Ted
Since Feb 11, 1998
|
|
Ted
Since Feb 11, 1998
| |||||
|
| ||||||
FR lurker in 1997, registered Feb 11th 1998. I'll never forget the Saturday night reading FR when Drudge broke the Lewinsky story. It was SO strange telling everybody about it for 3 days before the lamestream media finally began to report on it.
----------
Saved by the grace of God in 1978, and learning to lean on Him ever since.
Born to a yellow dog Democrat family, raised in Austin, still live here. Been voting Republican, but am absolutely disgusted by the size of our government at all levels, especially federal. So, recently started voting Libertarian. God help our nation!
----------
My wife wrote this, and I love her even more for it:
Do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with your God. Micah 6
This is my favorite Bible verse. I shoot for this attitude in my life. I often fail, especially when I'm driving. I believe that being just, merciful and humble makes dealing with people simpler. Most of the complications in my life have come when I've made choices rooted in pride or selfishness.
...forgetting what is past and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to gain the prize for which Christ Jesus is calling us heavenward. Philippians 3:13-14
My testimony is pretty simple. God changes everything. I was angry, frightened, lost, confused, geeky, and self-centered. I alienated, offended and hurt people because of it. Christ saved me and made me a new person in Him. Forgetting what is past and pressing on has propelled me forward in my life when issues come up that I just need to get over.
Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. I John 3:2
That's so cool. Before I knew Christ I didn't like myself or too many other people either. I didn't think much about the future because it scared me. I was afraid of who and what I might become. Even if I was one of those up-by-your-own-bootstraps-you-can-be-anything-you-want-to-be kind of people, I could never become the person He is able to make me. Sometimes I become disappointed with circumstances and frustrated with the way I'm handling them but this verse reminds me that I don't have the big picture. Being the clay I don't have the vision of the potter. What I can see is that He is molding me into His image and that process is ongoing.
So don't be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. Luke 12:32
I remember a sermon once where someone spoke about how God's kingdom is already but not yet. The idea that even now I exist in this eternal, currently invisible kingdom that brings happiness to the Lord Himself is absolutely amazing. It's comforting and puts whatever happens to me in this life in perspective. This kingdom reality is just as real to me as what goes on from day to day for me in Austin, Texas, planet Earth.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
Whenever I think about being the joy set before Jesus it give me chills. Here is the eternal, completely sufficient Maker of all things willing to suffer physical torture, endure separation from the Father, become sin-.experience everything that is the complete opposite of His very existence and nature- because a relationship with His bride, myself included, is worth it to Him. He loved me that much.
I have observed something else in this world of ours. The fastest runner doesn't always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn't always win the battle. The wise are often poor, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don't always lead successful lives. Sooner or later time and chance happen to them all. Ecclesiastes 9:11
This may seem like an odd verse in which to find comfort, but it answers a big Why for me. Trying to figure out why bad things happen and how to prevent them can become more harmful that the troubles themselves. We live in a fallen world and stuff happens. Some of it might be aimed but some of it is just fallout. For me too much analysis leads to paralysis. (See Philippians 3:13 put it behind and press on.) God's good will toward me is not defined by circumstances but by the cross.
If only you would be altogether silent. For you that would be wisdom. Job 13:5
God knows what He is doing, He loves me, He redeemed me. Enough said. So much of what I whine about and worry about has no eternal consequence. I probably just need to shut up.
And further, be warned that the writing of many books is endless; and much study of them is wearying. Ecclesiastes 12:12
Funny verse for a school librarian so I post it on my desk. I really do love to read and study but it's good to keep it in perspective.