"Standing near the cross were Jesus' mother, and his mother's sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple He loved, He said to her, "Dear woman, here is your son." And He said to this disciple, "Here is your mother." And from then on this disciple took her into his home." John 19:25-27
John, three Mary's and Mary's sister stood at the foot of the cross. There is a fellowship in suffering. I cannot imagine the shared agony of this small group of people as they watched and heard the suffering and death of Jesus. Others had betrayed Jesus and fled in fear. Others no doubt watched from the shadows from a distance - fearful to be associated with Christ. But John, Jesus' mother, his aunt and two other Mary's were right there - not leaving His side in His worst hours. John took care of that which was on Jesus' heart - to watch over and provide for His mother.
"Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance" (vs. 1) "Mary was standing outside the tomb crying as she wept, she stooped and looked in." (vs. 11) "Dear woman why are you crying? Jesus asked her. (vs. 15a) "Mary!" Jesus said. She turned to Him and cried out "Rabboni!" (which is Hebrew for teacher)" (vs. 16)
Mary Magdalene - one who was at the foot of the cross was the one whom Jesus chose to reveal Himself first after He had risen from the dead.
We feel a strong kinship with those who walk with us during a time of suffering. It may not be the words they say, nor a particular action but that they are there.
Being there in presence - being there in non-judgmental support - being there in tender-hearted mercy and compassion...
Like John, the three Mary's and Mary's sister, our fellowship of suffering as we surround one who is hurting has great significance. It may be a physical injury or illness - it may be a wound from the battles of life. But our non-judgmental tender-hearted support means much.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Truth Spoken with Potency
"Jesus replied, "If I said anything wrong, you must prove it. But if I'm speaking the truth, why are you beating me?" John 18:23
Jesus spoke truth. While the character of Jesus is absolutely loving and kind, He spoke the truth with potency. Truth by its nature can't be just hinted at and expected to reveal itself fully. There are times when truth must be boldly stated to be genuine to its nature.
Jesus speaking the truth with potency is not contradictory to His lovingkindness and His grace-filled and merciful nature. Love has a soft side but it is also tenacious and tough. Love propelled Jesus through the torture of the crucifixion.
In John 18 Jesus would in short order be sentenced to death. It wasn't the time for gentle soft-spoken words. It was appropriate for truth to be spoken with potency.
Sometimes our hearts need to hear that clear direct potent word from the Lord - because we are so prone to distraction.
When He speaks in this manner, it is never out of anything but love - for love to be real has to be truthful. Sometimes the truth hurts - but those wounds are the kind that can heal and make us stronger.
When I married I was very shy, soft spoken and found it painfully difficult to confront anything. My husband, a great communicator, encouraged me to come out of my shell and learn to articulate my thoughts and emotions. Even as I wrote, he would point out my passive voice and say - "take off your gloves!" Come out and say it. He wanted to see my communication blossom from dancing around a tough subject to someone who could state an issue with potency and clarity. God orchestrated such an influence in my life, for some day as a counselor there would be times I would have to do so.
Jesus always spoke the truth with potency with absolute perfect love that was willing to sacrifice all for our eternal salvation. Truth spoken with that level of love changed the world.
Jesus spoke truth. While the character of Jesus is absolutely loving and kind, He spoke the truth with potency. Truth by its nature can't be just hinted at and expected to reveal itself fully. There are times when truth must be boldly stated to be genuine to its nature.
Jesus speaking the truth with potency is not contradictory to His lovingkindness and His grace-filled and merciful nature. Love has a soft side but it is also tenacious and tough. Love propelled Jesus through the torture of the crucifixion.
In John 18 Jesus would in short order be sentenced to death. It wasn't the time for gentle soft-spoken words. It was appropriate for truth to be spoken with potency.
Sometimes our hearts need to hear that clear direct potent word from the Lord - because we are so prone to distraction.
When He speaks in this manner, it is never out of anything but love - for love to be real has to be truthful. Sometimes the truth hurts - but those wounds are the kind that can heal and make us stronger.
When I married I was very shy, soft spoken and found it painfully difficult to confront anything. My husband, a great communicator, encouraged me to come out of my shell and learn to articulate my thoughts and emotions. Even as I wrote, he would point out my passive voice and say - "take off your gloves!" Come out and say it. He wanted to see my communication blossom from dancing around a tough subject to someone who could state an issue with potency and clarity. God orchestrated such an influence in my life, for some day as a counselor there would be times I would have to do so.
Jesus always spoke the truth with potency with absolute perfect love that was willing to sacrifice all for our eternal salvation. Truth spoken with that level of love changed the world.
When Dreams Die
"I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels - a plentiful harvest of new lives. Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me." John 12:24-26 (New Living Translation)
Jesus was talking about his death and resurrection. The thought occurs to me this morning however - how about when God allows a dream to die - a dream for good, God-honoring purposes? It is devastating when the dream dies. Perhaps it was a dream for a loved one - the once good relationship has ended. Perhaps it was a dream for the potential we saw in someone and they made choices that ensures that the dream exactly as it was will never come to pass. Maybe it was a dream for a ministry. Our prayers seemed right in line with what we thought was the will of God. When that dream dies it can throw the child of God for a loop.
But, we serve a God of resurrection.
Jesus can make that which is dead come back to life and multiply. We learn to give our dreams up into His hands and trust His sovereignty knowing He is able to do far above what we think or imagine. God is able to give us new dreams - of things we never considered possible. God is able to resurrect hope and faith and multiply the death of that initial dream into many dreams for the future.
There were several times in Joseph's life that looked like his dreams had hit a dead end road. Yet, it came to pass that God preserved multitudes of people in part through what Joseph learned through the death of his dreams. And the ultimate answer to his many years of prayers, some spoken from a pit and some whispered in prison, were far beyond what Joseph ever could have imagined.
God raised Joseph up, and His plans for us are for good, as well.
Jesus was talking about his death and resurrection. The thought occurs to me this morning however - how about when God allows a dream to die - a dream for good, God-honoring purposes? It is devastating when the dream dies. Perhaps it was a dream for a loved one - the once good relationship has ended. Perhaps it was a dream for the potential we saw in someone and they made choices that ensures that the dream exactly as it was will never come to pass. Maybe it was a dream for a ministry. Our prayers seemed right in line with what we thought was the will of God. When that dream dies it can throw the child of God for a loop.
But, we serve a God of resurrection.
Jesus can make that which is dead come back to life and multiply. We learn to give our dreams up into His hands and trust His sovereignty knowing He is able to do far above what we think or imagine. God is able to give us new dreams - of things we never considered possible. God is able to resurrect hope and faith and multiply the death of that initial dream into many dreams for the future.
There were several times in Joseph's life that looked like his dreams had hit a dead end road. Yet, it came to pass that God preserved multitudes of people in part through what Joseph learned through the death of his dreams. And the ultimate answer to his many years of prayers, some spoken from a pit and some whispered in prison, were far beyond what Joseph ever could have imagined.
God raised Joseph up, and His plans for us are for good, as well.
Courage and Assurance
"My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that what you are experiencing is truly part of God's grace for you. Stand firm in this grace." I Peter 5:12b (New Living Translation)
The Apostle Peter in writing to "God's chosen people who are living as foreigners in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia."
He knew they were going through some hard times so near the end of his letter he states the purpose of his letter - encouragement and assurance. Interesting that part of "encourage" is the word "courage."
When we encourage someone we want to inspire courage to face their life circumstances.
And Peter wants to assure his readers that what they were experiencing "was truly part of God's grace for them."
In the middle of a situation where the obedient child of God finds himself or herself suffering, it is of great comfort to know that this one has not been forgotten by God and not out of the realm of His grace. His grace covers and enfolds the suffering believer. The child of God can look forward to restoration, support, strength, and a solid foundation in life.
What's the suffering believer to do in the middle of the fiery trial when the winds of adversity blow so hard that one can hardly see or imagine the next step to take?
Stand - stand firm in God's grace. Remember God's proven love for you demonstrated on the cross. Hold fast to Him. He will never never leave us or forsake us.
The Apostle Peter in writing to "God's chosen people who are living as foreigners in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia."
He knew they were going through some hard times so near the end of his letter he states the purpose of his letter - encouragement and assurance. Interesting that part of "encourage" is the word "courage."
When we encourage someone we want to inspire courage to face their life circumstances.
And Peter wants to assure his readers that what they were experiencing "was truly part of God's grace for them."
In the middle of a situation where the obedient child of God finds himself or herself suffering, it is of great comfort to know that this one has not been forgotten by God and not out of the realm of His grace. His grace covers and enfolds the suffering believer. The child of God can look forward to restoration, support, strength, and a solid foundation in life.
What's the suffering believer to do in the middle of the fiery trial when the winds of adversity blow so hard that one can hardly see or imagine the next step to take?
Stand - stand firm in God's grace. Remember God's proven love for you demonstrated on the cross. Hold fast to Him. He will never never leave us or forsake us.
The Patina of Restoration
In times of suffering sometimes the greatest fear is that we just won't be able to cope with the situation. We really can't imagine the magnitude of what life has handed us nor conceive that we have the ability to bear up under life's load.
Here's a wonderful promise from God's Word:
"So after you have suffered a little while He will restore, support and strengthen you and He will place you on a firm foundation." I Peter 5:10b
One of God's promises for the one who has placed their complete trust and faith in His Son, Jesus Christ is:
Restoration - being made complete, repaired, made functional again - polished and shined to an original (or perhaps better than original) state.
I love antiques. I'm reminded that something that is restored afterward looks even better than it was originally - it is in great working order, every detail has been meticulously attended to, but there is also an added wonderful patina of age that makes the piece even more lovely than its original state. Somehow in being restored after it has been used and worn, it is better than before. There is a richness, a depth, a deep beauty.
That's a small picture of the hope we have in God's restoring process of our souls. Life sometimes beats on us. We brave the elements and get weathered. Some rust starts to form. We don't work as well as we should. Under the firm but gentle hand of the Master Restorer our lives are attended to and shined as never before. We are restored for useful service and in the process become beautiful in a way something brand new can. Restored.
Here's a wonderful promise from God's Word:
"So after you have suffered a little while He will restore, support and strengthen you and He will place you on a firm foundation." I Peter 5:10b
One of God's promises for the one who has placed their complete trust and faith in His Son, Jesus Christ is:
Restoration - being made complete, repaired, made functional again - polished and shined to an original (or perhaps better than original) state.
I love antiques. I'm reminded that something that is restored afterward looks even better than it was originally - it is in great working order, every detail has been meticulously attended to, but there is also an added wonderful patina of age that makes the piece even more lovely than its original state. Somehow in being restored after it has been used and worn, it is better than before. There is a richness, a depth, a deep beauty.
That's a small picture of the hope we have in God's restoring process of our souls. Life sometimes beats on us. We brave the elements and get weathered. Some rust starts to form. We don't work as well as we should. Under the firm but gentle hand of the Master Restorer our lives are attended to and shined as never before. We are restored for useful service and in the process become beautiful in a way something brand new can. Restored.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
THE I.N.S.P.I.R.E. RUN
An article from the Humboldt Beacon tells about the I.N.S.P.I.R.E. Run in Fortuna. http://www.humboldtbeacon.com/ci_15219834
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Student's Inspiring Outlook on Life Celebrated
His name is Jalen Thayer and he is 14. "Life can throw everything and all sorts of things at you." Jalen Said. Indeed, life has thrown Jalen some curveballs. He said, "I thank God and hope everything will be okay, and I'm sure it will be. If it doesn't turn out then I am in God's hands and it is his decision." Here is a link to an article about this inspiring young man.http://gazettes.com/articles/2010/05/21/community_news/doc4bf6d6f60d622285937453.txt
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