My Lord

You've painted me pictures, you've sang me songs
You've wiped my tears away, you've moved me along.
You've give me strength to stand up
when all i've wanted was to lie still
But i've been able to do anything
under the umbrella of your strength and your will.
You provide all that I need every day i've drawn in breath
You'll be right there with me, even in death.
They say you come into this world with nothing 
and you leave this world with nothing as well
From this world I'll take a piece of you
because you picked me up every time I fell.
I want to do nothing more than to become more like you
every endeavor I embark on you've seen me through.
I can feel the peace of your warming smile
I never fear being alone because you've been here all the while.
When the worlds troubles are whispering in my ear
you remind me, I have nothing to fear.
You're right there holding my hand
just as you said you always would
I call out to you in times of trouble
just as you said I should.
Most days my heart doesn't ache
my mind isn't filled with fear
you possess the loving compassion I need,
my best interest at heart, you hold me so near. 
I pray to keep you in my heart always
in my thoughts you should always be
my mouth is for your praises
anything I am missing, open my eyes to see. 


"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works 
are wonderful, I know that full well."
Psalm 139:14

Back to the beginning of Eternity...

       With the upcoming Holiday celebration a foot, I think about where this holiday's humble beginnings are rooted. In Christ. Some folks would argue that Easter (the celebration of Christ's death and resurrection) would be the bigger one to celebrate. Let me start, I am not here to argue. I am here to share the gospel according to how it has applied to my life. Christmas is filled with wonder; beauty, birth, a hope and a future all because our Savior was born on this day. Without His birth we wouldn't have eternal life, because without His birth we wouldn't have His death either.
     It all began with Mary. A faithful servant of God. Mary was already pledged to a man named Joseph.
     "The angel went to her and said, greetings you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.
     Mary was troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, do not be afraid, Mary you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you will give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High."  Luke 1:28-32


     Christ's birth truly is the greatest story ever told! An unlikely beginning, ending with a ground shaking ending.
     I understand why we give gifts at Christmas time. I got roped into that for a while too. More was better. Not gifts necessarily from the heart, just more. More stuff. And you know where I'll go with that, read my blog entry entitled "stuff." I have decided (because I was inspired by something I heard on the radio) that next year we should only give each other 3 gifts because, after all, that's all Jesus received. That sounds like a reasonably amount of gifts to give to your loved ones. And the rest that would ordinarily be given, give to a family that is in need. Or someone you know doesn't have family or anyone to celebrate with.
      Through the years, thanks to the way our world has been heading and thanks to our social media- the reason for the season has been nearly forgotten. Except to those of us who have Christ living in our hearts. Some would argue that the Bible is so old and doesn't apply to life here and now but those who know Christ know it's more applicable than ever! Jesus is more real than ever too. This year I just want to give thanks and praise to God for His birth! Without Him I am nothing.
       "The Lord is my strength and my shield." Psalms 28:7
      " I can do everything though Him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13
      Our world is plagued with a not enough feeling. Everything is never enough. Paul speaks of contentment in Philippians 4:10.
       "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and i know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:10-13 


     I had to put the prelude to Philippians 4:13 in here too because it very much has to do with this season too. As I have posted in the past, there any many who don't have and are in want or need. They very well could be like Paul in their situations and be content. But, there are those of us who have and should give to the have nots.
     The true reason for the season is to give thanks and glory to our Savior Jesus Christ for the life He has given us. For the life that He stepped into and became flesh to reconcile us to God. Without Him this life is all that we have. And I am not willing to bet on my own intelligence that there is nothing beyond here. Because there is too much written, seen and unseen for me not to believe in Christ. He came here to give us life. And I want to invite you all this Christmas season to celebrate His life with all of your hearts.

Merry Christmas, God bless!

I don't need to understand.

      Sometimes we find ourselves asking "Why?"
I know I have found myself there more than a few times in my life. Crying it out loud at some points in my life. I felt alone; lost, hopeless and exhausted.
     Once the dust settled, I realized it was my mind that was exhausted not my legs. My mind was tired because I didn't give it up to my Father to sort out.
     His plan is not our plan. How could we possibly even begin to understand what is at work in our lives. He knows it all.
      "My frame was not hidden from you when I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!" Psalm 139 


      I think Psalm 139 says it all. If you read it in it's entirety You would see for yourself it says it all.
He knows things we don't. The before, the after. Our thoughts before they're formulated in our minds.

     Think of a time when you got yourself into a bind... Focus on that for just a moment. You weren't following God were you? Your best idea for yourself, lands you into trouble. And still at that moment, you thought to yourself, Why? Why did this happen to me? Or, how did I get here? You know how you got there. You had an idea. A not so bright one and now you've made a mess and you're sitting in it. That's what happens I guess. For every poor action, there's a consequence. I know it's a huge pill to swallow. I've swallowed that pill before too.
      Or how about when you're doing everything you feel God is asking you to do and still, something goes wrong. This surely a time when you would ask Why? Like, why are you doing this to me?
Here is what is difficult for all of us to accept. It's His will... His will. His plan. His thoughts. His view- because he can see it all, the beginning and the end. We make sacrifices here while we're in this life, that if given the choice we never would have made them. Losing a job, a loved one, money, a child, our homes. Hurricanes and tsunami's rip through peoples homes at night while they're fast asleep. And if they are blessed enough to wake up the next day or in the midst of the chaos, would you hear them saying- Why? Or would you see them dropping down on their knees, saying: "Thank you Lord for sparing my life." When rising to their feet again, shuffling through the rubble and collecting what's left of their lives.

       I don't need to understand. I just need to follow. Because I know he's there. He has been every where I could possible be. He is everything and the nothing in between. I can take heart knowing He has been every where I could wind up being. There would be no point in our existence if we already knew everything there ever was and will be. What would be the point of this life. We were created to be in fellowship with Him who put us here. We were made to worship Him. But He loved us so much that He wasn't about to "Make" us love Him, or follow Him. It's our choice. Free will. So, you decided to take the wrong path... Why ask why. You know why. And even when you did take the right path, His path and something goes wrong, take heart, it's His will. He's got it all under control. All of it.

     Find peace in this world, please. Ask Christ to come into your heart to live there and be your rock. If you don't, life is going to seem like a really long pointless road. At least if you know Jesus, you have someone you can count on to be there through all of your storms.

God bless.



         "The Lord is with you where ever you go." Joshua 1:9

My home on earth

     When I woke this morning, I looked outside to find it's snowing! Typical thing this time of year, but it's the first. I sat for a few moments and watched all the individual and unique snowflakes fall to the ground. Some melting upon contact to the patio and others collecting in bunches with the others in the grass.
     The sight of the snow takes me back. Back to when I was a kid again, staring up at the sky watching as every flake threatened to land on my face. Mouth wide open, arms extended and smiling. It was always the best going back into the house, getting out of my snow attire and looking into our yard to see my accomplishments for the day. The snowman; the fort, the wall to hide behind. Even the track the dog's feet had worn into the snow around his run chain. And if you have a dog, of course you know about yellow snow :(
     But the greatest thing of it all is that when I had enough of the cold, I could always go back into the house and get warm. Sometimes I would even fix myself a cup of hot cocoa or hot apple cider. Now, I only drink hot tea. I couldn't imagine not having a home, could you?
     Not long ago, I was in a place where I had a roof over my head, though it wasn't my own, I still had warmth to come home to. The living situation was getting to be increasingly difficult and at times I felt unsafe.
I prayed... I prayed for my Father to get me out of that situation because I knew it wasn't conducive to living a more Righteous lifestyle. I prayed He would place me where ever He wanted me. And He did. I awoke one morning unafraid of the delusions I had developed about taking the chance of failing. I made one stop somewhere, she made a phone call and I waited a couple days... After the couple days had passed, I got probably one of the happiest phone calls I had gotten in a long while; "congratulations! When do you want to move in?"
     I cried as soon as I hung up the phone. My Father heard my prayers. I cried and prayed to Him so many nights and because I was at the end of my rope and wasn't fighting Him anymore He responded- big.
      I often refer to our place as our humble home or His house. Because it is. Without His gentle persuasion who knows where I'd be. Without faith I would have stayed in the hamster wheel of fear and doubt and grieving.
       I guess I am bringing up two points here. One, you MUST stay faithful in prayer and in deed. And stop fighting Him, He wants to bring good things into your life. And once you let go and let God, He will.
      Point two, be grateful for the home that you have. Unless of course you are in danger, then you must act. Faith requires action. There are too many people out there who don't have a home. They aren't outside "playing" in the snow... They may have no other choice but to live it out until spring breaks.

     What can we do? How far can our arms reach? How can we get involved to do some sort of outreach? And honestly too, from the out pour of our hearts! Whether it be through our Church communities or you spending a saturday helping those less fortunate than yourself. How can you? Pray about it.
        I find joy in scrubbing my toilet and cleaning and cooking and doing the laundry. I find joy in the little things that some people are only inconvenienced by. I love it! My Father placed me in this home, His home. He wanted me safe. He wanted me warm. I stopped fighting Him on something in my heart I wanted so badly. But at the time I just didn't know how to receive it. I let go.

Let me leave you with two pieces of scripture,
     "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phillipians 4:6-7


- And if we are truly to be more Christ-like (being His followers)
"For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, Mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing." Deuteronomy 10: 17-18 

I pray we can make the changes in the ways we have only talked about doing so. I pray we can do the things we have merely aspired to do or commended someone else for doing. I pray we can be give thanks and  praise to our Father who looks out for us and provides when we really don't deserve it. We don't "deserve" anything! It's all His anyway, we've just got it on loan.

God bless!

"Stuff"

    We come into this world with nothing... It's amazing how much stuff most of us obtain, but leave behind.  Just as we came we also leave, empty handed.  
     I've seen it, families fighting and squabbling over their Grandmother's collectibles; recipes, blankets she knit, furniture. Is all that stuff really important? Did those things make up your Grandmother? Were those things "who she was?" Absolutely not!
    Sure, when my Grandma passed away, There were some things that I felt a connection to. Or a fond memory was attached to one thing or another. But I did not "need" those things to remember her, or the memories connected to the stuff. Stuff is nice, although it isn't that important. Our Heavenly Father will provide all that we need.
"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19


    A little yet big piece of information about stuff... It isn't permanent. Much like this life here, it doesn't last forever. Our treasure isn't here anyway.
      "For where your treasure is, there you heart will be also." Matthew 6:21


Have in your possession what you need but it isn't necessary to have much more. This thought makes me think of the parable of the talents, located in Matthew 25:14-30. But there is a part that stands out the most pertaining to what I am getting at.
     "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness." Matthew 25:21 


"For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him." Matthew 25:29

      Interpret this both how you will. But think of how tightly some people clutch onto their things... Keeping all of their riches to themselves, not sharing their wealth or not doing the right things with it. Whether it be in this life or not, they will not have what they once saw as theirs.
     So the things we are responsible for while we are here, should be well taken care of. When we have an abundance we should give to those in need with a whole heart. So, whoever has (and will give freely) will be given more. This is what we are meant to do, with what we have. Not store it up as if there is a shortage.
    
       "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not more valuable than they?" Matthew 6:26


    One last point on what Jesus said and observed.
    
       Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offering were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people thew in large amounts. But a poor widow cane and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, 
        " I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything- all she had to live on." Matthew 12:41-44


     We don't have to wait until the holidays to give. Or stick to the same amount for tithing every week. Give until you're uncomfortable! How can you expect God to bless YOU when you're not stretching your arms as far as you can? Or when you're not giving uncomfortably and giving from the out-pour of your heart? And I say uncomfortably blessing others or loving others, Because, how many people are comfortable with outwardly loving complete strangers? Am I right? It's tough... Most people's minds would immediately flood with a thousand what ifs. What if I can't pay my own bills? What if I get robbed? Or lied to? Or, Or, Or.......
Let go of the fear. Trust God. And give! He'll let you know what you CAN do. Or what He wants you to do. Say yes, you won't regret it. He will continue to provide all that YOU need!

p.s. Be daring, pray for the things you may desire, but  for others. Trust that you will have all that you need, pray for others who are less fortunate than you.

God bless!

Anything at all

I smile upon your sleeping face.
Sweep the little bit of hair resting on your brow.
Sign a cross for protection on your forehead.
Whisper I love you, softly into your ear.
You smile.
Your feverish little eyes open.
Awake just enough to whisper “Mama.”
I can’t help but smile back at you.
Knowing all the late hours;
Few breaks
And skipped meals
Will all be worth seeing my little angel healthy again.
Just to see your smile
Means more to me than anything in this world. 
I know that when you reach out-
To touch my hand
What it is-
That defines love. 


Copy written 2008.

Did I sign up for this?

         Life... What a concept. Both a blessing and at some times more of a burden. All of this wouldn't be called life if it were easy. What makes life so difficult? Hating your job; your car is broken, your kids are too much to handle sometimes, your wife/husband isn't giving you what you need, you chase after the things you can't have or the things that you shouldn't... Money is a huge thorn in a human's side!
      So, Life, your burden... What do you do with it? Worry? Turn into a workaholic? An alcoholic?
Jesus said: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30


      I know most of us are hands on and want to have "control" over everything that happens in our lives. But the reality is folks, you don't know what is going to happen to you when you set foot out that door tomorrow. It's just the truth. I don't know what is going to happen 5 minutes from now, I could get a life changing phone call. I don't know.
      So, my prayer is that we can all rest easy in the hands of God, knowing He has it all under control. Life might not make much sense to you right now. All of this may look like chaos, but His ways are not ours.
       Worry- now thats a tough one. It doesn't add a single year to your life- it actually slowly subtracts them.

Jesus says about worry: "Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important that food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" Matthew 6:25-27 


    The one I believe most painful to your self and to those who love you, drunkenness. Drunkenness is mentioned and eluded to many, many times in the Word. Here are a few that make a good enough point.

           "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery." Ephesians 5:18 
          
          " Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags." Proverbs 23:20-21


       When we turn to Christ and lay our burdens down on Him, It will then be His weight to carry. It is no longer ours. Pray for His strength, His peace and comfort. Don't turn to something "of this world" it's no use. It's all only temporary. Here today gone tomorrow. "All come from dust, and to dust all return." Ecclesiastes 3:20
      
        It takes time and a lot of discipline to immediately turn to Christ and rely on Him. He won't let you down- He can't, it's impossible. Remember, you're never alone. He's always right there walking beside you and sometimes carrying you, though you may not always know it.

      

Children and Love

        My daughter is almost 5... Her constant concern usually seems to be peace. She is always asking if I'm having a good time. Or if my husband is having a good time. She tells us she loves us, constantly. Or she compliments us on something we are wearing or my earrings or my hair or necklace etc. It's amazing to me how children think! I am loved; get showered with compliments and apparently I am somebody she really wants to spend every waking hour with- being loving!
      Which leads me to believe our most natural state is Love. Yes, I know we are all sinners. But, Love is what you need to abide by!

".....Love your enemies and pray"  Matthew 5:44
".....And Love your neighbor as yourself" Matthew 19:19
".....Love the Lord your God" Matthew 22:37
".....Rather, Serve one another in Love" Galatians 5:15

My personal favorites that sum up Love.
"But the fruit of the spirit is Love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

Or commonly heard read during weddings,
"Love is patient, love is kind. it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrings. love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. it always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 


      How much more clear does Jesus need to make it for us? Now I know this sounds like a long shot and we've all got our battle scars from this tough existence we call life but... What is the harm in Loving instead of replying with distaste?
     All of these technological devices we have, they all have a default setting or a reset button, right? I think we do too. His name is Jesus. He will just get right in there and take over and set us straight. Get us back to our default setting. It might take some time but if we put our faith in Him, all things are possible.

How?
" I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me." Matthew 18: 3-5

       Our children are being corrupted by the things we do, the things we say, the way we act. If, we are not living a righteous lifestyle. There are things we now, as adults look back at in our childhoods and wish we had never seen or heard, right? You as an adult or parent can make that difference now. By teaching your children to take all that love that they already have and multiply it with the power of Jesus! Jesus felt very strongly about the proper treatment and shaping of little children.

" But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in m to sin, if would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea." Matthew 18:6 
     I guess, to some degree what I am saying is- pay close attention to your child. Notice what his or her motivating emotion is while interacting with you or your family. Is it love? Children speak the language of love better than most of us do. And I have to give credit to our little persons for doing something some adults aren't yet capable of doing!
    Life is a long (yet short) learning process. We are always learning, growing, expanding and seeking. If we make the conscious effort to make the right choices and guide our little ones to make the right choices we could possibly help them avoid the kind of battle scars we are plagued with.

-God bless

So... What do we do now?

       I haven't had a blog in a quite some time. I guess I got away from it, not because I had nothing to say but just because I wasn't sure if anyone heard me. There's a difference between reading something and reading something and it becoming a part of you. As alive as you and I are right now! Of course, It makes me think Of some of the words Jesus spoke. "He who has ears, let him hear." Matthew 11:15
    
 Have you even let something you read or heard change you? For the better? For worse?
We do it to ourselves every single day. We seem to hypnotize ourselves with positive thoughts or negative ones. When you go through your day, do you notice the people who are having a bad day? And then think, gosh, I'm glad I'm not him or her... Or the people who are having a good day. Their day is going so good, when you're having a bad day that you just want them to shut up or go away right? C'mon now, be honest here... We're human and that's where grace comes in and thank God for that! Love... Love is the answer to all that ails you.
"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be JOYFUL in hope, Patient in affliction, Faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality." Romans 12:9-13 


I read a lot, many different books. Mostly Christian literature... There is no other better cure for a bad day than reading the bible.
There was one day that I was having a bad day! My back ached, it was cold outside, I had a raging headache... I was just kind of feeling unlovable. I didn't want to be around me, I was crabby! I sat and read for 2 hours, through the prophets and through some of my favorites.
I landed on Psalm 139.
"Oh Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise, you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord." Psalm 139:1-4


       After reading all of Psalm 139 again a few times over, I realized that He loves me anyway! No matter how crummy I might feel. Or how hurt or scared or ugly I feel today. He is my rock, He is my sunshine, my strength and my shelter! Psalm 139 was something I have read many times, but each time, still, it changes me. But the trick is, you have to let it. Just like they say- Let go and let God. It's true. Let Him change you. Your heart. Your perceptions of this world and the people around you. Be healed! Let the healing waters contained in the Bible wash over you. Let Jesus be your savior! What do you have to lose? You have all the more to gain. Growth and wisdom. A new heart. A life after this place. And some one to weather life's storms with you- Jesus!

-God bless