For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39

Yesterday was a very busy and tiring day, and today has simply been a bad day.  I’ve had one wrong thing after another happen, and I feel a little defeated right now.  So, I am thankful that regardless of what is happening to me and what is going on, God still loves me.

See what others are thankful for at Grace Alone . . .

Be careful not to do your “acts of righteousness” before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Today I went to church for the noon service and got the ashes on my forehead.  I also fasted until sunset, and after hearing this passage from the Gospel, I was humbled.

For Lent this year, I will be giving up all drinks except for water, brewed coffee, and brewed tea.  This may not sound like a big deal, but think about all that is included in that.  No juice, no Diet Coke (which I drink a LOT of), no milkshakes, no wine, no Starbucks drinks (and I work at Starbucks) . . . a lot!  I am also repeating something I gave up last year, which is pastries from Starbucks.  Since I work there, we constantly have samples available, or it’s so easy to want a snack and just buy a cookie or something since it’s there.  So those are my things that I’m giving up!

If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

Ecclesiastes 4:10 NIV

This week I have something weighing heavily on my heart in my personal life.  However, on Monday I had tea with a very good friend of mine that I haven’t seen in a while, and she was able to offer me some perspective on this issue.  And on Tuesday I hung out with some of my classmates, and they too were able to talk to me about this issue.  It just  makes me realize how thankful I am to have good friends from various different backgrounds (people of different ages, some Christians and some not, etc.).

Thanks God !

Jessica at Homemaking Through the Church Year posted an interesting post.  This year she’s following a plan to read through the Bible chronologically (as in, the order in which events take place rather than from Genesis to Revelation).  Seeing how big I am on stories and plot (and how easily distracted I get when there’s not a strong through-line), this might actually be a good plan for me to try as well!

Who do you see day to day? Your family, close friends, perhaps a neighbor . . . but is that all? If you live in an apartment, don’t you see the landlord from time to time? Or how about those of you who go to get your hair done – don’t you have a stylist? The lady who works at the coffee shop where you get your morning cup, your favorite waiter at that little deli, the people who come and mow your lawn . . . people that you see from day to day who in some way provide a service for you. Do you think of these people when compiling your Christmas list?

“I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.”
Ephesians 1:16

This Christmas, I challenge you to include these people in your gift-giving. A nice card, a plate of cookies, a $5 gift certificate to Starbucks . . . it doesn’t have to be much, or it can be quite elaborate! It’s your way of saying thank you for the hard work that they do. Yes, it may be your job, but don’t you like to be acknowledged for what you do? You never know how your small gesture can affect someone!

Please, share with me how you plan to grace those who make YOUR life easier with a little bit of seasonal love!

Be sure to check out what others are saying about this month’s theme, thanksgiving, on Faith Lifts!

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

I once heard this verse referred to as the “graduation verse” – everyone shares this with new graduates who are starting a new phase in their lives. And in all honesty, I found this verse in my senior year of high school when I was trying to figure out what college to attend. However, I’ve found over the past five years that this verse is extremely applicable to me on a day-to-day basis, and that is why I wish to share it with you.

Our society no longer reveres peace. Peace of mind, peace of body, peace of spirit – we have no interest in these things. We’d much rather be drinking our $5 latte while listening to our iPods, talking on our smartphones, writing on our blogs, and checking our email. I don’t condemn this lifestyle – in fact, it sounds pretty darn similar to the life that I lead. I simply state that as a general group, people today multitask and feel unproductive if they try to tackle one task at a time.

Perhaps that’s why I find this verse so comforting. In a world where I am so busy, have so many plans, rush from meeting to meeting, and try to cram so much into each day, it is a relief to know that God’s got good plans for me. If I try to crowd him out with my lessons and activities, I may flounder, flail, and eventually fall. But if I look to Him, there are prosperous and harmless things ahead of me. God has given me permission to have hope and to look for a future. I can enjoy the prospect of tomorrow if I slow down enough to listen to Him.

What does this have to do with purpose? I know that it doesn’t matter what MY purpose for my life is – it’s GOD’S purpose that counts. And he’s got great things planned for me. What a relief to know that I don’t have to be perfect at finding, discerning, and following my purpose. God will reveal it to me as I am ready to take each new step. All I have to do is take the time to let go of my ideas and agendas and listen for His.

What are your thoughts on God’s purpose for our lives? I’d love to hear your thoughts! I’ll address this issue again next week, so please share anything specific you may want me to discuss!

Be sure to check out what others are saying about this month’s theme, purpose, on Faith Lifts!

The theme for this semester is “Gifts” – all kinds of gifts. Spiritual, physical, Christmas, whatever you can think of and relate back to a Christian theme or principle.

I thought that it would be nice to write a piece that isn’t outright comedy that involves all nine active members. The first thing that comes to my mind is the Fruits of the Spirit (probably because there are nine, LOL!).

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

Here is what I’ve got – see if you can discern between the different fruits! I’d love any feedback!

Welcome to the Neighborhood

[Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control all take the stage. Each one has a cookie, and there is an empty basket (can be placed on a chair) downstage center. Cookies should be large enough to be visible to audience, and if the basket can be disposable, that would be good. ]

A: Living in our neighborhood is great! Not only do we live in a beautiful place, but the people here are truly wonderful. While there are disagreements occasionally, for the most part we all get along really well and enjoy each others company. We’re always having potluck dinners, neighborhood softball games, and fun movie nights with out kids. When I heard that a new family was moving to the neighborhood, I thought it would be a great idea to bake a basket of cookies to give to them when they moved in. Each member of the neighborhood could contribute some cookies, so not only would we be helping our new neighbors, but we could also do something good together! [places cookie into basket]

B: I know moving can be really rough. I remember when our family moved to the neighborhood. We had a newborn, so not only were we frantically trying to unpack, but we were also dealing with taking care of a new baby and trying to get settled into our new jobs. The neighbors were really great! They came to introduce themselves, and even brought over lasagna so that we didn’t have to cook all week! I was so moved by their kindness – I will certainly contribute some cookies to the basket, to help the newcomers through this frantic time. [places cookie into basket]

C: Who doesn’t love cookies?! They really put a smile on my face, and I know that others feel the same. My kids each get to decorate a cookie for the basket – we bought five different colors of icing! They might be a little messy, but they sure were fun to make, and it’s obvious by looking at them that a lot of energy went into them! I hope that the newcomers are excited to move to our neighborhood. We can’t wait to get to know them! [places cookie into basket]

D: This week has been really busy for me! I had to take the dog to the vet, both of my kids had projects due this week, and there’s a dinner party for my wife’s office that I have to get a new suit for. The last thing I feel like doing is baking cookies, but I know that it’s important. When we joined our neighborhood, we promised that we would participate in the activities, especially helping newcomers feel welcome. I may be tired, but I can spare half an hour to bake some cookies of the slice-and-bake variety. They don’t have to be perfect, and the gesture is the important part. As tired as I am, a promise is a promise. [places cookie into basket]

E: Our family feels truly blessed to live in our neighborhood. God has given us a wonderful atmosphere in which to raise our children, and for that we are so thankful. I love spending time with our friends here, and it’s really been great to watch our children grow together. I want nothing but the best for our new neighbors. Our family is going to bake our cookies together, with each person adding a personal touch to their cookie. I want our neighbors to feel just how great living here can be! [places cookie into basket]

F: When the realtor sold our new neighbors their house, there was a dispute about a tree lying between their house and ours. Unfortunately, there was a lot of legal paperwork that had to be done to determine property lines, and I’m afraid we got off on the wrong foot with the newcomers. We didn’t mean for things to get heated, but somehow they did. However, our family is not one to hold a grudge, and we will definitely be contributing to the cookie basket! I hope that they understand that we are sorry for the problems in the past, and that we hope they remain in the past! We’d love to get to know them better! [places cookie into basket]

G: I don’t mean to brag, but I really do bake the best cookies on the street. As a professional chef, it would probably be bad if I didn’t! I have several recipes that no matter how many people try them I somehow make them better. I could easily make enough for the entire basket, but I know that others want to bake cookies too. It’s not just about the cookies; it’s what the cookies represent! Though it would be easy for me to make several dozen, I’ll just contribute the same amount as everyone else, so that the entire neighborhood may have joy in welcoming our new neighbors. [places cookie into basket]

H: With so many changes in going on in their lives, I only want to make things easier for our new neighbors. I’d hate for them to feel like they owe us something because of the basket of cookies. I’ll make sure to put them in a nice, but understated basket, without a lot of frills. And I’ll make sure to write up a nice welcome letter that everyone can sign as they drop off their cookies. Moving can be so difficult, a sense of indebtedness is the last thing we want! [places cookie into basket]

I: There are so many different things that our new neighbors must be doing right now! Unpacking boxes, changing their address on all their mail, getting the electricity turned on, learning their way around town – phew, it makes me tired just to think of it! They must be so busy; it would be silly of me to expect a response from them immediately after receiving these cookies. They may not even be able to call to say thank you – I mean, the entire neighborhood is contributing. That’s a lot of phone calls if we all expect a call! I know that in time, when their lives have calmed down, the new neighbors will reciprocate in whatever way they can. Until then, I’ll just be happy knowing that we can look forward to getting to know our new friends. [Places cookie into basket. Then, either alone or with the group, I gives the basket of cookies to an audience member.]

[recited by a member of the troupe] “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

END

Thirteen (+2) Verses about Blessings and Hardships

Luke 6:17-31

He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coast of Tyre and Sidon, who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by evil spirits were cured, and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.

Looking at his disciples, he said:

“Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are you who hunger now,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.
Blessed are you when men hate you,
when they exclude you and insult you
and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.

“Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.

“But woe to you who are rich,
for you have already received your comfort.
Woe to you who are well fed now,
for you will go hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,
for you will mourn and weep.
Woe to you when all men speak well of you,
for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.

“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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Thirteen Verses about Worry

Ecclesiastes 3:1-13

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

What does the worker gain from his toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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Thirteen Verses about Worry

Matthew 6:22-34

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
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