Christine's Blog – October 2013 Archive (21)

God is FOR you. Romans 8.31-34; 1 Timothy 1.12



Good Morning.



The subject was friendship. I was speaking, and describing the nature of a true friend. A true friend is someone who says to the object of her affection, ‘I am FOR YOU’. It means: I will cheer you on ... I will believe the best in you … I will release you of my expectations of you … I will hold you close to my…

Conscience – important in Loving Freely.



He knew better . . . but he wanted her. It had been a long time since he had seen a woman who did to him what she did—it had been a long time since someone had that effect on him. He felt lust race through his body, even the skin on his neck was taut just thinking of touching her. But then a white-hot shock shot through him—it was a warning:…

From the best part of yourself ~ Mercy. 1 Timothy 1.2



Grace, mercy, and peace



from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.







Mercy … got any? Mercy … give any?



Jesus was the best story-teller who ever lived ~ consider mercy through his brilliant illustration:



“The kingdom of God is like a king who decided to square accounts with…

Bless you … and God, bless me! 1 Timothy 1.2



Hello.



Paul starts his letter to Timothy as he began all his other letters—with a blessing:



Grace, mercy, and peace



from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.



Picture with me the young Pastor Timothy, leading a church filled with challenges . . . he is tired and in much need of direction and encouragement. Then it comes … a thick letter from his beloved mentor and spiritual guide. What…

Timing is Everything!!



Hmmm . . . does God have a timing problem? It was not long ago that I was writing about the faithfulness and trustworthiness of God. It was kind of simple to see how answered prayer, feeling his presence, fulfilled prophecies and God’s promises all bolster our faith in God, helping us to believe in the light of day, and most of the time even in the dark of night, that God is indeed trustworthy. We say it, we believe it, but … then there is the timing…

More inspiration from the Front.



Good Day.



People brush by on the street, avoiding eye contact, most of them wearing dark clothes, personal boundaries made clear. They all seem to be in a hurry, trying to get through the neighborhood quickly I think. One definitely does not travel to the Brooklyn Tabernacle for nearby shopping or site seeing, because the area is a rough one.…

Feeling Alive at the Front.



Good Morning! I suppose there are different places and scenarios that make me feel ‘alive’, and in some sense, more myself. One place is the beach, with a breeze in my hair, the beauty and sound of crashing waves all around; another place is the mountains, freshly covered from a night time dusting of snow, and the opportunity to be in that place, and take in the hush, the quiet that powder brings. But today, I get to be a participant in another setting…

Breaking News from the Front. Brooklyn Tabernacle ~ October, 2013



Hi.



She was a student that had been active at Fellowship of Christian Athletes, but has graduated. She used to live just about two miles from my home, though she is now a college student about 500 miles away … wondering. Wondering how to distinguish the difference between the Lord’s voice and her own, reaching out as she was through a cellphone text message.



And me? Well, it is my privilege…

Why did Paul write to Timothy?







Hmmm … Why did Paul write to Timothy? Who was this man, and why was he special?



Timothy was from Lystra, a city in what is the southern area of modern day Turkey. What an interesting life he led! And how well-suited to be mentored by the apostle Paul. While his father was Greek, and irreligious, his mother Eunice, was a Jewish woman who became a Christian after listening to Paul’s teaching about the Messiah Jesus. His…