Do we boast in our arrogance;
For all such boasting is evil.
James 4:16
Submit therefore to God.
Resist the devil
Draw near to God
Cleanse your hands,
Purify your hearts,
Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord,
And He will exalt you.
James 4:7-8,10
Thursday, May 31, 2018
He gave...for us....
He gave Himself for us to
- redeem us from every lawless deed, and
- to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
Titus 2:14
- redeem us from every lawless deed, and
- to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
Titus 2:14
my struggle....
On the one hand -
To deal with the disappointment and frustration of where the last ten years has taken me; no job, no income, savings used up, retirement and college provision vanished, debt increased, no remaining goals or dreams, ambition erased, enthusiasm gone, pride in my abilities and capabilities destroyed, no focus, no accomplishments, hardship brought upon my family (financial, physical, emtional), five months of sickness and a major life-changing operation, being tired of being tired of dealing with all of this....
On the other hand -
I have an amazing wife and kids that love me, we have been able to financially survive and not lose our house, we have food to eat, cars to drive, clothes on our backs, enjoy bountiful Christmas and birthday celebrations, I survived my sickness, found a part time job (although that is a two edged sword), have the ablility to still work out, emily and natalie graduated from college, benjamin and maggie are doing well...
The continued back and forth of dwelling upon these issues of life that I deal with each and every day...but the most difficult for me are the lack of my financial stability (ability), the loss of my dreams and goals AND the ever present question to the Lord "why and what am I to do".....
So I struggle on day to day trying to make the best of it...desiring to love my family the best I can while retaining hope in the Lord...some days I do better than others...
To deal with the disappointment and frustration of where the last ten years has taken me; no job, no income, savings used up, retirement and college provision vanished, debt increased, no remaining goals or dreams, ambition erased, enthusiasm gone, pride in my abilities and capabilities destroyed, no focus, no accomplishments, hardship brought upon my family (financial, physical, emtional), five months of sickness and a major life-changing operation, being tired of being tired of dealing with all of this....
On the other hand -
I have an amazing wife and kids that love me, we have been able to financially survive and not lose our house, we have food to eat, cars to drive, clothes on our backs, enjoy bountiful Christmas and birthday celebrations, I survived my sickness, found a part time job (although that is a two edged sword), have the ablility to still work out, emily and natalie graduated from college, benjamin and maggie are doing well...
The continued back and forth of dwelling upon these issues of life that I deal with each and every day...but the most difficult for me are the lack of my financial stability (ability), the loss of my dreams and goals AND the ever present question to the Lord "why and what am I to do".....
So I struggle on day to day trying to make the best of it...desiring to love my family the best I can while retaining hope in the Lord...some days I do better than others...
Monday, May 14, 2018
A pondering word for today
You who fear the Lord,
trust in the Lord...
Psalms 115:11
Many fear (revere, honor, acknowledge) the Lord but how many truly trust in the Lord?
Living out their daily lives totally trusting in Him (His grace and truth and power) and not the ways of the world....
trust in the Lord...
Psalms 115:11
Many fear (revere, honor, acknowledge) the Lord but how many truly trust in the Lord?
Living out their daily lives totally trusting in Him (His grace and truth and power) and not the ways of the world....
renew my strength...
...renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Psalms 51:10
Oh Lord, my worry and concern are wearing me down...my strength is fading...my joy is waining...my drive has evaporated...my hope diminished.
I attempt to put on a good face but I am 63 and I have no dream nor vision nor any hope of financial stability - humiliation overflows me for being so incapable, incompetent.
Oh the failure that I am...and the enemy rejoices in his battle to destroy my spirit.
Renew my strength and my hope...restore my joy...heal me from all that plagues me - body, mind and spirit. For only You alone can do it.
Psalms 51:10
Oh Lord, my worry and concern are wearing me down...my strength is fading...my joy is waining...my drive has evaporated...my hope diminished.
I attempt to put on a good face but I am 63 and I have no dream nor vision nor any hope of financial stability - humiliation overflows me for being so incapable, incompetent.
Oh the failure that I am...and the enemy rejoices in his battle to destroy my spirit.
Renew my strength and my hope...restore my joy...heal me from all that plagues me - body, mind and spirit. For only You alone can do it.
Sunday, May 6, 2018
understanding....
Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it...
Proverbs 16:22
Understanding the grace and truth of God is the fountain of life! Being transformed by the power of the Spirit is the key. Ceding the wisdom of the world for the truth of God is the way. By faith we shall walk in His wisdom that we might gain His understanding and drink from His fountain of life.
Proverbs 16:22
Understanding the grace and truth of God is the fountain of life! Being transformed by the power of the Spirit is the key. Ceding the wisdom of the world for the truth of God is the way. By faith we shall walk in His wisdom that we might gain His understanding and drink from His fountain of life.
but one thing I do....
It is difficult to forget what lies behind, pondering upon the mistakes and errors and failures in my life. The decisions and events that have led to the place where I am today.
The 'should have', 'could have', 'would have' and 'if only'. As well as the affect of the wear and tear that it has had on my family.
Along with waking up in the middle of the night with all of these thoughts of what lies behind pummeling through my brain, disturbing my sleep. And the ever present frustrating dreams of never being able to reach the goal.
But Paul encourages us to forget what lies behind and reach for what lies ahead. The hard part is that I have no idea what lies ahead. No dream, no plan, no inkling of what the steps of my path should be!
So here I sit asking and earnestly seeking what shall I reach forward to Lord?
...but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead...
Philippians 3:13
The 'should have', 'could have', 'would have' and 'if only'. As well as the affect of the wear and tear that it has had on my family.
Along with waking up in the middle of the night with all of these thoughts of what lies behind pummeling through my brain, disturbing my sleep. And the ever present frustrating dreams of never being able to reach the goal.
But Paul encourages us to forget what lies behind and reach for what lies ahead. The hard part is that I have no idea what lies ahead. No dream, no plan, no inkling of what the steps of my path should be!
So here I sit asking and earnestly seeking what shall I reach forward to Lord?
...but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead...
Philippians 3:13
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