Posts Tagged ‘family’

I haven’t yet blogged about anything this week as of yet because I’m kind of blank.  Ever have those seasons of time?  Just not many thoughts.  Just tired.  Just blank?  I have those days occasionally. And I think its a good thing to investigate some of the commonalities of these times.  I think it’s good when we’re in the middle of an episode of blankness to see what might be the reason.

Here’s one of my reasons.

I’m from B’ham, Alabama, as most of you know.  Sonya’s sister and kids came to visit last week, and we had a blast in Tampa together.  The beach, playing outside together, eating great Cuban food, late night catch-up talks, etc.  Needless to say, we enjoyed our time with Tara and the kids.  The time together also is always marked by a hard “good-bye” session.  Not necessarily with tears, but in the internal parts of our lives; our hearts.  When we will see them again?  How much have the kids grown?  All these things.

This is one of my reasons for feeling a blankness in life.  Missing family.  Missing those that we love to spend time with. There is always this going on when family comes and goes from a visit to see us.  We’re alsways glad they’ve come, but it’s definitely tough when they leave.

What to do with this blankness, biblically speaking?  That’s where God has me.  God has a word for us in seasons of blankness, whether it’s family, health, relationships, lack of something, needs, frustrations, pain, hurt, etc.

He says, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.” (Luke 18:29-30)

Jesus’ reminder to his disciples and followers today is that wherever we find ourselves in following Him, we have promises in Him that are not ever going away.  We have a Heavenly Father who promises his presence and his resources and his Spirit that is forever walking with us, and providing as we simply walk with him.

He answers blankness with deep and abiding joy in knowing that He is there.

Dig Deeper,
PC

Hey RiverStone and Friends,

I hope you were challenged and encouraged yesterday by our message “Theology of the Tongue” – looking at how to make much of God with our mouths.  For those of you who weren’t able to join us in worship, check out the message at http://www.riverstonechurch.org/media-2/messages.  I have to admit, this series is challenging and changing me – the way I talk to Sonya, Emma & Charleigh – the way I pray, the way I am intentional about allowing the creator (Jesus) to use His creation (my tongue).  It’s hard, but I feel the Holy Spirit changing me!  Praise God.

So let’s Dig Deeper today:  Look with me at Psalm 139.  Think about the tongue as you read this Psalm, and let these questions be answered.

• What words does the Psalmist use in verses 13, 14, 15, 16 for demonstrating that GOD is creator and we are creature?
• If we are creatures, then how did we come to life?
• What is the response of the Psalmist in verse 14 at God’s forming us?
• If God is creator (as mentioned in Psalm 139:13, 14, 15, 16), then what authority does he have to have standards over all of our bodies?

The point I’m making in asking these questions is that I believe it’s important for us to constantly remember ourselves as God’s creation.  If we do this, then we understand intrinsically that He, as creator, has the right to tell each part of his creation what to do.  And if God is good, what he tells each part of his creation to do is good.

Specifically with our tongues, and tongue theology, if our tongues were created by him and for him (see Colossians 1:15-16), then our tongues’ purpose is to praise him!  To further the name of Christ, the gospel of Christ, the glory and beauty of Christ with each use of it.  So here’s some practical questions:

• In what ways today can I use my tongue to praise Christ?
• In my relationship with my family (wife, husband, children, parents), co-workers, classmates, employees, etc. – how can I use my tongue to make much of Christ today?

Blessings,

PC