It has been snowing here in Upstate South Carolina since about 1:00 AM this morning. There's about 6" of snow in the yard and it's still coming down. What was falling softly down earlier is now falling sideways as the wind picks up. We have been told this will change to sleet and/or freezing rain later in the day so I guess this will be with us for a few days. I think the science of weather forecasting has improved a lot because our local meteorologists have been dead on with the Christmas day snow and this one.
I really do not like cold weather - give me hot any day!! But one thing I like about the snow is the silence that it creates because people are home, indoors and not out hurrying here and there. There is a major highway about 200 yards from my back door across the creek and up a wooded hill. I've become used to the sounds of the highway and don't generally notice them. But today I really noticed the lack of highway noise. I like that!
There are no children in my neighborhood and not many of the "I just HAVE to get out and drive in this snow" type people so there is not the usual traffic in front of the house either. Just snow and quiet.
Yesterday at church my Prayer Team Leader was talking about the need for a Sabbath rest. Today is a perfect day for that - a day to read God's word and pray and contemplate His activity in my life, both what He's brought me through and where He's taking me next.
Some people have to go to work no matter what but when home is the option, what better way to spend it than with God. And my cat. And a cup of hot tea.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
They Supposed
I wonder how many times arguments in families or businesses or churches occur because someone supposed a person had done or said something. How many times could the disagreement be averted if people just talked?
When Paul was arrested in the temple in Jerusalem, he was purifying himself according to the Jewish custom and was with other Jews. But the men who were opposed to Paul had seen him earlier with a man from Ephesus and supposed Paul had brought him into the temple. Since the man was not a Jew, this would be defiling the temple. But Paul hadn't done it. The man in question was not in the temple and had not been brought into the temple by Paul.
This made me think about my own relationships. Have there been times I been angry with someone because I supposed they had acted when I didn't know for a fact? Have churches ever split wide open because people were acting on gossip or supposition with knowing the truth?
Sometimes we're afraid to ask, "Did you say..." or "Did you do..." We can build whole scenarios around false assumptions. But in addition to asking for the truth we also need to ask does it matter. Is this issue important enough to cause a rip in the fabric of my relationships? Most of the time, probably not. Maybe I have a pride issue that is bigger than the "supposed" actions of another.
When Paul was arrested in the temple in Jerusalem, he was purifying himself according to the Jewish custom and was with other Jews. But the men who were opposed to Paul had seen him earlier with a man from Ephesus and supposed Paul had brought him into the temple. Since the man was not a Jew, this would be defiling the temple. But Paul hadn't done it. The man in question was not in the temple and had not been brought into the temple by Paul.
This made me think about my own relationships. Have there been times I been angry with someone because I supposed they had acted when I didn't know for a fact? Have churches ever split wide open because people were acting on gossip or supposition with knowing the truth?
Sometimes we're afraid to ask, "Did you say..." or "Did you do..." We can build whole scenarios around false assumptions. But in addition to asking for the truth we also need to ask does it matter. Is this issue important enough to cause a rip in the fabric of my relationships? Most of the time, probably not. Maybe I have a pride issue that is bigger than the "supposed" actions of another.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Am I a Threat to Evil
In Acts 19:11-16 we read the story of the sons of Sceva who were Jewish exorcists trying to drive out evil spirits by invoking the names of Jesus and Paul. The evil spirit said I know Jesus and recognize Paul, but who are you?
So what about me? No I don't go around trying to drive out evil spirits but am I known as a threat to those evil spirits conducting their warfare in the heavenly places?
What is there in my day to day life that is driving back the forces of the evil one? Who is crossing over from death to life because of my influence in their lives? How am I rattling the gates of Hell and helping to rescue those who are floundering in their faith - or have no faith at all?
In asking am I threat to evil I guess I'm really asking am I making a difference in anyone's life? Or am I just coasting along, content that I'm on the narrow road to life? This passage says it's a hard way. Is there anything "hard" in my walk through the narrow gate?
So what about me? No I don't go around trying to drive out evil spirits but am I known as a threat to those evil spirits conducting their warfare in the heavenly places?
What is there in my day to day life that is driving back the forces of the evil one? Who is crossing over from death to life because of my influence in their lives? How am I rattling the gates of Hell and helping to rescue those who are floundering in their faith - or have no faith at all?
In asking am I threat to evil I guess I'm really asking am I making a difference in anyone's life? Or am I just coasting along, content that I'm on the narrow road to life? This passage says it's a hard way. Is there anything "hard" in my walk through the narrow gate?
Political Correctness
I got an e-reader for Christmas from my son and his family. It came with 100 free books - those old books that have no copyright restrictions. One of the books I read was the Adventures of Tom Sawyer. It had been many, many years since I'd read it so I was a little shocked to see the word "nigger" (or rather the N word as we say today) in the text maybe 4 or 5 times. I don't recall how many times it was there, but not much.
That word was NEVER allowed to be spoken in our home even though I grew up in the South of the 50's before the days of Civil Rights. My parents believed the word was an unkind, derogatory expression and as such was unworthy to come from the lips of a Christ follower because God created ALL people and ALL races.
So it came as no surprise to me that I saw on the news just yesterday that someone is re-writing Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn to take that word out and use the word slave in it's place. But now I can't remember if the person referred to was actually a slave or not in the story. I guess calling someone a slave is less inflammatory today than using the N word.
But it is not just the social commentary fiction of Mark Twain that has recently jolted my brain with political correctness - or incorrectness as the case may be.
I downloaded an epub copy of the NIV Bible, published by Zondervan in 2010. As I started reading in Matthew, something kept gnawing at me as not right as I read the familiar stories. I finally figured out that it is the political correctness of the text. Because I normally read the English Standard Version and my printed copies of the NIV are older, I was not aware of the NIV removing the male pronouns and changing the text to the plural they, their, them. So a passage I am used to reading that says, "...if anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" now reads "...whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." (Matthew 16:24).
In all the years of reading the Bible as a child, I never doubted that God's word, God's promises, God's love, God's salvation was for me as a female even though the pronouns in the Bible were all pretty much male. And that made me wonder about the insecurities of our day that make people want to change all sorts of texts to make them feel better about themselves. Not that it's necessarily wrong just wondering why we feel the need to do it.
That word was NEVER allowed to be spoken in our home even though I grew up in the South of the 50's before the days of Civil Rights. My parents believed the word was an unkind, derogatory expression and as such was unworthy to come from the lips of a Christ follower because God created ALL people and ALL races.
So it came as no surprise to me that I saw on the news just yesterday that someone is re-writing Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn to take that word out and use the word slave in it's place. But now I can't remember if the person referred to was actually a slave or not in the story. I guess calling someone a slave is less inflammatory today than using the N word.
But it is not just the social commentary fiction of Mark Twain that has recently jolted my brain with political correctness - or incorrectness as the case may be.
I downloaded an epub copy of the NIV Bible, published by Zondervan in 2010. As I started reading in Matthew, something kept gnawing at me as not right as I read the familiar stories. I finally figured out that it is the political correctness of the text. Because I normally read the English Standard Version and my printed copies of the NIV are older, I was not aware of the NIV removing the male pronouns and changing the text to the plural they, their, them. So a passage I am used to reading that says, "...if anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" now reads "...whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." (Matthew 16:24).
In all the years of reading the Bible as a child, I never doubted that God's word, God's promises, God's love, God's salvation was for me as a female even though the pronouns in the Bible were all pretty much male. And that made me wonder about the insecurities of our day that make people want to change all sorts of texts to make them feel better about themselves. Not that it's necessarily wrong just wondering why we feel the need to do it.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
The Little Things
Barnabas, the son of encouragement, found Paul when he was still isolated from the apostles. He introduced Paul to them and stood beside him during the time when people remembered Paul as the persecutor. They spent a lot of time together doing ministry. Then one day they had a "sharp disagreement" and Paul took Silas and went one way while Barnabas took John Mark and went another way.
In talking about this story, someone said I guess we know who made the right choice meaning Paul because he went on to be "famous" and Barnabas and John Mark are not heard from again. That statement has always bothered me because notoriety is not necessarily an indication of God's blessing.
Of course Paul WAS God's chosen instrument to take the gospel to the Gentiles and has a standing among the early church leaders that few can compare to because of his obedience to God's call. But it is also generally assumed that the Gospel of Mark was written by this same John Mark that Paul rejected but Barnabas encouraged. It is also generally believed that this was the first written account of Jesus' ministry circulated among the new churches.
There are things that I do, and others do as well, little things to encourage someone. Praying for someone. Giving tithes and offerings to God through His church. Being dependable to fulfill ministry roles I've agreed to. Loving on my family in various ways. A card or an email sent. Little things that may never get noticed by anyone but Jesus. No one knows what impact those little things may have in someone's life.
Obedience is the goal - obedience in all things, whether they are little things or very big things. Listening to God's voice and then acting on what I hear.
In talking about this story, someone said I guess we know who made the right choice meaning Paul because he went on to be "famous" and Barnabas and John Mark are not heard from again. That statement has always bothered me because notoriety is not necessarily an indication of God's blessing.
Of course Paul WAS God's chosen instrument to take the gospel to the Gentiles and has a standing among the early church leaders that few can compare to because of his obedience to God's call. But it is also generally assumed that the Gospel of Mark was written by this same John Mark that Paul rejected but Barnabas encouraged. It is also generally believed that this was the first written account of Jesus' ministry circulated among the new churches.
There are things that I do, and others do as well, little things to encourage someone. Praying for someone. Giving tithes and offerings to God through His church. Being dependable to fulfill ministry roles I've agreed to. Loving on my family in various ways. A card or an email sent. Little things that may never get noticed by anyone but Jesus. No one knows what impact those little things may have in someone's life.
Obedience is the goal - obedience in all things, whether they are little things or very big things. Listening to God's voice and then acting on what I hear.
Monday, January 3, 2011
God Grants Repentance
I've been reading Acts for several days now. Acts 11:18 is the end of Peter's story to the Apostles in Jerusalem about his trip to the Gentiles and God's revelation to Peter that salvation is available to all...even the Gentiles.
Today we would say, well, duh! But in those days they really believed salvation was only for the Jews. However, we are just as guilty of sitting in our little cocoons and being content and not reaching out to those around us because God wouldn't want to use ME to reach THEM. "Them" being those we think of as beyond God's reach because their lives are so screwed up or people we assume are okay even though they may be totally un-okay because they have no relationship with Jesus or maybe we just don't like them so we can't be bothered.
Yesterday in a clip from Andy Stanley at the NewSpring Leadership Conference, Andy said the church is not for church people. He asked how many church people were in the church when Jesus launched the church? And the answer is...Zero!
So, how am I going to be available to be used by God this year? What am I willing to do, where am I willing to go, what expense am I willing to bear to see God grant repentance to those I come in contact with?
Open my eyes, my ears, my heart to You, O Lord, that I might see as You see, hear Your direction, love as You love to be Your agent for change in the lives of those around me.
Today we would say, well, duh! But in those days they really believed salvation was only for the Jews. However, we are just as guilty of sitting in our little cocoons and being content and not reaching out to those around us because God wouldn't want to use ME to reach THEM. "Them" being those we think of as beyond God's reach because their lives are so screwed up or people we assume are okay even though they may be totally un-okay because they have no relationship with Jesus or maybe we just don't like them so we can't be bothered.
Yesterday in a clip from Andy Stanley at the NewSpring Leadership Conference, Andy said the church is not for church people. He asked how many church people were in the church when Jesus launched the church? And the answer is...Zero!
So, how am I going to be available to be used by God this year? What am I willing to do, where am I willing to go, what expense am I willing to bear to see God grant repentance to those I come in contact with?
Open my eyes, my ears, my heart to You, O Lord, that I might see as You see, hear Your direction, love as You love to be Your agent for change in the lives of those around me.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Retirement
I am now almost 3 months into my retirement. I must say that I like it. I was not sure I would because I had worked every day for 40+ years except for my yearly vacation and a few holidays. Money is doing OK although I have had times when I have had to fill the gas tank more often than before I retired (I went to Greenville 4 times one week). Being paid once a month is a new thing for me so that has been an adjustment.
I am volunteering regularly with Mobile Meals of Spartanburg but have turned down some volunteer opportunities because they sounded too much like work but just not getting paid for it. It is important to me that I am doing something that helps people more than just helping an organization. I am still trying to find the right balance between doing enough and not doing anything but sit in a chair and read.
Over time I may increase my "output" but right now, I am having lots of fun trolling the library and Barnes & Noble; taking the grandchildren here and there; reading books by the score (although NOTHING deep or meaningful - everything just purely for fun and enjoyment); taking care of my cat, which I didn't particularly want but the grandchildren did and could not have at their apartment.
I am finding retirement to be everything I want it to be which is a good thing. Maybe that is because I chose to retire and was not forced to retire. And also because I like me and spending my days with me suits me just fine!
I am volunteering regularly with Mobile Meals of Spartanburg but have turned down some volunteer opportunities because they sounded too much like work but just not getting paid for it. It is important to me that I am doing something that helps people more than just helping an organization. I am still trying to find the right balance between doing enough and not doing anything but sit in a chair and read.
Over time I may increase my "output" but right now, I am having lots of fun trolling the library and Barnes & Noble; taking the grandchildren here and there; reading books by the score (although NOTHING deep or meaningful - everything just purely for fun and enjoyment); taking care of my cat, which I didn't particularly want but the grandchildren did and could not have at their apartment.
I am finding retirement to be everything I want it to be which is a good thing. Maybe that is because I chose to retire and was not forced to retire. And also because I like me and spending my days with me suits me just fine!
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