[Faith-talk] FW: [ByHisGrace] LENTEL THOUGHTS - DAY THREE

[Eric Calhoun]

Original Message: 
From: "Mary Ann" <serenity77 at shaw.ca>
To: <Undisclosed-Recipient:;>
Subject: [ByHisGrace] LENTEL THOUGHTS - DAY THREE
Date: 
Thu, 23 Feb 2012 20:45:36 -0700




LENTEL THOUGHTS - DAY 3
40 DAYS OF PRAYER


The Prayer of Trust

Blessed are those who trust in the Lord .. they shall be like
a tree planted by water ... in the year of drought it shows no distress.
Jeremiah 17: 7-8

I can read and pray many wonderful Scripture passages which
speak of trust in God and yet, when difficult situations happen, I
find myself again anxious and worried.  I know that anxiety
is a natural, human emotion, but worry accomplishes nothing except
taking away my emotional energy.  Jeremiah offers a powerful
image of one who trusts:   a tree that is not distressed even though
it is a year of drought.  Why?  Because it's planted by a stream and
its roots are in the waters.  If my heart is rooted in the waters of
God's Love, I do not need to be anxious or distressed.  I can trust that
whatever happens in my life, God will always be there to supply
what I need for spiritual growth.

Prayer:   Sit quietly with God.   Look within and recall the power of
God's
presence.  It is like water feeding the roots of a thirsty tree.  Rest in
this truth
for a while.  Then, look for any fear or anxiety you may have.   Allow
God's
power to surround it and embrace it with loving kindness.

...... Joyce Rupp



He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and
acquainted with grief.  Isaiah 53.3

The scene is very simple, you'll recognize it quickly.
A grove of twisted olive trees.  Ground cluttered with large rocks.
A low stone fence.  A dark, dark night... 

See that solitary figure?  Flat on the ground.  Face stained with dirt
and tears.
Fists pounding the hard earth.  Eyes wide with a stupor of fear.  Hair
matted
with salty sweat.  Is that blood on his forehead?

That's Jesus.  Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.  
We see an agonizing, straining, and struggling Jesus.
We see a "man of sorrows".  We see a man struggling with fear, wrestling
with committments and yearning for relief.

Seeing God like this does wonders for our own suffering.
God was never more human than at this hour.  God was never nearer
to us than when He hurt.  The Incarnation was never so fulfilled as in
the
Garden.

.... Max Lucado



The word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,
but to us who are being saved it is the Power of God.  1 Corinthians 1.18


Blessings N Love
Compiled by Mary Ann Trott