The One who is, who was, and who is coming

That title is a portion of Revelation 1:4 HCSB and was the subject of Pastor Frank's sermon this past Sunday. As I think of my life, all the best things that happened were when I stayed focused on Jesus and when I focused on other things including myself, life got more difficult. It is more than just asking WWW? (What Would Jesus Do?) but making him and his ways the focus of my life, an incarnation of Christ,   "because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." 1 John 4:4 HCSB

What's Eating Gilbert Grape

Last night via Netflix I saw the powerful 1993 drama movie What's Eating Gilbert Grape and in some ways it had a spiritual impact on me or maybe I wanted it to and it was just an emotional experience. Gilbert's mostly patient caring for his developmentally challenged younger brother in a dysfunctional family was almost heroic as well as very conflicted. I saw myself in Gilbert (Johnny Depp) over and over as I recalled the challenges of caring for Juli while trying to go on with my life in so many complicated situations (like Gilbert). Maybe I will write it down someday - another story to tell! The added interest of the movie was seeing a young Johnny Depp and an even younger Leonardo DiCaprio. Plus Juliette Lewis was great as the girlfriend! A delightful movie for me! See the  trailer or an essay on the movie. Gilbert said something like "Everything has a purpose, I just can't figure out what the purpose of this is." I know the feeling Gilbert!

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  
Romans 8:28 NIV

Into The Congo Inspiration

I just finished reading Ron Meyer's chronicling of his 31 years as a missionary in the Congo of Central Africa. It was heart-warming to see how God worked in and through his life in the African Forest, especially since Ron is a new friend and fellow-resident of McKendree Village. He also gave me an idea of how I might write a similar chronicle of my 3 years in The Gambia, West Africa. I think I too would share it as a series of stories as he did. Of course as a photo nut, I will probably use more photos!  :-)

He is risen!

He is risen indeed!

My Quiet Place

Then Jesus said, "Let's go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile." 

Mark 6:31 KJV Cambridge ed.

Reminder of God

Iglesia Sagrado Corazon, Vinales, Cuba

The Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Vinales, Cuba

We saw the 1700's cathedral in Havana, but it was this little church in a farming village in Western Cuba that impressed me the most and really pointed me to God or reminded me of His presence in our busy travels by the many sights. It was also the only one I felt comfortable going inside and photographing. Except for the statue if could be a Baptist Church. It was a brief moment of inspiration and a reminder that architecture can remind us of God. 

Only by His Grace

In Sunday school this morning we talked about justification by faith and how none of us are ever good enough to live by the law but must depend on God's Grace and Him making us righteous through the perfection of Jesus. Tonight I watched the History Channel Bible series and was reminded of this as we saw Saul let his power go to his head and lose his dependence on God and then again with David, "a man after God's own heart" doing the same thing again as he sinned with Bathsheba. It is just our human nature to be selfish and to disobey God. I am justified only by His Grace!