Tag: #christianblogger

GOD IN OUR MIDST

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.  –Zephaniah 3:17  (ESV)

 

Whenever I hear or see this verse, it brings a smile to my face and encourages my faith journey.

The book of Zephaniah, part of the Old Testament, consists of only three chapters. It is about the coming of the Lord, the judgment against Judah and Jerusalem who are rebelling, and the importance of seeking God.

This particular verse shares the hope that was extended to the remnant of Judah when they returned to the Lord.  It provides that same encouragement for us in our lives, reminding us the Lord is in our midst and sharing God’s response to us. Continue reading “GOD IN OUR MIDST”

ORCHESTRATION OF OUR STEPS

 

Another sunny Sunday was forecast, so that meant another perfect day for a road trip to a park.  A Sunday earlier on our travels, we saw a sign for a new to us park.  We added it to our possible park list.  When Saturday night rolled around, we were thinking of going in a different direction but finally decided to go to the new park. Continue reading “ORCHESTRATION OF OUR STEPS”

SEEK HIM

Seek Him~~Seek Him with all your heart, and you will find Him.

He can be found everywhere and in everyone.  Be still and soak in His presence in the beauty that is all around.  When we seek Him and find Him, we have found the greatest treasure this world holds.  These Bible verses summarize those thoughts so perfectly:

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  –Jeremiah 29:13  (NIV)

Your heart will always be where your treasure is.  –Matthew 6:21  (CEV)

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Spending Sundays going to some sort of park helps me take quiet time to seek Him and find His presence in nature, in the silence, or even in the sounds around me. Continue reading “SEEK HIM”

CASCADING LOVE

My birthday this year was quite different from most years, which I guess goes along with the theme of 2020!

The presence of friends and family graced my birthday last year as we gathered for a “celebrate Christine” event. People shared how my life has affected them, making me feel very special knowing that the God in me is shining through. I felt so much love, which made it my most special birthday to date.  This year, I had the pleasure of rereading all the cards and notes that people shared with me that day. I am hoping to reinstate the tradition next year.

 

The “celebrate Christine” crew from last year. Great memories except for the broken elbow!

 

This year was a somewhat quiet day for me as I, at the last moment, went to deliver paperwork and say farewell to a car that my two sons drove through the years.  It was a full day of traveling for six hours round trip, but God’s presence in the aloneness was with me.  After all, especially on my birthday, as I pondered the meaning of my life and how God is working in and through me, what better place than to be alone with Him? Continue reading “CASCADING LOVE”

MINISTRY REFLECTIONS

Ministry in our lives can take many forms.  For some, it might be something formal in a church setting such as parish council, an elder in the church, funeral committee, or usher/greeter.  I believe ministry encompasses much more than the traditional roles in the church.

I found this definition for the word ministry in a Google search, which I think is perfect:

 

 

What if the “something is accomplished” is sharing the Jesus in you with others?

Sharing Him through the way you live,

the activities you are busy with,

and through your words. Continue reading “MINISTRY REFLECTIONS”

TODAY

 

 

I receive daily emails from a coworker who gives me work to process.  These emails end with a few encouraging words, something like “keep safe, enjoy the afternoon, or keep smiling.”

A recent closing of an email said,

“Please be safe and enjoy Today, it’s another gift from God.”

 

Think about that again,

 

 

That thought spoke volumes to me, a great reminder of how we should be living and looking at each day of our lives!  Continue reading “TODAY”

FISHERS OF MEN

During a recent Sunday outing to a state park, several people were fishing from the shoreline.  A couple of men were fishing for more than the three hours I was there. People of all ages, from teenage girls to families with young children, to couples, were trying their hand at the sport of fishing. Most people would come for a bit and then leave, without catching anything.  Only the men I saw there the longest got rewarded. I heard them say they caught fish #7 and #8.

Continue reading “FISHERS OF MEN”

REFLECTING JESUS

Soaking up views of God’s beautiful creation near bodies of water is a favorite pastime of mine.  We are taking advantage of the beautiful, sunny weather we have experienced on Sundays this summer to venture to a park of some sort. They involve being near water and a Dairy Queen to help cool down from the hot weather! Continue reading “REFLECTING JESUS”

COMPASSION

Jesus’ ministry on this earth concentrated on love: loving all people no matter their circumstances or what they did or failed to do.  It was an unconditional, pure love that we are to emulate in our lives too.

Compassion is another important charism Jesus shared with so many which God modeled for Him. We, in turn, need to follow in their footsteps sharing compassion in our lives.

 

One definition of compassion is sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others. The word compassion in Hebrew and Greek includes a broader definition “to love, showing pity and mercy.” Compassion is a form of love for those who are suffering or vulnerable, which leads us to take action. Continue reading “COMPASSION”

TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Have you ever truly reflected on the fact that…

 

 

What a privilege to know and appreciate as we live day by day on this earth!

Why do I say that you are the temple of the Holy Spirit? Check out these powerful words that St. Paul shares with us~

Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? –1 Corinthians 3:16 (ESV)

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. –1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NLT)

And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. –2 Corinthians 6:16 (NLT) Continue reading “TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT”