Oh My Soul

I just hate going so long without a new post.

I don’t really have anything picked out to write about.

I was talking to a good friend last night, some of what we talked about got me thinking about self-improvement. The self-help section in Barnes and Noble makes me gag; when I see 10 ways to… or change made easy or simple steps I want to throw those books to the floor. I’m not saying that there is something wrong with using these books as reference or maybe encouragement but as the “answer” they are missing the mark. It reminds me of time and time again when I get so excited about a project or idea which slowly deflates. I’m trailing off though…. The point I’m trying to make is that the self-improvement we were talking about is real.

My sister the other day was talking about our father, ranting I guess I should say about his lack of urgency when it comes to getting things done. She just wanted it to change. My mom and I replied with sarcastic comments on how great the world would be if we could change what was wrong with us.

We tend to get so upset with ourselves and with others for our faults, our weaknesses. Recognize that we have them. Recognize that self-improvement is knowing what is wrong and not just taking steps to improvement but picking yourself up again when you fail. It is like sin, the point for us is not to strive for perfection but to know God is the only one who can help us through. He is the only example to live by. I’m trailing again, I apologize for the lack of organized thought.

Grace is huge. See it! Grace is huge! Where would we be without grace? See it in what God does. Share it with others, including yourself.

I cannot say the rest on my own…

¹Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. ²As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. ³For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. ⁴They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. ⁵But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. ⁶For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

⁷The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. ⁸Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. ⁹Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. ¹⁰Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. ¹¹If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

¹²Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. ¹⁴If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. ¹⁵If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. ¹⁶However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. ¹⁷For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? ¹⁸And, “If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

1 Peter 4

Live according to the spirit.

Pray.

Love one another.

 

Ultimate Foreshadowing

Wow.

I could go on for a long time about this verse.

Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.”

He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one.

John 11:49-52

This was part of the conversation which led to the plotting of Jesus’s death. Caiaphas, the high priest of the time, a man who directly accused Jesus of blasphemy, couldn’t even fathom the truth in his words. The purpose in the statement for Caiaphas was that by killing Jesus they could protect the nation from the Romans. God’s purpose of the purpose was the prophese.

This got me to thinking about how God uses everyone and has lain everything out for His will. Jesus’s death, though He did not deserve it, was for the salvation of the world… The death of one man can save all…

The beginning of John 11 depicts the story of Jesus bring Lazarus back from the dead. This is what led to the Pharisees meeting which led the plotting of Jesus’s death. Lazarus died so Jesus could raise him from the dead, so that Jesus would die and God would raise Him from the dead, making it possible that we can all be raised from the dead.

For now I am going to call this utlimate foreshadowing… now let me sit in awe.

 

Mending

I sit back and wonder why it is that I am so impatient. When I allow God to work in His time He doesn’t fail me. How many times do I have to beat it into my head that God has His own perfect, beautiful timing.

I title this post “mending” because I was given the opportunity to mend a relationship. Yes, it was one that has lost meaning to me but that it was brought up again it means so much… I wish I could go into more detail but it really has given me hope for the future and God’s timing.

There are friendships and relationships that I look forward to seeing recovered, mended and almsot ended properly. I must believe that in my waiting God will provide the perfect timing for these things to happen.

I just need patience, honesty and kindess….

 

Of Mondays and Of Psalms

I have found myself in wonderfully strange places. Every Monday night I am at some random place in and around Denver with a varying group of people most of which I’ve just met. I am getting to know these people more yes, by talking about Psalm. The simplicity of it all I am sweetly drinking; God is teaching me so much through these Monday night conversations.

• About people being your enemies until you know their story.
• How we should not seek sinlessness but grace, God’s most wonderful gift.
• That God can save us from more hurt by not answering our prayers.
• Acts 14:16-18 (Read it and think about our country)
• The power in testimony…. Psalm 66…. Which brings me back to the top of my list.

God can lead me places I can’t even imagine, I just have to remind myself to be willing.

 

Be Watchful

2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

- Colossians 4:2-6

13Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. 14Do everything in love.

- 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

- 1 Peter 5:8-9

Be watchful AND thankful… be on your gurad, firm and couragous… be self-controlled and alert.

God is touching my heart with thoughts of watchfulness; be watchful for protection and for praise.