How little people know who think that holiness is dull. When one meets the real thing... it is irresistible. -- C.S. Lewis
Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.
-- Hebrews 12:14 (NKJV)
Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful
Showing posts with label real. Show all posts
Showing posts with label real. Show all posts
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
What I Want (Deo Volente)
Lord help me to live with little, even no pretense...
I want integrity through and through...
Let me be characterized by unconditional love and loyalty to You, my
God, and to my family, and to my friends...
I want to live with invisible faith proven by my visible actions and
responses to whatever life throws my way...
Let me be loved, appreciated and respected most by the one who calls me
"husband" and the ones who call me "daddy"...
I long to be real and vulnerable in the midst of uncertain times...
Always trusting You, my God, when it seems You are silent...
Let "Deo Volente -- Whatever God Wants" -- be the cry of my heart.
In Jesus' name. Amen.
Grateful
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Real Is More Wonderful Than Cool
This prayerful thought has been on my mind many times lately:
Lord, I want my life to be positive proof that "being real in You" is more wonderful than "being cool on my own".
Yes Lord, I want Your Holy Spirit's presence within me to be a real and wonderful moment-by-moment witness of Your undeniable Love for, and existence on, planet earth. In Jesus' name. Amen.
As a matter of fact, John 3:16-17, is in my face-and-eyes right now: (16) God loved the people of this world so much that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who has faith in Him will have eternal life and never really die. (17) God did not send His Son into the world to condemn its people. He sent Him to save them! (CEV)
Christ in you (me), the hope of glory.
-- Colossians 1:27b
Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful
Lord, I want my life to be positive proof that "being real in You" is more wonderful than "being cool on my own".
Yes Lord, I want Your Holy Spirit's presence within me to be a real and wonderful moment-by-moment witness of Your undeniable Love for, and existence on, planet earth. In Jesus' name. Amen.
As a matter of fact, John 3:16-17, is in my face-and-eyes right now: (16) God loved the people of this world so much that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who has faith in Him will have eternal life and never really die. (17) God did not send His Son into the world to condemn its people. He sent Him to save them! (CEV)
Christ in you (me), the hope of glory.
-- Colossians 1:27b
Holiness Unto The LORD!
Grateful
Saturday, May 28, 2011
"The Love of God" Is Really Real!
Today, I shared some precious moments with my dear mom, Melba. We talked about the joy of knowing that God is really real. She quoted this song to me:
UNTIL YOU'VE KNOWN THE LOVE OF GOD
If you could own all the world and it's money,
Build castles tall enough to reach the sky above;
If you could know everything there was to know about life's game,
Yet you've known nothing until you've known God and His love.
Chorus
Until you've known the loving hand that reaches down to a fallen man
And lifts him up from out of sin where he has trod;
Until you've known just how it feels to know that God is really real;
Then you've known nothing until you've known the love of God.
If in your lifetime you could meet everybody
And you could call every name from here to yon;
But if you've not come face to face with Jesus and His saving grace,
Then you've known nothing until you've known God and His love.
Chorus X 2
Also, in 1917 Frederick Lehman penned the words of another beloved hymn of The Church. The lyrics are still beloved and wondrously relevant in 2011:
THE LOVE OF GOD
The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.
Refrain
O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure
The saints’ and angels’ song.
When years of time shall pass away,
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men, who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call,
God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
Repeat Refrain
Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above,
Would drain the ocean dry.
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.
Repeat Refrain
God's Love Never Fails And His Hope Always Prevails!
Grateful
UNTIL YOU'VE KNOWN THE LOVE OF GOD
If you could own all the world and it's money,
Build castles tall enough to reach the sky above;
If you could know everything there was to know about life's game,
Yet you've known nothing until you've known God and His love.
Chorus
Until you've known the loving hand that reaches down to a fallen man
And lifts him up from out of sin where he has trod;
Until you've known just how it feels to know that God is really real;
Then you've known nothing until you've known the love of God.
If in your lifetime you could meet everybody
And you could call every name from here to yon;
But if you've not come face to face with Jesus and His saving grace,
Then you've known nothing until you've known God and His love.
Chorus X 2
Also, in 1917 Frederick Lehman penned the words of another beloved hymn of The Church. The lyrics are still beloved and wondrously relevant in 2011:
THE LOVE OF GOD
The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.
Refrain
O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure
The saints’ and angels’ song.
When years of time shall pass away,
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men, who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call,
God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
Repeat Refrain
Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade,
To write the love of God above,
Would drain the ocean dry.
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.
Repeat Refrain
God's Love Never Fails And His Hope Always Prevails!
Grateful
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
God is Real!
If there were no God, there would be no atheists.
-- G. K. Chesterton
But without faith no one can please God. We must believe that God is real and that He rewards everyone who searches for Him.
-- Hebrews 11:6 (CEV)
By Faith! In Faith! (Hebrews 11)
Grateful
-- G. K. Chesterton
But without faith no one can please God. We must believe that God is real and that He rewards everyone who searches for Him.
-- Hebrews 11:6 (CEV)
By Faith! In Faith! (Hebrews 11)
Grateful
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Teach the Children the Meaning of Christmas
Last evening was our local church's Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion Celebration. For the message portion of the sacred gathering, I shared one right set of answers for telling and illustrating clearly to all people, especially the children -- yes the future generations among us -- the real meaning of Christmas:
1. CHRISTMAS TREE -- Object Lesson: A Fir tree or an evergreen branch -- the pure green represents life year-round, everlasting hope, and the needles point heavenward reminding us our thoughts also should turn towards heaven.
2. HEAVENLY SIGN -- Object Lesson: A Star -- distant stars in the sky remind us of the promises God made long ago. God promised a Savior for the world, and the Star over Bethlehem was proof that God kept that promise and stars today should remind us that God still keeps His promises.
3. RADIANT LIGHT -- Object Lesson: A Candle -- Christ is the Light of the World, and with His presence in us we are now reflctors of His light to our world. His Light (Hope) destroyed Our Darkness (Hopelessness).
4. INFINITE LOVE -- Object Lesson: A Wreath -- symbolizes the eternal nature of love. Yes, like a circular wreath, true love never ends.
5. SAINT NICK -- Object Lesson: An Ornament of Santa, Father Christmas, St. Nick, Santa Claus simply illustrates to us the generosity we practice and the good will that we extend to one another especially during December, but also beyond December.
6. TWINKLING LIGHTS -- Object Lesson: A string of lights -- The power of Unity, yes, joining our little lights together produces an ever-increasing reflection of Jesus, The Light of the World, so that we can also BE LIGHT & GO SHINE and make our world delightfully different for His glory. Jesus said, "They will know that you are my disciples if you love one another." -- John 13:35 (NIV)
7. CANDY CANE -- Object Lesson: A Candy Cane -- represents the shepherd's crook/staff. The purpose in part is to bring lost sheep back into the presence of The Good Shepherd. Also, a reminder that we are our sister's/brother's keeper.
8. HOLLY HANGING -- Object Lesson: Holly Leaves and Red Berries -- The holly plant represents immortality and the crown of thorns Jesus wore when He was hanging on the Tree to save us from sin. Yes He died painfully and bled to free us, yes to save us "from" sin. He didn't come so we could be freed "to" sin.
9. INDESCRIBABLE GIFT -- Object Lesson: A Wrapped Gift -- represents John 3:16-17... "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son..." Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift -- 2 Corinthians 9:15. Also, earthly kings bowed before the Eternal Baby King, bringing the best gifts they could afford.
10. LOUD BELLS -- Object Lesson: A Bell -- Lost sheep are often found by the sound of a bell. It brings them/us to the fold. The sound of bells is symbolic of guidance and return. "Christmas bells call us home to the embrace of Father God." Silver bells equals Salvation Army Bell ringers. (See Youtube link below to illustrate loud bells leading sheep to the fold.)
11. DIVINE ANGELS -- Object Lesson: An Angel -- Angels came to the world with the message of Good News... "unto (you) _________ (put your name in the blank) is born this day, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord..." "Glory to God in the highest, on earth, peace and good will to those on whom His favor rests..."
If you take the first letter from each of the eleven numbered clues above, note that you have the real meaning of Christmas simply but profoundly defined: C-H-R-I-S-T C-H-I-L-D!
Isaiah 9:6 (NLT) -- For a Child is born to us, a Son is given to us.
Enjoy this Youtube clip that helps to validate #10 above -- "Loud Bells leading sheep to the fold". Watch the whole clip. It's in a foreign language but the point is quite clear, just watch the sheep and listen for the loud bell to ring:
Click > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=133H90eDai4&NR=1
As we look at our decorated Christmas trees, especially on Christmas Day, let us never forget that One Day of Passion when God the Son hung on the Tree, not as an ornament, no not as a mere decoration, but as an undeniable and mighty demonstration. Yes, He hung there as an object of God the Father's Amazing Love for you and for me.
A Real and Meaningful Merry Christmas To You and Yours!
Grateful
P.S. Outside right now, a light snow is falling steadily. A white Christmas adds even more meaning to this sacred day. Psalm 51:7 -- Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
1. CHRISTMAS TREE -- Object Lesson: A Fir tree or an evergreen branch -- the pure green represents life year-round, everlasting hope, and the needles point heavenward reminding us our thoughts also should turn towards heaven.
2. HEAVENLY SIGN -- Object Lesson: A Star -- distant stars in the sky remind us of the promises God made long ago. God promised a Savior for the world, and the Star over Bethlehem was proof that God kept that promise and stars today should remind us that God still keeps His promises.
3. RADIANT LIGHT -- Object Lesson: A Candle -- Christ is the Light of the World, and with His presence in us we are now reflctors of His light to our world. His Light (Hope) destroyed Our Darkness (Hopelessness).
4. INFINITE LOVE -- Object Lesson: A Wreath -- symbolizes the eternal nature of love. Yes, like a circular wreath, true love never ends.
5. SAINT NICK -- Object Lesson: An Ornament of Santa, Father Christmas, St. Nick, Santa Claus simply illustrates to us the generosity we practice and the good will that we extend to one another especially during December, but also beyond December.
6. TWINKLING LIGHTS -- Object Lesson: A string of lights -- The power of Unity, yes, joining our little lights together produces an ever-increasing reflection of Jesus, The Light of the World, so that we can also BE LIGHT & GO SHINE and make our world delightfully different for His glory. Jesus said, "They will know that you are my disciples if you love one another." -- John 13:35 (NIV)
7. CANDY CANE -- Object Lesson: A Candy Cane -- represents the shepherd's crook/staff. The purpose in part is to bring lost sheep back into the presence of The Good Shepherd. Also, a reminder that we are our sister's/brother's keeper.
8. HOLLY HANGING -- Object Lesson: Holly Leaves and Red Berries -- The holly plant represents immortality and the crown of thorns Jesus wore when He was hanging on the Tree to save us from sin. Yes He died painfully and bled to free us, yes to save us "from" sin. He didn't come so we could be freed "to" sin.
9. INDESCRIBABLE GIFT -- Object Lesson: A Wrapped Gift -- represents John 3:16-17... "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son..." Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift -- 2 Corinthians 9:15. Also, earthly kings bowed before the Eternal Baby King, bringing the best gifts they could afford.
10. LOUD BELLS -- Object Lesson: A Bell -- Lost sheep are often found by the sound of a bell. It brings them/us to the fold. The sound of bells is symbolic of guidance and return. "Christmas bells call us home to the embrace of Father God." Silver bells equals Salvation Army Bell ringers. (See Youtube link below to illustrate loud bells leading sheep to the fold.)
11. DIVINE ANGELS -- Object Lesson: An Angel -- Angels came to the world with the message of Good News... "unto (you) _________ (put your name in the blank) is born this day, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord..." "Glory to God in the highest, on earth, peace and good will to those on whom His favor rests..."
If you take the first letter from each of the eleven numbered clues above, note that you have the real meaning of Christmas simply but profoundly defined: C-H-R-I-S-T C-H-I-L-D!
Isaiah 9:6 (NLT) -- For a Child is born to us, a Son is given to us.
Enjoy this Youtube clip that helps to validate #10 above -- "Loud Bells leading sheep to the fold". Watch the whole clip. It's in a foreign language but the point is quite clear, just watch the sheep and listen for the loud bell to ring:
Click > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=133H90eDai4&NR=1
As we look at our decorated Christmas trees, especially on Christmas Day, let us never forget that One Day of Passion when God the Son hung on the Tree, not as an ornament, no not as a mere decoration, but as an undeniable and mighty demonstration. Yes, He hung there as an object of God the Father's Amazing Love for you and for me.
A Real and Meaningful Merry Christmas To You and Yours!
Grateful
P.S. Outside right now, a light snow is falling steadily. A white Christmas adds even more meaning to this sacred day. Psalm 51:7 -- Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
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