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I wanted to capture a few of the things that were being said in various circles, and post them here in a central location on the blog.
The first is a note I posted on YouVersion relating to Isaiah 55:8-9. By the way if you don't use YouVersion, I highly recommend you start. I have many other Bible apps and websites that I use (as you can see by the links I post) but right now only YouVersion has the integration and collaboration capability with things like Facebook and Twitter as well as the connection to another favorite Bible application: Glo Bible. Ok enough of the commercial, here's the note and the reference, the title of the note is: “Disagreements on Divergent Directions"
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts."Isaiah 55:8, 9 NASB
“I recently had an experience of a difference of opinion. I'll leave out the context and persons involved, but suffice it to say my ways were not their ways and their thoughts were not my thoughts.
As a result an argument ensued and a bit of disrespect was displayed by both parties because of the lack of understanding.
I wondered if I do this with God when I disagree with Him. I hoped that I haven't, but it never occurred to me that I could… Disrespect God? Perish the thought! Right?
The lesson I learned was that my love for the other person should never diminish in those times of dissension, and devotion to peace must drive my decision to hold my tongue or to speak. After all, God's love for me never changes and nothing will ever separate me from it!
Whether its with God or with man, I pray our differences in ways or thoughts will be kept from descending into the abyss of argument and disrespect."
I wonder if anyone can relate? Have you had an experience where your ways are not like God's ways? How about where your thoughts were different from someone else's thoughts – who's created in God's image? And in whom the Spirit of God dwells??? Surely disrespect is not the best course of action, right? I'm talking to myself here!
The second thought I wanted to share in this blog post, (although there's many more I could share between text's and emails I've gotten and FB posts I've read and commented on…) But the one I'll share comes from some elevation by my 3 friends supporting the “Ministry of the King according to Luke 14:23," What we call MLK 1423, and we're still in the process of making it official with a website etc. (sorry no link) The ministry effort is focused down in New Orleans, LA and involves a street evangelist who had given up everything including a lucrative gospel singing career in order to live among the people who don't have a place to call home and to help meet their spiritual needs as best as he can.
I couldn't get in touch with him this morning, (usually Thursdays is our day to catch up) but the 2 other men who support him were writing back to my 30MM texts, doing that thing I call “Elevating the Level of Communication" I texted them saying “I was no joy with Nathan," and then followed up with this explanation: “no joy" is military speak for “can't get radio contact." Isn't this an interesting term they chose? It's like communication brings happiness or something…"
I was also telling other Mighty Men about the acronym JOY for setting priorities in our lives and it stands for Jesus first, Others next, and Yourself Last. It would take a little more time to give all the background for the reason I inserted that acronym into our conversation, but the following passages should provide that Philippians 2:1-4 and Matthew 25:40-45
Also after writing this, a solid pillar in my “Paul List" and a “Master at ELC" wrote me this: “Makes good sense – tracks well … I like it JOY … now we need one for the more common YJO … Yourself? Just Ouch!"
I pray everyone is having a JOYful day!!! And keeping the YJO out of the equation!
Peace,
Adam
