'Come Thou Long Expected Jesus.."

Is Jesus really anymore awaited? Or by whom was He really ever? At least it often doesn't seem so.

I read today in Matthew where the prophet Isaiah was quoted speaking of when Jesus came, in the land of Galilee, the "people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, And upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death, Light has dawned."

If you know the book of John, you know that it begins speaking of the beginning in which was "the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God....and this Word was the Light of men," meaning Christ Jesus.This Word "light" is known by all as something we like, we need, we want. Whether used figuratively or literally, we all are drawn to the "light." Something to shed joy amid the darkness surrounding.

It was interesting while speaking of "evil"with my language teacher the other day, the word I made up while searching for the right one, we corrected as simply,"dunkelheit,"or darkness, as all people are able to relate evil with darkness. It only makes sense. Even so, all men are aware that our world is full of this evil, this darkness. And we search for a way out, an escape from it all. A "light." I know this because my teacher herself has been scarcely if at all informed about the Bible and the light that it sheds, however very aware of the darkness surrounding. And as many agree, Europe spiritually speaking, is very dark. This, we feel.

This picture of a valley, a region sitting in darkness, strikes a note with me as I find myself feeling as though this is where we live. When I think about the experiences I have had in the past considering churches and Christian groups while in America, it is 180 degrees different from the world we are now experiencing. This once spoken of "long awaited Jesus" is, again, seemingly no longer long awaited. We have been taken out of our Christian subculture (in the US) where the presence of the body of Christ is simply strong enough where some Christians even miss the fact that they don't actually have a relationship with Christ Jesus as their Lord and Savior. And now we are missing this "body life" altogether, and must strive in our own personal walks to maintain what we personally know is true yet plead with the Lord to increase in His Church and body, among the darkness here.

We pray the words of the song as it continues, that Jesus will be our light and continue to set us free from the sin in this world and the radiating impact that it has. As we know, Jesus is the Light that radiates in this dark world and we pray that He will, as He was,

"....born to set (this) thy people free;

From our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee.

Israel's strength and consolation, hope of all the earth, thou art. 

Dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.

Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a king.

Born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring. 

By thine own eternal Spirit, rule in all our hearts alone. 

By thine all sufficient merit, raise us to thy glorious throne. "

J.R.

Baby Love, my Baby Love..

So now that we know we're having a son,...(still so foreign to me say that, just as husband was when we were first married), this whole process is just getting better and better. Amazing to see the body of this creation within me and know that it is all an amazing gift from God, beyond anything we could ever imagine- such a bonding privilge of marriage. Overwhelming feelings of awe, fear, praise, love, anticipation all compete in my heart, mind, body and soul. Moments of guilt wave over me as I wonder if I've done everything I can for this little life who's had no chance at all to fend for himself regardless, yet comfort always follows right behind, assuring that God is greater than any little mishaps I'm responsible for, and completely in charge and in control of this life. I also cling to the hope that He wants to answer my prayers of faith to keep this little one perfectly healthy and whole with a simple breath.

My love for Rich has even grown in this process as together we walk blindly into this. Although we trust God as His hand is the one knitting our child together at this very moment. What an experience as I squeezed his hand, as we heard for the very first time what our very first child would be; while looking at his first pictures and rejoicing of the good news of his current status. For the first time we could say "our son.":) As I move into this stage of my life, I've watched in wonder at every little life that I encounter, something not to be taken for granted.

Songs and verses such as "How deep the Father's love for us" become more dear to me as I reflect on the love of my earthly father and his unconditional love, the love of our heavenly Father which is obviously greater than all, and then the love that I have for this little being that I can't wait to meet, hold and love.
God puts an innate mothering instict into us to love others- whether they be our own or others.' This love is only a glimpse of what we can only imagine God's great love to be like in our finite minds.

As I drove to work this morning the sunrise was shining so bright, and as I was thinking about the wonder of this child in me, I thought of how great it will be when we are in the presence and embrace of our heavenly Father, once and for all- eternally His. I can only imagine, but thank you God for this current picture of how great the love that you've given us really is.

How can we cleanse our way? What gives us life?!

It isn’t wrong to only read the Psalms if that is what you need. However if we never read the rest of Scripture we’d never learn much about the reason those Psalms were written. I find myself, when low of energy or time, reading tidbits like the Psalms and proverbs, or old favorites like Paul’s concise letters of recommendation to the saints, which always empower my mind and spirit. But I long to know more about what God’s written, since every book within the Bible front to back is inspired by Him; but it takes devotion! We must discipline ourselves regularly to do it so that when His Words are written on our hearts, they will come forth on our tongue to others which is what gives us strength from day to day, helps sustain us spiritually and teaches others about God’s truth. There is no way we can live with God’s Word- it is our lifeline and even if He does not judge us according to how much we know, we know Him so much more intimately when we take the time and delve into what gives us our only lasting hope in life. So I encourage you along with my renewed personal challenge, to spend more time in the Word and to memorize it so that my life will not be less than what God would have for us.

Ironically, after I wrote this, our pastor on Sunday also spoke also on the importance of the Word of God. He declared several times that “this is not an idle Word!” I loved one thing he said about how Jesus quoted Scripture, because He knew He needed it! It’s not a sin to be weak in the flesh because that is our disposition, we just must acknowledge it and take God’s Word up to stand guard against it and we WILL win!

What is on our minds when we are weak, doubting, and alone? What will be bleed when we are cut? If the Words of God are what accompany our minds in the darkest of times, then we will be enriched. It is then we are made stronger through it! Praise God we have an out. We must read the Word and pray every day, and we will grow, otherwise we really have no hope.

“How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your Word!..”

I love that verse and after reading/praying it this week I saw it at a friend’s house and was encouraged as I saw that all of us while reading God’s Word see the truth of God, the truth about us, and when we put them together, that gives us hope and the ability for life and godliness! We must admit our susceptibility(s) and take heed according to God’s commands, for He desires to keep us!

RE-STor-a-tion

I love to do word studies to learn where words originate.
In the definition of the word restoration, we find that something once beautiful, though it lost it's glory, is now being put back together.
I wonder about the breakdown of the syllables which isolates the four letter word REST. I don't know if this is any root of the word but I find it's solo meaning ironically fitting. While we must work to restore something completely, we must also realize that good work is not to be done without some measure of rest. The LORD Himself rested after creating the world and commanded in the OT that peoplet take a day of rest. In the NT we are assured that we can come to Jesus, weary as we often are, as He will give us rest (which we know brings much restoration).

My co worker was explaining to me just yesterday, with a twinkle in her eye, all the highs and lows of restoring the house her and her special friend are working on. My distracted mind went on to think of the endless reality shows presenting multimillion dollar projects that many Americans sit on their back breaking couches to watch, while those on the screen endeavor to polish up the "junk in their lives." It is fun to watch the joy in their faces throughout the process of restoring all kinds of old things; houses, antiques, and so on...


 Many people do this for a hobby; some, to save from having to buy a new house, but I'm sure in some way, they all come away with the same satisfying feeling. I thought "what a perfect portrayal of what Christ is doing in all of our lives?" He takes us; dirty, broken and empty, and renovates us from the inside out. He builds us up again upon the love He offers and the new life Him that promises hope and brings joy that is wrought from within, which is then ever beckoning to burst out and appear on our faces and shine in circumstancial disaster.

What once was lost, now is found; what was blind, now sees.
"Though our sins are as scarlet, they shall be white as snow."
"Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe. Sin left a crimson stain, HE washed it white as snow."

According to your faith...

Many times in Jesus' ministry we saw Him heal, and it was usually (if not always) connected to their ability to believe. In Matthew 9 He says to the blind men "Do you believe that I am able to do this?"

Upon their unanimous "yes," He went on to say "According to your faith let it be to you."

Praise God we have this simple yet magnanimous power invested in us by the grace of God by the power of His Spirit to ever even begin to believe! While the world we walk in is often hopeless, His light shines SO bright wherever He chooses upon when able to see it, we can have but only one response to our Master in Heaven; "Yes God!" ...but we must first believe.

The eyes of our hearts once darkened must be begged open. As He offers us life and deliverance from the powers of darkness to convey us into the kingdom of the rich life He offers us in Christ (Colossians), we can step forward in faith that He will accomplish all that He wants and wills when we ask it in and FOR His name and according to the faith that is in us.

Our church prayer night last night was so uplifting. Praying Scripture with fellow believers is hands down one of the best things we can do with our lives. It offers hope to all; both those praying and those prayed for. If done right, we will not stop at small things but lift of those of our world who are hurting and in need; therefore no one will go unnamed, and the Spirit will intercede for us where and when He knows what we desire, yet have not the words, time or capacity to accomplish.

And so let the theme of our lives be ever praise to Him and let the words of our mouths always be "praise God from whom all blessings flow, praise Him all creatures here below!..." We can and must believe as He is a God of infinite might which we can only behold once we take the leap of faith in belief and prayer so often written of in His Word. For then and only then, can we cross over from darkness into light.

Learning How to Die

"He takes our bodies slow..."

The song by Jon Foreman, telling the truth of our very temporal lives as we ought to consider and realize. Our bodies begin to break down once finally fully grown. I realize this now as I'm about at the point where youth begins to while yes "change" is one way to look at it, I believe "fade" is more accurate.

To witness the purity and innocense of three year olds daily with their blemish free and soft seemingly perfect skin, is a falsehood to believe that they should last forever. At the peak of our prime, from 18 to 30, unfortunately often the toils of life begin to snare...and we must know that this shell is not to last.

Oh how I look forward to the perks of eternity, selfishly speaking, to gain resilience and energy everlasting. Yet eternity is only as great as it will be because God is there; we must remember.

He is our sole joy and purpose in life, and as our bodies reflect their perfect creator' THIS is what we must rejoice in; His perfection and ability to create a handiwork that much resembles the kind of God He is.

Thank you God for this life, but may we hold high above anything this world has to offer, the esteem for eternal riches in You and Your glory. May we endure the suffering for a night as true joy comes in the morning!

He set the captives free!

As Christ must assuredly came to deliver us from evil and bring glory to His Name, we should find ourselves more "prostrate in the dust" before Him in humble gratitude than we many times are. He tells us that He came that we "may have life and have it to the full" in John 10. In Isaiah, the foreshadowing of His coming presented for us the hope of "good tidings to the poor, healing for the brokenhearted, and liberty for the captives!"

Yesterday I went to the maximum security prison in Raleigh for a training to enable me access on future occasions. Our church is beginning a ministry to share in the lives of women and men in prison whom are so desperately broken. We know our place in this world and as sinners as awful as they, though we've perhaps not gone to the extent that they have in regard to choices, we are equally inadequate before our God as they, and carry the same hope for salvation!

As our hearts go out to them to see the forgiveness that we have been shown, we know we must remember when we are in a prison and they are there for a reason! But we know we've been given second, third and many more chances to repent of our sin and want them to know the same. Their physical surroundings they may not be able to change, but as we know that is not where true joy lays. There lays yet a potential of real and true freedom from what has imprisoned them in the first place, carrying with it the hope of redemption!

THIS is what I hope to help relay and as many other women of all ages, races and religions poured in the room for our elongated textbook training, there was a sense of sweet fellowship that filled the room. The intentions of empathetic hearts attempted to go where they had not gone before, to show a love we are so grateful to know, to a world that has yet to grab hold of what they are so longing for.

We ourselves were sinners, slaves to sin, but set free by the power of the Holy Spirit and His love, His Word, and His work in our lives.

LORD Jesus, thank you for setting us free from the bondage of sin and give us wisdom to to enable others to take hold of this wonderful truth by the power and for the glory of your Name!

Songs of Scripture

There is nothing like reading the Word and a song pops up in your head. Music is a gift from God that I don't think we can thank Him enough for. What a blessing to help memorize!

John Foreman has multiple songs that ring in my head when reading Scripture.
God is my shepherd, I won't be wanting.
He makes me rest in fields of green, and quiet streams.
Even while I'm walking through the valley of death and dying.
I will not fear cause you are with me, you're always with me.

Shepherds staff comforts me....

So uplifting to the soul!

He also writes of this life in ways that bring to our minds the "ought-i-tude" I like to call it. We ought to think on these things; "a mirror is much harder to hold," "Learning How to Die," and so many more.

Thank God for language that expresses only the surface of the truth that lies at the feet of our lives' purpose. Thank God for His Spirit who intercedes for us as our words cannot express even the slightest of what He deserves.

But oh the mercy that follows us...just as the song also says "surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Amen.

Wisdom from King Solomon and the pen of Paul

These two writers wrote some of my favorite passages; they are simple, to the point and very applicable!

Proverbs says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom. SO we know that as we revere our God and come to know Him all the more we will indeed increase in wisdom.
As we lead our lives, or follow them, we find that through the mundane and cyclical pattern that it rolls on it can be a bit tolling on our bodies and minds. I've also been reaffirmed by the messages by my father in law Ken Rudolph, as he spoke recently on the Lord's Prayer and the part we must beg God daily for our daily bread in a world where we are so in need of His help. Give us this day our "daily bread! And lead us not into temptation!" and so on. We cannot get away from the curse in this world yet can and must cling to the hope, truth and wisdom that helps us along and that gives us joy amidst it all!

Ecclesiastes also says that in much wisdom is much grief, and he who increases in knowledge increases sorrow. I think this is because just as we are more aware of the curse around us, the hope of our present life fades extremely so and thankfully especially in comparison with the only joy that can be found eternal; that is in Christ. At least we have this hope! Without it we would be better to be ignorant and pretend throughout our innocent little lives that everything is fine or at least in our ignorantly blissful little minds. All until the end it would be at least; then there would be the greatest tragedy of all! We must then live in light of the truth that Christ brings us, that He Himself is our wisdom.

So then the way we ought to live and how it is to look among this fallen world is clearly expressd through the pen of the apostle Paul as he writes about the wisdom of this world and how God really crushes it in comparision to the greatness of his power and knowledge that supercedes all.

Our minds cannot fathom it all, and that is where faith trumps out the fear of the unknown and where the miraculous accomplishes things not fully known to man. His wisdom is a treasure we ought to seek for continually and the wisdom and attainment of worldly acceptance is relentlessly empty.

“For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.” …. “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”

“And my speech is not with human wisdom..” (1 Corinthians 1 and 2)

So let us then not toil as we often do in despair of the curse brought onto our lowly earth and bodies, but rejoice in the hope that we were created with purpose for someone greater and higher and wiser than we even know, yet have the hope of knowing greater as we seek Him and can be found fully in Him forever and ever! Eat, drink and enjoy the labor of your hands; or else truth be told, life will be miserable!

Understanding our salvation

So how do we know we are moving? How do we know our Christian walk isn't just something we've taken ahold of, like a kite in the wind, yet just plopped down to sit rather than run to watch it fly.

It's kind of like a ship. When we ride on a ship we know we are moving because everything we pass gets closer and eventually passes on. It is the same with life; we move because life changes around us and those objects or circumstances that arise may even be too close for comfort, yet will indeed pass away if we steer straight and don't allow them to be a boulder to crash into.

God promises to carry us through if we take ahold of what He says. He tells us in Romans through the pen of Paul, that as Christ endured suffering even to death, He has risen to brings us life and that through Him we are MORE than conquerors. Nothing will be able to separate us; life or death, angels or demons, anything present or to come, the greatest heights or depths, nor any other thing created by the hand of God Himself will be able to separate us from Him and His love.
So then our movement comes from the hand of God as from His hand came everything that is as Hebrews says "God who spoke through prophets and now His Son whom is appointed all things through whom He made the worlds." Also, the Psalmist expresses in this reality of God, that His works are manifold and in wisdom have been made. "The earth is full of His possessions,..living things both small and great."

We know if we steadily trust His hand, that when life happens we have THE source of it to draw from. Hopefully we will draw from it every day to keep our well full of water so that should a drought occur, we will not thirst.

We know that when sin rears it's ugly head also, the truth of God's word will not return void, and His Spirit Himself will intercede for us when we have not the words. He is our helper who abides with us forever; whom the world cannot receive because it knows Him not. We know Him because He dwells in us and will not leave us (John 14). God also reveals His many wonders to us through His Spirit. "For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of man but his own spirit? Even so no one knows the things of God except His Spirit. We have this Spirit from Him, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God!"

How beautiful are the words of God to those who believe!?

This is how we understand our salvation; while day by day His mercies pour over us to reveal once again His greatness and power, our finiteness is seen and our therefore need for such a Savior. When our minds can't comprehend this, we can bow our knees and pray for one another as Paul did that God would grant to us the riches of His glory to be strengthened with His might and that He may then dwell with us while being rooted in such a great love. We know the message of the cross is foolishness to the world but to those who believe it is the power of God!

We know that love is what makes the world go round and pretty much solves all problems. The root of our sins stem from a lack of love so often, yet when we grasp how wide the love of God is, we are able to cope with the fact that there is no one that can love us more than Him we need not rely on men for this fulfillment.

We can then go forth pouring out His love on others, which will then enable the world to spin again. If we sit to long and wait for anything to move we will grow stir crazy. We must then be proactive in stirring up love amongst one another as love covers a multitude of sins and surpasses any attempts that this world and their forces of evil and egotism can approach.

After all, it is the God of heaven and earth, the LORD almighty who created all including love itself, and who is able to accomplish more than we could ask or think.
So help us God, to understand the salvation you've freely given us and the love that accompanies it which is able to conquer all!

The Gospel in Les Miserables

This movie was the first of many in a long time that caused me to weep. I watched as a depraved man, a thief, was shown mercy which began for him a life of showing the same mercy while paying others back for the gratitude he had for a man and his wife whom not only spared his freedom, but gave him above and beyond what he deserved to show him mercy.

He then began a life of honesty and generosity. He was a “changed man” as he’d claimed he would be, and yet there were of course, still the consequences of his former sin which he had to live with. While his life was sought extensively by the ‘evil one,’ he lived in peace knowing he’d covered his bases; yet this evil one was out to prove him wrong. He did feel a deep sense of remorse for his past, and was willing to take the charges, should they be proved against him while others were potentially put to the stake for being mistaken with his actual account. He rescues many from failure and hardship, and the very life and nurturing of an orphan he promised to care for. He takes what his past represented and attempted to spare her life from anything close to it, yet goes to the extreme as sadly so many overly fearful though loving parents mistakenly do. He wants to hinder this child from the world and its ugliness, but the day comes where it is not possible. What he could have done was teach her the truth and how to combat the harsh realities of life with the power of God. However, while they do break out into reality, and life makes for harder decisions, his honor keeps him to the end. He does what he can out of love; having been a receptor of such deep mercy and grace, he then extended it on to many generations.

His attempt at reviving the life and love of one whom was shown no mercy for her sin, showed a beautiful picture of what some of the world would see as unjust. Our very God is just yet the justifier too, and we know His hand to be perfect in our lives when others may see it as not right in their own eyes.

The evil man in this movie was so bound by sin, and the law he felt he must keep that he showed no mercy even when such a changed and blameless man was snow before him. He could not get past it, and his wicked schemes did not let him rest until they lead him to death, as sin we know always does.

In the end, our main man goes free; and walks away down a road and info a flock of birds that then fly up into the air, representing the likeness his heart clearly felt as his burdens and weight of the past sins in his life too, flew away.

Many times his life was pictured to me as Christ’s while though he was a sinner, he had come back to repentance and changed and though still sought after, he was always willing to give up his life and freedom for others. You can’t help but love him as all main characters, especially with such renovated and pure motives for the well being of others. And you can’t help but despise the disgusting man who sought his life, as his lack of mercy was so relentless and unjust. Sin does this to our lives, as is vies to strangle us with every ounce of strength it holds on our life. We must run from it, and know its end.

We must pour mercy on those who need it, as we’ve been shown this great mercy! And never forget the unconditional love we’ve been shown; as there is NO greater love than that one should lay his life down for his friends. God in Christ Jesus did this, and His very life was laid on our account, to forever wash us clean. Our slates are new; what can we do but show mercy today!?

Markers of Sanctification

It is such a blessing to be known by God, and personally know Him.

When situations beyond our control spin new things in and out of our lives, it gives me peace knowing there is absolutely nothing I can do to prevent what God has planned; if i try it will just be harder on me:)

I am encouraged that through job situations and highs and lows, we can embrace each change that comes as a way to say "God knows" and "I" do not. He has it all worked out and when I try to make things happen that are not meant to be, I will just fall flat on my face. Sensing Him and trying to follow His steps laid out before us are sometimes clear, sometimes not. I think our clarity is fogged by our own desires sometimes though, and we only keep ourselves from seeing further. I love that as a follower of Christ we are given His Spirit to us as a helper. As Jesus said in John 14 "The Helper, the Holy Spirit, will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance things I said to you. Peace I leave with you, not as the world gives..." and later "These things have I spoken, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full."

1 Corinthians 2 also tells us that "God has revealed (the things He is preparing for us) through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes the deep things of God." What greater joy can we have than that!? Our Creator has given us truth beyond ourselves to give us incite into His wisdom and knowledge; of course not yet complete, but something to be hoped for in the coming of the redemption of the purchased possession, as it says in Ephesians 1. Such wonderful things to be hoped for!
I know now that as He gives me grace to respond how I would not otherwise on my own accord, when difficult circumstances arise, I can give Him all the glory for He has enabled me to do so. It is not I, but Christ who lives in me. "This is the victory that has overcome the world- our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?!"
AMEN.

A place to live

It is awesome to have moved into a place we can call our own. We all want that right? Well as much enjoyment as it is so wake up to your own place, schedule, letting nothing else controling your surroundings, and to use beautiful things unwrapped after a three year period in storage, I feel so grateful for what I know I do not deserve, while even a bit hesitant to allow myself entitlement to it.

There is much we don't need- I LOVE the less is more principle. I hate the American "I need more and bigger!" mentallity. God help us not even gradually let our hearts reach that point. I know we will always work to beat our greedy hearts into submission to Christ's call on our lives to lay down whatever this world longs for us to cling to. Yet, I am thankful He reminds me daily I don't deserve any of it- that it ALL is His, and that I must know that stuff does NOT equal happiness; it only begets more desire. "The eyes of man are never full" a favorite Proverb wisely states it.
Many people never dream of "owning" what we do. And as I feared my own impending doom of "losing" it all the other day due to leaving our stove burner on:/ I was so thankful for God's gracious hand in preserving "our things" and kept my conscious thankful notion that all things are from Him, for Him, and must be given back to Him.

"Praise God from whom all blessings flow!"

Eat, Pray, Love

I entirely agree with the title of this movie; but in drastically different measures than intended by the author. The woman here, who sets out to find what she 'really' wants in life, finds that thorough enjoyment of giving into every indulgence her heart desires, leads her onto the road of true happiness; or so she thinks. While leaving the 'love of her life' as we've seen oh too many times before, she sets out to pursue religion, seclusion, and flat out pure hedonism at it's heighth. A natural tendancy, sure, many have. To 'listen to your heart' as the popular 80's sing star Roxette puts it, brings you to what YOU really want in life, disregarding all the broken relationships of those you've committed to, now severed on your behalf. Something I think we've actually been warned against, if we actually take heed.

The Bible says it best, in that true love, everlasting love "endures all things, hopes, forgives, believes,"...and so on. We are so susceptable to pursuing things that don't last, to love the things which produce yes happiness, but inevitably fade. Our God is to be worshipped first of all, and then enjoyed THROUGH the world which He created. As in Romans it says that "What may be known of Him is manifest in us, for God shows it to us. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are seen, even His eternal power and Godhead; so we are without excuse...but although many know God, we often do not glorify Him as such, are not thankful, but are futile in thought. Our foolish hearts can be so dark, and as the world claims to be wise, foolishness is the actual state. Then while changing the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man...we exchange the truth of God for a lie, worshipping and serving creature rather than Creator; who is (or SHOULD be) blessed through our lives forever." (Romans 1)

Our worldy love and worship is so contrary to what I've come to know through the words of our Lord and Savior from whom perfect love is given. He's given us life through Himself, which was ordained before time, from God the Father from whom also proceeds every perfect gift. (Hebrews and Matthew)

So then "to be carnally minded is death. But to be spiritually minded is life and peace." (Romans) So to think upon ourselves and our ever pressing urgent needs, desires, and wants leads only to a life of narcissism. We get trapped within ourselves to believe this way of life, yet we so long for peace. So where does this peace come from?

One source, a true source. A reliable source; not some figment of our imaginations, serenity through quiet, or chanting to a god who is dead. We have hope in God, THE God whose Holy Word says He created heaven and earth, us, calls us as His own, and "desires that none should perish, but come to repentance." We seek fulfillment in life, and He says "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the fullest." He also says that "you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free." (John)

So when we set out to 'find ourselves,' our source of life, and purpose therein, where do we find it but outside of ourselves of course. Serving and loving others surely produces joy, regardless of your reasons for it. But where does this service come from? Emptying of self is a gift from God who Himself was "emptied and poured out as an offering" for us, but for HIS glory. He humbled Himself through Jesus' life, whose live's we are to emulate, doing "nothing out of selfish ambition, but considering 'others better than ourselves,'" as He did. (Philippians).

So go out into all the world; travel, eat, enjoy new people, places, cultures, and nations. But give thanks to God our Father who created it all, and to whom all should give glory to and for. And then also set out to pray, that the eyes of your understanding be enlightened; to know the hope of His calling, the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints; the exceeding greatness of His power to us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all power and dominion, and every name that is named forever."
And finally love, and pray that He will grant you such according to His glory, to be strengthened with might though His Spirit in the inner man, that He may dwell in your heart through faith; being rooted and grounded in this love, able to comprehend with all the saints what the width and lenghth and depth and heigth is, that is the love of Christ which passes all knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."
If we live this, we will be able to eat of His gifts, pray to Him Him for all things, and love as He loves; which proves no selfish thing, but endures forever. This is the greatest of all, and what truely brings about the peace and hope in life we are all searching for.

AMEN

Have you ever had a dream you felt was so real?

I know you have, because I think we all do. We wake up in a stupor as though we just got through an intense movie, and our life was as the main character!

In this case, I was held hostage for who knows what reason, but needless to say, it was a bit threatening. I began to ease in the situation while surrounded by people of evil intentions, as I found compassion within myself to ask them simply why they were doing what they were, and desiring also to share with them about Christ and give them hope beyond whatever or wherever their evil intentions were taking them.

I don't remember much else, but then this morning read on in Matthew where I've been studying for awhile, to refresh my memory of the verses where Jesus tells His disciples that we must not fear those who can kill the body but not the soul. Our soul belongs to God and noone out there can keep us from this eternal love and keeping. It was interesting as I had even awoke to thinking upon this verse, and was comforted by the fact that truely noone and nothing can keep us from our Lord-neither life nor death is to be feared with God on our side. Christ goes on to say that he brought the sword to divide and prove those who are worthy of Him- those who will deny, and follow Him.

As we are weak in flesh, He can be made stronger, and if we allow Him to be magnified in our lives and proven, He will then prove us true to His Father God in Heaven. Jesus is the way, the answer- the key to living this life with eternity in focus- as His life is life to us, and His death is also; so must be our lives- whether we live or die, to Him be all the glory.



I also thought on persecution recently as I read from a book full of stories of those who had undergone bouts of it. It brings questions to our minds as to why, etc. But we are then confirmed when and if we do go through this, just why and even beforehand, that it is inevitable in this life. From harsh to almost non existant as in these westernized countries it can be, we still have some answers even if not all fully explained. And so are my thoughts on the next blog.

blessed are those who are persecuted...

So we often wonder how it is that our lives will or should look as followers of Christ; a paradox for sure, as we die to ourselves to live to Christ. In our weakness He is made stronger in us, we are to put others first, while in the kingdom of heaven those who were first shall be last, and the last first. We wonder if God will “bless us” as His word seems to intend. However our view of blessings can be skewed by the ways in which our narrow minds conceive.
Spiritual blessings are to be above all treasured, and material can also be nice, but if our real treasure is laid up in heaven as Matthew says it should be, we will have our minds so set there that temporal things don’t phase us quite so heavily. I have now come to understand that we do not deserve anything as sinners, and that every gracious gift given to us comes from our Father in heaven, regardless of whether we deserve it. We don’t have answers for everything; for pain, for blessings per se, or cursings, for God no longer works consistently has the God of the ‘big stick’ in order to beat us to submission. He works as a compassionate one who gave us free life through His Son Christ Jesus the heir of all things as is reiterated all throughout the Bible. So there we have it at first hand, the riches of Christ and blessings eternally laid up in heaven for us. We shall not want for more; and yet we do. We are here on earth and we desire the temporal. The temporal, though beautiful as it may be in the short term, is nothing to be compared with the beauty of Christ and the blessings to be poured out when we enter His presence in eternity. We live for now all to often, and see the pain this world so easily bestows when our hopes are here. We are given such good lives, in some terms, and yet not all of us do.
We see fellow believers of Christ being persecuted for their faith, yet this is a God honoring thing in this world for it is written in His Word, blessed are those who suffer for His sake. We can take this to heart, and rejoice in the Hope and faith His gives us through the knowledge of His Son, knowing that as He says, “the genuineness of our faith, being more precious than gold, though tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1)
God gives us a huge manual to tell us of the short comings of many men, His hand in their lives, and how to avoid wrong doing. He tells us His righteousness has been GIVEN to us, so we need not work for salvation, but we must live in light of this glorious lot in our lives.

Psalms says “the good mans steps are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand. ..I am young, and now old; Yet have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lends; And his descendants are blessed.”

Well we know that none are actually good- except Christ, but that He has now laid on our account, His own righteousness. So then those who live according to His word, or even just those who are His may receive this blessing? Well there you see, material blessings in the way of provision, and I truly have seen this in my own life ONLY by grace MANY times. I know believers have perished for their faith- so there you wonder of safety provision, but ultimately their true valued treasure was not kept from them, and their lives are now an honor to the Lord even by their death. I read stories of those faithful to the Lord amidst rough family derission, yet through all the toil and pain they endured, God brought them through even the most unbelievable physical circumstances to prove their faith.

And so you have it, some who are spared and some who are not. We know not which we will be, if ever we even truly have to face trials such as these. But count it a blessing, if so, for then our faith will be given opportunity to prove Christ what honor is due. May we live in such light of His eternal blessings, that they far outweigh any menial life circumstances that beset us in this life. May we live in the light of His glory and grace, and be imitators of God in this world, being holy, that is ‘set apart’ as he called us to “be holy, for I am holy.”

HOPE drives

What drives you?

Rich told me today that he has to wonder why I am the way I am. And I retorted that I also wonder the same of him. I think that is just the nature of marriage, and living with another human being. We all tic the way we do because of a number of things; our family, our genes, and our situations in life. Even two people growing up together may handle the very same situation completely different; in the same way that those who grow up completely opposite may also handle the same situation the very same. We all have heros, life changing events, moments; and these all occur at different times and places, based on what I believe, is God's sovereignty in putting them there to make you who you are.

So it is, with my busy personality, that he wonders why I never stop. I came to a concise conclusion during the sermon today which out of Romans 8, pointed us to the fact that we have a hope- which is obviously not seen, because what is hope in something that is already seen? It isn't hope at all.

And so I have this hope, not just in the spiritual sense which does of course trump all other hopes, but I have hope in life. I truely hold strong faith in many things and avenues of exciting potential for life that I simply cannot stand to waste my life not pursuing them, almost to the point of error.

I cannot watch much tv, I cannot spend too much time doing the same thing as there is too much else out there to not be a part of. I cannot have one best friend (besides Rich:), and I cannot stand to take the Bible as I know it, and not search for more great truths yet to be learned.

God's Word has given us so much to uncover, that we scarcely understand all that He intends. I hope also that my life will be worth something to those who it touches, in the way of impact and inspiration, and as I know that no one leads others by sitting around and staying stagnant; I also cannot do this.

I think we all can have faith and hope in life that true joy comes from knowing our God, and the ability He gives us to learn about and contribute to this world He's created to order.

Motives

So as we often discuss with people who are yet to be married, or now have been for sometime, the topic of 'motives' driving this union inevitably come up. We all have our grounds for 'why' we do the things that we do, and can argue quite reasonably (at least I'd hope so). But sometimes our reasoning sounds so good in our heads, while out loud really just stinks.

We just got through a sermon series at our church going through Ephesians, and of course then ending on the topic of spiritual warfare in chapter 6.

Well one of the tactics of spiritual warfare which I believe bids us much frustration in life, is that of our very own thought life and self talk. Ephesians 6 tells us that we must prepare for the battle we are fighting against the enemy; taking on faith, which quenches the fiery darts of the wicked one. And so we must drown out also, the ways of selfish talk that comes from every angle around us, predisposing us to a life of unhappiness while seeking self gratification 24/7.

How hard it is, for us to forget ourselves, and put others in front of our pressing desires so natural to strive for. Within reason, we of course must maintain what we must to live and be able to serve; but then as in most relationships, with marriage it is supposed to be about the 'giving,' and not so much the taking (although receiving on the other end does make for an easier time together).

We read books, including the Bible, influencing our ways of thought and helping us transform our innate pursuit of egotism, and slowly we realize that it is more blessed to give than to recieve, that encouragment indeed breeds reciprocal encouragment, doing to others often ends up in the same treament being directed back, and so on.

But behind the motives of anything can still creep in slightly selfishly hinted desires. Money, recognition, and of course love, are not bad things, but alone can drive us to stomp on those we love to receive them; which in turn does just exactly opposite of what was initially intended.

And so as in marriage, I often wonder how much of our minds are really ready to just lay down all we are, when at the marriage alter, to ensure that this person we share our vows with will enjoy their life to the best of their ability, and become better through it. As Christ followers we are to take up our cross and die to our own self while putting others first, as His love allows us to do. If we focus on His sacrifice and our purpose in this life, it is easiER, and much more then gratifying for all!

God help us remember that! If we don't, we will suffer, for noone is more miserable that those who are in a rutt to seek out the best life for theirself. Even the most moral of human beings regardless of spiritual beliefs knows this. And so as those who know the very God of heaven and earth who has given us a real purpose in life AND death, we must live in reflection of His sacrificial love and mercy to those both deserving and undeserving; for we ourselves, also are not deserving for such love. It is mercy we've been given, and so we must give it back!

Rejoicing like a strong man to run its race

I can't say that yesterday I ran what I did in Durham's annual 8k race, with complete rejoicing as in a strong man running his race. I do, however, give thanks to the Lord for strength to run, for a community of people who enjoy the same sport, for beautiful weather, and an opportunity to come together for an overall enjoyable event.

Again, I believe running points to SO many life analogies. I signed up for this race awhile back, with the great 'intention' of pushing myself to train hard, in hopes of some sort of prize. Now not knowing what the competition would be, nor having the experience of running an 8k length before, combined with lack of motivation to push myself against the wind which gives no frame of reference for competition, I fell a little short.

Again, an enjoyable experience, but this time I learned something that I already knew- if that's possible, that I simply cannot train alone.

And so out of it comes another sermon for thought- that even as a runner cannot train alone, (or at least not nearly as well as with others beside him), our Christian walk is the same; not meant to be walked alone. God did not intend for us to be lone rangers, and we hear this all the time.

We know we have weaknesses, but that when surrounded by others, we can together pull one another up when the others fall. Or even better, when we run against someone with more strength altogether, or whose already been past the mile marker we are running on, they can help explain just how it may go, and what helped them when they were there. They can explain obstacles in the way, or again just simply let competition's drive push them in their stride to compare, match, or outrun those next to them; in all actuality just making the one next to them work harder too, at becoming better than he was before.

We are to sharpen eachother in our skills, or lack thereof. We are to train, not just hope to train, and then think we will just somehow win.

We run for a prize in these life events sometimes, but ultimately our goal should be to honor Christ, and find joy in Him through all of life's races. We are to see that all this world has fades in comparison to the joy and satisfaction that knowing GOD brings, and therefore not continually fail or allow ourselves to be disappointed when we don't match up to the world's standards. This world is not our home, we are just passin' through..as an old hymn says, and we can keep that outlook if we sharpen each other to stride our best through this life, seeing everything that comes and goes as a sharpening tool.

So as the picture in the verse I read in Psalms 19 today states, "The heavens declare the glory of God;..In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun, (boasting almost), and rejoicing like a strong man to run its race." We are to be ready, prepared, strengthened, and embody the picture of strength on the race of life- as we take heed from the power of the Lord and His Word, allowing it to sharpen us along with others to run as a strong man would be after training hard. We have the tools, we must use them, and our race will be all the better for it.

Vergissmeinnicht!

SO I copied the below paragraph from Wikipedia instead of trying to rewrite what was unnecessary to do so. I thought it to be a fascinating little story, at least to those of us with a fondness in German folklore:) I had to research these flowers a bit before I planted them, after having been given a tiny packet as a going away gift from our German friends.

"In a German legend, God named all the plants when a tiny unnamed one cried out, "Forget-me-not, O Lord!" God replied, "That shall be your name."[2] In another legend, the little flower cried out, "Forget-me-not!" as Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden.[2]
The Christ Child was sitting on Mary's lap one day and said that he wished that future generations could see her eyes. He touched her eyes and then waved his hand over the ground and blue forget-me-nots appeared, hence the name forget-me-not.
Henry IV adopted the flower as his symbol during his exile in 1398, and retained the symbol upon his return to England the following year.[2]
In 15th-century Germany, it was supposed that the wearers of the flower would not be forgotten by their lovers. Legend has it that in medieval times, a knight and his lady were walking along the side of a river. He picked a posy of flowers, but because of the weight of his armour he fell into the river. As he was drowning he threw the posy to his loved one and shouted "Forget-me-not". This is a flower connected with romance and tragic fate. It was often worn by ladies as a sign of faithfulness and enduring love."

So too, we should be!; faithful to God, and to the ones we've committed our lives to in love, whether that be a spouse or friend. Our friend Marion gave these to us, and Im thankful we have them now to remember our German friends by, as each time we walk past the will in their own little way cry out "Forget me not!"