Love and Grief
But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping...she turned herself back and saw Jesus standing .... Jesus saith unto her, Mary--Joh 20:11, Joh 20:14, Joh 20:16
Mary's Grief
In this beautiful and ever memorable incident I wish first to dwell on Mary's grief, trying to make plain to you the greatness of that grief; and the first glimpse we get into its deeps is that Mary shows no wonder at the angels. At all the crises of the life of Christ we read of angels. We read of them at His birth, His temptation, and His agony. At these great moments His attendant bodyguard breaks through the veil, as it were, and becomes visible. And now in this great hour of hard-won victory, when death, the last great enemy, is beaten, there is a vision of angels in the tomb. There are two of them, in the tenderness of God, who would not send one alone to a dark sepulchre. They are clothed in white, the uniform of heaven; they are seated, as in the calm of glory. Yet Mary, stooping down and peering in and catching a glimpse of these beings more than mortal, has not a fear and scarce a thought to give them, she is so brokenhearted for her Lord. There is nothing more absorbing than great grief. It banishes fear, surprise, dismay, astonishment, and from the utter absence of all such feelings here, we learn how terrible was Mary's grief.
The same intensity is manifest again when we notice how her grief embraced her world. Turning round in the dim dawn, she saw a man, and she supposed that it had been the gardener. Now she had never seen the gardener before; he was a stranger to her and she to him. The circle that he moved in was not hers; he had his wife and children, his home and joys and sorrows. Yet she offers no explanation or apology; never mentions the name of Christ, just talks of Him--her grief is so overpowering that she cannot conceive that others should remain indifferent in her sorrow. I think that many of us have had times when our feeling was akin to that of Mary. In seasons of overwhelming sorrow--when the golden bowl is broken--the noisy life out in the streets is like an insult. It is incredible how others should be laughing and going about their work with eager hearts, when for us there is not a star within the sky and not a sound of music in the lute. Now of course that is an unreasonable mood, and we soon outgrow it if we are strong in God. But whether reasonable or unreasonable, it is human--the sign and symbol of overwhelming grief. And it is when we see Mary so absorbed that everyone she meets must know her sorrow, that we realize her womanly despair at the loss of her Savior and her Lord.
Her Grief Made Her Blind
Then, too, her grief had made her blind. That also reveals the depth of her dismay. She heard the sound of a footfall, and there was Jesus standing, but Mary did not know that it was Jesus. Now there were many things to prevent that recognition; there was the dim and dusky light of early morning. There was the change that had passed upon the form of Christ now that He was risen in triumph from the grave. But the deepest cause was not in the morning light; the deepest cause was not in the face of Jesus; the deepest cause was in the heart of Mary. I have heard mourners gathered at a funeral say afterwards, "I could not tell you who was there." All the great passions in their full intensity have got a certain blinding power about them. But neither love nor hate nor jealousy nor anger is more effectual in sealing up the eyes than is the pressure of overwhelming grief. So she turned herself round when she heard the quiet footfall. And Jesus was there, and she knew not it was He. Does that tell you that Jesus Christ was changed? It tells me also that Mary was brokenhearted.
And the strange thing is that had she only known it, the cause of her grief was to be the joy of ages. It was for an absent Lord that she was weeping, yet on that absence Christendom is built. "They have taken away my Lord," said Mary; "let me but find His body and I shall be happy." But supposing she had found it, and been happy, have you ever thought what that would have involved?-no resurrection, no sending of the Spirit, no Gospel, no Christendom, no heaven. And so I learn that in our deepest griefs may lie the secret of our richest joys, that there may be "a budding morrow in midnight." It is better to go to the house of mourning than to the house of mirth. That does not mean it is better to be melancholy. The evangel of Christ is tidings of great joy, and no one has such a right to be glad as a true Christian. It means that, like Mary, in our sorest grief we may light on that which all the world is seeking, and that everything may be radiant ever after because of the one thing that caused our tears.
Mary's Love
So far, then, on the depth of Mary's grief. Now let us turn to the depth of Mary's love. And how intensely she loved may be most surely gathered from her refusal to believe that He was lost. "Then the disciples went away to their own homes": there was nothing more to be done; the grave was empty. They had examined the tomb and seen the napkin there; nothing was to be gained by aimless waiting. But Mary, though she knew what they had seen and had not a particle more of hope than they--Mary could not tear herself away, but stood without at the sepulchre weeping. There is a kind of love that faces facts, and it is a noble and courageous love. It opens its eyes wide to dark realities and bowing the head it says, "I must accept them." But there is an agony of love that does not act so; it hopes against hope and beats against all evidence. It is only women who can love like that, and it was a love like that which inspired Mary. No one will ever doubt John's love to Jesus. No one will ever doubt the love of Simon. "Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? .... Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee." But the fact remains that on that Easter morning Peter and John went to their homes again, and only a woman lingered by the grave. I have not the least doubt that they urged her to go with them. They had been too long with Jesus not to be true gentlemen. It was cold and raw there, and the grass was wet, and it was dangerous for a woman with these Roman soldiers. But Mary simply replied, "I cannot go." She must linger and watch in the teeth of all the facts. And I say that measured by a test like that, there is not a disciple who can match the love of Mary.
Mary's Love Brought Glad Obedience
The depth of Mary's love is also seen in her instant and glad obedience to her Lord. She would have flung herself upon His breast in her great joy, but Jesus said to her swiftly, "Touch me not." You remember what Christ said when He appeared to Thomas? "Thomas, reach hither thy hand, and feel my wounds." To that disciple, torn with the stress of doubt, says the risen Savior, "Come and touch me." But to Mary whose doubts had all been scattered and who was filled with the wild joy of recognition, the Christ who said to Thomas, "Come and touch me," said very swiftly and imperiously, "Touch me not." What He meant was, "Things are all different now. You are to walk by faith and not by sight now. Do not think that My death is but a moment's break and that the former life will be resumed. I ascend to the Father--old things have passed away--do not try to revive or recall these old relationships. Touch Me not, but go unto My brethren--tell them I am going home to God." That must have been a bitter disappointment to a heart so ardent and so intense as Mary's. The one thing she wanted was to be with Christ, yet that was the one thing which He denied her. And it is when I read how sweetly she obeyed, renouncing her own will to do Christ's bidding, it is then I realize how deep and true was the love of Mary for her Savior. There is a love that is loud in passionate protestations, but "methinks the lady doth protest too much." Mary says little--does not protest at all--one word "Rabboni," and then her Master's bidding. And it is in that immediate obedience, which cut at the very root of all her joy, that he that hath eyes to see and ears to hear can gauge the height and depth of Mary's love.
Christ's Revelation to Mary
In the last place, a word or two upon the revelation of the Lord to Mary. The unceasing wonder of it all is this, that to her first He should have shown Himself. Simon Peter had been at the tomb that morning, and "on this rock," said Jesus, "I will build my church." John had been at the sepulchre that morning--the disciple who had leaned upon Christ's bosom; yet neither to John nor to Peter had there been a whisper--no moving of pierced feet across the garden--all that was kept for a woman who had been a sinner and out of whom there had been cast seven devils. It is very notable that the first word of Christ after He had risen from the dead was Woman. "Woman, why weepest thou?" These are the first words which fell from the lips of Christ when He arose. And they tell us that though everything seemed different, yet there was one thing which death has failed to alter, and that is the eyes of Christ for those who love Him and the sympathy of Christ for those who weep. You remember how, when Christ was in the wilderness, He was tempted to cast Himself down from the Temple. He was tempted to reveal Himself in startling fashion as the Jews expected that Messiah would. But Christ resisted that spectacular temptation and showed Himself quietly to kindred hearts; and now after the grave has clone its work, He is the very same Jesus as had His home in Nazareth. There are some arguments for the resurrection of the Lord which I confess do not appeal to me. They are too elaborate and metaphysical; they always leave some loophole of escape. But there is one argument that is irresistible, and to me is overwhelming in its artless evidence, and that is the argument of this sweet incident. I could have believed the story was a myth if Christ had shown Himself upon the Temple steps. Had he appeared to Pilate and said, "Behold the Man," I could have believed it was an idle story. But that He should pass by Pilate and the people, and His mother and John and James and Simon Peter, that He should show Himself first and foremost to a woman who had nothing to her credit but her love, I tell you that even the genius of a Shakespeare could never have conceived a scene like that. The strange thing is that what Christ did that morning, He has been constantly doing ever since. The first to see Him in all His power and love have been the very last the world expected. Do not pride yourself on your apostolate. There are things that you may miss for all your privileges. And some poor Magdalene, to whom you send the missionary, may be the first to hear the footfall on the grass.
And then Christ made Himself known by a single word. One word was enough when it was the woman's name. Jesus saith unto her, "Mary," and she turned herself and saith unto Him, "Rabboni." When Joseph made himself known unto his brethren, he stood in their midst and said to them, "I am Joseph." There are times when Jesus acts as Joseph did and lifting up His voice cries, "I am Christ." But far more often when He reveals Himself, the first word that we hear is like this garden voice. It is not "I am Christ" that we first hear; the first word that we hear is "Thou art Mary." I mean by that, that we are drawn to Christ by the deep and restful sense that we are known. Here is a Man who understands us thoroughly, who knows what we most need and what we crave for. And it is in response to that--which is the Gospel call--that we turn our back on the grave as Mary did to find at our side One who has conquered death and who lives to be our Friend forevermore.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Joke of the Day
Our church was saddened to learn this week of the death of one of our most valued members, Someone Else.
Someone's passing creates a vacancy that will be difficult to fill. Else has been with us for many years and for every one of those years, Someone did far more than a normal person's share of the work. Whenever there was a job to do, a class to teach, or a meeting to attend, one name was on everyone's list, "Let Someone Else do it." Whenever leadership was mentioned, this wonderful person was looked to for inspiration as well as results; "Someone Else can work with that group."
It was common knowledge that Someone Else was among the most liberal givers in our church. Whenever there was a financial need, everyone just assumed Someone Else would make up the difference.
Someone Else was a wonderful person; sometimes appearing superhuman. Were the truth known, everybody expected too much of Someone Else. Now Someone Else is gone! We wonder what we are going to do.
Someone Else left a wonderful example to follow, but who is going to follow it? Who is going to do the things Someone Else did?
When you are asked to help this year, remember -- we can't depend on Someone Else anymore.
Someone's passing creates a vacancy that will be difficult to fill. Else has been with us for many years and for every one of those years, Someone did far more than a normal person's share of the work. Whenever there was a job to do, a class to teach, or a meeting to attend, one name was on everyone's list, "Let Someone Else do it." Whenever leadership was mentioned, this wonderful person was looked to for inspiration as well as results; "Someone Else can work with that group."
It was common knowledge that Someone Else was among the most liberal givers in our church. Whenever there was a financial need, everyone just assumed Someone Else would make up the difference.
Someone Else was a wonderful person; sometimes appearing superhuman. Were the truth known, everybody expected too much of Someone Else. Now Someone Else is gone! We wonder what we are going to do.
Someone Else left a wonderful example to follow, but who is going to follow it? Who is going to do the things Someone Else did?
When you are asked to help this year, remember -- we can't depend on Someone Else anymore.
Quote of the day
"When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.
Christian Poem
"Time for bed!"--the weary day
With its toils has passed away
Sol has wrapped his forehead bright
In the curtains of the night,
And his glorious lamp again
Lowered behind the western main
Leaving all heaven's pure expanse
Radiant with his parting glance
Just a few, faint stars are seen
Ranged around the midnight queen--
A select and glorious band
Who alone may waiting stand
Hound the monarch of the night,
Bearing up their urns of light,
Her majestic path to cheer
Till the shadows disappear.
"Time for bed!" the folded flowers
Hang their heads in forest bowers;
Nestled in each downy nest
Day's sweet songsters calmly rest;
And the night-bird's plaintive hymn
Echoes through the forest dim;
Dew-drops on the birchen-bough
In the star-beams sparkle now,
Scarce a zephyr stirs the rose
So profound is Earth's repose.
"Time for bed!" put by thy books,
Learner, with thy studious looks;--
Poet, lay the pen away,
Candle-light will spoil thy lay;--
Leave it till the morning hours
Come with sunshine to the flowers,--
Leave it till from shrub and tree
Birds pour forth their minstrelsy,--
Till the sun on wood and wold
Turns the drops of dew to gold,--
Till the bee comes forth to sip
Nectar from the flow'rets lip,--
Till the light-winged zephyrs wake
Dancing ripples on the lake,
And the cloudlets in the height
Don their fleecy robes of white;--
Then, with graceful Euterpe,
Seek the spreading greenwood tree,
And with joy, and light, and love,
AH around thee and above,
Tune thy lyre to praiseful mirth
With all happy things of Earth!
"Time for bed!"--thou man of toil,
Why consume the midnight oil?--
Night was made for slumbers blest,
Thou art weary, therefore rest!
"Time for bed!"--poor "Martha," thou
Long enough hast labored now;
All the day's bright hours are numbered,
Yet art thou "with toiling cumbered."
Lay that tedious work away
Till the blest return of day,--
Thou art care-worn and oppressed,
Thou art weary "Martha," rest!
"Time for bed!"--shut up the stove,
To its place the table move,
Lay the books into their case,
Wheel the sofa to its place,
Wind the clock, brush up the floor,
Close the shutters, lock the door,
That will do--put out the light,
Toil and trouble, all good night! - Mrs. J. C. Yule
With its toils has passed away
Sol has wrapped his forehead bright
In the curtains of the night,
And his glorious lamp again
Lowered behind the western main
Leaving all heaven's pure expanse
Radiant with his parting glance
Just a few, faint stars are seen
Ranged around the midnight queen--
A select and glorious band
Who alone may waiting stand
Hound the monarch of the night,
Bearing up their urns of light,
Her majestic path to cheer
Till the shadows disappear.
"Time for bed!" the folded flowers
Hang their heads in forest bowers;
Nestled in each downy nest
Day's sweet songsters calmly rest;
And the night-bird's plaintive hymn
Echoes through the forest dim;
Dew-drops on the birchen-bough
In the star-beams sparkle now,
Scarce a zephyr stirs the rose
So profound is Earth's repose.
"Time for bed!" put by thy books,
Learner, with thy studious looks;--
Poet, lay the pen away,
Candle-light will spoil thy lay;--
Leave it till the morning hours
Come with sunshine to the flowers,--
Leave it till from shrub and tree
Birds pour forth their minstrelsy,--
Till the sun on wood and wold
Turns the drops of dew to gold,--
Till the bee comes forth to sip
Nectar from the flow'rets lip,--
Till the light-winged zephyrs wake
Dancing ripples on the lake,
And the cloudlets in the height
Don their fleecy robes of white;--
Then, with graceful Euterpe,
Seek the spreading greenwood tree,
And with joy, and light, and love,
AH around thee and above,
Tune thy lyre to praiseful mirth
With all happy things of Earth!
"Time for bed!"--thou man of toil,
Why consume the midnight oil?--
Night was made for slumbers blest,
Thou art weary, therefore rest!
"Time for bed!"--poor "Martha," thou
Long enough hast labored now;
All the day's bright hours are numbered,
Yet art thou "with toiling cumbered."
Lay that tedious work away
Till the blest return of day,--
Thou art care-worn and oppressed,
Thou art weary "Martha," rest!
"Time for bed!"--shut up the stove,
To its place the table move,
Lay the books into their case,
Wheel the sofa to its place,
Wind the clock, brush up the floor,
Close the shutters, lock the door,
That will do--put out the light,
Toil and trouble, all good night! - Mrs. J. C. Yule
Recipe of the day
Easy Carrot Cake Recipes
Ingredients
1 cup KRAFT Mayo Real Mayonnaise
1 pkg. (2-layer size) yellow cake mix
4 eggs
2-1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 cups finely grated carrots
1/2 cup chopped Walnut Pieces
Directions
Ingredients
1 cup KRAFT Mayo Real Mayonnaise
1 pkg. (2-layer size) yellow cake mix
4 eggs
2-1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
2 cups finely grated carrots
1/2 cup chopped Walnut Pieces
Directions
1.Beat mayo, cake mix, eggs, 1/4 cup water and cinnamon in large bowl with electric mixer on
medium speed for 3 minutes. Stir in carrots and walnuts.
2. Pour into greased 13x9-inch baking pan.
3. Bake at 350 F for 30 to 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool
completely. Frost cake if desired.
Daily Devotional
Then thou shalt go out to battle; for God is gone forth before thee. 1 Chron. 14: 15.
WHAT was this "going"? It was not merely a fitful breeze stealing through the leaves; it was not the going of the wind; but of angel squadrons who were proceeding against the enemies of Israel. This thought often occurs in Scripture as when Jacob met God's host; and the warrior Saviour told Joshua that He was captain of a host whom God had commissioned to take Jericho; so also the horses and chariots of fire surrounded Elisha. Hearken to the measured footfall of God's host, beneath which the mulberry trees sway, though no wind stirs the sultry air.
God's hosts go forth against his foes and ours. Perhaps we should feel less oppressed with the burden of the fight if we realized this. The battle is not ours, but God's. He will deliver the Philistines to us so that we shall have to do little else than fight and spoil. Oh, believe in the co operation of the Holy Spirit. Lonely missionary in some distant station of the foreign field, listen for the moving in the tops of the mulberry trees! God is stirring for thy succour. Thou art a co worker with Him in making known his salvation; and He will prosper thee.
Let us wait for our instructions. David inquired of the Lord; let us not anticipate Him. It is useless to go up until He has gone out before us. We may as well save ourselves from disappointment by quietly waiting for the salvation of our God. But oh, be sure that those who wait for God shall not be long before the God for whom they wait shall go forth before them to smite the host, whether it be the hosts of temptation that oppress the inner life, or the hosts of spiritual foes that oppose the progress of God's work.
WHAT was this "going"? It was not merely a fitful breeze stealing through the leaves; it was not the going of the wind; but of angel squadrons who were proceeding against the enemies of Israel. This thought often occurs in Scripture as when Jacob met God's host; and the warrior Saviour told Joshua that He was captain of a host whom God had commissioned to take Jericho; so also the horses and chariots of fire surrounded Elisha. Hearken to the measured footfall of God's host, beneath which the mulberry trees sway, though no wind stirs the sultry air.
God's hosts go forth against his foes and ours. Perhaps we should feel less oppressed with the burden of the fight if we realized this. The battle is not ours, but God's. He will deliver the Philistines to us so that we shall have to do little else than fight and spoil. Oh, believe in the co operation of the Holy Spirit. Lonely missionary in some distant station of the foreign field, listen for the moving in the tops of the mulberry trees! God is stirring for thy succour. Thou art a co worker with Him in making known his salvation; and He will prosper thee.
Let us wait for our instructions. David inquired of the Lord; let us not anticipate Him. It is useless to go up until He has gone out before us. We may as well save ourselves from disappointment by quietly waiting for the salvation of our God. But oh, be sure that those who wait for God shall not be long before the God for whom they wait shall go forth before them to smite the host, whether it be the hosts of temptation that oppress the inner life, or the hosts of spiritual foes that oppose the progress of God's work.
Sermon of the week
Genesis Chapter 1… verses 26-27… Now let’s move to Chapter 2 into 3:13… then verse 20…
Let’s Pray…
Have you ever thought what it must have been like to be the first and only person on earth?
You know… its one thing for us to feel lonely… but… in Adams case there was no one else… He missed much of what makes us… who we are…
He had no childhood… no parents… [as we know parents]… no family or friends… He had to learn to be human on his own…
Fortunately though… God didn’t let him struggle to long… He didn’t let him struggle to long… before presenting him with an ideal companion and mate… Eve… in our case… thank you ladies…
At the outset they had a complete… innocent… and open oneness… with out a hint of shame…
Have you ever been in a family gathering when a young child runs through the room unclothed without a hint of shame… the innocence of the child…
Oh how that speaks to us of how it was and could be… [not that we run around naked… but that we are without shame… and transparent before each other…]
Maybe one of Adams first conversions with his delightful companion would have been about garden rules…
We know… that before Eve came along… God had given Adam complete freedom in the garden… with the responsibility to tend and care for it…
But… one tree was off limits… the tree of the knowledge of good and evil… No doubt… Adam told her all about this…
We know very little about Eve… the first woman in the world… yet… she is the mother of us all… She was the final piece in the intricate and amazing puzzle of God’s creation…
Adam… now had another human being to fellowship with… someone with an equal share in God’s image…
Here… was someone alike enough for companionship… yet… now hear this… different enough for relationship…Together they were Greater than they could ever be Alone…
What an incredible truth for us to take in this morning… Together we can become something bigger than we ever can become alone…
Fantastic….
We know how the story goes…
Eve was approached by Satan in the Garden where she and Adam lived… and he questioned her contentment… How did he do this…
He implied… how could you be happy when you’re not allowed to eat from one of the tree’s…
Satan… helped Eve switch her focus… switch her focus from what she could do and what she had…
He moved her focus from all that God had done and given… to the one thing he withheld… sadly… Eve willing accepted Satan’s viewpoint without checking it out with God… or Adam…
Does that sound familiar or what?
How often is our attention drawn from the much which is ours… to the little that isn’t…?
We can sometimes get that… ‘I have to have it’ feeling… in many ways Eve was typical of us all… Our desires like Eves can easily be manipulated… if we’re not careful…
Can you see this…
Truly… we need to keep God in our decision making processes… His word… this book is our guidebook to life’s choices and decisions…
Our relationship with God… Jesus… and the Holy Spirit should always be the contentment of our lives… God’s word… it should always be there with us… so that we learn the lessons of Life…
OK then… let me give us some life lessons from Adam and Eve…
In Genesis 1 verse 26-27 we read…[Read Genesis 1:26-27….]
Lesson 1: As Adam and Eves Descendants we all in some way reflect the Image of our God.
Please… take hold of this truth… God loves us… he loves us so much that he made us in his image… his likeness… so that we would and could reflect his image to others…
That which was spoilt in the garden and damaged by sin… God put right in his Son Jesus… he brought all mankind back to himself… in that the gave his son Jesus to pay the penalty of sin…
That disease which was damaging Gods likeness and image in us…
In what ways are we made in God’s image?
I suggest to us this morning that we display Gods image in our creativity… our reasoning… our speech and our determination…
It is our entire self that reflects God… We can never be God… but… we can be like him… we can… reflect his likeness in and through our lives…
God showed himself to us in his Son… Each of us this morning are becoming like his Son… we are becoming more Christ like…
We can and do reflect God and Jesus in us through our Character… Our Love for God and others…
Our Patience… Forgiveness… Kindness… our Faithfulness… our Humility… our Generosity… Can you see this…
You’ve heard people say no doubt … Oh he/she are such a Godly man woman…
Notice… God made Man and Woman in his image…
Neither man nor Woman is made more in his image than the other… From the beginning… the bible places man and woman at the pinnacle of Gods creation…
Hear this Today… God wants to reflect his image and likeness in you… he does that as you and I become more like his Son… Jesus…
Lesson 2: Sin Spreads
Satan here… tried to make Eve think that sin is good… pleasant… and desirable… and I suppose knowledge of good and evil seemed harmless enough to her… but… its root was disobedience…
In our lives also… we can often choose wrong things… choose wrong things because we become convinced that they are good… pleasant… desirable…
Pleasant and attractive sins are hardest to avoid… they don’t always look ugly…
But… God’s word tells us to prepare ourselves… we can’t always prevent temptation… but hear this… we can always find an escape…I Corinthians 10:13 says…
We have to use God’s word… God’s people to help us stand…
Notice what Eve did… She Looked… She Took… She Ate… then She Gave… She Passed it on…
One of the realities of Sin is this… it Spreads… Eve involved someone else in her wrongdoing…
I put it to us… that can so easily be the case for us… by involving someone else… we relieve our own guilt…
Sin when left unchecked spreads… The bible clearly shows that to us…
The worst step we can take is to eliminate the guilty feeling without eliminating the cause…
It would be a bit like taking a pain killer for your rotten tooth with out taking the rotten tooth out… if we don’t remove the tooth… the pain comes back… but it comes back worse than before…
Left uncheck sin will spread… Adam and Eve show us this lesson…
Lesson 3: We cannot Hide from God
Read Genesis 3:9-10…
Hear… we have the first recorded game of Hide and Seek!!!
But… seriously how true it can be of us… when things happen… we think we can hide it from God…
But… our God is an omnipresent God… he is with us wherever we are… whatever we are doing…
Our God loves us unconditionally…
But… Our natural fear leads us to think that when we mess up… we don’t deserve his Love… let me say… Gods love isn’t dependent on us… and what we do… because if it where we’d all fail…
It’s about Jesus… [don’t try and hide in the garden]… bring it all to Jesus… He is our Saviour… he is the one who shed his blood for our sin and wrongdoing…
Understand this… God loves us regardless of our faults… There is nothing we can do to make God love us more and there is nothing we can do to make God love us less…
Adam and Eve show us this lesson… We can’t hide from God…
Oh and by the way… he doesn’t want you to either…
And finally for this morning…
Lesson 4: When Confronted don’t Blame Others
Read Genesis 3:11-13….
Notice… in both cases… their answers involved someone else… they both tried to deflect their fault to someone else…
Ever done that… No… Me… never…
How easy it is to excuse our wrongs by blaming someone else… or blaming a circumstance…
I’ll let you into a secret… God knows the truth anyway…
Another life lesson we can learn this morning is the need for us to stand up and face the consequences of our own actions…
it was him… no it wasn’t... it was you… he made me do it… no I didn’t... you made me do it…
In closing… Adam and Eve represent so much to us as we seek to learn from their experiences…
This morning we’ve only looked at a few…
1: We are made in Gods Image and Likeness… faults and all…
God through the presence of Jesus in our lives is helping us to become… Never forget we reflect the very presence of God through our lives… Jesus said…we are the light and salt…
2: Sin Spreads
Adam and Eve show us that from one act of disobedience the rest of the world was infected…
3: We can’t Hide from God
Never try and hide in the Garden of Life… meet with the Father instead…
4: When Confronted don’t blame others
Without doubt Jesus took it on the chin… Stephen when facing the stones of hatred… said simply this Father Do not hold this sin against them…
He didn’t try to deflect the reasons for his actions towards any other…
We serve a wonderful God who loves us muchly… more than we can ever think or imagine… his word presents to us People… Characters… Situations… Commands that are there to propel us into a life of fullness and joy…
Hear me today… Don’t allow the suggestions and the trickery of the serpent to get you out of joy and peace… because the joy of the Lord is our strength…
I close with the word of the Apostle Paul… 2 Cor 10:3-5
For though we live in the world… we do not wage war as the world does… The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world… On the contrary… they have divine power to demolish strongholds… we demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God… and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ…
If nothing else this morning… realise this… Adam and Eve show us that disobedience to the word of God is not the way…
Listening to arguments against Gods word is not the way… allowing suggestions and thoughts to exalt themselves above God is not the way…
Our biggest life lesson from the story of Adam and Eve is simply this… Obedience will keep you in the Garden…
Let’s Pray…
Have you ever thought what it must have been like to be the first and only person on earth?
You know… its one thing for us to feel lonely… but… in Adams case there was no one else… He missed much of what makes us… who we are…
He had no childhood… no parents… [as we know parents]… no family or friends… He had to learn to be human on his own…
Fortunately though… God didn’t let him struggle to long… He didn’t let him struggle to long… before presenting him with an ideal companion and mate… Eve… in our case… thank you ladies…
At the outset they had a complete… innocent… and open oneness… with out a hint of shame…
Have you ever been in a family gathering when a young child runs through the room unclothed without a hint of shame… the innocence of the child…
Oh how that speaks to us of how it was and could be… [not that we run around naked… but that we are without shame… and transparent before each other…]
Maybe one of Adams first conversions with his delightful companion would have been about garden rules…
We know… that before Eve came along… God had given Adam complete freedom in the garden… with the responsibility to tend and care for it…
But… one tree was off limits… the tree of the knowledge of good and evil… No doubt… Adam told her all about this…
We know very little about Eve… the first woman in the world… yet… she is the mother of us all… She was the final piece in the intricate and amazing puzzle of God’s creation…
Adam… now had another human being to fellowship with… someone with an equal share in God’s image…
Here… was someone alike enough for companionship… yet… now hear this… different enough for relationship…Together they were Greater than they could ever be Alone…
What an incredible truth for us to take in this morning… Together we can become something bigger than we ever can become alone…
Fantastic….
We know how the story goes…
Eve was approached by Satan in the Garden where she and Adam lived… and he questioned her contentment… How did he do this…
He implied… how could you be happy when you’re not allowed to eat from one of the tree’s…
Satan… helped Eve switch her focus… switch her focus from what she could do and what she had…
He moved her focus from all that God had done and given… to the one thing he withheld… sadly… Eve willing accepted Satan’s viewpoint without checking it out with God… or Adam…
Does that sound familiar or what?
How often is our attention drawn from the much which is ours… to the little that isn’t…?
We can sometimes get that… ‘I have to have it’ feeling… in many ways Eve was typical of us all… Our desires like Eves can easily be manipulated… if we’re not careful…
Can you see this…
Truly… we need to keep God in our decision making processes… His word… this book is our guidebook to life’s choices and decisions…
Our relationship with God… Jesus… and the Holy Spirit should always be the contentment of our lives… God’s word… it should always be there with us… so that we learn the lessons of Life…
OK then… let me give us some life lessons from Adam and Eve…
In Genesis 1 verse 26-27 we read…[Read Genesis 1:26-27….]
Lesson 1: As Adam and Eves Descendants we all in some way reflect the Image of our God.
Please… take hold of this truth… God loves us… he loves us so much that he made us in his image… his likeness… so that we would and could reflect his image to others…
That which was spoilt in the garden and damaged by sin… God put right in his Son Jesus… he brought all mankind back to himself… in that the gave his son Jesus to pay the penalty of sin…
That disease which was damaging Gods likeness and image in us…
In what ways are we made in God’s image?
I suggest to us this morning that we display Gods image in our creativity… our reasoning… our speech and our determination…
It is our entire self that reflects God… We can never be God… but… we can be like him… we can… reflect his likeness in and through our lives…
God showed himself to us in his Son… Each of us this morning are becoming like his Son… we are becoming more Christ like…
We can and do reflect God and Jesus in us through our Character… Our Love for God and others…
Our Patience… Forgiveness… Kindness… our Faithfulness… our Humility… our Generosity… Can you see this…
You’ve heard people say no doubt … Oh he/she are such a Godly man woman…
Notice… God made Man and Woman in his image…
Neither man nor Woman is made more in his image than the other… From the beginning… the bible places man and woman at the pinnacle of Gods creation…
Hear this Today… God wants to reflect his image and likeness in you… he does that as you and I become more like his Son… Jesus…
Lesson 2: Sin Spreads
Satan here… tried to make Eve think that sin is good… pleasant… and desirable… and I suppose knowledge of good and evil seemed harmless enough to her… but… its root was disobedience…
In our lives also… we can often choose wrong things… choose wrong things because we become convinced that they are good… pleasant… desirable…
Pleasant and attractive sins are hardest to avoid… they don’t always look ugly…
But… God’s word tells us to prepare ourselves… we can’t always prevent temptation… but hear this… we can always find an escape…I Corinthians 10:13 says…
We have to use God’s word… God’s people to help us stand…
Notice what Eve did… She Looked… She Took… She Ate… then She Gave… She Passed it on…
One of the realities of Sin is this… it Spreads… Eve involved someone else in her wrongdoing…
I put it to us… that can so easily be the case for us… by involving someone else… we relieve our own guilt…
Sin when left unchecked spreads… The bible clearly shows that to us…
The worst step we can take is to eliminate the guilty feeling without eliminating the cause…
It would be a bit like taking a pain killer for your rotten tooth with out taking the rotten tooth out… if we don’t remove the tooth… the pain comes back… but it comes back worse than before…
Left uncheck sin will spread… Adam and Eve show us this lesson…
Lesson 3: We cannot Hide from God
Read Genesis 3:9-10…
Hear… we have the first recorded game of Hide and Seek!!!
But… seriously how true it can be of us… when things happen… we think we can hide it from God…
But… our God is an omnipresent God… he is with us wherever we are… whatever we are doing…
Our God loves us unconditionally…
But… Our natural fear leads us to think that when we mess up… we don’t deserve his Love… let me say… Gods love isn’t dependent on us… and what we do… because if it where we’d all fail…
It’s about Jesus… [don’t try and hide in the garden]… bring it all to Jesus… He is our Saviour… he is the one who shed his blood for our sin and wrongdoing…
Understand this… God loves us regardless of our faults… There is nothing we can do to make God love us more and there is nothing we can do to make God love us less…
Adam and Eve show us this lesson… We can’t hide from God…
Oh and by the way… he doesn’t want you to either…
And finally for this morning…
Lesson 4: When Confronted don’t Blame Others
Read Genesis 3:11-13….
Notice… in both cases… their answers involved someone else… they both tried to deflect their fault to someone else…
Ever done that… No… Me… never…
How easy it is to excuse our wrongs by blaming someone else… or blaming a circumstance…
I’ll let you into a secret… God knows the truth anyway…
Another life lesson we can learn this morning is the need for us to stand up and face the consequences of our own actions…
it was him… no it wasn’t... it was you… he made me do it… no I didn’t... you made me do it…
In closing… Adam and Eve represent so much to us as we seek to learn from their experiences…
This morning we’ve only looked at a few…
1: We are made in Gods Image and Likeness… faults and all…
God through the presence of Jesus in our lives is helping us to become… Never forget we reflect the very presence of God through our lives… Jesus said…we are the light and salt…
2: Sin Spreads
Adam and Eve show us that from one act of disobedience the rest of the world was infected…
3: We can’t Hide from God
Never try and hide in the Garden of Life… meet with the Father instead…
4: When Confronted don’t blame others
Without doubt Jesus took it on the chin… Stephen when facing the stones of hatred… said simply this Father Do not hold this sin against them…
He didn’t try to deflect the reasons for his actions towards any other…
We serve a wonderful God who loves us muchly… more than we can ever think or imagine… his word presents to us People… Characters… Situations… Commands that are there to propel us into a life of fullness and joy…
Hear me today… Don’t allow the suggestions and the trickery of the serpent to get you out of joy and peace… because the joy of the Lord is our strength…
I close with the word of the Apostle Paul… 2 Cor 10:3-5
For though we live in the world… we do not wage war as the world does… The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world… On the contrary… they have divine power to demolish strongholds… we demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God… and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ…
If nothing else this morning… realise this… Adam and Eve show us that disobedience to the word of God is not the way…
Listening to arguments against Gods word is not the way… allowing suggestions and thoughts to exalt themselves above God is not the way…
Our biggest life lesson from the story of Adam and Eve is simply this… Obedience will keep you in the Garden…
Friday, September 3, 2010
Joke of the Day
One Sunday in a Midwest City, a young child was "acting up" during the morning worship hour. The parents did their best to maintain some sense of order in the pew but were losing the battle.
Finally, the father picked the little fellow up and walked sternly up the aisle on his way out.
Just before reaching the safety of the foyer, the little one called loudly to the congregation, "Pray for me! Pray for me!"
Finally, the father picked the little fellow up and walked sternly up the aisle on his way out.
Just before reaching the safety of the foyer, the little one called loudly to the congregation, "Pray for me! Pray for me!"
Christian Poem
| We had finished our pitiful morsel, And both sat in silence a while; At length we looked up at each other. And I said, with the ghost of a smile,-- "Only two little potatoes And a very small crust of bread-- And then?"--"God will care for us, Lucy!" John, quietly answering, said. "Yes, God will provide for us, Lucy!" He said, after musing a while-- I'd been quietly watching his features With a feeble attempt at a smile-- "For, 'trust in the Lord, and do good,' Our Father in Heaven has said, 'So shalt thou dwell in the land, And verily thou shalt be fed!'" Scarcely the words had he spoken, When a faint, little tap at the door Surprised us,--for all the long morning The rain had continued to pour. I am sure I shall never remember The pelting and pitiless rain Of that desolate day in November, Without a dull heart-throb of pain. For work had grown scarcer and scarcer, Till there seemed not a job to be done; We had paid out our very last sixpence, And of fuel and food we had none. John had tried--no one ever tried harder-- For work, but his efforts were vain; And I wondered all faith had not failed him That morning when out in the rain. "Come in!" said John, speaking quite softly. And opening the door a small space, For there stood a thin, little beggar With such a blue, pitiful face! "O sir, if you please sir, I'm hungry, Do give me a small bit of bread!" "Come in, then, you poor, little woman, I am sure you are freezing!" John said. We each caught a hand cold and dripping, And drew the poor trembler in; But she sank at our feet like a baby, Half-frozen, and drenched to the skin. John ran for our last bit of fuel; And I, to an old box, where lay Our own little Maggie's warm clothing,-- Our Maggie--dead many a day! I tore off her old, dripping tatters, And rubbed her blue, shivering form; And then put those precious clothes on her, And made her all glowing and warm. "O ma'am, if you please, I'm so hungry!" Again the dear innocent said; So John brought our two cold potatoes And our one little morsel of bread. "Here, take this,"--he said; and she snatched it, And ate till the last bit was done; And we two looked on, never grudging Our all to the famishing one. I looked up a half-minute after, But John had slipped out in the rain; And the wind was still howling and raging Like some great, cruel monster in pain. Soon the pale, little eyelids grew heavy, And I watched till the weary one slept;-- Then I, a poor weak-hearted woman, Held her closer, and oh, how I wept! With our fire all burned out to black ashes,-- Our very last bit of food gone,-- Poor John, too, out facing the tempest,-- And I left there shiv'ring alone! But the little, warm head on my bosom Seemed so strangely like hers that I lost; And the soft, little hands I was holding, So like the dear hands that I crossed In their last quiet rest,--and those garments-- Ah, those garments!--I mused till it seemed, I had got back my own little Maggie;-- And then, for long hours. I dreamed. "Why Lucy, my girl, you are sleeping!-- Come, rouse up, and get us some tea!"-- It was John, who'd returned, and was speaking-- "Poor wife, you're as cold as can be! See, here are some coals for the firing; And here is a nice loaf of bread,-- A steak, and a morsel of butter, Some tea and some sugar"--he said. "Nay now, do not ask any questions!-- Let me just lay this lammie in bed, And when we have had a nice supper, I'll tell you, dear, all how it sped." And so, when the supper was over-- That supper!--I'll never forget The warm, glowing fire--oh, so cozy-- I can see every coal of it yet-- We knelt down, and John thanked the dear Father For all He had sent us that day;-- Yes: e'en for thee dear, pretty baby His own little lamb gone astray! And then, in a few words, John told me Of his desperate walk in the storm-- Every minute believing, expecting, That God would His promise perform;-- Of the merchant up town who had hailed him, (One of his men being sick,) And hired him to run of a message; And, because he'd been trusty and quick, Had trebled his wages, and told him To come the next morning again; "Just because," added John, softly laughing, "I'd been willing to work in the rain!" Well, long ere the morning dawned on us, The child had grown frantic with pain; And for many long days she lay moaning With the fever that burned in her brain. Every morning John prayed by her pillow, Then went to his work; and I stayed, And kept my sad watch the long day through, And at night he returned to my aid. At length the fierce struggle was over, She lived, and we both were content, For we knew God had given her to us-- His lamb, through the wintry storm sent The fever had burned every record Of home and friends out of her mind; And though we sought long, yet we never Any traces of either could find. And so she grew up by our fireside, And we called her--not Maggie--oh no!-- That name we had laid up in Heaven, And no one must wear it below!-- But we just called her, Pet; and her husband Calls her nothing but Pet to this day:-- She's a grown woman now, and a mother, How swiftly the years glide away! Well, John never has lacked for employment, And we never have wanted a home; We never said nay to a beggar, Or refused one that asked it a crumb. Pet grew up a dear, loving woman-- "God's light in our house," John would say-- And when a good man came and took her, He took us, too, the very same day. But here she comes now with the baby, And grandmother never says nay; So here's a good bye to my story, For baby has come for a play! - Mrs. J. C. Yule |
Recipe of the day
Perfection salad
2 3 oz. pkgs. lemon gelatin1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
3 cups boiling water
1/2 cup vinegar
1 tsp. grated onion
2 cups fine shredded cabbage
1 cup fine chopped celery
1/4 cup green pepper, chopped
1/4 cup diced pimiento
1/3 cup sliced olives
Dissolve gelatin, sugar and salt in boiling
water. add vinegar and blend well. Chill
until very thick, then fold in remaining
ingredients. Pour into an 8x4 inch loaf pan.
Chill until firm. Serve slices on lettuce and
top with mayonnaise.
Thoughts
It's so hard, I know, to find good, christian friends. In this world of chaos, temptation and evil, even so called christians don't own up to being so. That's why we pray for God's help & guidance to find good clean friendship. He will guide you, as He does everything else in your life. You have to be very careful of who you talk with, spend time with, pray with. Some people are about gossiping, back biting, or just to cause division by trying to get you to sin with them. So, before you just jump into any kind of relationship, ask for God's wisdom & guidance to help you with the process. It's better to be alone, than be led down a wrong path, or your life made trouble.
Word of the Day
And David was afraid of God that day. 1 Chron. 13: 12.
THERE was no reason for David to be afraid of God, if he conformed to the rules laid down in Leviticus. There it was expressly ordained that the Ark should be carried on the shoulders of the priests, because the cause of God must proceed through the world by the means of consecrated men, rather than by mechanical instrumentality. David ignored this provision when he placed the Ark on the new cart. He disobeyed the distinct law of the Divine procedure. What wonder that Uzza was struck dead! Fire will burn if you persist in violating its law. Obed edom, on the other hand, studiously obeyed, so far as he knew them, the Divine regulations, and to him the Ark was a source of blessing; just as fire will toil for us in our furnaces and grates, and be the greatest possible benediction to human Iife, if only we carefully conform to its ascertained and immutable law.
God is to us what we are to Him. To Pharaoh, blackness and darkness; to Israel, light and help. To the froward, He is froward; to the merciful man, merciful.To one of the thieves, the cross of Christ was the savour of death unto death, because his heart was impenitent; to the other, the savour of life unto life, because his heart was soft and believing You need not fear God so long as you walk in his ways and do his will. He is to be feared only by those who violate his law. God is a consuming fire. He will make a breach on those who disobey Him. He will consume the evil of our inner life. But let Him be welcomed into your life and home; let the Ark, which is the symbol of his presence, dwell within; bring up your children to minister unto Him; and you will be blessed, with all that you have.
THERE was no reason for David to be afraid of God, if he conformed to the rules laid down in Leviticus. There it was expressly ordained that the Ark should be carried on the shoulders of the priests, because the cause of God must proceed through the world by the means of consecrated men, rather than by mechanical instrumentality. David ignored this provision when he placed the Ark on the new cart. He disobeyed the distinct law of the Divine procedure. What wonder that Uzza was struck dead! Fire will burn if you persist in violating its law. Obed edom, on the other hand, studiously obeyed, so far as he knew them, the Divine regulations, and to him the Ark was a source of blessing; just as fire will toil for us in our furnaces and grates, and be the greatest possible benediction to human Iife, if only we carefully conform to its ascertained and immutable law.
God is to us what we are to Him. To Pharaoh, blackness and darkness; to Israel, light and help. To the froward, He is froward; to the merciful man, merciful.To one of the thieves, the cross of Christ was the savour of death unto death, because his heart was impenitent; to the other, the savour of life unto life, because his heart was soft and believing You need not fear God so long as you walk in his ways and do his will. He is to be feared only by those who violate his law. God is a consuming fire. He will make a breach on those who disobey Him. He will consume the evil of our inner life. But let Him be welcomed into your life and home; let the Ark, which is the symbol of his presence, dwell within; bring up your children to minister unto Him; and you will be blessed, with all that you have.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Intellectually Challenged
You Know You Are Intellectually Challenged When . . .
- If you send a fax with a stamp on it.
- If you think a quarterback is a refund.
- If you try to put M&M's in alphabetical order.
- If you think Boyz II Men is a daycare center.
- If you think Eartha Kitt was a set of garden tools.
- If you think General Motors is in the army.
- On you job application, you put "Hooked on Phonics."
- If you try to drown a fish.
- If you trip over a cordless phone.
- If you spend 20 minutes looking at the orange juice can because it says "concentrate."
- If you tell someone to meet you at the corner of "WALK" and "DON'T WALK."
- If you ask for a price check at the Dollar Store.
- If it takes you 2 hours to watch "60 Minutes."
- If you try to speak your mind, and you look speechless.
- If you study for a blood test and failed.
- If you think you need a token to get on "Soul Train."
- If you sell your car for gas money! If when informed that 90% of all crimes occur around the home, you move.
- If you think think that Taco Bell is the Mexican phone company.
- If having missed the #44 bus, you take the #22 bus twice instead.
- If when at the airport you see a sign that says "Airport Left," and you turn around and head home.
- If you send a fax with a stamp on it.
- If you think a quarterback is a refund.
- If you try to put M&M's in alphabetical order.
- If you think Boyz II Men is a daycare center.
- If you think Eartha Kitt was a set of garden tools.
- If you think General Motors is in the army.
- On you job application, you put "Hooked on Phonics."
- If you try to drown a fish.
- If you trip over a cordless phone.
- If you spend 20 minutes looking at the orange juice can because it says "concentrate."
- If you tell someone to meet you at the corner of "WALK" and "DON'T WALK."
- If you ask for a price check at the Dollar Store.
- If it takes you 2 hours to watch "60 Minutes."
- If you try to speak your mind, and you look speechless.
- If you study for a blood test and failed.
- If you think you need a token to get on "Soul Train."
- If you sell your car for gas money! If when informed that 90% of all crimes occur around the home, you move.
- If you think think that Taco Bell is the Mexican phone company.
- If having missed the #44 bus, you take the #22 bus twice instead.
- If when at the airport you see a sign that says "Airport Left," and you turn around and head home.
Word of the Day
And He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female', and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man seperate." Matthew 19:4-6
God knew he needed more. Adam was king over the ocean, the sky, the trees, the animals--nothing existed that he didn't have, except her. Eve, conceived through Adam's own life, became the necessary angle of a spiritual triangle that helped mankind best to see God. With God above and the two below ever seeking His face, inevitably they grew closer together as they neared God's presence, a perfect picture of God's love relationship with His family.
But since the fall, things haven't been the same. Where love and trust once grew, now seeds of doubt, despair--even divorce--have sprouted like kudzu, covering the accurate picture of hope God intends for His people.
The truth is, Christians are bound to perfection, still. We just don't need to look for it in our mates. Instead, we find our strength and a steady love from above, from Our Heavenly father, who does not change like shifting shadows. As we receive from Him His endless grace and abounding mercy, we find the freedom to love the spouse God has given us and to allow ourselves the vulnerability required to trust God and our mate. God says that perfect love casts out fear. When we discover God's perfect love for us, our fear of failure, rejection, and of being forgotten simply fades away, and the beauty of Christ's light warms our hearts toward all those around us.
God knew he needed more. Adam was king over the ocean, the sky, the trees, the animals--nothing existed that he didn't have, except her. Eve, conceived through Adam's own life, became the necessary angle of a spiritual triangle that helped mankind best to see God. With God above and the two below ever seeking His face, inevitably they grew closer together as they neared God's presence, a perfect picture of God's love relationship with His family.
But since the fall, things haven't been the same. Where love and trust once grew, now seeds of doubt, despair--even divorce--have sprouted like kudzu, covering the accurate picture of hope God intends for His people.
The truth is, Christians are bound to perfection, still. We just don't need to look for it in our mates. Instead, we find our strength and a steady love from above, from Our Heavenly father, who does not change like shifting shadows. As we receive from Him His endless grace and abounding mercy, we find the freedom to love the spouse God has given us and to allow ourselves the vulnerability required to trust God and our mate. God says that perfect love casts out fear. When we discover God's perfect love for us, our fear of failure, rejection, and of being forgotten simply fades away, and the beauty of Christ's light warms our hearts toward all those around us.
Recipe of the day
Shrimp w/Grape pasta salad::
Ingredients:
All Ingredients will be fully mixed.
Ingredients:
2 cups seedless grapes in California
2 cups cooked orzo pasta (shaped like a grain of rice in Italy pasta), brown water
8 ounces (1 oz equivalent to 28.35 grams) cooked shrimp
1 cup cucumber, cut into box
1 / 4 cup green pepper, cut into box
1 / 2 teaspoon salt
1 / 2 teaspoon dry dill (dill mainly produced in the Soviet Union, India, the United Kingdom, the United States, the Netherlands, Romania, Spain, and other places. Strong flavor of dill grass, a bit like the flavor of carvone seed. Taste is a bit cooler, but not mild stimulate. grass chopped dill, in the soup, lettuce salad and some seafood dishes, to promote the effectiveness of flavor.)
1 / 8 teaspoon pepper
2 cups cooked orzo pasta (shaped like a grain of rice in Italy pasta), brown water
8 ounces (1 oz equivalent to 28.35 grams) cooked shrimp
1 cup cucumber, cut into box
1 / 4 cup green pepper, cut into box
1 / 2 teaspoon salt
1 / 2 teaspoon dry dill (dill mainly produced in the Soviet Union, India, the United Kingdom, the United States, the Netherlands, Romania, Spain, and other places. Strong flavor of dill grass, a bit like the flavor of carvone seed. Taste is a bit cooler, but not mild stimulate. grass chopped dill, in the soup, lettuce salad and some seafood dishes, to promote the effectiveness of flavor.)
1 / 8 teaspoon pepper
Direction for mustard dill seasoning:
1 / 4 cup vinegar Liquor
1 large tablespoon olive oil
1 large tablespoon Dijon style mustard France and the United Kingdom Worcestershire sand Division
1 garlic
1 teaspoon dry at the end of dill and onion
1 / 2 teaspoon crushed pepper
1 / 4 cup vinegar Liquor
1 large tablespoon olive oil
1 large tablespoon Dijon style mustard France and the United Kingdom Worcestershire sand Division
1 garlic
1 teaspoon dry at the end of dill and onion
1 / 2 teaspoon crushed pepper
Recipes Direction:
Cooking macaroni, or boiled in salt water 9-11 minutes until just cooked soft. Drain the pasta will be hot water with two tablespoons of mustard dill sauces fully stir and let cool. 's Accession to the remaining material, including the remaining seasonings, mixing full. Add to cover refrigerator can be eaten.
Had made mustard dill seasoning: All Ingredients will be fully mixed.
Quote of the day
Our prayer and God's mercy are like two buckets in a well; while one ascends, the other descends.
Joke of the Day
Three Pastors in the south were having lunch in a diner. One said "Ya know, since summer started I've been having trouble with bats in my loft and attic at church. I've tried everything--noise, spray, cats--nothing seems to scare them away.
Another said "Yea, me too. I've got hundreds living in my belfry and in the narthex attic. I've even had the place fumigated, and they won't go away."
The third said, "I baptized all mine, and made them members of the church... Haven't seen one back since!!!"
Another said "Yea, me too. I've got hundreds living in my belfry and in the narthex attic. I've even had the place fumigated, and they won't go away."
The third said, "I baptized all mine, and made them members of the church... Haven't seen one back since!!!"
Christian Poem
We met one fresh June-morn, Chlodine,
Where two roads came together;
I'd travelled far through storm and rain,
And you, through pleasant weather.
I loved you for the light, Chlodine,
Of summer all around you,--
I loved you foil the sweet June-flowers,
Whose dewy garlands bound you!
You loved me not, Chlodine, because
The storms had beat upon me;
Because there was no breath of flowers,
No summer sunshine on me;--
You could not see, Chlodine, that deep
Within my soul were growing
Fresh flowers that evermore would keep
The fragrance of their blowing.
And so we parted--you and I--
Your ways all fresh and flowering;
Mine, rocky steeps up mountains high,
'Neath skies with tempests lowering;
And yet the sunshine spoilt your flowers,--
Mine, bitter grief-drops nourished,
And while yours withered day by day,
Mine bloomed the more, and flourished
And now we're met again, Chlodine,
You love me for my flowers,
Their perfume scenting all the air.
Like breath of Eden-bowers;--
I love you not, Chlodine, alas!
You're changed since those old mornings,
Your regal summer-robes are lost,
With all their rare adornings!
We stand together side by side,
And yet, at farthest, never,
Before stretched out so far and wide
The distance that did sever
Us, as to-day it does, Chlodine,
Though hand touch hand in greeting,
And never again shall we know, Chlodine,
Another June-day meeting. - Mrs. J. C. Yule
Where two roads came together;
I'd travelled far through storm and rain,
And you, through pleasant weather.
I loved you for the light, Chlodine,
Of summer all around you,--
I loved you foil the sweet June-flowers,
Whose dewy garlands bound you!
You loved me not, Chlodine, because
The storms had beat upon me;
Because there was no breath of flowers,
No summer sunshine on me;--
You could not see, Chlodine, that deep
Within my soul were growing
Fresh flowers that evermore would keep
The fragrance of their blowing.
And so we parted--you and I--
Your ways all fresh and flowering;
Mine, rocky steeps up mountains high,
'Neath skies with tempests lowering;
And yet the sunshine spoilt your flowers,--
Mine, bitter grief-drops nourished,
And while yours withered day by day,
Mine bloomed the more, and flourished
And now we're met again, Chlodine,
You love me for my flowers,
Their perfume scenting all the air.
Like breath of Eden-bowers;--
I love you not, Chlodine, alas!
You're changed since those old mornings,
Your regal summer-robes are lost,
With all their rare adornings!
We stand together side by side,
And yet, at farthest, never,
Before stretched out so far and wide
The distance that did sever
Us, as to-day it does, Chlodine,
Though hand touch hand in greeting,
And never again shall we know, Chlodine,
Another June-day meeting. - Mrs. J. C. Yule
Daily Devotional
ll these men of war, that could keep rank, came to make David king. I Chron. 12: 38.
THE crowning of David secured the unity of Israel. Because all these men of war converged on the chosen king, they met each other, and became one great nation. The enthroning of David was the uniting of the kingdom. Herein is the secret of the unity of the Church. We shall never secure it by endeavouring to bring about an unity in thought, or act, or organization. It is as each individual heart enthrones the Saviour that each will become one with all kindred souls in the everlasting kingdom.
Is your heart perfect to make Christ king? We read in verse 33 of Zebulon, whose warriors were not of a double heart; the margin says they were "without a heart and a heart." The double minded man is unstable in all his ways; he is not to be relied upon in his loyalty or service to his king. The only blessed life is that of the man whose eye is single. It is only such an one that receives anything from the Lord. Let us ask that the thoughts of our hearts may be cleansed by the inspiration of God's Holy Spirit, that our hearts may be perfect towards Him, and so perfect to all who hold Jesus as King and Head, though they differ from us in minor points. Different regiments, but one army, one movement, one king.
Let us learn to keep rank, shoulder to shoulder, and in step, with our brethren. Too many like to break the ranks, and do God's work independently. Fifty men who act together will do greater execution than five hundred acting apart. There is too much of this guerilla fighting. Unity is strength; and in their efforts to overthrow the kingdom of Satan it is most essential that the soldiers of Christ move in rank and keep step.
THE crowning of David secured the unity of Israel. Because all these men of war converged on the chosen king, they met each other, and became one great nation. The enthroning of David was the uniting of the kingdom. Herein is the secret of the unity of the Church. We shall never secure it by endeavouring to bring about an unity in thought, or act, or organization. It is as each individual heart enthrones the Saviour that each will become one with all kindred souls in the everlasting kingdom.
Is your heart perfect to make Christ king? We read in verse 33 of Zebulon, whose warriors were not of a double heart; the margin says they were "without a heart and a heart." The double minded man is unstable in all his ways; he is not to be relied upon in his loyalty or service to his king. The only blessed life is that of the man whose eye is single. It is only such an one that receives anything from the Lord. Let us ask that the thoughts of our hearts may be cleansed by the inspiration of God's Holy Spirit, that our hearts may be perfect towards Him, and so perfect to all who hold Jesus as King and Head, though they differ from us in minor points. Different regiments, but one army, one movement, one king.
Let us learn to keep rank, shoulder to shoulder, and in step, with our brethren. Too many like to break the ranks, and do God's work independently. Fifty men who act together will do greater execution than five hundred acting apart. There is too much of this guerilla fighting. Unity is strength; and in their efforts to overthrow the kingdom of Satan it is most essential that the soldiers of Christ move in rank and keep step.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Not The Same - posted by Recycle Your Faith (RecycleYourFaith) - tangle.com
Not The Same - posted by Recycle Your Faith (RecycleYourFaith) - tangle.com
Awesome!!! I wish I could do this!!! Anybody want to open one up here??? Let me know!!!
Awesome!!! I wish I could do this!!! Anybody want to open one up here??? Let me know!!!
Quote of the day
There is a wealth of unexpressed love in the world. It is one of the chief causes of sorrow evoked by death: what might have been said or might have been done that never can be said or done.
Joke of the Day
A friend was in front of me coming out of church one day, and the preacher was standing at the door as he always is to shake hands. He grabbed my friend by the hand and pulled him aside.
The Pastor said to him, "You need to join the Army of the Lord!"
My friend replied, "I'm already in the Army of the Lord, Pastor." Pastor questioned, "How come I don't see you except at Christmas and Easter?"
He whispered back, "I'm in the secret service."
The Pastor said to him, "You need to join the Army of the Lord!"
My friend replied, "I'm already in the Army of the Lord, Pastor." Pastor questioned, "How come I don't see you except at Christmas and Easter?"
He whispered back, "I'm in the secret service."
Recipe of the day
Texas Sunrise Recipes
Drink with NO ALCOHOL
Try an non-alcoholic cocktails on this holiday season. A best choice for non-drinking people.
Ingredients
8 ounces chilled orange juice
¾ ounce grenadine syrup
Cracked or shaved ice (optional)
Directions
1. Add orange juice to glass and add grenadine.
2. Let syrup settle on the bottom or stir, as desired.
3. Add ice (optional) if desired.
Drink with NO ALCOHOL
Try an non-alcoholic cocktails on this holiday season. A best choice for non-drinking people.
Ingredients
8 ounces chilled orange juice
¾ ounce grenadine syrup
Cracked or shaved ice (optional)
Directions
1. Add orange juice to glass and add grenadine.
2. Let syrup settle on the bottom or stir, as desired.
3. Add ice (optional) if desired.
Christian Poem
| Come home! come home! O loved and lost, we sigh Thus, ever, while the weary days go by, And bring thee not. We miss thy bright, young face, Thy bounding step, thy form of girlish grace, Thy pleasant, tuneful voice,-- We miss thee when the dewy evening hours Come with their coolness to our garden, bowers,-- We miss thee when the warbler's tuneful lay Welcomes the rising glories of the day And all glad things rejoice! Come home!--the vine that climbs our cottage eaves, Hath a low murmur 'mid its glossy leaves When the south wind sweeps by, that seems to be Too deeply laden with sad thoughts of thee-- Of thee, our absent one!-- The roses blossom, and their beauties die, And the sweet violet opes its pensive eye By thee unseen; and from the old, beech tree Thy robin pours his song unheard by thee, Dally at set of sun! Dearest, come home! Thy harp neglected lies, Breathing no more its wonted melodies; Thy favourite books, unopened, in their case, Just as thy hands arranged them, keep their place, And vacant is thy seat Beside the hearth. At the still hour of prayer Thou com'st no more with quiet, reverent air; And when, around the social board, each face Brings its warm welcome, there's one vacant place-- One smile we may not meet. Come home!--thy home was never wont to be A place where clouds might rest; yet, wanting thee, All pleasant scenes have dull and tasteless grown, And shadows lower-shadows, erewhile unknown Of ever-deepening gloom. The halls where erst thy happy childhood played, The pleasant garden by thy fair hands made, The bower thy sunny presence made so fair, Are all unchanged,--yet grief is everywhere;-- Dear one, come home! Come home?--come home?--alas, what have I said? Beyond the stars, beloved, thy feet have sped! No more to press these garden paths with mine, Or walk beside my own at day's decline-- No more--no more to come To these old summer haunts! But I shall stay A little while; and then, at fall of day, I, too, like thee, shall sleep, and wake to see Thy Lord and mine, and so shall ever be With Him and thee at home! - Mrs. J. C. Yule |
Daily Devotional
Oh that one would give me drink of the water at the well of Bethlehem! 1 Chron, 11: 17.
DAVID had often drunk of this well. As a boy he had gone with his mother to draw its clear, cold water. It was, therefore, associated with the happy days of childhood and youth that lay behind the haze of the years. In the sultry afternoon, as, from the cave in which be was hiding, he looked across the valley where his ancestress Ruth had gleaned in the fields of Boaz, to the long straggling town of his birth, it seemed as though nothing could stay his passionate longing for a draught of the water of the well of Bethlehem that was at the gate.
Sometimes longings like his take possession of us. We desire to drink again the waters of comparative innocence, of child like trust and joy; to drink again of the fountains of human love; to have the bright, fresh rapture in God, and nature, and home. But it is a mistake to look back. Here and now, within us, Jesus is waiting to open the well of living water which springs up to eternal life, of which if we drink we never thirst.
Purity is better than innocence; the blessedness which comes through suffering is richer than the gladsomeness of childhood; the peace of the heart is more than peace of circumstances. We have solace in Jesus, which even the dear love of home could not equal; and before us lies the reunion with the blessed dead. How shall we thank Him who, at the cost of his own blood, broke through the hosts of our foes, and won for us the river of life; and who for evermore will lead us to the fountains, where life rises fresh from the heart of God! Listen to his voice as He bids us drink abundantly: "Let him that is athirst come; and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."
DAVID had often drunk of this well. As a boy he had gone with his mother to draw its clear, cold water. It was, therefore, associated with the happy days of childhood and youth that lay behind the haze of the years. In the sultry afternoon, as, from the cave in which be was hiding, he looked across the valley where his ancestress Ruth had gleaned in the fields of Boaz, to the long straggling town of his birth, it seemed as though nothing could stay his passionate longing for a draught of the water of the well of Bethlehem that was at the gate.
Sometimes longings like his take possession of us. We desire to drink again the waters of comparative innocence, of child like trust and joy; to drink again of the fountains of human love; to have the bright, fresh rapture in God, and nature, and home. But it is a mistake to look back. Here and now, within us, Jesus is waiting to open the well of living water which springs up to eternal life, of which if we drink we never thirst.
Purity is better than innocence; the blessedness which comes through suffering is richer than the gladsomeness of childhood; the peace of the heart is more than peace of circumstances. We have solace in Jesus, which even the dear love of home could not equal; and before us lies the reunion with the blessed dead. How shall we thank Him who, at the cost of his own blood, broke through the hosts of our foes, and won for us the river of life; and who for evermore will lead us to the fountains, where life rises fresh from the heart of God! Listen to his voice as He bids us drink abundantly: "Let him that is athirst come; and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
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