Add to Fun Pictures

I'm adding this here, but it relates to the post of Fun pictures.

Then [Jesus] said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”  (Luke 9:23)

It's encouraged that I am not the only one burdened down to the ground at times when I carried my cross to follow Jesus. But the Lord’s message to us is clear: “Take up your cross.” Regardless of where we have been, what we have done, or what we haven’t done, take ourself the way we are and follow Him. Believe in Him, trust in Him or worship Him as we carry our cross when we follow Him.

There are many crosses in life. But what kind of cross do you carry each day? Parenting can be a cross, so can temptation, wealth, popularity or ourself...

And so it is our right and responsibility to carry our crosses, never say the cross is too heavy to bear. God knows the way wherever we are because He's already been.

May we carry our crosses with strength and purpose; and while we do, may we count the blessings of God’s strength, peace and love.

First, to clear something up (or not).  My view on Esau’s marriage to the grand daughter of Ishmael is evidently different than many of the others in my discussion group based on answers.  I saw it as just another knee-jerk response rather than a slap in the face to his parents.  He learned they didn’t like Canaanite wives, so he was bent on marrying the first available non-Canaanite woman he could find.  Who else was around but the descendents of Ishmael?

When God says, I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, this tells me that Jacob’s behavior, the way he is viewed by others, is not simply a reflection on him, but it is a reflection on his father, his grandfather and his God.

Is any less true for us?  When we mis-behave or act inappropriately, what message does that send about my father, grandfather and God?  When I look at my actions and decisions and behavior in that light, does it change the way I act.

In preparing for my lecture I made the statement “the choices we make reveal the person that we are.  If we wish to be someone else, the path is simple… make different choices.”  This isn’t meant to say that we need to rely on our own strength and judgment, but sometimes we make things out to be far bigger than they are.  God has the strength to support us on any right path… but the choice is ours.

Am I looking at my immediate wants and desires, or am I looking at how my decisions reflect the character of my father, grandfather and God?  I might have made a few better decisions in my life had I kept this in mind earlier!

Again, if you are reading this, I would ask your prayers for the delivery of this message to the middle school children, particularly the young men.  I ask that their hearts be open to feeling the burden of this, not in a negative way, but in an empowering way.  They have been gifted with a family name and a God who deserves their best behavior and their best decisions!
~Rachel

Fun Pictures

We complain about the cross we bear but don't realize it is preparing us for the dip in the road that God can see and we can't.

Whatever your cross, whatever you pain, 

there will always be sunshine, after the rain.

Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall;

But God's always ready, to answer you call.

He knows every heartache, sees every tear,

a word from His lips can calm every fear.

Your sorrows may linger, throughout the night,

But suddenly vanish, dawn's early light.

The Savior is waiting, somewhere above,

to give you His grace, and send you His love.

...............................................................................................................................................

God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage. And you question God, "Why me?" Always look at the bigger picture. A day without the Lord is a day wasted. God is going to shift things around for you today and let things work in you favor.  

~Rachel

Verses

Romans 3:23     For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Everyone has sinned. You, me, everyone. We were born sinners. I won't deny that. You do not come close to God.

Acts 16:31    They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and you household."
And that's true. No matter how sad, mad, angry, dejected, and other feeling you feel, God is always there for you. ALWAYS. He has never left you or gone from your side, and he loves you. So for people who have not known or accepted Christ as their Savior yet, do. Do and repent from your sins. If you are doubtful, attend a church, read the Bible carefully, and talk to the pastor.

~Rachel