Obama, Addiction, and Red Priest

What do the above three things have in common? For me, one each one led to the next. Am I totally insane? Well, yes, but......I better explain. I have always had a strong dislike for the news & politics. All that changed during the last presidential election. Sure, there have been presidents that I have loved, liked, and couldn't stand, but all in all who was president didn't have a huge impact on my day to day life. When Obama ran for office, however, I took notice. A socialist running for president??? Had the country gone mad??? I suddenly found myself voluntarily turning on Fox News and began regularly listening to the Glenn Beck show. Anytime the tv or car radio was on, it was usually turned to the news; after all, this is scary stuff. I didn't realize that I had become such a Fox News junkie....well, except for when our daughter would teasingly roll her eyes at me sometimes when I turned on the tv or radio. This week, I finally woke up and realized that I had a problem. On Tuesday night we attended a chamber music concert. Granted, it was Red Priest, but it was the first classical music performance that we had been to in a very long time. As the music started and I began to feel my soul being soothed and calmed, I realized how long it had been since I had chosen to listen to music at home or in the car. How awful!!! There is nothing wrong with watching the news, but, as with anything, there comes a point where it can consume you if you allow it. Watching or listening to the news 24/7 will do the country less good (a WHOLE lot less....like, nil) than will time spent on our news in prayer. Will I still watch the news? Yes, but I am presently making a concerted effort to pray more for our country and to fill my mind with "whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise." (Phil. 4)

Journey of a Thousand No's

My husband has for many years had trouble with his weight (not many of us hasn't) largely because he has a sedentary job and works 60+ hours per week.  His job is very stressful, and often finds comfort foods as his proverbial "carrot on the stick."  To help himself become more healthy,  he has begun what he calls his journey of a thousand "no's."  Every time he says "no" to food that is bad for his health, it counts as one step.  He keeps track of how many things he has abstained from, and when he reaches 1,000 he hopes to find himself healthier and lighter.  I'm sure this principle could be applied to much more.

Silent Preparation

"In the period before the service we commend the keeping of silence. In the midst of our busy lives we have all too little time for silence. 'It is seldom.' writes one Christian, 'that God finds a soul quiet enough to speak to.' The silence before the service can be used as a time for quiet preparation. Read thoughtfully the words of the opening hymn, so that when you join in the singing of it, it may mean more to you. Think of the holiness and power of God into whose presence we should only with humility and reverence. 'Be still, and know that I am God.'"

All too often we have entered into worship lightly. We glibly slide into our favorite pew and chat about Sunday School with our family members. A friend comes over and asks how we are or whether or not we caught such and such on TV. And so it goes. We call it fellowshiping, but, in reality, it is our disrespect for the God of the universe whom we claim to have come to worship. Sometimes we attempt to properly prepare for worship, but, more often than not, our minds wander to the events of the week, things we forgot to do, and people we need to call. We have not entered a Sabbath rest. We have not prepared as we ought.

Sabbath preparation does not begin on Sunday morning or even Saturday evening. Traditional Sabbath begins on Saturday evening just as the Jewish day goes from evening to evening rather than morning to morning - meaning we need to have all preparations made beforehand. Our clothes and tithe should be ready before we retire for bed at a reasonable hour. We should allow enough time on Sunday morning for getting our hearts ready rather than just our bodies (preaching to self here) lest we be "whitened sepulchers." The Sabbath and the worship therein is a joyous occasion and a great gift from God that we should embrace. To not prepare for worship at home and in the sanctuary is to turn one's nose up at the gift of God. This weekend, take time to prepare for worship and receive what God has for you. If we do not quiet our hearts, how can we hear Him?