Uncategorized

Yesterday afternoon I sat with forms in hand.

Working through this past year has been a new experience.  For 35 years I lived a shared life.  The paper trail of taxes over the years showed a time of building a new life, a time of studies, a time of parenthood and lately a time of exploring greater opportunities for giving.

But this year, I am preparing returns on my own.  With figures that remind me of God’s grace in my life. 

I have monies (that’s what income tax is all about) that have been a blessing to me.  I live with comfort. 

I have been able to use my monies to help others.  I looked over charitable giving and am thankful for the opportunities I have had.  I cast my mind to other opportunities to give that will never show up as a charitable deduction on the annual income tax form.

God is good.  And I am thankful.

I was talking with a fellow on Wednesday.  He mentioned how his Christmas Eve was surrounded by service to others, family together and celebration of Christmas.  In the midst of all this an oppressive sense of loneliness descended on him.  No reason – other than the fare of war in the spiritual realm. 

I related to that type of loneliness – just such a sense had descended on me just hours prior to our discussion.  My life is filled with friendships and service, but this unbeckoned emotion just arrived.

We know that there will be things happen around us that are beyond physical, psychological and even emotional control.  And often, we go our merry way each day, tending to forget this!

As I understand my Christian approach to life, nothing happens without God’s knowledge.  Our response should be to seek out God, get in on the happenings, and fight for the God’s kingdom in all the realms of life.

Which has me thinking!  Perhaps joining with others in spiritual warfare is the immediate call for those who are touching the borders of the evil one.  Perhaps my own prayers are more needed than I know.

A few reflections on chatting with a friend.

So, I’m driving on our highway that goes through town.  I see a garbage bag in the lane ahead of me.  No cars ahead of me for blocks.

Thinking that hitting the bag of garbage would not be good for me or for others, I pulled over.  Jumping out of the car I retrieved the bag. 

The bag was not full of garbage!  Rather, the contents were cans and recyclables.  All the better!

You see, our children’s club is in the middle of a bottle drive.  We leaders are attempting to get more cans than the clubbers.  And so far, we are winning – and now for sure we can push to the top!

How is it that doing a good deed can end up being to your benefit? 

I believe that we need to do what is right (righteous) and leave the rest up to God.  Not a bad way to live!

Jesus stressed that leadership was for the sake of others.  We are to be servants. 

When we work together  in community, we are in a “body” that must depend on others.  This requires being open to serving others.  No part is greater than another part – some have more prominence but each part contributes.

One of the first questions that couples should ask as they look are courting is, “what are you expecting?”  If the only answer (deep inside) is physical fulfilment, or someone to provide support, or even just someone to show off – you have missed the point. 

Where lies the depth of marriage is in being willing to serve each other.  Practically this is exhibited in being sure the other person is the very best person that God has created them to be. 

That is not an easy answer to give.  And fulfilling that purpose is not easy either.  There are days in which placing another person’s needs ahead of your own needs doesn’t seem to make sense.  But in the long run (and that’s what marriage is about), serving another person is God’s priority.  That makes sense. 

Where God directs – always good to take that path!!