marriage

I can't say it any better than C.S. Lewis - "One’s mind runs back up the sunbeam to the sun." Nathan is the sunbeam in my life. God is the sun.

what it's not and what it is

The following was inspired by a thought-provoking conversation with a couple of fellow Christians over an authentic Mexican meal. We were glorifying God with our tastebuds and our conversation. :)

Galatians 1:8 issues a sobering warning - "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God's curse!" Yikes! 

That begs the big question - what isn't the Gospel, and what is the Gospel?

Let's start with what it isn't. People often go to extremes, and both extremes are extremely wrong. On one side of the spectrum, you have "the health and wealth" version which promises only earthly prosperity in this life if you seek God. Do we really think that our righteous God can't see right through our ulterior motives? Let it be clear - the Good News is not about your body's physical health or your bank account amount. On the other end of the spectrum, you have "the doom and gloom" version which preaches all pain and no gain. Do we forget that God's presence is described as being "the fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore"? Let it be clear - the Good News is not ultimately about the bad news of sin and sorrow and Satan. 

Both of these lopsided versions are a false Gospel, and the person who preaches either one to anyone is in major trouble. 

So, what is the Gospel we ought to preach? It is CHRIST eternal, incarnate, crucified, resurrected, and enthroned. It is an abundant life, but not the way you might assume. It's your sin-sick soul that is healed and your spiritual bankruptcy that is solved. God in all His glory is your ultimate reward. It is an awful present and future without Jesus, but it doesn't have to be. God is not just just; He is just as much love! He loves to love! The Good News is the worthy Redeemer seeking you that you might seek and find and enJOY Him for Him forever.  

when students remind the teacher

We had the pleasure and treasure of reading "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" by C.S. Lewis this past school year. The following occurred in our class discussion.

Student: "Mrs. J., why does Aslan not just obliterate the witch? I mean, he could just wipe her out. He's the king! But instead he lets her kill him." 

Me: "Very true. But first he wants to take care of Edmund's soul, right? And he wants to melt the terrible winter spell that had been cast over Narnia."

(Hmmm, Aslan sounds like another King whose plan was to REDEEM, then reign!) :)

my moving window

Sheep-like clouds in the sky, 

Cloud-like sheep passing by, 

Blue sky above, blue sea below,

God's colours everywhere you go.

Soaring birds in the sky, 

Tree branches waving bye, 

Yellow blooms, green rolling hills, 

Arching rainbow, His glory thrills!

- a silly wee poem I penned on the road whilst in Northern Ireland with my beloved travel companion 

WONDERing

Why is it that a rainbow looks upside down?
Why does it appear a colourful frown?
Well, perhaps it's right side up from God above,
A smile - a mile long - from the God of love.

P.S. Can you even begin to imagine "the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ," (Titus 2:13) the Maker of the mere magic around us?

Hallelujah!

Sadly at times I fall and fail,
Gladly God's mercy and love prevail.

"The best is yet to come!"

"The best is yet to come!" Thank you, Frank Sinatra. And it's more than just a fine line from a classic song. It's a reality for the Christian.

I am engaged to a wonderful Christian man. His name is Nathan Juarez. He has a head and heart for God. He loves the church. He is handsome and romantic. He is magical on the piano. And he loves Cuban food as much as I do. I love him a lot (and for a lot more reasons than just those), and I am counting down the days till we say "I do" to each other. It will be so great to have a companion to share the joys and burdens of life's journey.

As excited as I am for our wedding day, still, I am even more overwhelmed thinking about the reality that we are on our way to Heaven. This engagement season has really got me to thinking.

If the splendid sparkle on my finger which demands so much attention is just a small glimmer of what is to come, can you imagine?! If a jewel speck from Earth radiates such glorious spectrums of colour, can you even begin to envision the majesty of God, Creator of diamonds? 

And if the love I experience from Nathan is just a little picture of the Groom's love to come, can you imagine?! God is love! And the anticipation for the Hawaiian honeymoon can't even rival the anticipation the Christian should feel for eternity where there are pleasures forevermore at His right hand (Psalm 16:11).

I'm doing an identity study at the moment, and the one that has most struck me is that I am on my way to Heaven - Heaven with the King of Kings and the fellowship of all His blood-bought children. Now that is glorious beyond comprehension. "No eye has seen and no human mind has conceived - the things God has prepared for those who love Him." (1 Corinthians 2:9) With this in mind, truly our long days on Earth filled with sighing and crying, waiting and working, wandering and wondering are but "momentary afflictions preparing for us an eternal weight of GLORY beyond all comparison." (2 Corinthians 4:17) You know?

Here I am, awaiting the 17th of May (Yay! Come quickly!), but am I expecting Jesus' return with such joy and urgency as well? Am I inviting those around me to the eternal party with the Lord Jesus Christ? Thankfully everybody is invited to that, while I'm limited to a 200 guest count on Earth. :)