tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8249135.post5872093237839430960..comments2023-10-02T05:40:52.200-05:00Comments on THE ALTAR OF GOD: The Evil of HurryCharles Northhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12672520552294656059noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8249135.post-77062448857256735802008-08-04T11:16:00.000-05:002008-08-04T11:16:00.000-05:00Ha, Ha. That, too, is ironic.Ha, Ha. That, too, is ironic.Charles Northhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12672520552294656059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8249135.post-80343047300885254362008-08-04T07:59:00.000-05:002008-08-04T07:59:00.000-05:00well we know you are not in a hurrt to post anothe...well we know you are not in a hurrt to post another blog.....Helenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15394196512434206289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8249135.post-67067598448283448202008-08-03T23:05:00.000-05:002008-08-03T23:05:00.000-05:00Charles, I am reminded how so many times, David Wr...Charles, I am reminded how so many times, David Wray at ACU tells me that when you don't have any time to even do something leisurely you enjoy that gives you energy, you have made yourself too busy. Now this is not an excuse to be lazy or an excuse to spend more time with music (my hobby), but a reminder that an unhurried life has times for rest. Rest gives us energy, brings us closer to God, and lets us open our eyes long enough to see the big picture. In fact, another word for rest is Sabbath, a commandment from God that still hasn't lost its need. It was supposed to be the one time during the week that heaven was recreated on earth, but you cannot do that without rest. <BR/><BR/>Thank you again for a convicting postDavidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13073231541808609041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8249135.post-13416129982974717402008-08-01T00:25:00.000-05:002008-08-01T00:25:00.000-05:00Thanks Kerrie! I know you are right about where I...Thanks Kerrie! I know you are right about where I am in my life right now, but the bigger picture still bothers me. I don't ever want to be too busy to care about those around me that are hurting and that need to see Jesus. I also know how easy it can be for me to hide behind my "duties" as a mother and not take the time to see what others need. We all must reach a balance but I fear I have all too often been too busy to even see the ones put in my path to minister to. I don't want to find out that someone else has slipped away because I was too busy tending to my many projects to reach out to them and let them know they are valuable to me. It is time for me to slow down! Thanks again....dDenisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11710790347006070969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8249135.post-64877319467292282772008-07-31T08:02:00.000-05:002008-07-31T08:02:00.000-05:00Denise,Sometimes taking care of family is priority...Denise,<BR/>Sometimes taking care of family is priority and sometimes that is all you can manage and still keep your head above drowning level. The wonderful thing about being the body of Christ is that we fill in for each other like a family. When we are able, we all do our part and it works out. <BR/><BR/>It amazes me how at times I've been in your situation and not able to do much more than take care of my own family. My heart wants to do more but for different reasons I have to accept that I have enough on my plate. God provides through others then when we can't see a way! If we ask God to use us where he needs us I really believe the Spirit will direct us each day to do his work. Imagine if we all listened to Him more how God could so perfectly provide for each situation! <BR/><BR/>All it took was one of the 3 men in the story of the Good Samaritan to provide what the injured man needed. Sometimes we are that Good Samaratan and sometimes we are not. <BR/><BR/>I know for a fact the influence you've had on so many lives and right now that includes your daughter and her upcoming wedding.<BR/>You are one of the most unselfish people I know. Slow down and enjoy your family and the precious time watching your first get married! <BR/>KerrieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8249135.post-80708676263885227182008-07-30T20:55:00.000-05:002008-07-30T20:55:00.000-05:00This is so real to me right now. I have been thin...This is so real to me right now. I have been thinking how busy I have become and how much that has taken away from real personal relationships in my life. Not having time to stop and listen to others or go visit at the hospital, or to cook a meal, keeps me from being the hands and feet of Christ that I am called to be. The "evil of hurry" is real and such a successful tool used to pull us away. Just think what our family fellowship would be if we stopped and took the time to get involved with each other....to really listen and make the time to grow our relationships with each other. <BR/><BR/>I asked about a family I had been missing the other day and found out that they just had quit coming because they felt no one would miss them. That stabbed my heart because I have been there and felt that way in my past. But more than that, I had missed them, but had done NOTHING because of my busy life, to reach out to them. How many others have I not stopped and ministered to because of "my" busy schedule? I have got to do better and we as Christ's body must get involved in each other's lives and in the lives of those we come in contact with.<BR/><BR/>Kerrie, your words fit me too well, so I will repost them with my spirit being very convicted. I feel these too often and it is selfish of me...."I avoid because I don’t have time or maybe I just don’t want to get involved. Maybe it is pure selfishness. “I have enough people depending on me; don’t complicate my life with more needy people”. On occasions that I stop long enough to listen to the Spirit I hear him ask me…”What would Jesus do?”<BR/><BR/>What a great reminder and a call to action! Thanks!Denisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11710790347006070969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8249135.post-6393067446755579702008-07-30T17:27:00.000-05:002008-07-30T17:27:00.000-05:00Wow! Thank you. I always seem to be in a big hurry...Wow! Thank you. I always seem to be in a big hurry!!Charles Northhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12672520552294656059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8249135.post-17703192284716747152008-07-30T11:05:00.000-05:002008-07-30T11:05:00.000-05:00i don't think you are a hypocrite at all. it may b...i don't think you are a hypocrite at all. it may be something you struggle with. i know you accomplish alot and do alot of good work i know God smiles about. whenever i have come to you really needing to talk or just wanting to chat about nothing, i have never felt rushed or like you had something better you needed to be doing. and i feel that is an important part of your ministry. i know it isn't all you do. but i appreciate when you take the time. i didn't want you to think it ever went unnoticed. thank you. :)caseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00745603591195162233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8249135.post-7221417046103885972008-07-30T10:31:00.000-05:002008-07-30T10:31:00.000-05:00I hope writing this doesn't make me seem like a hy...I hope writing this doesn't make me seem like a hypocrite, but being in a constant hurry is the biggest obstacle to effective ministry for me.Charles Northhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12672520552294656059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8249135.post-42970685459367444362008-07-30T08:17:00.000-05:002008-07-30T08:17:00.000-05:00This is quite a dramatic show of irony in how we a...This is quite a dramatic show of irony in how we act, the seminary student on his way to teach a lesson on the Good Samaritan, who hurries past someone in such obvious need.<BR/>But after thinking about it a little I kept coming up with situations in our everyday lives. <BR/><BR/>I don’t usually find myself in an alley but how about those people at church services that we miss because we are so busy teaching class, corralling children and getting after church meals ready. You know…the visitors or even members that tend to hang on the fringes, those “needy” not so pretty folks that sometimes we avoid.<BR/><BR/>Those people are in our midst, the invisible ones that are hurting and come hoping that there is some shred of truth in Christianity. What do they sometimes see? Busy rushing members hurrying to meetings or lunch after the last prayer. My list on Sundays is a mile long and I wonder if stopping to really talk to someone in need is a part of my schedule. Maybe their abdominal wounds are not so obvious but their emotional pain and desperation is just as serious. <BR/><BR/>What about our children? How many times am I so absorbed in my own life that I miss needs that they have. If they are ignored long enough they quit coming to me with their questions and problems. How important is my latest hair bow order or blog post if I’m missing opportunities for deeper relationships and teaching those spur of the moment lessons that can be easily missed. <BR/><BR/>I’m guilty. I avoid because I don’t have time or maybe I just don’t want to get involved. Maybe it is pure selfishness. “I have enough people depending on me; don’t complicate my life with more needy people”. On occasions that I stop long enough to listen to the Spirit I hear him ask me…”What would Jesus do?”<BR/><BR/>Thanks for the reminder Charles.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8249135.post-40717356258171306022008-07-29T18:25:00.000-05:002008-07-29T18:25:00.000-05:00I know. That is the definition of irony! I meant t...I know. That is the definition of irony! I meant to include a disclaimer that said my observations indict me pretty severely.Charles Northhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12672520552294656059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8249135.post-10287289635556209142008-07-29T15:46:00.000-05:002008-07-29T15:46:00.000-05:00funny coming from a man that likes to drive fast a...funny coming from a man that likes to drive fast and is always moving and is never still :)Helenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15394196512434206289noreply@blogger.com