Why Suffering? Pain and The Big Splash

 Last week Tony described the “Big Splash”, how the crucifixion of Jesus led to God’s Spirit coming alive in believers.  We have a chance to walk with Him BECAUSE of his deep love. Watching the Passion of Christ tonight with some brothers…that price and His passion was made clear… we are loved by God.

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. “ (Phil 2)

“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22"He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." 23When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”

I forget sometimes how much he loves us, how dearly he paid  for me, for others around me, so that we could live for each other and walk with Him.  He is good to remind us who we are, by His suffering and ours.

Lead me to the Cross

Hillsong

Savior I come
Quiet my soul remember
Redemptions hill
Where Your blood was spilled
For my ransom
Everything I once held dear
I count it all as lost
Lead me to the cross
Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Lead me, lead me to the cross
You were as I
Tempted and trialed
You are
The word became flesh
Bore my sin and death
Now you're risen
To your heart
To your heart
Lead me to your heart
Lead me to your heart

Praising God: A reminder

Sunday we talked about how to hear God.  The last couple weeks my walk with God has been thin.  A good brother suggested I blog some.  

How to hear God (Notes from Sunday at LifeChurch):

1.  Worship: Jesus is Lord, submit to him

2.  Be still, God doesn’t yell, keep in step with Him.  Not just an agenda.  He will prompt you to pray for certain people.

3.  Open God’s word. It only happens if you are deseparate, if your soul is at stake 

4.  Listen for the inward knowing

5.  Ask others

Screeming to God this morning at my frustration with step one, I don't want to thank Him because I have to, ought to, or should.  I want to BE thankful.  I looked up as I opened my eyes saw a shadow in the shape of a cross.  Nothing obviously superantural, just shadows.  But I know it was a reminder from God.  Then I recieved this note from one who is faithful later this morning.  

From Connie G B. 

04/09/2009 09:49 AM

Subject Daily Devotion for 4/9/09

I will praise you as long as I live. Psalm 63:4

Praising God should be the first thing we do each morning.  Praising God should continue in our thoughts and hearts throughout the day.  Praising God should be the last thing we do when we retire for the evening.  

If your having a difficult time, you can begin by praising God for what He is about to do.  If you have just gotten through a trial, praise Him for being with you.  If you can't think of a single reason to praise Him this morning due to so many trials and difficulties, please at least thank God for the birth, life, death and resurrection of His son, Jesus Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit which we have freely received.  We should remember to praise God for Jesus everyday.  Without Him my life would be worthless and my attitude would be self centered and thoughtless.  

Many times throughout the year we are thankful for Jesus and praise His name.  At Christmas we praise God for Christ's birth.  We praise God for Jesus death and resurrection at Easter.  How about His life?  He gave us so much during his short lived life.  Without the teachings and Words of the bible, where would we be?  At the very least this morning my friends, no matter what is going on in your life, take time to praise God for the precious words in the bible and the precious life of Jesus.  Try to not just praise Him on special occasions or when things are going your way.  

God provides exactly what we need to get through each day.  Receive His comfort, remember the price that way paid for your life. Jesus fulfilled the promise of eternal life and forgiveness of our sin so we should be praising God every moment for that tremendous gift of sacrifice.  Focus today my friends on the meaning of the cross.  Receive Chris's gifts of  forgiveness, grace and mercy.  Reflect and praise Him for His undying love for you and me.  Focusing on praise can change your heart and lift your burdens.  God bless.

Thanks Connie, i needed that

Freedom? or Coiled in shells of loneliness

Touched by an Angel

We, unaccustomed to courage
exiles from delight
live coiled in shells of loneliness
until love leaves its high holy temple
and comes into our sight
to liberate us into life.

Love arrives
and in its train come ecstasies
old memories of pleasure
ancient histories of pain.
Yet if we are bold,
love strikes away the chains of fear
from our souls.

We are weaned from our timidity
In the flush of love's light
we dare be brave
And suddenly we see
that love costs all we are
and will ever be.
Yet it is only love
which sets us free.

Maya Angelou

Not often that I post someone else in it's entirety, thanks to Nita B.  who found it at just the right time. May I  have the courage and the love to be free. 

Marvels of a Chiropractor

He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their lack of faith. (Mark 6:5-6)

Old injuries come back in your old age.  I had a dumb sledding accident when I was 19, but can’t go to the details here (that would be another entry about a false sense of invulnerability).  I compacted a disk in my back that laid me out for a couple of weeks.  In my 20s I hardly noticed it, but by my late 30s I had a couple days when I couldn’t go to work or sit in a chair.  Finally I went to see a chiropractor. 

Now that I am almost 50, I have been “back” to see different chiropractors over the years, to get the massage, exercise tips and shock therapy (yes, they use electrodes-feels great!). Its a way to make the large muscles of the back relax and loosen

Recently  though I’ve been going to a guy who has been quite amazing.  Somehow he is able to find the places deep inside me, and bend me so that my joints actually make a cracking sound, and all the tension releases.  Reminds me of that notion that the ultimate joy is the release from pain.  I actually laugh sometimes it is such a great feeling.

Dr. David Bax, no  joke, that’s his real given name. Nice guy, amazing healer. He asked me on the first visit if other chiropractors had helped….I found out why.   Believing he WILL help lets my muscles relax enough so he CAN help.  Believing leads me to to do the exercise he suggests.

Obedience, from faith, leads to healing. As my friend Tony and I were talking this morning, we both were struck by the word OBEDIENCE, not as a compulsory principle (WWJD), but running to the arms of a loving Dad, like a prodigal son who Believed, like Mary the prostitute, like the woman at the well, like the man at the pool, like the blind, lepers and others who saw that Jesus was able, and willing.