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Journal — February 2006 |
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AN ONGOING
SPIRITUAL WEBLOG
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February 28, 2006
Today is "Fat Tuesday". It is the traditional day of merrymaking
and revelry for many. The roots are in the final day before the Season
of Lent. Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent) is the beginning of fasting,
praying and sacrifice as Christians prepare for the holy days of Christ's
passion, death and resurrection.
It seems typical of our culture that we turn the day before Lent into an
excuse to party to extreme, like Mardi Gras in New Orleans. I'm not against
parties or celebrating, but I think it does us good to begin a season of
prayer, meditation and sacrifice without being hungover from too much "fun".
This year I'm hoping to spend more quality time helping others and in trying
to allow the Spirit of God to be consciously present with me each day.
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| February 23, 2006
You’ve probably heard that the best way to get
someone to do something is to make them think it is their
idea. I’m not speaking about manipulating people,
but when it comes to spirituality, God and religion most
people don’t want to be told what they have to
do. They have to come to the conclusion on their own
that they need this for their lives.
This is a hard lesson to learn, especially when those
of us who find meaning in our lives by having a personal
belief in and relationship with God want others to discover
it too. Over and over again we run into the problem of
people rejecting religion, God and spirituality because
of the messenger. The message is great. The delivery
can be lacking.
I believe God loves and welcomes us all. That’s
the lesson I get from the Bible, from Jesus and from
personal study, prayer and living. God save us from forcing
religion on anyone. Reach…don’t preach.
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February 22, 2006
This past Monday was the national holiday observance of Presidents Day
in the United States. The office of the President is a top world leader
position. Over the years there have been many presidents, some better than
others. A few achieved legendary status.
The Presidents Day holiday is specifically to commemorate George Washington
(the first U.S. President) and Abraham Lincoln (perhaps the greatest
U.S. President). Both men were born in February.
The “giants” of American statesmanship were both men of
faith and faced major struggles in their lives and during their terms
in office. We are taught about them in school, but do we really take
to heart the lessons of their lives?
Regardless of whether we agree with a President’s decisions and
policies, we should keep our leaders in pray. We need to pray for strong
leadership, a willingness to hear all sides and to do the right things.
It is an immense job. I share concerns about the present administration’s
decisions and directions. I am not in agreement in many areas – but
it is my, and your, right to express those views. I do believe that President
Bush is a man of faith and I pray that he, like all of us, will grow
in his faith and open his heart to the amazing message of the Gospel.
If you haven’t discovered the Presidential Prayer Team website,
you might want to visit it - www.presidentialprayerteam.org.
The overall tone is one of support for President Bush, but there is also
the honest and humble prayer to God to guide the President and other
leaders. Additionally, there is great information about the importance
of faith and religion from past presidents.
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February 15, 2006
Talking can be good. It's best to communicate with others, although some
of the best times for a couple are when you can be together quietly. I
believe this "communion" time is even more important for our
personal time with God. As William Penn stated over 300 years ago: "Words
are for others, not for ourselves, nor for God, who hears not as bodies
do, but as spirits should."
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| February 13, 2006
Valentine’s Day is tomorrow.
It has become a big gift card/flowers/candy occasion
and woe to the guys who forget to do something special
for their wife or girl friend.
Of course, you could focus on what love really is. I
still recommend that you do something nice with a gift,
dinner or night out, but take time to read Paul’s
beautifully inspired words on love in 1
Corinthians 13. It is timeless because it
is the universal truth.
Oh, and if you are looking for a special gift it is
not too late – check out our online
store for gift ideas.
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February 6, 2006
The idea of a rock star speaking to a large gathering of influential people
at a prayer breakfast about the issues of God, faith, equality, justice
and the poor might seem a bit odd.
Bono, lead singer of the internationally famous
and successful rock group U-2, is the first to admit
it.
Yet there he was, giving a talk at the National Prayer Breakfast in
Washington D.C. on February 2, speaking in front of politicians, preachers,
and the president of the United States. But what he had to say is for the
ears of all of us.
Bono had the courage to say in front of these people something that all
of us - if we are truly honest and allow God's presence, the Holy Spirit,
to speak to our hearts - will agree with. He said that God is with the
poor.
If that is true then what should be our attitude...and our actions...towards
poverty?
There is plenty of poverty in the world today. In Africa, in our cities,
and probably close by your homes and neighborhoods. Maybe you are one of
the poor. Jesus said "Blessed are the poor."
Bono spoke about a wise man who told him something a number of years ago.
This profound statement has changed the way he looks at his life and work.
This wise man said, "stop asking God to bless what you're doing. Get
involved in what God is doing - because it's already blessed."
What is God calling us to do regarding the poor?
I encourage you to read Bono's remarks to the National Prayer Breakfast.
The full text is here at the DATA (debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa) site.
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February 2, 2006
There is a brave new movie out, based on a true story of the killing of
five missionaries by a violent tribe, the Waodani in the eastern rainforest
of Ecuador. The movie takes you on a journey of forgiveness and God’s
grace illustrated in a situation most people would consider to be beyond
the odds. End of the Spear is now playing and you can
find out more about the movie and discover resources you can use in discussions
with others at www.endofthespear.com.
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February 1, 2006
President Bush gave his State of the Union speech last night. One of the
things he called for was the end of our nation's addiction to oil, "which
is often imported from unstable parts of the world." Yes, America
is a gas-guzzling, petrol-abusing country. But, I don't expect that will
change rapidly. Like most addicts, we will rationalize and deny as long
as possible. Meanwhile there are very entrenched oil lobbyists intent on
keeping us continuing to buy - gas for cars, oil for heating and so forth
and so on.
We do need to promote alternative energy uses. We also need to promote
alternative thinking to the same old "God in a box" theology
that so many of us operate on. It will take some doing to ween us from
our dependence on oil. Hopefully we will move more to dependence on God
and what Jesus Christ (God in the flesh) revealed to us as the way to live.
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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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