Tim Keller

Very interesting sermon I listened to today. Tim Keller, Redeemer Church in NYC. Preached a sermon entitled on the prayer of Paul from Ephesians 3. Super lesson for me. We should expect to feel the joy and presence of Jesus from time to time. Some churches just teach the emotionality of spirituality, and some just teach the intellectuality. He suggests that we need and can have both.

Three steps to having the Joy of Jesus in our lives:

1) prayerfully seek it

Starts with recognizing that we have to ask for it - it's a gift. We can't go get it or find it or learn it or earn it. First be passive.

2) Aggressively wrestle for it

Meditate, contemplate, pray scripture. Second be aggressive.

3) Communally(a) and christocentrically(b) pursue it.

(a) pursue it with the Saints - not alone

(b) keep Jesus as the focal point of study and pursuit. Not God, not Holy Spirit, but Jesus.

Sweetest of all is the quote "If you are wanting relationship with Jesus, the wanting is a gift. Jesus is near to you in that wanting."

Nat's Parents

So much sadness this morning - Nat lost his Dad on Monday and now his Mom last night. What devastation and what joy! To know that they are together, and walking - LITERALLY walking - hand in hand with Jesus is just unimaginable. And to face a future without them.....but eternity with them. Mercy, sweet Jesus.

Trying to think outside the box I've been learning to think INSIDE of - to make sure nothing is lost or forgotten......

Today I purpose in my heart to be loving to all I meet. Big job.

Let Us Fix Our Eyes on Jesus

I'm so struck by the passage in Hebrews 12 - again - still - and find myself wanting to "stay" in it. "...run with perseverance the race set before you" has always been my watchword. Now I have been given another...

In the BRR class about 10 days ago, we learned six different ways to "partake of " scripture. I was assigned Hebrews 12: 1-2 to read three times. First, one word at a time. Very deliberately, very slowly. Then a bit more quickly, then the last time, at a normal speed. The first time I read it, I was reminded of how much I love this scripture and how familiar the first verse is. "..run with perseverance"....that's me! I'm a good little soldier for God! I'm out there doing and working and fighting the good fight! (noble aren't I?)

The second time, I was completely blown OFF my chair. Look what the very next phrase says!!!! "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus"! OMG!

I can't tell you how powerful that was..."forget the works, forget the effort, forget the struggle. Just keep your eyes on Me". That's what I felt in the center of my spirit......180 degree turn for me. "do these things, but fix your eyes on Me." I can't even express how intensely I felt those words.

I think I have to go read it again.