A Brighter Life

~~~ 1 Peter 2:2-5, 9-12 ~~~ Psalm 100 ~~~ Mark 10:46-52 ~~~

Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.

Bartimaeus, a blind man, came 

into the presence of the Lord with joy.

He was hoping to have his sight restored.

While we might think it obvious

 that a blind man would be seeking sight,

Jesus asks him, 

 “What do you want me to do for you?”

It is important that we come

 to Jesus with our needs and wants.

It is important that we call out to Jesus

 letting him know we are aware of his presence.

We receive many gifts from God,

but we also need to be able to express our desires to him.

Come with joy into the presence of the Lord.

Jesus did open the eyes of Bartimaeus,

simultaneously he opened his heart.

He was granted his sight, becoming a follower of Jesus.

In his blindness this man 

was able to see the goodness of Jesus.

There are different types of blindness.

Without light none of us can see.

Jesus is the light of the world...

He is the source of all light, visible and invisible.

The light of Jesus dispels all types of darkness.

This gives us reason to come into his presence with joy.

Blessings for a brighter life.

~~~Peace~~~

Remnants of God

~~~Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time~~~

~~~ Jeremiah 31:7-9 ~~~ Psalm 126 ~~~ Hebrews 5:1-6 ~~~ 

~~~ Mark 10:46-52 ~~~

"Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you."

Jesus is calling us together...he gathers all people...

the blind...the lame...mothers...children...

Jesus dries your tears, consoles, guides, and leads all 

on level roads so that you will not stumble.

The Lord delivered his people even though

 they were the remnant of Israel.

Have you ever felt like you were nothing but a remnant?

Sometimes as we age and the daily tasks become more challenging

 we may feel like a remnant of our former selves.

I have fond memories of browsing through 

the remnant bin in the fabric store.

You may just find a beautiful piece of fabric 

rolled up and tossed aside as just a remnant.

A remnant is the end of the bolt...

the piece not large enough to make anything worthwhile.

The Lord intentionally sought after those 

who were left out of Israel.

Today he is still seeking out the remnants...

To God a remnant is something of rare beauty...

something worth saving...something to cherish.

You are the remnant God draws to his cheek.

The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

It must bring great joy to your heart to know

 how much God has done for you.

How he loved you more than you ever 

would have guessed.

Bartimaeus may have considered himself nothing more

 than a left over blind piece of society.

A remnant with a voice...a voice that cried out to Jesus.

Jesus heard the voice of this poor blind man.

Jesus sends his disciples to this blind man.

"Take courage; get up, Jesus is calling you."

Jesus calls you when you least expect to hear his voice.

Jesus calls you when you have given up on yourself.

Jesus calls you from the remnant bin...

unrolls you...Jesus admires the beauty of your soul.

Jesus takes time to guide you,

 to love you, to save you.

You are a remnant chosen by God.

Blessed to be saved from the fabric bin.

~~~ Peace ~~~