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Slow Down!

May 21, 2011
Filed In Daily Devotionals

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world…” – Romans 12:2

The other day I got a phone call from one of the pastor’s on staff at the church I work for and she sounded a bit frantic. She’s an experienced youth pastor and very few times have I seen her event appear to be thrown off by an event or a mishap. She shared her story here…

It is so easy for us to get wrapped up in being busy. Many times I feel like there’s not enough hours in the day for me to get my work done. Our society makes it seem that we’re not going to amount to anything or going to be successful unless we lead a busy life.
While in college a requirement for my youth ministry degree was to take a class called “Spiritual Formation.” In this class we had a project where we had to keep track of how we spent our time over the period of a week. We had to complete a chart of what we did during each hour of the day. Many of us were shocked at how much time we spent doing nothing and how little time we spent doing things that mattered. We wasted time playing video games, watching television, tweeting and updating our Facebook status. We didn’t invest enough time in things that mattered like reading our Bible, praying or quality time with those closest to us.
So I dare you to keep track of your schedule for a week and evaluate how you spend your time. You’ll be blown away at how much time we waste and how our excuse of “I don’t have time to read the Bible” is laughable at best.

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Every Time

April 9, 2011
Filed In Daily Devotionals

Every Time

 Psalm 62:8a-Trust him in all times (NIV).

             Every time I think of time, I think of Marjorie and Ben.  Ben started collecting clocks at least 70 years ago and Marjorie dusted them for nigh onto 60.

            If it keeps time, Ben owns it. Their walls are coated with everything from German cuckoo clocks to chiming bird, bee and tractor clocks. Marilyn Monroe flits her skirt saucily on one, while Elvis flings his hips on another.  Drawers full of pocket watches clog the dressers. Domed antique timers sit side-by- each with floor-to-ceiling grandfather time-pieces. Cartoon characters abound and each one tells the time in its own quirky way.

 Every piece announces the hour by chime, rhyme or mime. (Or at least they used to.) By the time Ben got them all wound and set, it was time to start all over again. Now only a few favourites clang, bang, bong and hum. The silent ones just take up space. They could still make time count if so directed, but like lots of us, they just sit there while the days slide by. Their chance to make a difference is stilted. No booming Westminster chimes, bells or whistles from their corners, unless a Ben starts them up again.

Do we treat time the same way? No movement unless wound up? No effort to live a life with meaning? Putting in a half-job at a half-life when we could be making time count? What a waste.

God is yearning to get us moving toward him again. Are we willing to be wound up?

Prayer-Lord, we have spring fever, and a touch of laziness. Wind us up toward you today. Amen.

Brenda J Wood

http://heartfeltdevotionals.wordpress.com

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My Times Are In Your Hands

March 11, 2010
Filed In Daily Devotionals

“My times are in Your hands!” Psalm 31:15

There is something wonderfully inspiring in the thought, that God has a plan and a purpose for our lives, for each life. We do not come drifting into this world—and do not drift through it like waves on the ocean. We are sent from God, each one of us with a divine plan for his life—something God wants us to do, some place He wants us to fill. All through our lives we are in the hands of God, who chooses our place and orders our circumstances, and makes all things work together for our good—and His glory.   J.R. Miller

How often am I tempted to think, “if I were in control, I would have done things differently.”  I would not have chosen pain or suffering or darkness or confusion to be a part of my story.  If I directed the story of my life, it would be a story of ease, comfort, wealth and the absence of any pain or struggle.  But the truth is that I am not wise enough to see what is best for me.  I cannot know the future, or God’s greater purpose for these events that He has brought me through.  That’s why it’s comforting to know that my days are held in the hand of God.

The ultimate goal of my life is not ease or comfort, but rather to be conformed into the image of God.  God does what is necessary to transform me into His image, because He knows that is what’s best for me.  He can see the end result, and at times, when necessary, takes me through suffering or struggles in order to achieve that result.

The Hand that created and sustains the world does not make a mistake in the events of my life.  I can trust His sovereign plan, assured of His care and love for me.  Even when my steps make no sense to me, I know He will continue to direct and guide.  If He who did not spare His Son is truly the Lord of my life, I can be confident that He will continue to guide and bless me, and that no event happens by mistake.

“Lord, be pleased to impart unto me, your unworthy servant, this spirit of confidence in You. May I see Your hand in all the events of life—ordering the the minor, as well as in the greater movements of Your Providence. This watching and waiting for the manifestations of Your guardian care—will fill me with thankfulness for all my mercies, and make me patient under all my trials.”  (a Puritan prayer)

[copyright, 2010, Emily Schankweiler; A Sacrifice of Praise]

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