Even with Wobbly Knees

Earlier this morning I opened my Bible via my iphone – it opened to John 16. A most appropriate passage for today. 

John 16:1 “These things I have spoken to you so that you may be kept from stumbling. 2 They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God. 3 These things they will do because they have not known the Father or Me. 4 But these things I have spoken to you, so that when their hour comes, you may remember that I told you of them.  via John 16 NASB;CJB – Jesus’ Warning – “These things I – Bible Gateway.

See what I mean?

If you would like to read the passage in its entirety, just click the link above and you will be directed to Biblegateway dot com; there you will be able to read the chapter in either the NASB or the CJB or choose another translation of your liking.

Jesus (Yeshua) continues in the Passage with promises and assurances. He ends the chapter with this:

33 These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”   via John 16 NASB;CJB – Jesus’ Warning – “These things I – Bible Gateway.

I also find comfort in the CJB version of this verse: 

33 “I have said these things to you so that, united with me, you may have shalom. In the world, you have tsuris. But be brave! I have conquered the world!”  via John 16 NASB;CJB – Jesus’ Warning – “These things I – Bible Gateway.

tsuris – tribulation

Be brave? In this world? Right now? Today?

Yes. For HE has conquered the world! And this assurance is real and sure; even more so than the sun which rose over this continent this morning. Bravery does not mean we blindly without caution jump headlong into a thing. No, it means we move forward through the day, through the tsuris with HIM even when our knees are wobbly. 

Be brave. We are not alone. He is with us.

And the most effective way I know to practice His fellowship, infusing us with bravery is to give Him thanks, to live in eucharisteo in all things. 

Day 254 of 2014, a day to give Thanks.

Kathie

Pot Luck

the-loft

At The Loft.   (Graphic by Kerry Messer
Some delicious writing and pictures are being served. Please click the pic for a taste and perhaps a feast for your soul.

As Leah wrote, pot luck here in the south can be described this way: When my home girls get together for a pot luck meal, no one asks, ‘what do you want me to bring’. Everyone knows it is true pot luck…bring whatever lights your fire. If we have all desserts and no veggies, well, what a tragedy!!

What is lighting my fire today? Hmm. 

Well … no that one might not be tasty?  Lets see, nah! for that one I might be lacking some ingredients. And this one — well, that one is not perfected for public consumption yet. Excuse my discussion with myself. :)

I might have such a conversation with me as I consider a Pot Luck dish to prepare. Perhaps I should have such a conversation before I serve up a piece of mind too. :)

So what is in the pantry of my soul? 

Psalm 119:11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. via Ps 119:11 ESV;CJB – I have stored up your word in my heart, – Bible Gateway.

Oh I hope I have stored away enough to pull out a morsel at a moment’s notice to serve up an edifying dish for a sister or brother. 

4 And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’” via Luke 4:3-5 NASB;CJB – And the devil said to Him, “If You – Bible Gateway.
29 Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God’s favor) to those who hear it. via Ephesians 4:28-30 AMP;CJB – Let the thief steal no more, but rather – Bible Gateway.

 And don’t be afraid to try something new, when that wild idea comes to mind, line it up with Scripture and if it fits — go for it!  Works with cooking too. pesto chicken and applesSautéed these apples along with the chicken in a little grape-seed oil, added a little cinnamon and a hint of Stevia for sweetness to the apples, topped the chicken with my best batch of pesto yet — it was yummy! 

And that’s my Pot Luck serving at The Loft and here at The White Stone.

Happy feasting!!

Day 252 of 2014, a day to give Thanks.

Kathie

Fighter Verses

Our visit to The Loftthe-loft (just click the pic to the right to be directed there) this week is for Fighter Verses. The Bible is full of them but there was a time when one verse held the key to my sanity and enabled me to trust God – without this verse I would have surely sat down hard.

Graphic by Kerry Messer

 Psalm 145:17 The Lord is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds. via Ps 145:17-18 NASB;CJB – The LORD is righteous in all His ways – Bible Gateway.

It enabled me to trust Him through disappointments, unfair treatment, the abandonment of ones loved, slim finances, and sickness,  — just to name a few.

Remembering He is always right and He is always kind will get you through it all.  I recently heard it phrased this way: God is always good and I am always loved.

That works too. Always.   :)

Day 246 of 2014, a day to give Thanks.

Kathie