The tornado hit just when ELCA Lutherans were beginning their debate. The debate? Should gay clergy be allowed to be pastors? The tornado's target? The convention center where the debate took place and the steeple of Central Lutheran Church. Hmmm.
"The tornado," wrote one pastor, "was a gentle but firm warning to ELCA and all of us: Turn from the approval of sin." *
I'm undecided. Should Christians announce God's judgment or warning? Or is it possible that if Christians remained quiet, people might hear from God, themselves?
What do you think? And here's my constant. What does Scripture say? A few verses, about words, come to my mind but they don't provide an instant answer. My words may line up with God's Word. But does my heart?
Enjoy God's Word today.
Ever Growing,
Lonnie
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Hero Status
If I find an antique history book that bears the name of Nathan Hale, I find it hard to resist. I usually carry it to the cash register, reading along the way.
Most students and teachers remember Nathan Hale for being a martyr-spy during the Revolutionary War. We give him hero-status for his last brave words: "I regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." Words give him hero-status in my heart, as well. But they are words that no one heard and only one person saw: the heartless jailer, William Cunningham.
Though Cunningham refused Hale's request for a Bible and writing materials, a compassionate guard saw that he received them. In his last hours, Nathan Hale wrote letters to his loved ones. Cunningham destroyed them. In his own words, he did not want the rebels to know "they had a man who could die with such firmness."
Though not often enough, I consider my hero's last words; words that would have encouraged his comrades and loved ones. Yet, by their very encouragement, they posed a threat to the enemy. What do my words do? How do they impact others? This week, I'm afraid they invited a spirit of complaining and self-pity. Do you ever look for someone who shares your anger? About work? Church? Government? Neighbors?
I heard God sshing me, but I sshed Him back and said my piece. I entertained temptation until it became sin.
Ephesians 4:29 tells us not to let words escape our mouth unless they are good for edification, unless they give grace to the hearer. Mine did not.
I wish we had records of Hale's last words. Yet, in their absence, they speak even louder. Especially to my heart. How about yours? Do you have favorite Scriptures that help you zip your lips or ones that help you speak "into" people's lives instead of polluting them? If so, please share.
Hmm. I was just thinking. How do God's words effect our hearts and lives? If we shared them with others (hint for you, hint for me) what wonders might result?
Rejoice in God's unfailing love and enjoy your day,
Evergrowing,
Lonnie
* "Nathan Hale" by William Ordway Partridge; Funk and Wagnalls Company, 1902.
** "Nathan Hale" by Charlotte Molyneux Holloway; A.L. Burt Company, 1889.
Most students and teachers remember Nathan Hale for being a martyr-spy during the Revolutionary War. We give him hero-status for his last brave words: "I regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." Words give him hero-status in my heart, as well. But they are words that no one heard and only one person saw: the heartless jailer, William Cunningham.
Though Cunningham refused Hale's request for a Bible and writing materials, a compassionate guard saw that he received them. In his last hours, Nathan Hale wrote letters to his loved ones. Cunningham destroyed them. In his own words, he did not want the rebels to know "they had a man who could die with such firmness."
Though not often enough, I consider my hero's last words; words that would have encouraged his comrades and loved ones. Yet, by their very encouragement, they posed a threat to the enemy. What do my words do? How do they impact others? This week, I'm afraid they invited a spirit of complaining and self-pity. Do you ever look for someone who shares your anger? About work? Church? Government? Neighbors?
I heard God sshing me, but I sshed Him back and said my piece. I entertained temptation until it became sin.
Ephesians 4:29 tells us not to let words escape our mouth unless they are good for edification, unless they give grace to the hearer. Mine did not.
I wish we had records of Hale's last words. Yet, in their absence, they speak even louder. Especially to my heart. How about yours? Do you have favorite Scriptures that help you zip your lips or ones that help you speak "into" people's lives instead of polluting them? If so, please share.
Hmm. I was just thinking. How do God's words effect our hearts and lives? If we shared them with others (hint for you, hint for me) what wonders might result?
Rejoice in God's unfailing love and enjoy your day,
Evergrowing,
Lonnie
* "Nathan Hale" by William Ordway Partridge; Funk and Wagnalls Company, 1902.
** "Nathan Hale" by Charlotte Molyneux Holloway; A.L. Burt Company, 1889.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Wordsmiths
If you're a wordsmith of any type (writer, speaker, preacher, teacher, worship leader, song writer, mentor . . . blogger), I've prayed for you today.
We may call our well-crafted words our profession, our calling, or our hobby. But if "anyone" else reads them, they're also our responsibility. James 3:1 tells us that, "Not many of you should presume to be teachers . . . because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly." That scares me a bit, but I "do" feel called, so I need to trust God and remain dependent on Him.
When I pray for other wordsmiths and myself, I pray 2 Timothy 2:15 emphasizing the last few words. I ask God to help us "correctly teach the word of truth." On the flip side, I find this Scripture: "But avoid foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless." What do you do if someone is not handling God's truths correctly?
"God assured me," writes Beth Moore in "One And Only" (p.229), "that I will always make mistakes, but they will serve as reminders to my readers never to think more highly of their leader than they ought."
What do you think of Beth's quote? This will be one of my consistent questions and a main focus of my blog. Men and women say some pretty incredible things, but . . . does Scripture support them? Do any Scriptures come to mind when you read Beth's words?
Enjoy the Lord today. He enjoys you.
Evergrowing, Lonnie
We may call our well-crafted words our profession, our calling, or our hobby. But if "anyone" else reads them, they're also our responsibility. James 3:1 tells us that, "Not many of you should presume to be teachers . . . because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly." That scares me a bit, but I "do" feel called, so I need to trust God and remain dependent on Him.
When I pray for other wordsmiths and myself, I pray 2 Timothy 2:15 emphasizing the last few words. I ask God to help us "correctly teach the word of truth." On the flip side, I find this Scripture: "But avoid foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless." What do you do if someone is not handling God's truths correctly?
"God assured me," writes Beth Moore in "One And Only" (p.229), "that I will always make mistakes, but they will serve as reminders to my readers never to think more highly of their leader than they ought."
What do you think of Beth's quote? This will be one of my consistent questions and a main focus of my blog. Men and women say some pretty incredible things, but . . . does Scripture support them? Do any Scriptures come to mind when you read Beth's words?
Enjoy the Lord today. He enjoys you.
Evergrowing, Lonnie
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Book Hog
Hi. My name is Lonnie. I am a Book Hog. Until my early twenties, books held little interest for me. I read what I had to and nothing more. But when I faced heartwrenching struggles, I began looking for answers. I found "the" answer: Jesus Christ. My life has never been the same. How about you? Tell me your Jesus Story.
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