Wind rushed high over the earth.
Below he spied a dry, brown forest. He swooped down, passing through and caressing the sad leaves. Life-giving rain trailed in His wake and green surged from the deadness. Wind rose and looked.
The forest had come alive.
Wind sped on, descending to puff death away from a desert as the rains that trailed Him coaxed blooms from the sand in a riot of red, green and blue flowers. Fruit trees soon bent under the weight of their harvest.
Wind smiled and turned toward a solitary rock formation poking it’s head from a flat plain. Nothing grew on its flinty face.
The life-giver rose slightly and dived back to earth passing gently over the promontory, splashing rain over its unmoving face. And nothing happened. Wind turned and came back, harder this time. And the rock resisted him.
The breath of life yearned desperately to bring life to the hulking rock but no amount of caressing, cajoling, or blustering touched the huge mass.
And Wind turned slowly away, seeking, always seeking something– no– someone into whom He could breath life.
What do you do when Wind visits you?
“The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God…” (John 1:9-13, NIV)
John 1:9“Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3:5-8, NIV)
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Coffee Stains (almost daily) online
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Jesus Changes the Center Of Who You Are
Jesus speaks to those who just want to do enough to go to heaven (is that possible?). They think serving God is a matter of keeping rules. Jesus is in the midst of a group of “you-have-heard-it-said” statements.
D-i-v-o-r-c-e (5:31, 32)
Marriage issues used to be clear-cut—one man, one woman for life. Most all our Western cultures recognized that even if we didn’t live up to it.
Now it’s … how is it? We don’t even dare say “husband,” or “wife.” We speak of your “significant other.” If they’re not significant enough to commit to them in marriage, how significant are they?
Wolf Whistles (5:27-32)
These verses have caused lots and lots of questions. When does a look become lust? Did Jesus really mean to punch out you eye or cut off your hand?
That Infuriating Fellow I Go To Church With
5:21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’” (NIV)
My first reaction to this one is, “Ha! I’m okay here. I can’t think of anyone I would kill even if I could–mutilate maybe, but not kill… (just a joke).” And it’s true. But, then Jesus lets the other shoe drop and it hits right on my toes.
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Flickr, Creative Commons Dennis Jarvis DGJ_4555 – Let the wind blow high…….; {Salt of the Earth} Though I’m poor You say I’m lovely, though I’m dark You say I’m beautiful.