This week has been a long one for us and many others in our family and the church family. My husband's oldest sister was in the hospital for a couple weeks, in very bad shape. Her heart was not pumping blood like it should have been. And, we eventually lost her on Saturday night.
Last Monday, my pastor's daughter had to go to the emergency room because of her blood pressure which has shot up very high. She is a recipient of a kidney transplant, and she has to be very careful of her health. They kept her over night and did lots more tests on her. They eventually found she had six blockages from the medication she had taken as anti-rejection medication over the past thirteen years. She was lucky; most transplant patients never make it to that stage before they die. God has a work for her to do, and she's in the process of writing a book about her experiences for encouragement to others who have had lupus, and had to undergo things she has over the years. She had the operation on Friday. Today, when I went in to see her, she had improved so much since we saw her . . .
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We were watching the portrayal of the last week of Jesus? life on earth. The actors depicted the Biblical characters with skill and the performance to that point had been flawless. Then a woman ran to a prominent place on the set before us. She was agitated and called out to Jesus, waving her arms to get his attention. The actor playing the Saviour turned and began to walk toward her. She continued to gesture and talk rapidly.
It was at that point that I realized there was something different about the way in which the woman was speaking. The other actors seemed to have no problem projecting their voices in the natural amphitheatre, but this woman's words were muffled and clipped, as though she wasn't quite finishing them. Then she began to move her hands as she spoke and I realized her voice sounded different because she had a hearing impairment. I hadn't expected to see a deaf person acting in the Passion Play, and it made me sit up and take notice.
As Jesus came within a few feet of her, he was facing the audience and his voice boomed out toward us. Then he did something that took my breath away. As he spoke, he . . .
It was at that point that I realized there was something different about the way in which the woman was speaking. The other actors seemed to have no problem projecting their voices in the natural amphitheatre, but this woman's words were muffled and clipped, as though she wasn't quite finishing them. Then she began to move her hands as she spoke and I realized her voice sounded different because she had a hearing impairment. I hadn't expected to see a deaf person acting in the Passion Play, and it made me sit up and take notice.
As Jesus came within a few feet of her, he was facing the audience and his voice boomed out toward us. Then he did something that took my breath away. As he spoke, he . . .
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If anyone had a right to ask, "why me, God?", it was Hagar. Sure she had been a willing participant, but none of this had been her idea, and she really couldn't have refused her mistress Sarah. Now look where it got her! They needed her and she agreed. She let them have her most precious possession, her body. She had given them a son they could not have on their own and was pleased to be able to. For Abraham and Sarah to die with no heir would be tragic.
It's not as if she had been trying to steal Abraham from Sarah. She had total respect for Abraham and for Sarah for that matter, though she wondered why God had made her mistress barren. Not for her to wonder, though many times she thought, why does Sarah have such a good husband and I have none, but God must have a reason and she accepted her position as Sarah's maid. And it was a good position in the home of a wealthy and kind man. She could do much worse.
She loaded herself with as much water and food as she could carry for herself and Ishmael and headed out into the wilderness. She was frightened. Who would they meet? They would almost certainly . . .
It's not as if she had been trying to steal Abraham from Sarah. She had total respect for Abraham and for Sarah for that matter, though she wondered why God had made her mistress barren. Not for her to wonder, though many times she thought, why does Sarah have such a good husband and I have none, but God must have a reason and she accepted her position as Sarah's maid. And it was a good position in the home of a wealthy and kind man. She could do much worse.
She loaded herself with as much water and food as she could carry for herself and Ishmael and headed out into the wilderness. She was frightened. Who would they meet? They would almost certainly . . .
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I love weddings! I sit misty-eyed beside my husband of twenty years, hold hands, get all warm and fuzzy inside, and feel like I am getting married all over again! Of course, I compare any wedding I attend to my own, decide none can compare, and then return home to the real world of laundry, bathrooms, and messy boys? rooms! Somehow the warm, fuzzy feeling fades real fast...grin...
Several years ago we attended the lovely wedding of our pastor's son. Our pastor had already told us of his role in the wedding. Pastor? Dad of the groom? Well, sorta....but with an added honor...his son had asked him to be his BEST MAN! Now we all know that a "best man" is a groom's "best friend," so our pastor, with buttons popping everywhere, proudly stood beside his son on this special day - his dad, his pastor, and his best friend! It was wonderful to watch!
Our Heavenly Father wants to be OUR best Friend too...if we will let Him. Let's go to the Well and delve a little deeper into the relationship we have with the Lord of the Universe and the Lover of Our Soul! The wedding is about to begin...
Several years ago we attended the lovely wedding of our pastor's son. Our pastor had already told us of his role in the wedding. Pastor? Dad of the groom? Well, sorta....but with an added honor...his son had asked him to be his BEST MAN! Now we all know that a "best man" is a groom's "best friend," so our pastor, with buttons popping everywhere, proudly stood beside his son on this special day - his dad, his pastor, and his best friend! It was wonderful to watch!
Our Heavenly Father wants to be OUR best Friend too...if we will let Him. Let's go to the Well and delve a little deeper into the relationship we have with the Lord of the Universe and the Lover of Our Soul! The wedding is about to begin...
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The circumcision of Christ I claim and celebrate in baptism through faith in the working of God.
I. The Object of My Faith is More Important than Amount or Intent.
Through the first verses of this chapter Paul commends them for their faith, but particularly he directs to them to the object of their faith, Jesus Christ. In verse 9 he states Christ as the One in whom the fullness of deity dwells, that is Jesus is God dwelling in human form. This is the first step, the object of our faith is more important than the amount of faith exercised. You can be as devout as you can in terms of how severe you are with your body or which foods you don't eat, but it is Jesus in whom we trust, not my self discipline, not my interpretation of what I should do or should not do.
II. The Object of My Faith, Jesus, Accomplishes My Salvation.
In verse 10 Paul simply says in Him you have been made complete. Jesus is the author and perfecter of my faith. The essence of the statement Paul makes is that . . .
I. The Object of My Faith is More Important than Amount or Intent.
Through the first verses of this chapter Paul commends them for their faith, but particularly he directs to them to the object of their faith, Jesus Christ. In verse 9 he states Christ as the One in whom the fullness of deity dwells, that is Jesus is God dwelling in human form. This is the first step, the object of our faith is more important than the amount of faith exercised. You can be as devout as you can in terms of how severe you are with your body or which foods you don't eat, but it is Jesus in whom we trust, not my self discipline, not my interpretation of what I should do or should not do.
II. The Object of My Faith, Jesus, Accomplishes My Salvation.
In verse 10 Paul simply says in Him you have been made complete. Jesus is the author and perfecter of my faith. The essence of the statement Paul makes is that . . .
Subcategories
The Spur Article Count: 92
Marcia Laycock is a pastor's wife and freelance writer living in Alberta Canada. Her devotional book The Spur of the Moment has been endorsed by Janette Oke, Phil Callaway and others. To order, and to view more of Marcia's writing, see her web site - www.vinemarc.com
Wonders of Creation Article Count: 37
Written By Richard Gunther.
Harris Dvores Article Count: 1
Harris Dvores is a corporate lawyer in Orlando, Florida. But only from 9 to 5. For more than 20 years, he has pursued his passion to create: everything from Christian music and church skits, to Star Trek scripts and board games. His new website, www.harrisdvores.com, is a playground for the mind and spirit. A Jewish believer, Harris has been given truly amazing stories to share about the power of God.
Rev. Spence Laycock Article Count: 49
Rev. Spence Laycock pastors at Church of the Open Bible, Ponoka, Alberta, Canada.
Pastor Bert Nieuwenhuis Article Count: 2
Pastor Bert Nieuwenhuis is the interim pastor at Somerset Bible Chapel, Manitoba, Canada.
Diane Davis Article Count: 1
Diane Davis, a former policewoman in Toronto, recently retired from a lengthy career as a civilian member of the Ontario Provincial Police. Amongst many things, she is now turning her attention to writing, music, and her 5 grandchildren. She is also Pastor Tim's mom.
Melva's Devotions Article Count: 48
Blog Writings by Melva Cooper.
Melva Cooper is a wife, mother and grandmother from Jonesboro, Arkansas. God has given her, in her retirement years, the ministry of writing for HIM. "Even in old age, you will still produce fruit" is a verse He has given her (Psalm 92:14). And it is her desire to serve Him all the days of her life.
Barb's Mantle Article Count: 59
Barbara, a Christian homemaker, began her Web Site through encouragement from her son, and a dream. It quickly became a ministry for the Lord. She began writing devotionals to encourage, inspire, and build up spiritually those coming to her site. Barbara is a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.
Sandra Boyte Article Count: 10
Writing poetry that brings glory to God is Sandra's passion. No matter where she has lived, or what she has gone through, she has found that God is always there before her to lead her in His paths and to catch her when she falls. Married, with two sons two granddaughters on the way, Sandra's future goals include writing more poetry trying her hand at writing short devotionals for children.
Dr. Harold McNabb Article Count: 98
Dr. Harold McNabb pastors at Westshore Presbyterian Church in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
Peggie's Den Article Count: 77
"Ever feel as though life is a lions' den and like Daniel, you're right in the middle of it all? Enjoy these "Devotions from the Den" (Lions 'n Life at Peggie's Place) and delight in God's promises of love, joy and peace for whatever is happening in YOUR den today!"
Misc Article Count: 77
Miscellaneous archived items.