Are care free days only possible on vacation?
Posted on July 29, 2010 by Pastor Tom
Okay, I’m back. And I have been back for a while but its been a whirlwind of weeks. We had VBS and then a bunch of other stuff. We enjoyed a superb vacation in Alaska. I will post some thoughts about life on a cruise ship tomorrow. But it was interesting coming back from vacation mode to semi-regular life mode.
On vacation, one goal is to get away from the cares of home/work. So we go away and put up with the “cares” of travel (flight cancellations; going through security; motion sickness; cold and rainy days;) to find those care free moments or days on vacation. Then we come home and head back into life hopefully refreshed. But we know about the cares and the situations and the stresses. So do we just hope our cares don’t overwhelm us until we get to another “care free” vacation? Or is care free living possible at home?
I’m reading the book “Humilty” by C. J. Mahaney. He talks about practices that help us go into the day with humility and dependence on God. One practice is to “cast all our cares upon the Lord.” He bases this on 1 Peter 5:6–7 – “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God casting all your anxieties (cares) on him, because he cares for you.”
In other words, instead of trying to rush into a day bearing all our cares ourselves and trusting only ourselves to figure it out or work it out, humble ourselves before the mighty God. Admit, we aren’t equipped to “handle” everything on our minds perfectly. But God is. So admit that then cast the anxiety on the Lord. “Lord, this burdens me today. I don’t know how it will work out. But you do. So I give it to you and know you’ll walk with me through it. But until then, will you carry this for me so I’m not heavily weighed down by this care?”
Then Mahaney writes “When we humble ourselves each morning by casting all our cares on the Lord, we will start the day free of care.” We’re not free of responsibility but we can be care free. Then we keep doing that through the day with whatever care might come along.
Then care free days are possible anywhere. Hope you have a care free August whether on vacation or at home.
The 60 day summer challenge
Posted on June 30, 2010 by Pastor Tom
A few years ago, I heard a man I greatly respect talk about time in God’s Word. His parents read 5 chapters of the Bible every morning to their children. Then the children would think about the reading through the day. At the evening meal they would discuss anything the children had questions about. Then he shared this stunning reality: “By the time I was 17, I had been through the Bible 10 times!”
That stopped me in my tracks. I was about 26 at the time. I couldn’t remember reading through the entire Bible once. So I thought better late than never. Since that time, I have read through the entire Bible 11 times, The New Testament 22 times and the Psalms about 40 times. I can say without a doubt, God has used this time to speak and shape me more than almost anything else.
My latest through the Bible reading has been much tougher. I bought a study Bible and resolved to read every note and article. So it has taken me 2+ years and I’ve still got Job to do. Yikes! Yet it has been an enriching time.
So my question to you is how many times have you been through the Bible?
When God spoke to Moses on Mt. Sinai, the medium of communication was the air. God’s voice traveled through the air to Moses’ ears. The medium has changed for us. Now God speaks through His Word. But He still speaks. And He has so much to say! If only we would listen!
If you’re not a reader, you can listen to it. There are tons of great Bible on audio resources out there. You could start with the New Testament and listen to it on a drive, flight, or out on your back deck.
So here’s my challenge – Read the New Testament this summer. There are 260 chapters. In 60 days, you would need to read 4.333333333333333333 chapters/day. (You actually have 62 days in July and August). See what God has to say to you. And enjoy!
« Previous | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 | Next »