Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Benefits of Truth

Hello! Please join me in welcoming Terrie Thorpe to my blog today. I first met Terrie in a writers' group. Since that time, I've come to consider her a dear friend.

 
 



Benefits of Truth
by
 Terrie Thorpe


Have you ever been lied to? It’s amazing the amount of lies that have infiltrated our thoughts and actions. Acting on what we thought was truth, then discovering it was actually a lie. It leaves us with a sense of betrayal and void.

Reading the story of the first couple, Adam and Eve, we find how a mere twist of words caused a poor decision. Once Adam and Eve believed a lie, there was no turning back. They couldn't tell God “We're sorry we didn't take your word seriously – please forgive us!”

The unfortunate truth was the consequences of disobedience became true. God said, “If you eat of the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil, you will surely die.” Eve was the first to exchange the truth for a lie and was the first to feel betrayal and void. The truth of who God is and how much He loves us would be revealed in the course of time.

Redemption is a prominent theme spoken throughout the Holy Bible. Redemption means, “to buy back, retrieve something that was lost.” Since that day in the garden, God is about redeeming His treasure, you and me. He promised to redeem and restore His people to their former glory. The blessing of the New Testament scriptures is this redemption came through Jesus Christ and our glory comes through the Holy Spirit of God living in us.

To this day, God has never stopped speaking truth to the people of the world. He speaks truth through all He has made. Revealing His power, nature, and guiding anyone who would listen to him. We can only receive the benefits of truth when we believe the author of truth.

Have you taken God at His Word? Have you accepted Jesus' offer of forgiveness? Think on these things this Resurrection week. Let the benefits of truth fill you.

“God is not a man, that he should lie. He is not a human, that he should change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried through?” Numbers 23:19


More About Terrie: Terrie is an author, blogger and writer of Christian Living articles. Her books Am I Really Saved? Answering Questions of Christians and Footsteps of Jesus Becoming a Disciple are available online. Terrie enjoys hiking with her husband, gardening, reading and sharing Jesus with the world!

Follow her blog:
Light for the Journey


Follow her on Twitter:
Twitter @TerrieThorpe
 

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Through the Eyes of Bear

Several years ago, my father-in-law was diagnosed with lung cancer. At the same time, my elderly mother suffered a second mini-stroke, followed by a fall. In addition, I was going through personal trials of my own. I desperately needed a touch from God.

No matter what I said, though, or how hard I prayed, I couldn’t hear God’s voice or feel His presence. I pressed on anyway, hoping to move the heart of God.

“God, where are you? Why do all these things keep happening?” I hung my head and wept.

A few moments later, my cat Bear sashayed into the room, bellowing. I adore my cat (and all other animals for that matter), but I didn’t want to be bothered. I felt as though I was ready to snap.

I looked down at him, and as usual, the black ball of fur tugged at my heart with one glance.

“What are you crying about?” I picked him up, scratched behind his ears, and kissed the side of his face. I knew if I coddled him a bit, he’d go back about his business. Soon, he began purring, so I put him on the floor. Within seconds, he started meowing again.

“What is wrong with you?” I said. He just looked at me. I was sure the poor critter was sensing my feelings, so there would be no shutting him up any time soon.


My two boys, Bear and Tuncie. Bear is on the right. I get such a kick out of this picture because Bear's paw is on the Word of God, you know, like we're supposed to stand on God's Word. Also, that cat could always sense when the presence of the Lord came into the room. The first thing he did was meow. I swear, sometimes he was talking to God.
 
I headed downstairs, hoping to find a quiet place to pray. As I reached the last step, Bear’s paws came padding down the stairs behind me.

Please, God, make him go lie down or something. I can’t take much more.

But the little critter persisted following me through the house, no matter where I went.

I finally ducked into the living room, thinking I had lost my private-eye kitty. Seconds later, he jumped in lickety-split behind me.

“MROW!”

I threw my hands up. “Okay. That’s enough! What are you crying about? I’m standing right here in front of you. Why do you keep howling at me?”

As I looked in my animal’s eyes, something strange happened.

I’m standing right here, in front of you, too, daughter, so why do you keep crying and asking where I am? Why do you keep wandering around looking for me?

Tears filled my eyes as I looked at Bear. He had suddenly grown quiet, his golden eyes wide in wonder. I then noticed how he’d tugged at my heart without ever making a sound—the same way I had tugged at God’s heart, only I didn’t realize it at the time.

I picked up Bear and rested him over my shoulder. I began stroking his fur. Soon, he was purring, content in my arms.

“Father, forgive me,” I said.

It still amazes me how God used my cat's eyes to open mine. Perhaps it was because of the love I had for this beautiful creature. God knew how to get my attention. Whatever the reason, I’m so glad that He did.

When the storms of life come our way, it can be so difficult to see, especially when the rain begins pelting us. But God is always there, even when we don’t think that He is. It’s during those times we can find rest in His arms.

 
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

(Psalm 46:1 KJV)
 
Note: Today's post is part of the CW blog chain. The topic is "Open". Please check out my sidebar, further down on the right, to see some great posts by other writers.