This weekend will mark the beginning of a journey for me, a spiritual awaken, rest, rehab, refit, rearm, okay you get the point. After talking to a few men I love and respect; sometimes taking small steps is a good thing. Time to turn inward in my daily reflections, rid myself of the vices, (constant electronic companions, Galaxy Tablet, MP3, blue tooth, cell phone, whatever else I unknowingly turn on and pickup and use almost every hour.
Aside from the constant feeds of updates from Facebook and You Tube. I am stepping away from come parts of lay ministry. In this new year I wanted to budget time for reflection as well as for ministry in a better, healthier manner, which I am doing.
So there you have the beginning of a journey in a few short paragraphs; In six months I prayerfully expect to be a better steward of my time, new focus on ministry, (juggling more than just one outreach), healthier physically and morally, remember loosing some of those vices, (aggghhh no 4 G!!!), yep already feeling much better.
Be blessed. Will continue this thread until we meet back on FB in the fall, just in time for some Happy Valley Magic....be well and be at peace...
PointMan Jim
Day two of my Journey: Who or what is controlling your life? Often we are convinced that computers, techno-media sources, endless parade of electronic devices meant to assist us in managing our day to day lives, ends up owning us and enslaving us.
ReplyDeleteIn the new few weeks I am going to pray especially hard to limit what techno-gadgets I use. I imagine there was a time when people called on others, face to face or in letters to communicate with them, we spoke more.
Satan has a unique was of lying to all of us, up means down, in means out, all jumbled up, he walks around kicking sand in our faces, placing frowns on peoples faces, he is best happy when others are sad or in misery.
That said, the biggest thief of my time are gadgets; the television, the computer, cell phone, tablets whatever. They rob us blind.
That's how my day is starting, more to come after the weekend.
Day Four;
ReplyDeleteNot posting everyday, taking the time away from this medium to reflect and consider the direction, waiting for prayerful consideration on direction and what he would have me do...
In the past few days, I have been able to accomplish updates to one website I have been putting off for sometime, substainial work on a ministry document for another, and just about completed a letter.
I am going back old school with regards to letters. It's a lost art, going to see what comes of my personal campaign within my own family, we've grown to accustom to e-mails, text messages, tweets, blogs, whatever...we are becoming even less aware of sending cards.
All observations, some may argue it is a changing with the time, technology advances, wondering how much longer before we don't even have to say hello anymore.
One thing is certain, the information the bible contains does not change on whims or whams, does not change with the new polically correct terminologies.
One day, after I leave this life, my daughters or grandkids are going to stumble onto my personal journals I keep with my bibles. There is an Airman's Bible and a Fireman's bible. Representing the two lifes I lived. Not sure who will want them, had hoped to give them to my grandson's, but maybe not something that the Lord would have me do.
Continuing my journey, very interesting start, praying for opportunities to gain wisdom and insights.
Damage. Whether caused intentionally or unintentionally is something that is left up to be judged by God. Even the most well meaning can be the source of damage. We gouge the surrounding flesh to remove the splinter that is stubbornly attached itself under the skin.
ReplyDeleteSin is sometimes like this as well. Except knowing that we live under the promise that we share in the blood that was shed for all mankind, whether we accept it or not to remove the thorn of sin from within us.
By his grace alone we are resolved and cleansed of sin, his grace being sufficient, we must set our feet upon the right path, the Godly path and forget our sinful past. Does not mean we won't be tempted or seduced or fall under the spell Satan weaves to lure us into sinful behavior, so we repent and cleanse ourselves before rejoining the rest of our brothers.
Being insightful to the human condition which subjects itself to many harmful behaviors brings us to understand that in all things we need to place our behavior and thinking before God, nothing should be held back voluntarily for he knows our heart.
The journey continues...we must be ready if called upon to wage war...knowing that the outcome is not based on our decisions or action, but rather on our resolve and willingness to sacrifice to protect the truth of his words...
Be Blessed....unconditionally.
Here we are at the end of the first full week, hit facebook twice to check for messages and add one contact and already feeling better. Due to an internal conflict amongst some brethern, have not made anymore headway towards the glossy ministry document or the calendars I have started either.
ReplyDeleteOn the spur of the moment last weekend I both something to place at my sisters grave site. Nothing elaborate, just something to show others that regardless of how we enter this world, we will all leave it someday and stand before the almighty in all his splendor.
I am even more committed now than ever to understanding the gospel of the Lord. Mis representations of the truths are dangerous, while possibly not entirely intentional, none the less deliberate. I urge you if you have differences no matter where they come from or who they come from, to stand your ground based on the truths held in the bible and not be swayed.
The holy trinity exists, all in one. We live under the new covenant, to say other wise would mean Jesus lied, not having any of that. Mincing theology, half truths, slides of the hand are the work of the great magician Satan, "believe none of what you see, it is all trickery, In Revelations we are told of this, many will come in my name and say that they are I, many will follow them to their death, while others still will hold their ground and say that he is not thee."
We as humans would be better left to figure out quantum physics to understand the universe than to question God. As Job and others have found out, we should never test the Lord. Where were we when he set the cornerstones of this world? What formula did he use to calculate matter to be the difference between a solid or gas. How can you explain animals knowing how to take care of their young, let alone what to eat and drink during pregnacy.
See I am already feeling better. Most would dismiss my ramblings as merely that, while others might say, "seems dear ol Jim is on some spiritual revival of sorts", they might be closer to the truth than all others.
We all need revival in our lives.....more to come later...be blessed, taking time to take in the abundence of Gods glory in his love for us in this springtime weather....
Over a week and no remorse for leaving abruptly from activity on facebook. I have face other challenges some in the physical world others in the spiritual world. If I had the choice I would choose the spiritual world over the living world and day.
ReplyDeletePeople are hateful to one another when angered. They say irresponsible things, mean hurtful things, all so they can be declared right. If it is that important, then let them win, you are right and I am wrong, you win and I loose.
Before you go running off to the bank or back to your home to declare victory, better look to make sure you didn't develop a hole in your bag of treasures, and what cost could you claim was suitable enough for the war you waged.
D O N O T B E M I S G U I D E D !!! Be mindful of what we do in front of God, he will remember...
Easter Sunday. He is Risen and joyful are we who benefit from his sacrafice and resurection. Not gaunteed as some might believe. Eternal life requires more, not just a popular or a time of convienence type of belief.
ReplyDeleteNo great the acting, he's seen it all before, those that rejoice in his coming, then the next conspire to kill him. Salvation isn't a difficult thing to achieve, it is however hard to follow.
Those that struggle to follow him stand a much better chance of survival than those who merely give up, expecting someone to pinch hit for them when judgement day comes. Won't be any slick lawyers standing before Jesus pleading our case or influencing any juries.
So where do you stand, are yoou brave enough to face the truth and know whom you really are, follow the way, the truth, the Lord our God? I pray you will.
Coming up on the halfway point of this sabatical. Can't believe all that has happened in the time span of 3 months, more will follow as I head through the last of this self-imposed leave of daily interaction, with facebook and other mediums.
ReplyDeleteLost the momentum with a few opportunities, ran into a UED, some might see it as easily as explainable, others like myself would see it as just another trip up by the evil one, placing doubt, confusion and sinful distractions in our way.
Trying to use this time as a reflecting time, more of this will follow as well. In a few months I hope that the direction will be set firmly in place and new opportunities lay in wait just around the corner.
Four months ago I started this journey, it was an my attempt to take some time away from the UED's taking a toll on my life. So I took that time to take a closer look at my life and see what sort of distractions I had to limit them from having such a large impact.
ReplyDeleteThat all being said and done. I understand where those distractions are, knowing how to control exposure to them, turn my attention , to what really defines my life, my faith.
I am reluctent as most christians are to move step by step forward trusting in solely our Lord and Savior. We are reminded by many great authors to place our trust solely in him that spans the time of all generations, tall order? I think not.
To sum it all up, I am returning to normal status here and on other mediums, reaching out with some lessons and prayers and many thoughts, both positive and negative.