"Jesus has a body"

I just got back from a short backpacking trip to Ostrander Lake in Yosemite, and I'll post photos from that soon...but meanwhile I wanted to share something else with you all.

If you've followed my blog for a while you probably know how I enjoy the books and CDs by John Eldredge and his team at Ransomed Heart.  You can subscribe to a daily email that contains an excerpt from one of their books, and I've often been struck how an email fits perfectly with the questions and ponderings on my heart that day.  Today's email was both uplifting and thought-provoking...so I thought I'd share!  :)

Jesus Has a Body

Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?" "No," they answered. He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" . . . When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread . . . Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." (John 21:4-12)

Now think about this for a minute. You're the Son of God. You've just accomplished the greatest work of your life, the stunning rescue of mankind. You rose from the dead. What would you do next? Have a cookout with a few friends? It seems so unspiritual, so ordinary. Do you see that eternal life does not become something totally "other," but rather that life goes on- only as it should be?

Jesus did not vanish into a mystical spirituality, becoming one with the cosmic vibration. Jesus has a body, and it's his body. His wounds have been healed, but the scars remain—not gruesome, but lovely, a remembrance of all he did for us. His friends recognize him. They share a bite to eat. This is our future as well—our lives will be healed and we shall go on, never to taste death again. 

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What can I say?  I'm excited!!

BTW, that excerpt was from the book "Desire" (check it out here—great book!).

Till next time, friends...God bless!

- Kelsey


Kelsey Schweickert  |  San Francisco Bay Area wedding photographer
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"You cannot outdream God"

Do any of you get the "Daily Readings" from John and Stasi Eldredge's ministry, Ransomed Heart?  It's a daily email with a short excerpt from one of their books.  I read it during my quiet time in the morning and it's pretty sweet how often there's something in it that speaks directly to my needs.  Like today...this one was just perfect.  And in case your day needs it too, I thought I'd share.  :)

Venturing Forth

It's better to stay in the safety of the camp than venture forth on a wing and a prayer. Who knows what dangers lie ahead? This was the counsel of the ten faithless spies sent in to have a look at the Promised Land when the Jews came out of Egypt. Only two of the twelve, Joshua and Caleb, saw things differently. Their hearts were captured by a vision of what might be and they urged the people to press on. But their voices were drowned by the fears of the other ten spies and Israel wandered for another forty years. Without the anticipation of better things ahead, we will have no heart for the journey.

One of the most poisonous of all Satan's whispers is simply, "Things will never change." That lie kills expectation, trapping our heart forever in the present. To keep desire alive and flourishing, we must renew our vision for what lies ahead. Things will not always be like this. Jesus has promised to "make all things new." Eye has not seen, ear has not heard all that God has in store for his lovers, which does not mean "we have no clue so don't even try to imagine," but rather, you cannot outdream God. Desire is kept alive by imagination, the antidote to resignation. We will need imagination, which is to say, we will need hope.

(The Sacred Romance , 156-57)

- Kelsey Schweickert


Discovering beauty...

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