Gregg's Weekly Rest Stop (December 13, 2010)

Published: Mon, 12/13/10

 Journey in Christ
    FOUNDATIONAL TRAINING FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY
 
Gregg's Weekly Rest Stop
           December 13, 2010          
 
Jesus Loves Me
Nothing fazes us
because Jesus loves us.
I am absolutely convinced
that absolutely nothing
can get between us and God's love
because of the way
Jesus our Master has embraced us
(Romans 8:38-39, The Message).
 
Discipleship is not having your abilities trained to perform ministry in certain ways.  That's an outside-in perspective.   Discipleship is from the inside out. 
 
Discipleship is grounded in the glorious transformation that has already occurred in the deepest core of your being where you have been united with Christ through His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension.
 
Discipleship then becomes Christ living through your personality, revealing His love in all situations, including pain and sufferings.
 
Worldly logic views pain and suffering as hinderances to knowing God and His love.  Some ask "How can a good God allow suffering?"  Some seek an "American dream" with no pain and suffering.
 
However, pain and suffering are not deeper than Christ and His love in your heart.  Pain and suffering actually reveal, and prepare to reveal, His love like no other ways.  Look at the cross of Christ. 
 
JESUS LOVES ME -- A PRAYER
During a long period of physical and emotional pain, during one particularly painful night in 2003, my wife Joy wrote and softly sang this prayer.  The next morning, I found her prayer written on little slips of paper on the floor around the bed. 
 
It was a dark night when Christ, the Light of the world, prayed this prayer through Joy's pain.  His presense brought healing to her and me, from the inside-out. 
 
I humbly share this prayer with you.
 
Originally sung by Joy under her breath,
lying down in pain, in the dark of the night,
to the tune of "Jesus loves me this I know"
 
Father, hold me tight today,
make this aching go away.
Only You can give me peace,

that'll cause my doubts and pain to cease.

 

Jesus, hear my broken cry,

I know I'm why You had to die.

Not for death, but life brand new,

You in me and me in You.

 

Jesus fight for me today,

my strength and will have gone away.

It's dark, I'm scared, I feel alone.

Draw me closer to Your throne.

 

You've kindled fire within my soul,

because of You it'll ne're go cold.

The fire comes from Your life, Your love,

this eternal fire is from above.

 

Holy Spirit take control

of my heart, my mind, my soul.

Make Your life flow out through me,

and when they look at me,
it's You they see.

 

Father, Savior, Spirit - All,

before You on my face I fall.

In gratitude for all You've done,

oh Father, Savior, Spirit - One.

 

A home in heaven'll be mine one day,

'cause Jesus took my sin away.

He rose to give me life so great,

for His abundant life there is no wait.

 

Jesus loves me, this I know,

His life in me He tells me so.

Heav'n will be my home one day,

now His victorious Life's the way.
 
Learning to rest in God's love and comfort,
 
 
 
PS, Pain and suffering does not mean the Christian life is morbid.  It's the most joyful life of all!  Joy is deeper than happiness.  Joy is a fruit of the Spirit of Christ in you, experienced from the inside-out, free from circumstances.  Happiness is a fruit of the world, experienced from the outside-in, in bondage to circumstances.  Jesus came to change the world's perspective.  "Joy to the world, the Lord has come!"
 
 
 
Me and Joy at a Christmas parade
in the small town of Calhoun Falls, SC.
 
 
 
 
LINKS AND MESSAGES
 
 
Your friends can subscribe to
Gregg's Weekly Rest Stop
at the above websites. 
 
I am a missionary 
with Journey in Christ, Inc.,
a discipleship counseling
and training ministry. 
 
Please contact me if you would like to know more about being a ministry partner with me.
 
 
(864) 483-3201 (Gregg cell)
 
Attn:  Gregg Gibbons
926 NE Main Street
Suite F-155
Simpsonville, SC  29681
 
Click here for
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
Welcome
to our world!
 
At 8:32 am on October 27, 2010 we welcomed our grandniece to our world!  Below is Alice Joy with her two brothers in a manger scene at our house this week.  :)
 
 
 
 
Holding little Alice is a special reminder of Jesus being born a real little child.
 
Below are lyrics to a wonderful song about welcoming baby Jesus to our world...the world He created for us! 
 
Following these lyrics is a link to Amy Grant's beautiful rendition of this song along with pertinent video scenes (only 3 minutes).

 

 
WELCOME TO OUR WORLD
words and music by Chris Rice
© 1995 Clumsy Fly Music
 

Tears are falling,

Hearts are breaking,

How we need to hear from God.

You've been promised,

We've been waiting,

Welcome holy Child,
welcome holy Child.

 

Hope that You don't mind
our manger,

How I wished we would have known.

But long awaited holy Stranger,

Make Yourself at home,

Please make Yourself at home.

 

Bring Your peace into our violence,

Bid our hungry souls be filled.

We're now breaking
heaven's silence,
Welcome to our world,
welcome to our world.

 

Fragile fingers sent to heal us,

Tender brow prepared for thorns,

Tiny heart whose blood will save us,

Unto us is born, unto us is born.

 

So wrap our injured flesh
around You,

Breathe our air and walk our sod.

Rob our sin and make us holy,

Perfect Son of God,
perfect Son of God...
...welcome to our world.
 
 
 
 
 
Below is the link to Amy Grant singing "Welcome to Our World"
 
WELCOME TO OUR WORLD
 
 
 
 
 
Unto us
a Child is born,
Unto us
a Son is given.

(Isaiah 9:6)