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Journal Archives – September,
2003 |
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| AN ONGOING
SPIRITUAL WEBLOG |
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September 29, 2003
During October we are looking at the life stories of people
- some famous, some not. Some just like you. You should give
some thought to your life so far. You might consider even
preserving your story. You could write it yourself or hire
a biographer. Too much history is lost because it is not
preserved and passed along. You have a story to tell, the
story of your life.
We can all learn so much from other people’s lives.
Some people have lived courageously in the face of great
trials and persecution. Two films opened over the weekend,
both telling such stories. Luther is the tale of Martin Luther,
a 16th century monk who confronted the Medieval Church and
led to a greater study of scripture by lay people. The other,
The Gospel of John, faithfully tells the story of Jesus using
John’s gospel. You can learn more about both movies
at Hollywood Jesus.
Read more about how Movies Move Me here.
Tom Gilbert
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September 26, 2003
On the fascinating subject of prayer: it is such an amazing
and powerful and purposeful thing. The more you pray the
more you learn the value of simply bringing your attention
and yourself into the presence of God. Words can be important,
but they must never mask our true, honest, humble and heartfelt
intentions.
Brother Lawrence, known for his spiritual classic
The Practice of the Presence of God, said: “I
do not advise you to use multiplicity of words in prayer;
many words and long discourses being often the occasions of wandering: hold yourself
in prayer before God, like a dumb or paralytic beggar at
a rich man's gate: let it be your business to keep your mind
in the presence of the Lord. If sometimes it wanders and
withdraws itself from Him, do not much disquiet yourself
for that; trouble and disquiet serve rather to distract the
mind than to re-collect it; the will must bring it back in
tranquility; if you persevere in this manner, God will have
pity on you.”
Tom Gilbert
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September 25, 2003
I continue to learn and grow when I discover other good
Internet sites with a strong Gospel message.
Check out Parish Webmaster for wonderful articles for everyone
in the family. I’ve been a fan of the site for about
a year now and Brandon Jubar does an excellent job as editor,
webmaster and contributing writer – all in his “spare” time
(I can certainly relate).
I also like this article by Glenn M. Moriyama, Praising
God on “This Side of the Mountain”. Living in
Truth Eternal is the theme of his LITEhouse website.
Tom Gilbert
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September 24, 2003
Of the estimated 38.6 million adults worldwide living with
HIV/AIDS (according to the United Nations AIDS group at the
end of 2002) it is believed 29.4 million are in sub-Saharan
Africa. This crisis is something that the world must not
ignore. We’ve commented on it in the past and you’ve
probably seen media reports. Bono, the lead singer of the
rock group U-2, has been one of the high-profile people taking
the message of the need for AIDS relief in Africa to our
attention.
President Bush recently asked Congress for 87 billion dollars
for post-war Iraq. It is only right that we spend money to
help rebuild a country rocked by the military action of a
few months ago. Could we not also find a way to get more
help for Africa? This
story from the World Health Organization
(WHO) tells the chief concern: that far too few people with
AIDS are getting access to anti-AIDS drugs.
Tom Gilbert
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September 22, 2003
So much of our anxiety comes from trying to arrange life to suit our wishes.
We all have that “control problem”.
The solution Jesus Christ offers is so very counter intuitive.
He says let go. He says if you want to be first then choose
to be last ().
If you want to rule then you must take on the role of a servant
().
At the same time he instructs that if we do the will of
God (deny your self-interests and love God and others unconditionally
in thought, word and deed) then you will be given more. On
the other hand, if you fail to do this what little you have
will be taken away ().
Interesting, isn’t it? Can you see the higher way in all this? It is
the pattern of God sewn into the fabric of the Universe. Give it a try.
Tom Gilbert
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September 19, 2003
While those on the east coast, in Virginia, Washington D.C. and North Carolina, are dealing with the
harshness of Hurricane Isabel we here in New Mexico are blessed with the beautiful
sunshine and 80 degree temperatures that make harvest time in the Land of Enchantment truly wonderful.
So it is with life. There are the times of sun, times of storm. Life’s
not a merry-go-round, more like a rollercoaster.
When you can rejoice in good times share it with another – your
joy will be increased. When you are sad and suffering share
it with another – your pain will be reduced.
Tom Gilbert
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September 15, 2003
Despite all we hear about God’s constant love, mercy
and forgiveness I find it hard to always remember that no
matter what I do God will be there. He picks me up, dusts
me off and gives me a helping hand. My brother, Jesus, shoulders
the load with me. The tension comes from knowing and experiencing
this, yet still doing things I shouldn’t.
Perhaps the greatest change needs to be a combination of intent and action. I can intend to
do right all day long, but then when I consciously choose to do wrong (regardless
of how subtle) I need to quickly recognize and turn from
that wrong doing. True repentance is essential, but it is
so easy to make a “half-hearted” effort. Here’s
the difficulty I see with that: I lull myself into thinking
that I’ve confessed my sin. Yet, when I repeat the
behavior it must show that I’ve not gone far enough.
I’m still holding back.
Paul agonized over this, too. Read Romans 7:7-25. Can you identify with it? So, we can’t be
too hard on ourselves, but we must not back away from our responsibility. It clearly
shows my personal powerlessness and also the need to rely on the power of our loving God.
Tom Gilbert
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September 12, 2003
Johnny Cash died this morning of complications
from diabetes (story here from CMT.com). He was a towering
figure of American music, but also a true man of faith. He sang a lot about
trains, but “I Walk the Line” could be interpreted
as staying on the path. There are numerous tributes to the “Man
in Black” (appropriately so) including these from fellow
musicians in the liner notes of “The Essential Johnny
Cash”. Those are significant in that they were voiced
many months before his death.
There’s a nice story about him at RELEVANT
Tom Gilbert
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September 11, 2003
So, two years since that fateful day when our world was
rocked by the attacks on the Twin Towers in New York City,
the Pentagon in Washington D.C. and a fourth plane that crashed
in the fields of Pennsylvania (but was surely headed for
another target).
I don’t have a full handle on my feelings. I do know
that there are things different about me two years later.
I’ve changed. I don’t believe more violence,
more hate and harm is the answer. We could easily be discouraged
that our world is not safer or more peaceful. I’d rather
concentrate on how we can all be better connected.
What I wrote in the Journal entry last
year on this day is still relevant. You might also want to read the article
I wrote from last year, When Trouble Comes.
My prayer for us today is peace in our
hearts, to love others – including
our enemies. Most especially our enemies. That is the measure
of true love that rises above the violence. It is the third
way, not the fight or the flight, but the confronting with
God’s love so we can heal the violence.
Tom Gilbert
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September 10, 2003
Hello. Welcome. Sit with me a moment.
What is the question that is currently in your heart? Don’t
try to answer it right now. Instead, rest in the mystery
of the question. Let God’s presence dwell peaceably
within you.
The answers will come. But, first we need to be with God
in the silence.
Tom Gilbert
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September 9, 2003
It’s taken me a while to get to reading Gary Chapman’s The
Five Love Languages of God (Moody Publishers),
but now that I’ve begun it is very exciting reading.
Chapman has previously written on this topic, including the
bestselling
The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt
Commitment to Your Mate. Communication is essential in all healthy relationships,
especially marriage. It’s true in our relationship
with God. He loves us completely and expresses it in many
ways. Discovering the love languages that resonate best with
us is part of God’s desire for us.
Look for a review of this book on our website soon.
Tom Gilbert
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September 8, 2003
A quick scan of the headlines this morning
shows the world is still caught up in war, terror, economic
challenges, fear, selfishness and power struggles. We are not so different
in our lives – the global drama is often a large scale
projection of the daily battles and struggles we all deal
with. Yet, the answer to the world’s problems is the
same as it is for us individually. The answer is faith in
God’s love and power to change us so that we can be
like our brother, Jesus, and show the world a better way
to live.
In a postscript for today, I’m remembering Warren Zevon, who passed away from lung cancer
yesterday. For many years I enjoyed his music and he leaves a wonderful recording
legacy. He also battled his personal demons, including drugs
and alcohol and was sober for the last 18 years of his life.
A nice tribute is posted at Entertainment
Weekly.
Tom Gilbert
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September 5, 2003
If you get really excited about something
you probably have all kinds of energy and you will easily
dedicate time to whatever has captured your passion. It’s surprising
that more of us are not everyday fully energized and completely
passionate about God and life. After all, when we the “light” goes
on inside and we begin to appreciate what a marvelous thing
creation is and how much God loves us and wants us to live
life fully we should be consumed with enthusiasm.
Life is not like that, though, for most of us. We get easily
discouraged. What has changed? Not God’s love for us,
not the message of redemption and not the marvelous power
of God working in and through and with us. This is why it
is so important to remind ourselves of the Truth of life.
We must continually pursue spiritual growth through study,
prayer, quiet meditation and action (helping and loving others).
Actually living this new life is something I still need to
work at it – a lot! Part of the reason I write the
articles I do is to help others by sharing some insight,
but I also do it to keep me on the path.
I hope I've captured a bit more of this insight with the
new article, Be Attitudes.
John Fischer has written another great book – Finding
God Where You Least Expect Him (Harvest
House Publishers).
His writing is so clear, honest and insightful. I hope you
read this book. I’ve just posted a review here.
Tom Gilbert
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September 2, 2003
The Labor Day holiday was yesterday, September 1, in the United States. The idea of
work, rich rewarding labor that satisfies us on many levels is a fundamental freedom we all
want to possess. Of course, the way the world’s economy
is structured that is often not the case. Still, we can work
to improve lives by laboring in God’s vineyard. That
means we approach each individual with love and tolerance
and an honest desire to spread the Good News. That starts
with each of us – it’s always an inside job first.
Tom Gilbert
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| Read past Journal entries here. |
Scripture taken from the Holy
Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.Copyright © 1973,
1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved
throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible
Society.
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered trademarks
of International Bible Society. Use of either trademark for
the offering of goods or services requires the prior written
consent of International Bible Society.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible,
New Living Translation, copyright ©1996. Used by permission
of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189, USA. All
rights reserved.
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PSALM
118:24
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"This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it."
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(NIV)
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