Live Light in 25 Words - Day 6

" There's God......& then there's Me!" Do you ever wonder who God is, how can I relate to Him, what is He really like? How do I make a connection with someone I don't know ? I've read the stories of this wondrous God parting seas, feeding millions with food from the sky, bringing the animals to the ark, miracle after miracle. But how do I, me , just an mere human possibly come to an understanding of who, He ;God , is. Let alone what He's really like? " No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is in the closest relationship with the Father, has made Him known" John 1:18 Q. What do we learn about Jesus from this verse? Jesus was a man, he loved, he worked, he mourned, he was a friend, he was a teacher, he was compassionate, he was just, he suffered and he sacrificed himself for all others and He is God. This is how I see God, through the man, Jesus. All of His qualities are the Father. The more I get to know Him, grow in relationship with Him, the more I understand who God is. It's actually a lot simpler than we think. We humans like to complicate everything . The more I read, the more I understand and come to know, not just in my head but in my heart who Jesus is, the more amazing and totally relatable I find God to be. It's one of those experiences in life that changes everything . Lxx 

Live Light in 25 Words-Day 5

" Do I REALLY have too?" "But if you are willing to listen, I say , love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Pray for the happiness of those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you." Luke 6:27-28 NLT Q. Are there people in your life that you find difficult to love, and what will you pray and do for them in response to this challenging verse ? Well I 'd be telling a lie if I said no. I think we all have THOSE people in our life. The ones we avoid spending time with or can barely tolerate. Usually because of some offence that has happened in the past. But if you knew what they have done to me you wouldn't be asking me to love them! Every time I see her she says something derogatory! "To you who are READY for the truth. I say this. Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person." The Message You've got to be kidding, that is possibly the last thing I'm going to feel like doing. I know I'm not the only one thinking this, and that is why this is an challenging verse, it goes against all our natural instincts. But it is possible, we have to be WILLING and READY to FORGIVE. Sometimes it is a really tall order but that is why we are told to pray. Imagine if we not only prayed for those who have offended us, but also treated them with kindness, a smile costs nothing, nor does a kind word. I want to share the best of me, because that's the part of me that bares witness to His goodness and His love. Lxx

Live Light in 25 Words- Day 4

LET YOUR LIGHT BE A WELCOMING ONE Today's verse is Matthew 5:14&16. I often like to read The Message Bibles interpretation and that is what I'll share today. To me it really speaks into our time in history. "Here's another way to put it. You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colours in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you ? I'm putting you on a light stand- shine! Keep open house, be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven" Q. How are you endeavouring to be a light, to be an example of who God is? There are different types of light that shine, warning lights that say stay away, danger, lights that say caution, and lights that shine to invite you to a happening place. I've met many Christians who are emitting a danger and caution signal, that's not the light I want to be. It's all about how we live! Are we generous and welcoming, prepared to make real connections with people, as opposed to Sunday superficial, because people see right through that sort of behaviour. I want to be the light that shines and says " this is who I am, what you see is what you get, I'm real, I'm genuine, I'll have time for you, and when you ask why I am different, I'll tell you it's because of my generous Father in heaven" Put it out on a stand, be the happening place that draws others in, a welcoming light. If all you have to offer is a genuine heart, then that is more than enough. Lxx

Live Light in 25 Words- Day 3

WHERE DO YOU PLACE YOUR PRIORITIES? Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35 Q. When Jesus was busy, focused on His work and in demand, what does He take time out to do? How does this impact you? This was a time where Jesus was certainly in high demand. He was healing the sick, healing troubled spirits, preaching and traveling, a very hectic and busy time. He didn't whinge and bemoan about how little time he had, He didn't make excuses, He prioritised, He rose early in the morning to spend time in relationship with The Father. The most important part of His day, time out to re-energise, equipping Himself for the task ahead. How often do I barrel into the day, taking on all my tasks with an low battery? Lately, well actually for quite a while, just about every day. How can I expect to navigate my day if I haven't prepared, prepared spiritually, spent time in relationship with the One who will carry me through. The periods in my life where I have been diligent in doing this, rising a little earlier, having a cuppa and spending some me time with God have proven to be the most inspirational. Life wasn't necessarily easier, but manageable. There was an underlying strength and resilience to face whatever was thrown my way. I am so thankful to be re-discovering that again. Lxx 

Live Light in 25 Words- Day 2

ARE YOU SUNDAY SUPERFICIAL ? Matthew 14:13-21 Loaves and Fishes Q. Have you stopped today to ponder Jesus' power in your life? Reading the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand today, I realised something I had not really ever thought about before. I have read this story many times but always related to it more along the lines of " feeding the hungry, supernaturally", spiritually and physically. Today however I saw Jesus as grief stricken at the violent loss of His cousin, John. He needed to get away and be alone to deal with Johns death, He needed a human moment, yet in His mourning He was moved by the thousands seeking Him. He put His own needs aside, compassion overwhelmed Him, He fed them, fed their physical need and their spiritual need. How does this relate to the question of Jesus' power in my life? Do I rely on Him, trust in Him, lean on Him, draw on His strength in times of duress and trouble. Am I able to function and put aside the stresses of my own life and be compassionate to others, my friends, my family? This is Jesus power out working in my daily life, to rise above my circumstance, and be His hands and feet. Lxx

Live light in 25 Words- Day 1

Recently I committed to the Bible Societies Live Light in 25 Words challenge. I'ts all about developing a lasting daily habit of spending time with God through reading The Word. I'd love to share my journey with you. Psalm 34:8-10 The Message Bible Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see- how good God is. Blessed are you who run to Him Worship God if you want the best; worship opens doors to all His goodness. Young lions on the prowl get hungry, But God seekers are full of God Q. Is God the place where you find true satisfaction? Wow, this question really challenged me today. If I am to be truthful, it is really only in recent times that I have begun to come to an understanding of this. SATISFACTION, what does it mean? The Dictionary states- 1. the fulfilment of something that is necessary, expected or desired, or the good feeling that is experienced when this happens or is achieved. Is He necessary in my life?Worship God if you want the best. What do I expect, what do I desire?Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see how good God is. What do I feel, what do I experience?Blessed are you who run to Him, God seekers are full of God. I want the best for my life. I've tried it without Him and that didn't go so well. I'm now in the process of rediscovering Him, experiencing Him through worship and it's true, the doors to His goodness are opened in many and varying ways and it feels great. It's exciting to be filling the void with all that He has to offer, it's limit less. My worship is in how I live, what I do with each day I am given, the relationships I forge, the deepening of my understanding and connection with Him. In an age where no one is satisfied, it is a welcome relief to be able to rest in the One who will fill you up. Lxx

A Flower Waiting To Bloom

by SistasInArms on Friday, August 19, 2011 at 4:03pm

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name &
Care to know my hurt

There's a beautiful flower in the garden of my family that's desperately trying not to fade, desperately wanting to bloom in all her beauty. Her delicate petals have closed in tightly around her, shutting out light and warmth, enveloping her in a shadow. She cannot see the sunshine, but instead is lost within the storm that rages around her, holding her hostage. The potential of this precious and special flower, planted lovingly and purposefully in the garden of our family is to blossom and grow into the unique species, that is only her. Fashioned and known before time, a one of a kind, an essential part of the garden, an eagerly anticipated bloom, without which our landscape is incomplete.
 Our delicate bud is wilting, though we water and nourish her, she is not flourishing. We wait......and lovingly tend to our flower, encouraging her petals to gently loosen and allow a ray of sonshine to touch upon her heart. We patiently wait............wait for her to slowly unfold, to begin to soak in the life giving warmth, allowing the light to penetrate the darkness that surrounds her. We wait........wait for her to see that spring is just around the corner, a new season brimming with new birth and possibility.
 There's a beautiful flower bud in the garden of my family..........and my heart is longing to see her bloom