Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Connected
We had a great Bible Study this morning and baptism is always a fun subject for people. I think one of the best insights from this morning was when we talked about the presence of the Trinity (God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit) all being present at the Jordon River when Jesus was being baptized by John. It was a great day and all, I'm sure that some people may have been impressed by God's voice and the Holy Spirit all "doved" up, however what inspired me about the day was seeing the presence of the Trinity more as being connected through time. God representing creation and the time leading up to Jesus and his ministry to that of the Holy Spirit which connects us in the present.
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I have been receiving this newsletter from Joe White, who spoke at UCM last fall (so awesome!)in my email and wanted to share it:
ReplyDeleteWithout a doubt the most thrilling, meaningful unforgettable place I've ever visited in my life is "Jesus' neighborhood." Walking in the places he walked, sailing on the lake where he fished, looking down into the well he drank from, and observing the pool where he healed a man who'd been waiting there for 38 years in his paralytic sickness were the most memorable days of my life!
Of all the amazing sights, there was none that blew me away as completely as seeing mosaic artwork in Jerusalem that dated back to Jesus' days on earth. 1000's of tiny pieces of colorful tile arrayed by a master designer into a side walk design that not only would capture the eyes of countless admirers who would tread upon it, but would stand the test of the centuries and capture the imagination of pilgrims to the Holy Land 200 decades later.
God's word says you are "His workmanship", his mosaic masterpiece. He designs you to be "A marvel to many" so that those who encounter you can see the kindness in Jesus' eyes, the steadying reassurance in his smile, the purposeful mission of his feet and the comforting words from his lips.
Today you don't feel like a mosaic masterpiece—me either. Today you're only one tiny mosaic tile. The problems and challenges you face today are molding , carving and shaping that piece of tile and as you relinquish your heart to the master's touch, tonight as you pray and put your head on the pillow, he'll place that tiny piece of mosaic tile into the picture he's making with your life. Tomorrow there'll be another piece of tile awaiting you when you wake up. It will be a slightly different shape, a slightly different color. Like today's tile it won't make a lot of since in and of it's self but as you yield your restless heart to Him, he'll lay that piece of tile too in that beautiful puzzle of mosaic artwork he's fashioning with your life. A new set of circumstances, (some fun, some meaningful, some thrilling, some difficult, some seemingly impossible shaping each ceramic piece of the masterpiece) will come your way each day putting unique color and unique shape into each tile, each day so the master designer can do His perfect will in your life.
A soldier returned from Iraq without his left leg. A roadside bomb caused his tragic amputation. An admirer I know shook his hand and thanked the soldier for "losing his leg in Iraq."
The Marine looked him steadily in the eyes and calmly said, "Thank you, but I didn't loose my leg in Iraq, I gave my leg in Iraq."
Yielding to the master in days of distress and at the mystery of "counting it all joy when you encounter various trials" is the difference between "Losing your life" and "giving your life".
Every believer has that choice every day.
"For it is Christ who is at work in you to will and to work for His good pleasure." He's got a job for you. It's a good one that no one else can do.
Will you give Him your tiny piece of mosaic tile today? Will you trust him with your circumstances as you place your head on your pillow tonight?
I'd take all my days fighting leukemia and prostate cancer and all the holes that the doctors have poked into my skin, my tissue and my bones for one person, one soul, one eternal life that has gained Christ through my circumstances. In a trillion years, nothing else will matter…
I believe in you-
Joe White
Kanakuk Kamps
1353 Lake Shore Dr
Branson, MO 65616