The Ichthys Letters: Loss and Grief

Greetings, 

I am so excited to share this Ichthys Letter with you all today. There are more on the horizon as well. Since I began this series back in February, The World of Kedoshim has grown. It is no longer just a vision hanging on my living room wall and in all honesty, there is actually less space on that wall now. 

As I continue to work on the next part of the story in book 4, The Hope of Inheritance, this letter takes us to the end of The Cyprus Journal, but just before the beginning of The Hope of Inheritance. This is a season of transition and change and I can't wait for you to read this. Consider it an introduction to book 4. 

Yes, I know, I'm just getting started, but do not worry, there is a specific reason I am releasing this Ichthys Letter now, feel free to post your guesses in the comments below. 

The Ichthys Letters: Pain and Glory

Greetings, 

I am so excited to share this Ichthys Letter with you all today. There are more on the horizon as well. Since I began this series back in February, The World of Kedoshim has grown. It is no longer just a vision hanging on my living room wall and in all honesty, there is actually less space on that wall now. 

As I begin to work on the next part of the story in book 3, this letter takes us to the end of Finding Philemon, just before Demas and Onesimus leave for their journey to Rome around 95AD. Many of the Founders are long gone and this one letter will usher in the final era of The World of Kedoshim. Yes, I know, I'm just getting started, but do not worry, there is a specific reason I am releasing this Ichthys Letter now, feel free to post your guesses in the comments below. 

A Journey with ACTS 2:29

“Dear brothers, think about this! You can be sure that the patriarch David wasn’t referring to himself, for he died and was buried, and his tomb is still here among us. But he was a prophet, and he knew God had promised with an oath that one of David’s own descendants would sit on his throne. David was looking into the future and speaking of the Messiah’s resurrection. He was saying that God would not leave him among the dead or allow his body to rot in the grave.” - Acts 2:29-31 NLT

It is simply amazing that David was able to foretell some of the things that he foretold while he was living on this earth. It is a good reminder that God can use and speak through anyone at any time in history. That in itself, is more wonderful that we can ever imagine.

Because David was faithful until the end, and even in the moments of his sinful life, God blessed him with knowledge beyond his years, literally. It’s encouraging to know that God does this even today with many who are faithful to him.

The blessings that were given to David are the same blessings that God offers many of us today.  What it comes down to is simply that God promised he’d be faithful to David’s descendants, honoring them with the many blessings of heavenly provisions.

David knew that God would take care of what he believed was most important, his legacy. God would take care of his descendants until the end of time and this passage can remind us that as long as we are faithful, he will take care of the important things to us as well.

Let us not be afraid to reach out to our Lord God and ask him to show us the life that we were meant to have, a life woven together by the blessings He provides. Remember that just as God never turn away from David in his time of need, that he will never turn on you either.

Blessings in Christ and Thanks again for visiting us at "The Gathering Room."

"Times of refreshing come from the presence of the Lord." 45.3.20 M.J. Elliott

Reflections; The Peaceful Melody

Greetings Friends,

I wrote this a while back and thought I'd share it once more, I have been working on a new Series that I will share more on in the weeks ahead, so keep tight. I know your wondering whats going on. Take a step backwards with me though and share your thoughts on this Reflection Post. It still speaks volumes to me and I believe it can do the same for you dear reader. :-).

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Have you ever felt as though everything is going wrong?

Did you feel like no matter what you did you weren't doing anything right and that people were getting all over your case because of it?

It's not easy is it?  You do everything you can to do things the right way and the result is always the same (or at least it feels that way in the moment, right?).  For me, it's been like that for the past few days and I'll be honest, it’s been a bit hard to work through...

found on mykneeguide.com

There is no need to go into any details, but let me just say, It has gotten better and the hard moments made it possible for God to send me a Peaceful Melody of a reminder today...

I was on my lunch, reading my daily Jesus Calling Devotional, and I was reminded that I needed to focus on finding my quite place.

"I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from Him" (Psalm 62:1 NLT).

In the Jesus Calling Devotion it stated to "Sit quietly in My (Gods) presence while I bless you." At first I refused, but as I continued to read it stated to "rest in My sufficiency as you consider the challenges this day presents." Talk about a rude awakening, as that moment all I could do was as the devotion instructed.

As I sat quietly, I began to think about the verse I just quoted from Psalm 62. In that moment I was encouraged by the fact that even though I could not see where God was in those harder moments, He was there, struggling to get my attention.  For me to realize this, I needed to find the peaceful melody of God’s grace in the midst of what was going on around me.  This realization changed my whole perspective on the past few days. It helped me find what was unseen in the chaos surrounding me.

I share this briefly, to encourage those that may read this post.  In the midst for the chaos surrounding you, seek to find the peaceful melody of God’s grace. Take a moment to breathe so that God may bestow a blessing upon you, I have no doubt that He will.

Blessings in Christ and thanks again for visiting us at "The Gathering Room"

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

M.E.

"Kodak Moments"

 Have you ever had one of those moments that really put something into perspective for you?  

Those moments are hard to come by now days with all that is being forced upon us.  We tend to get so wrapped up it what is going on around us that we miss those moments.  Today was one of those moments for me.  God speaks to us in the most interesting ways, today it was through a few moments I had with my family, other days it's a sunset and still others it's when he forces you to stop and experience something.

 I spent the weekend pretty sick and tied down to my bed. Today I felt a little better and since I had the day off so I have been spending what time I can it with the family at home.  This morning I spent some quality time with my son, Caleb, playing peekaboo with a blanket, while I was still in the bedroom.  It was something special to see him actually connect with the game.  As we kept playing he began to laugh a great deal, pushing the blanket back at me, as though he wanted to keep playing, so we did.  It reminded me that even though this game is pretty simple and doesn’t take a lot of energy, that it can make a huge difference to him.  It was a treasured time for both of us.

 After lunch we turned Toddler Radio on for our kids on Pandora and it yet again reminded me about how the simple things we do exhibit love.  For those that don’t know Leyla, my daughter, loves to dance in Jubilation. We’ve prayed that over her since before she was born. So usually when we turn on the radio, she is all over it.  I am reminded of the movie “Courageous” but, I’ll save that for another time.  In any case, we danced to a few songs and then as I we sat down for a bit of a break I saw wife, Traci, do the same with a few other songs. While she does this quite often, I watched on with a smile on my face. It was one of those moments that five years ago we’d call a “Kodak Moment.” As I began to write this little post I realized that life is full of “Kodak Moments.” All we have to do is let them happen.  

“Kodak Moments” happen all the time.  They happen in our families, as they did today and they can happen in our faith as well. I have heard them referred to as many things but they all mean the same thing. It’s a moment in which God speaks to us.  In these moments, we are given instruction, encouragement, or even discipline. The reality is, just as it was for me today with my family, that we must take the opportunities to listen and watch for them.  I would like to challenge those that read this to take time to search for these “Kodak Moments” both in your faith and in your life as well. When you begin to do so, don’t be surprised at what you find.

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.