Connection

Much has been said about the two women above. They both lived their lives giving of themselves, but differently. They both new their calling and lived into that. They both saw beauty in this earth and made that known.

Over the Christmas season, I had the opportunity to visit an exhibit on Princess Diana's life. How majestic it was to see her wedding dress with its 25 ft. train. How interesting it was to learn about her family lineage and how she became a Princess. But what was most poignant for me was a small prayer book that Mother Teresa had personally given Diana.

It was no frills. Simply bound, crisp white pages and filled with words specifically for Diana. What an incredible gift.

In the display case, the book was opened to a page with a beautiful prayer, here it is:

Jesus is the TRUTH to be told;

Jesus is the LIFE to be lived;

Jesus is the Loved to be loved;

Jesus is the LIGHT to be lit.

Let us love Jesus with an undivided heart and others

as He loves you and me.

These words are simple but true. Mother Teresa knew she had an opportunity to share the good news with Princess Diana and she was not going to miss it. She spread this message to the lowest of low and the highest of high. She lived like Jesus.

1.11.11

More times than not I find myself seeking myself.

My desires.

My wishes.

My, my, my.

This selfish mind-set has led me to places that I thought would be good, but later discovered otherwise.

Thankfully we have a God who KNOWS otherwise. Thankfully we have a God who asks us to surrender to Him, who asks us to TRUST Him.

What reassurance we have that by relinquishing our desires, our wishes, to Him, He WILL make our paths straight. He will lead us into the good and perfect way.

Good Choices

Be New.

It's the second day into this new year. It's an exciting time for many as they seek to make changes and resolutions of newness. However, newness doesn't just come at the start of January, it is available everyday.

Remember the words in Lamentations:

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are NEW every morning; great is your faithfulness".  3:22

Hold tight to the fact that you are being renewed day by day by Him.

I do believe that God loves this time of year because there is such a sense of renewal. I do believe that He likes that we want to be a better people by challenging ourselves and striving to be more. But, let us not lose sight of the greater purpose in doing this: to be more like His son, to be more His people, to be more of His Kingdom.

So be new today, be new tomorrow,

because He is.

Books to Read

Have you ever picked up a book that others recommended, read a few pages and then put it down?

This has happened to me one too many times.

The book {below} has been on my nightstand for quite some time now, and I'm determined to finish it by the end of Christmas break:

I started it again today.

I've probably read the first page like 10 times now, but this stood-out to me:

How true of our faith journey.

In any relationship we know close intimacy and also distance. 

But what a beautiful image of being fully in His presence, close enough to see the lines on His face.

I think I'll keep reading.

http://www.donaldmillerwords.com/bluelikejazz.php

Walk and Talk

I was reading from Luke recently about the two disciples that were walking down the road after Jesus' death. Luke says: "They were talking with each other about everything that had happened".

What a common activity: walking and talking.

How often do we discuss with our friends the happenings of the world and our lives? I know for me, and I'm sure for you, this is a daily occurrence.

In this story, "[a man] came up and walked along with them". He joined their conversation and asked "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" None of this is super strange or unimaginable. In fact, it's easy to think that if we were walking down a secluded dirt road and met some others, we would more than likely invite them to join us.
But, this story is different. Different because, the man who joins them isn't just anyone, it's Jesus.

The men did not know at first it was He, because they "were kept from recognizing him". They continued to walk and to tell "the man" about all the things that had recently occurred with Jesus of Nazareth. Later on, as the three ate together, the two disciples "eyes were opened and they recognized him".

Their reaction:

I think I would have reacted the same:

"How did I walk and talk with this man and not know it was my Savior, especially if my heart was burning?".

As we walk and talk today, let us pray for our hearts to burn more ferociously and for the knowledge to see our Savior in all people we meet on the road.

*Luke 24: 13-35 

Morning Prayer

"For Your perfect wisdom and perfect goodness:

For the love with which You love me:

For the great and mysterious opportunity of my life:

For the indwelling of Your Spirit in my heart:

For the sevenfold gifts of Your Spirit:

I praise and worship You, O Lord.

Yet let me not, when this morning prayer is said, think my worship ended and spend the day in forgetfulness of You. Rather from these moments of quietness let light go forth, and joy, and power, that will remain with me through all the hours of the day;

Keeping me chaste in thought:

Keeping me temperate and truthful in speech:

Keeping me faithful and diligent in my work:

Keeping me humble in my estimation of myself:

Keeping me honorable and generous in my dealings with others:

Keeping me loyal to every hallowed memory of the past:

Keeping me mindful of my eternal destiny as a child of Yours.

Through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

*Excerpts from a Diary of Private Prayer

John Baillie