Philippians 1: 9-11 So this is my prayer:
that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well.
Learn to love appropriately.
You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush.
Live a lover’s life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.
When I read this passage this morning it ministered to me on many levels. The first one was in the first line.
So this is my prayer.
How many times in our lives have we shared the prayers of our hearts to one another?
Isn’t it hard to do? It is a vulnerable place to pray when another is listening or reading what we say.
He said “this is my prayer” meaning he wanted to share to them because it was important.
Then he continued to encourage the reader.
That your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well.
Isn’t that a wonderful encouraging line to those he cared for?
Then he continues. Learn to love appropriately. That is a strong line. I looked up the word appropriately and the meaning is this: suitable for a particular purpose, person, occasion. belonging to a person. to set aside for some specific purpose. So he is encouraging them to be careful and cautious.
Then he continues.
You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush.
Wow that is very direct and to the point reminding me of high school days when we ‘felt’ we were in love with the one simply because they gave us a love note or a special gift. The admonition to use your head is what every parent has said at least once in their lifetime.
Then he continues.
Live a lover’s life, circumspect and exemplary: which means careful, watchful, discreet, prudent, vigilant and guarded. Also it means: worthy of imitation.commendable.serving as an illustration or model. serving as a warning.laudable.noteworthy and praiseworthy.
A life JESUS would be proud of
bountiful in fruit from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God. Take a deep breath.
When we read it again with the meaning inside it
the verse is powerful and convicting and certainly does give us
‘something to think about’.
We went to a memorial service a week ago.
As I was sitting there listening to the friends talk about the one who passed away
it made me think of my ‘life’.
If I died suddenly what would others say about me.
What unfinished work would I have left.
What would my life’s statement leave behind.
The legacy that I have tried to pursue is good and honorable
but would the real value of it speak
to the ones who would be sitting at my service?
I wonder
what others would say.
I wonder
did I make enough impact.
I wonder
how can I change the vision or direction right now.
Just in case.
None of us knows if we have tomorrow.
The one who passed away most likely didn’t know although they said he might have known.
He had his bible open.
(very similar to the story of my husbands brother who left too soon).
I wonder
how that would feel to anticipate the passing of time.
Part of the reason I have a word of the year is
so that I can center in and become quiet.
It is necessary in order to do things differently.
As I have been sitting and pondering
thinking and praying
a song came to me.
A song I dedicated to my husbands mother several years ago after she passed from our lives.
Perhaps it means a lot to me too.
Perhaps it would be a part of my legacy should I ever leave early.
Just wanting to share a few things I am thinking about today.
My new word of the year has brought a challenge to me already.
Not expecting it.
I settled into the word ‘Quiet‘… believing it would teach me a great lesson. Then my computer went down.
I said in a calm voice to myself, “This is not what I expected”.
It is not hard for me to turn the television off or the radio and sit in our home in silence.
It is peaceful to not have noise.
The challenge was adjusting to no computer which in turn meant no writing which in turn meant no interaction with others or online communication.
It was hard.
Did I say it was hard? yes …
I did what I could to remain patient and listen to the message of waiting and being still and finding new things to do with my time.
Exercise was a first start. I began to do that slowly.
Cleaning was another start.
The den was a disaster and in order for a computer repairman to come into our ‘home’ the room had to be straightened up and put into order.
I wondered as I was cleaning if I do that with the Lord.
“I will spend time when my heart is right then you can see me in my ‘best’.”
As if he doesn’t already sees the condition of our brokenness?
The word of the year has brought me a first test. Quiet can mean many things.
As the year continues I will remain in a quiet mode and continue
to be still and know that HE is God.
The lesson is to listen… within the stillness for the message
then allow the message to teach us what our heart needs.
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Philipians 4:13
I can do everything through him who gives me strength. ==================== Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow." Courage is not the absence of fear but it's taking action in the midst of it. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A diamond is a chunk of coal that made good under pressure.
It's your heart, not the dictionary that gives meaning to your words. Matthew 12:34 (msg) version.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Below you will find a few of my favorite websites or blogs. They have given me encouragement and challenged me on this journey.
Ann Voskamp's blog A holy Experience This image of a bleeding heart represents a journey of healing from brokenness to wholeness. Some of my favorite books: One thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp
Married over 46 years and entered into my 65th year of life.
I am a mother of two and grandmother of six and mom to two very spoiled kitties. I love to worship and encourage and of course write whenever I can find a topic or subject to share about.
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Thank you for visiting my blog.
I hope you find it encouraging and that it gives you
'Something to think about'. The vision for this is to challenge the reader into a new and different way of thinking. I appreciate and always value your comments. Having others walk alongside and join in the sharing is part of the process.
Thank you for joining me... on this journey. As we get encouraged ~ Lord help us to encourage others. "And the day came when the risk to remain a tight bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." Anais Nin my blog button The crosses are found on a beach at Winema Christian Camp on the Oregon coast.. a place to relax and find God in the process. My favorite place ....to rest and restore my spirit.
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