One of the scribes asked Jesus a question,
and at the end of the exchange Jesus told him,
"You are not far from the Kingdom of God."
Mark 12:34
If only that scribe knew!
He was literally, NOT FAR from the Kingdom of God!
Jesus was probably just a foot and a half away from Him!
How about us?
Do we realize how near to us heaven could be?
In different versions of Luke 17:21,
we can read that the Kingdom if God is
in our midst, already among us, within us,
is with us!
The Aramaic Bible interestingly translates this verse
"The Kingdom of God is within SOME of you."
I think I prefer this translation!
Some people have the gift of
bringing the presence of God
with them even in the mundane,
ordinary, tedious tasks of every day life.
I would like to be like Brother Lawrence,
a uneducated lay brother with the
Discalced Carmelites,
who practiced infusing his work
in the kitchen with love for God.
This from Wikipedia:
For Brother Lawrence, "common business,"
no matter how mundane or
routine,
could be a medium of God's love.
The sacredness or worldly
status of a task
mattered less than motivation behind it.
"Nor is it
needful that we should have great things to do. . .
We can do little
things for God;
I turn the cake that is frying on the pan
for love of
him, and that done,
if there is nothing else to call me,
I prostrate
myself in worship before him,
who has given me grace to work;
afterwards
I rise happier than a king.
It is enough for me to pick up but a straw
from the ground for the love of God."
"Let us come into His presence
with thanksgiving..." Psalm 95:2
If we want more of God's power,
If we want more of God's power,
victory and fullness in our life,
we need to praise and thank Him!
David praised His way into God's heart!
David praised His way into God's heart!
He prayed three times a day
but
praised God seven times a day!
And God called him a "man after my
own heart."
(1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22)
If we want to be like Brother Lawrence,
I think the easiest way to start
is to begin by praising God!!!
art and faith workshops!
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Thank you for dropping by!
You are appreciated!
Patsy
Your paintings are wonderful, and inspiring. Thanks for sharing! Happy PPF!
ReplyDeleteYour art brings such a joy to my heart, Patsy. I thank you for that, and I ask for God's richest blessings on you as you share.
ReplyDeleteKaren
Word Art Wednesday
Love your paintings, so full of expression Patsy. Happy PPF, Annette x
ReplyDeletehttp://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/
I read that book by Brother Lawerence. It was a convicting read. I would love to be as humble.
ReplyDeleteWonderful inspiring art work.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing Patsy.
Annabelle
Hi Patsy. Your paintings and words are so inspiring. Thank you for sharing and happy PPF! Blessings to you.
ReplyDeleteVery expressive and beautiful painting and I think bringing our attention to the everyday things is one of the best ways of celebrating the mystery that is life.
ReplyDeleteI read from Brother Lawrence's book now and then. he has a talent being present to the Lord. The ATC is so realistic. Thank you for joining us this week at Word Art Wednesday. Blessings, Carole
ReplyDeleteI love Brother Lawrence's book, very thought provoking. Thanks for linking up with The Weekend Brew!
ReplyDeleteLove the art! And the reminder to be like Brother Lawrence...some of my best times with God are when I do the dishes or bake bread or just sit on my front porch with a cup of coffee and Jesus in my heart!
ReplyDeleteWonderful, thoughtful painting with such soft and gentle color! Happy PPF!
ReplyDelete