It has been a tough week, recent storms knocked out electricity, destroyed buildings, ripped out trees, and served to all a reminder "Mother Nature" has a "bad" side.
Gratefully, things are getting restored, and I am thankful for all the folks working long hours for numerous days to get lives returned to a comfort zone we are accustomed to.
Here in Romans Paul seems to give some real practical advice on how we are to handle ourselves when "interruptions" occur, and I think it is some pretty good "stuff"; giving ideas, suggestions, and direction on what we as Christians are to do.
I think I often see Christianity at its "sickest" when you hear "blow-hard Christians" remarking how they survived a catastrophic moment and letting everyone else around them know about it. I know they even give the "Glory to God"...but I say to myself..."Really? Is that what this is all about?"
The truth is...people are hurting from catastrophic moments like this...and whether they know Jesus or if they don't....is that really helping anyone by these "grand announcements" on how some escaped the horrors of a tragedy.
Personally, I think that when events like this happen, true Christianity just begins to "kick-in": offering assistance, bringing people to your homes, feeding those who might be hungry, making sure the elderly are getting through turbulent times, and children...they need care and compassion...it's tough on everyone. Look for the good through it all, and if you were one of fortunate to survive "untouched"....for what purpose?.....Isn't it to help others?...give them hope?...relieve the stress?...feed the hungry?...help those bent beneath their load?...isn't that what we as Christians are really about?
Touchy subject with me...but hey...that's me.
Here is a Gleaning from Romans 12:11-13:........
"Don't give in...Don't let life get the best of "ya". Life may be tough at the moment...and those evil cousins like Burnout, Laziness, and Lost Zeal are screaming at you to give it up...don't. I repeat...DON'T!
Remember, the Lord is still in charge! I realize things are currently disorganized, stuff is just messed up, and nothing makes a whole lot of sense at the moment....but take a moment and think this through...don't listen to the evil one called Critical...he loves moments like this...and thinks everyone will agree with his way of reacting to situations in life. But he is nothing but a liar....remind yourself...The Lord is still in charge!
Here are the "guys" you need to listen to...they are personal friends of the Lord Himself: 1) Confidence...he will show you ways to see a way through and give you a way out 2) Hope...he will give you a "picture" that offers a future...a bright future! 3) Expectancy...this is a "cool guy" because he reminds you to trust in Him, and 4) Cheerfulness...this "guy" is flat contagious!...you let him in your life and others around you will be "infected". Oh, how could I forget this friend of the Lord...Patience...you let this friend get wrapped around your heart and even if "all hell has broke loose"...this guy will make it work for you...and you will stay relaxed while it is all going on.
Along with all this, stay current on your prayer and praise life...here is the Source of your strength.
And above all, look for ways to share and to help those around you. You got to know there are people in need all around you. In fact, when you embrace this type of attitude, there are no words that can declare what your actions spell out: C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N!
This is a good phrase to keep in your head and your heart: "When the goin' gets tough...this is the time for Christians to get goin'...that is to serve, to help, and be a servant to all those around you."
That's the stuff "heroes" are made of.
Here in Romans Paul seems to give some real practical advice on how we are to handle ourselves when "interruptions" occur, and I think it is some pretty good "stuff"; giving ideas, suggestions, and direction on what we as Christians are to do.
I think I often see Christianity at its "sickest" when you hear "blow-hard Christians" remarking how they survived a catastrophic moment and letting everyone else around them know about it. I know they even give the "Glory to God"...but I say to myself..."Really? Is that what this is all about?"
The truth is...people are hurting from catastrophic moments like this...and whether they know Jesus or if they don't....is that really helping anyone by these "grand announcements" on how some escaped the horrors of a tragedy.
Personally, I think that when events like this happen, true Christianity just begins to "kick-in": offering assistance, bringing people to your homes, feeding those who might be hungry, making sure the elderly are getting through turbulent times, and children...they need care and compassion...it's tough on everyone. Look for the good through it all, and if you were one of fortunate to survive "untouched"....for what purpose?.....Isn't it to help others?...give them hope?...relieve the stress?...feed the hungry?...help those bent beneath their load?...isn't that what we as Christians are really about?
Touchy subject with me...but hey...that's me.
Here is a Gleaning from Romans 12:11-13:........
"Don't give in...Don't let life get the best of "ya". Life may be tough at the moment...and those evil cousins like Burnout, Laziness, and Lost Zeal are screaming at you to give it up...don't. I repeat...DON'T!
Remember, the Lord is still in charge! I realize things are currently disorganized, stuff is just messed up, and nothing makes a whole lot of sense at the moment....but take a moment and think this through...don't listen to the evil one called Critical...he loves moments like this...and thinks everyone will agree with his way of reacting to situations in life. But he is nothing but a liar....remind yourself...The Lord is still in charge!
Here are the "guys" you need to listen to...they are personal friends of the Lord Himself: 1) Confidence...he will show you ways to see a way through and give you a way out 2) Hope...he will give you a "picture" that offers a future...a bright future! 3) Expectancy...this is a "cool guy" because he reminds you to trust in Him, and 4) Cheerfulness...this "guy" is flat contagious!...you let him in your life and others around you will be "infected". Oh, how could I forget this friend of the Lord...Patience...you let this friend get wrapped around your heart and even if "all hell has broke loose"...this guy will make it work for you...and you will stay relaxed while it is all going on.
Along with all this, stay current on your prayer and praise life...here is the Source of your strength.
And above all, look for ways to share and to help those around you. You got to know there are people in need all around you. In fact, when you embrace this type of attitude, there are no words that can declare what your actions spell out: C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N!
This is a good phrase to keep in your head and your heart: "When the goin' gets tough...this is the time for Christians to get goin'...that is to serve, to help, and be a servant to all those around you."
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