The other night our group got together and one of the things that was said has really stuck with me for the last week. It was what Pete Briscoe had said in his sermon. He prayed that what broke God's heart, would break his too.
Today I had a strange thought. What if tears were ink instead of water? What if we couldn't wipe our tears away and they left behind a mark on our face? Then I pictured all the inky faces I would see on EVERY person I saw! Including mine!
What would happen if tears were out in the open? Would we realize how common tears are? Or would we just grow used to them, not even noticing anymore?
I don't need to see people's tears to know that they have cried. I want what would break God's heart to break mine too. I pray that I become more sensitive to the invisible tears around me.
God asks us to weep with those who weep and laugh with those laugh...rejoice with them. Jesus always shared concern, sympathy, empathy with those who wept. And he also shared joy, hope, and laughter.
Let's each pray to see beyond the surface and to minister to those whose tears are invisible and to increase the joy of those around us by being joyful with them.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Thursday, October 1, 2009
The TWO sides of being ALONE
To express the pain of being alone is "loneliness." To express the glory of being alone is "solitude."
Loneliness is pretty common these days and is increasing more and more. As common as single parenting is, many kids are lonely because their parents are busy working. Many elderly people are shut in their homes and are alone and lonely while the world outside keeps moving. There are many causes & reasons people isolate themselves and the result of that is loneliness. We were created to be relational and loneliness is not okay within us.
Solitude on the other hand, is when you finally get home from a busy day and turn down the noise and curl up with a good book. The joy of being alone is time for yourself to unwind & relax. A young mother looks forward to having some alone time after the kids go to school or when they go to bed in the evening.
Jesus often went off alone to pray and to meditate. He did this not just to get away from people. He did this so that He could be with God. He sought out his heavenly Father, he listened to him, he communed with him. We would do well by following his example. He beckons us to do the same. Not just for seeking times of solitude, but also when loneliness tries to invade us.
Jesus himself is never alone. He is not all by himself. He never feels loneliness, because God has always been a fellowship. He has always been Trinity- the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Jesus promises us that He will never leave us nor forsake us. With Him we are never alone.
Loneliness is pretty common these days and is increasing more and more. As common as single parenting is, many kids are lonely because their parents are busy working. Many elderly people are shut in their homes and are alone and lonely while the world outside keeps moving. There are many causes & reasons people isolate themselves and the result of that is loneliness. We were created to be relational and loneliness is not okay within us.
Solitude on the other hand, is when you finally get home from a busy day and turn down the noise and curl up with a good book. The joy of being alone is time for yourself to unwind & relax. A young mother looks forward to having some alone time after the kids go to school or when they go to bed in the evening.
Jesus often went off alone to pray and to meditate. He did this not just to get away from people. He did this so that He could be with God. He sought out his heavenly Father, he listened to him, he communed with him. We would do well by following his example. He beckons us to do the same. Not just for seeking times of solitude, but also when loneliness tries to invade us.
Jesus himself is never alone. He is not all by himself. He never feels loneliness, because God has always been a fellowship. He has always been Trinity- the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Jesus promises us that He will never leave us nor forsake us. With Him we are never alone.
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- We are missionaries with The Brook Ministries in Costa Rica. We are here to help strengthen the church body of Jesus Christ & to fulfill His Great commission to the lost. At our conferences, my husband directs the recreational activities & excursions. I provide physical renewal with massage for the female attendees. We believe that regularly scheduled renewal of the body, mind, & spirit for ministry leaders in particular, will empower them to serve the Lord with renewed strength & perseverance to do what God has uniquely called them to do....SERVE & BUILD HIS CHURCH to the outermost parts of the world!