Glory!

"They exchanged their Glory for an image of a bull, which eats grass" (Psalm 106:20).
"...my people have exchanged their Glory for worthless idols" (Jeremiah 2:11).
"Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images..." (Romans 1:23).

Not much of an exchange going on, wouldn't you say?

I want to give glory to--give a proper estimate of--this one whose name is Glory. He alone is worthy, this amazing, Tri-unity God. He, the only God who has wounds. Wounds from us. Wounds for us.
Soli Deo Gloria.

                                          --Sombrero Galaxy; photo from NASA website
                                                         

It's Friday, but Sunday's Comin'

Resurrection Sunday is coming. Best holiday/holy day of the year.

We received word recently from friends that a young teacher and colleague of theirs was killed by one of his high school students. The teacher, only 23 years old, was a committed follower of Jesus Christ. When the father spoke at his son's funeral a day or so after the shooting, he told those gathered this:

"My son's life wasn't just taken from him. He gave his life away to Jesus years ago."

What we give away can't be taken from us.

How like Jesus Christ Himself. "I lay down my life--only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord" (John 10:17, 18).

"God has raised this Jesus to life...(and made him) both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:32, 36).

Soli Deo Gloria.

Happy 2012!

For those of you who might check my website, I've cancelled it. Once I find a way to do it cheaper and better, I'll announce it on this blog and on FB. In the meantime, please follow this blog and I'll post new releases and such.

Heavenly Humor f0r the Grandmother's Soul came out a month early and is now available for purchase. This devotional can be purchased at Christian bookstores, online, or from me. It's a fun read with contributions from a dozen authors. Like all of Barbour's devotional books, it makes a nice gift.

As we start a new year, it's good to know that God is in charge of all things. Not only is He sovereign, but He's good. Psalm 135 tells us, "The LORD does whatever pleases him." But before the psalmist writes that, he reminds us that "the LORD is good" (verses 6 & 3). Whatever 2012 holds for us as individuals or as people of planet earth, "our Lord is greater than all gods" (verse 5). Our part is to: "Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil" (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22). Our God is faithful. SDG.

Christmas 2011

The Bible says it this way. "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord" (Matthew 2:10 NIV).

The lyricist of "Joy to the World" said it this way. "Joy to the world! The Lord is come!"

Today we say, "The Lord has come."

Some day we will say with even greater joy and delight, "The Lord has come back!"

"There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away" declares Revelation 21:4 (NIV).

Whether our Christmas is joyful or grievous, the Christ of Christmas past, present, and future has all things in His control.

Merry Christmas. Soli Deo Gloria.

THANK YOU!

For the many cards, prayers, well wishes, CDs, meals, free rides, phone calls and more that all of you--friends and family alike--have showered on me (and Mark too!), thank you! Your encouragement, advice, and concern have carried me many a day. When I was asked at the Victory Center about support systems they offer, I passed them all up. (Except, of course, the free massages!) I told them my support system was so overwhelming that others could benefit from what they offer--while I bask in the beauty, humility, and grace of faithful people who live lives of generous love. Thank you all again. I cherish each of you. SDG from whom all blessings flow....

Double Talk?

When Jesus talks with Martha just before He resurrects her brother, Lazarus, Jesus says,"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die" (John 11:25-26, NIV). Is this double talk?

If we go back a few chapters in the book of John, Jesus said that whoever hears His word and believes God the Father who sent Him has eternal life and won't be condemned because "he has crossed over from death to life." (See John 5:24; emphasis added.) If I put these few verses together, I come up with one conclusion.

Those who died in Christ before His resurrection will live, even though they died. Lazarus, John the Baptist, and the rest of the Old Testament saints did die, but now they're very much alive. As for the rest of us?

It might look like we died when we do die physically on this earth--just like Lazarus and those others. But actually we died when we became believers. So we really have already passed from death into life. Awesome truth that's not double talk.

Or, as Sergeant Joe Friday would say, "Just the facts." SDG.