At His table_Luke 24:30

"When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks and broke the bread and began to give it to them."

My siblings and I with our parents seated around the table to share a meal, and afterwards listening to our Papa tell us stories of how it was during WW2 while eating lanzones.  This is an indelible memory for me.  I'm so happy that our children have the same memories of our own family meals.  Lingering after the meal is called "sobremesa" in Spanish.  It shows our love for each other, and how we want to stay in each other's company longer.

I can imagine the sobremesa with Jesus as He sat with his disciples.  How wonderful it must've been to sit in His presence and listen to Him speak.  I can imagine how gently He'd answer their questions with so much love and acceptance.

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your loving presence in my life.  Even though there is no physical table at which I can sit with You, I know I can have fellowship with You wherever I am.
Image credit: preachitsister.wordpress.com

When boasting is acceptable_1 Corinthians 1:31

I'm blessed with a close friendship with visual artists, Fred Galan and and his wife, Gee.  Em and I are privileged to have been able to buy one of Fred's paintings which now hangs prominently in the lounge area of our office. It is a painting showing people going through their daily chores after a huge fire in their neighbourhood. Fred's paintings characteristically depict the daily lives of the "ordinary folk" -- laborers, farmers, fisherfolk, etc. Well-known and well-respected, their works are displayed in many venues, like hotels and homes. Yet, despite their enormous talent, the couple has remained humble and completely grounded in their faith in Jesus.

Because of this faith, they acknowledge that their talents are to be used to share the message of Christ's saving grace.  Fred always embeds a Bible verse within his paintings, whether on a subject's t-shirt, a signage along a street, or on a boat, much like how God embeds His word in Fred's heart.

Ephesians 2: 10 tells us, "For we are God's workmanship (masterpiece), created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

God, my Creator, You have signed Your name on me, and have embedded Your word in my heart. Thank you for creating me, and for the talents you have given me! May I always remember to use them for Your glory, for Your Kingdom, and not for my own selfish ambitions, or for recognition from others. Let me boast only of what You have done!

Hate vs Love

Hate is "in". Love is "out". Meanness and vindictiveness are trending. Unknowingly, or knowingly, even Christians have been deceived that it's okay to hate because "it is right". Jesus followers, however, are called to love. Remember ,"Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister." -1 John 4:20-21 This is one sign of the end of the age found in Matthew 24:10-13. "At that time ,many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved." Let's not let love grow cold. Let's love even those who are unlovable, that one person who is like sandpaper, that person who is malicious, that person who has crossed the line too many times, that person who has committed a sin even you cannot forgive. Why? Because, hey! That person was created by God and Jesus died for her too. 
Photo credit: www.paulhorton.wordpress.com