There are things that are said often that shouldn’t be. Movements that are wrong.
There is a scene in a certain TV show that I won’t name because it is a little harsh. That being said, the main characters are in the middle of a war. Very quickly the people begin to run out of supplies because there are too many of them in the small area that is safe to live. The government decides to send a group of about 2 thousand people, Mostly old or sick, to “regain” an area of land lost to the enemy. They knew these people couldn’t do it. They sent them out to die so they could reduce the population. Later when the remaining people truly did need to regain that land the people complained at the new governor and what he said in response was this:
“We stole the lives of the people who were sent to ‘regain’ that land. Their blood is on our hands. We owe them this, today we atone for that sin.”
Right now there is a movement to let the seniors and the people with diseases to die when they catch Covid and to only save the young and healthy. As one who fits in the young and healthy category I must say I was disgusted and horrified, but not surprised. People are selfish and want to ensure their own safety. That is expected. That is wrong.
If we do this one day we will have to pay for the blood we have spilled and lives we have taken, don’t ever think that we won’t.
Please join me in praying against this monstrosity of human nature. God will never let Canada get away with doing such a horror, don’t be naive enough to believe He will. It is not our government doing this, not yet, so far this is just a small movement, but God help us if it grows. I know God always helps us, but we need to pray anyway.
Category: Devotional
A warning?
`Warning? Warning against what? ‘ said Boromir sharply.
‘Against delay. Against the way that seems easier. Against refusal of the burden that is laid on me. Against-well, if it must be said, against trust in the strength and truth of Men.’
The breaking of the fellowship, LOTR
Hard times come; some of which we can choose whether or not to accept. If we hold back from God’s will because we know the road will be hard, isn’t that wrong?
Tonight I heard my mom praying for the courage of Paul, it filled my heart. Paul’s courage was challenged and tested and yet still he fought on because he knew Jesus. He knew there was a greater reward. Never once did Paul hesitate to do God’s will and never once did he trust in the truth or strength of men. Now he is one of the most well known and debated upon authors in the Bible. Why? Because he refused the voice of the devil when he called him away from God. Paul had spent enough time doing the devil’s work that he knew it held no reward. Paul trusted in the God who saved him, Paul did not delay or deny God’s task. Paul went forth in courage because his faith was in God.
Oh, the things we can learn from God’s disciples.
Sever
Sever skin from bone
-Snap- the screams echo through the halls. It’s dark and dry. Thirst. Need. Fear. Pain. -Snap- another shriek. Your turn next.
Trembling. Is this an illusion? A nightmare? No. The tearing at your skin from the rats shows that’s not true. Is anyone out there? Someone to save you. -Clink- Doors open. “Leave!” Gruff voice. Daylight. Tears. Relief.
Screams.
Not yours. Out comes a man. His face is twisted and he drags his body as he walks. You run over just in time to catch Him.
“Sir. Are you alright?” Blood soaks your palms. A weak smile. Sweat. More tears.
A whisper. “For you, I did this.” Death.
3 days. Arms lift you up and spin you around. ALIVE! RISEN! FREE!
I hear the best torture professionals could sever skin from bone with a single lash. Have you ever had a cut bone deep? I have; it’s agonizing, I still have the scar.
Imagine 49 of those covering your body.
They spare some details in the movies because I am sure that Jesus wasn’t free standing, He most likely was tied to something to hold him still when they beat Him. Also. He probably threw up blood till He couldn’t anymore. The screams and cries of anguish, (anguish we should have bore) would have been sickening to the audience. It would not have been anywhere near as gentle as we see it in our minds.
Image one hundred billion names or more tattooed on the end of the whip. Look closely. There is your name. No! Don’t look away! Watch as it drives itself into your savior’s back. That is why we serve Him.
I know most people will walk away from this and shake their heads and try to remove these images. But don’t. Lest we ever forget that Jesus SUFFERED and died. Those lashes were yours, and mine.
Save the date
Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
1 John 5:12 NIV
Okay class; repeat after me. Christ has………… Great! Next. We are………….. Terrific! Now we are…………. Amen!
For those who don’t know the answer off the top of their heads, that is totally fine, here are the answers:
Risen
Saved or free
New creations
We are Christians. That is the sum and substance of what we are. We are bringing Christ to the world. In bringing Christ to the world sometimes we forget that we are also Christ’s creations. We. You. Me. The people who are already Jesus followers. We are also saved. We are also free. We are also new creations and Jesus died for us too! Sometimes we seem to forget that; but Jesus is ours to share, not give away. He still belongs to us. We still belong to Him too.
Thank you Jesus that we are the free because you are risen for us and you love us. Amen
Jesus wants me for a sunbeam
Jesus wants me for a sunbeam
Remember the old song Jesus wants me for a sunbeam?
Today I went to walk my dog and brush my horse. The sun was so warm it turned our deck hot despite the melting snow around us.
When it’s cloudy and dark it’s easy to reflect that in our moods, but same goes for when it’s sunny.
The physical sun draws us into a state of pleasure. We are to be sunbeams for Jesus. So does that mean we are to bring joy to others? Absolutely!
We are to spread happiness, to bring a simple smile to someone’s day, isn’t that what Jesus did? He brought healing, yes. But He also brought joy and hope.
How can we be sunbeams today?
Smile? What’s that?
I believe that next year when my Facebook memories come back up I will see these posts and be reminded of the Glory of God for how he has taken care of us during these times. Today I had to go out. I know we are under advisement to stay indoors but my dog required medication. Are vet’s office was kind as always, they had held aside a prescription for my dog for his Heartgard pills because they were concerned that the office would start running out of needed medicine supplies so they were trying to get us all in early. Which of course meant that I was walking through town. I found it odd how I would be across the road from other people, and yet no matter how big that distance was, if I waved they wouldn’t wave back. And if I smiled they wouldn’t Smile Back. Guys. The virus cannot be contracted by smiling. I’m not offended, but if we are going to get through a disaster like this virus then we are going to need to be kind. By no means do I mean we should go and be together, we really should keep the social distance. We want people to be protected and we want ourselves to be protected but smiling and waving from a distance isn’t going to hurt you. My concern when I saw this was how afraid people clearly were. So afraid that people who are normally kind and friendly are suddenly cautious and wary, looking at you as if you are the next carrier who could kill them. Please don’t feel so much fear. You will be okay. We have Jesus, and as scary as it is to think about Contracting something and dying we nees to recall that when we die we still see Jesus. Go ahead and smile, keep social distance, but smile, because we are not going to get through this if we’re not smiling. Praise also, because through praise we will find strength.
A day of tears
Day of tears
‘Today is my day to sorrow’, thought the tiny flower growing beside a rock. ‘Last night a great trouble came over me as a man, or something more than a man, sat by my side and wept. His tears were so great that when they splashed upon me I felt sick and my roots were weakened. I tried to reach out to the man, but I am just a flower and cannot draw attention to myself like a bird can with her song. He cried and screamed and begged and pleaded, but no peace came to this man. I hoped that He would look at me and I could make Him smile. He left and then returned, even sadder when He came back. All I could do was sit with Him. Then I sensed a resolve in His being and He went to stand once more. He stumbled and His hands landed near me. I tried to be radiant to bring Him comfort, finally He saw me, He smiled very gently, then He rose to His feet. “Thank you my radiant flower.” He said, then He left.
I feel that something great and tragic happened that night. Today I feel as though a friend is calling out for mercy. Today I feel sad. But being a flower, I know that tomorrow will bring new joy and hope.’
Shattered at the root
Foundation shattering
It’s 1:30 in the morning and the hospital just called. It looks like my grandmother could be dying. She is my step grandmother, but still very precious to us. The true heartbreak however is the crushing blow this is delivery to my grandfather. He had lost somebody dear to him before when my nana died and we don’t want to see him suffer like that again. It’s moments like this I feel Foundation shattered. Moments where I see people who are stronger than any of us fall on their knees and say, “God what did I do wrong?”
For something to shatter a strong Foundation it has to be a strong blow. Don’t we all have that happen? When things go so so very wrong we don’t know where to turn? The wave hits so solidly our foundation is shattered and we start to feel ourselves fall into the ocean. We have all had moments where we look up to God and we say, ” dear God where are you right now? Are You still here?”
He is still here. In the midst of us. We just don’t understand, and we can’t understand because we are not God. Is that a good enough answer? No. No we deserve a better answer. Or at least that’s how we feel, but we probably couldn’t handle the full truth and God’s reasoning because we aren’t Him. It might not feel like a good enough answer but it’s the only answer that I have. No matter what happens God is still King that is all I can put my faith in. We Still Believe.
Who did I forget?
Forgot to send out an invite?
God is the cause of all celebration, but do we remember to invite Him to celebrate with is?
Without Jesus the baby would not have been born.
Without Jesus the body would not have been healed.
Without Jesus the couple would not be celebrating 35 years together.
God is the cause of all the good things that happen to us, and if you are wondering how you can involve God in your celebration let me suggest something.
THANK HIM.
Take a moment away from the pinata and the finger sandwiches to draw everyone’s attention to Jesus. Take a moment of prayer and give the credit back to the one who earned it.
Don’t forget that Jesus wants to celebrate with you. So invite Him into your gathering, that would make Him smile.
Prostrate before Him
Has God fallen off His throne somehow?
No? Then why don’t we treat Him like our King anymore?
Jesus is our Best Friend, that is true, but if you are best friends with the King you still treat Him as King.
In Lord of The Rings, when the Elves come to fight for Helm’s Deep Aragorn still bows to his friend, before giving him a big hug. Aragorn is no less of royalty (by birthright) but he still shows respect, one may even go as far as to say that he shows reverence to the Elvin lord, why? Because that is what you do. That is what is right.
(If my memory on that scene is a little off please forgive me, it has been some time since I last read those masterpieces of literature.)
We have an inheritance with Jesus, that is very true, but even younger siblings bow to older siblings within a royal household, because their birthright gives them that respect.
Always bow before our King’s throne, before running to Him amd giving a big hug. He deserves worship, but He also loves us and having us as His friends.
Carried in the cross 