When we reflect the “Son”, we don’t become the moon (lunar sounds strangely like lunatic…what really does happen when there’s a full moon?), but we do become ONE with the Father’s heart. This brings glory to God.
I was talking with someone yesterday about how many “sane” and respectable people have become a bit loony over the past few years. Does this have to do with the moon or is it a result of losing our ability to be of “one” mind with God’s Word?
Encouragement, comfort, participation and affection happen in God’s family. It’s wonderful to have a close-knit biological family but when we become part of the family of God there is a supernatural bond that occurs.
We watched the Prime Freevee this week called “Mother Teresa: No Greater Love”. That was inspiring! She showed the humility of Christ to those who needed mercy. AND, she boldly stood up for their dignity.
Truly a unique combination: humility with authority. It reminds me of the passage below.
Why would the maker of the universe choose to become confined to a human body, which was bound by time and space?
He showed us great mercy in the midst of His divine authority. Without that authority, he would not have been able to succeed with such a radical plan.
His love broke through for all. We need His mercy and grace as much as every desperate life depicted in the documentary. I loved the story of the 2-week old baby, abandoned and yet was still clinging to life. She was recorded as struggling to focus on Mother Teresa’s face but beautifully responding to the intentional loving touch that was caressing her face. Such a reflection of our full reliance on the Savior’s care and affection.
Without him, I am nothing but with him, I have encouragement, comfort, participation and affection. #dignity
How can we make the Father’s joy complete? Let’s give up lunacy and choose instead to be in full accord with His heart.-Teresa #love
Philippians 2:1-11 (ESV)*
Christ’s Example of Humility
2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,[b]6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,[c]7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,[d] being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
My son and I went backpacking in Yosemite this week for three days. Wow, what a nature fix. Beauty permeated my being from every angle-from the breathtaking scenery to the soothing bullfrog sounds at night, and cold river water to soothe my swollen knee.
I especially loved the valley hike on the first day from El Cap meadow to the village (probably because I had no pack weight to lug around).
Now, I’m not complaining since I only carried my clothes, snacks and water plus my Big Agnus sleeping mat. He carried the brunt of the weight including the bear canister, both our tents and sleeping bags plus all his fly fishing gear.
To make one astute observation, I’m not as strong as I once was when I started backpacking in my 30’s. In fact, psychologically I found that I was a bit more fearful. Yes, even my tough upbringing from the Upper Peninsula of MI did not make me feel comfortable when I was left alone to patrol the campsite for three hours at mid-day.
Every sound and imagined sound had me pacing the perimeter and ensuring I had my “bear proof” titanium dishes with me to clang together when needed. I did not say “if “ but “when”, after our experience in Tahoe a few weeks earlier when a bear trotted up to our site while we were eating dinner.
Just to put your mind at rest, I only saw a beautifully curious doe who made me realize my tent was set up on a “game trail” running to the creek. After flipping her ears toward me several times, she gave up her attempt for water because I was standing my ground.
During the long night, all my “imagined” forest companions kept creeping into my mind: starting with a mountain lion, punctuated by a skunk and a cougar, ending with the infamous bear. My son reminded me the next day of the song we used to sing when the kids all lived at home, “The voice of truth” by Casting Crowns.
Yes, I had a case of listening to the voice of fear vs. the voice of truth and it stole my joy for a good part of Day 2 of our trip. It is impossible to enjoy beauty when fear is prevailing.
The Bible passages today were such a beautiful reminder of how much I forget (like Israel) to see the promises of God. He chose a Savior for us (Jesus Christ his Son). He bought us back from sin’s curse (aka redemption) and he promised to make us part of the kingdom of Heaven (as his workmanship), even while we are on this earth. Why is this comforting?
It’s easy to stay fearful of the future especially when so much sin and deception is being touted in our world. The comfort is that when Christ made all things new, he took care of all sin, not just from the past and present but also into the future. That’s amazing!! Not only has God already seen the extent of the problem but His solution has already been applied, being more than enough.
The exhortation is: don’t allow fear to rob us of our joy, because the truth about God’s forgiveness is greater. We may need to extend this forgiveness to people in our present circumstances. But when we remember beyond a doubt that His presence is around us, our senses are free to experience beauty. -Teresa #sinbringsdeath #gracebringslife
Isaiah 42 and 43:1-3a (ESV)* (bold added for emphasis)
42 Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. 2 He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; 3 a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. 4 He will not grow faint or be discouraged[c] till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law.
5 Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it: 6 “I am the Lord; I have called you[d] in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, 7 to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. 8 I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols. 9 Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them.”
Sing to the Lord a New Song
10 Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise from the end of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that fills it, the coastlands and their inhabitants. 11 Let the desert and its cities lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar inhabits; let the habitants of Sela sing for joy, let them shout from the top of the mountains. 12 Let them give glory to the Lord, and declare his praise in the coastlands. 13 The Lord goes out like a mighty man, like a man of war he stirs up his zeal; he cries out, he shouts aloud, he shows himself mighty against his foes.
14 For a long time I have held my peace; I have kept still and restrained myself; now I will cry out like a woman in labor; I will gasp and pant. 15 I will lay waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their vegetation; I will turn the rivers into islands,[e] and dry up the pools. 16 And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them. 17 They are turned back and utterly put to shame, who trust in carved idols, who say to metal images, “You are our gods.”
Israel’s Failure to Hear and See
18 Hear, you deaf, and look, you blind, that you may see! 19 Who is blind but my servant, or deaf as my messenger whom I send? Who is blind as my dedicated one,[f] or blind as the servant of the Lord? 20 He sees many things, but does not observe them; his ears are open, but he does not hear. 21 The Lord was pleased, for his righteousness’ sake, to magnify his law and make it glorious. 22 But this is a people plundered and looted; they are all of them trapped in holes and hidden in prisons; they have become plunder with none to rescue, spoil with none to say, “Restore!” 23 Who among you will give ear to this, will attend and listen for the time to come? 24 Who gave up Jacob to the looter, and Israel to the plunderers? Was it not the Lord, against whom we have sinned, in whose ways they would not walk, and whose law they would not obey? 25 So he poured on him the heat of his anger and the might of battle; it set him on fire all around, but he did not understand; it burned him up, but he did not take it to heart.
Israel’s Only Savior
43 But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. 3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
Ephesians 2:4-10*
]4 But[c]God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Many years ago, (over 30 years) I was flying to Puerto Rico to meet up with a business gathering for my husband’s company (spouses were invited). I spent the first night alone and felt discouraged not just because my luggage was lost but because I did not feel “one” with my husband. Sitting out on the balcony with the moon shining over the ocean, I heard the powerful sound of the waves ebbing and flowing.
As I poured out my heart to God, I was encouraged by the thought that although the wave pushing the water onto the shore was extremely powerful…the current sucking it back out to sea was just as powerful! Suddenly, I visualized my marriage relationship with a new perspective. Even though we may reach the goal in different ways, we had the same end result in mind. Harmony and power go hand in hand to make a relationship strong. The important part is to stay in rhythm or in sync.
Since then, God has not only sustained but blessed our marriage in ways that could never be attributed to merely “good works” or “good decisions on our part”. Faith is what started a heart of love in each of us. It is God’s good purpose that prevails still.
In the passage below, Paul is reminding the Galatians about Father Abraham. Although the Jewish Christians were tempted to show their righteousness by performing good works from the Law of Moses, Paul reminded them that faith in God and the filling of the Holy Spirit were a result of the power of Christ alone making them right in God’s eyes. How else did Abraham gain favor with God, if not through faith?
Just as a marriage relationship harmoniously working together is an example of great power, Christ and the church working together will bring God’s love to the world. #brideofChrist
We are living in a time when this is needed more than ever. The blessing of the Abrahamic covenant is available to the world through those who trust God.
Being crucified with Christ may start in our relationships at home, letting His love flow through us in powerful ways.
It will touch everyone around and is not in vain.
Lord, give me new eyes to see the harmony and power of God today as I trust you.-Teresa #goodnews #thegospel #John1:12
Galatians 2:20,21;3:1-9 English Standard Version **
20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness[a] were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.
By Faith, or by Works of the Law?
3 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. 2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by[b] the flesh? 4 Did you suffer[c] so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5 Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith— 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”?
7 Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify[d] the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” 9 So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
There is a point when the morning mist is lifting and the night hunting is done. The apex predator can double as a watchful guard over its territory.
When we were camping in Tahoe a few weeks ago, I had a unique experience watching a red tailed hawk and a raven. The hawk amazed us with a silent maneuver the day before dipping between two redwoods to adjust for his full wing span and skillfully moving past us in our campsite at full speed.
The last day, I was making sandwiches for our lunch. A large raven sat cloaked on the Sugar Pine tree towering above me. Whenever I see ravens, I’m reminded of God’s provision for Elijah and remember they also gather when something needs to be cleaned up (as in dead animals).
Generally, I will ask God if it’s a sign that something of my “old” nature needs to “die”. For example, fear of people’s opinions, jealousy or envy for things I don’t need, etc. Just recently, I started calling ravens the “dirty birds” when we experienced a pair of them visiting our birdbath daily for a month. No kidding, they also kill other birds and we would have to clean the carcass out of the bath.
All of a sudden, there was such a racket directly overhead that I looked up to see the hawk and raven engaged in a squabble not once, but twice. I saw that the hawk really did include our campsite as part of its territory. He successfully drove out the “dirty bird”.
To me, it was God’s whisper to my heart assuring me that I’m in His territory and He will be protecting me from the “dirty birds” around me.
My father set an ancient landmark, which was his parent’s property that he inherited on Wilderness Road. #40acres Although I don’t own that land, the memories of growing up there always remind me of the beauty of God’s inheritance for me.
In the passage below, I “remember” not to move this landmark, by allowing the fears of corruption in the world to change my trust in our Lord and Savior for His provision (aka…Do as my dad did).
I’ve developed skills in my work to: 1.Recognize when I’m stressed 2. Counteract the negative effects with deep breathing 3. Spend time each day building myself back up (exercise/prayer/Bible reading, nutritious food, positive social interactions/Bible study with other women, nature time, enjoying “with love” my responsibilities, and journaling).
This may seem small and obscure. Believe me, it’s no small thing. Someday, when I stand before the King of kings, I will rejoice to hear HIS voice calling me. -Teresa
Proverbs 22:28-29English Standard Version*
28 Do not move the ancient landmark that your fathers have set. 29 Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.
Receiving the grace of God requires follow through…opening wide your heart.
In other words, those who minister with hearts wide open may at times (like Paul) be treated with restrictive feeling and emotion when new believers are reticent or sitting on the proverbial fence (half in the world and half in Christ).
Now is the day of salvation (the moment when the Holy Spirit draws you to the Father). Do not receive this grace in vain. Make it count for God’s glory.
When the church gives freely of their love towards one another, God is glorified (I John 4:7).
“Agape” love is from God, it is for everyone and is different from “Eros” love (also in the Greek) which is meant for our spouse, or “Philia” love, which is for our family/brothers/sisters. Wikipedia
Affection, which is spoken of in this passage has to do with the bowel, intestine or seat of emotions. Bible hub Is it possible to love others without engaging our emotions?
I volunteered for a few years with Becoming What God Intended Ministry in their discipleship program called “Head to Heart”. The premise of Dr. David Eckman’s material is founded on the book of Romans which teaches us to allow the truth of the gospel travel from our head, transforming our mind in such a way that it reaches our heart (or intestines…the seat of our emotions). This will allow us to successfully incorporate God’s affection for ourselves and others in our everyday lives. Head2Heart
Believe me, it is NOT an easy process. It takes a life-long healthy relationship with our heavenly Father. (btw…This discipleship class is really worth it if you want to get rid of “FUO” baggage and truly experience the fruit of the Spirit).
My experience has been that when I widened my heart, I have also been introduced to greater needs. I’m learning to not let the “needy” rest on my shoulder but somehow connect their life to the life of Christ, then stand back to watch a tremendous miracle happen, especially in myself.
This can be through exchanging a kind word, giving a healing roller ball (I’ve been praying for those in need of healing and offering essential oil recipes), praying in tongues over situations that are dire, giving/sharing with those in my “church family” where I see a need, and meditating on the Bible (my heart) in these weekly blogs.
Whatever your unique gifting and calling, I look forward to hearing from you by reading your blogs, poems, short stories and videos to also be encouraged. -Teresa #hisyokeiseasy #hisburdenislight #Mat11:30
2 Corinthians 6:1-13English Standard Version**
6 Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says,
“In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”
Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3 We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; 7 by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left;8 through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed;10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.
11 We have spoken freely to you,[a] Corinthians; our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. 13 In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.
Reconnection 