Jan 6, 2014 | Living Well
Grumble. Grumble. Gripe. Gripe. Things are not as I want.
The laundry needs done, but I want to watch my favorite TV show. I have to go shopping for groceries, but I want to buy a new outfit. I have to pick up the clutter in the house instead of play a game on the computer. My hair just will not behave. Why doesn’t someone pick up that trash by the front door of the church? Who put her in charge? Why does she think she can tell me what to do? I do not like the way she does things. I have better ideas.
What is your favorite gripe? What sets you off? Have you ever reflected about what makes you grumble?
Pettiness and selfishness are the main reasons for griping. Someone is expecting me to do something I do not want to do, another is leaving work for me to do that they should have done, my hopes are dashed by reality, or I am not getting to indulge my desires. Who said the world revolved around me? No one.
James 5:9 says to not grumble against our brothers. That means I cannot complain about other Christians. But what about everyone and everything else?
Put on then … compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Colossians 3:12
It is impossible to be kind, have humility, and be patient while griping.
Resolved Day 6: I will not gripe or grumble (verbally or in my thoughts) today.
Jan 5, 2014 | Living Well
I admit it. I struggle with prayer. It is not that I do not pray. I do. It is that my prayer life is not as intense as I desire.
Why this is a difficulty is somewhat puzzling to me as I love to communicate, and prayer is talking with God. Over the years I have become more skilled at communicating with people. I am expressing my thoughts in fewer words and listening more intently to other people’s ideas. So what is my problem about communicating with God?
God is majestic and beyond understanding while at the same time personal and approachable. Sometimes this causes me an issue as I do not think my insignificant problems are worth bothering God about even though he knows the number of hairs on my head (Matthew 10:30). He obviously cares so much about me that he knows things about me I don’t.
My caring, personal God is always available to me. So why do I feel a distance? I believe it is because I do not listen for him in the manner he chooses to speak to me. When Elijah sought to hear from God, he learned that God does not speak in an earthquake or the fire—but in a still small voice (1 Kings 19:12).
I do not hear God speaking because I am not listening closely enough. I expect God to talk with me when I have time to listen and in a manner that will require little thought or reflection to understand. How arrogant of me! I need to quit expecting God to meet my requirements. I must do things his way.
Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17
Resolved Day 5: I will pray throughout the day and listen for God’s still, small voice.
Jan 4, 2014 | Living Well
Too often we take our parents for granted. We assume they know we love them. We expect them to understand we are busy and don’t have time today. After all, the rationalization goes, we will be together next week, or we can email (or text) later.
How sad! What little effort it takes to affirm a parent. I could write Mother a note telling her how important she is to me. That would be treasured. A leisurely phone call is always enjoyed by her. How hard would it be for me to thank her for something she did for me recently or even something she did in the distant past that has been meaningful to me over the years?
When was the last time you complimented your parents? Can you remember a time you visited them when the visit was not tied to a holiday, birthday, anniversary, or children’s event?
My father, who is living in heaven, has been on my mind much lately. I loved him dearly and wish I had expressed my love for him and appreciation to him more while he was still alive. He adored Mother and taught my brothers and I how a loving couple enjoyed life together. He taught us integrity and to love the Lord. What a legacy!
I challenge you to think about how you can express your love to your living parents today. What small act of appreciation can you do for them?
My mother no longer drives so I see her often to transport her to church and various appointments. I think I will pay a surprise visit to her with no purpose other than to be with her. She’ll love that.
Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. Exodus 20:12
Resolved Day 4: I will spend some quality time with my mother.
Jan 3, 2014 | Living Well
Gaining five pounds from Thanksgiving through January 1–caused by the feasts, parties, family gatherings, and luscious food gifts–is normal. I contend that is why so many of us make New Year’s resolutions to loose weight. Let’s just admit the fact that it is five weeks of gorging. But it is such fun!
We eat foods that we do not eat any other time of the year because they are so rich. Favorite desserts, main dishes, and snacks are impossible to resist—not just for the first helpings, but also for seconds and thirds. An abundance of scrumptious candies, cookies, and holiday breads exchange hands as gifts.
Feasts are a blessed part of life. God designated festivals for his people. Throughout the Bible, celebrations of various kinds are enjoyed. So holiday events are to be appreciated.
The last five weeks of the year are a wonderful time to visit with family and friends around the table. Relationships are strengthened while munching on hor d’oeuvres and consuming enormous meals. We show our appreciation to the significant people in our lives by preparing special treats for them.
Now it is time to throw the leftovers out. We have been gluttonous long enough. It is time to get back into the swing of healthy eating. Out with the salty, fatty, sugary items left from the holidays.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23
Resolved Day 3: I will remove all leftover holiday foods from my house and resume healthy eating.
Jan 2, 2014 | Living Well
Today I resolve to not drive over the speed limit. No really. I mean it. This will take some serious concentration as I have a habit of driving two to five mph over the posted limit. Isn’t that within the margin of error? Isn’t that permissible?
I’d love to know how you justify your speeding habit. What excuse do you use for driving faster than the speed limit?
Driving too fast is truly a habit. My foot seems to automatically press the gas pedal down just far enough so the car moves slightly faster than is legal. On the highways it will be somewhat easy to keep from speeding as I can set the cruise control; however, on other roadways, I will be challenged.
Driving the speed limit may seem frivolous for a resolution. But it is addressing my desire to be a bit rebellious and my perpetual battle with self-importance. Admit it. Driving just above the speed limit satisfies the innate desire to not always live by the rules. It is too hard to be good all of the time. Besides, my time is important. The rest of the world needs to realize how busy I am. Getting to my destination a few minutes faster will allow me to—well, maybe to get a drink of water.
An evil man seeks only rebellion. Proverbs 17:11a
The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4
Resolved Day 2: I will not drive over the speed limit today. When I am tempted, I will remember that God considers rebellious behavior as evil and expects me to be humble instead of self-important.
Jan 1, 2014 | Living Well
My willpower is not as strong as I would like for it to be. I am weak and make excuses when it comes to self-discipline. It is too easy for me to say, “I do not want to do that now. It will still be there tomorrow.” Or I might say, “That is too hard.” My favorite response to doing something I do not really want to do is to say, “I would rather curl up with a good book and a cup of tea.” What is your favorite excuse for not doing what you know you should do?
Resolutions are always made after self-evaluation. It is obvious I need willpower. Therefore, I decided my first day challenge must be related to having the determination to do what I should do. I must focus on my mettle. But how? The only way I know to do this is to focus on my source of strength—God. Scripture tells us repeatedly to recognize the strength of God.
- But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31
- Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually. 1 Chronicles 16:11
- The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. Psalm 118:14
Resolved Day 1: I will think about the strength of God throughout the day. When I feel weak or have doubts, I will focus my mind on God. Today I will memorize 1 Chronicles 16:11.
