Thought So!

What If...(Thoughts on John 21)

Fishing expedition gone wrong:

"...and that night they caught nothing."

Jesus' plan:

And He said unto them, 'Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find.'  They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes."

Later...

"Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three..."

The Lord's request...

"And when He had spoken this, He saith unto (Peter), 'Follow Me.'"

What if Peter's response has been...

Then saith Peter, "Yea, this hath been my greatest catch-- an hundred and fifty and three in only one net, and not one fish lost.   I alone am able even to draw my net to land, and it hath not yet broken.  With my great strength, truly I am made for this task.  Thou seest that my career hath just begun.  My name shall be spread far and wide.  Wherefore should I cease?  If I follow Thee, how payest I for meat and drink and house and raiment?  Whom shall I meet?  Shall I be hated even as Thou wast hated?  Nay, I still go afishing."

My response...

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Empty or Full?

A recent news article caught my attention.  Apparently, Egypt is very close to finding the tomb of Cleopatra and Mark Antony.

Historically interesting to many, no doubt.  But, how sad to spend hundreds of years' worth of time and energy to find the place, and then have it sealed and full.

Our joy and confidence is to find the Lord's tomb open and empty. 

"And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher.  And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus."  Luke 24:2,3 

(Still reflecting on Easter)

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Beautiful Music?

Sunday morning at church, I greeted a young mom with, "How was your week?"  She said that her morning had a bit of a rough start. 

She had been trying to get breakfast on the table.  Her newborn was yelling as only newborns can.  Her one-and-a-half-year-old was squawking, tugging on Mom's clothes.  Daddy was in the shower.

"So, what did you do?" I asked, thinking of choices:  packing/leaving, putting the kids in a room and shutting the door, sitting down for a cry, banging on the bathroom door.

"Well, going for Tylenol wasn't an option!  So, I took a deep breath and prayed.   Then, I decided to just listen to the symphony while I finished getting breakfast (so at least we would get something to eat).  After that, I'd take care of everybody's needs."

This is not a new theme.  Its variations are played daily.  (In my "baby" years, the "Unfinished Symphony" was my favourite--unfinished laundry, dishes...).  Still, in each one of our orchestras, the Lord is such a constant help (and He doesn't wear earplugs!) that He can pick out our weakest cry during the daily discordant times--even during the cymbal crashes.

"Bow down Thine ear, O Lord, hear me: for I am poor and needy."   Psalm 86:1

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"Will someone please pick up the garbage?"

Who can resist a sign that says, "Glass Art Exhibit- Free Admission"?  A  few steps in told me there was nothing here that would be sitting on my coffee table.  Some pieces were as big around as a full recycle bag.  Amazing colours swirled through the glass.  I stood back a respectful distance --this was definitely a "You break it--you take it" zone.

Afterward, I thought of heaven.  As gorgeous as that glass was, I wouldn't be seeing it there.  The only possible place for it would be off to the side on one of the streets of gold.  Someone would be sweeping the shards into a dustpan.

The Lord has all the building materials He needs.  He won't be borrowing any from down here.

Rev. 21:10-23

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"Hey, come back here--you're MY disciples!"

This week, I noticed John 1:35-37 in a different light.  Standing with two of his disciples (what a heady thing to have some of those!), John pointed out Jesus to them.  And then--just like that-- they followed Jesus.  No thank-you card for John, no plaque commemorating John's time spent with them, no nominations for Mentor of the Year... they just left.

And what about John as he watched them go?  Did he stand, arms crossed, with narrowed eyes and the sliver of a scowl on his brow?  No--his entire being was focused on testifying of his Savior, of being a vessel through which all men might believe.  He had done what he was sent to do.

Would that have been my reaction? 

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Ewe-nique!

See if this doesn't just have you racing to your closet to check labels.

I found an article entitled, "Now you can know which sheep you're wearing".   Apparently, this particular company labels each knitwear article with its own "passport-like tag" that tells you all about the donor sheep.  (Now you can bond with Blackie, and help her do away with the "black sheep" stereotype for good).  The article went on to say that, "if each possession [that we purchase] is an extension of ourselves...we're saying, 'This is me.'" 

How unfathomable to know that the Lord planned so much more for us.  As soon as we become His child, we are labeled as His forever.

"I am the good Shepherd, and know My sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth Me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down My life for the sheep."

John 10:14,15

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In a Fog

Endless fog-bound days...ice melts only to re-freeze by afternoon...can't get warm...what's sun again?

Enter...hoarfrost!  Stunning outdoor art exhibit for free, and within driving distance.  How like our Lord to give us this winter treat.  (Can't get out? Live in a place without fog and ice?  See amazing photos online)

"He hath made everything beautiful in His time."  Eccles. 3:11

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Look Out! The Window!

Our front window got lots of adult attention this Christmas.  We watched the snow fall past the streetlight, held our breath while drivers attempted to exit our driveway, watched snow fall again, planned and timed morning shoveling strategies to match schedules, watched snow fall again, squinted between flakes for arriving guests, watched snow fall again, and searched for evidence of a snow plow.  Hence, a pane-full of finger, nose, and forehead prints.

 Before employing for the window cleaner, I thought about the spots, which represented many minutes of waiting and watching.  With financial and political fallout swirling around us, I feel like my face is once more plastered against the window as I squint my eyes and watch for the Lord to return.

Revelation 22:7,12,20

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Contentment

"The Lord uses our finances to direct us, to protect us, and to restrict us.  We should learn contentment."  Michael West.

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May I Have A Crossword With You?

During a recent visit from a friend, I discovered that she, like myself, enjoyed crossword puzzles and had begun them as a brain workout.  (I have finally graduated from the easy 3-letter puzzles, but I will never catch up to my mother-in-law).

As I thought about the puzzles, my brain began its ramble from "puzzles", to "words", and finally stopped at "Word".  I looked up John 1:14, and read it and the surrounding verses.

Though we accept His plan by faith, many things will always remain a puzzle to us.  How could the Word become flesh?  How could He be God and man at the same time?  His people knew He was coming, so why was this One-of-a-kind Child unaccepted and unwelcomed by them? 

Lord, this Christmas I want to remember when I accepted and welcomed You into my heart.  Thank You for the great comfort and joy that is mine because You became flesh and took up residence among us.  Thank you for Your presence with me every day of every new year. 

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