Ex 14:21-15:1 / Mt 12:46-50
Whether we visit the royal crypts of the Hapsburgs in Vienna or the Tudors in Westminster Abbey or the ransacked tombs of the French monarchs at St. Denis in Paris, we sense the power of the idea of “family,” and the connection to a family which made certain people special. The Jews had a powerful sense of entitlement in that regard: They were special because they were direct blood descendants of Abraham — and that said it all!
Jesus didn’t buy that. He argued that God is ever so much bigger. God is big enough to open His arms to every single person who ever comes to birth — after all, He brought each one of us to birth! Why would He make us if He had no inclination to love us?
When Jesus brushed off those who told Him His family was arriving, He wasn’t turning away from His family. He was underscoring that for us to be ONE OF HIS OWN, we have to share His heart and His hopes, and not just His bloodline.
So here’s your question: How are you doing on that?
<h3>Prayer to Practice the Golden Rule</h3>May I never quarrel with those nearest me, and be reconciled quickly if I should.
May I never plot evil against others, and if anyone plot evil against me, may I escape unharmed and without the need to hurt anyone else.
May I love, seek and attain only what is good.
May I desire happiness for all and harbor envy for none.
May I never find joy in the misfortune of one who has wronged me.
May I never wait for the rebuke of others, but always rebuke myself until I make reparation.
May I gain no victory that harms me or my opponent.
May I reconcile friends who are mad at each other.
May I, insofar as I can, give all necessary help to my friends and to all who are in need.
May I never fail a friend in trouble.
May I be able to soften the pain of the grief stricken and give them comforting words.
May I respect myself.
May I always maintain control of my emotions.
May I habituate myself to be gentle, and never angry with others because of circumstances.
May I never discuss the wicked or what they have done, but know good people and follow in their footsteps.
Eusebius of Caesarea, Bishop and Ecclesiastical Historian
We are all capable of good and evil. We are not born bad: everybody has something good inside. Some hide it, some neglect it, but it is there. God created us to love and to be loved, so it is our test from God to choose one path or another.
At sometime during World War II, a passenger ship set sail from Great Britain headed for port in New York City. The Captain of the ship being afraid of enemy vessels, sought the advise and guidance of the British Admiral.
The Admiral calmly assured the captain that no matter what happens, he should be sure to sail his ship straight ahead. "Do not take any detours -- sail the ship straight ahead -- continue on-ward, heading straight towards the intended mark" he said.
After several days of sailing across the Atlantic Ocean which was undeniably filled with submarines and enemy vessels of all kinds, the Captain spotted an enemy destroyer off his forward bow.
Nervously he grasped the handset and called for assistance.
The calm voice replied, "Keep on straight, Do not detour, just sail the ship straight ahead. Everything will be just fine. Just keep on going - straight ahead."
After a couple more days the ship pulled safely into the great harbor of New York city.
Shortly after docking the great British battleship "Man-of-War" pulled into port behind the passenger vessel. The Captain realized that while he did not see the British battleship, she was there, standing bye. Standing ready to come to his defense should it prove necessary.
So it is in our lives. God is standing by. We may not always see Him there, but He is. Waiting. Bidding us onward toward the mark...
Keep your ship on course. Keep on going - straight ahead...
- Author Unknown
If Jesus came to your home to spend a day or two -
If He came unexpectedly, I wonder what you'd do.
Oh, I know you'd give your nicest room to such an honored guest,
and all the food you'd serve Him would be the very best,
and you would keep assuring Him you're glad to have Him there -
That serving Him in your home is a joy beyond compare.
But when you saw Him coming would you meet Him at the door
with arms outstretched in welcome to your heavenly Visitor?
Or would you have to change your clothes before you let Him in,
or hide some magazines and put the Bible where they'd been?
Would you turn off the radio and hope He hadn't heard,
And wish you hadn't uttered that last loud, hasty word?
Would you hide your worldly music and put some hymn books out?
Would you let Jesus walk right in, or would you rush about?
I wonder if the Savior spent a day or two with you,
Would you go right on doing the things you always do?
Would you go right on saying the things you always say?
Would life for you continue as it does from day to day?
Would your family's conversation keep its usual pace,
and would you find it hard each meal to say table grace?
Would you sing songs you always sing, and reads the books you read,
and let Him know the things on which your mind and spirit feed?
Would you take Jesus with you everywhere you'd planned to go,
Or would you, maybe, change your plans for just a day or so?
Would you be glad to have Him meet your very closest friends,
Or would you hope they'd stay away until His visit ends?
Would you be glad to have Him stay forever on and on,
Or would you sigh with great relief when He as last was gone?
It might be interesting to know the things that you would do
If Jesus came in person to spend some time with you.
It is your attitude at the beginning of a task more than anything else that will determine your succ...It is your attitude towards life that will determine life's attitude towards you. Despite many peopl...You control your attitude. If you are negative it is because you have decided to be negative and not...Act as if you have a good attitude. Remember actions trigger feelings just as feelings trigger actio...Before a person can achieve the kind of results he wants, he must first become that person. He must ...Treat everybody as the most important person in the world.Attitudes are based on assumptions. In order to change attitudes one must first change one's assumpt...Develop the attitude that there are more reasons why you should succeed than reasons why you should ...When you are faced with a problem, adopt the attitude that you can and will solve it.We become what we think about. Control your thoughts and you will control your life.Radiate the attitude of confidence, of well being, of a person who knows where he is going. You will...In order to develop a good attitude, take charge first thing in the morning. Do you say, "Good morni...- credited to Louis Casself
July 19, 2011
Mom got up early Sunday morning and got the kids ready for church. Dad
sat in the living room, reading his newspaper and looking out at the
snow.
They'd had the conversation before, but nothing had changed. "Why
don't you go with us this week?" she asked. He didn't look up from his
paper.
"You know why," he said out loud and then in his own mind finished the
answer with "A truly great God wouldn't care about puny humans
anyway."
The man replayed the argument in his mind: "If God is so perfect and
great, why would he care about helping us? If God is so powerful, why
would he make his son become a human being? Why would he stoop so low
to help us.... if God is really so great."
The house was silent except for the sound of the logs crackling in the
fireplace. From the other end of the house came a strange thump.
The man put down his paper and walked down the hall. Outside the
window huddled a group of birds. In confusion and fear, they had flown
into the window pane and fallen to the ground. They huddled together
in the snow trying to figure out what to do next. The man felt sorry
for the birds. He thought to himself, "The birds could go in our barn
and they'd be warm there." So he went outside and opened the door to
the barn. Then he waited in the cold. The birds didn't move.
"I know, I'll shoe them over to the barn door," the man thought. But
as he tried to herd the birds to the barn they simply scattered. Only
after he left them alone did they come back to their spot in the
snow.
The man had one last plan. He went back in the house and got a loaf of
bread. Carefully, he tore off pieces of bread and made a path to the
barn door. But the birds just huddled closer together, ignoring the
gift of life which the man was offering.
Stumped, the man stood looking at the birds, wondering just what it
would take to get them to safety. He thought to himself, "If only I
could become a bird and lead them to safety, then they wouldn't have
to die."
He stopped and thought about it again. And he finally understood.
Holy Spirit, who with the Father and the Son, in the beginning hovered over the deep and formless void to give it shape; and breathed the breath of life into humanity, and every living creature: come now from heaven, from Your throne of glory, come.
Be with me and help me; work with me and teach me what is pleasing to You. You, who know all things, guide me to be prudent in all my undertakings; and protect me by Your glory. Only then will everything I do be acceptable in Your sight.<br />Good night all – Sweet Dreams and may your Wednesday find you lots of God’s blessings – blessings you wouldn’t mind sharing with us here!! God bless you all!!!
