"Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty."
~John 17:9-10
What an interesting thought! Why do we expect high praise from heaven for every little thing we do. All we did was our job. When a servant works hard all day, the master doesn't invite him in to dine with him. No! He doesn't even thank him. Why should he? Does your boss thank you everyday for doing your job? No. Maybe thanking you for doing something more, but not for doing what you are contractually obligated to do. Unless you are a slave, you already receive compensation for your work. Fair or unfair, those wages come. Do you expect to be treated like a king?
No more should you expect the royal treatment because you, say, went on a mission trip. Whoop-di-doo. You aren't the first, you aren't the last, and you certainly are the best. So why would you think you deserve special treatment? What did you do outside of your contractual obligations? We are commanded to go and make disciples. We are commanded to love our enemies. We are commanded to do many things. God doesn't have to rejoice when we do them. He expects us to do them. The difference is that we won't get fired for not doing them. The difference is that He is full of grace and mercy. So even when we don't do our jobs, He still loves us.
We are humble, lowly servants, but God does love us. We have to change our mindsets from entitlement to humility. I think that's one of our contractual obligations as well...
28 October 2011
27 October 2011
Life suggestions
Jesus suggest something quite interesting and practical in Luke 14. He's saying that when you go to a person's house you should sit in the lowest and most humble position because you friend can always ask you to move up but how awkward is it to be asked to move down. Its like "oh...you thought you were important...awkward..."
Bur you know it happens. We all do presumptuous stuff like that where we assume we are the most important guest or that we are the most deserving. We've seen those TV shows where the person is so sure they've won a contest that they to up to accept the award even thought their name wasn't called. Awk....Ward...for sure
So it just goes to show, Jesus knows what's up. He is above all logical and practical...even if He sometimes doesn't make sense and seems to demand the impossible...:)
That's my God.
26 October 2011
Spiderman
"Everyone to whom much is given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more."
~John 12: 48
God doesn't expect more than we have. He doesn't expect us to meet the same standards of righteousness or whatever. He does expect us to meet expectations that are appropriate for our level. Just like students, we have to meet them where they are. I can't expect my students to be on a level they aren't ready for. I can expect excellence based on what they do know. That's all God is expecting of us. The more we have, the more He expects.
Simple concept. Big deal.
Not to say that He has low standards for some people or that some people won't receive the same consequences. No, but the consequences fit the action, and they don't have to be universal. This I can definitely relate to. It's like having an IEP. A student with an LD is not held to the same standards as a student who is labeled gifted. I do not expect the same. Does that mean I think the LD kid isn't capable of what the gifted kid can do? Of course not! However if the LD get reverses his b's and d's when writing, am I going to count off? Probably not. If the gifted kid doesn't, he would lose points? Is this unfair? Of course not! They are two different people with two different skill sets. To whom much is given, much is required. So gifted students are held to a high standard and it is a strict standard. If it is seems right and just, why wouldn't God work that way?
Coincidentally this passage says He does. He is, after all, a God of justice!
~John 12: 48
God doesn't expect more than we have. He doesn't expect us to meet the same standards of righteousness or whatever. He does expect us to meet expectations that are appropriate for our level. Just like students, we have to meet them where they are. I can't expect my students to be on a level they aren't ready for. I can expect excellence based on what they do know. That's all God is expecting of us. The more we have, the more He expects.
Simple concept. Big deal.
Not to say that He has low standards for some people or that some people won't receive the same consequences. No, but the consequences fit the action, and they don't have to be universal. This I can definitely relate to. It's like having an IEP. A student with an LD is not held to the same standards as a student who is labeled gifted. I do not expect the same. Does that mean I think the LD kid isn't capable of what the gifted kid can do? Of course not! However if the LD get reverses his b's and d's when writing, am I going to count off? Probably not. If the gifted kid doesn't, he would lose points? Is this unfair? Of course not! They are two different people with two different skill sets. To whom much is given, much is required. So gifted students are held to a high standard and it is a strict standard. If it is seems right and just, why wouldn't God work that way?
Coincidentally this passage says He does. He is, after all, a God of justice!
25 October 2011
Grumble....
Today's one of those days when I'm tired and when I feel like I've read this Bible story a million times before. I don't know what new I can get out of it. Sure, I underlined some verses. But are they worth commenting on?
We finally see Jesus admitting who He is a claiming His place. It's good to see how He talks to God and be able to related to that style of conversation.
Then the cares of the day start to creep in and I just want to sleep. Sometimes are just days when I need rest. I don't need the pressures of writing about what I read; I just need to be held by my Father and rocked to sleep. That's today.
So no profound thoughts. Not that you'd ever see those here anyway. All I have today is a heart that knows it needs rest.
Sweet rest. Father, please renew and refresh me for tomorrow. Let me end this week as in love with you as I began. Let me love you more each day!
We finally see Jesus admitting who He is a claiming His place. It's good to see how He talks to God and be able to related to that style of conversation.
Then the cares of the day start to creep in and I just want to sleep. Sometimes are just days when I need rest. I don't need the pressures of writing about what I read; I just need to be held by my Father and rocked to sleep. That's today.
So no profound thoughts. Not that you'd ever see those here anyway. All I have today is a heart that knows it needs rest.
Sweet rest. Father, please renew and refresh me for tomorrow. Let me end this week as in love with you as I began. Let me love you more each day!
24 October 2011
Glory
If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing.
I am always wondering why Jesus is so secretive about His identity while He is on earth. I mean, doesn't He want people to know He's the Son of God....evdents not. He rebukes and commands people and demons to not go broadcasting His true identity. I think this verse gives a small clue as to why. If He goes around bragging and if He let's people know who He is one of two things will happen: 1) They will make Him king before it's time thus ignoring God's plan or 2) they would call Him a heroic and kill Him before it's time thus ignoring that part of the plan. There's so much timing involved with everything God does that trouble try to find glory or whatever in the way we think makes the most sense really just ruins everything. Glory for the sake of being known is hollow and pointless.
Glory for God is purpose.
23 October 2011
Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?
"Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see." John 9: 25
"Why, this is an amazing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. we know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing." They answered him, "You were born an utter sinner, and would you teach us?" And they cast him out.
~John 9: 30-34
It is such a great story about the man born blind. He has such amazing faith. He never presumes to know who Jesus is. He never presumes to know more than the Pharisees. Even when he gives the speech I quoted here, he is merely giving them a list of logical facts for them to follow. Of course, if they were logical, they would already know who Jesus is. Of course, they are not anywhere close to logical and so they wonder who Jesus is. They assume He is from the devil and ignore they fact He does miracles. The man born blind is right. No doubt He has a pretty big spot in Heaven. Faith like that makes anyone amazed.
I don't know the answers to your big theological questions, but I do know where I was and where I am.
That's the good news of Jesus. We don't have all the answers, but boy, do we have stories!!
"Why, this is an amazing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. we know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing." They answered him, "You were born an utter sinner, and would you teach us?" And they cast him out.
~John 9: 30-34
It is such a great story about the man born blind. He has such amazing faith. He never presumes to know who Jesus is. He never presumes to know more than the Pharisees. Even when he gives the speech I quoted here, he is merely giving them a list of logical facts for them to follow. Of course, if they were logical, they would already know who Jesus is. Of course, they are not anywhere close to logical and so they wonder who Jesus is. They assume He is from the devil and ignore they fact He does miracles. The man born blind is right. No doubt He has a pretty big spot in Heaven. Faith like that makes anyone amazed.
I don't know the answers to your big theological questions, but I do know where I was and where I am.
That's the good news of Jesus. We don't have all the answers, but boy, do we have stories!!
22 October 2011
Faithful
It's been a very busy couple of days. I should have been more faithful in writing here, but I got distracted. Not an excuse, but it is the truth.
Anyway, God has been so faithful the past few days in a way that blows my mind. His faithfulness is just all around me right now. Thursday morning I drove to school so in love with the Lord I could hardly stand it. Those moments in the car sometimes are just so spiritual. Sometimes I really do think me and God are carpooling. :) Anyway, I was filled with thanksgiving and love for my Savior. No special reason, just that He is an AWESOME GOD!! Reason enough right there.
Things at work haven't been spectacular. Yesterday was a reminder of that. It is an uphill battle. But I would trade it or change it. I love my job!! Such a blessing, you have no idea!!!!
On that note, my church is in the end of this capital campaign and they are doing a special offering this week to push them towards the finish line. I asked God what I should give, and He said $500. That's 1/5 of my monthly take-home pay. That's a lot of money. But I trust in Him so I was ready to give it. I knew He would make a way.
And He did.
Not 4 days before the offering day, I get a letter in my box: a salary upgrade! I completed my master's degree a few weeks after I was hired for my job, so my salary started out a the bachelor's grade. I honestly thought I'd have to wait for my next contract to get the upgrade. Oh no! Not when God's involved. Not only do I now get paid at the Master's level (a solid $5,000 more a year) but I get paid retroactively for the months I worked with a Master's at the Bachelor's pay level.
I was like "SERIOUSLY!!!??"
Talk about a God thing. Here I was really stressed about my finances and saving money and buying an apartment and trusting the Lord to provide and what does He do?
Provide.
Plain and simple. He is the most faithful. Nobody can match Him. Nobody can guess what He's going to do. When you sit back and let Him do what He does best, BIG things happen.
Faithful. You are ever Faithful. You are ever Faithful to us God! Amen!
Anyway, God has been so faithful the past few days in a way that blows my mind. His faithfulness is just all around me right now. Thursday morning I drove to school so in love with the Lord I could hardly stand it. Those moments in the car sometimes are just so spiritual. Sometimes I really do think me and God are carpooling. :) Anyway, I was filled with thanksgiving and love for my Savior. No special reason, just that He is an AWESOME GOD!! Reason enough right there.
Things at work haven't been spectacular. Yesterday was a reminder of that. It is an uphill battle. But I would trade it or change it. I love my job!! Such a blessing, you have no idea!!!!
On that note, my church is in the end of this capital campaign and they are doing a special offering this week to push them towards the finish line. I asked God what I should give, and He said $500. That's 1/5 of my monthly take-home pay. That's a lot of money. But I trust in Him so I was ready to give it. I knew He would make a way.
And He did.
Not 4 days before the offering day, I get a letter in my box: a salary upgrade! I completed my master's degree a few weeks after I was hired for my job, so my salary started out a the bachelor's grade. I honestly thought I'd have to wait for my next contract to get the upgrade. Oh no! Not when God's involved. Not only do I now get paid at the Master's level (a solid $5,000 more a year) but I get paid retroactively for the months I worked with a Master's at the Bachelor's pay level.
I was like "SERIOUSLY!!!??"
Talk about a God thing. Here I was really stressed about my finances and saving money and buying an apartment and trusting the Lord to provide and what does He do?
Provide.
Plain and simple. He is the most faithful. Nobody can match Him. Nobody can guess what He's going to do. When you sit back and let Him do what He does best, BIG things happen.
Faithful. You are ever Faithful. You are ever Faithful to us God! Amen!
19 October 2011
Children v dogs
"It is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs."
Matthew 15:26
I wondered a lot what this meant this morning. Why would Jesus say that He came just for the children of Israel? How did He get from that message to the message at the end of Matthew in the Great Commission? What changed that all the sudden, Gentiles could get a piece of the action? What about the Roman centurion? Why did he get help but this woman is getting a test? I find it highly perplexing.
But I know still that my God loves me, a gentile, and even though He said He was sent only to the lost sheep in Israel, he help this woman because of her faith. He doesn't turn His back on any of us because we are all His children. I'm not sure why this story happened the way it did, nor am I sure why sometimes Jesus heals with a word versus sometimes He touches a man's tongue. What I do know it that by the time Matthew 28 rolls around, Jesus is no longer all about Israel. The mission changes. He is ascending, and so the mission changes. He may have come to preach to Israel, but that is not the only work God is doing. He doesn't want Israel to just think about their own. Not any more than He wants the Church to just think about her own. God wants us devoted to making disciples. No matter who they are.
God is in the business of changing lives. I think this story is actually a pretty good example of that...
Matthew 15:26
I wondered a lot what this meant this morning. Why would Jesus say that He came just for the children of Israel? How did He get from that message to the message at the end of Matthew in the Great Commission? What changed that all the sudden, Gentiles could get a piece of the action? What about the Roman centurion? Why did he get help but this woman is getting a test? I find it highly perplexing.
But I know still that my God loves me, a gentile, and even though He said He was sent only to the lost sheep in Israel, he help this woman because of her faith. He doesn't turn His back on any of us because we are all His children. I'm not sure why this story happened the way it did, nor am I sure why sometimes Jesus heals with a word versus sometimes He touches a man's tongue. What I do know it that by the time Matthew 28 rolls around, Jesus is no longer all about Israel. The mission changes. He is ascending, and so the mission changes. He may have come to preach to Israel, but that is not the only work God is doing. He doesn't want Israel to just think about their own. Not any more than He wants the Church to just think about her own. God wants us devoted to making disciples. No matter who they are.
God is in the business of changing lives. I think this story is actually a pretty good example of that...
18 October 2011
Nom Nom
John 6:22-59
All that to say that Jesus is the Bread of Life. We're supposed to eat of Him and drink of Him. The people listening to this message were right to find this strange. Some guy is telling you to get your nom on on His flesh. Nasty. But of course, 2,000 years later we know the significance of this metaphor, and we understand that we aren't supposed to nor could we if we wanted to, eat Jesus. He's in heaven, which ain't located at the corner QT.
But good news is, Jesus was talking completely spiritually. He's talking about consuming His Spirit with our spirit. Our spirits get hungry too. They get thirsty. They want meat, or some fiber, or a nice tall class of sweet tea. Once again I'm taking the metaphor too far and it stops making sense, but the point remains. Our souls are what is eating the Bread of Life. Not our mouths (because once again, that is grooosssss).
But only the chosen are at this meal. God doesn't let anyone have their fill. God has chosen those who will receive the Son and those who will never get it. God picks us, so He is the one leading us and filling us.
Final thought: "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent" John 6:29
All that to say that Jesus is the Bread of Life. We're supposed to eat of Him and drink of Him. The people listening to this message were right to find this strange. Some guy is telling you to get your nom on on His flesh. Nasty. But of course, 2,000 years later we know the significance of this metaphor, and we understand that we aren't supposed to nor could we if we wanted to, eat Jesus. He's in heaven, which ain't located at the corner QT.
But good news is, Jesus was talking completely spiritually. He's talking about consuming His Spirit with our spirit. Our spirits get hungry too. They get thirsty. They want meat, or some fiber, or a nice tall class of sweet tea. Once again I'm taking the metaphor too far and it stops making sense, but the point remains. Our souls are what is eating the Bread of Life. Not our mouths (because once again, that is grooosssss).
But only the chosen are at this meal. God doesn't let anyone have their fill. God has chosen those who will receive the Son and those who will never get it. God picks us, so He is the one leading us and filling us.
Final thought: "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent" John 6:29
17 October 2011
Rest
"Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while."
Mark 6:31
What a wonderful message! The disciples had just gotten through with their first mission. Jesus doesn't send them out again, but says, "Hey guys, let's go rest." Jesus always knew when it was time to pause and wait.
Now who knows how much resting they actually got done because not soon after they arrived at their desolate place, a crowd showed up. The crowd that would later require a miracle in order to be fed. 5,000 men and their plus ones. When you hear the disciples begging Jesus to sent them away it makes a lot more sense when you realize they were probably tired and hungry themselves. It's not that they didn't believe Jesus could perform a miracle, they just were to tired to continue serving those people.
We all get to that point. We pour and pour and pour, but eventually we just want to pack up and go home. We all get tired. That's why rest is soooo important. That's why Jesus got up early every day to spend time with His Father. That is rest. Reading, praying, sitting, listening.
This running around business just leaves us empty. No wonder we stop pouring, we have nothing left. We haven't taken the time to be filled.
I don't really know where this thought was going, but there it is...
Mark 6:31
What a wonderful message! The disciples had just gotten through with their first mission. Jesus doesn't send them out again, but says, "Hey guys, let's go rest." Jesus always knew when it was time to pause and wait.
Now who knows how much resting they actually got done because not soon after they arrived at their desolate place, a crowd showed up. The crowd that would later require a miracle in order to be fed. 5,000 men and their plus ones. When you hear the disciples begging Jesus to sent them away it makes a lot more sense when you realize they were probably tired and hungry themselves. It's not that they didn't believe Jesus could perform a miracle, they just were to tired to continue serving those people.
We all get to that point. We pour and pour and pour, but eventually we just want to pack up and go home. We all get tired. That's why rest is soooo important. That's why Jesus got up early every day to spend time with His Father. That is rest. Reading, praying, sitting, listening.
This running around business just leaves us empty. No wonder we stop pouring, we have nothing left. We haven't taken the time to be filled.
I don't really know where this thought was going, but there it is...
15 October 2011
Go home
"Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.
Mark 5:19-20
Sometimes, Jesus isn't calling us away. If you're like me, you hear stories of people being called to places all over the world to do things that require incredible amounts of faith. I heard a story about a girl not much older than me who went on a "routine" mission trip to Uganda. Seeing the orphans there just was too much for her, and she knew God was calling her there to care for them. She ended up adopting some dozen orphans in Uganda and picking up all herself and moving there. No family. No friends. Probably no language. And most of all, she left behind a serious boyfriend. Like, that takes some serious faith. That's not something you just do for no reason.
I hear stories like that, and I get mixed emotions. I wonder if I would have that courage. I wonder if God has that in store for me. I'm not afraid of it. In fact, I know in my heart it would be thrilling and so wonderful, but then I think about where I am. I know God wants me teaching. Somedays I don't know why, but I know that this is my place right now. I wonder if in 1, 5, 15 years that place will change, but as for right now, I'm doing what He has called me to. He hasn't called me to leave my friends and family to follow Him. No. In fact I still live with my family... God has called me to tell of what He has done to my friends. I'm not one of those who gets to go on a crazy adventure that makes great stories to tell in front of the congregation. I think God knows that would be an easier life for me. I think He knows that I can adapt to crazy and exciting. It's boring and mundane that is tough. It's being here - among the "Sunday Christians" or the middle-class agnostics that are so common - that is tough. How do you minister to these people?
But God said to me "Go home to you friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you." And He has done great things.
No. Sometimes He calls us to stay right where we are. Africa is not the "Mission Field". The whole world is a mission field. My house. My school. My neighborhood. My corner store.
Plane ticket not required.
Mark 5:19-20
Sometimes, Jesus isn't calling us away. If you're like me, you hear stories of people being called to places all over the world to do things that require incredible amounts of faith. I heard a story about a girl not much older than me who went on a "routine" mission trip to Uganda. Seeing the orphans there just was too much for her, and she knew God was calling her there to care for them. She ended up adopting some dozen orphans in Uganda and picking up all herself and moving there. No family. No friends. Probably no language. And most of all, she left behind a serious boyfriend. Like, that takes some serious faith. That's not something you just do for no reason.
I hear stories like that, and I get mixed emotions. I wonder if I would have that courage. I wonder if God has that in store for me. I'm not afraid of it. In fact, I know in my heart it would be thrilling and so wonderful, but then I think about where I am. I know God wants me teaching. Somedays I don't know why, but I know that this is my place right now. I wonder if in 1, 5, 15 years that place will change, but as for right now, I'm doing what He has called me to. He hasn't called me to leave my friends and family to follow Him. No. In fact I still live with my family... God has called me to tell of what He has done to my friends. I'm not one of those who gets to go on a crazy adventure that makes great stories to tell in front of the congregation. I think God knows that would be an easier life for me. I think He knows that I can adapt to crazy and exciting. It's boring and mundane that is tough. It's being here - among the "Sunday Christians" or the middle-class agnostics that are so common - that is tough. How do you minister to these people?
But God said to me "Go home to you friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you." And He has done great things.
No. Sometimes He calls us to stay right where we are. Africa is not the "Mission Field". The whole world is a mission field. My house. My school. My neighborhood. My corner store.
Plane ticket not required.
13 October 2011
Jonah
Jesus straight up calls out the pharisees when He compares His time in the grave to Jonah's time in the whale. Except what He did was so much greater, and they still didn't believe. To say to a nice Jewish man that Ninevah is more righteous than they are is a pretty big slap in the face. Yet it was totally true. Ninevah turned at God's warning, but the Pharisee's ignored everything that came there way. They saw signs and miracles and said it was the Devil's work (a blasphemy that can't be forgiven).
So Jesus says they would get a sign just like Jonah. He would spend 3 days in the earth and would come back. But even at this miracle, they won't believe. Hardness of heart is a state. It is not easily changed. Someone who doesn't want to believe won't believe no matter what you show them.
We all know closed minded people and we find them frustrating. Unfortunately, we can't do anything to change them. No amount of proof or arguing will change someone's minds. Especially if they are that closed off. It's sad but true. But Jesus knew He'd get this reaction even before He came. And yet He came.
Would you come to save people you knew would want to kill you?
So Jesus says they would get a sign just like Jonah. He would spend 3 days in the earth and would come back. But even at this miracle, they won't believe. Hardness of heart is a state. It is not easily changed. Someone who doesn't want to believe won't believe no matter what you show them.
We all know closed minded people and we find them frustrating. Unfortunately, we can't do anything to change them. No amount of proof or arguing will change someone's minds. Especially if they are that closed off. It's sad but true. But Jesus knew He'd get this reaction even before He came. And yet He came.
Would you come to save people you knew would want to kill you?
12 October 2011
Rest
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30
I feel like this is the biggest thing we all need and want from Jesus. Not just salvation but rest. We can all agree that life in this world is tiring! At the end of a long week, who among us isn't glad for the weekend? Who doesn't enjoy sleeping in (even if it's only an hour or so)? We all long for rest for our bodies, but what about rest for our souls? My soul gets tired. It's hard to find times to let your soul rest. But I have found that to find rest, I just have to be more trusting in the Lord. If I'm not anxious or worrying or stressed out, everything seems so much more peaceful. My soul is resting because it has nothing to do but be totally in love with Jesus.
Think about it. What are the things that consume your soul? What would it feel like to no longer have to worry about those things? Instead of carrying the yoke of worry, carry the yoke of Jesus. Instead of carrying the yoke of longing, carry the yoke of Jesus. Instead of fretting, lusting, or hating, simple love Jesus. Take His yoke upon you.
Yoke is a weird word, but we all know about those things that oxen and cows used to carry on their necks. Sometimes my cares definitely feel like a heavy wooden thing on my shoulders. How nice it is when that is lifted!
Rest.
Matthew 11:28-30
I feel like this is the biggest thing we all need and want from Jesus. Not just salvation but rest. We can all agree that life in this world is tiring! At the end of a long week, who among us isn't glad for the weekend? Who doesn't enjoy sleeping in (even if it's only an hour or so)? We all long for rest for our bodies, but what about rest for our souls? My soul gets tired. It's hard to find times to let your soul rest. But I have found that to find rest, I just have to be more trusting in the Lord. If I'm not anxious or worrying or stressed out, everything seems so much more peaceful. My soul is resting because it has nothing to do but be totally in love with Jesus.
Think about it. What are the things that consume your soul? What would it feel like to no longer have to worry about those things? Instead of carrying the yoke of worry, carry the yoke of Jesus. Instead of carrying the yoke of longing, carry the yoke of Jesus. Instead of fretting, lusting, or hating, simple love Jesus. Take His yoke upon you.
Yoke is a weird word, but we all know about those things that oxen and cows used to carry on their necks. Sometimes my cares definitely feel like a heavy wooden thing on my shoulders. How nice it is when that is lifted!
Rest.
11 October 2011
What I have seen
Go and tell...what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have good news preached to them.
Luke 7:22
This is what I have seen. Yes it's in the Bible. Yes it's throughout history, but I have seen miracles too. I have seen dead walk or any miraculous healings (though I have heard some tales!) No, I haven't seen that, but I've seen people who were spiritually blind made to see or deaf and hear. I've seen people cleansed of filth way worse than leprosy. And most of all, I've seen people who might as well have been dead given new life. I've seen that type of life-transformation. I've seen students be set of fire with passion for the Lord. I've seen old sin wiped away. I've seen brokenness forgotten and restored. The questions and the logic don't matter. You just have to tell what you've seen.
John wanted to know who Jesus was. Jesus told John' disciples to tell John what they had seen. He didn't say, "Tell him I am He - the Christ" No, he said tell him what you've seen. They saw miracles. The miracles speak for themselves. You don't have to have the logical explanations. Jesus speaks for Himself.
Look around. You will see Him. He is constantly revealing Himself. Are you blind?
Luke 7:22
This is what I have seen. Yes it's in the Bible. Yes it's throughout history, but I have seen miracles too. I have seen dead walk or any miraculous healings (though I have heard some tales!) No, I haven't seen that, but I've seen people who were spiritually blind made to see or deaf and hear. I've seen people cleansed of filth way worse than leprosy. And most of all, I've seen people who might as well have been dead given new life. I've seen that type of life-transformation. I've seen students be set of fire with passion for the Lord. I've seen old sin wiped away. I've seen brokenness forgotten and restored. The questions and the logic don't matter. You just have to tell what you've seen.
John wanted to know who Jesus was. Jesus told John' disciples to tell John what they had seen. He didn't say, "Tell him I am He - the Christ" No, he said tell him what you've seen. They saw miracles. The miracles speak for themselves. You don't have to have the logical explanations. Jesus speaks for Himself.
Look around. You will see Him. He is constantly revealing Himself. Are you blind?
10 October 2011
Be attitudes
Reading the verses of Matthew 5-7 just makes me realize how utterly helpless we really are as people. It's like here is the bar ---------------
and way down here is where we can reach by ourselves -------------
and way down at the bottom of the page is where we most likely are...no matter what we think.
It's like Jesus is saying, "I know you think you are pretty righteous all by yourself, but let me really tell you what the standard is for righteousness. Then we'll see if you measure up." God gave us the Law, but Jesus took it a step or two further. In case you were wondering how short you fall...
But the beauty is that it doesn't matter. If we walk humbly, recognizing the fact that we are not anywhere close to as righteous as we should or even could be, if we can live in that way, we will find our way into the Kingdom. God doesn't call us to perfection (Praise the Lord). If He did, who could stand before Him? But we are instead called into humility. Sometimes, humility is even harder. But it's the only thing we can do. Looking at the sermon on the mount, that is the one theme. Being humble. No matter what someone does to you. The less reward you receive on earth, the more you will get in heaven. The less recognition you get on earth, the more you will get in heaven. Is it not true? Those who do things just for attention have already received their reward. God's got nothing to offer them (or at least they act that way). They don't want what God has to offer.
Their loss...
and way down here is where we can reach by ourselves -------------
and way down at the bottom of the page is where we most likely are...no matter what we think.
It's like Jesus is saying, "I know you think you are pretty righteous all by yourself, but let me really tell you what the standard is for righteousness. Then we'll see if you measure up." God gave us the Law, but Jesus took it a step or two further. In case you were wondering how short you fall...
But the beauty is that it doesn't matter. If we walk humbly, recognizing the fact that we are not anywhere close to as righteous as we should or even could be, if we can live in that way, we will find our way into the Kingdom. God doesn't call us to perfection (Praise the Lord). If He did, who could stand before Him? But we are instead called into humility. Sometimes, humility is even harder. But it's the only thing we can do. Looking at the sermon on the mount, that is the one theme. Being humble. No matter what someone does to you. The less reward you receive on earth, the more you will get in heaven. The less recognition you get on earth, the more you will get in heaven. Is it not true? Those who do things just for attention have already received their reward. God's got nothing to offer them (or at least they act that way). They don't want what God has to offer.
Their loss...
09 October 2011
The rains came down
So love your enemies. Remember that the measure you use to measure others is the same way you will be measured. Somehow that is so reassuring to me. I do sometimes do judgmental things, but I can say on a whole, I am not a very judgmental person. I know God is not a judgmental God, but sometimes I'm so hard on myself that I forget God doesn't think the same way.
What I found especially convicting in today's reading was the line in Luke where Jesus says to give to everyone who begs of you. I am notorious for walking right by beggars and needy people I see. Frankly, they make me nervous. Sometimes, I don't have anything to give them. Usually, I just don't want to. Does this make me a bad person? Yes. Will I change? Probably not. It's not that I am ungenerous. I give all kinds of money away. I just don't like giving to them. You never know what they are going to do with money. And it's hard to stop and talk to them. Especially being the young white female I am. You can't just stop on the side of the road and chat with a homeless person. It's all kinds of sketchy.
I know I should have more compassion towards these people, and that's why this passage is so convicting. I don't have much compassion for the homeless. I feel sorry for them. But beyond that, mah. If they were children, my heart would break. Lord, help me to have a heart like yours!
My house is not built on sand where the floods immediately wash it away. One little trial and BOOM gone! No, my house is built on the Rock. No matter how high the waters go, the damage will not be great. My house will not wash away. I may lose my fancy big screen, but the foundations - the structure will always remain. I'm not sure what my big screen is a metaphor for, but it sounded nice, right?
No storms will wash me away. I have a solid house and a rain jacket.
What I found especially convicting in today's reading was the line in Luke where Jesus says to give to everyone who begs of you. I am notorious for walking right by beggars and needy people I see. Frankly, they make me nervous. Sometimes, I don't have anything to give them. Usually, I just don't want to. Does this make me a bad person? Yes. Will I change? Probably not. It's not that I am ungenerous. I give all kinds of money away. I just don't like giving to them. You never know what they are going to do with money. And it's hard to stop and talk to them. Especially being the young white female I am. You can't just stop on the side of the road and chat with a homeless person. It's all kinds of sketchy.
I know I should have more compassion towards these people, and that's why this passage is so convicting. I don't have much compassion for the homeless. I feel sorry for them. But beyond that, mah. If they were children, my heart would break. Lord, help me to have a heart like yours!
My house is not built on sand where the floods immediately wash it away. One little trial and BOOM gone! No, my house is built on the Rock. No matter how high the waters go, the damage will not be great. My house will not wash away. I may lose my fancy big screen, but the foundations - the structure will always remain. I'm not sure what my big screen is a metaphor for, but it sounded nice, right?
No storms will wash me away. I have a solid house and a rain jacket.
08 October 2011
Witness
"His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, and you don't have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me." ~John 5:37-39
I don't think it's a coincidence that this sort of passage can appear in the book of John. The book that starts off by saying Jesus is the Word. Following the Scriptures is not what saves us, no matter what the Pharisee's thought. Jesus is what saves us. The Scriptures are all about Him. He's all over the Bible. If you read it you see it.
I just can't stop marveling at how amazing Jesus is! Reading His word in this way - you know actually reading and comprehending the words - it's so much better! I've read the Bible 3 times cover to cover, and this is my 4th time through. I guess 4th time is the charm in this case? Either way you slice it, the person I am right now is getting so much out of this experience. I've never read those verses above - and I mean really read them. There are 2 levels of reading (and as a reading teacher I am, of course, an expert -haha): visually and mentally. You can either read with just your eyes and only see the words. Or you can read with your brain and actually understand what you just looked at.
I am mentally devouring God's Word and loving every morsel!
I don't think it's a coincidence that this sort of passage can appear in the book of John. The book that starts off by saying Jesus is the Word. Following the Scriptures is not what saves us, no matter what the Pharisee's thought. Jesus is what saves us. The Scriptures are all about Him. He's all over the Bible. If you read it you see it.
I just can't stop marveling at how amazing Jesus is! Reading His word in this way - you know actually reading and comprehending the words - it's so much better! I've read the Bible 3 times cover to cover, and this is my 4th time through. I guess 4th time is the charm in this case? Either way you slice it, the person I am right now is getting so much out of this experience. I've never read those verses above - and I mean really read them. There are 2 levels of reading (and as a reading teacher I am, of course, an expert -haha): visually and mentally. You can either read with just your eyes and only see the words. Or you can read with your brain and actually understand what you just looked at.
I am mentally devouring God's Word and loving every morsel!
07 October 2011
Mach 2
In reading today I'm trying to figure out the relationship between certain concepts. Why does Jesus mention patching old clothes with new cloth right after He mentions not fasting while the Bridegroom is here. What is the relationship there? And then, how does that relate to new wine in old wineskins? I just don't get it.
Maybe there is no relationship. Maybe these metaphors are meant to stand alone. They last two both refer to getting rid of old stuff in order to make room for the new. Well at least the wineskin one does. I think the clothes one just messes with me. In another Gospel, it says you don't mix new garments with old. So I'm going with that train of thought. When we begin to follow Jesus, we cannot put all the new we are receiving by the Spirit into the old that we have by the Flesh. No! We must make room for the new and throw out the old. And then once it has aged and matured, nothing is tastier that old wine.
"The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath."
The Sabbath is not something to enslave us. I know most people just ignore that commandment. I break it regularly - every Sunday in fact. But God gave us that day so we could rest. Not so we could do Him some sort of glory by our piousness. NO! We bring Him glory by taking away all the distractions and focusing only on Him. Doing homework on Sunday puts school before God. Making lesson plans on Sunday puts my job before God. Think about how you profane the Sabbath and what you are putting before God. Is it worth it? I know it's not in my life.
So I plan to change. My job is not more important than my God. I give my Sundays to you Lord!
Maybe there is no relationship. Maybe these metaphors are meant to stand alone. They last two both refer to getting rid of old stuff in order to make room for the new. Well at least the wineskin one does. I think the clothes one just messes with me. In another Gospel, it says you don't mix new garments with old. So I'm going with that train of thought. When we begin to follow Jesus, we cannot put all the new we are receiving by the Spirit into the old that we have by the Flesh. No! We must make room for the new and throw out the old. And then once it has aged and matured, nothing is tastier that old wine.
"The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath."
The Sabbath is not something to enslave us. I know most people just ignore that commandment. I break it regularly - every Sunday in fact. But God gave us that day so we could rest. Not so we could do Him some sort of glory by our piousness. NO! We bring Him glory by taking away all the distractions and focusing only on Him. Doing homework on Sunday puts school before God. Making lesson plans on Sunday puts my job before God. Think about how you profane the Sabbath and what you are putting before God. Is it worth it? I know it's not in my life.
So I plan to change. My job is not more important than my God. I give my Sundays to you Lord!
06 October 2011
Testimony
Jesus bore witness of what He had seen. He didn't try and make it above our heads or to parable-y, but something we could relate to. His message was in the terms and ideas He had seen. He became flesh for a reason. That reason was not because it's so much fun. Because it's not. You know that. I know that.
Jesus became human for the experience. He came so He could take everything that it meant for God to be real and tell us about it. Show it to us. We're pretty blind, stupid, and ignorant. We need pictures, diagrams, gestures, verbal readings, and incentives to understand anything. I'm a teacher. I know. I watch kids ask me what to do when the directions are written on the piece of paper.
I bet that's how God feels. We ask Him what to do, but we're not even trying to figure it out for ourselves, and what's more, we weren't even listening when He gave us the directions in the first place. He reads it all to us and explains it, just like any good teacher. We are the trying kids in the class who, without raising our hands, shout out in a slightly agitated voice, "What are we supposed to do?"
I wonder if God responds like I do. With a look and a "Really?"
Of course He doesn't. I know that because I never respond that way, as much as I want to. When you really want to help someone learn, you teach them. So God came into the world to show us the light. Whether we receive His testimony or turn aside, He wants to tell us it. He wants us to pay attention. He's trying to help us learn. We can either choose to succeed or choose to fail.
Life is a lot like the classroom. And I just made a text-to-self connection. Where's my double-entry journal?
Jesus became human for the experience. He came so He could take everything that it meant for God to be real and tell us about it. Show it to us. We're pretty blind, stupid, and ignorant. We need pictures, diagrams, gestures, verbal readings, and incentives to understand anything. I'm a teacher. I know. I watch kids ask me what to do when the directions are written on the piece of paper.
I bet that's how God feels. We ask Him what to do, but we're not even trying to figure it out for ourselves, and what's more, we weren't even listening when He gave us the directions in the first place. He reads it all to us and explains it, just like any good teacher. We are the trying kids in the class who, without raising our hands, shout out in a slightly agitated voice, "What are we supposed to do?"
I wonder if God responds like I do. With a look and a "Really?"
Of course He doesn't. I know that because I never respond that way, as much as I want to. When you really want to help someone learn, you teach them. So God came into the world to show us the light. Whether we receive His testimony or turn aside, He wants to tell us it. He wants us to pay attention. He's trying to help us learn. We can either choose to succeed or choose to fail.
Life is a lot like the classroom. And I just made a text-to-self connection. Where's my double-entry journal?
05 October 2011
Aceptado
So today's passages saw Jesus accepted and Jesus reject. Jesus was tempted and Jesus was victorious. Jesus spoke Truth into confusion and chaos and temptation. The tempter was unsuccessful. The demons were silenced. Only Jesus's words remain. People loved Him for it. And people hated Him. The people of His hometown might have hated Him the most. Funny how things like that happen. You see someone grow up. If they leave and come back, no matter how much they have changed, it's hard to treat them differently. Jesus had that problem many times. His family had a hard time treating Him like the Son of God. People He grew up with had that problem. Shoot, regular people who'd never seen Him before had a hard time accepting Him for who He is. Was it the message or was it that they went on appearances alone. Some peoples ears will always be closed.
Then there were those who left everything to follow Jesus. The disciples who said, "You know what, fishing is great and all, but I think the Jesus guy has what I really need." (And how great could fishing really be? ) They had a regular average mundane boring run-of-the-mill existence, then God changed it into something worthy of being written down 4 times in the Most Holy Book every written. The only book worth reading. The only book that will always be read. The only book that will last forever. And forever shall their names be mentioned as the first among the Saints (not the Catholic kind - the regular, we-all-fall-into-this-category-as-Christians kind) And too think, so many things could have kept them from following. Some strange guys comes up to you and tells you to put out your nets again! You've been at it all day, can't he see that? But He's different, so you believe Him. Reluctantly.
Best decision you ever make.
Then there were those who left everything to follow Jesus. The disciples who said, "You know what, fishing is great and all, but I think the Jesus guy has what I really need." (And how great could fishing really be? ) They had a regular average mundane boring run-of-the-mill existence, then God changed it into something worthy of being written down 4 times in the Most Holy Book every written. The only book worth reading. The only book that will always be read. The only book that will last forever. And forever shall their names be mentioned as the first among the Saints (not the Catholic kind - the regular, we-all-fall-into-this-category-as-Christians kind) And too think, so many things could have kept them from following. Some strange guys comes up to you and tells you to put out your nets again! You've been at it all day, can't he see that? But He's different, so you believe Him. Reluctantly.
Best decision you ever make.
04 October 2011
Immediately
These gospels stories have a sense of timing that is just amazing. Everything that happens leads to the next thing. There is no delay. It's all action. Immediately. You see that word so many times. Repetition is never an accident.
Another impressive part is John the Baptist's commission to the people who come to get baptized. He tells them to go and live righteously. He doesn't say they have to choose a new life plan, but they have to change their plan to be righteous. He tells the tax collector how to be righteous. Jesus doesn't call us all to be missionaries but rather to just live righteously and produce good fruit. There is a difference.
Lastly, watching Jesus pray is awesome. He gets up early and spends Lord only knows how long in prayer. Evidently, He had some success in that prayer time because when He sees the disciples, He has marching orders and is ready to go. No second guessing or what ifs. It's business time. It goes back to the sense of timing. There's also a sense of urgency. Jesus didn't come to fart around and have a good time. NO! He was Kingdom focused and He knew His mission. As much as He loved to stay and heal those He was with, He knew there were others who need Him more. He didn't waste time.
Of course, being God, He could see the big picture. We are limited to guessing at the big picture. We can still pray. We can still hear from God. We may not understand His thoughts and ways, but they are revealed to us when we ask. It doesn't have to make sense, it just has to be.
Jesus brought the Good News to those who needed it most. Immediately.
Another impressive part is John the Baptist's commission to the people who come to get baptized. He tells them to go and live righteously. He doesn't say they have to choose a new life plan, but they have to change their plan to be righteous. He tells the tax collector how to be righteous. Jesus doesn't call us all to be missionaries but rather to just live righteously and produce good fruit. There is a difference.
Lastly, watching Jesus pray is awesome. He gets up early and spends Lord only knows how long in prayer. Evidently, He had some success in that prayer time because when He sees the disciples, He has marching orders and is ready to go. No second guessing or what ifs. It's business time. It goes back to the sense of timing. There's also a sense of urgency. Jesus didn't come to fart around and have a good time. NO! He was Kingdom focused and He knew His mission. As much as He loved to stay and heal those He was with, He knew there were others who need Him more. He didn't waste time.
Of course, being God, He could see the big picture. We are limited to guessing at the big picture. We can still pray. We can still hear from God. We may not understand His thoughts and ways, but they are revealed to us when we ask. It doesn't have to make sense, it just has to be.
Jesus brought the Good News to those who needed it most. Immediately.
03 October 2011
My Father's business
I think one amazing thing about Jesus truly is His humility. He's not just humble in the obvious situations, but He is humble all the time. For example, when He got left behind at the temple in Jerusalem. He had a good reason to be there, but when His parents asked Him to leave, he was submissive to them. Anything less would have been to sin, and He certainly can't do that. Even though He had a good reason and even though He is definitely smarter than His parents, does He discount their fears and worries? No. Does He convince them to let Him stay? No. He goes with them. Plain and simple. He knows it is not yet time. He knows He can be an adult once He looks like one. Humility and patience. He certainly go the lion's share.
I love how human Mary and Joseph are. They seem like people with complete faith and trust in the Lord, but they really aren't. They both show moments of fear, worry, and doubt. It amazes me how the miraculous circumstances of Jesus's birth could be so easily forgotten. That is, they saw the greatest miracle in history and yet they still have trouble trusting the Lord's plan. They forget almost that Jesus is the Son of God. Not just another human boy, but divine. Ain't no way God's gonna let nothing happen to His son. Sometimes we people do just forget that God is there. He is there. He's not cooking dinner or something so He's busy right now. NO! He's right with us and He is working for our good. Fear and worry creep in and doubt overwhelms us. But in reality, we have nothing to fear. Oh the time we waste worrying about what God might do or could do! Oh the time we waste in fear of what He won't do. But the second we start second guessing God's perfect and good will for our lives, that's when doubt sets in and when things actually do start messing up.
So go about the Father's business, trusting that no matter where He takes you, He wants you there.
I love how human Mary and Joseph are. They seem like people with complete faith and trust in the Lord, but they really aren't. They both show moments of fear, worry, and doubt. It amazes me how the miraculous circumstances of Jesus's birth could be so easily forgotten. That is, they saw the greatest miracle in history and yet they still have trouble trusting the Lord's plan. They forget almost that Jesus is the Son of God. Not just another human boy, but divine. Ain't no way God's gonna let nothing happen to His son. Sometimes we people do just forget that God is there. He is there. He's not cooking dinner or something so He's busy right now. NO! He's right with us and He is working for our good. Fear and worry creep in and doubt overwhelms us. But in reality, we have nothing to fear. Oh the time we waste worrying about what God might do or could do! Oh the time we waste in fear of what He won't do. But the second we start second guessing God's perfect and good will for our lives, that's when doubt sets in and when things actually do start messing up.
So go about the Father's business, trusting that no matter where He takes you, He wants you there.
02 October 2011
For unto us a child is born
What good news it is! Jesus was born. He didn't just appear. He didn't come for just a short while. He came and was born. All purple and swollen. They put Him in a manger. He had to be circumcised. He had to be potty trained. He had to do all the stuff we have to do. Except He never sinned.
Something sort of interesting struck me in reading Matthew 1 and the first part of Luke 2. Mary was betrothed. God could have picked any virgin to birth His son. Isaiah didn't prophecy nothing about their being a fiance. But there was. The family is an important concept to those who fear God. Even the Son of the Most High needs a mother and a father. Just saying.
God' plan coming into action. Matthew mentions the 14 generations between Abraham and David. And then another 14 generations from David to the exile. Then a final 14 generations until He fulfilled His promise to David: to establish his kingdom forever. A Seed of David shall reign forever!! Hallelujah!! It might seem a long time to wait, but it's not. At just the right moment, Jesus stepped down from heaven to save the earth. To be a light to the Gentiles and for glory to His people Israel.
I have seen the Light. It is good. He is good. He fills me with so much joy each day I can hardly stand it! If there were words to describe the feelings I have right now about my God, believe me, I would write them. But there just aren't. So if you know Him, then you know what I mean. If not, I pray that you would know. It is like nothing on this earth. Jesus may have lived here, but he is not of the world. Anything from Him is on a whole other level. Reading His word has the power to wipe away everything else I'm worried or thinking about. Right now, everything else seems so small compared to the Glory of my God.
I guess it's one of those things where you have to be there...
Something sort of interesting struck me in reading Matthew 1 and the first part of Luke 2. Mary was betrothed. God could have picked any virgin to birth His son. Isaiah didn't prophecy nothing about their being a fiance. But there was. The family is an important concept to those who fear God. Even the Son of the Most High needs a mother and a father. Just saying.
God' plan coming into action. Matthew mentions the 14 generations between Abraham and David. And then another 14 generations from David to the exile. Then a final 14 generations until He fulfilled His promise to David: to establish his kingdom forever. A Seed of David shall reign forever!! Hallelujah!! It might seem a long time to wait, but it's not. At just the right moment, Jesus stepped down from heaven to save the earth. To be a light to the Gentiles and for glory to His people Israel.
I have seen the Light. It is good. He is good. He fills me with so much joy each day I can hardly stand it! If there were words to describe the feelings I have right now about my God, believe me, I would write them. But there just aren't. So if you know Him, then you know what I mean. If not, I pray that you would know. It is like nothing on this earth. Jesus may have lived here, but he is not of the world. Anything from Him is on a whole other level. Reading His word has the power to wipe away everything else I'm worried or thinking about. Right now, everything else seems so small compared to the Glory of my God.
I guess it's one of those things where you have to be there...
01 October 2011
The Beginning
I wonder how long God had it planned. I wonder if when He was making the earth, He had already decided how He would save it. I wonder when God the Son decided, "Sure, I'll go be one of them so they might love us." I wonder. God's love is vast. He probably created the world with the only intention of being able to show steadfast love to us every chance He could. It is His nature.
Reading the beginning of the New Beginning is powerful. Before Jesus was even born, God was on the move. God was working to prepare the way, just as He had promised in Malachi (yesterday). Then Jesus came. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world did not know Him. His own did not receive Him. But we who do receive Him can be called children of God who are born of God.
Do you receive that good news?
The Spirit is at work in Luke 1. He's working hard to make sure the will of the Father is done. Zechariah is muted because of his unbelief, probably so he can't mess anything up. Elizabeth his wife seems to have enough faith for the both of them. She seems completely filled with the Spirit. I love the strong female images in this chapter. Very few woman get to say much of anything in the Bible, but these two women - Elizabeth and Mary - say their fair share. Mary even authored part of the chapter. She will be considered blessed among women. I do consider her blessed. I guess it's my womanyness that makes me think how blessed she is to have carried the Son of God. Wow. And she accepted the challenge so willingly. True faith is shown in these women.
And so the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. And so it begins.
Reading the beginning of the New Beginning is powerful. Before Jesus was even born, God was on the move. God was working to prepare the way, just as He had promised in Malachi (yesterday). Then Jesus came. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world did not know Him. His own did not receive Him. But we who do receive Him can be called children of God who are born of God.
Do you receive that good news?
The Spirit is at work in Luke 1. He's working hard to make sure the will of the Father is done. Zechariah is muted because of his unbelief, probably so he can't mess anything up. Elizabeth his wife seems to have enough faith for the both of them. She seems completely filled with the Spirit. I love the strong female images in this chapter. Very few woman get to say much of anything in the Bible, but these two women - Elizabeth and Mary - say their fair share. Mary even authored part of the chapter. She will be considered blessed among women. I do consider her blessed. I guess it's my womanyness that makes me think how blessed she is to have carried the Son of God. Wow. And she accepted the challenge so willingly. True faith is shown in these women.
And so the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. And so it begins.
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