afternoon meditation

I used to think we are at bare minimum when we go through difficult times. I would say things like, 'the only thing I have left is God.' But I realize now that my situation during these times is no different then when things are going well. When we are living in abundance, God is with us and His hand is in those things He has blessed us with. And when we walk through the desert, God is with us and His hand is still in control of the situation we are facing. And in time, He gives us eyes to see how He has been good to us all along. Matthew 7:25 "The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." Let us turn our eyes to our Rock and praise Him for His steadfast goodness and love.

Peace that surpasses understanding

Peace that surpasses understanding: "It is so true that God rescues us to give us Life and a peace that surpasses understanding! Mmm, just read this from Nests Above the Abyss ,..."

human beauty

every time God shows me another layer to His love, i begin to wonder how much deeper His love really is for His people and whether i could ever understand it completely. i just came back from a camping trip. the campers were a most interesting mix of believers and non-believers, all from different parts of the world with different experiences and different personalities.

i confess, i never thought we could see past our differences in a deep way, but i saw that there was something at work that bound us together, and that something...I was to later discover, was the love of Christ. one taste of it by any one person, and it spreads to all others like a contagious disease.

a taste of "being loved," and i mean the real, deep kind...seems to bring out the beauty that resides within each person. there is beauty within each person, we were all made in the image of God. and when we feel loved, our beauty shines. a calloused person's eyes begin to soften. and friends and strangers become family.

i think i am only now beginning to understand why Christ died for us, and the purpose behind this earthly life....