I was going through some old pictures and came across this one from almost 3 years ago this July. It was taken by a friend of ours who helped out with summer English camp and is right now getting ready to head to Ukraine to work with International Messengers (this is Anna Hunsucker's blog if anyone is interested ~ www.annahunsucker.blogspot.com)
Anyway I love, love this picture so much ~ I want to frame it in black & white and put a verse below like 'Have mercy on me a sinner.' To me it's a modern day word picture of Luke 18
9He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10"Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 13But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' 14I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
Oh what a dangerous thought it is to think that I am better, more committed, higher standards, know 'more truth', or have done something to make me more blessed by God. No way.. it's GRACE ~ ALL GRACE ~ and nothing more. That's why I want this picture framed in my house.. it's something I constantly need reminded of..
Thank you for praying for James, Ksenya and Rachel as they were leaders in the Youth Games. It was an incredible ministry! So many youth heard a clear presentation of the Gospel for the first time. James is hoping to have the organization come and have a 3 day seminar next October during the big school holiday. Praying this will work out ~ what a neat opportunity this would be in our city! Oh and Rachel's team won second place! and best of all won all three of their basketball games. Rachel was the star of the team!! (sometimes it's nice being a big fish in a small pond, because in the States she wasn't quite the star ;) Oh and JoJo ~ when you want to take a picture of her she runs away.. when you DO NOT want her in the picture......
3 comments:
Ok, help me understand. I'm running on little sleep today.
Is the man in black some kind of religious worker? Is that a beggar behind him that he will not face?
I really, really want to understand something that means so much to you.
Hey, did you get your PayPal fixed or should I send the money to the local address?
blessings,
GfG
Susan, the girls are absolutely beautiful! I wasn't going to answer this question for you, but since it made such an impact on me as I was standing there, I will. The man in black is an Orthodox priest asking for money. The begger at the door was also asking for money. It absolutely blew me away to see this priest sit there and completely ignore this crippled man, while asking for money for the church. What a powerful picture it is and I'm so grateful that my heavenly Priest cares more for me than this priest does for this poor, crippled man.
Oh, wow! Thanks, Anna.
What a sad, sad situation. Wow! Ok, the fact that he is asking for money for the church really hits me. Wow! I thought he was a pretty clean looking beggar. ;-)
Thanks again, Anna.
Thank you sharing this Susan.
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