Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection ...

[fOrTyLeGz]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection ...

You all know I love the Tao, but I love this poet too... John N. Morris.

THE LIFE BESIDE THIS ONE

In the life you live
Beside this one,
It is natural for you
To resemble America.
You require one woman.
You give her your name.

You work, you love;
You take satisfaction.
You are the president of something.
You are the same.

The children are clean,
They turn into lawyers.
They write long letters
And come home for Christmas.

It is a kind of Connecticut
Not to be twenty-five again.
Carefully in the evening
You do not think
Of the life you lead
Beside this one.

__________________________________________________ _______

[Diplomat]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection ...

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
when there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
Grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand,
to be loved as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying [to ourselves] that we are born to eternal life.

St. Francis of Assisi

[Diplomat]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection ...

I Am a Christian

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I am saved"
I'm whispering "I get lost!"
"That is why I chose this way."

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need someone to be my guide.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
and pray for strength to carry on.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
and cannot ever pay the debt.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
my flaws are too visible
but God believes I'm worth it.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartaches
which is why I seek His name.

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I do not wish to judge.
I have no authority.
I only know I'm loved

[Guest]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection ...

Advancing Through Adversity
Psalm 56:3-4

There is a slogan that has worked its way into popular usage over the past few years: the stalwart cry, “No Fear!” Generally, this phrase is attached to some daring athletic attempt; however, can this expression find a deeper meaning for our Christian lives?

Clearly, it is impossible to live in this world without facing uncertainty, doubt, confusion, and even honest fear. Scripture does not dismiss these concerns. Instead, the Word is truthful about the adversity that we all face. The right response to these hardships is to admit our fears to the Lord and trust Him to work the situation out for His own good. (Psalm 56:11; Romans 8:28)

Too many people try to “excuse” God from responsibility when they come up against an apparently immovable obstacle. What we often fail to realize is that God may desire to use that hardship to shape us into the person He wants us to be.

You see, adversity is an opportunity for God to purify our faith. Because God alone is sovereign in the universe, He desires to be sovereign in our individual lives as well. If we place our faith in anything other than God, He is swift to remove those obstructions in our walk with Him.

If you are going through adversity, ask God for the discernment to inquire, “Is this something that God may be allowing to occur in my life in order to bring me closer to Him?” If so, trust Him to reorder your life so that He may remain Lord of your faith.

[Ephratahe]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection ...

Don't Give Them Vinegar!

The preacher placed two identical jars on the table next to the pulpit.

He quoted 1 Samuel 16:7 'The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

"These jars came from the same factory, were made of the same materials, and can hold the same amount. But they are different," he explained. Then he upset one and it oozed out honey. He turned over the other, and vinegar spilled out.

"When a jar is upset, whatever is in it comes out. Until the jars were upset, they looked alike. The difference was within, and could not be seen. When they were upset, their contents were revealed. Until we are upset we put on a good front. But when we are upset, we reveal our innermost thoughts and attitudes, for 'out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.'" (Luke 6:45)

What if someone tipped you over today??

What would flow out??

Would you reveal the "honey" of grace and patience, or the "vinegar" of anger and sarcasm?

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." (1Peter 4:8)

Have a terrific day knowing that the one who upsets you may be just looking for some honey.

- Don't give them vinegar! -

- adapted

[Ephratahe]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection ...

Threw It Out

Last Week I threw out Worrying,
it was getting old and in the way.
It kept me from being me;
I couldn't do things my way.

I threw out those Inhibitions;
they were just crowding me out.
Made room for my New Growth,
got rid of my old dreams and doubts.

I threw out a book on MY PAST
(didn't have time to read it anyway).
Replaced it with New Goals,
started reading it today.


I threw out childhood toys
(remember how I treasured them so)?
Got me a NEW PHILOSOPHY too,
threw out the one from long ago.

Bought in some new books too,
called I CAN, I WILL, and I MUST.
Threw out I might, I think and I ought.
WOW, You should've seen the dust.

I ran across an OLD FRIEND,
haven't seen him in a while.
I believe his name is GOD,
Yes, I really like His style.

He helped me to do some cleaning
and added some thing's Himself.
Like PRAYER, HOPE and FAITH,
Yes I placed them right on the shelf.

I picked up this special thing
and placed it at the front door.
I FOUND IT - its called PEACE.
Nothing gets me down anymore.

Yes, I've got my house looking nice.
Looks good around the place.
For things like Worry and Trouble
there just isn't any place.

Its good to do a little house cleaning,
get rid of the old things on the shelf.
It sure makes things brighter;
maybe you should TRY IT YOURSELF.

-author unknown

[tonirand]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection ...

Originally posted by ReggaePlus:
[qb] I like the harmonies of the vocal group Take 5. Hope that counts. [img]/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] [/qb]

[img]/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

Take 6 [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[Diplomat]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection ...

Prayer of an Unknown Confederate soldier

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve.
I was made weak, that I might learn to humbly obey.
I asked for health, that I might do greater things.
I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy.
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that I might have the praise of persons.
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life.
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for--but everything I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I, among all people, am most richly blessed."

[Guest]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection ...

Give me, O Lord, a stong desire
To look within Your Word each day;
Help me to hide it in my heart,
Lest from its truth my feet would stray. - Branon

[Diplomat]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection ...

Our Best Selves

The good you find in others, is in you too.
The faults you find in others, are your faults as well.
After all, to recognize something you must know it.
The possibilities you see in others, are possible for you as well.
The beauty you see around you, is your beauty.
The world around you is a reflection, a mirror showing you the person you are.
To change your world, you must change yourself.
To blame and complain will only make matters worse.
Whatever you care about, is your responsibility.
What you see in others, shows you yourself.
See the best in others, and you will be your best.
Give to others, and you give to yourself.
Appreciate beauty, and you will be beautiful.
Admire creativity, and you will be creative.
Love, and you will be loved.
Seek to understand, and you will be understood.
Listen, and your voice will be heard.
Teach, and you will learn.
Show your best face to the mirror, and you'll be happy
with the face looking back at you.

Author Unknown

[DC]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection ...

"The word hope I take for faith; and indeed hope is nothing but the constancy of faith"

Let the attitude of the life be a continual "going out" in dependence upon God, and your life will have an effable charm about it which is a satisfaction to Jesus. You have to learn to go out of convictions, out of creeds, out of experience, until so far as your faith is concerned, there is nothing between you and God.

Osawald Chambers
[img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Queen]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection ...

Taken from Our Daily Bread Devotional

May 19, 2003

Feeding Jesus' Sheep
Read: John 21:15-19

Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me? . . . Feed My sheep. —John 21:17

What will keep us serving the Lord in our church and community when the going gets tough? Although we may be sensitive to the needs of others, that alone isn't enough. Nor should we be driven by a need that we have—a desire to be appreciated or loved by others. Our needs are deep, and only God can satisfy them. The more we try to satisfy them with anything else—even God's work—the more dissatisfied we will become.

Even love for God's people, His sheep, won't keep us going. People can be unlovable and insufferable. We may come to resent them.

No, the only sufficient incentive for service is our love for the Lord, and it's the love of Christ that compels us (2 Corinthians 5:14). No other motivation will do. In My Utmost For His Highest, Oswald Chambers wrote, "If we are devoted to the cause of humanity, we shall soon be crushed and brokenhearted, . . . but if our motive is to love God, no ingratitude can hinder us from serving our fellowmen."

In one of His last conversations with Peter, Jesus asked him, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter answered, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus then said, "Feed My sheep" (John 21:17).

Are you motivated by love for Christ? —David Roper


More love to Thee, O Christ, more love to Thee!
Hear Thou the prayer I make on bended on knee;
This is my earnest plea: More love, O Christ, to Thee,
More love to Thee, more love to Thee! —Prentiss

To love Christ is to serve Christ.

[tonirand]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection ...

THOUGHTS INTO PRAYERS
_________________________

Philippians 1:3-11 (NRSV)

I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by
the day of Jesus Christ.

It is right for me to think this way about
all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God's grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense
and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus.

And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and
full insight to help you to determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the
harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

_________________________

Paul wrote, "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone."
- 1 Timothy 2:1 (NIV)
_________________________


HE came to our church only occasionally, and I did not know him well.
However, I did know he had been a missionary in earlier days and that his first wife and children had been killed in a plane crash.
On this particular Sunday, I looked at him and wondered if he still had open wounds or unhealed memories from that tragic loss.

Later during the church service, he stood up to share the story of his family's accident. Choking back tears, he said that this Sunday was the anniversary of their deaths and that losing them was still a painful memory for him.

I pondered this sequence of events. Was it a coincidence that I had thought of his loss before I knew he was still suffering? Or
had God given me thoughts about his family's tragedy for a reason? I decided then that God had indeed been nudging me to pray.

It was a powerful lesson, and now I intercede for people when they come to mind. I pray that God will be with them to meet their needs,
draw them close, and show them love. I am convinced that God brings specific people to mind because I am meant to pray for them.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, guide us today to pray for someone who needs encouragement. Teach us that thoughts of those in need are a call to
pray for them. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
For whom is God prompting me to pray?

PRAYER FOCUS: The person(s) who came to mind as you read this

[Guest]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection ...

A Church Goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday.
"I've gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time and the preachers are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all."
This started a real controversy in the "Letters to the Editor" column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone
wrote this CLINCHER: "I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked
some 32,000 meals. But for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this: They all
nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today.
Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!"

"When you are DOWN to nothing.... God is UP to something! Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible!
Thank God for our physical AND our spiritual nourishment!!!"
"When Satan is knocking at your door, simply say, "Jesus, could you get that for me?

[Diplomat]

Re: Take 5 - A Moment of Reflection ...

Faith does not work where there is no forgiveness.

"And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses." (Mark 11:22-26).