Thoughts taken from Soul Keeping by John Ortberg

I was thinking recently about Psalm 23 and restoring of the soul. Have you ever been so tired and worn out that all you can think if is rest? I think we all have and I can tell you that only the peace of God can cure,a restless soul. We are like sheep in many ways. We need still waters, green pastures,and to lie down as it states in Psalm 23. Paul Simon in his song American Tune says it better, 'Im just weary in my bones.', The kind of tired and restlessness that only the peace of God can cure. Only the peace that passes all understanding can cure the restless soul.  And we dont want to rest most of the time even though it is the very thing that we need. God knows what we need before we even ask. . In America today it is too easy to get too busy in life and forget to rest and take care of the most important part of you. There are so many distractions, social media, entertainment, that are crying out for our attention.  There are a lot of souls out there needing rest. A lot of damaged souls that need healing.  We who have been redeemed and have been promised this peace need to share it with others.  We need to do what we can to help others.  Let the grace that we have been given flow through us into others

Thoughts on Life

Did you ever wonder when you really want something to happen and you pray about it and put a lot of time and energy into it and then it doesen't happen? How did you feel? Disapointed, frustrated, and upset? Did you stop to wonder maybe God has something else planned for you? Something better and far beyond you could even imagine.  You may be saying no to a good thing to say yes to the best thing. But you wouldn't know that if you are still clinging onto that old dream or idea.  Selfishly saying my way is best or bragging that you know more than the creator of the universe.  The truth is, God is still sovereign and on the throne regardless of how you are feeling at this point in time. If you are truly seeking His will and not your own desires you can "Be still and know that I am God." Our finite and fallen minds can not comprehend beyond the human limits of time and space. God exists without these limits. He is the great I AM.  Trusting Him for my future is the best choice to make. Regardless of feelings and circumstances God is still sovereign and in control. We will still feel disappointment and discouragement? Yes, even as followers of Christ in this fallen world with our limited, myopic vision we will feel these things. But, as Gods word says "Take heart, I have overcome the world."