" When the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “This man must be a murderer; though he has escaped from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.” (Acts 28:4)
The eternal question has always been why do bad things happen to good people. For so long bad things happening were usually seen as a punishment for doing something bad. Then of course we began to notice that bad things happen to people who are actually good. And from there comes the question.
The presence of a large military force guarding Paul probably added to the original conclusion that he was a murderer. But then when the usual reaction to a viper bite didn't occur, they had to come up with a different answer.
The term being snake bit usually means having unexpected bad luck. But the question becomes how do we take that momentary affliction and turn it around so that it doesn't destroy us. Maybe like Paul did, we need to shake it off.
Blessings,
Ed
Friday, June 30, 2017
Reflection for June 27, 2017
"Therefore I urge you to take some food, for it will help you survive; for none of you will lose a hair from your heads.” (Acts 27:34)
All of us have ways we cope with stress. When I'm overstressed I tend to eat, in fact I over eat. So I can't imagine not eating because I was anxious, perhaps if I was just really busy, and then still not for even a whole day.
Sadly most of our coping mechanisms aren't usually very healthy or helpful. But unless we are on a hunger strike not eating won't help us get through whatever is going on. We need bread for the journey.
Blessings,
Ed
All of us have ways we cope with stress. When I'm overstressed I tend to eat, in fact I over eat. So I can't imagine not eating because I was anxious, perhaps if I was just really busy, and then still not for even a whole day.
Sadly most of our coping mechanisms aren't usually very healthy or helpful. But unless we are on a hunger strike not eating won't help us get through whatever is going on. We need bread for the journey.
Blessings,
Ed
Reflection for June 26, 2017
" When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned."(Acts 27:20)
I've had a couple of occasions of literally being caught in a storm. Both rain and snow. I've been driving and literally could not see what was in front of me. I find those times to be incredibly stressful. I can feel the tension in my body and the car going all over the place. If you've been in that situation you know that you can feel like you might not make it.
There is also true that in life we can feel like we are caught in the middle of a tempest. Where we can't see a way out. We don't recognize that there may be folks who can help us. We just can't see the light. And perhaps we begin to abandon hope.
As a person of faith even in those moments I strive not to abandon hope, because I've already been saved.
Blessings,
Ed
I've had a couple of occasions of literally being caught in a storm. Both rain and snow. I've been driving and literally could not see what was in front of me. I find those times to be incredibly stressful. I can feel the tension in my body and the car going all over the place. If you've been in that situation you know that you can feel like you might not make it.
There is also true that in life we can feel like we are caught in the middle of a tempest. Where we can't see a way out. We don't recognize that there may be folks who can help us. We just can't see the light. And perhaps we begin to abandon hope.
As a person of faith even in those moments I strive not to abandon hope, because I've already been saved.
Blessings,
Ed
Reflection for June 25, 2017
"While he was making this defense, Festus exclaimed, “You are out of your mind, Paul! Too much learning is driving you insane!” (Acts 26:24)
I consider myself a reasonably educated person. I have a Bachelor's and Master's Degree. I regularly go to continuing education courses throughout the year. I also enjoy reading classic novels.
I try to keep myself current on what's going on in the world, and having access to the internet I, like many, can find out all kinds of information quickly. And yet sometimes all this information coming at me on the "information super highway" can be overwhelming. When are minds are constantly engaged, not only are we learning, but we are also churning emotionally. Sometimes too much information can drive you nuts.
There may be times when we just need to disconnect and let our brains take a break. Not for too long, but before our circuits get overloaded.
Blessings,
Ed
I consider myself a reasonably educated person. I have a Bachelor's and Master's Degree. I regularly go to continuing education courses throughout the year. I also enjoy reading classic novels.
I try to keep myself current on what's going on in the world, and having access to the internet I, like many, can find out all kinds of information quickly. And yet sometimes all this information coming at me on the "information super highway" can be overwhelming. When are minds are constantly engaged, not only are we learning, but we are also churning emotionally. Sometimes too much information can drive you nuts.
There may be times when we just need to disconnect and let our brains take a break. Not for too long, but before our circuits get overloaded.
Blessings,
Ed
Reflection for June 24, 2017
"When we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew[d] language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It hurts you to kick against the goads.’ "(Acts 26:14)
Most of us know the expression having our buttons pushed, or being egged on. We know that we can react defensively to these proddings. Goads were long pointed sticks used to move cattle along. So if you are kicking against the goads you'd be accused of going against the direction you're being pushed.
I'm sure there are times in my life where I've fought hard against the push and pull of other people in my life, as they tried to get me to do something. Yet there are other times that those urgings were exactly what I needed to get moving in the direction God wanted me to go.
So have you ever felt goaded by God? If so did you kick back trying to head in a different direction or did you head the way you were meant to go?
Blessings,
Ed
Most of us know the expression having our buttons pushed, or being egged on. We know that we can react defensively to these proddings. Goads were long pointed sticks used to move cattle along. So if you are kicking against the goads you'd be accused of going against the direction you're being pushed.
I'm sure there are times in my life where I've fought hard against the push and pull of other people in my life, as they tried to get me to do something. Yet there are other times that those urgings were exactly what I needed to get moving in the direction God wanted me to go.
So have you ever felt goaded by God? If so did you kick back trying to head in a different direction or did you head the way you were meant to go?
Blessings,
Ed
Reflection for June 23, 2017
" for it seems to me unreasonable to send a prisoner without indicating the charges against him.”(Acts 25:27)
Have you ever been at a loss for words? You need to explain something or justify your actions and yet you draw a blank. You want to be able to complete the task, but you know there may be questions and you don't really have an answer.
You might consider getting some help from another person. Maybe they can see something you're missing, or help by being a sounding board as you try to get it right.
Most of us try to be reasonable, but often just aren't quite sure how to do it.
Blessings,
Ed
Have you ever been at a loss for words? You need to explain something or justify your actions and yet you draw a blank. You want to be able to complete the task, but you know there may be questions and you don't really have an answer.
You might consider getting some help from another person. Maybe they can see something you're missing, or help by being a sounding board as you try to get it right.
Most of us try to be reasonable, but often just aren't quite sure how to do it.
Blessings,
Ed
Reflection for June 22, 2017
" And as he discussed justice, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for the present; when I have an opportunity, I will send for you.” (Acts 24:25)
When was the last time you had a deep conversation with someone? How did you feel during and after? Sometimes engaging in meaningful conversation on interesting topics can be quite fun. There can also be times when the topics begin to hit a little to close to home and your comfort level decreases.
We don't know which of the topics frightened Felix, justice, self-control or the coming judgement. Probably all three. When the topic starts to point to some hidden and unpleasant truths about ourselves we might become frightened also. The hope would be that rather than shutting down the conversation, we take it to heart and see where perhaps we are being given an opportunity to amend our lives.
Blessings,
Ed
When was the last time you had a deep conversation with someone? How did you feel during and after? Sometimes engaging in meaningful conversation on interesting topics can be quite fun. There can also be times when the topics begin to hit a little to close to home and your comfort level decreases.
We don't know which of the topics frightened Felix, justice, self-control or the coming judgement. Probably all three. When the topic starts to point to some hidden and unpleasant truths about ourselves we might become frightened also. The hope would be that rather than shutting down the conversation, we take it to heart and see where perhaps we are being given an opportunity to amend our lives.
Blessings,
Ed
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