heart attitude

DESPERATE? DON’T PANIC!

(May 13, 2023) Mama Lava caringly shares a great truth…

Desperation will cause us to do crazy things! I have an embarrassing, but poignant, case in point.

Remember when Covid first hit? I saw an opportunity to do something I’d been wanting to do for a long time. I would begin baking my own bread. Not only would it be healthier than the alternative, but it would also save money and trips to the grocer. If you remember, the lines outside stores were long and cold, as they allowed only a few people in at a time.

I already had the ingredients I needed. Well, all except one. I needed yeast.

But… my grocery store didn’t have any. I realised many people were thinking like I was, spurred by the fact that bread had become difficult to find. The shelf was completely bare, and there was no assurance it would be restocked any time soon.

I went to Amazon for yeast. Also sold out? Interesting! I looked at my Sam’s Club (warehouse club for wholesale prices on top brands) app. They didn’t have any either. I started to panic a bit.

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‘EERING PETER’ – FIGURE OF HOPE

(April 18, 2023) Brian Bell challenges us to search our hearts deeply… 

In the 19th century hymn usually known as Yesterday, Today, Forever the writer A.B. Simpson introduces the third verse with the words ‘He who pardoned eering Peter never need you fear.’

Whenever we think about Peter, that rather impulsive figure who was numbered among the twelve chosen by Jesus to be His first close followers, we are often drawn to his ‘eerings’… those times when he is considered to have erred in his words or actions.

It is Peter’s ‘eerings’ which make him a figure of hope for all of us who, like Peter, sometimes stumble over our words or actions as we seek to follow the Lord.

Let’s look at some of Peter’s eerings together… and as we (I include myself!) do so, allow the Holy Spirit to challenge us deeply if we too need hope.

Peter’s Determination
I see this reflected in Peter’s well-intentioned words to Jesus: ‘Even if everyone else deserts you I never will’ (Luke 24:12NLT). When Jesus told Peter he would deny him that very night, Peter tried to strengthen his determination by saying, ‘No – even if I have to die with you I will never deny you’ (v35).

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THE DAY JESUS WAS DISAPPOINTED

(February 19, 2021) Robert and Maureen McQuillan zero in on an attitude problem…

December’s article Time-of-Confusion-and-Uncertainty highlighted how so many are touched on getting a smiling ‘Thank you.’

Often, it’s someone with problems blessed on hearing such expressions of gratitude… their mind being distracted from issues heavy on the heart.

Gratefulness
The reality is that we humans really do expect to hear a thank you when we help someone (we even make a point of teaching our kids to say thank you).

After all, it’s kind, thoughtful and courteous to honour whoever has touched our life in some way, small or nor not so small.

With that thought in mind, have you ever considered how Jesus must have felt when after he touched lives in a big way, he wasn’t immediately thanked? Such as that occasion when he miraculously helped ten lepers and they chuffed off thanklessly (Luke 17:12-19).

But wait… one did come back, expressing gratefulness with thanks and praising God!

This thankful outcast had such a grateful heart that he…

  • Returned ‘…shouting his gratitude, glorifying God’ (v15Mge).
  • Was ‘so grateful. He couldn’t thank him enough’ (v16Mge).
  • Unreservedly ‘…threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him’ (v16NIV).

Gratefulness is a matter of attitude! Being grateful, saying thanks indicates a right attitude, a characteristic Christians are supposed to have – and demonstrate! (more…)

GOOD SALT

Dr Robert & Maureen (2)(February 17, 2017) Robert and Maureen McQuillan share …

Ever watch some old movies (or current ones) or TV series such as The Darling Buds of May where Pop Larkin would pour heaps of tomato sauce over virtually everything on the plate? Usually one goes ‘Yuk’ in horror.

And what about people who pour far too much salt on their meals?

Salt consumption has increased during modern times. Every now and then we hear its usage being raised in conversation, usually a concerned ‘You take too much salt, that’s bad for you!’ Or we hear or read of some report of the health effects of salt associated with the consumption too little salt.

A mineral composed primarily of sodium chloride, salt is used in food for both preservation and flavour. (Just as ‘good salt Christians’ are supposed to be – enriching this troubled world). (more…)