Posts tagged resurrection

Fault finding Friday

December 12, 2010 · Filed under thoughts · Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

It’s your fault………!

When someone says that to me, it doesn’t feel very good. If it’s true, then it feels even worse. But – if something “good” came out of it, then, maybe it’s not so bad after all!

If fault finding becomes a habit, life can become a long list of negative thoughts – focusing on what’s bad about something – and perhaps forgetting what’s “good” about something. Finding fault can also lead to the “blame game” – who did it, who caused it.

In our imperfect world, it is really quite easy to find faults. Defects surround us. People, situations and circumstances – can all eventually cause disappointment – the inevitable blight on an almost perfect picture.

Re-directing our focus on what’s “good” about something can lead to a healthy acceptance of imperfection – and the intrinsic “value” of it…….

…….for we have all come into this world lost and imperfect, so as to need our Savior – Jesus – who offers us up as perfect to our Heavenly Father – through His death and resurrection on the cross………

With Jesus, faults won’t be found!

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Thunder Thursday

April 30, 2009 · Filed under thoughts · Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

When my brother was a little boy, he used to be terrified of storms, especially the thunder. He would run and find a place to hide and cover his ears.

Later in life, he took a great interest in weather, and eventually became a meteorologist. Besides forecasting weather on the air, he has also coordinated weather safety events, and counseled others on emergency management during severe storms. His greatest fear became the focus of a life-long career.

Facing our fears instead of running from them, gives us a chance to learn more about them – and ourselves. Many times it is through our fear that we can find our greatest source of courage. In the Bible we are told that  “in my weakness, I can be made strong”. (2 Cor:9,10)

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus faced tremendous fear. He relied on our heavenly Father to sustain Him. He knew that He could not do what He would have to do – alone. Only God’s power could sustain Him for the events leading up to His death on the cross – and only God’s power could resurrect Him to eternal life.

Fear has lost its power over us, when we connect with the One who  “has”  the power – instead of running from thunder, we can allow ourselves to be “thunderstruck”  –  by the One who invented it !

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Meticulous Monday

April 7, 2009 · Filed under thoughts · Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

When was the last time you dusted the hinges on all the doors in your house?

Recently, my husband mentioned to me that the hinges on the doors needed cleaning………Now bearing in mind that my husband is a machinist, this remark should not be a surprise – machinists are very detail oriented – they need to be very precise.

Not all of us are this detail oriented. I tend to be more of a generalizer, a “let’s sum it up” kind of person. Admittedly, the hinges on the doors never occurred to me to need any kind of cleaning ! My amazement to his observation was later tempered by the realization that yes – the hinges did need to be cleaned……. But at the same time, I wondered where I should put this task on my “priority” list.

Our lives are filled with tasks to be accomplished. Some seem more important than others. The decision to be made on their importance is based on our perspective. Cleaning hinges is probably something I could live my life without giving it much thought.

But whether we are detail oriented or not, we will all have thoughts about getting old and facing death. Where we will go when that happens, is a “detail” we should put at the top of our priority list.

Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25,26)

Out of everything, make your life and death belief a “detail” not to be missed…………..

………… your eternal destination “hinges” on this !

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Tangible Tuesday

March 31, 2009 · Filed under thoughts · Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Whenever I have doubts about something, it helps to be able to do the research to get the answers I need. Gathering up all the evidence I need to support my conclusion alleviates my doubt.

Although, sometimes even the evidence can come into question. “Tangible” evidence is ideal. If something is clearly defined, or better yet, able to be touched physically, how can there then be any doubt?

In the Bible, we are told how Jesus made sure that there was plenty of “tangible” evidence of His birth, ministry, and more importantly, of His resurrection.

He appeared to many people after He rose from the dead. One of the most memorable accounts was of His appearance to a disciple named “Thomas”.

Thomas had serious doubts, and Jesus made sure that He provided “tangible” evidence to alleviate these doubts.  After His resurrection, Jesus made another appearance at a gathering of the disciples.  He specifically asked Thomas to physically “touch” Him – especially His wounds………

And Thomas exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!”   (John 20:28)

If we take the time to look, we will find that Jesus left the “tangible” evidence we need……. especially to alleviate the “doubting Thomas” in all of us………

……… and I am “eternally” glad He did !

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