Peace in chaos

This is life. In the midst of the darkest of hours comes a flickering light to remind you to hang on until morning. In the brightest of days there is a shadow that reminds you to be grateful for the brightness of the day. In the midst of unbearable suffering there is a thought of heaven and a day when all suffering ends. In the midst of indescribable joy there is a song that takes you back to sadder days to remind you that there are those around you in great need. 

As Jesus prayed in the garden he was battling Satan's evil temptations at the same time. As He visited the home of a friend who had died, He brought hope of the Resurrection. As He moved among the poor, the oppressed, and the blind, he brought riches, freedom and sight. As He taught his disciples to love, the tempter convinced one to betray him. As He suffered on the cross, He saved us from our sins. As He died, we gained life. We are alive because He died. We have life "to the full" because He became empty.  

We die to ourselves so that we can live for Him and so that others will follow. 

This is life. This is the message of the cross. Perhaps one key to life is to accept this reality — to always be aware of it, and not get so caught up in one that we forget the other is present. 

I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need. (Philippians 4:12-13)

Psalm for Sunday

Psalm 4

For the choir director; on stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.  Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; Be gracious to me and hear my prayer. O sons of men, how long will my honor become a reproach? How long will you love what is worthless and aim at deception? Selah. But know that the LORD has set apart the godly man for Himself; The LORD hears when I call to Him. Tremble, and do not sin; Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah. Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And trust in the LORD. Many are saying, "Who will show us any good?" Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, O LORD!  In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety.

Psalm for Sunday

Psalm 2

Why are the nations in an uproar And the peoples devising a vain thing? The kings of the earth take their stand And the rulers take counsel together Against the LORD and against His anointed, saying, "Let us tear their fetters apart And cast away their cords from us!" He who sits in the heavens laughs, The Lord scoffs at them. Then He will speak to them in His anger And terrify them in His fury, saying, "But as for Me, I have installed My King Upon Zion, My holy mountain." "I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, 'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You. 'Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, And the very ends of the earth as Your possession. 'You shall break them with a rod of iron, You shall shatter them like earthenware.'" Now therefore, O kings, show discernment; Take warning, O judges of the earth. Worship the LORD with reverence And rejoice with trembling. Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!

PRO-LIFE LEGISLATORS IN TEXAS & NEBRASKA ADVANCE AUL MODEL LEGISLATION

AUL and AULA’s leadership in defending life in law was highlighted last week as pro-life bills in Texas and Nebraska advanced. AULA applauded the efforts of Texas Representative Jodie Laubenberg and State Senator Dan Patrick as they introduced a bill that would ensure that abortion providers are not dispensing already-dangerous, abortion-inducing drugs in an unapproved and medically-inappropriate manner.

The bill requires that abortion providers dispense abortion-inducing drugs only in the way tested and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and outlined in the drug’s label. These requirements will prevent the dangerous “off-label” use of abortion-inducing drugs that has killed at least seven women in the United States alone—an “off-label” use that Planned Parenthood readily admits to, on its website and in court documents.

And in Nebraska, Americans United for Life Action Vice President of Government Affairs Daniel McConchie called on Nebraska’s legislators to vote in favor of LB690, which would strengthen Nebraska parents’ ability to help their minor children. The bill, based on AUL’s model legislation, would mandate that parents give consent before a minor may obtain an abortion.

McConchie testified before the Judiciary Committee of the Nebraska Legislature on the bill sponsored by state Sen. Lydia Brasch. Before the committee, he noted that even the U.S. Supreme Court acknowledges that “immature minors often lack the ability to make fully informed choices that take into account both immediate and long-range consequences.” 

“We know that parental consent laws save lives,” said McConchie. “A 2008 study showed that parental consent laws reduce the minor abortion rate by 18.7 percent, while parental notification laws only reduce the abortion rate by about 5 percent.”

To track the progress of all pro-life legislation at the state level (not just legislation that AUL has worked on) go to www.aul.org.

Be Good To Your Own Soul

"Be lovers of your soul." (St. Clare of Assisi)

Are you good to your own soul?  Interestingly, the Bible tells us how to be good to our own souls.  "The merciful man doeth good to his own soul."  Proverbs 11:17.

It seems as if the Bible is saying we are good to ourselves when we're good to others.  Hmmm.... Eugene Peterson paraphrased that verse this way:  "When you're kind to others, you help yourself; when you're cruel to others, you hurt yourself." 

In order to be good to our own souls, we are good to others' souls.  Granting kindness to others benefits our own souls just as a gardener benefits by doing good to his garden.  As the garden receives from the gardener, it then gives back. It bears fruit that brings pleasure and nourishment.  When we give to others, we give to ourselves.  When we are stingy with our benefits, we deprive our own souls of the satisfaction and richness that only comes from showing kindness to others.  Be a lover of your soul and do good to your own soul by doing good to others.  If you feel your soul is lacking today, then give. 

"...if you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.  The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.  You will be like a watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail."   Isaiah 58:10-11 NIV

Taken from: Java with Jennifer (Jennifer Rothschild)