Came across this image on a blog I follow called the Scripturist.org, and just wanted to post it so I’ll never lose it. (click image for full size graphic) God loves to use the unusable, which is the only reason He uses me.
Our small group tonight started a study of the book of James, our primary topic this evening was on suffering – not necessary the major life altering sufferings – but the daily struggles and trials that upset our plans and frustrate us, but that God is trying to use to form our character. It isn’t just the “big” sufferings that God uses, He used the little daily “stuff” too. In fact, at times, the major battles are easier as they are obvious, but we can easily miss the small battles that actually have a huge impact on our spiritual growth. Below is a piece I wrote awhile back that was published elsewhere, but I wanted to post to my blog for my small group and to archive it here for future reference. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering. One of Yoda’s most famous quotes, from the second half of the Star Wars saga, is his ominous warning to the young Anakin, “Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suf-fer-ing.” (Did you read those words with the appropriate Yoda inflection?) I certainly don’t doubt that fear leads to anger, or…
(one more post I found in drafts, the issue isn’t “hot” on Kidology now, but this was my response, better posted late than never!) Over on Kidology.org there is a hot discussion that was started by a brother “down under” who asked: Why do American Christians see the need to teach patriotism? Doesn’t God love all nations equally? (see full question and discussion here) I’ve been watching the conversation, discussing it with family and friends, and waiting to post my answer until I could really give it some thought, and decided to answer it here on my blog rather than just in the Kidology forum. I’d love your feedback here or there. My short answer would be, I have never taught “Patriotism” to kids in church, but I certainly have modeled it. What I have taught is gratitude to God for our blessings, many of which are being American, and civil responsibility, both which are not USA dependent. I can go on and on about what a good and amazing country this is, but that is beside the point (and I think the Kidology discussion got off on that rabbit trail, which is easy for Americans to do. We LOVE…
I AM FREE I woke up in the middle of the night recently with these words forming in my mind. I have learned via the trials and tribulations of life that everything that ever worries me, concerns me, bothers me, irritates me, hurts me, saddens me, angers me, depresses me, or holds me back from victorious fellowship with Jesus have one little word in common: me. I heard Jesus whisper in my ear, yet again, “Let go of ‘me’ and you will be free.” The words below flowed in those early morning hours as my heart aches to be free of me. (click for full size) (This is now my daily prayer to keep me focused on Him, not me)
Found an awesome bookmark near my wife’s Bible, she got it at a women’s retreat, but you don’t have to be a woman to appreciate these thoughtful reminders! I’m posting mostly for myself, so I’ll never lose this… it is great for meditating on. I hope you enjoy as well. NASA photo taken by the Hubble Space Telescope has been labeled the ‘Eye of God.’ Because God is a personal Spirit… I will seek intimate fellowship with Him. Because God is all-powerful… He can help me with anything. Because God is ever-present… He is always with me Because God knows everything… I will go to Him with all my questions and concerns. Because God is sovereign… I will joyfully submit to His will. Because God is holy… I will devote myself to Him in purity, worship and service. Because God is absolute truth… I will believe what He says and live accordingly. Because God is righteous… I will live by His standards. Because God is just… He will always treat me fairly. Because God is love… He is unconditionally committed to my well-being. Because God is merciful… He forgives me of my sins when I sincerely confess them. Because God…
Reprinted from Bill Alison’s Amazing Time Management Secrets: It’s one thing to climb the ladder of success, but it’s quite another to climb the RIGHT ladder. Just how super is winning a Super Bowl? Consider these insights by guest blogger Josh Carter: From the outside looking in, Tom Brady appears to have the life everyone longs for, despite not winning Super Bowl XLII. But things are different on the inside. In a past interview with 60 Minutes Brady raised the question, “Why do I have three Super Bowl rings and still think there’s something greater out there for me? I mean, maybe a lot of people would say, ‘Hey man, this is what is.’ I reached my goal, my dream, my life. Me, I think, ‘God, it’s got to be more than this.’ I mean this isn’t, this can’t be what it’s all cracked up to be.” When pressed to answer his own question, Brady responded, “I wish I knew.” “My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after…
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