Windows On The Soul

"Love is the one treasure that multiplies by division. It is the one gift that grows bigger the more you take from it. It is the one business in which it pays to be an absolute spendthrift; give it away, throw it away, splash it over, empty your pockets, shake the basket, turn the glass upside down, and tomorrow you will have more than ever." (source unknown) ----xxxXxxx---- Pr.11:25 "The liberal soul shall be made fat; he that waters shall himself be watered" Isa.58:10 "If you give food to the hungry, and satisfy those in need, then the darkness around you will turn to the brightness of noon" Lk.6:38a "Give to others and God will give to you; in full measure, a full measure poured into your hands - all that you can hold." 1 Pet.1:22 "See that you love one-another with a pure heart fervently" Jhn.15:12 "This is my commandment, that you love one-another as I have loved you" 1 Thes.3:12 "May the Lor...

Of necessity, theology uses many picture phrases to try to describe the eternal indescribable. But the image is not the real thing. Illustrations are easily distorted beyond their original intent. So it was a serendipitous discovery of the above phrase - the image of God ladling His love by His Holy Spirit over us as He the master chef sees fit by His grace. The sweetness and aroma best brought out in the oven of life. " Justice is when we get what we deserve. Mercy is when we don't get what we deserve, But Grace is when we get what we don't deserve. " Barbara Johnson, "Splashes of Joy in the Cesspool of Life" ----xxxXxxx---- 1 Tim.1:14 "The grace of our Lord over-flowed me with the faith and love that are in Christ" Dan.9:18 "We pray to you because you are merciful not because we have done right" Rom.9:16 "God's compassion is not dependent on man's will or exertion, but on God's mercy" 2...

The more you give, the more you get, The more you laugh, the less you fret, The more you do unselfishly, The more you live abundantly. The more of everything you share, The more you'll always have to spare. The more you love, the more you'll find, That life is good and friends are kind, For only in what we give away Enriches us from day to day. (Source unknown)

Praise the Lord for the wonderful testimonies of those being baptised last week and this. Among the diversity of their stories, did you notice a common thread? In each case, a major influence, was the accepting, open, loving friendship of Christian friends. Unfortunately, the converse is also true: the most common reason for people giving up on Christianity, is being let-down by a Christian friend or minister, not living up to their professed standards. As the bumper sticker says, " Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven ". We must "lift Jesus higher", not put people on pedestals. We are called to " be holy, even as God is holy ", yet it is not to be a legalistic "holiness", but born of our free-will love of the Father. Salvation through the death of Jesus sets us free from the enslavement of sin and legalism - but with freedom comes responsibility. We become as Christ to the world, to be seen, heard, observed, and judged. ---xxxXxxx--...

It is sad that all too often it takes a crisis for people to acknowledge the really important things of life. I spent a lovely time last week-end with my brother and sister-in-law as they renewed their marriage vows. Having acknowledged the shortness of his prognosis (he had been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor), they set about prioritizing their remaining time together. This week, they received communion for the first time in perhaps 10-20 years - making peace with their saviour. Time and again, the Bible in both old and new testaments, invites the reader to 'eat and drink' with the Lord; to receive of His liberality. The true seeker will find, the true listener will hear. But be warned, true seeking is impossible without a 'broken and contrite heart'. And as Moses called the children of Israel to 'choose life' and enter the promised land, flowing with milk and honey, there were still 'giants' to conquer. ----xxxXxxx---- Isa.55:6 ...

(On the occasion of a Church Anniversary) As we reflect on the ministry of this church over the past years, let's give thanks and celebrate God's eternal presence and out-working through His Church.  Rejoice in past victories, and look forward in glorious expectation. May this Church forever find that the House of God is a place of:- Seeking God's Counsel   - Judges 20:18 "The Israelites went up and inquired of God" Hearing God's Voice  - Isa 6:8 "I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Who shall I send? Who will go for us?'" Receiving Visions  - Luke 1:22 "They realised he had seen a vision in the temple" Filled with Glory  - 2 Chron 7:1 "The glory of the Lord filled the temple" Praise and Thanksgiving - Psa 150 "Praise God in His sanctuary. Let everything that has breath, praise The Lord" Learning God's Ways  - Mic 4:2 "Come let us go to God's house, and He will teach us...

" Man does not live bread alone ", that I know, but Man does live by bread a lot! Thank you Lord for recognizing and supplying my physical needs. But Lord, am I being unreasonable for asking for " Jam and Cream " on my " Daily Bread "? And perhaps a weeks supply in advance, " Just in case "! " You of little faith " you say. Yes! I see now. I must come to you every morning, Asking and trusting you for my needs for the coming day only, no more, no less. Forgive me Lord for trying to live on " stale blessings ", Instead of seeking and receiving from you " new every morning ". " Great is your faithfulness! " ---===X===--- Lam.3:22-23 "compassion never fails..new every morning..great is thy faithfulness" Lk.9:17 "They (the 5000) all ate and were satisfied" Ex.16:4 "...bread from heaven...gather enough for that day..." Ex.16:16-18 "...gat...