When one mentions vision, people automatically think of your eyes. Vision does have to do with the eyes, possibly, in more ways than one. For your every day vision, you need to keep your eyes tested against eye diseases that could render you blind, if not treated in time. Our eyes are one of our most prized possessions. Without them, you would not be able to see things around you- your family, the beautiful world the Lord has made, or to be able to read and write.
The vision I'm talking about, though, is the vision God has for His people. Many of us are wondering around, lost, unable to function like we should. We are like a leaf that just flutters in the wind, a blade of grass that grows a little, and then is cut down by the blade of a lawn mower. We never take root like the great oak tree. We don't become established like the Lord meant for us to do.
Many don't even realize there is a vision for the church people! For them, it's ?go to church on Sunday?, and wait until next Sunday to even open their Bible! They never get the Word down in their hearts and souls, therefore, wondering around without any ?protection? from the . . .
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By adulthood most of us have experience with grieving the loss of someone we love.
David has just learned that his best friend, Jonathan and King Saul, Jonathan's father have been killed in battle.
What we read is David's response to his grief?his lament.
There are some very interesting features to his lament.
The first is that it is totally a masculine response. When he speaks of Jonathan and Saul, he speaks about them by what they do, not their connections with each other or his to them, except at the very end of the lament.
Both die as soldiers on the battle-field and David's imagery is the imagery of fallen warriors. He even expresses his sorrow picturing their scattered weapons and armor lying unattended . . .
David has just learned that his best friend, Jonathan and King Saul, Jonathan's father have been killed in battle.
What we read is David's response to his grief?his lament.
There are some very interesting features to his lament.
The first is that it is totally a masculine response. When he speaks of Jonathan and Saul, he speaks about them by what they do, not their connections with each other or his to them, except at the very end of the lament.
Both die as soldiers on the battle-field and David's imagery is the imagery of fallen warriors. He even expresses his sorrow picturing their scattered weapons and armor lying unattended . . .
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Our bodies are amazing acts of creation. As I looked at some of the details of how they work, I was amazed to find just how much our body does. Did you know that in one twenty four hour period your heart beats 103,689 times; your blood travels 168,000,000 miles; you breathe 23,040 times; you inhale 438 cubic feet of air, and fortunately you exhale the same amount; you move 750 muscles; and you exercise 7,000,000 brain cells, or at least you're supposed to. All this seen and unseen work is accomplished by a body of many parts, bones and muscle and organs and tissue, all working together.
There is a passage in Ephesians where Paul describes the church as a body which Jesus Christ has fitted together and which is connected to each other by that which each part supplies. I'd like to push that metaphor just a little further today and examine what I would call the connective tissue. In our physical bodies, connective tissue refers to tissues that surround, protect, and support all of the other structure in the body. They help transport substances, protect against disease, and help repair tissue damage. The connective tissue doesn't do the work that . . .
There is a passage in Ephesians where Paul describes the church as a body which Jesus Christ has fitted together and which is connected to each other by that which each part supplies. I'd like to push that metaphor just a little further today and examine what I would call the connective tissue. In our physical bodies, connective tissue refers to tissues that surround, protect, and support all of the other structure in the body. They help transport substances, protect against disease, and help repair tissue damage. The connective tissue doesn't do the work that . . .
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Multimillion-dollar houses came crashing down a hill in Southern California. Power poles popped and cracked as they tumbled right before everyone's eyes. Grabbing their children and pets, many people fled as the streets beneath them buckled. Several injuries, but no immediate deaths, resulted from the humongous slide on steep sandstone hills covered with large homes.
Geologists have known for years those shifting sand hills were not safe to build upon. But, because of the gorgeous views from the Pacific coastal bluffs the area continued to be desirable real estate. Now, foundations of homes were left exposed and streets ended abruptly when the sand shifted below them.
Sometimes we find ourselves listening to what God says, but do not follow up with obedience. The people who built their houses on the sandstone hills learned how quickly they could come tumbling down following a particularly wet winter.
There are, also, consequences when we ignore God's Word and continue . . .
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Flowers are beautiful this time of year. Some have been in bloom for awhile; others have just begun to put on buds. The gardens around the area are just blossoming with blooms of all colors, shapes, forms, and sizes. The avid gardener just can't get enough of flowers blooming at the same time. One flower just calls for another. Ask my Mom! She has flowers all over the place! There's not a spot in her yards that you won't find one blooming flower this time of year! There are hanging baskets all over the place - in the trees, under the carport, and on the porch! And she's gotten me into the habit again, after many years of no flowers around our home.
Flowers have to be tended, watered, and fertilized. Without the proper treatment, they will shrivel up and die, or refuse to put on blooms. Sometimes they will bud, but the buds drop off before opening. Too much water can kill them; too much or too little fertilizer can either burn them up or stunt their growth.
Our spiritual life is a little like flowers. It needs tending to constantly. It needs feeding, watering, and fertilizing often. We feed our spirit by . . .
Flowers have to be tended, watered, and fertilized. Without the proper treatment, they will shrivel up and die, or refuse to put on blooms. Sometimes they will bud, but the buds drop off before opening. Too much water can kill them; too much or too little fertilizer can either burn them up or stunt their growth.
Our spiritual life is a little like flowers. It needs tending to constantly. It needs feeding, watering, and fertilizing often. We feed our spirit by . . .
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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.