by Randall Friesen
This is a time in our western civilization when we are becoming more fragmented and disconnected as people.
Oh, we say we are more connected than ever before with our cell phones and txt-ing and emails and blogs and on and on it goes.
But the truth is we are still separating ourselves from others at an alarming rate of speed.
It might be that a new job opportunity moves us away from home. Or we work longer hours and hours that take away our opportunity to be with people we care about. Maybe we feel like people are busy with their own lives so we don’t fit in with them any longer.
Whatever the reasons, we are simply coming to the place where there are less and less significant people in our lives on a daily basis.
Doctors are saying that this is one of the reasons we are increasingly living with low level stress in our lives. That leads to physical ailments, emotional problems and relational breakdowns.
It also leads to spiritual deadness.
Paul reminds us in Colossians 2:19 that we are joined together in Christ’s body “…supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.”
The ligaments and sinews and some translations include “Joints,” are the connecting points of the body of Christ. They are the places where two parts of the body meet together, where they “Relate.”
Since we as followers of Christ are part of Christ’s body, we are growing in Christ as we connect and relate to others in his Body. If we separate ourselves from others, then how can we grow in Christ?
Indeed, if we are cut off from his body we will die.
So these days I’m thinking about whom I am connected to. Who do I have relationship with, who do I invite into my life and share life experiences with?
I need friends in my life who will walk with me and challenge me and grow with me because that is what causes me to grow.
Who are the people in your life who have access to your heart? Maybe spending some time cultivating relationships is the best and most spiritual thing we can do for a while?
Build something eternal and gracious and life giving in your relationships. Start by calling somebody up and go out for coffee, and welcome them into your life.
Then pay for the coffee.
Come Holy Spirit. . .
Cleanse what is soiled,
Refresh what is dry,
Heal what is wounded,
Bend what is rigid,
Warm what is frozen,
Guide what goes astray.
“I will lay down in peace, and take my rest; for it is thou, O Lord, only, that makest me dwell in safety”.
Thomas Ken 1637
Two months ago Becky was diagnosed with a small cancerous tumor. Tonight she passed away! Be at peace!
Hi everyone hope you had a decent day! The Slark tribe just finished watching “House” and have now gone our separate ways (nice while it lasted!).
In recent days real life has kept me busy and mentally fatigued, so I haven’t written much. As the weather becomes colder, I tend to write a little more. I have been tagged by a few folks and haven’t had a chance to engage. Don’t be offended, my lack of attention has no bearing on your importance.
Business has been steady this week and I have about 7 days to pull out some kind of a month. Wish me luck!
Have you ever felt like God has forgotten your name?
Listening to: Josh Groban
My heart has been heavy today. Someone I know made some very bad choices this weekend, and the ramifications of his actions are loss of his job, and most likely jail time. I have been acquainted with this individual for six years, and have grown very fond of him. What he did was erratic, stupid, and hurtful, to the many who love him, my heart is filled with grief for them. It proves my point which declares mankind is fatally flawed, and that people can never be trusted!
This morning I spoke with officials from the religious denomination I had been affiliated with for many years. Turns out the hoops I would have to jump through in order to return to ministry under their umbrella, is more than I can bear. I am trying to move on with my life as best as I know how, and they want to me to re-live the past hurts and events. Once again each time I take a step to return to my passion, the door closes.
Grace, Mercy, and Peace. These words have been running through my mind the past couple of days. They convey a message of hope to those of us who often lose our way.
Grace- “Forgiveness and love extended to us at the time we are the least lovable, and most in need of forgiveness”.
Mercy- “The motivation and vehicle through which Grace is extended to us”.
Peace- “The inner emotion derived from the awareness you have been forgiven, and are deeply, sacrificially, and eternally, loved”.
If you knew tomorrow was your last day to live, how would you spend your day? Here’s how Lovelle Svart’s spent hers.
from “Treasury of Religious Verse”
Tales of a Wayward Inn
The dawn is not distant,
nor is the night starless;
Love is eternal!
God is still God,
and his faith shall not fail us;
Christ is eternal!
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
In recent days my faith has dimmed…
-faith that our world will ever gain it’s sanity.-faith that all will get better.
-faith that people will ever treat one another with respect and honor.
-faith that humanity will do the right thing instead of only what is best for them.
My emotion is not depression, it is sadness! Profound sadness!
