Broken

English: Final baked loaf

The Gypsy Mama

1. Write for 5 minutes flat on the prompt: “Broken” with no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to please visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community.

OK, are you ready? Please give me your best five minutes on:::

Broken…

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The world’s definition of broken–beat down, ruined, unusable.

God’s definition of broken–love poured out.

The woman, broken. A sinner. She broke the jar and poured out the perfume on the Jesus.

36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. Luke 7 NIV

Jesus broke the bread with His disciples. A breaking. A thanksgiving.

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Matthew 26:26 NIV

That same Jesus, body broken. He poured out His blood for us.

There has never been a greater love.

50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52 and the tombs broke open.  Matthew 27 NIV

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.






Cherish

The Gypsy Mama

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Please visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. That is like the one rule we all really care about. For reals.

OK, are you ready? I’ve had this word on my heart for you all week. Usually I’m wondering what the prompt will be right up until nearly midnight myself. But this week – this week I think a few of you at least need this word…

Cherished…

GO!

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I am nostalgic. I keep momentos. I believe in surrounding myself with things that I love.

I have certain pieces that are cherished.

*Pictures of family, before everything went digital.

*A lock of hair from my son’s first haircut.

*The table that my late husband made, just for me.

*My grandmother’s earrings.

*The emails from my husband when we first getting to know each other.

There are many things that hold a special place in my heart, these things that I cherish. I can’t imagine not having them…if something happened to them, I would miss them. I might not look at these things every single day, but I know that they are there. Waiting.

And yet, these things will not last forever. All things in this life eventually fall apart, fade, decay. My grasp on them will loosen as time goes on.

I came into this world with nothing…and I will leave that same way.

My true treasures, the ones that will never be destroyed are the things that I lay up in Heaven.

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6 NIV

 

 

In Need Of Rest

English: Beeches, Moss Road Plantation The fie...

For the past week and a half, I’ve been off the radar so to speak.

Life got busy and I didn’t know whether I was coming or going on most days.

Do you ever have days like that? Or weeks? Months?

Life always tugs at us. The immediate and urgent takes over.

I, for one, find myself irritable and exhausted when I try to get everything done.

I want things completed, and I want things done right. Unfortunately, I, like so many other wives and mothers across this great country, feel if I don’t do the task(s) it won’t be done correctly.

I find myself faltering.

This is not what my heavenly Father calls me to do.

He does not want me struggling for perfection in a world that will always be broken and imperfect.

My focus has been in the wrong place.

What He really wants is for me to abide in Him. He will give me rest.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”  Matthew 11:28  NIV

Rest.

That is what I really need.

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. John 15:4  NIV

 

Jesus In The Gospels

I often wonder what it would have been like to know Jesus while He was here…in this place. Walking this earth. Living among us. I think that once I knew that Jesus was, who He claimed to be…God….that I would have bombarded Him with questions. (Jesus is patient, right?)

Passion of Christ at Ginosa (TA) (Italy)

What is heaven like? What did it feel like to be at creation? Please explain The Trinity. How many stars are there? What were you thinking when you made the platypus? How did you make such beautiful colors in a sunset? Physics, and biology, and gifting people with words and colors……and Jesus…..um…….what I really want to ask……what I really want to know……Why do you love me so? Why are you willing to die for me?

Honestly, I’m glad I live in this current period of time but, it would have been wonderful to see Jesus face to face. I know that some day I will. I will stand before Him, and all my questions will have answers. It will all make sense. I, right now, can only see a dim image but, one day I will “get it”.

Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. I Corinthians 13:12 NIV

I’ve had people ask me, “How can I know Jesus?”  I point them to the gospel books. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These are the written accounts of Jesus’ life on this earth. His words, His actions…that tell the story. Listen to what He says.

“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” Luke 2:49  NIV (Jesus at age 12,  in the temple, when his parents were looking for Him.)

“Away with you, Satan!” replied Jesus, “the scripture says, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only you shall serve’.” Matthew 4:10

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” Matthew 5:17-18 NIV

After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God.  “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1: 14-15 NIV

Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” Mark 1:38 NIV

“But what about you?” he (Jesus) asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”  Mark 8:29 NIV

“Why must you argue like this in your minds? Which do you suppose is easier – to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But to make you realize that the Son of Man has full authority on earth to forgive sins – I tell you,” he said to the man who was paralyzed, “get up, pick up your bed and go home!” Luke 5: 23-24

And He was saying to them, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” Luke 6:5 NIV

“And what is the point of calling me, ‘Lord, Lord’, without doing what I tell you to do?” Luke 6:46

Then he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Luke 7:48

But Jesus said, “Somebody touched me, for I felt the power went out from me.” Luke 8:46

The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” John 1:35-36 NIV

“Is that your concern, or mine?” replied Jesus. “My time has not come yet.”  John 2:4 (Jesus before performing the miracle at the Cana wedding)

After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days. And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise. John 2: 12-16 KJV

Believe me,” returned Jesus, “a man cannot even see the kingdom of God without being born again.” John 3:3

“I am Christ speaking to you now,” said Jesus. John 4:6

I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the very work that the Father has given me to finish, and which I am doing, testifies that the Father has sent me. John 5:36  NIV

“The work of God for you,” replied Jesus, is to believe in the one whom he has sent to you.” John 6:29

Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out, “Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. I am not here on my own authority, but he who sent me is true. You do not know him, but I know him because I am from him and he sent me.” John 7:28-29  NIV

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 NIV

Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me,  but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.  My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.  My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” John 10: 25-30 NIV

“I myself am the resurrection and the life,” Jesus told her. “The man who believes in me will live even though he dies, and anyone who is alive and believes in me will never die at all. Can you believe that?” John 11: 25-26

On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. John 14:20 NIV

JESUS —- Name above all names.

MESSIAH. LORD OF ALL.




Unto The Least Of These…

10th Special Olympics World Winter Games

As many of you know, I’ve worked with individuals with special needs for twenty-two years professionally, and for another six years before that, as a volunteer with Special Olympics, camp counselor and group home/ house counselor. I knew I wanted to teach and work with this population of people since I was about sixteen years old. In all these years I’ve seen a lot, done a lot, and have some good…and not so good memories.

Not too long ago I was looking through the online newspaper in the town I used to live in. I saw some of my former students. Arrested. Drug Possession. Armed robbery…and a myriad number of other things. It made me sad. The one young man I had in my classroom when he was only six years old. Even then he was hard core to the bone. I would go home at night and cry. The words that came out of his mouth were vile, hurt and anger seeped from every pore. My heart was soft for this little guy, who cussed me on a daily basis and even threatened my life on more than one occasion.

I would pray, “God, I don’t think I can do this! These boys have serious emotional problems. How can I make a difference? Will it even matter? Give me strength…and keep me focused. Give me patience with them even when it is undeserved.  Father in the face of darkness, I ask for safety for me…for them… Thank you, Father. Amen”

Looking back…did I make any real difference in their young lives? Was anything different for having me as their teacher? I wanted to help, but did I?

When doubt creeps in and I wonder about the past, God whispers to me through His Word……

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:40  NIV

Nothing we do for the Lord is in vain. He sees. He knows. He remembers.

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This day I am thankful for:

* beautiful almost-Spring mornings

* enjoying my son driving

* shared smiles

* a latte my son bought for me as a surprise

* riding down country roads

* my husband patient with me as I snap pictures

* rest

* quiet in the midst of chaos

* mom time with each child

* opportunities that continue…

* the chance to make a real difference

* doing for “the least of these”

* God who sees

The Windows Of Heaven

Sun Rays Through The Clouds

Everything belongs to Him.

It is all His. Every bit of every thing that ever was, is, or will be.

God of the universe is also, God of the every day.

He called all of creation into being, with the sound of His voice.

He knows all the stars in the heavens, can easily count the grains of sand on the beaches of the world, sees the sparrow when it falls….

and He sees and knows each of us.

He knows my needs—

Personally. Intimately. Completely.

What He gives…

I realize, I am only borrowing for awhile.

God doesn’t owe me. He is not indebted to me. He is not required to stay in my good graces.

And yet, He gives freely to me.

 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

   “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?  If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!  Matthew 7: 7-11 NIV

All that He gives, is out of His love, mercy, and grace.

Sometimes the gifts are glorious and abundant. Other times the gifts are small and scarce.

Sometimes I realize the gifts for what they are, and sometimes I don’t.

Sometimes the gift doesn’t feel like a gift. It might feel like a hurt, or a loss.

But He knows. He knows me. He knows the gift.

He knows how it will all work together, until my mind and my heart can see the gift for what it truly is.

Each of His gifts, no matter how big or how small, is a blessing to me, the receiver.

Don’t believe it? Don’t think He will come through for you?

God does not make a habit of telling any of  us to test Him. (After all, who are we to test the motives or actions of the Almighty?)

But this time He did….He said, “TEST ME”.

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. Malachi 3:10 NASB

God is not a smooth operator. He is not a player or a slick salesman. He does not cheat, lie, or mislead. He cannot. It is not His nature.

You can believe that if He says something…He means it.

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Thankful, this Monday, for…

* being able to trust

* my good eye sight

* hands that help and hold

* love that endures

* a heart that overflows

* the gift of realizing that it is all God’s

* storing up treasures where neither moth nor rust can destroy

* relationships

* learning…always learning

* good books

* thought provoking statements

* warm jacket

* miracles that occur in the mess

* songs that must be sung

* letters penned from long ago

* the ability to create word pictures

* living in His grace, and knowing it

* growing

* being able to look back and smile

* being able to look forward and smile

* being safe

Face To Face

Coming home……

The place where I feel safe, accepted, loved.

Morning View From My Front Porch

Traveling and going on trips is always fun,

but there is something comforting about coming home.

*

I love the house that my husband and I built and moved into in 2009.

Our home in rural America.

Open spaces. Beautiful sky.

There is much to enjoy about our new setting.

I am thankful. Deeply thankful.

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Jesus talked about home.

A permanent home…one that moths and rust cannot destroy.

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6:20 NIV

The truth is, as much as I love my house and all the stuff I have in it…

It’s temporary. It won’t last.

*

I am a lover of the past. I haunt antiques stores and “junk” shops.

I pour over antique pictures of other people’s families.

I’m fascinated to learn of family history. The stories enchant me.

And yet….

Things don’t last. Possessions get sold at yard sales, they break, they rust,

parts fall off, and switches break. Wiring gets old and floors need refinished.

Strangers pick over family heirlooms. Names are forgotten.

*

But, Jesus said, “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.”                   John 14:2 NIV

I can not even begin to fathom what it will be like to open the door of that place.

To walk in.

To meet Him face to face,

and to finally know home.