Growing Through Challenge - Building Character

May 12, 1976

Increasingly I see that the people in this world who live for themselves and their own personal satisfaction seem to lose all the things in life that are really worth having, and seem to end up the most miserable.

On the other hand, the ones who endeavor to live to serve others, to the same degree, seem to gain the most valuable things from this life including deep personal happiness and satisfaction, God's smile, and an eternal reward.

As I look at the character of Christ and his focus on service while on this earth, the act and spirit of service seems to be the most consistent of any human endeavor with the all-consuming desire to do only the Father's will. If I could learn any one characteristic of His, that would be the one, allowing it to override any personal considerations as I seek to serve others.

September 14, 1978

Father, I don't want to have divided allegiances... I want to be totally sold out to You, and be contented with the material possessions You have provided. I want to give my life for an Eternal purpose, and for the things that will outlast time! You said that if I would "seek You and Your kingdom first, that all these things (material needs) would be provided." Don't let me lose the joy and the contentment of seeing You, the God Of The Universe, provide daily for our lives."
Nevertheless, in all these things, "Thy will be done."

January 30, 1979

"Dear Father, how wonderfully You have provided for us! How I need Your direction and courage, however, to step forward with each new choice that I believe is of You. Please keep reminding me that You will see to it that we are exactly where You want us to be... You are committed to us!

Show me my part in the decision making process... help me to do it, and then go forward in relaxed abandonment, leaving the rest to You... casting all my cares on You! Please keep reminding me, Father, that You want to be our supply and our comfort in every detail of life... everything!"

July 2, 1979

I must be absolutely transparent, completely sincere and open... for I believe this is the true character of Christ. "Thank you, Lord, for making me genuine, but remind me to guard that precious quality. Help me to do everything for Your eyes, and be the same in public and private, no matter who might be watching. I want to be a clear expression of Your love to the people I meet."

September 1, 1981

I am having such trouble learning to relax and I don't read and study as much as I think I should. And then, there are the questions, and the uncertainties... I've got to let God change that pattern because it robs me of joy every day! How I love the truth! How I love to study, to learn, and to go wherever truth leads me! Yet I am continually faced with errors... in myself, and in those whom I have trusted, yet have let me down. What would the Master say to me in this situation? Perhaps he would say...

"Dear one, how I love you and your sincere heart for the truth! How I love the way that your heart yearns to spend time with Me in prayer and study! Don't worry, dear one, about anything... not even about pleasing me! I know your heart... just talk with Me about it... about every detail... and let My peace continue to keep your heart."

September 2, 1981

What would the Father say to me about praying in faith? Perhaps He would say...

"Dear one, if you are going to ask me to do things, why not ask in faith? If you can trust me in anything, why not trust me in everything? For instance, when you pray that I would help you to accomplish certain things during a day, or meet a certain need, don't doubt... just believe! These things are according to My will and you can be certain that I will supply all your needs according to My riches. Just ask, believing I can do it!"

Ask and believe... this is being 'in character' with Christ.

July 31, 1983

Never lose even one minute's present joy being troubled about things material, whether occupation, finances, possessions, or health. From eternity's perspective, nothing material is lasting. Rather, rejoice in the present moment and things eternal, remaining untroubled by anything material... for "this too shall pass." Perhaps the Father would say...

"Dear one, grow... and learn in each precious moment. Rejoice in the qualities of the Spirit that you are learning to reflect to others."

December 13, 1983

Again I need to remind myself that in every area of my life, when I am faced with a decision between my way or the Father's way, I must demonstrate my unalterable commitment to choose the Father's will, even as Jesus so magnificently demonstrated in His life. And further, in choosing the Father's way, and as I rest in Him, it relieves me of the burden of struggling to "measure up" to some unrealistic goal within myself. I suspect the Father would say...

"Dear one... remember... don't struggle so... but just rest in Me, and know that your sincere desire to do good is enough to gradually transform you into a more noble and caring person. Leave the struggling behind..."

January 26, 1984

What might the Father be saying regarding my continual quest to emulate the character of Jesus...

"Dear one, in your desire to be like me, remember to simply rest in me, and I will help you become what I need you to be. Intellectually adopting the character of Christ as an ideal for daily living is an important guideline... socially, intellectually, and spiritually. Your earnest desire and sincere decisions toward this will be enough to gradually transform you into that ideal."

"But this is only half of the task of your transformation. For while the desire to be 'like' me is sufficient to change behavior, only the choice to be 'in character' with Me will change how you think. Think of being 'in character' as one who absorbs and takes on the like-mindedness of another. This allows you, by faith, to not only live these ideals, but to truly transform your thinking, providing that eternal perspective."

October 10, 1984

What might the Father have to say regarding the pressures and problems that we face from day to day? Perhaps He would say...

"Dear one, in everything give thanks! Quit resisting the problems and pressures of this earthly pilgrimage... they are part of this mortal existence, and are essential for your soul's growth and building of your character. You can allow yourself to either be pushed by your problems, or led by your dreams... it's your choice. Every decision you make either impedes or facilitates the effective function of My Spirit within you. So, know that worry, fear, anxiety or introspection drains away your strength and the potential help of My Spirit within... just cast your cares on Me, and do your best in this moment.

Welcome each new moment with joy, and dive into each task at hand enthusiastically, knowing from the eternal perspective, you are right now... this moment... exactly where you need to be!"

September 4, 1992

Thank you, Father, for letting me be a window through which your love and mercy can shine through. When others say that they see "something different" about me, describing "a sense of peace and serenity which surrounds me," I am in awe and gratitude to You for letting Your spirit shine through me to others.

February 18, 1994

As I consider the possibility of major changes in my life, I need to be careful that my main concern and focus is always God's will and the eternal values I am learning. What am I becoming? What values am I adopting? Perhaps the Father might say...

"Dear one, who you are is not so important as who you are becoming as you strive to be 'in character' with Christ in your day to day decisions. Having researched out every angle of each decision to the best of your ability, rest in me for the final outcomes."

February 5, 2010

Lessons I am still trying to learn at age 65

__ Floundering from one thing to another though each day does not make for a rewarding day, week, month, or year.

__ We still need to live each hour with PURPOSE & INTENTION to find satisfaction.

__ Service still is Job # 1. To maintain balance sometimes we need to serve others… sometimes ourselves. Whom and how can I best serve in this moment is always the question.

__ Sketch out some planning and scheduling before each day begins for how you will balance and perform that service (including errands and chores).

__ Begin each time segment with the intentional giving of thanks. There is never a bad time to lift the heart in thanksgiving.

__ Then, move with mindfulness and focus to fill that time segment to the fullest.

December 8, 2011

Father, I think I have probably lived my life too introspectively. How could I find a better balance between introspection and self-forgetfulness? Perhaps in “Self-forgetful Worship”?