There is a children't Bible song that goes, "oh be careful little eyes what you see, for our Father up above is looking down in love, so be careful what you see." It goes on to our ears, hands, feet and mouths. So too should there be a verse in there about our minds. Oh be careful little mind what you think. Why? Our thoughts are filled with all kinds of random garbage that would not be of benefit to anyone, not every ourselves.
We are told our hearts are desperately wicked above all things. Our thoughts, our hearts, and our words are all tied together. Our thoughts will often get us in trouble because we make the mistake of speaking them aloud.
A person in scripture that I feel did a great job of making sure her thoughts did not speak was Mary, the woman honored above all others with being the earthly mother of Jesus my Savior. She saw many things, knew many things, and pondered them in her heart. She kept her peace. She knew that some things do not need to be spoken.
On the other hand, sometimes our thoughts do need to speak. A wise person is prayerful about what to say and when. May God grant each of us the wisdom to see when to speak our mind, and when to be silent.
Thought Verses
I Chronicles 29:18
Isaiah 55:7
Ephesians 2:3
Hebrews 3:1
Monday, October 5, 2015
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Overflowing Cups
As I sit here at my desk, taking a break from my course work, I look around and seeing oodles of cups sitting in my space. Its time to clean up my nest. I have been so busy I have allowed clutter to happen in the space I usually reserve for thinking and learning. So...what can I learn from those overflowing cups?
Well my cups aren't overflowing in the sense that they are too full. There are too many of them instead. They are empty, having been used up. Its time to clean them up so that the space around me is neat, and able to be used as a thoughtful spot. Some people can have clutter around and they tune it out and it doesn't distract them. Me? I am distracted by clutter. I need my environment reasonably clear so that my mind is clear. Physical clutter is without a doubt distracting.
Mental clutter is distracting too. I sometimes feel like my mind is also full of overflowing cups. Like if I searched through my mental images I could see cups lying around filled with all kinds of stuff that isn't really helpful for me to think clearly. I realize I rehearse things mentally that are of no benefit, but are often damaging instead. What are those things? Pride, vainglory, anger, fear, worry, stress, and a whole host of things that are both hurtful and fluff that does not help me at all.
God's Word, The Bible, tells us many things about our mentality. One of the first that came to my mind is Phil. 2:5, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." What did Jesus think about do you think? He was definitely not filled with pride, selfishness, anger, fear and worry. He, who deserved to be worshiped, left behind His glory and took on the form of a servant and humbled Himself... Phil 2:6-8. He deserved so much, being GOD, and yet took nothing for himself. His thoughts were pure. So too should I be striving toward the goal of having my mind set on eternal, not temporary things. My desk is clutter with overflowing cups and its time to clean them up. So too is my mind dealing with the same problem. My head space is even more important than my desk space, so its time too for it to be de-cluttered.
Thought verses
Romans 8:5-6
Psalm 26:2
Proverbs 19:21
Isaiah 26:3
Jer. 17:10
Luke 10:27
Luke 24:45
Romans 12:2
I Cor. 14:15
Eph. 4:23
Phil. 2:2
Col 3:2
Well my cups aren't overflowing in the sense that they are too full. There are too many of them instead. They are empty, having been used up. Its time to clean them up so that the space around me is neat, and able to be used as a thoughtful spot. Some people can have clutter around and they tune it out and it doesn't distract them. Me? I am distracted by clutter. I need my environment reasonably clear so that my mind is clear. Physical clutter is without a doubt distracting.
Mental clutter is distracting too. I sometimes feel like my mind is also full of overflowing cups. Like if I searched through my mental images I could see cups lying around filled with all kinds of stuff that isn't really helpful for me to think clearly. I realize I rehearse things mentally that are of no benefit, but are often damaging instead. What are those things? Pride, vainglory, anger, fear, worry, stress, and a whole host of things that are both hurtful and fluff that does not help me at all.
God's Word, The Bible, tells us many things about our mentality. One of the first that came to my mind is Phil. 2:5, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." What did Jesus think about do you think? He was definitely not filled with pride, selfishness, anger, fear and worry. He, who deserved to be worshiped, left behind His glory and took on the form of a servant and humbled Himself... Phil 2:6-8. He deserved so much, being GOD, and yet took nothing for himself. His thoughts were pure. So too should I be striving toward the goal of having my mind set on eternal, not temporary things. My desk is clutter with overflowing cups and its time to clean them up. So too is my mind dealing with the same problem. My head space is even more important than my desk space, so its time too for it to be de-cluttered.
Thought verses
Romans 8:5-6
Psalm 26:2
Proverbs 19:21
Isaiah 26:3
Jer. 17:10
Luke 10:27
Luke 24:45
Romans 12:2
I Cor. 14:15
Eph. 4:23
Phil. 2:2
Col 3:2
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
A Name for Myself
I woke up this morning to the horrible news about the reporter and her camera man getting shot and killed in VA. How tragic. My heart hurts for the families of those that lost their lives. The woman that was in the middle of her interview was also shot, though, praise the Lord, she is stable and recovering in the hospital. Then there is the man that did these heinous things. I am sure his reasons are many, but one of them is sure to end up being tied to desiring to make a name for himself. Many people who do shootings like this want to be famous in some way. It is in the heart of many to desire to be recognized as special. Few accept graciously having an ordinary life.
I looked within myself to see if I struggle with this, and sure enough I do. Its not going to cause me to do heinous things, for in Jesus I have a name more precious than any name I can acquire on my own. Beloved, precious, family, daughter. These names have eternal meaning. My own? Not so much. On my own my name would never stand up to any kind of spiritual, holy scrutiny. Sometimes I find myself wanting to be more. My type A personality charges ahead to the front of the line wanting to be seen, recognized as uniquely special, and worthy in some way to be remembered by mankind.
God, in His infinite mercy, strips this away from us as we grow in Christ. Well, He does when we listen. It reminds me of John the Baptist. He was preaching the coming of Messiah, and the kingdom to come. Everyone knew who he was. He was the man baptizing in the Jordan river. He spoke and many came to hear him. He had his own disciples. When Jesus came, those disciples were jealous for John's sake. They did not understand who Jesus is, and so were offended that He was drawing more attention than John. Many things were said along the way, but one of the most important for me in regard to making a name for myself is something that I have prayed many times. "He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:30. John knew it was not about himself, but about Jesus. It is not about making a name for myself, but making much of Jesus. His is the name that must be put forth, praised, lifted up, glorified, and recognized. The battle of the flesh is ongoing, but in Christ nothing is impossible. The prayer for all of us in Christ should be to live a life that causes others to see Christ in us, not us at all.
Thought Questions
Where are you pushing yourself forward and trying to make a name for yourself? What can you actively do so that Jesus increases in you and your testimony and you decrease like John taught?
I looked within myself to see if I struggle with this, and sure enough I do. Its not going to cause me to do heinous things, for in Jesus I have a name more precious than any name I can acquire on my own. Beloved, precious, family, daughter. These names have eternal meaning. My own? Not so much. On my own my name would never stand up to any kind of spiritual, holy scrutiny. Sometimes I find myself wanting to be more. My type A personality charges ahead to the front of the line wanting to be seen, recognized as uniquely special, and worthy in some way to be remembered by mankind.
God, in His infinite mercy, strips this away from us as we grow in Christ. Well, He does when we listen. It reminds me of John the Baptist. He was preaching the coming of Messiah, and the kingdom to come. Everyone knew who he was. He was the man baptizing in the Jordan river. He spoke and many came to hear him. He had his own disciples. When Jesus came, those disciples were jealous for John's sake. They did not understand who Jesus is, and so were offended that He was drawing more attention than John. Many things were said along the way, but one of the most important for me in regard to making a name for myself is something that I have prayed many times. "He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:30. John knew it was not about himself, but about Jesus. It is not about making a name for myself, but making much of Jesus. His is the name that must be put forth, praised, lifted up, glorified, and recognized. The battle of the flesh is ongoing, but in Christ nothing is impossible. The prayer for all of us in Christ should be to live a life that causes others to see Christ in us, not us at all.
Thought Questions
Where are you pushing yourself forward and trying to make a name for yourself? What can you actively do so that Jesus increases in you and your testimony and you decrease like John taught?
Thursday, August 20, 2015
Rays of Light in the Midst of a World of Darkness
I read an article today on Facebook. It affected me profoundly. I have been watching the news on the Ashley Madison site, which I had never heard of until yesterday. I saw that Josh Duggar professed to use the site after his records were released. I also saw the article on Jared Fogle and his admission of soliciting sex from minors. My heart was so grieved because of this and other stories that were causing me to feel the heaviness of darkness that our world is today.
Tonight I read another article and it reminded me that in the midst of darkness God always leaves pinpricks of light to remind us of who He is and that He is The GOD of Hope, not despair. The story is a 9-11 story about a flight that was turned back from the American border to land in New Newfoundland in the midst of 9-11 and all that happened. It was Delta Flight 15 bound for Atlanta. I will include a link to the story here so that anyone who sees this and wants to read about how God moved a whole community to help those left adrift because of the tragedy unfolding on 9-11 can read it.
I had felt so sorrowful today at all I was hearing in the news. It still fills me with sorrow to see people throw their lives and the lives of their loved ones away so carelessly. It reminds me of the wickedness of our hearts and how apart from Christ there is nothing truly good in us. I like to think I would never do the things these men are guilty of, and I might not do those specific things, but what other sins of my own am I guilty of? Even in Christ I struggle daily with sin. How much more the person apart from Him? Our wicked hearts imagine all kinds of things both large and small to do. That is why we need Jesus so much. He came to seek and save that which was lost. The righteous man sees not the things of the Spirit for they are spiritually discerned. What does that mean? In one sense it means that only those who understand their wretchedness come to God, called by the Father, to receive Jesus as Savior and learn to let Him be Lord. Those who believe they are good turn away for they believe at some level that they aren't that bad so don't need Jesus to redeem them. They use a system of measures of good and bad and hope that the weight on the good side is enough to help them make it through the door to heaven.
We live in a world of darkness, and Jesus alone is the Light of Heaven to give us hope in that darkness. He uses His Word, but He also uses people. People acting opposite of basic human nature by setting aside all of their regularly scheduled financial and personal goals to take care of the 10,500 people who found their way into Newfoundland due to a horrible tragedy as it was unfolding. I hope that the article I am posting is read by someone, and that it reminds you too that God is good all the time and He always gives us rays of light in the midst of life's darkness.
https://www.readfulapp.com/site/Headlines?tag=Breaking%20Headlines&item=55cbaa7b5573e31f1d8a1aae
Tonight I read another article and it reminded me that in the midst of darkness God always leaves pinpricks of light to remind us of who He is and that He is The GOD of Hope, not despair. The story is a 9-11 story about a flight that was turned back from the American border to land in New Newfoundland in the midst of 9-11 and all that happened. It was Delta Flight 15 bound for Atlanta. I will include a link to the story here so that anyone who sees this and wants to read about how God moved a whole community to help those left adrift because of the tragedy unfolding on 9-11 can read it.
I had felt so sorrowful today at all I was hearing in the news. It still fills me with sorrow to see people throw their lives and the lives of their loved ones away so carelessly. It reminds me of the wickedness of our hearts and how apart from Christ there is nothing truly good in us. I like to think I would never do the things these men are guilty of, and I might not do those specific things, but what other sins of my own am I guilty of? Even in Christ I struggle daily with sin. How much more the person apart from Him? Our wicked hearts imagine all kinds of things both large and small to do. That is why we need Jesus so much. He came to seek and save that which was lost. The righteous man sees not the things of the Spirit for they are spiritually discerned. What does that mean? In one sense it means that only those who understand their wretchedness come to God, called by the Father, to receive Jesus as Savior and learn to let Him be Lord. Those who believe they are good turn away for they believe at some level that they aren't that bad so don't need Jesus to redeem them. They use a system of measures of good and bad and hope that the weight on the good side is enough to help them make it through the door to heaven.
We live in a world of darkness, and Jesus alone is the Light of Heaven to give us hope in that darkness. He uses His Word, but He also uses people. People acting opposite of basic human nature by setting aside all of their regularly scheduled financial and personal goals to take care of the 10,500 people who found their way into Newfoundland due to a horrible tragedy as it was unfolding. I hope that the article I am posting is read by someone, and that it reminds you too that God is good all the time and He always gives us rays of light in the midst of life's darkness.
https://www.readfulapp.com/site/Headlines?tag=Breaking%20Headlines&item=55cbaa7b5573e31f1d8a1aae
Saturday, August 15, 2015
Social Anxiety
We are surrounded by people today. In our neighborhoods, at work, and at play. It seems that social anxiety shouldn't be an issue because we are used to being around people all the time. We learn to interact with one another across a broad spectrum of life experiences. So, what is the problem? Why do so many people struggle with social anxiety? In 2007 the adaa.org determined a figure of 6.8% of people struggle with this. This number has gone up over the last 8 additional years.
Many things cause us to be anxious. Fear of failure, fear of embarrassment, fear of germs, fear of not being liked, fear of not being accepted, and many other thoughts motivate social anxiety. The key that I just said was thoughts. The battle has always been and will always start in our thought life. Proverbs 23:7 tells us, "As he thinks in his heart, so is he." Our thought life directs our hearts and the two together cause us both incredible joy and incredible fear.
When I realized a short time ago that I have been battling with social anxiety, I came up with a plan to combat it. I realized this problem after praying a lot and asking my heavenly Father what was causing me, an extrovert, to be okay with not going anywhere. Over time He showed me that I am struggling with a battle in my mind leading to social anxiety. I love going out and doing things but I have been struggling with my health and I became more and more isolated to the point of becoming fearful of going out and being around people. I am not content with living in that kind of fear, so I prayed for a plan and what my Savior gave me is beginning to draw me out of my fear and helping me to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
My first step is acknowledging the problem. Second, praying for God's wisdom instead of my own thoughts on the matter was next. The Lord showed me that my overcoming in this area is to take small trips out of my house and around people so that I get through the fear. I go to shops and interact with people, I go to lunch, and interact with people, I take trips and interact with people, and other things to expose my fear and help me work through it. In addition I confessed this to my husband and asked him to help me overcome it by going with me out and about. One of my fears has been based on my home being my safe zone regarding my Diabetes. At home I have all I need to manage it if my blood sugars go high or low. I get fearful of being out and about and not paying attention and my Diabetes getting away from me, or getting out and about and not having all I need to manage it. Therefore the idea of going out has been causing me stress. How did I handle this? I now carry a pack of all I need when I go out. This way I can take care of myself, and still learn to thrive instead of just surviving.
It is a process. God is faithful. I quote my Rhema verse often, thinking about it and my Lord always helps me.
Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own undestanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths."
What anxiety are you struggling with? Pray and ask Jesus. When you have identified it, ask Him for a solution, then work through what He gives you so that you can be mentally, and spiritually healthy and so that you can thrive instead of just survive in the battle areas of your mind and heart.
Many things cause us to be anxious. Fear of failure, fear of embarrassment, fear of germs, fear of not being liked, fear of not being accepted, and many other thoughts motivate social anxiety. The key that I just said was thoughts. The battle has always been and will always start in our thought life. Proverbs 23:7 tells us, "As he thinks in his heart, so is he." Our thought life directs our hearts and the two together cause us both incredible joy and incredible fear.
When I realized a short time ago that I have been battling with social anxiety, I came up with a plan to combat it. I realized this problem after praying a lot and asking my heavenly Father what was causing me, an extrovert, to be okay with not going anywhere. Over time He showed me that I am struggling with a battle in my mind leading to social anxiety. I love going out and doing things but I have been struggling with my health and I became more and more isolated to the point of becoming fearful of going out and being around people. I am not content with living in that kind of fear, so I prayed for a plan and what my Savior gave me is beginning to draw me out of my fear and helping me to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
My first step is acknowledging the problem. Second, praying for God's wisdom instead of my own thoughts on the matter was next. The Lord showed me that my overcoming in this area is to take small trips out of my house and around people so that I get through the fear. I go to shops and interact with people, I go to lunch, and interact with people, I take trips and interact with people, and other things to expose my fear and help me work through it. In addition I confessed this to my husband and asked him to help me overcome it by going with me out and about. One of my fears has been based on my home being my safe zone regarding my Diabetes. At home I have all I need to manage it if my blood sugars go high or low. I get fearful of being out and about and not paying attention and my Diabetes getting away from me, or getting out and about and not having all I need to manage it. Therefore the idea of going out has been causing me stress. How did I handle this? I now carry a pack of all I need when I go out. This way I can take care of myself, and still learn to thrive instead of just surviving.
It is a process. God is faithful. I quote my Rhema verse often, thinking about it and my Lord always helps me.
Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own undestanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths."
What anxiety are you struggling with? Pray and ask Jesus. When you have identified it, ask Him for a solution, then work through what He gives you so that you can be mentally, and spiritually healthy and so that you can thrive instead of just survive in the battle areas of your mind and heart.
Monday, June 29, 2015
Truth in Love
Ephesians 4:11-16
11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
This passage is filled to the brim with many important topics for the body of Christ. Unity, spiritual gifts, edification of the body of Christ, truth, love, growth of the body of Christ, and how we are to beware of the trickery of men and the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting. All of these things are necessary for followers of Christ to understand and to practice daily. We live in a time when people are saying evil is good and good is evil. We need to interact with fellow believers in love, but also God's truth. We do not get to change His words to suit ourselves and to practice false doctrines that pull people away from God. We are told in verse 14 that we are to put away being children who are blown about by every little thing they hear that sounds good to them. Recently I watched a clip on children in a social experiment. A man got the mom's permission to test their children regarding stranger danger and whether the children would go with him if he approached them with a puppy and was friendly. Every single child went with the man. You could see the horror on the mom's faces watching this because they all had taught their children to beware of strangers and to not go with anyone but them.
Children live life in a child-like faith that makes them believe everything they hear without any wisdom to go along with the belief. We too, babes in Christ, often fall into the same traps as those little children. It takes hard work, perseverance, and obedience to grow past believing everything we hear and to spiritually discern what the Spirit is saying to us through God's Word. It also takes a willingness to die to self and to listen to God instead of the world.
I say all of this to say we are called to speak to one another in love and in truth, even when those we are talking to do not want to hear it. We cannot water down the truth of God in order to make people feel better about themselves. We cannot water down the truth of God to give people false hope that everything they do is fine as long as they are loving to others. Followers of Christ walk the hard path, the narrow one, the painful one where what we believe is often rejected, and we are called many harsh names in order to abide in Christ and be true to His Word. There is much joy in Jesus though. When we love others more than ourselves, then we can speak the truth in that love and do it from an attitude of humility instead of confrontation.
Knowing the truth of God, who in your life needs you to be faithful to speak that truth in love so that they put off from them the sin that is trapping them? In what ways do you need to grow up so that you are no longer a little child tossed about by any little thing you hear? Which strangers need to be turned away so that you are not caught in the net of deception by enticing words? Who can you help today to walk the hard, narrow, painful path that is full of abundant joy because it is the path of Jesus and toward Him?
11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
This passage is filled to the brim with many important topics for the body of Christ. Unity, spiritual gifts, edification of the body of Christ, truth, love, growth of the body of Christ, and how we are to beware of the trickery of men and the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting. All of these things are necessary for followers of Christ to understand and to practice daily. We live in a time when people are saying evil is good and good is evil. We need to interact with fellow believers in love, but also God's truth. We do not get to change His words to suit ourselves and to practice false doctrines that pull people away from God. We are told in verse 14 that we are to put away being children who are blown about by every little thing they hear that sounds good to them. Recently I watched a clip on children in a social experiment. A man got the mom's permission to test their children regarding stranger danger and whether the children would go with him if he approached them with a puppy and was friendly. Every single child went with the man. You could see the horror on the mom's faces watching this because they all had taught their children to beware of strangers and to not go with anyone but them.
Children live life in a child-like faith that makes them believe everything they hear without any wisdom to go along with the belief. We too, babes in Christ, often fall into the same traps as those little children. It takes hard work, perseverance, and obedience to grow past believing everything we hear and to spiritually discern what the Spirit is saying to us through God's Word. It also takes a willingness to die to self and to listen to God instead of the world.
I say all of this to say we are called to speak to one another in love and in truth, even when those we are talking to do not want to hear it. We cannot water down the truth of God in order to make people feel better about themselves. We cannot water down the truth of God to give people false hope that everything they do is fine as long as they are loving to others. Followers of Christ walk the hard path, the narrow one, the painful one where what we believe is often rejected, and we are called many harsh names in order to abide in Christ and be true to His Word. There is much joy in Jesus though. When we love others more than ourselves, then we can speak the truth in that love and do it from an attitude of humility instead of confrontation.
Knowing the truth of God, who in your life needs you to be faithful to speak that truth in love so that they put off from them the sin that is trapping them? In what ways do you need to grow up so that you are no longer a little child tossed about by any little thing you hear? Which strangers need to be turned away so that you are not caught in the net of deception by enticing words? Who can you help today to walk the hard, narrow, painful path that is full of abundant joy because it is the path of Jesus and toward Him?
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Forgiveness
I woke up today to the news of what happened in Charleston, SC at the Emanuel AME church. How utterly heartbreaking. I found myself wanting to rain down wrath on the young man that did this horrible thing. It makes me thing of a hymn sung by the Church for many years, "Oh soul are you weary and troubled, no light in the darkness you see. There's light for a look at the Savior, and life more abundant and free. Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace." This world feels so dark oftentimes, and it does cause me to feel weary. Only when I fix my eyes on my Savior Jesus do I find that sense of balance, and hope that is sometimes lacking.
So, I wasn't feeling very forgiving toward this young man. I then heard about a man who posted on this guys Facebook page. His words were words of grace and forgiveness. They were words of hope and light and salvation. He pleaded with this shooter to turn to Jesus and away from sin. The pleading man is African American. His heart was full of forgiveness, something I was lacking. It got me digging through my Bible Promise Book and looking up verses about forgiveness. Matthew 5:44-45 gives wise words on forgiveness that apply here and that I needed to be reminded of and think about.
So, I wasn't feeling very forgiving toward this young man. I then heard about a man who posted on this guys Facebook page. His words were words of grace and forgiveness. They were words of hope and light and salvation. He pleaded with this shooter to turn to Jesus and away from sin. The pleading man is African American. His heart was full of forgiveness, something I was lacking. It got me digging through my Bible Promise Book and looking up verses about forgiveness. Matthew 5:44-45 gives wise words on forgiveness that apply here and that I needed to be reminded of and think about.
"But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,[a] 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."This world is filled with woe. This is another example of how wretched of a state we human beings are in, and how wicked our hearts are. Apart from Christ I would have no ability to really forgive this young man that has committed mass murder of God's people in a church and removing from so many any feeling of safety and security we have of being in that kind of place. There are so many levels of this tragedy that we haven't even begun to see yet. Though this young man did not harm me directly, he did harm me personally because my brothers and sisters lost their life due to his hate. My call though is to forgive and to pray and to let God take care of the situation and also to have faith that He will indeed take care of it.
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Charity doesn't begin at Home
Continuing with the promises of God that I started last time, the one I am going to focus on is charity. When I think about charity without looking it up anywhere, I think about either giving or being given things that meet basic needs like food and clothing, shelter and safety. The Bible defines charity as giving to those in need what they are completely unable to repay. One of the verses that is well known for this is Luke 6:38. It says, "Give, and it shall be given to you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give to you. For with the same measure that you give out, it shall be given back to you." This is a verse that I feel is well known because it talks about something that many worry about. If I give, will I have enough of my own to meet my own need? What if God calls me to give sacrificially, and my family isn't taken care of? There are two issues here. One is that of lack of belief in God's sufficiency to meet our need. The cattle on a thousand hills belongs to Him. He takes care of the birds of the air, how much more will He take care of us that are His and made in His image? The second issue is willingness to let go of that which in many of our cases is extra. Many of us tend to be accumulators by nature. Our eyes are big and we find more and more things to add to what we have. I am guilty of this at times. I have a closet full of shoes, clothes and purses that I do not wear or use. I buy things and either don't use them, or barely use them because they sounded good at the time, but I ended up not liking it, or something about it didn't work for me. Instead of finding a place to pass it on to, I hold on to it, just in case.
Charity is really about a heart attitude. When I give it must be from a desire to please my God by taking care of those who are in need. It isn't just about giving either, its also about taking care of others, being other minded. Loving people more than self, taking care of them, even at times sacrificially, and stepping into the gap when there is a need. It is a shameful thing that we in the body of Christ often are the least generous of all. Many people who do not know Jesus are more generous than the church is. My prayer is that I will grow in my love for others and be willing to share out of the abundance of what I have so that if there is someone in need I will wholeheartedly give because I love Jesus and want them to see Jesus through me so they will know His love too. How about you? Are you a loving, generous person, or is this something that needs to change in your heart as well?
Charity is really about a heart attitude. When I give it must be from a desire to please my God by taking care of those who are in need. It isn't just about giving either, its also about taking care of others, being other minded. Loving people more than self, taking care of them, even at times sacrificially, and stepping into the gap when there is a need. It is a shameful thing that we in the body of Christ often are the least generous of all. Many people who do not know Jesus are more generous than the church is. My prayer is that I will grow in my love for others and be willing to share out of the abundance of what I have so that if there is someone in need I will wholeheartedly give because I love Jesus and want them to see Jesus through me so they will know His love too. How about you? Are you a loving, generous person, or is this something that needs to change in your heart as well?
Saturday, June 6, 2015
The Promises of God
Years ago, when I was a brand new Christian I bought this little book called, "The Bible Promise Book." One Thousand Promises from God's Word. Over the I always keep it fairly near at hand to remind me that God's Word has the answers for life, the universe, and everything. This wonderful little paperback book is pretty dog-eared these days, but still hanging together and is filled with nuggets to help encourage, aid, convict and give hope when things feel out of control. This is in no way intended as a plug for the book, but is intended to share some of my favorite promises with anyone who comes along to read this blog.
One of the things God's Word is good about doing for me is convicting me of my sin so that I have the opportunity to be free of it. If you were to make a list of sins you struggle with, what would be on it? One of mine would be anger. One of my favorite anger promises is from Psalm 145:8. This verse tells me, "The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger, and of great mercy." When I look at this verse I see how I could live if I were to choose to put away the anger and seek to be an imitator of God. I tend to want to beat to my own drum, to put away being a Lemming, and be an individual. In Christ I can be me, but the me that seeks to be more like Him. He is the only One I seek to try and imitate and be like in this life. My heart has far to go to match up to this goal, but it is a life goal to be slow to anger, and to instead be merciful toward others and show them the love of Christ. He gives me grace instead of what I deserve, so I need to learn to be like Him and treat others with this same heart attitude.
Another promise that I treasure is from John 12:46. Jesus tells us here, " I am come a light into the world, that whoever believes in me should not abide in darkness." I went through a period in my life where I was terrified of the dark. To me darkness was loss of hope, and despair. I had to be taught by God to not be afraid of the dark because to Him light and dark are the same. Neither is bad because He created them both for a purpose. When I put my faith in Christ I started to not be afraid of the darn anymore, though this took some time because of an ingrained habit, and instead to hold on to Christ in the dark who turns that darkness into the light of hope. I love it!
Over the next little while I think I will share some additional promises that bless me abundantly. Keep checking in if you are interested!
One of the things God's Word is good about doing for me is convicting me of my sin so that I have the opportunity to be free of it. If you were to make a list of sins you struggle with, what would be on it? One of mine would be anger. One of my favorite anger promises is from Psalm 145:8. This verse tells me, "The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger, and of great mercy." When I look at this verse I see how I could live if I were to choose to put away the anger and seek to be an imitator of God. I tend to want to beat to my own drum, to put away being a Lemming, and be an individual. In Christ I can be me, but the me that seeks to be more like Him. He is the only One I seek to try and imitate and be like in this life. My heart has far to go to match up to this goal, but it is a life goal to be slow to anger, and to instead be merciful toward others and show them the love of Christ. He gives me grace instead of what I deserve, so I need to learn to be like Him and treat others with this same heart attitude.
Another promise that I treasure is from John 12:46. Jesus tells us here, " I am come a light into the world, that whoever believes in me should not abide in darkness." I went through a period in my life where I was terrified of the dark. To me darkness was loss of hope, and despair. I had to be taught by God to not be afraid of the dark because to Him light and dark are the same. Neither is bad because He created them both for a purpose. When I put my faith in Christ I started to not be afraid of the darn anymore, though this took some time because of an ingrained habit, and instead to hold on to Christ in the dark who turns that darkness into the light of hope. I love it!
Over the next little while I think I will share some additional promises that bless me abundantly. Keep checking in if you are interested!
Saturday, May 23, 2015
Fun, Fellowship and...a petting zoo!
Wow, today has been full of lots of interesting things. My husband's company Memorial Day celebration happened today, and it was full of great fellowship with a lot of wonderful people. There was some food involved, a bouncy house, a petting zoo that included a Llama, and a fantastic orchestra who played really great music for us. I really enjoyed watching the kids play all around the area we used for the celebration, and seeing them really love on the animals that were brought for them to enjoy!
It got me thinking about something. Enjoying the company of others can be challenging sometimes. It requires the ability to not only talk, but to listen. I will confess I struggle with listening with care sometimes. I am thinking I spend too much time alone and when I get around others I tend to let it all out because subconsciously I am not sure when my next fellowship opportunity is going to come. That sounds kind of sad doesn't it? One of my goals is to learn to be a better listener so that my loved ones, both family and friends, feel loved. When a person hears nothing but their own voice, it shows a sad lack of caring about others, and this is a personal growth area.
The people around me are gracious for the most part. Every once in a while I get someone who looks like they might be avoiding me, and this always makes me feel sad, but I ask myself why that might be, and usually I find that its because I am too focused on me and not enough on them and they feel like I don't really care. Those that have taken the time to get to know me seem to enjoy my company, but they have worked through my anxiety about doing something stupid in front of them, and shown that they care about me and so have brought me to a place of letting my guard down.
My day was fun because who doesn't enjoy fellowship, food, good music and a petting zoo! It was also thought provoking because those I fellowshipped with are part of my family in Christ and I want them to feel loved and appreciated by me. So that is my challenge. Learn to listen, practice saying fewer words so that they can get a word in edgewise, and hold no grudges.
It got me thinking about something. Enjoying the company of others can be challenging sometimes. It requires the ability to not only talk, but to listen. I will confess I struggle with listening with care sometimes. I am thinking I spend too much time alone and when I get around others I tend to let it all out because subconsciously I am not sure when my next fellowship opportunity is going to come. That sounds kind of sad doesn't it? One of my goals is to learn to be a better listener so that my loved ones, both family and friends, feel loved. When a person hears nothing but their own voice, it shows a sad lack of caring about others, and this is a personal growth area.
The people around me are gracious for the most part. Every once in a while I get someone who looks like they might be avoiding me, and this always makes me feel sad, but I ask myself why that might be, and usually I find that its because I am too focused on me and not enough on them and they feel like I don't really care. Those that have taken the time to get to know me seem to enjoy my company, but they have worked through my anxiety about doing something stupid in front of them, and shown that they care about me and so have brought me to a place of letting my guard down.
My day was fun because who doesn't enjoy fellowship, food, good music and a petting zoo! It was also thought provoking because those I fellowshipped with are part of my family in Christ and I want them to feel loved and appreciated by me. So that is my challenge. Learn to listen, practice saying fewer words so that they can get a word in edgewise, and hold no grudges.
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Community Within Your Family
It has been a lot of years since my son was small. When he was young we had regular family devotions, had evenings set aside for reading as a family from some book we found interesting, and had regular game nights. He got older and we got busier and those things by and larger fell by the wayside. We still counted important our fellowship together, but we lost our way about how to do this, especially when our son became an adult. Learning to relate to adult children is far different from when they are little and even teens and they are still under your authority for their schedule.
Finding a new kind of relationship within that family dynamic is critical. Why? Well do you want your adult children to value you as you age? Do you want them to come see you when they move out of the house on their own? How about when they have their own children, do you want them to bring those grandchildren to see you and to teach them to love and respect you like they do? Then it is really important to find your way in establishing a new kind of relationship that focuses on community within the family.
Community is talked about a lot in Scripture, and having a healthy relationship with others. Churches teach about having a fellowship or community of believers that love and value each other. This is just as true in families. My family has started going through the process of seeing this as important and figuring out what that means for us. We are on a journey to build our relationship with God and with each other. It will not look like it did when our son was young, and it will not look like another family's journey. It will start with hope, and end with love and in the middle it will take a lot of faith to persevere, and not give up when failures happen. Building a community within our family will help us to be a better part of the community that exists in our church and everywhere we go and interact with others.
How about you? What does your family community look like? It is a good thought to ponder on.
Finding a new kind of relationship within that family dynamic is critical. Why? Well do you want your adult children to value you as you age? Do you want them to come see you when they move out of the house on their own? How about when they have their own children, do you want them to bring those grandchildren to see you and to teach them to love and respect you like they do? Then it is really important to find your way in establishing a new kind of relationship that focuses on community within the family.
Community is talked about a lot in Scripture, and having a healthy relationship with others. Churches teach about having a fellowship or community of believers that love and value each other. This is just as true in families. My family has started going through the process of seeing this as important and figuring out what that means for us. We are on a journey to build our relationship with God and with each other. It will not look like it did when our son was young, and it will not look like another family's journey. It will start with hope, and end with love and in the middle it will take a lot of faith to persevere, and not give up when failures happen. Building a community within our family will help us to be a better part of the community that exists in our church and everywhere we go and interact with others.
How about you? What does your family community look like? It is a good thought to ponder on.
Thursday, May 7, 2015
A Walk on the Light Side!
It is gloomy outside! I am not fond of gloom. I typically like sunshine and heat and sitting by the poolside outdoors. We have had a string of cloudy days and some rain this last week. I was bumming when I found out that this week's forecast was filled with gloom. I have a hard time begrudging rain because we always need it, but gloom? I am not a fan of endless cloudy days.
In life I am the same. I thrive on optimism and looking for the good instead of the bad in life. I am not a constantly cheerful person, but if given lemons, I typically see if I can make lemonade out of them. I am to use another trite expression, a glass is half full kind of gal.
Walking on the light side for me does not mean endless fluffy topics of conversation that mean nothing, it means remembering that in spite of the gloom I have The Son, and He is light and hope and joy and peace. I could never be a sith Lord because use of the force for me would be in the light range, not the dark. I can maniacally run around bashing bad things in my favorite game, Guild Wars 2, but I am still a light girl.
These are the things that let me walk on the light side when the day is gloomy.
Jesus Christ my Savior, He is my glory and my crown.
The Bible. It gives me truth and hope, conviction of sin when I walk in it, and direction to live by.
The Indwelling Holy Spirit. He is my Comforter and Convicter when I do wrong. He walks with me so that I am never alone.
The Body of Christ. These fellow brothers and sister remind me that I am part of a family, though often dysfunctional, and that they are there to help and for me to help them.
My Family. My husband and son. God's Word says He sets the lonely in families. I often feel lonely, and can go to my family and receive comfort and companionship that staves off those lonely feelings and reconnects and grounds me.
A couple of my favorite verses in the Bible are Proverbs 3:5-6 and Jeremiah 29:11.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.
For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
To walk in the Light is so joyful when I fix my eyes upon Jesus and look full in His wonderful face. These things of earth grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace!
In life I am the same. I thrive on optimism and looking for the good instead of the bad in life. I am not a constantly cheerful person, but if given lemons, I typically see if I can make lemonade out of them. I am to use another trite expression, a glass is half full kind of gal.
Walking on the light side for me does not mean endless fluffy topics of conversation that mean nothing, it means remembering that in spite of the gloom I have The Son, and He is light and hope and joy and peace. I could never be a sith Lord because use of the force for me would be in the light range, not the dark. I can maniacally run around bashing bad things in my favorite game, Guild Wars 2, but I am still a light girl.
These are the things that let me walk on the light side when the day is gloomy.
Jesus Christ my Savior, He is my glory and my crown.
The Bible. It gives me truth and hope, conviction of sin when I walk in it, and direction to live by.
The Indwelling Holy Spirit. He is my Comforter and Convicter when I do wrong. He walks with me so that I am never alone.
The Body of Christ. These fellow brothers and sister remind me that I am part of a family, though often dysfunctional, and that they are there to help and for me to help them.
My Family. My husband and son. God's Word says He sets the lonely in families. I often feel lonely, and can go to my family and receive comfort and companionship that staves off those lonely feelings and reconnects and grounds me.
A couple of my favorite verses in the Bible are Proverbs 3:5-6 and Jeremiah 29:11.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.
For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
To walk in the Light is so joyful when I fix my eyes upon Jesus and look full in His wonderful face. These things of earth grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace!
Monday, May 4, 2015
Death, How to Face it without Fear
I sat down today to have my quiet time. I started a week or so ago going through my Pastor's past sermons. I have been battling with something and knew I needed help. I decided that help could come from my Pastor in a slightly different way then seeking counseling sessions. In my quiet time I listened to his message on Revelation 1:17-18. He pointed out, and rightly so, that most of us spend a lot of time avoiding death, and even thinking about death. We have come up with a bazillion words to describe what we do not want to accept. We are a dying people. We are a dead people.
When sin entered the world, things literally went to Hell in a handbasket. Everyone died in Adam that day. We are true Zombies. We live and breathe and move around, but we are dead spiritually. I don't feel dead, do you? Bodily we are not dead of course. It is spiritually that we are dead. God breathed the breath of life into Adam and man became a living soul. We became different from the animals God had created. We were made in God's image. Therefore when Adam and Eve sinned, they spiritually died just like God had told them. God has been working on redemption ever since. He has finished the work of spiritual redemption through what Jesus Christ did on the cross, but there is still a physical redemption to be had. He is working on that.
In regard to death, Jesus conquered it. Most Christians don't even live with this in mind. Many of us are just as fearful of dying as those who have not received Jesus as their Savior. Why? We embrace the culture around us, and spend just as much time fighting off aging and death as everyone else. This is our cultural norm. A few weeks ago I looked up what the average American lifespan is. I found that for men it's around 78, and women its 82. In my mind I though to myself, wow, I have a shot at 82! That is 33 more years to live! Woot! I can do lots of fun things in that time. I too am in the mindset of fighting off death in order to play and have fun, in order to accomplish my personal goals.
Death is coming whether I like or accept it or not. Death is not a faithful companion, it is the enemy, but Jesus conquered death. Because He conquered death, I don't need to be fearful of it. I need to accept death as an inevitable reality, and live my life, not for me, but for Him who saved me. If I want to face death without fear, I need to trust in the One who conquered death and I need to follow Him in faith. I need to accept what death is, the reality of it and stop running away from the truth. What that is going to look like for me I don't know yet. I am sure of this, its time to put away this fear and trust the One who loves me and sent His Son to be my salvation.
When sin entered the world, things literally went to Hell in a handbasket. Everyone died in Adam that day. We are true Zombies. We live and breathe and move around, but we are dead spiritually. I don't feel dead, do you? Bodily we are not dead of course. It is spiritually that we are dead. God breathed the breath of life into Adam and man became a living soul. We became different from the animals God had created. We were made in God's image. Therefore when Adam and Eve sinned, they spiritually died just like God had told them. God has been working on redemption ever since. He has finished the work of spiritual redemption through what Jesus Christ did on the cross, but there is still a physical redemption to be had. He is working on that.
In regard to death, Jesus conquered it. Most Christians don't even live with this in mind. Many of us are just as fearful of dying as those who have not received Jesus as their Savior. Why? We embrace the culture around us, and spend just as much time fighting off aging and death as everyone else. This is our cultural norm. A few weeks ago I looked up what the average American lifespan is. I found that for men it's around 78, and women its 82. In my mind I though to myself, wow, I have a shot at 82! That is 33 more years to live! Woot! I can do lots of fun things in that time. I too am in the mindset of fighting off death in order to play and have fun, in order to accomplish my personal goals.
Death is coming whether I like or accept it or not. Death is not a faithful companion, it is the enemy, but Jesus conquered death. Because He conquered death, I don't need to be fearful of it. I need to accept death as an inevitable reality, and live my life, not for me, but for Him who saved me. If I want to face death without fear, I need to trust in the One who conquered death and I need to follow Him in faith. I need to accept what death is, the reality of it and stop running away from the truth. What that is going to look like for me I don't know yet. I am sure of this, its time to put away this fear and trust the One who loves me and sent His Son to be my salvation.
Sunday, April 26, 2015
A Storm is Brewing in my Heart
Wow, every time I turn around lately, the truth is getting in my face. What do I mean by that? Well, I have been pretty lackadaisical about my spiritual life. I have been busy living day to day and haven't made the time to really read my Bible. I pray every day, but even that isn't what it could be.
Having said all that, I have been meditating a lot on what my Pastor's have been teaching. We have been covering I John at church and wow, I am remembering why it is so important to be in God's Word on a daily basis. When I say a storm is brewing in my heart, I can feel myself reaching a point where I quit making excuses and start living this life the way I am meant to. I distract myself with a lot of junk. I forget to worship the One who made me, who saved me, who loves me more than anyone. I give Him a half a loaf, instead of my whole heart way too often.
Time to change, to learn and grow and quit being okay with just getting by. A life worth living is one that is fixed on Christ, without shame, or fear or worry about what others think about me. I have this feeling that if I really embrace who I am in Him and let go of all the garbage I fill my life and head with, that the person I am now will be gone and the person I am meant to be will finally step up and step out and bring Him glory and truly be a blessing to those around me.
A Storm is Brewing in my Heart and I say let the storm rage and wash away all that doesn't belong.
Having said all that, I have been meditating a lot on what my Pastor's have been teaching. We have been covering I John at church and wow, I am remembering why it is so important to be in God's Word on a daily basis. When I say a storm is brewing in my heart, I can feel myself reaching a point where I quit making excuses and start living this life the way I am meant to. I distract myself with a lot of junk. I forget to worship the One who made me, who saved me, who loves me more than anyone. I give Him a half a loaf, instead of my whole heart way too often.
Time to change, to learn and grow and quit being okay with just getting by. A life worth living is one that is fixed on Christ, without shame, or fear or worry about what others think about me. I have this feeling that if I really embrace who I am in Him and let go of all the garbage I fill my life and head with, that the person I am now will be gone and the person I am meant to be will finally step up and step out and bring Him glory and truly be a blessing to those around me.
A Storm is Brewing in my Heart and I say let the storm rage and wash away all that doesn't belong.
Thursday, April 23, 2015
It has been a while since I have posted. Life has been full of remodeling some of our house, taking care of medical needs with my Diabetes, and being a full-time student and working through my courses. I could share with you the drama of our remodeling, of which there has been a lot, but will forego that as it really is pitiful and sad. For today, I will share with you something I have been thinking about a lot.
What goes on in my head space if often trivial, sometimes foolish and every once in a while profitable for me spiritually. I recently heard a teaching on how as a follower of Christ I am indwelt by the Holy Spirit. I know this. The Bible teaches this and I believe it. I fail to remember it often enough, and I can tell because of many of the things I think about like God doesn't see it all! If I were living like God can see my every thought I would be far more thoughtful about what is in my head space. It is causing me to evaluate my life, my activities, and what is causing me to have my mind filled with all the garbage that really needs to be cleaned up.
If you are reading this and you don't belong to Jesus, well what I just said might unsettle or offend you. I make no apologies for my faith, and if you don't like what I share, well you are free to not read my meanderings. I hope you stick around though because maybe I will share something that you are glad you stayed around and took the time to read.
Moving on, I liken my mind to what it is supposed to be, a place where a Holy God can live in without worrying about my garbage. Unfortunately that is not my mind, and a lot of the time its not my heart. I struggle every blasted day with...well...me. I am my own problem. I am really glad my salvation doesn't depend on me or I would be in big trouble. I am assured that I have been given a new heart and a new mind, but I am battling with the old one. That which I am holding on to in this battle is God, He is faithful. I know that He will not ever give up on me. The fact that I am bothered by the garbage in my mind and Him having to live there in the midst of it is a good sign that there is hope for me. One day at a time, one moment at a time, I will plug along and pray that this doesn't get forgotten in the busy of life. That way maybe one day I will come in here and share a greater victory than I am experiencing now.
What goes on in my head space if often trivial, sometimes foolish and every once in a while profitable for me spiritually. I recently heard a teaching on how as a follower of Christ I am indwelt by the Holy Spirit. I know this. The Bible teaches this and I believe it. I fail to remember it often enough, and I can tell because of many of the things I think about like God doesn't see it all! If I were living like God can see my every thought I would be far more thoughtful about what is in my head space. It is causing me to evaluate my life, my activities, and what is causing me to have my mind filled with all the garbage that really needs to be cleaned up.
If you are reading this and you don't belong to Jesus, well what I just said might unsettle or offend you. I make no apologies for my faith, and if you don't like what I share, well you are free to not read my meanderings. I hope you stick around though because maybe I will share something that you are glad you stayed around and took the time to read.
Moving on, I liken my mind to what it is supposed to be, a place where a Holy God can live in without worrying about my garbage. Unfortunately that is not my mind, and a lot of the time its not my heart. I struggle every blasted day with...well...me. I am my own problem. I am really glad my salvation doesn't depend on me or I would be in big trouble. I am assured that I have been given a new heart and a new mind, but I am battling with the old one. That which I am holding on to in this battle is God, He is faithful. I know that He will not ever give up on me. The fact that I am bothered by the garbage in my mind and Him having to live there in the midst of it is a good sign that there is hope for me. One day at a time, one moment at a time, I will plug along and pray that this doesn't get forgotten in the busy of life. That way maybe one day I will come in here and share a greater victory than I am experiencing now.
Thursday, January 15, 2015
The Bright Side of Life
Every time I turn around something is going on that can cause a person to feel gloomy. Bad news, poor health, awful weather, or just the time of the year. All of these can be the source of developing the yucks. Its hard to hang on to the end of the rope sometimes.
Today I woke up to sunshine! I love it! I am ready for the weather to warm up and perk up and the gloom to go away. Whenever the weather is good I always feel better. How can a person live though when the weather is one long yuck? Each of us have to figure out how to look for and live in the bright side of life. Most of the time I am the glass is half full kind of person. To use a trite expression, when I get handed lemons, I figure out how to make lemonade out of it.
My life right now is a perfect example of lemons. I am dealing with getting Diabetes under control, a partially frozen shoulder, and a remodel in my house that has gone on for months with one glitch after another. I have been having a really hard time seeing the bright side of life.
Today, with the sunshine making me feel cheery, I am reminded that I have someone to help me. He is ever faithful, and ever true. His Word is a healing balm when I take the time to read it and think about what it means. I live every day in Sonshine if I would simply remember that the most important Son is never hidden by clouds, and always provides me the light I need to feel perky and cheerful.
My bright side of life can be renewed day by day, moment by moment. All I have to do is remember and then walk in faith instead of sight as I live out my time on this ole sod like I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I've committed to him against that day.
Today I woke up to sunshine! I love it! I am ready for the weather to warm up and perk up and the gloom to go away. Whenever the weather is good I always feel better. How can a person live though when the weather is one long yuck? Each of us have to figure out how to look for and live in the bright side of life. Most of the time I am the glass is half full kind of person. To use a trite expression, when I get handed lemons, I figure out how to make lemonade out of it.
My life right now is a perfect example of lemons. I am dealing with getting Diabetes under control, a partially frozen shoulder, and a remodel in my house that has gone on for months with one glitch after another. I have been having a really hard time seeing the bright side of life.
Today, with the sunshine making me feel cheery, I am reminded that I have someone to help me. He is ever faithful, and ever true. His Word is a healing balm when I take the time to read it and think about what it means. I live every day in Sonshine if I would simply remember that the most important Son is never hidden by clouds, and always provides me the light I need to feel perky and cheerful.
My bright side of life can be renewed day by day, moment by moment. All I have to do is remember and then walk in faith instead of sight as I live out my time on this ole sod like I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I've committed to him against that day.
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Documentary on the Tornado that Hit Joplin
Last night I watched a documentary on the tornado that hit Joplin. The coverage was pretty gritty and graphic in some parts and could in and of itself be unacceptable viewing for anyone under the age of 13. I was born and pretty much raised in Kansas for my youth, and lived in Missouri for many years. This is all considered part of Tornado Alley. In all my years I have never seen the ravages of damage that this tornado did in Joplin. It took 30 minutes for that tornado to move through the town. Normally a tornado will last for just a couple of minutes at most in a location before dissipating or moving on. It was heartbreaking to watch. Entire streets of houses were just wiped out. Even the hospital was hit and had to be evacuated. All of the subdivision around the hospital were flattened. The loss of life was horrific to watch.
I chose this topic to blog about because the images have stayed with me throughout the day and reminded me of how important it is to make every moment of life count. Being a blessing to others, helping them, loving them, reaching out and showing them that love all matters. When this life is over I want to have people say of me that I cared about others, loved them and did my best to help where I could instead of selfishly hoarding myself away from people.
Life is full of tragedy. When it happens, whether to a neighbor, friend, family or the stranger across town I want to be counted as willing to step up to the plate and do my part to show them the love of Christ in me and that this love is sincere, without the desire for personal gain.
I chose this topic to blog about because the images have stayed with me throughout the day and reminded me of how important it is to make every moment of life count. Being a blessing to others, helping them, loving them, reaching out and showing them that love all matters. When this life is over I want to have people say of me that I cared about others, loved them and did my best to help where I could instead of selfishly hoarding myself away from people.
Life is full of tragedy. When it happens, whether to a neighbor, friend, family or the stranger across town I want to be counted as willing to step up to the plate and do my part to show them the love of Christ in me and that this love is sincere, without the desire for personal gain.
Monday, January 5, 2015
The Blessing of a Normal Day
I am feeling philosophical today with this one. I woke up this morning and my husband was back to work after being off for two weeks over the Holidays. It felt kind of strange because it doesn't take long to get used to having him around all the time. At the same time, having him back at work means the day will be like it usually is. I make breakfast for myself and my son if he is around, and check into what needs to be done regarding my current class and it's assignments. I also spent some time getting my calendar updated for the next couple of months.
Normal day to day things that help to establish me in the new year make me feel like life is moving on instead of that brief pause when loved ones are all home because of a special occasion. Another normal day thing is talking to a dear friend about how their break went, what they did and enjoyed and what plans are hatching for the next week or so.
I added the blessing part in there because I sometimes undervalue what a blessing it is to have a normal day. It feels good to get back into the regular swing of things. Working on coursework, puttering around the house, watching a favorite show, reading a little bit of a favorite book... All of these things can give a sense of peace because they are not high, nor are they low, they are just normal. A pot of tea, sunshine rolling in the window, calm, quiet, and the blessing of a normal day!
Normal day to day things that help to establish me in the new year make me feel like life is moving on instead of that brief pause when loved ones are all home because of a special occasion. Another normal day thing is talking to a dear friend about how their break went, what they did and enjoyed and what plans are hatching for the next week or so.
I added the blessing part in there because I sometimes undervalue what a blessing it is to have a normal day. It feels good to get back into the regular swing of things. Working on coursework, puttering around the house, watching a favorite show, reading a little bit of a favorite book... All of these things can give a sense of peace because they are not high, nor are they low, they are just normal. A pot of tea, sunshine rolling in the window, calm, quiet, and the blessing of a normal day!
Sunday, January 4, 2015
The Minion Invasion
Has there ever been something that cracked you up so much you couldn't help but buy it, or ask for it as a gift so you could keep on enjoying it all the time? Well for me it is the Minions! I love them! They crack me up and lets face it life needs a lot of humor to get through it sometimes.
A couple of years ago my husband bought me three of the minions to sit on my desk. These Minions actually talk if you push their tummy or move their heads from side to side. I especially like the Minion that makes the Bee-do sounds. If I could find a hat that you could wear for that I would buy it I am sure! I actually tried to find a Christmas ornament this past year with Dave wearing that hat! It will not be released until March of 2015, and I have a reminder note for myself to buy it!
I enjoy these dudes because they are funny, and yellow and just make me laugh! My husband is a peach because this year he bought me a Minion throw for Christmas. I love it! Laughter is good medicine and well, that is the kind of medicine I can actually stomach with joy.
I remember a time of my life when all the medicine I took was vitamins and an Advil every now and then for a headache. These days I take insulin, and a few other things to help me overcome various health challenges that are fortunately all treatable. The Minion invasion just cheers me up in a way that most days is needful.
Minions make my heart feel good
Though their words are oft misunderstood
Minions help me overcome bad
They make me feel happy instead of sad
A very small ditty to bring out my rhyme! :D
A couple of years ago my husband bought me three of the minions to sit on my desk. These Minions actually talk if you push their tummy or move their heads from side to side. I especially like the Minion that makes the Bee-do sounds. If I could find a hat that you could wear for that I would buy it I am sure! I actually tried to find a Christmas ornament this past year with Dave wearing that hat! It will not be released until March of 2015, and I have a reminder note for myself to buy it!
I enjoy these dudes because they are funny, and yellow and just make me laugh! My husband is a peach because this year he bought me a Minion throw for Christmas. I love it! Laughter is good medicine and well, that is the kind of medicine I can actually stomach with joy.
I remember a time of my life when all the medicine I took was vitamins and an Advil every now and then for a headache. These days I take insulin, and a few other things to help me overcome various health challenges that are fortunately all treatable. The Minion invasion just cheers me up in a way that most days is needful.
Minions make my heart feel good
Though their words are oft misunderstood
Minions help me overcome bad
They make me feel happy instead of sad
A very small ditty to bring out my rhyme! :D
Greetings!
Hi!
My name is Elise and I needed an outlet for all kinds of miscellaneous and meandering thoughts, hence the title and blog! I love to write, but haven't been writing much lately except for college papers on various subjects as I work on my bachelor's degree in Business Administration. I am in my final year, and I have written a ton of material about about all kinds of interesting things, but nothing that allows me to have an outlet for my basic nature as a storyteller.
So, this blog will be reserved for stuff like that. It may include but not be limited by poetry, short stories, real life examples of a crazy, but not clinically, life, and well, anything else I think of!
Check back often if you are interested in that kind of thing!
Elise
My name is Elise and I needed an outlet for all kinds of miscellaneous and meandering thoughts, hence the title and blog! I love to write, but haven't been writing much lately except for college papers on various subjects as I work on my bachelor's degree in Business Administration. I am in my final year, and I have written a ton of material about about all kinds of interesting things, but nothing that allows me to have an outlet for my basic nature as a storyteller.
So, this blog will be reserved for stuff like that. It may include but not be limited by poetry, short stories, real life examples of a crazy, but not clinically, life, and well, anything else I think of!
Check back often if you are interested in that kind of thing!
Elise
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