Mission Faithwalk

                 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14) Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8) Sometimes, I think when we read these words, we’re expecting God to change so that whatever comes out of our mouths or wanders through our minds is acceptable to God. After all, it’s just part of who we are. Perhaps some of us hope that God will miraculously make the unacceptable words and meditations go away. What it really means, of course, is that our goal is to learn to speak and think in a manner pleasing to God. As yesterday’s verses (quoted again above) point out, what we should be talking about and meditating on is whatever is true, noble, right,...

                 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8) In a book I read recently, several of the characters started listing things they loved when they faced dangerous situations. Interestingly, one or more of them also sang or hummed Eidelweiss in a number of scenes. Yesterday, John Ortberg taught on the verse above, and said that the whatevers that we think about don’t have to be some spiritually spectacular thing. We can think of sunsets, moonrises, music. Of course, another song from The Sound of Music came to mind, and here’s the link: My Favorite Things . I’m not going to make this a long post because it ends with an obvious challenge. What are your favorite things? What are truths that you hold on to? What’s noble, right, pure, lovely...

                 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2) The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: “God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.” (Luke 18:11 )   I don’t tend to conform to expected patterns. Even when I was growing up, I felt like I didn't fit in. I was a Republican, a Protestant, a Conservative, a single woman, a teetotaler, and a student in a neighborhood and world that was not. It's possible that part of the reason I enjoy my current job so much is that I share a mutual interest with many of the people I work with, but even then, I’m still a little off. “Do you know you can eat those?” (Usually said to someone buying pansies or Johnny-Ju...

                 And which of you by worrying can add a single day to his life’s span? (Matthew 6:27 NASB) And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his span of life? (Matthew 6:27 RSV) Apparently, this verse is a little challenging for translators. The last part has been translated both as “a single day (hour) to his life’s span” and “a single cubit to his height.”  And then there are those who approach it as the RSV does and mixes the two: single cubit and span of life. I did some quick checking, but didn’t find anything that really addressed the incongruity. The NASB translation above makes perfect sense. It is an example of a change that is impossible for us. Other translations use the terms “cubit” and “height.” That makes sense, too. Both are impossible. Oh, we can try to take better care of ourselves and tell ourselves we’re adding to our lifespan, but I suspect we’re deluding ourselve...

                      For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)           “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. (Matthew 14:29)           Jeremiah 29:11 was the verse on Biblegateway.com this morning. I’ve written about it often, but it connects nicely with other verses that have come to mind over the past couple of days. If you read my Monday comment, you may have noticed. I ‘ve been busy doing things I want to do and that I have thought I was supposed to do, but it’s as if I suddenly looked up and didn’t recognize my surroundings. Where am I? Am I on the right road(s)? Have I made gods of gardening and writing? Or am I building ministries? Am I wal...

            Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm . (Proverbs 13:20)           Unless you’re a complete fool, you have learned something in your roles and job. This is one of the things that I love about my current job – and sometimes hate. We have folks who know their stuff, and I love to listen to them talk to customers because I get to learn. I hate it when they talk to the customers far enough away that I can’t hear. I can’t recall working anywhere else where I respected and even admired my coworkers. I’ve gained a lot of wisdom from them. I have also learned a great deal from people from the church I attend.   If you walk with the wise, you’ll become more like them.                In the same way and for the same reason, if you hang with fools, you’ll become more like them. It’s human nature. Even...