Life is a Puzzlement

I  never really set out to ever offend anyone. It's just not in my nature to do so.

But this post may offend some of you. Just know if it does, that's not what I set out to do.

I have never known a time when I was without the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Before this offends everybody I've ever known and many I haven't, let me explain.

As far back into childhood I can remember, I always felt God's presence. I was comforted by Him and felt protected by Him. I even had a vision when I was very small, probably age four or five.

When I was ten, I  heard His Voice for the first time. I was in the pew of the church. A message had been given (I don't remember what) and the music was playing, inviting anyone who felt God's nudge to come forward.

I'm not sure I was really even paying much attention. I was a kid and by the end of a service my thoughts were usually elsewhere.

But when that Voice said, "It's time to tell everyone You have me in  your heart." I didn't hesitate. I went straight up the isle and said as much.

I've been talking to God, or His Holy Spirit, ever since, and He has been talking to me.

I am amazed and humbled by this relationship.

And I am completely baffled when folks don't believe.

He is as real to me as you are. Well, more so than a lot of you, since 45 countries have read my blog. (Thank you, by the way.)

Many people are now offended by the  Christian belief, in fact it's becoming the "in" thing, I believe.

Be tolerant unless it's "them"!

Ah, well, we shouldn't be surprised. The Bible says that's the way it will be.  It's just folks in the United States have been so softened and spoiled by our freedom, we've forgotten it isn't the norm.

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know why I believe.

Maybe I didn't do a very good job of it, but there you are.

Anything good you see in me is from Him. The rest, unfortunately, is me. I am not perfect at this, only my relationship with Him is perfect.

Me, on the other hand, needs a lot of work.

A lot of work.

So, don't look to Jesus Christ's followers for a good example. Look at Him instead.

You'll get a much better picture.

What Did Jesus Look Like?

I’m oftentimes puzzled when I hear someone say, “We don’t know what Jesus looked like.”

I want to say to them, “But I do know what He looked like! I can tell you right now!”

His eyes were large, and dark with expression. They crinkled at the corners when He smiled or laughed, which He did often. They darkened even more and welled with tears easily as He was filled with compassion for others. When you looked Him straight in the eye, you saw a peace so deep it was eternal.

You never saw His ears much, unless the breeze lifted His hair a little, but they were always “on”, always listening. They were attuned to everything and everyone around Him. He never misunderstood a single word or insinuation. He heard clearly, all the time.

His mouth was tender, yet determined, filled with good words and wisdom far beyond His years. The voice was clear, and when He spoke, His message was heard by the thousands who sat at His feet to listen. His ready smile lit up a room. People were drawn from a distance when they heard the laughter that came out of that mouth.

His shoulders were broad and strong. How could they not have been, when the world cried upon them and He held us upon them to comfort us? How could they not have been, carrying all my burdens and His cross?

His hands were big and expressive. They were rough from hard work, but their touch was as soft and gentle as a whisper in the night. Whether they were raised in praise to His Father or used to bless and cradle the head of a sleeping babe, they were tenderly filled with mercy. And when they were used to clean out the temple, the fist they made was fearsome and mighty.

His feet were always firmly planted on whatever ground they stood upon. They never were unsure or stepped where they did not belong.

And His heart? It is the biggest heart that has ever been. And for those who listen with their hearts, well, they can hear its beat and join its life and let it become their own.

So they can see how Jesus saw, and hear how Jesus heard, and say what Jesus said, and handle situations like Jesus handled them, and stand firmly like Jesus stood.

Then everyone will always know what Jesus looked like. 

Reflections

I believe what we are attracted to in others is the reflection of ourselves we see.

So it is of utmost importance that we see ourselves clearly, who we really are.

For if we see ourselves dimly or deluded, the mate we choose may often surprise and dismay us.

They are what we thought we were (or weren’t) which is painful for us to observe.

We generally dislike some things in ourselves, and if we opt not to change or even recognize those things,

We may see them all too clearly displayed distastefully in our mate, our children, and on a lesser scale, our friends.

Thereby making these behaviors their problems instead of owning them ourselves.

And as you know, we can never fix other people’s problems.

So, how do we see ourselves clearly? How can we know who we really are?

First, we must see ourselves through the eyes of God Almighty, filthy rags that we are.

Then realize that He has made a way to purify our very souls,

Done through the blood of the Lamb, The Son of the Living God, our brother Jesus Christ.

Allowing Him to clear our vision, seeing ourselves as we were and can be.

And at the same time, filtering our vision so we see others as He sees them.

Because it is only then that the reflection we see will be the truth, whether looking inward or outward to others.

Then we will truly be set free to see. 

This Year's Christmas Card - part 3 of series

O Star whose light was brighter than

Any ever seen by man,

To lead them all to see the sight,

Of manger meek and miracle's night.

O Shepherds! He chose you! Come, See!

Because He Himself, One destined to be,

Will take up His Staff and lead us - free!

O Tiny Babe with lamb at side,

Who became The Lamb died, crucified,

For any and all who'd come to Him,

And in His Holy Truth abide.

Above you see  my husband's art work and to the right my poem, which is on the back of the card. This is the third in a series of a limited edition of Christmas cards that we are selling! They'll be at the book signings, but are on sale now for $1.00 each (card/envelope). 

The first year is  no longer available, but last year's, which depict the manger with angels surrounding it, is still available in a very small quantity. I'll have them at the book signings also, or you can pick them up now. The price is the same.

Some folks are framing them and using them as part of their Christmas decor. 

There will be two more in this series, a card for Christmas 2013 and 2014.

More soon on the book signings!