I read the hours today. Also we listen to psalm 127 in class today:
1 Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. 2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat-- for he grants sleep to those he loves. 3 Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him. 4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. 5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.
I am reading through John. Some stuff that sticks out to me:
I love all the imagery in John; the sacrificed lamb, the lamb that takes away sins for not just Jews but the whole world
Principle of Abiding: Ch 1 v. 38, 39 John and 2 disciples saw Jesus walking nearby John said "there he is Gods Passover Lamb." The 2 disciples heard him and went after Jesus. Jesus looked over his shoulder and said to them "what are you after?" They said "Rabbi, where are you staying?" He replied "come along and see for yourself." The came, saw where he was living, and ended up staying with him for the day.
Ch 2 v23 during the time he was in Jerusalem, those days of the Passover Feast, many people noticed the signs he was displaying and, seeing they pointed straight to God, entrusted their lives to him. But Jesus didn't entrust his life to them. He knew them inside and out, knew how untrustworthy they were. He didn’t need any help in seeing right through them. I need a little help on this one...what does it mean he didn’t entrust his life to them??
Ch. 4 I have some thought/questions about the women at the well. In that story what interests me is in v. 23-24 your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That’s the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship....
I think another version says "for such the Father seeks"
It’s meaningful to me that it says the Father is "out looking" or "seeks"
Anyway I may have more questions that answers right now, but reading John is good.
Mandy- I too am going through John...I knew someone else was going through it, so I thought, why not? As far as 2 Vs 23....my Life Application bible says, "The son of God knows all about human nature." It quotes from Jeremiah 17:9, "The human heart is most deceitful and wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?" Jesus was discerning and knew that some of the followers faith was superficial. I also read about the woman at the well. I am always moved by the living water images and the void that it fills....never to be thirsty again. I also did a lectio on Matthew 2:1-12. I was touched with how the Magi saw the star, and followed it. We too must look for the star and choose to follow it. Do I daily follow Him? If we do, we are led straight to Him. It's when I allow my own stuff and busy life to get in the way, that He becomes more distant to me. It is so good to read about what you are up to also, because it feels more important than ever to stay attached to the vine.
had another great time reading this morning. i was wrestling through this joy thing again, and really asking how do you truly find joy in the midst of a really difficult season.
Is. 1.25 says this: i will turn my hand against you, i will thourougly pure away your dross and remove all your impurities. i will restore...afterwards you will be called, city of righteousness, the faithful city.
it was cool to think about the idea that during this difficult season, God is purging my impurities in so many ways, and that idea should bring a little bit of joy into this situation. also the idea that eventually, when the time is right, he will restore...
I prayed the divine hours online this morning because I was too lazy to do the real BCP version - takes too long.
Then I listened to a Tim Keel sermon online, it was nice just to be still and listen for awhile. He talked about God enlarging our hearts. I realized that my heart is small for some of the things for which God's heart is large.
I started a lectio today on forgiveness which was interrupted by a dancing butterfly princess. So, after she danced away I started a book I have about mothers of the Bible. I am needing some guidance and support in that area so I am hoping to find something in this book.
Had a good time praying the hours this morning. Took extra time to think about Mt. 6..."don't worry about your life."
One of my favorite prayers in the Divine Hours - it seems really timely:
"Almighty and everlating God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen."
Enjoyed time in my "It All Goes Back in the Box" book. Ortberg talked about how we try to hang on and be "Master of the Board" when we really need to choose to let go and how we will keep making the same mistakes when we are in control instead of God. I've also started the Christmas section of the Relentless Tenerness of Jesus. Love it!
- I’ve been sick this week. When I’m sick I turn into a baby and expect the whole world to cater to my needs. Really that usually just means I expect Kristin to cater to my needs…not good.
- I’ve been blowing off one of my friends because I don’t want to deal with some tension in our relationship. I know I should just deal with it head on but I use the lame excuse that I don’t have the “energy” for it right now in order to avoid it.
- I’ve been really convicted about my pride this week. Several things that happened sort of humbled me and it has reminded me that humility is such an essential thing to the Christian life. My confession is that I’m much more proud than I am humble.
- I’ve been extremely judgmental this week. Several times I caught myself just totally ripping on other people in my own mind – like I’m so much better than anyone else?
- My prayers were often hollow this week. I mostly went through the motions and hurried them.
i wasted an incredible amount of time last night. From 8pm until 12i was watching tv (the office, a basketball game, austin powers movie) and playing online pacman. staying up too late made me completely unavailable to help allison this morning.
i am in a hurry all of the time. everything i do, no matter what i am doing, i feel rushed and am thinking about what i have to do next. i am rarely living in the moment.
i am wanting to buy a new putter (because i am missing way too many putts with my old one...its definately the putter, not my putting stroke) and i actually considered buying the scotty cameron (a top of the line, almost $300 putter). i have decided against it, but part of me still wants it. its amazing how consumeristic i am.
i feel asleep not once, but twice this week while reading in my chair doing sermon prep. i tried to blame it on my medication i'm taking, not my laziness.
I had an incredible experience today. Let's just start with whenever you spend time around Jim and Jennifer Schmidt for long you start to see what Jesus meant by being humbe servants. Our house group made the meal for Uplift today. We fried chicken at Falcon Valley and made cookies and the other "stuff" that goes with it. It was so cool to spend 3 hours doing something for someone else. It was great to spend the time watching our kids really get in to it. It was great knowing that the receivers of our effort would never know us or care about us...but that we did it anyway. It was great coming home smelling like a grease pit and feeling exhausted, but knowing that you really just did a very small peice of what Jesus desires on a daily basis. Serving others can be so selfish....because it is so rewarding. Hanging with Jim and Jennifer who think that they don't do enough is humbling. It was a great day.
each week we will have a new post through which to interact. you can post comments as often as you want under each week in order to share what you are reading, disciplines you are engaging in, or encouragement to each other.
12 comments:
I read the hours today. Also we listen to psalm 127 in class today:
1 Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. 2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat-- for he grants sleep to those he loves. 3 Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him. 4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. 5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.
I am reading through John. Some stuff that sticks out to me:
I love all the imagery in John; the sacrificed lamb, the lamb that takes away sins for not just Jews but the whole world
Principle of Abiding: Ch 1 v. 38, 39 John and 2 disciples saw Jesus walking nearby John said "there he is Gods Passover Lamb." The 2 disciples heard him and went after Jesus. Jesus looked over his shoulder and said to them "what are you after?" They said "Rabbi, where are you staying?" He replied "come along and see for yourself." The came, saw where he was living, and ended up staying with him for the day.
Ch 2 v23 during the time he was in Jerusalem, those days of the Passover Feast, many people noticed the signs he was displaying and, seeing they pointed straight to God, entrusted their lives to him. But Jesus didn't entrust his life to them. He knew them inside and out, knew how untrustworthy they were. He didn’t need any help in seeing right through them. I need a little help on this one...what does it mean he didn’t entrust his life to them??
Ch. 4 I have some thought/questions about the women at the well. In that story what interests me is in v. 23-24 your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That’s the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship....
I think another version says "for such the Father seeks"
It’s meaningful to me that it says the Father is "out looking" or "seeks"
Anyway I may have more questions that answers right now, but reading John is good.
Mandy- I too am going through John...I knew someone else was going through it, so I thought, why not? As far as 2 Vs 23....my Life Application bible says, "The son of God knows all about human nature." It quotes from Jeremiah 17:9, "The human heart is most deceitful and wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?" Jesus was discerning and knew that some of the followers faith was superficial.
I also read about the woman at the well. I am always moved by the living water images and the void that it fills....never to be thirsty again.
I also did a lectio on Matthew 2:1-12. I was touched with how the Magi saw the star, and followed it. We too must look for the star and choose to follow it. Do I daily follow Him? If we do, we are led straight to Him. It's when I allow my own stuff and busy life to get in the way, that He becomes more distant to me.
It is so good to read about what you are up to also, because it feels more important than ever to stay attached to the vine.
had another great time reading this morning. i was wrestling through this joy thing again, and really asking how do you truly find joy in the midst of a really difficult season.
Is. 1.25 says this: i will turn my hand against you, i will thourougly pure away your dross and remove all your impurities. i will restore...afterwards you will be called, city of righteousness, the faithful city.
it was cool to think about the idea that during this difficult season, God is purging my impurities in so many ways, and that idea should bring a little bit of joy into this situation. also the idea that eventually, when the time is right, he will restore...
eHey Guys,
I prayed the divine hours online this morning because I was too lazy to do the real BCP version - takes too long.
Then I listened to a Tim Keel sermon online, it was nice just to be still and listen for awhile. He talked about God enlarging our hearts. I realized that my heart is small for some of the things for which God's heart is large.
hello.
I started a lectio today on forgiveness which was interrupted by a dancing butterfly princess. So, after she danced away I started a book I have about mothers of the Bible. I am needing some guidance and support in that area so I am hoping to find something in this book.
Hopefully the lectio will go better tomorrow.
kd
Had a good time praying the hours this morning. Took extra time to think about Mt. 6..."don't worry about your life."
One of my favorite prayers in the Divine Hours - it seems really timely:
"Almighty and everlating God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen."
Enjoyed time in my "It All Goes Back in the Box" book. Ortberg talked about how we try to hang on and be "Master of the Board" when we really need to choose to let go and how we will keep making the same mistakes when we are in control instead of God. I've also started the Christmas section of the Relentless Tenerness of Jesus. Love it!
Friday Confessions:
- I’ve been sick this week. When I’m sick I turn into a baby and expect the whole world to cater to my needs. Really that usually just means I expect Kristin to cater to my needs…not good.
- I’ve been blowing off one of my friends because I don’t want to deal with some tension in our relationship. I know I should just deal with it head on but I use the lame excuse that I don’t have the “energy” for it right now in order to avoid it.
- I’ve been really convicted about my pride this week. Several things that happened sort of humbled me and it has reminded me that humility is such an essential thing to the Christian life. My confession is that I’m much more proud than I am humble.
- I’ve been extremely judgmental this week. Several times I caught myself just totally ripping on other people in my own mind – like I’m so much better than anyone else?
- My prayers were often hollow this week. I mostly went through the motions and hurried them.
Friday Confessions:
i wasted an incredible amount of time last night. From 8pm until 12i was watching tv (the office, a basketball game, austin powers movie) and playing online pacman. staying up too late made me completely unavailable to help allison this morning.
i am in a hurry all of the time. everything i do, no matter what i am doing, i feel rushed and am thinking about what i have to do next. i am rarely living in the moment.
i am wanting to buy a new putter (because i am missing way too many putts with my old one...its definately the putter, not my putting stroke) and i actually considered buying the scotty cameron (a top of the line, almost $300 putter). i have decided against it, but part of me still wants it. its amazing how consumeristic i am.
i feel asleep not once, but twice this week while reading in my chair doing sermon prep. i tried to blame it on my medication i'm taking, not my laziness.
Still reading John
Friday Confession:
I confess I was manipulative this week
I confess I tried to look smart in front of some people in an effort to impress
I confess I was lazy this week
I confess that I chose to read "Into the Wild" instead of my Bible today.
I confess I gave someone the finger on 435, really mature
I had an incredible experience today. Let's just start with whenever you spend time around Jim and Jennifer Schmidt for long you start to see what Jesus meant by being humbe servants. Our house group made the meal for Uplift today. We fried chicken at Falcon Valley and made cookies and the other "stuff" that goes with it. It was so cool to spend 3 hours doing something for someone else. It was great to spend the time watching our kids really get in to it. It was great knowing that the receivers of our effort would never know us or care about us...but that we did it anyway. It was great coming home smelling like a grease pit and feeling exhausted, but knowing that you really just did a very small peice of what Jesus desires on a daily basis. Serving others can be so selfish....because it is so rewarding. Hanging with Jim and Jennifer who think that they don't do enough is humbling. It was a great day.
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