Author Archives: famtree2014

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March 7, 2014

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Church & Worship, Spiritual Gifts, Thanks & Praise

All Are Important in God’s House

But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then. [Mark 10:31 (NLT)]

Thank you, Lord, for our priest  and pastors, deacons, elders and council members, worship leaders and musicians, readers and greeters. Many of those who serve in your church, however, are nearly invisible; yet, they are the ones who keep our parishes running. Thank you, Lord, for all of those behind-the-scene people who give so freely of their time and gifts. Thank you for the prayer warriors and sound people, the coffee makers and cookie bakers, the program folders and newsletter mailers. Thank you for those who decorate the church or prepare communion trays, shop for holiday food baskets or Christmas gifts for the needy, open their homes to small groups or church guests, and for those bring food to mourning families without ever being asked. Thank you for those who address and stuff envelopes, work on auctions or rummage sales, plan dinners and special events, organize the library or sheet music, count the offering, come early to turn on the heat, stay late to tidy the sanctuary, shovel the snow, mow the grass, clean the kitchen, teach the children, care for the babes in the nursery, go on mission trips, and organize the blood drives. May we all learn about love and service from their examples.

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. [1 peter 4:10 (NLT)]

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March 6, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Holidays & Holy Days, Salvation: A New You

A Season of Gain, Not Loss (Thoughts on Lent)

Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. [Ephesians 5:10 (NLT)]

When I was a young girl, I would give up something I liked, such as candy, gum or cookies during Lent. I then anxiously looked forward to all of the goodies I would enjoy in my Easter basket at the end of Lent. As I got older, I found Lent a perfect time to go on a diet and give up fattening sweets. My thoughts were probably more about my appearance in a bathing suit come summer than the spiritual aspect of this pre-Easter season.

Fortunately, my concept of Lent has expanded and Lent is no longer a time to renew the diet that fell by the wayside in late January. I still give up something I like (sweets often topping the list) but I also give up a behavior of mine I don’t like (which is a far greater struggle than not having chocolate). Lent isn’t just a season of fasting and sacrifice; it is a season of self-examination, reflection, repentance and growth.

O Lord, who hast mercy upon all, take away from me my sins, and mercifully kindle in me the fire of thy Holy Spirit. Take away from me the heart of stone, and give me a heart of flesh, a heart to love and adore Thee, a heart to delight in Thee, to follow and enjoy Thee, for Christ’s sake, Amen. [St. Ambrose of Milan (339-397)]

So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness. [1 Peter 2:2-3 (NLT)]

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March 4, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Temptation & Sin

BEWARE OF ANGER

If you are angry, don’t sin by nursing your grudge. Don’t let the sun go down with you still angry – get over it quickly; for when you are angry you give a mighty foothold to the devil. [Ephesians 4:26-27 (TLB)]

Sometimes we get angry and, occasionally, that anger is justified. After all, Jesus got angry at the dishonest money changers and merchants and drove them out of the temple. It is right to be angry about injustice and sin. The anger we need to be wary of is selfish anger: the anger that comes from jealousy or when we don’t get our way. We must be cautious about anger when we think we’ve been insulted or undervalued or lose an argument. It’s all right to be irritated or annoyed; being a Christian doesn’t mean we stop having emotions. What it does mean is that we don’t hold on to our anger and let it fester. If it is a righteous anger, we need to do something about it; if not, we need to let it go.

 

 

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March 3, 2014

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God's Word: The Bible, Wisdom & Guidance

Let’s Eat HIs Words

Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of Hosts. [Jeremiah 15:16 (ESV)]

When we’re at a banquet, do we simply look at the food or do we eat it? Do we nibble just a bit or do we really dig in, relishing all of the wonderful flavors and textures? We have a banquet of wisdom in the Bible and it’s waiting for us to feast on it. Let’s eat His words!

In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. [Colossians 2:3 (NLT)]

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March 2, 2014

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God's Promises, Salvation: A New You

No Funerals for Him

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! [2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)]

My pastor pointed out that the gospels make no mention of Jesus conducting any funerals. Jesus didn’t conduct funerals because his business wasn’t death; it was life! He was in the business of resurrection! Our old selves may have died, but a new and better person was born! Thank you, God, for this new life!

Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. [John 10:9-10 (NLT)]