I just wanted to check if 10 years later anyone had any alerts set up and would maybe see this post.
I was sharing stories with some people and remembered this blog and wanted to reach out and see if there was anyone there who would see it and maybe we could catch up.
~Josh
Sunday, May 21, 2017
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Reflections on Life and Death
One week ago, a women's drama team was practicing to present the Christmas story in a new way. Written from the perspective of Mary as an old woman reminiscing about the events surrounding the angel's visit and her trip to see Elizabeth, one of the parts was that of Mary's mother. In one of the scenes, she was struggling with the fact that her daughter may be stoned because she was pregnant out of wedlock. She found herself falling on God's grace to enable her to trust Him with her daughter no matter what.
Two days after the performance that same woman found herself in a similar situation; this time in real life. Her oldest son lay dying in a hospital and no one really knew what was wrong with him. I saw the agony on her face as I played opposite her last Friday night, and I can only imagine the agony she felt in real life. That story is still unfolding, but her son now seems to be on the long road to recovery. I don't know if she has had time yet to reflect on the similarities between her situation now and the one she played a part of only days before.
Mary was chosen by God for the incredible joy and unimaginable pain of being the mother of Jesus. When she was carrying Him did she even think about the fact that Satan wanted that baby dead; and maybe even her too? Was she frightened by the realization of the responsibility of raising the Son of God? Did she even imagine that on day she would stand on a hill and watch Him die for her? When she was watching Him die did she wish that she could take his place? I don't know, but have any of you thought about what it would take to die for someone else?
When I was praying for this family this week, a thought crossed my mind. I was begging God to spare this boy's life, but what if God had asked me to take his place? Could I do it? If I knew that I would have to die for hinm to live, would I still have prayed as passionately as I did? I honestly don't know.
I have to admit that I don't want to die any time soon. There are things I want to do, places to go, people to meet. I want to finish college, get married someday, and have a family. I love the things of this world more than the thought of being in the presence of Jesus forever. This is not where I want to be, but it's where I am. I am not ready to die, nor am I ready for the Rapture, but I want to be.
How about you? Are you ready to give up this life for the next?
Jesus came to die for us, so that we may live with Him. That is the real reason for the season. Just think about it.
Two days after the performance that same woman found herself in a similar situation; this time in real life. Her oldest son lay dying in a hospital and no one really knew what was wrong with him. I saw the agony on her face as I played opposite her last Friday night, and I can only imagine the agony she felt in real life. That story is still unfolding, but her son now seems to be on the long road to recovery. I don't know if she has had time yet to reflect on the similarities between her situation now and the one she played a part of only days before.
Mary was chosen by God for the incredible joy and unimaginable pain of being the mother of Jesus. When she was carrying Him did she even think about the fact that Satan wanted that baby dead; and maybe even her too? Was she frightened by the realization of the responsibility of raising the Son of God? Did she even imagine that on day she would stand on a hill and watch Him die for her? When she was watching Him die did she wish that she could take his place? I don't know, but have any of you thought about what it would take to die for someone else?
When I was praying for this family this week, a thought crossed my mind. I was begging God to spare this boy's life, but what if God had asked me to take his place? Could I do it? If I knew that I would have to die for hinm to live, would I still have prayed as passionately as I did? I honestly don't know.
I have to admit that I don't want to die any time soon. There are things I want to do, places to go, people to meet. I want to finish college, get married someday, and have a family. I love the things of this world more than the thought of being in the presence of Jesus forever. This is not where I want to be, but it's where I am. I am not ready to die, nor am I ready for the Rapture, but I want to be.
How about you? Are you ready to give up this life for the next?
Jesus came to die for us, so that we may live with Him. That is the real reason for the season. Just think about it.
Brenda
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Are you hungry? If you are, it’s a good thing! It shows you have a good appetite and your preparing for a wonderful filling. If you’re not, well...either you’ve just had dinner, you’ve been over indulging or something’s not working right.
Physical hunger is a natural part of who we are...and it is the gauge that reminds us to "keep eating" so that we will stay alive. But what about your Spiritual Hunger? Is that gauge working properly, or does it need to be taken to the doctor for an exam?
As I’ve been thinking about the meaning of "Thanksgiving" and "Food" (which enevitably go together as we prepare for the Holiday that is just around the corner), I decided to do a Bible word study on the topics of "Hunger, Being filled, and Thankfulness." And, as to be expected, what a rich treasure trove I discovered!
Often in my walk with God, while I am very fulfilled and satisfied, when I stop to think about it, I realize I’m still always HUNGRY!! Hungry for more time with Him, more time in His word, more of His truth. And to be honest, I’ve not always seen that as a positive feeling. What’s wrong with me? Is it that I’m not taking enough time for Him, not spending enough time memorizing and studying, not taking enough time for prayer? While I admit that these things are constant struggles for me (after all, the devil is working overtime to make sure we don’t get any more time with God than he can possibly help). As I studied, I realized with joyfulness in a new way, that the feelings of hunger and need that I often feel are good! They show that my spiritual digestive tract is functioning properly, and that I still have room to be filled. If there’s no room, there’s no filling!
As we are told in Matthew five, "Blessed are they which hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled." Those that have stuffed themselves with the rich delicacies of the world though, aren’t going to fare so well when it comes to God’s kingdom. In fact, God will actually send them away empty. "He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away." Luke 1:53 Can you imagine standing before God’s throne and being turned away empty? I imagine (with horror, I might add) God saying softly with tears in His eyes, "I’m sorry my child...you haven’t left room in your life for me...you are already full with the cheap treasures of the world ...there’s nothing I can give you!"
Thankfully, as long as we keep seeking and searching and hungering for Him...those words will never be spoken to us. We are encouraged to "Taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man that trusteth in Him." Ps 34:8. "For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness." Ps 107:9 "The young lions do lack and suffer hunger, but they that seek the Lord shall not want [lack] any good thing." Ps 34:10
We don’t have to have spiritual currency [good works or a perfect life] to exchange for this living food. We couldn’t afford it even if we did have the currency! Our greatest argument in favor of receiving God’s eternal food is because we are HUNGRY and we HAVE NEED to be fed! "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price." Isa 55:1 God longs to fill us! He longs to pour out spiritual blessing and plenty upon us...but He can’t do it if we have no room. As the verse goes on to lament, "Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? And your labour for that which satisfieth not?" You can hear Him with tears in His voice again... "My child, my child...why do you waste your time on that which will not keep you alive? Why do you waste your time on the superficial things of life that do not truly satisfy? When I own the spiritual gold on a thousand hills, and I long to make you rich with eternal treasures...why do you waste your time on things that will only make YOU fade away? Do you think I do not have enough to take care of your hunger and needs? Do you think I don’t know that of which I speak? If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof. Ps 50:12 My child, let go of the food of the world...while it may look good on the outside, it will only bring you sickness and disease. Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness." Isa 55:1,2 Notice - God doesn’t promise that your body will be fat, He promises that your soul will be fat! Now that’s the fat I’d really like to be! ;-)
So, as I learned in a fresh way today...Hunger is a good thing...as long as it keeps drawing me to feed more and more upon the bread of life. In fact, as long as we live in this world, we are going to continue to hunger. However, I’m encouraged to learn that one day...we wont hunger anymore. Why? Because we will live with the bread of life! How incredible is that? "They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." Rev 7:16,17
Just think...Not a Thanksgiving only one day out of the year...but a Thanksgiving every day...for the rest of our lives!
"And the years of eternity, as they roll, will bring richer and still more glorious revelations of God and of Christ. As knowledge is progressive, so will love, reverence and happiness increase..." GC 678 I imagine I could also safely add..."So will our spiritual stomachs also increase." While we will no longer feel lack or hunger, there will always be room for more!!!
Now that's a true reason for THANKSGIVING!!!
Physical hunger is a natural part of who we are...and it is the gauge that reminds us to "keep eating" so that we will stay alive. But what about your Spiritual Hunger? Is that gauge working properly, or does it need to be taken to the doctor for an exam?
As I’ve been thinking about the meaning of "Thanksgiving" and "Food" (which enevitably go together as we prepare for the Holiday that is just around the corner), I decided to do a Bible word study on the topics of "Hunger, Being filled, and Thankfulness." And, as to be expected, what a rich treasure trove I discovered!
Often in my walk with God, while I am very fulfilled and satisfied, when I stop to think about it, I realize I’m still always HUNGRY!! Hungry for more time with Him, more time in His word, more of His truth. And to be honest, I’ve not always seen that as a positive feeling. What’s wrong with me? Is it that I’m not taking enough time for Him, not spending enough time memorizing and studying, not taking enough time for prayer? While I admit that these things are constant struggles for me (after all, the devil is working overtime to make sure we don’t get any more time with God than he can possibly help). As I studied, I realized with joyfulness in a new way, that the feelings of hunger and need that I often feel are good! They show that my spiritual digestive tract is functioning properly, and that I still have room to be filled. If there’s no room, there’s no filling!
As we are told in Matthew five, "Blessed are they which hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled." Those that have stuffed themselves with the rich delicacies of the world though, aren’t going to fare so well when it comes to God’s kingdom. In fact, God will actually send them away empty. "He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away." Luke 1:53 Can you imagine standing before God’s throne and being turned away empty? I imagine (with horror, I might add) God saying softly with tears in His eyes, "I’m sorry my child...you haven’t left room in your life for me...you are already full with the cheap treasures of the world ...there’s nothing I can give you!"
Thankfully, as long as we keep seeking and searching and hungering for Him...those words will never be spoken to us. We are encouraged to "Taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man that trusteth in Him." Ps 34:8. "For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness." Ps 107:9 "The young lions do lack and suffer hunger, but they that seek the Lord shall not want [lack] any good thing." Ps 34:10
We don’t have to have spiritual currency [good works or a perfect life] to exchange for this living food. We couldn’t afford it even if we did have the currency! Our greatest argument in favor of receiving God’s eternal food is because we are HUNGRY and we HAVE NEED to be fed! "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price." Isa 55:1 God longs to fill us! He longs to pour out spiritual blessing and plenty upon us...but He can’t do it if we have no room. As the verse goes on to lament, "Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? And your labour for that which satisfieth not?" You can hear Him with tears in His voice again... "My child, my child...why do you waste your time on that which will not keep you alive? Why do you waste your time on the superficial things of life that do not truly satisfy? When I own the spiritual gold on a thousand hills, and I long to make you rich with eternal treasures...why do you waste your time on things that will only make YOU fade away? Do you think I do not have enough to take care of your hunger and needs? Do you think I don’t know that of which I speak? If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof. Ps 50:12 My child, let go of the food of the world...while it may look good on the outside, it will only bring you sickness and disease. Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness." Isa 55:1,2 Notice - God doesn’t promise that your body will be fat, He promises that your soul will be fat! Now that’s the fat I’d really like to be! ;-)
So, as I learned in a fresh way today...Hunger is a good thing...as long as it keeps drawing me to feed more and more upon the bread of life. In fact, as long as we live in this world, we are going to continue to hunger. However, I’m encouraged to learn that one day...we wont hunger anymore. Why? Because we will live with the bread of life! How incredible is that? "They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." Rev 7:16,17
Just think...Not a Thanksgiving only one day out of the year...but a Thanksgiving every day...for the rest of our lives!
"And the years of eternity, as they roll, will bring richer and still more glorious revelations of God and of Christ. As knowledge is progressive, so will love, reverence and happiness increase..." GC 678 I imagine I could also safely add..."So will our spiritual stomachs also increase." While we will no longer feel lack or hunger, there will always be room for more!!!
Now that's a true reason for THANKSGIVING!!!
Enter into His Gates with Thanksgiving
With the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, I'm reminded of all that the King of Kings has done for each of us...and all that HE is to us. First and foremost, I'm incredibly thankful for Him choosing ME, a wretched sinner, to be His child...and for rescuing me from being eternally separated from Him. We have so much to be thankful for, it's hard to know where to begin...or where to end. His blessings are abundant and overflowing. I hope that this Thanksgiving, each of you "enter His gates with [wholehearted] thanksgiving." It is not only a command for us to be thankful unto the Lord for all that He has done and given to us, but it is how we please and bring honor and glory to our King, the One whom we serve. May we ever be mindful that HE is the reason we exist...and apart from HIM, we are nothing!
~PSALM 100~
Make a joyful shout to the LORD,
all you lands!
Serve the LORD with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the LORD, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the LORD is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.
Happy Thankgiving,
Jena
Thursday, September 20, 2007
A Message from the King
I have called you to be set apart, just as I called those who came before you. I know this calling will sometimes come with great cost, but eternal rewards are priceless and beyond comparison. Just as I did with Queen Esther, I have given you the ability to walk in such a way so all will see you are divinely Mine. Some will admire you for your dedication to Me, and some will want you to fail rather than follow your lead. You may fall because you are not perfect, but your mistakes can be the tutors that make you wiser. I'm the only one who can perfect you, My Child.
All I ask is that you let Me set you apart so that I use you as a witness for the world to see.
Love,
Your King Who Sets You Apart
All I ask is that you let Me set you apart so that I use you as a witness for the world to see.
Love,
Your King Who Sets You Apart
Monday, August 27, 2007
walking as disciples of Jesus
I stumbled across this passage during some quiet time this morning, and it struck me so deep. My immediate response was, "LORD, let it be thus in me!" It is my prayer this morning, that through His omnipotent grace, our precious Jesus would continue to strengthen us and enable us to walk in His Spirit, as we, His disciples, embrace the Kingdom pattern He's set before us.
"The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of disciples, that I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple. The Lord GOD has opened My ear; and I was not disobedient nor did I turn back. I gave My back to those who strike Me, and My cheeks to those who pluck out the beard; I did not cover My face from humiliation and spitting. For the Lord GOD helps Me, therefore, I am not disgraced; therefore, I have set My face like flint, and I know I will not be ashamed." ~Isaiah 50:4-7~
LORD, give us the tongue of disciples, that we may speak Truth into the lives of those around us. Open our ears, LORD, to listen as disciples and hearts of yielded obedience to walk in Your ways. Awaken our hearts every morning to greater depths of Your heart and a deeper desire to KNOW You! Let us decrease, LORD, as You increase. Pour out our lives for the sake of Your Kingdom, and the glory of Your Name! May we gladly, willingly, accept criticism, misunderstanding, humiliation, and persecution with LOVE and JOY, knowing You have given us the privilege of sharing in Your sufferings! We know we will not be ashamed, LORD. We cling to Your Word. Set our faces like flint toward Your Kingdom, and wholly CONSUME our lives with Your Love. We are wholly dependent on You, Jesus. We lean into Your sufficient Grace. We praise You, beautiful Savior! You alone are worthy of our lives. We surrender ourselves to You today, and join Jesus in saying, "Father, hallowed be Your Name. Your Kingdom come! Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven!" Amen.
"The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of disciples, that I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple. The Lord GOD has opened My ear; and I was not disobedient nor did I turn back. I gave My back to those who strike Me, and My cheeks to those who pluck out the beard; I did not cover My face from humiliation and spitting. For the Lord GOD helps Me, therefore, I am not disgraced; therefore, I have set My face like flint, and I know I will not be ashamed." ~Isaiah 50:4-7~
LORD, give us the tongue of disciples, that we may speak Truth into the lives of those around us. Open our ears, LORD, to listen as disciples and hearts of yielded obedience to walk in Your ways. Awaken our hearts every morning to greater depths of Your heart and a deeper desire to KNOW You! Let us decrease, LORD, as You increase. Pour out our lives for the sake of Your Kingdom, and the glory of Your Name! May we gladly, willingly, accept criticism, misunderstanding, humiliation, and persecution with LOVE and JOY, knowing You have given us the privilege of sharing in Your sufferings! We know we will not be ashamed, LORD. We cling to Your Word. Set our faces like flint toward Your Kingdom, and wholly CONSUME our lives with Your Love. We are wholly dependent on You, Jesus. We lean into Your sufficient Grace. We praise You, beautiful Savior! You alone are worthy of our lives. We surrender ourselves to You today, and join Jesus in saying, "Father, hallowed be Your Name. Your Kingdom come! Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven!" Amen.
Only by His Grace!
~Bethany~
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