Wanting to be his children

I was on the subway earlier today (I live in NYC) and heard a really unfortunate conversation. A mother was talking to a boy of about 4 or 5, yelling at him actually, telling him that she wished he was never born and that he was a horrible child. I don't know what set it off, but it was a horrible experience to have to listen to. How another person raises their child is something I typically stay out of, especially since I am not a parent so I don't have the first hand experience to maybe be as comfortable judging a moment, but this was too much. I was on the verge of stepping in and tactfully asking her to please quiet down (putting it on me having a headache or something) so that this child could get a reprieve, even if it meant deflecting some of her anger at me, when she got off. I felt so bad for this child that I couldn't' give him at least a few minutes of quiet. Some people may disagree and say that I shouldn't have contemplated stepping in, but there is nothing that I could possible think of that a child this small, or any child at all, deserved this kind of barrage.

This incident made me think of how wonderful it is to be the child of God. He doesn't anger, doesn't try to throw us out, tell us we're bad. He loves us for all that we are and all that we are not. When we make a mistake, he loves us, knowing that we are trying to live a good, Christian life. There is no way that he would lead us in to a situation like this, but would love us and guide us when we make a mistake so that we can learn the proper way and then share it with the world. I so wish that I could have shared this message with this women earlier today - that God does truly love us all and that he will see us through it all. Who knows what caused her to react to her this way, but I have been praying constantly for her today, and ask that you think of her today, so that she may come to God's love and be able to raise her son in that way.

Newness

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. (Romans 6:4)

After the death of my aunt, I began to feel a bit off and had trouble getting over it. It's during times like this, I should know enough to turn to the Bible and His word to help me, but of course I don't think of that. It was during a recent conversation with a friend, she was so accurate that I'm missing the wonder in the world. That often seems to be the case when something goes wrong - we turn our backs on God and think we should just handle it on our own. Of course, God has his way of working and I somehow walked back in the right direction. It feels nice to be back 'home' and know what love is.

I am glad to be back posting and will try to not delay so long!

Pentecost

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. (Acts 2:1-2)

I always feel a special connection to Pentecost, for the obvious religious reasons, but also because I was born on Penetecost Sunday (almost in church actually). God rising in to heaven and the salvation that it brings is an amazing gift. Knowing how unworthy I am to have received that gift makes me feel even less worthy. We have been given gift after gift after gift and have done nothing to earn it. In fact, at every turn we behave in such a way to prove that we deserve it even less. I hope I can begin to earn some of this love, but know it's never fully possible.

Spring is in the air

The weather has been great! The sun has been shining, the wind has been cool, but pleasant, the temperature has been just right. It's amazing how this season roles around ever year, providing us a chance to watch flowers bloom, trees open, birds return. My spirits are always buoyed when the warmer weather returns, a true reminder of God's eternally returning love and caring! No matter what else is going on, a beautiful day will always bring me around! Opening of plants after a cold winters sleep is really amazing. Do I dare make the cliche comparison to our coldness (winter) and spring opening (God's love)? It may be a little over the top, but it's true. He keeps allowing us back no matter what we have done. If only the world could learn from God's love and treat each other the way we should be - and using his example! It takes true humility to be able bow down to God's wishes and do what is expected. We need to be able to go beyond our wishes and do what's right.

Love again?

Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. (Psalms 67:3-4)

It's amazing how we are loved! He created us in His image, an honor enough as is, but to love us after we turn around and no longer follow His way. What have we done to earn this? It's amazing how He continues to love us through it all. We can learn so much by how he treats us. :)

It's a wonderful time of year...

I was sitting outside tonight, and it was great. A little cool, but still nice enough. My apartment is on the 8th floor, at the corner of 123rd and Broadway, overlooking Broadway and the 1 train. I look out at the GW bridge and Grant's tomb, both of which are lit up at night. The sun set in a beautiful manner, with all these wonderful colors. I sat there looking at the flowering trees, watching all different people walk by and the traffic even seemed to quiet down, an unusual event in the city. It's great to think of all the blessings that He has given me. A church I can love and worship in, a family that loves me, a wonderful place to live, food, clothing. He is great!

His Love is True!!!!

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. (Psalm 28:7)

Joy to Him! Isn't that the truth? Has there ever been a time that he hasn't been faithful and wonderful to us? Think of all He has done - saving all of us who are unworthy because He truly loves and cares for us. And we have done nothing for that - nothing that could ever earn that love, caring, or depth of emotion. There is nothing that we could ever do to get that in our lives.

There is such love and emotion coming from him that there is little else I can do but love him back. I don't know about anyone else, but it's been such a fantactic drive to be able to grow with the Bible and the words that we have to live by. I am trying to get my hands on any and all readings that can show me more of His love and how we can bring others to the way. Please share what you know and what helps you!!!

Christ and the body

From him [Christ] the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Ephesians 4:16)

Think about the way your body works. Your brain works everything, your heart pumps the blood, your lungs distribute oxygen to your body. How does it all work? I've taken enough biology, and anatomy and physiology, to have the science of it down. You can look at chemical reactions, chain reactions from neurons, and the like to answer that question. Why though?

Think about what God did in making us the way we are. We can think so clearly and are so expressive, we are such rational people. Rational may not always be the best thing, but it does allow us to really think of the value of the gift that He has given us. He loves us so much that He made it possible for us to think, talk, and share, that he allowed us to have a wonderful way to share. We can think, bring His ideas together and be able to talk about all that He has to teach.

You can also think about this in the bigger sense of the church body. The congregation of a church have a responsibility to teach, bring people in, share His ideas. We have the commitment to teach and learn together as adults, as well as a great responsibility to bring children up in a loving church body and family. We also have a responsibility to bring people in to this church body, so that they are able to learn the truth, learn about the word. What's the thought about that?

Love

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and will all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. (Mark 12:30)

God's love is great! He provides a great example to live by and expects the same for us. What does the world give us? It gives us a lot of reason to hate, mistrust, and fighting. Having come back to Him in the last few years, sometimes people don't take my faith for all it's worth. I think that others expect me to live the way that I used to. The life that I lead was my own doing, and I know I don't always this love from God and others, but I find that I struggle to pass out what God expects. My prayer has helped me a lot with this, and I find that reading has helped. I found a book called The Power of a Praying Women by Stormie O'Martin that has many wonderful Biblical references and great practical ideas to help me out. OK, so this is a little rambly, but I guess it covers a topic that is so easy to go on about.

So how do we show God's love? It is how we treat others and how we share His word with others. I am working hard to be able to do those things and it's a valuable area for everyone to be a part of. Sharing His love can come out in spending time with friends and family, spending time with people who you don't have see. It's nice to be able to share your time with those that are important to you. What about working at church? Start a project with the kids that go to your church, provide service time helping out your pastor, help organize a community service project with other worshippers. The possibilities are endless!!!