New Journal

For the past several years I have kept a Thanksgiving Journal, which has been helpful to center my thoughts on gratitude. However, I decided to try something else this year. As most of you know, and as the title of this blog implies, Phil. 4:8 is my anchor verse. It helps me to focus on the positive in life. However, being the weak creature that I am, I needed something to sharpen that focus on a day to day basis. This is the outcome of that. Each day, I hope to PAY ATTENTION and look for examples of the good things listed in the passage. I don't intend to share them all or even most of them, but from time to time I will probably drop one on Facebook, if I think it might inspire someone else. It is my desire that we can all benefit from thinking on these thing.

Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.



1/6/20 – Lovely – Today is a beautiful, clear winter day! Stepping outside makes me want to just stop and breathe in the cool, crisp air and spread my arms in joyfulness.

            True – Sherry posted a beautiful beach scene today with Phil. 4:6 on it. That lead me to turn to the chapter and read the whole passage, which lead me to creating this journal. It is, and has been my goal for years to incorporate the title verse into my life. This offers me a way to do so that focuses my attention more and provides some accountability. My aim is to look for true, noble, just, pure, lovely, good, virtuous and praiseworthy things to journal about every day.

            

1/7/20 – Noble – I love this passage from a book that Sheila bought for me: If we take a step back and evaluate the world we live in, we’ll realize that we are deeply imbedded in a culture that constantly lunges for the mic. We value making our voices heard and getting our points across. But if our goal is healthy community and loving our neighbors, we need to rethink our approach. Before we can learn from each other, before we can truly grow into a clearer picture of God’s good kingdom, we have to fall in love with listening.Martin, Shannan. The Ministry of Ordinary Places (p. 27).

"Let us go on unto perfection"

The meeting was great! Every time we have one of these I feel like it is the best one ever. The guys who spoke did an outstanding job. Our crowd was the largest that we’ve had in our building before…we were scrambling to find enough seats!

Terry A started us off Friday night by giving an excellent lesson on “Growing Up”.  He exhorted us to be diligent in our labor and warned of the signs of spiritual immaturity (Heb. 5:11):  being dull of hearing, being unable to teach others, and lacking discernment – being unable to tell right from wrong. Our crowd was very large that evening, but even more people came as the evening progressed. After the assembly, we all headed over to the Fields’ house to share in the joy of watching Ashley J be baptized! Such a wonderful occasion! We headed back home afterwards with Laura and her girls and Roy M, who were staying with us. Craig and Julie got in about 1:00 am, after distributing their kiddos in various locales.

Saturday morning, Ken A gave us an impassioned lesson on “Learning How to Walk in the Spirit.”  He began with a beautiful reading from Isaiah 34 and 35 that shows what can happen when we read and respond to God’s Word. He also warned what happens when you reject God. He summed his lesson up using Romans 7 and 8 to show how “I” (the carnal man) must die in order to allow the Spirit to live in us.

After the assembly, we all spent the rest of the day at the Pettits’ house. They have worked tirelessly for the past year getting their place fixed up to be able to entertain a large crowd. It was perfect! The weather was glorious; the fellowship was sweet; and the food, abundant. Unfortunately I had been fighting a sinus headache since 5:30 that morning and was walking around like a zombie all day. I want to apologize to everyone for being such a wallflower all day. I didn’t mean to seem unfriendly…I was just fighting the impulse to crawl in bed and hibernate all day! I crashed early that night and got a good solid 9 hours of sleep, so I felt much better for the Lord’s Day activities.

Sunday morning, Garrett S gave an amazing lesson on “Worship/Growth”. He emphasized that we must have “tasted that the Lord is gracious” (1 Pet. 2:2) to truly worship our Father in spirit and truth. We need to have a sincere desire for God’s Word to abound more and more. Worshipping God as He has directed should be the most important thing in our life. Afterwards, we had lunch and more fellowship at the Millsap Community Center, then met back at 3:00 to listen to Jensen speak on “Loving our Fellow Man”. He challenged us to practice what we claim to believe and make time to share God’s Word and His Love with the world, using the example of us being a conduit that “plugs in” others to the power of God. Very inspiring!

We hated to see the meeting come to an end and have to say our good-byes to our guests. It is our hope and prayer, however, that we ALL focus on what we heard this weekend and truly allow it to change our lives. The best sermons in the world are no good, if they are not internalized and acted upon!

I’d like to thank each of our speakers for their hard work in preparing and presenting such wonderful lessons. I’d also like to thank all of our visitors. These meetings wouldn’t be the amazing experience they are without all of you coming to be a part of them. I’d also like to thank the Pettit family for all of their hard work in preparing a place to entertain 100+ guests and then being hosts to everyone. I’d also like to thank our personal guests (Laura/girls, Craig/Julie, and Roy) for graciously accepting our “work in progress” as their residence for the weekend. We loved having you in our home and welcome you back at any time!

Recharged

We had a wonderful Lord’s Day yesterday! It was one of those days when everything seems to “click”.  Dennis spoke yesterday morning on a subject that is very relevant in this day and time. Back in the 80’s, we were good friends with Thelma Holloman, who was constantly saying, “As the world goes, so goes the church.” Over the years, we have noticed how right she was in her assessment! With all of the upheaval in our nation, the anger and hatred and unkindness, we are seeing signs of this even among ourselves, so Dennis decided it was time to address the subject. It was an excellent and very timely study! We cannot allow ourselves to get caught up in the worldly attitudes that surround us. Our focus should remain on the spiritual…NOT the political!

For lunch, we had everyone over for our monthly potluck. Dennis and I had spent 3 days working on the house…getting things cleaned and ready.  Tools were all put up in the workshop (hallelujah!), the china cabinet was moved into the living room from the den (and everything taken out and given a good cleaning), everything in the den was taken down and washed (the den has been neglected during all of our construction, as it has been used as overflow storage…so it was a MESS!), leaves were put in the dining room table and our folding table was brought out and set up, and the French doors between the living room and den were opened to allow more space. We had a smaller crowd than usual, about 20 of us. Everything went well, and we all really enjoyed our extra time together. It felt REALLY good to entertain again. It has been far too long!

Last night was our monthly song service. We always have a reading about half way through the singing, so Marlin chose Colossians 3. I love that chapter! It is absolutely FULL of good things for us to understand and implement into our lives. It fit perfectly with the study of the morning:  how we should put away the carnal things and put on the spiritual, how we are to work together in love as a body, and specific admonitions for different walks of life. Plus the songs that were led also flowed with the “theme of the day”. As someone once said, it was an “AWWWWWW!” kind of day, where you feel the heavens open up and the Spirit of God moving amongst us. I love how God has orchestrated how the assembly should be:  our weekly gathering together to edify one another, singing songs of praise and devotion, remembering the sacrifice of our Savior, and the sweet fellowship we enjoy. As Sister Joyce used to always say, “it recharges our batteries” for the coming week.

Today is a day of rest for Dennis and me! I have a really full schedule for Wednesday, and afterwards I’ll start gearing up for Labor Day weekend and all of its activities. Daddy has NO doctor appointments this week. We are enjoying cooler temperatures, thanks to Harvey, as well as some beneficial rain (NOT the deluge that south Texas has experienced). As far as I’ve heard, no one that I know has suffered any real damage from the hurricane, for which I am profoundly thankful! I hope that continues and the week goes well for you all.

The Body of Christ

Each day, I like to share a verse or set of verses that really touch my heart as I do my daily readings.  This morning, the first chapter I read was Ephesians 4.  This is one of my favorite chapters in the Bible.  I can’t pick out just one verse or thought…there are too many!  So I decided to do a blog and discuss the ideas contained therein.

Ephesians 4:1-6   I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;  Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;  One Lord, one faith, one baptism,  One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

This is such a beautiful passage!  We are called to walk in a way that is worthy of our vocation as Christians.  First off, it informs us that being a Christian is our “job”…it isn’t a hobby or pastime…it is our life’s work.  How do we walk worthily?  It is through meekness and humility and longsuffering and being peacemakers.  Then we are told that the Body of Christ is one, not divided into factions; just as our Lord is one, and we are called into one faith and one baptism, and our heavenly Father is one…and lives within us.  SO much contained in these six verses!

Ephesians 4:7-16  But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.  Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.   (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?  He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

One of my favorite topics in the New Testament is that of “the body”.  It is such a profound analogy that, I believe, would solve most of our problems in the church, if we truly understood and lived the concept.  We are told, first, that each of us are given gifts by Christ, for the working of the body.  We all have differing gifts (or talents) that, when put together, made a mature working body.  There is no room for “status” or pride because our gifts are given to us for a purpose…that being to use them to benefit the whole.  We shouldn’t covet the gifts of others or think ours are better than others, because they are all necessary for the work…and Jesus has given them to us as HE sees is best.  When we achieve this type of unity in the body, we won’t be children who can’t understand the difference between truth and error.

Ephesians 4:17-32  This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,  Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:  Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. [20] But ye have not so learned Christ;  If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:  That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;  And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.  Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.  Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:  Neither give place to the devil.  Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.  Let no 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.  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

These final 16 verses discuss how we should turn away from sin and walk as new creatures in Christ.  If we belong to Jesus, we should work diligently to stay away from the things that are not in Him.  Our minds are changed…we no longer yearn to do the things that are based on lust.  Several of these things are enumerated: 

Lying:  We are each a part of the same body.  A body must have true communication within itself to properly function.  There is NO room for lies.

Wrath:  We all get angry, but the lesson here is to not act upon that anger…and NOT to allow that anger to seethe (which gives Satan a foothold!). 

Stealing:  We don’t take from others…which is totally following after our lusts.  Instead, we give to others.  We labor FOR others.  We truly care about the needs of one another.

Corrupt communication:  If we could only master this!  It says let NO corrupt communication come from our mouths.  Rather that everything we say should build up others…should minister grace.  What a beautiful thing that would be!

Grieve the Holy Spirit:  Can you imagine anything more sad that causing grief to that Spirit that God sent to live within us?  We belong to God.  His Spirit lives within us.  What we do with our bodies, which are His temple, affects Him.  Let us be careful with our lives!

Bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor (which I understand to mean something like arguing and debating), malice (wishing harm to others) and speaking evil of others:  Put these things away…don’t allow them to be a part of us!

These are all things which don’t belong in the Body of Christ.  What does? 

Kindness:  Does this really need any explanation?

Tenderheartedness:  When something is tender, it hurts when prodded.  Our hearts should be tender towards one another, so that we hurt for them.  Our care for others is the same as for ourselves.  After all, we are all members of the same body.  If I have a headache, my whole body feels bad.  That is the connection that the church should have among its members.

Forgiveness:  Without forgiveness one for another, we cannot receive forgiveness from God.  Since He forgave us, because of the sacrifice of His son Jesus, we must, in like manner, forgive one another.

Every time I read this chapter, it floods my heart and stimulates my mind.  So much contained within it!  Such a vital message for the Body of Christ!

Thanks for bearing with me as I explore this chapter.  I truly love it and couldn’t leave any of it out!

"I hope I shall always possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an Honest Man. ~George Washington

Wednesday, Day 217:  Last night we watched (again) “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.”  I love Frank Capra movies!  We live in such a corrupt and cynical world, and it is so refreshing to watch a movie full of idealism and decency.  Current movies and TV shows try to portray life “as it really is” with all its violence and immorality and dishonesty.  We are constantly bombarded with images of corruption and greed and selfishness that make up our political system.  How nice it is to go back to the optimistic and compassionate views of Mr. Capra.  (I realize that the movie was controversial in its time and was thought to portray a pessimistic view of our government.  However, I believe it simply contrasts the corruption that is a real part of the system with the idealism that one honest man can make a difference for the better.) 

I love the speech that Jefferson Smith gives during his filibuster…especially the following:  “There's no place out there for graft, or greed, or lies, or compromise with human liberties. And if that's what the grown-ups have done with this world that was given to them, then we'd better get those boys' camps started fast and see what the kids can do…Great principles don't get lost once they come to light. They're right here; you just have to see them again!"

So today I am thankful for idealism and for those who have chosen to portray the beauty and goodness in life.  Would to God that more people would stand up for truth and virtue!  We need a good many “Mr. Smiths” in our nation!

A Time of Refreshing

I have so much in my heart right now that I hardly know where to begin!  I spent a much needed and greatly appreciated weekend at Spunky Creek.  I almost backed out of going, since I didn’t look forward to that LONG drive by myself.  I am SO thankful that I decided to go ahead and go!  I have discovered that sometimes you need several hours alone, when you can’t do anything else, to work through some stuff.  I spent the drive up talking to myself, talking to and singing praises to God, and talking to a dear friend on the phone.  (I really am NOT good at talking on the phone and will hardly do it…unless I’m stuck in a car by myself.)  I was already feeling rejuvenated when I arrived at the meeting Friday night, and then….WOW!  The meeting was OUTSTANDING!!!  The lessons were great.  (Good job, Gabe, Jesse, Garrett and Justin!  Sorry I missed yours, Cody!)  The singing was spine-tinglingly beautiful.  And the fellowship…sublime.

I want to express, publicly, my thanks to the Spunky Creek congregation for hosting this event.  I know how much work it takes to prepare for and host such a meeting…all the planning, cleaning, cooking, serving, cleaning up….your efforts did not go unnoticed or appreciated.  I loved getting a chance to get to know all of you better.  I feel greatly blessed to have you in my life.  It was also wonderful to have the opportunity to visit with so many others from other places that were there!  I tried to get around to talking with everyone, but time wouldn’t allow me to visit as much as I would have liked with everyone.  However, the sweet fellowship and encouragement of all that I did get around to was invaluable.

The crowd was great…100-120 each assembly.  The age range was from 1 month to 80ish.  There were over 40 kids, of all ages, that were a joy to watch…5 of whom were less than 1 year of age. (I will cherish the sweet smiles and hugs I stole from little Lydia, Piper and Evie!)  Saturday night, at Craig and Julie’s, was perfect!  There were groups of kids scattered all over the place…riding horses, jumping on the trampoline, see-sawing, and playing volleyball.  The comfortably spacious yard was a great place for all the adults to congregate and visit and watch the kids play.  The entertainment…provided by the married couples…was hilarious!  (I am definitely going to have to remember that one for a future local event!)

I was concerned about driving home yesterday…afraid I would be so tired and sleepy, traveling alone.  My mind was so full; however, that it wasn’t a problem at all!  I cogitated on the lessons that I’d heard, went over conversations that I’d had with so many, did a lot more talking to myself and praying and praising God, and counted my blessings each mile of the way.  I would turn on the radio or a CD and quickly be reminded, in a song, of something.  Off would go the radio, and my mind and heart would take off.  I had SO MUCH that I wanted to share in this post, but, alas, my memory has the retention capabilities of a sieve. 

One thing I do remember and want to share.  I was listening to John Denver’s “Sunshine on My Shoulder”.  The line “I’d wish for you, the sun shine all the time” made me stop and think.  I DON’T wish that for anyone.  If we all had nothing but sunshiny days and good experiences, we would miss out on the depth and substance of life and God’s grace and mercy.  Without the “rain” we couldn’t gain the wisdom and compassion that we need.  We couldn’t truly appreciate the sweet peace and comfort that we receive from God and his children.  We could never truly appreciate the sunshine that blesses our lives, without the pains and sorrow that come with the storms.  Thank God for the storms of life that mold and shape us and teach us more fully of His love, and mercy and compassion!

2Co 4:15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. 16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

1Pe 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

Ro 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

2Co 1:3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted.

A Very Blessed Day!

This was one of those "AWWWW!" kind of Lord's Days.  We had a full house this morning with quite a few visitors.  We had had a couple show up last Sunday for the first time.  This week they came back and brought both their son and daughters' families.  It has been good to meet them and their family, and we hope to see much more of them!  James and Debbie P. were up from Houston, too.  It is always great to see their smiling faces! 

The singing was amazing...if anything, our remodeling improved the acoustics in our building.  Dennis lead his old favorite, "The Ninety and Nine."  Mike gave an excellent lesson on Ezekiel and the dry bones...about how through faith, life can come from something that everyone would think impossible.  Then during the invitation song, we had someone come forward who has been out of duty for over 30 years!  I know his parents have been praying earnestly for years for this to happen, but it was a surprise to them when he showed up and then expressed his desire to return to church.  There was much rejoicing!

The afternoon was pretty quiet.  The girls came over for dinner, but then headed back to their house.  Several of the guys were delivering our old church pews to different ones who wanted them.  The girls got one to put in their screened in porch.  It was a perfect fit!  I would loved to have gotten one, but we just don't have any place where one would fit.

This evening, our crowd was quite a bit smaller...all of our visitors were gone.  But it was still a wonderful assembly.  Heather has been doing SO much better lately and was there both times today (she even felt up to going out tonight with the group).  Layne gave an excellent study on Joshua 4.  He incorporated an analogy that has stuck with him from a lesson that Charles B. gave at our camp meeting six years ago...that of a concrete foundation.  He drew from the verses in Joshua 4 about setting up stones as a reminder...to teach the children about the wonderful things that God had done for them.  He likened our training up and teaching our children to pouring a slab of concrete.  When a slab is poured, it needs to be smoothed and shaped and worked and reinforced to be able to support the building that will be built upon it.  Otherwise it will just be a hard lump of concrete that is good for nothing and will erode and crumble away.  It was a very good lesson...as his always are!  After the assembly we had a group of 13 go to Rosa's for supper.  We really enjoy our time together.  What a great way to start the week!

I hope you all had a wonderful Lord's Day as well!

Ps 78:4 We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. 5 For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: 6 That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: 7 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:

A few "inspirational" thoughts

I had a hard time deciding on a verse to share on fb this morning.  I normally read several chapters, a couple from the OT and a couple from the NT.  Then whichever verse speaks to me the most, I share.  This morning I was reading from James 1 and John 17, and pretty much every verse I read moved me.  I love the book of James…so much practical admonition for our lives.  And of course, John 17 is our Lord’s prayer to His Father for His disciples…including us.  I finally selected the following verse and decided to expand more on why I made this selection:

Joh 17:14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 17  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Jesus brought the Word of God to mankind…in His flesh.  He was the living Word!  (1Jo 1:1  That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;)( Joh 1:1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.)  Jesus wasn’t of this world but of the Father, and He said the same would be true of His followers.  The world would hate them as they hated Him.  He prayed that God would protect them from the evil.  What a comfort this is…that Jesus interceded on our behalf for God’s protection, even before we were even conceived!  But notice that he asked not that we be removed from this evil world.  Our place is IN this world, to be God’s ambassadors to it…to share His Word with it…to help others escape from the evil in it.

He prayed that we would be sanctified (to make holy, purify or consecrate) through the truth in God’s Word.  This is something that has been on my mind a lot lately.  I see and hear a lot of people who focus on inspirational quotes, stories, videos, etc.  People’s bookshelves are filled with devotionals, “spiritual self-help” books, and study guides of all kinds.  Many hours are spent in these devices and, it seems, more attention is devoted to them than to the bible.  I don’t have anything against reading or watching resources that might help our understanding, and I frequently do so.  However, this should ALWAYS be done with the idea that these are just the writings of men.  THEY are not TRUTH…only God’s Word is that.  God has graciously provided us with “all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (2 Pet. 1:3).  Our focus should be on the simplicity of God’s word, not man’s wisdom.  2Co 1:12  For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.  We CAN be lead away and deceived by the subtle deceptions of this world.  2Co 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

We HAVE the Word of God.  God breathed it, His prophets and Jesus’ disciples penned it, and God’s grace and providence has preserved it for us throughout the ages.  Let us TRULY appreciate and USE it…making sure all of the nice quotes and messages that we adopt and share are consistent with it.  Or better yet, use God’s Word for our inspiration, not man’s.