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Journal — September, 2004 |
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AN ONGOING
SPIRITUAL WEBLOG
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September 30, 2004
The question of faith, what it means and what it is, is something most
of us wrestle with. Until one can accept that part of having faith in God
is accepting the mystery of it then the concept will always break down.
There is just no way that a God beyond our understanding can be explained
intellectually and definitively.
Sure, we can have conceptions and revelations. And there is nothing wrong
with using our intellect as part of our exploration of faith in God. Thomas
Merton gets into this topic wonderfully in New
Seeds of Contemplation: “Ultimately faith is the
only key to the universe. The final meaning of human existence, and the
answers to questions on which all our happiness depends cannot be reached
in any other way.” (page 130).
Tom Gilbert
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September 29, 2004
I'm sure you've seen the signs in front of churches. Marquees with clever
messages. Sometimes they are kind of cheesy. But, some of them do make
you stop, think and reflect. And that is a good thing.
Roadside
Religion is a web site dedicated to exploring
the beauty and wonder of church signs. Paul Trout has created
an excellent site in terms of layout, design and functionality. Surf
by for a look.
Tom Gilbert
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September 28, 2004
Something I heard shared today really prompted some thinking and soul searching
in me. The person said most people seem to choose negativity over happiness.
A strange, but true fact?
If this is true is it because with negativity we have something to rub
up against? See, we can massage over and over again those things that rub
us the wrong way. The result is that we rub ourselves raw. Instead of just
accepting and being…happy.
I’m not belittling dealing with problems. We all have them and they
can be quite aggravating or even painful. However, to choose happiness
means we have to accept love and let love flow through us and out to others.
There is no rubbing against happiness. It is a choice to just be and to
enjoy it. I know, it sounds like being a “holy fool”. Is that
so bad?
Because of the way my mind works I’m sure I will continue to wrestle
with this. However, those brief moments when I do choose happiness by loving
and being loved are the times of being in the eternal now. Even if we can
find no evidence of being loved by others (which is probably never true)
we can always remember that God loves us.
Today’s journaling also reminded me of an article previously posted
to our site. Check out Choose — What
Will You Do With Your Choices?
Tom Gilbert
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September 27, 2004
I hope you had a good weekend. Our prayers go out to all those in Florida
who dealt once again with the ordeal of yet another hurricane. It has been
a tough time for them, but we pray that love in action will take place
for all those in need and comfort for all who’ve experienced loss.
My weekend had a certain amount of anxiety. I despise the gut-wrenching
fear that comes with trying to do projects that I’m not skilled in.
Yet, how do we grow but by facing new challenges, learning and dealing
with being pushed out of our comfort zone?
The thing I did repeatedly was turn to the “tools” that I know
work. Even while squirming and doubting I found that prayer, quiet time,
journaling, getting honest with myself and facing facts with a trust in
God work. It’s not always a quick fix (like I want it to be!), but
it does work. The truly remarkable thing is to look at the things that
happened that I could easily chalk up to coincidence except that I know
better. I got calls from friends, support from others, I found release
from some of the tension by helping someone else in need and ultimately
I learn again that things work out. Not always right away or the way I
want to, but they do if I persevere and live the solution.
Anybody relate to that? By the way, a good article that gives practical
solutions to dealing with fear and anxiety is on our site. You can read
Stan Popovich's Finding the Right Answers in Managing Your Fears
and Anxieties - here.
Tom Gilbert
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September 22, 2004
Turning
Autumn is here and the leaves are turning color. The weather is turning,
too. It was cool this morning, just 49 degrees in Albuquerque and a chilly
29 in Gallup.
The world keeps turning and so do my thoughts. They turn towards concern
for the day, financial worries, relationships and a multitude of selfish
interests. Sometimes they even turn to God.
“Turning it over” is an expression often heard – sage advice
when we are fretting about things not going the way we want. Just turn it over
to God. Easy to say; hard to do.
This morning I turned on the light in the kitchen and started coffee. I
turned on the gas fireplace to fight the chill. I turned on the radio for
a bit of musical company. I turned the water on for a hot shower and I
let my thoughts turn to the day ahead.
What I most need to do is turn inward. Turning towards the Divine Presence
quietly dwelling in the “inner closet” of my heart, I suddenly
realize (again) that everything will turn out just the way it is supposed
to. Then I can confidently and humbly turn outward and face the world.
I can turn around and see you – really see you – and together
we can turn our lives around.
Now it’s your turn.
Tom Gilbert
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September 20, 2004
It’s a new week and I welcome all of you to it. Autumn is just about
here, the weather and the leaves will begin to change, and as we approach
the final quarter of 2004 we look forward to the busy time of the holidays.
The tendency is to get wound up and hectic. Nevertheless, we must remember
to start each day with humble thanks and to remember to take it a day at
a time.
If I am a bit reflective today it is because I’m looking back at
the past two years. We’ve been online with our web ministry that
long and much has happened. More people are discovering our little place
on the Net and we are grateful for each and every visit. The daily tasks
of writing and maintaining Living the Solution is growth
for me. I hope it is an encouraging, thoughtful and challenging experience
for you, too. Now, I’m asking a favor of you. Would you be willing
to spread the news of our site? If what you find here is rewarding please
tell others. Invite them to register for our
free e-zine (published twice monthly), let others know of our prayer
ministry and feel free to share what you find here. We have much to
offer with articles, reviews and resources.
Together we can make a difference in our world.
Thank you and God bless you.
Tom Gilbert
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September 16, 2004
Today marks the beginning of the Jewish High Holy Days. Actually, Rosh
Hashanah (commonly known as the Jewish New Year) began last night
at sundown. The shofar, a ram’s horn which is blown somewhat like
a trumpet, is heard many times in the synagogues during these holy days.
On Rosh Hashanah families gather for celebrations that include special
meals and sweet tasting foods. Yom Kipur is the Day of
Atonement and is the most solemn day of the Jewish year. It is a day of
fasting, reflection and prayers.
Our Jewish brothers and sisters share much of their spiritual legacy with
Christians. I think it is important to remember that Jesus surely observed
these special days throughout his life, as did his disciples. Our relationship
with God needs expression with each other – both in the community
of believers and in sharing our faith with those who don’t follow
our path. Taking time to consider what a gift life is (each day is a new
start and in a sense a “new year’s day”) and that we
should reflect on our lives and inventory ourselves (like the Day of Atonement)
are healthy observances.
May you experience God’s blessings each day of your journey.
Tom Gilbert
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September 14, 2004
Are you willing to speak the truth even when it might upset others? I know
this gets talked about a fair amount in Christian circles. And you know
the old saying, “the truth hurts”. Well, not always. I think
it hurts when we have a hard time facing it. For me, the painful experience
of seeing reality and my own failings is usually the most painful.
We must be careful not to go around using truth as a club. Self righteous
behavior is irritating and arrogant and typically makes enemies. Humility
means we don’t have to go around professing we are “right” all
the time. Still, when we do need to confront someone about inappropriate
behavior – correcting sinful behavior, as it were – we best
pray first for guidance and courage. Then approach with love. It’s
not easy to do. But it is right. And that’s the truth.
Tom Gilbert
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September 10, 2004
Tomorrow is the three-year mark since the fateful September 11,
2001 terrorist attacks in the United States. Across the country
there will be remembrance ceremonies. I think what still stands out was
the bravery and compassion showed by many first-responders on the scene
in NYC or Washington D.C. (firefighters, police and medical personnel)
who willingly sacrificed their own safety. Many gave their lives in the
rescue efforts.
Right now in Florida residents are preparing for yet another powerful hurricane.
Ivan (the terrible?) has already caused much damage and loss of lives in
the Caribbean islands and could be the third hurricane in a row to hit
Florida. I’ve seen several prayer request emails
lately. What can we do? We can provide support through our churches and
aid agencies (see the Christian
Emergency Network). But we can also – we must – pray for
the safety of those in the path of this storm. Pray also for all those
in the health and safety fields who will be working hard during this stressful
time.
I was born in Orlando, lived for a time in Tampa/St. Petersburg and have
friends in Florida. I will certainly be praying for Good
News Ministries and others. This weekend, whenever you can,
please take time to lift them up in prayer.
Tom Gilbert.
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September 7, 2004
After a three-day Labor Day holiday here in the States lots of work is
ahead for residents of Florida. Over the weekend they dealt with Hurricane
Frances whose heavy winds and rain caused evacuations, power outages and
damage across the state. This has been a difficult hurricane season already
for the “Sunshine” state with Frances hitting so closely after
Hurricane Charley. It may not be over, either, as Hurricane Ivan is approaching
the Caribbean islands and has already reached category 3 strength. It’s
too soon to tell if it will cross Florida, but you can imagine nervous
residents are keeping a close eye on it.
Our prayers are with the many people affected by these mighty storms of
nature. If you want to help check with your local churches or the American
Red Cross.
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September 2, 2004
Mel Gibson’s movie, The Passion of the Christ,
was officially released on DVD/Video on Tuesday and has experienced blockbuster
sales. When the movie came out in theaters there was an extraordinary turnout.
Now, we are seeing a similar tidal wave of interest. First day DVD sales
were over
4 million, a record for an R-rated movie.
While there has been a great deal of ink spilled over the movie already,
this will renew interest in the film. Hopefully it will create even more
interest in the main subject. Jesus Christ, the son of God, nailed to a
cross to suffer and die for the purpose of redeeming a lost and wayward
human race is a scandalous idea. Really. Think about it. How can a loving
and merciful God be so vulnerable? I think it is at the heart of why Christ
has been described as a stumbling block ().
The Passion of the Christ does not give you the entire story. It does have
the power to impact you on such a gut level that you might become open
to exploring the Gospels. I certainly hope so. It is in the study and application
of the “Good News” in our lives and our world that we will
be transformed. Many will read, fewer will grasp its meaning and take it
to heart (“many are called, few are chosen” – ).
Tom Gilbert
You can order
the DVD here.
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September 1, 2004
When you consider money and possessions, most people in Western civilization
have so much more than people in other parts of the world. Could it be,
however, that we are suffering from a different kind of poverty? One of
the themes of the gospels is how spiritually rich poor people are while
those rich in material possessions are lacking in spiritual values.
Dan Wooding, a journalist and founder/director of ASSIST (Aid to
Special Saints in Strategic Times) Ministries writes about this
very issue in an article about the later Mother Teresa, the diminutive
nun and Nobel Peace Prize winner who spent most of her life assisting the
very poor in India and other parts of the world. She lamented the spiritual
poverty of the Western World and how so many are lacking a living relationship
with God. This is difficult for many of us to understand. We all want our
needs for food and shelter met, but when you live in the daily struggle
to survive trusting and relying on God can be more real than for those
who take for granted life’s daily necessities. Read more of the ASSIST
News article here.
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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