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Journal |
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AN ONGOING
SPIRITUAL WEBLOG
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October
31, 2006
I know today is Halloween, but that's not what I want to mention. Instead,
I call your attention to the final day of October, a month that has become
the one to honor your pastor, minister, youth leader or clergy member. Clergy
Appreciation Month calls us to consider those who minister to
you, whether pastors, chaplains or church staff. They are at the front
lines of ministry and prayer and deserve support and recognition.
If you do it today you can send a special thank you e-card through the Presidential
Prayer Team web site. Of course, you might also consider
a gift and we have a great selection online - here.
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October
25, 2006
There is an election coming up soon in the United States. On the
first Tuesday in November (11/7/06) voters will head to the polls and
choose from various candidates running for public office. This
election season once again is generating lots of media ads, much
of it negative as the candidates hammer their opponents in what often
seem desperate bids for votes at any cost.
Dialogue on values, ethics, policy and honesty are all important when
we consider our votes. There are also many issues that should be
addressed, much more than just abortion, same sex marriage or stem cell
research. I'm not saying those aren't important, but the war in
Iraq, concern over poverty in our land, faith and justice issues and
other important issues should also be discussed with openeness and a
willingness by liberals and conservatives to find the common ground that
Jesus points us to.
Flippant and "off the cuff" remarks are not the way to achieve this dialogue. Neither
are defensive and hostile words that are mostly generated to protect
our egos. We need to be willing to look at what we don't agree
with and then honestly assess our position in the light of our Christian
beliefs. Everyone has a right to vote their conscience and we won't
all agree on every position. And religious leaders should not dictate
how we vote. Let the Holy Spirit help you discern and choose.
There are helpful resources you can turn to such as the free Voting
God's Politics action and discussion guides from Jim Wallis and
Sojourners. More
here.
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October
23, 2006
I am one stiff person this morning. Despite my aching back and
legs there is the satisfaction of accomplishing something. Yesterday,
for only the second time in my life, I ran a half marathon, at the Duke
City Marathon event here in Albuquerque. And, I even
improved my time by fifteen minutes since running one in June in San
Diego.
13.1 miles of running is nothing to sneeze at, but I am only halfway
to my goal of a full marathon. I plan to run the 26.2 miles in
January at the P.F. Chang's Arizona Rock n' Roll Marathon. I'm
doing it for fun, fitness, but mostly to help out the Leukemia
and Lymphoma Society. Through Team
in Training, the largest endurance training program in the world,
I am running with others dedicated to helping find a cure for blood cancers
and raise money for treatment and patient aid. If you know anyone
with cancer (and sadly, it seems we all do) then you recognize how important
it is to find the cure. Progress is being made, but the research
is unbelievably expensive.
You can find out more about Team in
Training here. Helping
is one way I can put faith into action.
Tom Gilbert
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October 19, 2006
People's stories - they can often dramatically illustrate to us how God
can change lives. It seems that most of us don't make dramatic changes
or truly turn to God in our lives unless we first hit major obstacles.
You can read some inspiring stories of people who've discovered through
their faith in Christ a way out of hopeless situations at God
Help Me, Please.
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October 18, 2006
Co-Op America is an organization
dedicated to promoting eco-friendly businesses and solutions and my sense
is they have strong values that Christians can (and should) agree with. We
are all stewards of the planet and we also need to be concerned for the
welfare of others, including those exploited by businesses that utilize
harsh and unsafe working conditions. It is wrong to exploit workers,
especially in the name of profit.
One of the things you can do is support businesses that do operate fairly
and responsibly. Consider where you spend your money. Check out
the nominations from Co-Op America for the "Green" Business of the year. You
can even vote for who you think should get the People's
Choice Award - more
here.
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October 16, 2006
The best selling book of all time is also one of the most controversial.
The Bible has withstood the ages. There have been many attempts to dismiss
it or censor it. There have been countless studies and many translations.
Scholars constantly debate it. Believers continually cite it as inspiration
and a guide for living.
No matter what you think of the Bible it's impact on society and history
is undeniably profound. My greatest concern about the Bible is probably
when people misuse it, although any "use" of the Bible holds the potential
for people to at least explore the subject of God, religion and spirituality.
I make no pretense of being a Bible scholar. I have found scirpture to
be very helpful to me on my journey. I want to keep discovering God's
message for our lives and I believe the over-arching theme of the Bible
is a love letter from God. This is mostly revealed to me in the New Testament
gospels and letters. One of the greatest Biblical verses, in my own opinion,
is 1 John 9 which states that "Anyone who claims to
be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness." God
wants us to live in the light, the light of love as revealed through
Jesus Christ. So, no matter how pious, religious or helpful we are in
life, if we ever harbor hate towards ANYone, we are falling short of
God's/Jesus' command to love.
I know it is not easy. But it is true - a great and honest and just statement
- Love everyone.
If you are looking for easy ways to understand the Bible I must offer
caution. The inner work for each of us is the hard work of living and
discovering sacrifice, suffering and ultimately real joy. However, that
being said, there are plenty of guides and books. I have not read two
recent ones I will mention, but they might be helpful for your beginning
studies or overview.
Find
it in the Bible (Howard Publishing) has lists of various
things the author claims Scripture reveals. Lists of things God hates
(I'm not sure I'd phrase it that way), keys to wisdom, basics of theology
and what the Bible says about sex. If you read it ask yourself what the
Bible says to you as well as considering what author Bob Phillips
is stating.
The Bare
Bones Bible Handbook (Harvest House) claims "10 minutes
to understanding each book of the Bible". Again, a word of caution. I
think the Bible is a lifetime of study and understanding should increase
and grow, so shortcuts are not the end of your study. But, you might
want to see what author Jim George has to say in this new book.
Both books are available online at the Living the Solution e-store.
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October 12, 2006
Daily news can challenge us. We hear of countries developing nuclear
weapons, countries in civil war, unrest, poverty and injustice. There’s
not too much in the news to tell us to trust in God and love others.
Perhaps we can be a light shining in the darkness. Actually, we are just
a reflection of the Light. We are all going to have struggles and suffering
(see this Daily Thought).
We need to reflect the Light that the darkness cannot put out. Jesus
shows us the way and the fruit of our efforts when we join with God and
let God work through us is love.
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October 9, 2006
While Columbus Day is the holiday observed in the United States, our
friends to the north in Canada are celebrating their Thanksgiving Holiday. Having
gratitude is a daily spiritual essential.
There are many good reasons to be grateful. I know it is not always
easy to feel grateful, but I'm reminded of the many life lessons that
have shown me that gratitude is more than a feeling. It is an action. If
I am truly grateful I express that in the way I live by giving thanks
and showing appreciation to God and others.
One of the best lines I ever heard about gratitude is that we don't deserve
what we want until we are grateful for what we already have.
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October 6, 2006
One of the greatest challenges we face in our spiritual journey is to
actually live the way Jesus teaches. Of course, we are incapable
of doing it on our own resources. And the Sermon on the Mount -
the Beatitudes - is more than just an instruction on right living. It
is the outcome of the transformational way of dying to self and
living for God and others.
I've noticed an increase lately in visitors to this site searching on
the beatitudes. You might be interested in reading this article
- Be Attitudes. Go here
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October 3, 2006
He was a man who in his youth was kind of wild. God's call on his heart
was strong, though and he radically changed. He embraced poverty. He
loved others, even those who disagreed with him or persecuted him. He
let his actions speak louder than words. It wasn't easy and I'm sure
he struggled along the way. He was very counter-cultural. Yet he is considered
one of the most influential and holy persons to ever live.
Does this sound like Jesus Christ? It should, but I'm referring to Francis
of Assisi. He died on October 3, 1226. His followers were with him, but
Francis insisted on lying naked on the ground as he passed from this
life to the next (which apparently caused some embarrassment to his brothers).
He wanted to leave the world the way he came in - simple and into the
hands of God.
How can we be instruments of peace in a world so full of self-gratification
and delusion? Jesus points the way. Here's
an article I wrote four years ago, but I think has something to say
to us all.
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October 2, 2006
Here's a challenge for us all as we start another work week. Place
more emphasis on spiritual growth instead of financial growth.
Sure it takes money for us to pay our bills, provide food and shelter,
and so on. But if we are not concentrating on what is really important
then we miss the whole point.
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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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