WE ARE CONVINCED CHRIST IS SINCERE

Do you ever question God's sincerity? In today's mixed up world, it seems that it is hard to decide who to trust. We live by words like "talk is cheap, Actions speak louder than words, Promises are made to be broken, seeing is believing." Part of the problem is not just in trusting in another person, but also in believing. Sometimes it seems we just look for the negative. What do we need to accept proof of honesty and sincerity? Why are we so skeptical? Who can we trust when we need help?

Well, St. John gives us evidence that we can believe what Christ says. His sincerity is unquestionable. God is in him, so we can completely trust in him. Because of this assurance, we can have peace, regardless of what goes on in our godless world. Regardless of the difficulties we face, Christ is there for us. He is believable and will not abandon us. He has conquered the world!

John 16:30-33
The Message (MSG) His disciples said, “Finally! You’re giving it to us straight, in plain talk—no more figures of speech. Now we know that you know everything—it all comes together in you. You won’t have to put up with our questions anymore. We’re convinced you came from God.”

Jesus answered them, “Do you finally believe? In fact, you’re about to make a run for it—saving your own skins and abandoning me. But I’m not abandoned. The Father is with me. I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.”

LikeLike ·  · Share

STAND AND LISTEN

Today is the Feast of St Columba, honoring St. Columba, a Celtic saint who founded the monastery at Iona, Scotland. He was born in Ireland and chose the life of a missionary and monastic over the wealthier life he was born in to. He answered God's call to leave his beloved Ireland to spread Christianity to Scotland. This is one of his very beautiful prayers:

" Sometimes in a lowly cell, in the presence of my God,

I stand and listen.

In the silence of my heart I can hear his will,

When I listen despairing people flock to me,

They expect that I can see the answers,

They ask my advice, they say I am wise.

I answer that nothing can deceive me,

If I stand alone and silently listen.

For I am but a servant who is guided by his king, when I listen.

Sometimes in a lowly cell in the presence of my God

I stand and listen."

Good advice for us today to stand and listen.

"COME HOLY SPIRIT, COME."

Violent winds, tongues on fire, everyone speaking different languages, yet understanding each other. "Run for your life, get away while you can," came the cry from the unbelievers. Awestruck, the believers waited as Jesus had directed them. What was happening? Was this from God? Was it the end, or the beginning?

Would you be running or waiting? Would you be shouting, "Hallelulia, the Spirit Jesus promised he'd send us is here. Praise be to the Lord"? How are you celebrating this glorious occasion? Apparently God wanted his people to stand in unison, regardless of the language they spoke or country they were from. Wouldn't it be great if today we could experience this oneness with God, driven by his Holy Sprit? Are you with us? What is your message?

"When the day of Pentecost [a]had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire [b]distributing themselves, and [c]they [d]rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other [e]tongues, as the Spirit was giving them [f]utterance." Acts 2:1-4

Like

D-DAY. What and Why are we Celebrating Today?

D-DAY.
Who knows why we are celebrating D-Day?  It was the beginning of the end of the great war and represented allies coming together for a mass invasion at the beaches of Normandy, France to push the German Nazi's back and end the war. Having taken the Stephen Ambrose tours with the Band of Brothers, we followed the 101st Airborne from their training in Taccoa, GA to Hitlers surrender. So why are we celebrating something that happened 70 years ago? WWII was real, The concentration camps and murder of the Jews was real. We saw camps on our trip. I met folks while living in Europe who lived in these camps as children during the war. While I was concerned with black outs and rationing here (remember the stamps) they were concerned with survival and many were separated from parents and friends for many years or forever.
Yes, WWII changed the world as it was known in the '40's. It inspired some of our greatest musical hits and brought our nation together like never before or never since. Women left their homes to work in the jobs men had to leave behind. We entered this war that had been raging for more than 4 years, so to say, feet first with soldiers parachuting to the ground while others came by sea in boats that were gunned down at beaches like Omaha, Juno and Normandy. 17 year old boys from the US, Canada and UK were on the front lines with little or no protection, but with determination to end this war that had usurped most if not all of Europe under Nazi rule. We visited the bunkers where the Germans machine gunned down our brave young soldiers. The American cemetery there is quite a memorial to those brave young men. Marble crosses and Stars of David represented those who didn't make it off the beaches. Those who lay under the Stars of David were in double jeopardy...they not only represented the hated allied troops, but also the hated Jewish people, but they came to defend all people.
And because of this enormous sacrifice, America's entrance into the great war turned the tide and eventually all of Europe was liberated. We were heroes and our dead are honored in cemeteries across Europe. On our tour, local residents from embattled towns we visited all greeted us with "Thanks for liberating us", especially in Holland. The American GI was a hero. My how times have changed. Now they are spat on and even in their own country, can not get the medical care they need and deserve. Perhaps we need another D-Day. Decision day to honor American patriots. Decision day to bring peace instead of war. Decision day to come together with others to fight world oppression. Yes, the battle is still waging. How soon we have forgotten. Today is a day to reflect on our past and how it has impacted our future. Those of us who were born during the days of WWII and subsequent years remember when Americans worked hard to build this country into the greatest in the world. A lot has happened in recent years. Where are we going, now?
As we come together in celebration of our important role in WWII, let's celebrate it as it was meant to be celebrated...as a victory, but as one that cost lives as well as finances. As the opening of doors to alliances we still honor and a rebuilding of this nation and it's allies into stronger countries offering opportunities for it's citizens never before experienced. And, lest we forget, in this war, God was an important part. Prayers were lifted and God was honored. As has been said...no one wants to be beside an athiest in a fox hole. Times have changed indeed.

MORNING PRAYER FROM PS 119

A simple Morning Prayer from Psalm 119:

129 Your statutes are wonderful;
therefore I obey them.
130 The unfolding of your words gives light;
it gives understanding to the simple.
131 I open my mouth and pant,
longing for your commands.
132 Turn to me and have mercy on me,
as you always do to those who love your name.
133 Direct my footsteps according to your word;
let no sin rule over me.
134 Redeem me from human oppression,
that I may obey your precepts.
135 Make your face shine on your servant
and teach me your decrees.
136 Streams of tears flow from my eyes,
for your law is not obeyed.

SHELTERED AND SAFE

I woke up this morning to a whole new day, a day filled with opportunity, hope and love. Once my feet hit the floor, doubts and fear entered my mind. Everything I need to accomplish today flooded my thoughts. Where did that peace I felt when I first awoke disappear to? Even crawling back under the covers was no help. I was just postponing the inevitable.

Time to go out to the prayer garden and sit with my Bible and meditate on a scripture verse. What shall it be? Today Psalm 27 caught my eye. Having read it, I am confident that what I seek and need most for this day is a deeper relationship with my Lord. In him is my security, safety and confidence to enjoy this day. I have nothing to fear today. God is with me, his Holy Spirit surrounds me and this will be a God inspired, lovely day. I am safe in his tabernacle. Thank you Lord for assuring me of your love and everlasting protection.

" One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock." Psalm 27:4-5

Worship the Creator, not the Created

"But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind. Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes food? Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding? To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his." Job 12:7-13
All of life is of God and each life, man or animal, plant or nature, contributes to our knowledge. But it is God who has the wisdom, power, counsel and understanding. Let's not get sidetracked as many so called spiritual cultures have in worshipping the created and not the creator. We learn from the created, but the meaning comes from the creator. It is the creator who is to be worshipped.