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A oldie but a beauty!

Today, upon a bus,
I saw a girl with golden hair
I looked at her and sighed
and wished I was as fair.
When suddenly she rose to leave,
I saw her hobble down the aisle.
She had one leg and used a crutch
But as she passed, she passed a smile.

Oh, God, forgive me when I whine
I have 2 legs, the world is mine.

I stopped to buy some candy  
The lad who sold it had such charm  
I talked with him a while,
he seemed so very glad  
If I were late, it'd do no harm.  
And as I left, he said to me,  
" I thank you, you've been so kind.
It's nice to talk with folks like you.
You see," he said, "I'm blind."

Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
I have 2 eyes, the world is mine.

Later while walking down the street,
I saw a child with eyes of blue
He stood and watched the others play
He did not know what to do.
I stopped a moment and then I said,  
"Why don't you join the others, dear? "
He looked ahead without a word.
And then I knew, he couldn't hear.

Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.  
I have 2 ears, the world is mine.
With feet to take me where I'd go.
With eyes to see the sunset's glow.
With ears to hear what I would know.

Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
I've been blessed indeed, The world is mine.

Sorrow looks back,
Worry looks around,
Faith looks up.

author: somewheres  

A good one!  :D

That's such a wake up call!!!

Thanks for sharing!!! :)

Worry looks around,
Faith looks up.


Know what...i`m thinking i`m going to stencil those words on every  cupboard door...every wall...every stair step in this old house...maybe THEN i`ll remember to remember to LOOK UP!
hmmm...no one would think i`m strange eh?  ::)

*Ahem* The ones who would see it are the ones that already know you well enough to be in your house TO see it!  ;D

When we just need to whine.....
Psalm 142:
1 I cry aloud to the LORD ;
I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy.
2 I pour out my complaint before him;
before him I tell my trouble.

In other words the ones who would see it already KNOW i`m strange eh  :P

Ummmmm........ :-X
Eh!  :P





I just love the Canuckie "eh". Says so much with so few wasted words! ;)

But couldn't it be shortened to a simple 'e'? Or how about an attractive, breathy 'h'?

 eh?   :P

Sheesh     ;D

Eh?  :P

Yesterday I ran over my own foot with my wheelchair..Took a minute to be grateful I could feel the pain. :-[

Not even going to ask how, but you just made my day.....

(by the way, sorry for your pain)


(http://www.click-smilies.de/sammlung0304/tiere/animal-smiley-042.gif)

hmmm, most canadians I know don't say "eh".......then again, most of em just use their hand signals

Oh dear!  :'(

Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good; his love is eternal. - Psalm 106:1 God Speaks Bible

Although they may not have known its title or by whom it was painted, most people have seen a copy of The Song of the Lark, a famous painting by the French artist Jules Breton.
The painting depicts a peasant girl on her way to the field for a hard day's work. Suddenly, it appears, she has heard the sound of a lark. Breton captures her upturned face, alive with hope and joy, thrilled to hear the lilting beauty of the lark's sweet song. From her dress, she is obviously just another peasant girl with a difficult, workaday life. But Breton captures something of her inner soul... a human being glorying in one of nature's loveliest voices, a person enriched by the beauty of God's creation.
Interestingly, the painting has no image of a bird in it. The lark that gives rise to such pleasure is unseen.
And so it is with God. We cannot see Him with our physical eyes. Nevertheless, we can feel His presence and hear His words of comfort, admonition, and encouragement. We do see Him moving in the circumstances. Though unseen, He adds joy, hope, meaning, and purpose to our day-to-day lives.
He is singing a song especially for you today. Look up and listen!
(http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0RwD9AmwUuL3OFZGxzSfslaQbrp7U53fRauqjObKvm2gBdKmtbY49dptvw6PD21fD!v1Ra0*Ix0F5q4PnaKX!YMIp!ihAt78x!zHXRthS33M/10096435.jpg?dc=4675476547584125166)

I had never seen Song of the Lark, what an inspiring commentary, thankyou!!

The Best Day Of My Life

Today, when I awoke, I suddenly realized that this is the best day of my life, ever!

There were times when I wondered if I would make it to today; but I did! And because I did I'm going to celebrate!

Today, I'm going to celebrate what an unbelievable life I have had so far: the accomplishments, the many blessings, and, yes, even the hardships because they have served to make me stronger.

I will go through this day with my head held high, and a happy heart.

I will marvel at God's seemingly simple gifts: the morning dew, the sun, the clouds, the trees, the flowers, the birds. Today, none of these miraculous creations will escape my notice.

Today, I will share my excitement for life with other people. I'll make someone smile. I'll go out of my way to perform an unexpected act of kindness for someone I don't even know.

Today, I'll give a sincere compliment to someone who seems down. I'll tell a child how special he is, and I'll tell someone I love just how deeply I care for them and how much they mean to me.

Today is the day I quit worrying about what I don't have and start being grateful for all the wonderful things God has already given me.

I'll remember that to worry is just a waste of time because my faith in God and his Divine Plan ensures everything will be just fine.

Tonight, before I go to bed, I'll go outside and raise my eyes to the heavens. I will stand in awe at the beauty of the stars and the moon, and I will praise God for these magnificent treasures.

As the day ends and I lay my head down on my pillow, I will thank the Almighty for the best day of my life. And I will sleep the sleep of a contented child, excited with expectation because I know tomorrow is going to be ......
The Best Day Of My Life!

Gregory M. Lousignont, Ph.D
© copyright 1993 G.M. Lousignont, Ph.D. all rights reserved.

You're welcome! :D I thought of a dear friend who's much like me when I read it!  ;)

This poem was written by Jane Eggleston who currently lives in Virginia. Her son Jeff states, "She is a wonderful person, loves Jesus and has been the best mother anyone could ever ask for." What a fitting tribute to any mother.)

Thanks for the beautiful post, Sincereheart....you do share some of the best inspirations with us.  May not see the lark but sure can hear it when looking at that painting.

Awwwww! Thanks!  :D

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

What a beautiful picture; I love old paintings of peasant women, and I'll save this one.

So touching.  Thank you so much sister for sending that in.  Sometimes we just do realize how blessed we are.

rose

FIXED ON YOU

So many times Your will oh Lord,
Is such a mystery to me.
Which path to take, which road to travel,
I wish that my eyes could see.

But I see through a glass darkly,
I see through human eyes.
So I'll walk by faith and not by sight
And trust You to be my guide.

I'll take the road less traveled.
I'll head for the narrow gate.
I know sometimes that You'll let me run
And sometimes I'll have to wait.

I know the road I choose today
May have some detours it is true.
But all roads lead to heaven
When my eyes are fixed on You.

All roads lead to heaven
When my eyes are fixed on You.

~Sandy Lynn Moffett

The Blacksmith
~by By Rob Marx
 
Welcome! Come on in my Son has told me much about you.
 
Only through the constant pounding of the blacksmiths hammer does the metal bend and take shape. Only through the intense heat of the forge is steel made strong. Metal so hardened will withstand the enemy's fiercest attack.
 
Business had been slow till my son fixed my front Gate.
People used to give one tug then walk away.
 
The Blacksmith uses intense heat and a heavy hammer to pound and stress metal to the point of cracking, but this is to mold and strengthen, not to break. The Blacksmiths intent is to protect and save. The enemy's is to destroy.
 
See how easily it swings open now. My son is some craftsmen.
 
When the heat rises and the pounding of the blacksmiths hammer begins to ring causing the searing pain of change, have faith in his blacksmithing skills.
 
If it is not the blacksmiths hammer heard ringing and instead the clanging of enemy's steel on your own, fear not and have faith that the blacksmith has done his job.
 
What brings you to us? Friends told you about our work. How nice. I must remember to thank them later.
 
After the battle, be glad that the blacksmith will soon knock out those dents. Only through the constant pounding of the blacksmiths hammer does the steel bend and take shape. Only through the intense heat of forge is steel made strong.
 
Now what do you have for me? Oh and you say you have a problem here and there. Ah I see. It's nothing a visit to my forge won't fix.
 
Learn to love the ring of the hammer through the searing pain of change as it strengthens, molds, and repairs. Through these things you are protected and saved.
 
Did you notice the metal was wearing thin here? As you can see I've reinforced the whole section. Now it's better than new.
 
Rejoice in being judged worthy of the attention of the blacksmiths hammer and the enemy's sword.
 
No! No! Put that away! My son has already paid your bill.
 
Look forward to the day of victory when the blacksmith will put on a shine so pure that you will see his face.
 
Besides I do this as a Labor of LOVE.
 
Be always grateful to the kind Blacksmith and his Son, the creators and menders of many things.

BIBLE MEDITATION: “I will praise the LORD according to His righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.” Psalm 7:17

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT: Did you know that joy is a choice? A man said to a beggar one day, “Good day my friend.” The beggar answered, “Well, thank you, but I never have a bad one.” He said, “Well, may God give you a happy life, my friend.” And the beggar replied, “I thank God that I am never unhappy.” The man was speechless. And the beggar continued, “When I have plenty to eat, I thank God. When I am hungry, I thank God. If it is God’s will for me to endure this, then whatever is God’s will for me makes me happy.” He chose to be happy.

ACTION POINT: Do you want to be happy? Then, choose to be happy today no matter your circumstances by praising God. It’s not going to be easy, but victory awaits if you do.

~Love Worth Finding

BIBLE MEDITATION: “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT: What does Paul mean when he says that he “takes pleasure” in all of these difficult circumstances? When Paul was placed in solitary confinement in prison, he wasn’t alone – Jesus was near. His weakness became his strength. If they beat him and he hurt, then he had the fellowship of Christ’s suffering – his weakness became his strength. If his body became crippled and he was not able to lean upon his own arm, then he had to lean on the Everlasting Arms. Paul took pleasure in these things. God is waiting to make you strong. There is power in our suffering. Suffering is not going to hurt you, it is going to strengthen you.

ACTION POINT: Are you suffering today? What does God have to say about your attitude about what you are going through? Ask God to forgive you if you are viewing your circumstances in any other way than through His eyes. Ask for His strength to see that when you are weak, He is strong! Sing the song, “Jesus loves me.”

~Love Worth Finding

BIBLE MEDITATION: “Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” Proverbs 27:1

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT: I read some research by William Morriston, a psychologist, who reported that 94% of the 3,000 persons he surveyed were enduring today in order to get to tomorrow. Do you know anyone like that? Perhaps you are one of those. Tomorrow, you’re going on vacation. Tomorrow, you’re going to get the house cleaned. Tomorrow, you’re going to start your diet. Tomorrow, you’re going to balance your checkbook. Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow. The only problem is tomorrow never arrives. When it gets here, it is today. And today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday. It is always today.

ACTION POINT: What are you worrying about? It’s time to ask His forgiveness and give Him your concern. He is more than able to handle it. Worry is pulling tomorrow’s clouds over today’s sunshine.

~Love Worth Finding

Be Thankful.....

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire --
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations,because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge,because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you are tired and weary,because it means you've made a difference.

It's easy to be thankful for the good things. A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks. Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive. Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings.
 
OR~
 
If you can't be satisfied with what you have received, be thankful for what you have escaped.

God's Got a Plan
by Susan Graham Mathis

Joni Eareckson Tada knows what it feels like to want to give up. Permanently paralyzed from the neck down from a diving accident at the age of 17, despair led Joni to agonize, “Why, Lord?” Three decades ago she couldn’t have possibly dreamed how God was planning to answer that prayer.
 
Yet after rehabilitation, she found purpose in her physical disabilities, especially after her autobiographical book and subsequent movie Joni jump-started a lifelong ministry. Because of her experiences, Joni and her husband, Ken, believe that hardships should cause us to view our troubles in light of God’s plan.

As founder and president of Joni and Friends (JAF) Ministries, Joni’s vision is to “extend the love and message of Christ to people affected by disability and to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of this group of people in practical ways.” Joni and Ken know that caring accountability and affirmation from other believers is what can make all the difference in the midst of hard times. Daily stresses, strains and pressures can leave the physically challenged—or anyone for that matter—exhausted.

“Providing support, encouragement, consolation and comfort is not only a major aspect of our ministry but a major ministry of the body of Christ,” Joni says. “It’s providing the way out of the miry pit of depression, despair and self-pity. You realize that there is always somebody worse off than you, and from that understanding you find the strength to be victorious and carry on in even the toughest situations.”

Joni loves hymns, and singing hymns provides the background to all she does—difficult or easy. “Even though I’m confined to this chair,” Joni says, “my heart can always sing—always leap for joy.”

~Strength through relationships

Joni and Ken also find strength from their marriage. “Some of the limitations brought on by my disability force us to confess sin, ask for forgiveness, repent and humble ourselves before each other daily,” Joni says. “But why should I think this desperation is just for disabled people? Everyone should work hard to keep their relationships fresh.

“Ken and I are convinced that we desperately need the life, freshness, grace and power of God as individuals and as a couple—every day—or else we’re going to fall apart.” Her wheelchair continually reminds them of that desperation.

“As a couple, we can’t just storm off and go our own separate ways. We have to work things out,” Ken says. “If I’m putting Joni to bed, it’s a little difficult to be angry while I put cold cream on her face.”

~Divine plans

Philippians 3:10 says that followers of Christ are to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death. Christians eagerly want to know Christ, His power and His resurrection, but the rest of the verse is the hardest to grasp. “We’ll follow Him,” Joni says, “to the hillside where He turns a couple of fish and a few loaves of bread into a lunch for thousands. We’ll attend a wedding where He turns water into wine. We’ll follow Him to the beach, hug our knees, sit on the sand and adore His words. But nobody wants to know the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings. Yet that is where the power, the intimacy, the sweetness of knowing Him is. That’s where change happens.

“We shouldn’t view life’s struggles as daunting obstacles to our happiness. They can be the very keys to our lasting happiness, true contentment and godly joy.”


http://www.family.org/fofmag/cl/a0026949.cfm (http://www.family.org/fofmag/cl/a0026949.cfm)

This article appeared in Focus on the Family magazine. Copyright © 2003 Focus on the Family.
All rights reserved. International copyright secured.

I was given a tape of Joni when I was just a teenager, her story  left a lasting impression on my life...

“Providing support, encouragement, consolation and comfort is not only a major aspect of our ministry but a major ministry of the body of Christ,” Joni says. “It’s providing the way out of the miry pit of depression, despair and self-pity. You realize that there is always somebody worse off than you, and from that understanding you find the strength to be victorious and carry on in even the toughest situations.”


what a shining example of the  grace of God!

The Deeds Undone.....by Bertha A. Lawson

It isn't the thing you do, friend,
it's the thing you leave undone,
Which gives you the bitter heartache,
at the setting of the sun:
The tender words unspoken,
to letter you did not write,
The flowers you might have sent,
are your haunting ghosts at night.

The stone you might have lifted,
out of a dear friend's way,
The bit of heartsome counsel you
were hurried too much to say:
The loving touch of a helping hand,
the gentle and winsome tone,
That you had no time or thought for,
with troubles enough of your own.

These little acts of kindness,
so easily out of mind,
These chances to be angels,
which even mortals find.
They come in night and silence,
each chill reproachful wraith,
When hope is faint and flagging,
and a blight has dropped on faith.

For life is all too short, friend,
and sorrow is all to great,
To suffer our slow compassion,
that tarries until too late.
So, it's not the things you do,
it's the deeds you leave undone,
Which gives you a bitter heartache,
at the setting of the sun.

Imagine for a moment that someone you love comes to you and asks to borrow a small sum of money. You no doubt would lend it gladly, in part because of the close relationship you share.
Now imagine that this same person continues to come to you, asking for loans, food, clothing, the use of your car, and a place to stay. At the same time, let's imagine that your friend approaches you only when he or she needs something... no time for anything more.

While you do love this person, you would probably begin to feel that something is wrong. It's not the asking but the attitude. No one wants to feel they are significant only as a source of goods and services.

So often we come to God with our request list in hand... "God, please do this...." or "God, I want...." God delights in answering our prayers and providing for our needs, but He wants us to think of Him as more than a big "vending machine" in the sky. His desire is for us to know Him personally and spend time with Him daily, enjoying the wonders of His loving presence.

Have you ever considered approaching God just to be sociable? Now might be a good time to start.
 
Copyright (C) GodSpeaks, (TM) Inc. 2004
All Rights Reserved

thanks for the poem i needed that right now! and if anyone has advice see my problem under "ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP"

BIBLE MEDITATION: “But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:10

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT: In order to refine gold, a goldsmith places gold over a fire until it bubbles and glows. He skims off the impurity from the top and knows that when he can see his reflection, the gold is pure. That is what the Lord is doing when you go through trials. When He can see His likeness reproduced in your life, He’ll know that you have become gold fit for His use and for His glory. But, the fire is hot! Yes, but God controls it. No jeweler is more careful with his gold than a father with his children. He knows what He is doing. But, what about those things He is burning out of my life? You don’t need them. If you needed them, your loving Father would make sure you kept them.

ACTION POINT: Has God taken anything out of your life recently that you thought you couldn’t live without? Thank Him.

You can tell the size of your God by looking at the size of your worry list. The longer your list, the smaller your God. ~Author Unknown

"Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of persons ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God..."  (2 Peter 3:11)

"Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same thought, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer by human passions but by the will of God." (1 Peter 4:1)

Posted by: Symphony

 :D

BIBLE MEDITATION: “For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.” Mark 11:23

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT: Did you ever play king of the mountain as a child? When you were on high ground, you could shove the others down, even though they were entrenched and determined to overtake you. In Joshua 14, we read that Caleb faced a city of giants, and yet because he had wholly followed the Lord, he had the strength of the Lord and said, “give me this mountain” (Joshua 14:11-12). All of us face giants every day – giants of doubt, fear, discouragement, financial ruin, sickness, broken relationships. Do you think that the giants that were in the Promised Land took God by surprise? God knew they were there all the time – they were part of His purpose to strengthen their faith. It’s time you got a bulldog grip on the Word of God and believe what He says to be true.

ACTION POINT: What are the giants you are facing today? Ask God for the faith to conquer those giants.

Keep us, O God, from pettiness; let us be large in thought, in word, in deed.
Let us be done with faultfinding and leave off self-seeking.
May we put away all pretenses and meet each other, face to face, without self-pity and without prejudice.
May we never be hasty in judgment and always generous.
Let us take time for all things; make us to grow calm, serene, gentle.
Teach us to put in action our better impulses-straightforward and unafraid.
Grant that we may realize it is the little things of life that create difficulties; that in the big things of life we are as one.
Oh, Lord, let us not forget to be kind.
Amen.

~Prayer Of Mary Stewart (Mary, Queen of Scotts)

Until I learned to trust,
I never learned to pray.

And I did not learn to trust,
Till sorrows came my way.

Until I felt my weakness,
His strength I never knew.

Nor dreamed till I was stricken,
That He could see me through.

Who deepest thinks of sorrow,
Drink deepest of Grace.

He sends the storm so He Himself,
Can be our hiding place.

~Author Unknown
PulpitHelps.com

ACTION POINT: Has God taken anything out of your life recently that you thought you couldn’t live without? Thank Him.

 whew!

LEARNING THROUGH DIFFICULTIES
 
If anyone could say that they had learned to love God more through suffering and hardship, it would be the late Corrie Ten Boom, who suffered at the hands of the Nazis in prison camps.  Corrie suffered in the prison but would tell as many people as possible about the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ every day in the camp.   She obtained a small New Testament and smuggled it past guards, and her ministry began.

She said "Before long we were holding clandestine Bible study groups for an evergrowing group of believers, and Barracks 28 became known throughout the camp as 'the crazy place, where they hope.'"

Corrie learned that the concentration camp was a place of hardship that also was a classroom of growth in God. She added, "The school of life offers some difficult courses, but it is in the difficult class that one learns the most especially when your teacher is the Lord Jesus Christ. The hardest lessons for me were in a cell with four walls. The cell in the prison at Scheveningen was six paces in length, two paces in breadth, with a door that could be opened only from the outside . . . After that time in prison, the entire world became my classroom."

FACING HARDSHIPS
 
Charles Steinmetz was born with severe limitations - he was a cripple, as people of his day would say.  He was dwarfish in appearance and suffered from a severe hunchback deformity.  His mother died before he was one year old, but his poverty-stricken father decided to give his child the best love and care he could.  

With little money, his father made ends meet and helped his grwoing child learn.  Charles could not run and play but he could read and learn, and he found an interest in science.  Making up his mind to make his discoveries for the benefit of mankind, he studied hard and then immigrated to the U.S.

Talk about more difficulties! He knew not a word of English and has such a deformed appearance that the port authorities were tempted to return him to his native Switzerland. With defective sight and torn clothes, Charles found a job that paid him twelve dollars a week. Working for the small fledgling company General Electric, Charles Steinmetz quickly showed himself to be one of the greatest experts in the world in the field of electricity. His career was a stunning series of ground-breaking research and development. As his death in 1923, Charles Steinmez was honored as one of the founding fathers of the powerful General Electric.

How bad was your day really?

'the crazy place, where they hope.'   ;D

Until I learned to trust,
I never learned to pray. AMEN!

(http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0RgAoGKwVLg*xtMKHtjIGTj9Tjug7Xqgf5I7kbi8KqGorz5cYzQDfyvsx1oAbp8SlZTQYEOB9certKwY2S2Dvyw6r5NvkVRDno3ZwCfcLWdg/lincoln.gif?dc=4675495658469623968)

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Stepping Stones To God

An aching heart is but a stepping stone
To greater joy than you've ever known,
For things that cause the heart to ache
Until you think that it must break,
Become the strength by which we climb
To higher heights that are sublime,
And feel the radiance of God's smiles
When we have soared above life's trials.

So when you're overwhelmed with fears
And all your hopes are drenched in tears,
Think not that life has been unfair
And given you too much to bear.

For God has chosen you because,
With all your weaknesses and flaws,
He feels that you are worthy of
The greatness of His wondrous love.

So welcome every stumbling block
And every thorn and jagged rock;
For each one is a steppingstone
To God, who wants you for His own.

For discipline in daily duty
Will shape your life for deeper beauty;
And as you grow in strength and grace,
The clearer you can see God's face;
And on the steppingstones of strife,
You reach at last eternal life.
By: Helen Steiner Rice
http://www.geocities.com/shellysplace_nb/indexpoetry.html (http://www.geocities.com/shellysplace_nb/indexpoetry.html)
 ;D

The Blessing And The Breaking
by Chip Brogden

"And it came to pass, as He sat at meat with them, He took bread, and blessed it, and brake and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew Him" (Luke 24:30-31).

There is a simple truth demonstrated in this post-resurrection encounter with Christ. Can you see it?

I cannot think of a single Christian that does not desire the blessing of the Lord. We earnestly seek and desire God's blessings on our life. We want the Lord to bless our spiritual life, our home life, our children, our finances, our churches and our ministries. Is there anything wrong with that? Of course not. But the fact remains that we do not always get what we ask for.

What does it mean to be blessed? The common assumption, I believe, is that when God has blessed a person then they will enjoy physical health, financial prosperity, and a general sense of happiness and well-being.

I want us to see that when Jesus blesses something He breaks it. The blessing results in breaking. The prayer for "more" results in "less". The request for "increase" results in "decrease". The prayer for blessing results in brokenness.

Do you want to be a blessing to other people, or a burden? Most Christians would say they want to be blessing to others. So God blesses them and then breaks them.

What is going on here? Simply put, the blessing of the Lord is in being reduced to Christ. Who is blessed? Not the one who is rich in spirit, but the one who is poor in spirit. The poor in spirit possess the Kingdom. Those who are broken are blessed, and those who are blessed are broken.

The heart-cry of a disciple of "more of Jesus". How do we get "more" of Jesus? By getting less of us. With less of me there is more of Him. As I am decreased, He is increased. This is what it means to be blessed.

A brother in the Lord related the following experience to me. As he was watching television he says he came across a woman who was yelling, "Increase! Increase! God wants to increase you and all you have!" This brother says he staggered out of his chair laughing, and said, "Decrease! Decrease! Keep decreasing me Lord, till all there is left is YOU!" Friends, when we understand the blessing and the breaking then we will find ourselves responding the same way. What I love about this is the brother LAUGHED as he rejected the "increase" and embraced the decrease. This is what it means to take up the Cross.

We cry out for "increase" but God has already (past tense) blessed us with "every spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3). We have the blessing already. What we are lacking is the breaking. We want the blessing without the breaking. But it is not that we need more of the Lord, because we already have all of Him; we just need less of everything else.

After Jesus blessed the bread, and broke it, and gave it to them, their eyes were opened and they knew Him. Until you have the blessing and the breaking your eyes will remain closed. Blessings alone do not open our eyes. Indeed, blessings by themselves tend to close our eyes. We do not come to know Him in the blessing, but in the breaking. Then what we already have in Him will be revealed. Our eyes will be opened and we will see that He has been standing there the whole time.

Do you want to know Him? Do you want to see Him for Who He is? Do you want to go deeper? Do you want to have your eyes opened? Embrace the blessing AND the breaking; receive them both. If you are a bruised reed or a broken cistern, take heart, because you are making progress.

 
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Making Sacrifice With Joy

I heard a story once about two wealthy Christians, a lawyer and a merchant, who traveled with a group that was going around the world. As they were visiting in Korea, they saw by the side of the road, a field in which a boy was pulling a crude plow and an old man held the plow handles and guided it. The lawyer was amused and took a snapshot of the scene.

He turned to the missionary, who served as their interpreter and guide, and he said, "That's a curious picture. I suppose they are very poor."

The guide replied, "Yes, that is the family of Chi Noue. When the place of worship was being built, they were eager to give something to it, but they had no money, so they sold their only ox and gave the money to the church. This spring, they are pulling the plow themselves."

The men were silent for several moments. Then the businessman replied, "That must have been a real sacrifice."

The guide said, "They do not call it that. They thought it was fortunate that they had an ox to sell."


by Alan Smith, http://www.aworshipleader.org/CommunionTalks.asp?id=5