Whatever is Pure Archives
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Abba's Child: The Cry of the Heart for Intimate Belonging By Brennan Manning Christianity Today's Exclusive Interview with Brennan Many Christians have bought into the lie that we are worthy of God's love only when our lives are going well. If our families are happy or our jobs are meaningful, life is a success. But when life begins to fall through the cracks and embarrassing sing threaten to reveal our less-than-perfect identity, we scramble to keep up a good front to present to the world - and God. We cower and hide until we can rearrange the mask of perfection and look good again. Sadly, it is then that we wonder why we lack intimate relationships and a passionate faith. In Abba's Child, Brennan Manning encourages readers to let go of the imposter lifestyle and freely accept our belovedness as a child of the heavenly Father. In Him there is life, our passion is rekindled, and our union with Him is His greatest pleasure. This expanded version includes a discussion guide (written by the author) for personal reflection.
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Outflow: Generous Living In a Stingy World A clear image (an overflowing fountain) that cements in the mind the five-step process by which readers can move from an inward to an outward focus. |
Whatever is Pure - July 2006
Safe In Our Father's Arms
DCQ - July 3, 2005Be free,... simple, a child. But be a sturdy child, who fears nothing, who speaks out frankly, who lets himself be led, who is carried in the arms; in a word, one who knows nothing, can do nothing, can anticipate and change nothing, but who has a freedom and a strength forbidden to the great. This childhood baffles the wise, and God Himself speaks by the mouth of such children.
Francois Fenelon
http://www.bookrags.com/biography/fnelon-franois-eorl-05/
Francis Fenelon Biography
Sam loved his Papa with all his little two year old heart and found no better place than the strong yet gentle arms of his father. The love was reciprocated ten times fold by Randy and when ever possible, he'd be found comforting his shy and sensitive son. Unfortunately, Randy's work often took him away for a week at a time. Even though his mother patiently explained to the little guy that his father would indeed return and even though Randy would speak to him via phone via the internet, Sam would only find solace and true comfort when he was once again resting against his father, safe in Randy's arms.
Randy taught me much about the heart of Father God by his living example with his little son. After a weeks absence, Randy was met at the airport by his family but before returning home for the evening, he had to oversee and be the main speaker at a informational evening for his mission. Little Sam was tired, disappointed and cranky. Nothing his mother tried to do to distract the tot worked. Hugs and kisses from mama just were not the same as Papa's. Poor Brenda spent more time the hallway walking her wailing child than she did in the meeting and at one point, she let the tyke down. Like a rocket, Sam raced in the room, up the centre aisle and up the platform, hugging his father's knee. Randy bent, picked up his little boy and kissed his forehead, nestling him close. Whimpers changed to sniffles, sniffles to heavy breathing and within moments, Sam was asleep, all he needed was to hear his father's heartbeat. Never letting his son go, Randy continued his message, asking others in the room to look up scripture verses as his arms were full. I will never forget that picture. Perfect rest in Sam, utter love and devotion in Randy, even as Randy went about his Heavenly Father's business.
As Sam grew, he indeed became that sturdy child, no longer insecure, able to assert himself, express his needs and play happily. He never lost the need to be close to his father but his father's hand on his head or a one armed hug would bring a peace he could find no other way. He understood to rest in the assurance of his father's love and his earthly father introduced him to the true source of all our security, his Father God.
Father God, may I learn to return to that place of rest against your chest. May my heart find peace in your heartbeat. May my confidence and my voice be found through the assurance of your great love for me and your unfailing, patient love.
© 2006 Katherine Walden
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This Is Your Day
This is your day
So rise up and celebrate,
You'd better get up and go
So you want be late.
Be on time for every function
You set your mind on going to,
For their God's blessing is waiting
They are waiting just for you.
However if you come late
It might be already gone,
You will have to wait a while
And only God knows how long.
No one knows the day nor the hour
So get right and do it fast,
'Cause only what you do for Christ
That is what's going to last.
So this is your day to enjoy
But be cautious my friend,
Jesus Christ is coming soon
And this too shall come to an end.
© 2006 Elsie Brown
mselsie25@hotmail.com
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Give From What You Are Given
June 23, 2003There is a false self-distrust which denies the worth of its own talent. It is not humility - it is petty pride, withholding its simple gifts from the hands of Christ because they are not more pretentious. There are men who would endow colleges, they say, if they were millionaires. They would help in the work of Bible study if they were as gifted as Henry Drummond. They would strive to lead their associates into the Christian life if they had the gifts of Dwight L. Moody. But they are not ready to give what they have and do what they can and be as it has pleased God to make them, in His service - and that is their condemnation.
Charles Reynolds Brown
Short Biography and Listing of Papers at Yale.
Mark 12: 42- 44 NIV:
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."
As a child, I remember bringing my mother a beautiful bouquet of bright yellow flowers every year. Lovingly, she would place them in a little glass by the kitchen sink. "So I can look at them when I'm washing dishes..." She'd say. With a sense of pride, I'd give her a quick hug and head off my way.
How many mothers across North America have received the bouquets of the same flowers from their preschoolers? The flowers look so pretty against the green grass, after all. A delight to any child's eye. Dandelions. An overabundance of riches to a child, nothing but a weed to an adult. However, to most mothers, the sight of drooping saffron-yellow weed bouquets clutched in the tiny fists of their smiling, generous children bring as much joy as a dozen roses.
So it is with our Heavenly Father. Is there a gift that you have felt that was not worthy of bringing into his presence or worthy of giving to his people, because it's not as fancy as the other gifts presented? Have you stopped short of responding when the call has gone out, even though your heart was pounding and you were sure the pastor was looking right at you when he asked for volunteers? Have you kept your tongue even when the Holy Spirit whispered toy you to share with another believer how the Lord brought you through a common struggle, afraid that you would stumble on your words?
Don't wait until you are well-rehearsed, well dressed and well trained. Step out and watch how the Lord works through the weak and the lowly and how he loves to empower us with His strength. The Lord wants our hearts ... and our obedience.
On that vein, do you like to write? Are you a closet poet? Would you consider submitting a short inspirational article, testimony or poem to the "Whatever Is Pure Ezine"?
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Whatever Is Pure Ezine. Please don't let a perceived sense of unworthiness stop you from sharing with others the good things God has done in your life. I am more than happy to help edit any testimony that you felt led to share.
© 2006 Katherine Walden
Contact for permission to reprint or use in any format.
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I Am!
Crying To God for strength,
Knowing I am so weak,
My burden is so heavy,
Jesus assures me,
"I am all powerful,
Take my light burden."
Realizing my lack of wisdom,
Need for discernment,
I pray for both,
Jesus tells me,
"I am all wise,
Come, learn from me."
Knowing my inadequacies,
The things I am not,
And long to be,
Loving patient
The list is long,
I cry out for help!
Jesus loving words,
Bring needed hope,
Comfort and peace,
"I am,
All that you need,
My strength is made perfect
in your weakness. "
©2006 Janet Hagg
cjhagg@charter.net
Contact directly for permission before using in any format.
A Childhood Story
I was having fun playing with my granddaughter one evening (who is at the age of thinking up and asking impossible questions) when she wanted to hear 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears'. She had me tell the story over and over three times; each time she squealed with delight and would try to imitate the voices that I had used for the bears voices, then she looked quizzically and asked:
"Grandma, why are only the baby bears things 'just right'?
Trying to look like I have all the answers I replied: "Because the baby bear is small like Goldilocks. "
That answer seemed to satisfy my granddaughter but it left me thinking. I had a dream once in which I heard God tell me: "Don't be too poor or too rich-these things are traps." The baby bear's porridge was neither too hot nor too cold. The baby bear's chair was neither too soft nor too hard. The baby bear's bed was also neither too soft nor too hard. On further reflection could the papa bear's things represent poverty and the mamma bear's things riches? Also could the baby bear represent coming to Christ in a childlike way?
Without realizing it, I had used the bear's voices in a stereotypical way. I tried to use a deep masculine voice for the papa bear that came out as kind of domineering and lean. For the mamma bear I used a high pitched overly feminine voice that came out as submissive I suppose a voice of pampered excess. And for the baby bear I tried to use a cute innocent voice, one of love.
Isn't the voice of poverty domineering, riches submissive and innocence love? So could it be that even in our social structure, as well as, our economic structure we are not to dominate or submit but in all our ways use love.
With all of the commercialism out there traps of excess are everywhere- if we choose riches over God all we have is empty material gain and the only recourse leaves us empty, wanting more. We have all seen the horrors of poverty displayed on television or in our neighbourhoods where lack leaves us doing awful things in order to survive and if we choose poverty over God it leaves us in our sin seeking His mercy and never receiving it because of our actions.
No, like Goldilocks the only way out is to become childlike. When we use love to give and to receive we restore balance and freedom and come to a greater knowledge of God in truth and in light. No wonder all the baby bear's things were 'just right.'
Two things I ask of you; do not deny them to me before I die: Remove far from me falsehood and lying, give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that I need, or I shall be full, and deny you, and say, 'Who is the Lord?' or I shall be poor, and steal, and profane the name of my God. (Proverbs 30:7-9)
©2006 Peggy Ann Kennedy
kennedypeg@msn.com
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