Our Daily Bread
I have been in management in several companies I worked for over the years. One of the things I always said is "I won't ask you to do something that I am not willing to do myself. As a matter of fact, you probably have it easier than me!" I don't mean to toot my own horn, but it was an example of leading by example.
Jesus was our ultimate "leader by example". He tried to teach his disciples then and teach us today that we must be willing to serve others if we want to humbly walk with God. We are not to exalt ourselves. We are to server others. Even his disciples didn't get it most of the time. We don't have to be so hard on ourselves!
Lord, thank you for your example of love and leadership. Please help us serve others and walk humbly with you.
Psalm Sunday
Let's look at Psalm 79 this week. This is a short, "revenge our enemies to show you are God" psalms. These kind are not my favorite, but they still speak to us.
Psalm 79
A psalm of Asaph.
1 O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance;
they have defiled your holy temple,
they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble.
2 They have left the dead bodies of your servants
as food for the birds of the sky,
the flesh of your own people for the animals of the wild.
3 They have poured out blood like water
all around Jerusalem,
and there is no one to bury the dead.
4 We are objects of contempt to our neighbors,
of scorn and derision to those around us.
5 How long, Lord? Will you be angry forever?
How long will your jealousy burn like fire?
6 Pour out your wrath on the nations
that do not acknowledge you,
on the kingdoms
that do not call on your name;
7 for they have devoured Jacob
and devastated his homeland.
8 Do not hold against us the sins of past generations;
may your mercy come quickly to meet us,
for we are in desperate need.
9 Help us, God our Savior,
for the glory of your name;
deliver us and forgive our sins
for your name’s sake.
10 Why should the nations say,
“Where is their God?”
Before our eyes, make known among the nations
that you avenge the outpoured blood of your servants.
11 May the groans of the prisoners come before you;
with your strong arm preserve those condemned to die.
12 Pay back into the laps of our neighbors seven times
the contempt they have hurled at you, Lord.
13 Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture,
will praise you forever;
from generation to generation
we will proclaim your praise.
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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
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Saturday, January 26, 2013
What is done in the dark...
Our Daily Bread
One of the reasons I would rather watch movies than TV is great story lines. I find that movies, in general, have better story lines and writing that TV shows. This is a generalization and not always true of every movie!
The devotional talks about a unique story line -- the story of our life in Christ. Wow! I wonder who will play me in the movie version! Yikes! Probably John Goodman. What do you think? But I digress. Think about all the difficult little details that will be available for every one to read. Also imagine what "I did it behind the scenes" things that could be discovered as well. How would your life story read? I think mine would be a mix of the movie Halloween and the movie Airplane! ha!
I have a Bible paraphrase that most of my friends hate "What is done in the darkness shall be brought to the light". That is a scary thought for all of us! I finally looked up the scripture passage for the exact wording. It is I Corinthians 4:5:
5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.
What will the light show when it shines on our motives?
Lord, thank you for being the light of the world. Please help us be light and not hide things in darkness!
Simply Saturday
Not judging
Those of you that have met me in person know that I have a big mouth. Well, a big voice to be more precise. It comes from vocal training in college and having a naturally resonant voice. I am not saying this to brag, but to explain one of the reasons that I have to be careful when I speak out. Some people find me to be physically intimidating because of my barrel chest and massive arms, OK, not that many people... I also look people in the eye and speak with confidence. The combination of these things inspired one friend to describe me a "formidable". I had to think about that one.
I described myself because I have a problem. I can come across as being very judgmental when I am just expressing an opinion. I really hate that. My feeling is that if I care enough to say something, then I am not being judgmental. I care. Caring doesn't usually accompany judgmental behavior. I guess I am alone in that assumption! Oh well.
So what to do? First, be careful of how I use my voice. My voice teacher is working with me to raise the pitch of my speaking voice to a more appropriate pitch. I discovered the higher pitch also softens the tone of my voice and doesn't sound as much like the Wizard of Oz voice with the fire and smoke! ha! It helps me sound more upbeat than before. I like the new sound and the new image of myself that my mind is wrapping around slowly.
Second, watch my words. After working in a company with lots and lots of passive-aggressive people who don't like the word "no", I should be better at saying things appropriately and getting things done peacefully. Knowing what to say is very important.
Lastly, be more patient. I had a huge argument with a former friend, note "former" friend, last summer. After talking to him til I was blue in the face about some things in his life, I finally blew up. I felt like he was sliding a slippery slope and was going to get hurt. I screamed and yelled in emails and got into major trouble. Heavy sigh. Sometimes, only God can change a heart and a mind. Words cannot do it. This was reinforced in me the other day. A friend that had some of the same issues texted me to say he resolved one of the issues. I had been praying for him about the issue. God moved in his heart and he responded. I can't make people do what is best for them. I have to let God work.
Not judging is the goal. I am not the general manager of the universe. God made it. He is over everything. He really doesn't need my help managing his creation! ha!
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Trusting God’s faithfulness dispels our fearfulness. - Our Daily Bread web site
One of the reasons I would rather watch movies than TV is great story lines. I find that movies, in general, have better story lines and writing that TV shows. This is a generalization and not always true of every movie!
The devotional talks about a unique story line -- the story of our life in Christ. Wow! I wonder who will play me in the movie version! Yikes! Probably John Goodman. What do you think? But I digress. Think about all the difficult little details that will be available for every one to read. Also imagine what "I did it behind the scenes" things that could be discovered as well. How would your life story read? I think mine would be a mix of the movie Halloween and the movie Airplane! ha!
I have a Bible paraphrase that most of my friends hate "What is done in the darkness shall be brought to the light". That is a scary thought for all of us! I finally looked up the scripture passage for the exact wording. It is I Corinthians 4:5:
5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.
What will the light show when it shines on our motives?
Lord, thank you for being the light of the world. Please help us be light and not hide things in darkness!
Simply Saturday
Not judging
Those of you that have met me in person know that I have a big mouth. Well, a big voice to be more precise. It comes from vocal training in college and having a naturally resonant voice. I am not saying this to brag, but to explain one of the reasons that I have to be careful when I speak out. Some people find me to be physically intimidating because of my barrel chest and massive arms, OK, not that many people... I also look people in the eye and speak with confidence. The combination of these things inspired one friend to describe me a "formidable". I had to think about that one.
I described myself because I have a problem. I can come across as being very judgmental when I am just expressing an opinion. I really hate that. My feeling is that if I care enough to say something, then I am not being judgmental. I care. Caring doesn't usually accompany judgmental behavior. I guess I am alone in that assumption! Oh well.
So what to do? First, be careful of how I use my voice. My voice teacher is working with me to raise the pitch of my speaking voice to a more appropriate pitch. I discovered the higher pitch also softens the tone of my voice and doesn't sound as much like the Wizard of Oz voice with the fire and smoke! ha! It helps me sound more upbeat than before. I like the new sound and the new image of myself that my mind is wrapping around slowly.
Second, watch my words. After working in a company with lots and lots of passive-aggressive people who don't like the word "no", I should be better at saying things appropriately and getting things done peacefully. Knowing what to say is very important.
Lastly, be more patient. I had a huge argument with a former friend, note "former" friend, last summer. After talking to him til I was blue in the face about some things in his life, I finally blew up. I felt like he was sliding a slippery slope and was going to get hurt. I screamed and yelled in emails and got into major trouble. Heavy sigh. Sometimes, only God can change a heart and a mind. Words cannot do it. This was reinforced in me the other day. A friend that had some of the same issues texted me to say he resolved one of the issues. I had been praying for him about the issue. God moved in his heart and he responded. I can't make people do what is best for them. I have to let God work.
Not judging is the goal. I am not the general manager of the universe. God made it. He is over everything. He really doesn't need my help managing his creation! ha!
************************************
Trusting God’s faithfulness dispels our fearfulness. - Our Daily Bread web site
Friday, January 25, 2013
Inclusive
Our Daily Bread
Have you ever looked at all the perfect people that grace the pages of magazine ads? So many pretty women and handsome men displaying products for us to desire and buy because a "beautiful person" uses them. I have never been very influenced by those ads. I guess it is the geek in me that must research each product, price, etc. ;-p
The people at Qumram would seemingly be very influenced by "beautiful people" ads. They only invited folks "without blemish" to their events. Jesus blew that strategy out of the water with his instructions to invite the folks that can't return the favor to your home. How many of us do that? It is something to think about and pray about!
Lord, thank you for being inclusive in your love and not only loving the "beautiful people"!
Foodie Friday
I have been researching macaroni and cheese recipes. I guess it is because of winter time and the need for comfort food! Here is one of the recipes I plan to make soon.
Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese
Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese
Recipe adapted from Home Cooking with Trisha Yearwood (c) Clarkson Potter 2010
.Prep Time:10 minInactive Prep Time:-- Cook Time:3 hr 15 minLevel:
EasyServes:
12 servings.Ingredients
Cooking spray
8 ounces cooked elbow macaroni
One 12-ounce can evaporated milk
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1/4 cup (1/2 stick ) of butter, melted
1 teaspoon salt
Dash of pepper
2 large eggs, beaten
Two 10-ounce bricks sharp Cheddar cheese, grated (about 5 cups)
Dash of paprika
Directions
In a large 4-quart slow cooker sprayed with cooking spray, mix the macaroni, evaporated milk, milk, butter, salt, pepper, eggs and all but 1/2 cup of the grated cheese. Sprinkle the reserved cheese over the top of the mixture and then sprinkle with paprika. Cover and cook on low heat for 3 hours and 15 minutes. Turn off the slow cooker, stir the mixture and serve hot.
Cook's Note: If you don't have a slow cooker, grease a 9-by-13-by-2-inch pan with butter, add the mixture and bake at 350 degrees F for 50 minutes.
******************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Have you ever looked at all the perfect people that grace the pages of magazine ads? So many pretty women and handsome men displaying products for us to desire and buy because a "beautiful person" uses them. I have never been very influenced by those ads. I guess it is the geek in me that must research each product, price, etc. ;-p
The people at Qumram would seemingly be very influenced by "beautiful people" ads. They only invited folks "without blemish" to their events. Jesus blew that strategy out of the water with his instructions to invite the folks that can't return the favor to your home. How many of us do that? It is something to think about and pray about!
Lord, thank you for being inclusive in your love and not only loving the "beautiful people"!
Foodie Friday
I have been researching macaroni and cheese recipes. I guess it is because of winter time and the need for comfort food! Here is one of the recipes I plan to make soon.
Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese
Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese
Recipe adapted from Home Cooking with Trisha Yearwood (c) Clarkson Potter 2010
.Prep Time:10 minInactive Prep Time:-- Cook Time:3 hr 15 minLevel:
EasyServes:
12 servings.Ingredients
Cooking spray
8 ounces cooked elbow macaroni
One 12-ounce can evaporated milk
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1/4 cup (1/2 stick ) of butter, melted
1 teaspoon salt
Dash of pepper
2 large eggs, beaten
Two 10-ounce bricks sharp Cheddar cheese, grated (about 5 cups)
Dash of paprika
Directions
In a large 4-quart slow cooker sprayed with cooking spray, mix the macaroni, evaporated milk, milk, butter, salt, pepper, eggs and all but 1/2 cup of the grated cheese. Sprinkle the reserved cheese over the top of the mixture and then sprinkle with paprika. Cover and cook on low heat for 3 hours and 15 minutes. Turn off the slow cooker, stir the mixture and serve hot.
Cook's Note: If you don't have a slow cooker, grease a 9-by-13-by-2-inch pan with butter, add the mixture and bake at 350 degrees F for 50 minutes.
******************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Role model
Our Daily Bread
There was a gay couple in the movie Love! Valor! Compassion! that had been together for a few decades. When they were celebrating an anniversary with friends, one of them said "Yeah, role models. So much pressure!"
Can you even imagine the pressure that Jesus had when he lived among us? He had the weight of the sins of the world on his back! We often disregard this because he was God Incarnate, but he was still human. Human to be tempted as we are tempted. Human to have emotions like we have emotions. Human to die like we are going to die some day. How did he deal with all of these things? He spent time with his Heavenly Father and he did his work. That is what Jesus, our role model, calls us to do today.
I have a new rule: I have to spend more time in Bible study and prayer than I spend at the movie theater. Whoa... God had a little talk with me this morning that I need to make him a higher priority!
Lord, thank you for making a way for our salvation and re-establishing a right relationship with you. Please help us make you the top priority in our lives!
Technology Thursday
Coursera
A friend told me about the website Coursera.org. It is a web site that offers online classes from major universities for free. The classes do not count towards an official degree, but you can take as many as you can handle and document them on your resume. I listed "Completed one online class" on my performance plan this year at work. I am enrolled in the Fundamentals of Computer Networks class this term.
There are lots classes with a lot of different universities. Check it out today!
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Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” John 11:40
There was a gay couple in the movie Love! Valor! Compassion! that had been together for a few decades. When they were celebrating an anniversary with friends, one of them said "Yeah, role models. So much pressure!"
Can you even imagine the pressure that Jesus had when he lived among us? He had the weight of the sins of the world on his back! We often disregard this because he was God Incarnate, but he was still human. Human to be tempted as we are tempted. Human to have emotions like we have emotions. Human to die like we are going to die some day. How did he deal with all of these things? He spent time with his Heavenly Father and he did his work. That is what Jesus, our role model, calls us to do today.
I have a new rule: I have to spend more time in Bible study and prayer than I spend at the movie theater. Whoa... God had a little talk with me this morning that I need to make him a higher priority!
Lord, thank you for making a way for our salvation and re-establishing a right relationship with you. Please help us make you the top priority in our lives!
Technology Thursday
Coursera
A friend told me about the website Coursera.org. It is a web site that offers online classes from major universities for free. The classes do not count towards an official degree, but you can take as many as you can handle and document them on your resume. I listed "Completed one online class" on my performance plan this year at work. I am enrolled in the Fundamentals of Computer Networks class this term.
There are lots classes with a lot of different universities. Check it out today!
****************************************
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” John 11:40
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
It's only words
Our Daily Bread
Yes, I listened to the BeeGees when I was younger. They weren't my favorite group, but I liked their unique voices! One of their greatest hits was the song Words. "It's only words, and words are all I have to take your heart away".
The devotional today would agree and disagree with that line from the song. The devotional writer would disagree with the part "It's only words". No, they are not. Our words are an extension of who we are or who we think we are. As a child of God, our words are not our own. We shouldn't talk like a sailor during the week and praise God on Sunday! Or as one friend put it "Do you also pray to God with that awful mouth?". ha! The devotional author might agree with the second part of the song lyric. Sometimes, our words are all we have to win someone to God -- or push them away. "Oh be careful little tongue what you say!"
Lord, thank you for the ability to think and speak. Please help us use the words you want us to say!
Wellness Wednesday
Keep warm!
Winter reared its ugly head again over the weekend. After having some temperatures in the 60's recently, we dipped down to single digit temps in Central Ohio. Northern Ohio had low temps and snow. Whew! During this time of year we need to remember to keep covered up even if we are outside for only a few minutes!
Bring your pets indoors if they are not already.
Be careful with indoor heating devices such as kerosene heaters, wood stoves, electric heaters, etc. They can cause fires very easily if not used properly.
Warm up your car for a few minutes before driving. The oil needs to warm up and circulate before going very fast to save on engine wear and tear.
Drink lots of fluids as you body will overcompensate a lot for cold weather. Keep hydrated to avoid dry, cracked skin. Use lots of lotion as needed.
Stay warm and well!
I don't always remember to add this part of the entry. Here is secret number 27 from The 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People:
Don't confuse stuff with success.
Seems simple, doesn't it? Surveys show that folks are nine times more likely to be happy if they have friends and family than if they have "stuff".
************************************
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
Yes, I listened to the BeeGees when I was younger. They weren't my favorite group, but I liked their unique voices! One of their greatest hits was the song Words. "It's only words, and words are all I have to take your heart away".
The devotional today would agree and disagree with that line from the song. The devotional writer would disagree with the part "It's only words". No, they are not. Our words are an extension of who we are or who we think we are. As a child of God, our words are not our own. We shouldn't talk like a sailor during the week and praise God on Sunday! Or as one friend put it "Do you also pray to God with that awful mouth?". ha! The devotional author might agree with the second part of the song lyric. Sometimes, our words are all we have to win someone to God -- or push them away. "Oh be careful little tongue what you say!"
Lord, thank you for the ability to think and speak. Please help us use the words you want us to say!
Wellness Wednesday
Keep warm!
Winter reared its ugly head again over the weekend. After having some temperatures in the 60's recently, we dipped down to single digit temps in Central Ohio. Northern Ohio had low temps and snow. Whew! During this time of year we need to remember to keep covered up even if we are outside for only a few minutes!
Bring your pets indoors if they are not already.
Be careful with indoor heating devices such as kerosene heaters, wood stoves, electric heaters, etc. They can cause fires very easily if not used properly.
Warm up your car for a few minutes before driving. The oil needs to warm up and circulate before going very fast to save on engine wear and tear.
Drink lots of fluids as you body will overcompensate a lot for cold weather. Keep hydrated to avoid dry, cracked skin. Use lots of lotion as needed.
Stay warm and well!
I don't always remember to add this part of the entry. Here is secret number 27 from The 100 Simple Secrets of Happy People:
Don't confuse stuff with success.
Seems simple, doesn't it? Surveys show that folks are nine times more likely to be happy if they have friends and family than if they have "stuff".
************************************
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, January 22, 2013
So, which is it?
Our Daily Bread
Whether it is a board game or a video game, you usually have to pick a piece or character to represent you in the game. We usually try to pick the most powerful character or the coolest piece!
In the time of Joshua, much like today, there were many gods to choose from. Some cultures in the Old Testament also erected an altar to an unknown god so they wouldn't offend a god by ignoring it!
The one true God, YHWH, made a covenant with the nation of Israel made a covenant. He required them to be true to him and not worship any other gods. Near the end of Joshua's life, he prophesied that the people of Israel would lose their promised land because they couldn't keep their side of the agreement. The passage in Joshua, which I also reference in my Teaching Tuesday entry below, is Joshua's amazing speech encouraging Israel to make the right choice. What is your choice?
Lord, thank you for giving us free and a choice. Please help us to always choose you!
Teaching Tuesday
The lesson for this week was about Joshua and the Book of Joshua. If you remember your Bible history, Joshua had a tough act to follow -- Moses. How do you follow the Jewish leader that is considered par excellence? (the book's wording). The writers of the D source made sure that the reputation of Joshua held up under the scrutiny of history. There are still some discrepancies from historical sources about the turn of events, but the Book of Joshua was very clear about his place in Israel's history.
Personally, one of my favorite Bible scriptures is in Joshua 24:15, which happens to be one of the verses in today's devotional! How amazing is that!?!
15 But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
What about your household?
*********************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Whether it is a board game or a video game, you usually have to pick a piece or character to represent you in the game. We usually try to pick the most powerful character or the coolest piece!
In the time of Joshua, much like today, there were many gods to choose from. Some cultures in the Old Testament also erected an altar to an unknown god so they wouldn't offend a god by ignoring it!
The one true God, YHWH, made a covenant with the nation of Israel made a covenant. He required them to be true to him and not worship any other gods. Near the end of Joshua's life, he prophesied that the people of Israel would lose their promised land because they couldn't keep their side of the agreement. The passage in Joshua, which I also reference in my Teaching Tuesday entry below, is Joshua's amazing speech encouraging Israel to make the right choice. What is your choice?
Lord, thank you for giving us free and a choice. Please help us to always choose you!
Teaching Tuesday
The lesson for this week was about Joshua and the Book of Joshua. If you remember your Bible history, Joshua had a tough act to follow -- Moses. How do you follow the Jewish leader that is considered par excellence? (the book's wording). The writers of the D source made sure that the reputation of Joshua held up under the scrutiny of history. There are still some discrepancies from historical sources about the turn of events, but the Book of Joshua was very clear about his place in Israel's history.
Personally, one of my favorite Bible scriptures is in Joshua 24:15, which happens to be one of the verses in today's devotional! How amazing is that!?!
15 But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
What about your household?
*********************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Monday, January 21, 2013
Set it free...
Our Daily Bread
I may have told this story once or twice before, but here it goes again. We have a joke in my family on the old saying. "If you love something, set it free. If it comes back to you, it was meant to be. If it doesn't..." That is where we change it to "then you HUNT IT DOWN!" ha! Just a silly joke. We don't really do that....
I was trying to lead into a nice devotional on love and the prodigal son. Do you have a prodigal child that you have welcomed home or would love to welcome home? Were you a prodigal child? In my world, I have been the prodigal friend who said or did things that hurt someone special. I have also been on the other end of that hurt. How do we act when we are the prodigal? How do we act when we are the "father" in the prodigal son story? The parts of the story that amazes me the most are: "he saw him from a far off" and no lecture or punishment. "He saw him from a far off' meant that the father was looking for him every day to come home. He held hope that his son was still alive and well. It was very unusual in those days for a man of his stature to "watch" for someone. He usually had a servant take care of that! THEN, he accepted his son back with no lecture or punishment. If it had been me, I don't know what I would have done. Turn him over my knee. Lecture him til he wished he hadn't come home. I don't know.
The one thing I do know is that when someone special, regardless of being the father or the son in the story, returns to your life, you should love and rejoice!
Lord, thank you so much for your love. Please help us always love the same way regardless of the situation.
Movie Monday
I saw three movies last week-- Silver Linings Playbook, Zero Dark Thirty and Broken City. I am trying to see all the Oscar nominees for best picture.
Silver Linings Playbook
I can see why this movie and its lead actors were nominated for the Oscars. The story line is oddly romantic and sad and happy and unpredictable. It has that oddness that the Academy seems to like when a movie like this comes out. The acting was incredible. Jennifer Lawrence deserves the Best Actress award, hands down, over any of the other performances I saw last year. The topics in the movie upset me a little. Folks with mental illnesses hold a soft spot in my heart. It was difficult for me to watch at times.
I give this movie three bear paws. It will be out on video soon. See it.
Zero Dark Thirty
This is the story of how Osama Bin Laden was found and killed. It was interesting to watch, but very slow in places for a 2.5 hour movie. Jessica Chastain was good in it. As an Academy Award nominee, I thought her performance paled in comparison to others I watched. This movie had some content that I didn't like either. There were some torture scenes that really upset me. I realize that our country has to do these things. Do we?
I give this movie three bear paws. Very well put together. Rent it.
Broken City
Broken City wasn't nominated for an Oscar and for good reason. It is a decent run of the mill kind of movie with some big stars. I thought the movie was just OK. The story line was just OK. The acting was just OK because the script didn't give them much to work with.
I give this one two bear paws. No need to rush to the theater to see it. It is a decent rental on Netflix.
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I am far from perfect, but despite my mistakes and my sins, I will never abandon the Lord and he will never abandon me - adapted from a statement about Abraham from the EfM Training Guide
I may have told this story once or twice before, but here it goes again. We have a joke in my family on the old saying. "If you love something, set it free. If it comes back to you, it was meant to be. If it doesn't..." That is where we change it to "then you HUNT IT DOWN!" ha! Just a silly joke. We don't really do that....
I was trying to lead into a nice devotional on love and the prodigal son. Do you have a prodigal child that you have welcomed home or would love to welcome home? Were you a prodigal child? In my world, I have been the prodigal friend who said or did things that hurt someone special. I have also been on the other end of that hurt. How do we act when we are the prodigal? How do we act when we are the "father" in the prodigal son story? The parts of the story that amazes me the most are: "he saw him from a far off" and no lecture or punishment. "He saw him from a far off' meant that the father was looking for him every day to come home. He held hope that his son was still alive and well. It was very unusual in those days for a man of his stature to "watch" for someone. He usually had a servant take care of that! THEN, he accepted his son back with no lecture or punishment. If it had been me, I don't know what I would have done. Turn him over my knee. Lecture him til he wished he hadn't come home. I don't know.
The one thing I do know is that when someone special, regardless of being the father or the son in the story, returns to your life, you should love and rejoice!
Lord, thank you so much for your love. Please help us always love the same way regardless of the situation.
Movie Monday
I saw three movies last week-- Silver Linings Playbook, Zero Dark Thirty and Broken City. I am trying to see all the Oscar nominees for best picture.
Silver Linings Playbook
I can see why this movie and its lead actors were nominated for the Oscars. The story line is oddly romantic and sad and happy and unpredictable. It has that oddness that the Academy seems to like when a movie like this comes out. The acting was incredible. Jennifer Lawrence deserves the Best Actress award, hands down, over any of the other performances I saw last year. The topics in the movie upset me a little. Folks with mental illnesses hold a soft spot in my heart. It was difficult for me to watch at times.
I give this movie three bear paws. It will be out on video soon. See it.
Zero Dark Thirty
This is the story of how Osama Bin Laden was found and killed. It was interesting to watch, but very slow in places for a 2.5 hour movie. Jessica Chastain was good in it. As an Academy Award nominee, I thought her performance paled in comparison to others I watched. This movie had some content that I didn't like either. There were some torture scenes that really upset me. I realize that our country has to do these things. Do we?
I give this movie three bear paws. Very well put together. Rent it.
Broken City
Broken City wasn't nominated for an Oscar and for good reason. It is a decent run of the mill kind of movie with some big stars. I thought the movie was just OK. The story line was just OK. The acting was just OK because the script didn't give them much to work with.
I give this one two bear paws. No need to rush to the theater to see it. It is a decent rental on Netflix.
************************************
I am far from perfect, but despite my mistakes and my sins, I will never abandon the Lord and he will never abandon me - adapted from a statement about Abraham from the EfM Training Guide
Sunday, January 20, 2013
A Song that never ends
Our Daily Bread
I used to lead childrens choirs when I was a Minister of Music in the Southern Baptist church. I loved singing with children because you never knew what was going to happen despite all the rehearsals! We also had lots of fun like when I would start The song that never ends... The kids would sing it and sing it and sing it until they fell asleep singing it that night! It never ends!
It NEVER ceases to amaze me how the devotionals seem to sync up with the topics God instructs me to write about. I wrote the Psalm Sunday entry first this morning and then read the devotional. I almost cried as I saw God working and speaking through these simple acts!
The devotional, like the comments I made about Psalm 72 below, is about using music to remember. The scripture passage in Deuteronomy 31:16-22 tells the story of God giving Moses a song to write down and teach the people so they will always remember their God. God knew that the Israelites would be tempted to stray from him in Canaan. He tried to warn them. Like us, they did not listen or obey.
Is there a song or psalm or scripture passage that helps you remember God? God seems to lead me to the local Christian radio station periodically to find a new meaningful song. Sometimes a song I have on my iPod jumps out at me like it never has before. God gave me the chorus to a song a few months ago that I sing when I start to doubt God. I hope to write the rest of that song this year. What is your song? A song that never ends perhaps?
Lord, thank you for being our God. Please help us to use a song that never ends or whatever else we need to always keep you first in our lives!
Psalm Sunday
Psalm 78 is a long one! It has 72 verses! It is a psalm they used to sing to remember their history and teach it to their children. What kind of song or poem could we write to describe our history with God so we can teach our young ones?
Psalm 78
A maskil of Asaph.
1 My people, hear my teaching;
listen to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth with a parable;
I will utter hidden things, things from of old—
3 things we have heard and known,
things our ancestors have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their descendants;
we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,
his power, and the wonders he has done.
5 He decreed statutes for Jacob
and established the law in Israel,
which he commanded our ancestors
to teach their children,
6 so the next generation would know them,
even the children yet to be born,
and they in turn would tell their children.
7 Then they would put their trust in God
and would not forget his deeds
but would keep his commands.
8 They would not be like their ancestors—
a stubborn and rebellious generation,
whose hearts were not loyal to God,
whose spirits were not faithful to him.
9 The men of Ephraim, though armed with bows,
turned back on the day of battle;
10 they did not keep God’s covenant
and refused to live by his law.
11 They forgot what he had done,
the wonders he had shown them.
12 He did miracles in the sight of their ancestors
in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan.
13 He divided the sea and led them through;
he made the water stand up like a wall.
14 He guided them with the cloud by day
and with light from the fire all night.
15 He split the rocks in the wilderness
and gave them water as abundant as the seas;
16 he brought streams out of a rocky crag
and made water flow down like rivers.
17 But they continued to sin against him,
rebelling in the wilderness against the Most High.
18 They willfully put God to the test
by demanding the food they craved.
19 They spoke against God;
they said, “Can God really
spread a table in the wilderness?
20 True, he struck the rock,
and water gushed out,
streams flowed abundantly,
but can he also give us bread?
Can he supply meat for his people?”
21 When the Lord heard them, he was furious;
his fire broke out against Jacob,
and his wrath rose against Israel,
22 for they did not believe in God
or trust in his deliverance.
23 Yet he gave a command to the skies above
and opened the doors of the heavens;
24 he rained down manna for the people to eat,
he gave them the grain of heaven.
25 Human beings ate the bread of angels;
he sent them all the food they could eat.
26 He let loose the east wind from the heavens
and by his power made the south wind blow.
27 He rained meat down on them like dust,
birds like sand on the seashore.
28 He made them come down inside their camp,
all around their tents.
29 They ate till they were gorged—
he had given them what they craved.
30 But before they turned from what they craved,
even while the food was still in their mouths,
31 God’s anger rose against them;
he put to death the sturdiest among them,
cutting down the young men of Israel.
32 In spite of all this, they kept on sinning;
in spite of his wonders, they did not believe.
33 So he ended their days in futility
and their years in terror.
34 Whenever God slew them, they would seek him;
they eagerly turned to him again.
35 They remembered that God was their Rock,
that God Most High was their Redeemer.
36 But then they would flatter him with their mouths,
lying to him with their tongues;
37 their hearts were not loyal to him,
they were not faithful to his covenant.
38 Yet he was merciful;
he forgave their iniquities
and did not destroy them.
Time after time he restrained his anger
and did not stir up his full wrath.
39 He remembered that they were but flesh,
a passing breeze that does not return.
40 How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness
and grieved him in the wasteland!
41 Again and again they put God to the test;
they vexed the Holy One of Israel.
42 They did not remember his power—
the day he redeemed them from the oppressor,
43 the day he displayed his signs in Egypt,
his wonders in the region of Zoan.
44 He turned their river into blood;
they could not drink from their streams.
45 He sent swarms of flies that devoured them,
and frogs that devastated them.
46 He gave their crops to the grasshopper,
their produce to the locust.
47 He destroyed their vines with hail
and their sycamore-figs with sleet.
48 He gave over their cattle to the hail,
their livestock to bolts of lightning.
49 He unleashed against them his hot anger,
his wrath, indignation and hostility—
a band of destroying angels.
50 He prepared a path for his anger;
he did not spare them from death
but gave them over to the plague.
51 He struck down all the firstborn of Egypt,
the firstfruits of manhood in the tents of Ham.
52 But he brought his people out like a flock;
he led them like sheep through the wilderness.
53 He guided them safely, so they were unafraid;
but the sea engulfed their enemies.
54 And so he brought them to the border of his holy land,
to the hill country his right hand had taken.
55 He drove out nations before them
and allotted their lands to them as an inheritance;
he settled the tribes of Israel in their homes.
56 But they put God to the test
and rebelled against the Most High;
they did not keep his statutes.
57 Like their ancestors they were disloyal and faithless,
as unreliable as a faulty bow.
58 They angered him with their high places;
they aroused his jealousy with their idols.
59 When God heard them, he was furious;
he rejected Israel completely.
60 He abandoned the tabernacle of Shiloh,
the tent he had set up among humans.
61 He sent the ark of his might into captivity,
his splendor into the hands of the enemy.
62 He gave his people over to the sword;
he was furious with his inheritance.
63 Fire consumed their young men,
and their young women had no wedding songs;
64 their priests were put to the sword,
and their widows could not weep.
65 Then the Lord awoke as from sleep,
as a warrior wakes from the stupor of wine.
66 He beat back his enemies;
he put them to everlasting shame.
67 Then he rejected the tents of Joseph,
he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim;
68 but he chose the tribe of Judah,
Mount Zion, which he loved.
69 He built his sanctuary like the heights,
like the earth that he established forever.
70 He chose David his servant
and took him from the sheep pens;
71 from tending the sheep he brought him
to be the shepherd of his people Jacob,
of Israel his inheritance.
72 And David shepherded them with integrity of heart;
with skillful hands he led them.
*********************************
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 used to lead childrens choirs when I was a Minister of Music in the Southern Baptist church. I loved singing with children because you never knew what was going to happen despite all the rehearsals! We also had lots of fun like when I would start The song that never ends... The kids would sing it and sing it and sing it until they fell asleep singing it that night! It never ends!
It NEVER ceases to amaze me how the devotionals seem to sync up with the topics God instructs me to write about. I wrote the Psalm Sunday entry first this morning and then read the devotional. I almost cried as I saw God working and speaking through these simple acts!
The devotional, like the comments I made about Psalm 72 below, is about using music to remember. The scripture passage in Deuteronomy 31:16-22 tells the story of God giving Moses a song to write down and teach the people so they will always remember their God. God knew that the Israelites would be tempted to stray from him in Canaan. He tried to warn them. Like us, they did not listen or obey.
Is there a song or psalm or scripture passage that helps you remember God? God seems to lead me to the local Christian radio station periodically to find a new meaningful song. Sometimes a song I have on my iPod jumps out at me like it never has before. God gave me the chorus to a song a few months ago that I sing when I start to doubt God. I hope to write the rest of that song this year. What is your song? A song that never ends perhaps?
Lord, thank you for being our God. Please help us to use a song that never ends or whatever else we need to always keep you first in our lives!
Psalm Sunday
Psalm 78 is a long one! It has 72 verses! It is a psalm they used to sing to remember their history and teach it to their children. What kind of song or poem could we write to describe our history with God so we can teach our young ones?
Psalm 78
A maskil of Asaph.
1 My people, hear my teaching;
listen to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth with a parable;
I will utter hidden things, things from of old—
3 things we have heard and known,
things our ancestors have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their descendants;
we will tell the next generation
the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,
his power, and the wonders he has done.
5 He decreed statutes for Jacob
and established the law in Israel,
which he commanded our ancestors
to teach their children,
6 so the next generation would know them,
even the children yet to be born,
and they in turn would tell their children.
7 Then they would put their trust in God
and would not forget his deeds
but would keep his commands.
8 They would not be like their ancestors—
a stubborn and rebellious generation,
whose hearts were not loyal to God,
whose spirits were not faithful to him.
9 The men of Ephraim, though armed with bows,
turned back on the day of battle;
10 they did not keep God’s covenant
and refused to live by his law.
11 They forgot what he had done,
the wonders he had shown them.
12 He did miracles in the sight of their ancestors
in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan.
13 He divided the sea and led them through;
he made the water stand up like a wall.
14 He guided them with the cloud by day
and with light from the fire all night.
15 He split the rocks in the wilderness
and gave them water as abundant as the seas;
16 he brought streams out of a rocky crag
and made water flow down like rivers.
17 But they continued to sin against him,
rebelling in the wilderness against the Most High.
18 They willfully put God to the test
by demanding the food they craved.
19 They spoke against God;
they said, “Can God really
spread a table in the wilderness?
20 True, he struck the rock,
and water gushed out,
streams flowed abundantly,
but can he also give us bread?
Can he supply meat for his people?”
21 When the Lord heard them, he was furious;
his fire broke out against Jacob,
and his wrath rose against Israel,
22 for they did not believe in God
or trust in his deliverance.
23 Yet he gave a command to the skies above
and opened the doors of the heavens;
24 he rained down manna for the people to eat,
he gave them the grain of heaven.
25 Human beings ate the bread of angels;
he sent them all the food they could eat.
26 He let loose the east wind from the heavens
and by his power made the south wind blow.
27 He rained meat down on them like dust,
birds like sand on the seashore.
28 He made them come down inside their camp,
all around their tents.
29 They ate till they were gorged—
he had given them what they craved.
30 But before they turned from what they craved,
even while the food was still in their mouths,
31 God’s anger rose against them;
he put to death the sturdiest among them,
cutting down the young men of Israel.
32 In spite of all this, they kept on sinning;
in spite of his wonders, they did not believe.
33 So he ended their days in futility
and their years in terror.
34 Whenever God slew them, they would seek him;
they eagerly turned to him again.
35 They remembered that God was their Rock,
that God Most High was their Redeemer.
36 But then they would flatter him with their mouths,
lying to him with their tongues;
37 their hearts were not loyal to him,
they were not faithful to his covenant.
38 Yet he was merciful;
he forgave their iniquities
and did not destroy them.
Time after time he restrained his anger
and did not stir up his full wrath.
39 He remembered that they were but flesh,
a passing breeze that does not return.
40 How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness
and grieved him in the wasteland!
41 Again and again they put God to the test;
they vexed the Holy One of Israel.
42 They did not remember his power—
the day he redeemed them from the oppressor,
43 the day he displayed his signs in Egypt,
his wonders in the region of Zoan.
44 He turned their river into blood;
they could not drink from their streams.
45 He sent swarms of flies that devoured them,
and frogs that devastated them.
46 He gave their crops to the grasshopper,
their produce to the locust.
47 He destroyed their vines with hail
and their sycamore-figs with sleet.
48 He gave over their cattle to the hail,
their livestock to bolts of lightning.
49 He unleashed against them his hot anger,
his wrath, indignation and hostility—
a band of destroying angels.
50 He prepared a path for his anger;
he did not spare them from death
but gave them over to the plague.
51 He struck down all the firstborn of Egypt,
the firstfruits of manhood in the tents of Ham.
52 But he brought his people out like a flock;
he led them like sheep through the wilderness.
53 He guided them safely, so they were unafraid;
but the sea engulfed their enemies.
54 And so he brought them to the border of his holy land,
to the hill country his right hand had taken.
55 He drove out nations before them
and allotted their lands to them as an inheritance;
he settled the tribes of Israel in their homes.
56 But they put God to the test
and rebelled against the Most High;
they did not keep his statutes.
57 Like their ancestors they were disloyal and faithless,
as unreliable as a faulty bow.
58 They angered him with their high places;
they aroused his jealousy with their idols.
59 When God heard them, he was furious;
he rejected Israel completely.
60 He abandoned the tabernacle of Shiloh,
the tent he had set up among humans.
61 He sent the ark of his might into captivity,
his splendor into the hands of the enemy.
62 He gave his people over to the sword;
he was furious with his inheritance.
63 Fire consumed their young men,
and their young women had no wedding songs;
64 their priests were put to the sword,
and their widows could not weep.
65 Then the Lord awoke as from sleep,
as a warrior wakes from the stupor of wine.
66 He beat back his enemies;
he put them to everlasting shame.
67 Then he rejected the tents of Joseph,
he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim;
68 but he chose the tribe of Judah,
Mount Zion, which he loved.
69 He built his sanctuary like the heights,
like the earth that he established forever.
70 He chose David his servant
and took him from the sheep pens;
71 from tending the sheep he brought him
to be the shepherd of his people Jacob,
of Israel his inheritance.
72 And David shepherded them with integrity of heart;
with skillful hands he led them.
*********************************
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, January 19, 2013
Til glory
Our Daily Bread
I like silly humor at times. The sillier the better. One of my favorites is the Monty Python movies. They combined some of the story lines into a Broadway musical called Spamalot. At one point, they are gathering the dead folks on a large cart moving through the village. One poor soul was not ready to be put on the cart and exclaimed "Not yet dead". A rousing song ensued!
We have all lost someone close to us. It is not easy. We remember the good times and the bad times with the person. We remember what we did wrong and we remember regrets. We think about them over the holidays and special occasions. Remembering can be good because it can help us heal.
While we laugh at the "not yet dead" scene, we should remember we are "not yet dead" each and every day. We are on this earth for a purpose. "Find your grail" today and live your life for God!
Lord, thank you for the promise of heaven and being with you. We know you are always with us!
Simply Saturday
Passion
I want to write a little bit about passion today. Please understand that this article is the opinion of a silly old bear named Duane. Some may say "he don't know nothin' bout no passion!" ha!
The dictionary defines passion as follows:
pas·sion [pash-uh n]
noun
1.any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling, as love or hate.
2.strong amorous feeling or desire; love; ardor.
3.strong sexual desire; lust.
4.an instance or experience of strong love or sexual desire.
5.a person toward whom one feels strong love or sexual desire.
There are a lot of songs written about this word. I want to talk about having a passion for being a child of God and living our lives that way. Where do I start?
No one really knows where passion starts in a romantic relationship. Sometimes it just happens. Sometimes it builds up over time. You simply know that he or she is "the one". So how does that work with God? Some scriptures imply that God woos us into a relationship with him. The Holy Spirit tugs at our hearts. We catch a glimpse of the love that awaits us if we accept God into our lives. We finally realize that God is "the one", the one and only true God.
Much like a romantic relationship, we can get closer to God by getting to know him better. We learn about God from reading the Bible and religious books from trusted authors. For non-Bible literature, I love the C.S. Lewis books about his relationship with God such as Surprised by Joy. There is also My Utmost for his Highest by Oswald Chambers. Very good reads if you want to grow your relationship with God. Getting to know someone also includes talking and listening. Most folks find this trickier with God since he is not a physical being that can sit across from you at Starbucks. You know, havin' a latte with the maker of the Universe. Good times. ha! For me, it is more about taking time to listen. Be open to the myriad of ways that God can speak to you. For example, the beginning of this week was very difficult for me in several ways. At one point, I seriously considered disconnecting myself from several things like Facebook, church, Bible study class, etc. As I took a step back, I asked God for direction. The next morning I received a private message from a Facebook acquaintance pouring out his heart out and asking me for some insight. I cried. I didn't realize he (or anyone) read my blog or my FB posts. I didn't realize that they actually mean something to some folks. I was drowning in self-pity and couldn't look around. God spoke. I listened. I shared some things with my friend. We both were fed by God that day. A passion for God causes and results in these types of interactions. I can testify!
So usually after getting to know someone and deciding "he is the one" or "she is the one", we make a commitment. The commitment phase occurs a little earlier in the relationship with God since we usually learn about him from an early age. The type of commitment I am talking about here is a commitment to "passion" for our relationship with God. It means putting God first in your life. The type of passion even more intense than a romantic relationship. You MUST have God in your life. You HAVE to trust him for every breath. You cannot ignore him or not spend time with him. This is different than much of what you hear in church! I tried to explain to a romantic interest that he would never be number one in my life. God would always have that place. When he protested a little, I explained "I have to put God first so I can be the man you need me to be". He finally understood!
How does our passion for God manifest itself? When you are in a romantic relationship, there are lots of things that you can do to show how much you care. You can tell the person "I love you" each and every day. You can buy gifts or flowers or candy or cards. You can leave little notes in the fridge (yes, I am a romantic). How can we manifest our passion for God? I like to keep things simple when I can. Love God and love others. Yes, there are a lot of little details about those things about specific acts that God calls us to do. Giving of ourselves. Being as godly as we humanly can. Sharing our faith with others. Serving others. Worshiping God with others. All these things just scratch the surface on the things we can to do manifest our passion for God.
What is your passion? Is it God? How do you show your passion for God? Let us think about this today and pray for each other to live our passion.
***********************************************
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 like silly humor at times. The sillier the better. One of my favorites is the Monty Python movies. They combined some of the story lines into a Broadway musical called Spamalot. At one point, they are gathering the dead folks on a large cart moving through the village. One poor soul was not ready to be put on the cart and exclaimed "Not yet dead". A rousing song ensued!
We have all lost someone close to us. It is not easy. We remember the good times and the bad times with the person. We remember what we did wrong and we remember regrets. We think about them over the holidays and special occasions. Remembering can be good because it can help us heal.
While we laugh at the "not yet dead" scene, we should remember we are "not yet dead" each and every day. We are on this earth for a purpose. "Find your grail" today and live your life for God!
Lord, thank you for the promise of heaven and being with you. We know you are always with us!
Simply Saturday
Passion
I want to write a little bit about passion today. Please understand that this article is the opinion of a silly old bear named Duane. Some may say "he don't know nothin' bout no passion!" ha!
The dictionary defines passion as follows:
pas·sion [pash-uh n]
noun
1.any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling, as love or hate.
2.strong amorous feeling or desire; love; ardor.
3.strong sexual desire; lust.
4.an instance or experience of strong love or sexual desire.
5.a person toward whom one feels strong love or sexual desire.
There are a lot of songs written about this word. I want to talk about having a passion for being a child of God and living our lives that way. Where do I start?
No one really knows where passion starts in a romantic relationship. Sometimes it just happens. Sometimes it builds up over time. You simply know that he or she is "the one". So how does that work with God? Some scriptures imply that God woos us into a relationship with him. The Holy Spirit tugs at our hearts. We catch a glimpse of the love that awaits us if we accept God into our lives. We finally realize that God is "the one", the one and only true God.
Much like a romantic relationship, we can get closer to God by getting to know him better. We learn about God from reading the Bible and religious books from trusted authors. For non-Bible literature, I love the C.S. Lewis books about his relationship with God such as Surprised by Joy. There is also My Utmost for his Highest by Oswald Chambers. Very good reads if you want to grow your relationship with God. Getting to know someone also includes talking and listening. Most folks find this trickier with God since he is not a physical being that can sit across from you at Starbucks. You know, havin' a latte with the maker of the Universe. Good times. ha! For me, it is more about taking time to listen. Be open to the myriad of ways that God can speak to you. For example, the beginning of this week was very difficult for me in several ways. At one point, I seriously considered disconnecting myself from several things like Facebook, church, Bible study class, etc. As I took a step back, I asked God for direction. The next morning I received a private message from a Facebook acquaintance pouring out his heart out and asking me for some insight. I cried. I didn't realize he (or anyone) read my blog or my FB posts. I didn't realize that they actually mean something to some folks. I was drowning in self-pity and couldn't look around. God spoke. I listened. I shared some things with my friend. We both were fed by God that day. A passion for God causes and results in these types of interactions. I can testify!
So usually after getting to know someone and deciding "he is the one" or "she is the one", we make a commitment. The commitment phase occurs a little earlier in the relationship with God since we usually learn about him from an early age. The type of commitment I am talking about here is a commitment to "passion" for our relationship with God. It means putting God first in your life. The type of passion even more intense than a romantic relationship. You MUST have God in your life. You HAVE to trust him for every breath. You cannot ignore him or not spend time with him. This is different than much of what you hear in church! I tried to explain to a romantic interest that he would never be number one in my life. God would always have that place. When he protested a little, I explained "I have to put God first so I can be the man you need me to be". He finally understood!
How does our passion for God manifest itself? When you are in a romantic relationship, there are lots of things that you can do to show how much you care. You can tell the person "I love you" each and every day. You can buy gifts or flowers or candy or cards. You can leave little notes in the fridge (yes, I am a romantic). How can we manifest our passion for God? I like to keep things simple when I can. Love God and love others. Yes, there are a lot of little details about those things about specific acts that God calls us to do. Giving of ourselves. Being as godly as we humanly can. Sharing our faith with others. Serving others. Worshiping God with others. All these things just scratch the surface on the things we can to do manifest our passion for God.
What is your passion? Is it God? How do you show your passion for God? Let us think about this today and pray for each other to live our passion.
***********************************************
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, January 18, 2013
Parts ain't just parts
Our Daily Bread
There was an old commercial about chicken nuggets. When the restaurant worker was asked
"What's in the chicken nuggets?
Parts...
"Is it all breast meat?"
Part is parts!
When it comes to the body of Christ, parts ain't just parts! We are all important parts of the body. We each have our role. Each role is equally important.
Some friends tease me about being the a$$hole of the body of Christ because of the way I bring things done in the dark to the light. I say the things that most people won't say. God is working with me to say those things in a more loving manner!
Lord, thank you for the metaphor of the body of Christ. Help us all to fulfill our roles to the best of our abilities.
Foodie Friday
I am going to eat supper at the Rusty Bucket restaurant in Bexley tonight. There are lots of tasty options. I will do my best to stay within my calorie intake for today! Check out the menu here.
*******************************
u r a bcog u r fawm Now believe it!
There was an old commercial about chicken nuggets. When the restaurant worker was asked
"What's in the chicken nuggets?
Parts...
"Is it all breast meat?"
Part is parts!
When it comes to the body of Christ, parts ain't just parts! We are all important parts of the body. We each have our role. Each role is equally important.
Some friends tease me about being the a$$hole of the body of Christ because of the way I bring things done in the dark to the light. I say the things that most people won't say. God is working with me to say those things in a more loving manner!
Lord, thank you for the metaphor of the body of Christ. Help us all to fulfill our roles to the best of our abilities.
Foodie Friday
I am going to eat supper at the Rusty Bucket restaurant in Bexley tonight. There are lots of tasty options. I will do my best to stay within my calorie intake for today! Check out the menu here.
*******************************
u r a bcog u r fawm Now believe it!
Monday, January 14, 2013
What did you do?
Our Daily Bread
"What did you do?" "I didn't do anything!" was a typical conversation when I was in college and a young adult. I played practical jokes on people a lot back then. It was all in fun though I went too far sometimes. The interrogation sounds like the one that Job's friends gave him when trouble came his way!
The devotional is about having humility and being an encouraging person when things are going well for you. We all think that if things are going bad for someone that God left them behind due to their sins. God is punishing them for one reason or another like story of Job. Did Job's friends try to encourage Job to have faith or trust in God? No, they accused him of sins, both known and unknown, as the root cause of his issues.
In my silly old head, I am not sure God does the punishing. I think we are left with ourselves in a sinful state after we are disobedient. That is punishment enough! The wages of our sins are not always paid immediately, but there are always consequences for our actions.
Lord, thank you for never letting us suffer more than we can bear. Like the phrase at the end of this blog entry, we know that we may not truly appreciate things unless we feel pain and joy.
Movie Monday
I had a relaxing weekend so I saw several movies. I will review the new ones that came out -- Gangster Squad and A Haunted House.
Gangster Squad
Gangsta Squad is about the dethroning of Mickey Cohen as the crime boss in the Los Angeles area in the late 40s. A "don't take your badge with you" group of cops nicknamed the Gangster Squad. They went to war against organized crime since there were many cops and judges "on the take". The movie was about two hours long, but didn't feel that long. The action was good. The acting was very good. Sean Penn played a vicious Mickey Cohen. There is lots of violence in this movie as the cops and robbers shoot it up so beware.
I give this movie three bear paws. There is no overwhelming need to see it in the theaters except that you will see it sooner!
A Haunted House
I wanted something light and funny and I got it. This movie from the Wayans had some horribly funny scenes as they made fun of recent scary movies such as the Paranormal Activity series. It was the same story as odd things start happening around the house after the lead character's girlfriend moves in with him. There are a LOT of funny moments, but there are a LOT of naughty moments as well. For example, the girlfriend's best friend and her husband are swingers. Lots of sex talk throughout the movie. Cedric the Entertainer was the highlight of the movie as far as I am concerned.
I give this movie one bear paw. It is a naughty R rated movie. It is funny in so many ways and wrong in so many more.
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One of the many great mysteries of life is there is no love in this world without an equal amount of pain. What is the alternative? To never love anyone or anything? I love deeply, therefore I hurt deeply - Ms Inez
"What did you do?" "I didn't do anything!" was a typical conversation when I was in college and a young adult. I played practical jokes on people a lot back then. It was all in fun though I went too far sometimes. The interrogation sounds like the one that Job's friends gave him when trouble came his way!
The devotional is about having humility and being an encouraging person when things are going well for you. We all think that if things are going bad for someone that God left them behind due to their sins. God is punishing them for one reason or another like story of Job. Did Job's friends try to encourage Job to have faith or trust in God? No, they accused him of sins, both known and unknown, as the root cause of his issues.
In my silly old head, I am not sure God does the punishing. I think we are left with ourselves in a sinful state after we are disobedient. That is punishment enough! The wages of our sins are not always paid immediately, but there are always consequences for our actions.
Lord, thank you for never letting us suffer more than we can bear. Like the phrase at the end of this blog entry, we know that we may not truly appreciate things unless we feel pain and joy.
Movie Monday
I had a relaxing weekend so I saw several movies. I will review the new ones that came out -- Gangster Squad and A Haunted House.
Gangster Squad
Gangsta Squad is about the dethroning of Mickey Cohen as the crime boss in the Los Angeles area in the late 40s. A "don't take your badge with you" group of cops nicknamed the Gangster Squad. They went to war against organized crime since there were many cops and judges "on the take". The movie was about two hours long, but didn't feel that long. The action was good. The acting was very good. Sean Penn played a vicious Mickey Cohen. There is lots of violence in this movie as the cops and robbers shoot it up so beware.
I give this movie three bear paws. There is no overwhelming need to see it in the theaters except that you will see it sooner!
A Haunted House
I wanted something light and funny and I got it. This movie from the Wayans had some horribly funny scenes as they made fun of recent scary movies such as the Paranormal Activity series. It was the same story as odd things start happening around the house after the lead character's girlfriend moves in with him. There are a LOT of funny moments, but there are a LOT of naughty moments as well. For example, the girlfriend's best friend and her husband are swingers. Lots of sex talk throughout the movie. Cedric the Entertainer was the highlight of the movie as far as I am concerned.
I give this movie one bear paw. It is a naughty R rated movie. It is funny in so many ways and wrong in so many more.
****************************
One of the many great mysteries of life is there is no love in this world without an equal amount of pain. What is the alternative? To never love anyone or anything? I love deeply, therefore I hurt deeply - Ms Inez
Sunday, January 13, 2013
We know the ending...
Our Daily Bread
If you read this blog on Mondays or watch my Facebook feed, I see a lot of movies. One of the characteristics of a good movie is that you are pulled into the story even when you know the ending. The movie, Argo, is a good example of this.
Our lives can be sort of like a movie where we already know the ending. Yes, we are often pulled into the drama and stress of a profound story, but we can also be assured throughout our "stories" that we know the ending. We will be with God. We will celebrate the ending for all eternity. It will be even better than winning an Oscar!
Lord, thank you for the promise of eternity with you. Please help live our lives like we already know the ending!
Psalm Sunday
I call the first part of Psalm 77 a "pity party" psalm where the author appears to be feeling sorry for himself. It appears that God has forsaken him. God has left him dangling at the end of a rope and his spirit is growing weak. Haven't we all felt that way at one time or another? Maybe you are feeling that way right now? Now look at verse eleven. Remembering all the things that God did for him earlier in his life brings him to a new place. A place of praise and worship for the mighty things God has done. For the mighty things God has done in his life! I hope we can all do the same!
Psalm 77
For the director of music. For Jeduthun. Of Asaph. A psalm.
1 I cried out to God for help;
I cried out to God to hear me.
2 When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
at night I stretched out untiring hands,
and I would not be comforted.
3 I remembered you, God, and I groaned;
I meditated, and my spirit grew faint.
4 You kept my eyes from closing;
I was too troubled to speak.
5 I thought about the former days,
the years of long ago;
6 I remembered my songs in the night.
My heart meditated and my spirit asked:
7 “Will the Lord reject forever?
Will he never show his favor again?
8 Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
Has his promise failed for all time?
9 Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”
10 Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:
the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
11 I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
12 I will consider all your works
and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
13 Your ways, God, are holy.
What god is as great as our God?
14 You are the God who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.
15 With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
16 The waters saw you, God,
the waters saw you and writhed;
the very depths were convulsed.
17 The clouds poured down water,
the heavens resounded with thunder;
your arrows flashed back and forth.
18 Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,
your lightning lit up the world;
the earth trembled and quaked.
19 Your path led through the sea,
your way through the mighty waters,
though your footprints were not seen.
20 You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
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I am far from perfect, but despite my mistakes and my sins, I will never abandon the Lord and he will never abandon me - adapted from a statement about Abraham from the EfM Training Guide
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Rest in the Lord
Our Daily Bread
I have several friends that are soooooo busy. It is not really work related, they just find ways to fill their time that don't include things they probably should do (like Bible study, prayer, etc). They find time to watch TV, go to concerts, and sometimes work a little overtime. Their busy-ness, not their business, keeps them from doing the right things.
Sleep is one of the things that we should do. God created it for a reason even though we don't understand all the things it does for us. That is why I called today's entry "Rest in the Lord". "Doing" is not always what God calls us to do. "Resting" is also what he calls us to do. Are we resting enough? Are there priority changes we need to make to get enough rest? Let's think about that today, maybe around nap time! ha!
Lord, thank you for the blessing of sleep. Please help us rest and rest in you.
Simply Saturday
Even, Consistent, Flowing
I didn't make it a goal for 2013 for several reasons, but I want to be more even and consistent and flowing in 2013. The main reason I didn't make it a goal is that the I couldn't fit it into the SMART model! How do you measure "even"? ha! It might not be reasonable for me either! hahaHA! I find myself at time at either end of the spectrum between Don't worry be happy and Go to Extremes. Here is my take on the topic. I hope it might speak to you. I think there are three aspects to being even and consistent.
Physical:
I had a lot of ups and downs physically the past five years. Illnesses, new medications for my diabetes and low testosterone and finally being able to workout and lose weight. LOTS of ups and downs! It is hard to be even and consistent with these things happening.
Mental:
Mental discipline about acting a consistent way -- at least on the outside -- is something I have never been great at. I like to consider myself as "real". I am able to show a poker face, but I don't think that is always honest. Finding the mental discipline to act consistently appropriate AND honestly is something I strive after. One friend told me recently "Don't worry. That is just the way you are" when I flirted with him for the one hundredth time. Hmmm. Is it? Or am I just being undisciplined during my interactions with folks? The physical stuff can also affect your mental state. Definitely.
Spiritual:
Yes, having a consistent spiritual life of church attendance, service to others, Bible study, prayer and other activities as lead by God also helps with consistency. I told an ex-boyfriend "I need to put God first so I can be the man you need me to be". It took him a while to understand that.
Conclusion:
I don't know about you, but I need to relax and take it easier on myself. We are human. We have ups and downs. The key, in my humble opinion, is to find the balance that is appropriate for who you say you are. What does that mean? I mean don't be hypocritical. Don't SAY you are one thing, then act completely differently. Find the balance to act consistently and evenly as best you can through balancing the three areas above. Being perfect is not the goal. Being the best we can be is! We can do this!
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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
I have several friends that are soooooo busy. It is not really work related, they just find ways to fill their time that don't include things they probably should do (like Bible study, prayer, etc). They find time to watch TV, go to concerts, and sometimes work a little overtime. Their busy-ness, not their business, keeps them from doing the right things.
Sleep is one of the things that we should do. God created it for a reason even though we don't understand all the things it does for us. That is why I called today's entry "Rest in the Lord". "Doing" is not always what God calls us to do. "Resting" is also what he calls us to do. Are we resting enough? Are there priority changes we need to make to get enough rest? Let's think about that today, maybe around nap time! ha!
Lord, thank you for the blessing of sleep. Please help us rest and rest in you.
Simply Saturday
Even, Consistent, Flowing
I didn't make it a goal for 2013 for several reasons, but I want to be more even and consistent and flowing in 2013. The main reason I didn't make it a goal is that the I couldn't fit it into the SMART model! How do you measure "even"? ha! It might not be reasonable for me either! hahaHA! I find myself at time at either end of the spectrum between Don't worry be happy and Go to Extremes. Here is my take on the topic. I hope it might speak to you. I think there are three aspects to being even and consistent.
Physical:
I had a lot of ups and downs physically the past five years. Illnesses, new medications for my diabetes and low testosterone and finally being able to workout and lose weight. LOTS of ups and downs! It is hard to be even and consistent with these things happening.
Mental:
Mental discipline about acting a consistent way -- at least on the outside -- is something I have never been great at. I like to consider myself as "real". I am able to show a poker face, but I don't think that is always honest. Finding the mental discipline to act consistently appropriate AND honestly is something I strive after. One friend told me recently "Don't worry. That is just the way you are" when I flirted with him for the one hundredth time. Hmmm. Is it? Or am I just being undisciplined during my interactions with folks? The physical stuff can also affect your mental state. Definitely.
Spiritual:
Yes, having a consistent spiritual life of church attendance, service to others, Bible study, prayer and other activities as lead by God also helps with consistency. I told an ex-boyfriend "I need to put God first so I can be the man you need me to be". It took him a while to understand that.
Conclusion:
I don't know about you, but I need to relax and take it easier on myself. We are human. We have ups and downs. The key, in my humble opinion, is to find the balance that is appropriate for who you say you are. What does that mean? I mean don't be hypocritical. Don't SAY you are one thing, then act completely differently. Find the balance to act consistently and evenly as best you can through balancing the three areas above. Being perfect is not the goal. Being the best we can be is! We can do this!
**********************************
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
Friday, January 11, 2013
I knew him...
Our Daily Bread
I briefly attended seminary when I was a younger man. I also worked for the state Baptist association teaching music classes and leading music at church camps. I was fortunate to meet Robert Hastings who wrote The Station. Every time I read the poem I think to myself "I knew him!"
To be frank, I never realized that the books 1 and 2 John were written by the apostle John, one of the twelve apostles. I thought it was by someone who was also named John. The apostle John obviously had an in-person relationship with Jesus. He could say "I knew him!". I will read those books with more interest now!
Even though we don't have the luxury of knowing Jesus in person, we can still have a personal relationship with him. Talk to him about it today!
Lord, thank you for coming down to earth for us. Please help us always pursue a personal relationship with you!
Foodie Friday
A friend made a quick and easy recipe for black bean soup the other night. See what you think.
Easy Black Bean soup
2 cans black beans
1 can chicken or vegetable stock
1 jar of salsa (mild, medium or hot, depending on your preference)
Mix the ingredients together in a sauce pan, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cook for 20 minutes. Easy!
I am making some this weekend, however, I am using fresh black beans instead of canned. A little more trouble, but I think they taste better than canned. I am also adding some Andouille sausage to mine as well. Nice!
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Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
I briefly attended seminary when I was a younger man. I also worked for the state Baptist association teaching music classes and leading music at church camps. I was fortunate to meet Robert Hastings who wrote The Station. Every time I read the poem I think to myself "I knew him!"
To be frank, I never realized that the books 1 and 2 John were written by the apostle John, one of the twelve apostles. I thought it was by someone who was also named John. The apostle John obviously had an in-person relationship with Jesus. He could say "I knew him!". I will read those books with more interest now!
Even though we don't have the luxury of knowing Jesus in person, we can still have a personal relationship with him. Talk to him about it today!
Lord, thank you for coming down to earth for us. Please help us always pursue a personal relationship with you!
Foodie Friday
A friend made a quick and easy recipe for black bean soup the other night. See what you think.
Easy Black Bean soup
2 cans black beans
1 can chicken or vegetable stock
1 jar of salsa (mild, medium or hot, depending on your preference)
Mix the ingredients together in a sauce pan, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and cook for 20 minutes. Easy!
I am making some this weekend, however, I am using fresh black beans instead of canned. A little more trouble, but I think they taste better than canned. I am also adding some Andouille sausage to mine as well. Nice!
*************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Hope in God
Our Daily Bread
We were down by five points with very little time left on the clock. There appeared to be little hope that our undefeated season would be saved. We would lose for the first time this season to a team we should have beaten handily. An unexpected hero emerged. The backup quarterback who had played very little in his career entered the game for the injured starter. He managed to lead the team to a last minute touchdown that tied the game and sent it into overtime. He managed to push the ball into the end zone again in the overtime to win the game! Wow!
This is a somewhat lame example of losing hope. It is also an example of our hopes being realized. I think back on that Saturday afternoon against Purdue and wonder: how can we have more hope and appreciate the realization of our hopes more for a football game than in our spiritual lives? In my opinion, I think the issue is personal responsibility. If our hopes are dashed by our favorite football team, we have someone to blame. If our hopes are dashed in our spiritual lives, we have some serious self-introspection needed. Were we hoping for the wrong things? Did God let us down? Did we let God down? If you ever have these doubts or questions, read the book of Ephesians. It reassures us that we have our hope in God!
Lord, thank you for assuring us of our hope in you!
Technology Thursday
CES 2013
The Consumer Electronics Show is in Las Vegas this week. While the show has traditionally been a place where vendors introduce cool new technologies and product, it has lost some luster the past few years as vendors like Microsoft and Apple do not participate. Another issue is the mobile phone show in Asia in February where the big time phone vendors usually introduce their new phones, tablets and phablets instead of the CES show. There were still some interesting moments from what I read online. Here are a few highlights:
Sony introduces the 4k HD TVs. The next generation of TV is here!
'Smart' potty or dumb idea? Wacky gadgets at CES
Polaroid’s Jelly Bean tablets could give Google a run for its money
Shipments of the Pebble smartwatch to begin on January 23rd
Day Two at CES: The future of 3D
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I will trust in the Lord. I will wait patiently for Him.
We were down by five points with very little time left on the clock. There appeared to be little hope that our undefeated season would be saved. We would lose for the first time this season to a team we should have beaten handily. An unexpected hero emerged. The backup quarterback who had played very little in his career entered the game for the injured starter. He managed to lead the team to a last minute touchdown that tied the game and sent it into overtime. He managed to push the ball into the end zone again in the overtime to win the game! Wow!
This is a somewhat lame example of losing hope. It is also an example of our hopes being realized. I think back on that Saturday afternoon against Purdue and wonder: how can we have more hope and appreciate the realization of our hopes more for a football game than in our spiritual lives? In my opinion, I think the issue is personal responsibility. If our hopes are dashed by our favorite football team, we have someone to blame. If our hopes are dashed in our spiritual lives, we have some serious self-introspection needed. Were we hoping for the wrong things? Did God let us down? Did we let God down? If you ever have these doubts or questions, read the book of Ephesians. It reassures us that we have our hope in God!
Lord, thank you for assuring us of our hope in you!
Technology Thursday
CES 2013
The Consumer Electronics Show is in Las Vegas this week. While the show has traditionally been a place where vendors introduce cool new technologies and product, it has lost some luster the past few years as vendors like Microsoft and Apple do not participate. Another issue is the mobile phone show in Asia in February where the big time phone vendors usually introduce their new phones, tablets and phablets instead of the CES show. There were still some interesting moments from what I read online. Here are a few highlights:
Sony introduces the 4k HD TVs. The next generation of TV is here!
'Smart' potty or dumb idea? Wacky gadgets at CES
Polaroid’s Jelly Bean tablets could give Google a run for its money
Shipments of the Pebble smartwatch to begin on January 23rd
Day Two at CES: The future of 3D
******************************
I will trust in the Lord. I will wait patiently for Him.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
What do I owe?
Our Daily Bread
There was a lovely romantic song playing over the airwaves many years ago called "I owe you". A lover sings about how he owes so much to the person he loves. The chorus ends with "its the sweetest debt I will ever have to pay". Wow!
Some debts are not so sweet to pay! We have all had them. We begrudgingly write out the check for our taxes or show up for community service or volunteer for the lowliest of jobs to pay a debt. That is not how God wants us to pay our debts. He wants us to recognize our debts. He wants us to pay them honestly and fairly. The devotional gives the example of the story of Nicodemus in Luke 19. Most folks remember Nicodemus as the short man who crawled up in a tree to see Jesus. Luke 19 has the rest of the story. After meeting Jesus, Nicodemus the dishonest tax collector vowed to pay his debts and make right his indiscretions. His life changed after meeting Jesus!
Lord, help us to acknowledge debts, known and unknown. Please help us do the right thing!
Wellness Wednesday
Financial Wellness, part 1
The first of the year usually brings some obligatory New Year's resolutions. The resolutions are usually about losing weight, quitting smoking, etc. We don't usually think of financial resolutions. My guess is that financial resolutions are more difficult and painful that working out! Personally, I find being financially disciplined very difficult. I have a tendency to "buy myself some happy" at times like Karen in Will and Grace. So what can we do about this?
There are several resources available for budgeting and managing your budget including computer software, phone or tablet apps, web sites, etc. I have never been good at budgeting. I want to make a commitment to myself to budget and stick to my budget. I want to commit to paying down my credit cards and never running them up again. It is the day-by-day types of personal discipline that escape me in my life in general.
So let's make a pact. Figure out what you want to do for your financial wellness in 2013. Write it down. Make it happen. It sounds so easy when I write it that way! I will post my goals next week.
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u r a bcog u r fawm Now believe it!
There was a lovely romantic song playing over the airwaves many years ago called "I owe you". A lover sings about how he owes so much to the person he loves. The chorus ends with "its the sweetest debt I will ever have to pay". Wow!
Some debts are not so sweet to pay! We have all had them. We begrudgingly write out the check for our taxes or show up for community service or volunteer for the lowliest of jobs to pay a debt. That is not how God wants us to pay our debts. He wants us to recognize our debts. He wants us to pay them honestly and fairly. The devotional gives the example of the story of Nicodemus in Luke 19. Most folks remember Nicodemus as the short man who crawled up in a tree to see Jesus. Luke 19 has the rest of the story. After meeting Jesus, Nicodemus the dishonest tax collector vowed to pay his debts and make right his indiscretions. His life changed after meeting Jesus!
Lord, help us to acknowledge debts, known and unknown. Please help us do the right thing!
Wellness Wednesday
Financial Wellness, part 1
The first of the year usually brings some obligatory New Year's resolutions. The resolutions are usually about losing weight, quitting smoking, etc. We don't usually think of financial resolutions. My guess is that financial resolutions are more difficult and painful that working out! Personally, I find being financially disciplined very difficult. I have a tendency to "buy myself some happy" at times like Karen in Will and Grace. So what can we do about this?
There are several resources available for budgeting and managing your budget including computer software, phone or tablet apps, web sites, etc. I have never been good at budgeting. I want to make a commitment to myself to budget and stick to my budget. I want to commit to paying down my credit cards and never running them up again. It is the day-by-day types of personal discipline that escape me in my life in general.
So let's make a pact. Figure out what you want to do for your financial wellness in 2013. Write it down. Make it happen. It sounds so easy when I write it that way! I will post my goals next week.
*********************************
u r a bcog u r fawm Now believe it!
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Not a club
Our Daily Bread
So while driving around my neighborhood, I noticed many buildings. The hospital - where sick people go. The bar - where people who want to drink go. Kroger - where people go to shop for groceries. Chipotle - where hungry people go. Church - ? How would you answer this question?
I liked the tag line in today's devotional: A church is a hospital for sinners, not a club for saints.
I know we like to think that a church is place where a lot of holy people go to worship God. The devotional makes it clear that thinking too highly of ourselves. Over-promising what a church is supposed to be like causes many misperceptions and problems. Outsiders expect more of church people. We often don't expect more of ourselves. Let us always remember a church is a hospital for sinners, not a club for saints.
Lord, thank you for being the great healer. Please help us accept your love and mercy into our lives!
Teaching Tuesday
We read chapter 16 this week. We are almost half way through the first year! Woohooo! The new year also brings an end to the five week exploration of the Law centered around Exodus. The book went into excruciating detail. It was very interesting, but it was in excruciating detail! Like usual, I had an epiphany in this chapter, something that jumped out as very important to me:
The God who made the universe by saying the words wants to have a personal relationship with each and every person on earth. Wow! How amazing is that!
So do you have a relationship with God? He invites you today!
*****************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
So while driving around my neighborhood, I noticed many buildings. The hospital - where sick people go. The bar - where people who want to drink go. Kroger - where people go to shop for groceries. Chipotle - where hungry people go. Church - ? How would you answer this question?
I liked the tag line in today's devotional: A church is a hospital for sinners, not a club for saints.
I know we like to think that a church is place where a lot of holy people go to worship God. The devotional makes it clear that thinking too highly of ourselves. Over-promising what a church is supposed to be like causes many misperceptions and problems. Outsiders expect more of church people. We often don't expect more of ourselves. Let us always remember a church is a hospital for sinners, not a club for saints.
Lord, thank you for being the great healer. Please help us accept your love and mercy into our lives!
Teaching Tuesday
We read chapter 16 this week. We are almost half way through the first year! Woohooo! The new year also brings an end to the five week exploration of the Law centered around Exodus. The book went into excruciating detail. It was very interesting, but it was in excruciating detail! Like usual, I had an epiphany in this chapter, something that jumped out as very important to me:
The God who made the universe by saying the words wants to have a personal relationship with each and every person on earth. Wow! How amazing is that!
So do you have a relationship with God? He invites you today!
*****************************************
Let go, my friends! God will be there to catch you and hold you in his loving arms!
Monday, January 7, 2013
It's in there!
Our Daily Bread
I used to watch TV a lot more when I was younger. I remember a commercial for a pasta sauce that had the catch phrase "It's in there!". Garlic? It's in there! Fresh tomatoes? It's in there! Real Italian spices? It's in there! ha!
We could write a similar commercial for the Bible. It could go something like this:
Doctrine -It's in there!
Reproof - It's in there!
Correction - It's in there!
Instruction in righteousness - It's in there!
Given by God - It's in there!
Yes, all the things that we need to "be equipped for every good work" is in there! Read it today!
Lord, thank you for giving us your Word. Please help us study and learn to do every good work we can!
Movie Monday
I saw two movies last week: This is 40 and Hitchcock.
This is 40
OK, I don't remember 40 being this way! Oh well, I guess my life is just very different than a lot of folks! This movie was too long and too serious for the topic. I thought it was supposed to be a comedy. It was way too serious way too much for me. It was too long, so my friend and I kept looking at our watches hoping it would mercifully end soon. Oh well. I will say the funny parts were usually very funny, but there weren't enough of them to carry the movie.
I give this movie one bear paw. Don't waste your money seeing it at the theater. See it on Netflix only if you have seen every other recent movie.
Hitchcock
At the opposite end of the spectrum is the movie Hitchcock. It was about the making of his masterpiece, Psycho. The story was fascinating. The insight into Hitchcock's relationship with is wife was very cool. The performances by Anthony Hopkins and Helen Mirren were amazing. It was also cool to see the lookalikes they found for the characters in Psycho.
I give this movie three bear paws. There is no compelling reason to see it in the theater. It is probably only playing in an arts film theater any way.
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I am far from perfect, but despite my mistakes and my sins, I will never abandon the Lord and he will never abandon me - adapted from a statement about Abraham from the EfM Training Guide
I used to watch TV a lot more when I was younger. I remember a commercial for a pasta sauce that had the catch phrase "It's in there!". Garlic? It's in there! Fresh tomatoes? It's in there! Real Italian spices? It's in there! ha!
We could write a similar commercial for the Bible. It could go something like this:
Doctrine -It's in there!
Reproof - It's in there!
Correction - It's in there!
Instruction in righteousness - It's in there!
Given by God - It's in there!
Yes, all the things that we need to "be equipped for every good work" is in there! Read it today!
Lord, thank you for giving us your Word. Please help us study and learn to do every good work we can!
Movie Monday
I saw two movies last week: This is 40 and Hitchcock.
This is 40
OK, I don't remember 40 being this way! Oh well, I guess my life is just very different than a lot of folks! This movie was too long and too serious for the topic. I thought it was supposed to be a comedy. It was way too serious way too much for me. It was too long, so my friend and I kept looking at our watches hoping it would mercifully end soon. Oh well. I will say the funny parts were usually very funny, but there weren't enough of them to carry the movie.
I give this movie one bear paw. Don't waste your money seeing it at the theater. See it on Netflix only if you have seen every other recent movie.
Hitchcock
At the opposite end of the spectrum is the movie Hitchcock. It was about the making of his masterpiece, Psycho. The story was fascinating. The insight into Hitchcock's relationship with is wife was very cool. The performances by Anthony Hopkins and Helen Mirren were amazing. It was also cool to see the lookalikes they found for the characters in Psycho.
I give this movie three bear paws. There is no compelling reason to see it in the theater. It is probably only playing in an arts film theater any way.
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I am far from perfect, but despite my mistakes and my sins, I will never abandon the Lord and he will never abandon me - adapted from a statement about Abraham from the EfM Training Guide
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Don't be distracted
Our Daily Bread
I like to think that I am a dedicated Christian. I go to church, sing in the choir, give money, volunteer, attend Bible study, etc. Aren't those activities the right ones for a dedicated Christian? It is easy to justify ourselves AND judge those around us.
I forgot about the passage where Jesus talked to Peter about his question "What about him?". Most humans have this "equity " or "fairness" component built in. Jesus addresses it in several parables. He also told Peter "What is that to you? You follow me". The next time we look at another Christian and ask God "What about him?" or "What about her?", remember the words of Jesus: "What is that to you? You follow me.". Yes, Lord, we follow thee.
Lord, thank you for the privilege of following you. Please help focus on following you instead of looking around at others in a judgmental way!
Psalm Sunday
Psalm 76 is a wonderfully worded praise psalm about the greatness of God. Yes, the language is outdated for today's culture. It does express the greatness of God in an ancient way that still tells us his greatness today!
Psalm 76
For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of Asaph. A song.
1 God is renowned in Judah;
in Israel his name is great.
2 His tent is in Salem,
his dwelling place in Zion.
3 There he broke the flashing arrows,
the shields and the swords, the weapons of war.
4 You are radiant with light,
more majestic than mountains rich with game.
5 The valiant lie plundered,
they sleep their last sleep;
not one of the warriors
can lift his hands.
6 At your rebuke, God of Jacob,
both horse and chariot lie still.
7 It is you alone who are to be feared.
Who can stand before you when you are angry?
8 From heaven you pronounced judgment,
and the land feared and was quiet—
9 when you, God, rose up to judge,
to save all the afflicted of the land.
10 Surely your wrath against mankind brings you praise,
and the survivors of your wrath are restrained.
11 Make vows to the Lord your God and fulfill them;
let all the neighboring lands
bring gifts to the One to be feared.
12 He breaks the spirit of rulers;
he is feared by the kings of the earth.
**************************
Trusting God’s faithfulness dispels our fearfulness. - Our Daily Bread web site
I like to think that I am a dedicated Christian. I go to church, sing in the choir, give money, volunteer, attend Bible study, etc. Aren't those activities the right ones for a dedicated Christian? It is easy to justify ourselves AND judge those around us.
I forgot about the passage where Jesus talked to Peter about his question "What about him?". Most humans have this "equity " or "fairness" component built in. Jesus addresses it in several parables. He also told Peter "What is that to you? You follow me". The next time we look at another Christian and ask God "What about him?" or "What about her?", remember the words of Jesus: "What is that to you? You follow me.". Yes, Lord, we follow thee.
Lord, thank you for the privilege of following you. Please help focus on following you instead of looking around at others in a judgmental way!
Psalm Sunday
Psalm 76 is a wonderfully worded praise psalm about the greatness of God. Yes, the language is outdated for today's culture. It does express the greatness of God in an ancient way that still tells us his greatness today!
Psalm 76
For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of Asaph. A song.
1 God is renowned in Judah;
in Israel his name is great.
2 His tent is in Salem,
his dwelling place in Zion.
3 There he broke the flashing arrows,
the shields and the swords, the weapons of war.
4 You are radiant with light,
more majestic than mountains rich with game.
5 The valiant lie plundered,
they sleep their last sleep;
not one of the warriors
can lift his hands.
6 At your rebuke, God of Jacob,
both horse and chariot lie still.
7 It is you alone who are to be feared.
Who can stand before you when you are angry?
8 From heaven you pronounced judgment,
and the land feared and was quiet—
9 when you, God, rose up to judge,
to save all the afflicted of the land.
10 Surely your wrath against mankind brings you praise,
and the survivors of your wrath are restrained.
11 Make vows to the Lord your God and fulfill them;
let all the neighboring lands
bring gifts to the One to be feared.
12 He breaks the spirit of rulers;
he is feared by the kings of the earth.
**************************
Trusting God’s faithfulness dispels our fearfulness. - Our Daily Bread web site
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Let faith arise
Our Daily Bread
I attended a Walk to Emmaus session a few years ago. One of the most important moments to me was when we talked about priorities. Some of the guys in my group bristled when I said "We should no longer say 'I don't have time'. We should be honest and say 'You are not a priority to me!'" Yikes!
It is true. There are not many people that can't "make time" for things that are important to them. If I have a friend tell me that he or she is too busy to have dinner or coffee with me, I hear the words "you are not a priority to me". That is the truth. On the flip side, I committed to be more honest. I can be blunt at times, but I try not to say "you are not a priority to me". I usually say "I am sorry, I can't" or "Maybe some other time" or "Let's try again in the next month or two".
This is a long way around getting to my point. When it comes to "not having time" to pray or do a Bible study. Aren't you really saying "God, you are not a priority to me"?
Lord, thank you very much for loving us. Please help us make you the highest priority in our lives!
Simply Saturday
Let faith arise
Here is a line from today's devotional that confirmed the Simply Saturday topic for this week:
As we open our hearts and minds to God, He will be faithful to reveal the steps of life and service that honor Him. - Our Daily Bread
I want to write about how this applies to our prayer and devotional life during the new year.
Talking
I started using a new approach to prayer last year. I call it "talking to God like a child". It is not new, just new to me. As adults, we like to think we are mature and not childish. This style of prayer is child-like, not childish. Ever hear a child tell you a story or a "somebody done me wrong" story? That kind of innocent, frank honesty in prayer has meant a lot to me. I balance this with some formal prayers and some prayer chants. The bottom line is: God knows any way so talk to him about it for your sake!
Listening
Wouldn't it be boring to spend time with someone who only talks and talks and talks and doesn't listen? Make quiet time in your prayer life or even better, throughout the day to listen to God. He will speak to those who earnestly seek him. The voice can be manifest in many ways, so be open.
Discernment
To be frank, there have been times when I was wrong about what I thought God was telling me. We can get our own desires, sometimes selfish, sometimes unselfish. Again, listening will help you discern what to ask for and where to place your faith. Recently, a friend's child had issues with an eye. After praying and listening and discerning, we knew that God wanted to heal him even though the doctors were skeptical. The next week, the doctors noticed a significant improvement and changed their prognosis! We are not out of the woods entirely, but we know faith will make a difference.
Faith
After verifying the things God told you, it is time to have faith. Let faith arise! I love the lyrics to I Lift up my Hands by Chris Tomlin. God is faithful. Let us all believe again. Let faith arise! A friend asked me "what does it feel like?" Feelings can be different for each person. For me, it feels like an almost overwhelming confidence in what is going to happen. It is like the confidence of going to a big banquet knowing ahead of time that you are going to be recognized. Other times, it is a quiet confidence that I know I need to hold in my heart until it happens. Yes, there can be times when the feelings are lost and faith must step in to remind us of what is going to happen. That is how faith works.
Let faith arise! Let us all believe again!
************************************
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” John 11:40
I attended a Walk to Emmaus session a few years ago. One of the most important moments to me was when we talked about priorities. Some of the guys in my group bristled when I said "We should no longer say 'I don't have time'. We should be honest and say 'You are not a priority to me!'" Yikes!
It is true. There are not many people that can't "make time" for things that are important to them. If I have a friend tell me that he or she is too busy to have dinner or coffee with me, I hear the words "you are not a priority to me". That is the truth. On the flip side, I committed to be more honest. I can be blunt at times, but I try not to say "you are not a priority to me". I usually say "I am sorry, I can't" or "Maybe some other time" or "Let's try again in the next month or two".
This is a long way around getting to my point. When it comes to "not having time" to pray or do a Bible study. Aren't you really saying "God, you are not a priority to me"?
Lord, thank you very much for loving us. Please help us make you the highest priority in our lives!
Simply Saturday
Let faith arise
Here is a line from today's devotional that confirmed the Simply Saturday topic for this week:
As we open our hearts and minds to God, He will be faithful to reveal the steps of life and service that honor Him. - Our Daily Bread
I want to write about how this applies to our prayer and devotional life during the new year.
Talking
I started using a new approach to prayer last year. I call it "talking to God like a child". It is not new, just new to me. As adults, we like to think we are mature and not childish. This style of prayer is child-like, not childish. Ever hear a child tell you a story or a "somebody done me wrong" story? That kind of innocent, frank honesty in prayer has meant a lot to me. I balance this with some formal prayers and some prayer chants. The bottom line is: God knows any way so talk to him about it for your sake!
Listening
Wouldn't it be boring to spend time with someone who only talks and talks and talks and doesn't listen? Make quiet time in your prayer life or even better, throughout the day to listen to God. He will speak to those who earnestly seek him. The voice can be manifest in many ways, so be open.
Discernment
To be frank, there have been times when I was wrong about what I thought God was telling me. We can get our own desires, sometimes selfish, sometimes unselfish. Again, listening will help you discern what to ask for and where to place your faith. Recently, a friend's child had issues with an eye. After praying and listening and discerning, we knew that God wanted to heal him even though the doctors were skeptical. The next week, the doctors noticed a significant improvement and changed their prognosis! We are not out of the woods entirely, but we know faith will make a difference.
Faith
After verifying the things God told you, it is time to have faith. Let faith arise! I love the lyrics to I Lift up my Hands by Chris Tomlin. God is faithful. Let us all believe again. Let faith arise! A friend asked me "what does it feel like?" Feelings can be different for each person. For me, it feels like an almost overwhelming confidence in what is going to happen. It is like the confidence of going to a big banquet knowing ahead of time that you are going to be recognized. Other times, it is a quiet confidence that I know I need to hold in my heart until it happens. Yes, there can be times when the feelings are lost and faith must step in to remind us of what is going to happen. That is how faith works.
Let faith arise! Let us all believe again!
************************************
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” John 11:40
Friday, January 4, 2013
Who is first?
Our Daily Bread
The "me" generation. That is what the Baby Boomers were called for many years. I am a part of it. I was born towards the end of that era. I also admit that too many things in my life are about me. It is only human nature.
The devotional talks about how searching for happiness via anything other than seeking God is a waste of time. Yes, food, stuff, wealth, etc may offer some short term happiness, but true happiness comes from a healthy, vibrant relationship with God. The happiness is augmented and transcended by a joy that goes beyond understanding. My prayer is that we all seek this each and every day! Seek first the Kingdom of God.
Lord, thank you for giving us the way to live that brings your heaven to earth.
Foodie Friday
I love eating out when I go to St Louis to visit my best friend. We had three very nice meals last weekend when I was there. Here are the restaurants and what we ate.
Onesto's
Onesto's is primarily known as a pizza place, but the daily menu has lots of surprises. I had my mouth set for pizza (The Animal, their meats pizza) and then I saw the Beef Stroganof on the specials menu. I ate the beef stroganof, then took the pizza home for snacking and breakfast! ha! The beef stroganof was very tasty, though different than what I was accustomed to. The meat was very tender. Lots of garlic. Very large noodles. The Animal pizza was very tasty as well, but didn't have enough sauce on it. I like sauce.
Kemoll's (Top of the Met)
This restaurant is on top the highest building in St Louis. Our table overlooked the Arch! It was very cool. Their New Year's Eve special was very good. They had fanfalle pasta with peas, prosciutto and garlic cream sauce. The salad was light and tasty with greens and balsamic vinaigrette dressing. The main course was sea bass, filet mignon and asparagus. The dessert was New York style cheesecake. The open bar added to the fun!
Uncle Bill's
We change pace here. Uncle Bill's is a St Louis favorite for their breakfast menu which is available all day. They are also open 24 hours. They 2x2x2x2 early morning special is great. I usually have it later in the morning when it is $1 more. Two eggs, two pancakes, two strips of bacon and two sausage links or patties. MmmMmmmm. I love their buckwheat pancakes the best. Talk about sticking to your ribs! My only complaint is that I eat waaayyy too much when I go there!
*******************************
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
The "me" generation. That is what the Baby Boomers were called for many years. I am a part of it. I was born towards the end of that era. I also admit that too many things in my life are about me. It is only human nature.
The devotional talks about how searching for happiness via anything other than seeking God is a waste of time. Yes, food, stuff, wealth, etc may offer some short term happiness, but true happiness comes from a healthy, vibrant relationship with God. The happiness is augmented and transcended by a joy that goes beyond understanding. My prayer is that we all seek this each and every day! Seek first the Kingdom of God.
Lord, thank you for giving us the way to live that brings your heaven to earth.
Foodie Friday
I love eating out when I go to St Louis to visit my best friend. We had three very nice meals last weekend when I was there. Here are the restaurants and what we ate.
Onesto's
Onesto's is primarily known as a pizza place, but the daily menu has lots of surprises. I had my mouth set for pizza (The Animal, their meats pizza) and then I saw the Beef Stroganof on the specials menu. I ate the beef stroganof, then took the pizza home for snacking and breakfast! ha! The beef stroganof was very tasty, though different than what I was accustomed to. The meat was very tender. Lots of garlic. Very large noodles. The Animal pizza was very tasty as well, but didn't have enough sauce on it. I like sauce.
Kemoll's (Top of the Met)
This restaurant is on top the highest building in St Louis. Our table overlooked the Arch! It was very cool. Their New Year's Eve special was very good. They had fanfalle pasta with peas, prosciutto and garlic cream sauce. The salad was light and tasty with greens and balsamic vinaigrette dressing. The main course was sea bass, filet mignon and asparagus. The dessert was New York style cheesecake. The open bar added to the fun!
Uncle Bill's
We change pace here. Uncle Bill's is a St Louis favorite for their breakfast menu which is available all day. They are also open 24 hours. They 2x2x2x2 early morning special is great. I usually have it later in the morning when it is $1 more. Two eggs, two pancakes, two strips of bacon and two sausage links or patties. MmmMmmmm. I love their buckwheat pancakes the best. Talk about sticking to your ribs! My only complaint is that I eat waaayyy too much when I go there!
*******************************
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, January 3, 2013
Why can't we all just get along?
Our Daily Bread
You may or may not remember the massive riots that occurred in Los Angeles in 1992 that were sparked after the acquittal of four policemen on trial for beating an African-American man. The entire thing was caught on videotape so it was difficult to understand why they were acquitted. The riots lasted for six days. Rodney King, the man who was beaten, asked "Why can't we all just get along?"
God asks us that question every day. Not just to his children, but to all of mankind. Why is there so much senseless violence that we read about every day or see on the news? Small children shot. Dozens injured or killed in a bombing. Hundreds or thousands killed in "cleansings". Can't we all just get along?
I have to ask myself that every day. If I am completely honest with myself, I am one of the "prickly" people mentioned in the devotional. Yes, I can be the best friend you ever had. I can also be a prickly person -- very prickly... ;-( I am praying for the mind of Christ to make me whole and to help me shed the thorns. I seem to get the most prickly when I feel others don't make me the same priority that I make them. I am working on this, too.
Lord, thank you for a perfect example of how to treat folks. Please help us have the mind of Christ each day and in each interaction.
Technology Thursday
I wrote about the Raspberry Pi computer-the-size-of-a-credit-card last week. I got some work done on setting it up. I am ready to try booting it up for the first time. I will let you know how that goes.
Here are a few technology tidbits from the Internet:
How to Sync All Your Calendars Onto One Smartphone
Barnes & Noble revenue falls sharply, sells fewer Nook devices
Rumors of Apple’s potential Waze acquisition heat up - Waze would fix the Apple Maps app!
Apple testing new iPhone, iOS 7: report
************************************
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” John 11:40
You may or may not remember the massive riots that occurred in Los Angeles in 1992 that were sparked after the acquittal of four policemen on trial for beating an African-American man. The entire thing was caught on videotape so it was difficult to understand why they were acquitted. The riots lasted for six days. Rodney King, the man who was beaten, asked "Why can't we all just get along?"
God asks us that question every day. Not just to his children, but to all of mankind. Why is there so much senseless violence that we read about every day or see on the news? Small children shot. Dozens injured or killed in a bombing. Hundreds or thousands killed in "cleansings". Can't we all just get along?
I have to ask myself that every day. If I am completely honest with myself, I am one of the "prickly" people mentioned in the devotional. Yes, I can be the best friend you ever had. I can also be a prickly person -- very prickly... ;-( I am praying for the mind of Christ to make me whole and to help me shed the thorns. I seem to get the most prickly when I feel others don't make me the same priority that I make them. I am working on this, too.
Lord, thank you for a perfect example of how to treat folks. Please help us have the mind of Christ each day and in each interaction.
Technology Thursday
I wrote about the Raspberry Pi computer-the-size-of-a-credit-card last week. I got some work done on setting it up. I am ready to try booting it up for the first time. I will let you know how that goes.
Here are a few technology tidbits from the Internet:
How to Sync All Your Calendars Onto One Smartphone
Barnes & Noble revenue falls sharply, sells fewer Nook devices
Rumors of Apple’s potential Waze acquisition heat up - Waze would fix the Apple Maps app!
Apple testing new iPhone, iOS 7: report
************************************
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” John 11:40
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Joy
Our Daily Bread
We usually talk about joy around Christmas. I liked that the devotional site talked about it the first week of the new year. Can we all have joy this year? Can we remember the joy of our salvation?
I remember a song called Shepherd's Song by Reba Rambo that expressed joy in so many ways. It talked about the passage from John 15:1-7 where the shepherd found his lost sheep. He rejoices. He calls together his friends and family to rejoice with him. The devotional also talks about Christians supporting new believers with the struggles of a new faith.
For the new year and every year, let us all rejoice with each other. We have so much. We rejoice so little.
Lord, thank you for your love and mercy. Please help us rejoice and be glad!
Wellness Wednesday
A New Year, indeed
Last week, I talked about setting goals for 2013. Here are my goals. I think they follow the SMART rules pretty well!
I think that is it. There are some other things that I would like to happen in 2013, but they cannot follow the SMART principles for goals. I will have to follow God's leading and be open to his will. I can do this (see the tag line below...).
Happy New Year!
********************************************
I will trust in the Lord. I will wait patiently for Him.
We usually talk about joy around Christmas. I liked that the devotional site talked about it the first week of the new year. Can we all have joy this year? Can we remember the joy of our salvation?
I remember a song called Shepherd's Song by Reba Rambo that expressed joy in so many ways. It talked about the passage from John 15:1-7 where the shepherd found his lost sheep. He rejoices. He calls together his friends and family to rejoice with him. The devotional also talks about Christians supporting new believers with the struggles of a new faith.
For the new year and every year, let us all rejoice with each other. We have so much. We rejoice so little.
Lord, thank you for your love and mercy. Please help us rejoice and be glad!
Wellness Wednesday
A New Year, indeed
Last week, I talked about setting goals for 2013. Here are my goals. I think they follow the SMART rules pretty well!
- Recommit to healthy lifelong eating habits. I take too many "vacations". I am allowed one free day per week. I will target 2100 calories or so per day, depending on my exercise and blood sugar levels.
- Lose sixty pounds this year. I started using the LoseIt app on my iPhone again. I did very well with that app last year, but lost interest.
- Establish and make habit my lifelong healthy workout regimen. Muscle group workouts three days per week. Cardio two days per week. Rest two days per week.
- Finish my first year of EfM. We are almost half way through the year.
- Start my second year of EfM (this Fall).
- Sing in at least two singing groups.
- Reduce my credit card debt by 50% by more disciplined spending and more aggressive payoff schedule.
I think that is it. There are some other things that I would like to happen in 2013, but they cannot follow the SMART principles for goals. I will have to follow God's leading and be open to his will. I can do this (see the tag line below...).
Happy New Year!
********************************************
I will trust in the Lord. I will wait patiently for Him.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
As we enter another new year, let us all remember the words of the psalmist:
“It is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Your works” (Ps. 73:28).
I pray that we will all draw closer to him in 2013. Praise God!
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