Without Ceasing

I awoke this morning in kind of a funk, as I do some mornings of late. I think sometimes stress takes on a different form and we fail to recognize it right away. We place all sorts of labels on it but it is still spelled s-t-r-e-s-s.

Then scripture speaks, tells me what to do and I listen.

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
“Rejoice, pray, and give thanks” sounds like ordinary Christian activities; but when you add the adverbs, you have a real challenge: “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; give thanks in all circumstances.”

There should be no limits for seeing reasons to rejoice and give thanks all day long if I “Pray without ceasing”. It does not mean a constant mumbling of words as it says in Matt. 6:7. True prayer is the attitude of the heart, the desire of the heart. When our hearts desire what God desires, we are praying all day long as the Spirit moves for us and in us.

I always talk about praying without ceasing in our studies and I have failed of late to be on my knees rejoicing and thanking God for everything He has given me. My question to you: Are you rejoicing, praying and thanking God with every breath you take? What is your attitude and desire of the heart?

How are you and God getting along today?

Imitators of God

Here are some thoughts from the beginning of my study this week in Ephesians 5:1-16. What does it mean to be imitators of God? It seems to be relative to what is going on in present day society. Kind of makes you wonder about the level of spirituality and encourages us to take our own level to the next step. Shame on us if we don't.
We are called to live for God and to be imitators of Him (Eph. 5:1), just as children follow after the patterns seen in their parents. Here are some of the patterns that a godly lifestyle would include, patterns that we should be embracing:
(1) Living in love, which means giving of ourselves sacrificially for the benefit of others, just as Christ has done for us (5:2).
(2) Forsaking selfish pursuits such as self-seeking immorality and ruthless greed (5:3, 5).
(3) Replacing filthy talk, flippant chatter, and unkind jesting with communication rooted in thanksgiving to God and affirmation of others (5:4, 20).
(4) Exercising discernment about what we are told so as not to be susceptible to trickery from others (5:6–7, 15).
(5) Bowing out from situations where evil is the agenda (5:11–12).
(6) Managing our time well (5:16).
It rained today!

Fourth day in a row temp in the 80's. There must be something to this global warming, oh wait, we also had 4 days in the 80's back in 2004. It was hot on the golf course! I got dizzy and a bad cramp in my leg, couldn't finish 18 had to stop at 16. I was 5 holes behind at that time and couldn't bear to lose by 7. Don't know if Pastor Mike reads my blogs or not. Mike, if you do, good match to tie me after 5 rounds. Thank you for the fellowship.
It is a joy to play golf with Mike. I love his passion and compassion, not just for the game of golf but for life and people. He gets me pumped, not just for the game of golf but for life and God's children. We talk, not just about the game of golf, but about life. He has taught me, not just about the game of golf but about life, about God and faith.
We serve an awesome God.
My fish are swimming!

The Magnolia tree in front of our house is in bloom. I stand beneath the tree, smell the fragrance and witness the magnificence of God's creation as my eyes behold His beauty. It it is never difficult for me to find opportunities to praise my Awesome God.

And God said it was good!

I miss MaryAnn!

My wife just left for Dresden. Going to make a basket at Longabarger. Safety and fun are my prayers for her. The weather appears to be cooperating with her trip, but we are in Ohio, give it 5 minutes. She needs some get-a-way in her lfe and some means to unwind. I hope this will be a beginning to that process. She occupies such a precious room in my life journey and she contributes so positively to the everyday stuff. God did good and I am thankful every day for His bringing her into my life.

Sunday is coming! Sunday morning, for Sunday school we are past the Pentateuch and the Theocratic Historical books (Joshua, Judges, Ruth) and beginning the Historical Monarchical books. Attempting to go through the entire Older Testament in 8 or 9 weeks. You ask how, I say haven't accomplished it yet. The overview includes author, date and time of writings, timeline, key words, phrases, verses, and chapters, what to look for as the book is read and some questions to work with after it is read. The study seems to be going well. My main hiccup is, I often spend two weeks on one or two verses making this format of information gathering and giving a major challenge.

Molding

Crown molding is very pleasing to the eye when you can stand in the room and look up at it. When you are embracing the ceiling standing three feet off the floor and installing it; it then produces a different response. I have completed the task, with Jim's help or I would be more accurate in saying Jim completing the task with my help, of putting crown molding in the two bedrooms upstairs. Needless to say: "Don't attempt to do this at home" Hire a professional regardless of the cost.
That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed the fellowship with Jim and even increased my knowledge along the way. I may even remit a picture as soon as the nail holes are covered and cauking has been completed.
The rooms are already looking great and now that the task is over I am glad I did it.
God Bless your moment and remember how you treat the "least of these" (see my April 19 Post).
The sun is shining!

Maturity

Our Monday morning study is taking us to chapter 4 of Ephesians,verses 12-16. What does Paul say about becoming mature and reaching a level of unity in the community of believers? We are to build up the body, “until we all reach unity in the faith … and become mature” (v. 13). The first ministry of believers is to other believers.

It is vital that we “grow up into Him” if we are to be a valid expression of Jesus in this world. The whole body “grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” (v. 16).
This is sometimes hard to accept. We look at the world and are burdened by the need for evangelism. We look at the poor and are burdened by the need to establish justice. We look at the suffering and are impelled to comfort and to care. So sometimes we slip into the trap of organizing the local church to undertake one or more of these tasks. We program evangelistic efforts and buy more buses. We commit ourselves to an active social welfare involvement. All too often we lose sight of the fact that the first function of the body is to build itself.

So, maturing within the body, growing more and more like Jesus, is the believer’s first calling. To equip the church for service, believers must minister to one another and to the world.
I think this focus on building one another up is essential. Only as we grow toward maturity together can we respond fully to Jesus as He directs us to serve in the world.

It is also talking about this very thing in Deuteronomy 6:5-7. "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." We are to teach the gospel tirelessly to every opportunity that we are given. We should be totally exhausted at the end of the day sharing our faith if we heed these verses in Deuteronomy. Let's get it right as to how we are to become mature ministers in Christ.
Be BOLD for Christ!

Tuesday

How was your day with God? I remind you to talk to Him and begin early. He wants you to know Him better. Oh, you might also want to listen. I have discovered both means of communication very helpful in my journey.
I might have seen a light at the end of the unemployment tunnel, today. Mark your calendars it may just happen soon. I seek God's direction for my life every day and it includes the work scene. A lot of questions and few answers as of this Tuesday but I know God is faithful.
I have had an 'algae bloom' in my saltwater aquarium for a long time. It has been so frustrating to see a tank that is all green. By the way, for those who don't know, an algae bloom is when the tank creates tiny pieces of floating algae that cloud the tank so much that the fish cannot be seen. The tank is clear, finally, and all the fish (2-Maroon Clowns, a Sailfin, a Hippo Tang, 2-Fire Fish and 4-crabs that I can see) are accounted for.
It is cold today!

Community

I find strength and encouragement in the people that surround me. The church community yesterday; the small group community last evening; the outreach community this morning and my beautiful wife today and everyday, (Thank you for the note on the brownies).
I often discover along my journey that some days are not the best of. Today hasn't been the best of but then I stop and listen and in the whisper of God I am shown that it is.
Those of you reading this must embrace community. God chose more than one disciple.
Thank you, my very special friends.
It is raining!

The Least of These

"And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’" We were discussing in Community Group this evening our preparedness for the return of Christ. My question is what have we done for the "least of these"? How have we "watched" (how is this defined in our life) for the Lord's return? The thoughts for you and for me as we begin a new week in our journey. This week let us begin a new chapter in our lives and take care of God's children. Sunday has come and is nearly gone. Included with the next breath we take, from this moment on let us make it All about God, let us pray without ceasing.
It is raining!

Walking with God

Again I find myself in God's word seeking more of what He wants of me. Ephesians 4:1, Paul speaks of walking in a manner worthy of my calling. He goes on to say that my walk should be in humility and gentleness with patience and the show of love. I seem to have a lot of time to reflect on these verses and I have determined that I have failed to walk in this manner. It needs a lot of work. It seems kind of ironic that I should need to slow down more so I could listen to God better in a time of my life when things often appear as if they could not get any slower.
I opened my first window of the spring. The cats are being nice and sharing the sill. I miss my wife; she is on call. The air flowing in feels good and refreshing. Sunday is coming. Community group tomorrow night. I pray for those who have been absent of late to return to the group. We all need community in these troubling times.

Inclusion

It's Friday! Weather warming up to the 60's. The furniture has been taken to the back porch awaiting occupancy. Looking forward to spending more time out there this year.
In my studies today in the book of Ephesians and the mystery surrounding the church in the days of the Newer Testament, I am encouraged to know that I am included in God's plan from the days of Abraham. What an awesome prayer by Paul in verses 14-21 in chapter 3, "so that you may be filled up to the fulness of God" and that we can comprehend the breadth and length and height and depth. Oh, that we could have that boldness and confident access through faith in Him that Paul speaks of in verse 11. I am eagerly looking forward to my faith growing to these levels. Have a blessed day and spend it with God.

One

I have been studying and preparing (Ephesians 3-4) for Monday morning men's bible study (BMCF) at McDonalds. My blogs will tackle the struggles and the confusion of the subject material during this study. There will be moments when I have a tough time discerning or understanding what life is throwing my way and there will be the times when I need to share my awe of God and the things that make me smile and laugh. I am looking forward to sharing my journey with you. Looking forward to enjoying the time we have together.

In the Book of Ephesians there are three images which help us think about the church. They are a body, a family and a holy temple. Ephesians 4:1–6 mentions aspects of our oneness: one hope, one Lord, one faith. What about the person who claims to have the divine life, but whose beliefs differ from mine? The Jew and the Gentile each turned from sin but still retained cultural differences. Is the "One" mentioned by Paul in Ephesians meant to be inclusive or exclusive? I can accept and ignore many differences but what about the doctrinal differences?

In Christ my brother and I are one. My life with him must affirm, not deny, a unity that God says is. This passage of scripture speaks of the mystery that "the gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel." Eph 3:6. I am thinking that the oneness Paul speaks of lies somewhere in the meaning of this mystery. I am a work in progress in attempting to understanding scripture and what it's application is for my life, what ministry and mission field God is leading me into and discovering God's plan for my life. He said "I know the plans for you..."

Robins

Good Morning. I was looking out the window and witnessed a robin gathering nest material for her (I assume it is a she) new home. She nearly couldn't get off the ground because the load was too large. Suddenly she was gone to build somewhere in our evergreen tree in the front yard.

I began to think of the wonders of my awesome God, how He is taking care of that robin and me and doing well with both. I often grumble like the Israelites in the desert after their salvation from Egypt. I often wonder where he is in my wanderings and then He shows me a robin and a blessing of grace and then I am ashamed of permitting that thought to be a thought. The robin has returned but God never left and He never has. I will begin my day knowing God is beside me.