We are part of a great spiritual family and shared New Year's Eve making some spiritual resolutions.
I wanted to share mine with you and ask you for prayers.
In my current grad. school program I am frequently confronted by a few people who, do not only reject my belief, but can tend towards the mocking end. I have heard some pretty hateful things directed at Christians, and have at times addressed these notions directly. As a result, I have had some interesting and productive discussions with some extremely worldly people...we both walked away less ignorant about the other person's point of view.
Even still....there are one or two people who do not listen long enough to take any new perspective in and have made statements that insult Christ and His disciples.
My resolution is to move beyond tolerating these people (meaning controlling my emotions) to a place of actively loving these people...winning them over (as much as possible) by shining pure light.
Please pray for me in this, and that God alone will be glorified. Some cold hearts may melt, and perhaps a few will inch closer to the One who can truly save.
"The Gods we worship write their names on our faces, be sure of that. And a man will worship something- have no doubt about that, either. He may think that his tribute is paid in secret in the dark recesses of his heart- but it will out. That which dominates will determine his life and character. Therefore, it behooves us to be careful what we worship, for what we are worshipping we are becoming."
A little transcendentalism to start your day. I love the first line...how awesome to think of God writing his name on our faces. And how awful to think of anything but God marking us so apparently.
This draws my thoughts to what I watch, listen to, who I choose to be around, what I choose to think...all of these things will make my face beautiful to God or a face that He does not recognize as His.
I hope this Emerson quote brings you as much encouragement as it did me.
I pray that our faces will show kindness, humility, and the love of our Savior today.
"These commandments I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and BIND THEM ON YOUR FOREHEADS. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates."
good things to think about. I have stopped listening to the new lately and i am still without tv, however i watch a few show on the internet. very important to think about what you choose to be around.
I'll send you recipes via email maybe tomorrow night. All of them are easy and yummy, even Potato candy. I promise it is not one of my wierd eating things, even David likes it. It basically tastes like pure sugar mixed with peanut butter:)
Thank you for sharing these thoughts. I heard some interesting things about Emerson and the other transcendentalists regarding the heritage they left behind. Poe, Emerson, Thoreau, and others rejected the faith and traditions of their fathers who fought in revolutionary battles. It's sad, but telling that a life of rebellion only provides instruction in those things for one's children.
Regardless, many of those listed above have come up with a great many pearls such as this that you quoted.
I should have known about Durell and family but I guess that Becky is the newbee to the family and I did not know that you knew them recently. Of course, I am sure you realize that Durell is my brother. I did not know that you had lived in Bowling Green.
Thanks you for your input in John-
His trust in us, and the hope he has that our better side will overcome is truly amazing.
I believe so much that when he says he came to save us.... heaven was only partially on his mind.
John 10:10-
A few months ago I heard an interesting "litmus test" for anyone in deciding whether to speak or remain silent.
The advice was to speak only if what you will say is:
True
The facts are known (not speculated or heard about)
It is edifying to the hearer
Edifying about the person who is the subject of your conversation
Edifying to the church
We know that tongue is full of deadly poison if we are not seeking God's will for our conversations. Do you have any thoughts on these criteria? Would you add some or take some of these away? What do you think is the primary reason that the tongue is so difficult to tame?
Typically I try to do the right thing out of love for God, not out of fear. That being said, here is a statement from the mouth of Jesus that is sobering and makes me want to just remain silent:
"But I tell you that men will have to give an account on the day of judgement for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted and by your words you will be condemned." ~Matthew 12:36-7
Wow. Pause.
"Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be." ~James 3:10
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me, and I hope this reminder makes your speech more of a blessing to you and those around you....I believe God through James knew we would all need help with this.
Interesting thoughts. I've been thinking about this a lot lately, especially since political discussions are so rampant and it's hard to know if it's worth it to speak up on a particular issue or not (especially if it's something fairly controversial). I think I've found that as I get older I've realized there's a time and a place to speak up.
Sometimes it is worth it if that person has an open-mind and is willing to listen. Other times it could just put a rift between you and that person. It's really tricky and I think it has to be taken on a case-by-case basis.
i know this will be surprising to you, but I definitely talk alot less now. As I get older I've noticed most of what I say is purposeless, even if it's not harmful. I'm amazed at how many just chatter on and on seemingly just to make noise. thanks for this reminde!
I don't know about the early voting here, but in the future I will be checking this out:) How are your parents feeling? Are they still under the weather?
What I know right now is that I will be working with high school and college teachers to build business curriculum and teach english. I have not received my official invitation yet.
Honestly, I didn't even need to gasp. I saw the fall happening in slow motion, so I was ready when it hit. Haha. But it was great. The waitress was like, "I am so glad you are laughing." I love that you laugh at that kind of stuff, too! :-)
I'd say MARRY a man who will put you in your place! I just so love Colby bc he doesn't speak unless the above criteria is met, basically! He has helped me so!! Thank you for your encouragement this week. I will need it and heed it!
i forgot about collie cool! heehee that was so funny. it wasnt a first date but i did go with two good looking guys from church. ;) my mom wants me to dress her up like the red baron from peanuts comics in the dog trailer. heehee
the concert was outside at the base of aspen mountian, there were fireworks and it wasnt too crowded, loads of fun. I am going home for a week for xmas.
To kickoff the month of November, one of my favorites (Thanksgiving and Brian's birthday) we are having some friends over for a dinner party. This is a marker for me, as I have attempted for the first time to make my mom's infamous dressing (she always knows the perfect amount of sage, due to her Mom's Sage Radar).
So, tonight we will eat:
roasted turkey
THE dressing
corn pudding
green bean casserole
mashed sweet potatoes with green chiles
cranberries
derby pie
vanilla ice cream
Anyone want to join us?
Happy almost November! Thanks to God, it is a beautiful fall day in North Carolina.
YUM YUM and more YUM!!!!!! I so love those items you are having not only do they bring such great smells,tastes and textures but they bring the thoughts of family and comfort for me. Yeah I love when you ask so how do you make that? Well I just add some of this and that, well what is the measurement and this is the best "oh, I don't know I just know or I eyeball it" so in the end how does that help me? It doesn't and I never get it right. LOL I love to do Martha Stewarts turkey and I turn mine upside down. Have a wonderful evening. I hope Greg and I get to NC he was raised there so I know he has tons of places he wants to show me.
Well, for you First Watch enthusiasts, you will be impressed that I partook in three FW breakfasts in Florida with three of my favorite people.
A few others things I was blessed to do:
Met Isaac Fannin who is now one of my favorite babies and got to see Ethan Murphy who was already on that favorites list.
Got to watch the best episode of the Cosby Show of all time with Leanne and JT Fannin, two of my favorite people.
Saw my lovely nieces who are now freshman at FC. It was so nice to see them and feel some comfort in knowing they are around some good people who care for their most important aspects. My sister would be so proud of the people they are becoming.
Had the honor of reconnecting with close friends, a few I hadn't seen since before China. There are some old friends that time just doesn't change...their core remains just what attracted you to them in the first place. At this core is the love of Christ that establishes true friendship and keeps it strong.
Today, I am mindful of the luxury of travel. Many people all over the world have loved ones whom they so badly want to see and may not have the chance due to poor or no transportation, little to no money, or safety concerns. The ability to save money and see family and loved ones who live afar off is such a blessing.
Who will you be traveling to see next? Why are they important to you?
P.S. Everyone wants to know WHICH COSBY EPISODE? I think no episode compares to Season Two's Happy Anniversary episode. Cliff's parents are celebrating their anniversary, and the Huxtables lip sync to a Ray Charles song. Rudy is at her cutest...one of the greatest TV moments ever.
i had a really long answer for this but wasn't logged in & lost it. We are going to see family next & we'll be thankful for modern travel IF we achieve our goal of living overseas someday.
i just saw on someone else's blog which episode of the cosby show you were talking about...great choice! every once in a while the song will come on at work and it reminds of rudy singing..."BABY! BABY!" classic!
We miss you guys. We (hopefully) will be touring Alabama and Ketucky this summer to see family. Planning a two week road trip but no Hotels- just loved ones.
Tell brian that I miss him. I was talkingto someone about playing Dungeon and dragons the other day and it reminded me of playing with your hubby. He playeda Kinder and did too good ofa job - the Dungeon Master quit and left frustrated. it was funny.
I love the Cosby's! Well, it's our pool- kind of embarassing! I think everyone from church will be living at our house this summer! Community pools are popular over here, but not neighborhood pools. And a lot more houses have them too.
You find out about all kinds of awful things you can get from food once you're pregnant. With lunch meat, it's dangerous nitrites, nitrates, lysteria poisoning, and salt. :)
I was in TPA in early October... if our trips had overlapped and I ran in to you down there I would have flipped out. ... THE COSBY SHOW???? I haven't seen an episode of that if 15 forevers... I was a faithful watcher however when new episodes were aired on Thursday nights 20+ years ago!!!
