Monday, October 20, 2014
The Battle(s)
Quite honestly, the battle gear seems a bit dinged lately. When the battle is in your own head and spirit, it is easy to become battle worn and weary. Sometimes the battle just seems to follow us around...nipping at our heels...waiting for us to feel frustrated enough to let that armor slip and uncensored words fly out of our mouths. Of course, that is IF we even remembered to put on armor. Here lies a piece of the dilemma. It is not difficult to see that the battles in this world are coming closer together. Often it feels like there is no relief. Just one battle. After another. After another.
No wonder we are weary! Where is your battle gear? Is it in your closet or at your church with the thought process of better to have it and not need it? Have you fallen into the trap of keeping that armor looking spiffy and shiny? If we do that, we can continue to pretend that WE fight all the battles we face. Alone.
Battling
Alone
Takes
Time and
Lots of
Effort
Time to remember that we do not need to fight alone or armor-less. God promises to provide HIS armor so that we CAN stand when things get wearisome. Part of the battle is recognizing the enemy and identifying the battles worth fighting.
Personally, lately I've neglected a few of the key items in the arsenal. I looked up the verses to remind myself...and you... Read it through. What pieces are you missing?
Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV) The Armor of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Just a Cat
As we get ready to bring home a new pet
OR another pet has found us.
We quickly attach.
People say, it's just a cat.
We've watched them play
and grow up with our kids.
The kids move away.
The cat stays.
People say, it's just a cat.
Years have passed.
She starts to move slower
and sleep even more.
Barely eats.
Accidents on the floor.
Decision to make.
It's just a cat, people say.
Today our "just a cat"
took her last breath.
Giving in to the shot
that quickly brought death.
We drive home with tears in our eyes.
A hole in our hearts.
Knowing our "just a cat"
is finally at peace.
KL 2/6/14
Psalm 36:5-7 (NIV)
5 Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the skies.
6 Your righteousness is like the highest mountains,
your justice like the great deep.
You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.
7 How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!
People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
OR another pet has found us.
We quickly attach.
People say, it's just a cat.
We've watched them play
and grow up with our kids.
The kids move away.
The cat stays.
People say, it's just a cat.
Years have passed.
She starts to move slower
and sleep even more.
Barely eats.
Accidents on the floor.
Decision to make.
It's just a cat, people say.
Today our "just a cat"
took her last breath.
Giving in to the shot
that quickly brought death.
We drive home with tears in our eyes.
A hole in our hearts.
Knowing our "just a cat"
is finally at peace.
KL 2/6/14
Psalm 36:5-7 (NIV)
5 Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the skies.
6 Your righteousness is like the highest mountains,
your justice like the great deep.
You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.
7 How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!
People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
Friday, September 26, 2014
Go To Hugs AKA the POWER of a HUG
Not sure why this is so heavy on my heart today, but I keep thinking about it so maybe it's for someone.....
When I was at my stressful job, I had a hard time keeping life in perspective. Some days were worse than others. I'm not even sure how the hugs came up or started. I do know they helped tremendously. Knowing I had a person to get a hug when needed even in passing, helped. I was proud of myself that I asked. Sometimes I didn't even have to. It must have been the look on my face.
The hugger I refer to no longer graces our planet. She has moved on to a better place. I pray that she knew the difference she made in my life. "Just" from being a go-to person for a hug when needed.
Do you have a person like that for you? Can you find one? Can you be that for someone else?
We don't get through this life on our own. It is very lonely if we try. Reach out. ESPECIALLY when you least feel like it. It helps. It really does.
Ephesians 3:14-21 (NIV)
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
When I was at my stressful job, I had a hard time keeping life in perspective. Some days were worse than others. I'm not even sure how the hugs came up or started. I do know they helped tremendously. Knowing I had a person to get a hug when needed even in passing, helped. I was proud of myself that I asked. Sometimes I didn't even have to. It must have been the look on my face.
The hugger I refer to no longer graces our planet. She has moved on to a better place. I pray that she knew the difference she made in my life. "Just" from being a go-to person for a hug when needed.
Do you have a person like that for you? Can you find one? Can you be that for someone else?
We don't get through this life on our own. It is very lonely if we try. Reach out. ESPECIALLY when you least feel like it. It helps. It really does.
Ephesians 3:14-21 (NIV)
A Prayer for the Ephesians
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Monday, September 08, 2014
Marry Me? !?!?!?!
This weekend I was given the incredible opportunity to travel to Tennessee to witness the wedding of my nephew to his high school sweetheart.
Travel. From Michigan to Tennessee with my mom, dad and brother. Honestly, when we started planning, it did not seem like an opportunity. It seemed like a chore. The planning (or lack of), the travel time, time away from work = lost income, planning for family while I was gone...even if kids are older now. I hesitated even up until the day before waffling back and forth between going. NOT because I did not WANT to be there just little stuff I was letting get in the way of making a decision.
An added bonus is that one of our other brothers made the trip a vacation with his family (his wife and 4 1/2 year old triplets). They arrived the night before we did. We were able to have breakfast with them each day, go swimming, visit a museum/preparation for a civil war reenactment, go for a beautiful drive, read books, do puzzles and just hang out. It was cool to realize that there are 2 brothers and a sister for the triplets and we were there with 2 brothers and a sister (me). We did miss our other brother and sister!
On Saturday, we attended the wedding. It's warm in Tennessee! Beautiful day. It rained later during the reception, but still beautiful. I teared up before the wedding. Partly, because I had not seen my nephew in a long time. Partly, because I've been married 25 years now....not always easy years so weddings make me think ahead and look back a bit too.
As the newly married couple, made their way back down the aisle, my niece was holding my hands. She looked me full in the face and said, "When I grow up, I want to marry you!"
We had a little talk about how we would not be able to be married, but I would love her always and that someday when she was grown up she would find somebody she wanted to marry and her daddy will walk her down the aisle. She asked if I would be there. I told her I would definitely be there that day!
Marriage is more than just the two people getting married. It is the circle of family and friends that join together to celebrate the love those two people have found. We celebrate on that particular day, but also in the years to come,
I am grateful for the time and support of family and friends. Now and forevermore. Marry me? I do. Amen.
Ephesians 3:16-18 (NIV) I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV) And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Travel. From Michigan to Tennessee with my mom, dad and brother. Honestly, when we started planning, it did not seem like an opportunity. It seemed like a chore. The planning (or lack of), the travel time, time away from work = lost income, planning for family while I was gone...even if kids are older now. I hesitated even up until the day before waffling back and forth between going. NOT because I did not WANT to be there just little stuff I was letting get in the way of making a decision.
An added bonus is that one of our other brothers made the trip a vacation with his family (his wife and 4 1/2 year old triplets). They arrived the night before we did. We were able to have breakfast with them each day, go swimming, visit a museum/preparation for a civil war reenactment, go for a beautiful drive, read books, do puzzles and just hang out. It was cool to realize that there are 2 brothers and a sister for the triplets and we were there with 2 brothers and a sister (me). We did miss our other brother and sister!
On Saturday, we attended the wedding. It's warm in Tennessee! Beautiful day. It rained later during the reception, but still beautiful. I teared up before the wedding. Partly, because I had not seen my nephew in a long time. Partly, because I've been married 25 years now....not always easy years so weddings make me think ahead and look back a bit too.
As the newly married couple, made their way back down the aisle, my niece was holding my hands. She looked me full in the face and said, "When I grow up, I want to marry you!"
We had a little talk about how we would not be able to be married, but I would love her always and that someday when she was grown up she would find somebody she wanted to marry and her daddy will walk her down the aisle. She asked if I would be there. I told her I would definitely be there that day!
Marriage is more than just the two people getting married. It is the circle of family and friends that join together to celebrate the love those two people have found. We celebrate on that particular day, but also in the years to come,
I am grateful for the time and support of family and friends. Now and forevermore. Marry me? I do. Amen.
Ephesians 3:16-18 (NIV) I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV) And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Monday, August 25, 2014
The Same God
I am writing this to remind myself as much as anyone else. It is always "easier" to have faith when things are going well. It is in the ups and downs and struggles of life that fear and doubt can try to invade our thoughts.
Recently, I was reminded of Daniel from the Bible. ( Focus on the Family )
We have a right to believe whatever we want, but not everything we believe is right. - Dr. Ravi Zacharias
Even though the time of Daniel was many, many years ago, the times seem eerily similar. The God of Daniel was slowly being removed from society. Eventually, the law became that the people could ONLY pray/worship the current king under threat of being thrown into a den of lions. Daniel had a choice to make: follow the law OR continue to follow the God that he knew and loved and had proven Himself true time and time again. I'm sure Daniel struggled with the decision. Certainly, a den of lions would be a frightening deterrent to continuing his current practice of depending and trusting his God. Daniel continued to follow his heart and prayed to his God.
Daniel was discovered. Thrown into the lions den. BUT lived to be released the next day. In fact, the very king that tried to destroy Daniel ended up turning his life over to the God of Daniel as well.
Today, there are places in our world where this same faith is threatened. It may be a different deterrent than a den of lions. Denounce your faith or lose your head or watch your children be murdered. We are blessed to still live in a country where we are free to have the religion of our choice. To follow the God of our choice. To have a relationship with that God. However, those freedoms are slowly eroding. Do we even pay attention? Do we care until it happens to us? Do we have the faith and conviction to continue to follow our God even if threatened?
I am reminded that the same God of Daniel and many others in the Bible: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, the Israelites, Joshua, Ruth, Samuel, Esther, Job, David, Solomon, Jeremiah, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, the Disciples, is the SAME GOD that enables US and (put your name here) today to continue to follow Him.
The same power and promises that were true then to the people we have heard Bible stories about is still available to us. We do not walk alone, ever. Our brothers and sisters that are being persecuted for their faith are not alone. May our prayers continue to lift them up and remind them that the same God that was available back then is still available and working in all situations today and in our future.
Daniel 6:19-23 (NIV) At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?”
Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”
The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
Romans 8:37-39 (NIV) No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Recently, I was reminded of Daniel from the Bible. ( Focus on the Family )
We have a right to believe whatever we want, but not everything we believe is right. - Dr. Ravi Zacharias
Even though the time of Daniel was many, many years ago, the times seem eerily similar. The God of Daniel was slowly being removed from society. Eventually, the law became that the people could ONLY pray/worship the current king under threat of being thrown into a den of lions. Daniel had a choice to make: follow the law OR continue to follow the God that he knew and loved and had proven Himself true time and time again. I'm sure Daniel struggled with the decision. Certainly, a den of lions would be a frightening deterrent to continuing his current practice of depending and trusting his God. Daniel continued to follow his heart and prayed to his God.
Daniel was discovered. Thrown into the lions den. BUT lived to be released the next day. In fact, the very king that tried to destroy Daniel ended up turning his life over to the God of Daniel as well.
Today, there are places in our world where this same faith is threatened. It may be a different deterrent than a den of lions. Denounce your faith or lose your head or watch your children be murdered. We are blessed to still live in a country where we are free to have the religion of our choice. To follow the God of our choice. To have a relationship with that God. However, those freedoms are slowly eroding. Do we even pay attention? Do we care until it happens to us? Do we have the faith and conviction to continue to follow our God even if threatened?
I am reminded that the same God of Daniel and many others in the Bible: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, the Israelites, Joshua, Ruth, Samuel, Esther, Job, David, Solomon, Jeremiah, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, the Disciples, is the SAME GOD that enables US and (put your name here) today to continue to follow Him.
The same power and promises that were true then to the people we have heard Bible stories about is still available to us. We do not walk alone, ever. Our brothers and sisters that are being persecuted for their faith are not alone. May our prayers continue to lift them up and remind them that the same God that was available back then is still available and working in all situations today and in our future.
Daniel 6:19-23 (NIV) At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?”
Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”
The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV) Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Romans 8:37-39 (NIV) No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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