“In nothing be anxious” according to the original Greek. I have chosen this as my “verse of the year,” because I am a worrier; I _am_ frequently anxious.

One of my specialties is thinking of all the things that are, or could go, wrong, which works well in a physics lab, but can be a problem in normal life. Rather than this, my verse tells me I am to turn to (read: _choose_) God, and tell Him what I need.

I am to resist the temptation to stew over the issue and tell God “how-to-do-it.” I must simply say, Lord, these are my needs. Thank You for all You have done for me in the past. Thank You for hearing me now.

“Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4.7 NLT

A picture comes to mind of a guard on duty at the U. S. Capitol building. God cares for me as a whole person, both my _emotions_ and my _thoughts_.

Coffee/tea thought: Lord, there are my needs …. Thank You for meeting _all_ my needs in the past on many different levels. Thank You for hearing me now. I leave my needs, worries, anxious thoughts in Your hands, and now turn to my duties of this day.

John

Chinese Version: Wholeness

I still have it — marked up, tattered, with its cover in pieces. As a freshman university student and new Christian I had bought a little pocket New Testament and Psalms.

Why is it that, for thousands of years and millions of people, have the Psalms have been so helpful? I think it’s because they contain the authors’ _real_ thoughts, feelings, struggles, in hard times and happy times.

I think of David crying out to God to save him from murderous King Saul. Of others joy-filled release of emotions when God provided.

This morning I again read Ps. 62. I recalled how — decades ago while struggling as a young professor to teach well and have ideas to lead my research team — David’s words strengthened me to persevere. Again and again.

“My soul finds rest in God alone;
\ my salvation comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation;
\ he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
…
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
\ my hope comes from him. — Psalm 62 (NIV 1984)

Coffee/tea thought: Today why not spend a few minutes in this ancient hymn, allowing David’s words to soften your heart and lead you to deep rest in God alone.

John

Ref: Psalm 62

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2062&version=NIV1984

Chinese Version: Ancient Strength

Matheson’s famous hymn, “O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go,” gives insight into his deep feelings over both losing his eyesight and the companionship of human marriage:

O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to Thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain,
That morn shall tearless be.

– verse 3; music and all verses at http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/o/l/oltwnlmg.htm

If I will allow it, Matheson tells me, God’s grace will work in suffering to set me free — not _from_ suffering, but _through_ suffering.

Coffee/tea thought: Can I see in my own history where God has worked through deep loss to bring healing and joy?

John

Ref: George Matheson (1842-1906), quoted in AN ANTHOLOGY OF DEVOTIONAL LITERATURE by Thomas S. Kepler.

Chinese Version: Spiritual Acuity 3

Matheson remained single all his life and his sister took care of him. When he was 40, his sister got married, reminding him again of his loss. On her wedding night, Matheson composed a hymn that has been much loved in the English-speaking church, “O Love That Wilt [Will] Not Let Me Go.” Seeming to come from outside him, he composed it in only five minutes.

O Love that wilt not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life I owe,
That in thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.

O light that followest all my way,
I yield my flickering torch to thee;
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in thy sunshine’s blaze its day
May brighter, fairer be.

{Music and all verses at http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/o/l/oltwnlmg.htm }

Coffee/tea thought: Imagine you are with Matheson as he sits alone that night. Can you identify with his experiences of deepest loss, as well as God’s blaze of spiritual light?

John

{Email readers: www.aonotes.com has clickable link to Chinese Version}

Chinese Version: Spiritual Acuity 2

That same day I was helped by a man named George Matheson (1842-1906) who, though he had become physically blind, had great spiritual acuity. He spoke in metaphor about the storms of life, which, _seen apart from God_, appear to be “blots of His handwriting … accidents that have marred the plan of His providence … influences that have disputed the reign of His empire.”

But, Matheson says, if he could come to understand that God is with the clouds of life, that they are features of His plan, workings of His love — that “far from delaying His coming, they are the very chariots in which He comes” — then he would understand what the Seer of Patmos [John the Apostle] meant:

“Look! He [Christ] comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see Him — even those who pierced Him. And all the nations of the world will mourn for Him. Yes! Amen!”
– Revelation 1.7 NLT

Coffee/tea thought: Give me grace, Lord, to see _You_ in the stormy clouds of my life. Thank You for using them to accomplish Your _good_ purposes for me.

John

Ref: George Matheson (1842-1906), quoted in AN ANTHOLOGY OF DEVOTIONAL LITERATURE by Thomas S. Kepler.

Chinese Version: Spiritual Acuity 1

If I am not aware of Him, it isn’t because He is absent. It’s because my mind and heart are immersed in other interests. Distracted, mesmerized by “things” (even all good), I can’t (read: don’t) turn to Him, don’t give my good God my loving attention.

When I choose to turn to Him, to set aside time to be _with_Him_alone_ (without outside distractions of electronic connectivity, and internal, self-generated distractions), God’s nearness becomes real in my deepest being.

As I type these words I am suddenly surprised with joy to realize that the crucial factor isn’t so much _my_ longing for God, but rather _His_ longing for companionship with me. How incredible! How full of wonder!

Coffee/tea thought: May I “soak” today in this marvelous truth: The God of the universe deeply desires _my_ companionship.

John

{Stimulated by A. E. Day, THE CAPTIVATING PRESENCE, quoted in A Guide To Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, by R. P. Job and N. Shawchuck.}

Chinese Version: Longing For Companionship 2

In spite of the hollowness of people’s lifestyles and thoughts, God continually reaches out to communicate with us. He knows the wrong directions we can take in life, and wants to warn us of (real) danger.

God is always offering solutions for the problems that baffle us, forever standing at the door of our loneliness, eager to give us His companionship, in a way that the most intelligent living mortal could not. – Albert Edward Day

In the new year I long to be more and more aware of the mysterious companionship of God. The reverse of this is self-satisfied, self-focused existence (which apparently characterized most of Paul’s hearers in that ancient Athens philosophical gathering).

Coffee/tea thought: Thank You, Father, for never giving up on me, even when I turn from You. Thank You for always pulling me toward Your mysterious and wonderful companionship. I give You my self.

John

{Stimulated by A. E. Day, THE CAPTIVATING PRESENCE, quoted in A Guide To Prayer for Ministers and Other Servants, by R. P. Job and N. Shawchuck}

Chinese Version: Longing For Companionship 1

If I can think of nothing Christ said that has influenced my choices, either large or small, then I have good evidence that I am not (truly) a follower of Christ.

I can begin to follow the Living Christ, right now where I am, by obeying Him in the first thing I think of where I am not obeying what He said.

Following Christ, however, is not accomplished by a single decision. It is a spiritual _journey_. I must learn to obey Him, step by step, and I must begin somewhere. Let it be at once, and in the very next thing that I am aware of, at the door of my conscience.

Coffee/tea thought: “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.” — Jesus (Matt. 7.24-25 NLT)

John

{Stimulated by George MacDonald (1824-1925), CREATION IN CHRIST, quoted in A GUIDE TO PRAYER by R. Job and N. Shawchuck, ISBN 0-8358-0559-X.)

Chinese Version: How To Know If I (Truly) Believe 2

MacDonald felt strongly about the inconsistencies he saw in supposed followers of Christ, whose lives did not reflect what they said they believed.

MacDonald said: Get up and do something that Christ tells you to do. Don’t ask yourself whether you believe or not.

“Ask yourself whether you have this day done one thing because He said, Do it, or once abstained because He said, Do not do it. It is simply absurd to say you believe, or even want to believe, in Him if you do not anything He tells you.”

Coffee/tea thought: Have I done (or _not_ done) something today because of what Christ has said about it?

John

{George MacDonald (1824-1925), CREATION IN CHRIST, quoted in A GUIDE TO PRAYER by R. Job and N. Shawchuck, ISBN 0-8358-0559-X.)

Chinese Version: How To Know If I (Truly) Believe 1

How can I enhance the process of becoming a person of integrity? It happens in little steps, such as each time I allow God’s ways to influence positively my relationships with others.

Suggestion: For the next 30 days, let’s allow the ancient wisdom of THE IMITATION OF CHRIST to govern our relationships with colleagues, family and people we meet:

* Try to do what others want, rather than insisting on my own way.

* Choose to have less rather than more.

* Seek the lowest places in life, dying to the need to be recognized and important.

* Always and in everything wish and pray that the will of God may be completely fulfilled in me.

* Anyone who does this will come to a place of rest and tranquillity of soul.

– from THE IMITATION OF CHRIST by Thomas a Kempis (early 15th century)

Coffee/tea thought: Only _You_, Lord, through the Holy Spirit, can give me the desire and the power to make these choices a part of my life. Thank You for working these things in me.

John

Chinese Version: Integrity and Work 3