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A man was exploring caves by the seashore. In one of the caves he found a canvas bag with a bunch of hardened clay balls. It was like someone had rolled clay balls and left them out in the sun to bake. They didn't look like much, but they intrigued the man, so he took the bag out of the cave with him. As he strolled along the beach, he would throw the clay balls one at a time out into the ocean as far as he could. He thought little about it, until he dropped one of the clay balls and it cracked open on a rock. Inside was a beautiful, precious stone! Excited, the man started breaking open the remaining clay balls. Each contained a similar treasure. He found thousands of dollars worth of jewels in the 20 or so clay balls he had left. Then it struck him. He had been on the beach a long time. He had thrown maybe 50 or 60 of the clay balls with their hidden treasure into the ocean waves. Instead of thousands of dollars in treasure, he could have taken home tens of thousands, but he had just thrown it away! It's like that with people. We look at someone, maybe even ourselves, and we see the external clay vessel. It doesn't look good outside. It isn't always beautiful or sparkling, so we discount it. We see that person as less important than someone more beautiful or stylish or well known or wealthy but we have not taken the time to find the treasure hidden inside that person. There is a treasure in each and every one of us. If we take the time to get to know that person, and if we ask God to show us that person the way He sees them, then the clay begins to peel away and the brilliant gem begins to shine forth. May we not come to the end of our lives and find out that we have ! thrown away a fortune in friendships because the gems were hidden in bits of clay. May we see the people in our world as God sees them. I am so blessed by the gems of friendship I have with each of you. Thank you for looking beyond my clay vessel.
It is the ordinary aspects of life I am now beginning to see God's miracles. Coming away from the crowds which Jesus did so very often is one of the best sure ways of hearing God's still small voice. We need to hear this voice because without it we live in perpetual drought. We need His presence because He is the Bread of Life and without His Word, His Spirit we are dead, walking zombies, aimless and without purpose. Last week you name it everything happened. Part of my bedroom ceiling room came in, the radiator burst and the living room was covered in water. We thank the Lord that Cindy my dog was not near here as the scalding water could have caused great harm. Our boiler completely broke down 3 weeks ago and still we have no hot water except what we boil in the kettle. But as I explained to my husband Ray lets's be thankful in some countries they have to walk 20 miles just to get water! There are roadworks continually out at the back, and we came home today to find scaffolding outside our main window! Well I praise the Lord for that because at least we have an exit route if there is a fire! I jest not even the fire alarms do not work!! For all of this I love my home, I have never been in one place long enough nor had the views to which I have the pleasure of. I have three walls instead of four! The Bay of St. Ives Cornwall is spectacular it is truely a blessing to see the sunsets and dawns come and go. It is a miracle to watch the rainbows sometimes a double rainbow majestically spread from one side of the window to another. The words that have been springing to mind recently is what satan meant for harm God has took and turned it into a blessing. We just have to see it and rejoice. I have been ill for sometime and yes of late my hope had been dwindling smaller and smaller. One thing I have learned through my illness is accepting help, admitting how you really feel. Holding my pride together has denied me both love from God and who he choses to bless me with. The truth of it was I was ashamed of my illness, thinking I was a bad person and deserved it. This is where satan our greatest enemy would have us stay. In the dark. I knew in my heart of hearts that the Lord would heal me. I just didn't know when or how. This is where faith comes in. I have had confimations come through such different sources, firstly I heard the Lord's voice myself one morning as I was waiting for the kettle to boil for my usual cup of tea. I was barely awake and interruping thoughts for the day were non-existent at that time and I heard "I am the Lord that healeth thee". It was clear and precise. Then we had a barbecue in our town with other christians speaking and singing the Gospel. There a friend of Ray my husband was miraculously healed. He had been on crutches for over 10 years and the doctors didn't expect him to be healed. My husband had witnessed the healing in our local church in front of his eyes and saw him walk away without his crutches. That evening we all met up for fellowship and worship and I saw Glen. I had to take a double take look because he wasn't the same man. His face was so full of light and joy and yes running around without any aid. I so sensed the Lord then placing hope in my heart and that He is a God of miracles. It wasn't just events that happened 2,000 years ago. Jesus is alive and is still healing miracuously! So clinging on to God's promises of healing in faith came to fruition the other evening. A very loving brother whom I have got to know and share with on-line through 360 came on to say hello. Although I was very bad this day and I had physically felt the pressure inside my head I decided to say hello. Not only that I decided to be honest when he asked me how I was. I told him I was bad today that my depression was actually hurting my head. He asked me if I believed that Jesus could heal me. For a split second I had a doubt then remembered the parable about the mustard seed and knew my faith at that point was very small but still it was there. I said yes I believed. Through his love and concern he guided me by the Holy Spirit to leave my depression at the foot of the cross of Jesus. I said to my beloved brother would God take it all away for good? Again he said to me do you believe he can? A step of faith and I said yes. So there and then he prayed with me. Over the next hour or so the Holy Spirit released the pressure in my head. The clamp like vice was easing every minute. I had grown so acustomed to the physical sensation of depression it was strange to feel light. I found myself on my knees praying and singing to the Lord, the pressure getting lighter and lighter. It has been 3 or four days and my head is still light and the depression has gone. I have had depression since I was 19 years old I am now 44 years old. Today I went shopping with my husband and met my friends and Kenny our local pastor at church today and when they asked me how I was I could truely say I was better. It was a lovely feeling!! Yes satan has had a go at me but I'm learning quickly to take it to the cross of Jesus. Everything in our lives today is because of Jesus and what He has done on the cross. Yes I was tired this afternoon and for the first time without guilt I gave my self permission to rest and I slept. Tonight more miracles came, my daughter has her old job back which she loves. She's had months of financial difficulties and my best friend shared something so personal I felt so privileged and honoured. God knows our hearts, He knows what we need when we need it. If I were to write all the blessings down his week that God has showered I would never stop writing. He is wonderful our God. He so loves us even when people let us down our God will never let you down ever! Praise His Name Forever! Taste and See that the Lord is Good! He is the God of all Hope, Peace, Righteousness. God is good!
A cry of pain A cry of sorrow Does it break your heart Lord? If it breaks yours It breaks mine A sigh of despair A groan of horror Does it break your heart Lord? If it breaks yours It breaks mine The innocent die The guilty remain Does it break your heart Lord? If it breaks yours It breaks mine The proud rule The meek crushed Does it break your heart Lord? If it breaks yours It breaks mine "But Lord if it breaks your heart ....?" "Yes child?" "Why don't you do something more?" "What more can I do child?" "I sent my only son Innocent was he Your guilt remains Until you believe in Him" "I do believe in your Son Lord" "Then go child sin no more And tell of how much I love them" They refuse to see They refuse to hear Their hearts are cold Does it break your heart Lord? If it breaks yours It breaks mine POEM BY JACQUI
Exodus 14 v 13-14 Moses answered, "Don't be afraid! Stand your ground, and you will see what the Lord will do to save you today; you will never see these Egyptians again. The Lord will fight for you, and there is no need for you to do anything"
Psalm 34 v 4-7 "I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me; he answered me; he freed me from all my fears, The oppressed look to him and are glad; they will never be disappointed. The helpless call to him, and he answers; he saves them from all their troubles, His angel guards those who honour the Lord and rescues them from danger"
00000000000000000000000 Whatever your situaton today the Lord is the same today, yesterday and tomorrow. The Lord never changes. Are you trying to do God's work in your own strength and with your own reasoning. On reading the final victory of the Israelites leaving Egypt the Lord wants to show both the Israelites that He is their God and will deliver them and He wants the His Glory to show the Egyptians. I found it amazing that the words of the Lord through Moses was "Don't be afraid!" "Stand your ground" ".. save you today" "The Lord will fight for you" (notice the Lord WILL FIGHT FOR YOU and not you fight with the Lord on you situation) and this part just shouted at me this morning "there is no need for you to do anything".
I have so many issues going on in my life at the moment if it wasn't for the Lord who gives me such peace most people would crumble including ME! "THERE IS NO NEED FOR YOU TO DO ANYTHING". I know over the past three years I have done everything humanly possible to get out Landlord to put things right in the flat. It has been one big nightmare. Crazy parties in the building, drug dealing, water coming through the ceiling, no fire alarms, now there is no boiler working we have no hot water or heating and finally yesterday the radiator blew and all the water in the system went all over the carpet. There is no water stop tap either and no-one not even the Landlord can find it. It's complete stale mate. All because the Landlord won't spend the money and he is the richest landlord in Cornwall UK. We praise God that our dog Cindy was not under this blast of hot water (thank you for those who have prayed for her she is getting better! we have a new vet who cares!) My husband has just gone for glasses we can't afford, no idea where the money is coming from. Debts up to our ears and no way more money can be found. "THE LORD WILL FIGHT FOR YOU, AND THERE IS NO NEED FOR YOU TO DO ANYTHING." Well as I read this piece of scripture in bed this morning I knew it was a word for me and I also knew the Lord wanted me to write it on my blog to encourage you all that this word applies to you too! Our God is Great. Let Him be Honoured. Let Him fight for YOU! JUST PRAISE HIM AND WATCH HIM PART YOUR RED SEA!!
God Bless Jacqui xx (Let me know what He has done for you, Let others know what He has done for YOU)
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Posted On 02/28/2007 13:07:25
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struggle due to illness. But this week I had been invited to the art class for therapy and I really wanted to go. I thought in the morning if I can struggle with God's Grace I can go to the Bible Study. The battle was on. The words came "I can do ALL things in Christ who strengthens me" . Not just one or two things but ALL. The Lord seemed to emphasise the word ALL. I put on my jacket and scarf and set out of the doors. My panic and fear rose up like a tornado. I kept on repeating this scripture as I walked down the road. At one point I stopped, albeit briefly, a few seconds and then I repeated the scripture again all the way until I got to the church doors. So great was the fear of groups, even though I knew them and knew they loved me. I opened the door to my smiling husband who had gone down before me and he lifted his hands in praise that I had made it. Kenny the Pastor who was feeling better jumped up and said would I like coffee and he made it for me. It was difficult sitting still because of my nerves but we opened with prayer and then studied a chapter in Acts - a book I rarely visit. I was encouraged because Kenny really did a good bible study and I saw how the Lord has strengthened his ministry over the last year. Months of covering the man with prayer was evident and he had been ill as well. Normally we go off track but Kenny brought it back so naturally I was really pleased for him. We took communion which is always a blessing for me and Kenny also thanked God for me for coming knowing how difficult it was. The study ended in worship. My best friend Peggy who sat next to me said she had heard me humming. I had wanted to sing a song but I could only remember the tune so I hummed and Peggy had heard me. I so wanted to worship. Howard who has been blessed with a voice from the Lord broke out in song I felt a release of worship and my heart was so warmed with pleasure at singing to the Lord. It was a truely blessed morning. Peggy invited me around for lunch which meant that I could get to my art class which was literally next door!! God's provision was so good. I had decided whilst I spoke those scriptures out earlier that I must not fear. God is love and his love casts out all fear. Although tired at the end of the day, I still managed the wash the pots and sort the tea out for my husband Ray as he was on a late shift that day. When I knew he was okay I then decided to take a nap for an hour. Cindy curled up beside me too. Thank you Lord your words are not empty but full of promise. Thank you for enabling me to take such a step of faith and in so doing my faith increased and changed the whole course of the day. Blessed Be the name of the Lord.
Faithful Protector The lighthouse stands at a distance But it is there .... It never moves ... rock secure Although the waves roar above and around Imprenetrable ... it stays Our God reigns The tree stands upright Immovable .... Roots secure ...deep Hurricane, storms, hail and snow ... it stays Our God reigns sparrows flit, one branch to another tiny, fragile, slight Yet .... Our Father in Heaven knows With tender hands Faithful hides the gentle bird Away from vultures swooping Protector So precious are we Our God reigns
For the husband is the head of the wife just as Christ is the head of the church, the body of which he is the Saviour..... Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, in order to make her holy by cleansing her with the washing of water by the word, as as to present the church to himself in splendour, without a spot or wrinkle or anything of the kind - yes, so that she may be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:23, 25-27 NRSV -------------------------------------------------------------------- This picture of the roses were given to me by my husband Ray on Valentines Day. He sent me the best card ever a teddybear with the bear hugging a heart. I have never had a card like that before. I have never had roses like this before either. I have never known love. I asked my husband in the kitchen yesterday in all innosence "Why did you marry me?" He answered "Because I love you". These are such strange words for me to hear. But Ray puts into practice what love means. When I came home from walking Cindy our dog he was vacuuming up. When I am too tired to walk Cindy Ray walks her. When I am stressed and can't face cooking Ray cooks. When I need some space because I can't cope with any more hugs he gives me space. When I'm upset and need hugs to reassure me he comes to me and dries my tears and hugs me. When Ray has been working hard and he comes home to find me too tired even to get out of bed (as I'm often not well) he doesn't complain that I haven't done the dishes. I say to Jesus "Why have you brought Ray into my life?" Jesus says "Because I love you". God has shown us how much he loves us - it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us! Romans 5:8 GNB I know that through Ray and the love he shows me Jesus is showing me how much He loves his Church. More than we can every imagine or even begin to imagine. Nothing in all creation can separate us from
AMEN! “…. in quietness and trust ” I love the word quietness. Sometimes I find even christian music loud. One of my favourite places is to sit alone in my church alone with God. It is so peaceful. There is no music, no voices, just my heart beating, I should do it more often. Once I went into the local Parish Church in St. Ives. They had some christian music on in the background. I knew I couldn’t stay. I just wanted peace and quiet. There is a time for praise and a time for stillness. This morning my husband went to church and he had to choose a hymn. I asked him what he chose and he said “Be Still” and that hadn’t chosen it. It is one of my favourite hymns. How often we are so busy with life, so active and I know that I am too busy. “Be Still and know that I am God”. Ironically enough when Ray, my husband came home the preacher decided not to use the hymn afterall …. couldn’t fit it in. Perhaps they didn’t have time to be still….. I don’t know. Quite apt I thought. God Bless xx Jacqui xx
Yes and what a battle it is. Terrorize that is the key word! Spiritual terrorism!! Cracked pots, there are more cracks than I ever imagined I can tell you. But it is comforting and encouraging to know that Jesus had the same assault on him. I feel so dull and yes beauty is only skin deep in this world. I pull my hair out, I have teenage spots NOW!, I’m larger than life now, if they are making dress sizes at 0 well I’m ‘weigh’ out of scale now. But for all the groaning I do when I now look in the mirror I would not do without Jesus. The words come to mind “What does it profit a if you gain the whole world and lose your own soul” and as Peter said when he realised who Christ was “Who else has the words of eternal life” Only Jesus touches the parts of you that no-one else can, no other ‘god’, religion, not even those closest to us, no amount of money, no amount of possession, nothing else pierces the soul like Jesus and He has the marks in His body to prove how much He loves each and every one of us. How much more proof does the world need. There is only one thing left in this world to live for and that is Jesus, the Son of God who died for all my sins and everybody elses. So I thank God I am cracked and a pot broken because if I hadn’t have had these suffering I would never know the joy of knowing Jesus.
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