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Love Is An Odd Thing
Love is an odd thing! It gives without conditions,
It isn’t fearful of what might happen.
It isn’t blind; in fact, love sees things as they really are.
It is like a mirror, accurately reflecting the condition of the one who stops long enough to gaze into it.It doesn’t demand it’s own way, or complain if inconvenienced.
It won’t require of others anything it hasn’t already done.
It will not steal, rape, or injure. It simply can’t.
It is intimate, but not obscene.It is secure, in that it doesn’t need to be accepted to know its value.
It never takes advantage of others; their mistakes, their weaknesses, their generosity, or their trust.
It trusts in. It weeps for. It laughs with. Others.
It fulfills every commandment, plus.It’s like a saucer that sits under a shaky cup of hot coffee. Catching, protecting, gathering, supporting.
It says one thing and does it.
It’s always trying to find a way to reconcile, yet won’t force its way.
It is the motivation behind every great deed.
It doesn’t require a platform to speak from.It turns a deaf ear to criticism, yet hears the heart’s cry of the lost and hurting.
It outlasts every threat, every rejection, every indifference.
It is imitated by many, but captured by few.
It is the strongest force in the universe, but gentle enough to caress a broken heart.It is beyond reason, and our wildest dream.
It won’t be fenced in, can’t be bullied.
It’s too good to be true, yet it is the foundation of truth.
It can not be blocked, stopped, quenched, or killed.
It can be ignored and refused. But it lives on, keeps on.Love is God, God is love.
It is an odd thing.
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End Times? Forget It!
Now that the Mayan crisis is over, we can all get on with life…BUT WAIT! “But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.
Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness”(2 Peter 3:10 – 3:13 NLT)
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Arise, Shine!
Please don’t misunderstand me…I am not a gloom and doom kind of guy; but I have been spending time meditating on the Word and praying for and about the present day Church. While I may write things that seem like I’m ragging on the church and ministers, I am totally in love with Jesus AND His Church! And though I believe the next year will be extremely challenging and ministries will be sifted and shaken,I see the Glory rising through those who won’t, and can’t, be stopped!
Malachi 4:1,2 – The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says, “The day of judgment is coming, burning like a furnace. On that day the arrogant and the wicked will be burned up like straw. They will be consumed roots, branches, and all. “But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture. On the day when I act, you will tread upon the wicked as if they were dust under your feet,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.Isaiah 60:1 – Arise, shine, for your light has come; and the Glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
Men and women of God – let go of the things that cause you and others to stumble in darkness. Embrace the changes the Lord is bringing you through.
Hate what He hates, love what He loves; and He will anoint you with the oil of joy beyond what you’ve experience thus far.
Days of Brightness,
Days of Freedom,
Days of Refining and Defining the Church.You know what? We’re going to need each other…
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Could Jesus Be An American Preacher In 2013?
What if Jesus was a Preacher in the American Church in 2013?
What would that look like? Would He know how to grow a church? Would He have a “staff” and what would that look like?
Could the Apostle Jesus plant a church in today’s society, economy, and denominational organizations?
How would He go about doing it? Who would He ask, what forms would He need to fill out, what extra training would He need before He would be given permission. Would He need to have a core group before beginning the work and what if He wasn’t the right age to connect with what the demographic researchers determined was necessary? Would He wear the title of “Apostle” like a badge that demanded recognition and obedience? Would He demand the tithe from His “children in the faith”? Would He serve others or expect everyone to serve Him?
Suppose Jesus came to church this year as a Prophet of God?
Who would listen? Would He even be invited to speak “a Word from God”? Who would give Him permission to speak? If He revealed too much of our hearts and lives, would someone shut down the meeting? Would He advertise in Christian publications, using full page, full color ads, describing Himself in such a way so He could get more meetings and publicity? Could He hold citywide crusades? Would He go to small venues, or would there need to be enough people to “support the ministry”? Would He “sell His services and prayers” for a nominal offering to help support the ministry? Would He promise a hundred-fold return for every nickel given? Would He be a person of integrity – and actually pray over each letter received, like He said He would – or would His staff collect the money from the envelopes and toss the letters?
Maybe Jesus would arrive as an Evangelist!
Healing, casting out devils, preaching the word of deliverance to those who come to the meetings. But, who would come? In fact, who would even schedule Jesus to have a meeting? The American church doesn’t need evangelistic meetings anymore, do they? After all, the local pastor can give “his” congregation everything they need. So really, no need for an evangelist. Just forget it.
Do you really think Jesus could last as a Pastor/Shepherd in 2013?
For how long? Could He make it 7 years? Could He handle loud music or old hymns? Would it make any difference to His church if He was bivocational? Would He sit in His office before “service”, not speaking to anyone so He didn’t “lose His anointing” or would He greet and hug, receiving all who came to Him? What organization would He have His preaching papers with? Would He go to “ministers meetings” for fellowship or would He stay in His own little world, complaining of how busy He always is? Would the congregation have to wait for months to schedule an appointment with Him? Would He return calls to missionaries or another minister, or would the calls be ignored? Would He allow His tee time to be interrupted by a telephone call from another minister, who just needs some encouragement? Would He realize Who is supposed to lead the local church, or would He maintain His “called right”?
Possibly, Jesus would show up as a Teacher.
Would He arrive with certain demands regarding His accommodations and meals? Would He speak at the people or to them? Would He have well staged theatrics and cute sayings, or would His teaching go beyond the use of clever and persuasive words designed solely for crowd pleasing. Would the message taught change lives or only sell books and build publicity? Would He speak to a waitress in a restaurant with the same “sincerity” He uses to teach the masses? Could He work hand in hand with the other ministries in the church? Would He yield the platform to someone less “gifted” if Father God had a different plan that day? And, how many houses would He need to demonstrate just how prosperous God had made Him?
We’re going to find out!
Jesus is wanting to minister as an Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher – through you and I! I recall Jesus’ ministry throughout the Gospels, ministering as those gifts mentioned above, and I see the need for a lot of change. In me.
Maybe in you.
You and Jesus will determine that.
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Mrs. Grace’s Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies
Ever heard the phrase, “you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar”? You have? Well, it is a famous saying though I don’t know from whom it originated. But actually, I’d rather not catch flies!However, I am really interested in helping people connect with Jesus! Maybe you are, too. Ah, but what to use for “bait”?
Over the last 35 plus years I have tried many, many kinds of bait. I’ve used the “I’m holy, don’t touch me” approach. Guess what? I got my wish and nobody touched me. But they didn’t touch God either. Another kind of bait was “loading up my Gospel gun with the good news” and blasting the people to kingdom come. Yep, I blasted, they blew away, but not into the Kingdom of God.
Others have tried using petitions, though they’re hard to keep on the hook. Many have used placards and protests to let people know just how sinful they are, especially compared to the ones holding the signs. Once again, people scattered and all that was left to show for the effort were the “holy” and “indignant” folk. Nothing to show for the Kingdom; the only show was on earth.
If you’ve ever gone fishing, you will know that just telling the fish they’re hungry doesn’t work. Besides, the only fish that knows how to read is Charlie, the Tuna.
So, instead of approaching people from our high and lofty place, what if we tried something different? Now, don’t misunderstand me, please. I am as adamant about sharing Truth, God’s Word, as the next bible thumper. It’s the Word of God that causes new life to take place! What I’m trying to convey is something that could make a difference whether people take time to hear what we have to say. Really say.
If people will REALLY hear, we can REALLY say! And, if we REALLY care, they will REALLY hear!
So what if we did things like Jesus did? “What was that?”, I just heard you ask. He gave them chocolate chip cookies! WHAT???
Well, I suppose I could be exaggerating just a bit. But think about it…everywhere Jesus went, there would be tax collectors and other notorious sinners surrounding Him, wanting to hear what He had to say (Luke 15:1). A woman of Samaria, at Jacob’s well, heard something from Jesus that caused her to take a different course in life. What was it He had that connected with them? They could tell He valued them. How? By treating them like they mattered; He talked with them! With them, not at them!
He mixed sweetness and gentleness into the mix of truth. It didn’t compromise the truth, it made it palatable. To me, it’s like giving someone some excellent chocolate chip cookies. Speaking of excellent chocolate chip cookies, I have included the recipe for Mrs. Grace’s Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies at the end of this post. They have a way of opening and connecting hearts. You can make them for yourself, but the real power from above comes when you make them for someone else!
Romans 2:4 – “Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that His kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?” (NLT)
Chocolate chip cookies. Sweet, soft, chewy, moist, chocolate chip cookies.
Of course, you may still want to use your placards, petitions, and protests; up to you. But are you wanting just to feel good and holy, or would you rather connect with someone in a way that could very well change their life?
Cookies work better than a thump across the head!
Mrs. Grace’s Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies
1 cup butter, melted, cooled slightly (but, not margarine)
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups chocolate chips (12 ounces)
Mix ingredients in order given. Drop by teaspoonfuls (Mrs. Grace usually uses the smallest Pampered Chef scoop) on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees 9-11 minutes. Don’t let them get too brown, because they will continue cooking a little while you wait to take them from the pan. (Mrs. Grace waits a minute or two to remove them from the pan). Also, if you have them to use, Mrs. Grace believes it’s better to use heavy aluminum baking sheets.
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Why Are You Holding Your Breath?
Ever stop and ask yourself, “Why do people hold their breath?”
There are several reasons why.
Some do it for spite, or to try to get their way. Some hold their breath because they can’t stand the stench in the atmosphere around them. Others may not like the way a certain food tastes, so they plug their nose, throw in the food, chew and swallow, THEN release their nose. I guess that works.
Breath is something everyone needs. We were created with the need to breathe. Without breath we wouldn’t get very far at all.
Since breath is so vital, maybe we should all just hold our breath, keep what is ours, and make sure we always have it in case of a crisis. After all, you never know when you may need that gasp of breath.
I’ve noticed some people treat their time, treasure, and talents like their breath. It’s theirs, to use as they see fit. Some people have so much (earned, inherited, whatever), yet they are continually grasping (or gasping) for more. I’ve also heard of people who will stop their giving because they don’t like a decision made in their church. Or they’ll withhold their time to “teach someone a lesson”.
Have you ever tried holding your breath, like our friendly cat, and without letting any air out, try to get more in? You can only do that for so long. Pretty soon you’ll lose what you have to gain what you need to take in.
Breath is vital, but hold it too long and you die.
Proverbs 11:24,25 says, “Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything. The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” (NLT)
Jesus said, “Give and it will be given to you…the way you measure out is the way it will be measured to you.” (Paraphrased)
Now if you give all your breath away, you will die. If you try to hold it forever, you will die. The only way to live is to let the cycle of giving work in your life. You exhale, then inhale. You give, then receive. You touch people, they touch you. You bless others, you become blessed.
People don’t exhale for a tax deduction. Nor do they exhale just at Christmas time.
Breathing is part of living.
So is giving.
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Next Year (as I see it)
2013, I believe, will be a tougher year in every area but one. Social, financial, political, physical, even spiritual struggles will increase. People’s thought life will be challenged beyond what they’ve experienced and it will take a great degree of discipline to keep focused on truth rather than fantasy.
I see a Divine Separation taking place in 2013. As believers contend for righteousness and holiness, there will be a greater divide in the Church. While fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, will be connecting spiritually in a way not seen in the past 3 generations, spiritual brothers and sisters will lock horns. This is part of the “sharpening process”. Though many will not survive the process, it must take place. “Everything that can be shaken will be shaken, so that which can’t be shaken may remain.” The Lord’s work will be completed by vessels that have been tested in all ways and have become sharp and unshakeable in Him.
I believe there is one area that will NOT be tougher in 2013, in the sense of hard work with little results. But this will require much from those who want to see the Glory of God change multitudes of lives. That area is loving the world without reservation or hidden agendas. To those who will set aside their titles, ministries, programs, biases, doctrines (yes, doctrines), time, money, and simply love their world with God’s love they will see more people come into the kingdom than the church has seen in many, many years. This will be extremely hard for large ministries and those comfortable and secure in their churches. The process will require radical change in their philosophy of ministry. They will feel like they have become stripped bare and exposed to their congregations, peers, and the world. But the Lord will remind them His love should be their covering. Remember, He left His comfort and security to come to earth and ultimately was left exposed to His world; and while His people didn’t respond as they should’ve, multitudes did! And as many as received Him, He gave them the authority to become sons of God, even to as many as believed on His Name.
Quite a year is ahead! I sense the Spirit of God saying, “For too long the love of God has been hidden by the selfish works and ideas of man. It is time to expose the love of God for what it is; something bloody and raw that will go to the ends of the earth and give the ultimate sacrifice for someone else. The love of God makes you vulnerable, but extremely powerful. So don’t fear when you awake and find yourself spiritually and emotionally naked. Proceed to your world in My Name! They won’t see your nakedness, rather they will see My love.”
One last thing. I not only see testing and preparation increasing in the Body of Christ, I see the world’s trials increasing. What do I mean? I have a picture of Pharaoh, in the book of Exodus. God’s workings weren’t just for Israel, but also to bring Pharaoh and Egypt to a place of decision! Remember, there were many Egyptians who decided to leave with the Israelites.
What a time to be in the Kingdom!
“Then he instructed me, ‘Do not seal up the prophetic words in this book, for the time is near. Let the one who is doing harm continue to do harm; let the one who is vile continue to be vile; let the one who is righteous continue to live righteously; let the one who is holy continue to be holy.’”
“‘Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.’”
(Revelation 22:10-13 NLT) -
There is a Love
There is a love
That’s beyond comprehension
There is a love
That removes apprehension
There is a love
The Divine invitation
There is a love
There is Jesus.There is a love
That ignites transformation
There is a love
That restores reputation
There is a love
The Holy declaration
There is a love
There is Jesus.Darkness can’t penetrate
Hate cannot devastate
Time won’t obliterate
this LoveNothing can imitate
Control or violate
Hope must investigate
this Love
this Love
Jesus
There is a love
That inspires adoration
There is a love
That removes all transgressions
There is a love
It is Heaven’s revelation
There is a love
There is Jesus.copyright 2012 Jan Grace
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Will We Let Him Gather Our Children?
How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me (Matthew 23:37 NLT)Those were Jesus’ words to the city of Jerusalem. You know what? I think He could be saying the same thing to our cities. But will we listen?
Ever since Cain slew his brother Abel, The Lord has grieved over each and every person slain. As He did with Cain, so He does today. You see, whether or not we can tell if someone is about to “break”, God knows. He knew Cain was at that point and tried to get him to yield his hurt, anger, jealousy; all the inner things that were driving him to kill his brother, to the Lord. Cain wouldn’t listen and killed his brother.
There comes a time after people continually reject the promptings and warnings of God, that they become powerless against the spirit of death and murder, the devil. He is the thief who only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. And he has “caused” many people to rise up and murder many innocent children down through the years.
I am convinced The Lord tried to keep this horrifying scene from happening. He’s been trying for years to touch America’s children with the life that only comes from Him. But America seems to keep turning a deaf ear to His voice, rejecting Jesus on every turn. So our children are kept from being “gathered” by The Lord and they grow up without a real moral bearing. They know nothing of hearing God’s voice or even see the value of life. Yes, they grow up and can only hear one voice clearly; the voice of death and destruction. (Paid any attention to the video games out these days? Rated “T” for Teen and “M” for Mature)
My heart breaks for the parents, siblings, and loved ones of the victims in today’s massacre. But there is a heart breaking beyond our comprehension. The heart of Jesus.
I believe He is still trying to gather our children. He is still desiring to reveal His love to this generation.
Maybe we ought to “let Him”?
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Created In His Image
You start with a pattern, the exact representation of what you want to create.
Next, you take molding flasks, a top and bottom, (cope and drag); these will allow the molding sand to be pressed, squeezed with great force against the pattern.
The molding sand looks like dirt, but it’s really silica sand mixed with clay, water, and a few other ingredients. It can’t be too wet or you’ll have real problems when the molten iron is poured into the mold. Too dry, it will wash away as the iron flows, thus ruining the casting.
After the sand is pressed against the pattern, and a pouring hole (sprue) has been cut into the mold, the pattern is removed. Then the two halves of the mold are carefully placed back together.
Add some weight to the top of the mold, if needed.
Ready to create!
We were created in the image of God to be an exact representation, thought, word, and deed. Could it be, when God said ,”Let Us make man in Our image”, that the Son was the pattern? Picture the Father reach down, grab the molding sand, press it against the Pattern, then remove the Pattern and breathe into the mold His creative life.
And man became a living soul.
Even though that image was marred through Adam’s disobedience, Father God allowed His Son to, once and for all, be the Pattern of His new creation.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV)
My how we, even as new creations in Christ (Christians), spend so much time making sure the molding sand is taken care of. But it’s just a temporary thing. There’s a new creation on the inside.
By the way; though our outward man is perishing, our inward man is being renewed daily (2 Cor. 4). And this molding sand that is holding the new creation inside will be removed some day. The image on the inside will be all that’s left.
It’s time to be more aware of the inward man than the outward. It’s time to, while still in this sand, let Father lead us by His Spirit that’s within us. To grow up into Him, in all things, unto the stature of the fullness of Christ…
…and make certain you look like the Pattern when the dirt falls off.
Copyright 2012 Jan Grace
Jan Grace
adding God's Word into my world…
