Good Intentions

Michael Lane writes in his thought provoking devotional You Never Thoroughly Intended It:

"I'm busy! I have work to do! I'm tired! Wrap the excuse any way you wish and surround it by any reason you like. When you unwrap it, what you will find inside every time is the same basic truth. You don't intend to have a better relationship with Jesus. 

The relationship you have with Jesus is exactly the one you want to have. When you want to have a closer, deeper relationship with Him, you will. Nothing in this world can prevent it."

Lane's words struck a nerve.  Do I want a closer, deeper relationship with Jesus?  I believe that I do desire this. Yet, if I'm honest with myself I have to admit that I don't always pursue my relationship with the Lord in a way that reflects my desire.  As a writer I'm much too eager to jump into the day with hands poised on the keyboard, rather than giving first priority to Bible reading and prayer.  And I have to wonder how much more of an impact my writing would have if Jesus had first place.

So, okay.  Now that I've written this down and published it, I'm accountable to all of you reading this as well as accountable to the Lord Jesus to put my good intentions into action.  "Nothing in this world can prevent it."

Joyfully giving Jesus all the glory!

--NR

Adam's Rib

Dennis and I met last October through an online Christian dating service. He wrote in his profile, "I want a wife that I can cherish as Christ loved the church". Those words hit me hard.  Christ loved the church so much that He gave His very life for it. If Dennis desired to love his wife that way, then he was a man I wanted to know.

It didn't take long for me to realize that Dennis is an honest man and that every word he wrote is true. In this joyful altitude where we live he delivers on that promise every day. I've never felt more loved or cherished in my life.  

This Matthew Henry quote came across my laptop screen today:

"The woman was made of a rib out of the side of Adam; not made out of his head to rule over him, nor out of his feet to be trampled on by him; but out of his side to be equal to him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be loved."

I am equal with my husband and he treats me as such. But he also protects and loves me. A wonderful combination.

--NR