My friend Gaby cut so many immense hydrangeas from her garden for me. I was telling her that hydrangeas suggest extravagant generosity -- like their grower Gaby!
She's also radiating one amazing aspect of God -- a Father who greatly rejoices over His children, presents us with a fuller than full life... and even over-parties!!
Really? Always original, PD recently described God as over-partying over lost sheep.
Luke 15: 3-6: Then Jesus told them a story. He said, "Suppose one of you has 100 sheep and loses one of them. Won't he leave the 99 in the open country? Won't he go and look for the one lost sheep until he finds it?When he finds it, he will joyfully put it on his shoulders and go home. Then he will call his friends and neighbors together. He will say, 'Be joyful with me. I have found my lost sheep.'
Now, doesn't that sound excessive, even a little embarassing? But it's true, all Heaven rejoices! Maybe our minds just haven't adjusted to a huge liberating truth like that.
Reminds me of what Joyce Meyer said. When we go to Heaven, we'll find piles and piles of beautiful unopened gifts. They were God's gifts to us on earth, she said, but we never even opened them!
Showing posts with label Heaven. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Heaven. Show all posts
Monday, July 09, 2007
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Lebanese Baptism
My Lebanese colleague Nada asked me to be her godmother at her baptism! I'd prayed for her since we met in 2004 so it's such a joy to see bright-spirited Nada begin a divine journey... even if she doesn't fully realize it's a new road.
She was baptized today at the light-filled Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Church in Washington. The baptismal bowl was egg-shaped and it was set in an "eggshell" baptistery -- symbols of new life.
The priest decided I couldn't be a godmother after all as I'm not Catholic, but I could be a witness along with Nada's fiance and a Sicilian friend (a doctor who helped tend to the pope when he was shot). The priest was kind and thoughtful in demystifying and personalizing some of the ancient rituals, which must be so different for Nada, who grew up as a Druze.
Washington is an international city. It's a big highlight of my life here to be friends with people from all nations, and sometimes to worship with them... Including many Chinese, Thais, Koreans, Japanese, Vietnamese and other Asians, Ghanans and other Africans, Latinos, Europeans especially from the former Eastern bloc, Americans...
It's a glimpse of what Heaven will be like. And certainly it's Heaven on earth just because eternity begins on this side!
Revelation 7:9: After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb...
She was baptized today at the light-filled Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Church in Washington. The baptismal bowl was egg-shaped and it was set in an "eggshell" baptistery -- symbols of new life.
The priest decided I couldn't be a godmother after all as I'm not Catholic, but I could be a witness along with Nada's fiance and a Sicilian friend (a doctor who helped tend to the pope when he was shot). The priest was kind and thoughtful in demystifying and personalizing some of the ancient rituals, which must be so different for Nada, who grew up as a Druze.
Washington is an international city. It's a big highlight of my life here to be friends with people from all nations, and sometimes to worship with them... Including many Chinese, Thais, Koreans, Japanese, Vietnamese and other Asians, Ghanans and other Africans, Latinos, Europeans especially from the former Eastern bloc, Americans...
It's a glimpse of what Heaven will be like. And certainly it's Heaven on earth just because eternity begins on this side!
Revelation 7:9: After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb...
Friday, April 27, 2007
We're Transients
My prayer circle was commenting that several of us are now seeking direction. So is our little church as a whole.
The key is to be ready and available before God, Patrick said, even when we can't answer a lot of questions rationally.
I know how awkward it is to be in transition. But then our days in this world will never be fully comfortable because Heaven is our home, Beverly added. Get used to living outside comfort zones!
I often think about Hebrews 11:13 which makes it clear that we're "aliens and strangers on earth." Other translations pile on the meanings: foreigners, nomads, exiles, pilgrims, temporary residents and transients.
Transients! There it is. It also suggests how brief our earthly lives are... vapours, fleeting shadows and all. And how momentary our troubles are.
Meanwhile, like King David we can live to the utmost while waiting for God's perfect timing to play out. When David was a very young man, it was prophesized that he'd be Israel's king. It was many years before that happened, and in the meantime he'd alternate between working for Saul in the city and being a shepherd. It was an active, productive time of waiting and preparation, and he lived life fully.
Fidelis had lots to say. He's a young man from Ghana, and really discerning and on fire in his unassuming style. Relax and don't rush into the future, he said. There were times when he got a headache trying to get friends to help him reach the goal God set before him. God doesn't need our help! When He opens the door, things happen very quickly, he said. And it'll be better than we ever imagine "even if our lives are ruined!!"
As an example, he said that with his rational mind, he'd chosen to migrate to the United Kingdom cos that's where his sibling resided. But then the door to America was flung open. When he boarded the plane in Ghana, he was ushered into First Class though he was abashed and there were people far better-dressed than him.
Things like this keep happening to him. It's like he passes close to God's white-hot presence. I should blog a couple of his testimonies.
The key is to be ready and available before God, Patrick said, even when we can't answer a lot of questions rationally.
I know how awkward it is to be in transition. But then our days in this world will never be fully comfortable because Heaven is our home, Beverly added. Get used to living outside comfort zones!
I often think about Hebrews 11:13 which makes it clear that we're "aliens and strangers on earth." Other translations pile on the meanings: foreigners, nomads, exiles, pilgrims, temporary residents and transients.
Transients! There it is. It also suggests how brief our earthly lives are... vapours, fleeting shadows and all. And how momentary our troubles are.
Meanwhile, like King David we can live to the utmost while waiting for God's perfect timing to play out. When David was a very young man, it was prophesized that he'd be Israel's king. It was many years before that happened, and in the meantime he'd alternate between working for Saul in the city and being a shepherd. It was an active, productive time of waiting and preparation, and he lived life fully.
Fidelis had lots to say. He's a young man from Ghana, and really discerning and on fire in his unassuming style. Relax and don't rush into the future, he said. There were times when he got a headache trying to get friends to help him reach the goal God set before him. God doesn't need our help! When He opens the door, things happen very quickly, he said. And it'll be better than we ever imagine "even if our lives are ruined!!"
As an example, he said that with his rational mind, he'd chosen to migrate to the United Kingdom cos that's where his sibling resided. But then the door to America was flung open. When he boarded the plane in Ghana, he was ushered into First Class though he was abashed and there were people far better-dressed than him.
Things like this keep happening to him. It's like he passes close to God's white-hot presence. I should blog a couple of his testimonies.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)