We have just today to make resolutions that will officially begin in 2008. I have discovered that the spiritual resolutions are probably more important than the activities because they involve our hearts and minds as well.
In the fourth chapter of Ephesians, these 10 verses from 22-32 describe what it is to "put on the new man" (v. 24). That we put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts. (v.22) Think of the habits of gossip, being critical, complaining etc. and see if you can change that. I already made the resolution for yesterday that I would spend more time counting my blessings - it's difficult to complain when you engage in this practice!
Be renewed in your spirit and mind. (v. 23) What we read, watch and listen to will determine the heights of renewal we will experience. More bible reading and spiritual input through other reading, TV and radio can make a large difference. I have a friend who wakes up and turns on WMCA early in the morning before actually getting out of bed. I'm going to give it a try. I got out of the habit of listening to radio and I imagine some of you who drive to work can do the same thing.
Vs. 25-28 speak of behaviors that we need to do away with such as lying, stealing, anger and it is suggested that we work with our hands that which is good so we will have to give to the needy.
Vs. 29 says not to let any corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth but that which is good to the use of edifying that it may minister grace unto the hearers. To me that means constructive criticism done with a right attitude and heart is acceptable, but we need to be careful what we say.
V. 30 Tells us "grieve not the Holy Spirit" with which you are sealed until the day of redemption. What a wonderful promise! God's spirit is the truth that guides us.
v. 31 warns against bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and evil speaking and malice. This requires prayer as far as I am concerned to have forgiveness and I always ask God to guard my heart and mind because I know that He can and will if you ask him to.
V. 32 sums up what we want to be like as the "new man" (or woman) in the New Year.
"Be ye kind, tenderhearted and forgiving one another even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you."
With these instructions, it is easy to formulate resolutions and resolve to be "brand new" in the brand new year.
Have a safe and Happy New Year 's Eve. I plan to be at church and a buffet with my husband next door to my house (as I mentioned before). I look forward to God's blessings! God bless you too!
Monday, December 31, 2007
Sunday, December 30, 2007
The Blessings of God All Around Us
Lady of Light
I have thought of several more resolutions for the New Year. First, to count my blessings more often and to continue to discover new ones. Second, to use my creativity as much as possible. If you have gifts and talents, I hope you too, will make it a priority to use and develop them to a greater extent in 2008.
I have decided to make Sundays on my blog poetry day. If you read my interests, you will see that they vary, and I am going to work with different ones on different days.
I hope you enjoy this and if you live in the Jersey area, that it will especially cheer you on what has been a ""grey day".
THE BLESSINGS of GOD ALL AROUND US
Life is made up of lots of little things:
The way the tree branches dance in the wind,
The melodic communication of the birds,
The soothing sound of a bubbling brook.
The smell of apple pie baking in the oven,
The sweet savory odors emanating from a nearby kitchen,
Memories of a holiday celebration,
Thoughts of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years,.
The smiles of bystanders on a busy street in town.
The touch of a loved one,
A hearty hug from a friend,
The handshake of a stranger.
Sights, sounds, smells, significant thoughts and memories.
A cheerful card or note,
A surprise phone call from a friend.
May the tiniest blessings of life
Never come to an end,
Flowing out and around us that we might
Experience the exhilaration and vitality of our existence--
Ever finding new and different things that life has to offer
As the blessings of God
Shine so brightly
All around us.
I have thought of several more resolutions for the New Year. First, to count my blessings more often and to continue to discover new ones. Second, to use my creativity as much as possible. If you have gifts and talents, I hope you too, will make it a priority to use and develop them to a greater extent in 2008.
I have decided to make Sundays on my blog poetry day. If you read my interests, you will see that they vary, and I am going to work with different ones on different days.
I hope you enjoy this and if you live in the Jersey area, that it will especially cheer you on what has been a ""grey day".
THE BLESSINGS of GOD ALL AROUND US
Life is made up of lots of little things:
The way the tree branches dance in the wind,
The melodic communication of the birds,
The soothing sound of a bubbling brook.
The smell of apple pie baking in the oven,
The sweet savory odors emanating from a nearby kitchen,
Memories of a holiday celebration,
Thoughts of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years,.
The smiles of bystanders on a busy street in town.
The touch of a loved one,
A hearty hug from a friend,
The handshake of a stranger.
Sights, sounds, smells, significant thoughts and memories.
A cheerful card or note,
A surprise phone call from a friend.
May the tiniest blessings of life
Never come to an end,
Flowing out and around us that we might
Experience the exhilaration and vitality of our existence--
Ever finding new and different things that life has to offer
As the blessings of God
Shine so brightly
All around us.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
The New Year is Coming Upon Us
Very soon it is going to be 2008. To me, the New Year signifies new beginnings. As I reflect back over 2007, I think of all the many ways God has looked after me throughout the year. (I'm still here, aren't I) ?
What am I doing in preparation for the New Year? I went shopping yesterday to have everything in the house for celebration as I vowed not to have to go to the stores again until after the holiday. My husband and I are going to enjoy a few favorite special meals this weekend and I am going to make homemade chie - my mom"s recipe as I watch the Patriots go into victory over the Giants tonight!
I made a list of little chores I have procrastinated with and plan to complete those today so that I can go into 2008 with a cleaner slate. (For example, I sewed a button on my coat that had been sitting here for ages). There are more of these little things to tend to.
I am now praying about making meaningful resolutions for the New Year. My husband and I are fortunate to live right next door to a church that has a New Year's Eve service and buffet so we will celebrate the New Year by listening to a good sermon and praising and praying.
Meanwhile, I am meditating o few bible verses today, asking God to give them personal meaning to me and to enhance my vision for 2008. The first one is Romans 12:21:
"Be not overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good."
I think this means to have good thoughts towards others and to pray for them and to become tuned in to little ways to make a difference. I am going to take more time in my life journey to be sensitive to people instead of being in "my own little world". When I go out, I am going to ask God to show me along the way how he can use me to touch the lives of others.
The prayer in 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 seems fitting:
"Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work."
In the New Year, I will receive this promise that God will comfort me and establish me in word and deed. That helps me to believe I am making a resolution that I will be given the power to keep.
Ephesians 2:10 also confirms what God wants us to do concerning our works:
"For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them"
I will pray to be in harmony with God's plan and to walk in the good works He has already planned for me. That is so much easier than trying to figure it all out myself!
I hope that these first steps of preparation for the New Year will bring new blessings and for those who read this, that you too will be blessed!
l
I
What am I doing in preparation for the New Year? I went shopping yesterday to have everything in the house for celebration as I vowed not to have to go to the stores again until after the holiday. My husband and I are going to enjoy a few favorite special meals this weekend and I am going to make homemade chie - my mom"s recipe as I watch the Patriots go into victory over the Giants tonight!
I made a list of little chores I have procrastinated with and plan to complete those today so that I can go into 2008 with a cleaner slate. (For example, I sewed a button on my coat that had been sitting here for ages). There are more of these little things to tend to.
I am now praying about making meaningful resolutions for the New Year. My husband and I are fortunate to live right next door to a church that has a New Year's Eve service and buffet so we will celebrate the New Year by listening to a good sermon and praising and praying.
Meanwhile, I am meditating o few bible verses today, asking God to give them personal meaning to me and to enhance my vision for 2008. The first one is Romans 12:21:
"Be not overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good."
I think this means to have good thoughts towards others and to pray for them and to become tuned in to little ways to make a difference. I am going to take more time in my life journey to be sensitive to people instead of being in "my own little world". When I go out, I am going to ask God to show me along the way how he can use me to touch the lives of others.
The prayer in 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 seems fitting:
"Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work."
In the New Year, I will receive this promise that God will comfort me and establish me in word and deed. That helps me to believe I am making a resolution that I will be given the power to keep.
Ephesians 2:10 also confirms what God wants us to do concerning our works:
"For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them"
I will pray to be in harmony with God's plan and to walk in the good works He has already planned for me. That is so much easier than trying to figure it all out myself!
I hope that these first steps of preparation for the New Year will bring new blessings and for those who read this, that you too will be blessed!
l
I
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Joel Osteen "Stays Focused"
Lady of Light
In an interview on Fox Sunday Talk Show on December 23rd, TV preacher Joel Osteen tells Chris Wallace that he succeeds in his mission because he stays focused on what he is called to do as a pastor which is to encourage people, teach them how to deal with daily life issues, and make God more relevant to today's society. His simplicity is amazing! He does not "muddy the waters" by going in too many directions with too many purposes. He has won the hearts and the attention of millions. Those who are skeptical of his lack of formal bible education should appreciate that he knows who he is and who he's not. He doesn't try to exceed his limits in what he does.
During a recent sermon, Osteen spoke about doing what we are good at and enjoy doing - to recognize the special gifts that God has given us. Osteen explained that often times, there is a tendency to try to strengthen our weaknesses instead of using our strengths. He is so right. I took this message to heart and found a new freedom I didn't have when I was trying to be naturally good at things I am not naturally good at.
As a result of tuning in to Joel Osteen on a regular basis, I believe God has blessed me personally through his ministry. I find that I am more attuned to what I call "providential meetings" with strangers at the supermarket (In a recent sermon, Osteen referred to this as "divine connections") I am more open and confident with God when I share my faith with people, and my last encounter turned out to be with someone who watched Joel Osteen on Sundays also. With this "divine connection", we were able to share and it turned out that the fellow had been considering going to a church in the neighborhood but didn't know anything about it. I was able to assure him that it was a bible-based assembly with a friendly Pastor. We agreed that we wouldn't give up watching Joel Osteen because the service is after the broadcast. After all, because of the encouragement we got about how to treat people and respond in our daily life, we were two strangers who became friends in faith! This is thanks to Osteen's open heart and attitude which just "rubs off" on people.
His role model of positive thinking is a living example of Phillipians 4:8:
"Therefore, my brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things."
I believe that meditating on this verse and obeying this command make up the essence of positive thinking.
I received a letter from Joel Osteen the other day and my favorite part was his closing,
"Believing God's Best for Your Life, Joel Osteen" How could you not want to listen to someone who has this kind of faith concerning you? I have since prayed that God would continue to strengthen my faith so that I will consistently believe God's best for my life and the lives of others too!
In an interview on Fox Sunday Talk Show on December 23rd, TV preacher Joel Osteen tells Chris Wallace that he succeeds in his mission because he stays focused on what he is called to do as a pastor which is to encourage people, teach them how to deal with daily life issues, and make God more relevant to today's society. His simplicity is amazing! He does not "muddy the waters" by going in too many directions with too many purposes. He has won the hearts and the attention of millions. Those who are skeptical of his lack of formal bible education should appreciate that he knows who he is and who he's not. He doesn't try to exceed his limits in what he does.
During a recent sermon, Osteen spoke about doing what we are good at and enjoy doing - to recognize the special gifts that God has given us. Osteen explained that often times, there is a tendency to try to strengthen our weaknesses instead of using our strengths. He is so right. I took this message to heart and found a new freedom I didn't have when I was trying to be naturally good at things I am not naturally good at.
As a result of tuning in to Joel Osteen on a regular basis, I believe God has blessed me personally through his ministry. I find that I am more attuned to what I call "providential meetings" with strangers at the supermarket (In a recent sermon, Osteen referred to this as "divine connections") I am more open and confident with God when I share my faith with people, and my last encounter turned out to be with someone who watched Joel Osteen on Sundays also. With this "divine connection", we were able to share and it turned out that the fellow had been considering going to a church in the neighborhood but didn't know anything about it. I was able to assure him that it was a bible-based assembly with a friendly Pastor. We agreed that we wouldn't give up watching Joel Osteen because the service is after the broadcast. After all, because of the encouragement we got about how to treat people and respond in our daily life, we were two strangers who became friends in faith! This is thanks to Osteen's open heart and attitude which just "rubs off" on people.
His role model of positive thinking is a living example of Phillipians 4:8:
"Therefore, my brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things."
I believe that meditating on this verse and obeying this command make up the essence of positive thinking.
I received a letter from Joel Osteen the other day and my favorite part was his closing,
"Believing God's Best for Your Life, Joel Osteen" How could you not want to listen to someone who has this kind of faith concerning you? I have since prayed that God would continue to strengthen my faith so that I will consistently believe God's best for my life and the lives of others too!
Joel Osteen "stays focused" with Chris Wallace on Fox News Sunday
I have some additional comments to make regarding Joel Osteen's interview with Chris Wallace on the Fox News Sunday Show December 23, 2007. His simplicity amazes me. His ability to "stay focused" on his "calling" and what he believes to be God's purpose for his life in ministry - "to encourage people and let God be the judge of all else". Think how easy life would be if we didn't try to figure everybody out and figure everything out all the time. Joel Osteen has demonstrated that God has given him the ability to encourage people and make God more relevant in today's society, teaching people how to live in their everyday life. This is no small thing, because it is the seemingly small everyday things that make up our whole life!
When asked about his lack of formal bible education, Joel mentioned that the disciples didn't have a formal education and they were chosen by Jesus. While it is true that the disciples didn't have formal bible education, we must remember that they walked with Jesus, himself, and if they had any questions, they could ask him directly. Today, we rely on God's word and those who are knowledgeable in God's word to guide us and help us to formulate sound doctrine and beliefs. In the book of Timothy, Paul exhorted Timothy to
"Study and show thyself approved, a workman who need not be ashamed, RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH.: (2 Timothy2:15)
The common bond of salvation that Joel Osteen acknowledges with Mitch Romney is important but sloughing off the validity of the doctrine of the Mormons, which differs from other Christian Churches is not following in the example which was given to young Timothy as a Pastor of the early church. Paul continues to tell Timothy in 2 Timothy Chapter 4:1-2:
"I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the ded at his appearing and his kingdom; PREACH THE WORD INSTANT IN SEASON AND OUT OF SEASON: REPROVE, REBUKE, EXHORT WITH ANN LONGSUFFERING AND DOCTRINE..." While Joel Osteen may have a special calling, it is important to know that he has a concern for sound doctrine as well because in our everyday life we don't want to be "tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men..." (Ephesians 4:14) as the bible warns. I don't think a person needs a Doctorate for that - they just need to believe that the bible is the word of God and find out what it teaches. I know Joel Osteen believes that the bible is the Word of God ...where does it speak of these things that are mentioned about the doctrine of the Mormons?
Joel says he will vote for someone who believes as he does in terms of Christianity. Since he himself doesn't want to get involved in social issues, how does he know what these others will do in terms of social issues and if it will be as he believes?
I believe God loves people, but He hates sin. That's why He sent Jesus into the world to save sinners. Joel, you may be called to encourage people, but skirting the issues of sin or doctrinal error is not going to help people to grow and change. If they don't know they/re living or believing in error, they need to be told the truth through the word of God.
As previously mentioned in a prior post, I got a letter from Joel Osteen and the thing I liked the most about it was the closing,
"Believing God's Best for Your Life", Joel Osteen. That kind of faith is what I need, not only for myself, but for all the people in my life. Believing God's best - to me that also means, knowing God's best, and His word.
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105)
Jesus, himself, proclaimed, "Thy word is truth". (John 17:17)
When asked about his lack of formal bible education, Joel mentioned that the disciples didn't have a formal education and they were chosen by Jesus. While it is true that the disciples didn't have formal bible education, we must remember that they walked with Jesus, himself, and if they had any questions, they could ask him directly. Today, we rely on God's word and those who are knowledgeable in God's word to guide us and help us to formulate sound doctrine and beliefs. In the book of Timothy, Paul exhorted Timothy to
"Study and show thyself approved, a workman who need not be ashamed, RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH.: (2 Timothy2:15)
The common bond of salvation that Joel Osteen acknowledges with Mitch Romney is important but sloughing off the validity of the doctrine of the Mormons, which differs from other Christian Churches is not following in the example which was given to young Timothy as a Pastor of the early church. Paul continues to tell Timothy in 2 Timothy Chapter 4:1-2:
"I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the ded at his appearing and his kingdom; PREACH THE WORD INSTANT IN SEASON AND OUT OF SEASON: REPROVE, REBUKE, EXHORT WITH ANN LONGSUFFERING AND DOCTRINE..." While Joel Osteen may have a special calling, it is important to know that he has a concern for sound doctrine as well because in our everyday life we don't want to be "tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men..." (Ephesians 4:14) as the bible warns. I don't think a person needs a Doctorate for that - they just need to believe that the bible is the word of God and find out what it teaches. I know Joel Osteen believes that the bible is the Word of God ...where does it speak of these things that are mentioned about the doctrine of the Mormons?
Joel says he will vote for someone who believes as he does in terms of Christianity. Since he himself doesn't want to get involved in social issues, how does he know what these others will do in terms of social issues and if it will be as he believes?
I believe God loves people, but He hates sin. That's why He sent Jesus into the world to save sinners. Joel, you may be called to encourage people, but skirting the issues of sin or doctrinal error is not going to help people to grow and change. If they don't know they/re living or believing in error, they need to be told the truth through the word of God.
As previously mentioned in a prior post, I got a letter from Joel Osteen and the thing I liked the most about it was the closing,
"Believing God's Best for Your Life", Joel Osteen. That kind of faith is what I need, not only for myself, but for all the people in my life. Believing God's best - to me that also means, knowing God's best, and His word.
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105)
Jesus, himself, proclaimed, "Thy word is truth". (John 17:17)
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