Be Bummer Sheep!…

image via dailyrecordnews.com

image via dailyrecordnews.com

A “bummer lamb” is rejected by her mother, so tries to “bum” milk from other ewes, who too reject her. The bummer lamb may have been rejected for being different, the runt, or the third of a triplet.  The mother ewe will kick the lamb away. The lamb will die without milk

But…

The Good Shepherd is on the look out for bummer sheep (Lk 15:4). He will take a bummer lamb from the flock and hand feeds the lamb sometimes 5 times a day (Is 40:11).  The Good Shepherd talks to the lamb and once a day holds the lamb to his chest so she can hear the Good Shepherd’s heartbeat (John 10:14).  Eventually the bummer lamb can be introduced back to the flock (John 10:9) and yet the bummer lamb will always be the first to come running when the Good Shepherd calls because she recognizes His voice (John 10:27).

image via fromtheheartofj

image via fromtheheartofj

Aren’t we all bummer sheep? In need of His reassuring presence with us? Knowing we are connected Heart-to-heart? Hearing His voice as His grace feeds us? It is the bummer sheep who know the Good Shepherd most intimately…and who follow Him most obediently.We are bummer sheep when we recognize our brokenness…our littlenss…our need for Him.

“As a shepherd tends his flock when he finds himself among his scattered sheep, so will I tend my sheep.  I will rescue them from every place where they were scattered when it was cludy and dark.” Ez 34:12

A Real Bummer Lamb!

http://youtu.be/5MtzNkd2Zl4

At the Gate of the Year…

And I said to the one who stood at the gate of the year…

image via fromtheheartofj

image via fromtheheartofj

 

“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”

And he replied, “Go out into the darkness and put your hand in the hand of God.

That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”

Minnie Haskins

“For I am the Lord,  your God, who grasp your right hand.  It is I who say to you, “Fear not, I will help you.” Is 41: 13

May your journey ahead into the year 2013 always be hand in hand with God. Happy New Year! May God be forever praised!

Level Ground…

I just got glasses…Been a bit strange wearing them.
image via fromtheheartofj

I feel very tall…everyone looks short…I feel like I’m walking downhill uphill.

Has made me think about Perspective.

“Let your nose point first to what you want to look at…then find the sweet spot where things that are blurry become clear, ” said Martha with the white hair.

Good advice. Don’t you think?

It’s not enough just to set your eyes on where you want to go…your body needs to move in the same direction.

And aren’t we all looking for that sweet spot – that God perspective – where things blurry become focused and clear?

I’m finding it takes some practice…and patience… intention… and good humor.

Hopefully in time the journey will no longer all seem downhill uphill.

It will become level ground.

“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.  May your kind spirit guide me on ground that is level. ” Psalm 143:10

An Irish Christmas Blessing…

An Irish Christmas Blessing…

The Light of the Christmas star to you…

image via fromtheheartofj

image via fromtheheartofj

The warmth of home and hearth to you…

The cheer and good will of friends to you…

The hope of a childlike heart to you…

The joy of a thousand angels to you…

The Love of the Son and God’s peace to you.

image via fromtheheartofj

image via fromtheheartofj

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL…a bit late …but still in the Octave of Christmas!

God’s Peace, Love and Joy in abundance, Fromtheheartofj : )

 

Dig In…

Life can be messy…but do not be afraid…

image via fromtheheartofj

Dig in….

Forget about stumbling on the past when you are walking in the present…

Forget about getting lost in the clouds of a future that hasn’t yet arrived.

Be at peace in the “sacrament of the present moment”

Dig into the “I AM”, grace filled now.

image via fromtheheartofj

And there find the sweetness of God…the joy of His presence in the messy of the present.

“You will show me the path to life, abounding joy in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever.” Ps 16:11

The Servant Song…

The Servant Song

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Will you let me be your servant? Let me be as Christ to you;

Pray that I may have the grace to let you be my servant too.

image via footage.shutterstock.com

 We are pilgrims on a journey.  We are trav’lers on the road.

We are here to help each other.  Walk the mile and bear the load.

image via guardian.co.uk

 I will hold the Christlight for you in the night-time of your fear;

I will hold my hand out to you.  Speak the peace you long to hear.

image via spanishdict.com

 I will weep when you are weeping; When you laugh I’ll laugh with you.

I will share your joy and sorrow til we’ve seen this journey through.

image via ellelyzette.blogspot.com

 When we sing to God in heaven we shall find such harmony,

Born of all we’ve known together of Christ’s love and agony.

(text and tune by Richard Gilliard 1977)

Was deeply touched as we sang this song “in harmony” today at Church. May it bless you as well.

“so that we may exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ.” Eph 1:12

Contagious…

“They might not need me; but they might.

I’ll let my head be just in sight.

A smile as small as mine might be precisely their necessity.” (Emily Dickinson)

A smile takes such little effort…but given away can become a gift of utmost value.

May your weekend be filled with smiles given and received….they really are contagious you know!

God’s abundant blessings on you and yours this weekend,

The Heart of J

Confidence…

The Word of God is NOT chained….(2 Tim 9:9)

image via whydidyouwearthat.com

 

Not in you…not even in the darkest recesses of your heart…

Not in your neighbor…not even in the toughest hardness of their hearts…

Not in that hopeless situation…not in that unanswered prayer…not in that battle of good vs. evil…

image via drinkfromthedeep.org

 

The Word of God is NOT chained.

What confidence should flood our hearts in the knowing and the living…

image via inkhouse.net

The Word is always victorious!

“Indeed the Word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.” Heb 4:12

Patchwork Post…

image via kaboodle.com

Patchwork Post…

End of the year shuffle…graduations…traveling guests…days at beach…sunburns and sweet ice tea…friends…heart to heart talks…good news/bad news…joys and trials…laughs and tears…summer heat and barefoot…being grateful…being humbled…to do lists…bucket lists…books that inspire…”Word”s that convict…kaleidoscope skies…sleepy saturdays…zumba and park runs…prayer and presence…dogs and lemonade…stray kittens…going fast…going slow…family…taking deep breaths…inhaling/exhaling…joy in the eyes….laughter in the voice…fresh peaches…juicy tomatoes…flowers galore…fresh cut grass…the smell of jasmine…whirlwind days…everything’s connected…all is Grace…

the Stuff of “Life”…

Busy but Beautiful…

Bountiful and Blessed…

A “Gallimaufry”… (isn’t that a fun word?!)

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“I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will declare all your wondrous deeds.  I will delight and rejoice in you; I will sing hymns to your name, Most High. ” Ps 9:2-3

I’m knee deep in the “gallimaufry” of life…but promise to be back soon! From the Heart of J!

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