The Word and words

Words. I love them. Individually they are interesting enough but combined in just the right way they come to life. For those of us who love to read there is nothing more enjoyable than a well written book. Words strung together in such a way that we are held captive - taken to another time and place. Words written from a heart that we somehow know, that bring us to a place of deeper understanding.

For those of us who love to write, words are the means by which we seek to communicate something of what we are, something of what we hold dear. The discovery of that perfect combination of words is exhilarating.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus is described as the Word:
"In the beginning was the Word, and Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God...
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth."
John 1:1,2,14

The Greek word for "word" is logos. The footnote in my Bible says: "Revelation is the keynote idea in the logos concept. Here it is applied to Jesus, who is all that God is and the expression of Him."

The Bible is comprised of many words written through divine inspiration that tell us who God is. When Jesus came, He had no need to write down what He wanted us to know about the Father and His Kingdom. He lived it. He, God's perfect Son, was a living, breathing epistle of Who God is. The life He lived on this earth was a perfect reflection of the Father.

Are we longing to know who God is? We have but to look at His Son. For all of our trying to find just the right words in our writing, we can never begin to match the eloquence of this perfect life.

Blessings,
Linda

picture:flickr *w*

Grateful for the Promises

Today, with heart overflowing with gratitude, I remember some of the promises of Him who is faithful:

"Do not worry. Do not keep saying, 'What will we eat?' or, 'What will we drink?' or, 'What will we wear?' The people who do not know God are looking for all these things. Your Father in heaven knows you need all these things."
Matthew 6:31-32

"The Lord also keeps safe those who suffer. He is a safe place in times of trouble."
Psalm 9:9

"And if you give what you have to the hungry, and fill the needs of those who suffer, then your light will rise in darkness, and your darkness will be like the brightest time of day."
Isaiah 58:10

"I will show you and teach you in the way you should go. I will tell you what to do with My eye upon you."
Psalm 32:8

"But we have power over all these things through Jesus Who loves us so much. For I know that nothing can keep us from the love of God. Death cannot! Life cannot! Angels cannot! Leaders cannot! Any other power cannot! Hard things now or in the future cannot! The world above or the world below cannot! Any other living thing cannot keep us away from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 8:37-39

"If we have no faith, He will still be faithful for He cannot go against what He is."
2 Timothy 2:13

"You are now children of God because you have put your trust in Christ Jesus."
Galatians 3:26

"Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give peace to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid."
John 14:27

"The Holy Writings say, 'No eye has ever seen or no ear has ever heard or no mind has ever thought of the wonderful things God has made ready for those who love Him.'"
I Corinthians 2:9

To read other gratitude posts or to take part yourself, go to Ann's blog.

Blessings,
Linda

Prayer

"Prayer lays hold of God's plan and becomes the link between His will and its accomplishment on earth. Things happen which would not happen without prayer. Let's not forget that. Amazing things happen, and we are given the privilege of being the channels of the Holy Spirit's prayer....we often feel helpless and hopeless until we remember, 'We do not know how to pray worthily as sons of God, but His Spirit within us is actually praying for us in those agonizing longings which never find words'(Romans 8:26, Phillips)."

Elisabeth Elliot

Blessings,
Linda

(In)Courage

There is a new blog that I am excited about. It is called (In)Courage. I think it's going to be a wonderful place to visit. This is my little post about what encourages me.

I have been a Christian since I was a little girl - so it's been a long time. Over the years there have been many things that encourage me - inspirational praise music, good teaching, the Word, fellowship - but the one thing that has encouraged me the most is watching the lives of the other Christians around me.

I think there is no greater testimony to the truth of God's word and the faithfulness of His promises than seeing it lived out. I have watched my mother face difficulties that would have defeated the strongest among us, with grace and faith that never wavered. These days she steadfastly supports my Dad as his health fails and life becomes ever more fragile. She is still filled with a gentle serenity and quiet strength.

I have seen my husband miraculously delivered from addiction when he walked into a church service and heard the truth of the word in song. Life had left him broken and hurting, and the Lord met Him there with healing and deliverance. Since that day his life has been marked by a faith that cannot be shaken.

All of my life I have been surrounded by living testimonies. People may doubt our words and argue over doctrine, but there can be no argument with a changed life.

Blessings,
Linda

Friends

I have been in the doldrums, adrift on a sea of hot summer days that seemed to stretch to the horizon. Then, like a freshening breeze, a phone call from a treasured friend with an invitation to lunch.

We sat around her beautifully set dining room table today, six women who have forged a friendship over many years. Busy lives don't allow us to get together very often. We hadn't seen each other since our Christmas lunch in this same room, but it was as though we had never been apart.

We shared laughter, conversation and good food. We played games and caught up on all the news. I sat and savored the sound of words and laughter flowing into and around each other, and I thought how different this was from other gatherings I have attended. I am ashamed to think of the critical, judgemental words that peppered those conversations - the gossip (for there is no pretty word for it). We can disguise it as "just sharing", but it leaves such a bad taste in the mouth.

These friends are God's precious gifts to me. They call me to go higher and deeper. I am so thankful for their Godly influence in my life. We spent the last hour and a half together in prayer - each one taking her turn to sit in the little rocking chair as the others laid hands on her and prayed. What a blessing. Thank You Father for such friends.

Blessings,
Linda

New Sink (almost)

It is five o'clock and he's heading down the home stretch. What should have been a two hour job has taken my poor husband the whole day. Actually, I am not surprised. Somehow it seems that these "simple" jobs have a way of complicating themselves.

Can you tell from the picture that the sink does not quite fit? Therein lies the problem. We have a custom counter - and the opening wasn't the right size for this new sink.

So it was back to filing, sawing, filing, sawing.....you get the idea.

At long last - success!! It isn't quite finished, but the rest should be smooth sailing - should being the operative word.



It is beautiful - much deeper and so nice and shiny. My old sink had gotten rather dull after all those years of faithful service.

My contribution to this project was going to Home Depot for silicone caulking. Running true to form, I had to go back and exchange it. The one I got was old and hard. Who knew? I don't think I've ever been sent to Home Depot on one of these errands and gotten it right the first time. At least this time I only had to go back once.

I am thankful for a patient, skilled husband who has worked very hard today.

Blessings,
Linda

Endless Gifts

"Thank God every day when you get up that you have something to do that day which must be done whether you like it or not. Being forced to work and forced to do your best will breed in you temperance and self control, diligence and strength of will, cheerfulness and content, and a hundred virtues which the idle will never know."
Basil Carpenter

I am late getting this post written because my well planned day took a turn - giving me a job do which I didn't necessarily want to do.

We have had a little leak around the faucet of the kitchen sink. It has gotten progressively worse, but we've checked and nothing was leaking under the sink. So, we thought we would put off replacing the faucet for a bit longer. However, today - after we got home from grocery shopping and had unloaded and put away the groceries, I noticed that it was indeed leaking under the sink. It had, in fact, been leaking for a little while.

So.....unload all that stuff - isn't it amazing the things you find lurking back behind the soaps and brillo pads - and begin the job of scrubbing everything out. I scrubbed and scrubbed with soap, disinfectant and then bleach just for good measure while my husband went to buy a new faucet and sink (he decided we may as well do it right).

I am thankful:

- that we can afford to buy the necessary things. We haven't found sudden wealth; it's just that it's easier to put money aside when the nest is empty.

- for a husband who is so handy and can do the work himself - saving us a great deal of money.

- for this home that is comfortable and houses so many precious memories

- for the shower we had the other day; it gives me hope that some day soon this terrible drought will end.

- for the beautiful flowers on my front porch - they make the whole house look prettier

- for praise music; hands lifted to the Lord; hearts united in worship

- for friends who call and invite me to a luncheon later this week

- for a Father who meets every need with wisdom and abundance.

Blessings,
Linda

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