Month: January 2015

Recently, I was listening to some guy speak about singing the Psalms and how the current generation doesn’t do that very much.  It was a pretty interesting comment and so I have been on the lookout ever since.  Last night I heard someone read Psalm 95 out loud and could tell the entire time that he was struggling  to simply read it without bursting into song.

I am not convinced yet that we don’t sing the Psalms as often as we used to. I am still observing that trend, however, I bet you have a hard time not singing Psalm 95 to yourself today, at least for a few minutes!!!

Go ahead, he made it!

This thing in France is really bugging me.  I am so tired of this crazy approach to revenge, this assault on freedom of thinking and the cowardly style of the attacks. However, what is bugging more is how to respond.  As a follower of the Christ, my mind has been troubled with developing the appropriate response to this sort of thing.  Is there a side to take?  Is there vengeance to wish for?  As world changers ( that is what followers of the Christ are), how do we change this world.

And the one thing I do know is that we are to change the world with the way we respond.

 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

¹⁰ For,

“Whoever would love life
    and see good days
must keep their tongue from evil
    and their lips from deceitful speech.
¹¹ They must turn from evil and do good;
    they must seek peace and pursue it.
¹² For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
    and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

¹³ Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.”¹⁵ But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.

1 Peter 3:9-15(NIV)

The mystery for me at the moment is to figure out the best way to do that. Have any ideas?

I can’t believe it’s the eighth day of the year already.  I am sure you have already broken your resolutions, however, I am so scattered right now that I haven’t even created a list!  I can see I am having a bit of trouble maintaining a certain level of focus as the year gets started.  That’s evident in the scarcity and brevity of the posts on this wonderful site.

Sometimes the first step to solving a problem is self-recognition, so at least there’s that!

My son, stay focused; listen to the wisdom I have gained;
    give attention to what I have learned about life
² So you may be able to make sensible judgments
    and speak with knowledge. Proverbs 5:1-2

Actually, I think my issue may not be one of scatteredness, just more about getting back into a rhythm and habit.  There have been several distractions like the weather and work this week that have taken me out of my normal schedule and have taken a little bit more of my time.

Either way, stick with it.  This place will begin to shape up because ‘inch by inch, it’s a cinch’!

I was so lazy over the last few weeks enjoying the holidays that apparently I forgot how to blog correctly.  I had a great post yesterday that included Sponge Bob, Philippians and positive thinking. Somehow it did not get saved completely nor posted. ( user error).  Not a great start for the blog.  Maybe I can find a copy floating around somewhere and get it posted.

Anyway, here’s one for today, that maybe will actually make it.

As you get back into the swing of things on the second work day of the year, remember that the Creator of the world that you had so much value that he traded his son for you.

31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Romans 8:31-32 (NIV)

As you interact with others, remember that value and that he values others just as much!