves me;
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
I Love My Town
Have you ever seen the television show Undercover Boss? It is a show on CBS where the CEO or President of a company goes undercover (in disguise) to see how things are working in areas of their company that they never see or hear of. Mingling with the little people, so to speak. It's actually really enjoyable and not so mushy and I love to see the bigwigs get down and dirty. It makes me giggle.
On the show this week, Mark Mallory, the mayor of Cincinnati went undercover. He is the first elected/government official to do this on the show. It was very interesting to learn more about this man, to see his love for Cincinnati, and to see how he would react to the brow-beating that all the bosses get a taste of, because they ask the question, "How do you think the board of directors/powers that be are doing for the company?" I was also a little nervous to see how the show producers would show Cincinnati. Cincinnati has gotten a lot of bad publicity in the past few years. I am happy to report that Mayor Mallory and the show did well. While the mayor is not the most entertaining person to watch, he is very intelligent.
The first job the mayor did was ride around with the one person in the city who picks up the roadkill and other dead animals in the city. That had to be horrible. I was laughing at the sense of humor the city worker had for his job and the reaction of the mayor. He didn't complain, but he looked grossed out. That is one job I would hate to have. Mayor Mallory also had to work on the city's vehicles, work at the McKie Recreation Center, and give parking tickets to those who were downtown and did not have their meter kept up. As he was walking around with the meter attendant, he saw a vehicle who had a bumper sticker that stated "ILoveCincinnati". I even saw one this morning on my drive in to work. Mayor Mallory has a heart for his town. He seems to really care about what happens here.
Watching this show gave me a softer heart for the man who represents our biggest city in Southwestern Ohio. I have always loved everything about Cincinnati. Just as God loves the city of Zion in chapter 87 of Psalms. The second verse says that God loves the city more than any other.
2 The LORD loves the gates of Zion
more than all the other dwellings of Jacob.
God is preparing a new Zion for us and we will all be there. He will write our names down in the register, and is making each of us a place to live. I can't wait to sit down and feast at his table. I can't wait to walk on the golden streets and the see the crystal river. I can't wait to see those who were before me. But for now, I want to make my city a place that people will have pride in and respect. Do you love your city?
On the show this week, Mark Mallory, the mayor of Cincinnati went undercover. He is the first elected/government official to do this on the show. It was very interesting to learn more about this man, to see his love for Cincinnati, and to see how he would react to the brow-beating that all the bosses get a taste of, because they ask the question, "How do you think the board of directors/powers that be are doing for the company?" I was also a little nervous to see how the show producers would show Cincinnati. Cincinnati has gotten a lot of bad publicity in the past few years. I am happy to report that Mayor Mallory and the show did well. While the mayor is not the most entertaining person to watch, he is very intelligent.
The first job the mayor did was ride around with the one person in the city who picks up the roadkill and other dead animals in the city. That had to be horrible. I was laughing at the sense of humor the city worker had for his job and the reaction of the mayor. He didn't complain, but he looked grossed out. That is one job I would hate to have. Mayor Mallory also had to work on the city's vehicles, work at the McKie Recreation Center, and give parking tickets to those who were downtown and did not have their meter kept up. As he was walking around with the meter attendant, he saw a vehicle who had a bumper sticker that stated "ILoveCincinnati". I even saw one this morning on my drive in to work. Mayor Mallory has a heart for his town. He seems to really care about what happens here.
Watching this show gave me a softer heart for the man who represents our biggest city in Southwestern Ohio. I have always loved everything about Cincinnati. Just as God loves the city of Zion in chapter 87 of Psalms. The second verse says that God loves the city more than any other.
2 The LORD loves the gates of Zion
more than all the other dwellings of Jacob.
God is preparing a new Zion for us and we will all be there. He will write our names down in the register, and is making each of us a place to live. I can't wait to sit down and feast at his table. I can't wait to walk on the golden streets and the see the crystal river. I can't wait to see those who were before me. But for now, I want to make my city a place that people will have pride in and respect. Do you love your city?
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Make It Personal
Psalm 86 has a lot of attributes of God. He is forgiving, good. He abounds in love, he listens to our cries and he answers us. There is no other gods like him. No one can do the things he does. All he created will worship him. Who else can we say these things about? No one!
The author then goes on and asks God to teach him so they can rely on God's faithfulness. They want a heart that is undivisable, in unity with God. They want to praise God's name forever because God has saved them from death. What a wonderful God.
You can make this psalm so personal. I want to rely on god's faithfulness. I want a heart that is undivided. I want to praise God's name forever because he has saved me from certain death. Praise God!
The author then goes on and asks God to teach him so they can rely on God's faithfulness. They want a heart that is undivisable, in unity with God. They want to praise God's name forever because God has saved them from death. What a wonderful God.
You can make this psalm so personal. I want to rely on god's faithfulness. I want a heart that is undivided. I want to praise God's name forever because he has saved me from certain death. Praise God!
Monday, March 7, 2011
Psalm 85
Psalm 85:10-11
10 Love and faithfulness meet together;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.
11 Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,
and righteousness looks down from heaven
What beautiful words! I love the personification that is given to each of these words, love, faithfulness, righteousness, peace. Living in harmony with each other, as this describes can only be in heaven. Love meets faithfulness, and faithfulness comes from earth. Obviously, love comes from God who dwells in heaven. Righteousness and peace greet each other and righteousness also prepares the way for God. What wonderful descriptions. What great things we have to look forward too!
10 Love and faithfulness meet together;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.
11 Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,
and righteousness looks down from heaven
What beautiful words! I love the personification that is given to each of these words, love, faithfulness, righteousness, peace. Living in harmony with each other, as this describes can only be in heaven. Love meets faithfulness, and faithfulness comes from earth. Obviously, love comes from God who dwells in heaven. Righteousness and peace greet each other and righteousness also prepares the way for God. What wonderful descriptions. What great things we have to look forward too!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Using What God Gave You
Apparently this week, I am veering away from Psalms. I guess it is good to take a break once in a while. In my last devotion, I talked about how I didn't see myself as showing mercy. But several of you spoke up and proved me wrong! Thank you for that. My second strongest gift is Shepherding/Pastoring. Now I never saw myself as a leader. But, I am. I lead the choir. I do what I can when I can. I am the Secretary of our school's Band Boosters.
As a leader, I will confess that I don't feel worthy most of the time. It has taken me 20 years to come in to my own as choir director. I still make mistakes. Most of the time I am unorganized. But, I still like directing. I do have a desire to lead another type of group. I would love to start a women's bible study. My problem is finding a time, looking for material and maybe even getting help. If this is something you would be interested in, would you let me know? I would welcome anyone who is willing to come. We did this once before at had a great turn out. I think it's time to start this again.
Anyway, God has given each of us gifts and the ability to use them. But, it is up to us to figure out how to use them. We each have to be patient. Most of us are not born leaders, well at least I am not. Not all of us are givers or encouragers (this is probably why I rarely send out cards). We each have to rely on each other for gentle reminders, proddings and encouragements. I think it is good that we share our gifts and that we tell the church what our gifts are. Then we can help God's kingdom and bless everyone around us by using these spiritual gifts.
1 Corinthians 14:12
12Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
As a leader, I will confess that I don't feel worthy most of the time. It has taken me 20 years to come in to my own as choir director. I still make mistakes. Most of the time I am unorganized. But, I still like directing. I do have a desire to lead another type of group. I would love to start a women's bible study. My problem is finding a time, looking for material and maybe even getting help. If this is something you would be interested in, would you let me know? I would welcome anyone who is willing to come. We did this once before at had a great turn out. I think it's time to start this again.
Anyway, God has given each of us gifts and the ability to use them. But, it is up to us to figure out how to use them. We each have to be patient. Most of us are not born leaders, well at least I am not. Not all of us are givers or encouragers (this is probably why I rarely send out cards). We each have to rely on each other for gentle reminders, proddings and encouragements. I think it is good that we share our gifts and that we tell the church what our gifts are. Then we can help God's kingdom and bless everyone around us by using these spiritual gifts.
1 Corinthians 14:12
12Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
What's my gift?
Okay, so today I took the Spiritual Gifts Analysis. I was kinda surprised by the results. I'm kind of laughing right now because it is probably more right on the money than I thought. I scored highest in Showing Mercy and lowest in Administration. I find this funny because I always tell my family that I have no sympathy for them if they are sick, and I am a Receptionist. I'm suppose to be organized and do administrative type work. Apparently I am in the wrong business.
In the explanation, it says that 'As a mercy-shower you have the Spirit-given capacity and desire to serve God by identifying with and comforting those who are in distress. You understand and comfort your fellow Christian. You enter into the grief or happiness of others and have the ability to show empathy which is to feel WITH others, not just for others.' I can remember that when the NASCAR driver, Davey Allison died. I watched the next race and saw all the somberness and the dedication done for him and I bawled. I did the same thing when Glenn Payne of The Cathedrals died, and I especially did it when John Ritter died. I usually do not try to feel for them, I just do. My heart goes out to anyone in a sad state.
How can I use this gift? First off, pray. I have to ask God to put in my life what his will is for me in this area. I can look around and see who is needing God's mercy. Because it's not really my mercy.
I still am a little baffled by this because, I don't see myself at that type of person. I see hints of it every now and then. Like if I see someone leave the service before it is over, I go check on them. I get that. For those of you who know me, am I like that? I think maybe I messed up the test or something. Have you been surprised by this test? I thought my biggest gift would be the gift of prophecy or serving. Serving is my third biggest gift. But prophecy is one of the lowest. Maybe I do not know myself as well as I think. Take the test and see how you see yourself. Then let God use you in the right place at the right time. His time.
Ecclesiastes 3:1
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
In the explanation, it says that 'As a mercy-shower you have the Spirit-given capacity and desire to serve God by identifying with and comforting those who are in distress. You understand and comfort your fellow Christian. You enter into the grief or happiness of others and have the ability to show empathy which is to feel WITH others, not just for others.' I can remember that when the NASCAR driver, Davey Allison died. I watched the next race and saw all the somberness and the dedication done for him and I bawled. I did the same thing when Glenn Payne of The Cathedrals died, and I especially did it when John Ritter died. I usually do not try to feel for them, I just do. My heart goes out to anyone in a sad state.
How can I use this gift? First off, pray. I have to ask God to put in my life what his will is for me in this area. I can look around and see who is needing God's mercy. Because it's not really my mercy.
I still am a little baffled by this because, I don't see myself at that type of person. I see hints of it every now and then. Like if I see someone leave the service before it is over, I go check on them. I get that. For those of you who know me, am I like that? I think maybe I messed up the test or something. Have you been surprised by this test? I thought my biggest gift would be the gift of prophecy or serving. Serving is my third biggest gift. But prophecy is one of the lowest. Maybe I do not know myself as well as I think. Take the test and see how you see yourself. Then let God use you in the right place at the right time. His time.
Ecclesiastes 3:1
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
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