Thanks for your comments, concerns, questions and help with all of this!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Sharing some thoughts today!
Not writting any devotional today, because I just want to bounce some ideas and thoughts off of my readers. I attended a youth workers conference this past weekend and it really has me thinking about a few things that have been on my mind in a more clear message. I want to do some research in my community to discover what is needed to reach more youth. Don't get me wrong I love the youth that come to youth group and church, but I am feeling the call to expand my reach to those that are not getting any mentoring in life. If I continue to work with the youth that willingly come to youth group and church that is great I am helping them grow and expand in their walk of faith. Yet, I am not fulfilling my call to reach those that are lost. Let's face it those are the ones that will not find their way to church and youth group, so I need to meet them where they are and stop expecting that they will just "show up" on their own intuition. My challenge is for myself to get out of the mentality that we need to bring more people to my specifc church, but to go out and be the church! We have to stop sitting around in our church meetings and discussing how we can get our churches to bring in more money to pay for our events, activities, and plans. We should not be concerned with how much money we can bring into a church bldg. instead we should be reaching out to our community that needs programs and support. Getting out and being THAT church will inturn probably fill the pews on Sunday morning, why? Because when the church stops being the entertainment for God and starts being the church on GODS Word then God will fill the pews. So, anyway what I am looking for is help to get some demographics of my community to see where the economic, employment, school, etc. levels are at in the Hanover and surrounding areas. To those outside of that region I ask you to give me your thoughts of things that you see in your communities, how they are working, any contacts to make for me. This will be a large and arduous endeavor for me, but I really do feel like it is time to begin meeting folks where they need to be met and stop wondering why to our surprise that nothing seems to be getting better.
Thanks for your comments, concerns, questions and help with all of this!
Thanks for your comments, concerns, questions and help with all of this!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Tuned in Tuesday
Last but certainly not the least of all the new artist and music that will impact the christian music scene this year. But, by far one of my most favorites will be performing at Creation this year is Francesca Batestelli and "This is the stuff", remarkabley true how God uses the stuff that is used to get us to understand the plans better.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Quick Gospel
John 2:14-17
14 In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!" 17 His disciples remembered that it is written: "Zeal for your house will consume me
Thought:
It is spring, believe it or not to those in the northeast. So I grew up with a mother that always did "spring house cleaning", and this text brings to mind that fact for me. No my mother did not stand around whipping her children to clean, but as we go through cycles of cleaning up our houses let us not forget that our bodies are referred to as the Temple of the Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians. So as we do our legalistic house cleaning, we should also do our spirtual house cleaning too! Clean out all the thoughts and things that bog us down, and fill those spaces with Words from God that will enlighten us to go be better people in the world. There is indeed much more going on in this text, but just re-read it only for the actions that Jesus is doing here as he cleans up the House of God. Without question he gets rid of all the bad things and removes all the waste that should not be there and he does it in an action that probably only takes 1 or 2 minutes of time. His quick response should be that easy for us as well as we clean up our "temples". We should not sit and try to contemplate these things or try to find cause, or reason or even blame with why we still hold on to them. Just dump them from our lives for good.
Prayer:
Dear God, we so often get caught up with doing what the world tells us is OK, that we forget to keep our minds clean for you. Today, let us begin our "house cleaning" stage and depart with all those things that keep us from truley understanding the space that we need in our hearts and minds for you to fill to keep us clean. Amen
14 In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!" 17 His disciples remembered that it is written: "Zeal for your house will consume me
Thought:
It is spring, believe it or not to those in the northeast. So I grew up with a mother that always did "spring house cleaning", and this text brings to mind that fact for me. No my mother did not stand around whipping her children to clean, but as we go through cycles of cleaning up our houses let us not forget that our bodies are referred to as the Temple of the Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians. So as we do our legalistic house cleaning, we should also do our spirtual house cleaning too! Clean out all the thoughts and things that bog us down, and fill those spaces with Words from God that will enlighten us to go be better people in the world. There is indeed much more going on in this text, but just re-read it only for the actions that Jesus is doing here as he cleans up the House of God. Without question he gets rid of all the bad things and removes all the waste that should not be there and he does it in an action that probably only takes 1 or 2 minutes of time. His quick response should be that easy for us as well as we clean up our "temples". We should not sit and try to contemplate these things or try to find cause, or reason or even blame with why we still hold on to them. Just dump them from our lives for good.
Prayer:
Dear God, we so often get caught up with doing what the world tells us is OK, that we forget to keep our minds clean for you. Today, let us begin our "house cleaning" stage and depart with all those things that keep us from truley understanding the space that we need in our hearts and minds for you to fill to keep us clean. Amen
Friday, March 25, 2011
Quick Gospel
1 Corinthians 9:20-22
20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.
Thought:
Inevitably what Paul is saying here is to become what you need to become to reach and teach those for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Do not just sit and try to contact them from where YOU are, get up and GO, and MEET them where THEY are. Everyone needs to be approached a different way they are wired differently to understand. It becomes our jobs as the teachers to reach them how they need it, not for them to come looking for us. Today challenge yourself to approach someone to reach them with the words and actions of Christ.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, putting oursleves to teh test is hard, because we do not want the blame to fall on us if something goes wrong. So Lord just let us listen for you to go and reach those that need to be reached in a way that they will get it!
20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.
Thought:
Inevitably what Paul is saying here is to become what you need to become to reach and teach those for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Do not just sit and try to contact them from where YOU are, get up and GO, and MEET them where THEY are. Everyone needs to be approached a different way they are wired differently to understand. It becomes our jobs as the teachers to reach them how they need it, not for them to come looking for us. Today challenge yourself to approach someone to reach them with the words and actions of Christ.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, putting oursleves to teh test is hard, because we do not want the blame to fall on us if something goes wrong. So Lord just let us listen for you to go and reach those that need to be reached in a way that they will get it!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Quick Gospel
Stained Glass Masquerade - Casting Crowns
Is there anyone that fails
Is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin’ so small
Cause when I take a look around
Everybody seems so strong
I know they’ll soon discover
That I don’t belong
So I tuck it all away, like everything’s okay
If I make them all believe it, maybe I’ll believe it too
So with a painted grin, I play the part again
So everyone will see me the way that I see them
*Chorus*
Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness
And smiles to hide our pain
But if the invitation’s open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade
Is there anyone who’s been there
Are there any hands to raise
Am I the only one who’s traded
In the altar for a stage
The performance is CONVINCING
And we know every line by heart
Only when no one is watching
Can we really fall apart
But would it set me free
If I dared to let you see
The truth behind the person
That you imagine me to be
Would your arms be open
Or would you walk away
Would the love of Jesus
Be enough to make you stay
Chorus x2
Well if the invitation’s open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade
Is there anyone that fails
Is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin’ so small
Thought:
Are we happy plastic people under shiny plastic steeples with walls around our weakness? For most of us yes this is exactly what we are. We try to hide who we are at church, and that needs to be the place where we should be who we really are. God know we are broke, and undone, that is why we ned to be a part of a church. To fellowship with others that are the same way, and we can rely on others to help us grow on our journey for living a better life for Christ.
Prayer:
Gracious God, remove our stain glass windows that we put up around peole. Allow us to reveal the real us at all times so we can be genuine with them and they can truley see us for the broken peices that we are. As we do this, then others will see how we turn to you Lord God to repair us and make us whole and complete. Amen.
Is there anyone that fails
Is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin’ so small
Cause when I take a look around
Everybody seems so strong
I know they’ll soon discover
That I don’t belong
So I tuck it all away, like everything’s okay
If I make them all believe it, maybe I’ll believe it too
So with a painted grin, I play the part again
So everyone will see me the way that I see them
*Chorus*
Are we happy plastic people
Under shiny plastic steeples
With walls around our weakness
And smiles to hide our pain
But if the invitation’s open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade
Is there anyone who’s been there
Are there any hands to raise
Am I the only one who’s traded
In the altar for a stage
The performance is CONVINCING
And we know every line by heart
Only when no one is watching
Can we really fall apart
But would it set me free
If I dared to let you see
The truth behind the person
That you imagine me to be
Would your arms be open
Or would you walk away
Would the love of Jesus
Be enough to make you stay
Chorus x2
Well if the invitation’s open
To every heart that has been broken
Maybe then we close the curtain
On our stained glass masquerade
Is there anyone that fails
Is there anyone that falls
Am I the only one in church today feelin’ so small
Thought:
Are we happy plastic people under shiny plastic steeples with walls around our weakness? For most of us yes this is exactly what we are. We try to hide who we are at church, and that needs to be the place where we should be who we really are. God know we are broke, and undone, that is why we ned to be a part of a church. To fellowship with others that are the same way, and we can rely on others to help us grow on our journey for living a better life for Christ.
Prayer:
Gracious God, remove our stain glass windows that we put up around peole. Allow us to reveal the real us at all times so we can be genuine with them and they can truley see us for the broken peices that we are. As we do this, then others will see how we turn to you Lord God to repair us and make us whole and complete. Amen.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Tuned in Tuesday
Phenominal JJ Heller takes the stage today with "Save Me". Love her style, writing, approach at reaching us that are lost and hurting in this world. Hope you enjoy, and have a great and blessed week.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Quick Gospel
Selah:
Show IPA
se·lah
[see-luh, sel-uh]
lə Show IPA –noun
an expression occurring frequently in the Psalms, thought to be a liturgical or musical direction, probably a direction by the leader to raise the voice or perhaps an indication of a pause. (boldface added)
Thought:
This word Selah appears a lot in the book of Psalms in the Bible. The boldface definition above is the definition that I have heard and use it for. So as we see this word in the text we are to stop and pause and breathe before continuing. The past 6 weeks have been mind blowing for me in a personal, spiritual, emotional, and financial way. Why does it seem like life only gets busier and harder the more we try to move for God. Maybe it is true the old cliche " idle hands are the devil's handy work" If we are not doing the work FOR God, then the devil already has us right where he wants us. Yet, if we are working hard at doing God's work the devil will continue to pursue us in every level he knows how. Although it is good to know and then see that even in text that we read from the bible we are to take moments to breathe. I need one of those moments right now....Selah!
Prayer:
Dear Gracious and giving God, thank you for the ability to be able to move and do your work on this ever fearing, lonely world of earth. Thank you for the chance to stay in you, and be able to take a breath every now and again and catch that mouthful of your glory that you sustain us with. Amen.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Quick Gospel
1 Corinthians 9:16
Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
Thought:
I have been stuck in the book of Corinthians lately, I love reading about the early church and what Paul went through with and for them. Comparing the then church to the today church also facinates me too! But one thing that I keep reading as a general message in Corinthians comes back to this text for me. If we are called to preach the message, ask yourself then who will you reach with this message of Good News today by your words, and maybe more importantly by your actions!!
Prayer:
Dear Lord, all of our doings and saying pale in comparison to yours. Thank you for the glorious wonders that you continue to prevail in our lives. Let us reach the world with your magnificent grace. Amen.
Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
Thought:
I have been stuck in the book of Corinthians lately, I love reading about the early church and what Paul went through with and for them. Comparing the then church to the today church also facinates me too! But one thing that I keep reading as a general message in Corinthians comes back to this text for me. If we are called to preach the message, ask yourself then who will you reach with this message of Good News today by your words, and maybe more importantly by your actions!!
Prayer:
Dear Lord, all of our doings and saying pale in comparison to yours. Thank you for the glorious wonders that you continue to prevail in our lives. Let us reach the world with your magnificent grace. Amen.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Quick Gospel
2 Corinthians 13:5
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?
Thought:
The next several weeks the students in PA are undergoing PSSA's ( state assesment testing). Gruling for all ages that these test apply to. In todays text it states that we should test ourselves in our faith. In order for me to do that I usually need something to push me against my beliefs. When my back is against the wall so to speak, is when I test my faith the best. Preparing for the PSSA's is something that the students really can not study for at one given time they are required to learn this stuff as they go through there school year. The same is kind of required to test ourselves in our faith, we just get better at it each time we go through a situation that puts our faith to the test. So if you were to take the exam today concerning your faith, would you pass or fail?
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, above all you sustain us with all that we need. For when life throws us a circumstance or situation we are filled with all that we need to overcome it. It becomes our duty to reach inside of us to find it and us all the resources to pass the test. Knowing that we will overcome is where our faith grows.
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?
Thought:
The next several weeks the students in PA are undergoing PSSA's ( state assesment testing). Gruling for all ages that these test apply to. In todays text it states that we should test ourselves in our faith. In order for me to do that I usually need something to push me against my beliefs. When my back is against the wall so to speak, is when I test my faith the best. Preparing for the PSSA's is something that the students really can not study for at one given time they are required to learn this stuff as they go through there school year. The same is kind of required to test ourselves in our faith, we just get better at it each time we go through a situation that puts our faith to the test. So if you were to take the exam today concerning your faith, would you pass or fail?
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, above all you sustain us with all that we need. For when life throws us a circumstance or situation we are filled with all that we need to overcome it. It becomes our duty to reach inside of us to find it and us all the resources to pass the test. Knowing that we will overcome is where our faith grows.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Tuned in Tuesday
Truley he will be the next Phil Keaggy and this video of Josh Wilson live proves it. Hope you are enjoying my picks for the new years new artists.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Quick Gospel
Ephesians 5:13-14a
13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for it is light that makes everything visible.Thought:It always seems like the Sunday after we spring the clocks forward is easy for me. Yet, the monday though is a different story. I am used to waking up early in the morning with the sun creeping into the window. Not today though no sun at all almost until it was time to put my son on the bus did I begin to see any sight of the sun. With that light it makes all seem like it should, so when it is not there it makes it hard to crawl out of bed and face the day. Likewise if we replace the "u" in sun and make it an "o" as in Son, does not this same concept apply? Too many of us face each day with out the help of the light that comes from our Father's Son. Without that light, we will walk in eternal darkness, is that really what God intended His creation to do?I don't think so!!Prayer:Father Almighty, thank you for the eternal light that you shine for all of us. Help us to open our eyes and remove our blinders so that we can see with
13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for it is light that makes everything visible.Thought:It always seems like the Sunday after we spring the clocks forward is easy for me. Yet, the monday though is a different story. I am used to waking up early in the morning with the sun creeping into the window. Not today though no sun at all almost until it was time to put my son on the bus did I begin to see any sight of the sun. With that light it makes all seem like it should, so when it is not there it makes it hard to crawl out of bed and face the day. Likewise if we replace the "u" in sun and make it an "o" as in Son, does not this same concept apply? Too many of us face each day with out the help of the light that comes from our Father's Son. Without that light, we will walk in eternal darkness, is that really what God intended His creation to do?I don't think so!!Prayer:Father Almighty, thank you for the eternal light that you shine for all of us. Help us to open our eyes and remove our blinders so that we can see with
Friday, March 11, 2011
Quick Gospel-Prayer
Today is an open ended devotional. Pray today for the following:
Those effected by the devistating tsunami
Those that are hurting with sickness, relationship, emotions, issues
Those that are lost and can not see the light in this world
Those that can be the light to those that can not find it.
Those that are fighting with finances,
Those that are hospitalzed, or waiting for test results to be a stress free day, today from worry!
Those that have passed away, and for those families in their sympathies
Those that need strength, courage, and wisdom to reach those that need reached.
Today, you can find someone to pray for so take time to do it!
Prayer:
Creator of all that is seen, we come to you in observance today by prayer for others and even oursleves. That you will open our hearts, eyes, and mind to you and all that you answer by our prayers. Amen.
Those effected by the devistating tsunami
Those that are hurting with sickness, relationship, emotions, issues
Those that are lost and can not see the light in this world
Those that can be the light to those that can not find it.
Those that are fighting with finances,
Those that are hospitalzed, or waiting for test results to be a stress free day, today from worry!
Those that have passed away, and for those families in their sympathies
Those that need strength, courage, and wisdom to reach those that need reached.
Today, you can find someone to pray for so take time to do it!
Prayer:
Creator of all that is seen, we come to you in observance today by prayer for others and even oursleves. That you will open our hearts, eyes, and mind to you and all that you answer by our prayers. Amen.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Quick Gospel
Psalm 119:11
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Thought:
Dr. Bridgeman, my professor, has made this statement numerous times in class to get us aware of our surroundings and the available help that we sometimes do not see or notice. So the statement is " use all of your resources", how true of a statement that is too. When we think we can not find another way to solve a problem, or we get lost in translation over something we have a tendency to shut down and give up. This is also true when it comes to following God. I myself fall into this stigmatism of relying soley on me to accomplish things. But, then get discouraged and walk away not seeing before me a golden opportunity that God has placed infront of me because I am not using all of my available resources. Keeping the Word of God in your heart is the best resource you can have and use. This allows you to, at all times, be prepared and keep your eyes open for those resoures that God is supplying you with.
Prayer:
Almighty God, again we fall short of being true followers of you and your Son. Give us the understanding to look for all that you provide for us in all the situations that this worldly life throws at us. Open the eyes of my heart Lord I want to see you!
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Thought:
Dr. Bridgeman, my professor, has made this statement numerous times in class to get us aware of our surroundings and the available help that we sometimes do not see or notice. So the statement is " use all of your resources", how true of a statement that is too. When we think we can not find another way to solve a problem, or we get lost in translation over something we have a tendency to shut down and give up. This is also true when it comes to following God. I myself fall into this stigmatism of relying soley on me to accomplish things. But, then get discouraged and walk away not seeing before me a golden opportunity that God has placed infront of me because I am not using all of my available resources. Keeping the Word of God in your heart is the best resource you can have and use. This allows you to, at all times, be prepared and keep your eyes open for those resoures that God is supplying you with.
Prayer:
Almighty God, again we fall short of being true followers of you and your Son. Give us the understanding to look for all that you provide for us in all the situations that this worldly life throws at us. Open the eyes of my heart Lord I want to see you!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Tuned in Tuesday
This month I am featuring some of the newset artist in the world of christian music. Last week I featured Coffey Anderson. I still have JJ Heller, and Josh Wilson to go this month, but this week I want to feature a praise and worship band that I feel will make their mark on the world of music in the year 2011. The group is City Harmonic and the song is titled Manifesto. I hope you enjoy it, and please feel free to give me your feedback and any request that you may have. I wish you all a great and blessed week.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Quick Gospel
Romans 7:18
18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.
Thought:
So what a crushing blow this becomes for me, to realize that everytime I go to God, for any reason. I become undone in His sight. Unfinished, because in me there is nothing good, but through Him all things are good and wonderful. It is a new week, and already a devistating week for yet another lose in my family. Yet we continue to know that God is the one in charge. I recently made a comment to a few people that I felt like I was living the life of Job, but as well like Job it was hard for him to admit that life with out God was not good. In all that he had endured in his life he stood by his belief in an everlasting God. Because Job knew that with out Him his life would alwasy remain undone, unfinished. Realize today that God has something in you that he wants finished so let Him have control of it and see what gets done. Letting God control your life you will have opportunity to see lots of great and wonderful things carried out through you that will make an impact to many others around you.
Prayer:
Creator of day and night, you ae with me in all that I do. Aloow me to realize that without you nothing works for the good. Be good, do good in my life today so that others will benefit.
As well today please keep the McIntosh family (my sister) in your thoughts and prayers in this time of loss and sympathy for the entire family. Amen.
18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.
Thought:
So what a crushing blow this becomes for me, to realize that everytime I go to God, for any reason. I become undone in His sight. Unfinished, because in me there is nothing good, but through Him all things are good and wonderful. It is a new week, and already a devistating week for yet another lose in my family. Yet we continue to know that God is the one in charge. I recently made a comment to a few people that I felt like I was living the life of Job, but as well like Job it was hard for him to admit that life with out God was not good. In all that he had endured in his life he stood by his belief in an everlasting God. Because Job knew that with out Him his life would alwasy remain undone, unfinished. Realize today that God has something in you that he wants finished so let Him have control of it and see what gets done. Letting God control your life you will have opportunity to see lots of great and wonderful things carried out through you that will make an impact to many others around you.
Prayer:
Creator of day and night, you ae with me in all that I do. Aloow me to realize that without you nothing works for the good. Be good, do good in my life today so that others will benefit.
As well today please keep the McIntosh family (my sister) in your thoughts and prayers in this time of loss and sympathy for the entire family. Amen.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Quick Gospel
Proverbs 31:10-31
10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. 11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. 12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. 13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. 15 She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. 16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. 18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. 19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. 20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. 21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. 22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. 25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. 26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29 "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. 31 Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Thought:
So as a conclusion to my soapbox gospel on wednesday this is my comment to women and wives form this scripture selection. Women/wives you are as responsible for the actions of your men/husbands. If you are letting them get away with these actions that they are doing then you can not turn and point the finger and blame them. One thing in my seminary translations class that I have been taught is that yes Adam was created first, but in researshing the word Adam in the hebrew Bible it actually indicated that Adam means mankind which includes any gender. It is believed that as the moment that this creation happened mankind was made in the image of God as a human bourne flesh. So to me that would indicate that men are responsible for women and women are responsible for men!
Prayer:
Lord God, we know we have so much to learn and our minds need to stay focued on that learning to better our relationships on earth. Give us the understanding , so that as we better our earthly relationships we grow in our spiritual relationship with you as well. Amen.
10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. 11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. 12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. 13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. 15 She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. 16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. 18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. 19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. 20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. 21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. 22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. 25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. 26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29 "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. 31 Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Thought:
So as a conclusion to my soapbox gospel on wednesday this is my comment to women and wives form this scripture selection. Women/wives you are as responsible for the actions of your men/husbands. If you are letting them get away with these actions that they are doing then you can not turn and point the finger and blame them. One thing in my seminary translations class that I have been taught is that yes Adam was created first, but in researshing the word Adam in the hebrew Bible it actually indicated that Adam means mankind which includes any gender. It is believed that as the moment that this creation happened mankind was made in the image of God as a human bourne flesh. So to me that would indicate that men are responsible for women and women are responsible for men!
Prayer:
Lord God, we know we have so much to learn and our minds need to stay focued on that learning to better our relationships on earth. Give us the understanding , so that as we better our earthly relationships we grow in our spiritual relationship with you as well. Amen.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Quick Gospel
Ephesians 5:25-27
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
Thought:
I am probably opening a can that I may not want to open, but in this fire of emotion that is rolling through me this morning He assures me this is where He wants me to go. In the past week I have been bombarded with prayer request and advice to friends about husbands. What are husbands, and fathers coming to in these days of age where they deem it OK to correspond with family by their actions on facebook, and texting? Men if we do not cherish the grounds of our wives, what kind of relationship will we have with God almighty? When we do and say things that put our wives down we are lacking in our call to love them as Christ loves the Church. Where are we at when men look at fashion models, and question why our wives think that we do not look at them the same way. It has been a hard week for me on a personal level, but let me say that on a spiritual level God has taken me to a whole new place in my understanding of His word with these battles.
Prayer:
Still Speaking God give us the wisdom to know how to read your Word and Live it! Amen.
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
Thought:
I am probably opening a can that I may not want to open, but in this fire of emotion that is rolling through me this morning He assures me this is where He wants me to go. In the past week I have been bombarded with prayer request and advice to friends about husbands. What are husbands, and fathers coming to in these days of age where they deem it OK to correspond with family by their actions on facebook, and texting? Men if we do not cherish the grounds of our wives, what kind of relationship will we have with God almighty? When we do and say things that put our wives down we are lacking in our call to love them as Christ loves the Church. Where are we at when men look at fashion models, and question why our wives think that we do not look at them the same way. It has been a hard week for me on a personal level, but let me say that on a spiritual level God has taken me to a whole new place in my understanding of His word with these battles.
Prayer:
Still Speaking God give us the wisdom to know how to read your Word and Live it! Amen.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Tuned in Tuesday
New found artist for me is Coffey Anderson. Love his new album, as well as this song from that album " All Ye" is the title and a great message it talks about humbling yourself in the sight of the Lord. A practice that we all need to do ech time we look at ourselves in the mirror. Know that you are an image of our great God and he made you to be great as well.
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