I Prefer To Seek The Lord's Presence

"One thing I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple." Psalm 27:4

I love professional football. Not! I understand that professional football is a national obsession. I do appreciate the opportunity a few young men find in being selected to play professional ball. How exciting for them and their families. But, I personally find professional football just a bit too materialistic. I have never really been able to figure out why people who are struggling to feed their families or make their mortgages would support an organization that charges so much to see a game. I am also a little nauseated by the news that all that patriotic support for  military members that they so often display is actually paid for by taxpayers. Yes, according to a PBS News Report, the government pays for these shows of patriotism. I am not against football; just the glorification of it and all the idolatry that goes with professional football. I do attend High School football games now and then in support of the youth who play. Instead of sitting on the couch and watching football; why not take your children or grandchildren outside and teach them the game?

But, the truth is that there is something that I really do appreciate about televised football. As my husband is intent on sitting in front of the television for hours watching a game, it affords me the opportunity to retreat to a quiet place and pray. Televised football games on Sunday afternoons gives me the opportunity to intentionally come into the Lord's presence, to seek His beauty, and to inquire of Him what He would have me to; in which direction I should go.

After all; does not desiring to live in the house of the Lord mean that we desire to live in His presence for all eternity; even today?

Let us seek to live always in His presence.

God's Peace - Pr. J
 

Patience

The internet was down when I woke up at 5 this morning. Rebooting the modem, the router, and the computer, itself, a few times did not help. I decided to finish the sermon I've been struggling with instead of wasting any more time trying to fix it myself. I live in the woods, at the end of the line, so my high speed DSL isn't always so high speed and it goes completely out every now and then, seems like more often in bad weather than good. I figured I had tried all that I could try and I would call the tech when their office opened at 8 a.m.. I waited and wrote.

I have learned to wait on the internet. I have learned to wait on many things. Everything does not always go as I plan. But, life continues. There is no sense to getting upset about something so minor and that we have no control over. There are so many things in this world that are so much worse than the internet not working or a television show or a computer game being disrupted. It can even be a good thing when we lose our connection with the world wide web from time to time.

Paul wrote to the Ephesians (4:1-3) "I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."  Here is Paul, in prison, begging the Ephesians to lead lives with humility, gentleness, and patience bearing with one another in love. Paul met his imprisonment not just with patience; but with joy that the Lord had opened many doors in that prison so that he could proclaim the Good News to those who would not otherwise hear.

Some of the things that we lose patience with are pretty trivial compared to the troubles others suffer in the world. It would be best to ignore these minor obstacles and just move on past or over them. Don't let them interfere with what God has called you to do. Take advantage of what might seem to be a hindrance; because, it just might be a door opening for you. 

Just as I finished the sermon at 7:30, the internet came back on all by itself.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Luke 12:35-48 Be Prepared!

Luke 12:35-48 NIV
Be prepared! The LORD has called you to be His own. Will you? Or... are you busy preparing for the next party? The next sports game? The next bowling tournament? The next whatever. And, you know that I mean the "parties" that are associated with the other things not the sports themselves.  You know that all of these things can be included in your life. The LORD wants us to enjoy life and all that gifts He's given us. But, are they the number one priorities in your life? If given a choice, what will you choose: the Kingdom of God for all eternity or immediate pleasure and gratification? Will you choose to sleep through life or will you be prepared for the return of the Master?

"Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning." (vs 36)

God's Peace - Pr. J