Happy Chinese New Year
Originally uploaded by Thai Jasmine (Smile..smile...Smile..)
These flowers are so pretty that they make me feel happy. On a recent Sunday our minister included this quote in his sermon.
"There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every person which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God the Creator, made known through Jesus."
By Blaise Pascal, philosopher, mathematician, scientist and Christian
I agree with Pascal that nothing can fill this longing but God, made known through Jesus. We can buy 100 or 1,000 pairs of shoes like Imelda Marcos of the Philippines, or the cars and houses collected by foolish Hollywood stars, or the possessions owned by the bejeweled lady down the street, but without Jesus we are hollow people. Any light breeze can topple us if we have a vacuum within.
Another pearl from the sermon was how we don't have to shape up before approaching God. Flaws, addictions, imperfections galore, God welcomes each of us with open arms. My church, like many, emphasizes that you don't need to be a perfectly formed Christian to approach Jesus or to join us; all are welcome. We have a big ministry for people in recovery from all addictions, including drugs and alcohol and I love that all are welcome. Remember, Jesus broke many rules about who to spend time with, and he especially loved people who were condemned and shunned by strict rule observing Pharisees and religious leaders.
He loves you, and he loves me. Now that is worth celebrating. The flowers make me happy for a moment but we have the chance to be happy for eternity. What do you think?
I am glad because I have a lot of shaping up yet to do!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing these words. I needed to "hear" them.
ReplyDeleteYes, we will be happy for eternity.
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful that we do NOT have to 'shape up' before coming to Jesus. We don't have to be perfect, or follow rules. He has paid the ultimate price and loves us unconditionally. I look forward to seeing Him face to face.
Have a lovely weekend ~ FlowerLady
Wonderful post ! and good reminder to always seek HIM. xo C. (HHL)
ReplyDeleteAmen! Who of us would be able to even approach Jesus if we were perfect? Thanks to the birth of Christ, we are taken in as we are. God does the rest of the work through us. Awesome post!
ReplyDeleteI am thankful that I have eternal life because of the sacrifice of Jesus.
ReplyDeleteThe flowers therefore, give me happiness too!
Amen! Have a great Sunday.
ReplyDeleteThank you for such an inspirational post. And thank you for taking the time to visit this morning.
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Mary
What a beautiful flower.
ReplyDeleteI'm remembering that thief on the cross beside Jesus. He didn't have the time to "shape up" or "get it right". He only asked to be remembered* when Jesus went to heaven. We only need Jesus to approach God.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful post aptly written..thank you!
Such a lovely post. I'm so thankful for His forgiveness and eternal life.
ReplyDeleteI heard that thought many times, and said in a little different way. A God shaped hole in every human that can only be filled with God.
ReplyDeleteSo glad God, through his son Jesus filled that hole in my life!
Thank you for this beautiful post.
ReplyDeleteJesus takes in the broken hearted, the down trod of us all, and makes us whole and new.
ReplyDeleteDad used to preach you can either be hole hearted or whole hearted. Only God's love can patch up the holes so it can hole love.
Good meditation today! We are empty husks without the right kind of life inside of us--the living water variety, of course, is what we all need.
ReplyDeleteNice post. More people need to remember this. God loves everyone, I think they forget.
ReplyDeletethere are always us humans who need the help and acceptance which only He can do.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder, I needed to hear it.
ReplyDeleteAppreciate this.
ReplyDelete