I've never been much of an Elvis fan. He could sing pretty well, and I could enjoy listening to some of his stuff, it depended on the genre...
I remember the saying, 'Elvis has left the building...'. I understand that was first said after Elvis had in fact left the performing auditorium, and it was said in order to encourage people to remain in their seat and watch the rest of the show. (..seems people wanted to follow Elvis off stage instead of hear the next performers....)
Now I in no way equate Elvis with God.. but God left a building too. God's Shekinah glory once lit the tabernacle. (Ex. 40:34)
But then, because of man's disobedience and rebellion, "....the Glory of GOD left..." (Ez. 10:18)
God left the building. (...how sad, yet again, is the response of humanity to the Person of God.)
When God filled the tabernacle with His glory, there was no need of light. After He left, candelabras were set up to dispel the darkness within the tabernacle.
Hundreds of years later, Messiah Jesus, God in flesh, spoke in an area of the temple, the temple where those candles were still burned. (John 8:20)
God had now returned.
He had returned to 'the building'. Not a cloud of smoke or fire this time, but in the Person of Jesus Christ. (how sad, even again, the response to the Person of Jesus Christ, God in flesh.)
He told them He would leave again. (John 8:21) And He did.
But He left us the benefit of His light. We don't have to burn candles nor do we grope around in darkness. He has given us His Word, and has sent the Helper to be with us in His place.
.....until He comes back yet again. One last time.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Friday, July 27, 2012
Stoning....
Throwing rocks. AT a living person. Until they die. That is what stoning is.
It was the death penalty of Biblical time. (...still practiced in some cultures today)
It just sounds horrible to me. I can't fathom throwing a rock at somebody, especially with the intentions of it being a death blow.
The religious leaders' in John 8 suggested a stoning. Not because they wanted justice, but because they manipulated the rules for their own purpose.
That old saying about sticks and stones? It's a lie. Words hurt and can bring about death.
So I repent this morning as God shows me my words can be spewed out like stones at some guilty person, not because I'm concerned with justice, but because I too am capable of manipulating the rules for my own purpose.
Lord, give me a heart like Yours...full of mercy and compassion. I purpose not to be an executioner of those caught in sin, but an encourager, encouraging them to leave it behind.
It was the death penalty of Biblical time. (...still practiced in some cultures today)
It just sounds horrible to me. I can't fathom throwing a rock at somebody, especially with the intentions of it being a death blow.
The religious leaders' in John 8 suggested a stoning. Not because they wanted justice, but because they manipulated the rules for their own purpose.
That old saying about sticks and stones? It's a lie. Words hurt and can bring about death.
So I repent this morning as God shows me my words can be spewed out like stones at some guilty person, not because I'm concerned with justice, but because I too am capable of manipulating the rules for my own purpose.
Lord, give me a heart like Yours...full of mercy and compassion. I purpose not to be an executioner of those caught in sin, but an encourager, encouraging them to leave it behind.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Finagle...
It's an odd word. I've heard it used for years, it's certainly not a new term.
It is defined as.... "to obtain or achieve something by using shady behavior, manipulation, or deception; achieve by indirect, usually deceitful methods"
That's what the religious leaders did in John 8, and they used only one of two equally guilty people caught in the very act of adultery.
They used the woman to finagle a trap. (..musta been a neighborhood good ole' boy... he didn't get drug out into the street like she did...)
They had an agenda.....to discredit this Teacher who was gaining favor with the public, they intended to find something wrong with Him.
Finagle.
They would protect their agenda, keep their (un)holy huddle in tact, and not share the limelight with Him or anyone else. They would remain top dog.
Finagle.
Why is honesty so difficult for us? Why can't we just deal with each other as we are?
Why do we finagle?
What is so difficult about simply speaking plain and truthful? Truth in love....no better way. Certainly better than the best finagle.
One of the things that makes it so difficult for me is the hard truth that people don't handle truth. (...I'm hearing Jack Nicholson as he portrayed his character in A Few Good Men..)
People don't always handle the truth well. I often don't handle it well...but I want to be able to BE truthful with others, and I want THEM to handle MY truth.
I do want to be a big enough person to handle truth with no need of finagling.
Always.
It is defined as.... "to obtain or achieve something by using shady behavior, manipulation, or deception; achieve by indirect, usually deceitful methods"
That's what the religious leaders did in John 8, and they used only one of two equally guilty people caught in the very act of adultery.
They used the woman to finagle a trap. (..musta been a neighborhood good ole' boy... he didn't get drug out into the street like she did...)
They had an agenda.....to discredit this Teacher who was gaining favor with the public, they intended to find something wrong with Him.
Finagle.
They would protect their agenda, keep their (un)holy huddle in tact, and not share the limelight with Him or anyone else. They would remain top dog.
Finagle.
Why is honesty so difficult for us? Why can't we just deal with each other as we are?
Why do we finagle?
What is so difficult about simply speaking plain and truthful? Truth in love....no better way. Certainly better than the best finagle.
One of the things that makes it so difficult for me is the hard truth that people don't handle truth. (...I'm hearing Jack Nicholson as he portrayed his character in A Few Good Men..)
People don't always handle the truth well. I often don't handle it well...but I want to be able to BE truthful with others, and I want THEM to handle MY truth.
I do want to be a big enough person to handle truth with no need of finagling.
Always.
Caught....
".....and they said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. " (John 8:4)
It is a familiar story to anyone who has been churched. "The woman caught in adultery"
I have never been an adulteress. But I sure know what it is like to be caught in sin.
The most important thing is my response to having been caught. Do I try to cover it up? Deny it? Make excuses for it, in attempt to justify it?
Worse...do I just accept the sin, callousing my heart so that I'm not even bothered about my wrong behavior?
We do that you know. Just say 'oh well...', and keep right on with the wrong choices and wrong actions. Pretty soon, we don't have a second thought about our wrong behavior. (...it can even get to feeling right somehow....) Maybe I'm the only one with that tendancy. But I doubt it.
I've read this story many times. One character I don't want to find myself playing is that of the ones who drug this naked, sinful woman to Jesus. Out into the street, out into public.
It is easy for me to identify sin in other people. That in itself is not wrong. Just as it was not wrong for these religious leaders to call this woman to account for her sin, it is not wrong for me to call others to account for their sin.
Their motive had nothing to do with the woman's spiritual welfare. It had to do with promoting their own agenda.
God help me to never have the wrong motive for bringing sinful behavior to the Light of Jesus Christ.
It is a familiar story to anyone who has been churched. "The woman caught in adultery"
I have never been an adulteress. But I sure know what it is like to be caught in sin.
The most important thing is my response to having been caught. Do I try to cover it up? Deny it? Make excuses for it, in attempt to justify it?
Worse...do I just accept the sin, callousing my heart so that I'm not even bothered about my wrong behavior?
We do that you know. Just say 'oh well...', and keep right on with the wrong choices and wrong actions. Pretty soon, we don't have a second thought about our wrong behavior. (...it can even get to feeling right somehow....) Maybe I'm the only one with that tendancy. But I doubt it.
I've read this story many times. One character I don't want to find myself playing is that of the ones who drug this naked, sinful woman to Jesus. Out into the street, out into public.
It is easy for me to identify sin in other people. That in itself is not wrong. Just as it was not wrong for these religious leaders to call this woman to account for her sin, it is not wrong for me to call others to account for their sin.
Their motive had nothing to do with the woman's spiritual welfare. It had to do with promoting their own agenda.
God help me to never have the wrong motive for bringing sinful behavior to the Light of Jesus Christ.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Division...
"...So there was a division among the people because of Him." (John 7:43)
Jesus admonished us to seek unity.
His whole purpose in becoming a human was to bring about a restored relationship with our Creator God.
Yet when He is present, there is a schism. A divided sentiment. Divisions in the way people respond....
Jesus never promised superficial harmony. In fact, He warned us of the opposite.
"Don't think I've come to make life cozy...... Well-meaning family members can be your worst enemies....If you don't go all the way with me, through thick and thin, you don't deserve me. If your first concern is to look after yourself, you'll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you'll find both yourself and me. (Matt. 10:34-39 The Message)
When I was 12, I recieved a Bible with my name stamped on the front in gold lettering. There was a poem printed on cardstock in it that I used for a bookmarker. It is the only poem I can remember much of and I had lost it somehow, somewhere down thru the years. (....Google can find ANYthing...)
The poem used the word schism.
I had not heard that word and it was hard t find a definition for it. (...didn't have Google then...)
I still have that Bible with it's notes in the margins. Notes taken from sermons, notes copied from other people...very little notes from sitting alone myself at Jesus' feet with that Bible opened. I had the information drilled into my head....much of it with a certain doctrinal twist. (...schism...)
That strange word, 'schism' has always stuck with me...and that Bible has become more than ink on a page. I do not tire of the message written within...and I pour over it prayerfully that no preconcieved doctrinal slant (schism) cloud my vision or dull my hearing.
I want nothing to bring about any division in my heart regarding Jesus.
I purpose to seek Him with a completely undivided heart.
He has promised that when I do that....He will be found. (Jer. 29:13)
Jesus admonished us to seek unity.
His whole purpose in becoming a human was to bring about a restored relationship with our Creator God.
Yet when He is present, there is a schism. A divided sentiment. Divisions in the way people respond....
Jesus never promised superficial harmony. In fact, He warned us of the opposite.
When I was 12, I recieved a Bible with my name stamped on the front in gold lettering. There was a poem printed on cardstock in it that I used for a bookmarker. It is the only poem I can remember much of and I had lost it somehow, somewhere down thru the years. (....Google can find ANYthing...)
The poem used the word schism.
I had not heard that word and it was hard t find a definition for it. (...didn't have Google then...)
I still have that Bible with it's notes in the margins. Notes taken from sermons, notes copied from other people...very little notes from sitting alone myself at Jesus' feet with that Bible opened. I had the information drilled into my head....much of it with a certain doctrinal twist. (...schism...)
That strange word, 'schism' has always stuck with me...and that Bible has become more than ink on a page. I do not tire of the message written within...and I pour over it prayerfully that no preconcieved doctrinal slant (schism) cloud my vision or dull my hearing.
I want nothing to bring about any division in my heart regarding Jesus.
I purpose to seek Him with a completely undivided heart.
He has promised that when I do that....He will be found. (Jer. 29:13)
My Bible And I
We've travelled together,
My Bible and I,
Through all kinds of weather,
With smile or with sigh!
In sorrow or sunshine,
In tempest or calm!
Thy friendship unchanging,
My lamp and my psalm.
My Bible and I,
Through all kinds of weather,
With smile or with sigh!
In sorrow or sunshine,
In tempest or calm!
Thy friendship unchanging,
My lamp and my psalm.
We've travelled together,
My Bible and I,
When life has grown weary,
And death e'en was nigh!
But all through the darkness
Of mist or of wrong,
I found there a solace,
A prayer and a song.
My Bible and I,
When life has grown weary,
And death e'en was nigh!
But all through the darkness
Of mist or of wrong,
I found there a solace,
A prayer and a song.
So now who shall part us,
My Bible and I?
Shall "isms" or "schisms"
Or "new lights" who try?
Shall shadow for substance,
Or stone for good bread,
Supplant thy sound wisdom,
Give folly instead?
My Bible and I?
Shall "isms" or "schisms"
Or "new lights" who try?
Shall shadow for substance,
Or stone for good bread,
Supplant thy sound wisdom,
Give folly instead?
Ah, no, my dear Bible,
Exponent of light!
Thou sword of the spirit,
Put error to flight!
And still through life's journey,
Until my last sigh,
We'll travel together,
My Bible and I.
Exponent of light!
Thou sword of the spirit,
Put error to flight!
And still through life's journey,
Until my last sigh,
We'll travel together,
My Bible and I.
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Publicity....
Publicity is an attempt, deliberately designed to attract and manage public attention. It is possible to buy it. I don't do it often, but I have paid lots of money for some of it....
Movie stars and politicians are very stratetic about managing how the public percieves them. They go to great lengths to be at the right place at the right time, wearing the right thing, saying the right thing...
The best kind is free.
The best kind can't be bought.
The best kind is word of mouth....not managed, not designed, not some strategy.
Jesus' disciples would have been publicists if Jesus had cooperated with them.
As I continue in my study of John's gospel account, I read in John 7 about Jesus' ministry going forward, and it is again near the festival season. (...think 4th of July when everyone rushes to the lake with hamburger and hotdog supplies..)
Jesus would have participated in these festivities every year as He grew up. It would have had great religious meaning but would also have been part of His heritage and something He had shared with His family and friends.
Jesus would have participated in these festivities every year as He grew up. It would have had great religious meaning but would also have been part of His heritage and something He had shared with His family and friends.
"It was near the time of Tabernacles, a feast observed annually by the Jews. His brothers said, "Why don't you leave here and go up to the Feast so your disciples can get a good look at the works you do. No one who intends to be publicly known does everything behind the scenes. If you're serious about what you are doing, come out in the open and show the world." (John 7:2-4)
Just as the devil had suggested, (Matthew 4:5-6), now Jesus' brothers suggest, "Dazzle them! Show off some of those tricks you can do !! This is a perfect opportunity, all these people in town, everyone receptive to hearing about Messiah, You can take down the house !!"
But....as they should have realized, miracles don't bring about belief. They had seen, yet demand more miraculous 'proof'.
Jesus is the most famous person Who ever walked this earth, but His strategy to be in the right place at the right time was not a plan to manage public opinion.
It was a strategy planned out from eternity past.....
It was a strategy to be in ONLY the right place at the right time....
.......on Calvary's hill, as the Lamb of God, at the time of the final Passover.
Hallelujah.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Devil...
Around Halloween, a devil wears a red suit with a long pointed tail, horns on his head, and a spear in his hand.
I've heard people call a mischievous child a 'little devil'.
I don't like either.
Jesus faced 'the' devil in the wilderness.
In John 6:70 Jesus spoke of 'a' devil.
He had been talking to the following crowd about spiritual food rather than the free fish dinner they had enjoyed previously. In the process, He was exposing false motives. The real reason they followed Him was not for Who He is, but for what He could do for them. At least in part....
A profound truth I see this morning is that the Word of God brings life, and it divides.
Some of the people said Jesus' teaching was 'too hard', and left. They stopped following, stopped seeking Him out, stopped listening.
"You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve. (John 6:67)
I love Peter's answer.
"Master, to whom would we go? You have the words of real life, eternal life.We've already committed ourselves, confident that you are the Holy One of God." (John 6:69 The Message)
But Jesus' response chills me.....
"Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!" (John 6:70)
I purpose before God this morning to not just 'look' like a follower of Jesus.
I purpose before Him to be authentic.
I've heard people call a mischievous child a 'little devil'.
I don't like either.
Jesus faced 'the' devil in the wilderness.
In John 6:70 Jesus spoke of 'a' devil.
He had been talking to the following crowd about spiritual food rather than the free fish dinner they had enjoyed previously. In the process, He was exposing false motives. The real reason they followed Him was not for Who He is, but for what He could do for them. At least in part....
A profound truth I see this morning is that the Word of God brings life, and it divides.
Some of the people said Jesus' teaching was 'too hard', and left. They stopped following, stopped seeking Him out, stopped listening.
"You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve. (John 6:67)
I love Peter's answer.
"Master, to whom would we go? You have the words of real life, eternal life.We've already committed ourselves, confident that you are the Holy One of God." (John 6:69 The Message)
But Jesus' response chills me.....
"Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!" (John 6:70)
I purpose before God this morning to not just 'look' like a follower of Jesus.
I purpose before Him to be authentic.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Difficult....
"On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?" (John 6:60)
Acting in obedience to what God instructs is rarely ANYthing other than difficult.
Making a decision to follow Christ seems only to make life more difficult.
Choosing to do what HE says is right is much more difficult than just reacting to our life situations in whatever way we feel at the moment.
Often I have repeated this to Jesus. "This is hard !!" "Who can do this?" (John 6:60)
"I can"....He whispers.
".....the Spirit of truth.......... you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you........
I will not leave you...." (John 14:17-18)
Acting in obedience to what God instructs is rarely ANYthing other than difficult.
Making a decision to follow Christ seems only to make life more difficult.
Choosing to do what HE says is right is much more difficult than just reacting to our life situations in whatever way we feel at the moment.
Often I have repeated this to Jesus. "This is hard !!" "Who can do this?" (John 6:60)
"I can"....He whispers.
I will not leave you...." (John 14:17-18)
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Teach....
Continuing in John 6...I think about the crowd of Jews following this new Teacher Jesus.
They had been fed......miraculously.
People had been healed....miraculously.
I feel sure I would have been right where they were. Questioning. Drawing on my knowledge of scripture. I'm pretty sure I would not have recognized prophecy fulfilled in this carpenter from Nazareth.....no more than they did.
Why did so many not get it? Why did they not recognize Him for Who He was...immediately? They had so much knowledge of scripture, prophecy......
In John 6:45, Jesus quotes from Isaiah 54:13 and Jeremiah 31:31-34, telling the critical Jews who questioned His teaching that "...all will be taught by God.." (John 6:45)
To teach it to communicate to another the knowledge of that of which he was before ignorant. (Webster's definition)
I am struck this morning with that phrase, "taught by God".
I can learn lots of information. I can replace any area of ignorance with facts and data. I can scrutinize and analyze....
But in matters of God and His Word, what He has said, what He IS saying, what He is doing....I do well to not teach myself. I may accumulate some knowledge, but that knowledge will be useless unless it is brought to Life by The Holy Spirit of God.
I purpose today to be taught by God.
They had been fed......miraculously.
People had been healed....miraculously.
I feel sure I would have been right where they were. Questioning. Drawing on my knowledge of scripture. I'm pretty sure I would not have recognized prophecy fulfilled in this carpenter from Nazareth.....no more than they did.
Why did so many not get it? Why did they not recognize Him for Who He was...immediately? They had so much knowledge of scripture, prophecy......
In John 6:45, Jesus quotes from Isaiah 54:13 and Jeremiah 31:31-34, telling the critical Jews who questioned His teaching that "...all will be taught by God.." (John 6:45)
To teach it to communicate to another the knowledge of that of which he was before ignorant. (Webster's definition)
I am struck this morning with that phrase, "taught by God".
I can learn lots of information. I can replace any area of ignorance with facts and data. I can scrutinize and analyze....
But in matters of God and His Word, what He has said, what He IS saying, what He is doing....I do well to not teach myself. I may accumulate some knowledge, but that knowledge will be useless unless it is brought to Life by The Holy Spirit of God.
I purpose today to be taught by God.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Endures....
Webster says "To last; to continue in the same state without perishing"
In John 6:27 Jesus says, "Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life.."
What does that mean? I echo the question of the crowd following Him that day.
As I ponder on the situation recorded in scripture, I see a crowd of people following Jesus because of reasons like the free food and free medical help He was providing.
Why do I follow Him?
I have learned that my greatest needs are not the immediate needs we all have. While Jesus is indeed concerned with the needs of my flesh, (He knows about those....personally..), His desire is that I have my eternal needs met.
And those needs are needs that I am absolutely powerless to fill.....
How thankful I am that it is not my own work and labot, but the work of grace, that provides the eternal food that I would die without.
Eternally....that is beyond a long time.
In John 6:27 Jesus says, "Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life.."
What does that mean? I echo the question of the crowd following Him that day.
As I ponder on the situation recorded in scripture, I see a crowd of people following Jesus because of reasons like the free food and free medical help He was providing.
Why do I follow Him?
I have learned that my greatest needs are not the immediate needs we all have. While Jesus is indeed concerned with the needs of my flesh, (He knows about those....personally..), His desire is that I have my eternal needs met.
And those needs are needs that I am absolutely powerless to fill.....
How thankful I am that it is not my own work and labot, but the work of grace, that provides the eternal food that I would die without.
Eternally....that is beyond a long time.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Recognize...
Webster says "To recollect or recover the knowledge of.."
I read (or heard) somewhere once, that you can't know what you don't know. Duh..
While it is true that we can only know what we know....it is also true that we CAN know MORE than we know.
It may seem that I'm talking in circles or riddles.....but looking at the events of John 6, I see that Jesus' disciples did not 'recognize' Him. I wonder...how often is it that I too, do not recognize Him?
Did they not recognize Him because they did not expect Him to show up?
Or did they not recognize Him because He appeared in an unexpected way?
When the circumstances are stormy, am I frightened and unaware that it is Him approaching?
How do I expect Him to show up in my storm?
And are those expectations broad enough to recognize Him in whatever way He chooses to show Himself to me in the middle of my own storm?
"....they were terrified. But he said to them, "It is I; don't be afraid."
Then they were willing to take him into the boat..."(John 6:19-21)
I purpose to know more than I know now....I want to know Jesus so intimately, that in whatever frightful situation I face, I will recognize Him in it, that I will know His Presence even before I see with my eyes or understand with my mind.
How thankful I am that His character and nature is one of love and assurance, that even when I do not recognize Him, He calls out to me at just the right moment, comes on board with me in my situation, and comforts me with His Presence.
Hallelujah.
I read (or heard) somewhere once, that you can't know what you don't know. Duh..
While it is true that we can only know what we know....it is also true that we CAN know MORE than we know.
It may seem that I'm talking in circles or riddles.....but looking at the events of John 6, I see that Jesus' disciples did not 'recognize' Him. I wonder...how often is it that I too, do not recognize Him?
Did they not recognize Him because they did not expect Him to show up?
Or did they not recognize Him because He appeared in an unexpected way?
When the circumstances are stormy, am I frightened and unaware that it is Him approaching?
How do I expect Him to show up in my storm?
And are those expectations broad enough to recognize Him in whatever way He chooses to show Himself to me in the middle of my own storm?
"....they were terrified. But he said to them, "It is I; don't be afraid."
Then they were willing to take him into the boat..."(John 6:19-21)
I purpose to know more than I know now....I want to know Jesus so intimately, that in whatever frightful situation I face, I will recognize Him in it, that I will know His Presence even before I see with my eyes or understand with my mind.
How thankful I am that His character and nature is one of love and assurance, that even when I do not recognize Him, He calls out to me at just the right moment, comes on board with me in my situation, and comforts me with His Presence.
Hallelujah.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Force...
Jesus could have forced anything He chose.
He could have forced the crowd to leave Him alone to rest. But He chose to calm them, difuse the situation, and feed their bellies.
He did force His disciples into a boat and onto the Sea of Galilee at night. He told them to go to Bathsaida, and He went back up the hill for the quiet time with God that He had wanted before the interruption of the crowd.
After such compelling instructions, the disciples did as they were told. Well, maybe...scripture says they set off for Capernaum. (John 6:17) The two cities are near each other. Maybe close is good enough.... ?
As I read thru all the gospel accounts of this event, I see that Jesus sent them off, didn't go with them, but saw them from where He was. "He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them...."(Mark 6:48)
Were the disciples rowing hard in the wrong direction, not headed exactly where they were sent?
I can't know, either way. But I realize from pondering on this story, that when I am not in complete obedience to God's instructions, very often I find myself straining against a strong and forceful wind in my own life.
Perhaps the wind was sent to maneuver them back on track in the right direction. Perhaps not.
Does He send a force of 'wind' to encourage me to stop going in the wrong direction? I think so.
I know this... My will is mine. God can and will not force me. My choices are mine to make.
But I do well to accept the truth that He is always, always, always right. Whether I like it, agree with it, or understand it....He is right.
I purpose in my heart to go exactly where He instructs, exactly when.....and know that He is watching, always aware of my situation, and will show up at exactly the right time.
He is always, and ONLY, good.
(Mark 6:44-51)
He could have forced the crowd to leave Him alone to rest. But He chose to calm them, difuse the situation, and feed their bellies.
He did force His disciples into a boat and onto the Sea of Galilee at night. He told them to go to Bathsaida, and He went back up the hill for the quiet time with God that He had wanted before the interruption of the crowd.
After such compelling instructions, the disciples did as they were told. Well, maybe...scripture says they set off for Capernaum. (John 6:17) The two cities are near each other. Maybe close is good enough.... ?
As I read thru all the gospel accounts of this event, I see that Jesus sent them off, didn't go with them, but saw them from where He was. "He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them...."(Mark 6:48)
Were the disciples rowing hard in the wrong direction, not headed exactly where they were sent?
I can't know, either way. But I realize from pondering on this story, that when I am not in complete obedience to God's instructions, very often I find myself straining against a strong and forceful wind in my own life.
Perhaps the wind was sent to maneuver them back on track in the right direction. Perhaps not.
Does He send a force of 'wind' to encourage me to stop going in the wrong direction? I think so.
I know this... My will is mine. God can and will not force me. My choices are mine to make.
But I do well to accept the truth that He is always, always, always right. Whether I like it, agree with it, or understand it....He is right.
I purpose in my heart to go exactly where He instructs, exactly when.....and know that He is watching, always aware of my situation, and will show up at exactly the right time.
He is always, and ONLY, good.
(Mark 6:44-51)
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Multiplied....
We learn in the first few years of school what it is for a number to be multiplied.
We learn in Sunday school how God instructed creatures to multiply. Noah unloaded the ark on an earth that had been flooded, and again, God said "...multiply, and fill the earth.." (Genesis 1:22 and Genesis 9:1)
Jesus disciples must have wondered why He didn't cash in on the opportunity to multiply His followers. He was, after all, Messiah...why would He not take advantage of this situation and build up an army of men to help Him bring victory to Israel? Jesus could easily multiply the number of followers...many times over.
But instead of rallying people to that cause, He keeps them quieted and calm, seats them on the grassy field, and multiplies....
Fish. And bread.
"Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish." (John 6:11)
It was Passover season...and Jesus knew that He was the perfect Lamb of sacrifice. He knew what was ahead. He knew the time was getting short. There would soon be another Bread being broken and multiplied.
His Body.
I purpose today, to get involved in breaking that Bread of Life in the multiple opportunities He sets before me.
Jesus asked those with Him that day, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" (John 6:5)
He speaks to me this moment, thru scripture....."I Am the Bread of Life." (John 6:48)
And as He spoke to Peter, He speaks to me....
"Feed my sheep...." (John 21:17)
What I have is less than a fish and a hunk of bread.... But in whatever situation I face, whatever I have, placed in The Hands of Jesus....will be multiplied.
He will make it more than enough.
Hallelujah
We learn in Sunday school how God instructed creatures to multiply. Noah unloaded the ark on an earth that had been flooded, and again, God said "...multiply, and fill the earth.." (Genesis 1:22 and Genesis 9:1)
Jesus disciples must have wondered why He didn't cash in on the opportunity to multiply His followers. He was, after all, Messiah...why would He not take advantage of this situation and build up an army of men to help Him bring victory to Israel? Jesus could easily multiply the number of followers...many times over.
But instead of rallying people to that cause, He keeps them quieted and calm, seats them on the grassy field, and multiplies....
Fish. And bread.
"Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish." (John 6:11)
It was Passover season...and Jesus knew that He was the perfect Lamb of sacrifice. He knew what was ahead. He knew the time was getting short. There would soon be another Bread being broken and multiplied.
His Body.
I purpose today, to get involved in breaking that Bread of Life in the multiple opportunities He sets before me.
Jesus asked those with Him that day, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" (John 6:5)
He speaks to me this moment, thru scripture....."I Am the Bread of Life." (John 6:48)
And as He spoke to Peter, He speaks to me....
"Feed my sheep...." (John 21:17)
What I have is less than a fish and a hunk of bread.... But in whatever situation I face, whatever I have, placed in The Hands of Jesus....will be multiplied.
He will make it more than enough.
Hallelujah
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
But....
When you see that word, look out....you usually see an excuse next.
I continue in John 6:9 this morning...
After being disturbed by a crowd of hungry people, Jesus' asks the disciples where and how these needs could be met.
"He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do." (John 6:6)
He knew the answer before He asked them...but they didn't know, they may not have even considered the needs of these people who had chased after them.
(I'm afraid I'd have been in that mindset...probably just annoyed at the interruption.)
But Jesus causes them to consider other people, so their thoughts begin to turn....and they see the limitations.
Phillip thinks about the amount....and he thinks in the terms of money. "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!" (John 6:7)
Andrew thought about the amount...and he thinks in terms of quantity. "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?" (John 6:9)
Both are valid trains of thought... EXCEPT when Jesus is involved.
It is frustrating to face a daunting task when we look at it from a human, practical viewpoint.
We do well to remember that our God is not human.
I purpose to place my meager little fish in the Hands of Jesus, and trust Him to use what little I have.
No excuses. No buts...
I continue in John 6:9 this morning...
After being disturbed by a crowd of hungry people, Jesus' asks the disciples where and how these needs could be met.
"He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do." (John 6:6)
He knew the answer before He asked them...but they didn't know, they may not have even considered the needs of these people who had chased after them.
(I'm afraid I'd have been in that mindset...probably just annoyed at the interruption.)
But Jesus causes them to consider other people, so their thoughts begin to turn....and they see the limitations.
Phillip thinks about the amount....and he thinks in the terms of money. "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!" (John 6:7)
Andrew thought about the amount...and he thinks in terms of quantity. "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?" (John 6:9)
Both are valid trains of thought... EXCEPT when Jesus is involved.
It is frustrating to face a daunting task when we look at it from a human, practical viewpoint.
We do well to remember that our God is not human.
I purpose to place my meager little fish in the Hands of Jesus, and trust Him to use what little I have.
No excuses. No buts...
Monday, July 9, 2012
Interruptions....
Interruptions are annoying. Our internet is acting up and just when the Netflix show gets exciting....interruption.
As I begin to study John 6, I wonder how the interruptions were not annoying to Jesus. Certainly his disciples would have been troubled by the ups and downs of following after Him....the constant conflict with the religious world, the crowds...
Some two years after the wedding in Cana, Jesus has grown quite a following. A lot of them followed Him just for the novelty....maybe they would get to see Him perform...( a miracle).
Some thought He was indeed the Messiah.
Mark 6:31 tells us that sometimes there was not even time to eat.
I don't know about you, but when my tummy gets really empty, I get impatient. And grouchy.
As John 6:1 begins, we see Jesus going up a mountain, away from the crowd, taking His disciples with Him for some peace and quiet. A time of rest...
But they were interrupted.
I imagine how I would have responded. Tired. Hungry. Emotionally and physically spent. Finally found a quiet place to just sit with Jesus....personal one on one time. And here they come, you can easily see them from up the hillside were they sat....coming.
Picnic and naptime is over. No more resting. Jesus looks down at them coming their direction.
Interruption.
And instead of looking for an out, maybe slip away somehow, Jesus thinks about the needs of these people who are seeking Him out.
And He sees a teaching moment for His disciples.
As a disciple of Jesus myself, I don't like interruptions when I have time alone with Him. I love finding a quiet place and just sitting with His Word, prayerfully taking it in...
Interruptions come.
People need to be fed. People need to know Him, not just me.
He is big enough for the crowd. The crowd of the entire human race...
The only time Jesus is recorded to have asked His disciples advice, and He asks them how to solve an impossible situation. How to feed this huge crowd.
He asks us to feed the crowd. Not with fish...
"Feed My sheep." (John 21:15-17)
What will interrupt my doing that task?
As I begin to study John 6, I wonder how the interruptions were not annoying to Jesus. Certainly his disciples would have been troubled by the ups and downs of following after Him....the constant conflict with the religious world, the crowds...
Some two years after the wedding in Cana, Jesus has grown quite a following. A lot of them followed Him just for the novelty....maybe they would get to see Him perform...( a miracle).
Some thought He was indeed the Messiah.
Mark 6:31 tells us that sometimes there was not even time to eat.
I don't know about you, but when my tummy gets really empty, I get impatient. And grouchy.
As John 6:1 begins, we see Jesus going up a mountain, away from the crowd, taking His disciples with Him for some peace and quiet. A time of rest...
But they were interrupted.
I imagine how I would have responded. Tired. Hungry. Emotionally and physically spent. Finally found a quiet place to just sit with Jesus....personal one on one time. And here they come, you can easily see them from up the hillside were they sat....coming.
Picnic and naptime is over. No more resting. Jesus looks down at them coming their direction.
Interruption.
And instead of looking for an out, maybe slip away somehow, Jesus thinks about the needs of these people who are seeking Him out.
And He sees a teaching moment for His disciples.
As a disciple of Jesus myself, I don't like interruptions when I have time alone with Him. I love finding a quiet place and just sitting with His Word, prayerfully taking it in...
Interruptions come.
People need to be fed. People need to know Him, not just me.
He is big enough for the crowd. The crowd of the entire human race...
The only time Jesus is recorded to have asked His disciples advice, and He asks them how to solve an impossible situation. How to feed this huge crowd.
He asks us to feed the crowd. Not with fish...
"Feed My sheep." (John 21:15-17)
What will interrupt my doing that task?
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Empowered....
It seems such a simple thing to just 'stop' doing the thing that we should not be doing. We are told in scripture to ".... throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles..."(Hebrews 12:1)
Even when we have the knowledge of the evil, even when we come to fully understand the reasons God has for saying 'don't' .....it is not a simple thing to just 'stop it'. It is not easy to 'throw off' those sins we are entangled in.
So, are we just in a situation that is hopeless? When we try and try....and fail....do we just resolve ourselves to it?
From the story of John 5:1-15, Jesus demonstrated the answer to humanity's dilemma.
We can't just 'stop it'.
If we could, the simple list of ten rules Moses brought down from the mountain would have been humanity's answer.
We don't have the power within ourselves to stop the cycle of sin that started in The Garden.
It takes the Word of God. It takes Messiah Jesus speaking to us. It takes the Presence of The Holy Spirit of God within.
Jesus asked the invalid man, "Do you want to get well?" (John 5:6)
He still speaks. I echo His question, do you want to be whole?
Do you want to be strengthened, do you want the weakness removed? Do you want to walk on your own power? Do you want to stop depending on the strength of others?
Rather than answer Jesus' question, this man offered Jesus an excuse. Don't we do the same thing?
When He asks me if I want some situation changed, isn't my first response an excuse for being in the situation itself?
As I reflect on this passage, I hear Him say "Connie, if you want things to be different, hear Me....listen for My Voice, and when I speak....get up and walk. Don't wait for someone else to lead the way, don't wait for someone to carry you or lead you by the hand....when I say you can walk, you can walk."
How easily I forget.... What Jesus Christ says, simply IS.
I do well to know what He says, believe what He says, and respond in obedient faith to what He says.
Hallelujah.
Even when we have the knowledge of the evil, even when we come to fully understand the reasons God has for saying 'don't' .....it is not a simple thing to just 'stop it'. It is not easy to 'throw off' those sins we are entangled in.
So, are we just in a situation that is hopeless? When we try and try....and fail....do we just resolve ourselves to it?
From the story of John 5:1-15, Jesus demonstrated the answer to humanity's dilemma.
We can't just 'stop it'.
If we could, the simple list of ten rules Moses brought down from the mountain would have been humanity's answer.
We don't have the power within ourselves to stop the cycle of sin that started in The Garden.
It takes the Word of God. It takes Messiah Jesus speaking to us. It takes the Presence of The Holy Spirit of God within.
Jesus asked the invalid man, "Do you want to get well?" (John 5:6)
He still speaks. I echo His question, do you want to be whole?
Do you want to be strengthened, do you want the weakness removed? Do you want to walk on your own power? Do you want to stop depending on the strength of others?
Rather than answer Jesus' question, this man offered Jesus an excuse. Don't we do the same thing?
When He asks me if I want some situation changed, isn't my first response an excuse for being in the situation itself?
As I reflect on this passage, I hear Him say "Connie, if you want things to be different, hear Me....listen for My Voice, and when I speak....get up and walk. Don't wait for someone else to lead the way, don't wait for someone to carry you or lead you by the hand....when I say you can walk, you can walk."
How easily I forget.... What Jesus Christ says, simply IS.
I do well to know what He says, believe what He says, and respond in obedient faith to what He says.
Hallelujah.
Friday, July 6, 2012
Stop......
My son refers often to some comedy he watches where a doctor of some sort councils with his patients to 'just stop!!' the behavior that causes them to suffer.
It's a simple concept. If something causes you to be sad or be sick....stop. Just stop it.
It's not always easy to do, but we do have the option of exercising our will and doing just that...
...stop it.
In John 5:14, in His own way, Jesus says 'stop it'. A man had been cured from something that must have been the result of some lifestyle or behavior. Maybe he fell down during a drunken state, maybe it was a sexual disease that caused his illness, who knows.
What strikes me this morning is that Jesus said 'stop'. "...Behold, you are made whole. Sin no more lest a worse thing come to you."(John 5:14)
All sickness is not necessarily a result of personal sin. You can read thru the book of Job and clearly see that truth.
While sickness is not always caused by sin, sin always causes sickness.
You sin, you suffer. Maybe not immediately. Maybe not physically. But when we choose to go outside the standard that God has set, we WILL suffer.
From this simple lesson I want to take one thing this morning....
...when Jesus heals me in a certain area, when He makes me whole again in some splintered or shattered area of my life, I want never to repeat that mistake again.
It's a simple concept. If something causes you to be sad or be sick....stop. Just stop it.
It's not always easy to do, but we do have the option of exercising our will and doing just that...
...stop it.
In John 5:14, in His own way, Jesus says 'stop it'. A man had been cured from something that must have been the result of some lifestyle or behavior. Maybe he fell down during a drunken state, maybe it was a sexual disease that caused his illness, who knows.
What strikes me this morning is that Jesus said 'stop'. "...Behold, you are made whole. Sin no more lest a worse thing come to you."(John 5:14)
All sickness is not necessarily a result of personal sin. You can read thru the book of Job and clearly see that truth.
While sickness is not always caused by sin, sin always causes sickness.
You sin, you suffer. Maybe not immediately. Maybe not physically. But when we choose to go outside the standard that God has set, we WILL suffer.
From this simple lesson I want to take one thing this morning....
...when Jesus heals me in a certain area, when He makes me whole again in some splintered or shattered area of my life, I want never to repeat that mistake again.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Accomplishment...
The word 'after' in the verse above has to do with an accomplishment.
The passage talks about a pool of water that occasionally had a 'stirring'...thought to be done by angels. The phrase about the angels is thought to be a quotation, but even if it is not....even if the water was literally stirred by angels, this thought strikes me....you had to be first.
You had to accomplish some accomplishment, be the best, the fastest, get there first.
If you failed, you had to try harder. And harder.
It was up to you.
As I begin study of John 5, I am thanking God that it is not up to me.
There is not one single thing I can accomplish to get myself cleansed.
It's not a competition. It's not about do more, try harder. I don't have to be 'first'. It is simply about Jesus. He comes to us.
....and when He does, we must offer no excuses...
We must simply trust what He says, and make active steps of obedience.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Relate 2.....
Now I reflect on how Jesus handled the situation of the royal official's request and how he related to this father, and even family who were not directly involved. (John 4:46 ff)
The man's son was sick.
This was a man who had some authority to wield. He was a nobleman either by birth or because of holding some office of the court.
This official knew something about Jesus, and he traveled about a day to get to where Jesus was. His intention is clear...his son was sick and he wanted Jesus to intervene.
I wonder what it was that made him think Jesus could heal his son. It is remarkable that he didn't just send someone to get Jesus.
He left a sick son, and traveled at least a day, to speak to someone he had just heard about. He didn't wield whatever authority he had, he didn't assign the task to someone else, he did it personally, not commanding...just simply requesting that Jesus help.
But he thought Jesus’ physical Presence was the key.
Do I ?
At first, Jesus’ response seems harsh….. "Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders," Jesus told him, "you will never believe." ( John 4:48)
Jesus wasn't talking just to this father but to all of them. (..and us.)
Isn’t it like us to want to ‘see’? Don’t we all have the tendency to be in doubt and disbelief until we do?
Jesus’ simple Word is enough. More than enough.
Upon His say-so, it IS. Whatever He says….IS.
I don’t have to see or understand.
I don’t have to believe it for that matter…my belief doesn’t change His power or His character. My belief only changes how He is capable of relating to me.
Jesus said ‘Your son will live.’ This man accepted that as truth and returned to find his son alive and well.
The son had a remarkable turn toward health at the very same time the father had been speaking with Jesus.
"...So he and all his household believed." (John 4:53)
The family who might have wondered why God would take a precious son too soon, now rejoiced...
Not just over returned health…but rejoiced because they had cultivated within themselves a new and exciting relationship with Emmanuel…God With Us.
Had the son not been sick, the father would not have gone to Jesus, and the entire household may never have been brought to faith in Messiah Jesus.
And I would not have considered this morning that Jesus’ simple ‘say-so’ is all it takes.
His Word, IS. Period.
I do well to know what He has said.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Relate....
When I look that word up, the definitions are all about connections.
If you are related, you are connected.
We can be related by bloodline. We can relate by similar experiences. We cultivate RELATionships....and when we don't choose purposefully to do so, there is not much that connects us!!
Jesus was a Master at connecting with people....relating. I see some interesting examples of that in my study of John 4.
Jesus related to the Samaritan woman at the well by talking about water.
Jesus related to the royal official by demonstrating that just His 'say so' would be enough.
In both of these circumstances, Jesus took time and made deliberate effort to relate to them on familiar ground, drawing from their individual lives, things to use as teaching tools.
I first consider how Jesus related to the Samaritan woman.....
She had come to the well to get water, and in the heat of the day....a very unusual time to come, (most likely because she wanted to avoid the other women who would be there in the cooler morning or evening times).
It was a daily task, this getting water. Water wasn't piped into the kitchen sink...and it had to be replenished daily. (...you know what happenes to your dog's water in a couple day's time?...)
Jesus talked to her, which was huge....( any other Jewish man would have avoided contact, and in fact, Jesus' disciples might just have done that, as they probably passed her on the road as she was coming....see Luke 4:6-8...).
Then, Jesus drew her into a conversation about water. He says something about water that will permanetly get rid of thirst. She would be glad to find a way around coming to that well every day for water. But she didn't quite get what Jesus means with His talk about 'living water'.
Jesus continues to cultivate a way to relate to her Who He is.
Rather than accuse or condemn the wrong lifestyle He knew she was in, He presents an opportunity for her to confess to Him the wrong choices she had made and the wrong living situation she was in.
Oh boy...is that uncomfortable ! When Truth pricks thru, how do we respond?
Often, just like this woman. Change the subject !!
"Well, I went to church when I was growing up, but I never did like the preaching..."
"Well, my family went to XYZ church, my spouse was raised ABC, we couldn't agree where to go..."
"Well, we went to church where we lived, but then we moved and just never found a church home...."
She took the focus off personal sin and turned it around to focus on religion.
God and church have never been the same thing. Truth is not defined by religion. And religion does not change truth nor gaurantee truth.
Mere religion leaves us constantly thirsty, needing to drink and drink...trying to satisfy that horrible thirst that is the symptom of our sin-sickness. But if it relieves the dryness of soul at all, it is short lived.
You know ....
...the church-going habit for a while
... the 'I'm going to quit ___________' (fill in the blank with your own self-improvement issue)
... the list of good things we devote ourselves to doing.
All of it, a futile attempt to water ourselves from that well and relieve our dry parched spirit.
Jesus Christ tells the Samaritan woman (and US) that HE is The Living Water.
His mere Word does more to satiate our need than any denominational badge you care to wear. All the self improvements we can accomplish leave us as dirty as 'filthy rags' at best. (Isa. 64:6) All the good deeds and pew sitting we can manage won't do it.
Only Jesus. The Living Water.
Have you gone back to the old watering hole? Do you try to satisfy your need, over and over and over....with water that you labor over pulling up out of a man-made religious hole?
Or do you have the continuing bubble and flow of Living Water within?
And with that ever present flow, do you take that life-giving water to share with everyone in your realm of influence?
Do you have it with you Monday thru Friday, all day Saturday, AND Sunday when you assemble yourself with the family of God, whatever denominational badge that may be?
I echo the Samaritan woman...I leave my old method and come to tell you...
Friend, don't just labor at the well, don't settle for stagnant, temporary sustanance.
One Word. Jesus.
"....leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people,
"Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did." (John 4:29)
I've drank from that well.
I now drink from the "...river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb." (Rev. 22:1)
No more stagnant welled up water for me...
If you are related, you are connected.
We can be related by bloodline. We can relate by similar experiences. We cultivate RELATionships....and when we don't choose purposefully to do so, there is not much that connects us!!
Jesus was a Master at connecting with people....relating. I see some interesting examples of that in my study of John 4.
Jesus related to the Samaritan woman at the well by talking about water.
Jesus related to the royal official by demonstrating that just His 'say so' would be enough.
In both of these circumstances, Jesus took time and made deliberate effort to relate to them on familiar ground, drawing from their individual lives, things to use as teaching tools.
I first consider how Jesus related to the Samaritan woman.....
She had come to the well to get water, and in the heat of the day....a very unusual time to come, (most likely because she wanted to avoid the other women who would be there in the cooler morning or evening times).
It was a daily task, this getting water. Water wasn't piped into the kitchen sink...and it had to be replenished daily. (...you know what happenes to your dog's water in a couple day's time?...)
Jesus talked to her, which was huge....( any other Jewish man would have avoided contact, and in fact, Jesus' disciples might just have done that, as they probably passed her on the road as she was coming....see Luke 4:6-8...).
Then, Jesus drew her into a conversation about water. He says something about water that will permanetly get rid of thirst. She would be glad to find a way around coming to that well every day for water. But she didn't quite get what Jesus means with His talk about 'living water'.
Jesus continues to cultivate a way to relate to her Who He is.
Rather than accuse or condemn the wrong lifestyle He knew she was in, He presents an opportunity for her to confess to Him the wrong choices she had made and the wrong living situation she was in.
Oh boy...is that uncomfortable ! When Truth pricks thru, how do we respond?
Often, just like this woman. Change the subject !!
"Well, I went to church when I was growing up, but I never did like the preaching..."
"Well, my family went to XYZ church, my spouse was raised ABC, we couldn't agree where to go..."
"Well, we went to church where we lived, but then we moved and just never found a church home...."
She took the focus off personal sin and turned it around to focus on religion.
God and church have never been the same thing. Truth is not defined by religion. And religion does not change truth nor gaurantee truth.
Mere religion leaves us constantly thirsty, needing to drink and drink...trying to satisfy that horrible thirst that is the symptom of our sin-sickness. But if it relieves the dryness of soul at all, it is short lived.
You know ....
...the church-going habit for a while
... the 'I'm going to quit ___________' (fill in the blank with your own self-improvement issue)
... the list of good things we devote ourselves to doing.
All of it, a futile attempt to water ourselves from that well and relieve our dry parched spirit.
Jesus Christ tells the Samaritan woman (and US) that HE is The Living Water.
His mere Word does more to satiate our need than any denominational badge you care to wear. All the self improvements we can accomplish leave us as dirty as 'filthy rags' at best. (Isa. 64:6) All the good deeds and pew sitting we can manage won't do it.
Only Jesus. The Living Water.
Have you gone back to the old watering hole? Do you try to satisfy your need, over and over and over....with water that you labor over pulling up out of a man-made religious hole?
Or do you have the continuing bubble and flow of Living Water within?
And with that ever present flow, do you take that life-giving water to share with everyone in your realm of influence?
Do you have it with you Monday thru Friday, all day Saturday, AND Sunday when you assemble yourself with the family of God, whatever denominational badge that may be?
I echo the Samaritan woman...I leave my old method and come to tell you...
Friend, don't just labor at the well, don't settle for stagnant, temporary sustanance.
One Word. Jesus.
"....leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people,
"Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did." (John 4:29)
I've drank from that well.
I now drink from the "...river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb." (Rev. 22:1)
No more stagnant welled up water for me...
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Following....
I don't presume to be Jesus, but if you like my Reflections, will you go to the Blog site and 'Follow' me?
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