There are some of us that talk to others, some that turn to friends, others that run to the church, pastors and priests and then there are some that are more comfortable bearing their souls to a total stranger, an outsider, a therapist. All are acceptable in a time of needm and we all need to have someone, somewhere that we are able to run in those times in our lives that we are struggling with personal, interpersonal or just stuff that is happening in our lives, We all have to have a refuge that we can bear the hurts, pains and wounds that we carry deep within us that many do not know that they even exist.
As humans we need to have someone that can talk to us and listen, really listen to what we are saying and not judge us by what we are feeling or thinking at that moment. We need to feel safe bearing our souls to someone when we are in need, or have pain deep within us, espicially when it is willing and coming to the surface. At these times it can be hard to see options, or think that anyone has ever been in this place where we sit in the midst of all the pain, and open wounds that are bleeding and we try as we may to cover them but just can't seem to get that bleeding to stop. It is in those moments that we tend to run to others that we trust or look for someone out there in the world that we feel safe with to share all that is within us at that moment. Someone who is willing to explore those thoughts and feelings, or look at the pain and what is happening in another light, someone who is there for us in the time of our need.
We all have these times in our lives, some have more than others, but we all go through tough and trying times in life. As Christians we have the ultimate comfortator there willing and want to help if we just reach out to him. As a Christian we have Jesus there at our calling, we can reach up to heaven and have Him come down to us and hold us in a time of need, He is there listening, and won't judge you for what you are feeling. He is there to wipe away all the tears, and will always be near. His love is never ending and he is always awake so it doesn't matter if it is 2 in the afternoon or four o'clock in the morning. Jesus does not sleep, and never see's his children as a bother or a problem. He is there waiting for you to call out to Him.
Yet, sometimes we reach out and still feel that we need more, that we need a human here on earth to talk to, it is then that we run to the church. We turn to the priest, a pastor, a leader in the church. We seek out someone that will understand what we are going through and can help us see God is there with us in the middle of the storm that we are in at the moment. We reach out and see that there is love here for us in the church, that God's love is all around us in the church. That the priest have a true heart for the people and that when we are hurting, they too feel the pain that we bear in our souls. They see us and love us as their family, so when we hide all our pain and hurts, it is then that we are hurtung our spiritual leaders as well. They are there for the church, but more importantly they are there for the people. They truly care for us as the members of the church. They love and care for us as their family, and want us to call them in the times of need, and not to run and hide in the back of the church or the fake smile on Sunday morning. I am sure they don't want us calling them at 3am, unless it is an emergency, but knowing several pastors and priests over the years, I know they want us to call them in the am if we need to talk and are struggling with finding or seeing God work in us, through us or simply knowing that God is still there and has not walked away from us when we are in need, pain and misery.
They are there to walk with us, guide us and help us walk with the heavenly father. The priest / pastors are there reaching out and asking that we call then when our faith is weak, and we are climbing out of the lowly pit that we may be in and can't seem to be able to grasp that rock to pull ourselves up off the floor. They are there reaching their hand down, saying grab ahold, I am here to help you my child. I am here to pray with you, show you the Father in heaven and be a shoulder you can cry on without any judgement or shame. Call me and I will help you, I am here for you always, just like the Father in heaven. Reach out in the times of need and you will see the love of the heavenly father reaching to you through others and through your priest / pastor of the church.
Showing posts with label priest. Show all posts
Showing posts with label priest. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Leaning
In Sundays service there was an awesome message for all Christians of today. One of leaning on others. Not only leaning on them but then being there for them at tier time of need and allowing them to lean on you. We as people all need someone that we are able to rely on in times of need, it can be friends, family, our priest, the pastor of the church or another soul that we feel feel close to or have bonded with at some point in our lives. We look to them for support, love, a caring touch, a hug in those moments that we just need a friend. We lean on people and may not realize that we are leaning on them at all, since as friendship and family draw near it is natural to turn to them during this point. Yet, this is a very hard thing for some to do, leaning on others is not a natural thing. It is something that needs to be encouraged, and supported as being ok.
Some of our family, friends have hurt us and scorned us to the point that we are afraid to turn to others in those times. In fear that they will run from us, or worse let us fall in the process and then we hit the floor cause the one we were trying to lean on doesn't want to be leaned on or can't help us at the time of our need. It may not be that they don't want too, but rather they don't have what we need from them at that particular moment.
But there is one that we are always able to lean on at any moment, no matter what the time or situation. There is one that will always love us, hold us in our time of need, one that says give me all your burdens and let me carry them for you. We all have the ability to reach out to Him if we are willing. Our Heavenly Father is always there ready and waiting for us with open arms. He loves us so much and hates to see us hurting, so much so that he sees and knows every tear that we have cried since our birth. He understands what we are going through and says come to me my dear child, come and be comforted.
Our Heavenly Father is there, waiting and willing to listen anytime. He loves and care about us more then we can ever imagine. He is there in our times of need, and in our times of joy. He is there when we need to lean on others, He is there so we can lean on Him , and He can bring the right person to you so you can lean on them during that time. He can provide another person in that time to hug you and say it's okay, I understand, I am here if you need me. The Father provides priests, pastors in our lives when we need that help, and may need someone to talk to if we need to go that route. He provides Priests and Pastors who care for us, that love us as God's children, who are willing to talk to us and help guide us along the path that ewe are walking.
Ultimately, God wants us to lean on Him, and walk with Him. He is always there! He will never leave us nor forsake us, we are His children! He loves and cares for us, so go ahead and lean on God, He is there waiting for you!
Some of our family, friends have hurt us and scorned us to the point that we are afraid to turn to others in those times. In fear that they will run from us, or worse let us fall in the process and then we hit the floor cause the one we were trying to lean on doesn't want to be leaned on or can't help us at the time of our need. It may not be that they don't want too, but rather they don't have what we need from them at that particular moment.
But there is one that we are always able to lean on at any moment, no matter what the time or situation. There is one that will always love us, hold us in our time of need, one that says give me all your burdens and let me carry them for you. We all have the ability to reach out to Him if we are willing. Our Heavenly Father is always there ready and waiting for us with open arms. He loves us so much and hates to see us hurting, so much so that he sees and knows every tear that we have cried since our birth. He understands what we are going through and says come to me my dear child, come and be comforted.
Our Heavenly Father is there, waiting and willing to listen anytime. He loves and care about us more then we can ever imagine. He is there in our times of need, and in our times of joy. He is there when we need to lean on others, He is there so we can lean on Him , and He can bring the right person to you so you can lean on them during that time. He can provide another person in that time to hug you and say it's okay, I understand, I am here if you need me. The Father provides priests, pastors in our lives when we need that help, and may need someone to talk to if we need to go that route. He provides Priests and Pastors who care for us, that love us as God's children, who are willing to talk to us and help guide us along the path that ewe are walking.
Ultimately, God wants us to lean on Him, and walk with Him. He is always there! He will never leave us nor forsake us, we are His children! He loves and cares for us, so go ahead and lean on God, He is there waiting for you!
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Dying and Heaven
When some of my residents die it is totally different then others, being in the fact that they are of the religious order. They are declared as professional religious, meaning that they are nuns or priests. They look and perceive death very differently then those of us who are lay persons. They see death as a reward as they look forward to Heaven and all that it holds for them. I can say that I have seen many beautiful souls go to Heaven in the last year, with one dear soul that just departed from us very recently. She will be greatly rewarded for all her work here on Earth.
The nuns and priest do not fear death, rather they often embrace it. They see it as a reward for all that they have done here to serve their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. They look forward to going home to see Jesus and receive from Him their true and ultimate reward as it states in Matthew 5: 12 (NIV) "Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven." The nuns and priest have this reward to look forward because of what they have done to forward the gospel, and the life that they have chose to live for Him as it states in Mark 8:34 "Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." They have given their entire lives to following Jesus. They have put away all other gods, and only serve the one true God as they are directed to in 1 Sam. 24:14 (NIV) "Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD."
In Philippians 1:21 (NIV) "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." They know they will be rewarded for their works here on Earth. They understand that by living for Christ here on Earth that she will now reside with Jesus in Heaven and that is a gain. She is now with her true Savior. Thus death for them is not bad, or a sad time rather it is a a good thing if you are in Christ Jesus. It is exciting to know that all our hard work here on Earth will be rewarded when we get to Heaven, since we are there for an eternity Matthew 5:12 (NIV) "Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." They are excited to go to heaven because of what it states in Luke 6:23 (NIV) "Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven."
They understand that God will be faithful to them since they have walked in His ways and have followed his narrow path for their lives. As it states in Psalms 108:4 (NIV)" For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies." They are graceful for His continued faithfulness to them and they continue to walk and believe in God no matter what happens to them as they travel that path. They know that God will always come through on the promises that were made to them. Psalms 145:13 (NIV) states "Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made." They long to hear the words of the Father when He states "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!" Matthew 25:21 (NIV).
The nuns and priest are able to understand that they will be taken care of by the Father in this life, that their needs will be met. As Philippians 4:19 (NIV) states "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." They do not fret over daily things because they are able to trust in the Lord completely. They know that God will take care of them and their needs without a shadow of a doubt. Psalms 33:21 says "In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name." then in Psalms 62:8 (NIV) it states "Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Selah" Therefore if pour our hearts out to God and put our trust and fatih in Him, He will respond to us. God is there for us, it is stated that "I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." in Psalms 91:2 (NIV).
By their faith, and knowledge of who God is and their constant companionship with the Father, they do not fear what is to come but rather embrace it and look forward to meeting the one that they have devoted their lives to following. We too are entitle to all of this and more by following Jesus and walking with him daily. We do not have to fear death, we can have the same confidence that they have in their soul, by following the Lord daily. By walking with him and having fellowship with him in prayer, singing and meeting with other Christians on a regular bases.
The nuns and priest do not fear death, rather they often embrace it. They see it as a reward for all that they have done here to serve their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. They look forward to going home to see Jesus and receive from Him their true and ultimate reward as it states in Matthew 5: 12 (NIV) "Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven." The nuns and priest have this reward to look forward because of what they have done to forward the gospel, and the life that they have chose to live for Him as it states in Mark 8:34 "Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." They have given their entire lives to following Jesus. They have put away all other gods, and only serve the one true God as they are directed to in 1 Sam. 24:14 (NIV) "Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD."
In Philippians 1:21 (NIV) "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." They know they will be rewarded for their works here on Earth. They understand that by living for Christ here on Earth that she will now reside with Jesus in Heaven and that is a gain. She is now with her true Savior. Thus death for them is not bad, or a sad time rather it is a a good thing if you are in Christ Jesus. It is exciting to know that all our hard work here on Earth will be rewarded when we get to Heaven, since we are there for an eternity Matthew 5:12 (NIV) "Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." They are excited to go to heaven because of what it states in Luke 6:23 (NIV) "Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven."
They understand that God will be faithful to them since they have walked in His ways and have followed his narrow path for their lives. As it states in Psalms 108:4 (NIV)" For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies." They are graceful for His continued faithfulness to them and they continue to walk and believe in God no matter what happens to them as they travel that path. They know that God will always come through on the promises that were made to them. Psalms 145:13 (NIV) states "Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made." They long to hear the words of the Father when He states "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!" Matthew 25:21 (NIV).
The nuns and priest are able to understand that they will be taken care of by the Father in this life, that their needs will be met. As Philippians 4:19 (NIV) states "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." They do not fret over daily things because they are able to trust in the Lord completely. They know that God will take care of them and their needs without a shadow of a doubt. Psalms 33:21 says "In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name." then in Psalms 62:8 (NIV) it states "Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Selah" Therefore if pour our hearts out to God and put our trust and fatih in Him, He will respond to us. God is there for us, it is stated that "I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." in Psalms 91:2 (NIV).
By their faith, and knowledge of who God is and their constant companionship with the Father, they do not fear what is to come but rather embrace it and look forward to meeting the one that they have devoted their lives to following. We too are entitle to all of this and more by following Jesus and walking with him daily. We do not have to fear death, we can have the same confidence that they have in their soul, by following the Lord daily. By walking with him and having fellowship with him in prayer, singing and meeting with other Christians on a regular bases.
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