April 21, 2005
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Today I was reading Mark 14 about Mary anointing Jesus, and had a few thoughts.
In V. 4 when Judas complains about the oil being wasted – that word for wasted means perdition. Later on Jesus will call Judas the son of perdition.
I have found that in many situations there is a “ring leader” for a cause. And then people follow the ring leader. Sometimes the ring leader has a hidden agenda, and the people who follow the cause are sincere in what they are saying.
It is evident in this that Judas speaks about the waste of money, that the oil could be better spent on the poor. But the hidden agenda of Judas is that he kept the moneybag, and was a thief, so it meant that the lavish worship that Mary poured out on Jesus did not grease Judas’ pockets.
Yet the disciples heard the exernal words of Judas and agreed, that maybe the money could have been used differently, but they did not know Judas’ hidden agenda.
I have to keep remembering that there are many reasons behind some of the “good” causes that have nothing to do with the cause.
One other teaching that I heard awhile back is that when you worship at the feet of Jesus you come away with the fragrance of Jesus. Mary’s hair would hold the smell of the oil that she used to anoint Jesus. That would linger on her for some time.
I have to admit, I am pretty bad about hidden agendas in people. I tend to take things at face value, and am pretty transparent. So often I get fooled by things people say to me.
Thank you for all your prayers and your birthday wishes. I am so blessed to have you as friends.
I am having fun for the next few weeks. Twice a year I get to go into the middle school and help kids in a sewing class. Usually with the preliminary worksheets and getting their “sewing license” so that they can use the machines. It is a pleasure to work with these kids, and the ones I usually get are the ones who can use a positive word of encouragement. So I am asking prayer that I can say the right things to these children. Already I have my eye set on a few, one girl named Katie who told me that her doctor told her she would have to have a hip replacement before she was 30, and two boys who feel that they will never be able to do the work. I haven’t seen all the kids in the classes yet, but I so look forward to meeting them. It is so seldom that a parent gets to get into a classroom to help once the children hit middle school and high school. I jump at every opportunity.
Comments (17)
Happy b-day. I never thought about Judas’ hidden intentions. That’s very insightful. yes, lots of good causes have bitter roots. Have a great day!!!
Its like the whole question of doing the right things for the wrong reasons as well. Do some of us fast, in reality, in hopes of losing a few pounds? Do we have false humilty? Its crazy! We do it all the time too.
Great post! Very chewable!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!
I like your post very much; that is why it is so important to keep our focus in Christ. The Lord sees the hole picture even the hidden because He knows our heart and if our focus is on Him then He will give us supernatural vission in the spirit, so that we can see other Juda’s hidden agendas.
HUGS,
Maria
Happy Birthday! Today is my daughter’s too. Go to my site and you will see her and there is a link to her site to wish her a great day! You have a great day in the Lord. God bless you, Deb
Thanks for your prayers and your patience.
Grace & Peace,
Robb <><
To Heather,
You’re welcome.
May you have the most
Wonderful birthday ever.
Love and hugs always.
Leigh Ann
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I loved your comment at Tozhannah’s so much. Thank you for that beautiful addition.
Have fun with the students! That sounds awesome.
Hi HEATHER….Hope you are having a wonderful BIRTHDAY!!!
Thanks for sharing your picture of your pastor ……..its always nice to put a face to a name when reading of someone…………………
You post was great and insightful to me…..makes one most definitely think………………..God knows our TRUE hearts…….and AGENDAS….thats for sure………………..
You have a great day………………….
big hugs and GOD BLESS
Happy Birthday, Heather! : ) And you are most welcome! May the Lord draw you ever closer to His heart and reveal more of Himself to you, as you continue to seek Him as your life! May the next year cause you to be filled with more awe and wonder as you look back and see His work in you being carried on! Blessings to you!
Happy Birthday, Heather! Make a wish and blow out the candles!!!!
What a servant’s heart….Children are such sponges for love and words of encouragement. They just soak it up. I am sure He will give you exactly what to say. Blessings……
Great point about hidden agendas….it’s worthwhile to note that Jesus did not chide the OTHER disciples for not knowing Judas’ motives….after all,”man looks at the outward appearance,but God looks at the heart”. When Jesus said “one of you will betray Me”,none of them pointed the finger at Judas….and there’s no record of Jesus rebuking them for their lack of perception. While NAIVETY is discouraged in Scripture,taking people at face value most certainly is not(discouraged).
Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m glad to hear that Jim is got his meds. I hope that things better for you. I’m praying for you!
mawm/marci
Happy Birthday to YOU!
Happy Birthday to YOU!
Happy Birthday dear Heather!
Happy Birthday to YOU!!!!!!!!!!!
Since I cannot give you a real birthday present…I will give you a gift of words. We bumped into each other months and months ago and I have been blessed from the beginning. You are an amazing woman of courage and strength and grace and kindess who has had to endure things that shouldnt ever happen to someone. I am appalled at the abuse you have endured and yet you continually choose to reach out in kindness to the world around you. Instead of lashing out in bitterness, you mend others, you help to heal instead of hurt. You are a woman who teaches of God and shines his light out to the world. You are a gift to me and I cannot express the words to tell you how much you inspire me and comfort me and make my world more bearable. You are a joy. Happy Birthday my friend. God has truely blessed us all with you….
Marlene
Hi Heather….I want to add my B I R T H D A Y W I S H E S…. !!!!!………….Too bad we don’t have keys that show musical notes….I would sing it to you….
So that is Pastor Don !!! What a joyful looking man…..I have yet to hear those CDS…I just got Mark to get them on my computer for me to hear… yay!
My thanks to you again…
BTW….Where is Pastor going in Ca.?? Our mother church is heavily involved in Uganda …just curious…
Happy Birthday Heather……!
Thank you, Heather, for your kind words at my site. I agree with what you said there. A very happy birthday to you and may the Lord bless you always. Peacemaker
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hope I am not late???????????????
Happy Birthday Heather! What day was it? My birthday is coming up on Monday…..tonight I go out with my Mom and sister (hers is just two days after mine) Special times.
I love your post about Mary…….and especially the lingering frangrance of Jesus, and true heart worship. It’s unmistakeable. We’ve had alot of interesting and educational experiences in the past few years, concerning hidden agendas. I have had to learn in a much deeper way, how to walk wisely as a serpent, yet harmlessly as a dove. How to love people with the Love of the Lord, and yet walk in discernment as well.
I love Phillippians 1:9-11 “Ånd this I pray: that your love may abound yet more and more and extend to it’s FULLEST DEVELOPMENT in KNOWLEDGE and all keen INSIGHT (that your love may display itself in greater depth of acquaintance and more comprehensive DISCERNMENT), So that you may surely learn to SENSE WHAT IS VITAL, and approve and prize what is EXCELLENT and of REAL VALUE (recognizing the HIGHEST and the BEST, and distinguishing the moral differences), and that you may be untainted and pure and unerring and blameless (so that with hearts sincere and certain and unsullied, you may approach) the day of Christ (not stumbling nor causing others to stumble). May you abound in and be filled with the fruits of righteousness (of right standing with God and right doing) which come through jesus Christ (the Annointed One), to the honor and praise of God (that His glory may be both manifested and recognized).” (Amplified version)
Yeah, I know that’s a mouth (heart) full! But I love it! The Lord had us to meditate on these three verses on one of our monthly worship nights that we have here in our home, and it was amazing what the Holy Spirit opened up to us throughout the rest of the evening, in our discussion, and in the worship and prayer times…………it has actually been a significant verse in my life for years. I’m still meditating on it, and learning to hear the Lord’s heart deeper and deeper through this one passage throughout the seasons of my life…..
The fruit and development of His Love in our lives…………..WOW. That’s what gets me. Love, God’s Love, is sooooooo much more than what we realized! It is at once tender, sweet, gentle, and severe! Oh the kindness and severity of the Lord. His judgements, justice, and yet Mercy! We need it all, don’t we!
God bless you, and again, Happy Birthday!!!! Becky
(sorry for the long post…..I haven’t written all week. Guess I should go post on my OWN site, eh!!!!!!???????)