When I finally woke up today, I felt a bit blue. Our family has a lot of stuff going on. Everybody does. It would be very easy to just stay in bed, pull the covers up over my head and just have a good cry. Easier, in fact, then getting up and doing the things I know need to get done on a Saturday. I'm even home to do them. Just not really feeling like it. My heart knows not to let my emotions rule. My head sometimes wants to just go back to bed. So, instead I'll write.
I also know that when I take time, even just a few minutes, to acknowledge and spend time with God it is never time wasted. I always learn something. I always feel better when I do. Sometimes I think God will be disappointed that He wasn't my first way of dealing with issues. I'm more disappointed in myself than He ever is.
I got out my Women of Faith Devotional Bible. I read a few different passages. I realized in the front there are different topics....Grace. Liberty. Hope. Joy. Faith. Love. Forgiveness. Truth. Purpose. Peace. Healing. Sovereignty. The one I am most interested in currently is healing. Mainly because cancer has come to visit our family circle again. Maybe even still. Is it ever really gone once cancer has showed itself? The person with a diagnosis seems to handle it better than the rest of us.
The passage I chose to read is in Revelation. The end, the last book of the Bible. (A fleeting thought goes through my head: Is this the end of life as we've known it?) I read Revelation 22:1-6
The River of Life
And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.
When compared to life as we know it here on Earth, the river of life sounds pretty promising. Heaven sounds like a FAR better place than here. I start to feel a bit selfish. I know what I/our family wants to have happen. We want to keep our family member(s) here as long as we can. I feel thankful that we have been able to have our parents with us as long as we have. I know there are children that do not get to have their parents around as long. I know there are parents who have not been able to have their child with them near long enough if at all.
No matter what our future holds, I will remain sure that while our days here are numbered we are blessed to be able to be in each other's lives. I believe that God promises a "new heaven and a new earth" (Rev. 21:1) and Revelation 21:4-5 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.”
In an effort of not being selfish with good news, I urge you to consider a relationship with God. Not religion. Relationship. God wants the best for you. I do too.
Now....to get to that laundry. Do One Thing, Do One Next Thing
Saturday, July 25, 2015
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Like Me
I put off writing. I put off lots of things. Things that I know will make life better. IF I would just take the time to slow down, be less busy. Things like taking some quiet time and listening to what God has to say to me. Things like praying more. Reading the Bible more. I KNOW what I need to do. I just don't do it. OR I find other things to do, ways to waste time. I don't WANT to waste time. At least I don't think I do. But I do.
If I had a friend that only spent time with me or talked to me when they needed something, I dare say I'd be rather ticked off.
If I had family that I do everything for and they choose not to love me, I would be hurt.
If I wrote letters to those that claim to love me and they don't read them, I might wonder why do I bother?
If I watched a person make choices on spending their time and money in ways that are harmful to them, I would think I would do whatever I had to do to get their attention.
....and there it is. I would be ticked off, hurt, wonder why I bother, try to get attention. Life is not about "I" or "me". When we try to do life on our own, we make it SO much more difficult than it has to be.
God has pointed out to me in numerous ways over my life that He cares about the tiniest details of my life. Things I don't even bother to tell my closest family and dearest friends because it doesn't seem relevant or a big enough deal,
I think that may be part of the issue I'm dealing with lately. Too often I think God is like me. I totally forget that I am created in HIS image. He is NOT created in mine.
He will still listen to me. Even when, especially when, it has been too long.
He will still do everything for me and love me even when I don't acknowledge it right away and maybe not ever.
His words are still in that love letter of the Bible waiting for me to read what I need to hear when I need to hear it.
He knows that I have made choices on using my time and the blessings He has provided in ways that are not the best use of dwindling resources.
He will get my attention. One way or another. He likes me. He loves me. Exactly because He is NOT like me. I am like Him. I can be. He made me and you to be the very best versions of us we can be. WE are the ones that try to find ways to explain things to make us feel better. He already knows. The parts we hide from everyone else. He knows AND loves us anyway.
So are you ready to start getting back to where we need to be? Like me?
Genesis 1:27 (NIV) So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV) And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
If I had a friend that only spent time with me or talked to me when they needed something, I dare say I'd be rather ticked off.
If I had family that I do everything for and they choose not to love me, I would be hurt.
If I wrote letters to those that claim to love me and they don't read them, I might wonder why do I bother?
If I watched a person make choices on spending their time and money in ways that are harmful to them, I would think I would do whatever I had to do to get their attention.
....and there it is. I would be ticked off, hurt, wonder why I bother, try to get attention. Life is not about "I" or "me". When we try to do life on our own, we make it SO much more difficult than it has to be.
God has pointed out to me in numerous ways over my life that He cares about the tiniest details of my life. Things I don't even bother to tell my closest family and dearest friends because it doesn't seem relevant or a big enough deal,
I think that may be part of the issue I'm dealing with lately. Too often I think God is like me. I totally forget that I am created in HIS image. He is NOT created in mine.
He will still listen to me. Even when, especially when, it has been too long.
He will still do everything for me and love me even when I don't acknowledge it right away and maybe not ever.
His words are still in that love letter of the Bible waiting for me to read what I need to hear when I need to hear it.
He knows that I have made choices on using my time and the blessings He has provided in ways that are not the best use of dwindling resources.
He will get my attention. One way or another. He likes me. He loves me. Exactly because He is NOT like me. I am like Him. I can be. He made me and you to be the very best versions of us we can be. WE are the ones that try to find ways to explain things to make us feel better. He already knows. The parts we hide from everyone else. He knows AND loves us anyway.
So are you ready to start getting back to where we need to be? Like me?
Genesis 1:27 (NIV) So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV) And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Tuesday, June 02, 2015
"It" Happens
I've been putting off writing. I've been putting off lots of things actually. I've been getting by. I even know why...now....finally? OR I'm just willing to admit it to myself, again. The thoughts of this post have been rattling around in my head. I procrastinate. I put it off. I think it will go away. It hasn't....so here goes.
Life has a lot of crap. I want to use the other word, but I'll keep it PG....and it ties into my point...so I'll leave it at crap. Sometimes Crap! with a Capital C. Sometimes it all happens at once. Sometimes it trickles so you really don't notice at first until you feel like you're in that creek with no paddle. Floating. Honestly? Who wants to just float? I want to fix it. To be in control. To get out of the boat, the creek. I want to MOVE ON. I want it handled.
My problem? It's heavy and I'm weak. Here is an example the best way I can state it.
We have cats. Too many cats. They eat. They crap. We scoop. We bag it up and throw it away. We don't hold on to it. It stinks! I would never GIVE that bag to anyone else to hold on to. Not even somebody I really don't care for. Why would I give it to somebody I claim to love?
Stuff happens. Too much stuff happens. It's messy. We bag it up....and carry it around. No wonder we get tired, anxious, crabby, etc. WHY?
God has offered to carry our burdens. Heavy as they may be. Messy as they are. I KNOW that. In my heart. On a good day, even in my head.
Once again, I have put human qualities on God's sovereignty.
He wants ALL of it. The good. The bad. The ugly. The messy. The things I would NEVER give or expect anyone else to handle. The things that if I would just put down...He will pick up.
What kind of crap have you been carrying around? Are you ready to give it up?
1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV)
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Life has a lot of crap. I want to use the other word, but I'll keep it PG....and it ties into my point...so I'll leave it at crap. Sometimes Crap! with a Capital C. Sometimes it all happens at once. Sometimes it trickles so you really don't notice at first until you feel like you're in that creek with no paddle. Floating. Honestly? Who wants to just float? I want to fix it. To be in control. To get out of the boat, the creek. I want to MOVE ON. I want it handled.
My problem? It's heavy and I'm weak. Here is an example the best way I can state it.
We have cats. Too many cats. They eat. They crap. We scoop. We bag it up and throw it away. We don't hold on to it. It stinks! I would never GIVE that bag to anyone else to hold on to. Not even somebody I really don't care for. Why would I give it to somebody I claim to love?
Stuff happens. Too much stuff happens. It's messy. We bag it up....and carry it around. No wonder we get tired, anxious, crabby, etc. WHY?
God has offered to carry our burdens. Heavy as they may be. Messy as they are. I KNOW that. In my heart. On a good day, even in my head.
Once again, I have put human qualities on God's sovereignty.
He wants ALL of it. The good. The bad. The ugly. The messy. The things I would NEVER give or expect anyone else to handle. The things that if I would just put down...He will pick up.
What kind of crap have you been carrying around? Are you ready to give it up?
1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV)
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Dear God,
Thank you so much that you know and understand us better than we can ever comprehend. Help us to know in our hearts and heads that when we give up control it gives you the chance to work in our lives. Help us not to hang on to our messes. Thank you that when we put them down you can and will carry our burdens.
Amen
Thursday, May 28, 2015
As Is
If you like to shop garage sales, thrift stores or Craig's List and Ebay OR if you've ever purchased a previously-owned (used!) car, you are familiar with the term "as is". This term is usually used for an item that is perfectly usable except for....that....one (or more)...imperfection. If it is an item with wheels, it may even be sold "where is" meaning you have to do whatever you need to do to get it to your location.
Sometimes, especially on down days, we can get to feeling a bit "as is" (or whatever you choose to call it: less than, not enough, different, etc). The good news is that "as is" does not mean useless or unworthy.
God can and will pick us up, dust us off and make us the BEST as is we can become, IF (that is a big IF sometimes!) we let Him.
"God loves us the way we are, but too much to leave us that way." - Leighton Ford
Praying that whatever may be standing in your way today that you may feel better than new and never just "as is". God has paid a high price for YOU! He thinks you are worth it. I do too.
Acts 17:27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.
Sometimes, especially on down days, we can get to feeling a bit "as is" (or whatever you choose to call it: less than, not enough, different, etc). The good news is that "as is" does not mean useless or unworthy.
God can and will pick us up, dust us off and make us the BEST as is we can become, IF (that is a big IF sometimes!) we let Him.
"God loves us the way we are, but too much to leave us that way." - Leighton Ford
Praying that whatever may be standing in your way today that you may feel better than new and never just "as is". God has paid a high price for YOU! He thinks you are worth it. I do too.
Acts 17:27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us.
Friday, May 01, 2015
Who Holds the Key?
Who Holds the Key?
Thoughts are fleeting inside of my mind.
There one minute and gone the next.
Sometimes it feels like there is a lock on me.
Then I question:
Who holds the key?
My body gets fragile
Wrinkles appear
I look in the mirror
Don't always like what I see
Sometimes it feels like there is a lock on me.
Then I question:
Who holds the key?
I can be filled with the Spirit
if I'd give up control.
Give up perfection.
Start to feel free.
Sometimes I feel there is a lock on me.
Then I question:
Who holds the key?
8/19/12
KL
-----------------------------------------------------
As I get older, I realize the importance of balance between mind, body and spirit even more. When I pay attention to one more than another, life can feel like a free fall. Sometimes it feels like I can unlock one....and there's another lock, and another lock.....barriers. On a good day, I can say, "bring it on!" On a not-so-good day, I have to find better ways to deal with and sometimes realize it's OK (and preferable) to give God the key. He's a pretty good key master. :)
Got any locks you need to deal with? They may have been there for awhile. Dust off that key. You've been holding it all along.
Thoughts are fleeting inside of my mind.
There one minute and gone the next.
Sometimes it feels like there is a lock on me.
Then I question:
Who holds the key?
My body gets fragile
Wrinkles appear
I look in the mirror
Don't always like what I see
Sometimes it feels like there is a lock on me.
Then I question:
Who holds the key?
I can be filled with the Spirit
if I'd give up control.
Give up perfection.
Start to feel free.
Sometimes I feel there is a lock on me.
Then I question:
Who holds the key?
8/19/12
KL
-----------------------------------------------------
As I get older, I realize the importance of balance between mind, body and spirit even more. When I pay attention to one more than another, life can feel like a free fall. Sometimes it feels like I can unlock one....and there's another lock, and another lock.....barriers. On a good day, I can say, "bring it on!" On a not-so-good day, I have to find better ways to deal with and sometimes realize it's OK (and preferable) to give God the key. He's a pretty good key master. :)
Got any locks you need to deal with? They may have been there for awhile. Dust off that key. You've been holding it all along.
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