A Plain Account

Bo Cassell writes a paraphrase of John Wesley's Plain Account of Christian Perfection. The two lists below are from that book.

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Here are a couple of areas that I find to be challenging and helpful and go with the holiness message that God gave for this past Sunday.

We have to be continually aware of our heart condition. It is easy to forget to evaluate where we are spiritually. Paul references these six areas that may draw us away from God, if we let them.

1. Conversations that don't build up others or offer grace

2. Falling back into bitterness or an attitude of unkindness

3. By rage, continually putting others down, lack of tenderness

4. By anger or lack of immediate forgiveness

5. By speaking harshly, or using rough, hurtful language

6. Speaking evil, gossip, hurtful stories, needlessly talking about the faults of another behind their back

 

My prayer this week for each of you is that we, as a church family, continue to hold ourselves up before God as the mirror of His image. That we continually be looking to be renewed into the image of God. That perfect image that at first may reflect with a "dingy" type of reflection but ultimately, through adopting His perfect love, an incredible, righteous reflection. The Imago Dei. The image of our God. Our Lord.

 

John Wesley gave advice on what to do to not only to walk with the perfect love of God in your heart, but also to grow in that love.

 

Advice:

1. Watch and pray against pride. (example, not willing to own up to our mistakes and faults)

2. Don't get carried away with excitement. Stick to scripture. Search them! Know them.

3. Don't sit and soak up God's blessings. Do something with them.

4. Sin of Omission - not doing something you know is right. Inviting people to church, telling them about Jesus, Be active in God's work. Do good. Live out Love.

5. Desire nothing but God. Deny yourself and take up your cross daily.

6. Build unity.

7. Be an example for others.

 

I have been thinking lately, and maybe I've already shared this, that it would be an honor that when I die this physical death, that as an epitaph the words "He Died Daily" would be true and valid for my life.

 

"Then he said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves?" Luke 9:23-25

 

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Ubi Caritas et Amor

Where charity and love are, there God is.
The love of Christ has gathered us into one flock.
Let us exult, and in Him be joyful.
Let us fear and let us love the living God.
And from a sincere heart let us love each other (and Him).

Where charity and love are, there God is.
Therefore, whensoever we are gathered as one:
Lest we in mind be divided, let us beware.
Let cease malicious quarrels, let strife give way.
And in the midst of us be Christ our God.

Where charity and love are, there God is.
Together also with the blessed may we see,
Gloriously, Thy countenance, O Christ our God:
A joy which is immense, and also approved:
Through infinite ages of ages.
Amen.

I am singing a song this Good Friday. It is called A Lenten Song by Helen Kemp.

At the end there is a Latin phrase. I didn't know what it meant and thought I would look it up. This is the poem that I ran across in my search. The full phrase in the song is the first line of this poem.

I learned something more about Tradition today. And now, so have you.

An Impactful Poem

One day I looked at myself, 

At the self that Christ can see; 

I saw the person I am today 

And the one I ought to be. 

I saw how little I really pray, 

How little I really do; 

I saw the influence of my life—

How little of it was true! 

I saw the bundle of faults and fears 

I ought to lay on the shelf; 

I had given a little bit to God, 

But I hadn’t given myself. 

I came from seeing myself, 

With the mind made up to be

The sort of person that Christ can use

With a heart He may always see. 

Last names

Today Audrey mentioned that real princesses don't have last names. I thought about it and decided that she was right. I've never thought about that before. Does Disney have any last names for any of those fairy tale people?

She just continually comes up with the neatest thoughts. 

A Moment in Life

Today, Audrey will attend her first day of Kindergarten. Big day!

We are living in North Dakota now while we continue to wait on what God has in store. I suppose in some people's mind it would seem like God has forgotten us or maybe not had a plan for us or maybe we aren't hearing HIM correctly.

That is not how I see it and not how I believe my God works. God has a plan for everyone. There is no plan A or plan B; there is just God's plan. God takes our choices and circumstances, and HIS plan and mixes them to make beautiful, sweet lemonade that is HIS very best for us. God's Best Lemonade!

Today is another step in the journey God has for us. It is another step in following a God that wishes HIS best for us every day. It is God's best for us today!

To God be the glory for all things that have happened and that will happen!

Dave

Be Prepared

There is a difference between being prepared and the action word prepare.

One is a state of being. To constantly be that state. So, be prepared is a state of “be.” It means to always, constantly ready yourself and to be ready for whatever that current and next thing is. I have thought a lot about this as we received that word from God. It was a feeling, a thought, a goal that seemed to be coming from God. Prepare.

The action word prepare is slightly different. It is to do things which make you “be.”

In April when I first felt that we should prepare it was an easy idea to accomplish. So we started doing things that would make us prepared for whatever God has for us. It reminded me of a parable.

Two farmers were needing rain or their crops could not be planted and they would have no food for the year. So both went to their houses and prayed. They asked God to send rain for their fields. After they had prayed, one farmer went out to the fields and began to tend them and make them ready. The other farmer sat and waited.

The question that goes with this parable is this: Which farmer had faith?

The first farmer expected the rain and got ready. He prepared. There was something to actually do. Sometimes, it needs to be acknowledged, there is nothing to do. Sometimes, God wants us to do nothing and that is how He asks us to prepare. And that can be really hard for some.

The month of May was a “go and prepare” month. There was so much to do. Which I am very good at. However, this month, while having a few things left to prepare for, mostly it has so far been one of not doing. Rather it has become a state. A being. Be Prepared.

It is hard to exist in the “not doing.” So now I have this time to finish up the small things and be with my family. What a great time!