"Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ" (Galatians 1:10).
The man or woman of God must learn that freedom from rejection and the praise of men comes from experiencing a greater acceptance and approval from Jesus. It allows you not only to accept others but also to have a greater confidence in Jesus. Jesus loves and accepts me even when I mess up, fail in my performance, and sin. Knowing that I am loved and accepted is my armor and shield of faith.
Perhaps you're facing a situation where you feel defeated by criticism, disapproval, humiliation, and exposure of your weaknesses. Tell Jesus how you feel. Clearly communicate your despair, discouragement, and frustration in prayer. Put your sense of hopelessness into words. Let Jesus know just how serious the situation has become for you. "Cast all your cares on him, for He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7).
Then become part of a small group that can encourage and help you carry your burdens. Find some friends you can trust. Fear of rejection often makes accountability scary. But no matter how deep the fear or how hard it may seem, a small group of friends will give you love, acceptance, and forgiveness rather than rejection. Their counsel will help you grow in Jesus and focus on the positive (Philippians 4:8). There are people who genuinely love you for who you are, not for something you can do for them. Cultivate these friends. Jesus will help you find them.
Christians who are trying to establish a healthy self-image for themselves are missing the point altogether. They're focusing on who they are in Christ, rather than on who Christ is in them. Instead, get caught up in reflecting the glory of Jesus instead of living the way of the Jesus. Behold the beauty of His majesty and glory. As you give yourself to beholding His face, you won't have any more problems with your self-image. You'll forget about yourself and will be completely consumed with the beauty of His face.
Remember when we walk in his presence and behold his face and reflect his glory, we are changed into the likeness of Christ. Who else do we need to approve of us?
Peace and love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Jesus Prays for All Believers
20"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24"Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 25"Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."(John 17:20-26)
Jesus prays for something of importance in this gospel — Jesus prays for us! “I do not pray for my disciples alone, I pray for all those who will believe in me through their word that they all may be one.” Jesus prays for all those who believe in him. He prays for you and for me.
What does Jesus pray for? He prays, first of all, that we may be one. We are called to work for unity and harmony among all believers.
Jesus also prays that we will be of one accord with God in all our thoughts and actions. He prays that we will always be in his company and that the love of God will always live in us.
That Jesus prays for us highlights the fact that we need prayers. Due to our fallen, wounded, nature, we can't go it alone. Thankfully the prayer of Jesus is effective. How could a loving Father not listen to the prayer of his only son?
It is a great comfort to realize that Jesus prays for us. In good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, in happiness and depression, in success and failure, in sorrow, in doubt, in temptation, in all our sundry and varied needs, it is the prayer of Jesus that sustains us.
The knowledge that Jesus prays for us gives us the courage and fortitude to be all that God calls us to be. In times of failure and sin Jesus gives us the hope and vision of ultimate success.
Gracious God,
you hear the prayers of Jesus, your Son,
who prays for us always,
even when we are weak and fail.
Help us to support each other
with the same love you have for us.
Without you, we can do nothing.
Amen.
Peace and Love,
Sue
"Be Still and know that I am God"
Jesus prays for something of importance in this gospel — Jesus prays for us! “I do not pray for my disciples alone, I pray for all those who will believe in me through their word that they all may be one.” Jesus prays for all those who believe in him. He prays for you and for me.
What does Jesus pray for? He prays, first of all, that we may be one. We are called to work for unity and harmony among all believers.
Jesus also prays that we will be of one accord with God in all our thoughts and actions. He prays that we will always be in his company and that the love of God will always live in us.
That Jesus prays for us highlights the fact that we need prayers. Due to our fallen, wounded, nature, we can't go it alone. Thankfully the prayer of Jesus is effective. How could a loving Father not listen to the prayer of his only son?
It is a great comfort to realize that Jesus prays for us. In good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, in happiness and depression, in success and failure, in sorrow, in doubt, in temptation, in all our sundry and varied needs, it is the prayer of Jesus that sustains us.
The knowledge that Jesus prays for us gives us the courage and fortitude to be all that God calls us to be. In times of failure and sin Jesus gives us the hope and vision of ultimate success.
Gracious God,
you hear the prayers of Jesus, your Son,
who prays for us always,
even when we are weak and fail.
Help us to support each other
with the same love you have for us.
Without you, we can do nothing.
Amen.
Peace and Love,
Sue
"Be Still and know that I am God"
Monday, March 29, 2010
Will we recognize Jesus if he walked among us today?
"When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.
Philip answered him, "Eight months' wages[a] would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!"
Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?"
Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.
When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.
After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world." Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself"(John 6:5-15).
Would we recognize Jesus if he walked among us today? If someone performing signs and miracles were to suddenly appear would we know for sure that it was Jesus?
If Jesus again walked among us, recognizing him would present a problem: The scriptures warn us that the working of signs and wonders mean absolutely nothing, because the Devil himself can duplicate these signs and wonders. The scriptures warn that even those who are called leaders in the Church will be deceived. Thus, the scriptures teach us that we are to ignore signs and wonders, and we cannot depend upon our religious leaders to recognize the return of the Christ.
This means the modern believer is confronted with a very serious problem that each of us must come to terms with. Once we acknowledge that we can neither rely upon either signs or our religious leaders, we are then left solely dependent upon our own wisdom and perception of the Word of God, which ultimately means, we must use the same exact test as did the Jews to recognize the true Messiah when he comes. This presents a problem, in that, the only valid test which is ordained in the scriptures is to look for the one who will inaugurate the Kingdom of God.
In the realization of this fact, every Christian should ask himself what they would do today if we were confronted with the same exact problem as were the Jews at the beginning of our Common Era? What if a great teacher came and claimed to be the Messiah, performed miracles and signs, healed and raised the dead, and yet he failed to fulfill the most important prophecy of scripture, and inaugurate the Kingdom of God upon the earth? Would we open our arms to him; hear his message; and alter our lives in accordance with his teachings? Or, would we point to the warning of the scriptures, and like many of our Jewish brothers say: If you are indeed the Messiah, the Chosen One sent by God, then fulfill the scriptures, and inaugurate the Kingdom as the Bible foretells. But what comprises the Kingdom of Heaven? How will we recognize that sign? What should we look for in the person who claims to be the returning Jesus?
All of us would like to say that we would recognize Jesus. Probably most of the Jews thought the same thing.
I think something to keep in mind is the distinct difference between Jesus and other religious leaders and miracle workers.
Jesus didn't ask for anything for himself. Jesus didn't ask for power, money, or fame. He didn't destroy, he built. He did not condemn, he forgave. He did not judge, he loved. He only healed, he did not harm. I suppose if someone who possessed all those same characteristics would seem to fit the pattern of Jesus. However, I believe that we as his followers will know him in our hearts and souls. We will recognize him by his love, his caring, his compassion, his acceptance of all who are forgotten.
Feeding the multitude was a sign of the power of Jesus while he walked the earth, but the bigger sign I think is the fact that he cared that the people were hungry and he cared about feeding them. He was concerned about the entire person and their needs. Jesus will feed both our bodies and our souls. We will know him by his love for us.
Peace and love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
Philip answered him, "Eight months' wages[a] would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!"
Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?"
Jesus said, "Have the people sit down." There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.
When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, "Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted." So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.
After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world." Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself"(John 6:5-15).
Would we recognize Jesus if he walked among us today? If someone performing signs and miracles were to suddenly appear would we know for sure that it was Jesus?
If Jesus again walked among us, recognizing him would present a problem: The scriptures warn us that the working of signs and wonders mean absolutely nothing, because the Devil himself can duplicate these signs and wonders. The scriptures warn that even those who are called leaders in the Church will be deceived. Thus, the scriptures teach us that we are to ignore signs and wonders, and we cannot depend upon our religious leaders to recognize the return of the Christ.
This means the modern believer is confronted with a very serious problem that each of us must come to terms with. Once we acknowledge that we can neither rely upon either signs or our religious leaders, we are then left solely dependent upon our own wisdom and perception of the Word of God, which ultimately means, we must use the same exact test as did the Jews to recognize the true Messiah when he comes. This presents a problem, in that, the only valid test which is ordained in the scriptures is to look for the one who will inaugurate the Kingdom of God.
In the realization of this fact, every Christian should ask himself what they would do today if we were confronted with the same exact problem as were the Jews at the beginning of our Common Era? What if a great teacher came and claimed to be the Messiah, performed miracles and signs, healed and raised the dead, and yet he failed to fulfill the most important prophecy of scripture, and inaugurate the Kingdom of God upon the earth? Would we open our arms to him; hear his message; and alter our lives in accordance with his teachings? Or, would we point to the warning of the scriptures, and like many of our Jewish brothers say: If you are indeed the Messiah, the Chosen One sent by God, then fulfill the scriptures, and inaugurate the Kingdom as the Bible foretells. But what comprises the Kingdom of Heaven? How will we recognize that sign? What should we look for in the person who claims to be the returning Jesus?
All of us would like to say that we would recognize Jesus. Probably most of the Jews thought the same thing.
I think something to keep in mind is the distinct difference between Jesus and other religious leaders and miracle workers.
Jesus didn't ask for anything for himself. Jesus didn't ask for power, money, or fame. He didn't destroy, he built. He did not condemn, he forgave. He did not judge, he loved. He only healed, he did not harm. I suppose if someone who possessed all those same characteristics would seem to fit the pattern of Jesus. However, I believe that we as his followers will know him in our hearts and souls. We will recognize him by his love, his caring, his compassion, his acceptance of all who are forgotten.
Feeding the multitude was a sign of the power of Jesus while he walked the earth, but the bigger sign I think is the fact that he cared that the people were hungry and he cared about feeding them. He was concerned about the entire person and their needs. Jesus will feed both our bodies and our souls. We will know him by his love for us.
Peace and love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
Sunday, March 28, 2010
We are united with God in Christ
6So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
8See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
9For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. 11In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature,[a] not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, 12having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead" (Collosians 2:6-12.
Christianity is not a list of things to do—it is faith that Christ has done everything we need to be right with God—and he did it on the cross. “When we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son” (Romans 5:10). God reconciled the universe through Christ, “making peace through his blood, shed on the cross” (Colossians 1:20). If we are reconciled through him, all our sins are forgiven (verse 22)—reconciliation, forgiveness and justifica¬tion all mean the same thing: peace with God.
The story doesn't end with the crucifixion. Friday was dark, but Sunday morning things brightened up considerably. If Jesus had just been killed, then it would have just been another example of a great human teacher being crushed by the status quo. He would have been no different than Socrates, Gandhi or Martin Luther King. His death would have little meaning. But Sunday Morning, the tomb was empty. And for 40 days afterward Jesus was seen by more than 500 people (I Corinthians 15.6).
Just as the crucifixion is historical fact, so is the resurrection. Jesus lives today. And he has a gift of eternal life available to everyone. And not just eternal life, but eternal relationship with God. Imagine, being on intimate terms with God, able to live in his presence and walk with him daily here on earth, but also to live forever with him in heaven. What would you pay for that opportunity? Well, it's not for sale. The price has already been paid.
Peace and Love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
8See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
9For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. 11In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature,[a] not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, 12having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead" (Collosians 2:6-12.
Christianity is not a list of things to do—it is faith that Christ has done everything we need to be right with God—and he did it on the cross. “When we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son” (Romans 5:10). God reconciled the universe through Christ, “making peace through his blood, shed on the cross” (Colossians 1:20). If we are reconciled through him, all our sins are forgiven (verse 22)—reconciliation, forgiveness and justifica¬tion all mean the same thing: peace with God.
The story doesn't end with the crucifixion. Friday was dark, but Sunday morning things brightened up considerably. If Jesus had just been killed, then it would have just been another example of a great human teacher being crushed by the status quo. He would have been no different than Socrates, Gandhi or Martin Luther King. His death would have little meaning. But Sunday Morning, the tomb was empty. And for 40 days afterward Jesus was seen by more than 500 people (I Corinthians 15.6).
Just as the crucifixion is historical fact, so is the resurrection. Jesus lives today. And he has a gift of eternal life available to everyone. And not just eternal life, but eternal relationship with God. Imagine, being on intimate terms with God, able to live in his presence and walk with him daily here on earth, but also to live forever with him in heaven. What would you pay for that opportunity? Well, it's not for sale. The price has already been paid.
Peace and Love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Love for Enemies?
27"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. 34And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. 35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful" (Luke 6:27-36)
I was having a heated discussion at my home and the subject came up about "Thou shall not kill". What does that mean? I take it to mean all killing, but my companions looked at it differently. Killing is OK if you are defending yourself; killing is OK if you are fighting in a "just war";
killing is OK to protect your family; killing is OK to defend our country; killing is OK if it is to protect your possessions.
So, if that is all true, why aren't those codicils in parentheses after the commandment. Is it possible that there is no time that is acceptable for killing? Is that what the law was written for? Jesus went further and discussed the killing of the spirit in a person being against God's will. Did he really mean all that, or is it OK to protect the "good" people by killing the bad? And who are the good among us and who are the bad? Sometimes the lines are very fuzzy between good and bad.
Let's think about this. How did Jesus demonstrate an answer to this question? Did he bring down destruction to those who were determined to kill him? Did he wipe them off of the face of the earth, never to be seen again? I didn't see that in the Gospel. Wouldn't that type of action make Jesus just like us? And what does it say about the "Kingdom of God"? Jesus let himself be killed for his belief and for his Father's Kingdom to be understood. They killed him, but he did not stay dead. He
rose and proved something to those who hated and killed him. He proved that God has power over death. He proved that the kingdom did not have to operate like our human kingdoms. When it looked as if he had failed in his mission, he rose from the dead bringing hope to all those who followed him then and now. We don't have to kill to win. The enemies of God will eventually lose because they cannot withstand the power of God.
Not only did Jesus preach goodness and love, he practiced it and also demonstrated that God's Kingdom is the kingdom that will ultimately triumph
over all kingdoms of earth. We should not be afraid to love our enemies; they really need God's love and help. If we stand with Jesus, and die with Jesus, we will also rise with Jesus.
Think about it.
Peace and love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
Friday, March 26, 2010
The Day and Hour of the End is Unknown
36"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,[f] but only the Father. 37As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 40Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.
42"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him".
(Matthew 24:36-44)
Many people are saying that in 2012, the world will end. They even made a movie about it. I also remember it said that the end of the world could happen at the turn of the millenium. We are still here. There is really no use trying to predict the end of this world, because Jesus told us that no one knows when the end will happen.
I think that it is more important to be ready for our end of the world, which will happen when we die. No one wants to die, but I don't think that death should not be something to be fearful of. The end will come to all of us one day and I think it is important to be ready. Here are two things you need to do to prepare for death:
Love God with your whole being
Love your fellow human no matter if they be friend or enemy, as you love yourself.
Aside from that, everything else you do to prepare is really unimportant. We should not sit waiting and worrying about the end times. We should live our lives with love, acceptance, forgiveness, compassion and patience. If we live that way, we have nothing to worry about.
In addition, we get a chance to live this way every day when we wake up to a new morning. God does not keep a scale, weighing sins against virtuous acts. Personally I am very grateful for that.
Peace and Love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
42"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him".
(Matthew 24:36-44)
Many people are saying that in 2012, the world will end. They even made a movie about it. I also remember it said that the end of the world could happen at the turn of the millenium. We are still here. There is really no use trying to predict the end of this world, because Jesus told us that no one knows when the end will happen.
I think that it is more important to be ready for our end of the world, which will happen when we die. No one wants to die, but I don't think that death should not be something to be fearful of. The end will come to all of us one day and I think it is important to be ready. Here are two things you need to do to prepare for death:
Love God with your whole being
Love your fellow human no matter if they be friend or enemy, as you love yourself.
Aside from that, everything else you do to prepare is really unimportant. We should not sit waiting and worrying about the end times. We should live our lives with love, acceptance, forgiveness, compassion and patience. If we live that way, we have nothing to worry about.
In addition, we get a chance to live this way every day when we wake up to a new morning. God does not keep a scale, weighing sins against virtuous acts. Personally I am very grateful for that.
Peace and Love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
Thursday, March 25, 2010
The Beatitudes are Gifts of the Spirit
The Beatitudes
"1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them saying:
3"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you"(Matthew 5:1-12).
The Sermon on the Mount is the "charter" to ethical living for all Christians. It is not just a list of different groups, it is a ladder which will bring one on the path to following Jesus. It is a process that we will go through on our way to the "Kingdom of God". Each step is inspired by the Holy Spirit. The following is one interpretation of this ladder:
Blessed are those who have emptied themselves and realize that they are nothing without God.
Blessed are those who are sorry for all the sins they have committed against God and neighbor.
Blessed are those who are open to the movement of the Spirit within their lives.
Blessed are those who seek justice for all those who are forgotten by society.
Blessed are those who practice love, compassion, faithfulness, and forgiveness to all.
Blessed are those whose intention is pure and are not seekers of fame.
Blessed are those who externally express peace both verbally and non-verbally.
Blessed are those who know that they are on a road that will take them to their own cross.
Blessed are those who will suffer and are ridiculed because of their love and faith in Jesus.
For them, the "Kingdom of Heaven" is at hand.
Peace and Love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
"1Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2and he began to teach them saying:
3"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you"(Matthew 5:1-12).
The Sermon on the Mount is the "charter" to ethical living for all Christians. It is not just a list of different groups, it is a ladder which will bring one on the path to following Jesus. It is a process that we will go through on our way to the "Kingdom of God". Each step is inspired by the Holy Spirit. The following is one interpretation of this ladder:
Blessed are those who have emptied themselves and realize that they are nothing without God.
Blessed are those who are sorry for all the sins they have committed against God and neighbor.
Blessed are those who are open to the movement of the Spirit within their lives.
Blessed are those who seek justice for all those who are forgotten by society.
Blessed are those who practice love, compassion, faithfulness, and forgiveness to all.
Blessed are those whose intention is pure and are not seekers of fame.
Blessed are those who externally express peace both verbally and non-verbally.
Blessed are those who know that they are on a road that will take them to their own cross.
Blessed are those who will suffer and are ridiculed because of their love and faith in Jesus.
For them, the "Kingdom of Heaven" is at hand.
Peace and Love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Do not judge or you will be judged in the same manner.
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye" (Matthew 7:1-5).
Judge not, that you be not judged: With this command Jesus warned against passing judgment upon others, because when we do so we will be judged in a similar manner.
Most people who quote this verse don’t understand what Jesus said. They seem to think (or hope) that Jesus commanded a universal acceptance of any lifestyle or teaching. There are things that can never be considered acceptable, but before we critize others, we must make sure that we are not doing those things ourselves.
So while this does not completely prohibit examining the lives of others, it certainly prohibits doing in the spirit it is often done. An example of unjust judgment was the disciples’ condemnation of the woman who came to anoint the feet of Jesus with oil (Matthew 26:6-13). They thought she was wasting something; Jesus said she had done a good thing that would always be remembered. They had a rash, harsh, unjust judgment of her.
1. We break this command when we think the worst of others.
2. We break this command when we only speak to others of their faults.
3. We break this command when we judge an entire life only by its worst moments.
4. We break this command when we judge the hidden motives of others.
5. We break this command when we judge others without considering ourselves in their same circumstances.
6. We break this command when we judge others without being mindful that we ourselves will be judged.
When our judgment in regard to others is wrong, it is often not because we judge according to a standard but because we are hypocritical in the application of that standard. We ignore the standard in our own life. It is common to judge others by one standard and ourselves by another standard, being far more generous to ourselves than others.
Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? The figures of a speck and a plank are real figures, yet used humorously. Jesus shows how we are generally far more tolerant to our own sin than we are to the sin of others.
Jesus is gentle, but he calls a person a ‘hypocrite’ who fusses about small things in others, and pays no attention to great matters at home in his/her own person.
Jesus didn’t say that it was wrong for us to help others with the specks in their eyes. It is a good thing to help others, but not before dealing with our own very large issues.
I hope that Jesus will be kinder to me when it comes time to look back at the issues of my live, than I have often been in dealing with others.
Peace and Love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye" (Matthew 7:1-5).
Judge not, that you be not judged: With this command Jesus warned against passing judgment upon others, because when we do so we will be judged in a similar manner.
Most people who quote this verse don’t understand what Jesus said. They seem to think (or hope) that Jesus commanded a universal acceptance of any lifestyle or teaching. There are things that can never be considered acceptable, but before we critize others, we must make sure that we are not doing those things ourselves.
So while this does not completely prohibit examining the lives of others, it certainly prohibits doing in the spirit it is often done. An example of unjust judgment was the disciples’ condemnation of the woman who came to anoint the feet of Jesus with oil (Matthew 26:6-13). They thought she was wasting something; Jesus said she had done a good thing that would always be remembered. They had a rash, harsh, unjust judgment of her.
1. We break this command when we think the worst of others.
2. We break this command when we only speak to others of their faults.
3. We break this command when we judge an entire life only by its worst moments.
4. We break this command when we judge the hidden motives of others.
5. We break this command when we judge others without considering ourselves in their same circumstances.
6. We break this command when we judge others without being mindful that we ourselves will be judged.
When our judgment in regard to others is wrong, it is often not because we judge according to a standard but because we are hypocritical in the application of that standard. We ignore the standard in our own life. It is common to judge others by one standard and ourselves by another standard, being far more generous to ourselves than others.
Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? The figures of a speck and a plank are real figures, yet used humorously. Jesus shows how we are generally far more tolerant to our own sin than we are to the sin of others.
Jesus is gentle, but he calls a person a ‘hypocrite’ who fusses about small things in others, and pays no attention to great matters at home in his/her own person.
Jesus didn’t say that it was wrong for us to help others with the specks in their eyes. It is a good thing to help others, but not before dealing with our own very large issues.
I hope that Jesus will be kinder to me when it comes time to look back at the issues of my live, than I have often been in dealing with others.
Peace and Love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Do not fear, God is always with us.
14"Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 15To one he gave five talents[a] of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 17So also, the one with the two talents gained two more. 18But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.
19"After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.'
21"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
22"The man with the two talents also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.'
23"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
24"Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.'
26"His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
28" 'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. 29For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 30And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth"(Matthew 25:14-30).
How many of us are afraid to use the talents that God has given us? God gives us these talents so that we may help one another. They are useless if we hide them or keep them only to ourselves.
It is often fear that causes us to hide our talents instead of using them. Lack of use often causes decay. So the talents we were given are lost if they are not used. As in the parable above we must put our talents to good use in order to develop them to the fullest. The fear of failure must be overcome in order for us to reach our full potential. God is there to help us along the way and will be there to help us get up when we may fall. We need not fear that we are all alone.
Peace and Love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
19"After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.'
21"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
22"The man with the two talents also came. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.'
23"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
24"Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.'
26"His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
28" 'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. 29For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 30And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth"(Matthew 25:14-30).
How many of us are afraid to use the talents that God has given us? God gives us these talents so that we may help one another. They are useless if we hide them or keep them only to ourselves.
It is often fear that causes us to hide our talents instead of using them. Lack of use often causes decay. So the talents we were given are lost if they are not used. As in the parable above we must put our talents to good use in order to develop them to the fullest. The fear of failure must be overcome in order for us to reach our full potential. God is there to help us along the way and will be there to help us get up when we may fall. We need not fear that we are all alone.
Peace and Love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
Monday, March 22, 2010
Getting to Know Jesus.
"He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him" (1 John 2:4).
Jesus should be the inspiration of every life in every generation. However, many people do not know or understand what Jesus was all about. He was not about power, not about money, not about condemnation, not about unworthiness. Jesus came to show us how to live and how to love. He came to make our lives easier. Society creates many complex rules and regulations both written and unwritten. Society will give you the parameters to understand who is good and who is bad, who is right and who is wrong, who is important and who is not. Unfortunately these are changing targets. Depending upon who you are talking to, these measures can change.
With Jesus everyone has potential to be good, you are right if you follow his example on living, and everyone is important and significant in the eyes of God. Jesus' simple rule is one of love, which does not change with the times, your economic status, your education level, nor your place in society. With Jesus all are equal, all are worthy, all are loved and all are forgiven.
We make life complicated. Jesus came to make our lives easier. He came to take away the pressures of how to live, how to fit into society, and how to treat one another. The simple rule is love. It is not merely a romantic love; it is a choice we make. If we understand the message of Jesus, we know that love is patient, forgiving, compassionate, and understanding. It is caring for one another. It is noticing the needs of one another. It is being present to everyone in a loving, caring way.
If you truely know Jesus, you can't help but follow his example. If you don't know Jesus, learn about him. Look at his life. Look at how he treated people. Look at how he made everyone feel loved, especially those who were deemed unlovable by society. He helped those who society had abandoned. His manner was truely inspirational.
Peace and love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
Jesus should be the inspiration of every life in every generation. However, many people do not know or understand what Jesus was all about. He was not about power, not about money, not about condemnation, not about unworthiness. Jesus came to show us how to live and how to love. He came to make our lives easier. Society creates many complex rules and regulations both written and unwritten. Society will give you the parameters to understand who is good and who is bad, who is right and who is wrong, who is important and who is not. Unfortunately these are changing targets. Depending upon who you are talking to, these measures can change.
With Jesus everyone has potential to be good, you are right if you follow his example on living, and everyone is important and significant in the eyes of God. Jesus' simple rule is one of love, which does not change with the times, your economic status, your education level, nor your place in society. With Jesus all are equal, all are worthy, all are loved and all are forgiven.
We make life complicated. Jesus came to make our lives easier. He came to take away the pressures of how to live, how to fit into society, and how to treat one another. The simple rule is love. It is not merely a romantic love; it is a choice we make. If we understand the message of Jesus, we know that love is patient, forgiving, compassionate, and understanding. It is caring for one another. It is noticing the needs of one another. It is being present to everyone in a loving, caring way.
If you truely know Jesus, you can't help but follow his example. If you don't know Jesus, learn about him. Look at his life. Look at how he treated people. Look at how he made everyone feel loved, especially those who were deemed unlovable by society. He helped those who society had abandoned. His manner was truely inspirational.
Peace and love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Jesus did not come to burden us.
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)
Sometimes it is very difficult to gain an understanding of all the rules and regulations of a particular Christian Church or religion. We might not be able to understand the reasoning as to why a church rule exists. We may feel that the rule is unfair. We may feel judged if we disagree with a position or direction of our particular church or congregation. We may even feel that we cannot live up to the demands placed upon us by our particular Christian denomination.
This is not the case with the message of Jesus. His message of love and Kingdom is very clear. There are no hidden meanings or unfairness of any kind. There are no complications or exceptions. His message is kind, loving, and gentle. One does not have to be a scholar to understand the meaning of His message. One could be a fisherman, or a tax collector, or even a tentmaker, and still be able to spread the Good News of Jesus. Furthermore following the instructions of Jesus will not be so demanding that one cannot possibly fulfill all of His expectations. We are allowed to fail and to try again. The simplicity of His loving message to us can be summed up in this message from the Gospel of Matthew.
Jesus did not come to burden us, but only to free us from the burdens we place upon ourselves.
Peace and love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
Sometimes it is very difficult to gain an understanding of all the rules and regulations of a particular Christian Church or religion. We might not be able to understand the reasoning as to why a church rule exists. We may feel that the rule is unfair. We may feel judged if we disagree with a position or direction of our particular church or congregation. We may even feel that we cannot live up to the demands placed upon us by our particular Christian denomination.
This is not the case with the message of Jesus. His message of love and Kingdom is very clear. There are no hidden meanings or unfairness of any kind. There are no complications or exceptions. His message is kind, loving, and gentle. One does not have to be a scholar to understand the meaning of His message. One could be a fisherman, or a tax collector, or even a tentmaker, and still be able to spread the Good News of Jesus. Furthermore following the instructions of Jesus will not be so demanding that one cannot possibly fulfill all of His expectations. We are allowed to fail and to try again. The simplicity of His loving message to us can be summed up in this message from the Gospel of Matthew.
Jesus did not come to burden us, but only to free us from the burdens we place upon ourselves.
Peace and love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
Saturday, March 20, 2010
What are the Psalms?
Psalm 23
A psalm of David.
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
In the Scriptures there is a book which is distinguished from all other books of the Bible by the fact that it contains only prayers. The book is the Psalms. We can learn true prayer only from Jesus Christ, from the word of the son of God, who lives with us men, to God the Father who lives in eternity.
Not what we want to pray is important, but what God wants us to pray. The richness of the Word of God ought to determine our prayer, not the poverty of our heart. The Psalms are given to us to this end, so we may learn to pray them in the name of Jesus Christ.
The Psalms is a prayer of the Christian Church which belongs to the Lord’s Prayer.
There are some Psalms, which calmly and happily communicate the whole atmosphere of a life of perfect submission to God.
Many of the Psalms are most appropriate for times of suffering and trial. In our sufferings and perils, we find ourselves united with the Mysterious Companion who stays by our side, or within the depths of our souls, as we recite the Psalms.
Other Psalms enter more deeply into the mystery of interior and spiritual trial. It is the joy of a soul that knows how to hope in the hour that would otherwise seem nothing but despair.
Psalms can be applied to most of the world of our time.
There are many Psalms, particularly the penitential Psalms which express heartbroken sorrow for having offended God.
There are Psalms of praise and adoration of God. We are happy to serve him not only because he gives us good things, but also because praising his goodness is itself our highest joy. Joy in praising God is the pure essence of the spirit and it is the reward of a soul that knows how to penetrate fully by faith, love and perfect submission to God, into the deepest meaning of the Psalter.
The most moving of all the Psalms, for a Christian, are those Messianic poems in which the sufferings and triumph of Christ are brought before the eyes of our soul with an incomparable vividness.
Finally, the great eschatological Psalms, open our eyes to the future, and fill our hearts with the sober and awestruck joy which the Church feels as she contemplates the second coming of Christ.
There is no aspect of the interior life, no kind of religious experience, no spiritual need of man that is not depicted and lived out in the Psalms.
If you are having trouble praying and finding the right words to say to God, look in the book of the psalms. There you will find a prayer that will speak to your soul and express your deepest feelings to God.
Peace and Love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
A psalm of David.
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
In the Scriptures there is a book which is distinguished from all other books of the Bible by the fact that it contains only prayers. The book is the Psalms. We can learn true prayer only from Jesus Christ, from the word of the son of God, who lives with us men, to God the Father who lives in eternity.
Not what we want to pray is important, but what God wants us to pray. The richness of the Word of God ought to determine our prayer, not the poverty of our heart. The Psalms are given to us to this end, so we may learn to pray them in the name of Jesus Christ.
The Psalms is a prayer of the Christian Church which belongs to the Lord’s Prayer.
There are some Psalms, which calmly and happily communicate the whole atmosphere of a life of perfect submission to God.
Many of the Psalms are most appropriate for times of suffering and trial. In our sufferings and perils, we find ourselves united with the Mysterious Companion who stays by our side, or within the depths of our souls, as we recite the Psalms.
Other Psalms enter more deeply into the mystery of interior and spiritual trial. It is the joy of a soul that knows how to hope in the hour that would otherwise seem nothing but despair.
Psalms can be applied to most of the world of our time.
There are many Psalms, particularly the penitential Psalms which express heartbroken sorrow for having offended God.
There are Psalms of praise and adoration of God. We are happy to serve him not only because he gives us good things, but also because praising his goodness is itself our highest joy. Joy in praising God is the pure essence of the spirit and it is the reward of a soul that knows how to penetrate fully by faith, love and perfect submission to God, into the deepest meaning of the Psalter.
The most moving of all the Psalms, for a Christian, are those Messianic poems in which the sufferings and triumph of Christ are brought before the eyes of our soul with an incomparable vividness.
Finally, the great eschatological Psalms, open our eyes to the future, and fill our hearts with the sober and awestruck joy which the Church feels as she contemplates the second coming of Christ.
There is no aspect of the interior life, no kind of religious experience, no spiritual need of man that is not depicted and lived out in the Psalms.
If you are having trouble praying and finding the right words to say to God, look in the book of the psalms. There you will find a prayer that will speak to your soul and express your deepest feelings to God.
Peace and Love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
Friday, March 19, 2010
Journey to Christ
"These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain;
their teachings are but rules taught by men."(Matthew 15:8-9)
When I choose Jesus I began to make changes in my life. At first, the choice of living Jesus was not outwardly apparent because I was struggling interiorly- that is, I was striving to conform myself to live like Jesus. Only after some progress has been made interiorly will an outward difference be visible.. At first it was not apparent because I was working on myself- on striving to recognize and fix my own problems and imperfections through the means of prayer and my interior relationship with Christ. Eventually, an outward sign became visible. I begin to be more patient, and more pleasant to other. I did things for others without complaint. Outwardly, I still do the same job every day, but now I do it with and for Jesus. The job is the same, but now it is pleasing to God. Others soon noticed that I possess some new interior joy or happiness that originally was not there. This new joy comes from my choosing Jesus. I chose Christ and allowed Him to take possession of me, and through the relationship we now share, I now live life in a different manner and style.
I am not trying to say that i am always doing it prefectly, far from it. I have to struggle every day with my weaknesses. But I live my life joyfully, being aware of all the blessings God has given to me, and also gifts to help me to help others. My life is becomming a life of love. It is not a life of rules made by man. It is a life of kindness, compassion, forgiveness, and peace fashioned by Jesus. It is a gift I want to share with others.
Peace and Love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain;
their teachings are but rules taught by men."(Matthew 15:8-9)
When I choose Jesus I began to make changes in my life. At first, the choice of living Jesus was not outwardly apparent because I was struggling interiorly- that is, I was striving to conform myself to live like Jesus. Only after some progress has been made interiorly will an outward difference be visible.. At first it was not apparent because I was working on myself- on striving to recognize and fix my own problems and imperfections through the means of prayer and my interior relationship with Christ. Eventually, an outward sign became visible. I begin to be more patient, and more pleasant to other. I did things for others without complaint. Outwardly, I still do the same job every day, but now I do it with and for Jesus. The job is the same, but now it is pleasing to God. Others soon noticed that I possess some new interior joy or happiness that originally was not there. This new joy comes from my choosing Jesus. I chose Christ and allowed Him to take possession of me, and through the relationship we now share, I now live life in a different manner and style.
I am not trying to say that i am always doing it prefectly, far from it. I have to struggle every day with my weaknesses. But I live my life joyfully, being aware of all the blessings God has given to me, and also gifts to help me to help others. My life is becomming a life of love. It is not a life of rules made by man. It is a life of kindness, compassion, forgiveness, and peace fashioned by Jesus. It is a gift I want to share with others.
Peace and Love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Do you have a Spiritual Practice?
"The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him" (John 6:63-64).
How do you feed the Spirit within You?
Each of us has our reasons for wanting to start this spiritual journey. Perhaps you have experienced some kind of awakening and know that your life will never be the same. If you were raised in the Christian faith you may have come to a point when you want to dip into the spiritual river that flows through all the traditions. But most of us, frankly, are drawn to spirituality because, as a doctor might say, certain symptoms are "presenting."
You might feel that something is missing in your life, something you desperately want. You could be longing for inspiration. Or community. Or quality time. You could be in pain and in need of healing. You could be feeling happy and grateful and compelled to give something back to God. You could be facing a crisis and know that how you handled such situations in the past won't be enough this time. You could be burned out. You could be worried about your loved ones or frightened about the very real dangers in the world. You could be sensing that your life could be more meaningful but not know how to go about making it so.
Take heart! These real-life feelings, challenges, and experiences are just what spiritual practices are for. Defined simply, spiritual practices are activities we do to move into deeper relationships with God.
God continually tries to draw us into relationship with himself, but we may not listen to God unless we experience a lifechanging event and know we cannot handle it on our own. God then picks us up, welcomes us, and helps us to walk with him on a road of his choosing. The road we are meant to travel. "Be not afraid"!
Peace and Love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
How do you feed the Spirit within You?
Each of us has our reasons for wanting to start this spiritual journey. Perhaps you have experienced some kind of awakening and know that your life will never be the same. If you were raised in the Christian faith you may have come to a point when you want to dip into the spiritual river that flows through all the traditions. But most of us, frankly, are drawn to spirituality because, as a doctor might say, certain symptoms are "presenting."
You might feel that something is missing in your life, something you desperately want. You could be longing for inspiration. Or community. Or quality time. You could be in pain and in need of healing. You could be feeling happy and grateful and compelled to give something back to God. You could be facing a crisis and know that how you handled such situations in the past won't be enough this time. You could be burned out. You could be worried about your loved ones or frightened about the very real dangers in the world. You could be sensing that your life could be more meaningful but not know how to go about making it so.
Take heart! These real-life feelings, challenges, and experiences are just what spiritual practices are for. Defined simply, spiritual practices are activities we do to move into deeper relationships with God.
God continually tries to draw us into relationship with himself, but we may not listen to God unless we experience a lifechanging event and know we cannot handle it on our own. God then picks us up, welcomes us, and helps us to walk with him on a road of his choosing. The road we are meant to travel. "Be not afraid"!
Peace and Love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Wisdom
"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness".
(James 3:17-18)
Who are the wise amoung us today? What you are doing right now is the wisest thing you can possibly do. You are worshiping God. You are making God the center of your life. You are falling at the feet of Jesus to hear his word.
You can study many things and be a great scholar, and know everything about the earth and the sky, but if you don't know Jesus, you have missed
what is good and true about our world. With Jesus to guide us, we have peace and love to help us cope with the problems of this world. We have Jesus to watch over us and protect us. With Jesus, we can find rest for our souls.
Get to know Jesus.
Peace and love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
(James 3:17-18)
Who are the wise amoung us today? What you are doing right now is the wisest thing you can possibly do. You are worshiping God. You are making God the center of your life. You are falling at the feet of Jesus to hear his word.
You can study many things and be a great scholar, and know everything about the earth and the sky, but if you don't know Jesus, you have missed
what is good and true about our world. With Jesus to guide us, we have peace and love to help us cope with the problems of this world. We have Jesus to watch over us and protect us. With Jesus, we can find rest for our souls.
Get to know Jesus.
Peace and love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Do you talk about God or do you talk to God?
"I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you". (John 16:12-15)
Spiritual direction (also known as spiritual guidance, spiritual friendship, or spiritual companionship) starts with a desire to live a life more centered in God and the knowledge that help and guidance are needed to do so. The person desiring direction (often called the "directee") seeks another individual to help guide, support, and listen together for God. The purpose of spiritual direction is to help people become aware of the mystery of God’s presence and action in human experience, and to assist them in making fuller and freer response to it.
Spiritual direction is the ancient practice of spiritual friendship and mentoring in which one spiritual seeker joins another on his or her spiritual journey, giving counsel and encouragement along the way. It is a discipline practiced in many religions and cultural traditions including shamanism, Christian mysticism, Islamic Sufi practice, and Hindu Gurus. All are considered to be valid attempts to follow a path which leads to a deep experience of God’s transcendent presence.
Basically, it is up to both the director and directee to listen for the voice of Spirit as the stories of one's life are related, grounding them in scripture, theology and tradition while still being open to the new thing that God may wish to bring forth. The difference here is that we are not just talking about God but relating details of our personal experience of and relationship with God.
Therefore, spiritual direction avoids the realm of talk about God which often enters into discussions of theology, belief systems, dogma and tradition. Spiritual direction is about entering into a relationship of sharing deeply one's actual experiences of God for the purpose of learning more about ourselves and the desires of the one who created us as we are.
As such, this is a daring adventure that cannot be entered into without significant investment of one's self and a willingness to reveal what lies at the depths of one's soul. The rewards are great but the risk is ultimate in that one who truly desires to know God and to be completely open to God can hold nothing back in the end. Of course, no one starts out at such a level of complete openness and honesty and often much time is required in order to reach the point of being so vulnerable and so completely transparent. This level of transparency can only happen when one comes to know the sheer depth of God's grace and when one understands the cross as a measure of the willingness of God to do whatever it takes to be in relationship with us.
The advantage of spiritual direction is that trained directors can often observe things about the way you tell your story that remain hidden to you. These little revelations are often the keys to opening up deep, hidden pockets of self-knowledge and ways of being with God that would otherwise remain obscured. If you sincerely desire to know God more intimately, spiritual direction may be worth considering as a way of getting beyond your own limits of understanding God and becoming open to the ways God seeks to be present in your life.
Peace and love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
Spiritual direction (also known as spiritual guidance, spiritual friendship, or spiritual companionship) starts with a desire to live a life more centered in God and the knowledge that help and guidance are needed to do so. The person desiring direction (often called the "directee") seeks another individual to help guide, support, and listen together for God. The purpose of spiritual direction is to help people become aware of the mystery of God’s presence and action in human experience, and to assist them in making fuller and freer response to it.
Spiritual direction is the ancient practice of spiritual friendship and mentoring in which one spiritual seeker joins another on his or her spiritual journey, giving counsel and encouragement along the way. It is a discipline practiced in many religions and cultural traditions including shamanism, Christian mysticism, Islamic Sufi practice, and Hindu Gurus. All are considered to be valid attempts to follow a path which leads to a deep experience of God’s transcendent presence.
Basically, it is up to both the director and directee to listen for the voice of Spirit as the stories of one's life are related, grounding them in scripture, theology and tradition while still being open to the new thing that God may wish to bring forth. The difference here is that we are not just talking about God but relating details of our personal experience of and relationship with God.
Therefore, spiritual direction avoids the realm of talk about God which often enters into discussions of theology, belief systems, dogma and tradition. Spiritual direction is about entering into a relationship of sharing deeply one's actual experiences of God for the purpose of learning more about ourselves and the desires of the one who created us as we are.
As such, this is a daring adventure that cannot be entered into without significant investment of one's self and a willingness to reveal what lies at the depths of one's soul. The rewards are great but the risk is ultimate in that one who truly desires to know God and to be completely open to God can hold nothing back in the end. Of course, no one starts out at such a level of complete openness and honesty and often much time is required in order to reach the point of being so vulnerable and so completely transparent. This level of transparency can only happen when one comes to know the sheer depth of God's grace and when one understands the cross as a measure of the willingness of God to do whatever it takes to be in relationship with us.
The advantage of spiritual direction is that trained directors can often observe things about the way you tell your story that remain hidden to you. These little revelations are often the keys to opening up deep, hidden pockets of self-knowledge and ways of being with God that would otherwise remain obscured. If you sincerely desire to know God more intimately, spiritual direction may be worth considering as a way of getting beyond your own limits of understanding God and becoming open to the ways God seeks to be present in your life.
Peace and love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
Monday, March 15, 2010
God Gives Comfort
"3 Give praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! He is the Father who gives tender love. All comfort comes from him. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles. Now we can comfort others when they are in trouble. We ourselves have received comfort from God. 5 We share the sufferings of Christ. We also share his comfort" (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).
As humans, comfort - security - is one of our greatest needs. It's as strong the need for food or warmth. I think we've all experienced times when we were so anxious about something that we couldn't think of food. Children are very open about their fears. They are often more easily comforted. As children, a snuggle with mommy and daddy, or a cup of warm milk, was often enough to calm our fears. A good teddy bear and a warm blanket would make the night seem more friendly.
But as we get older, the fears grow greater, the night seems darker and somehow, our teddy bears seem smaller. It's not enough to have a fuzzy little body to hold. Sometimes we try to fill that gap by looking for a larger body to hold - we look to marriage as our defense against our fears. But no one man or woman can provide complete security. There are too many worries, too much heartbreak out there for the best of husbands or wives, the best of teddy bears.
God knows how desperately we need to be comforted. The Bible is full of
references to sorrow, fears, loneliness and the comfort God provides. When
Christ told the disciples of His impending death, He knew that they would
need comforting more at this time of their lives than at any other. And He
knew they would need strength to persevere through the difficulties ahead.
So He gave the assurance of the Comforter, The Holy Spirit.
The wonderful thing is, those same promises apply to us. We also have access to that comforter. He is ever present, and understands our every need. John 14:27 says, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you;
not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled,
neither let them be afraid." So we know that we can rely on God to listen
to our fears and give us comfort.
His Word is also a great source of comfort. How many of us have turned
to the Psalms to reassure us in times of trouble. The 23rd Psalm is probably the most frequently quoted piece of literature at funerals, because this image of God as our Shepherd is so comforting, even to those who don't have a personal relationship with Him. In Psalm 119:28 David says, "My soul is weary with sorrow, strengthen me according to your word".
God has left His written word for us as a tool for instruction and comfort. When we immerse ourselves in the Scriptures daily, those passages will come back to us in times of trouble.
We should not be afraid to seek God when we experience trouble and heartache, and need comfort. God is waiting for us his children to recognize that he is there. He wants to help us through these troubled times in our lives. God is never too busy to listen to us and to comfort us.
Peace and love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
As humans, comfort - security - is one of our greatest needs. It's as strong the need for food or warmth. I think we've all experienced times when we were so anxious about something that we couldn't think of food. Children are very open about their fears. They are often more easily comforted. As children, a snuggle with mommy and daddy, or a cup of warm milk, was often enough to calm our fears. A good teddy bear and a warm blanket would make the night seem more friendly.
But as we get older, the fears grow greater, the night seems darker and somehow, our teddy bears seem smaller. It's not enough to have a fuzzy little body to hold. Sometimes we try to fill that gap by looking for a larger body to hold - we look to marriage as our defense against our fears. But no one man or woman can provide complete security. There are too many worries, too much heartbreak out there for the best of husbands or wives, the best of teddy bears.
God knows how desperately we need to be comforted. The Bible is full of
references to sorrow, fears, loneliness and the comfort God provides. When
Christ told the disciples of His impending death, He knew that they would
need comforting more at this time of their lives than at any other. And He
knew they would need strength to persevere through the difficulties ahead.
So He gave the assurance of the Comforter, The Holy Spirit.
The wonderful thing is, those same promises apply to us. We also have access to that comforter. He is ever present, and understands our every need. John 14:27 says, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you;
not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled,
neither let them be afraid." So we know that we can rely on God to listen
to our fears and give us comfort.
His Word is also a great source of comfort. How many of us have turned
to the Psalms to reassure us in times of trouble. The 23rd Psalm is probably the most frequently quoted piece of literature at funerals, because this image of God as our Shepherd is so comforting, even to those who don't have a personal relationship with Him. In Psalm 119:28 David says, "My soul is weary with sorrow, strengthen me according to your word".
God has left His written word for us as a tool for instruction and comfort. When we immerse ourselves in the Scriptures daily, those passages will come back to us in times of trouble.
We should not be afraid to seek God when we experience trouble and heartache, and need comfort. God is waiting for us his children to recognize that he is there. He wants to help us through these troubled times in our lives. God is never too busy to listen to us and to comfort us.
Peace and love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
Sunday, March 14, 2010
We know what love is.
"We know what love is because Jesus Christ gave his life for us. So we should give our lives for our brothers and sisters". 1 John 3:16
A PRAYER FOR LOVE
Teach me to love, Jesus, as You love,
Make it unconditional, honest, and kind,
To ask nothing back in return, Jesus,
To encompass the whole of mankind.
May I offer my love without speaking,
May it radiate as it shines forth from me,
May it be seen in my face and my eyes, Jesus,
May it be simple, sincere, and shame free.
Show me how to forgive, Jesus, as You do,
To not burden another with guilt,
To not play the role of the martyr,
To be a rock on which trust may be built.
Make my love for others be greater by far
Than any love that is offered to me,
Led by the Spirit, Inspired of God,
As forgiving as Jesus...and free.
by Virginia (Ginny) Ellis
I hope that you find it in your heart to love today.
Peace and love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
A PRAYER FOR LOVE
Teach me to love, Jesus, as You love,
Make it unconditional, honest, and kind,
To ask nothing back in return, Jesus,
To encompass the whole of mankind.
May I offer my love without speaking,
May it radiate as it shines forth from me,
May it be seen in my face and my eyes, Jesus,
May it be simple, sincere, and shame free.
Show me how to forgive, Jesus, as You do,
To not burden another with guilt,
To not play the role of the martyr,
To be a rock on which trust may be built.
Make my love for others be greater by far
Than any love that is offered to me,
Led by the Spirit, Inspired of God,
As forgiving as Jesus...and free.
by Virginia (Ginny) Ellis
I hope that you find it in your heart to love today.
Peace and love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
Saturday, March 13, 2010
The New Covenant - Jesus Christ
"I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles (Isaiah 42:6; 49:8).
This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you (Luke 22:20)."
"As for me, this is my covenant with them, says the LORD. My Spirit, who is on you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will not depart from your mouth, or from the mouths of your children, or from the mouths of their descendants from this time on and forever, says the LORD." (Isaiah 59:21)
The connection between Jesus Christ and the new covenant is made explicit in the passage that began: "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me" (1 Cor 11.25). The mention of a covenant ratified by his blood recalls the covenant that is sealed by blood in Exodus 24.6-8, and identifies Jesus' death as an act of covenant renewal (cf. Is 53.12, "He poured out his soul to death...yet he bore the sin of many"; and Zech 9.11, where the liberation of prisoners is made possible by "the blood of the covenant"). Jesus gives his life for the forfeited life of others. The forgiveness and liberation promised in Jer 31.31 ff. as marks of the new covenant are thereby realized in Jesus: "This cup, poured out for you, is the new covenant sealed by my blood" (Mk 14.24; Lk 22.29).
Through Christ's life, death and resurrection God inaugurates and seals with (God's!) blood the new covenant, which ensures the forgiveness of all sins, secures the final victory over every form of death, and guarantees the coming end-time when all humanity will be reconciled with God, with each other and with creation, and "Christ is all and in all" (Col 3.11).
The Lord's supper is more than a service to remember the person and work of Jesus. Rather, it is an empowering sacrament through which the promise of the real presence of Jesus and his gift of forgiveness are given and sealed as we partake of the bread and cup. Like covenant, therefore, the sacrament is a profound transforming power. But the sacrament is even more than that. It is also profound in that through the bread and cup Jesus Christ empowers and calls the covenant community (church) to his work of justice, peace and a renewed creation against the powers of this present dark age (Eph 6.12).
It is us who benefit from this covenant. Christ did not just come for the people of his own time. He came for all of us here and now. Jesus is the Law of God inscribed in our hearts by The Holy Spirit and so he is the stone the builders rejected (Matt 21:42). Though Moses gave them ten commandments, Jesus gave us just two commandment, to love God and to love one another. Sometimes we tend to forget that second commandment. "As I have loved you, so you must love one another (John 13:34; 15:12,17)". This commandment we are to receive by faith, knowing that he watches over his word to perform it, and so we fulfill the whole Law and therby we must be the fruit of that love, by being love for God and for all that God loves. Love knows all the pressing needs in God's house and Love also knows the neighbor down the street who just lost his job. Jesus Christ is everything in this glorious New Covenant : "I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles (Isaiah 42:6; 49:8).
Peace and Love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you (Luke 22:20)."
"As for me, this is my covenant with them, says the LORD. My Spirit, who is on you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will not depart from your mouth, or from the mouths of your children, or from the mouths of their descendants from this time on and forever, says the LORD." (Isaiah 59:21)
The connection between Jesus Christ and the new covenant is made explicit in the passage that began: "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this as often as you drink it in remembrance of me" (1 Cor 11.25). The mention of a covenant ratified by his blood recalls the covenant that is sealed by blood in Exodus 24.6-8, and identifies Jesus' death as an act of covenant renewal (cf. Is 53.12, "He poured out his soul to death...yet he bore the sin of many"; and Zech 9.11, where the liberation of prisoners is made possible by "the blood of the covenant"). Jesus gives his life for the forfeited life of others. The forgiveness and liberation promised in Jer 31.31 ff. as marks of the new covenant are thereby realized in Jesus: "This cup, poured out for you, is the new covenant sealed by my blood" (Mk 14.24; Lk 22.29).
Through Christ's life, death and resurrection God inaugurates and seals with (God's!) blood the new covenant, which ensures the forgiveness of all sins, secures the final victory over every form of death, and guarantees the coming end-time when all humanity will be reconciled with God, with each other and with creation, and "Christ is all and in all" (Col 3.11).
The Lord's supper is more than a service to remember the person and work of Jesus. Rather, it is an empowering sacrament through which the promise of the real presence of Jesus and his gift of forgiveness are given and sealed as we partake of the bread and cup. Like covenant, therefore, the sacrament is a profound transforming power. But the sacrament is even more than that. It is also profound in that through the bread and cup Jesus Christ empowers and calls the covenant community (church) to his work of justice, peace and a renewed creation against the powers of this present dark age (Eph 6.12).
It is us who benefit from this covenant. Christ did not just come for the people of his own time. He came for all of us here and now. Jesus is the Law of God inscribed in our hearts by The Holy Spirit and so he is the stone the builders rejected (Matt 21:42). Though Moses gave them ten commandments, Jesus gave us just two commandment, to love God and to love one another. Sometimes we tend to forget that second commandment. "As I have loved you, so you must love one another (John 13:34; 15:12,17)". This commandment we are to receive by faith, knowing that he watches over his word to perform it, and so we fulfill the whole Law and therby we must be the fruit of that love, by being love for God and for all that God loves. Love knows all the pressing needs in God's house and Love also knows the neighbor down the street who just lost his job. Jesus Christ is everything in this glorious New Covenant : "I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles (Isaiah 42:6; 49:8).
Peace and Love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
Friday, March 12, 2010
Focus on Christ
"10 Brothers and sisters, I ask all of you to agree with one another. I make my appeal in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Then you won't take sides. You will be in complete agreement in all that you think.
11 My brothers and sisters, some people who live in Chloe's house have told me you are arguing with each other. 12 Here is what I mean. One of you says, "I follow Paul." Another says, "I follow Apollos." Another says, "I follow Peter." And still another says, "I follow Christ."
13 Does Christ take sides? Did Paul die on the cross for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I'm thankful that I didn't baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius. 15 No one can say that you were baptized in my name.
16 It's true that I also baptized those who live in the house of Stephanas. Besides that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.
17 Christ did not send me to baptize. He sent me to preach the good news. He commanded me not to use the kind of wisdom that people commonly use. That would take all the power away from the cross of Christ" (1Cor 1:10-17).
Even though the above passage in Paul refers to a specific group of the house church of Chloe, it is very timely for us as well.
Our focus should not be in the specific Christian denomination we belong to. Our focus should always be Christ. We do not worship the Church, or at least we should not, we worship Christ.
I believe that our denominations are merely a language that facilitates our coming together. I may speak Catholic; whereas you may speak Lutheran; someone else may speak Baptist. It doesn't matter what language we use to praise and give glory to God in community, what matters is that we do it. It would be nice if we all spoke the same language, but being that we are all different, we speak to God in different ways. It is important for us to come together as a community focused on Christ. It is important for us to share in the praise of the God who loves us.
There is not exactly correct was; all the Christian languages have flaws. If we really focus on Christ, it doesn't matter how we do it. If we truely focus on Christ and become his followers, it is easy to accept the differences of others.
We should come to our churches with the object of developing fellowship and love for one another. In focusing on Christ, the difference melt away, for we are all one in Christ.
Peace and Love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
11 My brothers and sisters, some people who live in Chloe's house have told me you are arguing with each other. 12 Here is what I mean. One of you says, "I follow Paul." Another says, "I follow Apollos." Another says, "I follow Peter." And still another says, "I follow Christ."
13 Does Christ take sides? Did Paul die on the cross for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I'm thankful that I didn't baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius. 15 No one can say that you were baptized in my name.
16 It's true that I also baptized those who live in the house of Stephanas. Besides that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.
17 Christ did not send me to baptize. He sent me to preach the good news. He commanded me not to use the kind of wisdom that people commonly use. That would take all the power away from the cross of Christ" (1Cor 1:10-17).
Even though the above passage in Paul refers to a specific group of the house church of Chloe, it is very timely for us as well.
Our focus should not be in the specific Christian denomination we belong to. Our focus should always be Christ. We do not worship the Church, or at least we should not, we worship Christ.
I believe that our denominations are merely a language that facilitates our coming together. I may speak Catholic; whereas you may speak Lutheran; someone else may speak Baptist. It doesn't matter what language we use to praise and give glory to God in community, what matters is that we do it. It would be nice if we all spoke the same language, but being that we are all different, we speak to God in different ways. It is important for us to come together as a community focused on Christ. It is important for us to share in the praise of the God who loves us.
There is not exactly correct was; all the Christian languages have flaws. If we really focus on Christ, it doesn't matter how we do it. If we truely focus on Christ and become his followers, it is easy to accept the differences of others.
We should come to our churches with the object of developing fellowship and love for one another. In focusing on Christ, the difference melt away, for we are all one in Christ.
Peace and Love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Love is Always the Answer
"8 Pay everything you owe. But you can never pay back all the love you owe each other. Those who love others have done everything the law requires. 9 Here are some commandments to think about. "Do not commit adultery." "Do not commit murder." "Do not steal." "Do not want what belongs to others."—(Exodus 20:13-15,17; Deuteronomy 5:17-19,21) These and other commandments are all included in one rule. Here's what it is. "Love your neighbor as you love yourself."—(Leviticus 19:18) 10 Love does not harm its neighbor. So love does everything the law requires". (Romans 13:8-10)
If you truely love someone, you will do great acts, put up with hurt, forgive injuries,and act with kindness and compassion. This is Jesus' message. Everything we do, should be done with love. We sometimes forget how interconnected we are and how much we need one another. We were given different gifts so that we must work together in harmony.
If you have the gift of writing, always write what is good. If you have the gift of speaking, let nothing come out of your mouth but the truth, said with love. If you are an artist, paint the good of the world. If you are a craftsman, create only what is good. Go through your day with happiness and a grateful heart. If we who know Jesus can do these little things to follow his teachings, we can help to transform the world.
It is never wrong to act out of love and compassion; don't let anyone tell you differently. Love is always the answer.
Peace and Love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
If you truely love someone, you will do great acts, put up with hurt, forgive injuries,and act with kindness and compassion. This is Jesus' message. Everything we do, should be done with love. We sometimes forget how interconnected we are and how much we need one another. We were given different gifts so that we must work together in harmony.
If you have the gift of writing, always write what is good. If you have the gift of speaking, let nothing come out of your mouth but the truth, said with love. If you are an artist, paint the good of the world. If you are a craftsman, create only what is good. Go through your day with happiness and a grateful heart. If we who know Jesus can do these little things to follow his teachings, we can help to transform the world.
It is never wrong to act out of love and compassion; don't let anyone tell you differently. Love is always the answer.
Peace and Love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Accept what is, yet do what you can do!
6 "Aren't five sparrows sold for two pennies? But God does not forget even one of them. 7 In fact, he even counts every hair on your head! So don't be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows". (Luke 12:6-7)
I am going to take a break talking about discrimination today and focus on worry. In the above passage, Jesus is trying to tell the people that God will be there for them, if they would only have trust. Still, it is a common human condition to worry. However,there is only so much we can affect. What we cannot change, what we cannot influence no matter what, should not be a concern to us. This is what I notice with so many people, in that we focus and linger on things which we have no control over. Why worry about something that all the worrying in the world will not change? Why care about what other people think of us when we’re not even sure what it is they are actually thinking? Once you open the blinds to this fact, and start accepting what is that you cannot change, you automatically relieve yourself of a mountain of stress and anxiety. It’s like a huge weight has been lifted from your shoulders. Taking this path is following a road towards peace.
Give up your trouble, worry and anxiety to God. However, don't try to take it back when God does not move fast enough for us.
I think that when you have an opportunity to affect change, you should take that opportunity. You should speak out against wrongdoing. Do help those that are put in your path to help.
That may seem to contradict what I wrote about worring. That is the difference between worring and doing. Do what you can and let God take care of the rest.
Love and prayers,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
I am going to take a break talking about discrimination today and focus on worry. In the above passage, Jesus is trying to tell the people that God will be there for them, if they would only have trust. Still, it is a common human condition to worry. However,there is only so much we can affect. What we cannot change, what we cannot influence no matter what, should not be a concern to us. This is what I notice with so many people, in that we focus and linger on things which we have no control over. Why worry about something that all the worrying in the world will not change? Why care about what other people think of us when we’re not even sure what it is they are actually thinking? Once you open the blinds to this fact, and start accepting what is that you cannot change, you automatically relieve yourself of a mountain of stress and anxiety. It’s like a huge weight has been lifted from your shoulders. Taking this path is following a road towards peace.
Give up your trouble, worry and anxiety to God. However, don't try to take it back when God does not move fast enough for us.
I think that when you have an opportunity to affect change, you should take that opportunity. You should speak out against wrongdoing. Do help those that are put in your path to help.
That may seem to contradict what I wrote about worring. That is the difference between worring and doing. Do what you can and let God take care of the rest.
Love and prayers,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
The Scriptures are not a weapon
Luke 6:30-38
30 "Give to everyone who asks you. And if anyone takes what belongs to you, don't ask to get it back. 31 Do to others as you want them to do to you.
32 "Suppose you love those who love you. Should anyone praise you for that? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. 33 And suppose you do good to those who are good to you. Should anyone praise you for that? Even 'sinners' do that. 34 And suppose you lend money to those who can pay you back. Should anyone praise you for that? Even a 'sinner' lends to 'sinners,' expecting them to pay everything back.
35 "But love your enemies. Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then you will receive a lot in return. And you will be sons of the Most High God. He is kind to people who are evil and are not thankful. 36 So have mercy, just as your Father has mercy.
37 "If you do not judge others, then you will not be judged. If you do not find others guilty, then you will not be found guilty. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good amount will be poured into your lap. It will be pressed down, shaken together, and running over. The same amount you give will be measured out to you." (Luke 6:30-38)
I was recently witness to a situation where someone was injured; not physically, but emotionally. The person doing the hurt said that they were showing "tough love". This was done because someone was seen to have broken a rule of the Church. Even though I believe that sometimes tough love is necessary, it did not seem appropriate to me in this case. A single verse was taken from Scriptures and used as justification for the injury.
I don't believe that the Scriptures are to be used to hurt people. When we take a line or passage of the Scriptures out of its context, and use it as a weapon, it is us who have committed a sin against God and also a sin against our brothers and sisters in God.
When Jesus quoted the Old Testament, it was always for a positive purpose. He did not do this to hurt people, but instead to help people, who were themselves being persecuted by the religious leaders.
The message I get from Jesus is that it is never wrong to be merciful to others. It is never right to judge others. Those who tell you otherwise, do not understand the message of Jesus. If you believe that the Scriptures are the word of God, then the message must be positive. If we use Scriptures as examples, we must be careful to avoid beating someone with them. The Scriptures should be used to encourage not to discourage.
The message of Jesus was one of love.
In the words of St. Paul:
"Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, (love) is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails".
(1Cor 13: 3-4)
Use the Scriptures to show love, not as a justification for injuring or judging others.
Peace and Love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
30 "Give to everyone who asks you. And if anyone takes what belongs to you, don't ask to get it back. 31 Do to others as you want them to do to you.
32 "Suppose you love those who love you. Should anyone praise you for that? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. 33 And suppose you do good to those who are good to you. Should anyone praise you for that? Even 'sinners' do that. 34 And suppose you lend money to those who can pay you back. Should anyone praise you for that? Even a 'sinner' lends to 'sinners,' expecting them to pay everything back.
35 "But love your enemies. Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then you will receive a lot in return. And you will be sons of the Most High God. He is kind to people who are evil and are not thankful. 36 So have mercy, just as your Father has mercy.
37 "If you do not judge others, then you will not be judged. If you do not find others guilty, then you will not be found guilty. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good amount will be poured into your lap. It will be pressed down, shaken together, and running over. The same amount you give will be measured out to you." (Luke 6:30-38)
I was recently witness to a situation where someone was injured; not physically, but emotionally. The person doing the hurt said that they were showing "tough love". This was done because someone was seen to have broken a rule of the Church. Even though I believe that sometimes tough love is necessary, it did not seem appropriate to me in this case. A single verse was taken from Scriptures and used as justification for the injury.
I don't believe that the Scriptures are to be used to hurt people. When we take a line or passage of the Scriptures out of its context, and use it as a weapon, it is us who have committed a sin against God and also a sin against our brothers and sisters in God.
When Jesus quoted the Old Testament, it was always for a positive purpose. He did not do this to hurt people, but instead to help people, who were themselves being persecuted by the religious leaders.
The message I get from Jesus is that it is never wrong to be merciful to others. It is never right to judge others. Those who tell you otherwise, do not understand the message of Jesus. If you believe that the Scriptures are the word of God, then the message must be positive. If we use Scriptures as examples, we must be careful to avoid beating someone with them. The Scriptures should be used to encourage not to discourage.
The message of Jesus was one of love.
In the words of St. Paul:
"Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, (love) is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails".
(1Cor 13: 3-4)
Use the Scriptures to show love, not as a justification for injuring or judging others.
Peace and Love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
Monday, March 8, 2010
There is no room for prejudice in the Kingdom of Jesus.
"My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?
If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself,"you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers" (James 2:1-9).
This past week I was witness to discrimination. A Catholic school denied entry to a child whose parents were lesbians. One of the arguments given by the school is that they were following the teachings of Jesus.
OK
Did Jesus Ever Condemn Homosexuality?
There is no New Testament record of where Jesus explicitly stated that homosexuality is wrong. If you believe that homosexuality is something you are born with, not a life choice, then you cannot assume that Jesus would have condemned it. There are many difference we recognize in each other as being OK; eye color, hair color, skin color, height, weight, smart, not-smart, just to name a few. Then why would a difference in sexual orientation cause such a problem for people.
If your are prejudice against homosexuality, own it, don't try to blame it on Jesus.
Jesus had love for all. He did not discriminate against any group. As a matter of fact, Jesus sought out those people who needed love, because no one else loved them. So, do not attribute to Jesus the characteristic of prejudice that belongs to us. We discriminate, we are prejudice, we hate, we have little tolerance. We must own this, but that does not mean that we should not work to change these destructive traits in our character.
I encourage all who wish to be good disciples of Jesus, to read the entire letter of James in the Bible. James tell it like it is.
Further, I don't think that it was the intention of the people who put together the Scriptures, that it be used to hurt people. That could not possibly be Jesus' teachings. He came to heal us, not to condemn us. If you read the four Gospels, you will find that Jesus only took issue with the Scribes and Pharases because of their judging and condemning ways. They were hurting his people, not loving them.
The teachings of Jesus are loving, kind, compassionate, tolerant, and forgiving. Those who try to use his teachings to condemn people, just don't get it. Don't let it be you.
Peace and love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?
If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself,"you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers" (James 2:1-9).
This past week I was witness to discrimination. A Catholic school denied entry to a child whose parents were lesbians. One of the arguments given by the school is that they were following the teachings of Jesus.
OK
Did Jesus Ever Condemn Homosexuality?
There is no New Testament record of where Jesus explicitly stated that homosexuality is wrong. If you believe that homosexuality is something you are born with, not a life choice, then you cannot assume that Jesus would have condemned it. There are many difference we recognize in each other as being OK; eye color, hair color, skin color, height, weight, smart, not-smart, just to name a few. Then why would a difference in sexual orientation cause such a problem for people.
If your are prejudice against homosexuality, own it, don't try to blame it on Jesus.
Jesus had love for all. He did not discriminate against any group. As a matter of fact, Jesus sought out those people who needed love, because no one else loved them. So, do not attribute to Jesus the characteristic of prejudice that belongs to us. We discriminate, we are prejudice, we hate, we have little tolerance. We must own this, but that does not mean that we should not work to change these destructive traits in our character.
I encourage all who wish to be good disciples of Jesus, to read the entire letter of James in the Bible. James tell it like it is.
Further, I don't think that it was the intention of the people who put together the Scriptures, that it be used to hurt people. That could not possibly be Jesus' teachings. He came to heal us, not to condemn us. If you read the four Gospels, you will find that Jesus only took issue with the Scribes and Pharases because of their judging and condemning ways. They were hurting his people, not loving them.
The teachings of Jesus are loving, kind, compassionate, tolerant, and forgiving. Those who try to use his teachings to condemn people, just don't get it. Don't let it be you.
Peace and love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Are all welcome?
All Are Welcome
1. Let us build a house where love can dwell
And all can safely live,
A place where saints and children tell
How hearts learn to forgive.
Built of hopes and dreams and visions;
Rock of faith and vault of grace;
Here the love of all shall end divisions:
All are welcome, all are welcome,
All are welcome in this place.
2. Let us build a house where hands will reach
Beyond the wood and stone
To heal and strengthen, serve and teach,
And live the word they’ve known.
Here the outcast and the stranger
Bear the image of love’s face;
Let us bring an end to fear and danger:
All are welcome, all are welcome,
All are welcome in this place.
3. Let us build a house where all are named,
Their songs and visions heard
And loved and treasured, taught and claimed
As words within the word.
Built of tears and cries and laughter,
Prayers of faith and songs of grace;
Let this house proclaim from floor to rafter:
All are welcome, all are welcome,
All are welcome in this place.
Jesus Comforts His Disciples
1"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4You know the way to the place where I am going." (John 14:1-3)
All are welcome unless you are gay, lesbian, democrate, etc.
Please read the following article.
BOULDER - Some parents are considering pulling their children out of a Catholic preschool after the school told a family a student could not return because the parents are homosexual.
A meeting was held to discuss the issue at Wesley Chapel in Boulder Friday evening.
"This could be one of those moments where the community is holding a mirror up to the church for it to take a look at its policy and reconsider what they've been doing," Wesley Chapel Pastor Roger Wolsey said.
Teachers at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic School were told about the situation earlier this week. Staff members say they were told a student would not be allowed to re-enroll because of his or her parents' sexual orientation.
The Denver Archdiocese says the student's parents are two women and their homosexual relationship violates the school's beliefs and policy.
"They're entitled to do what they want," Wolsey said. "And I would respect them no matter what they decide. [But] I think a lot of churches are doing a lot of soul searching right now."
In a statement sent to 9NEWS, the Archdiocese said, "Homosexual couples living together as a couple are in disaccord with Catholic teaching."
According to the Archdiocese, parents who enroll their kids at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic School are expected to follow the Catholic Church's beliefs.
Jesus said all are welcome. He did not specify any groups that were to be excluded. I try not to put anything negative in my blog, but I feel this is a time for speaking the truth. I am a cradle Roman Catholic and I am ashamed of this blatent disregard of Jesus' teachings. Love has to be the cornerstone of our lives as "Christians"; this was and still is the message of Jesus.
The laws were made for men and women; women and men were not made for the law. The Roman Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Denver is wrong in its actions in denying admission to a child to a school where they are supposed to be learning the message of Jesus. They are supposed to learn to worship Jesus, not the church. Thank goodness my "faith" is in Jesus and not in the Roman Catholic Church.
What would Jesus do?
Sue
1. Let us build a house where love can dwell
And all can safely live,
A place where saints and children tell
How hearts learn to forgive.
Built of hopes and dreams and visions;
Rock of faith and vault of grace;
Here the love of all shall end divisions:
All are welcome, all are welcome,
All are welcome in this place.
2. Let us build a house where hands will reach
Beyond the wood and stone
To heal and strengthen, serve and teach,
And live the word they’ve known.
Here the outcast and the stranger
Bear the image of love’s face;
Let us bring an end to fear and danger:
All are welcome, all are welcome,
All are welcome in this place.
3. Let us build a house where all are named,
Their songs and visions heard
And loved and treasured, taught and claimed
As words within the word.
Built of tears and cries and laughter,
Prayers of faith and songs of grace;
Let this house proclaim from floor to rafter:
All are welcome, all are welcome,
All are welcome in this place.
Jesus Comforts His Disciples
1"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. 2In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4You know the way to the place where I am going." (John 14:1-3)
All are welcome unless you are gay, lesbian, democrate, etc.
Please read the following article.
BOULDER - Some parents are considering pulling their children out of a Catholic preschool after the school told a family a student could not return because the parents are homosexual.
A meeting was held to discuss the issue at Wesley Chapel in Boulder Friday evening.
"This could be one of those moments where the community is holding a mirror up to the church for it to take a look at its policy and reconsider what they've been doing," Wesley Chapel Pastor Roger Wolsey said.
Teachers at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic School were told about the situation earlier this week. Staff members say they were told a student would not be allowed to re-enroll because of his or her parents' sexual orientation.
The Denver Archdiocese says the student's parents are two women and their homosexual relationship violates the school's beliefs and policy.
"They're entitled to do what they want," Wolsey said. "And I would respect them no matter what they decide. [But] I think a lot of churches are doing a lot of soul searching right now."
In a statement sent to 9NEWS, the Archdiocese said, "Homosexual couples living together as a couple are in disaccord with Catholic teaching."
According to the Archdiocese, parents who enroll their kids at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic School are expected to follow the Catholic Church's beliefs.
Jesus said all are welcome. He did not specify any groups that were to be excluded. I try not to put anything negative in my blog, but I feel this is a time for speaking the truth. I am a cradle Roman Catholic and I am ashamed of this blatent disregard of Jesus' teachings. Love has to be the cornerstone of our lives as "Christians"; this was and still is the message of Jesus.
The laws were made for men and women; women and men were not made for the law. The Roman Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Denver is wrong in its actions in denying admission to a child to a school where they are supposed to be learning the message of Jesus. They are supposed to learn to worship Jesus, not the church. Thank goodness my "faith" is in Jesus and not in the Roman Catholic Church.
What would Jesus do?
Sue
Saturday, March 6, 2010
God does not cause bad things to happen to good people
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.
"For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).
It is sad to listen to people say that "God is testing me", "God is punishing me for something that I did wrong", "I want to keep God happy so he won't cause bad things to happen to me".
God does not make bad things happen. God is not looking to find fault with you. God is looking to encourage the best in you. God wants you to be the person you were born to be. God is not a punishing, rathfull, or angry God.
I thinks that if God were that way, he would have zapped us into oblivion a long time ago. The God I know and love is loving, caring, compassionate, forgiving, generous, and very patient. The punishing God that we may have heard about in our childhood does not exist. I know that is hard for some to believe, but it is true. God does not test us, he knows how weak we are already. God does not give us us bad things, we can find those very easily on our own. Remember, there is Satan who would like us to blame God and turn away from God.
Think of what Jesus did for us and gave up for us. Is that the sign of a vengeful, punishing God? I don't think so.
So as you go through your day, if bad things do happen, ask God to help you. Stop and talk to him right then and there. I guarantee that you will not be disappointed.
Peace and love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.
"For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).
It is sad to listen to people say that "God is testing me", "God is punishing me for something that I did wrong", "I want to keep God happy so he won't cause bad things to happen to me".
God does not make bad things happen. God is not looking to find fault with you. God is looking to encourage the best in you. God wants you to be the person you were born to be. God is not a punishing, rathfull, or angry God.
I thinks that if God were that way, he would have zapped us into oblivion a long time ago. The God I know and love is loving, caring, compassionate, forgiving, generous, and very patient. The punishing God that we may have heard about in our childhood does not exist. I know that is hard for some to believe, but it is true. God does not test us, he knows how weak we are already. God does not give us us bad things, we can find those very easily on our own. Remember, there is Satan who would like us to blame God and turn away from God.
Think of what Jesus did for us and gave up for us. Is that the sign of a vengeful, punishing God? I don't think so.
So as you go through your day, if bad things do happen, ask God to help you. Stop and talk to him right then and there. I guarantee that you will not be disappointed.
Peace and love,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
Friday, March 5, 2010
Care about others
"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything" (1 John 3: 16-20).
You will never find peace by being self-consumed and only worrying about your own needs and wants. When you begin to genuinely care about other people, so much goodness comes right out. This only helps into solidifying your inner peace. It can be people close to you or pure strangers, but any act of kindness and goodwill eases your way towards peace and closer to Jesus. When I help other people, I stop focusing on my so-called problems and realize that my life isn’t so bad after all. This rids my entire being of all the stress and feelings of being overwhelmed. There is great peace and wisdom in thinking and caring about other people, which we are blind to when we are too deep within our own selfish ways.
Love and Peace,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
You will never find peace by being self-consumed and only worrying about your own needs and wants. When you begin to genuinely care about other people, so much goodness comes right out. This only helps into solidifying your inner peace. It can be people close to you or pure strangers, but any act of kindness and goodwill eases your way towards peace and closer to Jesus. When I help other people, I stop focusing on my so-called problems and realize that my life isn’t so bad after all. This rids my entire being of all the stress and feelings of being overwhelmed. There is great peace and wisdom in thinking and caring about other people, which we are blind to when we are too deep within our own selfish ways.
Love and Peace,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Live in the present moment
God loves you and wants you to know Him so He can fill you with peace and give you real life -- forever.
The Scriptures say:
■Because of our Lord Jesus Christ, we live at peace with God (Romans 5:1)
■God loved the people of this world so much that He gave His only son, so that everyone who has faith in Him will have eternal life and never die (John 3:16).
Jesus said:
■"I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest" (John 10:10).
Since God planned for us to have peace and real life right now, why are so many people hurting or angry inside?
Alot of the time what we are angry about is caused by worry about something we may have no control of. What we worry about is relating to something either in the past, or something that hasn’t happened. Living in the present moment erases all such thoughts. Why worry about something in the past that we cannot ever change? Why worry about something that we are not even sure will happen or not? This is why in the present moment, you find true inner peace. In the present moment, there are no problems and no concerns. There is only stillness, and it is within that stillness that you can uncover peace. I used to be such a person that worried all the time, to the point where I had trouble sleeping. Once I learned to live in the present moment, I stopped thinking about the past and any potential problems that may have occurred and allow the future to unfold as God wishes. God wants us to live every moment with joy. The past is gone, the future is uncertain, but the present is a gift. Why do you think it is called a present.
Peace be with you,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
The Scriptures say:
■Because of our Lord Jesus Christ, we live at peace with God (Romans 5:1)
■God loved the people of this world so much that He gave His only son, so that everyone who has faith in Him will have eternal life and never die (John 3:16).
Jesus said:
■"I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest" (John 10:10).
Since God planned for us to have peace and real life right now, why are so many people hurting or angry inside?
Alot of the time what we are angry about is caused by worry about something we may have no control of. What we worry about is relating to something either in the past, or something that hasn’t happened. Living in the present moment erases all such thoughts. Why worry about something in the past that we cannot ever change? Why worry about something that we are not even sure will happen or not? This is why in the present moment, you find true inner peace. In the present moment, there are no problems and no concerns. There is only stillness, and it is within that stillness that you can uncover peace. I used to be such a person that worried all the time, to the point where I had trouble sleeping. Once I learned to live in the present moment, I stopped thinking about the past and any potential problems that may have occurred and allow the future to unfold as God wishes. God wants us to live every moment with joy. The past is gone, the future is uncertain, but the present is a gift. Why do you think it is called a present.
Peace be with you,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
The Holy Spirit is promised for all.
Holy Spirit Promised
"And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, 'which,' He said, 'you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.' Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, 'Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?' And He said to them, 'It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father hs put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.'" (Acts: 1:4-8)
Jesus instructed his disciples to witness to people of all nations about him. But they were told to wait first for the Holy Spirit. God has important work for us to do for him, but we must do it by the power of his Spirit. We often like to get on with the job, even if it means running ahead of God. But waiting is sometimes part of God's plan. Are you waiting and listening for God's complete instructions, or are you running ahead of his plans? We need God's timing and power to be truly effective.
The Spirit marks the beginning of the Christian experience. We cannot belong to Christ without his Spirit; we cannot be united to Christ without his Spirit; we cannot be adopted as his children without his Spirit; we cannot be in the body of Christ except by baptism in the Spirit. The Spirit is the power of our new lives. He begins a lifelong process of change as we become more like Christ. When we receive Christ by faith, we begin a personal relationship with God. The Holy Spirit works in us to help us become more like Christ.
Listen today. What is God saying to you?
Peace be with you?
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
"And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, 'which,' He said, 'you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.' Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, 'Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?' And He said to them, 'It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father hs put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.'" (Acts: 1:4-8)
Jesus instructed his disciples to witness to people of all nations about him. But they were told to wait first for the Holy Spirit. God has important work for us to do for him, but we must do it by the power of his Spirit. We often like to get on with the job, even if it means running ahead of God. But waiting is sometimes part of God's plan. Are you waiting and listening for God's complete instructions, or are you running ahead of his plans? We need God's timing and power to be truly effective.
The Spirit marks the beginning of the Christian experience. We cannot belong to Christ without his Spirit; we cannot be united to Christ without his Spirit; we cannot be adopted as his children without his Spirit; we cannot be in the body of Christ except by baptism in the Spirit. The Spirit is the power of our new lives. He begins a lifelong process of change as we become more like Christ. When we receive Christ by faith, we begin a personal relationship with God. The Holy Spirit works in us to help us become more like Christ.
Listen today. What is God saying to you?
Peace be with you?
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Never Lose Hope
Before Jesus died he told his apostles "In this world you will have troubles but have courage because I have conquered the world."
Hope is something you can never afford to lose. With hope you always have a path towards peace. Whenever we get too stressed out and overwhelmed within our own life, we forget that hope. We forget that the sun always shines after a rainy day, and that this is merely a bump in the road. I find immense peace in just knowing, deep within my heart, that everything will be ok because Jesus is with me. With hope and trust in Jesus, I know that whatever is seemingly terrible, is only temporary and that soon enough, things will be just fine. This lifts off all of that negativity from my entire being, and I feel better pretty much instantly.
When all seems to be hopeless we need to pray. There are many times when we cannot face our problems on our own. Jesus is there to help us through these trying times. We cannot trust that the world will contain the answers for us. We cannot always trust others to help us, because everyone has their own problems. Jesus is there to carry us when we seem to be without hope.
Footprints in the Sand
One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there was one only.
This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints, so I said to the Lord,
“You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there has only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?”
The Lord replied, “The years when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mary Stevenson, 1936
God's blessings to you all,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
Hope is something you can never afford to lose. With hope you always have a path towards peace. Whenever we get too stressed out and overwhelmed within our own life, we forget that hope. We forget that the sun always shines after a rainy day, and that this is merely a bump in the road. I find immense peace in just knowing, deep within my heart, that everything will be ok because Jesus is with me. With hope and trust in Jesus, I know that whatever is seemingly terrible, is only temporary and that soon enough, things will be just fine. This lifts off all of that negativity from my entire being, and I feel better pretty much instantly.
When all seems to be hopeless we need to pray. There are many times when we cannot face our problems on our own. Jesus is there to help us through these trying times. We cannot trust that the world will contain the answers for us. We cannot always trust others to help us, because everyone has their own problems. Jesus is there to carry us when we seem to be without hope.
Footprints in the Sand
One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there was one only.
This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints, so I said to the Lord,
“You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there has only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?”
The Lord replied, “The years when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mary Stevenson, 1936
God's blessings to you all,
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
Monday, March 1, 2010
Finding Inner Peace
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid"(John 14:27).
20 Tips for inner peace.
1.Learn to let go of the past.
2.Live for today.
3.Don’t sweat the little things, and 99% of everything is little if you view it that way.
4.Find quiet time for yourself every single day without fail. You deserve it.
5.Raise your awareness level. Look at flowers, the sunset, your kids at play…
6.Spend time with peaceful people in peaceful places.
7.Eliminate every stressor that you possibly can from your life.
8.Find something that you enjoy doing and do it, even if you think you may not look dignified while you do it.
9.Laugh. A lot, every day.
10.Count your blessings every night before you go to sleep.
11.Find some grass and sit in it. Lean your back against a tree. Listen to the birds singing and daydream.
12.Read peaceful books, listen to peaceful music and play peaceful games.
13.Learn, for once and for all, that no one can disturb your peace unless you allow them to.
14.Forget trying to control others, it will never work.
15.Establish a dialogue with God. Talk to the Creator and listen for the reply.
16.Tell every single person that you care about how you feel.
17.Forgive any and every one who has ever hurt you.
18.Let go of expectations.
19.Stop and think before you talk. You will spend a lot less time having to eat your words.
20.Make today be the best day possible , and the future will take care of itself one day at a time.
Peace be with you!
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
20 Tips for inner peace.
1.Learn to let go of the past.
2.Live for today.
3.Don’t sweat the little things, and 99% of everything is little if you view it that way.
4.Find quiet time for yourself every single day without fail. You deserve it.
5.Raise your awareness level. Look at flowers, the sunset, your kids at play…
6.Spend time with peaceful people in peaceful places.
7.Eliminate every stressor that you possibly can from your life.
8.Find something that you enjoy doing and do it, even if you think you may not look dignified while you do it.
9.Laugh. A lot, every day.
10.Count your blessings every night before you go to sleep.
11.Find some grass and sit in it. Lean your back against a tree. Listen to the birds singing and daydream.
12.Read peaceful books, listen to peaceful music and play peaceful games.
13.Learn, for once and for all, that no one can disturb your peace unless you allow them to.
14.Forget trying to control others, it will never work.
15.Establish a dialogue with God. Talk to the Creator and listen for the reply.
16.Tell every single person that you care about how you feel.
17.Forgive any and every one who has ever hurt you.
18.Let go of expectations.
19.Stop and think before you talk. You will spend a lot less time having to eat your words.
20.Make today be the best day possible , and the future will take care of itself one day at a time.
Peace be with you!
Sue
"Be still and know that I am God"(Psalm 46:10)
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