1 Chronicles 16:37
David left Asaph and his associates before the ark of the covenant of the Lord to minister there regularly, according to each day’s requirements.
Asaph and his co-workers ministered and worked in the temple each day. The tasks they performed varied day to day, depending on what was needed. This week I’ve been thinking about what it means to minister to others. Too often I look back on my day and realize I’ve ignored the Holy Spirit’s urging and a chance to serve someone else.
God doesn’t expect some spectacular, glorious deed performed on a stage or in the limelight. Some of the best ministering I’ve received involved listening, hugging, an encouraging note or email, or a helping hand. Ministering like Asaph means looking for occasions throughout the day to comfort a child, help a coworker or call a friend. I love that Asaph and his helpers watched for what the day would bring. They didn’t set such a rigid schedule that they ignored opportunity, instead they watched for the chance to minister. This week let’s minister according to the day’s requirements.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Seasons
I'm not sure I could live in an area where there are not four seasons. Each one brings a defining element that inspires me.
I love the quiet peace of a winter's day with a fresh snow fall. A day where I can contemplate and assess the joys of life.
I appreciate the feeling of renewal in the spring. Seeing the daffodils bloom and the forsythia dance, remind me that life spills out and moves forward.
I enjoy the freedom of summer. No coats to weigh me down and the feeling of energy that comes with the sunshine.
I revel in the smells of autumn and the glorious changing colors from God's paint brush. The cooler days create a cozy, wrapped in a blanket by the fire feeling.
I praise God for the beauty he creates through our natural world. What an amazing artist!
I love the quiet peace of a winter's day with a fresh snow fall. A day where I can contemplate and assess the joys of life.
I appreciate the feeling of renewal in the spring. Seeing the daffodils bloom and the forsythia dance, remind me that life spills out and moves forward.
I enjoy the freedom of summer. No coats to weigh me down and the feeling of energy that comes with the sunshine.
I revel in the smells of autumn and the glorious changing colors from God's paint brush. The cooler days create a cozy, wrapped in a blanket by the fire feeling.
I praise God for the beauty he creates through our natural world. What an amazing artist!
Life
John 10: 9-10
I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
The other day I stopped at my daughter's house. My granddaughter Dylan wanted to show me her "garden", a muddy spot she'd been digging, then she asked if she could pick a daffodil (from the real garden) for me to take home to our dog Tater. Of course I said yes. This brought joy to my soul, that this little one wanted to send love to our dog. This week I heard the birds singing early in the morning, a sure sign of spring. This brought joy to my heart, that spring finally arrived.
With all the sadness and sin in the world, I am thankful for the moments of joy that come through the most simple circumstances. Jesus came that we may have joy, peace and hope. He came to give us an abundant life. What a comfort to know that life rests in his hands.
I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
The other day I stopped at my daughter's house. My granddaughter Dylan wanted to show me her "garden", a muddy spot she'd been digging, then she asked if she could pick a daffodil (from the real garden) for me to take home to our dog Tater. Of course I said yes. This brought joy to my soul, that this little one wanted to send love to our dog. This week I heard the birds singing early in the morning, a sure sign of spring. This brought joy to my heart, that spring finally arrived.
With all the sadness and sin in the world, I am thankful for the moments of joy that come through the most simple circumstances. Jesus came that we may have joy, peace and hope. He came to give us an abundant life. What a comfort to know that life rests in his hands.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Those Who Mourn
Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.
I’m struggling with the words I want to share this week. Not because I don’t know what to say, but because I have too much to say. I’ll try to keep this as short as I can.
Sadness, anger, frustration, shock and pain filled much of my week. Monday morning shortly after I arrived at work, I found out that my friend’s daughter had been attacked and killed over the weekend. I asked many of you to pray and I thank you for that. Many of us had trouble wrapping our thoughts around what my friend Lisa and her husband were dealing with. How could anyone be possessed with so much evil that they had to destroy the life of a child?
Through all of this I was reminded of two very important truths. First, Satan and his angels are alive and roaming the earth searching for any willing human who will carry out their evil plans. Second, God wraps his arms around the sad and hurting and offers peace and hope; his love overcomes all.
I had the privilege of attending the memorial service for Esme, held at her church, on Wednesday. As soon as I entered the building, I felt God’s peace, not because of the structure but because so many people were ministering to this hurting family. We gathered not to mourn the loss of a gifted and talented young teen, but to celebrate the joy and love for life she shared with everyone she met. Family and friends read poems she had written, played her favorite music, and talked about how she touched so many in her short life. Among tears and laughter, we remembered Esme’s life and how she blessed everyone she met. The church community reached out to Lisa and Tom and embraced their sorrow and pain, friends stood by them and shared hugs and kind words. Even as Satan tried to destroy, God’s peace, hope and power triumphed. Lisa and Tom still have sad days ahead, I can’t even begin to imagine what they must deal with, but I know through prayer that the hand of God will hold them up.
Please continue to pray for Esme’s family and friends.
I’m struggling with the words I want to share this week. Not because I don’t know what to say, but because I have too much to say. I’ll try to keep this as short as I can.
Sadness, anger, frustration, shock and pain filled much of my week. Monday morning shortly after I arrived at work, I found out that my friend’s daughter had been attacked and killed over the weekend. I asked many of you to pray and I thank you for that. Many of us had trouble wrapping our thoughts around what my friend Lisa and her husband were dealing with. How could anyone be possessed with so much evil that they had to destroy the life of a child?
Through all of this I was reminded of two very important truths. First, Satan and his angels are alive and roaming the earth searching for any willing human who will carry out their evil plans. Second, God wraps his arms around the sad and hurting and offers peace and hope; his love overcomes all.
I had the privilege of attending the memorial service for Esme, held at her church, on Wednesday. As soon as I entered the building, I felt God’s peace, not because of the structure but because so many people were ministering to this hurting family. We gathered not to mourn the loss of a gifted and talented young teen, but to celebrate the joy and love for life she shared with everyone she met. Family and friends read poems she had written, played her favorite music, and talked about how she touched so many in her short life. Among tears and laughter, we remembered Esme’s life and how she blessed everyone she met. The church community reached out to Lisa and Tom and embraced their sorrow and pain, friends stood by them and shared hugs and kind words. Even as Satan tried to destroy, God’s peace, hope and power triumphed. Lisa and Tom still have sad days ahead, I can’t even begin to imagine what they must deal with, but I know through prayer that the hand of God will hold them up.
Please continue to pray for Esme’s family and friends.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
All God's Children
I enjoy watching butterflies as they flutter about from flower to flower or just glide across the sky. No matter what pattern their wings reflect or the colors they wear, they are beautiful creatures. Much like people, butterflies come in different shapes sizes and colors. Yet, each one as different as it is, is still a butterfly.
Praise God for our differences. Although we are all part of the human race, we all bring something different to life. Wouldn't life be boring if we all looked and acted identical. I for one am thankful God created us as he did, different and diverse yet all his children!
Praise God for our differences. Although we are all part of the human race, we all bring something different to life. Wouldn't life be boring if we all looked and acted identical. I for one am thankful God created us as he did, different and diverse yet all his children!
Rearview Mirror
Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such there is no law.
The other day driving to work I glanced in my rear view mirror and saw a beautiful sunrise splashed with pinks and yellows. God created a glorious sight that morning. Seeing the trail God left behind blessed me, but (don’t you just cringe at the word) it left me wondering what I leave behind. What would I see trailing after me if I looked in a rearview mirror?
Would I see gentleness, patience and peace, or would I see the trash I’d left behind? Would I find the angry moments, the times I stayed quiet instead of speaking up for Christ, or the hurt feelings of people I loved? God instructs us through Paul in Galatians to live by the fruit of the Spirit, and what glorious fruit God shares.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such there is no law.
The other day driving to work I glanced in my rear view mirror and saw a beautiful sunrise splashed with pinks and yellows. God created a glorious sight that morning. Seeing the trail God left behind blessed me, but (don’t you just cringe at the word) it left me wondering what I leave behind. What would I see trailing after me if I looked in a rearview mirror?
Would I see gentleness, patience and peace, or would I see the trash I’d left behind? Would I find the angry moments, the times I stayed quiet instead of speaking up for Christ, or the hurt feelings of people I loved? God instructs us through Paul in Galatians to live by the fruit of the Spirit, and what glorious fruit God shares.
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