Autumn

Every path painted by autumn reminds us: God is always doing a new thing. 

Gratitude idea: take a cell phone photo of five different things that inspire you.

Happy Labor Day!

 

Words from Luke

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. Luke 18:1 NIV 

Why Go to Church?

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10: 23-25

“If going to church makes you a Christian, does going to the garage make you a car?”  I recently saw this question on a vehicle’s bumper sticker and found it intriguing to consider what kind of person was asking this nonsensical question.  Is he a “nonbeliever” with animosity toward Christians for some reason?  Could he be a “believer” who attends worship services regularly but questions the sincerity of the others who occupy the pews around him?  Could he be a “believer” who thinks his personal relationship with Christ is adequate and attending church is unnecessary? 

No, going to church does not make me a Christian. It is my faith in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior that makes me a Christian. But attending worship services at church on Sundays makes me a better Christian…and I don’t mean better than other Christians. I mean that it makes me a better follower of Christ than I would be without the encouragement and support of others in my congregation.

Prayer: Father God, you have provided an awesome plan for the spiritual nourishment of Your people through the church. Thank You for the privilege of coming near to You through church attendance and fellowship with others who believe in You and Your Son.

Judith Keller (reprinted from July 2011)

Pondering Faith

Faith does not eliminate questions. But faith knows where to take them. ~ Elisabeth Elliot 

Today is the Day

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34 (NIV)

Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. Matthew 6:34 (The Message)

There’s a song called “Today Is the Day” by Lincoln Brewster that includes the following lyrics:  "I’m casting my cares aside, I’m leaving my past behind, I’m setting my heart and mind on You Jesus.  I’m reaching my hand to Yours, Believing there’s so much more, Knowing that all You have in store for me is good. Today is the day You have made, I will rejoice and be glad in it; And I won’t worry about tomorrow, I’m trusting in what You say. Today is the day."

The song has struck a chord (no pun intended) with me in the past. But I reread it in light of the current crisis.  Especially the phrase, "I won't worry about tomorrow." I have to admit that I’ve spent a lot of time in the past worrying.  Usually it's about things that I have no control over anyway, so the worrying is not a good use of my time. Like the weather. Or it may be something I have at least some control over; like how I should use my money. And sometimes it's something that really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things; like what to wear to a special event. 

I’ve found myself spending a lot of time worrying lately, as many of us have.  I think it’s natural to vacillate between being anxious about the future and feeling that everything is going to be okay. I need to work on trusting in what God has to say and in setting my mind and heart on Jesus. God has made the day and everything in it, and He watches over me at all times. All He has in store for me is good.  As the scripture states, tomorrow will worry about itself.  

Prayer: Dear Lord, It's a scary time for everyone. We don’t know what the future holds. But it doesn't help to worry. The Lord has made each day, and we need to rejoice and be glad in it. God is in control and will handle our worries if we simply turn them over to him. Please forgive us for thinking we can handle everything ourselves and for wasting time worrying about the future. Help us to cast our cares aside and reach our hands to yours. Amen.

Robin Hadfield (reprinted from 2020, during the height of COVID)

Listening

“Listening” is an essay from The Book of Alchemy: A Creative Practice for an Inspired Life by Suleika Jaouad. Suleika’s book collects essays on creativity and then generates writing prompts.

In her piece, Esther Perel says, {listening attentively} “is a delicate balance of receiving and reciprocating – taking in information and giving attention and care.” She suggests that the “way we listen shapes the way the other person will speak.” She continues: “actively showing that we are listening to the other person validates their experience and their vulnerability.”

Esther asks us to consider the old saying, "If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?" The question has been intended as a philosophical question that she suggests involves "object permanence and the human impulse to center our own experiences. If I don't perceive it, does it cease to exist?" Esther ponders the ridiculousness of this, and goes on to further wonder why it {the question/saying} has persisted for so long. She thinks that it's more about the question itself, not the answer, and the "poignant commentary about relationships and reciprocity required to be in one". Which is reflected in the three questions about listening I pose to you below, and the scripture I found to complement!

Do we listen as God speaks to us?

Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.” – Proverbs 19:20

“And that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life…” – Deuteronomy 30:20

“If my people would only listen to me, if Israel would only follow my ways…” – Psalm 81:13

“He replied, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.'” – Luke 11:28

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” – James 1:19

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” – Isaiah 30:21

Is God listening to us?

"And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us". 1 John 5:14

"Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you." Jeremiah 29:12

"I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy". Psalm 116:1

Do we listen to others, offering a supportive ear?

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” James 1:19

“To answer before listening—that is folly and shame.” Proverbs 18:13

“The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.” Proverbs 12:15

“Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.” Proverbs 19:20

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to be an active listener to you, to others, and help me to trust that you hear my plea and my thankful appreciation in prayer. Amen.

Donna Gustafson