January 22 - MOJO (Moses & Joseph) Nobodies

Recently, I have heard about Joseph and Moses - how God made them nobodies so they could be useful for His purposes. 'Joe' was somebody to his daddy, nobody to his brothers, nobody to the Midianites, nobody in Potiphar's house, somebody to Potiphar (and a hot somebody to Mrs. Potiphar!), nobody in prison, somebody to the cupbearer and baker, somebody to Pharaoh, somebody to Egypt, somebody to the world, somebody to his family. Quite a stretch os up-and-down years in training for 'Joe'. 'Moe' was trained 40 years in Egypt to be somebody, then 40 years in the desert to be a nobody, so he could be a somebody to God's people in Egypt. Lord, help me to be content to be nobody so I can be somebody useful to anybody.

January 20 - Clutter

Like the temple in Jesus' day, my life has become cluttered. Jesus, make your whip, and drive out all the unclean and unnecessary things from my temple. Overturn every table and scatter whatever profit I have received from these tyrannical ways and means. Grant me grace to make radical changes in my lifestyle that will keep these things from encroaching and from cluttering my life in God.

Ruthless Trust

Reading Ruthless Trust by Brennan Manning soberly and winsomely reminds me of the simplicity of life in Christ Jesus. Trust. Gratitude. Fullness of Life. Child-like characteristics. [I am convinced that God is eternally young!] I want to live a simple life full of love and free from complaining. Aren't they the beautiful aspects that attract others? Isn't this how we best represent God?

Compassion is the Master's Way

Compassion is the Master’s way.

Heart-aching, gut-wrenching benevolence.

He sees.

He feels.

He touches.

Blind men.

Bleeding women.

Lame, paralyzed, shriveled folk.

And things happen…

Dead live.

Crippled walk.

Deaf hear.

He smiles.

He leaps.

He dances for joy.

Mind boggling, heart-twisting benevolence.

Compassion is the Master’s way.

December 31, 2009

Matthew 20:29-34

Two Jericho-an blind men boisterously coveted Jesus' help. The master stopped on his way out of the city to probe their hearts. All they wanted is to be able to see. Jesus was moved with compassion and touched their eyes. Instantly, each one could see, and they became followers of Jesus.

O that I would have compassion on people who are in need - and not treat them as distractions. O that your power would change their lives!

December 30, 2009

Matthew 20:17-28

Jesus is prophesying his suffering and death to his disciples,... and they are concerned about personal greatness! How insensitive! How moronic! How could they?!

Wait! Don't I do the same thing? Christ reveals his plan to me; Christ reveals himself to me. And I desire being the center of attention. I want to be known. I secretly covet what is rightfully his - pre-eminence. Supremacy. First place. Christ must be my delight. Christ must be despot. In God's kingdom, greatness is achieved by slavery and service. Do I do his will? Or do I want his place?

Nazareth poem

Nazareth

Anything good out of Nazareth?

The prophet.

Not accepted.

Not received.

Not recognized.

Because of his Nazareth connection?

He was a Bethlehem-ite.

Born, but not raised.

David’s great-great-great…

But who knew?

Known as a Nazarene.

Raised, but not born.

One of the bad ones?

The good One.

Reputation is everything.

Nazareth.

Small village.

Questionable town.

Ordinary man.

Ordinary man?

God’s man.

From Nazareth

James R Snyder

©SnydeRemarks Works December 2009