Tonight, I watched a film about a young man who went into the wilderness of Alaska unprepared, and, as a result of mistakenly eating a poisonous plant, died of starvation. Based on a true story, the film plays up the freedom of the road that the young man experiences as he travels throughout the western States for more than a year and a half.
The film focuses on him, but others are brought into the story, those whose lives he "touched" as he traveled. Not too much is made of the situation of his parents and sister, all of whom he left behind.
Was he a saint, some kind of cult hero? Or was he a foolish, selfish, self-indulgent young man who couldn't get over certain incidents in his family background?
I would have to go with the latter choice. His family didn't know where he was for almost two years. He rejected their values, possessions, and, ultimately, them.
Yes, he had a kind side, and perhaps, in a certain way, a maturity beyond his years, but this doesn't give him sway to destroy the lives of his family. Many people have baggage that they bring with them from their family situations. Families today are combined and recombined, and it's not all good, but spreading the anguish doesn't help.
Christ is the answer for those who are hurting, for those with anguished hearts. He is touched with the feelings of our infirmities. We have a great High Priest who intercedes on our behalf with the Father. Let us bring our griefs to Him and be comforted by Him.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Spring is almost here!
I've turned the calendar page, and it's already three days into May! Today, I saw robins! Not right here in my yard, but their flight is unmistakeable. What a cheery sight. I also saw wild flowers--white crocuses, I think--peeking out from the dried grasses of last year. Two ducks and some geese winged their way overhead on their way to summer nesting grounds. Here, we're still waiting for that first flush of green, that tender, soft green of the first buds unfolding. That won't happen for another couple of weeks, and then, all along the highway, in every field, along every stream, the sight will be glorious!
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Another Week Flies By!
This past week has been very busy for me. I've been doing a lot of reading, a lot of walking on my treadmill, and generally, just trying to keep up with things or catch up with things.
I'm listening to the Bible on CD. I can do this at night before I go to bed, or when I'm doing the dishes after supper. If I'm folding or putting away laundry, it's an excellent way to make use of my mind while doing activities that are a bit mindless.
Here is a very useful link with solid teaching. I enjoy the ministry of R.C. Sproul; I am currently also watching several of his teaching series. Here's the link to TableTalk:
www.ligonier.org/tabletalk
Enjoy the reading; enjoy the teaching; may God bless you through it.
I'm listening to the Bible on CD. I can do this at night before I go to bed, or when I'm doing the dishes after supper. If I'm folding or putting away laundry, it's an excellent way to make use of my mind while doing activities that are a bit mindless.
Here is a very useful link with solid teaching. I enjoy the ministry of R.C. Sproul; I am currently also watching several of his teaching series. Here's the link to TableTalk:
www.ligonier.org/tabletalk
Enjoy the reading; enjoy the teaching; may God bless you through it.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
The Future is Now!
Recently, it was announced that Virgin Galactic, a division of the Virgin group of companies, owned by Sir Richard Branson, will offer tourist flights into space. The flights, which will launch from a special base in New Mexico, will last about two and a half hours and will provide about five minutes of weightlessness to the participants. Most than 150 people (mostly the rich and the famous) have already signed up to go. These include soap opera star Victoria Principal and physicist Stephen Hawking.
The reason the rich and the famous have signed up (well, at least it's the reason the rich have signed up) is because these flights cost $200,000 U.S. That's $80,000 an hour. At that rate, those five minutes of weightlessness will cost $6,666.66.
Although this price seems pretty high--more than $1,000 a minute--(who makes this kind of money? Maybe consultants?) I've experienced another kind of weightlessness the price of which far exceeds what Virgin Galactic will charge. When I stood at the Cross, and the burden of my heart rolled away, when my sins were lifted off me and placed on Jesus, when that happened, I felt weightless. I was no longer under the crushing weight and burden of my sin.
The price for this freedome was far greater than can be reckoned in dollars and cents. It was nothing less than the death of the Son of God. He gave His life that I might live.
This forgiveness yields the kind of weightlessness we all need to feel.
The reason the rich and the famous have signed up (well, at least it's the reason the rich have signed up) is because these flights cost $200,000 U.S. That's $80,000 an hour. At that rate, those five minutes of weightlessness will cost $6,666.66.
Although this price seems pretty high--more than $1,000 a minute--(who makes this kind of money? Maybe consultants?) I've experienced another kind of weightlessness the price of which far exceeds what Virgin Galactic will charge. When I stood at the Cross, and the burden of my heart rolled away, when my sins were lifted off me and placed on Jesus, when that happened, I felt weightless. I was no longer under the crushing weight and burden of my sin.
The price for this freedome was far greater than can be reckoned in dollars and cents. It was nothing less than the death of the Son of God. He gave His life that I might live.
This forgiveness yields the kind of weightlessness we all need to feel.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Dealing with Discouragement
Today, I saw two people who were discouraged about some things in their day. I felt for both of them because sometimes I'm discouraged, too. I feel as if my heart has been taken away, and that idea is pretty close to the original meaning of discourage. This word comes from the French for heart (coeur), and so to be discouraged is to lose heart; to be encouraged is to be enheartened.
As a matter of fact, I'm thinking about those two people because today I am a little discouraged after talking with a friend. I tried to give the best advice I could but I couldn't make my friend see what I was saying. That person didn't want to let go of one way of thinking to move on to another.
We can take heart from the scriptures, and God has a lot to say about the heart. Although my heart may be deceitful, God has given me a new heart and that heart is a heart after Him. It follows after Him and rejoices in His ways, His laws, His commandments.
Lord, help us to take heart and be encouraged in You.
As a matter of fact, I'm thinking about those two people because today I am a little discouraged after talking with a friend. I tried to give the best advice I could but I couldn't make my friend see what I was saying. That person didn't want to let go of one way of thinking to move on to another.
We can take heart from the scriptures, and God has a lot to say about the heart. Although my heart may be deceitful, God has given me a new heart and that heart is a heart after Him. It follows after Him and rejoices in His ways, His laws, His commandments.
Lord, help us to take heart and be encouraged in You.
Friday, January 18, 2008
A Day Away!
Today, we went skiing at Worsley, Alberta. It's not the Swiss Alps, as one student from Switzerland said, but I think everyone had a very good time. Some of the students skied and some snowboarded, but all of the students came in with high colour in their cheeks after a day on the hill.
I spent the day in the chalet, chatting with people as they came in for a rest and reading a book. I'd say it was more of a day of apres-ski, for me. I'm still recovering from the tobogganing incident back in November!
The fresh air was exhilarating and the during the drive, we saw many moose and deer and one wolf that dashed across the road in front of the bus. For the students, seeing wildlife is always a thrill.
It was lots of fun today, but judging from the number of tumbles those students took, especially the snowboarders, I think that when they go to get up in the morning, there will be some moans over the aching muscles.
I'm glad I sat this one out!
I spent the day in the chalet, chatting with people as they came in for a rest and reading a book. I'd say it was more of a day of apres-ski, for me. I'm still recovering from the tobogganing incident back in November!
The fresh air was exhilarating and the during the drive, we saw many moose and deer and one wolf that dashed across the road in front of the bus. For the students, seeing wildlife is always a thrill.
It was lots of fun today, but judging from the number of tumbles those students took, especially the snowboarders, I think that when they go to get up in the morning, there will be some moans over the aching muscles.
I'm glad I sat this one out!
Monday, January 14, 2008
Remembering Marilyn Monroe
On January 14, 1954, Marilyn Monroe married baseball great Joe DiMaggio, who was known as "the Yankee Clipper." For two years, their courtship had played to the romantic in American hearts everywhere, but, after January 14, they remained married for only nine months. Monroe went on to marry playwright Arthur Miller, and, then, in 1961, she died of an overdose of barbituates. I remember hearing that news, and being incredulous--it couldn't be! She was so beautiful; she was so rich; she was so famous.
Of course, that was the lifestyles of the rich and famous. Yet many around us have hidden wounds of the soul that even their close friends or family do not know about. Some have pressures in their lives that make them despair of ever getting out from under them.
Our calling, as friends, neighbours, sisters, wives, husbands, partners, brothers, parents--whatever relationships we find ourselves in--is to be kind, encouraging, and sensitive to those around us. We need to listen to what's being said and to what's not being said. Sometimes silences can speak louder than words. We need to make the chance to speak kindly often to each other. Pay a compliment to someone. Write a note to cheer someone. Stop and really listen after you ask, How are you?
. . . Love one another, for love is of God.
Of course, that was the lifestyles of the rich and famous. Yet many around us have hidden wounds of the soul that even their close friends or family do not know about. Some have pressures in their lives that make them despair of ever getting out from under them.
Our calling, as friends, neighbours, sisters, wives, husbands, partners, brothers, parents--whatever relationships we find ourselves in--is to be kind, encouraging, and sensitive to those around us. We need to listen to what's being said and to what's not being said. Sometimes silences can speak louder than words. We need to make the chance to speak kindly often to each other. Pay a compliment to someone. Write a note to cheer someone. Stop and really listen after you ask, How are you?
. . . Love one another, for love is of God.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Let It Go!
Sometimes, someone says something to us that offends us. It doesn't really matter what it is. It might be something about the way we look, the way our children look, or the way our house looks. Once those words fall on our ears, we take offense. Our feelings are hurt. Our pride is wounded. And that's the problem right there.
It's a matter of pride. That original sin in the original sin. The sin that keeps on rearing its head. As humans, we are so full of our own goodness and our own self-importance that when someone dares to say something against us or ours, we are ready to play that for all its worth.
We may talk it over with a friend, sounding them out about the situation. He or she in turn will probably feed our own feelings about the situation, fanning the flames instead of dousing the fire with water.
This year, starting today, we should let those things go. Give them up. Let go and let God deal with us about our own pride. Of course, we would rather that He deal with the other person who said the words that injured us. And He may do just that. But first, He may wish to deal with us.
Let's welcome the promptings of the Holy Spirit, the dealings of a merciful and gracious Father, and the blood of His Son that covers sin, even our pride.
It's a matter of pride. That original sin in the original sin. The sin that keeps on rearing its head. As humans, we are so full of our own goodness and our own self-importance that when someone dares to say something against us or ours, we are ready to play that for all its worth.
We may talk it over with a friend, sounding them out about the situation. He or she in turn will probably feed our own feelings about the situation, fanning the flames instead of dousing the fire with water.
This year, starting today, we should let those things go. Give them up. Let go and let God deal with us about our own pride. Of course, we would rather that He deal with the other person who said the words that injured us. And He may do just that. But first, He may wish to deal with us.
Let's welcome the promptings of the Holy Spirit, the dealings of a merciful and gracious Father, and the blood of His Son that covers sin, even our pride.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
It's Christmas All Over Again!
I know Christmas is over for another year (although driving past a friend's house this morning on the way to work, I noticed their Christmas tree still lighting up their living room window!), but a delivery card in my mailbox let me know that a parcel for me was waiting to be picked up at the post office. I went down after supper and yes, it was Christmas all over again! A box of books. Can there be anything better!
This delivery brought a treasure trove: The Geneva Bible, 1560 edition. Advertised as "the Bible of the Reformation," this Bible is a bit different from what we used to. Who knew that the letter "s" used to look like the letter "f" or that "v" looked like "u"? What this means is that "love" is "loue" and "bless" is "bleff." So it will take us a bit longer to get through this than perhaps we anticipated. The interesting thing about this edition, though, it that it contains notes in the margins by various Reformers. We think these annotations will be precious and revealing. (This book really was a Christmas present that didn't arrive in time!)
The other book was The Reformation: A History by Diarmid McCullough. I'm looking forward to reading this. It's quite hefty, but I want to make more time this year for reading.
The last thing I uncovered in the box was a five-set DVD on the history of the Bible and of the Reformation. These I plan on watching while walking on the treadmill. Talk about redeeming the time! The minutes and miles just flash by!
Although I receive lots of e-mail everyday at both my work e-mail and personal e-mail addresses, I'm still excited to receive a box of books from the post office!
This delivery brought a treasure trove: The Geneva Bible, 1560 edition. Advertised as "the Bible of the Reformation," this Bible is a bit different from what we used to. Who knew that the letter "s" used to look like the letter "f" or that "v" looked like "u"? What this means is that "love" is "loue" and "bless" is "bleff." So it will take us a bit longer to get through this than perhaps we anticipated. The interesting thing about this edition, though, it that it contains notes in the margins by various Reformers. We think these annotations will be precious and revealing. (This book really was a Christmas present that didn't arrive in time!)
The other book was The Reformation: A History by Diarmid McCullough. I'm looking forward to reading this. It's quite hefty, but I want to make more time this year for reading.
The last thing I uncovered in the box was a five-set DVD on the history of the Bible and of the Reformation. These I plan on watching while walking on the treadmill. Talk about redeeming the time! The minutes and miles just flash by!
Although I receive lots of e-mail everyday at both my work e-mail and personal e-mail addresses, I'm still excited to receive a box of books from the post office!
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Our Conscience, A Good Friend
God has given everyone a good friend. I'm not talking about Jesus, although He is a good and true friend, the friend that sticks closer than a brother (Prov. 18: 24). I'm talking about our conscience. Often we see this depicted in cartoons as two little beings on our shoulders, whispering in our ear. One is an angel, telling us to do something that we should, or not to do something that we shouldn't. The other is depicted as a little devil, complete with the red face, the little horns, the pointy tail, and a three-pronged pitchfork. This being is telling us, Go ahead! Do it! It won't matter! Satisfy yourself! . . . or whatever other words we want to hear.
The very fact that people have consciences is "proof" for God. People who don't have the law of God do by nature what is codified in the law of God. Why? Because of the conscience that God has given to us. Every society has ideas of what is right and wrong. Most agree, for instance, that murder is wrong. Most agree that incest is wrong. The Apostle Paul talks about this in the book of Romans.
When we hear the "still small voice," we need to heed it carefully. It's a friend that can keep us from sin. The Holy Spirit speaks to us through a tender conscience. We're warned in 1 Tim. 4: 2 about those who have their conscience seared. Burned over. It becomes unresponsive. In Rom. 1: 24, we read about people whom God "gave . . . up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts" because they didn't listen when He spoke.
I want to be found always with a tender heart and a tender conscience toward the Lord. When the Holy Spirit speaks to me, I want to have ears to hear.
The very fact that people have consciences is "proof" for God. People who don't have the law of God do by nature what is codified in the law of God. Why? Because of the conscience that God has given to us. Every society has ideas of what is right and wrong. Most agree, for instance, that murder is wrong. Most agree that incest is wrong. The Apostle Paul talks about this in the book of Romans.
When we hear the "still small voice," we need to heed it carefully. It's a friend that can keep us from sin. The Holy Spirit speaks to us through a tender conscience. We're warned in 1 Tim. 4: 2 about those who have their conscience seared. Burned over. It becomes unresponsive. In Rom. 1: 24, we read about people whom God "gave . . . up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts" because they didn't listen when He spoke.
I want to be found always with a tender heart and a tender conscience toward the Lord. When the Holy Spirit speaks to me, I want to have ears to hear.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
What's on your reading list for this year?
I always have several books on the go. They are stashed at various places around my house: the bedside table, the small table beside the couch in the living room, the bookshelf in the dining room--all these places are ports of call in my reading voyage.
One of the books I'm reading now is Bury the Chains: Prophets and Revels in the Fight to Free an Empire's Slaves. This is the story of the main personalities in the movement in Britain and America in the 1700s and 1800s to abolish the slave trade. This book was loaned to me by a friend after we watched the film, Amazing Grace, the story of William Wilberforce, also a major name in the abolitionist movement. The volume is a hefty 430 pages, and I wish I could just stay up all night to finish it, but I'm only on page 99, and even staying up all night, if that were possible, might not do it. So I'll fit in a chapter or two a day, here and there, and prolong the experience.
What's on your reading wish list for this coming year?
One of the books I'm reading now is Bury the Chains: Prophets and Revels in the Fight to Free an Empire's Slaves. This is the story of the main personalities in the movement in Britain and America in the 1700s and 1800s to abolish the slave trade. This book was loaned to me by a friend after we watched the film, Amazing Grace, the story of William Wilberforce, also a major name in the abolitionist movement. The volume is a hefty 430 pages, and I wish I could just stay up all night to finish it, but I'm only on page 99, and even staying up all night, if that were possible, might not do it. So I'll fit in a chapter or two a day, here and there, and prolong the experience.
What's on your reading wish list for this coming year?
Friday, January 4, 2008
It's a new year, and I'm set to blog!
I'm set on a great path for the year, and I feel very optimistic. I have a list of things that I'm going to accomplish in 2008, and I am going to be steady in my resolve to keep my eyes on the goal. Writing is one of my goals and blogs are a great way to do this. Those who know me and saw my list for 2007 will probably note that some of the items from that list have been forwarded on to my 2008 list. That's right! If at first I don't succeed, I keep trying!
Over the holidays, we had some wonderful times with family and friends. Of course, there was lots of "stuff," too. Stuff for the little kids and stuff for the big kids. We want to remember the reason for the season. Giving gifts is a way to show our love and care for each other. God gave us the gift of His Son. It was His way of showing His love for us. Christ came, and then, "while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5: 8). This was also God's way of showing His love toward us.
I'm excited about the opportunities that are before me as the new year starts off. One of the things on my to-do list is to memorize a verse a week. I pray that the Holy Spirit will guide me in my selection and memorization of these verses.
Set yourself some goals. Aim high. Take courage!
Over the holidays, we had some wonderful times with family and friends. Of course, there was lots of "stuff," too. Stuff for the little kids and stuff for the big kids. We want to remember the reason for the season. Giving gifts is a way to show our love and care for each other. God gave us the gift of His Son. It was His way of showing His love for us. Christ came, and then, "while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom. 5: 8). This was also God's way of showing His love toward us.
I'm excited about the opportunities that are before me as the new year starts off. One of the things on my to-do list is to memorize a verse a week. I pray that the Holy Spirit will guide me in my selection and memorization of these verses.
Set yourself some goals. Aim high. Take courage!
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Paddle for the Peace
On Saturday, we were part of a very exciting event, Paddle for the Peace. More than 140 canoes, kayaks, and other types of water vessels set in at the confluence of the Halfway River and the Peace River and paddled downstream to Bear Flats. The purpose of this second annual journey was to bring awareness about the potential loss of the Peace River valley (as it now exists) if the proposed Site C dam is built. The West Moberly First Nations provided a great feast at the end of the day.
In the early nineties, there was lots of talk about the building of the Site C dam, proposed for a location about 10 km from Fort St. John, just downstream of where the Moberly River joins the Peace. Then the proposal was shelved. Recently, however, it seems as if the talk has resurfaced. The loss will be great. The valley will be changed forever. We need to speak up! Politicians, both provincial and local, are always eager for economic development, but often it is at a great price. Now is not the time to be short-sighted. We need to be conserving and preserving.
We must be good stewards of what we have, and not to be given over to the flagrant, wasteful consumerism that drives much of North American society. Now is the time to speak up. Now is the time to make those changes that we all think about but often forget to do. Conserve to preserve!
In the early nineties, there was lots of talk about the building of the Site C dam, proposed for a location about 10 km from Fort St. John, just downstream of where the Moberly River joins the Peace. Then the proposal was shelved. Recently, however, it seems as if the talk has resurfaced. The loss will be great. The valley will be changed forever. We need to speak up! Politicians, both provincial and local, are always eager for economic development, but often it is at a great price. Now is not the time to be short-sighted. We need to be conserving and preserving.
We must be good stewards of what we have, and not to be given over to the flagrant, wasteful consumerism that drives much of North American society. Now is the time to speak up. Now is the time to make those changes that we all think about but often forget to do. Conserve to preserve!
Saturday, July 14, 2007
blood line
I've been reading in 1 Chronicles lately as I go through the One Year Bible, and I've been wondering why all the genealogies are listed there. What can it mean to me as a Christian? Why did God put all those names (the famous or perhaps infamous "begats") in there? What importance could it have to us today?
Perhaps the importance is not the individual members of the family trees that are listed there (although I did find my son's name, which is Jadon, in a list of similar names in Nehemiah), but in the idea of the family tree itself. The idea of the blood line, and when I use this phrase, "blood line," I am thinking specifically of how we are related to other Christians and even to our Saviour through His blood. All Christians, in fact, belong to the same family, the same blood line.
I know that I can look up the meanings of all the different names in the genealogies, and perhaps draw some ssignificance from those meanings, but for now, I think I'll contemplate the blood line. What it means to be related to Christ, how I am cleansed by His blood, and how those who are similarly cleansed are related to me. It's a wonderful thing knowing I am a part of that wide family of God, of those who love the Lord Jesus and who are saved by His death on the cross.
Now, when I come across one of those long list of names in a chapter in my reading, I have a new perspective. They are not some verses to be skipped over to get to the important part, they are the important part.
Perhaps the importance is not the individual members of the family trees that are listed there (although I did find my son's name, which is Jadon, in a list of similar names in Nehemiah), but in the idea of the family tree itself. The idea of the blood line, and when I use this phrase, "blood line," I am thinking specifically of how we are related to other Christians and even to our Saviour through His blood. All Christians, in fact, belong to the same family, the same blood line.
I know that I can look up the meanings of all the different names in the genealogies, and perhaps draw some ssignificance from those meanings, but for now, I think I'll contemplate the blood line. What it means to be related to Christ, how I am cleansed by His blood, and how those who are similarly cleansed are related to me. It's a wonderful thing knowing I am a part of that wide family of God, of those who love the Lord Jesus and who are saved by His death on the cross.
Now, when I come across one of those long list of names in a chapter in my reading, I have a new perspective. They are not some verses to be skipped over to get to the important part, they are the important part.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
A Glorious Day!
There were many things about today that were wonderful. The weather was warm, and there was barely a breeze. The lake was calm, at times almost like glass, reflecting the few high scattered skiffs of clouds that wisked overhead. I made a plan early in the day to have supper with friends, a plan which included my bringing the supper to their place. I shopped for the ingredients that I needed, returned home, whipped up a chocolate cake, put together a lasagna, iced the cake, made the vegetable trays, packed everything up, and was picked up by boat and taken over to the other side of the lake with all the necessary acoutrements.
We ate supper and dessert, and during supper, as often happens, we talked deeply of significant things. One thing I expressed was my desire to be "transparent," that is, to be who I really am so that no matter when people see me, they will always see the same me.
Afterwards, were entertained by various people in the family singing and playing songs on the guitar. We had so much fun; I laughed so hard that my face hurt!
After supper, we went down to the beach and sat by the fire. We continued the theological discussion that had started at the supper table, talking of Abraham and election.
Now, I've just been ferried back across the lake, again glass-smooth, so smooth, in fact, that we could see Venus reflected in the mirror of the water. The mountains became great black bears hulking at the water's edge in the waning western light.
I am thankful tonight for this beautiful place, for friends who love me, for conversation that is stimulating and significant, and the opportunity to share my faith with those who are important to me.
We ate supper and dessert, and during supper, as often happens, we talked deeply of significant things. One thing I expressed was my desire to be "transparent," that is, to be who I really am so that no matter when people see me, they will always see the same me.
Afterwards, were entertained by various people in the family singing and playing songs on the guitar. We had so much fun; I laughed so hard that my face hurt!
After supper, we went down to the beach and sat by the fire. We continued the theological discussion that had started at the supper table, talking of Abraham and election.
Now, I've just been ferried back across the lake, again glass-smooth, so smooth, in fact, that we could see Venus reflected in the mirror of the water. The mountains became great black bears hulking at the water's edge in the waning western light.
I am thankful tonight for this beautiful place, for friends who love me, for conversation that is stimulating and significant, and the opportunity to share my faith with those who are important to me.
Monday, July 9, 2007
Leftovers
At our house, we try to be good stewards of what God has provided for us by using up leftovers. Sometimes, leftovers from the fridge go into a soup. Sometimes, leftovers morph into a different looking meal; for example, leftover chicken can be chopped, fried, seasoned, and then made into a meal of burritos.
This principle holds true for other things beside food. We try to make use of what we have, and if we can no longer use it, we try to recycle it to the Thrift Store or to the Clothesline clothes give-away. We might have a garage sale, knowing that one person's "junk" is another person's treasure.
Despite the fact that in most daily circumstances, using leftovers is a solid principle on which to operate, when it comes to what we offer to God, He does not want our leftovers. He does not want our leftover time; He wants the best of our time. He does not want our leftover money; He wants the firstfruits of our money. He does not want our leftover energy; He wants the best of our day.
We must be disciplined to be His disciples. We must offer ourselves fully to Him: our bodies, our minds, our hearts, our praise, our substance, our good works, our love. May He help us to do this daily.
This principle holds true for other things beside food. We try to make use of what we have, and if we can no longer use it, we try to recycle it to the Thrift Store or to the Clothesline clothes give-away. We might have a garage sale, knowing that one person's "junk" is another person's treasure.
Despite the fact that in most daily circumstances, using leftovers is a solid principle on which to operate, when it comes to what we offer to God, He does not want our leftovers. He does not want our leftover time; He wants the best of our time. He does not want our leftover money; He wants the firstfruits of our money. He does not want our leftover energy; He wants the best of our day.
We must be disciplined to be His disciples. We must offer ourselves fully to Him: our bodies, our minds, our hearts, our praise, our substance, our good works, our love. May He help us to do this daily.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Light in Darkness
In my grandson's room, there are glow-in-the-dark "stars" stuck on the ceiling and on the walls. These "stars" are made of some kind of plastic, which, after having been exposed to the light all day, give off a glow in the dark. It's neat to see the stars "come out" when we turn off the light at night.As Christians, we are supposed to be "glow-in-the-dark" people.
Jesus said that we are to be a light in a dark world. We are to absorb His light, and then be the light. Notice that Jesus didn't say, Ye are the light of the church. That might be easier. On Sunday morning, everyone looks great! But Jesus said, Ye are the light of the world. That means we have to be out in the world. We have to talk with people who are out in the world. We have to bring the light of Jesus and the light of the gospel to those who are lost. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Are we out there shining for Jesus? Is our light His light? Have we been exposed to His light so we can glow in the dark?
Jesus said that we are to be a light in a dark world. We are to absorb His light, and then be the light. Notice that Jesus didn't say, Ye are the light of the church. That might be easier. On Sunday morning, everyone looks great! But Jesus said, Ye are the light of the world. That means we have to be out in the world. We have to talk with people who are out in the world. We have to bring the light of Jesus and the light of the gospel to those who are lost. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Are we out there shining for Jesus? Is our light His light? Have we been exposed to His light so we can glow in the dark?
Welcome to The Sheepcote. "Sheepcote" seems to be quite an old-fashioned word, and it's not the woolly fleece that sheep wear! "Sheepcote" is another word for that place--a pen or a corral--where sheep are gathered in, perhaps at night--a place where the sheep are safe, where they are sheltered, and where they are cared for by the Shepherd.
In this blog, I will be posting daily meditations on things that I observe both in the world around me and in the Word. My hope is that my words will be thought-provoking and that you will find a blessing in reading them.
In this blog, I will be posting daily meditations on things that I observe both in the world around me and in the Word. My hope is that my words will be thought-provoking and that you will find a blessing in reading them.
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