From Steven Curtis Chapman.
I know it's so hard to believe it right now
so let me believe for you
'Til the blue returns to your sky
Friday, September 29, 2017
Weakness
The weakness of so many modern Christians is that they feel too much at home in the world.
A.W. Tozer
A.W. Tozer
Safe by the shepherd
Quote from A.W. Tozer.
The only safe place for a sheep is by the side of his shepherd, because the devil does not fear sheep; he just fears the shepherd, that is all.
The only safe place for a sheep is by the side of his shepherd, because the devil does not fear sheep; he just fears the shepherd, that is all.
Done in God
Today's Bible Gateway Verse of the Day.
John 3:20-21
For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.
John 3:20-21
For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.
Favorite feeling
Saw this today.
I think one of my favorite feelings is laughing with someone and realizing halfway through how much you enjoy them and their existence.
I think one of my favorite feelings is laughing with someone and realizing halfway through how much you enjoy them and their existence.
Choose the presence of God
From Max Lucado's Daily Devotional
Choose the Presence of God
God repeatedly pledges his presence to his people! To Abram, God said, "Do not be afraid...I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward" (Genesis 15:1). God told Joshua, "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9). In the ultimate declaration of communion, God called himself Immanuel, which means God with us. He became flesh. He became sin. He defeated the grave. He is still with us. In the form of his Spirit, he comforts, teaches, and convicts.
Don't assume God is watching from a distance. Isolation creates a downward cycle of fret. Choose instead to be the person who clutches the presence of God with both hands! We can calmly take our concerns to God because he is as near as our next breath! And because the Lord is near, we can be anxious for nothing!
Choose the Presence of God
God repeatedly pledges his presence to his people! To Abram, God said, "Do not be afraid...I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward" (Genesis 15:1). God told Joshua, "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9). In the ultimate declaration of communion, God called himself Immanuel, which means God with us. He became flesh. He became sin. He defeated the grave. He is still with us. In the form of his Spirit, he comforts, teaches, and convicts.
Don't assume God is watching from a distance. Isolation creates a downward cycle of fret. Choose instead to be the person who clutches the presence of God with both hands! We can calmly take our concerns to God because he is as near as our next breath! And because the Lord is near, we can be anxious for nothing!
Thursday, September 28, 2017
Spiritually discerned
Today's Bible Gateway Verse of the Day.
1 Corinthians 2:14
But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1 Corinthians 2:14
But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
The love of my life
This song came on the other day. It's by a pianist named Jim Brickman but it features Michael W. Smith on the vocals.
Love of My Life
I am amazed
When I look at you
I see you smiling back at me
It's like all my dreams come true
I am afraid
If I lost you girl
I'd fall through the cracks
And lose my track in this crazy lonely world
Sometimes it's so hard to believe
When the nights can be so long
And faith gave me the strength
And kept me holding on
You are the love of my life
And I'm so glad you found me
You are the love of my life
Baby put your arms around me
I guess this is how it feels
When you finally find something real
My angel in the night
Your are my love
The love of my life
Wisdom and discernment
The devil doesn't come dressed in a red cape or pointy horns. He comes as everything you've ever wished for. Pray for wisdom and discernment.
You are near
Yesterday, the song, "Angels Calling" came on my Pandora. That hasn't happened for a long time. Thanks for that.
Also, last night at Rydeon, the class started out with "Some Nights" by Fun. Then I heard "We Are Young" on the radio on the way into work. Then this morning, the song "Just Give Me A Reason" came on. Fun songs always remind me of you, you know.
Also, last night at Rydeon, the class started out with "Some Nights" by Fun. Then I heard "We Are Young" on the radio on the way into work. Then this morning, the song "Just Give Me A Reason" came on. Fun songs always remind me of you, you know.
Contagious calm
From today's Daily Devotional by Max Lucado.
Contagious Calm
How many disasters have been averted because one person refused to buckle under the strain? It's this kind of composure Paul is summoning when he says, "Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything..." (Philippians 4:5-6)
The Greek word translated here as gentleness describes a temperament that's seasoned and mature. It envisions an attitude fitting to the occasion, levelheaded and tempered. This gentleness is evident to all. Family members take note. Your friends sense a difference. Coworkers benefit from it.
The gentle person is sober minded and clear thinking. The contagiously calm person is the one who reminds others, "God is in control." Pursue the gentleness. The Lord is near-you are not alone. You may feel alone. You may think you're alone. But there is never a moment in which you face life without help. God is near-be anxious for nothing.
Contagious Calm
How many disasters have been averted because one person refused to buckle under the strain? It's this kind of composure Paul is summoning when he says, "Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything..." (Philippians 4:5-6)
The Greek word translated here as gentleness describes a temperament that's seasoned and mature. It envisions an attitude fitting to the occasion, levelheaded and tempered. This gentleness is evident to all. Family members take note. Your friends sense a difference. Coworkers benefit from it.
The gentle person is sober minded and clear thinking. The contagiously calm person is the one who reminds others, "God is in control." Pursue the gentleness. The Lord is near-you are not alone. You may feel alone. You may think you're alone. But there is never a moment in which you face life without help. God is near-be anxious for nothing.
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
God has a plan
From Max Lucado's Daily Devotionals from the other day. I wasn't going to record it, but I liked the idea of it.
God Has A Plan
In the famous lace shops of Brussels, Belgium, certain rooms are dedicated to the spinning of the finest lace with the most delicate of patterns. These rooms are completely dark except for a shaft of natural light from a solitary window. Only one spinner sits in the room and the light falls on the pattern while the worker remains in the dark.
Has God permitted a time of darkness in your world? You look but you cannot see him. You see only the fabric of circumstances woven and interlaced. You might question the purpose behind this thread or that. But be assured, God has a pattern. He has a plan. The Bible says in Romans 8:28, "In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." He is not finished. But when he is, the lace will be beautiful.
God Has A Plan
In the famous lace shops of Brussels, Belgium, certain rooms are dedicated to the spinning of the finest lace with the most delicate of patterns. These rooms are completely dark except for a shaft of natural light from a solitary window. Only one spinner sits in the room and the light falls on the pattern while the worker remains in the dark.
Has God permitted a time of darkness in your world? You look but you cannot see him. You see only the fabric of circumstances woven and interlaced. You might question the purpose behind this thread or that. But be assured, God has a pattern. He has a plan. The Bible says in Romans 8:28, "In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." He is not finished. But when he is, the lace will be beautiful.
We have an Advocate
Bible Gateway Verse of the Day the other day.
1 John 2:1
My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
1 John 2:1
My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
You never know
You never know how big a threat you are to the enemy, until you start doing something for God.
The man you love
This song came on today by Il Divo. When I looked up the lyrics, they were in another language. This verse was the only English one.
I only wanna be the man
to give you everything I can
every day and every night
love you for all my life.
I don't wanna change the world
as long as you're my girl
it's more than enough,
just to be the man you love.
Hidden away
Josh Groban song.
Hidden Away
by Josh Groban
Over mountains and sky blue seas
On great circles will you watch for me?
The sweetest feeling I've got inside
I just can't wait to get lost in your eyes
And all these words that you meant to say
Held in silence day after day
Words of kindness that our poor hearts crave
Please don't keep them hidden away
Sing it out so I can finally breathe in,
I can take in all you say
Holding out for something I believe in
All I really need today
I want to free you heart
I want to see you heart
Please don't keep your heart hidden away
You're a wonder, how bright you shine
A flickering candle in a short lifetime
A secret dreamer that never shows
If no one sees you then nobody knows
And all these words you were meant to say
Held in silence day after day
Words of kindness that our poor hearts crave
Please don't keep them hidden away
Sing it out so I can finally breathe in
I can take in all you say
Reaching out for someone I believe in
All I really need today
I want to feel your love
Will you reveal your love
Please don't keep your love hidden away
I want to free your heart
I want to see your heart
Please don't keep your heart hidden away
Tuesday, September 26, 2017
It's a new day-the choice is yours
I am so mad right now. Pastor is not letting me sub in Becky's class. He's having Kim Reid do it who FORGETS when she has to sub. I've seen her do it. Multiple times. And she won't even pay me for Carter's fundraiser-I have asked her three times. What is so great about her? I'm sorry, but give me a break. I am so mad.
This is from Max Lucado. I have a line of it on my porch chalkboard and looked it up and there was this whole thing. It's nice.
It was originally written on May 24, 2016
It's quiet. It's early. My coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The world is still asleep. The day is coming.
In a few moments the day will arrive. It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of the solitude will be replaced by the pounding pace of the human race. The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met. For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day's demands. It is now that I must make a choice.
Because of Calvary, I'm free to choose. And so I choose.
I choose love. No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.
I choose joy. I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical...the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.
I choose peace. I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.
I choose patience. I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I'll invite Him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clinching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.
I choose kindness. I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.
I choose goodness. I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse. I choose goodness.
I choose faithfulness. Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My wife will not question my love. And my children will never fear that their father will not come home.
I choose gentleness. Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice, may it only be in praise. If I clench my fist, may it only be in prayer. If I make a demand, may it only be of myself.
I choose self-control. I am a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control.
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek His grace. And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest.
Excerpt from Let the Journey Begin by Max Lucado
Originally published in When God Whispers your Name by Max Lucado
This is from Max Lucado. I have a line of it on my porch chalkboard and looked it up and there was this whole thing. It's nice.
It was originally written on May 24, 2016
It's quiet. It's early. My coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The world is still asleep. The day is coming.
In a few moments the day will arrive. It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of the solitude will be replaced by the pounding pace of the human race. The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met. For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day's demands. It is now that I must make a choice.
Because of Calvary, I'm free to choose. And so I choose.
I choose love. No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.
I choose joy. I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical...the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.
I choose peace. I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.
I choose patience. I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I'll invite Him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clinching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.
I choose kindness. I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.
I choose goodness. I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse. I choose goodness.
I choose faithfulness. Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My wife will not question my love. And my children will never fear that their father will not come home.
I choose gentleness. Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice, may it only be in praise. If I clench my fist, may it only be in prayer. If I make a demand, may it only be of myself.
I choose self-control. I am a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control.
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek His grace. And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest.
Excerpt from Let the Journey Begin by Max Lucado
Originally published in When God Whispers your Name by Max Lucado
Scars to your beautiful
This song came on my Pandora today. I never knew what the words were, I guess. The word "scars" caught my eye. Here are the lyrics.
Scars To Your Beautiful
by Alessia Cara
She just wants to be beautiful
She goes unnoticed, she knows no limits
She craves attention, she praises an image
She prays to be sculpted by the sculptor
Oh, she don't see the light that's shining
Deeper than the eyes can find it
Maybe we have made her blind
So she tried to cover up her pain
And cut her woes away
'Cause covergirls don't cry
After their face is made
But there's a hope that's waiting for you in the dark
You should know you're beautiful just the way you are
And you don't have to change a thing
The world could change it's heart
No scars to your beautiful
We're stars and we're beautiful
Oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh
And you don't have to change a thing
The world could change its heart
No scars to your beautiful
We're stars and we're beautiful
She has dreams to be an envy, so she's starving
You know, "Covergirls eat nothing."
She says, "Beauty is pain and there's beauty in everything."
"What's a little bit of hunger?"
"I can go a little while longer," she fades away
She don't see her perfect
She don't understand she's worth it
Or that beauty that goes deeper than the surface
Ah, oh, ah, ah, oh
So to all the girls that's hurting
Let me be your mirror
Help you see a little bit clearer
The light that shines within
There's a hope that's waiting for you in the dark
You should know you're beautiful just the way you are
And you don't have to change a thing
The world could change its heart
No scars to your beautiful
We're stars and we're beautiful
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh
And you don't have to change a thing
The world could change its heart
No scars to your beautiful
We're stars and we're beautiful
No better you than the you that you are
(echoes)
No better life than the life we're living
(echoes)
No better time for your shine, you're a star
(echoes)
Oh, you're beautiful, oh you're beautiful
There's a hope that's waiting for you in the dark
You should know you're beautiful just the way you are
And you don't have to change a thing
The world can change its heart
No scars to your beautiful
We're stars and we're beautiful
Whoa-oh-oh-oh, whoa-oh-oh-oh, whoa-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh
And you don't have to change a thing
The world could change its heart
No scars to your beautiful
We're stars and we're beautiful
Monday, September 25, 2017
FY/TWYA
This has happened before, but it's always in the reverse order of how these songs were played at your service.
Anyway, Forever Young came on and then To Where You Are right after. Thank you for that. Love you!
Anyway, Forever Young came on and then To Where You Are right after. Thank you for that. Love you!
Hold on the the nights
This song came on today and the lyrics spoke to me.
Hold On To The Nights
by Richard Marx
Just when I believed I couldn't ever want for more
This ever changing world pushes me through another door
I saw you smile
And my mind could not erase the beauty of your face
Just for awhile
Won't you let me shelter you
Hold on to the nights
Hold on to the memories
I wish that I could give you something more
That I could be yours
How do we explain something that took us by surprise
Promises in vain, love that is real but in disguise
What happens now
Do we break another rule
Let our lovers play the fool
I don't know how
To stop feeling this way
Well, I think that I've been true to everybody else but me
And the way I feel about you makes my heart long to be free
Everytime I look into your eyes, I'm helplessly aware
That the someone I've been searching for is right there.
Never gonna let you down
K sent me this song twice. Not a big fan of the singer, but the words are nice.
Never Gonna Let You Down
by Colbie Caillat
Low
When you're feeling low
And you don't know where to run to
Broke
If your heart's been broke
And you feel like you're all alone
If you need something to believe in
If you're looking for a light to guide you home
Just look inside
You're a light shining brighter than you know
You should know
I'm never gonna let you down
I'm always gonna build you up
And when you're feeling lost
I will always find you love
I'm never gonna walk away
I'm always gonna have your back
And if nothing else you can always count on that
When you need me
I promise I will never let you down
Laugh
I will make you laugh
If you ever feel like crying
Close
I will hold you close
You won't be alone anymore
If you need someone to believe in
If you're reaching for a hand to guide you home
Just take my hand and I won't let you go
I hope you know
I'm never gonna let you down
I'm always gonna build you up
And when you're feeling lost
I will always find you love
I'm never gonna walk away
I'm always gonna have your back
And if nothing else you can always count on that
When you need me
I promise I will never let you down
Ain't never gonna let you down
If you need something to believe in
If you feel you've reached the end of the road
Don't be afraid, I'll always guide you home
You should know
I'm never gonna let you down
I'm always gonna build you up
And when you're feeling lost
I will always find you love
I'm never gonna walk away
I'm always gonna have your back
And if nothing else you can always count on that
When you need me
I promise I will never let you down
God is still sovereign
From Max Lucado's Daily Devotional the other day (9/22).
Paul urges us to rejoice in the Lord always! (Philippians 4:4). Not just on paydays, good days, or birthdays. But rejoice in the Lord always.
Rejoice in the Lord always? "Yeah, right," mumbles the person from the hospital bed. "How?" sighs the unemployed dad. "Always?" questions the mother of a baby born with a disability.
It's one thing to rejoice in the Lord when life is good, but when the odds are against you? It's not easy, but it is possible. Lay claim to the promise of God in Colossians 1:17: "He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." Rejoice in the sovereignty of God. His throne is still occupied. His will is still perfect. Rejoice in the Lord-always. God uses everything to accomplish his will.
Paul urges us to rejoice in the Lord always! (Philippians 4:4). Not just on paydays, good days, or birthdays. But rejoice in the Lord always.
Rejoice in the Lord always? "Yeah, right," mumbles the person from the hospital bed. "How?" sighs the unemployed dad. "Always?" questions the mother of a baby born with a disability.
It's one thing to rejoice in the Lord when life is good, but when the odds are against you? It's not easy, but it is possible. Lay claim to the promise of God in Colossians 1:17: "He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." Rejoice in the sovereignty of God. His throne is still occupied. His will is still perfect. Rejoice in the Lord-always. God uses everything to accomplish his will.
Reason
I went to the cemetery on Friday night. I hadn't been there for a while. It was a mess-I felt bad. I took down the summer/4th of July stuff and put up some fall decorations and cleaned everything up.
On your Oscar that Jake got you for people to write on, I initially wrote Best (now I can't remember what I first wrote). Anyway, I changed it to "Reason".
Today on my Pandora, a song came on that has never come on before. It was by Pink but it's the song she sings with the lead singer of Fun, who always makes me think of you. The name of the song is "Just Give Me a Reason."
Sometimes I wonder if I make up these connections in my head. But I would like to think that you knew that I wrote that on your statue and tied it to the song to let me know you're here. Thank you for that. If you know what I wrote initially, please help me remember. Love you!
Also, two more things from over the weekend: Dad was watching football, and there was a player they were talking about named D.J. Hayden. They kept referring to him by his last name, Hayden, of course.
The second thing is, I was looking up the song "Boys of Summer" to send to K. I was having a hard time finding a video to send because everything was all blocked. One of the versions was posted was by a group or person named "Burnin' Hayden." :)
On your Oscar that Jake got you for people to write on, I initially wrote Best (now I can't remember what I first wrote). Anyway, I changed it to "Reason".
Today on my Pandora, a song came on that has never come on before. It was by Pink but it's the song she sings with the lead singer of Fun, who always makes me think of you. The name of the song is "Just Give Me a Reason."
Sometimes I wonder if I make up these connections in my head. But I would like to think that you knew that I wrote that on your statue and tied it to the song to let me know you're here. Thank you for that. If you know what I wrote initially, please help me remember. Love you!
Also, two more things from over the weekend: Dad was watching football, and there was a player they were talking about named D.J. Hayden. They kept referring to him by his last name, Hayden, of course.
The second thing is, I was looking up the song "Boys of Summer" to send to K. I was having a hard time finding a video to send because everything was all blocked. One of the versions was posted was by a group or person named "Burnin' Hayden." :)
Friday, September 22, 2017
The sunbeam to the sun
Beth Moore referenced this a lot at her seminar. She loves C.S. Lewis too. I couldn't resist but record the whole section.
C.S. Lewis Institute
Reflections
November 2012-His Exhibitions of Sparkling Virtuosity
C.S. Lewis understood that in allowing ourselves to fully experience and enjoy the pleasures of the world around us as God intended, we are giving Him both thanksgiving and praise. Lewis writes in his book, Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer:
I have tried...to make every pleasure unto a channel of adoration. I don't mean simply by giving thanks for it. One must of course give thanks, but I mean something different. How shall I put it?
We can't-or I can't-hear the song of a bird simply as a sound. Its meaning or message ('That's a bird') comes with it inevitably-just as one can't see a familiar word in print as a merely visual pattern. The reading is as involuntary as seeing. When the wind roars I don't just hear the roar; I 'hear the wind.' In the same way it is possible to 'read' as well as to 'have' a pleasure. Or not even 'as well as.' The distinction ought to become, and sometimes is, impossible; to receive it and to recognize its divine source are a single experience. This heavenly fruit is instantly redolent of the orchard where it grew. This sweet air whispers of the country from whence it blows. It is a message. We know we are being touched by a finger of that right hand at which there are pleasures for evermore. There need be no question of thanks or praise as a separate event, something done afterwards. To experience the tiny theophany is itself to adore.
Gratitude exclaims, very properly, 'How good of God to give me this.' Adoration says, 'What must be the quality of that Being whose far-off and momentary coruscations are like this!' One's mind runs back up the sunbeam to the sun.
If I could always be what I aim at being, no pleasure would be too ordinary or too usual for such reception; from the first taste of the air when I look out of the window-one's whole cheek becomes a sort of palate-down to one's soft slipper at bed-time.
I don't always achieve it. One obstacle is inattention. Another is the wrong kind of attention. One could, if one practised, hear simply a roar and not the roaring-of-the-wind. In the same way, only far too easily, one can concentrate on the pleasure as an event in one's own nervous system-subjectify it-and ignore the smell of Deity that hangs about it. A third obstacle is greed. Instead of saying, 'This also is Thou,' one may say the fatal word Encore. There is also conceit: the dangerous reflection that not everyone can find God in a plain slice of bread and butter, or that others would condemn as simply 'grey' the sky in which I am delightedly observing such delicacies of pearl and dove and silver.
What sparkling flashes of God's wit and brilliance-His coruscations-have caused your mind today to run back up the sunbeam to the sun and given you cause to give thanks and to worship the Lord?
C.S. Lewis Institute
Reflections
November 2012-His Exhibitions of Sparkling Virtuosity
C.S. Lewis understood that in allowing ourselves to fully experience and enjoy the pleasures of the world around us as God intended, we are giving Him both thanksgiving and praise. Lewis writes in his book, Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer:
I have tried...to make every pleasure unto a channel of adoration. I don't mean simply by giving thanks for it. One must of course give thanks, but I mean something different. How shall I put it?
We can't-or I can't-hear the song of a bird simply as a sound. Its meaning or message ('That's a bird') comes with it inevitably-just as one can't see a familiar word in print as a merely visual pattern. The reading is as involuntary as seeing. When the wind roars I don't just hear the roar; I 'hear the wind.' In the same way it is possible to 'read' as well as to 'have' a pleasure. Or not even 'as well as.' The distinction ought to become, and sometimes is, impossible; to receive it and to recognize its divine source are a single experience. This heavenly fruit is instantly redolent of the orchard where it grew. This sweet air whispers of the country from whence it blows. It is a message. We know we are being touched by a finger of that right hand at which there are pleasures for evermore. There need be no question of thanks or praise as a separate event, something done afterwards. To experience the tiny theophany is itself to adore.
Gratitude exclaims, very properly, 'How good of God to give me this.' Adoration says, 'What must be the quality of that Being whose far-off and momentary coruscations are like this!' One's mind runs back up the sunbeam to the sun.
If I could always be what I aim at being, no pleasure would be too ordinary or too usual for such reception; from the first taste of the air when I look out of the window-one's whole cheek becomes a sort of palate-down to one's soft slipper at bed-time.
I don't always achieve it. One obstacle is inattention. Another is the wrong kind of attention. One could, if one practised, hear simply a roar and not the roaring-of-the-wind. In the same way, only far too easily, one can concentrate on the pleasure as an event in one's own nervous system-subjectify it-and ignore the smell of Deity that hangs about it. A third obstacle is greed. Instead of saying, 'This also is Thou,' one may say the fatal word Encore. There is also conceit: the dangerous reflection that not everyone can find God in a plain slice of bread and butter, or that others would condemn as simply 'grey' the sky in which I am delightedly observing such delicacies of pearl and dove and silver.
What sparkling flashes of God's wit and brilliance-His coruscations-have caused your mind today to run back up the sunbeam to the sun and given you cause to give thanks and to worship the Lord?
As for the riches in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.
1 Timothy 6:17
Beth Moore
Beth Moore is AMAZING! I lover her. Went to see her last weekend with a group of ladies. Here are my notes from the day.
Date of event: 9-16-2017
Session 1
perfect timing
hurricanes/floods
people who stayed dry-to help other people
spiritual warfare
-we don't have a clue what we're dealing with
ordination (divine ordinations?)
Colossians 1-2:9
"remembering my chains"
prayer-a life pleasing to God
1:9-12
what is the will of God in this situation?
be filled with the knowledge of his will
how to get started
live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way
In love...
Bearing fruit
Growing in knowledge
Being strengthened
Giving thanks
(keep doing all this: "-ing" is his thing)
process ever taking place: "-ing"
Eph. 2:10-works chosen for us before time began
sphere of influence
God has not forsaken this world
troubling conditions-waking up
nobody can answer for you but you
phones-put them down
-boundaries
-full-on addiction
devices have become our vices
-need boundaries
Isaiah-we become like how we worship
-bow down to an idol
-too distracted
Col. 1:18-22, 2:9
church-His body
living disembodied lives
voice i.o. ?
embodied
not forsaking the assembling of others
dehumanization
disposal
Satan going to give us his worst-God says that will bring out their best
re-embodiment of body of Christ
wind of the Spirit is blowing
The Last Days-will pour out my Spirit
perilous times-fierce, dangerous, difficult
Romans 13:11-12
time to awake out of sleep
cast off darkness, put on armor of light
Ephesians
awake, oh sleeper
1:13: He has delivered us from rule of darkness, has translated us into kingdom of His Dear Son
pilgrimage-kingdoms/lordships have changed
we belong to a place we have never been
have to answer for jobs we've been given
#1: We are sojourners in a land of woundings and wonders
#2: Woundings pale in the wakefulness to His wonder
The wonder of His word, His ways, and His works
C.S. Lewis-chasing the sunbeam back to the sun
every pleasure-channel of adoration
(look up)
every joy
Session 2
sometimes can't even talk to God/pray
"Worthy is the Lamb"
Jesus is the air
look up her story
Review of #1 and #2
pain still there but more powerful
Col. 1:24-2:2
connection between wonder and mystery
2:3 in him are all manner
revealed mystery of God
#3: God has an unavoidable affinity for mystery
there are things we will never be able to figure out in this life
mystery is part of His holiness
**there are certain things we cannot know about God**
cannot be known by human mind
can't even utter
far above anything our finite minds can master
we want/love to discover
-hidden affinities
God's day-takes from darkness to light
Hebrew day
I will reward you
birth pains
knowing that some things can't be known
Two debilitating ways tempted to fill in the blanks:
1. God is mean
2. My life is meaningless
depression
God's speech to Job
sense of meaninglessness
Blessed are you when you need Me because you'll get Me
He is there
Loss of vision-art of seeing things invisible
Pattern
1. Initial vision-first starts
2. Unwanted vision-don't want to see
when we see in the mirror darkness
not even God can use this mess
Gen. 3:4
eyes will be opened
v.7 saw their nakedness
3. Loss of vision
all of us have calling
revision
stand steadfast in your God
will always transcend
it's always harder but always more meaningful
to see people differently
#4: Our security in the mystery is knowing God's mystery revealed
I know Who He is
when don't know where God is, remember Who He is
God has no dark side
Romans 8:32
John 15: 8,9
Jesus loves the real me
God and Jesus same
there's a certainty of mystery
mystery to certainty
-certain of God we have never laid eyes on
I know the One in whom I believe
Session 3
Ephesians 5
fruit of light
every day things
He gives His beloved sleep
Col. 1:11
#5: No mystery fascinates the unbeliever more than the believer's joy
when they see our joy in difficulties
get serious about fighting for our joy
Song of Solomon 8:5
I fell in love with Jesus in the wilderness, leaning on my beloved
You are the wonder when you can't see it
Five words: You are a wonder, woman
Date of event: 9-16-2017
Session 1
perfect timing
hurricanes/floods
people who stayed dry-to help other people
spiritual warfare
-we don't have a clue what we're dealing with
ordination (divine ordinations?)
Colossians 1-2:9
"remembering my chains"
prayer-a life pleasing to God
1:9-12
what is the will of God in this situation?
be filled with the knowledge of his will
how to get started
live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way
In love...
Bearing fruit
Growing in knowledge
Being strengthened
Giving thanks
(keep doing all this: "-ing" is his thing)
process ever taking place: "-ing"
Eph. 2:10-works chosen for us before time began
sphere of influence
God has not forsaken this world
troubling conditions-waking up
nobody can answer for you but you
phones-put them down
-boundaries
-full-on addiction
devices have become our vices
-need boundaries
Isaiah-we become like how we worship
-bow down to an idol
-too distracted
Col. 1:18-22, 2:9
church-His body
living disembodied lives
voice i.o. ?
embodied
not forsaking the assembling of others
dehumanization
disposal
Satan going to give us his worst-God says that will bring out their best
re-embodiment of body of Christ
wind of the Spirit is blowing
The Last Days-will pour out my Spirit
perilous times-fierce, dangerous, difficult
Romans 13:11-12
time to awake out of sleep
cast off darkness, put on armor of light
Ephesians
awake, oh sleeper
1:13: He has delivered us from rule of darkness, has translated us into kingdom of His Dear Son
pilgrimage-kingdoms/lordships have changed
we belong to a place we have never been
have to answer for jobs we've been given
#1: We are sojourners in a land of woundings and wonders
#2: Woundings pale in the wakefulness to His wonder
The wonder of His word, His ways, and His works
C.S. Lewis-chasing the sunbeam back to the sun
every pleasure-channel of adoration
(look up)
every joy
Session 2
sometimes can't even talk to God/pray
"Worthy is the Lamb"
Jesus is the air
look up her story
Review of #1 and #2
pain still there but more powerful
Col. 1:24-2:2
connection between wonder and mystery
2:3 in him are all manner
revealed mystery of God
#3: God has an unavoidable affinity for mystery
there are things we will never be able to figure out in this life
mystery is part of His holiness
**there are certain things we cannot know about God**
cannot be known by human mind
can't even utter
far above anything our finite minds can master
we want/love to discover
-hidden affinities
God's day-takes from darkness to light
Hebrew day
I will reward you
birth pains
knowing that some things can't be known
Two debilitating ways tempted to fill in the blanks:
1. God is mean
2. My life is meaningless
depression
God's speech to Job
sense of meaninglessness
Blessed are you when you need Me because you'll get Me
He is there
Loss of vision-art of seeing things invisible
Pattern
1. Initial vision-first starts
2. Unwanted vision-don't want to see
when we see in the mirror darkness
not even God can use this mess
Gen. 3:4
eyes will be opened
v.7 saw their nakedness
3. Loss of vision
all of us have calling
revision
stand steadfast in your God
will always transcend
it's always harder but always more meaningful
to see people differently
#4: Our security in the mystery is knowing God's mystery revealed
I know Who He is
when don't know where God is, remember Who He is
God has no dark side
Romans 8:32
John 15: 8,9
Jesus loves the real me
God and Jesus same
there's a certainty of mystery
mystery to certainty
-certain of God we have never laid eyes on
I know the One in whom I believe
Session 3
Ephesians 5
fruit of light
every day things
He gives His beloved sleep
Col. 1:11
#5: No mystery fascinates the unbeliever more than the believer's joy
when they see our joy in difficulties
get serious about fighting for our joy
Song of Solomon 8:5
I fell in love with Jesus in the wilderness, leaning on my beloved
You are the wonder when you can't see it
Five words: You are a wonder, woman
Max Lucado quotes
He saw you cast into a river you didn't request. He saw you betrayed by those you love. He saw you in your own garden of gnarled trees and sleeping friends. He saw you staring into the pit of your own failures and the mouth of your own grave. He saw you in your own garden of Gethsamane and he didn't want you to be alone... He would rather go to hell for you than to heaven without you.
We may speak about a place where there are no tears, no death, no fear, no night, but those are just the benefits of heaven. The beauty of heaven is seeing God.
We see a hearse; we think sorrow. We see a grave; we think despair. We hear of a death, we think of a loss. Not so in heaven. When heaven sees a breathless body, it sees the vacated cocoon and the liberated butterfly.
I choose gentleness...Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it only be in praise. If I clench my fist, may it only be in prayer.
If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.
Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want. It is the belief that God will do what is right.
A woman's heart should be so hidden in God that a man has to seek Him just to find her.
You weren't an accident. You weren't mass produced. You aren't an assembly-line product. You were deliberately planned, specifically gifted, and lovingly positioned on the earth by the Master Craftsman.
God loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way. He wants you to be like Jesus.
You are the only you God made...God made you and broke the mold.
The past does not have to be your prison. You have a voice in your destiny. You have a say in your life. You have a choice in the path you take.
If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning...Face it friend. He is crazy about you!
He loves each one of us like there is only one of us to love.
God rewards those who seek Him. Not those who seek doctrine of religion or systems or creeds. Many settle for these lesser passions, but the reward goes to those who settle for nothing less than Jesus himself. And what is the reward? What awaits those who seek Jesus? Nothing short of the heart of Jesus.
God wants us to know we are saved, for saved people are dangerous people, willing to face off with the world, unafraid of the consequences since they know that, whatever happens, they will have eternal life.
Worry is to joy what a Hoover vacuum cleaner is to dirt: might as well attach your heart to a happiness-sucker and flip the switch.
We may speak about a place where there are no tears, no death, no fear, no night, but those are just the benefits of heaven. The beauty of heaven is seeing God.
We see a hearse; we think sorrow. We see a grave; we think despair. We hear of a death, we think of a loss. Not so in heaven. When heaven sees a breathless body, it sees the vacated cocoon and the liberated butterfly.
I choose gentleness...Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it only be in praise. If I clench my fist, may it only be in prayer.
If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.
Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want. It is the belief that God will do what is right.
A woman's heart should be so hidden in God that a man has to seek Him just to find her.
You weren't an accident. You weren't mass produced. You aren't an assembly-line product. You were deliberately planned, specifically gifted, and lovingly positioned on the earth by the Master Craftsman.
God loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way. He wants you to be like Jesus.
You are the only you God made...God made you and broke the mold.
The past does not have to be your prison. You have a voice in your destiny. You have a say in your life. You have a choice in the path you take.
If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning...Face it friend. He is crazy about you!
He loves each one of us like there is only one of us to love.
God rewards those who seek Him. Not those who seek doctrine of religion or systems or creeds. Many settle for these lesser passions, but the reward goes to those who settle for nothing less than Jesus himself. And what is the reward? What awaits those who seek Jesus? Nothing short of the heart of Jesus.
God wants us to know we are saved, for saved people are dangerous people, willing to face off with the world, unafraid of the consequences since they know that, whatever happens, they will have eternal life.
Worry is to joy what a Hoover vacuum cleaner is to dirt: might as well attach your heart to a happiness-sucker and flip the switch.
Stood in the storm
Quote by Elizabeth Edwards.
She stood in the storm, and when the wind did not blow her away, she adjusted her sails.
Stop hiding
From Toby Mac.
Stop hiding your scars
and your wounds.
They're your trophies
that you went through that
and still survived.
Stop hiding your scars
and your wounds.
They're your trophies
that you went through that
and still survived.
Jeremiah
From UM notebook again. Recorded these verses when Up North.
Jeremiah 9:23
"Thus says the Lord:
Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,
Let not the mighty man glory in his might,
Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;
But let him who glories glory in this,
That he understands and knows Me,
That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness,
judgment, and righteousness in the earth.
For in these I delight," says the Lord.
Jeremiah 11:20
But, O Lord of hosts,
You who judges righteously,
Testing the mind and the heart,
Let me see Your vengeance on them,
For to You I have revealed my cause.
Love only knows
Had my little UM notebook with me at work and these song lyrics were written in it from when I was Up North.
Love Only Knows
by Josh Groban
I've tried to hold this back so long
And we're always such a good thing when it's gone
Would it be alright, if we just left our heads tonight
Take me away from this old game
Of saying that we're both too much the same
Would it be alright, if I just stayed with you tonight
And before I go, will I ever see you again
She said love only knows
Love only knows
If we'll give into fear and choose life undercover
She said love only knows
If it's special enough then we'll choose one another
We'll choose each other
You were the secret that I loved to keep
The name I would only sing in my sleep
Would it be alright, if we just lose ourselves tonight
And if you let go, will you reach out again
She said love only knows
Love only knows, if we'll give into fear and choose life undercover
She said love only knows, if it's special enough then we'll choose one another
We'll choose each other
And I can't breathe without you and I don't
And I can't live without love and I won't
And I won't
Love only knows
If we'll give into fear and choose life undercover
She said love only knows if it's special enough then we'll choose one another
Love only knows, how your arms pull me in like the tide pulls me under
She said love only knows just how long we can run before we lose each other
And we need each other
And I can't live without you and I won't
Love Only Knows
by Josh Groban
I've tried to hold this back so long
And we're always such a good thing when it's gone
Would it be alright, if we just left our heads tonight
Take me away from this old game
Of saying that we're both too much the same
Would it be alright, if I just stayed with you tonight
And before I go, will I ever see you again
She said love only knows
Love only knows
If we'll give into fear and choose life undercover
She said love only knows
If it's special enough then we'll choose one another
We'll choose each other
You were the secret that I loved to keep
The name I would only sing in my sleep
Would it be alright, if we just lose ourselves tonight
And if you let go, will you reach out again
She said love only knows
Love only knows, if we'll give into fear and choose life undercover
She said love only knows, if it's special enough then we'll choose one another
We'll choose each other
And I can't breathe without you and I don't
And I can't live without love and I won't
And I won't
Love only knows
If we'll give into fear and choose life undercover
She said love only knows if it's special enough then we'll choose one another
Love only knows, how your arms pull me in like the tide pulls me under
She said love only knows just how long we can run before we lose each other
And we need each other
And I can't live without you and I won't
When you've lost someone you love
This was on Mom's Facebook page.
When You Lose Someone You Love
Do not make the mistake of living in sadness, or living small to honor their absence.
You owe it to them to live even more vividly than before.
If they could reach you, they would surely say...
"Take the love you had for me and turn it into gladness,
use the love you had for me to drive away the sadness."
Love is an energy, so powerful, so all-consuming that when the person you felt all that love for is not here, you are a vessel filled with a boundless source of power that has nowhere to go.
Harness it.
Use it to burn even more brightly and live even more loudly than before.
Share the love you felt for that person with all the other special people in your life, for it is limitless. There is no end to it and there never, ever should be.
You see unlike us, love never dies. It carries on from one generation to the next. A wonderfully comforting thought.
If they could reach you they would surely say...
"Make my time on earth count loudly, so I've not lived in vain,
Use the love we shared to make more love and not more pain."
If you are struggling to move on, to find the way to carry on. Without them.
This is it.
Use the love,
Carry them with you in all that you do, using their love as the source.
It is what they would want.
When You Lose Someone You Love
Do not make the mistake of living in sadness, or living small to honor their absence.
You owe it to them to live even more vividly than before.
If they could reach you, they would surely say...
"Take the love you had for me and turn it into gladness,
use the love you had for me to drive away the sadness."
Love is an energy, so powerful, so all-consuming that when the person you felt all that love for is not here, you are a vessel filled with a boundless source of power that has nowhere to go.
Harness it.
Use it to burn even more brightly and live even more loudly than before.
Share the love you felt for that person with all the other special people in your life, for it is limitless. There is no end to it and there never, ever should be.
You see unlike us, love never dies. It carries on from one generation to the next. A wonderfully comforting thought.
If they could reach you they would surely say...
"Make my time on earth count loudly, so I've not lived in vain,
Use the love we shared to make more love and not more pain."
If you are struggling to move on, to find the way to carry on. Without them.
This is it.
Use the love,
Carry them with you in all that you do, using their love as the source.
It is what they would want.
Thursday, September 21, 2017
Hasn't happened for a while
Saw your name in a headline today. As the title says, that hasn't happened for a while:
"Rachel Bilson Steps Out After Hayden Christensen Split"
"Rachel Bilson Steps Out After Hayden Christensen Split"
The dry bones live
Wanted to look this story up since tracking down that song, "Come Alive".
Ezekiel 37:1-14
The Dry Bones Live
The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. And He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?"
So I answered, "O Lord God, You know."
Again He said to me, "Prophesy to these bones and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! Thus says the Lord God to these bones: "Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know I am the Lord."'"
So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them.
Also He said to me, "Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, 'Thus says the Lord God: "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live."'"
So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.
Then He said to me, "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, 'Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!' Therefore prophesy and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord God: "Behold, O my people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up from your graves. I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it and performed it," says the Lord.'"
Ezekiel 37:1-14
The Dry Bones Live
The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. And He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?"
So I answered, "O Lord God, You know."
Again He said to me, "Prophesy to these bones and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! Thus says the Lord God to these bones: "Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know I am the Lord."'"
So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them.
Also He said to me, "Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, 'Thus says the Lord God: "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live."'"
So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.
Then He said to me, "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, 'Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!' Therefore prophesy and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord God: "Behold, O my people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up from your graves. I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it and performed it," says the Lord.'"
Be kind to yourself
Saw this on Facebook I think. No author listed.
You will never speak to anyone more than you speak to yourself in your head. Be kind to yourself.
You will never speak to anyone more than you speak to yourself in your head. Be kind to yourself.
Come Alive (Dry Bones)
I've heard this song here and there lately and I love it! I'm thinking about sending it to Betty, but I'm not sure if it's too CCM for her or maybe she's not ready for the topic. (Your bones are dry and Daniel's aren't yet-horrible to even think that. That's your mom!) Here it is.
Come Alive (Dry Bones)
Lauren Daigle
Through the eyes of men it seems
There's so much we have lost
As we look down the road
Where all the prodigals have walked
One by one
The enemy has whispered lies
And led them off as slaves
But we know that you are God
Yours is the victory
We know there is more to come
That we may not yet see
So with the faith you've given us
We'll step into the valley unafraid, yeah
As we call out to dry bones
Come alive, come alive
We call out to dead hearts
Come alive, come alive
Up out of the ashes
Let us see an army rise
We call out to dry bones, come alive
God of endless mercy
God of unrelenting love
Rescue every daughter
Bring us back the wayward son
And by your spirit breathe upon them
Show the world that you alone can save
You alone can save
As we call out to dry bones
Come alive, come alive
We call out to dead hearts
Come alive, come alive
Up out of the ashes
Let us see an army rise
We call out to dry bones, come alive
So breathe, oh breath of God
Now breathe, of breath of God
Breathe, oh breath of God
Now breathe
Breathe, oh breath of God
Now breathe, of breath of God
Breathe, oh breath of God, now breathe
As we call out to dry bones
Come alive, come alive
We call out to dead hearts
Come alive, come alive
Up out of the ashes
Let us see an army rise
We call out to dry bones come alive, yeah
We call out to dry bones come alive
Oh come alive
1 Corinthians 13
I always had a hard time understanding this verse, like is it talking about when someone loves someone else, love itself, what?
I know that what I'm experiencing with Dad is not love. It's the opposite. This is what the Bible says love is.
1 Corinthians 13
The Greatest Gift
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then shall I know just as I also am known.
And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
I know that what I'm experiencing with Dad is not love. It's the opposite. This is what the Bible says love is.
1 Corinthians 13
The Greatest Gift
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then shall I know just as I also am known.
And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Piece by piece
K sent me this song. I'm not sure why it affected him so much.
Piece By Piece
by Kelly Clarkson
All I remember is your back
Walking towards the airport, leaving us all in your past
I traveled fifteen hundred miles to see you
Begged you to want me, but you didn't want to
But piece by piece he collected me
Up off the ground where you abandoned things, yeah
Piece by piece he filled the holes
That you burned in me at six years old
And you know,
He never walks away
He never asks for money,
He takes care of me
He loves me
Piece by piece he restored my faith
That a man can be kind and a father could...stay
All of your words fall flat
I made something out of myself and now you wanna come back
But your love-it ain't free, it has to be earned
Back then I didn't have anything you needed so I was worthless
But piece by piece he collected me
Up off the ground, where you abandoned things, yeah
Piece by piece he filled the holes
That you burned in me at six years old
And you know,
He never walks away
He never asks for money
He takes care of me
'Cause he loves me
Piece by piece he restored my faith
That a man can be kind and a father could stay
Piece by piece
Piece by piece I fell far from the tree
I will never leave her like you left me
And she will never have to wonder her worth
Because unlike you I'm going to put her first
And you know,
He'll never walk away,
He'll never break her heart
He'll take care of things
He'll love her
And piece by piece he'll restore my faith
That a man can be kind and a father should be great
Piece by piece
A Lesson in Trust
From Max Lucado's daily devotional. I pretty much write every day's down. :)
In one of Henri Nouwen's books, he tells about the lesson of trust he learned from a great trapeze artist. The acrobat said, "The flyer does nothing and the catcher does everything. I have simply to reach out my arms and hands and wait for him to catch me and pull me safely over the apron. The flyer must trust, with outstretched arms, that his catcher will be there for him."
In a great trapeze act of salvation, God is the catcher, and we are the flyers. We trust. Period. We rely solely upon God's ability to catch us. As we do trust Him, a wonderful thing happens-we fly! Your Father has never dropped anyone. He will not drop you. His grip is sturdy and his hands are open. Place yourself entirely in his care. As you do, you will find it possible-yes, possible-to be anxious for nothing.
In one of Henri Nouwen's books, he tells about the lesson of trust he learned from a great trapeze artist. The acrobat said, "The flyer does nothing and the catcher does everything. I have simply to reach out my arms and hands and wait for him to catch me and pull me safely over the apron. The flyer must trust, with outstretched arms, that his catcher will be there for him."
In a great trapeze act of salvation, God is the catcher, and we are the flyers. We trust. Period. We rely solely upon God's ability to catch us. As we do trust Him, a wonderful thing happens-we fly! Your Father has never dropped anyone. He will not drop you. His grip is sturdy and his hands are open. Place yourself entirely in his care. As you do, you will find it possible-yes, possible-to be anxious for nothing.
Until you are strong
From Steven Curtis Chapman. I'm guessing it's from a song.
I'll be here to cry with you
and right here to give you a song
and help you go on
until you are strong.
I'll be here to cry with you
and right here to give you a song
and help you go on
until you are strong.
Never disagrees
This a good one.
If your God never disagrees with you, you might just be worshiping an idealized version of yourself. -Tim Keller
My note: Thank you, Lord, for challenging me and convicting me on a daily basis!
If your God never disagrees with you, you might just be worshiping an idealized version of yourself. -Tim Keller
My note: Thank you, Lord, for challenging me and convicting me on a daily basis!
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
God is good
From Max Lucado's Daily Devotional from yesterday.
There's a reason the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror. Your future matters more than your past!
God's grace is greater than your sin. You thought the problem was your calendar, your marriage, or your job. In reality, it may be unresolved guilt. Don't indulge it! Don't drown in the bilge of your own condemnation. What you did was not good. But your God is good and He will forgive you. He is ready to write a new chapter in your life. Say with Paul, "Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach to the end of the race and receive the prize for which God is calling us." (Philippians 3:13-14)
Your salvation has nothing to do with your work and everything to do with the finished work of Christ on the cross. Rejoice in the Lord's mercy!
There's a reason the windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror. Your future matters more than your past!
God's grace is greater than your sin. You thought the problem was your calendar, your marriage, or your job. In reality, it may be unresolved guilt. Don't indulge it! Don't drown in the bilge of your own condemnation. What you did was not good. But your God is good and He will forgive you. He is ready to write a new chapter in your life. Say with Paul, "Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach to the end of the race and receive the prize for which God is calling us." (Philippians 3:13-14)
Your salvation has nothing to do with your work and everything to do with the finished work of Christ on the cross. Rejoice in the Lord's mercy!
He took it
On Max Lucado's Daily Devotional from today.
D. (his wife) and I had enjoyed a nice dinner at a local restaurant. As we received our bill, a church member spotted us and came over. After we chatted a few moments, he took our bill. "I'll take this." he said. Guess what? I let him do what he wanted to do. I let him take it away.
Someday we will stand before God. All of us will be present. All of us will have to give an account for our lives...every thought, every deed, every action. Were it not for the grace of Christ, I would find this to be a very terrifying thought. Yet, according to Scripture, Jesus came to "take away the sins of the world." (John 1:29)
On that day, I will point to Christ. When my list of sins is produced, I will gesture toward him and say, "He took it." Let him take yours.
D. (his wife) and I had enjoyed a nice dinner at a local restaurant. As we received our bill, a church member spotted us and came over. After we chatted a few moments, he took our bill. "I'll take this." he said. Guess what? I let him do what he wanted to do. I let him take it away.
Someday we will stand before God. All of us will be present. All of us will have to give an account for our lives...every thought, every deed, every action. Were it not for the grace of Christ, I would find this to be a very terrifying thought. Yet, according to Scripture, Jesus came to "take away the sins of the world." (John 1:29)
On that day, I will point to Christ. When my list of sins is produced, I will gesture toward him and say, "He took it." Let him take yours.
Rain
Today's Verse of the Day on Bible Gateway.
Joel 2:23
Be glad then, you children of Zion,
And rejoice in the Lord your God;
For He has given you the former rain faithfully
And He will cause the rain to come down for you-
The former rain
And the latter rain in the first month.
Joel 2:23
Be glad then, you children of Zion,
And rejoice in the Lord your God;
For He has given you the former rain faithfully
And He will cause the rain to come down for you-
The former rain
And the latter rain in the first month.
A strong person
A strong person is not the one who doesn't cry. A strong person is the one who cries and sheds tears for a moment, then gets up and fights again.
Some doors
From Toby Mac.
Some doors that God doesn't open for you is nothing more than divine protection. And others, the timing just isn't right. Trust Him.
Some doors that God doesn't open for you is nothing more than divine protection. And others, the timing just isn't right. Trust Him.
Can wait forever
This song spoke to me today. Maybe someday I'll be brave enough to send it.
I Can Wait Forever
by Air Supply
When you say, I miss the things you do
I just want to get back close again to you
But for now, your voice is near enough
How I miss you and I miss your love
And though, all the days that pass me by so slow
All the emptiness inside me flows
All around and there's no way out
I'm just thinking so much of you, there was never any doubt
I can wait forever
If you say you'll be there too
I can wait forever if you will
I know it's worth it all, to spend my life alone with you
When it looked as though my life was wrong
You took my love and you gave it somewhere to belong
I'll be here, when hope is out of sight
I just wish that I was next to you tonight
And though, I'll be reaching for you even though
You'll be somewhere else, my love will go
Like a bird on its way back home
I could never let you go, and I just want you to know
I can wait forever
If you say you'll be there too
I can wait forever if you will
I know it's worth it all, to spend my life with you
I can wait forever
If you say you'll be there too
I can wait forever if you will
I know it's worth it all, to spend my life alone
I can wait forever
If you say you'll be there too
I can wait forever if you will
I can wait forever more, I can wait forever
Update: There are two words in this song that are making me hesitant to send this: "forever" and "alone". Those are very serious words.
There's nothing there
Lately I have been watching/observing Dad, for some reason, while he's eating. Even when he's with all of us, it's like he's not there.
I first did this at Boston Market after we visited the Laws'. He was so focused on his food, it was weird. Like all he cared about was getting food into his mouth. I admit that we ate late that night because we met up there for Timbits, so didn't want to get too full beforehand. He just didn't seem happy at all to be with us. He wasn't engaged or adding anything to the conversation. He was just there. There but not there.
I was watching him again last night-another late dinner. He was just eating and then kind of staring off into space. He wasn't part of the conversation we were having at all. He would pipe up here and there with some not-funny one-liner but that's about it. He doesn't know the kids' friends names or care to know them. He has nothing to offer the conversation. He just gets mad about stuff when something bothers him, which is often.
And then he's talking about his work and how he's meeting with all of these realtors. That sounds like the very beginning stages of something. Why hasn't he been doing this already? Sure-he will get a referral, but that's a long process until a loan closes. I hope he has some other stuff going on. Winter is supposed to be the slow season and that's coming up. I thought summer was supposed to be good. Hasn't been too good. I'm getting a little concerned. Looks like we will have to live on my bonus again. And not make any headway with people we owe. Never changes.
What does he want? All of us to worship and adore him? He "wants" all of this stuff but does nothing on his part to try to get it. He just wants things to be handed to him. He wants all this "Christian" stuff, but does nothing to get it. I think he thinks he wants it, but he doesn't really want it. It's like an ideal to him and he "should" want it, but he doesn't. It's really weird.
And what was he mad about this morning? Who knows-I didn't want to know and start an argument.
He's exhausting and he has nothing to offer me.
I first did this at Boston Market after we visited the Laws'. He was so focused on his food, it was weird. Like all he cared about was getting food into his mouth. I admit that we ate late that night because we met up there for Timbits, so didn't want to get too full beforehand. He just didn't seem happy at all to be with us. He wasn't engaged or adding anything to the conversation. He was just there. There but not there.
I was watching him again last night-another late dinner. He was just eating and then kind of staring off into space. He wasn't part of the conversation we were having at all. He would pipe up here and there with some not-funny one-liner but that's about it. He doesn't know the kids' friends names or care to know them. He has nothing to offer the conversation. He just gets mad about stuff when something bothers him, which is often.
And then he's talking about his work and how he's meeting with all of these realtors. That sounds like the very beginning stages of something. Why hasn't he been doing this already? Sure-he will get a referral, but that's a long process until a loan closes. I hope he has some other stuff going on. Winter is supposed to be the slow season and that's coming up. I thought summer was supposed to be good. Hasn't been too good. I'm getting a little concerned. Looks like we will have to live on my bonus again. And not make any headway with people we owe. Never changes.
What does he want? All of us to worship and adore him? He "wants" all of this stuff but does nothing on his part to try to get it. He just wants things to be handed to him. He wants all this "Christian" stuff, but does nothing to get it. I think he thinks he wants it, but he doesn't really want it. It's like an ideal to him and he "should" want it, but he doesn't. It's really weird.
And what was he mad about this morning? Who knows-I didn't want to know and start an argument.
He's exhausting and he has nothing to offer me.
The storm
K sent me this.
When you come out of the storm, you won't be the same person who walked in. That's what the storm's all about. -Haruki Murakami
When you come out of the storm, you won't be the same person who walked in. That's what the storm's all about. -Haruki Murakami
Surprising answer
Whenever I have thought about all the things that have happened since your death, it was never a question that I would trade it all back to have you here the way it was before the accident. I would always choose you back.
I was thinking about this related to K and other people who have come into my life since that horrible day. I know that I can never make the choice to have you back. But it was weird thinking that I would give up all these people and relationships if I could. What does that say about those relationships? That I wish they would have never happened? That I would wish them all away just to have you back? And not just K, what about the Wonderstruck ladies? What about how Grammy and Grandma Joonie are friends now? What about how Taryn and Jaime are friends now? What about how close I am with my mom and Kaisa and Tony now? What about how you have no worries ever because you are home with the Lord?
What about all of the people whom I know got saved as a result of this? Would I wish them out of heaven to have you back? That seems a little selfish. It made me cry to realize this because I was so firm on the thought that I would always choose to have you back. Even if that isn't part of God's plan? Do I want something that God doesn't want? Do I want something just for me when God has used this for the good of so many others?
Once I thought this through, it was a little refreshing, a little freeing. A little surprising. What kind of mother am I who wouldn't want her son back in a heartbeat? Without even thinking? To hold you and keep you all to myself and not share you with the world or with God? I don't think that's how it works. I don't think that's why God gives us children to raise-to hide, to hoard away, to keep safe in our own little pocket just for us. We are recipients of a great gift that we get a part of but the intention of it is not for our own pleasure. It's for God's good pleasure. Whatever that pleasure is. Don't you think it's a pleasure to God to be able to use somebody's death to draw others to Himself? To have that person with Him, but to use that person to populate heaven? It's a divine privilege to be a part of that. To raise a child in such a way to touch so many people in such a short time. I'm not tooting my own horn, but it's encouraging to know that I did a good job. I did. I'm thankful for that opportunity. Love you boy!
I was thinking about this related to K and other people who have come into my life since that horrible day. I know that I can never make the choice to have you back. But it was weird thinking that I would give up all these people and relationships if I could. What does that say about those relationships? That I wish they would have never happened? That I would wish them all away just to have you back? And not just K, what about the Wonderstruck ladies? What about how Grammy and Grandma Joonie are friends now? What about how Taryn and Jaime are friends now? What about how close I am with my mom and Kaisa and Tony now? What about how you have no worries ever because you are home with the Lord?
What about all of the people whom I know got saved as a result of this? Would I wish them out of heaven to have you back? That seems a little selfish. It made me cry to realize this because I was so firm on the thought that I would always choose to have you back. Even if that isn't part of God's plan? Do I want something that God doesn't want? Do I want something just for me when God has used this for the good of so many others?
Once I thought this through, it was a little refreshing, a little freeing. A little surprising. What kind of mother am I who wouldn't want her son back in a heartbeat? Without even thinking? To hold you and keep you all to myself and not share you with the world or with God? I don't think that's how it works. I don't think that's why God gives us children to raise-to hide, to hoard away, to keep safe in our own little pocket just for us. We are recipients of a great gift that we get a part of but the intention of it is not for our own pleasure. It's for God's good pleasure. Whatever that pleasure is. Don't you think it's a pleasure to God to be able to use somebody's death to draw others to Himself? To have that person with Him, but to use that person to populate heaven? It's a divine privilege to be a part of that. To raise a child in such a way to touch so many people in such a short time. I'm not tooting my own horn, but it's encouraging to know that I did a good job. I did. I'm thankful for that opportunity. Love you boy!
Tuesday, September 19, 2017
Reassuring dream
I had a dream about K over the weekend.
I dreamt that I went to some kind of ball or dance to get to him and I was disappointed to see he was entering the ballroom with someone else. I took off and ran away. He followed me and found me very upset. He told me to be quiet for 5 minutes and he basically told me everything that I wanted to hear.
The weird thing was that even though I knew it was him, it was a manager I used to have at Art Van a long time ago that "played" him.
Dream that K told me had.
He said that when he was sleeping on a plane, he had a dream that I introduced you to him. You were sitting on some bleachers. You said something like you knew him or heard of him or something.**When K woke up, the song YMMD was playing on his playlist.
**Here's what he said you said: "I believe we've already met."
I dreamt that I went to some kind of ball or dance to get to him and I was disappointed to see he was entering the ballroom with someone else. I took off and ran away. He followed me and found me very upset. He told me to be quiet for 5 minutes and he basically told me everything that I wanted to hear.
The weird thing was that even though I knew it was him, it was a manager I used to have at Art Van a long time ago that "played" him.
Dream that K told me had.
He said that when he was sleeping on a plane, he had a dream that I introduced you to him. You were sitting on some bleachers. You said something like you knew him or heard of him or something.**When K woke up, the song YMMD was playing on his playlist.
**Here's what he said you said: "I believe we've already met."
Greatness
Quote from Amy Poehler.
Great people do great things before they're ready. They do things before they know they can do it. And by doing it, they're proven right.
Great people do great things before they're ready. They do things before they know they can do it. And by doing it, they're proven right.
The first step
This was on Honorine's wall.
The first step towards getting somewhere is deciding that you are not going to stay where you are.
The first step towards getting somewhere is deciding that you are not going to stay where you are.
Monday, September 18, 2017
Esteem others
Today's Bible Gateway Verse of the Day.
Philippians 2:3-4
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own best interests, but also for the interests of others.
Philippians 2:3-4
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own best interests, but also for the interests of others.
I will be punished
As I pondered this thought just now, I thought of Someone Else Was punished for something He didn't do. What was His crime? Claiming to be God. But guess what, He was.
I can't compare what is happening to me to that, I know. It's on two different stratospheres or however far the two can get from each other. But the thought of it does make me tear up.
It actually feels nice to not be sinning this morning, and by sinning, I mean reaching out to K. When he says things like, "Have a nice weekend" or "Have a nice week", I wonder if its code for "leave me alone." I don't think it is because I still reach out to him and he responds. Still.
I know I'm going to get caught again. I know it. I have to keep altering my approach, and taking more steps to hide things. It feels so wrong. It is wrong. If, or should I say when. I'm found out again, what will be my explanation to everyone? I told them I wouldn't do the very thing I'm doing. That verse was brought up yesterday. Here it is.
Romans 7:15-24: For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
(I just tried to end this, but when I looked at the title, the emphasis could be on the "punished" but it could also be on the "I". For that matter, "will" could be emphasized.)
Let's focus on the "punished." My punishment is being ex-communicated from the church. That's huge. The word could go out to other churches and I couldn't attend a like-minded church as well. I wouldn't be allowed to assemble myself with others. I wouldn't be able to see my church family and I wouldn't be able to serve them as I love to do. No more decorating, no more cleaning up after potluck. No more times with Carter in the pews. No more seeing Hopie play. No more reaching out to the little kids there. No more ordering Sunday School materials or Promotion Sundays. Who would do that? It's hard. I have it down now. I have a role there. And now I have to be there for Betty. I can't leave her now.
What's Bill's punishment? Nothing. He would get to stay. After all, it was "his" church first. Forget the 22 years I have served there. It's just as much my church as his. Maybe more mine. He comes out smelling like a rose. Poor Bill. Look what he has to put up with. Because of "her", he can't sleep, he can't perform his job adequately, he can't make any money. Because of "her", he has high blood pressure and diabetes and can't stick to a diet or exercise program. Because of "her" he has no real friends and a lackluster relationship with his kids. Because of "her" all he has the motivation to do is sit around and watch TV all the time. (The more I say this, the more ridiculous it sounds). Because he says he's sorry after every abominable thing he does, it's ok. He repented. He's a repentant sinner. I am not, apparently. How could I keep hurting my husband when he does so much for me? What is my problem?
Those rants seem to address the "will" and the "I" as well. I will make Christ look bad. I don't want that. It will ruin my testimony, present and future. My kids will be mad at me. No one would ever accept any relationship with K, out of my household anyway. This is costly! Am I worth it? Christ thought I was worth dying for. But I don't think He died for me to keep sinning on purpose. Help me, Lord!
Came back to this after thinking some more. What am I being punished for...
I can't compare what is happening to me to that, I know. It's on two different stratospheres or however far the two can get from each other. But the thought of it does make me tear up.
It actually feels nice to not be sinning this morning, and by sinning, I mean reaching out to K. When he says things like, "Have a nice weekend" or "Have a nice week", I wonder if its code for "leave me alone." I don't think it is because I still reach out to him and he responds. Still.
I know I'm going to get caught again. I know it. I have to keep altering my approach, and taking more steps to hide things. It feels so wrong. It is wrong. If, or should I say when. I'm found out again, what will be my explanation to everyone? I told them I wouldn't do the very thing I'm doing. That verse was brought up yesterday. Here it is.
Romans 7:15-24: For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?
(I just tried to end this, but when I looked at the title, the emphasis could be on the "punished" but it could also be on the "I". For that matter, "will" could be emphasized.)
Let's focus on the "punished." My punishment is being ex-communicated from the church. That's huge. The word could go out to other churches and I couldn't attend a like-minded church as well. I wouldn't be allowed to assemble myself with others. I wouldn't be able to see my church family and I wouldn't be able to serve them as I love to do. No more decorating, no more cleaning up after potluck. No more times with Carter in the pews. No more seeing Hopie play. No more reaching out to the little kids there. No more ordering Sunday School materials or Promotion Sundays. Who would do that? It's hard. I have it down now. I have a role there. And now I have to be there for Betty. I can't leave her now.
What's Bill's punishment? Nothing. He would get to stay. After all, it was "his" church first. Forget the 22 years I have served there. It's just as much my church as his. Maybe more mine. He comes out smelling like a rose. Poor Bill. Look what he has to put up with. Because of "her", he can't sleep, he can't perform his job adequately, he can't make any money. Because of "her", he has high blood pressure and diabetes and can't stick to a diet or exercise program. Because of "her" he has no real friends and a lackluster relationship with his kids. Because of "her" all he has the motivation to do is sit around and watch TV all the time. (The more I say this, the more ridiculous it sounds). Because he says he's sorry after every abominable thing he does, it's ok. He repented. He's a repentant sinner. I am not, apparently. How could I keep hurting my husband when he does so much for me? What is my problem?
Those rants seem to address the "will" and the "I" as well. I will make Christ look bad. I don't want that. It will ruin my testimony, present and future. My kids will be mad at me. No one would ever accept any relationship with K, out of my household anyway. This is costly! Am I worth it? Christ thought I was worth dying for. But I don't think He died for me to keep sinning on purpose. Help me, Lord!
Came back to this after thinking some more. What am I being punished for...
Your struggle
K sent me this over the weekend.
Your Struggle
Your struggle is your strength. If you can resist becoming negative, bitter, or hopeless, in time, your struggles will give you everything. -Bryant McGill
Your Struggle
Your struggle is your strength. If you can resist becoming negative, bitter, or hopeless, in time, your struggles will give you everything. -Bryant McGill
Friday, September 15, 2017
The cards you have been dealt
This was posted by Mamma G.
You don't have a right to the cards you believe you should have been dealt. You have an obligation to play the h... out of the ones you're holding.
You don't have a right to the cards you believe you should have been dealt. You have an obligation to play the h... out of the ones you're holding.
Thursday, September 14, 2017
Don't lose yourself
This was on Honorine's wall.
You're gonna lose friends, relationships, and maybe even family but at the end of the day you just gotta make sure you don't lose yourself.
You're gonna lose friends, relationships, and maybe even family but at the end of the day you just gotta make sure you don't lose yourself.
Effective prayer
By A.W. Tozer
Prayer will become effective when we stop using it as a substitute for obedience.
Prayer will become effective when we stop using it as a substitute for obedience.
Not a hypocrite
Dad has given me a hard time about this in the past. I've come across this before, but it bears repeating. It's by Rich Mullins.
I never understood why going to church made you a hypocrite, because nobody goes to church because they're perfect. If you've got it all together you don't need to go. You can go jogging with all the other perfect people on Sunday morning. Every time you go to church, you're confessing again to yourself, to your family, to the people you pass on the way there, to the people who will greet you there, that you don't have it together and that you need their support. You need their direction. You need some accountability, you need some help.
I never understood why going to church made you a hypocrite, because nobody goes to church because they're perfect. If you've got it all together you don't need to go. You can go jogging with all the other perfect people on Sunday morning. Every time you go to church, you're confessing again to yourself, to your family, to the people you pass on the way there, to the people who will greet you there, that you don't have it together and that you need their support. You need their direction. You need some accountability, you need some help.
Being rude
Being rude is easy. It does not take any effort and is a sign of weakness and insecurity. Kindness shows great self-discipline and strong self-esteem. Being kind is not always easy when dealing with rude people. Kindness is a sign of a person who has done a lot of personal work and has come to a great self-understanding and wisdom. Choose to be kind over being right, and you'll be right every time because kindness is a sign of STRENGTH.
-Attitude of Inspiration
-Attitude of Inspiration
Broken wings
Broken Wings
by Mr. Mister
Baby, don't understand
Why we can't just hold on to each others' hands
This time might be the last, I fear
Unless I make it all too clear
I need you so, ohh
Take these broken wings
And learn to fly again
Learn to live so free
When we hear the voices sing
The book of love will open up and let us in
Take these broken wings
Baby, I think tonight
We can take what was wrong and make it right, mmm
Baby, it's all I know
That you're half of the flesh
And blood that makes me whole
I need you so
So take these broken wings
And learn to fly again
Learn to live so free
And when we hear the voices sing
The book of love will open up and let us in
Take these broken wings
You've got to learn to fly
Learn to live and love so free
And when we hear the voices sing
The book of love will open up and let us in, yeah, yeah
Let us in
Let us in
Baby, it's all I know
That you're half of the flesh
And blood that makes me whole
Yeah yeah yeah, yeah yeah
So take these broken wings
And learn to fly again
Learn to live so free
And when we hear the voices sing
The book of love will open up and let us in
Take these broken wings
You've got to learn to fly
Learn to live and love so free
And when we hear the voices sing
The book of love will open up for us and let us in, yeah yeah
Yeah yeah
Ooh
Keep stillness
K came across this and sent it to me.
In the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you.
In the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you.
Wednesday, September 13, 2017
Never judge
This was on D.J.'s wall. Might have been Toby Mac
Never judge someone without knowing the whole story. You may think you understand, but you don't.
Never judge someone without knowing the whole story. You may think you understand, but you don't.
I am the storm
Have seen this before and love it.
The devil whispered in my ear
"You're not strong enough to withstand the storm."
Today I whispered in the devil's ear
"I am a child of God, a woman of faith, a warrior of Christ.
I am the storm."
The devil whispered in my ear
"You're not strong enough to withstand the storm."
Today I whispered in the devil's ear
"I am a child of God, a woman of faith, a warrior of Christ.
I am the storm."
Called to Blessing
Today's Bible Gateway Verse of the Day.
Called to Blessing
1 Peter 3:8
Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous.
Called to Blessing
1 Peter 3:8
Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous.
If
This was the poem that Octavia Spencer referred to in her speech excerpts I posted.
If
by Rudyard Kipling
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream-and not make dreams your master;
If you can think-and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings-nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And-which is more-you'll be a Man, my son!
If
by Rudyard Kipling
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream-and not make dreams your master;
If you can think-and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings-nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And-which is more-you'll be a Man, my son!
The Best Years
This was a speech that was on Honorine's wall by Octavia Spencer. Here are some excerpts. It's from a graduation speech she gave at Kent State.
Title: The Best Years Are Very Much Ahead of You
Now, there may be a temptation to think that these were the best years of your lives because of everything and everyone you discovered here. But that would be too narrow of a vision, too myopic. I promise you that everyone here has been a part of shaping you for a future you never dreamt for yourself.
But, my dear graduates, let me be frank, the best years of your life are very much ahead of you. And they can be whatever you want them to be. Your work, your life, your weekdays, your weekends, can all be filled with as much meaning as you dictate.
As you go off now to start new jobs or new graduate programs, or maybe you already have a career or maybe a million followers on Instagram and you don't even need my advice. But whatever chapter, whatever your next chapter is, define it by being true to your authentic self. Fill it with meaning. Because you're on the other side now, and maybe fear is starting to creep in, perhaps aggressively-fear of the unknown. Oh, the excitement of today is about to become a memory, and you will have to join the rest of us in a world where there are no more graduations. It's your turn to choose and define what success means to you. Now, others will try to define it for you, but yours is the only voice that matters.
This journey you take now will be led by you alone. Let me say that again. The journey you take now will be led by you alone. Don't let that scare you, oh no, let that liberate you. Remember, no one came here the same way, and you won't all achieve success the same way. But because you all have shaped your path to graduation in a way that is uniquely and undeniably yours, I am pretty confident that you will continue to do that. But as you move forward, please, please, please, oh please, don't let yourself get caught up in the trap of comparison. You know what I'm talking about. Ignore the silly 30-Under-30 list that the internet throws at you before you've even had your morning cup of coffee. Those will be the bane of your existence post-graduation, trust me. Comparing yourself to other's success only slows you down from finding your own. If I had to read '25 Actresses who Broke Through Before 25' when I was first starting out, I tell you guys, I would have stayed in bed. Because I guarantee you that none of them looked like me. None of them. So know this: As much as you've changed during your time here, more change is coming. You're going to have to continue to evolve in unforeseen ways. You are full of complexities and wonders that haven't even begun to surface. Life's unpredictability will draw these out and what defines you now will be mere shades and hues of a more vibrant you over the next five, ten, fifty years. Honestly, I can't think of anything more liberating than that, knowing that life will look differently than you think it will. It's sure different for me.
Don't let who you're becoming be shaped by disappointments and also don't let yourself be shaped by achievements either. Remember your Kipling: If you can meet with triumph and disaster but treat those two imposters the same. Treat them just the same. Define success and define your best years by every day that you work hard towards achieving your goals. Your talent and efforts got you here today and that talent will continue to open doors for you. And luck will play its part too. But a strong work ethic is vital and it will get you farther than talent and luck ever could, trust me, I know. Little talent, lot of hard work.
So keep moving forward. And don't be frustrated when your path gets messy because it will get messy. You'll fall and you'll fail along the way. Wildly. Embrace the mess. Say it with me, embrace the mess, as Nora Ephron used to say. Get ready for it. And don't let the potential of fail stop you from moving forward.
Now this is a big lesson because when you're starting out in your career, it is important that you say yes more than you say no. If I didn't say yes to all of the early roles that I took on, I don't know that I would have gotten to this point. Saying yes allows you to find your voice. It lets you uncover new opportunities and it reveals new relationships. But when it's time to say no, say it loudly and firmly. There will be occasions when saying no is necessary to maintaining your values and your self worth. You define your value. No one else.
Now some of you will be able to make your voices heard through the careers that you choose. But some of you will have to take an extra step. We all have to continue to stand up for our beliefs. No matter what path you're stepping on tomorrow, please take that beautiful voice of yours and share it with us. We're counting on you, and we want to hear you.
Now I do have an asterisk here. Because whatever that voice of yours might be saying,..., I'm asking that your words, your actions, and your voices be rooted in a true empathy for others. Understand each other and let that understanding shape your values. Our voices grow more powerful when they're together. They're more powerful when they're diverse. There are conversations and movements happening in our country right now that will affect each and every one of you, and it's your chance to contribute right now. You're already seeing what happens when we come together emphatically for others. What makes our communities powerful are all of the different viewpoints, the different perspectives. And what creates change is when we stand for values we hold true to ourselves.
So what's next for you? What path will you choose? While you reflect on that, I will leave you Emerson: Do not go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path, but leave a trail.
Title: The Best Years Are Very Much Ahead of You
Now, there may be a temptation to think that these were the best years of your lives because of everything and everyone you discovered here. But that would be too narrow of a vision, too myopic. I promise you that everyone here has been a part of shaping you for a future you never dreamt for yourself.
But, my dear graduates, let me be frank, the best years of your life are very much ahead of you. And they can be whatever you want them to be. Your work, your life, your weekdays, your weekends, can all be filled with as much meaning as you dictate.
As you go off now to start new jobs or new graduate programs, or maybe you already have a career or maybe a million followers on Instagram and you don't even need my advice. But whatever chapter, whatever your next chapter is, define it by being true to your authentic self. Fill it with meaning. Because you're on the other side now, and maybe fear is starting to creep in, perhaps aggressively-fear of the unknown. Oh, the excitement of today is about to become a memory, and you will have to join the rest of us in a world where there are no more graduations. It's your turn to choose and define what success means to you. Now, others will try to define it for you, but yours is the only voice that matters.
This journey you take now will be led by you alone. Let me say that again. The journey you take now will be led by you alone. Don't let that scare you, oh no, let that liberate you. Remember, no one came here the same way, and you won't all achieve success the same way. But because you all have shaped your path to graduation in a way that is uniquely and undeniably yours, I am pretty confident that you will continue to do that. But as you move forward, please, please, please, oh please, don't let yourself get caught up in the trap of comparison. You know what I'm talking about. Ignore the silly 30-Under-30 list that the internet throws at you before you've even had your morning cup of coffee. Those will be the bane of your existence post-graduation, trust me. Comparing yourself to other's success only slows you down from finding your own. If I had to read '25 Actresses who Broke Through Before 25' when I was first starting out, I tell you guys, I would have stayed in bed. Because I guarantee you that none of them looked like me. None of them. So know this: As much as you've changed during your time here, more change is coming. You're going to have to continue to evolve in unforeseen ways. You are full of complexities and wonders that haven't even begun to surface. Life's unpredictability will draw these out and what defines you now will be mere shades and hues of a more vibrant you over the next five, ten, fifty years. Honestly, I can't think of anything more liberating than that, knowing that life will look differently than you think it will. It's sure different for me.
Don't let who you're becoming be shaped by disappointments and also don't let yourself be shaped by achievements either. Remember your Kipling: If you can meet with triumph and disaster but treat those two imposters the same. Treat them just the same. Define success and define your best years by every day that you work hard towards achieving your goals. Your talent and efforts got you here today and that talent will continue to open doors for you. And luck will play its part too. But a strong work ethic is vital and it will get you farther than talent and luck ever could, trust me, I know. Little talent, lot of hard work.
So keep moving forward. And don't be frustrated when your path gets messy because it will get messy. You'll fall and you'll fail along the way. Wildly. Embrace the mess. Say it with me, embrace the mess, as Nora Ephron used to say. Get ready for it. And don't let the potential of fail stop you from moving forward.
Now this is a big lesson because when you're starting out in your career, it is important that you say yes more than you say no. If I didn't say yes to all of the early roles that I took on, I don't know that I would have gotten to this point. Saying yes allows you to find your voice. It lets you uncover new opportunities and it reveals new relationships. But when it's time to say no, say it loudly and firmly. There will be occasions when saying no is necessary to maintaining your values and your self worth. You define your value. No one else.
Now some of you will be able to make your voices heard through the careers that you choose. But some of you will have to take an extra step. We all have to continue to stand up for our beliefs. No matter what path you're stepping on tomorrow, please take that beautiful voice of yours and share it with us. We're counting on you, and we want to hear you.
Now I do have an asterisk here. Because whatever that voice of yours might be saying,..., I'm asking that your words, your actions, and your voices be rooted in a true empathy for others. Understand each other and let that understanding shape your values. Our voices grow more powerful when they're together. They're more powerful when they're diverse. There are conversations and movements happening in our country right now that will affect each and every one of you, and it's your chance to contribute right now. You're already seeing what happens when we come together emphatically for others. What makes our communities powerful are all of the different viewpoints, the different perspectives. And what creates change is when we stand for values we hold true to ourselves.
So what's next for you? What path will you choose? While you reflect on that, I will leave you Emerson: Do not go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path, but leave a trail.
Tuesday, September 12, 2017
My superheroes
Kendra W. always has powerful stuff on her Facebook page. Please ignore the swearing.
The women I love and admire for their strength and grace did not get that way because s... worked out. They got that way because s... went wrong and they handled it. They handled it a thousand different ways on a thousand different days, but they handled it. These women are my superheroes.
-Elizabeth Gilbert
The women I love and admire for their strength and grace did not get that way because s... worked out. They got that way because s... went wrong and they handled it. They handled it a thousand different ways on a thousand different days, but they handled it. These women are my superheroes.
-Elizabeth Gilbert
Unconditional love
This is perfect. It was on Susan Brattin's wall.
Unconditional love doesn't mean you have to unconditionally accept bad behaviors.
Unconditional love doesn't mean you have to unconditionally accept bad behaviors.
Bears repeating
Came across this again-I know I recorded it before because it makes me think of Dad.
You may fool your Pastor;
You may fool yourself,
But you will never fool God.
-Leonard Ravenhill
You may fool your Pastor;
You may fool yourself,
But you will never fool God.
-Leonard Ravenhill
What a grieving mother needs
This was shared by Luminous Light Studio from a page called Four Plus an Angel by Jessica Watson
What a grieving mother needs...
She needs to say her child's name without bringing everyone to tears.
She needs her child's life to be included in the count of children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
She needs kindness on birthdays and understanding on holidays.
She needs to stay in bed and a reason to get out of it.
She needs to talk endlessly and to let the phone ring.
She needs an extra hug and respect for her space.
She needs someone to ask how she's doing and want to know the real answer.
She needs careful announcements of pregnancies, baby showers and births, hers may not have turned out as she hoped.
She needs a "handle with care" sticker for her heart, her emotions have been fragile since the day she said goodbye.
She needs patience and reminders, part of her mind will always be somewhere else.
She needs forgiveness for not being the friend, sister, daughter and wife she used to be.
But more than anything, she needs you...your support, your friendship, your understanding...
a lifetime is an impossibly long time to wait to hold her child again.
What a grieving mother needs...
She needs to say her child's name without bringing everyone to tears.
She needs her child's life to be included in the count of children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
She needs kindness on birthdays and understanding on holidays.
She needs to stay in bed and a reason to get out of it.
She needs to talk endlessly and to let the phone ring.
She needs an extra hug and respect for her space.
She needs someone to ask how she's doing and want to know the real answer.
She needs careful announcements of pregnancies, baby showers and births, hers may not have turned out as she hoped.
She needs a "handle with care" sticker for her heart, her emotions have been fragile since the day she said goodbye.
She needs patience and reminders, part of her mind will always be somewhere else.
She needs forgiveness for not being the friend, sister, daughter and wife she used to be.
But more than anything, she needs you...your support, your friendship, your understanding...
a lifetime is an impossibly long time to wait to hold her child again.
Monday, September 11, 2017
Rejoice in the Lord's Sovereignty
From Max Lucado's daily devotional.
Rejoice in the Lord's Sovereignty
The next time you fear the future, rejoice in the Lord's sovereignty. Rejoice in what he has accomplished. Rejoice that He is able to do what you cannot do. Fill your mind with thoughts of God.
"He is the Creator, who is blessed forever." Romans 1:25
"He is the same yesterday, today, and forever." Hebrews 13:8
"His years will never end." Psalm 102:27
He is king, supreme ruler, absolute monarch, and overlord of all history. An arch of his eyebrow and a million angels will pivot and salute! Every throne is a footstool to his. Every crown is papier-mache next to his. He consults no advisers. He needs no congress. He reports to no one. He is in charge.
Sovereignty gives the saint the inside track to peace. Others see the problems of the world and wring their hands. We see the problems of the world and bend our knees!
Rejoice in the Lord's Sovereignty
The next time you fear the future, rejoice in the Lord's sovereignty. Rejoice in what he has accomplished. Rejoice that He is able to do what you cannot do. Fill your mind with thoughts of God.
"He is the Creator, who is blessed forever." Romans 1:25
"He is the same yesterday, today, and forever." Hebrews 13:8
"His years will never end." Psalm 102:27
He is king, supreme ruler, absolute monarch, and overlord of all history. An arch of his eyebrow and a million angels will pivot and salute! Every throne is a footstool to his. Every crown is papier-mache next to his. He consults no advisers. He needs no congress. He reports to no one. He is in charge.
Sovereignty gives the saint the inside track to peace. Others see the problems of the world and wring their hands. We see the problems of the world and bend our knees!
God the Help of Those Who Seek Him
Sent this to Betty today. You know I love it when they have titles. Verse of the Day from Bible Gateway.
Psalm 121:1-2
God the Help of Those Who Seek Him
A Song of Ascents
I will lift my eyes up to the hills-
From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2
God the Help of Those Who Seek Him
A Song of Ascents
I will lift my eyes up to the hills-
From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
Betty's version
Since Betty sang this at church, Daniel died. It's so sad.
Betty sang this a week ago Sunday. She sent me the words since she altered some of the lyrics.
Were It Not For Grace
Time measured out my days
Life carried me along
In my soul I knew an emptiness
That things in life could not fulfill
I looked hard at this world
To learn how heaven could be gained
Just to end where I began
Where human effort is all in vain
Were it not for grace
I can tell you where'd I be
Tumbling down that Godless road to hell
With my salvation up to me
I know how that would go
The battles I would face
Forever running but losing this race
Were it not for grace
So here is all my praise
Expressed with all my heart
Offered to my Lord who took my place
And ran the race I could not start
And though He knew in full
Just how much His love would cost
He still crossed that great divide between me and heaven
So I would not be lost
Were it not for grace
I can tell you where I'd be
Tumbling down that Godless road to hell
With my salvation up to me
I know how that would go
The battles I would face
Forever running but losing this race
Were it not for grace
Forever running but losing this race
Were it not for grace
Betty sang this a week ago Sunday. She sent me the words since she altered some of the lyrics.
Were It Not For Grace
Time measured out my days
Life carried me along
In my soul I knew an emptiness
That things in life could not fulfill
I looked hard at this world
To learn how heaven could be gained
Just to end where I began
Where human effort is all in vain
Were it not for grace
I can tell you where'd I be
Tumbling down that Godless road to hell
With my salvation up to me
I know how that would go
The battles I would face
Forever running but losing this race
Were it not for grace
So here is all my praise
Expressed with all my heart
Offered to my Lord who took my place
And ran the race I could not start
And though He knew in full
Just how much His love would cost
He still crossed that great divide between me and heaven
So I would not be lost
Were it not for grace
I can tell you where I'd be
Tumbling down that Godless road to hell
With my salvation up to me
I know how that would go
The battles I would face
Forever running but losing this race
Were it not for grace
Forever running but losing this race
Were it not for grace
Promoting self
From A.W. Tozer
Promoting self under the guise of promoting Christ is currently so common as to excite little notice.
Promoting self under the guise of promoting Christ is currently so common as to excite little notice.
Not alone
From Casting Crowns song.
Oh my soul
You are not alone
There's a place where fear has the face the God you know
One more day, He will make a way
Let Him show you how, you can lay this down
'Cause you're not alone
Oh my soul
You are not alone
There's a place where fear has the face the God you know
One more day, He will make a way
Let Him show you how, you can lay this down
'Cause you're not alone
Carved
Because after all this time love still grows in the deepest parts of my heart that have been carved out just for him.
Judging ourselves
A good reminder.
We should be vigorous in judging ourselves and gracious in judging others. -John Wesley
We should be vigorous in judging ourselves and gracious in judging others. -John Wesley
One journey ends
I like most of this guy's stuff-John F. Connor. Not sure if same phrase repeated because it's title or what.
When One Journey Ends
But in your heart of hearts
When one journey ends
Another one starts
Came back to this and made the first line the title
When One Journey Ends
But in your heart of hearts
When one journey ends
Another one starts
Came back to this and made the first line the title
Such souls are rare
When you have a friend who checks on you and wants nothing but the best for you without motives, keep them close, such souls are rare.
Battleground
From A.W. Tozer.
Spiritual Christians look upon the world not as a playground but as a battleground.
Spiritual Christians look upon the world not as a playground but as a battleground.
Fall/autumn
Kind of sad but nice at the same time. This is referring to autumn/fall.
The trees are about to tell us how lovely it is to let things go.
The trees are about to tell us how lovely it is to let things go.
Prison of anxiety
From Max Lucado.
The presence of anxiety is unavoidable but the prison of anxiety is optional.
The presence of anxiety is unavoidable but the prison of anxiety is optional.
I can take care of you
From Toby Mac.
I made all this out of nothing. Trust me, I can take care of you. -God
I made all this out of nothing. Trust me, I can take care of you. -God
Strength
Strength doesn't come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn't.
Tell no one
This is a quote from Kahlil Gibran. (Name sounds familiar-I might have other quotes from this person).
Travel and tell no one. Live a true love story and tell no one. Live happily and tell no one. People ruin beautiful things.
Travel and tell no one. Live a true love story and tell no one. Live happily and tell no one. People ruin beautiful things.
One day she discovered
Quote from Mark Anthony.
And one day she discovered that she was fierce, and strong, and full of fire, and that not even she could hold herself back because her passion burned brighter than her fears.
And one day she discovered that she was fierce, and strong, and full of fire, and that not even she could hold herself back because her passion burned brighter than her fears.
What He takes away
By Toby Mac
Sometimes God's blessings are not in what He gives but in what He takes away.
Sometimes God's blessings are not in what He gives but in what He takes away.
Real
This was encouraging to me.
REAL chemistry is rare. REAL love is rare. REAL support is rare. REAL friendship is rare. REAL is rare. If you find it keep it.
REAL chemistry is rare. REAL love is rare. REAL support is rare. REAL friendship is rare. REAL is rare. If you find it keep it.
Do it scared
This is a good one.
Don't wait until you're not scared to do the thing you want to do. Do it scared.
Don't wait until you're not scared to do the thing you want to do. Do it scared.
Replacement
This is the phrase that I gave K to say whenever the "why's" started to come.
"Thank you God for what you did for me."
"Thank you God for what you did for me."
Friday, September 8, 2017
Creating the environment
This phrase has crossed my mind a lot this past week, related to my post titled "Justice." The environment that he creates. I thought of it relation to seeking out the attention of another man and stealing diapers from the nursery-things that I know are wrong but seemed like an option. Things that I was forced to consider due to the environment that he creates.
I was thinking that as I wrote out a check to myself from a new credit card I recently opened. I opened it to transfer a balance but was at first only approved for $1000. Now it says I was approved for $4000. I used $300 of it to pay towards the repair of Chelsea's car. I used $221 of it to pay for my optometry visit until I got paid back. I did get paid back, but I am using some of that reimbursement as a cushion in my bank account since he didn't really get "paid" this week. Another $500 of it I had to use to pay for Shiloh's surgery-once again, because of no money. Then, as I write a check to myself for $500 to put into my checking account as a cushion and realizing that I now have $1500 of debt on this credit card that I didn't want to "use" in the first place. Why do I have to "use" it? Because Bill can't bring home a decent paycheck these days. Most days. The "good" ones are few and far between. And now he has racked up tens of thousands of dollars of debt on his credit cards.
I know things get slow. But I feel he has to plan for that and not spend like crazy in anticipation of when it gets better. He should have learned that by now. To be more conservative. And to not create the environment.
I was thinking that as I wrote out a check to myself from a new credit card I recently opened. I opened it to transfer a balance but was at first only approved for $1000. Now it says I was approved for $4000. I used $300 of it to pay towards the repair of Chelsea's car. I used $221 of it to pay for my optometry visit until I got paid back. I did get paid back, but I am using some of that reimbursement as a cushion in my bank account since he didn't really get "paid" this week. Another $500 of it I had to use to pay for Shiloh's surgery-once again, because of no money. Then, as I write a check to myself for $500 to put into my checking account as a cushion and realizing that I now have $1500 of debt on this credit card that I didn't want to "use" in the first place. Why do I have to "use" it? Because Bill can't bring home a decent paycheck these days. Most days. The "good" ones are few and far between. And now he has racked up tens of thousands of dollars of debt on his credit cards.
I know things get slow. But I feel he has to plan for that and not spend like crazy in anticipation of when it gets better. He should have learned that by now. To be more conservative. And to not create the environment.
Faith and fear
Faith and fear both demand you believe in something you cannot see. You choose!
-Bob Proctor
-Bob Proctor
Not like other people
Quote from A.W. Tozer
We are not to look like or act like other people. Rather, we are to look like Christ. We are to act like Christ. We are to do the things that Christ would do in the power and demonstration of the Holy Spirit.
We are not to look like or act like other people. Rather, we are to look like Christ. We are to act like Christ. We are to do the things that Christ would do in the power and demonstration of the Holy Spirit.
Baseball
This popped up as a memory from soon after your accident. It was written by Duane Collicott who was one of the coaches when you were on the Tigers. I wanted to record it.
I am finding myself absolutely astounded-but not surprised-at the immense number of people expressing their condolences across social media to the family of Hayden Smith. It's amazing how many lives Hayden touched, as well as the way he touched them. Expressions of grief and remembrance are coming from around the world. My facebook wall is filled with them, mostly from people I don't even know.
I knew Hayden only for two years, when he played on the Ann Arbor Tigers travel baseball team with my William during their 12U and 13U years. Hayden was a joy to coach. He listened to what the coaches suggested, he remembered it, he tried hard to do it, and he improved. (Note from Mom: nice way of saying you weren't very good-just kidding! Not at hitting anyway-sorry!) And all through that he was a team player, not an individual player. He was a natural athlete, and the kind every coach loves to work with.
He wasn't the kid who's always late...he wasn't the kid who forgot the thing you've been telling him twenty times...he wasn't that kid who would skip practices to go to a movie with his friends...he wasn't the kid who day-dreamed during practices or games...he wasn't the kid who busted-down his teammates...Instead, he was one of the kids who worked hard, played hard and loved it. He was one of those kids who you put in a position in the outfield and and then you don't worry about that position for the rest of the game, because you knew it was covered. Every time the ball was in his direction, I would say, "That's a catch!" and it always was: no errors through 30 games in 13U. I looked it up.
I am finding myself absolutely astounded-but not surprised-at the immense number of people expressing their condolences across social media to the family of Hayden Smith. It's amazing how many lives Hayden touched, as well as the way he touched them. Expressions of grief and remembrance are coming from around the world. My facebook wall is filled with them, mostly from people I don't even know.
I knew Hayden only for two years, when he played on the Ann Arbor Tigers travel baseball team with my William during their 12U and 13U years. Hayden was a joy to coach. He listened to what the coaches suggested, he remembered it, he tried hard to do it, and he improved. (Note from Mom: nice way of saying you weren't very good-just kidding! Not at hitting anyway-sorry!) And all through that he was a team player, not an individual player. He was a natural athlete, and the kind every coach loves to work with.
He wasn't the kid who's always late...he wasn't the kid who forgot the thing you've been telling him twenty times...he wasn't that kid who would skip practices to go to a movie with his friends...he wasn't the kid who day-dreamed during practices or games...he wasn't the kid who busted-down his teammates...Instead, he was one of the kids who worked hard, played hard and loved it. He was one of those kids who you put in a position in the outfield and and then you don't worry about that position for the rest of the game, because you knew it was covered. Every time the ball was in his direction, I would say, "That's a catch!" and it always was: no errors through 30 games in 13U. I looked it up.
AWESOME BOY!
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