Consider Jesus.
Know Jesus.
Learn what kind of Person it is you say you trust and love and worship.
Soak in the shadow of Jesus.
Saturate your soul with the ways of Jesus.
Watch Him.
Listen to Him.
Stand in awe of Him.
Let Him overwhelm you with the way He is.
I love my hubby. He still opens the car door for me.
At this specific time, it has been...
938,908,800 seconds or 15,648,480 minutes or 260,808 hours or 1552 weeks or 10,867 days or 29 years, 9 months, 2 days since we’ve been married! (give or take a few hours)
During my recent visit with the ‘kids’ and ‘grandkids’, I tried to sharpen my story telling ‘skills’. The first couple of stories weren't great, but I think I improved along the way.
I told these stories to the little lady. Each one began with “There once was a little girl (or princess or snuggle bug or little lady or doodle bug or... ) named (insert her name) who......... My imagination just wouldn’t flow unless she was in my lap with me holding her close. (Gotta love it!)
I made up adventures as I went, tying to be creative, and loving every minute! The little lady listened intently, sometimes widening her eyes with surprise, sometimes giggling, sometimes looking deep in thought, sometimes smiling, sometimes looking with a question.
Holding her close, with my love over flowing, these moments I’ll cherish forever.
And yes, we live happily every after, safe in the arms of Jesus...
While visiting my ‘kids’ and ‘grandkids’ recently, one night, the little fellow didn’t want to go to bed. In the darkish bedroom, I held him close, and softly sang. It was a moment I’ll cherish forever.
First of all, I’m not a good singer. However, the little fellow cuddled up and listened as I softly sang. He relaxed and snuggled with his Nana (a precious moment indeed!). Of course, ‘Jesus Loves Me’ was one of the songs. I’ve sung it at least a kazillion times. But, this time I really, really listened to the words.
I thought about how deeply and completely I love this little fellow. My grandchildren opened my heart with a new love I can’t explain, one I had never experienced before. Considering how much I love my grandchildren, to how much Jesus loves us, well, there is no comparison. His love is complete and perfect and true and accepting and amazing and genuine and enduring and everlasting and abundant and unconditional.
In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:33 NIV
“God had hidden a song in my heart. And touching a tender chord, He caused me to sing."
Judson W Van DeVenter (1896) was struggling between his dream of becoming an outstanding and famous artist, and fully committing his life as an evangelist. A moment in his life came, and he surrendered completely to God’s will. “At last the time came when I could hold out no longer and I surrendered my all-my time and my talents. It was then that a new day was ushered into my life. I wrote I Surrender All in memory of the time when, after the long struggle, I had surrendered and dedicated my life to active Christian service for the Lord.”
This hymn is a reminder to totally surrender your life to God’s will. And, that said, when I sing this song, do I really mean what I’m singing???
All to Jesus I Surrender
All to Jesus I surrender,
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.
Refrain
I surrender all, I surrender all.
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.
All to Jesus I surrender,
Humbly at His feet I bow,
Worldly pleasures all forsaken;
Take me, Jesus, take me now.
All to Jesus I surrender,
Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
Let me feel Thy Holy Spirit,
Truly know that Thou art mine.
All to Jesus I surrender,
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power,
Let Thy blessing fall on me.
All to Jesus I surrender,
Now I feel the sacred flame.
Oh, the joy of full salvation!
Glory, glory to His name!
On the purpose of mankind: "What were we made for? To know God. What aim should we set ourselves in life? To know God. What is the eternal life that Jesus gives? Knowledge of God....What is the best thing in life, bringing more joy, delight, and contentment, than anything else? Knowledge of God....Once you become aware that the main business that you are here for is to know God, most of life's problems fall into place of their own accord." ~ J I Packer – ‘Knowing God’, pg 29
The Goodness of God: “The psalmist’s point [from Psalm 145:9, 15-16) is that, since God controls all that happens in his world, every meal, every pleasure, every possession, every bit of sun, every nights sleep, every moment of health and safety, everything else that sustains and enriches life, is a divine gift.”
What hope means
Hope is bright shining light which keeps darkness at the bay
Hope is gentle cold breeze on a hot summer day
Hope is to remain positive when going gets tough
hope is seeking more when others think u had enough
What hope means
Hope is dreaming of tomorrow
Hope is simmering under sorrow
Hope is sparkles when tears in our eyes
Hope is a beautiful thing & beautiful things never dies
What hope means
Hope is as light as a feather
Hope keeps all of us together
Hope is ubiquitous and free of cost
hope is the last thing ever lost.....
The truth of God's love is not that he allows bad things to happen. It's His promise that He'll be here with us when they do. ~Clark Davis, Love Comes Softly
Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pains. It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.
~C S Lewis
All of history is moving toward one great goal, the white-hot worship of God and his Son among all the peoples of the earth.
We all need to be broken, because we are all born unbroken.
The more wounded we are, the more unbroken we become.
Anne Murchison
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Just what is ‘brokenness’? One definition is an acute and constant awareness of God’s presence, and devastation from the presence of my sin.
The way I see it, brokenness is a good thing. To completely and entirely and fully and totally surrender my heart to Jesus, then, and only then, will I be broken before God. And, I have to be broken hearted for God to use me. So, brokenness really is a good thing.
This is something I struggle with. Every step and every day. But I know God is with me every step that I take. Now, that is awesome!
Then, and only then, God can use me according to His will.
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Brokenness and freedom go together, in that order;
first suffering, then comfort;
first trouble, then joy;
first felt unworthiness, then felt love;
first death to the self, then resurrection of the soul.
The light of heaven is the face of Jesus Christ; the joy of heaven is the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ; the melody of heaven is the name of Jesus Christ. The theme of heaven is the work of Jesus Christ. The employment of heaven is the work of Jesus Christ. The fullness of heaven is the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself.
