Morning Thoughts - Mind Your Language

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians 4:29)

This verse is often used to ‘encourage’ people not to swear or use abusive language. What really is abusive language though? It’s easy to tell people not to swear, it’s harder to show people how to speak positively. Some of the most hurtful things that are said don’t contain an expletive at all! It’s easy to want to give people a piece of our mind or tell them what they can do with their suggestion. The real challenge is to check if we can consistently say things that help to build others by what they need for their own good. This kind of way of living isn’t easy or natural, but it is beneficial.

4 His Name’s Sake

Shalom
da man cd

Evening Thoughts: How Do You Sleep?

I can lie down and sleep soundly because you, LORD, will keep me safe (Psalms 4:8 CEV) OK so I left it late to put up today’s post, but thanks be to God I’m doing my bit to keep up with my commitment. Tonight’s thought is more than apt considering the time it’s going up! There was this pop group called the Beatles, you may have heard of them, they had a couple of good tunes in the 1960’s and attracted a bit of interest here and there with their pretty tunes. They were comprised of four men and the nucleus of the group was the songwriting skills of Mr. John Lennon and Mr. Paul McCartney. The group performed and recorded up until 1970 when the group was acrimoniously dissolved at a high court. Such was the acrimony particularly between Mr. Lennon and Mr. McCartney that both had little digs at each other through veiled messages (and sometimes not so veiled) in a couple of their early solo efforts. Mr. Lennon in particular was not backward in coming forward and released a tune on an album entitled How Do You Sleep? It was a biting critique of his former partner’s efforts in the music business, indeed one of the most cutting diatribes against a friend you’ll hear committed to vinyl including such a point as ‘the only thing you did was Yesterday’ with reference to a tune with which Mr. McCartney was attributed that was fairly popular at one point. Anyhoo, as I recall Mr. Lennon asking that question, I also ask that question of many people – although not with such harsh overtones. My issue is in a culture that needs sleeping pills to get to sleep and has a number of those suffering with insomnia. And even if we make it to the land of nod it is often troubled with anxious thoughts and concerns for what will take place in the future. The land of nod can also bedevil us with thoughts of yesterday and the things we did or should have done. We’re bombarded with messages suggesting that we don’t live in a safe world anymore, and the threat of violence or harm is said to be more real than ever before. The Fear Factor is no longer just a television concept but a crippling epidemic affecting young and old. So how do you sleep? Well for me I’m grateful that like the psalmist I can lie down and sleep soundly. It’s a really odd thing that the only thing that gets me out of sleep is the rare occasions of ill health for most of the time I get to sleep and sleep as soundly as if a nuclear disaster would be required to trouble my slumbers. I put this assurance to nothing that I’ve done or nothing I can do. I’m not in any particular way more special or unique to experience this blessing. I put it down to an innate knowing that God has me protected – and not just me, but my loved ones as well, so that as I sleep I do so in confidence of sleeping in the arms of a loving Father who guides and protect my family, friends and I. I hope and pray that this assurance will give you a good night’s sleep. 4 His Name’s Sake Shalom da man cd

Morning Thought - Real Community

And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. (Acts 2:42) There are interesting images of the church from outside. Some see it as an institution, some see it as a building, some see it as a group of freaks, some see it as a team of people who do nice things but have crazy beliefs. One of the most interesting things about the perspective of the church in the early days was that it was based on something crazy – and that was a crazy desire to be with people. What I find so inspirational about this verse is that people were committed – first to getting good teaching together, then just being together and sharing the most friendly of activities – having something to eat together – and also they were committed to seeking God together. In a society driven by the pursuit of individualism and autonomy, where the self is king above everything this picture really provides something sharply contrasting. It provides a brief glimpse at the kind of community God is looking for. The rest of this section of scripture (Acts 2:42-47) goes on to further outline how Spirit-led people had a dramatic impact on each other and the community around them. It’s this kind of vision of what a church is all about that should be viewed by the world around us. As Jesus Himself said the world will know that we are His disciples by the love we have for each other creating the most powerful sense of real commUNITY the world will ever know. That’s my prayer for the church today – that we’ll be dedicated to teaching; real intimate fellowship and seeking God together to change our lives and the lives of those around for His glory. 4 His Name’s Sake Shalom da man cd

Blogging Bliss

Today as the start of September sees the start of my 30 days of Blogging Bliss where I endeavour to put an entry on the blog every day during the month. Something of worth, but not necessarily something overly heavy.

Just a discipline thing that I’m looking to do – I know that’s meant to be the whole point of a blog to do it kinda every day, but I don’t, and I’m looking to do so now, so there you go. That does include the morning or afternoon thoughts, but I’ll look to do a bit more than that here and there and it won’t all be heavy stuff. I mean check the Challies site today to see something really hilarious! It’s on me links list down the side of this page.

Anyhow – onwards and upwards!

4 His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd

Afternoon Thought: Empathy and Sensitivity

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn (Romans 12:15)

Empathy and sensitivity. It’s amazing how in the course of a day we can experience and witness such a wide range of emotions. It’s amazing how a face can spoil or brighten someone’s day. Little is more comforting for someone than to know that someone cares enough to be with them in whatever they’re going through and whatever they’re feeling. It’s easy to be heartless, callous and insensitive – being more concerned about how we feel. It’s something even more powerful to go from how we feel to share how someone else feels to show that we care.

4 His Name’s Sake
Shalom
da man cd