Posts Tagged ‘patience’

Making Others Better

April 13th, 2011

Man its tough.  Trying to understand that at times your only purpose in life to to help others.  The selfish impulses that are woven deep inside of us want to take over and push the others out of the way. However, when you are able to swallow pride, develop some patience and provide assistance to others it always seems better in the end.

I know that when I do that I am a better spouse, father, and co worker.  So what is it still so difficult to not just chuck those people to the wind and move on with out them?  Casting aside a personal agenda for the sake of other seem so fundamentally wrong when we examine ourselves, yet is is the cry of the Christ.

16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” (Matthew 20:16, New International Version, ©2011)

and there’s this

25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. (Matthew 16:25, New International Version, ©2011)

So, today, I am trying to figure out how to lose myself, how to give up on my personal agenda and how to make the others that I am blessed to be around better. Any ideas?

Unsure?

September 8th, 2010

This morning I am been a little unsure of what to write.  My brain is swirling in lots of things, but no clear thoughts to share.  So I just after wondering aimlessly around the house looking for inspiration from the cats, the sun rise, the boys, or anything that I could find, I reluctantly just opened up my Bible.

After turning about 4 pages, I saw this:

12I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 13Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

15Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 17Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.1 Timothy 1:12-17 (New International Version)

So right there it is.  Very encouraging words for a morning of uncertainty.  Paul says, Hey look I was terrible, full of problems, angry, violent, and just blame rough, and the Christ poured grace all over me.  Then he says, he’ll do the same for you.  Wow, that’s a nice promise and a provides a certain amount of certainty, doesn’t?

And then of course, when we are given a gift of grace and unlimited patience like that, we can turn face the day with vigor and sureness and boldness.  Can we bestow this same gives on the others that we encounter today.  Surely, we can.  Pour out the grace that you have been given to those around you.