It was a bright and sunny June day. I stood in front of the congregation along with the other graduates. The elders gave us two roses. One was yellow and one was white. They told us to keep the yellow one and give the white rose to someone who has helped us throughout our lives. The elders instructed us to do this, because they wanted us to acknowledge the power of an influence.
1 Timothy 4:11 creates an ideal example. The Apostle Paul mentored Timothy in order to further his ministry. Paul felt led to instruct Timothy with meaningful exhortation. “Command and teach these things. Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” Paul did not want age or other obstacles to impede Timothy's progress. He believed in him, and knew that Timothy could be successful in his ministry.
Paul passed on his wisdom to Timothy, because he wanted it to benefit the body of Christ. “I am writing you these instructions so that, if I am delayed, you will know how people should conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth (1 Timothy 3:14-16).” Paul encouraged Timothy to use his gifts, because his teaching would benefit himself and those who would come after him.
I held my white rose and walked down the aisle. I approached my elementary Sunday school teacher who is also the mother of my best friend. I gave her my rose. Tearing up she asked, “You're giving me your rose?” I said, “Of course. You helped raise me.” A teacher, mentor, supporter and encourager.
Who is your Timothy? Have someone in mind that you can share your wisdom and encourage to carry on your legacy. I want to cherish the knowledge I have been given, and pass it on to the next generation.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Thursday, January 22, 2009
"The Soda Effect"
A fellow social worker introduced the phrase, “The Soda Effect.” All of us are like a bottle of soda. Pick any kind you would like to be. We all have times that we are shaken up and tossed around, which can ruin our attitude. If our fizz overwhelms us, we can create a mess which is difficult to recover.
We come in contact with circumstances, which create a challenge to regulate our emotions. Someone says the wrong thing to us at the wrong time, stress piles up, and there is never enough time in one day. Everyone is bound to get shaken at some point, but how do we stand firm without letting our stress overcome us?
Jesus overcame the greatest circumstance imaginable; death on a cross. Matthew 27 depicts the mockery of Jesus as he approached the crucifixion. “They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. Hail king of the Jews! They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again (v. 28-30).”
Notice that Jesus did not fight back to the hatred that he received. Rather, he withstood the mockery. He took control of his emotions by keeping the bigger picture in mind. Jesus knew that he would be taken to die, and that it was part of a greater plan for him to be raised on the third day (Matthew 20:19). He held onto his hope.
Despite the circumstances of our lives, we will always have a reason to press on. “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1).” Stress overcomes us. We start to fizz and feel we are going to explode. It is easy to miss what lies ahead. However, when we keep our eyes focused on our hope, we will be reminded of what is in store for us. “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him
(1 Corinthians 2:9).”
We come in contact with circumstances, which create a challenge to regulate our emotions. Someone says the wrong thing to us at the wrong time, stress piles up, and there is never enough time in one day. Everyone is bound to get shaken at some point, but how do we stand firm without letting our stress overcome us?
Jesus overcame the greatest circumstance imaginable; death on a cross. Matthew 27 depicts the mockery of Jesus as he approached the crucifixion. “They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. Hail king of the Jews! They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again (v. 28-30).”
Notice that Jesus did not fight back to the hatred that he received. Rather, he withstood the mockery. He took control of his emotions by keeping the bigger picture in mind. Jesus knew that he would be taken to die, and that it was part of a greater plan for him to be raised on the third day (Matthew 20:19). He held onto his hope.
Despite the circumstances of our lives, we will always have a reason to press on. “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1).” Stress overcomes us. We start to fizz and feel we are going to explode. It is easy to miss what lies ahead. However, when we keep our eyes focused on our hope, we will be reminded of what is in store for us. “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him
(1 Corinthians 2:9).”
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
"To Serve and be Served" by: Kara Taylor and Keith Huffer
After Christmas this year, my husband and I traveled to California to visit family members. Little did we know that we would meet a homeless man who would teach us a valuable lesson. The man sought shelter off a busy street in Los Angeles after dark in an unlit alcove which could deflect the cold wind. He was lying on his side crunched up from the chill, covered by a thin blanket that barely disguised his body from passing cars. He was willing to sleep there, exposed to strangers who might happen to walk by at all hours of the night, and then leave at sunrise before the business owner would arrive.
We felt bad for the man, but walked into the warm house. Our family sat down to a homemade turkey soup dinner, which hit the spot on a cold winter day. However, we could not stop thinking about the man that was outside. My husband asked, “Should we take him something?” My dad, taking initiative, found a plastic bowl and filled it with a generous portion of soup. We were hesitant, but went outside to offer it to the man along with a warm blanket. The man was embarrassed. He hid his face and kept shaking his head. We insisted upon our gesture and left the bowl by his side, and covered him with the blanket. He appeared to be grateful, revealing only his eyes.
As we walked back to the house, I realized that it is difficult to accept someone's service. We have always been encouraged to “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men (Ephesians 6:7).” This is true, but it is also important to receive someone else's service. Often times, I find myself telling others, “Oh you don't have to do that for me...I will do it....I don't want you to go to the trouble.” Sound familiar?
When we turn down someone's service, we are not respecting ourselves or others. Allowing someone to serve you, encourages them to experience the work of Jesus. Moreover, accepting someone's service enables you to care for yourself.
Take note of the frequently quoted verse, “Love your neighbor as yourself (Leviticus 19:18).” When it's broken apart, you can see “love yourself.” This means that it is important to be attentive to ourselves, so we can better serve and love others.
When I approached the homeless man, I thought I would be scared and have nothing in common with him. I was wrong. I identified with him. It is easy to feel uncomfortable with someone serving us. However, we should confidently accept someone's offer with gratitude. All of us are working toward a common goal.“It is the Lord Christ you are serving (Colossians 3:24).”
We felt bad for the man, but walked into the warm house. Our family sat down to a homemade turkey soup dinner, which hit the spot on a cold winter day. However, we could not stop thinking about the man that was outside. My husband asked, “Should we take him something?” My dad, taking initiative, found a plastic bowl and filled it with a generous portion of soup. We were hesitant, but went outside to offer it to the man along with a warm blanket. The man was embarrassed. He hid his face and kept shaking his head. We insisted upon our gesture and left the bowl by his side, and covered him with the blanket. He appeared to be grateful, revealing only his eyes.
As we walked back to the house, I realized that it is difficult to accept someone's service. We have always been encouraged to “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men (Ephesians 6:7).” This is true, but it is also important to receive someone else's service. Often times, I find myself telling others, “Oh you don't have to do that for me...I will do it....I don't want you to go to the trouble.” Sound familiar?
When we turn down someone's service, we are not respecting ourselves or others. Allowing someone to serve you, encourages them to experience the work of Jesus. Moreover, accepting someone's service enables you to care for yourself.
Take note of the frequently quoted verse, “Love your neighbor as yourself (Leviticus 19:18).” When it's broken apart, you can see “love yourself.” This means that it is important to be attentive to ourselves, so we can better serve and love others.
When I approached the homeless man, I thought I would be scared and have nothing in common with him. I was wrong. I identified with him. It is easy to feel uncomfortable with someone serving us. However, we should confidently accept someone's offer with gratitude. All of us are working toward a common goal.“It is the Lord Christ you are serving (Colossians 3:24).”
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
"What's in Your Kitchen Sink?"
One of the many things that I admire about my husband is that he is a very clean person. He stays on top of cleaning the house, and especially the kitchen. Looking at the bottom of a clean, shiny sink is always a good feeling. This encourages me to clean the dishes right away rather than putting them off. Discussing this makes me think of the term, “kitchen sink communication.” Individuals will store up all their emotions (just like dirty dishes in a sink) and pile it on someone all at once. I'm sure we have all caught ourselves doing this at one time or another. People could wait days, months or even years to disclose information. However, it is better to refrain from this, and release our emotions in the moment to express how we are feeling. Just as it is better to do the dishes, instead of waiting for them to clean themselves.
I find that it is easy to “kitchen sink communicate” with God. Often times, we wait and wait until we are ashamed of our behavior or sin to come and confess to Him.“ I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin (Psalm 38:18).” We release it all at once, and find ourselves feeling somewhat better. Although, what does this do to our relationship with God?
When we procrastinate with expressing our emotions to God, we miss out on the spiritual healing that He wants us to experience in that point in time. James 5 instructs us to “confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” It is inevitable that we will sin. I John 1:8-10 states, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and the word has no place in our lives.”
Our Father knows we will sin, but how we handle it is our choice. Confession should not evoke feelings of guilt, obligation or routine. Rather, it can be seen as a positive way to communicate with God and maintain a healthy relationship.
I find that it is easy to “kitchen sink communicate” with God. Often times, we wait and wait until we are ashamed of our behavior or sin to come and confess to Him.“ I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin (Psalm 38:18).” We release it all at once, and find ourselves feeling somewhat better. Although, what does this do to our relationship with God?
When we procrastinate with expressing our emotions to God, we miss out on the spiritual healing that He wants us to experience in that point in time. James 5 instructs us to “confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” It is inevitable that we will sin. I John 1:8-10 states, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and the word has no place in our lives.”
Our Father knows we will sin, but how we handle it is our choice. Confession should not evoke feelings of guilt, obligation or routine. Rather, it can be seen as a positive way to communicate with God and maintain a healthy relationship.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)