#walk with God

[infinitedabar]

Called or Chosen?

Matthew 22:14 "For many are called, but few are chosen."

All of us are called but not all of us are chosen. The so-called are those who decide to stay on the shore and just submerge their feet in the water or let the waves touch their feet. But, the chosen ones are those who decide to swim deep into the sea knowing that there is danger lurking. They recognize that despite unstoppable waves, currents, and dangerous marine animals the enjoyment of deep waters is different from the view of the shore. The eyes and senses of the chosen ones decide to experience the world under the sea; the beauty and splendor of it. Yet, the called one, is only satisfied with the things that the shore offers and with images that depict and shows the ocean life.

The ocean is available for all of us to enjoy, but some of us follow Christianity from the shore but others decide to go deep inside the sea/ocean. We all start on the shore but the decision to go deeper with God is what makes us chosen ones. We are called to go deep waters despite the dangers and uncertainty that we might face. We have the promise that Jesus will be with us. Isaiah 43:2 says "When you go through deep waters, I will be with you". Yet, there are some that decide to stay on shore because they simply feel comfortable on it. But, how are you going to fully enjoy your walk with God if you only decide to stay on the shore?

Which one will you decide to be today? Ocean or the shore?

[holystormfire]

John 7:40-52

Nicodemus challenged his fellow pharisees.

Nicodemus Visiting Jesus,

Painting by Henry Ossawa Tanner (1859-1957),

Painted in 1899,

Oil on canvas

© Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts

Gospel Reading

Several people who had been listening to Jesus said, ‘Surely he must be the prophet’, and some said, ‘He is the Christ’, but others said, ‘Would the Christ be from Galilee? Does not scripture say that the Christ must be descended from David and come from the town of Bethlehem?’ So the people could not agree about him. Some would have liked to arrest him, but no one actually laid hands on him.

The police went back to the chief priests and Pharisees who said to them, ‘Why haven’t you brought him?’ The police replied, ‘There has never been anybody who has spoken like him.’ ‘So’ the Pharisees answered ‘you have been led astray as well? Have any of the authorities believed in him? Any of the Pharisees? This rabble knows nothing about the Law – they are damned.’ One of them, Nicodemus – the same man who had come to Jesus earlier – said to them, ‘But surely the Law does not allow us to pass judgement on a man without giving him a hearing and discovering what he is about?’ To this they answered, ‘Are you a Galilean too? Go into the matter, and see for yourself: prophets do not come out of Galilee.’

Reflection on the painting

In today's Gospel reading, we encounter Nicodemus, marking his second of three appearances in the Gospel of John. Initially introduced as a curious seeker who approaches Jesus under the cover of night, Nicodemus is portrayed as intrigued by Jesus yet hesitant to fully embrace his teachings. His journey of faith is subtly woven through John's narrative, culminating in his participation alongside Joseph of Arimathea in ensuring Jesus receives a respectful (indeed, lavish) burial. This progression illustrates Nicodemus's gradual movement towards a deeper understanding and commitment to Jesus. Our reading today is the second (and middle) appearance of Nicodemus. Despite being a Pharisee, he displays remarkable bravery by questioning the outright dismissal of Jesus by his peers, who criticize Jesus based on his origin in Galilee, a region they regard as insignificant compared to the religious hub of Jerusalem. Nicodemus advocates for fairness and due process, arguing that Jesus should not be judged without first being heard. This stance places him at odds with the prevailing opinions of his colleagues, and his challenge is met with scorn, evidenced by their sarcastic comment "Are you from Galilee too?"

Nicodemus's growing relationship with Jesus left him increasingly isolated in the world where he had been so much at home. He actually reminds us that as we grow in our relationship with Jesus, there is often a price to be paid. We may find ourselves a lone voice among our peers. At such times, we know that the Lord is always with us.

Henry Ossawa Tanner painted our canvas in 1899, depicting the first of the three mentions of Nicodemus in John's Gospel (John 3:1-21). The painting was Tanner's entry to the 1899 Paris Salon. We see Nicodemus talking privately to Christ in the evening, a good example of Tanner's nocturnal light paintings. The painting was purchased there for the Wilstadt Collection, Philadelphia, and is now in the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. The narrative of Nicodemus' meeting with Jesus held significant meaning for Henry Ossawa Tanner's father, Benjamin Tucker Tanner. He was a Bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and had aspirations for his son to join him in the ministry. While Henry's decision to pursue a career as an artist fell short of his father's dream, his talent for painting ultimately produced works that his father could admire and support.

Article by Father Patrick van der Vorst

[perfecttragedyflower]

Dr took me off my meds to get a baseline of my symptoms

[euesworld]

"Be the bigger person, be a gentle giant.. cause all of that love that flows through you can't be denied. Be patient, it's a virtue.. and who knows, good things may come to you. But even if they don't come in the ways that you wanted, be thankful for that love.. not everyone has the capacity to love the way you can. Life is hard, but it makes like harder for everyone else when you don't walk with love.."

All you can really do is try, can't ask any more of yourself until you are there - eUë

[dosesofcommonsense]

Faith is not just a word or this one time thing. It’s a daily walk, a journey, something’s that better on some days and worse of some days but you keep going.

[jatawrites]

Venting to God gives you peace, that no human on this world can give you . Before you vent to anyone.. talk to God first.

[justana0kguy]

2024 APRIL 03 Easter Wednesday

"The Lord's absence is not an absence. Have faith, and the one you cannot see is with you. We were walking along, dead, with Christ alive, we were walking along, dead, with life itself. Constrain the stranger, if you want to recognize the Savior. What had been lost through infidelity was restored through hospitality. So the Lord made himself present in the breaking of bread."

~ Saint Augustine, Sermons of St Augustine : Sermon 235, section 3

[littleflowerfaith]

The road to Emmaus

[holmezc]

[mockvangelical]

[everythingloveandanimated]

Prev tags ⬆️

I LOVE this! I think there is a lot of truth to this.

As a fledgling writer, I have to understand human psychology, I have to understand the inner workings of societal systems, and I get to be a creator of worlds.

Creator, empathy, intelligence, passion. It’s an amazing feeling to touch and have an awareness of these parts of God’s identity. Connecting with God as Intelligent Creator is my favorite. Seeing how we are made in His image from an emotional aspect never fails to touch my heart and impress and amaze me.

Thank you so much for sharing this realization/revelation @thebirdandhersong !

Guys isn't it so good that there are people who care so much about moss and trees and the voices of whales and music and math and the power of words and paint and agriculture and textile art in this world????

[nightinggale91]

[solidrockistand]

Your walk with God is YOUR walk.

[euesworld]

"Love unhindered, love unabashed.. love with all of your heart and fall in love so fast. Love with your heart, love with your soul, cause love is a blast.. love forever, love at last."

Walk with love in your heart - eUë

[markmcole]

Why Worship Leaders Should Prioritize Daily Bible Reading

As worship leaders, we carry the incredible responsibility of guiding others into the presence of God. We lead songs that declare His truth, invite His Spirit, and proclaim His goodness. But if we’re not regularly filling ourselves with God’s Word, our ministry can quickly become shallow, our hearts distracted, and our leadership misaligned with His purpose. Daily Bible reading isn’t just a…