I absolutely love sharing and singing about Heaven but focusing only on what's ahead keeps me from experiencing the Kingdom of God 'now'.
Yesterday I was really soaking in Romans 12. It is the outline as we live with each other 'now'. Yes, we are dying everyday to self so that we may live, because in living we are dying to self. We are connected in the Spirit and in Love - all of us.
Bridge Over Trouble Waters
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzREBu8PwPo&feature=related
As I listen to this song, I remember like it was yesterday. I was driving down Old Galveston Rd to be with my Aunt Josephine in the hospital, feeling helpless and this song came on the radio. She was crippled for years with arthritis and spent the last years of her life bed ridden. I never once heard her complain about her pain. She told me once the pain in her body was so unbearable, she reached and touched the cloak of Jesus. She had experienced the Kingdom of God and her pain left in that moment. She was a servant through her pain as she lived in her pain. What a beautiful example of abundant life. Thank you Aunt Josephine, you were and still are a light in my life.
As Jesus sings this song to me, I sing it to each one in my life. This is my desire 'now'. My purpose is to be a servant and if necessary even go into troubled waters. As a servant His gifts are not mine to keep for myself.
For all of you who are radical servant lights in a world of darkness.
This is titled 'Like A Bridge'...
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2107/2097087289_9f4a46eea9.jpg
Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. 3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. NIV
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