I've been talking to my spiritual director a lot about my news addiction. I've spent the last decade tied to the news. I think I need to curtail that if I want to get through this election year. It's time to trust in God, and not comb the news, desperately looking for some shred of hope. As my friend, Julio, once told me about his native Guatemala, "There won't be a political solution. God is our only hope."
So, so very hard to disentangle ourselves. This will be my first presidential election where I don't know the latest on the polls, primary results, etc. Julio, of course, is so very right. This morning I thoughtfully waded through Psalm 37. So much in there about living free of fear and trusting God to deal with the wicked. Waded, but did not meditate . . . But meditating on scripture has helped me tremendously in this season. Hoping it becomes my lifestyle and not just a fad or phase.
I think of a previous post where meditation for you has been imbibing of Christian music. Perhaps that is your best form of meditation. Just a thought. Blessings, Heather.
I am thankful for people like Mark Ongley, Pascal, Kreeft, Reinke, Carnes and a host of others who are voices calling out in the wilderness of our media-drenched society: “Prepare the way of the Lord in our minds, hearts, bodies, and relationships. Make straight in the desert of our media-drenched existence a highway (an experiential place) for our God.” (Isaiah 40:3 paraphrase). It is interesting to observe secular people who are very aware of our predicament, who are practicing “retreat,” “silence,” “solitude” and “stillness” in the midst of their various vocations. Michael Jordan used to go to the basketball court HOURS before the game just to be quiet, to walk around the entire arena, to sit and focus. More and more sports figures, both collegiate and professional, are revealing how they get quiet, meditate, resolve the inner noise, and find personal focus (centering) long before the game begins. Likewise, businesspeople, actors, public media pundits and leaders have come to realize the absolute necessity of quiet, “down time,” and rest. Unfortunately, many of our church leaders and followers seem to downplay what secular people are discovering, culminating in predictable results: burnout, health breakdowns, moral failure, relational dysfunction, and spiritual impotence. Mark’s admonition is more than a pastoral concern, it is a prophetic call and warning that cannot go unheeded. It is really an ultimatum appropriate for our times, and especially for any minister/ministry that is going to be effective in the battle for sexual well-being. "Lord, grant us the clarity and the courage to count the cost and do what we KNOW we must do for your glory and our good. Amen. "
So many good thoughts in this, Norman. Love the paraphrase of Isaiah 40:3. And the reference to secular practices which mimic spiritual disciplines. I would add to the list the one-time craze over mindfulness which, as I understand it, is a hollow replica of Practicing the Presence of God. Help us, Lord Jesus, to follow you whole heartedly and whole mindedly!
Many good thoughts and insightful quotations here, one and all. I have said this for years regarding cell phone distraction (particularly with our youth), but this problem applies to us all - whether a minister to, or a victim of, the sexual tsunami. Regardless, the end result is the same - we distance ourselves from God - and that is never a good thing. Help us to quiet ourselves, Lord, and to focus on you in our stillness.
Not sure if you read Norman's comment above, but it is certainly on point and right in line with your comment. If indeed the return of Christ is near, may we be found faithful--not found staring at our phones. Peace to you, Jim!
I had. And may it, in fact , be so (which as you had noted, is much easier said, than done.) At least for me, observation is far easier than obedience. Peace to you, as well, brother!
I've been talking to my spiritual director a lot about my news addiction. I've spent the last decade tied to the news. I think I need to curtail that if I want to get through this election year. It's time to trust in God, and not comb the news, desperately looking for some shred of hope. As my friend, Julio, once told me about his native Guatemala, "There won't be a political solution. God is our only hope."
So, so very hard to disentangle ourselves. This will be my first presidential election where I don't know the latest on the polls, primary results, etc. Julio, of course, is so very right. This morning I thoughtfully waded through Psalm 37. So much in there about living free of fear and trusting God to deal with the wicked. Waded, but did not meditate . . . But meditating on scripture has helped me tremendously in this season. Hoping it becomes my lifestyle and not just a fad or phase.
I think of a previous post where meditation for you has been imbibing of Christian music. Perhaps that is your best form of meditation. Just a thought. Blessings, Heather.
Yes, music works best for me, but I think you are right about meditating on God. This would all be too much if we didn't have some anchor.
I am thankful for people like Mark Ongley, Pascal, Kreeft, Reinke, Carnes and a host of others who are voices calling out in the wilderness of our media-drenched society: “Prepare the way of the Lord in our minds, hearts, bodies, and relationships. Make straight in the desert of our media-drenched existence a highway (an experiential place) for our God.” (Isaiah 40:3 paraphrase). It is interesting to observe secular people who are very aware of our predicament, who are practicing “retreat,” “silence,” “solitude” and “stillness” in the midst of their various vocations. Michael Jordan used to go to the basketball court HOURS before the game just to be quiet, to walk around the entire arena, to sit and focus. More and more sports figures, both collegiate and professional, are revealing how they get quiet, meditate, resolve the inner noise, and find personal focus (centering) long before the game begins. Likewise, businesspeople, actors, public media pundits and leaders have come to realize the absolute necessity of quiet, “down time,” and rest. Unfortunately, many of our church leaders and followers seem to downplay what secular people are discovering, culminating in predictable results: burnout, health breakdowns, moral failure, relational dysfunction, and spiritual impotence. Mark’s admonition is more than a pastoral concern, it is a prophetic call and warning that cannot go unheeded. It is really an ultimatum appropriate for our times, and especially for any minister/ministry that is going to be effective in the battle for sexual well-being. "Lord, grant us the clarity and the courage to count the cost and do what we KNOW we must do for your glory and our good. Amen. "
So many good thoughts in this, Norman. Love the paraphrase of Isaiah 40:3. And the reference to secular practices which mimic spiritual disciplines. I would add to the list the one-time craze over mindfulness which, as I understand it, is a hollow replica of Practicing the Presence of God. Help us, Lord Jesus, to follow you whole heartedly and whole mindedly!
Many good thoughts and insightful quotations here, one and all. I have said this for years regarding cell phone distraction (particularly with our youth), but this problem applies to us all - whether a minister to, or a victim of, the sexual tsunami. Regardless, the end result is the same - we distance ourselves from God - and that is never a good thing. Help us to quiet ourselves, Lord, and to focus on you in our stillness.
Not sure if you read Norman's comment above, but it is certainly on point and right in line with your comment. If indeed the return of Christ is near, may we be found faithful--not found staring at our phones. Peace to you, Jim!
I had. And may it, in fact , be so (which as you had noted, is much easier said, than done.) At least for me, observation is far easier than obedience. Peace to you, as well, brother!