The Bottle in the Ocean and the Ocean in the Bottle

  The sun shone down with a warmth that soaked into the body and made one feel happy and lethargic. From her vantage point under the shade of the umbrella the mother watched her young son as he played in the sand not far away.The sun shining on his brown curls, glistened with glints of copper.His chubby hands, coated with sand were busily burying an old glass soda bottle  in the sand.

   Her gaze went on out to the vast ocean which went out to blend with the horizon, as wave after wave swept the shore. realizing that the day was fast disappearing, she called her son and taking him by the hand, they left, leaving the bottle mostly submerged in the sand with its mouth pointed towards the sea.

  As the minutes ticked by and the hours passed, the tide washed in covering the bottle, retreating and coming in again. The water swirled around and over the bottle, filling it with water and draining out again, washing away some sand with each wave and then it was submerged completely until morning when the tide went out again.

  In the morning as the tide retreated so did the water in the bottle and it lay there, Stilll trapped in the sand, baking in the sun, until no moisture remained. The feet of many people tramped around it all day long until by evening tide it was almost completely buried again.

  Day after day, the bottle lay caught and held by the sand. Each night the tide waters flowed in, loosening the sand that held it. The water flowed inside and around it. Every morning the water drained out and away, leaving it to bake in the sun and becoming hot and dry.Every day some hand or foot by random passers by would compact it firmly into the sand....

  Until one lovely day. A young man gleefully picked up the forgotten bottle and flung it into the sea. The bottle bobbed up and down happily in the water, completely filled with ocean water as it floated along and sank into the vast waters of the ocean.

  The bottle was in the sea, and the sea was in the bottle.

Photo: Courtesy of Mervin Hostetler

Abide in me and I in you

   Many Christians are falling short of Christ's command,"Abide in me and I in you."

  Like the bottle they are buried in the sands of unbelief. Like the tide flowing in and around the bottle, so they also have times when they feel the presence of God flowing into their life. They may have a time of revival, but when they return to daily living, the water retreats back into the sea.. Because of the sand of unbelief that holds them, their life becomes dry and God seems far away.

  God is calling all his children to a life of faith.God needs his people to believe what his word says....Gal 4:6, Says God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts.That means, that God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts.

  Jesus also says, "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."

Our only hope of bearing fruit is to abide in Christ. Otherwise we can do nothing. From Andrew Murray we learn these words. Let us study the beautiful union between Christ and his people. Let us listen and believe until our whole being cries out; Jesus is to me the true vine, bearing me, nourishing me, supplying me, using and filling me to the full.(like the bottle in the ocean) to make me bring forth fruit abundantly.

 Now, thank God, I have Christ; not only what I have room for, but also that which I don't have room for.But for which I will have room for.Moment by moment, as I go into eternity before me. I am like the little bottle in the sea which is as full as it can get. The bottle in the sea and the sea in the bottle. So I am in Christ and Christ is in me. Besides the bottle in the sea, there is a whole ocean beyond. The difference is that the bottle has to be filled, over and over again- every day, And I am in that ocean to be filled continually forevermore. adapted from A. B. Simpson's tract HIMSELF

The story is mine, some of the instruction is adapted from Andrew Murray's book, ABIDE IN CHRIST. I love the things I have learned from Andrew Murray, But some of it is hard to read. This is my effort of breaking it down and hopefully making it easy to read and understand in our world today. God bless you!

He Always Holds Our Hand

     The raging, rushing water struck terror in the heart of the little boy, as he, and his father and sister, stood on the banks of the river and surveyed it. 

   "Do we really have to cross over?" he asked his Father anxiously. Fear clouded his blue eyes, 

  His Father looked at him with love in his eyes and the slightest hint of a twinkle..

    "To get to the other side we do, Yes."

  His Father reached for his hand and engulfed the small boy hand in his large reassuring grip.

     "Look son, I will hold your hand. I will keep holding onto you the whole way across. I will tell you where to step and I will not let go. You will be fine. Trust me."

   The gentle kind words brought peace to his heart. The strong hand of his Father gave him confidence.

     "Okay Dad, if you promise not to let go. I will do as you say, it would be a whole lot easier if you let me ride on your shoulders like her."

     He gestured toward his sister who was now sitting in absolute calmness on her big Father's shoulders.

   His Father chuckled and clamped his big hand on the boys small shoulder.

       " You will be as safe as she is. I will be holding your hand and I will not let go."

   And so they crossed over. The little girl sitting quietly on her father's shoulders. The boy with his hand clasped securly in his big Father's comforting grip. The Father planted his feet firmly on the river bed, pointing out rocks and footholds along the way to the boy.

     "Okay now, see that rock there? There you go, that's good, one jump at a time, we'll get there."

  And so the Father encouraged the son and kept him from falling with the grip of his strong hand. He helped him leap from rock to rock, across distances that he could not have possibly made on his own.

   The Father kept his promise and never let go. The boy, trusting his Father"s strong grip, focused on the next spot his Father asked him to jump to and paid no heed to the rushing water. On the other side they looked back over the rushing river they had just crossed. The boy's heart nearly bursting with pride in his Father.

     "Wow Dad, I would never have made it without you!"

      

Trusting Him to Keep You

Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Phil 3:12

     We all know that we need to abide in Christ, but do we believe a life of unbroken fellowship is possible? Are there only some special Christians that spend a lot of time with Christ or have special opportunities that this is possible for? Can it be expected in the life of a Christian who is fully occupied in the affairs of this life?

   Do we hear of a life in Christ and wish for it, but feel we are too weak and too unfaithful to have it? Dear friends, how little we realize that a life in Christ is meant just for the weak and so beautifully meant to sustain our feebleness.

  It is not in doing "great" things and does not demand that we first live a holy and devoted life. No, it is simply weakness trusting itself to the ALMIGHTY ONE, to be kept. The unfaithful ones casting ourselves on the one who is altogether trustworthy and true.

  Abiding in him is not a work that we have to do as the condition for enjoying his salvation, but a consenting to let him do all for us, and in us and through us! It is a work he does for us as the result and power of his redeeming love.

   Our part is simply to yield, to trust, and to wait, for what he is performing. It is this complete confidence in Christ, that in him there is a safe abiding place that is sadly lacking among Christians.They hardly take the time or trouble to realize that when he said,"Abide in me." (John 15:4) He is offering himself, the keeper of Israel, who does not sleep, with all his power and love, as the living home of the soul! Where the mighty influence of his grace is stronger to keep them, then all their feebleness is to lead them astray.Their idea of grace is that their conversion and pardon are God's work, but that in gratitude to God, it is now their work to live as Christians and follow Jesus. They fail continually and become hopeless and their despondency only brings hopelessness.

   No friend, as it was Jesus who drew you when he said, "Come."(MT 11:28) so it is Jesus who keeps you when he says,"Abide." The grace to come, and the grace to abide, both come from Christ alone.

   His word COME was the cord of love that drew you near. His word ABIDE is the band that holds you fast and binds you to himself. Take time to listen to the voice of Jesus.In ME, he said, IS YOUR PLACE-IN MY LOVING ARMS, IT IS I WHO LOVES YOU SO, who says, ABIDE IN ME. SURELY YOU CAN TRUST ME. The voice of Jesus in your soul calls for your response, "Yes Jesus, in you I can and will abide."

   The words,"Abide in me." are no law of Moses, demanding from the sinner what they can't perform. They are the command of love, which is a promise in a different shape. Think of this until all of the burden, fear and despair melt away and the first thought that comes to you, as you hear about abiding in Jesus is one of bright and joyous HOPE! It is for ME! I will enjoy it!

  You are not under law, with it's command, DO, but under grace with it's blessed BELIEVE WHAT CHRIST WILL DO FOR YOU! 

     And if the question arises,"But surely there is something I must do?" The answer is....Our doing and working are the fruit of what Christ is doing in us.

  The connection between Christ's work and ours is beautifully described in Paul's words, "I press on, If that I may lay hold on that for which Christ has laid hold of me."(NKJV) It was because he knew the Christ had grasped him in his mighty hand with the glorious purpose of making him one with himself.

  "Christ has laid hold of me.", are words full of faith and assurance that gave him the courage and the strength to press on and lay hold of that which Christ had laid hold of him for...Each new insight of the great end that Christ had laid hold of him for gave him fresh courage to aim at nothing less.

  Our story today is a picture of the Christian life. The Father takes hold of the son's hand and points the way to where he wants him to place his feet.The jump is too far and too dangerous for the child alone, but the father's hand is his trust and he leaps to get to the point to which his Father is holding him for. It is the Father's strength that secures him and lifts him up.

  Even so is the relationship between God and you, Oh weak and trembling believer. fix your eyes an what he has laid hold of you for...A life of unbroken fellowship with himself is what he is seeking to lift you up to. The pardon and peace you have already received, the Spirit and his grace are only preliminary. All that you see promised in the future, holiness, fruitfulness and everlasting glory are only the natural result. Union with himself and the Father is his highest goal.Fix your eyes on this and gaze until it becomes clear. Christ's aim is to have me abiding in him.

   Then let the second thought enter your heart. Christ has laid hold on me. His almighty power has grasped me and offers now to lift me up where he wants me to be. FIX YOUR EYES ON CHRIST. Gaze on the love that beams in those eyes and asks why you could not trust him. The one who sought you out, found you and brought you near. Why could you not trust HIM to keep you now? Gaze on that arm of power and answer within yourself. DO I HAVE REASON TO BE ASSURED THAT HE IS INDEED ABLE TO KEEP ME ABIDING IN HIM?

  Think of the spot he points to, the blessed place he laid hold on you for and keep your gaze fixed on him, holding and wanting to lift you up. Could you this very day take that upward leap and rise to the blessed life of abiding in Christ?

  Do it today friend and if doubts arise or failure tempts you to despair, remember where Paul found his strength,"Christ has laid hold on me." In that assurance you have a fountain of strength. From those words you can gather confidence that the good work he began in you he is able to perform.

The story is mine, but the instruction is adapted from Andrew Murray's book, ABIDE IN CHRIST. I love the things I have learned from Andrew Murray, But some of it is hard to read. This is my effort of breaking it down and hopefully making it easy to read and understand in our world today.I also want to a give a tribute to my own dear husband who walked through the valley of doubt and learned the truth that is written in this very article from God and his word and then he taught me and showed me these things that were confirmed in my heart through reading Andrew Murray's writings from so many years ago.  God bless you!

  

 

The Old Master and The New Master

 Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. MT 11:28-29

   A cruel master of a sailing ship had a slave that he beat regularly. He controlled him with fear. When the slave did anything that displeased his master he received a severe beating, often to the point of near death. His master still expected him to perform his duties.

  One day in desperation, the slave threw himself into the water and was picked up by another ship.

  His new master was of a gentle, kind nature, and took him in and treated his wounds and gave him work to do on his ship. The slave worked hard and cheerfully under his new master because his kind treatment brought peace and gratitude to his heart.

   As he worked for his new master, the slave realized that there were certain things that his new master required of him. He was required to stay with the ship and always trust their destination to the master and be willing to do what he was asked to do. Because of the unity on the ship, the master didn't allow any strife or discontent. Those who were unhappy with the rules were allowed to leave.

The slave was up early one morning, sweeping the deck. He stopped and reflected on his time on the ship with his new master. His new master permeated love and kindness. His old master was exacting and difficult to please. His work was much the same, but his new master was helpful.When a load was too heavy to carry, he helped him. When he was sick his new master gave him tea, broth and medicine to care for his needs.

   His old master had never carried his load but rather punished him for dropping things. When he was weak, he still required the same as before.
 
  Was he happy to yield himself in service to his new master? Absolutely! His needs were met. He loved his new master. He was promised a rich reward at the end of the voyage.



  The slave's old master is a picture of the law. The law is harsh and exacting. It beats us up and makes us realize that we need a new master, Jesus Christ who paid our sin debt for us and receives us into his kingdom.

  He binds up our wounds, forgives our sins, opens our blind eyes and sets us free from our prisons of unbelief, our addictions, our fears, our bitterness and heartaches.

   Jesus says, "Come unto me and I will give you rest." After the initial encounter with Jesus, when we come to him for forgiveness of sins, he still extends his hand and says "Learn of me.....take my yoke upon you, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

  Like the slave on the kind masters ship we find his yoke to be easy and his burden light. We want to yield ourselves to his destination for our lives because of the great love he has given us. We want to spend time in his presence because we know that his burden truly is light. Because he has delivered us from the brutality of the law. He helps us do those things that we are powerless to do before because with him all things are possible and all things have become new.

                                                  


   We are now in the yoke with Christ Jesus, and learning from him. We go where he goes, do what he does. We do not balk or fight the yoke, because it is easy to bear.

  Our Teacher is gentle and lowly in heart and in his yoke we find rest for our souls. Because he is pulling the majority of the load we find his yoke easy. In comparison to our previous master, his burden is light.

  There is an error that many of us can fall into and that is of focusing on the yoke as if the yoke itself saves us. It is on him that our focus must be. Because it is he that makes our load light. It is Jesus that is leading us and keeping us out of trouble. Not the yoke. The yoke joins us to HIM, the keeper of our soul.

The Street Child

   Here is a story of a little street child. Homeless, forsaken, neglected,cold and hungry.

 One day a kindly gentlemen and his wife were walking the streets of the slums of that same city. For the purpose of rescuing some needy child.

 They took the young child home with them. Gave him a warm bath, warm food and a soft cozy bed to sleep in. The child rejoiced. The warmth and kindness filled his heart with love and gratitude. How wonderful it was to be cared for.

  This wonderful couple gave the child new clothes with their name stamped across the back of it. Anyone who met this child could easily see where he had found refuge.

  The child stayed about a week, enjoying the warmth, love and joy of the home and then left. He came by maybe once a week and politely knocked on the door, received his food on the porch, but never went in. He would sit on the porch swing and dangle his legs, eat his food and leave.

  The door to the house was unlocked. Above the door was a sign giving an open invitation. "Come in and stay forever."

  Why did he only come as far as the porch swing? When he had the opportunity, the desire of the gentlemen and his wife for him to move in and became a permanent part of their home? Was it because he didn't understand the invitation to stay? Or did he not read the sign above the door?

  He could have gone in and become a permanent resident. He could have had three full meals a day, the warmth and fellowship of family. The advice and council of the man and his wife. The joy of belonging. The security and rest knowing every minute need was being met. The protection of a Father. He could have the fortitude to face the bully on the street, knowing his Father would defend him.Why then did he not enter in?

  Because on the first day when the Gentlemen and his wife brought him home, he understood the invitation to come and be bathed, clothed and filled. But he didn't understand the invitation to stay.

                   The Invitation...Come unto me-Matt 11:28, Abide with Me- John 15:4

To all of us who have heard and answered the call"Come unto me" comes this invitation also to Abide or "Stay" with me.

  When you first came to Jesus. Did you not find his promise to be true? His welcome was hearty. He gave you his joy and love. His pardon was full and free. His love sweet and precious.

  And yet you complain of disappointment as time goes on. Your expectations are not met. Your blessings are lost. The love and joy of your first meeting with Jesus is grown faint and feeble and often you wonder why, with such a great Savior are you so flat? 

  The answer is simple. You have wandered from him. The blessings you are missing are only found in close fellowship with him. You either didn't remember or never understood that the call meant"Come to me and stay with me."

  His intention for you is more than a short lived refreshment, only to have you walk away and go back into discouragement and sin. 
 
   He has planned more for you than a short lived blessing to be enjoyed only in special times of earnestness and prayer and then to have it pass away as soon as you return to your duties that occupy the greater part of your life.

  He has supplied for you a permanent place of refuge with him. Where you can spend every minute of every day with him. Where the work of your daily life can be done in his presence, and all the while you can enjoy unbroken fellowship with him.

  Just as he with tender love and compassion says, "Come to me" he also says, "Stay with me."

The story is mine, but the instruction is adapted from Andrew Murray's book, ABIDE IN CHRIST. I love the things I have learned from Andrew Murray, But some of it is hard to read. This is my effort of breaking it down and hopefully making it easy to read and understand in our world today. God bless you!

Fallin' in love again

 I fell in love again recently!

I looked into his serious little baby stare and fell in love!

He has the cutest face. His eyes are so serious as they study me. He tightly clasps his hands together and regards me.He has such an adorable, huggable little body, all snuggled up in an incredibly soft, blue blanket. He is sweetness all wrapped up in a bundle.

And I am a Grandma.......

 When Luc and Anna first told us of thier coming baby. I couldn't quite grasp being a Grandma. it just didn't soak in really...I thought he wouldn't know me because they lived so far away. I just didn't feel like a Grandma! I had been a Mom for 24 years, but Grandma was unknown to me.

  After he was born they immediately sent pictures. He was so cute! I put his picture on my cellphone and showed it to everyone that showed any interest. I felt like a Grandma!

I have watched lots of Grandmas do that...."See my Grandchild?" I have to admit I was always a little nonchalant. Always acknowledged and said, "Oh, so cute!" But not overly moved by them. But now....Oh my, I have fallen in love!

This little fellow is so special! He belongs to my son and Dau-in-law! Wow! he is wonderful! He has moved into my affection!

The New Year 2014

We have a new year! I don't do New Years Resolutions. I find them too discouraging because They usually fizzle away before I even get to the end of the month.

I like what I find in God's word......His mercies are new every morning.

And I like the quote from Anne of Green Gables...."Tomorrow is a new day, with no mistakes in it."

    I find the end of a year and the beginning of another not a really huge landmark for me. Every new day brings hope, because of Jesus. Because I can walk with him and he watches over me. He tells me when I am wrong. He directs my path and asks me to walk in the light. He comforts me when I am troubled and gives me grace when I need it. All my needs are met in my walk with him. He deserves all the praise I can give him. For he is God and he has delivered me from the kingdom of darkness and transferred me into his Kingdom of Light.

   So even though I am a stumbling, bumbling human. I find that Jesus keeps his hand under my elbow and guides me through. When I fall into the mud of this world, because I skipped ahead to far or wandered off to the side. He calls my name, and he picks me up and cleanses me with his word and heals my wounds with the balm of his forgiveness and love. He is a wonderful, wonderful Saviour!

Its almost Christmas time!

Its almost Christmas! Are you ready? Christmas and family traditions can create so many precious memories for kids! I listen to my older ones saying,"Remember when........" with so much fun and enthusiasim and laughter, that it inspires me to do more!

  we always exchange names so that everyone buys something for one person in the family. That is so much fun! It is rewarding for me to see my children love the excitment of keeping a secret and delighting in giving a gift to a family member.

   I have always wanted a nativity set. this year I found one that is child friendly. I love the idea, because I want one that my kids can enjoy, touch and handle without me always cautioning..."Now, don't break that." They don't need a memory like that!

  This one looks really fun. Bright colors and unbreakable! Sorry the picture is blurry, but if you click on the link it will take you to Christian Book.com and there will be a better picture!

Tales of Glory Nativity Playset By Cactus Game Design Tales of Glory Nativity play figure set includes 17 pieces in full color, designed for kids age 3 and up. Experience the true story of the birth of Jesus Christ with detailed people and animal figures, stable, tree and story book in large gift set. Includes Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, 2 angels, three king figures, two shepherds, camel, donkey, two sheep, stable with star, palm tree, and barrel of hay. Child-safe PVC figures fit easily into the hands of small children. Long before Christmas, children can interact with the Bible story of Jesus' birth as described in the Gospels. Endorsed by Focus on the Family. "A long time ago, the Son of God was sent to Earth to be born as a tiny baby named Jesus. It was a very exciting time!" (Matthew 1:18-25; 2:1-2:23; Luke 2:1-39)