Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Oh Friends, there is respite on the horizon, respite from the virtues we’ve been talking about the last how many days. Today just might be the last day on that subject. And I hear many of you muttering ‘Thank you Lord!’ (smile) But why do we tend to shy away from the good, healthy values eh, would rather not talk about them, but so readily embrace the not so good ones in our conversations? Who knows? Is it because our society tends to frown on goody goody people, while saluting and glorifying the loud, boisterous, self-aggrandizing evil doers? I really don’t know mih people. But I do know that the quote I’m about to share from Henri Frederic Amiel, a Swiss philosopher and critic (1821-1888) is indeed full of truth and wisdom. And it says: ‘To know how to grow old is the master work of wisdom, and one of the most difficult chapters in the great art of living.’ And ain’t that the truth my old geezer Friends! It’s not easy growing old, much less doing so gracefully. The physical part is hard and bad enough with all the aches and pains, though medication or joint replacement might alleviate those problems. But what about the emotional aspect of growing old, of knowing that you are one day closer to death’s door, with fear and anxiety growing daily over things that never bothered us when we were young, and no pain killers to ease our hurting psyches? And that sort of thing is even more exaggerated in today’s youth oriented, older folks forgotten and/or marginalized society. Now take that one step further, when we’re retired and have nothing much to really occupy our time and minds. As they say, the devil finds work for idle hands. That’s partially why older folks tend to worry more; simply because they don’t have much to productively occupy their time, so they sit and conjure up all sorts of negative situations. And isn’t it strange how under those conditions, we tend to conjure up more negative than positive scenarios? It’s very seldom the life’s coming up roses thoughts, always more dreadful forebodings. However Friends, the ole fella has the solution to all those negative problems! (smile) Yes, I do. And it’s not rocket science my people. It’s very simple, as all great ideas are. All we have to do is live according to our Bit. Wow! Yes Wow! ‘Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.’ Oh mih people, that deserves another Wow! Why? Because they are truly words of wisdom! If we live the way they advise, we’ll never have to worry about growing old. We’ll be careful and concerned, but not worried and anxious, we won’t fear death or any of the stuff that advanced years brings. For when believers adhere to the virtues that Bruh Paul spells out; forbearance, forgiveness, kindness, LOVE, with peace reigning in our hearts, minds and souls, then we are fertile soil for the word of Christ to dwell richly in us. I like how Bruh Paul says it to the Ephesians. ‘Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in our heart to the Lord.’ (Eph.5:19) Oh mih breddren isn’t that a beautiful way to live! In fact, the ONLY way to live successfully is by continually singing and making melody in our hearts to our God. What could be nicer or more perfect than that eh? Nothing, as far as I’m concerned. And the sad part is that what Bruh Paul’s suggesting is not hard to do at all, plus it’s our godly calling. As believers in Christ we’re duty bound to live in that manner. However Friends, I didn’t come to preach or lecture today. (smile) Be quiet my children. I’m just here to show us how to live successfully in this…I was going to say godforsaken world, but fortunately, He hasn’t quite written us off as yet. So how do we describe our world? As evil, cruel, hate-filled, warmongering, selfish, greedy, violent, but…and it’s a big but Friends, BUT with a small core of kind, peace LOVING, forbearing, forgiving, harmonious and unified followers of Christ, who will eventually turn this whole thing right around with the LOVE Revolution that’s now quietly brewing and fomenting all across the world. And all God’s people shouted in unison: ‘Glory Hallelujah! Long live the kingdom of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour!’ Until that most eventful day my Friends, please, I implore us, let’s seriously attempt to live the way Bruh Paul advises. Let’s sing and make melody in out hearts to our God. ‘And whatever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.’ (Col.3:17) And for those of us who did not realize it, or were unsure, yesterday’s quote about prayer being a longing of the soul was indeed by Mahatma (great soul) Gandhi. His real name was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. And here ends the series on virtue. And they all sighed thankfully. (smile) Much LOVE mih people!…living in Christ…and for Christ…is the ONLY way to live…a successful earthly life…
Oh Friends, there is respite on the horizon, respite from the virtues we’ve been talking about the last how many days. Today just might be the last day on that subject. And I hear many of you muttering ‘Thank you Lord!’ (smile) But why do we tend to shy away from the good, healthy values eh, would rather not talk about them, but so readily embrace the not so good ones in our conversations? Who knows? Is it because our society tends to frown on goody goody people, while saluting and glorifying the loud, boisterous, self-aggrandizing evil doers? I really don’t know mih people. But I do know that the quote I’m about to share from Henri Frederic Amiel, a Swiss philosopher and critic (1821-1888) is indeed full of truth and wisdom. And it says: ‘To know how to grow old is the master work of wisdom, and one of the most difficult chapters in the great art of living.’ And ain’t that the truth my old geezer Friends! It’s not easy growing old, much less doing so gracefully. The physical part is hard and bad enough with all the aches and pains, though medication or joint replacement might alleviate those problems. But what about the emotional aspect of growing old, of knowing that you are one day closer to death’s door, with fear and anxiety growing daily over things that never bothered us when we were young, and no pain killers to ease our hurting psyches? And that sort of thing is even more exaggerated in today’s youth oriented, older folks forgotten and/or marginalized society. Now take that one step further, when we’re retired and have nothing much to really occupy our time and minds. As they say, the devil finds work for idle hands. That’s partially why older folks tend to worry more; simply because they don’t have much to productively occupy their time, so they sit and conjure up all sorts of negative situations. And isn’t it strange how under those conditions, we tend to conjure up more negative than positive scenarios? It’s very seldom the life’s coming up roses thoughts, always more dreadful forebodings. However Friends, the ole fella has the solution to all those negative problems! (smile) Yes, I do. And it’s not rocket science my people. It’s very simple, as all great ideas are. All we have to do is live according to our Bit. Wow! Yes Wow! ‘Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.’ Oh mih people, that deserves another Wow! Why? Because they are truly words of wisdom! If we live the way they advise, we’ll never have to worry about growing old. We’ll be careful and concerned, but not worried and anxious, we won’t fear death or any of the stuff that advanced years brings. For when believers adhere to the virtues that Bruh Paul spells out; forbearance, forgiveness, kindness, LOVE, with peace reigning in our hearts, minds and souls, then we are fertile soil for the word of Christ to dwell richly in us. I like how Bruh Paul says it to the Ephesians. ‘Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in our heart to the Lord.’ (Eph.5:19) Oh mih breddren isn’t that a beautiful way to live! In fact, the ONLY way to live successfully is by continually singing and making melody in our hearts to our God. What could be nicer or more perfect than that eh? Nothing, as far as I’m concerned. And the sad part is that what Bruh Paul’s suggesting is not hard to do at all, plus it’s our godly calling. As believers in Christ we’re duty bound to live in that manner. However Friends, I didn’t come to preach or lecture today. (smile) Be quiet my children. I’m just here to show us how to live successfully in this…I was going to say godforsaken world, but fortunately, He hasn’t quite written us off as yet. So how do we describe our world? As evil, cruel, hate-filled, warmongering, selfish, greedy, violent, but…and it’s a big but Friends, BUT with a small core of kind, peace LOVING, forbearing, forgiving, harmonious and unified followers of Christ, who will eventually turn this whole thing right around with the LOVE Revolution that’s now quietly brewing and fomenting all across the world. And all God’s people shouted in unison: ‘Glory Hallelujah! Long live the kingdom of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour!’ Until that most eventful day my Friends, please, I implore us, let’s seriously attempt to live the way Bruh Paul advises. Let’s sing and make melody in out hearts to our God. ‘And whatever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.’ (Col.3:17) And for those of us who did not realize it, or were unsure, yesterday’s quote about prayer being a longing of the soul was indeed by Mahatma (great soul) Gandhi. His real name was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. And here ends the series on virtue. And they all sighed thankfully. (smile) Much LOVE mih people!…living in Christ…and for Christ…is the ONLY way to live…a successful earthly life…
SCRIP-BITS 