A story is told of a Pastor attending a beautiful wedding ceremony on the coast of California, a shoreline of sandy coves and pebble beaches. The church was decorated with wildflowers and the sanctuary smelled of cedar and lemon balm.
The bride and groom radiant with love for one another. The reception was held outdoors and the setting was breath taking. The day was perfect.
In the midst of all this, The pastor got into a conversation with a young philosophy student, perhaps in his early twenties, tall and healthy. The young man asked, "do you really believe all that religious stuff"? "I tried your religion for awhile, and found its just a burden to carry", I have come to the conclusion that, "Life justifies living".
The Pastor listened and said, "Good", good for you. I believe you , here today-as you feel the warmth of the breeze and listen the beautiful music, and the laughter of the day., But Im thinking of a friend of mine, his name is Sam. Sam is 44, but looks 64, he's been living on the streets since he was 12. He's a junkie and dying of Aids. the last time I saw Sam he was on a bus back to see his Mother in hopes he could die at home.
And Im thinking about Ernie, a man on the rise in the business world, skilled and ambitious. A superb athlete a natural at any sport. He and his wife just adopted 4 children. He got he news back from his doctor he has terminal cancer, and 3 months to live.
"Yes, im thinking about Sam and Ernie and I have a question about your philosophy, how do I explain to them that life justifies living?"
The young philosophy student had no response, He said, "I'll have to get back to you on that". He never did...
"Because life does not justify living......ETERNITY DOES.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
5 times!
A friend shared with me this comforting thought, "in the original greek the word "never" is said five times" ....five times in a row...in the scriptures. Instead of "I will never leave you nor forsake you" Joshua 1:5
The original way God wrote it was...." I will never, never, never,never, never leave you nor forsake you", when translated they only used one "never". She heard this treasure from a lecture of Elizabeth Elliot, a wonderful respected missionary.
The same verse is used in Deu.31:8, "He will never leave you nor forsake you" and Hebrews 13:5 "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you".
"I will never, never, never, never, never leave you nor forsake you"
What a comforting thought, Thank you Jesus!
The original way God wrote it was...." I will never, never, never,never, never leave you nor forsake you", when translated they only used one "never". She heard this treasure from a lecture of Elizabeth Elliot, a wonderful respected missionary.
The same verse is used in Deu.31:8, "He will never leave you nor forsake you" and Hebrews 13:5 "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you".
"I will never, never, never, never, never leave you nor forsake you"
What a comforting thought, Thank you Jesus!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Perseverance
... let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us RUN with perseverance the race marked out for us, let us FIX our eyes ON JESUS, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross.....Hebrews 12:1-2
"the race marked out for us".....we each have our own journey, a race God Himself marked out for each of us, very different from each other, but we are all striving for the same goal....JESUS
"run with perseverance"...Im really learning the meaning of "perseverance" because of chronic pain. Perseverance means dont quit!
"Fix our eyes on Jesus"......a heavenly glimpse of our Lord while we run! Look straight ahead, not turning to the right or to the left..but straight ahead. The enemy will try his darnest to get your attention..dont cave!!!
"for the joy set before Him".....thats you and me!! We are His joy!
Isnt that something? He thought of you and me while going through the agony on the cross, He did it for us ....personally.
What an amazing love that is!
Thank you Jesus. :)
"the race marked out for us".....we each have our own journey, a race God Himself marked out for each of us, very different from each other, but we are all striving for the same goal....JESUS
"run with perseverance"...Im really learning the meaning of "perseverance" because of chronic pain. Perseverance means dont quit!
"Fix our eyes on Jesus"......a heavenly glimpse of our Lord while we run! Look straight ahead, not turning to the right or to the left..but straight ahead. The enemy will try his darnest to get your attention..dont cave!!!
"for the joy set before Him".....thats you and me!! We are His joy!
Isnt that something? He thought of you and me while going through the agony on the cross, He did it for us ....personally.
What an amazing love that is!
Thank you Jesus. :)
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Rooted & Established in Love
"Relax in My Healing, Holy Presence. Be still, while I transform your heart and mind. Let go of cares and worries so that you can receive my pece. Cease striving and know that I am God", It is through knowing Me intimately that you become like Me. Be still and know that I am God".
I am still playing over and over in my mind what Ephesians 3: 17 says, that you being rooted and established in Love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ..." that means we were made in Love, pure Love of God!...rooted and established in Love.
Thats heavenly balm to my soul!
I am still playing over and over in my mind what Ephesians 3: 17 says, that you being rooted and established in Love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ..." that means we were made in Love, pure Love of God!...rooted and established in Love.
Thats heavenly balm to my soul!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
love that surpasses knowledge
This morning the Lord impressed upon my heart to read 2 prayers Paul prayed...both prayers about "love that surpasses knowledge". What beautiful words he uses......
Philippians 1:9-11
"And this is my prayer, that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight , so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ ---to the glory of God"
and
Ephesians 3:16-19
I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints , to grasp how wide and
long and high and deep is the love of Christ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God"
Complete Overflowing Fullness!
Im going to be parked on these 2 passages for awhile," God you are so awesome!" you write with such beauty!
Philippians 1:9-11
"And this is my prayer, that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight , so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ ---to the glory of God"
and
Ephesians 3:16-19
I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints , to grasp how wide and
long and high and deep is the love of Christ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God"
Complete Overflowing Fullness!
Im going to be parked on these 2 passages for awhile," God you are so awesome!" you write with such beauty!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Welcome!
Welcome!
I finally did it. This blog has been on my heart for some time. Actually, it was a prompting from God. A place we can share Jesus and talk of glimpses of His Presence. A place to strengthen each other along the journey.
As I spend time each morning in His word, I gather manna for the days journey. Please feel free to share your manna you've gathered, through a devotion that has touched your heart.
Currently, God has me in the "school of love", learning I am loved.
His love is deep and wide.....perfect love drives out fear. Jesus is "Perfect Love". His Presence enfolds you in "perfect love".
I have been at his feet also learning how to stay engulfed in His Presence.
As, I spend time "soaking" in His Presence the trials become stepping stones to gain intimancy with Him. Through communing with Him my burdens are transferred to His strong shoulders.
By gazing at Him, I gain perspective. To see others through His eyes, thats perspective.
I find I need solitary time with Him, and my need to make that my priority, and my deepest joy.
Enjoy the day, this is the day the Lord has made, Rejoice!
Gloria
I finally did it. This blog has been on my heart for some time. Actually, it was a prompting from God. A place we can share Jesus and talk of glimpses of His Presence. A place to strengthen each other along the journey.
As I spend time each morning in His word, I gather manna for the days journey. Please feel free to share your manna you've gathered, through a devotion that has touched your heart.
Currently, God has me in the "school of love", learning I am loved.
His love is deep and wide.....perfect love drives out fear. Jesus is "Perfect Love". His Presence enfolds you in "perfect love".
I have been at his feet also learning how to stay engulfed in His Presence.
As, I spend time "soaking" in His Presence the trials become stepping stones to gain intimancy with Him. Through communing with Him my burdens are transferred to His strong shoulders.
By gazing at Him, I gain perspective. To see others through His eyes, thats perspective.
I find I need solitary time with Him, and my need to make that my priority, and my deepest joy.
Enjoy the day, this is the day the Lord has made, Rejoice!
Gloria
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