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Friday, January 30, 2009

Life - Imagine the Potential

This is a video that I received via email. The accompanying message read:
NBC television has rejected a pro-life advertisement which Catholicvote.org bought for a slot in the Super Bowl because the ad contains a pro-life message. The 30-second ad features ultrasound pictures from a baby in its mother’s womb. There is nothing either graphic or political and the word abortion is not even used. In fact, no words are spoken, only graphics that appear on-screen. Yet, the message is extremely powerful.
See for yourself.



A child conceived today in circumstances where the mother would face raising that child on her own, without the father (because of abandonment) - that child would be at high risk for aborion. Knowing this, it is interesting that President Obama supports abortion rights more aggressively than any other liberal president in our recent history.

Please remember to pray for President Obama, that he might personally see the implications of such an agenda, and that God would turn his heart to value all human life, especially that of such a fragile and unprotected segment of our society.
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Posted by Sharon Kaufman

Life - Imagine the Potential

Monday, January 19, 2009

Joy in the Midst of Financial Crisis

It seems that most of us nowadays are affected by the economic downturn, but our God is still on the throne. If you are experiencing job loss at this time or dwindling retirement funds or the loss of a home (even if things are rosy for you), please take time to watch this encouraging message from John Piper.


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Posted by Sharon Kaufman

Joy in the Midst of Financial Crisis

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Only One Thing Needed for Simplicity

The new year always brings with it new resolutions. One that I really want to accomplish this year is to simplify my life. But how do I do that? My first thought is, "I need to cross this thing off my schedule and get rid of all that stuff in the closet, and...." But, really, simplifying my life can only happen by adding something to it, not by taking anything away. In fact, if I take away this key simplifying agent, my life becomes stressful and complicated even if I have the perfect schedule and live in a house that is perfectly organized and outfitted.

This thing that I refer to is the "one needful thing" Jesus talked with Martha about in Luke 10:38-42. He praised Mary, who chose to sit at His feet while Martha's life swirled around her, distracting her, till she became anxious and demanding - even toward Jesus.

There is an old phrase - keeping tryst - that describes Mary's time with the Savior. What does that mean? "Tryst" is an old word we are unfamiliar with, but its meaning is simple and rich: an agreement (as between lovers) to meet at an appointed time, at an appointed place. To keep tryst with God therefore means, first of all, that I regard Him as the Lover of my soul. That says volumes! When I first realized that I loved the man who is now my husband, there was nothing that could stand between he and I seeing each other; and the plan to meet again - exactly where and when - was never neglected before we had to part from one another.

By keeping tryst with Jesus, I find that He reminds me of those things that are needful and pours forth His sweet Spirit within me to enable me to do whatever He asks with love. And regardless of the simplicity or complexity of my day, if I have met with Jesus and continue to commune with Him, I can meet the challenges with peace of mind. Simplicity really begins in my thought life. I can be harassed with just one thing in front of me if I am not empowered by the Lord.

My life is simplified also just by the contentedness I will have in Jesus when I keep tryst with Him. I will not be coveting all the stuff that's out there. As I became more contented in Christ, I asked Him to cut me loose from all the stuff I had collected over the years. He did. The period of time that followed that prayer I call "the year of broken glass". I broke so many knick-knacks - things I had really been fond of. Each time another item fell out of my hands and onto the floor in pieces, God reminded me of what I had prayed for and I was able to say, "Thank you, Lord. You are simplifying my life"

Jesus cut right through all the unnecessary with Martha also when she finally suspended her busyness to speak to Him, though it was in demanding tones. He said to her then and continues to say to us now, "...you are worried and bothered about many things; but only a few things are necessary, really only one...". Mary chose that one good thing, the one thing that would never be taken away from her - sitting at her Lord's feet, keeping tryst with Him.

The most amazing thing about keeping tryst with the Lord is that I will probably do more with greater ease than I would have had I not met with Him. And the things I do will be empowered by Him and will also have eternal effects. As long as my eyes are on Him, I will not become distracted, worried and demanding. He will order my day and my mindset also. Simply put, I will recon that I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Keeping tryst with the Lord - it means that He is the Lover of my soul, that I am intent on hearing His every word and command, that I make my plan to be with Him at a certain time and place everyday, and that when I leave I am already anticipating the next time I will be with Him. Is this not the primary way we exhibit our love for Him? As a result, He orders my day. Acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will make your paths straight (Pr.3:6). He will go before you and simplify your day and your mindset. Neglect this one needful thing and He has told us what will happen, "Without Me, you can do nothing" - nothing, that is, which is of eternal value, nothing, that is, but being worried and bothered about life's demands.

As we begin this new year, join with me in this commitment - to keep tryst with the Lover of our souls. It really is the prerequisite to any other new year's resolutions you may have in mind. Then you will be able to do all things, simple or not, because of His empowering strength!
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Posted by Sharon Kaufman

Only One Thing Needed for Simplicity

Friday, January 2, 2009

The Christmas Story as Told by Orison Piper

Though Christmas has come and gone, the story of Christ's incarnation never gets old. Though it is an ancient story it is ever new for it is eternal. So when I came across this video of John Piper's grandson reciting his rendition of Luke 2, I was blessed (and also sweetly amused). The parents apparently read Luke, chapter 2 every night for a month to Orison with a surprising result. There was no attempt made to teach Orison the passage by heart. So pay heed, parents of little ones, to what can happen when Scripture is presented to a child repeatedly by just reading it.


Posted by Sharon Kaufman

The Christmas Story as Told by Orison Piper