I read this the other day:
Lord, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps. Discipline me, Lord, but only in due measure—not in your anger, or you will reduce me to nothing. — Jeremiah 10:23-24
…a bold prayer, in deed.
Re-post of a previous entry, as I recently pruned the yard.
This is always a good reminder…
Last Saturday, I completed the annual “pruning of the roses” task at home – not as dangerous as the “running of the bulls”, but I did have some good pokes from the thorns!
Some of the rose bushes and trees we have are pretty old (according to my neighbor, some were even transplanted years ago from his house). Some of them are younger, having been planted by us. In order to keep them healthy and flowering each year, they must be pruned – even if they look like they don’t need it…even if they have blooms right now.
Old or new, well-established or just-planted – each gets the same treatment.
What an amazing day yesterday – I’ll write about it at some point…I’m still processing it all.
One thing is certain:
My amazement never stops at how God constantly confirms
His love, care, direction, …
This song played several times yesterday and, this morning, I read the passage from Romans.
I was reading in First Thessalonians this morning and this verse in chapter one caught me:
3We [Paul, Silas and Timothy] continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. (NIV)
Um, ok…”caught” is probably not the best word. “Convicted” is probably more appropriate…
Mainly because at times, if I were honest, Paul may have phrased this a little differently about me (…maybe even you).
Maybe something like:
3We continually [lift you] before our God and Father [because of] your work produced by guilt, your labor prompted by obligation, and your endurance inspired by fear of our [gracious] Lord Jesus Christ [and the totally wrong thought you have that you’ve got to “bank” good things to make Him love you, accept you, and answer your prayers].
x
Oh, to be like the Thessalonians…
I have one of these on my desk. I’ve had it for a while, although it did get pushed to the back by magazines and papers (I have some piles…don’t judge me). As I was cleaning the desk the other day, I saw it and got to thinking about how, if we are honest with ourselves (and God), we would much rather have something like this in life than depend completely upon God or even come before Him in prayer.
We are in good company. In Mark 9:14-29, we see that Jesus’ disciples (the ones He picked to follow Him first), still occasionally defaulted to primarily relying on their own ability (sound familiar?). In this passage, we read that they couldn’t cast out a demon from a possessed child…and the crowds and the boy’s father are not happy. The bible doesn’t describe that scene, but can you imagine the disciple’s frustration and repeated attempts? Not to be sacrilegious, but the image of trying to start a lawnmower repeatedly comes to mind…
If you are not familiar with Andrew Peterson…get! On my way to work today, I queued up a shuffle of his CDs on the iPhone and heard an older song that I hadn’t heard in a while…just had to share. I hope this isn’t morbid, but I told my wife that I wanted this played at my memorial service.
DENNARR(dot)COM 