July 20th People Reflection

Wednesday 7/20/2005

1 Corinthians 7.25-40-the Lord will come soon-many things we think matter – don’t

1 Kings 21-Ahab just has to have Naboth’s vineyard-Jezebel has Naboth killed deceptively

Amos 5-let justice and fairness flow like a river

Psalm 119.129-136-The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple

Romans 5.8-11-God proved his love for us

Psalm 85-Resore us again, O God of your salvation

"Aren’t you ever going to give up on that?" – A lady at my therapy session said this to me yesterday- A new exercise- a new challenge for me- and yea—maybe I was being a little anal with it—trying way to hard to get the numbers I needed- maybe I lost focus on what really mattered—but then again – maybe the exercise was set up to take advantage of my tendency to achieve the 30 straight throws—because in my attempts to finish the exercise- I was gaining strength in my calf muscle- without even realizing it- it’s nice to think though that Jesus is coming again- and even my calf muscle won’t mean a thing- he has the grand plan for justice and fairness- he has the grand plan for his love proven once and for all- he will restore us again- because it’s through Jesus I am saved- not my 30 perfect- nor anything else I do—but I also know that I give thanks and praise – here and now for what Jesus has done for me- I give my life to him- I am fully delighted to serve him in his kingdom here and now—so my attempts at 30 straight – maybe I’ll get there – maybe I won’t—but in serving Jesus in his kingdom- I’m going to have so much fun doing it – my focus will be on the life he has given and not on my failed attempts at perfection—did God speak yesterday?—I think so—and you know what—my life of love in Jesus is never ever going to be something I’m going to give up on—because it’s way too much fun—and Jesus made it that way!

Prayer- Lord—thank you for ministry- thank you for your patience with me—as I work harder and harder for you—I suddenly realize- it was never work to begin with- all this time you have showed me how to play in your kingdom—send me out day after day- to play for you- to run and jump for you- for in your release for sin and death – I am free to run and play—Thanks be to God—Wanna play? -- Amen