- Aug 25, 2014
Fill the Earth with Jesus' Giftings - Expressions of His LOVE and GRACE JOY and PEACE. Use your Natural Gifts in Big Ways or Small Ways to reach your Community, the Market Place or the World.
The World is not looking for more Preachers and Teachers. Churches are something that various Christians and religious people relate to_ but not the World. Jesus wants us to relate Him to those around us and afield in Relevant Ways through Avenues of their Interests - things they can Understand. This is achieved by SHARING ARTS & CRAFTS etc through Talents you have and can seek Jesus for. YES!
Remember The Lord's wisdom in Speaking to People in Parables?
People don't want to "be churched" they have told us that but we have not heeded their voice. Maybe sometimes they're wiser because the Church System as we know it today, was actually introduced by Constantine for political advantage - he changed the actual Early Christian way of doing things into a State Institution.........and we have had this problem ever since.
When people discover works of Art and Crafts....Beautiful Websites etc by gifted Christians, they wonder or marvel at the Grace and Goodness of God in your heart and life......this gives them something to reflect on afterwards - the pleasant experience they had when they met you, especially if they take an item home with them.
The preaching of the Gospel among people in public is banned in some western countries.......but the Love, Joy and Peace in/through a Christian's life who walks closely to Jesus is uplifting to many individuals and cannot be mistaken for religious. People are confused by religions, but when they encounter something creative and gracious manner of the person who made the item, they experience (maybe for the first time) the fragrance of Jesus. That is a wonderful thing.
I would like to direct you to some lighthearted reading on my Christian Inspirational website.
I write poems like Helen Steiner Rice in the Presence of Jesus.
Poems of Joy, Peace, Love, Strength, Rest and Comfort.
They will open up in a separate window!
- Aug 4, 2014
This is a necessary topic to address for many of us in this day and age. Times are stressful_ not everyone thinks before they speak or act. And sometimes inappropriate behavior from a Christian/Christians can really be upsetting because they are the ones that you expect kindness, encouragement and acceptance from. Scripture says to be kind and loving to each other, to encourage each other often and to receive each other as Christ receives us. Yet the unrefined manner of some Christians often leaves us unsettled and sometimes perplexed.
Should'nt those of us who have heard the scriptures many times be reflecting some of them in our behavior? In fact, some Christians display what I call 'hit and run' behavior_ they say or do something outright offensive, then fail to apologize.....they can even make it difficult for you to contact them for your peace of mind.....and you can guess_ they will even be found breaking bread in a service that Sunday. Even week after week, without any repentance or accountability. Believe me when I say that even some pastors are guilty of this.
I would rather make Jesus my Covering anytime than a fallible man who is subject to the gravity of sin. My brother and sister in Christ, He is our One true example of a godly nature in every mention recorded of Him in Scripture; He is the One who never offends; He is the One who will always lift you up and show you such acceptance – you feel good every time you're in His presence.
Should we not take after His example and love each other like He loves us.....or at least remember that person is precious to Him that we perhaps thoughtlessly offended? Yes, we should really take more care how we treat one another because many are hurting AND The Lord is watching. Do we think that He won't take notice OR that we can simply say “I am sorry about that” to Him and go on with our day or week, not having made any attempt to make things right with that person?
No, we're very much mistaken if we take such things for granted. Rest assure that The Lord will call us to account – in fact our prayers will be hindered, this does not only apply to husband and wife for we have a godly bond in Christ. So we must all remember that God's River flows through the Law of Love. I decided to write this article when I became aware that a dear Christian friend has yet again encountered another offense this week.
My best weapon for this in the last year has been to pray for God to bless the offenders. I did not understand the sense of that once.....but practiced as an act of will, it sure keeps you free! As the saying goes “do not allow them to live in you rent free.” That's taking up space that the Blessing of God could be filling. You will be the bigger person for not letting them get the better of you.
I once asked God how He deals with offenses because He has had the most. His instant reply was “He cancelled our misdeeds and considered them no more” - I did not realize He says this in His Word – that's hard for some of us but it is effective. I shared it a few months later with a girl who had a very big problem and she felt gloriously free the next day after applying it overnight.
Another way I deal with such things is to think of something good about the person. We can always magnify God above the situation too. And believe me, I have put these into practice through the years. Don't wait to feel “nice” about them to know you have forgiven (that may not always be so for everyone) but just be willing to let go of the offense_ this makes Jesus happy, it's not always possible to forget. Maybe you would like to share what helps you?
To keep my Blog inviting and pleasant, I ask that you refrain from responses that make for heavy reading and make your comments general or helpful in some way. It's best not to air our laundry in Blogs, but many websites permit it. This is not one of those. I appreciate how some of you feel and I would like to direct you to the Wellspring of Life page of this website and also the Quality Friendships page of my Janet and Jesus website that has Poems on other pages to comfort you. I wish you well.
- Jul 25, 2014
It's good to follow through on our words, yes. That's actually a scriptual practice blessed by God our Savior – we become imitators of Him because He keeps His Promises. It's especially important with children because they really trust us.
I think that all of us has a child inside of us that feels good when promises are kept. This is a message for Today is'nt it?......where so many promises are not kept with the busy rush and pace of life_ it's activity and responsibilities? For me, I said to The Lord once that I could not take any more of that and had to make a few boundaries. I've made some exceptions with some very genuine people who had good intentions I'm sure....regardless of those, they too have let me down.
I give this encouragement to you, that The Lord says in His Word that “He is not a disappointment” He keeps His Promises – sometimes when conditions are kept. But His Love is unconditional.....His Faithfulness can be trusted.
Sometimes people can damage our trust with broken promises through sheer carelessness (rash promises) or neglect. Scripture says to “Let your Yes be Yes”. Let us be keepers of His Word – that is to keep our words. Otherwise, it is best not to make them, even if the person may feel good for the moment – they may be twice as upset later.....hey? It's true. I have had a few repeats of this recently. Just because I write Inspirations does not mean to say that I'm exempt, and I am a happy peaceful person these days.
Sometimes we break our promises by putting things off and later we forget. Please be mindful that the person still remembers. Do you think we could think first before making a promise? Maybe we should make a commitment to that promise when we make it? We could even make a reminder note so we can't forget. And we will get to share Joy with that person when they are happy with us. Let's be thankful receivers!
I'm thinking about posting a 2nd article about this because it is so important_ to God, the receiver and ourself. I just found a lot of links on Google.
What are your thoughts about this? How could we avoid disappointing others.....and how can we best recover from this type of thing? Pleasant entries please.
Quote: We can be genuine when making a promises, it takes integrity to keep them. JV
Quote: We value a person as much as we keep our words. JV
Quote: It's the little promises we break the most because there are more of them. JV
Quote: It's best not to make too many promises to keep up with - we're sure to break them. JV
Try not to make promises to God
we only break them and feel poorly.
Let Him make them to you instead
and live in appreciation of them!
YES THAT IS THE BEST WAY