Where can I find the picture in real life?God's paints spill
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
After The Rain
Whatever your cross, whatever your pain,
There will always be sunshine after the rain.
Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall,
But God's always ready to answer your call.
He knows every heartache, sees every tear,
A word from His lips can calm every fear.
Your sorrows may linger throughout the night,
But suddenly vanish at dawn's early light.
The Savior is waiting somewhere above
To give you His grace and send you His love.
Whatever your cross, whatever your pain,
God always sends rainbows after the rain.
There will always be sunshine after the rain.
Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall,
But God's always ready to answer your call.
He knows every heartache, sees every tear,
A word from His lips can calm every fear.
Your sorrows may linger throughout the night,
But suddenly vanish at dawn's early light.
The Savior is waiting somewhere above
To give you His grace and send you His love.
Whatever your cross, whatever your pain,
God always sends rainbows after the rain.
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Life is Fragile, Take good care
If everyone listen to God's word, and follow His way, then, we will live in peace and no worry!For the past three months, life has been a struggle for my daughter and I, so many things had happened that we did not expect them
Anyway, with the Grace of God, we pull through, thank you God Our Father for being there when we need you.
St Anthony
A Father's Blessing
Isaac called Jacob, and blessed him.
Genesis 28:1
In Bible times fathers placed their hands on their children's heads and spoke certain promises over them, passing on the blessing from generation to generation. It's why "Isaac called Jacob and blessed him,"and why Jacob refused to die before blessing his grandchildren (see Genesis 48:14).
Now, times may have changed but one thing remains constant: children without caring, involved fathers usually spend their lives searching for a sense of identity and self-worth. And increasingly they're finding it in the company of drug dealers, rebellious peer groups and street gangs. Instead of fulfilling their God-given destiny they become defined and labelled by a lifestyle - "runaway," "convict,""trouble maker," "addict."
Before Tupac Shakur, the rap artist known for his violent song lyrics,was gunned down in 1996 he said:
"I never knew my real father. I know for a fact if I'd had a father I'd have some discipline [and] more confidence. Your mother can't calm you down, reassure you, and show you where your manhood is. You need a man to teach you how to be a man.
"When an unidentified man was brought to Jesus for healing, before He forgave his sins or restored his health, He called him, "Son" ( Mark2:5).
Note, He didn't say, "You've got to clean up your act." Or,
"First, you must do things My way."
No, He established a relationship with the man by showing him love and acceptance. As a father you need to do the same!
Loving and accepting your children as they are right now, without conditions and condemnation, is one of the greatest gifts you can give them!
Genesis 28:1
In Bible times fathers placed their hands on their children's heads and spoke certain promises over them, passing on the blessing from generation to generation. It's why "Isaac called Jacob and blessed him,"and why Jacob refused to die before blessing his grandchildren (see Genesis 48:14).
Now, times may have changed but one thing remains constant: children without caring, involved fathers usually spend their lives searching for a sense of identity and self-worth. And increasingly they're finding it in the company of drug dealers, rebellious peer groups and street gangs. Instead of fulfilling their God-given destiny they become defined and labelled by a lifestyle - "runaway," "convict,""trouble maker," "addict."
Before Tupac Shakur, the rap artist known for his violent song lyrics,was gunned down in 1996 he said:
"I never knew my real father. I know for a fact if I'd had a father I'd have some discipline [and] more confidence. Your mother can't calm you down, reassure you, and show you where your manhood is. You need a man to teach you how to be a man.
"When an unidentified man was brought to Jesus for healing, before He forgave his sins or restored his health, He called him, "Son" ( Mark2:5).
Note, He didn't say, "You've got to clean up your act." Or,
"First, you must do things My way."
No, He established a relationship with the man by showing him love and acceptance. As a father you need to do the same!
Loving and accepting your children as they are right now, without conditions and condemnation, is one of the greatest gifts you can give them!
A Christ-like Response
Live generously and graciously toward others.
Matthew 5:48
Here's how Jesus says we should respond to those who mistreat us:
"Here's another old saying that deserves a second look: 'Eye for eye,tooth for tooth.' Is that going to get us anywhere?
Here's what I propose: 'Don't hit back at all.'
If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, gift-wrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.
You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst.
When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves.
This is what God does. He gives His best - the sun to warm and the rain to nourish - to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty.
If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus?
Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal?
Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're Kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you" ( Matthew 5:38-48 )
Matthew 5:48
Here's how Jesus says we should respond to those who mistreat us:
"Here's another old saying that deserves a second look: 'Eye for eye,tooth for tooth.' Is that going to get us anywhere?
Here's what I propose: 'Don't hit back at all.'
If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, gift-wrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.
You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst.
When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves.
This is what God does. He gives His best - the sun to warm and the rain to nourish - to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty.
If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus?
Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal?
Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're Kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you" ( Matthew 5:38-48 )
Overcoming Temptation
Lest Satan should take advantage of us.
2 Corinthians 2:11
Here are 3 effective strategies to help you overcome temptation:
(1) Expect it. Unless you expect temptation you won't prepare for it.Temptation begins in your mind. Any defeat that shows up in your actions was first a battle lost in your will. So Paul writes: "We don't want to unwittingly give Satan an opening" ( 2 Corinthians 2:11 ).
(2) Detect it. Ask God to help you detect Satan's advances and brace yourself for the impact. An ink-stained wall in Wartburg Castle in Germany illustrates the point. Martin Luther, in the midst of prayer,suddenly detected the enemy's presence. The story goes that he picked up an ink pot and hurled it against the wall as he aimed it at the devil.Luther sensed the adversary's sinister advance and responded the best way he knew how. Sound extreme? Maybe, but do you have that kind of spiritual sensitivity?
(3) Reject it. Attempt to play games with the devil and he'll take you down. Listen: "Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you" ( James 4:7 ). Satan would have you do the reverse; resist God and submit to him - that's a trap!
Don't be clever; reject it. If you're battling temptation today, listen: "Our high priest is able to understand our weaknesses ...He was tempted in every way that weare, but He did not sin. Let us, then, feel very sure that we can come before God's throne where there is grace. There we can receive mercy and grace to help us when we need it" ( Hebrews 4:15-16 ).
2 Corinthians 2:11
Here are 3 effective strategies to help you overcome temptation:
(1) Expect it. Unless you expect temptation you won't prepare for it.Temptation begins in your mind. Any defeat that shows up in your actions was first a battle lost in your will. So Paul writes: "We don't want to unwittingly give Satan an opening" ( 2 Corinthians 2:11 ).
(2) Detect it. Ask God to help you detect Satan's advances and brace yourself for the impact. An ink-stained wall in Wartburg Castle in Germany illustrates the point. Martin Luther, in the midst of prayer,suddenly detected the enemy's presence. The story goes that he picked up an ink pot and hurled it against the wall as he aimed it at the devil.Luther sensed the adversary's sinister advance and responded the best way he knew how. Sound extreme? Maybe, but do you have that kind of spiritual sensitivity?
(3) Reject it. Attempt to play games with the devil and he'll take you down. Listen: "Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you" ( James 4:7 ). Satan would have you do the reverse; resist God and submit to him - that's a trap!
Don't be clever; reject it. If you're battling temptation today, listen: "Our high priest is able to understand our weaknesses ...He was tempted in every way that weare, but He did not sin. Let us, then, feel very sure that we can come before God's throne where there is grace. There we can receive mercy and grace to help us when we need it" ( Hebrews 4:15-16 ).
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