John 12:25 says, "Anyone who holds onto life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you'll have it forever, real and eternal."
Life is a fragile thing, reminding me of a small bird that hit our window. Holding it in the palm of my hand, I felt its soft warmth. It was probably stunned and so my holding it was unique. No one was at home for me to share it so I couldn't say, "Look what I have been given. Isn't it precious? and pure?" I almost wanted to put it in a cage with a little swing in order to keep it.
Then, the bird in my palm began to wiggle a bit. Its tiny wings stretched out wide. It hopped, tickling my hand. It seemed to be listening. Did it hear a call? It chirped, perhaps in answer. Again it stretched and flapped its wings just a bit. Does it want to fly away?
I knew I was being tested. Did I want it to fly to live its life or..........My fingers wanted to close in on the small thing, hold it tight, keep it for myself. But I lifted my hand, raised it up and stretched it out to the sky. The tiny life fluttered its wings and....flew.
I hold my life too close sometimes, too, to protect myself, to keep myself from harm. But, I hope I remember that little bird and say, "Let it go, let it be free to fly, to encounter life among new places and to pass love along to others." That is real life, eternally. Signed by jo
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Who's that Knocking at My Door?
Jesus on the night he was betrayed gave some final instructions to his disciples hoping they might be strengthened in the faith that He was who He said He was, the Son of God.
He told them, "Make sure you get this right: Receiving someone I send is the same as receiving me; just as receiving me is the same as receiving the One who sent me."
It is easier for me to understand that by receiving Jesus we also receive God who sent him. It is a little harder for me to understand that by receiving one of our own we shall also receive Jesus.
Is there someone standing at my door right now? Did Jesus send him? This person is not clean. He is poor, he lacks social grace. I'm afraid of him.
Or, perhaps he is rich, but a braggart. He speaks rudely of others whose skin is a different
color. Did Jesus send him? Whether someone is loud or incoherent, abusive or afraid, Jesus does send him.
As I think it through I realize that I was sent to a group of younger women having a Bible Study. They received me, welcomed me. They say, in return, they received more of Jesus.
Now it is my turn. I pray I will recognize and welcome those who may be sent to me. I want to find more of Jesus. Lord may it be so. Amen
signed by jo
He told them, "Make sure you get this right: Receiving someone I send is the same as receiving me; just as receiving me is the same as receiving the One who sent me."
It is easier for me to understand that by receiving Jesus we also receive God who sent him. It is a little harder for me to understand that by receiving one of our own we shall also receive Jesus.
Is there someone standing at my door right now? Did Jesus send him? This person is not clean. He is poor, he lacks social grace. I'm afraid of him.
Or, perhaps he is rich, but a braggart. He speaks rudely of others whose skin is a different
color. Did Jesus send him? Whether someone is loud or incoherent, abusive or afraid, Jesus does send him.
As I think it through I realize that I was sent to a group of younger women having a Bible Study. They received me, welcomed me. They say, in return, they received more of Jesus.
Now it is my turn. I pray I will recognize and welcome those who may be sent to me. I want to find more of Jesus. Lord may it be so. Amen
signed by jo
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
FATHER KNOWS BEST
Words of Isaiah the prophet ring true today: "For the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think......So will the words that come out of my mouth not come back empty-handed. They'll do the work I sent them to do." (Is.55:9,11)
Old Testament stuff, maybe, but I've made enough mistakes to know that this stuff is true. I don't care to count the many times I thought I knew better than God, had all the information I needed, and if God saw things my way there would be victory.
My, oh my! I am so-o-o sl-o-ow to learn. I have often been confused why God allowed some act or did something else beyond my understanding. Then when time has elapsed I can look back and see how the work God did had become fruitful. And I have to admit, I do not think like God, either. But I can see God's goodness in a situation long after it has passed.
My own words witness my need to trust God; the Father knows best. I also need to pray that God will bring to my mind the reminder that it's not my job to be in control. The Father's in control and He knows best. My Dad's smarter than your dad! Na,ne,na,ne.na.na! Who's your Daddy?
Old Testament stuff, maybe, but I've made enough mistakes to know that this stuff is true. I don't care to count the many times I thought I knew better than God, had all the information I needed, and if God saw things my way there would be victory.
My, oh my! I am so-o-o sl-o-ow to learn. I have often been confused why God allowed some act or did something else beyond my understanding. Then when time has elapsed I can look back and see how the work God did had become fruitful. And I have to admit, I do not think like God, either. But I can see God's goodness in a situation long after it has passed.
My own words witness my need to trust God; the Father knows best. I also need to pray that God will bring to my mind the reminder that it's not my job to be in control. The Father's in control and He knows best. My Dad's smarter than your dad! Na,ne,na,ne.na.na! Who's your Daddy?
Thursday, July 23, 2009
A Suffering of Pride
Sometime ago I prayed that I might have more of God and His Spirit. Today, 1 Peter 2:19,20 spoke loud and clear. "Put up with it for God's sake when you're badly treated for no good reason. There's no particular virtue in accepting punishment that you well deserve. But if you're treated badly for good behavior and continue in spite of it to be a good servant, that is what counts with God."
As old as I am I have many times been treated unfairly in churches, believe it or not. Sometimes I have left that church and found another only to be discouraged again. After examining my own actions and finding no real error, it has often been hard to continue on serving that church. As I grew older, I became more forgiving, but not after rather a lot of prayer. I am not perfect and am bound to make mistakes. Many mistakes have taught me, but there have been quite a few that left me speechless with wounded pride and wondering what on earth I had done to warrant punishment.
I guess it takes a lot of stings to warn one away from bees. And it probably takes many more stings to love them, especially when you're working toward getting all that honey! And that's what the above verse taught me today.
Being ill-treated? Serve anyway.
Who do you follow? The Lord Jesus. And he suffered from ill-treatment over and over. But He didn't stop serving His Father.
I prayed for more of the Spirit and more of the Son. And I'm getting it! Thank you, Lord, for showing me that I can accept unfair treatment and serve happily. I don't have to think twice if asked, "Who's your Daddy?" The Lord God Almighty!!! Signed, jo
As old as I am I have many times been treated unfairly in churches, believe it or not. Sometimes I have left that church and found another only to be discouraged again. After examining my own actions and finding no real error, it has often been hard to continue on serving that church. As I grew older, I became more forgiving, but not after rather a lot of prayer. I am not perfect and am bound to make mistakes. Many mistakes have taught me, but there have been quite a few that left me speechless with wounded pride and wondering what on earth I had done to warrant punishment.
I guess it takes a lot of stings to warn one away from bees. And it probably takes many more stings to love them, especially when you're working toward getting all that honey! And that's what the above verse taught me today.
Being ill-treated? Serve anyway.
Who do you follow? The Lord Jesus. And he suffered from ill-treatment over and over. But He didn't stop serving His Father.
I prayed for more of the Spirit and more of the Son. And I'm getting it! Thank you, Lord, for showing me that I can accept unfair treatment and serve happily. I don't have to think twice if asked, "Who's your Daddy?" The Lord God Almighty!!! Signed, jo
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Heaven--My True Home
In Hebrews Chapter 11 verse 13, the writer is talking about people of faith who "accepted the fact that they were transients in this world...making it plain that they were looking for their true home...heaven country."
I like the title "people of faith." Practicing it a bit, I say, "I am a person of faith, my name is not important, my work not labeled, my living space temporary. I am a person of faith whose home, my true home, is yet to come in the heavenly places." I like the sound of that.
That is not to say that I do not enjoy thoroughly my "transient" life--married to a wonderful man for almost 55 years, had four very special kids of whom I am very proud, ten grand-children and one newly-born great-granddaughter, Scarlet Cordelia Jensen. This is very satisfying. Now, not all of my family are finished, either in number, in status, or in God. But their lives, their transient lives, have only just begun. There is time before they begin to hunger for their own true homes.
I hunger for the heavenly places and God even while I enjoy my temporary status, my place upon this earth. But I thank God for calling me to be a person of faith and all that it entails. And my prayer is that God will grant me more time to be useful to his purpose, whatever that may be, in my last years here on earth.
How about you?
I like the title "people of faith." Practicing it a bit, I say, "I am a person of faith, my name is not important, my work not labeled, my living space temporary. I am a person of faith whose home, my true home, is yet to come in the heavenly places." I like the sound of that.
That is not to say that I do not enjoy thoroughly my "transient" life--married to a wonderful man for almost 55 years, had four very special kids of whom I am very proud, ten grand-children and one newly-born great-granddaughter, Scarlet Cordelia Jensen. This is very satisfying. Now, not all of my family are finished, either in number, in status, or in God. But their lives, their transient lives, have only just begun. There is time before they begin to hunger for their own true homes.
I hunger for the heavenly places and God even while I enjoy my temporary status, my place upon this earth. But I thank God for calling me to be a person of faith and all that it entails. And my prayer is that God will grant me more time to be useful to his purpose, whatever that may be, in my last years here on earth.
How about you?
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
PRAYING THE SCRIPTURES FOR DANIEL B.
This scripture is from Hosea 14:8 and I am substituting my precious Dan B.'s name instead of Israel and Ephraim. From the Message and asking the Lord to hear my prayer:
"I, God, will make a fresh start with Daniel B.
He'll burst into bloom like a crocus in the spring.
Dan will put down deep oak tree roots,
and become a forest of oaks!
Dan will become splendid-like a giant sequoia,
his fragrance like a grove of cedars!
Those who live near Dan will be blessed by him,
be blessed and prosper like golden grain.
Everyone will be talking about Dan and his family,
spreading their fame as the vintage children of God.
Daniel B. is finished with gods that are no-gods.
From now on, I AM the one who answers and satisfies him.
I AM like a luxuriant fruit tree.
Everything you need is to be found in Me.
"I, God, will make a fresh start with Daniel B.
He'll burst into bloom like a crocus in the spring.
Dan will put down deep oak tree roots,
and become a forest of oaks!
Dan will become splendid-like a giant sequoia,
his fragrance like a grove of cedars!
Those who live near Dan will be blessed by him,
be blessed and prosper like golden grain.
Everyone will be talking about Dan and his family,
spreading their fame as the vintage children of God.
Daniel B. is finished with gods that are no-gods.
From now on, I AM the one who answers and satisfies him.
I AM like a luxuriant fruit tree.
Everything you need is to be found in Me.
Friday, July 3, 2009
May It Be So!
Jude is a small package in our "big book," a bit of beauty which contains a very real and important gift. In verses 20 and 21 it says, "Dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God's love, keeping arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life!" Wow!
I read those words now, and I realize their wealth, a very real and and important gift to the world. But, I don't remember those words when I feel attacked. Now, what kind of nut thinks any kind of criticism is an attack? My kind, I'm afraid. But, taking it one step at a time, I may just find myself one day on the winning side of this battle.
These verses tell us to build ourselves up in the Lord through His presence. Pray to and with the Holy Spirit, with the Spirit's language if you have it. Whether we speak in English or in Martian, God understands a Oneness with the Spirit.
Stay in the center of God's love. Oh, I get dangerous outside of God's love, because the old devil knows my weaknesses and pushes and pushes those buttons! And when I least expect it! Old tricky Nicky, he's always alert to my old stuff. So, how can we know that we're in the center of God's love? Well, when I sense joy, honesty and fruitfulness, and yes, even purity, I know God is very present. Then, too, I want to stretch out my arms toward others and give them the mercy that I know only Jesus can give.
Life is so real and unending when we claim the things of God! And God, may it be so in my life. Signed, jo
I read those words now, and I realize their wealth, a very real and and important gift to the world. But, I don't remember those words when I feel attacked. Now, what kind of nut thinks any kind of criticism is an attack? My kind, I'm afraid. But, taking it one step at a time, I may just find myself one day on the winning side of this battle.
These verses tell us to build ourselves up in the Lord through His presence. Pray to and with the Holy Spirit, with the Spirit's language if you have it. Whether we speak in English or in Martian, God understands a Oneness with the Spirit.
Stay in the center of God's love. Oh, I get dangerous outside of God's love, because the old devil knows my weaknesses and pushes and pushes those buttons! And when I least expect it! Old tricky Nicky, he's always alert to my old stuff. So, how can we know that we're in the center of God's love? Well, when I sense joy, honesty and fruitfulness, and yes, even purity, I know God is very present. Then, too, I want to stretch out my arms toward others and give them the mercy that I know only Jesus can give.
Life is so real and unending when we claim the things of God! And God, may it be so in my life. Signed, jo
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)