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Journal – November,
2002 Archive
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AN ONGOING SPIRITUAL WEBLOG
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November 27, 2002
Over the next several days as I reflect on the many blessings in
my life I will be keeping you, dear brothers and sisters,
in my prayers. Let us come to the bountiful table God has
prepared for us with constant gratitude. Remember the words
of Psalm 136:
"Give thanks to the LORD , for he is good.
His love endures forever."
Tom Gilbert
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November 25, 2002
In just a few days so many of us will gather around dining tables
and enjoy a large meal while expressing thanks for our blessings.
This is good. Thanksgiving is an important and significant
holiday in the United States. However, the lesson of the holiday
must extend beyond this one day.
Have you heard the expression an "attitude of gratitude"?
It's more than just a catch phrase. Our attitude dictates
how we think and often how we interact with others and the
world around us. I find that if I truly live with gratitude
in my heart each and every day I am less inclined towards
self-pity and self-centeredness and more inclined to appreciate
God's constant grace (see the article "The
Secret of Thanksgiving").
I don't know about you, but I've been given way more in this
life than I deserve. The very fact that I haven't been
give what I deserve is an example of God's great mercy. He
doesn't give me what I deserve (punishment for my sins); instead
He gives me what I need (forgiveness and redemption). Recognizing
this brings home the importance of being grateful. I know
that I am not entitled to anything more unless I am grateful
for what I already have.
Tom Gilbert
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November 21, 2002
There is something that I must do everyday. You may feel the same.
Everyday I must – repeat – must pray.
This may seem painfully obvious to you. Or not. Think about it,
how often do you really pray? The Apostle Paul encouraged
us to "pray always" (Ephesians 6:18). It helps to
remember that this can be done anytime and anywhere. I do
find great benefit by praying in solitude, especially in the
morning. But, at work, during meals, in a crowded elevator,
in traffic (especially!) and elsewhere - any opportunity is
a good time for prayer.
What it really does is reconnect me to God. It changes me. Prayer
is one of the most powerful things in the universe!
I'm grateful that more and more people are discovering our little
web site and many are making their prayer
requests known. We pray for each and everyone. We certainly
welcome and encourage your prayer requests. You might also
want to read a couple of articles on prayer at our site: "Why
Pray?" and "Can We Talk?"
Thank
you, God, for always being there and always listening.
Tom Gilbert
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November 18, 2002
Are you awake? That may seem like an odd question. "Of course,
I am!" you exclaim."I can't be reading this in my
sleep!"
Are you awake to reality? I find that life is a constant journey
of gradually becoming more and more awake to the Great Reality.
What is that? I believe that the divine revelation of God
as fully human and fully divine in the person of Christ Jesus
is this Great Reality. We cannot fully comprehend it with
our limited human understanding. Yet, we can experience the
truth of this revelation in union with Jesus. Upon this
revelation all of your life can be built.
All around us the world shows us the truth of this mystery. Life,
death and renewal. It happens continually in nature. It must
happen to us. We must die to ourselves (through Christ's crucifixion)
and rise to renewal (through Christ's resurrection). We must
keep awakening to the fact of our broken humanity…and
our healing through the One who brings God and humanity together.
Tom Gilbert
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November 14, 2002
I've been down with the flu the past two days and this is my first
day back at the office. I'm feeling grateful to be up and about
again. It really gives me pause. Some people face great pain
from illness on a continual basis. God bless them.
Over the past two days my prayer life wasn't what I'd like it to
be. The distraction of feeling ill was in the way. It shouldn't
be that way and I'm grateful to be able to concentrate, read
scripture and pray with a clearer head today. Often pain brings
us closer to God. I'm realizing that lesson once again today.
If you are suffering, sick or in pain I pray that you will remember
and feel God's hand on you. We will pray for you, too. You can
submit at prayer requests.
Tom Gilbert
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November 11, 2002
Today in the United States it is Veteran's Day. I think nearly everyone
agrees that war is horrible and should be avoided except as
a last resort. Nevertheless, those who've served their country
in the military have a job that requires great sacrifice. Freedom
isn't free.
Thank you, Vets.
Tom Gilbert
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November 5, 2002
"I'm glad to be here, sober and in my right mind with all my clothes
on!" That's how Jim Peterson used to introduce himself.
The first time I met him I thought he was eccentric at the least,
maybe even a bit "kooky". He looked like a cross between
Popeye and Colonel Sanders. He always wore a seaman's hat and
his shoes were painted gold.
He was a most compassionate, loving and caring individual. He was
just happy to be alive and when you found out what kind of life
he'd had you understood why. Anybody that spends many years
in prison, often naked in dark, solitary confinement and suffering
from the intense pain of alcoholism is going to be grateful
when God's mysterious ways pull them from those depths and grant
them a reprieve.
Jim touched many thousands of people's lives. He passed away on
November 3 after a long illness and a long life, including over
52 years of continuous sobriety. He will be missed, but even
more he will be appreciated.
Tom Gilbert
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November 4, 2002
What a great gift true fellowship is! Getting together with others
who are on a spiritual path and sharing honestly about our lives,
our struggles, and, more importantly, how God does for us what
we can't do for ourselves is vital to my faith. This past weekend
I again enjoyed that fellowship. Every six months I go on a
Men's retreat in northwest New Mexico. It's away from the hustle
and bustle of normal city life. The Navajo reservation is wide
open and expansive. I can hear God's voice without distraction.
Intimacy is such a difficult thing for most of us. These retreats have
taught me a lot. I've learned to open up, to be real and to
appreciate unconditional love. Out of our brokenness God has
healed us and we carry that message to others. I hope that you
are finding others and connecting with them in this way.
Tom Gilbert
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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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