Cutting Through The TV Static in My Mind

My mind is filled with static. Kinda like the static on an analog TV. Wikipedia says it is caused by electromagnetic radiation being picked up by an analog TV receiver. Here is what it looks like. (Thought it might be helpful in our digital world.)

Like a TV, my mind is filled with all the noise of life. Work, family, hobbies, national news, politics, personal problems, sin, guilt, worry, friends, and on and on.

The noise makes it hard to focus. I find I cannot keep a thought for more than one or two minutes before I am off on some worry or concern. When in prayer, I get distracted by thoughts. When the fog clears, I remember I was praying.

Here are my thoughts about getting through the static to get a clear connection to God. (Apologies for the corny TV analogy)

Shield your antenna

I find the only way to stay focused on God is to tune out to the crazy things going around me. Turn off the news, quit reading new web sites, no talk radio that does not build up or focus in on my object of affection, God. Work hard at work and then leave work at work or within well defined limits at home. Let go of all the things in life we have no control over. Matthew records these words of Jesus in Matthew 6:34, “do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Point your antenna in the right direction

So often I find myself looking for peace in all the wrong places. I get stressed and I start eating. Bad habits start to creep in and then guild follows. None of these things help me in my prayer life. I get busy trying to fix things my way only to have things get worse. Panic and depression are the only result of looking for help in the wrong place. This is where the world is. Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:12-13

12remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to (the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Stay tuned into THE source of peace

Once we get the signal (I know, I am sorry), we have to stay on target. When we are far off, we have no hope. But now, we are near to God. Paul continues in verse 14, “for he himself is our peace.” Christ the Prince of Peace has finished the work of Salvation. Now I stay in the word. Pray often. Meditate on Christ. I don’t let the world creep back in.

6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Philippians 4:6-8

Don’t think for one moment God is not listening because you cannot focus. Instead of getting down on yourself, talk to God about it. Ask for his peace. Keep working on it, do not give up. Stay faithful. He loves us so much.

God bless.

Jesus Come to Me

I promised my oldest child I would post a song they wrote. The tune comes from a Backyardigan song. I wish I could remember what episode it was in. Oh, well. Not likely that most of you have seen the show.

It is interesting to watch my children teach me about God. I should probably sing this song every day. You can too if you want.

Jesus come to me, Jesus come to me, Jesus come to me

Your the best in the galaxy.

Satan don’t come to me, Satan don’t come to me, Satan don’t come to me,

your the worst in the galaxy.

I am reminded of what David wrote in Psalm 51.

10Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11Do not cast me away from Your presence
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
12Restore to me the joy of Your salvation
And sustain me with a willing spirit.

We desire to know God. It is in our most inner self to try to find out who this Jesus is. To live with him. I pray I can be more like my children and approach God open and without hang-ups.

God bless.

Time Flies

Time flies by. That is why I have not posted in a while. Busy. I often wonder how busy Jesus was. No TV, no video games, no huge book selection, no cell phone, no Internet, no email, no phone, no car, no house, really none of the things I have.

But was he busy?

I believe he was tremendously busy. Doing his Father’s business. John wrote in his gospel, “Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” John 21:25

The thing is though Jesus never seemed too busy for the little things in life. For people. The best example of this is in Matthew’s gospel. Where Matthew records an encounter with Jesus and children.

Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:13-14

Apparently the disciples thought Jesus too busy. Surprise. He was not. Was not and is not. He is always there sitting at the right hand of God, interceding for you and me. Not too busy to listen to our prayers.

God bless.

An Old Prayer To Pray

Now may the God of peace—
who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus,
the great Shepherd of the sheep,
and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood—
may he equip you with all you need
for doing his will.
May he produce in you,
through the power of Jesus Christ,
every good thing that is pleasing to him.
All glory to him forever and ever! Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21

This is the concluding prayer from the Author of Hebrews. A prayer worthy of our lips today.

God bless. Pray.

Isolation

Early the next morning Jesus went out to an isolated place. Luke 4:42

This is not the only account of Jesus getting away. He took many opportunities to get out by himself. Why? To pray.

Jesus the Son of God knew he needed time with his Father. It is important. It is something that I have started to do more often. I find myself getting worried or fretful and I go outside behind my office and pray. Getting off to your self really helps too. You do not have to worry about what other people think. You lose the distractions of what is going on around you. You can just spend time with God.

God wants that too. He wants to have a relationship with me. So off I go to get isolated.

God bless, go get lost.

A Prayer Tonight

Father in Heaven,

Holy is your name. You alone are worthy of my praise.
Have mercy on me Father because my sin is always before you.
Against you have I sinned. My pride and self-righteousness are evident.
My heart is far from you because of my doubt and faithlessness.
Thank you for forgiving my sin.

Father, thank you for
My family, my children, my wife. Thank you for providing my daily needs.
Because of you I have no fear or want. You have filled my cup.
Thank you for adopting me as your child. My inheritance is beyond measure.
Thank you for your Son and his love and obedience.

Create in me a clean heart, oh God.
Let me be like you in all my ways.
Show me which way you want me to go.
Fill me with your spirit and increase my wisdom.
Help me in my unbelief.

Amen

What can Happen?

What can happen when a man comes in contact with the Lord of the universe? You just never know. Will you give someone a chance to know God? Will you come to know God? More importantly, will you let God create in you a new creation?

I got to talk to a man today I had not seen in some time. I have known him for many years. Never a very spiritual man. A man I gave little love or credit to. I judged him as worldly and proud. I do not think he would disagree; however, I was wrong then and proven such now.

This man who was not very serious about his relationship with God has been transformed. I could not believe it. Today I did not speak to someone in doubt, instead I spoke to a man filled with God’s spirit. A man who has been given a vision and is completely relying on God. He quit his job and has been working as a lay missionary. He and his wife have the vision to serve God by helping children who have no home.

I was so encouraged by his speech, character, and spirit. I was floored by his faith. Here was a changed man. A man who had seen God.

What a joy.

God forgive me for judging your servant. Teach me to see men as you do. Help me love all people. Help me in my unbelief. Amen.

God Bless

Remembering the Missing Peace

It was a long day at work yesterday and I can honestly say I was missing peace. We have a saying around here if we are worried and out of control it is because we are in control and not Him.

I should have read newspalms.wordpress.com sooner. This from Steve Sutton…

You are the missing piece LORD.
The peace that you give to me is
More than any words can say.

Without your Peace in my life LORD,
I am nothing at all.
Piece together my life LORD, give me peace.

Amen.

Thanks for the thoughts.

A New Year Prayer: 2007

Our Father,

Have mercy on me a sinner. Forgive my unbelief.

Thank you for your Son, your love, and adopting me.

Father, create in me a clean heart, and turn my eyes toward you.

Fill me with your Holy Spirit and give me wisdom.

Put your angels around my family and keep us safe in the new year.

Use me and give me courage to stand firm.

Holy is your name, Father.

Amen.

You Might be an Older Brother: Self-righteousness

This is a sure giveaway. So confident of our own works, justified before men, on our way to the pearly gates. Then Jesus goes and tells us a parable. What’s up with that?

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14

Jesus says enough here. I just need to listen. God, have mercy on me a sinner.

God bless. Don’t pray like my brother prays! No, don’t pray like my brother!