How fitting is that? The 100th post was about Jesus. :)
Christmas Eve has found me, and Christmas Day has begun...
It was a pretty early morning yesterday, and in fact, I'm still up. And it was a late, but wonderful night previous, but that's another story. lol
My family got together, several of us, for a potluck waffle breakfast, which we also did last year. Family and one family friend who is like family were there, though Tiger was missed, since he didn't get much sleep and needed the rest. Two aunts, one of their mothers, and an uncle, as well as my brother's family, were missed, as well, for varying reasons, though I hope they all had a wonderful day celebrating in their respective ways.
This year, someone had the idea to do no gifts bigger than an envelope.
Well, let's just say I'm glad Tiger and I weren't the only ones to fudge on the no gifts thing, including the person I understood made the "rule," who in the end, it seemed, wasn't the one after all. LOL
We gave a lot of ornaments, mostly, because we wanted something simple but memorable. There was a muff I made for my sister, and a birthday gift for my Dad to open later on, and such. We received a couple of really thoughtful books each, beautiful homemade cards, ducks given in the name of the family to those in need, a wooden cross, an apple cider scented candle we burned several hours tonight to cheer the place up, and those from one another. Tiger seems to enjoy his battery-powered meditation fountain, and I'm overjoyed at the thoughtfulness of the lovely necklace he gave me, as well.
The bigger gift, though, and the most important one, was and will always be Jesus Christ; salvation, deliverance, healing through Him, and all He has done on behalf of sinners like us. We know that all things work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose, and that we can do all things through Christ, Who is our strength. We know we have been given authority to pray in His name with the Holy Spirit's guidance and that when we do, God the Father will listen from heaven and answer our petitions. We know that Jesus is the only way to the Father. We know that in Him, we are forgiven all our sins, shortcomings, debts, and trespasses. We know much though it is still all a mystery to some degree, which is where faith comes in.
We are told in Hebrews that FAITH is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. We are also told in Scripture that if we have FAITH as a mustard seed, we will ask what we would and the Father in heaven will hear, and we will receive what we BELIEVE.
Mustard seeds don't stay seeds forever; they have to die to grow. Sometimes
Dec 25, 2011
1 And Only Son of God, the Christ
An angel spoke to Zechariah that his wife, Elizabeth, would have a son, who would be the foreteller of the Christ.
An angel spoke to Mary and told her she would CARRY the SON OF GOD.
Her fiance, Joseph, was told to marry her is a dream by an angel, and assured it was indeed the son of GOD she bore in her womb, and not that of another man.
Taxation led Mary and Joseph to the manger where Jesus was born.
A star led wise men from the east.
Shepherds were treated to a heavenly choir.
Leaders in the region were threatened by this baby. This baby who was and IS the Son of God, the Messiah, the Christ, the LAMB OF GOD Who was, eventually, given over to shed His blood to cover our sins.
There is only ONE SAVIOR. There can only be ONE GOD. There could only be ONE virgin birth, and it was HIS, the birth of Jesus the Christ. Only ONE could be fully MAN and fully GOD. A mystery, yes, but a truth deeper than the oceans' fathoms.
This Christmas, it is the birth of this special, one-of-a-kind GOD-MAN BABY that we celebrate. It is a time of year to reflect on all God has done for us, and all we can do for Him. It is a time to be humble before the Lord of lords and King of kings, bowing down before Him as those who came before Him as a child, and
An angel spoke to Mary and told her she would CARRY the SON OF GOD.
Her fiance, Joseph, was told to marry her is a dream by an angel, and assured it was indeed the son of GOD she bore in her womb, and not that of another man.
Taxation led Mary and Joseph to the manger where Jesus was born.
A star led wise men from the east.
Shepherds were treated to a heavenly choir.
Leaders in the region were threatened by this baby. This baby who was and IS the Son of God, the Messiah, the Christ, the LAMB OF GOD Who was, eventually, given over to shed His blood to cover our sins.
There is only ONE SAVIOR. There can only be ONE GOD. There could only be ONE virgin birth, and it was HIS, the birth of Jesus the Christ. Only ONE could be fully MAN and fully GOD. A mystery, yes, but a truth deeper than the oceans' fathoms.
This Christmas, it is the birth of this special, one-of-a-kind GOD-MAN BABY that we celebrate. It is a time of year to reflect on all God has done for us, and all we can do for Him. It is a time to be humble before the Lord of lords and King of kings, bowing down before Him as those who came before Him as a child, and
Dec 24, 2011
Mary and Joseph... 2 Raised the Christ
Faithful people to raise the Son of God was a definite gift to the world, and not just Him. MARY and JOSEPH were a blessing to all the generations beyond Him in that they were faithful and trusting of the Father in heaven, Who gave them the responsibility to care for, teach, raise His Son, Jesus, Who was fully man and fully God, borne of Mary while a virgin.
MARY and JOSEPH... faithful parents. Faithful people. Without them, the world would have turned out so much differently, and so on this, the eve of Christmas, the celebration of the child burgeoning in Mary's belly about to be born, we celebrate the WHOLE OF GOD'S PLAN... He knew who would be faithful parents, and gifted them with His Son, a great responsibility greater than that of any other parents in history.
MARY and JOSEPH... faithful parents. Faithful people. Without them, the world would have turned out so much differently, and so on this, the eve of Christmas, the celebration of the child burgeoning in Mary's belly about to be born, we celebrate the WHOLE OF GOD'S PLAN... He knew who would be faithful parents, and gifted them with His Son, a great responsibility greater than that of any other parents in history.
Dec 23, 2011
Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh... These 3
GOLD, FRANKINCENSE, and MYRRH, given as gifts by the wise men when they finally reached Jesus when he was a couple of years old, were also given at His death. They were a gift of FORESHADOWING and PROMISE to the world.
A lot of people look at the Bible, reading the Christmas story, and place the wise men, whom they presume to be three, at the manger. And that's alright, even if it isn't what the Bible actually says. We know there were three differing kinds of gifts given before Him, but the Word also tells us Herod had all baby boys UNDER TWO killed, ACCORDING TO the timing the wise men gave regarding the star they had followed. There may have been two wise men, or twenty, and at the time, it mattered for their own lives, but for the story, the wise men weren't the point or to be the focus. The FOCUS should be on 1- the babe, the Christ, and 2- the specific gifts brung before Him.
You see, GOLD foresees Judas' betrayal of Jesus; FRANKINCENSE is considered to be a burial scent; MYRRH was a perfume, likely part of that which was broken open at His feet by the woman who washed them with her tears, preparing Him for burial. They are a promise, a foretelling, to those who believe in and on the Lord Jesus, the Messiah, that He would indeed be killed; that He would lay His life down and bring it back up again, for death could NOT hold Him; the grave had NO POWER over Him, and the same is true for US WHO BELIEVE.
We will die one day, true... and when we do, Jesus promises that at some point after death, unless we are those who meet Him in the sky, we will be resurrected and have bodies that are glorified; different than the ones we now have. He did, and the Word tells us, we will, too, if we trust and believe in and on the Lord Jesus Christ AND WHAT HE DID ON OUR BEHALVES at the cross.
This is what the GOLD, FRANKINCENSE, and MYRRH are ultimately about. Eternal salvation. They are a foretelling and a promise. They help us remember and believe. They are there to help guide us to the babe, the Christ.
A lot of people look at the Bible, reading the Christmas story, and place the wise men, whom they presume to be three, at the manger. And that's alright, even if it isn't what the Bible actually says. We know there were three differing kinds of gifts given before Him, but the Word also tells us Herod had all baby boys UNDER TWO killed, ACCORDING TO the timing the wise men gave regarding the star they had followed. There may have been two wise men, or twenty, and at the time, it mattered for their own lives, but for the story, the wise men weren't the point or to be the focus. The FOCUS should be on 1- the babe, the Christ, and 2- the specific gifts brung before Him.
You see, GOLD foresees Judas' betrayal of Jesus; FRANKINCENSE is considered to be a burial scent; MYRRH was a perfume, likely part of that which was broken open at His feet by the woman who washed them with her tears, preparing Him for burial. They are a promise, a foretelling, to those who believe in and on the Lord Jesus, the Messiah, that He would indeed be killed; that He would lay His life down and bring it back up again, for death could NOT hold Him; the grave had NO POWER over Him, and the same is true for US WHO BELIEVE.
We will die one day, true... and when we do, Jesus promises that at some point after death, unless we are those who meet Him in the sky, we will be resurrected and have bodies that are glorified; different than the ones we now have. He did, and the Word tells us, we will, too, if we trust and believe in and on the Lord Jesus Christ AND WHAT HE DID ON OUR BEHALVES at the cross.
This is what the GOLD, FRANKINCENSE, and MYRRH are ultimately about. Eternal salvation. They are a foretelling and a promise. They help us remember and believe. They are there to help guide us to the babe, the Christ.
Dec 22, 2011
4 Parts Patience
When God came to earth as a baby in the form of Jesus Christ, it was a long-awaited, wonderful gift. It was a gift of reward for PATIENCE through many generations. And then, when Jesus was here, the planet needed still more PATIENCE until He went to the cross, where the Word says the earth and humanity wait together now for the fulfillment of the promise of eternal salvation and rest.
Jesus also had PATIENCE. He was perhaps the most patient person there was, for though totally divine, He was also totally human. There never was before nor has there been since nor will there ever be another person like Jesus, no matter how hard some might try. And when He comes to the earth again on the last day, who will He find that has been patient and faithful to Him?
Patience was and still is a gift, even when we don't necessarily see it that way. In what ways has being patient- on purpose or due to circumstance - been a blessing to you in the long run?
Jesus also had PATIENCE. He was perhaps the most patient person there was, for though totally divine, He was also totally human. There never was before nor has there been since nor will there ever be another person like Jesus, no matter how hard some might try. And when He comes to the earth again on the last day, who will He find that has been patient and faithful to Him?
Patience was and still is a gift, even when we don't necessarily see it that way. In what ways has being patient- on purpose or due to circumstance - been a blessing to you in the long run?
Dec 21, 2011
5 Thousand Words of Wisdom
Another gift of Christmas is WISDOM. God's WISDOM, epitomized in the Proverbs, was LIVED in Jesus. When Jesus was born into the world, full godly WISDOM was sent to us, that we might learns from Him all that we can and learn to love Him.
The WISDOM of God isn't like that of men. Men's wisdom might seem like the best thing to do is a given situation; street wisdom might seem wise; GOD'S wisdom IS true wisdom and comes only through the Holly Spirit's guiding. And He is faithful to guide us when we request the help, in prayer, in wisdom, in love, in everything we say and do... and when He guides us and we follow, God's WISDOM lives on in the world through us...
The WISDOM of God isn't like that of men. Men's wisdom might seem like the best thing to do is a given situation; street wisdom might seem wise; GOD'S wisdom IS true wisdom and comes only through the Holly Spirit's guiding. And He is faithful to guide us when we request the help, in prayer, in wisdom, in love, in everything we say and do... and when He guides us and we follow, God's WISDOM lives on in the world through us...
Dec 20, 2011
6 Things to Ponder
When Jesus Christ came into the world, it was said that Mary PONDERed everything that was going on in her heart. We were given the gift of PONDERING. We can look back on all we've learned and experienced, and on all God did in Christ, and PONDER them. We can have both hindsight and foresight this way.
If we look at The Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55; Douay-Rheims Version), we read:
If we look at The Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55; Douay-Rheims Version), we read:
- My soul doth magnify the Lord.
- And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
- Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid;
- for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
- Because he that is mighty,
- hath done great things to me;
- and holy is his name.
- And his mercy is from generation unto generations,
- to them that fear him.
- He hath shewed might in his arm:
- he hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
- He hath put down the mighty from their seat,
- and hath exalted the humble.
- He hath filled the hungry with good things;
- and the rich he hath sent empty away.
- He hath received Israel his servant,
- being mindful of his mercy:
- As he spoke to our fathers,
- to Abraham and to his seed for ever.
- There's just something serene and wonderful about this prayer of praise, and we have been given the gift of reading it, as well as praying our own praises to God for all He has done in our lives. Today, PONDER in your heart all God has done. He has done great things!!
Dec 19, 2011
7 Trillion Tons of Love
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| Photo from We Heart It |
We've all seen or heard stories about love that is such a wonderful thing. Can you imagine LOVE more than you've ever dreamed of... that Someone loves you more than anything else in the world? THAT is the LOVE God has for each of us, as individuals, and that is why we are called to love God first, then to love others as well as ourselves wonderfully... unselfishly...
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| Photo courtesy of We Heart It |
This is the ideal. This is GOD'S Love. Jesus was LIVING LOVE sent from above. He is the greatest gift of all, year-round.
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| Photo from We Heart It |
Dec 18, 2011
8 Rays of Light
LIGHT. Not the first thing someone thinks of when they consider gifts God gave to us, but really... Jesus is the LIGHT of the world, and without LIGHT, we cannot see clearly. In the natural, LIGHT is what helps us to see color, as well. Color is formed, for the most part, by light!
The Color of Faith blog that I write, found HERE, is all about seeing through the eyes of faith. And without LIGHT, there is nothing faith can see. Jesus, the LIGHT of the world, came that we might SEE. He came, in part, to open the eyes of the blind - in physical as well as emotional and spiritual senses.
This Christmas, let's be thankful for the LIGHT. Where do you shine, and who do you see shine in your life? Who is a good reflection of Jesus, the Light?
The Color of Faith blog that I write, found HERE, is all about seeing through the eyes of faith. And without LIGHT, there is nothing faith can see. Jesus, the LIGHT of the world, came that we might SEE. He came, in part, to open the eyes of the blind - in physical as well as emotional and spiritual senses.
This Christmas, let's be thankful for the LIGHT. Where do you shine, and who do you see shine in your life? Who is a good reflection of Jesus, the Light?
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| Photo from We Heart It |
Dec 17, 2011
9 Memories of Mercy
Another gift we remember this season is that of MERCY. In His mercy, Christ died for us. In His MERCY, He became one of us for a brief time, in part to have a more compassionate understanding of what we go through so that He can have further MERCY on us throughout life.
Looking back on your life, what acts of mercy have touched your heart? In these moments... you have witnessed God at work.
Looking back on your life, what acts of mercy have touched your heart? In these moments... you have witnessed God at work.
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| Provided by We Heart It |
Connecting Blogs
I am going to be shutting down my other Kura Kimanna blog, and therefore have transferred the posts from there to here. Feel free to browse, learn, comment, and ponder!
Thanks!
Harmony
Thanks!
Harmony
Dec 16, 2011
10 Portraits of Peace
Peace, peace, God's peace... this was the gift Jesus reminded us of when He gave Himself at Calvary, but He was also called the Prince of PEACE for a reason. God sent Jesus to earth so we could have PEACE with Him! We are reconciled to God the Father only through God the Son, and His Spirit brings the peace that comes from knowing God has forgiven us and this can occur only by faith.
Do you have peace with God today? If not, I challenge you to have a talk with Him sooner than later and talk to Him about your life.
Do you have peace with God today? If not, I challenge you to have a talk with Him sooner than later and talk to Him about your life.
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| From We Heart It |
Dec 15, 2011
11 Graces Showing
Today, I want to talk about GRACE. Grace is another gift God brought to us when He sent the Christ to earth as a baby, born in a manger, as preparation for the even bigger GRACE of the cross.
God was gracious to us then, and He is still gracious to us today. When you look back on your life, where do you see the fingerprints of God's grace?
God was gracious to us then, and He is still gracious to us today. When you look back on your life, where do you see the fingerprints of God's grace?
Dec 14, 2011
12 Laughs of Joy
JOY. There's something about JOY that's different than happiness. JOY comes from God, happiness can be from a cheeseburger. Joy is an internal thing, and happiness, an external one. JOY comes from Jesus. It is a JOY that He came and offered up His life on our behalves... not the pain He went through, itself, but the total sinless unselfishness created by love that brought the JOY of the Lord, as our strength through all He has done for us.
Having JOY is about an attitude. You can have joy even when things are hard, times are tough, and you want to cry... even if you're not happy, JOY can be found. There really IS JOY is the Lord. He will never let us down or forsake us. He sent His Son, the Christ, to fulfill His own joy, and our own...
Having JOY is about an attitude. You can have joy even when things are hard, times are tough, and you want to cry... even if you're not happy, JOY can be found. There really IS JOY is the Lord. He will never let us down or forsake us. He sent His Son, the Christ, to fulfill His own joy, and our own...
Dec 12, 2011
Looking Forward...
For those who didn't know I had surgery last week, all is well and beginning to heal. I am quite thankful things went as well as they did, and that I should be up and around by my Tiger's birthday on the 20th, and even more by Christmas. I'm greatly looking forward to both, as well as my Dad's 60th birthday!
Dec 5, 2011
Beauty and the Beholder
We
all see beauty in life somewhere. It isn't for us to judge another
person's idea of beautiful, or to try to persuade others - as fashion,
media, and others sometimes do - that what they find beautiful isn't or
what they find unattractive is attractive.
Beauty comes in many forms and ways, but it is up to us, individually, to decide for ourselves what we value as beautiful. Take a few moments today to consider what beauty means to you:
Is beauty a size, shape, or color?
Is it a scent or taste?
What is beautiful, really, in your heart?
What the heart finds beautiful will be beautiful.
Beauty comes in many forms and ways, but it is up to us, individually, to decide for ourselves what we value as beautiful. Take a few moments today to consider what beauty means to you:
Is beauty a size, shape, or color?
Is it a scent or taste?
What is beautiful, really, in your heart?
What the heart finds beautiful will be beautiful.
Jun 28, 2011
Sweet Fruit
Some things are so sweet they satisfy even the most hearty of cravings. Fruit is often one of them. Not only is this true in the natural, but it is true in the spiritual realm, as well. Who doesn’t want good, tasty, sweet-smelling fruit in their lives?
The fruit of God’s Spirit, we are told, are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. If we live with the first eight the last, self-control, is automatic because one way to define self-control is to show the fruit of God’s Spirit in our lives. And just as salvation is not something that we can acquire with our own works, neither are these 9 fruits of the Spirit. We can ask for them in faith, ask God to heighten and strengthen the Spirit he placed in us that we may please Him well and humbly accept the gift that they are to us in humble boldness.
The fruits of the Spirit are another way of saying we are taking upon ourselves the very character and heart of God. We are allowing him to help us die to self and live to Christ, for to live to Christ is our truest gain.
We must come to Him with right motive- a heart devoted to him that asks in faith and believes He can and will do it because He is Who He says He is and does what He says He can do and knowing we are Who He says we are and can do all things through Christ Who strengthens us. His Word is alive and active in us when we are filled with His Spirit and fruit of the Spirit is the evidence of His work in and through us.
We must also recall that He is the source of all power. It is Christ Who enables us to live godly lives full of His Spirit, and we are to ask Him to accomplish this, which He is faithful to do as we allow Him in. As a Gentleman, He will not force His will, ways, Spirit upon us but will woo us and guide us into all truth with the bonds of love.
Once we have been given the gift of the fruit of His Spirit, it is our responsibility to develop and display that fruit and all that He has placed within us. We know we are dependent on Him to do it, but have a part to play, by faith. This is where God’s call to action comes in. While it is true we are justified by faith, we’re told faith and works must work together. The works mentioned are works that occur because of and are based in faith in Him and His promises and through the Spirit’s leading and help.
We are also called to develop a godly character purposefully. We are called to put certain traits on – those of the Spirit – and to cast aside others – those of the flesh and the world.
Balanced growth is to ensue in every grace He gives us in these fruits and all things He has blessed us with, and this growth is to be progressive. It doesn’t mean we will never slip and fall, but that when we do, we are able and willing to come back to God admitting our downfall and need to get back on track. The sooner we get back on track, asking Him to help us forgive, release, let go of whatever hinders us and draws us from Him and His will and way and word for us, the sooner the fruit of His Spirit will begin to grow again and become fragrant and lovely to Him Who created us and gifted us with this fruit.
Of all the traits, the most important is love. Colossians 3:14 tells us that we are to “put on love” over every other virtue because it “binds them all together in perfect harmony.” We can read about God’s love in 1 John 1:5 and 4:8, as well as Exodus 33:18-22, 34:6-7, and 2 Chronicles 7:2, among other places. Jesus expounds on the importance of love in John 15:9-17 and Mark 12:28-34, and it is to be our motivation, as seen in 1 Corinthians 13, which many call the love chapter of the Bible. 1 Thessalonians 3:12 and 4:9-10, as well as Romans 13:8-10 help us better understand how to grow in love, and a myriad verses help us better understand love’s traits: John 3:16-18, 2 Cor. 2:4 and 8:2-3, Php. 2:20-21, 1 Jn. 4:7-11, 1 Pet. 1:22 and 3:8, Rom. 12:10, Heb. 13:1-2, and Gal. 4:19-20. Love helps us to do good towards others rather than expecting good from them.
Joy, on the other hand, helps us realize, see, and comprehend that all things truly do turn out to work for good to those who love God and do His commandments, trusting He will make all things right in the end. Peace brings the realization that He loves us as His children, not leaving us to fend for ourselves but being our defender and provider no matter what things look like in the natural. And patience is another way of saying joy and peace are being practiced in our lives. It is knowing, without a doubt, that all will work out for good for His glory in accord with His purposes for our lives individually as well as collectively.
When we treat others as God treats us, and as we wish to be treated – with love and respect – we are showing the goodness and kindness of God’s Spirit. This is true especially when we do so recalling we’ve been shown mercy, grace, love, respect and forgiveness unmerited by Him Who created us and loved us enough to DIE in our place and rise again to help us know we, too, will rise in Him for His glory based on what He did on our behalf, becoming the sacrifice to keep us in right standing with God the Father.
When we are faithful, loyal to and confident in God and the fact that He is Who He says He is and can and will do what He says He will do when we are in accord with His will and promises, this is showing faithfulness. God is not a man that He should lie or the son of man that He should make mistakes or tarry too long. He has proven Himself over and over again in the past and continues doing so in the present and future, and so we can know based on His track record and personality that He is faithful and we therefore can also be faithful with His help, in His Spirit. We can know we will see what we believe.
Gentleness is a trait of royalty. As children of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, adopted as His children into His kingdom and realm, we are called to behave in a humble, chivalrous and kindly manner toward others and ourselves. And as in the natural, we give reverence and honor to those in high positions, we are to do so with the Lord, whose position is higher than the highest above earth. To be gentle is to be reverent in this respect, and to show honor where it is due and not be rude or self-willed in the presence of others.
Finally, there is self-control, which as mentioned earlier, encompasses all eight other traits. We are not equipped to fully control ourselves and therefore God’s Spirit helps us control our lives, attitudes, thoughts, and actions. God created and loved us as we are and called us to higher and higher levels of glory in Him, and it is He alone Who can and will be able to do so, but we must be willing to allow Him to do this.
In all these things, the more we allow God to work in us the more we will show the family traits of God… the more we will be like Him and therefore also be able to minister in our calling, destiny, and purpose. We are also able to help guide others to seeing and hearing from Him in ways we cannot even imagine sometimes, because He is working all things in other people’s lives also for good, drawing them to Him through the testimony of who we are in Him and how sweet the Spirit’s fruit is in our lives.
Names of the Christ, Jesus
The Bible talks about a lot of things, but one of the most important is how it reveals Jesus the Christ throughout the Scriptures. So many names for the Word of God, the Messiah, are either ignored or forgotten about and so I thought I would share some of them with you today.
Numbers 24:17 points to Jesus as the Star of Jacob and Scepter of Israel
In Psalm 2:2, He is announced as the Anointed One, while the Song of Songs tells us He is the Rose of Sharon
Isaiah has many names for the Messiah: Wonderful Counselor (9:6), Branch / Shoot of Jesse (11:1), Precious Cornerstone (28:16), Mighty One (33:21), I, the Lord, Light of the Gentiles (42:6), Man of Sorrows (53:3), Righteous Servant (53:11), Maker, Lord Almighty (54:5), and Savior, Redeemer (60:16)
Jeremiah 33:15 says He is the Righteous Branch
Daniel 7:9, the Ancient of Days
Micah calls Him the Ruler of Israel (5:2), and Haggai says He is the Desire of Nations (2:7)
In Zechariah, He is King (9:9) and in Micah, the Refiner (3:3)
Matthew calls Him Emmanuel (1:23) while Mark says He is He is the Son of God, the Cornerstone/ Capstone, and the Man of Integrity/ Teacher (3:11, 12:10, and 12:14, respectively).
To Luke, the Christ is many things: Horn of Salvation (1:69), The One/ Consolation of Israel (2:25), Son of Man/ Lord of the Sabbath (6:5), Great Prophet (7:16), and the Chosen One (23:35).
In John, we can see that He is the Word, Lamb of God, Messiah/ Christ, Bread of Life, Light of the World, I Am, the Gate, the Good Shepherd, the Resurrection and the Life, King of Israel, Way Truth and Life, and the Vine (1:1, 1:29, 3:2, 4:25, 6:35, 8:12, 8:58, 10:9, 10:11, 11:25, 12:13, 14:6 and 15:5, respectively).
In Acts, He is the Holy, Righteous One, the Author of Life, and Lord of All (3:14, 3:15, 10:36)
Romans tells us He is Sacrifice, Faith and Justice, and our Deliverer (3:25 and 11:26)
1 Corinthians shows Him to be Wisdom, the Sacrificed/ Passover Lamb, and our Rock (1:24, 5:7 and 10:4), while Ephesians says He is our Peace (2:14).
In Colossians, He is shown as the Image/ Firstborn over Creation, the Firstborn/ Head of the Church, and Chosen, Christ in You and Hope of Glory (1:15, 1:18, 1:27).
In Timothy, Paul calls Him Savior of All Glory, Crown and Judge (1 Tim 4:10, 2 Tim 4:8)
Hebrews reminds us He is our Great High Priest, the Author and Finisher of our Faith, and the Mediator of the New Covenant (4:14, 12:2, 12:24) while 1 Peter says He is the Guardian of our Souls (2:25).
1 John says Jesus is the Word of Life, and the Righteous. The One Who Pleases God Completely (1:1, 2:1) while Revelation says He is The First and The Last, the Living One Who Died, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah and Heir to David’s Throne, Faithful and True, Word of God, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, The Alpha and Omega, the Source of David and the Heir to His Throne as well as the Bright Morning Star (1:17, 1:18, 5:5, 19:11, 19:13, 19:16, 21:6, and 22:16).
While there are many other names for our Savior and Lord, it is good to recall Who He is, not to box Him in with words but to open our minds and hearts more to Who He truly is…
I also call Him Living Love, my Magnificent Maker, the Treasure of My Heart, Numinous Savior (the altogether other one, a wonderful mystery to us), the Kairos Christ (on time all the right times), Glorious, Omnipotent One, and Holy Hakika (translated as Truth in Arabic). The Bible says He is our Friend, Healer, Hope, and Brother, the Creator of the entire Universe, our Provider, our Strength, Safety, Rescue, Path, and more!
What do you call your Savior? What names of the Lord stand out to you, and help you call out to Him Who says if we call on His name and call to Him, He will save, deliver, protect, heal us and show us great and wonderful things we aren’t aware of? What names speak to you of Who you see Him as most clearly?
Jun 27, 2011
Take Time
TAKE TIME to think; it is the source of power.
TAKE TIME to read; it is the foundation of wisdom.
TAKE TIME to play; it is the secret of staying young.
TAKE TIME to be quiet; it is the moment to seek God.
TAKE TIME to be aware; it is the opportunity to help others.
TAKE TIME to love and be loved; it is God's greatest gift.
TAKE TIME to laugh; it is the music of the soul.
TAKE TIME to be friendly; it is the road to happiness.
TAKE TIME to dream; it is what the future is made of.
TAKE TIME to pray; it is the greatest power on earth.
~Unknown Author
TAKE TIME to read; it is the foundation of wisdom.
TAKE TIME to play; it is the secret of staying young.
TAKE TIME to be quiet; it is the moment to seek God.
TAKE TIME to be aware; it is the opportunity to help others.
TAKE TIME to love and be loved; it is God's greatest gift.
TAKE TIME to laugh; it is the music of the soul.
TAKE TIME to be friendly; it is the road to happiness.
TAKE TIME to dream; it is what the future is made of.
TAKE TIME to pray; it is the greatest power on earth.
~Unknown Author
Jun 15, 2011
A Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, in
and through the sweet name of the Sacrifice You made on our behalf,
Jesus Christ our Lord, Who lived, died, and lives forevermore, may Your
name ever be lifted up higher than high, be praised forever. Be praised
and glorified; be reminded how awesome, how awe-inspiring, full of awe
You alone are; how marvelous, wonderful and great You are. You, Who
parted sky from land from water and created this earth and this world;
You, Who created man in Your own tripartite image and loved him even
while – as You, Who are all-knowing, ever-present, all-powerful and
all-encompassing – knowing from beginning to end the sorrow man would
bring upon Your great heart. May You ever be glorified, praised, adored,
worshiped, thanked, humbly bowed before… for not just what You have
done, which is great, but for Who You are, which is indeed infinitely
greater and more wonderful.
Be praised for every time You have shown mercy, peace, grace, goodness, joy, love, self-restraint; be praised for every blessing You have gifted into the world or on our behalf out of Your great, redeeming, wonderful love and grace. Be praised for being all that You are, that which we can fathom as well as that which is beyond comprehension. Be thanked and praised, O Father, Dearest Father above. Be thanked and praised through the name of Your Son and by Your Sweet Spirit’s leading. Be thanked and praised always and evermore, with every tongue. If each tongue were turned to a billion, there wouldn’t be enough to sing praises unto you through time, let alone eternity.
Lord God, I come before You as I know best how, to seek Your mercy upon the ill, the weak, the poor, the incarcerated of heart, mind, body and/or soul. I come before You on behalf of the orphan, the widow, the one forgotten by people who claimed love upon them. I come before You on behalf of those who are in need of forgiveness – from You, themselves, or others. I come, my Dear Lord, into Your presence on behalf of those who are in need of Your grace, healing, mercy, goodness, joy, kindness, provision… whether they know they need it or not, I am among those who acknowledge my need before You, O Father.
You alone can touch each heart, each life, each relationship where there is a need; You alone are Master of every hillside, every patch of farmland and every silo; every heart and mind and spirit. Favor, grace, mercy, provisions in every kind imaginable and unimaginable is in Your hand and can come solely from You, O my Father, Lord of All, King of Kings, El Elyon, El Shaddai, Jehovah Rapha, Jehovah Jireh, Creator of All, Blesser and Provider and Savior. In You alone can peace, provision, worth, grace, mercy, love, all good things be found. Thank You that we may find them in You and that You are ever there to hear us; ever attentive to us, knowing our every need, hope, desire before it comes to mind or heart, as well as our every motivation. Thank You that You know what and who is best for us, and that You show us these things. Thank You for the times when we see clearly the steps and people You have set before us; that when there is someone or something You have placed into our lives and hearts that will be part of us, You give us eyes to see and ears to hear. Help us ever to see and to hear that which You would will us to; to do and to give as You would have us. Help us to grow closer where closeness is a blessing, and make wise decisions therein. Help us to retain the speed You give us and know this speed, intuitively. Help decisions to be made, plans to be settled, and all to be placed ultimately into Your hands, as they are before Your eyes and Your heart. May vows said in Your presence, between people who love You, be fulfilled; help those who have made promises to keep them for Your glory and grace. May those who love You ever recall the blessings of those You have placed in their lives and not forsake them nor flee from those whom are called into their hearts.
Thank You, Father God, in Jesus’ sweet holy and blessed name for all You are and have done and will do and continue to be. You are changeless and wonderful to no end. Be blessed and praised in the amen, so be it His name graces prayers heartfelt before You to proclaim. Amen and so be it. Amen.
Be praised for every time You have shown mercy, peace, grace, goodness, joy, love, self-restraint; be praised for every blessing You have gifted into the world or on our behalf out of Your great, redeeming, wonderful love and grace. Be praised for being all that You are, that which we can fathom as well as that which is beyond comprehension. Be thanked and praised, O Father, Dearest Father above. Be thanked and praised through the name of Your Son and by Your Sweet Spirit’s leading. Be thanked and praised always and evermore, with every tongue. If each tongue were turned to a billion, there wouldn’t be enough to sing praises unto you through time, let alone eternity.
Lord God, I come before You as I know best how, to seek Your mercy upon the ill, the weak, the poor, the incarcerated of heart, mind, body and/or soul. I come before You on behalf of the orphan, the widow, the one forgotten by people who claimed love upon them. I come before You on behalf of those who are in need of forgiveness – from You, themselves, or others. I come, my Dear Lord, into Your presence on behalf of those who are in need of Your grace, healing, mercy, goodness, joy, kindness, provision… whether they know they need it or not, I am among those who acknowledge my need before You, O Father.
You alone can touch each heart, each life, each relationship where there is a need; You alone are Master of every hillside, every patch of farmland and every silo; every heart and mind and spirit. Favor, grace, mercy, provisions in every kind imaginable and unimaginable is in Your hand and can come solely from You, O my Father, Lord of All, King of Kings, El Elyon, El Shaddai, Jehovah Rapha, Jehovah Jireh, Creator of All, Blesser and Provider and Savior. In You alone can peace, provision, worth, grace, mercy, love, all good things be found. Thank You that we may find them in You and that You are ever there to hear us; ever attentive to us, knowing our every need, hope, desire before it comes to mind or heart, as well as our every motivation. Thank You that You know what and who is best for us, and that You show us these things. Thank You for the times when we see clearly the steps and people You have set before us; that when there is someone or something You have placed into our lives and hearts that will be part of us, You give us eyes to see and ears to hear. Help us ever to see and to hear that which You would will us to; to do and to give as You would have us. Help us to grow closer where closeness is a blessing, and make wise decisions therein. Help us to retain the speed You give us and know this speed, intuitively. Help decisions to be made, plans to be settled, and all to be placed ultimately into Your hands, as they are before Your eyes and Your heart. May vows said in Your presence, between people who love You, be fulfilled; help those who have made promises to keep them for Your glory and grace. May those who love You ever recall the blessings of those You have placed in their lives and not forsake them nor flee from those whom are called into their hearts.
Thank You, Father God, in Jesus’ sweet holy and blessed name for all You are and have done and will do and continue to be. You are changeless and wonderful to no end. Be blessed and praised in the amen, so be it His name graces prayers heartfelt before You to proclaim. Amen and so be it. Amen.
Apr 8, 2011
Vast and Tiny
A lot has changed in my life over the course of the past several weeks... a lot of it good.
I've gotten some medical tests done that were long in the waiting, made a lot of decisions for change in my life, once again, and taken time to just ponder a lot in my life.
The good news is vast. The bad news has shrunk into something tiny but still present.
Since December, I've removed several toxic people from my life - most of them. Just a handful more to go.
I've sent off poetry to about 30 different places and am still waiting to hear from most of them. So far, one is publishing. It's local, but it's something. It's a tinier press, but that's alright because it's a press I've worked with in the past. I'm looking forward to more of this...
I've gotten 2 manuscripts totally finished (the children's book just needs an artist now), and have 4 in process, one of which is nearly done.
Still looking for work, but it DOES take time to find the right fit... a job is like a relationship in that way, I've come to realize. It has to be something that will work well for both parties involved.
Networking is going well, too, which has definitely been a nice bonus. I kind of had it on the back burner for a bit due to life changes I was going through.
For now, I guess that's the update... I should be on here more often, and I'm working of getting that into my schedule...
I've gotten some medical tests done that were long in the waiting, made a lot of decisions for change in my life, once again, and taken time to just ponder a lot in my life.
The good news is vast. The bad news has shrunk into something tiny but still present.
Since December, I've removed several toxic people from my life - most of them. Just a handful more to go.
I've sent off poetry to about 30 different places and am still waiting to hear from most of them. So far, one is publishing. It's local, but it's something. It's a tinier press, but that's alright because it's a press I've worked with in the past. I'm looking forward to more of this...
I've gotten 2 manuscripts totally finished (the children's book just needs an artist now), and have 4 in process, one of which is nearly done.
Still looking for work, but it DOES take time to find the right fit... a job is like a relationship in that way, I've come to realize. It has to be something that will work well for both parties involved.
Networking is going well, too, which has definitely been a nice bonus. I kind of had it on the back burner for a bit due to life changes I was going through.
For now, I guess that's the update... I should be on here more often, and I'm working of getting that into my schedule...
Feb 24, 2011
Fish and Falling Snow
This morning, I was pleasantly surprised by falling snow; snow that
stuck around for a little while, even though it wasn't a lot of it. I
took photos, wrote poetry, then it began to melt. By 10 AM, it was
half-gone, and by now, there are barely any traces left.
Yesterday there was snow three times and a good little hailing as I worked at a friend's place to tidy things in her yard. Nothing stuck but the cleaning that got done. Then later, leaving my growth group, it was once more snowing yet not sticking.
Today was the second time anything has stuck all winter where I live, while many others around the city have seen it several times. I guess I just chose a great place to live for those who don't like snow. Thing is, I'm one of the people who enjoy it tremendously, so... as cocks crowed and crows cawed and cars crunched through the silently falling field of white this morning I was thankful. Thankful that though there wasn't much snow, there WAS some. Thankful that there was enough to whet the appetites of those of us who enjoy it but not so much that people couldn't get around or that they missed work because of an overload of it.
I got to thinking how much I enjoy snow but also about some of the other seasons' delights... below is a poem I wrote a few years ago during one such moment of delight...
Ripples
Ripples criss-cross
The waters of the slow river
Trout and salmon jump
In loops through the air
The light gleaming off
Of their iridescent skins,
Catching rainbows
Momentarily, into the air,
Surrounded by the ripples
Of splash-down as the
Trout and the salmon
Continue on their way.
Yesterday there was snow three times and a good little hailing as I worked at a friend's place to tidy things in her yard. Nothing stuck but the cleaning that got done. Then later, leaving my growth group, it was once more snowing yet not sticking.
Today was the second time anything has stuck all winter where I live, while many others around the city have seen it several times. I guess I just chose a great place to live for those who don't like snow. Thing is, I'm one of the people who enjoy it tremendously, so... as cocks crowed and crows cawed and cars crunched through the silently falling field of white this morning I was thankful. Thankful that though there wasn't much snow, there WAS some. Thankful that there was enough to whet the appetites of those of us who enjoy it but not so much that people couldn't get around or that they missed work because of an overload of it.
I got to thinking how much I enjoy snow but also about some of the other seasons' delights... below is a poem I wrote a few years ago during one such moment of delight...
Ripples
Ripples criss-cross
The waters of the slow river
Trout and salmon jump
In loops through the air
The light gleaming off
Of their iridescent skins,
Catching rainbows
Momentarily, into the air,
Surrounded by the ripples
Of splash-down as the
Trout and the salmon
Continue on their way.
Feb 14, 2011
Valentine's Day
I know it's been a while since I've posted on here, things being busy in my life of late. I just wanted to wish everyone out there a wonderful St. Valentine's Day/ Singles Awareness Day. How are you celebrating?
Feb 3, 2011
Choice and Toleration
So, it's been a while since I posted, and life has been interesting of late.
The good news is that most of the life changes I've been working on have come to fruition. Medical tests, poetry submissions, and all...
Some of you know I've removed a lot of the tolerations from my life by now. Just a few more to go, which are the ones most difficult - hence saved for the last. But I think we all have at least a few tolerations we don't have much choice doing totally away with... the ones we know will never change but that have to stay in our lives. This is when it is time to change our paradigms instead. People will not change until we change, and even still, they may not. The thing that might change is that they are removed from our lives if our paradigms don't fit together well enough to coincide and walk together through life anymore.
Case in point... the four friends I was closest to as a child, and the four I was closest to as a teenager were totally different from each other and even more-so this is true today. The eight I mention from earlier years have not really grown up - at least from what I can tell - into people I'd want to have in my life, which is sad but the truth. There are no words to describe how I wish they had continued changing and becoming well-rounded individuals who are good for society, and a couple of them might be... the six I know about, however, are lacking in this arena greatly, and all I can do is hope for them from a distance. If they were in my life, I would be tolerating what I know isn't couth about how they are living. Even though I wish they were there, in my life, I know they would be toxic and extremely unhealthy for me.
The same can be said in your life. Who do you just tolerate? The people whose actions speak louder than their words and where those actions say "danger" or "toxic" or "wow, really???" The people who you know will egg you on or jack you up or treat you lesser for whatever their reasons are. The people who, when you see them or they call you, you internally cringe. But is it really the people themselves?
No.
It's their actions, and until and unless THOSE change, the people carrying the actions represent to you a toleration. Something you are putting up with but that you really don't need to. You can choose to keep them in your life, or to remove them from your life; you can choose to change yourself or to sit down for a talk about the behavior and see how things unfold. You have a choice. And sometimes that choice, if they are people you MUST have in your life for some reason, is to change your own paradigm because they will never change.
You can change how YOU respond or interact with them by choosing a different way. You can CHOOSE what to say or not say, do or not do. You can CHOOSE. What will you choose?
The good news is that most of the life changes I've been working on have come to fruition. Medical tests, poetry submissions, and all...
Some of you know I've removed a lot of the tolerations from my life by now. Just a few more to go, which are the ones most difficult - hence saved for the last. But I think we all have at least a few tolerations we don't have much choice doing totally away with... the ones we know will never change but that have to stay in our lives. This is when it is time to change our paradigms instead. People will not change until we change, and even still, they may not. The thing that might change is that they are removed from our lives if our paradigms don't fit together well enough to coincide and walk together through life anymore.
Case in point... the four friends I was closest to as a child, and the four I was closest to as a teenager were totally different from each other and even more-so this is true today. The eight I mention from earlier years have not really grown up - at least from what I can tell - into people I'd want to have in my life, which is sad but the truth. There are no words to describe how I wish they had continued changing and becoming well-rounded individuals who are good for society, and a couple of them might be... the six I know about, however, are lacking in this arena greatly, and all I can do is hope for them from a distance. If they were in my life, I would be tolerating what I know isn't couth about how they are living. Even though I wish they were there, in my life, I know they would be toxic and extremely unhealthy for me.
The same can be said in your life. Who do you just tolerate? The people whose actions speak louder than their words and where those actions say "danger" or "toxic" or "wow, really???" The people who you know will egg you on or jack you up or treat you lesser for whatever their reasons are. The people who, when you see them or they call you, you internally cringe. But is it really the people themselves?
No.
It's their actions, and until and unless THOSE change, the people carrying the actions represent to you a toleration. Something you are putting up with but that you really don't need to. You can choose to keep them in your life, or to remove them from your life; you can choose to change yourself or to sit down for a talk about the behavior and see how things unfold. You have a choice. And sometimes that choice, if they are people you MUST have in your life for some reason, is to change your own paradigm because they will never change.
You can change how YOU respond or interact with them by choosing a different way. You can CHOOSE what to say or not say, do or not do. You can CHOOSE. What will you choose?
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