We have been talking about current events in our Sunday School Class, then looking at scripture to see what the Bible says about the event.
Pope Francis has suspended German Bishop Frantz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst, nicknamed the "Bishop of Bling" until his lavish living style can be investigated. He was the Bishop of Limburg in Germany. Now he faces the prospect of seeing his lavish mansion turned into a refuge center or soup kitchen to feed the homeless.
Some of his big-ticket expenditures are reported to be $475,000 spent on walk-in-closets and a $20,000 bathtub.
I couldn't decide whether this was all about power, greed or just about ME.
It certainly should cause us to look at our own lives and see how we may be wasting our money on our own desires instead of furthering the work of our God and our church.
It's all about Me! This message is declared by so many men and women today that it could be the motto of our modern world - a challenging world that is destructively self-centered.
Oviously understanding that no one is perfect and probably would not make 100 per cent if tested on the following attributes: To be helpful, courteous, kind, constructive, sincere; or to serve, give, and listen to advice . We should be open-minded enough to talk with others, family and friends. This will enable the important decisions to be made jointly and not solely by us.
The question we should ask: Is it really all about Me?
For followers of Christ however the answer is clear ; it is not all about ME , it's all about Jesus Christ and others. A selfish person will have a hard time finding the golden key to happiness. The power is not in us but through us, and that power comes from the one God and Father of all.
" And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature." Luke 8:14
"But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. . For it is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced their hearts with many pangs," I Timothy 6:9,10
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Monday, November 4, 2013
Boasting or Modesty
Sometimes the commercials are more interesting than the programs. One such commercial is about two men obviously boasting about their surgeries.
We all know people who boast about their home, car, boat, vacations, jewelry. You get the point.
Sometimes boasting or bragging can backfire...as in this story: A very wealthy lady was showing her new maid all the rooms in her fabulous home and the wall-to-wall furniture. As she continued boasting she said to her maid: "This dining room suite goes all the way back to Louis, the Fourteenth. The maid replied: "Well lady, you don't have nothing on me. My whole living room suite goes back to Sears & and Roebuck on the thirteenth.
Modesty (humility) is not a weak and timid quality, it must however be carefully distinguished from a weak spirit.
Even though boasting (pride) is one of the seven deadly sins, there is such a thing as a honest pride and self-respect.
Old Sayings:
The empty vessel makes the greatest sound. (Shakespeare)
Never cackle until the egg is laid.
The bigger a man's head gets, the easier it is to fill his shoes.
"We sure shook that bridge," the mouse said to the elephant after
the had crossed the bridge.
If you wish people to speak well of you, then do not speak of yourself.
The more humble a person is before God, the more he will be exalted.
"The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility goes before honor." Proverbs 15:33 RSV
We all know people who boast about their home, car, boat, vacations, jewelry. You get the point.
Sometimes boasting or bragging can backfire...as in this story: A very wealthy lady was showing her new maid all the rooms in her fabulous home and the wall-to-wall furniture. As she continued boasting she said to her maid: "This dining room suite goes all the way back to Louis, the Fourteenth. The maid replied: "Well lady, you don't have nothing on me. My whole living room suite goes back to Sears & and Roebuck on the thirteenth.
Modesty (humility) is not a weak and timid quality, it must however be carefully distinguished from a weak spirit.
Even though boasting (pride) is one of the seven deadly sins, there is such a thing as a honest pride and self-respect.
Old Sayings:
The empty vessel makes the greatest sound. (Shakespeare)
Never cackle until the egg is laid.
The bigger a man's head gets, the easier it is to fill his shoes.
"We sure shook that bridge," the mouse said to the elephant after
the had crossed the bridge.
If you wish people to speak well of you, then do not speak of yourself.
The more humble a person is before God, the more he will be exalted.
"The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility goes before honor." Proverbs 15:33 RSV
Tough Times
I read this recently and thought it appropriate to include following my last blog. French writer Alexis de Tocqueville, after visiting America in 1831, said: "I sought for the greatness of the United States in her commodious harbors, her simple rivers, her fertile fields, and boundless forest system, and it was not there. I looked for it in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution and it was not there. Not until I went in the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great!"
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Will People Return to God
Possibly because of so much frustration in our nation and the world today, I have heard many people suggest we should pray for our nation and ask God to again bless our nation. I sincerely agree. As Billy Graham once said: "I want to lobby for God."
The political environment is so disturbing that we recognize the need for a new criteria in selecting Presidents, and members of congress. And we recognize we must be wiser in our choices and more selective.
The conditions in the world today are less stable than at any time I can remember. What are we doing about them? Are we really seeing beyond the horizons. Are we listening for the voice of God to call us to service. We certainly need a deeper faith and firmer stand for principles of right. As I heard one commentator say: "We need Faith, Hope and Charity."
It has been said that religion tends to speak the language of the heart. I read this recently: "Religion is life, philosophy is thought; religion looks up , friendship looks in. We need both thought and life, and the two shall be in harmony."
An ancient proverb states: "If there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in the character. If there be beauty in the character, there will be harmony in the family home. If there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation. When there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world."
God will bless what He initiates, what depends on Him for its success, what is done according to His word, and what is done for His glory. Let us turn to God.
"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not summit again to a yoke of slavery.' Gal.5:1
The political environment is so disturbing that we recognize the need for a new criteria in selecting Presidents, and members of congress. And we recognize we must be wiser in our choices and more selective.
The conditions in the world today are less stable than at any time I can remember. What are we doing about them? Are we really seeing beyond the horizons. Are we listening for the voice of God to call us to service. We certainly need a deeper faith and firmer stand for principles of right. As I heard one commentator say: "We need Faith, Hope and Charity."
It has been said that religion tends to speak the language of the heart. I read this recently: "Religion is life, philosophy is thought; religion looks up , friendship looks in. We need both thought and life, and the two shall be in harmony."
An ancient proverb states: "If there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in the character. If there be beauty in the character, there will be harmony in the family home. If there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation. When there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world."
God will bless what He initiates, what depends on Him for its success, what is done according to His word, and what is done for His glory. Let us turn to God.
"For freedom Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not summit again to a yoke of slavery.' Gal.5:1
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Bullying
"Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends upon you, live peaceable with all.
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written: "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord
Romans 12:17-19
The sermon I heard today at church was titled: "Repay no one evil for evil."
Bullying was mentioned. We have heard a lot about bullying in the newspapers and on TV lately. Often the person who is bullied has a handicap that sets them apart from others. One child says unkind things to another. Sometimes even hitting them or throwing something at them.
There could be may reasons one child bullies another child. Often the bully has been abused at home and hitting another is his way of retaliating. Real damage can be done; not only to the physical body, but it can cause mental anguish as well.
As a child growing up when someone teased you, it meant they liked you. We are familiar with the boy sitting behind the girl in school and the boy dunked the girl's pigtail in the inkwell. It was obvious the boy liked the girl and wanted to get to know her better. It seems we have a need to educate our children to understand these differences, and to know what to do in a situation where bullying takes place.
"Let brotherly love continue." Hebrew 13:1
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written: "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord
Romans 12:17-19
The sermon I heard today at church was titled: "Repay no one evil for evil."
Bullying was mentioned. We have heard a lot about bullying in the newspapers and on TV lately. Often the person who is bullied has a handicap that sets them apart from others. One child says unkind things to another. Sometimes even hitting them or throwing something at them.
There could be may reasons one child bullies another child. Often the bully has been abused at home and hitting another is his way of retaliating. Real damage can be done; not only to the physical body, but it can cause mental anguish as well.
As a child growing up when someone teased you, it meant they liked you. We are familiar with the boy sitting behind the girl in school and the boy dunked the girl's pigtail in the inkwell. It was obvious the boy liked the girl and wanted to get to know her better. It seems we have a need to educate our children to understand these differences, and to know what to do in a situation where bullying takes place.
"Let brotherly love continue." Hebrew 13:1
Friday, September 6, 2013
Patience
We have created for ourselves instant lifestyles, like wireless phones and wireless computers. If things don't happen right now we get impatience.
Sometimes my computer don't work fast enough and when this happens I tend to give it more instructions, one after another and then if slows down even more. What I need is a little patience.
Have you ever put new license plates on your car? The screws are too tight to loosen, the hole doesn't line up for the screws. How about the vehicle registration sticker? If you get a corner just right, it will peel right off, but then what to do with the gooey mess left on the windshield. What I need is a little patience.
I always get in the longest line at the grocery store or the bank, and the wait seems endless. What I need is a little patience.
The Metroplex population keeps growing and so does the traffic. A long wait at a traffic light or waiting for a train to pass, or work on the road or a car wreck means I need a little patience.
We get impatience even with God, especially when we are undergoing a trial. When God wants to make a giant oak he takes many years. Yet, we wonder, if He can create something out of nothing in an instant, why doesn't He act? Maybe, when our patience is being stretched, we are being given an opportunity to expand. There is a 'right time' to bring us to maturity and a strong faith. We read in the scriptures:
"We can rejoice when we run into problems and trials for we know that they are good for us, they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady," Romans 5:3-5 Living Bible
Sometimes my computer don't work fast enough and when this happens I tend to give it more instructions, one after another and then if slows down even more. What I need is a little patience.
Have you ever put new license plates on your car? The screws are too tight to loosen, the hole doesn't line up for the screws. How about the vehicle registration sticker? If you get a corner just right, it will peel right off, but then what to do with the gooey mess left on the windshield. What I need is a little patience.
I always get in the longest line at the grocery store or the bank, and the wait seems endless. What I need is a little patience.
The Metroplex population keeps growing and so does the traffic. A long wait at a traffic light or waiting for a train to pass, or work on the road or a car wreck means I need a little patience.
We get impatience even with God, especially when we are undergoing a trial. When God wants to make a giant oak he takes many years. Yet, we wonder, if He can create something out of nothing in an instant, why doesn't He act? Maybe, when our patience is being stretched, we are being given an opportunity to expand. There is a 'right time' to bring us to maturity and a strong faith. We read in the scriptures:
"We can rejoice when we run into problems and trials for we know that they are good for us, they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady," Romans 5:3-5 Living Bible
Saturday, July 27, 2013
FEAR/FAITH
I was given a book on grieving when my husband died. This quote by C.S. Lewis caught by attention: "No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear."
It seems fear embraces us when we meet grief. It was fear that knocked at my door. Fear of the unknown. What will happen tomorrow, next week, next year. I found fear was ruling my life, intruding into every situation.
It was fear that whispered advice while trying make decisions. It was robbing me of much needed sleep.
FEAR masquerades in countless forms and under many names: Doubt, Indecision, Procrastination, and Anxiety.
FAITH too assumes other shapes and names, but FAITH is real, fear is shadow. FAITH met in prayer with the Almighty enabled me to say goodby to fear. FAITH supported me as confidence in myself.
Many years ago , Ralph Beebe saw these words written over the fireplace of the Hind's Head Hotel in Bray-0n-Thames, not far from London: "Fear knocked at the door, FAITH answered. No one was there."
I have learned to keep FAITH as a constant companion. When fear knocks at my door I send FAITH to answer. FAITH dissolves the shadow of fear that would blot my every thought and action.
"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear." I John 5:18
It seems fear embraces us when we meet grief. It was fear that knocked at my door. Fear of the unknown. What will happen tomorrow, next week, next year. I found fear was ruling my life, intruding into every situation.
It was fear that whispered advice while trying make decisions. It was robbing me of much needed sleep.
FEAR masquerades in countless forms and under many names: Doubt, Indecision, Procrastination, and Anxiety.
FAITH too assumes other shapes and names, but FAITH is real, fear is shadow. FAITH met in prayer with the Almighty enabled me to say goodby to fear. FAITH supported me as confidence in myself.
Many years ago , Ralph Beebe saw these words written over the fireplace of the Hind's Head Hotel in Bray-0n-Thames, not far from London: "Fear knocked at the door, FAITH answered. No one was there."
I have learned to keep FAITH as a constant companion. When fear knocks at my door I send FAITH to answer. FAITH dissolves the shadow of fear that would blot my every thought and action.
"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear." I John 5:18
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