Friday, August 19, 2016

When I am Weak, I am Strong

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“This is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in my weaknesses,
 in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.
For when I a weak then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10 (NIV)
Paul did not let adverse events get him down. Yes, those who did not like him and others who feared him targeted him. He experienced shipwreck, imprisonment, lack of funds, the wrath of his former fellow believers dedicated to persecuting the followers of Christ, and disbelief of those he once persecuted. He turned those experiences over to God to let Him deal with them.
When I had to go on a restrictive diet two years ago, I was scared. Here is why:
1.) I was not sure it would work or if I could stay on it.
2.) I did not think I would have an easy time finding food I could eat.
3.) I was not sure my family and my friends would understand.
That next Sunday, I was getting ready to go to church. I realized the change this diet would make in my eating habits. I found myself praying, “I can’t do this by myself, Lord. I need You to help me do this.”
            God has helped me follow this meal plan. (A diet has an ending time; a meal plan is life-long)
1.) That Sunday was Communion Sunday. During the serving of the bread, the pastor said, “Gluten-free bread is available if you require it.”

2.) When our son came in from out of state for a visit a few days later, we prepared to go to our friend’s pond and fish. We took my meds for this condition and our food. We bought an extra cooler to accommodate our needs.

3.) People at our church know of my diet. I heard of at least four others who are on the same diet, one young girl is on a more restrictive version.

4.) I chose not to attend my 50th-year high school reunion that fall. I had a Facebook friend, a friend from church, and a classmate I ran into at the grocery store said they missed me at that party. When I said the words, ‘restrictive diet’, they all seemed to understand. When I told the Facebook friend, I said, “I am on a gluten-free diet.” She responded that she teaches with a woman who is on the same diet.

God has been with me, working on my behalf, making me stronger in my resolve, my practice, and my relationship with Him.

Now it is time for me to unplug for a while. I will be away from my blog until September 5th.


Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Ascribe God His Strength

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“Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones,
      ascribe to the Lord, glory and strength.
               Ascribe to the LORD, the glory due his name;
                       worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.”
Ps 29:1-2(NIV)

            David writes that we should give praise to God. The Message begins this passage with “Bravo” and a bit later uses the term “Encore.”

            “Attribute to” comes closer to modern meaning. “Give to” is another way to say it.

            Let’s see, David says we are to attribute to God that he is glory and strength. If I were to quantify God’s strength, His would be at least quintillion times more than mine would. I have to recognize that I am, at most, less than a mere featherweight in strength compared to God.

            David also reminds us that we are to give God the glory due him and to worship Him because He is holy.


Monday, August 15, 2016

Strength like the Eagles




“But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar like eagles, they will run and not grow weary,
 they will walk and not grow faint.”
Isaiah 40:31(NIV)

            I love this verse. I see rewards of waiting on God to act on our behalf—He will renew our strength.

            I get a mental picture of an eagle soaring on the wind—gliding through the air. I enjoy the metaphor Isaiah uses.

            I think running and not being tired sounds wonderful. My idea of running is being actively doing something, anything for a stretch of time. Since my accident, I know I am not there physically. Physical walking great distances and not feeling all in are almost distant goals for me. I take life one day at a time.

            When I see an eagle with wings outstretched using the air under them to guide it, I realize God makes the scene possible, not the bird and not man.

            In our 21st Century world, we have many ‘conveniences’ that distract us for thinking on godly things. We have television, computers, electronic tablets, smartphones all designed to keep us in contact with one another. Maybe we need to find a place in a park, our backyards, or at a lake and just look at the sky, the clouds, the sunset, and the birds gliding on the air currents and get in contact with God. I find it refreshing to sit in our yard swing every evening and just watch what God has to show me.


God Alone

  Jesus and the children at our church's prayer walk.          I will both lie down in peace and sleep;  For You alone, O LORD make ...