The Christian Life Can Be Like the Birth of a Giraffe

Sometimes our journey as a Christian can feel like the birth of a giraffe. The other day on Christian radio I heard a preacher talk about what birth was like for a giraffe. Because of the risk of predators the mother giraffe stands while her baby is born. It can be a 5-10 ft drop for the new baby, depending on the height of the mother. She kicks at it to get it to take it's first steps. As it's spindly legs try to stand, the mother knocks it down and kicks at it again so it will stand up. She does this over and over again. You are probably wondering why she does this to her precious  little baby. The answer is simple. She knows that in order for it to survive in the wild, it needs to learn to get up and get going. The reason she does this is to make her baby stronger. That is motherly love, giraffe style.

In the Christian life people and circumstances can knock us down and kick us around. If we lay there and don't move we are defeated. But each kick makes us stronger and stronger and able to handle what comes our way in life. God allows this for His ultimate purpose. Those kicks hurt!! But I have come to trust the Lord and know that He loves me and wants to prepare me for some greater things in life that my simple mind can't fathom. So when I get knocked down and feel the kick, I just get up, shake the dust off my feet and keep on going!!

Beside The Still Waters

I love the 23rd Psalm. Many people think of it as a Psalm to read when someone dies. I believe that is a good time to read it, but for me it means life now. Let me share with you.

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."
When trying times come into my life, I have found the Lord to be enough. I feel blessed to be living on an island where there are lots of beaches. When I go "beside the still waters...He restoreth my soul.." There is something about the sun, the water, the sound of the gentle ocean wave on the rocks that always recharge me. The Lord uses that desire to "restoreth my soul." What an amazing God we have!

Watching for the Return of Christ

"For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows." Mark 13:8

There has been so much in the news lately about all the conflict in the middle east. Now the huge earthquake in Japan and all the sorrows associated with that. Sometimes it almost seems too overwhelming to think about. Then there are the sorrows we face in our own country, and personal lives. Yes, Jesus said this would happen...but I, as well as anyone who has their faith in Jesus Christ knows, this just brings us closer to the time for His return for His people.

"For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words." 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

Are you ready for Christ's return? Have you accepted Jesus as your Saviour? "..behold now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." 2 Corinthians 6:2 Don't put it off another day. If you are reading this, God is speaking to YOU. His Word has the answers.

Read Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 5:8, Romans 10:9-13, Romans 5:1.

Then say this simple prayer: Dear God, I am sorry for my sin. I confess my need for you in my life. Please forgive me and be my Saviour. Come into my heart and life. Help me to be all that you have created me to be. Thank you Lord Jesus, Amen.

Then tell someone, start reading your Bible and attend a Bible believing church!