I love words. Sometimes I hear or read a certain word or phrase and it gets stuck in my head. I think about it; mull over it--most of the time without even meaning to. Today was one of those days. A sister in Christ wrote about how she wasn't thrilled to be sitting in the middle on a particular flight she was taking.
In the middle.
When I read those three words, they seemed to jump off the page at me.
I kept going over them in my mind.
I got my Bible...looked online...and here's what I found.
Jesus was often in the middle.
When the disciples were on a boat in a storm, Jesus went out into the middle of the sea.
The Gospel of Mark says, "When it was evening, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land. Seeing them straining at the oars, for the wind was against them, at about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea.... He spoke with them and said to them, "Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid.” Mark 6:47, 48, 50
Jesus intentionally put Himself in the middle of the sea. "He came to them." Once there, He comforted the disciples. Is there anyone or any circumstance you need to put yourself in the middle of in order to bring encouragement or comfort to those around you?
Jesus is there in the midst of our difficult times. When the winds of adversity blow against us, Jesus will be there to help us through. When we are afraid, He will be there to give us courage.
After Jesus had been crucified, two disciples were going to Emmaus. As they walked along, Jesus joined them and began talking to them. They didn't know it was Jesus at first. When they recognized who He was, Jesus disappeared. The two disciples went back to Jerusalem and told the apostles and others who had gathered there what had happened.
Luke 24:36 "While the two followers were telling this, Jesus himself stood right in the middle of them and said, "Peace be with you."
Jesus, in the middle again. I'm so glad he shows up. I need His peace and reassurance.
John 7:14 says "About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching."
Some people believed in Jesus. Some wanted to arrest Him. He taught anyway. He was in the middle of the feast, doing the Father's business. Sometimes we may need to be in the middle doing the Father's business.
Even when some may stand against us.
Even when it is not the easiest thing to do.
The Bible doesn't use the words "in the middle" in the next three stories, but Jesus, again, shows up in the middle.
In the middle of a wedding, when the wine runs out, Jesus performs a miracle by turning water into wine. (John 2)
In the middle of a crowd, a woman desperate to be healed touches Jesus' garment and is made well. (Mark 5)
In the middle of a crowd's walk out of a city to bury a boy, the only son of a widow, Jesus goes to the coffin and raises the boy from the dead. (Luke 7)
And another time, Jesus, in the most loving act of all, while giving His life for us that we might have eternal life, was also in the middle.
"There they crucified Him, and with Him two others--one on each side and Jesus in the middle." (John 19:18)
I'm so grateful that Jesus loved us so much that He would die for us. Whoever you are.. whoever is reading this...Jesus loves you, too. If you don't know Him, ask Him to make Himself real to you. Talk to Him. Check out the Bible. He is real. He will change your life.
And whatever circumstance you're in the middle of today...
an illness
fear
job search
depression
heartache
relationship difficulty
a happy-no-problem kind of day
...anything..
Please know that Jesus is there, in the middle of it, with you.
He loves you. He will walk through everything with you.
And, to my sister in Christ, stuck in the middle of a place you don't want to be...know that you will be lifted in prayer...and that Jesus will be with you all the way..
every mile...
right there...
in the middle.
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Monday, November 5, 2012
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Harvest Crusade
Hi Everyone! Harvest Crusade is tonight and tomorrow in Anaheim, California. If you live in the area, head on over! If not in the area, you can view the Crusade online. Just go to www.Harvest.org
Some great bands will be taking part and then there will be a message by Greg Laurie. Please join us in person or online!
Have a great day!
Some great bands will be taking part and then there will be a message by Greg Laurie. Please join us in person or online!
Have a great day!
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Hungry
It was one of the most difficult times in my life. I had people all around me, but I felt alone. I knew God loved me, but I didn't feel His presence with me as strongly as I previously had...and circumstances had worn me down so that I felt like I was only a shadow of myself.
I went to church each week longing to hear from God. My prayer as I sat listening to the message was, "Please speak to me even if it's something I don't want to hear." I craved to hear from God and it didn't matter whether it was something that was comforting (though that would have been nice) or something that would pierce my heart.
I just wanted to hear from Him.
I was hungry.
The difficult time passed. I learned several lessons in the storm, and God met all my needs spiritually, emotionally, and physically. I was very grateful to Him.
Fast forward to today.
Recently, I realized that I don't always approach a message from the pastor or my personal time with God with the same intensity that I did during that difficult time. Oh, I still want God to speak to me and direct my steps. (I even expect to hear from Him.)
But I don't always have that same fervent hunger as I did when I was going through the storm.
And I want to.
How about you?
Father, let me be just as hungry to hear You speak to me in the good times as I am in the difficult days I go through. Help me to step into church, and into my own personal times with You, with an eager, open heart ...ready to accept both comfort and correction from You. Give me a hunger to hear Your word, read Your word, and live out Your word in my life each day. And let the words that I hear and read, through your Holy Spirit, change me...change my life...and mold me into the person You intended for me to be so that I bring honor to You. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." Matt. 5:6
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I went to church each week longing to hear from God. My prayer as I sat listening to the message was, "Please speak to me even if it's something I don't want to hear." I craved to hear from God and it didn't matter whether it was something that was comforting (though that would have been nice) or something that would pierce my heart.
I just wanted to hear from Him.
I was hungry.
The difficult time passed. I learned several lessons in the storm, and God met all my needs spiritually, emotionally, and physically. I was very grateful to Him.
Fast forward to today.
Recently, I realized that I don't always approach a message from the pastor or my personal time with God with the same intensity that I did during that difficult time. Oh, I still want God to speak to me and direct my steps. (I even expect to hear from Him.)
But I don't always have that same fervent hunger as I did when I was going through the storm.
And I want to.
How about you?
Father, let me be just as hungry to hear You speak to me in the good times as I am in the difficult days I go through. Help me to step into church, and into my own personal times with You, with an eager, open heart ...ready to accept both comfort and correction from You. Give me a hunger to hear Your word, read Your word, and live out Your word in my life each day. And let the words that I hear and read, through your Holy Spirit, change me...change my life...and mold me into the person You intended for me to be so that I bring honor to You. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." Matt. 5:6
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Sunday, June 20, 2010
Sometimes I . . .
Sometimes I wanna feel small
Standing in front of a vast, roaring ocean
that You created
Wind blowing my hair as if You'd brushed it
from my face with Your hand
Sometimes I wanna feel alone
With only You beside me
Pouring out my deepest thoughts
to You
With no one else around to hear
And my heart ready to listen to what You
have to say back to me
Sometimes I wanna kneel before You
With head bowed and hands raised
in thanksgiving for the many blessings You've
graciously poured in my life
So many wonderful things that I in no way deserve
But gratefully and joyfully receive
Sometimes I wanna be more than
who I am today
To live my life for You in
some spectacular way
But all I can do is say, "Thank You,"
And mean it with all of my heart
"It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High."
Ps. 92:1
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Standing in front of a vast, roaring ocean
that You created
Wind blowing my hair as if You'd brushed it
from my face with Your hand
Sometimes I wanna feel alone
With only You beside me
Pouring out my deepest thoughts
to You
With no one else around to hear
And my heart ready to listen to what You
have to say back to me
Sometimes I wanna kneel before You
With head bowed and hands raised
in thanksgiving for the many blessings You've
graciously poured in my life
So many wonderful things that I in no way deserve
But gratefully and joyfully receive
Sometimes I wanna be more than
who I am today
To live my life for You in
some spectacular way
But all I can do is say, "Thank You,"
And mean it with all of my heart
"It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High."
Ps. 92:1
***********************************************************************
Saturday, June 19, 2010
The Last Day
As soon as I finished saying the words, I wished I could have taken them back.
***********************************************************************
It was the last day of school. I had given some gifts to my students. Among them was a small tablet of paper. A couple of students immediately started writing as soon as they received theirs. A few minutes later, a thank you note was given to me--written on paper from the tablet. We went on about our day and just as it was time to clean up and leave for the year, I quickly scanned the insides of the desks once again to make sure everything was out and no one had left anything behind. When I noticed a piece of paper in the desk of the other student who had been writing I said, "Please take out everything in your desk." As soon as I finished saying the words, I wished I could have taken them back because just as I completed my sentence, I realized that the student didn't accidentally leave the paper in his desk, rather he was carefully placing the paper inside so that I would find it after he had left. (Ever left a note for someone that you didn't want them to read until you were gone? I have.) Anyway, he obediently took the paper out and I felt horrible. As we walked out the door, he handed the paper to me. I couldn't help reading it before he left even though he had intended for me to see it after he was gone. I won't say everything he said, but he told me he had a great year in my class. I smiled and told him it had been great having him in my class and his face lit up. (Smile. God worked it out even though I had ruined his surprise.)
Later, I read his note again and it brought tears (joyful tears!) to my eyes. Sometimes you never know what effect your life has on another. His words were a blessing to me. I'm glad he decided to share his thoughts.
How about you?
Anybody you need to tell that they've made a difference in your life?
You don't need a fancy gift to thank them. You don't even need a sparkly card.
A plain sheet of notebook paper will do just fine.
Or words said face to face.
In whatever way you decide to let them know, I bet it will be a blessing to them.
I know it was to me.
"What a joy it is to find just the right word for the right occasion!" Prov. 15:23
**********************************************************************
***********************************************************************
It was the last day of school. I had given some gifts to my students. Among them was a small tablet of paper. A couple of students immediately started writing as soon as they received theirs. A few minutes later, a thank you note was given to me--written on paper from the tablet. We went on about our day and just as it was time to clean up and leave for the year, I quickly scanned the insides of the desks once again to make sure everything was out and no one had left anything behind. When I noticed a piece of paper in the desk of the other student who had been writing I said, "Please take out everything in your desk." As soon as I finished saying the words, I wished I could have taken them back because just as I completed my sentence, I realized that the student didn't accidentally leave the paper in his desk, rather he was carefully placing the paper inside so that I would find it after he had left. (Ever left a note for someone that you didn't want them to read until you were gone? I have.) Anyway, he obediently took the paper out and I felt horrible. As we walked out the door, he handed the paper to me. I couldn't help reading it before he left even though he had intended for me to see it after he was gone. I won't say everything he said, but he told me he had a great year in my class. I smiled and told him it had been great having him in my class and his face lit up. (Smile. God worked it out even though I had ruined his surprise.)
Later, I read his note again and it brought tears (joyful tears!) to my eyes. Sometimes you never know what effect your life has on another. His words were a blessing to me. I'm glad he decided to share his thoughts.
How about you?
Anybody you need to tell that they've made a difference in your life?
You don't need a fancy gift to thank them. You don't even need a sparkly card.
A plain sheet of notebook paper will do just fine.
Or words said face to face.
In whatever way you decide to let them know, I bet it will be a blessing to them.
I know it was to me.
"What a joy it is to find just the right word for the right occasion!" Prov. 15:23
**********************************************************************
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Sometimes...Always
Sometimes.
Sometimes you can try your very best...
and still come up short.
A marriage failed.
You blew it as a model parent.
One of your customers/clients is upset with you.
Your lifelong dream didn't pan out.
Downsizing left you without a job.
A friendship you treasured came to an end.
...and a myriad of other difficult, heartbreaking situations.
But through it all, remember that in the midst of your “sometimes”, God is always there.
He knows exactly what you’re going through, and He will give you the strength you need to navigate the twisting, unexpected paths that our lives often take.
He will listen to you, love you, and help you through whatever comes your way.
You may feel His presence...and you may not.
But He is there.
Always.
“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Pet. 5:7
“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” Ps. 56:8
**********************************************************************
Sometimes you can try your very best...
and still come up short.
A marriage failed.
You blew it as a model parent.
One of your customers/clients is upset with you.
Your lifelong dream didn't pan out.
Downsizing left you without a job.
A friendship you treasured came to an end.
...and a myriad of other difficult, heartbreaking situations.
But through it all, remember that in the midst of your “sometimes”, God is always there.
He knows exactly what you’re going through, and He will give you the strength you need to navigate the twisting, unexpected paths that our lives often take.
He will listen to you, love you, and help you through whatever comes your way.
You may feel His presence...and you may not.
But He is there.
Always.
“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Pet. 5:7
“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” Ps. 56:8
**********************************************************************
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Words
I just finished a post for this blog. It was honest, from the heart...it poured easily from my mind to my fingers as I typed because the feelings behind the words have been on my heart for quite some time...but it was too personal to post. (At least right now.)
Sometimes words are like that. Too personal to tell someone you don't know well...or too personal to have people on the internet read them. Some words are reserved for our close circle of friends only.
And it's good to know the difference.
At some point, I may share what I wrote. But not today.
Today, I will trust that God knows my heart. He knows the thoughts behind my words. He knows the deepest parts inside me that need His loving touch.
He knows you, too. He knows your heart, your thoughts, your emotions, your hurts, your dreams, your hopes, your fears...He knows everything about you and He loves you.
He will be with you in whatever situation you find yourself in at this very moment.
Talk to Him now.
He's listening.
"O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord. You hem me in--behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast." Psalm 139: 1-10
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Sometimes words are like that. Too personal to tell someone you don't know well...or too personal to have people on the internet read them. Some words are reserved for our close circle of friends only.
And it's good to know the difference.
At some point, I may share what I wrote. But not today.
Today, I will trust that God knows my heart. He knows the thoughts behind my words. He knows the deepest parts inside me that need His loving touch.
He knows you, too. He knows your heart, your thoughts, your emotions, your hurts, your dreams, your hopes, your fears...He knows everything about you and He loves you.
He will be with you in whatever situation you find yourself in at this very moment.
Talk to Him now.
He's listening.
"O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord. You hem me in--behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast." Psalm 139: 1-10
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