How big is God's heart? I do not think we can limit His big hearted love, do you?
I guess some may question His love because of the things they have seen in the world, but does our sin and its consequences limit His love? The answer is decidedly "No!"
When The Father gave His only Son to die in our place He proved His great love. He proved that his love was bigger than all evil, bigger than the greatest of human loves! God not only gave His son to prove his love, He also gives Himself fully and without reserve to those who seek him. He promises to let us find Him, know him, live with Him. He promises to give us his wisdom, his understanding, his life and his eternal home! He says He withholds no good thing from those who walk uprightly!
Big hearted? God is more! He is more than we can ever comprehend! He gives to all, He does not need to limit the number of souls He loves. He loves all because He is love! He can do nothing that is not love. Amazing! Wonderful! Worthy!
Love (Agape), You are my God! You are the only One who deserves my all. I am so small compared to You! I cannot drink in Your love without bursting with joy and the need to express to others the You I know! Thank You for revealing Your love to me through Your Son, Jesus. Thank You for opening Your Big hearted love to the world! Teach me how to share Your love with those You love that are near me! Fill me with boldness to tell of Your great love!
Friday, March 19, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Pinch My Anger
Last night my granddaughter, Paige was explaining her difficulties with another girl at school. She told us "She pinched my anger!"
I can think of many times when others have pinched my anger. How about you? does your anger sleep quietly until someone comes and pinches it? What about your love? Does it hibernate until your heart is pinched with others needs for affection, hope, or food? Sometimes our love will actually pinch our anger! When we see injustice or abuse shouldn't our anger be pinched?
Today, being St. Patrick's Day, I thought it was appropriate to pinch your thoughts. What do you need to wake up to do? What is pinching you so that you want change? I have some habits I am fighting because they are pinching me! I am taking them one at a time. For me the pinch is waking up my anger toward myself. I have not been loving myself and until I do, how can I love others?
God of St. Patrick, I see that You are wise in all You do. You give us emotions and then prick them or send someone to prick them so that we might change and live our lives with greater significance. I admit that sometimes when I am pinched I fight back and try to hurt someone. I am so sorry for being that way. It does no good for me or for them and it hurts You! Thank You for leading St. Patrick out into the world where He brought Your love. Help me to follow in Your footsteps like he did!
I can think of many times when others have pinched my anger. How about you? does your anger sleep quietly until someone comes and pinches it? What about your love? Does it hibernate until your heart is pinched with others needs for affection, hope, or food? Sometimes our love will actually pinch our anger! When we see injustice or abuse shouldn't our anger be pinched?
Today, being St. Patrick's Day, I thought it was appropriate to pinch your thoughts. What do you need to wake up to do? What is pinching you so that you want change? I have some habits I am fighting because they are pinching me! I am taking them one at a time. For me the pinch is waking up my anger toward myself. I have not been loving myself and until I do, how can I love others?
God of St. Patrick, I see that You are wise in all You do. You give us emotions and then prick them or send someone to prick them so that we might change and live our lives with greater significance. I admit that sometimes when I am pinched I fight back and try to hurt someone. I am so sorry for being that way. It does no good for me or for them and it hurts You! Thank You for leading St. Patrick out into the world where He brought Your love. Help me to follow in Your footsteps like he did!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Pregnancy and Labor
I have two grandbabies on the way. They will be born later this year and I am very excited. Maybe that is the reason God spoke to me in a metaphor of pregnancy and labor. Maybe it is just what is happening!
I was in prayer last night asking for forgiveness for being crabby, grumpy, irritable, well you can name it what you want, but I wasn't being loving and so I was needing forgiveness. In God's revealing way, He spoke to my heart saying that I am in the middle of labor and under alot of pressure. He knows that knowing what is happening and understanding where I am helps me to accept and behave in a kinder way. He knows me so very well!
I agreed with God that I am under pressure. I can see why He used the idea of the end of a pregnancy and beginning of labor. Things are changing for me and my family. The onset of labor pains has begun. I cannot know how long the labor will last, or how difficult it is going to be, but I can prepare and depend on God, the Father as my coach through it all.
I need to rest in him and His word. Breathe deeply and let the natural process of change ordained by God happen. I must move with it not struggle against it.
Father, I am ready and even eager to birth the new life you have for me. You are the my Father, my Lord and my source of wisdom, understanding and strength. I know that alone I cannot do this your way. I need You! Thank You for being with me every step of the way and for completing the good work You have begun in me! Teach me what to do and when to do it! I trust You to be there for me if I cry out to You!
I was in prayer last night asking for forgiveness for being crabby, grumpy, irritable, well you can name it what you want, but I wasn't being loving and so I was needing forgiveness. In God's revealing way, He spoke to my heart saying that I am in the middle of labor and under alot of pressure. He knows that knowing what is happening and understanding where I am helps me to accept and behave in a kinder way. He knows me so very well!
I agreed with God that I am under pressure. I can see why He used the idea of the end of a pregnancy and beginning of labor. Things are changing for me and my family. The onset of labor pains has begun. I cannot know how long the labor will last, or how difficult it is going to be, but I can prepare and depend on God, the Father as my coach through it all.
I need to rest in him and His word. Breathe deeply and let the natural process of change ordained by God happen. I must move with it not struggle against it.
Father, I am ready and even eager to birth the new life you have for me. You are the my Father, my Lord and my source of wisdom, understanding and strength. I know that alone I cannot do this your way. I need You! Thank You for being with me every step of the way and for completing the good work You have begun in me! Teach me what to do and when to do it! I trust You to be there for me if I cry out to You!
Monday, March 15, 2010
Play Time
Does God like to play? If so what do you suppose He likes best to do when He plays? Does His play time include us?
My imagination takes a stretch when thinking of God playing. I don't readily think of Him enjoying a sport or even board game. I guess I've been taught that God is in control of the universe, and maybe my mind just can't comprehend Him dropping the weather or forgetting the dance of the universes to play. Why is it so hard to believe?
Could it be that when God walked in the garden with Adam, He didn't just walk? Maybe He played hide and seek, but He would always win unless He humbled Himself and became a man who was not all-seeing. Maybe He played chase with the lions, tigers and bears. Oh my! It is fun to think that His creation of the world might have been play for Him. Did it have to be all science, or well thought out plan?
My heart longs to think that He delighted and enjoyed creating as much as I do! I want to believe He has fun surprising us and maybe even playing with us once in awhile!
You, Lord, gave us Your people a love of play. You give us glimpses of fun in scripture. Would You like to play with me? Can we play tomorrow? Let's have a play date!
My imagination takes a stretch when thinking of God playing. I don't readily think of Him enjoying a sport or even board game. I guess I've been taught that God is in control of the universe, and maybe my mind just can't comprehend Him dropping the weather or forgetting the dance of the universes to play. Why is it so hard to believe?
Could it be that when God walked in the garden with Adam, He didn't just walk? Maybe He played hide and seek, but He would always win unless He humbled Himself and became a man who was not all-seeing. Maybe He played chase with the lions, tigers and bears. Oh my! It is fun to think that His creation of the world might have been play for Him. Did it have to be all science, or well thought out plan?
My heart longs to think that He delighted and enjoyed creating as much as I do! I want to believe He has fun surprising us and maybe even playing with us once in awhile!
You, Lord, gave us Your people a love of play. You give us glimpses of fun in scripture. Would You like to play with me? Can we play tomorrow? Let's have a play date!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
The Elephant
Most people have heard the story of the blind men who examined an elephant. Each one touched a different part of the animal and described it differently. The lesson of the story is that we don't always see the entire picture.
I think that it is the same with knowing God. I can look, listen and learn about God, but unless others share what they have discovered about God with me, I will not have a true picture of Him. I need to share with others also.
God is much larger than an elephant! He is all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving. We will be experiencing new things about our Great and awesome God throughout eternity! Finding out about Him will never grow old or dull!
I have a question I need you to answer for me. What have you discovered about God this past week? What can you tell me about Him? Yes, I may already know that He loves you, but how did He love you last week? Please tell me so that I can know him more!
I think that it is the same with knowing God. I can look, listen and learn about God, but unless others share what they have discovered about God with me, I will not have a true picture of Him. I need to share with others also.
God is much larger than an elephant! He is all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving. We will be experiencing new things about our Great and awesome God throughout eternity! Finding out about Him will never grow old or dull!
I have a question I need you to answer for me. What have you discovered about God this past week? What can you tell me about Him? Yes, I may already know that He loves you, but how did He love you last week? Please tell me so that I can know him more!
Friday, March 12, 2010
Along the Journey
Who is coming along with you on your journey of life? Are they coming all the way into eternity with you?
I have people on my journey that walk in step with me. They remain close and we speed up or slow down for one another. Others on the journey wander far ahead or behind and we catch up with one another now and then, enjoying great fellowship until the partners we are committed to need us to speed up or slow down.
I see many on my journey that I don't know well. I know their faces and maybe their names but seldom get to know their struggles or their loved ones. It is nice to know that the race we run is not a competition between us, it is a race to finish doing our best!
It is also nice to know that we are not climbing a ladder where we step over one another or one person is greater than the rest. We are on a road following Jesus, our leader. Yes, some are further down the road than others, but we are all going in the same direction! It is a great reason to celebrate!
Jesus, You are the Leader of all who want to enter heaven and live with You forever! You show us the way. sometimes I slow down and even take a rest by the wayside, but I always want to come back to You! Thank You for being patient, waiting for me to catch up. Thank You for being the light to my path so my feet can step over the things that would trip me or the holes where I might fall. I need You every day! I need You every hour! I need to hear Your voice. I trust You!
I have people on my journey that walk in step with me. They remain close and we speed up or slow down for one another. Others on the journey wander far ahead or behind and we catch up with one another now and then, enjoying great fellowship until the partners we are committed to need us to speed up or slow down.
I see many on my journey that I don't know well. I know their faces and maybe their names but seldom get to know their struggles or their loved ones. It is nice to know that the race we run is not a competition between us, it is a race to finish doing our best!
It is also nice to know that we are not climbing a ladder where we step over one another or one person is greater than the rest. We are on a road following Jesus, our leader. Yes, some are further down the road than others, but we are all going in the same direction! It is a great reason to celebrate!
Jesus, You are the Leader of all who want to enter heaven and live with You forever! You show us the way. sometimes I slow down and even take a rest by the wayside, but I always want to come back to You! Thank You for being patient, waiting for me to catch up. Thank You for being the light to my path so my feet can step over the things that would trip me or the holes where I might fall. I need You every day! I need You every hour! I need to hear Your voice. I trust You!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Think About It
Have computers taken away our desire to think, ponder or meditate? It is so easy to Ask Jeeves or Google and it goes so much quicker than my brain!
Do we depend too much on our microchips or others words and not enough on the God given ability to think? I see it more and more.
Our schools are not designed for a thinker student. Learners are expected to listen to the answers and then repeat them back on a test. Thinker students that have a different answer are penalized with poor grades. They may be the student who take time to think about the answers and in the event of a timed test they are short on right answers.
Even Christians are afraid to have the wrong answer and so they accept some teachers' explanation for scripture without thinking it through with the author of the book!
I was very excited to read in Margaret Feinberg's book The Organic God about the midrash that Jews practice when studying scripture. It is simple. Take a passage and find a question or problem within the text and then only using scripture, your brain, and your relationship with God try to find an answer or something that sheds light on the text. Once you do that then find someone with which you can explore the thought.
Yes, it takes time. It takes brain power. It can be exhausting. It is very rewarding! God rewards those who DILIGENTLY seek Him! I can't say that using my computer is classified as diligence.
Creator, Lord, You are the source of all knowledge. You created Your people to share in that knowledge and You make life interesting and enjoyable in the process of learning! You are an Amazing God! I do not always use the brain you gave me as you would want. I am sometimes lazy and want others to do the work for me. Thank You for drawing me back into discussions that make me think deeper and grow better. Teach me how to rightfully divide Your word, Teach me to remember and to think on the good things.
Do we depend too much on our microchips or others words and not enough on the God given ability to think? I see it more and more.
Our schools are not designed for a thinker student. Learners are expected to listen to the answers and then repeat them back on a test. Thinker students that have a different answer are penalized with poor grades. They may be the student who take time to think about the answers and in the event of a timed test they are short on right answers.
Even Christians are afraid to have the wrong answer and so they accept some teachers' explanation for scripture without thinking it through with the author of the book!
I was very excited to read in Margaret Feinberg's book The Organic God about the midrash that Jews practice when studying scripture. It is simple. Take a passage and find a question or problem within the text and then only using scripture, your brain, and your relationship with God try to find an answer or something that sheds light on the text. Once you do that then find someone with which you can explore the thought.
Yes, it takes time. It takes brain power. It can be exhausting. It is very rewarding! God rewards those who DILIGENTLY seek Him! I can't say that using my computer is classified as diligence.
Creator, Lord, You are the source of all knowledge. You created Your people to share in that knowledge and You make life interesting and enjoyable in the process of learning! You are an Amazing God! I do not always use the brain you gave me as you would want. I am sometimes lazy and want others to do the work for me. Thank You for drawing me back into discussions that make me think deeper and grow better. Teach me how to rightfully divide Your word, Teach me to remember and to think on the good things.
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