Archive for June, 2006
You are currently browsing the Philip K Stone blog archives for June, 2006.
29
Jun
2006
The Trap of Normality!
I’ve had a strange experience in life over the past few weeks and months, As i’ve looked at my family I see so much potential, potential in Amy, and this kids and myself, in Church I see so much potential, in Pastor Phil, the Elders, Deacons, Team & Cell Leaders, Teams & Cells and all members! As I look at the world of work – and don’t get me wrong here – I love my Job, But you work 40-50hrs a week, come home exhausted mentally moreso for me, my question is… Is this all life has to offer? Don’t worry i’m not on a tight rope or cliff edge.
I’m starting to see the normal or simple life and wonder have I settled for it? or have circumstances made me settle for it?
The responsibility of providing for my Wife and Kids is A big one! One i love to do, lets face it, One of mans Responsibilities is to be a provider for His Home!
But looking into the future – And don’t worry I know you can’t plan to far, but Sometimes I wonder, When or how that change will happen or come about, or sometimes I wonder if I’ll be able to stretch beyond lifes comforts to be able to find that for which God has for me.
Sometimes Life involves an element of Risk or maybe its Faith? Whether it be buying a new house, going for a new career, getting married, a 6 month mission trip, 3 year course full time at a college… life will always be full of Risks and choices that require a Mature yet Faithful Step – Don’t Rush in the decision making, but rather “Seek First the Kingdom of God” another words life a God Filled, God saturated life so that decisions are easier to make!
Don’t settle for Normal Life – God has abundant Life on the table for us all, sometimes yes we will travel through valleys of normality but always set your sights on the Abundant Life! Avoid the Trap!
28
Jun
2006
God Delight!
Psalm 37:4
‘Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart’
What a great verse, and what an easy to follow verse….You would think,
What does it mean to delight in God? Beause according to this verse that is all that is between You and reaching the desires of Your heart.
While there is certainly a cause-and-effect relationship between “delighting in the Lord” and receiving the desire of our hearts, this verse states what is true of all believers who delight in their relationship with the Lord – their needs become their desires. That is to say, what they desire for themselves becomes that which God’s desires for them to have. Their desires line up with God’s desires, so that what they ask for is what God is already pleased to grant them.
Psalm 37:4 is not promising you anything you want on the condition that you simply obey the Lord, far from it. It is guaranteeing you that if you commit your ways to the Lord in obedient faith, the Lord will give you the very desires that you should have and then He will fulfill them for you. Also don’t be tempted to envy unbelievers who have acquired their success in life illegitimately.
Today – Just delight in God – not to get desires of your heart, but what about just Delighting in God because of his Awesomeness!
27
Jun
2006
Lose all – Gain all!
Matthew 16v25 “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
The key to an abundant life in God is letting go of ourselves and welcoming Jesus and His will into our lives. Don’t forget to relinquish your life to the one who gave up his own life for you. You see, he took it back up again, just so that when we lose our life to him, we can have it back forever with him.
I know its hard in a 90mph Society to Yield to God’s Will, but its a requirement if we desire to Grow in God. Be encouraged to Lose Your/my Life to God – starting with the small things!
26
Jun
2006
Time & Life
Today my Mum and Dad celebrate 30 Years of marriage! Gotta say well done to them!
Everyone I talk to at the minute seems to be saying “I can’t believe we’re half way through 2006″
Time brings so many changes to us all, time dictates our lives – whether we like it or not, so is it any wonder we struggle to understand what heaven will be like when time is no more and we rejoin eternity.
This morning My challenge to self is simple, make Your Time count Phil! Don’t live in the past, don’t live in a dream of the future – Live for now when you know your alive and live every moment like its your last, Jills sudden call from this scene of time has sure showed me to stop planning years in advance, life goes on and i’m not saying to plan a day as it arrives but i grew up thinking i’d love to do this when i’m say 40 and that when i’m 60, forgetting that i’m not gonna be here forever and ifs its not Gods will I’ll not live that long!
And for our kids, enjoy the now of your kids! i caught myself recently thinking, i can’t wait til ben is say 6 - almost using it as an excuse not to play with him! Well since I caught myself on I’ve had so many fun times with Ben, whether it be kicking a ball or chasing or rolling in the grass and boy i’ve enjoyed it! How beautiful at the end of play time to hear the words “Daddy I love you” – If your a dad you will know the warmth that brings, and even with maddie just playing with a teddy and seeing her smile and try to say “DADADA” – its sweet!
Annie Dillard said “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.”
23
Jun
2006
Signs of Life
One of my favourite Christian artists – Stephen Curtis Chapman Sings a song called “Signs of Life” This morning as i was coming into work i noticed a tree that was almost dead a short while ago, is starting to produce green leaves, then this song started going over in my head¬
In His song Steve writes these words
“These are the signs, these are the signs of life
The love that proves there is a living faith inside
These are the signs, these are the signs of life
The compassion and concern that makes this world turn
These are the signs of life”
The love that proves there is a living faith inside
These are the signs, these are the signs of life
The compassion and concern that makes this world turn
These are the signs of life”
From that chorus i see two vital ingredients for Believers;
1) Living Faith
2) Love, Compassion & Concern
Examine self today and see that You/I have these in Your/My Life!
