Category Archives: Christian Living

Christian Living, The Loft

The LOFT – A Clock

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For the LOFT. The Loft: A weekly Hangout and Link Up for Christian bloggersGraphic by Kerry Messer

Giving thanks.

That’s been our writing prompt this month. It’s a good writing prompt. It’s an excellent living prompt. :)

 

Today I am giving thanks for our dining area clock. imageIt has been a fixture on our wall since, well, since I don’t know when. Some months ago with a little help of an elbow wrongly placed, it fell. It’s hands drooped, telling us only twice a day the correct time – 6:30.

We missed the clock.  We missed knowing the correct time. We thought of buying a new one but just didn’t get around to it. We often procrastinate at our house. ;)

 So this week we determined that’s it, we are going to buy a new clock. :(

Oh wait maybe we could just buy new parts and keep the old frame. Yes, lets do that! So JT took the clock from the wall and began to disassemble it to determine what new replacement parts to buy.

Old parts in hand and under close examination, he discovered the jolt months earlier had only displaced the hands – reattaching them to their proper place, a new battery and ta da! She works!

You know if we had closely examined the clock when she and the elbow collided, we would have discovered the real reason she no longer responded as anticipated. We could have lifted up her hands and enjoyed her time keeping all these months. 

12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, . . .  [ source – Hebrews 12:12 KJV]

How often in our haste or procrastination have we put aside what only needs some reattaching, some lifting up to its original place of honor, esteem, working order, etc. – be it clocks or relationships?

Yes, giving thanks today for clocks that teach lessons and tell time. :)

Well, Y’all the LOFT for new posts will be closed until December 2. As to The White Stone – we’ll see when the next time is

 ~ ~ ~ Kathie 
Christian Living, Political awareness, Prayers for America . . .

Domiciled

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Need some encouragement to be a patriot?

 7 Seek the welfare of the city to which I have caused you to go in exile, and pray to Adonai on its behalf; for your welfare is bound up in its welfare.’ Jeremiah 29 [source]

In context this was penned by the prophet Jeremiah to his people in exile. Perhaps you and I are not in exile but in CHRIST JESUS we are sojourners here. And so wherever we now find our domicile, we have a Word from the LORD to seek to do the place good. We have a command right here written on the pages of our Bibles to PRAY for America. To do good for America, starting right where we are. Right where we are domiciled. Right where we live! 

Jeremiah 29:7 (AMP)

7 Seek peace and well-being for the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf; for in its peace (well-being) you will have peace.’

What do you suppose would be the outcome if all over America each one began to do what was good for the peace and well-being of the street on which we live? 

Until Next Time ~  ~ ~ Kathie 
Christian Living, The Loft

The LOFT – Changes

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Week Two of Giving Thanks at the LOFT. Graphic by Kerry MesserThe Loft: A weekly Hangout and Link Up for Christian bloggers

Changes

I’m giving thanks for changes. Like the changes that come with the turning of the seasons; from hot and sticky to cool, crisp, and cozy. Like souls evolving from strangers to hours of comfortable conversing. Like folks moving beyond suspicion to trust.

Good changes.

And I’m thanking Him for all such good changes, and for the seemingly not-so-good changes; I’m thanking Him that He, for those who trust Him, turns even the hurt-filled changes into soul-healthy memories. 

Romans 8:28 (AMP)

28 And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.

Until Next Time ~ ~ ~ Kathie 
Christian Living

Thinking – Go Figure

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Irish Statesman Edmund Burke said:“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” [source]

And so Satan is fast at work to redefine evil to good, so good men and women will do nothing.  (See Isaiah 5:20)

Truth. It is not my delight, or even comfort, to cause others to feel bad about themselves. And yet if we fail to carefully and correctly evaluate ourselves, not in comparison to one another, but to the Living Christ, we have missed the whole point of this earthly journey.

And have not I done a disservice if I placate others to feel good about themselves rather than pointing them to the only Standard of Character and Conduct that eternally matters? What if all their lives they continue feeling good about themselves, never comparing their character and conduct to the One who will one day judge their character and conduct? What kind of friend does that? What kind of friend has bread, sees another without bread and gives not bread to him (her)?

16 and someone says to him, “Shalom! Keep warm and eat hearty!” without giving him what he needs, what good does it do? [source] James 2:16

And you know the profound thing about it? Once, we admit our depraved nature to the Righteous One He changes us so we never have to feel bad about ourselves again. (See 2 Corinthians 5:17) 

So tell me what’s so bad about helping someone see their conduct and character in light of JESUS CHRIST when HE offers them a New Character and New Conduct that HE, Himself, has judged to be good, acceptable and perfect? Go figure!

Until Next Time ~ ~ ~ Kathie