settingatthepoolofgrace

One of my favorite sayings is “what comes from the heart, reaches the heart”, I’m sure for most people this brings a smile to the face; the thoughts immediately go to a person or experience treasured, Unfortunately; this is not always the case, sometimes the heart is cruel, thoughtless, and unforgiving. It only considers it’s own desires whether good or bad for others is the result, how can it be trusted? When the words “I love you” are spoken to another do they hear silence because the actions displayed speak louder? How many truly understand what love requires of them?

Is your tone filled with thunder and lighting or sunshine and flowers? The heart is very fragile and easily broken, some spoken words heal while others shatter it to pieces. Many give very little credence to how important the tone of their voice is to those who are listening, how you sound reflex’s your emotions toward the listener and their heart receives what it hears. It seems words that resound the loudest are from the dark side of our natures, those ruled by passion, anger, selfishness, and even greed. The ones that cause separation, distrust, and damage; sometimes irreparable breaches in relationships come from the lips, they are from the adversary.

True love is an expression, it lives, breaths, and moves; it’s actions speak the loudest and is heard in the heart above all other voices. Love heals, forgives, sacrifices for others; it doesn’t hold grudges and it seeks always that which is honorable. How do we attain this kind of love, you ask; it can only come from the source. Love began when the breath of life was given to man, when the Creator became the creation, when the sacrifice of blood was shed for sinful man and when the grave was robbed of it’s victory. Love requires sacrifice, selflessness, patience, understanding, and unconditional forgiveness; it is seen in our actions and not heard from our lips.

Only when we surrender to Him who first loved us can we not only love other, but; love ourselves. It is then that we will know who we are in His eyes and Heart, His love will reflect to others through us; then what comes from the heart will truly reach the heart.

my revelation as I sit by the pool of grace

He was a humble man, not many would take on the responsibility of a child he didn’t father; she was pure in heart and meek in spirit, he married her so she wouldn’t be condemned by the towns people and put to death. People can be so cruel and unforgiving of others when they have strayed from what is commonly believed to be the right way to do something. He too was apprehensive, but; in a dream he was told how special this child would be. After the marriage he took her to his house, it could be said love is in the house; his love for her, her love for him and love growing for the world in her womb.

The month of February is often considered by many as the love month, the 14th day was set aside to honor those we love; tangible expressions are given from one person to the other. These come in many ways; flowers, candy, cards, dinner for two, and for some a day away from the kids relaxing at a spa. A question comes to mind, is love in the house the rest of the year? How are we treating those we profess to love? Remember love requires action, 1Corinthians 13 tells us the way of love; love is patient, kind, is not envious or arrogant, is not rude or resentful, does not insist on it’s own way and love is forgiving.

Love sacrifices for others, the ultimate which is to give ones life for loved ones or friends. Most of us never entertain the notion of giving our lives for someone else, however; when love is in the house we will give our all to protect those we love. The heart is the house in which love lives. Love transforms the heart removing selfishness, envy, hate and fear; then replaces them with joy, peace, forgiveness and willingness to sacrifice. Unfortunately, on our own we are not capable of really loving others until we have learned to love ourselves and we can’t love ourselves until we acknowledge and accept the source from which love comes.

John3:16 tells us “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life”; John 3:17 goes on to say “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him”. The love of Jesus the Christ is the transforming love we all stand in need of, when we invite Him in the house; we will be able to declare Love is in the house.

My revelation as I sit by the pool of grace

One day is something we all say in relation to plans made or future realizations. When we were children its one day I’ll be a grown up; have a wife or husband and children of my own, one day I’ll be rich and famous or one day I’ll be a doctor or maybe a nurse; then there are those of us who can’t begin to imagine what the future will bring. There only hope is to see a new day, to open their eyes; take a breath and stand on their feet. They don’t have the luxury of dreams, they are to busy fighting the battles of everyday life; keeping their heads above the water line.

The rough waters of life has dashed their dreams against the rocks of life causing them to drown. They struggle from one day to the next to just survive. Can you imagine how they must feel thinking there is no hope for a life filled with dreams and imaginings of a glorious future; of joy and a peaceful spirit. Abandoning the rat race of life and slowing down long enough to smell the flowers, experience the sunlight’s gentle touch and the tickle of grass between the toes without worry or fear. To have the everyday burdens of life lifted by love, for life regenerated in the heart and the spirit renewed with hope for better days.

I know it sounds simple, but; a plan was made in the beginning by which mankind could escape from the darkness of the worry and fear we experience in this world. One day the clouds will roll back like a scroll, we shall see our deliverer, redeemer, and savior coming on the clouds accompanied by the Heavenly host, those that fell asleep in Him will be called forth from their graves and those who are alive at His appearing and have given Him their hearts will all together be changed into immortal bodies, for they shall be like Him.

He will cleanse and renew the earth, all sin will be eradicated and the evil one eliminated. The earth will display all her beauty as it was in the beginning. All who have made Him their Lord will enjoy eternal peace in His presence. We are promised that we will build houses and inhabit them and we will plant vineyards and eat the fruit of them, God Himself will wipe away our tears and we will know others as we are known. The Father and Son will live with us on the new earth, we will come before them in worship every Sabbath.

What a wonderful future awaits every soul that makes Jesus their Lord and accepts His offer of salvation. However, we don’t have to wait to enjoy His presence, He is ever near to those who seek Him in prayer and faith. He stands ready to carry our heavy burdens, give us peace in turbulent times, and joy in pain. In Him we can find all we need to live a fulfilled life. We can look to one day in the future or we can accept the love we are being offered today, Jesus stands at the door of our hearts knocking; will we open them to Him?

My revelation as I sit by the pool of grace

As I journey life’s pathway, broken people I will meet; some more broken, some less broken; but, all broken just like me. We wear our brokenness like a suit of armor trying to protect ourselves, not healing the hurts from the past we collect more baggage to carry. With every disappointment a shard of glass protrudes from within; unhappy homes, failed relationships, mental and physical abuse, and yes the aftermath of death packed away in the dark corners of our minds; afraid to let other see the brokenness we hide.

The sunshine is shining in our eyes as our smiles hide the truth, we have it all together; at least that’s how it looks to you. Hard to share what’s hard to speak, hard to see light when walking on a dark street. Voices from the past haunts sleep, fathers saying things to their children they shouldn’t speak, not realizing the wounds go very deep. Love of a mother never felt, no hand to lead the way or soft spoken words to say tomorrow will be a better day. The journey seems so much longer, the road much harder when it appears all hope is gone; unfortunately, some just can’t hold on.

The weight of the baggage they carried was to much to bear, the darkness to thick to move through. Where can one find light to break up the darkness, to heal the wounds inflicted by those met along the way? Damaged people damage other people because they need healing too, many never know how much they have damaged you. They’re not privileged to the secrets we carry in our hearts, words not spoken are never heard. There is hope for all seeking healing, each shard carefully removed; the Artisan’s hands are gentle, they cause no pain. He washes each wound with love and pours in healing salve, His light will dispel the darkness; forgiveness is the key He gives to unlock the baggage stored in the mind.

When we forgive others as well as ourselves the healing will begin , we will walk in light; never in darkness again. The voice of love will live on our lips, speaking loudly to those still caught in darkness leading them to the gentle hands of the Master Artisan.

My revelation as I sit by the pool of grace

I’m sure most of us have heard the saying” middle child syndrome”, it would appear the second child born is caught in the middle of the first and third child born. It seems to be the job of the middle child to settle arguments, be the peace maker; but, who is there when the one in the middle needs help? When a third child is born the second child seems to fade from the spotlight. Being caught in the middle is just no fun, they were both her friends; it was breaking her heart to see them at odds with each other. How would she navigate between them? They expect her to choose sides, what would she do?

That is mankind’s problem, we are caught in the middle of a great battle; the prize, the souls of men and women; none are exempt. This battle has been raging since our fore parents lost their home in Eden. They were deceived by the worlds greatest enemy, but; Our Father Creator loved us so much He could not leave us to the wiles of the adversary without a way of escape. This world we live in is the battle ground, the warriors for the adversary infect it daily with hate, indifference and all kinds of evil. Yet, there is a safety net in place for all who choose love as their shield.

That shield is found in the arms of the Only Begotten Son of the Most High God. Only love can erase hate, when we align with love we are protected by it’s shield; we don’t have to worry that we are caught in the middle. We have the opportunity to choose, we must just make the right choice and choose love. Love will conquer every obstacle, change stony hearts, forgive wrongs and open closed eyes. Love is not blinded by our human frailty, it is strong when we are at our weakest; it will walk hand in hand with us during difficult times, we can trust love will never leave us.

The war is still raging, we are still caught in the middle; but, if we make the right choice the message we are given is ” fear not for I am with you” the love of Jesus covers us in His wings.

My revelation as I sit by the pool of grace

In our country’s early history there were no cars, buses, or airplanes. The mode of transportation was by horseback, wagon, stagecoach, or train. Travel by train was a luxury many couldn’t afford during the early years of western expansion. It’s hard for us to imagine that trains have been used as far back as the time of Babylon for transporting goods and materials. These were made of wagon wheels running on stone wagon ways. All things change with time, the development of trains and tracks improved into a impressive way to travel as well as transport goods and materials.

As wonderful as this new mode of travel was, not everyone could enjoy this opportunity; only the affluent could indulge themselves. Some who needed to travel found a way around paying the price, enter the term hobo. The hobo would find an open door in a box car of the train and hop on, they rode wherever the train was going not really knowing where that would be; this is called riding the rails. This for some was an adventure, not knowing the outcome of their destination. For many of us we are like the hobos of old, we are riding the rails of life; no true direction in mind.

Our life journey is left to fate, whatever happens; happens. However, we were given a guide by which to navigate the world in which we live. This guide is available to all who desire a rich abundant life. It came to mankind first in the form of a book of instructions called “The Bible”. Unfortunately, many disregarded it’s value to their lives, blinded by the darkness of this world; it’s importance was lost. Mankind continued to ride the rails that lead to destruction, but; we have been given the opportunity to switch directions.

The second guide came in the flesh to teach us how to make that switch, In the likeness of man the Creator of man came to the world to show the correct way for man to journey in this life; to follow in His foot steps lead to an abundant and joyful eternal existence in His presence and a peaceful journey through the trials of this life. He assures us that He will never leave or forsake us, we do not need to ride the train of uncertainty which could lead to ultimate destruction; we can choose to jump off the train and switch directions.

My revelation as I sit by the pool of grace

Blood one of the essential elements of life. We have all heard the saying covered in blood, this is usually said when there has been a horrific accident and someone is badly injured. Many of us enjoy watching crime dramas on tv, this is a common catch phrase used in those types of shows. Being covered in blood is not a good thing, it indicates a fatality or a long road to recovery. We seldom consider it’s importance until the need for it occurs.

We go through life most time not giving any thought to why we awoke from sleep, how we are able to breath, stand on our feet and walk, when we open our eyes we can see clearly our surroundings, and hear every sound. So many things we take for granted not realizing our normal functions could change without warning; we could so easily be the one covered in blood. There is an adversary working behind the scenes who’s only desire is to capture the souls of men.

Daily he is on the prowl to cause as much bloodshed as possible; crime, war, hate, jealousy and greed some of the weapons used against us. Mankind must be subdued by any means available to him. Many of us have fallen or are headed into the traps that have been laid. The desire for fame and fortune calling out our names, but; this is the way of destruction and death. “There is a way that seems right to man, but; the end thereof is the way of death” proverbs 16:25.

This warning is sound advice for those who are seeking life abundantly which is only found in the Son of the Most High. We must not yield to our fleshly desires, but; elevate our minds to the courts of Heaven where our advocate, Jesus the Christ dwells. It is by being covered by His blood we receive renewed life, forgiveness, and the promise of eternity in His presence. The day of decision is here, time is running out; who will you choose to serve? Will you pick death or life, how will you be covered by blood?

My revelation as I sit by the pool of grace

Every story has a beginning, middle, and end; a main character, adversary, and hero. In every good book you usually find conflict and resolution, good verses evil. Most of us like rooting for the underdog, we hope good will win; however, that is not always the case. Sometimes the hero meets with death, the ending is not always a happy one. In every race all the runners line up at the starting line, they are all on a equal footing; yet, only one will eventually win the race. The one who becomes the winner will have prepared for the challenge beyond his physical limits.

Most of us when we come to the end of the year find ourselves reflecting on our lives. We think about those we have lost to death, the mistakes we’ve made, babies born, tears cried in joy and sorrow, friendships gained and lost, and what the new year will bring. We make resolutions to guide us in the new year, unfortunately; they are often forgotten shortly after the year begins. While the starting line of a new year looms on the horizon, so many prepare to say goodbye to the year that is leaving. We anticipate all the festivities to be attended, joyous moments with friends and families, food and football.

I would like to suggest in your reflections remember how you have survived through another year; how your Heavenly Father has given you breath each day of the year, provided our needs, granted you His protection, kept you from unseen danger, forgiven your sins and continues to shine His love on you. Instead of preparing to celebrate at a party to bring in the new year, consider meeting with our Heavenly Father in prayer. Let us bow before Him in thanksgiving being grateful for the sacrifice of His son, renewed life, forgiveness of sins and the opportunity to stand at the starting line of a new year. My prayer is that you will take hold of His hand and allow Him to lead you through the coming year.

My revelation as I sit by the pool of grace.

We tend to get so excited over our favorite sports team winning the game or that incredible shot made by a great basketball player, tennis or golf pro. There is something about it that gets our adrenaline flowing causing our vocal cords to respond gleefully. As this year draws to a close we celebrate the greatest event in human history, the birth of a very special child. What makes Him so special you ask? His birth was foretold by the prophets of old, His mother was a virgin, He was both human and divine at the same time, and His life was for a divine purpose; to save the lost.

Christmas is the time we choose to celebrate His story, but; in our celebrations we seem to have lost sight of Him. We gather with family and friends to share a meal, give gifts to each other, sing and in some homes dance. We seem to have become more and more materialistic with each passing year, seldom do we consider those who have not just the simple necessities of life. The example He gave by His catering to the least of these; the outcast of society, the broken hearted, the poor and homeless was His life work.

His heart of compassion reached out to all in need, everywhere He walked the light of love dispelled the darkness and broke the bonds of those enslaved to sin. Freedom from sin was made available to all who wished to be free. The time to make a joyful noise is here, we must retell His story far and near; shout it from the mountain tops that all may hear. The redeemer has come, the fulfillment of a promise made in times past by a loving Father to His wayward children. This is the true reason for the season, as you open the presents found under the tree; let your mind dwell upon the present mankind received many years ago in a isolated stable and make a joyful noise.

My revelation as I sit by the pool of grace.

The journey long, the dessert hot, and the donkey a little uncomfortable, yet; the trip was mandatory. It had been decreed all should return to their place of birth and register for the census. Today we can’t begin to imagine how tedious this must have been for a very pregnant teen, newly wed and far from family. There were no hospitals within reach, no ambulances in case of emergency. Although none of these were available, this young couple didn’t fret, they were guided by an unseen force; no fear accompanied them on their journey.

When they reached their destination the city was a buzz, people from everywhere had converged upon the city; the street were so crowded they were hard to traverse. Her time was getting close, shelter had to be found. Her husband was trying his best to find room for them in the Inn’s, but; no room was found. Finally he was offered room in one Inn keeper’s stable, in this lowly stable the King of life was scheduled to come forth. Who could’ve imagined the joy of Angels was about to enter the world in such humble conditions, He was the Fathers gift to a diseased and dying world. To guide the misguided back to loves truth.

The stable was made ready as best they could to receive Heavens gift, the animals looked on with curiosity shining from their eyes, even they could feel the magic of the moment. Life for the masses was moving as usual, they had no idea what was about to take place in this little town; the almighty God would become a man. The plan to reclaim His children was in full affect, mankind redeemed, and the enemy of souls destroyed. Without warning the heavens rang with song, the night sky illuminated like the morning as Angels declared peace and good will to the earth.

The announcement was given, He is here; the savior is born and Jesus is His name; He will save His people from their sins. It was time for celebration He came to free the captives and change the hearts of men. He was here to give an example by the life He lived, loving unconditionally all who let Him in. Destined to die upon a tree that redemption could be offered to you and me. The plan of salvation would be complete as His blood flowed from Calvary. His birth was the beginning of the end for all who wished to dwell in sin. Yes, it’s true He was here; and will come again, be ready.

My revelation as I sit by the pool of grace.