#Heart of God

[momentsbeforemass]

How God sees you

How does God see you?

For a lot of us, this is a loaded question. One that opens up the door to all kinds of ideas that we have about God.

Based on our past, the way we were raised, or the people in our lives used God – whether for themselves or against us – some of those ideas can be pretty poisonous. 

Which can lead to really harmful ideas about God. From ideas that put us on the “not-good-enough” treadmill. To ideas that make us want to have nothing to do with something that messed up.

All because what’s been dumped on us is a toxic version of something that has nothing to do with who God really is. Which is why those moment when God tells us who He really is are so important.

They’re scattered throughout the Bible, especially the Gospels. But they’re so low-key that they’re easy to miss. Like what we see in today’s Gospel. Where it says,

“At the sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.”

When things are weighing on you and me. When we’re upset. When we’re getting it wrong. When we feel abandoned. Like no one cares, not even God

Look at God’s actual response to us, in the person of Jesus.

God isn’t looking down on you and me. God’s not into blaming us, telling us that it’s all our fault. Or walking away, because we’re such a hopeless mess.

God’s actual response? God’s heart is breaking.

Why? Because someone He loves is hurting.

That’s how God sees you.

Today’s Readings

[angeladdict]

[lotrmusical]

never let anyone tell you that trawling through mediocre victorian poetry isn't worth it. we just happened upon an absolute BANGER of a worm poem. go read it or else 🪱🪱🪱

[markmcole]

7 Keys to Walking In God’s Favor

Discovering favor with God is a journey marked by faith, grace, and transformation. If you’re seeking to deepen your relationship with God and experience His favor in your life, here are seven principles rooted in God’s Word. 1. Embrace Jesus as Savior: The first step in finding favor with God is to embrace Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. Recognize Him as the Son of God who came to earth,…

[melvingaines]

The Perfect Church - Video Message - April 21, 2024

https://www.facebook.com/akronalliancefellowship/videos/756328486686050 Asst. Pastor Melvin Gaines Message for Sunday, April 21, 2024 The perfect church requires its members to truly live in an unselfish manner and be sensitive to God’s will. That is how what we see in Acts, Chapter 2 and Chapter 4, the successes of a church that was living in the perfect will of Jesus…

[dwuerch-blog]

Giants -- Everywhere!

I know how it feels when my circumstances are looming over me like a hulking, colossal GIANT who is fierce, beyond my capability. He is throwing every negative word of doubt and unbelief imaginable my way. He is taunting, harassing, smack-talking and my faith is challenged like crazy. Maybe that sounds like some things you’re going through right now. If so, let’s think about the epic story of…

[linusjf]

Kahlil Gibran: The just and the merciful

“The just is close to the people’s heart, but the merciful is close to the heart of God. ” —Kahlil Gibran.

[celestialalpacaron]

I just want them to be happy together 💕

[petrichara]

‘Love is the one thing that we’re capable of perceiving that transcends dimensions of time and space.’

“Eulogy from a Physicist” by Aaron Freeman, with quotes from Interstellar by Christopher Nolan, and images from NASA, Interstellar, Getty, Petrichara, and Reuters.

1- NASA: GOODS-South.

2- NASA: NGC 1850.

3- NASA: Iberian Peninsula.

4- Christopher Nolan: Interstellar.

5- NASA: From the Earth to the Moon.

6- Hannah La Folette Ryan: Subway Hands.

7- Adams Evans: Heart Nebula.

8- NASA: Exploring the Antennae.

9- NASA: Crescent Moon from the International Space Station.

10- Petrichara.

11- Getty Images.

12- NASA: SMACS 0723.

13- Reuters

[chernozemm]

Crowley got a new packer for that grey sweatpants temptation

(he knows exactly what he’s doing)

[themetalhiro]

Its getting super cold so I’m thinking about how this guy is a super powered heater.

[momentsbeforemass]

Not Nathanael

(for all of us who are less than perfect)

A lot of Apostles share names.

There are two with the name of James. Two Simons, even two Judas’s. But there’s only one Nathanael.

That’s plenty. And today’s Gospel shows us why.

The first time Nathanael and Jesus see each other, everything clicks into place. Jesus says to him, “here is someone in whom there is no deceit.” And Nathanael’s response? “You are the Son of God.”

Unlike every other Apostle, Nathanael immediately knows exactly who Jesus is. Like flipping a switch. How is that even possible?

It’s simple, actually. And it’s a ringing indictment of you and me, and every other person for whom it isn’t like flipping a switch. Because of what it tells us about Nathanael. Which is?

In the words of C.S. Lewis, “It takes holiness to detect holiness.”

That’s why Nathanael immediately knows exactly who Jesus is. Because that’s how holy he is.

Jesus reached out to Nathanael once. And Nathanael got it.

That’s why one Nathanael is plenty. That’s why you and I need the rest of the Apostles. 

Because the rest of the Apostles? They’re a mixed mess. One of them over-promises and underperforms. Two of them are all about recognition and being first. One of them is a revolutionary. Another one has doubts. You get the idea.

The part I love? How Jesus treats the rest of the Apostles. The mixed mess. The ones who aren’t already holy. The not-Nathanael’s.

When they don’t get it immediately? Watch what Jesus does. Jesus doesn’t give up on them.

Time after time. Jesus tells them, and shows them, exactly who He is. And for years, none of it really clicks for them.

But Jesus doesn’t hold them to the Nathanael standard.

Jesus reaches out to them. And keeps reaching out to them. Until they get it.

It shows us that there’s a place in the heart of Jesus for each one of them.

And it’s a sign of hope. For all of us.

Because it shows us that there’s a place in the heart of God for each one of us.

For you and me, and all of the other not-Nathanael’s.

Even if we’re not already holy.

Today’s Readings

[catmask]

with that said there are characters that a fat maybe not canonically but they are spiritually. to me. they may not be drawn that way but i know whats true. ive seen it like a sort of prophet

[trashmakerarticle]

Everyone thinks that dick was the golden child when in reality it was Jason.

Clark: Bruce who was your favourite robin?

Dick: obviously it’s me?

Tim: it’s dick

Damian: I am superior robin, it will be me.

Bruce: it’s Jason

Everyone: WHAT?!?!???

Bruce: why are you so surprised? He didn’t jump on too my chandeliers which I had to replace each week

*everyone looks at dick*

Bruce: he didn’t drop out of school

*everyone looks at tim*

Bruce: I didn’t have to stop him from killing everyone who annoyed him

*everyone looks at Damian*

Bruce: in fact, he enjoyed school and handed all his homework in on time, we would spend hours in the library reading his favourite classics. He even helped Alfred with most of the cooking, He was my little boy

Jason: stop spreading lies, I hate you go away

Bruce: my precious little boy

[baltharino]

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

[stil-lindigo]

the fox god.

a comic about a trickster.

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