GREEDFLATION

Greedflation. Another new word for me. For corporations it can be jacking up prices for impure gain. (New York Times 6/2022) Do they raise prices and then advertise a sale?

For hoarding consumers it can be emptying store shelves, while the getting is good, for their own gains.

Interestingly enough, today is "Prime Time"----Amazon's big, if not BIGGEST, shopping day. Hopefully a day to be frugal not just one of accumulation. Even the frugal might consider sharing their savings with others.

Greed. Certainly not a new concept. Think Me First. Self-centered  All about me.

In our culture it can start around age two. " He won't share" for a toddler means, means "he" has it and I want it. Though the scenario might change the concept is often present, in full measure, during the career years. 

This year golfers are all a "twitter" over the defection from the US tour of some of its members to join the Saudi Arabia LIV tour. Why? 

Three Guesses.....1) $    2) $$   3) $$$   Which has one ask. How much is enough?

Sadly, the answer often remains the same.....always a little more. 

What does God say about greed? It certainly does not define greed as contentment.

Be not eager for money, but eager to serve. (1 Timothy 6:10)

..do not forget to do good and share with others....(Hebrews 13:16)

I say the opposite of greed is selfless.

"Whoever is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble to his family...." Proverbs 15"27a) 

"Keep your life free from the love of money." (Hebrews 13:5)

Don't let "Greedflation" define you as a part of your conversations.

More later.................I would have put I'm going shopping but folks who know me, know I am NOT a shopper! Nothing wrong with shopping, it's just not in my wheelhouse.

RACE TO EMBRACE

These days we all seem to be racing somewhere. 

Racing to and fro and getting nowhere.........Too often describes my race (unless exhaustion is a place).

Obviously my goal/destination needs to change. Does yours? 

We all need to race to Him. 

• Early in the morning as we first open our eyes. 
• In the middle of the day as we face struggles and disappointments. 
• As we close our eyes to sleep. 
• Even as we take our last breath.

He's waiting there , wherever we are----ready to embrace us. 

Race to the "new" realities he has for believers. A better reality.

"Withness." With Him. Regardless----as we run the race set before us by Him! 

A race marked out uniquely for each of us by the One who is always there to embrace us. (Hebrews 12:1)

Comfor-TEA-ble

 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 

(John 14:26, KJV)

What a Saturday! The past 5 hours were spent pew-side in a sanctuary and bedside in ICU 201! In both situations, friends needed comfort.

A former Memphian's life was celebrated today by family and friends. Her husband told of how at 2:30 in the morning at his home in Wisconsin, he received a call from the American Embassy in New Delhi India. In a somewhat matter of fact tone , the voice on the other end informed him, with regret, that his wife had died in Bhutan, which is some 2,000 miles from India.

His wife had left days before, healthy, happy and physically fit, for a biking tour with fellow cycling friends. On that day's ride, she biked off road and fell to her death. Today her life was remembered on the day that would have been the couple's 45th wedding anniversary.

What does one say? More hugs than words. Sharing memories helps. Being there counts.

Bedside with a friend who has more physical struggles than anyone I know. Blind. Paralyzed. 
A widower for almost a year. Weary. Discouraged. 
How can one offer comfort in either of those situations? Certainly  I could not empathize and testify to God's goodness in either situation because I've never experience such trouble. Yes, I know of His goodness and know that "He comforts us in all our troubles." (2 Corinthians 1:4) 

What offers true comfort?  

• God's Word. "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5) 
• God's people being there....(Psalm 27:13-14) 
• Hugs. Comfortable tears.
• Smiles of caring or laughter if one is blind and can't see your face.

Offer a comfor-TEA-ble cuppa of love to assuage the emotional distress of grief to one and the physical pain of suffering to the other. 

A comfort cross with skin on.

DREGS

6/18/13 In previous blog entries I have given a variety of euphemisms to the word "dregs." Dissatisfactions. Disappointments. Leftovers. Remnants. Worthless parts.

Last weeks simplici-TEA assignment /discussion encouraged looking at a specific "dreg" in one's own life. Identifying and dealing with dregs in our lives is one part of the meditation process. This week the focus was to be on that component. Component #3.

Using the Tea with Thee form, to aid in the blending, brewing, steeping and serving of our scripture meditation we were to ask God to show us our hearts....to see if there be any hurtful/wicked/offensive way in us. (Psalm 139:24) Allowing God to investigate/ cross-examine/test us can be so revealing, and even painful. But God....can use it to bring one to the point of crying out to Him, to "create in me a clean heart, O Lord" (Psalm 51:10) which can lead to a renewed Spirit within, i.e. a change in attitude or behavior.

1. Sip---find a verse or passage of scripture and "steep" it in prayer
2. Savor--think on it with prayerful guidance of God's Spirit 
3. Discard the dregs--eliminate the distasteful parts shown in your life
4. Pour out--not only to yourself but share what God has shown you thus benefitting others as well

The dreg, which God brought to my mind, was EXCESSIVE PLANNING. Though difficult to savor (think on) something so "bitter" in one's own life, it is necessary in order for God to teach truth and for change to occur.

I had to ask myself these hard questions:

• What brings on this distasteful "driven" attribute? 
• Am I still desiring  perfection, even though I know that's unattainable? 
• Is it fear based? 
• Is there a root of unbelief?

In Jesus Calling entry 4/25, author Sarah Young states, "fear often manifests itself in excessive planning." Christians know that fear is not from God because He has said, "I will always be with you." (Hebrews 13:5) Do I truly believe that? If I do, then my actions are not showing trust. Certainly a lack of trust can thwart intimacy with Him.

This dreg my friends is nothing but sin. By any other name, it's still sin. 

It's taking God out of the equation of my life's activities and actions.

It's a lack of trust. Lack of trust is rooted in unbelief.

That's not just a bitter dreg. That's sin. 

ABCs---the basics

6/27/11 ABCs. The basics. Today’s meditation is just that. Choose one that speaks to your heart. Focus on one ABC all week or one each day of the week. Look up the complete verse (s). (Clicking here http://www.biblegateway.com/ & typing the Bible passage citation in the search line will take you right to it, in any version you want.)

Always Be a Comforter…..as you have been comforted. (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)

Always Beckon Children….. to the Lord. (Matthew 19:13-15)

Always Balance Commitments…..by allowing Him to direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:6)

Always Be Compassionate….fill your heart with lovingkindness for others .(Colossians 3:12)

Always Be Content…..wanting what you already have and knowing that God will never leave you. (Hebrews 13:5)

Always Bless Christ….with all that is within you and your life will be renewed. (Psalm 103:1-5)

Always Boast in Christ….not in your own accomplishments. (1 Corinthians 1:30-31) (Ephesians 1: 8-9)

Remember none of these basics is possible in and of yourself. But God….. Always Be Confident in Him, not your own flesh (Phil. 3:3), because you are His workmanship and He is able to guard all that you have entrusted to Him. (2 Timothy 1:12)

But God........

“But God” has been my “signpost” since the beginning of my blogging venture. It’s the crux of the verse I hang my faith on.

• Life can throw you a curve ball…………but God………. is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)
• You can enter a dark night of your soul and experience that sense of loneliness and desolation……..but God……….never leaves you nor forsakes you. (Hebrews 13:5)
• You can be sad to the core……but God……….comforts you in all your troubles. (I Corinthians 1:3-4)
• You can be restless, distracted and overwhelmed……but God…….is near. In His presence is peace. (Philipians 4:4-7)
• Fear may be wreaking havoc with your psyche ……but God……….hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and love, and a sound mind. (II Timothy 1:7)
• You can feel rejected by ones you love ………but God……….is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18)
• You can end up in the wilderness of despair…………but God……..paved a way in the wilderness. (Isaiah 40:3)

“But God”……….just those two words remind me again and again, at every spiritual crossroad, that no matter how desperate the situation I can say, “but God”…… has great love for me, “but God”……. extends mercy. (Ephesians 2:4)