No Man Is An Island
Growing up in the ‘60’s, I’m a flower child. I wore the bell bottomed, hip hugging pants, ironed my long hair after washing it in various things that was supposed to make it shine. I was also influenced by the music culture of the day, especially the folk music of the day that carried messages of activism. I remember singing folk songs in school music and chorus classes was popular. One year, I was selected to sing in a small ensemble of vocalists and folk instruments for the spring concert, our song, “No Man Is an Island” was the song. It’s been stuck in my head ever since.
There are wonderful truths found in the lyrics of this folk song written by John Donne and made popular by the likes of Joan Baez.
No Man Is an Island
No man is an island,
No man stands alone,
Each man’s joy is joy to me,
Each man’s grief is my own.
We need one another,
So I will defend,
Each man as my brother,
Each man as my friend.
I saw the people gather,
I heard the music start,
The song that they were singing,
Is ringing in my heart.
No man is an island,
Way out in the blue,
We all look to the One above,
For our strength to renew.
When I help my brother,
Then I know that I,
Plant the seed of friendship,
That will never die.
©
No man is an island. He created us to live in community with one another, to encourage one another and to spur one another on towards love and good deeds. It is in our independent spirits that we become isolated and begin to drift. Then when the storms come, no one is there to help us.
As we become more of a technological/electronic age, suddenly our neighbor can potentially become someone who lives hundreds or thousands of miles away. We are busy in our own little worlds and suddenly we don’t know our neighbor or the people in our community.
Maybe it’s time to consider a prayer walk and commit to pray for your community, to bless them. Numbers 6:22-27 gives us an idea of the framework for blessing those around us in our community.
Numbers 6:22-27 (Amplified Bible)
“22And the Lord said to Moses,
23Say to Aaron and his sons, This is the way you shall bless the Israelites. Say to them,
24The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you;
25The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you;
26The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).
27And they shall put My name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them.”
Praying for our Communities: B.L.E.S.S.
As you prayer walk your neighborhood, to bless them, consider this helpful little acronym to guide your prayers for your community. I think you will see similarities between the Numbers passage above and the B.L.E.S.S. acronym.
- Bodies: Pray for health, strength and healing.
- Learning: Pray for children in school.
- Employment: Pray for provision for all financial and material needs.
- Seeking: Pray for hearts that seek after God.
- Social: Pray for strong family and community relationships.
Be an activist and bless those around you, for no man is an island, no man stands alone.
Image protected by copyright ©Andy Simmons 1995-2004.
Breathe
There is a mass of confusion at my house right now. I have boxes piled high, cupboards emptied and decorations wrapped up like presents. It is a challenge to find anything that I’m looking for as I make my way through the maze of chaos which currently represents my home. I have packed up to move several times in my life, but on this occasion I’m noticing that stress and worry is playing havoc with me. I work full time and because of that, I keep wondering how everything will ever get done! My mind races from one thing to another as I go through my mental list of to-do’s and chores until I’m running on massive “overload”! But, I need to remember to take time to breathe…and let God be God.
In Paul’s grateful letter to the Philippians, he tells us to rely on Christ for our strength, for through Him, we can accomplish all that God wills. “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). Upon reflecting on that verse, I feel peace returning. I know that God is aware of what I need to get done, not simply what I want to get done. He knows my time parameters, but more than that, He already has a plan and knows how and when everything will and should work out. I know that He will strengthen me and allow me to complete what He wants me to complete. And so, I pause and take time to breathe…and let God be God.
In the Gospel of Mark there is a time recorded when Christ’s disciples were exhausted from ministering to the people. They were so busy that they hadn’t even had time to feed themselves. But, Jesus reminded them that they all needed to take time to get away and rest. “Then Jesus said, ‘Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.’ He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and His apostles didn’t even have time to eat” (Mark 6:31). When life is coming at you full force, the temptation is to not stop. I see the tendency in me to keep running and working until the job is done. But, as a result the work suffers, as does my emotional and physical self. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28). It is important to come before the Lord with our burdens for He will refresh and strengthen us. And so, I come before Him and take time to breathe…and let God be God.
And in those quiet moments of refreshment, when I am still and calm, the Lord will comfort and strengthen me enabling me to complete what He needs me to complete. He is big enough for all my burdens. He is always working. He is always sovereign. He is always God. “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). So, I take time to breathe…and let God be God.
Living for Him, Joan
You can read more of Joan’s devotionals by visiting The Beauty in His Grip.
Read MoreHigh Position of Believers
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 ESV
The day had been much longer than expected at the RV dealership and a second night of camping was in order. The kids had behaved well cooped up inside the service waiting area. That evening we treated them to a swim in the dealership’s neighboring campground pool but were forced to cut it short by the darkening Florida skies.
On our way back to the camper, we passed a playground. The kids begged for just a few minutes of playtime. They wanted it badly and quite frankly, they deserved it. We had asked for far more than any 4, 6 and 9 year old should be expected to give. But my husband and I glanced at the now ominous sky and knew we had to tell them no. We continued walking back to our camper hoping to make it before the skies opened up.
Just as my husband snapped a couple of quick pictures of the awesome sky, the storm began. If we had allowed the kids even a few minutes on the playground, we would’ve been caught in the storm walking back. As hard as it was to say “no,” we knew it was the best decision.
I have experienced the same thing in my prayer life. Many times I have prayed for something I felt I deserved. I have prayed for things I wanted that I believed were for the best. Still, God said no. Sometimes I see the reasons. But for other prayers, the “no” remains a mystery.
Trusting God when he says “no” requires faith that He is sovereign. Charles Spurgeon once said, “We do not walk by sight and faith, but ‘we walk by faith not by sight.’ To let us occasionally see would, in fact, remove us out of the realm of faith, and bring us down from the high position of believers to the low platform of sight-seers.”
When God doesn’t let us see the reason to the “no” answer, He walks us on a faith journey, showing us that He knows best and has a plan for us.
Have you had a “no” answer recently in prayer? How did you respond? Will you walk by faith from the high position of believers?
In Christ Alone,
Dana
7 Reasons Why NOT To Worry
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I find myself worrying over some of the most trivial things as well as major events in my life. When this happens doubt and fear creeps into my heart and every thought is consumed with how will God supply. I will get depressed and even a little cranky – ok, maybe a lot cranky! Even those around me become miserable as well. When this happens God will bring me to His Word in Matthew 6:25 – 34; and remind me once again why I should not worry:
1) Matthew 6:25……The same God who created life in me can be trusted with every detail of my life.
I find it interesting how I have trusted God for my eternal salvation; but when it comes to providing for my daily needs I find myself at times worrying if they will be met.
2) Matthew 6:26…… Worrying about the future hampers my efforts for today.
When my mind is thinking about all the problems that MAY come about in the future, I find that I do not complete the tasks at hand for today.
3) Matthew 6:27……Worrying is more harmful than helpful.
In an October 22, 2009 article written in ArticlesBase.com, Lawrence Pointer suggests that Coping With Stress And Financial Worry Long Term Can Cause Serious Harm To Your Health!
In a survey that was taken, he said, “one third of those polled had increased levels of stress. “
“Too much unrelieved stress could cause the following problems (and many more!):
* Chronic tension in your neck and back; * Restless or sleepless nights; * Difficulty making decisions; * Constant exhaustion; * Difficulty in concentrating; * Weight gain; * Conflicts with loved ones; * Clinical depression; * Increased risk of heart disease, cancer, and other diseases; * Problems with your memory to name a few of a very long list……..”
4) Matthew 6:28-30…God does not ignore those who depend on Him.
When I depend totally upon my Lord for all my needs I am saying that I have complete faith that God will supply.
5) Matthew 6:31-32… Worrying shows a lack of faith and understanding of God.
I need to have a child like faith. No matter how bad things became at home when I was little, I never once worried that I would not have a roof over my head or food on the table. In the same way, Christians should trust God- the creator of all living to supply what is best for us.
6) Matthew 6:33… Worrying keeps me from focusing on what God wants me to pursue.
I need to stop worrying about what I think I can do and focus more on what I know I will do.
Holocaust survivor Corrie Ten Boom has said: “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow. It empties today of its strength.”
7) Matthew 6:34… Living one day at a time keeps me from being consumed with worry.
There is nothing wrong with planning (setting goals; appointments, etc.); but worrying about my plans or if I will get everything done on my list is time wasted. Worrying can cause me to become consumed by fear and thus find it difficult to trust God. In so doing my plans get in the way with what is truly important – my relationship with my precious Savior. It is so important that I do not allow my worries about tomorrow affect my relationship with Savior today.
Dorthy Galyean once said: “Worry is like a rocking chair… it gives you something to do but it doesn’t get you anywhere.”
Dear Heavenly Father, when I find myself worrying and immobilized by fear, may You bring Your Word to my mind so that I can leap into action, my faith and trust in the fact that You love me beyond my comprehension and will supply all my needs. Amen
Pick Me
Today’s Guest writer is Lindsey Hartz. Lindsey writes about her new-found faith on her blog, A New Life. Her hope and prayer is to reach other women with a message of God’s grace, love, and mercy.
I sit at the keyboard, thoughts swirling in my mind. They are being stubborn, words that usually come so easy to me. Steadfastly refusing to drip their way onto the blank pages with any semblance of heart or soul. It’s been like this awhile; even halting the flow of praise, worship, and seeking normally found in my journals.
This is the last straw, the thing that sends me into a clinging to the Lord like never before, as I feel like the very air I breathe has become suffocating and life has lost its luster.
I so wanted to be used in ministry, wanted to reach others with my words and story and heart. So many things have been lost this year~ building a sense of personal rejection in my heart that has been hard to shake. Relationships fading, ministry plans falling apart, a fire for my God threatening to fade to a dim spark as I try to cope with the loss of how I thought He wanted me to serve all these years.
I start de-cluttering my heart, my mind, my home-to keep myself busy, to allow me time to think and pray. I set aside my bible studies and reading plans and research and commitments and instead just talk to Him. Begging for my eyes to be opened to what I am missing, what He needs me to learn through this.
One day, I find an older journal hidden in the back of a closet. I open to the first page, see my first entry to Him years ago.
I’m so alone, Lord. I don’t know where to go or where to turn in this mess I’ve made of my life. I do know that I want to be known by you, to be used by you. I feel like so many others seem so much more worthy of your love than I am, more in love with you, more on fire for you. And I’m just stumbling along trying to make sense of it all, trying to figure out if I even believe or deserve that love. And in the back of mind, I keep thinking, please, won’t you pick me anyway? So I can see what it’s like to be chosen?
~March, 2007
I realize that after this entry I had made my own plans on how to get Him to pick me. I tried to earn my worthiness in ways that made sense to me. And those plans had turned into unrealistic expectations of family and church and friendships and ministry, while also leaving me busy, distracted, and drained.
The millions of ways I want to change the world and reach others for Him~ they don’t mean anything if I am not remembering this…
He had already picked me. I was already chosen. I was already known. And I didn’t have to do a thing except ask.
In the midst of this, I start to see that this past year has not been a season of rejection at all. Instead, God has been removing my crutches, smashing my idols, and drawing me ever near to Him.
This time around He’s been asking ME to pick HIM.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” ~John 15:5 (NIV)
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