Today, in joining with people across the globe to observe Good Friday and remember our Savior's last day, I am reminded that my kind and gentle sister Mary once pointed out to me that an explanation is not necessarily an excuse.
Then Jesus said,
"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."
~ Luke 23:34 (NKJV)
It seems to me that in asking for mercy on behalf of sinners He loved, Jesus offered His Father an explanation with making excuse.
We tend to confuse the two and too easily offer explanation for how we come to commit sin. We may take a measure of solace in knowing that "to err is human." When placing blame, it lands comfortably upon the provocation of someone else, whether mortal or demon.
Whatever explanation we might offer, God's Word says we "are without excuse" (Romans 1:18-21).
Perhaps worse, none of us even begins to comprehend the severity of our sin or the extent of its effects.
It's been said that the surest proof of the existence of Hell (and therefore how very bad sin is) may be found in the fact that Jesus died horrifically to save us from God's wrath against sin.
It stands to reason that the death of Jesus, extreme as it was, is of greater magnitude than even such immense sin. And it follows that the love of God outweighs them both.
"And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' "
~ Luke 18:13 (NKJV)
Putting faith in Christ is to be excused for inexcusable sin and discover a chasm of gratitude. Growing in Christ is both learning how to sin less and seeing our sin all the more.
Dear Father, thank You for Your great love and mercy and perfect justice. Lord Jesus, thank You for revealing this to us.
Comments are welcome (including respectful disagreement) and will receive a reply.
You may also contact author via Twitter – @anne4JC
or e-mail – use @gmail.com *after* buildingHisbody
Copyright 2013, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Showing posts with label Gratitude. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gratitude. Show all posts
Friday, March 29, 2013
Monday, November 26, 2012
Third Thanksgiving Payback: Purpose
The turkey has been eaten or frozen for later. The mammoth sales are over. The game's glow of victory or shadow of defeat has faded.
The Thanksgiving weekend has ended.
Let us hear the end of the whole matter:
Fear God, and keep His commands,
For this is the whole of man.
~ Ecclesiastes 12:13
"Fear God, and keep His commands" might accurately sum up human purpose. But it comes at the end of Ecclesiastes, Solomon's long lament about the "whole" of life as "meaningless," "vanity," "pointless," or "useless" (depending on your Bible's translation). How do we reconcile the wisdom of Solomon simultaneously viewing the whole of life as meaningless and the whole of man as "Fear God, and keep His commands"?
And further, from these, my son, be warned;
The making of many books has no end,
And much study is a weariness of the flesh.
~ Ecclesiastes 12:13
King Solomon possessed greater luxury, peace, and wisdom than all before or since. Yet he wearied himself searching for his "whole" in many women, much study, and a multitude of writings. He rightly concluded that the whole of man is found in fear of God and obedience to Him, but evidently found no satisfaction in the conclusion.
Solomon's descent came not in the loss of any blessing, but in failure to be content. His father David lived much of his life in exile and want, enduring hostility and war, yet he expressed continual gratitude to God through it all. Solomon's two psalms, volumes of proverbs, and Ecclesiastes elegy fail to speak of gratitude at all despite his enormity of blessings and peace.
Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work."
~ John 4:34 (NKJV)
Jesus knew His purpose and it was food to Him, body and soul. Gethsemane revealed that although human will and purpose are quite distinct, they find harmony in acceptance of God's will as blessing. We see in Scripture that Jesus, God the Son, always gave thanks to God the Father for His food, including the food of God's will, for He gave thanks for the covenant cup (Matthew 26.27-28)—a cup made available only because Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, also accepted the cup of God's wrath (Isaiah 51:17, Matthew 26:39,42).
This grace was given me: to proclaim goodness … the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make visible to everyone our share of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things … according to the eternal purpose which God accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
~ Ephesians 3:8-11
In the giving of thanks, we make invisible God visible. We have highest purpose.
The Thanksgiving weekend may be over. The giving of thanks has no end.
Gracious Father, reveal to us Your will and our purpose. Lord Jesus, thank You for Your glorious example. Holy Spirit, empower us to live up to all we are to be, to our Father's delight.
Comments are welcome (including respectful disagreement) and will receive a reply.
You may also contact author via Twitter – @anne4JC
or e-mail – use @gmail.com *after* buildingHisbody
Copyright 2012, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
The Thanksgiving weekend has ended.
Let us hear the end of the whole matter:
Fear God, and keep His commands,
For this is the whole of man.
~ Ecclesiastes 12:13
"Fear God, and keep His commands" might accurately sum up human purpose. But it comes at the end of Ecclesiastes, Solomon's long lament about the "whole" of life as "meaningless," "vanity," "pointless," or "useless" (depending on your Bible's translation). How do we reconcile the wisdom of Solomon simultaneously viewing the whole of life as meaningless and the whole of man as "Fear God, and keep His commands"?
And further, from these, my son, be warned;
The making of many books has no end,
And much study is a weariness of the flesh.
~ Ecclesiastes 12:13
King Solomon possessed greater luxury, peace, and wisdom than all before or since. Yet he wearied himself searching for his "whole" in many women, much study, and a multitude of writings. He rightly concluded that the whole of man is found in fear of God and obedience to Him, but evidently found no satisfaction in the conclusion.
Solomon's descent came not in the loss of any blessing, but in failure to be content. His father David lived much of his life in exile and want, enduring hostility and war, yet he expressed continual gratitude to God through it all. Solomon's two psalms, volumes of proverbs, and Ecclesiastes elegy fail to speak of gratitude at all despite his enormity of blessings and peace.
Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work."
~ John 4:34 (NKJV)
Jesus knew His purpose and it was food to Him, body and soul. Gethsemane revealed that although human will and purpose are quite distinct, they find harmony in acceptance of God's will as blessing. We see in Scripture that Jesus, God the Son, always gave thanks to God the Father for His food, including the food of God's will, for He gave thanks for the covenant cup (Matthew 26.27-28)—a cup made available only because Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, also accepted the cup of God's wrath (Isaiah 51:17, Matthew 26:39,42).
This grace was given me: to proclaim goodness … the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make visible to everyone our share of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things … according to the eternal purpose which God accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
~ Ephesians 3:8-11
In the giving of thanks, we make invisible God visible. We have highest purpose.
The Thanksgiving weekend may be over. The giving of thanks has no end.
Gracious Father, reveal to us Your will and our purpose. Lord Jesus, thank You for Your glorious example. Holy Spirit, empower us to live up to all we are to be, to our Father's delight.
Comments are welcome (including respectful disagreement) and will receive a reply.
You may also contact author via Twitter – @anne4JC
or e-mail – use @gmail.com *after* buildingHisbody
Copyright 2012, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Second Thanksgiving Payback: Protection
Most humans think that our greatest source of suffering and our number one enemy is named Death. We fear its process if not its outcome. We avoid discussion of it, as if to disallow it in conversation is to relegate it into nonexistence. We fight it at any cost.
But I assert that Death is merely a portal, and our number one enemy is named Sin. Whether or not Suffering travels with Death, Suffering never leaves the company of Sin. Suffering and Sin both, like cancer, grow wherever they find a foothold. Sin assaults soul, hurts neighbor, weakens every community in which we have a part, and affronts God. The Suffering which enters with Sin can be neither measured or called back.
You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask bad, that you may expend it on your desires.
~ James 4:2-3
… lust … covet … desire … Here is where sin originates.
"Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses."
~ Luke 12:15 (NKJV)
Here too is the difference between the hungry third-world child, happy to play in the dirt with his companions, sticks, and rocks, and the round first-world child who cannot content himself in a house filled with luxuries.
"And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
~ Matthew 19:24 (NKJV)
And here is the difference between two men of equal means—one who looks upon what he has, and one upon what he has not, whether material wealth, health, or relationship.
"Wealth consists not in the abundance of our possessions, but in the fewness of our wants."
~ Unknown
In the practice of thankfulness, gratefully focused upon all we have, we become increasingly oblivious to the desires which invite sin and lead to suffering.
For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.… O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
~ Romans 7:19, 24-25 (NKJV)
If Sin is greatest enemy, giving thanks to God is perhaps the most effective protection we can employ against the tyrant.
Next time: Third Thanksgiving Payback – Purpose
Comments are welcome (including respectful disagreement) and will receive a reply.
You may also contact author via Twitter – @anne4JC
or e-mail – use @gmail.com *after* buildingHisbody
Copyright 2012, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
But I assert that Death is merely a portal, and our number one enemy is named Sin. Whether or not Suffering travels with Death, Suffering never leaves the company of Sin. Suffering and Sin both, like cancer, grow wherever they find a foothold. Sin assaults soul, hurts neighbor, weakens every community in which we have a part, and affronts God. The Suffering which enters with Sin can be neither measured or called back.
You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask bad, that you may expend it on your desires.
~ James 4:2-3
… lust … covet … desire … Here is where sin originates.
"Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses."
~ Luke 12:15 (NKJV)
Here too is the difference between the hungry third-world child, happy to play in the dirt with his companions, sticks, and rocks, and the round first-world child who cannot content himself in a house filled with luxuries.
"And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
~ Matthew 19:24 (NKJV)
And here is the difference between two men of equal means—one who looks upon what he has, and one upon what he has not, whether material wealth, health, or relationship.
"Wealth consists not in the abundance of our possessions, but in the fewness of our wants."
~ Unknown
In the practice of thankfulness, gratefully focused upon all we have, we become increasingly oblivious to the desires which invite sin and lead to suffering.
For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.… O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
~ Romans 7:19, 24-25 (NKJV)
If Sin is greatest enemy, giving thanks to God is perhaps the most effective protection we can employ against the tyrant.
Next time: Third Thanksgiving Payback – Purpose
Comments are welcome (including respectful disagreement) and will receive a reply.
You may also contact author via Twitter – @anne4JC
or e-mail – use @gmail.com *after* buildingHisbody
Copyright 2012, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
First Thanksgiving Payback: Peace
For many people, next week will be four days off of work for gorging on food, football, and frenzied shopping.
For others, the celebration of giving thanks is an opportunity to indulge in blessings remembered and to renew thanksgiving as a way of life.
As a way of life, thanksgiving offers paybacks exponentially higher than 5% cash back on a credit card. Whatever else we do in pursuit of health in body and mind, heart and soul, the exercise of giving thanks returns a plethora of rewards for a person's well being, and peace is first on the list.
Peace with Life
"A proud man is seldom a grateful man, for he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves." So said Henry Ward Beecher, and so I have observed to be true, foremost of myself. When I believe I should have more than I do—more wealth, more health, more esteem—I am not at peace with life. But when I see myself as a worm who is unworthy to live in a free country amid plenty, or as a sinner undeserving of God's mercy grace and forgiveness, I am then utterly amazed that my Creator has blessed me as He has. In such a condition, I am at peace with life and know contentment in the midst of trial.
Peace with People
The same humble spirit necessary to heartfelt gratitude enables peace with even the most contentious scoundrels. God's Word directs, "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men." (Romans 12:18, NKJV) If some scoundrel will not be at peace with me, I will yet be at peace with him (wherever possible), ready to see the opportunity to return thanks to him (whenever possible), channeling to him the abundant grace poured out upon me (however possible). And, perchance, he (or she) will come to know peace with me in the process.
Peace with God
Truth be told, this is hardly different than peace with life. For God is Giver of life and all its complements. No circumstance of life arrives absent the permission of Almighty God. I would believe that my complaint about circumstance benignly evaporates, the thin air into which it was breathed dissipating its substance. Yet is complaint not a plaintiff's testimony against God's goodness, carried into the world and heavenly realms alike, summoning the Lord as Defendant and declaring my opposition to His sovereignty? On the other hand, the plea to receive strength and wisdom for a test is to invite His grace. And to offer testimony of thanks is to proclaim God wise and good and righteous and loving, declaring myself at peace with Him.
Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
Let the redeemed of the LORD say so.
~ Psalm 107:1-2 (NKJV)
Next time: Second Thanksgiving Payback – Protection
Comments are welcome (including respectful disagreement) and will receive a reply.
You may also contact author via Twitter – @anne4JC
or e-mail – use @gmail.com *after* buildingHisbody
Copyright 2012, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
For others, the celebration of giving thanks is an opportunity to indulge in blessings remembered and to renew thanksgiving as a way of life.
As a way of life, thanksgiving offers paybacks exponentially higher than 5% cash back on a credit card. Whatever else we do in pursuit of health in body and mind, heart and soul, the exercise of giving thanks returns a plethora of rewards for a person's well being, and peace is first on the list.
Peace with Life
"A proud man is seldom a grateful man, for he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves." So said Henry Ward Beecher, and so I have observed to be true, foremost of myself. When I believe I should have more than I do—more wealth, more health, more esteem—I am not at peace with life. But when I see myself as a worm who is unworthy to live in a free country amid plenty, or as a sinner undeserving of God's mercy grace and forgiveness, I am then utterly amazed that my Creator has blessed me as He has. In such a condition, I am at peace with life and know contentment in the midst of trial.
Peace with People
The same humble spirit necessary to heartfelt gratitude enables peace with even the most contentious scoundrels. God's Word directs, "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men." (Romans 12:18, NKJV) If some scoundrel will not be at peace with me, I will yet be at peace with him (wherever possible), ready to see the opportunity to return thanks to him (whenever possible), channeling to him the abundant grace poured out upon me (however possible). And, perchance, he (or she) will come to know peace with me in the process.
Peace with God
Truth be told, this is hardly different than peace with life. For God is Giver of life and all its complements. No circumstance of life arrives absent the permission of Almighty God. I would believe that my complaint about circumstance benignly evaporates, the thin air into which it was breathed dissipating its substance. Yet is complaint not a plaintiff's testimony against God's goodness, carried into the world and heavenly realms alike, summoning the Lord as Defendant and declaring my opposition to His sovereignty? On the other hand, the plea to receive strength and wisdom for a test is to invite His grace. And to offer testimony of thanks is to proclaim God wise and good and righteous and loving, declaring myself at peace with Him.
Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
Let the redeemed of the LORD say so.
~ Psalm 107:1-2 (NKJV)
Next time: Second Thanksgiving Payback – Protection
Comments are welcome (including respectful disagreement) and will receive a reply.
You may also contact author via Twitter – @anne4JC
or e-mail – use @gmail.com *after* buildingHisbody
Copyright 2012, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Enough Grace
This post is for a series on the theme "Enough!" The series will continue in about a week, after some offline time with family.
Grace may be either a noun ("unmerited or unearned favor or good will") or a verb ("to lend honor to by one's presence").
We might be inclined to think of our all-present, all-loving God as infinite in grace. But the Bible defines clear limits to both His favor and the manifestation of His presence. Numerous passages refer to either God hiding His presence, or His face (Deuteronomy 31:17-18; Micah 3:4; Psalm 104:29). The Bible also describes situations when God, in His displeasure, does not heed prayer (1 Peter 3:7; Deuteronomy 3:26; Psalm 66:18). Sometimes God disciplines His children (Hebrews 12:5-11), and His grace merely seems ungracious.
And sometimes, the Lord has simply had enough and withdraws His grace.
"And now, because you have done all these works," says the LORD, "and I spoke to you, rising up early and speaking, but you did not hear, and I called you, but you did not answer … I will cast you out of My sight …"
~ Jeremiah 7:13,15 (NKJV)
We know Hell is real, for Jesus both spoke of it and paid the ultimate price in order to release us from its claim upon us. Hell is the ultimate and final removal of grace, the residence of those who have cared nothing for the Lord's presence and found no joy or gratitude in His abundant favor.
O LORD, You brought my soul up from the grave;
You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.
Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His,
And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.
For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for life;
Weeping may endure for a night,
But joy comes in the morning.
~ Psalm 30:3-5 (NKJV)
How often do God's own people fail to find joy or express gratitude for His grace because we become preoccupied with trials? Faith is proved not only in our response to blessings but especially as we go through the trials which reveal what we count most important.
A closing thought: If we think we've reached the place of "Enough grace!" with one another, we can draw upon grace received for grace to give. God alone can make such a call, because He alone pours out more grace than He receives.
Lord God, please forgive me for thinking I've reached the end of grace to supply. Thank you for making me Yours, toward whom Your "favor is for life." Please remind me that Your anger and my weeping are a fleeting moment. You have kept me alive—forever shall I praise You!
Comments are welcome (including respectful disagreement). Comments to this post will receive a reply next week.
You may also contact author via e-mail – buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com
Copyright 2012, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Grace may be either a noun ("unmerited or unearned favor or good will") or a verb ("to lend honor to by one's presence").
We might be inclined to think of our all-present, all-loving God as infinite in grace. But the Bible defines clear limits to both His favor and the manifestation of His presence. Numerous passages refer to either God hiding His presence, or His face (Deuteronomy 31:17-18; Micah 3:4; Psalm 104:29). The Bible also describes situations when God, in His displeasure, does not heed prayer (1 Peter 3:7; Deuteronomy 3:26; Psalm 66:18). Sometimes God disciplines His children (Hebrews 12:5-11), and His grace merely seems ungracious.
And sometimes, the Lord has simply had enough and withdraws His grace.
"And now, because you have done all these works," says the LORD, "and I spoke to you, rising up early and speaking, but you did not hear, and I called you, but you did not answer … I will cast you out of My sight …"
~ Jeremiah 7:13,15 (NKJV)
We know Hell is real, for Jesus both spoke of it and paid the ultimate price in order to release us from its claim upon us. Hell is the ultimate and final removal of grace, the residence of those who have cared nothing for the Lord's presence and found no joy or gratitude in His abundant favor.
O LORD, You brought my soul up from the grave;
You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.
Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His,
And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.
For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for life;
Weeping may endure for a night,
But joy comes in the morning.
~ Psalm 30:3-5 (NKJV)
How often do God's own people fail to find joy or express gratitude for His grace because we become preoccupied with trials? Faith is proved not only in our response to blessings but especially as we go through the trials which reveal what we count most important.
A closing thought: If we think we've reached the place of "Enough grace!" with one another, we can draw upon grace received for grace to give. God alone can make such a call, because He alone pours out more grace than He receives.
Lord God, please forgive me for thinking I've reached the end of grace to supply. Thank you for making me Yours, toward whom Your "favor is for life." Please remind me that Your anger and my weeping are a fleeting moment. You have kept me alive—forever shall I praise You!
Comments are welcome (including respectful disagreement). Comments to this post will receive a reply next week.
You may also contact author via e-mail – buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com
Copyright 2012, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Prayer Request?
"... I was in prison and you came to Me ... "
~ Matthew 25:36
You will likely read this post after your celebration of Thanksgiving. Regardless of when you see this, it's not too late for you to breathe a prayer.
Our family had turkey dinner yesterday. Today I'll help lead a team of people going to the local county jail. Our church has a team of people who make Thanksgiving dinner for all the prisoners, and another group who meets with the prisoners for just a few moments to explain why we've done so. During those few moments we share a song or two, our love & encouragement, and the Gospel.
Would you be willing to take just a moment and ask the Lord to use our imperfect words in a lasting way in the lives of these people?
Thank you. May God bless you with the joy that flows from a heart full of gratitude.
~ Matthew 25:36
You will likely read this post after your celebration of Thanksgiving. Regardless of when you see this, it's not too late for you to breathe a prayer.
Our family had turkey dinner yesterday. Today I'll help lead a team of people going to the local county jail. Our church has a team of people who make Thanksgiving dinner for all the prisoners, and another group who meets with the prisoners for just a few moments to explain why we've done so. During those few moments we share a song or two, our love & encouragement, and the Gospel.
Would you be willing to take just a moment and ask the Lord to use our imperfect words in a lasting way in the lives of these people?
Thank you. May God bless you with the joy that flows from a heart full of gratitude.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Great Day of the Feast
On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
~ John 7:37-39 (NKJV)
Even those believers privileged to see and hear Jesus did not have what we have.
We have been set free from our sins by His blood.
We have the Lord God living within us by His Holy Spirit.
We have the entirety of Scripture at our fingertips.
Yet all too often, gratitude for such divine treasure is diminished by attention to some lesser thing we lack, or with impatience because we wait for something we believe will be better than what we have today.
And we then miss the fullness of blessing in today.
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, our country's "great day of The Feast." We will celebrate our abundance and, perhaps, express more gratitude to God than on other days.
We might also have a great day of the feast every day of the year, for the Lord daily offers us Bread of Life and Living Waters.
Thank You, Lord, for saving my soul;
Thank You, Lord, for making me whole;
Thank You, Lord, for giving to me
Thy great salvation so rich and free.
~ Seth Sykes
Comments are welcome and will receive a reply.
You may also contact author via Twitter – @anne4JC
or e-mail – buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com
Copyright 2011, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
~ John 7:37-39 (NKJV)
Even those believers privileged to see and hear Jesus did not have what we have.
We have been set free from our sins by His blood.
We have the Lord God living within us by His Holy Spirit.
We have the entirety of Scripture at our fingertips.
Yet all too often, gratitude for such divine treasure is diminished by attention to some lesser thing we lack, or with impatience because we wait for something we believe will be better than what we have today.
And we then miss the fullness of blessing in today.
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, our country's "great day of The Feast." We will celebrate our abundance and, perhaps, express more gratitude to God than on other days.
We might also have a great day of the feast every day of the year, for the Lord daily offers us Bread of Life and Living Waters.
Thank You, Lord, for saving my soul;
Thank You, Lord, for making me whole;
Thank You, Lord, for giving to me
Thy great salvation so rich and free.
~ Seth Sykes
Comments are welcome and will receive a reply.
You may also contact author via Twitter – @anne4JC
or e-mail – buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com
Copyright 2011, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Monday, August 8, 2011
In Pursuit of Joy
Image source: National Geographic Throughout my Christian walk, joy has been the natural outflow from a heart of gratitude. Whatever other emotion might temporarily overtake me, my default perspective has been that God had no reason to redeem a wretch like me, and I am incredibly, thoroughly blessed to know Jesus. Who can't be happy about that?
The last two years have brought me adversity in more ways than might be openly shared. I've fought back the resulting darkness by the power and grace of God. The joy of my salvation still lives, but weariness has too often come to stifle that joy.
My heart desires its former exuberance.
If I know one thing about joy, it's that the path of joy is marked with gratitude. I sat down this morning and wrote out 100 things for which I'm truly grateful, which I've not always had. By the time I finished, I stood amazed at God's grace to me. I could only wonder, like the psalmist:
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
What is man that You are mindful of him,
And the son of man that You visit him?
~ Psalms 8:3-4 (NKJV)
Comments, questions, and respectful disagreement are welcome.
Reply via comments at BuildingHisBody.com,
or e-mail buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com
Copyright 2011, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Hold Out the Hand
Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
~ Psalms 136:1 (NKJV)
In the above passage, the Hebrew word translated "give thanks" is yâdâh. Its literal meaning is "hold out the hand."
We might think of the way a person holds out the hand to beg, or make a request, but something entirely different is indicated here.
This is the response when one has been the recipient of a blessing or gift of too great a value to be able to reciprocate with similar blessing. Under such circumstances, we offer a blessing which money cannot buy—we humbly hold out the hand in gratitude, praise, worship.
Lord, we have no adequate response for the blessing you have poured out upon us. Please accept from us the gratitude, praise and worship offered from hearts overwhelmed by Your love.
Your comments, questions, and respectful disagreement are most appreciated. Reply to BuildingHisBody.com comments, or e-mail buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Four-Day Holiday
Note: there will be no "Question of the Week" tomorrow. May your Thanksgiving celebration be filled with the receiving and giving of blessing! ~ Anne
"The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts.
No Americans have been more impoverished than these
who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving."
- H. U. Westermayer
"When you have gathered in the fruit of the land, you shall keep the feast of the LORD for seven days ... and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days... It shall be a statute forever in your generations."
~ Leviticus 23:39-41 (NKJV)
After the harvest, during the weeklong Feast of Ingathering (also called "Tabernacles" or "Sukkot"), the Israelites weren't compelled to give thanks. Perhaps the Lord simply set the stage with the intention that the people would spontaneously give thanks if given opportunity.
Our nation has officially declared a day for giving thanks, which has become an annual four-day holiday. Our founders haven't compelled us to give thanks, but simply provided the opportunity with the intent that we do so, and thereby procure continued blessing.
Amid the feasting and football and shopping—amid suffering and adversity and remembrance of deceased loved ones—may we remember with thanks the Giver of all our blessings. May this be an occasion to refresh the frequency and manner with which we thank our generous God.
Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
~ Psalms 107:15 / :21 / :31 (NKJV)
I appreciate hearing from you. Questions are welcome. Reply to BuildingHisBody.com comments or e-mail me—my address is
buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com.
Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Artwork image, "First Thanksgiving" by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris (1863–1930)
source: commons.wikimedia.org
Image source for cornucopia unavailable
"The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts.No Americans have been more impoverished than these
who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving."
- H. U. Westermayer
"When you have gathered in the fruit of the land, you shall keep the feast of the LORD for seven days ... and you shall rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days... It shall be a statute forever in your generations."
~ Leviticus 23:39-41 (NKJV)
After the harvest, during the weeklong Feast of Ingathering (also called "Tabernacles" or "Sukkot"), the Israelites weren't compelled to give thanks. Perhaps the Lord simply set the stage with the intention that the people would spontaneously give thanks if given opportunity.
Our nation has officially declared a day for giving thanks, which has become an annual four-day holiday. Our founders haven't compelled us to give thanks, but simply provided the opportunity with the intent that we do so, and thereby procure continued blessing.
Amid the feasting and football and shopping—amid suffering and adversity and remembrance of deceased loved ones—may we remember with thanks the Giver of all our blessings. May this be an occasion to refresh the frequency and manner with which we thank our generous God.
Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
~ Psalms 107:15 / :21 / :31 (NKJV)
I appreciate hearing from you. Questions are welcome. Reply to BuildingHisBody.com comments or e-mail me—my address is
buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com.
Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Artwork image, "First Thanksgiving" by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris (1863–1930)
source: commons.wikimedia.org
Image source for cornucopia unavailable
Monday, November 22, 2010
God's Need
"Be persuaded, timid soul,that He has loved you too much to cease loving you."
~ François de la Fenelon
Then Jesus said, "A man had two sons. The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So the father divided his property between them..."
~ Luke 15:11-12 (ISV)
Though this beloved parable has its application for evangelism, it also mirrors two kinds of Christians. The older son is evidently quite capable, has access to his father’s wealth, and does many righteous works. He sees himself as an asset to his father. But he calls his obedience "slavery" or "bondage" (Greek douleuō). His heart has long been distant from his father.
The younger son knows his father’s goodness. His brother’s achievement is painfully obvious. How can he measure up? The feeling of unworthiness surely started long before he first slept with prostitutes and then later with pigs. He is finally forced to confront his inability, destitution bred by squandered wealth, and many wicked deeds.
Both sons measure themselves by capability, resources, and works. Both believe their father uses the same standard. Neither lived a life of closeness to his father, though the father obviously desired it all along.
"So he got up and went to his father. While he was still far away, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, threw his arms around him, and kissed him affectionately."
~ Luke 15:20 (ISV)
I’ve visited the place of both sons. There was a time when I had learned so many amazing things about God and His gifts to me that I thought I'd become an asset to God and could start coasting. When later confronted by how deeply-entrenched my sin is, I regarded myself as unfit to do or give anything worthwhile to God, and therefore unworthy to draw too closely to Him.
The Lord doesn’t regard us as assets or liabilities. He looks past what we have and sees who we are. Having been transfused with His Son’s blood, we've become our Father’s daughters and sons.
We can offer God nothing with our capability, resources, or works. He has sufficient might to create the universe, owns everything in it, and already did His greatest work at Calvary.
But we do have one thing outside the Lord's control and dominion. And He needs it.
Because God is Love, He needs relationship—He needs our freely given love.
God names Himself Father rather than Master. He asks us for relationship rather than service. Even if we encounter His occasional discipline or displeasure, mutual love prevails over all.
If ever at a loss for how to express love for God, a good place to start is giving Him thanks.
: : :
Note: This Thursday, for Thanksgiving, I’ll share with both saved and unsaved women at the local county jail a similar message about feelings of unworthiness and how to draw closer to God by giving Him thanks. I’d be most grateful if you’d take just a moment right now and ask the Lord to use my words in their lives.
I appreciate hearing from you. Questions are welcome. Reply to BuildingHisBody.com comments or e-mail me—my address is
buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com.
Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Image source: southern-orthodoxy.blogspot.com
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Currency of Joy
This post is part of a blog carnival hostessed by Bridget Chumbley. You're invited to visit her at "One Word at a Time" and see what others are saying about today's theme: Gratitude.
Desperate people come to a place where they are driven either by despair to give up, or by resolve to persevere beyond all reason and apparent ability.
When King David hit bottom, he believed in God's promise to never give up on him. From a place of abject despair, he did not give up on God. Though he had committed adultery and murder, David had the audacity to ask the Lord for joy and edification:
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me with a generous spirit.
~ Psalms 51:12 (author)
In asking God to restore his joy, David asks for the spirit with which to take hold of it—a spirit of generosity, or noble liberality, toward God.
He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully... God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you ...
~ 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (NKJV)
Generosity comes easily from abundance. But in time of scarcity, generosity comes by sacrifice and great cost.
Generous expressions of gratitude to God for His blessings are fitting in times of abundance and easily sown. When thanksgiving and praise become a sacrifice—given from poverty, in famine of joy—it is not as easy to sow with a liberal hand. Yet if there will ever be a bountiful harvest, there must be bountiful sowing, even from a place of scarcity.
Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
~ Hebrews 13:15 (NKJV)
Gratitude is the currency with which joy is purchased. Joy eludes the ungrateful heart of complaint and discontent. The heart willing to sow gratitude with a generous spirit in time of famine will again reap abundant joy. In any economy, value is determined by the price one is willing to pay to obtain what one seeks.
To be desperate for joy offers a choice. Either give up, or pay out the currency of joy. It is tendered with gratitude, however high the price.
I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.
Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice!
Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
When You said, "Seek My face,"
My heart said to You, "Your face, LORD, I will seek."
~ Psalms 27:6-8 (NKJV)
"Discontent is a sin that is its own punishment ...
It is a sin that is its own parent.
It arises not from the condition, but from the mind.
As we find Paul contented in a prison,
so Ahab discontent in a palace."
~ Matthew Henry
My thanks to Ginny at "Make a Difference to One" for the Matthew Henry quote.
I appreciate hearing from you. Questions are welcome. Reply to BuildingHisBody.com comments or e-mail me—my address is
buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com.
Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
"What we take for granted is never ours
until we have bought it by pain.
A thing is worth just what it costs."
~ Oswald Chambers
Desperate people come to a place where they are driven either by despair to give up, or by resolve to persevere beyond all reason and apparent ability.
When King David hit bottom, he believed in God's promise to never give up on him. From a place of abject despair, he did not give up on God. Though he had committed adultery and murder, David had the audacity to ask the Lord for joy and edification:
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me with a generous spirit.
~ Psalms 51:12 (author)
In asking God to restore his joy, David asks for the spirit with which to take hold of it—a spirit of generosity, or noble liberality, toward God.
He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully... God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you ...
~ 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (NKJV)
Generosity comes easily from abundance. But in time of scarcity, generosity comes by sacrifice and great cost.
Generous expressions of gratitude to God for His blessings are fitting in times of abundance and easily sown. When thanksgiving and praise become a sacrifice—given from poverty, in famine of joy—it is not as easy to sow with a liberal hand. Yet if there will ever be a bountiful harvest, there must be bountiful sowing, even from a place of scarcity.
Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
~ Hebrews 13:15 (NKJV)
Gratitude is the currency with which joy is purchased. Joy eludes the ungrateful heart of complaint and discontent. The heart willing to sow gratitude with a generous spirit in time of famine will again reap abundant joy. In any economy, value is determined by the price one is willing to pay to obtain what one seeks.
To be desperate for joy offers a choice. Either give up, or pay out the currency of joy. It is tendered with gratitude, however high the price.
I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.
Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice!
Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
When You said, "Seek My face,"
My heart said to You, "Your face, LORD, I will seek."
~ Psalms 27:6-8 (NKJV)
"Discontent is a sin that is its own punishment ...
It is a sin that is its own parent.
It arises not from the condition, but from the mind.
As we find Paul contented in a prison,
so Ahab discontent in a palace."
~ Matthew Henry
My thanks to Ginny at "Make a Difference to One" for the Matthew Henry quote.
I appreciate hearing from you. Questions are welcome. Reply to BuildingHisBody.com comments or e-mail me—my address is
buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com.
Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Broken Inside
Lord, there are mornings when I come before You and feel too small and broken to know what to give You.
I am reminded that this is all You ask.
And so I give You myself, small and broken. And I say "Thank You for the cross," knowing it cannot be said too many times.
Jesus Christ, I think upon Your sacrifice
You became nothing
Poured out to death
Many times, I've wondered at Your gift of life
I'm in that place once again
I'm in that place once again
And once again I look upon the cross where You died
I'm humbled by Your mercy and I'm broken inside
Once again I thank You,
Once again I pour out my life
Now You are exhalted to the highest place
King of the Heavens, where one day I'll bow
But for now, I'll marvel at Your saving grace
I'm full of praise once again
Oh I'm full of praise once again
And once again I look upon the cross where You died
I'm humbled by Your mercy and I'm broken inside
Once again I thank You
Once again I pour out my life
Thank You for the cross
Thank You for the cross
Thank You for the cross, my friend
And once again I look upon the cross where You died
I'm humbled by Your mercy and I'm broken inside
Once again I thank You
Once again I pour out my life
Lyrics "Once Again" by Matt Redman & Tim Hughes © 1996 Thankyou Music
I am reminded that this is all You ask.
And so I give You myself, small and broken. And I say "Thank You for the cross," knowing it cannot be said too many times.
Jesus Christ, I think upon Your sacrifice
You became nothing
Poured out to death
Many times, I've wondered at Your gift of life
I'm in that place once again
I'm in that place once again
And once again I look upon the cross where You died
I'm humbled by Your mercy and I'm broken inside
Once again I thank You,
Once again I pour out my life
Now You are exhalted to the highest place
King of the Heavens, where one day I'll bow
But for now, I'll marvel at Your saving grace
I'm full of praise once again
Oh I'm full of praise once again
And once again I look upon the cross where You died
I'm humbled by Your mercy and I'm broken inside
Once again I thank You
Once again I pour out my life
Thank You for the cross
Thank You for the cross
Thank You for the cross, my friend
And once again I look upon the cross where You died
I'm humbled by Your mercy and I'm broken inside
Once again I thank You
Once again I pour out my life
Lyrics "Once Again" by Matt Redman & Tim Hughes © 1996 Thankyou Music
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Dear God,
I can't say often enough how thankful I am that ...
I am Yours.
You are mine.
I own Your Word.
Your Word is alive and ever new.
You've given me time to revel in Your Word.
Your Spirit lives within me.
You give me understanding.
You love me without reserve.
You use EVERYthing for my blessing.
I have permission to enter Your presence.
You listen to my every word.
You speak to me.
You answer my prayers according to Your will rather than mine.
You will not let me go.
I have something to give You because You're so generous.
I will one day behold You.
I will be united to You for all eternity.
You have shortened mortal years of separation from You.
You've allowed me to glimpse Your goodness.
You've given me opportunity to share You.
You continue to desire undesirable me.
Your love is unconditional.
I have felt Your pleasure.
You respect me enough to let me feel Your displeasure.
You know me and yet you love me.
You receive my inadequate love.
You are gracious and merciful beyond human comprehension.
Your Son's blood covers my every sin, though they are more than I could number.
I'm grateful that You've blessed me with ...
Five beautiful children.
Their father.
His love.
His fidelity and reliability.
Knowing that He seeks You.
His prayers.
Inheritance of my father's drive and my mother's love.
Material wealth exceeding that of billions others.
A home with luxuries of prayer closet, wood stove, front porch.
I know You because I've known ...
The glory of Your mighty voice in thunder.
The riches of Light in purest gold of dawn.
The aroma of prayers rising to Heaven in frankincense.
The bitter sweetness of Your cup in grapes' blood.
The embrace of love.
I love You more than I'm able to express, Lord. I can hardly wait for the day when I'm finally able to love You perfectly.
I love hearing from you. Reply to BuildingHisBody.com comments or e-mail BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. .
Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
I am Yours.
You are mine.
I own Your Word.
Your Word is alive and ever new.
You've given me time to revel in Your Word.
Your Spirit lives within me.
You give me understanding.
You love me without reserve.
You use EVERYthing for my blessing.
I have permission to enter Your presence.
You listen to my every word.
You speak to me.
You answer my prayers according to Your will rather than mine.
You will not let me go.
I have something to give You because You're so generous.
I will one day behold You.
I will be united to You for all eternity.
You have shortened mortal years of separation from You.
You've allowed me to glimpse Your goodness.
You've given me opportunity to share You.
You continue to desire undesirable me.
Your love is unconditional.
I have felt Your pleasure.
You respect me enough to let me feel Your displeasure.
You know me and yet you love me.
You receive my inadequate love.
You are gracious and merciful beyond human comprehension.
Your Son's blood covers my every sin, though they are more than I could number.
I'm grateful that You've blessed me with ...
Five beautiful children.
Their father.
His love.
His fidelity and reliability.
Knowing that He seeks You.
His prayers.
Inheritance of my father's drive and my mother's love.
Material wealth exceeding that of billions others.
A home with luxuries of prayer closet, wood stove, front porch.
I know You because I've known ...
The glory of Your mighty voice in thunder.
The riches of Light in purest gold of dawn.
The aroma of prayers rising to Heaven in frankincense.
The bitter sweetness of Your cup in grapes' blood.
The embrace of love.
I love You more than I'm able to express, Lord. I can hardly wait for the day when I'm finally able to love You perfectly.
I love hearing from you. Reply to BuildingHisBody.com comments or e-mail BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. .
Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Who Am I?
"I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant."
~ Genesis 32:10 (NKJV)
Who Am I?
The Bible quotes David asking three times, "Who am I, that ..." The man after God's own heart asked this of Saul shortly after slaying Goliath, of God after receiving promise of an everlasting kingdom, and again shortly before he died.
Please permit me to quote from that last instance with greater length than I generally use here:
"Blessed are You,
LORD God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever.
Yours, O LORD, is the greatness,
The power and the glory,
The victory and the majesty;
For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours;
Yours is the kingdom, O LORD,
And You are exalted as head over all.
Both riches and honor come from You,
And You reign over all.
In Your hand is power and might;
In Your hand it is to make great
And to give strength to all.
"Now therefore, our God,
We thank You
And praise Your glorious name.
But who am I, and who are my people,
That we should be able to offer so willingly as this?
For all things come from You,
And of Your own we have given You.
For we are aliens and pilgrims before You,
As were all our fathers;
Our days on earth are as a shadow,
And without hope... "
~ 1 Chronicles 29:10-15 (NKJV)
Whatever his lapses, whatever his achievements, David did not lose sight of the fact that he was quite small, and God is quite large; that without the Lord, we are utterly without hope; that the Lord is worthy of our blessing at all times, even in the valley of the shadow of death.
It is a fitting perspective.
Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt?
Who am I, that the bright and morning star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wondering heart?
Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are
I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord You catch me when I'm falling
And You told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours
Who am I, that the eyes that see our sin
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again?
Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me? ...
Whom shall I fear?
Whom shall I fear?
'Cause I am Yours
I am Yours
Your feedback is appreciated. Post to BuildingHisBody.com Comments or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Lyrics of "Who Am I?" as recorded by Casting Crowns are written by Hall, John Mark; © 2003 Reunion Records, Inc.
~ Genesis 32:10 (NKJV)
Who Am I?
The Bible quotes David asking three times, "Who am I, that ..." The man after God's own heart asked this of Saul shortly after slaying Goliath, of God after receiving promise of an everlasting kingdom, and again shortly before he died.
Please permit me to quote from that last instance with greater length than I generally use here:
"Blessed are You,
LORD God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever.
Yours, O LORD, is the greatness,
The power and the glory,
The victory and the majesty;
For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours;
Yours is the kingdom, O LORD,
And You are exalted as head over all.
Both riches and honor come from You,
And You reign over all.
In Your hand is power and might;
In Your hand it is to make great
And to give strength to all.
"Now therefore, our God,
We thank You
And praise Your glorious name.
But who am I, and who are my people,
That we should be able to offer so willingly as this?
For all things come from You,
And of Your own we have given You.
For we are aliens and pilgrims before You,
As were all our fathers;
Our days on earth are as a shadow,
And without hope... "
~ 1 Chronicles 29:10-15 (NKJV)
Whatever his lapses, whatever his achievements, David did not lose sight of the fact that he was quite small, and God is quite large; that without the Lord, we are utterly without hope; that the Lord is worthy of our blessing at all times, even in the valley of the shadow of death.
It is a fitting perspective.
Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt?
Who am I, that the bright and morning star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wondering heart?
Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are
I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord You catch me when I'm falling
And You told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours
Who am I, that the eyes that see our sin
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again?
Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me? ...
Whom shall I fear?
Whom shall I fear?
'Cause I am Yours
I am Yours
Your feedback is appreciated. Post to BuildingHisBody.com Comments or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Lyrics of "Who Am I?" as recorded by Casting Crowns are written by Hall, John Mark; © 2003 Reunion Records, Inc.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Miserly with Misery
Today's post is part of the Blog Carnival hosted by Bridget Chumbley on the one word topic "Joy." Click the link for more great posts! :D
“The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.
What is called resignation is confirmed desperation.”
~ Henry David Thoreau
Miserly with Misery
To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven ...
A time to weep,
And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
And a time to dance ...
~ Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 (NKJV)
I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.
~ Philippians 4:11 (NKJV)
There is a time to permit sloppy emotions to spill onto those around us. When we rejoice with dancing and laughing, it is no time to be selfish. When we mourn a great loss, we should not attempt to carry the burden alone, but allow others to lovingly share it.
Then there is the time for everyday weeping. Affliction is a fact of life—a consequence of living in a sinful world which God promises to use for good.
And though misery may love company, the loving person will be miserly with misery rather than carelessly splattering it all over the place. Misery is best shared with those we trust to love and comfort us, who are strong enough to help us carry it rather than be infected with it, who are wise enough to dispel rather than duplicate it.
A good way to dispel misery is to adopt joy when it isn’t being birthed naturally.
The fourth chapter of Philippians is filled with uplifting words, written by Paul while he was imprisoned. Though in chains, Paul encouraged, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” He used the Greek verb chairo, meaning to be full of cheer, to be calmly happy, to rejoice.
Chairo is also expressed as the noun charis, translated quite simply as “grace.”
To adopt joy is to do no more than acknowledge with gratitude the great and many unearned and unmerited expressions of lovingkindness from benevolent Creator to us. It is to know when and how to share deep misery, and the ability to reach into our souls for much deeper contentment and instead share that with both God and fellow man.
Among the other words of encouragement Paul spoke from that prison were these:
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV)
My friends, amid affliction, I say to you from my own “much deeper contentment”—Rejoice!
Your feedback is appreciated. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
#Peace #QuietDesperation
Image source: dphotojournal.com
“The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.What is called resignation is confirmed desperation.”
~ Henry David Thoreau
Miserly with Misery
To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven ...
A time to weep,
And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
And a time to dance ...
~ Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 (NKJV)
I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.
~ Philippians 4:11 (NKJV)
There is a time to permit sloppy emotions to spill onto those around us. When we rejoice with dancing and laughing, it is no time to be selfish. When we mourn a great loss, we should not attempt to carry the burden alone, but allow others to lovingly share it.
Then there is the time for everyday weeping. Affliction is a fact of life—a consequence of living in a sinful world which God promises to use for good.
And though misery may love company, the loving person will be miserly with misery rather than carelessly splattering it all over the place. Misery is best shared with those we trust to love and comfort us, who are strong enough to help us carry it rather than be infected with it, who are wise enough to dispel rather than duplicate it.
A good way to dispel misery is to adopt joy when it isn’t being birthed naturally.
The fourth chapter of Philippians is filled with uplifting words, written by Paul while he was imprisoned. Though in chains, Paul encouraged, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” He used the Greek verb chairo, meaning to be full of cheer, to be calmly happy, to rejoice.
Chairo is also expressed as the noun charis, translated quite simply as “grace.”
To adopt joy is to do no more than acknowledge with gratitude the great and many unearned and unmerited expressions of lovingkindness from benevolent Creator to us. It is to know when and how to share deep misery, and the ability to reach into our souls for much deeper contentment and instead share that with both God and fellow man.
Among the other words of encouragement Paul spoke from that prison were these:
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV)
My friends, amid affliction, I say to you from my own “much deeper contentment”—Rejoice!
Your feedback is appreciated. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
#Peace #QuietDesperation
Image source: dphotojournal.com
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Thanksliving
"Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues,
but the parent of all the others."
~ Cicero
but the parent of all the others."
~ Cicero
Thanksliving
The eyes of all look expectantly to You,
And You give them their food in due season.
You open Your hand
And satisfy the desire of every living thing.
~ Psalms 145:15-16 (NKJV)
I agree that giving thanks should be a way of life, not a one-day observation. I also believe that a one-day observation is a good opportunity to make Thanksgiving what my pastor calls "Thanksliving."
In his post "The Ten Dollar Challenge," Billy Coffey made the suggestion to bless others by giving without the expectation of a return. He says it doesn't have to be with ten dollars. It could be more—it could be less.
People can be blessed with even spare change. Have you heard of people who anonymously put money in parking meters? I have my own small change blessing I pass along.
My grocery store requires a 25 cent deposit to remove a cart from the corral. When I'm finished, I always leave my quarter behind, along with a small prayer that the Lord will send the blessing to whomever most needs it, or perhaps to someone who will return the blessing to the Lord with a word of thanks. It's also my way of thanking the Lord for the gift of an ample grocery budget.
If the heart is willing, opportunities for Thanksliving abound.
Father in Heaven, Your goodness to us goes far beyond bed and board. You provide to us life and love, light and laughter. You give us of Yourself in Your Son, Your Scripture, Your Spirit. We thank You. We love You!
Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Photo from activerain.com
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Finding Peace
"Although the world is full of suffering,
it is also full of the overcoming of it."
~ Helen Keller
Finding Peace
Is it not You, O God, who cast us off?
... Give us help from trouble,
For the help of man is useless.
Through God we will do valiantly,
For it is He who shall tread down our enemies.
~ Psalms 108:11-13 (NKJV)
"For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good ..."
~ Mark 14:7 (NKJV)
"I will send a famine on the land,
Not a famine of bread, Nor a thirst for water,
But of hearing the words of the LORD...
They shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the LORD,
But shall not find it."
~ Amos 8:11-12 (NKJV)
The above photo is of a little girl who caught Kevin Carter's attention with her "soft, high-pitched whimpering" as she collapsed in her struggle toward a food distribution site. Carter won the Pulitzer for the impact his photo carried. But inability to cope with humanity's struggle brought Carter to take his own life.
Yesterday's post ("Troubled") described the haunting affect upon me of this arresting image from the past because it attests to the oppressive evil behind famine and innumerable other atrocities of the present. I struggle to reconcile the celebration of thanks in the contrasting light and shadow of feast and famine.
I understand Carter. Like him, I am overwhelmed by the magnitude of despair. I am not God, and am therefore incapable to effectively respond to every need of which I become aware, however much I want to or try to. Neither dollars nor activism will defeat famine and evil. The help of man is useless.
Carter captured Sudan's plight and broadcast it to the world, then hopelessly collapsed in despair within reach of nourishment. Driven by my hope and love, I see those suffering and am compelled to gently touch them and lead them to the Bread of Life and Living Water. I don't care if they are people of Christ or people of the world, if their affliction is momentary or ongoing, but only that they might be nourished.
Yet relief is insufficient if unsustained. I might briefly uplift people with my words or spirit. I'm always blessed to know I've succeeded. But I've done too little unless the soon-forgotten image from me stimulates hunger for the eternal Word of God and draws them to bask in the Light of the Holy Spirit.
The help of man is useless—unless it is directed and empowered by Almighty God.
Two kinds of famine trouble me. I am sensitive to physical hunger while I celebrate abundance this week—mindful that evil causes the plight pictured above.
I remain resolute to wage war upon the spiritual famine which leads to despair.
Father in Heaven, You are good. You suffer with us the indignity, violence and oppression of precious people You created in Your image. We wait in faith and hope for You to make all things right. We look to You for the place You give us in bringing your light and love to others. Please make our hearts willing and able to do whatever You might ask of us.
Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Photo from Snopes.com
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Troubled
Today, please scroll slowly, and
read the words before you see the photo.
"If all our misfortunes were laid in one common heap
whence everyone must take an equal portion,
most people would be contented to take their own and depart."
~ Socrates
Troubled
Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
... He turns rivers into a wilderness,
And the watersprings into dry ground;
A fruitful land into barrenness,
For the wickedness of those who dwell in it...
~ Psalms 107:31,33-34 (NKJV)
Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping ... He groaned in the spirit and was troubled.
~ John 11:33 (NKJV)
I don't like to rant. Rant seems too close to complaining. And complaining seems too close to asserting that my life isn't good enough—too close to accusing God that He's either ignorant, uncaring, or impotent.
I've written before about the difference between complaining and groaning. Jesus groaned. The Holy Spirit groans.
Today, I groan, because of an image I saw which has left me unsettled.
I'd had a long, busy morning on Saturday and forgot to eat breakfast. Around noon, hunger became distracting. I grabbed a bowl of yogurt and some cereal. Most of my hunger pangs had faded when I clicked on the blog of Christa Allan. I immediately wished I hadn't eaten when I saw for the first time the photo of a vulture stalking a Sudan famine victim.
If you'd like the full story on this 1994 Pulitzer prize winning-photo by Kevin Carter, click here.
I write this on Monday, after shopping for groceries. Before arriving at aisle after aisle of food, I walked past hundreds of racks and shelves displaying various shoes, clothing and household goods I might need. I meandered through one section the size of my house, gazing upon fresh produce from all over the world. While I waited for a clerk to fetch an item, I rested comfortably at a blood pressure machine which assessed my health as excellent. I slid a piece of plastic through a machine without worry of how to pay for everything desirable to celebrate a feast with my family in expression of thanks to God for the abundance we know.
The entire time, I could shake neither the image of a little girl whose fate is unknown to the world, nor the certainty that God is good and it is right to celebrate it.
The entire time, I fought tears as I struggled to reconcile the two.
Tomorrow: Finding Peace
Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
read the words before you see the photo.
"If all our misfortunes were laid in one common heap
whence everyone must take an equal portion,
most people would be contented to take their own and depart."
~ Socrates
Troubled
Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness,
And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
... He turns rivers into a wilderness,
And the watersprings into dry ground;
A fruitful land into barrenness,
For the wickedness of those who dwell in it...
~ Psalms 107:31,33-34 (NKJV)
Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping ... He groaned in the spirit and was troubled.
~ John 11:33 (NKJV)
I don't like to rant. Rant seems too close to complaining. And complaining seems too close to asserting that my life isn't good enough—too close to accusing God that He's either ignorant, uncaring, or impotent.
I've written before about the difference between complaining and groaning. Jesus groaned. The Holy Spirit groans.
Today, I groan, because of an image I saw which has left me unsettled.
I'd had a long, busy morning on Saturday and forgot to eat breakfast. Around noon, hunger became distracting. I grabbed a bowl of yogurt and some cereal. Most of my hunger pangs had faded when I clicked on the blog of Christa Allan. I immediately wished I hadn't eaten when I saw for the first time the photo of a vulture stalking a Sudan famine victim.
If you'd like the full story on this 1994 Pulitzer prize winning-photo by Kevin Carter, click here.
I write this on Monday, after shopping for groceries. Before arriving at aisle after aisle of food, I walked past hundreds of racks and shelves displaying various shoes, clothing and household goods I might need. I meandered through one section the size of my house, gazing upon fresh produce from all over the world. While I waited for a clerk to fetch an item, I rested comfortably at a blood pressure machine which assessed my health as excellent. I slid a piece of plastic through a machine without worry of how to pay for everything desirable to celebrate a feast with my family in expression of thanks to God for the abundance we know.
The entire time, I could shake neither the image of a little girl whose fate is unknown to the world, nor the certainty that God is good and it is right to celebrate it.
The entire time, I fought tears as I struggled to reconcile the two.
Tomorrow: Finding Peace
Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Endure Chastening
Note: Be looking for new thoughts on praise and suffering as we work our way through Psalms 101-125 til about Christmas. This week will focus on giving thanks.
Endure Chastening
#discipleship
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his loving kindness endures forever...
Remember me, LORD,
with the favor that you show to your people.
Visit me with your yeshu'ah [salvation],
that I may see the prosperity of your chosen.
~ Psalms 106:1,4-5 (HNV)
"For whom the Lord loves He chastens,
And scourges every son whom He receives."
If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons ... But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons... Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
~ Hebrews 12:6-8,11
How does a good parent demonstrate love?
I sometimes run across a commentary which captures something as I wish I had already written. Consider the words of Albert Barnes (1798-1870) on this passage from Hebrews:
It is a universal rule that God sends trials on those whom he truly loves... If he did not, he would let us go on without any attention, and leave us to pursue a course of sin that would involve us in ruin. To restrain and govern a child; to correct him when he errs, shows that there is a parental solicitude for him, and that he is not an outcast. And as there is in the life of every child of God something that deserves correction, it happens that it is universally true that 'whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth.'
We are assured that the Lord is good. He loves His children, and shows favor to those who are His. His favor includes chastening, because His chastening is intended for our prosperity.
His chastening is love as surely as is His kiss.
[Additional note of interest on Psalm 106:4, from the Hebrew Names Version: the word for salvation here is the Hebrew yeshu'ah—also the Hebrew name of Jesus.]
Father in Heaven, You are all goodness and loving kindness. You show us grace and mercy in abundance. Please enable us to understand Your chastening, and to give you thanks for it as Your kiss upon us.
Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Photo courtesy of gettyimages.com
"I like to see the Beauty in everything,
the blessings disguised in conflicts and struggles,
and because of that, life kisses me often."
~ Maura Casey @mauraaura
the blessings disguised in conflicts and struggles,
and because of that, life kisses me often."
~ Maura Casey @mauraaura
Endure Chastening
#discipleship
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
for his loving kindness endures forever...
Remember me, LORD,
with the favor that you show to your people.
Visit me with your yeshu'ah [salvation],
that I may see the prosperity of your chosen.
~ Psalms 106:1,4-5 (HNV)
"For whom the Lord loves He chastens,
And scourges every son whom He receives."
If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons ... But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons... Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
~ Hebrews 12:6-8,11
How does a good parent demonstrate love?
I sometimes run across a commentary which captures something as I wish I had already written. Consider the words of Albert Barnes (1798-1870) on this passage from Hebrews:
It is a universal rule that God sends trials on those whom he truly loves... If he did not, he would let us go on without any attention, and leave us to pursue a course of sin that would involve us in ruin. To restrain and govern a child; to correct him when he errs, shows that there is a parental solicitude for him, and that he is not an outcast. And as there is in the life of every child of God something that deserves correction, it happens that it is universally true that 'whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth.'
We are assured that the Lord is good. He loves His children, and shows favor to those who are His. His favor includes chastening, because His chastening is intended for our prosperity.
His chastening is love as surely as is His kiss.
[Additional note of interest on Psalm 106:4, from the Hebrew Names Version: the word for salvation here is the Hebrew yeshu'ah—also the Hebrew name of Jesus.]
Father in Heaven, You are all goodness and loving kindness. You show us grace and mercy in abundance. Please enable us to understand Your chastening, and to give you thanks for it as Your kiss upon us.
Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Photo courtesy of gettyimages.com
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