Showing posts with label power. Show all posts
Showing posts with label power. Show all posts

Friday, June 3, 2016

Baby Step Eleven: Smile, Laugh Sing

Each morning during the season of Pentecost, I am reminded of God’s creative power. Of the Holy Spirit that “moved over the face of the waters to bring light and life to God’s creation.” I begin by asking God to “pour out His Spirit on this day that I might walk as a child of light.” I am reminded to watch as the “Spirit of God fills the whole world.” (Morning Prayer, Monday - Pentecost)


What power, what grace, what joy is mine. I do not walk alone in the darkness. I need not shuffle, barely moving my feet. In one sweeping Word my Lord and Savior “forgives all my sins and heals all my infirmities.” Does that mean all pain is swept away? No, but by focusing on His light and my lightness in each new day, I can set my pain aside. I can concentrate on His goodness. (Psalm 103)



This morning, and every morning, the shades are drawn back so I can see the power of God in my life where I find forgiveness for my anger, healing for my anxiety, a way out from my depression. I can raise my head. I need not watch my feet. I can stand tall holding not just my walker, but grasping God’s steadfast love and mercy.



I am reminded God’s Pentecostal power opens His this day and every day love and mercy. I can be a mirror, a reflection of His forgiving nature. I can choose to hold on to the creative power of decency, kindness, honesty, and integrity. When I walk as a child of the light, that should be what
others see: Him in me.



Smile; don’t frown. Laugh; don’t cry. Sing; don’t whine. Be a window for His goodness. Be door to his righteousness. The path is well-lighted. I am His and He is mine. He renews my strength for each baby step I take this day. 

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Be Strong and Courageous


Sat
Jan 5
am: 2, 110
pm: 29, 98
am: Joshua 1:1-9
pm: Isa 66:18-23
am: Heb 11:32-12:2
pm: Rom 15:7-13
John 15:1-6

John Wesley in his sermon "The Scripture Way of Salvation" (#43) Reminds us that wen we receive Christ, we receive him in all his offices:
  • Prophet - differing from the earlier prophets of the Hebrews in being revealer in both word and deed, the Incarnate Word
  • Priest - mediator who enters the holy of holies, intercedes for us, and becomes for us sin
  • King - ruler, the King of the Jews from birth to crucifixion in earthly form, and according to the Revelation will come again as King of Kings and Lord of Lord
In the Creation, God's Voice calls order out of chaos. His power over the cosmos gives encouragement and hope for peace.

Each time I leave our room, I am reminded by the words on the door. Placed there on vinyl strips by my grandchildren who have the same words over their front door. "I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened or dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

Under the words are two lions: the ones that lie in my den. Each lion carries one statement. The first is "write" - I am now doing that every day - one lion at bay. The other carries a number 135. A long ways from the 215-222 where my weight balances from month to month. Yesterday, we put the "Lose It" app on my phone. Oops, missed my calorie goal yesterday. Today I face the lion again.

Not only God speaking to Joshua and Daniel in the lion's den, but "so great a cloud of witnesses" set forth by Paul to remind us that others have fought the lions and won. "Let us run with perseverance the race set before us."

Encouragement. Hope. Hope that brings joy and peace in the present and expectation of the fully realized kingdom of God in the future.

Prayer is the gymnasium of the soul.

Lord, I write everyday, help me learn to eat only enough to sustain. Help me tame the lion of food for comfort. And please, could we talk about the gym with the heated pool we pay for every month another day?






Bessie Jones & The Georgia Sea Island Singers - Daniel in the Lion's Den



Uploaded on Apr 11, 2011
Recorded by Alan Lomax on May 5, 1960 on St. Simons Island, GA
as part of his Southern Journeys recordings of native folk music.
Backing singers include: Joe Armstrong, Jerome Davis, John Davis, Peter Davis, Henry Morrison, Willis Proctor, and Ben Ramsay.