lmfloyd1218's Xanga

Distracted with Much Serving

Fri, 22 Sep 2006 14:22:39 GMT

I have found myself over the past several weeks involved in "much serving." It is a constant battle I seem to face. And it seems it is a battle I lose often.

The little phrase, "distracted with much serving," is found in Luke 10:40. A familiar passage for many of us. Jesus is visiting Mary and Martha. Mary is sitting at the Lord's feet. Martha is "distracted with much serving." One is sitting one is serving. Every part of me says this is not right - the one serving should be praised and the one sitting should be confronted. But as usual I miss the point.

This is me over the past 6 weeks - distracted with much serving. Driven by deadlines and events. Consumed with accoplishment and obligations. I have been "troubled about many things." I have missed the "necessary."

The necessary is intimacy with Jesus - not the doing for Jesus. He needs nothing from me but desires from me a relationship. Jesus pursued relationships not accomplishments, intimacy not to do list.

Mary choose the good portion. I need to choose better and make the time to sit at the Lord's feet. Even if it means not getting something done.

Father - help me to choose YOU over doing.

What is controling you?

Wed, 16 Aug 2006 03:44:29 GMT

A long time since I posted. Here are some recent thoughts from the mind of el sapo.

"For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died was raised." - 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (ESV)

This may take two post - we will see.

There are two words that strike me in verse 14: "control" and "concluded." I found the use of the word "control" by the ESV interesting. The word here means to hold fast; to press together.

The first question coming to my mind was, "What is controling me?" Second question is "Why is my answer to the first question controling me?" Paul gives an answer as to why he says Christ's love controls us - he concluded something. This is the second key word that pops out to me: concluded - it means here: to form or give an opinion after separating and considering the particulars of a case. Barnes says this, "we thus determine in our own minds, or we thus decide; or this is our firm conviction and belief - we come to this conclusion."

Paul says the love of Christ controls us because we have come to a certain conclusion. In this case that Christ has died.

In looking at this passage I have discovered that there many things controling me that are simply based on faulty conclusions. Here are some:
- My problems are mine to handle not God's
- God is not big enough to provide for me needs
- Real Christians walk on their own - not in real life community with others
- Real Men don't struggle in life

They all are so silly - but these are actual conclusions I have made. I don't necessarly state them in my head like this but when I refuse to bring my heart and soul to God about all that hinders and hurts me, when I refuse to open up to real community with other believers and other men, when I refuse to bring my needs before an ulmighty God I am making each of those faulty conclusions allow those things to control me.

I must conclude (a firm conviction and belief) that Christ death leads to me being controled (held together by) Christs' love.

Our Constant Guardian God

Wed, 21 Jun 2006 21:48:24 GMT

I have been studing the Psalms of Ascent (Ps. 120-134). They have been a great blessing to me. Ps 121 has been a great comfort to me. I am teaching the kids this Psalm.

Ps 121 is a powerful repeated picture of the constant hand of God "keeping" us through life. The description of God as a keeper is reapeted 5 times over the course of 8 verses.

The word for keep means to watch, to guard to care for. The entire Psalm paints God as one who constantly watches over us. Here is what I see:

The principle: I am to look expectantly to God for the help I need. Looking else where is looking for help from the created things rather than the creator of all things. (v. 1-2)

The promises:
God will enable me to stand firm. (v. 2)
God's help is constant for me day and night; over all evil and my whole life; in all places at all times. (v. 3-8)

Trusting God by looking to Him in my need and for His hand to keep me is difficult at times. God help me to trust you as the keeper of my life!

Characters Welcome?

Tue, 23 May 2006 16:35:23 GMT

Rhonda and I participated in a dessert theater at our church this past week. Here is a picture of us in character.

Rhonda - played the part of Chair, the wife a "wealthy" peanut farm named Bucky. She is from "Old-Mexico."

Lee - played the part of Bucky, the "wealthy" peanut farmer.

We had a great time and raise some good money for missions!

We should have auditioned for the USA Networks characters welcome!

Who knows Bucky may show up again sometime in the future.

Meatballs or Murder

Wed, 17 May 2006 17:47:15 GMT

If you are able - join Rhonda and I this weekend at Paul Ann Baptist's presentation of "Meatballs or Murder." It is a dessert theater production benefiting the Africa trip many Paul Ann members are embarking on.

The production is May 19th and 20th at 7 PM. I have tickets and tickets are available at PABC and at the door.

Rhonda will be playing the part of - Chair, the wife of a wealthy peanut farmer.

I will be playing the part of - Bucky, the wealthy (according to Chair) peanut farmer.

There are a host of other characters in the production. This should be fun! Come and join us!!!

NAME & ADDRESS

Mon, 08 May 2006 15:00:57 GMT

My wife Rhonda relayed this story to me the other day. While driving home from the kids school they were listening to KLOVE. The song “Butterfly Kisses” came on the radio. The kids were listening intently to the song. Megan, my daughter, ask Rhonda what the singer meant when he said, “She’ll change her name today.”

Rhonda began to explain that when a young lady gets married, on most occasions, she will change her last name to that of her husband’s. The example she used was her own. “Before I got married my name was Rhonda Sandoval. When I married your dad my name became Rhonda Floyd.”

Micah celebrated this revelation shouting, “Alright! When Megan gets married she has to change her name and move out! When I get married I get to stay at home because I will still be a Floyd!”

Micah’s thought process is very innocent and humorous. But I wonder about its truth. Does a name determine an address?

Paul says that our citizenship is in heaven. The “our” of the verse refers to those who profess to be and live as a believer in Christ.

So if I say I am a Christian is the manner in which I live reflecting my citizenship or my address?

____________________________________________________________________

Let me finish my walking through of Ps 16.

Psalm 16:9-10

Psalms 16:9-11 ESV

(9) Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.

(10) For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.

(11) You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

In view of the facts found in verse 8 the Psalmist is glad. Glad he has the Lord before him as his protection. The “whole being” could also be translated “tongue.” So all of his body rejoices – his tongue sings God’s praises for the protection God avails. His entire person is secure.

God does not abandon. He brings life not death to his holy one (those belonging to God). God reveals the path (our direction) for life. Walking in His presence brings a complete joy and fulfilled life ultimately for eternity.

Great Promise: God does not abandon his people.

Great principle: Trusting in God and walking with him will bring me a complete and fulfilling joy – ultimately it will be for eternity.

What an Example

Wed, 03 May 2006 00:29:51 GMT

Acts 21:13 -

Then Paul Answered, "What are you doing weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus?"

It has just been revealed to Paul that he will be taken away in bonds and given over to the hands of persecutors of the faith. Those around beg him to go to Jerusalem. Yet Paul embraces the fate God has set before him.

Oh - that I would be willing to embrace everything God has for me even the things that are discomforting, hard, even deadly.

God make this kind of faith in me!

Psalm 16:8

Fri, 21 Apr 2006 14:42:09 GMT

I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.

The psalmist here speaks of walking, living out – every moment of his life in the presence of God. As a believer in Christ, His presence is always before me. He is with me in my going out and my coming in (Ps. 121). He is with me in my every day conversations, attitudes, actions, thoughts, and in the secret places of my heart that only I think I see. What conviction! God is present in every single sinful thought, attitude and action. God is present in all my doing. The filth he must see in my heart.

He is at my right hand – God stands at a place of protection in my life. As he goes with me from place to place – even thought to thought – God stands to protect. So what ever enters my life I can take comfort in the truth that it will ultimately be for my good because of a God who will protect me in this life.

Great promise: God is always present – God's action will always protect.

Great principle: God presence should be on my mind as I consider my thinking and my actions. The promise of God’s protection should comfort me no matter what I face in this life.

Country life / Psalm 16:7

Thu, 20 Apr 2006 21:29:47 GMT

I know strange music selection - but it is what I have on.

Yesturday - Rhonda and I started our day like this:

Chasing down one dog to remove the rabit skins from his mouth. Chasing the other dog down to remove the dead bird. Then we caught I mouse in our trash can. The joys of country life!! (The night before she caught our 1st scropion in the house!)

Well - I need to finish my thoughts on Psalm 16. So here is a small thought on the next verse:

Psalm 16:7

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.

How often do I bless the Lord for what he gives? How often do I give thanks for all that God pours upon me? I am afraid that it is not often enough. God gives me so much yet I show little gratitude and give little blessing back to God for it.

Father, forgive the littleness of my heart toward blessing and thanking you for all the counsel you give to me.

A long time between post!

Tue, 18 Apr 2006 21:45:11 GMT

Well it has been quite a while since my last post. I must be the worst blogger ever!

Things are good in the land of the Floyds. The business of life has pulled me away toward other things. I have had good intentions to post - but they never became a reality obviously. Here is an update on me and the family:

Moved out to the country. We now have two fish, a cat and two dogs.

We have had rabbits, armadillos and sheep in our yard. Ran the sheep off, shot the dillos and the rabbits escaped unharmed for the moment.

Rhonda hit a deer in my car. The car is gone and been replaced with a Dodge pickup. I am loving that!

Semester has been good. Looking forward to the summer and what it has in store for us.

I have been teaching the kids Psalm 121 on the way to school each morning. They are up to verse 5. The are catching on quick. The enjoy learning the verses. I pray it becomes a real truth and comfort to their lives.

We are well. I hope to post more tomorrow - but no promises :)

Grace and Peace!!!