Month: February 2014

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counting marbles Daily Post

45

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Oh I was so caught up in the magic of Valentines day, I forgot to remind you that there are 45 weekends left! I hope you got this one off to rip roaring start. I am spending my marble investing in the future by spending the weekend with 70 teenagers!! Yeah!

And here is something to encourage you on this Saturday.

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, (Philippians 1:27-29 NIV)

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Daily Post

Happy <3 Day

Hey it’s Valentines Day.  Men, I hope you remembered to take care of that someone special.

It’s sort of on odd holiday really, so I decided to do a little bit of research on this St Valentine, only to realize that there doesn’t seem to be much of story there, or not that I could decipher this morning.  Maybe someone can help me out with some more information?

I did however find.  According to Wikipedia, the name “Valentine” is ‘derived from valens (worthy, strong, powerful)’.  Interesting enough those three words immediately make me think about the Creator.  Who else is worthy, strong and powerful.?  But of course, and why not, he is Love!

Enjoy this day showering your fav with love, but do take a moment to remember who created the concept anyway!

And may His Love help keep you strong and powerful,

17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.  Ephesians 3:17 (NLT)

 

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Daily Post

A New Name

Yes, it’s here!  A holiday that ranks up there in the Holiday Rankings, its Get A Different Name Day.  This time instead of Vladimir VonHoffingburger, I think I will go with Manwell Wellman.  I love that name!  How about you, what name would you choose?

Of course, I have a certain affinity for this name that the Lord has decided upon as well, Hephzibah.  Seriously, take a look in Isaiah as the Lord talks about Jerusalem and his people.

4 Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the Lord delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married. Isaiah 62:4 KJV

He changed their name from Forsaken and Desolate to Hephzibah and Beulah.   Hephzibah, means “pleasure” or “delight”, but also bring with it some elements of protection.  So, essentially God changes their name from  “The People that God Left” to “The People God Loves”.

That’s pretty awesome!  And that’s a promise that we can count on.  The coming get a different name day will be pretty neat!

Jerusalem, the nations will see your goodness,
and all kings will see your glory.
Then you will have a new name,
which the Lord himself will give you.
3 You will be like a beautiful crown in the Lord’s hand,
like a king’s crown in your God’s hand.
4 You will never again be called the People that God Left,
nor your land the Land that God Destroyed.
You will be called the People God Loves,
and your land will be called the Bride of God,
because the Lord loves you. Isaiah 62 NCV

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Daily Post

Grace Dispenser

As I was getting ready this morning I saw this tweet and immediately changed my mind on what I was going to share this morning.  I thought this was a great reminder for all of us.

That’s a pretty incredible way to view yourself as you interact with others.  A grace dispenser, a place that people feel the love of God, and not the condemnation of men. Sure sin has its consequences, but what we need to do is to walk along side of our fellow humans and point the way to the One.  This whole idea sort of reminds me of this bit of interaction that a certain woman had with the son of God after she was caught in a ‘compromising position’

10 Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”

11 “No, Lord,” she said.

And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” John 8:10-11

Dispense it all day.  After all, you have been given so much more than you can ever use!

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Daily Post

Be These

Be These Art

I found this image while looking for some stuff to share with my middle-schoolers yesterday. I am sure you may have seen this design before, on t-shirts or on posters. Still it is a good reminder of our simple objective this week.

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its salty taste, it cannot be made salty again. It is good for nothing, except to be thrown out and walked on.

14 “You are the light that gives light to the world. A city that is built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 And people don’t hide a light under a bowl. They put it on a lampstand so the light shines for all the people in the house. 16 In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and will praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16(NCV)

And that leads me to my question for you to ponder. In what ways will you be a light for other people? How will others taste your saltiness?  How will you ‘be these’?