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.
Saturday, 28 July 2012
My Journey as at July 28, 2012 (Scott)
July 28
My Journey continued, at 41 I am coming out of the closet,
This book ``Enemies of the Heart``, has been a great read for me, Andy Stanley does a superb job of reviewing how a person’s heart should be cared for. Personally I have propped myself up emotionally for too long. You can live on adrenalin and Ruppert stubbornness only for so long. Looking back I didn’t
communicate things (my hurts) that I should have to my best friend (my beautiful wife) when her focus was her recovery (2005 to 2008). I didn’t know how to, we had different memories of her illness and I didn’t want to negatively impact her healing process. Then she was sick again (2009). I became a deacon in 2008, a manager at work in 2008 and elder in 2009. The burden inside didn’t lighten with these added responsibilities. Being an elder didn`t help, it can be like having really bad gas, but not being able to fart to get relief, or a never ending game of really bad ping pong. Results don`t come fast, things are debated at length and you are very limited in what impact you can have, or at least I felt that way. Elizabeth was hospitalized 3 more times from late 2010 to early 2011. The unspoken fears for my wife’s health and my family`s future built up inside along with the everyday stuff. By this time I had supressed a lot and then I was told what I had always wanted to hear, well not really, I had made the NHL. Only issue was this was a different kind of NHL (non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma). By now the emotional hurt and exhaustion was a huge snowball of hurt within. Even little things provoked me. As my son says ``it isn’t pretty when you’re mad dad``. You may ask why Scott is sharing this, why am I coming out of the closet now. Well I believe in learning from people’s mistakes and since I consider myself somewhat normal, I suspect others also supress their feelings. It`s pretty normal, especially in the Elmira area. A former pastor who is not from our area once said to me that we Elmira locals sure keep our cards close to our chest.
So as Andy says in his book, how is your heart? Am I, or are you dealing with stuff that needs to be dealt with on an ongoing basis. Like usual I am learning the hard way, but I am learning slowly. It`s great that God is patient. On the emotional mend, and thanks for family and good freinds, Scott.
My Journey continued, at 41 I am coming out of the closet,
This book ``Enemies of the Heart``, has been a great read for me, Andy Stanley does a superb job of reviewing how a person’s heart should be cared for. Personally I have propped myself up emotionally for too long. You can live on adrenalin and Ruppert stubbornness only for so long. Looking back I didn’t
communicate things (my hurts) that I should have to my best friend (my beautiful wife) when her focus was her recovery (2005 to 2008). I didn’t know how to, we had different memories of her illness and I didn’t want to negatively impact her healing process. Then she was sick again (2009). I became a deacon in 2008, a manager at work in 2008 and elder in 2009. The burden inside didn’t lighten with these added responsibilities. Being an elder didn`t help, it can be like having really bad gas, but not being able to fart to get relief, or a never ending game of really bad ping pong. Results don`t come fast, things are debated at length and you are very limited in what impact you can have, or at least I felt that way. Elizabeth was hospitalized 3 more times from late 2010 to early 2011. The unspoken fears for my wife’s health and my family`s future built up inside along with the everyday stuff. By this time I had supressed a lot and then I was told what I had always wanted to hear, well not really, I had made the NHL. Only issue was this was a different kind of NHL (non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma). By now the emotional hurt and exhaustion was a huge snowball of hurt within. Even little things provoked me. As my son says ``it isn’t pretty when you’re mad dad``. You may ask why Scott is sharing this, why am I coming out of the closet now. Well I believe in learning from people’s mistakes and since I consider myself somewhat normal, I suspect others also supress their feelings. It`s pretty normal, especially in the Elmira area. A former pastor who is not from our area once said to me that we Elmira locals sure keep our cards close to our chest.
So as Andy says in his book, how is your heart? Am I, or are you dealing with stuff that needs to be dealt with on an ongoing basis. Like usual I am learning the hard way, but I am learning slowly. It`s great that God is patient. On the emotional mend, and thanks for family and good freinds, Scott.
July 28 FB post (Scott)
Lord God, as a man I long to be understood, I long to be what you want me to be. As I read and study I am understanding more and more that only you can fill that void, only you completely understand me and what you have allowed me to experience and only your grace and mercy is sufficient for me. While you want me to strive to live for you, it needs to be balanced with the fact that I need to be surrendered to your mercy, grace and power working through me rather than churning so hard to receive these gifts. I love you Lord and thank you that you are a forgiving and merciful God.
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