Jesus called Lazarus by name to come out of the tomb. He is calling each one of us to come out of the tomb of death - be reconciled to Him - and put on clothes of new life. What in the world does that mean for each of us? How do I live a new life? How am I called to change? What did you le
Do I live as if I am created to be happy or crabby?
Will I wear a parachute or not? What do I need to do to receive my parachute? What do I need to do to keep it?
"Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? When was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?" Who is the least of God's family? What can I do to reach out to them?
Is your heart ready? What do you need to stop in order to prepare? Can you make it a 4-step plan? One step for each week?
Do my possessions rule me? Am I more worried about what I have or don't have than if I am experiencing God's love or sharing God's love?
Do I mourn? Can I feel another's pain? Do I see the injustice and sorrow in the world? Are my words kind or cutting? Do I work to be peaceful or do I stir the pot to make situations more frustrating and dramatic? Do I thrive on drama? Do I pick at people to cause agitation or do I choose to help people be at peace? Do I hunger for righteousness? Really hunger? Does it drive me to stand up for the good of others? To show mercy to those who agitate and frustrate us? To show mercy to those who have hurt us? Do I forgive or do I carry a grudge? Do I want to lash out and make someone "pay"? How clean is my heart? Do I do what I do because I will gain from it or because it's what I want to do? To give because it feels good to give? Do I stand up for my faith or am I afraid any time someone confronts me or asks questions about what I believe? Can I tell someone what I believe by showing them? By being kind to others? By sacrificing something of myself? Even if they make fun of me, get angry at me, and don't agree? What if they are a favorite uncle or grandma? Best friend? How do I respond? Do I get defensive or ignore the situation? Or do I continue to believe? Which Beatitude most challenged you to change? What situation is the hardest for you to live the beatitudes in? Sometimes the hardest part is admitting the challenge but we all have them. None of us are the perfection of God. We study our faith to grow closer to him.
Loving God and Loving Others... A Trader?
The Ten Commandments - The Covenant that God made with the Israelites that can be counted off on your fingers. The rules for how God expects us to live our lives. The basic building blocks of the human community. They help us to know how to love - truly love, as God expects - to define what our mission is here on earth. What is your mission today? How are you being called to live differently? Which of those 10 fingers challenge you in the way you are living your life today? What are you being called to trade? |
AuthorShelly Rau Archives
November 2013
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