The story of the two sisters in Luke 10:38-42 is very real to me - sibling rivalry!
Questions for reflections:
1) What preconceived ideas (and even judgmental ones) did I have about these two sisters?
2) Do I relate more to Mary or Martha?
3) If I were a Martha, will I always remain a Martha?
4) How would I respond to Jesus when I asked Him"Lord, don't you care?" and He replied me the same way He answer Martha?
5) What can I learn from Mary and Martha? Can there be a balance - in the Living Room and the Kitchen?
Friday, 23 July 2010
Monday, 19 July 2010
A TEST OF LOVE
Saint Augustine once preached a sermon in which he proposed a kind of self-test to see if we truly love God.
Suppose God proposed to you a deal and said,"I will give you anything you want. You can possess the whole world. Nothing will be impossible for you...... Nothing will be a sin, nothing forbidden. You will never die, never have pain, never have anything you do not want and always have anything you do want........ except for just one thing:you will never see my face."
Augustine closed with a question:
Did a chill rise in your hearts, when you heard the words, "you will never see my face"? That chill is the most precious thing in you; that is the pure love of God."
Mark 8:36 'What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?'
Suppose God proposed to you a deal and said,"I will give you anything you want. You can possess the whole world. Nothing will be impossible for you...... Nothing will be a sin, nothing forbidden. You will never die, never have pain, never have anything you do not want and always have anything you do want........ except for just one thing:you will never see my face."
Augustine closed with a question:
Did a chill rise in your hearts, when you heard the words, "you will never see my face"? That chill is the most precious thing in you; that is the pure love of God."
Mark 8:36 'What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?'
Jesus Understands
"Jesus wept" is famous as the shortest verse in the Bible, but that is the real power of the assurance that Jesus understands what life is like for us.
Jesus knew temptation: Mark 1:13
Jesus knew frustration: John 2:15-16
Jesus knew proverty :Matthew 8:20
Jesus knew weariness : John 4:6
Jesus knew disappointment : Luke 13:34
Jesus knew rejection : John 6:66
Jesus knew sorrow : Matthew 26:38
Jesus knew ridicule : Mark 15:19
Jesus knew loneliness : Matthew 27:46
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin. (Hebrews 4:15)
Extracted from the book HAVING A MARY HEART IN A MARTHA WORLD
Jesus knew temptation: Mark 1:13
Jesus knew frustration: John 2:15-16
Jesus knew proverty :Matthew 8:20
Jesus knew weariness : John 4:6
Jesus knew disappointment : Luke 13:34
Jesus knew rejection : John 6:66
Jesus knew sorrow : Matthew 26:38
Jesus knew ridicule : Mark 15:19
Jesus knew loneliness : Matthew 27:46
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin. (Hebrews 4:15)
Extracted from the book HAVING A MARY HEART IN A MARTHA WORLD
THE PRACTICE OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD
I like this part of Brother Lawerence's 7th letter.
...spend the remainder of your life only in worshipping God. He requires no great matters of us: a little remembrance of Him from time to time, a little adoration; sometimes to pray for His grace, sometimes to offer Him your sufferings, and sometimes to return Him thanks for the favours He has given you, and still gives you in the midst of your troubles, and to console yourself with Him the oftenest you can. Lift up your heart to Him, sometimes even at your meals and when you are in company; the least little remembrance will always be acceptable to Him. You need not cry very lout; He is nearer to us than we are aware of.
It is not necessary for being with God to be always at church; we may make an oratory of our heart wherein to retire from time to time, to converse with Him in meekness, humility, and love. Ever one is capable of such familiar conversation with God, some more, some less; He knows what we can do.
...spend the remainder of your life only in worshipping God. He requires no great matters of us: a little remembrance of Him from time to time, a little adoration; sometimes to pray for His grace, sometimes to offer Him your sufferings, and sometimes to return Him thanks for the favours He has given you, and still gives you in the midst of your troubles, and to console yourself with Him the oftenest you can. Lift up your heart to Him, sometimes even at your meals and when you are in company; the least little remembrance will always be acceptable to Him. You need not cry very lout; He is nearer to us than we are aware of.
It is not necessary for being with God to be always at church; we may make an oratory of our heart wherein to retire from time to time, to converse with Him in meekness, humility, and love. Ever one is capable of such familiar conversation with God, some more, some less; He knows what we can do.
Friday, 16 July 2010
Galatians 3:22 (God's promise)
Not long ago I had one of those nights when sleep wouldn't come, no matter how many sheep I counted. My heart was troubled and I couldn't let go of my worries no matter how hard I prayed.
Later the next day the heat and humidity exploded in a summer thunderstorm. After the storm passed I went outside to enjoy some cooler air. What I saw took my breath away. It was the most beautiful rainbow I had ever seen. Each colour was as vivid as if God had hand painted the rainbow in the sky just for me.
"God's promise," I said softly, and the rainbow is just a reminder of one of His promises.
God promised that He would answer my prayers. It may not be soon. It may not be the answer I want, but it will be the answer I need.
I know because He promised. God keeps His promises. By Teresa Bell Kindred
Later the next day the heat and humidity exploded in a summer thunderstorm. After the storm passed I went outside to enjoy some cooler air. What I saw took my breath away. It was the most beautiful rainbow I had ever seen. Each colour was as vivid as if God had hand painted the rainbow in the sky just for me.
"God's promise," I said softly, and the rainbow is just a reminder of one of His promises.
God promised that He would answer my prayers. It may not be soon. It may not be the answer I want, but it will be the answer I need.
I know because He promised. God keeps His promises. By Teresa Bell Kindred
CREATIVE QUIET TIMES
If you've found yourself yawning during devotions-or just eager for a change-you may want to consider the following suggestions for creative intimacy with God.
1. Take God out for coffee. Find a quiet corner in a cafe or even McDonald's and meet with God. Take your Bible and a notebook. Grab a cup of coffee and you're set for a heart-to-heart with your very Best Friend.
2. Put feet to your faith. Take a walk with God! Praise Him for His handiwork. Listen to the Bible or a sermon on tape. Pray. Your body and spirit will appreciate the workout.
3. Journal your journey. Keep a spiritual diary. Record thoughts as you meditate on Scripture. Write love notes to the Lord.
4. Hide the Word. Memorizing Scripture plants the Word of God deep in your heart. Write down on sticky notes and take them with you to practice.
5. Come before Him with singing. Add music to your devotions. Use a prasie tape or sing a cappella. Read a hymn out loud.
Extracts from the book entitled "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World"
1. Take God out for coffee. Find a quiet corner in a cafe or even McDonald's and meet with God. Take your Bible and a notebook. Grab a cup of coffee and you're set for a heart-to-heart with your very Best Friend.
2. Put feet to your faith. Take a walk with God! Praise Him for His handiwork. Listen to the Bible or a sermon on tape. Pray. Your body and spirit will appreciate the workout.
3. Journal your journey. Keep a spiritual diary. Record thoughts as you meditate on Scripture. Write love notes to the Lord.
4. Hide the Word. Memorizing Scripture plants the Word of God deep in your heart. Write down on sticky notes and take them with you to practice.
5. Come before Him with singing. Add music to your devotions. Use a prasie tape or sing a cappella. Read a hymn out loud.
Extracts from the book entitled "Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World"
John 12:1-3
Jesus was anointed at Bethany in the house of Lazarus, Martha and Mary. I like to read the story of these 3 siblings. Though there were not many things written about them, but there are so many things to learn from them.
In Luke 10, we read that Martha was so busy in the kitchen preparing food for the guests. She was so flustered that she came to Jesus and demanded that the Lord tell Mary to help her. Well, the rest of the story is history.
Now in John 12, we too read that Jesus was eating at Martha's home again. In verse 2, we were told that Martha served and Lazarus was reclining near Jesus. But note the difference, Martha did not come to the Lord and asked Him to get help for her. What has happened?
Reflections: Martha will always be Martha - she has a heart and the gift to serve others. But she has learned not to be flustered but serve with gladness and love - not as a duty. Like Brother Lawerence, we can glorify God even when washing dishes in the kitchen. We can draw near to God anytime, any place and whatever we are doing.
In Luke 10, we read that Martha was so busy in the kitchen preparing food for the guests. She was so flustered that she came to Jesus and demanded that the Lord tell Mary to help her. Well, the rest of the story is history.
Now in John 12, we too read that Jesus was eating at Martha's home again. In verse 2, we were told that Martha served and Lazarus was reclining near Jesus. But note the difference, Martha did not come to the Lord and asked Him to get help for her. What has happened?
Reflections: Martha will always be Martha - she has a heart and the gift to serve others. But she has learned not to be flustered but serve with gladness and love - not as a duty. Like Brother Lawerence, we can glorify God even when washing dishes in the kitchen. We can draw near to God anytime, any place and whatever we are doing.
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