Posts Tagged ‘1 Thessalonians’

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70 Examples

January 18th, 2011

Yesterday my Grandfather turned 96.  On that same day he and my grandmother celebrated 70 years of marriage. WOW!

In this day and age it seems we celebrate 7 years of marriage as a remarkable thing,  there sit my grandparents, married for 70 years as a beacon of the greatness and promises that a committed marriage can bring.

Its a really remarkable thing since they were married for almost twice as long as I have been married when I was born!

I often think about their lives – in the same house, on the same hill, in the same little town for all of those years.  My grandfather’s memory is fading now, but sometimes I wish I could ask him what drove him everyday and what purpose did he find as he headed down to take care of the books at the local glass factory.  I am not sure, but I wonder if he would point to the verse that I think of alot when I think of my grandparents

11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you, 12 so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.  1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

They have lived a quiet life together, and but they gained great respect.  I hope you join me in celebrating their 70 years together, and that maybe you find some encouragement from their example as well!  And since I have you thinking, maybe consider for a moment, what your ambitions are?

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Rejoice

December 21st, 2010

Well I woke up this morning with these words on my lips:

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

You know it must be close to Christmas.

But really this is how our lives should be lived all year long.  We are free, because of the baby, because of his birth, and his resurrection.  What then can take away that joy?

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 (New International Version, ©2010)

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Philippians 4:4-5 (New International Version, ©2010)

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Paid in Full

July 16th, 2010

I dunno about you but I hate paying bills.  It’s not so much about getting rid of the money ( although that part is stinky), is more about the accounting and making sure it’s paid on the correct date and getting the right amount and all of that stuff.  For those things that I don’t have automatically paid, it’s a struggle every month.  Usually there is a frantic middle of the night rush on the due date to pay the bill.  What a blessing on line bill pay is.

So isn’t it good to know that as followers of the Christ, there is no due date.  Well, there will be a judgement day, and for those not follower the Christ, that will be quite a problem.  But for those who have put on the grace and mercy of Christ, your sins will have been paid in full, and on the due date, your balance due will be a big fat zero!

23May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (New International Version)

So, doesn’t knowing that you owe nothing and that its been paid for you provide some relief from the anxiety of the day and create a desire to repay that through your actions?  Get out there and impact those around you today.

Its freeeeeeeeeeeee!

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Happy Tax Day

April 15th, 2010

Yeah right!  Tax Day and Happy just don’t go together do they?  I already posted something about that last week.  So looking past the obvious dark cloud of the day, lets focus on some other things.  April 15 is also the day the Titanic sank, the anniversary of Lincoln’s assassination, and the day the first McDonald’s opened.  and if that’s not enough, it also National That Sucks Day!

But slow down, its really not that bad, its National High Five Day!

(you really need to watch that video)

Yes National High Five Day (NH5D).  Let’s do that!  What an excellent way to move out of the doldrums that could happen on April 15 and move forward with power!

10He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:10-11 (New International Version)

Get out there today and encourage others.  Use each encounter with a person to build them up. Make the other person better.  Show the love you have been given.  Strive to end each interaction with a high five.  I would love to hear of the joy this brings to you and to the people you meet.

Its National High Five Day, Sucka!

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An Idea for Prayer

January 5th, 2010

As we start the new year, many of us lay out a plan for a “better prayer life”.  It is a good change to make to spend time taking advantage of the gift of prayer.  Its a real life changer when you are in those times in life when prayer is a big part of your day.  So I thought I would share an idea a found a few months again at the Not a Fan site.  (if you have not check this site out your should – there is lots of encouragement there.)  Anyway, the idea shared there is a modern take on the prayer journal – give God an email address and send him an email everyday.  I have not tried this yet, but I think its a pretty good idea – especially for you writers out there.  Check out the idea here, and however you do it, make it a priority in 2010 to spend time in prayer.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (New International Version)

16Be joyful always; 17pray continually; 18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

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