Musings with PWC

“But the water I give them takes away thirst altogether. It becomes a perpetual spring within them, giving them eternal life.”” John 4:14, NLT. I always have this tendency:  looking up for water—looking outside of myself—looking to the heavens—-looking  elsewhere—the metaphor “come O Lord Jesus”… “On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “If you are thirsty, come to me! If you believe in me, come and drink! For the Scriptures declare that rivers of living water will flow out from within.” (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone  believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)” John 7:37-39, NLT. According to Jesus: I keep looking in the wrong place  The Spirit is within me—from ‘within’ KJV version uses the term ‘belly’ This is the seat of the inward life, of feeling and desire… the hidden innermost recesses of the

So many things that Jesus did--He stooped to do.  Think of the essence of Jesus' ministry:   Heb 4:  14 * That is why we have a great High Priest who has gone to heaven, Jesus the Son of God. Let us cling to him and never stop trusting him.   15 * This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin.   16 * So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it. Jesus--washed the feet of arrogant disciples--stooping low. Martin Smith in his book   A Season for the Spirit , writes about Jesus baptism.  In his description of the event--Martin worked at reading the Biblical accounts, while at the same time, erasing the artist conceptions of the event.  Think of it--most pictures you see of Jesus baptism there are two people and one 'Dove'.  John, Jesus--and the Dove--create the picture.   That however, is very

One of my treasured possessions is my grandad's Bible.  My grandad--John Cusick 1894-1973--was my hero growing up.  He purchased this Bible from a door to door salesperson and paid a little amount week by week just so he could own his own Scofield Reference Bible.  On November 12, 1925 there were special meetings being held at my Nana's church.  She was not able to attend--but asked if grandad would go.  He was not interested--and refused.  However, later on--as the clock ticked, he decided he would attend the meeting.   A few hours later he came home and once inside their humble home,  my nana Kitty Stanley Cusick (1893-1967) looked at her husband and with her strong English accent announced "You Jack (she never called him John) you've been saved."  (She could tell by the glow on his face.)  And that night was the night of grandad's conversion to  the Christian faith.  He became an avid follower of Christ.  He held lay-preacher credentials with the Elim Pe

We have picked up our cultural norms—-LORD have mercy we are consumerist  we are competitive we are fragmented Lord have mercy on us Christ have mercy on us Lord have mercy on us Heal us… from consumerism… and cause us to love and serve each other.  Deliver us from the mind-set—‘what’s in it for me?’ Heal us ….from having a competitive edge… and cause us to lay down our lives for each other Heal us from… being being fragmented… and cause us to live as a community of merciful, gracious, giving, loving people

False Lovers It was St Augustine who wrote these words:  “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you."  Prior to salvation we were filling our lives with false loves—trying desperately to be happy, fulfilled—in love!   Solomon writes: He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. (Ecclesiates 3:11).  Because God, in His design, places eternity in our hearts—Augustine is correct—we are restless until we find rest in God.    After salvation, we find ourselves seeking false lovers still.  Let me list a few of them: 1.  We seek People: When we seek people, as false lovers—this is how we do it.  We want people’s approval.  We care more about being accepted by others than by God.  We want love and acceptance from people.  Is that wrong you ask?  Well yes—it is.  First, IF you love God—and seek ONLY HIS approval, His nod, and His applause—you will—actually re

This is too good... so it is borrowed! Too often--I am so focused on the here and now--or even the immediate future. Forgetting--there is within me--a seed of immortality--a seed of eternity. I am heading for a glorious eternal future in the presence of my Father--to be with Him--forever! http://www.churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/246006-heaven-will-never-boring.html?print