St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church Thought

Just a Thought...

Thought of the Day

posted May 13, 2008

Other recent messages:

"Be still, and know that

I am God."

Psalm 46:10a

from Marty Hempel

Posted May 5, 2008

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13-14

Robert Frost wrote a wonderful poem entitled, "The Road Less Traveled". If you aren't familiar with it, you really should seek it out. He deals with choices, wonderment and what happens when we make a choice. How do we know what to do? On what do we base our decisions? In what do we place our trust. The road less traveled may be rough, lonely at times, and at times extremely difficult. Facing the challenges, trusting in God and overcoming the hardships are what make us the strong people that we are intended to be.

There is an old saying, I don't know it's origin, "If you want something that you've never had, then you must do something that you've never done." That may mean placing complete trust in God first and foremost; it may mean making a difficult choice based on your inner voice (I think of that inner voice as the Holy Spirit speaking directly to me); it may be turning from your comfort zone and stretching out toward that narrow road; it may be acting on what you know to be right even when you know it will not be popular.

In all your choices never forget the words from Isaiah 41:10-11, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

TGIT and choose wisely.

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Posted May 2, 2008

"Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.

He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow,

will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him."

Psalm 126:5-6

The film Schindler's List chronicles the heroic efforts of a German industrialist during World War II, who, having learned what was happening at Auschwitz, began a systematic effort to save as many Jews as he could. He found that he could "buy" Jews to work in his factory, which was supposed to be a part of the military machine of Germany, though Schindler was deliberately sabotaging the ammunition produced in his plant. As a result, he entered the war as a wealthy industrialist, but by the end of the war he was basically bankrupt.

When the Germans surrendered, Schindler met with his workers and declared that at midnight they were all free to go. When he said good-buy to the financial manager of the plant, who was a Jew and a dear friend, he embraced the man and began sobbing. "I could have done more," he said.

Looking at his automobile, he asked, "Why did I save this? I could have bought ten Jews with this." Taking another small possession, he cried, "This would have saved another one. Why didn't I do more?"

Those are poignant questions for all of us. After all, one day it will not matter how much money we have accumulated, what kind of car we own, how much power we have over others or how many houses we own. However, it will matter whom we have helped to find God's kingdom.

So ask God to use you - whatever your years or tears or fears. Ask Him not to forsake you until you've declared His praise to the next generation and borne fruit for His kingdom in your old age. Stay passionate for Him throughout all the days He has allotted to you.

Adapted from Signs of Life by David Jeremiah

TGIT (Thank God It's Today)

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posted May 1, 2008 (Ascension Day)

This is one of those wonder-filled days when our thoughts could go in at least two directions. May 1, 2008 is both Ascension Day within the Christian community and the National Day of Prayer within the United States. Let's touch on both of these special observations.

Ascension Day marks the day when Jesus Christ ascended up into Heaven. It was 40 days after his resurrection from the dead, which was on Easter Sunday (in A.D. 30). If you begin with Easter Sunday (March 23, 2008) and count 40 days, you end up on Thursday, May 1. The Biblical account of the Ascension appears in the book of Acts, chapter one. Within these verses is great promise and a truly amazing account of the end of Jesus physical stay on earth. It is well worth your time to read through these passages, and to avail yourself of a worship service at the church of your choice.

The following is the 2008 Prayer for Our Nation by Dr. Ravi Zacharias, 2008 Honorary Chairman, National Day of Prayer Task Force.

Holy Father, in a world where so many are hungry,
You have given us food in abundance;

In a world where so many are hurting,
You offer to bind up our wounds;

In a world where so many are lonely,
You offer friendship to every heart;

In a world longing for peace,
You offer hope.

Yet, we are so stubborn and resistant.
Have mercy upon us, Lord.

Our nation is at a crossroads this year;
we look to you to be our strength and shield.

Please give us the guidance to elect one who will honor you
and to respond to the wisdom from above
so that our hope may be renewed and our blessings be treasured.

In God's holy name. Amen.

TGIT.

CLICK HERE TO READ "JUST A THOUGHT" MESSAGES FROM APRIL 2008

Posted May 9, 2008

"A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones." Proverbs 15:30

It is definitely Spring and gardening fever has struck many people. Though many can't tell a weed from

a treasured perennial, suddenly they want to contribute to the growing of things.

There are certain things anybody can plant. How about sweet P's in a straight row for example:

Prayer, Patience, Peace, Passion. But, it's not enough for a gardener to love flowers. A gardener

also must hate weeds. As good plants grow, you pinch off bitter ones like Panic, Paranoia, and Passivity.

And, by the way, while gardening, do squash Pride. And please, lettuce love one another at all times.

You can begin now to cultivate your half-acre of love. All it takes is a few seeds no larger than grains of sand.

The blossom of a good deed fades with time but that lasting perfume is the joy you receive from doing it.

Adapted from A Green Thumb of Beauty by Barbara Johnson

TGIT and remember "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

Oops, I almost forgot . . . Happy Mother's Day! to all the Mom's.

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Posted May 8, 2008

Some random thoughts for today . . .

adapted from Grow Something Besides Old by Laurie Beth Jones

God's goodness is never lost. It just often goes unclaimed.

A personal philosophy: Paint what you want to see.

Proverbs Summarized:

Wisdom waits early at the gate

Discipline has royal reins

Seduction is a slippery slope

and Persistence always pays off

I don't see prayer as being the act of beseeching so much as

the acknowledgment of divine connection.

TGIT and may your day be filled with joy.

*****

Posted May 7, 2008

"But as for me, I will always have hope;

I will praise you more and more."

Psalm 71:14

Hope - Isn't it fantastic, we can have the hope in God's love and compassion? Endurance is inspired by hope in the Lord. Even Abraham experienced hope against hope by believing God would make him the father of many nations in his old age. And hope is something that appears when you least expect it and are most in need of it. Hope is ours for the taking every single minute. It's the assurance that things will make sense when there's no sense to make of things. When you say to yourself, "This makes no sense at all" and suddenly the light goes on within and you find that hope is there. Hope comes into our minds and "fights" for us to be strong and of good courage.

Don't abandon hope. It's full of surprises just waiting to bring you a brighter day. All you need to do is find it within yourself. So often, life isn't what you make it but how you take it and interpret it.

TGIT and my you remember that God will never leave you hopeless.

*****

Posted May 6, 2008

"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong

to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything." I John 3:17-20

We must be kind to everyone we meet, for each is fighting his/her own battles of which we know very little. It is the random acts of kindness that we share unselfishly that show who we are andwhere our values are.

TGIT

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Patsy Clairmont has become one of my favorite speakers and authors. Her ability to turn an average moment into one of joy and laughter, while making you think thoughts that may be deeper and more meaningful than you may have considered on your own, is tremendous. The following, though not filled her often used humor, is her description of "A calmer faith".

"That's the quiet place within us where we don't get whiplash every time life tosses us a curve. Where we don't revolt when His plan and ours conflict. Where we relax (versus stew, sweat, and swear) in the midst of an answerless season. Where we accept (and expect) deserts in our spiritual journey as surely as we do joy. Where we are not intimidated or persuaded by other people's agendas but moved only by him. Where we weep in repentance, sleep in peace, live in fullness, and sing of victory."

Adapted from Joy for a Woman's Soul, and I'm certain it can be joy for a man's soul as well.

"The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." Deuteronomy 33:27

TGIT and whether today you weep, sleep, live or sing, may you find the never ending love of God within and about you, and may you appreciate "a calmer faith".

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Posted May 12, 2008

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let you light shine before me, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16

Candles and their flames have become symbolic of the light that God provides for us. Isn't it amazing that a candle loses nothing of its light by lighting another candle. In our culture, sharing the love and light that you have received from God costs you nothing.

TGIT and let's light up the world around us.

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