The Plumbline

“If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met." (Matthew 6:33) Everyday human concerns - we all have those, don't we? What to eat for dinner tonight - what to wear to that upcoming special event - where to get our car repairs done so you don't get ripped off by some untrustworthy mechanic - common human concerns. We spend so much time with the everyday human concerns that we sometimes miss the very important message that they ALL have already been met! The best move...

If it has been a long while since you have been able to get away on vacation or to a quiet spot on a beach, high in the mountains, or just alone by a pool somewhere, then you know there is nothing more renewing than a little retreat. I used to think of times of retreat as something along the line of a "forced withdrawal". I really just did not enjoy time away from what I was doing everyday. Some would have called me a little too retentive to let things go and let others take the reins for a while so I could enjoy time away. I have come to recognize that "retreat" is sometimes the most strategic thing you can do! You're my place of quiet retreat; I wait for your Word to renew me. (Psalm 119:114) The very act of withdrawing into a place of quiet and safety is often the best move we make - even when we know there are a whole lot of other 'movements' that need to be made. That very movement into a place of what appears to be a lack of movement is actua...

I saw something on Facebook this morning which read:  "Make God your first priority...not your last resort". Short and sweet, but quite pointed.  In the King James Bible, a passage came to mind:  "Seek first the kingdom of God..."  At this time of year, it is easy to get caught up in the busy-ness of seeking all kinds of bargains - carried away in a shopping frenzy as you go hither and yon for this or that.  In the end, you will encounter what you do each and every other year - empty packages, lots of wrapping everywhere, and all within under an hour!  All those hours of finding the "right gift" or shopping for the "bargains" will have resulted in about one hour of screams of delight, moments of praise, and even some raised eyebrows at the annual package of socks!  Then as quickly as the packaging was emptied of its contents, the "recipients" zero in on the "ONE" thing which they really "treasure" from their pile.   ...

12-19  What can I give back to  God  for the blessings he's poured out on me?    I'll lift high the cup of salvation—a toast to God!  I'll pray in the name of  God ; I'll complete what I promised  God  I'd do, and I'll do it together with his people.  When they arrive at the gates of death,  God  welcomes those who love him.  Oh,  God , here I am, your servant, your faithful servant: set me free for your service!  I'm ready to offer the thanksgiving sacrifice and pray in the name of  God .  I'll complete what I promised  God  I'd do, and I'll do it in company with his people, in the place of worship, in  God 's house, in Jerusalem, God's city.    Hallelujah! (Psalm 116:12-19) This psalm opens with, "I love God because he listened to me", and ends with "I'll complete what I promised God I'd do".  In the...