2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
This week while I was recouperating from surgery, I worked on some craft projects. One of them was a wall hanging I'd made several years ago in pastel colors that I no longer liked. A few years ago in an art class the teacher told me "if you don't like the fabric piece you've made, paint it." So I did. I used bright reds and blues and transformed the piece into one I will enjoy. As a bonus, the paint revealed patterns in the fabric that did not show up before.
The process reminded me of what God does with us when he makes us a new creation. He casts aside the old parts we no longer like and creates a new vibrant person excited about his word and his kingdom. As a bonus, his recreation reveals our hidden talents and gifts that we can embrace for him. Whether you have been a christian for years or you are still learning about Christ, God has a plan for you and wants to use you as his new creation.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Breath
Psalm 150:6Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.
Take a deep breath, hold your breath, breath in…out. The average person (at rest) breaths 12-20 breaths per minute. Most of the time, we don’t think about breathing, we just do it. I just went through deviated septum surgery, and I can tell you that I spent several days wishing I could just breath. When the doctor took the packing out, I felt the air move into my nose and let me tell you, I was praising God.
Each day we breath in and out the life that God provides. No matter what we are doing, through the good and bad, the trials, errors and joys, God gives us life through his breath. Imagine when God created Adam, he blew that one necessary breath of life into his lungs and he found it to be good. Praise God for life and for the blessings he provides. Seriously, stop right now…take a deep breath and praise the Lord!
Take a deep breath, hold your breath, breath in…out. The average person (at rest) breaths 12-20 breaths per minute. Most of the time, we don’t think about breathing, we just do it. I just went through deviated septum surgery, and I can tell you that I spent several days wishing I could just breath. When the doctor took the packing out, I felt the air move into my nose and let me tell you, I was praising God.
Each day we breath in and out the life that God provides. No matter what we are doing, through the good and bad, the trials, errors and joys, God gives us life through his breath. Imagine when God created Adam, he blew that one necessary breath of life into his lungs and he found it to be good. Praise God for life and for the blessings he provides. Seriously, stop right now…take a deep breath and praise the Lord!
Friday, July 10, 2009
In the Clouds
Luke 21:27
27At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
My granddaughter Dylan and I enjoy looking at the clouds and finding shapes of animals and objects. The other day I saw a sheep lying on a cloud taking a nap, (would have a made a good mattress commercial). The sky blue background painted a perfect backdrop for the cotton candy clouds.
As I watched the clouds, I was reminded of the words of Luke when he tells of the day when Jesus will return to earth. He goes on in Luke 21: 34 to remind us to “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap.” Jesus wants to meet us in his glory and find us prepared for heaven. Instead of worrying and fretting about life on earth, take time to look at the clouds and imagine the glory of heaven.
27At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
My granddaughter Dylan and I enjoy looking at the clouds and finding shapes of animals and objects. The other day I saw a sheep lying on a cloud taking a nap, (would have a made a good mattress commercial). The sky blue background painted a perfect backdrop for the cotton candy clouds.
As I watched the clouds, I was reminded of the words of Luke when he tells of the day when Jesus will return to earth. He goes on in Luke 21: 34 to remind us to “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap.” Jesus wants to meet us in his glory and find us prepared for heaven. Instead of worrying and fretting about life on earth, take time to look at the clouds and imagine the glory of heaven.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
He Owns my Dog
Psalm 50:8-10
8 I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices
or your burnt offerings, which are ever before me.
9 I have no need of a bull from your stall
or of goats from your pens,
10 for every animal of the forest is mine,
and the cattle on a thousand hills.
We used to sing a chorus at camp that went something like, "He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, the wealth in every mine, He owns the ridges and the rocks and rills, the sun and stars that shine..." I may not have all the words right but the gist of the song says that God owns it all, everything. He owns you and me and all that surrounds us. We may think we own our home, our car, our children, even our dog. But the truth is, God owns it all.
Even though he owns everything, he shares it with us. He trusts us to take care of the gifts he gives. In prayer lift up everything to him with thanksgiving and he will bless you.
8 I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices
or your burnt offerings, which are ever before me.
9 I have no need of a bull from your stall
or of goats from your pens,
10 for every animal of the forest is mine,
and the cattle on a thousand hills.
We used to sing a chorus at camp that went something like, "He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, the wealth in every mine, He owns the ridges and the rocks and rills, the sun and stars that shine..." I may not have all the words right but the gist of the song says that God owns it all, everything. He owns you and me and all that surrounds us. We may think we own our home, our car, our children, even our dog. But the truth is, God owns it all.
Even though he owns everything, he shares it with us. He trusts us to take care of the gifts he gives. In prayer lift up everything to him with thanksgiving and he will bless you.
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