In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt of life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
'til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand
Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend Copyright © 2001 Kingsway Thankyou Music
And that is all I have to say today!! I am resting in Him alone! Thank you Jesus!
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Resurrection Day Celebration
Last Sunday was a celebration day of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. As is the custom in my family we gather together for a meal after church and then the kids have an egg hunt.
This year we had celebrated with the body of Christ singing in worship together with various songs. We even sang one that had been written by John of Damascus in about 100 A.D. It was so solid in its theology which goes to show that we don't have the market cornered because we are living in a "modern" world. We prayed together and then spent time in the Word looking at Jesus as the temple that was torn down and brought back after 3 days. What a joy to have spent that time with the body.
After such a wonderful celebration we gathered together as family and spent time at the table over chicken and the trimmings. My grandson, Seth, gave the blessing and in it he prayed that we would remember that Easter was not about us but about Jesus. It was a good reminder from an 11 year old. After dinner when the eggs were being hidden, I was able to help my grandkids and my nieces put together resurrection eggs. We went through the last days of Jesus as we put them together, reading the scripture and asking questions. It was a joy to hear from them what they know about Christ. Then the egg hunt which is so much fun for them even as they are getting older. After that badminton with adults and kids alike. It was a fun day.
At some point in the day there was conversation which fell short of the gospel. Jesus was proclaimed as someone who was going to build His kingdom on this earth at that time but was killed just before He could. Wrong!! Jesus came to die. It was planned before the creation of the world. He had to die as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. So we all nailed him to the cross with our sinful hearts. The conversation put a damper on my resurrection celebration but God gave me joy the following morning.
On Monday morning I was speaking with my daughter on the phone and she told me this story. Everett (9) and Tristan (7) were having a conversation in bed. She couldn't hear it well but she caught enough to know what was going on. Tristan was asking Everett about being a christian. Everett said, "I just prayed and begged God to forgive me of my sins." Tristan asked, "When can I do that?" Everett told him to come down from the top bunk and get in his bed. Then she heard Everett say that he would pray first. He prayed about how God forgives sins and was very thankful. Then Tristan prayed and she couldn't hear it but she did hear this when he was finished..."Tristan that was good. You thought of praying things I didn't think of."(said by Everett)
Regardless of the conversation on Easter that fell short of the gospel. God was at work in the heart of a 7 year old boy. What a joy to know that my grandsons "get it!".
He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!
This year we had celebrated with the body of Christ singing in worship together with various songs. We even sang one that had been written by John of Damascus in about 100 A.D. It was so solid in its theology which goes to show that we don't have the market cornered because we are living in a "modern" world. We prayed together and then spent time in the Word looking at Jesus as the temple that was torn down and brought back after 3 days. What a joy to have spent that time with the body.
After such a wonderful celebration we gathered together as family and spent time at the table over chicken and the trimmings. My grandson, Seth, gave the blessing and in it he prayed that we would remember that Easter was not about us but about Jesus. It was a good reminder from an 11 year old. After dinner when the eggs were being hidden, I was able to help my grandkids and my nieces put together resurrection eggs. We went through the last days of Jesus as we put them together, reading the scripture and asking questions. It was a joy to hear from them what they know about Christ. Then the egg hunt which is so much fun for them even as they are getting older. After that badminton with adults and kids alike. It was a fun day.
At some point in the day there was conversation which fell short of the gospel. Jesus was proclaimed as someone who was going to build His kingdom on this earth at that time but was killed just before He could. Wrong!! Jesus came to die. It was planned before the creation of the world. He had to die as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. So we all nailed him to the cross with our sinful hearts. The conversation put a damper on my resurrection celebration but God gave me joy the following morning.
On Monday morning I was speaking with my daughter on the phone and she told me this story. Everett (9) and Tristan (7) were having a conversation in bed. She couldn't hear it well but she caught enough to know what was going on. Tristan was asking Everett about being a christian. Everett said, "I just prayed and begged God to forgive me of my sins." Tristan asked, "When can I do that?" Everett told him to come down from the top bunk and get in his bed. Then she heard Everett say that he would pray first. He prayed about how God forgives sins and was very thankful. Then Tristan prayed and she couldn't hear it but she did hear this when he was finished..."Tristan that was good. You thought of praying things I didn't think of."(said by Everett)
Regardless of the conversation on Easter that fell short of the gospel. God was at work in the heart of a 7 year old boy. What a joy to know that my grandsons "get it!".
He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!
Monday, January 24, 2011
Google Calendar
The other day my daughter said to me that we should get the google calendar so that we would know what the other one is doing. You see we call each other every morning for the update of appointments and what the day holds. She said, "Then I won't have to call you but I will probably call you anyway." Which I thought was nice because I like the touching base with her.
In that conversation she also said something about my life and I said, "I don't have a life." I have been thinking about that statement. It is very selfish. For you see my life is not about me. It is about God and others. The more people that are in my life the better, right? Especially if I am going to do it God's way. So I think that people who spend time soaking in the tub, going to the tanning booth, shopping every Saturday at the mall, watching their favorite TV show or drawing life on being alone have got it all wrong. Not that any of those things by themselves are wrong but a string of self-satisfying things is definitely wrong. In fact, that person would be missing out on life.
Life is about having your google calendar with God and anyone else who wants to share it with you. We are to learn of Him, worship Him, honor Him and reflect Him to others. The others are the ones on the calendar who we are to love as we love ourselves. Living that way, now that's life.! So, do I have a life? You betcha and I want to live every minute of it for the glory of Christ, my Savior, who gave His life for me. He did that according to God's calendar. They were definitely on the same page.
So ok, Barb, let's do it!! Only trouble is, it's technical so you will have to show me and maybe you will have to do it for me. Guess what?? You have a life too. Love you.
In that conversation she also said something about my life and I said, "I don't have a life." I have been thinking about that statement. It is very selfish. For you see my life is not about me. It is about God and others. The more people that are in my life the better, right? Especially if I am going to do it God's way. So I think that people who spend time soaking in the tub, going to the tanning booth, shopping every Saturday at the mall, watching their favorite TV show or drawing life on being alone have got it all wrong. Not that any of those things by themselves are wrong but a string of self-satisfying things is definitely wrong. In fact, that person would be missing out on life.
Life is about having your google calendar with God and anyone else who wants to share it with you. We are to learn of Him, worship Him, honor Him and reflect Him to others. The others are the ones on the calendar who we are to love as we love ourselves. Living that way, now that's life.! So, do I have a life? You betcha and I want to live every minute of it for the glory of Christ, my Savior, who gave His life for me. He did that according to God's calendar. They were definitely on the same page.
So ok, Barb, let's do it!! Only trouble is, it's technical so you will have to show me and maybe you will have to do it for me. Guess what?? You have a life too. Love you.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Can Someone say Amen?
I always love it when I see evidence of God working in the lives of my grandchildren. It is such a privilege as a grandma to witness the growth of each of them especially in the area of their spiritual lives.
Seth is my oldest grandson and is definitely the most serious of the bunch. One day he came into his mother's studio and looked very dejected. She asked him what the problem was and he said, "It's the Holy Spirit." She thought that was interesting so she asked what he meant. "I hit Everett and now the Holy Spirit won't leave me alone." She reminded him of what he needed to do about it and he went upstairs to ask for forgiveness.
Wow!! "It's the Holy Spirit!" Sometimes I am embarrassed to say that I don't even know if I am listening to the Spirit. How wonderful to see that my grandson has a sensitivity to the Lord.
Everett is next and boy can this guy pray. He will cover just about everything in a prayer before the meal without ever praying for the food. He too is very sensitive. He rarely lets a prayer go by without praying for his uncle, my son. He has not seen him in 5 years and yet he still remembers him and prays for his uncle to turn to God. He was upset one day because he forgot to pray for his uncle.
O.K. who am I forgetting to pray for on a regular basis. What an example he is to me!
Tristan is the youngest boy in the family. He has learned the song about the fruit of the Spirit and sings it with gusto. He tries to sing it faster and faster. Through this song he has memorized the Word of God. It is such a joy to see his smiling dimpled face as he sings the words which are being imprinted on his heart.
Memorize...falling behind there myself...I guess I need a song to help me. So proud to hear Tristan singing God's Word.
Then there is Addy, the girly girl and the youngest. One day as we were making cookies somehow we were talking about Jesus. With great authority she said to me, "Well, Jesus died on the cross and came back to life." I agreed and said that this was very true. What a great truth to know at her age.
I need to remember what Jesus did on a daily basis and I don't always do that. I get busy.
So not only am I proud of my grandkids but I can also be challenged by them spiritually. What a joy to watch and learn. So I pray for sensitivity to the Spirit, to remember to pray for specific people, to memorize the Word and to never forget what Jesus did for me.
Seth is my oldest grandson and is definitely the most serious of the bunch. One day he came into his mother's studio and looked very dejected. She asked him what the problem was and he said, "It's the Holy Spirit." She thought that was interesting so she asked what he meant. "I hit Everett and now the Holy Spirit won't leave me alone." She reminded him of what he needed to do about it and he went upstairs to ask for forgiveness.
Wow!! "It's the Holy Spirit!" Sometimes I am embarrassed to say that I don't even know if I am listening to the Spirit. How wonderful to see that my grandson has a sensitivity to the Lord.
Everett is next and boy can this guy pray. He will cover just about everything in a prayer before the meal without ever praying for the food. He too is very sensitive. He rarely lets a prayer go by without praying for his uncle, my son. He has not seen him in 5 years and yet he still remembers him and prays for his uncle to turn to God. He was upset one day because he forgot to pray for his uncle.
O.K. who am I forgetting to pray for on a regular basis. What an example he is to me!
Tristan is the youngest boy in the family. He has learned the song about the fruit of the Spirit and sings it with gusto. He tries to sing it faster and faster. Through this song he has memorized the Word of God. It is such a joy to see his smiling dimpled face as he sings the words which are being imprinted on his heart.
Memorize...falling behind there myself...I guess I need a song to help me. So proud to hear Tristan singing God's Word.
Then there is Addy, the girly girl and the youngest. One day as we were making cookies somehow we were talking about Jesus. With great authority she said to me, "Well, Jesus died on the cross and came back to life." I agreed and said that this was very true. What a great truth to know at her age.
I need to remember what Jesus did on a daily basis and I don't always do that. I get busy.
So not only am I proud of my grandkids but I can also be challenged by them spiritually. What a joy to watch and learn. So I pray for sensitivity to the Spirit, to remember to pray for specific people, to memorize the Word and to never forget what Jesus did for me.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Who is like God?
I have been thinking about this since I read 2 Samuel 22-24 this morning. David poses a couple of questions, "For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God?" (2 Samuel 22:32) My first response, "Exactly!" There is none like God. He is the Sovereign Lord Almighty creator of all things. He is the firm foundation on which to stand. He is the Savior of all called by His Name.
So why the struggle? If I truly believe the above, then why do I doubt? Why do I turn to my own way and not rely on the firm foundation of my Lord? I am a sinner! Ouch! I hate saying that but it is true. I put myself in the place of God. I think I am the rock, the firm foundation and I have it all together in my life. Just imagine trying to save myself but believe me I've tried it. So where does the struggle really come from? Pride.
It is pride that I struggle with, do you? My own self gets in the way of my serving a risen Savior. I think I know best and that surely I can handle whatever comes my way. But without God, I can forget it! Humility is what I need. If I truly follow my Savior, then I will seek to be like Him. He was humble. "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." (Philippians 2:5-8)
What a challenge to walk humbly as Jesus did! On my own, I cannot do it but with the Holy Spirit who lives within me...I can be on my way!
So why the struggle? If I truly believe the above, then why do I doubt? Why do I turn to my own way and not rely on the firm foundation of my Lord? I am a sinner! Ouch! I hate saying that but it is true. I put myself in the place of God. I think I am the rock, the firm foundation and I have it all together in my life. Just imagine trying to save myself but believe me I've tried it. So where does the struggle really come from? Pride.
It is pride that I struggle with, do you? My own self gets in the way of my serving a risen Savior. I think I know best and that surely I can handle whatever comes my way. But without God, I can forget it! Humility is what I need. If I truly follow my Savior, then I will seek to be like Him. He was humble. "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." (Philippians 2:5-8)
What a challenge to walk humbly as Jesus did! On my own, I cannot do it but with the Holy Spirit who lives within me...I can be on my way!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
A Challenge For Humility
This week my grandson, Seth, gave me a short paragraph he had typed about me. He is learning to type and write paragraphs and had actually done it for school. I am so glad he gave it to me. It will go into my keepsake box. I am going to share it below and you will see why I have been challenged.
"I have three favorite things about my Grandma. These things are kindness, happiness, and loving. My first favorite thing about my Grandma is that she's kind. She's kind because she'll play games with us. My second favorite thing about my Grandma is that she's always happy. I'm happy that she's happy or she won't be kind. My last thing I like about my Grandma is that she is loving. Its good to have a loving Grandma or else well she won't like you. I have the best Grandma in the world."
As I read this I smiled and shed a tear but then it started to sink in. How in the world can I live up to these three words?? It is humbling to think that this is the way I am seen by Seth but what a challenge to continue in that humility. It makes it all the more clear to me that I cannot do this on my own. I need the help of the Holy Spirit to strengthen me to practice these characteristics without being proud.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other." Ephesians 5:22-26
We have read these verses but we like to concentrate on what the fruit of the Spirit is rather than the whole passage. Notice at the end we are warned about becoming conceited. As we see the fruit of the Spirit evidenced in our lives, we will be tempted to boast or be proud about what we are doing. In actuality when we do that we are not displaying the fruit of the Spirit at all, we are counterfeit. Do you see the challenge?? I am so glad Seth sees this in me and yet I need to remember that it is not me I want him to see. I want him to see Jesus.
Thank you Seth for your encouraging words. I will seek to yield myself to the Spirit and reflect Jesus in my actions. Because that is the only way to live!
"I have three favorite things about my Grandma. These things are kindness, happiness, and loving. My first favorite thing about my Grandma is that she's kind. She's kind because she'll play games with us. My second favorite thing about my Grandma is that she's always happy. I'm happy that she's happy or she won't be kind. My last thing I like about my Grandma is that she is loving. Its good to have a loving Grandma or else well she won't like you. I have the best Grandma in the world."
As I read this I smiled and shed a tear but then it started to sink in. How in the world can I live up to these three words?? It is humbling to think that this is the way I am seen by Seth but what a challenge to continue in that humility. It makes it all the more clear to me that I cannot do this on my own. I need the help of the Holy Spirit to strengthen me to practice these characteristics without being proud.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other." Ephesians 5:22-26
We have read these verses but we like to concentrate on what the fruit of the Spirit is rather than the whole passage. Notice at the end we are warned about becoming conceited. As we see the fruit of the Spirit evidenced in our lives, we will be tempted to boast or be proud about what we are doing. In actuality when we do that we are not displaying the fruit of the Spirit at all, we are counterfeit. Do you see the challenge?? I am so glad Seth sees this in me and yet I need to remember that it is not me I want him to see. I want him to see Jesus.
Thank you Seth for your encouraging words. I will seek to yield myself to the Spirit and reflect Jesus in my actions. Because that is the only way to live!
Saturday, January 3, 2009
A Prayer of Joy for the New Year
Here we are 3 days into 2009. Whoa!!! I remember when I was a child always looking forward to 10 years of age, then it was 16, then it was 18, then 20 and then it all stopped. The looking forward to the next year, the next age was not something I really had time for. They just kept coming until now I am in the 21st century. Now that's weird!
What is so weird about it? I was born in 1952 if that tells you anything. I could make sense of black and white T.V. and now they tell me we are going digital. What??? So many changes. I used to think that my grandma had seen a lot of changes going from horse and buggy to cars, from radio to T.V. but now I realize I AM GRANDMA!! I have seen a lot of changes with many more to come to be sure. Can you believe it? I'm that grandma writing a blog. :) Now that makes me laugh.
There is one who is constant and has never changed from one century to the next. Who? My Savior, Jesus Christ. He has entered this new year with me. He has promised me He will never leave me or forsake me. He has given me His Spirit and His Word. He has sacrificed Himself for me. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. This means a lot to me as I see so many changes each and every day. I know I can count on Jesus no matter what changes.
What has Jesus promised me for this year? He has promised me if I seek to live my life His Way then I can have joy. He does not promise me happiness for there will be many things in this coming year which will bring me great sadness and pain. He does promise to be with me through the difficulties to come and to provide me with comfort and peace. His comfort and peace bring me joy in Him, not in my circumstances.
My prayer for you this year is joy. So I say to you Have a JOYFUL New Year as you trust in the ONLY Savior, Jesus Christ.
What is so weird about it? I was born in 1952 if that tells you anything. I could make sense of black and white T.V. and now they tell me we are going digital. What??? So many changes. I used to think that my grandma had seen a lot of changes going from horse and buggy to cars, from radio to T.V. but now I realize I AM GRANDMA!! I have seen a lot of changes with many more to come to be sure. Can you believe it? I'm that grandma writing a blog. :) Now that makes me laugh.
There is one who is constant and has never changed from one century to the next. Who? My Savior, Jesus Christ. He has entered this new year with me. He has promised me He will never leave me or forsake me. He has given me His Spirit and His Word. He has sacrificed Himself for me. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. This means a lot to me as I see so many changes each and every day. I know I can count on Jesus no matter what changes.
What has Jesus promised me for this year? He has promised me if I seek to live my life His Way then I can have joy. He does not promise me happiness for there will be many things in this coming year which will bring me great sadness and pain. He does promise to be with me through the difficulties to come and to provide me with comfort and peace. His comfort and peace bring me joy in Him, not in my circumstances.
My prayer for you this year is joy. So I say to you Have a JOYFUL New Year as you trust in the ONLY Savior, Jesus Christ.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Fun with Mom
My mom is proof positive that God has a sense of humor. Technically, she has frontal lobe disorder but practically for us it is no different than Alzheimer's. Her memory is all but non-existent of the current events that take place each day, no really more like from moment to moment. However, she can cover up her lack of memory with some pretty funny one liners. Today was one of those times.
There was a geranium hanging on the front of their garage and Mom said, "Where did you get that flower?" My dad said that he had already told her where it came from. Mom replied, "Well I know if you would have told me, I would have remembered it." Then my dad said, "you said that it would be yours and you would take care of it." Mom replied, "Believe me, I know I never said that!"
The whole exchange made me laugh all the way home. For just that instant, Mom can articulate a pretty funny reply but then it goes just as quickly as it came. God gives me these times so that I can laugh thereby enjoying my mom once again.
It also reminds me of how I live my life at times in totally denial of what I know God is telling me. In a situation where I say things that hurt the one I am speaking to, I might as well be saying to God, "Well, I know if you would have told me, I would have remembered it." Would I? The correct question is "Do I?" Because He has told me in His word and quite simply..."Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31 How in the world could I forget that?
I do not have the same condition as my mom but I do have a problem, it is MYSELF disorder. Have you ever suffered from it? I fear I suffer from it way too often. The medicine I need is all tied up in repentance and forgiveness. Repentance is work on my part as I turn from this disorder and forgiveness is God's part as He embraces me as His own because of the death, burial and resurrection of His Son, Jesus.
I don't know about you but I would much rather be in order with Jesus than in disorder without Him.
There was a geranium hanging on the front of their garage and Mom said, "Where did you get that flower?" My dad said that he had already told her where it came from. Mom replied, "Well I know if you would have told me, I would have remembered it." Then my dad said, "you said that it would be yours and you would take care of it." Mom replied, "Believe me, I know I never said that!"
The whole exchange made me laugh all the way home. For just that instant, Mom can articulate a pretty funny reply but then it goes just as quickly as it came. God gives me these times so that I can laugh thereby enjoying my mom once again.
It also reminds me of how I live my life at times in totally denial of what I know God is telling me. In a situation where I say things that hurt the one I am speaking to, I might as well be saying to God, "Well, I know if you would have told me, I would have remembered it." Would I? The correct question is "Do I?" Because He has told me in His word and quite simply..."Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31 How in the world could I forget that?
I do not have the same condition as my mom but I do have a problem, it is MYSELF disorder. Have you ever suffered from it? I fear I suffer from it way too often. The medicine I need is all tied up in repentance and forgiveness. Repentance is work on my part as I turn from this disorder and forgiveness is God's part as He embraces me as His own because of the death, burial and resurrection of His Son, Jesus.
I don't know about you but I would much rather be in order with Jesus than in disorder without Him.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)