Distance, Separation and the Cure

Looking Forward to 2013

Written and posted by Jean-Louis - http://thelightseed.blogspot.com





“See. I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day comes. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the heart of the children to their fathers: or else I will come and strike the land with a curse.” Malachi 4:5.

The ministry of reconciliation

“Therefore if anyone be in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. As ambassadors committed with the ministry of reconciliation, as though God were making an appeal through us, we implore you on Christ‘s behalf:
Be reconciled to God."
2 Corinthians 5:17-20.


Distance and separation

And the space between ourselves sometimes
is more than the distance between the stars.
By the fragile bridge of the Servant's bow
we take up the basin and the towel.

Read more, The Basin and the Towel

Definition of “Far away” in The Fuegian language of
Tierra del Fuego. A seven syllable word which means:

“They stare at each other, each waiting for the other to do what each wants but is not able to.”

One can appreciate the rich and insightful imagery of primitive language, but the question remains: Is it a matter of inability or unwillingness?

When the Lord Jesus was approaching the hour of His death, He himself prayed giving us a model prayer: “Father not my will, but yours be done”

What keeps us separated? Basically it is our pride and unwillingness to humble ourselves. We prefer to remain in a prison of our own making, when the key has been given to us that could release us from being captive to our own will and stubbornness.

Every argument won in a verbal conflict at the detriment of forgiveness and reconciliation ends up being one more brick we use in building a wall of separation protecting us from the very ones that Christ has sent our way to help them in their struggle to find forgiveness and freedom from spiritual captivity.

Every argument won ends up being one more shovel full in digging deeper the ditch of distance between persons whose ministry is to be a bridge builder, not a wall builder or a ditch digger.

The remedy

Do we have the key? Only God can give us the key to freedom.

Isaiah declares: “He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge;
The fear of the Lord is the KEY to this treasure.” Isaiah 33:6.

Do we need a sure foundation in our present time of confusion, perplexity, and contemplating our navel and worshiping the earth to find the solution with the greatest brains as guides in our cultures of death?

The Lord Jesus to John the apostle in Revelation chapter 3:7: “These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.”

There is a time and a season for everything under the sun, but Jesus is sending his servants to proclaim that "NOW is the day of salvation and that there is no other name under heaven but the name of Jesus by which man can be saved"

The only way men can experience real peace and reconciliation with others is to first be reconciled with God

Oh, that we would heed the command of our Lord Jesus to build bridges and tear down brick by brick the strongholds in our hearts that we have erected patiently, day after day, month after month until it becomes the very fabric that makes up the callous covering of protection keeping other people from being welcome in our hearts.

So looking forward to this New Year’s eve, this is my hope and prayer for the New Year for the readers of this blog that do not know the Lord Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Be reconciled first with God through recognizing and accepting the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus for you, He brought peace to us who were enemies of God; receive the pardon and salvation that are already paid for by His blood shed for you on the cross and the free gift of eternal life available to all who humbly turn to His light and life from their slavery to sin.

If you already know the Lord Jesus, His peace to you and may His grace and love abide and rule in your heart as you seek to do His will, to be fruitful and keep looking for His soon return.

Heavenly Father, by your grace and the power of your love through your Holy Spirit, free the prisoners in our families, our churches. You alone can penetrate through and behind those brick walls and fill those ditches of separation. You alone can heal bitter, broken hearts and restore us to our call to love you and serve you as we obey your command to love each other sincerely from the heart and serve our brothers in humility and submission to your will and purpose in our lives.

His Name is a strong tower and we are victorious by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony that Jesus alone is Lord of Lord and King of Kings and worthy of our praise. Blessed be His holy Name. Amen.

Jean-Louis
12/3/2012 Edited and from previous posting 12/2009.

LE SAVONS-NOUS?

By Jean-Louis

Savons-nous que le Seigneur Dieu est un feu qui consume?
Que sa parole est semblable à un marteau et à une flamme?
Alors, quand il nous forge à travers le feu de l’affliction.
Ne résistons point à l’oeuvre purificatrice du Saint-Esprit.
Son seul désir est de retirer les idoles de nos vies
Et de régner, souverain incontesté dans nos coeurs.


Savons-nous qu’il envoya le prophète Ezekiel
Pour rendre le souffle de vie aux os secs et morts,
Alors, lui serait-il impossible de rassembler
Ceux que par sa volonté il a dispersés?


Savons-nous qu’il se révèle individuellement
Mais qu’il s’adresse aussi à son corps rassemblé?
N’est-ce pas Lui qui nous a invité à venir
Pour l’adorer en vérité et par l’Esprit
Et pour le servir avec joie?


Savons-nous qu’il voit notre peine
Et entend nos gémissements
Et qu’il vit dans les louanges de son peuple
Quand nous nous rassemblons en son nom
Et que nous lui permettons de nous purifier?
Quand nous élevons nos voix en louanges
Et adoration à sa majesté
N’enverra-t-il pas sa parole vivifiante
Pour nous rafraîchir, pour bander nos plaies
Et pour restaurer en nous la joie de son salut?


Savons-nous qu’il est venu pour libérer les captifs
Et que là ou se trouve l’Esprit la liberté est présente?
Ne brisera-t-il pas les entraves qui nous empêchent
De connaître pleinement les bienfaits de sa présence?


Savons-nous que sa grâce et miséricorde abondent?
Alors, croyons qu’il peut raviver dans nos coeurs
Notre premier amour pour Lui
Et guider nos pas sur le droit chemin.


Savons-nous qu’il nous invite à venir à Lui
Que l’heure du salut se trouve dans l’éternel présent?
Alors recevons-Le avec foi, confiance et obéissance
Et rentrons dans le cours d’eau coulant de son trône
Non seulement jusqu’à la cheville, ni jusqu’au genou,
Mais de tout coeur, plongeons dans la rivière de l’Esprit
Afin de devenir sains et entiers.


Savons-nous que seuls ceux qui se désaltèrent
à la fontaine d’eau vivifiante
Peuvent partager leur témoignage de la vie
que donne Jésus avec leur prochain?


Alors souvenons-nous de la samaritaine au puits de Sichar.
Avons-nous soif? Venons et buvons librement
L’eau de vie, don gratuit
Et Jésus satisfera notre soif jusqu’à en déborder.


Le 22 Décembre 2009.

Parabens ao Café com Poesia

Parabens ao Café com Poesia por estar entre os melhores blogs do Brasil

Felicitations à ma petite soeur!

tit-bout

Prayer of Gratitude

ENGLISH - FRANCAIS

Isaiah 55. Revelation 22; John 7.

Invitation to the Hungry and Thirsty 
The universal offer and call.

1 "Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
2 Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
3 Give ear and come to me;
hear me, that your soul may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
my faithful love promised to David”.Isaiah 55:1-3.

 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Isa 55:1; John 7:37

  37  In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. Lev 23:36; Isa 55:1; John 6:35; Rev 22:17; 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. Isa 12:3; 39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) Isa 44:3; Joel 2:28; Acts 2:17; 40 Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet. Matt 21:46; Luke 7:16; John 6:14; 41 Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? John 4:42; John 1:46; 42 Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was? Ps 132:11; Mic 5:2; Matt 2:6; 43 So there was a division among the people because of him. 44 And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him. John 7:37-44.

Heavenly Father God,holy, merciful and just.

Thank you that we do not have to wait for a special day, Sabbath or Sunday to rest because our souls can find rest in you alone any time, anywhere.

Thank you that through the shed blood of our Lord Jesus, we do not have to seek anywhere else or strive for rest in anything or anybody but you.

Thank you Lord Jesus that you have finished the work that the Father gave you so that we may experience the rest, peace and abundant life when we trust you and abide in you.
Thank you that we can have food and drink without money, that your sacrifice on the cross has given us access to the Father who gives us abundant spiritual riches that satisfy.

Thank you Holy Spirit that you gave us who believe the living water that overflows from our innermost part. Thank for guiding us into truth, for opening our understanding in to your Word, for filling our heart with love, peace, joy, for your comfort, for strengthening us with grace when we are weak, for protecting us from harm, for giving us discernment against the traps of the enemy, for revealing and glorifying our Lord Jesus, for renewing our minds with the Word and giving us hope and patient endurance while we wait for our Savior and Lord Jesus.

Lord Jesus, let us say like you: “My food is to do the will of my Father”.

Open our ears that we may listen carefully and hear clearly your voice, come to you and eat what is good and live by every word that comes out of your mouth.
In the precious name of our Lord Jesus. Amen.



FRANÇAIS

Prière de gratitude
Ésaïe 55; Apocalypse 22:17; Jean 3:17

L'offre et l'appel universels

1 «Vous tous qui avez soif,
venez, voici de l'eau!
Et même vous qui n'avez pas d'argent,
venez, achetez et mangez!
Venez acheter sans argent, oui, sans paiement,
du vin, du lait!

2 Pourquoi dépensez-vous votre argent pour payer
ce qui ne nourrit pas?
Pourquoi travaillez-vous
pour une nourriture qui ne rassasie pas?
Ecoutez, oui, écoutez-moi,
alors vous mangerez ce qui est bon,
vous vous délecterez d'aliments savoureux.

3 Tendez l'oreille, venez à moi,
écoutez-moi et vous vivrez.
Car je conclurai avec vous une alliance éternelle,
celle que dans ma bienveillance et ma fidélité j'ai promise à David.


 37 ​Le dernier jour, le grand jour de la fête, Jésus, se tenant debout, s'écria: Si quelqu'un a soif, qu'il vienne à moi, et qu'il boive. Lev 23:36; Isa 55:1; John 6:35; Rev 22:17; 38 Celui qui croit en moi, des fleuves d'eau vive couleront de son sein, comme dit l'Ecriture. Isa 12:3; 39 ​Il dit cela de l'Esprit que devaient recevoir ceux qui croiraient en lui; car l'Esprit n'était pas encore, parce que Jésus n'avait pas encore été glorifié. Isa 44:3; Joel 2:28; Acts 2:17; 40 Des gens de la foule, ayant entendu ces paroles, disaient: Celui-ci est vraiment le prophète. Matt 21:46; Luke 7:16; John 6:14; 41 D'autres disaient: C'est le Christ. Et d'autres disaient: Est-ce bien de la Galilée que doit venir le Christ? John 4:42; John 1:46; 42 L'Ecriture ne dit-elle pas que c'est de la postérité de David, et du village de Bethléhem, où était David, que le Christ doit venir? Ps 132:11; Mic 5:2; Matt 2:6; 43 Il y eut donc, à cause de lui, division parmi la foule. 44 ​Quelques-uns d'entre eux voulaient le saisir, mais personne ne mit la main sur lui.

 Père Céleste  saint, miséricordieux et juste,

Je te suis reconnaissant que nous n’ayons pas à attendre de jour spécial pour trouver le repos, car nos âmes peuvent le trouver en toi seul n’importe où, n’importe quand.

Merci Seigneur Jésus d’avoir accompli l’oeuvre de notre rédemption que le Père t’a demandé pour que nous puissions connaître le repos, la paix et la vie abondante quand nous nous confions à toi et quand nous demeurons en toi.

Je te remercie pour le sang précieux de Jésus qui nous libère de la contrainte et de l’effort de chercher ailleurs le repos que toi seul nous procures.

Je te remercie pour la nourriture qui rassasie et l’eau vivifiante gratuits et pour le sacrifice de ta vie sur la croix qui nous a permis d’accéder au Père qui nous accorde d’abondantes richesses spirituelles qui satisfont.

Disons comme toi: “ Ma nourrriture est de faire la volonté de Mon Père.”

Débouche-nous les oreilles afin que nous puissions t’écouter plus attentivement, pour venir à toi, manger ce qui est bon et vivre de toute parole sortant de ta bouche.
Au nom précieux du Seigneur Jésus. Amen.

Reflection for 2009

Love and Shout - Clarice Lispector One day, a teacher asked his students: -- Why do people yell at each other when they are annoyed? Everybody thought for a while -- Because we loose our cool, said one, this is why. -- But, why yell when the other person is next to you? Isn’t possible to talk in a soft voice? Why do we shout when you are angry? Each of the students gave the teacher an unsatisfactory response. Finally, the teacher explained: -- When two people are mad at each other, their hearts become very distant. In order to cover the distance between them, they feel they have to shout to be heard. The angrier they become, the louder they have to shout to hear each other to get through the great distance. -- Now, what happens when people are in love with each other? They don’t shout, but rather speak softly. Why? Because their hearts are very close. The distance separating them is very small. -- When their love increases, what happens? They don’t speak anymore, they whisper and their love brings them even closer. Finally, they don’t even need to talk, they look at each other and that’s all. And so it is the way two people behave when they love each other. When you argue, don’t let your heart drift away, don’t let words keep you distant because one day will come when the distance between you will be so great that you will not be able to find your way back. O Amor e o Grito - Clarice Lispector . Um dia um mestre perguntou aos seus discípulos: - Por que as pessoas gritam quando estão aborrecidas? Os homens pensaram por alguns momentos. - Porque perdemos a calma - disse um deles. - Por isso gritamos. - Mas, por que gritar quando a outra pessoa está ao teu lado? Não é possível falar-lhe em voz baixa? Por que gritas a uma pessoa quando estás aborrecido? Os homens deram algumas respostas, mas nenhuma delas satisfez o mestre. Finalmente ele explicou: - Quando duas pessoas estão aborrecidas, seus corações se afastam muito. Para cobrir esta distância precisam gritar para poder escutar-se. Quanto mais aborrecidas estejam, mais forte terão que gritar para se escutar um ao outro através desta grande distância. Em seguida perguntou: - O que sucede quando duas pessoas se enamoram? Elas não gritam, mas se falam suavemente. Por quê? Porque seus corações estão muito perto. A distância entre elas é pequena. Quando se enamoram, acontece mais alguma coisa? Notem que quase não falam, somente sussurram, e ficam cada vez mais perto do seu amor. Finalmente, não necessitam sequer sussurrar, somente se olham e isto é tudo. Assim é quando duas pessoas que se amam estão próximas. Portanto, quando discutirem, não deixem que seus corações se afastem, não digam palavras que os distanciem mais. Chegará um dia em que a distância será tanta que não mais encontrarão o caminho de volta.

Spunky the Miracle Dog

Photo from Google. Borrowed for resemblance with Spunky

This true story is dedicated to my daughter Giselle.
Posted by Jean-Louis @  http://thelightseed.blogspot.com
 
This is the amazing story of a little dog named Spunky who belonged to a friend of ours.

 
At that time, my 2 children and I had moved to Hendersonville and had gotten acquainted with Spunky. Giselle, my daughter, was particularly fond of Spunky. One day the little dog disappeared and in spite of all that we did to find her whereabouts, our search was unsuccessful.

About 9 months after her disappearance, my 2 children and I were invited for dinner at our friend’s house. Around the dinner table, ready to start, I suggested that each one say a little prayer of thanks for God’s blessings. Then came my daughter Giselle’s turn. She was only 8 years old at the time. She just whispered this simple unexpected prayer from her heart: “Heavenly Father, I really miss Spunky; could you please bring her back? Thank you for your love, amen!”

For a few seconds, my adult mind was musing silently: “Oh what a cute little prayer while at the same time doubting that the Lord was going to do anything. In my mind, her request was apparently for no less than a resurrection since Spunky has been missing for 9 months. As far as I knew, the little dog was dead. After all, my adult and skeptical reaction was natural.

Next morning, at 7:30 AM, I put the children on the school bus and left for work. As I was turning from the gravel driveway onto the main road, guess who I see in the middle of the road about 200 yards away? Spunky, together with 2 or 3 other wild dogs that were crossing the road!

Ouch! The Holy Spirit smote my heart in a strong, inescapable, convicting manner. His still small voice whispered a few words of rebuke: “You have been walking with me for so many years and you know my word so well. But your daughter, an 8 year old child asked me a blessing in faith and love and here is the answer right in front of your eyes. Jean-Louis, you are lacking in faith, a childlike faith like that of your daughter.”

Woe is me… once more I was in the dog house… being spanked by the Lord!

 
Right then and there, I had to confess my lack of faith and ask forgiveness for my cynical attitude and asked Him to grant me the faith of a child.

This couldn’t have just happened by coincidence. After all our human efforts, we couldn’t find Spunky, but God is attentive to respond to the call of a small child, even to the arranging of what seemed an impossible circumstance. He knew exactly where Spunky was and guided her steps in my path precisely at the moment I was leaving for work. A few seconds before or after and I would have missed her because the pack of dogs were running across the road. Can you imagine?

Spunky looked skinny and mangy. Her fur was missing large clumps of hair and was full of fleas. She acted as if she didn’t recognize me. Still under the effect of the amazing surprise, I took her back to our friend’s house. After several weeks of treatment and care, she regained her good health, a normal weight and her happy, spunky disposition.

 
You can imagine the joy we felt and the gratitude towards our Good Shepherd who cares not only about His lost sheep but also about their lost dog!