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| Deep and wide...beyond comprehension! |
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Five years ago I visited the Grand Canyon for the first time in my life. Though I had seen plenty of pictures before, I was still completely blown away when encountering this stunning landmark in person. I’ll never forget looking out over the edge, and marveling in a kind of hushed fascination along with many other similarly affected visitors. We stood together amazed at the immensity and breathe-taking beauty, the wonder of it was so far beyond our ability to take it all in...
It occurs to me that I am often overcome with a very similar feeling, when worshiping God, as I contemplate the amazing love God has demonstrated through Christ, for me in particular. It makes no sense! The amazing love that drove him beyond simply being a caring and devoted Father, to giving up his own privileged Son as the ultimate self-sacrificing Rescuer and Redeemer. “Huge” doesn’t really even begin to describe God’s love! Vast, majestic, immense and breathe-takingly beautiful, wondrously wide and deep…absolutely beyond comprehension… Now that’s a start!!
3:17 And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 3:18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 3:19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge
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| To add a comment to "Deep and wide...beyond comprehension!" |
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| January 10, 2009 |
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| OMG, my fav verse!! What a pic to sum it up...WOW!! |
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| January 10, 2009 |
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Thanks Cher... It's funny how "wide and long and high and deep" sound a lot like the Grand Canyon...a fitting comparison, I think!
Marcella, it would be great to hear ya sing it! :-) |
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| January 10, 2009 |
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I may not be able to answer all comments.....been so busy lately. :-( Today I invited myself to a neighbor's house to watch the Ravens-Titans game. The neighbor whose house we went to is a Christian, and we invited another neighbor who possibly is not. The whole thing was a glorious exercise in relationship building! And as an exciting bonus, the Ravens WON!!!
(ps...lately been busy at work, at church, at home....lot's going on!) |
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| January 10, 2009 |
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| Carrie Ann, thanks! It touched me deeply. In fact, it does so each Sunday, and occasionally during the week as well. |
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| January 10, 2009 |
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There is a huge tug of war going on in my life as well as many of yours. Health, finances, relationships and friendships attacked. A blessing comes and an attack follows. It is sobering to see His love and just as sobering to realize that satan is serious about destroying us. I feel like I am singing a different tune to the love and joy in a way but in another way I am not. I need to see this depth of His love to stand the assaults. I appreciate you Mike, hugely. I would ask that when you read this, you totally understand that and ask the Father just one more time on my behalf. I am feeling a bit like I am sinking tonight. |
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| January 10, 2009 |
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| That is an awesome song restore! He is beyond comprehension and words. Have you ever tried to come up with a word in giving praise to describe how wonderful He is? They might scratch the surface but none measure up. |
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| January 10, 2009 |
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Mike I'm so glad I had the opportunity to visit this awesome place in the 70's. How Great Thou Art, I can close my eyes and imagine the day I was there as if it was this morning. I can close my eyes and see God's Love and Sacrifice of His Son just as magnificent as this place and more...Amazing, Breathtaking, Awesome Wonder, words can't describe my feelings to see something and to know our God did this in six days, sent His son and in 33 Years..........
giving up his own privileged Son as the ultimate self-sacrificing Rescuer and Redeemer. “Huge”
REAL HUGE.!
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| January 11, 2009 |
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| Amazing Mike. I hope that one day I can visit the grand canyon, because they say that a picture is worth a thousand words, so I guess the real thing must be worth a million words. |
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| January 11, 2009 |
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Marcella, are you saying it's not normal to invite yourself over to other people's houses? Megan, a million words still isn't enough to describe the place. Nice try! Donna, I've had the pleasure of hearing her sing! Juanita, bless you sister. I've been praying for you for the last 1.5 hrs. And thanks for your honesty before me (us), it has endeared you to me deeply. ps...I feel that tog o' war too. I bet every believer does. So sorry the struggle is great in your life right now. Terry, my neighbor, I hear that I may well see you tomorrow. I'm excited!! |
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| January 11, 2009 |
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| I have been to the Grand Canyon & it is so awesome. Pictures show what it looks like, however, until you experience the wonder of the majesty of God's handiwork, there is nothing that can compare. Thank you for the reminder. |
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| January 11, 2009 |
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| Awesome Mike remember when we were little in Church school we sang the song Deep and Wide well maybe we should never stop singing those great songs when we were little children because we are still children of the Most High! |
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| January 11, 2009 |
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Amen, bro Doyle! Those songs conveyed such a grandeur and Childlike awe of God...I agree! Let's keep singin 'em! (Jesus Loves Me still moves me deeply too!)
pandabear... that is so true, as I too learned. Until you see in person, you haven't truly experienced. Photos are nice but don't do justice... |
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| January 11, 2009 |
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Thanks Mike, I guess your prayers saw me through a deep sleep, because I am just waking. I am half way first coffee and Gideon is reminding me that life is worth going for..He is doing his morning wheel exercise. Yesterday, a beautiful laugh in the midst of the chaos...my three year old grandson announced as he bit into his chocolotte hoho cupcake that it was "chocolate, vanilla and special ingredients". That carrried me through some rough moments. We were rained out of the cookout eventually but got in a walk, feeding the ducks and toasting marshmallows "just right" before we came inside and they took my flashlight and explored my campers. Henry told folks the first time he visited that I live in a truck. My daughter in law and I had an incredible visit because my son was not there to dominate the conversation. He is fascinating and tends to do that and we follow. This time we could leisurely chat and the kids were excited about everything including my laundry change which they counted over and over and then took some for all the hard work they did helping me (at my insistance). We cleaned out some goodies to take home and they bid farewell to Gideon and hugged me just a bit harder than normal. Cool factor Excellente to a kid when grammal lives in a truck with a hamster. lol Praying that I can get my marriage back on track and we consolidate living quarters...but leaning to a one room cabin anyway..just not on wheels. Your prayers got me through...I count them precious. |
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| January 11, 2009 |
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| Mike: I would love to see the Grand Canyon............amazing love, how can it be........that song came to my mind :) |
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| January 11, 2009 |
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| ME TOO. I'M ON MY WAY |
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| January 11, 2009 |
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| Hmmm.....I loved as least part of the post. The Grand Canyon, all of God's creation, makes me rise up and want to sing His song. Football....as a very despondent Colt's fan.....I don't know if I'm still believe in football.....Sorry Virginia, teh Superbowl is just a sad fragment of the imagination...it can't be real, can it? sigh......... |
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| January 11, 2009 |
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Funny how pictures (and your title) can make us think of songs, eh? Your beautiful photo reminded me of the Sunday School song of many years ago that I haven't heard since...the words are simple enough but the words have magnificent meaning. Deep and wide, Deep and wide There's a fountain flowing deep and wide. Deep and wide Deep and wide There's a fountain flowing deep and wide. Being kids, we were also taught actions to go with the words :-) Thanks for sharing a beautiful blog and triggering nice memories :-) |
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| January 11, 2009 |
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Penny, yes it is funny....completely unintended, but nice to see where the Spirit takes our posts when readers read in the Spirit. Great comment, thanks!
Oh Dennis, why did you have to fall for the Irsay's deceit! That team should not be called the Colts...that name, that horseshoe, those colors, those franchise records, they all belong in Baltimore, with their roots. (I deeply admire Unitas for refusing to follow to Indy.) Sorry for your pain!!
Terry...was GREAT seeing you! Should we visit you at NP, or just relish your visits to our place of worship? We may be due for lunch again next time!
CindyLou, another song.... I'll bet your voice is as good as Marcella's?
Juanita, they are yours whenever needed. Glad to hear you are feeling better, and elated to hear that you remain upbeat and determined! |
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| January 11, 2009 |
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God's love is amazing and way beyond words or understanding. I stand in awe when I think of His love for me. Nobody or nothing could ever love us as much as God.
theresa |
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| January 11, 2009 |
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"beyond words..."
Couldn't agree more, Theresa. I'm with you 100% sister! |
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| January 11, 2009 |
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Good thoughts Mike, Amen
I grew up about 45 miles from Niagara Falls and unless someone sees, and experiences the grandeur for themselves it is difficult to verbally explain it to them.
A lot like the way Jesus was explaining The Holy Spirit, you've got to experience for yourself.
As I was reading your blog Mike I had a thought of how 3 dimensional God's love is for us. It's not just on paper, it's not just in the Spirit realm, but it's in the nasty here and now in the physical realm right where we need it the most! Amen?
That verse from Eph. describes a 3 dimensional object. Our God's neat! |
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| January 11, 2009 |
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| God takes your breath away ~ He is an Awesome God; thanks for the great post Mike. |
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| January 11, 2009 |
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breath taking like God wonderous Love!!
I was rooting for the Titans ....but my team is Miami Dolphins
shoul dbe interesting to see who ends up in the super bowl!
Thanks for sharing Mike! God Bless you & your family! |
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| January 11, 2009 |
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God is so creative... just when we think we've seen the best of His work, He just WOW's us to bits.
I'm glad that you wrote; I was worried you might fallen in the pot. |
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| January 11, 2009 |
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Joey...lol! Been tough finding time lately (and I admit, motivation). But the Spirit continues to move in my heart. Donna, these are exciting football times! Thanks and blessings to you and yours too!! (sorry 'bout the Fins!) Teral, thanks sister. So glad you stopped by. That means the Spirit spoke to us both! Tom, those are very interesting thoughts! Yes, Niagara Falls is another place we could have pictured. I agree, it also needs to be experienced! |
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| January 11, 2009 |
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| I have been to the Grand aCanyon, and I agree that it is beyond comprehension how big it is unless you are actually there. Pictures do not do it justice. This is a great correlation to the love of God for us. As usual, splendid blog! |
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| January 11, 2009 |
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| Thanks Deb! It's hard to express the amazement, but ya just gotta try, you know? |
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| January 11, 2009 |
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I 'd like to relish the worship with You, Laura & kids.
I feel such a freedom of worship out of the "fishbowl"
when I'm there with you guys. Maybe NP later and
I'm ready for lunch. I had a Great time also. |
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| January 11, 2009 |
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| Terry, I really do understand exactly what you mean by "fishbowl", really I do. |
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| January 12, 2009 |
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| Did someone say fish???? |
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| January 12, 2009 |
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| Man of God thanks for the ministry work I love that. Dickson Uganda |
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| January 12, 2009 |
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3:17 And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 3:18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 3:19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge When I came to Christ, I guess you could say that Bill and Gloria Gaither, described my life in the song "He Gave Me Something Worth Living For." The words: life was shattered, hope was gone, crushing the Lord I bore. When out of the depths I cried Oh, Lord, give me something worth living for.
That morning I ask Jesus into my heart, recognizing that he died for me, asking forgiveness of my sins, and to take my life mold it, make it and use it.
The heighth and depth: He reached from heaven to the lowest depths of hell and made me a child of the King. how wide and long: he encircles all his saints from the day that they receive him as their Savior through out eternity.
Don't think you can get any wider, longer, higher or deeper.
In my soul I am shouting for Praise be to God, he'll soon be my coming King....................I am so homesick for heaven.
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| January 12, 2009 |
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Joey, fish? Terry did say "relish". lol Larry, powerful words! "He reached from heaven to the lowest depths of hell and made me a child of the King...he encircles all his saints from the day that they receive him as their Savior through out eternity." This is a wonderful way of describing the personal impact God's love had in your salvation! And "homesick for heaven" should be true for all saints who suffer or yearn Christ's full redemption! |
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| January 12, 2009 |
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| Doyle and Joyful...I have been singing Deep and Wide since you both referenced it, waking up singing it, in the shower, lol....stuck like superglue. ly |
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| January 13, 2009 |
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There are NO WORDS to describe HIS LOVE for us.. None that we can truly express and still comprehend. I am so overwhelmed, honored, priviledged to be counted as one of his own...
Thanks Mike |
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| January 13, 2009 |
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Beautiful Mike,
I grew up until about age eight in Phoenix. We would have sunrise services every Easter at the grand canyon. Yes it is something to behold. I have to totally concur with Larry... homesick for heaven.
Thanks |
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| January 13, 2009 |
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Reb, those services sound breathe-taking!
Mary, speechless like me, eh? :-) |
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| January 13, 2009 |
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| Isn't it sheer delight to lose oneself in thought over things so unimaginably beyond comprehension, such as God's love and grace? Sometimes as I worship or pray, I weep as I ask, how can it be? Loving God with all our mind must be something like this..... |
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| January 13, 2009 |
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Thanks Mike, it never ceases to amaze me how everything in God's Creation Worships Him in it's own way and represents His awesome majesty. |
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