The world has a way of popping us on the side of the head every once and awhile waking us up real good. It's like finding yourself on a fast track to the wrong station. "Hey! I didn't want to go there! Yes, I know that's where it's heading, but wait! Wait! W-a-a-ait! Too late. Here we are. In the NOW. Right where I didn't want to be."
Another way of looking at a fast track to the wrong station is--2 Cor.7:11-- "Isn't it wonderful all the ways in which the distress has goaded you closer to God?"
Yep. Time marches on. Today is a new day and it always will be so. Yesterday with all its good and bad has gone and a new day has arrived. The time is ripe for change and it says, "NOW!" Now is the time. God works in the NOW and has charge of the future, so what's the point of being distressed? Yesterday has passed by and been forgiven and forgotten. It has no hold on me, unless I let it. There are those beautiful memories that will never be forgotten, nor should be. But paste them in an album, and get on with the joy of today.
Enter into the NOW with confidence, humor, hope, and a touch of responsibility. Praise God and be thankful that you have been given a NOW!
If you find yourself in this kind of situation I hope you will pray this prayer:
Lord Jesus, I give you thanks for all the new beginnings you have given me. Help me to give thanks, too, for the NOW right now in my life. I pray I will yet have many, many NOWs still to come and that I will always have the insight and desire to look for you in them. Amen
Peace be with you and yours. Looking forward to seeing you in the hereafter.
Fondly, jo
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
GOD IS HERE!
I've been re-discovering the psalms lately, and they have been giving me a powerful punch. Psalm 52:6 reads, "Now it's time that my people know who I Am, what I'm made of--yes, that I have something to say. HERE I AM!"
Yep, now is the time! Not tomorrow after I have given this thought a thorough examination, but NOW! The Lord tells me the time is right for His people to know with all certainty what God is made of and that He has something to say.
So, listen up everyone! If you've heard His voice before, listen hard to hear it again. If you're like me and "hear" Him through the written Word, dust off that sacred book and listen to your heart determining what God wants of you and me.
But know this: HE IS HERE! He is all around us. Can you see the work that He is doing? That's His kindness, His healing Power, His words of comfort, His guidance and forgiveness. He's everywhere, and has been right along. Yet His time is NOW. It is a new thing. So, do you have a voice? Use it. Say for God, our God, lest someone might not know, HE IS HERE! He says to all, "HERE I AM! HERE I AM! CAN YOU HEAR ME? DO YOU SEE ME? LOOK AROUND YOU. I AM HERE!"
I hope you get it; I did. And all I could do is immediately pray:
Heavenly Father, I do not want to miss you. I am watching and listening and also sharing your words so that someone else might know YOU ARE HERE!! Amen.
Yep, now is the time! Not tomorrow after I have given this thought a thorough examination, but NOW! The Lord tells me the time is right for His people to know with all certainty what God is made of and that He has something to say.
So, listen up everyone! If you've heard His voice before, listen hard to hear it again. If you're like me and "hear" Him through the written Word, dust off that sacred book and listen to your heart determining what God wants of you and me.
But know this: HE IS HERE! He is all around us. Can you see the work that He is doing? That's His kindness, His healing Power, His words of comfort, His guidance and forgiveness. He's everywhere, and has been right along. Yet His time is NOW. It is a new thing. So, do you have a voice? Use it. Say for God, our God, lest someone might not know, HE IS HERE! He says to all, "HERE I AM! HERE I AM! CAN YOU HEAR ME? DO YOU SEE ME? LOOK AROUND YOU. I AM HERE!"
I hope you get it; I did. And all I could do is immediately pray:
Heavenly Father, I do not want to miss you. I am watching and listening and also sharing your words so that someone else might know YOU ARE HERE!! Amen.
HELLO, AGAIN!
Hello, friends.
I'm glad to be back after a rather long "vacation". I have excuses. Many things began to interfere with my time at the computer. Illness took away the majority of my time, but I'm glad to say things are back to normal. A new diet, a few more Doctor visits, but basically, things are normal, whatever that means.
My first attempt at a new start with blogging will follow this short note. It's called "God Is Here!" And I hope you'll want to read it. Fondly, jo
I'm glad to be back after a rather long "vacation". I have excuses. Many things began to interfere with my time at the computer. Illness took away the majority of my time, but I'm glad to say things are back to normal. A new diet, a few more Doctor visits, but basically, things are normal, whatever that means.
My first attempt at a new start with blogging will follow this short note. It's called "God Is Here!" And I hope you'll want to read it. Fondly, jo
Thursday, September 17, 2009
God's Holy Home
Recently, I have enjoyed a revised study by Beth Moore, A WOMAN'S HEART-GOD'S DWELLING PLACE. I was somewhat annoyed at first when I realized we were being asked to draw the Tabernacle. Of course, not wanting to be a slacker, I did draw the Tabernacle. Then, in my separate, personal Bible reading today I read a passage from Ezekiel, chapter 43, verses 10 and 11, which I repeat here:
"Son of Man, tell the people of Israel all about the Temple so they'll be dismayed by their wayward lives. Get them to go over the layout. That will bring them up short. Show them the whole plan of the Temple, its ins and outs, the proportions, the regulations, and the laws. Draw a picture so they can see the design and meaning and live by its design and intent."(italics mine; excerpt from The Message.)
Imagine my surprise! Every piece of wood over-laid with gold, the placement of each article and drape carry significant meaning, directing readers to that which our lives must become. And, in addition, we receive an incredible insight on the nature of our Holy God and God's respect for order, beauty and ultimately, holiness.
In my years as a Christian, I had never before been so aware of God's strict but determined intentions for all things to become Holy and that beauty and order come from holiness. Each measurement of the Temple, each article used by the priests for the people has at their main purpose, holiness.
Such should be my life and my heart, God's Holy Home--a love for God and God's Son, a love for God's plans so intentional, so orderly, so beautiful that I, too, might become holy. Now, I know I'll never be holy completely in this life, but to exude holiness and love in part to all creatures would be my ultimate hope.
May it be so, Lord! Oh, let it be so! Amen.
"Son of Man, tell the people of Israel all about the Temple so they'll be dismayed by their wayward lives. Get them to go over the layout. That will bring them up short. Show them the whole plan of the Temple, its ins and outs, the proportions, the regulations, and the laws. Draw a picture so they can see the design and meaning and live by its design and intent."(italics mine; excerpt from The Message.)
Imagine my surprise! Every piece of wood over-laid with gold, the placement of each article and drape carry significant meaning, directing readers to that which our lives must become. And, in addition, we receive an incredible insight on the nature of our Holy God and God's respect for order, beauty and ultimately, holiness.
In my years as a Christian, I had never before been so aware of God's strict but determined intentions for all things to become Holy and that beauty and order come from holiness. Each measurement of the Temple, each article used by the priests for the people has at their main purpose, holiness.
Such should be my life and my heart, God's Holy Home--a love for God and God's Son, a love for God's plans so intentional, so orderly, so beautiful that I, too, might become holy. Now, I know I'll never be holy completely in this life, but to exude holiness and love in part to all creatures would be my ultimate hope.
May it be so, Lord! Oh, let it be so! Amen.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Real Life, Eternal Life
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
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
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?
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