Good Morning Everyone! Check out the subject line... What do you think is on my mind? Well, the powerful emotion I'm talking about this morning is not Love... Its Anger. The very sight of the word stirs the heart, doesn't it. When was the last time you were angry? Not just angry, but spitting nails angry to where you wanted to explode? Anger is one of those emotions that doesn't seem to me to be rooted in Truth. It is an emotion that Satan uses against us at any moment. It causes us to curse at complete strangers, yell at our children, and hurt those we love more than we could ever imagine.
My overarching question for all of us this morning is WHY? Why are we so weak that we allow anger in our hearts? Why, when we seem to have control over almost everything else, can anger slap us in the face? Why do we do we disregard the essence of love (patience and kindness) and become so quick to react. I will allow myself to be a case study on the very subject today.
You see, last night I was faced with yet another challenge of parenting and that challenge's name is Will. He is an extremely strong willed and curious child. He does not react well to yelling, nor does he react well to constant praise. Will is very pragmatic and responds well to structured, firm discipline. Last night, I became very, very angry at an incident that occurred earlier in the day and was truly ready to scream at him. However, God entered the equation and allowed my Mom and my wise Wife to talk me off the ledge prior to having a discussion on the issue. I realized my reaction had nothing to do with the issue itself, but my expectations of a 5 year old to constantly make the right choices. How could I be so short sighted as to not give my Son the respect of a calm discussion on the subject? After all I'm 36 years old and I make poor choices daily.
God's ability to intervene was well received and I found that Will was more embarrassed by his actions than I would have initially thought. We were actually able to talk it through and I'm hopeful that he will do better in the future. Notice I said do better. The devil will not raise that bar of expected behavior on me. I'm just glad that there was a clear recognition of right and wrong. I can't imagine how ineffective my screaming would have been. Thank you Lord for the Patience! Thank you for helping me see past the blindness of my anger.
The next time you are faced with a situation in which you are quick to anger. I encourage you to take a moment... Take a breath... Even take a walk before you react. During this time pray not only for the situation, but the person with which your anger is directed. You may just be surprised how quickly and effectively God will intervene.
James 1: 19-20 "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for a man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires."
There are so many things for us to be thankful for during this Holy Week, but the gift of life in Christ is above all. Let us not waste that gift. Let us be more like him in any way we can.
Love and Peace to you in Christ,
Steve
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
Life's Journey
Good Morning Everyone!
I have to say I'm much more content to be resting behind my computer this late morning instead of running the marathon relay I ran yesterday... brrrrrr! If anyone wants to join me next year, the group would love more runners... so much fun! This weekend marked the end of a very, very busy month for us, but also marked the second anniversary of the weekend that my Renewal Team gave the gift of Renewal away. It was quite possible the most powerful weekend of my life and continues to serve as a reminder for me during my Journey. I'll start this morning with a Psalm:
"I lift my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of Heaven and Earth. He will not let your foot slip; He who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you, the Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm, he will watch over your life. The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. ~ Psalm 121 NIV
I think this Psalm in particular is a great one with regard to being on a journey. I know some people probably consider my constant reference to my faith walk as over the top, but it certainly is a journey and one that really got a jump start March 1st and 2nd of 2008. The year preceding that weekend was incredible and not necessarily in a good way. It was the hardest year of my life and one that I wouldn't wish on anyone. The years that have followed are also incredible and in an unbelievably good way.
Now is where the question enters your mind, but what about all the struggles? Has everything been perfect?
Yes, everything has sailed like a boat on a mirror lake... Yeah right! All of you are fairly close to me and know that is absolutely not the truth, but I have been able to find so much good even in the roadblocks. I've been showered with gifts... I'm positive that this is because more times than I can admit since then I have Let Go and Let God. It sounds strange and I have to say of all people I don't deserve those rich blessings, but its not up to me to decide. It all goes back to a posting my Grandpa Hank had on his refrigerator "I know I'm special because God don't make junk". God was, is, and will be there all the time watching over me even when I think I'm "junk".
Quite often the demons whisper and tell me that I'm "junk" for what I do, think, or feel. However, there is such a difference in the way I drive this road now though. Before Renewal in 2007 I was always looking for the exit and the easy route. The years that have followed have made me more about the journey and not the destination. God will let me exit when its time. Until then I'm letting him drive. And, I'm letting him decide which way to go. I definitely can't do it on my own. I'm thankful that He always avoids the potholes that I try to put us in.
How's your Journey treating you? Ok, call it a faith walk, call it you "calling", or just call it life, but how is going? Have you let go and let God or are you still trying to do it yourself?
As always I'm here to talk or discuss your perspective on things...email me and share your thoughts... no fun being on an island ;o)
Love in Christ,
Steve
I have to say I'm much more content to be resting behind my computer this late morning instead of running the marathon relay I ran yesterday... brrrrrr! If anyone wants to join me next year, the group would love more runners... so much fun! This weekend marked the end of a very, very busy month for us, but also marked the second anniversary of the weekend that my Renewal Team gave the gift of Renewal away. It was quite possible the most powerful weekend of my life and continues to serve as a reminder for me during my Journey. I'll start this morning with a Psalm:
"I lift my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of Heaven and Earth. He will not let your foot slip; He who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you, the Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm, he will watch over your life. The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. ~ Psalm 121 NIV
I think this Psalm in particular is a great one with regard to being on a journey. I know some people probably consider my constant reference to my faith walk as over the top, but it certainly is a journey and one that really got a jump start March 1st and 2nd of 2008. The year preceding that weekend was incredible and not necessarily in a good way. It was the hardest year of my life and one that I wouldn't wish on anyone. The years that have followed are also incredible and in an unbelievably good way.
Now is where the question enters your mind, but what about all the struggles? Has everything been perfect?
Yes, everything has sailed like a boat on a mirror lake... Yeah right! All of you are fairly close to me and know that is absolutely not the truth, but I have been able to find so much good even in the roadblocks. I've been showered with gifts... I'm positive that this is because more times than I can admit since then I have Let Go and Let God. It sounds strange and I have to say of all people I don't deserve those rich blessings, but its not up to me to decide. It all goes back to a posting my Grandpa Hank had on his refrigerator "I know I'm special because God don't make junk". God was, is, and will be there all the time watching over me even when I think I'm "junk".
Quite often the demons whisper and tell me that I'm "junk" for what I do, think, or feel. However, there is such a difference in the way I drive this road now though. Before Renewal in 2007 I was always looking for the exit and the easy route. The years that have followed have made me more about the journey and not the destination. God will let me exit when its time. Until then I'm letting him drive. And, I'm letting him decide which way to go. I definitely can't do it on my own. I'm thankful that He always avoids the potholes that I try to put us in.
How's your Journey treating you? Ok, call it a faith walk, call it you "calling", or just call it life, but how is going? Have you let go and let God or are you still trying to do it yourself?
As always I'm here to talk or discuss your perspective on things...email me and share your thoughts... no fun being on an island ;o)
Love in Christ,
Steve
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