Welcome and Happy Sunday! When I began blogging almost five years ago now I started a Sunday post called Sunday Sentiments… Then Mr. Ethereal lost his job just as my blog was barely getting going and I was devastated. I felt God had pulled the rug out from under me but probably it was more that He propped me up during that time. And it was You Know Who up to his usual worldly tricks…
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| As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take it, for this is my body.” — Mark 14:22 NLT |
God has always been there for Charles and myself through the four times Charles has been laid off (economic turndowns in warehouse management; not for the faint of heart) and the couple of times that I lost mine over these past 33 years.
I accepted Christ at 11 years old when my parents stopped attending the Catholic church ~ my deaf brother Frank and I found our way along with the Presbyterians then. And we are ever glad that we did!
This summer as a renewed section to my blog, I thought I’d start up Sunday Sentiments again. Not to help heal everyone’s wounds, because in myself I can’t, but to help lead you to the One who can…
God brings great joy after terrible sorrow…
If an abused dog adopted from a shelter, one who bit and hurt his owners because he (the dog) thought they were competing for his food, or for love, care and comfort, can learn to love and feel secure ~ so can you.
We all hurt. Life IS hurt, and trials. Being a Christian ~ no one said it would be easy. Just looking at the lives of the Apostles they all died for Christ but the rewards were great. They knew where they were going and what they stood for. 🙂
God gives comfort and strength to face those challenges and then…
The Son comes out and we are happy and whole again!
Jesus Reinstates Peter
15When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”16Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”17The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
John 21:15-19, New International Version (NIV)
If you have never asked Jesus into your heart, this is a simple prayer taken from one of my favorite authors. I am sure that she, Jan Karon, wouldn’t mind me sharing it with you.
Spoken by the main character of her Mitford series of books, Father Timothy Kavanagh ~ from Bathed in Prayer: Father Tim’s Prayers, Sermons, and Reflections from the Mitford Series.
‘Have you asked Him to forgive the things you’ve done?’
‘I assure you that God would not want to do that.’
‘Believe it or not, I can promise that He would. In fact, He promises that He will. Would you like to ask Him into your life?’
The stranger stared into the darkened sanctuary. ‘I can’t do it,
I’ve tried.’
It isn’t a test you have to pass. It doesn’t require discipline and intelligence… nor even strength and perseverance. It only requires faith.’
‘I don’t think I’ve got that.’ There was a long silence. ‘But I’d be willing to try… one more time.’
‘Will you pray a simple prayer with me? On faith?’
‘What do I have to lose?’
‘Nothing to lose, everything to gain.’ Father Tim rose from the kneeler and took the short step across the aisle, where he laid his hands on the man’s head.
‘If you could repeat this,’ he said. ‘Thank you, God, for loving me, and for sending your Son to die for my sins. I sincerely repent of my sins, and receive Christ as my personal savior. Now, as your child, I turn my entire life over to you. Amen.’*
The man repeated the prayer, and they were silent.
‘Is that all?’ he asked the rector.
‘That’s all.’
‘I don’t know what I am supposed to feel.’
‘Whatever you feel is exactly what you’re supposed to feel.’
chapter 11, A White Thanksgiving, At Home in Mitford
*Italics are added for emphasis, by me.
It isn’t Christmas today but if you just accepted Christ into your heart, you may feel like it is! For any of us renewing our faith, or just feeling happy being a sister or brother in Christ, it’s always Christmas!
Let’s look at those numbers again, shall we?
We are married 33 years this year ~ the same number of years Jesus was when he died on a cross to be our propitiation ~ to take our wages for sin upon himself. He went in our place; that’s grace.
Today is the 16th of June and my grandmother Helen’s birthdate. She would have been 110 years old, had she lived this long. This week also marks the week my father died, on the 12th of June 1997. The 12th is the date I sat down and began this Sunday Sentiments with the Holy Spirit for you.
Just some extra cool “coincidences” for you. 😉 Welcome to Sunday Sentiments…
Sharing with
Blessings to you,
Wow thank you so much. I also got saved when I was 11 years old. Now I'm 71 and have never regretted my decision. I also love Jan Karon and have read her books and have Father Tims Bathed in Prayer. Enjoyed your post. Thanks !!
Hello Eleanor, thank you so much! Jan Karon writes beautifully and peoples her stories with wonderful, wholesome characters. She writes from the heart and that's probably why, besides that God runs through her books, I read her stories over and over. Glad you are a Christian, too. <3Blessings to you,Barb 🙂
This is a very inspiring post. I accepted Christ about the age as you, He is my Lord ans Savior.
What a sweet post. Having god in our life is important. I don't attend mass everyweekend but i do have god in my life.
Thanks for sharing the Gospel today, Barbara. Great way to bring glory to Him!
What a lovely way to share the Gospel and your testimony on your blog. It is so refreshing.Have a beautiful week.
Hello Loren, so glad to hear! He is our wonderful Savior…Happy summer and blessings to you,Barb 🙂
Hello Maria, I don't always get to church every week but I do try and keep God close. Rather, I try and keep close to Him. <3 Happy blessings to you,Barb 🙂
Thank you, Julie! I really felt called to bring this feature back. <3 Happy summer blessings to you,Barb 🙂
Thank you, Meegan,This feels right and I know it's where and who I need to put my focus.Hugs and blessings to you,Barb 🙂
Love this post!