Tag Archives: Jesu

It’s A Choice

Being thankful is a choice.

Country Farm

Country Farm (Photo credit: Nature Pictures by ForestWander)

In choosing to be thankful for all things, a person can experience joy.

Not because life is always simple and easy, as anyone that has lived for any amount of time can attest.

But, because God has provided the greatest gift of all, in His son Jesus, and He alone is enough…

And yet, God chooses to gift us with so much more, abundantly, lavishly.

Live life with your eyes wide open. Open to all His great and wonderful gifts.

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all
times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV

Today I am thankful for:

* getting ready for the trip

* anticipation for what is ahead

* making memories with my husband

* healthy children

* hugs and I love you

* playing with the dogs

* early morning, feeding the animals

* rainy Monday

* shopping

* a clean house

* sunflowers

* a beautifully mowed lawn

* the back property fenced in

* taking beautiful pictures of the country

* sleeping in late






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National Day Of Prayer

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who
comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who
earnestly seek Him. Hebrews 11:16 NIV

 

Prayer doesn’t need to be elaborate, with big words, or have utterances of a certain length.

 

911: President George W. Bush at National Cath...

 

Prayer is talking with God.

 

It really is that simple.

 

He tells us He wants His children to talk with Him. He tells us that in Philippians 4:6-7.  Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your
requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses
all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 

Today is The National Day of Prayer……and there is much to pray about.

Not just on this one day, but every day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Sin Sickness

Not Jesus' tomb, but a tomb none the less.

(Photo credit: callmetim)

Let’s face it.

For all the beauty that is in this world…

every gorgeous sunrise, every mountain peak, each newborn baby…

all those things that bring fleeting, tenuous, joy…

There is also pain.

This world spins crazy on its axis, and sometimes the spinning can make us sick.

Sick with worry, sick with sorrow, sick to death.

This is how the world was then, too.

When Christ came.

Sin sickness since the day the stench of it permeated the earth.

When the deceiver asked the woman and man to defy.

And their “yes”, bit hard into sin.

And ever since, mankind has known full well what sin feels like.

Roman soldiers, people crying, “Crucify Him!”, a governor who wanted no part of it.

Heavy wooden cross beam, splintered wood, and blood.

The sin of the world on His shoulders, separation from His Father……

and Jesus tasted darkness that day.

The bitterness of a world gone bad.

His perfect sacrifice, for a world that knew Him not.

Killed. Buried. Left in a dark and silent tomb.

Sin mocked. The deceiver lied. The world waited.

The disciples questioned, the women cried. The world waited.

On the third day, the tomb was empty.

Jesus was not there. Death could not keep Him. The tomb could not hold Him.

He is alive! He stands victorious.

We can face this world on days that are hard and uncertain

.Because our Savior lives!

11 Now Mary (Magdalene) stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. 13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).17 Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.      —John 20 NIV

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Breaking Free

 Writing Prompt: It’s the last two weeks of Lent. Lent comes from old English word meaning “spring”. Imagine Jesus whispering the word “spring” into your heart. Reflect and share the thoughts and feelings that flow from hearing Jesus whisper “spring”.


Dormant. Buried deep. Covered in darkness.nature_3
The bulbs and seeds are waiting for winter to give way to warmer spring days.
Then they will know that it is time to emerge.

The waiting will be over.

Pushing through the darkness, struggling through the dirt, in order to see the light.

The glorious sun that brings life to what once seemed dead.

Beautiful flowers breaking free from winter’s grasp.

Free.

Turning their faces toward the sun.

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Jesus is that SON. He takes people who are dead inside, trapped in darkness, covered in their own sin….

and makes them new. Free. Beautiful, in Him.

Jesus whispers “spring”….

and gives new LIFE.

 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 NIV

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. Psalm 40:2 NIV

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Children Of God

Today at Faith Barista we are writing about Jesus.

I can’t think of a better subject.

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This world is hard on people.

Heart Candle

Heart Candle (Photo credit: Bob.Fornal)

Oh, none of us like to talk about it, admit it….but, deep down we know it is true.

Life can be harsh and confusing and many times it… well, it can be irritating.

At the very least it wears us down.

I needed a perspective change…

Last night in Bible study, we ladies were discussing the verses about Jesus being The Word, and dwelling among us.

And, once again I was reminded…

9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.  John 1:9-14 NIV

Jesus understood the pain of not being understood. Can we even imagine?  Being accused. Being abused.

These particular verses amaze me…every single time I read them. They are powerful. Jesus, Creator of the world, and yet people didn’t recognize Him. Many did not believe Him….but, to those who did (and do), HE gave the right to become CHILDREN OF GOD.

Stop.

Think about what I just wrote. Read the verses for yourself. Do it.

It is right there in black and white.

We, as believers, are adopted. Signed and sealed, because……..

Jesus chose to love us.

I don’t know about you, but that changes my perspective about today and tomorrow.

How can it not?

I’m carrying this Word in my heart today, with a smile on my face.

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Dream

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What are your dreams?

What do you want to do, to complete this one full life that God has given you?

How do you spend your moments? Precious, valuable moments sifted through the day to day.

How are you making your journey, not about just surviving…but, really living?

You know that days don’t have to be extraordinary to be exhilarating…

or be momentous to be magnificent?

Eyes that are open to all the wonders,

and a thankful heart that knows no boundaries,

are what make a life meaningful.

 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.  James 1: 17 NIV

 

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Laid Bare

The Gypsy Mama

1. Write for 5 minutes flat for pure unedited love of the written word.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Go buck wild with encouragement for the five minuter who linked up before you.

Won’t you give me your best five minutes for the prompt:

Bare….

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The first thought that came to my mind is bare naked. Hey, it’s 8:30 in the morning and my mind isn’t quite “with it” yet. I think since I’ve only got 5 minutes to type….I might just go with that.

Bare naked. That makes me think of Adam and Eve in the garden. They were perfectly content living there. They were obviously not clothed…..until after their sin and then they realized, “Hey, we need to cover this up!” Isn’t that true still? I don’t mean the part about us walking around naked, because  don’t know about you, but

I am well past that stage. The 40’s haven’t been as kind to this body as I had hoped. Sigh.

Anyway, I digress. Isn’t it true that when we sin we still try to cover it up? It’s our nature. It’s who we are. Sinners.

All of it, the good, the bad, and the ugly is laid bare before the eyes of God. He sees it.

But, I’m so grateful that I asked for forgiveness and He has forgiven me.

What was once dirty and broken is now beautiful through the cleansing blood of Christ.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

Adam and Eve by Rembrandt

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Being Extreme

Today, at A Holy Experience, we continue to write about--The Practice of Radical….living in Christ and with Christ.

Jesus

The dictionary calls radical: Departing markedly from the usual or customary; extreme

How does a wife become radical? How does a mother, move the world? Can a special education teacher change lives? A daughter, delight? A friend, be a motivator?

How does radical work in the here and now? Is it possible to live radically for Christ in the dirty and broken of today? Can I truly live this extreme for the One who loves extremely?

As a follower of Christ, I’m called to be radical. Unusual. Different from the world around me.

Make no mistake about it, Jesus was no pushover. He was considered a radical during his life time. He loved where others hated. He showed mercy, when others showed disdain. He did not back down from the leaders of His day, and was not afraid to call them out. He answered questions, taught through parables, loved the unlovable, changed the hard-hearted, prayed continually to His Father, and shepherded the weary. He was a light in a dark place and He led the way, even unto His death.

And I am supposed to conform myself to be just like my Jesus! Now, my friends, that is a radical thought.

How can I ever live up to that standard?  Simply put, I can’t. Not by myself, anyway.

 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus … Philippians 2:1-11 ESV

Radical living is about sacrifice.

Putting others before myself.

That is where truth meets reality….

and that is where radical begins.






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Pass Over

The Gypsy Mama

 

1. Write for 5 minutes flat for pure unedited love of the written word.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in {you can grab the button code in my blog footer}
3. Go leave some comment props for the five minute artist who linked up before you {and if you love us, consider turning off word verification for the day to make it easier for folks to say howdy}

The prompt is: AFRAID

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When being afraid grows into cold, hard fear…

there is one thing in my life that gives me that feeling.

It is not made up, it is very real…and that is why it gnaws at me.

I can’t really talk about it. Not in a blog post.

I’ve learned to not think about it. Not dwell on it. To compartmentalize it.

Because if I don’t do that it will completely overwhelm me.

A mother’s love is a fierce thing.

And yet, fear can be insidious. It is able to worm its way into the heart. Its tentacles strangling.

Oh God, remember me, just as you did the Hebrew mothers during the Passover.

The blood of the lamb over the doorposts to the house…

and now, Your blood, the Lamb, sacrificed for us.

 The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are, and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. Exodus 11:13 NIV

 

The Angel of Death and the First Passover (ill...

The Angel of Death and the First Passover (illustration from the 1897 Bible Pictures and What They Teach Us by Charles Foster) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

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Real Treasure

Sacred Heart Church of Gibraltar

This week at A Holy Experience: The Practice of Radical.  What does it mean to live IN Jesus, WITH Christ in the center of our lives?

This prompt for today actually reminds me of something I’ve been thinking about for awhile.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  Matthew 6:19-21 NIV

We all realize, even if we don’t like to spend time thinking about it, that we are going to die. It is inevitable. We came into this world with nothing and we will leave that same way. With nothing. There is a reason that people call death the “great equalizer”.

With this in mind, what did Jesus mean when He talked about treasures? How can we store up treasures in Heaven if we can’t take anything with us when we go? I think I know what the treasures are.

Jesus loves people, with a love that is beyond anything we’ve ever known or experienced.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 NIV

The treasures are other people. We can’t take things with us, but we can take people. Relationships are what make us rich. The most important relationship that one can ever have, is relationship with Christ.  The things that we do for Christ, are never wasted. He never forgets. He sees it all.
“Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also…” A heart for people.

Jesus has always had a heart for people. Why else would He leave the splendor of Heaven to take on the body of man, in a sin cursed and broken world? Because His heart was for people.

To the woman caught in adultery, condemned to death for her actions…Jesus stood between her and her accusers–  At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”…“No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” John 8:9-11 NLT

Even in her guilt and sin, He saw a treasure.

The people wanted for Jesus to bless their children, the disciples were not so sure, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14 NIV

Even in the youngest of children, Jesus saw treasures.

Zacchaeus was the IRS guy of his time, hated by the people because he was a crook. Jesus saw through that and, When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.”So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.  All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” This meeting with Jesus changed Zacchaeus, it changed his life forever.  Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”  Luke 19 NIV

Even in the face of a tax collector, Jesus saw a second chance. A treasure.

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. Luke 23:34 NIV

Lost and far from God, Jesus loved us. Sinners. Unrepentant. Unworthy. He died in our place, took the punishment that should have been ours, and later rose again, conquering death. The nail spikes did not hold Him on that cross, we did. He died in our place because of His great love….for us, His treasured, and beloved.

We as Christ followers, are called to live for Jesus. We need to have Him in the center of our daily lives….not just at Christmas or Easter. Since He loved others so much, should we not also?

Everyone we look at should be considered a treasure, someone we want to take with us to Heaven one day.






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