Infusion in the midst of confusion

Ah, the time change. Daylight Saving (no S!) time. I will blame/chalk it up to that. The grumpys, blahs, grumbles, gripes, pick a phrase, ______________ (fill in the blank with whatever you call it when you get in a funky mood!) began to run rampant today. My brain felt foggy and confused. I felt like I was going through the motions....and slow motion at that. Letting life happen to me. I turned on some praise music. Better, but still not where I'd like to be.

However, when I really begin to pay attention, I can see all the little/subtle (sometimes NOT so subtle!) ways that God has been trying to get my attention.

As I type this, I'm hearing a message on grumbling and gratitude (and realizing it is the same one I heard when I got in the car earlier this PM after dragging my feet to head out the door, right time, right place comes to mind) OK God, I'm a bit slow! In that message, I was reminded that not being joyful is a way of grumbling at God. Even on my darkest day(s), I am still SO blessed.

Time for a perspective change What is going wrong? to all the things that could be, but are not going wrong.

Where does the infusion come in? I'm thinking back on my day. I get the thought of tea. To me, tea is comforting. I look up the definition of infusion: the addition of something that is needed or helpful. My overwhelmed feelings = hot water. Adding God (tea) the addition of someOne that is needed or helpful. God infuses my overwhelmed feeling into a more comfortable take on life. I could even go as far as living water.

I also happened to pick up a daily devotional book at the thrift store today. "More Than Conquerors" good title and a good reminder to me. "We are more than conquerors through Christ who loved us." Romans 8:37 I open it up to where the ribbon is placed in the book. Who cares if it was July! I read because I have often found (AND still am surprised) that God has taught me much when I take a few minutes to focus on Him. One page is about having an inborn longing for God (compared it to migration for birds). The other page is about hope in our hearts. The line that stuck out: "If God is the sunshine of your life when things are going well, He is also your lamp in the darkness of midnight. When your heart is overwhelmed and many difficulties greatly upset you and it is all too much to share with other people, put your hope in God, your personal Comforter in sorrow."

Prayer:
God, our ever light when darkness tries to creep in,
Thank you for the times you arrange for us to be confronted and comforted in truth and love, especially when we least expect them but need them most. Forgive us for the times when we have let overwhelming feelings. emotions and darkness try to block out the light and love you want for us. Help us not to give into those or let negative words come out of our mouths. Help us to remember 1st to praise and say uplifting words to others and ourselves. There is a difference between happy and joy-filled. I pray for my friends that they be uplifted by Your glory and compassion, however You decide to shine it into their lives. May we dance and sing praises long and loud enough to banish even the grumpiest days into submission.
All in the name of your Son, Jesus.
Amen

The following verses were those mentioned in the radio program I was listening to. The 2nd time? I was even by a computer! Bonus.

When I look in the Bible, I like to look at the headings. Gives me an idea of what's going on. This one in Philippians is under "Have the attitude of Christ" (uh? Yes, please!)

Philippians 2:14 (NLT) Do everything without complaining and arguing,

(Note: in all circumstances, not FOR all!)
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT) Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NLT) Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life. 

Radio mentioned verses 11-12. However, the whole chapter is worth a read:
Psalm 30 (NIV)
1 I will exalt you, Lord,
for you lifted me out of the depths
and did not let my enemies gloat over me.
2 Lord my God, I called to you for help,
and you healed me.
3 You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead;
you spared me from going down to the pit.
 

4 Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people;
praise his holy name.
5 For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.
 

6 When I felt secure, I said,
“I will never be shaken.”
7 Lord, when you favored me,
you made my royal mountain stand firm;
but when you hid your face,
I was dismayed.
 

8 To you, Lord, I called;
to the Lord I cried for mercy:
9 “What is gained if I am silenced,
if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it proclaim your faithfulness?
10 Hear, Lord, and be merciful to me;
Lord, be my help.” 

11 You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
12 that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.
Lord my God, I will praise you forever.

Focus on the but?

Read carefully: Focus on the but (yes, only one "t"). As a woman, I need no help on focusing on the other spelling!

I have been thinking on this for awhile and at the time I didn't have a good example of my thought. I do now thanks to the Miss USA pageant (scholarship opportunity....sorry, a little sarcasm). I didn't watch it....totally forgot about it truthfully. I did hear/see Miss Michigan won! Followed up by and shown numerous times, she tripped. She's beautiful, she won, but the media seem to focus on the stumble!

Oh, we can be so critical....especially if it helps keep the attention off of us. BUT can be so negative. "You did good, BUT you could have done better" "I like this about myself, BUT I could/should still ___________ fill in the blank.

Many times it seems we put the positive 1st and then follow it with how it could be better. Sometimes maybe we need to stop ourselves before we get to BUT. "You did good." "I like this about myself" I've heard that for every negative, it can take up to 5 positives to counteract.

I'm going to start paying more attention to where I'm putting my attention when I think about others....and try to take it easier on myself as well. People really don't need our assistance in finding faults. It seems everybody has something about themselves they would change if they could.

I tried looking up "but" in the Bible...numerous versions even at www.biblegateway.com. I didn't find any. There were quite a few for "however".

Interesting that this is under the heading: Unity in the Body
Ephesians 4:2-7
² Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. ³ Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. ⁴ For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. ⁵ There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶ and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all. ⁷ However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ.

Look for the gift in each person......Even if you have to get past a lot of buts.

Reflections......Movin' On.......

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (NIV)
17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Wow, it's already January 8! Happy New Year! A fresh start!

I have much to do today, but I decided to stop for a few minutes and think. There are times/days I get so "busy" that I don't give myself time to sit (hopefully, quietly) and think. I just seem to flit from thing to thing usually not finishing anything. This is really frustrating for me. I KNOW what to do and even HOW to do it, but I don't DO it. A lot of this is procrastination and just not wanting to deal with everyday stuff.

I know from past experience that once I've done the stuff I need to do, I can't believe I waited so long to deal with it. I spent more time worrying about the outcome than spending the time it would take to do the project and not have to worry. Reflect in the dictionary is: to think quietly and calmly. Ha! part of the problem. When I think of the past, I don't think about it quietly or calmly. It comes roaring in with fingers pointing and shouting, "You COULD/SHOULD/WOULD have done better, if only _______"

Now, the following COULD sound like an excuse:

Ecclesiastes 5:20 (NIV) He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.

However, I am going to think of it as if I focus on what God has done and is doing in my life, I don't need to reflect for too long on what has already happened. I can enjoy today. So can you!

The new year is not the only time for fresh starts. Each day we are given the opportunity to get something done, right a wrong or just BE and that's enough.

So, my free advice for the day, "Just DO it (whatever "it" is)!"

One more thought: I finally watched Gone With the Wind quite awhile ago. At the time, I thought after ALL that happened in the movie that the end line of the movie was rather lame. "After all, tomorrow is another day."

However, I'm beginning to realize that is rather good advice. Scarlett (and we) could focus on all the mistakes we've made or the time we've wasted OR we can move on. I suggest we learn from the past and move on....before WE are Gone with the Wind (OK, That's a stretch!, smile).

To quote Timone from Lion King: Put your past behind you.

Just in case, you want to see for yourself: ending of Gone with the Wind (gotta love YouTube)

Focus....where's yours? Push through and look up.

Sunday I had another right time right place moment.

I have been feeling REALLY stressed out. At my Friday appt. we scheduled surgery for the end of the month. Transportation issues. Lack of/poor use of time. Son has not been feeling well and trying to figure out why. Tonight, the toilet overflowed for no apparent reason and is bubbling up when I run the washer....ahhh life! I'm sure your list could compare or even top mine.

The van acted up on the way to church. I was already running late (suprise, not!). I was bound and determined to get there as I feel like I'm running on empty....and not just the gas tank! I drove slower and through parking lots, but I finally got there.

The sermon? How to Listen to a Spirit. The Holy Spirit rarely screams to get our attention. It's more like a constant hum that's there if we listen, but it's easily overcome and drowned out by the tune of everyday life issues. Sometimes it is through the counsel of a trusted person.

After the service, there was a "healing service". Hmmm...just wrote about that I believe. I usually do not seek out assistance (ie: ask for help). I am working on it, but normally I am really bad at it. I felt kind of guilty as I had my little laundry list of stuff going on. I was prayed for: peace for upcoming surgery and watching son feel bad and not knowing what to do, blessings for the drs, we even prayed for the van! I wasn't instantly healed (and neither was the van...should be covered by warranty), but that big bag of worries felt a little lighter and I had a more peaceful feeling. For a few moments, I focused on the fix instead of the problem.

Now I'm thinking about focus and where mine has been. I have been focusing on the problems/mountains. I also believe the devil works overtime on keeping our focus ON the problem/circumstances so we are less effective in God's kingdom.

Psalm 121 (NIV) 1 I look up to the mountains—does my help come from there? 2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! 3 He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. 4 Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps. 5 The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. 6 The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. 7 The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. 8 The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.

I need to look higher than the mountains. My help will come from God. My focus needs to be where my help will come from....not looking and worrying about how big the problems seem. God is bigger than all of them! BUT I need to be willing to get quiet and focus.

Psalm 46 : 10 (NIV) "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

Push through, look up and keep listening and watching for answers. Often, the answers will come in ways you never anticipated.