I am very close to those who have a broken heart.

 

 

Psalm 34:18

Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart,
and saves those who have a crushed spirit.

 

 

King David knew a thing or two about heartache. Whether it was being overlooked by his father when he was a shepherd boy, being chased down by a murderous father-in-law or publicly exposed for his deadly secret sins. In the midst of his own personal pain and suffering, David discovered that God was very close and was always ready to save those with a contrite spirit. If God is indeed close to those with a broken heart as David said He was, what does that mean for us today?

With all of the horror that goes on in the world, I can only imagine that our God and Father is walking alongside every broken-hearted person on the planet whether they are aware of His presence or not. I don't think this idea is too much of a stretch because in Acts 2:17 we read that at Pentecost God poured out His own Spirit on all people. So if that is indeed the reality, God is closer than we could possibly imagine.

In some Christian circles though, we are afraid to expose our own personal brokeness for fear of being judged. Yet it is David, called 'a man after God's own heart', who wrote Psalm 34. If you read David's life story, you will know that he was not speaking in a hypothetical context, but right out of his own life experiences. No matter what depth of despair you might be contending with in your own life today, may this promise encourage you that your heavenly Father is very near.

 

 

The 12 Days of Christmas

The 12 Days of Christmas...source: Dr. Phillip Barnwell In the Church "Christmas" refers to a twelve day period that starts with Christmas Day. There is where "The Twelve Days of Christmas" comes from.

The world celebrates Christmas for 24 hours, but the Church celebrates if for 12 days because the gift of Christ is with us for twelve months of the year.

When most people hear of "The 12 Days of Christmas" they think of the song. This song originated as a tool to instruct young people in the meaning and content of the Christian faith.

From 1558 to 1829 Roman Catholics in England were not allowed to practice their faith openly. Someone wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics. "The 12 Days of Christmas" is an allegory. It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the song is a code for a religious reality which helped the children remember.

The song says, "On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me...." The "true love" represents God and the "me" is who receives these presents.

...the "partridge in a pear tree" was Jesus Christ who died on a tree as a gift from God. .
...the "two turtle doves" were the Old and New Testaments--another gift from God.
...the "three French hens" were faith, hope and love--the three gifts of the Spirit that abide (I Corinthians 13).
...the "four calling birds" were the four Gospels, the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
...the "five golden rings" were the first five books of the Bible, also called the Torah, the law or Books of Moses.
...the "six geese a-laying" were the six days of creation.
...the "seven swans a swimming" were seven gifts of the Spirit listed in Romans 12: prophecy, service, teaching, exhortation, giving, administration and mercy.
...the "eight maids a-milking" were the eight beatitudes found in the Sermon on the Mount.
...the "nine ladies dancing" were nine friuts of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galations 5:22-23).
...the "ten lords a-leaping" were the Ten Commandments.
...the "eleven pipers piping" were the eleven faithful disciples. .
..the "twelve drummers drumming" were the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

Greedy America

If we Americans are nothing more than hopelessly addicted consumers who think of ourselves as an exceptional people with special entitlements; if we see ourselves as God’s morally superior chosen people; if we are selfish and greedy beyond redemption—then we are complicit in all of the horrible crimes that government commits in our name.


My dear,


I don’t stop eating when I’m full. The meal is not over when I’m full. The meal is over when I hate myself.


And we’re all fine with this. Because this is America. Land of greed, avarice, and of having too much.

Who cares if we have more than enough, we make it enough; we take it all, and ask for more. Who cares that other countries are in dire need of even a morsal of what we have.

Oh, you do?

I don’t see you doing anything about it. Are you donating anything to those poorer than you? Nope. Are you going without something you want so a little baby girl somewhere out there can have what she needs? Nope.

Hell we even have a Thanksgiving, which is a holiday that reminds us to be thankful for what we have; but which was first celebrated right after we raped and stole the land of the Natives, and now celebrate right before Black Friday, the biggest shopping day of the year.

No, we won’t stop taking when we’re satisfied. Our greed isn’t over when we have more than enough. No, our greed is over when we hate ourselves.

Truly yours,
Louis Szekely

WAKE UP!

Children of God wake up! It's time to fight!
The Son has risen, there's no more night.
So stop hiding in the dark like you have something to be ashamed of;
Go forth boldly, in faith. Teach this world about God's love.

It's time we put our shoulder to the plow, not just money in a plate.
Time we picked up our swords and stormed the enemy's gate.
Because there are prisoners there who can't find their way,
Even though the battle is won and their ransom is paid.

WAKE UP! For the deceiver is working hard in your life and in mine
and his greatest lie
is that we have more time
but while you were listening to this another sinner died!

But you're tired and comfortable, go ahead, sleep.
Don't listen to their husbands and wives and children weep.
Don't let their screams from hell keep you awake.
Don't dream about the God you chose to forsake.   

♬♪♩♭♪ Awakening-Dance, ♬♪♩♭♪ Dance in the spirit of God

I'm after Your heart
Why should I be still when the worship starts Lord
I'm so in love with You
What can man do, can't hold me back anymore

You spin over me
And You are please when I spend myself on You
I'm gonna let go
Really worship letting my dance come forth

Dance! Dance!
Let the Spirit move you!
Dance! Dance!
Holy Spirit in you!

Who is This Man, Jesus?

Who is this man Jesus who we learned about in Sunday school when we were just kids? The Son of God – the greatest man who ever lived. His impact on the world was greater than any other man in history, yet most of us never really make the effort to know Him. When asked if they know Jesus, most people reply, “Jesus loves me.” Yes, He does but “do you really know Him?”Jesus is even more than the loving, safe Jesus. Look at the complexity of the world and the efficient functionality of the human body. God’s intelligence and creativity are infinite. The way He teaches us by allowing us to experience adversities, yet showing us compassion and alway allowing us a way out when it gets too complicated or painful for us to handle. But how do we get to know this Jesus? He is so far way and inaccessible. On the contrary. Jesus is always close by for us. To reach Him and develop a relationship with Him, all we need to do is open our hearts and start talking to Him and listening as well! As we share ourselves with Him, He will share with us. And little by little as in all relationships, the closeness and sharing will grow and Jesus will begin to clarify things to you that you never dreamed possible. You can start right now by getting on your knees and opening your mouth! And don’t forget to listen.!

Father: Because I cannot see you, I sometimes think you are not here. Please give me a nudge each day to remind me you are always with me, and that you just want to talk with me. Help me to know you better, Lord, and always to listen to what you are saying. Amen.

The “You” Nobody Knows: Lost, Scared, Alone Forever?

“Grow up,” they told you– and so you did.

You grew and you grew until

one day you were paying your own bills and

doing your own laundry and

making your own way.

You grew and you grew

and you grew

but still you had the strange sensation that

you were still a child

living in a grown person’s body–

lost,

scared,

alone,

pretending to have it all together

all of the time.

* * *

Until one day–

“Child,”

comes a voice,

“You were never meant to navigate

this ocean-of-a-world on your own.”

And the moment you hear it

in your ears and in your heart

you know that it is true.

And slowly, peacefully

comes the sense you’re being rocked

softly, tenderly,

in the arms of one who cares.

You close your eyes

and finally,

there is rest.

Finally,

you are known.

You are safe.

You are loved.

Finally.

It’s this moment that you’ve been missing for an eternity

and yet have never been missing at all.

* * *

“Child,”

says the voice,

“When was the last time you allowed me to hold you?”

For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13