Category Archives: Jesus Christ

Not Just Reading Glasses…

Christ's rest, Discouraged Christian, Hope, Jesus Christ, Spiritual Encouragement, To Rest in Christ, Trials, Troubles, , , , , , ,

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It used to just be reading glasses…

Do you like to read?  I must say it is one of my favorite past times…but usually it is late at night and I fall asleep before I get through three pages!  But I still enjoy reading anything put in front of me.

There in lies the problem.  When I turned 40 my arms simply were not long enough. As time went on, I transferred from just reading glasses to the tri focal version.  And at 53, they are the first thing I grab in the morning.  They certainly amplify the words, and quite frankly, everything else I lay eyes on! All these things appear larger than they really are…but they indeed are true in image and focus.

I am so grateful for the ability to actually see better.  Looking through these glasses really gives me perspective of what I am looking at.

I contend that the Father gives us His eyes if we allow Him to do so. If we see personal problems and issues of this world through His eyes, somehow they become so much clearer.  They don’t go away, and we still might not understand.  But I have found that I can deal with personal problems with much different “vision”.

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet without sin.  Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”  Hebrews 4:14-16

 
Jesus gets it folks. When no one else understands, He does. He sees it with clarity, and although we may not really understand, we can always trust Him. I know from experience.

So I need my glasses. I am grateful with the “clarity” in which I now see…trust me, they help in many ways…..

Blessings dear ones…

IN CHRIST ALONE

Isaiah 55:8-9

*google image, NIV Bible*

CORD=HOPE

Christ's rest, Discouraged Christian, Freedom in Christ, Grace, Hope, Jesus Christ, Spiritual Encouragement, To Rest in Christ, Trials, Troubles, , , , , , , ,

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A cord, an attachment….

When you think of a cord, what comes to mind? Is it a telephone cord? (Then you are my age).  Could it be a computer cord? (You might be in your 30’s).  How about the cord to charge your iPhone? (You are much younger).

What do all these cords have in common?  What is their purpose?  What do each of them do?  They attach to something!  The telephone, the computer and the iPhone.  All are attached to the power source with a cord. Here is where it gets good.

“Find rest , O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him.”  Psalm 62:5.  

The word “hope” in this verse is “tiquah”, which literally means “a cord, as an attachment.” (Strongs)  So our “CORD” or “HOPE” must be attached to GOD alone!  A cord is strong.  If we hang onto any thing else, it is like hanging on with a thin string.  

There seem to be so many people right now without “hope”.  They are “hopeless”.  But friends, if we have Jesus Christ, we have HOPE.  We are attached with a cord to HIM.

My song, or the song that the Father has used in my life for years is “In Christ Alone”.(Shawn Craig and Donald A. Koch, 1991) The words in that song have ministered to me in so many crisis in my life.  It would play on the radio at just the right time…always.  Micheal English,(http://www.michaelenglishmusic.com) my all time favorite artist, sings it best…

“In Christ alone will I glory …Though I could pride myself in battles won. For I’ve been blessed beyond measure and by His strength alone I’ll overcome. Oh, I could stop and count successes like diamonds in my hands, But those trophies could not equal to the grace by which I stand.
[chorus]In Christ alone …I place my trust ..And find my glory in the power of the cross …In every victory …Let it be said of me …My source of strength, My source of hope ….Is Christ alone 
In Christ alone do I glory ..For only by His grace I am redeemed. For only His tender mercy, could reach beyond my weakness to my need.  And now I seek no greater honor in just to know Him more, and to count my gains but losses to the glory of my Lord!

Dear friends, our attachment is strong, our cord will hold.  Our HOPE is in Christ.

Blessings dear ones,

IN CHRIST ALONE

Isaiah 55:8-9

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*google image, Strongs, IN CHRIST ALONE lyrics by Shawn Craig and Don Koch)

And It Begins

Grace, Jesus Christ, Spiritual Encouragement, Trials, Troubles, , , , , , ,

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And it Begins!

Silly me. My heart is beating at a rapid pace. Why you ask? The wind is blowing and we are under a tornado warning. I have made progress though. I am not hiding in my closet. However, my purse is around my shoulder, cell phone in pocket, and dog on leash.

As I have posted on a previous blog, we lost our home to a tornado in 1982. Then, in 2009 a huge oak tree fell through our roof and we had to move out and have major renovation. So, I do have an aversion to wind.

People who have NOT been through storms like this think I am over reacting. It use to make me mad, but now I understand their feelings. They have not experienced my storms.

It is not much different from our emotional storms. I have learned that I have not experienced other people’s storms, so I have no idea how they feel. I have to legitimize their feelings, their fears, their troubles. I have no right to minimize their storm. And even if a person has been through a similar situation, I still don’t totally understand, but I can empathize.

John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

I can then minister to those people. I can love them with the love of Jesus. I cannot fix it, I can not always make it better. In fact, most times I cannot. But the peace that passes all understanding can be present. I have personally experienced that peace many times. And I know it was the Father, because the circumstances would dictate otherwise.

How wonderful to know that Jesus has overcome the world! My storms, your storms….He is our strength and our peace. He doesn’t always calm the storm, but He will calm the child. And just maybe we can be part of that calm through Christ.

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

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So get ready…storms will come!

Blessings~

IN CHRIST ALONE

Isaiah 55:8-9