Broken Heart

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also." John 14:1-3 NRSV

Sometimes not allowing your heart to be troubled is a whole lot easier said than done. I spend a whole lot of time in prayer so that I can be reassured by God's presence that He is actually with me and with those whom I love. I spend a lot of time in the word so that I might be reassured of God's promise of eternal reconciliation with the One who loves me and the whole world enough to die for us.

As I consider what most troubles my heart, I find that it is concern for those who have not accepted Jesus as their Savior and Lord. My heart is most often troubled with concern for those who do not follow in the Way. My concern is that their hearts will be indefinitely troubled. My concern is that they might never know Jesus as I know that there is no healing for the broken heart except in Jesus the Christ.

I can do nothing except for pray and continue to encourage, with the word, those who do not follow Jesus to turn around and follow him.

My heart is troubled. Yet, there is still peace to be found in the promise of eternal peace in the home that Jesus has prepared for all who believe.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Sea Creatures Trained Easier Than The Tongue

"For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison." James 3:7-8

I admit that I have picked up a bit of slang and my grammar is not always the best; but, I tell you there are days that I simply do not understand the English that is being used by many today. What sometimes sounds like insults; derogatory remarks toward or about others, I am told actually isn't! That's just the way people talk in 2015. I am sorry. But, I prefer not to be addressed or hear anyone else addressed in a manner that according to language used as far back as 2000 would be considered verbal assault.

It can be most difficult to control the tongue when one is angry or hurt; but, in general conversation? Oh, my! There are many days that I just want to run back to my little corner of the universe and sit in silence. Of course, I can't turn on the radio or television when I do that because I'd just hear some more of the same.

It is hard to tame the tongue. It is even harder when one does not know the difference between what is appropriate to say and what is not appropriate. Think: treat others as you would like to be treated. So I sit in the sheer silence and listen. I listen for our Father's gentle whisper, "I am with you now and always."

God's Peace - Pr. J

2 Corinthians 5 Earthly Tent or Father's House?

2 Corinthians 5 NIV
There is a longing deep within the soul for something more. That something more that we long for is God. We cannot know him fully while in these mortal bodies. It is by faith, not by sight that we have the reassurance that He is with us. It is by faith that we are reconciled to God through Jesus Christ.

We remain in these bodies; in these earthly tents, so that we might proclaim this message of reconciliation to God our Father through faith in Jesus Christ that all people might enter into God's Kingdom. Yet, it is, as Paul says, that we "would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord."

One day knowing the full glory of God; one day seeing Him with mine own eyes (Job 19:26-27), is my hope.

Let us rejoice for the gift and sacrifice of His Son that has made this reconciliation in our Father's house possible.

God's Peace - Pr. J

John 14:1-7 Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled

John 14:1-7 NIV
Today, we have one of my top ten readings. I have officiated at close to 300 funerals since I began ministering here in Baraga County. This lesson, next to Psalm 23, is probably the most read, by me, when ministering to family and friends at a funeral or memorial service.

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe. Believe that a place has been prepared for you in our Father's house; for Jesus has gone before us to prepare it. He is the way, the truth and the life. In him and through him, we are reconciled to God our Father in the Kingdom prepared for all who believe in him. Believe and follow him.

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Jesus died so that all who believe in him, might live life eternally in our Father's house, in His presence.
God's Peace - Pr. J