"Therefore I do my best always to have a clear conscience toward God and all people."(Acts 24:16)
Having a clear conscience seems to me to be a worthy goal. One way to do this is to be very honest with oneself. Usually this happens at the end of the day, but what if we held this attitude throughout the day. Will I regret having said or done something.
While we do enjoy freedom of speech in this country I do wonder how this might be better used if we thought about what we are going to say before we open our mouths, or before we press send, or before we tweet.
A clear conscience would mean not having to apologize because we hadn't done anything needing an apology.
Blessings,
Ed
Friday, June 30, 2017
Reflection for June 20, 2017
" That night the Lord stood near him and said, “Keep up your courage! For just as you have testified for me in Jerusalem, so you must bear witness also in Rome.”(Acts 23:11)
When things aren't going well, when I feel like I'm in a rut, it is a hard fight not to get discouraged. I can tell myself at the end of a day that didn't go the way I thought it would, that there's always tomorrow. Sometimes that's true, but I have certainly gone through long periods of stress, and feeling like I'm running into brick walls.
I've also found that when I'm in those ruts, that something or someone gives me a word of encouragement. To keep my courage, or my desire to see something through. I need to be reminded that I've done something before and there is still more to do.
Who encourages you? As people of faith we should be aware of how God walks with us encouraging us. And that can often be the strength needed when the task seems daunting.
Blessings,
Ed
When things aren't going well, when I feel like I'm in a rut, it is a hard fight not to get discouraged. I can tell myself at the end of a day that didn't go the way I thought it would, that there's always tomorrow. Sometimes that's true, but I have certainly gone through long periods of stress, and feeling like I'm running into brick walls.
I've also found that when I'm in those ruts, that something or someone gives me a word of encouragement. To keep my courage, or my desire to see something through. I need to be reminded that I've done something before and there is still more to do.
Who encourages you? As people of faith we should be aware of how God walks with us encouraging us. And that can often be the strength needed when the task seems daunting.
Blessings,
Ed
Thursday, June 29, 2017
Reflection for June 19, 2017
" When he said this, a dissension began between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. "(Acts 23:7)
Watching the debate raging in Washington over healthcare is sad, but I admit amusing. Our Senate is currently dominated by one party, and you would think that they should just be able to get things done. They don't even need to worry about what the other party thinks. And yet there is dissension among them.
The truth of most groups is that while they may seem to be of one type there is often some diversity within. And depending on the issue or topic it may be very hard to come to consensus. All can be persuaded by some piece of evidence that speaks to them.
Paul did that here. He needed to get out of a jam. And at first glance he probably didn't see any allies in the room. But once he figured out who was present he knew how to get their focus off him and onto something else.
Sometimes we may find allies in strange places. The key is to find those folks when we need them most.
Blessings,
Ed
Watching the debate raging in Washington over healthcare is sad, but I admit amusing. Our Senate is currently dominated by one party, and you would think that they should just be able to get things done. They don't even need to worry about what the other party thinks. And yet there is dissension among them.
The truth of most groups is that while they may seem to be of one type there is often some diversity within. And depending on the issue or topic it may be very hard to come to consensus. All can be persuaded by some piece of evidence that speaks to them.
Paul did that here. He needed to get out of a jam. And at first glance he probably didn't see any allies in the room. But once he figured out who was present he knew how to get their focus off him and onto something else.
Sometimes we may find allies in strange places. The key is to find those folks when we need them most.
Blessings,
Ed
Reflection for June 18, 2017
" But when they had tied him up with thongs,[b] Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who is uncondemned?” (Acts 22:25)
Most people that I know "wear more than one hat." Not literally a hat, but the various facets of who we are in relationship to others. We usually know which hat we should be wearing in any given situation. We also know when surprises come up which "hat" to put on quickly.
Yes it can sometimes feel like pulling a power move, or name dropping, but it can also be used to get you somewhere you need to be, or if you like perhaps a discount on something.
All of us are as Shrek once said "onions" we are layered. And the complexity of who we are makes us unique.
Blessings,
Ed
Most people that I know "wear more than one hat." Not literally a hat, but the various facets of who we are in relationship to others. We usually know which hat we should be wearing in any given situation. We also know when surprises come up which "hat" to put on quickly.
Yes it can sometimes feel like pulling a power move, or name dropping, but it can also be used to get you somewhere you need to be, or if you like perhaps a discount on something.
All of us are as Shrek once said "onions" we are layered. And the complexity of who we are makes us unique.
Blessings,
Ed
Reflection for June 17, 2017
" When he had given him permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the people for silence; and when there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew[b] language, saying:"(Acts 21:40)
Trying to get people to settle down and listen is sometimes quite a chore. A really noisy moment in our church is the Peace, and when I try to reign it in I'll say "Good Morning." Another favorite that I've seen used at youth events, "and a hush fell over the room."
Of course once you've got folks attention you then need to be able to keep it. You also need to know how to communicate with them in a way they will understand and engage.
For Paul that was literally speaking in Hebrew. For the rest of us it is knowing our "audience" well enough. You don't want to speak over people's heads, nor do you want to dumb things down. But until you can bring the noise level down and get their attention, it really doesn't matter how or what you have to say.
Blessings,
Ed
Trying to get people to settle down and listen is sometimes quite a chore. A really noisy moment in our church is the Peace, and when I try to reign it in I'll say "Good Morning." Another favorite that I've seen used at youth events, "and a hush fell over the room."
Of course once you've got folks attention you then need to be able to keep it. You also need to know how to communicate with them in a way they will understand and engage.
For Paul that was literally speaking in Hebrew. For the rest of us it is knowing our "audience" well enough. You don't want to speak over people's heads, nor do you want to dumb things down. But until you can bring the noise level down and get their attention, it really doesn't matter how or what you have to say.
Blessings,
Ed
Reflection for June 16, 2017
"What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come."(Acts 21:22)
It is hard to imagine going someplace where I wouldn't be welcomed. I guess I'm fortunate that my reputation usually doesn't proceed me. There are of course people for whom there presence brings potential conflict. Controversial speakers are invited to speak and those who don't agree with them come unglued. And the authorities wonder what to do.
Leaders may show up in places where support for them is not great, and the authorities again wonder what to do. Perhaps an estranged friend or family member suddenly shows up. What will happen? How will those who have been hurt react to that person's presence.
It is hard to be the person who has to attempt to make the situation tolerable or hopefully enjoyable. But sometimes even the most thorough planning doesn't work.
Blessings,
Ed
It is hard to imagine going someplace where I wouldn't be welcomed. I guess I'm fortunate that my reputation usually doesn't proceed me. There are of course people for whom there presence brings potential conflict. Controversial speakers are invited to speak and those who don't agree with them come unglued. And the authorities wonder what to do.
Leaders may show up in places where support for them is not great, and the authorities again wonder what to do. Perhaps an estranged friend or family member suddenly shows up. What will happen? How will those who have been hurt react to that person's presence.
It is hard to be the person who has to attempt to make the situation tolerable or hopefully enjoyable. But sometimes even the most thorough planning doesn't work.
Blessings,
Ed
Wednesday, June 28, 2017
Reflection for June 15, 2017
"Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 21:13)
I don't know how I'd react if I were bound and determined to do something that I know wasn't going to end well, but needed to be done. This would be especially hard if prior to going I was surrounded by people crying over me.
It takes a strong will to look disaster in the face and head straight at it, even if you know it will cost you dearly. Again I'm not sure I'd leave the dock.
But it is also true that our bravest moments in life can come when we know there are people behind us, wishing that there was another way, but ultimately letting us go.
I hope I don't face such a harsh reality, but if I ever do, I hope there will be some that cry over me while still supporting me. Even though their sadness will break my heart.
Blessings,
Ed
I don't know how I'd react if I were bound and determined to do something that I know wasn't going to end well, but needed to be done. This would be especially hard if prior to going I was surrounded by people crying over me.
It takes a strong will to look disaster in the face and head straight at it, even if you know it will cost you dearly. Again I'm not sure I'd leave the dock.
But it is also true that our bravest moments in life can come when we know there are people behind us, wishing that there was another way, but ultimately letting us go.
I hope I don't face such a harsh reality, but if I ever do, I hope there will be some that cry over me while still supporting me. Even though their sadness will break my heart.
Blessings,
Ed
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