on to the book club. beth and i love books and reading and clubs and being a team, so we decided to do this little book club to grow and learn and we hope that it encourages your heart. we want you to join us and share what you're learning, regardless of whether you are reading along in the book or not! just let us know what jesus is teaching you these days. if you're just starting to read along, you can go here to catch up!
"remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. for we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasure, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. but when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us..."
my pastor preached on this passage last sunday and i was very convicted. i don't know why i'm always so surprised when jesus uses sermons and books to speak to exactly what i need to hear that week. this week, i have really had to focus on how i handle my anger and frustration when dealing with people i don't get along with. my attitude seems to always jump to the defensive, to anger, to "how dare you treat me that way". i can only see the reasons and ways i have been wronged and my attitude turns to one of bitterness.
"do i really smother my own joy because i believe that anger achieves more than love? that satan's way is more powerful, more practical, more fulfilling in my daily life than Jesuss way? why else get angry?"
// page 126 //
why do i get angry? is it because i've bought into the lie that anger achieves more than love? that anger is a better way of expressing myself? that people will feel bad for me and be on my side if i express how i've been wrongly treated? choosing anger is choosing the way of darkness. every time i choose to be angry and lash out, i am allowing satan to have more of a foothold in my life. and that's the thing about anger. it is a choice. my choice. in order not to get sucked into a habit of anger and bitterness, i have to change my focus.
"if you want to be really alert to seeing Jesus' diving beauty, his glory...then make sure you tune your senses to see his grace."
// page 129 - john piper //
grace. it's what i have to look for, and it's what i need to show to others. the well of joy is always there, but i have to choose to see it, and i have to choose to practice speaking it instead of anger. this next quote is what was most convicting to me.
"the only way to fight a feeling is with a feeling...feel thanks and it's absolutely impossible to feel angry."
// page 136 //
i have to remember daily to fight the darkness with joy. thanks. eucharisteo. change in how i react to situations will not come unless i practice the discipline of giving thanks. "the secret to joy is to keep seeking God where we doubt He is."
99. puppy snuggles during thunderstorms
100. rain on the roof
101. baby blooms
102. fields of yellow flowers
103. concerts - phillip phillips!
102. meeting new friends of friends
103. sun setting orange on the water
104. bridge walking over the river
105. life with my core group
106. tree limbs like ocean waves in the wind
107. planes that take me to places i love
108. colorado weekends
109. watching the sunset while flying across the country.
110. snow covering pike's peak
111. watching dr. who with the best friend
111. watching dr. who with the best friend
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