|
Users viewing this topic:
none
|
|
Login  | |
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 5/2/2009 3:43:03 PM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1921
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
When Mary was visited by the Angel Gabriel all those years ago, times were very different. It would have been a great scandal for an un-married woman to become pregnant. It was even more outrageous to claim He is the Son of God. That would have been blasphemy surely!
Yet despite her fears of shame, rejection and ridicule, not to mention fear for her own safety, Mary trusted God and said "Yes".
She agreed to be the Mother of Jesus.
So, what is her legacy to us?
Obedience.
Obedience and trust in God despite what must have been a very dangerous situation for her, and her family.
Are we that obedient and trusting when God speaks to us?
_____________________________
My Book
Time For Reflections The Blog you'll like !
Visit http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 5/9/2009 10:47:52 AM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1921
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
Joseph is not mentioned often in the Bible. We read about him before the birth of Jesus when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and asked him to take Mary as his wife. (Matthew 1:18).
Imagine his dilemma. He was engaged to Mary when she found out she was due to have a baby by the Holy Spirit. At first he considered doing what many men with a pregnant girl friend whose baby is not theirs would have done - run a mile in the opposite direction.
Being an honourable man he decided to break the engagement privately so as not to disgrace her.
Then the angel appeared to him in a dream; and based on that dream alone he decided to marry Mary and raise her son as if He were his own.
He was there when Jesus was born in Bethlehem and we read about him when he took Jesus and Mary to Egypt to escape from Herod (Matthew 2:13) and then when they returned to Nazareth (Matthew 2:19).
He is also mentioned when the boy Jesus was twelve years old and found in the Temple in Jerusalem (Luke 2:41).
So as Jesus' foster father he was there during His early years protecting Him from Herod and providing a loving family for the Son of God.
What a wonderful man he must have been. Working quietly in the background, without much recognition, doing God's will in raising His Son on earth.
So, what is his legacy to us?
Obedience and trust.
Despite what his common sense told him to do, he did not walk away from Mary. He trusted God and decided to stay with Mary. He decided to provide for her and a child who was not his. He taught the child carpentry and raised Him up as his own.
May his obedience and trust be an example to us all.
_____________________________
My Book
Time For Reflections The Blog you'll like !
Visit http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 5/16/2009 9:45:57 AM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1921
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
Paul stood there as Stephen was stoned to death. He approved of this murder because he hated followers of Christ. (Acts 8:1).
Paul tried to destroy the early church, throwing believers into jail. (Acts 8:3).
He traveled far and wide persecuting the early “followers of the Way of the Lord”. (Acts 9:1-2).
As he approached Damascus looking for early Christians a light from the sky blinded him and Jesus spoke to him. (Acts 9:3-6).
And the rest, as they say, is history.
Paul was converted; he became a Christian and went on to preach about Jesus in many lands, even though he himself had never met Jesus personally.
So, what is his legacy to us?
Apart from being the greatest preacher the early church ever knew?
It is this: Sometimes, God grabs people by the lapels and shakes them violently to make them listen.
Why does God do this to some people and not others we will never know. Not now at least.
Perhaps He sees in some people a talent or a gift which He could well use. After all, why should a gifted person be left to wander and become prey to the devil? Why shouldn’t God use this talent?
So, like He did to Paul, God gets that person’s attention and asks them whether they wish to serve Him by spreading the Word.
Has He spoken to you yet?
Have you replied?
Don’t wait until He draws your attention more positively !!!
_____________________________
My Book
Time For Reflections The Blog you'll like !
Visit http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 5/23/2009 7:48:31 AM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1921
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
What do we know about Peter?
He was a fisherman chosen by Christ as a disciple. He immediately left his nets by the sea shore and followed Jesus. (Matthew 4:18).
He can be a little impetuous and acting on impulse. When Jesus walked on water towards the boat Peter asked if he too could walk towards Christ. Jesus said: Yes, and Peter soon jumped into the lake, walked a few steps, then lost Faith and almost drowned. (Matthew 14:22).
He can talk without thinking. When Jesus taught His disciples that He was to die and then rise from the dead, Peter rebuked Christ, his own Master, and told Him this should not happen. (Matthew 16:21).
Days later, when Peter, James and John were up a high mountain with Jesus; and they saw Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus, again, Peter comes forward mouth first and suggests he builds three tents for Jesus, Moses and Elijah. What was he thinking? Having a picnic up there? (Matthew 17:1).
When Jesus was arrested, Peter really lost his head. He drew out his sword and attacked the high priest’s servant. (John 18:10).
Yet, not so longer later he denied knowing Jesus three times. (Luke 22:54).
So there you have it. A hothead, a loud mouth, who denies His Master even though he said he never would.
Yet, he then went on to lead Christ’s early church to greater things.
So, what is Peter’s legacy to us?
It is this: God is forgiveness. No matter what you have done, no matter what your sin is, if you truly repent and promise not to repeat your sin, God will forgive you and help you to greater things.
Peter denied God Himself. Yet, through forgiveness and love, became God’s leading light here on earth.
_____________________________
My Book
Time For Reflections The Blog you'll like !
Visit http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 5/31/2009 8:05:07 AM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1921
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
Today, many churches celebrate Pentecost which commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles. You can read about it in Acts 2.
The Holy Spirit came upon the disciples in shapes of flames which touched each person there. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to preach in many languages.
So, who is the Holy Spirit?
We are taught about God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit …. He doesn’t seem to have a title or description.
St Hilary of Poitiers, a Bishop in the 3rd Century AD, described the Holy Spirit as “the Gift”.
He is the gift given to us by God after Jesus ascended into Heaven.
He is the very Spirit of God, God Himself, come back to us on earth to dwell within us and to help us in our Christian life.
That’s why He is sometimes referred to as the Helper, the Counselor, God’s own Being living within us.
Can you imagine that?
God. Living within us. Guiding us. Helping us. Teaching us. Advising us when to speak and when to remain silent. What to say and what to do.
Isn’t that wonderful? Or is it too difficult to imagine or believe?
Isn’t it a tragedy that in this day and age, when many are too willing to believe that the devil can possess an individual unwillingly and reap havoc in their lives; yet … they find it difficult to understand that the Spirit of God is willing to abide within us and lead us to an eternal better life in Heaven.
But only if we ask Him to.
Thank you Lord for your Holy Spirit.
_____________________________
My Book
Time For Reflections The Blog you'll like !
Visit http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 6/15/2009 7:37:33 PM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1921
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
I visited some friends the other day. It was a warm evening so we sat in the garden chatting. Moments later they both went into the house to prepare some refreshments and left me in the garden alone.
I sat admiring the view when suddenly out of the bushes came a fox. He moved around for a few seconds then hid again.
When my friend came out I told him about the fox. “Can’t be a fox” he said, “we live too far into town for a fox to come here …”
I said nothing and continued our conversation. Minutes later out came the fox again for a short while.
My friend shouted to his wife still in the house “We’ve got a fox in the back garden!”
Her exact reply was “Can’t be a fox, we live too far into town for a fox to come here!”
He called her a doubting Thomas and laughed it off.
Later that evening I thought about Thomas the disciple. What a service he did for Christianity without realizing it. By doubting Christ’s resurrection Jesus appeared again, and this time Thomas saw Him. The whole event was witnessed by the other disciples and recorded for us to read years later.
Had Thomas not doubted, we would have lost a valuable piece of evidence of Christ’s resurrection.
_____________________________
My Book
Time For Reflections The Blog you'll like !
Visit http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 6/29/2009 7:09:27 AM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1921
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
A man wandering in the desert, dressed in clothes made of camel hair, and eating locusts and wild honey. (Mark 1:4-8).
Not exactly sartorial elegance. More of an eccentric if you ask me.
Yet this was a man with a mission.
His mission – to tell everyone about Jesus. To prepare them for His arrival.
His name – John, the Baptist. In case you confuse him with another John.
An outspoken man who feared no one in his quest to do what God had asked him. He even dared to criticize the king, and paid dearly with his life for doing so. (Mark 6:14-29).
His legacy to us?
Courage.
Despite living in dangerous times, this man had courage to speak out and tell the world about Jesus; and dared tell the King that he was wrong.
How often are we presented with the opportunity to speak about God, about our religion and our Christianity. Do we shy away and miss a good opportunity to witness for our Lord? Or have we got a tiny fraction of John’s courage?
_____________________________
My Book
Time For Reflections The Blog you'll like !
Visit http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 7/11/2009 5:41:43 AM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1921
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
Jacob had twelve children and he loved Joseph the most. We’ve all probably heard of Joseph and his many coloured coat. It’s a wonderful story you can read in Genesis Chapter 37.
Joseph’s brothers were so jealous of him that one day they sold him to some traders on the way to Egypt. They soaked his coat in blood and told Jacob that a wild animal had killed him.
In Egypt Joseph was sold as a slave, and even landed in prison on false charges.
Now Joseph had a special gift. He could interpret dreams. One day the King of Egypt had a dream and he called for Joseph to interpret it.
Joseph predicted seven good years with great harvests followed by seven years of drought. He suggested the King appoints a man to store enough food during the good years and to apportion it amongst the population during the drought.
The King was so impressed with Joseph that he appointed him to this task. Suddenly, from slave Joseph became one of the most important persons in Egypt and beyond.
Years later, during the drought, his brothers came to Egypt to buy corn. Joseph recognized them, (even though they didn’t recognize him), and eventually, he forgave them and was re-united with his father.
So, what is Joseph’s legacy to us?
It is this. Sometimes in life we go through some very rough times indeed. Our whole world collapses around us and everything seems to go wrong. No matter what we do. No matter how much we pray. Things don’t seem to get any better.
We feel that God has abandoned us. Or that perhaps He doesn’t exist at all.
But He does exist. And He does care.
What He is doing when we’re living through difficult times is to lead us somewhere else. He wants us to move on to new environments, new situations, new places, or even meet new people.
Through our difficulties we get to meet people we’ve never met before. And through our actions, perhaps without even realizing it, we influence those we meet. They may see in us an example to follow. We may do or say something that makes them stop and think. And perhaps change their ways for the better.
Through our difficult times we may even change ourselves – for the better.
Consider what Joseph went through. Hated by his brothers. Sold into slavery. Falsely imprisoned.
But he had to go through all that. Otherwise he would not have been in Egypt to interpret the King’s dream and save millions from starvation years afterwards.
His suffering led to the good of many in Egypt and beyond throughout the drought years.
Whatever you may be suffering right now may well lead to the good of others, and probably to your own good, in years to come.
God has brought you here to where you are. It may be bad right now. But trust Him.
He will lead you through it. To better times for you and others.
You should be happy to be of service to Him.
_____________________________
My Book
Time For Reflections The Blog you'll like !
Visit http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 7/22/2009 3:52:05 AM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1921
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
A woman was taken to hospital with two burnt ears.
When asked how it happened she replied: The phone rang whilst I was ironing.
The doctor said: That explains one burnt ear. What about the other?
The woman replied: That happened when I rang for an ambulance.
OK … before any ladies reading this get upset with me, let me apologise and explain that I couldn’t have said a man was ironing, since, as we all know, men can’t iron a handkerchief to save their lives.
And if any men are upset by my comments let them prove me wrong by doing the household ironing for a month.
Right, now let’s get back to the message behind the joke.
Why can’t we learn from our mistakes?
There’s nothing wrong in getting it wrong every now and then as long as we learn from it and get it right again and again.
“Go, but do not sin again.” John 8:11.
_____________________________
My Book
Time For Reflections The Blog you'll like !
Visit http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 7/29/2009 6:32:01 AM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1921
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
Don’t it sometimes irks you when someone asks you for advice and when you give them your opinions they just ignore it.
Why do they do this? Is it because your advice is wrong, or bad? Or could it be that it is good advice but it is inconvenient for them to follow it? It just does not fit in with their plans, and what they really wanted was your approval to what they had on their mind; not your advice really.
Jesus had a similar problem one day.
He was approached by a rich young man who asked Him “what must I do to receive eternal life?”
Jesus advised him to sell all he has and to give the money to the poor; and then to come and follow Jesus.
On hearing this the man went away very sad; he was not willing to follow the advice given.
Let’s pause here for a minute and reflect. What would you have done?
Let’s assume God spoke to you right now, in a dream, or a vision, and you were certain it was Him speaking. Just as certain as Abraham, Moses, Noah, Mary and Joseph were when God spoke to them. You know where I’m getting to …
And God asked you to sell everything and give it to the poor, and become a missionary or a volunteer helper somewhere far off your community.
Would you be able to do it? Would you leave your spouse and family behind and follow Jesus wherever He asks you to go? Would you sell off everything you have, give up your job, leaving your children with nothing; and moved on to a new life?
On reflection, perhaps we sympathise a little with the rich man. For we know not whether he had a family, friends and servants who relied on him – although we can assume he had.
Jesus then went on to say: “I repeat: it is much harder for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God than a camel to go through the eye of a needle.” Matthew 19:24.
So what is His message here?
Is Jesus condemning wealth? Is it wrong to work hard and amass a fortune? Of course not.
Jesus, knowing the rich man’s heart, is teaching us wealth with responsibility.
He is saying that those fortunate enough to have wealth have a duty to consider those around them who are less well off than themselves, and to help them as best they can.
Jesus makes this point most dramatically in the story about the rich man and Lazarus. It is worth reading in Luke 16:19.
_____________________________
My Book
Time For Reflections The Blog you'll like !
Visit http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 8/7/2009 5:35:01 AM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1921
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
Ah ... the future. How does it look to you?
Does it seem frightening sometimes when you look ahead at what could be and what could happen to you and yours?
Financial difficulties may lie ahead perhaps; or failing health, or the many other possibilities that we see around us and we fear they may happen to us.
There are so many dangers and pitfalls in our very existence these days. It’s as if the odds are all stacked against us and we’re all alone.
But we’re not are we? Alone I mean.
There beside us, every step of the way, no matter what lies ahead, is Jesus ready to take away our fears and to guide us throughout this life and beyond. Only if we let Him.
I don’t mean this in a figurative way; but quite literally.
Yes, quite literally. He has promised to be with us always right here and right now. And to provide us with whatever help, comfort, encouragement and protection we need as we travel through our journey on this earth towards His Father in Heaven.
How does the future look now? Isn’t it exciting, joyful, hopeful and up-lifting to have the Son of God by your side as your guide for eternity?
And I repeat … quite literally.
“When I go, you will not be left all alone; I will come back to you.” John 14:18.
_____________________________
My Book
Time For Reflections The Blog you'll like !
Visit http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 8/15/2009 5:32:03 AM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1921
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
A man goes to the doctor's and said that his body hurts wherever he touches it.
"Impossible!" says the doctor. "Show me."
The man took his finger, pushed on his left shoulder and screamed, then he pressed his elbow and screamed even more. He touched his knee and screamed in agony; likewise he pushed on his ankle and cried loudly.
Everywhere he touched made him scream.
“Is it serious, doctor?” he asked.
The doctor replied, "Not really, your finger is broken."
Sometimes we get too fixated on the wrong things. Just like the man in the joke.
That’s when we fail to focus on the right priorities in life. We allow our outlook and our earthly vision to be blurred by the many distractions which this world has to offer.
Life becomes a series of goals set, targets to be met and achievements aimed for. And we miss the obvious point:
Set your hearts on the things that are in Heaven, where Christ sits on His throne at the right –hand side of God. Keep your minds fixed on things there, not on things here on earth. Colossians 3:1-2.
_____________________________
My Book
Time For Reflections The Blog you'll like !
Visit http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 8/21/2009 5:31:20 PM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1921
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
It is said that we have been on this earth for millions of years. I know it feels like it to me when I experience aches and pains … but that’s another story.
So let’s stop interrupting and get back on course.
For all these years, as long as man could reason and comprehend … (some women believe this has never happened).
I really must stop interrupting myself.
As I was saying … for all these years, as long as humanity could reason and comprehend, God has spoken to us and shown us the way to Him.
No generation has been left without a sure sign of His existence and the Way to Him.
At first, God spoke through people like Abraham, Moses, Elijah and other prophets. He spoke through the many poets and songsters who wrote the psalms. And through ordinary people so that their contemporaries could understand.
Had He appeared as a majestic Divine Ruler, Creator and King of the whole universe, omnipotent, all knowing and all powerful; He would most probably have caused havoc, fear, awe, and eventually total submission.
Hardly the acts of a loving Father.
So God chose the gentler way of speaking through enlightened open minded people who could translate His message to generations in a language they could understand.
He taught them of His love for them, and for His plans to come to them in person, as often prophesised in the Old Testament.
But many did not listen.
Later on, when they were ready, He came to them as a human in the shape of Jesus. He showed them many signs of His divinity through healing miracles and raising of the dead. He died for them and us, and was raised from the dead.
But many did not listen.
When Jesus went to Heaven He sent the Holy Spirit to guide us, help us, and be with us every step of the eventual Way to the Father.
Many received Him with open hearts.
But as for countless others …
They’re not listening still.
_____________________________
My Book
Time For Reflections The Blog you'll like !
Visit http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 8/27/2009 5:44:45 PM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1921
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
I was reading the other day about the burial place of Robin Hood. You know him … he led a band of Merry Men in Sherwood Forest and had many a skirmish with the Sheriff of Nottingham.
Anyway, Robin Hood was lying on his death bed and his closest friends were debating where he would be buried.
Friar Tuck thought it would be nice to bury him in his favourite spot in the forest, just by the river. Whereas Little John preferred to bury him in Nottingham, in defiance of the Sheriff.
Robin Hood heard them and tried to put an end to this discord. He looked out of the window and said: “Look out there. Give me my bow and arrow which I will shoot for the last time. Wherever the arrow lands; there I shall be buried.”
They gave him his bow and arrow and he raised his trembling hands skyward. He pulled back the arrow as far as his weakened arms would allow and then let go.
And that’s how Robin Hood came to be buried on top of the wardrobe.
_____________________________
My Book
Time For Reflections The Blog you'll like !
Visit http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 8/30/2009 12:49:31 PM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1921
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
Is saying “Sorry” the hardest word?
As human beings, it is inevitable that we will make mistakes and that unintentionally we will hurt others. So it follows that we should apologise when we err, and that we are forgiven our sins.
Yet, in this modern world of ours we hesitate before we admit our wrong-doings.
We see an apology as a sign of weakness. It would reveal a flaw in our character. Something to be held against us, which may well come to haunt us again in the future. We feel threatened even, since, in this litigious society we have created, an admission of guilt could easily lead to claims of compensation.
So we go on the defensive. We deny wrong-doings. We refuse to apologise.
And “sorry” truly becomes the hardest word.
How lucky we are that God does not keep a record of our sins, and will never rush to Court for compensation when we hurt Him again and again.
Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, if my brother keeps sinning against me, how many times do I have to forgive him? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” answered Jesus, “but seventy times seven.” Matthew 18: 21-22
_____________________________
My Book
Time For Reflections The Blog you'll like !
Visit http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 9/8/2009 3:04:21 PM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1921
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
The preacher was telling the congregation about the evils of drink. “To drink is to follow satan. Drink is bad for you. It will lead you to damnation”.
To demonstrate his point he put two glasses on the pulpit. One contained water and one contained whisky. He then produced a small box containing two worms that he had dug from the garden before the service began. He placed a worm in the glass of water and it floated about merrily. He then put the second worm in the glass of whisky and after wriggling for a few seconds it died.
“What does this tell you?” he asked.
A member of the congregation replied, “If you have worms drink whisky”.
There’s a message in this joke for us Christians. How often, whilst well-meaning, we try to tell others about our beliefs and end up confusing them and perhaps, un-wittingly, driving them away from God rather than towards Him.
It is worth remembering that not everyone is at the same stage of knowing God as perhaps we are. You wouldn’t feed a new-born baby pizza or French fries; would you? So let’s go easy with new Christians or people who have yet to know the Lord as we do.
The best way to teach Christianity is by living it as Jesus would want us to.
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.” St Francis of Assisi.
_____________________________
My Book
Time For Reflections The Blog you'll like !
Visit http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 9/22/2009 4:28:37 PM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1921
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
Isn’t it annoying when you’re waiting for an important letter and the postman never comes. Or he delivers a lot of bills and adverts but not the letter you want.
I accept that sometimes he has no letters for me. When that is the case, why can’t he ring the door bell and tell me he has no letters for me?
After all, when I check my computer it tells me there are no new messages on the server. So why can’t the postman?
And why doesn’t God say to the world “I have no new messages for you. The message is the same as it ever was. I love you so much that I sacrificed my only Son, Jesus, for you.” (John 3:16).
The devil on the other hand, well … he’s always got new messages for us. New temptations. New ways to lead us astray. New ways to rebel against God.
Or is it perhaps that God is telling us daily His Good News of our salvation, by His Grace, through Jesus – and we’re just not listening.
Now there’s a thought!
_____________________________
My Book
Time For Reflections The Blog you'll like !
Visit http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 10/2/2009 6:24:41 AM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1921
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
Jesus died at the age of thirty-three.
He never lived to a ripe old age and, as a human, (whom He was as well as being God), He never got to experience what we humans experience as we grow old.
The pains of rheumatism and arthritis. The slowing down of our body and the inability to run or walk as fast as we used to. The odd lapse of memory. Difficulty with hearing or with seeing properly; and the many other ailments which beset us as we grow old.
Had He grown old like some of us do; would He have used His powers to heal Himself and take away the pain?
Of course, all this is pure speculation. The reality is that He died a most horrible and painful death on the Cross which far far outweighs whatever ailments we suffer from as we grow old.
The fact that He has not experienced our old age, or any other experiences we go through in this world, does not mean that He doesn’t understand them and that He does not hurt when we hurt. He feels our pain because He loves us. He accepted the torture of His death because He loves us.
Perhaps we too should try, as best we can, to understand and accept our age related pains with dignity. For His sake.
I know an elderly man who has had many illnesses and operations – he is in constant pain. Whenever I ask him how he is doing, he replies: Thank God I am OK – there are so many so much worse off than me.
Lately, he chuckled and added: Pain is a sign that you are still alive. When you stop feeling pain that’s when you should worry.
Dear Lord help those in pain right now. Amen.
_____________________________
My Book
Time For Reflections The Blog you'll like !
Visit http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 10/10/2009 4:15:08 PM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1921
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
While Jesus was eating, a woman came in with an alabaster jar full of very expensive perfume made from pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on Jesus’ head. Some of the people there became angry and said to one another, “What was the use of wasting the perfume? It could have been sold for more than three hundred silver coins and the money given to the poor!” And they criticized her harshly.
But Jesus said, “Leave her alone! Why are you bothering her? She has done a fine and beautiful thing for me. You will always have poor people with you, and any time you want to, you can help them. But you will not always have me.” Mark 14 3-7.
It is perhaps significant that no one asked Jesus, “Why? Why will we always have the poor with us?”
Is Jesus saying that God will always allow poverty in this world? Is He saying that all our efforts to help the poor are in vain?
Of course not. He is not saying this.
Jesus is reminding us that there will always be someone worse off than us. Someone who is poor in material things, poor in spirit, poor in health, poor in education or poor in Faith.
He is reminding us of our responsibility towards those in poverty in one way or another.
If we are fortunate to be rich, we should give to those who have not. If we are in good health, we should help those who are sick. And if our Faith is strong, we should help and pray for those who falter and fail in their walk with the Lord.
This is our responsibility to those who are poor in one way or another.
And with this responsibility comes a greater and more onerous one. That is to answer to Him when He asks us: “And what have you done with the riches I gave you?”
_____________________________
My Book
Time For Reflections The Blog you'll like !
Visit http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 10/23/2009 7:11:00 AM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1921
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
Failure is sometimes necessary if we happen to learn from it. It is only a picture in time when you happen to click your camera and record it for posterity.
When someone fails an exam or a driving test, at that point in time we see failure. But if we move our slide show forward a few more frames that person may well have learnt their lesson and gone on to much greater success.
When Christ hung dying on the Cross His followers saw failure. Here is a man whom many followed and listened to. As many as five thousand at one stage when He fed them loaves and fishes. They witnessed His many miracles and expected great things from Him. A new ruler, a new King, someone to bring them freedom from their Roman oppressors. Yet here He is, beaten, tortured, humiliated and dying on a Cross amongst thieves.
Failure indeed.
Yet, a few frames forward and we see the Resurrection, the Ascension into Heaven, the sending of the Holy Spirit, a new church born and growing from strength to strength several centuries later.
Everlasting success.
Someone said to me once: I can’t understand you Christians reveling in a man dying on a Cross.
He didn’t understand that we are not “reveling” in His death; but that this was an essential step in Christ’s life and mission on earth leading towards our salvation and forgiveness.
It is perhaps unfortunate that over the years the Cross has become a symbol of Christianity throughout the world. Perhaps a more fitting image would have been an empty tomb or a risen Christ. But we can’t re-write history – the Cross it is.
It may have been failure at that moment in time; but no more.
Let us remember this next time a camera clicks to record our personal failures; and let us take courage in the knowledge that, with His help, we can turn our negative moments into positives for others to emulate.
< Message edited by mvic -- 10/23/2009 7:19:50 AM >
_____________________________
My Book
Time For Reflections The Blog you'll like !
Visit http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 11/4/2009 2:21:10 AM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1921
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
When Jesus walked this earth wheelchairs had not been invented. The lame either stayed in their beds or laid on the floor in poverty.
You’ll remember the story of the lame man whose friends brought him down, bed and all, through the roof of a house to meet Jesus.
When Jesus met the lame, He did not shout at them as if they were deaf, or ignored them and spoke to those accompanying them instead.
Why is it then when we meet people in wheelchairs, some of us speak very loudly at them, or ignore them completely as if they’ve lost the ability to think and talk for themselves, and we speak to the person behind the wheelchair rather than the one in it.
A little dignity to wheelchair users, and other sick people, would not go amiss.
_____________________________
My Book
Time For Reflections The Blog you'll like !
Visit http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
|
|
|
|
 New Messages |
 No New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/ New Messages |
 Hot Topic w/o New Messages |
 Locked w/ New Messages |
 Locked w/o New Messages |
|
 Post New Thread
Reply to Message
Post New Poll
Submit Vote
Delete My Own Post
Delete My Own Thread
Rate Posts |
|
|
Forum Tools
Printable Version
