On Labor Day weekend, my hubby (www.ronjenson.wordpress.com) preached at our church on what he called his “Prescription for Peace.” It’s stuff I’ve heard a thousand times–truly…we’re coming up on our 40th anniversary!–but I need it every time, and maybe more so now than ever, with the rocky economy, and the crazy ride our country is on. He gets the outline from Psalm 37, which has been around several thousand YEARS, for heaven’s sake, so holds a bit of credibility in my view.
Here’s the outline with key words pulled from the New King James Version of the Bible and the verses they come from, and a little commentary from me:
1. Do not Fret, v. 1–I know that many times when I’m “fretting” I CAN stop it if I want to, at least for a moment, and long enough to go through this outline. All it takes is a deep breath, and a decision.
2. Trust in the Lord, v. 3–that just means recognizing that He’s big enough to handle my situation, and actually handing over the outcome
3. Do Good, v. 3–at the same time, don’t just sit there, do GOOD! Do what needs to be done.
4. Delight yourself in the Lord, v. 4–step back a little and look for the little things around you at that very moment that just might be messages from God reminding you that He’s beautiful
5. Commit your way to the Lord, v. 5–this means taking the big picture of your life and setting THAT before God as well as the current troubling situation. Adding more “stuff” to what you dump on Him doesn’t bother Him at all.
6. Rest in the Lord, v. 7–more deep breathing, and a commitment to stop fretting
7. Wait patiently for the Lord, v. 7–deep breathing for as long as it takes to see an answer. Ah, timing. What seems to me to be my biggest issue–I want help NOW!
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I’ve been working today on SEEDS (Sending Economic Encouragement to the Distressed) a giving circle that some friends of mine and I started a year ago. We are gathering women willing to commit to giving $500 pr $1000 for 3 years. My committee and I are checking out Christian nonprofits in and around San Diego County and overseas. We’ve spent a year getting all our ducks in a row and watching our circle grow bigger, and we will very soon, very soon, be ready to present 7 stellar ministry projects for our members’ perusal and then a vote. Our money will be divided between one overseas ministry and one nearby.
All the ministries are terrific and making huge differences all over the world in all kinds of lives. The unfortunate part is that choosing will be hard, and letting everyone know will be harder. But this year has been so sweet, watching our little committee of 6 coalesce into a team, watching the eyes of certain women sparkle at the thought they can be part of something that can make such a huge difference, and learning more and more about the sacrifices, the brilliance, and the hearts of people around the world–and in our own back yard.
If you want to start a similar giving circle, I’ll help…
Check out our website: www.SEEDSSanDiego.org
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The recent Newsweek published an article by T.R. Reid entitled “No Country for Sick Men” in which he said that a nation’s health care system is a reflection of its basic cultural values. One of our nation’s basic cultural values is the expectation that in our representative government we all have a voice. One of President Obama’s biggest problems selling his health care initiative is that so many of us feel run over by the incredible speed with which he is trying to get this sweeping, change-life-as-we-know-it legistlation written and passed. Even with the midterms looming in a year, can’t he at least honor the qualms so many of us feel and put the brakes on for a few months? We don’t feel heard; therefore, we don’t feel respected.
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Yesterday we had lunch with old friends on San Diego Bay. Gorgeous day, breezy and hot! The restaurant had lowered the translucent darkened window shades, which spared us from the sun but also cut off the breeze. “Can I raise this?” I asked. “You can,” the manager said, “but the breeze catches the shades and they may swing in and bang you on the head.”
So, no breeze. But an insight: it’s amazing how quick I am to come to conclusions about something–i.e. raise the shade and get the breeze, for heaven’s sake!–while having no idea of other consequences that might apply to the situation.
I’m beginning this blog with a similar naivete. Not having a clue what it’s going to mean down the road…or what might swing in and hit me on the head.
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