Speak No Evil

August 31, 2011

The Rev. Deirdre Whitfield . uncategorized . Boldness, Christian life, compassion, faith, heart, love . Leave a comment

Wednesday

That which is on the heart comes to mind and that which is on the mind is spoken from the mouth. It is often said think before you speak, but perhaps we should remember to pause before we speak. Many thoughts travel through our minds constantly throughout the day. If we spoke every thing that came to mind we might find that we are not as knowledgeable, compassionate or in tune with our own environment, as we think we are. It doesn’t take much to display social inadequacy. Accept to agree or disagree, Jesus barely spoke a word in his defense before the Council or Pilate. While it didn’t save him from the cup he was about to drink (crucifixion), it did not prevent the manifestation of God’s glory. In the end, allow your wisdom to reflect the Word of God and the time we take to pause will allow the Holy Spirit to speak on our behalf and God’s glory will manifest in our lives also.

Mark 15:1-11 But Jesus made no further reply…

James 3:1-12 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing.

1 Kings 9:24-10:13 Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing hidden from the king that he could not explain to her.

Bread For Thought

August 24, 2011

The Rev. Deirdre Whitfield . uncategorized . Christian life, faith, favoritism, God's anointed, grace, heart, hope, love, reconciliation, relationships, service, value . Leave a comment

Wednesday

To render, to help, to provide for, to work actively for, to pay homage to, to go through; are all forms of service. Like the parent who provides for the child, God renders, helps, provides for, works actively for, favors and goes through with us. Like the child, in return we worry, fight against (rebel), test the boundaries, dishonor (refuse to submit) and ignore (refuse to listen). By grace it is a relationship that grows into its fullness in due season, when we begin to understand that God sees our potential and knows our heart. Like Moses, David, Peter and Paul, God loves us unconditionally. This I believe is really one of the best parts of life in Christ, that God loves us unconditionally.

Luke 22: 24-30 … But I am among you as one who serves. ‘You are those who have stood by me in my trials; and I confer on you, just as my Father has conferred on me, a kingdom, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Psalm 91 Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name. When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them. With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation.

Psalm 139 O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far away… Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence?

Philippians 4:6,7 Do not worry (be anxious) about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Luke 12: 8 ‘And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God…

Once Marginalized, Now Accounted For

August 11, 2011

The Rev. Deirdre Whitfield . uncategorized . call, expectations, God's anointed, heart, hope, leadership, marginalized, servant leadership, service, sincerity, value . Leave a comment

Thursday

…justice for all

In a democratic society our leaders are elected, chosen or both. The individuals who elect or choose them do so with the expectation that they will be represented as to their needs within the society. Subsequently, laws are passed to serve the needs of the people, and for all intensive purposes this generally works. But as we all know the system isn’t perfect and for various reasons there’s always a marginalized group of people who don’t quite fit perfectly into the equation. Therefore there is always room for someone to rise up as a leader specifically to address the needs of those who have been unaccounted for. Unfortunately there are two kinds of leaders who rise to this occasion. The first is self-appointed like Absalom the rebellious son of King David and the second is anointed like Paul the Pharisee, Apostle to the Gentiles. The difference is in what comes from the heart. The one who continually seeks the face of God will make known God’s character as opposed to his own. Today, let us pray for our own discernment of the leaders before us that we may gain the portion of our inheritance promised to all those once marginalized but are now accounted for.

Psalm 105:1-22 When they were few in number, of little account, and strangers in it, …he allowed no one to oppress them; he rebuked kings on their account, saying, “Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm.

2 Samuel 15:1-18 “If only I were judge in the land! Then all who had a suit or cause might come to me, and I would give them justice.”

Mark 10:32-45 You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them,…But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant.

Acts 21:27-36 …he has actually brought Greeks into the temple…