Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Slavery

Today's Verse
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always making mention of you in my prayers, because I hear of your love, and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints; and I pray the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ's sake. For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother (sisters!).
~Philemon 1: 1-7

Thoughts on today's verse...
The tiny little book of Philemon is one of my favorites and is one of the Apostle Paul's Prison Epistles written during his first confinement in Rome. Onesimus was one of the millions of slaves in the Roman Empire. He had stolen from his master (Philemon) and had run away. Eventually he crossed paths with Paul, who led him to faith in Christ. This brought about a dilemma for the slave Onesimus - that of putting his new found faith into practice by returning to his master, or to keep on "running". Death was normally the punishment for a run away slave. Paul interceeded by writing this wonderful letter to Philemon, who was also a believer in Christ. Paul expresses to Philemon how Onesimus is now no longer a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother and partner in the ministry of the gospel.

The Apostle Paul often refers to himself as a 'bond-slave' of Christ. This is also a wonderful study of contrasts.
A few notes...
I believe it was actress Bette Davis who said, "Aging ain't for sissies." I agree and neither is illness. Everytime I think I've made some strides then there's a minor set back. The old 'two steps forward, three steps back.'

I have been overwhelmed and humbled by your comments, Ladies. Thank you so much for your prayers and well wishes. The major complaints still stem around the sleep issues. It's 3 a.m. here and I've been awake since 1:30 a.m. Even though the doctor has prescribed a sleeping pill, it doesn't seem to work well. I am grateful, however, as the warnings on the medication speak of it's addictive properties and I don't want that either. Perhaps it's time for Granny's remedy - a glass of warm milk, slightly sweetened with honey and flavored with vanilla.

I continue to walk daily and to give the bike a spin around the block in the evening if the monsoon winds and rain are not prevailing - and we do need the rain in Arizona.

My prayer...
Father God, help me to see my position in You. May I realize that I too was a slave to those things around me that would steal my attention from You. You also sent an advocate to plead my case - and of course that was Jesus who paid the price in full for my redemption. Even so, Amen!

Yours, because we're His,
Tamara

5 comments:

  1. Continuing to lift you up in prayer. I believe I would try the warm milk and maybe you'll get a good night's rest.

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  2. Hi Tamara,
    Boy you brought back memories of after I had my strokes. I couldn't sleep either. I think that the body gets all thrown off balance after something like that.
    My dr. prescribed Ambien which did not work at all. I had some xanax that i would take on occasion when I was feeling very stressed. Thats what I ultimately used to help me get back to sleeping again.
    I don't need it anymore and can sleep my usual hours, pre-stroke!
    I don't care for warm milk but maybe it will help you.
    Just nap when you feel like it if you can. I'm sure the sleep will come back to you.
    Lovely prayer Tamara!

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  3. Hip hip hooray, Tamara's back!

    Mario used to also add a little butter to the milk and honey...sometimes repetitive prayer helps you get back to sleep (the Our Father) or reading something soothing or interesting.

    Prayed for you at church last night and will keep you in prayer.

    blessings and hugs,
    marcy

    p.s. Just had to add that I think God's sense of humor is coming through here as my word verification here is cauphye which sound out to be coffee which you DON'T need at night!

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  4. Welcome back Tamara, I think you are doing everything right by walking and riding your bike in the evenings. After my husband and son passed away I used a "white noise" tape and it would soothe me and before I knew it I was asleep. Now I can sleep anywhere, anytime and make no apologies for it even if a friend catches me at 1 o'clock in the afternoon. I love my age, it brings freedom in so many ways and I thank God everday for my many blessings. I truly loved your prayer today. You and Marcy have such lovely prayers.
    Have a wonderful day Tamara and may you continue on your journey of health knowing how much we care about you......:-) Hugs

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  5. Tamara, thank you for sharing scripture and for sharing your prayer.
    I wish for you rest...peace....happiness.
    Smiles from Jackie

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