Tick

I typically do not like using  the word ‘suck’ as it usually is used nowadays…….however, it seems to fit in this example-so here goes.  Do you suck?  Do you suck life’s delights from those God has placed in your earthly journey?  It’s been said most folks enter relationships (especially marriage) selfishly.  We tend to focus more on ‘what we will get’ rather than ‘how much we can give’.  Recently, I heard this paralleled with regards to those nasty/creepy creatures—TICKS.  These arachnids will attach to a host and then they do what they do-SUCK the blood from its prey! If this continues very long, there could be severe ramifications.  If we are not careful, we can do the same thing to others (often to those we love the most).  Relationships are critical to our overall well being.  We all need those special people/bonds in our lives.  Yet, why do we at times treat those dear to us with disrespect, hurtful words, etc. ? When we selfishly look inward and want to satisfy our desires above submitting to serving others, we may indeed be sucking the life out of those relationships, thus not fully enjoying/experiencing what all they should/could become .  Sometimes this goes to the extent of loosing friends, a marriage, business partnerships, family members, etc).  All because of “I/ME’.  God tells us in scripture to be loving, serving, kind, giving, thoughtful, selfless, etc.-which is quite opposite to what the world commands/expects.  Pride is often a common factor and we know what God thinks of a haughty heart.  May we all strive to work on ourselves to out give those in our lives/those we care about and love.  My goal is to be a ‘filler’--not an ‘emptier’…….may yours be the same.  Blessings in your pursuit—and your relationships…….TO

Living Sacrifice?

I regularly attend services at church, but I must continually resolve to remember that this is just a part of worship that our God expects.  Punching my time card at church can be in vain if I do not live a life as demonstrated in Romans 12:1-3.  It reads, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.  Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.  For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you”.   I must constantly ask myself if I am totally submitting my life as a living sacrifice to serve God and others- denying myself.  If you’re like me, this is a perpetual battle between our human nature and the Evil One.  My prayer today is that all Christians will cease to simply focus on 'getting by' with Sunday/Wednesday corporate worship and take our daily worship to a level exemplified by Paul during his time of imprisonment, and Jesus life example of serving……..not being served.  Blessings in your pursuit…….TO

Christmas-A Promise To Keep

Christmas was always special growing up-wonderful family times and precious memories.  Amidst the commercialization and busyness of the holidays, my parents made great attempts to instill why we celebrate Christmas and the importance of keeping Christ not only in the holiday, but our daily lives as well.  I love and cherish Christmas music.  One of my favorite groups is the Trans Siberian Orchestra (TSO), especially their Christmas music.  One song in particular is called 'Promises To Keep'.......some of the lyrics include:
 

Christmas time and the year will soon be leaving
Cloaked in time till it's just a memory
Christmas stays if we don't forget its meaning
Days go quickly by, years they multiply
We go searching for thee

And my dream is still alive
From that first December morning
And it always will survive as long as we can see
That the dreams that we find in life
Are the dreams we tend to seek
And Christmas has its promises to keep

We have so many precious promises from our Creator, the Christmas story fulfilled a prophesy-the promise of a Savior.  We all have access to this-the most precious gift of all.  This song reminds me of the following:   time flees quickly; the Spirit of Christmas stays if we do not forget;  to seek Jesus,  the Promise of Christmas (Jesus)-is alive/and will survive;  what am I seeking; and yes, Christmas certainly has it's promises to keep.   I hope we all truly seek and find the wonderful promises of our God.  Blessings in your pursuit.......TO

Broken-Throw Away?

We live in a 'throw away' society.....things broken, old, lost value...or unwanted are constantly disposed.  Spiritually, we will all be broken at times-the good news is that God still sees value in each and every human being and He will never discard/throw us out. Matter of fact-God uses the broken for His purpose/plans.  Whether its broken pitchers (Judges 7), tables of stone (Exodus 32), David's broken heart (Psalm 51),  an alabaster box (Mark 14),  the broken body of Jesus on Calvary to institute the Lord's Supper (Matt 26), or us at times when we are/feel broken....... He has plans for us all-He knows these plans to the very end and he has the best in mind for us--for good/to prosper us/not to harm/to give hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).  Caveat- we will not have a trial free life on this earth where we will not experience hurt.  Contrast to the society we live in, God will simply keep opening His arms, waiting for us to come to Him.  He will embrace and love us--ALWAYS!  Through our Savior, we can always go from broken-to obedient-to embraced-to valued/treasured.......by our loving God. While it's true that 'all the king's horses and men could not put Humpty Dumpty back together again--God can and will put our lives back together if we seek Him and are obedient (not perfect) followers.  John 8:10-11 tells of a broken woman-Jesus shows her compassion-He came to save us, not to condemn.  Are you daily engaging in a relationship with Jesus?    Blessings in your pursuit.......TO

THINK!

Our speech/comments/thoughts--do they parallel wholesomeness and exemplify godliness in our daily lives?  Ephesians 4:29 tells us to watch that what we say is not unwholesome.  I remember, often at times, what a friend and brother in Christ often said regarding how we talk--he would say that thing which flaps between our teeth/gums/lips can get us into much difficulty if we are not careful.  Isn't that very true and a good reminder to be careful not only what we say.......but how.

I like acronyms, most are pretty relevant, some are a little silly.  This one I came across recently is one of the few reasons where my introverted/quiet personality is favorable.

THINK
T-Truthful;  H-Helpful (Beneficial);  I- Inspiring (Encouraging); N- Necessary; K-Kind

We have all heard the wise proverbial saying 'quick to listen, slow to speak' (James 1:19-20).....or 'think before you speak'.  It is so tempting at times to give a piece of our minds, quickly become angry, spew off at someone (possibly even one we love and care deeply for)......I hope we can take this to heart and avoid loose lips in our speech and instead make it a point to speak with love, kindness, compassion, and for encouragement to the listener.

Do you ever wonder regarding the fact that we have two ears.............and only one mouth?......hmmm!

Check out these other passages that God has provided to help us take our speech seriously:  Blessings in your pursuit.......TO

Matthew 12:34,  O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

Matthew 12:36, "But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken."

James 1:26,  Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.  

James 3:5b-6a  "Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among parts of the body

Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."

Psalm 141:3  Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

1 Peter 3:10-11,For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and
 their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good;  they must seek peace and pursue it.

Colossians 4:6, "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

 

 

Fireproof

Several months ago, I finally took the time and courage to watch the movie Fireproof.  It came out about the same time my wife left our 21 year marriage.  I had hopes to watch this with her, that never came to fruition.  What a power message and endearing movie centering on values such as commitment, trust, love, denying self, imperfections, hope…….the list could continue.  While I loved the movie, it was difficult to watch………alone-heartbreaking.   However, I could not resist expressing some thoughts that the movie places on my heart.

While it has been a few years, it still does not seem right/factual or comfortable to say “I’m divorced”.   Scripture tells us that God hates divorce.  It was never something I thought would happen to my marriage-I’ve learned some things are beyond our comprehension and control.  God is in control, especially when something does not make sense (there is a book of that same title that I have read -“When God Doesn’t Make Sense).  Sometimes, it is not a matter of how good and faithful of a spouse you are…..there is always much room for improvement.  And while I blame my marriage prematurely  on the dangers of powerful , long-term ,prescription pain medication and the effects they can have……..still I could have been better.  While I do not understand-I must trust in my Creator.  Through time and God’s strength—I have long moved on/forward.  Not until we as Christians, spouses, parents   truly deny ourselves and live in submission to God, can we live the life He offers.  If we are to defeat Satan and the “hold” he has on our lives--(marriages, families, etc) we must live selflessly.  My friends, that is not the world we live in….we are not to conform here, but look/live upward.  If you are trying to change someone or think you can, it starts inwardly with ourselves by living the godly life we are called to in all facets (jobs, friendships, as parents, church and especially marriage).  We can’t change others,  however, what we can do is live a life that is exemplary of Christ-like letting the love and spirit of God shine…….then, perhaps others may choose to desire and experience the love and promises of God......and change-it’s up to them and the power of God to transform.  None of us are remotely close to being perfect—that’s not a requirement.  God loves all-equally-all he asks for is………..our hearts.  Blessings in your pursuit…….TO

The Vineyard

The passage in Isaiah 5:1-9 (The Song of the Vineyard) tells of God's expectations of His people of Israel.  This demonstrates that His yearning is obedience, genuine, love, total surrender, etc.  The owner of the vineyard had the best.....fertile land, choicest vines, watchful care and up keep, yet when harvest came and he looked for the expected good yield.......it was not there.  The end of verse 2 states....Then he looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit. Why is this?  God is serious about genuine obedience.  Just like in verse 7 where the people of Israel are God's chosen vines, we as Christians today are also His.  Verse 7:  The vineyard of the Lord Almighty is the nation of Israel, and the people of Judah are the vines he delighted in.  And he looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard cries of distress.  Choice vines can produce bad crops......the same is true for us.  God delights in His creation....he finds pleasure in us as faithful followers.  However, God despises sin and He will righteously judge against iniquities. God created us, he knows where our hearts are planted.

Are you attached to The Vine?  What are you anchored in?
 
John 15:5, I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

Blessings in your pursuit.......TO