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Connecting the Dots

Sept 20, 2016

Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. Luke 24:27

In the 1880s French artist Georges Seurat introduced an art form known as pointillism. As the name suggests, Seurat used small dots of color, rather than brush strokes of blended pigments, to create an artistic image. Up close, his work looks like groupings of individual dots. Yet as the observer steps back, the human eye blends the dots into brightly colored portraits or landscapes.

The big picture of the Bible is similar. Up close, its complexity can leave us with the impression of dots on a canvas. As we read it, we might feel like Cleopas and his friend on the road to Emmaus. They couldn’t understand the tragic “dotlike” events of the Passover weekend. They had hoped that Jesus “was the one who was going to redeem Israel” (Luke 24:21), but they had just witnessed His death.

Suddenly a man they did not recognize was walking alongside them. After showing an interest in their conversation, He helped them connect the dots of the suffering and death of their long-awaited Messiah. Later, while eating a meal with them, Jesus let them recognize Him—and then He left as mysteriously as He came.

Was it the scarred dots of the nail wounds in His hands that caught their attention? We don’t know. What we do know is that when we connect the dots of Scripture and Jesus’s suffering (vv. 27, 44), we see a God who loves us more than we can imagine.

Jesus laid down His life to show His love for us.

INSIGHT:

In today’s reading, Jesus came alongside two disciples traveling to Emmaus (v. 13). This appearance took place in the “nearly evening” of Sunday (vv. 29–30). The gospel writer Mark said, “Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them” (Mark 16:12). This was why they did not recognize Him until later (Luke 24:16, 31).

Thank you again, Rus, for sharing today’s scripture.

Wishing everyone a fantastic day.

Happy Gratituesday!

ML and Lynn-Dah are grateful to have each other!

((((HUGS))))

ML/LTOS

Absolutely my pleasure!

Happy GratiTuesday, ML.

So happy you have each other.

HAPPY GRATITUESDAY
TO AMY’S PLACE!

"The Walk to Paradise Garden"
W. Eugene Smith

"You Are The New Day"
The King’s Singers
(Click)

May You Approach Each New Day With The
Innocence, The Optimism, And The Sense Of
Wonder Of These Two Children!

We are, too! :-)

Thank you, Conor. It is always good to see those precious children.

Wishing you a wonderful GratiTuesday.

She’s your “precious”. :)

HAPPY GRATI-TUESDAY!....AND...

yes she is! :-)

Thanks very much, Amy.

"Riamh nár dhruid ó sbairn lann!"

Beautiful daisies, Luv. Thank you and wishing you an awesome week in return.

Have a great day.

~Good GratiTuesday To Amy's Place~

Gratitude heals.
Gratitude humbles.
Gratitude opens your eyes.
*****
~I Wish You A Beautiful Grateful Day~

Thank you for the fun opening yesterday and Amen to your lovely Gratitude post, Amy.

Thanks, Meg. So good to see you. Hope you are taking care of your back. The next fundraiser will be here before we know it.

Not sure how much time I will be able to spend here but I hope to stop by more often than once every 2 months. :)

I always hate to post and run but have decided that is better than ignoring all of my friends here.

Thank you for the Beautiful Daily Pings, Dear FRiends.
(((((Love to Everyone, and God Bless)))))

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Fiery Trials

Sept 21, 2016

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds. James 1:2

Fire can be one of the worst enemies of trees. But it can also be helpful. Experts say that small, frequent fires called “cool” fires clean the forest floor of dead leaves and branches but don’t destroy the trees. They leave behind ashes, which are perfect for seeds to grow in. Surprisingly, low-intensity fires are necessary for healthy growth of trees.

Similarly, trials—pictured as fire in the Bible—are necessary for our spiritual health and growth (1 Peter 1:7; 4:12). James wrote, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2–4).

It is in the season of trial that God’s purposes are often realized, for there the conditions are right for us to grow into spiritual maturity. This growth not only equips us for living, but it also enables us to more accurately reflect Jesus to a world that desperately needs Him.

In the hands of our Father, our trials can achieve His purposes for our good and for His honor. They can shape us into the likeness of His Son.

Father, teach me to trust You for the strength to endure difficulties and the faith to wait for Your good purposes to be accomplished in me.

Encourage others! Go to odb.org and share what God taught you through a challenging time.

Faith is seeing God in the dark and in the light.

INSIGHT:

James, the half-brother of Jesus, believed that Christ was the Messiah after witnessing His resurrection from the dead. James led the early church as a “Messianic Jew,” a term referring to someone who has been reared in the traditions of Judaism and who acknowledges Jesus as the Messiah. In today’s reading, James says that a positive attitude toward trials—“consider it pure joy . . . whenever you face trials of many kinds” (1:2)—is central to the Christian life. Trials are beneficial because they produce positive character change through the power of God.

Welcome To Wednesday At Amy's Place

The best way to get a puppy is to beg for a baby brother.
— They'll settle for a puppy every time.
~Winston Pendelton

*Have A Warm Fuzzy September Day!*