A Sacrifice of Love

“With all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love,”- Ephesians 4:2

Today's passage is from the Young's Literal Translation.

That's today's verse of the day at www.biblegateway.com  and I'd never really seen it before in that translations.  A few things come to mind - the biggest one being that it's not a sacrifice if it costs nothing.

It's soo easy to want what we want to please ourselves.  No, I don't like that tv show or no, I don't feel like doing that right now.  Could Jesus have ever felt like just going to the cross?  I'm pretty sure if He wanted to, He could have found so many other things to do with His time.  But He knew the end result and knew the time was at hand.

We're not each called to hang on a cross - that already "Is Finished".  We are called to love one another, as Christ has loved us - selflessly.  We are called to shine with the Light of the World, the Light of Christ, so that the world may seek to find the Way.

So, I ask myself - do my kids see the Light of Christ in me?  Maybe it's time to brighten up.  Little random acts of kindness.  Timely acts of self-control.  Does my spouse see the Light of Christ in me?  What about my friends?  co-workers?  neighbours?  in-laws, outlaws and any other extended family? ;-)  my boss?  fellow Christians?  even the ones that despise me?  what about the poor, the hungry, the lonely???  Who do I owe some visiting time, a phone call, an email or a note of encouragement?  oh, the list is long and the days are grey.  Time to shine a little more Light.  I think I'll go and rearrange my priorities.  Who can I bless, today?  How many people can I be of blessing to, today?

I have a hunch that the more time we 'schedule' for the positive will leave that much less for negative things in our lives.  :-D  And as much as these things may require 'a sacrifice' on our part, it'll be hard to share joy without being joyous.  God is faithful to those who minister to others.

Luke 14:  "13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. "

Overcoming Dispair

We've had a very busy weekend and the highlight had to be Friday night, Sarah and I went to Park Road Pentecostal Church in Brantford to hear Monique LePine speak.  It was advertized on the radio that she had two children commit suicide.  I had no idea that they were her only two children or that her son was Marc LePine of the Montreal Massacre in 1989.  (I didn't know his name before Friday night)

If you ever have a chance to hear Monique speak, it is very worthwhile.  God has given her a reason to live, when she could find no reason elsewhere.  She brings hope for others who are dealing with depression and/or suicide.  She has brought great blessing to many of us who heard her speak in Brantford.

Merci beaucoups, Monique! and God bless you!

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/print/CTVNews/20060925/lepine_mother_060925/20060925/?hub=Canada&subhub=PrintStory 

I really hope that link works, if not, c&p it into the address bar.

No Matter What the Weather...
God is still in control.  Praise Him!  Whether the weather be sunny or gloomy, rain or sleet or snow or freezing rain, the weather is still under His command and there is nothing that can happen that God doesn't allow.  Today, the wind is very chilly - may I remember those scorching hot days of summers gone by, those days that I wished for a brisk wind.  May I also appreciate a hot chocolate and cuddly soft blanket and some tender hugs from my loved ones.  :-)  It is a lovely day to run the dishwasher, the washer and dryer and to use the oven.  All that free heat is just bonus blessings!  The rains and rainbows of spring will be here, soon enough - enjoy the need for comfort and cuddling while it's still here!  :-D

Welcome!
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