10/12/11 Merriam-Webster defines the term walkabout as “a short period of wandering bush life engaged in by an Australian aborigine as an occasional interruption of regular work.” For Ellen and me it was a running together of words as we estimated the number years we’d been walking. “Let’s see, we’ve “walk’dabout”---well it was the year John and Josh turned 15 so that’s 1990---Wow, we’ve been “walkin’about” 21 years and mostly on Wednesday. I remember that because she would drive to my house and then have to get back in time to work in Christ Methodist’s church library. Most of those years we both worked full time so it was a great interruption for both of us---a time to move our feet and our mouths. Wednesday is always the day I pray for Ellen too so that evens it all out nicely.
John15:15b….I have called you friend, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
This fall I’ve been going to her house to walk. Her “hood” has more trees and manicured lawns than my “hood” so our walks have been a vibrant visual feast. Do you have a friend like that? One with whom you share faith, friendship, the ups and downs of life, lots of stories and lots of years? If so how ‘bout starting a walkabout with them? Certainly burns more calories that “doing lunch.”
Enjoy today’s pictorial stroll---we don’t exactly burn up the pavement but we’re still “walkin’about”--- ‘cause that’s what our Wednesdays are all about.
10/11/11 ….at least for awhile. It’s just my final “dance” THOTS based on Timothy Keller's book, The Reason for God; Belief in an Age of Skepticism. Believe me, I’m just scratching the surface. According to Keller, we were made to join in the dance. (Naturally, I agree with that!) “If we will center our lives on (H)im, serving (H)im not out of self-interest, but just for the sake of who (H)e is, for the sake of (H)is beauty and glory, we will enter the dance and share in the joy and love (H)e lives in.….we were designed then, not just for belief in God in some general way…..We were made…..to make the purpose and passion of our lives knowing, serving, delighting, and resembling (H)im. Our world was made in joy and therefore is good, in and of itself. The universe is understood as a dance of beings united by energies binding, yet distinct, like orbiting planets, tides and seasons, tones in a chord, like a mother with a baby stirring in her body. ”(Keller p. 219) Rev. Keller says, ,”Creation is a Dance!” I couldn’t agree more.
Yet, somewhere along the way our self-centered world has left many without real relationships. Alienation sets in. There’s no one to join in the dance. Self absorption. Many are concerned with their own needs and building their resume with accomplishments to bolster a sense of pride.
Many need to return to the dance.
I know what it’s like to dance with the Lord---to follow His leading and to share in the joy of a relationship with Him that spills over to others. It’s about Him and His glory but oh how it benefits me. In the first step one can move out of self-centeredness into relationship. The first turn can move you from fear to trust. Just stay close enough that He can whisper His directions in your ear.
Thanks Rev. Keller for the reminder.
Word of God كلمة الله
10/10/11 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (II Timothy 3:16-17)
Meditate on these verses. Think about the purpose of God’s word----whether it’s read right to left because it is written in Arabic like Rina’s, who comes from Sudan, or it’s written in English, the purpose is evident….to equip us all for God’s work.
BTW, she was reading in II Kings with chapter 10 on the right hand page and chapter 11 on the left.
Apply the كلمة الله to your heart.
10/5/11 Pastor Cole spoke Sunday on forging friendships of the soul based on the picture given in scripture of the lives of David and Jonathan. A soul sister (or brother) is essential because we all need that kind of friend.
Such a friendship is:
1. Reciprocal/mutual---someone who believes in you as you believe in her/him
2. Strengthening---keeping his/her focus on God’s purpose & vice versa
3. Authentic---being real and vulnerable because it’s a trust relationship where both are fully present to God
To me there is never any posturing or competition. It’s about acceptance. Loving and enjoying each other for who we and where we are in our spiritual growth. When our friend goes into firey situations, we’re there. Going through the fire together strengthens that bond. A “forged” bond that time and distance cannot break.
Years ago my neighbor, Cheryl McClure, gave me a cross-stitched sampler made by her mother. It read “Our best friends are those with whom we become our best selves.” How true. What a godly expectation that is.
I Samuel 20:23b ….Behold the Lord is between you and me forever.
If you have forged such a friendship, no one or no situation can come between you and her/him. Enjoy the blessing.
All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. (useful in God's realm, Dotsy) All things are lawful, but not all things edify. (useful in building up others or self, Dotsy) 24 Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor. (I Corinthians 10:23-24)Some possessions and activities keep us from our real purpose---without enough hours left in the day to be useful to the Lord and family, much less to others. Maybe these random thoughts of mine can be useful in helping others evaluate daily choices.
Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. (Psalm 150:6)As the Puritan's "Evening Praise" states, "My cup runs over. Suffer me not to be insensible (without feeling) to these daily mercies.Thy hand bestows blessings: Thy power averts evil. I bring my tribute of thanks for spiritual graces, the warmth of faith, the cheering presence of Thy Spirit...." (The Valley of Vision, p. 121)
