What is seen and unseen

Greetings,

I was reading a Scripture the other day that I cannot get out of my mind. Sometimes, I wonder why these scriptures come to mind. There is always a reason but I haven't completely figured this one out just yet...

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (47.4.16-18 NIV)

As I think about this passage my thoughts are focused on the last few words, "what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal". Interesting few words to think about aren't they? Tonight my wife and I attended our second prayer meeting at our new church and I was reminded of this passage yet again (hence why I'm posting about it). As I said, I am still connecting the dots but I thought I'd share a what I have so far...

Life can take many things from us and when they are gone, we tend to focus on why they were taken in the first place. When we do this we lose sight of what really matters, believing in what God may have for us. We lose heart and if we are not careful we can create an emptiness inside that will eat away at our very soul. What is in front of us matters so much we let the eternal promises Gods has given us fade way into the darkest parts of our heart. 

Our momentary troubles don't have to define who we are. The reality is, they don't really matter in the long run do they?  If we focus more on the eternal and on our relationship with the Father (the unseen), these momentary troubles (the seen) truly are only temporary. We can begin to open our eyes and gaze upon the big picture that God is painting all around us and can be encouraged, knowing that even though we may not see what He is doing, that he is doing something.

I have more to work though on this passage but for now I will leave you with this challenge...

Fix your eyes not on what is seen (temporary things), but on what is unseen (your faith journey).

Thanks again for visiting "The Gathering Room"

Stand Strong and continue to believe the teachings given to you... (2 Thes. 2:15b NCV),

M.E.

Whirl-winding Change

Greetings,

I know it's been a while but I'm here tonight in the silent echo of our house as my family lay sleeping the night away... 

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These past few months have been a whirlwind of change for my family am I and its has been.. interesting to say the least :-). As I sit in the quite of our home tonight I am reminded of when many of these changes began coming to the forefront of our hearts and minds.  I have often asked myself if these whirl-winding changes caught us  little more unprepared than we thought without us realizing it.

I have always felt a since of preparedness when it comes to change but sometimes they are bigger than we really realize, aren't they? I know that the last few months have been revealing this to me in many different ways. These pondering's have left me a bit drained, if you can understand that. While these changes have been really good for our family, I know that there is only so much we could have done to prepare for them.

There have been occasions when I have felt completely out of place and others when I have really felt energized by what we're experiencing. Knowing that God has have His hand upon us has been a huge encouragement. I don't feel like I need to go into any details but I will say that we have began to "look beyond what you see" as the baboon in Lion King 1.5 would say. We really have no Idea where these whirl-winding changes are leading us and our ministry but I can say that I feel we are on the right track.

The days ahead aren't going to be as easy as I hoped they'd be, by any means, but I know God is faithful.  A good family friend of ours always makes it a point to remind me of the wonderful passage in Isaiah 43:19-21 ESV. I think it is fitting to leave you all with it tonight...

"Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. The wild beasts will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches, for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people, the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise."

Thanks again for visiting "The Gathering Room"

Stand Strong and continue to believe the teachings given to you... (2 Thes. 2:15b NCV),

M.E.

(PS, over the next few months, I intend to bring some "New Things" here, so keep our eyes open :-). Together we can see just what whirl-winding changes may come...)

Reflecting on Easter Moments

Greetings Everyone, 

This morning my children woke up at the crack of dawn. At first my thoughts were "come on guys, it is way too early". They all got up with their Mamma and I stayed in the bedroom and watched the sun come up through the window. As I did, I began to think about my first thoughts this morning and, in a way, was convicted. I could have easily taken this opportunity to take the family down to the harbor and watch the sun rise together. Next year, I think it would be a great thing for the family to experience on Easter Sunday.

After this revelation of sorts, I spent the better part of an hour goggling different Easter Scriptures looking for something to write about today but all I could think about was the moment moment I had just let pass by. This lead me to think about the momemts we all experience on a daily basis. So many times we lose the opportunity to embrace the wonder of what God has done for us because we are focused on the moment.  There were many moments that took place over the last few days of Jesus' Life on this earth. There are also many moments when Jesus has done things in each of our lives that we have over looked because our focus was not on the eternal. .

Many of us will make that 5, 10, 15 minute or more drive to yet another service this weekend in celebration of the Holiday weekend. In the midst of those moments we spend driving to, or participating in, those services my question to you is "what will you be focusing on?”  I know it's hard sometimes to get past what’s right before us, whether it be a bad driver on the way; the rude person in line as we get our Easter breakfast, the strange visitor that stole our normal seat in the sanctuary, or a number of other things. So, here is a challenge for everyone today as your celebrate Easter, "take a few moments to simply reflect on what God had to sacrifice to even give us Easter Moments."

In my Good Friday post I shared my perspective on Jesus as a Man and what he went through leading up to his last moments as a free man on earth.  Re-read John 17 or even some of the other Easter Scriptures and think about what it truly meant for God to give up His only son for us. So many times when when it comes to challenges like this we focus on the darkness behind everything. Instead why don't we reflect on the beauty of this Holiday weekend? 

Where is that beauty you may ask, how about the fact that because of the darkness that took place those 2000 years ago we have freedom in Christ today? How about the fact that we don't have to offer the same sacrifice that Jesus did in order to be forgiven. How about the fact that God loves us so much that he would let that darkness come so he could reveal his unfathomable light.

For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ (2nd Corinthians 4:6 NLT.)

This is what Easter is all about, a light has come out of the darkness and can be a part of each moment of every day, if we accept it. This year, that is what I plan to focus on. Sure we will have fun with all the Easter festivities but through each and every one of those moments, my heart will be reflecting on the message that A LIGHT HAS COME OUT OF THE DARKNESS. What will you’re Easter Moments focus on?

Thanks again for visiting "The Gathering Room"

Stand Strong and continue to believe the teachings given to you... (2 Thes. 2:15b NCV),

M.E.

Our Savior Revealed- Our Story Gods Glory

Greetings Everyone, 

I write this as my first post from California and on the eve of one of the most tragic events to ever take place in Christian History. Tomorrow, many of us will get into our cars, drive 5, 10, 15 minutes or more to attend a Good Friday service in honor of Easter. I thought this would be a great time to share Part 2 of the Father Revealed, which I posted about 3 months ago. Our Savior Revealed highlights the man behind everything we as Christians hold dear and I hope and pray that as we all embark on our Good Friday Journeys over the next 24 hours or so that you will be reminded of this...

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John 17 in my opinion is of most important moments for us to see in the Character of Jesus. It begins with Jesus Looking up to heaven and praying. Through this prayer Jesus' heart is revealed to us in a mighty way, it is shared with us at a point in which He is accepting Gods plan for Him and those he has spent the last three years pouring into. 

“After Jesus said these things, he looked toward heaven and prayed, “Father, the time has come. Give glory to your Son so that the Son can give glory to you. You gave the Son power over all people so that the Son could give eternal life to all those you gave him. And this is eternal life: that people know you, the only true God, and that they know Jesus Christ, the One you sent. Having finished the work you gave me to do, I brought you glory on earth. And now, Father, give me glory with you; give me the glory I had with you before the world was made.” (Jn 17:1-5 NCV)

Once he has accepted what the future holds, Jesus surrenders everything to The Father. This surrender in many ways gives us a great example to live our stories by. It is the "offering" we have all been called to give. Jesus “offered” himself in love completely so that His life could bring even more Glory to The Father. 

“All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And my glory is shown through them. 11 I am coming to you; I will not stay in the world any longer. But they are still in the world. Holy Father, keep them safe by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they will be one, just as you and I are one. 12 While I was with them, I kept them safe by the power of your name, the name you gave me. I protected them, and only one of them, the one worthy of destruction, was lost so that the Scripture would come true. I am coming to you now. But I pray these things while I am still in the world so that these followers can have all of my joy in them.” (Jn 17:10-14 NCV)

The heart of Jesus as a man is not something I have really seen shared when it comes to this time of the year and I believe it is important for us to think about this Easter Weekend. John Chapter 17 has really opened my eyes up to His heart and given me insight into whom Jesus was as a Man. Yes, He is and always will be Our Savior, The Messiah, and The Son of God but He was also a man. As John 17 is laid out we are shown this man in an entirely new light. Think about this for a moment. Knowing what Jesus knew was going to happen next would terrify most and He handled it in the most profound way possible, through prayer. 

Jesus' last words in this heartfelt prayer were words of love for The Father and for His disciples. I believe they were given to us so that we would be reminded that this Love is for all of us and that all we have to do is accept this love and repent from the sinfulness we have partaken of in this life. Each and every one of us can know the same love from The Father that Jesus knows and we have been given the chance to ‘remain in HIS love’ in everything in our lives. These words give us that chance. My challenge for you on this sad day in Christian History is to take these words and all of John 17 to heart and embrace them with all that you are...

“Father, I want these people that you gave me to be with me where I am. I want them to see my glory, which you gave me because you loved me before the world was made. Father, you are the One who is good. The world does not know you, but I know you, and these people know you sent me. I showed them what you are like, and I will show them again. Then they will have the same love that you have for me, and I will live in them.” (Jn 17:24-26 NCV)

Thanks again for visiting "The Gathering Room"

Stand Strong and continue to believe the teachings given to you... (2 Thes. 2:15b NCV),

M.E.