Hebrews 3:6 in THE MESSAGE tells us that God is the Master Builder and He builds 'houses'. Now the houses are you and me, each of us designed exactly as the Master Builder desires. Everyone in the world is a house built by God. Now the Son is to be in charge of each house. He's the Director or Headmaster. We are to think of Him as Master, the One who can help us through life on this earth as long as each 'house' exists and He's the One who will meet us when we go to His House, the Big One in the Heavenly Places.
As Christ is the Big Boss, each house must remember that it's very existence is to be handled by Christ. We don't run the operation, yet our Director of Operations has grace enough to listen to our ideas, and our requests. Christ doesn't promise, but He gives us either what we desire or something better, something so much better for us in the long run that we can trust His decisions. Sometimes we grumble when we don't get our way (we don't like the neighborhood, or our kitchen's too small)and we can't understand why His ideas are superior to our own. Then, we're reminded that He is the Big Boss and we are to be gracious and accept the Master's plan. All in all, we find an incredible joy from being gracious and trusting.
The size and shape of our 'house' really doesn't matter; sometimes the smallest 'house' can be the friendliest by far. Our Director, however, does like a clean 'house.' None of this messy, untidy, dirty 'house' for Him. Nope. We need to keep that broom and dustpan handy and use it frequently especially when we feel rebellious and stubborn. All 'houses' do go through untidy periods now and then and it's Oh, so easy to give in to the voice of contrariness.
The best thing that we 'houses' can do is keep a good line open to our Director of Operations. He works hard and has an incredible, heroic history in working for our good. He deserves our best, our best work and our total confidence and gratitude. So let's give him a great big 'Thankyou.'
PRAISE YOU, JESUS!!!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
WE ARE THE HOUSE! AMEN
THE MESSAGE tells me in Hebrews 3 that God is a or rather the House Builder and each 'house' is built according to the Builder's design, yet the Son is in charge of what is built, so let's call him 'Master'or 'Director'--Christ as Son is in charge of the'house'. That makes us the 'house'.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Goodbye, Brenda. You're Quite a Gal!
Yesterday at 6 pm AZ time, my niece by love and marriage died of cancer. Her name was Brenda; she was in her 40's with a loving husband, Scott, and two great kids, Allie and Noah. We had prayed for her persistently, along with many others, to be healed. We could get reports on her health on CaringBridge, a wonderful thing, by the way. She was so brave. Brenda was short on inches high, but long, very long, on loving.
I don't think the many people that prayed for her prayed in vain. Although we prayed for a miracle hoping that she might receive complete healing, we are not disappointed. The miracle was in her beautiful attitude. Consistently, she thought of her kids and Scott. The miracle was also in Scott, Allie and Noah, and all the rest of her family and friends. We all got so much closer to God through Brenda, even though she herself went through all kinds of hell. That hellish cancer just finally raped her body, but not her spirit.
She's home now, greeting those who loved her all these years,and possibly lent their prayers to God for her right along with those who had to watch her die. It wasn't pretty, but usually death from this world isn't. I think she's right up there with all the soldier-heroes and policeman-heroes and firemen-heroes that we all read about in the newspapers. There isn't going to be much in the newspaper; she wouldn't have cared, anyway. Her only need is to know her kids are going to be OK and Scott. We'll probably see some hero-stuff from them as they put their lives together again. Scott called her "Dolly" maybe because she was like a lovable doll. He already misses her, just as Allie and Noah do.
Some people just don't stay around long enough for us to get tired of them. Brenda was like that; you didn't get tired of her. She smiled a lot, even laughed out loud sometimes to the point of hysteria! She was fun. And she was full of goodness, kind of like we all hope to be.
The world isn't the same when people we love die. Memories are nice, but they're not always what they're cracked up to be. Brenda? You could touch her; she would touch right back. You could know her down deep. She didn't hide or hold back what she felt.
I think Satan must have brewed-up Cancer. It's like him, I think. He can't touch us; God won't let him. But He sure can scare up a horror that touches us. What else can you call cancer but the devil's work? If the devil can't get us one way, he gets us another. But, God will make up for it in Heaven, don't you think? Life isn't fair, I know, I know! But surely, all those prayers will bring Brenda some special kind of Eternal Peace. That's where I'm putting my hope now.
Thanks for listening. Pray for Scott, Allie, and Noah why don't you? jo
I don't think the many people that prayed for her prayed in vain. Although we prayed for a miracle hoping that she might receive complete healing, we are not disappointed. The miracle was in her beautiful attitude. Consistently, she thought of her kids and Scott. The miracle was also in Scott, Allie and Noah, and all the rest of her family and friends. We all got so much closer to God through Brenda, even though she herself went through all kinds of hell. That hellish cancer just finally raped her body, but not her spirit.
She's home now, greeting those who loved her all these years,and possibly lent their prayers to God for her right along with those who had to watch her die. It wasn't pretty, but usually death from this world isn't. I think she's right up there with all the soldier-heroes and policeman-heroes and firemen-heroes that we all read about in the newspapers. There isn't going to be much in the newspaper; she wouldn't have cared, anyway. Her only need is to know her kids are going to be OK and Scott. We'll probably see some hero-stuff from them as they put their lives together again. Scott called her "Dolly" maybe because she was like a lovable doll. He already misses her, just as Allie and Noah do.
Some people just don't stay around long enough for us to get tired of them. Brenda was like that; you didn't get tired of her. She smiled a lot, even laughed out loud sometimes to the point of hysteria! She was fun. And she was full of goodness, kind of like we all hope to be.
The world isn't the same when people we love die. Memories are nice, but they're not always what they're cracked up to be. Brenda? You could touch her; she would touch right back. You could know her down deep. She didn't hide or hold back what she felt.
I think Satan must have brewed-up Cancer. It's like him, I think. He can't touch us; God won't let him. But He sure can scare up a horror that touches us. What else can you call cancer but the devil's work? If the devil can't get us one way, he gets us another. But, God will make up for it in Heaven, don't you think? Life isn't fair, I know, I know! But surely, all those prayers will bring Brenda some special kind of Eternal Peace. That's where I'm putting my hope now.
Thanks for listening. Pray for Scott, Allie, and Noah why don't you? jo
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
TIME MARCHES ON
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
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, 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.
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