Jan 27
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mary-from-the-prairie added a text contribution Beggars in Beautiful Placesp. 123 of John, The Beloved Disciple -------- "We are no longer under the law and authority of our pasts, but like Peter and John we are also free to use them as they lend expression to our faith in Jesus. ------------ As much as you might not want to hear this, you couldn't become the servant God is calling you to be without the threads of your past being knitted into the Technicolor fabric of your future." ------------------- This is soo much like the Timeline exercise in Focus… Read more »
Jan 25
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mary-from-the-prairie added a text contribution Spiritual ConnectionsJohn, The Beloved Disciple -- pg 118 -- The Holy Spirit never comes just to show off. He comes to show off and bring results. "Every day the Lord added to them those who were being saved." How often do we lolligag through life watching the Holy Spirit show off in the gifts he gives us, yet we do not use those gifts for God's glory; not use them so that others can see the truth of who Jesus is, and how much he wants to have a relationship with all of us. I have my own storie… Read more »
Jan 24
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mary-from-the-prairie added a text contribution Going and ComingQ: If you had seen Him taken into heaven - as John did - would a day ever pass that you didn't glance up and wonder when He was returning? How real is that expectation to you? A: The expectation of Jesus' return is as real as my expectation that I will someday meet him face to face. Q: What should our attitude be toward the sure return of Christ? How does the operation of daily life coincide with the reality that He could appear before the day is out? A: Oh, how easy it is for us t… Read more »
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mary-from-the-prairie added a text contribution Love Goes AroundI read John 21:15 ("Peter, do you love me more than these?"), and asked myself if I love Jesus more than these. Honestly, it's the "more than these" part of the question that I had trouble giving the "yes" answer to. I was comparing my very imperfect human love to God's infinitely perfect love. My worst, to God's best. Of course I fall short. Who wouldn't? The question being asked of Peter is not "Peter, do you love me perfectly?" ...… Read more »
Jan 23
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mary-from-the-prairie added a text contribution Diving in the Deep EndHere we see Peter doing what Peter seems to do best - Be noticed. I'm not saying that in a negative way ... just an observation. He felt led to "cut loose" with Jesus, and did! He's seen cutting loose quite often -- from the time Jesus called him, up to this point, and beyond. When was the last time that I "cut loose" for Jesus? that I did what most people wouldn't dare do? I think when I took it upon myself to find a retreat opportunity, to go alone to a pl… Read more »
Jan 22
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mary-from-the-prairie added a text contribution Do-BeesQ- What do you typically do when time is hanging heavy, spiritually speaking - when you are in that antsy, uncomfortable gap between asking for guidance and receiving direction? A---- Me, I put it aside. It seems that God has this 3-day thing when I pour out my heart to him and ask for guidance. The solution is not always clearly spelled out, but I can sense some sort of an answer. Or, if I've forgotten all about the issue, the issue was probably not that huge in the first place. Q --- The… Read more »
Jan 21
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mary-from-the-prairie added a text contribution Improving GroundsWhat stands out for me in this passage is that the two men who claimed Jesus' body after the crucifixion were two men who were not public in their following of him (at least not at first). Joseph of Arimathea was a "secret follower" ... Nicodemus first approached Jesus in the dark of night. Both of them did make a public declaration of sorts that they were followers of Christ when they buried his body. They only THOUGHT that his ministry was over..... Gets me to wondering ... how… Read more »
Jan 20
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mary-from-the-prairie added a text contribution I've been thereQ: What can you testify about Jesus, just from being near Him the last few days and weeks? A: Jesus wants to be part of our inner circle. He wants us to go to him not only in the bad times, but in the good times as well. He wants to comfort us in our times of grief. In the case of John and Mary, he could not be there in person, so he gave them each other. It was a comfort to Jesus that his mother and the disciple whom he loved could lean on each other for comfort. Q: What do you do when you c… Read more »
Jan 19
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mary-from-the-prairie added a text contribution Mother and SonIt seems that so far the theme of the week for me is "comfort" ... It must have been comforting for Jesus to see Mary and John in the crowd as he was dying. Since John and Jesus were so close John would have already been like a son to Mary. It seemed only natural for Jesus to give them that kind of relationship as he was dying. The two would be deeply grieving for Jesus. They would not have to grieve alone. (They wouldn't have to grieve for long either). This is another exampl… Read more »
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mary-from-the-prairie added a text contribution Strength PersonifiedJesus was out of options. And he knew it. In a last-ditch effort to get his Father to give him a way out, Jesus went to the garden to pray. Like most of us when we are in dire straits, we don't want to go alone. In this case, Jesus knew that his betrayer would soon find him. He brought his three most trusted disciples - Peter, James and John - to keep watch for the betrayer. They were tired - they had just eaten a huge meal. The three didn't know how bad things would get - the floggin… Read more »
Jan 18
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mary-from-the-prairie added a text contribution The Judas in UsDo you remember a few years ago there was a TV reality game show called "The Mole"? In this show, twelve players as it tries to work out who among it is The Mole -- a saboteur trying to keep the other players from winning money. Contestants have to decide who they think The Mole is through various observations and suspicions made during the show, and then learn as much about him or her as they can. At the end of each one-hour episode a quiz is undertaken by the contestants, and the pla… Read more »
Jan 16
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mary-from-the-prairie added a text contribution Lean InQ: What kind of person is likely to be "close" to Jesus? A: This is synchronicity. I was just thinking the same question very recently, and here it is - the opening question of today's devotional. What did it take to be one of Jesus' "inner circle"? What was it about Peter and John that set them apart from the rest of the disciples? Did they sit at the Master's feet, drinking in everything he taught, said, laughed at, cried at, the mannerisms, everything that… Read more »
Jan 15
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mary-from-the-prairie added a text contribution Secret MissionsQ: How deeply do you believe that each day is another opportunity to be on mission with God, that He has tasks in mind for you today that are specifically ordained for you life? A: And how easily we forget! Father, forgive us for failing to look to you for our divine assignments that you are faithful to give us every day. The assignments may not be glamorous or dangerous, yet they are all important, none the less. Give us the grace to make the most of the tasks and appointments you give us. Q… Read more »
Jan 14
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mary-from-the-prairie added a text contribution Growing UppityI used to have a job where I would occasionally have to evaluate drivers to see if they are ready to be officially licensed to drive solo. In reading this passage, I think of how kids will call "shotgun" when they go someplace. Riding shotgun is not just to be able to see, but to be in a place of honor at the right hand of the one in control of where the car is going. In the case of an adult riding shotgun with an inexperienced driver, it is also a position of responsibility to interv… Read more »
User Info
Name: Mary Helen
User Since: December 2008
Location: Long Beach, CA
Website: www.heyyoulady.blogspo…
Contributions: 28
Tags: 44