"Once we clearly acknowledge the soul, we can learn to hear it's cries. - Dallas Willard, Renovation Of The Heart."

It takes courage to pursue our dreams. It takes time and patience to unearth buried treasure. But I believe with all my heart that we must do both.

4.03.2010

Come



"Ours has become a strange and contradictory world. We are constantly promised much, but much eludes us. We are bombarded with messages of rest, relaxation, and the ultimate vacation, but we are working harder than ever, and our inner world knows more of turmoil than peace."

"Most of us know the cry for rest."

"But rest is not enough. It is not simply a matter of some more hours of sleep. A deeper rest is called for - an inner rest. We need the rest of God's grace and acceptance. We need the rest of surrender where we hand to God our fears and worries and the things we cannot control or change."

"We need the rest of being forgiven and forgiving. We need the rest of embrace where we know ourselves to be safe and secure in the goodness of God, in the wideness of his mercy, and in the comfort of the Spirit." (from The Seeking Heart, by Charles R. Ringma)

We need Jesus!

The rest and forgiveness we so desperately need and desire is available.

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? (or life) Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." (Matthew 11: 28-30, The Message)

Come!

May you all have a Blessed Easter!

17 comments:

LeeAnn@Encouragement Is Contagious said...

Beautifully said Martha! Without Jesus I'm not sure where I'd be now.

I love your painting also. Oh how I wish I did live closer so I could come paint with you in your studio!! I'm there in heart.

Have a wonderful blessed Easter Mary.

Jo Reimer said...

Thank you. You're so right... all I need is Jesus.

RCUBEs said...

Beautiful message today. The Lord inviting everyone to go near Him. Have a happy Resurrection Sunday! Thanks be to God for Jesus' victory is also ours! Blessings to you sister.

Unknown said...

I was just getting ready to post on my blog when I decided to check yours first. I love you so much sweet, beautiful sister...God's light shines so brightly in you!!! (((hugs)))

jgr said...

Thank you for the wonderful post, you are so right-we need Jesus more than ever! Happy Easter!

Theresa said...

Wishing you a wonderful Easter! Love post and artwork~

Buffy said...

How easily we forget to give him our troubles and worries! We always try to handle things ourselves. Then life gets a mess. Beautiful post. Thanks for the reminder that we do need Jesus and that we cannot handle life without him.Happy Easter!

Butterfly Works said...

Mary, thanks so much for dropping by; I miss seeing all your beautiful pictures and wonderful words.....I love the one for today and yesterday.....and yes you are so right
we all need physical rest but we need the rest that only Jesus can give us even more.....after being with my grandchildren on and off for three weeks, I am very tired physically but need that extra time with Jesus even more.....I am looking forward to some of that next week before the retreat.....
He is risen........I am so glad....
Hugs and Blessings,
Nancy

Denise said...

Amen, so very true.

Bren Graham Thebeau said...

He is the anchor that holds it all together, He makes sense when nothing else does.
I love this art piece Mar, power in simplicity you've captured something so wonderfully elemental.

Erin Butson said...

I love this post Mary. It totally spoke to me. Lately I'vebeen hearing the same thing: Stop striving!stop striving and just be. Thanks for this reminder.

Jane Farr said...

As the song goes, "Just give me Jesus!" Wonderful post.
Happy Easter Mary!

Nikki (Sarah) said...

this is so true Mary...When I spend time with Him..everything feels lighter...easier...sweeter. great post.

Poetic Artist said...

Mary,
Thank you for the post. It is so true, if only we would not try so much to do it our self.
Hope you and your family have a wonder blessed easter.
xoxo......I love the painting.....
Katelen

Unknown said...

Mary, such a beautiful post! You are amazing.

caryjo said...

So true. Rest? What's that? We're so trained/ strained to go and go and go some more. I'm still trying to get this lesson down!

Katy said...

Wonderful painting, and wonderful post, Mary! A friend gave me a copy of The Message last year, and I have really enjoyed it. That passage is especially wonderful, isn't it?

Thank you for checking on me recently. It means a lot to me. I am still adjusting to our new routine, but I am thankful to be working in ministry!

Blessings,
Katy