God speaks..... through a Snickers bar

Recent Snickers slogan: "You're not you when you're hungry. Snickers Satisfies"

Think on this: The season of Lent is a journey to the cross.  It is in the journey with Jesus that we find who we truly are and who we are meant to be. With sin, we are simply not us.  The people Jesus encountered in his ministry found, in him, purpose, meaning, healing, and forgiveness.  Jesus truly satisfies.  How will his encounter change you?

Ephesians 5:8 (GNT) "You yourselves used to be in the darkness, but since you have become the Lord's people, you are in the light. So you must live like people who belong to the light,..."

"He is intangible and invisible. But His work is more powerful than the most ferocious wind. The Spirit brings order out of chaos and beauty out of ugliness. He can transform a sin-blistered man into a paragon of virtue. The Spirit changes people. The Author of life is also the Transformer of life." - R.C. Sproul

An old worship song, but still a great one.
click to hear "Change my heart O God" by Hosanna Music

God speaks..... through a walk up Mill Mountain

I enjoyed a wonderful walk on nice day up Mill Mountain.  This walk was along the "old road," the narrow, twisty one on the front of the mountain.  It was not as fast, or as straight, as driving the "new way," but I was able to take in marvelous views while enjoying the slowed pace.


Think about this:  Easter, or Resurrection Dawn, is on the way.  We have a tendency to jump ahead in our plans and vision, as we anticipate that great day.  Lent reminds us there is much to appreciate while we journey with Jesus to the cross.  Sometimes it is arduous, but the slowed pace gives us a fresh view of what we are missing.


Matthew 16:21 (NRSV) From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.

“Let us then, my brethren, endure in hope. Let us devote ourselves, side-by-side with our hoping, so that the God of the entire universe, as he beholds our intention, may cleanse us from all sins, fill us with high hopes from what we have in hand, and grant us the change of heart that saves. God has called you, and you have your calling.”  — St. Cyril of Jerusalem

Listen to this wonderful song of worship:
Hillsong - Lead Me to the Cross

Blessings!

God speaks..... through a closed up bookstore

On a recent walking trip through downtown Roanoke, I noticed an empty storefront that used to house a bookstore.  What struck my attention was the fact that a year or so ago, my family and I were chatised by the owner of the bookstore for looking at / reading books in the store.  Apparently, you were supposed to "judge the book by its cover" without touching.  Who knew?


Think on this:  Jesus has come that life, full life may be experienced.  Anytime we memorialize Jesus and place him on display, we are robbed of purpose and power.  Jesus is to be embraced and experienced through relationship.

John 1:41 - 42 (NKJV) ^"He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ).  And he brought him to Jesus."

John 4:42 (NKJV) "Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.”

click here to hear Ernie Haas & signature sound with Gaither Vocal Band sing "I Then Shall Live"

Blessings!