Jesus said, My yoke is easy and my burden is light.
There are moments, aren't there, when a burden is just lifted. The weight of it just goes away as we are swept up in something else.
Spiritually, this happens sometimes.
It happens when we praise God sometimes.
Moving has been stressful for my family (of course. Moving is supposed to be one of the most stressful experiences in life.) Saturday evening I left Leah alone with the praise band while I did some work in the office, and when I came back about 45 minutes later, it was obvious that the weight of moving had lifted off her shoulders. It happens sometimes when we are praising God - singing a doxology, praying a psalm, reflecting on the attributes of God.
Omni present, omnipotent...all knowing, all powerful. It's what David was doing..."The Lord is My Shepherd, I shall not want."
It's what Walter Chalmers Smith was doing in his meditation on I Timothy 1:11
Immortal, Invisible, God only wise. In light inaccesible, hid from our eyes.
Most blessed most glorious, the ancient of days. Almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise. http://www.worshipmap.com/lyrics/immortal.html
God wants to know about all our sorrows, but sometimes we need to do what the old preacher said and "stop telling God how big our problems are and start telling our problems how big our God is!"
Sometimes the weight of our burdens just lifts for a time, but most of the time, in my experience, we only find the peace of getting rid of the yoke the world puts on our shoulders by putting the yoke of Christ there. We do that over time by doing the things that help us know where Jesus wants us to walk and walking that way. Things like daily Bible reading and prayer, regular worship and serving those less fortunate, sharing in the sacraments and meeting regularly with other christians in Sunday school or Bible study. Christ has a yoke that will fit you perfectly. It's been designed for just you, and Jesus himself is on the other side of the yoke prepared to pull with you, if you will walk in his way.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Kneel before the Lord
6 Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;
7 for he is our God
and we are the people of his pasture,
the flock under his care.
Worship is what people offer their God. Whether that is an idol or a substitute like money or an addiction.
We must worship our God, or we will find ourselves worshiping other Gods.
god I pray that you will e,power me this day to prepare for tomorrow's program. Amen
let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;
7 for he is our God
and we are the people of his pasture,
the flock under his care.
Worship is what people offer their God. Whether that is an idol or a substitute like money or an addiction.
We must worship our God, or we will find ourselves worshiping other Gods.
god I pray that you will e,power me this day to prepare for tomorrow's program. Amen
Monday, May 16, 2011
Supervisors
12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.
For me, this includes superintendents, bishops, and pprc members.
I will thank si's for their ministry today, and acknowledge Jan and Anthony for their contributions.
dear God. Thank you for this day. Help me to be attentive and curious. Amen
For me, this includes superintendents, bishops, and pprc members.
I will thank si's for their ministry today, and acknowledge Jan and Anthony for their contributions.
dear God. Thank you for this day. Help me to be attentive and curious. Amen
Thursday, May 12, 2011
A reflection of God
iI Samuel 22
26"(G)With the kind You show Yourself kind,
With the blameless You show Yourself blameless;
27(H)With the pure You show Yourself pure,
(I)And with the perverted You show Yourself astute.
Is it that God reveals Godself differently to different people, or more likely, that much is revealed about us and our relationship with God by the way We experience God. We do begin to have synchrony with those we spend time with. as to the perverted, God and any Godly person will seem astute. The kind blameless and pure have revealed these positive aspects of character when reflected by God, the perverted have revealed this aspect of character when they see their lives against the reflection of God. and a desire to change.
Message. God will return to us the positive characteristics we extend to the world and reveal the negative if we spend time with God and God's people.
Application. Journal tomorrow.
Work on journal program today to help reinforce the value of this for me.
Prayer. god lead me back into the discipline of daily Journalling to know your guidance.
26"(G)With the kind You show Yourself kind,
With the blameless You show Yourself blameless;
27(H)With the pure You show Yourself pure,
(I)And with the perverted You show Yourself astute.
Is it that God reveals Godself differently to different people, or more likely, that much is revealed about us and our relationship with God by the way We experience God. We do begin to have synchrony with those we spend time with. as to the perverted, God and any Godly person will seem astute. The kind blameless and pure have revealed these positive aspects of character when reflected by God, the perverted have revealed this aspect of character when they see their lives against the reflection of God. and a desire to change.
Message. God will return to us the positive characteristics we extend to the world and reveal the negative if we spend time with God and God's people.
Application. Journal tomorrow.
Work on journal program today to help reinforce the value of this for me.
Prayer. god lead me back into the discipline of daily Journalling to know your guidance.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Save completely
Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Hebrews7:25
Notes
Completely. I am saved completely, not just in part, because he is able to do that. He is able to do what I am not able to do for myself. O happy day. O happy day! he is able to savemefrommyself...from that part of me that wants to do everything for myself (including salvation)...from that part of me that part of me that always says "yes, but"...from that part of me. Trained to believe a new _______ will make everything better.
mission, stop looking to consumerism or good works to save me or fix my problems or make me feel better.
Application. go a day without looking for a different car. That won't fix anything. Attend to some things needed by those in relationship with me
Prayer. Save me completely, God. Help me turn to you and not look to consumerism to save myself or to other means to save myself. O happy day. Amen.
Notes
Completely. I am saved completely, not just in part, because he is able to do that. He is able to do what I am not able to do for myself. O happy day. O happy day! he is able to savemefrommyself...from that part of me that wants to do everything for myself (including salvation)...from that part of me that part of me that always says "yes, but"...from that part of me. Trained to believe a new _______ will make everything better.
mission, stop looking to consumerism or good works to save me or fix my problems or make me feel better.
Application. go a day without looking for a different car. That won't fix anything. Attend to some things needed by those in relationship with me
Prayer. Save me completely, God. Help me turn to you and not look to consumerism to save myself or to other means to save myself. O happy day. Amen.
Monday, April 25, 2011
More
These are some journal entries I have written on my iPad instead od paper recently. Cutting and pasting them here. Used the SOAP journal method for these.
Scripture
“And he said to all: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life, shall lose it; for he that shall lose his life for my sake, shall save it.” - Luke 9:23-24
Observations. The word "daily" jumps off the page at me today. In some ways, I am taking up my cross (a small one) in order to be in ministry. Especially at this moment of transition. But truth is, my family bear the cross more than I do. Leah has to leave her job when at the moment it is a source of great personal accomplishment for her. The change of sophie's routine has affected behavior and work disciplines. Dow is intensely feeling things, especially related to the rest of us in this small house and his highly developed sense of fairness. Where did I set down that cross last night, so I can take it up again. Carrying it is a daily work.
Application. Attend to relationships in the family and not just responsibilities.
Prayer. Be at the center of this family, God. Help me express the love that has no expectations beyond the chance to express itself. Amen
<><
Scripture
A person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.
What we've learned is this: God does not respond to what we do; we respond to what God does. We've finally figured it out. Our lives get in step with God and all others by letting him set the pace, not by proudly or anxiously trying to run the parade.
Observations. Romans 3:27-8 from The message leapt at me today. I have to help lead the church, but do that by getting in step with God.
Application. Today being in step with God will take listening time. I'll spend anhour meditating over Urbana and Macomb churches. Also could stand tot find out about canceling loans, canceling credit cards, organizing tax material, following up with Jan, sending a thank-you note.
God, I rest in you today. Help me walk in your ways
Scripture
“And he said to all: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life, shall lose it; for he that shall lose his life for my sake, shall save it.” - Luke 9:23-24
Observations. The word "daily" jumps off the page at me today. In some ways, I am taking up my cross (a small one) in order to be in ministry. Especially at this moment of transition. But truth is, my family bear the cross more than I do. Leah has to leave her job when at the moment it is a source of great personal accomplishment for her. The change of sophie's routine has affected behavior and work disciplines. Dow is intensely feeling things, especially related to the rest of us in this small house and his highly developed sense of fairness. Where did I set down that cross last night, so I can take it up again. Carrying it is a daily work.
Application. Attend to relationships in the family and not just responsibilities.
Prayer. Be at the center of this family, God. Help me express the love that has no expectations beyond the chance to express itself. Amen
<><
Scripture
A person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.
What we've learned is this: God does not respond to what we do; we respond to what God does. We've finally figured it out. Our lives get in step with God and all others by letting him set the pace, not by proudly or anxiously trying to run the parade.
Observations. Romans 3:27-8 from The message leapt at me today. I have to help lead the church, but do that by getting in step with God.
Application. Today being in step with God will take listening time. I'll spend anhour meditating over Urbana and Macomb churches. Also could stand tot find out about canceling loans, canceling credit cards, organizing tax material, following up with Jan, sending a thank-you note.
God, I rest in you today. Help me walk in your ways
Couple of SOAP posts
This is the day the lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it.
So many reasons to rejoice. God has saved me so many times, from trouble, from myself, from those who wanted to harm me...from debt. So I will continue to live for him and trust my future to his care.
How do we write biblical sermons that are topical. Most do it through quotes, but that forgets all we've learned about immersing self ion the word and letting it transform us.
Model rejoicing and being glad in the day the lord has made. For others. Ask for witnesses. Listen to people today.
God, make me a faithful servant today. Help with taxes.
Amen
------
The word that saves is right here,
as near as the tongue in your mouth,
as close as the heart in your chest.
I don't often explain the process of salvation, assuming a mostly church going crowd, or that we explain this during new member classes. Should be part of an Easter message.
Have this verse ready.
God, help me with the Easter sermon, may it do you honor and lead someone to faith. Amen.
Mortal can these bones live? O lord, you know.
¡ Bb mnm ,…;
Live as though you know the bones can live.
Lord, you know. Amen.
----
Romans
20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
The argument from design in part. Look at the eyeball. How could something so sophisticated be random? Multiply that by all parts of the bod and all animals and all ecosystems and the universe. But further, consider the lilies of the field, and realize how god continues to care for and provide for all needs.
Let nature teach me.
Dear god of heaven and earth, of the ant and the solar system, which is to the universe as an ant is to me, instead of feeling small, instead I feel loved. Amen
So many reasons to rejoice. God has saved me so many times, from trouble, from myself, from those who wanted to harm me...from debt. So I will continue to live for him and trust my future to his care.
How do we write biblical sermons that are topical. Most do it through quotes, but that forgets all we've learned about immersing self ion the word and letting it transform us.
Model rejoicing and being glad in the day the lord has made. For others. Ask for witnesses. Listen to people today.
God, make me a faithful servant today. Help with taxes.
Amen
------
The word that saves is right here,
as near as the tongue in your mouth,
as close as the heart in your chest.
I don't often explain the process of salvation, assuming a mostly church going crowd, or that we explain this during new member classes. Should be part of an Easter message.
Have this verse ready.
God, help me with the Easter sermon, may it do you honor and lead someone to faith. Amen.
Mortal can these bones live? O lord, you know.
¡ Bb mnm ,…;
Live as though you know the bones can live.
Lord, you know. Amen.
----
Romans
20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
The argument from design in part. Look at the eyeball. How could something so sophisticated be random? Multiply that by all parts of the bod and all animals and all ecosystems and the universe. But further, consider the lilies of the field, and realize how god continues to care for and provide for all needs.
Let nature teach me.
Dear god of heaven and earth, of the ant and the solar system, which is to the universe as an ant is to me, instead of feeling small, instead I feel loved. Amen
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