Compassion

This is such a neat ministry. We've been sponsoring a child for years, and it's been a blessing to us, and to her, and real tangible way to teach our kids how to reach out with compassion.

From Dr. Jack Graham - good reminder, encouragement and challenge...

Does your life feel like it's falling apart at times? Maybe even today it seems as if the world is crumbling around you.

If so, let's take a moment to think about the life and living hope that we have because of Jesus, the chief Cornerstone.

Because of what Christ did for us on the cross, we've been set free from our past, fully and freely forgiven. Now, we've been given a life of purpose and significance.

In this life, we are no longer alone or isolated or living independently of God. We have been loved unconditionally and accepted into God's family. Which means we should live without fear of the future because we have this hope in Christ! He is sufficient for every hurt, for every habit, for every challenge and test in life.

But we must first choose to build our lives on the Rock. Our Scripture for today reminds us, "For it stands in Scripture: 'Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame'" (1 Peter 2:6).

Though rejected by others, if Jesus is the Cornerstone set in your life, there is consistence, strength, and significance.

Maybe you are wondering today why your life doesn't seem to fit together... why things aren't working out the way you had planned. If you're trying to build your life without Jesus, the Cornerstone, everything will ultimately fall apart.

As the old hymn says, "On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand, all other ground is sinking sand." Jesus is the solid Rock. So learn to consistently build your life upon Him... not on the things of this world!

PRAY AND ASK GOD'S GUIDANCE TODAY FOR THE CHALLENGES IN YOUR LIFE.

Held

Wow. It's been a while since I've heard this song, and this video clip has some pictures that just tear at your heart. Listen to the words though... In the middle of this crazy screwed up world, God is holding out His arms to hold you, to hold you tight and cry with you... This is what it means to be held....

Who's in charge?

"Gravity explains the motions of the planets, but it can not explain who set the planets in motion. God governs all things and knows all that is or can be done."

Sir Isaac Newton

This is spoken by the man who first discovered gravity, a very very wise man. Why is it now that you can't be smart and believe this stuff? Why is there only one acceptable way of thinking in our schools in this regard?

God is in charge, and will be whether we agree that to be the case or not. Someday we will all realize that...

Sir Isaac Newton

Sir Isaac Newton... What do you think of? The apple on the head and gravity, right?

I just read a really good article all about him, tons of info about all of the other things that he discovered, and worked on, in his life. He really was a brilliant man.

Here's a quote from Newton that surprised me:

"This most beautiful system of the sun, planets, and comets, could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being... This Being governs all things, not as the soul of the world, but as Lord over all; and on account of his dominion he is wont to be called Lord God..., or Universal Ruler.."

Why wasn't that take included in my science textbooks?

What happened?

"How have we grown so deaf? How have we grown so immune to awesomeness? Why are we so reluctant to be staggered or thunderstruck?

Perhaps the frequency of miracles blinds us to their beauty. After all, what spice is there in a springtime or a tree blossom? Don't the seasons come every year? Aren't there countless seashells just like this one?

Bored, we say Ho-hum and replace the remarkable with the regular, the unbelievable with the anticipated. Science and statistics wave their unmagic wand across the face of life, squelching the oohs and aahs and replacing them with formulas and figures.

Would you like to see Jesus? Do you dare be an eyewitness of His Majesty? Then rediscover amazement.

The next time you hear a baby laugh or see an ocean wave, take note. Pause and listen as His majesty whispers ever so gently, "I'm here."

Max Lucado, God Came Near

Often hear of our need for childlike faith. Again, it fits here. How often do my kids pull me aside to look at something that amazes them, and I barely glance as I do "important stuff"? How much I have I missed? Subtly, I've allowed the "grown up world" to rob me of amazement. I've allowed my life to become a series of to do lists. Yikes! Today I put on my list to play with my kids, blow bubbles, be amazed!

The ropes

"..The ropes used to tie his hands and the soldiers used to lead him to the cross were unnecessary. They were incidental. Had they not been there, had there been no trial, no Pilate and no crowd, the very same crucifixion would have occurred. Had Jesus been forced to nail himself to the cross, he would have done it. For it was not the soldiers that killed him, nor the screams of the mob: it was his devotion to us."

Max Lucado, God Came Near

Wow. I am so undeserving of that kind of devotion, that kind of love. And when I know of a love like this, that desires to be freely given, how selfish I am to not share it with everyone I meet! There is a special Someone who loved you enough to give everything for you!!!