Peace and Quiet

However, as it is written:

“No eye has seen

no ear has heard,

no mind has conceived

what God has prepared for those who love him”

but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.  We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.

1 Corinthians 2: 9-12

I guess I’m still dwelling on preparing/planning/goal setting. This verse jumped out at me for today’s blog post.

How do you make plans? Do you pull out a calendar and fill the dates with “must do” tasks, events, chores? Or put it all into your Blackberry or online calendar?

What do you do about unexpected events? How does the unexpected affect your planning? Do unexpected events change your purpose?

I still have more questions than answers, so we’ll keep exploring. I’d love to hear some of your own insights - please share them with us.

For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10

It’s that time of year when we start analyzing the goals we set for last year - did we meet them? - and start setting goals for the upcoming year.

Do you set goals?

I admire people who seem to have a plan for everything. One of my cherished friends goes over goal lists with her husband twice a year to keep their family, personal, and professional goals on track. It’s such an admirable trait - and everyone can see the fruits of their efforts.

Unfortunately, I’m not one of those people who can do that. I find it hard to plan a trip to the grocery store - what if something else comes up that’s more important? I guess I have trouble with the balancing act - I tend to be too flexible, I guess.

Flexible and spontaneous. How do those traits fit with today’s verse - if God prepared good works in advance for us to do, then how can we be sure to do them if we aren’t focused on that? Maybe we can still be flexible and spontaneous - as long as we keep our eyes focused on Him and keep the prayer line open for His guidance in all we do?

I don’t have the answers. Just plenty of questions. But I do know one thing - He’s definitely not finished with me yet.

Are you a goal-setter? Do you make plans? Share some of your tips and strategies with us!

Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. If you don’t know what you are doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. As boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you are going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.

James 1: 1-8 (The Message)

I love reading The Message. So many verses just catch my eye - and my heart - and then I must share them. Today, when I read ” You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors” - I just had to pause and think about my life the last few months. Under pressure is a definite description, and yes, my faith-life has been forced into the open.

Oh, I didn’t try to hide it before - I’ve always been pretty open about my faith. It’s my struggles that are more out in the open, and when I share my struggles, my faith comes along with it. People ask how I cope with certain things, and I get to share my faith.

Sharing my faith doesn’t make my problems or trials or circumstances better - but it sure makes the outlook better. Knowing that God is in control, that He has my best interests at heart, that He has plans and a hopeful future for me, and that He can and will make good come of all of it - well, even in the midst, I can thank Him for using me, using us, for His good. I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Would you?

So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master, it’s the only way you can get on your feet.

James 4: 7-10 (The Message)

Have you ever had one of those days where you just cannot focus, where everything seems overwhelming, and nothing can get done?

Yesterday was one of those days for me, for a variety of reasons. This election is wearing me out - I care too much and daily I am bombarded with e-mails from friends and family - some who share my beliefs (politically and spiritually), and some who do not (politically and/or spiritually.)

Believe it or not, I don’t like conflict, so when conflict occurs, I get emotional. Yesterday, in the midst of a major sobbing session, the Lord pointed me to the 3rd and 4th chapters of James.

In The Message, the chapters are titled. When I read Chapter 3’s title, “When You Open Your Mouth” I thought, “Oh, boy. I’ve gone and done it now.” Then, the title of Chapter 4 says, “Get Serious.”

God immediately had my attention. I had just fired off a response to an email that differed from my own beliefs, and I was feeling guilty. Not because I didn’t firmly believe everything I said, and not because I was mean or harsh, but just because I dared to disagree with someone I love dearly.

James 3 and 4 are very convicting. They caused me to examine my words closely, and I got down on my knees and cried my eyes out. God’s word has once again changed me. Hopefully for the better.

I hope you’ll take the time to read James 3 and 4 this week. Let us know if the verses speak to you as well.