Building The Temple

     In the bible study I am doing in Zephaniah and Haggai, I learned what type of people God prefers and how he wants His temple rebuilt, as well as the consequences of not building His temple.  Haggai 1:9 LBV "You hope for much but get so little.  And when you bring it home, I blow it away -- it doesn't last at all. Why? Because my Temple lies in ruins and you don't care.  Your only concern is your own fine home." 
     The study directs us to 1 Corinthians 3:16, "Don't you realize that all of you together are the house of God, and that the Spirit of God lives among you in His house?"  
     Yet when God takes out his judgment this what He says in Zephaniah 3:11b-12, "...I will remove all your proud and arrogant men from among you; there will be no pride or haughtiness on my holy mountain.  Those who are left will be the poor and the humble, and they will trust in the name of the Lord." 
    My take from the study is that God wants us to build temples of God into our daily lives.  We are to live together in love and harmony, and we are to steer away from prideful ways, becoming humble and meek. 

      Build My Temple

Build my temple, I say;
Do not let it lie in disarray.
Build it strong,
  turning your sorrow into song.
For when my anger will burn,
  each will get what his deeds do earn.
It is time!
Build my temple-
  not with the tallest steeple,
  but with faith-filled people.
Give it splendor with the humble and meek;
  that's who I will seek.
Turn to me, your God;
  plant my Words under your feet, your sod.
Build the house of the Lord;
  only then will you be restored.
Wake up!
Find favor with your God above;
  let me quiet you with my love.
It is time!
Build my temple with faith-filled people.
Listen to what I speak-
  give it splendor with the humble and the meek.
                                             Mary Crisp Jameson

He Is Everywhere

      This weekend I went walking in the woods with a few family members and one of my young nephews stated, "I don't know why they call it Mother Nature, it should be God's Nature.  His young mind surprised me, but it also reminded me of the words of George Washington Carver, "Reading about nature is fine, but if a person walks in the woods and listens carefully, he can learn more than what is in books, for they speak with the voice of God." 
     You know, God is everywhere, not just in the woods, even though that is where I feel the closest, mostly because that is when I remove my mind from all other life events and idol worship which hinders my relationship with Him. 
     When I love and praise my Lord, I feel a lift, a quickening sensation in my heart.  When I take quiet moments in nature to look around, I sense a presence.  When I sat quietly and read His Word there is peace and calm.  When I pray, I feel my burdens lifted.  Absolutely, there is no doubt there a God. 
 
    He Is Everywhere
    

Underneath me,

All around me,
  there is breathe surrounding unto death;
A Living Life;
My Lord, safely guarding, a constant aide
   walking close though I have strayed.

Underneath me,

All around me,
  there is strength traveling through life's length;
Living Water to quench my thirst,
  through the best - through the worst.
My Lord, carefully watching, calling out,
  "Talk and walk with me what'er  you're about."

Underneath me,
All around me,
What a love which fills my heart!
Pure, unexplainable, indescribable, fine art!

Underneath me,

All around me,
  a breathe fresh as Spring-
A song in my heart to sing;
A presence, intimacy, a heartfelt proximity;
My Lord, the Guiding Light,
  through the night and daylight bright.
                                             Mary Crisp Jameson

Trust

     Are you ever disappointed because a friend let you down?  Or you trusted someone who deceived you?  When this happens, it makes you want to withdraw from sharing even happy events in life.  Yet there is a friend we can all trust, and His name is Jesus.  He not only died for us in order to give us life, but He wants us to trust Him with every thought, feeling, and event in life. 
     Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

    Trust in Me

Trust in me!

My presence is everywhere;
When you are troubled I am near-
  I am here!
My love is evermore, sincere.
Call on me!
My presence is in your heart;
  in the depths; we're not apart. 
Do not despair-
Trust in me!
I care for the sparrow;
  the smallest of birds.
Know!  I have heard.
Do not be afraid.
You are worth more than birds-
  listen to my Words.
Trust in Me!
All those burdened and weak,
  listen to what I speak.
Trust in Me!
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost- I am He!
I will give you rest and peace-
With me, your burdens will cease.    
My presence is everywhere;
  in the depths and in the air.
Watch and see -
Trust in me!
                    Mary Crisp Jameson

Matthew 6:26  Behold the fowls of the air; for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

You Tube Findings

    In "A Friendly Shade," I love reading and listening to new, delightful insights to life, especially presented in a humorous nature.  Watching a You Tube on the Undergraduate Commencement Address at Franciscan University given by Lou Holtz, I found myself laughing at his presentation, yet humbled by how well he presented his faith in Jesus Christ. 
    I will attempt to touch briefly on the highlights of his presentation as well as I remember them, but in no way will I attempt any of his humor.  You will need to watch the presentation yourself.   
     First of all, he stated that "life did not have to be complicated."  There were only seven colors of the rainbow, seven musical notes, and ten numbers, but look how well they are used. 
     He stated there are four things in life people want.
1. Something to do.
2. Someone to love.
3. Someone to believe in, and for him that was Jesus Christ.
4. Something to hope for (what you want to do) 
     Mr. Holz gave three rules:
1. Do what's right, and if there is any doubt, get out the Bible. 
2. Do the best you are capable of doing.  In other words, commit to excellence.
3. Show people you care. When receiving recognition, pass the credit.  Also ask "How can I help you?"
     Finally, but not at all the least highlight of the presentation was his acknowledgment that his greatest accomplishment in life was his family.  He stated that, "No matter how much money you make, you can't take it to heaven with you, but you can take your children to heaven with you.  To me that was a profound statement. 
     Below is the link.  Well worth the watch....

https://www.youtube.com/embed/M3LOo_Ccyws