The Synchronous Converter

The fever had been high late into the night, but at 2:30 A.M., it broke. The little girl’s mother breathed out in relief. She’ll be O.K. in the morning, she thought.

Harry shifted into second as he approached the top of the hill. It’s 2:45 and 330 miles to go before Tulsa, he told himself, as he started imagining the hotcakes and sausages at Dolly’s Diner. He looked to the eastern horizon. Stars stared back at him from the very rim.

Bernice peered through the gap in the curtains, careful not to move them for fear someone would notice. Though it was ten minutes ’til three, the noise next door continued: words and objects sailing through the air, hurting and crashing when they hit. Bernice wondered if this apartment had been a good move after all. Cheaper is not always better, especially when you’re 77 and all alone. She stayed close to the phone, its 9-1-1 programmed into the auto-dialer. If only morning would come, she worried. Surely they’ll be worn out by then. She expected a gun shot at any moment.

Paul’s eyes popped open at 3:02. Still dark? he frowned. Every year the same thing. The night before the State Fair seems to last forever. He rolled over and tried to go back to sleep.

All four longed for dawn, each for his or her own reason.

The poet says: “My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning” (Ps. 130:6). Whether your reason is concern for an ailing loved one, a desire to complete your task, fear of physical harm, anticipation of something wonderful, or some other reason, wait for the Lord–eagerly and confidently. Like the dawn, the Lord is worth the wait.

---

Copyright ©2005 Steve Singleton, All rights reserved.

Steve Singleton has written and edited several books and numerous articles on subjects of interest to Bible students. He has taught Greek, Bible, and religious studies courses Bible college, university, and adult education programs. He has taught seminars and workshops in 11 states and the Caribbean.

Go to his DeeperStudy.com for Bible study resources, no matter what your level of expertise. Explore “The Shallows,” plumb “The Depths,” or use the well-organized “Study Links” for original sources in English translation. Sign up for Steve’s free “DeeperStudy Newsletter.”

Comments Off

Imagine sitting down in a relaxed setting — a setting you
love — opening a publication, and discovering that you are
totally relating to the heart and soul of the author.

You relate to the style, “flow,” struggles, concerns, joys
and dreams of the one whose creation now lies in front of
you.

Suppose I informed you that the book in question was on back
order, but…

It would be available for a guaranteed delivery within the
next ninety days.

Would you order a copy?

(Did I hear a “Yes!”?)

The masterpiece I’m referring to *will* be available to you:
if you begin now.

That is, if you you begin your journal today.

Should you decide to take action immediately, the book you
only imagined a few moments ago will become a reality for
you much sooner than you thought possible.

A personal journal inherently contains a measure of beauty.
It’s the beauty of you.

Please stop long enough to hear yourself *say* what is
quoted below:

“A journal is ‘me’ recorded…

In my own unique way,

For my own reasons,

And at my own pace.”

And since a journal is “you” recorded, the reflections you
enter on a regular basis quite naturally trace your personal
journey with Jesus.

Your journal becomes a written tapestry of your life as each
specifically chosen strand is engraved on its pages.

Every prayer, idea, struggle, victory, joy, insight on life,
heartache, quote, or observation of any kind contributes to
*your book.*

The book you could be reading the next ninety days.

Or…

The next chapter of the book you continue to create should
you already be involved in art of journaling.

A FEW IDEAS ABOUT WHAT TO WRITE

Keep this phrase in mind and you will rarely struggle for
what to write:

“Pay attention to your heart and record what you hear.”

Sitting in the front row of our church I remained,
literally, at the foot of the cross.

The cross stood in center of our sancturary surrounded by
rows for the worshippers.

I could barely speak, and no words from the choruses were
heard from my lips.

The words recorded in my journal captured a part of what I
heard my heart say that special evening. My Good Friday
prayer went something like this:

“Oh, Lord, help me to retain the image of the cross here in
church this evening. The cross. The wine. There’s something
about being at the foot of the cross, Lord.

It is totally humbling — mixed with a deep sense of
gratitude.

Let me ’see,’ Lord. Not too much, but enough to inspire.
Yes, even demand, a recommitment of my total person to You
– no matter what.

In Jesus’ name: *only,* in His name. Amen.”

Don’t look for good grammar in that prayer. You won’t find
it.

I wrote not for publication. I simply recorded my heart’s
attempt to take in the “majesty” and agony of the cross.

My First Idea, Then, Would Be To…

Record the cries of your heart to the Lord.

My students routinely humble and inspire me. They touch my
heart.

I encourage the men to spend a fair amount of time
considering their purpose in life and design a personal
mission statement that reflects that purpose.

Not long ago several of the statements I received became a
part of my journal.

Consider how I felt as my reading pace slowed down while I
read…

“My life purpose is to love Christ, grow in Christ, share
Christ, serve Christ through His church, and to lead my
family and others to do the same.”

“My life aim is to lead people to know God intimately and to
serve him passionately.”

“To train and equip passionate students and adults to be
servant leaders who will mobilize the global church for the
mission of God.”

My Second Suggestion Is To…

Record the inspiring thoughts of others.

Just like you, I enjoy a variety of things:

Times with my family.

My “prayer walks” with God.

The beach — especially the ocean.

Training men in ministry.

And creating my own quotes — like the ones below:

Personal Devotions

©Lee Wise 2003

A time of sharing my heart with

the heart of my closest Friend, Lord

and lover of my soul.

Personal Devotions

©Lee Wise 2003

An intimate meeting between close friends.

A meeting characterized by truth, love, transparency

and mutual commitment to one another.

My reason for sharing these examples? They were on the spot
expressions of “me.” They reflect something I enjoy.

Therefore, My Third Suggestion Is To…

Record sponteous expressions of “you.”

LET’S GET STARTED…TODAY

If you were to make two significant entries in your journal
today, what would they be?

1. ____________________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________________

Suppose someone asked you this: “What are the three most
important lessons you have learned about walking with God?”,
what would you share?

1. ____________________________________________________

2. ____________________________________________________

3. ____________________________________________________

If you were to write out a prayer today, what would you say?
Jot down how you might begin below:

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

______________________________________________________

Before you are three possible entries for a journal.

And remember, a journal is “you” recorded…

“A journal is ‘me’ recorded…

In my own unique way,

For my own reasons,

And at my own pace.”

Yours for many hope-filled days in Jesus,

Lee
(John 15:16)

__________________________________

© Lee Wise All rights reserved. You may freely distribute

this article. The copyright and this resource box must be

included. http://abeautifulmomentintime.blogspot.com

For your Hope For Daily Living no cost ezine go here –>

http://www.hope-for-daily-living.com

Comments Off

“When attack becomes dance, everything is seen as a gift of energy.”

That sounds great, doesn’t it?

Couldn’t we all use a little more energy from time to time? I know I could. Right now, for instance, as I sit with a blanket over my shoulders, sipping lemon tea and hoping that the next coughing spasm is not as ferocious as the last two, I could use a gift of energy. The tickle that started in my nose and chest a few days ago has blossomed into a full-blown, body-wracking cold, complete with chills and fever.

The martial art Aikido (The Way of Harmony) teaches us to see everything that comes our way as energy to be danced with. By centering and extending our ki (life energy) we connect and blend with the energy of attack, making it a part of us. We redirect it from center, keeping ourselves and our attacker safe from harm.

How this elegant metaphor applies to situations in our personal and professional lives is a continuing source of study and fascination for me. One of the ways I work at integrating Aiki principles into my life is by sharing the philosophy with others. My workshops use physical exercises which help our bodies remember how to do things like center, extend, acknowledge and blend. We begin to dance, flow and move with the energy of conflict instead of blocking it.

So I sit, wondering how I can dance with this attack. Even centering doesn’t stop the incessant coughing. I have no ki to extend (it seems to have retreated to the innermost recesses of my system). The only thing I can think to do is to acknowledge and embrace.

But that, at least, is a beginning. In years past, I would not acknowledge being sick. When I was sick, I’d often go to work anyway. I plowed through what needed doing with half a spirit and wore myself out. I probably infected half a dozen others in the process. I was sometimes ill-tempered, depressed and depressing to be around. If I can’t acknowledge what’s going on, whether it’s a cold or a problem at home, I surely can’t embrace it. By this I mean make it a part of me, connect with it so that I can begin to look for solutions.

Most of our conflicts, internal or external, would resolve themselves if we would only take this first step - acknowledge them! But because we see them as negative, we immediately resist by fighting or fleeing. If I can see what comes my way as energy, with no positive or negative charge other than what I give it, I can be more curious about it. As unwanted as it may be, there’s definitely more power in dancing with it than in resisting it.

As for my cold, I’m still trying to learn if there’s a gift here somewhere. Let’s see - I’ve already read a book I’ve been putting aside for months, started another, and gotten some much needed rest (in between coughs!). I may not always know what the energy offers, but when I can ask the question “Where’s the gift?” I’ve taken a step in a new direction.

© 2005 Judy Ringer, Power & Presence Training

About the Author: Judy Ringer is Founder of Power & Presence Training, specializing in unique workshops on conflict, communication, and creating a more positive work environment. Judy is also a black belt in aikido, and is writing her first book on the connection between aikido, conflict, and living a more purposeful life. To sign up for more free tips and articles like these, visit www.JudyRinger.com

Note: You’re welcome to reprint this article as long as it remains complete and unaltered (including the ‘about the author’ info at the end).

Comments Off