Friday, 31 August 2012
Aug 31 FB post (Scott)
Lord I thank you today for your goodness and that all I need is you, I love you
Hebrews 13:5-6
The Message (MSG)
Don't be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, "I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you," we can boldly quote,
God is there, ready to help; I'm fearless no matter what.
Who or what can get to me?
Sunday, 26 August 2012
Our Journey as at Aug 26, 2012 (Scott)
Aug 26 update
Our journey over the last year with my cancer and Elizabeth’s health related issues has been difficult to say the least. It has had benefits though such as drawing our little family of 4 together and increasing our faith. The down side is the burden carrying these things can be and the impact it can have on our emotions. I have stru
ggled with my emotions and have recently been diagnosed with being mildly depressed. I am on my maximum prescription for this. The doctor recommended in order, therapy, exercise and possibly switching meds (last resort, he would prefer I be off of them). It’s very hard to feel like exercise when you feel somewhat defeated. Satan of course is persistent and wants me to feel defeated. Recently I have developed a rash, which also can be a symptom of my cancer spreading to the skin. Things we would appreciate prayer for;
- For friend support for Eliz and I, and us together (people to confide in, trust, encourage us, do fun things with etc.)……to journey with us (to help carry each other’s burdens as God intended as opposed to allowing Satan to use them)
- For me as I deal with my depression, that it would be overcome…..that my stubborn battle spirit would return
- For me as I see the doctor about this rash
- That God’s name will be glorified and our faith increased
- Praise for our awesome kids and a God that puts up with our short comings
Our journey over the last year with my cancer and Elizabeth’s health related issues has been difficult to say the least. It has had benefits though such as drawing our little family of 4 together and increasing our faith. The down side is the burden carrying these things can be and the impact it can have on our emotions. I have stru
ggled with my emotions and have recently been diagnosed with being mildly depressed. I am on my maximum prescription for this. The doctor recommended in order, therapy, exercise and possibly switching meds (last resort, he would prefer I be off of them). It’s very hard to feel like exercise when you feel somewhat defeated. Satan of course is persistent and wants me to feel defeated. Recently I have developed a rash, which also can be a symptom of my cancer spreading to the skin. Things we would appreciate prayer for;
- For friend support for Eliz and I, and us together (people to confide in, trust, encourage us, do fun things with etc.)……to journey with us (to help carry each other’s burdens as God intended as opposed to allowing Satan to use them)
- For me as I deal with my depression, that it would be overcome…..that my stubborn battle spirit would return
- For me as I see the doctor about this rash
- That God’s name will be glorified and our faith increased
- Praise for our awesome kids and a God that puts up with our short comings
Saturday, 25 August 2012
God says, give me the straight goods
Aug 25 FB post
God says, give me the straight goods, don’t dress up your communication. Below are some verses that remind me of how my communication should be with God and others “the straight goods, no fluffy stuff”. It’s a good reminder; we live in a world that manipulates with words, a world that tries not to hurt, but often does by not being straight up.
James 5:12And since you know that he cares, let your
language show it. Don't add words like "I swear to God" to your own words. Don't show your impatience by concocting oaths to hurry up God. Just say yes or no. Just say what is true. That way, your language can't be used against you.
Mathew 33-37"And don't say anything you don't mean. This counsel is embedded deep in our traditions. You only make things worse when you lay down a smoke screen of pious talk, saying, 'I'll pray for you,' and never doing it, or saying, 'God be with you,' and not meaning it. You don't make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace. In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes less true. Just say 'yes' and 'no.' When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong.
God says, give me the straight goods, don’t dress up your communication. Below are some verses that remind me of how my communication should be with God and others “the straight goods, no fluffy stuff”. It’s a good reminder; we live in a world that manipulates with words, a world that tries not to hurt, but often does by not being straight up.
James 5:12And since you know that he cares, let your
language show it. Don't add words like "I swear to God" to your own words. Don't show your impatience by concocting oaths to hurry up God. Just say yes or no. Just say what is true. That way, your language can't be used against you.
Mathew 33-37"And don't say anything you don't mean. This counsel is embedded deep in our traditions. You only make things worse when you lay down a smoke screen of pious talk, saying, 'I'll pray for you,' and never doing it, or saying, 'God be with you,' and not meaning it. You don't make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace. In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes less true. Just say 'yes' and 'no.' When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong.
Sunday, 19 August 2012
Which is more accurate, GPS or Holy Spirit?
Aug 19 FB post
GPS, ever get frustrated with yours? Does the voice become irritating? Have you nicknamed yours lovingly or in frustration? If you have named it after your spouse, that could be bad. Elizabeth and I have sometimes relied too much on ours. One time when in Florida we keyed in what we thought was a local Wal-Mart and it took us to a very bare section of land. Other times it has taken us on very indi
rect paths. Recently we have begun checking it against a map to ensure we are being led properly.
Perhaps you are reading this and thinking, man this dude needs a better GPS.
Anyhow I was thinking about this on our recent vacation, I was reminded of a more accurate GPS, God’s Personal Spirit. I was challenged with the fact that I need to take care of my heart, I need to make sure God is first in order to get the most out of my spiritual GPS (the Holy Spirit). Am I doing the things I need to do to nurture my relationship with God and so that I am sensitive and obedient to the Spirits voice. It’s certainly not something I have perfected, how about you?
GPS, ever get frustrated with yours? Does the voice become irritating? Have you nicknamed yours lovingly or in frustration? If you have named it after your spouse, that could be bad. Elizabeth and I have sometimes relied too much on ours. One time when in Florida we keyed in what we thought was a local Wal-Mart and it took us to a very bare section of land. Other times it has taken us on very indi
rect paths. Recently we have begun checking it against a map to ensure we are being led properly.
Perhaps you are reading this and thinking, man this dude needs a better GPS.
Anyhow I was thinking about this on our recent vacation, I was reminded of a more accurate GPS, God’s Personal Spirit. I was challenged with the fact that I need to take care of my heart, I need to make sure God is first in order to get the most out of my spiritual GPS (the Holy Spirit). Am I doing the things I need to do to nurture my relationship with God and so that I am sensitive and obedient to the Spirits voice. It’s certainly not something I have perfected, how about you?
Sunday, 12 August 2012
The Olympics.....the spiritual kind
Aug 12 2012 FB post
The Olympics….many of us have watched at least some of them. We have seen the triumphs and the disappointments. It reminds me of another kind of Olympics. In 1985 I joined an Olympics by committing my life to Christ.
Our lives are many times like Olympic events. We experience highs and lows. We, figuratively speaking, get scraped knees, pulled muscles, etc. I feel for the hurdlers who fall, I di
d that and it really hurts. This past year I have felt like a runner running on fumes, and yet I am reminded of some important verses;
Proverbs 3:11/12 (perhaps we have fallen and need to be reminded that)
My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in
Hebrews 12:1 (perhaps we need to be encouraged)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,
1 Cor 9:24
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
2 Cor 12:9 (perhaps we need his grace and strength to continue)
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. ” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
As Christians let’s run the most important race of our lives and encourage each other along the way. If a brother or sister drops the baton, let’s stop and help them pick it up.
Mathew 22:38/9 (perhaps we need others to help us along the way)
This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.
The Olympics….many of us have watched at least some of them. We have seen the triumphs and the disappointments. It reminds me of another kind of Olympics. In 1985 I joined an Olympics by committing my life to Christ.
Our lives are many times like Olympic events. We experience highs and lows. We, figuratively speaking, get scraped knees, pulled muscles, etc. I feel for the hurdlers who fall, I di
d that and it really hurts. This past year I have felt like a runner running on fumes, and yet I am reminded of some important verses;
Proverbs 3:11/12 (perhaps we have fallen and need to be reminded that)
My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in
Hebrews 12:1 (perhaps we need to be encouraged)
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,
1 Cor 9:24
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
2 Cor 12:9 (perhaps we need his grace and strength to continue)
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. ” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
As Christians let’s run the most important race of our lives and encourage each other along the way. If a brother or sister drops the baton, let’s stop and help them pick it up.
Mathew 22:38/9 (perhaps we need others to help us along the way)
This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.
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