"all our righteous acts are like filthy rags" Isaiah 64:6b
We were wrapping furiously! People were lining up to have those last minute gifts wrapped for free. Our church was doing Servant Evangelism, wrapping gifts for free outside of K-Mart. We had the requisite offers to give money, and always the incredulity as we declined and thanked them. My favorite reason as to why its free? "God gave us Jesus, all wrapped up for free- this is just a small token of that love shown in a practical way."
So as one lady began to offer money and get into asking why we would do such a thing for free, she said, "So you're doing this out of the gooDness of your heart..." to which the Spirit within me cried out, "Nooooooooooo..." Immediately I heard this verse in my head, "My righteousness is like filthy rags."
The truth is, I have no goodness in my heart; I only have the Love of God which He bestows upon me with which I turn and love others. It literally is a response to the overflowing Love of God that is only available in me as long as I stay under the spigot.
Father, forgive me for ever thinking that I do anything for You without You enabling me to do so. Keep me under Your waterfall of Love so that I may spread it to others.
Thank You, Jesus.
In the Potter's Hand,
JonWesley
Friday, December 24, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
White House Christmas (sorry-Holiday) Woes
I received this email from someone very close to me. Typically I hate these, but this one got me thinking. By the way, this email claims to be fact. And while I have not checked the veracity of its claims, at the end you will understand why that is moot anyway.
A very talented artist for several years has painted ornaments to be hung on the various White House Christmas trees. The WH sends out an invitation to send an ornament and informs the artists of the theme for the year.
She got her letter from the WH recently. It said that they would not be called Christmas trees this year. They will be called Holiday trees.. And, to please not send any ornaments painted with a religious theme. She was very upset at this development and sent back a reply telling them that she painted the ornaments for Christmas trees and would not be sending any for display that left Christ out of Christmas.
Just thought you should know what the new residents in the WH plan for the future of America . If you missed his statement that "we do not consider ourselves a Christian Nation" this should confirm that he plans to take us away from our religious foundation as quickly as possible.
Just another step toward turning America away from Christianity!
We should shout to the highest hills that the White House is ours - not the Obama's, and 85% of Americans believe in Christ(Christmas)..
You have two choices, delete or pass it on.*
Before you go off of EITHER deep end, here is what jumped out at me: where does Jesus say that elected officials will change the world for Christ? Where in the Bible does God say that only those in power can affect change for His kingdom's sake? Why do we feel that we have to make people believe the exact same thing we do in order for God to be glorified? And why do we so quickly call out those we disagree with as heretics and hypocrites? Maybe this is why the mainstream church is declining- hmm.
IF this is true- IF there will be "holiday trees" in the White House this year- I say its just one more thing to add to the growing prayer list for our President, and our lives should reflect the Love of God. The wrath of God is reserved for God alone to use. And anyway, we so-called Christians SHOULD be praying for our President regularly, right?
And by the way, if a Christian artist is asked to paint ornaments for the WHITE HOUSE. and the only stipulation is no religious pictures and they refuse, aren't they only closing their own borders of influence? Anyway, I think painting some beautiful, non-religious Christmas ornaments in the Love of Jesus is FAR more effective than not painting at all- just sayin'.
Merry Christmas.
JW
A very talented artist for several years has painted ornaments to be hung on the various White House Christmas trees. The WH sends out an invitation to send an ornament and informs the artists of the theme for the year.
She got her letter from the WH recently. It said that they would not be called Christmas trees this year. They will be called Holiday trees.. And, to please not send any ornaments painted with a religious theme. She was very upset at this development and sent back a reply telling them that she painted the ornaments for Christmas trees and would not be sending any for display that left Christ out of Christmas.
Just thought you should know what the new residents in the WH plan for the future of America . If you missed his statement that "we do not consider ourselves a Christian Nation" this should confirm that he plans to take us away from our religious foundation as quickly as possible.
Just another step toward turning America away from Christianity!
We should shout to the highest hills that the White House is ours - not the Obama's, and 85% of Americans believe in Christ(Christmas)..
You have two choices, delete or pass it on.*
Before you go off of EITHER deep end, here is what jumped out at me: where does Jesus say that elected officials will change the world for Christ? Where in the Bible does God say that only those in power can affect change for His kingdom's sake? Why do we feel that we have to make people believe the exact same thing we do in order for God to be glorified? And why do we so quickly call out those we disagree with as heretics and hypocrites? Maybe this is why the mainstream church is declining- hmm.
IF this is true- IF there will be "holiday trees" in the White House this year- I say its just one more thing to add to the growing prayer list for our President, and our lives should reflect the Love of God. The wrath of God is reserved for God alone to use. And anyway, we so-called Christians SHOULD be praying for our President regularly, right?
And by the way, if a Christian artist is asked to paint ornaments for the WHITE HOUSE. and the only stipulation is no religious pictures and they refuse, aren't they only closing their own borders of influence? Anyway, I think painting some beautiful, non-religious Christmas ornaments in the Love of Jesus is FAR more effective than not painting at all- just sayin'.
Merry Christmas.
JW
Friday, December 17, 2010
Wrong Way
"If you're not butting heads with the devil daily, you're probably just walking in the wrong direction." -Debbie Cannada, NAMB Missionary to West Virginia and Friend
Its the night before our church's Christmas program and you wouldn't believe the stuff that is happening! Half of the choir has been battling sickness, the other half has been working overtime, and no one has any money. Our weather has been colder than usual, but it warms up during the day so everyone is fighting illness. And if my video doesn't mix down tomorrow morning, it ain't happenin'!
I want to scream. I want to run away. I want to find someone to blame and relieve myself of all responsibility. And more than anything, I want to know why. And then I remember my friend and what she would tell me: If you're not butting heads with the devil daily, you're probably just walking in the wrong direction.
I like how the CEV puts 1 Peter 4:12-14, "Dear friends, don't be surprised or shocked that you are going through testing that is like walking through fire. Be glad for the chance to suffer as Christ suffered. It will prepare you for even greater happiness when he makes his glorious return. Count it a blessing when you suffer for being a Christian. This shows that God's glorious Spirit is with you."
When we walk as Jesus walked, we will be opposed. When we are opposed for the cause of Christ, we know then that the Holy Spirit is with us.
So, WOOHOO! God is with us and NOTHING can prevail against us. Praise God.
In the Potter's Hand,
JonWesley
Its the night before our church's Christmas program and you wouldn't believe the stuff that is happening! Half of the choir has been battling sickness, the other half has been working overtime, and no one has any money. Our weather has been colder than usual, but it warms up during the day so everyone is fighting illness. And if my video doesn't mix down tomorrow morning, it ain't happenin'!
I want to scream. I want to run away. I want to find someone to blame and relieve myself of all responsibility. And more than anything, I want to know why. And then I remember my friend and what she would tell me: If you're not butting heads with the devil daily, you're probably just walking in the wrong direction.
I like how the CEV puts 1 Peter 4:12-14, "Dear friends, don't be surprised or shocked that you are going through testing that is like walking through fire. Be glad for the chance to suffer as Christ suffered. It will prepare you for even greater happiness when he makes his glorious return. Count it a blessing when you suffer for being a Christian. This shows that God's glorious Spirit is with you."
When we walk as Jesus walked, we will be opposed. When we are opposed for the cause of Christ, we know then that the Holy Spirit is with us.
So, WOOHOO! God is with us and NOTHING can prevail against us. Praise God.
In the Potter's Hand,
JonWesley
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