19 June 2011
God’s masterpiece #2
Jun/24/11
Look in the mirror. You’re looking at a masterpiece. Ephesians 2:10 declares that we are whether we feel it or not. I like my widower friend, Jo’s words. “Masterpiece...created...to do good things he planned long ago... Father isn't just making due with me, despite all of my flaws. I'm the handiwork of a master, The Master, and He has good things planned for me. Reminded me of something I heard long ago, the value of a painting doesn't come from the perfection of the art, it comes from the hand of the master who paints it. Jo could focus on his loss as a widower, his struggles as a single parent. Instead, he’s focusing on the One who created masterpiece Jo.
Podcast
Podcast
God’s Masterpiece
Jun/23/11
You’re a masterpiece! My friend, Jo, widower and parent of two teenagers pondered Ephesians 2:10 We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
I quote Jo, “Problem is, a masterpiece seems to imply perfection and I don't look back over the past three years and think perfection. While I have readily acknowledged Father's hand in our lives and depended upon Him to sustain and guide my kids and I, when I think of my wife's death, my children's ongoing grief and struggle, life as a single parent, if I were a painting I'd say I am riped in half and the colors were running together; if a sculpure then I am teetering on one leg. Perfection or masterpiece just never came to mind.
Podcast
I quote Jo, “Problem is, a masterpiece seems to imply perfection and I don't look back over the past three years and think perfection. While I have readily acknowledged Father's hand in our lives and depended upon Him to sustain and guide my kids and I, when I think of my wife's death, my children's ongoing grief and struggle, life as a single parent, if I were a painting I'd say I am riped in half and the colors were running together; if a sculpure then I am teetering on one leg. Perfection or masterpiece just never came to mind.
Podcast
Chosen For The Challenge
Jun/22/11
There’s a saying: God fits the back for the burden. I,e, your back pack of troubles will not crush you. You will grow, become stronger, and make it through. I Corinthians 10 guarantees that. That’s mustard seed faith.
Let’s take it further. You were chosen for the challenge. That requires a growing faith believing God allows that crushing burden on purpose. He is proving something to someone. We may never know what, who, or how.
I know when my husband entered the ALS support group with his confident smile and contentment despite his 400# wheel chair and death sentence, everyone in the room took notice. He was mustard tree strong!
Chosen for His blessings is easy. Acknowledging that we are chosen for the challenge--that’s hard. The two go together. He can be trusted for both.
Podcast
Let’s take it further. You were chosen for the challenge. That requires a growing faith believing God allows that crushing burden on purpose. He is proving something to someone. We may never know what, who, or how.
I know when my husband entered the ALS support group with his confident smile and contentment despite his 400# wheel chair and death sentence, everyone in the room took notice. He was mustard tree strong!
Chosen for His blessings is easy. Acknowledging that we are chosen for the challenge--that’s hard. The two go together. He can be trusted for both.
Podcast
Power Without Love
Jun/21/11
Martin Luther King Jr stated that power without love is reckless and abusive. How true. In my families experience with orphans, the incarcerated, widows, and the poor, my heart breaks at the abuse of the voiceless. King also stated that love without power is sentimental and anemic. This organization, Widowconnection, seeks to combine love with appropriate support, harnessing resources of those of us who have voices, jobs, and can help with real direct needs of those without.
One simple project is to buy treadle sewing machines for widows in Africa, hire sewing trainers, and help these young women who often have several young children, gain a skill. No one can take away your skill.
Each project decides what they should make and what will sell in their location.
Podcast
One simple project is to buy treadle sewing machines for widows in Africa, hire sewing trainers, and help these young women who often have several young children, gain a skill. No one can take away your skill.
Each project decides what they should make and what will sell in their location.
Podcast
Groaning Rugby Style
Jun/20/11
Are you in a conflict beyond description? Welcome to rugby. I watched my grandsons in this dreadful, yet exciting match. Muscled men connected to muscled men in a pyramid. Two opposing pyramids faced each other. The ‘sir’ (referee) shouts, “Engage!” The two forces lean into each other with groans and grunts as if they are trying to shift the universe. Without words the sounds communicate clearly the desire of each player.
I’m reminded of the groanings of the Holy Spirit on our behalf. When we’re too troubled or too weak to find words, the Holy Spirit steps in for us to speak on our behalf. How desperately we need this. Our greatest struggles are not personal: they are spiritual--good against evil. We need all the help we can get.
Podcast
I’m reminded of the groanings of the Holy Spirit on our behalf. When we’re too troubled or too weak to find words, the Holy Spirit steps in for us to speak on our behalf. How desperately we need this. Our greatest struggles are not personal: they are spiritual--good against evil. We need all the help we can get.
Podcast