As we were moving Carol, we noticed that someone had stepped in mud and was tracking it onto the white carpet. As we started to look under our shoes and boots to see who the guilty party was, we discovered two things. First, there were more than one of us that had mud under our shoes and second, it wasn’t mud. It was (how shall I say this?), canine treasures. Actually, there was a third thing that we discovered. We found these doggie surprises all over the small patch of yard that was between Carol’s apartment and the moving truck. It was no surprise that many of us had soiled shoes.
Amazingly, there was nothing under Lynn’s shoes. She had on white sneakers and had walked all over that patch of grass and there was not a spot on under her shoes. Lynn looked at me and remarked, “I guess I live right!”
We both laughed and I’m still smiling about it as I write these words. As I’ve thought about this incident, I was reminded of Proverbs 3:5-6, which reads, “Acknowledge the Lord in all your ways and He will direct your steps.” The more I think about the incident and this verse, the more I am amazed at how well these two fit together. Life is filled with landmines and with this awareness, can bring a lot of anxieties. The promise of Proverbs 3:5-6 can bring us peace of mind.
Sometimes no matter how careful we are in life, we are bound to step on a booby trap and find ourselves in one of life’s messy situations. Again we are reminded not to worry (Philippians 4:6) because: is there really anything too hard for the LORD? (Jeremiah 32:27)
Monday, May 31, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
SLD
My family claims that I have SLD—a Selective Listening Disorder. I think that my condition goes well beyond that. I think that I also have ISD—an Imaginary Seeing Disorder. Lately (truthfully, it’s been a while), I’ve noticed not only that I’ve been having trouble with my hearing, but I have also been seeing and remembering things that are out of context, distorted, and even imaginary. My recognition of these disorders has made me realize that there are times that I live in an Alternate Reality.
I have noticed that there are others—many others who also suffer from these conditions. Among these are Bible Students. The way some students see, hear, and perceive things in Scripture makes me wonder if we are reading from the same book.
Take faith, for example. I’ve heard the people of faith in Scripture spoken of as if they were noble and flawless in their character. Other times I’ve heard them spoken of like they were people who were perfect in their faith, that God gave them their hearts desire because of their faith, and we can have anything our heart desires in this life because of our faith.
This is not what I see when I read Scripture, even as I read the 11th chapter of Hebrews, the book that some of us refer to as the “Hall of Faith.” There are at least two people that are mentioned in this chapter that I would not want to be associated with, namely, Jacob and Samson. There are several people who broke faith with God, among them are David and Moses. At the end of the chapter, not only are we are told that many of them had extremely difficult lives and tragic deaths, but also “…none of them received what they had been promised” (vs. 36-39).
Considering these last few verses in Hebrews, it seems to me that if we believe that everything will work out okay for us in this life, we are setting ourselves up for disillusionment and disappointment—big time!
In looking at the 11th chapter of Hebrews (as well as the rest of Scripture), it seems to me that faith is the ability to trust God no matter what happens or doesn’t happen in this life and that He is our Destination and our Reality. Anything more or anything less is an alternate reality. Am I seeing correctly or am I the one that is living in an alternate reality?
I have noticed that there are others—many others who also suffer from these conditions. Among these are Bible Students. The way some students see, hear, and perceive things in Scripture makes me wonder if we are reading from the same book.
Take faith, for example. I’ve heard the people of faith in Scripture spoken of as if they were noble and flawless in their character. Other times I’ve heard them spoken of like they were people who were perfect in their faith, that God gave them their hearts desire because of their faith, and we can have anything our heart desires in this life because of our faith.
This is not what I see when I read Scripture, even as I read the 11th chapter of Hebrews, the book that some of us refer to as the “Hall of Faith.” There are at least two people that are mentioned in this chapter that I would not want to be associated with, namely, Jacob and Samson. There are several people who broke faith with God, among them are David and Moses. At the end of the chapter, not only are we are told that many of them had extremely difficult lives and tragic deaths, but also “…none of them received what they had been promised” (vs. 36-39).
Considering these last few verses in Hebrews, it seems to me that if we believe that everything will work out okay for us in this life, we are setting ourselves up for disillusionment and disappointment—big time!
In looking at the 11th chapter of Hebrews (as well as the rest of Scripture), it seems to me that faith is the ability to trust God no matter what happens or doesn’t happen in this life and that He is our Destination and our Reality. Anything more or anything less is an alternate reality. Am I seeing correctly or am I the one that is living in an alternate reality?
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Self Doubt
I made some zealous comments in class and wondered if I made sense; I was worried about how I came across. I asked Dennis to give me some feedback. Dennis said I did fine, that I was overly concerned, and should not think about myself so much.
Dennis probably thinks that I am a very insecure person filled with a lot of self doubt. If he does, he’s absolutely right. In addition to my concern of how I appear, I want to be liked by others. However, this is not the underlying reason why I worry about how I come across so much. Often, when I say or do anything there are many words that echo through my mind. Some of them are:
“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Proverbs 18:21)
“…take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (II Corinthians 10:5)
“But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in Me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Matthew 18:6)
“But I tell you that men will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." (Matthew 12:36-37)
If my cousin were here, she would say, “You have issues!” I guess I do. But here is what I perceive to be the core issue—should I take Scriptures lightly or struggle with self doubt? Lord, I ask that you will always help me to choose the latter.
Dennis probably thinks that I am a very insecure person filled with a lot of self doubt. If he does, he’s absolutely right. In addition to my concern of how I appear, I want to be liked by others. However, this is not the underlying reason why I worry about how I come across so much. Often, when I say or do anything there are many words that echo through my mind. Some of them are:
“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Proverbs 18:21)
“…take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (II Corinthians 10:5)
“But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in Me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Matthew 18:6)
“But I tell you that men will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." (Matthew 12:36-37)
If my cousin were here, she would say, “You have issues!” I guess I do. But here is what I perceive to be the core issue—should I take Scriptures lightly or struggle with self doubt? Lord, I ask that you will always help me to choose the latter.
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