The Lively Blog of Thoughts

Oh Lord my God, give me peace for today’s challenges. Give me peace with decisions to be made. Give me peace in handling myself and my decisions like a Christian.  Give me peace with knowing that you are with me. Give me peace for those that I pray for their health situation.  Give peace to my wife, oh Lord, for decisions that she has to make. Give wisdom to my children and decisions they have to make.  I pray for your guidance for all of my family. I pray for protection from those things that take our focus off of you O Lord. I pray for closeness from the Comforter. I long for closeness to you oh Lord. I pray for ways that you can take the burdens and stress of the day off all of my shoulders oh Lord.  Give me strength for each day to stay focused.  Our Comforter and our Advocate is our shield:

John 14:26- But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

Lyrics from “The Comforter has Come”

Oh, spread the tidings ’round, wherever man is found, Wherever human hearts and human woes abound; Let every Christian tongue proclaim the joyful sound: The Comforter has come!

Refrain:

The Comforter has come, the Comforter has come! The Holy Ghost from Heav’n, the Father’s promise giv’n; Oh, spread the tidings ’round, wherever man is found—The Comforter has come!

The long, long night is past, the morning breaks at last, And hushed the dreadful wail and fury of the blast, As o’er the golden hills the day advances fast! The Comforter has come!

Lo, the great King of kings, with healing in His wings, To every captive soul a full deliv’rance brings; And through the vacant cells the song of triumph rings; The Comforter has come!

O boundless love divine! How shall this tongue of mine. To wond’ring mortals tell the matchless grace divine—That I, a child of hell, should in His image shine! The Comforter has come!

Sing till the echoes fly above the vaulted sky, And all the saints above to all below reply, In strains of endless love, the song that ne’er will die: The Comforter has come!

Do you enjoy reading novels that detail the good things that happen in life even if that story happens to be fiction?  It’s easy to get into the sensationalism of the lives of characters that we enjoy. In fact, we sometimes become part of those characters in more ways than one might think. Our escape into a fantasy-filled life and fictional drama might be a way to temporarily forget about today’s mountains that we dread climbing.  

It is a great stress relief from reality by zoning out. Is there another way for some “stress-relief thinking?”

I suggest we look to God’s word on life-stories on how men and women of old were able to deal with their life story.  These action-packed lives often have some real life drama but the bonus is that we see how our true God filled these men and women with wisdom and guidance that led them to a closer relationship with God. 

 We have many examples of how men and women reached out to God to climb their mountains and to reach the other side of the mountain walking by Gods side with a stronger faith that wasn’t a fantasy.  Take a look at Abraham and Sarah. 

Abraham, originally called Abram, was a wanderer until he encountered God and started living a life of faith. Genesis 11:27 through Genesis 22:19.  Abram began his spiritual pilgrimage after dealing with challengies of life, including the tragic death of his brother Haran. 

Joseph played an interesting role in biblical history but he had his “ups and downs” even with his brother as a result of how his mother and father played some favoritism that affected his relationship with his brothers.  But is God’s involvement in his life unique?  One of the many reasons God was very active in Joseph’s life was all about what he had instore for him “down the road.”  This might be applicable to ours as well.  The bible says that he never leaves us or forsakes us in both the good and the bad things we experience (Hebrews 13:5).

Do you think that Joseph felt close to God with all of the drama that was in his life like when he was thrown in the pit and sold and made a slave?  We see that God was there continuously for Joseph and many others as detailed in Romans 8.

This same God who guided Joseph and Abraham is there to remind you that no matter what you are experiencing, good or evil, no matter how long it’s lasting, you are not alone (John 14:18). God is with you (Psalm 23:4), he is working all things together for good (Romans 8:28), and will be there for you until the very end (Matthew 28:20).

How many close friends do you have? Do you enjoy spending time with those friends that you feel very close to?  Have you ever thought about how those friendships and began and how they have developed over the years? I daresay that any close friends of yours would be persons that you have spent a considerable amount of time with in building that relationship.

Close friendships just don’t happen without an investment of time. The same is true with a close relationship with God. It does not happen overnight. It occurs with an investment of time in God’s word and meditation in your heart about that relationship.  Have you seriously thought about how much time you are investing in that close friendship with God?  Just as we all like to have friends and spend time with our close friends, we need that same desire in our relationship with God. To be near to God, we must foster the relationship.

Psalm 19:14–May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 49:3–My mouth will speak words of wisdom; the meditation of my heart will give you understanding.

Psalm 104:34–May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the Lord.

Oh, to be nearer to God!

1. Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee! E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me, still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to thee; nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee! 

2. Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down, darkness be over me, my rest a stone; yet in my dreams I’d be nearer, my God, to thee; nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee! 

3. There let the way appear, steps unto heaven; all that thou sendest me, in mercy given; angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to thee; nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee! 

4. Then, with my waking thoughts bright with thy praise, out of my stony griefs Bethel I’ll raise; so by my woes to be nearer, my God, to thee; nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee! 

5. Or if, on joyful wing cleaving the sky, sun, moon, and stars forgot, upward I fly, still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to thee; nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee! 

Text: Sarah F. Adams, 1805-1848 Music: Lowell Mason, 1792-1872

There are many days that pass where we seem to sloth through like zombies not knowing exactly what happens around us. We go through the rythem of the daily chores and responsibilities with precision of checking off the todo lists without really thinking about what “we” are accomplishing, right?

If we start the day in meditation with our Lord, with a mindset of how a Christian should handle the daily routines, maybe we would think through these somewhat differently. 

Our Lord and Savior is at our side daily and is ready to be out sword-bearer for any challenge in life. We should be thankful daily in our relationship with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Remembering our eternal hope through this relationship is crucial input daily obedience to our God and being thankful for his saving Grace. 

As Malcolm Gladwell notes in “Outlier,” to be an expert at anything you must spend 10,000 hours doing it.  He uses numerous examples of individuals that are at the top of their profession or vocation and researches their journey to this perfection to determine that they really did put in an extensive amount of hours to practice and perfect their expertise–they practiced their art for 10,000 hours.  Think Steve Jobs, Michael Jordan, etc.

I admit it!  I have the Fitbit rage.  I, like many thousands of others, track my daily steps to determine if I am getting enough activity to take care of myself.  I have a goal of 10,000 steps per day and, like many people, carry one of these connected devices to count mu steps and activity each day.  This Fitbit journey I take daily takes focus every morning and every night for me to get my 10,000 steps.  If I don’t start off my day with my regular “run” and this combined with just ordinary steps at daily activities AND then get in an evening walk, I will never get to my 10,000 steps per day.  It takes focus.

I have been thinking about this recently as I go through my morning run and morning prayers with God.  I am thankful that I have the health to get out and exercise and the diligence to get up and out of the house to get in my morning steps.  However, I have been thinking about how I can get in my “10,000 steps” in my walk with God. I must admit that this needs more focus and diligence.  I need to refocus my daily faith-needs and getting in this walk with God daily.  

Maybe a way to focus is the following hymn–Just a Closer Walk with Thee:

Just a closer walk with Thee, Grant it, Jesus, is my plea, Daily walking close to Thee, Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.  I am weak, but Thou art strong; Jesus, keep me from all wrong; I’ll be satisfied as long, As I walk, let me walk close to Thee. Through this world of toil and snares, If I falter, Lord, who cares? Who with me my burden shares? None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.  When my feeble life is o’er, Time for me will be no more; Guide me gently, safely o’er, To Thy kingdom shore, to Thy shore.  Just a closer walk with Thee, Grant it, Jesus, is my plea, Daily walking close to Thee, Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

Are you getting in our 10,000 steps of exercise with your God?

What a glorious day it is today. The sun is shining and the birds are singing and it is a glorious day indeed. I enjoy my walks in the morning to ponder upon the glory of what God has created that we can enjoy daily.
Isn’t it wonderful what God has created that we can enjoy daily.

Don’t we always feel better when the sun is shining and the birds are singing versus a dark, damp, dreary day?  Does the Son shine in your life to bring to view the glory of God’s creation and the everlasting hope of Heaven that will shine forever and allow us to be always in the presence of God?

Even in a dark and dreary day, we can seek Jesus to allow him to come into our lives daily. This welcoming that we must initiate allows Jesus to have an impact in our life and converts a dark and dreary day into a light-filled glorious day.  However, this does not occur by happenstance. Just as neighbors and friends usually don’t show up at your doorstep uninvited and it is your invitation that brings them into your home, the same occurs with Jesus coming into your life.  This invitation brings a waiting Jesus to consume your home and life. 

Do you want to be nearer to Jesus? Think about these words by Sarah F. Adams, 1805-1848:

1. Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee! E’en though it be a cross that raiseth me, still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to thee; nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee! 

2. Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down, darkness be over me, my rest a stone; yet in my dreams I’d be nearer, my God, to thee; nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee! 

3. There let the way appear, steps unto heaven; all that thou sendest me, in mercy given; angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to thee; nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee! 

4. Then, with my waking thoughts bright with thy praise, out of my stony griefs Bethel I’ll raise; so by my woes to be nearer, my God, to thee; nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee! 

5. Or if, on joyful wing cleaving the sky, sun, moon, and stars forgot, upward I fly, still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to thee; nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee! 

Do you remember as a child or even as an adult when someone told you how much they were thankful for what you did, some act of kindness, or just being very helpful in a specific situation in life?  We all like to know that a good deed does not go unnoticed. Even a child will glow when his or her parent says thank you!

Have you thought about how God impacts your life in ways that abound? Do you really think about how your prayers were answered my God and do you fully give him the praise and glory that he deserves?   Or, are we too busy to thank God for his answers to our prayers? We get so busy in our daily lives that when we do reach out to God, do we spend more time asking God for help or thanking God for his blessings already received?  There is nothing wrong and we should ask God in our prayers for his help for our daily needs. However, where is the praise and thankfulness of what has done by God already?

Psalm 113:1-9

Praise the Lord. a Praise the Lord, you his servants; praise the name of the Lord. [2] Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore. [3] From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised. [4] The Lord is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens. [5] Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, [6] who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth? [7] He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; [8] he seats them with princes, with the princes of his people. [9] 9 He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the Lord …

A Hymn to ponder by Richard Smallwood:

For the many times I’ve fallen, And yet You forgave me, thank You,  Lord, I thank You. For unmerited favor, And Your brand new mercies. Thank You, how I thank You. For wakin’ me up this morning. For letting me see one more dawning. Thank You, Lord, I thank You, I thank You, Lord, Oooooh. For life, health, and strength. For food and for shelter, thank You, Lord, I thank You. If I had ten thousand tongues. It just wouldn’t be enough to say. Thank You, how I thank You. For wakin’ me up this morning. For letting me see one more dawning. Thank You, Lord, I thank You, I thank You, Lord, Oooooh. For saving my soul, for making me whole. For calming my fears, for wiping my tears. And letting me know that I’m not alone. For wakin’ me up this morning. For letting me see one more dawning Thank You, I thank You, Lord……..

Let us not forget in our daily routine of life to think about the blessings we have received and to empty our thankfulness to God for what he has done for us.

There seems like there are days where all you want to do is pull the blanket over your head. You don’t want to get up and you don’t want to deal with today’s challenges. How do you deal with those situations in life where things keep falling like heavy rain on a dark, dreary and cloudy day with no hope for sunshine tomorrow?

Sometimes it seems that days go by and we don’t see the glory of God coming to us when day upon day we see dark and dreary cloudy days.  However, when we have the hope Jesus and we can see through the darkness of what God has done and is doing in our lives, even with today’s challenges, we see the hope of tomorrow.  This reminds me of one of my favorite hymns:

We may sing it during your worship services but do we really take the time to think about the words?  Written by Emory S. Peck, 1940.

“If the skies above you are gray, You are feeling so blue, If your cares and burdens seem great all the whole day through, There’s a silver lining that shines in the heavenly land, Look by faith and see it my friend, Trust in His promises grand. 
Often we are troubled and tried, Sick with sorrow and pain, There are others living in sin blest with earthly gain, Take new courage we cannot tell what the morrow may bring, When the dark clouds vanish away then your heart truly can sing.

Oft we fail the see the rainbow up in heaven’s fair sky, When it seems the fortunes of earth frown and pass us by, There are things we know that are worth more the silver and gold, If we hope and trust Him each day, We shall have pleasure untold.

(Chorus)
Sing and you’ll be happy today, Press along to the goal, Trust in Him who leadeth the way, He is keeping your soul, Let the world know where you belong, Look to Jesus and pray, Lift your voice and praise Him in song, Sing and Be Happy Today!”

Rush to get up and exercise!  Get ready for work. Call the kids. Get things picked up around the house. Don’t forget to stop and get the groceries. Life is “packed.”  We are too busy to stop and relax, I mean really relax. Isn’t it, “you don’t have time for that?”  But why?

We get in the proverbial “rut” and the wheels can’t climb out of that rut. No matter how we try to twist the steering wheel left or right, we end up back in the same rut. 

Sometimes it may be prayer is the answer to deal with getting away from it for a while. In other words, just smell the coffee.  Jesus needed time alone to get away from the hecticness of life and pace:

Luke 6:12–One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.

Even Jesus needed to get away, get out of the scene, pull out of the rut, etc. 

Smell the coffee!!

i’ve been worrying lately about a number of things that has created a massive amount of stress in my life. The stress impacts me in many ways. I know that God is always there with sheltering arms to embrace me. I have found recent relief from allowing God to take on my burdens.

This is what we should live by:
I care not today what the morrow may bring, If shadow or sunshine or rain, The Lord I know ruleth o’er everything, And all of my worries are vain.

Refrain:

Living by faith in Jesus above, Trusting, confiding in His great love; From all harm safe in His sheltering arm, I’m living by faith and feel no alarm.

Though tempests may blow and the storm clouds arise, Obscuring the brightness of life, I’m never alarmed at the overcast skies—The Master looks on at the strife.

I know that He safely will carry me through, No matter what evils betide; Why should I then care though the tempest may blow, If Jesus walks close to my side. 

Our Lord will return for His loved ones someday, Our troubles will then all be o’er; The Master so gently will lead us away, Beyond that blest heavenly shore.

Living by faith in Jesus above, Trusting, confiding in His great love; From all harm safe in His sheltering arm, I’m living by faith and feel no alarm