-/\/\-----------------------------------------------------------------
\ / HEARTLIGHT(R) Magazine -- http://www.heartlight.org/
--\/------------------------------------------------------------------
January 25, 2009
|-- This Week's Bestsellers at ChristianBook.com: ---------|
Find the bestselling Christian books at Christianbook.com.
Updated every week! Just click the links below:
Bestsellers: http://ads.heartlight.org/email/168/
Just Added: http://ads.heartlight.org/email/169/
Christianbook.com: http://ads.heartlight.org/email/170/
|------------------------------------------------------------|
=========================== TODAY'S ARTICLE ==========================
Because We Are Human, by Tom Norvell
Because we are human we cannot understand the things that happen in
life. We do not understand why young people die. We cannot understand
why good people suffer. We cannot understand why hurricanes destroy
neighborhoods, why tornadoes blow away homes, and floods wash away
dreams. We cannot understand why diseases shorten lives. Because we are
human we struggle to make sense of the twists and turns, the ups and
downs, and the ins and outs of life.
Because we are human we cannot see the future. We do not know what lies
ahead. We do not always understand or learn from the past. We see only
a part of the picture. We often only hear what we want to hear. We
forget that God has plans for us.
Because we are human we cannot see God's wisdom for taking us down a
path filled with struggle, pain, and disappointment. We cannot imagine
the blessings that God has in store for us when we trust Him to lead
us. Because we are human we try to explain why God does what He does
when He does and how He does it. We try, but we cannot explain it.
Because we are human we complicate things that were intended to be
simple. We complicate life, we complicate worship, and we complicate
relationships. We complicate forgiveness, we complicate faith, and we
complicate grace.
Because we are human we cannot make ourselves holy. We cannot remove
the sin in our life. We cannot get life right no matter how we try. We
cannot do everything exactly right all the time. When we mess up we
cannot make it right.
Because we are human we cannot see God clearly. We are blinded by our
sin. We are blinded by our lack of imagination. We are blinded by our
determination to make God look like us.
God understands our need for a Savior.
Because we are human we cannot fathom God's love. We cannot imagine why
God would want to rescue us from our sin. We cannot understand how God
could love us. We cannot grasp a God who would love us so much that He
would sacrifice His Son for our sins.
Because we are human God sent His Son to dwell among us:
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his
glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and
truth (John 1:14 ESV).
Because we are human God gave His one and only Son:
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever
believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).
Because we are human God is preparing a place for us:
[Jesus said] Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God;
believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were
not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will
take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know
the way to where I am going (John 14:1-4).
Because we are human God understands our need for a Savior. Because we
are human ... Jesus.
---------
(c) 2009 Tom Norvell <tomnorvell@mac.com>. Used by permission. A
Norvell Note <http://www.anorvellnote.com> is a weekly email
message from Tom Norvell. Check it out!
RELATED LINKS:
* One of Us!
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200412/20041217_oneofus.html
* The Astonishing Christ!
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200612/20061215_astonishingchrist.html
* With Us!
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200712/20071225_withus.html
* A Norvell Note
http://www.anorvellnote.com
This article can be found on the web at:
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200901/20090125_because.html
=========================== FEATURED PRODUCT =========================
IF YOU WANT TO WALK ON WATER YOU'VE GOT TO GET OUT OF THE BOAT, by John Ortberg
John Ortberg invites you to consider the incredible potential that
awaits you outside your comfort zone, out on the risky waters of faith.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?153
Find more great books, CDs and videos at the Heartlight store! With
each purchase you make, you're helping to support Heartlight's
ministry. Thanks SO MUCH for your help!
HEARTLIGHT DAILY EMAIL /\/\
===============================================================\ /===
http://www.heartlight.org/ \/
Visit HEARTLIGHT on the web for even more articles, plus music,
devotionals and more for your Christian walk!
ABOUT HEARTLIGHT:
Heartlight, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) religious non-profit organization.
Donations are welcome and tax-deductible! Find out how to help!
http://www.heartlight.org/support
EDITOR: Phil Ware, phil@heartlight.org
HOW DO I SUBSCRIBE?
It's FREE! To subscribe send a blank email to:
join-heartlight@maillists.heartlight.org
HOW DO I LEAVE?
To unsubscribe send a blank email to:
heartlight-unsub@maillists.heartlight.org
STILL HAVING TROUBLE?
If our automated unsubscribe system isn't working for you,
send an email to mailmaster@heartlight.org and let us know
what list you would like to leave. We'll take care of you.
======================================================================
