Hello, Companion Mustard Seed Library book readers,
I'm now on my favorite chapter in the book "The Hour That Changes the World" by Dick Eastman (a book that was contributed by Joyce for possible inclusion in the Mustard Seed Library).
This chapter is entitled "Scripture Praying - the act of faith appropriation"
"There are only three classes of people in the world today," an unknown preacher confessed. "Those who are afraid, those who do not know enough to be afraid, and those who know their Bibles."
"Prayer," said E. M. Bounds, "projects faith on God, and God on the world. Only God can move mountains, but faith and prayer move God." Actually, Companion Mustard Seed Library book readers--what do you think of this quote?
Emmanuel's call to mission "We are called to proclaim Christ's Love and God's grace by inviting all into a spiritual relationship with God through worship, bible study, witness, service and fellowship."
The National Church Library Association suggests that churches ask themselves: why should we have a church library?, what is the mission or purpose statement of the congregation itself?, how does the library serve that mission or purpose?, does the library exist to serve the spiritual needs of the congregation?, how about educational needs?, recreational needs?, does the church library serve only the members of the congregation?
Finally, I found my favorite quote on their webb site: If you don't know where you are going, how will you know when you have arrived?" "Every church library needs a reason for existing and a plan for the future."
God bless,
Sharon
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
reading Chapter 3 of the book, Confession
Hello, Companion Mustard Seed Library book readers,
The author's words in this chapter too are interesting. "What is confession? The New Testament Greek word for "confess" means "to agree with God" concerning His opinion of a matter. It also means "to admit my guilt." When we confess our sins we are agreeing with God concerning the sin in our lives, as revealed through His Word by the Holy Spirit."
The author also writes, "Why is confession so difficult for some? Perhaps because confession is really the most painful part of personal prayer. The moment we admit that a particular act displeases God, we recognize the responsibility to change it. Immediately an inner battle of the will begins to take place."
Lots of times we might think that, once confession has been made, everything is turned over to God and that's about the end of it. The author's thoughts are intriguing and perhaps helpful in thinking about confession.
He illustrates with a couple of paragraphs:
"Mrs. Shoemaker illustrates her thought with a legend concerning the noted artist Leonardo da Vinci. According to the account, during the painting of "The Last Supper," da Vinci chose as his subject for Judas a much-hated enemy. Later, prior to the day the face of Jesus was to be painted, da Vinci was deeply troubled. All night long he tossed and turned in his sleep. Morning finally arrived and the time came to paint the figure of Christ. But, as the legend relates, when da Vinci tried to paint the picture, the Lord's face became strangely blurred. That night the artist tossed and turned again. Suddenly he jumped from his bed and rushed to the studio. In moments he erased the likeness of the enemy from the face of Judas. Then, in a flash, Leonardo da Vinci saw the picture of Christ clearly."
The author advises "Often a quick mental trip through the previous twenty-four hours reveals the need for confession. Ask yourself, "Did I fail God in any areas of personal conduct?" "Was I honest in my dealings with others?" "Were my thoughts pleasant to God?" As God reveals various spiritual shortcomings, confess them and claim total victory."
The author writes "Confession is a heartfelt recognition of what we are. It is important to God because it indicates that we take seriously our mistakes and failures. Of course, God does not ask us to confess our sins because He needs to know we have sinned, but because He knows that we need to know we have sinned."
Confession is the best thing to move us beyond our false self and into our true self and get us out of wallowing in our sins and regrets. God sure does know what is best for us. Thank you, God.
Peace of the Lord,
Sharon
The author's words in this chapter too are interesting. "What is confession? The New Testament Greek word for "confess" means "to agree with God" concerning His opinion of a matter. It also means "to admit my guilt." When we confess our sins we are agreeing with God concerning the sin in our lives, as revealed through His Word by the Holy Spirit."
The author also writes, "Why is confession so difficult for some? Perhaps because confession is really the most painful part of personal prayer. The moment we admit that a particular act displeases God, we recognize the responsibility to change it. Immediately an inner battle of the will begins to take place."
Lots of times we might think that, once confession has been made, everything is turned over to God and that's about the end of it. The author's thoughts are intriguing and perhaps helpful in thinking about confession.
He illustrates with a couple of paragraphs:
"Mrs. Shoemaker illustrates her thought with a legend concerning the noted artist Leonardo da Vinci. According to the account, during the painting of "The Last Supper," da Vinci chose as his subject for Judas a much-hated enemy. Later, prior to the day the face of Jesus was to be painted, da Vinci was deeply troubled. All night long he tossed and turned in his sleep. Morning finally arrived and the time came to paint the figure of Christ. But, as the legend relates, when da Vinci tried to paint the picture, the Lord's face became strangely blurred. That night the artist tossed and turned again. Suddenly he jumped from his bed and rushed to the studio. In moments he erased the likeness of the enemy from the face of Judas. Then, in a flash, Leonardo da Vinci saw the picture of Christ clearly."
The author advises "Often a quick mental trip through the previous twenty-four hours reveals the need for confession. Ask yourself, "Did I fail God in any areas of personal conduct?" "Was I honest in my dealings with others?" "Were my thoughts pleasant to God?" As God reveals various spiritual shortcomings, confess them and claim total victory."
The author writes "Confession is a heartfelt recognition of what we are. It is important to God because it indicates that we take seriously our mistakes and failures. Of course, God does not ask us to confess our sins because He needs to know we have sinned, but because He knows that we need to know we have sinned."
Confession is the best thing to move us beyond our false self and into our true self and get us out of wallowing in our sins and regrets. God sure does know what is best for us. Thank you, God.
Peace of the Lord,
Sharon
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Reading "The Hour That Changes the World"
Hello, Companion Mustard Seed Library book readers,
Chapter 2 of this book is titled "Waiting - The act of soul surrender".
The author advises that, after we have offered praises to God in our prayers, that we then spend some time in silencing our minds. A period of waiting. "Here we find the true focus of waiting. All attention must center in our heavenly Father. We come to know the Lord only at this most intimate level. The knowledge of God is best revealed in silent waiting. Scripture declares, "Be still, and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10).
Also the author writes: "Far more important than the answer to our prayer is the focus of our prayer. Donald E. Demaray accurately wrote, "The point of prayer is to get God. Answers are most meaningful when they are thought of least. Prayer is most meaningful when God is thought of most."
"Tragically, many believers become deceived by a spirit of selfishness that often follows them directly into the closet of prayer. Waiting helps deal with this spirit. It is an important step that prepares us for our time of confession, which is next on our list of prayer elements. Bridgid Herman wrote, "The most formidable enemy of the spiritual life, and the last to be conquered, is self-deception; and if there is a better cure for self-deception than silence, it has yet to be discovered."
The dictionary defines silence as "the state or fact of keeping silent; a refraining from speech or from making noise. 2. absence of any sound or noise, stillness. 3. a withholding of knowledge or omission of mention 4. failure to communicate, write, keep in touch, etc. 5. oblivion or obscurity.
In our Monday night Bible study, we watched "The Dark Knight" a Batman movie. There is a lot of withholding of knowledge in that movie, a lot of people not knowing who each other is or even realizing who they themselves are. Pastor Maddox suggested, in discussing the themes of the movie, the scripture from John 1:1-5. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it."
"If there is a better cure for self-deception than silence, it has yet to be discovered." What peace to know that silence has this duel effect, in the short term seeming to block self-knowledge and also knowledge of each other, relationship to God, but also, in the long term opening us up to authentic relationship to God, to each other and to our own true selves. What peace to know that there is no place where God cannot be found. Even silence and all the motivations behind silence is under God's control. When we watch a movie, seems like we always want all the secrets to come out and resolutions of all the conflicts, we want to see justice and peace and we did see that in the Batman movie. Good movie to watch. Good discussion.
Tomorrow's chapter, chapter 3 is on confession: the act of declared admission.
God bless,
Sharon
Chapter 2 of this book is titled "Waiting - The act of soul surrender".
The author advises that, after we have offered praises to God in our prayers, that we then spend some time in silencing our minds. A period of waiting. "Here we find the true focus of waiting. All attention must center in our heavenly Father. We come to know the Lord only at this most intimate level. The knowledge of God is best revealed in silent waiting. Scripture declares, "Be still, and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10).
Also the author writes: "Far more important than the answer to our prayer is the focus of our prayer. Donald E. Demaray accurately wrote, "The point of prayer is to get God. Answers are most meaningful when they are thought of least. Prayer is most meaningful when God is thought of most."
"Tragically, many believers become deceived by a spirit of selfishness that often follows them directly into the closet of prayer. Waiting helps deal with this spirit. It is an important step that prepares us for our time of confession, which is next on our list of prayer elements. Bridgid Herman wrote, "The most formidable enemy of the spiritual life, and the last to be conquered, is self-deception; and if there is a better cure for self-deception than silence, it has yet to be discovered."
The dictionary defines silence as "the state or fact of keeping silent; a refraining from speech or from making noise. 2. absence of any sound or noise, stillness. 3. a withholding of knowledge or omission of mention 4. failure to communicate, write, keep in touch, etc. 5. oblivion or obscurity.
In our Monday night Bible study, we watched "The Dark Knight" a Batman movie. There is a lot of withholding of knowledge in that movie, a lot of people not knowing who each other is or even realizing who they themselves are. Pastor Maddox suggested, in discussing the themes of the movie, the scripture from John 1:1-5. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it."
"If there is a better cure for self-deception than silence, it has yet to be discovered." What peace to know that silence has this duel effect, in the short term seeming to block self-knowledge and also knowledge of each other, relationship to God, but also, in the long term opening us up to authentic relationship to God, to each other and to our own true selves. What peace to know that there is no place where God cannot be found. Even silence and all the motivations behind silence is under God's control. When we watch a movie, seems like we always want all the secrets to come out and resolutions of all the conflicts, we want to see justice and peace and we did see that in the Batman movie. Good movie to watch. Good discussion.
Tomorrow's chapter, chapter 3 is on confession: the act of declared admission.
God bless,
Sharon
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
reading book "The Hour That Changes The World"
Hello, Companion Mustard Seed Library book readers,
Continuing on in exploring this book which Joyce has contributed for possible inclusion in the Mustard Seed Library.
The author, Dick Eastman, is writing about prayer. He has scoured the scriptures for guidance in the way to pray and starts out in the beginning by relating that Jesus taught the disciples to pray "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed by thy name." Further Mr. Eastman relates that the word "hallowed" is a New Testament expression used only in reference to the name of God. The Greek word for our word "hallow" is "hagiazo" meaning "to revere or to sanctify.
Mr. Eastman writes also that "A major reason for offering praise early in prayer is the fact that, in its very nature, praise is unselfish. Paul Billheimer relates, "Here is one of the greatest values of praise: it decentralizes self. The worship and praise of God demands a shift of center from self to God. One cannot praise God without relinquishing occupation with self. Praise produces forgetfulness of self--and forgetfulness of self is health. We soon discover spiritual health has its root in divine adoration."
Interestingly this author also writes "Words of adoration combined with a melody from the heart lead to praise in its most beautiful form. Martin Luther expressed it thus, "The gift of language combined with the gift of song was given to man that he should proclaim the Word of God through music." And then Mr. Eastman finds all these scriptural references that speak of singing praises unto the Lord. Forty one Psalms speak of it. The Apostle Paul speaks of "making melody" in our hearts unto the Lord with "spiritual songs". The author has found many, many, many instances in the Bible where people are singing unto the Lord. We sing during worship service and especially pray the Psalms through the singing of them. I suspect many of us go around the house singing too, maybe singing while driving in our cars, etc., but this author introduces a kind of interesting perspective on our singing. "Indeed, singing unto the Lord is especially important because it trains us in many new areas of worship. Ultimately, worship will be our ETERNAL PURPOSE in heaven, and singing will be a great part of this eternal purpose."
Mr. Eastman takes a look at the Biblical psalmist: "I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee." (Psalm 144:9)
"New" refers to something fresh. "A new song" means "my own song," not someone else's. It refers to a song from my heart that I have never sung before. Yesterday's song does not qualify under this category of singing. The theme may be similar but the song will be new. Of course, all the various themes for singing may fall under this category if we have never sung the melody or words previously. Even the singing of a scripture in a new way can be a "new song" from my heart."
Actually, Mr. Eastman, is suggesting that we can sing during our private prayers to God and that this singing "is to play so vital a role in heaven's worship, surely it would do the believer well to "practice up" for the day we unite together in heavenly song to minister unto the Lord in our eternal Zion." There is a tremendous fascination in me for people who can improvise during singing and yet still stay on the foundation of the melody. There is a tremendous fascination in me for scripture and, now just reading this book, there is a tremendous fascination in me for what the author is proposing--that scripture guides us in the spiritual benefits of singing praises unto the Lord, not only corporately in Sunday worship but also privately in all of our daily praying. And that we all can sing a "new song", that each of us does contain that potential within us. That our new songs do not divide us from community but even more deeply unite us in community. That our private praying/worshipping and corporate praying/worshipping could in more essentials that I realized before be joined together.
Do you sing sometimes or maybe even often your praying? Thank you for the songs in your hearts that "Satan cannot endure" and which the author believes "Prayer rises more easily, more spontaneously, after one has let those wings, words, and music, carry one out of oneself into that upper air."
God bless,
Sharon
Continuing on in exploring this book which Joyce has contributed for possible inclusion in the Mustard Seed Library.
The author, Dick Eastman, is writing about prayer. He has scoured the scriptures for guidance in the way to pray and starts out in the beginning by relating that Jesus taught the disciples to pray "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed by thy name." Further Mr. Eastman relates that the word "hallowed" is a New Testament expression used only in reference to the name of God. The Greek word for our word "hallow" is "hagiazo" meaning "to revere or to sanctify.
Mr. Eastman writes also that "A major reason for offering praise early in prayer is the fact that, in its very nature, praise is unselfish. Paul Billheimer relates, "Here is one of the greatest values of praise: it decentralizes self. The worship and praise of God demands a shift of center from self to God. One cannot praise God without relinquishing occupation with self. Praise produces forgetfulness of self--and forgetfulness of self is health. We soon discover spiritual health has its root in divine adoration."
Interestingly this author also writes "Words of adoration combined with a melody from the heart lead to praise in its most beautiful form. Martin Luther expressed it thus, "The gift of language combined with the gift of song was given to man that he should proclaim the Word of God through music." And then Mr. Eastman finds all these scriptural references that speak of singing praises unto the Lord. Forty one Psalms speak of it. The Apostle Paul speaks of "making melody" in our hearts unto the Lord with "spiritual songs". The author has found many, many, many instances in the Bible where people are singing unto the Lord. We sing during worship service and especially pray the Psalms through the singing of them. I suspect many of us go around the house singing too, maybe singing while driving in our cars, etc., but this author introduces a kind of interesting perspective on our singing. "Indeed, singing unto the Lord is especially important because it trains us in many new areas of worship. Ultimately, worship will be our ETERNAL PURPOSE in heaven, and singing will be a great part of this eternal purpose."
Mr. Eastman takes a look at the Biblical psalmist: "I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee." (Psalm 144:9)
"New" refers to something fresh. "A new song" means "my own song," not someone else's. It refers to a song from my heart that I have never sung before. Yesterday's song does not qualify under this category of singing. The theme may be similar but the song will be new. Of course, all the various themes for singing may fall under this category if we have never sung the melody or words previously. Even the singing of a scripture in a new way can be a "new song" from my heart."
Actually, Mr. Eastman, is suggesting that we can sing during our private prayers to God and that this singing "is to play so vital a role in heaven's worship, surely it would do the believer well to "practice up" for the day we unite together in heavenly song to minister unto the Lord in our eternal Zion." There is a tremendous fascination in me for people who can improvise during singing and yet still stay on the foundation of the melody. There is a tremendous fascination in me for scripture and, now just reading this book, there is a tremendous fascination in me for what the author is proposing--that scripture guides us in the spiritual benefits of singing praises unto the Lord, not only corporately in Sunday worship but also privately in all of our daily praying. And that we all can sing a "new song", that each of us does contain that potential within us. That our new songs do not divide us from community but even more deeply unite us in community. That our private praying/worshipping and corporate praying/worshipping could in more essentials that I realized before be joined together.
Do you sing sometimes or maybe even often your praying? Thank you for the songs in your hearts that "Satan cannot endure" and which the author believes "Prayer rises more easily, more spontaneously, after one has let those wings, words, and music, carry one out of oneself into that upper air."
God bless,
Sharon
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
The Hour That Changes the World Book
Hello, Companion Mustard Seed Library book readers,
The author writes "Carefully mark this in your mind: IT IS POSSIBLE TO MAKE TIME FOR PRAYER! Consider Susanna Wesley. With nineteen active children, including John and Charles, Susanna Wesley still found time to pray daily. This godly saint seldom gave the Lord less than a full hour each day for prayer. "But I have no place to get away for prayer!" some might object. Susanna Wesley, likewise, had no specific place for prayer. So, at her chosen time for spiritual exercise she would take her apron and pull it over her face. Her children were instructed never to disturb "mother" when she was praying in her apron.
Do you have some special way that you use to make time for prayer? I've found that the many times I've had to wait on people, on hold on the phone, at doctor's offices, in line at the post office or bank, in the grocery store, etc., etc., these are all times that I pray, both speaking and listening to God. Prayerful walking gets me places but also allows me time with God. What a blessing it is to know that it is ALWAYS POSSIBLE TO HAVE THIS TWO-WAY CONVERSATION GOING so that we are more patient and loving and accepting of our kids, the person on the other end of the phone line, the doctor, post office clerk, bank clerk, grocery store clerk, people at the destinations we are going to, my husband to be ready to go somewhere. In this busy, hurry up get lots of stuff done, world, does it seem like God at the same time we are over-burdening ourselves with possibly wrong priorities, God at the same time is working things out so He can have a visit with us? And were Susanna Wesley's kids always somehow miraculously able not to just completely destroy the house while she was sitting there with her apron over her head?
For Thine is the Kingdom, the power and glory forever and ever. Amen.
God bless,
Sharon
The author writes "Carefully mark this in your mind: IT IS POSSIBLE TO MAKE TIME FOR PRAYER! Consider Susanna Wesley. With nineteen active children, including John and Charles, Susanna Wesley still found time to pray daily. This godly saint seldom gave the Lord less than a full hour each day for prayer. "But I have no place to get away for prayer!" some might object. Susanna Wesley, likewise, had no specific place for prayer. So, at her chosen time for spiritual exercise she would take her apron and pull it over her face. Her children were instructed never to disturb "mother" when she was praying in her apron.
Do you have some special way that you use to make time for prayer? I've found that the many times I've had to wait on people, on hold on the phone, at doctor's offices, in line at the post office or bank, in the grocery store, etc., etc., these are all times that I pray, both speaking and listening to God. Prayerful walking gets me places but also allows me time with God. What a blessing it is to know that it is ALWAYS POSSIBLE TO HAVE THIS TWO-WAY CONVERSATION GOING so that we are more patient and loving and accepting of our kids, the person on the other end of the phone line, the doctor, post office clerk, bank clerk, grocery store clerk, people at the destinations we are going to, my husband to be ready to go somewhere. In this busy, hurry up get lots of stuff done, world, does it seem like God at the same time we are over-burdening ourselves with possibly wrong priorities, God at the same time is working things out so He can have a visit with us? And were Susanna Wesley's kids always somehow miraculously able not to just completely destroy the house while she was sitting there with her apron over her head?
For Thine is the Kingdom, the power and glory forever and ever. Amen.
God bless,
Sharon
Monday, August 3, 2009
Looking at a new book "The Hour That Changes The World"
Hello, Companion Mustard Seed Library book readers,
Now, taking a look at another book Joyce contributed for possible inclusion in the Mustard Seed Library. It is entitled "The Hour That Changes the World: A Practical Plan for Personal Prayer" by Dick Eastman, president of "Every Home for Christ" organization and author of books.
Mr. Eastman had a conversion experience and his prayer life looks to Jesus for guidance in praying. Mr. Eastman was especially impacted by the fact that Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemene was left alone in His praying as His disciples slept. "Could ye not watch with me one hour?" (Matt. 26:40) That scripture spoke to Mr. Eastman directly and he writes "But how can anyone possibly pray an entire hour? is another recurring question. It was a question I, too, had to answer from the moment I determined to personally accept Christ's call to "watch" with Him daily for one hour." Mr. Eastman also writes "When properly focused, prayer does more than just change one's life. Prayer reaches out in love to a dying world and says, "I care!"
I absolutely love it when people testify to how scripture has touched them personally in their lives and how the stories have changed them. It continuously bolsters my faith and, from my reading Mr. Eastman's testifying, I realized that this particular scripture hadn't yet become so personal to me. It was cut off, made simply historical for me, and not brought so consciously in the present. Has Matt. 26:40 spoken to you? Has praying ever been burdensome to you as it was to the exhausted disciples? Is it difficult for you to pray an entire hour? The time when I know the discipline of praying an entire hour is when we have the Tuesday evening prayer times at church (except for the Tuesday when the Church Council meets). All the things Jesus said can be so important to us. I wondered whether the early Hebrews had ever heard anything from God like praying an entire hour? Was it only when God became human that He asked for an hour together in prayerful companionship? Does this part of scripture tell us that God thinks it is beneficial for us to pray together, or is it especially beneficial that we should pray an entire hour at one time? Does our worship at church last for an hour because of this part of scripture?
The author of the book quotes David Brainerd "Oh! One hour with God infinitely exceeds all the pleasures and delights of this lower world." One hour with God during Sunday morning worship definitely does exceed all the pleasures and delights of this lower world. Do you think it is important that we spend more one hours with God during the week too? Does one hour mean anything special to you? Or do you think the phrase "one hour" actually bears no special significance for us?
God bless,
Sharon
Now, taking a look at another book Joyce contributed for possible inclusion in the Mustard Seed Library. It is entitled "The Hour That Changes the World: A Practical Plan for Personal Prayer" by Dick Eastman, president of "Every Home for Christ" organization and author of books.
Mr. Eastman had a conversion experience and his prayer life looks to Jesus for guidance in praying. Mr. Eastman was especially impacted by the fact that Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemene was left alone in His praying as His disciples slept. "Could ye not watch with me one hour?" (Matt. 26:40) That scripture spoke to Mr. Eastman directly and he writes "But how can anyone possibly pray an entire hour? is another recurring question. It was a question I, too, had to answer from the moment I determined to personally accept Christ's call to "watch" with Him daily for one hour." Mr. Eastman also writes "When properly focused, prayer does more than just change one's life. Prayer reaches out in love to a dying world and says, "I care!"
I absolutely love it when people testify to how scripture has touched them personally in their lives and how the stories have changed them. It continuously bolsters my faith and, from my reading Mr. Eastman's testifying, I realized that this particular scripture hadn't yet become so personal to me. It was cut off, made simply historical for me, and not brought so consciously in the present. Has Matt. 26:40 spoken to you? Has praying ever been burdensome to you as it was to the exhausted disciples? Is it difficult for you to pray an entire hour? The time when I know the discipline of praying an entire hour is when we have the Tuesday evening prayer times at church (except for the Tuesday when the Church Council meets). All the things Jesus said can be so important to us. I wondered whether the early Hebrews had ever heard anything from God like praying an entire hour? Was it only when God became human that He asked for an hour together in prayerful companionship? Does this part of scripture tell us that God thinks it is beneficial for us to pray together, or is it especially beneficial that we should pray an entire hour at one time? Does our worship at church last for an hour because of this part of scripture?
The author of the book quotes David Brainerd "Oh! One hour with God infinitely exceeds all the pleasures and delights of this lower world." One hour with God during Sunday morning worship definitely does exceed all the pleasures and delights of this lower world. Do you think it is important that we spend more one hours with God during the week too? Does one hour mean anything special to you? Or do you think the phrase "one hour" actually bears no special significance for us?
God bless,
Sharon
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