HARD WORK AND WEAKNESS

HARD WORK AND WEAKNESS

A friend of mine wanted to become a deacon in our parish. He attended my classes, one among many, being pulled by the Lord, to learn more about the faith. How excited he was, going through the interview process,waiting for the acceptance letter. The mailbox remained empty, bringing tears to all of us knowing him. We offered our words of comfort, not understanding, upset that this outstanding man in our community was turned away.

This gentleman was discouraged, but he did not stop believing in what God gives, nor did he turn away from his faith. He did not dwell in what was not, feeling there was something else in store for him. We prayed with him, asking our Lord to lead this generous, committed,somewhat quiet man toward the path he should take on his spiritual journey.

Within weeks, my friend began talking a new community project starting in our town, an inter-faith shelter for the homeless. He attended a few of the meetings, quite interested in how the shelter would help many, no matter their background. His eyes had a new look to them, a sparkle of excitement, his voice raising a pitch as he spoke. Those in my class laughed, knowing he was now taking the path he was meant to follow.

We began to see less of him at the once a week class; we knew where he was. I got a phone call weeks later, apologizing for not attending, he had been so busy, going beyond meeting attendance, now doing the labor with others to make the shelter come true. His commitment was now toward the homeless, I told him. I loved having him in my group, but this is where God wanted him. Instead of being a deacon for one group of people, he was being there for a large community. He was too valuable to only be in one place! “Tom's Place” is even what some of those needing help started to call the shelter where he worked, giving his own time and energy, night and day. Hearing this, he grins, but says there are many making this mission a success.

If it were not for the hard work of Tom and those like him, the homeless would be outside in the freezing temperatures. There would be no food to eat , a place to sleep, a place to feel safe. There would be no place to call 'home.' What a blessing it is, for all of those choosing to give rather than to receive.

~Marie T. Morrison~


In everything I have shown you that, by working hard, we must help the weak. In this way we remember the Lord Jesus' words: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" Acts 20:25 (Common English Bible)
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MANY THANKS FOR THE CHALLENGES

MANY THANKS FOR THE CHALLENGES
During our challenges, we give thanks to God our Father. It is through them we become closest to Him. We grow in our wisdom as we plunge ourselves into each obstacle, praying to God to guide us, to help us as we overcome the battles we have been given. As success comes, we have a special song in our hearts, filled with words of love, thanksgiving, goodness and compassion for our Lord.

We will never reach a dead end, no matter the conflict in front of us. God will be there listening to our prayers, giving us the strength and courage to prevail. A new song of thanksgiving begins, our Lord with us, as we travel every leg of our journey.
~Marie T. Morrison~

HOW TO REPLENISH

Do not get spiritually drained by constantly tending to others. Give time to yourself, replenishing your spirit and feeling God's care.
~Marie T. Morrison~

TIME SPENT

When it is time for me to pass away, it is not every penny I want to have spent, but every minute of my life, spent in action, in every possible way!
~Marie T. Morrison~

HOW FAR?

Imagining life without God is picturing life without wheels. We cannot go far.
~Marie T. Morrison~

BLESSING GOD

BLESSING GOD
"Bless the God who lives forever, and bless his kingdom." Tobit 12:13 (Common English Bible)

Friends were quite surprised to hear that I bless God. They said He did not need a blessing, that all went well for him; we were the ones needing the blessings. I laughed, asking them to imagine even five minutes in God's day. People never stopped asking him for favors and if anything went wrong, they got angry, blaming him. He may receive gratitude in prayer, but more often than not, he is taken for granted. Yet, he continues to take care of everyone, blessing all and loving his children unconditionally. He, too, needs a blessing! What a perfect Bible passage, showing how great it is to bless God and his Kingdom!
~Marie T. Morrison~

THAT TWELFTH DAY

I always love the 12th Day of Christmas, the day the Magi gave their gifts to our Christ child. Matthew 2:10, tells us of their great joy, after following the star in the east and seeing it placed over the manger, “They entered the house and saw the child with Mary his mother. Falling to their knees, they honored him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.” What precious gifts!

There was the valuable gold, cited back in Genesis 13:2, “Abram was very wealthy in livestock, silver and gold.” Moses was instructed by the Lord to tell the Israelites to collect gold for him In Exodus 25:3, “These are the gift offerings that you should receive from them, gold, silver and copper.” As the Bible books progress, gold is there for the rulers, objects and for gift offerings in the temple, mentioned in 1 Chronicles 29:3-4, “I have dedicated my own private treasure of gold and silver to my God’s temple, in addition to all that I’ve provided for the holy temple: three thousand kikkars of gold from the gold of Ohir,” as well as the gold altar itself, “He took the gold altar..” (1 Macc 21:2). Such symbolism, to have gold brought to newborn King!

Frankincense, a sweet spice, considered a gum resin (tree sap) and having a captivating fragrance, was mentioned as far back as Exodus 30:34-36, when the Lord told Moses to mix it among other spices, making an incense formula, ‘perfectly holy,’ only to the Lord. In Leviticus 2:16, we read how the priest will completely burn the token portion-some of the crushed grain and oil along with all of the frankincense-as a food gift for the LORD,” reading it is a food gift again in Leviticus 24:7, “Put pure frankincense on each stack, as a token portion for the bread; it is a food portion for the LORD.” Because of it also being burned and having its pleasant aroma, the smoke rose to the heavens while in prayer. Envision the sight and aroma!

Myrrh, also considered a resin and costly spice ,though bitter in taste, was applied as a perfume, mentioned in Song of Songs 3:6, “She is perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, selected from all the spice merchants powders.” Myrrh also had the symbolism of mortality, an attempt to give to Jesus, “They tried to give him wine mixed with myrrh, but he didn’t take it,” (Mark 15:23), as it would help numb his pain. It was later used for the embalming of Christ, a commonly used for funeral purposes during this time. “Nicodemus, the one who at first had come to Jesus at night, was there too. He brought a mixture of myrrh and aloe, nearly seventy pounds in all,” (John 19:30)

Wealth, sweetness, a portion of food, and a symbol of mortality, God’s Spirit becoming flesh. God knew His people were ready to receive and welcome His Son into His world!

~Marie T. Morrison~

GOD’S WILL

GOD’S WILL

"But as for us, we will walk in the name of the LORD our God forever and always." Micah 3:5

We live according to God's will, having the freedom of choice. Doing an act in His name, whether it is a thought, word or deed, will keep us walking the straight path, never leading us astray.

~Marie T. Morrison~

IT IS A BLESSING TO SUFFER

A BLESSING TO SUFFER

When it comes to physical pain, I have been blessed to suffer more than others. Though some may look at me oddly when I say this, I truly do feel I carry an honor. Not everyone gets to be so close to Christ, being reminded of him and what he did for us because of my own pain. It is the passage, “You were called to this kind of endurance because Christ suffered on your behalf. He left you as an example so that you might follow in his footsteps,” (1 Peter 2:21) (CEB), that leaves me in many conversations with our Lord. He is my companion, always there, putting everything in perspective for me. What I go through is nothing compared to his suffering, nor am I mocked and tortured as he was. Though people tell me I am their inspiration to carry on, I tell them it is Christ who is mine.

Granted, I do not always stay so cheerful about it, wishing some days I could walk the dogs, one of the things I miss the most. However, staying in the wishing mode will not get me anywhere, not making me stronger. All I have to do is remember what Deuteronomy 8:18 says, “Remember the Lord your God! He’s the one who gives you strength!” (CEB) I am ready to move on, a bit stronger in my mind, body and soul than the moment before. I have another conversation with God, saying, “Okay, God! Let’s do it together!,” and off the two of us go.

I know I am never alone. Only once, did I have that down moment when talking to him, asking him to show me the way to keep moving. I wanted to, but I needed urging. Oh, how my pain was trying to take control of me! It was the passage from Daniel 10:18, that God showed to me, “"Don't be afraid. You are greatly treasured. All will be well with you. Be strong!" I shared a grin with him and immediately moved forward. Never have I let my pain take over my life; I am in charge!

I did just what Jeremiah 29:13,14, said to do, " When you search for me, yes, search for me with all your heart, you will find me. I will be present for you.” (CEB) It took me only a minute to search for him. He was right there, waiting for me. By the excitement in his voice, I knew he was hoping I would ask for his help.

What a full life I have! As Amos 5:6, states, “Seek the Lord and live.” (CEB) How truly blessed everyday can be!

~Marie T. Morrison~


http:CommonEnglishBible.com

MY BLESSING TO YOU

May countless blessings come upon you in the New Year, as you take steps forward using your growing wisdom and knowledge. Let faith keep you standing, pulling you back up when those strenuous times knock you down. As you feel a breeze, it is an extra sprinkling of God’s joy, compassion, mercy, peace and grace, because of His love for you. Wherever you are, there will be our Lord, always within you, His Spirit always giving you hope.
~Marie T. Morrison~

ANGEL COMFORT

"The angel who came and talked to me held me, comforted me, and set me on my feet." 2Esdras 5:15

Some days, we feel we want more than God to be with us. We want company. We forget our guardian angel is always there, a special angel, individually assigned to us. Our angel is there right by our side, never sleeping, even as we nod off into our world of dreams. As we begin each day, we can say good morning to both God and our angel. If we want to make sure God hears our extra needs, tell it to our angel; it will be ‘hand delivered.’ Listening, as we do to God, we can hear our angel talk to us, giving us beautiful words of comfort, kindness, compassion, mercy and love. It will help us take all the next steps to continue on our journey, the one God has planned for each of us, according to His will.
~Marie T. Morrison~

WHO IS IT?

WHO IS IT?
Who has gone up to heaven and come down?
Who has gather the wind by the handful?
Who has bound up the waters in a garment?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is this person's name
and the name of this person's child-
if you know it?
Proverbs 30:4
(CEB)

We all know the name! It is God, and His son, Emmanuel!
~Marie T. Morrison~

verse from CommonEnglishBible