When I finally get to heaven, I want to meet Job—hands down, one of the most flat-out amazing examples of a good man who chose to see God first and his problems second. Oftentimes, I approach God through my problems; which means my ability to see and hear him gets mighty murky. Job’s way is better.

Within a short time, the poor man lost everything that defined his life…wealth, all 10 of his adult children, and finally his personal health. He was blindsided; his good life totally upended through absolutely no fault of his own.

But his immediate response was amazing: he tore his robe in grief; then fell to the ground, and worshiped God.

He said,

“I came naked from my mother’s womb,

and I will be naked when I leave.

The LORD gave me what I had,

and the LORD has taken it away.

Praise the name of the LORD!”

Job 1:21

Sometime later, Job’s friend, obviously not a trained grief counselor or encourager, had the audacity to say that the kids had been killed as punishment for their sins. It would have been hard for me  not to haul off and wallop that friend, or at least, as our family used to say, “pop ‘em with your mouth”.

But all the while, so many important—yet invisible—things were happening in a different realm, away from the earthly stage; things that if known, would have dragged clear understanding of the tragedies out into the open.

Satan was behind the scenes, skulking around God’s heavenly court—just begging God’s permission to “prove” that Job had a price; and could be beaten and broken to the point where he’d finally curse God to His face.

But God knew his man better than Satan did.

And it’s absolutely the same today; our lives get turned completely upside down—very often through no fault of our own—and there are no logical earthly ways to make sense of it all.

But I stand firm, beyond any shadow of any doubt, that God’s still in charge—whether it’s on or off the earthly stage—He’s still got it.

 

 

 

 

The LORD loves refugees. He sent His son, Jesus, to enter our flesh and blood world, knowing full well he’d soon be a refugee—a middle-Eastern toddler with his family—fleeing the malicious murderous regime of the day.

 

Flash forward to a current middle-Eastern toddler with his family—fleeing the malicious murderous regime of the day—and see Aylan’s lifeless little body, face down at water’s edge.

 

And Jesus tells us:

 

…if you give even a cup of cold water

to one of the least of my followers,

you will surely be rewarded.

Matthew 10:42

 

Not one of us has the ability to help everyone, but all of us have the ability to help someone.

 

 

The following excerpted from

www.aholyexperience.com

 

If you’d like to help Syrian refugees stranded on the Greek Island of Lesvos, see the list below, and mail to:

 

Hellenic Postal Office of Mythymna

℅ The Captain’s Table

Molyvos 81108, Lesvos, Greece

 

ITEMS TO SEND for SYRIAN REFUGEES on GREEK ISLAND OF LESVOS:

 

Sneakers, gym shoes for men, women and children (all sizes) are a HIGH PRIORITY

Sweat pants of all sizes.

Briefs/underwear for men, women and children (all sizes)

Men’s trousers (small, medium and large) and shoes

Baby powder milk

Any non-perishables like nut butters or other long-lasting foods.

Diapers

Feminine products

Sleeping bags

Plastic to cover the floor/for shade

Tents/tarpaulin

Mats (camping or yoga mats)

Hats and caps for sunshade (adults and children/light colors because of the sun)

Electric Plug for multiple devices (European voltage)

 

 

 

 

http://www.aholyexperience.com/2015/09/5-ways-to-stand-up-be-the-church-in-the-worlds-worst-refugee-crisis-since-world-war-ii/

 

Totally love this:  my daughter-in-law very recently invited me to spend “100 days with Jesus”.

 

The blog author of www.thecottonhouse.com explains how she was inspired when she came across a page in her Bible listing over 250 names for Jesus; and shares how her view of Him completely changed as she started studying His names.

 

She began sharing her study yesterday, September 1, 2015, by posting the day’s Name, verse reference, definition and prayer. She invites each of us to join and follow daily through either Instagram (@100 Days with Jesus) or her blog.

 

Yesterday’s Name, ADVOCATE, resonated solidly within me.

 

Jesus Christ Himself, pleads my case with His Father, God Almighty…not because I deserve it in any shape, form or fashion, but simply because He loves me; and I chose to enter into a totally voluntary transactional relationship with Him.

 

Years ago, by virtue of age and relationship, I became my grandmother’s advocate. Her only child, my father, had died when I was a teenager. She enjoyed remarkable health, was an avid reader with a wonderful sense of humor, and lived independently until age 99. All of our lives, but hers the most, changed the day her hip broke; she fell and then ultimately lived her final two years in a nursing home.

 

One irritating and frustrating nursing-home-day, I told the charge nurse that I knew I was a pain to deal with, but if I were HER advocate, she’d be glad. She stopped short—then walked across Ma Mooney’s room and wrapped me in a huge bear hug.

 

It’s pretty simple really…I loved Ma Mooney and I advocated for her…albeit awkwardly and imperfectly. Jesus really really loves me and He advocates for me…not awkwardly and imperfectly…but with amazing saving Grace and perfection.

 

…we have an advocate

who pleads our case before the Father.

He is Jesus Christ,

the one who is truly righteous.

He himself is the sacrifice

that atones for our sins—

and not only our sins

but the sins of all the world.

1 John 2:1-2

 

 

Amen and amen.