MENE TEKEL: The Handwriting on the Wall

This post is mostly just the notes from my pastor's message this morning, but it answered a lot of my, "Why is my own culture freaking me out more than all the Asians, Haitians, and Africans combined?" 

You can read past posts about how coming to America has sent my brain into a tail spin, but I thought I might not be the only person to benefit from this message so I'm relaying it here, so thanks Pastor Jeremy Godwin for being a "guest blogger" today! 

Can you read the handwriting on the wall?  Daniel 5:26-27 "God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting." 

Is your life out of balance?  I searched the internet for a good image and this one was actually titled, "Mary's Unbalanced Life," so I took that as I sign that it was the one to use! 

My pastor speculated this morning that our number one problem is the PACE of our lives. Coming most recently from a much SLOWER Asian culture I can say, "TRUE STORY!" 

If the handwriting on your walls is saying, UNBALANCED! UNBALANCED! UNBALANCED! 

Then keep on reading my notes from this morning's service:  

   When My Life is Out of Balance:

1. The risk of making sinful (bad, dumb, wrong, unhealthy, unBiblical) choices greatly increases.

     Luke 21:34:  But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the cares of this life and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. 

2.  My emotions are inconsistent. 

      Job 9:25:  My days are swifter than a runner, they flee away; they see no good. 

3. I am less productive.

     Proverbs 21:5: Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run; hurry and scurry puts you further behind. 

      Proverbs 19:2:  A person in a hurry makes mistakes. 

4.  I end up empty inside. 

     Ps. 39:6:  Surely a man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nothing they are in turmoil, man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather. 

5.  I can't hear God.  (YIKES!)

    Ps. 46:10:  Be STILL, and know that I am God. 

So, if the handwriting is there, what can we do about it?  Afterall, this is your LIFE! 

How to Catch Your Breath

Mark 6:31:  And He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest awhile." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure to even eat. 

1. Stop the constant push for more. 

   Ecc. 4:6:  Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and striving after the wind. 

   Proverbs 14:30:  A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot. 

   Proverbs 20:25:  It is a snare to say rashly, "It is holy," and to reflect only after making vows. 

** It's always easier to get into something than to get out of something!!!** 

2. Keep the sabbath day. 

   Exodus 20:9-10:  Six days you shall labor, and o all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.  On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male or female servant, your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. 

3.  Stay close to Jesus. 

   Ps. 23:1-3:  The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.  He restores my soul.  He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake."

    Matthew 11:28-30: Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you fill find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light"  

  So, what do we need to do?  What every cop I've ever met has told me to do, "Slow Down!"