To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
Macbeth Act 5, scene 5, 19–28
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
When I'm Seeking God's Will...
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf. Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar? Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons. Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy? Are we stronger than he?
“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. (1 Corinthians 10:12-24)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
So...you've got it all figured out, eh! BAM. God throws something new into the picture and suddenly what apeared to be so simple and easy before suddenly changes into something complicated, raises questions, and seems almost unbearable. It's not the first time I've noticed in my life that as soon as I reach a point of contentment it seems my world is turned upside down...but no wonder, the world is always spinning I just don't always notice it.
Paul writes to the Corinthians warning them not to be content just standing where they are..."if you think you are standing firm be careful -lest ye fall". It is when we get overly confident that we let our guard down and fall into sin and temptation; it is when we get distracted by something other than God that we fall down and find ourselves crying out to God to save us yet again.
" Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:25-31)
SO... what's the point? Well now it all seems so simple: don't be distracted by the things of this world. Love God above all else. Don't let idols get in the way of your walk with God...don't look down...just TRUST in the LORD with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding...and God will direct your path. (Proverbs 3:5 paraphrase)
“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. (1 Corinthians 10:12-24)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
So...you've got it all figured out, eh! BAM. God throws something new into the picture and suddenly what apeared to be so simple and easy before suddenly changes into something complicated, raises questions, and seems almost unbearable. It's not the first time I've noticed in my life that as soon as I reach a point of contentment it seems my world is turned upside down...but no wonder, the world is always spinning I just don't always notice it.
Paul writes to the Corinthians warning them not to be content just standing where they are..."if you think you are standing firm be careful -lest ye fall". It is when we get overly confident that we let our guard down and fall into sin and temptation; it is when we get distracted by something other than God that we fall down and find ourselves crying out to God to save us yet again.
" Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:25-31)
SO... what's the point? Well now it all seems so simple: don't be distracted by the things of this world. Love God above all else. Don't let idols get in the way of your walk with God...don't look down...just TRUST in the LORD with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding...and God will direct your path. (Proverbs 3:5 paraphrase)
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Blessings
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." Matthew 5:3-5
Eric and Leslie Ludy have this to say about these verses: "You're blessed when you are out of options and all you can do is lean on God. Because when you realize you need God, it is only then that you tap into His immeasureable greatness and goodness. You are blessed when you've been stripped of what is most precious to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One who is most precious to you." (When God Writes Your Love Story, page 43)
*These verses mean a lot but often get skipped over as cliche and overused. Often times growth comes through struggles but when people go through struggles their response is not thankfulness for the struggle...they want to be rid of their struggles. Instead realize that problems we go through are given by God and planned by Him in such a way as to inspire spiritual growth and bring us close to Him. We get sidetracked thinking that surely problems cannot be blessings ---but they can be. When I personally go through struggles I love to praise God aloud especially remembering the verses of Psalm 34:
for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." Matthew 5:3-5
Eric and Leslie Ludy have this to say about these verses: "You're blessed when you are out of options and all you can do is lean on God. Because when you realize you need God, it is only then that you tap into His immeasureable greatness and goodness. You are blessed when you've been stripped of what is most precious to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One who is most precious to you." (When God Writes Your Love Story, page 43)
*These verses mean a lot but often get skipped over as cliche and overused. Often times growth comes through struggles but when people go through struggles their response is not thankfulness for the struggle...they want to be rid of their struggles. Instead realize that problems we go through are given by God and planned by Him in such a way as to inspire spiritual growth and bring us close to Him. We get sidetracked thinking that surely problems cannot be blessings ---but they can be. When I personally go through struggles I love to praise God aloud especially remembering the verses of Psalm 34:
" I will extol the LORD at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
2 I will glory in the LORD;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the LORD with me;
let us exalt his name together.
his praise will always be on my lips.
2 I will glory in the LORD;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
3 Glorify the LORD with me;
let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.
he delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
9 Fear the LORD, you his holy people,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
10 The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
11 Come, my children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12 Whoever of you loves life
and desires to see many good days,
13 keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from telling lies.
14 Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
9 Fear the LORD, you his holy people,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
10 The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
11 Come, my children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
12 Whoever of you loves life
and desires to see many good days,
13 keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from telling lies.
14 Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous,
and his ears are attentive to their cry;
16 but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil,
to blot out their name from the earth.
and his ears are attentive to their cry;
16 but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil,
to blot out their name from the earth.
17 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
he delivers them from all their troubles.
18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
19 The righteous person may have many troubles,
but the LORD delivers him from them all;
20 he protects all his bones,
not one of them will be broken.
but the LORD delivers him from them all;
20 he protects all his bones,
not one of them will be broken.
21 Evil will slay the wicked;
the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
22 The LORD will rescue his servants;
no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.
the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
22 The LORD will rescue his servants;
no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Love in Action = Faith in Action
"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:9-12
There's that word again, one that I'm sure everyone has heard of, has longed for, and has definitely experienced through God -LOVE-. I'm sure that I am not the only one with romantic notions when it comes to love and such things but what the Bible has to say about what love really looks like is very humbling! First of all the sincerity part, wow...it may seem obvious but I am sure that Satan uses our longing for love as a temptation to idolize it. Then there is the whole idea of having that 'significant other' who makes you feel special, pays attention to your needs, etc. all wonderful things but unless they are being done out of sincere love, which means 'honoring one another above yourselves', they mean nothing.
The verses that follow show that love is not separate from faith, "NEVER be lacking in zeal but keep you spiritual fervor, serving the Lord...". I remember a verse I learned in elementary school from Hebrews 11:6, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." This verse echoes what was going through my mind as I read the initial passage about love from Romans 12... The infamous 'love passage' in the Bible begins by saying that no matter what you have or what you do if you do not have love it means nothing.
"If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing." and later in the same chapter... "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
There's that word again, one that I'm sure everyone has heard of, has longed for, and has definitely experienced through God -LOVE-. I'm sure that I am not the only one with romantic notions when it comes to love and such things but what the Bible has to say about what love really looks like is very humbling! First of all the sincerity part, wow...it may seem obvious but I am sure that Satan uses our longing for love as a temptation to idolize it. Then there is the whole idea of having that 'significant other' who makes you feel special, pays attention to your needs, etc. all wonderful things but unless they are being done out of sincere love, which means 'honoring one another above yourselves', they mean nothing.
The verses that follow show that love is not separate from faith, "NEVER be lacking in zeal but keep you spiritual fervor, serving the Lord...". I remember a verse I learned in elementary school from Hebrews 11:6, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." This verse echoes what was going through my mind as I read the initial passage about love from Romans 12... The infamous 'love passage' in the Bible begins by saying that no matter what you have or what you do if you do not have love it means nothing.
"If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing." and later in the same chapter... "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Could Contentment be Contagious?
"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles." Philippians 4:12-14
There was a time not too long ago that I considered myself to have understood this passage. God provided me with an amazing family and blessings galore but I was able to travel to many different countries and see people who were in desperate need; somehow I felt that by going on mission trips my empathy counted as experiencing the needs of the people I worked with. Then I came to Dordt which is a wonderful place but I had to leave everything and everyone I knew behind. Yup...I had the whole contentment thing going on alright, but then God did what He does best and threw a new struggle into the picture. I felt like Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof saying to God "Sometimes I think, when it gets too quiet up there, You say to Yourself, "What kind of mischief can I play on My friend Tevye?" But then again, as I thought back to Paul's struggles with a 'thorn in the flesh' and remembered God's answer when he asked to have it removed "My Grace is sufficient for you."
...NOW .....
Somewhere, somehow I saw a small sign like this...
There was a time not too long ago that I considered myself to have understood this passage. God provided me with an amazing family and blessings galore but I was able to travel to many different countries and see people who were in desperate need; somehow I felt that by going on mission trips my empathy counted as experiencing the needs of the people I worked with. Then I came to Dordt which is a wonderful place but I had to leave everything and everyone I knew behind. Yup...I had the whole contentment thing going on alright, but then God did what He does best and threw a new struggle into the picture. I felt like Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof saying to God "Sometimes I think, when it gets too quiet up there, You say to Yourself, "What kind of mischief can I play on My friend Tevye?" But then again, as I thought back to Paul's struggles with a 'thorn in the flesh' and remembered God's answer when he asked to have it removed "My Grace is sufficient for you."
...NOW .....
Somewhere, somehow I saw a small sign like this...
And I realized that I was wrong...Pollyana quoted her father as saying "When you look for the bad you will surely find it"and that's how the 'glad game' came about. Instead of searching for negatives and complaining why not count blessings? Ok, so back to the Bible passage...Paul continues saying "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" It is not me who does it but it is also not God doing it for me, He gives me the strength! That verse is popular but the next one is not so much, not only does God give strength but other people encourage and help by 'sharing' in Paul's troubles. Bouncing back to me personally I realized that because of my struggles I have met some truly amazing people, just like Paul, people who 'share' in my struggles and pray about it with me. All this said, I do feel content now.
SO, in answer to the title question 'could contentment be contagious' I say yes! God made us relational people and he gives us the strength to be content, and to encourage others. One of the ways God gives us strength is through other people. When one person is content others can see as well and they wish for the same....so PASS IT ON
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Reflection on an Earlier Poem
Over a year ago I wrote a poem entitled Solitary Sleep, I just stumbled upon it and it got me thinking...
(*this poem is not meant to be analyzed...it's meant to stir emotion) ...Ok, I made that rule and now I am going to break it...I accidentally analyzed it comparing myself to the subject of the poem. Perhaps it is because I have been sick lately, I have felt like doing nothing but sleep and this is how the subject in the poem feels as well. That dark, numb, tired feeling is one I know all too well these days yet I am so unlike to character in the poem. Instead of having my friends abandon me they rallied close and have been nothing but kind and caring, even letting me nap in their beds when I am falling asleep :) I can only thank God for the wonderful people He has put in my life, and trust Him to know what is best for me. I guess the difference between myself and the girl in the poem is the friends we have...hers left, mine stayed close ...and one verse comes to mind
"One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
Proverbs 18:24
"She sits alone
in dark and cold
tired, sad, broken.
The sickness that
consumes her, leaves
her with nothing.
Nothing would be better
than to simply live again.
Her mind is filled with nothingness
as she sleeps for hours on end.
She tries to wake her foggy mind:
no, her eyelids are too heavy
and so, all friends abandoned her...
said, "Come back when you're ready".
Slowly, slowly her eyes fall open
but pounding pain disturbs her brain...
a teardrop rolls slowly down her cheek
followed by many more, and sobs that have her weak.
The solitude of her painful existence
leaves her wishing to again feel nothing...
so off she drifts; alone again...
no longer remembered by even one man
to lonely, empty, sleep."
(*this poem is not meant to be analyzed...it's meant to stir emotion) ...Ok, I made that rule and now I am going to break it...I accidentally analyzed it comparing myself to the subject of the poem. Perhaps it is because I have been sick lately, I have felt like doing nothing but sleep and this is how the subject in the poem feels as well. That dark, numb, tired feeling is one I know all too well these days yet I am so unlike to character in the poem. Instead of having my friends abandon me they rallied close and have been nothing but kind and caring, even letting me nap in their beds when I am falling asleep :) I can only thank God for the wonderful people He has put in my life, and trust Him to know what is best for me. I guess the difference between myself and the girl in the poem is the friends we have...hers left, mine stayed close ...and one verse comes to mind
"One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."
Proverbs 18:24
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Stillness, Struggles, and Strength
College has been interesting, to say the least. By now it has gotten past the excitement of living away from home and constantly meeting new people...it has become somewhat repetitious. Each week I go to my classes, complete my assignments, go to work, and run into many of the same people in the cafeteria. Then comes the glorious week-end with friends, fellowship, and the best day of all SUNDAY. It is on this day that I must be careful to keep it a day of sabbath rest and not too full of visiting people or running back and forth from nursing home singing to game night to worship to volunteering for different things....yup busy-ness is not hard to come by on a "day of rest".
I strongly beleive that helping out and doing good things is great but sometimes we take on more than we can handle. We may be surrounded by 'Christian' events and opportunities yet we don't have time to pray on our own or just to sit still for awhile...this isn't right! No matter what you should always have time to 'chill with God'. And then there is that other struggle of PRIORITIES...rather than grabbing a Bible and getting on our knees we get excited for "me time" and take a nap or pop in a movie...sure God is there but often we ignore Him. We need to remember that God is always there for us, but sadly we often do not give Him the time of day. We would rather spend countless hours on facebook or youtube than talking with God and reading His word. So here's a challenge I'm doing until December ...giving up my 'precious' facebook...no checking it, no status updates, no peeking even! I would challenge you to do the same, a number of my friends have done it before me so I didn't make this up but I realize that this is something I need to do right now. This November I want to "Be still and know" that God is who He says!
Hmmm...that covers the stillness but not the struggles or the strength...but I am tired, very tired in fact so I will write as fast as possible to 'finish' according to the title. I already said I am tired, due to what I will deem my current struggle...health issues which so far no doctor has figured out completely. This is tough, especially because I have very little energy but I have amazing friends here who are helping me through it. Thank you so much to those who have talked me through the pain, taken me to doctor appointments, helped me up when I was passed out, held my hand, given me hugs, supported me as I walked, and driven me to the hospital late at night! God has obviously placed some very caring people in my life and I can't thank Him enough for that! It is truly amazing how I have so many dreams and plans yet they get held back so easily because of some stupid pain. And yet I know there are millions of people worse off than me, so kudos to them for dealing with life! At any rate that struggle is part of teh reason I feel I need to just be still and know who God is...which finally leads to the next part...my strength:
I know, and am still learning or coming to realize each day that God is the source of all my strength. I can do nothing without Him! No matter how much weight I can benchpress, no matter how far I can throw something, no matter how much I think I can be strong and deal with my own problems the truth is that it is only with God!
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