Month: July 2018

Don’t forget to play!

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Play is not an escape; it is the way to release the life-smothering grip of busyness, stress, and anxiety….(It is) a modern expression of hope, a celebration of the flickering light of the gospel that plays with the dark by pouncing on the surrounding darkness like a cat toying with a mouse.—————Michael Yaconelli in Dangerous Wonder

play

I love the image of the light of the gospel pouncing on the darkness like a cat. Play is important to our health as human beings and an expression of the joy that God has given us. Play is NOT wasted time. Be sure to find ways to be playful like that cat and enjoy it.

Unexpected God, you have gifted us with the ability to play and seek out joy. Remind us how important it is. AMEN

Can you understand God?

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The the true master knows that if he had a God he could understand he would never hold him to be God-——from “The Gargoyle” by Andrew Davidson

God is way beyond my understanding. There are so many things that happen in the world that make no sense to me. Who would allow pain and suffering if they were in charge? However, I know that there is a God whose wisdom I cannot grasp and no matter how much I study I will never understand. God is infinite and beyond my imagining.

unknowable God

Amazing God, you created the world and all that is in it. Your wisdom is before me every day and I will never understand. You are God. I believe.

Live joy

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Nehemiah 8:10
Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
joy-of-the-lord
Have you met Christians who think that God expects us to be somber in all that we do. Oh no! God created a beautiful world and he expects us to see the joy in it. He does want us to share of our abundance so that others may also have good things. Don’t go around with a sad face and a gloomy disposition. This will make others think that is our way. Let them see joyful Christians who thank God always for his love and abundance.
Gracious Lord, you have given us so much. Let us show the joy that living in you brings us. AMEN

Forgiveness

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Real human progress depends upon a good conscience. ———-Albert Einstein

We are not perfect….so we can’t always do everything right. This means that we will make mistakes and do things that we are not proud of. Thankfully, God has granted us a way to continue to have a good conscience. It is called forgiveness. All we have to do is see the error of our ways and ask forgiveness.

forgiveness-9

Loving God, you never stop forgiving us. Thank you, thank you. AMEN

No Exceptions

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Religious liberty includes freedom to change one’ religion or belief without consequent social, economic and political disabilities. Implicit in this right is the right freely to maintain one’s belief or disbelief without external coercion or disability. ——–World Council of Churches

We are all so divided. Not just into totally different religions but into divisions within religions. So often we cast stones at those of other faiths or other denominations. Jesus called us to love one another. He did not include the word “if.”

no exceptions

Matthew 22:36-40 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

36 “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” 37 He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

 

How big is God?

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If you can’t believe in God the chances are that your God is too small. —J.B. Phillips

infiniteintimate-800x480

We are so good at creating in our minds a God who is like us. We need for God to be reasonable and make everything work out the right way. That is our right way. This is not God. God is infinite. We will never understand him. Any image we have is not big enough. God is intimate. God came near in the presence of Christ to help us understand. We missed most of it. God is unreadable, beyond understanding, way bigger than our minds can comprehend. Just accept it.

Unimaginable God, you have tried everything to help us see your greatness. Give us the wisdom to accept you as you are. AMEN

Why me Lord?

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Today I want to share a video of a song from the past. I met Khris Khristopherson briefly as his sister was married to a West Point friend of my husband. The story of how this song was written and the song itself have so much meaning for me.

Lord Jesus, help us to each share our story to encourage others to come to you. AMEN