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!!
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
Please do not rush this…enjoy this song in a time of worship!
Eternal Father,
I offer you the Body and Blood,
Soul and Divinity,
of Your Dearly Beloved Son,
Our Lord, Jesus Christ,
in atonement for our sins
and those of the whole world.
For the sake of His sorrowful Passion,
have mercy on us and on the whole world. (Repeat)
There comes a point every year that I am spiritually ready for Christmas. We all talk about the hustle and bustle, the shopping, and our obligations to just be ready for this wonderful Holiday.
I woke up early and read the Christmas story this morning. First in Luke 2, then in Matthew 1 & 2.
At 6:45 on December 23, I am officially ready for Christmas.
I enjoy this time of year and I always anticipate the joy that this time of year brings my children and our families, but I always want to be in the right spirit.
The events of the next 3 days bless me.
Church on Sunday morning
Sunday afternoon with my girls
Church on Sunday evening
1/2 day work on Monday
Christmas with my family on Christmas Eve
Come and go communion at 2BC
Christmas Eve service at First United Methodist Church (9:00pm)
Christmas Morning with my girls
Christmas afternoon with the Clardy’s
December 26th….”A Day Off!!!!”
I am now spiritually ready for these events. It may sound busy, but each stop and activity brings a new and fresh sense of Christmas.
Jesus was born in a manger. Many miracles and prophecies unfolded. The census, a manger, Bethlehem, Egypt, and Nazareth.
Father God,
Thank you for this beautiful season. Thank you for all the symbols that we use to recognize and worship you.
The cross, the lights, the nativity scene, the Christmas tree, family, presents, hymns and worship at Church.
Thank you for Jesus, His birth, His life, His death and His RESURRECTION!!
Thank you for blessing my family and may we be a blessing to others this season. Thank you for the presence of your Holy Spirit to lead and guide our thoughts and actions.
Forgive me and have mercy upon me, a sinner. Search me and know my heart.
Thank you again for the “O Holy Night” Thank you for silence.
Last night, we spent some time with some great friends and celebrated Christmas together. Pizza, Doritos, children running wild and chocolate chip cookies consumed most of our time. There was a 20-30 minute segment of time that we just shared.
We shared about this world. We shared about how God’s light was shining. We shared about the abundance of judgement in this world. We did not always totally agree, but we never totally disagreed either.
Sharing Jesus is more than finding someone, starting a conversation and sharing the gospel.
Sometimes, someone shares with us their struggles and we share with them in an attitude of understanding, forgiveness and truth, not judgement.
When we judge others because of what they do wrong (sin), we are SINNING too!!
John 1:29 says…”The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away thsi sin of the world!”
He takes sin away!! Sin is not attractive to Him. Sin is sin to him. No one is better than the other, we are just sinners.
Luke 18:13b says “God have merce on me, a sinner.”
Jesus said that this man went home JUSTIFIED before GOD.
May we lead ourselves to that mercy first and then with understanding (not judgement) in our heart, lead others to that same abundance of mercy.
Luke 17:11-19 tells the story of ten lepers healed by Jesus.
Only 1 came back to say “Thank You”
That’s hard to imagine, but I am not always grateful when I should be. I take too many things for granted…
Here is a poem that spoke to me today. Don’t forget to give thanks….I need to work on that…
“One of the Nine” by Melinda Williams
“I am one of the nine
too often–
reaping the blessings
but unwilling,
unable
to give thanks.
My brokenness continues –
I am
weak beneath the surface,
pieced together
but breaking again
immediately
in my rush to live.
“Where are the other nine?”
They are with me,
forgetting they ever needed
to be healed
at all.
They are in me,
and I pray the one part that returned
to give thanks
is enough
for now
to keep me connected
with you.”
Father, thank you for your grace even when I fail to give you “thanks.” Your love is amazing, steady and unchanging. You dance over me, when I am unaware. I am amazed by you, I am amazed by you. Father, your mercy falls and I thank you!!
I recently published a 35 day devotional titled "IN THIS COMMUNION." This work is designed to help establish a daily walk with Father God. Please email me at cjkdennis@bellsouth.net to find out more information.
What do you hear?
"If you hear a voice within you say "you cannot paint," then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced."
Vincent Van Gogh
Why Do We Study History?
"I think we study history so we can improve our future by learning from the past."
R Smith, MSMS Student
