Reactionary?

(07.01.21– Jesus Are You OK? –Philippians 4:4-5)

My friend, may I ask you a question? Often things don't go right and we come to that moment of choice; of “staying or running.” “Staying” may mean dealing with things, calming down and moving on while “running” often results in anger, frustration, even a cuss word or two?

My friend, Life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day.

I'm M. Clifford Brunner.

Year's ago there was a hit country tune called: "Right Or Left At Oak Street." Roy Clark sang the song and the refrain went like this: "Right or left at Oak Street; it's the choice that I make every day. And, I don't know what takes more courage; the staying or the running away." If I remember correctly Clark was referring to staying or leaving a relation- ship; but those couple of lines have always remained stuck away in my memory not necessarily attached to the meaning of Clark's song. Each day I make a lot of decisions. Some are easy, even automatic. Some are difficult and require more thought; and then there are those that are downright impossible. You know the ones. You want to do one thing but you know the "other" thing, the unwanted choice, is the right one. That's when you have to weigh not what takes more courage but, rather, resolve to do what's right–"the staying or the running away."

Often things don't go right and we come to that moment of choice; of "staying or running." "Staying" may mean dealing with things, calming down and moving on while "running" often results in anger, frustration, even a cuss word or two.

Here's a thought from MSNBC: The state of the economy has made for a lot of bad news, and bad news makes for a lot of cussing, MSNBC reports. "I've been dropping the F-bomb every time I look at the Dow," said one 35-year-old writer. "You see that number and you say a few choice words." Psychologists say two-thirds of all swearing is related to frustration or anger—and there's a lot of that going around. "Swearing results in a form of catharsis," says one psychologist. "People feel better when they swear. There's a sense of release, even detachment. In that respect swearing under pressure has its good points. People under stress release a whole lot of negative energy when they swear that they might otherwise put into other more negative behavior such as screaming at the kids, picking a fight with a spouse or worse." (MSNBC)

Just how are Christians to react in the face of disturbances in our daily routine? When we look at the DOW averages, what does God want us to do? For an answer to this question, Paul’s Philippian letter is a good illustration in a very concrete way as to how Christians should view difficulties in their lives. Paul writes: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything . . .” (Philippians 4:4-6). When a Christian faces trouble, a Christian needs to look away from the trouble and at God, for He is near. It's a "staying or running away" choice. We can chose to stay and feel God's comforting hand on our shoulder or we can run away to the devil, the lord of the curse and the evil tongue. It doesn't take courage; it takes a willingness to chose.

We pray. Heavenly Father, may we always rejoice in Your name O Lord, and may gentleness always be how people identify with us.No matter the problems in life, help us to react with patience and love. You are near and we need not be anxious about anything. When we face trouble, help us to look away from the trouble and at You, for You are near. Help us to chose to stay and feel protected with Your comforting hand on our shoulder and may we never opt to run away from You. May cursing and swearing never be an option in our life. In Jesus name we pray. Amen!

Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.

If you have a special prayer request, please send your request to ”This Passing Day!”

<thispassingday@gmail.com> From Beech Springs, God bless you for Jesus sake.

Reactionary?

(07.01.21– Jesus Are You OK? –Philippians 4:4-5)

My friend, may I ask you a question? Often things don't go right and we come to that moment of choice; of “staying or running.” “Staying” may mean dealing with things, calming down and moving on while “running” often results in anger, frustration, even a cuss word or two?

My friend, Life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day.

I'm M. Clifford Brunner.

Year's ago there was a hit country tune called: "Right Or Left At Oak Street." Roy Clark sang the song and the refrain went like this: "Right or left at Oak Street; it's the choice that I make every day. And, I don't know what takes more courage; the staying or the running away." If I remember correctly Clark was referring to staying or leaving a relation- ship; but those couple of lines have always remained stuck away in my memory not necessarily attached to the meaning of Clark's song. Each day I make a lot of decisions. Some are easy, even automatic. Some are difficult and require more thought; and then there are those that are downright impossible. You know the ones. You want to do one thing but you know the "other" thing, the unwanted choice, is the right one. That's when you have to weigh not what takes more courage but, rather, resolve to do what's right–"the staying or the running away."

Often things don't go right and we come to that moment of choice; of "staying or running." "Staying" may mean dealing with things, calming down and moving on while "running" often results in anger, frustration, even a cuss word or two.

Here's a thought from MSNBC: The state of the economy has made for a lot of bad news, and bad news makes for a lot of cussing, MSNBC reports. "I've been dropping the F-bomb every time I look at the Dow," said one 35-year-old writer. "You see that number and you say a few choice words." Psychologists say two-thirds of all swearing is related to frustration or anger—and there's a lot of that going around. "Swearing results in a form of catharsis," says one psychologist. "People feel better when they swear. There's a sense of release, even detachment. In that respect swearing under pressure has its good points. People under stress release a whole lot of negative energy when they swear that they might otherwise put into other more negative behavior such as screaming at the kids, picking a fight with a spouse or worse." (MSNBC)

Just how are Christians to react in the face of disturbances in our daily routine? When we look at the DOW averages, what does God want us to do? For an answer to this question, Paul’s Philippian letter is a good illustration in a very concrete way as to how Christians should view difficulties in their lives. Paul writes: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything . . .” (Philippians 4:4-6). When a Christian faces trouble, a Christian needs to look away from the trouble and at God, for He is near. It's a "staying or running away" choice. We can chose to stay and feel God's comforting hand on our shoulder or we can run away to the devil, the lord of the curse and the evil tongue. It doesn't take courage; it takes a willingness to chose.

We pray. Heavenly Father, may we always rejoice in Your name O Lord, and may gentleness always be how people identify with us.No matter the problems in life, help us to react with patience and love. You are near and we need not be anxious about anything. When we face trouble, help us to look away from the trouble and at You, for You are near. Help us to chose to stay and feel protected with Your comforting hand on our shoulder and may we never opt to run away from You. May cursing and swearing never be an option in our life. In Jesus name we pray. Amen!

Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.

If you have a special prayer request, please send your request to ”This Passing Day!”

<thispassingday@gmail.com> From Beech Springs, God bless you for Jesus sake.