The Rose of Sharon, the Lily of the Valley...

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CharliRenee

CharliRenee

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Nov 4, 2014
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The Rose of Sharon, the Lily of the valley.

To know someone, truly know them, in a way that shows invested time and intimacy, it goes beyond just knowing the person or people exist. It is, to me, a much deeper expression of knowing. The experience of connection that carries a burden and a joy with the ones you know, take it to a sacred space. I think this is what it means for us to come know Him and Him knowing us.

And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows;
Exodus 3:7 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/exo.3.7.KJV

I read this as God, Yahweh, Adonai, speaking to Moses, saying I feel their pain. Think on that for a moment. Really reflect on how this shows Him as not just a far off cold and distant presence. He cares for us deeply, once we accept this truth deeply, we can trust in His goodness and His choice to lean into each of our lives and in all our circumstances.

Does this suggest, we can breathe deeply knowing, He cares enough to keep us in a field of roses all our lives? Um, yeah, it does. Huh? Wait, no, clearly you are the queen of denial, Ms. Pollyanna!!!! Life had tons of hurt, tons of hard knocks, what kind of isolated life are you living in?

Ok, fair enough responss, I agree, 100% life isn't easy for anyone. But...but...but... look at it this way for a sec. We can be assured there will be lots of beauty that comes with lots and lots of thorns (even more thorns than the pretty petals). There will come a time for suffering and death here on earth, but the rooted seeds of righteousness that He has planted and watered will produce blooming forevermore.
 
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We're told God is omniscient. And all happens according to his purpose, will, and for his glory. I think where we are at in relationship, which is what I believe our faith is meant to communicate to us, a relation , as relations, parts of God, that no matter what we encounter God knows. He see's it coming. And therefore the tools he has given us that we have purposed for our living this life in this world where we are challenged by his adversary, are intended to insure we navigate through.
The level of our competence in surviving is directly related, I believe, to the level of understanding we have of that. Let go and let God be the navigator.
We see it all the time. Those bumper stickers. "God is my co-pilot" . But is he? Chat up the person if you happen to meet them in the parking lot as they're exiting that car. I've done this. Purposefully parking a few slots up from them so that we meet after I saw the sticker and noticed they were going to the same store as I.
It is fascinating to see just looking in their eyes as a stranger encounter to say to them, hello, and God bless.
Watch their eyes before speaking that introduction and after.
Their demeanor says it all.

There's this old joke that really isn't one in the case of the indwelt. And those who just pretend. If we notice the world has a bad impression of Christians we have ourselves to ask; why?
That old adage, a few bad apples?
That's why.


Preach What You Practice


Driving along a busy street, a man became aware of an impatient woman who was tailgating him. She was so close that when he had to brake to allow some children to use a pedestrian crossing, she almost crashed into him.

Furious at being delayed, she sounded her horn and began waving her fists in a disgraceful exhibition of a road rage.

Before she could move off, she felt a tap on her window. It was a police officer who ordered her to step out of the car.

He then asked her to come down to the station where she was searched, fingerprinted, photographed, and put in a cell.

A couple of hours later, after vehicle checks had been carried out, she was told that she could collect her valuables and that she was being released without charge.

The woman was extremely indignant at her arrest and demanded an apology.

The officer responsible explained the reason for the mistake. "You see, madam, I pulled up behind your car while you're sounding your horn and loudly cursing the driver in front of you. Then I noticed the 'Follow Jesus, Not Me' sticker on the rear window, the 'God Is Love' sticker, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the boot. Naturally, I assumed that you had stolen the car..."

 
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Lillywolf said:
We're told God is omniscient. And all happens according to his purpose, will, and for his glory. I think where we are at in relationship, which is what I believe our faith is meant to communicate to us, a relation , as relations, parts of God, that no matter what we encounter God knows. He see's it coming. And therefore the tools he has given us that we have purposed for our living this life in this world where we are challenged by his adversary, are intended to insure we navigate through.
The level of our competence in surviving is directly related, I believe, to the level of understanding we have of that. Let go and let God be the navigator.
We see it all the time. Those bumper stickers. "God is my co-pilot" . But is he? Chat up the person if you happen to meet them in the parking lot as they're exiting that car. I've done this. Purposefully parking a few slots up from them so that we meet after I saw the sticker and noticed they were going to the same store as I.
It is fascinating to see just looking in their eyes as a stranger encounter to say to them, hello, and God bless.
Watch their eyes before speaking that introduction and after.
Their demeanor says it all.

There's this old joke that really isn't one in the case of the indwelt. And those who just pretend. If we notice the world has a bad impression of Christians we have ourselves to ask; why?
That old adage, a few bad apples?
That's why.


Preach What You Practice


Driving along a busy street, a man became aware of an impatient woman who was tailgating him. She was so close that when he had to brake to allow some children to use a pedestrian crossing, she almost crashed into him.

Furious at being delayed, she sounded her horn and began waving her fists in a disgraceful exhibition of a road rage.

Before she could move off, she felt a tap on her window. It was a police officer who ordered her to step out of the car.

He then asked her to come down to the station where she was searched, fingerprinted, photographed, and put in a cell.

A couple of hours later, after vehicle checks had been carried out, she was told that she could collect her valuables and that she was being released without charge.

The woman was extremely indignant at her arrest and demanded an apology.

The officer responsible explained the reason for the mistake. "You see, madam, I pulled up behind your car while you're sounding your horn and loudly cursing the driver in front of you. Then I noticed the 'Follow Jesus, Not Me' sticker on the rear window, the 'God Is Love' sticker, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the boot. Naturally, I assumed that you had stolen the car..."
Click to expand...
Well said, and thanks for the giggles.
 
Lillywolf said:
We're told God is omniscient. And all happens according to his purpose, will, and for his glory. I think where we are at in relationship, which is what I believe our faith is meant to communicate to us, a relation , as relations, parts of God, that no matter what we encounter God knows. He see's it coming. And therefore the tools he has given us that we have purposed for our living this life in this world where we are challenged by his adversary, are intended to insure we navigate through.
The level of our competence in surviving is directly related, I believe, to the level of understanding we have of that. Let go and let God be the navigator.
We see it all the time. Those bumper stickers. "God is my co-pilot" . But is he? Chat up the person if you happen to meet them in the parking lot as they're exiting that car. I've done this. Purposefully parking a few slots up from them so that we meet after I saw the sticker and noticed they were going to the same store as I.
It is fascinating to see just looking in their eyes as a stranger encounter to say to them, hello, and God bless.
Watch their eyes before speaking that introduction and after.
Their demeanor says it all.

There's this old joke that really isn't one in the case of the indwelt. And those who just pretend. If we notice the world has a bad impression of Christians we have ourselves to ask; why?
That old adage, a few bad apples?
That's why.


Preach What You Practice


Driving along a busy street, a man became aware of an impatient woman who was tailgating him. She was so close that when he had to brake to allow some children to use a pedestrian crossing, she almost crashed into him.

Furious at being delayed, she sounded her horn and began waving her fists in a disgraceful exhibition of a road rage.

Before she could move off, she felt a tap on her window. It was a police officer who ordered her to step out of the car.

He then asked her to come down to the station where she was searched, fingerprinted, photographed, and put in a cell.

A couple of hours later, after vehicle checks had been carried out, she was told that she could collect her valuables and that she was being released without charge.

The woman was extremely indignant at her arrest and demanded an apology.

The officer responsible explained the reason for the mistake. "You see, madam, I pulled up behind your car while you're sounding your horn and loudly cursing the driver in front of you. Then I noticed the 'Follow Jesus, Not Me' sticker on the rear window, the 'God Is Love' sticker, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the boot. Naturally, I assumed that you had stolen the car..."
Click to expand...
I am curious though, as I love being warm and friendly to strangers and not because they might be angels, lol, but because most often, but not always, I find ppl are receptive to kindness and return the same. Is this true in your experiences also?
 
CharliRenee said:
I am curious though, as I love being warm and friendly to strangers and not because they might be angels, lol, but because most often, but not always, I find ppl are receptive to kindness and return the same. Is this true in your experiences also?
Click to expand...

i always practice the kill em with kindness approach, it works well for me.

I saw "Rose of Sharon" and clicked this thread thinking it was going to be about Ireland.
 
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