The idea of a life that is ruled by gentleness, meekness and humility is counter culture to our world. It goes against the grain of what society teaches regarding how lives should be lived out. You only have to watch the current movies and television shows to see that we are a society that recognizes and promotes aggression as strength. Heroes are often the ones with the biggest guns and weapons the one’s who rush in and subdue the enemy by brute force. Some of our children’s favorite games or television shows (and don’t be fooled by their cartoon nature) are about war, cops and robbers, aliens vs. earth men; the theme for the most part is good vs. evil and 98% of the time good wins. They all involve battle, conquering and winning by force and display a variety of violence. Some of our conversations are laced with innuendo, subtle put-downs (not really so subtle), insults, one-liner digs, and all other forms of sarcasm and ridicule; all in the name of “having fun” or “kidding”. We rarely see this as a form of violence or aggression towards another, yet many of our deepest wounds have been at the end of a seemingly harmless “dig” or an “in fun” sarcastic comment. The idea of winning at all costs and by way of force or subtle aggression has carried over into other parts of our lives as well, for example sports. Sports have become as much about intimidation and taking out the opposition rather then about accomplishment, skill and integrity of play.
Men have been taught that gentleness is a sign of weakness, men must be tough, and they are never to cry. If a young boy is gentle and mild in nature his classmates often call him sissy. If he is a grown man, he often becomes the brunt of cruel remarks, with “gay” undertones. Gentleness is out and Macho is in.
I remember being taught in Government class that the President was the most powerful man in the U.S. And, being a woman I most likely would not be President. But, if I wanted to make a real difference in the world I must be in a position of power, I must be in the position to set the agenda. To make a difference I must participate in passing legislation, lobbying congress, electing officials, or running for an office myself. There was never any mention of making a difference through gentleness born out of soft, mild humility. Or making a difference in the lives of others one person at time.
We are taught at an early age that only the tough (rough, hard core, independent, able to take care of oneself, not leaning on, or depending on anyone for survival) make it in this world. If you want to get ahead you must be ambitious, self motivated, a go-getter, engaged in self promotion and assertive (and if you are not assertive enough, you may take classes to learn assertiveness). Everyone is looking out for their own interests, touting ones own horn and looking out for numero-uno, and that would be self! We have become an “it’s all about me” world.
As we shall this week the component of Gentleness is all about God. It is all about others, it is all about relinquishing our will and our rights, and it is about finding freedom to be all that God has for us to be, as we surrender. Gentleness isn’t about a certain personality type or the tone of your voice (loud or quiet). You can have a quiet, soft-spoken personality and not have a gentle and quiet spirit. Or, you can have an effervescent, bold personality and still have a gentle and quiet spirit (yes!). Prior to doing this study I always thought of gentleness in terms of someone who is soft-spoken. There is so much more; so much more! In a nutshell it means we “stop fighting God”. Did you catch that? Gentleness means we stop fighting, stop resisting God ...and give ourselves over to His authority. We can not do this on our own; it can only be accomplished as we surrender to the work and power of the Holy Spirit. Gentleness is developed in our lives through the complete surrender of our will to God’s will, and His way in our lives.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
Heroes Hall of Fame
Faith – “sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see”. (Hebrews 11:1) What is it you hope for? Truly hope for? Way down deep inside? Do you dare to speak it? Do you dare to dream or hope that one day it will come to pass? What is that you do not see that you need to be certain of? In this uncertain, ever changing world, how can anyone be certain of anything? Isn’t that just plain foolishness?
God’s Word says it is not foolishness… that we can have faith that those things, for which we hope for, will come to pass. That we can be certain of what we do not see. Now I’m not talking about that million dollar lottery, or the vacation home in Sedona…. but those too could come to pass. I am referring to those things that make a difference in the lives of others for eternity as we put "feet to our Faith". God is the only one who knows what that might look like in your life, or mine. Perhaps it will be as we pray for healing for someone; as we pray for salvation for a friend or loved one; as we take a stand against injustice; as we choose to put family first above career, money, prestige and success. Or maybe it will be as we sit at the bedside, of a hospice patient reading or just sitting quietly holding their hand. Maybe it will be as we provide water or food to the homeless, or offer a ride to someone who is unable to drive. For each of us, how we put "feet to our faith" will be different, and uniquely designed by God.
When my husband was called here to Arizona, to take on the position of Pastor to Senior’s at CrossPoint, we left behind a church family we loved, an active ministry, our friends, our families, and all we were connected too. Part of the family we left behind was our son and his newly married bride. This is the same son who had a life altering accident only 2 years before. There is not time to go into detail but Jason has many mental challenges. He does not drive and does not always comprehend even simple things. Leaving our son was the most challenging part of our faith walk to Arizona. We had many friends who told us not to worry that they would look out for him. We left Northern California knowing that God would be faithful to watch over him, and we were blessed by the many who would be standing in our place to help when needed (as we would be too far away). I would love to tell you that the many are still watching, but while well intentioned and good-hearted as they were, only one has been faithful to what was promised. Only one has continued, through all these years, to be faithful. She has kept going when the going was not easy, but hard. She has put self aside (for almost 7 years now) and has continually relied on God and put "feet to her faith". This friend has chronic-fatigue-syndrome and can end up in bed for days at a time… yet she has gone above and beyond as she has watched over, been there in times of trouble, driven him to get groceries, run a myriad of errands over the years, and provided food when he was jobless and had no income. She has driven him to doctor’s appointments and emergency rooms. She has put up with inappropriate phone calls from a wife who is lonely (as our son works the night shift) and she has had too much to drink. My faithful friend has prayed for me, and with me, as we have agonized over their poor choices and their alcoholism. We have prayed together for my daughter-in-laws salvation and for my sons faltering walk with the Lord. She is a true, living example of putting “feet to your faith”, of having hope and being certain of what we do not see. She is faithful not for a moments time, not only when it is convenient, not for what she can get in return, but out of love; the long-haul agape/agapao love. She is faithful out of her love for the God she serves! She is in my Faith Heroes Hall of Fame!
The Book of Hebrews, chapter 11, is often referred to as the Bible Heroes Hall of Fame. Here God has provided us with a written record of others who have come before us, faced many challenges, believed God, and came out the other side. This chapter starts at the very beginning “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible”. The phrase “by faith” is written 20 times or more in this chapter. There are over 16 references to men and women who responded in faith, and have been found righteous as a result. By the worlds standard many of them would not have been considered successful for that which they hoped for and were certain of did not come to pass in their life time… yet they were faithful. They believed and they walked by faith not by sight.
Verse 4 says “By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice then Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.” Abel didn’t so something huge or out of the ordinary to receive such recognition or honor. Abel was simply being obedient to God as he went about his daily living. Yet he was commended as a righteous man, and because of Abel’s faith his life still speaks to us today! Abel left a legacy.
I can’t really say what kind of legacy I will leave behind. But I pray, I hope that at the end of my journey, here on earth, someone will be able to say “by faith Sandra made a difference”… if not in the many, at least in the life of one”.
God’s Word says it is not foolishness… that we can have faith that those things, for which we hope for, will come to pass. That we can be certain of what we do not see. Now I’m not talking about that million dollar lottery, or the vacation home in Sedona…. but those too could come to pass. I am referring to those things that make a difference in the lives of others for eternity as we put "feet to our Faith". God is the only one who knows what that might look like in your life, or mine. Perhaps it will be as we pray for healing for someone; as we pray for salvation for a friend or loved one; as we take a stand against injustice; as we choose to put family first above career, money, prestige and success. Or maybe it will be as we sit at the bedside, of a hospice patient reading or just sitting quietly holding their hand. Maybe it will be as we provide water or food to the homeless, or offer a ride to someone who is unable to drive. For each of us, how we put "feet to our faith" will be different, and uniquely designed by God.
When my husband was called here to Arizona, to take on the position of Pastor to Senior’s at CrossPoint, we left behind a church family we loved, an active ministry, our friends, our families, and all we were connected too. Part of the family we left behind was our son and his newly married bride. This is the same son who had a life altering accident only 2 years before. There is not time to go into detail but Jason has many mental challenges. He does not drive and does not always comprehend even simple things. Leaving our son was the most challenging part of our faith walk to Arizona. We had many friends who told us not to worry that they would look out for him. We left Northern California knowing that God would be faithful to watch over him, and we were blessed by the many who would be standing in our place to help when needed (as we would be too far away). I would love to tell you that the many are still watching, but while well intentioned and good-hearted as they were, only one has been faithful to what was promised. Only one has continued, through all these years, to be faithful. She has kept going when the going was not easy, but hard. She has put self aside (for almost 7 years now) and has continually relied on God and put "feet to her faith". This friend has chronic-fatigue-syndrome and can end up in bed for days at a time… yet she has gone above and beyond as she has watched over, been there in times of trouble, driven him to get groceries, run a myriad of errands over the years, and provided food when he was jobless and had no income. She has driven him to doctor’s appointments and emergency rooms. She has put up with inappropriate phone calls from a wife who is lonely (as our son works the night shift) and she has had too much to drink. My faithful friend has prayed for me, and with me, as we have agonized over their poor choices and their alcoholism. We have prayed together for my daughter-in-laws salvation and for my sons faltering walk with the Lord. She is a true, living example of putting “feet to your faith”, of having hope and being certain of what we do not see. She is faithful not for a moments time, not only when it is convenient, not for what she can get in return, but out of love; the long-haul agape/agapao love. She is faithful out of her love for the God she serves! She is in my Faith Heroes Hall of Fame!
The Book of Hebrews, chapter 11, is often referred to as the Bible Heroes Hall of Fame. Here God has provided us with a written record of others who have come before us, faced many challenges, believed God, and came out the other side. This chapter starts at the very beginning “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible”. The phrase “by faith” is written 20 times or more in this chapter. There are over 16 references to men and women who responded in faith, and have been found righteous as a result. By the worlds standard many of them would not have been considered successful for that which they hoped for and were certain of did not come to pass in their life time… yet they were faithful. They believed and they walked by faith not by sight.
Verse 4 says “By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice then Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.” Abel didn’t so something huge or out of the ordinary to receive such recognition or honor. Abel was simply being obedient to God as he went about his daily living. Yet he was commended as a righteous man, and because of Abel’s faith his life still speaks to us today! Abel left a legacy.
I can’t really say what kind of legacy I will leave behind. But I pray, I hope that at the end of my journey, here on earth, someone will be able to say “by faith Sandra made a difference”… if not in the many, at least in the life of one”.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Everyday Faith
Everyone acts on faith at some level and in some aspect, even those who are non-Christians. Each time we go to flip on a light switch there is an element of faith that the light will go on. Each time we get in our car to start it, there is an element of faith it will start. Each time we go to sleep at night there is an element of faith we will awake to see another day. We do all of these things, and more, without ever thinking about the outcome. Why? Because time after time each of these has been proven to behave the same… time, after time, after time.
Spiritual Faith is very much the same. We grow in our faith as we experience the character of God, and God proves faithful to His Word… time, after time, after time! After awhile you no longer doubt God's character as you have come to understand it to be trustworthy, faithful, unchanging and always there!
Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). In other words you can depend on, believe in, have assurance of, and trust in Him. You can trust Jesus for today, and you can trust Him for all your tomorrows! His past record has proven Him to be reliable, trustworthy.
Faith in God can become just like the light switch. You can believe and trust without a second thought.
Psalm 34:8 "Taste and see that the Lord is good..."
Spiritual Faith is very much the same. We grow in our faith as we experience the character of God, and God proves faithful to His Word… time, after time, after time! After awhile you no longer doubt God's character as you have come to understand it to be trustworthy, faithful, unchanging and always there!
Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). In other words you can depend on, believe in, have assurance of, and trust in Him. You can trust Jesus for today, and you can trust Him for all your tomorrows! His past record has proven Him to be reliable, trustworthy.
Faith in God can become just like the light switch. You can believe and trust without a second thought.
Psalm 34:8 "Taste and see that the Lord is good..."
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Kindness in God Stops
Time a valuable commodity! As we saw in our lesson on Peace, busyness, a life filled with to much doing was a stealer of our Peace. Busyness is not only a stealer of our Peace, but it is also a source of our impatience with others. I don’t know about you, but I tend to see time as something I possess or own, which in reality is far from the truth. Time is not something I own, nor is it an evil nemesis waiting to devour my life. Time is a gift of God and as such should be treasured and enjoyed.
I/we plan our days not so that we see how much we can cram into them. But so that people can be treated as people, and not as interruptions. I/we plan so that relationships can be given priority over tasks. Oh sure I can always add one more thing to get done in our day, but at what cost? If the cost comes at the price of sacrificing my time with God, my spouse, my children, my relationships-those to whom God is placing before me…then the price is too high.
What has this got to do with the Fruit of Kindness you ask? Everything! If I am too busy with doing, if my day is too full with a myriad of things, I see people as interruptions, and not as God’s gift to me, or as His children. I become so focused on attaining whatever goal I have placed before me that I miss what I call "God-Stops" along the way, those opportunities for God to show Kindness to others through me, as I journey through my day. I can only speak for me, but when I am so focused on the task and have way too much going on in my life, I find I am tried and weary and feeling pressured. The last thing on my mind is showing Fruit of the Spirit Kindness to another. It becomes about me, not about others.
"God Stops" are divine appointments that God has set-up for us throughout our day. The places in our day where God wants us to stop and share the Fruit of Kindness. Sometimes He stops us so that we can interact with Him in a quiet moment of prayer, or so we can simply take a moment out to enjoy His creation which He set before us (His Kindness to us). Often times it is for us to interact with another, maybe to encourage them, to listen to them, or to show them Christ along the way (God’s Kindness through us). If I am too busy I will miss the God Stops along the way as I won’t be watching for them, or expecting them. If I am too busy, I have no time for a God-Stop and I have no patience for one either. And if I have no patience there is not opportunity for Kindness to flow from me to another.
From our study we learned that the Fruit of Goodness is more about our character then our doing. And Goodness comes from God, for only God is good. Again if I am too busy, too centered on self, I don’t spend time with God in His word. If I don’t spend time with the One Who is Good, the Fruit of Goodness isn’t a part of me and as we saw in our lesson, Kindness is the natural outpouring of Goodness, you really can’t have one without the other. If I don’t spend time in conversation with Him, through prayer, Fruit does not mature, and I become like a withered old tree with nothing to offer.
I read a definition lately that said, “Patience does nothing”. After having done our study on the Fruit of the Patience, and looking at Goodness and the outpouring of Kindness, I think I would define it much differently. I would define Patience as actively waiting in expectation, to see God’s plan unfold, and how I might get to be a part of that plan. To experience His goodness in ancipation of how He will use me to offer the Fruit of Kindness.
My prayer for you this week is that you will begin to see the little God Stops provided for you along the way. The places God quietly says to you …. “Daughter, stop, notice, here is someone I need you to show Kindness too.” “Daughter, stop, notice, here is someone I need you to pray for or with”. “Daughter, stop, notice, here is someone I need you to come alongside and help with a financial need.” “Daughter, stop, notice, here is someone I need you to just spend time with”. “Daughter, stop, come spend time with me”. And the list could go on and on. I pray that as you wait patiently and expectantly, that God will use you in mighty ways this week. I pray you enjoy the many "God Stops" in your journey this week.
I/we plan our days not so that we see how much we can cram into them. But so that people can be treated as people, and not as interruptions. I/we plan so that relationships can be given priority over tasks. Oh sure I can always add one more thing to get done in our day, but at what cost? If the cost comes at the price of sacrificing my time with God, my spouse, my children, my relationships-those to whom God is placing before me…then the price is too high.
What has this got to do with the Fruit of Kindness you ask? Everything! If I am too busy with doing, if my day is too full with a myriad of things, I see people as interruptions, and not as God’s gift to me, or as His children. I become so focused on attaining whatever goal I have placed before me that I miss what I call "God-Stops" along the way, those opportunities for God to show Kindness to others through me, as I journey through my day. I can only speak for me, but when I am so focused on the task and have way too much going on in my life, I find I am tried and weary and feeling pressured. The last thing on my mind is showing Fruit of the Spirit Kindness to another. It becomes about me, not about others.
"God Stops" are divine appointments that God has set-up for us throughout our day. The places in our day where God wants us to stop and share the Fruit of Kindness. Sometimes He stops us so that we can interact with Him in a quiet moment of prayer, or so we can simply take a moment out to enjoy His creation which He set before us (His Kindness to us). Often times it is for us to interact with another, maybe to encourage them, to listen to them, or to show them Christ along the way (God’s Kindness through us). If I am too busy I will miss the God Stops along the way as I won’t be watching for them, or expecting them. If I am too busy, I have no time for a God-Stop and I have no patience for one either. And if I have no patience there is not opportunity for Kindness to flow from me to another.
From our study we learned that the Fruit of Goodness is more about our character then our doing. And Goodness comes from God, for only God is good. Again if I am too busy, too centered on self, I don’t spend time with God in His word. If I don’t spend time with the One Who is Good, the Fruit of Goodness isn’t a part of me and as we saw in our lesson, Kindness is the natural outpouring of Goodness, you really can’t have one without the other. If I don’t spend time in conversation with Him, through prayer, Fruit does not mature, and I become like a withered old tree with nothing to offer.
I read a definition lately that said, “Patience does nothing”. After having done our study on the Fruit of the Patience, and looking at Goodness and the outpouring of Kindness, I think I would define it much differently. I would define Patience as actively waiting in expectation, to see God’s plan unfold, and how I might get to be a part of that plan. To experience His goodness in ancipation of how He will use me to offer the Fruit of Kindness.
My prayer for you this week is that you will begin to see the little God Stops provided for you along the way. The places God quietly says to you …. “Daughter, stop, notice, here is someone I need you to show Kindness too.” “Daughter, stop, notice, here is someone I need you to pray for or with”. “Daughter, stop, notice, here is someone I need you to come alongside and help with a financial need.” “Daughter, stop, notice, here is someone I need you to just spend time with”. “Daughter, stop, come spend time with me”. And the list could go on and on. I pray that as you wait patiently and expectantly, that God will use you in mighty ways this week. I pray you enjoy the many "God Stops" in your journey this week.
Monday, August 18, 2008
The Character of Goodness - Revealed in acts of Kindness
Kindness and Goodness are both components of the Fruit of the Spirit. They are so intertwined that I have chosen to address both in this weeks’ study. They are similar in nature and yet different in their biblical context. Goodness is very much about our character and our willingness to stand up for what is godly. Goodness to some extent is more about us then others; where as Kindness is all about others. Kindness is about our interaction and response to the needs of those to whom we come in contact. It is not about self at all.
“Good is the absence of defect or flaw, and the presence of complete wholesomeness”. Webster defines compassion as sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it. In other words compassion is the motivator that leads us to Kindness that takes action. As we yield our will to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to develop the Fruit of Goodness in our lives we will become sensitive and compassionate towards the needs of others. The Fruit of Kindness will be a natural expression and outpouring into the lives of others.
Kindness asks questions such as:
How can I show God’s love to another today?
Who needs a word of encouragement today?
Who can I pray for today?
Lord would you show me who needs my help today?
Kindness say’s “here I am Lord, send me.”
Years ago I read a short story in Readers Digest about a fearful little boy being put to bed for the night.
“A mother was putting her two-year-old to bed and as she left the room he pleaded with her not to go. His mother tried to reassure the boy by telling him that God would be there with him all night. The boy replied, ‘But mommy right now I need God with skin on!’”
I will bet every one of us has experienced a time when we needed to have “God with skin on”. I know I sure have!!! Ever wonder what color God’s skin is? I can tell you… it is whatever color your skin is. God uses His people, His children to love others. God uses His people, His children to bring joy to others. God uses His people, His children to bring unity and peace to a divided and hurting world. God uses His people, His children to show patience towards one another and He uses people, His children to show Kindness to others, to be compassionate to another, to help one another, to encourage one another – to be God with skin on.
When the Fruit of Goodness has been activated in our lives, when Jesus’ character is so reflected in us, the Fruit of Kindness can’t help but overflow. People are attracted to those who exhibit the Fruit of Kindness. As Mark Twain once said "Kindness is the language the deaf can hear, the blind can see, and the dumb can understand." In other words, the language of Kindness is something that transcends all language barriers, and is something everyone can understand!
Your questions have been emailed.
Happy Studying
Be Encouraged, Sandra
“Good is the absence of defect or flaw, and the presence of complete wholesomeness”. Webster defines compassion as sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it. In other words compassion is the motivator that leads us to Kindness that takes action. As we yield our will to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to develop the Fruit of Goodness in our lives we will become sensitive and compassionate towards the needs of others. The Fruit of Kindness will be a natural expression and outpouring into the lives of others.
Kindness asks questions such as:
How can I show God’s love to another today?
Who needs a word of encouragement today?
Who can I pray for today?
Lord would you show me who needs my help today?
Kindness say’s “here I am Lord, send me.”
Years ago I read a short story in Readers Digest about a fearful little boy being put to bed for the night.
“A mother was putting her two-year-old to bed and as she left the room he pleaded with her not to go. His mother tried to reassure the boy by telling him that God would be there with him all night. The boy replied, ‘But mommy right now I need God with skin on!’”
I will bet every one of us has experienced a time when we needed to have “God with skin on”. I know I sure have!!! Ever wonder what color God’s skin is? I can tell you… it is whatever color your skin is. God uses His people, His children to love others. God uses His people, His children to bring joy to others. God uses His people, His children to bring unity and peace to a divided and hurting world. God uses His people, His children to show patience towards one another and He uses people, His children to show Kindness to others, to be compassionate to another, to help one another, to encourage one another – to be God with skin on.
When the Fruit of Goodness has been activated in our lives, when Jesus’ character is so reflected in us, the Fruit of Kindness can’t help but overflow. People are attracted to those who exhibit the Fruit of Kindness. As Mark Twain once said "Kindness is the language the deaf can hear, the blind can see, and the dumb can understand." In other words, the language of Kindness is something that transcends all language barriers, and is something everyone can understand!
Your questions have been emailed.
Happy Studying
Be Encouraged, Sandra
Friday, August 15, 2008
Makrothumia - It's all about People!
Makrothumia is patience, not in circumstances but with people and is a result of the Fruit of the Spirit being cultivated in our lives. Makrothumia is anger taking a very, very long time before it is expressed or not expressed at all. And if expressed - it is expressed under total self-control, never in violence! Makrothumia is not about patience in circumstances and it is important that we make that distinction. Circumstance patience is another Greek word – hupomone (hoop-om-on-ay). Hupomone is the word that we most often associate with patience – not giving up under difficult circumstances, hanging in there with the hope of a positive outcome. Makrothumia, the Fruit of the Spirit, is all about people and relationships.
Makrothumia is about patience with people who hurt you. It is about being patient with your spouse when he has forgotten to take out the trash, once again, or left his dirty socks on the floor when the hamper is only a few feet away. It is about being patient with your child, when once again, they have not cleaned their room, or done specifically as you have asked, or misbehaved once again in public and caused you embarrassment. It is being patient with a co-worker or volunteer who just doesn’t understand the job, even though you have explained it time and time again. It’s about not screaming or flipping-off the person in the car that just cut in front of you on the roadway. It’s about being patient with the person who asks you the same question over and over again. It’s about being patient with a parent suffering with Alzheimer’s and who can’t remember from one minute to the next. It’s about being patient with the waitress or waiter who isn’t performing the task as you think they should, or being patient with the very, very slow sales clerk. It is about being patient with people no matter the circumstance. Sure we get angry at the circumstances, we get angry at the disease, the situation, the injustice, but makrothumia, Holy Spirit Fruit Patience, is about the person. Makrothumia loves the person - is patient with the person- is extremely slow to anger-and is never violent with another, either physically or verbally, regardless of the circumstances.
I realize for many of us patience is difficult. Our anger is, or has been, out of control and to hear me say it is a choice, makes you want to scream. I understand, really..... I do… Patience like all the other components of the Fruit is not something we can manufacture on our own. It is not a choice of our will. We can’t decide “Today I will not respond to others in anger” (if you are at all like me, that one just doesn’t work). I can’t choose, just as you can’t, to not get mad or angry. These are human emotions and we will experience them; some of us more then others. How we respond is the choice. How we respond is the evidence of “Holy Spirit Fruit Patience” in our lives.
“Makrothumia -Patience”…. Is it easy? No way! Fail at it? You bet!!! But each time I choose to respond with patience, the Fruit of patience matures, in me, just a little bit more.
Eph 4:2-3 “Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. Always keep yourselves united in the Holy Spirit, and bind yourselves together with peace.”
Next week- The Fruit of Kindness…
Makrothumia is about patience with people who hurt you. It is about being patient with your spouse when he has forgotten to take out the trash, once again, or left his dirty socks on the floor when the hamper is only a few feet away. It is about being patient with your child, when once again, they have not cleaned their room, or done specifically as you have asked, or misbehaved once again in public and caused you embarrassment. It is being patient with a co-worker or volunteer who just doesn’t understand the job, even though you have explained it time and time again. It’s about not screaming or flipping-off the person in the car that just cut in front of you on the roadway. It’s about being patient with the person who asks you the same question over and over again. It’s about being patient with a parent suffering with Alzheimer’s and who can’t remember from one minute to the next. It’s about being patient with the waitress or waiter who isn’t performing the task as you think they should, or being patient with the very, very slow sales clerk. It is about being patient with people no matter the circumstance. Sure we get angry at the circumstances, we get angry at the disease, the situation, the injustice, but makrothumia, Holy Spirit Fruit Patience, is about the person. Makrothumia loves the person - is patient with the person- is extremely slow to anger-and is never violent with another, either physically or verbally, regardless of the circumstances.
I realize for many of us patience is difficult. Our anger is, or has been, out of control and to hear me say it is a choice, makes you want to scream. I understand, really..... I do… Patience like all the other components of the Fruit is not something we can manufacture on our own. It is not a choice of our will. We can’t decide “Today I will not respond to others in anger” (if you are at all like me, that one just doesn’t work). I can’t choose, just as you can’t, to not get mad or angry. These are human emotions and we will experience them; some of us more then others. How we respond is the choice. How we respond is the evidence of “Holy Spirit Fruit Patience” in our lives.
- Patience becomes a choice as I choose to relinquish my will to that of the Holy Spirit’s will.
- It is a choice when I get on my knees to God and cry for help.
- I choose patience when I seek counseling to discover the root cause, discover tools to help, and find healing for my out of control anger responses.
- It becomes a choice when I choose to not respond in anger but choose to walk away, run away, go outside and scream, to remove myself from the situation so as not to unleash my anger towards another human being.
“Makrothumia -Patience”…. Is it easy? No way! Fail at it? You bet!!! But each time I choose to respond with patience, the Fruit of patience matures, in me, just a little bit more.
Eph 4:2-3 “Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. Always keep yourselves united in the Holy Spirit, and bind yourselves together with peace.”
Next week- The Fruit of Kindness…
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Lord Teach Me Patience...and could you do it....Yesterday?
As I began preparing for our lesson on patience I was reminded of a song from my son’s favorite record album as a child. (In fact he still has that album). It was on a Bull Frogs and Butterflies album and it was called, I believe, “Have Patience”. The words went like this; “Have patience don’t be in such a hurry, when you get impatient you only start to worry, remember, remember, that God is patient too, and think of all the times that others had to wait for you! Have patience, have patience….” and so on. The interesting thing about this song is it was supposedly sung by a snail, so the rhythm in the song was much slower then normal. Our world today is anything but slow… We are a fast paced, instant society. A typical day for many of us starts out with instant coffee, followed by an instant bowl of oatmeal, while our children are feasting on a toaster waffle and a pop-tart with a disposable box of juice.
If we are not feeling to pressed for time, we take out our one minute Bible and get in a short 5 minute devotion. We stop at the pay-at-the-pump gas station for gas, (so we won’t need to walk all the way in to pay for our purchase) and on our way to work, or wherever we are headed for the day, we drop off our dry cleaning at the two hour cleaners and our film at the 1 hour processing place. We scurry through a busy, hectic morning, stop at a drive through for lunch, pick up our film and dry cleaning, and scurry through the rest of the afternoon.
On our way home we stop by the chicken place for a bucket of chicken. Once at home we prepare our 1 minute instant cooking rice. Microwave our 2 minute veggies and sit down to a family meal. Whatever conversation we have with our families, or friends, is likely rushed as we hurry off to accomplish our evening activities. Oh yes, and let us not forget that as we headed out the door this morning, we attached our cell phone to some part of our body, so that we could carry on a conversation with someone, where ever we went, in a moments notice at the touch of a button. We must be accessible to people at all times and they to us. We can't afford the luxury to take the time to sit and chat for a few moments, and to give someone our undivided attention. And heaven forbid we would miss a phone call, or need to return a call. We just don't have time. We have become the impatient-instant society, we want what we want, when we want, and we usually want it now, or at the very least in the next 10-15 minutes!
Not only have we become an impatient-instant society, we have become a multi-tasking society. To have singleness of purpose, or to be simply focused on one thing at a time is now seen as being inept, unproductive, or less than. I have often been referred to as the “Queen of Multi-tasking”. Until today I saw that phrase as a compliment and a result of my Spirit given gift of Administration. But now I wonder if it is more about my impatience, rather then my gifting?
Society has subliminally substituted the idea of waiting with the idea of wasting. We perceive waiting as wasted time. Perhaps this is why when those times come, that we are called to wait, they often bring out the worst in us. Why is it that some of us get frustrated waiting in line at the grocery store? Or get resentful if the person in front us is driving the speed limit, while cars on either side of us are speeding past, and we have to be stuck behind Mr. or Mrs. Slowpoke? Or why do we find ourselves so irritated when the lead car at a green light takes an extra 15 seconds or so to get going? And heaven forbid the person in the 10 item checkout line should have 12 items! And then there are our children who just seem to dawdle when you need them to hurry!!! Why do we get so frustrated, irritated or angry? Perhaps it is because we are in too much of a hurry to reach the destination or to accomplish the task etc. We just can’t stand to waste time!!! Our lives have become about the tasks, not about life. Our lives have become about accomplishing rather then loving. Our lives have become about having time rather then giving time. Our lives have become about us and not about others. Our lives have become about me rather then He!
Some of us have become so caught up in the final destination that we are missing the blessings along the way. We are so caught up in the final outcome and reaching the goal that we miss the nuggets, the rewards, along the way. We are so caught up in the doing that we have forgotten about the joy and the peace that comes from being patient, and taking time to enjoy!
In your lesson this week I pray you will find freedom from the urgent, and discover the Joy and Peace found in the “Fruit of Patience”.
Be Encouraged, Sandra
Your questions have been emailed to you.
If we are not feeling to pressed for time, we take out our one minute Bible and get in a short 5 minute devotion. We stop at the pay-at-the-pump gas station for gas, (so we won’t need to walk all the way in to pay for our purchase) and on our way to work, or wherever we are headed for the day, we drop off our dry cleaning at the two hour cleaners and our film at the 1 hour processing place. We scurry through a busy, hectic morning, stop at a drive through for lunch, pick up our film and dry cleaning, and scurry through the rest of the afternoon.
On our way home we stop by the chicken place for a bucket of chicken. Once at home we prepare our 1 minute instant cooking rice. Microwave our 2 minute veggies and sit down to a family meal. Whatever conversation we have with our families, or friends, is likely rushed as we hurry off to accomplish our evening activities. Oh yes, and let us not forget that as we headed out the door this morning, we attached our cell phone to some part of our body, so that we could carry on a conversation with someone, where ever we went, in a moments notice at the touch of a button. We must be accessible to people at all times and they to us. We can't afford the luxury to take the time to sit and chat for a few moments, and to give someone our undivided attention. And heaven forbid we would miss a phone call, or need to return a call. We just don't have time. We have become the impatient-instant society, we want what we want, when we want, and we usually want it now, or at the very least in the next 10-15 minutes!
Not only have we become an impatient-instant society, we have become a multi-tasking society. To have singleness of purpose, or to be simply focused on one thing at a time is now seen as being inept, unproductive, or less than. I have often been referred to as the “Queen of Multi-tasking”. Until today I saw that phrase as a compliment and a result of my Spirit given gift of Administration. But now I wonder if it is more about my impatience, rather then my gifting?
Society has subliminally substituted the idea of waiting with the idea of wasting. We perceive waiting as wasted time. Perhaps this is why when those times come, that we are called to wait, they often bring out the worst in us. Why is it that some of us get frustrated waiting in line at the grocery store? Or get resentful if the person in front us is driving the speed limit, while cars on either side of us are speeding past, and we have to be stuck behind Mr. or Mrs. Slowpoke? Or why do we find ourselves so irritated when the lead car at a green light takes an extra 15 seconds or so to get going? And heaven forbid the person in the 10 item checkout line should have 12 items! And then there are our children who just seem to dawdle when you need them to hurry!!! Why do we get so frustrated, irritated or angry? Perhaps it is because we are in too much of a hurry to reach the destination or to accomplish the task etc. We just can’t stand to waste time!!! Our lives have become about the tasks, not about life. Our lives have become about accomplishing rather then loving. Our lives have become about having time rather then giving time. Our lives have become about us and not about others. Our lives have become about me rather then He!
Some of us have become so caught up in the final destination that we are missing the blessings along the way. We are so caught up in the final outcome and reaching the goal that we miss the nuggets, the rewards, along the way. We are so caught up in the doing that we have forgotten about the joy and the peace that comes from being patient, and taking time to enjoy!
In your lesson this week I pray you will find freedom from the urgent, and discover the Joy and Peace found in the “Fruit of Patience”.
Be Encouraged, Sandra
Your questions have been emailed to you.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Notebook of Trust brings Shalom
In Hebrew the word for Peace is shaw-lome’ or shalom. It means completeness, soundness, quiet-tranquility, peace in friendships, prosperity and good health. When someone greets you, or says good bye to you with the word shalom they are not wishing you a life absent of war and conflict, but a life that is in a positive state of rightness, completeness, and well being that only comes from a right relationship with God. In the Greek the word translated peace is eirene and it refers to the state of well being, of wholeness and harmony that infuses all of ones relationships. Fruit Peace” like the Fruit of Joy is not related to circumstances, we can have peace in-spite of our circumstances. This kind of peace means having tranquility in your heart, which originates from the understanding that your life is truly in the hands of a loving God. It means experiencing quiet in your inner self. My husband and I had the opportunity to experience God’s completed peace back in June of 1998 when our 22 year old son was hit on his bicycle by a man on drugs, while riding home from his job, just before midnight.
Unfortunately there is not enough space to share the story of our son’s life threatening accident, his time spent in a coma, and the ways in which the Lord sustained us through His perfect peace. In your lesson this week on Day three you were given a very special assignment – “The Notebook of Trust”. Ladies if you don’t do anything else as a result of this study…. Please do this one! Let me share with you just a glimpse of how this can make a difference in your life.
Almost everyday, especially in the beginning days, as I sat in the ICU I would write down what was happening. I thought I was documenting things for when and if we had to go to court. As I would sit there with our son Jason, I would pray and read the Psalms. Now I confess the reading of God’s word was short as I found it hard to concentrate. But God is such a loving and caring God that it only took a few minutes in His Word to receive hope and promises. Let me share with you just a few of those moments with God.
On Day 2 – “Those who know your name will trust in you for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10
Day 3 “But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. “ Another day - “You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them and you listen to their cry,” Psalm 10: 14 & 17
Day 20 “I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:13-14”.
Jason was 22 years of age when this accident happened. He was not able to be on our insurance, and he had no insurance of his own. He was considered to be an indigent. We were having some major battles with getting him the proper care due to lack of funds. And the battle had been going on for a number of days at this point. They were going to send him to a nursing home rather then rehab. We knew he desperately needed the rehab in order to return to a somewhat normal life.
On Day 21 - “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song!” God truly worked!!! Jason was sent to a hospital with great rehab facilities, for his kind of mental and physical injuries, for 3 weeks to receive treatment at no cost!!!!
God sustained us, gave us the peace which the world cannot understand… heck I can't explain it, and I am not sure I really understand it…. But I know it’s from God, and I know it’s very, very real! I and my hubby have experienced it in mighty ways. So when the devil gets in there and tries to make me doubt he loses and I win.
I have God’s word in the Bible, but I also have a very personal record of ways God has interacted in my life. Of ways He has personally delivered my family and me. Trust me…. To go back and read the ways and to be reminded of how much He loved and loves; cared and cares; is pure joy and complete peace, and no matter how hard the devil tries to convince me otherwise… he can’t for God’s provision in my life is recorded in a very personal and tangible way. So if you didn’t do your assignment from day three… I hope this will encourage you to do so. I would like to tell you that as a result of this I am no longer filled with fears. But I can’t. Fear seems to be my Achilles’ heal, the devil knows it, God knows it, and you know….. “I know it”. But when I choose to trust, to lean on faith and what I know to be true about God I am able to come out on the other side of the fear. For me it is often a moment by moment, minute by minute journey.
If anyone would like a copy of a newsletter article I wrote regarding our son’s accident I would be happy to send you one. It is incredible to see how God was there every step of the way. Just ask for it by email and it will be on its way.
Be Encouraged
Shalom, Sandra
Unfortunately there is not enough space to share the story of our son’s life threatening accident, his time spent in a coma, and the ways in which the Lord sustained us through His perfect peace. In your lesson this week on Day three you were given a very special assignment – “The Notebook of Trust”. Ladies if you don’t do anything else as a result of this study…. Please do this one! Let me share with you just a glimpse of how this can make a difference in your life.
Almost everyday, especially in the beginning days, as I sat in the ICU I would write down what was happening. I thought I was documenting things for when and if we had to go to court. As I would sit there with our son Jason, I would pray and read the Psalms. Now I confess the reading of God’s word was short as I found it hard to concentrate. But God is such a loving and caring God that it only took a few minutes in His Word to receive hope and promises. Let me share with you just a few of those moments with God.
On Day 2 – “Those who know your name will trust in you for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10
Day 3 “But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. “ Another day - “You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them and you listen to their cry,” Psalm 10: 14 & 17
Day 20 “I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:13-14”.
Jason was 22 years of age when this accident happened. He was not able to be on our insurance, and he had no insurance of his own. He was considered to be an indigent. We were having some major battles with getting him the proper care due to lack of funds. And the battle had been going on for a number of days at this point. They were going to send him to a nursing home rather then rehab. We knew he desperately needed the rehab in order to return to a somewhat normal life.
On Day 21 - “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song!” God truly worked!!! Jason was sent to a hospital with great rehab facilities, for his kind of mental and physical injuries, for 3 weeks to receive treatment at no cost!!!!
God sustained us, gave us the peace which the world cannot understand… heck I can't explain it, and I am not sure I really understand it…. But I know it’s from God, and I know it’s very, very real! I and my hubby have experienced it in mighty ways. So when the devil gets in there and tries to make me doubt he loses and I win.
I have God’s word in the Bible, but I also have a very personal record of ways God has interacted in my life. Of ways He has personally delivered my family and me. Trust me…. To go back and read the ways and to be reminded of how much He loved and loves; cared and cares; is pure joy and complete peace, and no matter how hard the devil tries to convince me otherwise… he can’t for God’s provision in my life is recorded in a very personal and tangible way. So if you didn’t do your assignment from day three… I hope this will encourage you to do so. I would like to tell you that as a result of this I am no longer filled with fears. But I can’t. Fear seems to be my Achilles’ heal, the devil knows it, God knows it, and you know….. “I know it”. But when I choose to trust, to lean on faith and what I know to be true about God I am able to come out on the other side of the fear. For me it is often a moment by moment, minute by minute journey.
If anyone would like a copy of a newsletter article I wrote regarding our son’s accident I would be happy to send you one. It is incredible to see how God was there every step of the way. Just ask for it by email and it will be on its way.
Be Encouraged
Shalom, Sandra
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