on meditation

This is for me.

Meditation is a combination of reviewing, repeating, reflecting, thinking, analyzing, feeling, and even enjoying. It is a physical, intellectual and emotional activity—it involves our whole being.

In some ways, meditation doesn't easily fit into Western culture. We value action and busyness more than stopping and considering. The author of this psalm (psalm 119:15) was from another time and culture, one with a tradition that valued meditation. As a result, meditation came more naturally for him and others with his Middle Eastern background. We have to overcome some cultural obstacles to learn to meditate.

There are many ways to meditate on God's Word. Some possibilities include:

(1) Take time to read a verse or passage over and over.
(2) Begin to memorize all or part of it.
(3) Listen—quiet your heart to allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you though God's Word.
(4) Consider how it fits with the rest of the Bible and life in general.
(5) Become emotionally involved—allow yourself to feel what God feels, his desires expressed through his words.
(6) Move from meditation to application—connect your thoughts to action. Consider how the truth and power of the Word of God should affect your behavior.

(source)

-ONWARD

rain rain go away

Was reading job today and found something interestinng. Job is an incredible man, if you have the time, just settle in a nice cosy corner and read the book of Jobs, its 42 chapters long and can go back and forth sometimes but you will be astounded by the personality and character that this man has. But here's what i found interesting and it has to do with the weather like it or hate it.

God's voice is glorious in the thunder. We cannot comprehend the greatness of his power. He directs the snow to fall on the earth and tells the rain to pour down. Everyone stops working at such a time so they can recognise his power. The wild animals hide in the rocks or in their dens. The stormy wind comes from its chamber, and the drving winds bring the cold. God's breath sends the ice, freezing wide expanses of water. He loads the clouds with moisture, and they flash with his lightning. The clouds turn around and around under his direction. They do what he commands throughout the earth. He causes things to happen on earth, either as a punishment or as a sign of his unfailing love.

Job 37:5-13

~shalom~

learning from phil 2

I was really encouraged going through philippians 2 with jim and hannah. Even though its was just the three of us, we had a good time, a lot of laughs.

I'm reminded again what it means to be humble. It means to be like Jesus, He gave his life up for us so that we can be free, and receive the redemption that can only come through his death on the cross. As someone said for Jesus to come and live like a human was like for a human to become an earthworm. Although not an accurate equivalent, it gives us an idea of how low he had to come all because of him love.

Paul encouraged the people to live in unity, having one heart, one purpose. And its interesting that unity comes when there is humility. When no one seeks his own but regards the other higher than himself. This is not to say we lose our self worth. We are all bought with a price and are a priced Jewel in the hands of the maker. But really for unity to exist, someone has to play the fool and look stupid so that peace can win over. Bible says by this shall men know that you are my disciples, when you have love for one another.

It was interesting that we had covered this topic because just before the meeting we were discussing about how to increase the participation of the members and commitment and there all the answers we were looking for was there, in the text for the day.

Perhaps the most challenging thing paul encourages his brothers and sisters in Philippians 2 is not to complain or argue about anything thats right, he said ANYTHING. This he put in another way when he said be careful for nothing but in everything through prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God and the peace of God that transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Its easy to just say oh, i won't worry about anything because the bible says so and become indifferent and lazy. Thats not the purpose. I think it means that don't let things trouble you until you lose your peace instead commit your worries and anxieties to God and trust him to take care of them for you. Afterall he says cast your cares on me and i will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you for my yoke is easy and my burden is light. So the next time you see me complain, remind me.

Its interesting that this comes up because something happened during the week that bothered me a bit. When people say things about you that you're not sure if its true or not because you need to ask God to be sure that its not true, it can be a bit confusing because you think you know yourself and then someone says something that give an impression of you that even you cannot recognise. I'm trying not to reveal too much but yeah. There are somethings that are outright false and there are others that needs to be checked on.

People of course are not perfect and say things out of their insecurity or false judgement and perceptions of what they think they know about you but in the end its between you and God and that person. All i can say is that its not the first time and thank God the last time was a case as mentioned however time will tell if this time its really true or not.

I won't let it bother me because i dont fight my own battles, never have. My name mean God's battle. And the verse in the bible that goes well with it is Exodus 14:14 and the Lord will fight for you and you will hold your peace. And speaking of peace, Psalm 119:165 says great peace have they who love thy law and nothing shall offend them. With man this is impossible but with God all things are possible.

I'm trying Lord to love your law, I know sometimes i just have to hurry off but I know that I will come to that place of exclusive devotion to your words. I trust You.

~shalom~

Laziness, Hardwork and Sleep

A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things. (proverbs 18:9 NLT)

A lazy person sleeps soundly - and goes hungry (proverbs 19:15)

If you are too lazy to plow in the right season, you will have no food at the harvest (proverbs 20:4)

If you love sleep, you will end in poverty. Keep your eyes open, and there will be plenty to eat (proverbs 20:13)

Good planning and hardwork leade to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty (proverbs 21:5)

Those who love pleasure become poor; wine and luxury are not the way to riches (proverbs 21: 17)

The desires of lazy people will be their ruin, for their hands refuse to work. They are always greedy for more, while the godly love to give! (proverbs 21:25,26)

The lazy person is full of excuses, saying, "If I go outside, I might meet a lion in the street and be killed!" (proverbs 22:13)

Too much sleep clothes a person with rags (proverbs 23:21b)

All bible verses are in the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise stated.

job 33:8-30

I just stumbled on this while i was looking for something and it ties in well into the previous post. Its taken from Job 33:8, not really a post, i just need it for me reference later.

Job 33:8-30

But you have said in my hearing-
I have heard the very words-
I am pure and without sin
I am clean and free from guilt.
Yet God has found fault with me;
he considers me his enemy.
He fastens my feet in shackles;
he keeps close watch on all my paths

But i tell you, in this you are not right.
for God is greater than man.
Why do you complain to him
that he answers none of man's words?
For God does speak -
now one way, now another-
though man may not perceive it.

In a dream, in a vision of the night
when deep sleep falls on men
as they slumber in their beds,
he may speak in their ears
and terrify them with warnings
to turn from wrongdoing
and keep him from pride,
to preserve his soul from the pit
his life from perishing by the sword.
Or a man may be chastened on a bed of pain
with constant distress in his bones,
so that his very being finds food repulsive
and his soul loathes the choicest meal.
His flesh wastes away to nothing
and his bones, once hidden now stick out.
His soul draws near to the pit,
and his life to the messengers of death.

Yet if there is an angel on his side
as a mediator, one out of a thousand,
to tell a man what is right for him,
to be gracious to him and say,
'Spare him from going down to the pit;
I have found a ransom for him'-
then his flesh is renewed like a child's
it is restored as in the days of his youth.
He prays to God and finds favour with him,
he sees God's face and shouts for joy;
he is restored by God to his righteous state.
Then he comes to men and says,
'I sinned, and perverted what was right,
but I did not get what I deserved.
He redeemed my soul from going down to the pit
and I will live to enjoy the light.

God does all these things to a man-
twice, even three times-
to turn back his soul from the pit
that the light of life may shine on him.

~shalom~