"FAITH and Unfinished Business"

Comments about God, faith, joy, sorrow and growth

Saturday, November 27, 2010

FAVORITES This Month

Favorites this Month:

If It Weren't For Us Christians, There'd Be A Lot More Christians...new book from Crossover

www.prlog.org

If It Weren't For Us Christians, There'd Be A Lot More Christians...new book from Crossover. Just in time for Halloween, Bobby Weaver's new book from Crossover, takes a humorous and poignant look at the sometimes unexplainable behavior of some Christians and how that conduct does more to scare peopl...


The Beauty Of Mathematics!!.mp4 www.youtube.com



Random Acts of Culture Hallelujah Chorus http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp_RHnQ-jgU&feature=player_embedded



The Enchanted Forest - Abandoned Photography at Opacity



http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kerrville-TX/Max-Greiner-Jr-Designs/136006384357



http://www.flixxy.com/welcome-back-heathrow-airport-t-mobile.htm?ref=nf

http://networkedblogs.com/aEPvA


http://www.godvine.com/Christmas-Lights-to-the-Music-of-Amazing-Grace-77.html


The Story of Jonah charmingly, hilariously told by small girl: http://vimeo.com/16404771


Rhonda Rhea "I was about to get into a battle of wits, then I remembered that sometimes I don’t have near as much ammo as I think I do."

"Worry is like an illness. I don’t really suffer from it that often, but I think I may be a carrier."


Bob Hostetler thinks "it's sad that some people need to berate others to feel better about themselves. Idiots."

NO WORDS

No Words

Does God answer us even when we have not spoken words? Does God know our thoughts?


This morning, I discovered an answer to a prayer that I did not know I had prayed. God gives us what we need. Are we required to ask for what we need, in order for God to give to us?


I was aware of an idea that had not even really become a thought, deep in myself. Turmoil was rolling there. I was asking myself questions, rejecting the answers, and moving on to jumble and tumble more worries in my mind.


Yet the thought which was merely a seed, blossomed into a prayer from my soul. I spoke no words to God. I asked nothing from Him. The thought, barely a thought, passed away. It did not come to my conscious mind again that day or the next.


Then this morning, there was the answer, like a neatly dressed package, visible before me. It was a simple thing, but the answer was there.


Some would say I had a light bulb moment, an epiphany. Those things are true. God gives us light and understanding. God designed us with an ability to think. He gives us consciousness and a time of rest from consciousness. He fills us with understanding in His time and purpose.


These were all just explanations of what happened, yet in the end were answers to a prayer unspoken.


He promised to take care of us because we are His own. He promised that He knows our physical needs before we speak them. “…for your Father knows what things you have need of, before you ask Him” Matthew 6:8


Though my need was not a tangible one, but was instead a bruised spot in my soul - God knew that need, and chose to answer it even before I could speak it.


If God knows us so well He could number the hairs on our head, and knew us before we could even be called a form; why would he not know our needs? The bible says he knows our very thoughts, that we need to be careful of where our minds dwell. “For the ways of man are before the Lord, and He ponders their going.” Proverbs 5:21


When my heart is broken and I have no words, I am dry and have no breath for them, or my thoughts are hidden because of conflict, I am glad my God cares for me. He knows my needs, my next step, my burdens. He loves me enough to plan my every day.


April Boyer© Nov. 2010


On facebook, there is a ‘like’ link called “God understands our prayers even when we can’t find the words to say.”


A good friend gives more examples of how prayers for her, not prayed, were answered. http://hisdailydiamonds.blogspot.com/2010/10/prayers-not-prayed.html


Sunday, November 21, 2010

From Where Does My Strength Come?

I’m praying for strength!

Because I sometimes vent about my situation (parents living in my home), friends assume I am complaining.

(smile)

I am really just asking for support; in prayer and in encouragement. I am human, and frail.

God encourages us to share our tribulations, and expects us to pray for one another. How can we share our lives with others if they do not know about our trials?

How can we do as Jesus Christ expects us to do, in loving our brothers and sisters, if we do not step into their shoes, or at least rub elbows with their pain?

I know I do not have enough strength in myself to endure the busyness and pre-occupation with Medicare, phone calls, financial strain, emotional upsets, and Drs’ visits that come with parent-care. I need God’s strength. “. . . by the word of the truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness…” II Corinth. 6:7

I know I do not have the wisdom to always resist temptation to complain or argue points with my mother or step dad.

I need God’s wisdom. “the wisdom from above, is at first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, without hypocrisy.” James 3:17

I know I do not have the patience I need on some days (and I do) But God is gracious and merciful to me . “The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger and of great mercy.” Psalm 145:8

I know I do not always have the joy I need to act with love and compassion. But God does. Since joy comes from the Lord, I can grab it by the handfuls when I remember His promises. “These things have I spoken to you, that my joy will remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” John 15:11

I am still learning to step into this role with grace and care. I am also learning that God may keep me in this role for a longer period than I hoped, and busy enough, that I will need to give up some things. These are things that I love to do, but cannot continue doing as I minister to my parents. I love my parents and cherish them, yet we all know that 4 adults living together in a small house can be very challenging.

I am not all about parental care, but made up of different roles. I am not that person alone, and don’t want to be identified as such. I want to be identified as a servant of God. God gives me the strength, wisdom, grace and joy – that I need to fulfill what He wants me to do.

Keep me in your prayers please, and share your requests with me as well. So then we will both be doing what God wants from us. Caring for one another. The answers belong to Him.

© April Boyer 11/2010

Love is Proof Enough

Love is Proof Enough

If evolution caused our existence, what caused the relational need between us? What caused us each to have a set of emotions, and varied personalities? Why were we not all the same, like the animals?

If evolution caused our existence, we would not need God. We would not need each other. We would not love. Love comes from God. God is love. The two are synonymous. Without one, the other does not exist. Love does not come from the explosion and division of cells. It does not come from thoughtlessness, or the absence of plan or care.

The theory of evolution considers only need and effect, and need. Food, availability, environment and pro-creation.

Because God loved us, he loved us extravagantly. He gives us so much more than we need!

We do not need color in our world. Yet, God gives us color in unbelievable and abundant hues. Even the sky and the water display an array of blues and greens. Even bleak winter offers tones of silver and blue- gray and surprising sunrises and sunsets. Spring and autumn need no commentary.

We do not need flowers. Yet God generously gives us flowers in many variations and species. Each requires an assortment of partnerships to thrive. Each has its own brilliance and fragility or strength.

With thanksgiving approaching, have you thought about the choices you have in the super market? We do not need all the varieties of breads, sauces, vegetables and herbs. We do not need an entire row devoted to cereal. God provides more choices than we need because he loves us, and wishes to see us thrive! He pours his gifts on us like rain.

Would evolution provide us with these joys to our senses? Subtract love. Find what is left.

(C) April Boyer 11/2010

(Undoubtedly, the casual visitor may ask why God seems to pour his gifts on some, and not on others? Because of the result of sin, some suffer greatly, and receive little. The sin may not be their own, but those of their fathers or their nation. But the result of the previous sin, causes more sin. Yet, any individual can be taken out of that sin, and receive God’s gifts. Even – in the most devastating situations. )