Tag: Ephesians

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Others First

I know I write often about putting others first – mostly because I usually place them second or third, or maybe 19th.  But it’s my goal to place others first, and to always find ways to make others better.  So, when I see incredible examples of this, I like to share them with you.

This morning I discovered a story of a college track athlete named Cameron Lyle, who is ending his track career to donate bone marrow to someone he does not know.  That’s really neat.  Take a look at this article HERE.

That’s really good stuff.  I hope you find it a bit of inspiration in the story that enables you to give to others in whatever way you can today!

…only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs… Ephesians 4:29

 

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Sounds, Winds and Trees

Last night I was awoken by the sounds of the wind ripping around the corner of my home and banging on the screen door outside my sleeping chamber.  As I opened my eyes I could see those darn view stealing trees bending and swaying.  So, since this seems to be my time to observe storms I laid there and monitor their progress for some time, hoping they yield to the wind and return to me the vistas which lie so pleasantly beyond their stance.   That was not be, as those guys are firmly root, and were established well by their gardener many years ago, and they stand as a reminder and an example for my spirit to follow.

16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.  Ephesians 3:16-19 (NIV)

6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7(NIV)

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No Unwholesome Talk

I was preparing for some conversations with young teenagers about the power and influence of the media they consume and they people they associate with on their (our!) own behaviors and thought patterns when I stumbled over this verse quite accidentally.

29 When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need—words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you. Ephesians 4:29 (NCV)

This is a thought that we always remember.  As you end your week, make sure your words are for edification, not destruction.

 

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Dark Ages?

I had an interesting conversation with my eldest son on the way home last night that circled around how much bad for the name of Christ the church of the middle ages did and how today’s ‘über conservative controlling’ churches don’t help much either.

It was good to see that he didn’t think the church was about a group of people gaining power and authority here on earth, but that it was more about a group of people who want to love and serve each other, and bring glory to their creator.  Sort of like this…

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32 NIV)

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One Word 2013

It’s the first real day of the year, the day most of us, minus educators are heading back to the daily grind after hopefully enjoying a great break and time with family. I think I may have spent more hours at home over the last few weeks then I did in October and November combined!  So full of energy and completely rejuvenated I begrudgingly head off to the office to get back to ‘work’.

But it’s a new year, and that means it’s time for a new focus. Today I will reveal my one word for the year. I hope you spent a little time doing this as well. I found this idea actually helped last year.  It was so much more motivating then a list of short-lived resolutions!  (You should try it, really!)

I played with the word renew, but I felt it seemed too New Years dayish, even thought I really liked the concept of always trying to re-create each day in the year.   But I left that and went in a slightly different !  This word was sort of leaked yesterday in the concept of the video that I posted.

This year my word is:

good

It’s an adjective, it’s a noun, it’s an adverb, and I think it is quite motivational. I am hopeful that it can help focus me when I relate to others, when I evaluate my actions, when I spent my money and when I prioritize and plan my activities.   This isn’t a word that I intend to use to describe myself, but something that I hope will keep me focused with the correct mindset each and every day in 2013. I mean look at what the Christ himself said about it.

 “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.” Luke 18:19 NASB

However, since it does describe the Creator of the Universe,  I am hoping that it will help me keep my eye on him!  So with that, just one more thing to add.  I want to extend the one word 365 concept just a small bit, by adding a verse for the year as well:

10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

So that’s my word for the year. What’s yours? Share it in the comments, or add it to the oneword365 site!