Posted on January 11, 2011 at 8:10am.
What if forgiveness cost you dearly? That was the case for a man by the name of Philemon. His slave Onesimus had stolen from him and had runaway. Paul encounters Onesumus and he becomes a Christian. Now the tough part, Paul asks Philemon to forgive.
He could command him to forgive but “for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you”. Paul saw that forgiveness runs much deeper than a demand to obey, it comes from a heart of love. By the way, the slave Onesimus, who had been useless his name literally means - useful.
Posted on January 10, 2011 at 9:35am.
OK, snow on Christmas Day is one thing, it is beautiful and magical - but enough. Once again I am sitting in my study at home looking out at the snow covered ground (this is the South after all). Beyond all the obvious, it is a picture of just how little we are in control. You planned for the kids to go to school and they are home. You had a flight and it probably is canceled or at least delayed. What is true with the weather is also true in our lives so we learn to trust the Lord. Maybe a little snow can actually help me learn to trust God with other issues in my life.
Posted on January 6, 2011 at 9:05am.
I have been involved with three funerals over the past two weeks. The circumstances ranged from sudden to expected which in a sense doesn’t even matter. Death is hard and the grief is the same. There is however something else I observed and that is the outpouring of love. As one who has had a front row seat I have watched people love and care for each other. It is a tender and good thing. I have also walked away hoping that we love each other in life as well as we sometimes do in death. Don’t wait to show or tell someone you love them - do it today.
Posted on January 4, 2011 at 7:20am.
Mark pointed out to me recently how much of the New Testament letters to churches deal with how we love and treat each other. Maybe it would better be said, how hard it is to love each other and often what a poor job we do. I am sure if we sat and had a cup of coffee the reasons for why that is would be many. We make assumptions, we say things with a certain tone, we interpret through our own insecurities and the list goes on. At the end of the day all those reasons (or excuses) don’t change this truth:
“...rather serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” - Galatians 5:13, 14
Posted on January 3, 2011 at 7:36am.
I had a friend ask me this morning how my holidays were. I found myself hesitating as I sought to answer him. My Christmas and the past several days have been a microcosm of life. The days have been filled with joy and sadness, laughter and tears, highs and lows. As I am writing this blog, I find myself looking at the words of Solomon, as he reflects on life, in the Book of Ecclesiastes:
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to dies, a time to plant and a time to uproot, ...a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, ...”
The key to me is to live in the moment God has given you and believe he will give you the grace you need for whatever season you are in.
