Crossroads

[purpledove]

Embracing the tension of toil

God, please help me trust that even though life sometimes feels uncertain, the changes and challenges that occur in my life are all part of something much bigger, a plan you’ve made that goes beyond what I can see or comprehend.

Embracing the tension and limits of our control, however, opens a valuable door: we gain comfort and understanding that God is in control and he’ll make clear our role in the big picture.

RESPOND
Think about the happiest, most content person you’ve ever met, and answer these questions:

• When you ask that person what he or she does, does the conversation revolve around a job or does it focus on a bigger ’life mission?’
• Does the person talk more about his or her career, or about his or her family?
• Is the person materially wealthy?
• What is the person known for: holding a powerful position, making a huge salary or creating change that makes the world better, safer or more beautiful?

Reflect on how this person’s answers are similar to or different from your own. What does that tell you about how you embrace the tension of toil?

These words remind me of the movie Patch Adams. It's a non religious movie of Robin Williams and it's amazing how just one scene spoke to me! Patch ( Robin W) asked this patient what his secret is given he's so composed and contented whilst he's in a Psych ward. It's amazing what his answer is! You should watch it

 

[pjbleek]

Patch Adams, was his best movie and his natural ability to be that "clown" was a masterpiece.

 

[purpledove]

Patch Adams, was his best movie and his natural ability to be that "clown" was a masterpiece.

I agree! It's a great movie :thumbup
( I wanna say more but don't wanna spoil it for DD )

 

[pjbleek]

I agree! It's a great movie :thumbup
( I wanna say more but don't wanna spoil it for DD )

understood..we'll keep it to ourselves....:nod::nod::nod::nod::nod:

 

[freakofnature]

This is a great song if you're going through tough times. I love Petra.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6ADMKK0aTM

 

[Diggin Deep]

I agree! It's a great movie :thumbup
( I wanna say more but don't wanna spoil it for DD )

understood..we'll keep it to ourselves....:nod::nod::nod::nod::nod:

I've seen the movie and yes it is a good one from what I can remember. I need to refresh my memory and watch it again...so talk on and you aren't allowed to keep anything to yourself!!!

 

[Diggin Deep]

I totally agree with your last statement. I feel that it truly helps being in that kind of a positive environment. The ambience of the church, listening to the message for the day and juz being surrounded by fellow believers makes a big difference

I try to go on Wednesday evenings also but like today, I skipped it again :willy_nilly:

Have you ever heard of the Harvest Crusade?

I have not heard of the Harvest Crusade. I will google it!

The church I've been attending offers some amazing things outside of services. I think I may start going to some of them. Real life has a way of keeping me busy. I just need to prioritize and make time for certain things.

Church itself...I honestly think that one of the biggest reasons I lost my faith before was because I stepped away from church. I couldn't find one that fed me anymore since I was a member of a church that switched pastors every 2-3 years. It was really difficult. I won't make that mistake again.

 

[Diggin Deep]

This is a great song if you're going through tough times. I love Petra.

Hey zirc...can you post song titles? Unfortunately, I am not able to view youtube at work I haven't heard Petra in like forever. When I was at the Bible College, there was a guy in the dorm that would blast Petra at 7:00 am in an attempt to drown out another guy's music. This other guy would play "I believe I can fly" every morning. It was kind of amusing.

 

[Diggin Deep]

Embracing the tension of purpose

God, please help me trust that even though life sometimes feels uncertain, the changes and challenges that occur in my life are all part of something much bigger, a plan you’ve made that goes beyond what I can see or comprehend.

READ
Ecclesiastes 4:1-8

REFLECT
Unlike much of the world’s population, most of us have easy, reliable access to high quality food, medicine, clean water and secure shelter. Very few of us have to live a hand-to-mouth, subsistence lifestyle.

But if it’s so easy to meet our basic needs, then why do many of us work ourselves into fits of stress and tension? Today’s reading gives us some ideas.

Solomon notes envy, vanity and "a chasing after wind." Considering that biblical scholars date Ecclesiastes to somewhere between the tenth and third centuries B.C., it’s clear that these are long-held human vices. Our ancestors, and their ancestors before them, likely struggled with separating their unique purposes in this world with vanity and envy-induced distractions, the ’winds’ to which Solomon refers.

Embracing the reality of this earthly human tendency makes it clear that we need to distinguish true purpose from pointless pursuits. And thankfully, God gives us a powerful tool for this very job: prayer, and the sense of quiet-minded peace and clarity it can bring to our lives.

RESPOND
Compose your own personal prayer asking for clarity of mind, and for God’s direction in helping you identify your true purpose. Don’t worry about complexity. Just be honest and to the point. Consider memorizing it for the moments when you are tempted to “chase the wind.”

 

[freakofnature]

Hey zirc...can you post song titles? Unfortunately, I am not able to view youtube at work I haven't heard Petra in like forever. When I was at the Bible College, there was a guy in the dorm that would blast Petra at 7:00 am in an attempt to drown out another guy's music. This other guy would play "I believe I can fly" every morning. It was kind of amusing.

Ah sorry. Yeah, the song is No Doubt. Petra is one of my favourite bands ever. :thumbup

 

[Diggin Deep]

Ah sorry. Yeah, the song is No Doubt. Petra is one of my favourite bands ever. :thumbup

Ahhh yes...Good song!!!

 

[Diggin Deep]

Romans 8:31-39


31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[a]

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[b] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

My Savior My God
by Aaron Shust

I am not skilled to understand
What God has willed, what God has planned
I only know at His right hand
Stands one who is my Savior

I take Him at His word and deed
Christ died to save me; this I read
And in my heart I find a need
Of Him to be my savior

That He would leave His place on high
And come for sinful man to die
You count it strange, so once did I
Before I knew my Savior

Chorus
My Savior loves, My Savior lives
My Savior's always there for me
My God: He was, my God; He is
My God is always gonna be

Yes, living, dying, let me bring
My strength, my solace from this spring;
That He who lives to be my King
Once died to be my Savior

That He would leave His place on high
And come for sinful man to die
You count it strange, so once did I
Before I knew my Savior

 

[Diggin Deep]

More Like Falling In Love
by Jason Gray

Give me rules, I will break them
Show me lines, I will cross them
I need more than a truth to believe
I need a truth that lives, moves, and breathes
To sweep me off my feet, it’s gotta be

More like falling in love than something to believe in
More like losing my heart than giving my allegiance
Caught up, called out, come take a look at me now
It’s like I’m falling
It’s like I’m falling in love

Give me words, I’ll misuse them
Obligations, I’ll misplace them
‘Cause all religion ever made of me
Was just a sinner with a stone tied to my feet
It never set me free, it’s gotta be

More like falling in love than something to believe in
More like losing my heart than giving my allegiance
Caught up, called out, come take a look at me now
It’s like I’m falling
It’s like I’m falling in love

Deeper and deeper
It was love that made me a believer
In more than a name, a faith, a creed
Falling in love with Jesus brought the change in me, it’s gotta be

 

[purpledove]

I've seen the movie and yes it is a good one from what I can remember. I need to refresh my memory and watch it again...so talk on and you aren't allowed to keep anything to yourself!!!

We shall till you know the answer of that guy. Let us know when you find out

I have not heard of the Harvest Crusade. I will google it!

The church I've been attending offers some amazing things outside of services. I think I may start going to some of them. Real life has a way of keeping me busy. I just need to prioritize and make time for certain things.

Church itself...I honestly think that one of the biggest reasons I lost my faith before was because I stepped away from church. I couldn't find one that fed me anymore since I was a member of a church that switched pastors every 2-3 years. It was really difficult. I won't make that mistake again.

Harvest Crusade is by Greg Laurie our Pastor. He travels all over the US and other nations to do the crusades. I've never attended one although have seem videos of it at church, They've got schedules of their tour to Midwest too. Good crusade to bring new and non believers. They invite lots of popular bands to play hence it appeals like a concert followed of course by a message. The messages are always moving :thumbup

What I miss doing is soup for the homeless and Food drives . My church in IL used to have those esp on holidays.

I've heard quite a few stories similar to your story. I know of a friend who stepped out of the church for how many years now. All I can do is wish and pray he'll find his way back soon! Just like you did :nod:

Kudos to you for finding your way back home :thumbup

 

[purpledove]

God Will Make A Way

Don Moen


God will make a way
Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see
He will make a way for me

He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength
For each new day
He will make a way
He will make a way

By a roadway in the wilderness
He'll lead me
And rivers in the desert will I see
Heaven and earth will fade
But His Word will still remain
He will do something new today
​

 

[Diggin Deep]

The church I attend does a lot of the same things. They go on about 6 mission trips a year, not to mention a lot of inner city work. It's truly amazing how many lives they are reaching out to and touching. I definitely want to get involved in it somehow...when God calls, hopefully I'll listen!

Regarding my past...I stepped away from church and cursed God for so long. The amazing thing though is that despite how much I tried to find reasons not to believe and exclude the possibility of His existence - there was never a day that I did not feel Him yanking on my heart. It's one of those things that you can't explain, but you most likely understand exactly what I'm talking about.

I'm so glad He never gave up on me! And it pains me to hear that people believe in a god, but don't believe that He desires a personal relationship with us. I believe that I know differently.

 

[Diggin Deep]

Embracing the tension of relationships

God, please help me trust that even though life sometimes feels uncertain, the changes and challenges that occur in my life are all part of something much bigger, a plan you’ve made that goes beyond what I can see or comprehend.

READ
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

REFLECT
Is there a bigger source of tension in our lives than relationships? Friendships, romance and family relationships all come with their own challenges. But they also provide some of the most powerful, uplifting joys in our lives. Even though we sometimes can’t stand our friends and family, we certainly can’t live without them.

Today’s reading takes a very pragmatic view of relationships: life’s much easier to handle when you have someone with you to share the load. And it’s not just spiritual talk: studies have shown that people who keep healthy social lives into older age have better odds of reaching 80, 90 or 100 years old.

Just as you can’t paint a house without spilling paint on your jeans, you can’t build healthy, lifelong relationships without occasionally running into conflict. Part of making a relationship great is embracing the inevitability of conflict, and finding healthy ways to deal with and grow from the tension.

RESPOND
Think about your best friend. It could be a long-time friend, a significant other or a family member. Write a list of the ways this relationship makes you a better person. Then, write a list of the ways you and your friend tend to butt heads.

Compare your lists side-by-side. How do you balance the benefits and conflicts in this relationship?
_____________________________
Week 1 Discussion Questions

This week we explored what it looks like to balance the many tensions of life. Which day most connected with your current situation and why?

After this week, do you have any new perspectives on how to balance this tension in your life?

 

[sexysadie]

The church I attend does a lot of the same things. They go on about 6 mission trips a year, not to mention a lot of inner city work. It's truly amazing how many lives they are reaching out to and touching. I definitely want to get involved in it somehow...when God calls, hopefully I'll listen!

Regarding my past...I stepped away from church and cursed God for so long. The amazing thing though is that despite how much I tried to find reasons not to believe and exclude the possibility of His existence - there was never a day that I did not feel Him yanking on my heart. It's one of those things that you can't explain, but you most likely understand exactly what I'm talking about.

I'm so glad He never gave up on me! And it pains me to hear that people believe in a god, but don't believe that He desires a personal relationship with us. I believe that I know differently.

I turned my back on God for years, because I thought He had turned His back on me. Like you, I felt Him tugging at my heart on a daily basis and it wasn't until I allowed myself to let go of some anger that I realized that He, not only was with me the whole time, but He helped me through those years. I came to terms with my anger and eventually I was able to move on. Without Him I don't know where I'd be today and I'm so grateful to Him for not giving up on me. That's how I define my personal relationship with God.

 

[AUFred]

I turned my back on God for years, because I thought He had turned His back on me. Like you, I felt Him tugging at my heart on a daily basis and it wasn't until I allowed myself to let go of some anger that I realized that He, not only was with me the whole time, but He helped me through those years. I came to terms with my anger and eventually I was able to move on. Without Him I don't know where I'd be today and I'm so grateful to Him for not giving up on me. That's how I define my personal relationship with God.

That is good to read. I am happy for you.

 

[Diggin Deep]

I turned my back on God for years, because I thought He had turned His back on me. Like you, I felt Him tugging at my heart on a daily basis and it wasn't until I allowed myself to let go of some anger that I realized that He, not only was with me the whole time, but He helped me through those years. I came to terms with my anger and eventually I was able to move on. Without Him I don't know where I'd be today and I'm so grateful to Him for not giving up on me. That's how I define my personal relationship with God.

Very good read indeed! Your situation, mine and many others that I know remind me so much of the Parable of the Prodical Son. No matter where I run or how long I stay away, my heavenly Father always hopes for my return - he's always with me. And when I find myself letting go of everything and falling on my knees - lost in the valley, he's the one who shows me how to get back home. He is a forgiving father and his character remains constant. It's such a humbling experience and story of hope and joy. It's a testimony of God's grace, mercy, and forgiveness.

Like you...I am thankful beyond explanation that He has always remained faithful to me, even when I wasn't.