Category: Spiritual

Originally Read and Commented on 4.12.21

Romans 3:22-24
How did you first come to know Jesus? What was your understanding of his Love for you then? Has your understanding changed or deepened?:
So I have had discussions about this with people (Pastor, PS and others in the past). I have been told that I do not know Jesus (PS) and that was disturbing to me. I have had debates on Baptism also. I was baptized was an infant. I have been told I need to be baptized again, due to Free Will reasons (which is weird because we have had Free Will discussions that seemed to not go toward the theory of Free Will). In talking to Pastor, God baptizes, not the water or the people. This makes sense to me as I have ALWAYS believed. I did not start going to church until about 30 (29 I think actually).
PS and I discuss (and Pastor and I) surrender. I need to surrender. BUT in reflection, I have surrendered a lot already. I have clawed some of it back from God over time, as I needed it (did I though? or just not trust in God enough?).
I need to surrender a fair amount. Re-surrender some of it.
The last few months have been huge in my understanding of the Love of Jesus. They have helped me focus on what I need to do, and though I do not know How to do it, I have a direction to start with.

Originally Read and Commented on 4.11/21n (missed a day)

Ecclesiasties 4:9-12
In what ways are you holding back love in your relationships (romantic, friendship, family, and so on)? What are ways you can push through and be more vulnerable?:
[[Updated 4.25 with addt info]] Today PS told me she is moving to Alabama by the end if summer. This threw me for a loop. I absolutely failed.
on 4.24 I looked back at the txt I sent to a friend (JB) about this move. PS and I discussed it, though heated and in a really confrontational situation.
I read her the txt from my exchange, and I was reminded that I utterly failed to show her the care that I displayed in the txt.
PS and I talk often about being Present in the Moment, and I am really not good at that. I need to work on it. I need to also open my heart and be Vulnerable, express myself in a heart felt way that makes a difference.
I will work on this.

 Originally Read and Commented on 4.9.21

Colossians 1:20
How has Christ’s sacrifice changed your life? :
His blood enables us to believe in forgiveness and past sins. It gives us access to eternal life, power over death.
It also, when used properly gives is power over the Enemy. More properly the power to rebuke him. The Enemy holds NO power over me, because I have accepted the Blood of Christ.
I live knowing God is with me all the time.

[[4.25.21 Update]] Has an experience last night and this AM with someone I care a lot about. He was defeated and rendered powerless.

Originally Read and Commented on 4.8.21

John 3:16-17
What are some ways you have seen love in action recently? What are some ways you have been love in action recently?:
I have seen love in action on many levels recently. More importantly, I have felt it. PS has shown me care and love, Pastor has shown love in our meetings.
Biblical Love is  love is trusting in our God, love is being faithful to your partner and families, and love is being kind and patient with the world around you.
I have shown love in return to PS and family. As well as co workers.
I need work on being Present in some of these situations.

Originally Read and Commented on 4.7.21

What is one way your perspective on generosity has shifted during your time journaling this topic?
Resources and Talent. I need to use these to give to others, and deepen my Faith and connection to the Kingdom.

Identify an area in your life in which you could apply something you learned about generosity:
Resources and Talent. As above, use these to further the Kingdom and build people up around me.

Which aspect of Generosity (tie, resources, talent, self) are you committed to working on right now:
Self. I need to work on helping others develop their talents, and I can do this by giving of myself, to help teach, train, and lead by example.

Originally Read and Commented on 4.6.21

Corinthians 12:12-27
What are some ways you can be generous with yourself?:
My accountability partner and I (JD), giving of our time to help the other be accountable
At work I can do this by teaching and training, not just managing my staff, but prepare them better.
In my daily life, take my time, talent, self and give to those around me. Serve when I can.

Originally Read and Commented on 4.5.21

Romans 12:6-8
How can you cultivate your talents and passions toward God’s calling for you?:
The reading for this section teaches that Christ followers need/have three traits: Generous, Diligent, Cheerful
Generously comes from a Greek word that means Happiness. Going the extra mile and beyond the call of duty.
Cheerfully comes from a word that means Whistle While You Work. Bringing your A Game Attitude.
Diligently comes from the Greek for Spoude, it is having an eye for excellence. Showing care for the things that we do. Delighting in what we do.

For me, I have Talent on top of Talent, on top of Talent. What I lack is a proper measure of Passion. I need to develop my Passion and then use it with my Talent to push the Kingdom forward.
PS and I discuss this often. It is a topic with my Pastor also.
This is a work in progress for me.

Originally Read and Commented on 4.4.21

2 Corinthians 9:6-15
Write down thoughts about how you can practice giving away the resources in your own life:
Tithing and donating to charity.
In the past when I tithed, I found that my money went further. Was that from me just paying more attention to it or because the process and faith of tithing made it go further?
The faith and trust in God it takes to tithe properly and dedicate to it, is powerful.
You can also give of your time and knowledge. I am actively working on ways to do that – one of those is this blog. I hope that will give others some inspiration to take a step with Faith.

Originally Read and Commented on 4.3.21

Romans 12:9-13
Reflect on a time that someone showed you love by taking time for you:
Dozens of examples of late. PS is the most often/common right now at this time. We spend hours a day in txt and phone.
My twice a month meetings with my Pastor is another example. The care in my spiritual life and personal life is a form of love.
My Love Languages are Quality Time and Physical Touch.
Quality Time means so much to me.

Originally Read and Commented on 4.2.21

John 6:1-13
When has someone’s generosity impacted you more than they knew?
I got a Popeye’s Chicken Sandwich. I was in Haggens in Snohomish, on the way to help my friend JVC bottle some wine. I knew that PS had gone to Popeyes, it is one of her guilty pleasures, and she had told me she bought 2 sandwiches for herself and was not sure why.
Anyway so I see her in the Haggens parking lot, and we stop and talk, I get in her car for a couple mins and she presents me the sandwich. It was not planned, it was spur of the moment, it was accidental we were both even at Haggens.
I told her how much it meant to me, but meant far more than I could say at the time.
Now does a Popeyes Chicken Sandwich really qualify as “Generosity”?
Biblical Hospitality means “Love of Strangers”. It is also about “Service to Others”. It is about serving to make someone feel valued and treasured.
PS clearly served me, cared about me, gave to me.