Hugh inspired me to post, cause he posted two days in a row. My idea of writing a very brief thought in my calendar is going ok, but not great. Maybe I can find balance between a one sentence thought, and a post that takes forever. Hopefully. Anyway, here is a post for today. :-)
Luke 6:41 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"
I LOVE this scripture. It has always made me laugh. And it's always applicable to my life, cause the "editor" in me is constantly evaluating everything around me, picking out "specks". I have found in the past that the same aspect of my personality that allows me to be a good editor, and find the things that are "wrong" also allows me to find all the little details that are amazing and beautiful. But that only happens when I make sure I include God. And the more I try, the better it gets. I friend once told me that every time he meets someone or talks to them, etc. he picks out one thing he likes about them... their voice, their smile, their necklace, anything. I love that idea, and I forget about it. Umm... anyway, I've definitely got some "planks" in my own eyes. And even though I'm not really one to point out a "speck" in someone else's eye, I do use the fault I find in others as an excuse to not make changes myself. Or something like that. Wow, I'm out of practice and can't seem to put this into words.
The thought that's going on my calendar for me to see today: Finding fault in others will not make me a better person. Finding God will do that. Encourage others and find what makes them beautiful. :-)
Ok, this is pretty silly I suppose, but this scripture always makes me think of that log song. I think it was from Ren and Stimpy or something... "It's log, it's log, it's big, it's heavy, it's wood. It's log, it's log, everyone wants a log." Strange, I know. But it's part of why I love this scripture. It always makes me laugh to spend the day with that song stuck in my head!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Hmm...
Is it cheating if I turn this into just a regular blog? Sometimes a Bible journal, sometimes a blog about whatever I want?
I've read all the scripture, but of course not blogged it in ages. I made a decision to revise how I was going about the journaling part. I've been using a weekly planner that I take to work with me and just writing a short bit of scripture and a couple sentences in the calendar. It sits on my desk. Hopefully this will take less time, and yet stick with me more throughout my day. It's going well so far!
Anyway, looking forward to the next time we get together. I miss reading everyone else's blog so I'm thinking I at least need to get on here some. And I kinda like the idea of having a blog, but not all about scripture, just about life. :-)
Happy New Year everyone!
I've read all the scripture, but of course not blogged it in ages. I made a decision to revise how I was going about the journaling part. I've been using a weekly planner that I take to work with me and just writing a short bit of scripture and a couple sentences in the calendar. It sits on my desk. Hopefully this will take less time, and yet stick with me more throughout my day. It's going well so far!
Anyway, looking forward to the next time we get together. I miss reading everyone else's blog so I'm thinking I at least need to get on here some. And I kinda like the idea of having a blog, but not all about scripture, just about life. :-)
Happy New Year everyone!
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Umm... oops!
Ok, so I forgot that we have no computer at our house right now, and thus I could not post this morning. And it's been a busy day at work so I can't spend much time on it here. :-( I did read though. And forgot that a good ole fashion paper journal will do the trick. Tomorrow morning, I'll do it, but on paper. And hopefully have time to at least type it here. I love how forgetful I can be. :-)
Happy Thursday everyone!
Happy Thursday everyone!
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
I miss this!
Wow. I did SO GOOD for so many weeks and then just totally crashed and burned. I'm still catching up on just reading my scripture from the last couple weeks. I haven't even considered posting. I feel kind of ok about it because my whole life has been neglected, not just this. And the things that I have spent my time on have been great, like hosting Thanksgiving and spending time with Hugh's kids. But looking back I think that time could have been even better if this had been a part of it. So, tomorrow morning will be my first post in a couple weeks. And hopefully next time life gets real busy, I'll find a way to keep this as a part of it. Back in October when Hugh and I went camping we still got up and read our scripture and it was really a blessing. I hope to remember that and hold on to this. I've really missed it. :-)
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Help me see the first step
SOAP - Help me see the first step
Scripture
2 Corinthians 8:13-15, 9:7,11 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little." ... Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ... You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion...
Observation
Paul is encouraging the generosity of the Corinthians.
Application
In parts of what Paul is saying it sounds like the Corinthians have been very generous in the past and have over time become less generous. I can totally believe that. For the most part I've not been frustrated by the gifts I feel called to give, but there are certainly times when I think of things I'd like to have, places I'd like to go and focus on that giving... thinking that if I had some of that back I could do the fun things I want to. That's not really what spoke to me in this scripture, just something I noticed that I can relate to. Anyway, it's the words "but that there might be equality" that get me. Yikes! Really? We are all meant to give such that among everyone there is equality? Among the whole world? I feel like God is calling me to give more, maybe time, maybe money, resources, who knows what. But when I think of giving all I can see is the overwhelming picture of trying to make the whole world equal. And that is totally unapproachable to me. I know there is a smaller step out there somewhere. That is where I need to start.
Prayer
Dear Lord, please help me see the smaller picture of where I can increase my giving. Help me see the first step to take. Forgive me for my resistance to being generous. Lord help me have a generous heart. Thank you Lord. Amen.
Scripture
2 Corinthians 8:13-15, 9:7,11 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little." ... Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ... You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion...
Observation
Paul is encouraging the generosity of the Corinthians.
Application
In parts of what Paul is saying it sounds like the Corinthians have been very generous in the past and have over time become less generous. I can totally believe that. For the most part I've not been frustrated by the gifts I feel called to give, but there are certainly times when I think of things I'd like to have, places I'd like to go and focus on that giving... thinking that if I had some of that back I could do the fun things I want to. That's not really what spoke to me in this scripture, just something I noticed that I can relate to. Anyway, it's the words "but that there might be equality" that get me. Yikes! Really? We are all meant to give such that among everyone there is equality? Among the whole world? I feel like God is calling me to give more, maybe time, maybe money, resources, who knows what. But when I think of giving all I can see is the overwhelming picture of trying to make the whole world equal. And that is totally unapproachable to me. I know there is a smaller step out there somewhere. That is where I need to start.
Prayer
Dear Lord, please help me see the smaller picture of where I can increase my giving. Help me see the first step to take. Forgive me for my resistance to being generous. Lord help me have a generous heart. Thank you Lord. Amen.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Let light shine out of darkness...
SOAP - Let light shine out of darkness
Scripture
2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who said, "let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
Observation
I think Paul is telling about how God has helped them in their ministry.
Application
I think for my this kind of goes along with what I wrote the other day about love. My love is pathetic... God's love is amazing and he helps us share his love with people. In this case I figure without God we just have darkness, but he fills us with light so that we can help each other and share his light and his love. I think I have a bad habit of thinking that every kind thing I do or say has to feel a certain way, like I should always enjoy it and if I'm not enjoying it then I won't bother to do it. But I feel like God wants me to still reach out and try to help someone, still reach out and try to love someone even when my heart feels like it is filled with darkness. He can make his light shine out of the darkness. It might be hard for me. And maybe when I'm not feeling great I'd rather just do nothing, but I know that God is not sitting around waiting for me to be perfect before he can use me. He wants to use all of us right now just the way we are. If we have shortcomings, he's God, he's not gonna have any trouble making up the difference. So what does God want me to be doing? Hmmm... I'll put some thought into that. :-)
Prayer
Dear Lord, I am often afraid that my efforts will be messed up by any kind of darkness that might be within me. I know that is silly because you can make your light shine out of the darkness. Lord yesterday I heard a great sermon, some other great mini sermons, great music and felt very close to you and lifted by your love. I feel like there were some messages for me throughout the day. And I pray that you would help me see what they were. They are not all clear now, but with some prayer and reflection I think there is great value to be found from yesterday. Lord please help me find that value, your message. Thank you. Amen.
Scripture
2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who said, "let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
Observation
I think Paul is telling about how God has helped them in their ministry.
Application
I think for my this kind of goes along with what I wrote the other day about love. My love is pathetic... God's love is amazing and he helps us share his love with people. In this case I figure without God we just have darkness, but he fills us with light so that we can help each other and share his light and his love. I think I have a bad habit of thinking that every kind thing I do or say has to feel a certain way, like I should always enjoy it and if I'm not enjoying it then I won't bother to do it. But I feel like God wants me to still reach out and try to help someone, still reach out and try to love someone even when my heart feels like it is filled with darkness. He can make his light shine out of the darkness. It might be hard for me. And maybe when I'm not feeling great I'd rather just do nothing, but I know that God is not sitting around waiting for me to be perfect before he can use me. He wants to use all of us right now just the way we are. If we have shortcomings, he's God, he's not gonna have any trouble making up the difference. So what does God want me to be doing? Hmmm... I'll put some thought into that. :-)
Prayer
Dear Lord, I am often afraid that my efforts will be messed up by any kind of darkness that might be within me. I know that is silly because you can make your light shine out of the darkness. Lord yesterday I heard a great sermon, some other great mini sermons, great music and felt very close to you and lifted by your love. I feel like there were some messages for me throughout the day. And I pray that you would help me see what they were. They are not all clear now, but with some prayer and reflection I think there is great value to be found from yesterday. Lord please help me find that value, your message. Thank you. Amen.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Each one is beautiful!
SOAP - Each one is beautiful!
Scripture
1 Corinthians 15:39-41 All flesh is not the same: Men have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another. There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another. The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor.
Observation
Ok, I confess, I'm not entirely sure what Paul was trying to explain here. :-)
Application
For me, this scripture makes me think of the beauty of all of God's creation. No two people are the same. Each one is beautiful. We live in a beautiful part of the world. We are surrounded in nature by beauty. And it all reminds me of God and how awesome he is.
Prayer
Dear Lord, I pray that you would help me appreciate the unique beauty of all of your creation, all the people who's paths I cross in life. Each one is beautiful and as John said a few weeks back, each one is your masterpiece. Lord it seems difficult to tell people about your amazing love and tell people that they are beautiful, they are your masterpiece... when we don't treat them that way. Lord help me see how I should treat the people I cross paths with everyday and also my loved ones. Help me help them see that they are all beautiful. :-) Thank you Lord, Amen.
Scripture
1 Corinthians 15:39-41 All flesh is not the same: Men have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another. There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another. The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor.
Observation
Ok, I confess, I'm not entirely sure what Paul was trying to explain here. :-)
Application
For me, this scripture makes me think of the beauty of all of God's creation. No two people are the same. Each one is beautiful. We live in a beautiful part of the world. We are surrounded in nature by beauty. And it all reminds me of God and how awesome he is.
Prayer
Dear Lord, I pray that you would help me appreciate the unique beauty of all of your creation, all the people who's paths I cross in life. Each one is beautiful and as John said a few weeks back, each one is your masterpiece. Lord it seems difficult to tell people about your amazing love and tell people that they are beautiful, they are your masterpiece... when we don't treat them that way. Lord help me see how I should treat the people I cross paths with everyday and also my loved ones. Help me help them see that they are all beautiful. :-) Thank you Lord, Amen.
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