I hear this so often. The rejection of anything that removes the serenity of our intellectual conceit put us in this state. The are many reasons why we do this but the main one is refusing the light available in our present life today, not tomorrow or yesterday. Psalm 36:9
A day to discover what is arresting your resting heartbeat. I call this slow-motion Saturday. My mother calls it no smile day(while she's smiling). From active to reflective to contemplative. Regaining a still perspective of the infinite stillness of our infinite Lord. Rhythmically retuned, passively active, and divinely wound and wined. Brennan Manning years ago encouraged me to memorize the following passage that would make this Sabbath Saturday a daily experience. John 15:1-17
The boldness to enter into or break out of an intolerable situation.
Most people with whom I speak say they are frustrated and stressed out. Once we begin to talk I find that their stress is related to not thinking and their frustration is the act of beginning to think and then stopping.
The real heart attack of risk and commitment toward others. The fight for freedom to follow in order to be followed.
A heart into which the love of the Holy Spirit is a shed. Romans 5:5
When the end of my rope strikes a cord with a sweet note. Psalm 45:1-2
Determined integrity. Psalm 25:21
"There must be a reason for this". This is a phrase I often hear that seems more like hindsight than revelation. What if we said there must be some revelation from this? Would something be heard that separates me from the herd mentality? Something of value spiritually? Revelation disarms reason from it's limitations and empowers wisdom to move onward and upward. It may take someone to help with this, so be willing to seek counsel rather than a reason. Numbers 10:31
Truth isn't relative but we treat it like we treat our relatives.
Interpretive challenge.
I often hear this phrase. It sounds like it has an obvious meaning. However I find it most often represents a lack of courage or the right kind of courage to act on some conviction. What's missing behind that comment is emotional intensity to overcome habitual procrastination to what is best, not simply rational. I mean by rational the easy way that seems to make sense even though there is a better way. Honesty is not always accuracy. Pour out your heart where someone can encourage you with the right kind of courage that I call inspiration.
No longer relying on "just being honest" removes the need to say "I was only joking", when you weren't, after seeing how you hurt someone or yourself by what was said. What is the answer then? Pour out your heart and listen as you do. What you hear will become strength and loving rather than weak and brutally honest. Psalm 62:8,11-12
This should energize the present making our presence a gift.
Not! Not! joke.
