A Social Distancing God?

Hi Everyone!

Wow!  How fast our lives-- for all of us--have changed!  Until two weeks ago, I heard occasionally about the COVID-19, and I felt bad for the parts of the world where it was prevalent, but quite honestly it really didn't effect me or my day to day life.  Well, all that changed immediately, when within just a few days the college where my husband works closed and sent all the dorm students home, the area public and private elementary as well as high schools all closed, and all the churches also ceased holding services.  Boom.  Everything stopped.  People were told to stop meeting together, stay home, and when you have to go out, keep at least six feet distance from each other.

As homeschoolers, quite a lot of our day to day is still the same.  My husband is now working from home, and that is different but we still have our regular math, science, and history books.  My daughter still gets up in the morning and practices her violin, eats breakfast, and practices piano.  I am still behind in grading her math, and I still try and sit down with her each day to read the Bible as well as some other books that we are going through together.

But one thing that is quite different for us is not being able to go to music lessons, and music is a HUGE part of my daughter's life! Well, praise God for creative teachers, and for teachers who are willing to truly go the extra mile to invest in our children's lives!  My daughter's violin teacher learned how to use Zoom and started teaching lessons that way. I thought for SURE her piano lessons would have to quit, but her piano teacher started using FaceTime and so we had a FaceTime piano lesson this week!  Yes, the sound quality left much to be desired, but it was a whole lot better than no lesson!  In the picture above, my daughter is holding up one of her music books for her piano teacher to look at the table of contents, so she could help guide my daughter in choosing another music piece to learn.  I was so touched by this effort and investment in my daughter, that it brought tears to my eyes and I snapped the picture!  If we were able to have face to face lessons, the teacher would be able to hand my daughter a book of music, but in today's situation we have to work with the materials we already have in our house.  I appreciate both of my daughter's creative music teachers so very very much! I don't like "Social Distancing" at all, and am looking forward to a future time when it will not be necessary!

This all has me thinking of how much we humans love and need each other. . . and I couldn't help but think--is our God a "Social Distancing" God?  Did He simply make us humans, and then walk away and leave us on our own--putting distance between us and Him?

If we go back to the beginning--the VERY beginning of our earth's history and the history of humans, we find in Genesis that God made us in His own image:

Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

But did He walk away from them then, and leave them on their own?  No--it was actually we humans that walked away from God, and God still wanted to be with us:

Genesis 3:8, 9 And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called to the man and said to him, "Where are you?"

It was sin that caused Adam and Eve to feel ashamed, to feel like they needed to run and hide from their sin-less and perfect God.  Sin--and God--do not mix together. But God still loved His people. He still wanted to be with us.

Genesis 5:24 Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took Him.

2 Kings 2:11, 12 And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it and he cried, "My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" And he saw him no more.

So is it only Enoch and Elijah that God cares about? That He doesn't "Socially Distance" Himself from?

Isaiah 40:11 He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.

Hummm.....carry them in His bosom.  That doesn't sound like He is obeying the keep six feet away from all others directive. But He has so MANY people on this old earth right now, so does He really care about ME?  About YOU?

Isaiah 49:15, 16 Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.

But what if I die?  What if, just what if, I contract this COVID-19 and I am one of those people who just don't make it out of the hospital alive?

Psalm 49:15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave; for he shall receive me.

John 10:28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

No, my Friend. God's Word is clear. There is no question about it at all.  Our God is NOT a social distancing God.  He never was, and He never will be.  His deepest desire is to be reunited with us once again!

Revelation 21:3-7 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."  And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." And he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son."

I told my daughter this morning, that just like we are currently looking back and saying "Wow! How fast things have changed in just two weeks!", some day we will look back and remember how last month at this time we were still on earth, but now we are with our God in heaven. Never more to part.

The forever end of "Social Distancing."

I can't wait--and God feels the same way!

~Susan

Fledging

Hi Everyone!

I (finally!) figured out how to attach the picture I was trying to attach to my previous blog post!  The above picture is of a baby cardinal that I took two days ago in our garden--isn't he/she so ugly that they are cute???  Definitely a face that only a mother could love, if you know what I mean! ;). Anyway, as I was writing about what is going on in our family with our oldest child fledging, it reminded me of this little baby bird and I just wanted to share the adorable picture!  Mama and Papa Cardinal built their nest in my rosebush, which is just fine with me.  What THEY might not be so thrilled about is they choose the rosebush that is a climber and is climbing over our walk through trellis gate, so every day at least once or so we are walking through that gate to get into our garden area.  The mother and father bird will fly away from the rose bush and fuss and hop all around in the garden--but still nearby--keeping an eye on their precious baby.  I feel bad disturbing them, yet sometimes I DO have to get into the garden, and this is the only gate in!

This little bird reminds me--our Great and Wonderful Heavenly Father sees even this baby bird.  It's parents are not the only ones watching over him:

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?  And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father."  Matthew 10:29

This little bird belongs to Someone:

"I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine."  Psalm 50:11

And just as the parent birds are "fussing" over their fledging baby, I may be "fussing" over mine.  Trying to make sure he has everything he is going to need.  Worrying about what dangers he will face. . .

And yet--I needn't worry.  Because his Heavenly Father is going to be watching over him, and can do a MUCH better job than I ever could.  And He will never forget him. . .

"Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb?  Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.  Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;  your walls are continually before me."   Isaiah 49:15,16

There will never be a situation that my son will face that he will not have his Heavenly Father watching over him and ready to help.

And He is ready to help us--His "big" children--just as much.

Random thoughts--taught by a cardinal.

~Susan

True Freedom

 Happy 4th of July Everyone!

I love celebrating the 4th!  I love everything about it--picnics, family togetherness, parades, and fireworks.  But most of all, I love what it stands for--Freedom.

Freedom is a wonderful thing.  Our country was founded on the foundation of religious freedom.  People for many years have fled to the shores of our great land to escape persecution for their religious beliefs, and they have thrilled to finally see that lamp of Lady Liberty lifted beside our shores.

But in spite of the wonderful freedom to be found here, there is one freedom that our country can not provide--and that is freedom from the grave.

 God is the first one who gave humans freedom.  Way back in the Garden of Eden, He gave His newly created Adam and Eve freedom to choose.  Freedom to choose to obey Him--or to listen to the deceiver.  They were not created as robots who could not help but follow the programming.  Genesis 2:16 & 17 tells us "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die."

We know what happened next.  And it's not pretty.  They disobeyed, and now they had a new freedom--the freedom to die.

But that's not the end of the story!  Our rescue is coming!  "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."  John 3:16 & 17

And if you skip to the back of the book, the best is yet to come!

"I saw the Holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them.  They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.' " Revelation 21:2-4

No more death.

At last!  After disobedience and "earning" the right to die, we will be rescued by our Savior.  Rescued from this world of sin.  Rescued from tears and mourning and crying and pain.  Rescued from the grave.

One year ago today, my dear friend lost her son to his battle with cancer.  He was young--younger than my own son.  And for now, he sleeps in the grave.  But his Jesus is coming back for him!

"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne?  Though she may forget, I will not forget you!  See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands. . . "  Isaiah 49:15 & 16

For now, sleep dear Jethenro.  Your rescuer is coming--and He brings with Him true freedom!

How to Know Your Calling

Good Morning Everyone!

Have you ever wondered how you are supposed to know what your calling is?  What God is calling YOU to do with your life?

The Bible tells us in Ephesians 2:10 that God planned ahead of time what we were supposed to do.  It reads like this:
     "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

Today I would like to share with you a very short video--just five minutes long.  This video is made by Christian writer Kim Cash Tate.  She talks fast and packs a LOT into those five minutes, so fasten your seatbelt because here we go!

Your Calling in Christ

Wasn't that video good?  I had to keep pausing it as I watched, simply so I could take notes and write down the list of things Kim was sharing!

I also found in my study this morning a quote I wanted to share with you--this is by E.G.White and is found in the book "Christ's Object Lessons" p. 402:

     "It is not the length of time we labor but our willingness and fidelity in the work that makes it acceptable to God.  In all our service a full surrender of self is demanded.  The smallest duty done in sincerity and self-forgetfulness is more pleasing to God than the greatest work when marred with self seeking.  He looks to see how much of the spirit of Christ we cherish, and how much of the likeness of Christ our work reveals, He regards more the love and faithfulness with which we work than the amount we do."

This is my prayer today.  That even in the smallest duty, that I would please God.

Blessings on you today as you walk with your beautiful Jesus!

~Susan

Are you resting?

Hi Everyone!

I have been thinking about rest lately.  We all get SO busy--and even though it is usually busy with all good things, it is busy none the less.  It is GOOD to be busy, to a point.  God created man for work, and people who do not have anything to do when they get up in the morning often find themselves sinking into depression if this goes on for too long.

But even though "keeping busy" can be good, it is only good to a point.  We need "busy," yes.  But we need "rest" too.  God knew what He was doing when He gave us the Sabbath every week!  Even doing "good things" on the Sabbath, and helping others can sometimes end up tiring us though.  I think that is why Jesus told us to come to Him.  The Sabbath is wonderful--and He made the Sabbath for us.  But it is only when we take the gift of the Sabbath and use it to come to Him that we are refreshed.  On Sabbath, and every single other day as well.  He is the one who carries our burdens for us.  He is the one who can guide us in what work we need to pick up--and what work to set down, that He has not asked us to do.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."  Matthew 11:28

I will give you.  I.  It isn't something that Susan has to do.  It isn't something that Susan has to earn.  It isn't even perhaps something that Susan deserves.  But it is something He gives to Susan anyway.

Free.  A gift.

Because He loves me.

I don't want to rush around too busy to open His gift--too busy to notice or care.

No.  His gift of rest is to be savored.  Opened slowly.  Sniffed.  Smelled.  Touched.  Felt.

Have you opened His gift of rest today?  Have you spent time with Him?  If not, why not?  You will never regret that precious time together.  Savor it slowly.

~Susan

In My Heart there Rings a Melody

Happy Sabbath!

You know how sometimes you just get this memory of a song from way back, and it just comes bubbling up to the surface?  Well that is what happened to me this past week.  I have no idea what made me start thinking of this song, as I haven't been anywhere where they were singing this song for probably years.  But once it flitted across my mind, it couldn't help but start spilling out.  It was the song "In My Heart there Rings a Melody."  Are you familiar with it?  Just in case you aren't, I have included a link that should take you to a site where you can not only read the words, but it can also play the song to listen to it--AND even print out the sheet music if you are musically gifted and can play music!

Such a simple song, but such a deep message.

"I have a song that Jesus gave me
it was sent from heaven above
There never was a sweeter melody
Tis the melody of love. . . "

It makes me wonder.

All that Jesus has given to me--I have nothing worthy to give back to Him.

But He doesn't want a gift from me.  He wants my heart.

Yet even my heart is ugly with sin.  Who would want a gift like that?

Amazingly, He would.

And He moves right in.

And grabs the broom.

And starts cleaning.

And when He is done-

All you can see is Him.

And it sparkles.

~Susan


http://www.hymnary.org/text/i_have_a_song_that_jesus_gave_me

Rejoice Over You

I think this is one of my favorite verses.

Just think of it--the Creator of our universe sings a love song about how much He loves YOU.

He created you, and He is delighted with you.

There is nothing ever that can separate His love from you.

He will never leave you--only you can leave Him.

And even then, He will still love you.

Forever.

Happy Sabbath!

Enjoy spending some time this Sabbath day with the one who rejoices over you with singing.

~Susan

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Everyone!

I know I have been kind of quiet around here lately.  Too busy with family over the holidays to be spending much time on-line.  We flew out to California to spend Christmas with my father-in-law.  With my mother-in-law passing away in the Fall, this was his very first Christmas without her, and we had a wonderful time being together.  We missed Mom, but it gave us all a chance to talk about how much we loved her and how much love she gave to all of us.  I had not been able to fly out for the funeral, so this was my first time out since her death.

We visited the cemetery.  The new headstone was in place.  Kind of hard to look at a headstone and see your loved one's name on it.  But I know she loved her Savior, so in spite of my missing her I had peace about the fact that I will see her again some day when Jesus comes to take us all home.

None of us expected this death in the year 2012.  It came upon our family suddenly and unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.  Last year held joy--and sorrow.

This new year I know will have both in it as well.

Which is why I do not dare enter this New Year without one thing--Jesus.

As we flew back home this past Monday, our flight started early in the morning when it was still quite dark.  After we had been flying for awhile, my husband peaked out my window seat window and brought my attention to the lovely sunrise (see photo above).  It was SO very pretty!  My camera focused quite a bit on the scratched plastic of the window, but I hope you can get the idea of how beautiful it was.  Breathtaking, really.

I couldn't help but think of this quote from one of my favorite books:

"Heaven and earth are no wider apart today than when shepherds listened to the angel's song.  Humanity is still as much the object of heaven's solicitude as when common men of common occupations met angels at noonday, and talked with the heavenly messengers in the vineyards and the fields.  To us in the common walks of life, heaven may be very near.  Angels from the courts above will attend the steps of those who come and go at God's command."  Desire of Ages p. 15

That's what I want--to come and go at God's command.  To have my life so in-tune with what my Creator wants me to do that I am directing my feet only to the path He wants me to take.  I want angels to attend my steps always.

Starting the new year by myself is terrifying.  Just one peak at the news tells us that our whole world is out of control.  Evil people hurt and steal.  Debt is rampant.  Even nature destroys large areas with floods and other disasters.  No--a new year by myself is not something to bring peace of mind to me!

But I am the object of the King of the Universe's attention.  He waits in the morning to meet with me.  He sends angels to attend my footsteps.  No good thing does He withhold from me.

The song that goes through my mind--"Anywhere with Jesus I can safely go. . . "

I cannot predict what will happen to you or to me this year.  But I do know that if Jesus is with us, it's certain to be a Happy New Year!

~Susan

God Will Make a Way

Happy Sabbath Everyone!

My son found this version of the song "God Will Make A Way" on YouTube, and it is such a pretty song that I thought I would share it with all of you--just in case there is someone out there who has never heard this song before! :)  I know I hadn't, before just a couple years ago.  Truly this has become my absolute favorite song ever.  Not only are the words and music beautiful--but I have seen the truth in this song played out in my own personal life.  Impossible situations.  Brick walls.  No openings.

But God.

My two favorite words in the English language.  But God.  But God changes everything.  But God opens doors that were closed tight before.  But God has a way, even when "I" do not.

Hope you enjoy the song!  And have a beautiful rest of the Sabbath!

Susan

God's Nail

Hi Everyone!

I ran across a really neat poem in a book I was reading when I was at my mom's house.  I loved the thoughts depicted in this poem, so thought I would share it with all of you here.  Hope you enjoy it as much as I have!

Susan

God's Nail

Lord, make me a nail upon the wall,

Fastened securely in its place.

Then from this thing so common and so small,

Hang a bright picture of Thy face;

That travelers may pause to look

Upon the loveliness depicted there,

And passing on their weary ways,

Each radiant face may bear--

Stamped so that nothing can efface--

The image of Thy glory and Thy grace.

Lord, let not one soul think of me.

Only let me be a nail upon the wall,

Holding Thy picture in its place.

--Mildred Hill

The Good-O-Meter

Happy Sabbath Everyone!

I thought this was a very interesting video that my son shared with me, so I thought I would in turn share it with all of you on here!  Very thought provoking, and a neat, simple way to illustrate Jesus stepping in for us.

Enjoy!

Susan

Happy Sabbath!

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:6,7

Peace of God. That's what I want. A peace that is so calm and solid that worry can find no foothold. A peace that knows that God is in control so I do not have to be. (I don't do a very good job at being in control anyway!) A peace that guards my heart and mind--the places where my feelings and my worries are!

Peace of God. Piece of God. It is only when we have a "piece" of God that we will have the "peace" of God. And so I continue to thirst for His Word. For it is by reading the Bible that I gain Christ.

Happy Sabbath Everyone!

Happy Easter!

Hello Everyone!

I just returned from helping out in our church's SonRise service. What an awesome experience, to follow Jesus through the streets of Jerusalem, to see Him interacting with His disciples at the Last Supper, and to follow him on to the cross. How blessed we are that the story does not end there. The period mark is not after the grave. The story does not end there. Because He is coming back for us. He promised. He will come. And we will live with Him forever and ever.

When I was a little girl (o.k., even now I am like this!) I only wanted to read stories that had a good ending. In my definition of "good," it meant that they all lived "happily ever after." I wanted everything to work out well and all to be happy. I would have to say that Jesus coming to take us home has got to be the best "Happily ever after" story that ever was!

Something interesting happened as I was going through the SonRise program with my daughter. At one point, we were watching the part of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, and the person who was playing the role of Satan was all around Jesus--trying to discourage Him, telling Him it was no good. That He was wasting His time on trying to save humans. My daughter looked up at me and said "Mom--Satan is kind of loud, isn't he?" I knew what she was referring to--the student playing the part of Satan was shouting and yelling--but I couldn't help but think how true her words were. Satan is kind of loud. He is "in your face" and "in your way" kind of loud. He is lying, so to make up for it he shouts. He uses force. He uses scare tactics. So opposite of our sweet, kind, loving Jesus. Yes, my daughter. Satan IS loud. And I don't want to listen to him any more. I only want to listen to Jesus.

Sweet, beautiful Jesus.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

May the road rise to meet you

May the wind be always at your back

May the sun shine warm upon your face

And rains fall soft upon your fields

And until we meet again

May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.

~Irish Blessing

Happy St. Patrick's Day Everyone!

I have always loved this Irish Blessing, and thought today would be a great day to share it. I think my favorite phrase in the blessing is the last one--"May God hold you in the hollow of His hand." Just think about that--being held in the hollow of God's hand. Safe. Secure. Loved.

But better than being a "wishful thinking" sort of phrase, the best part is that this is true! It is not just a "I wish it was." This blessing makes me think immediately of these verses--just read them and see how they match this blessing:

"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me." Isaiah 49:15,16

I am not only "held" in God's hands--where by mistake He might drop me. I am "engraved" in His hands--and so are you.

Happy Valentine's Day!

For God so loved Susan, that he gave his one and only Son, that when she believes in him she shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn Susan, but to save Susan through him.

John 3:16,17, Susan's version

Jesus. The best valentine's gift I have ever received. Because God loved me too much to live without me.

The Bible in 90 Days--Day 27

Good Morning Everyone!

Just thought I would pop in for a minute and let you know that I am still reading my way though the Bible. It is an incredible experience--I highly recommend it to anyone! By the end of this week, I will actually be one third of the way through the Bible. Hard to believe--feels like I just started a day or two ago!

Anyway, I am currently reading through the book of 2 Kings. One of the neatest stories in the Bible happens in 2 Kings. Have you heard about when Elisha trapped the blind Arameans? I never heard of it, until I was an adult. It's a shame, too, because it's a great story for us to tell our children.

It turns out that the king of Aram was at war with Israel. Raiding parties kept being sent into the land of Israel, but God would warn Elisha and the prophet would tell the king and so Israel would be on guard against the attackers. Well, the king of Aram got tired of his plans always being thwarted, and he thought one of his men must be leaking out information to the Israelites. But his officers told him that it was the prophet Elisha who could know even the very words that he spoke in his bedroom. Aram found out that Elisha was in the town of Dothan, so he sent horses and chariots there at night to surround the city.

In the morning when Elisha's servant got up early and went outside, he saw an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. He ran to Elisha and cried out "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" And here is my favorite part--Elisha replied "Don't be afraid, those who are with us are more than those who are with them."

Then Elisha prayed for God to open his servant's eyes so that he may see--and God opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. And then, Elisha prayed for God to strike the army with blindness, and God did. Elisha went to them and told them "This is not the road and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for." And he led them to Samaria.

After they entered the city, Elisha prayed for God to open their eyes again, and God opened their eyes and they looked, and there they were--inside Samaria! When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha if he should kill them--but listen to Elisha's answer:

"Do not kill them," he answered."Would you kill men you have captured with your own bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master."

So a great feast was prepared for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking they were sent away, and they returned to their master--and the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel's country.

Did you catch that? When treated with kindness, they stopped attacking Israel. Kindness was shown for evil, and it stopped the evil. I realize this may not always happen here on this sin-filled earth. Kindness shown may not always stop evil from happening. But I still feel that that is what God would have us to do. He is the judge--not us.

So two great things from this story that jump out at me every time I read it: 1) those who are with me are more than those who are against me, and 2) return evil with kindness.

Great story. You can read it yourself in 2 Kings chapter 6.

God's Gifts

Good Morning Everyone!

I just wanted to take a minute and share with you what a lovely sunrise God gave us yesterday. What a beautiful gift--the sky was just awesome to be out in the yard standing there with all the colors above me. My photo here has captured it only dimly, the true colors were MUCH brighter. The sky was beautifully painted just for us, and the gift could only be enjoyed right THEN. Within ten minutes, it was all gone as the sun rose higher in the sky.

Sad to say, I hadn't even noticed this gift from God. I was busy trying to get ready for the morning, trying to get to breakfast "on time" so we could start home school "on time." All good things. But I almost missed it. If it wasn't for my son banging on my bathroom door and telling me to look out the window, this gift would have come and gone--without me opening it at all.

Now don't get me wrong. I am a firm believer that when I and my children operate on routines, our whole day goes better. Getting up on time leads to getting to school/work on time--things that are of value. But it does make me wonder. . . Am I TOO busy to notice when God sends me a gift? Am I too busy to open it? My schedule and routine had helped me to get up at the right time that day, and I had already spent time in Bible reading--something that NEVER happens if I am not following my schedule. But I almost missed an additional "I love you!" from God.

Dear Father-

Open my eyes that I may see Your gifts to me all around.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:22-23

The Resume of Jesus

I do not know who originally made this up--but a friend of mine shared it with me and I thought it was really good!

Enjoy!

Susan

Resume of Jesus:

The
Address: Ephesians 1:20
Phone: Romans 10:13
Website: The Bible . Keywords: Christ, Lord, Savior and Jesus
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Objective
My name is Jesus -The Christ. Many call me Lord! I've sent you my resume because I'm seeking the top management position in your heart. Please consider my accomplishments as set forth in my resume.
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Qualifications
I founded the earth and established the heavens, (See Proverbs 3:19)
I formed man from the dust of the ground, (See Genesis 2:7)
I breathed into man the breath of life, (See Genesis 2:7)
I redeemed man from the curse of the law, (See Galatians 3:13)
The blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant comes upon your life through me, (See Galatians 3:14)
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Occupational Background
I've only had one employer, (See Luke 2:49 ).
I've never been tardy, absent, disobedient, slothful or disrespectful.
My employer has nothing but rave reviews for me, (See Matthew 3:15 -17)
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Skills Work Experiences
Some of my skills and work experiences include: empowering the poor to be poor no more, healing the brokenhearted, setting the captives free, healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind and setting at liberty them that are bruised, (See Luke 4:18).
I am a Wonderful Counselor, (See Isaiah 9:6). People who listen to me shall dwell safely and shall not fear evil, (See Proverbs 1:33 ).
Most importantly, I have the authority, ability and power to cleanse you of your sins, (See I John 1:7-9)
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Educational Background
I encompass the entire breadth and length of knowledge, wisdom and understanding, (See Proverbs 2:6).
In me are hid all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, (See Colossians 2:3).
My Word is so powerful; it has been described as being a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path, (See Psalms 119:105).
I can even tell you all of the secrets of your heart, (See Psalms 44:21).
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Major Accomplishments
I was an active participant in the greatest Summit Meeting of all times, (See Genesis 1:26 ).
I laid down my life so that you may live, (See II Corinthians 5:15 ).
I defeated the arch enemy of God and mankind and made a show of them openly, (See Colossians 2:15 ).
I've miraculously fed the poor, healed the sick and raised the dead!
There are many more major accomplishments, too many to mention here. You can read them on my website, which is located at: www dot - the BIBLE. You don't need an Internet connection or computer to access my website.
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References
Believers and followers worldwide will testify to my divine healing, salvation, deliverance, miracles, restoration and supernatural guidance.
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In Summation
Now that you've read my resume, I'm confident that I'm the only candidate uniquely qualified to fill this vital position in your heart. In summation, I will properly direct your paths, (See Proverbs 3:5-6), and lead you into everlasting life, (See John 6:47 ). When can I start? Time is of the essence, (See Hebrews 3:15 ).

Send this resume to everyone you know,
you never know who may have an opening!

Ancient Words

My friend shared this song video with me the other day. It is SO very beautiful, sung about an even more beautiful Book. A love letter, written by a God who loved us to much to live without us. How very important that we read His messages of love and forgiveness. I pray that you and I will both spend even more time in His love letter this new year.

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