The God of the very last minute~
Acts 12:6a-And on the very night when Herod was about to bring Peter forward (to be condemned for preaching the gospel)....
(He was miraculously delivered from his jail cell by an angel while the church was praying.)
Why do You do that Lord? To test our faith, our sincerity? Peter wasn't upset that You waited so long. He was sleeping. The church was still praying but not really expecting this miracle. You did far more than they asked or thought.
Acts 20:24b-"But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself..." This clarifies the statement of LOSING YOUR LIFE-such a position is very liberating really-almost like a butterfly leaving a cocoon; no more being wrapped up in my wants, dreams, and ambitions but free to MOUNT UP WITH WINGS AS EAGLES.
I thank You for that liberating word. I have been counting my life as very dear to myself in so many ways-wanting 'to be done', wanting to run my household with no waste, not wanting to do those things that are threatening to my safe little world (my cocoon), not wanting to express opinions that will set me apart as 'one of those.'
Luke, the physician records in Acts 28 how the people kept coming to Paul for healing.
The presence of others and their concern gives courage even to Paul (Acts 28:15) AND WHEN PAUL SAW THEM, HE THANKED GOD AND TOOK COURAGE.
PSA. 87:7b-ALL MY SPRINGS OF JOY ARE IN YOU is so true. I lived in joy for several days after that liberating word-NEITHER DO I COUNT MY LIFE AS DEAR UNTO MYSELF. O do not let the cares of life choke out that good word.
Another enlightening thought on "take my yoke upon you," from "This Tremendous Lover" by Boylan. OUR LIFE IN CHRIST~~~A " SHOULDER TO SHOULDER PARTNERSHIP WITH JESUS. A CONSTANT COMPANIONSHIP OF TWO LOVERS SHARING EVERY THOUGHT AND EVERY DEED."
Joseph, a type of Jesus, is sent by his father, to find his brothers.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Little Boy Days-Archives of precious memories
Philip-4 years old-
I had lost my keys.
Philip-"I know where the orange keys are."
Me-"Where?"
Philip-"In God's Spirit, and He's not going to give them back," he said very gently.
It was raining outside. Freeman and Philip were dancing in the rain. Freeman was praying, "More Rain! More Rain!"
I said, "Freeman, while you are praying-would you ask God for more money?"
"Sure!"
He came back in and said, "I prayed a prayer I will never forget...and neither will God."
Philip, 4, caught a frog today in our pond. He took it over to our neighbor, Bonnie, to give her as a present. He came back and said a bit sadly, "Bonnie didn't want my present so I decided to give it to Billy Balmer. He said he's coming in 50 hours." Poor frog. He didn't revive right away after he was put back in water. He jumped quickly though after Philip kicked the water.
Philip got stung on his finger. He cried and cried. I heard him praying outloud, "Please God. Don't let the bees sting me. Please dear Lord. Don't let the bees sting me. Thank you Lord for healing my thumb!"
Michael, 1, holds very still and smiles a big smile whenever I want to take his picture. He loves his bath and likes to pull out the plug. He also likes to lay down and drink the bath water. Horrors!
I suggested to Philip that we go for a walk. He said, "..but not Freeman. He's too hyper and stuff. "
Little fleas or gnats were bothering us. Philip said, "Maybe they think we're dead or somethin'."
I had lost my keys.
Philip-"I know where the orange keys are."
Me-"Where?"
Philip-"In God's Spirit, and He's not going to give them back," he said very gently.
It was raining outside. Freeman and Philip were dancing in the rain. Freeman was praying, "More Rain! More Rain!"
I said, "Freeman, while you are praying-would you ask God for more money?"
"Sure!"
He came back in and said, "I prayed a prayer I will never forget...and neither will God."
Philip, 4, caught a frog today in our pond. He took it over to our neighbor, Bonnie, to give her as a present. He came back and said a bit sadly, "Bonnie didn't want my present so I decided to give it to Billy Balmer. He said he's coming in 50 hours." Poor frog. He didn't revive right away after he was put back in water. He jumped quickly though after Philip kicked the water.
Philip got stung on his finger. He cried and cried. I heard him praying outloud, "Please God. Don't let the bees sting me. Please dear Lord. Don't let the bees sting me. Thank you Lord for healing my thumb!"
Michael, 1, holds very still and smiles a big smile whenever I want to take his picture. He loves his bath and likes to pull out the plug. He also likes to lay down and drink the bath water. Horrors!
I suggested to Philip that we go for a walk. He said, "..but not Freeman. He's too hyper and stuff. "
Little fleas or gnats were bothering us. Philip said, "Maybe they think we're dead or somethin'."
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Mother Mary and the Upper Room
I was thinking about Mary, the Mother of Jesus, this week.
When the angel came and told her that she was to be with child through the Holy Spirit, she said, "Be it unto me according to Your word."
She carried Jesus within her for nine months and for the next thirty years, she was with Him, enjoying His life and the beauty of One who is fearless.
When He began His ministry, she saw less of Him, but she believed in Him and remembered the words spoken about a sword piercing her heart. When He died, she knew what that sword felt like.
When He rose again, she knew that she would never feel it like that ever again. When He ascended up into Heaven, I am sure it was a bittersweet time for her. First she had Him, then she didn't, then she did, then she didn't.
Jesus told His followers to wait in the Upper Room for a gift from Heaven-the Promised Holy Spirit. Mary, His Mother, was with the others in the Upper Room when Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, came down upon them with wind and fire and the gift of tongues.
From that time on, she had Jesus within her again, through His Spirit. She never missed Him again. I think she must have been so comforted as His mother, and at the same time, she realized He was much more than her son.
She wanted to let others know about Him, not as her son, but as the Savior of the world. She was part of the early church and her life was full.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have wondered, 'Why the gift of tongues?'
Perhaps it is because different tongues represents the different peoples of the world.
With the ability to speak in another language, the gospel could go out to all the nations.
It reminds me of the tower of Babel, only in a good way.
This time, the gift of different tongues enabled others to do mighty things and bring others into the kingdom.
Whenever I hear another language being spoken, I stop and listen.
One time, at Sam's Club, I heard such beautiful language that I actually wept right there in the maple syrup aisle.
I thought, "God speaks all the languages of the world. He Is the Word. He is Language. All things were created through the speaking of His Word, and He speaks every word in every language."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
O for a thousand tongues to sing my Great Redeemer's praise.
One language is not nearly enough.
When the angel came and told her that she was to be with child through the Holy Spirit, she said, "Be it unto me according to Your word."
She carried Jesus within her for nine months and for the next thirty years, she was with Him, enjoying His life and the beauty of One who is fearless.
When He began His ministry, she saw less of Him, but she believed in Him and remembered the words spoken about a sword piercing her heart. When He died, she knew what that sword felt like.
When He rose again, she knew that she would never feel it like that ever again. When He ascended up into Heaven, I am sure it was a bittersweet time for her. First she had Him, then she didn't, then she did, then she didn't.
Jesus told His followers to wait in the Upper Room for a gift from Heaven-the Promised Holy Spirit. Mary, His Mother, was with the others in the Upper Room when Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, came down upon them with wind and fire and the gift of tongues.
From that time on, she had Jesus within her again, through His Spirit. She never missed Him again. I think she must have been so comforted as His mother, and at the same time, she realized He was much more than her son.
She wanted to let others know about Him, not as her son, but as the Savior of the world. She was part of the early church and her life was full.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have wondered, 'Why the gift of tongues?'
Perhaps it is because different tongues represents the different peoples of the world.
With the ability to speak in another language, the gospel could go out to all the nations.
It reminds me of the tower of Babel, only in a good way.
This time, the gift of different tongues enabled others to do mighty things and bring others into the kingdom.
Whenever I hear another language being spoken, I stop and listen.
One time, at Sam's Club, I heard such beautiful language that I actually wept right there in the maple syrup aisle.
I thought, "God speaks all the languages of the world. He Is the Word. He is Language. All things were created through the speaking of His Word, and He speaks every word in every language."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
O for a thousand tongues to sing my Great Redeemer's praise.
One language is not nearly enough.
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