Surprise!

Surprises color our days with changes

 and challenges.

The big difference between reality and

 our expectations continues

 to hit and humiliate us.

Didn't you know that all men are liars ?

 Didn't you know 

that you will not be young forever?

 Didn't you know

that macaronis don't grow in trees?

People surprise us, world events, tragedies,

 unexpected turn of things,

 new technology and death...

The occurrence of surprises

is based on the assumption

that we know the basic rules

 and causalities in life.

Surprises make us aware

 of our never-ending ignorance.

Mark 12:24

Jesus told the Sadducees that they will err,

 not knowing 

the Scriptures not the power of God.

Some surprises in the plan of God

 can be avoided by

simply hiding the Word in our hearts.

Man increases in knowledge

 but knowledge alone is

not enough to prepare us

 for the things to come.

Faith will lead us the way

 where we will not be ashamed.

It is surrounded with hope

 that will not disappoint us.

Romans 5:5

Maybe nothing will shock us anymore,

 but I'm sure that

our greatest surprises

 in life are still to come.

Ignorance keeps us often

 embarrassingly unprepared.

Called to Uniqueness

David's brothers were questioning his motives, when he actually

was sent by the father and was walking in the perfect will of God.

I Samuel 17:28-32

They thought that David had a common call, just to be a shepherd

boy. They had positioned themselves well around the king's circles,

hoping to use the momentum to climb up in their career, but

David was the only one who could knock Goliath down.

It was in his call.

I don't believe that anyone is called to be a common person.

All people have a specific call from God to live a life that no other

person can live.

Falling in love with God continually is the inspirational power that

helps us to follow our unique call.  

Disturbing Forgiveness

Why does forgiveness continue to be the most

difficult doctrine to accept?

I think it's possible to understand it only through

the personal acceptance of full forgiveness from God.

God forgave man, when he

did not ask for it; when he did not deserve it.

Forgiveness is not a business term.

In the Middle-ages the church was selling forgiveness

by the granting of indulgences.

The consequences were theologically disastrous.

The whole concept of the Finished Work of Christ and

the value of grace were totally neglected.

The church grew richer and more corrupt.

True forgiveness is always personal and dogmatically

uncompromising.

You cannot forgive a little.

You either forgive or you don't and if you do forgive,

you will experience the relief in your soul from 

a burden that you were never meant bear.

Undefeated Optimism

When reasons for optimism

 cannot be found around you,

you need to get back to the basics.

Life is a free gift. 

Forgiveness is sure and eternal.

Love is unconditional and greater than death.

Problems are opportunities and

sufferings have the power to draw us

nearer to our loving Savior.

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true,

whatever things are noble,

whatever things are just,

whatever things are pure,

whatever things are lovely,

whatever things are of good report,

if there is any virtue and

if there is anything praiseworthy-

meditate on these things."

Philippians 4:8

Here And Now

Paul speaks about being strong when he is weak.

Could it be, that we all , at the time when we are

very frail,disappointed, frustrated and confused,

could be most useful for the work of God?

Faith helps us to see beyond "here and now".

Egypt is too big to miss.

This most populated Arab country

 has been through a devastating

 political turmoil during the past five years.

 Now everything has been attacked,

 divided and abandoned.

 People's dreams have been crushed, their

hearts broken and their hope stolen.

Only supernatural forgiveness can heal this nation.

Only supernatural love can heal the wounds.

"But I say to you, love your enemies,

bless those who curse you,

 do good to those who hate you,

and pray for those who spitefully 

use you and persecute you,

that you may be sons of your Father in heaven;

for He makes his sun rise on the evil and

on the good, and send rain

 on the just and on the unjust."

Matthew 5:44-45

We all had a messy start.

If God could create man from the dust of the earth,

He surely can make something

 beautiful out of the mess

of our lives.