Happy Thanksgiving! May you be blessed with family all around your table.
I wish our country would learn to take a deep breath and choose to respond rather than react to what we are exposed to. We all are emotional but a pause allows our minds to get in sync with our hearts. I can recall far too many times I only wish I paused before opening my mouth. Thanks for this reminder.
I am always reminded that the label Christian is literally "little Christ" or meaning, "Christ-like". In the culture when Jesus walked among us, one's name or title spoke as a reference to one's character. This makes me set aside all the doctrines and religious labels and ask myself daily am I a "little Christ?" In essence, whether reading passages in my Bible or dealing with circumstances and opportunities during the day, I ask myself "What would Jesus say, think or do" about this matter? There is nothing from Genesis to Revelation that cannot be interpreted and applied to our daily lives that Jesus did not address in the Gospels. Think about that - all 66 books in the Bible have the Gospel's account of Jesus to filter our understanding. As a Christian, Christ's words should dictate our thoughts, words and deeds.
Let us be mindful that the Secret Service also has the responsibility to investigate "counterfeitors" - Just saying... They are uniquely trained to identify what is real versus counterfeit.
"Know what you believe and why you believe it." Excellent point. I also add that we should be open to diving deeper and digging up revelations that will anchor our beliefs - and from time to time reshape what we believe. We should always be pushing our boundaries to understand our relationship with God,recognzing it is a life-long quest and He will reveal more and more as we are prepared to understand what we yet do not know,but need to discover. Like in a race,whenever we settle into the pack,we tend to find ourselves drifting further behind the leaders rather than maintaining our position. We should push ourselves with our eyes on the finish line,not the competition in the race. Thanks Kari!
Excellent point. I had a discussion with my pastor recently on this matter. Jesus gathered disciples but not to keep them as disciples - constantly under his care and tutelage. Jesus prepared them for striking out on their own as apostles. After Jesus died the apostles, his former disciples, picked up the mantle and carried on calling their own disciples who in turn became apostles and leaders of the church family. Such is the progress of life, ala the theme of the Lion King story on Broadway or the movie. As parents we cannot cling to our children so tightly they remain dependent children. They must become independent adults. Just as we have scars and bruises from our journey, they too must experience some of the same struggles to gain their confidence as adults ready to parent their own children. One day you will be sitting on your porch with your sons and their wives while their children play in the backyard. You'll hear them grumble and complain about the struggles of parenting and you'll smile...
A "no" can be a very positive response! That is the attitude that turns discouragement into encouragement. Doors are closed for a reason - keep using the closed doors to find the open door you are meant to enter. These are tidbits that allow our inner optimism to overshadow any pessimism rather than the reverse.
Quick thought...Have you ever considered that it is the anticipation of the vacation experience that stirs the euphoric feelings. We actually begin to fade from those feelings shortly after the vacation begins and we begin to dread the return to "normal" life before long before the exit from our vacation. Vacations are great mind you and well deserved, but they somehow never live up to expectations and we all wish we could bottle the benefits in time release capsules that could bridge us until the next vacation. (Okay, I'm jealous!)
One comment after rereading your description of the equipment. The Sword (Word of God) is not offensive but defensive. It is key to standing firm against the wiles of evil. It counters and deflects the thrusts against a Christian that will come to kill and destroy. Anyone who enters a sword fight thinking merely of offense will leave him or her-self open to defeat. God's warriors are not to kill and destroy the enemy but to protect themselves and stand firm when attacked. Also nots,all the equipment is designed for facing the battle head-on and never turn their back,which cannot be protected,13Therefore put on the full armor of God,so that when the day of evil comes,you may be able to stand your ground,and after you have done everything,to stand.
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