Olive Tree

Monday, October 7, 2013

Humbled

Today I am eating humble pie, after yesterday's post.  I had a conversation with someone who is facing deep emotional pain, due to a situation similar to my own.

What did I do?  I was a gloss-overer!  I told her the great things about her situation.  It didn't help her.  Upon leaving the room, I realized what I had done.  Why did I respond to her that way?  When I examined my deep inner feelings, I realized that I also was being a judger.  In my opinion, her situation, although similar in nature to mine, was actually much much easier than my own due to its logistics.  Deep inside I was thinking, "It could be worse.  Be thankful."

Forgive me, grieving lady.  I pray sweet moments of comfort for you.

TV~
I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 
[Romans 7:15]

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Knife-turner or Comforter?

There are seasons of life when we face deep emotional pain.  It feels like we are walking around with an open, bleeding wound.  The response of others to our personal pain can greatly help, or not.  Here is a list of typical responses:

~  Glaze-overer :  Trying to be helpful, but not understanding.  "Look on the bright side...."
Judger :  Thinking that we aren't handling the situation as best as we ought. "Things could be so much worse.  You should be thankful."
Distancer :  Avoiding contact due to the difficulty of what we are going though.
Knife-turner :  Responding in a way with words and/or actions that greatly increases our pain, hence turning the knife in our wound.
Comforter :  Compassionately responding to our pain with words and actions that spread a healing balm on our emotional wound.

As I read the above and think of my recent season of great pain, I can see a particular face in each category. Yesterday, I encountered the knife-turner. This verse in today's sermon addressed my strong feelings against this person:

TV~
Then Peter came and said to Him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. [Matthew 18:21,22]

I will, by God's help.

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Roots of a Quarrel

Here is a list of what causes strife in relationships, based on James 4:2.

1.  Our personal desires for pleasure
2.  Lust for things we don't have
3.  Coveting and not getting what we want

Lord, have mercy.  Kyrie eleison.

TV~
You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. [Micah 7:19]

Friday, October 4, 2013

Coming up Roses

There are two rose bushes on my hill that have become overgrown with weedy vines.  Last week, I spent an hour pulling the vines off one of the rose bushes.  It was a tangled mess, during which a thorn pierced my thumb.  Two days later, ten beautiful pink roses bloomed from that freed rose bush.  They are still in bloom today.

What kind of beautiful flowers might be waiting to bloom in our lives, if only we could get rid of the tangled mess of sin?  Sometimes we need assistance to removing the vines.

TV~
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us...
[Hebrews 12:1]

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Uncertainty

Through all the twists and turns of life, we know not what lies around the corner.  But we know the One who knows.  He will never leave us nor forsake us. 

TV~
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. [I Peter 5:7]

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Why Cleanse the Thoughts of Our Hearts?

Yesterday, I mentioned a phrase that is prayed every week at my church, "Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit...."

There is a second part to that prayer.  It says, "...that we may worthily magnify thy holy name through Christ our Lord.  Amen."

There is a reason why God will cleanse the thoughts of our hearts.  It is so we will be qualified to amplify and build up the name of God.  All this can only be done because of Christ's saving work on the cross.

TV~
O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. [Psalm 34:3]

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Cleanse the Thoughts of Our Hearts

Found myself awake at 4 a.m., feeling afraid.  No, I'm not afraid of the dark.  These are grown-up fears; fears of what the future may hold for loved ones, fears of growing old, fear of the pain of grief.

I sought the Lord and the following phrase, which is said every week by our priest, came to my mind:  "Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit..."

That verb, cleanse, usually makes me think of sins of impurity.  However, I realized that I needed to be cleansed of my fears. 

TV~
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. [Isaiah 41:10]