Nouwens Collection of Classics

Nouwens You Are The Beloved is a collection of his writings. This book is meant to be a devotional but for time sake and for review purposes I read it as a regular book. Many deep thoughts but at times it was a bit hard for me to get into but then I went through November and December to read accordingly with the time of year and I read it non stop. Quite a few passages I high lighted and went back to so I could read it again. I've read a few of his writings and would highly recommend this to those who are familiar with  Nouwens works or perhaps reading his works for the first time.

Steve Jobs Last Words..

When I read Jobs last words it gives meaning to the words "Beautiful Ache" Rich &  Poor alike, most of us forget what life is really about and how fragile life and love is...

The last words of Steve Jobs -

I have come to the pinnacle of success in business.

In the eyes of others, my life has been the symbol of success.

However, apart from work, I have little joy. Finally, my wealth is simply a fact to which I am accustomed.

At this time, lying on the hospital bed and remembering all my life, I realize that all the accolades and riches of which I was once so proud, have become insignificant with my imminent death.

In the dark, when I look at green lights, of the equipment for artificial respiration and feel the buzz of their mechanical sounds, I can feel the breath of my approaching death looming over me.

Only now do I understand that once you accumulate enough money for the rest of your life, you have to pursue objectives that are not related to wealth.

It should be something more important:

For example, stories of love, art, dreams of my childhood.

No, stop pursuing wealth, it can only make a person into a twisted being, just like me.

God has made us one way, we can feel the love in the heart of each of us, and not illusions built by fame or money, like I made in my life, I cannot take them with me.

I can only take with me the memories that were strengthened by love.

This is the true wealth that will follow you; will accompany you, he will give strength and light to go ahead.

Love can travel thousands of miles and so life has no limits. Move to where you want to go. Strive to reach the goals you want to achieve. Everything is in your heart and in your hands.

What is the world's most expensive bed? The hospital bed.

You, if you have money, you can hire someone to drive your car, but you cannot hire someone to take your illness that is killing you.

Material things lost can be found. But one thing you can never find when you lose: life.

Whatever stage of life where we are right now, at the end we will have to face the day when the curtain falls.

Please treasure your family love, love for your spouse, love for your friends...

Treat everyone well and stay friendly with your neighbors.

Steve Jobs Last Words...

When I read Jobs last words it gives meaning to the words "Beautiful Ache" Rich & Poor alike, most of us forget what life is really about and how fragile life and love is... 

The last words of Steve Jobs -

I have come to the pinnacle of success in business.

In the eyes of others, my life has been the symbol of success.

However, apart from work, I have little joy. Finally, my wealth is simply a fact to which I am accustomed.

At this time, lying on the hospital bed and remembering all my life, I realize that all the accolades and riches of which I was once so proud, have become insignificant with my imminent death.

In the dark, when I look at green lights, of the equipment for artificial respiration and feel the buzz of their mechanical sounds, I can feel the breath of my approaching death looming over me.

Only now do I understand that once you accumulate enough money for the rest of your life, you have to pursue objectives that are not related to wealth.

It should be something more important:

For example, stories of love, art, dreams of my childhood.

No, stop pursuing wealth, it can only make a person into a twisted being, just like me.

God has made us one way, we can feel the love in the heart of each of us, and not illusions built by fame or money, like I made in my life, I cannot take them with me.

I can only take with me the memories that were strengthened by love.

This is the true wealth that will follow you; will accompany you, he will give strength and light to go ahead.

Love can travel thousands of miles and so life has no limits. Move to where you want to go. Strive to reach the goals you want to achieve. Everything is in your heart and in your hands.

What is the world's most expensive bed? The hospital bed.

You, if you have money, you can hire someone to drive your car, but you cannot hire someone to take your illness that is killing you.

Material things lost can be found. But one thing you can never find when you lose: life.

Whatever stage of life where we are right now, at the end we will have to face the day when the curtain falls.

Please treasure your family love, love for your spouse, love for your friends...

Treat everyone well and stay friendly with your neighbours.

Loves Like a Hurricane..

smile emotico

I pray that if you have jealousy in your life, let it go. Give it over to God and let Him know that you love Him and let Him teach you what it looks like to have a holy jealousy. Jealousy if rooted in flesh will rip you apart and tear apart your relationships. Let God show you how much you are worth.Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame (Song of Songs 8:6, NIV).

Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame (Song of Songs 8:6, NIV).

God is a jealous God.

The root idea in the Old Testament word jealous is to become intensely red, referring to the way our face changes color with rising emotion when something or someone very dear to us is threatened. Both the Old and New Testament words for jealousy are translated “zeal.”

The definition for zealous is: fervent, dedicated, passionate, or devoted.

In other words, being jealous and being zealous is basically the same thing in the Bible. God is zealous – eager about protecting what is precious to Him. It’s the kind of jealousy that compels God to relentlessly pursue each one of us, no matter how we try to evade Him with our indifferent attitude or our propensity for sin.

I let jealousy take me over sometimes and no it's not the good kind described in the Bible. My jealousy is one that almost ripped apart my marriage in the early years. I was so afraid that if Buck went somewhere without me, even with guy friends that I was missing something, that maybe he wouldn't come back, that he would see that being married wasn't all it was cracked up to be. I saw myself very replaceable and didn't know why anyone would really want to stick around when the going got tough. I was passionate about my marriage and devoted, but in the wrong way. My jealousy didn't have trust in it. My jealousy was of flesh not of God. Something else that is bad about this story is that all of this came to the surface while we were away on missionary training...bad timing huh? Here we are supposed to be all "Godly" setting the example of what it means to have a Godly marriage and "going out into all the world to tell others about Christ," and I'm here yelling, having fits over my husband having "one on one" time with his leader at this training. Listen folks this was bad...I even was so mad that I told him I would pack my bags and be waiting at the courthouse when he got home (side note we are in Alberta Canada at this time). Long story short a teacher that we had at the time was a life changer for us and our marriage. The Lord gave him insight onto what was going on and called us in to talk with us and really helped me work through some very deep rooted problems in my heart.

So what is the point of all of this? Do I still get jealous at times? Oh yeah....I get jealous with Buck, with my friendships, etc. Does it still cause arguments? Yeah, but now I see it and I have a choice to make, do I want to dwell on it and let it rip me apart along with my relationships, or do I wanna grow and realize that God has me?

God is a jealous God, but His jealousy is Holy. He fights for us. But in that fighting for us He makes us feel loved, accepted, and worth the fight. He is so jealous for us that He died for us, and in that dying He was still pursuing people when He told the Father to forgive the people that were hanging Him on the cross because they knew not what they were doing, and also told the thief on the cross that He would see him in paradise.

So that is my little confession for the day.  I pray that if you have jealousy in your life, let it go. Give it over to God and let Him know that you love Him and let Him teach you what it looks like to have a holy jealousy. Jealousy if rooted in flesh will rip you apart and tear apart your relationships. Let God show you how much you are worth.

Stuff Of Earth

This past week, a saint and servant of the Most High God  went home to stand in the presence of the God he's been seeking and leading others to.  This man had a present Word from God on the reality of Christ living within us. I've been fortunate enough to have sat under some of his teachings and experienced an unprecedented hunger for our Father.  I don't mean to brag on a man, but I believe in giving honor where honor is due.  For those blessed to have had any contact with him, your life will never be the same.  This man was a servant of God.  From the first time I heard him speak, I knew there was something different.  After I left, I had an unquenchable hunger for God and a stirring within me that left me unsatisfied with the ordinary.  I have never heard this man brag or boast in himself nor puff anyone up besides his Savior.  This past week, here on earth, we lost a general of the faith.  We all feel sad when someone close to us or someone that we respect passes on.  So what are we to do?   Today, I heard a song that reminded me of what's important and what's not. I'm learning that "stuff of earth competes for the allegiance I owe only to the giver of all good things."  When we look at someone's life that has passed, what really matters?   If they did something nice for us, does that count?  If they are liked by many, does that gain them any extra points?  If they teach us how to live, are we really better?   The apostle Paul said that we could give all we have to the poor, lay our life down, or even speak with eloquent words and yet if we don't have love, it really doesn't amount to a hill of beans...we haven't profited much.  I am finding that what really counts is if we have produced a conducive atmosphere that helps them connect with our Creator.  Stuff of earth is just that...stuff.  In the end, what will stand the test of time, eternity, are things that are born of heaven.  LOVE NEVER FAILS!!!  Foster those things in your life that are born of God.  God is love and everyone who loves is born of God, and knows God.    Enjoy the music of our long passed brother, Rich Mullins, who taught us to love and seek the lover of our souls.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72L-bDOozNY&feature=youtube_gdata_player

The times..they are a changing!

It's not very difficult to look around and see that things are changing. Where I live, the leaves have turned and are falling rapidly. Very soon, our thoughts will turn to Thanksgiving and yes, even Christmas. By the way, wasn't that just a month ago???

Anyway, it just seems like we can't keep up. I'm getting older a whole lot faster than I'd like. I can see my mom's health failing faster than I'd care to. All of the presidential candidates are promising change.

Heck, change is good...ask any woman. However, I like a little consistancy. Just once I'd like to go into my eye doctor's office and be told that my eyes haven't gotten worse.

I'm reminded of God's Word that says "Forever O Lord Your Word is settled in Heaven." Now it's up to me to settle it in my heart. I need to know that He doesn't change. I need to know that His mercy endures to all generations.

No matter what is changing, I know that some things will remain...Now these 3 things remain; faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.

In Your Presence

Part of my job is to listen for new music and make additions for my program (Worship 180). While reviewing the new CD from Sonic Flood, I came across a song that I think puts clearly into words what this Beautiful Ache is all about. The song is "In Your Presence." Here are the words:

There is pain among the beauty and broken things behind this mask of gold
And my life, merely ashes...Dust that the Maker gently holds
His hands form a diamond and forgot that it was once a piece of coal

Yeah, You change me and You give me a new name

In Your presence there is strength for the weak
In Your power I fall to my knees
In Your touch you heal my disease
In Your presence hold me, hold me

If I have value in Your eyes, well sometimes it's so hard to comprehend

That I'm made in Your image when it seems I'm just another grain of sand
and why You treat me with such love I don't think I'll ever understand

Yeah, You love me and You give me a new name

I stand amazed at this great love
I can't explain...how You know my name
In You my soul is complete
Freedom from the darkness

Today, see yourself as loved by Him. Even through this Beautiful Ache, He has not forgotten you. There is value in your life because He says so.

1 John 3:1

What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we're called children of God! That's who we really are. But that's also why the world doesn't recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who he is or what he's up to.--The Message

Everyday is a Journal Page

This doesn't need any words but I just wanted to share this with whoever may take time to check out my blogs. In looking at what people with CF(http://cfhusband.blogspot.com) go through and families facing loss of a child. Again there are no words but its a reminder that life is so fragile and brief. Nothing short of sin to take life for granted. Even as I write this I know I don't take it all in. The creation, a conversation, another birthday, another wish, the ability to breathe, think, move, hear and see. To enjoy a handshake, a hug, a kiss, a good book, family, friends, a good laugh, a good cry...Beautiful chaos. In closing here are some words from Chris Rice

Every day is a journal page
Every man holds a quill and ink
And there's plenty of room for writing in
All we do is believe and think
So will you compose a curse
Or will today bring the blessing
Fill the page with rhyming verse
Or some random sketching

Teach us to count the days
Teach us to make the days count
Lead us in better ways
That somehow our souls forgot
Life means so much
Life means so much
Life means so much

Every day is a bank account
And time is our currency
So nobody's rich, nobody's poor
We get 24 hours each
So how are you gonna spend
Will you invest, or squander
Try to get ahead
Or help someone who's under


Has anybody ever lived who knew the value of a life
And don't you think giving is all
What proves the worth of yours and mine

Every day is a gift you've been given
Make the most of the time every minute you're living

Life Means So Much....selah