Luke 2:1,4-5 KJV: In this world paying taxes is as inevitable as being born and dying. But, in the Kingdom of God neither exists.
Showing posts with label stress. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stress. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
Sunday, December 3, 2017
Mourning For The Children
for the children in whom you delight;
make yourself as bald as the vulture,
for they will go from you into exile." (Micah 1:16 NIV)
Micah, a contemporary of Isaiah, sounds an awful lot like Isaiah. He is a prophet; after all. Micah continues to warn the people of God that their ways are going to lead them into exile.
It is Advent and at the beginning of every Advent I see depression and other forms of mental illness begin to escalate. Part of that may be due to the lack of sunshine. Part of it; though, I believe is due to the holiday season which does not resemble Holy Days all that much.
As we prepare for Christmas there is a lot of frustration because people are seeking what the world seeks; rather, than seeking a relationship with the Christ, whom we celebrate. There is much financial stress as people feel pressured by society to "buy." There is also much emotional stress as many face a day (season) that is suppose to be cheerful (because the world says so) without a loved one that they have lost and miss grievously. They feel quite alone (exiled) as there is a chair at the table that is empty. There also tends to be a lot more "parties" in December and on into January. For some reason people think they can treat their loneliness and depression with alcohol (or other drugs). Alcohol, my friends, is a depressant. There is only one cure for loneliness and that, my friends is being in a healthy relationship; a relationship with God our Father and our Lord, Jesus Christ and with one another.
Advent is supposedly a time to prepare for the coming of the LORD. But, is that what we do? Or are we busy trying to keep up with the world; ending up depressed; feeling alone and exiled? For many, I am afraid it is the latter.
What are we teaching our children? Where are we leading them? Into loneliness? Depression? Exile from the relationship that God intends them to have with Him and His whole household?
I pray that it is not too late; that it is not past time, to join Micah in lamenting for our children. It is past time to start asking ourselves: What have we done? What have we left undone that would have brought them reconciliation and peace?
God's Peace - Pr. J
make yourself as bald as the vulture,
for they will go from you into exile." (Micah 1:16 NIV)
Micah, a contemporary of Isaiah, sounds an awful lot like Isaiah. He is a prophet; after all. Micah continues to warn the people of God that their ways are going to lead them into exile.
It is Advent and at the beginning of every Advent I see depression and other forms of mental illness begin to escalate. Part of that may be due to the lack of sunshine. Part of it; though, I believe is due to the holiday season which does not resemble Holy Days all that much.
As we prepare for Christmas there is a lot of frustration because people are seeking what the world seeks; rather, than seeking a relationship with the Christ, whom we celebrate. There is much financial stress as people feel pressured by society to "buy." There is also much emotional stress as many face a day (season) that is suppose to be cheerful (because the world says so) without a loved one that they have lost and miss grievously. They feel quite alone (exiled) as there is a chair at the table that is empty. There also tends to be a lot more "parties" in December and on into January. For some reason people think they can treat their loneliness and depression with alcohol (or other drugs). Alcohol, my friends, is a depressant. There is only one cure for loneliness and that, my friends is being in a healthy relationship; a relationship with God our Father and our Lord, Jesus Christ and with one another.
Advent is supposedly a time to prepare for the coming of the LORD. But, is that what we do? Or are we busy trying to keep up with the world; ending up depressed; feeling alone and exiled? For many, I am afraid it is the latter.
What are we teaching our children? Where are we leading them? Into loneliness? Depression? Exile from the relationship that God intends them to have with Him and His whole household?
I pray that it is not too late; that it is not past time, to join Micah in lamenting for our children. It is past time to start asking ourselves: What have we done? What have we left undone that would have brought them reconciliation and peace?
God's Peace - Pr. J
Wednesday, July 20, 2016
Seek First The Kingdom of Heaven
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matt 6:19-21
With loads of earthly treasure often comes much trouble. The more one has, the more one has to take care of. Sometimes the trouble that includes costly lawyers to settle estate or property disputes. Greed for things of this world can cause one a lot of stress. It can even cause members of a family to turn against one another. "The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live." (Proverbs 15:27)
However, when the treasure we seek is the Kingdom of God, much of this life's worries will disappear. "So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matt 6:31-33)
May our hearts always seek first the Kingdom of God.
God's Peace - Pr. J
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