GOVERNMENT HEALTH WARNING!!!!!

DO NOT SWALLOW CHEWING GUM!!

(I know, I know, this is soooo wrong, but I couldn't resist....it IS funny!!!!)

A Cracked Pot

We are jars of clay, chipped and blemished, fragile by God’s design in order to show the glorious light of God shining through our cracks and crevices. People should look at us and say, “What’s this? That plain jar of clay isn’t creating such a glorious light; it must be the light of heaven contained within. The peace and joy and love I see in that light must be from God.”

Hmmm...what do people see when they see me? Somedays I feel pretty "cracked" and "unlovely". My fragile side shows more often than not. I pray that God's light shows through all my chipped and cracked edges. Help me, Lord, to concentrate more on my insides where your light is contained. Use this blemished vessel for your purpose and glory. I do want to be more than a "cracked pot". Thanks.

Choices

Dr. Bob gave us a challenge last night at New Community....."Make choices in 2008 that you will never regret."
I accept that challenge. I will need God's help. I don't always make the best choices. I say the wrong things...at the wrong times. I don't do what I should. I do what I should not. Sometimes I'm *gulp* selfish. Dr. Bob said that he wrote the word "grace" on the rock that he received last week from Jason Miller. I think I will write "choices" on mine....as a reminder.

The Shack

I just finished reading THE SHACK by William P. Young. Wow. I usually do not read alot of fiction. Yet this piece made me think and examine how I see God, Jesus and the Spirit. At times I forgot that I was reading fiction and I began to examine my ideas of why God does what He does with what Papa tried to help Mackenzie understand. I could relate with Mackenzie...it's must easier to put God in a box and expect Him to act/react in preconceived "spiritual" ways.

I recall Mackenzie questioning God on his choice of music--a secular funky dance tune--and I loved His reply.."I listen to everything-and not just to the music itself but the hearts behind it." (kinda what GCC has been saying for years!!).

When Mackenzie questioned God about the murder of his daughter God assured him that He did not allow that to happen. He did not cause that because it was part of His perfect will (how many times do Christians console each other with those statements!) but He would use the tragedy and redeem it even though Mackenzie may never know how.

Many interesting thoughts/ideas were raised for me in this book. I have to admit it was not what I expected...but each of us have our own "shack" wherein we each find God & grace.