Monday, January 4, 2016

The Paradoxes of Christ

author unknown  ~~  submitted by Barb Campbell in Mississippi

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Grove/6932/paradox.html

He was the Light, yet He hung in darkness on the Cross.
He was the Life, yet He poured out His soul unto death.
He was the Rock of Ages, yet His feet sank into the deep waters.
He was the Son of God, yet He died a felon's death.
He was holy, undefiled, separated from sinners and knew no sin,
Yet He was made sin when He took the guilty culprit's place
and suffered in his stead.
He bade the weary to come to Him for rest,
Yet not on earth could He find rest until He said, "It is finished,"
and gave up His life to God.
He was the Mighty God,
Yet He became a man and was crucified through weakness.
He was the Image of the Invisible God,
Yet His visage was marred more than any man.
All the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily in Him,
Yet He took on Him the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men.
He spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast;
Yet He humbled Himself and became obedient - even unto death.
He was the Desire of All Nations,
Yet He was despised and rejected of man.
He is the Fountain of Life, yet upon the cross He cried, "I thirst."
Can you understand these mysteries?
These are the things that angels desire to look into.
The heavens cannot contain Him, yet He died for us.  

The Resume of Jesus Christ

Address: Ephesians 1:20 
Phone: Romans 10:13 
Website:
 The Bible. Key words: Christ, Lord, Savior and Jesus


Hello. My name is Jesus -The Christ. Many call me Lord!  I've sent you my resume because I'm seeking the top management position in your heart.  Please consider my accomplishments as set forth in my resume.

Qualifications:

  • I founded the earth and established the heavens, (See Proverbs 3:19)
  • I formed man from the dust of the ground, (See Genesis 2:7)
  • I breathed into man the breath of life, (See Genesis 2:7)
  • I redeemed man from the curse of the law, (See Galatians 3:13)
  • The blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant comes upon your life through me, (See Galatians 3:14)

Occupational Background:
  • I've only had one employer, (See Luke 2:49).  
  • I've never been tardy, absent, disobedient, slothful or disrespectful.
  • My employer has nothing but rave reviews for me, (See Matthew 3:15-17)
Skills Work Experiences:
  • Some of my skills and work experiences include: empowering the poor to be poor no more, healing the brokenhearted, setting the captives free, healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind and setting at liberty them that are bruised, (See Luke 4:18).
  • I am a Wonderful Counselor, (See Isaiah 9:6). People who listen to me shall dwell safely and shall not fear evil, (See Proverbs 1:33).
  • Most importantly, I have the authority, ability and power to cleanse you of your sins, (See I John 1:7-9)
Educational Background:
  • I encompass the entire breadth and length of knowledge, wisdom and understanding, (See Proverbs 2:6).
  • In me are hid all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, (See Colossians 2:3).
  • My Word is so powerful; it has been described as being a lamp unto your feet and a lamp unto your path, (See Psalms 119:105).
  • I can even tell you all of the secrets of your heart, (See Psalms 44:21).
Major Accomplishments:
  • I was an active participant in the greatest Summit Meeting of all times, (See Genesis 1:26).
  • I laid down my life so that you may live, (See II Corinthians 5:15).
  • I defeated the archenemy of God and mankind and made a show of them openly, (See Colossians 2:15).
  • I've miraculously fed the poor, healed the sick and raised the dead!
  • There are many more major accomplishments, too many to mention here. You can read them on my website, which is located at: www dot - the BIBLE. You don't need an Internet connection or computer to access my website.
References:
  • Believers and followers worldwide will testify to my divine healings, salvation, deliverance, miracles, restoration and supernatural guidance
In Summation: Now that you've read my resume, I'm confident that I'm the only candidate uniquely qualified to fill this vital position in your heart. In summation, I will properly direct your paths, (See Proverbs 3:5-6), and lead you into everlasting life, (See John 6:47). When can I start? Time is of the essence, (See Hebrews 3:15).

HE Is

Words by Jeoffrey Benward & Jeff Silvey, ©1994 Star Song
Thanks to Coralie McLay in New Zealand for sending this!

In Genesis, He's the breath of life
In  Exodus, the Passover Lamb
In Leviticus, He's our High Priest
Numbers,  The fire by night
Deuteronomy, He's Moses' voice
In Joshua, He is  salvation's choice 
Judges, law giver
In Ruth, the kinsmen-redeemer 
First and second Samuel, our trusted prophet
In Kings and Chronicles,  He's sovereign
Ezra, true and faithful scribe
Nehemiah, He's the  rebuilder of broken walls and lives 
In Esther, He's Mordecai's courage 
In Job, the timeless redeemer
In Psalms, He is our morning song
In  Proverbs, wisdom's cry
Ecclesiastes, the time and season
In the Song of  Solomon, He is the lover's dream 
In Isaiah, He's the Prince of Peace 
Jeremiah, the weeping prophet
In Lamentations, the cry for Israel 
Ezekiel, He's the call from sin
In Daniel, the stranger in the fire 
In Hosea, He is forever faithful
In Joel, He's the spirit's power 
In Amos, the arms that carry us
In Obadiah, He's the Lord our Savior 
In Jonah, He's the great missionary
In Micah, the promise of peace 
In Nahum, He is our strength and our shield 
In Habakkuk and  Zephaniah, He's pleading for revival
In Haggai, He restores a lost heritage 
In Zachariah, our fountain
In Malachi, He is the sun of righteousness  rising with healing in His wings 
In Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, He  is God, man, Messiah
In the Book of Acts, He is fire from heaven
In  Romans, He's the grace of God
In Corinthians, the power of love
In  Galatians, He is freedom from the curse of sin 
Ephesians, our glorious  treasure
Philippians, the servant's heart
In Colossians, He's the  Godhead Trinity
Thessalonians, our coming King
In Timothy, Titus,  Philemon, He's our mediator and our faithful pastor
In Hebrews, the  everlasting covenant
In James, the one who heals the sick
In First and  Second Peter, He is our shepherd
In John and in Jude, He's the lover coming  for His bride
In the Revelation, He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords  
The Prince of Peace
The Son of Man
The Lamb of God
The Great I  Am
He's the Alpha and Omega
Our God and our Savior
He is Jesus  Christ the Lord
And when time is no more
He is  

Saturday, January 2, 2016

Living Intentionally

by Michelle Gill - www.calledishshah.com
Used by permission


The one thing that I am focusing on for this new year is living with intention.  Time passes and tasks get done and events come and go - all the while there are things and ways of living that I would like to incorporate into my life.  It will never happen unless I choose to live life intentionally, on purpose.

One of my desires is to start my day full of His Spirit.  Then to hear Him throughout the day, every day instead of just when I have time.  That will only happen on purpose.

I would like to live a life of noticing people and investing.  I tend to rush around trying to get things done and avoiding what may take my time for someone else.  I don't want to live another year and look back wondering what a life lived out is supposed to look like.  Investing in others is a goal.

I encourage you to examine your thoughts with intention.  Is your thinking TRUTH or just another Christian cliche?  An example of a cliche that burns me up is "He will not give your more than you can handle."  Where do people get that?  He says He will provide a way of escape from temptation, that is usually the verse they point to if they have to give a verse to back it up.  I have been through plenty I could not handle. Thank God that He could handle me.  Intentionally examine your thinking and fill it with truth.  I have been learning this for several years now and realize how much flows from the way we think and what we believe.

I want to intentionally see my daughter, Casi, and watch her heart growing.  I want to hear what people are saying to me when they are speaking, the way they want to be heard.  I want to learn to create a garden and preserve food.  I want to be intentional about what I eat.  I want to move my body throughout the whole day.  I want to create the art that I see in my mind.

Intent takes time and thought but it brings a richness to life that we would ordinarily just be flying by, if we didn't choose to slow down.  It enables us to actually hear His Spirit.  He has created us to be creative like Him.  He has created us to invest in Him and others.  Live this year that He has for you with intention, on purpose.  Live intentionally.


Friday, January 1, 2016

January Wreath

Used with Permission by Lindee Katdare http://thelindeetree.com/january-wreath/

 

For me, the month of January is kind of a bummer. We have taken down all of the Christmas decor and the house feels bare, cold and boring. Our social calendar has slowed down and we have more time to spend in our drab environment. So that being said, this is a great month to start working on projects. I can't stand sitting inside waiting for spring. So far this month,  I have created numerous decor projects and finally installed french doors in my husband's office (blog post to come!).  I spent one week with the flu and am finally back up and running. I was ready to tackle our depressing front door with a cheerful wreath!
I made a wreath a couple of years ago that has obviously lived its life.  Instead of sending it out to be buried, I decided to up-cycle it. I loved the sparkly pine base and the base was  in great condition.  I wanted to create something bright, cheerful and seasonal. I have definitely had my fill of pine cones for the year so I wanted to do something different. I went to my favorite hangout, Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores. I found the berries, greenery and flowers there. I used a coupon and they were running a promotion in the floral department, buy one get one free. I spent about $15-$20 on everything. The lemons came from Pottery Barn and were $16.00 for a bag of six, about $2.60 each. Kind of pricey, but any time you buy nice quality fruit you are going to have to pay for it. Besides, I still have a couple to spare and they look pretty in a little glass bowl on my shelf.
So, for about $30 I made a beautiful wreath with high quality materials. I looked online for some other wreaths made with similar products and they averaged about $70.00. I am so glad I made mine instead. I was able to make exactly what I want, did not waste material, and saved money. Sounds like a win to me! What do you think?
I love to receive feedback from my readers. What are you working on this month?
 
American wife to this Indian life. I am a right-brained, American woman married to a left-brained Indian man. I love art, design, up-cycling and multiple DIY projects at the same time. He loves simplicity and order. Follow us on this cultural collision as I combine our personalities and cultural differences through art, design, food, and raising kids. When I am not working on a craft or project, I co-host a lifestyle/entertainment show called "Daytime Blue Ridge," on our local NBC affiliate, WSLS 10. www.DaytimeBlueRidge.com

175 THINGS TO DO TOGETHER AS A FAMILY

Incorporate some of these ideas in your planning for the new year!

by Lois Breneman

Close your eyes and try to remember the most fun your family has ever had. Now tell me, was your family busy doing something together or were you all gathered around the television set? With the ever increasing demands of school, career and church, Christian families need to relearn how to be together and have fun. When your children are grown, they will remember the special times of family togetherness. Great memories have to be created. A little effort and imagination will fill your family's free time and enrich the lives of those you love most. Here are some simple, inexpensive (or free!) activities that can be enjoyed by almost everyone. Turn off the tube and tune in to family fun.
  1. Take a bicycle trip.
  2. Make homemade ice cream or visit an ice cream parlor.
  3. Bake a double batch of cookies and deliver one to a needy family.
  4. Visit an airport and watch the planes take off and land, or go to a lake and watch the boats, while you have a picnic.
  5. Go on a breakfast picnic.
  6. Go to a park and hike or climb trees.
  7. Make popcorn, maybe even caramel corn.
  8. Enjoy the snow together by building a snowman, snow bears, a huge turtle or other animals, making a snow fort or throwing snowballs. How about making snow ice cream?
  9. Go swimming or water skiing.
  10. Plan a scavenger hunt for outside. Or plan one for in the house using every letter of the alphabet.
  11. Bake plain sugar cookies and let each member of the family take part in decorating them.
  12. Make playdough and sculpt objects or people (even from Bible stories).
  13. Read a good book aloud. (C.S. Lewis' "Tales of Narnia" appeals to children and adults alike.
  14. Look through photo albums or view family slides, movies, or videos.
  15. Play miniature golf or croquet.
  16. Make a tape recording of the most recent news and send it to a close friend or relative whom you seldom see.
  17. Make a "birthday flag" for the next upcoming birthday.
  18. Go fishing.
  19. Play a board game that all can enjoy---Monopoly, Sorry, Scrabble.
  20. Work on a jigsaw puzzle.
  21. Go roller skating or ice skating.
  22. Make family silhouettes. Use a slide projector or a bright lamp to project the head profile on a blank wall. Hold paper against the wall and trace the silhouette. Cut out and glue it on a contrasting sheet of paper or poster board.
  23. Have a candy treasure hunt.
  24. Work on a crossword puzzle.
  25. Play "Start a Story." One person starts the story and talks for three minutes (use timer). The next person must continue the story, and so on. After going around the family circle two or three times, the youngest child gets to end the tale.
  26. Provide old magazines, scissors and glue. Pick a theme for your collage (families, God's creations, things to be thankful for, etc.).  Everyone cuts out pictures and glues them onto a large piece of paper or poster board.
  27. Go to the flea market or bright and early one Saturday morning visit 10 garage sales and see who can come home with the best bargain for a dollar.
  28. Sing favorite choruses, hymns or nursery rhymes around the piano or guitar. You could even use a tape or CD to follow along.
  29. Make plaster of Paris hand prints. Put name, year and age on the back.
  30. Make a family banner. The banner should be made of felt or the flag fabric found in fabric stores. Decorate with pictures that illustrate interests of family members.
  31. Go to the zoo.
  32. Go bowling.
  33. Make your own homemade pizza. Add mushrooms, peppers, onions, black olives and crushed pineapple to the pizza sauce and cheese.
  34. Invite another family over for a game of charades or "Guesstures."
  35. Listen to recordings of your favorite music.
  36. One sunny Saturday morning, get out the gardening tools and find someone (a shut-in, perhaps) who could use some free yard work. Everyone can pitch in and help.
  37. Make a collage using seeds, rice, cereal, old buttons and sewing scraps.
  38. Catch fireflies together, put them in a jar and watch them light up. Let them go.
  39. Do needlework: cross-stitch, crewel, candle wicking, rug-hooking, smocking.
  40. String popcorn and place on a tree for the birds.
  41. Write the words and music to a chorus together.
  42. Make puppets out of lunch bags, old socks, felt, wooden clothespins. Put on a puppet show.
  43. Have a bonfire outdoors or in your fireplace and roast hot dogs and marshmallows.
  44. Go to your nearest hospital and look at the babies in the maternity nursery. (Visiting hours only).
  45. Visit a shut-in or an elderly friend or relative in a nursing home.
  46. Pick wildflowers and press some of them to save.
  47. Read a Psalm together. Then write a psalm of praise for your own family.
  48. Play "I think you're nice because..." Someone thinks of a quality he likes in the person who's "it." Other family members try to guess by asking, "Does it begin with an "A?" and so forth.
  49. Listen to a tape of a Bible story. You can tape good stories from Christian radio stations. 50..Share prayer requests that affect and concern the whole family, then pray about them.
  50. Make a mobile. Gather special treasures (shells, nature objects, hollow, decorated eggs, valentines). Tie thread or yarn of varying lengths to the end of each and attach to a hanger.
  51. Ask your children about their greatest fear, and talk about them.
  52. Encourage little ones to color a picture to send to grandparents.
  53. Make a list together of all the things in your house that use electricity. You might do this when you lose power sometime.
  54. Build a village using blocks, Lincoln logs or Legos. Get out the matchbox cars!
  55. Enjoy a shopping trip for something little, but fun---a jar of bubbles, stickers, paper dolls, a matchbox car.
  56. Play "20 Questions." One person chooses a Bible character or object to be guessed. The other members of the family take turns guessing what the secret object or person might be. No more than 20 questions can be asked and each one must be able to be answered with a simple yes or no. Whoever guesses first becomes "It" for the next round. Good for car trips too.
  57. Visit a farm. Milk a cow, help to feed the animals. Take pictures.
  58. Play badminton, volleyball, tennis, Frisbee, yard darts or ping pong.
  59. Take the kids on a tour of where Dad works.
  60. Play hide-and-seek (inside or outside).
  61. Play "Bible Verse Scramble." One person chooses a favorite Bible verse and writes each word on a separate piece of paper. Scramble the order of the words and challenge each member of the family to see who can put it together the fastest. It could be one the family has memorized together.
  62. Go camping in the backyard. Cook breakfast on the grill.
  63. Draw a family tree on paper and complete it as a family. Add old photographs if available.
  64. Go jogging or take a walk together.
  65. Give each person a large piece of paper and take turns tracing the outlines of their bodies on it. Color in the outlines to look like you.
  66. Using white shelf paper or the inside of brown grocery bags, design your own wrapping paper with crayons, magic markers or paints--even potato prints.
  67. Go to the library. Check out books, records, tapes and art reproductions. Check out books showing how to make crafts with children.
  68. Gather a variety of leaves and identify them.
  69. Write a letter to a missionary family. Your children could write to a missionary's child his own age.
  70. If you have a computer, create a family newspaper. Each child can write a story, Dad and Mom can write a column, and an older child or parent can edit and type. Send copies to the grandparents.
  71. Make candy or caramel apples.
  72. Fly a kite!
  73. Jump rope.
  74. Take pictures of all the houses in your neighborhood, then arrange the houses on a large poster board and identify the people living in the houses. Write their addresses and phone numbers at each house too.
  75. Visit a friend.
To see the full article, please visit Heart Filled Home:  http://heartfilledhome.blogspot.com/2010/11/175-things-to-do-with-family-photos.html

Re*Mission

Used with Permission by April White of Red Chair Moments
 

Four days before Christmas, my neurologist pushed back from his rolling stool confounded.  He rubbed at his bearded stubble and ran his hands through his hair.  This gesture forced his hair to stand on end. I smiled. His disheveled hair mimicked my own internal feelings of being physically disheveled.

The outcomes of a recent nerve conduction test and EMG did not align with the text book case of the neuromuscular disease, CIDP that was earlier suggested.  "Mrs. White, I have scheduled you for an MRI on January, 5, 2016. You are not presenting with the typical symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis, but I need to rule it out."

During a sleepless night, I pondered a statement posted on the CIDP online support group.  The member wrote: "There is no cure for CIDP, but remission is something to aim for."  (Of course, God may decide to "cure" me at any moment that He chooses!)

Remission is not a word I ever expected to be part of my everyday vocabulary. I savored the word, swirling it in my mind, the way a sommelier swirls a glass of red wine. I reached for my Merriam Webster dictionary on my nightstand (something, I'm sure only writers have on their nightstand) and looked up the word remission. I decided to break the word down even farther to its two root words, re and mission.

Remission [ri-mish-uh n]
-noun  A temporary or permanent decrease or subsidence of manifestations of a disease.

Re [re]
-prefix  A prefix meaning again, anew, in a different form.

Mission [mish-uh n]
-noun  An important task or duty that is assigned.

My fortieth birthday was on July 30th (7/30), and I had read each Scriptural reference that corresponded with the seventh chapter and thirtieth verse.  I reread some of those verses and my hands froze when I came across these words in Acts 7:30, "After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai."

Forty years after Moses fled the Egyptian palace, when he was comfortable being a shepherd for his father-in-law, Moses was given a new challenge. His assignment was to go back and free the people. Through Moses, God would prepare the way for hope and freedom.

The phrases, after forty years, remission, and hope, fill my mind. Could it be that God was using my fortieth birthday and the assignment to search the 7:30 verses to prepare my heart for my next mission? Could it be that these quirky and painful neurological symptoms are actually part of my new mission?

Yes, I believe so.

I believe Re*Mission is my new mission of HOPE for the next phase of my life. While I wait for further testing, I could choose pity or I could choose praise. I choose to praise. I know God will use this experience to be a beacon of hope to others also suffering from neuropathies, invisible pain, health problems, and other Red Sea challenges.

My verse for 2016:

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him,
so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
(Romans 15:13, NIV)

Wishing you a happy and faith-filled New Year!

~April White
www.redchairmoments.com
 

Easy Way to Clean Mini Blinds

Used with Permission by Margo at Joyful Homemaking
http://joyfulhomemaking.com/2015/01/easy-way-to-clean-mini-blinds.html

I have 9 windows with mini blinds on them in my house, and the way dust collects around here, they are a pain to keep clean.  Taking them down and cleaning them in the tub with soap and water, or taking them outside and hosing them off, are probably the most thorough ways to get them spic and span, but if they are just dusty and not grimy, I usually prefer to just vacuum them with a brush attachment.
However, my new favorite way to give them a once over to get the dust bunnies off, is to use a paintbrush to easily get in all the nooks and crannies, and "brush" the dust off.  It's not as taxing as using the vacuum, although you still need to be sure and wipe up the dust that falls off with a damp cloth or vacuum it up.
Start at the top and work your way down, so you're not undoing what you just dusted, and then admire your work!

Precious Gems

Compiled by Lois Breneman
Thanks to all who contribute to Precious Gems!  Anyone is welcome to send kids' quotes to me at jhbreneman@juno.com to be considered for this segment.
 
Our son, James, and his wife, Emily, were putting Raelle (2 1/2) to bed and praying with her, which they try to do together most nights. Raelle was pretty wound up and jumping in her bed while they prayed.  Soon she bumped her head on her crib.  She tried to be quiet while they prayed, but then couldn't hold back any longer as she said, "Oh, owl!  Owl!!!  "I bumped my idea! I bumped my idea!" ~ Lois in Virginia
 
Mia's (6) thoughts on being Mary in the play Sunday and not having a real donkey to ride. "But how will Mary get to Bethlehem without a donkey!?! And then how will baby Jesus be born?!?!?!? We need a donkey!" ~ Elizabeth in Virginia
 
Malakai (7): "Hey, we're eating the same snack. It's like we're twins!"
Amiya (7): "We are twins." ~ Danielle in Alabama 
 
Eva (8) is running lines with Mia (6) for the play tonight. Eva: "Mia, say it with expression. Mia, you have to have passion. Mia, don't mumble. And, when you sing, don't yell.  Sing." We shall see if all this coaching pays off. ~ Elizabeth in Virginia
 
"Mommy! Did you just take a shower?" (no)
"Then why is your hair so beautiful?" (It is?)
"YES! It looks beautiful!" (Leans in closer to touch it) "
"WHY IS IT WHITE? It's turning white! You are turning into an old lady!"
(And that was not from the kid who a few weeks back told me I would be old soon and then die....)
He finished with, "Maybe you should just turn it green like Anne did..." ~ Elaine in Virginia
 
Tonight at the super table the girls were talking about all the different things they can do. Carter (5) piped up and said, "Well, I can breathe out of my eyeballs." He then proceeds to shut his mouth, hold his nose, and blow air bubbles out of his eyes. "See, I told you I could breathe out of my eyeballs!" Where do kids figure this stuff out?!?! ~ Elizabeth in Virginia
 
Gave kids the 'ol "God gave you 2 ears and 1 mouth so you can listen more than talk" speech.
Amiya (7): "I wish God gave me 2 mouths instead." ~ Danielle in Alabama