simplelife

Brothers [and sisters], if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him  in  a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and  so fulfill  the law of Christ. For  if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one  test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For  each will have to bear his own load. ... And  let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then,  as we have opportunity, let us  do good to everyone, and especially to those  who are  of the household of faith. Galatians 6:1-5, 9-10 The past few days, I have rejoiced in 15: The ongoing chain of holy friendship 16: Ocean beaches that display God's creativity Sunday: Scripture studies togethe...

Jesus replied: “'Love the Lord your God  with all your heart  and with all your soul  and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’" Matthew 22:37-39 A full heart: three grandchildren and an accountability group who became dear friends Wilhelmina, Patti, Phyllis and myself Life can be lonely. Even when surrounded by friends and family, our hearts may ache or feel empty. We were created for deep intimacy and community with God and each other.  Since coming back from Indonesia, God been steadily re-filling my heart. I felt like I was becoming empty from disconnection to those I love. Modern technology helps us stay in touch, but there's nothing like being face-to-face with someone. Do you take time for people around you? To really know and be known? And most importantly, do you make time to meet with God, as a person meets with a friend? Although ...

For the   eyes   of   the   Lord  range throughout  the  earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.  2 Chronicles 16:9 NIV Many of us go through life masked. We are afraid that people won't like or respect us if "they know who I really am." Though we can pretend many things, God knows us inside and out. He sees our every ambition, every fear, every success, and every failure. The astonishing thing is that he loves us, even knowing who we are. We are so important to him that he did the unthinkable. He satisfied his perfect Justice by taking our sins upon himself, paying the price (death) to declare us pure and clean. Such wholeness means we can come to him with boldness, confident that he looks on us with approval and joy. No one I know would have thought of such a thing. That's why many people find it unthinkable that their debt is taken away. They keep working and trying to please God, though their souls kno...

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly  we are being renewed  day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen,  since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16 Many things draw our attention. I often find myself scattered and distracted, don't you? Sometimes my focus wobbles or blurs. Yet the important things remain to be discovered. They call to us steadily amid the noise of "Do this!" and "Buy me!" and "What's new?" C. S. Lewis wrote a fascinating novel about human temptation, The Screwtape Letters . The premise of the book is that a senior demon is training his nephew on how to draw humans away from God (perceived as the Enemy) and his Goodness. Here's Lewis' observation on the effectiveness of distraction: ...

Then Jesus declared, “I am the  bread   of   life . Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.  John 6:35 Today, God's Word fed us again. This Living Bread, come from heaven, nourishes our bodies and souls. It's amazing how lively and effective the scriptures are. I was reminded that: the Story of Jesus is filled with hope God sends us into the world with Good News godly actions, followed by godly words, draw people toward Jesus What did they speak into your heart today?

You adulterous  people, don’t you know that friendship with the world  means enmity against God?   Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.  Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us ?  But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud      but shows favor to the humble.” Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil,  and he will flee from you.   Come near to God and he will come near to you.  Wash your hands,  you sinners, and purify your hearts,  you double-minded.   Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.   Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:4-10 Wow. James is pretty outspoken against snuggling up to wrong-doers and cozying up to those who hate God. Who are your fr...

Praise the  Lord ,  my soul;      all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2  Praise the  Lord ,  my soul,      and forget not  all his benefits— 3  who forgives all your sins      and heals  all your diseases, 4  who redeems your life  from the pit      and crowns you with love and compassion, 5  who satisfies  your desires with good things      so that your youth is renewed  like the eagle’s.  Psalm 103:1-5 Resigned to his unexpected Goodness We say, "She's a good woman," or "He's a good man." By which we mean ... what? Perhaps she does good deeds. Or he has a consistently wholesome character. She may fit her job well. And he may be a generous person. But Good? Really Good so that there is "no shadow of turning" or that 'when we are faithless, he remains faithful because he cannot deny himself" - th...

The  Lord  is my shepherd, I lack nothing.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Psalm 23:1-3 Acknowledging God's lordship over me God is Lord of the universe. Those who follow Jesus must believe that. However, many of us - myself included - forget to live that way. Day to day, we pursue our own dreams and plans. We hope for the best and work hard to achieve it. Do you ever wonder how you got to where you are? You may be in a mess or have accomplished a goal without doing things the right way. Maybe your heart feels empty - even though your hands are full. Psalm 23 promises abundance that refreshes the soul.  And God gives it to us for his own name's sake , not to satisfy our cravings or ambitions. "For his name's sake."  I like the ring of that. if the Ruler of the planet looks after me because it brings joy ...

Yes,  Lord , walking  in the way  of   your   law s, we wait for you; your  name and renown are the desire  of  our hearts. Isaiah 26:8 NIV Taking shape day by day: painting the prayers of Lent. Today = feet on the path Jesus walked into opportunities and through challenges, boldly obeying the will of his Father. He gathered a community around him, teaching them to understand God's grand scheme of reconciliation.  When he was tired or needed to know the next step, Jesus waited on God in silence and solitude. Then he obeyed the voice of his Father. Today, will you ask yourself (as I ask myself): Am I wholeheartedly committed to God's ways? Am I willing to wait and obey his direction? Am I motivated to bring God glory? Will I give my life so that his name becomes famous (regardless of the consequences for myself)?

And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works, not staying away from our worship meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25 There's something unique and special about meeting face to face. I'm online and active in social media: it helps me keep in touch when family and friends are thousands of miles away. But there's nothing like meeting in person! I'm on the go a lot these days, driving from place to place. Getting to my destination is always worth the effort. My concern for various circles of acquaintances - and their concern for me - provide accountability and momentum. We do the things God calls us to, cheer each other on, and help each other keep moving in the right direction. Who near you is willing to: tell the truth love you correct you worship God with you?

Now if you faithfully obey the  Lord  your God  and are careful to follow all His commands  I am giving you today,  the  Lord  your God will put you  far above all the nations of the earth.  All these blessings will come and overtake you,  because you obey the  Lord  your God: You will be blessed in the city  and blessed in the country. Your descendants [  will be blessed,  and your land’s produce, and the offspring of your livestock,  including the young of your herds and the newborn of your flocks. Your basket and kneading bowl will be blessed. You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out. All of us want blessings and a good life. Our parents told us things we didn't want to hear or disciplined us when we didn't want to be restrained ... and said it was "for your own good!" Similarly, God has given us principles to align creature with Creator...