Have you met an atheist?

I had the privilege today to meet an atheist.   The atheist didn't have horns or fangs.  The atheist didn't have a secret wish to kill me.  The atheist seemed fairly normal until the conversation turned to God and Christians. Until that point in time I had no idea that this person was an atheist.

This person used to think that there was a God and a Savior but not anymore. This person stated that it was through reading the Bible that lead to the decision that there is no God. It is the belief of this person that everybody is deceived and that when the end of life comes the dying person's body will be recycled.  I was told to read the Bible and I would discover the truth.  The truth that there is no God.

I spoke to this person and I tried to tell of Jesus and God but to no avail.  I tried to speak of God's grace and of feeling God in my life, even the times of feeling Him so close that I could feel His breath.  My words fell on unbelieving ears.  I was told that was just my gut speaking.

If this person should somehow happen to discover my blog I would like to tell that person; my gut tells me that Jesus died on the cross for me and for you.  My gut tells me that my body may be recycled back to dust (until rapture) but my soul will meet Jesus.  My gut tells me that the more that I read the Bible the more that I know my Lord and Savior. My gut tells me that I will live in heaven forever with my Lord.  My gut tells me that those that don't accept this free gift will not be in heaven but in hell.

My prayer for this atheist is that the truth will be found!  The truth of Jesus!

John 12:46-48

New King James Version (NKJV)

46 I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. 47 And if anyone hears My words and does not believe,[a] I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.

Zeal for life

Yesterday afternoon I felt really tired and so I decided that I would take another dose of zeal.  For those of you wondering what on earth is zeal, it is a wellness drink that has all the vitamins and nutrients that your body needs.  I have heard others say that they take an extra dose when they have those really tired afternoons so I decided to go ahead and take the plunge of an extra dose.

Well by the time I made it to church I couldn't quit talking.  I felt like my mouth was in motor mouth speed.  Looking back I am surprised that someone just didn't give me a quick slap and tell me to shut up.  I am a talker anyway but normally I can be quiet when I am supposed to.  You know like in orchestra and Bible study.

I slept really well though and woke up refreshed this morning.  I woke up thinking that zeal is a great thing.  I also thought I need to have that kind of zeal to tell others about God.  I need to have the kind of zeal to spread the news and to be quiet and listen.  I need to take an extra dose of prayer and Bible reading when my strength is fading. Jesus has everything that I need!  I need to point others to my Lord and Savior with a zeal that can't be ignored.

Jesus is my zeal for life!! What is yours??

Mark 8:34-36

New International Version (NIV)

The Way of the Cross

³⁴ Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ³⁵ For whoever wants to save their life^[a] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. ³⁶ What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?

Brokenness

The last few weeks I have been pondering on the fact that my Lord and Savior, Jesus came to Earth willingly.  He came knowing that His body would be bruised, battered and broken before His time on Earth would end.  He knew that He would be rejected, mocked and spit  upon but He came anyway.  He knew that He would be nailed to a cross but He also knew that He would rise again and He did.  He did this for me!  It breaks my heart that He had to do this for me.  He knew though that His body would need to be broken so that He could heal my brokenness.

I was saved as a child and knew at a young age the power of prayer.  I also knew that I could take any problem to my Lord.  Even as a child though I had a problem with pride.  Sometimes I was afraid that I would be embarrassed.  I was afraid of what people might think.  Sometimes I was just so caught up in my own self that I could not hear that still small voice.

I found myself many years later broken, bruised and battered.  It was not my body though.  It was my heart. After seventeen years of wedded unbliss I had to let go.  My heart was broken into a million tiny pieces that I thought would never be whole again.  I felt like I had a big D on my forehead.  It was there for everyone to see my humiliation.  I did not even care what people thought.  I was full of shame and regret. I felt so unworthy that I would not even partake of the Lord's supper.  I was so low that I could only look up.

Through prayer, Bible reading and a Christian counselor my eyes looked straight up into the Eyes of my Lord!   He mended my heart piece by piece until I found joy and peace.  Because of His broken body my broken heart was mended.  I needed to come to a brokenness before I really understood His love.

Jesus takes us just as we are!!  Are you ready??

Romans 5:6-8

New International Version (NIV)

⁶ You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. ⁸ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Psalm 34:18

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁸ The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
    and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Verse:
In brokenness, I come to You, Jesus
I’m kneeling in surrender to Your Spirit
Mend my broken heart
I can find no other
To mend my broken life
To give me hope, Jesus

Chorus:
Lord I want to place my life in Your hands
Lay my burdens at Your feet
Take my life
Take my heart
I am Yours

Verse:
In repentance, I come to You, Jesus
I’m kneeling in surrender to Your Spirit
Forgive me my sins
I want no other
To give my life
My all to You, Jesus

© 1995 Esther Mui

The Journey Continues:Short Update

Yesterday's chemo went well.  Just as always the waiting was the worst part.  This time was not so bad.  It was just blood work and chemo but they will not start or even order the chemo until the blood work comes back.  We have learned to bring stuff to pass the time.  We read, look at facebook and Richard sleeps!

The blood work came back really good.  His counts are still holding good or better!  Next time will be an all day thing starting with a pet scan, than chemo, IVIG infusion and than see a doctor.

Your prayers keep us going! Thanks!!!

Psalm 17:6

New International Version (NIV)

⁶ I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;
    turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.