“One evening, after yet another of his magnificent concerts, world renowned pianist Van Cliburn was approached by an admirer who had been in the audience.
Obviously touched by the performance, the emotional fan grasped Cliburn’s hand and said:
‘I would give my life to be able to play the piano like that.”
The pianist smiled and replied, “I DID”
Romans 5:8 says “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Have a great day!!
I realize it’s been a while since I have posted. There have been many distractions, including the ice storm, that have taken my focus away from all reading and writing.
You know, the valley doesn’t always have to be very deep, but it’s still a valley. I think I’m on the upward climb back to the mountain top.
I read a quote today that means a lot to me.
“Life is not about the breaths we take, it’s about the moments that take our breath away.”
-Anonymous
I’m thankful that I serve a merciful and forgiving Lord and Savior. His love and grace take my breath away!!
God Bless!!
“Did you know that after believers have served God perfectly for ten million years in heaven, not one of them will deserve God’s love any more than they did at the very moment they were saved? When Jesus Christ died on the cross, God poured on Him the punishment for all our sin — past, present, and future.”
God truly wants to forgive our sin. Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”
He wants to forget our sin. Psalm 103:12 ” as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
He wants to cleanse us from our sin. 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
He wants to give us and abundant life in spite of our sin. John 10:10 “10The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
God longs to do all of this so much that He Himself endured agony of hell for every one of us. That’s how much God loves sinners!!!!
Thank you Father God for sending your son Jesus to die for my sins.
Thank you Jesus for sacrificing your own life for my salvation.
Thank you Holy Spirit for reminding me how much Jesus loves His children.
“My ability to communicate is limitless, living and transforming, and it will always be tuned to Papa’s (Father God’s) goodness and love. And you will hear and see me in the Bible in fresh ways. Just don’t look for rules and principles; look for RELATIONSHIP–a way of coming to be with us.” ‘The Shack, by William P Young’
This is part of a very moving conversation between Sarayu, the Holy Spirit, and Mack, the deeply hurt and seeking character in the very moving book, The Shack.
Where do you see RELATIONSHIP in the BIBLE?
Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this; While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 9:16 “It does not , therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercey.”
John 15:9-14 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.”
When I read scriptures looking for RELATIONSHIP and not RULES, I see and feel such healing. Healing from my past, from the lies of Satan, from my imagination of future outcomes that do not and will not come to pass, and from the perception that I need to accomplish something to experience HIS love.
Jesus urges us to, “Come to Him” in Matthew 11. What does he desire? RELATIONSHIP!!!
Where do you see RELATIONSHIP in scriptures? Share the scripture by commenting or emailing me…
May the Love of Christ and His relationship with you be renewed and fresh today!!
Get a copy of “The Shack” and read it, this picture will bless you once you read the book!
Matthew 9:35-38
35Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
“The savior looks with compassion on his people, the people of God. He could not rest satisfied with the few who had heard his call and followed.” Bonhoeffer
This scripture is evidence that the harvest is great, but only Jesus in his mercy can see it.
“There were questions but no answers, distress but no relief, anguish of conscience but no deliverance, tears but no consolation, sin but no forgiveness.” Bonhoeffer
Does this quote sound familiar? Written in the 1940’s, yet extremely relevant even today.
I watched a video that I have not seen in years. This song is written by Donnie Sumner. He wrote this after a very dark time in his life. He experienced that forgiveness that so many need….he met the Master.
Southern Gospel is not everyone’s favorite style of music, but if you will listen to the words of this powerful song, you may be drying tears from your eyes like me. I will attach the lyrics after this video.
“The Night Before Easter”
The night was so different from all the rest
And a silence covers the Earth;
The stars have no glimmer, the moon tries to hide,
For in death lies the man of their birth.
In a room filled with sorrow, a mother cries
For Jesus, her Son now is gone;
Her child sent from heaven was taken away,
Heart broken she feels all alone.
At the feet of his mother a little boy cries
Saying “‘momma’ I don’t understand;”
I remember the look of love in His eyes,
That I saw, by the touch of His hand.
The King of all ages, the Giver of life,
For a moment lies silent and still;
But a power sent from heaven comes breaking the night,
And death must bow to His will.
Then a stone moves, the Earth shakes (and) birds start singing,
The sun shines, the Earth warms (for) new life it’s bringing;
A little boy stops crying, a mother is smiling,
For death could not hold their King
God Bless!!!
Chris
Matthew 7:7-12
“7Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
9“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 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! 12 So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Bonhoeffer has many great quotes in the book “Cost of Discipleship.” This quote is from chapter 18.
“The disciples are taught to pray, and so they learn that the only way to reach others is by praying to God. Judgement and forgiveness are always in the hands of God. He closes and the opens. But the disciples must ask, they must seek and knock, and then God will hear them. They have to learn that their anxiety and concern for others must drive them to intercession.”
“The promise Christ gives to their prayer is the doughtiest (boldest) weapon in their armoury.”
Do you know someone that needs a touch from the Master? Pray for him/her..ask, seek, knock…God will hear you!!!
God Bless!!
I have seen some very amazing and very sad sights in the last few years. The poverty of Alabama village in Mobile, AL. Destruction from Hurricane Katrina. Tornado damaged homes in Madisonville and my hometown. Two homeless men and several lost people in Nashville.
In all the sadness of these events, I have also found such strength. I’ve seen people accept and proclaim the name of Jesus in and through these moments in my life.
Such strength…how is is possible in such conditions and devastation?
Father God allows us to read and highlight as we turn the pages of our book, our life and our journey.
How do we find strength?
Psalm 50:3a says that “God comes and will not be silent.”
Our God will not be silent, even in the loudness and the storms of our life!!!!
I watched a video today that stirred my heart. It also gave me the opportunity to reflect on some life events in the last few years.
The most important thing that I learned throughout the day is that I AM BLESSED!!! I’m blessed with an awesome wife, two precious children, a great family, a wonderful church family, a career, and most importantly, the love of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit!!!
Watch this and reflect on your blessings…..God Bless!
OUR GOD COMES AND WILL NOT BE SILENT!!!!!
Praise Him!!!!!
I heard a phenomenal devotion tonight and I want to share some of it with you.
Read this scripture from Acts 2:42-47
“42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
Can you imagine people accepting Christ and joining our churches on a daily basis?
That’s our goal and that’s what we dream about, but this scripture gives us 4 keys that made this happen..
1. Devotion to the Apostles: The apostles taught the life of Jesus, the people were devoted.
2. Fellowship: the people created relationships that created a magnetic force of love
3. Breaking of Bread: Devoting themselves to communion with Father God.
4. Prayer:
Acts 2:42 makes Acts 2:47 happen!!!
What do you think about this quote?
“We don’t have to, we are free to…”
“We don’t have to love, we are free to love.”
“We don’t have to forgive, we are free to forgive.”
“We don’e have to ______. we are free to ________”
Fill in the blanks with other words: pray, minister, sow seeds, etc.
John 8:36 says “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
Jesus sets us free!!! Allow Him to set you free!!
I was blessed tonight and I hope this message blesses you.
John 8:30-36
“30Even as he spoke, many put their faith in him.
33They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants[a] and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”
34Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
It is for freedom and joy that Jesus endured the cross and set us free.
Here is a quote that I read today…
“The same thing can happen as you learn the truth that will set you free: Jesus wants to use your prayers to bless and heal people. You don’t have to be special — just an ordinary christian, aware of your own weakness, or what you consider your own lack of faith.
Jesus wants to heal through you….He will if you just give him he chance.”
Can you imagine allowing Father God to use us to help set our family, our friends and the lost FREE from sin and sickness?
I watched movie with the girls today and here is a another quote that reminded me of how I feel when sharing the love and freedom of Christ with others.
“Is that when it happens, when it comes over me and I totally lose control……I like it..”
Can you guess the movie?
Does Bruce Banner ring a bell?
The movie…….”The Hulk”
Mark 2
1A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. 4Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. 5When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
6Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7“Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
8Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are you thinking these things? 9Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . .” He said to the paralytic, 11“I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 12He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”
May we have the faith to go the extra step to get to the feet of Jesus.
Jesus invested a lot of his ministry healing people. As I read scriptures, healing was an ordinary part of his day. Scripture also tells us that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Let us pray for those that are sick and need healing. Let us pray for those who are hurting and need love.
Let us ask for forgiveness of our sins, forgiveness of our unbelief and healing for our hurts….
God Bless
