Printer
Friendly page - click here
Journal — December, 2003 |
|
|
AN ONGOING
SPIRITUAL WEBLOG
|
|
December 31, 2003
We are the threshold of the New Year. I used to roll my eyes when I was younger
and heard “older” people talk about how time seems to rush by faster
the older you get.
I’m not rolling my eyes anymore.
I do like to look back and look forward, but these days I try to do that in a
way that can provide some benefit – some gratitude – for living in
today.
My prayer for this New Year is that we may experience what Jesus prays for us
in John 17 – that we may be one with God and each other.
Tom Gilbert
|
December 30, 2003
Who will speak to you today with the message you need to hear?
“Let us today, therefore, hear his voice, and not harden our hearts to
Him who speaks to us many ways: in the Scriptures, in our hearts, by his servants
and by his providence. The sum of all is holiness and love.” William Penn
from Some
Fruits of Solitude.
|
December 29, 2003
During my morning reading I came across this quote from Norman Vincent
Peale: “Jesus Christ stimulates people to have meaningful lives”.
Yes, Jesus can stimulate us, invigorate and excite us. He also brings us
face to face with our failings and our powerlessness. But he doesn’t
scold us. He merely shows us that we need his help. Christ is a willing
Savior. Are we willing to be saved?
Tom Gilbert
|
December 26, 2003
Get on the path, stay on the path, pause and rest when you must, but always
continue on. When you worship you must always love and release your selfish
desires so that you will be able to follow Jesus. He extends the invitation.
It is our choice to go with Him or turn away.
|
December 24, 2003
A light coming into the world; the darkness cannot put it out. Comfort
can be found! Mighty God, Wonderful, Counselor, Everlasting Father, Prince
of Peace () – we read
and hear these words at Christmas time. And, still, there is so much violence
and anger in the world, mostly because of fear.
Jesus tells us to “fear not!” — let that fear be replaced
with awe. Accept the peace that is true and lasting. God is with us. Thank
you, shining light; thank you, Word made flesh.
Merry Christmas, everyone.
|
December 23, 2003
This time of year is, and can always be, so beautiful. Still, for many
it is a difficult time as many of us face our struggles, family problems,
losses and addictions. It is never easy for us to recognize and surrender
to our powerlessness.
Remember well how Christ came to us. He was born a tiny baby in humble
circumstances, dependent upon the love and care of others. God is trying
to teach us something crucial in this. We are dependent on the love of
others and most especially the love of God. Don’t place your dependency
on anything less. Alcohol, drugs, gambling, sex, people, places and things
will never satisfy that hole inside. You can keep pouring more into that
hole, but it will instead suck you into it.
Find this Christmastime what will solve all your problems. God is with
us (Emmanuel) – accept and receive Him. That is how you live in the
solution.
Tom Gilbert
|
December 22, 2003
My family and I, like many others, went to the cinema to see “Lord
of the Rings: Return of the King” over the weekend. Marvelous, grand,
epic! You may not realize that the bringing of this trilogy to the big
screen required great faith on the part of director Peter Jackson. Long
before the first movie was released he had to convince others that the
best way to make the trilogy would be to film the three movies back-to-back.
This meant a commitment to all the films before the first would be released – an
unusual move by movie makers.
Sometimes we have to be willing to dream big and have the faith to stay
with it. Both the Tolkien Tales and Jackson’s journey are powerful
demonstrations of hope and perseverance.
|
December 19, 2003
This time of year people speak about the Christmas Spirit. Do you ponder
just what that is? Do you feel like you have the Christmas Spirit?
I think the Christmas Spirit is the Holy Spirit making His presence known
to us through the Christmas season. Christ came to us as a little baby,
born of the Virgin Mary. She conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit.
So, there it is: the Christmas Spirit and the Holy Spirit.
But, there’s more to it. This Spirit of Christmas is expressed through
joy, gratitude, compassion, forgiveness, enthusiasm, wonder and love.
Catch the Spirit!
Tom Gilbert
|
December 18, 2003
We are just a week away from Christmas. How are you preparing and anticipating
it this year?
It is so easy to get caught up in things that distract from the “main
thing”. People are in a hurry, there is the constant pressure of “consumerism” and
it is easy to get irritable, frustrated or depressed.
There is still time to slow down and let the Christmas spirit into your
heart. It’s all around you. Despite the world’s noise the news
of the Savior can still be heard…only it comes to us in ways we don’t
expect, in the midst of poverty, humility and gratitude.
I was reading something Max Lucado wrote about Christmas and he remarked
on how he looks forward to the thoughtful messages in cards this time of
year, and how some reminders are forever profound. Here’s an example
he shared:
If our greatest need had been information, God
would have sent an educator. If our greatest need had
been technology, God would have sent a scientist. If
our greatest need had been money, God would have sent
us an economist. But since our greatest need was forgiveness,
God sent us a Savior.
Tom Gilbert
|
December 10, 2003
If you are still looking for Holiday gift ideas here’s some good
suggestions from Joanne
Brokaw. She’s contributed music review to us in the
past and has some “stocking stuffer” recommendations of quality
Christian music, books, DVDs and magazines.
|
December 9, 2003
Who is in charge of the “Lost & Found”? A recurring theme
in the Gospels is the searching out of the lost and the rejoicing when
it is found. Jesus uses parables to illustrate his point with lost coins
and lost sheep. How often He reminds us He came for everyone and especially
those who stray and become lost.
Are you not reminded of yourself by this? Most of us stray from time to
time. Nice to know someone is looking for us and that there is happiness
when we are brought back to the fold. However, Christ teaches that we are
to become like Him, to follow Him and do as He does. Guess that means we
need to be out looking for the lost, too. The Gospel is inclusive – everyone’s
invited.
Tom Gilbert
|
December 8, 2003
If you are in a reading mood and want to explore yet another blog with
some good spiritual content and discourse visit NextReformation.com.
The web is a great place to share perspectives.
Second week of Advent and the word is peace. Come King of Peace, come.
|
December 5, 2003
Hear Ye, hear ye! The new issue of the Living
the Solution ezine is now online.
If you are a subscriber, check your email box. As always,
we grow together.
|
December 4, 2003
My son Eric will turn ten in just a few days. He’s fun, funny…and
trying at times…just like all kids. Parents - you know what I mean.
He sleeps in a bunk bed, on the bottom. The top is normally empty unless
a friend, or a cousin, spends the night. The structure of the bed is such
that he could make a little “fort” with various sheets and
blankets tucked into the top railings. Then he disappears into the darkness
of his sanctuary.
Unfortunately, last night he was sick (might be the flu) and cleaning up
the mess after he threw up in the bed was an unpleasant task. Through all
of that both my wife and I kept our concern and compassion on him. Of course – he’s
our little boy! He was sick most of the night and at times all I could
do was stand by his bed, occasionally putting my hand on his back. His
stomach hurt, but he didn’t want anyone to touch it. Like any of
us when we are ill, he just wanted to feel better.
Do we see how God is like that? He’s there with his caring presence
and sometimes that is all we need as we lay in our pain and sickness.
As it is the “flu season”, be sure to take precautions. And
when someone you care for is sick take the time to be compassionate, even
if you have to do some unpleasant cleaning up. (PS – You might want
to read an article from last year, A
Spoonful of Sympathy.)
Tom Gilbert
|
December 1, 2003
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday and weekend. The key now,
is to maintain that attitude of gratitude.
I’ve been thinking about this concept of gifts. God seems to have
an interesting idea regarding it. It seems that God gives us gifts that
we are meant to use for others. So, it’s not really about us getting
something, but more about receiving and then passing it on for the benefit
of others. It stands our normal understanding of gifts (or “presents” as
we so often call them) on its head.
During this advent season we can begin to make ourselves ready to receive
the gifts God gives us, including the gift of opportunity – the opportunity
to use the gifts in the perpetual cycle of ongoing giving.
PS- Today is World AIDS Day. Take action.
|
| 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.
|
|
 |
|
|
|
| |
You'll
also receive Practical Biblical Solutions for life's challenges
with our free e-zine |
| |
 |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
Spiritual Journeys: How
Faith Has Influenced Twelve Music Icons
by various authors
click to
buy
read the review
|
| We
have more than 120,000 Christian books, bibles,
music,gifts, video, software and more!
It's easy to find what you're looking for by using
our BROWSE feature to search for your favorite
type of
|
| |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
PSALM
118:24
|
|
|
"This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it."
|
|
(NIV)
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
| |
|
 |
