Posts
Happy Tuesday/Thanksgiving Eve Eve!
I spent much of the day cooking. I will also spend much of tomorrow cooking in preparation for thanksgiving lunch at Ken and Sheena’s house on Thursday. Unless things change it will be a smaller than usual crowd. I think it will be Mom and Dad, Ken’s family and our family; making 13 in all. I am looking very forward to the day!
But I also spent much of the day as I chopped, mixed and stirred praying for my oldest and dearest friend Carme. Following her surgery yesterday she developed blinding, excruciating headaches for which they could not find a cause. Medications were not helping and finally an MRI was taken and IV medications were administered to mask the pain. The MRI showed nothing to cause the vicious headaches. We were grateful that the MRI was negative. As of the latest communication from Dave, Carme was going to stay overnight again and hopefully go home tomorrow. Please pray for her and Dave. My prayer is that Carme will be restored to perfect health and well being and will be pain free.
Colossians 3: 23, 24 “And whatsoever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord you shall receive the reward of the inheritance for you serve the Lord Christ.”
God asks us to go about our daily tasks with our service to Him in our thinking. I know it is hard to think about making a bed, mowing a lawn, cleaning a bathroom or washing dishes as a service to God, but that is what God asks. I think this passage tells us to do this because when we think about God first in ALL we do then the Holy Spirit directs our thoughts and actions. We may not really like to do these daily mundane things but if we talk and listen to God while doing these tasks then we are sharing in the life of God and allowing God to speak to us and us to listen to Him.
Ask God to bless those on your prayer list. Think about each of those people and call them by name. Ask God to reveal a special meaning in His Word to you. Think of ways you serve God by helping someone. Ask God to show you how to help. We may not see the transforming power of the Holy Spirit as a sacrifice but the greater understanding we gain into the heart of God is beyond measure.
So if you are at the grocery store tomorrow for those final few things or waiting in traffic, take the time to seek and speak to God listening and learning more about our Lord and Savior.
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes. Count your blessings and say you prayers. Let us continue to lift each other up in prayer each day. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Happy Monday!
Happy Birthday Ken! My wonderful brother turned the big 5—0 today. We are 5 years and 8 days apart in age. I would have never guessed growing up that both of us would become educators. He spent the day working on his pool and playing with his beautiful granddaughter, baby Holly. We will celebrate our birthdays together on Thanksgiving Day along with the remainder of the family.
1 Corinthians 13:1 “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal”
1 Corinthians 13:13 “And now abides faith, hope and love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
Today I found an old spiral notebook that was not completely used up. As I was looking through it I discovered it had old class notes from my Christian history class and a couple of papers I had written. I tore out the notes and threw away the papers. The papers have long outlived their service and I had not reason to keep them. I remember studying really hard for that class, but what I remember the most was Dr. Lee.
Casey had slipped into a chemotherapy induced coma and was not waking up. On that day there was a test scheduled in the class. I did not want to leave Casey and tried to contact Dr. Lee at Brite through phoning and email. Dr. Lee received my email and responded just prior to the test telling me that he would not ask me to leave Casey’s bedside and that he would email the test. I took the test in Casey’s hospital room that day and emailed it back. Dr. Lee acted in love that day. An act of random kindness (ARK) came to me that day.
Only what is done in Love is what lasts and is remembered. Pastor Joel told me today that the words of those who have completed their master’s degrees and PhD’s have bound documents in the library. I am told these papers are covered in dust and are rarely if ever opened. Their words will be forgotten as will the words I write almost nightly. For the things of this world are forgotten, but because God is love, only the work of God remains.
Jesus was God’s greatest work. Jesus is God’s love revealed to us and by the power of the Holy Spirit God’s love is in us. The papers I write as I journey through seminary will be forgotten as soon as they are graded and returned, but how I act in love is the real training ground for the ministry to which I have been called. The patient in the hospital will not care what grade I got on some paper I wrote. That patient will care that God’s loving representative is at their bedside to comfort them, ready to pray, laugh or cry and assist any way I can.
Tonight my meditation says, “The fame of the world, the applause given to the one who speaks with the tongues of men and of angels, who attracts admiration and compels attention, it is all given to what is passing, is really worthless, if it lacks that God-quality, Love.” So my friends, this Thanksgiving week, act in love towards friends and family alike. Do not act for applause or fame, but act in love because of the One who loves us so much that He gave His greatest gift. Let us give thanks with grateful hearts.
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes, count your blessings and say your prayers. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
Prayer alert! My best friend, Carmella Russell had a successful surgery today in San Antonio. Please keep her in your prayers as she heals and is restored to full health and well being. Thanks. Love you, gc
Happy Birthday Ken! My wonderful brother turned the big 5—0 today. We are 5 years and 8 days apart in age. I would have never guessed growing up that both of us would become educators. He spent the day working on his pool and playing with his beautiful granddaughter, baby Holly. We will celebrate our birthdays together on Thanksgiving Day along with the remainder of the family.
1 Corinthians 13:1 “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal”
1 Corinthians 13:13 “And now abides faith, hope and love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
Today I found an old spiral notebook that was not completely used up. As I was looking through it I discovered it had old class notes from my Christian history class and a couple of papers I had written. I tore out the notes and threw away the papers. The papers have long outlived their service and I had not reason to keep them. I remember studying really hard for that class, but what I remember the most was Dr. Lee.
Casey had slipped into a chemotherapy induced coma and was not waking up. On that day there was a test scheduled in the class. I did not want to leave Casey and tried to contact Dr. Lee at Brite through phoning and email. Dr. Lee received my email and responded just prior to the test telling me that he would not ask me to leave Casey’s bedside and that he would email the test. I took the test in Casey’s hospital room that day and emailed it back. Dr. Lee acted in love that day. An act of random kindness (ARK) came to me that day.
Only what is done in Love is what lasts and is remembered. Pastor Joel told me today that the words of those who have completed their master’s degrees and PhD’s have bound documents in the library. I am told these papers are covered in dust and are rarely if ever opened. Their words will be forgotten as will the words I write almost nightly. For the things of this world are forgotten, but because God is love, only the work of God remains.
Jesus was God’s greatest work. Jesus is God’s love revealed to us and by the power of the Holy Spirit God’s love is in us. The papers I write as I journey through seminary will be forgotten as soon as they are graded and returned, but how I act in love is the real training ground for the ministry to which I have been called. The patient in the hospital will not care what grade I got on some paper I wrote. That patient will care that God’s loving representative is at their bedside to comfort them, ready to pray, laugh or cry and assist any way I can.
Tonight my meditation says, “The fame of the world, the applause given to the one who speaks with the tongues of men and of angels, who attracts admiration and compels attention, it is all given to what is passing, is really worthless, if it lacks that God-quality, Love.” So my friends, this Thanksgiving week, act in love towards friends and family alike. Do not act for applause or fame, but act in love because of the One who loves us so much that He gave His greatest gift. Let us give thanks with grateful hearts.
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes, count your blessings and say your prayers. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
Prayer alert! My best friend, Carmella Russell had a successful surgery today in San Antonio. Please keep her in your prayers as she heals and is restored to full health and well being. Thanks. Love you, gc
Monday, November 22, 2010
Blessed Sunday!
Worship was wonderful today! We celebrated Christ the King Sunday today. Christ the King Sunday is the last Sunday in the church year. Next week begins Advent. I also had a conversation with Pastor Joel this morning and he was very helpful concerning my problem with academic writing. He gave a great explanation of what I needed to do and then agreed to (along with Bruce) to read my papers prior to me submitting them to my professors. This means I will have to have them ready sometime before the night before so them both can read and help me repair the problems. I am thankful for these two men who are answers to prayer. Please pray for them and me as I learn to be a better writer.
Luke 23: 38 “A sign was fastened to the cross above Him with these words: This is the King of the Jews.”
We often think of Jesus as friend; someone who is always with us walking along in this journey of life. We also often think of Jesus as the Good Shepherd; someone who leads us and guides us, but how about Jesus as King?
A king is someone who holds great power over his subjects and demands obedience from them. A symbol of being a king is the crown he wears. A king expects his subjects to willingly accept his commands and to carry out the tasks immediately. An earthly king might not react in a kind manner if their commands are not carried out. Pilate did not like the fact that Jesus claimed Himself a king and this proclamation sent Jesus to the cross. Jesus willingly traded His heavenly crown for a crown of thorns. God demanded complete obedience from Jesus. Jesus complied with complete obedience throughout His ministry out of love for His Father and to model the godly life for each of us.
When Pastor Joel posed the question, “Do you think of Jesus as King?” I had an answer not many will have. Not to very long after Casey died I was in worship singing with the praise team. We were singing “This Kingdom,” and all of a sudden I had an image in my mind of Casey, kneeling before the Father with his hands raised in worship in praise singing this song. My answer to Pastor Joel’s question is “yes.”
I don’t know if others have this image of Jesus as King, but I do because I know Casey sees Jesus as King all of the time and into eternity. Casey now acts in obedience without a moment’s hesitation because he sees Jesus face to face and lives in the Kingdom of Love. Perhaps we should start practicing living a life of obedience and service so when we are face to face with the Jesus we will proclaim “Jesus Christ, King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” Amen!
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes. Count your blessings and say your prayers. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
Worship was wonderful today! We celebrated Christ the King Sunday today. Christ the King Sunday is the last Sunday in the church year. Next week begins Advent. I also had a conversation with Pastor Joel this morning and he was very helpful concerning my problem with academic writing. He gave a great explanation of what I needed to do and then agreed to (along with Bruce) to read my papers prior to me submitting them to my professors. This means I will have to have them ready sometime before the night before so them both can read and help me repair the problems. I am thankful for these two men who are answers to prayer. Please pray for them and me as I learn to be a better writer.
Luke 23: 38 “A sign was fastened to the cross above Him with these words: This is the King of the Jews.”
We often think of Jesus as friend; someone who is always with us walking along in this journey of life. We also often think of Jesus as the Good Shepherd; someone who leads us and guides us, but how about Jesus as King?
A king is someone who holds great power over his subjects and demands obedience from them. A symbol of being a king is the crown he wears. A king expects his subjects to willingly accept his commands and to carry out the tasks immediately. An earthly king might not react in a kind manner if their commands are not carried out. Pilate did not like the fact that Jesus claimed Himself a king and this proclamation sent Jesus to the cross. Jesus willingly traded His heavenly crown for a crown of thorns. God demanded complete obedience from Jesus. Jesus complied with complete obedience throughout His ministry out of love for His Father and to model the godly life for each of us.
When Pastor Joel posed the question, “Do you think of Jesus as King?” I had an answer not many will have. Not to very long after Casey died I was in worship singing with the praise team. We were singing “This Kingdom,” and all of a sudden I had an image in my mind of Casey, kneeling before the Father with his hands raised in worship in praise singing this song. My answer to Pastor Joel’s question is “yes.”
I don’t know if others have this image of Jesus as King, but I do because I know Casey sees Jesus as King all of the time and into eternity. Casey now acts in obedience without a moment’s hesitation because he sees Jesus face to face and lives in the Kingdom of Love. Perhaps we should start practicing living a life of obedience and service so when we are face to face with the Jesus we will proclaim “Jesus Christ, King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” Amen!
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes. Count your blessings and say your prayers. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Happy Saturday!
What a wonderful day! The only thing I asked for my birthday was to see the new Harry Potter, so we went this afternoon. It is amazing! It is action packed and for the most part follows the book quite well. The end of this part of the last book ends as Geni says, “perfectly!”
Psalm 43:5 “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise Him—my Savior and my God!”
Okay, I got a C+ on my Sacraments paper. I have never gotten a C+ and I must admit it has really bothered me. This grade seems to be at the forefront of my thinking. I became really discouraged and afraid to begin this new paper. After I read the comments on the paper from the professor I decided that I must learn to write in a different style than the one I presented my professor with in this paper. I am pretty good at the reflection style of writing, but I have a lot to learn about writing a paper that presents an argument. So, if I am not too old for another adventure, then I am not too old to ask for help. I am not sure who to ask, but I am going to start with my advisor and see where that takes me.
When we run across bumps in the road we have some choices to make. We can try to go around or we can try to go over. If we try both of these things then the bump is still there and eventually we will have to deal with the situation. The thing to do is to remove the bump. I must learn to write a research paper that presents a clear and concise point that defends a point of view, a statement, or other theological standpoint. But most of all in my writing (for me) I must not only achieve academic excellence, but I must show the glory of God in what I write. My writing must reflect and witness the life of God in Christ Jesus.
This new paper I will begin researching tomorrow is a theology of death and how Christians view and handle death. The conclusion of the paper will be the Celebration of Life service I wrote for Casey. My voice praises God for this professor and this paper and its less than stellar comments. This is a bump in the road that must be removed so that I can move forward as I move forward in becoming a full time seminary student. My hope is that I will find someone who knows how to write in this style of writing and can guide and teach me the skills I need (you know how I ask for us to pray for each other each day?). Please pray God will send me someone who can help me learn to write in this style and I can remove this bump in the road.
For me to be sad and discouraged is not of God and is a sinful state. I know God will help me in some way. I am not sure how, but I have enough faith in this loving God to believe and enough humility to know I cannot accomplish this alone. So tonight I praise God for His goodness, faithfulness and tender mercies and ask for help.
So the question for the night is…How do you deal with bumps in the road? Who do you seek out when problems stop you in your tracks? And can you find a way to praise God as you are learning how to remove the bump in the road that is keeping you from moving forward? There is always another journey isn’t there?
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes. Count your blessings and say your prayers. Love you all and see you in worship. Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
PS Our friend Wes Reed is in the hospital with pancreatitis. Please pray for his healing and restoration to well being. Peace, gc
What a wonderful day! The only thing I asked for my birthday was to see the new Harry Potter, so we went this afternoon. It is amazing! It is action packed and for the most part follows the book quite well. The end of this part of the last book ends as Geni says, “perfectly!”
Psalm 43:5 “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise Him—my Savior and my God!”
Okay, I got a C+ on my Sacraments paper. I have never gotten a C+ and I must admit it has really bothered me. This grade seems to be at the forefront of my thinking. I became really discouraged and afraid to begin this new paper. After I read the comments on the paper from the professor I decided that I must learn to write in a different style than the one I presented my professor with in this paper. I am pretty good at the reflection style of writing, but I have a lot to learn about writing a paper that presents an argument. So, if I am not too old for another adventure, then I am not too old to ask for help. I am not sure who to ask, but I am going to start with my advisor and see where that takes me.
When we run across bumps in the road we have some choices to make. We can try to go around or we can try to go over. If we try both of these things then the bump is still there and eventually we will have to deal with the situation. The thing to do is to remove the bump. I must learn to write a research paper that presents a clear and concise point that defends a point of view, a statement, or other theological standpoint. But most of all in my writing (for me) I must not only achieve academic excellence, but I must show the glory of God in what I write. My writing must reflect and witness the life of God in Christ Jesus.
This new paper I will begin researching tomorrow is a theology of death and how Christians view and handle death. The conclusion of the paper will be the Celebration of Life service I wrote for Casey. My voice praises God for this professor and this paper and its less than stellar comments. This is a bump in the road that must be removed so that I can move forward as I move forward in becoming a full time seminary student. My hope is that I will find someone who knows how to write in this style of writing and can guide and teach me the skills I need (you know how I ask for us to pray for each other each day?). Please pray God will send me someone who can help me learn to write in this style and I can remove this bump in the road.
For me to be sad and discouraged is not of God and is a sinful state. I know God will help me in some way. I am not sure how, but I have enough faith in this loving God to believe and enough humility to know I cannot accomplish this alone. So tonight I praise God for His goodness, faithfulness and tender mercies and ask for help.
So the question for the night is…How do you deal with bumps in the road? Who do you seek out when problems stop you in your tracks? And can you find a way to praise God as you are learning how to remove the bump in the road that is keeping you from moving forward? There is always another journey isn’t there?
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes. Count your blessings and say your prayers. Love you all and see you in worship. Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
PS Our friend Wes Reed is in the hospital with pancreatitis. Please pray for his healing and restoration to well being. Peace, gc
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Happy Friday!
Psalm 121: 1-2 “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence comes my help. My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”
James 4:10 “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up.”
I got my sacraments paper back tonight with the professor’s comments. I did not receive the grade I had hoped for. I did not fail the paper but I am somewhat troubled by the grade. My confidence is a bit shaken and I have one more paper to write and now I am nervous about writing again.
Tonight’s meditation tells me to look unto the hills. I don’t believe I can physically do this, but I can look from this world and lift my eyes to the Help of the Lord. This type of writing and annotating I don’t think I understand. So instead of getting down about this grade I am going to have to research how to do this and how to write footnotes in short order.
I think the lesson I am meant to learn is that no matter what happens, I need to look to God for help, comfort and guidance in all situations. I need to look to God when things are going well and when things are not going so well. For all my spiritual needs I need to look to the Lord who made Heaven and Earth. And for all of my temporal, earthly needs I still need to look to Him, the Lord who made all the earth.
Continuing to take joy in your journey. Wear comfortable shoes. Count your blessings and say your prayers. Let us continue to lift each other up in prayer daily. Love you all so very much. Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe G
Psalm 121: 1-2 “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence comes my help. My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”
James 4:10 “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up.”
I got my sacraments paper back tonight with the professor’s comments. I did not receive the grade I had hoped for. I did not fail the paper but I am somewhat troubled by the grade. My confidence is a bit shaken and I have one more paper to write and now I am nervous about writing again.
Tonight’s meditation tells me to look unto the hills. I don’t believe I can physically do this, but I can look from this world and lift my eyes to the Help of the Lord. This type of writing and annotating I don’t think I understand. So instead of getting down about this grade I am going to have to research how to do this and how to write footnotes in short order.
I think the lesson I am meant to learn is that no matter what happens, I need to look to God for help, comfort and guidance in all situations. I need to look to God when things are going well and when things are not going so well. For all my spiritual needs I need to look to the Lord who made Heaven and Earth. And for all of my temporal, earthly needs I still need to look to Him, the Lord who made all the earth.
Continuing to take joy in your journey. Wear comfortable shoes. Count your blessings and say your prayers. Let us continue to lift each other up in prayer daily. Love you all so very much. Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe G
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Happy Thursday!
The resounding whisper throughout the halls at school is “One more day and I am SO ready for a break!” It is an interesting sight as teachers walk down the hall and quietly articulate this phrase to other teachers passing each other in the hall. I plan to teach tomorrow and keep these very excited children between the walls and off the ceiling. Please pray for our sanity!
Isaiah 60:1 “Arise, shine; for your light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.”
2 Corinthians 3:18 “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
When the Spirit of God is upon us we carry with us the beauty of His character. We reflect the glory of God when we act in patience, love and service. I pray each day for God’s presence to be in me as I work with the children in my class. Some days or some moments I am a better reflection than at other times. This class of children is a rather challenging group and I find myself losing patience, not being as loving as I normally am and not being the servant God desires in me as I work with these children.
Then I think of God and how I am not always an easy child with which to teach and try to discipline. I am sure God loses patience with me and just wishes I would stop talking, listen and realize that His will for me is far better than my own desires and plans. God never gives up on me and starts again with me every moment of every day in love, forgiveness and grace.
The character of God is in His heart and in the beauty of His perfect holiness. I am not perfect, but since God has claimed me and each of us as His children some of His character must dwell in us. So tomorrow when a rough moment or situation comes along, I am going to stop and take a breath. I will breathe in God’s love, His kindness, and remember that those with whom we live and work are His children too. I invite you to take that breath, too. Let us ask God to inspire us by placing His spirit in us so that His very presence is recognized by others and we reflect the character of God.
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes. Count your blessings and say your prayers. Let us continue to lift one another up in prayer each day. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe G
The resounding whisper throughout the halls at school is “One more day and I am SO ready for a break!” It is an interesting sight as teachers walk down the hall and quietly articulate this phrase to other teachers passing each other in the hall. I plan to teach tomorrow and keep these very excited children between the walls and off the ceiling. Please pray for our sanity!
Isaiah 60:1 “Arise, shine; for your light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.”
2 Corinthians 3:18 “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
When the Spirit of God is upon us we carry with us the beauty of His character. We reflect the glory of God when we act in patience, love and service. I pray each day for God’s presence to be in me as I work with the children in my class. Some days or some moments I am a better reflection than at other times. This class of children is a rather challenging group and I find myself losing patience, not being as loving as I normally am and not being the servant God desires in me as I work with these children.
Then I think of God and how I am not always an easy child with which to teach and try to discipline. I am sure God loses patience with me and just wishes I would stop talking, listen and realize that His will for me is far better than my own desires and plans. God never gives up on me and starts again with me every moment of every day in love, forgiveness and grace.
The character of God is in His heart and in the beauty of His perfect holiness. I am not perfect, but since God has claimed me and each of us as His children some of His character must dwell in us. So tomorrow when a rough moment or situation comes along, I am going to stop and take a breath. I will breathe in God’s love, His kindness, and remember that those with whom we live and work are His children too. I invite you to take that breath, too. Let us ask God to inspire us by placing His spirit in us so that His very presence is recognized by others and we reflect the character of God.
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes. Count your blessings and say your prayers. Let us continue to lift one another up in prayer each day. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe G
Happy Wednesday!
Matthew 25: 21 “Well done, good and faithful servant…enter into the joy of the Lord.”
Isaiah 12: 3 “Therefore with joy shall you draw water out of the wells of salvation.”
Most of us who are Christians are not famous or world renowned. We go about our lives in rather quiet ways. We have ordinary jobs such as teachers, office workers, laborers, homemakers or administrators or other vocations that will never give us a claim to fame. We are those who love God and serve Him with gladness and as faithfully we know how. We are those followers of Christ who go to choir practice tired from a long day, make the casserole for the supper at church and a pie for the neighbor who is sick while making a phone call to the elderly neighbor just to check in.
These are the kinds of loving service that probably no one else sees, but God does. He sees the small things we do for others and is so pleased. The reward we receive is nothing the world can provide. We do not do these things for reward, but simply because they are the right thing to do. We do them to be a loving friend and servant to others and to God who is always far more faithful to us that we will ever be until we meet Him face to face in heaven. Our reward is a far more spiritual one. Our reward is Joy.
I do not know about you, but when I have walked or worked in the service of our Lord there is no earthly reward that can ever exceed the Joy that is in my heart. The world may never recognize believers in quiet, humble, patient service, but God sees it and rewards us with a heavenly reward, not earth’s fame, earth’s wealth or earth’s pleasure, but with Joy divine.
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes. Count your blessings and say your prayers. Let us continue lift one another up in prayer each day. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
Matthew 25: 21 “Well done, good and faithful servant…enter into the joy of the Lord.”
Isaiah 12: 3 “Therefore with joy shall you draw water out of the wells of salvation.”
Most of us who are Christians are not famous or world renowned. We go about our lives in rather quiet ways. We have ordinary jobs such as teachers, office workers, laborers, homemakers or administrators or other vocations that will never give us a claim to fame. We are those who love God and serve Him with gladness and as faithfully we know how. We are those followers of Christ who go to choir practice tired from a long day, make the casserole for the supper at church and a pie for the neighbor who is sick while making a phone call to the elderly neighbor just to check in.
These are the kinds of loving service that probably no one else sees, but God does. He sees the small things we do for others and is so pleased. The reward we receive is nothing the world can provide. We do not do these things for reward, but simply because they are the right thing to do. We do them to be a loving friend and servant to others and to God who is always far more faithful to us that we will ever be until we meet Him face to face in heaven. Our reward is a far more spiritual one. Our reward is Joy.
I do not know about you, but when I have walked or worked in the service of our Lord there is no earthly reward that can ever exceed the Joy that is in my heart. The world may never recognize believers in quiet, humble, patient service, but God sees it and rewards us with a heavenly reward, not earth’s fame, earth’s wealth or earth’s pleasure, but with Joy divine.
Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes. Count your blessings and say your prayers. Let us continue lift one another up in prayer each day. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.
Gcapplenotes@aol.com
I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am moved only by what I believe and I believe God.
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