Jesus is the Light of the World

Look at the picture above. How many things are in the picture? Your answer is probably like mine: 'one'...a candle. Now, look closer. There are actually three elements to the picture: the candle, the flame and the air that allows the flame to burn. I see the picture as an analogy for the Godhead. God the Father,  Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. The analogy does break down (analogies do that) at a certain point, but there's a visual for you to contemplate. Jesus is the Light of the World!

Family Photos

Today, before church, we tried to get a family photo. For those of you who don't know, my boys are autistic and it is obvious from the attempt above that it is nearly impossible to get a photo with everyone looking at the camera (my daughter, behind me, was doing her best to ignore the circus around her!). What we need is a miracle worker...!

But I love this picture anyway. It shows us for what we are: imperfect, dynamic and full of life! I admit, I do long for the perfect family photo (all happily enjoying the surf, perhaps, or enjoying some other scenic place). I see them all over.  You may have one of your family.

We are who we are... and we are happy and we love one another. What more can we ask for? What the picture doesn't show is the incredible spiritual sensitivity of the guys, or the amazing sharp wit of my daughter. They don't show the fact that I would fight a charging elephant to defend my kids.

What do your pictures say about your family? What is the hidden story behind the pictures?

It has been a long time since I posted here, but know that we are doing really well (other than financially and physically) and have a wonderful peace and joy in our home in the midst. Today, I got another great devotional email from TGIF (Os Hilman) and I want to share it with you. I think the words are wise ones:

Discerning the Work of God
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1, by Os Hillman
03-18-2013

"Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, because of what they have done; remember also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who have been trying to intimidate me." - Nehemiah 6:14 

Nehemiah set out to rebuild the wall at Jerusalem that had been destroyed. Nehemiah held a position in the Persian Empire that would be comparable to Chief of Staff in our government. Nehemiah wept over the destruction of the city wall and repented for the sins of his generation and the generations before him that had led to the fall of Jerusalem. Nehemiah responded to the news by seeking approval from his superior to take time off to rebuild the wall. Tobiah and Sanballat met Nehemiah's action with resistance, as did Noadiah the prophetess and other prophets. These were the religious and political leaders of his day. They became distractions to his work and opposed him. 

Whenever God does a new work, it is often met with resistance by those in the established religious community, and sometimes among those from whom we would expect support. Jesus met the same resistance when He began His public ministry. This same phenomenon happens today. When God begins a new work that cannot be easily explained based upon prior experiences, many make the mistake of assuming it not to be of God. The very people who should embrace and encourage the work become the source of skepticism and opposition. God tells us that His ways are not our ways. He does things in ways beyond our limited understanding. 

Before you are tempted to criticize or oppose something that looks different from your past experience, ask God for wisdom and discernment. Examine why you might be tempted to oppose it. The Lord cannot be put in a box. He delights in doing things in ways that may not fit our former paradigms. 

God bless!