Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill tthe law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. (Gal. 6.1-3 ESV)
Devotional Classics
Devotional Classics.
This has been a very helpful tool during my ongoing period of seeking spiritual nurture. God has met me numerous times as I have prayed through this material.
Even though I’m no longer in solitude, I continue to work through this helpful collection.
I reccommend it as a tool in your spiritual development library.
(pic is fuzzy ‘cuz I was on a train)
weakness into strength
Why is it SO hard for we humans to admit our weakness and cry out to God:
“You must do this, for I can not!”
When we truly “get this” we will be able to begin training our mind and heart to follow Christ, to walk with God.
Until then, at best, we are well meaning people following other well meaning people. Who are you following?
Does the level of peace in your life show it? Or are you overwhelmed by getting through the struggles of life?
Be careful of following a leader who is “certain” of the direction he has laid out and “strives to achieve.”
Rather, follow Christ who excelled in humility and sought to bring glory to his Father.
To whom are we bringing glory?
Cry out like a tax collector:
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour, have mercy on me, the sinner.
joy #thankful
WARNING: THIS POST IS ABOUT EXPERIENCE AND FEELINGS CONTINUE AT YOUR OWN RISK
I awoke this morning filled afresh with joy and hope! Thanks be to God!
This just popped up on my phone:
Isaiah 43:4 ESV
Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you,
I give men in return for you,
peoples in exchange for your life.
I was pleasantly surprised by an email from an old friend. It was a joy to hear from him! As I wrote to him, I realized how very full of joy I was. Here is an excerpt of my answer to him…
“this trip has been amazing. God has shown up in pretty amazing ways (as you blog followers have read about). He continually shows up in unexpected and unimmaginable ways.
I just thanked him that as I begin year 57 I feel the closest to him, maybe ever, love Anna more than ever, could not be prouder of our family (especially III & Lee), I feel healthier than I have in 15 months (and THAT is huge) and I get to serve Him daily.
I am blessed way better than I deserve and growing in my gratitude to Him.”
Filed under experience, spiritual questions/musings/wonderings
Transition #thankful !
Today I leave the cell.
For the last 11 days I have practiced a higher degree of solitude and silence than I ever have. I have had limited social contact with some select friends here, and an almost daily conversation with my sweet Anna.
I have, as one of the goals of this Sabbath rest (as I’ve dubbed it) been very limited in screen interaction, very little e-mail, NO Facebook (didn’t miss it, so zero sacrifice there), Twitter was source of news and helpful articles. For the month before the Sabbath Rest began, I unsubscribed and unfollowed a ton of stuff to limit distraction. That trimming of distraction will be left in place.
I had a health goal as well and I’ve walked 16 measured miles and probably another 10+ miles on many prayer walks. The prayer walks have taught me about longer deeper praying than ever before. Last Wednesday I prayer walked/rode from one end of Buda to the other. God works in our hearts when we focus on talking to Him. The result of the combination of ample rest, daily excerise and being 5+ weeks into an 8 week medication regimen, thankfully, is that I have been tick disease symptom free for six weeks and I feel consistently stronger than I have in 16 months. Thanks be to God.
In addition to normal morning reading I’ve been working through a book using writers from the past. I’ve been challenged by Luther, Pascal, Kierkegaard, Calvin and others in my spiritual discipline. I have, thankfully, been reminded of what a wretched man I am and, thanks to Paul in Romans, this body of death has been rescued by Jesus Christ our Lord. Indeed, thanks be to God!
I’ve gotten a couple of chapters written in my novel and made some progress in Brothers K. I read a brand new novel by my friend Luke Davis. God gave me _Litany of Secrets_ at the right moment… since it was a page-turner it got me in the reading groove (get in on Amazon) which was important. After a couple of go go weeks, Luke’s novel made me sit still. Maybe you need to sit still?
So, I’ve left the cell and am on my way to Lake Balaton for 3 1/2 days . I’m giving some devotional talks to DelPest church summer camp. My topic, appropriately enough, is “distraction.”
So, from the city, I’m off to the lake. A bit more sun and exercise. More study, prayer and to give a nightly talk after supper.
#thankful
