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| Doing myself violence? |
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The following Thomas Merton quote, combined with a powerful chapter in the book our small group is reading, is having a significant impact on me right now....
"There is a pervasive form of contemporary violence . . . activism and overwork. The rush and pressure of modern life are a form, perhaps the most common form, of its innate violence. To allow oneself to be carried away by a multitude of conflicting concerns, to surrender to too many demands, to commit oneself to too many projects, to want to help everyone in everything, is to succumb to violence. . . . It kills the root of inner wisdom which makes work fruitful."
His point, that the tendency in our culture to overwork ourselves (and even overplay) is actually a form of low grade violence that we inflict upon ourselves. The gradual damage we do to our emotional, spiritual, and even physical health, while living a hectic life, is definitely not the Lord's will for us. (And who can argue, there is definitely damage over time!)
God's will? To enjoy him, to appreciate him, to rest in him. To love him (with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength). The results of such a love acted upon will certainly not be stress, fatigue, exhaustion, confusion, regret, etc. Jesus said he came to bring us life to the full, but I don't think he had in mind the full schedule prevalent in the Western mindset.
So rather than doing myself violence, deteriorating body, soul, and spirit, loving God should leave me in better shape than when I began. I think then that it would look a lot more like this:
37:7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
This sounds deliciously inviting right about now. I think it's time I let God start refreshing me... |
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| To add a comment to "Doing myself violence?" |
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| April 30, 2008 |
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Awesome Mike! Thank you and I shall copy and send this to my husband. :)
Be Blessed and rest! |
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| April 30, 2008 |
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| Great Advice. Take Care. |
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| April 30, 2008 |
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| Refreshing is a word that's been on my mind a lot lately. I think loving the Lord our God for all we are worth is actually supposed to do just that. Good post my friend. Amazing as much as we or I should say I like to rebell against comandments. As we Obey we find out they were given us by a loving father that likes to see us resting in him. |
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| April 30, 2008 |
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| Pretty cool one for sure. :-) |
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| April 30, 2008 |
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| Wonderful!! |
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| April 30, 2008 |
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Ah yes, consider the lillies of the field they neither toil nor spin. I have had the opportunity to spend some time in 3rd world countries for a short time. Though they don't have many of the modern conveiencies we have available to us, there is a quality of life there that is peaceful and enjoyable. Even Jesus our Lord would slip away from the demands of the crowd and seek some alone time and to draw strength from the Father. A wonderful reminder Mike, to slow down a little and focus on what's really important.
I heard a quote, don't know who to give credit to but it goes like this: "Nobody on his death bed ever says, "I wish I spent more time at the office."" |
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| April 30, 2008 |
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Brother Todd...funny you use that quote...I just saw a quote similar to that today on another blog site...it went like this:
“No one ever says “I wish I would have blogged more” on their death bed.”
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| April 30, 2008 |
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Grace and Peace to you my friend. God bless you... now go.... get refreshed... He's waiting for you. :0) |
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| May 01, 2008 |
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| Mike you've seen the cammercials "calgone take me away" Well it should be "Jesus take me away" Take me into your refreshing flood wash over me fill me restore me...That would really make for a cool commercial or hourly reminder for Gods kids.... |
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| May 01, 2008 |
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Wow Mike, you're singing the tune of a dead man.
The man that died was me, praise God. This blog describes almost to a "T'" the old me. Thank God we can be born again. Now, today, I live a much simpler, stress free lifestyle. Praise God!
"So rather than doing myself violence, deteriorating body, soul, and spirit, loving God should leave me in better shape than when I began. I think then that it would look a lot more like this:"
The one thing I respectfully disagree with is that all this "busy-ness" is deteriorating any part of your spirit. Your spirit has been joined as one with the Lord and is sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise unto the day of redemption. Your spirit is as born-again as it will ever be. Your spirit is perfect!
1:22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
1:13 In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
As your for your body and soul, much agreed!
Thanks for being you Mike! |
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| May 01, 2008 |
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"I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope." -Ps 130:5
Thanks and blessings, my friends!
Dennis, Merton isn't the topic, dear friend. The quote still contains truth that speaks to me. And to clarify, the book we're doing in our small group is Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Pete Scazzero, from which the quote in the blog came. Be blessed!
Michael, this is the sense in which I referred to the spirit...
"Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God." (2 Cor 7:1)
Be blessed today my friend, and thank you for the encouragement! |
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| May 01, 2008 |
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| Great advice Mike. This is something I have had to learn (and am still learning). I always want to be doing something, helping out in some way. I have had to learn to say no, to recognize my limits, and pray about everything for God's guidance (Do You want me to do this God? Or do You want me to let someone else do it and just be still?) If we don't take the time to think about things and we over commit, then we are heading for trouble. |
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| May 01, 2008 |
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Great word! Rest....hummm not many of us know what that means! All of Psalm 37 is wonderful!
V.4 Delight yourself also in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart
V. 11 But the meek shall inherit the earth and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
V. 23 The steps of a good man are ordered of the Lord, and He delights in his ways.
V. 37 Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright, For the future of that man is peace.
I will rest in the Lord! Thanks for the post! |
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| May 01, 2008 |
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| Wow, Scott had a tendancy to slip into this too and has denounced the damaging self you refer to. |
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| May 01, 2008 |
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Thanks Deb...Laura was cut out of the same mold you were, always active, rarely slowing down. Type "A" all the way! She is often exhausted at the end of the day, as have I lately. We need rest, over-activity is not of God....
LaTonya, I was meditating on that psalm this morning...I agree, wonderful!
Paul, you have a unique way of putting things, I love it very much. Succinct, and truthful. Great verse!
Ruth, great for Scott!
Rosie, I need refreshing, and an hourly reminder!
Robin, Brian, Val, Megan.....thank you!  ....Dave, let's resolve to get refreshed...together!
Todd, that is indeed a great quote, I've taken it to heart! |
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| May 01, 2008 |
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Carol, thanks for popping in  |
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| May 01, 2008 |
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| Cathy....if anyone can be expected to lean on the Lord for answers in a decision, I would bet comfortably on Joe. |
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| May 01, 2008 |
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Mike great blog, brings alot of thought!
"by the way" I love how christians are able to shut the Lions mouths with Love" Smile! |
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| May 01, 2008 |
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Great advice Mike, and a nice reminder for us to stop "Beating Ourselves Up"
I love that song - Be still and know that He is GOD |
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| May 01, 2008 |
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| The older I get, the more I realize the need to be un-busy enough to enjoy God's creation and God Himself. It's not the fact that I have less time in life, it's actually because I've become wiser when it comes to things that are important. Maynard G. Krebs, when Dobie Gillis asked for his help, contorted his face and quickly quipped: "Work ?????!!!!" Maybe he had the right idea! |
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| May 01, 2008 |
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Mike, Good post! I also would suggest reading Merton's Seed's of Contemplation and his Spiritual Direction. They are both excellent books. I have many quotes from both of them in the spiritual journal which keep. Here is one of my favorite quotes by Merton: " To serve the God of Love one must face the terrible responsibility of the decision to love in spite of all unworthiness whether in oneself or in one's neighbor" Dennis I would recommend you read Merton's autobiography Seven Story Mountain. Merton before entering into the Trappist Order was very heterosexual. I would also hazard a guess that iwhat Merton was speaking of with regards to this is the teachings regarding compassion for others that both faiths share. And Dennis please don't feel you have to respond. I do not wish for Mike's thread to be hijacked. If you have objections to what I have said, please just e-mail them to me. |
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| May 01, 2008 |
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Mike
6 years ago I made a decision to leave a very well paying job that put my mental and physical being at risk.. By at risk I mean I never had time for my family, I was always traveling, bending to the will of others and just absolutely going crazy.
I ask the Lord to open a door where I could still perform at my best, yet have time for the things that were really important to me. We were not in a position to have less money in the house, but you know what (it didn't matter). GOD made a way for me to have my sanity, enjoy what I do and he still provided \o/... My time with the Father and my family is very important to me and he made a way for me to have that time.......
We are struggling as everyone else is but he provides my NEEDS.....
Awesome post...... |
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| May 01, 2008 |
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| Mike, I was blown away with this post... the Lord had revealed this to me several months ago and it took me until about 3 weeks ago to understand and take action. Thanks for helping me in finding the right words to express what I was going through. I've missed the blogs and am only reading a couple but will be back soon. |
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| May 01, 2008 |
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| Cheryl, glad to see you here again...no rush, come back at your own speed. Thanks for the comment...as you figure out how to implement the Lord's words to you, please let me (or us) know how you do. Ok? |
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| May 02, 2008 |
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Wow Mike, I had never thought that our over busy, over scheduled and over extended lives are doing violence to ourselves, but now that I think about it it makes total sense. We end up worrying ourselves to death with things that we really should be leaving in His hands. Take the time to refresh ourselves in His hands. Thanks friend.
peace |
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| May 02, 2008 |
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| Glenn, thanks! Always nice to hear from you. Happy Birthday, dude! :-) |
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| May 02, 2008 |
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| Amen! That's right Mike, I was an over worked, stressed physical achiever myself and know what you are commenting about. GOD is first! "Be still and know that I am GOD." |
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| May 02, 2008 |
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Lara, great to hear you don't struggle w/the temptation to get too busy. You are one of the exceptional ones! Being a committed Christian is very conducive to overwork!!!
Della - I am soooo glad you've found a restful walk with the LORD!!! |
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| May 04, 2008 |
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I saw "Merton" when trolling so I stopped to read.
Balance is very hard to acheive and then maintain over the long haul. Keep up the good fight, brother. And remember, His yoke is supposed to be easy. If it's getting too tought it may just be balance problem.
Gene |
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| May 04, 2008 |
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| Mike,we are on the same wavelength.My "The Happiest Place on Earth" blog is very much addressing the busyness that we CHOOSE to wear as a badge of honor and prestige,has big consequences in our relationship with God and even on our health.Great Blog. |
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| May 04, 2008 |
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Lara - yes, I've learned about the seasons. We (I?) have a tendency to project seasons out to infinity, seeing them less as seasons and more as long term changes. We (I?) may need reminders periodically about the ebb and flow of life...
Gene - balance is a great goal!!
Thanks woman of laughter, and racunpoodle, appreciate your post. I enjoyed "Happiest Place..." Could see some of my own struggle in it! |
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| May 06, 2008 |
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We were created to work and to rest. I have learned to do both, at the same time. God certainly lead by example...
2:2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
And it is made even more clear here...
3:18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?
and finally...
4:1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left [us] of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
and ...
4:10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God [did] from his.
Living in His rest is not an option, it is mandatory for those who are called by His name, all His children. It is a sign that we are His.
This rest is also identified as grace when the Lord told Paul, "my grace is sufficient for you" which could be otherwise stated, "I hear you Paul, just rest my friend". We can be busy and still be in His rest. We can have horrible living situations and still walk through them in His rest.
It is our duty and responsibility. Our honor.
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