LET'S TALK

I heard a wonderful sermon last night at our church, and through the whole message, I heard lots about Jesus.  It wasn't a holiday sermon, just talked about Jesus.  We find alot of things to talk about...family, church activities, vacations, jobs, health and on and on it goes.  However, we rarely make Jesus a point of conversation.  I'm there with the rest.  THE ONE who loves us most and best doesn't get the attention He certainly deserves.  Recently I shared a passage of Scripture with some friends that reminded me of how very precious Jesus is meant to be and is.  Thus, enjoy.

In the beginning was the Word, and the

Word was with God, and the Word was God.

He was in the beginning with God.

All things were made through Him, and

without Him nothing was made that

was made.

In Him was life, and the life was the light 

of men.

And the light shines in the darkness, and

the darkness did not comprehend it.

AND THE GRAND GIFT:

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, 

and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only

begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:1-5, 14

Jesus became flesh and look at all He did for us and continues to do in our lives.  It seems to me that you and I have alot to talk about when it comes to all He has done for each of us, a salvation too hard to describe, but maybe we should try harder to make Him more a subject of our conversations.

Father God, there is no way to express to You our gratitude for sending Your Son to die for us that we might live now and into eternity.  Thank You for Jesus and for Your sweet Spirit who is such a voice in our lives.   In Jesus' precious name...Amen

QUIET  KNOWING

    ...that I may know Him and the

power of His resurrection, and

the fellowship of His sufferings,

being conformed to His death.

Philippians 3:10

It was a wintry February Saturday around 5:00 in the late afternoon when I stepped into my wedding gown.  Our wedding was in two hours and I could hardly wait.  In those moments, I couldn't imagine loving Brian more than I did at that  time.  Boy, was I ever in for a surprise.

Life for us was the usual...lots of love, the normal ups and downs, children, jobs and a Heavenly Father that kept it all together with hearty portions of His love glue.  I did learn that with Brian and me, there were alot of very comfortable quiet times.  We could be in the living room with him reading His Bible or doing some paper work and me working on a lesson for a ladies class.  We could sit for many minutes not talking or even looking each other's direction.  It was in many of those moments I think we felt even closer.  It's in moments like that there was a quiet knowing of who we were to each other and the love we felt for each other even in our quiet moments.

I think we often feel our love for God is going to come with lots of activity and that may be true at times.  I have found in my own life that I don't have to feel concerned or that something is wrong if I just have some quiet moments with my Father.  There are many ways we verbally or actively act on God's behalf.  The thought of silent times with nothing said really seems uncomfortable.

We don't do well with silence.  It can seem uncomfortable like we should be doing or saying something most of the time.  I can see where my love for Brian increased even in those silent times.  With healthy silence can come comfort, trust and a sweet peace.  In my silence with my Father, I can contemplate His love and goodness in my life.  I don't have to labor in those moments struggling for what to say.  Our Father loves our just curling up in Him with precious times of silence.  It is then, He has our attention and he can speak in those quiet knowing times away from life's clutter and clatter.   Be still and know that I am God.....(Psalm 46:10)

Father, draw me to Yourself in more times of quiet.  Let me rest in You knowing You

can speak to me in ways I can't begin to contemplate.  Thank You for loving me and desiring to having time with me, especially those quiet moments.  In Jesus...Amen 

HOLDING HANDS
My Father, who has given them to

Me, is greater than all; and no one

is able to snatch them out of My

Father's hand.

John 10:29

Brian and I had only had about four dates when there was an episode of note that spread like wildfire through our church singles department.  I could take you to the very spot, at the back of our church auditorium when there was this particular occurrence.  Brian was always very proper and very much a gentleman. but this particular event caused a bit of a stir.

In a very casual way, as if it was a familiar thing, Brian actually took hold of my hand.  I was more than shocked as were the couple of singles walking along with us.  From that time, hand holding was a regular thing.  It doesn't sound like much, but he hadn't held hands with a girl before, at least in a romantic way.  The holding of hands is considered to be an act of affection and even love.  Brian really started something because even up until he went to Heaven we were hand holders.

God made hands for holding and for common everyday usage.  Hands hold and cuddle babies, the are used for clapping approval, changing a tire, washing one's face, typing on a keyboard and on and on.  Those things aren't mentioned in Scripture, of course, but the hands of God are mentioned in some places.  right A favorite of mine is found in Isaiah where he tells us that God has promised to uphold us with His righteous right hand.  What a blessing.

The holding of hands, no matter how we look at it, indicates caring, and most of the time, commitment to one another.  God's hands are none the less.  He holds onto us because of a love we can never realize or understand.  Despite that, I'm so grateful for a Heavenly Father that holds not just my hand but my entire being.  That's a security no hand-holders can guarantee each other.  For now, though I sure do miss those human hands I once held mine.

Thank You, my Father, for Your love and care in my life.  Thank You for the security You provide and the loving way You hold me close to Yourself with Your own precious  hands.  In Jesus' precious name...Amen