PANNING FOR GOLD "Good friends, take to heart what I'm telling you; collect my counsels and guard them with your life. Tune your ears to the world of wisdom; set our heart on a life of understanding. That's right - if you make insight your priority, and won't take no for an answer, searching for it like a prospector panning for gold, like an adventurer on a treasure hunt, believe me, before you know it fear of God will be yours; you'll have come upon the knowledge of God." Proverbs 2:1-5 The Message Have you ever been to one of those tourist traps in the mountains where you can pan for gold? You know -- they give you a beat-up shallow pan and send you down to the creek. There you dip and swirl, dip and swirl, dip and swirl, watching for that precious bit of gold to appear in the bottom of the pan. The gold, being heavier than the other elements in the pan, tends to be at the bottom. It's your job to sift away all the sand and rocks and dirt and leaves so you can find the gold.
Sometimes listening for God's voice is like that, isn't it? It requires kneeling at the creek (figuratively, of course) and sifting out all the rocks and debris in our frantic lives. Only then can we find that nugget of pure gold.
If we are patient, if we quiet ourselves and let the nagging thoughts, fears and worries fall away, we can clear the air to hear from Him. Jesus said, "My sheep hear my voice...."
It is so important that we live with one ear toward heaven. That's why we are studying The Power of a Whisper. We're spending some time practicing just how to do that. And we're sharing our experiences with each other.
Join us this week. Or at the very least, get away to your own quiet place and do some sifting of your own. Listen for that quiet whisper. Maybe you will hear an affirmation of His love for you...or an admonishment for you to change course...or a gentle nudge that calls you to take action and do something. Listen for that treasure that is "more precious than gold" from the One who calls your name.
Happy panning!
Greg ******************************* A new Healing From Loss workshop begins in late September. If you have questions or want to be a part of this dynamic 12-week workshop, please give Greg a call at 602-622-1488. ******************************** Sunday, August 28 Meet at Margie's at 10:30 AM for worship, prayer and teaching! ******************************** Monday, August 29 The Power of a Whisper is the topic this month, and it's prompted some great sharing and discussion. This week we view the last of four DVDs from Bill Hybels called "Wide Open for Good." Peace Lutheran Church fellowship hall at 7:15 PM. Bring a snack to share if you wish. *********************************
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