Comments for a spiritual oasis http://spiritualoasis.org/blog RESOURCES FOR ABUNDANT CHRISTIAN LIVING Fri, 18 Jul 2008 23:39:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 Comment on Take Heart My Friend by ed http://spiritualoasis.org/blog/2008/07/14/take-heart-my-friend/#comment-977 ed Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:51:54 +0000 http://spiritualoasis.org/blog/2008/07/14/take-heart-my-friend/#comment-977 bill you are a great freind and inspiration we all should learn to give our problems to god thank you so very much we miss you me the most please be safe and take care ps check your e-mail.. bill you are a great freind and inspiration we all should learn to give our problems to god thank you so very much
we miss you me the most please be safe and take care
ps check your e-mail..

]]> Comment on Take Heart My Friend by Tucker http://spiritualoasis.org/blog/2008/07/14/take-heart-my-friend/#comment-976 Tucker Wed, 16 Jul 2008 03:41:58 +0000 http://spiritualoasis.org/blog/2008/07/14/take-heart-my-friend/#comment-976 I think I have found a new favorite blog poster! Love your latest postings. You are a great storyteller. As a farmer, I seem to have "those" kinda days when I get up in the morning. Just learn to laugh. It's all a part of life! I think I have found a new favorite blog poster! Love your latest postings. You are a great storyteller. As a farmer, I seem to have “those” kinda days when I get up in the morning. Just learn to laugh. It’s all a part of life!

]]> Comment on Take Heart My Friend by Neva Cooper http://spiritualoasis.org/blog/2008/07/14/take-heart-my-friend/#comment-975 Neva Cooper Wed, 16 Jul 2008 00:35:26 +0000 http://spiritualoasis.org/blog/2008/07/14/take-heart-my-friend/#comment-975 Been there---so has my wonderful husband. We have been blessed that we never have those kind of days at the same time, so I can encourage him and he can encourage me. We remind each other to take heart and that this world is only a breath and then . . . . Heaven--all good days forever and ever. God is so good to give us those encouragers in our lives. Thank you for being one, Bill Blessings Neva Been there—so has my wonderful husband. We have been blessed that we never have those kind of days at the same time, so I can encourage him and he can encourage me. We remind each other to take heart and that this world is only a breath and then . . . . Heaven–all good days forever and ever. God is so good to give us those encouragers in our lives. Thank you for being one, Bill

Blessings
Neva

]]> Comment on Take Heart My Friend by Rachel http://spiritualoasis.org/blog/2008/07/14/take-heart-my-friend/#comment-974 Rachel Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:01:44 +0000 http://spiritualoasis.org/blog/2008/07/14/take-heart-my-friend/#comment-974 Thank you, Bill! :) Psalm 27:14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Thank you, Bill! :)

Psalm 27:14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

]]> Comment on Take Heart My Friend by Laura Shaw http://spiritualoasis.org/blog/2008/07/14/take-heart-my-friend/#comment-973 Laura Shaw Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:41:15 +0000 http://spiritualoasis.org/blog/2008/07/14/take-heart-my-friend/#comment-973 Yes, I've had days and weeks and months just like you described. But it's good to be reminded to "take heart," not because of our own strength, but because of His strength in and through us. Love the admonition and reminder to focus on the Lord's magnificent ability. Yes, I’ve had days and weeks and months just like you described. But it’s good to be reminded to “take heart,” not because of our own strength, but because of His strength in and through us. Love the admonition and reminder to focus on the Lord’s magnificent ability.

]]> Comment on Be Sweet by ed http://spiritualoasis.org/blog/2008/07/12/be-sweet/#comment-971 ed Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:22:55 +0000 http://spiritualoasis.org/blog/2008/07/12/be-sweet/#comment-971 never go to bed angry with your spouse always try to sweet all you have is one another never go to bed angry with your spouse always try to sweet all you have is one another

]]> Comment on From Ordinary to Extraordinary by Laura Shaw http://spiritualoasis.org/blog/2008/07/10/from-ordinary-to-extraordinary/#comment-970 Laura Shaw Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:09:07 +0000 http://spiritualoasis.org/blog/2008/07/10/from-ordinary-to-extraordinary/#comment-970 Okay, two rich posts in a row. My first time here but I am blown away by the depth and insight. I'll be adding this to my blogroll. Okay, two rich posts in a row. My first time here but I am blown away by the depth and insight. I’ll be adding this to my blogroll.

]]> Comment on Be Sweet by Laura Shaw http://spiritualoasis.org/blog/2008/07/12/be-sweet/#comment-969 Laura Shaw Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:06:10 +0000 http://spiritualoasis.org/blog/2008/07/12/be-sweet/#comment-969 This is beyond sweet. Rich, powerful, anointed post. This is beyond sweet. Rich, powerful, anointed post.

]]> Comment on From Ordinary to Extraordinary by health & lifestyle » Blog Archive » You think the U.S. has inflation issues http://spiritualoasis.org/blog/2008/07/10/from-ordinary-to-extraordinary/#comment-968 health & lifestyle » Blog Archive » You think the U.S. has inflation issues Mon, 14 Jul 2008 04:47:06 +0000 http://spiritualoasis.org/blog/2008/07/10/from-ordinary-to-extraordinary/#comment-968 [...] The masses of humanity live lives of quiet desperation. [...] […] The masses of humanity live lives of quiet desperation. […]

]]> Comment on Be Sweet by Steve http://spiritualoasis.org/blog/2008/07/12/be-sweet/#comment-967 Steve Sun, 13 Jul 2008 12:32:08 +0000 http://spiritualoasis.org/blog/2008/07/12/be-sweet/#comment-967 Hope you are well, Bill. Long time no see. Will you be at Spiritual Growth in Orlando? Good thoughts! Peace. Hope you are well, Bill. Long time no see. Will you be at Spiritual Growth in Orlando?

Good thoughts!

Peace.

]]> Comment on Be Sweet by Maggie http://spiritualoasis.org/blog/2008/07/12/be-sweet/#comment-966 Maggie Sun, 13 Jul 2008 03:58:44 +0000 http://spiritualoasis.org/blog/2008/07/12/be-sweet/#comment-966 My verse of the year from an epistle Timothy, and I keep struggling with that one little part: Pursue...gentleness. Same vein. PURSUE...gentleness. It almost haunts me. Yes, Lord, help me be sweet, and help me to pursue like I'm running a race for it. To aggressively remember and train myself and repent and try again...to be sweet. Oh, so difficult in raising children. My verse of the year from an epistle Timothy, and I keep struggling with that one little part: Pursue…gentleness.

Same vein.

PURSUE…gentleness.

It almost haunts me.

Yes, Lord, help me be sweet, and help me to pursue like I’m running a race for it. To aggressively remember and train myself and repent and try again…to be sweet. Oh, so difficult in raising children.

]]> Comment on Beauty From Within by Barb http://spiritualoasis.org/blog/2008/06/16/beauty-from-within/#comment-965 Barb Sun, 13 Jul 2008 01:55:24 +0000 http://spiritualoasis.org/blog/2008/06/16/beauty-from-within/#comment-965 Bill, I couldn't help but think of all the same scenarios you stated. While at SIBI, we were required to present mock Ladies Day speeches. Mine interestingly enough, was on beauty. The same underlying beauty we all possess. We either allow it to be the nucleus of our hearts or cover it up with today's "cosmetics" which only delutes the true beauty or conceals our flaws to represent a false reflection of ourselves. The bottom line for all of us who wish to allow the natural beauty God gifted us with is to begin with the right "foundation". All the glimmer, color, tweezing, curling, and applying the world's discolorations only reflect the world. You are right in stating most emphasize the physical when God has always asked for the spiritual. Nothing can adorn a person more than the natural beauty waiting inside of them to shine forth and teach others how to find their beauty too. I related in my speech the preparations a woman makes for her long awaited wedding day. She is so very meticulous about everything she wears that day for her groom. The intensity of her heart to make sure no one mars her dress, smears her makeup, touches her hair, and the list goes on. This is an event that is life changing and it is her desire to be as picture perfect as possible. My question to my audience was, do we today, anxiously, with great anticipation, treat our spiritual wedding day with our heavenly groom with as much preparation and attention? Thank you for reminding me of a very memorable day. Peace, Barb Bill,
I couldn’t help but think of all the same scenarios you stated. While at SIBI, we were required to present mock Ladies Day speeches. Mine interestingly enough, was on beauty. The same underlying beauty we all possess. We either allow it to be the nucleus of our hearts or cover it up with today’s “cosmetics” which only delutes the true beauty or conceals our flaws to represent a false reflection of ourselves. The bottom line for all of us who wish to allow the natural beauty God gifted us with is to begin with the right “foundation”. All the glimmer, color, tweezing, curling, and applying the world’s discolorations only reflect the world.
You are right in stating most emphasize the physical when God has always asked for the spiritual. Nothing can adorn a person more than the natural beauty waiting inside of them to shine forth and teach others how to find their beauty too.
I related in my speech the preparations a woman makes for her long awaited wedding day. She is so very meticulous about everything she wears that day for her groom. The intensity of her heart to make sure no one mars her dress, smears her makeup, touches her hair, and the list goes on. This is an event that is life changing and it is her desire to be as picture perfect as possible. My question to my audience was, do we today, anxiously, with great anticipation, treat our spiritual wedding day with our heavenly groom with as much preparation and attention?
Thank you for reminding me of a very memorable day.

Peace,
Barb

]]> Comment on Be Sweet by Kathy http://spiritualoasis.org/blog/2008/07/12/be-sweet/#comment-964 Kathy Sat, 12 Jul 2008 18:58:34 +0000 http://spiritualoasis.org/blog/2008/07/12/be-sweet/#comment-964 "Be sweet?" Our kids, for instance, battle the harshness of music around them, the noise of political rants. They hear not debate, but argument between teachers, or parents, or other adults with differing opinions. How can we show them 'sweetness?" What is our role is helping them keep child-like sweetness in their hearts? In what way can we begin to chisel away at the monolithic wall of noise and hostility that surrounds us? Our IS a noisy, harsh, contentious society. How can we bring, rather maintain sweetness in ourselves and extend it to our kids? Great entry, Bill! Just great! “Be sweet?” Our kids, for instance, battle the harshness of music around them, the noise of political rants. They hear not debate, but argument between teachers, or parents, or other adults with differing opinions. How can we show them ’sweetness?” What is our role is helping them keep child-like sweetness in their hearts? In what way can we begin to chisel away at the monolithic wall of noise and hostility that surrounds us? Our IS a noisy, harsh, contentious society. How can we bring, rather maintain sweetness in ourselves and extend it to our kids?

Great entry, Bill! Just great!

]]> Comment on Be Sweet by Ted M. Gossard http://spiritualoasis.org/blog/2008/07/12/be-sweet/#comment-963 Ted M. Gossard Sat, 12 Jul 2008 17:55:58 +0000 http://spiritualoasis.org/blog/2008/07/12/be-sweet/#comment-963 Important words, and interesting from these two people, here. Good to reflect on, and most importantly, to hear God's voice to us through them. Thanks, Bill. Important words, and interesting from these two people, here. Good to reflect on, and most importantly, to hear God’s voice to us through them.

Thanks, Bill.

]]> Comment on From Ordinary to Extraordinary by You think the U.S. has inflation issues | Christian Finances http://spiritualoasis.org/blog/2008/07/10/from-ordinary-to-extraordinary/#comment-962 You think the U.S. has inflation issues | Christian Finances Sat, 12 Jul 2008 12:39:30 +0000 http://spiritualoasis.org/blog/2008/07/10/from-ordinary-to-extraordinary/#comment-962 [...] The masses of humanity live lives of quiet desperation. [...] […] The masses of humanity live lives of quiet desperation. […]

]]> Comment on From Ordinary to Extraordinary by Ted M. Gossard http://spiritualoasis.org/blog/2008/07/10/from-ordinary-to-extraordinary/#comment-961 Ted M. Gossard Fri, 11 Jul 2008 23:34:18 +0000 http://spiritualoasis.org/blog/2008/07/10/from-ordinary-to-extraordinary/#comment-961 Good thoughts here, Bill. And a good testimony. I like this: God does use the ordinary- in Jesus becoming the extraordinary. Important for us to remember and live out. Encouraging words. Thanks. Good thoughts here, Bill. And a good testimony. I like this: God does use the ordinary- in Jesus becoming the extraordinary. Important for us to remember and live out. Encouraging words.

Thanks.

]]> Comment on From Ordinary to Extraordinary by Kathy http://spiritualoasis.org/blog/2008/07/10/from-ordinary-to-extraordinary/#comment-960 Kathy Fri, 11 Jul 2008 22:43:48 +0000 http://spiritualoasis.org/blog/2008/07/10/from-ordinary-to-extraordinary/#comment-960 Bill, dear brother, You know much I enjoy the thinking and insights of Oswald Chambers. He really stretches me....opening my heart to needed growth and changes. This is how he addresses the mundane happenings in our lives. Tough, but Jesus glorifying, imho. from Philippians 3:10 ". . . that I may know Him . . ." ______________________________________________ A saint is not to take the initiative toward self-realization, but toward knowing Jesus Christ. A spiritually vigorous saint never believes that his circumstances simply happen at random, nor does he ever think of his life as being divided into the secular and the sacred. He sees every situation in which he finds himself as the means of obtaining a greater knowledge of Jesus Christ, and he has an attitude of unrestrained abandon and total surrender about him. The Holy Spirit is determined that we will have the realization of Jesus Christ in every area of our lives, and He will bring us back to the same point over and over again until we do. Self-realization only leads to the glorification of good works, whereas a saint of God glorifies Jesus Christ through his good works. Whatever we may be doing— even eating, drinking, or washing disciples’ feet— we have to take the initiative of realizing and recognizing Jesus Christ in it. Every phase of our life has its counterpart in the life of Jesus. Our Lord realized His relationship to the Father even in the most menial task. "Jesus, knowing . . . that He had come from God and was going to God, . . . took a towel . . . and began to wash the disciples’ feet . . ." ( John 13:3-5 ). The aim of a spiritually vigorous saint is "that I may know Him . . ." Do I know Him where I am today? If not, I am failing Him. I am not here for self-realization, but to know Jesus Christ. In Christian work our initiative and motivation are too often simply the result of realizing that there is work to be done and that we must do it. Yet that is never the attitude of a spiritually vigorous saint. His aim is to achieve the realization of Jesus Christ in every set of circumstances. _________________________________________________ We really need to know HIM in order to do His work. Knowing Him, truly knowing Him is thrilling - nothing is mundane when we are close to Him in close friendship. imho at least. :) Bill, dear brother,
You know much I enjoy the thinking and insights of Oswald Chambers. He really stretches me….opening my heart to needed growth and changes. This is how he addresses the mundane happenings in our lives. Tough, but Jesus glorifying, imho.

from
Philippians 3:10
“. . . that I may know Him . . .”
______________________________________________

A saint is not to take the initiative toward self-realization, but toward knowing Jesus Christ. A spiritually vigorous saint never believes that his circumstances simply happen at random, nor does he ever think of his life as being divided into the secular and the sacred. He sees every situation in which he finds himself as the means of obtaining a greater knowledge of Jesus Christ, and he has an attitude of unrestrained abandon and total surrender about him. The Holy Spirit is determined that we will have the realization of Jesus Christ in every area of our lives, and He will bring us back to the same point over and over again until we do. Self-realization only leads to the glorification of good works, whereas a saint of God glorifies Jesus Christ through his good works. Whatever we may be doing— even eating, drinking, or washing disciples’ feet— we have to take the initiative of realizing and recognizing Jesus Christ in it. Every phase of our life has its counterpart in the life of Jesus. Our Lord realized His relationship to the Father even in the most menial task. “Jesus, knowing . . . that He had come from God and was going to God, . . . took a towel . . . and began to wash the disciples’ feet . . .” ( John 13:3-5 ).
The aim of a spiritually vigorous saint is “that I may know Him . . .” Do I know Him where I am today? If not, I am failing Him. I am not here for self-realization, but to know Jesus Christ. In Christian work our initiative and motivation are too often simply the result of realizing that there is work to be done and that we must do it. Yet that is never the attitude of a spiritually vigorous saint. His aim is to achieve the realization of Jesus Christ in every set of circumstances.
_________________________________________________

We really need to know HIM in order to do His work. Knowing Him, truly knowing Him is thrilling - nothing is mundane when we are close to Him in close friendship. imho at least. :)

]]> Comment on Frustrations and the Holy Spirit’s Fruit by Bob http://spiritualoasis.org/blog/2008/06/26/frustrations-and-the-holy-spirit%e2%80%99s-fruit/#comment-959 Bob Fri, 11 Jul 2008 19:30:34 +0000 http://spiritualoasis.org/blog/2008/06/26/frustrations-and-the-holy-spirit%e2%80%99s-fruit/#comment-959 Bill, great post - you are absolutely right. God guides our steps even when we are not aware. Thanks for writing that, it helped me put a few things in perspective today. Bill,
great post - you are absolutely right. God guides our steps even when we are not aware. Thanks for writing that, it helped me put a few things in perspective today.

]]> Comment on You Are Loved by ED http://spiritualoasis.org/blog/2008/07/08/you-are-loved/#comment-958 ED Thu, 10 Jul 2008 17:07:38 +0000 http://spiritualoasis.org/blog/2008/07/08/you-are-loved/#comment-958 I HAVE THE BEST WIFE IN THE WORLD,ALSO KNOWING SOMONE CARES AND LOVES YOU THAT MUCH IS AWSOME..SHE HAS TAUGHT ME SO MUCH ABOUT THE LORD AND THE BIBLE.AND SOMETIMES I LOSE SIGHT OF THAT.WE ALL NEED TO KEEP OUR EYE ON THE BALL I HAVE THE BEST WIFE IN THE WORLD,ALSO KNOWING SOMONE CARES AND LOVES YOU THAT MUCH IS AWSOME..SHE HAS TAUGHT ME SO MUCH ABOUT THE LORD AND THE BIBLE.AND SOMETIMES I LOSE SIGHT OF THAT.WE ALL NEED TO KEEP OUR EYE ON THE BALL

]]> Comment on You Are Loved by Matthew http://spiritualoasis.org/blog/2008/07/08/you-are-loved/#comment-957 Matthew Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:17:26 +0000 http://spiritualoasis.org/blog/2008/07/08/you-are-loved/#comment-957 Knowing you are loved makes all the difference in the world. www.matthewsblog.waynesborochurchofchrist.org Knowing you are loved makes all the difference in the world.

http://www.matthewsblog.waynesborochurchofchrist.org

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