Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Monday, July 9, 2012
Bitterness
I suspect that there is no one who needs to look very far to uncover an incident in his life that brings a sense of bitterness to mind.
It is a deadly stress. (Along with guilt, anger, lust, greed, envy, and fear)
I was reading about bitterness in several books. They all agree that harboring bitterness affects health, digestion, and the bones. It's ugly.
Why then, do we find it lurking behind a curtain of thoughts? Why wouldn't we purge it from our hearts and minds, never to re-visit the terrible memories?
Why would we knowingly jeopardize our lives with unresolved heartache?
It's one of those things that can only be fought with spiritual grace and power. The human condition, evil, is prone to breed all sorts of bitterness, just as we deal with sin. People without Christ have little spiritual power to fight the bitterness monster within.
They can drown it in addictions. They can wallow in it. They can try to forget----but then it pops up again, the dark grimace fleetingly showing.
Better to deal with it. Better to forgive, to love, to find the source of destruction and give it to God. He may direct you to embarrassing confessions---but what freedom and joy will follow!
Let God work it out of you. Be free of that pain through His might.
Daily choose to forgive. Each new moment of painful memory choose God's power over destructive evil. This is one of those battles that must be fought minute by minute.
And don't let down your guard! When that enemy jumps out at you be ready for it. Choose righteousness.
It is a deadly stress. (Along with guilt, anger, lust, greed, envy, and fear)
I was reading about bitterness in several books. They all agree that harboring bitterness affects health, digestion, and the bones. It's ugly.
Why then, do we find it lurking behind a curtain of thoughts? Why wouldn't we purge it from our hearts and minds, never to re-visit the terrible memories?
Why would we knowingly jeopardize our lives with unresolved heartache?
It's one of those things that can only be fought with spiritual grace and power. The human condition, evil, is prone to breed all sorts of bitterness, just as we deal with sin. People without Christ have little spiritual power to fight the bitterness monster within.
They can drown it in addictions. They can wallow in it. They can try to forget----but then it pops up again, the dark grimace fleetingly showing.
Better to deal with it. Better to forgive, to love, to find the source of destruction and give it to God. He may direct you to embarrassing confessions---but what freedom and joy will follow!
Let God work it out of you. Be free of that pain through His might.
Daily choose to forgive. Each new moment of painful memory choose God's power over destructive evil. This is one of those battles that must be fought minute by minute.
And don't let down your guard! When that enemy jumps out at you be ready for it. Choose righteousness.
Friday, July 6, 2012
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Retirement
Maybe I've had a taste of retirement the last few days, and I really don't think I'm going to get so much done during that phase of my life as I had thought.
I've been cleaning, sewing, ironing, reading, watching some of Caryl Matrisciana's DVD's, and having fun with friends. (Too much fun!) I've been picking up sticks in the yard, too, after a powerful storm went through during the night Monday.
Fireworks were great, but they didn't play "What a Wonderful World," or "Funky Town," which we had been accustomed to hearing during the show! (I can't explain it, but hearing those songs once a year in that setting was sort of an Independence Day thing). The fireworks were lovely, and a little mouse ran under our lawn chairs in consternation at the hoards of people invading its territory.
I did take the time to listen to the Pipedreams organ concert (it was online) at the National Cathedral yesterday and it was excellent. I just wish Ed could have seen a duo playing the "Stars and Stripes!" Hope it's recorded, and easy to find.
It's been hot. That's not news to my American readers.
A tornado warning was issued for the region where Ed and Cherie are at camp last night. No news is now good news, and I assume it passed over with out harm. Oh the stories we'll get to hear!
I really can't wait for tomorrow, to fetch them from camp. It just isn't so wonderful when they are away!
Word from the Ukraine is that my children are completely thrilled to be there. I'm thrilled that they get to see a very different country, and have a fantastic life experience!
I signed up for a "Lazy-man's Triathlon" at the YMCA this summer. All I've done so far is walk 2 miles (I need to do 26), swam 1 mile (I need to swim 2.5 miles) and no biking yet (I need to ride 117 miles!!!). There are six weeks to complete it and I am on my third week already.
Hmmmmm. I'd better get in gear.
I'm blaming the heat. And my bike is not exactly in great shape. My wonderfully mechanical husband was going to take a look at it and get it ridable today.
Next week I'll have to show some real discipline.
Perhaps that is what retirement is all about? Practicing discipline! I need to get in practice.
I've been cleaning, sewing, ironing, reading, watching some of Caryl Matrisciana's DVD's, and having fun with friends. (Too much fun!) I've been picking up sticks in the yard, too, after a powerful storm went through during the night Monday.
Fireworks were great, but they didn't play "What a Wonderful World," or "Funky Town," which we had been accustomed to hearing during the show! (I can't explain it, but hearing those songs once a year in that setting was sort of an Independence Day thing). The fireworks were lovely, and a little mouse ran under our lawn chairs in consternation at the hoards of people invading its territory.
I did take the time to listen to the Pipedreams organ concert (it was online) at the National Cathedral yesterday and it was excellent. I just wish Ed could have seen a duo playing the "Stars and Stripes!" Hope it's recorded, and easy to find.
It's been hot. That's not news to my American readers.
A tornado warning was issued for the region where Ed and Cherie are at camp last night. No news is now good news, and I assume it passed over with out harm. Oh the stories we'll get to hear!
I really can't wait for tomorrow, to fetch them from camp. It just isn't so wonderful when they are away!
Word from the Ukraine is that my children are completely thrilled to be there. I'm thrilled that they get to see a very different country, and have a fantastic life experience!
I signed up for a "Lazy-man's Triathlon" at the YMCA this summer. All I've done so far is walk 2 miles (I need to do 26), swam 1 mile (I need to swim 2.5 miles) and no biking yet (I need to ride 117 miles!!!). There are six weeks to complete it and I am on my third week already.
Hmmmmm. I'd better get in gear.
I'm blaming the heat. And my bike is not exactly in great shape. My wonderfully mechanical husband was going to take a look at it and get it ridable today.
Next week I'll have to show some real discipline.
Perhaps that is what retirement is all about? Practicing discipline! I need to get in practice.
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
We'll be a Mystery...
One of the things said by Warren Smith, who was a speaker at the conference last Friday, was that we will be a "mystery" to the world in the last days.
Don't you think you are a mystery to people who seem to espouse beliefs opposite of yours?
Well, that's a good thing!
Today there is an article about Noah's flood in a British newspaper. (Sort of :)) You can read for yourself and decide. Britain's Atlantis.
Here is another article I think is appropriate for our own American situation over the last few days regarding court decisions. Jonah Goldberg. From what my liberal friends are posting on the net I think there needs to be some sanity and balance injected into the fray.
Being a mystery is okay. We must be winsome and loving, helpful and serving, compassionate and knowing. Those things may be mysterious to a dark world, but they are also appreciated.
The Mystery is Christ in us. That the Holy Spirit can help us, lead us, and indwell us is the purest mystery.
We, God's creation, can know God!
That is a wonderful mystery.
Don't you think you are a mystery to people who seem to espouse beliefs opposite of yours?
Well, that's a good thing!
Today there is an article about Noah's flood in a British newspaper. (Sort of :)) You can read for yourself and decide. Britain's Atlantis.
Here is another article I think is appropriate for our own American situation over the last few days regarding court decisions. Jonah Goldberg. From what my liberal friends are posting on the net I think there needs to be some sanity and balance injected into the fray.
Being a mystery is okay. We must be winsome and loving, helpful and serving, compassionate and knowing. Those things may be mysterious to a dark world, but they are also appreciated.
The Mystery is Christ in us. That the Holy Spirit can help us, lead us, and indwell us is the purest mystery.
We, God's creation, can know God!
That is a wonderful mystery.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Fledge, Little Ones!
Tomorrow four of my chicks will leave the nest.
Two will fly over the Atlantic to parts eastern. Two will ride north to Bible camp.
I'll have only one left at home. (And it's not the youngest)
Not sure how I'll be able to divide my time---since there will be no demands on it from the youngsters!
Last evening some of us attended a prophecy conference. Looking at the events of the world through the eye-glass of Bible prophecy is sobering and exciting.
I'm one of those people who LOVES to study the Word of God, loves to read the news, and loves to draw conclusions for myself! I ponder.
Let me tell you, times are fascinating.
My little nestlings have such an incredible world to grow up to, and they are trying their wings away from home, interpreting their own experiences through the worldview they've been raised to understand.
It's exciting for them, and for me.
Blackberry's ear is healing after her surgery. Misty comforts her. She is finally in heat this year---way later than usual.
The cats greeted each other this morning with a nose touch! Progress.
I started sewing this afternoon and my machine said "fix me!" Guess I'll be using Ed's over the next few days until mine works again. So nice to have a back up!
So it's tally-ho!
Two will fly over the Atlantic to parts eastern. Two will ride north to Bible camp.
I'll have only one left at home. (And it's not the youngest)
Not sure how I'll be able to divide my time---since there will be no demands on it from the youngsters!
Last evening some of us attended a prophecy conference. Looking at the events of the world through the eye-glass of Bible prophecy is sobering and exciting.
I'm one of those people who LOVES to study the Word of God, loves to read the news, and loves to draw conclusions for myself! I ponder.
Let me tell you, times are fascinating.
My little nestlings have such an incredible world to grow up to, and they are trying their wings away from home, interpreting their own experiences through the worldview they've been raised to understand.
It's exciting for them, and for me.
Blackberry's ear is healing after her surgery. Misty comforts her. She is finally in heat this year---way later than usual.
The cats greeted each other this morning with a nose touch! Progress.
I started sewing this afternoon and my machine said "fix me!" Guess I'll be using Ed's over the next few days until mine works again. So nice to have a back up!
So it's tally-ho!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)