Today, I have to write my self assessed mid year review. That’s always fun!
I was thinking maybe I should just write this.
20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God,who loved meand gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 New International Version (NIV)
Last night had a really strange dream. I can’t even go into all the details, but at one point, I was touring a home where this sentence hung on the wall next to the mirror on the wall.
“This is God’s Response”
Hm, that is so interesting. just imagine, if as believers we took some time to think about how our response to situations should mimic Gods. Now, let me be clear. I am not saying that we are God. What I am saying and thinking is that if we are reflecting God, then our response should mimic his response.
For me that’s pretty sobering, and pretty thought-provoking. I mean, just imagine if that is how we really lived – remembering that we are the hands and feet of God, and living our lives to show others his glory.
27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ Gal 3
15 Be very careful, then, how you live —not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Eph 5
Spring has Sprung!
Yeah, it’s the first day of Spring. It was pretty cool to come out of the mountains of Kentucky where there were no leaves on any trees into the Tennessee Valley and see the bright vibrant colors of green everywhere last night. That’s an awesome transformation! That’s way I love spring.
Speaking of transformations, today is also Alien Abduction Day! Yes, and if you are worried, you can buy insurance to protect against any mishandling by the extraterrestrials.
That’s one encounter I don’t plan on having. I am not so big on having a creepy alien burst force from my rib cage. But talking about transformations and thing inside of you, here is a transformation that even blows away the fantastic yearly surprise of Winter moving to Spring.
20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Galatians 2:20 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
As the flowers bloom and grow, think about you is living with you! Let his presence bloom and transform you!
With the 78 degree weather yesterday, my mind is turning towards one thing – planting! Yes, I can’t believe it’s almost time to start getting those early plants in the ground so that I can reap the harvest later this summer.
And that also got me thinking about the other seeds that I am planting right now. I am really curious what I will reap in my spiritual, work, and physical life in the summer(and beyond) from the seeds I am planting right now. I think we all have reap the benefits of good seeds planted, and the penalty of bad seeds when they bloomed in full force.
Let’s go through today planting the right seeds.
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:7-10 NIV
One of the messages I heard this weekend was around simplicity. Of course this is a pretty hot cultural topic these days, but even so it’s an important attribute and discipline to consider.
I am not usually a note taker, as I find that I learn better by just listening ( or maybe I am just lazy?) – but I did stop and write down this one catch phrase, as I thought it would be good to pass along to all of you guys out there. It was a great summary of the talk, and it is a phrase that you can remember and mediate on.
Simply put
Produce more than you consume
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 New International Version (NIV)