1 John 3:18
18Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.
I came across this verse this morning. It is almost a puzzle to me. I keep zeroing in on the words deed and truth. Is this verse saying that we shouldn't speak our love as much as show it? I think that may be it. It's easy to start saying "I like you" or "I love you". People say all the time that they love each other. I don't say it often. My husband says it a lot. I appreciate him doing that. I don't need to hear it a lot, because he does so much for me that I know he loves me. His deeds prove it. His truthfulness proves it.
I saw a quote yesterday that I am reminded of. "The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up." - Mark Twain. I don't know now if that fits, but it seems that if we do the good deeds out of love and not out of our own selfish gain, then it should be worth it, right?
During Allie's gallbladder ordeal, so many people were supportive. I feel a little selfish because I did not thank these people in front of the church. There were so many that naming them all by name to you seems crazy. You know who you are and the cards/flowers/food/prayers/gifts were so sweet and kind. Allie appreciates them. She is not one for a lot of attention. She does take the limelight once in a while, but would rather make someone else happy than show herself. But, thanks to the many of you who did a good deed for us. You have shown your love.
How are you going to show your love today?
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Light the Darkness
1 John 1:5-7
5This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. 6If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth;
7but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
In our office, I am in charge of some of the maintenance that needs to go on. What that really means is that when something breaks or a light bulb goes out, I am told and I pass it along to our building maintenance person.
When it is dark and dreary outside, you want all the lights on to get rid of the darkness. Every light makes things less sad. So if your life seems sad and miserable, maybe you have moved out from God's light. The Bible tells us that in God, there is no darkness, no sin. Our sin, darkens and stains our lives. Sometimes the stain goes to the very soul and heart of us. We have to fellowship with him, ask for forgiveness, practice the truth and let Jesus wash away our very sins.
What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
O precious is the flow, that makes me white as snow.
No other fount I know, Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
-Words by Robert Lowry
5This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. 6If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth;
7but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
In our office, I am in charge of some of the maintenance that needs to go on. What that really means is that when something breaks or a light bulb goes out, I am told and I pass it along to our building maintenance person.
When it is dark and dreary outside, you want all the lights on to get rid of the darkness. Every light makes things less sad. So if your life seems sad and miserable, maybe you have moved out from God's light. The Bible tells us that in God, there is no darkness, no sin. Our sin, darkens and stains our lives. Sometimes the stain goes to the very soul and heart of us. We have to fellowship with him, ask for forgiveness, practice the truth and let Jesus wash away our very sins.
What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
O precious is the flow, that makes me white as snow.
No other fount I know, Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
-Words by Robert Lowry
Monday, May 17, 2010
Running the Race
Hebrews 12:1 - 3
1Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
This weekend, I went to our high school's league track meet. I had never been to a track meet before. It was so much fun! I watched the crazy kids that pole vault, I watched kids lunge the shot put balls, jump long jump, high jump, and run races. I was impressed by the endurance these kids had. Let me tell you, there are some very quick kids out there!
I never saw a kid quit, even if they were half a lap behind. The determination these kids have to do their best is outstanding. I didn't see all the races, some were run another day, so I didn't see the long races, like the 3200 Meters. That shows endurance. The runners, jumpers, and throwers were cheered on by their family and friends.
There were records broken. The runners were pushed by knowing what the people before them had done and it made them try and do better. It gave them an incentive to try their hardest and do their best. We are the same way as Christians. We know what those before us have done, how high they have set the bar. We strive the same way as the runners, not necessarily trying to outdo them, but trying to keep the standard up. And like the runners, we have a goal. Our eyes are fixed on Jesus. His example helps us not to give up or grow tired and frustrated.
1Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
This weekend, I went to our high school's league track meet. I had never been to a track meet before. It was so much fun! I watched the crazy kids that pole vault, I watched kids lunge the shot put balls, jump long jump, high jump, and run races. I was impressed by the endurance these kids had. Let me tell you, there are some very quick kids out there!
I never saw a kid quit, even if they were half a lap behind. The determination these kids have to do their best is outstanding. I didn't see all the races, some were run another day, so I didn't see the long races, like the 3200 Meters. That shows endurance. The runners, jumpers, and throwers were cheered on by their family and friends.
There were records broken. The runners were pushed by knowing what the people before them had done and it made them try and do better. It gave them an incentive to try their hardest and do their best. We are the same way as Christians. We know what those before us have done, how high they have set the bar. We strive the same way as the runners, not necessarily trying to outdo them, but trying to keep the standard up. And like the runners, we have a goal. Our eyes are fixed on Jesus. His example helps us not to give up or grow tired and frustrated.
Friday, May 14, 2010
They Are Young
Jeremiah 1:4-8
4Now the word of the LORD came to me saying,
5"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
And before you were born I consecrated you;
I have appointed you a prophet to the nations."
6Then I said, "Alas, Lord GOD!
Behold, I do not know how to speak,
Because I am a youth."
7But the LORD said to me,
"Do not say, 'I am a youth,'
Because everywhere I send you, you shall go,
And all that I command you, you shall speak.
8"Do not be afraid of them,
For I am with you to deliver you," declares the LORD.
True to my word, I started reading Jeremiah today. I got to verse five and all these thoughts started sprinting through my brain. Thoughts like, God knew me before I was born. God has already set me apart. Hey! Jeremiah was young when he started prophesying. Apparently, humans haven't changed much because most kids think adults won't listen too them.
That was what struck me the most. The youth today need some lovin'. Yes they make mistakes. Yes they are young and still have a lot of experience to gain. But if the older generations do not give them a chance...who will? God had full trust and faith in Jeremiah. Okay, yeah, he is God and he can do all things, but he told Jeremiah he had faith in him to do the right thing. God also said that he would save Jeremiah. Can you be that faithful and trusting? Even as mature adults, we are not that sure of things. I always think that sometimes, we just don't want to show our insecurities.
The youth of our church is our future. Do not kid yourself into thinking that this is not true. The elders and deacons will not be here forever. The youth are growing up and giving them some support and listening to their ideas is not such a bad thing. God will use them, but he wants to use you too. You have to be the mentor for them.You have to be the Paul to their Timothy. The Naomi to their Ruth. Talk to your Youth Leaders about getting involved. Help mold the youth of today to be the leaders of tomorrow. God will help.
4Now the word of the LORD came to me saying,
5"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
And before you were born I consecrated you;
I have appointed you a prophet to the nations."
6Then I said, "Alas, Lord GOD!
Behold, I do not know how to speak,
Because I am a youth."
7But the LORD said to me,
"Do not say, 'I am a youth,'
Because everywhere I send you, you shall go,
And all that I command you, you shall speak.
8"Do not be afraid of them,
For I am with you to deliver you," declares the LORD.
True to my word, I started reading Jeremiah today. I got to verse five and all these thoughts started sprinting through my brain. Thoughts like, God knew me before I was born. God has already set me apart. Hey! Jeremiah was young when he started prophesying. Apparently, humans haven't changed much because most kids think adults won't listen too them.
That was what struck me the most. The youth today need some lovin'. Yes they make mistakes. Yes they are young and still have a lot of experience to gain. But if the older generations do not give them a chance...who will? God had full trust and faith in Jeremiah. Okay, yeah, he is God and he can do all things, but he told Jeremiah he had faith in him to do the right thing. God also said that he would save Jeremiah. Can you be that faithful and trusting? Even as mature adults, we are not that sure of things. I always think that sometimes, we just don't want to show our insecurities.
The youth of our church is our future. Do not kid yourself into thinking that this is not true. The elders and deacons will not be here forever. The youth are growing up and giving them some support and listening to their ideas is not such a bad thing. God will use them, but he wants to use you too. You have to be the mentor for them.You have to be the Paul to their Timothy. The Naomi to their Ruth. Talk to your Youth Leaders about getting involved. Help mold the youth of today to be the leaders of tomorrow. God will help.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Being a Small Part
Jeremiah 31:7
For thus says the LORD,
"Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob,
And shout among the chief of the nations;
Proclaim, give praise and say,
'O LORD, save Your people,
The remnant of Israel.'
I must admit, the next book I read is the book of Jeremiah. I am not sure why, but I feel compelled to read it. I was thinking about the rain and that is actually helps refresh the earth. So I was reading a few verses that had the word refresh in them. Then I came to this verse.
One of my favorite words that I never use is remnant. God called the Israelites remnants. They were the leftovers, the scraps, of the people that came out of Egypt and were given the chosen land of God. A remnant is a part that is left over. We mostly here this word when talking about material or carpet. These people were what was left of the Israelites. I am sure that most of them were still faithful to God and still trusted him.
In today's world, do we feel like remnants? Sometimes I do. I feel like that I am in a world that forgot God. Actually, I realize I am in a world that is trying to forget God. On the news yesterday morning the kids and I saw a piece about how the twenty-somethings and teenagers are feeling more spiritual than their parents. They are looking for God or a Higher Power and being reached to through the internet. They are getting together in coffeehouses and in small groups and trying to figure out who they are.
One year, I had the privilege to go with the Junior High kids to a retreat at Butler Springs Christan Camp. They were really cool about giving the kids some freedom. They let the kids do their devotion time their own way, as long as it was quiet and respectful. Allie had never done anything like this and was not real keen in what they wanted at first. There were different spots set up for different kinds of worship. There was a place to use your creativity and draw something, there was a spot where you could reflect on people you wanted to bring closer to God and light a candle for them, there was a place to read your Bible. Once we got into it, Allie really enjoyed doing some of these things. I think that it made it more personal for her. I loved pieces of it too. I loved writing a poem, or lighting a candle and think about things.
As children of God, we are remnants to a world that wants to forget. We are the ends of the cloth, the old-fashioned, hymn-singing, hypocritical people who think they are better than everyone else. Well, I want you to know that it is not true. It is okay to hold on to the old stuff. But there is nothing wrong with trying new things. It may bring out a piece of you that God hid in your soul, just waiting for you to find. It may be something you want to share. It may be something just to be between you and God. Just do not worry about what this world thinks. You are going to be judged by the world, no matter what you do, right or wrong. God's judgment is the one we need to worry about. Being a remnant for God is a great honor. Be one with pride!
For thus says the LORD,
"Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob,
And shout among the chief of the nations;
Proclaim, give praise and say,
'O LORD, save Your people,
The remnant of Israel.'
I must admit, the next book I read is the book of Jeremiah. I am not sure why, but I feel compelled to read it. I was thinking about the rain and that is actually helps refresh the earth. So I was reading a few verses that had the word refresh in them. Then I came to this verse.
One of my favorite words that I never use is remnant. God called the Israelites remnants. They were the leftovers, the scraps, of the people that came out of Egypt and were given the chosen land of God. A remnant is a part that is left over. We mostly here this word when talking about material or carpet. These people were what was left of the Israelites. I am sure that most of them were still faithful to God and still trusted him.
In today's world, do we feel like remnants? Sometimes I do. I feel like that I am in a world that forgot God. Actually, I realize I am in a world that is trying to forget God. On the news yesterday morning the kids and I saw a piece about how the twenty-somethings and teenagers are feeling more spiritual than their parents. They are looking for God or a Higher Power and being reached to through the internet. They are getting together in coffeehouses and in small groups and trying to figure out who they are.
One year, I had the privilege to go with the Junior High kids to a retreat at Butler Springs Christan Camp. They were really cool about giving the kids some freedom. They let the kids do their devotion time their own way, as long as it was quiet and respectful. Allie had never done anything like this and was not real keen in what they wanted at first. There were different spots set up for different kinds of worship. There was a place to use your creativity and draw something, there was a spot where you could reflect on people you wanted to bring closer to God and light a candle for them, there was a place to read your Bible. Once we got into it, Allie really enjoyed doing some of these things. I think that it made it more personal for her. I loved pieces of it too. I loved writing a poem, or lighting a candle and think about things.
As children of God, we are remnants to a world that wants to forget. We are the ends of the cloth, the old-fashioned, hymn-singing, hypocritical people who think they are better than everyone else. Well, I want you to know that it is not true. It is okay to hold on to the old stuff. But there is nothing wrong with trying new things. It may bring out a piece of you that God hid in your soul, just waiting for you to find. It may be something you want to share. It may be something just to be between you and God. Just do not worry about what this world thinks. You are going to be judged by the world, no matter what you do, right or wrong. God's judgment is the one we need to worry about. Being a remnant for God is a great honor. Be one with pride!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Taming the Tongue
James 3:5-10
5So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!
6And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.
7For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race.
8But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.
9With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God;
10from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.
Our Sunday evening service is a nice quiet time. Few people attend (I am guilty of not attending to much lately), but I did a few weeks ago, and the study going on is in James. I found some of it very interesting and wrote down verses in my Droid. I use my Droid to put a lot of information in that I want to save, but that is for a different time.
Many verses in the Bible tell us about using our words and encouraging people. God wants us to to use our voices to tell His story, of how Jesus came to be a human, feeling what we feel, suffering what we suffer, and rejoice in what we find joyful. We are to tell everyone how God saved us from eternal damnation. How, through his blood and the cross, we have found redemption. He also wants us to tell our story to people.
James warns us of what the tongue can do that is harmful. This little muscle in the body has the potential to create such havoc that an earthquake or tornado has never seen. It has ruined lives and reputations with one swift cut. Verses five and six tell that it is fire and it will set our course for our life. Just a few small words and our very lives can be ruined. Verse eight tells us that we can't tame it. It is full of poison.
Like verse nine, we bless and curse with our tongue. When I hear someone cursing, I always think of the saying, "You kiss your Momma with that mouth?" I don't understand using curse words. I always tell my kids that it is shows your ignorance of the English language. I went to a high school play over the weekend. During the show, which was a musical and a good one at that, with lots of family and young kids, several times curse words popped out of the mouths of the actors. Was this really necessary to get their point across? Did we have to hear teenagers saying these words? What precedent does this set? What does this tell the younger generations? It is a shame. As James says in the last part of the tenth verse, "My brethren, these things ought not to be this way."
5So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!
6And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.
7For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race.
8But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.
9With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God;
10from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.
Our Sunday evening service is a nice quiet time. Few people attend (I am guilty of not attending to much lately), but I did a few weeks ago, and the study going on is in James. I found some of it very interesting and wrote down verses in my Droid. I use my Droid to put a lot of information in that I want to save, but that is for a different time.
Many verses in the Bible tell us about using our words and encouraging people. God wants us to to use our voices to tell His story, of how Jesus came to be a human, feeling what we feel, suffering what we suffer, and rejoice in what we find joyful. We are to tell everyone how God saved us from eternal damnation. How, through his blood and the cross, we have found redemption. He also wants us to tell our story to people.
James warns us of what the tongue can do that is harmful. This little muscle in the body has the potential to create such havoc that an earthquake or tornado has never seen. It has ruined lives and reputations with one swift cut. Verses five and six tell that it is fire and it will set our course for our life. Just a few small words and our very lives can be ruined. Verse eight tells us that we can't tame it. It is full of poison.
Like verse nine, we bless and curse with our tongue. When I hear someone cursing, I always think of the saying, "You kiss your Momma with that mouth?" I don't understand using curse words. I always tell my kids that it is shows your ignorance of the English language. I went to a high school play over the weekend. During the show, which was a musical and a good one at that, with lots of family and young kids, several times curse words popped out of the mouths of the actors. Was this really necessary to get their point across? Did we have to hear teenagers saying these words? What precedent does this set? What does this tell the younger generations? It is a shame. As James says in the last part of the tenth verse, "My brethren, these things ought not to be this way."
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
To Tell the Truth
I have been watching my favorite all-time show, 24. This show is very violent at times, but always raises several questions about the state of the world. This season, is the final one for the show, so they are pulling out all the stops. It is a show about the country's leading (in my opinion) go-to guy and his mission to keep people accountable for their actions and to get to the truth. He wants those who are wrong and have done evil to pay for their sins.
This year, the President has chosen to cover-up several assassinations to "better" her legacy in a peace treaty that is about to be signed. She asked Jack (the go-to guy) to help keep people safe. When he finds out what has happened and what is going on, he goes rogue. He wants the President and everyone else to tell the truth. He goes to great lengths to make sure the truth comes out. There are three shows left and I am left with several questions. Will he succeed? Will others think his fight for the truth is noble and they turn back toward doing the right thing?
This makes me wonder, to what extent will we go to "hide" the truth? Will you cover up something that is really the truth to make you seem like a better person? Will you cover up the truth to make someone feel better? John 8:31-32 says, So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."
In Genesis, the story of Joseph being sold into slavery by his brothers has a lot of truths covered up. The brothers told their father that they found Joseph's coat bloody and torn. They actually sold him into slavery. They kept the lying up for a lot of years. Lies like this would eat away at me. The hard part in this story is that we can see that God had a plan for it all along. It doesn't mean we should go out and lie, thinking God will take care of it. We should be better than that. We should accept our sin, ask for forgiveness of all that it hurt, and forgive ourselves. As in the tv show, the truth may hurt, but at least knowing the truth can ease the pain and the healing can begin.
This year, the President has chosen to cover-up several assassinations to "better" her legacy in a peace treaty that is about to be signed. She asked Jack (the go-to guy) to help keep people safe. When he finds out what has happened and what is going on, he goes rogue. He wants the President and everyone else to tell the truth. He goes to great lengths to make sure the truth comes out. There are three shows left and I am left with several questions. Will he succeed? Will others think his fight for the truth is noble and they turn back toward doing the right thing?
This makes me wonder, to what extent will we go to "hide" the truth? Will you cover up something that is really the truth to make you seem like a better person? Will you cover up the truth to make someone feel better? John 8:31-32 says, So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."
In Genesis, the story of Joseph being sold into slavery by his brothers has a lot of truths covered up. The brothers told their father that they found Joseph's coat bloody and torn. They actually sold him into slavery. They kept the lying up for a lot of years. Lies like this would eat away at me. The hard part in this story is that we can see that God had a plan for it all along. It doesn't mean we should go out and lie, thinking God will take care of it. We should be better than that. We should accept our sin, ask for forgiveness of all that it hurt, and forgive ourselves. As in the tv show, the truth may hurt, but at least knowing the truth can ease the pain and the healing can begin.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)