Excuse Makers

The Cost of Following Jesus

“Another also said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home.” But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9: 61, 62 NIV

And Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”And He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.” But He said to him, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you , go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.”

I will follow you, Lord, wherever you go.”  Luke 9:57 Will I? 

Have I ever made an excuse as to why I could not go and proclaim the Kingdom of God everywhere? When I grow up? When I win the lottery?  When my kids grow up? Now college bills? Now grands? Now retirement? Now? Now? I wonder if the first excuse was all it took to hear “not fit.”  I have heard it said in business, they don’t have the tools for the job. “A skill set….”  Yet, many without skill set lands the best job because of attitude.  Many times a skilled set of tools come with being on the job and learning. Nothing to it with a wiliness. Jesus sure understood people with attitudinize.  And, replied, “not fit”….someone else landed the job! Now, you go and take care of yourself and your things  and spend your money for a summer fling. Make sure you look as good as you can and buy yourself some new clothes. I don’t know any excuse makers, do you?  Would someone tell me what was and is wrong with Jesus’ way of thinking? Or, have I  misunderstood? 

Who is your Key Holder?

I have areas at times in my life that needs a key to unlock the answers. Do you? Jesus announces that He holds the answer keys. Give Him a call and see how things work out for you. He has unlocked many solved mysteries for me. 
“I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”
(Revelation 1:18, NIV)

The God who made us and calls us beloved might just know how to unlock our heart’s doors if we trust the key that might just upgrade our antenna service. 

Hope your day brims with blessings long awaited for! 

Bless The Lord!

“Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.”

This is the way Psalm 103 begins—David was goading himself and stirring himself up to bless the Lord. Having been a shepherd David may just have known how to prod and goad sheep. This career may have given him the idea that he needed to stir himself up and begin to speak and say good things about the Lord in a spirit of admiration, gratitude and splendor. He spoke boldly to his own soul; telling his inward man to remember God’s benefits, speak of his wonders, tell of his greatness.

David continues by listing many of the benefits of God and then sending out sparks of interest to others. “Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, hearkening to the voice of his word! Bless the Lord all his hosts, his ministers that do his will! Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul!”

What are some ways you goad and prod your soul with every fiber of your being to bless The Lord by naming His benefits?

Thanks to Debi and MG for sharing their gifts…

MG and Debi are two names that are interwoven through out this reflection. A big thank you to their faithfulness in using all their gifts and being steadfast. 

“GOD CALLS US according to our unique aptitudes. But we often overlook our more “everyday” human attributes like having a strong back or being able to repair machines or grow flowers. Some of us can organize; some can do accounting; some can greet people warmly and make them feel welcome; some can make plants grow. Think about such natural abilities and how God might use them.”

– Understanding Spiritual Gifts Participant’s Book

MGHenry writes…

Today is appointed by our government to be a day of remembrance of those who never made it back from the wars.

It’s all been said and done by many organizations around our nation. Leaders have extolled the virtues of those who gave up their lives for the cause of our freedom. There are graveside events and families place wreaths, ministers and rabbis mention these things in their sermons and and flags are flown on this Remembrance Day of the those martyred for our national cause.

Rolling Thunder has “roared” through our community en route to the nation’s Capitol to remember the fallen and to support our surviving veterans.

But I also want to remember the families, the wives, mothers and fathers and the children who will never see their loved ones again. They are the ones that we must pray for. We can only hope that our loved ones, some buried at sea, others in Arlington Cemetery and cemeteries all over our nation and abroad….that these men and women called out to the Lord at the hour death.

And for the veterans who have survived in harm’s way…who have given a limb or who have emotional scars.,, I am thinking what a tragedy it would be to escape the horrors of war only to be in danger of the horrors and terrors of Hell. These also we lift up in prayer to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ that they may through our intercessions on their behalf, also receive Christ as their Lord and Savior to love and serve Him as they have valiently served their country.

I pray that the Holy Spirit will draw these heroes, men and women of the Armed Forces who have survived…that HE will bring the Spirit of Christ upon these people and draw them to Christ. Jesus said, ” If I be lifted up I will draw all men unto ME.”
Let us lift up Christ in our prayers for these people on the very special day of Remembrance…..Memorial Day.

MG Henry

Tales Magic Monastry by Theopane the Monk

“Here, the charming, mature stories from the internationallly beloved monk are accompanied by original art. Like the parables of Jesus, these tales repeatedly unfold new levels of meaning if we are willing to sit with them.” By Publisher

I agree. One tale that keeps me in a meditative state is: “I sat there in awe as the old monk answered our questions. Thought I am usually shy,…I found myself raising my hand. “Father, could you tell us something about yourself? He leaned back. “Myself?” he mused. There was a long pause.

“My name used to be Me. But, now it’s You. “