A good friend and co-worker could use your thoughts and prayers. S and J were happily blessed 3 days ago with their first child, W. She called me today with the news they will be taking their little boy to Kings Daughter's hopital tonight. He is running a high fever and they don't know what's wrong with him. She and her husband are very distraught and could use as much love and support as possible.
Thank you for your prayers.
KDHCatt
*Names have been changed to protect the innocent.
Update 10/24/08:
Baby boy W is home and healthy with two very happy and relieved parents. He has gained enough weight to pass his birth weight and is no longer jaundiced. Thanks for all the prayers and best wishes.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
An Analogy
God fills us with forgiveness, love, mercy and grace.....imagine it as a pure white light of His love for us.
As humans it is impossible for us to transmit this "pure white light' through our flawed selves. We can only do it for brief shining moments. Because of our nature - flawed, fleshy, and sinful nature - the light breaks, like light through a prism. A rainbow of colors shining through each of us, beautiful to behold but flawed.
So instead of us showing each other forgiveness, love, mercy and grace - we are instead intolerant of each other. Judgemental of each other. Hate each other.
We take the 'pure white light' of God and push it through our opinions, emotions, biases, our racism and our intellect. We pervert it - break it apart. We decide we don't like the color blue and we don't want anyone else to like it either. Anyone showing blue or liking the color blue is wrong - our enemy - sinning - going to hell. Where is love? Where is forgiveness? Where is mercy and grace? Where is God's Word?
Shouldn't we try to live the gifts that God has given us? Even though it is humanly impossible to shine throught the perfect 'pure light' of God - shouldn't we do everything in our power to at least try? To show through our actions and deeds: forgiveness, love, grace and mercy? To know that God finds us beautiful, even in our brokenness. That He loves us beyond anything we can ever do.
Jesus has been the only vessel close to God's glory on this earth - able to shine God's 'perfect pure white light' on to us. But even Jesus had weakness...He asked the Father to take the mantle off of Him. He was afraid He wasn't strong enough......He was afraid.......The human vessel was weak. And in His weakness, I love Him more. That moment brings Him closer to me than all the miracles put together.
The miracles prove His divinity. The weakness shows His humanity. His death is human. His resurrection is God.
Of course, this is just my opinion and I could be wrong.
As humans it is impossible for us to transmit this "pure white light' through our flawed selves. We can only do it for brief shining moments. Because of our nature - flawed, fleshy, and sinful nature - the light breaks, like light through a prism. A rainbow of colors shining through each of us, beautiful to behold but flawed.
So instead of us showing each other forgiveness, love, mercy and grace - we are instead intolerant of each other. Judgemental of each other. Hate each other.
We take the 'pure white light' of God and push it through our opinions, emotions, biases, our racism and our intellect. We pervert it - break it apart. We decide we don't like the color blue and we don't want anyone else to like it either. Anyone showing blue or liking the color blue is wrong - our enemy - sinning - going to hell. Where is love? Where is forgiveness? Where is mercy and grace? Where is God's Word?
Shouldn't we try to live the gifts that God has given us? Even though it is humanly impossible to shine throught the perfect 'pure light' of God - shouldn't we do everything in our power to at least try? To show through our actions and deeds: forgiveness, love, grace and mercy? To know that God finds us beautiful, even in our brokenness. That He loves us beyond anything we can ever do.
I am broken. I am flawed.
I am an imperfect vessel for God's grace.
I am beautiful in His eyes.
I am weak. I sin.
I am unable to be the perfect vessel for Him.
I am beautiful in His eyes.
Jesus has been the only vessel close to God's glory on this earth - able to shine God's 'perfect pure white light' on to us. But even Jesus had weakness...He asked the Father to take the mantle off of Him. He was afraid He wasn't strong enough......He was afraid.......The human vessel was weak. And in His weakness, I love Him more. That moment brings Him closer to me than all the miracles put together.
The miracles prove His divinity. The weakness shows His humanity. His death is human. His resurrection is God.
Of course, this is just my opinion and I could be wrong.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
40 DOP - Day 3
Today: Living on purpose is the path to peace.
Random Thoughts:
"Without God, life has no purpose..."
"...aimless distraction." Purpose Driven Life
What is the focus of my life? What do I spend all my energies on? These are questions 'm having difficulties answering....I'm stuck in a life of 'aimless distraction'. I use things to distraction myself from really paying attention to life. Time to stop and listen. Time for God to be my focus and what I spend my energies on.
Random Thoughts:
"Without God, life has no purpose..."
"...aimless distraction." Purpose Driven Life
What is the focus of my life? What do I spend all my energies on? These are questions 'm having difficulties answering....I'm stuck in a life of 'aimless distraction'. I use things to distraction myself from really paying attention to life. Time to stop and listen. Time for God to be my focus and what I spend my energies on.
40 DOP - Day 2
Day 2 of 40 Days of Purpose was actually yesterday, but I didn't get online last night.....so.....
Day 2: I am not an accident.
Random Thoughts:
It's good to think that everything is for a reason. That everything we go through as humans is for something bigger and greater than ourselves. It wonderful to think to yourself, "Man, I'm part of something HUGE."
Also it's nice to know God wants you just the way you are. He planned it that way. He knew long before I failed at my diet or screamed at the slow moving car in front of me....He knew. And was probably already shaking His head at me. How much luckier could I be than to know my Father still loves me.
Day 2: I am not an accident.
Random Thoughts:
It's good to think that everything is for a reason. That everything we go through as humans is for something bigger and greater than ourselves. It wonderful to think to yourself, "Man, I'm part of something HUGE."
Also it's nice to know God wants you just the way you are. He planned it that way. He knew long before I failed at my diet or screamed at the slow moving car in front of me....He knew. And was probably already shaking His head at me. How much luckier could I be than to know my Father still loves me.
Monday, October 13, 2008
40 Days of Purpose
Today was the beginning of NHC's and my journey with the 40 Days of Purpose. I'm very excited and look forward to the path, wherever it leads.
Today: It's not about me.
Random Thoughts:
How in this ego-centric world do you think you can convince anyone it's not ALL about them? We thrive on our accomplishments, our individuality, our possessions. We do everything for OUR own glory. I made this. I did this. Look what I did. mememememememe.....
We're like kids playing in the pool. We're laughing and splashing, having a great time....but yelling, "Mommy! Watch ME!" We want to do it on our own, but have somebody looking out for us. God created us and knows every thought we are going to ever have but......"I'll take it from here Lord."
We're idiots.
Today: It's not about me.
Random Thoughts:
How in this ego-centric world do you think you can convince anyone it's not ALL about them? We thrive on our accomplishments, our individuality, our possessions. We do everything for OUR own glory. I made this. I did this. Look what I did. mememememememe.....
We're like kids playing in the pool. We're laughing and splashing, having a great time....but yelling, "Mommy! Watch ME!" We want to do it on our own, but have somebody looking out for us. God created us and knows every thought we are going to ever have but......"I'll take it from here Lord."
We're idiots.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Happy Birthday
Dear Lord,
Thank you for granting me another year on this planet. As much time as I waste and squander, You always have patience with me. Please be by my side in the coming year, guiding me and leading me on a path closer to You. I pray I can continue learning Your Word and living a life that praises You. I pray that I can continue to "Be still and know...." as You ask in Psalms 46:10. Bless all those around me and walk with them always, showing Your grace and love. I only hope I can be as much of a blessing to them as they are to me. I pray that You will bless me in my mission to run the Half Marathon next year. Keep me on track and patient in training and getting healthier. I can only do this with Your help, Lord. In praise of You, Lord, Amen.
Thank you for granting me another year on this planet. As much time as I waste and squander, You always have patience with me. Please be by my side in the coming year, guiding me and leading me on a path closer to You. I pray I can continue learning Your Word and living a life that praises You. I pray that I can continue to "Be still and know...." as You ask in Psalms 46:10. Bless all those around me and walk with them always, showing Your grace and love. I only hope I can be as much of a blessing to them as they are to me. I pray that You will bless me in my mission to run the Half Marathon next year. Keep me on track and patient in training and getting healthier. I can only do this with Your help, Lord. In praise of You, Lord, Amen.
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