Sunday Night Thoughts and Scripture

Ah yes... alas, here we are... Sunday night, where I can list out my spiritual thoughts from the week...

This was a good week. I did a lot of things I need to do for my spirituality this week.

The most interesting thing that happened this week is that I had a good conversation at work with a coworker who has been a member of our church for close to 18 years. He's 50 years old, but I always thought he was joking because he looks like he's in his early 30s. I've always kidded with him that he's a vampire!

LOL!

(I know he had to be kicking the hard eyeroll, and going "This chick here is tripping.")

I didn't know we attended the same church. He seem to know. I think we talked about it before, but heck, I forgot.

But I got a chance to sit down and talk to the brother on Friday afternoon. Short convo, only about 15 minutes long. But I tell you, it was REFRESHING to talk to someone who isn't seeped in misery and negativity. I spend way too much time around that all day long, which accounts for my janky attitude at times. I got a chance to give my thoughts on a few things, and this dude really imparted some good advice and wisdom into my spirit. And it is good to talk to someone and just get their heart on a few things, what they are believing God for, and to discuss the last sermon we heard, etc. It was good to talk to someone who is focused on their personal spiritual growth. That's a gem to find these days. Trust, the "crowd" ain't thinking about that.

I know earlier in the week, I ran up on him about a particulary interesting sermon on last Sunday. He was sitting in a chair at his desk, typing on his computer.

"Man, was you at church last Sunday?"
"Oh yeah, oh yeah! I got the DVD! Sent it to my Mama!"
I grabbed his shoulder, shook his hand. "Could you believe that? That was something good!"
"Yeah," he said. "Already sent Mama the DVD."

LOL

That was funny. I think I've watched that sermon on the internet at least 5 times. I am doing my best to work up a few notes. I rarely buy recordings, but I went to church today (which is rare. I am a friday night church girl) and bought the DVD and the CD. It was something I needed to keep, and I am still working on my notes.

The sermon was on the triune being and understanding your own triune functionality. We are spirit, soul, and body... and it was about getting a crystal clear understanding of the functionality.
Interesting stuff. And it has been something I have been thinking on and working on all year in my personal time, and it was good to hear a sermon on it. And my pastor is the type to stay on a subject for a few months, really purging out and finding every scripture on the matter. So I am spending time with my concordance looking up a few things, and combining them with my notes.

So that was all a very good thing....

Verse of the week. I was discussing some issues with my online play mama, and I told her of a scripture I heard some 7 years ago that has stayed on my mind, and it especially helped me in my faith concerning my prayers. It was out of 2nd Chronicles. One of our assistant ministers was speaking about how his son was born a preemie, and was in an incubator, and how it was a scripture he stood on concerning his hope for his son to pull through.

2 Chronicles 20:9 KJV If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help.

2 Chronicles 20:9 MESSAGE 'When the worst happens—whether war or flood or disease or famine—and we take our place before this Temple (we know you are personally present in this place!) and pray out our pain and trouble, we know that you will listen and give victory.'

I highlighted what stands out to me. Actually it all stands out, but that part highlighted is the easiest thing for me to remember... and it gives me faith towards the fact that God hears when we cry out, and will help.

I find with many, when they haven't been praying about things (because that is the first thing I ask), it is always pointing back to some unbelief or not being sure that God hears... and will help.

I have struggled at times with that. But I always go back to this verse. And I, like many, have a long laundry list of prayer victories.

So we discussed that. A good discussion.

I usually like to look at about 10 different version of the same verse. The most interesting one I found was, pararaphrasing, "In our times of distress, we can pray, and You will hear and You will help."

Distress. You find out what you believe in times of distress. You find out what you are made of in times of... distress.

That has been my meditation scripture of the week. I can write all day on it.

But I will spare you.

Jeremiah. Still reading through. I came across a much quoted verse. I loved reading it in context of what is going on in the book. But I think you will recognize the scripture. I am posting up the Message Version.

Jeremiah 29:11 "... I'll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out- plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you home for. When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. When you come looking for Me, you will find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed. God's decree. I'll turn things around for you."

That's is one heck of a faith filled verse. Goodness. And to read it in context was great. The jankiness of the people in the book of Jeremiah is paramount.

I love that verse. It helps me remember that I am on God's mind.

Joyce Meyer's Living Beyond your Feelings.This is a fantastic book. I have it on my phone via my kindle app. So I can highlight and save the parts I want to remember and go over later.

I am on the chapter on forgiveness, which I must admit that I struggle with. This was an interesting passage out of that chapter.

I have learned that once I make a decision to forgive- to let the offense go and forget it- I must also stop talking about it unnecessarily. The more I pay attention to the offense, the more strength I give it. But if I ignore it, then it is easier to get over it emotionally.

Joyce Meyer gives a little insight into her own process. Looking at my own process, it made good sense. You know if I am harping on something, I am mad, and I am struggling to forgive. If I ain't talking much about it, it's not really renting out space in my mind. And I've probably forgiven, and made my peace with it.

Something for me to think about indeed.

Song of the week. One i love when my choir sings it. It was good to come across it on Youtube earlier this year. I am glad someone posted it up.





That is Constance singing. She starts off soft and ends strong. Today at church she started and finished strong. Make me wanna yell "Sang that Song, Constance!"

That's my song I play in the mornings when I am all grouchy about going to work. Right before I go out the door, when I am packing my bags, and locking the house down.

Right before i say "Bye Oscar! You have a fine day, boy!"

LOL

Well, not bad for this week. Sorry for the long post. This could have been a 4 part post, couldn't it?

A lot on my mind. I must say that I spend a good 90% of my time pondering my spirtuality and growth.

I'm still working on the other 10%.

Nice to take a break from my tomfoolery...