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Correction - 5/8/2007 4:29:50 PM
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peaceofGod
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Because something is nagging at me, a sense of guilt, here is a confession.
Recently I’ve been reading material written by Charles Swindoll and used part of his comments in my last post, rewording them, regarding Philippians 3:10. His comments were written in Intimacy with the Almighty. I also reworded a part of one of his daily devotionals, Life’s Arrows, in the same post regarding affliction.
I thought his insight of Philippians 3:10 and his comments about dealing with affliction fit beautifully in the lesson I wanted to convey about John 15 but I failed to give him credit. I do so now.
As I recall, here are the sections:
Philippians 3:10 (Amplified Bible)
10[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope]
Here is the Apostle’s great goal for life--his “determined purpose”.
That I may know Him…
Progeressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving…recognizing …understanding…continually transformed…
Could anything on this earth be more important?
Psalm 42:1-2 (New International Version)
As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?
And:
When the thorn of affliction punctured the Apostle Paul’s balloon (many times), he refused to wallow in self-pity and whine away the balance of his days. He learned to glory in his weaknesses. He discovered a contentment, even a joy, in the midst of “distresses . . . persecutions . . . difficulties” (2 Cor. 12:10). In weakness he found inner strength.
Joseph:In spite of his brothers’ mistreatment, inspite of slavery in Egypt, in spite of false accusations from the Pharaoh's wife (resulting in being dumped into a dungeon for years), Joseph told his brothers, “God turned into good what you meant for evil” (Gen. 50:20 TLB).
Talk about incredible perspective regarding life’s arrows of affliction!
So, what is our latest affliction? News of an alleged “terminal” illness? Physical pain? Unfair treatment? False accusations? Struggles at home? Somebody throwing rocks? An accident that has left us scarred? No need to waste time licking our wounds or wondering why. we can make a decision to do what we were doing even better than ever. Life’s arrows are nothing more than momentary setbacks that help us regroup, renew, and reload—so, what are we waiting for?
These sections are not quotes but were reworded a little from the sources I mentioned above.
No one has called me to task for this mistake, but recently it has been weighing heavily on my conscience. So this is the correction.
_____________________________
Jim
Blog:Waiting for an answer?
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RE: Reflections - 5/29/2007 3:41:44 PM
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peaceofGod
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Ephesians 6:18
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Recently, I’ve been reading about Positive Psychology with the hopes that some of it will rub off on me. Actually, I’m thinking of quoting some of the material in a sermon on the subject of prayer. No, the Positive Psychology material is not about prayer, but it fits with what I hope the sermon will turn out to be. The hope is that the sermon will be a collection of practical tips on prayer. After all, shouldn’t prayer be a positive experience that leads to a healthy mental and emotional state of well being?
It was while doing some research on the writings of Dr. Martin E.P. Seligman that I came across material on Positive Psychology which really strikes a cord with me.
I need it.
Don’t we all?
But more than Positive Psychology or maybe along with Positive Psychology we all need close continual contact with our Lord and Savior. We all need prayer. Ephesians 6:18
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
_____________________________
Jim
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RE: Reflections - 6/14/2007 1:00:45 PM
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peaceofGod
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How we pray is interesting. It's interesting that so many ideas of how to pray have sprung up with people saying that one must pray a certain way or with a certain attitude or emotion. Interesting.
All the while, we have have the instructions of Jesus Christ in Matthew chapter 6 on how to pray.
Interesting.
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Jim
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RE: Reflections - 7/10/2007 1:05:31 PM
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peaceofGod
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Is God Good, or What?
It’s interesting to watch our Lord work out circumstances for the best. My wife and I have had some challenges looming up before us. I will mention only some of them.
While looking forward to the upcoming International Elders Conference I received a court summons to serve on Jury Duty and then my wife received a summons to serve on Jury Duty. Each Jury Duty had the potential of preventing us from going to the Conference and losing the payments we had made for registration, travel, lodging and meals. I started having symptoms of a potentially serious health condition. My 92 year old mother started having bladder pain again. She had two surgeries on her bladder last November which were so hard on her that now her doctor calls her his miracle girl. He said repeatedly that her recovery was a miracle. Anyway, the return of bladder pain brought concern.
What I’m saying is this. One circumstance after another has been looming before us to threaten our ability to attend this upcoming Conference.
One of the faithful praying Christians on the Praise and Prayer Reports Forum started a prayer thread for me.
Here is the thread:
http://forums.christianity.com/m_2496833/mpage_1/key_/tm.htm#2496833[/link]
She told me in a PM that she felt led by our Lord to pray for me without knowing about any of the challenges that my wife and I were facing. Pretty good, heh?
The seed of encouragement was planted. Then the negative circumstances started shrinking, then disappearing.
The Court excused me from Jury Duty because I am my mother’s primary caretaker. The court gave my wife a postponement because of the Elders Conference.
The serious health symptoms I had are gone.
Mother’s pain turned out to be a slight infection and now she’s being treated with antibiotics. My niece, who was out of town when I was summoned for Jury Duty, agreed to check on mother and her needs while I'm at the conference.
One by one, the obstacles standing between us and going to the conference are fading away. but there is more. We received an unexpected substantial blessing which I'm not at liberty to describe.
Thanks to those of you who prayed and thanks to those of you who would have prayed if you had known.
Is God Good, or What?
< Message edited by peaceofGod -- 7/10/2007 4:50:33 PM >
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Jim
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RE: Reflections - 7/31/2007 12:16:36 PM
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peaceofGod
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This is merely a quick note to let you know that I'm still alive and kicking. My wife and I have been in Indian Wells, CA for an International Elders Conference. Thus, I've been offline for about a week.
The Conference was like a spiritual booster shot with hundreds and hundreds of Pastors, Assistant Pastors, Associate Pastors, Elders with their wives all worshipiing together, enjoying each other, sharing experiences and receiving instructions from theologians/professors/authors.
I probably will be telling you about it in more detail but, for now, this is just to let you know that I haven't dropped off the end of earth.
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Jim
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Reunion - 9/7/2007 3:23:56 PM
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peaceofGod
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Throughout the past Elders Conference in Indian Wells, CA the theme prevalent in the presentations and lectures was God's love for everybody—Christian and non-Christian, Churched & churched, “saved” & “lost”.
However, we didn't need any lectures for the over 800 of us Pastors, Associate Pastors, Assistant Pastors, Elders and spouses to be like kids in a candy store as we saw old friends, made new ones and caught up on the lives of individuals whom we had not seen in years and, in some cases, decades.
In one instance, as Wilma & I were walking along the hall of our hotel toward the elevator banks, there was a voice behind us that spoke my name. I turned around and saw a man whom I had last seen since we worked together on the gardening crew when we were college students in Pasadena, CA in 1964.
Variations of this same type of occurrence happened again and again through the length of the Conference.
Wilma saw people whom she had known in Alaska decades ago.
Maybe you can imagine what it was like for hundreds of people (many of whom have the gift of gab) together in one auditorium seeing old friends—the hugging, the laughing, the conversing. Whew! What a high! A high without a negative hangover.
Mark 12:30 (NIV)
Love the Lord your God
with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'
31 The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
There is no commandment greater than these."
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Jim
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Easy Faith? - 10/2/2007 2:18:18 PM
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peaceofGod
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Our Discipleship Class has been going through the Discovery Series that is written by the Center for Church Based Training (CCBT). We now are on Book Two which is Discovering Intimacy With God.
Somehow, it's really easy to come up with the right answers in the class as we discuss how loving God is toward us humans. As we discuss how He has pursued us to be in a relationship with Him, it's easy acknowledge His love for us.
In a class group discussion of God's love, we can easily agree that most catastrophes are not of His doing. Yep, He could have stopped every one of them but didn't for reasons that we don't necessarily have to know. Of course, not knowing “why” often doesn't stop a person from speculating or from making up a reason “why” instead of merely trusting that God knows what He is doing; that He is sovereign; and that He loves us.
Faith seems to come easily when sitting in a group discussion of discovering intimacy with God, but it doesn't always come so easily when we are the ones who are suffering.
But, oh, how strong is the faith of some! There are people who have lost most of their possessions, including their homes, then they praise God because they are still alive, or because most of their loved ones are still alive.
Oh, for the ability to see God's blessings all the time.....while we still have them.
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Jim
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RE: Reflections - 10/18/2007 10:23:14 AM
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peaceofGod
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Last weekend, my wife & I participated in a two-day Servants Passage training which had to do with with local church teams working together. The following is a summary. I think we all could use the concept. Church leaders of our denomination in the Texas area met at a Summer Camp/Retreat area where we spent a couple of days engaging in intensive workshops.
The following is a brief bottom-line, concentrated summary of that training.
We all have different relationship styles, aptitudes, spiritual gifts, talents and abilities.
We are all different, right? Not one of us is perfect, right? None of us is a superhuman with special powers except for those talents, abilities and spiritual gifts which God has given us.
We all have some strengths.
We all have some weaknesses.
We can discover those attributes by tests to discover our giftedness and our weaknesses.
After learning our own relationship styles, talents, abilities, proclivities, aptitudes and spiritual gifts along with learning our weaknesses, we can disclose them to our local church team members. Then we can learn to fill gaps of our individual weaknesses by using our accumulative strengths, thus using teamwork to fulfill the Great Commission of the Church—the Commission being done by the Body of Christ with all the members of the body using their strengths.
Hmmmm, sounds like 1 Corinthians 12.
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Jim
Blog:Waiting for an answer?
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RE: Reflections - 11/13/2007 7:58:42 PM
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peaceofGod
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We (my wife & I) just returned from Spokane and Clarkston, WA where we visited members of my wife's family. Her sister has cancer which had worsened during these past few months. When we visited her, we discovered that her doctor had recently changed her chemo medication which resulted in marked improvement. Here is the prayer thread on our Prayer and Praise Forum.
http://ibelieve.com/m_2783103/mpage_1/tm.htm
However, the day before we arrived at my wife's parents place, her Dad (96 years old), who has prostate cancer, suddenly became much worse and continued to degenerate during our stay. He now is in the hospital. As you might imagine, my wife has a lot on her mind considering that her Mother also is ill with Parkinson's disease.
Considering how helpless we humans are against our frailties, there's little wonder that we Christians rely on our Lord so much as we do.
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
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Jim
Blog:Waiting for an answer?
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RE: Reflections - 12/3/2007 10:42:23 AM
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peaceofGod
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Wouldn't you like to be able to say that your life is on an even keel all the time—always in complete control? Wouldn't it be great to be rid of all worries? Some people seem to have worry-free lives.....at least, on the surface. But we all have our ups & downs, don't we?
When I am hit with unexpected problems, I tend to react. I want to solve the problem right away. But when I have reacted while still reeling from the surprise “attack”, I usually have made mistakes which complicate the problems.
Oh, how I would like always to live up to my online name, peaceofGod! But I don't. Hopefully, though, I will not give up on seeking the peace that comes from Jesus Christ so that my own unstable moments will turn into moments that reflect the mind of Jesus Christ and His peace.
In the last post of this blog, I mentioned my wife's Dad who was hospitalized. He died this past week after a full life of 96 years. His wife is holding up well considering the circumstances and it seems that all of our concerns are being solved like puzzle pieces falling into place. It amazes me how well difficult situations can work out when we back off a little and watch God at work. God's grace is amazing.
Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD:
"Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation,
A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation;
Whoever believes will not act hastily.”
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Jim
Blog:Waiting for an answer?
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RE: Reflections - 1/4/2008 5:22:25 PM
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peaceofGod
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It was December 7, 2007 and I was in the hospital waiting room. My wife was with our daughter who was about to give birth. It was time. Birth was imminent.
While I was waiting, hospital staff started coming into the waiting room and sitting down. Then a chorus of High School students filed into the waiting room. It wasn't long before the waiting room was filled with the sound of Christmas Carols from the live chorus. As they were singing about the birth of the Christ child, my cell phone rang.
I slipped outside the room and answered the call to find that it was my wife. She said, “We have a new grandson! His name is Levi”, then proceeded to tell me to continue to wait to meet our other two grandchildren who were being brought to the hospital to meet their new little brother.
So, I sat back down in my place in the waiting room and continued listening with an indescribable deep sense of peace and deep joy to the live chorus singing about the birth of the our Savior and King. Tears formed in my eyes as I thought about the birth of Jesus and about the birth our new grandson, Levi.
As a proud grandpa, I wanted to equate the birth of our grandson with the birth of Jesus, but had to settle for praying that Jesus would live in our grandson, Levi, throughout his life.
How wonderful new life is!
How wonderful—more wonderful than we can even begin to imagine was the birth of Jesus Christ!!!
Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
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Jim
Blog:Waiting for an answer?
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RE: Reflections - 2/5/2008 1:11:44 PM
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peaceofGod
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Trust me, man, trust me.
Yeah, sure. Go look for another mark.
Nowadays, when someone says, "Trust me", we are suspicious—rightfully so. We've learned from experience that someone we really can trust does not have to say, "Trust me".
Okay, what about when Jesus says, Trust me?
John 14:1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.“
Well, He does talk about how much He loves us. He did go through a lot for us. He did come so that we could have salvation. He wants us to make it.
Okay, why not? I trust Him.
Have I talked myself into trusting Him? Yes ... at least academically.
My head says I trust Him. But, when the going gets really tough, what then? Will I trust him .... be still and see the salvation of the Lord? Will I be at peace or will I stress like crazy.
Will I be filled with the peace of God? Will I really trust him?
I pray for the faith to trust Him.
Psalm 20:6 Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed;
he answers him from his holy heaven
with the saving power of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
8 They are brought to their knees and fall,
but we rise up and stand firm.
_____________________________
Jim
Blog:Waiting for an answer?
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RE: Reflections - 2/29/2008 3:27:47 PM
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peaceofGod
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Do you know anyone who is completely satisfied with life? Most of us suffer in one way if not in several ways and desire that our lives be improved. Even if we are not suffering, we might be dissatisfied and want more comfort, better transportation, more entertainment, a TV ... or a newer TV ... , higher wages, lower gas prices, more money, or any number of other newer, bigger, better, more improved items.
Wouldn't it be great if we had what Adam & Eve had in the Garden of Eden? Paradise. We all want Paradise, don't we? It seems that ever since we humans were banned from the Garden of Eden, we've been seeking the Paradise that God initially created. We want change, don't we?
No wonder marketers have a field day advertising what they claim to be the best products, the most modern with the latest features. No wonder politicians are so successful when they offer change. Oh, if they could give the Paradise that only God can give.
But you & I know that He is the real source of all that we desire. He's a good friend to have.
Yep, we want our lives to change. That's for sure.
But Jesus Christ does not change.
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Aren't you glad that He is and always will be stable and reliable?
Well ... maybe I'm merely rambling ... just reflecting ... day dreaming ... thinking of what Jesus' offers.
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Jim
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RE: Reflections - 4/4/2008 9:43:27 AM
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peaceofGod
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He really is the greatest.
Please bear with me as I try to wrap my mind around something big.
While reading about David's life and reading through the Psalms, we get the idea that David was always reminding himself of God's greatness. We get the idea that David really loved God and looked to Him as sovereign over all. No wonder he was a man after God's own heart.
Acts 13:22 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony , and said , I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will.
Scripture Reading: 1 Chron. 29:10-13 10 David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying,
"Praise be to you, O LORD, God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.
11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.
12 Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.
13 Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.
Psalms 57:3 NIV
He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me; "Selah" God sends his love and his faithfulness.
Psalms 57:10 NIV
For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
Psalms 59:16 NIV
But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
Psalms 60:5 NIV
Save us and help us with your right hand, that those you love may be delivered.
1 John 4:
7.
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
8.
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
9.
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
10.
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
11.
Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
12.
No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
13.
We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.
14.
And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
15.
If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.
16.
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.
17.
In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him.
18.
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
19.
We love because he first loved us.
20.
If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.
21.
And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.
What I'm thinking is this:
If we are to be men and women after God's own heart, we will have His love living in us.
When we submit to the sovereignty of our Lord, we will eagerly hold on to His words and we will live His love.
Thank you for bearing with me during this reflection.
He really is the greatest.
_____________________________
Jim
Blog:Waiting for an answer?
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RE: Reflections - 4/21/2008 6:30:35 PM
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peaceofGod
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Do you have a song in your heart? I used to. It was a few decades ago. Back then, there was a song on my mind most of the time and, usually, that song was coming out of my mouth ... sometimes singing ... sometimes humming ... sometimes whistling. Whistling while I worked was the norm.
But something happened—not sure what it was.
Recently, I was talking with a friend who has cancer. He has an inoperable tumor on or in his brain and another tumor on his neck. Tomorrow, he has surgery to remove the one that is on his neck. This man has an amazing peace about him. Anyway, we were taking about praising God and he explained to me about his project of going through praise songs to choose favorites that are based on the Bible. He explained that there's always a Biblically-based praise song running through his mind. He hums a lot.
Because I'm self centered (can you tell?), he reminded me that I used to have a song in my heart most of the time but, somehow, the music stopped. How did this happen?
Well, maybe no longer being in a choir has something to do with it. Maybe no longer being in a band has something to do with it, too. Maybe the trials and sufferings over the years have taken such a toll that they pushed out the music. Whatever the cause, I have not had a song in my heart for quite a few years.
Yet, there is every reason in the world for there to be a song in my heart. These last few years probably have been the happiest of my life.
It's high time I again have a song in my heart. Maybe I should do something about that.
Thanks for listening to my reflections.
Ephesians 5:19 NIV
Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, ...
Colossians 3:16 NIV
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
_____________________________
Jim
Blog:Waiting for an answer?
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RE: Reflections - 5/31/2008 1:00:45 PM
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peaceofGod
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Matthew 20: 25 Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.
How does God want us Christians to use authority?
The following is a short collection of Scriptures on the subject of serving others. As you will see, there is not much narrative along with these Scriptures except for a few condensed notes. But, of course, the words of God are far, far better than my words anyway. I used these Scriptures in a sermon that I gave on Mother's Day on the subject of the loving service of mothers. In that sermon ... well ... there was quite a bit of narrative in that sermon.
Matt. 18:
1. At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
2. He called a little child and had him stand among them.
3. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
4. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5. "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.
6. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
7. "Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come!
8. If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire.
9. And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.
Foot washing
John 13:12.
When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them.
13. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am.
14. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet.
15. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
16. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
17. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
James 4:10
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
1 Peter 5:5
Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
1 Peter 5:6
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
James 4:6 (NIV)
6But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
"God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble."
Proverbs 3:34 (NIV)
34 He mocks proud mockers
but gives grace to the humble.
Greatest example of service=God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Here are some acts of God's service toward us humans:
Creation (including creation of the loving, nurturing sense of service that we see in mothers), patience, mercy, intervention, the inspired Word of God, became human, sacrificed self, sent one of the greatest gifts imaginable—the Comforter, the Holy Spirit. Worked out all the kinks so that we could have wonderful life for ever. If we have trouble all we have to do is go Him. Tells us through many scriptures and by his many actions that He loves us sometimes beyond our willingness to accept and always beyond our ability to understand.
Matthew 20: 25 Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.
_____________________________
Jim
Blog:Waiting for an answer?
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RE: Reflections - 6/26/2008 2:27:50 PM
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peaceofGod
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Fear is on my mind...especially what the following passage says.
1 John 4:18 NIV
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
If you know how perfect love drives out fear, please let me know. Yes, of course there is fear of punishment when we sin. But what about the various phobias that we humans have? Or fear of being mugged? Or fear of a home invasion, or fear of whatever else it is that we fear?
Here's what I suspect. When we love God with our whole being, then we totally trust Him and have no fear because we then know that we are at His side and He's there to take care of us. Is this how perfect love casts out fear? Maybe. I think so. There certainly is no peace of mind when fear is there. Of course, there is the fear of the Lord, but that's different...more like awesome respect.
Philippians 4:
6.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.
_____________________________
Jim
Blog:Waiting for an answer?
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RE: Reflections - 8/27/2008 12:19:35 PM
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peaceofGod
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Maybe you have at some time or another listened to two hard of hearing people have a conversation...each talking about something completely different but thinking that they were talking about the same thing...not on the same page at all...can be funny...something like the Abbot & Costello baseball routine, “Who's On First?” But we don't have to be hard of hearing to misunderstand each other. Sometimes a husband and wife are talking about the same subject but see that subject from such different view points that it's similar to two hard of hearing people trying to communicate.
Have any of you had the occasion to know a genius? Not a savant, or eccentric, but someone who is good at every they do? Such a person understands what you are trying to say right away. You might not be able to understand a lot of what that person says, but they will understand you.
Psalm 139:6 [Such] knowledge [is] too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot [attain] unto it.
Psalms 139:17
Your thoughts are far beyond my understanding, much more than I could ever imagine.
But when it comes to our relationship with God, He has plans for us to really get to know Him and to come to think as he thinks. No matter how far afield from Him we might be, He's ready and willing to welcome us to His world.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
1 Peter 1:20He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake
Isn't that amazing that the Father would chose Jesus Christ before the creation of the world? But He did not stop there. He made another choice before the creation of the world.
Eph. 1:4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
Some of you have read the following passage many times as have I. And I thought I had a good understanding of it. But let's pay extra close attention to it this time. This passage says more than what we may have believed in the past.
John 17:20 "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that 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. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I 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.
Can you believe that God loves us as he loves Jesus Christ? That we are so made a part of the fellowship that the Father has with the Son that He loves us as He loves the Son? Awesome!
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."
Is this good news or what?
Other scriptures show that God wants all to be one with him.
Romans 5:18
John 3:16-17
1Timothy 4:10
2 Cor 5:14
1 Peter 3:18
Hebrews 9:12
1 John 2:2
What a blessing to have been created to be included in the oneness of the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.
John 17:24 "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."
Thank you, Jesus, for praying this prayer for us!
_____________________________
Jim
Blog:Waiting for an answer?
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RE: Reflections - 11/5/2008 2:20:33 PM
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peaceofGod
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Whew! It has been a while since my last blog entry. Why haven't I kept up?
Maybe the move from our house to an apartment to so that we will not have so many chores to keep the yard and house in shape?
Maybe settling into the apartment with all that is involved with downsizing?
Maybe being caregiver of my 93 year-old mother who lives just two apartments from us?
Maybe concern over our small church which has had some stressful...what should I call them?...problems...challenges?
Maybe all of the above in addition to two conferences?
Maybe being the cause of a 911 call and being taken to the hospital in an ambulance?
Maybe going through the process of preparing for surgery (appointments, exams, etc.) which we want to schedule before the condition causes another problem yet after my wife returns from visiting her mother in another part of the country researching options to improve her care?
Maybe all of the above in addition to the usual chores?
Well, whatever the reasons for my not keeping up with the blog here I am again continuing with reflections about—among other things—the peace of God.
What a blessing it is that God offers and gives the peace of Jesus Christ so that, even when we are going through potentially stressful and/or unpleasant ordeals, we can have a certain peace of mind.
Here's hoping all of you are doing well.
_____________________________
Jim
Blog:Waiting for an answer?
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RE: Reflections--Personal Update - 12/11/2008 9:47:24 AM
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peaceofGod
Posts: 14621
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Hi
Here's a short personal update.
For those of you who are wondering how my surgery went. The surgery went well and the recovery is going well. There was also a tooth extraction during the surgery recovery. Although the extraction involved cutting out the tooth and required stitches, the recovery from the ordeal is also going well.
As the song goes, It is well with my soul.
Thanks for your prayers.
_____________________________
Jim
Blog:Waiting for an answer?
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Reflections - 1/11/2009 8:34:50 AM
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peaceofGod
Posts: 14621
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1 John 4:8 (New International Version)
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
What do you think of when you hear the word conversion in a religious context?
Born again?
Personally convicted?
Repentance?
Baptism?
Belief that Jesus Christ is Savior, Lord and King?
Acceptance of Jesus Christ's sacrifice for forgiveness of sin?
Slain by the Spirit?
Ability to “speak in tongues”?
Manifestations of Spirit?
Miracles?
While we might think of most of the above...maybe all of them together...at a precise moment of conversion, I have come to think more and more of a specific wonderful miracle that begins, then grows. Not just any miracle, but one that only God can do.
Much of the above experiences can be imagined through self deception or even actually done through a temporary height of shear emotion, a form of self hypnotism or through illusion.
But the miracle I speak of is a change in the way a person thinks...a change from seeking to get for self (comfort, satisfaction, self image, good tasting food, position, money, etc.) to a way of thinking that is completely centered around God—the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit—who is Love (1 John 4:8, 1 Corinthians 13). I'm talking about a change from the way we humans think to a way of thinking that is the way God thinks.
What do you think? Is this radical, “off the wall” thinking?
Please tell me by way of PM.
1 John 4:8 (New International Version)
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
_____________________________
Jim
Blog:Waiting for an answer?
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Reflections - 2/19/2009 1:22:21 PM
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peaceofGod
Posts: 14621
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Psalm 107:21-23
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for men.
Let them sacrifice thank offerings
and tell of his works with songs of joy.
Sometimes, I forget the value giving thanks to God.
Well, at least I remember it's value more nowadays than in years past when I thought the best way to give thanks was by way of sacrificing for Him. Ya' know what I mean? ...Serve more until it hurts...Sacrifice sleep to do good works....Push myself on through fatigue and discomfort...Push harder, longer, faster...Whatever the personal cost...Go!..Go!...Go! Felt so tired from sleep deprivation that I was like a zombie. Health went downhill.
But not so much, now. Now, I'm learning a different sacrifice, the sacrifice of thanksgiving. And guess what? Now I'm happier. Now, I'm not so tense. Health is gradually improving.
What a blessing it is to give the sacrifice of Thanksgiving. I need to remind myself of this.
Psalm 107:21-23
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for men.
Let them sacrifice thank offerings
and tell of his works with songs of joy.
_____________________________
Jim
Blog:Waiting for an answer?
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Reflections - 2/24/2009 7:55:26 PM
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peaceofGod
Posts: 14621
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John 14:27 (New International Version)
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...
Okay folks. I’m feeling uptight….doing everything in fast forward while (or so it seems) everyone else is in slow motion…Everything is too slow (except for me, of course)…computer response, word processor is slow (and the word processor is misspelling words).
I prayed this morning but I’m still tense….. what’s that?....my strong black coffee?...No that can’t be the cause because I like it so much first thing in the morning.
You see…huh?...My online name? peaceofGod? Well, that’s nice but I have a lot to do and…huh? What do ya mean slow down? I have to…what’s that? Relax??? But there’s so much to do that…Oh…Yeah but….Oh…well now, I can’t …Uhuh…but...Oh…Hmmmm. A deep breath? Let it out slowly? Breathe in God’s peace? But …huh? let it happen? Stop, Look and Listen? What for? There’s a lot to do and….huh?....Stop doing it on my own? Oh, oh. You’re right. Okay. I get it.
Already, I’m starting to feel feeling better. Thanks. I’ll be okay now. Thanks for the reminder.
Philippians 4:6-8 (New International Version)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
_____________________________
Jim
Blog:Waiting for an answer?
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RE: Reflections - 3/1/2009 7:20:00 PM
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peaceofGod
Posts: 14621
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From: Now in TX
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Matthew 5:43-45
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
There is a Christian Theologian and author who said that if Pastors told their congregations that every member was expected to actually live by the teachings of Jesus Christ, about half of the members would leave and not come back.
Is this really true? If church members were told that they were guilty of murder (Matthew 5:21-22) whenever they became angry with another Christian, would half of them leave church?
What would I do? Well, it might depend on how the Pastor told me of my guilt…er…uh…not real guilt but my theoretical guilt (“theoretical” makes it sounds better). I mean, if the Pastor commanded me to love that person who makes snide, “put down”, critical remarks about me, I might claim exception. To me the Pastor would be meddling in my affairs. None of his business, right?
But are my affairs Jesus Christ’s business? Pretty heavy stuff. Boy! I’m glad God is merciful.
Matthew 5:21-23
You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' 22But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.
Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
_____________________________
Jim
Blog:Waiting for an answer?
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