1 Corinthians 8:1b (NIV) says:  Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. The same verse in the NASB version says: Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.    The Amplified version says : knowledge causes people to be puffed up (to bear themselves loftily and be proud), but love (affection and goodwill and benevolence) edifies and builds up and encourages one to grow [to his full stature]. Have you thought about this?  The more you know, do you get more and more proud, more and more assertive about your area of knowledge, less and less patient with those with less knowledge?  I can look back and see instances where I have done each of those things.  Not very Christ-like, is it? The passage is a good visual image. "Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up".  Picture someone puffing up when they know something you don't. Think about that a minute.  What are they puffed up with?.......air.  Knowledge is only as helpful as the per...

Isaiah 40:31 (ESV) but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;    they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary;    they shall walk and not faint. This verse was in two devotions today, two.  That means I should pay attention, right?  some translations say "trust" instead of "wait".  When I read the translation with "trust", my attention wasn't stirred.  But when I read the same verse with the translation "wait", it got my attention. You see, I trust God.  I firmly believe that He will take care of me to use for His purposes and to prepare me for life in eternity with Him. But it never occurred to me that one manifestation of my trust was waiting for God.  Psalm 40:1 which was also part of my devotional reading today says " I waited patiently for the LORD..." I'm thinking that the point I'm supposed to get today is that even though I say I trust the Lord, I am not demonst...

Philippians 3:10 (NLT) I w ant to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead.  Paul said this in the letter to the Philippians. The statement scares me a little bit.  Think of the power required to raise Jesus from the dead.  In order for me to experience that kind of power, what would the circumstances be?  I fear that it would be some amazing, terrible, awesome catastrophe. Like the tornadoes in Mississippi, or past hurricanes like Katrina, or the recent earthquakes.  Those event s are all examples of God's power. Now I'm not getting into whether God CAUSED those things to happen but we do know that He created the heavens and earth and everything in them so He created the weather systems and the gravity and tectonic plates where these events originate. God's power is amazing, far beyond our comprehension.  Paul can want to experience that mighty power but I prefer to take it on faith that Jesus was raised from the de...

Isaiah 65:1 (NLT) The L ord says,   “I was ready to respond, but no one asked for help.       I was ready to be found, but no one was looking for me.    I said, ‘Here I am, here I am!’ Isaiah 65 is a good chapter where God reveals that He is waiting on us to call out to him. You can almost hear His pleading with us to depend on him, to PLEASE ask Him for help.  How often have you wanted to help an elderly parent, grandparent or a young child or new parent, but wait to be asked?  We want to come to the aid of those around us who need help but we respect their need to do it on their own. I read the book 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper. One chapter in the book deals with the author who is too proud to let anyone help him.  At one point one person tells him that he is just plain selfish, that his church family wants to help, like he'd done with them countless times but that he wouldn't give the same c...

What did I do in the last week related to Prayer, Study and Action?  What will I do in the coming week? Started the Bible Study Putting on the Armor of God. continuing my daily Bible reading, UpperRoom and praying for my pastor and family along with the new pastor coming. I also sang on Friday at the nursing home.  A new singer was there, a man.  how nice was that? When /how did I feel close to Christ this past week? We (Pastor Parish Relations committee) met our new pastor and his wife this past week.  One of the committee members had anointing oil with her.  We put hands on them and prayed over them in our sanctuary. It was really special.  Where did I participate in being the Christ's hands and/or feet? I was busy last week and didn't really do much.  I did sing at the nursing home.  I think that is participating although not as hands and feet.  I think I need to be more intentional about this. When did I feel called but fa...

Ephesians 6:14 says " Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist.. ," Let's think of what a Belt of Truth might be.  We already know that Truth is Jesus.  Jesus is the Truth as he said in John 14:6 " ...I am the way the truth and the life......" So, what does it mean to wear the Belt of Truth? When I think of a belt several images come to mind.  One is the slim belt that I wear on my dress pants.  At one time, its purpose was to keep my pants in place and to keep my shirts tucked in.  So this belt is for keeping things in place...or perhaps in perspective.   Another belt is picture is a prize held up after a boxing match.  This belt is to show the winner of a match earned from hard work and a winning boxing match.  This belt can illustrate hard work, determination, fighting for what one believes in. Another that comes to mind is one worn by persons who need help to support their backs. This belt is for being able to ...

We watched the 1941 film " The Devil and Daniel Webster " .  The story is about a poor farmer who sells his soul to the devil for wealth.  The devil comes to claim payment after 7 years.   There is a LOT interesting parts of this story.  It starts with a simple premise. Jabez Stone is struggling with everyday struggles that seems to him that everything that can go wrong does go wrong. In this movie, the devil is everywhere, or at least temptations are everywhere.  And it seems that no harm will be done by participating in those temptations......until the devil comes to collect. This movie illustrates the ease with which we fall.  In the movie, Daniel Webster is the hero.  He goes to trial to prove that Jabez Stone did not commit breach of contract because the contract was signed based on a lie, that Jabez's soul was not something to worry about. What is real about the ideas presented in the movie is that temptations are and the devil is everyw...

When reading through the Bible , especially the Old Testament , you will see many references to "other gods".  These references compare the God of Israel to other gods or otherwise acknowledges that there are "other gods".  (See Exodus 18:10-12, Exodus 23:12-14, Deuteronomy 11:15-17 , Joshua 23:15-16 , and passages in Judges, 1 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, Psalms, Jeremiah, and Hosea.) This is really confusing.  Isn't God, the God of Israel, the Living God, the ONLY God?  Well, here is my opinion.  I think that anything that is worshiped is a god to the person doing the worshiping.  But I don't think those "gods" are gods that can "do" anything, or feel anything, or fix anything, or provide hope.  I think they are just people or things that are worshiped.  They are gods because someone has made them gods.  it takes an act of worship by a person to make it a god.   Now, the God of Israel is not that way at all.  ...

I recently went through a "centering" exercise.   Many times, we get stressed, confused, out-of-sorts.  Much of the time this is simply because we get caught up in what goes on around us, or in our heads (fears and anxieties).  So to get off that merry-go-round, try this "centering exercise". Close your eyes. Take a deep breath and let it out slowly. (Keep your eyes closed!)   Continue to breath deeply with  your eyes closed while thinking...... Who do I serve? Who can I trust? Who do I serve? Who loves me more than I can imagine? Who do I serve? Continue thinking over these questions until all the answers are "God, my Lord and Savior, Creator, Sustainer". Now you are centered on the only thing that matters.  God will help you off that merry-go-round and help you just be in peace. Father God, We really do know that we can rest in You and that will keep us and shine upon us with Your grace.  Help us to remember that we serve YO...

Psalm 46:2-3 (ESV) Therefore we will not fear  though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam,  though the mountains tremble at its swelling. I read this today. I am in the part of my chronological Bible where they have placed a lot of the Psalms.  I noted several passages that I thought were interesting or compelling for one reason or another.  Psalm 46:2-3 is one I do not think I have the ability to pray (and mean) yet in my journey to give up completely to God.  I can say that I will fear not.  But when I say that, I am thinking of small challenges, or even quick harsh ones.  I am definitely NOT thinking of having no fear when the earth gives way, and the mountains move to the sea and tremble at the swelling of the sea.   I mean, think of the earthquakes that have been occurring to devastating results, the volcano that has halted air travel, stranding a hundreds if not th...

How much attention do you pay to the words of the communion liturgy?  I had a discussion with someone a few weeks ago about the words that are sometimes used by clergy that are biblically wrong. I guess a person can get hung up on worrying about the words that another uses.  We just need to make sure we understand what is correct. The verse I am talking about specifically is "this is my body given for you."  This is Luke 22:19 . Many times people say, "this is my body broken for you."  Now think about the difference between given and broken.  It is really a significant difference.  Was Jesus broken?  Was the mission too big for Him?  Did the beating that was coming overwhelm Jesus so that He felt broken? OR as Jesus said, did He give himself for us?  That is quite a difference. One is willful.  The other is coerced.  I have to believe that Jesus willfully gave Himself up to the Father's will to take our sins.  In this act,...

What did I do in the last week related to Prayer, Study and Action? Prayed daily for my assigned pilgrim (and her sponsor - come to find out, I know her sponsor!!), my pastor and the pastor to come along with their families, the team and pilgrims of EDWE 67.  Prepare for Putting On The Armor study that starts April 20.  Worked the Women's Walk EDWE 67.  What will I do in the coming week? Pray for my pastor and the one to come. Daily readings. Post to this blog. Prepare to lead the Bible Study. Sing at the nursing home on Friday afternoon When /how did I feel close to Christ this past week? The WALK was amazing.  I was a silent observer.  What a job it was!  I don't know intimate stories of any of the pilgrims but to watch the transformation from scared, reluctant women to out-going, smiling, loved Children of God was just amazing. Where did I participate in being the Christ's hands and/or feet? Working EDWE 67 as Board Rep. I made some "daily survi...

This Penny Stone says "who God's used in your life". This is easy.   *My mom, who took me to church and Sunday School. *All my Sunday School teachers, especially Donna, Mr. Day then later as an adult Ann Jones. *VBS leaders.  I can remember a few:  Mrs. Day, Mrs. Richards (I think that is right), Mrs. Rogers, my mom. *My Pastors and wives: Rev. Spencer (and Ruth), Rev. Gil (and Jane) *My husband: Tim, who pretty much lets me go and do with as much support and encouragement as a person can give. *Church family and friends: especially Deanna - who guides me, supports me, lifts me in prayer, and any number of known and unknown things she does to guide me along the right path.  *My children who opened my eyes and heart to unconditional love *Our fluctuating Bible Study group members *Prayer group members *The guy on the plane several years ago who I had a discussion that included just about everything, including God *The customer who needed help but ...

2 Timothy 4:1-2 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus,.... preach the word; be ready.... reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. Do you know that it is our obligation to do the above?  As part of the priesthood (See 1 Peter 2:4-9 ), we are called to preach the word, be ready, reprove, rebuke and exhort with patience.  We are also called to teach as we reprove, rebuke and exhort. Reprove is a verb –(used with object) per Dictionary.com 1. to criticize or correct, esp. gently: to reprove a pupil for making a mistake. 2. to disapprove of strongly; censure: to reprove a bad decision.  Rebuke is also a verb - (used with object) 1. to express sharp, stern disapproval of; reprove; reprimand.  Exhort means to urge , advise, or caution earnestly; admonish urgently. As part of the Royal Priesthood we are to correct, reprimand, advise and admonish others, especially Christians in my opinion.  After all Christ...

Proverbs 19:23a   - The fear of the LORD leads to life,    and whoever has it rests satisfied;.... I've been reading the same prayers for pastors for 4 straight months  plus a month or two late last year).  That means that I've read the same Bible verses (from the Bible, I might add) at least 4 - 6  times in the last 6 - 7 months. Today, I read this passage differently or with different eyes, or something. Here is what I see. I need to start by explaining the word "fear".  The original word has no equal translation in English but the original meaning is closer to a combination of awe, respect, devotion, love, fear like what you'd have for a good father/authority figure.  Fear is what you'd feel for someone you respect, don't want to disappoint, fear when you do disappoint, hold in high esteem want to please and do as they what you'd to do. Now my thoughts of the passage: The fear [as described above] of the Lord [our Heavenly Fathe...

I've added another mantra to keep me from worry.  That mantra is the phrase "and this too shall pass".  I don't know about you but many times I fret over things, even momentarily, that never happen, or weren't as bad as I'd imagined, or didn't last as long as I'd anticipated. In order to keep me from getting too far into a pity-party, or the worry pit, I try to remind myself that "this to shall pass".  Even if that awful thing happens and keeps happening the rest of my life, it will pass away when I get to heaven.   Working with hard-to-deal-with people will pass.   Being sick will pass.  Being frightened will pass.   Feeling lonely will pass.   Being overwhelmed will pass.   We just need to be able to look at things from the long view.  THIS too will pass but THAT (eternity with Jesus) will not. When we all get to heaven what a day of rejoicing that will be.  When we all see Jesus we'll sing and s...

Jesus is calling.   We know that from scripture and we know that from personal experience.  We all at one point on another felt that something was missing in our lives.  We meet someone, fall in love, and, for a time, feel complete . Then after marriage, we decide that maybe children would make us complete, then we'd be satisfied.  but soon we find that we still need more. Maybe a bigger house, maybe a better car, maybe a better or different job, maybe... maybe... maybe.  Many people try drugs or alcohol  Some try sex or pornography.  Gambling.  An endless number of vices are available.  I firmly believe that all that searching for the THING that will make us feel complete, whole, satisfied, is Christ.  Now before you think that I'm saying that people with addiction problems can find Jesus and their addiction problems will go away, or their lust for another will dissolve, or their desire for a bigger whatever will go away....

I know that is a "duh" title but that's what comes to mind.  Two of today's scripture readings are John 20:19-31 and Revelation 1:4-8 .  Today, I noticed for the first time, that this passage in John is AFTER Jesus has been savagely crucified and then resurrected.  He says in verse 23: "If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven. "  If you remember, Luke 23:33 - 35 records where Jesus forgives those who were crucifying him while they were doing it, while he was dying a torturous death. (Luke 23:34) Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."  Jesus has provided an example of forgiveness that we should follow.  The next reading is Revelation.  Look at verse 7:  Look, he is coming with the clouds,       and every eye will see him,    even those who pierced him;       and all...

Refer to the previous post about reunion groups. I'm going to try to "go over my service sheet" once a week using my blog.  Of course, it won't be like going over it with reunion group members.  This won't be confidential and probably no one will hold me accountable if I don't do something I say I'm going to do, but this seems like a good avenue to go over my service sheet anyway.  I'll see how it works out but here goes one. (I will change some of the wording because it is copyrighted stuff but you'll get the idea.) What did I do in the last week related to Prayer, Study and Action?  What will I do in the coming week?  This past week I prayed for the EDWE 67 team members and the pilgrims along with their sponsors. I prayed each day for our pastor and his family (who are leaving to go to another church) and I've prayed for the new pastor who is coming.   I also prayed that our congregation accept the new family and begin the reconciliatio...

I told you about going on the Walk to Emmaus a few years ago. Another one of the things I learned is a tool for awareness of Christ's presence and for self-evaluation.  It is called the "order of the group reunion", or "going over your service sheet".  It is an Upper Room copyrighted thing. It is a good tool for evaluating myself and my actions to see if I am Christ's hands and feet, if I am aware of God's presence, and if I am resembling Christ's image more and more etc.  This activity is to keep those in the reunion group accountable.  One of the things I really like about this format is that it makes me more aware.  The format requires that we "report things" to each other each week.  Because I need to report things, I spend more time during the rest of the week thinking about them.  It causes me to ponder, reflect and meditate more. The format forces deliberate reflection on my actions, study, and prayer as well as feeling Ch...

I went on the Walk To Emmaus a few years ago.  It is a 72-hour Christian leader-building weekend.  It was the most wonderful experience.  One of the main things I learned during that weekend is to "not anticipate"  The team members always say "Do not anticipate, participate".  Ok. Whatever. But I have to tell you that since then, that phrase pops into my head often.  I find that this one little phrase, if practiced, can make a huge difference in my attitude.  Sometimes, I worry about what is coming next.  Frequently when this happens, that phrase pops into my head. For example, I spent a lot of time at work worrying and fretting over having to oversee implementation of some big complex management system that I just knew I'd have to do (because I had to do all the previous ones!)  I don't know how many hours of sleep that I lost, certain that upper management wouldn't have a clue what they would be asking so they wouldn't supply adequate ex...