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Living The Solution – Online Newsletter |
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March 21, 2005 ISSUE |
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Opening Thoughts:
The Terri Schiavo case is headline news, but it is not
the first time. The case involving the right to life, or
death, of this brain-damaged woman has been long and drawn
out and now a federal review of the case has been authorized.
The current battle is over reinserting her feeding tube
or not. If you are not familiar with this story there is
much to see about it online (here).
The debate brings before the public (once again) the
questions of what our rights are in regards to living,
especially the question of quality of life. Some believe
that living in a vegetative state is not a life worth
living. Some of the proponents of the removal of Terri
Schiavo’s feeding tube claim she is in such a state.
Others however, especially Terri’s parents who
have been with her in the hospital for years, deny that
she is that way. They believe that Terri interacts with
them in limited ways and demonstrates a consciousness.
I have a suggestion that probably won’t be acted
on. I would like to see both sides, including representatives
of the legal system, sit in quiet contemplative prayer
in Terri Schiavo’s presence and let God fill the
room and their hearts. Listen for the Holy Spirit and
feel the love of a God that asks for us to see God in
everyone, regardless of whether we like or agree with
them.
If that were done I wonder how it would affect the outcome.
Peace and joy,
Tom Gilbert
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IN THIS ISSUE
Feature Article: Know More Suffering
In The Spotlight: Internet
Evangelism Day
Daily Thoughts: Blessing and Praise
Prayer & Sharing Requests
Quotable: The Sweetest Sound |
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| FEATURED
ARTICLE |
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Know
More Suffering
Article by Tom Gilbert
I believe one of the more confusing
things for non-Christians is why Jesus would suffer
and die the way he did. It’s not difficult
to understand why he was put to death. He’d
riled up the authorities and the religious leaders
to such an extent that they felt he must be killed.
However, when we are confronted with the news of
a willing death, a sacrificial death of extreme
physical torture, well this is hard to comprehend.
Why would God in the flesh submit to death on a cross?
The atoning death of Christ Jesus is the great act of redemption for us. This
is an overwhelming demonstration of love. When I contemplate this act, this dying
for our sins – my sins – it frequently reduces me to tears. Yet,
was it necessary for the death to be so brutal? Why did Jesus have to suffer
so greatly?
I am confronted by my inadequacy in trying to answer this question. I think I
understand why we need a savior. It is all too apparent that I am incapable of
saving myself. Everywhere I look I see others facing the same dilemma.
The nature of Jesus’ death and the kind of anguish he experienced makes
me sad. More than that, it bends my heart towards compassion. No one can ever
say that God does not know what it is like to suffer. Jesus knew pain. He experienced
first hand great suffering. The actual separation from God the Father during
the crucifixion must have been the utmost agony. We are told that Christ took
upon himself all the sins of the world and at that moment of sacrifice he was
apart from God.
Our own pain when we feel distant and separated from God is hard enough. Imagine
what it must be like to be one with the Father and for that time of atonement
to not have that blessed union.
As we ponder why the Son of God suffered and died we can’t help but contemplate
our own suffering, or that of others. Why is the world so full of suffering?
Is there a point to it all?
Read the entire article here.
Discover more thought provoking articles
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| IN THE SPOTLIGHT |
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Internet
Evangelism Day
 April
24 is the first annual Internet Evangelism
Day, an opportunity to learn more about the
impact and potential of online ministry. Find free resources
and ideas to raise awareness of online evangelism in
your community.
Discover what God is doing on the Web, outreach strategies that work online and
how you, your church or Christian group can use the Web for outreach. Consider
planning an Internet Evangelism focus day for your church, Bible college or Christian
group.
See more at our Spotlight Specials page
Our Living the Solution online store
has resources to help you grow spiritually. It’s
secure, extensive with many great gift ideas!
Visit our
online store
There is something for everyone. When you shop with us,
you support our ministry – thank you!
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DAILY THOUGHTS & REFLECTIONS |
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Blessing and Praise
Blessed be your glorious name, exalted above
all blessing and praise! You're the one, GOD, you alone;
You made the heavens, the heavens of heavens, and all angels; The earth
and everything
on it, the seas and everything in them; You keep them all
alive; heaven's angels worship you! (Nehemiah 9:5-6 — The Message)
When it comes to worshiping and praising God, you may
have heard it said that worship is our spontaneous response to God — what
He has done and is doing in our lives, and for who He is. But when it
comes to the week-to-week of daily life, we may find it hard to praise
or worship Him because we are having a hard time seeing what He is doing
in our lives (other than messing it up). The truth is God is always at
work in our lives and many times the reason we don't see it is that the
direction He is taking us is not the direction we want to go. But even
in the face of such times we are still to praise and worship Him. The
passage today is a list of all kinds of things for which we can give God
praise. These things, and these things alone, could and should keep us
busy for a long time praising Him, but there is more. Consider what we
are about to celebrate this week: Jesus dying for us, re-establishing
the relationship between God and man, rescuing our hearts and embracing
us again as His children. The point is to return us to the glory that
was once ours, back to who we were created to be. Right there is reason
enough to praise Him for a lifetime. But He does not stop there. He is
always at work — even if you can't see it right now He is changing
and growing you into more of His image.
So if you find yourself in a place where life is hard and finding things to praise
God for is difficult, just look at what He has done and praise Him for those
things, for as you do you will find your heart getting closer to His and more
in tune with His and as that happens you will start to see what He is doing currently
in your life for which you can give Him praise.
Whatever you do, praise Him, for He is worthy of all our praise. Don't hold back — express
to God how much He means to you and how much what he has done means as well.
Live it with Passion
Pete Reinbold
Get daily inspiration with a Scripture verse and commentary
at
Daily Thought
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PRAYER REQUESTS & RESULTS |
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Prayer works. It really does.Submit your prayer
requests and we will pray for them.
Of course, we keep your information confidential.
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My thoughts are shared regularly on the pages of
our web site, especially on
the Journal pages.
We welcome and appreciate your feedback. If you would
like to submit an article please see our writer's
guidelines.
It is our hope that the content of Living The Solution will
stimulate you to deepen your faith. That is certainly a result for us in both
our writing and reading. If you would like to see articles on a particular topic
or you have comments please let us know.
Send an email
Quotable: The Sweetest Sound
"The sweetest of all sounds
is praise."
— Xenophon
Copyright 2005 Living the Solution, all rights reserved.
Tom Gilbert
Editor/Web-servant
Living The Solution
www.livingthesolution.com
P O Box 25584
Albuquerque, NM 87125-5584
Toll free 1-800-399-2564 ext 105 (US only) or 505-247-3232
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