1 Cor. 5:6 ~ “Your flip and callous arrogance in these things bothers me. You pass it off as a small thing, but it's anything but that.” Oh God, please show me, show us, show this generation, where we are sarcastic in style, arrogant in attitude. We don’t have to live in a witch hunt for our sins, just listen and linger and rally and read His Word and let the Word read your heart.
I Cor 6:12 ~ “Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.” Technically Legal---Spiritually Inappropriate. Not by fear, not by insecurity, not by want, not by loneliness. No, I will embrace my loss and push into the center of my soul facing my fears and aloneness. Is my desire for God greater than my desire to manage my fears and failures? Yes, by His Beautiful Wild Grace. For I Cor 6:20 says “You were bought with a price.” Unbelievable.
1 Cor. 7:17~ “And don't be wishing you were someplace else or with someone else. Where you are right now is God's place for you. Live and obey and love and believe right there.” Here is another admonition to live in the present moment. What veils our minds and hearts that makes us live irritated, aggravated, put out, bored, negative. Live tall. Love deeply.
1 Cor. 7:29-32 ~ “I do want to point out, friends, that time is of the essence. There is no time to waste, so don't complicate your lives unnecessarily. Keep it simple —in marriage, grief, joy, whatever. Even in ordinary things—your daily routines of shopping, and so on. Deal as sparingly as possible with the things the world thrusts on you.”
Change me! 66 LL says God has not promised to protect me from what scares the daylights out of me or provide me with what I think I need to trust Him. God has promised to change me, to make me able to love God and others NO MATTER what goes on in me or in my life, no matter how bad!
1 Cor. 5:6 ~ “Your flip and callous arrogance in these things bothers me. You pass it off as a small thing, but it's anything but that.” Details matter to God. It’s seems easier to ignore the little things, but like yeast, they become big and contaminate the rest of us. I know we’re not to get bogged down in the small stuff, but when we become aware of its destructiveness, it’s time to take care of it.
ReplyDelete1 Cor. 6:12 ~ “Just because something is technically legal doesn't mean that it's spiritually appropriate.” God’s laws trump man’s, His standards are higher. We have a greater freedom and therefore, a greater responsibility. I used to tell my kids, “With freedom comes responsibility.” It goes for me, too!
1 Cor. 7:17~ “And don't be wishing you were someplace else or with someone else. Where you are right now is God's place for you. Live and obey and love and believe right there.” Bloom where you are planted, as Mary Engelbreit says. God has a purpose for us right where we are. There’s a guy that waves to everyone each morning on the way to work. He smiles and waves to each car—if there are four, he bows low and waves, raises a bit, and waves, raises a bit more and waves until he is upright waving at the last car. If you wave back, he blows a kiss and says thank you. You know, it seems crazy, but he’s there every morning. He knows he may be the only smile someone sees that day. And he’s been a bright spot in our day. He makes the best of where he is, and all to the glory of God. That’s all it’s about really anyway.
1 Cor. 7:29-32 ~ “I do want to point out, friends, that time is of the essence. There is no time to waste, so don't complicate your lives unnecessarily. Keep it simple —in marriage, grief, joy, whatever. Even in ordinary things—your daily routines of shopping, and so on. Deal as sparingly as possible with the things the world thrusts on you. This world as you see it is on its way out. I want you to live as free of complications as possible.” I need to hear that this time of year especially. Keep it simple in the daily routines, in marriage expectations, in joys, in the ordinary and extraordinary. Live unencumbered.
I am a little concerned about you all. Things sure are quiet on the Pearl front lately. Hope it’s just the busyness of life and not more serious. If you get a chance, post a little update on how you are.
Same here...was wondering how everyone is doing.
ReplyDeleteWe moved or should I say Bob moved me when I was in Israel into our new little home for a bit. I cannot find anything. You know how it is when a man moves all your stuff---smile. Seriously, please pray for me cause I cannot apply for a job without my calendar book that has all my passwords in it and I have looked for hours trying to find it. I'll find the rest of the stuff slowly but there are a couple of things I need right away. Our home is in order and the trees are up but the boxes in the garage remain packed.
Cici, looking forward to seeing you on Saturday at my birthday party!
Michele, how was yours??? Did you ever get my letter that I wrote you for your birthday---can't find it and don't remember sending it to Rod.
Annette, you are so faithful. God loves it! Thank you my friend!
Thanks for the sweet text Deborah. So, how is everyone???
My Israel trip really stirred me to move into the center of my soul---my fears, my aloneness. It was terribly good. Drawn to the heart of God!
Praying right now that God will lead you to the essentials that you need to apply for a job. Thankful you have such a good husband to set everything up while you were gone. I can tell from your posts on your trip that God was moving and speaking to you. Wow is all that I can say. I pray that the b'day party will be extra special to you and for you...blessings on your day...Mary Lou
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary Lou, faithful friend. God has just plopped you down into my life and your words always mean so much to me.
ReplyDeleteCars, cells, chargers, computers, cameras and cords are all on the blink over here. All the C's in the Brandon household. What's up with electronics over here?? Wait, don't pray for the electronics, pray for the user---that would be me---that I desire God and His holiness more than figuring things out over here. I am so committed to my own well being. And HE is so committed to making me free!
I have posted at least 3 times today and I think maybe this comment might get through :)
Sounds good, I like to read your blog, just added to my favorites ;).
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