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Journal — May 2007 |
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AN ONGOING
SPIRITUAL WEBLOG
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May 31, 2007
We are about to end another month and "flip the page" on the
calendar. Time is an interesting concept. Our society seems ruled by
it. We can all become time obsessed and the result is often a lot of
stress and frustration. Most people feel they don't have enough time
to do what we need to do. I understand that and certainly relate.
However, time can be a task-master that we become slaves to. It is very
difficult to live in the now when we are obsessed over the past and the
future.
God is in the now. God is outside of time and space so becoming aware
of "now" as a state of being and a presence, as oppposed to
a time measurement, can be a freeing thing. Think about it - it is always "now".
Once you grab the concept of living in the now, the sacred present moment,
then there is the challenge of finding the true joy this can bring. Constant
prayer, gratitude and service to others are touchstones to accepting
and enjoying each present moment.
I know this seems idealistic. Being in the now is ideal! The
important thing is when we find we've slipped out of awareness of the
present and "time travel" in our minds into the past (where
so much regret lives) or into the future (often full of profected fear)
is to keep coming back to the now. Keep returning to the ever present
embrace of our loving God.
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May 29, 2007
It doesn't get headline news everyday, but the situation in Darfur where
hundreds of thousands have been killed, is in the news today. President
Bush is condemning the bloodshed, calling it "genocide". This
term has been used before. Many Christian leaders have called on the
United States and other countries to do something about the situation.
The Sudanese government still refuses to allow U.N. Peacekeeper in to
the region. Now President bush has imposed new sanctions on Sudan (story
here). Bush has stated that the US would not "divert our eyes
from a crisis that challenges the conscience of the world".
How as individuals do we respond to these crises? It is easy for each
of us to acknowledge that the killing and suffering is wrong. On such
a mass scale it feels overwhelming and we feel powerless. Becoming informed
is better than putting "our heads in the sand". Once informed,
then we are faced with choices about how or if we will respond. There
is not much that we may be able to do indvidually, but if we pray that
God will provide guidance that should at least be a first step. Check
with other organizations, your church and your elected representatives
and be a voice for peace and opposing the violence.
The United States Holocaust Memorial website has information
incuding an eyewitness account by Brian Steidle, a former U.S. Marine
who was part of an African Union team monitoring the conflict in Darfur.
(here).
This site also has a link to an overview
of the conflict and some suggested action called "What
Can I Do?".
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May 25, 2007
I like to be reminded that being in the present moment - in the "now" is
the way to be. I need to be reminded. I don't practice it as well as
I should. Maybe you have the same problem. Often I have one foot in the
past and one in the future.
However, being in the present is where God is. God is outside or time
and space. We live inside time constraints, often self-imposed constraints.
Many spiritually progressive teachers have taught us this lesson. I was
reading in a fairly new book, Furious
Pursuit - Why God Will Never Let You Go, and the authors,
Tim King and Frank Martin, were making this very point.
Live in the now, in this very moment and God's grace will be with you!
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May 24, 2007
Sunday is the Feast of the Pentecost. This feast has its roots in the
Old Testament and Jewish worship, but for Christians it commemorates
the birth of the church when the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles
and early believers on the Feast of Pentecost. They really “caught
fire”that day and boldly proclaimed God’s message of love
and redemption for all through Jesus Christ. Many of the visitors to
Jerusalem from foreign lands marveled at hearing the preaching in their
own language. Yes, the apostles were given the gift of preaching in different
languages!
Some who heard the noise only heard it as noise. They thought these followers
of Jesus were drunk. The apostle Peter countered that accusation, remarking
that it was morning and going on to give a great sermon about how this
was what the prophet Joel spoke about in scripture.
We have a new timely article for you ito read, The
Fellowship of the Spirit. We also want to remember and pay
tribute to all our members of the Armed Forces, fire fighters, law enforcement
and health professionals in the spirit of the upcoming Memorial Day weekend.
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May 21, 2007
May can be a month of congratulations. Mother's Day with the "congratulations
on the hardest job in the world". Graduations bring congratulations and
the "best wishes as you go on into the world". Congratulations for jobs
well-done in the much needed services of law enforcement, fire and rescue,
paramedics and the Armed Forces (Memorial Day weekend is fast approaching).
We should also give congratulations to anyone facing their fear and persecution
to stand up for what they believe in.
Sometimes we congratulate each other over matters that seem innocuous.
We can all be self-absorbed about our appearances. I had to laugh - and
then I had to think - after reading Congratulations
Are in Order by Martha Hamilton posted
here on RELEVANTmagazine.com.
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May 16, 2007
Yesterday you may have heard the news that Rev. Jerry Falwell, the prominent
conservative preacher known for his support of the Religious Right through
efforts like his Moral Majority, passed away. He was found unresponsive
in his office at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. He
was pronounced dead that Lynchburg General Hospital.
Rev. Falwell often made controversial remarks, such as implying that
God punished the United States after the September 11, 2001 terrorist
attacks, or calling the Prophet Mohammed "a terrorist" which led to angry
rioting in India and a death threat from an Iranian cleric. Falwell
later apologized for these remarks, but his fundamental and conservative
style and "fire-brand" evangelism fueled his approach.
Nevertheless, those who knew him believed him to be a man of faith who
loved God and burned with a desire to serve Christ. Jim Wallis, a liberal
evangelist, often engaged Rev. Falwell in debate. While they didn't agree
on many points the dialogue was important. Wallis has posted his
condolences for Rev. Falwell's family and friends on his blog. At Christianity
Today you can read a good synopsis of Jerry Falwell - here.
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May 14, 2007
Have you ever wondered what causes the soul searching that it seems so
many of us go through? It is highly likely that you have at some point
in your life felt something stirring deep down inside. You are wondering
what your purpose is. What or who or is God? Or maybe you are wondering
if there even is such a thing as God.
You are not alone, my friend. It is natural for all of us to wonder about
such things. The "God" word carries a lot of baggage for many, but don't
let the word stop you from honestly seeking.
The interesting thing I've come to believe is that God is the one who
makes the first move. Often we don't hear God's call, or we don't recognize
it. And we naturally have fear when we think maybe we are being called
to do something with our life that we aren't sure about or fearful of
doing.
There is the great saying that God doesn't call the equipped; He equips
the called. Don't worry too much about whether you can do what it seems
God is calling you to do. The act of surrendering to the call is the
beginning of God being able to use you. God knows what talents and gifts
are place within you. Ask God to help you discover them and use them
for the purpose He created you for.
In the Gospel of John, chapter 15, Jesus reminds his apostles that they
did not choose him, but rather he chose them. I think this is a fundamental
truth for all of us. Jesus chooses us. He makes the call. Are we ready
to answer? More importantly, are we willing to follow him? Even though
I believe I have committed my life to Christ I still struggle with whether
I have the willingness to be the disciple he wants me to be. It is a
personal and individual thing. What I keep praying for is the willingness
to "hear" his voice and to follow through in action each day doing what
I should. The "next right thing" is not always apparent, but it is clearer
when I quiet myself and humbly ask for direction.
God is calling you. Don't wait until you feel you are worthy or good
enough. God wants a relationship with you right now and He will begin
where you are at.
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May 13, 2007
A very special Mother's Day greeting to all the special mothers. As
a man I will never know the miracle of concieving and bearing a child.
As a father and husband I do appreciate my wife and the love and bond
she has with our two children.
Mary, the mother of our Lord, can help us appreciate the sacrifice and
love that can be heartbreaking and yet yield great blessings. I
am grateful for God's great plan that included sending the Son into the
world (the Word made Flesh) and allowing us to meet God the Father through
Jesus Christ.
I do miss my mother today. It is the first Mother's Day since she
passed away last June. But she was a wonderful and spirit filled
woman and a good mother and friend. Let's give thanks for our mothers,
both living and deceased.
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May 9, 2007
During this time of year if you are gardening you know how important
it is to prune back certain plants. Branches have to be cut back
so that the plant will grow better and bear more beautiful flowers or
abundant fruit.
Jesus used this analogy when he declared that he is the true vine and
we are the branches (see John
15:1-8). He wants us to be connected to him so that we can
bear fruit, but he also reminds us that we have to be pruned of the "branches" in
our life that are not bearing fruit. It can be hard to give up
(sacrifice) those activities that are not beneficial to the body of Christ,
but we are all called to be disciples - and that's part of the cost.
When we resist we should humbly ask God for the willingness to be pruned.
You might want to read the article Apart
From Me for more on this subject.
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May 7, 2007
Mother's Day is this Sunday, May 13. How do you honor and give to your
mother? you do it will sincere help, honesty, humility and gratitude.
Gifts and cards are nice (we have selections online
here), but what moms really want is to be appreciated and to see
their children live a good life.
Walk in the way of the Lord and you will make your mother happy and proud.
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May 2, 2007
The National Day of Prayer is tomorrow - May 3. Americans
are invited to unite in prayer for our country, our leaders, for our
families, friends, co-workers and for ourselves.
Prayer is powerful, but it is not God granting our "wish list". Prayer
should bring us closer to God and deepen our relationship with God. It
should also help us open our hearts to God's love. As we let God's love
flow into us it can transform our hearts and flow out of us to others.
So, we become more like the all-loving God and more willing to be of
service to others.
The National
Day of Prayer website includes a challenge from Tony
Dungy, coach of the Superbowl Champion Indianapolis Colts. There
is plenty of additional information, too at www.ndptf.org.
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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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