Choked by worry

In Matthew 13, Jesus tells an amazing parable about the Sower who graciously sows seeds everywhere. Some of the seed falls near the weeds and never gets to grow properly. This is Jesus' explanation for this sad truth...

"The seed cast in the weeds is the person who hears the kingdom news, but weeds of worry and illusions about getting more and wanting everything under the sun strangle what was heard, and nothing comes of it." - Matthew 13:22

If we are seeking 'more' of the things that aren't eternal, then we must expect more worry and less peace. Sadly, we must also expect that we will not grow into the people God has created us to be.

God has sown the seed. Now the choice is ours.

Any thoughts on this parable?

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

Pressing on

"Do you see what this means — all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!" - Hebrews 12:1-3 (MSG)

Have a blessed day.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Sunflowers

Driving up to the Midlands to conduct a wedding rehearsal I noticed the hundreds of sunflowers next to the highway. It makes a welcome change from tar and concert! It is impressive to see how these beautiful flowers blossom in an unlikely place. Here are my random thoughts on what sunflowers can teach us about life.

They flower wherever they find themselves.
They are hardy and resilient.
They turn their heads towards the sun.
They make the world a beautiful place.

Perhaps God has called us to be 'sunflowers' today.

1 Peter 2:12 - Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God...

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

Full of Surprises

There is an old saying that states that "Life is full of surprises!"
Is this because we have a certain view on how the world should
work and when things turn out differently then we are left
feeling surprised? Is that it or is it just that life can't be
predicted or plan - it always has curved balls and lots of
surprises?
Could we say the same for God? Is God full of surprises?
I think God surprises us in so many ways - we just need
to be on the look out for these gifts.

So look out for one of those today! May God bring a
smile to your face.

Living in Grace,
D3LM3

Chicken or Beef

Chicken or Beef? Well, actually none of those for today - I just wanted to get your attention! How about this option? Stone or Flesh?
Life can sometimes batter us into submission and cause our hearts to grow hard. God understands this, but He wants us to allow His Spirit to keep our hearts alive - pumping with life and love.

"I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them;
I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh." - Ezekiel 11:19

May the Spirit of Christ keep our hearts like 'flesh' and not like stones.

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Do you love me?

As I was putting Josh into his car seat this morning he asked me the big question:
"Do you love me daddy?"
Oh man, it was hard to be all macho when he asked this question!
"Of course I love, my boy." I replied.
He was happy with that response and then proceeded to tell me all the people he loves - which even included our crazy Labrador!

So, here's what I was thinking.
There are times in my life, when I want to ask God the same question:
"Do you love me daddy?"
I know that the answer is yes and that I can read about God's love in the Bible (or feel it in my spirit), but what I wouldn't give to hear the words clearly...
"Of course I love you, my boy!"

What are you thinking?

Luke 11:11-13 - “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Misunderstood

Have you ever felt misunderstood? You have shared your opinion or believed strongly in something, but others have misunderstood your motives? It hurts hey?

The early Christians were gravely misunderstood. They were accused of being cannibals (because of Holy Communion), incest (they referred to each other as brother and sister) and even atheism (they rejected other gods). All of these are ridiculous when we read them in 2011, but the early believers struggled to be heard and to share their story.

In truth, Jesus had also been misunderstood. He was called many names, including 'the devil' and a drunkard. Thankfully Jesus stayed focused and strong in the midst of these accusations. He proved that Love conquerors all.

May God be with you today, even if your good motives are misunderstood.

Living in Grace,
D3LM3