John 3:28-29
28You yourselves can testify that I (John the Baptist) said, 'I am not the Christ[j] but am sent ahead of him.' 29The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.
Maggie and I went to see the movie Bride Wars yesterday. The movie focused on two women who had been best friends since childhood and were supposed to be each others maid of honor. I do'nt want to ruin the story line, so I'll just say, the role of maid of honor for both parties falls apart.
Today I was reading in John and came across the story of John the Baptist and how he was sent before Jesus to proclaim that the Messiah was coming to the people. John humbled himself over and over to reach people for Christ. In chapter 3:28-29 John compares himself to the best man. The best man/maid of honor sets himself/herself aside to honor the groom/bride. They serve them and work ahead of them to make the path smooth and make sure the work gets done. I'm not sure we get that today. Even at a wedding, does the maid of honor really set herself aside to help the bride or the best man to help groom?
Are we paving the way for Christ's return?
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Friday, January 9, 2009
Purpose
I could watch the giant sea turtle at the Newport Aquarium for hours. He sails around the huge tunnel tank as if he were as small as a goldfish. I am amazed at the creatures God has created. When he formed the earth and imagined each creature, I cannot even comprehend the vastness of his creativity. From the tiniest insect to the big blue whale, God saw life and purpose for every living thing. Including you and me.
Proverbs 19:21 says: "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." We all have plans for our lives, things to do, lists to complete. But, true purpose comes from God; his purpose for us is to accept his Bible as truth and Christ as our Saviour.
Proverbs 19:21 says: "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." We all have plans for our lives, things to do, lists to complete. But, true purpose comes from God; his purpose for us is to accept his Bible as truth and Christ as our Saviour.
His Word
Psalm 119: 89-90
89 Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures.
This quarter I signed up for a class (at U.C. Clermont where I work). I'm taking New Testament Literature. The teacher sort of talked me into it because she knows I enjoy literature and writing. I took it because I want to refresh my memory on the history and culture of the Bible.
So far I've learned that I've forgotten most of what I knew about how the Bible came to print. When I read my Bible and study and pray, I seldom consider how the people of Jesus time lived or what they had to do to record what we now know as Holy scripture. I thank God for those he trusted to write down his truths and I praise God for his eternal word.
We are blessed to have access to a Bible anytime we want. I wonder if I would want to read it more if I were not allowed. Just something to think about...
89 Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures.
This quarter I signed up for a class (at U.C. Clermont where I work). I'm taking New Testament Literature. The teacher sort of talked me into it because she knows I enjoy literature and writing. I took it because I want to refresh my memory on the history and culture of the Bible.
So far I've learned that I've forgotten most of what I knew about how the Bible came to print. When I read my Bible and study and pray, I seldom consider how the people of Jesus time lived or what they had to do to record what we now know as Holy scripture. I thank God for those he trusted to write down his truths and I praise God for his eternal word.
We are blessed to have access to a Bible anytime we want. I wonder if I would want to read it more if I were not allowed. Just something to think about...
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Tater & Me
Today my husband and I went to see the movie, Marley and Me. I read the book a few years back and was anxious to see the movie. The story took the viewer through the life of a wonderful, cantankerous dog and his family. As I watched this crazy vivacious movie dog, my thoughts drifted home to our dog, Tater.
When I walk in the door from work, Tater greets me with his “I’m so happy you are home” dance, wagging and jumping until I stop and pet him and let him know I’m happy to be home too. Every time Tater needs to go “outside”, Tim asks him if he wants to walk. Barking, jumping and a wildly wagging tale result. Instead of letting this gyrating dog frustrate us, we see that the joy in Tater bubbles up and bounces out.
I find myself wishing I were more like Tater. I want to jump and dance and appreciate the simple joy of life in Christ. Psalm 68:3 says “But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.” From his words I know that God planted his joy in my soul! Is there a better reason to rejoice every day?
When I walk in the door from work, Tater greets me with his “I’m so happy you are home” dance, wagging and jumping until I stop and pet him and let him know I’m happy to be home too. Every time Tater needs to go “outside”, Tim asks him if he wants to walk. Barking, jumping and a wildly wagging tale result. Instead of letting this gyrating dog frustrate us, we see that the joy in Tater bubbles up and bounces out.
I find myself wishing I were more like Tater. I want to jump and dance and appreciate the simple joy of life in Christ. Psalm 68:3 says “But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful.” From his words I know that God planted his joy in my soul! Is there a better reason to rejoice every day?
Saturday, January 3, 2009
God Bears our Burdens
Psalm 68 : 19-20
19 Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Selah
20 Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death.
Have you ever overloaded your arms with bags of groceries or other items, struggled to get them into the house, then (bless their hearts) someone meets you at the door and takes half of your burden and carries it in for you? What a relief! As humans, we tend to carry our emotional and spiritual burdens by ourselves. Too much and the weight wears us down. Psalm 68 tells us that God carries our burdens every day, not just half of them, but all of them. He meets us at the door and lifts our hearts and gives us the Holy Spirit to help us. Through prayer, God knows what we need. Take your burdens to him.
19 Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Selah
20 Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death.
Have you ever overloaded your arms with bags of groceries or other items, struggled to get them into the house, then (bless their hearts) someone meets you at the door and takes half of your burden and carries it in for you? What a relief! As humans, we tend to carry our emotional and spiritual burdens by ourselves. Too much and the weight wears us down. Psalm 68 tells us that God carries our burdens every day, not just half of them, but all of them. He meets us at the door and lifts our hearts and gives us the Holy Spirit to help us. Through prayer, God knows what we need. Take your burdens to him.
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