Wednesday, March 25, 2015

WOYWW: How Can This Be?

 Today I am going to Busuanga
with my family, and aside from doing my meditations
for the morning, I am also packing up what I need
to bring- paints, brushes, pencils, carbon paper, etc.

Busuanga is my husband's hometown.
His mother grew up there, and it is one of the most
beautiful places in the world!

Here is a picture my niece posted yesterday
as they were approaching Busuanga.
The water is so clear, according to my husband,
you can see ship wrecks from the surface of the water!
You don't need to dive!

 "How can this be?"  Luke 1:34

Today the Christian  Church celebrates the Feast of the Annunciation, marking the day angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would conceive and bear a Son. That she is highly favored for the Holy Spirit will overshadow her, and she will carry in her womb the Son of God.  "How can this be?" she asks.

 We too are favored.  We too, as disciples of Jesus, have a special calling to "carry Jesus", to go to all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.  Like Mary, we ask, "How can this be?"  I'm just a student. I'm just a fish vendor.  I'm just a businesswoman. I'm just, as my mom would say, "an ordinary housewife".  

But there's really nothing ordinary about us.  Yes we are made of dust, but God breathed us into life. By virtue of our baptism into God's family, we are His family. Just like Mary, we can't do this on our own.  We need the Spirit to bring Jesus into all the world and preach the gospel of our lives to everyone we meet, everyone who sees us.  

Can we say, with Mary, "I am the servant of the Lord.  Let it be done to me just as you say."?

 "Moses accordingly made a bronze serpent and mounted it on a pole, and whenever anyone who had been bitten by a serpent looked at the bronze serpent, he recovered." Numbers 21:9
This story in the Old Testament which happened while the Israelites journeyed to the Promised Land, shows how God is very creative with His solutions to problems. The Israelites were grumbling, murmuring, complaining that they had NOTHING to eat or drink. In truth they had fresh manna to eat every day from the hand of God, and even lots of quail in the evening. They also had water. But like Adam and Eve in the garden, they listened to our ancient enemy. The enemy likes to deceive and loves it when we are ungrateful.

Sometimes God teaches us by allowing hard things to come into our lives. This time He sent serpents, poisonous snakes. Some of the people were bitten and died, and they pleaded with Moses for help. God then instructed Moses to make a replica of the snake and mount it on a pole. "Those who are bitten will live if they simply looked at it."
We too are frequently bitten by sin which leads to death. But if we look to Jesus who became sin as He took all our sins with Him on the cross, we will live. What a beautiful solution God has come up with for His people!



Joining the lovely Julia Dunnit for a 
peek at desks and projects!
I find a lot of inspiration
visiting my friends here:

Blessings!
Patsy

10 comments:

  1. I'm in awe. This is just amazing! Pinoys are so talented. :)

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  2. Beautiful post. I just posted a devotional today on Philippians 2:14-16 "Living Cheerful". I doubt you will have time to look, but if you do it is here: http://teacloserwalk.blogspot.ca/2015/03/living-cheerful.html
    That water is incredible. I hope you have a wonderful time and also find time to paint.
    Blessing hugs,
    Teresa

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  3. Beautiful scenery and paintings today..hope you enjoy your break and come back refreshed :-)
    Hugs, LLJ 24 xx

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  4. I always love you posts. This thing we ask ourselves when God uses us to carry....Him to others....."How can this be?" is so real. I never thought of it in the context you shared. I love visiting you and seeing how God uses not only your words, but artwork as well. I used one of your photo's in one of my blog posts (giving you credit of course) you can see it here:http://www.chrismalkemes.com/whispered-words/i-am-the-lord-who-comforts-you Enjoy...blessings....Chris

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  5. Beautiful! Your posts are so inspiring! God bless you !
    Carol N #59

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  6. You just captured her face so perfectly. Wonderful post. Happy WOYWW! Sandy Leigh #46

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  7. What a beautiful place Busuanga is! I do hope you have a lovely restful stay and will be able to do some art too.
    Thank you for such an inspiring post.
    Have a great week,
    Lisca#9

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  8. Anonymous11:04 AM

    Such goodness here! Always! I had not thought about the story of the serpent and Moses - I am going to keep that thought close! Shalom, Patsy!
    Maryleigh

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  9. Patsy, I just wanted you to know that I mentioned you (and used one of your pictures---I hope that was okay) in my blog. http://sonriseinsights.blogspot.com/2015/03/when-your-bible-time-is-stale.html. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your artwork! I'll be buying some!

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  10. thank you for a beautiful post. I am in the midst of so much turmoil with acute medical problems and I find myself losing my faith some days. This post really calls me to be more present with the Lord and let HIM lead me while He has his arms fast around me.

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I am so glad you dropped by! You are a blessing!
:^) Patsy