Friday Freelance: RESPITE
What a wonderful Christmas! I spent little time shopping-decorating-baking, and much time at various celebrations and church family activities.
Though the big day is now past I'm not quite finished. Half my holiday cards went out last week (into church mailboxes), and half go out in today or tomorrow's postal mail. Joining a big church doubled the quantity to well over two hundred! I've tried to trim that list, but there's too many people whom we genuinely love to send any fewer.
Next week's respite from Christmas activities is nothing compared to the respite of Isaiah chapter 26. I've read Isaiah numerous times, but never before tried to share messages from this book. WHEW! Time spent on these posts has tripled and quadrupled as I've tackled prophecy.
The Gospels, epistles, Old Testament history and Psalms easily lend themselves to inspirational messages. But chapter after chapter of prophecy warning of punishment? Are all of you as weary of fire and brimstone as me? What a delight to hit Isaiah 26. I plan to camp here for a bit before moving on.
Back in the days when I climbed mountains, respites were always short. Steep trails and forty-plus-pound frame backpacks quickly weary a body. The flat places in the trail were few and far between, and actual rest stops along ascents were necessarily brief before muscles were allowed to freeze up. Shedding camping gear for a day pack to climb a peak changed the challenge to life or death. Once above timberline, one must reach the peak and dodge back into trees by noon or so, or risk being caught in a fast rising lightning storm and being the tallest target for large bolts of electricity.
The late Rich Mullins sang, "And on this road to righteousness, sometimes the climb can be so steep; I may falter in my steps, but never beyond Your reach."
Our Christian walk is arduous. Yet the good Lord can be relied upon to provide perfectly timed respites. They may come as encouraging words in the exact hour needed, as a Bible verse that speaks so loudly our soul finds release, or as the tangible presence of God when we bow broken and bleeding from the heart.
Never lose heart. The climatic view from atop a 14,000' peak is nothing compared to the climax awaiting at the end of life's climb. There will be no hurry to retreat to safety then, for our respite will become permanent—and much more precious because of the climb to reach it.
Lyrics of SOMETIMES BY STEP by Rich Mullins, Beaker © 1992 BMG Songs, Inc. (ASCAP)
Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. © 2008, Anne Lang Bundy
Showing posts with label zFreelance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label zFreelance. Show all posts
Friday, December 26, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
Friday Freelance: FESTIVALS OF LIGHTS
2008's winter solstice occurs at 7:04 a.m. EST this Sunday, December 21, when the North Pole is at its furthest point of tilt away from the sun.
If you prefer poetic over scientific ...
At dawn this Lord's day, light will increase and darkness will retreat as days grow longer and nights become shorter.
Numerous pagan religions celebrate the date when darkness climaxes in the Northern Hemisphere. It is noteworthy that while pagans celebrate darkness, Jewish and Christian holidays both celebrate light.
Sunday evening marks the beginning of the Festival of Lights. Jews celebrate Hanukkah (or Chanukah, also called the Feast of Dedication in John 10:22) on the 25th of Kislev (about four days before a December new moon), which this year occurs in Israel within a scant couple of hours of the solstice—an extremely rare concurrence.
Hanukkah commemorates when the Jews in 165 BC successfully rebelled against the Greek empire for its prohibition to practice Judaism and desecration of the Jerusalem temple. When ancient Jews rededicated the cleansed temple, they had one day's oil for the temple lamp, but the lamp miraculously burned for eight days until they obtained more oil.
On Wednesday evening, across the globe life and business as usual will screech to a halt while Christians and non-Christians alike commemorate the birth of Christ. Jesus' birth date is unknown, but was not likely a winter month, when shepherds didn't sleep in open fields. Many think Jesus was born at the Feast of Sukkoth, or Booths, in early autumn. A December date for the Christmas holiday is the Roman church's alternative to (or consolidation with) pagan celebration of the solstice.
Regardless of any argument against Christmas for inaccurate date or pagan correlation, God's gift of Jesus is certainly cause for celebration of light. Matthew highlights Jesus' appearance as fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy: "The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." (Matthew 4:16 NIV) When the apostle John in his Gospel describes God becoming flesh to dwell with us, he speaks of Jesus as "the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world." (John 1:9 NKJV) And Jesus says of Himself, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." (John 8:12 NKJV)
The time when darkness reigns is well suited to celebrating both Jesus coming as Light, and the temple light which once burned miraculously in Jerusalem. Hanukkah and Christmas will even be celebrated together on December 25th, 2016—a treat (or for some, conflict) happening about three times a century.
These two celebrations also converge every year, every day. Jesus tells us we are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). Victorious over the oppressive enemy through bloodshed, we are now the temples of His Holy Spirit, the place where God's presence and light dwell, miraculously illuminating a very dark world.
Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy
If you prefer poetic over scientific ...
At dawn this Lord's day, light will increase and darkness will retreat as days grow longer and nights become shorter.
Numerous pagan religions celebrate the date when darkness climaxes in the Northern Hemisphere. It is noteworthy that while pagans celebrate darkness, Jewish and Christian holidays both celebrate light.
Sunday evening marks the beginning of the Festival of Lights. Jews celebrate Hanukkah (or Chanukah, also called the Feast of Dedication in John 10:22) on the 25th of Kislev (about four days before a December new moon), which this year occurs in Israel within a scant couple of hours of the solstice—an extremely rare concurrence.
Hanukkah commemorates when the Jews in 165 BC successfully rebelled against the Greek empire for its prohibition to practice Judaism and desecration of the Jerusalem temple. When ancient Jews rededicated the cleansed temple, they had one day's oil for the temple lamp, but the lamp miraculously burned for eight days until they obtained more oil.
On Wednesday evening, across the globe life and business as usual will screech to a halt while Christians and non-Christians alike commemorate the birth of Christ. Jesus' birth date is unknown, but was not likely a winter month, when shepherds didn't sleep in open fields. Many think Jesus was born at the Feast of Sukkoth, or Booths, in early autumn. A December date for the Christmas holiday is the Roman church's alternative to (or consolidation with) pagan celebration of the solstice.
Regardless of any argument against Christmas for inaccurate date or pagan correlation, God's gift of Jesus is certainly cause for celebration of light. Matthew highlights Jesus' appearance as fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy: "The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." (Matthew 4:16 NIV) When the apostle John in his Gospel describes God becoming flesh to dwell with us, he speaks of Jesus as "the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world." (John 1:9 NKJV) And Jesus says of Himself, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." (John 8:12 NKJV)
The time when darkness reigns is well suited to celebrating both Jesus coming as Light, and the temple light which once burned miraculously in Jerusalem. Hanukkah and Christmas will even be celebrated together on December 25th, 2016—a treat (or for some, conflict) happening about three times a century.
These two celebrations also converge every year, every day. Jesus tells us we are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). Victorious over the oppressive enemy through bloodshed, we are now the temples of His Holy Spirit, the place where God's presence and light dwell, miraculously illuminating a very dark world.
Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy
Friday, December 12, 2008
Friday Freelance: FASCINATING
These daily posts are based on Bible readings which work through, by turns, a Gospel, an Old Testament book of history, an epistle, then a series of 25 Psalms. Mark was completed yesterday, and Leviticus was up next. But we'll instead add prophecy to the mix before being beckoned by Levitical pictures of the heavenly tabernacle.
Evangelist Ray Comfort has said that reading through the meat of Leviticus can fill one with longing for a light and fluffy Psalm. But to everything there is a season—a time for Psalms, and a time for Leviticus. If a verse seems tough, perhaps it simply requires being chewed on a bit before desert. We may find a verse uninteresting at the moment, but there's not a single boring verse in the Bible. Each one has a purpose to be discovered.
When searching out roots and family connections, genealogies are indispensable. If you take into account the great significance placed on the meaning of a name, and practices of giving a newborn a name based on the circumstances of birth or amending a name due to life-changing events, genealogies become downright fascinating.
The poetry of Psalms or Job may seem aimless at times. Words poured out from the heart sometimes meander, but they're also an invitation to encounter and experience the emotions of heroes from thousands of years ago.
Prophecies can be difficult to understand, but they actually put everything in perspective—God's perspective. What could be more fascinating than a peek into the mind of God?
And the profound lies in the brevity of the shortest verses, such as "Jesus wept" or "rejoice always."
I started this blog thinking it would be a simple journal of my morning Bible time. It's become far more challenging. No more days of skipped Scripture, no matter how busy days get or how early an appointment is scheduled. I try to post a morning ahead of time (this morning's reading is tomorrow's midnight post), but some days find me still trying to post well after midnight.
Often the morning does get too busy too fast. But many days I simply became too fascinated with the text to quickly jot down the way it inspired or encouraged or pressed me. Most challenging about this blog is allowing the living Word time to capture me and transport me into another realm—and then concisely articulate into a couple of minutes what might have been traveled in a couple of hours.
That challenge can be an agony or an ecstasy or both. But it's always, endlessly fascinating.
Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy
Evangelist Ray Comfort has said that reading through the meat of Leviticus can fill one with longing for a light and fluffy Psalm. But to everything there is a season—a time for Psalms, and a time for Leviticus. If a verse seems tough, perhaps it simply requires being chewed on a bit before desert. We may find a verse uninteresting at the moment, but there's not a single boring verse in the Bible. Each one has a purpose to be discovered.
When searching out roots and family connections, genealogies are indispensable. If you take into account the great significance placed on the meaning of a name, and practices of giving a newborn a name based on the circumstances of birth or amending a name due to life-changing events, genealogies become downright fascinating.
The poetry of Psalms or Job may seem aimless at times. Words poured out from the heart sometimes meander, but they're also an invitation to encounter and experience the emotions of heroes from thousands of years ago.
Prophecies can be difficult to understand, but they actually put everything in perspective—God's perspective. What could be more fascinating than a peek into the mind of God?
And the profound lies in the brevity of the shortest verses, such as "Jesus wept" or "rejoice always."
I started this blog thinking it would be a simple journal of my morning Bible time. It's become far more challenging. No more days of skipped Scripture, no matter how busy days get or how early an appointment is scheduled. I try to post a morning ahead of time (this morning's reading is tomorrow's midnight post), but some days find me still trying to post well after midnight.
Often the morning does get too busy too fast. But many days I simply became too fascinated with the text to quickly jot down the way it inspired or encouraged or pressed me. Most challenging about this blog is allowing the living Word time to capture me and transport me into another realm—and then concisely articulate into a couple of minutes what might have been traveled in a couple of hours.
That challenge can be an agony or an ecstasy or both. But it's always, endlessly fascinating.
Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy
Friday, December 5, 2008
Friday Freelance: FISHING
Fishing can be big business, and dangerous business. Consider this true story.
Jack got into the fishing business, and was a phenomenal success. He was a natural around water, and had a God-given gift for knowing what the fish would bite on and bringing them in.
Jack helped his younger cousin Josh break into the business, and Josh did even better at it than Jack—though both bachelors poured everything back into the business and lived little better than vagrants. Jack was an orphan and Josh was somewhat of a family outcast. Although the two didn't spend a great deal of time together, a strong bond existed between them. In matters of the soul, they had only each other.
Jack's competition didn't take kindly to a little guy showing them up, and their friend Conlan happened to be a judge connected to organized crime that had infiltrated the local officials. It somehow became known to Conlan that Jack made some unflattering remarks about him. Jack soon found himself arrested on false charges, and wound up getting killed while he was in jail.
The death devastated Josh. He took a day off work when he heard about Jack, but his successful business wouldn't wait for his grief so he found himself called back on the job before the day was out—his grief pushed aside.
Josh's coworkers were the only friends he had, and they didn't share Josh's knowledge that the same mob people involved in Jack's death had also taken a strong dislike to Josh. He soon found himself dodging the local officials. When he tried to explain the situation to his closest coworkers, they didn't understand the seriousness of the situation, not even when they saw Josh narrowly sidestep attempted hits on his life.
In the end, the mob got to Josh by paying off one of the men he considered a friend. When the mob came after him, Josh protected his coworkers by surrendering, alone, without a fight. He didn't die quickly like Jack had, but was tortured by the mob pretty gruesomely before they finally killed him.
Jack and Josh both lived hard lives, alone, and both died alone. But before they left this world, they both managed to inspire the men they worked with to excel as fishermen—or fishers of men.
Of course, Jack was better known as John, as in John the Baptist. And Josh is known as either Yeshua or Jesus in the 21st century. Conlan means "hero," as does the name Herod. He was indeed a hero of the rich and powerful, who to this day oppose Josh and His fishing business.
Whether or not one makes fishing for men a full time occupation, life can be incredibly dangerous, lonely, or fraught with distress. Jesus understands our hardships, because He experienced them, on a magnitude we'll never know.
Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy
Jack got into the fishing business, and was a phenomenal success. He was a natural around water, and had a God-given gift for knowing what the fish would bite on and bringing them in.
Jack helped his younger cousin Josh break into the business, and Josh did even better at it than Jack—though both bachelors poured everything back into the business and lived little better than vagrants. Jack was an orphan and Josh was somewhat of a family outcast. Although the two didn't spend a great deal of time together, a strong bond existed between them. In matters of the soul, they had only each other.
Jack's competition didn't take kindly to a little guy showing them up, and their friend Conlan happened to be a judge connected to organized crime that had infiltrated the local officials. It somehow became known to Conlan that Jack made some unflattering remarks about him. Jack soon found himself arrested on false charges, and wound up getting killed while he was in jail.
The death devastated Josh. He took a day off work when he heard about Jack, but his successful business wouldn't wait for his grief so he found himself called back on the job before the day was out—his grief pushed aside.
Josh's coworkers were the only friends he had, and they didn't share Josh's knowledge that the same mob people involved in Jack's death had also taken a strong dislike to Josh. He soon found himself dodging the local officials. When he tried to explain the situation to his closest coworkers, they didn't understand the seriousness of the situation, not even when they saw Josh narrowly sidestep attempted hits on his life.
In the end, the mob got to Josh by paying off one of the men he considered a friend. When the mob came after him, Josh protected his coworkers by surrendering, alone, without a fight. He didn't die quickly like Jack had, but was tortured by the mob pretty gruesomely before they finally killed him.
Jack and Josh both lived hard lives, alone, and both died alone. But before they left this world, they both managed to inspire the men they worked with to excel as fishermen—or fishers of men.
Of course, Jack was better known as John, as in John the Baptist. And Josh is known as either Yeshua or Jesus in the 21st century. Conlan means "hero," as does the name Herod. He was indeed a hero of the rich and powerful, who to this day oppose Josh and His fishing business.
Whether or not one makes fishing for men a full time occupation, life can be incredibly dangerous, lonely, or fraught with distress. Jesus understands our hardships, because He experienced them, on a magnitude we'll never know.
Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy
Friday, November 28, 2008
Friday Freelance: FAVOR
I am truly grateful to God for miraculously abundant material blessings. But even more, I am thankful for God's favor this year amid difficulties.
I made a professional connection hoping to gain a business relationship. The business relationship has yet to materialize, but I've gained a supportive friendship money can't buy.
Praise is too important to express only privately, and our family sought a church where the Lord is praised corporately. He led us to a church with a full orchestra, choir, and an exuberant music director, and I found contentment. The surprise God had waiting was a dance team and drama team I didn't know about, where I can "Praise the Lord!" with my own full exuberance.
I immersed myself in the Scriptures to understand how a critical spirit among Christians breeds spiritual barrenness. I discovered that God is the author of human romance, and thereby makes manifest His romance with us, that we might be "fruitful and multiply" spiritually.
In that discovery lay a novel I'd have never thought to write. I set out on a path I thought might lead to publication, to reach many with a single message of love's power. It instead led to writing a daily blog filled with many messages of God's love and power.
I forfeited a position coordinating National Day of Prayer with community leaders to take up a role ministering to women in jail. Yesterday, the faces covered with tears after a Thanksgiving service there filled my soul more than a turkey dinner would have filled my belly.
In every situation, I fully released to the Lord of my life how to fulfill my desires. He gave me far more than I might have thought to ask.
"I am not worthy of th eleast of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant." ~ Israel
This week many of us bloggers have devoted a special post in which we are sharing our personal testimonies of the Lord's work in our lives and/or that of our families. Our collective prayer is that this sharing of our testimonies will not only encourage each other and give glory to our Lord, but also show the love of Christ to those who happen upon our blogs. To enjoy many more testimonies like the one you've just read please visit us at Giving Thanks on Thanksgiving.
Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy
I made a professional connection hoping to gain a business relationship. The business relationship has yet to materialize, but I've gained a supportive friendship money can't buy.
Praise is too important to express only privately, and our family sought a church where the Lord is praised corporately. He led us to a church with a full orchestra, choir, and an exuberant music director, and I found contentment. The surprise God had waiting was a dance team and drama team I didn't know about, where I can "Praise the Lord!" with my own full exuberance.
I immersed myself in the Scriptures to understand how a critical spirit among Christians breeds spiritual barrenness. I discovered that God is the author of human romance, and thereby makes manifest His romance with us, that we might be "fruitful and multiply" spiritually.
In that discovery lay a novel I'd have never thought to write. I set out on a path I thought might lead to publication, to reach many with a single message of love's power. It instead led to writing a daily blog filled with many messages of God's love and power.
I forfeited a position coordinating National Day of Prayer with community leaders to take up a role ministering to women in jail. Yesterday, the faces covered with tears after a Thanksgiving service there filled my soul more than a turkey dinner would have filled my belly.
In every situation, I fully released to the Lord of my life how to fulfill my desires. He gave me far more than I might have thought to ask.
"I am not worthy of th eleast of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant." ~ Israel
This week many of us bloggers have devoted a special post in which we are sharing our personal testimonies of the Lord's work in our lives and/or that of our families. Our collective prayer is that this sharing of our testimonies will not only encourage each other and give glory to our Lord, but also show the love of Christ to those who happen upon our blogs. To enjoy many more testimonies like the one you've just read please visit us at Giving Thanks on Thanksgiving.
Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy
Friday, November 21, 2008
Friday Freelance: FED AND FAMISHED
"Ours was the first country to establish a holiday for giving thanks." So says Linus to Charlie Brown.
Not so, Linus.
Over three thousand years ago, God established three holidays for thanksgiving. Israelite men traveled to the house of God for three feasts: Unleavened Bread, Harvest, and Ingathering. These coincided, respectively, with the spring barley harvest, the summer wheat harvest, and the autumn harvest.
Between October and April, two periods of rain fell, followed by the long dry summer of only heavy dews. Insufficient "former" and "latter" rains meant insufficient spring, summer or autumn harvest.
To put this in perspective, what if payday came three times a year? What if each time we collected a check, we then traveled several days to a somewhat central place—say, Chicago—and had a big celebration to give thanks? What if there was no paycheck between October and April, and next year's paychecks were contingent upon staying in touch year-round with the head of payroll?
In ancient Israel, the three feasts were special occasions to give thanks to the sustenance Provider, and a reminder to depend upon Him.
In modern America, Thanksgiving is the aisle with turkey-decorated platters and potholders between large Halloween and Christmas sections. Thanksgiving is the binge before either The Game or a long weekend of 5AM til midnight SALES. Thanksgiving is the mark after which we stop complaining about how early Christmas carols and decorations are out.
We may suffer malnutrition from too many boxed meals, but few among even our poor suffer starvation. Amid recession, we are well fed. We are completely unfamiliar with a concept owned by people of other times and other nations, but certainly not Americans: Famine.
Ironically, what leads to famine is being so well fed that we forget to be famished for God.
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. (Psalms 42:1 NIV)
Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com.
Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy
Not so, Linus.
Over three thousand years ago, God established three holidays for thanksgiving. Israelite men traveled to the house of God for three feasts: Unleavened Bread, Harvest, and Ingathering. These coincided, respectively, with the spring barley harvest, the summer wheat harvest, and the autumn harvest.
Between October and April, two periods of rain fell, followed by the long dry summer of only heavy dews. Insufficient "former" and "latter" rains meant insufficient spring, summer or autumn harvest.
To put this in perspective, what if payday came three times a year? What if each time we collected a check, we then traveled several days to a somewhat central place—say, Chicago—and had a big celebration to give thanks? What if there was no paycheck between October and April, and next year's paychecks were contingent upon staying in touch year-round with the head of payroll?
In ancient Israel, the three feasts were special occasions to give thanks to the sustenance Provider, and a reminder to depend upon Him.
In modern America, Thanksgiving is the aisle with turkey-decorated platters and potholders between large Halloween and Christmas sections. Thanksgiving is the binge before either The Game or a long weekend of 5AM til midnight SALES. Thanksgiving is the mark after which we stop complaining about how early Christmas carols and decorations are out.
We may suffer malnutrition from too many boxed meals, but few among even our poor suffer starvation. Amid recession, we are well fed. We are completely unfamiliar with a concept owned by people of other times and other nations, but certainly not Americans: Famine.
Ironically, what leads to famine is being so well fed that we forget to be famished for God.
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. (Psalms 42:1 NIV)
Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com.
Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy
Friday, November 14, 2008
Friday Freelance: SOWING AND REAPING
I’m going to conduct an experiment, and challenge my readers to do likewise.
Galatians 6:7-8 teaches that a man reaps what he sows. Though obviously being applied to spiritual matters, the principle is stated with as much certainty for life as for farming.
In my marriage, I’ve been sowing seeds of the love language I crave. And guess what I’ve begun to reap? So I’m wondering if this principle works when applied intentionally.
Confession: I’m motivated by the desire to receive blessing, and that could be seen as selfishness. I'm also motivated by desire to please God, but when pure motives fail me, the desire to receive blessing can kick in and push me to do as I should rather than as I’m inclined.
Since this is evidently human nature in all of us, God’s Word admonishes us to apply the principle of sowing and reaping, so that we can at least capitalize upon our "selfishness" to motivate us where goodness does not. (That’s how I read it anyway.)
So here’s the experiment. I’m going to select a blessing I’d like to receive. I’m going to start intentionally sowing seeds of that conduct in the lives of others. (I won’t identify what, so it isn’t obvious.) Then I’m going to watch and see if I reap the same blessing—realizing that some seeds take many years to produce fruit.
I’m going to concentrate on my behavior for six weeks, the length of time statistics show it takes to establish a habit. (Doesn’t the Bible also emphasize frequently a period of forty days?)
Assuming I’ve managed to make that conduct a habit by New Year’s Day, I’ll move on to another.
Most certainly, I must walk in the Spirit, or I will fail miserably. Selfishness cannot be encouraged, but must be subdued. Regardless of the experiment's outcome, I hope to weed out and not feed any genuine selfishness.
Any others willing to give this a try? Comment or e-mail me if you’re so inclined.
Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com.
Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy
Galatians 6:7-8 teaches that a man reaps what he sows. Though obviously being applied to spiritual matters, the principle is stated with as much certainty for life as for farming.
In my marriage, I’ve been sowing seeds of the love language I crave. And guess what I’ve begun to reap? So I’m wondering if this principle works when applied intentionally.
Confession: I’m motivated by the desire to receive blessing, and that could be seen as selfishness. I'm also motivated by desire to please God, but when pure motives fail me, the desire to receive blessing can kick in and push me to do as I should rather than as I’m inclined.
Since this is evidently human nature in all of us, God’s Word admonishes us to apply the principle of sowing and reaping, so that we can at least capitalize upon our "selfishness" to motivate us where goodness does not. (That’s how I read it anyway.)
So here’s the experiment. I’m going to select a blessing I’d like to receive. I’m going to start intentionally sowing seeds of that conduct in the lives of others. (I won’t identify what, so it isn’t obvious.) Then I’m going to watch and see if I reap the same blessing—realizing that some seeds take many years to produce fruit.
I’m going to concentrate on my behavior for six weeks, the length of time statistics show it takes to establish a habit. (Doesn’t the Bible also emphasize frequently a period of forty days?)
Assuming I’ve managed to make that conduct a habit by New Year’s Day, I’ll move on to another.
Most certainly, I must walk in the Spirit, or I will fail miserably. Selfishness cannot be encouraged, but must be subdued. Regardless of the experiment's outcome, I hope to weed out and not feed any genuine selfishness.
Any others willing to give this a try? Comment or e-mail me if you’re so inclined.
Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com.
Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy
Friday, November 7, 2008
Friday Freelance: Find Good
I'll always call the cup half full. It's a running joke at my house—an ongoing dare to find good in this situation.
Good isn't always visible. But I walk by faith, and faith is the "evidence of things unseen."
Consider this story.
Sisters Corrie and Betsie ten Boom were imprisoned in 1944 at Ravensbruck concentration camp for protecting Jews. Betsie thanked God for the fleas there, out of faith in Paul's admonition "Give thanks in all circumstances." Corrie complained, "Betsie, there's no way even God can make me grateful for a flea." Betsie answered, "Fleas are part of this place where God has put us." Then God in His goodness revealed that freedom to share His Word from a contraband Bible existed because guards feared the fleas in the barracks.
And so my children often hear, "If Betsie thanked God for fleas, I can thank God for ..."
I thank God for the election results.
I don't yet see good in them. Our nation has affirmed an unworthy agenda to increase dependence on government. Socialism devastated the Soviet Union and it will fail as miserably here. A nation which contends against a strong military or "legislating morality" invites anarchy. A people which names government provider, protector and principal potentate cannot then demand God step into those roles.
John Adams said, "We have no government armed in power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Our Constitution was made only for a religious and moral people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other."
Examples of impotent government abound. It cannot save from economic collapse, hurricane, terrorism, violence, disease, death, or fear. God saves from all of them. If we must be brought to our knees by utter failure in order to understand this, then failure is good.
That much I can see.
Note: Within an hour of my writing this, my husband phoned from work with news that he received a transfer with a substantial pay cut. I take a deep breath and say, "You are good, God. Thank You for this transfer and the good in it."
Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com.
Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy
Good isn't always visible. But I walk by faith, and faith is the "evidence of things unseen."
Consider this story.
Sisters Corrie and Betsie ten Boom were imprisoned in 1944 at Ravensbruck concentration camp for protecting Jews. Betsie thanked God for the fleas there, out of faith in Paul's admonition "Give thanks in all circumstances." Corrie complained, "Betsie, there's no way even God can make me grateful for a flea." Betsie answered, "Fleas are part of this place where God has put us." Then God in His goodness revealed that freedom to share His Word from a contraband Bible existed because guards feared the fleas in the barracks.
And so my children often hear, "If Betsie thanked God for fleas, I can thank God for ..."
I thank God for the election results.
I don't yet see good in them. Our nation has affirmed an unworthy agenda to increase dependence on government. Socialism devastated the Soviet Union and it will fail as miserably here. A nation which contends against a strong military or "legislating morality" invites anarchy. A people which names government provider, protector and principal potentate cannot then demand God step into those roles.
John Adams said, "We have no government armed in power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Our Constitution was made only for a religious and moral people. It is wholly inadequate for the government of any other."
Examples of impotent government abound. It cannot save from economic collapse, hurricane, terrorism, violence, disease, death, or fear. God saves from all of them. If we must be brought to our knees by utter failure in order to understand this, then failure is good.
That much I can see.
Note: Within an hour of my writing this, my husband phoned from work with news that he received a transfer with a substantial pay cut. I take a deep breath and say, "You are good, God. Thank You for this transfer and the good in it."
Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com.
Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy
Friday, October 31, 2008
Friday Freelance: GOD IN 4-D
In Michigan, few people define direction north-south-east-west. Everything is right-left. 2-dimensional.
Growing up in Denver, life was 3-D. West-east-sideways. Toward the mountains, away from the mountains, or along the mountains.
To go into the mountains is to feel one has entered a new sphere of the universe. Direction is no longer just length-width-height, but now also depth. The earth somehow transcends the ordinary and becomes 4-D.
I recently read a novel which begins with the words, "Real life does not look like a television screen, or the pictures printed on baseball cards." The baseball star a woman has seen from afar steps into her life and she gets to know him. He becomes 3-D. And then she sees him from the inside. She discovers him in 4-D. She falls in love. And life becomes exquisitely painful.
Many people see God in one dimension. God is not a person who speaks to man, but a force which permeates the universe. A power with which man must contend. Maybe even a higher being. They say "He does not see nor understand" mankind (Psalm 94:7). He is the Hebrew El, a name applied to any god, even false gods of demonic powers.
Countless others acknowledge God as a real Person, the Supreme Creator who loves and blesses people, of whom "even the demons believe, and tremble" (James 2:19). For them He is 2-D. Elohim.
There are those of us privileged to know God, in 3-D. We understand God became flesh in the person of Jesus. Divinity again enters humanity when we invite His Holy Spirit to dwell within us. We are transformed into a "new creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17). And then we are invited to enter His tabernacle. Some go only as far as the outer court; some enter the Holy place; and some pursue God all the way into the Holy of Holies, where His presence dwells. Here He is YHWH—I AM.
For some, 3-D is not enough. They linger in the Holy of Holies, unwilling to depart. They are those who may receive a glimpse into the ark itself. God presses down against them, and they are enveloped in Him. They know God in 4-D, from the inside. They see what He sees, feel what He feels. He is known as Yah.
The joy is indescribable. The agony unbearable. The experience absolutely addicting.
Or so I've heard.
For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ ... that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:14,17-19 NKJV)
Feedback may be posted to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mailed to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com.
Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy
Growing up in Denver, life was 3-D. West-east-sideways. Toward the mountains, away from the mountains, or along the mountains.
To go into the mountains is to feel one has entered a new sphere of the universe. Direction is no longer just length-width-height, but now also depth. The earth somehow transcends the ordinary and becomes 4-D.
I recently read a novel which begins with the words, "Real life does not look like a television screen, or the pictures printed on baseball cards." The baseball star a woman has seen from afar steps into her life and she gets to know him. He becomes 3-D. And then she sees him from the inside. She discovers him in 4-D. She falls in love. And life becomes exquisitely painful.
Many people see God in one dimension. God is not a person who speaks to man, but a force which permeates the universe. A power with which man must contend. Maybe even a higher being. They say "He does not see nor understand" mankind (Psalm 94:7). He is the Hebrew El, a name applied to any god, even false gods of demonic powers.
Countless others acknowledge God as a real Person, the Supreme Creator who loves and blesses people, of whom "even the demons believe, and tremble" (James 2:19). For them He is 2-D. Elohim.
There are those of us privileged to know God, in 3-D. We understand God became flesh in the person of Jesus. Divinity again enters humanity when we invite His Holy Spirit to dwell within us. We are transformed into a "new creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17). And then we are invited to enter His tabernacle. Some go only as far as the outer court; some enter the Holy place; and some pursue God all the way into the Holy of Holies, where His presence dwells. Here He is YHWH—I AM.
For some, 3-D is not enough. They linger in the Holy of Holies, unwilling to depart. They are those who may receive a glimpse into the ark itself. God presses down against them, and they are enveloped in Him. They know God in 4-D, from the inside. They see what He sees, feel what He feels. He is known as Yah.
The joy is indescribable. The agony unbearable. The experience absolutely addicting.
Or so I've heard.
For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ ... that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:14,17-19 NKJV)
Feedback may be posted to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mailed to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com.
Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy
Friday, October 24, 2008
Friday’s Freelance: ACCREDITATION
So what accredits Anne Lang Bundy to minister the Word of God, anyway? As someone once challenged, "I’ve been to Bible college, Anne. You only read the Bible."
Fair enough. False prophets abound. What distinguishes a true minister?
"By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established." (2 Corinthians 13:1, NKJV; More References)
The entirety of God’s Word and His Spirit must bear testimony to every message. If a ministry is not supported by divine witness, it lacks validity.
"Beware of false prophets ... You will know them by their fruits.... Every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit." (Matthew 7:15-17 NKJV; More References)
If a minister consistently exhibits the fruit of God’s Spirit in word and deed, God is exalted. If a minister exalts self, it is idolatry.
God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (Galatians 6:14 NKJV; More References)
The Gospel preaches the death and resurrection of both Jesus Christ and the believer. If a ministry is built upon a doctrine, rather than upon the foundation of Christ and His blood, it is at best religion, at worst blasphemy.
Judge every ministry by its foundation. Evaluate every minister by fruit. Weigh every message against the testimony of God’s Word and Spirit.
A home-schooled Bible student, I do read authors presented in colleges, use the reference works of scholars, and rely on the Holy Spirit to guide my diligent study. But in the end, any human accreditation is you:
"Do we need, as some others, epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you? You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart." (2 Corinthians 3:1-3 NKJV)
Feedback may be posted to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mailed to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com.
Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy
Fair enough. False prophets abound. What distinguishes a true minister?
"By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established." (2 Corinthians 13:1, NKJV; More References)
The entirety of God’s Word and His Spirit must bear testimony to every message. If a ministry is not supported by divine witness, it lacks validity.
"Beware of false prophets ... You will know them by their fruits.... Every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit." (Matthew 7:15-17 NKJV; More References)
If a minister consistently exhibits the fruit of God’s Spirit in word and deed, God is exalted. If a minister exalts self, it is idolatry.
God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (Galatians 6:14 NKJV; More References)
The Gospel preaches the death and resurrection of both Jesus Christ and the believer. If a ministry is built upon a doctrine, rather than upon the foundation of Christ and His blood, it is at best religion, at worst blasphemy.
Judge every ministry by its foundation. Evaluate every minister by fruit. Weigh every message against the testimony of God’s Word and Spirit.
A home-schooled Bible student, I do read authors presented in colleges, use the reference works of scholars, and rely on the Holy Spirit to guide my diligent study. But in the end, any human accreditation is you:
"Do we need, as some others, epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you? You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart." (2 Corinthians 3:1-3 NKJV)
Feedback may be posted to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mailed to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com.
Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy
Friday, October 17, 2008
Friday's Freelance: FREE FALL, Part Two
A month ago, Britney Spears was no more to me than a provocative image my eyes might have passed over while I perused magazine covers. I neither knew nor cared about her record-breaking sales, or heart-breaking story of titillating exhibitionism, substance abuse, and custody battle.
Then I read Through the Storm by Lynne Spears, Britney’s mom, and wandered around the internet to look at Britney.
Now I know. And now I care.
The public awes an star’s meteoric rise. A mother sees a precious baby in free fall. Lynne’s book revealed a mother not unlike myself. Her agony? Watching promoters and paparazzi prey on her naive child. Personal endeavor sacrificed for her daughter’s persona. Powerlessly watching her baby suffer the consequences of recklessness. Lingering shame for poor choices and numerous indiscretions.
Her story shames me with its reminder that though I’ve learned to exercise restraint in judging parents, words I’ve long forgotten still pain those they’ve pierced.
I discovered that though I’ll show compassion when I encounter my neighbor in the face of a vagrant, the image of God also lies in the face of a icon I’ve disdained rather than loved as myself.
I am freshly aware that as we hold doors open for our little birds to test their wings, we must continue to faithfully cultivate their trust even while we transfer more decisions into inexperienced hands.
Any control we exercise in the lives of ourselves or our children is control shared with us by our Creator. If we fail to trust in Him with all our hearts, lean not our own understanding, and acknowledge Him in all our ways, there is not one of us who does not risk plunging into free fall, whether named Britney Spears, King David, or Anne Lang Bundy.
Feedback may be posted to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mailed to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com.
Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy
Then I read Through the Storm by Lynne Spears, Britney’s mom, and wandered around the internet to look at Britney.
Now I know. And now I care.
The public awes an star’s meteoric rise. A mother sees a precious baby in free fall. Lynne’s book revealed a mother not unlike myself. Her agony? Watching promoters and paparazzi prey on her naive child. Personal endeavor sacrificed for her daughter’s persona. Powerlessly watching her baby suffer the consequences of recklessness. Lingering shame for poor choices and numerous indiscretions.
Her story shames me with its reminder that though I’ve learned to exercise restraint in judging parents, words I’ve long forgotten still pain those they’ve pierced.
I discovered that though I’ll show compassion when I encounter my neighbor in the face of a vagrant, the image of God also lies in the face of a icon I’ve disdained rather than loved as myself.
I am freshly aware that as we hold doors open for our little birds to test their wings, we must continue to faithfully cultivate their trust even while we transfer more decisions into inexperienced hands.
Any control we exercise in the lives of ourselves or our children is control shared with us by our Creator. If we fail to trust in Him with all our hearts, lean not our own understanding, and acknowledge Him in all our ways, there is not one of us who does not risk plunging into free fall, whether named Britney Spears, King David, or Anne Lang Bundy.
Feedback may be posted to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mailed to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com.
Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy
Friday, October 10, 2008
Friday's Freelance: FREE FALL, Part I
Even a dispassionate observer has to wonder what the end of the stock market's free fall will look like.
The present scenario might be likened to a flash flood, with torrential water pouring down a hill. The ground slowly erodes. Then perhaps a section of ground collapses which takes part of a house with it. Sometimes an entire house crashes into rubble swept away with the flood.
God already knows how bad this storm will be, and whether it will bring about erosion, collapse, or complete destruction. Jesus forewarned of the house built on sand, "great was its fall" when a storm beat upon it.
Jesus also pointed out that the house to weather the storm is the one built on rock. For those who have built their lives on the Rock of Christ, this storm may bring problems, but it will not cause a great fall. They rely not on the shifting market but on their solid Maker for security.
For those to whom Jesus Christ has been an attractive but distant monolith, this storm has all the markings of utter destruction. They can pull out of a 401K, try to sell what they can still find a buyer for, re-invest in gold. But until they show faith in Jesus by hearing His words and doing them, their security remains an illusion.
In the middle of a storm, help comes not in a voice crying out, "I told you so," but in directions to shelter, and perhaps an offer of assistance to rebuild. Prognosticators are speaking of recession and depression. People of Christ will speak of faith's profession and intercession.
You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
(Isaiah 26:3 NKJV)
Feedback may be posted to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mailed to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com.
Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy
The present scenario might be likened to a flash flood, with torrential water pouring down a hill. The ground slowly erodes. Then perhaps a section of ground collapses which takes part of a house with it. Sometimes an entire house crashes into rubble swept away with the flood.
God already knows how bad this storm will be, and whether it will bring about erosion, collapse, or complete destruction. Jesus forewarned of the house built on sand, "great was its fall" when a storm beat upon it.
Jesus also pointed out that the house to weather the storm is the one built on rock. For those who have built their lives on the Rock of Christ, this storm may bring problems, but it will not cause a great fall. They rely not on the shifting market but on their solid Maker for security.
For those to whom Jesus Christ has been an attractive but distant monolith, this storm has all the markings of utter destruction. They can pull out of a 401K, try to sell what they can still find a buyer for, re-invest in gold. But until they show faith in Jesus by hearing His words and doing them, their security remains an illusion.
In the middle of a storm, help comes not in a voice crying out, "I told you so," but in directions to shelter, and perhaps an offer of assistance to rebuild. Prognosticators are speaking of recession and depression. People of Christ will speak of faith's profession and intercession.
You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
(Isaiah 26:3 NKJV)
Feedback may be posted to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mailed to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com.
Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy
Friday, October 3, 2008
Friday’s Freelance: FAMILY
Note to readers:
A new blog feature for weekends will be a brief freelance piece. As with all posts, the emphasis will continue to be edifying Christ’s people—Building His Body.
I love to travel.
The best part of travel is meeting other Christians. I attended a Christian writer’s conference two weeks ago and met the influential (Allen Arnold, Sue Brower) and the unknown (Karen Ingle, Kay Mabry), authors both famous (Angela Hunt, John Olson) and not yet famous (Golden Keyes Parsons, Paul Robertson). Each of them touched my life in a way I will not forget.
There were some whose lives I touched. Sharon Ewell Foster and I worshiped together in a powerful way. Christa Allan and I prayed together before an editor appointment. There are at least a couple dozen more people I would include who are likely to bore most of you but who hold great significance to me.
They are significant not because they are well known (some are, some aren’t), but because each of them is a beloved family member I can’t wait to see again. They are my sisters and my brothers in Christ, connected by a very real blood tie.
All eight of my natural siblings are far from me. One is already in heaven. One doesn’t want to go there. I love and miss all eight of them enough to bring tears to my eyes as they now come to mind.
God has graciously surrounded me with other siblings, everywhere I go. When we connect briefly and then part company, I sometimes tell people I’m unlikely to see again this side of heaven, "I’ll see you soon." As we then go our separate ways, I take comfort in knowing that we really won’t be separated for all that long.
DO'S AND DONT'S (today's devotion piece)
"And I will send hornets before thee, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite, from before thee. I will not drive them out from before thee in one year: lest the land become desolate, and the beast of the field multiply against thee. By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou art fruitful, and possess the land." (Exodus 23:28-30 Darby)
"When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there."
(Matthew 12:43-45 NKJV)
"But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. ... And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise." (Luke 6:27-28,31 NKJV)
If we stop doing anything, it was more likely crowded out than pushed out. Consciously attempting to push something out leaves a void most easily filled by whatever conforms to its shape. But putting new things into our lives naturally crowds out whatever fails to hold our attention. The principle works with both good and bad fillers.
The Law of Moses already provides plenty of thou-shall-not's to address actions. When Jesus says "do not," He speaks against fear, false beliefs, sinful attitudes and words—and emulating the proud behavior of the religious elite. His teachings rarely (if ever) say "do not" to forbid sinful actions. Jesus' words are filled with all the things to DO.
As right attitude—fruit of the Spirit—fills our lives with right actions, all the wrong DO NOT's that we've failed to push out are crowded out. It's too bad that "What would Jesus do?" has become cliché. Its principle is far more effective than prohibition.
Lord Jesus, You are the greatest Teacher the world has known, because You Yourself are Love, Truth, Goodness. Please turn our eyes away from all we should not be, and help us keep our attention on You, Your Word, and what You would do unto others.
Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com.
Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy
A new blog feature for weekends will be a brief freelance piece. As with all posts, the emphasis will continue to be edifying Christ’s people—Building His Body.
I love to travel.
The best part of travel is meeting other Christians. I attended a Christian writer’s conference two weeks ago and met the influential (Allen Arnold, Sue Brower) and the unknown (Karen Ingle, Kay Mabry), authors both famous (Angela Hunt, John Olson) and not yet famous (Golden Keyes Parsons, Paul Robertson). Each of them touched my life in a way I will not forget.
There were some whose lives I touched. Sharon Ewell Foster and I worshiped together in a powerful way. Christa Allan and I prayed together before an editor appointment. There are at least a couple dozen more people I would include who are likely to bore most of you but who hold great significance to me.
They are significant not because they are well known (some are, some aren’t), but because each of them is a beloved family member I can’t wait to see again. They are my sisters and my brothers in Christ, connected by a very real blood tie.
All eight of my natural siblings are far from me. One is already in heaven. One doesn’t want to go there. I love and miss all eight of them enough to bring tears to my eyes as they now come to mind.
God has graciously surrounded me with other siblings, everywhere I go. When we connect briefly and then part company, I sometimes tell people I’m unlikely to see again this side of heaven, "I’ll see you soon." As we then go our separate ways, I take comfort in knowing that we really won’t be separated for all that long.
===============================
DO'S AND DONT'S (today's devotion piece)
"And I will send hornets before thee, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite, from before thee. I will not drive them out from before thee in one year: lest the land become desolate, and the beast of the field multiply against thee. By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou art fruitful, and possess the land." (Exodus 23:28-30 Darby)
"When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there."
(Matthew 12:43-45 NKJV)
"But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. ... And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise." (Luke 6:27-28,31 NKJV)
If we stop doing anything, it was more likely crowded out than pushed out. Consciously attempting to push something out leaves a void most easily filled by whatever conforms to its shape. But putting new things into our lives naturally crowds out whatever fails to hold our attention. The principle works with both good and bad fillers.
The Law of Moses already provides plenty of thou-shall-not's to address actions. When Jesus says "do not," He speaks against fear, false beliefs, sinful attitudes and words—and emulating the proud behavior of the religious elite. His teachings rarely (if ever) say "do not" to forbid sinful actions. Jesus' words are filled with all the things to DO.
As right attitude—fruit of the Spirit—fills our lives with right actions, all the wrong DO NOT's that we've failed to push out are crowded out. It's too bad that "What would Jesus do?" has become cliché. Its principle is far more effective than prohibition.
Lord Jesus, You are the greatest Teacher the world has known, because You Yourself are Love, Truth, Goodness. Please turn our eyes away from all we should not be, and help us keep our attention on You, Your Word, and what You would do unto others.
Feedback invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com.
Copyright 2008, Anne Lang Bundy
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