is work our ultimate concern?

When, for example, recognition on the job becomes more important than character on the job, is this not a sign that reputation is displacing the love of God as the ultimate concern?

Theology of Work

Bible bookmarks

I'm cleaning out the various pieces of paper that fluff the pages of my Bible and reviewing some of the passages I noted for reflection.  Scribbles of verse references, sermon notes, thoughts to chew on;  I should have studied them immediately and intently, followed them up, for daily, passing peace.

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"But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you,  so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need."  ~ 1 Thessalonians 4:10b-12 (NAS)

"Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.   Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve."  ~ Colossians 3:22-24 (NAS)

These two, kept at the front of thinking, would go a great way toward leading me to a stronger and more peaceful relationship with my employer and my fellow workers.

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"For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."  ~ 1 Timothy 6:10 (NAS)

I don't lust after money or riches, but there are certainly far too many occasions when I could have been a stronger steward of God's bounty, and more certain, could have put His money to use helping someone other than myself.

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I have the following notes titled "chapter six focus"; I don't recall what study, which book, they are referencing, but the thoughts alone bear review.

1. prayer, surrendering, confessing - I can feel God's presences and sometimes His comfort but His "pleasure" eludes me
2. work was God's plan from the beginning - working "hard" was the result of sin - I think work is needed to keep us sharp, mentally and physically
3. surrendering what we "have" to God puts us in the position of seeking his desires with our stewardship as well as (?) us constantly seeking Him, His plans, His purposes for our lives
4. I have no ambition
5. work as its own reward provides for our needs (not at the mercy of others 1 Thessalonians 4:12) and allows us to show God's hand in our lives - Honor God - God displayed - God honored
6. at this point, virtually none of my life is surrendered to God - I am hanging on to control and God is not honored & seldom acknowledged

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Here are some note from a study titled "Relationships":

1. Not sure about everyone else, but I am
2. Somewhat - drilling down deeper - think you could call it "personal dissatisfaction"
3. Fear of failure
4. I would lobe to step aside but time is money and money is ability - "If can't give love, I must give stuff"
5. Amen
6. inward focus - "self trapping"
7. I am more outward outside the home. but part of it is that I get "nitpicked" if i express myself to my three girls - it gets wearisome
8. yes - more frustration at home because I expect them to comply willingly, but they are just as difficult

It's interesting that this most important chapter is the shortest and says the least.

Hmm ...

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This one comes from a sermon, I think at Grace Point, titled "EPIC"

 

Your Ending

The Journey

•  2 Peter 1 3-11 -The journey begins when we exchange our lives; the goal is to have lived a life of moral excellence (vs 5)

 Glimpses of Glory

• 2 Corinthians 2:18
• 1 Corinthians 13:12
• 1 John 3:2

Our New Home

• Geneses 2:19
• Revelation 2:17
• Revelation 19:11-16

 I'll just have to look these up and flesh them out to reveal the cohesion.

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11/28/10 FWFBT (?)

James 4:10-12

1 Peter 2:1-2

Ephesians 4:29-32

Galations 6:1-2

Matthew 7:1-6

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work

“But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.” ~ 1 Thessalonians4:10b-12


“Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” ~ Colossians 3:22-24

life at 40 hours

I work hard for my money, and, if I was fortunate enough to earn enough to buy a yacht, my yacht would probably have two wheels, but I would be satisfied that I had earned it and it would be mine by the sweat of my brows and the work of my hands and no free loader's gonna take that away.

Many "millionaires" started as small business owners and were successful to the 'nth degree (ben and jerry, HEB, Kroger, etc....) They worked hard, put in their time and hired thousands of folks and today, due to their successes, they employ thousands more and more and more and more every day. Sam Walton started as a small business owner and the list can be strung out for days and days of "small business owners" who made it to millionaire/biliionaire status.


That's the American way.  Work hard, enjoy your success.

As far as I'm concerned, they earned it and they should be entitled to reap what they sowed. Should they pay a fair share of taxes? They already do, and then some.  The richest "1%" of Americans pay the lion's share of taxes and have for generations.

I've been told I should stop watching Fox news and get the real story.  I don't spend much time watching Fox, (I don't have cable/sattelite and only get to watch Fox on my break at my JOB) but, o.k., I'll stop watching Fox news completely. I never did care much for Sean Hannity and, to be honest, the talking heads at Fox are not much more balanced than the talking heads at MSNBC, CNN, NBC, CBS and ABC.  Maybe I should join the rest of the "puddin heads" and just believe everything Behar and Winfrey have to say!


I read and follow a lot of news and opininon on Twitter, both conservative and liberal.  Should I also stop following all these? Where am I going to get my information, Calvin and Hobbes?

OWS is a sad joke, a pitiful commentary of the State of the Union, a Union run by generations of "Fat Cat" politicians, Democrats and Republicans, but lets not look at the facts, that would take all the fun out of the discussion. Let's just keep blaming George Bush, both of 'em, for all of the ills our country faces.

Six years from now, the Republicans will be blaming Obama, 10 years later the new Democrat President will be blaming the last Republican Presidents and so on and so on and nothing will ever change, except we'll look like England again, with insane taxation and millions of folks on a willingly self imposed slavery to the government.


Then the hordes will come and we'll see the end of this great experiment called America!


Gotta go to work now, I have a long twelve hours ahead of me to support my family and my "extravagant lifestyle".

7 minutes ago ·