In the devotional, In Touch, by Charles Stanley this week, he wrote, “… Authentic Christianity is about becoming rather than doing.”
I was struck by that idea because, as he also wrote, “Probably the greatest obstacle to understanding God’s purpose for brokenness is this: Many think of Christianity as a series of activities. We pray. We read the Bible. We go to church. We worship. We tithe. We do and do and do…”
The devotional went on to say, “The life of faith that God designed involves receiving Jesus into our heart and allowing Him to change us so we become increasingly more like Him.”
1 John 2:6 “Whoever claims to live in Him must live as Jesus did.”
“This realization will change our perspective on the heartaches we must endure… When we recognize that the Christian life is about Jesus’ persistent work of “re-creation” in us, then the role of brokenness makes more sense. It’s the process the Lord uses to strip away obstacles to our spiritual growth.
God doesn’t want to be Lord of most of our life, He wants to be Lord of all of our life. He wants us to become more like Him each day: loving, giving, serving, forgiving, teaching others about Christ by our life of love. So, we must BECOME more Christ-like by opening our hearts to Him and asking God to reveal to us anything that hampers that growth.
We can be so busy listening to all the instructions to be cool, aim high, and see the world that we forget to just BE… Just appreciate every moment as a precious gift from God, a chance to reflect, an opportunity to let God know how grateful we are for each day we are given.
Yes, I CAN become… I can become more like Christ… I’m just sitting here thinking about HOW He would like me to BE. What can I do to become more like Him? If it’s about BECOMING instead of DOING, how can I become without doing? Hmmm…
The topic of the sermon at church this morning was Mary & Martha… Luke 10:38-42
At the Home of Martha and Mary
38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one.[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Join me with the sermon notes I took in church this morning.
Our church has a new paint color
Here’s the old paint color
That’s our Madison Valley Presbyterian Church in Ennis, MT. I love the new paint color. What do you think? I like to think of it as “Green and Growing.”
The mint green is soothing, don’t you think?
Today’s sermon examined Mary & Martha’s story. Mary’s soothing choice compared to Martha’s busyness. Which choice do you relate to?
Our interim pastor, Brian Conklin, shed interesting light on the age-old story. Here are my sermon notes from this lovely Sunday morning.
Martha is active and faithful She’s committed and frustrated We’ve been in her shoes Sometimes we’re annoyed, too
Jesus, in gentleness, corrected Martha, telling her that Mary Is doing what is right for her But He doesn’t rebuke Martha
Martha’s resentment is clear And it’s easy to understand She’s worried and distracted We are like her all too often
In our culture we celebrate Productivity, and forget to be Present to the importance of today Our stress pulls us apart
Our presence is what’s needed Be present for each other Be fully present in God’s presence Listen to Jesus. Sit at His feet
The posture of your heart: sitting, listening, being attentive Is worship… Stillness reduces stress Christ tells us to pause. Peace! Be still!
Sit in His presence Luke 12:25 reminds us “Don’t worry!” TRUST God is with you. God bless you
Turn your anxiety into prayer Find rest for your soul Anchor your heart at Jesus’ feet Be present with Christ.
Amen?
My peace I give to you.
But Jesus didn’t scold Martha or tell her what she was doing is wrong. Someone has to prepare if you’re going to share a meal, right?
Who do you relate to? Mary or Martha? Why?
My birthday’s this Thursday. No one mentioned it in church this morning. No one sang to me. I want to be Mary, sitting with Jesus. He would sing to me! It’s my week.
Jesus would say, “…few things are needed—or indeed only one…”
And He would probably scold me. “Get your mind off of yourself. Reach out to others. Did you remember to wish Debbie & Steve a Happy Anniversary? It’s their week, too!”
Ah, my friends, Life is Good! Count your blessings… and remember, “…Mary has chosen what is better…” Be still… and listen!
Thank God for His angels in my life!Never alone! Nice to know, isn’t it?This angel was a gift in 2013… thank you, Angel Sue!
I begin each day up in this place with Guideposts’ Mornings with Jesus. Been doing that for 20 years. What a gift this space is!
My sanctuary is filled with angels!
It’s a perfect place to begin each day. Jesus is there. The Holy Spirit speaks to me. The collection of angels and crosses remind me of Christ’s sacrifice … His gift of grace to us all. What a blessing that space and those angels are! Come visit us. We’d love to share the peace with you.
When you’re in your mid-80’s and both your parents died before their 90th birthdays, it’s natural to think about your own death.
It’s the winter season of my life. Family and friends are leaving this earth before me. Many are a decade or more younger than I.
Yesterday I received a message from a friend. Her husband has been battling lung cancer I’ve been praying for him and his wife daily. He developed pneumonia recently.
Along with his other health issues, lung cancer and interstitial lung disease, she wrote, “That wasn’t a good mix!” Sadly, he passed away.
But soon the “sadly” changed to “gratitude.” She continued, telling me, “… alert, no pain, and telling stories right up to the end.” What a wonderful blessing that was!
No, this isn’t him, but I can imagine the scene. “All of us were with him,” she wrote. “He said he was ready to meet Jesus. His faith was unbelievably strong.
He let everybody know he was joyfully checking out.” My friend played Merle Haggard’s song on her cell phone: Sing Me Back Home, and put the phone by his ear. He smiled, closed his eyes, “So long ’til we meet on the other side.”
How d’ya wanna die? I’ve decided my friend’s scenario is the one I want when I leave this earth. How about you?
Gone from home for three weeks Wonderful holidays and birthdays Shared with family and friends Missed my daily sanctuary quiet time
Back home and falling into routine Up around 8: and make coffee Climb the stairs to my “sanctuairee” Spend time with Jesus and His Word
Spend time with David Jeremiah Spend time with Guideposts devotionals Spend quiet time with God in prayer Ask God to be with each of you
Meditate with “All God’s Creatures” Contemplate love and life with Bob Goff Compare scriptures with Eugene Peterson “The Message” paraphrasing inspires me
What’s your favorite way to spend Quiet time? Do you carve out space for it everyday?
Where?
When?
With whom?
Regardless of when, where, and with whom, May your day always include space for Quiet Time
Pray with me, will you? For all those who are in distress: the homeless, the sick, the frightened, the lonely, those who feel helpless or hopeless. “Bee” the Light. Shine His Light wherever you go in this world. Lord, help us to reach out and to love as You love! Amen
“I am a Treasured Child of the Most High God.” That is what Steve McNitt wrote in his book, Simple. Enormous. Love.
I adopted that definition. I agree 100% with Steve’s next statement: “The more I learn about that, the more I feel like I understand myself, my God, my roles in life, and how I make a difference in this world.”
I am a Treasured Child of the Most High God.
Steve McNitt elaborated: “Where did I learn about who I am? The Bible holds a letter that the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Rome. The eighth chapter of that letter… revealed a boat-load of life-changing stuff about me. In Romans 8 I found out about God, about myself, and about how , when we mesh together, I live a better, more purpose-filled life. Yes, I said God. He is the key to this whole thing: my life, my purpose, my role in the world, and who I really am.”
That’s me… with my lovely sister-in-law, Margie.
As a Child of God, I am called to be a loving sister, a loving wife, a loving friend, a giver of love and compassion to all. Not just to the Margies of this world, but to everyone! Even those I might choose otherwise to dislike or to ignore. God’s greatest commandment, according to His Son, Jesus, is simply that: “Love one another.”
So, that’s who I am. I am a lover! I love you!! And I wish you a 2025 filled with nothing but LOVE ❤️ You, too, are a Treasured Child of the Most High God. Let’s live to show the world our love everyday. Okay?
Using the prompts from @sanctifiedart, I am enjoying the opportunity to share the “Words for the Beginning” each day with you during this Advent season.
Today’s Word is: WORTHY
AI generated that picture above when I put in the prompt. The guy looks a little like my grandson, Jordan. Jordy was adopted into the Beekman family as a 3 year old. His birth mother couldn’t stay off drugs long enough to keep him. What a shame, huh? The courts took him away and put him in foster care more than once. His birth mother was given many chances. He was worthy of a loving, drug-free family. So when I think of the word WORTHY, our grandchildren come to mind. Our son and daughter-in-law adopted four worthy children. We are so blessed!
Ty is on the left. Monika is on the right. They are the “worthy” adoptive parents who opened their homes and hearts to those dear children… and the blessings continue. What picture comes to your mind when you think of the word “worthy“?
“Worthy is the lamb” came immediately to my mind… but it’s not that kind of lamb, It is the Lamb of God. Do you know that song?
“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” Revelation 4:11
You are loved. You are blessed to be a blessing. You are enough! Have a blessed Sunday, dear friends. And tell me, what image comes to your mind when you think of the word, worthy?
Come back tomorrow for the Monday Word of the Day.
Using the prompts from @sanctifiedart, I am enjoying the opportunity to share the “Words for the Beginning” each day with you during this Advent season.
Today’s word is: PEACEMAKER
I don’t know who this guy is that AI generated when I put the word in. Do you? He doesn’t look like someone I’d turn to when I was wanting some peace. Does he look like a peacemaker to you?
My idea of a peacemaker is:
… the One who holds the world in His hands … the One who made the world and sent His Son to save us … the One who gave His life that I might have eternal life
My Peacemaker lifts me up when I fall He reaches out to the lost and brings them in He reaches into our hearts and saves us from our sin He shows us the Way to live in love and harmony
I hope you know my Peacemaker He lives in my heart I hope He lives in your heart, too I pray His peace permeates our world We need Him now more than ever!
The peace of Christ be with you.
Spread His Love. Be a peacemaker, too!
See you tomorrow with another Word of the Day. Hugs, JanBeek
Hello, my WP Friends! How are you this lovely December weekend? I hope your Thanksgiving was everything you dreamed of… and your December has started off nicely. What are you looking forward to? We just enjoyed a 3 week trip to Switzerland where we spent quality time with our daughter and her family… highlighted by meeting our Number One Swiss Great-Grandchild. Now we are anticipating our Christmas trip to California where we will spend quality time with our son, our daughter-in-law, Monika, and our grandchildren. Here is our daughter-in-law, Monika, with our great-grandchild, Mable. Aren’t they a cutie?
You can see how Grandma Monika is enjoying her granddaughter. We expect to get in on some of that love in just a couple of weeks. Christmas needs to be “FAMILY TIME” Don’t you agree?
How about you? Do you have fun plans for this holiday season?
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas season filled with all your favorite people, events, and treats. Be sure to celebrate “The Reason for the Season.” Go to church. Worship the One who gives us HOPE. Pray for peace in our war-torn world. Attend those special events that are happening in your community. Bob & I went last night to our local “Christmas Stroll” and enjoyed the “Parade of Lights” in our little town. What special events do you anticipate in your town/city?
I couldn’t get my video of last night’s little parade to show up here… so here is one generated by AI. It’s obviously in a larger venue that our little town. But, you get the idea, right? Christmas is a season of celebrations! I hope you and your family enjoy every opportunity that your community offers you. And don’t forget the “Reason for the Season.”
Enjoy family time as you pass along the REAL Christmas story to the next generation.
