rainbows are visions, but only illusions
someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection,
the lovers, the dreamers and me.
October 18, 2010
October 17, 2010
Soup Weather.
Black and white scarves.
Earmuffs and mittens.
Pumpkin patches.
Hot chocolate.
Thankfulness of the day: Today is perfect for hearty vegetable soup!
Earmuffs and mittens.
Pumpkin patches.
Hot chocolate.
Thankfulness of the day: Today is perfect for hearty vegetable soup!
October 14, 2010
Faith that Moves.
Yesterday at Bible study, we poured over John 6:1-15.
1 After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. 2 And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. 3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. 5 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!”
There is so much that could be said about this passage, but today I'm going to focus onthe boy who was willing to share his meal with strangers. First of all, barley was used by the poorest of people so we know he probably came from an impoverished place. This speaks much of his generosity and his heart to share when he could have saved it for himself or his family. I also have an image of his mother who had the foresight to pack him dinner before he ran off to listen to Jesus. In my mind, there were probably other people who had food but the Bible is specific in saying that this boy was the only one who came forward and offered his food.
On the topic of faith, the disciples had just spend the entire day watching Jesus heal the sick. It makes me laugh that they witnessed so much of Jesus' life and power and yet they failed to believe He could provide food for 5,000+. But Jesus asks Philip the question to bring them to the realization of the impossibility of the situation and how, in reality, all things are possible through Christ. Amazing to even hear Andrew's disbelief. "What are these 5 loaves and 2 fishes for so many people?"
I love that among so many, a boy had the faith to share what he had and was in turn blessed.
As I drove today, I wondered about this boy and what kind of man he grew up to be. I'd like to meet him in Heaven and ask about his life after the miracle. I want to be like this boy with a faith that moves mountains.
1 After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. 2 And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. 3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. 5 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little.” 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!”
There is so much that could be said about this passage, but today I'm going to focus onthe boy who was willing to share his meal with strangers. First of all, barley was used by the poorest of people so we know he probably came from an impoverished place. This speaks much of his generosity and his heart to share when he could have saved it for himself or his family. I also have an image of his mother who had the foresight to pack him dinner before he ran off to listen to Jesus. In my mind, there were probably other people who had food but the Bible is specific in saying that this boy was the only one who came forward and offered his food.
On the topic of faith, the disciples had just spend the entire day watching Jesus heal the sick. It makes me laugh that they witnessed so much of Jesus' life and power and yet they failed to believe He could provide food for 5,000+. But Jesus asks Philip the question to bring them to the realization of the impossibility of the situation and how, in reality, all things are possible through Christ. Amazing to even hear Andrew's disbelief. "What are these 5 loaves and 2 fishes for so many people?"
I love that among so many, a boy had the faith to share what he had and was in turn blessed.
- This boy is recorded in the gospels.
- His food was used as an instrument for feeding others to the point of satisfaction.
- His faith brought others to see Jesus as the Prophet, the Messiah they've been waiting for.
- His faith and the turn of events glorified God.
As I drove today, I wondered about this boy and what kind of man he grew up to be. I'd like to meet him in Heaven and ask about his life after the miracle. I want to be like this boy with a faith that moves mountains.
I have not much
To offer You
Not near what You deserve
But still I come
Because Your cross
Has placed in me my worth
To offer You
Not near what You deserve
But still I come
Because Your cross
Has placed in me my worth
October 7, 2010
Not by Sight.
One of my elderly clients rides the bus to get to the clinic. As a laryngectomy client, he deals with a lot of prejudice because he has to communicate through a stoma (hole in the throat) or an artificial larynx. I hear about people judging him or trying to get as far away as possible because they think what he has is contagious. That makes me really sad because there's nothing contagious about him except his sense of humor.
The attitudes and actions of others is what makes my clients taciturn and depressed. He's so much more than what an operation has made him. Yes, he's a cancer survivor, but he's also an encourager, a big talker, a risk-taker, and a fighter. I watch him come alive when I ask him about Ireland and his family and I know he just wants to be heard and respected.
I think about his commute on the bus and how he stares at his own reflection in the window. I hope something in our therapy session sticks with him and makes him smile. I hope he knows I hear and respect him. And that I can beat him in black jack. (He likes that I don't go easy on him.) If we took the time to climb over walls, we might find that people are so much more than what we see.
Thankfulness of the day: A most gorgeous day to go running and walking by the ocean. I also found my first starfish and threw it back into the ocean hoping it'd have a second chance at life. :)
The attitudes and actions of others is what makes my clients taciturn and depressed. He's so much more than what an operation has made him. Yes, he's a cancer survivor, but he's also an encourager, a big talker, a risk-taker, and a fighter. I watch him come alive when I ask him about Ireland and his family and I know he just wants to be heard and respected.
I think about his commute on the bus and how he stares at his own reflection in the window. I hope something in our therapy session sticks with him and makes him smile. I hope he knows I hear and respect him. And that I can beat him in black jack. (He likes that I don't go easy on him.) If we took the time to climb over walls, we might find that people are so much more than what we see.
Thankfulness of the day: A most gorgeous day to go running and walking by the ocean. I also found my first starfish and threw it back into the ocean hoping it'd have a second chance at life. :)
October 5, 2010
Passion.
Passion is the heart set free
to pursue that which is truly worthy.
-Jaeson Ma
What are you passionate about?
Is it worthy?
Is it worthy?
October 2, 2010
Beloved.
This week has been a bit of a desert trying to spend time with God. To make up for the drought, I went out to the field near my house, fell onto the grass, and promptly spent some time with my Jesus.
Ezra, Nehemiah, Psalms, Lamentations, 2 Corinthians, 1 Peter. You know what kept coming up? God's faithfulness, God's steadfast love, God as our portion, God as a listener.
And do you know what the God of the universe thinks of us? What He calls us?
I am his beloved.
And you are, too.
(Tangential thankfulness of the day: the lizard I saw! I wanted to see if his tail would fall off, but he was too fast for me. That also made me realize why I get along with 4 year olds so well.)
Ezra, Nehemiah, Psalms, Lamentations, 2 Corinthians, 1 Peter. You know what kept coming up? God's faithfulness, God's steadfast love, God as our portion, God as a listener.
And do you know what the God of the universe thinks of us? What He calls us?
- a chosen race
- royal priesthood
- holy nation
- his possession
- a light
- his beloved
I am his beloved.
And you are, too.
(Tangential thankfulness of the day: the lizard I saw! I wanted to see if his tail would fall off, but he was too fast for me. That also made me realize why I get along with 4 year olds so well.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)