Dec
17
2014
I had to remind myself of the scripture that says, ‘Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger.’ My wife kept complaining I was interrupting her all the time. And I thought of that passage from the bible and it gave me a weapon to help me to stop doing that. It was a bad habit I had and now I had a way to stop doing it. It would not be easy, though. I would have to work at it.
Apr
2
2013
His gift is free as it states in the first two lines of Isaiah 55 in the Old Testament: ‘Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy wine and milk without money and with out price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?…’
I know all too well what those lines mean. So many times I become consumed with the wrong things, that really don’t matter in the long run. And I have to come back to Him. He is the only gift that truly matters. And He is free. You just have to accept Him. He loves you and will not force you to come to him. He is a free gift.
Mar
6
2013
Every person has a different cross to bear. In Paul’s case (from the New Testament) it was his ‘thorn in the flesh’ God would not remove despite his fervent prayers. Sometimes prayers will resolve a situation or physical infirmity but sometimes not. His answer is, “No.” Every person has something different to deal with. Sometimes, also, we create our own hell. And sometimes it is not our fault. It is our unique situation. It could be fractured relationships. Maybe, a mom or dad or sibling or friend or mate. We can not even compare ourselves to someone else. That really does not help. Everyone has problems. That is the way it is. Every person has a different cross to bear. It is really out of our hands. All you can do is pray. And change what is in your power to change. And leave the rest up to Him. Everything is by grace.
Jan
12
2013
My brother-in-law says face the ‘light’ not the darkness. It is too easy to get lost in the darkness. It envelopes us, discourages us. The devil does exist. And he likes keeping us in the darkness. We lose our way, our focus so face the light. Focus on the truth, which is always found in the light. We know what side is going to win in the end. The devil uses his darkness to deceive us. The bible says and this is a paraphrase, center on the good that is out there. And focus on that. Don’t get lost in the darkness. Focus on the light. He will show you the way. And direct your path.
Aug
9
2012
God does not owe you anything. Everything is by His grace. All He promises you is food or shelter. He often gives you gifts beyond that. It says in the bible that when you pray, you do so with a spirit of thankfulness. Otherwise you are this person who tells the Person upstairs I want this or that. When you pray with a spirit of thankfulness, you appreciate the gifts He has given you. And there is less and more in this world. That is why when you have the ability to help someone in anyway and you turn your back on that person, you have committed a sin. You are not able to help everyone, but, nevertheless, The Lord puts people in your immediate circle who need your help. It does not matter what it is. Each person has the ability to alleviate someone’s suffering. It may be a kind word or even just a smile. You do not live in a vacuum. It is true God does not owe you anything but never forget you can impact others around you. And that gift might have a ripple effect in our universe. Never give up the power you have. The power of one.
Apr
3
2012
I knew why I was depressed but that was not enough. There were too many things I had no control of. My life felt out of control and somehow I had to grab some control back or things would not change. I would remain depressed.
There were too many things. I did not know where to start or begin. There is somewhere to start. The present. Somehow you have to listen to what your current concerns are saying. That is always a beginning. And then move on to your next set of concerns after you deal with them. Nothing occurs in a vacuum.
There is a reason the bible says, ‘Do not worry about tomorrow but focus on today. Each day has enough trouble of its own.’ A slight paraphrase but it is the essence. Take care of what is more pressing each day.
As far as depression, take care of the major things one by one–the things you have some control of. It is like peeling an onion: there is always another layer. Gradually the depression will lift. Depression is an indicator something needs to be dealt with. One by one.
Feb
24
2012
Sometimes the answer (from God) Is No. No matter how badly we want the answer to be yes. We don’t understand why we suffer. Often there is just silence. And other times it is a definite No. Otherwise He would be just this person who we just ask to do this or that. His purposes are beyond our understanding. He does choose to heal. But not in every instance. Even Paul prayed that God take away his ‘thorn in his flesh’. And He didn’t. If you ask the question why, there is often no answer. And if you keep asking that question, it will only torment you. Sometimes the answer from God is no, no matter how fervently you pray.
Dec
26
2011
I don’t have to stockpile: God will always provide for our needs. It says in the Bible He will only provide food and shelter. I don’t need a backup for every item I use in the house. I was making a list and there was no need to buy everything on that list. I crossed off some items I will not run out of immediately. I am reminded of a parable Jesus related: a farmer had an exceptional crop and built even greater storage bins and Jesus said something to the effect that you will not be around to enjoy the fruits of your crops. He wants you today. Your time has run out. You have to have faith God will provide for your needs and sometimes He will do it a day at a time. When God provided food for the people who Moses led out of Egypt, the manna could only be used that day. You had to have faith He would provide more food the next day. I do not have to stockpile my goods. ‘Give us our daily bread’ the psalm says. A day at a time. That is all we can pray for that God provide for our needs a day at a time.
Jul
12
2011
‘Give us each day our daily bread.’ (from the Lord’s Prayer) (in the New Testament). We are to pray that each day Jesus will give us what we need. We have to take one day at a time. And do not look too far ahead.
Yes, God will provide for our needs. One day at a time. We have to deal with each day as it comes. That is all we can pray for–each day that the Lord gives us. Each day is a gift. Food and shelter; that is all He promises us. And He does that a day at a time. That is how we have to pray–each day at a time. ‘Give us each day our daily bread.’
Jun
28
2011
‘The poor man thinks money will buy his happiness, the rich man knows it won’t.’ The first time I heard that said it was my pastor (and friend) who told me that. I am sure it was not his original words. It is true when you are struggling to pay your bills it is a common illusion. And not being able to put food on your table is certainly anxiety provoking. Money can’t replace your sense of purpose. It is true sometimes your job is a good fit.
You always wonder how it would be not to worry about money. King Solomon was the richest man in the world, had it all, lacked for nothing and all he could say in the book he wrote was, ‘Vanity, everything is vanity.’ Riches can not buy peace of mind. If you read Ecclesiastes, the book he is credited with writing in the Bible, and do not read the ending; you miss the whole point. In it he said the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord. Every person needs a relationship with the Almighty. It all come down to that. Money never satisfies. Ask the billionaire who can buy anything whether money can buy him happiness. I think you know the answer.
Mar
24
2011
Nothing is more precious than your name. When that become tarnished, it becomes very difficult to get back. Your reputation is everything.
Proverbs in the Bible says your name is more precious than all the money in the world. That is a paraphrase but an accurate one.
You spend a lifetime building up a reputation and have to guard it with your life. There is nothing you own that is more important than your name. Your integrity is everything.
And there is no greater test to it than when things go wrong. Do you handle problems face on and do not become defensive or give excuses when you make a mistake. It matters.
To me the greatest test of a company (like a person) is when things go wrong. Do you associate the name of the company with respect and integrity to the customer they serve.
Companies spend a lifetime building their name so you associate the company with courtesy and respect and trust. Their name (like your individual name) is everything so be very careful of your reputation. It is everything.
Mar
6
2011
“Thou Shall Not Covet’ is one of the ten commandments. There is a reason for that. It only makes us unhappy to covet. There is less and more in this world. No two people have the exact possessions (or talents for that matter). Coveting what someone has be what it may only gets in the way.
To be satisfied with what one has brings peace of mind. Each person is a snowflake with an unique set of qualities (and possessions). It is our gift to enjoy what God brings to us including the most precious of all our gifts–our time.
There is always more and less in this world. That is the way it always has been. We are commanded to share what we have with the less fortunate. And it is a sin when we don’t. Hoarding is always wrong. When you see someone in need and you walk away and it was in your power to help that person, you have done something wrong.
Coveting only brings you discontent. And being satisfied with what the Lord has given you brings you peace of mind. That is why ‘Though Shall Not Covet’ is one of the ten commandments.
Copyright © 2009 - Siggy's Blurbs: Siggy's Edge of Country … | Entries (RSS) | Comments (RSS)
WordPress theme by 
9th sphere website design