settingatthepoolofgrace

Most of us remember playing these two games as children, Simon said and follow the leader.Both require you to do whatever the person in charge of the game tells you to do. If Simon said it you must do it, but nothing can be done if Simon doesn’t say; if you move without Simon you’re out of the game.

If you are following the leader, you must do what the leader does; if you can’t you are out of the game. Although we seem to leave these games in the youth of our past as we become adults, life in many ways resembles these very games from our youth. Most of us finish our education and get employment or start business’s.

No matter which we are required to do certain things to be successful; failure to do them leads us to loss, we could be fired from our jobs or our business might have to be dissolved when we make the wrong decision . Leadership and who we choose to follow is very instrumental in the well being of our lives.

Everyday we must make a choice to lead or follow, each carry great responsibility. Before we can be good leaders we must first know how to be good followers. Life will give us many obstacles, temptations, and distractions; to overcome them we must have the tools to make the correct choice.  It’s through leadership we learn these tools, but; if we follow the wrong leader we are doomed to failure.

There are two leaders who determine the destiny of each person on the earth, we must choose who to follow. Making the right choice is imperative to our success or decline. How do you know who to choose? Each of these leaders have placed their credentials before us for review prior to our decision.

The first is Jesus the Christ, he offers undeniable,self sacrificing love, help in time of trouble, unexplainable joy, peace in the storms of life and forgiveness in our times of weakness.  He doesn’t promise there will be no trials but he does promise he will see us through them. He doesn’t say there will be no sickness but he assures that he can heal our disease.

Should we choose to follow him we may lose family and friends as well as the worlds riches, but; he will send us his spirit to be with us always, give us of heavens bounty and eternal life with him.  The next is Satan, the ruler of this world in which we reside; he will offer us fame, fortune, power and the appearance of importance.

He will develop in us greed, selfishness, indifference to the needs of others,hatred for all God the Father loves, and frozen hearts lifeless and loveless. He will blind us to the light of true love, he knows the love of God transforms all it touches. He will keep us in the darkness hidden from the light.

Should we choose to follow him we may gain the worlds riches, popularity among men, and for a time power; but, eternal death total destruction will be our destiny. These are our two choices, who will you choose? don’t be deceived you can’t have it both ways; a choice must be made.  Eternal life or eternal damnation is not a child’s game, the consequences of your choice will determine your end; choose wisely.

My revelation as I sit by the pool of grace.

Yesterday is  over, tomorrow may never come; we only have now. Each waking moment means we must count our blessings, love our friends and family, make the time we have meaningful, and leave the essence of love in all we touch.

Time is unforgiving it will not allow us to reclaim whatever we have misused or lost; it continues to pass, not waiting on anyone.  Life can be cruel not allowing us the opportunity to “mend our fences’s”.

Ill spoken words, unresolved heartbreak, and grudges held to long with no forgiveness. Life is but a whisper; a gently breeze that blows for a time, a flower blooming today but blown away in the wind tomorrow.

Death, sleep that never ends; there are times it is expected.  We know how but not just when, it becomes a waiting game.  We share each moment of the journey with our loved one knowing we will soon have to say goodbye.

To hear their last words, touch them for the last time or tell them you love them. However, the unexpected is never expected; the phone rings in the late hours of the night, tragedy is calling.

You fight back tears and shock as you hang up the phone trying to remember the last time you spoke. It was a silly argument, you should have let it go; now it’s to late. They will never know how sorry you are.

You thought you would have time to resolve the problem and renew the relationship. Death is a silent visitor who comes sometimes without notice; unfinished business remains unfinished, unspoken words can never be heard, and time will still march on.

You think about that old spiritual “Home going”, the words “when you hear bout my home going, don’t worry bout me, it’s just another soldier gone home” while you continue to think of the things that should’ve been said.

Don’t let it’s to late be the words you say, take the opportunity while you still have today; correct the past, start anew, letting those in your life know they are important to you. Death is a part of our experience, everything the lives will die.

The question is will the home going be a sweet goodbye?

My revelation as I sit by the pool of grace.

Every choice is not fetal, though some can be; each mistake doesn’t last forever, though some can have a lasting affect. To some a mistake and a choice are considered the same, but; they are totally different. Before a choice is made you consider the pros and cons of the decision then you choose whether or not to make it.

However, with a mistake you make the choice thinking the outcome will be what you intend it to be without thinking the results can be different, but you are wrong. There are instances when your choice can cause loss of life, a mistake as well can bring the same. Each opportunity you are given allows you to shed the wrong choices and mistakes made like a snake sheds his skin, leaving it behind.

From each experience you are to learn the lesson that experience teaches, it will either be advantageous or detrimental to you depending on how you use the knowledge from that experience. Every day of life gives you the chance to start over, to change your yesterday; apologize for any harm you may have caused, correct any wrongs and seek forgiveness.

I know that sounds simple, yet; any change you make requires the desire to change. To rid yourself of the old nature and step into a new nature in the only hope we have that brings clarity of thought which is found in God’s only son; Jesus the Christ.  The old nature is infected with the sin of the world in which you live, it is like an onion with layers that have to be peeled away.

The layers of envy, lying, selfishness, dishonesty, hate, malice, self righteousness, laziness and indifference just to name a few. When Christ enters the life his love lights up the whole being erasing anything negative from the life of man. Evil cannot persist in the environment where love rules, love changes everything it touches.

The old man dies in the presence of the love of Christ and a new man emerges filled with his love, character, joy, and clarity of thought. Mistakes become rare and choices are made after consulting the Holy Spirit, with this change you are given the gift of starting over.

My revelation as I sit by the pool of grace.

The count down has begun, as one year ends another begins. One songwriter said” everything must change, nothing stays the same.” “There are not many things in life you can be sure of, but; the young become the old and mysteries will unfold,  that’s the way of time; nothing goes unchanged.”

Yes, it is true time will cause change to take place; the anger we hold on to so closely becomes unimportant, the reason for the argument unclear, the desire to rekindle the friendship seems to occupy our thoughts and we are willing to forgive and forget.

Old things must fade into the past that new life can spring forth. Every life journey will end in some form of death. Death to selfishness, hate, loneliness, indifference and eventually death of the physical being.  However, death is not the end as some seem to think.

Each fall the face of nature changes, the trees lose their leaves as they turn brown with death and blow away  in the wind; the beautiful green grass of the  fields withers and fades. Everything prepares for Winter’s sleep of death. Yet, change comes with the Spring and life begins again.

The fields once again are clothe in their dress of emerald, the trees awaken; their leaves full granting shade to all who would rest beneath them. Treasured relationships are renewed as new ones are formed. We enjoy a new vitality, a spring in our steps, and a renewed vision for our future.

We plan our strategy and move forward in confidence as if our success is guaranteed. Life holds no guarantees it closes in on us just when we least expect it to. It changes our plans, causes worry, and makes us question the outcome of our circumstances.

So we begin, again; this time we look for something that will ensure our success. We know it must begin with us changing, but we don’t have the understanding, strength, or ability to change ourselves nor do we know everything we need to change.

The answers we need are found in the eyes of love, the arms of love and the heart of love. A love that was given to us from the first time we opened our eyes to life. unchanging love that has been our constant companion even though we may not have recognized or accepted it’s presence.

It is when we open our hearts to this love we experience the greatest life change. The old self dies that new life can begin, life in the fullness of joy.  Our journey will still be filled with challenges, rocky roads, some ups and some downs, but; we will see them through new eyes, unfailing strength, and a new vision.

Surrounded by the love of Jesus the Christ and through him all things can be accomplished successfully.  We must accept that change is inevitable, that death will come; however, in Jesus we can live forever. When he returns he will call our names and we will begin, again; death will be no more.

My revelation as  sit by the pool of grace

The greatest pleasure we enjoy is meeting with family and friends we haven’t seen for a time, catching up on each other lives. Finding out the latest gossip, the secrets we vowed not to tell, and the embarrassing moments that made us laugh at ourselves.

Conversations that are sometimes meaningless and sometimes serious; we seem to be able to talk  for hours. There are times tears are shed, uncontrollable laughter heard, then there are moments of silent reflection.

There are circumstances in our life’s journey that require us to gather with those we love  and hold dear to us. Celebrations of births, deaths, great accomplishments, and special holidays. It is at these occasions the family comes together.

Some of these occasion are mile stones in our journey, promotions, graduations, new births, and two who decide to become one in marriage. We come from home and abroad to share the joy of love with each other.

All these give us something to talk about; there will inevitable be someone who for unexpected reasons can’t join the celebration, there will always be incidents to make us laugh or cry, and someone taking the unexpected photo.

However, everyone tries to prepare to be with their loved ones at Christmas time. Christmas is the one celebration that everyone wants to be with family and friends they love. Some will come from across town and some from across the country, but all will be present and accounted for if possible.

At many family gatherings the Night before Christmas will be the story told, but; the story that should be told is one of the baby born in a stable, laid on a bed of hay surrounded by animals.

A willing participant in the plan of salvation for all God’s fallen people. Redemption provided for all who would seek to be free from the chains of a sinful world. Had he not been born all would be lost, no hope for salvation.

This baby would carry the sins of the world on his shoulders, who would make the lame to walk, and the blind see. This baby who would walk on water, calm the raging sea and give his life on the cross of calvery for sinners like you and me.

This is the story that should flow from our lips to each ear willing to hear. A story we should be willing to tell everybody without any fear. Christmas was the season chosen to celebrate his birth, but the day is not as important as the fact he chose to come. So it’s up to you and me to tell his story to everyone .

My revelation as I sit by the pool of grace

 

The day was coming to it’s closing, the Inn keeper had gathered his animals into the stable for the night. Mrs. cow had bedded down her calf on a soft bed of straw; gently she lay down beside her.

Mr. Donkey was gazing through the little window in the wall of the stable at a brilliant star lighting up the sky just above the stable. The chicken coop was filled with noisy chicks as Mr. Rooster paraded by the door as if on guard duty.

None of the animals could imagine the wonderful event that would unfold in their little stable. Mean while a man and his wife were going from door to door in the little town seeking shelter for the night.

They were greeted at each door with “sorry there is no room in the Inn”. It was beginning to seem hopeless for the young couple. But it was imperative they find shelter, the wife was with child and delivery was imminent.

Approaching the last Inn the husband lifted up his head to the sky and whispered a small prayer. Unfortunately, the response was the same; there was no room in the Inn. As he turned to walk away the Inn keeper stopped him saying ” I have a small stable you are welcome to.”

“It is not lavish but it will keep you warm and dry”. “There is much straw you can use for bedding and my animals are gentle.” “I will gather some cloth for you,bread and water, and a lantern; give me a moment please, I will take you there.”

In a distance you could see the shepherds on the hillside gathered by the firelight as their sheep quietly grazed. The stars twinkled brightly in the night sky, one shining brighter then the others. No sound could be heard it was if the earth itself was anticipating something miraculous.

The light in the stable intensified as the Inn keeper and the couple entered. Hanging the lantern on a post he said ” I hope this will serve you and your wife.” Grateful, the man thanked him and begin to make his wife comfortable.

Mrs. Cow looked at Mr. donkey who looked at Mr. Rooster, each of them was puzzled by the presence of human kind in their little stable. There was something different about this couple, even the animals could feel something amazing in the air.

Everyone had settled down for the night, the silence was broken by a small cry, the sky was illuminated by a multitude of Angels singing; their song could be heard along the hillside. “He is born, the Savior is born.”

All the animals were looking lovingly at the new arrival in their stable, kneeling as to a King they gazed upon the babe; each of them knew there would never be another night in their little stable as magical as this one.

My revelation as I sit by the pool of grace

The day began as ordinary as the days before it, we however; decided to do something different and adventurous. We would go hiking. Now I should say neither one of us had ever been hiking so we didn’t really know what we needed to make it successful.

Rising earlier than usual we dressed, packed blankets, sandwiches, and water. The journey began, the drive was scenic as we ventured to our starting point. As I looked at the trail I began to have second thoughts about this adventure.

The sun was shining brightly through the trees as we maneuvered up the trail, birds perched in the trees could be seen at various intervals along the way. Entering a opening in the trees I looked out over a beautiful valley, we had reached the top of the hill.

The view was so breath taking we decided to stop our journey at this point. spreading the blankets we sit to eat and watch the scene unfolding before us.  In a distance I could see a water fall cascading down another hillside terminating in a stream below.

The stream flowing quietly through the valley, so peaceful; no words spoken just soaking in the majesty of the moment.  The waterfall captured my attention; my mind drifted off to another time, another hill and it’s impact on my life and the lives of others.

The day wasn’t sunny, the crowd  was shouting crucify him. There on the hill top stood the cross of sacrifice.  The man of love hanging from nails, the blood of love running down the hillside and the heart of love granting forgiveness.

Death held him captive for three days, but; after then he rose again. I met him when my life was on a downward path, he taught me how to live in love; always looking to the Father above. As I reminisce on this special gift my joy over whelms me.

My thoughts are interrupted as you touch my hand indicating it was time to go. I thought to myself how magical these hills will be when they are covered in snow.  Nature is the window in which we look into the eyes of God, it reveals his heart of love and reminds us to be grateful.

The journey home was enlightening, I saw everything through clearer eyes. The trees were more beautiful then they had ever been, the birds chirping was heard as a new song, and the sunlight against my skin was welcomed.

They all reminded me of the gift the Father gave on a hill far away.

My revelation as I sit by the pool of grace

Along with Christmas comes many traditions; hanging the stockings on the fireplaces, making gingerbread houses, roasting chestnuts, and decorating the tree.  The most important of these is the decorating of the Christmas tree.

Usually the whole family participates in the choosing and decorating of the tree. Christmas decorations vary from very expensive to very simple; Santa and Mrs. Claus, candy canes, reindeer and sleds, jingle bells, and ornate bulbs.

Popcorn, ribbon, garland and angels; they all find a home somewhere on the tree. some ornaments have seen many Christmas’s each year they are carefully unwrapped for use then re wrapped for the next year .

Some are very fragile, easily broken; so they may not last long. When an ornament is broken it cannot be repaired and has to be discarded. These may have sentimental value and we have a hard time discarding them.

We try in some cases to glue them back together to no avail, with sad heart we throw them in the trash.  We are the beautiful array of ornaments on the Father’s Christmas tree. We come in different shapes and colors.

He loves us all with an all consuming unconditional love. Some of us have been battered and torn by time, but; he gently wipes away the dust and shines us up again. Some have been chipped by mistreatment, so he finds that lost piece replacing it; making us whole.

Then there are those who have been shattered into pieces; no hope for recovery seems possible. These are the ones he gives the most care, tenderly he gathers the pieces whispering I love you to each one.

A master craftsman; he begins the task of restoration making the necessary changes to bring out the unique beauty in what was once broken. Once again that spot on the tree is filled. All that was scared, bruised, or shattered has been restored.

Nothing lost or discarded, each ornament displayed in all it’s radiance; reflecting the Master’s Loving touch.

My revelation as I sit my the pool of grace.

For most of us Christmas is about giving and receiving gifts, coming together with family to share a meal, talking about times of Christmas’s that have pasted and being with friends old and new.

In some households the celebration starts on the eve of Christmas; the final gifts are wrapped,carols are  sung or heard playing throughout the house, and the final meal preparations are made.

Children can be heard laughing as they prepare for bed hoping to speed up Santa’s arrival. Many of us begin months in advance in search of that one perfect gift for each name on our list. Some expensive, some simple and some made from love.

Not everyone has this experience, for many this is a time of the year filled with stress. They have very little to look forward to during this time; they are hoping for a Christmas miracle. Some are homeless,  some unemployed, and some have no finances to buy gifts or food.

Some are just blessed to have shelter and clothing for their families.  God gave his only begotten son, who then gave his life; to give each of us the opportunity to give the same love he gave to us , to others.

Can you find it in your heart to give someone a Christmas miracle? Purchase a gift for someone you know will not have. Invite someone to your dinner table. Send a card of encouragement. Hug someone with your smile.

Give someone who is homeless warmth with a pair of gloves,a scarf and a cap. Call someone who may be grieving the loss of a loved one. Pray for a world where people suffer from injustice and hate.

Give a stranger a warm and sincere greeting. Forgive, restore and embrace anyone who may have mistreated you. Be kind to someone who is not kind to you. Give of yourself in service to someone else.

Then tell everyone about a wonderful redeemer who wants to be the lover of their souls. These  are 12 priceless gifts that can create love, joy and peace in a hopeless circumstance and shine light into a dark world.

My revelation as I sit by the pool of grace.

 

His little eyes were all that could be seen peering from beneath the blanket as he lay quietly in the cardboard box. Little eyes looking into the unknown. As i lifted him from the box the blanket fell away revealing big curly brown locks, an inquisitive smile and tiny hands.

I remember thinking,”who’s child is this left on my doorstep?” What sacrifice it was to leave him not knowing what would be his journey, but; that thought was interrupted when I saw the note hidden in his blanket. It read, I have tried to be a good mother; I have no family, no job, and no where to call home.

It was not his choice to be here, I feel the best thing I can do for him is to give him to someone who could love him better than I can. I’ve seen how you shower the neighborhood kids with Love, yet; you only have a dog to care for. You play with the children every chance you can and I see how happy it makes you; please love and care for my little boy.

Fighting back the tears I could only imagine the love she had and the loss she was feeling. How hopeless she must have been to make such a drastic choice. He grew like a weed, so did my heart; I never knew how much love was hiding deep inside of me. Selfless, unconditional love; he was the best Christmas gift.

The years have gone so fast, it’s his 5th Christmas with me; as I begin to read the story of Christmas to him the tears begin to fall. For the very first time I understood something that had escaped my understanding. How hopeless and lost this world must have been that God would wrap his only son in a cardboard box of flesh.

Send him to this world knowing his journey would be a lonely one, that he would be misunderstood, rejected and hated by many. Just the thought of losing my little boy was devastating to me. God gave the world the greatest gift and I can only imagine how broken hearted he was to let him go. Yet; he loved this fallen world so much, he did.

This Christmas as you celebrate remember not only the Christ child’s birth but also the Fathers sacrifice.

My revelation as I sit by the pool of grace.