Tag: encouragement

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It’s Coffee Day!

Well here is it!  It’s National Coffee Day! And I am glad for all of you coffee drinkers out there!  I have a certain disdain for coffee, as you know I prefer the Gentleman’s Drink.  It could be that it all started when my older brother took a sip of my father’s coffee and then sprinting off puking. I have not really had much of a desire for coffee since that day!  Or, it could be that I like to keep saying my classic one liner when asked if I want a cup of java – “No, thanks, I’m a Christian!”  ( what that had to do with it , I am not really sure!)

But here is it upon us, National Coffee Day – so enjoy a coffee break and a cup of joe!  Several coffee serving establishments are giving it away today. Over at Punchbowl.com, you can even send a Coffee Day e-card for free, to share the love!

Actually I love the idea of coffee, because it is so associated with sitting down and having deep conversation.  So, maybe you should consider taking a cup of the world’s favorite beverage over to a friend, or an enemy, and share some time with them.  I am sure it will make their day!  Even I would probably suffer through a cup ( laced with lots of cream and sugar) to spend time together!

 

 22-25So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.  Hebrews 10:24-25 The Message (MSG)

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Who Do You Fear

Why is it that we use the excuse of fear so many times when we are trying to do something?  We say “I am afraid of their response” or “I am afraid of how they will react”  or “I am afraid of failure”.   Yesterday I mentioned some words from the Christ in Luke 12.  Today, I wanted to back up just a little in that same section of this book from the great doctor and see what else the Christ is saying.

4 “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. 7Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12:4-7 New International Version (NIV)

and here is the same thing from The Message

4-5″I’m speaking to you as dear friends. Don’t be bluffed into silence or insincerity by the threats of religious bullies. True, they can kill you, but then what can they do? There’s nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life—body and soul—in his hands.

6-7″What’s the price of two or three pet canaries? Some loose change, right? But God never overlooks a single one. And he pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail—even numbering the hairs on your head! So don’t be intimidated by all this bully talk. You’re worth more than a million canaries. Luke 12:4-7 The Message (MSG)

So why did I want to repeat the same thing two days in a row. Well I think it’s this thought that has been with me for several weeks, or maybe months. I was in a discussion with some people and one of the ladies said “It really comes down this. Do you fear God more than your fears?”. Hm. I think that is a tough thought. We are paralyzed by fear, yet the Son of God tells us that we should not be afraid of those on this world, but only be afraid of the creator of the world.
I find that when I live with this bold thought it becomes so freeing. It removes so many of the worries of life. Are you flying on a airplane? – no fear! teaching a kid to drive?, no fear! Talking to a new person – no fear!  Stepping out on faith – No Fear!  It allows me to life the radical risk filled life that continues to make me grow ( and avoid ruts).
But when I am fearful, oh, then I am full of the most creative kinds of anxiety that a person could ever imagine. And I a paralyzed into inactivity and non action, and I find comfort in the ruts of life.

I bet it is the same for you!

So, consider those words in Luke and the words of my friend as well – Do you fear God more than your fears?

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Friday Funday

 w00t woot!  it’s Friday and it’s the start of football!!!!  (oh did you know that woot is a now an official word?  yep it is now in the Oxford Dictionary)

Well since it is Friday, here is just a simple thought to consider. (plus I am already jammed up with 7 and 8 am appointments)

Did you know you can’t create darkness?  It just exists.  But you can create light, and so here are some random Friday thoughts about creating light:

First an ancient chinese proverb (or so I am told, it’s still pretty cool):

Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.

And then this thought which I always find encouraging:

Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky  NIV Philippians 2:15

And finally just a little bit more:

 14-16Do everything readily and cheerfully—no bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night so I’ll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that Christ returns. You’ll be living proof that I didn’t go to all this work for nothing. Philippians 2:15 The Message (MSG)

Shine your light today! ( and forget about all that cursing!)

 

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Defining Dissipation

Yesterday, I found a reason to download the Miriam Webster Dictionary application right in the middle of the morning worship service.  I am so glad the church has a wi-fi network.  The following verse in the book of Luke was mentioned:

34 “Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap; Luke 21:34 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

And there I was completely confused as to what dissipation means. I thought dissipation was the process of dissipating or a dispersion. So in this case it seems sort of funny. So off to Mr Webster I went.

Definition of DISSIPATION
1
: the action or process of dissipating : the state of being dissipated: a : dispersion, diffusion b archaic : dissolution, disintegration c : wasteful expenditure d : intemperate living; especially : excessive drinking
2
: an act of self-indulgence; especially : one that is not harmful : amusement

To make matters even more confusing, the American Standard uses the word surfeiting. Another common everday word! NOT – so again back to Mr Webster!

Definition of SURFEIT
transitive verb
: to feed, supply, or give to surfeit
intransitive verb
archaic : to indulge to satiety in a gratification (as indulgence of the appetite or senses)

So, there ya have it.  Thanks to wi fi and apps, I was able to quickly understand this exhortation from the Christ himself.  And I think it’s a pretty good bit of encouragement to start off a week with.  Let’s not be disintegrated by our way of lives, but even more so let us stay solid.

Of course in this case it appears I could have also just jumped over to the Message!

 

34-36″But be on your guard. Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap, for it’s going to come on everyone, everywhere, at once. So, whatever you do, don’t go to sleep at the switch. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that’s coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34 The Message (MSG)

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Shadows

I thought I had a really great thought this morning about being in Orlando, and being right on the edge of Disney World and how that could have  some symbolic meaning about being close to something that you really loved that you couldn’t get. 

And then I thought about how at the Holy Lands Park on Monday they recreated the crucifixion and the resurrection of Christ and his second coming, and again how that was just like a tease since it was something that we lots of us look forward to, but alas it is not here yet.

So I thought I had a great thought about shadows and how those glimpses into the future keep us motivated to keep moving.  I even thought that this verse in Colossians would be great for that,

17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ Colossians 2:17

But it was just a shadow of a thought, a passing glimpse, not even a real post, so I will just share this encouraging verse today instead:

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:15-17