* Welcome God every morning by reading the Living Faith devotional before work (~1 min). Order at http://www.livingfaith.com/.
Some in the crowd...said, "This is truly the Prophet." Others said, "This is the Messiah." But others said, "The Messiah will not come from Galilee, will he?" John 7:40-41
Living Faith snippets: "It is natural to want to defend our own understanding of Jesus--Jesus as we see him. But Jesus doesn't belong to any one of us; we belong to him. He is not ours; we are his. We do not lay claim to Jesus so much as he grasps hold of us. Our main task is to let go, allow ourselves to be claimed by Christ and surrender to the mystery that is Jesus." by Karla Manternach
Rich's comments: There will often come a time when we have to take a stand for Christ and for the gospel. To stand for Jesus may provoke mockery or unpopularity. In my graduate chemistry program I have to attend a weekly analytical chemistry seminar. Every week a new graduate student gives a 50 minute talk about their research or a certain analytical topic from the literature. The last slide of every presentation is usually an acknowledgments slide in which the speaker thanks those individuals who gave them support in preparing for their talk (e.g. their advisor, fellow group members, family, and friends). One specific talk from last semester sticks out in my mind. At the end of the speaker's presentation, she thanks her advisor, her friends and family, and then she thanks Jesus Christ. The atmosphere in the room seemed a bit ackward afterwards, but then everyone did the socially acceptable thing and applauded as usual. I was proud of her allegiance to Christ in front of a scientific audience. A diverse crowd with diverse opinions of the identity of Jesus. Are you ready to stand for Jesus and to show him honor and loyalty whatever it may cost you? Lord, may I be loyal to you always, even though it produces a cross on earth, that I may share in your crown eternity. Amen.
Through Christ for Life,
Rich
Romans 12:12
* 40 Days for Life campaign (ends 16 Mar): http://www.40daysforlife.com/.
* Daily Bible readings at www.usccb.org/nab/today.shtml
* LIFE Devotions blog at life-devotions.blogspot.com.
* LIFE Prayers blog at life-prayers.blogspot.com. Prayer connects us with God's will & His miracles, thereby changing us & helping others (so let's pray daily!). Click for Prayer to End Abortion.
* Sr. Francelle Devotions at sisterfrancelle.blogspot.com.
* Defend the unborn: Pro-Life websites are listed on the blog. "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you" (Jer 1:5). "You knit me together in my mother's womb" (Ps 139:13). "Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to death; don’t stand back and let them die" (Prov 24:11). "It is a great poverty that a child must die that you might live as you wish" Blessed Mother Teresa.
* Share the Good News: Let's joyfully live out the Good News and gladly tell others about it (Mark 16:15)!
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Some in the crowd...said, "This is truly the Prophet." Others said, "This is the Messiah." But others said, "The Messiah will not come from Galilee, will he?" John 7:40-41
Living Faith snippets: "It is natural to want to defend our own understanding of Jesus--Jesus as we see him. But Jesus doesn't belong to any one of us; we belong to him. He is not ours; we are his. We do not lay claim to Jesus so much as he grasps hold of us. Our main task is to let go, allow ourselves to be claimed by Christ and surrender to the mystery that is Jesus." by Karla Manternach
I feel this verse relates to "emptiness". When I feel certain that I know the truth -- sure that I know where Jesus resides or can be found – I am prone to missing Him in unexpected places. Last night at our local “hypothermia shelter”, where the homeless go in the wintertime to escape the cold, the conviviality and graciousness was palpable. Serving up meals, learning a bit more about each of the “guests”, I was amazed as I watched the homeless share their belongings == from their need and not from surplus -- without reservation. This expression of sincerity and warmth gave an injection of hope, joy, and light to my heart– totally unself-conscious just as the Holy Spirit moves.
I thought of how Jesus came to bring good news to the poor, those who find meaning in spite of tremendous suffering because they don’t have possessions, power, position, money, -- the things that give meaning to most of the rest of us. And I saw that these homeless, in their generosity toward each other and the gracious responses they shared, truly had the kingdom among them.
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