So last night I was sharing with a friend the most recent events within my family. A second divorce and this one of 17 years. She proceeded to share with me other friends of hers who have had family tragedies over the last month and a half. Her comment that tied them all together was, "Every thing's going to hell!"
Really? I don't agree. I believe that sin is very real in this fallen world. I believe that Satan has a grand time messing with people's lives. But Satan doesn't get to determine the outcome of the things I'm going through. I've always been a cup-half-full kind of person. There are great things in store for our lives.
Don't think I haven't had my trials. I've been through two parent divorces, the deaths of my Aunt, cousin, and grandparents, depression, and difficultly with life direction. And those are just the obvious things.
I CHOOSE HOPE!
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandone; struck down, but not destroyed.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
Friday, January 9, 2009
Refreshing or Healing
Revelation 3:14-16
To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
It's not very often that we hear a sermon about being lukewarm. But in some recent study I came across some very interesting facts about Laodicea and why Christ would describe these people in this way.
Laodicea did not have their own water supply. Instead they had aqueducts for bringing water into the city. Water came from Colosse's sparkling cold springs, less than 10 miles to the North of Laodicea. It was very refreshing water at the source. Water also came from Hierapolis's theraputic hot springs 7 miles to the South East. By the time the water arrived it was no longer cold or hot but lukewarm. It makes me think of the water bottle that I leave in the car on a sunny day. When I get back into the car and pick up my water it is disgustingly warm. Not hot or even room temperature but stale tasting.
Tell me why we would ever want to be called lukewarm? Why would we want to leave that taste in someone's mouth? Or that feeling?
At this moment I'm not sure if God desires for me to bring refreshment or healing. I need to be ready when he calls on me to be either one. What I do know is that I will not be lukewarm. Though I have been pitiful and blind because of my own 'wealth' I choose to become rich, buying the gold refined by God. (3:17-18)
Listen~
"Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (3:19-22)
To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
It's not very often that we hear a sermon about being lukewarm. But in some recent study I came across some very interesting facts about Laodicea and why Christ would describe these people in this way.
Laodicea did not have their own water supply. Instead they had aqueducts for bringing water into the city. Water came from Colosse's sparkling cold springs, less than 10 miles to the North of Laodicea. It was very refreshing water at the source. Water also came from Hierapolis's theraputic hot springs 7 miles to the South East. By the time the water arrived it was no longer cold or hot but lukewarm. It makes me think of the water bottle that I leave in the car on a sunny day. When I get back into the car and pick up my water it is disgustingly warm. Not hot or even room temperature but stale tasting.
Tell me why we would ever want to be called lukewarm? Why would we want to leave that taste in someone's mouth? Or that feeling?
At this moment I'm not sure if God desires for me to bring refreshment or healing. I need to be ready when he calls on me to be either one. What I do know is that I will not be lukewarm. Though I have been pitiful and blind because of my own 'wealth' I choose to become rich, buying the gold refined by God. (3:17-18)
Listen~
"Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." (3:19-22)
Friday, January 2, 2009
For Starters
I never thought I'd actually have a blog.
It's rather exciting.
Here are some random thoughts to get things started.
ReDeeMeD
has been one of my favorite words for several years now. I am fascinated by the word and all the meaning that it holds.
I started my fascination with redeemed when I was studying the book of Ruth. I was doing an inductive study with some friends. I was very excited to be diving so deeply into this little book of the bible. I thought it would be fun. To my surprise I became hung up on the words redeemer, redeemed, and kinsman redeemer. I just wanted to hear more about the redeemer.
Redeemed: 1. To recover ownership of by paying a specified sum.
2. To pay off ( a promissary note, for example).
3. To turn in (coupons, for example) and receive something in exchange.
4. To fulfill (a pledge, for example).
5. To convert into cash: redeem stocks.
6. To set free; rescue or ransom.
7. To save from a state of sinfulness and its consequences.
8. To make up for.
9. To restore the honor, worth, or reputation of.
I am continually grateful for the surprises God places in my life, both the good and the bad. I have realized through the years that I need to know God as my redeemer.
The feelings and false ideas left within me as a result of my parents divorce were overwhelming. Feelings that I had done quite well pushing down to the depths of me. And I needed to know that I was worth redeeming. There is honor and worth within me. My ransom has been paid by the blood of Jesus Christ. I have been saved from a state of sinfulness and its consequences.
I know that my Redeemer LIVES!
It's rather exciting.
Here are some random thoughts to get things started.
ReDeeMeD
has been one of my favorite words for several years now. I am fascinated by the word and all the meaning that it holds.
I started my fascination with redeemed when I was studying the book of Ruth. I was doing an inductive study with some friends. I was very excited to be diving so deeply into this little book of the bible. I thought it would be fun. To my surprise I became hung up on the words redeemer, redeemed, and kinsman redeemer. I just wanted to hear more about the redeemer.
Redeemed: 1. To recover ownership of by paying a specified sum.
2. To pay off ( a promissary note, for example).
3. To turn in (coupons, for example) and receive something in exchange.
4. To fulfill (a pledge, for example).
5. To convert into cash: redeem stocks.
6. To set free; rescue or ransom.
7. To save from a state of sinfulness and its consequences.
8. To make up for.
9. To restore the honor, worth, or reputation of.
I am continually grateful for the surprises God places in my life, both the good and the bad. I have realized through the years that I need to know God as my redeemer.
The feelings and false ideas left within me as a result of my parents divorce were overwhelming. Feelings that I had done quite well pushing down to the depths of me. And I needed to know that I was worth redeeming. There is honor and worth within me. My ransom has been paid by the blood of Jesus Christ. I have been saved from a state of sinfulness and its consequences.
I know that my Redeemer LIVES!
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