Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Thanksgiving


To Him whom we give thanks... for life, for love, for mercy and grace, and the peace that passes all understanding.

Happy Thanksgiving to all here in the states. We have more than we realize to be thankful for.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Do I always have to be so pigheaded?


I must admit that my previous post (in case it wasn't obvious) was a personal frustration of mine. Maybe you could relate to it as well.

But I recently had an encounter with a brother where I assumed, terribly wrong, what he was saying. I took what he shared very negatively, very personally. And I festered for hours until I wrote that last blog piece to "get it off my chest."

It wasn't until later that God brought me to my senses (with the help of my brother) and I saw how wrong I was in assuming the worse from what my brother was trying to communicate with me.

You've heard the definition of ASSUME? It's when I make an ASS out of U and ME. That's what I've been told anyway and I certainly felt like an ass, a pig-headed one.

All is well now with my brother and I. I've apologized and have learned (again!) a good lesson. LISTEN before I speak!
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My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. James 1:19-20
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Monday, November 17, 2008

Do we always have to agree?


For siblings in Christ to love one another, respect one another, encourage and teach one another... do we always have to agree with one another?

Is it necessary for a brother or sister to walk with another brother or sister to always see eye to eye, to always be "on the same page?" Or can we give one another space and freedom to move about as the Lord does His thing in each of us?

If you're excited over having had some revelation, some epiphany with something the Lord has shown you then I will be excited with you, even if I can't relate to your new found discovery. And if I come to you with a new found discovery and you can't relate to it or to me then I won't get upset or frustrated. I'll give you space and still walk with you as I hope you do with me.

Isn't it freedom that we've been called to? The freedom to let go of one another to allow God to have His own way with each of us. And the respect needed to grant one another, the space to say, "I don't always understand you... but I love you and will keep lifting you up to the Father who does understand us all."

With this attitude we can walk with one another in trust, put our differences and misunderstandings aside, and lift one another to Him, leaving each other in His capable hands.

This is how I see things. This is how I want to live.
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"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained." Philippians 3:12-16
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Where to look? Who to listen to?




So much going on around us.

Where to look?

Who to listen to?

So many voices saying so many things.

How to decipher?

What to make of it?


All is well.

Change has come.

That's the noise that's all about.

But are you listening beyond the sound bytes?

Are you seeing beyond the stuff they call the news?

The times they are a changing fast.


All is well.

All is numb.

At least we're up to speed with how Brad and Angelina are doing.

Keep me fat.

Keep me happy.

Keep distracting me so I won't notice when it's too late to care.


Ready or not.

Here it comes.

There's a new order brewing.

And it will be unveiled.

Just a matter of time.

Whether we're ready or not - here it comes.


This is the story of what is unfolding.

It's been unfolding forever.

And it's becoming clearer as to where we're going.

Faith on the earth may be hard to find.

Someone's coming.

Are you ready?

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"But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they had none, those who weep as though they did not weep, those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they did not possess, and those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away."

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