With My Own Eyes

Acts 1:1 – “Unfinished Business”

Every one of my tears is recorded by God.  He hears and He cares.

Psalm 56:8 (NIV)
Record my lament;
list my tears on your scroll–
are they not in your record?

Here is the rest of today’s Bible reading:  Isaiah 10:1-11:16; 2 Corinthians 12:11-21; Psalm 56:1-13; Proverbs 23:6-8.

2 Cor. 12:9-10 (NIV)
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. [10] That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

It has always been important to me to be strong.  And I have definitely wanted to be perceived as strong.  But these impulses are not compatible with spiritual strength.  So, it is no wonder that God is taking me through a season of weakness, so that I can learn what it is to truly be strong.  Like the Apostle Paul, I have had to learn to embrace weakness, so that the power of God can be manifest in my life.  When I am weak, then I am strong.

Here is the rest of today’s Bible reading:  Isaiah 8:1-9:21; 2 Corinthians 12:1-10; Psalm 55:1-23; Proverbs 23:4-5.

Song 4:1 (NIV)
Lover
How beautiful you are, my darling!
Oh, how beautiful!
Your eyes behind your veil are doves.
Your hair is like a flock of goats
descending from Mount Gilead.

For some reason, Christy did not respond favorably to this recitation of the Word of God.  I really did mean well.

As an aside, I think a great punishment for a Jr. High boy would be for him to have to read aloud the Song of Songs in the presence of his family.  Maybe even invite over a few friends from school.

Here is today’s Bible reading:  Song of Solomon 1:1-4:16; 2 Corinthians 8:16-24; Psalm 50:1-23; Proverbs 22:22-23.

Eccles. 12:13-14 (NIV)
Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man.
[14] For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil.

There is a conclusion to this life.  What will yours be like?

Here is today’s Bible reading:  Ecclesiastes 10:1-12:14; 2 Corinthians 8:1-15; Psalm 49:1-20; Proverbs 22:20-21.

As mentioned in an earlier post, Josh and I are NFL Fan Free Agents.  We have been making an exhaustive search for an NFL team worthy of our emotional investment for the next 5 months.  We have unanimously chosen to take our fan talents to the Bay Area and the San Francisco 49ers.  Here’s why:

1. I respect the coach.  Big 10 guy.  Hard nosed.  Winner.

2. Alex Smith has persevered as the QB through some tough times.  I like that in a QB.

3. Frank Gore is a stud RB.

4. Defense is strong. Love the LBs.

5. They play outside on grass, the way football should be played.

6. I can root against Pete Carroll at least twice a year.

Thanks for your input.  Other teams considered were the Lions, Chargers, and Ravens.  We feel good about our decision.  Let the season begin!

Eccles. 7:9 (NIV)
Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit,
for anger resides in the lap of fools.

One of the signs of spiritual maturity is the ability to rise above being provoked by others.  The Holy Spirit brings a calmness and a stability no matter what the circumstance.  I think of Stephen in Acts 6 who was about to be stoned and yet was said to have the face of an angel.   The guy was so peaceful.

Here is the rest of today’s Bible reading:  Ecclesiastes 7:1-9:18; 2 Corinthians 7:8-16; Psalm 48:1-14; Proverbs 22:17-19.

Happy Labor Day!

Here is today’s Bible reading:  Ecclesiastes 4:1-6:12; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:7; Psalm 47:1-9; Proverbs 22:16.

2 Corinthians 7:5-7 (NLT)

⁵ When we arrived in Macedonia, there was no rest for us. We faced conflict from every direction, with battles on the outside and fear on the inside. ⁶ But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus. ⁷ His presence was a joy, but so was the news he brought of the encouragement he received from you. When he told us how much you long to see me, and how sorry you are for what happened, and how loyal you are to me, I was filled with joy!

What a testimony about Titus.  His presence was a joy and people were encouraged by his arrival.  Do you know a Titus?  I want to be a person like that–a person who brings blessing wherever they go.