Posts Tagged ‘Colossians’

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Being Peace

November 15th, 2011

A few months ago, in a Sunday morning bible class, the instructor asked us what the our prayer was for our life.  I can’t remember the exact context of the conversation, but I remember the answer that immediately came to my mind.  And it come with so much authority and certainty that I actually felt like sharing it out loud, which doesn’t come easy for me in that setting. ( Which is really odd, since when I teach I love audience participation!)  Anyway, the prayer for my life on that day, and really ever since, was simple and powerful.  On that day I spoke these words:

I just want to be peace in storms.

I was sick – sick of the frustrating battles with my teenager, sick of the constant striving at work, sick of the ridiculous distractions that wrap me up and warp my viewpoints – sick of not just letting the spirit do what the spirit does.

That day was not the first time this thought was in my mind, but since that day I have prayed that prayer almost every day at some point in the day. And you know what – it has helped me grow is so many uncountable ways.!

So this past weekend as I cruised through Colossians I rediscovered this verse that I just love.  I hope it helps you as well.

 15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15 New International Version (NIV)

Be peace, be thankful, be Christ.

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Metamorphic

November 14th, 2011

Last week, I was blessed to be able to spend the week in the woods with around 80 6th graders.  Many of you would say “What in the world?”  But it was really a great time.  So now you know why lasts weeks posts were so odd.

I wrote down one note during the week.It was on a hike where the instructor was telling the children about different types of rock.  She mentioned one particular type of rock – “Metamorphic”.  I took off my pack, open the zipper, grabbed my Moleskin and scribbled down these words:

Metamorphic -> changed by the environment.  A type of rock, or a type of Christian?

It’s the idea of being changed, and helping others to change that struck me. It was as  if her words were a rock thrown toward my head.

I have come back to those thoughts several times, and since that time the book of Colossians seems to find its way in front of my eyes.  In Colossians we can find this somewhat famous line:

You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.  3:7 NIV

Changed!

Changed, not by the environment as much as by the mercy of God and the love of Christ.  But changed none the less.

Colossians 3 continues with this:

…since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 9-10

and then it ends when the results of the change

 

 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.  Colossians 3:12-14 New International Version (NIV)

 

If you were a rock, would you be classified as metamorphic?

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Scarred But Smarter

November 8th, 2011

Since, I was in college I have always enjoyed the music of Drivin’ ‘N Cryin’.  After listening to their stuff again a few weeks ago, I decided I would have DNC week on the DB.  However, it seems that will actually just be DNC 3 days.  So over the next three days, it will be simple observations from some of good ol’ Kevn Kinney’s lyrics.

I thought I would start off with the song Scarred But Smarter.  I like this particular part of this song:

There’s always a chance to get restarted to a new world, new life, Scarred by Smarter!

It’s such a story of redemption and forgiveness.   It’s screams the idea of learning from the past, leaving it behind and moving forward.  It’s something we all can think about as we start each day anew.

 

Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Psalm 51:12
 5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Colossians 3

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Shadows

June 16th, 2011

I thought I had a really great thought this morning about being in Orlando, and being right on the edge of Disney World and how that could have  some symbolic meaning about being close to something that you really loved that you couldn’t get. 

And then I thought about how at the Holy Lands Park on Monday they recreated the crucifixion and the resurrection of Christ and his second coming, and again how that was just like a tease since it was something that we lots of us look forward to, but alas it is not here yet.

So I thought I had a great thought about shadows and how those glimpses into the future keep us motivated to keep moving.  I even thought that this verse in Colossians would be great for that,

17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ Colossians 2:17

But it was just a shadow of a thought, a passing glimpse, not even a real post, so I will just share this encouraging verse today instead:

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:15-17

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Envious of Passion

June 2nd, 2011

Yesterday, I traveled to a small blacksmith shop in town that manufacturers supplementary equipment for the military and the police. It was such a small shop with 3 or 4 employees total, but they produce a great product.  However, what impressed me the most was their passion and the way they love what they are doing.

I saw the same thing a few weeks ago with the UTC football coaches when I was able to spend a few moments breaking down game film with them at a First Things First parenting event.  They had incredible knowledge and an incredible desire to win football games. 

I am so envious of the passion these people possess.  I love the focus and their desire for one thing.  I notice at my corporate America employment site it can become very easy to lose focus on the goal.  It’s so easy to get distracted and be going in a direction that makes no sense.

So, that is why I am so envious of the passion that is so evident in these people – focus, determined, heading toward one goal.

Hm, sort of what our creator expects from us! 

17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17, New International Version)

This is the type of passion that I yearn for, one focus, one desire, on tasks. How about you?

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