This really got me thinking...

Christian amusements

(J. R. Miller, "In Green Pastures" 1890)

Amusement must never become an end in life. Itmust always be a means, a help on the way--just as sleep is, just as rest is. An hour's amusement, should be to you, just what a night's sleeping is. It should make you stronger, clearer-headed, braver, calmer-souled, more hopeful, more earnest, more enthusiastic--inspiring you for godly living.

Anything which leaves a taint of impurity upon the life, or starts a thought of impurity in the mind, anything which degrades or debases the soul--is an unfit and unworthy amusement for a Christian. Christian amusements must be such as do not harm spiritual life; they must be means of grace.

"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do

~ do everything for God's glory!"

1 Cor. 10:31

Another great memo from . . .

The Monday Memo
MONDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2008

THE BIG PICTURE
EPHESIANS 5:16

Mary David Fisher said, "The length of our life is less important than its depth."

Her saying reminds of something that musician Eubie Blake said on his 100th birthday: "If I'd known I was gonna live this long, I'd have taken better care of myself."

We never know how much time we have left, either in this life or in this ministry, but the question of longevity isn't nearly as crucial as the question of intensity. Even though quantity is an unknown variable; quality must remain consistent.

I think of this when I spend time with my kids. They're out of the house now, living in other cities, starting new lives. When we're together, it's only for a few days -- sometimes only a few hours. When I see them, I forget about what's on TV and my cell phone gets turned off. I want to make every second count.

We need to approach our lives and our work the same way. Paul used a phrase in Ephesians 5 that is translated in the NIV as "make the most of every opportunity." The King James uses the phrase, "redeeming the time." In order to do this, we need to understand two things:

1. Our lives fit into the Big Picture of God's plan.
2. The Big Picture is played out one frame at a time: one day, one hour, one moment at a time.

If you're like most of us, your plate is already full. At any moment there are a dozen things you could be doing. The important question is: "Of everything on my list, what is the best thing I can do right now?"

You can't answer this question without a good idea about where your life is going. Grasping the Big Picture empowers you to shape your plans day by day.

So your day is full. Maybe you'll spend some time today cleaning up yesterday's mess. Maybe you'll spend some time putting out today's fires. These things are inevitable. But the biggest "maybe" is if you'll spend some time today preparing for what your life will become tomorrow.

If we're not careful, we can spend all of our time focused on yesterday and today. The result is that the Big Picture stuff doesn't get done -- until it becomes another fire to put out or another mess to clean up. (Need examples? Waiting until December 10 to decide how you'll pay for Christmas; waiting until you're 62 to decide how you'll pay for retirement; waiting until September 15 to decide who will speak at your Fall Retreat ... and so on.)

Redeem the time. Make the most of every opportunity. Think about the hours you have at your disposal. What's the best thing you can do -- not just for the crises you're facing now, but for the life you want to have in the months ahead and in the years to come?

Determining the most important thing to do at any given moment isn't as easy as it seems. It takes practice, discernment and wisdom. And it takes a grasp of the Big Picture. The pay off is that your days have meaning, and your life tells a story that brings glory to God.

--Steve May

About the Monday Memo
The Monday Memo is a weekly devotional for leaders sent out each Monday by Steve May. This is a free service. For more information, to change your email address, or unsubscribe to this newsletter, please visit http://www.aboutsunday.com/omm.htm

The Unerring Hand of Infinite Wisdom

"My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please."

Isaiah 46:10

Nothing is so calming and comforting to the Christian pilgrim, as the assurance of Divine Guidance in every, even the most minute circumstances which befall him.

Without this perception of his heavenly Father's care, a thousand intricacies must beset his path. He must be staggered at almost every step. But when he beholds, by faith--the unerring hand of infinite wisdom, wielding the stupendous machine of human events--causing everything to promote the spiritual good of His people--then he quiets himself as a little child, and can say with cheerful resignation, "Father, not my will, but yours be done."

In such a world of change and trial, how inestimable is a calm reliance on the wisdom, power, and love of God. It fully compensates for the lack of temporal ease and wealth. If, without our heavenly Father, not even a sparrow can fall to the ground; if the very hairs of our head are all numbered--how composed should we be.

The reins of universal nature are in the hands of Infinite Love! This vast complex machine is guided by Infinite Wisdom and Power! The Almighty Ruler of the sky cannot be taken by surprise. Nothing unforeseen can happen to cross His purposes or thwart His designs. All worlds are open to His view.

If this Great and Glorious Being is our Father and our Friend--then our privilege is to rejoice at all times, and in everything to give thanks. How consoling and encouraging is the assurance that the blessed Redeemer of my soul, is the Great Sovereign of the Universe! Without His permission nothing can happen in the vast dominion over which He sways His scepter! To His will every creature must bow--either in willing obedience, or in just and endless punishment!

"Lord, be pleased to impart unto me, your unworthy servant, this spirit of confidence in You. May I see Your hand in all the events of life--ordering the the minor, as well as in the greater movements of Your Providence. This watching and waiting for the manifestations of Your guardian care--will fill me with thankfulness for all my mercies, and make me patient under all my trials."

"My times are in Your hands."

Psalm 31:15

(Thomas Reade, The Sovereignty of God)