Mon.-Met Makenzie's Mom at CCA after lunch today. Got some groceries. Came home for an hour or two. Went back to CCA. Practiced National Anthem. Went in carloads to the Hillcats game at the Lynchburg Stadium. 25 CCA kids sang the National Anthem. I held the mike and directed at the same time. A rousing cheer rang out when we were finished. Watched the game beside the Loys for awhile. Phil sat between Susan and I and we snuggled with him. Midway we got up and went to Sweet Frog and came home. ///I am thankful for Phil. I am thankful for the phone number in my purse. I am going to check into buying a Sweet Frog Franchise. I am thankful for the great family atmosphere at the game and that the stadium wasn't nearly as big as it looked online. I am thankful for the Hillcats Mascot who messed up Susan's hair, twice.
Tues.-Went to Appomattox to buy baby turkey supplies, Pig Roast supplies, and get my haircut. Ran around Farmville. ///Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. For those three things I am truly thankful.
Wed.-I am thankful for Kelli's and Susan's shrieks of laughter upstream from where I sat in my chair with my feet in the river. I am thankful for these two little girl's catching crayfish with pink plastic shoes in the shade of drooping trees at the river's edge. I am thankful for Lindsay's violin recital and her classy way of doing things in a natural way that makes everyone comfortable. I am thankful for Gil's kind prayers and words and care. I am thankful that God is merciful and God is good.
Thurs.-I am thankful for Sammy Jo's visit this morning. She told her Grandma Judy that 'Annette loves me bunches and to the moon!' She walked into our bedroom and saw the deer's head with upturned feet holding Phil's ties. "Is that a deer?" she asked. "Yes." "It's feet are on the wrong place." We painted together. She said, "I'm going to color a rainbow." I said, "That's a good idea." She said, "Thank you, Annette." Later, we went from painting paper to painting our faces and hands. I said, "I'm going to paint my veins blue." She said, "I'm going to paint my bleins blue too." Before long, she was swatting flies. "He's on the table again." SWAT! "He's a dead bug. I got him." I am thankful for Sammy Jo. I am thankful for Susan's, "What a nice way to wake up in the morning."(hearing Sammy Jo talking outside her door.)
Fri.-I am thankful for Judy's open home and the sewing fun Erin, Alli, Judy, and I experienced today. I am thankful for Alli's lilting laughter. There are few sounds more beautiful than her laugh. I am thankful for Susan's missions banquet and the delicious food and good company. I am thankful for the human video-"Worthy is the Lamb.
Sat.-I am thankful for time and energy to clean up the porches and outside today. I am thankful for Nanette and her wedding to Jim and their beautiful blended family. I am thankful for the time with Susan and Phil as we picked blackberries and watched "Knight and Day." I am thankful for the 4/10 inch of rain we got in that terrible storm.
Sun.-I am thankful for our church and that Jesus came to be with us especially today. I am thankful that stones can be thrown or be used to build monuments and that today, stones were used to build 'The Church' and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I am thankful that He came to save sinners of whom I am the chief. I am thankful for the wake up call 'Watch and Pray' and to hide God's Word in our hearts so that we won't sin against Him. My alarm needed resetting. I am thankful for Tom and Helen's family and the program they gave at Trinity tonight. I am thankful for another soaking rain.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Uncomplicated Simplicity
So, I am stuck on this theme of simplicity.
And just like when I was stuck on the theme of humility,
it seems like everything I read now has to do with simplicity.
Websters definition of simplicity is this:
"Having but one or a few parts or features;
uncomplicated;
not compounded or complex."
I am slowly working myself through
the book, "Disciplines for the Inner Life"
by Bob and Michael Benson.
Sure enough,
a writing on simplicity
was waiting for me as I turned
a page
a few weeks ago.
I can't seem to go beyond it.
I am stuck here.
Please read it with me.
It's from Albert E. Day's book,
"Discipline and Discovery."
"Seldom or never do we hear anything
about simplicity
as an essential discipline of the spiritual life.
Most of us have only a vague idea of the meaning
of the word.
Perhaps we had better begin with a definition.
Simplicity means "absence of artificial ornamentation,
pretentious styles, or luxury."
It is "artlessness, lack of cunning or duplicity."
Where there is simplicity,
words can be taken at face value.
There are no hidden or double meanings.
One says what one means
and means what one says.
There is no "joker"
concealed in the language to nullify
its obvious intent.
Simplicity does not mean
"easy to understand."
Paul was not always easy to understand.
Nor was Jesus.
Men are still wrestling with their great utterances.
But both Jesus and Paul are characterized by simplicity.
Their intention was not to confuse or deceive
but to clarify and illumine.
Where there is simplicity
there is no artificiality.
One does not try to appear younger,
or wiser, or richer than one is-
or more saintly!
Moffatt's translation of 1 Corinthians 13:4
hits it exactly when it says:
"Love makes no parade,
gives itself no airs."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Just reading this again makes me realize
just how far I have to go.
Perhaps that is why I am not 'released' from this theme.
I was thinking about it several months ago
when the older school girls at school sang,
"Tis a gift to be Simple"
for Recitatio.
We talked about the meaning of the words.
I wanted them to grasp hold of the freedom
and flexibility that comes with humility and
simplicity.
Can you hear their sweet soprano voices singing?
"Tis a gift to be simple, 'tis a gift to be free
Tis a gift to come down where you ought to be.
And when you find yourself in the place just right
T'will be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend
we shan't be ashamed.
To turn, turn, will be our delight
For in turning, turning
we come round right."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ps. 116:6-"The LORD preserves the simple;
I was brought low, and He saved me."
Ps. 119:130-"The entrance of Your word gives light;
It gives understanding to the simple."
Rom.16:19b-"...but I want you to be wise in what is good,
and simple concerning evil."
11 Cor. 1:12-"...we conducted ourselves in the world
in simplicity and godly sincerity,
not with fleshly wisdom
but by the grace of God,
and more abundantly toward you."
11 Cor. 11:3-"But I fear...that your minds may be corrupted
from the simplicity that is in Christ."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Post script:
After I finished writing the above, I was reminded about a conversation I had with a young woman I mentor. It's a mutually beneficial relationship for she mentors me also. I have never met such a wise young woman.
Anyway, I was telling her that I was sure that I had disappointed her...that I had not come through for her when she needed me most...that I wish I had done more....
It had been on my mind for some time.
But she said something like, "I don't think I ever felt that way. I don't think I was ever disappointed with you. I was more interested in your failings than in your perfections. I wanted to observe how you get up in the morning knowing that you failed the day before."
It makes me cry just reading this again.
Her words created a defining moment.
Time stood still.
We try so hard. I try so hard.
I want to do it right.
I don't want to disappoint anyone.
But the simple truth is this.
I must simply be myself.
I must fail.
I must disappoint.
I must be human.
Because there are those watching.
There are those longing to see how we appropriate
the mercy and grace of God into our failures.
They are not looking for perfection.
They are looking for people who are real.
The hardest thing about simplicity
is that it requires us to have
an unveiled heart,
an unveiled face,
an unveiled life.
And the easiest thing about simplicity
is that it sets us free to have
an unveiled heart,
an unveiled face,
an unveiled life.
And just like when I was stuck on the theme of humility,
it seems like everything I read now has to do with simplicity.
Websters definition of simplicity is this:
"Having but one or a few parts or features;
uncomplicated;
not compounded or complex."
I am slowly working myself through
the book, "Disciplines for the Inner Life"
by Bob and Michael Benson.
Sure enough,
a writing on simplicity
was waiting for me as I turned
a page
a few weeks ago.
I can't seem to go beyond it.
I am stuck here.
Please read it with me.
It's from Albert E. Day's book,
"Discipline and Discovery."
"Seldom or never do we hear anything
about simplicity
as an essential discipline of the spiritual life.
Most of us have only a vague idea of the meaning
of the word.
Perhaps we had better begin with a definition.
Simplicity means "absence of artificial ornamentation,
pretentious styles, or luxury."
It is "artlessness, lack of cunning or duplicity."
Where there is simplicity,
words can be taken at face value.
There are no hidden or double meanings.
One says what one means
and means what one says.
There is no "joker"
concealed in the language to nullify
its obvious intent.
Simplicity does not mean
"easy to understand."
Paul was not always easy to understand.
Nor was Jesus.
Men are still wrestling with their great utterances.
But both Jesus and Paul are characterized by simplicity.
Their intention was not to confuse or deceive
but to clarify and illumine.
Where there is simplicity
there is no artificiality.
One does not try to appear younger,
or wiser, or richer than one is-
or more saintly!
Moffatt's translation of 1 Corinthians 13:4
hits it exactly when it says:
"Love makes no parade,
gives itself no airs."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Just reading this again makes me realize
just how far I have to go.
Perhaps that is why I am not 'released' from this theme.
I was thinking about it several months ago
when the older school girls at school sang,
"Tis a gift to be Simple"
for Recitatio.
We talked about the meaning of the words.
I wanted them to grasp hold of the freedom
and flexibility that comes with humility and
simplicity.
Can you hear their sweet soprano voices singing?
"Tis a gift to be simple, 'tis a gift to be free
Tis a gift to come down where you ought to be.
And when you find yourself in the place just right
T'will be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gained,
To bow and to bend
we shan't be ashamed.
To turn, turn, will be our delight
For in turning, turning
we come round right."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ps. 116:6-"The LORD preserves the simple;
I was brought low, and He saved me."
Ps. 119:130-"The entrance of Your word gives light;
It gives understanding to the simple."
Rom.16:19b-"...but I want you to be wise in what is good,
and simple concerning evil."
11 Cor. 1:12-"...we conducted ourselves in the world
in simplicity and godly sincerity,
not with fleshly wisdom
but by the grace of God,
and more abundantly toward you."
11 Cor. 11:3-"But I fear...that your minds may be corrupted
from the simplicity that is in Christ."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Post script:
After I finished writing the above, I was reminded about a conversation I had with a young woman I mentor. It's a mutually beneficial relationship for she mentors me also. I have never met such a wise young woman.
Anyway, I was telling her that I was sure that I had disappointed her...that I had not come through for her when she needed me most...that I wish I had done more....
It had been on my mind for some time.
But she said something like, "I don't think I ever felt that way. I don't think I was ever disappointed with you. I was more interested in your failings than in your perfections. I wanted to observe how you get up in the morning knowing that you failed the day before."
It makes me cry just reading this again.
Her words created a defining moment.
Time stood still.
We try so hard. I try so hard.
I want to do it right.
I don't want to disappoint anyone.
But the simple truth is this.
I must simply be myself.
I must fail.
I must disappoint.
I must be human.
Because there are those watching.
There are those longing to see how we appropriate
the mercy and grace of God into our failures.
They are not looking for perfection.
They are looking for people who are real.
The hardest thing about simplicity
is that it requires us to have
an unveiled heart,
an unveiled face,
an unveiled life.
And the easiest thing about simplicity
is that it sets us free to have
an unveiled heart,
an unveiled face,
an unveiled life.
The Season for Fruit
I am focused on simplifying my life. I've been thinking less complicated thoughts and getting rid of junk. I read a portion from Stephen F. Winward's book, "Fruits of the Spirit" recorded in my Benson book. Writings such as his help me focus on what is really important.
He encourages us to take a piece of paper and write out a question at the top. Jesus asked a man in need this same question. It is, "What do you want me to do for you?" (Mark 10:51)
Then write down three desires you have;
what you want more than anything in the whole world.
(I kept reading and missed out on the benefit of this exercise.
Perhaps you could learn from my mistake.)
He goes on to say,
"Now, look at your three chief desires.
Do you want to have, to do, or to be?
Do they refer to possessions, achievements or character?
When the question "What would you like me to give you?"
was put to young Solomon, he asked for a quality of character.
"Give me the wisdom I need." (I Kings 3:5,9)
I hope that one at least of your three desires has to do with character.
For the grand purpose of God is that we should
"become like His Son"(Rom. 8:29).
No Christian could possibly have a greater ambition.
So, happy the person who can truthfully give this answer
to the question put by Jesus,
"What I want you to do for me, Lord,
is to make me a loving, joyful, peaceable,
patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle,
disciplined Christian." "
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I think that is another way of saying
that you want to be
like Jesus.
Jesus Himself, learned obedience
by the things He suffered.
We don't want to hear about suffering.
I don't anyway.
And sometimes,
we refuse to allow our loved ones
to suffer the 'cause and effect' consequences
of their own behavior that comes their way,
or even the lessons of living and getting along with others.
We rescue them and protect them and by doing that
in an unhealthy way,
we stunt their growth in character
and make them weak.
(There are times however, that it is necessary
to do so. This is why we need wisdom and a secure
soul in order to discern what's what.)
God does allow difficult things
to touch our lives
and the 'all things that work together for good'
is the fact that we are actually
conformed into the image of His Son.
That is the good.
Sometimes we cause the difficult times in our lives
and sometimes God allows them
and sometimes He plans the trial of our faith
so we can become like Gold tried by fire.
Sometimes, it is a no-brainer.
Sometimes, it is a mystery.
But His ultimate purpose
whether the difficulty is caused by our own failings,
or God, or life, or satan,
is for us to be conformed into the image of Jesus.
He can use anything to make that happen.
And Jesus is
loving, joyful, peaceable, patient,
kind, good, faithful, gentle,
and disciplined.
The fruit of the Holy Spirit
is the Spirit of Jesus
made manifest in our lives.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I love that Jesus asked so many questions.
The questions of Jesus would make an interesting study.
"What do you want me to do for you?"
"Do you want to be well?"
"Where is your faith?"
"Do you love me more than these?"
I think He also asks,
"Do you know how much I love you?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Post script:
Our pastor preached this Sunday on something similar to what I just wrote.
It helped me see how God is always keeping me in balance.
I wrote here about what we are looking for God to do for us.
That is a valid question and it is one that Jesus Himself asked.
But God is also looking for something from us.
"Lord," we pray. "What do you want from me?"
Here are some of the notes from this morning's sermon.
God is looking for people to love Him. The first commandment
is to love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength.
He is seeking for worshippers who will worship Him
in Spirit and in Truth.
His eyes look to and fro across the earth to find those whose
hearts are loyal to Him. He wants to show Himself strong
to those people.
He is looking for those who want His presence more than anything
else. His Spirit searches the deep things of God and reveals
them to those who hunger and thirst for Him.
He is looking for those who are lovingly longing
for His appearing.
To sum it up:
He wants our love,
our worship,
our loyalty,
our desire,
our depth,
our hunger and thirst.
He wants us to look forward
to seeing His face.
Look at those words.
They all have to do with pressing into Him.
Pushing through the crowd.
Forgetting all else.
It makes my heart ache just to read them.
Oh, God!
Help me love you with the love You
and Jesus loved
each other.
Make me into the person that you are looking for.
Help me worship You in Spirit and in Truth.
Let me be that Eve you long after.
Let me fill the void in Your heart
that only I can fill.
Let me walk with you in the garden
and not hide my face from You.
Lord,
I believe.
Help Thou my unbelief.
Lord,
I love you so.
Help me love you more.
With my whole heart
have I sought Thee.
Help me seek You more.
He encourages us to take a piece of paper and write out a question at the top. Jesus asked a man in need this same question. It is, "What do you want me to do for you?" (Mark 10:51)
Then write down three desires you have;
what you want more than anything in the whole world.
(I kept reading and missed out on the benefit of this exercise.
Perhaps you could learn from my mistake.)
He goes on to say,
"Now, look at your three chief desires.
Do you want to have, to do, or to be?
Do they refer to possessions, achievements or character?
When the question "What would you like me to give you?"
was put to young Solomon, he asked for a quality of character.
"Give me the wisdom I need." (I Kings 3:5,9)
I hope that one at least of your three desires has to do with character.
For the grand purpose of God is that we should
"become like His Son"(Rom. 8:29).
No Christian could possibly have a greater ambition.
So, happy the person who can truthfully give this answer
to the question put by Jesus,
"What I want you to do for me, Lord,
is to make me a loving, joyful, peaceable,
patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle,
disciplined Christian." "
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I think that is another way of saying
that you want to be
like Jesus.
Jesus Himself, learned obedience
by the things He suffered.
We don't want to hear about suffering.
I don't anyway.
And sometimes,
we refuse to allow our loved ones
to suffer the 'cause and effect' consequences
of their own behavior that comes their way,
or even the lessons of living and getting along with others.
We rescue them and protect them and by doing that
in an unhealthy way,
we stunt their growth in character
and make them weak.
(There are times however, that it is necessary
to do so. This is why we need wisdom and a secure
soul in order to discern what's what.)
God does allow difficult things
to touch our lives
and the 'all things that work together for good'
is the fact that we are actually
conformed into the image of His Son.
That is the good.
Sometimes we cause the difficult times in our lives
and sometimes God allows them
and sometimes He plans the trial of our faith
so we can become like Gold tried by fire.
Sometimes, it is a no-brainer.
Sometimes, it is a mystery.
But His ultimate purpose
whether the difficulty is caused by our own failings,
or God, or life, or satan,
is for us to be conformed into the image of Jesus.
He can use anything to make that happen.
And Jesus is
loving, joyful, peaceable, patient,
kind, good, faithful, gentle,
and disciplined.
The fruit of the Holy Spirit
is the Spirit of Jesus
made manifest in our lives.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I love that Jesus asked so many questions.
The questions of Jesus would make an interesting study.
"What do you want me to do for you?"
"Do you want to be well?"
"Where is your faith?"
"Do you love me more than these?"
I think He also asks,
"Do you know how much I love you?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Post script:
Our pastor preached this Sunday on something similar to what I just wrote.
It helped me see how God is always keeping me in balance.
I wrote here about what we are looking for God to do for us.
That is a valid question and it is one that Jesus Himself asked.
But God is also looking for something from us.
"Lord," we pray. "What do you want from me?"
Here are some of the notes from this morning's sermon.
God is looking for people to love Him. The first commandment
is to love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength.
He is seeking for worshippers who will worship Him
in Spirit and in Truth.
His eyes look to and fro across the earth to find those whose
hearts are loyal to Him. He wants to show Himself strong
to those people.
He is looking for those who want His presence more than anything
else. His Spirit searches the deep things of God and reveals
them to those who hunger and thirst for Him.
He is looking for those who are lovingly longing
for His appearing.
To sum it up:
He wants our love,
our worship,
our loyalty,
our desire,
our depth,
our hunger and thirst.
He wants us to look forward
to seeing His face.
Look at those words.
They all have to do with pressing into Him.
Pushing through the crowd.
Forgetting all else.
It makes my heart ache just to read them.
Oh, God!
Help me love you with the love You
and Jesus loved
each other.
Make me into the person that you are looking for.
Help me worship You in Spirit and in Truth.
Let me be that Eve you long after.
Let me fill the void in Your heart
that only I can fill.
Let me walk with you in the garden
and not hide my face from You.
Lord,
I believe.
Help Thou my unbelief.
Lord,
I love you so.
Help me love you more.
With my whole heart
have I sought Thee.
Help me seek You more.
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