Saturday, March 22, 2008
Friday, March 21, 2008
Resurrection Celebration
Easter Sunday...the awesome resurrection of Jesus Christ! We must remember, that had it not been for Christmas (the birth of Christ) we would not have had the cross...and resurrection.
Jesus came to the earth, fully human, experienced the joys, hardships, temptations, and celebrations, that we all deal with. Jesus, our Hope and Friend. His precious name brings a smile to my face as I remember times when He carried me through hardships and times when we danced together in celebration.
Resurrection...Jesus returning from the grave to bring life to all who believe in Him and have a relationship with Him. What more joy could we have? My friend, I encourage you that no matter what you are going through, there is hope and life because Jesus overcame satan (small "s" intended) and gives us Victory in Jesus. Take His hand, look Him in the face, smile as He holds you, and Dance with Jesus!
Jesus came to the earth, fully human, experienced the joys, hardships, temptations, and celebrations, that we all deal with. Jesus, our Hope and Friend. His precious name brings a smile to my face as I remember times when He carried me through hardships and times when we danced together in celebration.
Resurrection...Jesus returning from the grave to bring life to all who believe in Him and have a relationship with Him. What more joy could we have? My friend, I encourage you that no matter what you are going through, there is hope and life because Jesus overcame satan (small "s" intended) and gives us Victory in Jesus. Take His hand, look Him in the face, smile as He holds you, and Dance with Jesus!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Shape Up!
Isn't it funny how every spring people aim at getting their "summer figure"? During the fall and winter we tend to relax...relax our eating...relax our exercise(the weather isn't nice enough for walking outside)...relax our mindset. Don't get me wrong, I am ALL for relaxing...when I am given that cherished time.
As spring approaches, we pull out our bathing suits hold them up to ourselves or if we are brave, try them on. Not only do we notice a few added pounds...but we are winter white. Our perspective is off. We tell ourselves..."ok, it is time to start working out...eating right...."Well it is great that we want to get in shape and eat right. The thing is (and this is not a writing on health and nutrition), we SHOULD be eating right and exercising ALL YEAR LONG!
What would happen if we treated our spiritual bodies the way we treat our physical bodies? "Well, ok (sigh) time to dust off the Bible, pull out some praise and worship cd's, open my journal again (wow was it really 3 months ago that I last wrote?).....Our "God Place" (temple of the Holy Spirit) would deteriorate. The "muscle tone" would become "flabby"....we lose that countenance of Christian living (like winter white skin)...our "sparkle" in our eyes disappears. If we don't continually maintain our spiritual lives...it becomes very evident. Please, though, if you need to pick up and begin maintenance again, do it! There are no excuses...just begin again!
Whatever works for you to continue in your daily walk with Jesus do it. Find the time that works for you and the resources that you enjoy. I always encourage keeping a journal simply because it is good to write down our thoughts, prayers, and poems and at times go back to them simply to see what God has held our hand through or carried us through...and to keep track of spiritual growth. I encourage you; Shape Up in the Savior.
As spring approaches, we pull out our bathing suits hold them up to ourselves or if we are brave, try them on. Not only do we notice a few added pounds...but we are winter white. Our perspective is off. We tell ourselves..."ok, it is time to start working out...eating right...."Well it is great that we want to get in shape and eat right. The thing is (and this is not a writing on health and nutrition), we SHOULD be eating right and exercising ALL YEAR LONG!
What would happen if we treated our spiritual bodies the way we treat our physical bodies? "Well, ok (sigh) time to dust off the Bible, pull out some praise and worship cd's, open my journal again (wow was it really 3 months ago that I last wrote?).....Our "God Place" (temple of the Holy Spirit) would deteriorate. The "muscle tone" would become "flabby"....we lose that countenance of Christian living (like winter white skin)...our "sparkle" in our eyes disappears. If we don't continually maintain our spiritual lives...it becomes very evident. Please, though, if you need to pick up and begin maintenance again, do it! There are no excuses...just begin again!
Whatever works for you to continue in your daily walk with Jesus do it. Find the time that works for you and the resources that you enjoy. I always encourage keeping a journal simply because it is good to write down our thoughts, prayers, and poems and at times go back to them simply to see what God has held our hand through or carried us through...and to keep track of spiritual growth. I encourage you; Shape Up in the Savior.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Saturday, March 1, 2008
'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus
When I was a little girl, I had many fears. I really have no idea why I was worried so much or was so fearful. I remember that there was a very comforting song that I would sing when I was alone:
Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus
'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
And to take him at his word;
Just to rest upon his promise,
And to know, "Thus saith the Lord."
Refrain: (chorus)
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him!
How I've proved him o'er and o'er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust him more!
I'm so glad I learned to trust thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, friend;
And I know that thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.back to
(Refrain)
I used to personalize the words...such as "just to take You at Your word"...rest upon "Your" promise...how I trust "You"...proved "You"...learned to trust "You"..."I know that You are with me will be with me to the end"...claiming it as my own and personalizing Jesus as he truly is a personal friend we can place our trust and confidence in. My mom taught me that Jesus is always with us and that anytime we call on His name He was there for us. Knowing that there was power in the name of Jesus, this song became my childhood "theme" song.
As an adult, there are so many different things that we face. There are world problems and stresses, Family stresses, Personal stresses...endless difficulties and struggles. We know that Jesus is and always will be a faithful Friend. So, rest upon the promise that Jesus is our best friend and assurance through anything that we may face in life. Take the little chorus to heart...claim it as you claim your trust in Jesus...sing it in the early morning...or any time throughout the day.
Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus
'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
And to take him at his word;
Just to rest upon his promise,
And to know, "Thus saith the Lord."
Refrain: (chorus)
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him!
How I've proved him o'er and o'er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust him more!
I'm so glad I learned to trust thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, friend;
And I know that thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.back to
(Refrain)
I used to personalize the words...such as "just to take You at Your word"...rest upon "Your" promise...how I trust "You"...proved "You"...learned to trust "You"..."I know that You are with me will be with me to the end"...claiming it as my own and personalizing Jesus as he truly is a personal friend we can place our trust and confidence in. My mom taught me that Jesus is always with us and that anytime we call on His name He was there for us. Knowing that there was power in the name of Jesus, this song became my childhood "theme" song.
As an adult, there are so many different things that we face. There are world problems and stresses, Family stresses, Personal stresses...endless difficulties and struggles. We know that Jesus is and always will be a faithful Friend. So, rest upon the promise that Jesus is our best friend and assurance through anything that we may face in life. Take the little chorus to heart...claim it as you claim your trust in Jesus...sing it in the early morning...or any time throughout the day.
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