Tag Archive | Jesus

Crowd Reaction

Jesus and Saint Peter, Gospel of Matthew 4.18-...

Jesus and Saint Peter, Gospel of Matthew 4.18-20 Français : Jésus et Saint Pierre, Évangile selon Matthieu 4.18-20 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Matthew 9:36 (NIV)

36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them,  because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Matthew 13:2  (NIV) 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore.

When the word spread through the villages and towns that Jesus was coming, they flocked en mass to where ever he was to hear what he had to say.  The words spoken and lessons taught caused people to literally drop what they were doing to hear this man from Galilee speak .  As I watched American Idol last night there were remarks about the audience of 7,000 people packed into the Nokia stadium.  A stadium with comfortable seats, air conditioning and restrooms.   This to hear two gifted young people sing for a title.

Christ packed a shoreline with folks so tight, he had to sit on the water in a boat to teach.  There were no restrooms, no comfortable seats or concession stands.  Physical comfort was not a concern, the desire to hear what the Master was teaching was the objective and sole purpose for being in that place, at that time.  I have witnessed crowds losing their minds over this celebrity or that celebrity whose ultimate goal is merely to entertain and not necessarily uplift.

Give me Jesus!  I would take the discomfort, heat and crowd just to have been able to hear Him speak the words that have on so many occasions provided salve for my soul.  He still speaks today and I yearn to hear and obey each and every word.

Making His praise glorious!

Ree

In the Creator’s Hands

Ephesians 3:15 (NLT)

15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.[a]



Perception. This rose is perfect, despite my shaky camera phone hand. Each delicate petal perfectly formed, open at just the right angle, colored in a hue that speaks volumes of love. It appears large enough to fill a lapel or round out a corsage.

Reality, this is a miniature rose on a petite bush on my coffee table. Yet a close up reveals and unfolds God’s masterful handiwork.

There are times when we feel our contributions do not really matter as much. The little that we contribute, seemingly a mere pittance, yet in God’s hands our little far exceeds our expectations in order to fulfill the purpose God has for us!  The Creator of the entire world and all that is in it created us, we were made to do amazing, incredible things all we have to do is believe!  All contributions to mankind count, no matter the size!

Making His praise glorious!

Ree

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Checkin the Tude

Stained glass window of the sacred Heart of Je...

Stained glass window of the sacred Heart of Jesus Christ in the former Mosque (Cathedral) of Cordoba, Spain (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.”        1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 MSG

It seems that several times this week I seriously failed in this challenge.   Even yesterday, I felt the downward tug of my lips and the mantle of cheerfulness sliding slowly like a silk shawl from my right shoulder to the floor.  At that time I acknowledge that I did not have the energy or desire to grab for and pull it back straight.

Oh for the days when being disgustingly cheerful was so easy and effortless.  To again be able to alternate between annoying and brightening the lives of other people.  In these less than star reaching moments I miss being one of those people who was always cheerful.  It is in those times that I find it necessary to constantly call on Jesus.  He, who conquered death has more than enough strength to remove the dark clouds hovering over head, to inject the joy back into my spirit.

When the day seems darkest, I reflect on the goodness of the Lord and the clouds part and the Son is able to shine through.  Praising God again for His faithfulness to me through all storms and difficulties!

Making His praise glorious!

Ree

Worship Wednesday

The clouds were amazing this afternoon during ...

The clouds were amazing this afternoon during the storm. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Psalm 34:9 (MSG)

9 Worship God if you want the best;   worship opens doors to all His goodness.

Today it is all about praising God in all His awesomeness.  No matter what we may be going through, worshiping God is the fastest way I know to change my mood!  Thinking about how awesome He is and how much He loves me, I cannot help but have my mood elevated!!

http://youtu.be/d3kqAqKqcRQ - Charles Jenkins – My God is Awesome

http://youtu.be/aWyep7tvLuU - Fred Hammond – He’s An Awesome God

http://youtu.be/RLwGWv3lTYk - Casting Crowns – Praise You in the Storm

Making His praise glorious!

Ree

 

 

 

 

 

I Just Want to say “Thank You”!

Over half-way...

Over half-way… (Photo credit: Brett Jordan)

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)

14 if my people, who are called by my name,  will humble  themselves and pray and seek my face  and turn  from their wicked ways, then I will hear  from heaven, and I will forgive  their sin and will heal  their land.

There has been so much going on in my life in the last couple weeks!  All I have been able to muster the energy to do is repeatedly and constantly call on the Lord.  As this day got underway today this song, that I have loved for a long time touched and moved me in ways it hadn’t before.

http://youtu.be/rq-5UjgtiYA – (Fred Hammond) Thank You Lord for being There for Me.

When I couldn’t find a voice to ask for help, He heard.

When my eyes shined with unshed tears, He heard.

When it seemed that hope was fading, He shored me up and renewed that hope.

When it seemed that one door had slammed shut, another opened.

It is so easy to wallow in what is not right, but the reality is that there are so many other little blessings along the way that deserve my abundant thanks and gratitude.

Thank you Lord, for always being there, for hearing and answering my unspoken prayers and for sending angels to minister to me, when I need it most.

“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood…”

Making His praise glorious!

Ree

No more ..

Sunrise over the Bristol Channel taken from th...

Sunrise over the Bristol Channel taken from the shore near the coastal town of Minehead in the county of Somerset,England. Sun rose at 05:30, and peeked above the clouds at 05:37, this photo was taken 05:39 BST on 27/07/2008, by Sean Hattersley. (The image has not been adjusted in any way.) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

20 But Christ has been raised to life! And he makes us certain that others will also be raised to life. 21 Just as we will die because of Adam, we will be raised to life because of Christ. 22 Adam brought death to all of us, and Christ will bring life to all of us.

There was a time not so long ago where life was seemingly devoid of pain and suffering.  Then I woke up, grew up and opened my eyes.  What a joy it is to know that there will come a day when there will truly be no more pain, no more uncertainty and no more fear. Christ paid the full price of my admission to that pain-free, anxiety free future.

Because He lives, we can face buckets full of tomorrows!

Making His praise glorious!

Ree

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Singing unto the Lord

)”]Psalm 48:10

Psalm 48:10 (Photo credit: [Share the Word

Psalm 5:11 (CEV)

11 Let all who run to you for protection  always sing  joyful songs.
Provide shelter for those who truly love you  and let them rejoice.

I watched American Idol again the last couple nights, no I’m not addicted.  The young people this year are so remarkably talented.   I am permitted to have a favorite or two each year and my favorites this year are Colton Dixon and Phil Phillips.   Both of these young men are so crazy gifted, they can take a recognizable song tweak it, insert their spin on it and have me sitting foot tapping  and smiling like a proud parent.  As I watch them embrace and enjoy the notes of each song they sing, staying up a little longer to watch this year been worth missing a few minutes of sleep.

There are gifts aplenty on that stage, yet what struck me most painfully this week was the youngest singer, Jessica.  This girl can sing anything, with pipes easily compared to current stars, yet there is no passion, no feeling.   True she is only 16 and has from all accounts been singing most of her life.  Yet, my heart breaks for her because her with professionalism, beautiful voice there is a disconnection.   Being “In it to Win it”, can make sure that things are technically right, but emotionally empty.

Last night, Colton’s “Idol” dream ended, yet when it was time for him to sing the final song, he went to his knees and sang again to the Lord.   There were tears in my eyes at his constant, consistent witness.  God has plans for that young man and as he continues to use his talents to give God glory, the standing ovations he didn’t receive from the judges cannot compare to the hand claps and whistles he received from the angel chorus and smiles of approval from God.

Making His praise glorious!

Ree

A Time for Joy

Christ Mormon

Christ Mormon (Photo credit: More Good Foundation)

Hebrews 1:3 (NIV)

3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

 

Last week,  each day of the Purpose Driven Life Devotional email contained excerpts from Kay Warren’s new book “ Choose Joy, Because Happiness is Not Enough”.

 

By day two as the words sunk in I felt them rooting, growing, burrowing deeper and hitting home.  But wait, it was Holy Week, the week when re-enactments retelling the story about last days of Christ were everywhere. Where was the joy in that? Did they get it wrong talking about joy last week?

 

I think not! Christ is alive, sitting down on the right side of

 

God, our Father advocating on our behalf 24/7/365! The story must be told, understanding divined. The graphic re-enactments and readings fueled my imagination and again broke my heart because my mountain of sins were covered by His precious blood. Because Christ lives, I have buckets and buckets of joy to share with others!

 

Making His praise glorious!

 

Ree
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The Wrong Flock

Animal husbandry

Animal husbandry (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. John 10:16 (NIV)

Growing up I recall how exotic and exciting it felt to visit another church when the family traveled out of town.  Being shy I hated that part of the service when we were asked to stand up to be oggled and often tried to imagine that if I held very still I wouldn’t be seen, or noticed, I know not likely when the rest of the family stood, but I couldn’t be blamed for trying.

The older I got my feelings about standing out in church never quite felt right, so regardless of where I went, no matter the looks or elbows from friends with whom I attended, I did not and to this day do not stand.  While I might walk around and shake a few hands, I refuse to stand up and stand out.  You see, I realized that no matter where I went, surrounded by other believers, should have been home.  The text this morning reminded me that standing out in a flock is not a necessary requirement.  My Shepherd, Jesus knows my name, pedigree,  and even the number of hairs on my head (before and after they are cut).  As a Christian I believe it is imperative when in the presence of other visiting sheep, to envelop them gently and prayerfully.  Our posture of attentive, active listening to the Sheperd’s voice  is an example in and of itself.    There are amongst us daily sheep not really looking for flocks, yet the attention and love of the Shepherd wraps them in a love that bids them to stay.

Making His praise glorious!

Ree

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Temple – Under Construction

Temple de Liber Pater, Sàbrata

Temple de Liber Pater, Sàbrata (Photo credit: Sebastià Giralt)

19 Or don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you? Don’t you know that you have the Holy Spirit from God, and you don’t belong to yourselves? 1 Corinthians 6:19 (CEB)

How is it possible that a temple constantly under construction has fallen into disrepair?  I mean really, after 50 years, it is still not finished and now the foundation has apparent cracks, walls previously solid have crumbled and been removed, brick by brick.  This temple is a mess, yet God keeps working to ensure that His temple is habitable.   The word on the street may be that it should have been condemned, torn down to make way for something new and solid, but God!  Windows still have not been installed, however, there again God shines through and illuminates that wreck of a temple.   Granted, it may be surrounded by tall gleaming, pristine temples, with members streaming to and through its doors.  What an incredible God, to send the Holy Spirit to live within this and all other less than pristine temples in a world with so many updated, state-of-the-art models.   For it is those seemingly broken down, ramshackle temples that have a wealth of stories to share.  I pray this construction is never complete, that the walls be built and rebuilt as often as long as it permits me to be continually in service to the God who loved me when I could not love myself.

Making His praise glorious!

Ree