Seth Godin calls this season "the dip". He is a very wise man in respect to dreams. Wait...he's just wise in general. End of story.
He also advises people who are producing that there needs to be a "ship" deadline. And it's easy to stand back and say he dreams with finesse and flavor, with dipping and shipping well. As a business-social media-writer-speaker-leader-guru, He is very successful in the dreams department.
That is part of my dream also, to be a social media-writer-speaker-leader-guru in this author-rich or bloggerific-dreamy world of mine. I'll leave the business part to you wonderful number crunchers out there. If you want to apply to be mine, send me an email at [email protected].
Jon Acuff reminds me of what I am awesome at...starting a dream.
Jeff Goins reminds me of what I am not so awesome at....finishing a dream.
Lysa Tuerkerst reminds me that I am inching towards imperfect progress in this dream.
God reminds me that I am a grace-starving girl in my dreams.
And right now that's about how I have been working my dreams.
I have looked in my very empty soul spots and tried to pigeon-hole myself into everyone else's niche. I'm really awesome at comparing, I have won many blue ribbons in that class. I've been comparing my dreams for a long time with a mile long list of published authors. Much longer than I would like to admit here.
I'm inspired by the best writers I know. But now as I let God fine-tune my skill, I'm letting Him inspire me and create His best writing voice. I gave my writing voice back to God.
I did something life-giving...I stopped comparing my words to those of others. A small thing that is benefiting in big ways and with a dream like this, I'm rolling up my sleeves and digging in.
Right now, in this pit of words, it's kind of gritty with the successes of others slapping me in the face. I want to be awesome this: writing my perspective of who God is, like words could ever encapsulate His greatness. Perhaps, I should just stick with what He's teaching me.
In these unknown days of faith, I am learning a new facade of God's language. Is it okay that I go a bit deeper to fully investigate what that means? Yes, ...but it's about to get harder. So hang on...
(That's me giving myself a little pep talk) Maybe you need a little pep talk too.
When you signed up for this day, your life, your dreams or your 2014 goals you probably thought it was going to look a little different didn't you? Isn't that always the wayof new beginnings ? We are disappointed first and then we have to back up and re-group and put a little muscle and hustle to the things we want in life.
We end up working hard on projects, finding out what you have really signed up for in the messy middle. But we ignore that it's going to get hard work when we are starting a dream. We are blinded by the work part and tend to just focus on the dream itself.
So are you ready to give in to your excuses or are you choosing to lean into your determination to make your dreams happen? How about that dreamy 100lb-lighter picture of you on the refrigerator, or that photo of you with a full head of hair and six-pack abs, or you before or after children.
Don't we love to fast-forward to the finish line of our dreams before we cross the start line? My heart is already there too.
Starting a dream or goal is easy, finishing them is hard.
Starting an exercise plan is easy, consistency in moving your body on rainy, lazy days is hard.
Starting an healthy eating plan is easy, but saying no to a bowl of chips on game day is hard.
Starting a reading plan to grow your faith is easy, letting the Bible teach you is hard.
I have found that when the going gets tough, I give up too easy. God didn't promise this was going to be easy, this step of faith that He called me to. God did promise that He would not leave me in my dream frustrated and stuck in the messy middle of it all.
So why wouldn't He bring a dream specifically for me where I'm going to need Him in a big way? Yes, it is hard work to trust, to have faith, to work on being the best Janelle I can be. But the Power that is alive in me is greater than the powers that are at work against me.
What kind of pride would I have to snub the Dream-giver the dream building process and think I can accomplish my own dreams on my own efforts?
How about I leave this business-social media-writer-speaker-leader-guru busyness to the One in charge of my dream in the first place? I'll just be over here in the corner, covered up with more words than I can handle, letting Him lift my head, and letting God show me His way in this dream of mine. I can write hard, obey hard, and leave the hard results to the One who gives me a lot of grace by the google-load to handle this hard dream process. This is not a sexy, popular, public place but the One who dreams of the Impossible already sees every place of imperfect progress, ship dates, and practice sessions of muscle and hustle.
1 Corinthians 9: 15-18 ~ "Still, I want it made clear that I’ve never gotten anything out of this for myself, and that I’m not writing now to get something. I’d rather die than give anyone ammunition to discredit me or impugn my motives. If I proclaim the Message, it’s not to get something out of it for myself. I’m compelled to do it, and doomed if I don’t! If this was my own idea of just another way to make a living, I’d expect some pay. But since it’s not my idea but something solemnly entrusted to me, why would I expect to get paid? So am I getting anything out of it? Yes, as a matter of fact: the pleasure of proclaiming the Message at no cost to you. "(MSG)
Sounds like a great plan to me. How do you handle your dreams?
He also advises people who are producing that there needs to be a "ship" deadline. And it's easy to stand back and say he dreams with finesse and flavor, with dipping and shipping well. As a business-social media-writer-speaker-leader-guru, He is very successful in the dreams department.
That is part of my dream also, to be a social media-writer-speaker-leader-guru in this author-rich or bloggerific-dreamy world of mine. I'll leave the business part to you wonderful number crunchers out there. If you want to apply to be mine, send me an email at [email protected].
Jon Acuff reminds me of what I am awesome at...starting a dream.
Jeff Goins reminds me of what I am not so awesome at....finishing a dream.
Lysa Tuerkerst reminds me that I am inching towards imperfect progress in this dream.
God reminds me that I am a grace-starving girl in my dreams.
And right now that's about how I have been working my dreams.
I have looked in my very empty soul spots and tried to pigeon-hole myself into everyone else's niche. I'm really awesome at comparing, I have won many blue ribbons in that class. I've been comparing my dreams for a long time with a mile long list of published authors. Much longer than I would like to admit here.
I'm inspired by the best writers I know. But now as I let God fine-tune my skill, I'm letting Him inspire me and create His best writing voice. I gave my writing voice back to God.
I did something life-giving...I stopped comparing my words to those of others. A small thing that is benefiting in big ways and with a dream like this, I'm rolling up my sleeves and digging in.
Right now, in this pit of words, it's kind of gritty with the successes of others slapping me in the face. I want to be awesome this: writing my perspective of who God is, like words could ever encapsulate His greatness. Perhaps, I should just stick with what He's teaching me.
In these unknown days of faith, I am learning a new facade of God's language. Is it okay that I go a bit deeper to fully investigate what that means? Yes, ...but it's about to get harder. So hang on...
(That's me giving myself a little pep talk) Maybe you need a little pep talk too.
When you signed up for this day, your life, your dreams or your 2014 goals you probably thought it was going to look a little different didn't you? Isn't that always the wayof new beginnings ? We are disappointed first and then we have to back up and re-group and put a little muscle and hustle to the things we want in life.
We end up working hard on projects, finding out what you have really signed up for in the messy middle. But we ignore that it's going to get hard work when we are starting a dream. We are blinded by the work part and tend to just focus on the dream itself.
So are you ready to give in to your excuses or are you choosing to lean into your determination to make your dreams happen? How about that dreamy 100lb-lighter picture of you on the refrigerator, or that photo of you with a full head of hair and six-pack abs, or you before or after children.
Don't we love to fast-forward to the finish line of our dreams before we cross the start line? My heart is already there too.
Starting a dream or goal is easy, finishing them is hard.
Starting an exercise plan is easy, consistency in moving your body on rainy, lazy days is hard.
Starting an healthy eating plan is easy, but saying no to a bowl of chips on game day is hard.
Starting a reading plan to grow your faith is easy, letting the Bible teach you is hard.
I have found that when the going gets tough, I give up too easy. God didn't promise this was going to be easy, this step of faith that He called me to. God did promise that He would not leave me in my dream frustrated and stuck in the messy middle of it all.
So why wouldn't He bring a dream specifically for me where I'm going to need Him in a big way? Yes, it is hard work to trust, to have faith, to work on being the best Janelle I can be. But the Power that is alive in me is greater than the powers that are at work against me.
What kind of pride would I have to snub the Dream-giver the dream building process and think I can accomplish my own dreams on my own efforts?
How about I leave this business-social media-writer-speaker-leader-guru busyness to the One in charge of my dream in the first place? I'll just be over here in the corner, covered up with more words than I can handle, letting Him lift my head, and letting God show me His way in this dream of mine. I can write hard, obey hard, and leave the hard results to the One who gives me a lot of grace by the google-load to handle this hard dream process. This is not a sexy, popular, public place but the One who dreams of the Impossible already sees every place of imperfect progress, ship dates, and practice sessions of muscle and hustle.
1 Corinthians 9: 15-18 ~ "Still, I want it made clear that I’ve never gotten anything out of this for myself, and that I’m not writing now to get something. I’d rather die than give anyone ammunition to discredit me or impugn my motives. If I proclaim the Message, it’s not to get something out of it for myself. I’m compelled to do it, and doomed if I don’t! If this was my own idea of just another way to make a living, I’d expect some pay. But since it’s not my idea but something solemnly entrusted to me, why would I expect to get paid? So am I getting anything out of it? Yes, as a matter of fact: the pleasure of proclaiming the Message at no cost to you. "(MSG)
Sounds like a great plan to me. How do you handle your dreams?
When your dreams take a serious dip
one year in one word
I decided one day, in 2012, to mark the forward year with one word.
I had such a hard time coming up with just one. But then I sought the One and God's word for me was...
Hope.
I resolved to learn everything about hope.
Everyday I prayed over the word hope. I prayed hope.
Daily, hope was on my mind. Hope was a part of my conversations with God.
Hope was spoken with Holy.
Holy hope was spoken to me.
....Holy Hope was spoken to me.
Can I just stop....tell you how much I adore how God works a word in our hearts?
By speaking hope, God defined hope in so many ways....by His character. Hope defined, spoken, shown, revealed, and assimilated into my life.
Hope matters and is endless.
Hope is my anchor. Hope speaks firm, secure. Hope begins and ends. Hope goes ahead of us, hope comes alongside, and is our rear guard. Hope surrounds. Hope is moving and active in my being.
Hope in a word is Jesus. Embrace Hope.
Jesus is the hope of this world, Jesus is hope. Hope is what this hopeless world needs.
Do you need some hope today? Did this year turn out like you thought it would?
Do you know that God hopes for you? God has high hopes for you, God has given us all the Hope we need. Hope is enough.
Hebrews 6:19 20a ~ "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sactuary behind the curtain, where Jesus who went before us has entered on our behalf."
Hope is a promise, God promises Hope. God keeps his promises, always forever.
Did you catch that? ... Hope is! We have....Hope. We have this hope as a steadfast, firm foundation, a secure footing. We have security, safety, rescue, and refuge. Hope is our safe place. Our hiding place, our place is hope. Hope has a place for us. Hope speaks life into our unspoken parts, it tethers our hearts to truth.
Hope saves. Hope is eternal.
Hope is born. Hope is with us.
From the storms of my heart to the shores of India, Africa, Louisiana and Canada...Brazil and Honduras...
....I have seen hope. Hope has no borders, and trust will always show you new faces of hope.
Hope wins. Hope frees slaves. Hope opens the eyes of the blind. Hope has opened the eyes of my soul.
Many things, many memories of this year are now apparent about hope. There is so much hope. And oh so many facets of hope. Hope remembers the goodness of God. Hope reminds me of Holy Hope. Hope gently teaches and is my treasure.
Hope....what a gift! Heavenly hope...
Hope answers prayers. Hope answers. Hope is the answer to this world.
Hope is the answer you are looking for today. I have seen so many depths of Hope.
If you don't know Jesus, please don't let another hopeless day pass without taking hope inside your heart. I honestly don't know how a person can live without hope. It's my lifeline, my anchor, my all, my hope.
Hope is Jesus, and something to hold high and holy. Hope is real, alive and active. Hope is something to cling to like a strong hold in your soul. Hope feeds. Hope heals.
Hope is my soul's source of strength. Hope is teaching me to soar, such beautiful hope.
Holy Hope.. it is now my heartbeat, as I hold dear, Hope's breath.
To know Hope personally click here.
Dear God...may we embrace Hope, deepen our hope. “An infinite God can give all of Himself to each of His children. He does not distribute Himself that each may have a part, but to each one He gives all of Himself as fully as if there were no others.” ― A.W. Tozer
I had such a hard time coming up with just one. But then I sought the One and God's word for me was...
Hope.
I resolved to learn everything about hope.
Everyday I prayed over the word hope. I prayed hope.
Daily, hope was on my mind. Hope was a part of my conversations with God.
Hope was spoken with Holy.
Holy hope was spoken to me.
....Holy Hope was spoken to me.
Can I just stop....tell you how much I adore how God works a word in our hearts?
By speaking hope, God defined hope in so many ways....by His character. Hope defined, spoken, shown, revealed, and assimilated into my life.
Hope matters and is endless.
Hope is my anchor. Hope speaks firm, secure. Hope begins and ends. Hope goes ahead of us, hope comes alongside, and is our rear guard. Hope surrounds. Hope is moving and active in my being.
Hope in a word is Jesus. Embrace Hope.
Jesus is the hope of this world, Jesus is hope. Hope is what this hopeless world needs.
Do you need some hope today? Did this year turn out like you thought it would?
Do you know that God hopes for you? God has high hopes for you, God has given us all the Hope we need. Hope is enough.
Hebrews 6:19 20a ~ "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sactuary behind the curtain, where Jesus who went before us has entered on our behalf."
Hope is a promise, God promises Hope. God keeps his promises, always forever.
Did you catch that? ... Hope is! We have....Hope. We have this hope as a steadfast, firm foundation, a secure footing. We have security, safety, rescue, and refuge. Hope is our safe place. Our hiding place, our place is hope. Hope has a place for us. Hope speaks life into our unspoken parts, it tethers our hearts to truth.
Hope saves. Hope is eternal.
Hope is born. Hope is with us.
From the storms of my heart to the shores of India, Africa, Louisiana and Canada...Brazil and Honduras...
....I have seen hope. Hope has no borders, and trust will always show you new faces of hope.
Hope wins. Hope frees slaves. Hope opens the eyes of the blind. Hope has opened the eyes of my soul.
Many things, many memories of this year are now apparent about hope. There is so much hope. And oh so many facets of hope. Hope remembers the goodness of God. Hope reminds me of Holy Hope. Hope gently teaches and is my treasure.
Hope....what a gift! Heavenly hope...
Hope answers prayers. Hope answers. Hope is the answer to this world.
Hope is the answer you are looking for today. I have seen so many depths of Hope.
If you don't know Jesus, please don't let another hopeless day pass without taking hope inside your heart. I honestly don't know how a person can live without hope. It's my lifeline, my anchor, my all, my hope.
Hope is Jesus, and something to hold high and holy. Hope is real, alive and active. Hope is something to cling to like a strong hold in your soul. Hope feeds. Hope heals.
Hope is my soul's source of strength. Hope is teaching me to soar, such beautiful hope.
Holy Hope.. it is now my heartbeat, as I hold dear, Hope's breath.
To know Hope personally click here.
Dear God...may we embrace Hope, deepen our hope. “An infinite God can give all of Himself to each of His children. He does not distribute Himself that each may have a part, but to each one He gives all of Himself as fully as if there were no others.” ― A.W. Tozer
"Since ancient times no one has heard no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait Him." Isaiah 64:4. He makes ALL things beautiful in His time. His best beautiful is worth the wait.
Where will you put Christmas this year?
You would have to be living in a cave or be a hermit on the mountains to not know that Christmas is upon us. Just check out Facebook and see the many varied ways you all have started your Christmas countdown.
I’m still looking for where I am going to put Christmas this year. Well, that is the Christmas tree. Every year I go through this process.
I face the space battle of where to put the tree. My daughter Lindsay asks me nearly every day if I have put up the tree yet. She is waiting for me to say yes, “It’s done.” It’s her rule, since her birthday is December 7th, that the Christmas tree must be put up and decorated before we celebrate her birthday. I don’t know how she got to write that rule in our family but she did.
It’s really her way of waiting for her birthday to arrive. That’s how she prioritizes the annual day of her life celebrated. Honestly we all look forward to that one day we too are celebrated, don’t we?
Celebrations…the days leading up to them seem so long… in the wait. We wait for the yearly celebrations, the annual Christmas work parties, the 5-10-15-year high school reunions, the family photos to land in our mailbox with all the amazing year’s events crammed in an 8.5 x 11 festive copied letter. We wait for news from the doctor’s diagnosis, the blood test to be positive or negative, we wait for the pain or cold medication to kick in, and we wait and watch the popcorn pop in the microwave.
We wait for a baby to arrive. We wait on and for just about everything. I waited in a line to save money on some Black Friday sales.
We don’t mind it seems, unless it’s the immediate answers that we demand of God.
….let’s talk about waiting.
How often do we get impatient when we have to wait on God? Have you ever found yourself wondering “when” in your prayers?
Ahem…well I have. And every time God answers, oh so gently, according to His loving character. He taps me on the shoulder reminding me that He invented time. All the minutes are His, so what are you waiting on God for?
This morning I read in Luke about a devoted man, Simeon, who waited his lifetime to see the face of his Savior. Wow….how he must have cried out to God so many times knowing that once he did see the promise of the Messiah King, he would die. He waited his entire life for one day, one event, one day anticipating and hoping to see the Promised King?
Consider his wait…he was old, he was “righteous and devout”, he was obedient, he showed up for service to the Lord every day. “He waited for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit, that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” ~ Luke 2:25-26
Simeon waited. He waited all of his life to see Jesus. He waited to hold the tiny King in his arms. He waited for that day with much anticipation.
What causes a man to wait all of his life for this one day of celebration?
He believed in the promise of the King. He believed Hope would come down and rescue the Israelites. He believed the writers of old who prophesied. He chained his faith to the only Hope that was believable. He believed in the promise. He believed in the consolation of the people who prayed.
According to theasarus.com consolation means relief or comfort. Simeon believed because the Holy Spirit, our Comforter, impressed upon his heart that Comfort was coming. Promises are believable when they come by way of holy messengers. God’s word is chock full of promises. And each and every one of them are believable. And worth waiting for.
So let’s talk about waiting…shall we?
All those days of waiting and wondering “when” were immediately erased when Simeon beheld the Promise in his arms. Simeon waited, the coming of our Savior. I would imagine he savored in the wait…his heart building with anticipation of Hope, coming to earth for a great celebration. A great birth.
So now, thinking of waiting for this Christmas celebration has a whole new perspective.
My prayer: Oh God, may these days of celebration bring the awakening of our souls, may we tarry in your Holiness, so that we can see the face of Jesus, His Holiness through the decorations, the gifts, the preparations, the specials, the decorated walls and pews…to see you Jesus, to behold you, to make room for you in our hearts and our homes. Awaken our hearts to make room for you.
Come Lord Jesus come, let us prepare Him room. May we wait well and with anticipation of Hope today and every day.
Desert Days
We all have specific seasons that we journey through. Mine seems to be one of dryness... like a desert. Have you ever felt that way?
From my prayer journal...
"I yearn for your answers God. You know my prayers, my hopes, dreams and desires. I long for Your promises to be complete. Sometimes the waiting period seems unbearable. God your will seems cloudy or unclear. The waiting seems excruciatingly endless."
Perhaps your desire is for your broken marriage to be restored, your rebellious teenager to return or a family member's health to be healed. Maybe you are waiting for the right person to be your soul mate. You wait. You pray. You wait some more.
The Bible is full of people who waited. Godly people like Abraham and Sarah waited. They had to wait till they were old to have their first child. Joseph was sold as a slave by his own brothers, only to end up in prison for years before his promise of authority became a reality in his life. Why did God make them wait? Why does God allow us to wait?
There can be long periods of waiting for us all in our different situations and circumstances. And in those waiting times our faith is put to the test. I know I get impatient and sometimes doubt. However, I am learning, that in the waiting, there is joy in this journey. Yes, it's possible to be happy in this waiting room we are in. While waiting I am learning more about who God is.
Ps. 119:123-124, "My eyes strain to see your deliverance, to see the truth of your promise fulfilled. I am your servant; deal with me in unfailing love, and teach me your principles."
One day in frustration I actually cried out loud to God..."I am out of prayers!" What I really meant was I am out of words. I have prayed circles around some of my concerns. I know that God has heard me, and as I dried my tears, my course of action was clear.
I must have blind faith in His time. My need to wait overrides my need to understand.My need to control takes a back seat to His omnipotence. My need to understand is overshadowed by His peace.My next step is illuminated as I surrender to full trust.My need to feel complete is waived as He weaves a beautiful tapestry.
As my eyes strain to see His promise, I have hope and joy as I wait to see His plans unfold. My raw dependence on His strength carries me through.
Dear God... perfect your faith in me no matter...how long it takes.
Have you had to wait on God for a specific answer to prayer? What did you learn in your waiting?
From my prayer journal...
"I yearn for your answers God. You know my prayers, my hopes, dreams and desires. I long for Your promises to be complete. Sometimes the waiting period seems unbearable. God your will seems cloudy or unclear. The waiting seems excruciatingly endless."
Perhaps your desire is for your broken marriage to be restored, your rebellious teenager to return or a family member's health to be healed. Maybe you are waiting for the right person to be your soul mate. You wait. You pray. You wait some more.
The Bible is full of people who waited. Godly people like Abraham and Sarah waited. They had to wait till they were old to have their first child. Joseph was sold as a slave by his own brothers, only to end up in prison for years before his promise of authority became a reality in his life. Why did God make them wait? Why does God allow us to wait?
There can be long periods of waiting for us all in our different situations and circumstances. And in those waiting times our faith is put to the test. I know I get impatient and sometimes doubt. However, I am learning, that in the waiting, there is joy in this journey. Yes, it's possible to be happy in this waiting room we are in. While waiting I am learning more about who God is.
Ps. 119:123-124, "My eyes strain to see your deliverance, to see the truth of your promise fulfilled. I am your servant; deal with me in unfailing love, and teach me your principles."
One day in frustration I actually cried out loud to God..."I am out of prayers!" What I really meant was I am out of words. I have prayed circles around some of my concerns. I know that God has heard me, and as I dried my tears, my course of action was clear.
I must have blind faith in His time. My need to wait overrides my need to understand.My need to control takes a back seat to His omnipotence. My need to understand is overshadowed by His peace.My next step is illuminated as I surrender to full trust.My need to feel complete is waived as He weaves a beautiful tapestry.
As my eyes strain to see His promise, I have hope and joy as I wait to see His plans unfold. My raw dependence on His strength carries me through.
Dear God... perfect your faith in me no matter...how long it takes.
Have you had to wait on God for a specific answer to prayer? What did you learn in your waiting?
You're Pretty Much My Favorite
I have been camping out in Psalm 139 lately
and today...
I am able to write the difference.
I can finally say with confidence that God's truth can change your forever.
You are loved. I am loved.
I am okay knowing that each one of these posts will not be perfect. I am not perfect, and can't think or write perfectly. That doesn't mean I am not striving for God's best here, but I am fine with not being perfect in front of you.
I understand that I can't be, and I am okay with that too.
I am great with uncovering and discovering who I am in Christ. He has grown that desire in me. As my faith grows, I can accept my imperfections, but also I am assured that I am "perfect" and beautiful in God's eyes.
Psalm 139 reminds me that I am loved completely. Not just loved because that I am made in God's image, but I was loved before I was even a tiny thought on God's mind. I like to think that God dreamed a little when He thought about making me. I like to imagine that God says...
"You're pretty much my favorite of all time in the history of ever."
Here's the life changing truth...He loves you like that too.
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful. I know that full well." Ps. 139:13-14
I am great with the idea of God dreaming of how He wanted to create. When I was a younger "beauty"....I didn't know how God felt about me. I certainly didn't think I was beautiful. I didn't do own my truth research and took on the opinion of others as my own. I fell into the comparison trap with my nameless imaginary childhood arch nemesis who was always skinnier, smarter and faster at making her bed than I was. I set myself up for failure because I couldn't be the perceived perfection I just knew God had expected of me. I had always felt like I couldn't or wouldn't measure up.
So today I am now able to write the difference. I am okay with the way that God, in His infinite wisdom, made me who I am because I am loved beyond measure and because God doesn't compare His children.
My loving Heavenly Father has reminded me of who I am.
I wear His name, I wear His beauty.
I am great with being an imperfect, forgiven daughter of the King. That still gives God many chances to perfect His work in me, but also it gives more opportunities to be romanced by the work of His Holy Spirit.
I am really okay with all of this lovely plan.
I know that I am His. I know...He's told me..often in Psalm 139.
When it comes to believing truth and as I open the pages of God's heart, I believe what He says in His love letter to me in Psalm 139.
Have you read Psalm 139 lately??
Stop reading this and read that.
Are you speechless yet?
and today...
I am able to write the difference.
I can finally say with confidence that God's truth can change your forever.
You are loved. I am loved.
I am okay knowing that each one of these posts will not be perfect. I am not perfect, and can't think or write perfectly. That doesn't mean I am not striving for God's best here, but I am fine with not being perfect in front of you.
I understand that I can't be, and I am okay with that too.
I am great with uncovering and discovering who I am in Christ. He has grown that desire in me. As my faith grows, I can accept my imperfections, but also I am assured that I am "perfect" and beautiful in God's eyes.
Psalm 139 reminds me that I am loved completely. Not just loved because that I am made in God's image, but I was loved before I was even a tiny thought on God's mind. I like to think that God dreamed a little when He thought about making me. I like to imagine that God says...
"You're pretty much my favorite of all time in the history of ever."
Here's the life changing truth...He loves you like that too.
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful. I know that full well." Ps. 139:13-14
I am great with the idea of God dreaming of how He wanted to create. When I was a younger "beauty"....I didn't know how God felt about me. I certainly didn't think I was beautiful. I didn't do own my truth research and took on the opinion of others as my own. I fell into the comparison trap with my nameless imaginary childhood arch nemesis who was always skinnier, smarter and faster at making her bed than I was. I set myself up for failure because I couldn't be the perceived perfection I just knew God had expected of me. I had always felt like I couldn't or wouldn't measure up.
So today I am now able to write the difference. I am okay with the way that God, in His infinite wisdom, made me who I am because I am loved beyond measure and because God doesn't compare His children.
My loving Heavenly Father has reminded me of who I am.
I wear His name, I wear His beauty.
I am great with being an imperfect, forgiven daughter of the King. That still gives God many chances to perfect His work in me, but also it gives more opportunities to be romanced by the work of His Holy Spirit.
I am really okay with all of this lovely plan.
I know that I am His. I know...He's told me..often in Psalm 139.
When it comes to believing truth and as I open the pages of God's heart, I believe what He says in His love letter to me in Psalm 139.
Have you read Psalm 139 lately??
Stop reading this and read that.
Are you speechless yet?
So Long....Good-bye!
Hello uninvited guest. It's been a while since you emerged. I actually thought you were gone. I had said goodbye to you a long time ago.
Since you have shown your raw face again, please don't make yourself at home. You can't stay.
Don't make yourself comfortable. You are not welcomed here anymore.
You see...once you came to live when I wasn't looking. You made quite a little nest in my heart. You took up residence. You anchored deep.
But you were not invited. You wedged your way in. And I don't like you.
Your words hurt. I have allowed you to say things that do damage.
Please.Stop.Go.
Please take your hater-aide somewhere else. Take away your spewing words that destroy.
Even though I can see my hand prints impressed in your frame, they will not call my name.
The fact that you will miss me is not enough to keep you near. You lie.
What has changed you ask? I got stuck in this truth.....
Psalm 139: 14 "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that fully well."
Listen to this....God created me and my inmost being. Verse 15 says that my frame, my being was not hidden from Him. God knew me when I was being formed in my mother's womb. He knew me as His before I was anything, before I was something, before I was formed, and beforeI was someone.
Before...when I was just a substance...God knew me.
So...knowing that...and understanding what this means makes all the difference.
You see....you big "ugly" stick... you like to slam my self-esteem with harm. Now, you will not have a presence here. Not in my heart or mind. Nope, not welcomed. No permits issued. I don't belong to you. I belong to God. I am His.
You have caused enough pain. It's time for new beginnings..for some heart repair to begin.
I am loved.
I am loved by the One who creates.
I am loved by the Only One who cared about me before I had breath.
I am fearfully and wonderfully made, I am wonderful!
I am loved by the One who knows a perfect love.
Hey Big Stick, cruelty and God's wonderful don't mix. And honestly I want all of God's wonderful I can get.
There is no room for you anymore. End of story...you big-stick-in-the-corner-of-my-mind that I have been carrying around for years to pulverize.
Good-bye. And so long. I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Here's some great news....so are you.
Since you have shown your raw face again, please don't make yourself at home. You can't stay.
Don't make yourself comfortable. You are not welcomed here anymore.
You see...once you came to live when I wasn't looking. You made quite a little nest in my heart. You took up residence. You anchored deep.
But you were not invited. You wedged your way in. And I don't like you.
Your words hurt. I have allowed you to say things that do damage.
Please.Stop.Go.
Please take your hater-aide somewhere else. Take away your spewing words that destroy.
Even though I can see my hand prints impressed in your frame, they will not call my name.
The fact that you will miss me is not enough to keep you near. You lie.
What has changed you ask? I got stuck in this truth.....
Psalm 139: 14 "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that fully well."
Listen to this....God created me and my inmost being. Verse 15 says that my frame, my being was not hidden from Him. God knew me when I was being formed in my mother's womb. He knew me as His before I was anything, before I was something, before I was formed, and beforeI was someone.
Before...when I was just a substance...God knew me.
So...knowing that...and understanding what this means makes all the difference.
You see....you big "ugly" stick... you like to slam my self-esteem with harm. Now, you will not have a presence here. Not in my heart or mind. Nope, not welcomed. No permits issued. I don't belong to you. I belong to God. I am His.
You have caused enough pain. It's time for new beginnings..for some heart repair to begin.
I am loved.
I am loved by the One who creates.
I am loved by the Only One who cared about me before I had breath.
I am fearfully and wonderfully made, I am wonderful!
I am loved by the One who knows a perfect love.
Hey Big Stick, cruelty and God's wonderful don't mix. And honestly I want all of God's wonderful I can get.
There is no room for you anymore. End of story...you big-stick-in-the-corner-of-my-mind that I have been carrying around for years to pulverize.
Good-bye. And so long. I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Here's some great news....so are you.
Can you meet me for coffee?
Will you do me a favor? Will you pour yourself a cup of hot coffee and rest? Will you take time to read my thoughts? I have collected some heart-filled journeys that God has brought me through this year. There was joy, lots of tears, but most of all a soft fall into the heart of God. I have been tenderly tucked into His grace. My soul has been stirred and I want to share with you...if you have time.
#10 Dinner for Two Please.
#9 A Walk To Remember.
#8 Whispers of Love.
#7 Why I Don't Wear Mascara.
#6 Lessons from a Salt Shaker.
#5 Waiting for....God.
#4 Two Weeks Notice.
#3 I'm Moving!
#2 Award Winning Year!
#1 A pile of dead frogs.
Thanks for coming. It means a lot to me that you took time for me. Please come back again soon!
The Rolled Stone
As I have been studying the story of Lazarus in John 11, I have to pause and take in this picture. The last several days were a numb blur for Mary and Martha. All their efforts of attending to Lazarus’ death bed had finally come to an end. It might have been a welcome relief after his passing; at last they had their answer to prayer. He was not suffering anymore. The next few days were filled with the arrangements, well-meaning visitors, and empty moments of lonely thoughts.
In their reality, the shock of being alone had not yet sunk in. That comes later once the last of the casseroles are gone. There was no time for sad feelings to penetrate just yet; it was time to say goodbye to Lazarus. What a daunting task, yet necessary. I imagine as friends gathered for a last time, the sisters felt they still had to be strong. Secretly I bet they were afraid they would “lose it” once they locked eyes with the tomb itself.
Among the crowd, the why questions had to be on the tip of their tongues and certainly at the top of everyone’s mind. “Why didn’t Jesus heal?”
Our lives are full of those same questions and yet we fall short of answers that make sense. In Mary and Martha’s painful loss, God’s power would be revealed, although doubt had already taken a foothold. As they drew near to the tomb, Jesus was again moved to tears. He then commanded Mary and Martha to take away the stone.
WHAT?
First of all, they were ladies….how could they move a grave stone? Second of all….what about the smell? Jesus is not concerned with either of those facts. He simply responds with
"Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”
I would imagine that if I had been standing before Jesus and just heard him call out for the stone to be removed, I would have said “huh? did you just say?” … And then asked for clarification. He was asking for access to their unbelieving hearts. Their stone barrier of unbelief had to be removed so that God’s glory would be seen. Obedience was required by the bereaved to allow Jesus access to the tomb. The sisters had to move past their grief and unbelief.
So the stone was rolled, Jesus looks up to thank God and He asks for the crowd to believe. He calls for Lazarus… and just like that….there was a dead man walking. Jaws dropped. Their hearts melted. They had experienced God’s power. They just witnessed life after death.
What strikes me about this is the faith that overcame the doubt. Jesus asked for the barrier of death to be removed, and Mary and Martha obeyed. Jesus used their pain-filled hearts to remove the one thing standing in the way of bringing back life. He could have easily moved the stone himself, but yet involved the sisters so their unbelieving hearts would be restored. And when the crowd thought it was the end of Lazarus’ story, God brought a miracle, and they too saw and believed.
The raising of Lazarus was a foretelling of what was ahead for Jesus. The prediction of power was displayed and death was overcome. Most missed it, but Mary and Martha were renewed in their “near death” experience. They didn’t let a stone get in the way of their healing.
God wants access to our stoney hearts well. There are corners that need to be cleaned, healing that needs to take place, faith restored and stones removed. With this death-back-to-life miracle, it gives us hope so that we too can overcome our unbelief.
In their reality, the shock of being alone had not yet sunk in. That comes later once the last of the casseroles are gone. There was no time for sad feelings to penetrate just yet; it was time to say goodbye to Lazarus. What a daunting task, yet necessary. I imagine as friends gathered for a last time, the sisters felt they still had to be strong. Secretly I bet they were afraid they would “lose it” once they locked eyes with the tomb itself.
Among the crowd, the why questions had to be on the tip of their tongues and certainly at the top of everyone’s mind. “Why didn’t Jesus heal?”
Our lives are full of those same questions and yet we fall short of answers that make sense. In Mary and Martha’s painful loss, God’s power would be revealed, although doubt had already taken a foothold. As they drew near to the tomb, Jesus was again moved to tears. He then commanded Mary and Martha to take away the stone.
WHAT?
First of all, they were ladies….how could they move a grave stone? Second of all….what about the smell? Jesus is not concerned with either of those facts. He simply responds with
"Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”
I would imagine that if I had been standing before Jesus and just heard him call out for the stone to be removed, I would have said “huh? did you just say?” … And then asked for clarification. He was asking for access to their unbelieving hearts. Their stone barrier of unbelief had to be removed so that God’s glory would be seen. Obedience was required by the bereaved to allow Jesus access to the tomb. The sisters had to move past their grief and unbelief.
So the stone was rolled, Jesus looks up to thank God and He asks for the crowd to believe. He calls for Lazarus… and just like that….there was a dead man walking. Jaws dropped. Their hearts melted. They had experienced God’s power. They just witnessed life after death.
What strikes me about this is the faith that overcame the doubt. Jesus asked for the barrier of death to be removed, and Mary and Martha obeyed. Jesus used their pain-filled hearts to remove the one thing standing in the way of bringing back life. He could have easily moved the stone himself, but yet involved the sisters so their unbelieving hearts would be restored. And when the crowd thought it was the end of Lazarus’ story, God brought a miracle, and they too saw and believed.
The raising of Lazarus was a foretelling of what was ahead for Jesus. The prediction of power was displayed and death was overcome. Most missed it, but Mary and Martha were renewed in their “near death” experience. They didn’t let a stone get in the way of their healing.
God wants access to our stoney hearts well. There are corners that need to be cleaned, healing that needs to take place, faith restored and stones removed. With this death-back-to-life miracle, it gives us hope so that we too can overcome our unbelief.
Your Numbers
Anyone who knows me knows that I am not a "numbers" person. You start talking numbers of any kind of mathematical equations and my eyes will glaze over and my mind will start drifting to the next thought or dream. I just don't compute well when crunching numbers. I don't like to analyze or study statistics either. Don't even mention the art of comparing number flow charts.
In the world of the social networks though numbers are important...people talk about how many friends they have on Facebook, friends that are really in numbers only. Let's be honest, you really don't know all those people. And on Twitter it's about who your followers are. I personally like the art of hash tags myself. #thatnevergetsold.
When it comes to blogs, I probably won't ever get mine to explode like Jon Acuff's. He must use some kind of NASA strategy or some new rocket science to take his multiple blogs into outer space by the numbers of followers and comments he has. I have problem comparing my beginning to his middle.
You know...we compare in a lot of areas of our lives don't we?
We compare our measurements to the skinny sizes hanging in the back of our closets. We compare our weights/losses with each other. We compare jobs by the size of our pay checks, stocks and bonds we have hidden away. We compare our numbers of influence. We compare the size of our yards and the square footage of our living spaces along with the biggest car in the multiple garages. We compare.Most times.. we think that those who succeed have the most, are the biggest. Those have to be God's favorites or that God loves them more. We compare blessings. Honestly, I don't think that God wants us to play in this numbers game. God didn't create us to be contestants for all these competitions. I do believe that God shows favor as we are changed by Him. But He knows we can't be the biggest, the richest, the smartest, the most popular blog writer with the most fans. He doesn't expect us to be perfect. He knows we can't be. Don't compare your uniqueness to your neighbors. Don't compare your mess to their assumed perfect picture. It's not about the numbers, or the biggest, or the best or the most.
It's about being. Being His.
In the world of the social networks though numbers are important...people talk about how many friends they have on Facebook, friends that are really in numbers only. Let's be honest, you really don't know all those people. And on Twitter it's about who your followers are. I personally like the art of hash tags myself. #thatnevergetsold.
When it comes to blogs, I probably won't ever get mine to explode like Jon Acuff's. He must use some kind of NASA strategy or some new rocket science to take his multiple blogs into outer space by the numbers of followers and comments he has. I have problem comparing my beginning to his middle.
You know...we compare in a lot of areas of our lives don't we?
We compare our measurements to the skinny sizes hanging in the back of our closets. We compare our weights/losses with each other. We compare jobs by the size of our pay checks, stocks and bonds we have hidden away. We compare our numbers of influence. We compare the size of our yards and the square footage of our living spaces along with the biggest car in the multiple garages. We compare.Most times.. we think that those who succeed have the most, are the biggest. Those have to be God's favorites or that God loves them more. We compare blessings. Honestly, I don't think that God wants us to play in this numbers game. God didn't create us to be contestants for all these competitions. I do believe that God shows favor as we are changed by Him. But He knows we can't be the biggest, the richest, the smartest, the most popular blog writer with the most fans. He doesn't expect us to be perfect. He knows we can't be. Don't compare your uniqueness to your neighbors. Don't compare your mess to their assumed perfect picture. It's not about the numbers, or the biggest, or the best or the most.
It's about being. Being His.
God's Waiting Room
Where are you? Why don’t you come? I don’t like waiting! Hurry up! AHHHH!!!!This real life scene hits replay a lot in my world. With me, there is usually a delay in leaving, getting to, and following through. So you could say I am always late. I try to be on time, but most times I fail. Here’s my conundrum … I hate to make people wait, yet, I am usually late.In John 11, the story of the death of Lazarus, it seems as if Jesus was late. Upon hearing that Lazarus was sick, Jesus stayed where he was for two more days. Mary and Martha had sent word that their brother was seriously ill. He was literally on death’s door, and they sought the only One who could help. When Jesus got the news he waited, he delayed.Can you picture what their wait would have been like? Mary and Martha, desperate for a medical miracle, sent for Jesus to come ASAP. They took turns sitting by Lazarus’ bedside. One would sit and the other would go outside the house and watch for their Master’s silhouette, secretly wishing, hoping and praying that Jesus would come.Please Jesus, come heal our brother......Read the rest here.
Shared Dwelling
I came across this verse in the Bible today. It stopped me in my tracks.
"Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food." ~ Romans 14:20
Wait.a.minute. (It seems as if you put periods in between words in a sentence it adds more emphasis). Dear God...was that written just for me?
When making changes towards a healthy body, I have to put into practice the know-how of making healthy choices in regards to food. You probably think this is all that I think about. For now...well, it's that huge in my mind. It's that big of a battle.My thoughts go to some pretty destructive places, so I have to build a mind defense against the attacks of the evil one. Being a slave to food is my area of weakness. I have to build my defense so that I will not panic and run to the first cupcake I see, thinking it's going to comfort me.
I want to obey God in the area of eating so that His "works" will not be destroyed. If I obey Him... I would feel better physically.
I would feel better about myself.
I would look better.
I would not have to wear tight clothing.
I would have better endurance and be stronger.
I would be an inspiration and encouragement to others.
I would be free from the addiction of food.
I would enjoy my moments with God more.
I would destroy the distraction of food being a comfort.
My faith would increase as His work is evidenced in my life.
I would be living a life designed by God to experience His best.
Why would I want to hinder or destroy the goodness that God has planned?
I don't. That is why I will only let my heart be a dwelling place for One.
Since the Holy Spirit dwells within me, then my heart is a shared dwelling place for Him and all things that I allow there. When I cram my coronary corners full of things other than God, I am hampering the work that He wants to do.God isn't done with my construction zone yet. There is a lot of work that needs to be done but through my obedience in the area of food, I am allowing His work to continue. Otherwise, I would be sharing a dwelling space with things that would destroy. And honestly, that chocolate chip cookie is just not not worth it.
What are some "works" God can do in your life if you are obedient to Him?
"Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food." ~ Romans 14:20
Wait.a.minute. (It seems as if you put periods in between words in a sentence it adds more emphasis). Dear God...was that written just for me?
When making changes towards a healthy body, I have to put into practice the know-how of making healthy choices in regards to food. You probably think this is all that I think about. For now...well, it's that huge in my mind. It's that big of a battle.My thoughts go to some pretty destructive places, so I have to build a mind defense against the attacks of the evil one. Being a slave to food is my area of weakness. I have to build my defense so that I will not panic and run to the first cupcake I see, thinking it's going to comfort me.
I want to obey God in the area of eating so that His "works" will not be destroyed. If I obey Him... I would feel better physically.
I would feel better about myself.
I would look better.
I would not have to wear tight clothing.
I would have better endurance and be stronger.
I would be an inspiration and encouragement to others.
I would be free from the addiction of food.
I would enjoy my moments with God more.
I would destroy the distraction of food being a comfort.
My faith would increase as His work is evidenced in my life.
I would be living a life designed by God to experience His best.
Why would I want to hinder or destroy the goodness that God has planned?
I don't. That is why I will only let my heart be a dwelling place for One.
Since the Holy Spirit dwells within me, then my heart is a shared dwelling place for Him and all things that I allow there. When I cram my coronary corners full of things other than God, I am hampering the work that He wants to do.God isn't done with my construction zone yet. There is a lot of work that needs to be done but through my obedience in the area of food, I am allowing His work to continue. Otherwise, I would be sharing a dwelling space with things that would destroy. And honestly, that chocolate chip cookie is just not not worth it.
What are some "works" God can do in your life if you are obedient to Him?
Playing Hide and Seek with God
Ever feel like you are playing a rousing game of hide and seek with God? I have. I tend to feel that way when I pray, and pray and then pray some more about certain life issues that are going on around me. I know that God hears my prayers though, I know He listens, I know He cares.
I have to quiet the evil one when he whispers in my ear that "God doesn't care." "This is the way your life will always be". I have to tell him "shhhhhh!". This just happened the other day in my head. If you took a long walk in my world you would understand. There are some things hidden here but believe me when I say, I have been struggling lately with a lot of broken things. Or maybe it really is like Brent says...that I am just feeling sorry for myself, sometimes I don't know.
There are a lot of problems that need fixing. There are a lot of things that can't be fixed, a lot of things that I am waiting to be fixed. What the issues are don't matter, it's the fact I am dealing with the broken. So when I pray to God to fix the brokenness inside and outside, it seems as if sometimes His silence is deafening. My natural tendency is to gravitate to the ridiculous lie that God doesn't care.
I know He does.
Sometimes I get frustrated and overwhelmed when I can't fix the raging wrongs that swirl. When I tell God about it, it's not showing a lack of faith or trust. It's an admittance that I can't fix. It's the way I surrender my will, my hurry-up-and-fix-this-broken-garage-now! timing, my messes in his lap. I can't fix like He can. When I hear nothing but crickets...I wonder.
I know He hears.
I can trust. God is faithful. Some days, it's all I can do just repeat those words in my head. When I seek God in the hard times, I always find that He is not far away. He's not playing hide and seek, He's close. He's there. Just wait and see...and count to ten.
Ps. 10:1 O Lord, why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide when I need you the most.
I have to quiet the evil one when he whispers in my ear that "God doesn't care." "This is the way your life will always be". I have to tell him "shhhhhh!". This just happened the other day in my head. If you took a long walk in my world you would understand. There are some things hidden here but believe me when I say, I have been struggling lately with a lot of broken things. Or maybe it really is like Brent says...that I am just feeling sorry for myself, sometimes I don't know.
There are a lot of problems that need fixing. There are a lot of things that can't be fixed, a lot of things that I am waiting to be fixed. What the issues are don't matter, it's the fact I am dealing with the broken. So when I pray to God to fix the brokenness inside and outside, it seems as if sometimes His silence is deafening. My natural tendency is to gravitate to the ridiculous lie that God doesn't care.
I know He does.
Sometimes I get frustrated and overwhelmed when I can't fix the raging wrongs that swirl. When I tell God about it, it's not showing a lack of faith or trust. It's an admittance that I can't fix. It's the way I surrender my will, my hurry-up-and-fix-this-broken-garage-now! timing, my messes in his lap. I can't fix like He can. When I hear nothing but crickets...I wonder.
I know He hears.
I can trust. God is faithful. Some days, it's all I can do just repeat those words in my head. When I seek God in the hard times, I always find that He is not far away. He's not playing hide and seek, He's close. He's there. Just wait and see...and count to ten.
Ps. 10:1 O Lord, why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide when I need you the most.
Quiet Constant
Everyone knows it doesn't take special skill to mow. Basically it just takes a person to sit on a riding mower and steer the mower around the perimeter of the yard. If you are like me, it involves pushing. If you have a self-propelled mower, you basically put your hands on the handle and follow along the perimeter of your outdoor space. It does takes constant vigilance to make sure the level of the blades of grass and weeds don't get too high. That's the way I tackle it. I find it easier to mow when it's not too high.
This is a task I do just about every week. It doesn't make me more of an expert because I do it often. Mowing doesn't take much skill. But I do have to show up and I have to make myself available to mow. I could ignore the grass, I could look the other way, I could let the weeds and pasture grass grow to the height of our 3' barbed wire fence. But because I want to make it easier for myself and since it the best plan of action to tame a wild pasture, it is a weekly constant entry on my "to-do" list.
While mowing this week, a constant came to mind....showing up for my quiet time. I get up an hour early most days to read and study God's word. If I told you what time it was, it would make you groan. It's early...only the stars and the moon are awake. I am not a morning person, but God has really grown this constant in my life. I have been consistent in this discipline and have grown to appreciate and love His written word. Of course...since it's so early....my quiet time smells good as coffee enhances my read.
I make myself available to God through his word. I have been past chapters of my life where I have looked the other way, ignored it and didn't read. Now when I don't make time for it...I miss this quiet constant. God has romanced my spirit and changed me to be more like Him. This constant doesn't make me an expert by any means, but it has spurred growth and granted forward faith to tackle the hard times, the good times, the God times in my life.
Everyone needs a constant. What's yours?
This is a task I do just about every week. It doesn't make me more of an expert because I do it often. Mowing doesn't take much skill. But I do have to show up and I have to make myself available to mow. I could ignore the grass, I could look the other way, I could let the weeds and pasture grass grow to the height of our 3' barbed wire fence. But because I want to make it easier for myself and since it the best plan of action to tame a wild pasture, it is a weekly constant entry on my "to-do" list.
While mowing this week, a constant came to mind....showing up for my quiet time. I get up an hour early most days to read and study God's word. If I told you what time it was, it would make you groan. It's early...only the stars and the moon are awake. I am not a morning person, but God has really grown this constant in my life. I have been consistent in this discipline and have grown to appreciate and love His written word. Of course...since it's so early....my quiet time smells good as coffee enhances my read.
I make myself available to God through his word. I have been past chapters of my life where I have looked the other way, ignored it and didn't read. Now when I don't make time for it...I miss this quiet constant. God has romanced my spirit and changed me to be more like Him. This constant doesn't make me an expert by any means, but it has spurred growth and granted forward faith to tackle the hard times, the good times, the God times in my life.
Everyone needs a constant. What's yours?
Lesson from the Salt Shaker
It was early morning, and I was fixing my coffee for my daily quite time. And there sat the salt shaker....out of place....again. I quickly picked it up, and said to myself...."If I have to move this one more time, I am going to snap!" I was about to slam the salt shaker into it's rightful place...when i was slammed by the Holy Spirit. "Hey....you miss the mark too". My arm stopped in mid air, holding the salt shaker in tact.
That was a holy moment over some spilled salt. I was upset about the salt shaker being a half-inch from my preferred place on the counter, when the Spirit reminded me that sometimes I am not in the right place with Him. Ouch, that jolted me more than the freshly brewed coffee.
I was reminded of my unawareness.
I was reminded of my constant imperfections.
I was reminded of my unkind intentions.
I must make my every word and action count, keeping Christ as my example and responding with the fruits of the Spirit.
All this from a salt shaker out of place. What is out of place in your life?
That was a holy moment over some spilled salt. I was upset about the salt shaker being a half-inch from my preferred place on the counter, when the Spirit reminded me that sometimes I am not in the right place with Him. Ouch, that jolted me more than the freshly brewed coffee.
I was reminded of my unawareness.
I was reminded of my constant imperfections.
I was reminded of my unkind intentions.
I must make my every word and action count, keeping Christ as my example and responding with the fruits of the Spirit.
All this from a salt shaker out of place. What is out of place in your life?
Romance of the Stone
From the corner of my eye, I saw it. It was sitting atop our table and I was immediately drawn to its beauty. The gift was wrapped with the most elegant of paper. If an inanimate object could whisper…this one would have…in the still of the morning.
I gazed upon the bow, it was perfect and flawless. The wrap was perfectly creased and crisp to present a visual charm that alerted my senses. “Dare I open it?”
Curious and cautious, I picked up the feather light package. I carefully untied the bow, it delicately cascaded into my lap. The removal of the paper was a gift in itself, as I touched the intricate patterns. It was so visually stimulating, read more here.
I gazed upon the bow, it was perfect and flawless. The wrap was perfectly creased and crisp to present a visual charm that alerted my senses. “Dare I open it?”
Curious and cautious, I picked up the feather light package. I carefully untied the bow, it delicately cascaded into my lap. The removal of the paper was a gift in itself, as I touched the intricate patterns. It was so visually stimulating, read more here.
Life Swirls
As I sit here and listen to the wind blowing so hard around our house, it reminds me of how life is such a swirl sometimes, at least it is at our house. The constant squeak of the loose tin flopping in the Oklahoma wind on our already-broken-down garage tells me there is repair needed outside as well as inside this joint. I often sigh at the work that needs to be done. I know that God often sighs at the work that needs to be done....in my heart.
Life swirls with life. Life circles with pain, sadness, darkness, happiness, joy, peace, good times, and bad times. I could go on and on about this. I have years of experience living these crazy life circles. I have given up on asking the "Why me?" question. Here's why...I know my Savior and He has the best in store for me....always. Even when it appears that everything in my current life circle is against me.
The swirling circles that surround me are for His purpose. The valleys, the hills, the crags, the precipices (oh yeah, that's a big word...look it up!) the cliffs, the smooth garden paths, the thin places, the thick places, and the silent and long journeys in the desert. All those are carefully crafted at the hand of my Savior.
Life is so hard to take right? Yes, it is, but one thing we can take away from these situations, circumstances and potential growth opportunities is that God is. God is our refuge. God is our salvation, God is our hope. This is what I cling to when life doesn't make sense. Read more....
Life swirls with life. Life circles with pain, sadness, darkness, happiness, joy, peace, good times, and bad times. I could go on and on about this. I have years of experience living these crazy life circles. I have given up on asking the "Why me?" question. Here's why...I know my Savior and He has the best in store for me....always. Even when it appears that everything in my current life circle is against me.
The swirling circles that surround me are for His purpose. The valleys, the hills, the crags, the precipices (oh yeah, that's a big word...look it up!) the cliffs, the smooth garden paths, the thin places, the thick places, and the silent and long journeys in the desert. All those are carefully crafted at the hand of my Savior.
Life is so hard to take right? Yes, it is, but one thing we can take away from these situations, circumstances and potential growth opportunities is that God is. God is our refuge. God is our salvation, God is our hope. This is what I cling to when life doesn't make sense. Read more....
Mission Trip Reflections
The Empty Manger
Look at this face. This is the innocent face of my grambaby Avery. I can't imagine my feelings knowing that one day...my world.... will be without him or his without me. Honestly those are not words I wanted to write.
In Matthew 26 - 28, the death and resurrection of Jesus is recorded. Jesus had a mother named Mary. She she gave birth to him on Christmas day. That was just a few months ago remember how you celebrated? Now....Jesus is dying on the cross and there are many that have come to satisfy their curiosity. One of those had to be his mother.
How would you handle this scene? Yes, I know she understood His purpose. From the day she conceived she knew the reason that she was with child. Matthew 1:21 "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people form their sins". But surely she didn't sign up for this kind of "saving". And how does she get past the fact that her own son is on the cross because of her own sin? Mary...did you know?
I am trying to wrap my mind around .....what she might have been thinking
In Matthew 26 - 28, the death and resurrection of Jesus is recorded. Jesus had a mother named Mary. She she gave birth to him on Christmas day. That was just a few months ago remember how you celebrated? Now....Jesus is dying on the cross and there are many that have come to satisfy their curiosity. One of those had to be his mother.
How would you handle this scene? Yes, I know she understood His purpose. From the day she conceived she knew the reason that she was with child. Matthew 1:21 "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people form their sins". But surely she didn't sign up for this kind of "saving". And how does she get past the fact that her own son is on the cross because of her own sin? Mary...did you know?
I am trying to wrap my mind around .....what she might have been thinking
Only In My Dreams
Lately I have been assuming that my prayers about my dream would never come true. I even went to the point of thinking I would just quit dreaming. I probably day dream a little about my dream. I pray that it is connected to God. I know the ability comes from Him, but yet the dream is not moving very fast.
When I am frustrated about the progress, God always brings to mind His reassurance that he has my dreams under His control. He cares about everything else in my life. He cares about my problems, He allows trials for me to pass through, and He also holds my dreams. He cares about your dreams too.
One of my constant prayers is "God, break my heart for the things that break yours." I know there are days, moments that I miss the mark. I am not perfect. Not only can God reveal himself through the difficult times, but also through the growing, uncomfortable times, plus the "someday" moments. The direct route to my dreams may not be so straight, but His journey, where I discover His heart, is part of my dream and prayers.
That means that I will be going to some hurting places, places on the front of His heart. Changing to His dreams in my heart, so that I am more in tune with His dreams is part of this process. That's okay, there are some corners that need to organized.
What are your "someday" dreams?
When I am frustrated about the progress, God always brings to mind His reassurance that he has my dreams under His control. He cares about everything else in my life. He cares about my problems, He allows trials for me to pass through, and He also holds my dreams. He cares about your dreams too.
One of my constant prayers is "God, break my heart for the things that break yours." I know there are days, moments that I miss the mark. I am not perfect. Not only can God reveal himself through the difficult times, but also through the growing, uncomfortable times, plus the "someday" moments. The direct route to my dreams may not be so straight, but His journey, where I discover His heart, is part of my dream and prayers.
That means that I will be going to some hurting places, places on the front of His heart. Changing to His dreams in my heart, so that I am more in tune with His dreams is part of this process. That's okay, there are some corners that need to organized.
What are your "someday" dreams?
My Best Good Friday
The ladies hurried in and started removing items one by one. The lights were dim in the room that brought a quiet solitude. Everyone was reverently sitting and watching. One by one the candles disappeared, the flowers were next, then the cross that was centered on the veiled stone altar. In only a few minutes, nothing was left but the stark reality of masonry. As the decorations were being stripped from their normal resting place, it was in that moment I realized I needed Jesus.
I grew up in a Christian home. In fact, my parents were Christians and did their best to raise me in the church. Every time the church doors were open, we were there. Not on the front row but our family definitely had a pew that was ours. I grew up knowing the stories and the wonders of Jesus and that he died for the sins of the world. I knew that. I had been to Sunday School and had heard many sermons on that subject. Yes, I was a Christian. So I thought. Once married I went with my husband to church membership classes. I knew our church religious practices very well. Read on......
I grew up in a Christian home. In fact, my parents were Christians and did their best to raise me in the church. Every time the church doors were open, we were there. Not on the front row but our family definitely had a pew that was ours. I grew up knowing the stories and the wonders of Jesus and that he died for the sins of the world. I knew that. I had been to Sunday School and had heard many sermons on that subject. Yes, I was a Christian. So I thought. Once married I went with my husband to church membership classes. I knew our church religious practices very well. Read on......
My Paper Heart
Priority prayers. As I am praying for God's best in my life, I am noticing that how sensitive I am to the broken and the hurting. But I have been praying for that. God's heart has flooded mine with compassion. It is one of my core values. And God has placed that value on my heart as priority one.
Touch needed. So when I see someone hurting I sense that they need a touch of God. I know because I have been there. I have been to the lonely places, silent seasons of where God leads. I have been through the awkward pauses of faith, and stumbles in my journey. And even though they are very painful, it's there that I have learned what pain is. And it's there that I have found that a touch of God mends. His grace and mercy is like a balm on my deeply scarred emotions. Like duct tape on thin piece of tissue paper, He has given me the seasons of pain so that I can understand Him. Through that gift, He has drawn me closer to Him and multiplied it with the awareness to see hurting hearts.
Heart hurts. Basically everyone, yes even you, needs a touch of God. We all need a touch of healing. A healing of emotions, of something physical or mental, or an issue of a spiritual nature. We are all sinners and struggle with some area of faith at one time or another. And know this that your brother, sister , co-worker, mom, dad, son, daughter, pastor, neighbors, and strangers....everyone you meet needs a touch too. We live in a broken and fallen world so because of our individual circumstances and the lives that we live in a sinful world....there will be some kind of pain and heartache. As long as we are on this side of Heaven, we will need.
Encourage someone today. Show compassion.
Touch needed. So when I see someone hurting I sense that they need a touch of God. I know because I have been there. I have been to the lonely places, silent seasons of where God leads. I have been through the awkward pauses of faith, and stumbles in my journey. And even though they are very painful, it's there that I have learned what pain is. And it's there that I have found that a touch of God mends. His grace and mercy is like a balm on my deeply scarred emotions. Like duct tape on thin piece of tissue paper, He has given me the seasons of pain so that I can understand Him. Through that gift, He has drawn me closer to Him and multiplied it with the awareness to see hurting hearts.
Heart hurts. Basically everyone, yes even you, needs a touch of God. We all need a touch of healing. A healing of emotions, of something physical or mental, or an issue of a spiritual nature. We are all sinners and struggle with some area of faith at one time or another. And know this that your brother, sister , co-worker, mom, dad, son, daughter, pastor, neighbors, and strangers....everyone you meet needs a touch too. We live in a broken and fallen world so because of our individual circumstances and the lives that we live in a sinful world....there will be some kind of pain and heartache. As long as we are on this side of Heaven, we will need.
Encourage someone today. Show compassion.
The Last Night Out
It was his last time to hang out with the guys. Jesus had a long week. He just wanted to kick back. The next few days were going to be killer.
The Passover. The traditional meal included a sacrificed lamb. Peter and John had to buy a lamb, prepare it,along with the unleavened bread, herbs, wine, and other ceremonial foods. The invitation list only had twelve names, those of his most intimate, inner circle of friends. The emphasis was on remembering.
He predicts. The very Promised Messiah was there among them. Yet they were celebrating the coming of the Messiah. You are probably familiar to the red threads that are recorded surrounding the last supper with Jesus and his disciples. You can read it for yourself in each one of the gospels. The most remarkable thing I think about this whole dinner scene is that Jesus knows their thoughts, their future actions. He's telling them that He is going to die for them. He knows who is going to betray, who is going to deny, who will fall asleep, who will doubt and who will fall away. Again his heart is breaking.
He doesn't retreat. Read more...
The Passover. The traditional meal included a sacrificed lamb. Peter and John had to buy a lamb, prepare it,along with the unleavened bread, herbs, wine, and other ceremonial foods. The invitation list only had twelve names, those of his most intimate, inner circle of friends. The emphasis was on remembering.
He predicts. The very Promised Messiah was there among them. Yet they were celebrating the coming of the Messiah. You are probably familiar to the red threads that are recorded surrounding the last supper with Jesus and his disciples. You can read it for yourself in each one of the gospels. The most remarkable thing I think about this whole dinner scene is that Jesus knows their thoughts, their future actions. He's telling them that He is going to die for them. He knows who is going to betray, who is going to deny, who will fall asleep, who will doubt and who will fall away. Again his heart is breaking.
He doesn't retreat. Read more...
Sun Stand Still
Let's get to it. Steven Furtick's message with the Sun Stand Still books is powerful.You can watch his message here. The message is based on his book Sun Stand Still and speaks on these verses: "O sun, stand still over Gibeon, O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon. So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the nation avenge itself on its enemies" - Joshua 10:12." I have read the book, and I couldn't put it down. Amazing!!
God listened. Joshua prayed the impossible, the miraculous, and God delivered. It is possible in the life of those who follow Jesus today to pray a big prayer like this. His message was encouraging in how to pray more bold in our faith, to place the impossible needs at the feet of Jesus and ask in confidence, and know our prayer is heard and that God will act on our behalf.
For some of us, we need to take look at how we approach prayer, and our basics of faith......., Read what God did.
God listened. Joshua prayed the impossible, the miraculous, and God delivered. It is possible in the life of those who follow Jesus today to pray a big prayer like this. His message was encouraging in how to pray more bold in our faith, to place the impossible needs at the feet of Jesus and ask in confidence, and know our prayer is heard and that God will act on our behalf.
For some of us, we need to take look at how we approach prayer, and our basics of faith......., Read what God did.
Two Weeks Notice
There is a book by Steven Furtick, entitled Sun Stand Still.This weekend I heard him preach a message from his book. Very powerful. Wow....that blog coming next.
I have lived a Sun Stand Still prayer. Here's what happened recently. About 3 weeks ago, we got news that the type of cancer my husband survived 17 years ago, was potentially a genetic cancer that now would affect our children. Why didn't we know this 17 years ago?.....
If negative, then it was over. Read the rest of the story....
I have lived a Sun Stand Still prayer. Here's what happened recently. About 3 weeks ago, we got news that the type of cancer my husband survived 17 years ago, was potentially a genetic cancer that now would affect our children. Why didn't we know this 17 years ago?.....
If negative, then it was over. Read the rest of the story....
Prayer Bundles
God answers prayers but He often interprets our
prayers in strange ways. I say strange because His answers or resolutions are
sometimes in ways that we wouldn't expect or recognize. Most times it is not
what I expected at all. Like an unexpected package that arrives
"out-of-the-blue". Have you ever had an answer to a prayer doesn't
look like what you prayed for? When I pray for patience,.... Read more here....
A Better Resting Place
There is a small locally owned motel in my town that has this slogan on their sign, "A Better Resting Place". I chuckle every morning as I pass by because also on the sign is the word budget. It's called Budget Inn Motel. Something about the combination of the words used on the sign makes me think twice about staying there...motel + budget + it-has-been-there-since-the-dawn-of- time makes me think that it might be a little on the economical side of the travel lodging. What strikes me is their slogan. Some how I doubt rest is found there. I imagine the beds to be really hard or so soft that you automatically roll to the middle of the mattress.
A better resting place is needed in this crazy mixed up world we live in. With our everyday challenges and schedules, life can feel like ride in an amusement park. It's often been described as merry-go-round or a roller coaster. If you are like me you are looking for a little "normal" in the day to day things. Something calm and peaceful. Believe me when everything falls apart and when it doesn't....we need a better resting place.
I like to think about my Heavenly Father's lap as that resting place. A place where I can kick off my shoes, sit back and let out a big sigh and talk till my heart's cry is heard. It's a beautiful and quiet place, a place where I am held safely in His loving arms. He leans over and listens, I sit still and "know that He is God." My words are measured but His love, mercy, grace, and comfort are unlimited. His lap is always accessible and has plenty of room. When I seek His resting place it seems as if the whole world fades away. I like to spend a lot of time there. And once I come away from His lap.... well.... I feel rested. Ps. 62:5 "Yes, my, soul, find rest in God; my hopes come from him. "
Seek your Better Resting Place today.
A better resting place is needed in this crazy mixed up world we live in. With our everyday challenges and schedules, life can feel like ride in an amusement park. It's often been described as merry-go-round or a roller coaster. If you are like me you are looking for a little "normal" in the day to day things. Something calm and peaceful. Believe me when everything falls apart and when it doesn't....we need a better resting place.
I like to think about my Heavenly Father's lap as that resting place. A place where I can kick off my shoes, sit back and let out a big sigh and talk till my heart's cry is heard. It's a beautiful and quiet place, a place where I am held safely in His loving arms. He leans over and listens, I sit still and "know that He is God." My words are measured but His love, mercy, grace, and comfort are unlimited. His lap is always accessible and has plenty of room. When I seek His resting place it seems as if the whole world fades away. I like to spend a lot of time there. And once I come away from His lap.... well.... I feel rested. Ps. 62:5 "Yes, my, soul, find rest in God; my hopes come from him. "
Seek your Better Resting Place today.
Dead Frogs
You may be familiar with the stories in Exodus when Moses was called by God to lead the Israelites out of slavery from Egypt. I have read the stories many times myself, learned them in Sunday School and in sermon messages. But today when I read about the plague of the frogs, something jumped off the Old Testament pages.
For the record, I don't think that all the facts were shared in those 30 minute Sunday School lessons. God had given Moses the directive to go to Pharaoh and ask for freedom for the Israelites. God had already given Pharaoh a hard heart after the plague of blood. Now Moses brings the news of a frog invasion. God tried to warn Pharaoh of the seriousness of it all saying, "I will plague your whole country with frogs." Pretty sure Pharaoh wasn't taking notes. If I had a warning like that I would sit up and take notice.
Moses stretched out his staff and the frogs hopped on the scene. It was as God warned. They landed in the palace, in the houses, in the beds, in the clean clothes, in the kitchen, in the pans, in the soup bowls and bread baskets. Egypt had gone to the frogs. Besides mice, second on my most hated list of vermin are frogs. Some people eat them, I would never. With that gross slimy skin...who could??? Not to mention the foam that results from them being eaten. Now that is an appetite stealer. I once saw our dog Sophie chomp on a fresh frog and gross frog foam oozed out of her mouth.
God compassionately relented when Moses pleaded for the frogs to go away. Exodus 8:13-14, "The frogs died in the houses, in the courtyards and in the fields. They were piled into heaps, and the land reeked of them." There are a few things worse than frogs... EXCEPT heaping piles of DEAD frogs...everywhere.
Imagine the stench. How bad would a heaping pile of dead frogs smell? Do you think it was someones job to pick up all the dead frogs? Were there so many, that one had to walk around the piles of decomposing amphibian carcasses? Did Egyptian life resume around the piles of dead frogs?
Sin can be like the piles of "dead frogs". We allow the "dead frogs" and are quite comfortable with the heaps. Piles of fear, pride, bitterness, lust, anger, or disobedience. Whatever our dead frogs are....they are causing a stench. Maybe you aren't aware.... but those frogs....are there. I challenge you to take prayerful look. Here's the good news though....God is ready with HIS clean up crew.
For the record, I don't think that all the facts were shared in those 30 minute Sunday School lessons. God had given Moses the directive to go to Pharaoh and ask for freedom for the Israelites. God had already given Pharaoh a hard heart after the plague of blood. Now Moses brings the news of a frog invasion. God tried to warn Pharaoh of the seriousness of it all saying, "I will plague your whole country with frogs." Pretty sure Pharaoh wasn't taking notes. If I had a warning like that I would sit up and take notice.
Moses stretched out his staff and the frogs hopped on the scene. It was as God warned. They landed in the palace, in the houses, in the beds, in the clean clothes, in the kitchen, in the pans, in the soup bowls and bread baskets. Egypt had gone to the frogs. Besides mice, second on my most hated list of vermin are frogs. Some people eat them, I would never. With that gross slimy skin...who could??? Not to mention the foam that results from them being eaten. Now that is an appetite stealer. I once saw our dog Sophie chomp on a fresh frog and gross frog foam oozed out of her mouth.
God compassionately relented when Moses pleaded for the frogs to go away. Exodus 8:13-14, "The frogs died in the houses, in the courtyards and in the fields. They were piled into heaps, and the land reeked of them." There are a few things worse than frogs... EXCEPT heaping piles of DEAD frogs...everywhere.
Imagine the stench. How bad would a heaping pile of dead frogs smell? Do you think it was someones job to pick up all the dead frogs? Were there so many, that one had to walk around the piles of decomposing amphibian carcasses? Did Egyptian life resume around the piles of dead frogs?
Sin can be like the piles of "dead frogs". We allow the "dead frogs" and are quite comfortable with the heaps. Piles of fear, pride, bitterness, lust, anger, or disobedience. Whatever our dead frogs are....they are causing a stench. Maybe you aren't aware.... but those frogs....are there. I challenge you to take prayerful look. Here's the good news though....God is ready with HIS clean up crew.
And the winner is??
Ladies and Gentlemen....the envelope please....for the high honor....of losing... 100lbs and keeping it off for an entire year is????? The winner (drum roll please) ...ME!! Nope I wasn't at the Golden Globes nor did I walk the red carpet. BUT I really should get an award.
I am very proud of my accomplishment. Four years ago I began a most important journey. I didn't think I would end up here. I had given up. I had swallowed the "Maybe-I-will-always-be-this-way-because-that-is-the-way-God-created-me." Yup, that was me weighing in at a whopping ???? Now you really don't think I am going to tell you my weight do you?? I was a size 2XL +. And miserable. Read more...
I am very proud of my accomplishment. Four years ago I began a most important journey. I didn't think I would end up here. I had given up. I had swallowed the "Maybe-I-will-always-be-this-way-because-that-is-the-way-God-created-me." Yup, that was me weighing in at a whopping ???? Now you really don't think I am going to tell you my weight do you?? I was a size 2XL +. And miserable. Read more...
Straining to See
This is my view from Denver, CO. I call it my Inspiration point. Every time I look out the window, I gaze upon God's beautiful creation. My eyes go from the contrast of the man-made downtown high rises to the God-made majestic mountain tops. I strain to see the very top of the peak. Every time I see this picturesque panorama, I am filled with awe. It's a vivid display of God's handiwork.
I love the mountains. They speak wonder. A lot of days you can't see the summit, because the clouds are nestled on the peaks. Or it's snowing there and the tops are clothed in a dense shroud of misty fog. But even on those cloudy days when the view is unclear, I still strain to see, imagining how it looks. Every time this view inspires me.
Have you ever strained to see God's deliverance in your life? I know I yearn for God's answers to my prayers filled with hopes, dreams and desires. I long for His promises to be fulfilled. Sometimes the waiting period seems unbearable doesn't it? God's will seems cloudy or unclear. The waiting seems endless. Perhaps your desire is for your marriage to be healed, your rebellious teenager to return to God or a family member's health to be restored. Maybe you are waiting for "Mr. Right". You wait. You pray. You wait some more.
The Bible is full of people who waited. Godly people like Abraham and Sarah. They had to wait till they were old to have their first child. Joseph was sold as a slave by his own brothers, only to end up in prison for years before his promise of authority became a reality in his life. Why did God make them wait? Why does God allow us to wait?
There can be long periods of waiting for us all in our different situations and circumstances. And in those waiting times our faith is put to the test. I know I get impatient and sometimes doubt. However, I am learning, that in the waiting, it can be a journey. Yes, I am still waiting for resolutions, but while I am waiting I am learning more about God's character.
Ps. 119:123-124, "My eyes strain to see your deliverance, to see the truth of your promise fulfilled. I am your servant; deal with me in unfailing love, and teach me your principles."
There are lessons to be learned as we journey through trials. Some more valuable than the very answers we're praying for. In life, in trials like this, God's character is revealed. We can trust God to answer in His best time. As my eyes strain to see His deliverance, I hope to see His promises fulfilled. His strength carries me when I am weak as He reveals more about Himself.
What are you waiting on God for?
I love the mountains. They speak wonder. A lot of days you can't see the summit, because the clouds are nestled on the peaks. Or it's snowing there and the tops are clothed in a dense shroud of misty fog. But even on those cloudy days when the view is unclear, I still strain to see, imagining how it looks. Every time this view inspires me.
Have you ever strained to see God's deliverance in your life? I know I yearn for God's answers to my prayers filled with hopes, dreams and desires. I long for His promises to be fulfilled. Sometimes the waiting period seems unbearable doesn't it? God's will seems cloudy or unclear. The waiting seems endless. Perhaps your desire is for your marriage to be healed, your rebellious teenager to return to God or a family member's health to be restored. Maybe you are waiting for "Mr. Right". You wait. You pray. You wait some more.
The Bible is full of people who waited. Godly people like Abraham and Sarah. They had to wait till they were old to have their first child. Joseph was sold as a slave by his own brothers, only to end up in prison for years before his promise of authority became a reality in his life. Why did God make them wait? Why does God allow us to wait?
There can be long periods of waiting for us all in our different situations and circumstances. And in those waiting times our faith is put to the test. I know I get impatient and sometimes doubt. However, I am learning, that in the waiting, it can be a journey. Yes, I am still waiting for resolutions, but while I am waiting I am learning more about God's character.
Ps. 119:123-124, "My eyes strain to see your deliverance, to see the truth of your promise fulfilled. I am your servant; deal with me in unfailing love, and teach me your principles."
There are lessons to be learned as we journey through trials. Some more valuable than the very answers we're praying for. In life, in trials like this, God's character is revealed. We can trust God to answer in His best time. As my eyes strain to see His deliverance, I hope to see His promises fulfilled. His strength carries me when I am weak as He reveals more about Himself.
What are you waiting on God for?
I don't wear mascara because I can cry at the drop of a hat. Like as long as it takes you to snap your fingers...yup.... just like that. Brent thinks I should end it right here. Some say my tears are blessing. I say they are a burden.
My burden is a heart condition for the lost. That's a whole new post. Today I have tears of regret. This morning I remembered a hard time in my life that has left me with regret. Years ago, my brother-in-law committed suicide. Here come the tears...seriously. It was a bad situation with a lot of details that don't matter now. The point is he's gone. We believe he is in Heaven.
He chose to end to his life. This is difficult to right. You see, he had a family that loved him. He even had a new baby on the way. He made a choice on what he thought was reasonable at the time. My only conclusion is that he felt or believed that his choice didn't matter. That he didn't matter. This is difficult to write.
This brings me to tears because I have regret. Did he really believe that he didn't matter? I don't know. That fact that I don't know breaks my heart. Didn't anyone tell him that he was loved? I wish I could now. Did he understand that he was made in God's image? Did he know that he was a gift, that he mattered?
Here's your charge for today, tomorrow and the rest of your life here on earth. You matter. Others matter. Tell them. Don't live with the regret of not saying it, I love you...you matter.
My burden is a heart condition for the lost. That's a whole new post. Today I have tears of regret. This morning I remembered a hard time in my life that has left me with regret. Years ago, my brother-in-law committed suicide. Here come the tears...seriously. It was a bad situation with a lot of details that don't matter now. The point is he's gone. We believe he is in Heaven.
He chose to end to his life. This is difficult to right. You see, he had a family that loved him. He even had a new baby on the way. He made a choice on what he thought was reasonable at the time. My only conclusion is that he felt or believed that his choice didn't matter. That he didn't matter. This is difficult to write.
This brings me to tears because I have regret. Did he really believe that he didn't matter? I don't know. That fact that I don't know breaks my heart. Didn't anyone tell him that he was loved? I wish I could now. Did he understand that he was made in God's image? Did he know that he was a gift, that he mattered?
Here's your charge for today, tomorrow and the rest of your life here on earth. You matter. Others matter. Tell them. Don't live with the regret of not saying it, I love you...you matter.
My Top 10 of 2010
This is the day that you can find a list about everything....the good, the bad, all-things-2010.
Here's my TOP 10 Blogs of 2010:
1. There Will Be a Day.
2. Travel Log #1.
3. Mowing is My Spiritual Gift.
4. My Life As A Revolutionary.
5. This Is For Those Who Wait.
6. Progress.
7. Directionally Challenged.
8. My Own Little World.
9. Meet Baby Avery.
And perhaps the most life changing, impacting post/event for me was....
10. Are You Rich?
Now these were MY top 10 posts...they didn't get a lot of comments, they are not popular...but they are MY favorites.
You agree? If not let me know what post impacted you the most.
Here's my TOP 10 Blogs of 2010:
1. There Will Be a Day.
2. Travel Log #1.
3. Mowing is My Spiritual Gift.
4. My Life As A Revolutionary.
5. This Is For Those Who Wait.
6. Progress.
7. Directionally Challenged.
8. My Own Little World.
9. Meet Baby Avery.
And perhaps the most life changing, impacting post/event for me was....
10. Are You Rich?
Now these were MY top 10 posts...they didn't get a lot of comments, they are not popular...but they are MY favorites.
You agree? If not let me know what post impacted you the most.
It's Christmastime!!
Through my thorough research and ponderings of what Christmas means to me this year I came up with these conclusions. (Confirmed by the message I heard in church too!) Basically it comes down to one word....Worship.
Our posture at Christmas and really every day of the year should be one of worship. It's our gift back to the Savior of the world. Mary worshiped when she obey and said "May it be as you have said". Simple obedience, simple worship. Joseph worshiped with obedience by not taking matters into his own hands, following through with the marriage to Mary, and being a father. Obedience is worship. The shepherds heard the good news, went to the manager and worshiped Christ the Lord. The wise men who traveled far to see the baby Jesus, fell down in worship. What a wonderful worshipful moment that must have been.
Angels constantly worship Him. They know the joy of His presence. God comes near to us this Christmas. He comes to us everyday. Our response? Should be one of worship. We worship with our actions, our words and our love. We give it back to Our Creator, our Sustainer, Our Savior.
We worship for who He is and what He has done. He loves us, offers us His grace freely, and saves believers from eternal life in Hell. What a Savior, who does that? We worship God with our lifestyle. Today on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and everyday our gift to Him is simple worship, simple obedience. We worship Him also for what He is going to do in the future. Worship forward for the next day, the next year 2011, and the next situation...what ever difficult time you are going through in your life. Worship Him for the journey ahead. It is full of joy with blessings. Worship = our love back to Him. Worship.
At Christmastime there is so much to do - with family, presents, to-do lists - that one gets distracted from the real purpose of Christmas. God is just as worthy of glory and honor and power today as He will be on that great day when we meet Him in Heaven. Today, put it all aside and take time to worship our Lord, the Savior of the world. It's Christmas!!
Our posture at Christmas and really every day of the year should be one of worship. It's our gift back to the Savior of the world. Mary worshiped when she obey and said "May it be as you have said". Simple obedience, simple worship. Joseph worshiped with obedience by not taking matters into his own hands, following through with the marriage to Mary, and being a father. Obedience is worship. The shepherds heard the good news, went to the manager and worshiped Christ the Lord. The wise men who traveled far to see the baby Jesus, fell down in worship. What a wonderful worshipful moment that must have been.
Angels constantly worship Him. They know the joy of His presence. God comes near to us this Christmas. He comes to us everyday. Our response? Should be one of worship. We worship with our actions, our words and our love. We give it back to Our Creator, our Sustainer, Our Savior.
We worship for who He is and what He has done. He loves us, offers us His grace freely, and saves believers from eternal life in Hell. What a Savior, who does that? We worship God with our lifestyle. Today on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and everyday our gift to Him is simple worship, simple obedience. We worship Him also for what He is going to do in the future. Worship forward for the next day, the next year 2011, and the next situation...what ever difficult time you are going through in your life. Worship Him for the journey ahead. It is full of joy with blessings. Worship = our love back to Him. Worship.
At Christmastime there is so much to do - with family, presents, to-do lists - that one gets distracted from the real purpose of Christmas. God is just as worthy of glory and honor and power today as He will be on that great day when we meet Him in Heaven. Today, put it all aside and take time to worship our Lord, the Savior of the world. It's Christmas!!
Special Delivery
Enter the shepherds at the stable scene. I like the addition of the shepherds in the Christmas story because God used the outcast, the humble, the invisible to spread the big birth announcement. God could have broadcast the message any way he wanted but He choose the shepherds to make His name known.
Put yourselves in their sandals. I think if I saw the angel chorus as they had, I would be in shock and awed by the angels proclamation. This scene became real to me one year as a Sunday School Christmas program director. Student "Gabriel" came from out of the side stage to make his most grand announcement, only his line in the production "Behold I bring you tidings of great joy..." came two pages too early. It was the first time I really saw the shock and awe in the characters faces, for good reason, they were truly surprised!! Good thing they knew their lines.
The shepherds were not a respected people. They were seen as thieves, despised, unfit for any other respectable occupation. They were the outcast, who kept themselves on the outskirts of cities and towns, the shunned watching the dumbest of the animals. Don't you find it interesting that God choose this group with the most important message in all of history?? I do. After hearing the news, they immediately went to witness the miracle birth for themselves. They didn't stand around and ask any questions, nor did they wonder if what they had really seen was real. No... they just went and worshiped. Then they told everyone they saw, they didn't hold back. The rejected giving a message of hope.
I see a trend here...Mary obeyed, Joseph obeyed, shepherds obeyed. And they worshiped. Don't miss this. Are you willing to respond to the call of the Savior to leave your "to-do" list and hurry off to see the miracle of the manager? Pause......see the baby Jesus.
Put yourselves in their sandals. I think if I saw the angel chorus as they had, I would be in shock and awed by the angels proclamation. This scene became real to me one year as a Sunday School Christmas program director. Student "Gabriel" came from out of the side stage to make his most grand announcement, only his line in the production "Behold I bring you tidings of great joy..." came two pages too early. It was the first time I really saw the shock and awe in the characters faces, for good reason, they were truly surprised!! Good thing they knew their lines.
The shepherds were not a respected people. They were seen as thieves, despised, unfit for any other respectable occupation. They were the outcast, who kept themselves on the outskirts of cities and towns, the shunned watching the dumbest of the animals. Don't you find it interesting that God choose this group with the most important message in all of history?? I do. After hearing the news, they immediately went to witness the miracle birth for themselves. They didn't stand around and ask any questions, nor did they wonder if what they had really seen was real. No... they just went and worshiped. Then they told everyone they saw, they didn't hold back. The rejected giving a message of hope.
I see a trend here...Mary obeyed, Joseph obeyed, shepherds obeyed. And they worshiped. Don't miss this. Are you willing to respond to the call of the Savior to leave your "to-do" list and hurry off to see the miracle of the manager? Pause......see the baby Jesus.
Father of the Year
Reading through the account of the birth of Christ, I personally award Joseph, “Father of the Year”. He was a model young man who heard the call of God and followed it.
Joseph was a carpenter, a simple man of trade. He was engaged to young girl named Mary and was planning his future home. I am sure he had wedding plans on his mind too. A normal groom would. All of a sudden Mary gives her fiancée' a bombshell announcement. "I'm pregnant. Whoa....wait a minute, how, who, what?” After she explains, he understands that the child is not his. I would guess that Joseph quickly drafted a "Plan B".
The Bible says that he had it in his mind to divorce her quietly. One night....the angel shows up in a dream and tells Joseph not to break his promise to Mary. The angel explains that the baby was conceived by the Holy Spirit. I am sure he was worried about those "behind-closed-door conversations" too from friends and family. But Joseph did the right thing. He honored God with his obedience and took Mary as his wife. He chose the uneasy, uncomfortable and uncertain path. There was a cost.
With a new family on his mind, Joseph, stood manger-side with a new perspective about life. He certainly must have been in awe of the events of the last 24 hours. His responsibilities became all too real that night in the stable, as he held his son, Immanuel, in his arms. He witnessed something holy and suddenly the cost was worth it. In my opinion THAT’s Father of the Year material.
Joseph was a carpenter, a simple man of trade. He was engaged to young girl named Mary and was planning his future home. I am sure he had wedding plans on his mind too. A normal groom would. All of a sudden Mary gives her fiancée' a bombshell announcement. "I'm pregnant. Whoa....wait a minute, how, who, what?” After she explains, he understands that the child is not his. I would guess that Joseph quickly drafted a "Plan B".
The Bible says that he had it in his mind to divorce her quietly. One night....the angel shows up in a dream and tells Joseph not to break his promise to Mary. The angel explains that the baby was conceived by the Holy Spirit. I am sure he was worried about those "behind-closed-door conversations" too from friends and family. But Joseph did the right thing. He honored God with his obedience and took Mary as his wife. He chose the uneasy, uncomfortable and uncertain path. There was a cost.
With a new family on his mind, Joseph, stood manger-side with a new perspective about life. He certainly must have been in awe of the events of the last 24 hours. His responsibilities became all too real that night in the stable, as he held his son, Immanuel, in his arms. He witnessed something holy and suddenly the cost was worth it. In my opinion THAT’s Father of the Year material.
No Questions Asked.
"You've got questions...We've got answers." That is slogan by a popular merchant that touts wanting to help you make your technology needs their business. They are all about customer service. They are believing that they will have all the answers you need.
Reading in the Bible in Luke 2, the birth of Christ was foretold. The angel Gabriel comes to Mary and gives her the most incredible news. Verse 31 says, “You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus." Something about the delivery of this message gives it validity; oh say… like a high ranking official angel giving Mary the message himself...oh yeah that would do it! Mary was greatly "troubled" with just Gabriel's greeting, not to mention his announcement, but you would think she would be filled with more than just wonder, right?
Read more here..
Meet Avery Jay
Announcing the newest member of the Keith family....my first grandchild, Avery Jay Bernhardt. He came into this world 5 weeks early on Monday, November 8, 2010 weighing a whopping 6 lbs. 2 oz. He measured 19 inches in length. The most important question of all is...what will I be called? My name shall be Grammy because I will be award winning. Now this may sound proud, but aren't you supposed to be proud of your grand-babies?
His proud parents are, Billy, my son-in-law and Lindsay, my daughter. The timing of his arrival was what caught us all off guard. His daddy was stuck in Arizona waiting for a plane home. I was stuck on a cruise ship about to set sail to the Caribbean. His mommy was stuck at home alone.
Now that I have set the scene...let me tell you about the God moments in this birth. Lindsay had the child in three hours, without pain medications. God sent an angel nurse by the name of Sarah that helped her through her first birthing experience. Billy arrived about an hour after the actual birth. Avery was born with no huge health issues...and that is truly a miracle when you think about all of the risks that can happen with premature babies. I praise God for all of those details working out.
But for me, it was a hard faith time. I was in the middle of the Caribbean on a ship going the opposite direction of where my family was expanding and I had NO cell service. Believe me, as a mom, you want to be present at your daughter's birth experience, especially her first child and my first grandchild. This is was and continues to be a major life event. So it is understandable that I had a major mommy meltdown once I got the phone call about Lindsay going into the hospital. I felt so alone....and didn't understand why God had allowed that to happen at that time on that day, five weeks early.
In retrospect, I can see now where God gave me five "God" moments on that ship. I realize that it was His best for our family. Well....that's what I cling to. My human mind can't absorb His reasons really.
1. Compassion. To comfort me he sent Jenny Simmons from Addison Road to give me encouragement. It was like we were sisters in the same family. She talked with me, understood me, listened to me, hugged me and to told me it was going to be ok. She talked me off the edge of the ship so to speak. She made me see past my personal pain and look for God's purpose in the timing of everything.
2. Association. God sent three House FM couples from Maud, OK who embraced me in prayer and allowed me to hang out with them thus becoming my instant family aboard. Thanks Christy & Ed, Carrie & Steven and Lanetta & Randall. Your prayers and friendship mean the world to me. I was bonded to you in my glue of adversity and you were a strong shoulder to lean on.
3. Consideration. God worked in my son Shayne as he was the home anchor of communication to family and to us as cell service was sketchy and unpredictable at best. It reminded me of day of Lindsay & Bill's wedding when he gave me that "No-worries-Mom-I-always-am-here-for-you-hug". Tender moments, tender memories.
4. Inspiration. God provided the right music through the concerts on the Music Boat, at just the right time to encourage me and focus on Him. With those lyrics I was able remember His love, His grace, His mercy and through it all He helped me take the next faith step.
5. Restoration. God proved that even though there was the family separation of 1700+ miles, there was no separation of feeling His presence. Since returning home I have gotten to to visit my new little grand baby. I have been able to love and hug that cute and precious little boy like a Grammy should.
When has God allowed a faith exercise in your life and how did he bring you through?
His proud parents are, Billy, my son-in-law and Lindsay, my daughter. The timing of his arrival was what caught us all off guard. His daddy was stuck in Arizona waiting for a plane home. I was stuck on a cruise ship about to set sail to the Caribbean. His mommy was stuck at home alone.
Now that I have set the scene...let me tell you about the God moments in this birth. Lindsay had the child in three hours, without pain medications. God sent an angel nurse by the name of Sarah that helped her through her first birthing experience. Billy arrived about an hour after the actual birth. Avery was born with no huge health issues...and that is truly a miracle when you think about all of the risks that can happen with premature babies. I praise God for all of those details working out.
But for me, it was a hard faith time. I was in the middle of the Caribbean on a ship going the opposite direction of where my family was expanding and I had NO cell service. Believe me, as a mom, you want to be present at your daughter's birth experience, especially her first child and my first grandchild. This is was and continues to be a major life event. So it is understandable that I had a major mommy meltdown once I got the phone call about Lindsay going into the hospital. I felt so alone....and didn't understand why God had allowed that to happen at that time on that day, five weeks early.
In retrospect, I can see now where God gave me five "God" moments on that ship. I realize that it was His best for our family. Well....that's what I cling to. My human mind can't absorb His reasons really.
1. Compassion. To comfort me he sent Jenny Simmons from Addison Road to give me encouragement. It was like we were sisters in the same family. She talked with me, understood me, listened to me, hugged me and to told me it was going to be ok. She talked me off the edge of the ship so to speak. She made me see past my personal pain and look for God's purpose in the timing of everything.
2. Association. God sent three House FM couples from Maud, OK who embraced me in prayer and allowed me to hang out with them thus becoming my instant family aboard. Thanks Christy & Ed, Carrie & Steven and Lanetta & Randall. Your prayers and friendship mean the world to me. I was bonded to you in my glue of adversity and you were a strong shoulder to lean on.
3. Consideration. God worked in my son Shayne as he was the home anchor of communication to family and to us as cell service was sketchy and unpredictable at best. It reminded me of day of Lindsay & Bill's wedding when he gave me that "No-worries-Mom-I-always-am-here-for-you-hug". Tender moments, tender memories.
4. Inspiration. God provided the right music through the concerts on the Music Boat, at just the right time to encourage me and focus on Him. With those lyrics I was able remember His love, His grace, His mercy and through it all He helped me take the next faith step.
5. Restoration. God proved that even though there was the family separation of 1700+ miles, there was no separation of feeling His presence. Since returning home I have gotten to to visit my new little grand baby. I have been able to love and hug that cute and precious little boy like a Grammy should.
When has God allowed a faith exercise in your life and how did he bring you through?
My Own Little World
Ah la playa...
Chaos, it abounds in my little world, so it seems. I'm sure that I don't have an unusually high incidence of crazy-go-wild-nutty circumstances that happen, but for the time being it seems like I am the Queen of Crazy Town. Seriously. It's as if everything is spinning out of control around me. Life can get like that you know....I have often wondered where God is....amidst my chaos.
Recently I took a plane ride, read more here.
Recently I took a plane ride, read more here.
My Top 10 Thank You's
As I was pondering the things that I was thankful for this week, I came up with a transparent thank you list. See how it compares to yours:
1. I am thankful that God is Love. God loves me so much and so enough, that He sent His son Jesus to die on the cross for my sins. And even if I was the only one in the entire world, He would have done it just for me. That's how personal I feel his love and forgiveness. That means everything to me. His throne of grace is always open. I like that.
2. I am thankful that God restores. He's done that recently with me in my heart with some relationships, and it gives me hope for those "out-of-sorts" relationships with others. If you are waiting on Him to restore....remember Love Wins. I like that.
3. I am thankful that God doesn't give me everything I pray for. Yeah, believe it or not...I don't know what I am doing most times, but He does. And because I trust Him so...I know He will work things out for my best. No matter what. That gives me confidence in Him...I like that.
4. I am thankful that he listens to my prayers, my tears, my sighs. He's that kind of God you know...when words fail, He still listens. In fact, Ps. 116:2 says, "Because he bends down and listens"...when I visualize God bending down to hear me....wow...all of a sudden...this chic is speechless and He's still listening. I like that.
5. I am thankful that he breaks hearts. He broke mine on a trip to the Dominican Republic. I saw the needs of others. I saw them with His love glasses. And since then, I am still broken for those who are different. I like to be broken.
6. I am thankful that He is not a hot-head but slow to anger. I think about how I get so easily upset by the ignorance of others, my own ignorance, my impatience, etc. Yeah that happens sometimes when I don't get my way...In a mercy-and-grace-tug-of-war, I would lose every time. I like that He's slow.
7. I am thankful that there were wordsmiths who took the time to write things down, event in their life that happened, accounts of the miracles of Jesus, prophets who saw visions, disciples that experienced God. Without their Spirit inspired words, I would not know my Savior. I like words.
8. I am thankful that mercy runs. I don't run. I tried but didn't enjoy it at all, but part of me wished I would have. I am glad that God pursued me, enough to not relent until I saw my need for a Savior. If you are praying for someone to know Christ, don't stop. God is running to them too. Hang on...mercy runs. I like that.
9. I am thankful for cats. Ok, well that might be a stretch but my pastor talks about his love/hate relationship with cats and it works for him. Actually I am thankful for God's powerful creation. You know He spoke this world into it's being, uh...even cats....and the mountains, the Caribbean seas, the sandy beaches, the red dirt, the brilliant sunsets, the rain forests, the awesome redwoods....I could go on and on......I am thankful that he has allowed me to exist. I like existing ...here with you.
10. I am thankful to wait. Yeah, read that again.... This one is hardest for me. I have been waiting on God, and there has been only one answer. WAIT. His timing is not of my choosing, or preference. But I know that I know that I know....His timing is perfect, He's never late, and always shows up or provides when He thinks it's best. I will accumulate the prayers...and wait.....as if those prayers were made of gold. There's value in waiting....I like that.
Hope this find you well, happy and thankful.
1. I am thankful that God is Love. God loves me so much and so enough, that He sent His son Jesus to die on the cross for my sins. And even if I was the only one in the entire world, He would have done it just for me. That's how personal I feel his love and forgiveness. That means everything to me. His throne of grace is always open. I like that.
2. I am thankful that God restores. He's done that recently with me in my heart with some relationships, and it gives me hope for those "out-of-sorts" relationships with others. If you are waiting on Him to restore....remember Love Wins. I like that.
3. I am thankful that God doesn't give me everything I pray for. Yeah, believe it or not...I don't know what I am doing most times, but He does. And because I trust Him so...I know He will work things out for my best. No matter what. That gives me confidence in Him...I like that.
4. I am thankful that he listens to my prayers, my tears, my sighs. He's that kind of God you know...when words fail, He still listens. In fact, Ps. 116:2 says, "Because he bends down and listens"...when I visualize God bending down to hear me....wow...all of a sudden...this chic is speechless and He's still listening. I like that.
5. I am thankful that he breaks hearts. He broke mine on a trip to the Dominican Republic. I saw the needs of others. I saw them with His love glasses. And since then, I am still broken for those who are different. I like to be broken.
6. I am thankful that He is not a hot-head but slow to anger. I think about how I get so easily upset by the ignorance of others, my own ignorance, my impatience, etc. Yeah that happens sometimes when I don't get my way...In a mercy-and-grace-tug-of-war, I would lose every time. I like that He's slow.
7. I am thankful that there were wordsmiths who took the time to write things down, event in their life that happened, accounts of the miracles of Jesus, prophets who saw visions, disciples that experienced God. Without their Spirit inspired words, I would not know my Savior. I like words.
8. I am thankful that mercy runs. I don't run. I tried but didn't enjoy it at all, but part of me wished I would have. I am glad that God pursued me, enough to not relent until I saw my need for a Savior. If you are praying for someone to know Christ, don't stop. God is running to them too. Hang on...mercy runs. I like that.
9. I am thankful for cats. Ok, well that might be a stretch but my pastor talks about his love/hate relationship with cats and it works for him. Actually I am thankful for God's powerful creation. You know He spoke this world into it's being, uh...even cats....and the mountains, the Caribbean seas, the sandy beaches, the red dirt, the brilliant sunsets, the rain forests, the awesome redwoods....I could go on and on......I am thankful that he has allowed me to exist. I like existing ...here with you.
10. I am thankful to wait. Yeah, read that again.... This one is hardest for me. I have been waiting on God, and there has been only one answer. WAIT. His timing is not of my choosing, or preference. But I know that I know that I know....His timing is perfect, He's never late, and always shows up or provides when He thinks it's best. I will accumulate the prayers...and wait.....as if those prayers were made of gold. There's value in waiting....I like that.
Hope this find you well, happy and thankful.
The Poor Among Us
I have never been what I consider rich, at least by the world’s standards. For one reason or another, God has not allowed it. That’s ok with me, who needs worldly “riches” anyway? That is a new attitude for me, one that is different than what I had a few months ago.
This past summer I had the opportunity to go on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic. It was my first international trip and I was very excited. This is something I had prayed about for years, but didn’t take the opportunity to go on a trip until now. It just so happens that I work at a Christian radio station and we were partnering with Mission of Mercy, Colorado Springs, CO to gather a team together to do light construction, Vacation Bible School and other activities. I was asked to go as part of the radio team. When the email came in “Would you like to go?” needless to say, I didn’t have to think twice about it.
Bringing special skills really wasn’t necessary, just a willing heart to serve. I already had that. I have been a “server” at church for years on the host team, special projects, part of a church plant and such. So as I began to prepare for the trip, it seemed easy. On the to-do list was get a passport, shots, finalize paperwork, and talk to friends to gather donation items to take along for the kids. I had also prayed for God to do a work in me and in my heart. Not knowing what was ahead, I prayed that God would break down the walls in me as well as the other team members, that we would love those we were going to serve. With charged-up ambitions and motivations, 32 team members from 8 states boarded planes to converge on destination Santiago, DR to make a difference in the lives of children. Little did I know that I would be the one changed by those seven days.
The week started off great with team devotions. The first night our trip leader shared, Matthew 26:11, which says, "For ye have the poor always with you." I thought, “Yeah, that is what we came for, to serve the poor.” After all, we were in a developing country. Wasn’t it expected we would see the poor side of communities, cities, and people? I thought I was ready for that. I wasn’t.
At the Mission of Mercy child development center, we got right to work with the locals sanding, painting and making cement from scratch. They don’t have access to a lot of resources, so they have to do regular construction the “old fashioned way”. It was ok. I was prepared to work hard and sweat. There were breaks in the work for playing with the kids. We were encouraged to do that as one way of showing them love, connecting through a common interest. In the DR, baseball is huge. One baseball, a glove and a bat have magnetic powers to bring out kids and adults, like a colony of ants. So pick-up baseball games or just playing catch can be an opportunity to meet the families that live there.
The week also included some home visits. I understood the living conditions would be different. After all this was not America. So our trip leader took us on a journey in the neighborhood to see the culture, the environment, and the people who lived there. We set out with our cameras and fanny packs, loaded with curiosity and questions. In a way, I felt a little like a tourist. We stood out to these people, different for sure, as we were well dressed, even in our work clothes. We were in a pack, clustered together as if we were at the zoo, looking at the animal exhibits or a bunch of foreigners seeing a manufacturing plant of some new breakthrough technology. Curious to soak up as much as we could, we pressed into their world; most of us had not seen anything like it.
There were people just standing outside their cement block and tin houses. There, in their dirt front yards, trash was everywhere. There were banana trees growing in the most inconvenient places. Children were holding mangos-- their one meal of the day. People with hungry faces watched the parade of Americans pass by. We stopped at the house of a tutor, one of the teachers for the center. She was proud to show us her three-room living space. Her house boasted a homey feeling despite the exceptional bare cement floor, one bed -- shared by her and two small kids, which also served as her closet -- a small kitchen with several fly-covered pots, and a TV perched atop of the small refrigerator. That was it. No bathroom. There was no running water. She was most hospitable by letting us come in, and take pictures of everything. As I stood there and listened to her story through the interpreter, I was reminded of the verse given to us at the beginning of the week. "For ye have the poor always with you." Yes, by American standards she was poor. She was definitely living on the front lines of poverty. But as I heard her testify of her future, she had hope. She wanted to go back to school to learn how to be a nurse. She wanted to provide a bright future for her kids. She wanted to continue to work at the center to make a difference for the kids that attended. She had hope in her eyes, she had joy in her heart. Though she was surrounded by a reality that had gripped me, she lacked nothing in spirit. She had hope, she had everything.
Crouched outside her door, God broke my heart. Tears streamed down my face as I thought of all that I had at home, my family, my kids, my job, my church. She had everything that matters, and I felt as if I was lacking. I saw poverty face to face. My heart broke again and again. I saw “the least of these” in their faces and I was changed. I was in tears again today with the conviction that I have so much. So who are the poor among us? I came away from those seven days knowing that in many ways I was.
This past summer I had the opportunity to go on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic. It was my first international trip and I was very excited. This is something I had prayed about for years, but didn’t take the opportunity to go on a trip until now. It just so happens that I work at a Christian radio station and we were partnering with Mission of Mercy, Colorado Springs, CO to gather a team together to do light construction, Vacation Bible School and other activities. I was asked to go as part of the radio team. When the email came in “Would you like to go?” needless to say, I didn’t have to think twice about it.
Bringing special skills really wasn’t necessary, just a willing heart to serve. I already had that. I have been a “server” at church for years on the host team, special projects, part of a church plant and such. So as I began to prepare for the trip, it seemed easy. On the to-do list was get a passport, shots, finalize paperwork, and talk to friends to gather donation items to take along for the kids. I had also prayed for God to do a work in me and in my heart. Not knowing what was ahead, I prayed that God would break down the walls in me as well as the other team members, that we would love those we were going to serve. With charged-up ambitions and motivations, 32 team members from 8 states boarded planes to converge on destination Santiago, DR to make a difference in the lives of children. Little did I know that I would be the one changed by those seven days.
The week started off great with team devotions. The first night our trip leader shared, Matthew 26:11, which says, "For ye have the poor always with you." I thought, “Yeah, that is what we came for, to serve the poor.” After all, we were in a developing country. Wasn’t it expected we would see the poor side of communities, cities, and people? I thought I was ready for that. I wasn’t.
At the Mission of Mercy child development center, we got right to work with the locals sanding, painting and making cement from scratch. They don’t have access to a lot of resources, so they have to do regular construction the “old fashioned way”. It was ok. I was prepared to work hard and sweat. There were breaks in the work for playing with the kids. We were encouraged to do that as one way of showing them love, connecting through a common interest. In the DR, baseball is huge. One baseball, a glove and a bat have magnetic powers to bring out kids and adults, like a colony of ants. So pick-up baseball games or just playing catch can be an opportunity to meet the families that live there.
The week also included some home visits. I understood the living conditions would be different. After all this was not America. So our trip leader took us on a journey in the neighborhood to see the culture, the environment, and the people who lived there. We set out with our cameras and fanny packs, loaded with curiosity and questions. In a way, I felt a little like a tourist. We stood out to these people, different for sure, as we were well dressed, even in our work clothes. We were in a pack, clustered together as if we were at the zoo, looking at the animal exhibits or a bunch of foreigners seeing a manufacturing plant of some new breakthrough technology. Curious to soak up as much as we could, we pressed into their world; most of us had not seen anything like it.
There were people just standing outside their cement block and tin houses. There, in their dirt front yards, trash was everywhere. There were banana trees growing in the most inconvenient places. Children were holding mangos-- their one meal of the day. People with hungry faces watched the parade of Americans pass by. We stopped at the house of a tutor, one of the teachers for the center. She was proud to show us her three-room living space. Her house boasted a homey feeling despite the exceptional bare cement floor, one bed -- shared by her and two small kids, which also served as her closet -- a small kitchen with several fly-covered pots, and a TV perched atop of the small refrigerator. That was it. No bathroom. There was no running water. She was most hospitable by letting us come in, and take pictures of everything. As I stood there and listened to her story through the interpreter, I was reminded of the verse given to us at the beginning of the week. "For ye have the poor always with you." Yes, by American standards she was poor. She was definitely living on the front lines of poverty. But as I heard her testify of her future, she had hope. She wanted to go back to school to learn how to be a nurse. She wanted to provide a bright future for her kids. She wanted to continue to work at the center to make a difference for the kids that attended. She had hope in her eyes, she had joy in her heart. Though she was surrounded by a reality that had gripped me, she lacked nothing in spirit. She had hope, she had everything.
Crouched outside her door, God broke my heart. Tears streamed down my face as I thought of all that I had at home, my family, my kids, my job, my church. She had everything that matters, and I felt as if I was lacking. I saw poverty face to face. My heart broke again and again. I saw “the least of these” in their faces and I was changed. I was in tears again today with the conviction that I have so much. So who are the poor among us? I came away from those seven days knowing that in many ways I was.
Take a Number, Please
Dawn of Fireflight and me.
There is a song by Fireflight that really speaks my heart right now. The song is "This Is For Those Who Wait". We all play the waiting game don't we? We pray and pray for something we think we need, want or desire. I believe God answers prayer but sometimes we have to wait on Him.
I am waiting for an answer from God. He has given me the assurance that He has heard my prayer, and has given me a small peek into the answer. I just don't know when, how, where, or what. Some of the pieces are missing from the big jigsaw picture of life. Actually, God has given me the answer to my prayer. It's "wait". This is, and continues to be, one of my big challenges that I face as a Christian. Does anyone really wait gracefully? Are you waiting on God? And what about the feelings and emotions that come with the waiting? You wonder, pray more, hope, pray again, and then, here comes all the doubts..... Does God hear me? Why must I wait? I know I am not the only one who waits, am I?
Waiting teaches us strength, endurance, character, trust, and eventually victory. "The struggle makes us stronger, the difference makes it worth it." Isaiah 64:4 ~ "For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him!" (NLT). I pray to be content as I wait on God. I know God hears my prayers and I know that He has the perfect answer at the perfect time. And I will wait, with hopes high, no matter what comes or when. What are you waiting for?
I am waiting for an answer from God. He has given me the assurance that He has heard my prayer, and has given me a small peek into the answer. I just don't know when, how, where, or what. Some of the pieces are missing from the big jigsaw picture of life. Actually, God has given me the answer to my prayer. It's "wait". This is, and continues to be, one of my big challenges that I face as a Christian. Does anyone really wait gracefully? Are you waiting on God? And what about the feelings and emotions that come with the waiting? You wonder, pray more, hope, pray again, and then, here comes all the doubts..... Does God hear me? Why must I wait? I know I am not the only one who waits, am I?
Waiting teaches us strength, endurance, character, trust, and eventually victory. "The struggle makes us stronger, the difference makes it worth it." Isaiah 64:4 ~ "For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him!" (NLT). I pray to be content as I wait on God. I know God hears my prayers and I know that He has the perfect answer at the perfect time. And I will wait, with hopes high, no matter what comes or when. What are you waiting for?