“Who is this man named Jesus?”

Jesus was a man of compassion. He was a man of humility, of love, of glory, and of all good things.

“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

{ Matthew 9:35-36 }

His heart went out to the people who were in need, who were hurting. Notice that He did not stay in the synagogues where the Pharisees were. He, instead, was out on the streets making friends with the beggars, healing the blind, and comforting the needing. Can you even imagine such a man? How beauitful it must have been to see such a man move among people…in such meekness.

In such love.

Yes, Jesus is the perfect example of how I want to live my life. Though I may fail time and time again, I want my heart to be softened by the tenderness of this beautiful soul. The compassion of Jesus. I want my heart to reflect that of His, in some way…

“Oh I want all I am to die
So all He is can come alive

Until everyone I talk to hears His voice
And everything I touch feels the warmth of His hand
Until everyone I meet
Sees Jesus in me
This is all I wanna be
I wanna be mistaken
For Jesus
Oh I wanna be mistaken”
{ warren barfield }

 

Well, tomorrow I’m going to Florida with my cousins to visit my grandparents
                         [soo] I will post in a couple of weeks or so… )

{  florida sunshine, here i come… }

{ A Native American. }

…When I saw this man, I noticed something. I saw humility. As I looked into this man’s face, I couldn’t help but notice such meekness within him. Such beauty. I really cannot explain why I saw him like I did. All that I know is that after seeing these people and talking with them, something was brought to mind. As I watched these people who had lost so much through out the years and seemed some what hopeless, I became aware of how content they were. They had so little, so little left…but they seemed so thankful.

Seeing this really made me realize once again how much Americans have. We live in abundance of so many things. We are blessed; I can’t even describe it. We are so blessed that sometimes it is hard to look past our lovely things, our vacations, our material wealth, or just pride in general. I don’t want to be caught up in all of this. I want to always be content. To be content, in His beloved love…in His light. To look out and reach out to others who need a touch of His love. This is what I want.

“Free me from these binds, Lord

I am choking on the gifts this world gives, Jesus

I am waiting on Your love..”

 

[[ My trip to Arizona was great. I saw so many things that I have never imagined I could have seen. I saw the Lord’s beauty in His handiwork and in His people. Yes, He is such as wonderful Creator. (Something to note: When I arrived very early at the airport to leave for Arizona I saw the lovely Bethany Dillon at Starbucks…later on I saw that she was in my terminal and so I went up and talked to her. She was so kind and it turned out that she was on my flight....How amazing is that? One of those "divine appointments" I guess...) I also stepped across the Grand Canyon ... and met some of the kindest westerners I’ve ever met. Beautiful time was spent. Now it’s awful nice to be back in Kentucky  )  ]]

 

*  ^ click to see more pictures *

And so…I praise Him and give Him thanks.  “For I have learned in whatever circumstance to be content…” Remembering always that “Godliness with contentment is great gain.”

Blessed be the name of the Lord.

 

*edit*

On my way to Indianapolis…then to Arizona….

)

{ peace, joy, and love. }

_______________________
 

“After nearly 2,000 years of Christianity, how can it be that…

…nearly a billion people perform rituals and bring sacrifices to more than 330 deities….

…831 million Muslim prostrate themselves in prayer toward Mecca five times a day…

…a sun worshipper stares into the rising sun until he eventually goes blind…”

{ Facts from Gospel for Asia }

 

Oh God, will you send me? Am I able to go into a place so unfamiliar to me? Am I able to speak to people who might not accept me?

But You say: “Child, you are able. With Me, You are able. Do you not know that I will give you all of the strength that you need? All you need is Me, Child. You will show them Me…you will speak to people in wonderful ways…you will teach…you will disciple. I’ll give you the strength. When Moses went to Pharaoh, he was not a good speaker, but yet I spoke to him and through him in a mighty way. Be bold, my daughter…”

Arielle: “Lord, but, will people listen? Will I know where to go, what to do, what to say? Oh Jesus, how worthy You are…I am in awe of You…”

God: “Yes, Child…I will speak through you, do not worry. You do not need to look to man for your wisdom and words. Come to Me, and I will fill you with My wisdom, My love, and My presence. Come to Me, Child, and you will see where I will take you. Don’t lose heart, but trust in Me. Always, always trust in Me…”

Arielle: “I trust in You. I’m learning. In You, oh Lord, is my hope…my peace. Jesus, empty me so that You can fill me with Yourself. Let me overflow with Your love. Overflow with Your joy…”

God: “Wait on Me, Child…and you will see…wonderful things are ahead. Take heart, and keep your eyes on me and My will. Take heart, Child, and give me everything you are. Your plans, thoughts, desires…everything. Then,  c l i n g  t o  M e. Cling to Me so that nothing will move you. I will keep you in My arms. Always in My arms.”

Arielle: “Yes, Jesus…keep me close to You. I give it all…You lead and I will follow. Like a child that takes her father’s hand as he gently leads her…so I will grasp Your hand and keep my eyes always upon You.”

You said “go“

Therefore, I’ll go.

If you say “stay“

I will stay.

I will be.

Your love is indescribable…

Your love…

You,

Jesus.

You. satisfy.”

 

“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”

{ II Corinthians 4:4-6 }