In the Love of God

~~~ Jude 17, 20B-25 ~~~ Psalm 63 ~~~ Mark 11:27-33

Keep yourselves in the love of God...

We know that falling in love with someone is a great feeling.

We also know that staying in love does not just happen.

Staying in love cannot be maintained on autopilot.

The same is true with our loving relationship with God.

In order to keep ourselves in the love of God

we must nurture this love.

Here are a few suggestions for staying

 in the love of God.

1. Spend quality time with God.

This means not only physically being aware of him.

This means setting aside a special time dedicated to God.

2. Use opportunities throughout the day

 to be mindful of God's presence.

Pay attention to him in the present moment.

Pause and say 'I love you, God'.

3. Express your appreciation and gratitude 

for the wonders of God.

Notice the beauty of creation great and small...

a flower, a cloud, a rain drop, a cardinal, a horse...

4. Learn more about the one who loves you.

Make a retreat. Participate in a Bible study.

Read the lives of the saints...they have much

 to teach us about loving God.

My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

Our soul is thirsts for the one we love.

Our soul thirsts for the one who loves us

We thirst for the one who also thirsts for us...God.

Remember, God loved you first.

Because of his first love our soul desires to be with him.

We long to be in the presence of his glory.

It is God's love for us that gives our soul life.

Sing praise to the one who loves you...

from ages past, now, and for ages to come. Amen. 

The world goes around with love.

Love powers everything.

Keep your heart in the love of God.

Keep your thoughts in the love of God.

Keep your actions influenced in the love of God.

Blessings in the love of God.

~~~ Peace ~~~

Remnants Of...

~~~ Zephaniah 3:1-2, 9-13 ~~~ Psalm 34 ~~~ Matthew 21:28-32 ~~~

Woe to the city, rebellious and polluted,

to the tyrannical city!

The city of Jerusalem is being rebuked by God.

They have failed because of their arrogance and their pride.

God could only satisfy their needs temporarily.

They were constantly looking for more.

When you are constantly looking for more you 

remove any chance of appreciating what 

you have been given.

 I will leave as a remnant in your midst

a people humble and lowly,

Who shall take refuge in the name of the LORD:

the remnant of Israel.

Remnant...a small remaining quantity of something...leftovers.

During the years when I was sewing,  I always 

 went to check out the fabrics on the remnant table.

Sometimes a couple yards of fabric was enough to make something,

even if it was just colorful place mats for the two of us.

Whenever carpet is installed the remnant carpet pieces

 make perfect rugs for the doorways. 

Shopping and using remnants helps

 to stretch your dollar

a little farther. 

Some dictionaries define remnants as a fragment or scrap.

You might say that Jesus reached out to the remnant people 

when he chose to hang out with the tax collectors and the prostitutes.

...tax collectors and prostitutes

are entering the Kingdom of God before you. 

Perhaps we ourselves might be considered

 to be a part of the 'remnant' peoples.

God was focused on saving the Israelites,

 but the plan did not work out too well.

Instead they rejected him with great vigor.

So he turned his focus for salvation on those who were not Israelites...

he chose to bring the gift of salvation to us.

Scientists rejoice when they uncover

 the remnants of a prior civilization.

Much can be learned from the time period by carefully

 studying the remnants.

Sometimes our whole society seems 

like a container for the remnants of the past.

When you consider how so many of the values within

 our society have deteriorated...

Today if you have strong values you are treated 

like you are from another era. 

Actually a remnant from the past.

Courtesy and simple human kindness 

have been shoved aside;

instead everyone just looks out 

for themselves at the cost of another.

Jesus reached out to the remnants of society...

he Blessed them with his love.

He Blesses us during this time of Advent.

Come, Lord Jesus, Come.

In stillness we wait for you to come.

~~~Peace~~~

We Remember Our Fallen Heros

~~~ Memorial Day ~~~

 

~~~ Sirach 17:20-24 ~~~ Psalm 32 ~~~ Mark 10:17-27 ~~~

 

'...All things are possible for God.'

 

This should be our daily mantra.

Whenever we begin to feel discouraged and out of sync

 we need to remind ourselves that

with God all things really are possible.

 

We tend to think that everything lies squarely upon our shoulders.

We make ourselves a little crazy when

WE cannot get things accomplished in our own way.

 

It is from God that we receive the grace and strength to move forward

on our journey of salvation.

God never said that we must walk this path alone.

He is always with us.

If we believe this then it follows that we trust in his guidance.

 

Yesterday we heard from Paul's letter to the Romans about hope.

Hope is about believing in those things we cannot see.

 

We cannot see God's hand leading us...guiding us...

but he is with us.

 

Whatever we are faced with in our life God is the one who will help us persevere.

 

 

 

We remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice serving in our armed forces today.

I cannot help but think of how many times these brave

men and women had to rely on God.

How many times have they were faced with seemingly impossible situations?

How many times it was truly by God's intervention that they survived.

 

 To the penitent God provides a way back,
he encourages those who are losing hope...

...Return to him...

...pray to the LORD...

...Turn again to the Most High...

 

May the souls of all those who died for our freedom rest in peace.

May their families find comfort in knowing their loved ones

 are appreciated by the rest of us.

 

'...All things are possible for God.'

 

We give thanks for your sacrifice.

We pray for the protection of our military who serve our country.