‘For in him we live and move and have our being…’ Acts 17:28a
TMI? Too much information – all alarming and overwhelming. With smart phones, laptops, talk radio and even traditional print media, I feel assaulted by sincere-sounding, but conflicting opinions.
Fortunately, my ‘Belt of Truth‘ awaits me each morning. Buckling into God’s word not only clears my head so I can see clearly, but also makes me feel secure and safe. You know, I need to prioritize thinking about that belt as much as I think about my food for each school day!
This morning, Sunday, while walking I began to stress about the coming school week. Will I get all my plans done? What about Jack whose mom wrote yesterday to say how frustrated he felt with one of my homework assignments?
Then I remembered my belt. What do belts do? They don’t allow for much else to come between our tummies and the snug encircling leather, do they! In that sense they protect us. From what?
Jesus explained to Thomas, “….I am the way, the truth and the life….” John 14:6
Tightening my Truth Belt, I’m actually putting Jesus around me. He promises to block hammering false beliefs. There’s no room for them if my belt is to stay both firm yet comfortable.
As I trudged up the gravel road, I thought about that quote from Acts about living ‘in him‘. Paul was actually echoing a line from Epimenides, but applying the truth to God, when he mentioned the poet to the Athenian ‘philosophes‘.
So I will more gladly buckle my safety belt. Not a car restraint, but a ‘living and moving and being belt’ – One that allows ONLY Jesus both to filter the TMI and to hold me together.
Reflections on God's Word 
Jan 25, 2015 @ 22:33:25
Lovely. Thanks for the encouraging word.
Jan 25, 2015 @ 22:46:01
I have the added trouble of figuring out a new phone. Had an old (not-smart) phone, and accidentally flushed it 10 days ago. Steve took the toilet apart, and found it, but even after the rice treatment, there was no display. So we got new phones. Iphone 5S. Talk about TMI! I can’t begin to comprehend all that could be available to me if I knew how to access it, but most of what’s out there is of so little value. Thanks for your piece on the belt of truth. Our pastor went down that road, in a way, this morning. He’s doing a series on “God’s Answers to Life’s Toughest Questions” and today’s was on defeating depression. He suffers from the kind that Pat Gonser has, chemical imbalance that is treated with meds. He used Elijah, 1 Kings 19:1-19, as his example. Here are the “Do’s” and “Don’t’s” – (no idea how to punctuate that!!)
Don’t focus on feelings; focus on facts. v. 3-4 Don’t compare yourself to others.v, 4 Don’t take on false blame. v.10 Don’t exaggerate the negative. v.10 Do guard your physical needs. v. 5-6 Do give your frustration to God. v.10 Do get a fresh awareness of God-go where God tells you! v.11 Do gain a new direction for your life. v.15
We sang some of my favorite songs, but as I looked at him during “His Eye is on the Sparrow,” I was moved to tears. He has been so transparent about his life and fears, was a little tired from traveling to Salt Lake City to see his son in “Singin’ in the Rain” – had a lot to do at church today with three services, all different styles – I pray for him.
Enough musing. I know God has gone before you this week, and has already checked out your teaching plans and your schedule. He made you capable and confident and this may be a week full of unexpected blessings. I hope so!
Love, Trish