Psalm 14:1 says, "The fool says in his heart, "There is no God."" Hah! I know in my knower that there is. Now, I can't really tell you where my "knower" is located. Or even if it may be part of my mind. But, I can assure you, I do know that it does exist. It is there somewhere, and it tells me that God does exist!
So, saying that, I believe that to not believe in God is foolish. And a lot of people these days fit that
description. Even people that profess to believe in God may not entirely believe. I say this with sadness, because the worst thing that a believer can do, it seems to me, is to have doubts about God.
Did you know that soon after Jesus left the earth some very religious people had doubts? Yes, it's true. Not the apostles! No. They did not waver. They had seen the risen Christ, even put their hands in the hole in His side, and saw the nail marks in His hands and feet. He was real. He had died, but He had risen from the dead.
The religious ones who doubted God were the high priest of Jerusalem and his associates. Yes. They had insisted the man who claimed to be the Son of God must be crucified like an ordinary criminal. That man from Galilee was no Messiah! Their thinking was, the Messiah would not be revealed to others, but only to us!. If there was a Messiah come from God, they themselves would have known about it first. They were the blessed ones, the mighty ones, the perfect ones. This other one knew some satanic tricks to heal, to feed, to get others to follow him. He deserved to die.
Where was the thanks and praises from these priests of Jerusalem for the many healings which had occurred among the multitudes? And some reports said that thousands had been fed. Did they not praise God in the temple? And there were whispers that some dead had been raised. Who would deny God thanksgiving?
When one wants the thanks and praises for himself or herself rather than for God, it is likely that he or she will receive nothing, not even a sprig of hope to ever receive any thanks, what-so-ever.
Is it safe to say then that the high priest and associates rated themselves higher than they rated God?
And if so, would they have to deny God entirely in order to do so? Those who deny God says in his heart, "There is no God!"
How can one prove God exists? Well, I know it is so, but my knowledge will not be proof enough for most people. They must believe it for themselves, and if they do, they will come to know it in their knowers.
God did exist on earth, and He was called Jesus, and was crucified and rose again. Today, Jesus is at the Father's right hand. Yet, He still comes when we ask Him to come. He comes to live in a person's heart. When He comes, He is called the Holy Spirit and He is a teacher and a friend. I would not want to live on this earth without Him!
I was a fool once. I wondered if God was real. Then, I wanted Him to be real. I wanted to know Jesus. I wanted to sing hymns to Him and pray to Him. I am blessed because I didn't want to be a fool anymore. Now, here I am. I write to let others know that He is real. I don't want you to be a fool, either. You have a knower, too. I hope you know Him, for real, in your knower!
Thanks for reading...JO
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Saturday, January 25, 2014
WATCH OUT! UNDER DIRECTION!
Yesterday, I wrote in my journal about the scripture Luke 24:49. It reads, "What comes next is very important: I am sending what my Father promised to you, so stay here in the city until he arrives, until you're equipped with power from on high." Jesus is referring to the Holy Spirit, the same spirit He gives to us when we turn to Him for forgiveness. The study bible I consult added: Jesus loves us and promises to be with us always. We can get to know him better by studying the Scriptures, praying and allowing the Holy Spirit to make us more like Jesus." Allowing the Holy Spirit....... Have I been keeping away the Holy Spirit, somehow?
What can I do? What am I going to do about this? While I wonder, Jesus is waiting!
If I am to work in the world to bring Christ to the world, I must start right where I am. I must go to Jesus and admit my laxness regarding changing those things which are thoughtless and hurtful to others.
Well, I guess there's no time like the present to begin. This morning a very little incident happened which gave me a great big push toward seeing myself with reality. My sweet husband, Jerry, these days now seeing a slight failure in his reasoning processes, wondered what had happened to a plastic bag in which he had wrapped some cooked chicken. I couldn't remember doing anything with it, but I asked him, "Why do you need it? Don't you already have one plastic bag that the chicken is in?"
He answered, "Yes, but I had it in two bags."
My compassion slipped as his thinking slid. Finally, He begged me for compassion, because he had no control over where his thinking might end up.
Although I am greatly saddened by the aging process that each of us will go through, being sad doesn't help matters one bit. I need God! And I need Him to help me reach down to the tip of my toes and up to the last wisp of hair on my head to love, love, love! My sweet man isn't trying to annoy me! He's probably scared by what his brain is doing, coming up with strange requirements for him.
Lord Jesus, I need you! I need your love! I trust your Holy Spirit to come into me with a sweet violence! Knock my socks off, if you will! Help me see, and hear, and feel anything and everything that is needed to love my Jerry with your compassion, your Spirit.
I thank you in expectancy! I am watching for you to appear in unlikely places, and I welcome you wherever you may desire to come! Change is good. Change is wonderful. I accept it whenever you choose! I am humbled by my need, yet grateful for your attention.
Knowing it is never too late for God to work,
I am His forever.
Jo, chastened in MN
What can I do? What am I going to do about this? While I wonder, Jesus is waiting!
If I am to work in the world to bring Christ to the world, I must start right where I am. I must go to Jesus and admit my laxness regarding changing those things which are thoughtless and hurtful to others.
Well, I guess there's no time like the present to begin. This morning a very little incident happened which gave me a great big push toward seeing myself with reality. My sweet husband, Jerry, these days now seeing a slight failure in his reasoning processes, wondered what had happened to a plastic bag in which he had wrapped some cooked chicken. I couldn't remember doing anything with it, but I asked him, "Why do you need it? Don't you already have one plastic bag that the chicken is in?"
He answered, "Yes, but I had it in two bags."
My compassion slipped as his thinking slid. Finally, He begged me for compassion, because he had no control over where his thinking might end up.
Although I am greatly saddened by the aging process that each of us will go through, being sad doesn't help matters one bit. I need God! And I need Him to help me reach down to the tip of my toes and up to the last wisp of hair on my head to love, love, love! My sweet man isn't trying to annoy me! He's probably scared by what his brain is doing, coming up with strange requirements for him.
Lord Jesus, I need you! I need your love! I trust your Holy Spirit to come into me with a sweet violence! Knock my socks off, if you will! Help me see, and hear, and feel anything and everything that is needed to love my Jerry with your compassion, your Spirit.
I thank you in expectancy! I am watching for you to appear in unlikely places, and I welcome you wherever you may desire to come! Change is good. Change is wonderful. I accept it whenever you choose! I am humbled by my need, yet grateful for your attention.
Knowing it is never too late for God to work,
I am His forever.
Jo, chastened in MN
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
EXODUS, A PLANNED SALVATION
Exodus! Do you know about the Exodus that occurred so many centuries ago? God's people were slaves in Egypt, remember? Moses came and moved them out of there. After, perhaps, hundreds of years, they made it to the Promised Land. The Jewish people were saved from slavery and hatred, and brought home, a home they had never known before. Saved! God brought them salvation.
I'm guessing, the word "salvation" is perhaps the most important word in the vocabulary of a Christian, and so the idea of the Exodus being a means of salvation for the Egypt-born Israelites was very new to me. But, God was definitely working salvation for His people.
Imagine, moving thousands of stubborn, uncertain people through a wilderness, desert experience over many years to a new home where they would no longer be slaves in a foreign country. Not foreign because they did not know it well, but foreign because they did not belong there.
That is exactly like today's people, those of us who belong in another world where we would not know sin, where we would be loved, and would worship the God who loves us and created us. We are stuck in this world, familiar though it is, where we know sin. We know our own sin well, and we know the sins of others, being affected by them every day. We are corrupted by sin. And we fight against sin. Sin is everywhere. We can't remove our own, let alone the sins of others.
We need an exodus. When will it come? Our Lord waits to give it to us. But, like the people of that long-ago exodus, we will grumble. We will probably hate what we have to go through, because it won't be easy to see our attitudes and behaviors spread out in front of us. Sins! Let's call them by their real names--sins! My Selfishness. My Pride. And many, many more.
Our Lord waits to save us--our salvation--by our acceptance of His offer made so long ago when He hung on the wooden cross, "Lord, forgive them for they know not what they do!" Acceptance. Our acceptance of Him and what He has done for us is the key. Our acceptance of His forgiveness is the beginning of salvation for our souls as we wait for the new world where we belong. Shall we begin with acceptance?
May the Lord have His way with each of us until we are His, totally. Let the exodus of our lives begin by following Him until we truly know and can see His complete salvation in each of us.
Here I come!
Yours, Jo
I'm guessing, the word "salvation" is perhaps the most important word in the vocabulary of a Christian, and so the idea of the Exodus being a means of salvation for the Egypt-born Israelites was very new to me. But, God was definitely working salvation for His people.
Imagine, moving thousands of stubborn, uncertain people through a wilderness, desert experience over many years to a new home where they would no longer be slaves in a foreign country. Not foreign because they did not know it well, but foreign because they did not belong there.
That is exactly like today's people, those of us who belong in another world where we would not know sin, where we would be loved, and would worship the God who loves us and created us. We are stuck in this world, familiar though it is, where we know sin. We know our own sin well, and we know the sins of others, being affected by them every day. We are corrupted by sin. And we fight against sin. Sin is everywhere. We can't remove our own, let alone the sins of others.
We need an exodus. When will it come? Our Lord waits to give it to us. But, like the people of that long-ago exodus, we will grumble. We will probably hate what we have to go through, because it won't be easy to see our attitudes and behaviors spread out in front of us. Sins! Let's call them by their real names--sins! My Selfishness. My Pride. And many, many more.
Our Lord waits to save us--our salvation--by our acceptance of His offer made so long ago when He hung on the wooden cross, "Lord, forgive them for they know not what they do!" Acceptance. Our acceptance of Him and what He has done for us is the key. Our acceptance of His forgiveness is the beginning of salvation for our souls as we wait for the new world where we belong. Shall we begin with acceptance?
May the Lord have His way with each of us until we are His, totally. Let the exodus of our lives begin by following Him until we truly know and can see His complete salvation in each of us.
Here I come!
Yours, Jo
Monday, January 13, 2014
GOD WINS IN FIRST PLACE!
Jerry and I have had a routine in our marriage all nearly 59 years. Every night before we go to sleep, we read MY UTMOST FOR GOD'S HIGHEST, by Oswald Chambers. Last night, the book told us that we have to get rid of the idea that we know ourselves. We only think we know ourselves. Only God knows us perfectly. And we have to first get rid of the pride that tells us that we know ourselves.
Mark 4:4 tells us: "When they were alone, Jesus explained all things to his disciples." This tells me that Jesus wants to be alone with me. And I am not alone with Jesus much at all. And I wasn't alone last night, yet it seemed that Jesus spoke to me in the quiet before I slept.
Jesus reminded me of when I was a little girl. Just a baby, really, still in a kiddie-car, like a car, on wheels, but motivated by the baby's feet. My father worked miles away for a week at a time and my mother ran a small grocery store, basically alone. They tied the kiddie-car to a post in the middle of the store after moving all of the potatoes and bean bins out of the way, and there I was left to entertain myself. I'm sure mother had plenty of time for me, but basically I was on my own.
When my baby sister was born, I was jealous. How I wanted to be special! She got to be held! That's what I wanted! I wanted to be held! But I was three. I was now the big girl. She got curly hair! No! I had the curly hair! I glued it to her head. Yes, I did. I took the glue pot on the desk in the store and glued every curl to that little head.
These things I knew about myself and they troubled me. How could such a little child be so full of jealousy? As I grew, I hated these things about myself, so I tried to forget them.
But even a child's sins need to be forgiven and to my knowledge, a spanking doesn't do it. Something greater began to grow in my mind, and never, until last night, did I deal with it.
Over the years--and I have had many!--I see now that I have had many fits of jealousy. None have been acknowledged with pots of glue, but with hurt feelings. My girlfriends friendships with each other seemed stronger than my own. My own children preferring each other's time to mine. And Jerry! Thank goodness he never looked at another woman to my knowledge. These are just some small examples of my jealousy.
Someone else being chosen for a job I wanted. Hard work being accredited to another. Big things and little things have left me feeling jealous and some to the point of anger.
Then! I took that jealousy--and the tears I was shedding--and pounded that jealousy right into the cross of Jesus! That's what we learned in church yesterday morning and I did it! I pounded those jealous moments and others like them right into that cross that Jesus died on! Of course this was in my mind and heart, but it didn't matter. Jesus was right there, and He was smiling!
Oh, how loved I felt! And it taught me something very big. God wants all of us! He wants you and me to win a race where He is the prize. He doesn't want us in middle ground worrying about our being second, or third or fourth! Nope! He wants us in first place, right where He is.
And where He is, is where I want to be. Why should I be jealous of anyone when I am so loved by a King! Loved and forgiven! Just think of it!
I must be alone more and more with Jesus! It is so good for me!
Fondly, Jo in MN
Mark 4:4 tells us: "When they were alone, Jesus explained all things to his disciples." This tells me that Jesus wants to be alone with me. And I am not alone with Jesus much at all. And I wasn't alone last night, yet it seemed that Jesus spoke to me in the quiet before I slept.
Jesus reminded me of when I was a little girl. Just a baby, really, still in a kiddie-car, like a car, on wheels, but motivated by the baby's feet. My father worked miles away for a week at a time and my mother ran a small grocery store, basically alone. They tied the kiddie-car to a post in the middle of the store after moving all of the potatoes and bean bins out of the way, and there I was left to entertain myself. I'm sure mother had plenty of time for me, but basically I was on my own.
When my baby sister was born, I was jealous. How I wanted to be special! She got to be held! That's what I wanted! I wanted to be held! But I was three. I was now the big girl. She got curly hair! No! I had the curly hair! I glued it to her head. Yes, I did. I took the glue pot on the desk in the store and glued every curl to that little head.
These things I knew about myself and they troubled me. How could such a little child be so full of jealousy? As I grew, I hated these things about myself, so I tried to forget them.
But even a child's sins need to be forgiven and to my knowledge, a spanking doesn't do it. Something greater began to grow in my mind, and never, until last night, did I deal with it.
Over the years--and I have had many!--I see now that I have had many fits of jealousy. None have been acknowledged with pots of glue, but with hurt feelings. My girlfriends friendships with each other seemed stronger than my own. My own children preferring each other's time to mine. And Jerry! Thank goodness he never looked at another woman to my knowledge. These are just some small examples of my jealousy.
Someone else being chosen for a job I wanted. Hard work being accredited to another. Big things and little things have left me feeling jealous and some to the point of anger.
Then! I took that jealousy--and the tears I was shedding--and pounded that jealousy right into the cross of Jesus! That's what we learned in church yesterday morning and I did it! I pounded those jealous moments and others like them right into that cross that Jesus died on! Of course this was in my mind and heart, but it didn't matter. Jesus was right there, and He was smiling!
Oh, how loved I felt! And it taught me something very big. God wants all of us! He wants you and me to win a race where He is the prize. He doesn't want us in middle ground worrying about our being second, or third or fourth! Nope! He wants us in first place, right where He is.
And where He is, is where I want to be. Why should I be jealous of anyone when I am so loved by a King! Loved and forgiven! Just think of it!
I must be alone more and more with Jesus! It is so good for me!
Fondly, Jo in MN
Saturday, January 11, 2014
OUR DAILY BREAD
The thought I have to share with you today is, perhaps, the most simple lesson one can receive from God. As I was not raised in a Bible-reading home, the lesson blew into my mind this morning and made me anxious to share it! But, before I share this wondrous thought, let me give you another piece of information that makes this lesson imperative, for me, to write it down and pass it on.
This past Christmas, my husband, Jerry, and I each passed back a Bible, (mine to our granddaughter, Alaya and Jerry's to grandson, Isaac,)which had been gifts to us from their parents for the sole purpose of our writing in the Bibles. Their parents, Mitch and Mette, believed our faith walks would then be available to their children as they grew up, and perhaps after we were gone. It was a bit of work, but one of great love to pass those Bibles back this year.
I thought, as I am still growing in my faith (and hope I always will), I would pass along via email any new messages which might come to me, for Alaya to write in her Bible at the appropriate page.
So, this is what I told her: Luke 11:3 says, "Give us each day our daily bread." Now, I had always thought this meant, "God will not let you go hungry." Well, that is only a little bit right! Of course, God will take care of our everyday needs, but what it primarily means is the following which is copied from the Study Bible: "God's provision is daily, not all at once. We cannot store it up and then cut off communication with God." Whoa! God isn't talking about rice krispies here! He's talking about prayer and visitations and speaking to God and listening, and all that stuff!
Again from the Study Bible, "We cannot store up and then cut off communication with God. And we dare not be self-satisfied. If you are running low on strength, ask yourself, "How long have I been away from the Source?""
Wow! How long have I been away from the Source? The Source can only mean the very source of life, our God. Doesn't that put one at the edge of the abyss? Well, I'm crawling back from that place!
I guess one is never too old to learn. I hope I am doing a better job of being faithful daily with my Lord. It does make a great difference in my day. After a visit with God, life seems to be so much more than a battle with the snow and cold here in MN. Or what to fix for dinner? Or what does the dog (little Max) want NOW? Peace and serenity comes with God; Life will always follow and often brings the storm, but His remembered voice can quiet lots of angry noises.
On to my email to Alaya. Hope sharing with you gave you some pleasure. It certainly did me!
Love from the Frozen North! Jo
This past Christmas, my husband, Jerry, and I each passed back a Bible, (mine to our granddaughter, Alaya and Jerry's to grandson, Isaac,)which had been gifts to us from their parents for the sole purpose of our writing in the Bibles. Their parents, Mitch and Mette, believed our faith walks would then be available to their children as they grew up, and perhaps after we were gone. It was a bit of work, but one of great love to pass those Bibles back this year.
I thought, as I am still growing in my faith (and hope I always will), I would pass along via email any new messages which might come to me, for Alaya to write in her Bible at the appropriate page.
So, this is what I told her: Luke 11:3 says, "Give us each day our daily bread." Now, I had always thought this meant, "God will not let you go hungry." Well, that is only a little bit right! Of course, God will take care of our everyday needs, but what it primarily means is the following which is copied from the Study Bible: "God's provision is daily, not all at once. We cannot store it up and then cut off communication with God." Whoa! God isn't talking about rice krispies here! He's talking about prayer and visitations and speaking to God and listening, and all that stuff!
Again from the Study Bible, "We cannot store up and then cut off communication with God. And we dare not be self-satisfied. If you are running low on strength, ask yourself, "How long have I been away from the Source?""
Wow! How long have I been away from the Source? The Source can only mean the very source of life, our God. Doesn't that put one at the edge of the abyss? Well, I'm crawling back from that place!
I guess one is never too old to learn. I hope I am doing a better job of being faithful daily with my Lord. It does make a great difference in my day. After a visit with God, life seems to be so much more than a battle with the snow and cold here in MN. Or what to fix for dinner? Or what does the dog (little Max) want NOW? Peace and serenity comes with God; Life will always follow and often brings the storm, but His remembered voice can quiet lots of angry noises.
On to my email to Alaya. Hope sharing with you gave you some pleasure. It certainly did me!
Love from the Frozen North! Jo
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
THE CREDIBLE POWER OF GOD
Good morning! I am so impressed with the power of God this morning! I just read Genesis 11 and Luke 8 and I'm a firm believer in God's power with no what-ifs all over again!
First, in Genesis, God tells Abraham to take Isaac up into the mountains and use Isaac as a sacrifice to Him. What? Isaac is to be the beginning of Abraham/s nation that God has promised. Why does God want Isaac as a sacrifice? But, Abraham obeys, and Isaac is tied to the rock and wood to be burned. What must be in Abraham's heart at his time? And then, just as Abraham is about to light the fire, he sees a ram caught between two rocks by his horns, and God's power has been revealed once again. God saw Abraham's faith.
Second, in Luke, Jesus is walking through a great crowd on his way to a healing. An ill woman who has suffered for a very long time steps up and touches the hem of his garment. At this point, Jesus turns around, saying, "Who touched me? " He had felt the surge of power being lifted from his body at the very moment the woman had touched his robe. Jesus felt the urgency of the woman's faith.
What power is this? Those of us who live in this world today cannot quite grasp the truth of God and His power, especially knowing only the historical Jesus and His Father. And then there is the Holy Spirit. What kind of power do we find in the Third Person of God? There is, I believe, not a bit of difference for through the power of God and the faith of prayer, God acts.
Our family, which numbers, four children and three spouses. ten grandchildren and four spouses, and one great-grandchild, has had a myriad of faith/worldly issues. Some have suffered from drugs and alcohol, divorce, money issues, broken dreams, the worst and the least of illnesses, and separations of one kind and another. One daughter had to sleep in her car for a while. We have seen healings, weddings, growth in faith to tremendous degrees, educations and some miracles. And we know--Yes!--of the power of God.
Who does not suffer in the world? I would guess that every individual born will suffer in some way. Some will suffer in ways that ares common or uncommon, it really doesn't matter. Suffering is the same for each of us.
But so is God's power! And His power may not work out for you in a completely hoped for or even satisfying way, but it will be worked out. And time....that great healer and teacher...will show you and me the benefits of believing God sees, and will act with what we need, His power.
I am just an old lady who loves her family and tries to help others by writing my stories in hope that it helps us all find and keep God in our vision.. He's not real easy to hang onto because the slippery part of that is me and you! I am the one who forgets about God's power. And maybe you, too! If not...well...you snooze and I lose.
But God will always be there. Remember,," On the mountain of God, he sees to it."
( Gen. 22:14, THE MESSAGE.)
Fondly, Jo in MN
First, in Genesis, God tells Abraham to take Isaac up into the mountains and use Isaac as a sacrifice to Him. What? Isaac is to be the beginning of Abraham/s nation that God has promised. Why does God want Isaac as a sacrifice? But, Abraham obeys, and Isaac is tied to the rock and wood to be burned. What must be in Abraham's heart at his time? And then, just as Abraham is about to light the fire, he sees a ram caught between two rocks by his horns, and God's power has been revealed once again. God saw Abraham's faith.
Second, in Luke, Jesus is walking through a great crowd on his way to a healing. An ill woman who has suffered for a very long time steps up and touches the hem of his garment. At this point, Jesus turns around, saying, "Who touched me? " He had felt the surge of power being lifted from his body at the very moment the woman had touched his robe. Jesus felt the urgency of the woman's faith.
What power is this? Those of us who live in this world today cannot quite grasp the truth of God and His power, especially knowing only the historical Jesus and His Father. And then there is the Holy Spirit. What kind of power do we find in the Third Person of God? There is, I believe, not a bit of difference for through the power of God and the faith of prayer, God acts.
Our family, which numbers, four children and three spouses. ten grandchildren and four spouses, and one great-grandchild, has had a myriad of faith/worldly issues. Some have suffered from drugs and alcohol, divorce, money issues, broken dreams, the worst and the least of illnesses, and separations of one kind and another. One daughter had to sleep in her car for a while. We have seen healings, weddings, growth in faith to tremendous degrees, educations and some miracles. And we know--Yes!--of the power of God.
Who does not suffer in the world? I would guess that every individual born will suffer in some way. Some will suffer in ways that ares common or uncommon, it really doesn't matter. Suffering is the same for each of us.
But so is God's power! And His power may not work out for you in a completely hoped for or even satisfying way, but it will be worked out. And time....that great healer and teacher...will show you and me the benefits of believing God sees, and will act with what we need, His power.
I am just an old lady who loves her family and tries to help others by writing my stories in hope that it helps us all find and keep God in our vision.. He's not real easy to hang onto because the slippery part of that is me and you! I am the one who forgets about God's power. And maybe you, too! If not...well...you snooze and I lose.
But God will always be there. Remember,," On the mountain of God, he sees to it."
( Gen. 22:14, THE MESSAGE.)
Fondly, Jo in MN
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
LIVE GENEROUSLY
Good morning, world! Today is confession day. I need to confess a serious condition I have. I selfishly think what I am doing or I want to do is more important than anything else in the whole, wide world! And if you or your situation enters into my space, you may hear my wrath!
Yes, I just this morning became the monster of the deep, once again. A terrible habit has finally announced itself as..(groan) sin! Yes, that's what I said, sin.
In the MESSAGE version of the Bible, Luke 6:32, it reads as follows: "If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously."
I have a hard time being generous under certain circumstances. This morning was one of those times.
I was just about ready to sit down, open up my journal, check which Bible chapters I was to study when Max, our over-sized Pomeranian, began to whimper. He had just been fed, so I assumed he wanted to go outside. At the same moment, my very good, dear Jerry wanted some help on a computer snag which I thought was already addressed. I let the dog out and at the same time began to re- re-address the computer problem. Max then wanted to come in out of the still bitter cold, and as I was wiping his feet dry from the snow, I was trying to re-re-re-address this computer thing, but I WAS YELLING! Tit-for-Tat and then some!
I did not live generously this morning. And of course when I began to read the chapter in the Word, I immediately knew I ..was....going..to..have..to...admit..it..to.... you. And now I have.
I even read the wrong day's lesson, and yet it was just the one I needed to read It's a funny thing about God, He really knows where the right words are for particular moments in my life.
Why is it so hard to live generously when I think someone's taking advantage of me? Why do I think my "stuff" is more important than others' stuff? How wonderful it would be to live generously, to stop assuming my own importance and give time and thought to the important moments of others.
Boy, do I need prayer!
Lord Jesus, help me to stop thinking of myself when others' needs arise. Help me to concentrate on the needs of others. I hope it's not too late for me to learn this. I seem to be a dodo when learning new things. And self-importance is such a big, bad thing. Forgive me, Lord. And help me to grow more like you in thinking first of others.
Thank you, Lord, and thank you for your mercy!
MN Jo, saying "Thanks for listening, world". And forever in your debt, Lord!
Yes, I just this morning became the monster of the deep, once again. A terrible habit has finally announced itself as..(groan) sin! Yes, that's what I said, sin.
In the MESSAGE version of the Bible, Luke 6:32, it reads as follows: "If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously."
I have a hard time being generous under certain circumstances. This morning was one of those times.
I was just about ready to sit down, open up my journal, check which Bible chapters I was to study when Max, our over-sized Pomeranian, began to whimper. He had just been fed, so I assumed he wanted to go outside. At the same moment, my very good, dear Jerry wanted some help on a computer snag which I thought was already addressed. I let the dog out and at the same time began to re- re-address the computer problem. Max then wanted to come in out of the still bitter cold, and as I was wiping his feet dry from the snow, I was trying to re-re-re-address this computer thing, but I WAS YELLING! Tit-for-Tat and then some!
I did not live generously this morning. And of course when I began to read the chapter in the Word, I immediately knew I ..was....going..to..have..to...admit..it..to.... you. And now I have.
I even read the wrong day's lesson, and yet it was just the one I needed to read It's a funny thing about God, He really knows where the right words are for particular moments in my life.
Why is it so hard to live generously when I think someone's taking advantage of me? Why do I think my "stuff" is more important than others' stuff? How wonderful it would be to live generously, to stop assuming my own importance and give time and thought to the important moments of others.
Boy, do I need prayer!
Lord Jesus, help me to stop thinking of myself when others' needs arise. Help me to concentrate on the needs of others. I hope it's not too late for me to learn this. I seem to be a dodo when learning new things. And self-importance is such a big, bad thing. Forgive me, Lord. And help me to grow more like you in thinking first of others.
Thank you, Lord, and thank you for your mercy!
MN Jo, saying "Thanks for listening, world". And forever in your debt, Lord!
Monday, January 6, 2014
GOD'S COMMITTMENTS AND OUR FAITHLESSNESS
Before I begin, I want to apologize for two errors I made in yesterday's blog. First, the schools have only been closed an extra day this week, not all week. But they may change their minds and close them Tues.as well as today, for tomorrow is to be equally as cold as today.
Secondly, there is some dispute about the age of Elizabeth and the bible doesn't say how old. Probably not as old as I am, but she was an "older relative of Mary."
'Nuf said!
..Today's title is ridiculous! But it's real and as real as this title is, the situations that come from these two opposites can become extremely problematic. I can't help but wonder if all the troubles between the Arabic countries, first with each other, and secondly, with the west, didn't begin way back in the days of Abraham! I think there might be some credence to these thoughts.
God had spoken to Abraham telling him that he was to be the Father of a great nation and this nation would be in a covenant with Him forever. Abraham and Sarah were to have a son and name him Isaac. But they were in an age far past childbearing and had never had a child before. Their disbelief caused them to interfere with God's timing and work the problem out themselves. Sarah talked her handmaiden, Hagar, into sleeping with Abraham and the maid became pregnant with Ishmael. God had chosen Isaac to be the covenant child, but promised Ishmael and Hagar that the boy would lead his own great nation in another land.
Well! Could the "proof be in the pudding" as my grandmother used to say? It might seem so. And is there anyone or anything to blame? I guess we can only blame the human condition of not having enough faith to see God's promise fulfilled.
What we have now is a hot potato in the mid-east, as the mid-east is struggling under two different sects of their own religion, a religion born of similar yearnings as the Judeo-Christian religion. I am not sure at all of what the Moslem religion teaches, but I have been told that it has some similarities of our own culture. Maybe it's time to find the similarities and try to be considerate of our differences. If one teaches war or harm, that cannot be condoned. But if there is brotherhood to be had, let us find it. Let the two be two, but in peace and good will.
In order to do that, perhaps those of us who believe in God, should also do a better job in trusting God. Beginning with me, I might add. I am very much like Sarah. I want to fix the problem First, I am a good problem solver. But I am not to mess up God's plan just because I see a little problem ahead!! Convincing me must have been a tough job for God, but I have been convinced!
My next big step is to trust, trust, trust and trust some more. First obey; then trust. Like Abraham and Sarah, when God seems to want the impossible and I begin to doubt his leading, I must focus on God's commitment to fulfill His promises to me and then continue to obey. If I am in a position like Ishmael, I must think regardless of my circumstances, God has not forgotten me. Obey him and trust in His plan.
I guess it's Trust and Obey, for there's no other way...
Be warm! Jo
Sunday, January 5, 2014
THOUGHTS DURING THE CRAZY COLD
Perhaps you've heard about it...our crazy cold. Brrrr. It's been below zero for many days, even though the sun is beautiful upon the snow. This is the second Sunday in a row that we have missed church. Showers taken, breakfast eaten, and we look at one another and cannot brave the bitter cold out there. All the schools are closing in advance for the next week. Government offices, too. There are hardly any cars zooming past on the highway. So many cars have been stalled during this past week with people getting stranded in the cold it just might be that no one wants to struggle with the elements on Sunday. I'm assured our Lord loves us still.
We are snug in our little house and are now determined to continue supporting the few groups that house the homeless. No wonder the streets fill up in Phoenix each winter! No one should have to be outside in this bitterness.
I was reading in Luke the other day, and began to wonder about John the Baptist. What an extraordinary man! Although he was chosen by God to announce Jesus as the Messiah, he was born in a normal way. Normal, but extraordinary just the same, as his father and mother were very old, like Jerry and me, or even older. And without the help of God, there would have been no child conceived by Elizabeth and Zechariah!
Well, John was born, and went off to the desert to be raised and taught by the desert followers and teachers, all the while that Jesus was being raised in his home in Nazareth. As an adult, John began baptizing with water the many people who came to hear him preach about the coming Messiah. He was waiting for someone to appear who fitted the description he knew in his mind would be Him. When Jesus came by one day, He asked John to baptize Him. John did and watched as a dove came to sit on the shoulder of the man named Jesus, and heard a voice speak, "This is my Son in whom I am well pleased."
Did John not know? Could he not guess that he heard the Lord God speak? That what he could see was the Spirit of God nestled on the man's shoulder? That God's three-in-One had just appeared before him?
But Jesus went into the desert after His baptism and was gone for 40 days battling with Satan. Then, He began His ministry, preaching, teaching, healing and continued going to a quiet place to pray.. So for quite a while, he had no contact with John, his cousin, his friend, and his baptizer.
So then, some time after the baptism, John was put into prison due to his speaking out about the crude love affair between Herod and his brother's wife, Herodius. While John was in prison, he sent a few of his followers to go to ask Jesus, "Are you the One we have awaited for? Or should we expect another?
When Jesus heard this, He said,"Go back and tell John what you have seen and heard. The dead are raised, the blind see, the deaf can hear. and the good news is preached to the poor."
I hope and pray that John the Baptist was comforted before he was beheaded, as was done to him so horridly. I hope he wasn't disappointed that he didn't get to help Jesus more in his ministry. Perhaps, he was made to remember how the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit were each present before him at the baptism of Jesus Christ when his own ministry had been completed and had been honorably done.
This story about John helps me to realize that when some thing that I have hoped for, prayed for, and expected and still does not happen, I still must have faith that in God's perfect timing, it will. Perhaps in not the way that I had imagined or even hoped, but in a way only God could have arranged.
I have seen it happen in the lives of many and even in my own. It isn't always easy to recognize, but if you look for the miracle it will be there. We must have that faith that it will be there. John the Baptist could tell you so.
Sending you all cold kisses,
Jo, writing for the love of the Lord.
We are snug in our little house and are now determined to continue supporting the few groups that house the homeless. No wonder the streets fill up in Phoenix each winter! No one should have to be outside in this bitterness.
I was reading in Luke the other day, and began to wonder about John the Baptist. What an extraordinary man! Although he was chosen by God to announce Jesus as the Messiah, he was born in a normal way. Normal, but extraordinary just the same, as his father and mother were very old, like Jerry and me, or even older. And without the help of God, there would have been no child conceived by Elizabeth and Zechariah!
Well, John was born, and went off to the desert to be raised and taught by the desert followers and teachers, all the while that Jesus was being raised in his home in Nazareth. As an adult, John began baptizing with water the many people who came to hear him preach about the coming Messiah. He was waiting for someone to appear who fitted the description he knew in his mind would be Him. When Jesus came by one day, He asked John to baptize Him. John did and watched as a dove came to sit on the shoulder of the man named Jesus, and heard a voice speak, "This is my Son in whom I am well pleased."
Did John not know? Could he not guess that he heard the Lord God speak? That what he could see was the Spirit of God nestled on the man's shoulder? That God's three-in-One had just appeared before him?
But Jesus went into the desert after His baptism and was gone for 40 days battling with Satan. Then, He began His ministry, preaching, teaching, healing and continued going to a quiet place to pray.. So for quite a while, he had no contact with John, his cousin, his friend, and his baptizer.
So then, some time after the baptism, John was put into prison due to his speaking out about the crude love affair between Herod and his brother's wife, Herodius. While John was in prison, he sent a few of his followers to go to ask Jesus, "Are you the One we have awaited for? Or should we expect another?
When Jesus heard this, He said,"Go back and tell John what you have seen and heard. The dead are raised, the blind see, the deaf can hear. and the good news is preached to the poor."
I hope and pray that John the Baptist was comforted before he was beheaded, as was done to him so horridly. I hope he wasn't disappointed that he didn't get to help Jesus more in his ministry. Perhaps, he was made to remember how the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit were each present before him at the baptism of Jesus Christ when his own ministry had been completed and had been honorably done.
This story about John helps me to realize that when some thing that I have hoped for, prayed for, and expected and still does not happen, I still must have faith that in God's perfect timing, it will. Perhaps in not the way that I had imagined or even hoped, but in a way only God could have arranged.
I have seen it happen in the lives of many and even in my own. It isn't always easy to recognize, but if you look for the miracle it will be there. We must have that faith that it will be there. John the Baptist could tell you so.
Sending you all cold kisses,
Jo, writing for the love of the Lord.
Friday, January 3, 2014
BABY, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE!
I doubt that it is much of a surprise, Dottie, Dick, Carol and others, that the temperature here in MN is way beyond imagining! I wonder if it has ever been this cold when we lived here before! And today our managers had to turn the water off for 4 hours, so now we have water, heat, and doors that we can keep closed if we want. Letting Max out for a quickie is about the extent of our outside needs, thank goodness. Oh, no! Jerry just left for the bank!
But all in all, we're doing OK. Our small place is quite snug. And we are alone. Peg found and now lives in a sweet cottage on Wisconsin's Apple river flowage and moved in last weekend. Today she is entertaining her granddaughter, Scarlet, who has probably taken over the whole house as her own. Peg will still stay overnight with us on the days she works as she doesn't get done until Midnight in St. Paul Regions Hospital and this cuts down on her driving so late at night. Hers is a brutal job. Thankfully, she is good at it. Being a trauma nurse really earns your paycheck!
Christmas has gone and also the New Year celebration. We are rather hunkered down, I'm afraid, because of the harsh weather. So many auto accidents and cars stalled on the sides of the roads occurring that we decided to stay home. We even skipped church fearful that we could get stalled on the roadway. But, I hope we learn to cope a bit better and hustle ourselves into the garage and into the car and onward this Sunday! We have to toughen up to live here, I guess.
I got rid of most of my books when we moved, so now have to find the library here in Stillwater. I am told it is a good library so must get on the ball. I am rather tired of reading the old classics found on my I-pad, and need to read!
We are taking our Christmas tree down today, and the outside lights. We didn't have many outside this year, but our son put them up for us, and we were thrilled because you could see the inside tree's lights as well as the outside lights from the roadway. Yes, we are quite close to the road and its many cars.. However, the snow sort of blocks the sound, so it isn't as noisy as in the summer. And I must admit, the snowy landscape is VERY beautiful.
Max has adjusted very well. He goes out the patio door and doesn't waste any time taking care of things. He has tried to eat the snow, but doesn't think that much of it. We have to wipe his paws after being in the snow because his paws pick up little balls of snow in their recesses. He's been a real trooper.
I am somewhat reminded of the Christmas story when I relate stories of the snow and cold. Imagine a pregnant teenager riding a burro in hopes to find a room at an inn. Imagine a husband having to accept in gratitude a stable of all places for his young wife to birth this unexpected child! They must have been grateful even for the animals in the stable who helped to keep them warm. I wonder if they finally really got it, that Jesus was the Son of God, only on loan to them to raise and nurture.
And we also have things loaned to us, such as: friends, a home, each other, and our own little "stable" mate, Max. And we are grateful for each one. So, we wish for you and yours a great new year. Just think 2014. ( I wonder how long it will take me to get used to that number.)
Love from the north country!
Yo and Yerry Yohnson,
With Blessings from God Himself
But all in all, we're doing OK. Our small place is quite snug. And we are alone. Peg found and now lives in a sweet cottage on Wisconsin's Apple river flowage and moved in last weekend. Today she is entertaining her granddaughter, Scarlet, who has probably taken over the whole house as her own. Peg will still stay overnight with us on the days she works as she doesn't get done until Midnight in St. Paul Regions Hospital and this cuts down on her driving so late at night. Hers is a brutal job. Thankfully, she is good at it. Being a trauma nurse really earns your paycheck!
Christmas has gone and also the New Year celebration. We are rather hunkered down, I'm afraid, because of the harsh weather. So many auto accidents and cars stalled on the sides of the roads occurring that we decided to stay home. We even skipped church fearful that we could get stalled on the roadway. But, I hope we learn to cope a bit better and hustle ourselves into the garage and into the car and onward this Sunday! We have to toughen up to live here, I guess.
I got rid of most of my books when we moved, so now have to find the library here in Stillwater. I am told it is a good library so must get on the ball. I am rather tired of reading the old classics found on my I-pad, and need to read!
We are taking our Christmas tree down today, and the outside lights. We didn't have many outside this year, but our son put them up for us, and we were thrilled because you could see the inside tree's lights as well as the outside lights from the roadway. Yes, we are quite close to the road and its many cars.. However, the snow sort of blocks the sound, so it isn't as noisy as in the summer. And I must admit, the snowy landscape is VERY beautiful.
Max has adjusted very well. He goes out the patio door and doesn't waste any time taking care of things. He has tried to eat the snow, but doesn't think that much of it. We have to wipe his paws after being in the snow because his paws pick up little balls of snow in their recesses. He's been a real trooper.
I am somewhat reminded of the Christmas story when I relate stories of the snow and cold. Imagine a pregnant teenager riding a burro in hopes to find a room at an inn. Imagine a husband having to accept in gratitude a stable of all places for his young wife to birth this unexpected child! They must have been grateful even for the animals in the stable who helped to keep them warm. I wonder if they finally really got it, that Jesus was the Son of God, only on loan to them to raise and nurture.
And we also have things loaned to us, such as: friends, a home, each other, and our own little "stable" mate, Max. And we are grateful for each one. So, we wish for you and yours a great new year. Just think 2014. ( I wonder how long it will take me to get used to that number.)
Love from the north country!
Yo and Yerry Yohnson,
With Blessings from God Himself
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)