Archive for the ‘Prayer’ Category
31
Oct
Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in advice, Bible, Christianity, Faith, Holy Spirit, Islam, Judaism, Martin Luther, Prayer, Reformation, Religion, simplicity, Trinith, Uncategorized. Tagged: abortion, advice, body, Christian, Christianity, church, faith, gay, Islam, Judaism, life, love, marriage, Prayer, religion, truth. Leave a comment
Martin Luther by Ferdinand Pauwels
Tomorrow much of the world will commemorate the 500th anniversary of the 95 Theses, when a brave Roman Catholic monk named Martin Luther nailed a revolutionary document to the church door in Wittenburg, Germany (see http://www.luther.de/en/95thesen.html). The document, consisting of 95 parts, denounced his church’s practice of selling “indulgences” to absolve sin, which ran contrary to Luther’s Bible-based belief that that salvation could be attained through faith and by God’s grace alone. I call him brave, because Luther’s act put him at risk of excommunication and possibly even death.
When called before the Catholic Council (Reichstag) in the city of Worms and ordered to renounce the document, Luther refused, saying the famous words, “Hier stehe ich. Ich kann kein anders.” (Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise). Rather than renouncing his 95 Theses, Luther eventually renounced his monastic vows and married a former nun. His act of faith rocked the Catholic church and ultimately spawned what today is known as the Protestant Reformation.
What would you do if your Christian faith were challenged? What if someone asked you about your Christian beliefs? How would you reply? I’d like to think I’d be as brave as Luther, but in reality I probably wouldn’t. How many people are willing to risk everything for Christ? Recently, we’ve heard stories of Christians in Iraq and Syria identifying themselves to ISIS terrorists and being executed, rather than hide their Christian faith. How would you respond?
Have you ever really thought about what your Christian faith means to you? Sure, you might recite the Apostle’s Creed or Nicene Creed at church every week, but did you ever really stop to think what those words mean? I’m an Anglican. My denomination, the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), subscribes to three creeds: the Nicene, Apostle’s, and Athanasian. Unless you’re a relatively new Christian, you’re probably familiar with the first two, which are worded very similarly. The Athanasian Creed is a bit harder to digest, as it clearly discuss the three persons comprising the Holy Trinity, one of the most controversial tenets of the Christian faith. It is accepted by many Western churches and often read at Trinity Sunday worship services in lieu of the Apostle’s or Nicene Creed.
I challenge you to set aside some quiet time and seriously consider the question, “What do I believe?” I can assure you that of the three great world religions, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, the average Christians is the least well-equipped to answer this question. Islam and Judaism emphasize reading and memorizing scriptures much more than does Christianity.
Here are a few things to consider if you accept the challenge.
- The Holy Trinity (Matthew 28:19) – Do the words of the Bible or the Athanasian Creed’s take on the Trinity cause you to question your own beliefs?
- Your Body (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) – Do you treat your body as if it is the Temple of the Holy Spirit? (Think about what you put into it).
- Divorce (Matthew 19) – Do you accept Jesus teaching on divorce? He opposes it.
- Abortion (Psalm 139:13-16; Jeremiah 1:5) – What are your beliefs about the early stages of life?
- Gay Marriage (Romans 1) – What are your beliefs on gay marriage?
- Love the Lord your God with all your heart (Mark 12:28-34) – Do you love God above everything else, or is something (addiction, idolatry) getting in the way?
- Love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:28-34) – Are you at peace with your neighbor?
- Sin (Romans 7:14-25) – What is sin? Are you a sinner?
This is a tough challenge—not something you can think through in a few minutes. Matthew 9 tells the story of a man who is imploring Jesus to heal his young son, who has an unclean spirit (demon) plaguing him. Jesus says to the man (ESV), “If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” I submit that most Christians who take the challenge will find themselves crying, “Help my unbelief!”
“Today, many churches are taking God’s laws and saying, ‘These no longer are in effect.’ In Luther’s time the Church said, ‘You need to buy indulgences to be forgiven of your sin.’ Today, more than one church says, ‘Sin? What is sin?’”
Ken Klaus, Pastor Emeritus, The Lutheran Hour
Back to Scripture: The Protestant Reformation and the Five Solas https://www.christianheadlines.com/slideshows/back-to-scripture-the-protestant-reformation-and-the-five-solas.html
30
Apr
Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in advice, Bible, Faith, Prayer, Radical Christianity, Sin, Uncategorized. Tagged: advice, Bible, Christian, Christianity, church, faith, Fear, politics, Prayer, religion. 1 comment
“Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul. It is daily admission of one’s weakness. It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart.” –Mahatma Gandhi
Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz has received a lot of flak in the media recently over his public displays of Christian faith. A video showing members of the clergy laying hands on him and praying was particularly troubling for some. Many people get uneasy when they see politicians displaying their religious convictions in public. For that matter, any public display of religious faith downright scares some people.
Cruz isn’t the only American politician to receive criticism for displaying his faith in public. Presidents Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush were criticized at one time or another over openly displaying and discussing their faith.
I’m not here to support or reject Cruz. The American voters will take care of that. I’m just fascinated by the way religion scares so many people in our society. I understand there is reason to be concerned about politicians who become overzealous about their religion. But why should seeing a politician pray, hear them speak about the role of faith in their live or discuss sin cause concern?
Remember how many people mocked President George W. Bush for referring to terrorists as “evildoers?” Bush didn’t coin that term. It appears more than two dozen times in the Old and New Testaments. Psalm 92:9 (ESV) says, “For behold, your enemies, O Lord, for behold, your enemies shall perish; all evildoers shall be scattered.
I believe that somewhere deep inside every person, as a sentient being, holds the knowledge that we owe our existence to an omnipotent, omniscient creator. For many this knowledge resides at an unconscious level, but it has to be there nonetheless.
We were created in God’s image to glorify him and dwell in his presence. Acknowledging God requires one to admit that he/she is not in charge. This flies in the face of the concept of individuality and personal freedom that so permeates the American psyche. For those who refuse to acknowledge God, the deep seeded realization of God must be an unconscious source of conflict and discomfort—a deep down sense of one’s personal inadequacy and, dare I say, sense of personal sin.
Many people are repulsed by being called a sinner. Yet sin is a condition we all live in. Martin Luther described it eloquently in a letter to Philip Melanchthon on August 1, 1521:
“Be a sinner, and let your sins be strong, but let your trust in Christ be stronger, and rejoice in Christ who is the victor over sin, death, and the world. We will commit sins while we are here, for this life is not a place where justice resides. We, however, says Peter (2 Peter 3:13) are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth where justice will reign. It suffices that through God’s glory we have recognized the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. No sin can separate us from Him, even if we were to kill or commit adultery thousands of times each day. Do you think such an exalted Lamb paid merely a small price with a meager sacrifice for our sins? Pray hard for you are quite a sinner.”
Only when a person acknowledges his sinful nature God can begin to fully work inside him. What a pity so many fail to understand this. Christ’s church is full of sinners—and that’s exactly where sinners need to be!
30
Dec
Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in advice, Bible, depression, Faith, Fear, jobs, joy, Prayer, security, simplicity, Uncategorized, Unemployment, work. Tagged: advice, Bible, Christian, Christianity, faith, Fear, Prayer, religion, Unemployment, worry. 2 comments
![The Risen Lord [by Arnold Friberg]](https://divine-simplicity.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/the-risen-lord-by-arnold-friberg.jpg?w=314&h=224)
“The Risen Lord” by Arnold Friberg
Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. –Psalm 61:1-2 (ESV)
Christmas day has passed, but many Christians around the world continue to celebrate the Christmas season through the day of Epiphany on January 6. The joy and hope of the Christ Child still shines brightly! Unfortunately, joy and hope will fade for many as the Christmas season passes and they return to their often mundane daily routines.
This can be a particularly difficult time for those who are already living with the fear, anxiety and depression that frequently accompany periods of unemployment. Fortunately, if we open our eyes and look we will see that God is present always in his Word, Holy Spirit and blessed sacraments.
While you’re job hunting, networking, sending out resumes and filling out countless job applications, don’t forget to make some extra time to spend with God in prayer and studying the Word.
Spend time with other job seekers and pray with and for them. Take time to use your God given talents to help others in need. God knows your needs before you ask and He already has a plan for you. His plan will produce fruit in your life at the time He has appointed.
Meanwhile, don’t miss out on the joy today has to offer. If you will only seek Him, God will give you joy with or without a job. Habakkuk 3:17-18 says, “Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls,yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.”
It is impossible for one to know what God has in store for him or her, but rest assured that He only wants the best for us all. Christians may take comfort in the knowledge that God’s love does not depend upon our success in this world. He doesn’t look at our education, work history or awards. He loves us unconditionally. While we busy ourselves with the worries and toils of this life, He is preparing us for something bigger and more glorious than we can possibly imagine.
The Bible promises that those who make seeking the Kingdom of God their top priority in life will be blessed with everything they need in this world. While you struggle with the pain of unemployment and all of the other burdens you will bear during this life, remain close to Christ and let His light show you the pathway that He would have you follow.
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. So we do not lose heart, though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. –2 Corinthians 4:6, 16-18 (ESV)
Prayer: The link below leads to a website not associated with this blog.
Prayer of the Unemployed
8
Mar
Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in advice, Bible, Christianity, defense, evangelism, family, ISIS, Islamic State, love, Politics, Prayer, Radical Christianity, Radical Islam, Religion, spiritual. Tagged: advice, Bible, Christianity, church, faith, Fear, God, politics, Prayer, Radical Christianity, Radical Islam, religion, simplicity. 1 comment
And Jesus awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea,
“Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
—Mark 4:39*
Today it is nearly impossible to read a newspaper or watch a TV newscast without hearing something about “radical Islam.” The images of beheadings, torture, human rights abuses of women and the ethnic cleansing of Christians and other religious minorities send chills down one’s spine.
Our political leaders can’t agree on a proper response to radical Islam, but they all seem to agree that doing nothing is not a viable option. Many push for military action—even all out war. Others see diplomacy as the answer. I believe the only effective response to radical Islam is radical Christianity.
History has shown that nothing can be more effective than Christianity in its purest form. It was radical Christianity that survived by hiding in the catacombs beneath Rome and slowly emerged to peacefully convert it from a pagan empire to a nation united under the banner of Jesus Christ. It was radical Christianity that led a small group of religiously oppressed pilgrims to establish a colony near Plymouth Rock.
Today it is radical Christianity that leads missionaries to leave the comforts of life in America to spread the Gospel in places where they face persecution and even death. It drives some men and women to refuse to renounce their faith in Christ, even if it means being tortured or killed.
Radical Christianity can counter radical Islam. What could be more radical than a religion that professes God became incarnate in human flesh, born of a virgin for the sole purpose of suffering a hideous death to set mankind free from sin?
For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. —Romans 5: 7-8
What could be more radical than a religion that professes that there are no “good” people; that all men have sinned and fall short in the eyes of God; that it is impossible to earn one’s way into heaven?
…as it is written, “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” —Roman: 7-8
What could be more radical than a religion that professes that salvation and eternal life are given freely by God to those who accept Jesus as their personal savior, profess that He is the son of God, believe that he died for the forgiveness of their sins and rose from the dead, and ask him into their lives?
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. —Ephesians 2: 8-9
A U.S. State Department spokesperson Marie Harf recently came under intense criticism when she suggested one way to counter Islamic terrorism was through helping terrorists find jobs. She went on to suggest that “We can’t kill our way out of a way.” Now perhaps this is a bit simplistic, but Jesus’ radicalism turns logic on its head when he says:
You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. —Matthew 5:43-45
While our elected officials seek various solutions for curbing radical Islam, radical Christians can follow Christ’s example and pray for our enemies. Adopt a Terrorist for Prayer is a radical Christian approach to countering radical Islam (www.atfp.org) through prayer. The organization’s website explains the approach as follows:
The Christian Response: Where is the Christian response to terrorism? If the struggle against violence done in the name of Islam is primarily spiritual, then defeating it requires a spiritual response.
Overcoming Fear: Terrorism inspires fear. According to Jesus, the antidote to fear is love. When we hate, we are reactive victims. When we love we have the initiative. Love for country helps soldiers to risk their lives. Love for children enables parents to discipline them without being intimidated. Love for us took Jesus to the cross. Love for enemies will give courage to face, overcome, and transform them and the environment that breeds them.
Historical Precedent: Historically, Stephen was the first fatality in terrorism directed against Jesus’ followers. As Stephen died from stoning, he prayed, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Later, Paul, who had supervised Stephen’s stoning, met Jesus in a vision and repented. Can we pray today like Stephen prayed then? Would Paul have repented if Stephen hadn’t prayed?
Are you willing to get radical for Christ? Visit the ATFP website and adopt a terrorist for prayer.
*All Bible quotes are taken from the English Standard Version
7
Oct
Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in advice, Bible, Choices, fitness, Freedom, health, peace, Prayer, Religion, Self-discipline, Simple Living, spiritual. Tagged: advice, Bible, Choices, Christianity, discipline, exercise, faith, fitness, health, Peace, Prayer, simplicity, spiritual. 1 comment
I’m not a big fan of reality TV, but there is one show I really enjoy. The Biggest Loser is about helping morbidly obese people lose weight and regain their health and vigor. The contestants, all of whom are obese and suffering from multiple weight-related ailments, live at an isolated health compound and work with world class trainers throughout their stay. It’s fascinating to watch the amount of work Biggest Loser contestants need to correct years of behavior problems like overeating and under exercising.
One phenomenon that is readily evident to viewers of the show is how former athletes—those who at one time were accustomed to vigorous exercise and discipline—seem to progress much faster than those who have never routinely exercised or disciplined their bodies.
Besides weight loss, The Biggest Loser delves into the psychological struggles waged by each contestant. Some succeed, while others never quite make it. Now in its 10th season, the show has generated a Biggest Loser fitness movement across the country.
Many Americans are dedicated to physical fitness routines. Yet a 2013 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicated that 80 percent of American age 18 and above do not exercise sufficiently to maintain good health.
Far fewer practice a discipline of exercise for the soul. What a shame we can’t seem to find a way to generate a spiritual fitness movement across our country! For Christians, exercise for the soul is more important than physical exercise, because the Holy Spirit dwells within our bodies, which St. Paul calls, “the temple of the Holy Spirit.” Left neglected, either by sin, complacency or getting buried in the business of day-to-day life, the Holy Spirit cannot speak to us. Our bodies require daily attention on both the physical and spiritual levels. Prayer must be at the center of attention. Personally, this is an area I’ve struggled with lately.
Popular evangelist and church pastor Rev. David Jeremiah has said, “Prayer is the hard-work business of Christianity, and it nets amazing results.” German Lutheran pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer was very specific in promoting the benefits of prayer, saying,
“The entire day receives order and discipline when it acquires unity. This unity must be sought and found in morning prayer. The morning prayer determines the day.”
Having practiced morning prayer for many years, I appreciate its importance to a Christian’s well being.
St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuit order of Roman Catholicism, was a Spanish knight who lived from 1491 to 1556. As a young man, Ignatius kept a journal of his quest to grow in unity with God and discern God’s will in his life. As his experience grew, the journal evolved into a well-defined set of prayers, meditations, reflections, and directions that are known today as the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius.
These exercises are grouped into four stages, described as weeks but not literally seven-day periods, which are designed to be led by a director, or guide. The Spiritual Exercises are intended to serve as a sort of lesson plan for the individual leading the exercises, not as a guide for individuals.
However, even without a director many aspects of the Spiritual Exercises can be useful to individuals seeking spiritual growth and greater commitment to serving God. This is particularly so for the way the Spiritual Exercises approach prayer through meditation and contemplation.
Meditation involves praying about the good and bad words, images and ideas that guide our lives. Contemplation is emotion-driven, rather than thought-driven. It focuses on placing ourselves in scenes from the Gospel and trying to imagine how it might have been. Contemplation is praying through scripture rather than studying scripture.
One of the key elements of the Spiritual Exercises is the discernment of spirits. According to St. Ignatius, the human spirit is influenced by three forces: an inward focus on self and selfish desires; Satanic power and suggestions; and God-inspired power and suggestions. Ignatius called these the “spiritual motions.” The purpose of discernment is to discover the source of each spiritual motion in our lives, so as to help us help make good decisions.
Many contestants on The Biggest Loser reach so-called plateaus—a weight they just can’t seem to get below. To overcome this barrier, they change their daily exercise routines, doing something different to restart the weight loss trend.
The same approach can be applied to spiritual exercises. I do a fair job of exercising my body, but lately I’ve felt like my prayer life has slumped—I’ve hit a plateau. I have difficulty concentrating and find my mind wandering when I pray. In the remaining days before the beginning of Advent, I plan to try a new prayer regimen built around the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola. Have you hit a prayer plateau? Perhaps it’s time to change your exercise routine for the soul.
“Prayer is exhaling the spirit of man and inhaling the spirit of God.”
Edwin Keith
An English text of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola is available online at: http://www.jesuit.org/jesuits/wp-content/uploads/The-Spiritual-Exercises-.pdf. The Website “Ignatian Spirituality,” a service of Loyola University Press, was the primary source for this blog entry (www.ignatianspirituality.com).
17
Sep
Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in advice, Bible, budgeting, Christianity, discipleship, Faith, Hope, love, materialism, Poor, Poverty, Prayer, Religion, Simple Living, Unemployment. Tagged: advice, Bible, Christian, Christianity, church, Evangelism, faith, God, Gospel, intimacy, poor, Poverty, Prayer, small groups, trust, Unemploment, work, Works. Leave a comment
Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.
—Proverbs 28:27
After enduring over 10 years with a dismal economy, many Americans today find themselves in perilous positions far exceeding anything they could have imagined. The middle class is quickly shrinking, leaving a fractured nation that is increasingly becoming a land of haves and have-nots.
The average American family has somewhere around $5,000 in savings, placing them in a position where losing a job can mean losing nearly everything. Paying big mortgages, which is common for young working couples today, often depends on the salaries of two working spouses. Only two or three missed paychecks can lead to foreclosure! To stay afloat they tap into savings and then into retirement accounts, darkening their prospects for the future while also paying the federal government large tax bills for early retirement withdrawals.
The global economy has given rise to large companies having loyalty neither to their country of origin nor to their employees. Workers are increasingly becoming disposable commodities that are brushed into the trash bin like rubbish on a picnic table.
Highly educated and experienced working professionals who lose their jobs and end up turning to the government for assistance are common today. In my job working with the unemployed, I’ve heard far too many lament, “I never imagined that I could end up in this situation.” This must change.
Churches, especially those in large urban areas, are often unaware of the financial struggles of individuals and families in their area—even when the strugglers are members of the church. Too many churches have lost touch with early traditions.
The scriptures speak frequently about caring for those who share the faith. This is an essential part of discipleship that helps the church set its own house in order. In Acts chapter 6, the Apostles appointed seven deacons to assist in the distribution of food to local widows, who were followers of Christ. James 1:27 tells us,
“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” (ESV)
Even clearer guidance comes straight from the mouth of our Lord in John 13:34-35:
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Building a healthy church family is essential. Brett Eastman has served as the small groups champion in several of the largest mega churches in the country including Pastor Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church. Eastman writes:
“If you want to create a church community that really cares for one another, the best way to do it is through small groups. When small groups become the vehicle for care-giving, the whole church gets involved in sharing one another’s burdens—a much more personal approach than relegating the task to a committee. The whole congregation should be making hospital visits, taking meals to people when they’re sick or something’s happened, doing childcare when someone’s in crisis and giving money when somebody’s lost a job.”
Small groups in churches set the conditions for encouraging personal intimacy and trust building—essential elements of loving Christian relationships. Only by sharing our hopes, fears, cares and concerns do we really get to know other believers well.
Small groups also enable churches to develop many outreach ministries. One way to quickly make a difference is by reaching out to Christian charities in your church’s local area. These organizations are always in need of volunteers, financial supporters, prayer warriors and other resources. The possibilities are endless. You can’t take care of everybody, but you can take care of somebody.
Look closely and see that behind the face of every downtrodden man and woman is the face of Christ.
–Oswald Chambers
12
May
Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in advice, Bible, Christianity, Faith, Patience, peace, Prayer, Religion, Simple Living, Unemployment, work. Tagged: advice, Bible, Christianity, faith, Fear, hope, joy, Patience, Peace, Prayer, religion, simplicity, St. Paul, Unemployment, work, worry. 3 comments
I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. —Jeremiah 10:23 (ESV)
I just completed a long journey in my life. This particular one, an 18-month job search, was extremely wearisome. In retrospect, however, all of the waiting was worth it. I have been blessed with a new job that appears to be a nearly perfect match for my skills and desires.
Finding good work in the current economy is challenging, particularly for those of us who are a little gray around the temples. To make my search more difficult, I had decided to take a new direction with my work. It was therefore necessary for me to convince potential employers that my skills accumulated over some 30 years were transferable into the new line of work I was seeking in the nonprofit field.
The long journey was fraught with emotion—anticipation, hope, disappointment, rejection, self-doubt and frustration. I applied for dozens of jobs, preparing resume after resume and spending hours online completing application after application. Oh, that businesses would all use the same application process!
In many cases, my applications went unanswered. For others it was rejection letters or very impersonal emails stating simply, “We have decided to pursue another candidate.” It was a situation in which I could have easily lost hope, but I found comfort in Saint Paul’s words, from 2 Timothy 4:7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (ESV)
I focused intently on trying to remain faithful, casting worry and doubt aside as I searched for employment. Of course there were lapses along the way. I had to constantly remind myself that I was working on God’s timeline, not my own. I found peace in the knowledge that He would provide the right job at the right time.
Sizakele Lugojolo, director of Lutheran Hour Ministries – South Africa has written that the peace of God, “is the peace we experience when we put aside the selfishness and let God be the center. This is the peace we experience when we give God the glory and not take it for our own satisfaction. This is the peace we experience when the will of God prevails, not ours.”
Just as Jesus prayed in Gethsemane, during my job search I frequently prayed that God’s will might be done—that I would end up in a place where He could use me as he sees fit. Many dear friends offered intercessory prayers for me. I could feel their power; it sustained me from day to day.
Along the way I came to realize that reaching one’s destination is not the prize. The reward lies in how one handles his present circumstances—getting through each day of the journey. For my many networking friends who are still searching I have but one piece of advice, “Let go and let God!” As Saint Paul so eloquently wrote:
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 4: 4-7 (ESV)
With my new job begins a new journey. Like a good soldier, I’m calling it my mission. Oddly enough, it entails something I’ve learned a bit about over the past 18 months. I’ll be helping recently unemployed individuals find a new job. If I can help even one person find employment in less time than it took me, I’ll feel like I’m contributing to a worthy cause.
Once you have a mission, you can’t go back to having a job. —Shai Agassi
6
Jan
Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in Bible, Christianity, discipline, Faith, learning, Patience, Prayer, Religion, Self-discipline, Simple Living, Time Management, Uncategorized. Tagged: advice, Bible, Choices, Christianity, discipline, exercise, fitness, New Year, Patience, Prayer, religion, Self-discipline, simplicity, time management. 1 comment
“Exercise is labor without weariness.” —Samuel Johnson
Exercise is an important part of my life that was ingrained during a 24-year career in the U.S. Army. I enjoy a good workout and feel out of sorts when I go too long without exercising. In January there are always a lot of new faces in my local fitness center—mostly folks who made a new year’s resolution to exercise and lose weight.
Moving into February the numbers dwindle and by March, few of the new faces are still around. We humans are great at making promises to ourselves that we never keep. This year I’ve made a resolution worth keeping and it’s not the usual “lose some weight.” Instead, I’m going to slow down.
“Adopt the pace of nature. Her secret is patience.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson
An Army career often requires one to maintain a “hair on fire” pace for long periods of time. Mine was no exception. After retiring from the service, I continued the fast pace in my civilian work. I can recall my mom continually advising me to slow down, but I never made an attempt to comply until fairly recently. A couple of years ago I came to a realization that there are better ways to spend one’s time than to dash about in a frenzy trying to get as much done as humanly possible.
Slowing down doesn’t mean getting lazy, however. It’s more about tempering the urgency in life and finding balance. If I succeed at this, there won’t be sufficient time to do everything I might be inclined to do. Therefore, I aim to re-evaluate what’s important in my life and then do my best to focus on the things that matter, while sweeping aside the trivial.
“The whole point of getting things done is knowing what to leave undone.” —Oswald Chambers
I’ve been thinking about some of the things I can sweep aside this year. Television ranks high on the list. As my wife often reminds me, I watch some fairly mindless shows with no redeeming social value. Shows like ”Man vs. Food” come to mind. If you’re not familiar with it, check it out on the Travel Channel website. It’s about a fellow who travels the country seeking “pig out” restaurants (www.travelchannel.com/tv-shows/man-v-food).
The “Colbert Report” is also on my “fuggedaboutit” TV list. I enjoy the show immensely, but it truly is mindless entertainment. There are others, but I’ll spare you the laundry list.
“Time is what we want most, but what we use worst.” —William Penn
As a management consultant, I periodically presented time management seminars. They were very well received by every audience. Unfortunately, I constantly find myself violating the time management techniques I know to be effective. I aim to be more disciplined with my time this year.
One of the best techniques I know to save time is by turning off the TV. Limiting time on Facebook and other unproductive Internet sites is also advisable. Avoiding web surfing and clicking links on the web pages one must visit will also save an enormous amount of time.
I’m also going to avoid checking emails and messages on my phone every few minutes. At present, I’m an email version of Pavlov’s dog—grabbing my cell phone every time an email or text message alert beeps. (For those struggling with time management, the Mindtools.com website has a simple, 10-step approach to help you get on track http://goo.gl/RsWrQ1.)
“I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.” —Groucho Marx
By reducing the time spent in front of the boob tube and on unproductive websites, I hope to make some time for reading. I’m not talking about casual reading either. Gibbon’s classic The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire has been sitting on my bookshelf for about three years. This year I plan to dust it off and dive in. I’m also going to try to read or reread several books by C.S. Lewis.
“Prayer does not equip us for the greater work, it is the greater work.” —Oswald Chambers
At the top of my “to do” list for 2014, however, is spending more time in the scriptures and prayer. Prayer is work and I plan to work a lot in this new year. Romans 12:12 advises us, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer” (ESV). Now that’s a new year’s resolution worth keeping.
Divine Simplicity: Focus on the things that matter…sweep aside the things that don’t.
28
Nov
Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in advice, Bible, Christianity, Fear, Gifts, health, Hope, joy, Prayer, Religion, Simple Living, Thanksgiving, Unemployment. Tagged: advice, Bible, Christianity, divorce, faith, Gifts, God, Prayer, simplicity, Thanksgiving, Unemploment. Leave a comment
Read: Job chapter 1.
Tomorrow millions of Americans will gather with friends and family to give thanks for the blessings of the past year. Thanks will be voiced for many things—family, friends, gifts, wealth, and acts of kindness by others just to name a few.
Sometimes personal adversity makes it is hard to give thanks though. Death, job loss, divorce, failing health and many other adverse circumstances can rob us of joy. Yet we always have the assurance of Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Even when our personal lives become chaotic, we have the assurance that God remains in control. According to St. Paul, we suffer, “…that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.” (2 Corinthians 1:9, NIV).
Regarding the promise of Romans 8:28, John Piper has observed, “So the rugged hope of the believer is not that we will escape distress or peril or hunger or slaughter, but that Almighty God will make every one of our agonies an instrument of his mercy to do us good. ‘You meant it for evil,’ Joseph said to his brothers who had sold him into slavery, ‘but God meant it for good.’ (Genesis 50:18-20) And so it is with every calamity of those who love God. God meant it for good!”
While it might be difficult to see the good in today’s circumstances, someday it will be perfectly clear. During our lives we have an imperfect understanding of divine things. But as 1Corinthians 13:12 promises, “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”
Even when our personal circumstances are tough we should always give thanks to God for the cross—that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Jesus became sin for us and in our stead suffered the punishment we all deserve.
Beyond mere thanksgiving though, God is worthy of our worship. Worship is an act of awe and reverence done in recognition of God for whom and what He is, not what he has done. We can follow the example of Job, who remained blameless before God even as his personal world was caving in around him:
While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” —Job 1:18-21 (NIV)
King David provided another example for us to follow. When his infant son grew ill, he fasted and prayed to God throughout the night to spare the child. But, when he learned that the child has died, rather than having an emotional breakdown, David arose, bathed himself, put on clean clothes and then went to the Lord’s house to worship. (2 Samuel 12:15-20).
In John 16:33 (NIV), Jesus tells us, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” In John 17, Jesus’ prayer reminds us that his followers are not of this world, even as He is not of this world. We will all suffer at times during our lives, but we need look no farther than the cross to find peace amid life’s tribulations.
“There is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still.”― Corrie ten Boom
27
Oct
Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in advice, Bible, Christianity, Daily Devotional, depression, discipline, Faith, Fear, peace, Prayer, Religion, Simple Living, Unemployment. Tagged: advice, Christianity, cofidence, depression, faith, Fear, government, paranoia, Peace, politics, presidential election campaign, Unemploment, worry. 1 comment
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will we not fear, though the earth do change, and though the mountains be shaken into the heart of the seas; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains tremble with the swelling thereof. —Psalm 46: 1-3 (ASV)
In June of this year Gallup conducted a poll on the public’s confidence in several major institutions in American society. The U.S. military topped the list with a 76 percent confidence rating. Not surprisingly, the U.S. Congress ranked at the bottom with only 10 percent.
There were troubling results suggesting that less than half of Americans have confidence in many of the institutions that helped form the bedrock of our society. Big business came in at 22 percent. Newspapers and television tied at 23 percent. The criminal justice system was rated 28 percent. Public schools were rated 32 percent. The U.S. Supreme court was rated 34 percent. The presidency received a rating of 46 percent. The public’s confidence in churches and organized religion was only 48 percent.
There are plenty of reasons to lack confidence in these institutions. Violence and even homicides in our schools are now commonplace. It seems like hardly a month can pass anymore before you hear about another beating or killing in a school.
The recent federal government shutdown left World War II veterans blocked from visiting their memorial in Washington D.C., national parks closed, most government employees furloughed and many federal contractors idled.
A failure of the Electronic Benefit Transfer (food stamp) computer system recently caused panic across multiple states. The registration website for the new federal health care system is a train wreck.
On top of all this, the U.S. economy stinks. The national debt is at 17 trillion dollars—that’s 12 zeros. Congress narrowly averted a default on the debt earlier this month, but could not reach a definitive solution. They merely postponed the debt argument for a few months. Failed economic policies spanning multiple presidential administrations have left millions of Americans unemployed or underemployed.
The church has taken a lot of hits in recent times. Just last week Pope Francis chastised a German Bishop for his lavish lifestyle. Embezzlement of funds by church employees is becoming commonplace. It is no longer unusual to hear about a church leader caught up in a sexual crime or other form of corruption.
When times are good it’s easy for you and me to simply drift through life without a care, but when things turn bad all kinds of troubles arise. Just trying to comprehend all of the problems plaguing American society today can cause fear, anger, paranoia, despair and depression for some.
In Matthew chapter 17, Jesus is transfigured on the mountaintop. His apostles Peter, James and John behold the full glory of God. It’s no surprise that immediately afterwards they ask Jesus if they should pitch tents so they can remain on the mountain. His apostles want to stay and continue to soak in the glorious experience. Instead Jesus leads them back down the mountain to the valley and their regular lives.
Life’s greatest lessons are rarely learned on a mountaintop. They’re learned in the daily drudgery and pain of life. Fortunately for Christians, regardless of how bad things might look today, we know how the story ultimately ends. As Oswald Chambers described his life, “I am in the procession of a conqueror, and it doesn’t matter what the difficulties are, for I am always led in triumph.”
Saint Paul echoes the same message in Romans 8:38-39 (ASV), “I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” He goes on to challenge us in Philippians 4:6 (ASV), “In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
When you’ve reached wit’s end, stop, take a deep breath, lift your eyes and look. You’ll see God standing right there. Regardless of your present circumstances, never forget that He is the author of the story in every Christian’s life. God stands ready for us to lift the burdens from our backs and place them squarely on His. Therefore, guided by the Holy Spirit, let your thoughts and deeds spring from faith, not fear.
Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. —Matthew 11:28-30 (ASV)
Divine Simplicity 
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