One of my favourite books is 'Loving the God who Loves You' by Floyd McClung, a book full of some real truths to really grasp.
The other day at work I quoted him, this was the quote;
'It is Jesus who came to bridge that great chasm. Religion is man's way of searching for God, but Jesus is God's way of searching for man.'
Love it.
Tuesday 26 July 2011
Saturday 23 July 2011
Something to share
Just felt I really wanted to share this, been on my mind, it is the beatitudes, from Matthew 5, this is from the Message paraphrase.
"3'You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
4'You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
5'You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.
6'You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.
7'You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.
8'You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
9'You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.
10'You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.
11-12'Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble."
.
"3'You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
4'You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
5'You're blessed when you're content with just who you are—no more, no less. That's the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can't be bought.
6'You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat.
7'You're blessed when you care. At the moment of being 'care-full,' you find yourselves cared for.
8'You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
9'You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.
10'You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.
11-12'Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble."
.
Sunday 17 July 2011
Something Older
When speaking last year, I used this analogy,
I was watching a football match about six years ago, between a certain liverpool F.C. and one A.C.Milan. At half time, Liverpool, the team I have followed since a small child were 3-0 down in the final of the European Champions Leaugue Final. It was easy to give up, it was hard to see any way back, any chance of Liverpool being able to contribute, to even be in the game, let alone a chance of them coming back and winning. Some believed, had faith and when the players came out for the second half, it was the Anfield anthem, 'You'll never walk alone' that was being sung. Liverpool went on to win, in the most dramatic fashion, scoring three and taking it past extra time to win on penalties.
In life, we often view things at half time, at the point when we are three nil down. I believe that God is sovereign, knows and rules over all, and he knows the full time score, there is no situation that is too dire or too far gone, redemption is open to all and all those situations can be turned around, every one, don't give up, when all is said and done, before we even get to extra time and penalties. Jesus has already won.
I was watching a football match about six years ago, between a certain liverpool F.C. and one A.C.Milan. At half time, Liverpool, the team I have followed since a small child were 3-0 down in the final of the European Champions Leaugue Final. It was easy to give up, it was hard to see any way back, any chance of Liverpool being able to contribute, to even be in the game, let alone a chance of them coming back and winning. Some believed, had faith and when the players came out for the second half, it was the Anfield anthem, 'You'll never walk alone' that was being sung. Liverpool went on to win, in the most dramatic fashion, scoring three and taking it past extra time to win on penalties.
In life, we often view things at half time, at the point when we are three nil down. I believe that God is sovereign, knows and rules over all, and he knows the full time score, there is no situation that is too dire or too far gone, redemption is open to all and all those situations can be turned around, every one, don't give up, when all is said and done, before we even get to extra time and penalties. Jesus has already won.
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