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This week I want to meditate on the fact that when Jesus spoke to the non-asking, non-repenting, non-sorry, caught-in-the-act, guilty-as-charged, even a little arrogant, adulterous woman in John 8:11 and He said, "I do not condemn you!" what He actually wanted to say was, "I do not condemn you!"
Then let me never forget that when the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:19,"God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, …." what in actual fact it wanted to say was, "God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them!"
More, I will find peace in the fact that the literal translation of Colossians 2:13, " … you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses." Is, " … you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses."
Ephesians 2:8 Redemption is the gift of God (grace) and it applies to everyone. Salvation is the acceptance of man (faith) and it applies to whosoever will. No religion can give me the peace and assurance that what this verse says, this verse actually means: only grace. 1 John 2:2 "He is the one who took God’s wrath against our sins upon himself and brought us into fellowship with God; and he is the forgiveness for our sins, and not only ours but all the world’s."
I am so glad that John told us in John 1:12 that the reward of faith is not "membership" but "sonship". You receive His gift, and you become a son! Membership can be cancelled - sonship can't. "As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God."
In the story of the prostitute who washes Jesus' feet with her tears we can witness the magnificent outcome of grace: the more grace I receive, the more I love the Lord!!! Beautifully simple. Luke 7:47-48 "Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
Then let me never forget that when the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:19,"God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, …." what in actual fact it wanted to say was, "God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them!"
More, I will find peace in the fact that the literal translation of Colossians 2:13, " … you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses." Is, " … you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses."
Ephesians 2:8 Redemption is the gift of God (grace) and it applies to everyone. Salvation is the acceptance of man (faith) and it applies to whosoever will. No religion can give me the peace and assurance that what this verse says, this verse actually means: only grace. 1 John 2:2 "He is the one who took God’s wrath against our sins upon himself and brought us into fellowship with God; and he is the forgiveness for our sins, and not only ours but all the world’s."
I am so glad that John told us in John 1:12 that the reward of faith is not "membership" but "sonship". You receive His gift, and you become a son! Membership can be cancelled - sonship can't. "As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God."
In the story of the prostitute who washes Jesus' feet with her tears we can witness the magnificent outcome of grace: the more grace I receive, the more I love the Lord!!! Beautifully simple. Luke 7:47-48 "Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
This week I have decided that when Jesus says in Hebrews 13:5, "I will never leave you, nor abandon you" what He actually means is, "I will never leave you, nor abandon you." Also that when Jesus says in John 10:28, "I give eternal life to my sheep and they will never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand …" in actual facts He means, "I give eternal life to my sheep and they will never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand …" Also, that when Jesus states in 2 Cor. 12:9, "My grace is sufficient for you" He actually means, "My grace is sufficient for you." And when He says in Matthew 9:2, "Cheer up son, your sins are forgiven!" He really means, "Cheer up son, your sins are forgiven!" . Also that when God said in Hebrews 8:12, "I will forgive their iniquities and their sin I will remember no more" what He wanted to say in effect was, "I will forgive their iniquities and their sin I will remember no more". And finally, I have decided that when Jesus said in John 12:47, "I did not come to judge the world, but to save it" what He actually meant was, "I did not come to judge the world, but to save it".
That's it. Simple.
That's it. Simple.
The love of God lurks beneath the surface of the understandable ready to jump out at you unexpectedly.
Expect a surprise today!
Expect a surprise today!
The source
Once upon a time, many, many moons ago, a man called another man “good”. The other man – who was a carpenter and actually God in disguise – slowly turned around and said, “Are you sure you want to call me “good”? There is nothing good apart from God.”
In those few words the carpenter-disguised-as-God-disguised-as-man gave the other man the key to his question, which, by the way, basically was, “What must I do to go to heaven?”
He told him, “When you realize that all that’s good has begun in God, you will realize that the future of everything is hidden in its source. The future of the fruit is hidden in the seed. The future of the river is hidden in the spring. The future of the day is hidden in the dawn. The future of a man is hidden in his God.“
“Yeah” replied the man, “but what must I do?”
The carpenter smiled, albeit sadly, and told the man what to do. It would have been so much easier if the man hadn’t just heard the words but actually believed them.
You want to go to Heaven? Believe that you come from there. You want to go to Father? Believe that you're His child.
Simple no?
Once upon a time, many, many moons ago, a man called another man “good”. The other man – who was a carpenter and actually God in disguise – slowly turned around and said, “Are you sure you want to call me “good”? There is nothing good apart from God.”
In those few words the carpenter-disguised-as-God-disguised-as-man gave the other man the key to his question, which, by the way, basically was, “What must I do to go to heaven?”
He told him, “When you realize that all that’s good has begun in God, you will realize that the future of everything is hidden in its source. The future of the fruit is hidden in the seed. The future of the river is hidden in the spring. The future of the day is hidden in the dawn. The future of a man is hidden in his God.“
“Yeah” replied the man, “but what must I do?”
The carpenter smiled, albeit sadly, and told the man what to do. It would have been so much easier if the man hadn’t just heard the words but actually believed them.
You want to go to Heaven? Believe that you come from there. You want to go to Father? Believe that you're His child.
Simple no?
Today: I will live my life with a smile on my lips - rather than a frown on my face.
Today: I will fill my heart with joy and laughter - rather than sorrow and misery.
Today: I will try to find a way to bless someone - rather than curse theworld.
Today: I will look for the good in me and others - rather than the bad.
Today: I will speak words of praise - rather than blame.
Today: I will chose love - rather than anything else.
Because, after all, today it's the first day of the rest of my life - and I need to be sure it counts for something!
Today: I will fill my heart with joy and laughter - rather than sorrow and misery.
Today: I will try to find a way to bless someone - rather than curse theworld.
Today: I will look for the good in me and others - rather than the bad.
Today: I will speak words of praise - rather than blame.
Today: I will chose love - rather than anything else.
Because, after all, today it's the first day of the rest of my life - and I need to be sure it counts for something!
If you want to be disillusioned – look within.
If you want to be sorry – look back.
If you want to be distracted – look around.
If you want to be fearful – look ahead.
If you want to be disappointed – look to people.
If you want to be peaceful – look to Him.
If you want to be sorry – look back.
If you want to be distracted – look around.
If you want to be fearful – look ahead.
If you want to be disappointed – look to people.
If you want to be peaceful – look to Him.
When I saw this picture of Mel Gibson and Jim Caviezel on the set of "The passion of the Christ", I almost felt like it was blasphemous. But then I realized how in the simplicity of this collection of pixels there lied an almost incredible but magnificent truth: "Yes, Jesus is always there!"
In the midst of agony, He is there. At the height of success, He is there. In the depth of failure, He is there. When I am good, when I am bad, when things go well and when they crash. If I "feel" His presence and if I don't. Even if I believe He exists or I doubt Him, He is always there.
Seated next to us, listening to our fears and trepidations - listening, without judging. Calming the storm, sometime on the sea, sometime in the heart. Understanding the chaos and readjusting the compass. Protecting, helping, guiding, loving.
Yes, He knows - and He is there. He wrote the script. He directed the movie and He played the main part.
And yet, in the midst of everything He smiles: because He knows the end.
In the midst of agony, He is there. At the height of success, He is there. In the depth of failure, He is there. When I am good, when I am bad, when things go well and when they crash. If I "feel" His presence and if I don't. Even if I believe He exists or I doubt Him, He is always there.
Seated next to us, listening to our fears and trepidations - listening, without judging. Calming the storm, sometime on the sea, sometime in the heart. Understanding the chaos and readjusting the compass. Protecting, helping, guiding, loving.
Yes, He knows - and He is there. He wrote the script. He directed the movie and He played the main part.
And yet, in the midst of everything He smiles: because He knows the end.
If you wait until you're unafraid,
you'll never go.
If you wait until you're experienced,
you'll never try.
If you wait until you can see the end,
you'll never take the first step.
If you wait until everything is right,
you'll never live.
you'll never go.
If you wait until you're experienced,
you'll never try.
If you wait until you can see the end,
you'll never take the first step.
If you wait until everything is right,
you'll never live.
Religion tell the one that's lost in the desert, "You are lost in the desert".
Grace tells him, "Follow me, and I'll get you out!"
Grace tells him, "Follow me, and I'll get you out!"
The tree that survives the storms of life is not the one that complains it does not have enough soil to grow on, but the one that refuses to die, grabs hold of whatever is available and makes the best of it!
The only one who has every right to control you is the very One Who will never do it!
Forgiveness is the perfume that a flower leaves on the heel that crushed it.
Idea: be thankful for what you have,
not resentful for what you don't.
not resentful for what you don't.
Doubt looks at the clouds. Hope gets in the boat. Faith casts the net. Grace makes sure the fish are there.
Life is made out of seasons. Don't begrudge winter, for it's simply the promise of a new summer!
Religion is like a duck: calm and contented on the surface but frantically paddling underneath to stay afloat.
Grace is like a river: the deeper you get, the calmer you become.
Grace is like a river: the deeper you get, the calmer you become.
Anyone can float a boat - it takes a leader to decide where to take it!
When you find yourself in the desert you don't need someone to remind you, "You are lost!" Nor someone else to declare: "You took a wrong turn!" You rather need One to say, "Come, follow me. I know the way!"
He didn't tell us to keep the aquarium, He told us to go out and fish! We stand inside our building and tell the people to "Come!" He stands inside our heart and tells us to "Go!"
Religion: God wants something FROM you.
The Gospel: God wants something FOR you.
The Gospel: God wants something FOR you.
The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything they have!
Joy doesn't mean I don't have problems. Courage doesn't mean I don't have fears. Faith doesn't mean I don't have doubts and forgiveness doesn't mean I don't have feelings. It just means I am bigger than my problems, my fears, my doubts and my feelings!
Happiness is a way of travel, not a destination.
Life can be experienced on one of two dynamics, the reward dynamic, or the gift dynamic. The reward is mostly predictable and always consistent with personal effort and achievement. The gift dynamic on the other hand, opens opportunity beyond any limitations to personal ability or credit. Religion bases itself on the reward, the Gospel on the gift.
Ingredients for a happy house:
Do real.
Do mistakes - say, "I was wrong!".
Do I'm sorry.
Do second chances.
Do fun.
Do hugs - lots of it.
Do forgiveness.
Do loud laughter.
Do family.
Do Love.
Do Jesus - most of all.
Do real.
Do mistakes - say, "I was wrong!".
Do I'm sorry.
Do second chances.
Do fun.
Do hugs - lots of it.
Do forgiveness.
Do loud laughter.
Do family.
Do Love.
Do Jesus - most of all.
Courage is not the absence of fear, but its submission!
You're not courageous because you have no fear, you're courageous because you have decided to act in spite of your fear!
You're not courageous because you have no fear, you're courageous because you have decided to act in spite of your fear!
Life is like a camera!
Focus on what's important.
Capture mainly the good times.
Develop from the negatives.
Zoom into the ones you love.
… and if things don't turn out the way you want to …
take another shot!
Focus on what's important.
Capture mainly the good times.
Develop from the negatives.
Zoom into the ones you love.
… and if things don't turn out the way you want to …
take another shot!
You have been created by God's marvellous hands:
wisely designed ...
uniquely prepared ...
carefully assembled.
You have been created for the purposes of God:
to know His love ...
to show forth His grace ...
to express His love.
wisely designed ...
uniquely prepared ...
carefully assembled.
You have been created for the purposes of God:
to know His love ...
to show forth His grace ...
to express His love.
Courage comes in very different ways. It's the attitude that's set to face the enemy, and it's the quiet voice that provides the strength to go on for another day, in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
Because you love me just the way I am - thank you.
Because you came to save me from myself - thank you.
Because you gave your life for me - thank you.
Because you paid the price I could never have paid - thank you.
Because you smile even when I mess up - thank you.
Because you're my Father, my friend, my God - thank you!
Because you came to save me from myself - thank you.
Because you gave your life for me - thank you.
Because you paid the price I could never have paid - thank you.
Because you smile even when I mess up - thank you.
Because you're my Father, my friend, my God - thank you!
The love of the husband awakens the femmininity of the wife.
The respect of the wife awakens the masculinity of the husband.
The respect of the wife awakens the masculinity of the husband.
Discovering the treasure within a person is the reward of love.
He didn't come for a throne, but for a manger.
He didn't live like a king, but like a servant.
He didn't choose a sceptre, but a cross.
He didn't opt for protection, but vulnerability.
He didn't cover himself with an armour, but with flesh.
He didn't give a part of himself, he gave everything!
He didn't live like a king, but like a servant.
He didn't choose a sceptre, but a cross.
He didn't opt for protection, but vulnerability.
He didn't cover himself with an armour, but with flesh.
He didn't give a part of himself, he gave everything!
He is in front of me to open the way.
He is behind me to spur me on.
He is under me to sustain me.
He is above me to protect me.
He is inside of me to assure me of His love - forever!
He is behind me to spur me on.
He is under me to sustain me.
He is above me to protect me.
He is inside of me to assure me of His love - forever!
Smile! Jesus loves you just the way you are, not a future, better version of you!
I'd much rather be in the desert with God that in the Promised Land without Him!
God doesn't love us because we're good. God loves us because He is good.
My duty as a disciple of Christ is not to tell you what's bad with you, but to tell you what's good with Him!
My duty as a disciple of Christ is not to tell you what's bad with you, but to tell you what's good with Him!
My Lord: while I was sleeping last night - you were watching over me.
While I was dreaming of the day to come - you were providing all of my needs.
When I opened my eyes this morning - you were there.
Before the day rushes in again, I want to tell you one thing: I love you.
While I was dreaming of the day to come - you were providing all of my needs.
When I opened my eyes this morning - you were there.
Before the day rushes in again, I want to tell you one thing: I love you.
Change cannot be an imposition; it can only be a revelation.
I can't change you - but I can love you!
I can't change you - but I can love you!
May you always have enough sun to keep your face warm.
May you sometime have enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
May you always have enough joy to keep your life happy.
May you sometime have enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
May you always have enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
May you sometime have enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
May you always have enough hellos to get you through all the good-byes.
May you sometime have enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
May you always have enough joy to keep your life happy.
May you sometime have enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
May you always have enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
May you sometime have enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
May you always have enough hellos to get you through all the good-byes.
Don't ever underestimate the worth of perceived unimportance: a small lamp can do what a great sun cannot do: shine in the night!
God's will is not a locked door that needs to be pried open by faith, but the key that Papa gives us to use the family's mansion.
Religion looks into the present and sees a person not as it is, but as it should be.
Grace looks into the future and sees a person not as it is, but as it could be.
Grace looks into the future and sees a person not as it is, but as it could be.
I choose ...
Faith is a kite for the soul, carried by the wind of God's grace to a place where cares fade and things look brighter.
Power is admired but passion is contagious!
Religion needs to be explained. Grace can only be experienced.
Grace, the kind of love that says, "I love you anyway!" Time and time again!!!!
The food of the body is bread.
The food of the soul is love.
The food of the spirit is grace!
The food of the soul is love.
The food of the spirit is grace!
Religion requires you to live a holy life to accept you.
Grace accepts you and then produces holy life in you!
Grace accepts you and then produces holy life in you!
I dare you to...
Worry less.
Laugh more.
Stop trying so hard.
Be gentler with yourself.
Lay down self-condemnation and embrace grace.
Just for this week. Or just for this day.
Maybe just for this minute.
Take a deep breath. Know that God loves you.
And live like you believe it.
Worry less.
Laugh more.
Stop trying so hard.
Be gentler with yourself.
Lay down self-condemnation and embrace grace.
Just for this week. Or just for this day.
Maybe just for this minute.
Take a deep breath. Know that God loves you.
And live like you believe it.
You can park in the heat of tradition - or enjoy the wind on the highways of the Gospel!
You can stare at the wall of legalism - or let your eyes wonder through the countryside of Christianity!
You can bob up and down in the bay of religion - or you can explore the incredibly beautiful caves of grace!
You can stare at the wall of legalism - or let your eyes wonder through the countryside of Christianity!
You can bob up and down in the bay of religion - or you can explore the incredibly beautiful caves of grace!
You can stay as you are for the rest of your life - or you can believe in grace!
Religion is like kissing a picture. Christianity is like kissing the person.
Religion is like studying the instruments. Christianity is like enjoying the symphony.
Religion is like reading the paper while the sun goes down. Christianity is diving into God's creative beauty.
Religion is like studying the instruments. Christianity is like enjoying the symphony.
Religion is like reading the paper while the sun goes down. Christianity is diving into God's creative beauty.
God wants to take you on an incredibly beautiful journey that you will never know anything about, if you don't follow Him!
The entrance to anything beautiful is normally hidden, small and difficult to negotiate, but once inside the heart can only whisper, "Wow! It was worth it!"
Science states that, aerodynamically, the bumblebee is not supposed to be able to fly.
Religion says that, traditionally, grace is not supposed to be able to change lives. Enough said.
Religion says that, traditionally, grace is not supposed to be able to change lives. Enough said.
Religion tries to encourage you to wiggle yourself out of the spider-web. Grace comes, kills the spider and breaks you free.
You can live a lifetime without religion. You can survive your whole existence without doctrine. But you can't live a moment without grace.
In the path of life there's only one sure guide: someone Who says, "Come, follow me. I've been here before!"
Religion hands you a bunch of keys and challenges you to unlock the prison door by yourself. Christ knocks and whispers, "It's open. Come on out and follow me!"
Religion says, "Reach out into your own ability and fill the vacuum of your heart with the bucket of your performance." The Gospel declares, "Trust your Creator to fill you with the beauty of His love and the coolness of His presence!"
The cross stands magnificently impervious of religion's accusations of insufficiency. "It is finished. It is done. It has been accomplished. The Lamb of God has taken away the sin of the world - whether anybody believes it or not!"
The sad, big difference between a real follower of Jesus and a hypocrite is, "My kingdom come, my will be done - instead of, Your Kingdom come, Your will be done!" Simple.
A view of God:
1 - Everything that happens is His will – problem, He’s mean.
2 - Nothing that happens is His will – problem, He’s impotent.
3 - Que sera, sera is His will – problem, He doesn’t care.
4 - He respects man’s will and whispers "Follow me!" – yes, that’s the one.
1 - Everything that happens is His will – problem, He’s mean.
2 - Nothing that happens is His will – problem, He’s impotent.
3 - Que sera, sera is His will – problem, He doesn’t care.
4 - He respects man’s will and whispers "Follow me!" – yes, that’s the one.
Faith: where the road ends, the adventure begins!
With rules, laws and regulations you can keep a body . With rules, laws and regulations you can detain a mind. But it's only through grace that you can hold a heart!
Just because you don't see the sun it doesn't mean it's not shining. Just because you can't hear the birds it doesn't mean they're not singing. Just because you don't have an answer it doesn't mean there isn't one.
As long as you concentrate only on what to do, you will never realize who you are!
Retaliation: when you want to fight fire with fire, remember that the professionals use water.
John 3:18 "Christianity is mystifyingly simple yet endlessly complicated. It satisfies the heart and frustrates the mind. It is at the same time incredibly rewarding and seriously provoking—it is without a doubt the greatest concept God has ever given mankind."
This is my prayer Lord,
I trust You for all things.
I trust You with all things.
I trust You in all things.
I trust You through all things.
I trust You above all things.
I trust You for all things.
I trust You with all things.
I trust You in all things.
I trust You through all things.
I trust You above all things.
As long as we see God seated on a swivel chair, looking at us when we're good and turning away when we're bad, we proclaim a God of conditional love - NOT the God of the good news of the Gospel.
Religion is a by-lateral contract, written in ink, based on performance, temporal and subject to penalties.
Christianity is a covenant, unilateral, written in blood, based on a promise, eternal, whose penalty has already been paid by Jesus!
Christianity is a covenant, unilateral, written in blood, based on a promise, eternal, whose penalty has already been paid by Jesus!
When you can't see God's hand, trust His character.
Possibly the greatest difference between Christianity and all other "religions" is that the gods of other faiths tell you what to do, our God smiles and whispers, "Follow me!"
Victory in life is conditional upon our decision to agree with God that the focus is no more on our failures but on His success!
Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is God's gift, that's why we call it the present.
Joy is appreciating the valley while you're looking at the mountain top.
Joy is recognising the small flame in the middle of the night.
Joy is taking the first step on a thousand km long journey.
Joy is realising I am not what I should be but, thank God, I am not what I used to be!
Joy is recognising the small flame in the middle of the night.
Joy is taking the first step on a thousand km long journey.
Joy is realising I am not what I should be but, thank God, I am not what I used to be!
In Adam: how many sins do you need to be declared a "sinner" by God? Answer: none! You are a sinner without committing any sins because you are IN Adam.
In Christ: how many acts of righteousness you need to be declared "righteous" by God? Answer: none! You are righteous without committing any acts of righteousness because you are IN Christ.
In Christ: how many acts of righteousness you need to be declared "righteous" by God? Answer: none! You are righteous without committing any acts of righteousness because you are IN Christ.
Religion alters the fruit on the tree but fails to change its nature. Christ changes the nature of the tree - and that results in new fruit being produced!
Isn't it amazing how the whole debate about "hyper-grace" echoes so closely the snake's lie to Adam and Eve in the garden? "You have to be like God. Do this and you will be like God!" - when they had already been created like Him (Gen.1:26-27). Religion will always tell you to "do" something to be like God; the Gospel asks you to believe it! (1 John 4:17)
Love is not a destination, it's a journey. Taken step by step.
Love is not a feeling, it's a choice. Chosen moment by moment.
Love is not a noun, it's a verb. Lived out deed by deed.
Love is not a feeling, it's a choice. Chosen moment by moment.
Love is not a noun, it's a verb. Lived out deed by deed.
The only solution for death is life. Not morality. Not goodness. Not religion. Not even sanctification. Life. In Christ.
Religion: Change and you can join me!
Jesus: Join me and you will change!
Jesus: Join me and you will change!
No sin need be confessed until it is acknowledged. Not everything that is faced can be changed but nothing can be changed until it's faced.
Lies have to be covered up, but the truth can run around naked.
God didn't create you so you could praise Him, the stones can do that (Luke 19:40). God din't create you so you could serve Him, He created angels to do that (Heb.1:14). He didn't create you to show off His power, the heavens do that (Psalm 19:1). God created you to love you. Period. (John 3:16). Let Him.
God never expected to put His spirit in a perfect vessel.
Man, you didn’t come to earth to master unconditional love. That is where you came from and where you’ll return. You came here to learn personal love. Universal love. Messy love. Sweaty love. Crazy love. Broken love. Whole love. Infused with divinity. Lived through the grace of stumbling. Demonstrated through the beauty of messing up. Often. You didn’t come here to be perfect. In God, you already are. You came here to be gorgeously human. Flawed and fabulous. And to rise again into belonging. But unconditional love? Stop telling that story. Love, in truth, doesn’t need any other adjectives. It doesn’t require modifiers. It doesn’t require the condition of perfection. It only asks that you show up. And do your best. That you stay present, feel and continue. That you shine and fly and laugh and cry and hurt and heal and fall and get back up and play and work and live and die as YOU. It’s enough. It’s all.”
God told us not to love "because" - but to love "although"!
Discipline is admired. Passion is contagious!
If you want a successful marriage don't "look for" the ideal person - "be" the ideal person!
Hope sees beyond the visible, appreciates beyond the understandable, believes beyond the credible and reaches beyond the possible! Hope is life's deposit into tomorrow!
Moses: you touch a leper - you become unclean.
Jesus: you touch a leper - he becomes clean!
Jesus: you touch a leper - he becomes clean!
We are not punished "for" our sin. We are punished "by" our sin.
When you've tried everything you could - and failed.
When you've been everywhere you had to - and missed.
When you've met everyone that counts - and you are still lonely.
When the forest is too thick, the day is too lonely and the darkness is too intense, close your eyes, bow your head and whisper, "Help me Jesus."
He will.
When you've been everywhere you had to - and missed.
When you've met everyone that counts - and you are still lonely.
When the forest is too thick, the day is too lonely and the darkness is too intense, close your eyes, bow your head and whisper, "Help me Jesus."
He will.
Grace identifies my mistakes but rejects condemnation. Grace recognises my failures but refuses abandonment. Grace sees the dirt on my feet and bows down to wash them!
The essence of grace is understanding that my identity is not determined by the circumstances that press on me, the people who surround me, the fears that haunt me nor even the opinion I have of me - but by what God says about me!
“Right from the beginning of your journey in life you will find forks along the way. Every one of these crossroads will bring within itself the divine gift of choice, hence the possibility of making a mistake.
Should you take the wrong decision, do not despair but use the experience as a lesson to be learnt. There will be lots of learning to be done. Life, as you will know it, is a very harsh teacher but you can still make the best of its dictates if you so decide. Use it, don’t fight it!
Seek wisdom in everything you do. Respect older men and women and learn from all those who prove to be valid role models. Establish solid values early in life by which you will be able to weigh and filter your decisions. Do the best you can with what you have. Always take your next decision in the light of your past experience, your present circumstances and your future dreams and expectations, then act. And if you still take the wrong direction, look out for the next fork - it will come, and that time take the right turn.
You will not be able to control what happens on the outside of you, but you will be the master of what happens on the inside of you. Mistakes are not final unless you treat them so. Don't let circumstances, wrong choices, errors and failures rob you of the fuel of life: hope. You have been given a magnificent ability called resilience. Use it."
EXTRACT FROM "THE MANUAL"
Should you take the wrong decision, do not despair but use the experience as a lesson to be learnt. There will be lots of learning to be done. Life, as you will know it, is a very harsh teacher but you can still make the best of its dictates if you so decide. Use it, don’t fight it!
Seek wisdom in everything you do. Respect older men and women and learn from all those who prove to be valid role models. Establish solid values early in life by which you will be able to weigh and filter your decisions. Do the best you can with what you have. Always take your next decision in the light of your past experience, your present circumstances and your future dreams and expectations, then act. And if you still take the wrong direction, look out for the next fork - it will come, and that time take the right turn.
You will not be able to control what happens on the outside of you, but you will be the master of what happens on the inside of you. Mistakes are not final unless you treat them so. Don't let circumstances, wrong choices, errors and failures rob you of the fuel of life: hope. You have been given a magnificent ability called resilience. Use it."
EXTRACT FROM "THE MANUAL"
The Good News of the Gospel is that God doesn't need your effort to save you - a simple "thank you" is enough!
The purpose of prayer is not to inform God, convince or manipulate Him.
The purpose of prayer is to surrender our will, not to impose it.
The purpose of prayer is to surrender our will, not to impose it.
Careful with information - it turns into thoughts.
Careful with thoughts - they turn into actions.
Careful with actions - they turn into habits.
Careful with habits - they turn into character.
Careful with character - it turns into your future!
Careful with thoughts - they turn into actions.
Careful with actions - they turn into habits.
Careful with habits - they turn into character.
Careful with character - it turns into your future!
Life is made not so much of the things you see but mainly of the ones you decide to look at!
There are two things one worries about , those you can change and those you cant. If you can change them, do it. If you can't, why worry?
Within each of us is the thumbprint of God's image.
Religion will smudge it; only grace through faith will properly reveal it!
Ephesians 2:8
Religion will smudge it; only grace through faith will properly reveal it!
Ephesians 2:8
The law and the Gospel reflect two totally opposite things to humanity: the law reflects bondage in the sin of Adam, the Gospel freedom in the righteousness of Christ!
Jesus hasn't come to bring us a doctrine. Jesus hasn't come to bring us an idea; He hasn't come to bring us a theory or a new religion. Jesus has come to bring us life!
True happiness doesn't consist in always having what you want, but in always appreciating what you have!
Religion wants you to ask God for forgiveness. The Gospel wants you to thank God for having forgiven you!
Christianity is not only the declaration of eternal life but the celebration of a better life!
A heart full of thanksgiving doesn't have time to talk about those who don't think the same way he does!
When you say, "I'm lost!" - Jesus says, "I am the way!"
When you say, "I can't do it!" - Jesus says, "You can do anything through me!"
When you say, "I'm all alone!" - Jesus says, "I will be with you always!"
When you say, "I am so tired!" - Jesus says, "Come to me and I will give you rest!"
When you say, "I am confused!" - Jesus says, "Follow me, I am the light of the world!"
When you say, "I can't do it!" - Jesus says, "You can do anything through me!"
When you say, "I'm all alone!" - Jesus says, "I will be with you always!"
When you say, "I am so tired!" - Jesus says, "Come to me and I will give you rest!"
When you say, "I am confused!" - Jesus says, "Follow me, I am the light of the world!"
Religion: man's arrogance to think he can add anything to the work of the cross.
To reject Christianity because of its church "packaging" without having experienced intimacy with Christ is like refusing to eat prawns because the shell looks aweful!
May you always be aware of the sun even when it's covered by the clouds.
May you always be certain of the existence of a rainbow somewhere in the midst of the storm.
May the Father's smile always motivates you to be whom He created you to be and may you always remember the immense value He placed upon your life when He put His Son on the cross.
May you always be certain of the existence of a rainbow somewhere in the midst of the storm.
May the Father's smile always motivates you to be whom He created you to be and may you always remember the immense value He placed upon your life when He put His Son on the cross.
God's opinion of you is not based on your present circumstances; His intervention is not determined by your current state of affairs and His momentary silence doesn't mean God's absence. The proof of His love is not found in answered prayer but in the cross!
God does not meet you at the point of your gift but at the capacity of your heart.
Death for the believer is not the end of the light, but merely the turning off of the lamp because the dawn has come!
Love only makes sense to a point, beyond that it doesn't answer to logic or practicality; it just acts, and makes people complete in its own mysterious way.
There are no places where the light cannot shine.
There are no places where we cannot go.
There are no places God has forsaken.
There are no people without a future or a hope.
What we do in this life will echo for eternity.
There are no places where we cannot go.
There are no places God has forsaken.
There are no people without a future or a hope.
What we do in this life will echo for eternity.
Human love says: I love you - if.
God's love says: I love you - anyway.
God's love says: I love you - anyway.
Obedience to God is nothing more than our decision to participate in His plan to bless us!
Christ is the invisible part of God in the believer - the believer is the visible part of God in the world!
Religion is a bilateral contract, written in ink, based on performance, temporal and subject to penalties if broken. The Gospel is a covenant, unilateral, written in blood, based on a promise, eternal and whose penalty has already been paid by Christ on the cross.
Love always takes the first step!
If God doesn't make sense - nothing does.
Religion wants to change you before forgiving you.
Jesus forgives you and then He leads you to change.
Jesus forgives you and then He leads you to change.
Mountains are not there to keep us from being happy; mountains are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want to be happy.
God is on the other side of the finishing line chrering you on. Too tired to continue? He ll carry you. Too discouraged to fight? He'll step in the ring with you. Too spent to win? He'll give you His victor's crown!
Sin set my life on fire and the law fanned the flames. That's when grace broke through - and it started raining!
I couldn't really send you a handwritten note, so I wrote it in the leaves. Signed God.
Religion finds faults in the best of people.
Jesus finds grace in the worst.
Jesus finds grace in the worst.
Live without excuses, love with no regret, laugh a lot and leave this life with nothing left unsaid, make this world a better place, don't be afraid to cry - and when it's finally time to say goodbye: there's nothing to prove, nothing to add, nothing to hide.
Victory is faith in God's love rising from the ashes of life's disappointment!
Just as there is no darkness the sun cannot pierce, so there is no sin that grace cannot overcome!
While you focus on today's problems, God works on tomorrow's beauty!
There is a "magic" moment when God bypasses all my shortcomings, flaws and inabilities and uses me anyway.
At the end of my days it won't matter how many years were in my life but how much life was in my years.
Love is a friendship that caught fire.
Just as it is not the absence of fear that identifies courage but its mastery, so it is not the absence of doubt that identifies faith. Absence of doubt is not faith, it's knowledge. Believing in spite of doubt, that is faith!
My prayer for you in 2013:
May you be so blessed that you can be a blessing to others. May you be always conscious of the sun even when it's hidden behind the clouds and that the rainbow is still there, somewhere in the midst of the storm. May Father's smile continuously motivate you to be who He created you to be and remind you of the immense value He placed on you when He put Jesus on the cross. Every day. Every minute. Every second.
May you be so blessed that you can be a blessing to others. May you be always conscious of the sun even when it's hidden behind the clouds and that the rainbow is still there, somewhere in the midst of the storm. May Father's smile continuously motivate you to be who He created you to be and remind you of the immense value He placed on you when He put Jesus on the cross. Every day. Every minute. Every second.
My encouragement for 2013:
Work like you don't need the money. Love like no one ever hurt you. Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening. Live like God is good and real - because He is!
Work like you don't need the money. Love like no one ever hurt you. Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening. Live like God is good and real - because He is!
The cross doesn't need the approval of man to save humanity. The cross rises irrespective of catholicism, protestantism or any other "ism" that man may come up with, because the cross is planted in the soil of God's grace and not in the soil of human opinion. The cross is the sole proof we need to test His love!
Ps.118:24 - Yesterday is history, it's gone forever. Tomorrow is a mystery of which you know nothing. Today is a gift; enjoy it and live your life to the fullest!
You can live life in a box or you can escape.
I live for the One Who holds every box in His hands.
I live for the One Who holds every box in His hands.
May He Who didn't think He was wasting His time when He made you and I, but stepped back, took a good look and whispered, "yeah, just like I wanted them!" keep you, protect you and bless the socks off you today - and for the rest of your life. Mario
"Happy Holidays!" - "Xmas trees for sale! - "Santa's coming to town!"
Why would the world insist in refusing to name the very reason why we celebrate this age-old holiday called Christmas, the name of Christ?
Well, I have a couple of ideas, but I thought that in order to please everybody and not offend anyone, maybe instead of "Merry Christmas and a happy new year!" we should say something like, "Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the (northern) winter solstice holiday, practised within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all. I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2013, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make our countries great. Not to imply that our countries are necessarily greater than any other country, though.
This wish is made without regard to race, creed, colour, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference."
On the other hand, no ... maybe not.
"Happy, merry, joyous and full of God's smile, favour and grace Christmas: the day when - December 25th or not - Jesus, God incarnate, Creator of all things, Son in the celestial family of three, Saviour and divine Brother was born, sinless, destined to sacrifice His life for all mankind, of a Jewish, young virgin called Mary. Not in Bethlehem in Palestine but the one in Israel."
That should cover it. And, by the way, "Fantastic 2013 to you too!"
Mario
Why would the world insist in refusing to name the very reason why we celebrate this age-old holiday called Christmas, the name of Christ?
Well, I have a couple of ideas, but I thought that in order to please everybody and not offend anyone, maybe instead of "Merry Christmas and a happy new year!" we should say something like, "Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the (northern) winter solstice holiday, practised within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all. I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2013, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make our countries great. Not to imply that our countries are necessarily greater than any other country, though.
This wish is made without regard to race, creed, colour, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference."
On the other hand, no ... maybe not.
"Happy, merry, joyous and full of God's smile, favour and grace Christmas: the day when - December 25th or not - Jesus, God incarnate, Creator of all things, Son in the celestial family of three, Saviour and divine Brother was born, sinless, destined to sacrifice His life for all mankind, of a Jewish, young virgin called Mary. Not in Bethlehem in Palestine but the one in Israel."
That should cover it. And, by the way, "Fantastic 2013 to you too!"
Mario
Hebrews 13:8
He was there yesterday: He knows where I've been.
He's here today: He knows where I am.
He'll be there tomorrow: He knows where I'm going.
He was there yesterday: He knows where I've been.
He's here today: He knows where I am.
He'll be there tomorrow: He knows where I'm going.
Find your true value in the cross:
that's how much God thinks you are actually worth!
that's how much God thinks you are actually worth!
He broke every rule
He came not to a throne,
but to a manger.
He lived not as a king,
but as a servant.
He chose not a crown of jewels,
but a crown of thorns.
He died non on a sumptuous bed,
but on a cross.
He gave not just a royal wave,
but everything.
He broke every rule.
He came not to a throne,
but to a manger.
He lived not as a king,
but as a servant.
He chose not a crown of jewels,
but a crown of thorns.
He died non on a sumptuous bed,
but on a cross.
He gave not just a royal wave,
but everything.
He broke every rule.
When you trust in His love and care, and you look with faith, you will always find the pearl of possibility inside the shell of difficulty!
When you say, "I'm lost!" - Jesus says, "I am the way!"
When you say, "I can't do it!" -
Jesus says, "You can do anything through me!"
When you say, "I'm all alone!" -
Jesus says, "I will be with you always!"
When you say, "I am so tired!" -
Jesus says, "Come to me and I will give you rest!"
When you say, "I am afraid!" -
Jesus says, "I won't leave you!"
When you say, "Nobody loves me!" -
Jesus says, "I love you."
When you say, "I can't do it!" -
Jesus says, "You can do anything through me!"
When you say, "I'm all alone!" -
Jesus says, "I will be with you always!"
When you say, "I am so tired!" -
Jesus says, "Come to me and I will give you rest!"
When you say, "I am afraid!" -
Jesus says, "I won't leave you!"
When you say, "Nobody loves me!" -
Jesus says, "I love you."
Run, because you can. Dance, because you can. Sing, because you can. Love, because you can. Smile, because you can. Swim because you can. Go on, save somebody. Do it, for those who can't.
When man ignored Him - He didn't leave.
When man insulted Him - He wasn't offended.
When man betrayed Him - He didn't retaliate.
When man crucified Him - He opened His arms.
When man insulted Him - He wasn't offended.
When man betrayed Him - He didn't retaliate.
When man crucified Him - He opened His arms.
Excerpt from "The Manual"
So, smile at a child who’s crying. Hug someone who seems lonely. Kiss your loved ones for no reason. Give something to a needy person who hasn’t asked. Praise somebody you don't know. Encourage the hopeless. Forgive the guilty. Give wherever you need giving. Go on, be like your divine Father and make the world better!
So, smile at a child who’s crying. Hug someone who seems lonely. Kiss your loved ones for no reason. Give something to a needy person who hasn’t asked. Praise somebody you don't know. Encourage the hopeless. Forgive the guilty. Give wherever you need giving. Go on, be like your divine Father and make the world better!
Excerpt from "The Manual"
“Thank you Master. For the love, the fun, the opportunities, the life, thank you. For my precious wife, my incredible children, thank you. For the ups and the downs, thank you. For the assignments, the help, the struggles, the achievements, thank you. For that day in 1982 when you rescued me without asking for anything in return, thank you. For every time you have saved my life, just because I was not done with living, thank you. For all the moments I felt you close to me even after having failed you, hurt you or disappointed you, thank you. For every smile, every thrill and every tear, thank you. For having trusted me with such an awesome responsibility like feeding your lambs, thank you. For the glory of a divinely orchestrated journey, thank you. For the gift of your friendship, thank you. For having overlooked all my mistakes, weaknesses and flaws and having used me nevertheless; for grace and for pardon, thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”
“Thank you Master. For the love, the fun, the opportunities, the life, thank you. For my precious wife, my incredible children, thank you. For the ups and the downs, thank you. For the assignments, the help, the struggles, the achievements, thank you. For that day in 1982 when you rescued me without asking for anything in return, thank you. For every time you have saved my life, just because I was not done with living, thank you. For all the moments I felt you close to me even after having failed you, hurt you or disappointed you, thank you. For every smile, every thrill and every tear, thank you. For having trusted me with such an awesome responsibility like feeding your lambs, thank you. For the glory of a divinely orchestrated journey, thank you. For the gift of your friendship, thank you. For having overlooked all my mistakes, weaknesses and flaws and having used me nevertheless; for grace and for pardon, thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”
Love is man's silent reply to God's DNA.
Dream big dreams, focus past the possible, travel beyond the horizon and allow your heart to fly. Go out in the open and aim for the stars. You were not conceived for smallness, you have not been equipped for failure, you do not lack in anything. Divinity has produced a masterpiece in you, visible only with the eyes of passion. Believe in who you are, no matter at what level of life you find yourself, you were made to succeed where you are. Go ahead and capture that which is already yours.
Love saw me stalked by death and jumped between us to get the blow.
He will take a million steps to get to you - but not the last one. Love has to leave that to you: choice.
Religion makes a point. Love makes a difference.
John 8:7
Religion wanted to cast the first stone - but couldn't.
Jesus was the only one that could - but wouldn't!
Religion wanted to cast the first stone - but couldn't.
Jesus was the only one that could - but wouldn't!
Religion is the task that cannot be mastered.
Christianity is the thank you that cannot be silenced!
Christianity is the thank you that cannot be silenced!
It only takes one smile to lift a spirit.
It only takes one moment to be helpful.
It only takes one hug to offer welcome.
It only takes one life to make a difference.
It only takes one moment to be helpful.
It only takes one hug to offer welcome.
It only takes one life to make a difference.
Religion wants me to pay for the smallest sin I commit. Grace longs to forgive me for the biggest sin in my life!
Bad News: PAY, you dirty sinner!
Old News: DESERVE, you rebellious subject!
Good News: RECEIVE, you beloved son!
Old News: DESERVE, you rebellious subject!
Good News: RECEIVE, you beloved son!
The lives of many rest in the courage of few.
From what we get, we can make a living, but it's only from what we give that we can make a life.
Today delete two days from your diary: yesterday and tomorrow. Yesterday because it's gone; tomorrow because it's only going to be the consequence of what you do today. Today face life with the understanding that the next 24 hours will never come back to you. Identify beauty and enjoy God's plan. Today.
When you answer the big question about eternity, the small questions about daily life loose much of their significance!
A ship is safe in the harbor - but that is not what ships are built for. A Christian is safe in the church - but that is not what Christians are born for.
Just like the oyster waits for the tide to return in order to thrive again, so does the heart of man need to believe in something valiant to beat again!
When you focus on Christ everything else looses preeminence.
Don't look for God in yesterday with its disappointments and sorrows, His name is not "I was". Look not for God in tomorrow with its fears and insecurities, His name is not "I will be". Look for God in today with its assurances and joys and undertakings, for His name is "I am!"
Happiness is not a destination you reach, it's a journey you travel.
Lost and found in Luke 15: the sheep did not loose its shepherd - the coin did not loose its value - the son did not loose his father … and there was joy! That's grace!
The weak finds it very hard to forgive. Forgiveness is the ability of the strong.
When the sinner brought his lamb to be sacrificed at the altar of the temple, the high priest didn't inspect the sinner, he inspected the lamb! Rest in the knowledge that all you have to do is come before God with His Lamb - because He has taken away your sin once and for all! Hebrews 10:10
Sin separates you from happiness and success - not God!
The whole of humanity died in Adam because of sin.
The whole of humanity came back to life in Christ because of grace.
The whole of humanity came back to life in Christ because of grace.
Grace: mankind's reflection in God's eyes viewed through the branches of a cross-shaped, gnarled tree.
Today you can take another step higher as He takes you from glory to glory; take another step deeper as you grow in His love; take another step further as you walk with Him.
Calvary. Only a man could have been our representative. Only "a" God could have paid the price for our ransom.
Nails could not hold God to a tree. Love did.
Religion puts holiness in statues, elevated pulpits and golden thrones. God put it in a human body - Jesus - with calloused feet, dirt under His nails and a broken heart; just like me, just like you.
To prove to humanity that His arms would always be open to them, Jesus had them nailed to a cross!
Sometimes you don't know where to turn. That's when you need to cup your ear and listen for His whisper. Above the noise of pain - He is calling your name.
Grace is not hearing a new message, but understanding an old one!
Gesu' non e' venuto a condannarci per la nostra tenebra ma a indirizzarci verso la Sua luce!
Christ: Peace where there should be fear. Calm in the midst of the storm. Beauty defying threat. The answer to the question, "Does death have the final word?" - "Not on your life!"
Things look strange sometime. One day everything will make sense. 'Till then look up, smile at confusion, wipe away the tears and make the best of the mystery.
The unbeliever will tell you not to believe in the invisible but will offer you no answer for the inadequacy of the visible.
He is at His best when we are at our worst.
His grace is strongest when our devotion is weakest.
His pardon is truest when our sin is deadliest.
His grace is strongest when our devotion is weakest.
His pardon is truest when our sin is deadliest.
Live by faith. Galatians 2:20
Grow in grace. II Peter 3:18
Walk in love. Ephesians 5:2
Seek peace. I Peter 3:11
Be filled with joy. Psalm 68:3
Live Fully, Love Deeply, Laugh Loudly.
Then look up, and enjoy His smile!
Grow in grace. II Peter 3:18
Walk in love. Ephesians 5:2
Seek peace. I Peter 3:11
Be filled with joy. Psalm 68:3
Live Fully, Love Deeply, Laugh Loudly.
Then look up, and enjoy His smile!
The Lord bless you this week with the riches of His grace; with the treasures of His love; with the comfort of His mercies; with the strength of His presence; with the touch of His care; with the reflection of His character.
It wasn't the nails that held Jesus to the tree; it was His love for you and me.
Don't ever forget that you're passing through this life only once:
please enjoy the scenery!
please enjoy the scenery!
Whenever you peek through the branches of your life you will always find Him looking back at you.
Sometimes hard times are nothing more than good times wearing a disguise.
Hope is a seed God plants in our hearts to remind us there are better things ahead.
If you don't have a vision for your future you will always return to the limitations of your past.
Hope is God's signature on tomorrow's sky!
John 13:17
Happiness is when you've gone beyond being just a "Christian" and you've decided to become a disciple of Christ.
Happiness is when you've gone beyond being just a "Christian" and you've decided to become a disciple of Christ.
Trust is the walk that cannot be halted.
Faith is the thank you that cannot be silenced.
Hope is the smile that cannot be postponed.
Worship is the "WOW" that doesn't stop!!
Faith is the thank you that cannot be silenced.
Hope is the smile that cannot be postponed.
Worship is the "WOW" that doesn't stop!!
Our bravest step is when we decide that God's silent whisper is somehow louder than the sound of our heart about to beat out of our chest. When we longingly look back at our comfort zone and say, "I'm going to miss you." When we cross the ocean and burn the ships and we don't yet know what we may find. When we decide not to take the leap of knowledge but the slow walk of faith.
Courage means looking at truth past convenient, justice on the other side of risky, vision beyond possible.
Dream big dreams, focus past the possible, travel beyond the horizon and allow your heart to fly. Go out in the open and aim for the stars. You were not conceived for smallness, you have not been equipped for failure, you do not lack in anything. God has produced a masterpiece in you, visible only with the eyes of passion. Believe in who you are, no matter at what level of life you find yourself, you were made to succeed where you are. Go ahead and capture that which is already yours.
When you ask God to make you the person He wants you to be He doesn't send you to a list of things to do, He sends you to a Son to follow.
Love is the answer of the forgiven.
Forgiveness is the attitude of the strong.
Strength is the character of love.
Forgiveness is the attitude of the strong.
Strength is the character of love.
Our God loved us so much He didn't send a postcard, didn't make a phone call, didn't appoint a representative but came Himself to tell us of His love.
Fill your eyes with beauty, it's what God gave you to see with. Fill your ears with music, it's what God gave you to hear with. Fill your heart with wonder, it's what God gave you to dream with.
Never concentrate on the commandment and forget the heart of the Commander.
When God wanted to make the universe, He spoke to the light: let there be light! When God wanted to make vegetation, He spoke to the earth: let the earth bring forth!
When God wanted to make fish, He spoke to the water: let the waters abound! When God wanted to make animals, He spoke to the ground: let the ground bring forth!
But when God wanted to make man, He spoke to Himself:
let us make man!
Everything draws life and sustenance from its origin: the universe from light, plants from the ground, fish from water, animals from the earth - man from God!
When God wanted to make fish, He spoke to the water: let the waters abound! When God wanted to make animals, He spoke to the ground: let the ground bring forth!
But when God wanted to make man, He spoke to Himself:
let us make man!
Everything draws life and sustenance from its origin: the universe from light, plants from the ground, fish from water, animals from the earth - man from God!
The real nature of the Gospel has always been hidden in its name:
The Good News!
News are something you announce - not something you do!
The Good News!
News are something you announce - not something you do!
They can tell you're not good enough, you have not prayed enough, you are not capable enough, you are not holy enough, and you don't have enough faith. But if you are son, no one can tell you're not son enough.
Luke 11:7 - We are not the guy that's fevereshly knocking from the outside, we are the children inside, in bed with Papa!
Hoping means taking to the road of faith when standing still on the spot of doubt would be much, much easier!
Don't despise difficulties: without Goliath, David was nothing more than a shepherd boy.
The pessimist swears at the weather.
The optimist hopes it will change.
The follower of Christ
dances in the rain!
The optimist hopes it will change.
The follower of Christ
dances in the rain!
Today, when I meet someone, I will not ask myself, "Am I right? Am I better? Am I ahead?" But rather, I will ask myself, "What does love require of me?"
Religion: the servant serves because of the requirement of his employment with the boss.
Gospel: the son serves as a result of his relationship with the father.
Gospel: the son serves as a result of his relationship with the father.
God did not look for a loophole when He wanted to love you. Don't look for a reason to think He doesn't.
Oh the joy of realizing I can receive from my Father an inheritance, out of His love for me, because I am a son and not a wage, out of His duty towards me, because I am a servant.
Grace: free to run, free to laugh, free to fail, free to live!
Love disciplines: love doesn't discipline by looking back in anger at what we have done but by looking forward in expectation at what we can become! Heb.12:5-6
Fathers: the greatest gift you can give your children is to love their mother!
Don't ever lose sight of the simplicity of Jesus' love in the confusion of religion's laws!
You cannot go back into your past to make a new beginning but you can certainly stretch forth into your future and make a new ending!
Shakespeare takes a sheet of worthless paper, writes on it and turns it into a piece of timeless literature -
that's called "genius".
Ferrari takes a few kilograms of metal, paints it red and turns it into a dream -
that's called "skill".
Rockefeller takes a blank strip of paper, signs his name on it and turns it into a fortune -
that's called "wealth".
Michelangelo takes a dirty chunk of marble, sculptures it and turns it into a masterpiece -
that's called "art".
God takes a useless, sinful life, washes it in the blood of His Son, puts His Spirit in it and turns it into a blessing for all humanity - that's called "grace".
that's called "genius".
Ferrari takes a few kilograms of metal, paints it red and turns it into a dream -
that's called "skill".
Rockefeller takes a blank strip of paper, signs his name on it and turns it into a fortune -
that's called "wealth".
Michelangelo takes a dirty chunk of marble, sculptures it and turns it into a masterpiece -
that's called "art".
God takes a useless, sinful life, washes it in the blood of His Son, puts His Spirit in it and turns it into a blessing for all humanity - that's called "grace".
The type of cup we were given does not have to define the quality of the beverage we enjoy.
You can drink happily from your life even if the container doesn't look that good!
You can drink happily from your life even if the container doesn't look that good!
God gives each one of us a beautiful gift called life. Sometime we give it back to Him still unopened because we are too scared of tearing the wrapping or breaking the ribbon.
The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything they have.
When you're lost in the dark you don't need a book entitled "How not to get lost in the dark!" You need someone who takes you by the hand and says, "Come, I've been here before. I know the way!"
Religion is the answer for those who deserve salvation.
The Gospel is the answer for those who don't.
The Gospel is the answer for those who don't.
"Love one another"
Pride said, I don't want to do it!
Experience said, I shouldn't do it.
Fear said, don't do it!
Shrewdness said, get someone else to do it.
Love said, come on, try it!
Pride said, I don't want to do it!
Experience said, I shouldn't do it.
Fear said, don't do it!
Shrewdness said, get someone else to do it.
Love said, come on, try it!
Love cares more than anyone thinks is wise;
Love risks more than anyone thinks is safe;
Love dreams more than others think is practical;
Love waits longer than anyone thinks reasonable;
and believes for more than others think is possible.
Love risks more than anyone thinks is safe;
Love dreams more than others think is practical;
Love waits longer than anyone thinks reasonable;
and believes for more than others think is possible.
Happiness comes when we choose not to focus on what is missing from our lives but are grateful for the abundance of that's present.
Whenever you go to the Bible with a "What must I do?" it replies with a "Believe!" -
Acts 16:30
Acts 16:30
Luke 15:22 - In the middle eastern culture only sons are allowed to enter father's house with shoes on their feet. Servants must take them off. Moses was told to take off his sandals for the ground was holy. Muslims and hindus take off their shoes before entering their mosques or temples. Check how many people take their shoes off before approaching God: they are slaves, not sons. Keep your shoes on my friend, you are a son!
Don't blame the darkness for being dark; that's its nature. You ARE the light. Go in and turn yourself on!
Jesus is the anchor of my eternal hope: truth and grace.
Truth says "You are a sinner".
Grace says "I don't condemn you".
Truth says "The required payment is death".
Grace says "Paid!"
Truth says "You are a sinner".
Grace says "I don't condemn you".
Truth says "The required payment is death".
Grace says "Paid!"
The gift of salvation: grace offers - faith receives. That simple. That magnificent!
When you look for God's face you'll also find His hand. When you only look for His hand, you'll miss the incredible blessing of seeing Him smile.
There is a sea called "God's love" in which you can sail above the water, swim on its surface, snorkel just under the waves or dive to the bottom - your choice.
You will never catch a tan if you stay out of the sun.
You will never taste the juice if you don't squeeze the fruit.
You will never enjoy the music if you refuse to dance.
You will never see the fireworks if you don't light the fuse.
You will never live an abundant life if you don't abandon yourself to God's unpredictability.
You will never taste the juice if you don't squeeze the fruit.
You will never enjoy the music if you refuse to dance.
You will never see the fireworks if you don't light the fuse.
You will never live an abundant life if you don't abandon yourself to God's unpredictability.
If I was wind - I would breathe God's love all over the world.
If I was fire - I would burn the words "God loves you" on every mountain.
If I was sky - I would position the clouds to form a heart, from God to you.
but I am man, and so, "God loved you so much that He gave His one and only Son that if you trust Him, you will never, never, never see death win."
If I was fire - I would burn the words "God loves you" on every mountain.
If I was sky - I would position the clouds to form a heart, from God to you.
but I am man, and so, "God loved you so much that He gave His one and only Son that if you trust Him, you will never, never, never see death win."
Non potevi sopportare la distanza - sei venuto da me.
Non potevi sopportare il silenzio - mi hai parlato.
Non potevi sopportare di vedermi fallire - hai pagato il prezzo per i miei errori.
Hai aperto la porta.
Mi hai dato il benvenuto a casa.
Non potevi sopportare il silenzio - mi hai parlato.
Non potevi sopportare di vedermi fallire - hai pagato il prezzo per i miei errori.
Hai aperto la porta.
Mi hai dato il benvenuto a casa.
Man's partecipation to his eternal destiny is not linked to his ability to please a demanding God but to his decision to believe a loving God.
Jesus is not a bridge from "bad" to "good" but from "dead" to "live"!
There's seldom much you can do about what's happening around you but you can do everything about what happens inside of you!
Jesus never overlooks sin - He is truth. However, when He sees a sinner He says, "I don't condemn you!" - He is grace.
When a child throws himself in his father's arms, he doesn't bank on the angle of approach being just right nor on the speed of the fall being sufficiently acceptable nor on the volume of his request, "Catch me daddy!" being loud enough but on the heart of his father that assures him, "I will not let you fall!"
Today:
Smile at a child that's crying.
Hug someone who seems lonely.
Kiss your spouse for no reason.
Give something to a needy person.
Encourage the hopeless.
Praise somebody you don't know.
Today go on, be like Him, make the world better!
Smile at a child that's crying.
Hug someone who seems lonely.
Kiss your spouse for no reason.
Give something to a needy person.
Encourage the hopeless.
Praise somebody you don't know.
Today go on, be like Him, make the world better!
Religion records the death and resurrection of one individual: Jesus. Christianity records the death and resurrection of all mankind: in Jesus.
The law is like a mirror: it tells me I'm dirty but does nothing to clean me.
Grace is like a waterfall: all I have to do is get under it - dirt and all!
Grace is like a waterfall: all I have to do is get under it - dirt and all!
Recipe for beauty:
For attractive mouth, speak kind words.
For lovely eyes, look out for the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For nice hair, let God's breath blow through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge of Who's with you.
For beautiful hands, give.
For great legs, run to someone's help.
For total beauty, reflect Jesus like a mirror.
For attractive mouth, speak kind words.
For lovely eyes, look out for the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For nice hair, let God's breath blow through it once a day.
For poise, walk with the knowledge of Who's with you.
For beautiful hands, give.
For great legs, run to someone's help.
For total beauty, reflect Jesus like a mirror.
Relax: God loves you - not a future, improved, holier version of you.
You will never get wet if you don't go out and dance in the water, sometime.
You will never get cold if you don't go out and play in the snow, sometime.
You will never mess up your hair if you don't let the wind blow in your face, sometime.
You will never have stomach ache if you don't allow yourself to laugh wholeheartedly, sometime.
You will never get lost if you never explore where you've never been before, sometime
And you will never get tired if you never run to catch a falling star - sometime.
So dance in the rain, play in the snow, let the wind mess up your hair, laugh wholeheartedly, get lost while exploring and go get that falling star, because life is short, and you're going to have to leave it - sometime.
You will never get cold if you don't go out and play in the snow, sometime.
You will never mess up your hair if you don't let the wind blow in your face, sometime.
You will never have stomach ache if you don't allow yourself to laugh wholeheartedly, sometime.
You will never get lost if you never explore where you've never been before, sometime
And you will never get tired if you never run to catch a falling star - sometime.
So dance in the rain, play in the snow, let the wind mess up your hair, laugh wholeheartedly, get lost while exploring and go get that falling star, because life is short, and you're going to have to leave it - sometime.
Jesus didnt come to persuade an angry God to be good towards man, he came to persuade an hostile man of the goodness of God!
It is not the innocence of man that produces the forgiveness of God but it is God's pardon that produces blamelessness in man!
It's not man's goodness that causes God to change His mind toward man but God's goodness that leads man to change his mind toward God. (Rom.2:4)
People might have told you many things about what is wrong with your life, they might have formulated theories with regard to what's going to happen, they might even have predicted how and when certain things will take place. I bless you with the understanding of a higher knowledge in the mind of your God: all things are possible for him/her who believes!
The heart of the Gospel is not that God had lost man in Adam and had to come up with a solution but that God had found man in Christ "before the foundation of the earth" - and that was the solution.
I bless you with the patience that comes from knowing that no matter how beautiful, spiking and intricate some lives seem to be, we are all under construction.
Adoption in Christ is like God saying to you and me,
"If I had everyone in a row, I would chose you."
"If I had everyone in a row, I would chose you."
Generosity changes the lives of those we might never meet!
We are all part and parcel of this awesome drama called life which unfolds itself daily throughout time and space, I bless you with joy.
May you never forget that the only antidote for any end is a new beginning – for any darkness is light and for any death is life, life in Christ, exciting, purposeful, abundant.
May you drink regularly at God's well of grace, in Jesus' veins. May you eat faithfully at God's table of much, in Jesus hand. May you breathe deeply of God's Spirit of life, in Jesus' presence.
He put the light in my heart. And whenever I let it go down, He breathes on it and keeps it going!
The difference between Christianity and all other religions is simple:
If you look long enough for Mohammed's remains - you will find them.
If you look long enough for Buddha's remains - you will find them.
If you look long enough for Abraham' remains - you will find them.
And so for Zoroaster, Confucius, Socrates, Bahahullah, Ron Hubbard, Mary Baker Eddy, Joseph Smith jr., Yong Moon, Maharishi Yogi, Anton LaVey, C.T.Russel and hundreds of others.
If you look for the remains of Jesus Christ - no matter how long or where on earth you look - you won't find them.
Simple.
Your move.
If you look long enough for Mohammed's remains - you will find them.
If you look long enough for Buddha's remains - you will find them.
If you look long enough for Abraham' remains - you will find them.
And so for Zoroaster, Confucius, Socrates, Bahahullah, Ron Hubbard, Mary Baker Eddy, Joseph Smith jr., Yong Moon, Maharishi Yogi, Anton LaVey, C.T.Russel and hundreds of others.
If you look for the remains of Jesus Christ - no matter how long or where on earth you look - you won't find them.
Simple.
Your move.
Religion is the quest of man trying to become perfect like God. Christianity is God becoming a man in order to satisfy His quest for perfection.
The Greatest Man in History, Jesus, had no servants, yet they called Him Master. Had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher. Had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer. He had no army, yet kings feared Him. He fought no wars, yet He conquered the world. He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him. He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.
God's grace goes beyond the reasonable.
God's mercy reaches past the understandable.
God's love lives on the other side of the explainable.
God's mercy reaches past the understandable.
God's love lives on the other side of the explainable.
There will never be a day when you are so good that you don't need the embrace of God's grace. There will never be a day when you are so bad that you are beyond the reach of God's grace.
Sometimes we have to go through hell simply because we're not prepared to hear what Heaven has to say!
Just as the rain awakens the life of the seed in the soil and the sun awakens the smile of the day on the earth, so does the love of my God awaken in my heart the purpose for which I was created!
No matter how hard the journey, no matter how difficult the way, there's a place by God's heart where the storm ceases and the fear goes - under the shadow of His wings.
It doesn't matter how dilapidated and decrepit one's life looks like - God is still more than able to use it and make a beautiful picture out of it!
Nothing true can be threatened. No matter how small or insignificant you think you are, you are a container of God.
There is a place from where God watches man. Religion calls it "law". Christianity calls it "grace".
At the end of the road,
when you've exhausted all your ability and your strength,
when you've given all you've got,
the power of the will can get you to a certain point
but it's the power of God that will take you there!
when you've exhausted all your ability and your strength,
when you've given all you've got,
the power of the will can get you to a certain point
but it's the power of God that will take you there!
We savour the moment - God looks at the path.
We think about going - He considers our heading.
We look for the immediate - He counts the ultimate.
We are worried about the here and now - God sees tomorrow.
We think about going - He considers our heading.
We look for the immediate - He counts the ultimate.
We are worried about the here and now - God sees tomorrow.
There is a divine moment of quiet meditation when you realize that life is absolutely worthless if there's nothing on the other side of the horizon.
I look in my eyes and I find the mirror of need and strife.
I look in religion's eyes and I find the book of law and disapproval.
I look in the eyes of the world and I find the list of lack and inadequacy.
I look in God's eyes and I find the fire of grace, love and joy.
I look in religion's eyes and I find the book of law and disapproval.
I look in the eyes of the world and I find the list of lack and inadequacy.
I look in God's eyes and I find the fire of grace, love and joy.
Rest is not the absence of action. Rest is the presence of faith.
God does not have love - God is love. Because if He only had love, He could retain, keep, deny love. But He is love and there's nothing He can do but love. 1 John 4:16
When life hits you upside the head remember: the game is tough but play on, the umpire is on your side!
Mohammed is dead. Buddah is dead. Moses is dead. Marx is dead. Frank Sinatra is dead.
Death, where are your shackles? Where is your sting? The grave couldn't hold the King. Jesus is alive!
Death, where are your shackles? Where is your sting? The grave couldn't hold the King. Jesus is alive!
There is a "magic" moment when God bypasses all my shortcomings, flaws and inabilities and uses me anyway.
The cloud on the horizon can empty tomorrow of its promise, today of its beauty and yesterday of its tenderness - or simply blow away!
Relax, God loves you now, not a future version of you.
He reveals enough of Himself to make it easy to see Him yet He hides enough of Himself to always desire more of Him.
Courage is contagious. When a man takes a stand, the spines of others are stiffened!
I am Jesus, I 'm your friend.
When life is like a song sung out of tune,
I am Jesus, I'm your friend.
When you think it's all over and evening has come,
I am Jesus, I'm your friend.
When the bottle is empty and the pills are finished,
I am Jesus, I'm your friend.
In the midst of tragedy, while the tears area flowing,
I am Jesus, I'm your friend.
When all have left you and the mirror is dark,
I am Jesus, I'm your friend.
Up or down, winning or losing,
I am Jesus, I'm your friend.
When life is like a song sung out of tune,
I am Jesus, I'm your friend.
When you think it's all over and evening has come,
I am Jesus, I'm your friend.
When the bottle is empty and the pills are finished,
I am Jesus, I'm your friend.
In the midst of tragedy, while the tears area flowing,
I am Jesus, I'm your friend.
When all have left you and the mirror is dark,
I am Jesus, I'm your friend.
Up or down, winning or losing,
I am Jesus, I'm your friend.
There is a place where I can go when I've messed up. A place where I can warm myself when the outside is cold - and damp. A place where I can hide when it feels like pain is really looking for me. A place where accusations can't reach me and condemnations don't hurt me. A place of safety and a place of beauty. A place where I can hear the heartbeat of my Creator - and rest.
That place is called "God's grace".
That place is called "God's grace".
Religion describes a distant god of paper and rules and instructs us to go to him. The Gospel presents a loving God of mercy and truth and informs us He has come.
Worship is the "thank you" that cannot be silenced.
Religion builds a fire beneath you, Christ lights a fire inside you.
Joy is the believer's secret weapon.