Our Daily Bread
I remember an old joke about a farmer and his wife discussing dinner. "What do you want for dinner, honey?" said the wife. The husband said "I am not sure. Beef, pork, chicken. I could kill a fresh chicken, I guess. I am uncommitted at this point". The wife said sweetly "Yes, but the chicken is "all-in" and committed if you pick him!" I think that sounded funnier in my head. ;-p
The point of the story is commitment. The story in the devotional is about having total faith in God We are not talking about the partial, go-to-church-on-Sunday-and-do-what-you-want-during-the-week type of faith. We are talking about being "all-in" where everything in your life is based on your faith in God! Wow! I don't have that. I am working on it! How about you?
Lord, you are faithful to us if we just trust you. We thank you and praise you!
Foodie Friday
I tried making pulled this week. It was OK. I want to try some other recipes. I think the pork part turned out pretty good. I wasn't happy with the BBQ sauce I got at Costco. Oh well. Here is the recipe I used.
Slow Cooker Texas Style Pulled Pork
INGREDIENTS:
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 (4 pound) pork shoulder roast
1 cup barbeque sauce
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1 tablespoon prepared yellow mustard
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 extra large onion, chopped
2 large cloves garlic, crushed
1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme
8 hamburger buns, split
2 tablespoons butter, or as needed
DIRECTIONS:
1. Pour the vegetable oil into the bottom of a slow cooker. Place the pork roast into the slow cooker; pour in the barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, and chicken broth. Stir in the brown sugar, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, onion, garlic, and thyme. Cover and cook on High until the roast shreds easily with a fork, 5 to 6 hours.
2. Remove the roast from the slow cooker, and shred the meat using two forks. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker, and stir the meat into the juices.
3. Spread the inside of both halves of hamburger buns with butter. Toast the buns, butter side down, in a skillet over medium heat until golden brown. Spoon pork into the toasted buns.
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We are far from perfect, but despite our mistakes and our sins, we will never abandon the Lord and he will never abandon us - adapted from a statement about Abraham from the EfM Training Guide
Friday, November 30, 2012
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Stirred, but not shaken
Our Daily Bread
I love James Bond movies. The latest one, Skyfall, was very good in my opinion. I wrote about it a couple of weeks ago. The best part is that I got to see it for free! Woohooo! One of his signature lines is "Shaken, not stirred" when ordering his martinis. I propose a different saying for Christians: "Stirred, not shaken"!
I derived this from the scripture passage in Psalm 112. Verses 6 -7 say:
6 Surely the righteous will never be shaken;
they will be remembered forever.
7 They will have no fear of bad news;
their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
Wow! Never be shaken! I want to live like that! How about you?
Lord, thank you for your steadfast love and faithfulness. Please help us never be shaken, but rather stirred by your Holy Spirit!
Technology Thursday
Here is some miscellaneous stuff from the technology world:
Apple releases new iMacs tomorrow
Apple will start selling its ultra-thin iMac tomorrow in the 21.5" version. The 27" version will be available next month. If you haven't seen a picture of it yet, take a look at this:
It is amazingly thin! Lots of power, too! Lots of cash, too! I am not sure it is worth it to get such an elegant machine for two or three times the price of a Windows machine, but it would be tempting! I guess I will have to pass since I didn't win the lottery!
Samsung Galaxy Tabs being discontinued?
My best friend caught a great sale on the Galaxy Tab 10.1 last weekend. I am not sure if they are discontinuing that model because they came out with the Galaxy Note 10.1 or what is going on. Friends who waited to buy one after the weekend had trouble finding them at the low price. BTW, my best friend loves the device!
Hands on iPad Mini
My hands shook. My eyes marveled. I held one of the iPad Minis yesterday. Wow. I think it is the perfect device for me. It is a little larger than other small tablets I have used, but lighter. It felt good in my hand, like I could read or surf the web with it. Wow! Would I buy myself one? Nah. I will wait for the retinal display model to come out next year. It sort of looked like a large iPhone 4S with a faster processor! ha! I really like it though. I can see one in my future. I don't really like my Google Nexus 7 tablet ;-(
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Trusting God’s faithfulness dispels our fearfulness. - Our Daily Bread web site
I love James Bond movies. The latest one, Skyfall, was very good in my opinion. I wrote about it a couple of weeks ago. The best part is that I got to see it for free! Woohooo! One of his signature lines is "Shaken, not stirred" when ordering his martinis. I propose a different saying for Christians: "Stirred, not shaken"!
I derived this from the scripture passage in Psalm 112. Verses 6 -7 say:
6 Surely the righteous will never be shaken;
they will be remembered forever.
7 They will have no fear of bad news;
their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
Wow! Never be shaken! I want to live like that! How about you?
Lord, thank you for your steadfast love and faithfulness. Please help us never be shaken, but rather stirred by your Holy Spirit!
Technology Thursday
Here is some miscellaneous stuff from the technology world:
Apple releases new iMacs tomorrow
Apple will start selling its ultra-thin iMac tomorrow in the 21.5" version. The 27" version will be available next month. If you haven't seen a picture of it yet, take a look at this:
It is amazingly thin! Lots of power, too! Lots of cash, too! I am not sure it is worth it to get such an elegant machine for two or three times the price of a Windows machine, but it would be tempting! I guess I will have to pass since I didn't win the lottery!
Samsung Galaxy Tabs being discontinued?
My best friend caught a great sale on the Galaxy Tab 10.1 last weekend. I am not sure if they are discontinuing that model because they came out with the Galaxy Note 10.1 or what is going on. Friends who waited to buy one after the weekend had trouble finding them at the low price. BTW, my best friend loves the device!
Hands on iPad Mini
My hands shook. My eyes marveled. I held one of the iPad Minis yesterday. Wow. I think it is the perfect device for me. It is a little larger than other small tablets I have used, but lighter. It felt good in my hand, like I could read or surf the web with it. Wow! Would I buy myself one? Nah. I will wait for the retinal display model to come out next year. It sort of looked like a large iPhone 4S with a faster processor! ha! I really like it though. I can see one in my future. I don't really like my Google Nexus 7 tablet ;-(
*******************************
Trusting God’s faithfulness dispels our fearfulness. - Our Daily Bread web site
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Know it all
Our Daily Bread
OK, I will admit it. I can be sort of a jerk sometimes because I can be a know it all kind of guy. As I say "I am sort of smart". Probably more of a smart a$$!
The apostle Paul seems to be smarter than I will ever be. He was educated in many things as well as an expert in the Torah. He was the cream of the crop of young Hebrews in his day. Yet he wrote about his material things and all the other things in his life
"But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. " Phil 3:7-9
So no matter what "garbage" I obtain in this life. No matter how many degrees or certifications I earn. The only knowledge that really that really matters is knowing Christ!
Lord, thank you for letting us know you!
Wellness Wednesday
Just breathe
I like scanning the Healthy Living section of the Huffington Post (new.aol.com). I ran across the article on "mindful breathing" the other day. It is consistent with several other approaches to meditation and breathing-type activities like tai chi. Check it out and do some mindful breathing. It was a good reminder for me!
Secret number 23 from 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People
Don't let your religious beliefs fade.
I liked number 23! ;-) I know it is sort of cliche to get more religious as we get older, but doing so has been very good for me in so many ways. A young friend joked "I guess you would get closer to God when you are older since you will be seeing him soon!". I never liked him... ;-p Have a relationship with God gives us a sense of purpose and a lifestyle that is the best thing for us. I highly recommend it!
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We too can know this God and be assured of His presence. He has revealed Himself in His creation and in His Word. As we ask Him to make Himself known to us, we’ll learn that He is even more than the owner and creator of everything! - Our Daily Bread web site
OK, I will admit it. I can be sort of a jerk sometimes because I can be a know it all kind of guy. As I say "I am sort of smart". Probably more of a smart a$$!
The apostle Paul seems to be smarter than I will ever be. He was educated in many things as well as an expert in the Torah. He was the cream of the crop of young Hebrews in his day. Yet he wrote about his material things and all the other things in his life
"But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. " Phil 3:7-9
So no matter what "garbage" I obtain in this life. No matter how many degrees or certifications I earn. The only knowledge that really that really matters is knowing Christ!
Lord, thank you for letting us know you!
Wellness Wednesday
Just breathe
I like scanning the Healthy Living section of the Huffington Post (new.aol.com). I ran across the article on "mindful breathing" the other day. It is consistent with several other approaches to meditation and breathing-type activities like tai chi. Check it out and do some mindful breathing. It was a good reminder for me!
Secret number 23 from 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People
Don't let your religious beliefs fade.
I liked number 23! ;-) I know it is sort of cliche to get more religious as we get older, but doing so has been very good for me in so many ways. A young friend joked "I guess you would get closer to God when you are older since you will be seeing him soon!". I never liked him... ;-p Have a relationship with God gives us a sense of purpose and a lifestyle that is the best thing for us. I highly recommend it!
********************************
We too can know this God and be assured of His presence. He has revealed Himself in His creation and in His Word. As we ask Him to make Himself known to us, we’ll learn that He is even more than the owner and creator of everything! - Our Daily Bread web site
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
More, more, more
Our Daily Bread
I am not a big Broadway geek, but there are some shows I know a little bit about. One of the shows, that was also made into a movie, was Oliver. In one well-known scene, Oliver does the unthinkable -- he asks for more food at dinner time! The concept of "more" can get us into trouble sometimes!
One example of the concept of "more" not getting us in trouble is God's love. God loves us more than we can comprehend. God challenges to love ourselves and others more. I love this saying from the devotional:
Lord, thank you for your love. Thank you for loving others through us if we will just let you.
Teaching Tuesday
You know how blunt I can be. This week's lesson was sort of boring. It traced through the Exodus story in the scripture and how it all worked. Better said, how we think it all worked. The text gave a lot of examples of how historical texts match up to the stories of the Exodus, Israel and the promised land of Canaan. It was sort of interesting. I guess I got so much out of the previous weeks' lessons that this one was a little bit of a let down. I finally figured out that God wants me to understand my own history. Understand where I am now and where I will be going. He wants me to love myself more so I can love others better. Yes, that is a stretch from the text of this lesson, but it is what it is!
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Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
I am not a big Broadway geek, but there are some shows I know a little bit about. One of the shows, that was also made into a movie, was Oliver. In one well-known scene, Oliver does the unthinkable -- he asks for more food at dinner time! The concept of "more" can get us into trouble sometimes!
One example of the concept of "more" not getting us in trouble is God's love. God loves us more than we can comprehend. God challenges to love ourselves and others more. I love this saying from the devotional:
Our limited ability to love does not change God’s limitless power to love through us.
Wow! Think on that saying today! Lord, thank you for your love. Thank you for loving others through us if we will just let you.
Teaching Tuesday
You know how blunt I can be. This week's lesson was sort of boring. It traced through the Exodus story in the scripture and how it all worked. Better said, how we think it all worked. The text gave a lot of examples of how historical texts match up to the stories of the Exodus, Israel and the promised land of Canaan. It was sort of interesting. I guess I got so much out of the previous weeks' lessons that this one was a little bit of a let down. I finally figured out that God wants me to understand my own history. Understand where I am now and where I will be going. He wants me to love myself more so I can love others better. Yes, that is a stretch from the text of this lesson, but it is what it is!
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Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Monday, November 26, 2012
Just another love song
Our Daily Bread
My guess is that the number one topic of popular songs is love. Beautiful love that will last forever. Forgotten love. Lusting love. Broken hearts from lost love. They are all there -- sometimes all those things are in one country song alone! ha!
The devotional talks about an everlasting kind of love -- the love of God. The love that permeates our being so completely, that we have no other choice than to share it with others. It doesn't have to be a huge, sweeping gesture. Showing the love of God can be the smallest of things. Listen to his leading today so you can share his love with others. Like the song says that I have been writing about "I want to live like that..."
Lord, thank you for your everlasting love. Please help us share it with others!
Movie Monday
I got to see three movies last week: Life of Pi, Wreck it Ralph and Lincoln.
Life of Pi
I will apologize right now because I just didn't get this movie. Maybe it is because I didn't read the book. Some friends of mine on Facebook raved about it. Oh well. I think it should win every Oscar for cinematography. That was amazing. See it in 3D and IMAX if at all possible. It was stunning. As far as the story, it is about a young Indian man that survives a shipwreck. This is amazing considering the length of time that he survived and that he was sharing a raft with a full-grown Bengal tiger!
I give this movie three bear paws. See it in 3D IMAX if at all possible.
Wreck it Ralph
Very cute and lesson-ridden! ha! "You can be a bad guy, but not be a BAD GUY. Huh?" is one of the cute quotes from the bad guy support group. Yes, life can change for us when we push ourselves our of our rut! The story is about Wreck it Ralph, the bad guy in a video game. He gets tired of his bad guy life and sets out to change it in other video games. There were some laughs to be had as well as lessons to be learned! ;-)
I give this two bear paws. You can rent this one, though the colors were pretty on the big screen.
Lincoln
I think this was my favorite movie of the year so far (I am still waiting to see The Hobbit when it comes out). I think this movie should win every acting Oscar, the best director and best screen play. It was amazing. I was mesmerized for over two hours. I also learned a lot about American politics that I didn't really "get" before! See it as soon as possible.
I give this movie four out of four bear paws! See it as soon as you can!
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Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
My guess is that the number one topic of popular songs is love. Beautiful love that will last forever. Forgotten love. Lusting love. Broken hearts from lost love. They are all there -- sometimes all those things are in one country song alone! ha!
The devotional talks about an everlasting kind of love -- the love of God. The love that permeates our being so completely, that we have no other choice than to share it with others. It doesn't have to be a huge, sweeping gesture. Showing the love of God can be the smallest of things. Listen to his leading today so you can share his love with others. Like the song says that I have been writing about "I want to live like that..."
Lord, thank you for your everlasting love. Please help us share it with others!
Movie Monday
I got to see three movies last week: Life of Pi, Wreck it Ralph and Lincoln.
Life of Pi
I will apologize right now because I just didn't get this movie. Maybe it is because I didn't read the book. Some friends of mine on Facebook raved about it. Oh well. I think it should win every Oscar for cinematography. That was amazing. See it in 3D and IMAX if at all possible. It was stunning. As far as the story, it is about a young Indian man that survives a shipwreck. This is amazing considering the length of time that he survived and that he was sharing a raft with a full-grown Bengal tiger!
I give this movie three bear paws. See it in 3D IMAX if at all possible.
Wreck it Ralph
Very cute and lesson-ridden! ha! "You can be a bad guy, but not be a BAD GUY. Huh?" is one of the cute quotes from the bad guy support group. Yes, life can change for us when we push ourselves our of our rut! The story is about Wreck it Ralph, the bad guy in a video game. He gets tired of his bad guy life and sets out to change it in other video games. There were some laughs to be had as well as lessons to be learned! ;-)
I give this two bear paws. You can rent this one, though the colors were pretty on the big screen.
Lincoln
I think this was my favorite movie of the year so far (I am still waiting to see The Hobbit when it comes out). I think this movie should win every acting Oscar, the best director and best screen play. It was amazing. I was mesmerized for over two hours. I also learned a lot about American politics that I didn't really "get" before! See it as soon as possible.
I give this movie four out of four bear paws! See it as soon as you can!
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Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Trusting God's faithfulness
Our Daily Bread
Have you ever had someone let you down? I know I have. I also know that I have let others down many more times than I care to admit. ;-( There is a song "Once bitten, twice shy". As humans, it is hard for us not to be!
That is where God comes in. God never abandons us. During the times of our greatest joys and our greatest fears, God is with us. How in the heck can we give God all of our fears? For me, I try to memorize scripture passages to recite when I have doubts and fears. I also wrote a chorus (that will soon have verses with it) that I sing to myself during these times. The lyrics (so far) are:
I will trust in the Lord
I will wait patiently for him
And lean upon his promise
Follow where he leads
To be a faithful servant in deed.
The lyrics are very comforting and strengthening to me. I hope they help you as well. I will post the song on Youtube when I complete it.
Remember the last line of the devotional: Trusting God’s faithfulness dispels our fearfulness.
Lord, thank you for your peace that passes all understanding. Please help us give our hope and fears to you.
Psalm Sunday
Let's look at Psalm 71 this week. My favorite sections are verses 14-15 and 22-24. Be sure to read it out loud!
Psalm 71
1 In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
2 In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me;
turn your ear to me and save me.
3 Be my rock of refuge,
to which I can always go;
give the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
4 Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel.
5 For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord,
my confidence since my youth.
6 From birth I have relied on you;
you brought me forth from my mother’s womb.
I will ever praise you.
7 I have become a sign to many;
you are my strong refuge.
8 My mouth is filled with your praise,
declaring your splendor all day long.
9 Do not cast me away when I am old;
do not forsake me when my strength is gone.
10 For my enemies speak against me;
those who wait to kill me conspire together.
11 They say, “God has forsaken him;
pursue him and seize him,
for no one will rescue him.”
12 Do not be far from me, my God;
come quickly, God, to help me.
13 May my accusers perish in shame;
may those who want to harm me
be covered with scorn and disgrace.
14 As for me, I will always have hope;
I will praise you more and more.
15 My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds,
of your saving acts all day long—
though I know not how to relate them all.
16 I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord;
I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.
17 Since my youth, God, you have taught me,
and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
18 Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your mighty acts to all who are to come.
19 Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens,
you who have done great things.
Who is like you, God?
20 Though you have made me see troubles,
many and bitter,
you will restore my life again;
from the depths of the earth
you will again bring me up.
21 You will increase my honor
and comfort me once more.
22 I will praise you with the harp
for your faithfulness, my God;
I will sing praise to you with the lyre,
Holy One of Israel.
23 My lips will shout for joy
when I sing praise to you—
I whom you have delivered.
24 My tongue will tell of your righteous acts
all day long,
for those who wanted to harm me
have been put to shame and confusion.
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We are far from perfect, but despite our mistakes and our sins, we will never abandon the Lord and he will never abandon us - adapted from a statement about Abraham from the EfM Training Guide
Have you ever had someone let you down? I know I have. I also know that I have let others down many more times than I care to admit. ;-( There is a song "Once bitten, twice shy". As humans, it is hard for us not to be!
That is where God comes in. God never abandons us. During the times of our greatest joys and our greatest fears, God is with us. How in the heck can we give God all of our fears? For me, I try to memorize scripture passages to recite when I have doubts and fears. I also wrote a chorus (that will soon have verses with it) that I sing to myself during these times. The lyrics (so far) are:
I will trust in the Lord
I will wait patiently for him
And lean upon his promise
Follow where he leads
To be a faithful servant in deed.
The lyrics are very comforting and strengthening to me. I hope they help you as well. I will post the song on Youtube when I complete it.
Remember the last line of the devotional: Trusting God’s faithfulness dispels our fearfulness.
Lord, thank you for your peace that passes all understanding. Please help us give our hope and fears to you.
Psalm Sunday
Let's look at Psalm 71 this week. My favorite sections are verses 14-15 and 22-24. Be sure to read it out loud!
Psalm 71
1 In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
2 In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me;
turn your ear to me and save me.
3 Be my rock of refuge,
to which I can always go;
give the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
4 Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel.
5 For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord,
my confidence since my youth.
6 From birth I have relied on you;
you brought me forth from my mother’s womb.
I will ever praise you.
7 I have become a sign to many;
you are my strong refuge.
8 My mouth is filled with your praise,
declaring your splendor all day long.
9 Do not cast me away when I am old;
do not forsake me when my strength is gone.
10 For my enemies speak against me;
those who wait to kill me conspire together.
11 They say, “God has forsaken him;
pursue him and seize him,
for no one will rescue him.”
12 Do not be far from me, my God;
come quickly, God, to help me.
13 May my accusers perish in shame;
may those who want to harm me
be covered with scorn and disgrace.
14 As for me, I will always have hope;
I will praise you more and more.
15 My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds,
of your saving acts all day long—
though I know not how to relate them all.
16 I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord;
I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.
17 Since my youth, God, you have taught me,
and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
18 Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your mighty acts to all who are to come.
19 Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens,
you who have done great things.
Who is like you, God?
20 Though you have made me see troubles,
many and bitter,
you will restore my life again;
from the depths of the earth
you will again bring me up.
21 You will increase my honor
and comfort me once more.
22 I will praise you with the harp
for your faithfulness, my God;
I will sing praise to you with the lyre,
Holy One of Israel.
23 My lips will shout for joy
when I sing praise to you—
I whom you have delivered.
24 My tongue will tell of your righteous acts
all day long,
for those who wanted to harm me
have been put to shame and confusion.
*********************************
We are far from perfect, but despite our mistakes and our sins, we will never abandon the Lord and he will never abandon us - adapted from a statement about Abraham from the EfM Training Guide
Saturday, November 24, 2012
No doesn't have to hurt
Our Daily Bread
Yes, I am a stubborn old bear. I guess I have always been a stubborn person. I am fortunate that my friends are patient with me, though sometimes they have to ask me the question "What part of "no" don't you understand?" ha! I think it is both letters combined and spoken that I don't get! ;-0
How many times has God told you "no"? If you are as stubborn and independently-minded as me, you hear "no" a LOT! Yikes! Yes, I hear those two letters in my head more times that I like to admit. I don't like to admit it because I feel like I am not being the kind of man God wants me to be if he has to tell me no. I guess there is some pride there that I should know better by now. The fact is we are always growing and improving our relationship to God. There are points where we need to really understand "NO" and live our lives accordingly.
What part of "no" are you not understanding today? Please read the Simply Saturday entry below for more insights.
Lord, you have our best interests in mind even when we can't see them. Please help us have faith in your plans for us. Please forgive our unbelief!
Simply Saturday
What does "no" really mean?
Once again, it never ceases to amaze me how the Our Daily Bread devotional site speaks to me in such a timely manner. I had no idea what I was going to write about this morning until I read the devotional. God is leading me to expand on the topic of "no".
A friend of mine posted something like this on Facebook:
God answers prayers in three ways:
Yes.
Not now.
No, I have something better in mind.
I really like that! How can you tell the difference between the three? Figuring out the "yes" answer can be challenge at times because we may not understand how God is saying yes. For example, we may ask God to help us with our financial situation. In our simple minds, we are thinking "I need to win the lottery". ha! God has other ideas that accomplish the same answered prayer, but in a way that is the best for us in the long run. It is not always easy to see. I hate not winning the lottery! ;-p
The "Not now" answer and the "No, I have something better in mind" are even more difficult. This is has been my big struggle regarding a situation in my life. God has been trying to tell me "No, I have something better in mind", but I wanted to hear "Not now". Why is the "Not now" answer not the right answer for me? I learned that if I got what I asked for, whether now or later, that I would never be the kind of man God wanted me to be. Wow! I could never really admit that to myself for several reasons I won't go into here.
So what do you do when you hear "No, I have something better in mind"? Trust. Pray. Have faith that God knows what he is doing. Keep doing the things that God is leading you to do. Continue to be the person God wants you to be. A song that has become one of my favorites when I am dealing with my "No, I have something better in mind" periods is While I'm waiting by John Waller. Check out the lyrics.
Have faith, my friends. Here is a verse that has become a new favorite:
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” John 11:40
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When God says no to our request, we can be sure it’s for the best.
- Our Daily Bread, November 24, 2012
Yes, I am a stubborn old bear. I guess I have always been a stubborn person. I am fortunate that my friends are patient with me, though sometimes they have to ask me the question "What part of "no" don't you understand?" ha! I think it is both letters combined and spoken that I don't get! ;-0
How many times has God told you "no"? If you are as stubborn and independently-minded as me, you hear "no" a LOT! Yikes! Yes, I hear those two letters in my head more times that I like to admit. I don't like to admit it because I feel like I am not being the kind of man God wants me to be if he has to tell me no. I guess there is some pride there that I should know better by now. The fact is we are always growing and improving our relationship to God. There are points where we need to really understand "NO" and live our lives accordingly.
What part of "no" are you not understanding today? Please read the Simply Saturday entry below for more insights.
Lord, you have our best interests in mind even when we can't see them. Please help us have faith in your plans for us. Please forgive our unbelief!
Simply Saturday
What does "no" really mean?
Once again, it never ceases to amaze me how the Our Daily Bread devotional site speaks to me in such a timely manner. I had no idea what I was going to write about this morning until I read the devotional. God is leading me to expand on the topic of "no".
A friend of mine posted something like this on Facebook:
God answers prayers in three ways:
Yes.
Not now.
No, I have something better in mind.
I really like that! How can you tell the difference between the three? Figuring out the "yes" answer can be challenge at times because we may not understand how God is saying yes. For example, we may ask God to help us with our financial situation. In our simple minds, we are thinking "I need to win the lottery". ha! God has other ideas that accomplish the same answered prayer, but in a way that is the best for us in the long run. It is not always easy to see. I hate not winning the lottery! ;-p
The "Not now" answer and the "No, I have something better in mind" are even more difficult. This is has been my big struggle regarding a situation in my life. God has been trying to tell me "No, I have something better in mind", but I wanted to hear "Not now". Why is the "Not now" answer not the right answer for me? I learned that if I got what I asked for, whether now or later, that I would never be the kind of man God wanted me to be. Wow! I could never really admit that to myself for several reasons I won't go into here.
So what do you do when you hear "No, I have something better in mind"? Trust. Pray. Have faith that God knows what he is doing. Keep doing the things that God is leading you to do. Continue to be the person God wants you to be. A song that has become one of my favorites when I am dealing with my "No, I have something better in mind" periods is While I'm waiting by John Waller. Check out the lyrics.
Have faith, my friends. Here is a verse that has become a new favorite:
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” John 11:40
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When God says no to our request, we can be sure it’s for the best.
- Our Daily Bread, November 24, 2012
Friday, November 23, 2012
Rich...in good deeds
Our Daily Bread
I am a very fortunate man. I have worked hard, and by the grace of God, I am in a place in my life where I can go out and buy most of the things that I really want. This is frustrating to friends and family around birthdays and holidays. I keep telling them that the little, thoughtful things they give mean more than any big present. My mother brought my favorite cream horn from Buehlers yesterday. It costs $1.25. I really appreciated her thoughtfulness.
This is a long story to lead to an important point -- we don't have to be rich to give of ourselves. We don't have to be wealthy to give of our time and love. I will never be the Warren Buffett financially, but I would like to be the Warren Buffett of sharing and loving others more than myself. Loving God more than anything in this life. Give of the most precious thing you have -- yourself.
Lord, thank you for each gift of each person. Please help each of us give of ourselves!
Foodie Friday
OK, so it is the day after Thanksgiving. Have lots of leftovers? I took the liberty of finding several web sites with recipes for leftovers! Woohooo! Frankly, I can eat turkey and gravy A LOT! ;-) I hope you find some good recipes from these sites:
Turkey Leftover Recipes - Allrecipes.com
Looking for turkey leftover recipes? Allrecipes has more than 120 trusted recipes for leftover turkey complete with ratings, reviews and cooking tips.
Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes:
Turkey Leftovers, Turkey Sandwiches from the FoodNetwork
Get recipes, ideas and tips for eating Thanksgiving leftovers from Food Network.
Ham Leftover Recipes | Taste of Home Recipes
Find recipes for using up leftover ham from the holidays, including ham leftover recipes for dinner, breakfast or any time!
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We too can know this God and be assured of His presence. He has revealed Himself in His creation and in His Word. As we ask Him to make Himself known to us, we’ll learn that He is even more than the owner and creator of everything! - Our Daily Bread web site
I am a very fortunate man. I have worked hard, and by the grace of God, I am in a place in my life where I can go out and buy most of the things that I really want. This is frustrating to friends and family around birthdays and holidays. I keep telling them that the little, thoughtful things they give mean more than any big present. My mother brought my favorite cream horn from Buehlers yesterday. It costs $1.25. I really appreciated her thoughtfulness.
This is a long story to lead to an important point -- we don't have to be rich to give of ourselves. We don't have to be wealthy to give of our time and love. I will never be the Warren Buffett financially, but I would like to be the Warren Buffett of sharing and loving others more than myself. Loving God more than anything in this life. Give of the most precious thing you have -- yourself.
Lord, thank you for each gift of each person. Please help each of us give of ourselves!
Foodie Friday
OK, so it is the day after Thanksgiving. Have lots of leftovers? I took the liberty of finding several web sites with recipes for leftovers! Woohooo! Frankly, I can eat turkey and gravy A LOT! ;-) I hope you find some good recipes from these sites:
Turkey Leftover Recipes - Allrecipes.com
Looking for turkey leftover recipes? Allrecipes has more than 120 trusted recipes for leftover turkey complete with ratings, reviews and cooking tips.
Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipes:
Turkey Leftovers, Turkey Sandwiches from the FoodNetwork
Get recipes, ideas and tips for eating Thanksgiving leftovers from Food Network.
Ham Leftover Recipes | Taste of Home Recipes
Find recipes for using up leftover ham from the holidays, including ham leftover recipes for dinner, breakfast or any time!
*************************************
We too can know this God and be assured of His presence. He has revealed Himself in His creation and in His Word. As we ask Him to make Himself known to us, we’ll learn that He is even more than the owner and creator of everything! - Our Daily Bread web site
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Happy Thanksgiving!
Our Daily Bread - Thanksgiving Thursday
As you would guess, the devotional today is about what else? Thanksgiving! I find it interesting that Christians complain about the commercialization of Christmas, but don't complain about the "religionization" of Thanksgiving! It is basically a secular holiday even though someone supposedly said a prayer at the first Thanksgiving meal.
I have no problem with it because I think folks in general are not thankful enough for what they have. I know I am not. I always want more and buy more. God is working in me to look outside myself more. I am not what I own. My worth is who I am in God. I am (and you are) a beloved child of God (BCOG). Let us be truly thankful for all we have.
Here are two passages that I liked when I searched for the word "thanksgiving" on biblegateway.com:
Psalm 95:2
Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.
I can do this! ;-)
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Still working on the "don't be anxious" part!
Lord, thank you, thank you, thank you. We praise you and lift you up. Please help us have faith in your promises. Forgive our unbelief!
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Keep praising God from whom all blessings flow. - odb.org, Thanksgiving 2012
As you would guess, the devotional today is about what else? Thanksgiving! I find it interesting that Christians complain about the commercialization of Christmas, but don't complain about the "religionization" of Thanksgiving! It is basically a secular holiday even though someone supposedly said a prayer at the first Thanksgiving meal.
I have no problem with it because I think folks in general are not thankful enough for what they have. I know I am not. I always want more and buy more. God is working in me to look outside myself more. I am not what I own. My worth is who I am in God. I am (and you are) a beloved child of God (BCOG). Let us be truly thankful for all we have.
Here are two passages that I liked when I searched for the word "thanksgiving" on biblegateway.com:
Psalm 95:2
Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.
I can do this! ;-)
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Still working on the "don't be anxious" part!
Lord, thank you, thank you, thank you. We praise you and lift you up. Please help us have faith in your promises. Forgive our unbelief!
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Keep praising God from whom all blessings flow. - odb.org, Thanksgiving 2012
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Find your way
Our Daily Bread
I have been fortunate to have many great and effective teachers in my life. I define a great and effective teacher as someone who can communicate the message of the lesson to each person, no matter what form it takes!
The devotional is about being a great and effective Christian. In what way can you best share God's love? We are all different and have different talents and gifts. The story in the devotional is about Thomas Gallaudet who established the American School for the Deaf. He found his best way to communicate God's love was to the deaf through sign language! It is an amazing story!
What is your best way? Can you talk to people? Can you serve others in some way? Find your way...
Lord, thank you for making each one of us special. Please help us find our special way to share your love!
Wellness Wednesday
Holiday wellness
So the holidays are on us! For folks on the path to lifetime wellness, is this a "woohooo!" time or a "oh crap!" time? It is sort of both for me this year. I am determined to not just throw away my work over the course of the last year so I can "enjoy" too much food and drink the last month of the year. Moderation is my theme. Have a good time at parties and dinners, but don't gorge myself at every one of them! Here are some holiday tips from an article here:
1. Make sure your food is safe!
Keep food safe to prevent food borne illnesses. Wash hands and food contact surfaces often. Keep raw meat and their juices away from ready-to-eat food. Cook turkey or stuffing to 165°F. Refrigerate perishable food within two hours.
2. Make physical activity part of your holiday tradition.
Search for a an organized walk or run in your local community or incorporate some form of exercise into your holiday tradition. Playing with the little ones outside or taking a walk after a big meal will help you not feel as full and listless.
3. Eat Often.
Be sure to eat a healthy breakfast on the days that you know you’ll eat more than usual. Eating smaller meals
throughout the day will help you get full faster, therefore eating less. Try not to arrive at dinner famished because you starved yourself all day, this could open up the potential for over-eating. Consider having dessert a few hours after the meal is complete.
4. Think "Eat This Not That".
It's all about the right choices! You probably already know what the better choices are, but here are a few reminders. Consider cranberry sauce over gravy and choose white meat over dark meat, as it's less fatty. Take bigger portions of healthy items like vegetables, and more moderate portions of creamy casseroles.
5. Connect with the spirit of gratitude this holiday season.
Some research shows that expressing gratitude can help improve mood, increase energy levels, relieve stress and increase motivation. Remember to take a few deep, relaxing breaths throughout the day. Even positive emotions like excitement and enthusiasm create stress in the body, so it's important to periodically do something that promotes relaxation.
Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!
************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
I have been fortunate to have many great and effective teachers in my life. I define a great and effective teacher as someone who can communicate the message of the lesson to each person, no matter what form it takes!
The devotional is about being a great and effective Christian. In what way can you best share God's love? We are all different and have different talents and gifts. The story in the devotional is about Thomas Gallaudet who established the American School for the Deaf. He found his best way to communicate God's love was to the deaf through sign language! It is an amazing story!
What is your best way? Can you talk to people? Can you serve others in some way? Find your way...
Lord, thank you for making each one of us special. Please help us find our special way to share your love!
Wellness Wednesday
Holiday wellness
So the holidays are on us! For folks on the path to lifetime wellness, is this a "woohooo!" time or a "oh crap!" time? It is sort of both for me this year. I am determined to not just throw away my work over the course of the last year so I can "enjoy" too much food and drink the last month of the year. Moderation is my theme. Have a good time at parties and dinners, but don't gorge myself at every one of them! Here are some holiday tips from an article here:
1. Make sure your food is safe!
Keep food safe to prevent food borne illnesses. Wash hands and food contact surfaces often. Keep raw meat and their juices away from ready-to-eat food. Cook turkey or stuffing to 165°F. Refrigerate perishable food within two hours.
2. Make physical activity part of your holiday tradition.
Search for a an organized walk or run in your local community or incorporate some form of exercise into your holiday tradition. Playing with the little ones outside or taking a walk after a big meal will help you not feel as full and listless.
3. Eat Often.
Be sure to eat a healthy breakfast on the days that you know you’ll eat more than usual. Eating smaller meals
throughout the day will help you get full faster, therefore eating less. Try not to arrive at dinner famished because you starved yourself all day, this could open up the potential for over-eating. Consider having dessert a few hours after the meal is complete.
4. Think "Eat This Not That".
It's all about the right choices! You probably already know what the better choices are, but here are a few reminders. Consider cranberry sauce over gravy and choose white meat over dark meat, as it's less fatty. Take bigger portions of healthy items like vegetables, and more moderate portions of creamy casseroles.
5. Connect with the spirit of gratitude this holiday season.
Some research shows that expressing gratitude can help improve mood, increase energy levels, relieve stress and increase motivation. Remember to take a few deep, relaxing breaths throughout the day. Even positive emotions like excitement and enthusiasm create stress in the body, so it's important to periodically do something that promotes relaxation.
Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!
************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
No matter what
Our Daily Bread
I listen to Contemporary Christian music most of the time on my iPod. One of my favorite songs is "No Matter What" by Kerrie Roberts. I even have a dance mix of it in my workout music!
The theme of the devotional today is very similar. We are never abandoned by God, no matter how it feels like it at times! I love reading the honest and soulful pleas in the Psalms. The thing that most folks don't notice is that there is always a "I believe in you, God, and what you can do" section in every psalm. Here are the two verses from Psalm 13:5-6
5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the Lord’s praise,
for he has been good to me.
Yes! We have God's unfailing love! He has been good to us! Let us all rejoice in his salvation no matter what!
Lord, please help always remember you are with us no matter what!
Teaching Tuesday
The Joseph Saga
The lesson this week was about Joseph. What an amazing man! I loved reading about his whole story again. Here are the things I learned this week:
So unless your family sold you into slavery and a sexy queen got you thrown into prison, I don't think we have a lot to complain about! Praise God!
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We are far from perfect, but despite our mistakes and our sins, we will never abandon the Lord and he will never abandon us - adapted from a statement about Abraham from the EfM Training Guide
I listen to Contemporary Christian music most of the time on my iPod. One of my favorite songs is "No Matter What" by Kerrie Roberts. I even have a dance mix of it in my workout music!
The theme of the devotional today is very similar. We are never abandoned by God, no matter how it feels like it at times! I love reading the honest and soulful pleas in the Psalms. The thing that most folks don't notice is that there is always a "I believe in you, God, and what you can do" section in every psalm. Here are the two verses from Psalm 13:5-6
5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the Lord’s praise,
for he has been good to me.
Yes! We have God's unfailing love! He has been good to us! Let us all rejoice in his salvation no matter what!
Lord, please help always remember you are with us no matter what!
Teaching Tuesday
The Joseph Saga
The lesson this week was about Joseph. What an amazing man! I loved reading about his whole story again. Here are the things I learned this week:
- Just because God may have blessed you in ways that others can only imagine, you do not need to flaunt it.
- The gifts God gives are from him and not of our own power, for example, Joseph's ability to interpret dreams.
- God can and will work in every situation, even when it is not ideal
So unless your family sold you into slavery and a sexy queen got you thrown into prison, I don't think we have a lot to complain about! Praise God!
********************************
We are far from perfect, but despite our mistakes and our sins, we will never abandon the Lord and he will never abandon us - adapted from a statement about Abraham from the EfM Training Guide
Monday, November 19, 2012
Not by works
Our Daily Bread
I am a "doer". I don't just talk about doing stuff, I do it. I have to admit that it gets me in trouble sometimes. I do stuff I shouldn't. I try to move God's plan along with my own plans and schemes. I do, instead of having faith. Not good!
The devotional is about doing things and falling short of our goals. In the case of Christians, it is falling short of the goals that God gave us. Yes, we all fall short of the glory of God. We all understand that. Our goal is to strive to be Christ-like in our walk on this earth. I know I sometimes fail horribly like Evel Knievel did jumping across the Snake River Canyon. God is our parachute as we land in the valley below after such failures. If we trust and have faith, God will raise us up again in to his loving arms for guidance and peace.
What plans are you making today that just ain't right?
Lord, thank you for being there for us when we fail. Help us to rely on your more to move towards our goal of being Christ-like!
Movie Monday
I got to see two movies last week: Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2 and Taken 2.
Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2
I took some ribbing from friends about seeing this movie instead of Lincoln. I thought I would finish out this series and be done with it! ha! It was more of the same of the Twilight story, but it had several surprises. You will have to see it to find out. I am not spoiling it for anyone! If you liked the other movies, you will like this one too.
I give it the same as the others -- two bear paws.
Taken 2
Again, if you liked the first movie in this series, you will probably like the second. It is more of the same except for a few surprises and some oddities that were not lost on me. They will be obvious to you as you watch the movie. There is one chase scene that is worth the price of the movie ticket (or rental).
I give this one two bear paws as well. You can rent it. No need to see it in the theaters.
***************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
I am a "doer". I don't just talk about doing stuff, I do it. I have to admit that it gets me in trouble sometimes. I do stuff I shouldn't. I try to move God's plan along with my own plans and schemes. I do, instead of having faith. Not good!
The devotional is about doing things and falling short of our goals. In the case of Christians, it is falling short of the goals that God gave us. Yes, we all fall short of the glory of God. We all understand that. Our goal is to strive to be Christ-like in our walk on this earth. I know I sometimes fail horribly like Evel Knievel did jumping across the Snake River Canyon. God is our parachute as we land in the valley below after such failures. If we trust and have faith, God will raise us up again in to his loving arms for guidance and peace.
What plans are you making today that just ain't right?
Lord, thank you for being there for us when we fail. Help us to rely on your more to move towards our goal of being Christ-like!
Movie Monday
I got to see two movies last week: Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2 and Taken 2.
Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part 2
I took some ribbing from friends about seeing this movie instead of Lincoln. I thought I would finish out this series and be done with it! ha! It was more of the same of the Twilight story, but it had several surprises. You will have to see it to find out. I am not spoiling it for anyone! If you liked the other movies, you will like this one too.
I give it the same as the others -- two bear paws.
Taken 2
Again, if you liked the first movie in this series, you will probably like the second. It is more of the same except for a few surprises and some oddities that were not lost on me. They will be obvious to you as you watch the movie. There is one chase scene that is worth the price of the movie ticket (or rental).
I give this one two bear paws as well. You can rent it. No need to see it in the theaters.
***************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Warning, Will Robinson!
Our Daily Bread
There was a science fiction show on TV when I was a kid called "Lost in Space". You may have seen the show in reruns or the silly movie version (Yikes...). The most notable phrase from that show was when the robot started waving his mechanical arms and stated over and over: "Warning, Will Robinson".
God does that for us, though, I can't imagine him throwing his arms around like the robot! ha! God warns us about things in several ways. First, in his Word. The scripture passage from Proverbs 6:16-22 is a perfect example of God telling us ways he doesn't want us to act. Second, he gives some a conscience. We usually know when we do stuff we shouldn't. There is a tiny voice or sometimes a BIG booming voice telling us "Are you sure you want to do that?" ha! Let's all remember this saying from the devotional: God’s warnings aren't meant to take the fun out of life, but rather to protect and preserve life.
Lord, thank you for protecting us if we will just listen!
Psalm Sunday
Let's look at Psalm 70 this week. It is only five verses, but it has some urgent requests to God. It also includes verse 4 that says "may all who seed you rejoice and be glad in you". That is my prayer for us today!
Psalm 70
For the director of music. Of David. A petition.
1 Hasten, O God, to save me;
come quickly, Lord, to help me.
2 May those who want to take my life
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
be turned back in disgrace.
3 May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”
turn back because of their shame.
4 But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
“The Lord is great!”
5 But as for me, I am poor and needy;
come quickly to me, O God.
You are my help and my deliverer;
Lord, do not delay.
************************************
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit - Romans 15:13
There was a science fiction show on TV when I was a kid called "Lost in Space". You may have seen the show in reruns or the silly movie version (Yikes...). The most notable phrase from that show was when the robot started waving his mechanical arms and stated over and over: "Warning, Will Robinson".
God does that for us, though, I can't imagine him throwing his arms around like the robot! ha! God warns us about things in several ways. First, in his Word. The scripture passage from Proverbs 6:16-22 is a perfect example of God telling us ways he doesn't want us to act. Second, he gives some a conscience. We usually know when we do stuff we shouldn't. There is a tiny voice or sometimes a BIG booming voice telling us "Are you sure you want to do that?" ha! Let's all remember this saying from the devotional: God’s warnings aren't meant to take the fun out of life, but rather to protect and preserve life.
Lord, thank you for protecting us if we will just listen!
Psalm Sunday
Let's look at Psalm 70 this week. It is only five verses, but it has some urgent requests to God. It also includes verse 4 that says "may all who seed you rejoice and be glad in you". That is my prayer for us today!
Psalm 70
For the director of music. Of David. A petition.
1 Hasten, O God, to save me;
come quickly, Lord, to help me.
2 May those who want to take my life
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
be turned back in disgrace.
3 May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”
turn back because of their shame.
4 But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
“The Lord is great!”
5 But as for me, I am poor and needy;
come quickly to me, O God.
You are my help and my deliverer;
Lord, do not delay.
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May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit - Romans 15:13
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Where you at?
Our Daily Bread
I don't watch TV that much, but I remember some commercials here and there. I remember a cell phone carrier commercial where one character calls a friend asking the question "Where you at?". It took a slang question and made it part of our everyday language sort of like "Can you hear me now?". ;-)
We often ask these questions of God. "Where you at, God? Can you hear me now, God?" OK, I admit that I ask these questions of God more times that I care to admit. Lord, help me believe. Forgive my unbelief! We know without a shadow of doubt that God is always with us. He love and knowledge is more accurate locating us than any GPS system discussed in the devotional! A love GPS is coming your way!
Lord, thank you for being "above the circle of the earth" and always knowing "where we are". We love you!
Simply Saturday
Diminished
I have been thinking all week about the Bible study lesson for this week. It was the Jacob saga. It was an important section of Genesis, which describes the lives of the five patriarchs of Israel. Jacob was renamed to "Israel" after his struggle with God. The Bible study guide says that Jacob diminished became the man named Israel that God was able to use. It also noted that when Jacob (or us) try to accomplish God's will with our own plans and schemes that it shows a lack of faith and lack of belief in God's promises. I hadn't read this scripture passage or a study guide that explained the story with insight.
What do these insights mean to my life? Whew... I have been thinking and praying and practicing all week. What does "Duane Diminished" mean? What doesn't it mean? First, it means that I need to focus more on diminishing the flaky parts of my personality, which can be problematic at times. It is bad enough that my flaky behavior can make me look bad or odd, but I never wanted to admit that it made my Heavenly Father look bad as well. That cannot be any longer. Second, it means that I need to focus and be more vigilant about acting in a Godly manner in all areas of my life, especially at work. Frankly, I get lazy since I suck at day to day discipline. Writing this blog entry every day is a daily discipline lesson that God asked me to do over two years ago. I struggle with it at times, but it has taught me that making time for the things that God asks me to do is my top priority. Period. Lastly, it means that I will stop my schemes and plans. It may sound crazy, but I know stuff before it happens sometimes. I need to "hold these things in my heart" like so many Biblical characters instead of starting my own plans and schemes to make them happen. God already has it under control!
What doesn't "diminished" mean? When you diminish self, it does not mean that your needs are not important! God knows our needs and the desires of our heart better than we do. He will make us whole if we ask and believe and follow his leading as best we can. The ultimate "wholeness" is to be like Christ. We can never achieve this goal in this world, but we can continue to move closer to God as we continue to grow. What a life! No ordinary life! From what I have learned, a diminished life is one that leads through servanthood. We read about that kind of thing a lot in the New Testament. I think the New Testament scriptures fulfill the passages from the Old Testament!
Please pray for me as I pray for all people -- to find God and find the "diminished" life God has for you.
I want to end this entry with the lyrics to a song I love by MercyMe -- So Long Self I hate awkward breakups!
"So Long Self"
Well if I come across a little bit distant
It's just because I am
Things just seem to feel a little bit different
You understand
Believe it or not but life is not apparently
About me anyways
But I have met the One who really is worthy
So let me say
So long, self
Well, it's been fun, but I have found somebody else
So long, self
There's just no room for two
So you are gonna have to move
So long, self
Don't take this wrong but you are wrong for me, farewell
Oh well, goodbye, don't cry
So long, self
Stop right there because I know what you're thinking
But no we can't be friends
And even though I know your heart is breaking
This has to end
And come to think of it the blame for all of this
Simply falls on me
For wanting something more in life than all of this
Can't you see
Don't feel so bad (don't feel so bad)
There'll be better days (there'll be better days)
Don't go away mad (but by all means)
Just go away, go away
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We too can know this God and be assured of His presence. He has revealed Himself in His creation and in His Word. As we ask Him to make Himself known to us, we’ll learn that He is even more than the owner and creator of everything! - Our Daily Bread web site
I don't watch TV that much, but I remember some commercials here and there. I remember a cell phone carrier commercial where one character calls a friend asking the question "Where you at?". It took a slang question and made it part of our everyday language sort of like "Can you hear me now?". ;-)
We often ask these questions of God. "Where you at, God? Can you hear me now, God?" OK, I admit that I ask these questions of God more times that I care to admit. Lord, help me believe. Forgive my unbelief! We know without a shadow of doubt that God is always with us. He love and knowledge is more accurate locating us than any GPS system discussed in the devotional! A love GPS is coming your way!
Lord, thank you for being "above the circle of the earth" and always knowing "where we are". We love you!
Simply Saturday
Diminished
I have been thinking all week about the Bible study lesson for this week. It was the Jacob saga. It was an important section of Genesis, which describes the lives of the five patriarchs of Israel. Jacob was renamed to "Israel" after his struggle with God. The Bible study guide says that Jacob diminished became the man named Israel that God was able to use. It also noted that when Jacob (or us) try to accomplish God's will with our own plans and schemes that it shows a lack of faith and lack of belief in God's promises. I hadn't read this scripture passage or a study guide that explained the story with insight.
What do these insights mean to my life? Whew... I have been thinking and praying and practicing all week. What does "Duane Diminished" mean? What doesn't it mean? First, it means that I need to focus more on diminishing the flaky parts of my personality, which can be problematic at times. It is bad enough that my flaky behavior can make me look bad or odd, but I never wanted to admit that it made my Heavenly Father look bad as well. That cannot be any longer. Second, it means that I need to focus and be more vigilant about acting in a Godly manner in all areas of my life, especially at work. Frankly, I get lazy since I suck at day to day discipline. Writing this blog entry every day is a daily discipline lesson that God asked me to do over two years ago. I struggle with it at times, but it has taught me that making time for the things that God asks me to do is my top priority. Period. Lastly, it means that I will stop my schemes and plans. It may sound crazy, but I know stuff before it happens sometimes. I need to "hold these things in my heart" like so many Biblical characters instead of starting my own plans and schemes to make them happen. God already has it under control!
What doesn't "diminished" mean? When you diminish self, it does not mean that your needs are not important! God knows our needs and the desires of our heart better than we do. He will make us whole if we ask and believe and follow his leading as best we can. The ultimate "wholeness" is to be like Christ. We can never achieve this goal in this world, but we can continue to move closer to God as we continue to grow. What a life! No ordinary life! From what I have learned, a diminished life is one that leads through servanthood. We read about that kind of thing a lot in the New Testament. I think the New Testament scriptures fulfill the passages from the Old Testament!
Please pray for me as I pray for all people -- to find God and find the "diminished" life God has for you.
I want to end this entry with the lyrics to a song I love by MercyMe -- So Long Self I hate awkward breakups!
"So Long Self"
Well if I come across a little bit distant
It's just because I am
Things just seem to feel a little bit different
You understand
Believe it or not but life is not apparently
About me anyways
But I have met the One who really is worthy
So let me say
So long, self
Well, it's been fun, but I have found somebody else
So long, self
There's just no room for two
So you are gonna have to move
So long, self
Don't take this wrong but you are wrong for me, farewell
Oh well, goodbye, don't cry
So long, self
Stop right there because I know what you're thinking
But no we can't be friends
And even though I know your heart is breaking
This has to end
And come to think of it the blame for all of this
Simply falls on me
For wanting something more in life than all of this
Can't you see
Don't feel so bad (don't feel so bad)
There'll be better days (there'll be better days)
Don't go away mad (but by all means)
Just go away, go away
**********************************
We too can know this God and be assured of His presence. He has revealed Himself in His creation and in His Word. As we ask Him to make Himself known to us, we’ll learn that He is even more than the owner and creator of everything! - Our Daily Bread web site
Friday, November 16, 2012
Every day
Our Daily Bread
I remember learning it myself and also seeing one of my nephews learn this important lesson -- there are some things in life that you need to do EVERY day! Brush your teeth, clean up, etc, etc. It is the right thing to do!
We don't always remember that talking to God and learning about God should be one of those things too! EVERY day! Some friends say "I don't have time for that EVERY day" in sort of a mocking tone. I shared with them something I learned during my Walk to Emmaus. We all have the same amount of time. We choose to do the things with that time that are important to us (the "I will MAKE time to do this" pledge). If we tell someone (including God) "I don't have time for that", we are really saying "That (or you) are not a priority to me!" Wow! I know that sounds harsh, but it is true! Denial is tough to face! I know!
What are your priorities? Is God one of them?
Lord, thank you for loving us whether or not we make you one of our priorities! We will try harder to move you to the top of the priority list!
Foodie Friday
Stuff
I tried a new way to make a pot roast in the crock pot last time. I used Campbells French Onion canned soup instead of the powdered onion soup mix. It was great! It gave the roast a better overall taste. Give that a try some time!
I saw something new at Meijer (at least it was new to me) -- a whole wheat thin crust pizza crust. I love pizza, but try to make it healthier than I can usually get at a pizzeria. Frankly, the only pizza place in Columbus that I really like is Mama Mimis take and bake. I sort of like Adriaticos. The others are just OK. I miss Wicks and Impellizzeris in Louisville!
I am planning the Thanksgiving dinner for next Thursday. I think this will be most of the menu:
Appetizer: Spanakopita
Meal:
Turkey (making it myself)
Honey Baked ham
mashed potatoes (homemade)
steamed veggies
Stuffing (not sure about this one yet -- might be from a box)
cranberry sauce (can reuse what we don't eat later)
crescent rolls
Dessert:
chocolate bourbon pecan pie
apple pumpkin pie
sugar free chocolate pie
I will think about it some more over the weekend. I may have other guests than just my family.
******************************
We too can know this God and be assured of His presence. He has revealed Himself in His creation and in His Word. As we ask Him to make Himself known to us, we’ll learn that He is even more than the owner and creator of everything! - Our Daily Bread web site
I remember learning it myself and also seeing one of my nephews learn this important lesson -- there are some things in life that you need to do EVERY day! Brush your teeth, clean up, etc, etc. It is the right thing to do!
We don't always remember that talking to God and learning about God should be one of those things too! EVERY day! Some friends say "I don't have time for that EVERY day" in sort of a mocking tone. I shared with them something I learned during my Walk to Emmaus. We all have the same amount of time. We choose to do the things with that time that are important to us (the "I will MAKE time to do this" pledge). If we tell someone (including God) "I don't have time for that", we are really saying "That (or you) are not a priority to me!" Wow! I know that sounds harsh, but it is true! Denial is tough to face! I know!
What are your priorities? Is God one of them?
Lord, thank you for loving us whether or not we make you one of our priorities! We will try harder to move you to the top of the priority list!
Foodie Friday
Stuff
I tried a new way to make a pot roast in the crock pot last time. I used Campbells French Onion canned soup instead of the powdered onion soup mix. It was great! It gave the roast a better overall taste. Give that a try some time!
I saw something new at Meijer (at least it was new to me) -- a whole wheat thin crust pizza crust. I love pizza, but try to make it healthier than I can usually get at a pizzeria. Frankly, the only pizza place in Columbus that I really like is Mama Mimis take and bake. I sort of like Adriaticos. The others are just OK. I miss Wicks and Impellizzeris in Louisville!
I am planning the Thanksgiving dinner for next Thursday. I think this will be most of the menu:
Appetizer: Spanakopita
Meal:
Turkey (making it myself)
Honey Baked ham
mashed potatoes (homemade)
steamed veggies
Stuffing (not sure about this one yet -- might be from a box)
cranberry sauce (can reuse what we don't eat later)
crescent rolls
Dessert:
chocolate bourbon pecan pie
apple pumpkin pie
sugar free chocolate pie
I will think about it some more over the weekend. I may have other guests than just my family.
******************************
We too can know this God and be assured of His presence. He has revealed Himself in His creation and in His Word. As we ask Him to make Himself known to us, we’ll learn that He is even more than the owner and creator of everything! - Our Daily Bread web site
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Superstar
Our Daily Bread
Yes, I like movies, often silly movies. A movie that had some former Saturday Night Live characters is called Superstar. A SNL character acts like a teenage girl that dreams of being a superstar when she grows up. There are a lot of funny moments!
Well, we have the opportunity to have a special relationship with a God that transcends any superstar status we can think of on this planet! I think that is so amazing! We can get to know him through his Word and through a personal relationship if we take the time and make the effort. I love the story of young Samuel when he was instructed by his mentor to say this to God:
Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” I Samuel 3:10
What are you saying to God today?
Lord, thank you for speaking to us. Please help us listen and obey!
Technology Thursday
New toy
I have been looking for a good deal on a new laptop. I love my tablets, but there are just some things you need a laptop for! I wanted something that was less than $500, 6 - 8 gig of RAM, at least an i5 Intel processor, LED backlit screen, at least one USB 3.0 port and a screen between 13.3" and 15.6". Other wish list items, but not showstoppers, were an SSD (very fast hard drive), dedicated video memory, and a bluray drive.
I found what I think is a great deal on an HP Envy db4-5213cl. Costco has it listed on their web site for $629.99 (on special). My local store had another special on it for $499.99! Woohooo! I have only seen one deal that was much better, but it was a misprint in a Microcenter ad! I noticed that the Costco web site model has Windows 8 on it. Mine was the last laptop they had with Windows 7. I am not sure I will ever switch to Windows 8 after what I have seen! Oh well. That is another article!
The laptop is pretty fast with the i5 processor and the 8 gig of RAM. There is a lot of bloatware on the laptop. That always makes me mad! I am cleaning it off and putting my software on slowly but surely.
If you are looking for a laptop, I recommend checking it out.
*************************************
We too can know this God and be assured of His presence. He has revealed Himself in His creation and in His Word. As we ask Him to make Himself known to us, we’ll learn that He is even more than the owner and creator of everything! - odb.org
Yes, I like movies, often silly movies. A movie that had some former Saturday Night Live characters is called Superstar. A SNL character acts like a teenage girl that dreams of being a superstar when she grows up. There are a lot of funny moments!
Well, we have the opportunity to have a special relationship with a God that transcends any superstar status we can think of on this planet! I think that is so amazing! We can get to know him through his Word and through a personal relationship if we take the time and make the effort. I love the story of young Samuel when he was instructed by his mentor to say this to God:
Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” I Samuel 3:10
What are you saying to God today?
Lord, thank you for speaking to us. Please help us listen and obey!
Technology Thursday
New toy
I have been looking for a good deal on a new laptop. I love my tablets, but there are just some things you need a laptop for! I wanted something that was less than $500, 6 - 8 gig of RAM, at least an i5 Intel processor, LED backlit screen, at least one USB 3.0 port and a screen between 13.3" and 15.6". Other wish list items, but not showstoppers, were an SSD (very fast hard drive), dedicated video memory, and a bluray drive.
I found what I think is a great deal on an HP Envy db4-5213cl. Costco has it listed on their web site for $629.99 (on special). My local store had another special on it for $499.99! Woohooo! I have only seen one deal that was much better, but it was a misprint in a Microcenter ad! I noticed that the Costco web site model has Windows 8 on it. Mine was the last laptop they had with Windows 7. I am not sure I will ever switch to Windows 8 after what I have seen! Oh well. That is another article!
The laptop is pretty fast with the i5 processor and the 8 gig of RAM. There is a lot of bloatware on the laptop. That always makes me mad! I am cleaning it off and putting my software on slowly but surely.
If you are looking for a laptop, I recommend checking it out.
*************************************
We too can know this God and be assured of His presence. He has revealed Himself in His creation and in His Word. As we ask Him to make Himself known to us, we’ll learn that He is even more than the owner and creator of everything! - odb.org
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Where can we go?
Our Daily Bread
I love science fiction movies a lot. One of my favorite series of movies is Alien, where the creatures have to get inside a human to change from a gross hatchling into a really gross and dangerous young adult. The poor human can't escape the alien inside him and dies after the alien burst through his chest! Yikes!
Sin is sort of like that. It attaches itself inside us if we let it in. It will continue to grow. It will kill us if we let it take our heart and burst through our chest! Yikes! Unlike the movie, we have a solution -- Jesus Christ. Christ can wipe away our sins and give us a clean start no matter how bad we are. He showed it over and over again in the New Testament. Yes, we might have scars from our sins and actions. There are always consequences from our sins. God will help us get on the right road for our lives. Will you trust him to do that today?
Lord, thank you for grace and mercy. Thank you for delivering from the scariest creature of all -- ourselves!
Wellness Wednesday
This topic has been a big one for me this year: healthy snacking. Here is a cool article talking about what nutritionists eat between meals. In short, they eat things like:
Secret number 23 from 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People
Don't let your religious beliefs fade.
This secret is one of the biggest reasons I write this blog. I went for about twenty years or so where I let my spiritual life fade into an afterthought. No more. I am much happier with my life when I am making the right decisions based on what God leads. Amazing!
*************************************
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” John 11:40
I love science fiction movies a lot. One of my favorite series of movies is Alien, where the creatures have to get inside a human to change from a gross hatchling into a really gross and dangerous young adult. The poor human can't escape the alien inside him and dies after the alien burst through his chest! Yikes!
Sin is sort of like that. It attaches itself inside us if we let it in. It will continue to grow. It will kill us if we let it take our heart and burst through our chest! Yikes! Unlike the movie, we have a solution -- Jesus Christ. Christ can wipe away our sins and give us a clean start no matter how bad we are. He showed it over and over again in the New Testament. Yes, we might have scars from our sins and actions. There are always consequences from our sins. God will help us get on the right road for our lives. Will you trust him to do that today?
Lord, thank you for grace and mercy. Thank you for delivering from the scariest creature of all -- ourselves!
Wellness Wednesday
This topic has been a big one for me this year: healthy snacking. Here is a cool article talking about what nutritionists eat between meals. In short, they eat things like:
- Greek yogurt and honey
- brussels sprouts or carrots
- roasted seaweed
- a cup of hot chocolate
- a green apple with almond butter
- half an avocado
- dried cherries and roasted nuts
- Refer to the article for the rest and the reasons behind these choices!
Secret number 23 from 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People
Don't let your religious beliefs fade.
This secret is one of the biggest reasons I write this blog. I went for about twenty years or so where I let my spiritual life fade into an afterthought. No more. I am much happier with my life when I am making the right decisions based on what God leads. Amazing!
*************************************
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” John 11:40
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
No means no.
Our Daily Bread
Most of the time I am very good about following the rules, no matter how silly they may be. There are times when I try to bend or break the rules or get them changed just for me. One friend got frustrated with me and said "No means no!". With my usual charm I retorted "Are you sure? I am not sure I understand."
We can be that way with God. Like Adam and Eve, God gives us so much in our lives. Instead of being thankful for all things he gives us, we have a tendency to focus on the "no" things. Whether it be the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil or a relationship or a job or whatever God is saying "no" about in your life, we try to question it. We go our own ways sometimes.
A friend posted something like this on Facebook.
When we pray, God answers in three ways -- Yes, No, and I have something better in mind.
Lord, thank you for saying yes and for having something better in mind. Oh yeah, and thank you for saying no! You know what is best for us!
Teaching Tuesday
The lesson this week was about the Jacob saga in Genesis 24-35. Folks say that studying the Old Testament is boring and meaningless. I do not entirely agree with that statement. The way these lessons are written highlights the important concepts and minimizes the weirdness when compared to today's culture. The book also acknowledges weirdness and inconsistencies in the scripture. It stresses that we are to learn about the major concepts and not worry about all the inconsistencies!
I learned two very important things this week from the Jacob saga:
God wants a relationship with you. Talk to him about it today!
*****************************
We are far from perfect, but despite our mistakes and our sins, we will never abandon the Lord and he will never abandon us - adapted from a statement about Abraham from the EfM Training Guide
Most of the time I am very good about following the rules, no matter how silly they may be. There are times when I try to bend or break the rules or get them changed just for me. One friend got frustrated with me and said "No means no!". With my usual charm I retorted "Are you sure? I am not sure I understand."
We can be that way with God. Like Adam and Eve, God gives us so much in our lives. Instead of being thankful for all things he gives us, we have a tendency to focus on the "no" things. Whether it be the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil or a relationship or a job or whatever God is saying "no" about in your life, we try to question it. We go our own ways sometimes.
A friend posted something like this on Facebook.
When we pray, God answers in three ways -- Yes, No, and I have something better in mind.
Lord, thank you for saying yes and for having something better in mind. Oh yeah, and thank you for saying no! You know what is best for us!
Teaching Tuesday
The lesson this week was about the Jacob saga in Genesis 24-35. Folks say that studying the Old Testament is boring and meaningless. I do not entirely agree with that statement. The way these lessons are written highlights the important concepts and minimizes the weirdness when compared to today's culture. The book also acknowledges weirdness and inconsistencies in the scripture. It stresses that we are to learn about the major concepts and not worry about all the inconsistencies!
I learned two very important things this week from the Jacob saga:
- Trying to make things happen by our own schemes and plans shows a lack of faith and lack of belief in God's promises. Wow! We see this over and over again as the patriarchs lie and cheat and do other ungodly things. This leads to the second point.
- God started using Jacob in a might way when Jacob "diminished" and God increased in his life. Double Wow! A new mantra for me is "Duane Diminished". This is a healthy, spiritual concept of letting God show more through me instead of my silly humanness. I look back and see how my schemes and plans have only messed things up. When I diminish and follow God's leading and trust in God's promises, God leads me to what is best for me. What an amazing God!
God wants a relationship with you. Talk to him about it today!
*****************************
We are far from perfect, but despite our mistakes and our sins, we will never abandon the Lord and he will never abandon us - adapted from a statement about Abraham from the EfM Training Guide
Monday, November 12, 2012
Real courage
Our Daily Bread
I have been a sickly person most of my life. I thought seriously about joining the military after high school to play in the band and earn money for college. No way. My medical history was too colorful for that! I always think of how my life would have been different if I had been healthier. I know now that God made me this way for a reason.
It is not like we can go to the wizard that get some courage, is it? ha! We can go to God! Regardless of how God made us, we can all have courage for him. I liked the tag line of the devotional:
Courage is not having strength to go on—it is going on when you don’t have the strength.
It sort of follows along with the catch phrase at the bottom of this entry, doesn't it? ;-) As I have said a hundred times in this blog (more a reminder to myself than anyone): God is with us. We have a choice to be courageous when we turn things over to him!
Lord, thank you for the peace and joy and strength that passes understanding. Please help us rely on your for more!
Movie Monday
I saw a preview of the new James Bond movie, Skyfall, on Wednesday. I love seeing cool movies for free! If you are a James Bond fan, you will probably love this movie. If you are a casual James Bond fan, you will probably like it a lot! It had the typical Bond action. It had a beautiful Bond girl. It had a bizarre villain. It was filmed in exotic places. Wow! I will probably see it again in the theaters.
I give this movie three bear paws. See it now! ;-)
**************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
I have been a sickly person most of my life. I thought seriously about joining the military after high school to play in the band and earn money for college. No way. My medical history was too colorful for that! I always think of how my life would have been different if I had been healthier. I know now that God made me this way for a reason.
It is not like we can go to the wizard that get some courage, is it? ha! We can go to God! Regardless of how God made us, we can all have courage for him. I liked the tag line of the devotional:
Courage is not having strength to go on—it is going on when you don’t have the strength.
It sort of follows along with the catch phrase at the bottom of this entry, doesn't it? ;-) As I have said a hundred times in this blog (more a reminder to myself than anyone): God is with us. We have a choice to be courageous when we turn things over to him!
Lord, thank you for the peace and joy and strength that passes understanding. Please help us rely on your for more!
Movie Monday
I saw a preview of the new James Bond movie, Skyfall, on Wednesday. I love seeing cool movies for free! If you are a James Bond fan, you will probably love this movie. If you are a casual James Bond fan, you will probably like it a lot! It had the typical Bond action. It had a beautiful Bond girl. It had a bizarre villain. It was filmed in exotic places. Wow! I will probably see it again in the theaters.
I give this movie three bear paws. See it now! ;-)
**************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Never will part
Our Daily Bread
I witnessed the marriage of my youngest niece yesterday. It was a traditional text marriage vow ceremony with the "as long as you shall live" or "til death do you part" (I forget which one). It was a very nice ceremony and reception.
The devotional talks about another love that will last the rest of our lives. This love will also last BEYOND the end of our lives! Amazing love! God is always with us in this life and the next!
Lord, thank you for a love that lasts forever...
Psalm Sunday
We are looking at Psalm 69 today. In this psalm, the writer is calling out to God for help when he faces fixing situations he didn't break! This is sort of new to me. I break stuff a lot, sometimes even relationships. God is there for the psalmist. God is there for you and me as well!
Psalm 69
For the director of music. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of David.
1 Save me, O God,
for the waters have come up to my neck.
2 I sink in the miry depths,
where there is no foothold.
I have come into the deep waters;
the floods engulf me.
3 I am worn out calling for help;
my throat is parched.
My eyes fail,
looking for my God.
4 Those who hate me without reason
outnumber the hairs of my head;
many are my enemies without cause,
those who seek to destroy me.
I am forced to restore
what I did not steal.
5 You, God, know my folly;
my guilt is not hidden from you.
6 Lord, the Lord Almighty,
may those who hope in you
not be disgraced because of me;
God of Israel,
may those who seek you
not be put to shame because of me.
7 For I endure scorn for your sake,
and shame covers my face.
8 I am a foreigner to my own family,
a stranger to my own mother’s children;
9 for zeal for your house consumes me,
and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.
10 When I weep and fast,
I must endure scorn;
11 when I put on sackcloth,
people make sport of me.
12 Those who sit at the gate mock me,
and I am the song of the drunkards.
13 But I pray to you, Lord,
in the time of your favor;
in your great love, O God,
answer me with your sure salvation.
14 Rescue me from the mire,
do not let me sink;
deliver me from those who hate me,
from the deep waters.
15 Do not let the floodwaters engulf me
or the depths swallow me up
or the pit close its mouth over me.
16 Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love;
in your great mercy turn to me.
17 Do not hide your face from your servant;
answer me quickly, for I am in trouble.
18 Come near and rescue me;
deliver me because of my foes.
19 You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed;
all my enemies are before you.
20 Scorn has broken my heart
and has left me helpless;
I looked for sympathy, but there was none,
for comforters, but I found none.
21 They put gall in my food
and gave me vinegar for my thirst.
22 May the table set before them become a snare;
may it become retribution and a trap.
23 May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see,
and their backs be bent forever.
24 Pour out your wrath on them;
let your fierce anger overtake them.
25 May their place be deserted;
let there be no one to dwell in their tents.
26 For they persecute those you wound
and talk about the pain of those you hurt.
27 Charge them with crime upon crime;
do not let them share in your salvation.
28 May they be blotted out of the book of life
and not be listed with the righteous.
29 But as for me, afflicted and in pain—
may your salvation, God, protect me.
30 I will praise God’s name in song
and glorify him with thanksgiving.
31 This will please the Lord more than an ox,
more than a bull with its horns and hooves.
32 The poor will see and be glad—
you who seek God, may your hearts live!
33 The Lord hears the needy
and does not despise his captive people.
34 Let heaven and earth praise him,
the seas and all that move in them,
35 for God will save Zion
and rebuild the cities of Judah.
Then people will settle there and possess it;
36 the children of his servants will inherit it,
and those who love his name will dwell there.
*********************************
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit - Romans 15:13
I witnessed the marriage of my youngest niece yesterday. It was a traditional text marriage vow ceremony with the "as long as you shall live" or "til death do you part" (I forget which one). It was a very nice ceremony and reception.
The devotional talks about another love that will last the rest of our lives. This love will also last BEYOND the end of our lives! Amazing love! God is always with us in this life and the next!
Lord, thank you for a love that lasts forever...
Psalm Sunday
We are looking at Psalm 69 today. In this psalm, the writer is calling out to God for help when he faces fixing situations he didn't break! This is sort of new to me. I break stuff a lot, sometimes even relationships. God is there for the psalmist. God is there for you and me as well!
Psalm 69
For the director of music. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of David.
1 Save me, O God,
for the waters have come up to my neck.
2 I sink in the miry depths,
where there is no foothold.
I have come into the deep waters;
the floods engulf me.
3 I am worn out calling for help;
my throat is parched.
My eyes fail,
looking for my God.
4 Those who hate me without reason
outnumber the hairs of my head;
many are my enemies without cause,
those who seek to destroy me.
I am forced to restore
what I did not steal.
5 You, God, know my folly;
my guilt is not hidden from you.
6 Lord, the Lord Almighty,
may those who hope in you
not be disgraced because of me;
God of Israel,
may those who seek you
not be put to shame because of me.
7 For I endure scorn for your sake,
and shame covers my face.
8 I am a foreigner to my own family,
a stranger to my own mother’s children;
9 for zeal for your house consumes me,
and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.
10 When I weep and fast,
I must endure scorn;
11 when I put on sackcloth,
people make sport of me.
12 Those who sit at the gate mock me,
and I am the song of the drunkards.
13 But I pray to you, Lord,
in the time of your favor;
in your great love, O God,
answer me with your sure salvation.
14 Rescue me from the mire,
do not let me sink;
deliver me from those who hate me,
from the deep waters.
15 Do not let the floodwaters engulf me
or the depths swallow me up
or the pit close its mouth over me.
16 Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love;
in your great mercy turn to me.
17 Do not hide your face from your servant;
answer me quickly, for I am in trouble.
18 Come near and rescue me;
deliver me because of my foes.
19 You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed;
all my enemies are before you.
20 Scorn has broken my heart
and has left me helpless;
I looked for sympathy, but there was none,
for comforters, but I found none.
21 They put gall in my food
and gave me vinegar for my thirst.
22 May the table set before them become a snare;
may it become retribution and a trap.
23 May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see,
and their backs be bent forever.
24 Pour out your wrath on them;
let your fierce anger overtake them.
25 May their place be deserted;
let there be no one to dwell in their tents.
26 For they persecute those you wound
and talk about the pain of those you hurt.
27 Charge them with crime upon crime;
do not let them share in your salvation.
28 May they be blotted out of the book of life
and not be listed with the righteous.
29 But as for me, afflicted and in pain—
may your salvation, God, protect me.
30 I will praise God’s name in song
and glorify him with thanksgiving.
31 This will please the Lord more than an ox,
more than a bull with its horns and hooves.
32 The poor will see and be glad—
you who seek God, may your hearts live!
33 The Lord hears the needy
and does not despise his captive people.
34 Let heaven and earth praise him,
the seas and all that move in them,
35 for God will save Zion
and rebuild the cities of Judah.
Then people will settle there and possess it;
36 the children of his servants will inherit it,
and those who love his name will dwell there.
*********************************
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit - Romans 15:13
Saturday, November 10, 2012
We have nothing to fear
Our Daily Bread
A famous leader once said "We having nothing to fear, but fear itself". What an amazing saying! Fear can paralyze us. Fear can steal our joy. Fear can keep us from a closer relationship with God.
As a Christian, that is even more true. We have nothing to fear in this world. God is with us. He takes our hopes AND our fears and makes them into something beautiful. I will talk more about this in my Simply Saturday entry below!
Lord of All, thank you for knowing us inside and out. Please help us turn over all of our fears to you!
Simply Saturday
Fear
I hadn't thought about fear like the devotional mentioned in a while. The last two times I thought about fear were the passages about "you are fearfully and wonderfully made" and "Do not be afraid". The devotional today spurred my thinking to a different level. I have read so many passages about "not fearing". Paul talks about fear being a lack of faith. How can such a basic human emotion be a lack of faith?
I understand this better now. Yes, fear a natural human emotion. So is envy and jealousy and other things that are just human emotions. I understand now that fear is the lack of believing that God is in control. The lack of giving things over to God so we can walk in confidence. Walk in joy. The lack of faith in believing the promises of God. Wow!
I know I have a lot of fears that I hate to even talk about even though I think I am a somewhat fearless man. Not! Oh well. I will practice faith. I will practice belief. I will practice trusting God in all situations. I will practice having faith and believing in God's promises. God, I believe. Please help my unbelief!
What are your fears? Can you pray about them and give them over to God each and every minute of each and every day? We can do this!
******************************
U r a bcog U r fawm Now believe it!
A famous leader once said "We having nothing to fear, but fear itself". What an amazing saying! Fear can paralyze us. Fear can steal our joy. Fear can keep us from a closer relationship with God.
As a Christian, that is even more true. We have nothing to fear in this world. God is with us. He takes our hopes AND our fears and makes them into something beautiful. I will talk more about this in my Simply Saturday entry below!
Lord of All, thank you for knowing us inside and out. Please help us turn over all of our fears to you!
Simply Saturday
Fear
I hadn't thought about fear like the devotional mentioned in a while. The last two times I thought about fear were the passages about "you are fearfully and wonderfully made" and "Do not be afraid". The devotional today spurred my thinking to a different level. I have read so many passages about "not fearing". Paul talks about fear being a lack of faith. How can such a basic human emotion be a lack of faith?
I understand this better now. Yes, fear a natural human emotion. So is envy and jealousy and other things that are just human emotions. I understand now that fear is the lack of believing that God is in control. The lack of giving things over to God so we can walk in confidence. Walk in joy. The lack of faith in believing the promises of God. Wow!
I know I have a lot of fears that I hate to even talk about even though I think I am a somewhat fearless man. Not! Oh well. I will practice faith. I will practice belief. I will practice trusting God in all situations. I will practice having faith and believing in God's promises. God, I believe. Please help my unbelief!
What are your fears? Can you pray about them and give them over to God each and every minute of each and every day? We can do this!
******************************
U r a bcog U r fawm Now believe it!
Friday, November 9, 2012
Do you weawy, weawy wuv me?
Our Daily Bread
I grew up in the era of what I think are great cartoons. One of my favorite characters is Elmer Fudd. His unusual way of speaking tickles me every time I hear it. I make jokes out of the way he would say things, like the title of this blog entry. I can hear God saying: "I wuv you. I weawy weawy wuv you... hehhehheheh..." Hey, whatever it takes for God to get through to us!
The devotional meant a lot to me since God has been reinforcing and refining the way I treat people. I joke with my roommate: "You need to find a new roommate. One who treats you better..." ha! God has been working on me to treat people better, even when I don't feel like it or when they don't treat me well. It is not human nature. We are not supposed to rely on human nature, but God's nature was we live our lives in this world!
Lord, thank you for teaching how to live. Help us to make it so!
Foodie Friday
I am going to Kentucky Friday and Saturday for my niece's wedding. I booked a hotel room in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. I noticed that there is a Stonehearth Inn restaurant near the hotel. I am excited about that. I have some fond memories of this restaurant from my college days many, many (and some would say many, many, many, many...) years ago. ;-) I plan to have the prime rib dinner. I LOVE good prime rib! Should be a fun evening.
I hope to find a good breakfast place in the morning. I want something off the beaten path. I vaguely remember a greasy spoon in Hodgenville, but it is probably close up by now. I will check out other options.
I might stop by The Bristol in Louisville for friend green chili wontons with avocado dip. I might stop by Wicks or Impellizeris for pizza. MmmMmmmmm
****************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
I grew up in the era of what I think are great cartoons. One of my favorite characters is Elmer Fudd. His unusual way of speaking tickles me every time I hear it. I make jokes out of the way he would say things, like the title of this blog entry. I can hear God saying: "I wuv you. I weawy weawy wuv you... hehhehheheh..." Hey, whatever it takes for God to get through to us!
The devotional meant a lot to me since God has been reinforcing and refining the way I treat people. I joke with my roommate: "You need to find a new roommate. One who treats you better..." ha! God has been working on me to treat people better, even when I don't feel like it or when they don't treat me well. It is not human nature. We are not supposed to rely on human nature, but God's nature was we live our lives in this world!
Lord, thank you for teaching how to live. Help us to make it so!
Foodie Friday
I am going to Kentucky Friday and Saturday for my niece's wedding. I booked a hotel room in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. I noticed that there is a Stonehearth Inn restaurant near the hotel. I am excited about that. I have some fond memories of this restaurant from my college days many, many (and some would say many, many, many, many...) years ago. ;-) I plan to have the prime rib dinner. I LOVE good prime rib! Should be a fun evening.
I hope to find a good breakfast place in the morning. I want something off the beaten path. I vaguely remember a greasy spoon in Hodgenville, but it is probably close up by now. I will check out other options.
I might stop by The Bristol in Louisville for friend green chili wontons with avocado dip. I might stop by Wicks or Impellizeris for pizza. MmmMmmmmm
****************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Thursday, November 8, 2012
I want to live like that
Our Daily Bread
God leads me to listen to the radio sometimes so I can hear a song that I need. This week was the song I mentioned yesterday - "Live like that" by the Sidewalk Prophets. God reinforced that again today with the devotional.
The scripture passage from Colossians 3:12-13 really struck me with a "I want to live like that" moment. Apparently this old bear needs lots of reinforcing to remember this stuff! The verses say:
“Put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, bearing with one another, and forgiving one another.” Wow. I think I suck at almost all of these things. :-( How about you? Can we pray for each other about these verses?
Lord, thank you for your strength and mercy and guidance. Yes, we really do want to live like the verses in Colossians 3:12-13!
Technology Thursday
Check out the Apple store today as the iPad Mini and the new 13" MacBook Pro with Retina display are available now. Apple sold 3 million iPad Minis the first weekend. Wow! I would probably by one if the screen were better. Not sure. I am still a little better that my "new" iPad is now the "old" iPad. Grrrr.
Samsung is selling the heck out of their flagship phone the Galaxy S III. Very cool phone. They are also selling their 10" table to folks that don't want Apple products.
Amazon is doing well with their new Kindle Fire HD devices. We will see how folks receive them when they are all available to the public. They should start shipping soon.
I noticed that there is a new version of the 3D software used by movie theaters. We will see if that makes the 3D movie experience richer. The Hobbit is using the technology.
****************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
God leads me to listen to the radio sometimes so I can hear a song that I need. This week was the song I mentioned yesterday - "Live like that" by the Sidewalk Prophets. God reinforced that again today with the devotional.
The scripture passage from Colossians 3:12-13 really struck me with a "I want to live like that" moment. Apparently this old bear needs lots of reinforcing to remember this stuff! The verses say:
“Put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, bearing with one another, and forgiving one another.” Wow. I think I suck at almost all of these things. :-( How about you? Can we pray for each other about these verses?
Lord, thank you for your strength and mercy and guidance. Yes, we really do want to live like the verses in Colossians 3:12-13!
Technology Thursday
Check out the Apple store today as the iPad Mini and the new 13" MacBook Pro with Retina display are available now. Apple sold 3 million iPad Minis the first weekend. Wow! I would probably by one if the screen were better. Not sure. I am still a little better that my "new" iPad is now the "old" iPad. Grrrr.
Samsung is selling the heck out of their flagship phone the Galaxy S III. Very cool phone. They are also selling their 10" table to folks that don't want Apple products.
Amazon is doing well with their new Kindle Fire HD devices. We will see how folks receive them when they are all available to the public. They should start shipping soon.
I noticed that there is a new version of the 3D software used by movie theaters. We will see if that makes the 3D movie experience richer. The Hobbit is using the technology.
****************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Marinate
Our Daily Bread
I have a pretty good memory. It is almost scary at times the things I remember (and the things I forget!). One thing that I have always had trouble memorizing is scripture. My father made me memorize John 10:10 when I was and early teen. I still remember it today because it was drilled into my head many, many times!
I like the point the devotional makes -- just memorizing scripture is not enough. We need to "hide it in our hearts". I don't know about you, but when I hide things I can't always find them again! Yikes! The point is that we are to let the scripture permeate our entire being, not just be able to spout it out when needed. It is like we need to marinate in scripture for it to get in to every part of our being! ha!
Lord, thank you for your Word. Please help us find the appropriate place and use for it in our minds and hearts!
Wellness Wednesday
I found an interesting article/podcast while researching what to write this morning. The title is "Exercise lengthens life regardless of weight" from the magazine Scientific American. We've all be told to eat right and exercise and get our weight down to the ridiculously low levels that the charts say. I have always been frustrated by that seemingly unattainable goal!
The point of the article/podcast is the same thing I have been saying do something. Anything with movement and getting your heart rate up. Do you best to eat better. If you have forgotten, my joke is: "I hold on to my bad eating habits tighter than a box of Hohos on a Saturday night!" ha! Be well!
Secret number 22 from The 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People
Pay attention. You may have what you want.
We often forget to sit down and think about where we started and where we are now. We always seem to want more. A better approach is to remember where you started and appreciate how much you have accomplished!
*********************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
I have a pretty good memory. It is almost scary at times the things I remember (and the things I forget!). One thing that I have always had trouble memorizing is scripture. My father made me memorize John 10:10 when I was and early teen. I still remember it today because it was drilled into my head many, many times!
I like the point the devotional makes -- just memorizing scripture is not enough. We need to "hide it in our hearts". I don't know about you, but when I hide things I can't always find them again! Yikes! The point is that we are to let the scripture permeate our entire being, not just be able to spout it out when needed. It is like we need to marinate in scripture for it to get in to every part of our being! ha!
Lord, thank you for your Word. Please help us find the appropriate place and use for it in our minds and hearts!
Wellness Wednesday
I found an interesting article/podcast while researching what to write this morning. The title is "Exercise lengthens life regardless of weight" from the magazine Scientific American. We've all be told to eat right and exercise and get our weight down to the ridiculously low levels that the charts say. I have always been frustrated by that seemingly unattainable goal!
The point of the article/podcast is the same thing I have been saying do something. Anything with movement and getting your heart rate up. Do you best to eat better. If you have forgotten, my joke is: "I hold on to my bad eating habits tighter than a box of Hohos on a Saturday night!" ha! Be well!
Secret number 22 from The 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People
Pay attention. You may have what you want.
We often forget to sit down and think about where we started and where we are now. We always seem to want more. A better approach is to remember where you started and appreciate how much you have accomplished!
*********************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Whither thou goest...
Our Daily Bread
One of the most misunderstood or misused scriptures I know of is the speech by Ruth that says "Whither thou goest, I will go..." Ruth is not saying it to her eventual husband. She is saying it to her mother-in-law! How many mother-in-laws do you think hear something like that today! ha!
This is another Old Testament example of how God lead the least of these into a place of love and security. Widows had a very, very low place in society back then (sort of like now...). They were left to fend for themselves, especially if they had no sons. The story of Ruth and Naomi was one of two widows. They left the land of their husbands to return to Naomi's homeland. God opened up the opportunity for Ruth to meet and eventually marry Boaz. Wow!
Here is the tag line from the devotional:
Fear hinders faith, but trust kindles confidence.
Lord, thank you for having a wonderful plan for your children. Please help us have trust and confidence in your promises!
Teaching Tuesday
I studied the second half of the Abraham and Sarah story this week. Like I mentioned last week, this is my favorite Old Testament story. I have learned so much about God's interaction with humans and about God's promises from these stories. The second half included the story of how Abraham took his promise, his only son, to the altar, seemingly to sacrifice him to God. Since I am not a parent, I can only imagine the emotions going through the mind and heart of Abraham. To give you some historical context, child sacrifice was not unusual in some of the other "religions" of that time. Since Abraham was just getting to know his God, the only thing he had to believe in was the promises that God gave him -- that his seed would be numbered like the sand. What faithful obedience! As we all know, a ram was provided at the last possible second as a substitute for the sacrifice. What an amazing story to the glory of God!
BONUS: Did you notice the scripture that I posted yesterday? Jesus repeats the theme of the Bible:
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” John 11:40
Lord, help me believe. Forgive my unbelief!
*********************************
Am I proof
That You are who you say You are
That grace can really change a heart
Do I live like Your love is true
People pass
And even if they don't know my name
Is there evidence that I've been changed
When they see me, do they see You
I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You
excerpt from Live Like That by the Sidewalk Prophets
One of the most misunderstood or misused scriptures I know of is the speech by Ruth that says "Whither thou goest, I will go..." Ruth is not saying it to her eventual husband. She is saying it to her mother-in-law! How many mother-in-laws do you think hear something like that today! ha!
This is another Old Testament example of how God lead the least of these into a place of love and security. Widows had a very, very low place in society back then (sort of like now...). They were left to fend for themselves, especially if they had no sons. The story of Ruth and Naomi was one of two widows. They left the land of their husbands to return to Naomi's homeland. God opened up the opportunity for Ruth to meet and eventually marry Boaz. Wow!
Here is the tag line from the devotional:
Fear hinders faith, but trust kindles confidence.
Lord, thank you for having a wonderful plan for your children. Please help us have trust and confidence in your promises!
Teaching Tuesday
I studied the second half of the Abraham and Sarah story this week. Like I mentioned last week, this is my favorite Old Testament story. I have learned so much about God's interaction with humans and about God's promises from these stories. The second half included the story of how Abraham took his promise, his only son, to the altar, seemingly to sacrifice him to God. Since I am not a parent, I can only imagine the emotions going through the mind and heart of Abraham. To give you some historical context, child sacrifice was not unusual in some of the other "religions" of that time. Since Abraham was just getting to know his God, the only thing he had to believe in was the promises that God gave him -- that his seed would be numbered like the sand. What faithful obedience! As we all know, a ram was provided at the last possible second as a substitute for the sacrifice. What an amazing story to the glory of God!
BONUS: Did you notice the scripture that I posted yesterday? Jesus repeats the theme of the Bible:
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” John 11:40
Lord, help me believe. Forgive my unbelief!
*********************************
Am I proof
That You are who you say You are
That grace can really change a heart
Do I live like Your love is true
People pass
And even if they don't know my name
Is there evidence that I've been changed
When they see me, do they see You
I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You
excerpt from Live Like That by the Sidewalk Prophets
Monday, November 5, 2012
Heavenly orientation
Our Daily Bread
The Lady Gaga song "Born this Way" has become the anthem for several groups of people around the world. I am familiar with it from the LGBT front where we sing it and play it like a hymn set to a dance mix! The song says that LGBT folks did not make a choice. They were make that way by God.
IMHO, we also inherited an orientation for sinning. We start out fine, then figure out how to sin pretty early in life. We keep it up and get better at it with age! I loved the line in the devotional that talked about the "heavenly orientation" of the Cadbury family in England. I love that term "heavenly orientation". Now THAT is a choice! Will we choose it today?
Lord, thank you for giving us free will. A free will that we can choose your heavenly orientation!
Movie Monday
I got to see two movies last week. They were very different!
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
This movie has my absolute favorite movie line of all time. When someone asked "Why do people love people who don't treat them well?" The answer? "We accept the love we think we deserve". Wow! It was a good movie. Lots of teen angst. Lots of high school drama. There was also some uncomfortable drama that will probably surprise you. Lots of interesting characters as well.
I give this movie three bear paws. You rent this one since it will be coming out on video soon.
The Man with the Iron Fist
I have looked forward to this movie for a while. I like martial arts movies if they have a decent story behind it. This one was OK. It was very adult and definitely not for children. The fight scenes were pretty incredible. They were also pretty vicious. NOT for little eyes. Not for folks who can't stand the sight of blood and guts.
I give this movie two bear paws for the special effects and fight scenes. The costumes and sets were incredible as well. See it on the big screen. Definitely.
*******************************
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit - Romans 15:13
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” John 11:40
The Lady Gaga song "Born this Way" has become the anthem for several groups of people around the world. I am familiar with it from the LGBT front where we sing it and play it like a hymn set to a dance mix! The song says that LGBT folks did not make a choice. They were make that way by God.
IMHO, we also inherited an orientation for sinning. We start out fine, then figure out how to sin pretty early in life. We keep it up and get better at it with age! I loved the line in the devotional that talked about the "heavenly orientation" of the Cadbury family in England. I love that term "heavenly orientation". Now THAT is a choice! Will we choose it today?
Lord, thank you for giving us free will. A free will that we can choose your heavenly orientation!
Movie Monday
I got to see two movies last week. They were very different!
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
This movie has my absolute favorite movie line of all time. When someone asked "Why do people love people who don't treat them well?" The answer? "We accept the love we think we deserve". Wow! It was a good movie. Lots of teen angst. Lots of high school drama. There was also some uncomfortable drama that will probably surprise you. Lots of interesting characters as well.
I give this movie three bear paws. You rent this one since it will be coming out on video soon.
The Man with the Iron Fist
I have looked forward to this movie for a while. I like martial arts movies if they have a decent story behind it. This one was OK. It was very adult and definitely not for children. The fight scenes were pretty incredible. They were also pretty vicious. NOT for little eyes. Not for folks who can't stand the sight of blood and guts.
I give this movie two bear paws for the special effects and fight scenes. The costumes and sets were incredible as well. See it on the big screen. Definitely.
*******************************
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit - Romans 15:13
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” John 11:40
Sunday, November 4, 2012
For a Godly time, call...
Our Daily Bread
I know I am a silly old bear at times. I have lots of silly jokes with my friends. One joke teases them about reading their name and phone number on the bathroom wall with the words "For a good time, call..." Ha! I never tire of that one!
The devotional is not about writing a recommendation on the bathroom wall like "For a good time, call", but rather about the recommendation for God that each of our lives makes! "For an example of a person doing his best to serve God, call..." might be one caption. Another might be "For a Godly time, call...". ha! I liked the six word testimony concept in the devotional as well. My six word testimony is:
"Jesus Christ is making me whole"
What is your six word testimony?
Lord, thank you for your love and grace. Thank you for making us whole!
Psalm Sunday
Let's look at Psalm 68 today! I love these praise psalms!
Psalm 68
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm. A song.
1 May God arise, may his enemies be scattered;
may his foes flee before him.
2 May you blow them away like smoke—
as wax melts before the fire,
may the wicked perish before God.
3 But may the righteous be glad
and rejoice before God;
may they be happy and joyful.
4 Sing to God, sing in praise of his name,
extol him who rides on the clouds;
rejoice before him—his name is the Lord.
5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,
is God in his holy dwelling.
6 God sets the lonely in families,
he leads out the prisoners with singing;
but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.
7 When you, God, went out before your people,
when you marched through the wilderness,
8 the earth shook, the heavens poured down rain,
before God, the One of Sinai,
before God, the God of Israel.
9 You gave abundant showers, O God;
you refreshed your weary inheritance.
10 Your people settled in it,
and from your bounty, God, you provided for the poor.
11 The Lord announces the word,
and the women who proclaim it are a mighty throng:
12 “Kings and armies flee in haste;
the women at home divide the plunder.
13 Even while you sleep among the sheep pens,
the wings of my dove are sheathed with silver,
its feathers with shining gold.”
14 When the Almighty scattered the kings in the land,
it was like snow fallen on Mount Zalmon.
15 Mount Bashan, majestic mountain,
Mount Bashan, rugged mountain,
16 why gaze in envy, you rugged mountain,
at the mountain where God chooses to reign,
where the Lord himself will dwell forever?
17 The chariots of God are tens of thousands
and thousands of thousands;
the Lord has come from Sinai into his sanctuary.
18 When you ascended on high,
you took many captives;
you received gifts from people,
even from the rebellious—
that you, Lord God, might dwell there.
19 Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,
who daily bears our burdens.
20 Our God is a God who saves;
from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death.
21 Surely God will crush the heads of his enemies,
the hairy crowns of those who go on in their sins.
22 The Lord says, “I will bring them from Bashan;
I will bring them from the depths of the sea,
23 that your feet may wade in the blood of your foes,
while the tongues of your dogs have their share.”
24 Your procession, God, has come into view,
the procession of my God and King into the sanctuary.
25 In front are the singers, after them the musicians;
with them are the young women playing the timbrels.
26 Praise God in the great congregation;
praise the Lord in the assembly of Israel.
27 There is the little tribe of Benjamin, leading them,
there the great throng of Judah’s princes,
and there the princes of Zebulun and of Naphtali.
28 Summon your power, God;
show us your strength, our God, as you have done before.
29 Because of your temple at Jerusalem
kings will bring you gifts.
30 Rebuke the beast among the reeds,
the herd of bulls among the calves of the nations.
Humbled, may the beast bring bars of silver.
Scatter the nations who delight in war.
31 Envoys will come from Egypt;
Cush will submit herself to God.
32 Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth,
sing praise to the Lord,
33 to him who rides across the highest heavens, the ancient heavens,
who thunders with mighty voice.
34 Proclaim the power of God,
whose majesty is over Israel,
whose power is in the heavens.
35 You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary;
the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people.
Praise be to God!
*********************************
We are far from perfect, but despite our mistakes and our sins, we will never abandon the Lord and he will never abandon us - adapted from a statement about Abraham from the EfM Training Guide
I know I am a silly old bear at times. I have lots of silly jokes with my friends. One joke teases them about reading their name and phone number on the bathroom wall with the words "For a good time, call..." Ha! I never tire of that one!
The devotional is not about writing a recommendation on the bathroom wall like "For a good time, call", but rather about the recommendation for God that each of our lives makes! "For an example of a person doing his best to serve God, call..." might be one caption. Another might be "For a Godly time, call...". ha! I liked the six word testimony concept in the devotional as well. My six word testimony is:
"Jesus Christ is making me whole"
What is your six word testimony?
Lord, thank you for your love and grace. Thank you for making us whole!
Psalm Sunday
Let's look at Psalm 68 today! I love these praise psalms!
Psalm 68
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm. A song.
1 May God arise, may his enemies be scattered;
may his foes flee before him.
2 May you blow them away like smoke—
as wax melts before the fire,
may the wicked perish before God.
3 But may the righteous be glad
and rejoice before God;
may they be happy and joyful.
4 Sing to God, sing in praise of his name,
extol him who rides on the clouds;
rejoice before him—his name is the Lord.
5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,
is God in his holy dwelling.
6 God sets the lonely in families,
he leads out the prisoners with singing;
but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.
7 When you, God, went out before your people,
when you marched through the wilderness,
8 the earth shook, the heavens poured down rain,
before God, the One of Sinai,
before God, the God of Israel.
9 You gave abundant showers, O God;
you refreshed your weary inheritance.
10 Your people settled in it,
and from your bounty, God, you provided for the poor.
11 The Lord announces the word,
and the women who proclaim it are a mighty throng:
12 “Kings and armies flee in haste;
the women at home divide the plunder.
13 Even while you sleep among the sheep pens,
the wings of my dove are sheathed with silver,
its feathers with shining gold.”
14 When the Almighty scattered the kings in the land,
it was like snow fallen on Mount Zalmon.
15 Mount Bashan, majestic mountain,
Mount Bashan, rugged mountain,
16 why gaze in envy, you rugged mountain,
at the mountain where God chooses to reign,
where the Lord himself will dwell forever?
17 The chariots of God are tens of thousands
and thousands of thousands;
the Lord has come from Sinai into his sanctuary.
18 When you ascended on high,
you took many captives;
you received gifts from people,
even from the rebellious—
that you, Lord God, might dwell there.
19 Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,
who daily bears our burdens.
20 Our God is a God who saves;
from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death.
21 Surely God will crush the heads of his enemies,
the hairy crowns of those who go on in their sins.
22 The Lord says, “I will bring them from Bashan;
I will bring them from the depths of the sea,
23 that your feet may wade in the blood of your foes,
while the tongues of your dogs have their share.”
24 Your procession, God, has come into view,
the procession of my God and King into the sanctuary.
25 In front are the singers, after them the musicians;
with them are the young women playing the timbrels.
26 Praise God in the great congregation;
praise the Lord in the assembly of Israel.
27 There is the little tribe of Benjamin, leading them,
there the great throng of Judah’s princes,
and there the princes of Zebulun and of Naphtali.
28 Summon your power, God;
show us your strength, our God, as you have done before.
29 Because of your temple at Jerusalem
kings will bring you gifts.
30 Rebuke the beast among the reeds,
the herd of bulls among the calves of the nations.
Humbled, may the beast bring bars of silver.
Scatter the nations who delight in war.
31 Envoys will come from Egypt;
Cush will submit herself to God.
32 Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth,
sing praise to the Lord,
33 to him who rides across the highest heavens, the ancient heavens,
who thunders with mighty voice.
34 Proclaim the power of God,
whose majesty is over Israel,
whose power is in the heavens.
35 You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary;
the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people.
Praise be to God!
*********************************
We are far from perfect, but despite our mistakes and our sins, we will never abandon the Lord and he will never abandon us - adapted from a statement about Abraham from the EfM Training Guide
Saturday, November 3, 2012
God is my copilot -- I mean Pilot!
Our Daily Bread
I used to love cartoons when I was little. My favorite was Bugs Bunny. He was always getting into trouble, but always had some clever way to outsmart his adversary. The characters were always so unique and their dialogue so witty! I guess that is where I get my wit from! Scary, huh? One character would always say "Which way did he go? Which way did he go?" Ha!
As Christians, we need to ask the question "Which way should we go?" each and every day. Asking God to lead us with his Holy Spirit to we can accomplish the things God has for us. Experience the joys of serving God through the simplest of acts at times. It is amazing to me! What an amazing God we have!
Today, let's all ask God "Which way should we go?" and see where he takes us!
Lord, which way should we go? Which way should we go? Your humble servants are listening.
Simply Saturday
I have been slowly getting over my angst psalmish feelings and have been focusing on the praise psalmish feelings. ;-) Praise God!
The psalm passage from the devotional was very meaningful to me:
Wow! I am not sure I want God to Google my heart and life! ha! What search results would that search return! Yikes! What is so funny to me is that we don't always remember that God already knows all these things. He doesn't need Google or anything else to search our hearts and lives. He knows our anxieties. He sees the wicked in each of us. Most importantly, he will lead us in the way everlasting if we just follow.
Like my devotional reading above said: Today, let's all ask God "Which way should we go?" and see where he takes us!
****************************************
We are far from perfect, but despite our mistakes and our sins, we will never abandon the Lord and he will never abandon us - adapted from a statement about Abraham from the EfM Training Guide -
I used to love cartoons when I was little. My favorite was Bugs Bunny. He was always getting into trouble, but always had some clever way to outsmart his adversary. The characters were always so unique and their dialogue so witty! I guess that is where I get my wit from! Scary, huh? One character would always say "Which way did he go? Which way did he go?" Ha!
As Christians, we need to ask the question "Which way should we go?" each and every day. Asking God to lead us with his Holy Spirit to we can accomplish the things God has for us. Experience the joys of serving God through the simplest of acts at times. It is amazing to me! What an amazing God we have!
Today, let's all ask God "Which way should we go?" and see where he takes us!
Lord, which way should we go? Which way should we go? Your humble servants are listening.
Simply Saturday
I have been slowly getting over my angst psalmish feelings and have been focusing on the praise psalmish feelings. ;-) Praise God!
The psalm passage from the devotional was very meaningful to me:
Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me,
and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked
way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
—Psalm 139:23-24
Wow! I am not sure I want God to Google my heart and life! ha! What search results would that search return! Yikes! What is so funny to me is that we don't always remember that God already knows all these things. He doesn't need Google or anything else to search our hearts and lives. He knows our anxieties. He sees the wicked in each of us. Most importantly, he will lead us in the way everlasting if we just follow.
Like my devotional reading above said: Today, let's all ask God "Which way should we go?" and see where he takes us!
****************************************
We are far from perfect, but despite our mistakes and our sins, we will never abandon the Lord and he will never abandon us - adapted from a statement about Abraham from the EfM Training Guide -
Friday, November 2, 2012
Got your back
Our Daily Bread
I don't know how many movies I have seen where men bond and say something like "Don't worry, bud. I got your back." It is comforting to know that someone is watching out for you!
As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit to "watch our back" at all times. The devotional warns about the spiritual battles that we face each and every day. The Holy Spirit is there to strengthen and comfort us during our battles. It is so easy to let our human side take over, spilling out pride and selfishness and unrest. We need to rely on the Holy Spirit to maintain our joy and praise!
Thank you, Lord, for your Holy Spirit. Please help us rely on it each day for strength and courage in our spiritual battles!
Foodie Friday
My roommate shared part of the half hog he bought recently. In addition to a ham, some chops, a pork loin and some sausage is a pork roast. I have never been a big pork roast fan mainly because my family usually fixed those with sauerkraut. I really hate sauerkraut. I decided to find a pulled pork recipe. Here is the one I am considering:
Pulled Pork, North Carolina Style
This pulled pork makes a great weekend meal with beans, potato salad or fries, and slaw.
Warm the reserved sauce and pass at the table for people to spoon over their pork. I serve barbecue sauce as well for anyone who would prefer the alternative.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 7 hours
Total Time: 7 hours, 10 minutes
Yield: Serves 6 to 8
Ingredients:
3 cups cider vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 boneless pork shoulder, about 3 1/2 pounds
salt and pepper
Preparation:
In a saucepan combine the vinegar, sugar, red pepper, 1 teaspoon of salt, and the 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Bring to a boil; remove from heat.
Save about 2 cups of the vinegar mixture for serving, and use the rest for basting.
Sprinkle the pork roast with salt and pepper; place in a foil lined baking or roasting pan. Roast, uncovered, at 275° for about 7 hours, or to 200° on a meat thermometer or oven probe inserted in the center of the thickest part of the roast. Baste about every hour with the sauce saved for basting. The roast should be very tender.
Remove the roast and shred with 2 forks, discarding large pieces of fat.
Warm the reserved sauce and pass at the table for people to spoon over their pork. I also serve barbecue sauce with this pork; it's delicious as a topping with coleslaw and pickle slices.
Serve with slaw, pickles, buns, and baked beans or your favorite sides.
BONUS: 5 Easy (And Yummy) Recipes for Leftover Candy
I found this article after I wrote the Foodie Friday recipe, but I wanted to include the article any way. Very cool!
********************************
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit - Romans 15:13
We are far from perfect, but despite our mistakes and our sins, we will never abandon the Lord and he will never abandon us - adapted from a statement about Abraham from the EfM Training Guide
I don't know how many movies I have seen where men bond and say something like "Don't worry, bud. I got your back." It is comforting to know that someone is watching out for you!
As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit to "watch our back" at all times. The devotional warns about the spiritual battles that we face each and every day. The Holy Spirit is there to strengthen and comfort us during our battles. It is so easy to let our human side take over, spilling out pride and selfishness and unrest. We need to rely on the Holy Spirit to maintain our joy and praise!
Thank you, Lord, for your Holy Spirit. Please help us rely on it each day for strength and courage in our spiritual battles!
Foodie Friday
My roommate shared part of the half hog he bought recently. In addition to a ham, some chops, a pork loin and some sausage is a pork roast. I have never been a big pork roast fan mainly because my family usually fixed those with sauerkraut. I really hate sauerkraut. I decided to find a pulled pork recipe. Here is the one I am considering:
Pulled Pork, North Carolina Style
This pulled pork makes a great weekend meal with beans, potato salad or fries, and slaw.
Warm the reserved sauce and pass at the table for people to spoon over their pork. I serve barbecue sauce as well for anyone who would prefer the alternative.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 7 hours
Total Time: 7 hours, 10 minutes
Yield: Serves 6 to 8
Ingredients:
3 cups cider vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 boneless pork shoulder, about 3 1/2 pounds
salt and pepper
Preparation:
In a saucepan combine the vinegar, sugar, red pepper, 1 teaspoon of salt, and the 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Bring to a boil; remove from heat.
Save about 2 cups of the vinegar mixture for serving, and use the rest for basting.
Sprinkle the pork roast with salt and pepper; place in a foil lined baking or roasting pan. Roast, uncovered, at 275° for about 7 hours, or to 200° on a meat thermometer or oven probe inserted in the center of the thickest part of the roast. Baste about every hour with the sauce saved for basting. The roast should be very tender.
Remove the roast and shred with 2 forks, discarding large pieces of fat.
Warm the reserved sauce and pass at the table for people to spoon over their pork. I also serve barbecue sauce with this pork; it's delicious as a topping with coleslaw and pickle slices.
Serve with slaw, pickles, buns, and baked beans or your favorite sides.
BONUS: 5 Easy (And Yummy) Recipes for Leftover Candy
I found this article after I wrote the Foodie Friday recipe, but I wanted to include the article any way. Very cool!
********************************
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit - Romans 15:13
We are far from perfect, but despite our mistakes and our sins, we will never abandon the Lord and he will never abandon us - adapted from a statement about Abraham from the EfM Training Guide
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Yeah, what he said...
Our Daily Bread
I was fortunate to have some prayer friends in college. I still have some today, but it is not the same as my younger days. There were times that we were so fervent in our prayers and other times when we couldn't seem to put into words what we were thinking or feeling. While going around our little circle, one of my friends covered everything that I was feeling and wanted to say to God. Instead of repeating it all I just added "Yeah, what he said..." ha!
I have the same sentiment today when I read many of the psalms. I joked with my Bible study class "I am feeling psalmish this week"! How does one feel psalmish? The devotional explains it pretty well! Those times in your life when you just aren't feeling it as a Christian. You feel others are laughing at and mocking you because of who you are or who you profess to be. Those times when we can't seem to see what God is doing in our lives. Promises aren't being kept. Deliverance not being delivered. You know the feeling.
The devotional also emphasizes that Psalm 22 includes the flip-side -- telling of God's faithfulness and reassuring the psalmist of God's presence. Wow! I pray that we can all remember the flip-side during our "psalmish" times!
Lord, thank you for being the eternal, Almighty God. Please help us to remember your faithfulness at all times!
Technology Thursday
Do you have a wireless network at home? A lot of folks do now. My house isn't huge, but I found that my wireless network signal wasn't always that strong in some parts of my house, like my basement. I have two devices down there that use my wireless network. They weren't picking up the signal very well. I also had trouble using my iPad and phone on my wireless network down there as well. The solution: I purchased and installed a "repeater" - Uspeed WIFI Repeater Access Point
This entry is not a glowing endorsement for the product. I haven't used it very much yet. The setup is not very intuitive to say the least. It is geared to the gear heads! After the setup, you plugin the device to a power outlet in the area that needs the improved signal. It is a little big for a dual outlet, so you might block both outlets with this thing. Be warned.
When it works, it works very well. Again, I haven't used it enough to get a good feel for its reliability. I realized the other day that I had to reboot the device (unplug and plug back in ) before I could connect my iPad and computer to it. I was able to connect my bluray player fairly easily a few days later. I am not sure if it just gets stuck somehow or what. I haven't figured that out yet.
The nice thing is that if you set it up as a repeater, you can extend your Internet connection a long way. You can also use the same credentials that you use for your wireless network. The bad thing might be you have to connect back to your original home wireless network when you leave the general area of the repeater (like when I go back to my office or upstairs to my bedroom with my iPad).
There are many devices like this. I picked this one because it was relatively inexpensive and it got decent reviews on Amazon.com. Check this or other devices like it out on Amazon or your local computer equipment store.
*****************************
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit - Romans 15:13
I was fortunate to have some prayer friends in college. I still have some today, but it is not the same as my younger days. There were times that we were so fervent in our prayers and other times when we couldn't seem to put into words what we were thinking or feeling. While going around our little circle, one of my friends covered everything that I was feeling and wanted to say to God. Instead of repeating it all I just added "Yeah, what he said..." ha!
I have the same sentiment today when I read many of the psalms. I joked with my Bible study class "I am feeling psalmish this week"! How does one feel psalmish? The devotional explains it pretty well! Those times in your life when you just aren't feeling it as a Christian. You feel others are laughing at and mocking you because of who you are or who you profess to be. Those times when we can't seem to see what God is doing in our lives. Promises aren't being kept. Deliverance not being delivered. You know the feeling.
The devotional also emphasizes that Psalm 22 includes the flip-side -- telling of God's faithfulness and reassuring the psalmist of God's presence. Wow! I pray that we can all remember the flip-side during our "psalmish" times!
Lord, thank you for being the eternal, Almighty God. Please help us to remember your faithfulness at all times!
Technology Thursday
Do you have a wireless network at home? A lot of folks do now. My house isn't huge, but I found that my wireless network signal wasn't always that strong in some parts of my house, like my basement. I have two devices down there that use my wireless network. They weren't picking up the signal very well. I also had trouble using my iPad and phone on my wireless network down there as well. The solution: I purchased and installed a "repeater" - Uspeed WIFI Repeater Access Point
This entry is not a glowing endorsement for the product. I haven't used it very much yet. The setup is not very intuitive to say the least. It is geared to the gear heads! After the setup, you plugin the device to a power outlet in the area that needs the improved signal. It is a little big for a dual outlet, so you might block both outlets with this thing. Be warned.
When it works, it works very well. Again, I haven't used it enough to get a good feel for its reliability. I realized the other day that I had to reboot the device (unplug and plug back in ) before I could connect my iPad and computer to it. I was able to connect my bluray player fairly easily a few days later. I am not sure if it just gets stuck somehow or what. I haven't figured that out yet.
The nice thing is that if you set it up as a repeater, you can extend your Internet connection a long way. You can also use the same credentials that you use for your wireless network. The bad thing might be you have to connect back to your original home wireless network when you leave the general area of the repeater (like when I go back to my office or upstairs to my bedroom with my iPad).
There are many devices like this. I picked this one because it was relatively inexpensive and it got decent reviews on Amazon.com. Check this or other devices like it out on Amazon or your local computer equipment store.
*****************************
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit - Romans 15:13
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