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Reflected

August 17, 2015 by juliebcosgrove

IMAG0296Every morning I curl up on my couch with my coffee and my Bible. (Only way to start the day…I make sure the cats are chomping their kibbles so they leave me alone.) Today, the sun’s angle shone onto my son’s photo on the book shelf catty-cornered to my line of vision. I noticed the crystal cross I had sitting on the shelf near it reflected upon him. Ah!

I love my family. I am sure you do as well. But families are very human. That means we can rub against each other’s nerves at times. We have histories together and we know each other’s faults, mistakes and stumbles. That can color our view of them.

On the other end of the scale, our loyalty and love can obscure who they really are. We develop a tendency to overlook actions or tolerate attitudes we wouldn’t in friends or coworkers because they are, well, family. “Oh, that’s just Uncle Joe.” “My sister can be like that, but you don’t know her as l I do.”  “My little nephew can do no wrong. Sweet and smart as a whip.”

How much clearer when we see them through the cross. When we see them reflected through God’s vision, we can not only see them as His child, as sinners like us in need of a Savior. We glimpse the potential God envisions and strives to mold our loved ones be.  We become more tolerant  and more realistic in how they appear in our minds. Hurts dissolve. Jealousies no longer cloud the issues.

We are also no longer blinded by love and can truly lead the family member to come to know our Lord, who also sees us for who we are. By seeing them through Christ, we can love them in a healthy, productive way and help them to seek forgiveness, change their lives and grow in His will for their lives.

We just have to see them reflected through the cross more often and ask the Son to shine through onto our relationship.

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In a Name…Amen

August 10, 2015 by juliebcosgrove

I love word games, you probably realized that by now. While playing Scrabble, I noticed I had several choices when it came to playing my tiles M-E-N-A

Two jumped out at me – NAME and AMEN. Why? Because one puts the “N” at the beginning while the other word has it at the end.

God showed me a lesson.  It is up to us how we choose to arrange the letters. It all depends on where we place our values.

name-clipart-name-sign-md       If we put ourselves first, our name is important.

Shove our needs to the back behind those of others and God’s will for our lives and we have the word Amen.Amen

What is your “N”? Is it notoriety, making a name for yourself, or do you think of yourself as nothing?  Perhaps the “n” is a negative attitude, or the feeling you will never amount to anything.  Maybe it is neverneverland– a pipe dream. It could even be being noble. nice, or natural.  Whatever it is, the emphasis is still on you, not God.

Think what would happen if you flipped that “N” and thought less about it and more about your blessings, your purpose, and your Savior?

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. MaAtthew 6:33

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In What I Already Had

August 5, 2015 by juliebcosgrove

DSCF8872Why is it that we seek after what we do not have?

Human nature tells us the grass is greener across the fence. I had been coveting one pasture for quite sometime. Lush, shady, secure. Prime real estate. If I ended up there, people would respect me, and maybe be a bit envious. The idea lured me. I even put my foot on the lower rung, ready to hoist myself over by my own strength.

I had a chance six months ago to chat with an acquisition editor employed by one of the most renown publishing houses. She dangled the carrot and I chased after it.  I’ve always been a mystery buff and several people had tickled my ear to try writing one. I presented my idea and she told me it seemed to have all the elements and submit it. I couldn’t wait for the conference to be over so I could dash back to my keyboard. I brainstormed three synopses and wrote the first three chapters of the first novel as a tickler to show her my style. She responded by email that she looked forward to reviewing it…

For days on end I’d check my in box. Nothing. A week went by, a month, three months. I emailed her again in case it had hit her spam file. Nothing. I kept writing and when I finished the first draft I sent her another correspondence. Yep, nary a response. My ego deflated like a whistling balloon.  I felt unworthy, questioned my writing ability and almost gave up.

God yanked me off that fence so fast I landed on my rear end. And it hurt.

But God knew what lay on the other side of the fence was not in my best interest.

I learned it meant sticking with the publisher I had. The one who treats me well, appreciates my writing, always responds quickly to every email I send, and is willing to promote me. DUH- why look elsewhere?

Even though mystery was not a genre they’d ever published, I  felt a strong urge to query the editor in chief. I gulped and hit “send.” Within two hours she replied very positively. In another five days, I had a contract in hand FOR ALL THREE novels!

The Hebrews whined they had no meat in the wilderness when they had flocks of animals with them. God provided. Even when they continued to whine. David couldn’t help watching the wife of his troop commander bathe, even though he had a loving wife, and his desires lead him to leap where he didn’t belong. Greener looking grass lures us every time.

If you find yourself focused on climbing the fence to get to that softer, verdant, shadier landscape you may be ignoring the wildflowers right underneath your feet. Sure, goals are important, but so is God’s timing and His purpose. His blessings are all around you. Seek those, thank Him for what He has provided, and trust that He will tell you when it is time to explore a new field of opportunity.

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Two Letters, Two Ways

July 28, 2015 by juliebcosgrove

Hi, my name is Julie and I am a word-aholic.  I play Scrabble with the computer, and have at least fifteen Words with Friends (WWF) games going at once. On my smart phone are four word games to keep me occupied while I am waiting for my friends to send me their word entries. This morning as i sipped my coffee, after my prayer and devotional time of course, I had a few minutes to play a few of the WWF puzzles. Starting a rematch this is what popped up in my tile selection:

IMAG0287

Yes, I didn’t use the blank. (A strategic move on my part, heh, heh.)  But I realized, another word could be spelled with the very same letters simply by flipping the letter “i” and the letter “T”. UNTIES can become UNITES.

IMAG0288

 

 

It brought to mind Jesus’ words to Peter when he told him his name would now be Cephas, the Rock on which He’d build his Church.

…whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Matthew 16:19b

That has been passed on to all Christians in the Great Commission. We have two choices with the times, talents and treasures God had provided us. We can use them to untie ourselves from others, i.e separate us from them. We can strive for the bigger house, better car, more toys, and more expensive vacays. We can also use our God-given talents to shine the light of pride on whatever we do, thus distinguishing us from the crowd. We untie (loose) the ropes that binds us to others so we cab be set apart.

Or, we can use our God-given abilities to unite (bind) ourselves to others. Through loving God, and serving Him as an expression of that love, we act as a binding force to draw others into the fold. Bound together in His goodness and mercy, we are strengthened, supported, and  secured. That’s the servitude attitude Jesus displayed while on earth.

God gives us the letters to play. It up to us to determine how we use the “I” (me) and the “T”(them).

 

Posted in Biblical, Devotional, Life Experiences | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Clearly

July 21, 2015 by juliebcosgrove

glass_of_water_350I saw a picture of a glass of water. Pure, thirst quenching, clear.  Water is something we need to survive. We can’t go very long without it. Our bodies have water running through them. No wonder Jesus said He is the Living Water.

Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” John 4:10

 

God’s blessings overflow, providing us what we need to make it through the day. But, like a glass of water, sometimes we can see right through them, and so we don’t really “see.” Or what we see is distorted by the container- us.

Other times we want to add something to the water to make it taste better. Sugar, lemons, mint, cucumbers, even those small packets of energy boosters of flavorings. We brew coffee through it, or steep tea in it. We add seltzer and make it bubbly.

But your doctor will tell you there is nothing better for you than a plain, pure glass of water. The same is true with God’s blessings. Receive them, drink them down and quench your soul.

Have I made you thirsty? I pray God makes you thirst for more of Him today. Drink in His blessings. Clearly, they will be there if you look.

 

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Through Missionary Eyes

July 16, 2015 by juliebcosgrove

download (1)This week, hundred of missionaries and faith leaders from all over the world descended on Fort Worth, TX to pray over each other, learn from each other, and support each other. I have met amazing men who minister to persecuted Christians in a predominately Muslim environment – unfortunately, I can’t say who they are over cyber space  or show their pictures because they and their families live under the threat of execution.

I can tell you what I gleaned from their talks:

1. People are being converted to Christianity at alarming rates – the persecutions have drawn others to the faith. God does bring good out of evil. (Romans 12:21 –Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. )  Rejoice in this.

2. The best thing we can do is PRAY – pray for holy leaders to spring forth to guide the newly converted. Jesus is coming to thousands in  dreams, but they don’t understand who the “man in glowing white” is. (Romans 10:20 –And Isaiah boldly says, “I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.”

3. Befriend Muslims here in our countries because they are curious about our faiths and freedoms, but fear us because of the prejudice we have due to the terrorist sects. They are humans looking for peace and salvation and because secularism is foreign to their mindset, are easier to convert. Many do not realize Jesus is proclaimed as the Son of God in the Koran because they have never been allowed to study it!  (Colossians 1:25  I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness—)

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I found God moving in places in the world where hatred, persecution and strife are part of a daily existence. But out of that cesspool springs of hope are gurgling up, and the stream of Living Water cannot be dammed.  Their testimonies brought tears to my eyes and a new fervor in my heart.

Please join me in doing these three simple things.

 

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How Many Times

July 9, 2015 by juliebcosgrove

The minister of the church where I work read a statistic a while back. If you want people to “get the message” you have to present it to them in at least three to four ways. We inform the congregation of upcoming events by email, Facebook, pew bulletins and verbal announcements. By doing so, we reach out to most of the people. However, inevitably someone will complain that they “never heard about it.”

I began to wonder. How many ways is God trying to tap me on the shoulder and I am just not getting the message. We humans can be pretty dense headed, right? God sent prophets hundred of years before Jesus was born of Mary to proclaim his coming. Then He sent angels to shepherds and a star in the sky. He spurred three wise travelers to make the trek from their foreign lands.

While Jesus walked on earth, he tried numerous ways to tell his disciples who He was, the purpose of His coming and why He had to die. They just didn’t get thequestion message. Are we any different?

We have the Bible, nature, and the Holy Spirit to relay the message. Perhaps even an angel or two. And yet…

Lord, no wonder we miss so much of what You are trying to tell us. Don’t give up. Keep trying. Help me to find You in my day, every day. Teach me Your ways and renew a right spirit within me. Amen.

 

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Symbol of battle

July 3, 2015 by juliebcosgrove

My son, James, and I belong to Toastmasters. Each meeting offers a chance to think on our feet as one member asks impromptu questions and calls on others to answer. We call it Table Topics. Last night, he told us flags are battle signs. They mark where the soldiers are and designate the battle line, i.e. the land they have conquered up to that point. That is why there is so much emotional response to a flag, even during times of peace. He asked what symbol would we be willing to die for.

Of course the Cross, and the Stars and Stripes immediately zipped through my brain. I heard the hymn, “Onward Christian Soldiers marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before.” I also heard the hymn, “God bless America… stand beside her and guide her through the night with the light from above.”

God Bless America

I believe the United States is in a dark time. So are other countries in the world. Battle lines have been drawn, and we are at war…with those who would desire to take away our freedom to worship and with those who call us, the ones who pray to a redemptive God of forgiveness and love, hypocritical haters because we will not bend to the winds of current social trends. Over two millenia ago, Paul encouraged us to put on the full armor of God. We need to dress appropriately before we can fight against the principalities which threaten to undo our faith.

The cross goes before us. It symbolizes one who was willing to die in order to save us.

Will you pray to Him  and ask Him to save your country before it dies? Then, pray for those who are being persecuted, and even executed just like the Savior, for their steadfast faith as they battle prejudice and evil in this earthly life. Because there but for the grace of God go you and I.

Today, God is asking each of us an impromptu question. What will be your answer?

Onward, Christian soldier.

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Illuminated

June 25, 2015 by juliebcosgrove

I saw an advertisement for glow-in-the-dark paint which you can apply to a stone path. AHA! Reminds me of the Word of God.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105

The ad says the chemicals absorb the stepping stonessunlight, so when it becomes dark, they release a glow. That way,  people can see the way to travel and not stumble. This miracle paint is for sale at most of the national hardware chain stores.

While my life is sunny and things are going great, I should be storing up passages from God’s Word and memorizing them. Let them ooze into my heart and soul just as the glow-in-the-dark paint seeps into the porous stone.

The Word of God should illuminate my faith so when the dark times come, and they will, I will have them stored up inside of me. One by one, the faith-stones will light my way along the path, even though I cannot see where it  leads. Then, instead of crouching and crying out in fear, afraid I may stumble, I can walk upright, assured that God’s light will guide me through.

Are you storing up His Light in you?  You can get it at any local book store, or as a free app on your smart phone. It is called the Bible.  Illuminating, right?

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It’s What’s Inside

June 16, 2015 by juliebcosgrove

IMAG0266An older woman I know excitedly told how she got a part-time job stuffing envelopes. Her eyes danced as if she was a teenager once again. Her nephew questioned what the big deal was. It didn’t sound very exciting to him.

She smiled. “Oh, it’s not the envelopes. It is what goes inside. A very important letter that will help thousands of people. I am so glad to be a part of that effort.”

Her words hit me. It’s what goes inside. The image describes the purpose of being a Christian. We are the vehicle for delivering God’s message of redemption and love to the world. In other words, we are the envelopes.

It is what is going on inside of us, i.e., the transformation by the Holy Spirit when we accept Jesus into our hearts, that is the important stuff. As others peer inside the window to our soul, they can see a difference. Something important is happening. The Light of Christ is flickering, glowing, then shining. The message revealed is one of forgiveness and salvation, of something more wonderful waiting for us beyond the pain of this world.

 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. Romans 10:17

Lord, the times when I think I am not much on the outside, remind me it is what’s inside that is important – You working in me. You have placed your stamp of delivery on me, and I am simply to carry the message. Let me be more thankful, like my elderly friend, to be a part of that effort. Amen.

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