This morning right before I awoke I was dreaming about a rainbow. It was a great big double rainbow with vibrant, brilliant colors. Now I don't know what caused me to dream about a rainbow. It might have been something I had seen or read. But when I awoke I was thinking about the promises of God.
The rainbow represents God's grace to humanity. We are all familiar with the story of Noah; God told him to build a big boat and then he sent a flood and destroyed everyone on the earth except Noah and his family. After the flood God gave Noah a rainbow as a promise that he would never again destroy the earth in a flood. Every time we see a rainbow after a storm it is God's way of telling us how much he loves us. He is telling us that there is always grace and strength for tomorrow. I like to think of it as God's way of reminding me that he hasn't forgotten about me. He knows where I am and what I need.
Are you in need of God's grace today? Are there struggles in your life that threaten to overwhelm you? Don't know how you are going to make it? Has God made some promises to you that you haven't seen the fulfillment of yet? Don't be discouraged! Just look at a rainbow and remember, God hasn't forgotten. He knows exactly where you are. He is as close as the mention of his name. As the song says, "Just whisper his name, Jesus, and he will run to you.
Thankfully,
Sullivan Jones
6/10/13
6/6/13
Don't worry, be happy!
The scripture tells us in Matthew 6:34, "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." One modern translation put it like this: "Why don't you let today's own trouble be enough for today?"
Worrying is one of the worst things we can do for our health. Worry can cause loss of sleep, weight loss, weight gain, overeating, heart attack, stroke, stomach ulcers, and just about every other physical ailment known to man. It is just not good for our health to worry. On the other hand, optimism can truly be the key to a healthy life. Those who spend less time worrying and more time enjoying life have much less stress and accomplish much more on a daily and long term basis.
I was discussing physical therapy recently with a registered nurse. She told me that medicine is 10% what the doctor says and 90% what the patient does. Time and time again doctors have been amazed at the incredible odds their patients have overcome. It seems that some people, when faced with a life-threatening or debilitating illness, will simply give up while others will be determined to defy the odds. It all has to do with attitude.
In the study of psychology I learned about different personality types. I have learned to recognize (if you put stock in such things) that I am a melancholy personality. Simply put, that means I am more inclined to see the glass half empty than half full. Melancholies are known to be dramatic, woeful, and consumed with their thoughts; we are also know to be easily depressed. We are also know to be creative, musically and artistically inclined, etc. We love deep and have fierce loyalty to something we deem to be a just cause.
Now I could dwell on the negative aspects of my personality if I wanted to but I am determined to prove the statistics wrong. I am determined to be all the good things that a melancholy is, and leave all the bad things for someone else to be. I can be thoughtful without being moody and temperamental. I can be loyal without being argumentative. I can be expressive without filling my life with drama. You get the picture; it all has to do with my attitude.
And if I don't succeed today, I'll just try again tomorrow. After all, there are a thousand tomorrows. I'll take them one day at a time and let God give me grace for each day as it comes. It's a great way to live - without all the ulcers, heart attacks and stress.
Don't worry, be happy.
Yours Truly,
Sullivan Jones
Worrying is one of the worst things we can do for our health. Worry can cause loss of sleep, weight loss, weight gain, overeating, heart attack, stroke, stomach ulcers, and just about every other physical ailment known to man. It is just not good for our health to worry. On the other hand, optimism can truly be the key to a healthy life. Those who spend less time worrying and more time enjoying life have much less stress and accomplish much more on a daily and long term basis.
I was discussing physical therapy recently with a registered nurse. She told me that medicine is 10% what the doctor says and 90% what the patient does. Time and time again doctors have been amazed at the incredible odds their patients have overcome. It seems that some people, when faced with a life-threatening or debilitating illness, will simply give up while others will be determined to defy the odds. It all has to do with attitude.
In the study of psychology I learned about different personality types. I have learned to recognize (if you put stock in such things) that I am a melancholy personality. Simply put, that means I am more inclined to see the glass half empty than half full. Melancholies are known to be dramatic, woeful, and consumed with their thoughts; we are also know to be easily depressed. We are also know to be creative, musically and artistically inclined, etc. We love deep and have fierce loyalty to something we deem to be a just cause.
Now I could dwell on the negative aspects of my personality if I wanted to but I am determined to prove the statistics wrong. I am determined to be all the good things that a melancholy is, and leave all the bad things for someone else to be. I can be thoughtful without being moody and temperamental. I can be loyal without being argumentative. I can be expressive without filling my life with drama. You get the picture; it all has to do with my attitude.
And if I don't succeed today, I'll just try again tomorrow. After all, there are a thousand tomorrows. I'll take them one day at a time and let God give me grace for each day as it comes. It's a great way to live - without all the ulcers, heart attacks and stress.
Don't worry, be happy.
Yours Truly,
Sullivan Jones
6/5/13
Spreading the Word of God
Last Friday I was in a thrift store in Ocean Springs, MS with some friends. As usual, I decided to glance through the section of used books. I happened to notice a copy of the French Bible. I do not speak much French but I like languages and, since it was only $1, I bought it.
As I held this little Bible in my hands I was once again overwhelmed with thankfulness for God's word. I am thankful that God has chosen to communicate with mankind in such a detailed, intimate way. I am thankful for the many copies of the Bible I have in my home in several different versions. And I'm thankful that the Bible is available to so many people in their own unique languages.
I think about the task of Bible translators. As someone who works with languages I understand how difficult the task can be. I work mainly with Spanish speakers and they have had the Bible in their own language since before the King James was translated into English. But what about those who work with Eskimos, Native Americans or Native African tribes? Isn't is just as important that they have the word of God available to them.
I am thankful that someone chose to translate the Bible into English so that I can understand it. But I don't want to be selfish. I want to support those who are working tirelessly to bring the precious, life-giving word of God to every man, woman, boy and girl around the world. If you are going to give a gift, why not give the word of God? The next time you are in the Christian book store buy one of those Bible that are being sent to a soldier or an orphanage. You won't miss the five dollars it will cost you and the rewards are eternal.
There is an organization called "Faith comes by hearing" that has put the Bible into audio format for many of the world's languages. The audio is available on a radio -like device called a proclaimer. The proclaimer can be charged by electricity, solar power, or crank. It is loud enough to be used in group Bible study for people who can't read which is common in poorer countries. A proclaimer can be bought for $100 and will bring the word of God to an entire village.
At the risk of sounding like a commercial, I am personally making a commitment to help bring the word of God to more people. For the price of a 20 oz Coke a day I can buy 6 proclaimers a year? Can we do our best to spread the word of God? Whether it be buying a cheap copy of the scripture and sending it to someone in jail or supporting a Bible translation society, the possibilities are endless. Will you join me? The effort may be small but the rewards are eternal.
In Christ's Service,
Sullivan Jones
As I held this little Bible in my hands I was once again overwhelmed with thankfulness for God's word. I am thankful that God has chosen to communicate with mankind in such a detailed, intimate way. I am thankful for the many copies of the Bible I have in my home in several different versions. And I'm thankful that the Bible is available to so many people in their own unique languages.
I think about the task of Bible translators. As someone who works with languages I understand how difficult the task can be. I work mainly with Spanish speakers and they have had the Bible in their own language since before the King James was translated into English. But what about those who work with Eskimos, Native Americans or Native African tribes? Isn't is just as important that they have the word of God available to them.
I am thankful that someone chose to translate the Bible into English so that I can understand it. But I don't want to be selfish. I want to support those who are working tirelessly to bring the precious, life-giving word of God to every man, woman, boy and girl around the world. If you are going to give a gift, why not give the word of God? The next time you are in the Christian book store buy one of those Bible that are being sent to a soldier or an orphanage. You won't miss the five dollars it will cost you and the rewards are eternal.
There is an organization called "Faith comes by hearing" that has put the Bible into audio format for many of the world's languages. The audio is available on a radio -like device called a proclaimer. The proclaimer can be charged by electricity, solar power, or crank. It is loud enough to be used in group Bible study for people who can't read which is common in poorer countries. A proclaimer can be bought for $100 and will bring the word of God to an entire village.
At the risk of sounding like a commercial, I am personally making a commitment to help bring the word of God to more people. For the price of a 20 oz Coke a day I can buy 6 proclaimers a year? Can we do our best to spread the word of God? Whether it be buying a cheap copy of the scripture and sending it to someone in jail or supporting a Bible translation society, the possibilities are endless. Will you join me? The effort may be small but the rewards are eternal.
In Christ's Service,
Sullivan Jones
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