Quotes about the Spirit

Scripture Verses:
Romans 8:5 "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

Romans 12:2 "do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may be evidence of the good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

Eph 5:10-20 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

QUOTES:
"You may as well quit reading and hearing the Word of God, and give it to the devil, if you do not desire to live according to it."
-------- Martin Luther

"At the back of it there lies the central citadel of obstinacy:
I will not give up my right to myself--the thing God intends you to give up if ever you are going to be a disciple of Jesus Christ."
-------- Oswald Chambers, in *My Utmost for His Highest*

"The devil sees nothing more abominable than a truly humble christian, for [that Christian] is just the opposite of [the devil's] own image."
-------- Hans Nielsen Hauge

No pain, no palm;
no thorns, no throne;
no gall, no glory;
no cross, no crown.
-------- William Penn, *No Cross, No Crown* (1669)

Have thine own way, Lord,
have thine own way!
hold o'er my being
absolute sway
Fill with thy Spirit
till all shall see
Christ only, always,
living in me.
-- "Have Thine Own Way", last verse, by Adelaide Pollard (© Hope Publishing Co.)

Breathe on me, Breath of God
Till I am wholly thine;
Until this earthly part of me
Glows with thy fire divine
----- "Breathe On Me, Breath Of God", v.3, by Edwin Hatch

"If you have really handed yourself over to Him it must follow that you are trying to obey Him. But trying in a new way, a less worried way. Not doing these things in order to be saved, but because He has begun to save you already. Not hoping to get Heaven as a reward for your actions, but inevitably wanting to act in a certain way because a first faint gleam of Heaven is already inside you."
----- C.S. Lewis, *Christian Behavior* (Macmillan, 1943), p.66

"The Holy Spirit also teaches the difference between asceticism and sacrifice, and shows us that for a Christian, asceticism is not enough. Asceticism is content systematically to mortify and control our nature. Sacrifice does something more : it offers our nature and all its faculties to God. A self-denial that is truly supernatural must aspire to offer God what we have renounced ourselves."
----- Thomas Merton, as in *No Man Is An Island* (Octagon Press, 1983), p.173

"Sweet Spirit, grant us the faith to resist our resistance to Thee!"
----- James Melvin Washington, *Conversations With God* (HarperCollins, 1994), p.285

Thoughts about Rain

Wow did we get a lot of rain today! I thought it would never end, but then I thought about it and realized that so much beauty and growth comes from rain.

When we were children we would jump in puddles, splash in the water, turn our faces upwards and let the drops fall on our faces. As children we could find the joy in the rain.

Then I thought some more as the rain continued to pour down and realized the beauty that comes from the rain: watching the trees glisten when the light hits the drops fresh on the branches, the growth of the flowers as the water nurishes their roots, the rainbows in the sky as the light reflects off the water. So much beauty to be found from rain, so much life and so much growth.

Again I thought some more and I realized that periods of rain happen in our own lives. I reflected on these times and saw that it was during the "rain" that I've experienced the most growth. It is in these times of trial that God strengthens our roots, allows us to draw closer to him and teaches us about ourselves, about him.

I looked out the window and now the rain has stopped. The sun is peeking through the clouds, the birds are chirping and raindrops are glistening off the branches, what a beautiful sight! May we know that when the rain had passed we too will be able to show growth and beauty.

Abounding Joy!

"You will show me the path to life, abounding joy in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever." Psalm 16:11

Ahhh, what an awesome concept to wrap yourself in - we have life, joy and pleasure when we stay in the presence of the Lord. For truly that is the way to "bottom of your soul" happiness this side of heaven.

We find this when we walk with him, when we seek him with our hearts, learn his ways by reading his words, give him our thanks, talk to him in prayers and lift him up in worship. Remember that we have the Holy Spirit who helps us to know him more intimately. Jesus said in John 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."

So let us all take a walk with God today and every day so that we may be blessed with life, joy and pleasure!

The Four Freedoms, Roosevelt & Rockwell

Franklin D. Roosevelt made a very powerful speech expressing the reasons for the country's support of the Allied nations in World War II. In his speech, Roosevelt promoted the concept of the four basic freedoms to which all people are entitled: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear - he made comments regarding our nation and what we stand for. As we are once again in the middle of a war I wanted to remind all of us what we, the United States, said we once stood for so we can once again get back on track and realize why we are doing what we are doing in this current war.

Norman Rockwell created 4 pieces of artwork after hearing this speech —then at the height of his profession—to interpret the optimistic goals set forth by the president. Rockwell wished to create something to support the country's war effort; through the creation of The Four Freedoms, he found his way.
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Last four paragraphs from, FOUR FREEDOMS SPEECH, delivered by Franklin Delano Roosevelt, on January 6, 1941

"If the congress maintains these principles the voters, putting patriotism ahead pocketbooks, will give you their applause. In the future days which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms. The first is freedom of speech and expression --everywhere in the world."

"The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way-- everywhere in the world."
Each According to the Dictates of His Own Conscience."

"The third is freedom from want, which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants --everywhere in the world."

"The fourth is freedom from fear, which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor --anywhere in the wold. That is no vision of a distant millennium. It is a definite basis for a kind of world attainable in our own time and generation. That kind of world is the very antithesis of the so-called "new order" of tyranny which the dictators seek to create with the crash of a bomb. "


"To that new order we oppose the greater conception --the moral order. A good society is able to face schemes of world domination and foreign revolutions alike without fear. Since the beginning of our American history we have been engaged in change, in a perpetual, peaceful revolution, a revolution which goes on steadily, quietly, adjusting itself to changing conditions without the concentration camp or the quicklime in the ditch. The world order which we seek is the cooperation of free countries, working together in a friendly, civilized society."

"This nation has placed its destiny in the hands, heads and hearts of its millions of free men and women, and its faith in freedom under the guidance of God. Freedom means the supremacy of human rights everywhere. Our support goes to those who struggle to gain those rights and keep them. Our strength is our unity of purpose. "

To that high concept there can be no end save victory.

Need a Lift?

Sometimes we just need a lift. At times, we need what only God's word can bring - His comfort, His encouragement, His love. I don't know what you are going through today but I know there is power in the Word so I hope you will take a few minutes to read some verses and be refilled, recharged and refreshed!


Ps 121:1,2 I lift up my eyes to the hills--where does my help come from ? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

John 6:35 I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.

2Co 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.


2Co 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Isa 40:31 but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Praise the Savior!

"...we thank you, and praise your glorious name."1 Chronicles 29:13"

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My heart is overwhelmed with joy for the salvation I have in Christ Jesus! I am ever being made aware of how truly gracious He is each and every day.

The United States still stands, with glorious sunrises in spite of our sins and the way we turn our backs on him, how worthy of our praise and thanks is the Lord Jesus Christ!

He is the Lamb, the Savior who laid down his life for all. He longs for relationship with each and every one of us!

When I think of how merciful He is to heal us knowing full well our past and our futures, I am humbled by his love. The eyes he heals - knowing we may use them to lust, the dumb he heals - knowing we may curse, the hands he makes straight knowing we may use them to hurt another. How worthy is He, how worthy of our Praises!

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SONG: Praise the Savior, Now and Ever
Words: Ve­nan­ti­us For­tu­na­tus (cir­ca 530-609); trans­lat­ed by Au­gus­tus Nel­son.

Praise the Savior now and ever;
Praise Him, all beneath the skies;
Prostrate lying, suff'ring, dying
On the cross, a sacrifice.
Vict'ry gaining, life obtaining,
Now in glory He doth rise.

Man's work faileth, Christ's availeth;
He is all our righteousness;
He, our Savior, has forever
Set us free from dire distress.
Through His merit we inherit
Light and peace and happiness.

Sin's bonds severed, we're delivered,
Christ has bruised the serpent's head;
Death no longer is the stronger,
Hell itself is captive led.
Christ has risen from death's prison,
O'er the tomb He light has shed.

For His favor, praise forever,
Unto God the Father sing;
Praise the Savior, praise Him ever,
Son of God, our Lord and King.
Praise the Spirit, through Christ's merit,
He doth us salvation bring.

Accusations & Abuse from Bosses & Coworkers

Ok, this has to be one of the most discussed issues among my friends. How do we deal with the issues that arise at work and still be an example of and for Christ.

We've all experienced that boss who loves to point fingers, make false accusations and play the blame game. We may have Coworkers who do the same. Whatever the case may be, in Christ, there is always an answer as to how to carry yourself. God didn't miss a thing when he wrote the Bible. There are two articles posted: Accusations and Abuse.

Hold on to your hearts because a lot of the advice on dealing with Accusations has to do with our nature and our attitude. I know that if you can sit through and read the whole post that you will walk away touched, thought provoked and challenged. The post on Abuse is brief and to the point.

Come Monday, may your witness be the light that draws more people into the Kingdom!

TIME-HONORED ADVICE FOR COPING WITH YOUR BOSS
by Thomas a Kempis
(scripture references added)

Thomas a Kempis, a fifteenth century believer, was known by his fellow monks to be a man "filled with love for the Passion of the Lord, and a wonderful comforter of those in temptation and trouble." In his master work, The Imitation of Christ, a Kempis reaches through centuries to offer workplace Christians surprisingly relevant advice to comfort us in our modern day temptations and troubles.

The Imitation of Christ, a Kempis phrases his mediations as conversations with God. The following are excerpts of what he imagines God says to us, his disciples.

On Dealing with Accusations from Bosses and Coworkers

If you are guilty, say to yourself, "I will gladly correct my faults;" if your conscience is clear, say, "I am glad to bear this injustice for God's sake." It is not much that you should sometimes bear hard words, seeing that you are not yet strong enough to bear hard blows.

The only reason why such little things cut you to the heart is that you are still ruled by your old nature, and take more notice of men than you should. It is because you are afraid of men's contempt that you are unwilling to be taken to task for your mistakes, and try to cover them up with excuses. Look at yourself carefully, and you will see that worldly interests are still alive within you, as well as a foolish love of pleasing men. When you try to run away from the shame and humiliation that result from wrong-doing, it is quite clear that you have not learnt real humility, that you are not really dead to the world, and that the world does not stand crucified to you.

A man is easily upset by censure when he does not keep his thoughts centered within him and his eyes fixed on God(Is 26:3); but the man who trusts in me(Jer 17:7) and does not attempt to stand by his own judgment will be free from the fear of men (Heb. 13:6). I am the Judge from who no secret is hidden(1Co4-5)-I am aware how each deed is done; I know who commits a wrong and who has to bear it.(Matt 10:26) I allowed that word to be said; that thing was done with my permission. And so the thoughts of many hearts shall be manifest.(1Co 3:13)

How can you complain when men find fault with you? What defense can you make? You have offended God on countless occasions, and have earned the punishment of hell. (Rom 3:10)Yet your soul was precious to me, and I looked down and spared you, so that you should acknowledge my love, live in continual thankfulness for my benefits, strive towards true subjection and humility(Rm 13:1), and submit patiently when you are treated with contempt.

Whenever judgment is passed, you must flee to me and not make your own decisions; for God will not let anything befall the just man to do him hurt.

On Submitting to Your Boss

Anyone who tries to escape from obedience is really escaping from grace, and anyone who pursues private schemes loses communal blessings.

If a man does not submit to his superior gladly and willingly, it is a sign that his old nature has not yet learned complete obedience, but is kicking and murmuring still. You must learn to submit to your superior quickly, if you desire to bring your old nature under control. The enemy outside is defeated sooner, when the man within is not in chaos. There is no enemy more dangerous and troublesome to your soul than you are to yourself when you and your spirit are not in harmony. You must learn a real indifference to self if you want to win the victory over flesh and blood. It is because your self-love is still undisciplined that you are afraid to abandon yourself to the will of others.

I became the humblest and lowest of all, so that your pride should be broken by my humility. Learn obedience, for you are only dust. Learn to humble yourself and to put yourself beneath the feet of all, for you are the clay of the ground. Learn to crush your own desires, and surrender yourself in complete subjection.

You must not say, “I am quite unable to submit to this sort of thing, coming from a man like that; and it is not the sort of thing I should be asked to accept-he has done me a great deal of harm, and accused me of something the never entered my head. Still, I would accept if from another man, provided I thought it the sort of thing I should be asked to accept."

This kind of thinking is very foolish. It is always weighing up what injuries it has received from which people, instead of keeping in mind that there is a virtue in patience, and a reward awaits it from God. A man is not really patient if he is only prepared to submit to what he thinks right from the person whom he chooses.

The really patient man does not mind who it is that puts him to the test-whether it is his superior, or an equal, or a subordinate; whether it is a good, holy man, or a wicked and unworthy one. Whenever anything happens that is hard to bear, however difficult it is and whoever causes it, he accepts it all with thanks as a gift from the hand of God. In his eyes it is a great benefit, because God will not let anything that is endured for his sake, however small it is, pass by without reward.
Adapted from The Imitation of Christ, translated by Betty Knott, Wm. Collins and Co., 1963.

FOR ABUSIVE BOSSES (from a non-Christian source)

Make sure you are doing everything right. The first solution is an honest analysis of your actions and behavior. How have you been handling yourself in your job? Have you always taken the high road, or have you resorted to occasional backstabbing, gossiping, or underperforming? If you’re human, it’s likely your bad boss has affected your performance, so try ignoring all these distractions and focus on your work to see if that changes anything. Find other sources of positive reinforcement for doing your job to the best of your abilities.

Have an Honest Discussion

Ask your boss to sit down for a meeting. Find out what's expected of you and what he needs from you. Talk about how you can meet those expectations. "Say things like ‘You and I don't always see eye to eye, but what do we need to do? What can I do to work better with you?" Getting feedback may be all you need.

Know when it's too much.
Bosses may exhibit bad behavior sometimes. Hey, no one is perfect, not even bosses. But if your boss is abusing you, that's a problem.

The problem takes on greater urgency if the abuse starts to make you feel bad, literally. If you chronically suffer high blood pressure that started only when you began working for your boss; or you feel nauseous the night before the start of the work week; or if all your paid vacation days have been used up for mental health breaks.

When the bullying has had a prolonged affect on your health or your life outside of work, it's time to get out. It's also time to leave if your confidence or your usual exemplary performance has been undermined.

Ironically, targets of abusive bosses tend to be high achievers, perfectionists and workaholics. Often bully bosses try to mask their own insecurities by striking out.