In Your Time of Need

There comes a time in life when we have to let go and trust all we are and can be to the Giver of life. There is a time of hurt that only God can understand, a time of deepest need that cannot be ministered to by a human friend. There is an anxiety that cannot be resolved, a pain that cannot be relieved, a feeling that cannot be healed by anything another may say or do.

It is only as we give up our desperate efforts and give God total control that we can experience true healing. This healing may not be as we expect, but entrusting our life to the Good Shepherd will ultimately be the best choice that can be made. For in giving your life to Him, He will take your burdens and hold you in His comforting arms. He is the only one who can truly understand. You are upheld in love and in prayer.

by Unknown

He Alone is Extra-Ordinary

Deep within us all, what we truly long for in life is to see the beauty of Christ -unfolded in others . His beauty is most evident in people, ordinary everyday people. Do you agree? He gave us a message of love and endearment towards the lonely, the outcast, the broken & the weary. He's not changed His mind on this. It's where Christ's heart truly is. He is most evident in the ordinary. He alone is extra-ordinarily revealed in the ordinary broken processes and wounds of lives.

It's so refreshing to break through our preconceived ideas / prejudices about others, even about God and what His plans might or might not even be. Break through our own ideologies and beliefs about what this means, this man called CHRIST JESUS living out His life on this earth. Often it seems we get stuck , stuck on what we believe / stuck on what we prefer or have been led to believe -when all along God's primary interest seems to be in you and I, the everyday people ; getting us on the same page as him, thinking like he thinks, seeing what he sees everyday. Instead of our prayers and thinking always centering around , Lord bless this , Lord fix this or do that, turning that around in the right direction and asking the Lord to simply fulfill the desires of His heart through me and change me, and simply reach out to those around me everyday. God is patient with us as He seeks to get us from being primarily centered upon ourselves ie of trying to get Him to go where we want to go, to thinking in terms of where He's invited us to come to, and where He already is

The Miracle of Belief

July 17th.
MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST

"My speech and my preaching was not with enticing words." 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Paul was a scholar and an orator of the first rank; he is not speaking out of abject humility; but saying that he would veil the power of God if, when he preached the gospel, he impressed people with his "excellency of speech." Belief in Jesus is a miracle produced only by the efficacy of Redemption, not by impressiveness of speech, not by wooing and winning, but by the sheer unaided power of God. The creative power of the Redemption comes through the preaching of the Gospel, but never because of the personality of the preacher. The real fasting of the preacher is not from food, but rather from eloquence, from impressiveness and exquisite diction, from everything that might hinder the gospel of God being presented. The preacher is there as the representative of God - "as though God did beseech you by us." He is there to present the Gospel of God. If it is only because of my preaching that people desire to be better, they will never get anywhere near Jesus Christ. Anything that flatters me in my preaching of the Gospel will end in making me a traitor to Jesus; I prevent the creative power of His Redemption from doing its work.

"I, if I be lifted up . . . , will draw all men unto Me."

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I wonder what His church would LOOK like to the world if we truly grasped this reality. It seems to me that everyone wants to be heard ad nauseum, that everywhere WE look including internet-land, the 'excellency of speech' is well & thriving. Imagine how Oswald describes this attitude: as a traitor to Jesus Christ!!

The Kingdom of God ... is not a phsyical kingdom, it's not a church building, it's not a ministry, not a preacher, in fact it's nothing we are looking at - instead the Kingdom of God is within. (Luke 17:20.21)

"And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. "

Leaving Ourselves in God's Hands

Jesse Penn-Lewis “...From that hour I understood, and knew, intelligently, that it was dying, not doing, that produced spiritual fruit. The secret of a fruitful life – in brief – to pour out to others and want nothing for yourself: to leave yourself utterly in the hands of God and not care what happens to you.”

How do we get to the place where we are consistently allowing this to take place in us ?

No Sweeter Name

Stick-to-it-ive-ness

Could a subtle definition of 'being religious' simply involve being overly concerned or preoccupied with getting others to 'see' what we 'see', or 'hear' what we 'hear'? I wonder about that.

Eventually given enough energy and stick-to-it-ive-ness, we will succeed in what we are doing, we will convince some, meaning we will get another denomination, another way of thinking, a following, mutual like mindedness.

However, isn't the root of this preoccupation really pride? Since I am right, therefore I must convince others.

Or does the root go deeper? Perhaps the really ugliness involves insecurity. Meaning that through the act of convincing of others, again and again, what we hope to receive back, is that we are the ones receiving the payback. We are reminding ourselves over and over how right we are. ( Addictive, eh. Doesn't it feel good to be right ? )

Unfortunately not only is that cycle often unbroken, but we are failing in the very basic & simple art of communication. Which is above all, to listen. How can we truly listen and consider another if we have an agenda, which is above all, that we insist on being heard?

Listening is really simply being content on the inside and secure, it just shows up so beautifully - on the outside! It's thinking of someone else and not yourself. It's love, it's caring, it's kindness, but somehow, through God's grace, all these things start showing up on the outside. God's way always seems to be so -- beautiful.

If think, if we are truly convinced within ourselves of who we are, that we are loved, and valuable and worthy in the eyes of our Father. We don't go down that road of being high minded without coming to the realization that we have gotten way off track. WE are truly secure and confident within: meaning that we trust Father and trust He is Lord. He will do the convincing in each and all of us, of course, beginning within ourselves. It will work itself truly from the inside out.

Off Track

When we are sidetracked or deceived, ie off track, we can be turned back to Christ. How many times do u and do I need to come back to Christ! Thank God for His grace and mercy and thank God for His burden for us to come back to Him when we are way off track. So often we do not even know where it is that we truly have ended up.

Paul expected that Christ would be formed in the Galatians even though they had gotten off track.

"My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you"

Christ needs to be our focus and it is possible once you receive Christ to get off track, off relationship of our merging and focus with Him - One with Him. Thank God our Spirit does cry Abba Father and does cry and intercede with the Father on our behalf.

Have you been off track ? Are you off track today perhaps? I have definitely been off track that's why I find the book of Galatians so encouraging. Paul's certainty as he tells us it is no longer I who live, but Christ that lives in us. That cuts through to the very heart and truth of our being in Christ. Paul also tells us to reckon ourselves dead to sin and to be living unto God in Christ. He died for us and Paul is just telling us to call upon Christ , Christ lives in us. Coming back on track is to focus in on the certainty of Christ being alive and living in us.

Christ Followers (Another Perspective)

A Moving Body

These video's are well worth watching.

Located here

Quote:

1 Cor. 12 describes a body that is moving, every part moving "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal." 1 Cor 12:7

There was no such thing as a church service in the New Testament, it doesn't exist. If a believer from the 1st century went to a church service (as of today) they would wonder what on earth was happening! The thing they didn't want was 'services' because they were looking for a freedom described in 1 Cor 10-14 that is intimate and informal, where ALL are free to share; because all have a gift to share, & the body must be free to move!

end quote
(Beresford Job )

Saturate Us, O God!

An intensive saturation

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"For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received a spirit of sonship, in which we cry out, Abba, Father." Romans 8:15

When we merge with God and allow Him to flow and pass through us, the first benefit we receive is that He imparts His life into our being. Romans 8:11 says, "But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you." This indwelling implies an intensive saturation of the Spirit throughout our being, which results in life being imparted into us. Although prayer has its answer, even if there were no answer, by our allowing the Triune God to pass through us we obtain the greatest benefit—the divine life is imparted into us. When we exercise our spirit to cry "Abba, Father," two things take place in us—the Triune God passes through us, and while passing through, He imparts life into our being.

The second benefit of allowing the Triune God to pass through us is that we get cleansed and purified. James 4:8 says, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded." This means that in our drawing near, God Himself draws near to us and begins to pass through us. This has the effect of cleansing and purifying our being. However, we should not think that this is merely an automatic thing that happens without our cooperation. "Cleanse" and "purify" are both in the imperative mood, indicating our responsibility to confess and deal with the Lord as God passes through us in an inward way. As we merge with God flowing in us, our sins are exposed and cleansed, and our double heart is exposed and purified. If you want to get into the Lord's light, just spend time with the Lord and draw near to Him. Your hands will be cleansed and your heart will be purified. This is the effect of allowing the passing-through of the Triune God.

- Bill Freeman, The Supplied Life

With God All Things are Possible

But Jesus beheld [them], and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

(Matt. 19:26)

Everything that God has called us to (is impossible with man) but truly all things are possible with God. This is a great contrast, God's ways of doing things. Perhaps God designed it to be this way. Do you think so ?

That we might know His power, and that His power would be made known to us. It cannot truly be made known to us if through man we can do it, or think we can do 'it' . Remember how sad the rich young ruler was when he realized he could not do it. (Mar. 10) ?? The law could not do it, but through Christ it was achieved & done. It's the same reasoning. It's the same contrast.

Source / Man = Impossible

Source / God = Possible

On the one hand all is impossible it seems, but in Christ thru the Father, all things are possible.

What a contrast!

Our Source and Supply

“And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord” (Deut. 8:2-3). When the Lord said “to humble you and test you,” He meant “to measure you.” When He said “to know what was in your heart,” He meant that they would find themselves coming short of God’s standard. All of their pain and failures were allowed by God to lead them to live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. They were pushed beyond their capacity in order that they would be escorted to eat divine food. Not to “live by bread alone” meant not to live by the natural life. God was seeking to escort them to Himself, to learn to live by Him as their source and supply.In the same way, God humbles us through environments that we cannot cope with. It is at those junctures that we need to quickly trust Him! The feelings of “too large a task!” are the escort leading us to Christ. We need to recognize these escorts and allow them to guide us to live by manna, by Christ as our bread!

(www.allathisfeet.com)

J E S U S , the Most Unique Man Ever in All of History !!

How is it that  a Wonderful Man called Jesus can have such an impact upon your heart, upon my heart, in fact on  all of humanity and throughout all the ages ?  What an incredible God! He is!    But how is it that This man can have such an impact on us, yet  in the natural did not have a lot going for Him?  For example, He didn't  have a house, He had no money, He was not honored by any people around him, rather they rejected Him and walked away from Him most times, neither did He have a  great job,  most people didn't like what He said really, and His trial to convict Him was illegal,  last, He was crucified on a hill in Golgotha overlooking a garbage dump, and there He was taken to die for you and me.

How is it that despite this, He can and still have such an impact on my life and the life of others? ? ?

RESURRECTION.  RESURRECTION. RESURRECTION. 

The life He lived was and is so powerful because of the resurrection.  This is the life that He died to give us.  Because He conquered death we now have hope in Him.  BECAUSE He conquered death hell and the grave, and destroyed the powers of this world, He now lives in us.  

Thoughts on Baptism

I was baptized (fully immersed) in 1997 at a Pentecostal church in Ottawa, Ontario. I gave my testimony of conversion (which was in 1995) prior to water baptism as was the tradition at this congregation. I was so excited to have a few family members and family present during this. Later in 2000, my husband and two girls were baptized, together in a swimming pool, in front of family and friends (see above photo).

I remember when I got baptized how my parents and others reacted. They simply didn't understand why I would wanted to get baptized as an adult for one simple reason: that they, as good parents, had me baptized as an infant. My baptism in 1997 therefore gave me an opportunity to share with them, and others, why I needed to be baptized at this point in my life.

Infant baptism: my three children were all baptized as infants. I had no scriptural understanding, and certainly not of baptism. I just assumed it was the Christian religious thing to do, something that all Christian parents with infants should do.

After reading scripture however, I can now see that baptism is not intended at all for infants. There is no instance of scripture talking about water baptism as appropriate for infants. Instead water baptism is reserved for those who have understood and placed their faith in Christ. Having identified with Christ through faith, baptism follows simply as an outward sign to others, which is for the purpose of declaring their faith to now be in Christ alone. Water baptism means we now identify with His death and resurrection. Obviously infants cannot make this conscious decision to follow Christ. They certainly cannot understand what baptism even signifies.

Certainly the method of sprinkling water on the head of an infant does not agree with biblical baptism. Christ was not sprinkled upon, He was fully immersed. It does not agree with the apostles teaching which was handed down and that we are supposed to be following. I believe infant baptism to be a teaching that was wrongly introduced by early church leaders, one that went horribly astray & even against what Paul & the others commanded. It's true, perhaps they did not have the fully compiled Bible at their disposal at that time (for reference), which could perhaps explain the reason that things went so wrong; yet they could have easily corrected these errors once they did have the Bible, compiled & for reference. Unfortunately that didn't happen; instead many wrong, false beliefs and teachings continued to be introduced, embraced and adhered to and are yet today.

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PS: I think the idea of dedicating your infant or child to Christ in front of other believers to be appropriate and full of faith. However, as that child grows, they will still have to see themselves as sinners, in need of salvation. This because we are only saved through unmerited favor. Otherwise there will be no appreciation for what God has truly done for them on the Cross. In fact, children growing up 'in the church' so to speak can be very self righteous and think that they somehow 'deserve' to be saved. They can be very proud. However it's so true: those who are forgiven much (of our many sins) are those that love much.

Ouchhh !!

I thought this was soooooo funny I just had to share! God Bless you all!

the Bread of Christ

Showing Forth Christ


What kind of communion was Christ talking about during the last supper that he had with his disciples? What was it that he wanted us to do, 'in remembrance of him?"

It has been my conviction for some time that he wasn't talking about a ceremony or a ritual to be performed (a certain amount of times per month or per year). But that is exactly what the visible church has done, they have made this a ritual, one to be performed again and again, religiously by adherents. If you follow this ritual, they say that you have participated in the 'communion' of Christ's blood and bread. It's easy to understand how the intent and significance therefore has been completely lost. When Christ referred to his blood & bread, he warned us to think about His sacrifice ('ie not take His blood & bread unworthily) in favor of simply following a tradition.

When Paul refers to the "bread of Christ's body and drinking the blood of Christ's body", he is first of all, talking to a church that is seriously struggling with many things. They needed to be pointed to Jesus, to really deeply consider what had happened on the Cross for them. They needed to do this in light of where they were now at and what they were struggling with. Think about Christ. Think about what happened on the night Jesus was betrayed, think about what His death really meant for them. The sacrifice He had made for them. Obviously, they were not doing this at all when they were coming together.

To truly drink of the cup of His blood and partake of the bread of Christ, is to really consider and judge our own consciences to see whether we are examples of His death (death to self). Are we truly partaking of that BREAD, that bread being offered to us in light of this?

The answer to this determines whether we (as individuals and collectively when we do come together,) if we TRULY are examples of Christ's death by showing forth His life.

"Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat OF THAT BREAD, and DRINK OF THAT CUP." (11.28)

Paul said many were sick and had died because they were not truly an example of this (they had never examined their lives, consciences) but instead were just living after their flesh.

We do need to be chastened when we do this. WE are God's people whom He has chosen to be his examples to others. If we fail to appreciate and consider the bread and blood of Christ, we will not be showing forth Christ to others, but we will be showing forth instead many things which will not convince a lost suffering dying world that Christ has truly risen, and chosen to live in a people. We will be proving the opposite.

Though we can't make ourselves worthy in any way, we can by partaking of the Bread which HE OFFERS US, show forth Christ to others. In that sense, we do become worthy, but it's only through partaking of THAT BREAD that He offers us. (11.26)

"For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come."

Today :)

Today, my husband & I had the privilege of getting together with a few other couples for the purpose of simply sharing the life He has given us & to rejoice in the hope within. He is so good. Now you might think, so what, don't Christians do that all the time?

Well, for us, we left the institution in 02 which was followed by a home group for a couple years. But since that dissolved, it's literally been years for us to be in a group setting. I admit it was really exciting as well as awkward for myself, at the same time. I am not sure that makes sense, even to me, however I hope you get what I mean. As much as I was excited, I wasn't sure what my expectations were, or even if I had any, or what they should be. It's just it's been so long for me. I don't think in these terms anymore. I am not sure if that's a handicap at the moment for me. I just haven't thought a lot about these things tho I admit I thoroughly love people, I love being with them, I love life, I love sharing, interacting, there's just no end to the river of Christ and He is so beautiful and vibrant in His people.

Perhaps now that I think about it, the word is surreal; I felt like I was just sort of gazing or peering into the group setting. I enjoyed simply watching and observing the way they interacted, shared their hearts, their beliefs. People are just so darn interesting! lol. What was amazing is that there seemed to be a continual shared eagerness to learn and to grow. That was inspiring and you can't help but also feel encouraged by their faith.

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On another note, I was reading the Bible on the way there and I was meditating on Samuel again. I re-read some things from a few weeks ago, and thought I would share what my thoughts were.

David found himself on the run from Saul, and ended up finding refuge under the favor of King Achish, King of the Philistines. In fact Achish so favored David, that he said of him,

And Achish said to David, Therefore will I make thee keeper of mine head for ever.

David found the hand of protection of God amongst the Philistines. God chose to use Israel's enemies as a way to favor David, protect him and look after him.

Today I was wondering what all of Israel (those in Saul's camp) thought of that arrangement. The majority of the perceived children of God, ie Israel, would have been a part of Saul's camp. Not David's. There would have been much murmuring against David, and judging him, slandering him. Many numbered against the few. In today's language that could mean being labeled one of many things. Apostate. Lost. A betrayor. Left the faith. an outcast.

But the fact remains, that David's heart was so wonderful and so fixed on the Lord. David was able to look beyond the established religious order of his day and serve His God in fear and admiration. He didn't count the cost. He certainly did not hold anything against Saul, in fact he respected him because of the fact that God had chosen Saul. Saul relentlessly hunted him down and showed no mercy, and his pursuit against David drove him mad. He was not able to truly see how merciful David was and that he sought no harm against Saul. David was so devoted to God that even in the midst of living within the enemies of Israel and being hunted down by God's people (use that term loosely), he chose to repeatedly trust God and look to Him as His One and Only steady source of strength and guidance. He never waivered in his belief of God's absolute goodness. It's so amazing to think that David went through so much and yet his faith never wavered.

Even when he returned to Ziklag, and it was burning,their wives and children taken captive by the Amalekites;

Even when his own people and he cried until they had no more tears;

Even when they were going to stone David (his own people) because of the loss, it says , and David strengthened himself in the Lord. So now not only is all of Israel after him, but his own people are seeking to kill David!

"And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. 1 Sam 30:6

Thoughts Beyond Jeff's Latest Post

I would really like to urge whoever is out there and happens to be reading this, to read Jeff's post on Love Thinketh No Evil.


I am really frustrated for a few days over the counsels given to a friend who is and has lived a whole life in an abusive environment.

It seems the counsel 'of choice' these days from Christian camp is to counsel another person to stay in abusive relationships. This advice they say comes right from the heart of Father and to prove so, they can snap out some handy dandy verses out of context to prove so. This is so heartbreaking.

Sadly due perhaps to our fallen nature, bruised wounded broken people, as vulnerable as they are, gravitate towards this type of counsel very easily, as they perceive God as on some sort of mission to teach them the lessons and life long if necessary. They twist the meaning of the Cross and the true nature and character of God while doing so. I know of people who have lived all their lives at the hands of an abuser, or for the most part of their life; meaning their view of God and their ability to connect with His heart remains severely impaired and broken year after year.

May Christ leads His people into the Truth and set them free!

Casting our Cares Upon Him

I am praying today for the courage Christ is giving me to truly examine ME, my life, and not let sin hide from His gaze (not that it ever could). But in my reasoning, I somehow seem to think that it could. I have always believed that God sovereignly orders my life, but I find myself, humbly acknowledging this, that God sovereignly orders my life and circumstances, for one good & for one purpose, to humble me so that I can truly find Jesus. The great life that He came to give seems to be only found through this process. Until I see this, and get rid of what is 'clouding' out this reality, I can't understand my own deep need for HIm.

I have been reading Romans and struggling to really 'grab' ahold of it. Paul was, in the first few chapters, trying to get them to realize that they were nothing, even tho they were Jews and well schooled in the scriptures. He knew that they needed to be 'stripped entirely' of their self righteousness and self worth in that regard, and to instead face their own desperate need of Him. (It's quite easy to think that somehow the Jews needed alot more stripping away than we ever would, hmmm) They could only be prepared to do that by understanding that the law had not worked anything into their heart that didn't now need to be stripped away, that their heart was just as depraved as others. They still believed alot of good about themselves, and they didn't understand their own need for Jesus. They couldn't come to Christ without first understanding their own depravity and desperate condition. Paul knew that because they 'had the law', they thought they were better and would have a hard time facing up to the fact that they couldn't totally see their absolute need for total dependance on Christ. Paul understood that this represented a huge big problem for them, BUT I contend that as much as it was a huge problem for them, it is just as huge for us too.

We are all deceived in our own darkened understanding, of who we truly 'think' we are. So an accurate assessment of who we are (proved by circumstances to humble) is that apart from Him, I am truly NOTHING. What Christ has for me is a great inheritance, but I cannot find this if I think I still have 'a good heart' it can only be found by being broken & humbled. This seems to be what we resist most. We still think we are somehow 'good'. So I am carefully considering why Paul was saying what He was saying to them because in fact, it is being said to me.

I encourage you also to face those things in your life whatever they may be (with joy) and allow Christ to test you and test your attitudes. Only Christ knows what it is that we are gravitating towards that makes us think 'we somehow have an edge' that 'we somehow have a superior understanding or revelation' that many don't have. This is all foolishness & worthless, just as it was for the Jews. Allow Him to test your 'darkened understanding' so that you too can sincerely humble yourself before 'his exposing light' and move forward in His grace & forgiveness ...

There's Only So Much Room in My Heart :)

This isn't going to be a long post.

I am finding it hard these days to make room in my heart for Jesus.


It seems selfish things, bitterness and unforgiveness has somehow pursued my heart, and found
a lodging place in my heart. Because of this, it is making it very hard lately for me to experience Jesus.

I am wanting to defend my right to be bitter, upset, and angry over things I can't control and over that which Father has allowed anyhow. Things I don't think I deserve. Perhaps I don't but the reality seems to be that I do have a choice, a choice to stew over things and let it stink up my heart, or find peace in Him and offer Him my love once again.

It seems to me that God is right there with me, he sees the struggle in me at the moment, a struggle over the fact that I seem more determined to cling to hurts - then letting them go. It's so easy for me to 'feel I have the right to feel a certain way'. (My guess is that we all struggle with this one)

I was reading 1 Sam 25 early this morning. I love the picture of Abigail, coming to David, laden down with precious gifts, and bowing before Him. She wanted to ask of the Lord to be merciful and forgiving. I just love the sight of that in my mind, it seems so beautiful , Abigail bowing down before David, she was very courageous too; David's anger seemed to evaporate as he watched her, through her courage and intervention and faith, David was able to reconsider his pending actions and treat Nabal with kindness instead and be longsuffering too, even tho he had been provoked. He was such a great king.

Determined to Crucify Him

Ike's comment, pointed out in the last post, Excitement, Faith, Hope , was that Jesus enemies never discounted the authenticity of His miracles. How disappointed the pharisees must have been that they couldn't do so! In fact, Jesus even proved that He was the Messiah to them according to the pharisees' own writings!

For example, one way He did this was to heal a leper. (He healed more than one) The pharisees had it in their so called rule book that, when they would therefore examine the authenticity of a miracle, a delegate was sent forth to do so, and one miracle, that of healing a leper, when witnessed, would only be possible by the Messiah. Now that's what the pharisees' said in their own rule book. And that's why Jesus would send the healed leper back, to 'show' himself to the pharisees. He was proving to them by their own precious rules, that He was who He said He was. But what is so revealing beyond that, is that as Ike said - since they couldn't discount the miracle - they had to resort to other methods of attacking Jesus' authenticity and questioning Who He was. This goes to show how truly deceptive & wicked their hearts were.

As well, there were many aspects of the arrest and trial, which violated and disregarded whether the arrest and trial was even valid (according to their own laws). Pilate, having washed his hands before the crowd, seemed to know that at any cost, the liars and deceivers would find a way, even illegally, to convict Jesus of Nazareth & crucify Him.

ILLEGAL ASPECTS OF THE TRIAL OF JESUS

Following are some of the illegal aspects of the trial of Jesus:

• Trials could occur only in the regular meeting places of the Sanhedrin (not in the palace of the High Priest)
• Trials could not occur on the eve of the Sabbath or Feast Days or at night
• A sentence of 'guilty' might only be pronounced on the day following the trial

THE ISSUE OF WITNESSES

Deut. 19:15 "One witness is not enough to convict a man accused of any crime or offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses."

Deut. 17:6 "On the testimony of two or three witnesses a man shall be put to death, but no one shall be put to death on the testimony of only one witness."

Mark 14:56 "Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree."

While in the court of the High Priest, He was questioned by Annas (John 18:13)and struck by a soldier (John 18:22) He was then brought to Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin. who sought to put Jesus to death by the false testimony of many witnesses. The witnesses brought against Him did not agree. By the law, no one could be put to death without the agreement of two or three witnesses. Although the witnesses did not agree, He was found guilty of blasphemy when He told them of His identity as the Son of God. He was sentenced to death. Jesus suffered ridicule from the palace guards, who spat on Him, beat Him and slapped Him on the face. (Mark 14:65) During the trial, Peter denies Him three times. The proceedings of Jesus' trial violated many of the laws of His society. Among some of the other broken laws were:(Bucklin)

1. Any arrest could not be made at night.
2. The time and date of the trial were illegal because it took place at night and on the eve of the Sabbath. This time precluded any chance for the required adjournment to the next day in the event of a conviction.
3. The Sanhedrin was without authority to instigate charges. It was only supposed to investigate charges brought before it. In Jesus' trial, the court itself formulated the charges.
4. The charges against Jesus were changed during the trial. He was initially charged with blasphemy based upon His statement that He would be able to destroy and rebuild the Temple of God within three days, as well as His claim to be the Son of God. When He was brought before Pilate, the charge was that Jesus was a King and did not advocate paying taxes to the Romans.
5. As stated above, the requirement of two witnesses in agreement to merit the death penalty was not met.
6. The court did not meet in the regular meeting place of the Sanhedrin, as required by Jewish law.
7. Christ was not permitted a defense. Under Jewish law, an exhaustive search into the facts presented by the witnesses should have occurred.
8. The Sanhedrin pronounced the death sentence. Under law, the Sanhedrin were not allowed to convict and put the death sentence into effect. (John 18:31)

Excitement, Faith, Hope

I was reading Mark 6:53-56 this morning.

And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore. And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him, And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was. And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.

I tried to imagine the level of excitement that was stirred among the crowd. It says, 'when they were come out of the ship, straightway they recognized him. '

All Jesus did was get off the boat. He didn't organize any services, or provide any announcements of His coming or arrival date, no preparations, no upcoming big events . He just got off the boat to go to the people.

The people immediately recognized Him, {despite what Isaiah said, that there was no beauty that we should desire Him, that He was despised and and rejected of men, a man acquainted with sorrows.} Yet these people recognized the beauty of the Son of God immediately upon his arrival. They appreciated who He was. The only explanation I can think of for the reaction of these people to Jesus' arrival was that they convicted of Jesus divinity, convicted of their own sin, aware of His Holiness. It seems that these were the true preparations that had taken place prior to His arrival - their hearts were moved and sensitive to His holiness.

The people ran throughout the whole region, and brought the sick to the where they heard He was or would be, the direction or town perhaps He was on route to. Imagine how quickly the news would have spread by person to person, village to village. Imagine the excitement as the people hustled and bustled, bursting force in news to one another of His arrival! "He's here, He's just got off the boat. I heard He's headed in the direction of ... " Faith and hope would have leapt tremendously in their hearts as they relayed the information of his coming and whereabouts.

They quickly moved the sick along the streets and direction of His coming so that they might simply touch the hem of His garment. They truly believed in Him, that He was the Son of God and that He was a vessel of God's love & compassion for all humanity and for the sick and suffering. They believed in Him, that the hopes of being made whole were possible through this Man.

I imagine people took little thought to the demands of the present, and quickly tended to things as need be, and made themselves instead available for 'receiving the Son of God' with much joy and faith in their hearts.

"And as many as touched Him, were made whole."

On Feeding & Being Fed

I was just thinking this morning of the miracle of the loaves & fishes.

Thinking that the disciples seemed to be focused on 'how much' they had
instead of the BREAD that they truly possessed.

It's all too easy to do this, isn't it? To always be comparing and evaluating, calculating
things out. And it seems religion teaches us all quite well to focus
on how much we have rather than the QUALITY of the Bread which we truly
possess which is Christ.

It's a very humbling process for us, just as it must have been for these disciples,
to come to truly understand Christ, the true Bread which comes down from heaven. That
it isn't about how much we have any longer but it's simply about being willing to share what we have with others so that they will be blessed & it will be multiplied to them (not us.)

I might add more thoughts to this as I think about it....

A Good Question

I think this guy (whose name is Dan Stone) asks a very good question. Or should I say perhaps, he answers a good question. Let me explain.

I happened by his site tonight and these words caught my attention:

What would it be like if Paul's phrase, "Christ in you, the hope of glory," were a daily reality in our lives? Is it even possible? Is there anything we can do to make it happen?

There's nothing we can do, for it is already a finished fact! If we read John's Gospel, we find that Christ really has become one with the Christian. There is therefore a certain quality of life that He imparted to us, a life which spontaneously flows out to touch the lives of others. This life is quite different from what I had heard about for so many years of my life. For twenty-three years I was the one doing the doing. And I was doing for God. I hoped that what I was doing pleased God. I hoped that what I was doing honored Eventually the Holy Spirit, who is our only teacher, impressed upon my inner being that because God is the real Doer, there really wasn't anything a Christian could do for God but be available.

Until the Christian life comes as spontaneously as being lost once did, you don't know Christ operating as you. The Old Testament prophets knew that. They knew God didn't want the blood of bulls and goats, but a contrite heart. He said He would give them a new heart, that the Law would be written not on tables of stone, but on the fleshly tables of the heart; and that no one would need a teacher, because all would be taught of the Lord arid. all would know the Lord.

Can Christ be trusted in union with you and me to live that life? I can now say yes. I couldn't always say yes, because I looked like a bad risk. I looked wishy-washy. I looked hot and cold, in and out, up and down. I couldn't say yes until I wore myself out trying, because I was a God-lover; and I thought that's what I was supposed to do for God. You probably are a God-lover too.

full article here

The Lang Gang

this is my family last summer, having a chocolate fondue and
discussing our upcoming trip to hamilton.

Is Our Motive Love ?

1 ¶ Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4 ¶ Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

I believe that His love is at the very centre of who He is. His loved, rooted within us, expressing itself bountifully in all that we are and are yet to become.

It seems that unfortunately man at times (including myself) has sought to try to separate His Love from His Truth.

Thankfully, I have learned, and am learning, that there is no value in terms of spiritual life & union with Him, when that is done - because God is love. Yes God is Truth but He said Himself that He is love, ... therefore Love is at the very centre of His Truth, expressed to us and in us.

I think it's a peculiar thing that roaming around the internet on forums and blogs, we see often that those who are the most passionate about doctrines and theology, can be the ones who seem to love the least. Even if I can and often do agree with their doctrines, (doctrine which is often very correct) the lack of love displayed by them, as described above in 1Cor 13 shows how easy it can be to be doctrinally correct in a religious sense, but to at the same time be devoid of the pure love of God.

I would even take it one step further than that. It seems often they are in an 'attack' mode, a 'crushing' mode. They fail to see what spirit they are truly of. It's a very selfish thing to lash out and attack people - people who we do not know anything about in many cases. We can know so very little of their heart, where they've been, what trials and mountains they have had to climb. Yet in a very selfish and self righteous way, without any humility, we would rather make assumptions.

Reading these verses this morning, I just feel so challenged in my walk with Him. What kind of a great love - that never fails, that endures all things.

Externals vs the Inner Life of Christ

Looking back over my walk with Jesus, I just saw something today about myself.

Its my thought that there seems to be two groups of people following after Jesus. We all are at one time or another - in either of these groups.

There are those who are - or were - constantly interested mainly in the externals of following Jesus (such as the miracles, & the many external aspects of being a Christian, when -where - how - etc, - the blessings of perhaps being a Christian and how to obtain them, whatever externals they value .)

... and then there are those who are primarily interested in the internal life of Christ (Christ in you or more precisely: the union that we have with Christ ) more so than they are in the externals, though they would have at one time or another been external. Perhaps a better way to say this would be that they have graduated from being primarily externally focused to being mainly aware of the internal or inner life within or union they have with Christ, and the transformation that is taking place.

Now I have to say that I learned very quickly the externals of religion. They are very easy to obtain, and I was very easily able to find many people who would instruct me exactly on what those externals were. But the interesting thing was, most of these people including myself at one time, were not really interesting in fellowship around Christ, just fellowship around all the externals.

But graduating to internal or inner life was not so easy to grasp.Because of all the focus on the externals for one thing. But once you become of aware of the internal, you are less comfortable with all the externals because the Holy Spirit is working within you and you are very often 'uncomfortable' because you find the externals shallow compared to Christ in you. I still tried to go along with all the externals/external focus and remain in that place, but the problem was I had to pretend that everything was fine & dandy with the inner life, (because of all the externals) but in reality it was a desperate struggle at most times. And no one else (either had any struggles ) or else they weren't aware of it.

For myself, I have to say as of now, I have so little interest in the externals. I am more interested in the internal life of Christ, in myself, and in others. It is what I look for and love to find in someone else. The hunger for Christ and the beautiful presence of His Spirit deep inside of them. You know, someone softly broken over their sin and wanting so much to be transformed and changed from the inside out. But as far as the externals in my life go (or lack of interest in them) I believe and hope that if the inner life of Christ is transforming me, then the externals will correspond and change. As the Spirit works it all out from the inside.

My Friend Dale's First Post to my Bog ! (on the Bride of Christ)

The new Jerusalem is his bride and eternal companion -Jerusalem being the chosen one of Israel. Jesus called the natural Jerusalem and said this

Lu 13:34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!

Isn't He issuing the same call today to His spiritual Jerusalem. Are you seeking the safety of His wing? Will a chick survive amongst the wolves without this protection of the divine wing? I hope our response will be that we “would” come to his safety behind His shield of faith. So I have delved a little more into this relationship between Christ and His true bride. Please eat the hay and spit out any sticks that you find.

The Holy Spirit through Paul points out a “great mystery” in Ephesians 5. This is the message of Christs eternal love. His choice for eternal union. His love lavished upon the ones who will take a hold of all of His love to be and yield to His tender touch. This is Christ and his “real” church. If Jesus is truly the second adam then this too is the second eve. The one that he died for. No wonder the first instruction for husbands is to love your wife as Christ loves the church and gave His life for her. This eve will overcome where the first eve failed because she is truly abiding in the truth Himself. This eve will over come because she is a doer of the word and not a hearer only. This Eve will overcome because she has truly died to all that she is and has taken on His nature in all things. This is true union -to come into line with the heart of another. Trust is built with those you love. True faith works and operates from the source of the one you love. Lasting faith comes from knowing everlasting love. That is why He has promised never to leave us or forsake us -to implant an everlasting trust in us as a response to that love. Even that response of faith in us is His faith -so there is nothing of ourselves and all of Him -least any man should boast. So that in the end all things will be summed up in Him.

21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

All of the animals were created male and female and had their counterpart. But Adam had none. Surely Adam knew this and longed for his companion and very close friend. When Jesus dies for the joy set before Him He endured the cross despising the shame -so that His bride could come forth. Adam was put into a deep sleep. It is in a place of rest that brides are formed. When we strive to enter the rest then wonderful things will come forth as we cease from our labours and enter His. Adams bride came from within him. Jesus (the second adam) bride will come from in Him. All we are as His bride will come from Him. His Wisdom, His love, His spotlessness and His radiance.

There is a wonderful star configuration on the Australian flag (yeah I am an Aussie). It is the copy of a constellation of stars that we can see in the southern hemisphere. It is called the southern cross and we have those five stars on our flag. They show the five wounds of Christ. There are also two pointing stars but I will not talk about them today. These five stars show clearly the wounds in his hands -the one through his feet and the crown on His head. But the smallest star and yet probably the most important (isn't that God! -the last shall be first) is what I call the painless wound of Christ. After all the pain the second Adam has a wound in His side while in the deep sleep of death. Does that sound familiar? Was the first Adam put into a deep sleep? The FIRST thing that happens after him dying for His beloved is the revealing of the things closest to His heart! The water and blood (another message entirely) that flowed came from his peritoneal cavity revealing His heart for his those he died for. His heart poured forth. Five is the number of grace. While his heart broke for the sins of those who nailed Him there -the fifth wound was painless (after death). As the first eve was brought forth from the wound in Adams side you too are born of the water and blood and things that come from close to His heart. This second overcoming Eve is to be formed from things closest to His heart. Why have so many missed that Jesus died for His woman? What really is the spiritual longing in His heart revealed in John 17 ? This is a great mystery. Arise new Eve from the depths of His heart and shine with the radiance of His righteousness and Glory. I ask you -are the following words a prayer for His new Eve? Will you abide in Him?

John 17: 20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

His love to all -from Dale

Recall What God Remembers

"I remember . . . the kindness of thy youth." Jeremiah 2:2 Am I as spontaneously kind to God as I used to be, or am I only expecting God to be kind to me? Am I full of the little things that cheer His heart over me, or am I whimpering because things are going hardly with me? There is no joy in the soul that has forgotten what God prizes. It is a great thing to think that Jesus Christ has need of me - "Give Me to drink." How much kindness have I shown Him this past week? Have I been kind to His reputation in my life? God is saying to His people - You are not in love with Me now, but I remember the time when you were - "I remember . . . the love of thine espousals." Am I as full of the extravagance of love to Jesus Christ as I was in the beginning, when I went out of my way to prove my devotion to Him? Does He find me recalling the time when I did not care for anything but Himself? Am I there now, or have I become wise over loving Him? Am I so in love with Him that I take no account of where I go? or am I watching for the respect due to me; weighing how much service I ought to give? If, as I recall what God remembers about me, I find He is not what He used to be to me, let it produce shame and humiliation, because that shame will bring the godly sorrow that works repentance. (Oswald Ch)

And You Think You Had a Bad Day ??

Getting There

It's seems things have been up and down for me as I still am in recovery mode. I am certain I am not the most pleasant to be 'around' these days, especially when I start to get taken up with worries and concerns over the state of my recovery process. I find myself easily wandering off into 'possible scenarios' of 'what ifs' and 'complications' due only to one thing: the primary reason being that I am a nurse. Every little setback, no matter how small or big it is, causes a shift as I immediately feel the 'nurse' inside of me kick into overdrive as I begin to theorize & put a nursing process / plan into gear.

Thankfully Father hasn't let me meander in that place too very long. I asked my husband just this morning hesitantly, "Am I sounding paranoid?" Thankfully he responded to me gently, but honestly & graciously with his response being "a little". I think I am just a little vulnerable these days, and apparently Father knows that quite well, as well as my husband, children, and friends. Everyone has been so very patient with me. I would like to think that I too could be so gracious. I think of the compassion Jesus had and has over the multitudes who were sick, invalid, somewhere perhaps in a state of recovery, (or perhaps they weren't even yet in recovery), but whatever their particular problem was and wherever they found themself, I am truly convinced that His heart never failed to be moved deeply and compassionately towards their entire well being, no matter what had befallen them.

Maureen's post got me thinking this morning of Jesus. (If you haven't read it yet, you may want to pop over there & check it out, thanks Maureen). Jesus truly is the very center of our life, and wherever we are, He is getting us closer to Him. It's been a very good thing that He has chosen to strip ever so gently the layers away that have clouded this Truth (Himself) within us. Much like an onion, layer by delicate layer, the process is always ongoing. It's so amazing and He is the joy, our joy giver and the One who has invited us to share the very love that He and the Father share. That is what it's all about. That's what is happening to me through my recovery. He's reminding me over and over again that He is the centre of me. He lives in me. It's His wonderful pleasure to be a part of us, bringing us back to this Truth all the time. Loving us in our day to day ups, downs, circumstances.

Take Possession of our Hearts Lord

Why do I feel simple sharing and partaking is so important? Because deep within us, what we all truly long for in other human beings is Christ. Being honest about this and willing to see this is good because it's then and only then that we can be truly motivated in the right direction: to begin to experience what Christ has already prepared for us and supplied for us, which is Christ.

We can throw away the weight of whatever else is offered up to us and spit it out. We can be vulnerable and honest about the simplicity of Christ in our lives with others. What great joy that brings to be available on that very simple honest level to one another. We are looking for Him! It's all about Christ. That is the good news entirely (that Christ is all in all) and that is what is truly great about being His Child and a member one of another in His Kingdom.

Even as experiencing Christ in this simple way is so exciting and refreshing, I am absolutely aware that this is only possible through our steadfastness in relationship with Him. On that note I will post something which I read today that stood out to me:

"Can it be true, as so many maintain, that there is no time for communion with God? Is not the most important matter for which we must find time, fellowship with God, in which we may experience His love and His power? Give God time, I beseech you. . . . Dear child of God, it is of little use to speak of the deeper, more abundant life of Christ as our life, if we do not daily, above all things, take time for intercourse with our Father in heaven. The life and love and holiness of God cannot be ours amidst the distractions and temptations of the world, unless we give God time to reveal Himself to us and to take possession of our hearts."

– Andrew Murray

Who Wants to Share?

I have been in the process of recuperating from minor surgery, but thankfully I am moving right along. My hope is that I will continue to have much patience with myself as I continue to allow my body time to mend and do what it has to do ! We are fearfully and wonderfully made. It's all beyond what we can understand, God has provided for us as His Children in so many ways. He's ever good. When we are healing physically we can truly appreciate the wonder and marvel at our beings and our Creator.

Just a quick thought to throw out there beyond all that. Do you remember when you were a young-in? Okay I know it's going back a few years (for myself) but I remember being taught at an early age the importance of sharing with others. It was a difficult concept as a child to grasp. It just didn't seem to be something that would come naturally, and fair enough, many children never did manage to integrate that concept very well. However, the children that seemed to be the most fun & have the most fun were the carefree ones who shared well. They played together extremely well and were so free and full of life and contentment! My observation is that this concept has a spiritual aspect to it in our relationship with others as well.

I was praying and thinking this morning of my walk with Him and of course, the walk I have had alongside of others. I was aware that there was and is one thing that I now value highly. That is meeting and enjoying time with others who want to SHARE CHRIST with me, and likewise, want me also to SHARE CHRIST with them. It's what I am looking for. Free flow both ways, relationship based upon mutual love of Christ and appreciation of Christ in His people. The sharing concept. I have to say in retrospect, that these time of child-like interactions and sharing were not easily found amid the clamor of religious striving for performance perfection and recognition.

I have at times found relationship with others that could be brought to that simplicity, of sharing Christ. Even as my mother had to patiently teach me to share and I had to learn the joy of sharing, Father has had to strip away from me that which has opposed simple relationship with others in me. (He's still at work on that one). But I am getting there. It is and always has been what I desire and look for. It's a hunger within that is so deep that just as it's disappointing to meet those who can't and don't want to share - at the same time - that same deep hunger will not be denied. So we continue onward in search of someone 'Who Wants to Share'. Who has learned the joy and contentment for their soul at that place.

Sadly, there were many times, looking back, that I could not find this and adapted and conformed instead and denied that which I truly hungered for. Christ was definitely in all of that, letting that hunger grow and deepen during that time.

Who Wants to Share ?

Shoe Size

I have done this, and I see many people doing this, but now it makes me shudder. It goes something like this:

Many people (and I include myself first and foremost on this one) have said things to the effect -- 'Ok I am about to tell you something that has rarely been preached before...'

Translation: There is something deep, new and profound that God is showing that has somehow escaped and rarely (if ever) been grasped before by saints. Makes me shudder now.

I think of the giants having gone well before me, and how big their footsteps truly were. Of the faith they had in Christ, faith that would not be defeated, even in the face of torture, death. How they were literally swallowed up on the face of this world by cruel, evil people - people determined to destroy them and what they represented. The fact that they literally would rather die than live not for Christ glares at me in the mirror. How they yet were not defeated no matter what,despite a lack of food and necessities that we take for granted everyday. They gave all that they possibly could give in their love of Christ and love of mankind, for what? To truly demonstrate the love of God in not only word but most importantly here, ACTION: the gospel to a dying world. I don't know about you, but their footsteps are so much bigger than my little ones!

There were so many saints that went before all of us, that were so ALIVE in Christ, so FULL of the Holy Spirit. YES I truly admire their faith. But, I realize instead, that there has probably been much preached and much lived out BY THEM- that I, .. that I ... have never fully realized. It's the other away around I think.

Outrageously Loved

This is amazing, the words in this clip :

"The Lord says that there is nothing you can do that would make Him love you more."

"There is also nothing you can do that would make Him love you less."

"He loves you because He loves you, because He loves you, because He loves you."

"Because that is what He is like"

"It is His nature to love, and you will always be the beloved"

"His love is unchanging, He loves you 100 percent, and He won't love you any better
when you become better."

"He loves you l00 percent and even if you have no plans to become better, He will still love you anyway because He loves you, because that's the way He is"

"And even if you don't want to change he will love you 100 percent"

"Even if you have no plans to walk with him, that's his nature he loves all the way, all the time"

"His love is unchanging but what will change is your abiliity to receive my love says the Lord"

"Open you heart says the Lord, and you will receive more of my love than you have ever experienced before"

"Give your obstacles to Him ..."

Inheritance - Graham Cooke

The Waiting Room

Just wanted to update you here (on my right arm).

I had a neurologist appointment yesterday and he concluded that the nerve conduction and muscular strength in my right arm was fine. My nerve conduction tests on my forearm were just slightly below normal. He said I am in great health. So I am rejoicing in that this morning, that he found nothing neurologically wrong. I have some other upcoming tests, including an MRI scheudled for late January.

The highlight though was being in the waiting room. I just have to tell you about these two little kidd'os. I had the joy of watching a little girl (3) and her brother (5) frolicking and playing under the waiting room table. They found such fun, hiding under there, and flipping and flopping around with their legs around each other, and giggling in their silly craziness. They were the absolute cutest. I am smiling here just thinking of those two and their antics under that table. They eagerly talked with me about how old they were - and wanted to tell me if they could read yet (as I was trying to read a magazine but I easily gave that up) wanting instead to enjoy them - how many books they had at home - when their birthdays were - they just loved to play together, and have fun with each other. Their laughter together was so beautiful. The little girl said a bad word so the big brother replies to tell her 'that's a bad word'. Then he tells her , 'Your getting on my nerves' (but he says it in a darn cute big brother way) to the which she replies, 'what is nerves?" He gives her this long detailed explanation of what 'nerves' are as only a five year old can do. LOL!

Every once in a while their grandma had to tell them, 'Shhh there's sick people in here'. Everyone walking by the room just had to stop at the door and talk to these two cuties, who would tell the stoppers by as they were leaving - "Merry Christmas". LOL! It was such a joy, I would have loved to stay there for many hours and watch these two, because just being there, their joy and happiness was so contagious to my own heart.

I am sure that is how Father looks down on us. He wants us to be joyful and happy and to just enjoy life. He's in control. It's ok to crawl on the floor under the table LOL. Sometimes we so easily lose sight (don't we) of how great a wonder was in the Father's heart for us, and (still is), and that His love has rescued us from everything. His love should truly release us completely from all our worries and concerns. So that we can truly be genuine, sincere people, just like these two little one's were. So we can extend from within our hearts, to others, love, and joy just as these two little ones did to me!

Letting Love Win

Letting Love Win

Christ kept looking to the Father and He kept choosing the Love that He shared and gave to the Father, as His constant motivation to endure what He endured.

When I thought of this today, I was thanking the Father for the Son, the wonderful love of our Saviour, who was able to give everything because He continued to love. It was His love that overcame what He endured for you & I. His love for you, His love for me, His love for all. I know we have all heard this repeatedly but I doubt that I have understood how deep His love truly is.

But within our hearts, Christ lives, Christ lives, not as a doctrine or theology, but as a person, as a person He lives in us. I am coming to understand this more and more, that it is the person of Christ that lives in me. Because of this, I too can overcome my circumstances in the same way. And let Love Win!

Loving Just One... then you can Love Many

Yesterday I became aware of a situation in a friend's life that needs our love, prayer and attention. His name is Mike, and he is going through very difficult times right now. He is not only physically unwell, but living with his elderly mother, trying to support her with his very limited pension, but there are other difficult and extreme factors involved as well. They are in dire financial and spiritual need. Please, I would ask each of you reading this, to pray for Mike & his family. I was in contact with others via email concerning this situation, and this morning I received this answer;

Hi Ruth.
thanks for telling me about brother mike and his family. Christ our Lord and our God and Saviour, Our true friend and brother who worships the father even as we sing our praises to him also. Jesus told us how that our father seeks those who will worship him in spirit and in truth. And that our love for others would be even greater, our great apostle Paul told us to love not only in words but in deeds and in truth. Even Jesus told us a new commandment I leave with you, to love one another. The gospel about God's kingdom that even now we live in is so simple.. it is based on love.. love for God in Christ and for our neighbor. our master spoke of his kingdom and said to be blessed in his kingdom.. then to give when asked.. all that really matters in our church meetings and theologies and doctrines is, "Are we impacted by God, have we met him? did he get a hold of us?" If we have realized his love for us then we can, not only be free from the devil and this world of darkness, but also even from our selves..lay down our lives for others for God so that we might gain our selves or gain more of the eternal life in Christ in our spirits, so that we will be set free and find our selves deepin Christ in life & in the spirit .. into his kingdom of light and out of darkness or self centeredness and into Christ our God . who is our true source and supply.. in him we are blessed with all of heaven that even now this beats in our hearts. if we can love just one then we can love many.. Jesus asked peter 3 times do you love me .. peter said yes lord you know all things that i do.. jesus then told peter.. feed my sheep

Gratefulness, Contentment & Peace in HIM

Hello everyone and of course Happy New Year!

I was being reflective last night, thinking back over the year and feeling much gratefulness rise up in my heart over God's goodness to me.

My hope is that this warm gratefulness would continue to find it's way deep in my heart, and in yours too.

Along with being grateful is a sense of contentment in Him, knowing that Father has been with me, never leaving me. Ultimately He is truly taking us from where we are to where we need to be, the direction and plan's for our lives are all in place. This brings great peace to me as well as for those I know and love. We are all where we are. The good news seems to be that Father is loving us deeply and working in us and through His plan which includes a continuing marveling at the depth of His grace.

I hope to find myself this year caught up deeper in this attitude of gratefulness and contentment.

And thank you to each of you for the smiles and lovely imprints that you have left
in my heart.