During the pursuit of my bachelors degree (which took seven years and five schools) I recall noticing certain people as we returned from Christmas breaks. I could clearly see from their freshly tanned faces that they had spent their break somewhere warm. They stuck out in the crowd because the winter weather had caused most of the rest of us to become pretty pasty!
I deduced from their tans that they had the necessary wealth to spend their break in a warm and exotic location. I remember thinking, "Wouldn't it be great to have enough money to spend my vacations on the beach?" I wanted to be like them; to have what they had!
We make assumptions about people by the way they look. What are we telling people about Jesus by the way we look?
The town I live in is currently in turmoil as the local state prison is slated to close. As I scan the crowd I see here and there a face that sticks out. These faces aren't panicked. They aren't downcast and gloomy. Instead, I see in their faces a peace and confidence that is remarkable.
One shining example is my friend Troy. He works at the prison and will be directly affected by this closure. However, his response to this circumstance is strikingly different than the crowd. Troy's response, "God is in this situation, so He will get me through it."
That's what I call Son-tanned! I want to be like him, and have what he has!
Thanks, Troy!
Lon
Matthew 5:15-16
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Showing posts with label worry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label worry. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Courage, by Lon Alderman
Philippians 1:20
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
Paul understood his purpose in life, and that purpose was to "exalt" Jesus. No matter whether Paul lived or died, his role was to point people to Christ. If you knew Paul, then you knew his Jesus.
I don't know about where you live, but around here there is a great deal of fear. It seems that "everyone" is afraid about the current "financial crisis" in this country. Church people don't seem to be exempt from this fear!
What church people don't understand is that we are always pointing people to Jesus. Whether we behave well or behave badly we reflect on our Lord. This current "crisis" gives us an extraordinary stage upon which to tell people about our Jesus.
What will our message of Jesus sound like?
Take courage!
Lon
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
Paul understood his purpose in life, and that purpose was to "exalt" Jesus. No matter whether Paul lived or died, his role was to point people to Christ. If you knew Paul, then you knew his Jesus.
I don't know about where you live, but around here there is a great deal of fear. It seems that "everyone" is afraid about the current "financial crisis" in this country. Church people don't seem to be exempt from this fear!
What church people don't understand is that we are always pointing people to Jesus. Whether we behave well or behave badly we reflect on our Lord. This current "crisis" gives us an extraordinary stage upon which to tell people about our Jesus.
What will our message of Jesus sound like?
Take courage!
Lon
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
House on the Rock, by Lon Alderman
Matthew 7:24-25
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
We are emerging from yet another storm! This one was a whopper! The wind howled and the rain battered! The storm grew from our anxiety about future things. Stuff that hasn't gotten here, yet! Oh, but what a storm we brewed up!
We, my wife and I, headed for the basement. We finally found real shelter by returning our trust to God. As soon as we changed our focus to trusting God today, then the storm subsided. Even more, the blessings started flowing!
Where's your foundation?
Lon
Matthew 7:26-27
But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
We are emerging from yet another storm! This one was a whopper! The wind howled and the rain battered! The storm grew from our anxiety about future things. Stuff that hasn't gotten here, yet! Oh, but what a storm we brewed up!
We, my wife and I, headed for the basement. We finally found real shelter by returning our trust to God. As soon as we changed our focus to trusting God today, then the storm subsided. Even more, the blessings started flowing!
Where's your foundation?
Lon
Matthew 7:26-27
But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Step By Step, by Lon Alderman
John 14:1
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.
I am confident that through God's grace my life's journey will end in heaven. It is the daily steps of life that trip me up.
I allow the challenges and disappointments of the day to distract me. Instead of trusting God moment by moment as I travel through the day, I most often go on auto pilot. I take my eyes off of Jesus and get to work. It is then that the tripping begins.
Here's the fourth stanza to a great old hymn, "God Will Take Care of You":
Through days of toil when heart doth fail,
God will take care of you;
when dangers fierce your path assail,
God will take care of you.
Every step of the way!
Lon
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.
I am confident that through God's grace my life's journey will end in heaven. It is the daily steps of life that trip me up.
I allow the challenges and disappointments of the day to distract me. Instead of trusting God moment by moment as I travel through the day, I most often go on auto pilot. I take my eyes off of Jesus and get to work. It is then that the tripping begins.
Here's the fourth stanza to a great old hymn, "God Will Take Care of You":
Through days of toil when heart doth fail,
God will take care of you;
when dangers fierce your path assail,
God will take care of you.
Every step of the way!
Lon
Friday, August 01, 2008
What if...?, by Rachel Smith
We all wonder this sometimes. What if...and the dot dot dot is usually some concern for the future or our health or our finances or even our children. While those concerns may all be very real and valid just wondering and worrying won't change anything.
Prayer changes things.
We are to be told not to be anxious, about anything. This includes all of those what ifs. But rather be thankful and prayerful.
Just for today try to pray rather than worry. Anytime your brain says, "well, what are you going to do about that" answer by praying. Instead of coming up with solutions or worrying about not having any, let God be in charge. Go to Him with everything today.
Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Prayer changes things.
We are to be told not to be anxious, about anything. This includes all of those what ifs. But rather be thankful and prayerful.
Just for today try to pray rather than worry. Anytime your brain says, "well, what are you going to do about that" answer by praying. Instead of coming up with solutions or worrying about not having any, let God be in charge. Go to Him with everything today.
Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
The Law of Gravity, by Lon Alderman
Matthew 14:30
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"
Rachel's article, Fear and Success, inspired me regarding the thoughts that fly through my brain when I step out in faith. I don't always respond well when God calls me, but when I do take a step of faith I find that I immediately feel the gravity of the situation.
As Peter stepped down out of that boat, he must have felt the strangest of feelings. He was a fisherman taught by years of time spent on the water that water will not hold a person up. His experience taught him that "in the boat" was the place to be. These established laws in his life must have been screaming in his mind as he began to do the impossible.
That must have been the moment he began to sink. That moment when he realized the impossibility of what he was doing. This same devastating thought sinks many a good step of faith. We forget the Jesus that got us out of the boat, because our "laws" tell us we can't.
Defy gravity and follow Jesus!
Lon
Subscribers: The Build Up site has been recently updated! You can now search the posts (almost 300 of them) through the use of "labels". Using the labels you can find specific posts to encourage you! For example, there are 10 posts dedicated to the topic of "trust". Check it out!
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"
Rachel's article, Fear and Success, inspired me regarding the thoughts that fly through my brain when I step out in faith. I don't always respond well when God calls me, but when I do take a step of faith I find that I immediately feel the gravity of the situation.
As Peter stepped down out of that boat, he must have felt the strangest of feelings. He was a fisherman taught by years of time spent on the water that water will not hold a person up. His experience taught him that "in the boat" was the place to be. These established laws in his life must have been screaming in his mind as he began to do the impossible.
That must have been the moment he began to sink. That moment when he realized the impossibility of what he was doing. This same devastating thought sinks many a good step of faith. We forget the Jesus that got us out of the boat, because our "laws" tell us we can't.
Defy gravity and follow Jesus!
Lon
Subscribers: The Build Up site has been recently updated! You can now search the posts (almost 300 of them) through the use of "labels". Using the labels you can find specific posts to encourage you! For example, there are 10 posts dedicated to the topic of "trust". Check it out!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Fear and Success, by Rachel Smith
Deuteronomy 31:8
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
When Joshua made it to the Promised Land God comforted him by telling him not to be afraid. He also encouraged him by telling him directly (through Moses) not to get discouraged.
Sometimes when we wait and pray for something so long we don't know what to do when we get it. We are both excited and afraid in one breath. Our doubts rush in and we question leaving the known for the unknown.
God, who got you to this point, will get you through this point.
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
When Joshua made it to the Promised Land God comforted him by telling him not to be afraid. He also encouraged him by telling him directly (through Moses) not to get discouraged.
Sometimes when we wait and pray for something so long we don't know what to do when we get it. We are both excited and afraid in one breath. Our doubts rush in and we question leaving the known for the unknown.
God, who got you to this point, will get you through this point.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Now, by Lon Alderman
Matthew 6:34 (The Message)
Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
The challenge is to trust God enough to keep our eyes on Him when everything around us squawks for our attention. The world appeals to our "common sense" and tells us we need to prepare for tomorrow's potential difficulties. It says, "You have to concentrate on tomorrow!" The problem is that when people concentrate on "tomorrow", they miss what God is doing today.
Henri Nouwen teaches that the proper stance for the Christian is up on the balls of our feet in anticipation of the next amazing thing God will do. I love that imagery because it places our expectations on God's movement today. Concentrating on God leaves us free from worries about tomorrow.
God is good, today!
Lon
Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
The challenge is to trust God enough to keep our eyes on Him when everything around us squawks for our attention. The world appeals to our "common sense" and tells us we need to prepare for tomorrow's potential difficulties. It says, "You have to concentrate on tomorrow!" The problem is that when people concentrate on "tomorrow", they miss what God is doing today.
Henri Nouwen teaches that the proper stance for the Christian is up on the balls of our feet in anticipation of the next amazing thing God will do. I love that imagery because it places our expectations on God's movement today. Concentrating on God leaves us free from worries about tomorrow.
God is good, today!
Lon
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Anxiety
Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
If I really embraced this passage, how would I explain the anxiety in my life? My anxiety wells up when I lose sight of the fact that God is at work in the "things" around me. Further, I forget that even when the "things" around me make life tough that through them God is working for my good.
And in my anxiety, I forget that God is purposeful. The Lord is constantly working toward the expansion of His kingdom. I forget that He is all-powerful and all-knowing. I forget to trust Him and I become anxious.
There is no place for anxiety if I trust the Lord.
Trust Him!
Lon
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
If I really embraced this passage, how would I explain the anxiety in my life? My anxiety wells up when I lose sight of the fact that God is at work in the "things" around me. Further, I forget that even when the "things" around me make life tough that through them God is working for my good.
And in my anxiety, I forget that God is purposeful. The Lord is constantly working toward the expansion of His kingdom. I forget that He is all-powerful and all-knowing. I forget to trust Him and I become anxious.
There is no place for anxiety if I trust the Lord.
Trust Him!
Lon
Monday, July 23, 2007
Acorn Build Up: Trust
Trust
John 14:1
Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me."
Trusting is tough for most of us. We've been burned by people that should have been worthy of our trust, so we learn not to trust others. Plus, our culture screams at us to be independent and self-reliant. Pride, which we are so susceptible to, doesn't make trusting any easier. I can still hear the toddler in me screaming, "I can do it myself!"
Then we wonder why life is so difficult. We fret and we worry.
Jesus calls us to trust Him. Trusting God allows us to stop worrying. After all, if we trust that God is in charge, and He loves us, and His plan is to prosper us, then why waste time and energy worrying?
Trust God ~ Don't Worry
Lon
John 14:1
Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me."
Trusting is tough for most of us. We've been burned by people that should have been worthy of our trust, so we learn not to trust others. Plus, our culture screams at us to be independent and self-reliant. Pride, which we are so susceptible to, doesn't make trusting any easier. I can still hear the toddler in me screaming, "I can do it myself!"
Then we wonder why life is so difficult. We fret and we worry.
Jesus calls us to trust Him. Trusting God allows us to stop worrying. After all, if we trust that God is in charge, and He loves us, and His plan is to prosper us, then why waste time and energy worrying?
Trust God ~ Don't Worry
Lon
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