"HOW" DOESN'T MATTER

"When Jesus encountered people who wanted His healing touch, He never questioned them about how they became sick."

Franklin Graham
The Name
Thomas Nelson Publishing  2002
p.169

What's more to say?

EverGrowing,
Lonnie

LITTLE TWIST TO THE RIGHT

"After hearing again and again that Jesus told his followers to forgive 70 x 7 (Matthew18:21-22), I finally pulled out my calculator one day. Unless my calculations are off, that's 490 times--and the highest I've ever gotten in practicing forgiveness was 3! If I still have 487 more times to forgive someone for my grievances against him or her, don't you think Jesus had a pretty good handle on how deep hurt can run . . . ?"

Kevin Leman
What Your Childhood Memories Say About You
Tyndale  2007
p144

Boy, I have to tell you, once I got past the fact that Leman had to use a calculator, I said, "That's a new twist; a little to the right, I think. And I love it!" I don't think I will ever see those well-known verses quite the same.

Jesus understands. He understands! Tell me the "picture" of that helps you as well.

Finishing Leman's quote helps still more. " . . . don't you think Jesus had a pretty good handle on how deep hurt can run and how many times we mess up in our relationships?

In other words, we ALL mess up. It's a little bit of the log and splinter thing. Yes, I'm hurt so deep that only God can reach and heal -- and He does. But, I'm not free of responsibility. I hurt others--maybe not the same ones who hurt me, but it's likely that someone is struggling to forgive me too. 

Would love to hear your thoughts on 70x7.

Growing to Love His Word More Every Day,
Lonnie

CHANGING LIVES--NOT LAWS

"Instead of fighting the government during the last forty years of communist rule, 'Chinese Christians devoted themselves to worship and evangelism, the original mission of the church,' Philip Yancey writes in What's So Amazing About Grace?. 'They concentrated on changing lives, not changing laws.'"

Joanna Weaver
Having A Mary Heart In A Martha World
Waterbrook Press   2007
p. 109

God, give me such a heart.

Willing to Grow,
Lonnie

NO TOLIET LAND

"If he [Andy, with internal problems, needed a bathroom and needed one soon.] ventured too far from the Salvation Army or the Ferry Terminal, he was in no-toliet land. Nine banks, 6 mortgage companies, 8 insurance companies, 10 attorney's offices, 3 jewelers, 4 art galleries, 6 antique stores, 2 tattoo parlors, 8 bars, and 2 restaurants make up the business core of the town, and none of them wanted the likes of Andy using their bathrooms."

Richard LeMieux
Breakfast At Sally's
Skyhorse Publishing  2008
p. 150

Really?! Can't use a bathroom? Mike and Sam, young college men in "Under The Overpass," by Mike Yankowski, experienced the same problem. If food and shelter aren't basic enough needs to be doing without, how often do we consider "this" basic need?

I try to put myself in the position of these business people; what would MY response be if a ragged looking, less than pleasant smelling person or family asked to use my restroom? And you?

Forgiven and Growing,
Lonnie

TERRIFIED

"Don't think Paul was not terrified at times. Of course he was. To think otherwise would minimize his faithfulness. Paul was afraid but his love for Christ exceeded his fear of suffering or death."

Beth Moore
To Live Is Christ
Broadman and Holman  2001
p. 166

Why would I have a file on fear?! Cause that's where I live? I suppose a good Christian shouldn't be so honest, but . . . sometimes, you just gotta be real.

What do I fear? Mostly finances; they've taken more hits than I can count. Freeways (When I merge into traffic, asking God for a wide berth, I remind Him that it isn't just "my" life at stake.) I fear the safety of our children, and fear for any unhappiness in their lives. I'm pretty afraid of people. I'm afraid of making a fool of myself or of someone thinking I don't live in a nice house--and that it's "my" fault.

But first, I have to tell you, "God's been faithful. I've never gone a day without food, warmth, hugs, a bed, or work. God has provided wide spaces in the middle of unbelieveable traffic--not just for the safety of "other" people, but just to show me that He is an Awesome, Able, and Loving God. Our children have had some close calls but we still have them and love them more than can be expressed. Their happiness? Oh man, I wish I could fix every booboo and broken heart! I can't.

What's exciting about today's quote, for me, is that "doing it afraid" can be a measure of faithfulness. I "do" still love my God and my Savior. I take no credit. Jude tells us that "He" keeps us from stumbling. This gives me a new goal--faithfulness, along with many opportunities to practice it.

Thank You, God.

Everyday, Growing,
Lonnie

MY SHARE, PLUS 1

"A Springfield neighbor looked out the window one day and saw Lincoln carrying his 2 sons, Willie and Tad. The boys were shouting at each other and punching the air.

"'What's wrong?' said Lincoln's neighbor.

"'Just what's the matter with the whole world,' replied Lincoln. 'I've got 3 walnuts and each wants 2.'"

Robert Dole
Great Presidential Wit
Scribner  2001
p.30

Sorry. But colour me guilty. When dividing is done, I always want it to fall in my favor.

Growing Needed,
Lonnie

MINUS CALORIES

"Where do we get the idea that the Christian life is a picnic with our favorite foods, minus the calories?"

Lonnie
Journal # ??

Ha. Couldn't believe "I" wrote this--but then, yes I could.

I'd been reading about Paul's sufferings. Most times when I do, I think about the folks who promise us health, wealth, and roads without potholes. Really? BUT that being said, that's how I accepted Christ. Love, gone wrong, sent me to where love never fails. Unfailing love, to me, meant no problems. If you don't believe in Christ's keeping power, believe it! With my distorted attitude and a whole lot of challenges, I'm still following Christ; and still loving His rich Word.

Colin Smith, on KTIS AM, was talking one morning about Paradise. He says if we keep trying to make "this life" paradise, we will always be disappointed. (uh huh) He suggested hanging signs in various places (I'm guessing in BOLD black letters on florescent yellow tag board) stating, "THIS IS NOT PARADISE."

We are promised paradise--just not here--not now. Today is hard, but we have so much to look forward to: Unfailing Love Named Jesus plus music and flawless beauty like our hearts cannot imagine.

What did you expect when you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Or have you? I can't promise you ease, but God's Word promises so much more.

EverGrowing,
Lonnie