Tag Archives: power

Use vs Abuse

Posted on by

A blog a few days ago got me thinking about that word power again.

In itself the word congers up feelings of confidence, helpfulness, caring, independence, and other positive images to help us along life’s path.

The downside is the abuse of power, and we have all experienced that at one time or another.

After all that thinking I came to the conclusion that power is never power until it is used powerfully to help the powerless.

Thanks to Roger Baker-Utah’s blog, Area 52, five days ago that reminded me of my stand on power.

Happy Saturday.

Call on Your Power

Posted on by

It is my belief that deep within each of us is a Power to be used for the good of all as indicated by the following people including me.

You are never given a wish without also being given the Power to make it come true. Richard Bach

Never measure God’s unlimited Power by your limited expectations. Our Daily Bread 2010

Call on the Power inherent in you…(My poem, All Things are Possible)

The beginning of Power is consciously opening our minds to God and being receptive to his presence, his spirit, his voice and his will. Charles L. Allen

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of Power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7

And then there is the poem I wrote in 1998:

THE POWER OF YOU

If you would be more powerful

release your ego

let it soar

let the roar of you subside,

look inside,

see the power of you

released

to empower others.

1998

Our Power is not to be mistaken for the power wielded by those who use and abuse it because they feel basically powerless in their own right. That power is actually a weakness.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty Power. Ephesians 6:10

 

Power Forever

Posted on by

We have had a series of sermons on the Lord’s Prayer for the past few Sundays and it has been a wonderful learning experience to actually embrace the meaning of each sentence of that powerful prayer. I’m looking forward to, “For Yours is the Kingdom, the POWER, and the Glory, Forever. Amen.” Happy Sunday.

 

To Your Self Be True

Posted on by

This is a repeat of a 2015 post because there are some younger people who need to hear it today (maybe some older also).

Act in the way that is true to your intelligence and beliefs.

Remember that no one can rob you of your power unless you allow them to do so.

Stand tall and face indignity with dignity, and indecency with decency.

Look truth in the face and use it to overcome deceit.

Remember the respect you have for yourself and those you love, and let no one rob you of that respect.

Always use your inner strength to walk away from a bad situation, and where possible take someone with you who needs to lean on your strength until they discover their own.

Remember that you are loved dearly by those who matter. Love yourself just as dearly, always.

 

 

The Bible on Power

Posted on by

Power is a powerful word…the very sound of it can sometimes evoke the feeling. Here are a few of many scriptures that give meaning to the word.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being…Ephesians 3:16

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

Happy Sunday.

20 Amazing Bible Verses about God’s Power

 

The Time Has Come

Posted on by

Many years ago I wrote the following piece and turned it into a poem called, Metanoia For the Modern World. It was first posted in 2014.

Are we praying for ways to redeem the world or planning ways to destruct it?

Remember Saul on the road to Damascus.  God stopped him in his tracks on that hot, dusty road and struck him first with blindness and then with metanoia, a change of heart.

Saul the persecutor became Paul the saint.

God can do that in today’s world too.

World leaders need to do some soul-searching as did Saul. Are they  interested in peace or is power their real agenda?

If it is a power struggle, God, as he did with Saul, will have the final say.

The world is getting a wake-up call.

Perhaps the energy spent on threats would pay better dividends if used for promoting peace.

Who is perceived to be the most powerful?  Let them put that power to use constructively rather than destructively.

God can change the hearts of ordinary people also.

Let us each leave our own little world, the world of personal, pithy, private life and step into the big picture.

Let us all step onto the road to our own Damascus and experience metanoia.

The time has come.

The Unseen Force Revisited

Posted on by

Last Sunday I described the Holy Spirit as an unseen force, the analogy being the wind.

It was brought to my attention that a better description would perhaps have been…a power, a presence, a person…and I totally agree because I also think of Spirit in these terms.

It was suggested that “the force” was often connected to the movie, Star Wars’ “May The Force Be With You.” Funnily enough, I likened “The Force” as the Holy Spirit. As it turns out, the makers of Star Wars were trying to inject some spirituality into the movie to get people to think about God in some way, “the force” being their way of a subliminal message. (I gleaned this from researching the word “force”.)

Among the meanings for the word “force” in The Mirriam-Webster Dictionary are:

strength or energy, especially of an exceptional degree

active power

capacity to persuade or convince.

Because I have always thought of Holy Spirit as a powerful force in my life, who has persuaded and convinced me of many things, I wrote about Him that way without taking into consideration the way others see Him.

And so I stand happily corrected and thankful to my teachers for another lesson learned.

 

 

 

Please Pray For

Posted on by

She’s just been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. Please pray for peace and comfort.

She’s four months old and been stabbed by her mother. Please pray for healing.

He’s losing his wife to dementia. Please pray for strength and courage.

They lost their son to a senseless act of violence. Please pray for forgiveness and mercy.

He is in a powerful position and abusing his power. Please pray for wisdom and humility.

They believe that only their lives matter. Please pray for open hearts and minds.

They blatantly steal another’s property. Please pray for an effective conscience.

They text and drive. Please pray for acknowledgement of stupidity.

They drink and drive. Please pray for realization of danger.

For those experiencing estrangement…please pray for reconciliation.

Wherever you are, whatever the need, please pray for the best outcome.

 

 

 

 

 

More Power to You

Posted on by

What do you think of when you think about power? Do you think of those who hold high places in government? Do you think of the rich and famous? Power is only powerful when used for the benefit of all. Here is what the Bible has to say about power: 

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, Acts  1:8 ESV

For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. 1 Corinthians 4:20 ESV

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, Ephesians 3:20 NIV

 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV

 

being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, Colossians 1:11 NIV

And from my poem “All Things Are Possible”…When you call on the power that’s inherent in you…

So, what do you think of when you think about power? Do you think of you?