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Please forgive my musing today but I am pretty reflective on how life has changed over the last several years.

I miss my mom and my mother-in-law, two of the most godly women I have known. Joy, selflessness, service, friendly, loving women whom I always felt comfortable around.

They were just great women. They weren't trying to be something or become something, or show themselves off, they just were great human beings. Everybody loved them.

Virtue ethics says that the goal in life is to be the right kind of person and then the actions flow out of that, rather than vice versa. One is to work on being virtuous and loving virtue. We do the right thing because it is the right thing and we love what is right, not because we are commanded to. I feel like that is why these two women were so wonderful and hold…

Philippians 1:1 NASB1995

[1] Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons:

Often, the introduction of Paul's letters will give us a glimpse into the practical and theological concerns that he will address in the letter. I find it interesting that in Philippians he addresses the letter to the saints but also includes the overseers and deacons. In no other letter of Paul does he specifically call out the overseers and deacons in his introduction and it makes me wonder if he wants to make sure that they and the rest of the congregation clearly understand that what he is going to say applies to them. I can think of no other letter of Paul that so strongly emphasizes unity, humility/servanthood, joy, and and complete focus on the supreme value of knowing Christ and being…

This passage struck me pretty hard this morning. As I thought over what God desires it is for Humility, Justice, and for Compassion. Or, to fast from pride and self-centeredness. This is the heart the Lord desires and which brings pleasure to Him. This is the heart he responds.

Isaiah 58:5-11 NASB1995

[5] Is it a fast like this which I choose, a day for a man to humble himself? Is it for bowing one’s head like a reed And for spreading out sackcloth and ashes as a bed? Will you call this a fast, even an acceptable day to the Lord? [6] Is this not the fast which I choose, To loosen the bonds of wickedness, To undo the bands of the yoke, And to let the oppressed go free And break every yoke? [7] Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry And bring the homeless…

This reminds me of my mom. She used to sing this song at church and around the house. What a beautiful picture of Joy that accompanies the redemptive work of God. When people are led out of slavery to freedom, from darkness to light, from deprivation to abundance, they cannot help but be moved from sorrow to joy. Remember from what a pot we were pulled from and rejoice in the God who redeems!

https://youtu.be/Pp7HZ1My3II?si=eGUhcvnpabkgBQc2

Isaiah 51:11 NASB1995 (also in Is 35)

[11] So the ransomed of the Lord will return And come with joyful shouting to Zion, And everlasting joy will be on their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy, And sorrow and sighing will flee away.

https://bible.com/bible/100/isa.51.11.NASB1995

I shared this a couple years ago and was reminded of it recently. Something to always aspire to do and be well.

Shepherding - A good shepherd isn't one who looks good and has a great image - who wears the finest linens and rides the finest donkey. A good shepherd isn't one who can say, look at how many sheep I have, I must do shepherding well. A good shepherd isn't the one who can say, look at how well trained my sheep are, notice how orderly they behave. A good shepherd isn't one who makes the largest and most beautiful sheep pen.

Doesn't all of this sound foolish?

A good shepherd lays down their life for the sheep. A good shepherd leaves the 99 to find the 1. A good shepherd acts to protect the sheep from the wolves, thieves and robbers. A good shepherd knows their sheep.…

Jesus taught us how to pray "Matthew 6:9-10 NASB1995

[9] “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. [10] Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven."

As I think about this prayer I am encouraged to live in the presence of God's activity, to invite into our daily lives His effective will in our lives and the world around us. In our Bible study we said that Jesus was the most relaxed person on earth because he saw his life was hidden in the father. I am constantly challenged to put feet to this prayer. To test it. To see my life within the power and activity of God. To invite His will into what I experience daily, both the good and the bad. Such a way I life can reject anxiety because it is trusting…

I love this passage in Titus 2:11-14. Paul reflects on the past when God's grace appeared in the Advent of Jesus bring salvation to everyone, Jew and Gentile alike. Such grace teaches how to live in the present. Reject ungodliness and worldly desire, and instead live sensibly, righteously, and godly lives. We are to live in the present with a view not only to the past and what God has done, but also toward the future when our God and Savior, Jesus the Christ appears.

Jesus gave himself for us for a purpose, and he is currently at work in us for the same purpose, that is, to redeem and purify for himself a people who are his and who are zealous for good deeds. That's who we are. That's why he died for us. That is who he is coming back for.

Titus 2:11-14 NASB1995

[11] For the grace…