Lover’s Leap

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Mark Shields

If you go to a movie or read a book, romance is depicted in stories of courtships and love affairs or in historical settings of heroic deeds or pageantry. In a colorful and scenic world full of fanciful stories and daydreams. I once heard about a legend similar to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. An Indian maiden named Wah-Wah-Tee from an enemy tribe of the Apaches and her Apache brave lover knew that their love would be forbidden. They were determined to be together and tried to run off together, only to be intercepted by her angry father and brothers. The tale ends with Wah-Wah-Tee kissing her lover before they both jump off a cliff and plummet to their death. Today, people around Waco Texas call the cliff just north of downtown at the east end of the Bosque River “Lover’s Leap” because of this legend.

The world does not give a good guide to relationship but we can look to the greatest servant of all, Jesus, for a perfect model to follow. A relationship fueled by “serve-you” love is a lasting love that begins when a couple start viewing their relationship as a chance to meet each other’s needs. A couple should admit their needs, ask God for help and serve each other in God’s strength. For any leader of a family or group of people, take inspiration from the following video: Lead Me – Sanctus Real.

 

 
Pray for God to lead you to make good decisions and for the strength to lead those you love in the right direction.

John Ed Mathison in his book “Treasures of a Transformed Life” Wrote about a guy in a romantic mood. He said to his wife, “If I had a thousand arms, they’d all be around you. And she said, “Quit complaining about what you don’t have, and use what you do have!” My pastor, Steve Ramsdell pointed out in a sermon one time that God gives us an amazing proposal and invitation to intimacy. From the beginning in Genesis 1:26-28 to the end in Revelation 21:6-7, He understands our needs and wants. The focus is on a relationship and sometimes we need to slow down and smell the roses. Billy Graham was quoted to say the following, “The word romance, according to the dictionary, means, excitement, adventure, and something extremely real. Romance should last a lifetime.

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Vision for God’s Plan – Ezekiel 43:1-12

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Mark Shields
English: A. The Temple House B. Altar of Burnt...

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In Ezekiel 43:1-12 Ezekiel gets a visual tour of the temple and then is given a vision of the glory of God. His Spirit entered in the gate facing east and His voice spoke to Ezekiel. God told Him to tell people about the temple so they may understand the plan.

Like the physical temple where the Spirit of God lives in this reading, we each have the Spirit in us when we accept the gift of Christ. We can tell others about this mystery of redeeming love; and all the Scriptures can be opened so more will accept God’s Plan for Us. If you go to work for God, He will go to work on you. If you go to work on His plans, His plans will work on you. Whatever good things we build, end up building character in us.

May the reading of God’s Word and the experiences you have today allow you an opportunity to truly experience a deeper relationship with God through prayer? “This Day with God” devotional is here to open up the Scriptures with ideas that may help apply them. It’s a tool to enhance communication about faith and have an effect on how we learn from each other. It’s about providing the type of freedoms people are interested in.

Encourage, build up, and humbly pray for Spiritual growth in people around you. Each day of our lives, we make deposits in the memory banks of those that look to us for leadership. We need to get across to them that no matter what happens in life, God loves them and that’s what makes this day with Him amazing.

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Time with God – Ezekiel 42

Posted on February 11, 2012 by Mark Shields
god

god (Photo credit: the|G|™)

At this link, is a piano piece that I’ve found helps me in reflecting on my Bible readings and helps when trying to understand the lessons God is teaching.

Today, I’m reading in Ezekiel 42. A tour of the area which includes the rooms for the Priests is given. These buildings are in close proximity to the temple proper and altar.

Today’s reading emphasizes to me the need to separate the holy and common. There is a need to set aside time to give to the Lord the devotion that is His due; to be in a holy space to pray. Time with God is a special time that we need to plan for each day. We need to think of what to pray for and how to spend our time. Each day with God, we can seek a plan of action from Him. He can give insight into how to play our part in a preferred future and give plans to make a difference in society.

Time spent with God is effective time. Amazing things happen when setting aside time with him. More treasure is found and gold is mined during time spent with God than will ever be taken from the earth. We need to follow the example of Jesus who rose early in the morning to spend His time with God before He spent His time with the “busyness” of His world.

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Ezekiel 42-43 Questions for Reflection

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Mark Shields

The last few post, we journeyed through Ezekiel 39-41. The homeland of the Israelites had been destroyed and they had gone through years of exile. It’s hard to understand at times why God’s people have to go through so much adversity but God has a purpose for us. Adversity builds character and momentum is gained as we pray. Then we start to envision the possibilities and look forward to what God can do. Through a dream, Ezekiel received a detailed tour of the God’s house. In building anything, it takes some vision, planning, and decision making. Whether it’s building a house, a skyscraper, or a winning team, attention to every detail is important.

Now over the next few post, we will continue with the visions of Ezekiel. A vision of the glory of God, the procedure to be acceptable to God, and we will try to find out who is leading Ezekiel on these visionary tours. The questions below will provide fuel for my thoughts as I study each reading and share over next few posts.

Ezekiel 42
Passage Lookup

Ezekiel now gets a tour of the area which includes the rooms for the Priests. What is the significance in the proximity of these buildings to the temple proper and the altar? In light of your calling as a Christian, what does this emphasize to you concerning the investment of your time, the preoccupations of your life and the type of service which must receive priority with God? To what extent do you give to the Lord God the devotion that is his due, even apart from your inclination? Why is there separation between the holy and common? What is designated holy?

Ezekiel 43:1-12
Passage Lookup

Compare and contrast Ezekiel’s vision of the glory of God and the temple (See verses 10:18-22, 11:22-24). For what purpose does God give the revelation of future glory (See verses 10-11)?

Ezekiel 43:13-27
Passage Lookup

What is the result of all the procedure? How do you know you are acceptable to God? 

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This Day with God will be amazing! Share with us those amazing moments of your past or present by responding with a short note or a comment about any of these questions.  Also, share with us any favorite inspirational videos, photos, sermon thoughts, or favorite Bible verses.

Resources and Supplementary Helps Used in Posts
First United Methodist Waco Podcast
Christ Notes
Adeney, Carol. This Morning with God. Downer Grove Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1978

 

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What’s Happening in My Part of the World

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Mark Shields
English: Stain Glass Window

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The message last weekend at my church was from Acts 15:1-20 and titled “The Church Lost Its Way”. The early church grew and there were some growing pains as they struggled with whom should be accepted in. They were lost in who God intended the church to be for and what came first; the law or grace.

One example within the message points out that grace should come first. The illustration laid out was the baseball star named Josh Hamilton who had a relapse last week with alcohol. He was photographed drinking at a restaurant in Dallas last week and confessed to the relapse. Years ago, he was suspended from the league because of alcohol and drug issues but for the last few years he’s had a transformation which has been a major part of the comeback in his career. In interviews, he’s talked about how important faith has been in getting his life in order.

The secular world didn’t have anything to offer except criticism and judgment. The media was all over him but the body of Christ was offering encouragement and help. Here’s a picture of the news conference where he was confessing of the relapse. At this link you can see that he is wearing a wrist band. On the wrist band are the words “God is Big Enough” inscribed on it; an idea started by my Pastor Steve Ramsdell and also spread by his twin brother Mike Ramsdell who is the Pastor of a church in a suburb of the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex.

The idea is that God is big enough to help us through any situation. Hundreds of thousands of these wrist bands have been given out as a way to share faith. Many examples have been given of people going through hard times and receiving these wrist bands from believers who are offering encouragement. It’s a gift to let those going through treatment for cancer, going through a major surgery, the loss of a job, etc. that they are being prayed for.

Below are some interesting and inspiring links you may want to check out:
Podcast – The Church Had A Big Idea
Lesson five on the sermon series “The Church”
Search Me Lord – Gaither Vocal Band

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