Unity

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe.

– Psalm 133:1-2

Unity has a high value in Scripture.

The analogy used here is oil, which is symbolic of the Holy Spirit throughout the Bible.

In other words, when God’s people are united, the Holy Spirit begins to flow from the head to the feet.

A friend of mine recently wrote to me “I wish we would live like Jesus lived.  Families lived together.  Everyone in Nazareth knew each other, everyone knew who was a good person and who could not be trusted and they all encouraged each other to live their lives in peace. 

There were no phones, no TV, no PCs, no one really travelled far away to work and live… that was the exception and not the rule.   

These close personal relationships bound people together. I know we would not have all these luxuries, but then God never gave all those things to Adam and Eve and He loved them with all His being.  He didn’t even build them a home, He made a garden for them.   It wasn’t until after the flood that the scriptures speak of rain or cold …the need for shelter.”

How I wish we would live like Jesus lived.

That is pretty profound, isn’t it?

Do you want more of the Holy Spirit’s presence in your community?

Learn to live together in unity. (see you at the pole in a little while!)

It may cause a revolution!

Have a blessed day! 

I miss him.

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

– Romans 12:15

Today would have been my brother’s 56th birthday.  Unfortunately, God took him home 25 years ago.

Life is a gift from God.

Our children, family, friends, neighbors, and strangers are all gifts to be savored.

Although some days may be full of hardship and sadness, each breath, heartbeat, and thought illustrates the beautiful gift of life.

When a loved one is lost, try to avoid the feeling of being robbed or wronged, keep the positive memories alive and thank God for the blessings in your past, present, and future.

Sometimes we experience sadness, guilt, despair, anxiety, fear, hopelessness, longing, anger, and frustration.

These feelings need to be expressed, but always remember that they are “at this moment”.

Knowing that it is temporary gives hope and permission to have different feelings at a later time.

The “why” and “what-if” questions will be asked over and over and at some point, we will realize that we cannot understand the divine nature of birth or death.

Embrace living without an answer by trusting and embracing the mysteries of God.

It is human to cry. Crying helps you to heal. Cry with friends, family, and alone.

Don’t be surprised when the grief “freight train” runs over you.

Just be in the moment, and it will pass.

Struggle through your emotions and you will find relief as your reward.

I will never forget my brother and I miss him every day, but I know he is with the Father and I will see him again someday.

Have a blessed day! 

I'm a brand new me!

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

– Ephesians 4:22-24

Notice the terms: “put off the old self” and “put on the new self”.

We are prone to be ruled by desires, but that is not who we really are.

Jesus Christ rips the veil off of our hearts to reveal our true self, but we have to change our mindset.

How do you see yourself today?

Put on a new reality, which God is ready to place on you the way a tailor fits a person with beautiful clothes.

Don’t let your current circumstances dictate the reality that God proclaims over you through the cross of Christ.

OOOOO – that needs to be repeated  -

Don’t let your current circumstances dictate the reality that God proclaims over you through the cross of Christ.

Have a blessed day! 

Peace be with you

Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

– 2 Corinthians 13:11

We really should see our world marked by healthy relationships, friendships rooted in Him.

Sadly, it is not like that.

Obviously no relationship is perfect, but God’s glory is definitely displayed when people restore and encourage each other.

Take a chance and pass the peace to a brother or sister today.

Have a blessed day! 

Trials

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

– James 1:12

So many trials!

Sometimes, it feels like it never ends, but we must remember that there is a reward for those who are willing to endure.

The gospel is so radical to our human experience that it turns our way of living upside down, it causes the rich to humble themselves and exalts the poor; it offers eternal life to the outcasts and the powerless.

The way that we live should draw attention to God, even if that attention is adversarial – because if people notice us, they notice God. 

And in the face of adversity, do not fear for God has a crown for those who stay true to what they believe.

I try to live everyday so people see Him in me.

I hope you do as well.

Have a blessed day! 

100th post of God's love

This is my 100th blog post. 
I hope that it has made a difference in someone's life. 
God loves you. 

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.

– Psalm 28:7

Music has always been a major part of the Christian tradition, and you all know it is really big in my life.

Did you know that singing in harmony and written music came directly out of the church?

The catalyst for this explosion of musical creativity was in response to God, with a joy that was so full that the only way to respond was in song.

This is not a reaction of fear, but of incredible freedom.

Our heart can leap for joy because in His presence is fullness of joy.

This is the nature of God, and all of mankind has been blessed because of it.

So what are you waiting for? SING!!

Have a blessed day! 

Through the eyes of Jesus

"Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life."

—John 9:3

So many times we hear about bad things happening to good people and we ask why. 

One of my favorite movie quotes (and I have mentioned it before) is from Soul Surfer. 

Bethany is talking with her youth pastor trying to find a reason – any reason for why she lost her arm. She said, “You know how you said it's hard to see things clearly sometimes, when you're too close? Well, I've been trying to get some perspective, I'm literally trying. Sarah... how could this be God's plan for me? I don't understand.”   

The youth pastor replied, “I don't know why terrible things happen to us sometimes. But I have to believe that something good is going to come out of this.”  

Sometimes I guess we need help to view events through the eyes of Jesus so that we will see them as events in which the work of God needs to be done.

And just what is this work of God?

To believe in the One He has sent!

Have a blessed day!