tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357864558851156712024-03-19T06:18:25.809+02:00Living In Grace BlogThoughts inspired by God's overwhelming GRACE and motivated by the burning desire to tell the story! Written by Delme Linscott.Delme Linscotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04851898389395880815noreply@blogger.comBlogger3967125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35786455885115671.post-36724549759268657602024-03-18T13:24:00.007+02:002024-03-18T13:24:43.597+02:00A big misunderstanding? <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9KHNO9mcdxVqwlDeQgyNpwqaZiGWqOoc_QlcI91DR6Pf5bb2OpSNvfukhndof14qfv-6KBmhBjk3oWvw3oD8HMOrM0EChyB9qVIDduJG778UkEdpaI6s_skjx6N27KBUGC_ggDaPQgubeOtwnp-zOeHoR5AVH5ordBqv4tubnPFk7IDk4d-2FJQgwCw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="474" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj9KHNO9mcdxVqwlDeQgyNpwqaZiGWqOoc_QlcI91DR6Pf5bb2OpSNvfukhndof14qfv-6KBmhBjk3oWvw3oD8HMOrM0EChyB9qVIDduJG778UkEdpaI6s_skjx6N27KBUGC_ggDaPQgubeOtwnp-zOeHoR5AVH5ordBqv4tubnPFk7IDk4d-2FJQgwCw" width="320" /></a></div><br />When Jesus had set his mind and heart towards Jerusalem, he pronounced:<p></p><p></p><p style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span class="woj"><i><span style="color: black;">“The
hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified" - John 12:23 (NIV)</span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: times;">It is believed that in saying this, Jesus was referring back to the words of Daniel and thus fulfilling them: </span></p><p style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span class="text"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">“In my vision at night I looked, and there before
me was one like a son of man, coming</span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> with the clouds of
heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.</span></i></span><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> </span></i><span class="text"><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all
nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an
everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that
will never be destroyed." - Daniel 7:13-14</span></i></span></span></p>
<p style="background: white;">The trouble came when the crowds understood the phrase, 'be glorified', to mean something very different from what Jesus was thinking. William Barclay helps us to understand this on a deeper level:</p><p style="background: white;"><span class="text" style="font-family: times;"><i>“By glorified the people meant
that the subjected kingdoms of the earth would grovel before the conqueror’s
feet; by glorified He meant crucified!”</i></span><span class="text" style="font-family: times;"> </span></p><p style="background: white;"><span class="text"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: times;">Throughout Jesus' ministry and especially in his final weeks, people superimposed their own ideas of salvation, victory and glory, unto Jesus' true meaning. </span></span></span></p><p style="background: white;"><span class="text"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: times;">Thought: In what ways, could I misunderstand the message of the Cross?</span></span></span></p><p style="background: white;"><span class="text"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: times;">Living in Grace</span></span></span></p><p style="background: white;"><span class="text"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: times;">D3LM3 </span></span></span></p><br /><p></p>Delme Linscotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04851898389395880815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35786455885115671.post-37382425097404205392024-03-17T19:06:00.006+02:002024-03-17T19:06:47.640+02:00A thought for Saint Patrick's Day<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdHs87ggbk_nzZoJGzFwWrJoOzVWVZI_1dgNH9Wku_d6KynN3YPYwubdNlk2rFyNgK2g2OEyzqE3vrMy7XEL6vChruzsF69E277TXdVSjY101gd0u1cf3EXwua1HTGN5HYEBx7N974zHG8dFsGvDZ8exCO0kUH3Qu3PdD3hU1ohfnVqZz85e4m7qABAQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="850" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjdHs87ggbk_nzZoJGzFwWrJoOzVWVZI_1dgNH9Wku_d6KynN3YPYwubdNlk2rFyNgK2g2OEyzqE3vrMy7XEL6vChruzsF69E277TXdVSjY101gd0u1cf3EXwua1HTGN5HYEBx7N974zHG8dFsGvDZ8exCO0kUH3Qu3PdD3hU1ohfnVqZz85e4m7qABAQ" width="320" /></a></div><br />Most of us are aware that Patrick is the patron Saint of Ireland, and yet he was not technically Irish at all. He was born in Britain and taken captive by Irish raiders in the early 400's. After spending 6 years as a shepherd/slave in Ireland, he managed to escape back to his homeland. It was during this captivity that his relationship with God deepened to a very devout level, and this continued while he settled back in Britain. <p></p><p>However, God called Patrick back to serve the people of Ireland and so he went back there to share the Gospel with his previous enemies and captors. I can't think of a more profound example of God's love and grace than someone doing what Patrick did. It was his faith and love that continued to spread Christianity through Ireland, and so he is now revered as Saint Patrick. What a remarkable story!</p><p><i>"If I have any worth, it is to live my life for God." </i>- Patrick </p><p><i>May the strength of God pilot us, may the wisdom of God instruct us, may the hand of God protect us, may the word of God direct us. Be always ours this day and for evermore.</i> - Patrick</p><p>Living in Grace</p><p>D3LM3</p><p><br /></p>Delme Linscotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04851898389395880815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35786455885115671.post-44091693678984984172024-03-14T11:37:00.004+02:002024-03-14T11:37:57.291+02:00Are your hearts hardened? <p><span style="font-family: times;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZzbl4BPZouKhSIPYOW8NNbrg9D8Lvhm829uIKxkQk-bvgIVAts1ExIrkZNdaIvf4bmvYN40Ou5hNO-42wE6zH0jqn4ldAjBkQb-uLEUNUi13QwfqB-q1K1Jc9QQv-X9y5MgAuqD2EOkO4ti2Ue7HzAF2d7adODxzodT1haqQu6Xej9OUwqmpVSDzogw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="474" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiZzbl4BPZouKhSIPYOW8NNbrg9D8Lvhm829uIKxkQk-bvgIVAts1ExIrkZNdaIvf4bmvYN40Ou5hNO-42wE6zH0jqn4ldAjBkQb-uLEUNUi13QwfqB-q1K1Jc9QQv-X9y5MgAuqD2EOkO4ti2Ue7HzAF2d7adODxzodT1haqQu6Xej9OUwqmpVSDzogw" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: times;">Jesus sure knows how to ask tough questions! When his disciples were arguing over who forgotten the rest of the picnic lunch, Jesus was probing to see if they had made any spiritual connection between the leaven and the Pharisees. Of course, they hadn't! Like most of us, they only saw what was physically before them, without truly comprehending the spiritual depth of Jesus question.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">So, when he asks the disciples, "<span style="line-height: 115%;"><i>Are your hearts hardened? (Mark 8:17)",</i> I wonder what actually went through their minds? </span></span></p><p><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: times;">This is a great question for us to mull over during Lent? Is there a part of our own hearts that has become calloused? Hardened? Dull? </span></span></p><p><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: times;">What kind of things can turn our once vibrant hearts into hearts of stone?</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">Will we allow the Spirit of Christ the opportunity to soften our hearts?</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;">“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” - Ezekiel 36:26</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">Living in Grace</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">D3LM3</span></p>Delme Linscotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04851898389395880815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35786455885115671.post-25885570891682907362024-03-12T13:17:00.025+02:002024-03-12T13:17:00.136+02:00Don't you see? <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1a8q9UCZNMjBGUY4stnC3WcT_B8MwU07Y86f1wA02FIxrrlYTd7pzteTk90yhX67VR8WnIS7OeM_J1Z_8VBRhlkRKoRGIA99kGDj7-WjsX33o12iDjHnxlmG6Y3D9skJynQ0UGLYCLd0y58wOFF4veLgYjYcFEJnMeH2qeRaHXXil2xp7Qa6APSh7RA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="854" data-original-width="720" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1a8q9UCZNMjBGUY4stnC3WcT_B8MwU07Y86f1wA02FIxrrlYTd7pzteTk90yhX67VR8WnIS7OeM_J1Z_8VBRhlkRKoRGIA99kGDj7-WjsX33o12iDjHnxlmG6Y3D9skJynQ0UGLYCLd0y58wOFF4veLgYjYcFEJnMeH2qeRaHXXil2xp7Qa6APSh7RA" width="202" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div>In the space of a few verses in Mark 8, Jesus asks his disciples a series of questions. We dealt with one of these yesterday, but today we note another question that he asks of them? </div><div><br /></div><i>"Meanwhile, the disciples were finding fault with each other because they had forgotten to bring bread. Jesus overheard and said, “Why are you fussing because you forgot bread? <u>Don’t you see the point of all this?"</u> </i>- Mark 8:16-19 (Eugene Peterson)<div><br /></div><div>They were struggling to see beyond the earthy nature of the lack of bread. All they could think of was that Jesus was complaining about the lack of bread, but in the meantime, he was trying to explain to them the spiritual dangers of the 'leaven' in the bread - referring to the Pharisees and Herod.</div><div><br /></div><div>As Christians we need to spend time in the presence of God to fully 'see' his ways and to grasp the meaning of the gospel. There are times when we think we understand, but we really don't! </div><div><br /></div><div>There is an ancient proverb that states: <i>"There are none so blind as those who will not see!" </i>- This speaks of those who show no desire to see or understand the truth that stares them in the face. </div><div><br /></div><div>Living in Grace</div><div>D3LM3</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Delme Linscotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04851898389395880815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35786455885115671.post-60028114732110414742024-03-11T12:50:00.000+02:002024-03-11T12:50:55.165+02:00Don't you remember?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikPXInSUJ9qVbybYS4-C8w8RDtZrpMMZsqCn5xuQvInIC2Tywugh_kyERkLGcYmhxwGERK9A783WuhYQbCXa7YTo-ClXs-eI0gUoiaWuYVZSS3fT7T20Yc-Y3Lo1e2bFRZ6c1xSaX7-Z0g8PhSlTP5or6hP8jSv0bUi2Li_mghyeNI5_oumM55IgVbkg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikPXInSUJ9qVbybYS4-C8w8RDtZrpMMZsqCn5xuQvInIC2Tywugh_kyERkLGcYmhxwGERK9A783WuhYQbCXa7YTo-ClXs-eI0gUoiaWuYVZSS3fT7T20Yc-Y3Lo1e2bFRZ6c1xSaX7-Z0g8PhSlTP5or6hP8jSv0bUi2Li_mghyeNI5_oumM55IgVbkg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Lent is time for remembering. We should remember all that Jesus has done for us and all that we are invited to be a part of. We should also take the time to remember how God has taken care of us in the past and how he will continue to be with us in the future. When Jesus was trying to teach his disciples about trusting in his provision, he seemed to get a little exasperated at time. In Mark 8 we read:<p></p><i>And don’t you remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” <br /><br />“Twelve,” they replied. <br /><br />20 “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” <br /><br />They answered, “Seven.” </i>(Mark 8:18-20)<div><br /></div><div>They had recently witnessed these great miracles and yet they still doubted whether Jesus could meet their needs in the future. Their forgetfulness reveals the immaturity of their faith.</div><div><br /></div><div><u>Question: </u>What has God helped you with, in the past? Is there a reason why God can't help you in the future?</div><div><br /></div><div>Living in Grace</div><div>D3LM3</div>Delme Linscotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04851898389395880815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35786455885115671.post-8616610853628641182024-03-07T11:42:00.001+02:002024-03-07T11:42:04.623+02:00Which person are we? <p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5PJOtG8nrrOtyIQazGJKrelpptPtwkDStBJdQPiwv1p9Yuo1FEfNdxkEu6F3XX-THq6x91rT6CJlsFOboLgMktXVNtaB6lXA_USWpetaxqj2ZgO1_bIgzED1XzwP7AC9kDe3L4rjw_u8EHVQOCImpyW9SExoS1xJo7f9aOymymgdKguiKb1pxADQZnA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5PJOtG8nrrOtyIQazGJKrelpptPtwkDStBJdQPiwv1p9Yuo1FEfNdxkEu6F3XX-THq6x91rT6CJlsFOboLgMktXVNtaB6lXA_USWpetaxqj2ZgO1_bIgzED1XzwP7AC9kDe3L4rjw_u8EHVQOCImpyW9SExoS1xJo7f9aOymymgdKguiKb1pxADQZnA" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: times;">Elizabeth Browning
wrote these words:</span><p></p>
<p style="background: white; margin: 0cm;"><span class="text"><i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: times;">“Earth is crammed with heaven, <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin: 0cm;"><span class="text"><i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: times;">And every common bush afire with God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin: 0cm;"><span class="text"><i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: times;">But only he who sees, takes off his shoes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></p>
<p style="background: white; margin: 0cm;"><span class="text"><i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: times;">The rest sit round it and pluck berries.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></span></p><p style="background: white; margin: 0cm;"><span class="text"><i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></i></span></p><p style="background: white; margin: 0cm;"><span class="text"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: times;">One may have to read these 4 lines a few times before they truly begin to sink in. Elizabeth Browning suggests there are two common responses to the beauty of Creation. Some people just want to consume what they see, without much thought for the Creator, while others are moved to awe and wonder. Their response is Moses-like, they take off their shoes and realise they are witnessing a marvel from God.</span></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin: 0cm;"><span class="text"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin: 0cm;"><span class="text"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: times;">Which person are we?</span></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: white; margin: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: times;">"Dominion and awe</span><span style="font-family: times;"> belong to God; he establishes order in the heights of heaven."</span><span style="font-family: times;"> - Job 25:2</span></p><p style="background: white; margin: 0cm;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin: 0cm;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: times;">Living in Grace</span></span></p><p style="background: white; margin: 0cm;"><span class="text"><span style="font-family: times;">D3LM3</span></span></p>Delme Linscotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04851898389395880815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35786455885115671.post-38452824030235180992024-03-06T11:40:00.011+02:002024-03-06T11:40:58.440+02:00A lesson in faith <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZtC-AWfkfL8rvO_Rcfm31zow132bPAu3lzK2W2ZhCbYwP4h7G8mhLSbJ7mMkCTW1p0cWDVZnz0avmMQVIaQqb-YQwY5H3KCA3RgQaJRSdszFi0D0u9Lj61toQ9G_arAtzRtuH9qtfh-otnlZjgfozRC69IGYZ3Ik-6N6nfkscuULe076aYulIFd44Kw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="248" data-original-width="474" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZtC-AWfkfL8rvO_Rcfm31zow132bPAu3lzK2W2ZhCbYwP4h7G8mhLSbJ7mMkCTW1p0cWDVZnz0avmMQVIaQqb-YQwY5H3KCA3RgQaJRSdszFi0D0u9Lj61toQ9G_arAtzRtuH9qtfh-otnlZjgfozRC69IGYZ3Ik-6N6nfkscuULe076aYulIFd44Kw" width="320" /></a></div><br />"Faith isn't about having everything figured out ahead of time; faith is about following the quiet voice of God without having everything figured out ahead of time." - Rachel Held Evans<p></p><p>In our season of prayer and listening, let us tune our ears to the voice of Jesus. As we listen to his voice, so we can take the next step in faith. </p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span class="text Ps-29-3" id="en-NIV-14312" style="background-color: white; position: relative;">"The voice of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span> is over the waters;</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-29-3" style="position: relative;">the God of glory thunders,</span></span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-29-3" style="position: relative;">the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span> thunders over the mighty waters.</span></span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span class="text Ps-29-4" id="en-NIV-14313" style="background-color: white; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">4 </span>The voice of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span> is powerful;</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-29-4" style="position: relative;">the voice of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span> is majestic.</span></span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span class="text Ps-29-5" id="en-NIV-14314" style="background-color: white; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">5 </span>The voice of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span> breaks the cedars;</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-29-5" style="position: relative;">the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span> breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.</span></span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span class="text Ps-29-6" id="en-NIV-14315" style="background-color: white; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">6 </span>He makes Lebanon leap like a calf,</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-29-6" style="position: relative;">Sirion like a young wild ox.</span></span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span class="text Ps-29-7" id="en-NIV-14316" style="background-color: white; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">7 </span>The voice of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span> strikes</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-29-7" style="position: relative;">with flashes of lightning.</span></span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span class="text Ps-29-8" id="en-NIV-14317" style="background-color: white; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">8 </span>The voice of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span> shakes the desert;</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-29-8" style="position: relative;">the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span> shakes the Desert of Kadesh.</span></span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span class="text Ps-29-9" id="en-NIV-14318" style="background-color: white; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">9 </span>The voice of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span> twists the oaks</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Ps-29-9" style="position: relative;">and strips the forests bare.</span></span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span class="text Ps-29-9" style="background-color: white; position: relative;">And in his temple all cry, “Glory!” - Psalm 29:3-9</span></span></p><p>Living in Grace</p><p>D3LM3</p><p><span style="font-family: times;">P.S. - "No step taken in faith is wasted, not by a God who makes all things new." - Rachel Held Evans </span></p>Delme Linscotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04851898389395880815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35786455885115671.post-675017087057645012024-03-05T12:43:00.003+02:002024-03-05T12:43:00.136+02:00Not as we should be .... yet! <div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeMPBAiUogdXjt4SgMPn9euAiI-HJxt7Mlp9fw0jHA377vh1tbaBsfcg0OMoFHz7f-RVrgz2Xu7cT7FlXiA19ENAl4z8rSNc7R6slVViuCnXl9kLKBeUcFTFyDVX2GMTmZNMZA1TZ7tX409QY_K5UwmzJ8PP6jZPJOQGoqTAXMkVBcbdLQWUiLrQUu8A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="474" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeMPBAiUogdXjt4SgMPn9euAiI-HJxt7Mlp9fw0jHA377vh1tbaBsfcg0OMoFHz7f-RVrgz2Xu7cT7FlXiA19ENAl4z8rSNc7R6slVViuCnXl9kLKBeUcFTFyDVX2GMTmZNMZA1TZ7tX409QY_K5UwmzJ8PP6jZPJOQGoqTAXMkVBcbdLQWUiLrQUu8A" width="320" /></a></div><br />We are all a work in progress. To realize that we are not yet as we could be, is a humbling thought, and one that is good to dwell on in this season of Lent.</div><br /><i>"God loves you unconditionally, as you are and not as you should be, because nobody is as they should be."</i> ~ Brennan Manning.<div><br /></div><div>The challenge is twofold:</div><div><br /></div><div>1. To keep coming to the Lord in prayer and worship, asking the Holy Spirit to refine us and to make us more and more like Christ. This is a lifelong process.</div><div><br /></div><div>2. To show as much patience and grace with others, as God shows us. Our neighbour's are also on their own journey of transformation and sometimes we find their slow progress a little irritating :) </div><div><br /></div><b>2 Corinthians 3:18 -</b> <i>And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.</i><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></div><div>Living in Grace</div><div>D3LM3</div>Delme Linscotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04851898389395880815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35786455885115671.post-42152082348206634722024-03-04T12:38:00.002+02:002024-03-04T12:38:40.313+02:00Wrestling with God<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgyDQhT7u4eYgfeKsL3Nx1uL_TsMj7sxng-6ULf2SsgrdKQZPCJU-54IL7pPH0V5GuAisnyOyVkQwocPHQam2h1QbRWhWm6OwZwHN9joiLnxo4zvIbUG4vkHo9A9AHhcgC1qzvdpB6W-gI9UsND2clprj9M0syEjl-2KJHF4QJ8Sqoa7V6rnHYZt7PiQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhgyDQhT7u4eYgfeKsL3Nx1uL_TsMj7sxng-6ULf2SsgrdKQZPCJU-54IL7pPH0V5GuAisnyOyVkQwocPHQam2h1QbRWhWm6OwZwHN9joiLnxo4zvIbUG4vkHo9A9AHhcgC1qzvdpB6W-gI9UsND2clprj9M0syEjl-2KJHF4QJ8Sqoa7V6rnHYZt7PiQ" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><i>"So, Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” <br /><br />But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”</i> - Genesis 32:24-26<div><br /></div><div>I have always been fascinated by this account in Genesis and it reminds me of how often we wrestle with God in prayer. Of course, we don't always seem to get the outcome that Jacob received, but I feel that our willingness to wrestle with God reveals our desire to be heard and understood. </div><div><br /></div><div>Jon Acuff says: "Wrestling with God is a sign of intimacy. You can't wrestle with someone you are far away from." </div><div><br /></div><div>Are you wrestling with God at the moment? What is it you are asking from the Lord?</div><div><br /></div><div>Living in Grace</div><div>D3LM3</div>Delme Linscotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04851898389395880815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35786455885115671.post-82762614127522807212024-03-03T19:50:00.004+02:002024-03-03T19:50:50.519+02:00Are you willing to grind the wheat? <p><span style="font-family: times;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhN-yj6bqx2_N9d-NUxX7bNJOQHlSFQ5lJb1SF_0PUtZl_9DG4-C5MgrvXtpYzRXeUsY17Ulam6bKcVhcKRMIa6VcjprlMIkNgKrWp1U-8QrGeUxZKKhkBJ8lZACDkRjI9yMm58S4r87bCfgOn_UqfX1bAIDpKmAzs-EZuD9yCSSro5s1a95fVU0sM51w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhN-yj6bqx2_N9d-NUxX7bNJOQHlSFQ5lJb1SF_0PUtZl_9DG4-C5MgrvXtpYzRXeUsY17Ulam6bKcVhcKRMIa6VcjprlMIkNgKrWp1U-8QrGeUxZKKhkBJ8lZACDkRjI9yMm58S4r87bCfgOn_UqfX1bAIDpKmAzs-EZuD9yCSSro5s1a95fVU0sM51w" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: times;">I stumbled upon this challenging statement from Charles Spurgeon. There is so much wisdom in his words, but the part that intrigued me the most was the line that I have highlighted. I invite you to read through these words and see what stands out for us.</span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i>“There are times when solitude is better than society, and silence is wiser than speech. We should be better Christians if we were more alone, waiting upon God, and gathering through meditation on His Word spiritual strength for labour in his service. We ought to muse upon the things of God, because we thus get the real nutriment out of them. . . . </i></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i>Why is it that some Christians, although they hear many sermons, make but slow advances in the divine life? Because they neglect their closets, and do not thoughtfully meditate on God's Word. <b>They love the wheat, but they do not grind it; they would have the corn, but they will not go forth into the fields to gather it</b>; the fruit hangs upon the tree, but they will not pluck it; the water flows at their feet, but they will not stoop to drink it. From such folly deliver us, O Lord. . . .”</i></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: times;">Living in Grace</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: times;">D3LM3</span></span></p>Delme Linscotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04851898389395880815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35786455885115671.post-39117549180717876752024-02-28T17:41:00.043+02:002024-02-28T17:41:00.137+02:00What will you do with your one extra day?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEituEBJqiYrDDUObvR5BVeCGbkzAqtB3ME8V1MIAK9hsF5DWvX-5Z-Sw7EpVLPp5UFQPOMW7IRIIfrQK1XCacE2dMK2p1DJy7cJ73VFn-nksw0tOW_vOP5P7UBg7DF54dtzVFNTR4lOxL7i9VCS-JLTOjT3qsPjU79fLjcE6wAMozeHXg3e_qEWzbG9lw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2700" data-original-width="4065" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEituEBJqiYrDDUObvR5BVeCGbkzAqtB3ME8V1MIAK9hsF5DWvX-5Z-Sw7EpVLPp5UFQPOMW7IRIIfrQK1XCacE2dMK2p1DJy7cJ73VFn-nksw0tOW_vOP5P7UBg7DF54dtzVFNTR4lOxL7i9VCS-JLTOjT3qsPjU79fLjcE6wAMozeHXg3e_qEWzbG9lw" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Every four years we get to celebrate an extra day in the calendar. For those born on the 29th of February they have to wait an awfully long time in between their birthdays, but I am sure that many of them celebrate either side of this mysterious day :) </p><p>As we take a moment to reflect on this unique day, it is rather profound that we get 1 extra day in this leap year - that is a whole extra 24 hours to enjoy life. So, what are you going to do on your extra day? (Or do you just see it as a normal day on the calendar?)</p><p>It is interesting that if we asked the question in a different way, we may think about things from another point of view. "What if you only had 24 hours to live - how would you spend that day?" </p><p>I am sure that I wouldn't be sitting on my computer, or watching mindless TV series, or reading the classifieds, or worrying about petty matters. We would probably want to spend the extra day with the most important and valuable people in our lives! </p><p>What do you think? </p><p><span style="font-family: times;">Psalm 139:16 - <i><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">day</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">s ordained for me were written in your book before </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">one</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> of them came to be.</span></i></span></p><p>Living in Grace</p><p>D3LM3</p>Delme Linscotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04851898389395880815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35786455885115671.post-75520201839651766112024-02-27T09:53:00.003+02:002024-02-27T09:53:28.306+02:00A great cause<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8KQfKDpRWuXOQ_ANhHI84bOTeuZTro77SxDA6JUssRQAobUxvyQmP1qyHqtXFELYIggayew6eLGq-QjfO4CiYPc4vEzMs8a4E7QYRXHWM5LRKMOC6AaOrY-CQgvAyTUb7V4c1H3ptVyhA4xLb99byoyTyiQebIyglJk4mbFXujnhapjwfKx96ZDSCBg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8KQfKDpRWuXOQ_ANhHI84bOTeuZTro77SxDA6JUssRQAobUxvyQmP1qyHqtXFELYIggayew6eLGq-QjfO4CiYPc4vEzMs8a4E7QYRXHWM5LRKMOC6AaOrY-CQgvAyTUb7V4c1H3ptVyhA4xLb99byoyTyiQebIyglJk4mbFXujnhapjwfKx96ZDSCBg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Sometimes we forget that the human heart is stirred by the call to a great cause! Perhaps we have even been a respondent to a huge request, that others thought was a little crazy. According to legend, when the Italian Patriot, Garibaldi appealed for
recruits, he used words similar to these:<p></p><i>“I offer neither pay, nor quarters, nor provisions: <br />I offer hunger, thirst, forced marches, battles and death. <br />Let him who loves his country in his heart, and not with his lips follow me.”</i><div><i><br /></i></div><div>....and people followed him in their numbers! <br /><div><i><br /></i></div><div>In our Lent reflections, let us remember that Jesus calls each of us to follow him, and that our 'Yes' is not a guarantee of comfort, fame, wealth or even applause. Perhaps the only confirmed guarantee we are given, is that Christ is with us always.</div><div><br /></div><div>This 'great cause' we are invited to become a part of, has already outlived all political heroes, super-powers, governments and entities. Belonging to the Kingdom of God, holds the promise of eternity, and this is how Jesus invites us to be a part of this:</div></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">Luke 9:23 - <span style="background-color: white;">Then he said to all, “Anyone who wants to follow me must put aside his own desires and conveniences and carry his </span><span style="background-color: white;">cross</span><span style="background-color: white;"> with him every day and </span><i style="background-color: white;">keep close to me!</i></span></div><div><i style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><br /></i></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">Living in Grace</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;">D3LM3</span></div>Delme Linscotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04851898389395880815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35786455885115671.post-12862496752375445132024-02-26T12:57:00.007+02:002024-02-26T12:57:58.068+02:00Contemplations for Lent <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHCJnLK6S9S4HYKfCaKwKK_chnL7T02obKAJN-viziNb292qnf4AiSUWsGoXme95vHwQOQ1ru-dYmKtLOZHKmrJbjioUQxDQ6g89Lo_5LI9ApPOOXzjS8bTjUpkfAcoO8SUa9SzkxoY2GJFAX5BSloQfBe3UZm9IuYyGXw48ox2QyhPrQpIvBqCfPOYg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2160" data-original-width="3840" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHCJnLK6S9S4HYKfCaKwKK_chnL7T02obKAJN-viziNb292qnf4AiSUWsGoXme95vHwQOQ1ru-dYmKtLOZHKmrJbjioUQxDQ6g89Lo_5LI9ApPOOXzjS8bTjUpkfAcoO8SUa9SzkxoY2GJFAX5BSloQfBe3UZm9IuYyGXw48ox2QyhPrQpIvBqCfPOYg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Thomas Merton was a prolific author, speaker, mystic, poet and theologian. His writing provokes us to reflect deeply on our faith experience and our journey with Christ. I feel that the liturgical season of Lent is a good time for us to use some of his words as a catalyst for our own contemplations: <p></p><i>"In a world of noise, confusion and conflict it is necessary that there be places of silence, inner discipline and peace. In such places love can blossom. " <br /><br /></i><div><i>"Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy. That is not our business and, in fact, it is nobody's business. What we are asked to do is to love, and this love itself will render both ourselves and our neighbors worthy."<br /><br /></i></div><div><i>“The greatest need of our time is to clean out the enormous mass of mental and emotional rubbish that clutters our minds.”</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div>Luke 17:11-13 - "As they continued onward toward Jerusalem, they reached the border between Galilee and Samaria, 12 and as they entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance, 13 crying out, “Jesus, sir, have mercy on us!”</div><div><br /></div><div>Living in grace</div><div>D3LM3</div>Delme Linscotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04851898389395880815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35786455885115671.post-39075613170276411372024-02-25T17:00:00.004+02:002024-02-25T17:00:59.694+02:00Letting someone else lead us<p><span style="font-family: times;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEg0cOxfIJZme6aIrCyQv13uB-v2TCoiuv0rBBULAVSW0_l5ByO1apf4u72NDfvXwQsP0Teg5ngyQVqcIak6dNR8fxO5_HG9wPkKTa9nuCHhPS7jrlgcGkcHv41RBw-L2A56XGRbjIZ5krJpHMuQVMm2FEVWHJ8-l4deKWJ4-WwmvYulL1Y10xvph_4Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="683" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhEg0cOxfIJZme6aIrCyQv13uB-v2TCoiuv0rBBULAVSW0_l5ByO1apf4u72NDfvXwQsP0Teg5ngyQVqcIak6dNR8fxO5_HG9wPkKTa9nuCHhPS7jrlgcGkcHv41RBw-L2A56XGRbjIZ5krJpHMuQVMm2FEVWHJ8-l4deKWJ4-WwmvYulL1Y10xvph_4Q" width="160" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: times;">We are not good at letting someone else lead us. We usually like to be in control and to call the shots. Jesus makes it clear, that when it comes to being a disciple, we must choose to let him lead us. There is no other way:</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: times;"><b><i><sup><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">34-37 </span></sup></i></b><i><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Calling
the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “Anyone who intends to come with me
has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t
run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help
is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your
true self. (Mark 8 - Eugene Peterson)<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="color: black;"><u>Thought: </u></span>What do you find hard about sitting in the passenger seat? </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="color: #212121;">“Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.” </span><em style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #212121;">—</em><span style="color: #212121;">John C. Maxwell</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: "Segoe UI"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-ZA; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><span style="font-family: times;">Living in Grace</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: times;">D3LM3</span></span></p>Delme Linscotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04851898389395880815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35786455885115671.post-23616489368639908162024-02-22T17:20:00.000+02:002024-02-22T17:20:08.839+02:00Please Remember and then please Forget!<div><span style="font-family: times;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwHtxU0X9ZDy1xAdwBGYSbYRbxW3BrQunnCIuC50aLJAlgYtl6Rv60cU_3hk5p6WLrEUsIVdKxRXHfnqQLdi_yCg7B_-5QbDhg8bXgnwofSJhWFEqKsxPSZ07TWF0dahnaWhbpsTjwWoj57UYI6u7IsTUy509OKD1ytpmDDQgSIMKFc40erR03d57s5Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwHtxU0X9ZDy1xAdwBGYSbYRbxW3BrQunnCIuC50aLJAlgYtl6Rv60cU_3hk5p6WLrEUsIVdKxRXHfnqQLdi_yCg7B_-5QbDhg8bXgnwofSJhWFEqKsxPSZ07TWF0dahnaWhbpsTjwWoj57UYI6u7IsTUy509OKD1ytpmDDQgSIMKFc40erR03d57s5Q" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /></i></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><i>"Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.<br />Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways;<br />according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good."</i> -<b> Psalm 25:7-8</b></span><div><b><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></b></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">These words of David are beautifully honest but may also seem a little confusing at first. He is asking God to remember, but then he is asking God to forget. What is going on in his mind?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">In truth, we imagine David standing before the Lord, about to be scrutinized and judged. David begs God to remember God's love and mercy - to focus on all the compassionate elements of his nature. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">And then at the same time he asks God to <i>forget</i> David's sins, especially the sins of his youth. Not to hold them against them and to offer his unfailing love towards him. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><u>Thought: </u>I am grateful that God chooses to forget our sins, because of the work of the Cross. God looks upon his Son, Jesus and chooses mercy.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><i><span style="font-family: times;"><span class="text Ps-25-6" id="en-CJB-15429" style="background-color: white; position: relative;">"Remember your compassion and grace, <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span>;</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span class="text Ps-25-6" style="background-color: white; position: relative;">for these are ages old.</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span class="text Ps-25-7" id="en-CJB-15430" style="background-color: white; position: relative;"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; left: -4.4em; line-height: normal; position: absolute; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">7 </span>Don’t remember my youthful sins or transgressions;</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span class="text Ps-25-7" style="background-color: white; position: relative;">but remember me according to your grace</span><br style="background-color: white;" /><span class="text Ps-25-7" style="background-color: white; position: relative;">for the sake of your goodness, <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Adonai</span>." - Complete Jewish Bible</span></span></i></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">Living in Grace</span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;">D3LM3</span></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div>Delme Linscotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04851898389395880815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35786455885115671.post-3085660108458170062024-02-20T18:47:00.056+02:002024-02-20T18:47:00.133+02:00Learning to know when to speak.<p><span style="font-family: times;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjufZSuzwCytSxsUHN0tyZtF7eNc7aqDXMaX2MAwLkqAl3S011VpTHRlaFnUNr1Ibl2WVNmAD_MIoQN-y-lVnbjE1m4rmCiK8tTCaRPQUmIQXK6YHRLn9e3epYhySEPzReUdrKEyTEVd_IoONPvBLbv_2HBOcMdEp2uKYZd9sxAiZRJXOqVHVX4tPmslg/s700/speak%20and%20silent.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="700" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjufZSuzwCytSxsUHN0tyZtF7eNc7aqDXMaX2MAwLkqAl3S011VpTHRlaFnUNr1Ibl2WVNmAD_MIoQN-y-lVnbjE1m4rmCiK8tTCaRPQUmIQXK6YHRLn9e3epYhySEPzReUdrKEyTEVd_IoONPvBLbv_2HBOcMdEp2uKYZd9sxAiZRJXOqVHVX4tPmslg/s320/speak%20and%20silent.webp" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><span style="font-family: times;">So, as much as we need to learn the discipline of Silence, we also need to hold in balance the ability to discern when it is the right time to speak. As I quoted yesterday, Ecclesiastes 3 says:</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>"a time to be silent</i></span><span style="background-color: white;"><i> and a time to speak."</i> (v.7)</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;">I hope that Lent helps me to discern when the right time to speak would actually be! It is so hard to know when this really is, because I am often tempted to speak in the moment. Our world encourages everyone to have an opinion and many people 'speak' their minds without really engaging their brains, which can be disastrous. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;">If we look at the example of Jesus, we notice how he remained silent in some crucial moments, but at other times, he was willing to speak with great authority. Here are two examples:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><i><span style="background-color: white;">"But Jesus remained </span><span style="background-color: white;">silent</span></i><span style="background-color: white;"><i> and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”</i> - <b>Mark 14:61</b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><i><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">"The words I have </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">spoke</span></i><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><i>n to you—they are full of the Spirit and life." </i>- <b>John 6: 63</b></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;">Question: Do you have a process that helps you to discern when to speak and when to be silent? How can we get better at learning this discipline?</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;">Living in Grace</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;">D3LM3</span></span></p>Delme Linscotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04851898389395880815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35786455885115671.post-678359176937152272024-02-19T18:46:00.006+02:002024-02-19T18:46:52.842+02:00Learning to live in silence.<p><span style="font-family: times;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjS3iSBdESOYby3GGn2GqJJtagtz_FKamJh1vuqCQOEkKhzZYRE4wNoCnKDWb3HuNc15-PWMj0kehPd22oezJ3Cb5FMDMKqtZ0px58DoVE5hmlUHsKJrYvO7QFpOBuHL0VxLpWpMrw7l8XGqLUIiIawMz8xH7LXWnWCseIvlCBju9MccCAYzURiFHCWcg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="474" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjS3iSBdESOYby3GGn2GqJJtagtz_FKamJh1vuqCQOEkKhzZYRE4wNoCnKDWb3HuNc15-PWMj0kehPd22oezJ3Cb5FMDMKqtZ0px58DoVE5hmlUHsKJrYvO7QFpOBuHL0VxLpWpMrw7l8XGqLUIiIawMz8xH7LXWnWCseIvlCBju9MccCAYzURiFHCWcg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: times;">The Desert Fathers (and Mothers) believed that Silence was one of the safest ways to God. They believed that our words often got us into more trouble than we bargained for, and so remaining silent was a discipline worth pursuing. One of these Desert Father, Arsenius remarked:</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><i>"I have often repented of having spoken, but never of having remained silent."</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">Wow, how true are those words!? Remember that time that you blurted out those words and immediately started to regret them? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">The writer of Ecclesiastes also knew that there was an appropriate<span style="background-color: white;"> time to be </span><span style="background-color: white;">silent</span><span style="background-color: white;"> and a time to speak (Ecclesiastes 3).</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;">Lent is one of those seasons, where we are trying to pay attention to the voice of God. In tuning into the words of the Spirit, we will need to practice holding our tongues at times.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;">Thought: How easy/hard is this for you to do?</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;">Living in Grace</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;">D3LM3</span></span></p>Delme Linscotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04851898389395880815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35786455885115671.post-58131118063840316212024-02-19T16:01:00.034+02:002024-02-19T16:01:00.339+02:00Planted or buried? <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjip_1vkRZXzOSpJobmnkva6c7-XA_waRwBxmzD8NgrREAq7P5RUTp-WhITDu8nAvDHF42OSa3202JaOlrt759ghGCSD90F9xn6wxON-ZsavJePN49hORg2jg10zWHRoyoMM6gpqWFxIlNctMPhqb_haX7UkHP_4CdplWfsBi3kCY73hXGZLe1_fib2zQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="443" data-original-width="474" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjip_1vkRZXzOSpJobmnkva6c7-XA_waRwBxmzD8NgrREAq7P5RUTp-WhITDu8nAvDHF42OSa3202JaOlrt759ghGCSD90F9xn6wxON-ZsavJePN49hORg2jg10zWHRoyoMM6gpqWFxIlNctMPhqb_haX7UkHP_4CdplWfsBi3kCY73hXGZLe1_fib2zQ" width="257" /></a></div><br />"Sometimes when you're in a dark place you think that you've been buried, but you've actually been planted." - Christine Cane<p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><b>John 12:24 - </b><i>"<span style="background-color: white;">Very truly I tell you, </span><span style="background-color: white;">unless</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">a</span><span style="background-color: white;"> kernel of wheat falls to the ground </span><span style="background-color: white;">a</span><span style="background-color: white;">nd </span><span style="background-color: white;">dies</span><span style="background-color: white;">, it remains only </span><span style="background-color: white;">a</span><span style="background-color: white;"> single </span><span style="background-color: white;">seed</span><span style="background-color: white;">. But if it </span><span style="background-color: white;">dies</span><span style="background-color: white;">, it produces many </span><span style="background-color: white;">seed</span><span style="background-color: white;">s."</span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white;">On our journey to the agony of the Cross, let us remember that Jesus's death and resurrection, changes the way we look at our troubles and losses. What may seem like a loss to us, could just be the foundation of something marvelous in the future. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;">“Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over. In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you’ll have it forever, real and eternal." - Eugene Peterson</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;">Living in Grace</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;">D3LM3</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Noto Sans", sans-serif, Arial; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></p>Delme Linscotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04851898389395880815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35786455885115671.post-31873350697408458532024-02-18T15:45:00.004+02:002024-02-18T15:45:37.837+02:00A prayer for Lent <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifwel95UU1d9s-h65QhLBQTjPJPef_vR5T2_oNLkZrX7BSIepcv6-8TGWlFtAw1uhnrAE0XaWqFSWuYxA1V2Cen-MPBAeUig5Iblw5qNxd5x7WpqFYKws4Np7Ws0A7Oak7GtLkv_LD68R5RWTLvCbj5DbrxYzNahLdxxwyk8EU4nkbryZaTSjvoJH1yA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="900" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifwel95UU1d9s-h65QhLBQTjPJPef_vR5T2_oNLkZrX7BSIepcv6-8TGWlFtAw1uhnrAE0XaWqFSWuYxA1V2Cen-MPBAeUig5Iblw5qNxd5x7WpqFYKws4Np7Ws0A7Oak7GtLkv_LD68R5RWTLvCbj5DbrxYzNahLdxxwyk8EU4nkbryZaTSjvoJH1yA" width="240" /></a></div><br />I really enjoy this season of Lent, as I feel that it heightens my awareness to the things of God. Of course, this is not something that we have to only experience in the Lenten season, but we can encounter this at any time during the year. However, there is something profound in knowing that millions of other Christians are also praying, seeking, reflecting and listening for the voice of God.<p></p><p>In reading Psalm 25, I was impressed by the honesty of David's prayer in these 2 verses:</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.2pt; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: times;">"Show me your ways, <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, teach me your paths.<br />Guide me in your truth and teach me,” - Psalm 25:4-5<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.2pt; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: times;">These 3 words give us a clue into the heart of David's faith and willingness to surrender to the sovereignty of God. Even as a King himself, David was humble enough to ask God for wisdom and strength. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.2pt; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: times;">Show me</span></span></li><li><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: times;">Teach me</span></span></li><li><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: times;">Guide me</span></span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="color: #181818;">“Does it make sense to pray for guidance about the future if we are not obeying in the thing that lies before us today? How many momentous events in Scripture depended on one person's seemingly small act of obedience! Rest assured: Do what God tells you to do now, and, depend upon it, you will be shown what to do next.”- </span><span class="authorOrTitle" style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold;">Elisabeth Elliot</span></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.2pt; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: times;">Living in Grace</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 13.2pt; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; mso-outline-level: 4; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: times;">D3LM3</span></span></p>Delme Linscotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04851898389395880815noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35786455885115671.post-20836426693164491522024-02-17T12:03:00.004+02:002024-02-17T12:03:34.550+02:00I trust in you<p><span style="font-family: times;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPa52ZZUHhLYcw_oRikrM8pCAlVCqjmvVe4z1l2wh5BqVMqriH60KYLnpkvD2dyFBVzWLJFXWTO6A3UXFyeZmGPwzwfHSApR-atSYQ7zf-OH5BsN5C6-wNHhmNNSnzzHVza-rA0ZU2l4AqmUhKij6fMf_2geV-9KR_rAt4G_KogF82W3AESlm8Yzei7w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="586" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPa52ZZUHhLYcw_oRikrM8pCAlVCqjmvVe4z1l2wh5BqVMqriH60KYLnpkvD2dyFBVzWLJFXWTO6A3UXFyeZmGPwzwfHSApR-atSYQ7zf-OH5BsN5C6-wNHhmNNSnzzHVza-rA0ZU2l4AqmUhKij6fMf_2geV-9KR_rAt4G_KogF82W3AESlm8Yzei7w" width="176" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: times;">As we take a moment to reflect on Psalm 25:1-2, we note David's resolve to place his life into the hands of God. I don't believe this was a once off event for him, but rather a renewal of his commitment, probably as a result of a crisis in his life.</span><p></p><p style="text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">"<span style="font-style: italic;">O <span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span>,
I give my life to you. I trust
in you, my God</span></span><span style="text-indent: -18pt;">! – NLT</span></span></p><p style="text-indent: 0px;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: times;">As you and I go deeper into Lent, perhaps we could think on the areas of our lives that we haven't surrendered to God as yet? </span></span></li><li><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: times;">Are there circumstances in our lives, where we are deciding to place our full trust in God's grace?</span></span></li></ul><p></p><p style="text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">“The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them.” -</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"> </span><span class="authorOrTitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-weight: bold;">Ernest Hemingway</span></span></p><p style="text-indent: 0px;"><span class="authorOrTitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="color: #181818; font-weight: 400;">“None of us knows what might happen even the next minute, yet still we go forward. Because we trust. Because we have faith.” </span><span style="color: #181818; font-weight: 400;">― </span><span class="authorOrTitle">Paulo Coelho</span></span></span></p><p style="text-indent: 0px;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: times;">Living in Grace</span></span></p><p style="text-indent: 0px;"><span style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: times;">D3LM3</span></span></p><p style="text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -18pt;"><b><br /></b></span></p>Delme Linscotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04851898389395880815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35786455885115671.post-34080719287320987392024-02-15T09:03:00.004+02:002024-02-15T09:03:23.738+02:00A service for Valentines Day? <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUXSngQXep1HE3Oq7Y8FbSemWI5NPWhOJK2rHLoAUsyerBl4ioa3L6vzZjySGhmoo7lIRTvz1KlGS0WayqwVltmofIcTH_T89u63bNt6_O5jIiL_c8_QTpd-Or7nBxKC0UFo5Ev7-Ny8lEE9lq8qKfMy9KZ0zpejjwvq5bKPaf3xQg6Xj5cCOiOitP3w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="474" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUXSngQXep1HE3Oq7Y8FbSemWI5NPWhOJK2rHLoAUsyerBl4ioa3L6vzZjySGhmoo7lIRTvz1KlGS0WayqwVltmofIcTH_T89u63bNt6_O5jIiL_c8_QTpd-Or7nBxKC0UFo5Ev7-Ny8lEE9lq8qKfMy9KZ0zpejjwvq5bKPaf3xQg6Xj5cCOiOitP3w" width="320" /></a></div><br />While fetching one of my kids yesterday, I explained that I needed to drop him off at home quickly, so that I could rush to the evening service. Without thinking, he replied: "Since when did we start having services for Valentine's Day!?" <p></p><p>After chuckling to myself, I told him that it was not a service for Valentine's Day, but rather an Ash Wednesday Service. To which he responded: "Oh yes, I forgot!" </p><p>And so, in our brief conversation, we stumbled across some powerful realizations:</p><p>1. Ash Wednesday is NOT like Valentine's Day in many ways, but it does celebrate the greatest act of Love ever revealed to humanity. </p><p>2. Love is not something we only 'speak of', but rather what we <i>show</i> with our actions. "For God so loved the world that He gave us His Son..." (John 3:16).</p><p>3. Lent is an important time in our Christian journey, precisely because our lives are so hectic, that we easily 'forget' to lean into the promises of God.</p><p><u>Question:</u></p><p>What are taking up (or giving up) in Lent, in order to help you remain focused on Jesus Christ?</p><p>Living in Grace</p><p>D3LM3</p>Delme Linscotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04851898389395880815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35786455885115671.post-12391016539869230092024-02-13T21:13:00.001+02:002024-02-13T21:13:14.310+02:00A season of reflecting <p><span style="font-family: times;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-wqEl82TVnObOlrd_bWryuZej1wEraLJW83LvWa5JBMZ2bffTDW7pBXWlRzDKGrVZUVjjhl49YkEERYdq_WLZqsnbJIeH4nvAUmTwrPuq6zjX7sQOwuaV8L-35o9pndqiPCqE0gnp4HK5uFHYKKd1ROZMe4rnMpIb_LleO1nXKJ6wvM1Ha2E591A-sw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="474" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-wqEl82TVnObOlrd_bWryuZej1wEraLJW83LvWa5JBMZ2bffTDW7pBXWlRzDKGrVZUVjjhl49YkEERYdq_WLZqsnbJIeH4nvAUmTwrPuq6zjX7sQOwuaV8L-35o9pndqiPCqE0gnp4HK5uFHYKKd1ROZMe4rnMpIb_LleO1nXKJ6wvM1Ha2E591A-sw" width="180" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: times;">As we begin a season of reflection, fasting, listening and praying, it is good to remind ourselves why observing Lent is a helpful practice. Of course, it is not something that we have to do, but I always find deep value in marking this period with intentionality. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">For those who argue we don't need to observe Lent, I simply respond by suggesting that focused prayer, fasting, scripture reading and meditation, are all biblical practices that help us to commune with our Lord. Whether we do it in this season of the year or later on, it doesn't really matter. However, in my experience, Lent is a precious time that prepares my heart for the life-changing message of the Cross and Resurrection. </span></p>"Lent is a call to renew a commitment grown dull, perhaps, by a life more marked by routine than by reflection." – Joan Chittister<br /><br />"The real question of the Lenten season is how will I clear out the junk and garbage in my life so that I can be restored to God in some fresh way? What are the disciplines that will open up space for God to create a clean heart and new spirit in me?" - Ruth Haley Barton.<div><span style="font-family: times;"><i><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times;"><i><span style="background-color: white;">"Search for </span><span style="background-color: white;">the</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="small-caps" style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white;"> and for his strength; continually </span><span style="background-color: white;">seek</span></i><span style="background-color: white;"><i> him."</i> - <b>1 Chronicles 16:11</b></span></span><div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /><span style="background-color: white;">May this Lenten season be a period of renewal, grace and a deepening of your faith.</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;">Living in Grace</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;">D3LM3</span></span></div></div>Delme Linscotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04851898389395880815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35786455885115671.post-9646511916970778292024-02-12T13:44:00.003+02:002024-02-12T13:44:42.415+02:00Tuesdays with Morrie<p><span style="font-family: times;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiARZ3KX7itXnxSRoE5Fw8YuUk6bqTj9NzqXhBQNnVL4QOFVxWS70fuPKI9mU0AUYGvMngBzDr2hW7tzM29pylZfLzU3ChFMxfjz_kDH9BTFuMU5BXWAwYKPyNncz2DurOxnC4ObSqGp8cZIBtHXbIRPOmJ03WOl66qYKzQjju42tnAGSk7fFS0AA1tAw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiARZ3KX7itXnxSRoE5Fw8YuUk6bqTj9NzqXhBQNnVL4QOFVxWS70fuPKI9mU0AUYGvMngBzDr2hW7tzM29pylZfLzU3ChFMxfjz_kDH9BTFuMU5BXWAwYKPyNncz2DurOxnC4ObSqGp8cZIBtHXbIRPOmJ03WOl66qYKzQjju42tnAGSk7fFS0AA1tAw" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: times;">I have just finished re-reading Mitch Albom's classic, </span><i style="font-family: times;">Tuesdays with Morrie</i><span style="font-family: times;">. In this moving story, Mitch connects with his old University professor, Morrie Schwartz, who is slowly dying with Lou Gerig's disease. As they meet together for these remarkable conversations, Mitch discovers so much more about life, death and everything in-between. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">As one reads deeper into the book, you also begin to wrestle with the bigger questions of life and how one can live a meaningful life.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">“So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they're busy doing things they think are important. This is because they're chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.” - </span><span class="authorOrTitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-weight: bold;">Mitch Albom, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"></span><span id="quote_book_link_26137" style="background-color: white; color: #181818;"><a class="authorOrTitle" href="https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/1995335" style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold; text-decoration-line: none;">Tuesdays with Morrie</a></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">Colossians 1:10 - <i>"<span style="background-color: white;">so that you may live a </span><span style="background-color: white;">life</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">worth</span><span style="background-color: white;">y of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God."</span></i></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;">Living in Grace</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;">D3LM3</span></span></p>Delme Linscotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04851898389395880815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35786455885115671.post-47123537106918743862024-02-07T07:18:00.020+02:002024-02-07T07:18:00.148+02:00Do all that you do with love<p><span style="font-family: times;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNfWne-vMe51uVUQCQg57JOAIP9o85j_Ro8Z-INjjRiiILtxiwKSZtKJwSmQh1t1VeN3IjA_jBi3R5J5dMNO5_Vo76hs8PYS72UPHgd1M1C9axo0a5cW2DtAnXPvCbWcrtQjgEtcutTmJgrE2571xmmI3TbyrbXkTCHvIVQsZU7xowNadfA4l6kdpOzA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="850" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNfWne-vMe51uVUQCQg57JOAIP9o85j_Ro8Z-INjjRiiILtxiwKSZtKJwSmQh1t1VeN3IjA_jBi3R5J5dMNO5_Vo76hs8PYS72UPHgd1M1C9axo0a5cW2DtAnXPvCbWcrtQjgEtcutTmJgrE2571xmmI3TbyrbXkTCHvIVQsZU7xowNadfA4l6kdpOzA" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: times;">I found the following words from Therese of Lisieux to be moving, as well as challenging:</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">"Remember that nothing is small in the eyes of God. Do all that you do with love."</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: times;">"Perfect love means putting up with other peoples shortcomings, feeling no surprise at their weaknesses, finding encouragement even in the slightest evidence of good qualities in them." - Therese of Lisieux</span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: times;">1 John 4:18 -<i> <span style="background-color: white;">There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear,</span><span style="background-color: white;"> because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.</span></i></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;">I am away on a seminar for this week, so if you don't receive a blog for a few days, this is the reason why. God bless you and thanks for your support of this ministry.</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;">Living in grace</span></span></p><p style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;">D3LM3</span></span></p>Delme Linscotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04851898389395880815noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35786455885115671.post-61891834847602212132024-02-06T07:16:00.006+02:002024-02-06T07:16:47.893+02:00Fixing your eyes<p><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxR9Ejlw5H5qo601rYEa7_7IE2cp2EezHeil3eXjQ4poa3eIZeqYLRXxAgVnQCu-_nROZ4mp9Yp3DWYtmtTGFj39TDZpWD8iBXxbkV07vvndi9Hi9qPU4i5kjhuiS8Gj7hqAHd8d30YnnCMImv7mX-SmLbshubwZJ7krpzvi3w3zYr0Afk5YI0__iU-w" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="474" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxR9Ejlw5H5qo601rYEa7_7IE2cp2EezHeil3eXjQ4poa3eIZeqYLRXxAgVnQCu-_nROZ4mp9Yp3DWYtmtTGFj39TDZpWD8iBXxbkV07vvndi9Hi9qPU4i5kjhuiS8Gj7hqAHd8d30YnnCMImv7mX-SmLbshubwZJ7krpzvi3w3zYr0Afk5YI0__iU-w" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;">If we want to walk in straight line (relatively) it is best to have a fixed point to aim towards. The temptation to go off course is great, unless we can keep our eyes on this point. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: times;">“No ploughman ever ploughed a straight furrow
looking back over his shoulder.” (William Barclay)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: times;">As we walk into the future may we keep our eyes on Jesus - he is the best 'fixed' point we could ever as for.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Hebrews 12:2 - </span><i><span style="font-size: 19.2px; line-height: 107%;">"...<b> </b></span><span class="text Heb-12-2" id="en-NIV-30215" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="text Heb-12-3" id="en-NIV-30216" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."</span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: times;">Living in Grace</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: times;">D3LM3</span></span></p>Delme Linscotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04851898389395880815noreply@blogger.com0