It's Monday and I'm feeling the weightiness of transition. I'm tired, feeling isolated, and disconnected.
I've retreated to my other office and am working through my feelings and emotions, knowing that they are not reliable reference points for decison-making.
I am also reminding myself that worry is counter productive and, more improtantly, sinful, for it separates me from the more appropriate response to anxiety of prayer.
I read from the Psalms for my devotions this morning and was directed there again a few minutes ago to Psalm 116:1, "I love the Lord, for He heard my voice; He heard my cry for mercy. Because He turned His ear to me, I mwillc all on Him as long as I live."
David's context for those words seem a bit more egregious than mine--"The cords of death strangled me...", "I was overcome by trouble and sorrow..."
David's next words are where I want to be, "Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you."
I am calling on the Lord--He has always been faithful to meet my needs. I know He hears me.
I think I'll take a nap. (It's my day off...)
Monday, April 23, 2012
Wednesday, April 04, 2012
"Speak the truth in love"
Here's a biblical principle seldom practiced.
"Speak the truth in love."
No doubt, part of the problem is how we do this.
*The "speak" can become "yelling" and "gesticulating".
The "truth" can be diluted and distorted.
The "in love" can be lost on line, miscommunicated in a letter, or even misread in a face-to-face meeting.
Hardly seems worth the risk.
Except, the alternative is to harbor anger, to become sullen and withdrawn, to become passively aggressive...to miss the opportunity that openness and honesty afford when exercised in the context of Christian love.
Yes, there are still risks.
I have shared on occasions "in love" in the past with Christian brothers where my sharing was turned around to make me feel guilty or to question my motives.
For me, it's still worth it.
Obeying the Word, exercising the biblical principle, and checking personal motives will enable you to "speak the truth in love" and to move forward without rancor or bitterness.
I know. I've compared the benefit of "speaking the truth in love" to harboring bitterness in my heart--something warned against in God's word. There's no comparison.
Obey the Word. Take the "risk".
"Speak the truth in love."
"Speak the truth in love."
No doubt, part of the problem is how we do this.
*The "speak" can become "yelling" and "gesticulating".
The "truth" can be diluted and distorted.
The "in love" can be lost on line, miscommunicated in a letter, or even misread in a face-to-face meeting.
Hardly seems worth the risk.
Except, the alternative is to harbor anger, to become sullen and withdrawn, to become passively aggressive...to miss the opportunity that openness and honesty afford when exercised in the context of Christian love.
Yes, there are still risks.
I have shared on occasions "in love" in the past with Christian brothers where my sharing was turned around to make me feel guilty or to question my motives.
For me, it's still worth it.
Obeying the Word, exercising the biblical principle, and checking personal motives will enable you to "speak the truth in love" and to move forward without rancor or bitterness.
I know. I've compared the benefit of "speaking the truth in love" to harboring bitterness in my heart--something warned against in God's word. There's no comparison.
Obey the Word. Take the "risk".
"Speak the truth in love."
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