Know the Truth

John 8:31-36 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, (32) and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (33) They answered him, "We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, 'You will become free'?" (34) Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. (35) The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. (36) So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

My heart longs for true freedom, not just the absence of laws or regulations, but to be free to soar to the heavnes, to experience God in new and deeper ways. But, the question remains, What does it mean to abide and to know? What is the connection between abiding in His word and knowing the truth? How can I know "the truth"? How can I know "the Son"?

The more I ponder the issue the more I come to understand the interconnectedness between the living Word, the living Word of God and the written Word. The freedom I desire demands that I abide in the Word and that I know the truth, Christ, the living Word.

And this reality drives me back to the realization that true freedom must come from loving God will all my mind, my heart, my soul and my strength.

Wanderer101

He was moved with Compassion

Matt. 9:36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

I reflect on Christ's response of compassion for the crowds as I see the news of the tradegy that occured at Virginia Tech. I think of the many mothers, fathers, spouses, brothers, sisters, friends, lovers, and other family members who are just beginning the deep journey of grief. Will their journey be more difficult as they wonder at the senselessness of the act? Will there be a friend, a believer who will walk with them on this path?
And I realize that I can only open the door a small amount and for a limited time as I feel the pain of the moment. How can I enter into their suffering? How can I begin to allow my heart to be touched by the pain I see on the faces of those that remain? I don't want to allow myself to be objective and just watch the news and walk away, and yet, I sense the frailty of my being to allow my heart to absorb a tiny amount of their pain, to become a healer in the midst of the pain.
And as the Spirit ministers to my spirit, I know that God has given me a path to follow and the strength to walk each step.

God give me the desire and strength to be a healer to those who are hurting and allow my heart to absorb some portion of their pain today.

Wanderer101

Poverty of the Soul

Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat.
Mother Teresa

I recently heard someone talk about how blessed we are in the United States because of all the things God has given us. But, what of the poverty of the soul of which Mother Teresa speaks? How can we be most blessed if we are the most lonely, the most separated from one-another?

I understand it has become too easy for me to go to church, sit in neat rows, sing, listen to a preacher and leave. My soul feels the depth of poverty that comes from living within my little world as I rush about being busy doing such good things.

How can I connect to another believer and share concern, care, and love for those in greatest need? Christ came to give His life, what am I giving for the great poverty of soul that I see in the Body of Christ?

Wanderer101