|
Users viewing this topic:
none
|
|
Login  | |
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 7/4/2008 5:51:43 PM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1546
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
If you want to make God laugh tell Him your plans.
Years ago, I was talking to my boss about career plans in a large organization. He smiled at me and said that in three years time he’d achieve a great ambition. I was puzzled; but he explained, showing me a small organization sketch he had drawn up, that within three years several senior managers would have left the organization. He said “X retires next year, they’ll promote Y to take his job, this leaves a vacancy which will be filled by Z” and so on and on. He had planned who would leave when creating a potential vacancy which he was best placed to fill.
How sad, I thought. He was so keen to progress up the organization that he had plotted a potential path to help achieve his ambitions.
How often do we too, plan so far ahead, that we forget to take into consideration what God wants for us, or what He might wish us to do on His behalf.
“Not my will, however, but your will be done.” Luke 22:42.
_____________________________
Christian words of comfort at http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
Welcome to my Blog
MEI VITA INDICO CHRISTUS
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 7/5/2008 3:16:37 PM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1546
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
Insecurity, shyness, loneliness, not quite fitting in.
All too often one meets people who, for one reason or another, feel that they are left out from what this world has to offer. They may well be part of a group of friends at work, or at school, college or university, but yet they feel that they don’t quite fit in somehow. They are not the center of attention – the funny one that everyone admires, the intelligent one, or the artistic or athletic one.
They are part of the group alright, but they are on the sidelines. The one who never quite gets noticed!
Such inner loneliness and insecurity can be crushing and can so easily suffocate one’s soul.
Look around you today – is there such a person you recognize? Do the kind thing and include them in your personal world.
True Happiness consists not in the multitude of friends; but in their worth and choice.
_____________________________
Christian words of comfort at http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
Welcome to my Blog
MEI VITA INDICO CHRISTUS
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 7/6/2008 1:08:40 PM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1546
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
A young teenager was helping me plant some wooden fencing posts. I held the post upright tightly with both hands and said: “When I nod my head hit it hard.”
I nodded and he hit my head with the hammer !!!
Now for the serious bit: is God trying to communicate with you but you’re not listening? Don’t wait for Him to take drastic action before you pay attention.
_____________________________
Christian words of comfort at http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
Welcome to my Blog
MEI VITA INDICO CHRISTUS
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 7/10/2008 6:58:27 AM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1546
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
I was at a large supermarket today – suddenly the fire alarm rang. The customers left their trolleys laden with goods just where they were standing and walked outside the building, followed by the supermarket’s staff. The customers were led to one corner of the car park whilst the staff gathered at another corner and a roll call was taken. We waited for about half an hour until the all clear was given. The staff entered the building first in single file; I counted about 200 or so.
At that point a thought occurred to me; I don’t know why – perhaps it was prompted by the staff’s red uniforms. I thought: do they have fire alarm drills in hell? Do the devils gather at one corner outside hell whilst the inmates gather somewhere else? Can the inmates seize an opportunity to escape?
On second thoughts: hell and the devil are no laughing matter. They exist all right and we should be on our guard when the devil tries to lead us astray.
“ … and lead us not into temptation, ”
_____________________________
Christian words of comfort at http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
Welcome to my Blog
MEI VITA INDICO CHRISTUS
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 7/12/2008 1:21:38 PM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1546
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
In every situation of Trust there is always the risk of betrayal. Whether it is a friendship, a business partnership, a marriage or whatever; in every circumstance where two or more people trust each other there is always the risk that someone will betray that trust.
We all know about the greatest betrayal ever – Judas betraying Jesus with a kiss.
So what are we to do? Not trust anyone ever and go through life suspecting everyone. This would be impossible and would jeopardize our every relationship. We have to accept that with trust we become a little more vulnerable and susceptible to abuse of that trust. It’s a risk we take as we journey through life.
With one important exception:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” John 14:1 NIV.
_____________________________
Christian words of comfort at http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
Welcome to my Blog
MEI VITA INDICO CHRISTUS
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 7/14/2008 4:27:18 PM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1546
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
We often strive to control our life’s events. We want to be in charge. We want to do it our way because we believe our way is best. We want to be able to say: “I did it my way.”
And in this pursuit of self-will we inadvertently (or perhaps deliberately) put God aside. Momentarily, He does not feature in our plans.
When God is sidelined, as we sometimes do, He doesn’t stop loving us. Instead, we block an opportunity for Him to influence our efforts for our own and others’ good.
“Thy will be done …”
_____________________________
Christian words of comfort at http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
Welcome to my Blog
MEI VITA INDICO CHRISTUS
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 7/15/2008 10:33:50 AM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1546
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
I visited an elderly lady today.
She said: “Nostalgia isn’t what it used to be … when I was young we used to think back about holidays by the sea, walks in the countryside, and all the simple clean fun we had when we were kids. Now it’s all computer games, DVDs, and confounded gadgets which people don’t really need. Pretty soon they’ll need a satellite navigation system to find the toilet in their own homes!”
_____________________________
Christian words of comfort at http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
Welcome to my Blog
MEI VITA INDICO CHRISTUS
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 7/16/2008 7:22:19 PM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1546
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
Just because you have Christian ethics don't expect everyone else to be the same.
_____________________________
Christian words of comfort at http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
Welcome to my Blog
MEI VITA INDICO CHRISTUS
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 7/19/2008 12:51:57 PM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1546
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
There are times in this modern lifestyle of ours when, quite honestly, we are totally mentally and physically exhausted. There are so many things to do and to fit-in in this 24/7 treadmill we are on that we dare not stop for one second lest we fall.
And it gets worse – money is tight, prices are going up, demands put upon us increase daily, and, to cap it all, we are getting older every day and we cannot cope as well as we used to, especially when our health fails us.
It’s at times like these that we feel like giving up.
What is the answer dear Lord?
“Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.
_____________________________
Christian words of comfort at http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
Welcome to my Blog
MEI VITA INDICO CHRISTUS
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 7/26/2008 8:30:11 AM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1546
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
Ah … summer!
Why is it that at barbecues it is always the man who stands by the fire?
Women are always busy preparing everything else. Getting the table ready and the children in place. Serving everyone. Being hospitable. Multi-tasking and doing a million other things.
Yet … everyone is impressed by the man’s burnt offerings !!!
_____________________________
Christian words of comfort at http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
Welcome to my Blog
MEI VITA INDICO CHRISTUS
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 7/31/2008 5:15:52 PM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1546
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
A little child of six was taught by his parents that Jesus is always with him. Helping him, protecting him and guiding him as he goes through life.
One day the child was out riding his tricycle. He was pedaling as hard as he could up a hill followed by his parents on their cycles. No matter how hard his little legs went round and round, the tricycle hardly moved up the steep hill.
Eventually the child got off the tricycle and said: “It’s no use Jesus, you’ll have to get off and help me push it up the hill!”
There are times in life when we are really down. Maybe it’s because we’re over-tired. Or it is because things have been going badly for us lately. Things out of our personal control perhaps, like the illness of someone we love, or loss of a job, failure in exams and so on.
That’s the time when, like a child, we should stop and ask Jesus to help.
_____________________________
Christian words of comfort at http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
Welcome to my Blog
MEI VITA INDICO CHRISTUS
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 8/4/2008 8:55:09 AM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1546
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
Many of us go through life carrying the pain and hurt caused to us in the past. This pain slows us down. It makes us stumble from time to time. It hinders our progress in our journey towards God.
It isn’t always easy to forgive. But that shouldn’t stop us trying. We can do so with God’s help.
We can ask Him to take away the pain caused to us. He can do that; after all He did take a lot of pain on our behalf when nailed to the Cross.
We can ask Him to heal the hurt. He can do that too; He did heal many people when He walked amongst us.
We can ask Him to teach us to forgive. He did just that as He was dying.
As for forgetting; that isn’t so easy. The memories of our hurt will always be with us.
Jesus has not forgotten what we did to Him. He has the scars in His hands, feet and side to remind Him everyday.
And every time He looks at the scars, He forgives us once again.
So every time we remember our hurts, we too should forgive again and again.
_____________________________
Christian words of comfort at http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
Welcome to my Blog
MEI VITA INDICO CHRISTUS
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 8/8/2008 5:26:19 PM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1546
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
There are times in life when others hurt. And they turn to you as the cause of their hurt. Maybe it’s something you did or said – but they believe you are the cause of their hurt.
You don’t really know what you did or said. You can’t remember intentionally or un-intentionally hurting them. But they blame you and keep their distance. You can’t discuss it with them or even attempt to understand and to apologise – if indeed it is your fault.
So what do you do?
Pray to God to forgive you if indeed you caused their pain. Ask Him to remind you how and when you caused their hurt. So that you may make amends. Or if you didn’t cause their hurt; ask Him to open their heart to listen to Him so that they may realize their mistake.
Wait for the Lord to restore Peace in your heart and theirs.
_____________________________
Christian words of comfort at http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
Welcome to my Blog
MEI VITA INDICO CHRISTUS
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 8/12/2008 7:17:53 AM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1546
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
I was talking with an elderly man the other day. I’ve know him for years. He’s been ill for some time and has undergone many operations; and he’s always on medication to help ease the pain.
I asked him if the pain had eased a little.
He smiled and said: “Pain is a sign that I’m still alive. When the pain stops suddenly, I’ll be in real trouble.”
I smiled back.
He added: “The Lord has been good to me. There are so many people in this world so much worse off than I am.”
As I left him I felt really small and humbled.
_____________________________
Christian words of comfort at http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
Welcome to my Blog
MEI VITA INDICO CHRISTUS
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 8/14/2008 7:21:22 AM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1546
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
Once upon a time an elderly man was making his way home through the park after a long day at work. Some youths set upon him. They were carrying knives. They mugged him, injured him badly and left him lying in a pool of blood.
A while later a city gent happened to pass by. He looked at the bleeding man on the ground and thought: This may be a trap. If I stop to help him someone might come out from the bushes and attack me. I'd better hurry home.
And so he did.
A while more later another man happened to come along. He saw the elderly man on the ground and thought: I'd better pretend not to have seen him. If I stop and call the police and ambulance they will ask me a lot of questions. They will want a lot of information. I'll be a witness and I'll probably have to go to court eventually to say what I saw. I really can't be bothered with all this. I'd better rush home.
And so he did.
A bit more later a learned man came by. He had studied sociology, philosophy, and many other important subjects. He looked at the injured man on the ground and thought: Whoever did this needs help. They must be from an under-priviledged background and up-bringing. Poor souls!
And he hurried home thinking about society.
Moral of the story: What a mess we made of this world in the 21st Century.
_____________________________
Christian words of comfort at http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
Welcome to my Blog
MEI VITA INDICO CHRISTUS
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 8/19/2008 2:18:37 PM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1546
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
Fear can be good for you.
Fear can make people careful and not take unnecessary risks. A bit of caution and thinking before acting is a good thing.
Too much fear however is harmful especially if it is irrational and unfounded. I know of so many people afraid to go out at night because of crime. Or deadly afraid of every pain they get in case it is serious. Yet, so afraid that they dare not go to a doctor in case he confirms their worst fears.
I’m not going to say that I’m immune to fear and anxiety. Yes, there are times when certain thoughts come to mind … However, I also realize that to give way to fear is to doubt God. To doubt His love, His protection and His caring for us.
Do not be afraid – I will save you. I have called you by name – you are mine. Isaiah 43:1
_____________________________
Christian words of comfort at http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
Welcome to my Blog
MEI VITA INDICO CHRISTUS
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 8/25/2008 6:26:37 PM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1546
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
Is your life exciting or is it mundane?
Not many of us spend our lives mixing with celebrities and enjoying the material luxuries that this world offers. For most of us life is a simple routine of work, bringing up the family, and a little leisure when we can fit that in. Some people can’t even afford this routine lifestyle, especially if money is short; they have no job or are in poor health.
Compare that to our spiritual life.
Is it barren and completely distant from our Creator? Or do we walk daily hand in hand with Jesus by our side?
How many times during the day do we pray silently, and thank our Lord for all He has done for us?
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” Matthew 6:19-20.
_____________________________
Christian words of comfort at http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
Welcome to my Blog
MEI VITA INDICO CHRISTUS
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 8/31/2008 11:12:09 AM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1546
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
The sermon in church today was from Matthew 16:21-27 where Jesus says to His disciples: “If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me”.
When I got home I thought I’d do something nice. I gave my wife a big hug and a kiss, and carried her indoors.
Startled she snapped "What’s wrong with you, have you gone crazy?"
"No my dear,” I replied. "Didn’t you hear the sermon? Jesus said pick up your cross and follow Me".
I got a slap in the face and severe backache.
No Sunday lunch either!
_____________________________
Christian words of comfort at http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
Welcome to my Blog
MEI VITA INDICO CHRISTUS
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 9/6/2008 12:35:48 PM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1546
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
Sometimes events in life and circumstances seem so difficult to reconcile with the Words of Jesus. He talked about God’s love for us, yet we see around us hurt, pain and despair. And we wonder. What is Truth and what is fantasy. We ask ourselves why He allows certain things to happen. Is He still in control of events or has He given up on us. Does He really exist.
It’s at times like these, when we’re confused and anxious we’d do well to stop and take a deep breath. We’d do well to remember that Jesus told us that He is the Truth. He said He’d be with us always, to the end of time. And that we should believe in Him, even though we have not seen Him with our eyes, and touched the wounds in His hands and side. His Words will endure forever.
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my Words will never pass away. Matthew 24:35.
_____________________________
Christian words of comfort at http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
Welcome to my Blog
MEI VITA INDICO CHRISTUS
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 9/18/2008 5:56:40 PM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1546
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
Time for a Reality Check.
When you look at the mirror, what do you see? Do you like what you see?
Write down on a piece of paper five adjectives that describe you: honest, hard-working, loyal … what else can you think of? Be honest and write down more than five adjectives if you wish.
When you’ve finished, read each one slowly in turn. How many of these adjectives would be chosen by your friends or family to describe you?
Do you see yourself as others see you?
More important, do you see yourself as God sees you?
And … that’s what frightens me.
_____________________________
Christian words of comfort at http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
Welcome to my Blog
MEI VITA INDICO CHRISTUS
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 9/25/2008 12:58:30 PM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1546
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
Ever felt disheartened, sad and really low down? Most of us have. We look around us and see things going wrong, and perhaps we can’t cope any more. What’s worse, we see good things happen to bad people. People who don’t even believe in God. At least that’s how it looks from where we’re standing.
This is what Jesus had to say to His disciples: “The Father Himself loves you. He loves you because you love me and have believed that I came from God. I did come from the Father, and I came into the world; and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father … I have told you this so that you will have peace by being united to me. The world will make you suffer. But be brave! I have defeated the world!” John 16:27-33.
_____________________________
Christian words of comfort at http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
Welcome to my Blog
MEI VITA INDICO CHRISTUS
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 10/4/2008 5:03:28 PM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1546
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
It happens to all of us I suppose at one time or another. We’re so tired of trying to achieve something, and we fail time and again, that we feel like giving up.
On His way to Calvary Jesus fell to the ground three times. He was exhausted. He had been beaten, mocked, spat upon and tortured. His disciples had run away in fear, one of whom even denied Him three times.
That's enough to make anybody give up. Jesus could have stayed there on the ground and died on the spot.
But He got up. Three times, He got up and continued His journey to a cruel and very painful death.
He did it for us. He did it because His Father asked Him to.
Let that be our inspiration to try once again when we feel like giving up.
_____________________________
Christian words of comfort at http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
Welcome to my Blog
MEI VITA INDICO CHRISTUS
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 10/13/2008 7:38:59 AM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1546
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
Two elderly couples are having a pleasant evening meal together. When they finish the ladies go to the kitchen whilst the men stay at the table enjoying a brandy and a cigar.
The host says to the guest: Jolly nice restaurant we went to last night. I can really recommend it.
The guest replies: Really? What’s it called?
The host mumbles: Ehmmm let me think … what’s the name of that flower you give when you’re in love … you know … usually red with thorns …
The guest says: A rose.
The host replies: That’s right …
Then looking towards the kitchen he says: Rose … what’s the name of that restaurant we went to yesterday?
We all have lapses in memory from time to time. Let’s hope we don’t forget to thank God for what He has done for us.
_____________________________
Christian words of comfort at http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
Welcome to my Blog
MEI VITA INDICO CHRISTUS
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 10/20/2008 7:05:53 PM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1546
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
Someone asked me whether God wants everyone to come to Him, and, since He knows everything, if anyone refuses to follow God’s Word, then did this man really have a choice, or was it pre-determined that he would not follow God.
Pre-determination and free will have been debated for years.
Here’s my view on it.
God's invitation is to everyone - without exception.
When He invites us to love Him, He wants us to choose freely - without any pressure on His part to influence our decision. We choose to love Him and come to God through Jesus Christ: "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one goes to the Father except by me.” John 14:6.
Of course, some choose not to accept the invitation. They decide to walk away from God. Not to believe in Him and in Jesus as His only Son. That is their free choice.
God in His infinite wisdom knows our decision before we even make it - but He does not influence it in any way. He knows that some people will not believe in Him. In certain cases He allows this to happen.
It's like you being in a helicopter watching two cars coming at an intersection. You know they will hit each other. Yet you do not influence or change the outcome.
There are times however when God does try to influence our decision. Give us a nudge in the right direction, you might say. Note that I say “influence” and not force our decision. Why He does that only in some cases we really don’t know.
A well known example of His influence is the way He “encouraged” Paul on the way to Damascus. I suppose Paul could still have walked away and not follow God’s Word; although I doubt many would have done so under the circumstances! Paul chose to accept God and the rest, as they say, is history.
Today God does nudge some of us in the right direction. Perhaps through chance meetings with someone who might talk to us about God and encourage us to accept His Word and take up His invitation to love Him. Maybe He talks to us through other ways. But the fact is that He does talk to us. He does encourage us to come to Him through Jesus Christ. Perhaps some of us just aren't listening.
But here’s the important distinction. God tries to influence us to accept His Word. He encourages us. But He never forces us. We are free to choose to love Him, or not.
< Message edited by mvic -- 10/20/2008 7:11:55 PM >
_____________________________
Christian words of comfort at http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
Welcome to my Blog
MEI VITA INDICO CHRISTUS
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Just a thought ... - 10/27/2008 2:43:59 PM
|
|
|
mvic
Posts: 1546
Joined: 1/17/2008
Status: offline
|
What you are is a gift from God.
What you become is your gift to God.
_____________________________
Christian words of comfort at http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
Welcome to my Blog
MEI VITA INDICO CHRISTUS
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Tools
Printable Version
