Emily teaching orphans to color with their first set of crayons... on our trip to India a few years ago.
Happy Friday Friends… TGIF Again!
Jeremiah 31:1 “Long ago the Lord said to Israel: “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.”
Last night I had a very sad dream about a close friend. I woke up in such pain, my eyes were misting over as I contemplated its meaning. It was so real… so sad.
Oh how God cares about us! While reading in Jeremiah, this verse about Gods love came to life… I felt it swelling inside my heart. My eyes glazed over as I began to think about all the people I know who are suffering right now. The dream came back to me, now awake… it became like a vision… an outer body experience. I left my family room and started flying back over all my travels of the past few weeks. I could see myself talking to people at parties, running into people at the mall, interacting with people at church, chatting on the phone. I noticed all the pain coming from peoples hearts. I saw some of them holding back the tears. They were under so much pressure… feeling like nobody in all the world understood what they were enduring!
Throughout the course of the dream and the vision that followed, and the prayers I made to God afterwards… I came up with this message for you guys. I suppose that God is allowing me to experience HIS HEART this morning. He’s lending me his FEELINGS. For a brief moment, I’m seeing this world through his mind… and its overwhelming me! I can feel the pains of so many people right now… I’m hearing some of their prayers. And even though they each rise in the mornings to beautify their faces and cover over their feelings… I can see into their souls.
God says that he loves us with an everlasting love… and he draw us to himself with unfailing love. How does he do this? How does God reach out to people? How does he wrap his loving arms around hurting humans? He uses us as his representatives. He gives us his heart so that we can express his love! As long as we are self absorbed, we cant see the pains of others. And when our self obsessions are interrupted, we are freed to live a God kind of life! We are privileged to become Gods representatives to the people who need him right now!
This Christmas… break the trance of self obsession. Look around… look very carefully. See into the souls of your friends, family members, coworkers, neighbors, enemies, and everyone you bump into. Think about the lonely elders in your local nursing homes. Think about all the struggling people in your personal circle. Pray for them until a tear squeezes through the surface of your eyes and gently rolls down your compassionate cheeks. And then from this overwhelming sensation… ACT extravagantly! Make a very big difference for someone or a bunch of someones between now and the new year! Lend your ear, your time, your money, your baking skills, and anything else you can muster up to hand deliver a beautiful expression of Gods unfailing love. They are waiting for it… hoping for it… yearning for it! And you are the one to bring it to them right now, today or tomorrow… you will bring them new hope and a second wind!
Love you guys… have fun with this and please post your comments! See you here tomorrow! And hey… dont forget about church this Sunday at Destiny Family Center! Hope you can make it!
Do you remember the movie "It's a Wonderful Life"? The main character George Bailey, thought of himself as a horrible failure in life. Almost against his will he follows in his father's footsteps and takes over management of a small town savings & loan. Because of someone elses mistake he finds himself facing disgrace and ruin, maybe even prison. He begins to contemplate the unthinkable – suicide. He thinks that the world would be a better place if he'd never been born. But God intervenes and shows him just how big an impact his life has had not just on his family, but on the world around him.
Your blog today is kind of like that movie, challenging each of us to make a difference in the part of the world we find ourselves in.
I know I for one, have been blessed by having you in my life. The insights and wisdom God gives you have definitely made the world a richer place by far.
This christmas has been different in so many ways! we made a plan to show love instead of gifts due to a lack of funds. Wow what a great idea!!! When we called all our friends they were relieved!!! This year has not been stressful or so busy and I havent had to go to the mall!!! Best of all we are not in debt !!! This has been a fun and relaxed Christmas , not sure about christmas morning yet but so far so good. Have a wonderful Christmas and remember to tell your friends and family that you love them!!!(its less expensive than a material present and they will appreciate it so much more!)–Emily
reach out and touch someone..my moto always to embrace the moment and live for each second..second winds are sometimes all we got but with god steering the wheel i surely can help with my heart and light up someones day even though it takes a little effort some days you got to reach just a little higher than the flesh says you can–i sit around dialysis and look and see some many sick people and make them laugh or even a smile,some have lost limbs– ican still walk–some cant see—ican–some cant even move or breathe without oxygen–i can–yes i am soooooo blessed and all have is my heart to share**so here it is for the taking …ill give you mine you give me yours what a wonderful world this would be—luv yall so much–pam
WOW!! what a message! Its so real I feel it. I too, experience what you just described. I am so thrilled beyond words that you shared this experience. Mine has not been flying around from place to place but with one person at a time. I feel God has placed people in my path and has allowed this vision that you just described about seeing inside, past the “mask” and being used to meet some emotional need (usually) or to walk with that person or direct that person to someone else. Just like you described your focus must be off yourself or you will miss out on God’s greatest blessings and lessons for your own life and for those you come in contact with. Thanks so much!
Yeah… I really felt this message when I wrote it… just hoping that the length will not keep people from reading. I pray that everyone who’s ever been to the blog stumbles upon todays post. Just to think of the potential exchanges of love it can provoke! Have a super day you guys!
God is perfect. He knows what we each need. Your blog today is so powerful in many ways. Usually I buy gifts for my students and they buy gifts for each other, but together we talked and decided to buy gifts for those who would not be able to buy them for their families. We had a great time bringing in the gifts and checking out what we would be giving to an organization. The kids were so excited that someone would be receiving their gift. Not one child complained today because they didn't receive a gift. A child's heart is so huge!!!
It is vital for us to reach out to others and let them know we are there. It is hard when someone is hurting and you don't know how to help, but even a hug helps. Two mothers today told me how much my hugs make them feel as if everything will be alright with their families financially. I always read this saying when looking for graphics it says something like a million little things is more than one big thing. We need to press into to God and reach out to others!!!!
Thank you for your blog today.
Im loving your replies Nuala… thanks for all the encouragment and your well balanced thoughts. Your heart is clearly seen in the words you write! I hope you and Randy have a very Merry Christmas!
Yes, it is true that we have a legendary circle of fellowship! I touch your life, you touch mine, we touch others, they touch us. What a beautiful world this CAN be! We are the salt of the earth… a city up on a hill! Great thoughts… keep the comments coming bloggers!
Great thoughts; I'm inspired!
After reading Dave's comment about the movie "It's a wonderful life" and how it ties into your blog today my mind went to Nickelback. Have you seen their video titled "If everyone cared" It shows a powerful message about compassion, vision, and what one person can do who is motivated and/or holding on to their dreams. Then to know its written by a secular rock band. Of course we know its God who is leading, guiding and directing all involved but it takes obedience on us to follow and listen for change to occur.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYQ4fCUbopg&fe…
From underneath the trees, we watch the sky
Confusing stars for satellites
I never dreamed that you'd be mine
But here we are, we're here tonight
Singing, amen, I … I'm alive
Singing, amen, I … I'm alive
If everyone cared and nobody cried
If everyone loved and nobody lied
If everyone shared and swallowed their pride
We'd see the day when nobody died
Im singin'amen
Amen, I … Amen, I … I'm alive
Amen, I … Amen, I … Amen, I … I'm alive
And in the air the fire flies
Our only light in paradise
We'll show the world they were wrong
And teach them all to sing along
Singing amen, I … I'm alive
Singing amen, I … I'm alive
If everyone cared and nobody cried
If everyone loved and nobody lied
If everyone shared and swallowed their pride
We'd see the day when nobody died
And as we lie beneath the stars
We realize how small we are
If they could love like you and me
Imagine what the world could be
If everyone cared and nobody cried
If everyone loved and nobody lied
If everyone shared and swallowed their pride
We'd see the day when nobody died
We'd see the day, we'll see the day
When nobody die
We'd see the day, we'll see the day
When nobody die
We'd see the day when nobody die
“We’d see the day when nobody died”…..eternal life is awaiting us and I pray that more people are drawn into a relationship with Christ so they too can enter into eternal life.
Thank you christianranter… how did you find out about my blog? I'm inspired by your inspiration! Have a merry christmas!