Living Faith is one of my favorite devotional books that I read each day and the message from August 12th is amazing!!! Read on and see what I mean:
Matthew 18:15
"If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone."
"Often when someone hurts us, we react in the moment with indignation and pride. It can happen so quickly, we don't consider whether we have been complicit in the conflict.
Christ is the King of Peace. Peace is not winning an argument. It's not inducing shame or ganging up on people who have strayed to make them feel stupid. Peace is humility, gentleness and a disposition of mercy towards those who have lost their way.
In the rare case that someone has sinned against us without provocation, we need to acknowledge that we have human dignity, that there are certain behaviors that are unacceptable and should not be inflicted on any child of God, including ourselves.
When we confront the person, it is not to re-create them in our own image or to demand their perfect contrition, but to offer an opportunity for reconciliation, just as the King of Peace has reconciled us to him, in spite of our unworthiness." (Written by Elizabeth Duffy)
*********************************************************************************
Think about someone or something that has hurt you deeply recently....was indignation your first reaction or did pride step in and take over??? Were you even able to stop and look at the situation from a different perspective? Namely, the other person's perspective??? And, did you realize you had a part in the chasm as well? That's right! It takes two to tango. Consciously or unconsciously we all contribute to a situation which goes the opposite of what we are expecting or wanting to happen. And, many time we are not communicating in a way that the other person realizes we are hurt or that we hurt someone else. It is amazing to me how often this happens between us humans!!!
As believers in Christ, we are called to be Ambassadors for Christ and offer forgiveness not just once, but seventy by seven times. That's right 490 times to one person even if they do the same offense over and over and over again....seventy by seven times!!! That is a lot of forgiveness that needs to go around this world. It sounds extremely difficult and very large-hearted, doesn't it??? It sounds impossible to many as well....But, when Jesus' answer in Matthew 18:21 to the question: "How often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Jesus' answer was clear - YES, and then some!!! At the heart of his reply is an understanding that there is NO end to God's forgiveness. None! There is no counting, no calculating, no limits, no score-keeping of our faults or wrongdoings. None. We are to forgive others no matter what - no matter what the offense. Our court system would certainly be a little less harried, wouldn't you say??? Can you imagine if we who call ourselves Christians would actually follow through and do what we are asked to do: Forgive others as we have been forgiven. God in His mercy permanently puts away the calculator and the scoreboard - can we???
Forgiveness and reconciliation....wow! What an awesome gift to offer the next time you get hurt or accidentally hurt someone else. When was the last time you forgave a hurt that broke your heart? Or, are you still nursing that grudge, resentment, anger and/or bitterness. Forgiveness is a gift we give ourselves. And, it is the best one we can offer!!! Peace be with you......
Tips on how to DeStress and enjoy life more!
Thursday, August 13, 2015
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Not So Invisible Moms....
Not
so invisible….
I’m
the Invisible Mom
It all
began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the
kids will walk into the room while I’m on the phone and ask to be taken to the
store.
Inside
I’m thinking, “Can’t you see I’m on the phone?”
Obviously not; no one can see if I’m on the phone, or cooking, or
sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one
can see me at all. I’m invisible. The Invisible Mom.
Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more;
Can you fix this? Can
you tie this? Can you open this?
Some days I’m not a pair of hands; I’m not even a human
being. I’m a clock to ask, “What time is
it?” I’m a satellite guide to answer, “What
number is the Disney Channel?” I’m a car
to order, “Right around 5:30, please.”
I was certain that these were the hands that once held books
and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude –
but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen
again. She’s going, she’s going, she’s
gone!
One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the
return of a friend from England. Janice
had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about
the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting
there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for
myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was
clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in
a hair clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice
turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, “I bought you this.” It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn’t exactly sure why she’d given it to
me until I read her inscription: “To
Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no
one sees.”
In the days again I would read – no, devour – the book. And, I would discover what would become for
me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work:
No one can say who built the great cathedrals – we have no
record of their names. These builders
gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no
credit.
The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that
the eyes of God saw everything.
A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to
visit the cathedral while it was being built, but he saw a workman carving a
tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He
was puzzled and asked the man, “Why are you spending so much time carving that
bird into the beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.” And, the workman replied, “Because God sees.”
I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into
place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, “I see you,
Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make
every day, even when no one around you does.
No act of kindness you’ve done, no sequin you’ve sewn on, no cupcake you’ve
baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you
can’t see right now what it will become.”
At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my
life. It is the cure for the disease of
my own self-centeredness. It is the
antidote to my strong, stubborn pride. I
keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job
that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will
never be on. The writer of the book went
so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime,
because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.
When I really think about it, I don’t want my son to tell
the friend he’s bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, “My mom gets up at
4 a.m. in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a
turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.” That would mean I’d built a shrine or a
monument to myself.
I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to
his friend, to add, “You’re gonna love it there.”
As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we’re doing it
right. And, one day, it is very possible
that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty
that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.
GREAT JOB, MOM!!!
Share this will all the Invisible Moms you know….I just did!
(Author Invisible)
Sunday, July 19, 2015
Lessons from a Butterfly....
Have you ever watched a butterfly for more than a minute? They are beautiful creatures which come in all sizes and shapes and colors! When my son was little, we read a book on butterflies over and over and over again. It was the Alphabet of Butterflies and here are some of the names:
Apollo, Baltimore, Cracker, Dogface, Easter Comma, Falcate Orangetip, Great Purple Hairstreak, Gulf Fritillary, Harvester, Indian Leaf, Jezabel, Kamehameha, Lady Slipper, Magdalena Alphine, Narcissus Jewel, Owl Butterfly, Painted Lady, Queen Alexandria Birdwing, Regal Fritillary, Snout, Transparent, Urania Moth, Ulysses, Violet Copper, Western Pygmy Blue, Xami Hairstreak, Yellow Angled Sulphur, and Zephry Metalmark Butterfly. Look one of them up and see the beauty and magnificence of these tiny creatures who wing their way between butterfly bushes, spirea bushes and the flowers in your garden - they are gorgeous!!!
The life cycle of every butterfly begins with an egg being laid on the surface of a plant. Almost all female butterflies lay their eggs on certain preferred plants such as a passionflower vine. Then, the caterpillar hatches from the egg and begins eating the leaf on which it was born. After growing and shedding its skin several times, the caterpillar pupates into a chrysalis. Before long, the adult butterfly emerges from the chrysalis to start the cycle all over again.....
Imagine being a butterfly for a moment. The beginning of life is almost unnoticeable, fragile. Then, you become a hairy little creature that crawls very slowly on the leaf and/or vine you were born. Changing and shedding layers numerous times until it becomes a chrysalis. Imagine living in a cocoon for most of your life! Growing, changing and waiting to be released from the chrysalis to fly for the very first time. Wow.......you emerge into a world that is unknown to you and you soar on wings that take you here and there, to and frow!!!
What a beautiful way to think about life: our start in life is so fragile. Our growth and maturation process seems interminable at times as we wait until that day when we can fly on our own. Out of the cocoon woven just for us and onto a vast unknown, we fly into a world where we can choose to stop and pause on this flower or that, this bush or that, all the while being admired by the on-lookers who observe our journey!
Pause and think about your life's journey....your flight from childhood to being a teenager to becoming an adult and growing into old age. What has been the best part? What are your favorite "flowers" that you have landed on? Which part of the journey has caused you the most growth and change? Were you able to embrace the beauty along the way? Did you realize that your journey was being observed by outsiders? Did you realize the beauty within you has possibly sustained others on their way?
Many times we focus only on the hard parts of this life, the tough situations, the rough spots along the way. Try for just one day to focus on the beauty of your life! What has been beautiful to experience? What has been beautiful to be a part of? What has been beautiful to pass on to others?
Imagine yourself in that chrysalis once again and starting over...What parts would you keep? What parts would you change? And, finally what parts are you most grateful for experiencing in this life?
Become that butterfly of your choosing in your mind....choose the color you would like to be...choose the flight you would like to go on....choose the lives that you would effect in a positive, beautiful way. Then, give thanks for the color you are, the journey you have taken and all that has been a part of you taking flight in this world!!! Soar on............
Apollo, Baltimore, Cracker, Dogface, Easter Comma, Falcate Orangetip, Great Purple Hairstreak, Gulf Fritillary, Harvester, Indian Leaf, Jezabel, Kamehameha, Lady Slipper, Magdalena Alphine, Narcissus Jewel, Owl Butterfly, Painted Lady, Queen Alexandria Birdwing, Regal Fritillary, Snout, Transparent, Urania Moth, Ulysses, Violet Copper, Western Pygmy Blue, Xami Hairstreak, Yellow Angled Sulphur, and Zephry Metalmark Butterfly. Look one of them up and see the beauty and magnificence of these tiny creatures who wing their way between butterfly bushes, spirea bushes and the flowers in your garden - they are gorgeous!!!
The life cycle of every butterfly begins with an egg being laid on the surface of a plant. Almost all female butterflies lay their eggs on certain preferred plants such as a passionflower vine. Then, the caterpillar hatches from the egg and begins eating the leaf on which it was born. After growing and shedding its skin several times, the caterpillar pupates into a chrysalis. Before long, the adult butterfly emerges from the chrysalis to start the cycle all over again.....
Imagine being a butterfly for a moment. The beginning of life is almost unnoticeable, fragile. Then, you become a hairy little creature that crawls very slowly on the leaf and/or vine you were born. Changing and shedding layers numerous times until it becomes a chrysalis. Imagine living in a cocoon for most of your life! Growing, changing and waiting to be released from the chrysalis to fly for the very first time. Wow.......you emerge into a world that is unknown to you and you soar on wings that take you here and there, to and frow!!!
What a beautiful way to think about life: our start in life is so fragile. Our growth and maturation process seems interminable at times as we wait until that day when we can fly on our own. Out of the cocoon woven just for us and onto a vast unknown, we fly into a world where we can choose to stop and pause on this flower or that, this bush or that, all the while being admired by the on-lookers who observe our journey!
Pause and think about your life's journey....your flight from childhood to being a teenager to becoming an adult and growing into old age. What has been the best part? What are your favorite "flowers" that you have landed on? Which part of the journey has caused you the most growth and change? Were you able to embrace the beauty along the way? Did you realize that your journey was being observed by outsiders? Did you realize the beauty within you has possibly sustained others on their way?
Many times we focus only on the hard parts of this life, the tough situations, the rough spots along the way. Try for just one day to focus on the beauty of your life! What has been beautiful to experience? What has been beautiful to be a part of? What has been beautiful to pass on to others?
Imagine yourself in that chrysalis once again and starting over...What parts would you keep? What parts would you change? And, finally what parts are you most grateful for experiencing in this life?
Become that butterfly of your choosing in your mind....choose the color you would like to be...choose the flight you would like to go on....choose the lives that you would effect in a positive, beautiful way. Then, give thanks for the color you are, the journey you have taken and all that has been a part of you taking flight in this world!!! Soar on............
Sunday, July 12, 2015
Devoted....
Today I learned a new meaning of being devoted! Yes, the main definition is well known:
To devote oneself to something or someone, you basically have to set them apart or give them to some specific purpose or activity in your life. To be devoted means to be very loving, loyal and/or faithful to the person, place or thing. To be a devotee is to be strongly devoted to that entity. Also, to be so dedicated to one purpose is to have a zeal for that purpose that goes beyond any normal limits. So, to be dedicated to one person means that you devote yourself to them, and you actually address yourself, apply yourself and/or buckle down to be loyal to that one person.
And, the new definition I learned from my pastor this morning comes from the Greek meaning of the word devoted: Strong, Earnest and Steadfast. Have you ever heard that God's love for us is that type of devotion??? His Word is strong. It is earnest. It is steadfast. And, that strength, earnestness and steadfastness is His devotion for YOUR benefit and mine!!! God states that intent many times in His Word, The Bible. Over and over, God lays out in scripture His devotion for us.....WOW! Have you ever really let that sink in??? That is truly amazing in my mind!!! We have the God of the Universe who has OUR best interest at heart and tells us so....every day, if we will read and just pay attention.
Are you devoted to someone or something in this life? Do you have that "nth" degree of strength, earnest desire or steadfast spirit that treats another human being with such devotion??? Have you ever felt it from our Father in Heaven? Have you ever studied His word to find this treasure for yourself? It is there for the asking. There for the seeking. There for the taking. All we have to do is read His Word.
Since I have joined Crossroads Christian Church in Shawnee, KS, my faith has grown exponentially in the past four years!!! Each year, our head Pastor, Brad challenges the congregation to read the Bible through in one year. At first, I thought I might try it! I read the Bible every day anyway, but never have read it cover to cover. My beloved grandfather, "Gramps" read it through many times!
I don't even know how many times he read it in his lifetime. I am sorry to say that I still have never done it. Sure, I tried it the first and second year I was at Crossroads, but I let my travel schedule and other devotions take the place of reading the best book in the world !!! So, I am beginning again this summer.
We have a blueprint for every ailment known to man in the Bible! Every one. Not just some. Not just part. Not just most. ALL! We can improve our parenting, our relationships, our finances, our perspective on life and come to know the purpose for which we were born in this book! We can find a solid foundation for which we can lay our faith, we can learn to forgive and avoid temptation and we can learn to discern what God is trying to teach us IF we just sit down and read His Word. Wow!!! Amazing.............
Our faith will grow, our lives will change, our hearts will soften, our mistakes will lessen and we can learn to be more effective in the world, if we will just take the time to listen to what God is trying to tell us.
Some people say the Bible is old, outdated, or just plain "stories" made up for some weird religious purpose or maybe to brainwash us into believing old fashioned rules and regulations. Some people say you cannot believe what you read it the pages of these sacred scriptures. For example, do you really believe Jonah was in the belly of a fish for 3 days??? Well, I used to wonder how in the world that could be true, but now after studying the pages of the Bible and taking several Bible Studies through our Small Group ministries, absolutely, I believe it! Think about the possibility during the latest Tsunami in Japan....could a survivor have made it because he was swallowed by a very large fish? It is definitely possible in today's day and age with all the weird environmental issues we have on the globe!
2 Timothy 3:16-17 says:
"All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
If you haven't taken the time to test the waters, try it! Open your Bible and read it!
Each time we as believers read God's Holy Word, the Holy Spirit will show us what a specific chapter or passage means, if we ASK. Each time I read one of my favorite scriptures, I find peace and reassurance that His Word stands firm. His Word is Holy. His Word is Sacred. And, it is REAL. Yes, the Bible was written by humans and has been translated into a million different translations and languages across the globe, but God used specific people that HE chose to write these scriptures. Each time a new translation is brought out or published, it is poured over to make sure each word, each phrase, each sentence is correct. Checks and balances happen in the publishing world, too. The people who do this job take it very, very seriously because it is God's Holy Word to us. It is not to be taken lightly. It is not to be tossed aside. It is to equip us for each day for each relationship, each challenge, each set back, and even each miracle. Yes, I said miracles. They happen every day if we will just open our eyes to the wonder of it all.
God loves us with a love that is beyond description. And, actually, God doesn't just love us. He adores us!!! That's why He has given us this treasure, this gift, this incredible, infallible Word from Heaven above. It is just as relevant today in 2015 as it was over 2000 years ago. Read it. You will be amazed!!!
To devote oneself to something or someone, you basically have to set them apart or give them to some specific purpose or activity in your life. To be devoted means to be very loving, loyal and/or faithful to the person, place or thing. To be a devotee is to be strongly devoted to that entity. Also, to be so dedicated to one purpose is to have a zeal for that purpose that goes beyond any normal limits. So, to be dedicated to one person means that you devote yourself to them, and you actually address yourself, apply yourself and/or buckle down to be loyal to that one person.
And, the new definition I learned from my pastor this morning comes from the Greek meaning of the word devoted: Strong, Earnest and Steadfast. Have you ever heard that God's love for us is that type of devotion??? His Word is strong. It is earnest. It is steadfast. And, that strength, earnestness and steadfastness is His devotion for YOUR benefit and mine!!! God states that intent many times in His Word, The Bible. Over and over, God lays out in scripture His devotion for us.....WOW! Have you ever really let that sink in??? That is truly amazing in my mind!!! We have the God of the Universe who has OUR best interest at heart and tells us so....every day, if we will read and just pay attention.
Are you devoted to someone or something in this life? Do you have that "nth" degree of strength, earnest desire or steadfast spirit that treats another human being with such devotion??? Have you ever felt it from our Father in Heaven? Have you ever studied His word to find this treasure for yourself? It is there for the asking. There for the seeking. There for the taking. All we have to do is read His Word.
Since I have joined Crossroads Christian Church in Shawnee, KS, my faith has grown exponentially in the past four years!!! Each year, our head Pastor, Brad challenges the congregation to read the Bible through in one year. At first, I thought I might try it! I read the Bible every day anyway, but never have read it cover to cover. My beloved grandfather, "Gramps" read it through many times!
I don't even know how many times he read it in his lifetime. I am sorry to say that I still have never done it. Sure, I tried it the first and second year I was at Crossroads, but I let my travel schedule and other devotions take the place of reading the best book in the world !!! So, I am beginning again this summer.
We have a blueprint for every ailment known to man in the Bible! Every one. Not just some. Not just part. Not just most. ALL! We can improve our parenting, our relationships, our finances, our perspective on life and come to know the purpose for which we were born in this book! We can find a solid foundation for which we can lay our faith, we can learn to forgive and avoid temptation and we can learn to discern what God is trying to teach us IF we just sit down and read His Word. Wow!!! Amazing.............
Our faith will grow, our lives will change, our hearts will soften, our mistakes will lessen and we can learn to be more effective in the world, if we will just take the time to listen to what God is trying to tell us.
Some people say the Bible is old, outdated, or just plain "stories" made up for some weird religious purpose or maybe to brainwash us into believing old fashioned rules and regulations. Some people say you cannot believe what you read it the pages of these sacred scriptures. For example, do you really believe Jonah was in the belly of a fish for 3 days??? Well, I used to wonder how in the world that could be true, but now after studying the pages of the Bible and taking several Bible Studies through our Small Group ministries, absolutely, I believe it! Think about the possibility during the latest Tsunami in Japan....could a survivor have made it because he was swallowed by a very large fish? It is definitely possible in today's day and age with all the weird environmental issues we have on the globe!
2 Timothy 3:16-17 says:
"All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
If you haven't taken the time to test the waters, try it! Open your Bible and read it!
Each time we as believers read God's Holy Word, the Holy Spirit will show us what a specific chapter or passage means, if we ASK. Each time I read one of my favorite scriptures, I find peace and reassurance that His Word stands firm. His Word is Holy. His Word is Sacred. And, it is REAL. Yes, the Bible was written by humans and has been translated into a million different translations and languages across the globe, but God used specific people that HE chose to write these scriptures. Each time a new translation is brought out or published, it is poured over to make sure each word, each phrase, each sentence is correct. Checks and balances happen in the publishing world, too. The people who do this job take it very, very seriously because it is God's Holy Word to us. It is not to be taken lightly. It is not to be tossed aside. It is to equip us for each day for each relationship, each challenge, each set back, and even each miracle. Yes, I said miracles. They happen every day if we will just open our eyes to the wonder of it all.
God loves us with a love that is beyond description. And, actually, God doesn't just love us. He adores us!!! That's why He has given us this treasure, this gift, this incredible, infallible Word from Heaven above. It is just as relevant today in 2015 as it was over 2000 years ago. Read it. You will be amazed!!!
Saturday, June 20, 2015
Awe and Wonder...
Have you ever had one of those moments where you were in complete awe and wonder of something? I have and it is one of those moments where you have to stop, pause and look up at the vast sky or the stars, and say "Thank you" to the One who created it all!!!
Awe is a mixture of reverence, fear and wonder.....then, you add awesome. Awesome is something that inspires awe and creates wonderful or impressive feelings. What are you in awe of today? What has been awesome in your life lately???
Have you been stopped in your footsteps at a such a beautiful sight in nature that you just stop and stare??? Have you ever stood atop of a mountain, or seen a stream that invites you to sit a while and ponder life? What about observing a family of geese quietly swimming across a pond, or have you experienced a sunset or sunrise that made you just think: "Wow!" How about a thunderstorm or a streak of lightening that lit up the sky and you wondered if the thunderstorm was talking to the lightening??? And, what about the clouds rolling by as you lay on a blanket looking up at the sky and watch as the clouds gently flow with the summer air? If you haven't done that since you were a kid, go try it. It truly inspires awe!!!
What creates that feeling of awe and reverence for you? Let me tell you from personal experience, it is worth trying to acknowledge these "ordinary" things that create an extraordinary feeling of awe and wonder. Sights we miss, sights we pass by and don't even give a second thought. We take for granted the mystery of life. We ignore the sunlit glades and ways among the loveliest flowers as we walk our dog because we are so busy talking on the phone instead of watching nature, or paying attention to those we love. We miss seeing our kids take their first step or their first cartwheel because we are so immersed in our work, or our chores, or our "duties." We miss out on so much in our busy world because we hurry along life's path. We get distracted by things that really don't matter. This week, try to stop the next time you see something that inspires you and consider holding onto that feeling for the rest of the day! Write it down. Send a picture to a friend on that crazy smart phone of yours. Then, savor it for a week, or a month!!! You will be glad you did.......
Next is wonder....Wonder is an event which causes astonishment and admiration. To be filled with wonder or marvel at something that happens in your life unexpectedly in a good, positive and/or wonderful way is amazing to experience!!!
Have you ever had a random act of kindness in your life that caught you by surprise? Something that inspired an enormous heart full of joy for you? I have had several in my lifetime and just
recently have been a recipient of three such acts. A dear friend of mine and her hubby called last weekend to see how I was doing and what I needed as I have been laid off work for a couple of months. Just to have them stop over and say hello, and ask what they could do for me was more than I expected. What a sweet friendship we share and have for many years. Then, after they had gone home, I went upstairs to use my restroom and low and behold, they had left a gift of money for me. Wow.........amazing! Awe.........wonder......gratitude filled my heart!!! Tears ran down my face. I called to say thank you and could hardly speak. My emotions were overflowing at such a gift of kindness...such a gift of thoughtfulness.
A second act of kindness that I experienced recently is that a friend of mine offered to loan me and my son the money to put a down payment on a used car for Matt whose vehicles are out of commission and have gone to motorcycle and automobile heaven. Dead. Done. Gone.
No transportation for the time being for a 19 year old son is incomprehensible. Consequences of his choices no less, but nonetheless, devastating to him. So, what did my friend offer? A way out - a chance to start afresh! Wow....amazing!! Awe and wonder again.........gratitude overflowing. Astonishment. Why would someone do that? Pure kindness. Pure generosity. Incredible friendship.
Then, a third act of kindness which happened a couple of months ago, my computer died and went to computer heaven. Dead. Done. Gone. Looking for a job and not having a computer in the year 2015 doesn't work very well. Going to the library to send out resumes and cover letters is a bit inconvenient. Doable, but definitely not the best way to function. Another friend, completely separate from the other two noted above, calls and comes by with a refurbished computer for me. Advance birthday and Christmas gift she says.........Wow....amazing!!! Awe and wonder filled my heart back then and still does each time I sit down to open my email, apply for a job, blog about incredible friends and/or correspond with anyone. Friends. Gifts. Amazing. Incredible. Awe. Wonder.
My response? Gratitude. Humility. Astonishment. And, admiration for those who care about me enough to meet my needs and offer a helping hand. Future response? Pay it Forward. Just like the movie. When someone offers me a helping hand, I want to do the same for someone else. Every time I can. Every chance I get.
I will be forever grateful that the God of the Universe who has blessed me with such incredible people in my life and has answered many, many prayers through people who care enough to show it. People just like you and me.
Do I have awe and wonder in my heart??? Absolutely. Every day!!!
Awe is a mixture of reverence, fear and wonder.....then, you add awesome. Awesome is something that inspires awe and creates wonderful or impressive feelings. What are you in awe of today? What has been awesome in your life lately???
Have you been stopped in your footsteps at a such a beautiful sight in nature that you just stop and stare??? Have you ever stood atop of a mountain, or seen a stream that invites you to sit a while and ponder life? What about observing a family of geese quietly swimming across a pond, or have you experienced a sunset or sunrise that made you just think: "Wow!" How about a thunderstorm or a streak of lightening that lit up the sky and you wondered if the thunderstorm was talking to the lightening??? And, what about the clouds rolling by as you lay on a blanket looking up at the sky and watch as the clouds gently flow with the summer air? If you haven't done that since you were a kid, go try it. It truly inspires awe!!!
What creates that feeling of awe and reverence for you? Let me tell you from personal experience, it is worth trying to acknowledge these "ordinary" things that create an extraordinary feeling of awe and wonder. Sights we miss, sights we pass by and don't even give a second thought. We take for granted the mystery of life. We ignore the sunlit glades and ways among the loveliest flowers as we walk our dog because we are so busy talking on the phone instead of watching nature, or paying attention to those we love. We miss seeing our kids take their first step or their first cartwheel because we are so immersed in our work, or our chores, or our "duties." We miss out on so much in our busy world because we hurry along life's path. We get distracted by things that really don't matter. This week, try to stop the next time you see something that inspires you and consider holding onto that feeling for the rest of the day! Write it down. Send a picture to a friend on that crazy smart phone of yours. Then, savor it for a week, or a month!!! You will be glad you did.......
Next is wonder....Wonder is an event which causes astonishment and admiration. To be filled with wonder or marvel at something that happens in your life unexpectedly in a good, positive and/or wonderful way is amazing to experience!!!
Have you ever had a random act of kindness in your life that caught you by surprise? Something that inspired an enormous heart full of joy for you? I have had several in my lifetime and just
recently have been a recipient of three such acts. A dear friend of mine and her hubby called last weekend to see how I was doing and what I needed as I have been laid off work for a couple of months. Just to have them stop over and say hello, and ask what they could do for me was more than I expected. What a sweet friendship we share and have for many years. Then, after they had gone home, I went upstairs to use my restroom and low and behold, they had left a gift of money for me. Wow.........amazing! Awe.........wonder......gratitude filled my heart!!! Tears ran down my face. I called to say thank you and could hardly speak. My emotions were overflowing at such a gift of kindness...such a gift of thoughtfulness.
A second act of kindness that I experienced recently is that a friend of mine offered to loan me and my son the money to put a down payment on a used car for Matt whose vehicles are out of commission and have gone to motorcycle and automobile heaven. Dead. Done. Gone.
No transportation for the time being for a 19 year old son is incomprehensible. Consequences of his choices no less, but nonetheless, devastating to him. So, what did my friend offer? A way out - a chance to start afresh! Wow....amazing!! Awe and wonder again.........gratitude overflowing. Astonishment. Why would someone do that? Pure kindness. Pure generosity. Incredible friendship.
Then, a third act of kindness which happened a couple of months ago, my computer died and went to computer heaven. Dead. Done. Gone. Looking for a job and not having a computer in the year 2015 doesn't work very well. Going to the library to send out resumes and cover letters is a bit inconvenient. Doable, but definitely not the best way to function. Another friend, completely separate from the other two noted above, calls and comes by with a refurbished computer for me. Advance birthday and Christmas gift she says.........Wow....amazing!!! Awe and wonder filled my heart back then and still does each time I sit down to open my email, apply for a job, blog about incredible friends and/or correspond with anyone. Friends. Gifts. Amazing. Incredible. Awe. Wonder.
My response? Gratitude. Humility. Astonishment. And, admiration for those who care about me enough to meet my needs and offer a helping hand. Future response? Pay it Forward. Just like the movie. When someone offers me a helping hand, I want to do the same for someone else. Every time I can. Every chance I get.
I will be forever grateful that the God of the Universe who has blessed me with such incredible people in my life and has answered many, many prayers through people who care enough to show it. People just like you and me.
Do I have awe and wonder in my heart??? Absolutely. Every day!!!
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Brave, Courage, Courageous....
This month of May was supposed to be my month of "rest." Well, needless to say, it has not been very restful. Many sleepless nights, many worries, many concerns, many issues, but through it all, God has been holding me with His Incredible Hands and lifting me to a place higher than I thought possible. As I have been contemplating my journey, I have found that I have had to muster up more courage than I ever have before in my life. You know how that goes, one major life event would have been enough, but three major life events all at once? Whew!!! I am not sure how people without God in their life make it through the rough times.....I know that I am so very grateful for a God who holds me firmly in His Hands and prepares me for a new journey ahead!!!
This is not a pity party. This about learning to be powerful - through God's strength and His alone.
Philippians4:13 says:
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Wow! How else could I possibly be at peace while losing my job, almost losing my son in a motorcycle accident, and losing what I thought was the love of my life. Yet, as I look back over the events of this past month, I find myself stronger each day. Are some days incredibly tough? Absolutely!!! Tears have rolled down my face on more than one occasion and multiple times per day. Yet, difficult times tend to bring out our strengths as well as our weaknesses. Hopefully, we can each manage to learn from our mistakes and gain courage during trials so that we can move forward - again, in God's strength.
This week, my wonderful sister, Cathi sent me a song called "You Make Me Brave" sung by Amanda Cook and produced by the music group Bethel - it is incredible!!! Take a listen when you have time....
Have you ever thought of yourself as "Brave?" "Courageous?" And, what does being brave or courageous mean? Brave is displaying courage. Being brave is facing a challenge courageously.
What is courage then? Courage is the quality of mind that enables one to face danger or trouble with confidence. Where does that confidence come from? Having a heart, soul and spirit that dares to defy the odds? True Grit? Pure spunk??? Or, from God??? Think about it. Reflect on where you get your courage from - it is a question worth contemplating.
Courage is daring to act with valor when you want to lash out or give up. Courage is choosing to see the problem/concern and taking it head on. Courage is being willing to find solutions, search for answers, and wait for wisdom and guidance. Yes, I said wait. Waiting is one of the hardest things to do when everything seems to be crumbling down around you. When the cancer is back. Where there is no solution. When the finances have been depleted. When it seems all hope has been lost.
Believe me, as a Prayer Warrior at our church, we have tumultuous prayer requests each week!!! Many people are going through horrendous things. It seems that the more we pray, the more we have need to pray! It gives each of us a new perspective on life. Each week, when we pray for others, we start with a list of Praises. Praises of answered prayers. Praises for healing. Praises for new beginnings. Praises for doors opening where another door was slammed shut. Praises for joys shared with each other along the way. It is unbelievable some days how God answers our prayers. We stand amazed each week when we reflect on the ways God has moved in our lives and those of the people we pray for every Thursday.
As the song says, "wave after wave" God's love crashes over me. The majesty and wonder of our Champion in Heaven. Our King of Heaven. He draws us out beyond the shore as He sings His song of love for us. Each of us. I have heard Him calling my name. I have heard of His Grace. I Have heard of His Love. Can you hear him calling your name???
This is not a pity party. This about learning to be powerful - through God's strength and His alone.
Philippians4:13 says:
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Wow! How else could I possibly be at peace while losing my job, almost losing my son in a motorcycle accident, and losing what I thought was the love of my life. Yet, as I look back over the events of this past month, I find myself stronger each day. Are some days incredibly tough? Absolutely!!! Tears have rolled down my face on more than one occasion and multiple times per day. Yet, difficult times tend to bring out our strengths as well as our weaknesses. Hopefully, we can each manage to learn from our mistakes and gain courage during trials so that we can move forward - again, in God's strength.
This week, my wonderful sister, Cathi sent me a song called "You Make Me Brave" sung by Amanda Cook and produced by the music group Bethel - it is incredible!!! Take a listen when you have time....
You Make Me Brave
Amanda Cook & Bethel Music - You Make Me Brave
Have you ever thought of yourself as "Brave?" "Courageous?" And, what does being brave or courageous mean? Brave is displaying courage. Being brave is facing a challenge courageously.
What is courage then? Courage is the quality of mind that enables one to face danger or trouble with confidence. Where does that confidence come from? Having a heart, soul and spirit that dares to defy the odds? True Grit? Pure spunk??? Or, from God??? Think about it. Reflect on where you get your courage from - it is a question worth contemplating.
Courage is daring to act with valor when you want to lash out or give up. Courage is choosing to see the problem/concern and taking it head on. Courage is being willing to find solutions, search for answers, and wait for wisdom and guidance. Yes, I said wait. Waiting is one of the hardest things to do when everything seems to be crumbling down around you. When the cancer is back. Where there is no solution. When the finances have been depleted. When it seems all hope has been lost.
Believe me, as a Prayer Warrior at our church, we have tumultuous prayer requests each week!!! Many people are going through horrendous things. It seems that the more we pray, the more we have need to pray! It gives each of us a new perspective on life. Each week, when we pray for others, we start with a list of Praises. Praises of answered prayers. Praises for healing. Praises for new beginnings. Praises for doors opening where another door was slammed shut. Praises for joys shared with each other along the way. It is unbelievable some days how God answers our prayers. We stand amazed each week when we reflect on the ways God has moved in our lives and those of the people we pray for every Thursday.
As the song says, "wave after wave" God's love crashes over me. The majesty and wonder of our Champion in Heaven. Our King of Heaven. He draws us out beyond the shore as He sings His song of love for us. Each of us. I have heard Him calling my name. I have heard of His Grace. I Have heard of His Love. Can you hear him calling your name???
Monday, May 18, 2015
Harbingers....
Recently, there has been much talk about Harbingers or disasters in our country and our world. Around the globe, there are so many natural disasters occurring that it seems we hear about 1-2/week. Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Sandy, as well as Tsunami's in Haiti and Japan, just to name a few. Tornados of catacylismic size in Joplin, MO and Moore, Oklahoma were devastating to our country. Other disasters have been in the news over and over in the past few years - shocking us into reality! The school shootings at Columbine and Sandy Hook were and are so deplorable that we cannot fathom a world in which they do not occur anymore. The world of "Leave it to Beaver" from the 1960's is over.
A few years ago, there used to be a shooting like was rare, now they are much more frequent and happen on a weekly/monthly basis. Environmental, social, and national disasters are happening at a fast and furious pace in today's world.
Have you ever thought about why we are having these natural disasters? Yes, I know the theory of global warming and the fact that the population around the world has increased so much that we are distressing the earth's resources. We are going beyond the natural boundaries in so many ways. Yes, duly noted. But, it is so much more......
A Harbinger is a precursor or forerunner. Many times it is a forerunner of doom or disaster. It can be considered a herald or omen of the future as well. Our country experienced one of the most horrific "harbingers" ever imagined on September 11, 2001. The world trade centers were destroyed along with thousands of lives.....none of us can ever forget that fateful day in the United States of America. All of us remember exactly where we were or what we were doing the moment we saw the trade centers exploding. It is a daunting memory.
Two summers ago, I read a book called The Harbinger. It impacted me so greatly, that I wanted to buy 100 copies and give it to everyone I know! I could not afford to do so, but it has come up again recently in a call to pray for our country by Anne Graham Lotz.
Our country is in serious disarray. The decay in our social, moral, financial, religious/spiritual, agricultural, and emotional well-being is profound. Most of you who know me, know that I am not a "doom and gloom" type person. I don't dwell on the negative and instead try to live my life in a positive, life-affirming way. But, we must face reality and wake up!!! We are succumbing to the ways of destruction and it is mostly due to our own ignorance. Yes, it is our own fault. Yep, you read that right. We are causing our country and our world to fall. Little by little, day by day, one compromise at a time.
To me it starts with the decay in our families. The decay of our families in the USA have proven to be so disastrous, yet it is second nature in our society. Divorce is so common place that most people don't even blink an eye anymore if a person has been divorced 2-3 times. That is a disaster for us, for our kids and for future generations. Unfortunately, my parents were divorced back in 1973 and I have been divorced since 1980. It is grueling to go through. It has impacted my own emotional state as well as my son and 3 nieces and 2 nephews. Three out of four siblings in my family are divorced. What in the world has happened to us as a family? Brokenness. Feelings of insecurity. Feelings of failure. Yet, "picking ourselves up by the boot straps" is common place in our society. It is a disaster. It is sad. It is ugly.
This nation was founded with a Declaration of Independence and a Pledge of Allegiance. "One nation under God." Yes, that's right. Under God. He was our first priority at one time. We have "In God We Trust" on all of our money in the USA. But, do we really trust Him anymore? I think not. It is very apparent that our world doesn't trust God anymore than we trust each other. Look at our world, look at our culture, look at our families. What do you see? Do you see love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness or self-control anywhere? Not very often. What we see on the news more often is hatred, rioting, impatience, road-rage, abuse, unfaithful people, harshness and absolutely everyone doing whatever they want when they want to do so.....the rule book has been thrown out and we do as we please. No matter what. It is a disaster. It is sad. And, it is ugly.
On 9/11/01 people screamed out: "Where is God?" Well, think about it!!! We have shoved God out of our homes, our schools, our government, and our society so much over the past 50 years, why should He answer us anymore? He is a gentleman, not a thug. He won't force us to believe in love, mercy, forgiveness or grace. Those are His gifts to us, not mandates.
We need to wake up America!!! We need to get back on track. We need to pray for this country and for our families. We need to ask God for help. We need to ask God to be in our relationships, in our motives, in our thoughts, words, deeds, actions, reactions, but mostly our responses. We need God in our homes, our schools, and yes, our government. We need a light to shine on our country. We need Godly leadership. We need people who are going to stand up for what is right - not submit to what some "politically correct" agenda is saying. We need our God and we need Him NOW!!!
Micah 6:8 says: "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does He require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
That is my fervent prayer: Act justly. Love mercy. Walk humbly with God.
Please pray with me - it is an urgent call!!!
A few years ago, there used to be a shooting like was rare, now they are much more frequent and happen on a weekly/monthly basis. Environmental, social, and national disasters are happening at a fast and furious pace in today's world.
Have you ever thought about why we are having these natural disasters? Yes, I know the theory of global warming and the fact that the population around the world has increased so much that we are distressing the earth's resources. We are going beyond the natural boundaries in so many ways. Yes, duly noted. But, it is so much more......
A Harbinger is a precursor or forerunner. Many times it is a forerunner of doom or disaster. It can be considered a herald or omen of the future as well. Our country experienced one of the most horrific "harbingers" ever imagined on September 11, 2001. The world trade centers were destroyed along with thousands of lives.....none of us can ever forget that fateful day in the United States of America. All of us remember exactly where we were or what we were doing the moment we saw the trade centers exploding. It is a daunting memory.
Two summers ago, I read a book called The Harbinger. It impacted me so greatly, that I wanted to buy 100 copies and give it to everyone I know! I could not afford to do so, but it has come up again recently in a call to pray for our country by Anne Graham Lotz.
Our country is in serious disarray. The decay in our social, moral, financial, religious/spiritual, agricultural, and emotional well-being is profound. Most of you who know me, know that I am not a "doom and gloom" type person. I don't dwell on the negative and instead try to live my life in a positive, life-affirming way. But, we must face reality and wake up!!! We are succumbing to the ways of destruction and it is mostly due to our own ignorance. Yes, it is our own fault. Yep, you read that right. We are causing our country and our world to fall. Little by little, day by day, one compromise at a time.
To me it starts with the decay in our families. The decay of our families in the USA have proven to be so disastrous, yet it is second nature in our society. Divorce is so common place that most people don't even blink an eye anymore if a person has been divorced 2-3 times. That is a disaster for us, for our kids and for future generations. Unfortunately, my parents were divorced back in 1973 and I have been divorced since 1980. It is grueling to go through. It has impacted my own emotional state as well as my son and 3 nieces and 2 nephews. Three out of four siblings in my family are divorced. What in the world has happened to us as a family? Brokenness. Feelings of insecurity. Feelings of failure. Yet, "picking ourselves up by the boot straps" is common place in our society. It is a disaster. It is sad. It is ugly.
This nation was founded with a Declaration of Independence and a Pledge of Allegiance. "One nation under God." Yes, that's right. Under God. He was our first priority at one time. We have "In God We Trust" on all of our money in the USA. But, do we really trust Him anymore? I think not. It is very apparent that our world doesn't trust God anymore than we trust each other. Look at our world, look at our culture, look at our families. What do you see? Do you see love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness or self-control anywhere? Not very often. What we see on the news more often is hatred, rioting, impatience, road-rage, abuse, unfaithful people, harshness and absolutely everyone doing whatever they want when they want to do so.....the rule book has been thrown out and we do as we please. No matter what. It is a disaster. It is sad. And, it is ugly.
On 9/11/01 people screamed out: "Where is God?" Well, think about it!!! We have shoved God out of our homes, our schools, our government, and our society so much over the past 50 years, why should He answer us anymore? He is a gentleman, not a thug. He won't force us to believe in love, mercy, forgiveness or grace. Those are His gifts to us, not mandates.
We need to wake up America!!! We need to get back on track. We need to pray for this country and for our families. We need to ask God for help. We need to ask God to be in our relationships, in our motives, in our thoughts, words, deeds, actions, reactions, but mostly our responses. We need God in our homes, our schools, and yes, our government. We need a light to shine on our country. We need Godly leadership. We need people who are going to stand up for what is right - not submit to what some "politically correct" agenda is saying. We need our God and we need Him NOW!!!
Micah 6:8 says: "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does He require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
That is my fervent prayer: Act justly. Love mercy. Walk humbly with God.
Please pray with me - it is an urgent call!!!
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