Sun, Apr 27th - 7:54AM
Life is a series of "moving" experiences...
When I was 16 years old, I attended the Wesleyan-Methodist Church for about a year but was never saved.
As a young adult, I attended a Southern Baptist Church which was just getting started in the Syracuse NY area. That lasted five months.
As an older adult, I “tried” a number of churches: Presbyterian, Catholic, Episcopalian, Charismatic, Missionary Alliance, Pilgrim Holiness, Assemblies of God, Nazarene.
In 1979 I met the Lord and joined the Wesleyan Church where I was gloriously saved; I was there almost two years.
I moved in 1982 and transferred my membership to another Wesleyan Church; I was there approximately 10 years.
I moved again in 1992 and transferred my membership to another Wesleyan Church; I was there about two years.
I moved again in 1994 and joined an Assembly of God church; I was there for less than a year.
Would you believe it, I moved again in 1995, and after having been part of the fellowship of many churches over the years, I began attending the Free Methodist Church. I became a member in 1996. I was sure this would be my final church home until the Lord called me to my real Home with Him.
Lo and behold, after nine years, I moved again in 2004, from New York State to Gulfport, Mississippi. While living there, I attended both a Southern Baptist Church and an Independent Baptist Church (yes, there is a difference).
I wondered where the Lord was going to lead me next! He showed me.
After being in MS only 10 months, because of the extreme humidity and heat in that area, I thought about returning to New York State. Hurricane Katrina's arrival and subsequent devastation left me and my family with no choice. We made our way back to New York State in September of 2005. I was welcomed once again into the fold at the Free Methodist Church, and this is where I expect to be when the Lord calls me Home!
But... “Where He leads me I will follow... I'll go with Him, with Him all the way” (from hymn Where He Leads Me, words by Ernest W. Blandy, 1890). So, one never knows where He will lead! But one better know enough to follow!!!
Comment (8)
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Wed, Apr 23rd - 6:06PM
THE ACCUSED...
THE ACCUSED, from John 8:1-11.
by Sharon A. O. Maxwell
The scribes and Pharisees were trying to trap Jesus. They used a woman they had “caught” in adultery as the bait and brought her to the temple court where Jesus was teaching a crowd. They placed the woman in the midst of all those people. They stared at her. Some jeered. Some laughed. Some pointed a finger. Why is she here? But did anyone really care?
Half-naked, the woman cringed with shame as the Jewish leaders hurled their accusations. She felt totally abandoned. Disgraced. With eyes downcast, she didn't dare look up at the Man they had tossed her in front of... She had heard about him... his kindness... his goodness... She had heard that he seemed to know about a person without even being told! What must he be thinking? of her? of her life-style! Fear filled her mind with what she knew was coming.
"Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?"
Jesus was known as a friend of sinners, a teacher of wisdom. What would he do? If he said to let her go, he would be breaking the law. If he said to stone her, how could he be considered a friend of sinners, compassionate, kind?
This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and began writing in the sand with His finger, as though He did not hear.
She was shocked when he ignored the religious leaders! Her shock quickly turned to surprise when she saw him stoop down and begin writing on the ground. Was she close enough to see what he had written? Did he write, “judge not lest ye be judged”? Did he write, “for all have sinned...”? Did he write, "...woe unto you..."? Or did he write, "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do"?
“...All right, hurl the stones at her until she dies. But only he who never sinned may throw the first!” (LNT).
The one spark of hope died when she heard his words, not spoken gently but with great authority. He had given them permission to stone her. It was settled. She knew she deserved the punishment... but it was so unfair! She'd had so much pain in her life! Where was her partner? Why wasn't he brought to be stoned too? With resignation she steeled herself and choked back the longing to weep. The thought came unbidden, how many stones will it take...?
Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last...
As though in a dream, she heard stones drop to the ground. Hardly daring to believe, she looked up and watched with amazement. One by one the leaders turned, convicted by their own guilt, and silently walked away.
And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?"
She said, "No one, Lord."
And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go, and sin no more."
Forgiven! Healing tears finally fell freely while joy filled her entire being. Falling at his feet to worship him, she could not contain her sacrifice of praise: O God! Merciful Lord! Praise and honor and glory to you and you alone! Thank you for not condemning me! Thank you for forgiving me! Thank you for cleansing me! Thank you for loving me... even me!
Christ did not condemn the woman's actions nor what might have been her life-style. But neither did he condone them. Rather, he came to seek and to save that which is lost. That was her then, and that is you and me now. He came to give all who believe in Him a new life, eternal life. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:16-17, RSV). When we receive Jesus into our hearts by faith, he forgives us, cleanses us, and fills us with joy unspeakable and full of glory. But when we commit our life to him, we cannot continue to practice sin. We must go and sin no more. Jesus is reaching to you with love, forgiveness, and compassion. He is asking you to come to him. He did not come to condemn you but to save you. He gave his life for you. Will you believe in Him and let him be Lord of your life today?
POEM: THE ACCUSED
Loud was their cry, "This woman must die,
For in adultery she truly was caught."
The Master knelt down and wrote on the ground,
And a lesson on "stone-throwing" was taught.
But the biggest stone thrown was not at the sinner;
The biggest stone hurled was at the Pharisees –
The scorners, rejectors, the tempters, defectors;
The biggest stone thrown was at me!
"The one among you who is without sin,
Be the one to cast the first stone."
Then knelt the Master again to write in the sand,
Then stood -- but they'd all gone on home.
"Woman," He said, and without scorn shook His head,
"Your accusers, where might they be?"
"Lord," she replied, as joy rose inside,
"It seems that they've all fled from Thee."
Softly He said, as her mind He then read,
"Neither do I condemn you; go... and sin nevermore."
Perfect Peace soared within; she knew forgiveness of sin --
For God's cleansing begins at the core!
© 2007, Sharon A. O. Maxwell, edited version published in Light and Life Communications EVANGEL, winter 2007.
Comment (22)
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Sun, Apr 20th - 9:45PM
poem From the Lord...
Lord, You have saved me
And made me Your own
For me on Mt. Calvary
Your Blood did atone
You washed me
And cleansed me
From all my sin
You claimed me
You redeemed me
You came and dwelt within
Such Grace
Such Mercy
Such Love
Such Power
Such Purity and Holiness
Such Blessings You shower
I praise Your Name
Master Jesus
I love You today
O never let me go
Dear Saviour, I pray
(c) 2008, Sharon A. O. Maxwell
Comment (12)
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