Get What You Need, Not What You Want

What is it that you want from God today? What are you praying for? What are you seeking, and what do you want God to do for you?

For some, you are desperately praying for healing, restitution, or recovery for someone you love.

Others are seeking a new start or a relationship or a job. Prayers that seem fair, reasonable and justified.

There are times when the answer we seek may not be the answer we need. God may not be giving you what you want because He has something different in mind - an outcome that is deeper, richer and more significant than you can even presently imagine.

Pray that God will give you what you need, rather than just what you want.

Share this daily reading.

My earnest thanks to Karl Faase and Olive Tree Media!

( from Daily Anvil )

Grace: ( A Change of Heart )

 Grace: 

 

( A Change of Heart )

  

Some years ago I underwent a heart procedure. My heartbeat had the regularity of a telegraph operator sending, Morse code. Fast. fast fast. Slooooow. After several failed attempts to restore healthy rhythm with medication, my doctor decided that i  should have a catheter ablation. The plan went like this: a cardiologist would insert two cables in my heart via a blood vessel. One was a camera: the other was an ablation tool. To ablate is to burn. Yes burn, cauterize, singe, brand. If all went well, the doctor, to use his coinage, would destroy the "misbehaving" parts of my heart. As I was being wheeled into surgery, he asked if I had any final questions. (Not the best choice of words.) I tried to be witty. You're burning the interior of my heart, right?"

"Correct."

"You intend to kill the misbehaving cells, yes?"

"That is my plan." "As long as you are in there, could you take your little blow- torch to some of my greed, selfishness, superiority, and guilt?" He smiled and answered, "Sorry, that's out of my pay grade." Indeed it was, but it's not out of God's. He is in the business of changing hearts.

Courtesy of the book: Grace by Author Max Lucado. ThomasNelson.( Publishers)

(Page 5)

One of the Christian World's favourite Authors: Max Lucado.

An Entity, An Alien and A Super Man:

"Goodness is its own reward."

So they say, but what happens when a life- journey becomes a struggle event after a struggle event.

You and i cannot always control the outcome.

"Desperate times call for desperate measures."

Again, so they say!

But sometimes the universe calls our bluff and sometimes the universe sends struggle to teach us a " lesson."

What's gotten into the universe?

Is the universe "good"or "bad"?

Both?

What decides ?

Why believe something that consists of star matter, empty limitless space and infinite time to help you and me ?

Anyway,How does the universe send help to you and me ? Where in the universe does that help come from ?

Even at the speed of light, which is the fastest thing in the universe, consider the satellite Voyager  is at the moment a day of light speed-ing away ? How can that bring  help for you and me arrive in time for our daily needs ? If it comes from the centre of the universe, then it shall take billions of years before timely help arrives. Too slow,no go.

It's not a beneficial person or a supernatural being or a strange alien race !

Its unfeeling,unthinking universe.

 Is there a pool of sanity in a universe of star- stuff, infinite space and endless time?

 Parents are raising  children with the best stuff ,money and Love can obtain.

Can the universe cuddle to sleep a crying baby or help a stressed teenage Mum? An accident occurs at home, who calls the ambulance, or summons the doctor.

How on earth does the universe help ?

Here is - surely - an answer: A super person, a personal being,a supernatural entity that surpasses  or transcends matter,space and time. An alien being, All powerful, all knowing, everywhere at the same time yet outside Einsteinian space/time continuum.

Of course that being, if an Alien, with a short body, large head with bug eyes might just help a devoted grandmother to cut up pears and smash them for baby food. But you and I would probably jump not for joy but out of our bodies in alarm.

So an alien race cannot be of use.  What about a superman ?

Superman is too busy busting criminals, rescuing stranded lift passengers and on and on. He is one man, who can do one thing at a time.

So what being, a supra- natural all- Knowing,all- Loving, all- Powerful beyond- the -norm personal Being.

Where do we seek this lovely super being ? He is as close as your heartbeat,your intake of oxygen. As close as a kiss on your forehead.

He commands the life of the cosmos.

He rises with the stars but opens the mouth of a new born with that lusty cry. He sustains the energy of the living. He sustains all life.

He is beyond anything you and anyone can ever imagine. Yet knowable as hearing, seeing and as understanding you and me.

He is GOD... and he wants to help you and me.

by Digital Anvil.

Companionship:

When you long for companionship

“Then the Lord God made a woman…and he brought her to the man.” 

--Genesis 2:22 NIV

 

God recognised our need for companionship when He said, “‘It is not good for the man to be alone’…Then…God made a woman…and he brought her to the man” (vv. 18, 22 NIV). Most of us are social beings who are at our best around others. We garner energy and support from them. But there are those who feel a sense of shame over admitting their loneliness. They long for people to share their lives with but feel they must pretend they don’t need anyone.

You should not feel shame for wanting love and social connection. 

Admitting your desire to be loved and taking a step toward involvement actually requires courage. Accepting that you are a person who needs to connect is healthy. 

But problems arise when your need for companionship controls you. When you compromise your values in order to be accepted, the results are always negative. Clinging to other people without understanding who they are or what they represent is unhealthy. And the ramifications can have not only lifelong effects but sometimes also life-threatening consequences. Wise decisions about relationships are never to be made with a mind ruled by fear of loneliness or desperation. If that’s where you are, being single is a better alternative right now. It need only be temporary.

 

 So do these three things: (1) Ask God to guide you: “God sets the lonely in families” (Psalm 68:6 NIV). (2) Live by the values you’d want your loved one to hold as well. (3) Start with what you have to give and share with others, rather than with your unmet needs.

Soul Food: Deut 30:1–32:28 Matt 10:1–10 Ps 62 Pro 12:18–19

(Magnificently) many thanks to Vision.org.au

( from Digital Anvil)

Hyderabad Church:

 

 Optimism and Praise is warranted

 

 

These are photos of a big church in Hyderabad,India.

It holds about ~79,000s in the congregation. Most are poor to many middle class to some extremely rich Indians.

Outside of the Western nations like Australia, USA and Europe, this is one of the biggest.

I thought India was all Hindu and various cults and a tiny bit of Christianity. 

But--thank GOD-I was wrong.

By Digital Anvil.

 

 Deep Needs 

 

It’s tempting to think we’re strong, we’re capable, and “we’ve got this.” But in reality, we are powerless on our own. We desperately need -  in every day- help.

We are dependent on others, powers, information and tools.  

I know the importance of depending on others and God. 

“Seek the Lord and his strength."

‭‭In a world that’s constantly focused in on itself, it’s crucial to recognize our need to depend on God. We need strength, we need power, and—to put it simply—we need ! 

If you’re feeling confident in your own self-sufficiency, ask yourself: Who made this world? Who created my body, my mind, and my soul? My eyes, my legs, my lungs? Who has the power to save? Who holds the keys to life?

Just as we continually need air, we need the power and presence of God to sustain our every move.

So how can we seek His strength and support continually? By staying connected to Him: talking to Him internally throughout the day, in the middle of busy schedules, asking for His help.

God will never deny a heart that is genuinely seeking Him.

So come to Him with your weaknesses and He will give you strength. Come to Him with your questions, your needs, and your wants, and He will give you Himself, much of your needs and  a few of your wants 

 

Based on Anonymous Contribution.

 

(Final Form by Digital Anvil)

 

Songs of Sorrow 'n' Joy: ( Re-Work )  

I've forgotten how i first encountered this song but it became  significant after only 1 listen and vital after 3.

While my Zina lay dying in the final months, Love found me while my heart beat( almost in solitude) with her.

 

This was an all-time favourite of ours! 

Have a listen, tap or click link below:

 

Link to Song 

 

 

Broken Wings: Song by Mr Mister. (1985)

(Live at the Ritz:) 

 

 

(Echoed by Digital Anvil)

 

 

I think this next song (B) came  by a wonderful 'co-incidence ' ( is there really such a thing ?)

 

Disasters have a way of having an upside ( yes, there is-- really !)

 

this song of sorrow and joy is such an example.

 

enjoy the song by tapping or clicking on the link below:

 

  

Link to Song B 

 

 

Demi Lee Moore & Riaan Benadé - There Was Jesus.

 

The next songs (C ) and (D )  are substantially unique in that my Zina took me to a Sade concert to express and declare her delightfully, joyous love for me. All were her favourites, but these represent the most appreciated.

 

tap or click the link below

 

  

Link to Song C 

 

Your Love is King -- Sade. 

 

 

Tap or click the link below 

 

 

 Link to Song D

 

 

 Smooth Operator-- Sade.

 

Thanks for dropping by 

 

(From Digital Anvil )