Life is so busy; with work both for God and family, which I suppose is also for the Lord. Perhaps, if we really think about it, everything we do can be for the Lord.
Anyway, with work, house work, cooking, cleaning, church, Sunday school, choir, down time and time spent doing research and playing on the computer there is hardly enough time in my day for everything. No wonder I am so tired I can barely think when my guys get home.
When I’m so busy I find myself struggling to get a meal on the table every night and looking forward to 9:00 P. M. (bedtime) so I can get some rest, how can I ever hope to fully enjoy and appreciate life. I feel so fatigued that I can’t hold an intelligent conversation with my sweet family. Forget about making the needed phone calls to extended family or writing to family and friends.
Fatigue causes stress and stress can cause a myriad of health issues, which I don’t need, now or in the future. Taking care of myself, my health, must include adjusting my schedule to allow more time to “be still before God”.
Maybe it’s time to look at my schedule and get rid of those things that don’t enhance life. God did not put us here to fill every waking moment. If there is no time to be still before him then I need to rethink the way I'm living.
Maybe I will take some time while we travel at the end of the week and do just that, I know it is needed. Just as I need to get rid of the extra “stuff” that clutters my home I also need to get rid of the things that hinder my walk as God’s child.
What do you think?
Monday, January 28, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Contentment
How is it that we spend much of our time wishing for things we don't have? What a waste of precious time. I heard somewhere that "Time is like a penny, you can only spend it once and then it is gone." What are you spending your time on?
I find myself shopping or serfing the net looking at beautiful things. There is nothing wrong with that. Unless, as I sometimes do, I let it make me dissatisfied with what God has provided for us. We have a nice home. It needs work, yes, but what home doesn't. It is comfortable, nicer than any home we've ever lived in, more than I ever dreamed we would have when we first married and I do enjoy living here. I am grateful that God has so generously provided this place for us.
There are other times I find discontentment creeping in. When I see someone who weighs less, has prettier clothes or is more involved in ministering to others. Sometimes I let those appearances cloud my vision of myself. The reality is, I am healthy, happy, enjoy my ministry, have a wonderful family and nice clothes.
Where then does this discontent come from? It comes from the enemy of God. Satan is very much alive and working to destroy our lives. If he can't destroy our very lives then he will destroy our joy in life.
Once I realized this I went to God asking him to forgive me. Now I can shop, browse magazines and serf the net to my hearts content knowing something may be there that will help me beautify my home. I still love beautiful things. God gave me that ability. Just seeing beautiful things can lift my spirits and I don't even need to make a purchase. I may shop all day without buying a thing.
The point is learning to be content with what I have while knowing that God may provide the funds needed to add something beautiful to my life one day brings a certain freedom. And that is something I cherish. Freely enjoying the beauty God has given us in this world while being content with what I have.
What do you think?
I find myself shopping or serfing the net looking at beautiful things. There is nothing wrong with that. Unless, as I sometimes do, I let it make me dissatisfied with what God has provided for us. We have a nice home. It needs work, yes, but what home doesn't. It is comfortable, nicer than any home we've ever lived in, more than I ever dreamed we would have when we first married and I do enjoy living here. I am grateful that God has so generously provided this place for us.
There are other times I find discontentment creeping in. When I see someone who weighs less, has prettier clothes or is more involved in ministering to others. Sometimes I let those appearances cloud my vision of myself. The reality is, I am healthy, happy, enjoy my ministry, have a wonderful family and nice clothes.
Where then does this discontent come from? It comes from the enemy of God. Satan is very much alive and working to destroy our lives. If he can't destroy our very lives then he will destroy our joy in life.
Once I realized this I went to God asking him to forgive me. Now I can shop, browse magazines and serf the net to my hearts content knowing something may be there that will help me beautify my home. I still love beautiful things. God gave me that ability. Just seeing beautiful things can lift my spirits and I don't even need to make a purchase. I may shop all day without buying a thing.
The point is learning to be content with what I have while knowing that God may provide the funds needed to add something beautiful to my life one day brings a certain freedom. And that is something I cherish. Freely enjoying the beauty God has given us in this world while being content with what I have.
What do you think?
Monday, January 14, 2008
Reconnect-Write
Letters; who doesn’t remember getting their first letter? I must have been twelve years old when I got a letter from my grandmother. I also got letters from one of my Dad’s sisters. We, Grandma Bell, Aunt Era and I corresponded off and on for years. Until other things took precedence.
What joy to walk to the mail box, expecting nothing but bills or junk mail, to lift out that envelope with my name on it. That envelope is evidence that someone has been thinking of me. Evidence that they cared enough to write.
What has happened to that art? Has life taken so much of our time that we can’t sit down for a few minutes and let our family and friends know we love them? I for one am guilty of this lack of attention to those I love. Oh, I send emails but, that isn’t enough. Email is too casual, too indicative of this fast passed life where other more urgent things intrude upon what is really important.
I am going to slow down, take a few minutes a day, and write to those I love. If it is just a little note then at lease they will know that I remember that I think of them and that I care about them. I want them to know how much they mean to me. So starting today I will put forth some of my writing efforts towards cards and letters.
Getting reconnected is always a good thing. What do you think?
What joy to walk to the mail box, expecting nothing but bills or junk mail, to lift out that envelope with my name on it. That envelope is evidence that someone has been thinking of me. Evidence that they cared enough to write.
What has happened to that art? Has life taken so much of our time that we can’t sit down for a few minutes and let our family and friends know we love them? I for one am guilty of this lack of attention to those I love. Oh, I send emails but, that isn’t enough. Email is too casual, too indicative of this fast passed life where other more urgent things intrude upon what is really important.
I am going to slow down, take a few minutes a day, and write to those I love. If it is just a little note then at lease they will know that I remember that I think of them and that I care about them. I want them to know how much they mean to me. So starting today I will put forth some of my writing efforts towards cards and letters.
Getting reconnected is always a good thing. What do you think?
Monday, January 7, 2008
God Loves Us; Utterly, Completely, Absolutely
Beloved;
That’s what God called me as I talked to him in the middle of the night. Somewhere in between awake and asleep as I called out to my Father he replied, “Beloved.” My eyes stung with tears and my throat tightened in response. I felt it and I felt overwhelmed with the love that was present. I still tear up when I think about it. It was almost too much; too much to comprehend, too much to believe, too much to accept and yet He wanted me to accept it.
That He wanted me to know I am His beloved makes His love for me more real. Maybe that is why I felt the tears. Now if I can just keep that in mind when I am vacillating over what to do, write or play or work on the house. He has my best interest in mind, He knows me better than anyone on earth, (even my parents and my sweetheart) and He knows what I need to do every day with every moment He gives me. Now I have the hope that He will lead me to the path He has put before me, and that He will bless my efforts to bring Him glory.
Using the pain and joy of life to reach others for Him; writing of it so that others in their empathy or sympathy may learn of His love for THEM, that they are important to Him.
Did you know that you are beloved? God, our Heavenly Father, Creator of the universe loves you with a love greater than you could ever imagine. You are very important to Him. Just as each of our children is different and yet loved as if they were our only child we are loved by our Father with a love that knows no bounds.
Beloved.
Beloved, let this sink into your heart. Let it be the word that comes to mind when you think of who you are in Him. Let it lift your spirits. Let it bring you hope. For in Him all things are possible and in His love we find everything we need.
Beloved, love the Lord as He loves you. You cannot believe what beautiful and amazing things may come of it.
That’s what God called me as I talked to him in the middle of the night. Somewhere in between awake and asleep as I called out to my Father he replied, “Beloved.” My eyes stung with tears and my throat tightened in response. I felt it and I felt overwhelmed with the love that was present. I still tear up when I think about it. It was almost too much; too much to comprehend, too much to believe, too much to accept and yet He wanted me to accept it.
That He wanted me to know I am His beloved makes His love for me more real. Maybe that is why I felt the tears. Now if I can just keep that in mind when I am vacillating over what to do, write or play or work on the house. He has my best interest in mind, He knows me better than anyone on earth, (even my parents and my sweetheart) and He knows what I need to do every day with every moment He gives me. Now I have the hope that He will lead me to the path He has put before me, and that He will bless my efforts to bring Him glory.
Using the pain and joy of life to reach others for Him; writing of it so that others in their empathy or sympathy may learn of His love for THEM, that they are important to Him.
Did you know that you are beloved? God, our Heavenly Father, Creator of the universe loves you with a love greater than you could ever imagine. You are very important to Him. Just as each of our children is different and yet loved as if they were our only child we are loved by our Father with a love that knows no bounds.
Beloved.
Beloved, let this sink into your heart. Let it be the word that comes to mind when you think of who you are in Him. Let it lift your spirits. Let it bring you hope. For in Him all things are possible and in His love we find everything we need.
Beloved, love the Lord as He loves you. You cannot believe what beautiful and amazing things may come of it.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Resolutions, Reinventing or Recommitting?
Does everyone make New Years Resolutions? I don’t usually but I’ve been inspired by a site I belong to. They encourage you to do something you have always dreamed of doing, whether it's climbing a mountain, literally, losing weight or learning a new language.
Is this a good way to occupy my mind and my time? What of God? He has a plan for us all. Perhaps I fail at so many resolutions because I am not aligning myself with His will for my life.
Perhaps this year I should begin with prayer, ask my heavenly Father what He wants me to accomplish this year. And then ask for His help with it.
There is a desire within me to come closer to Him, to know Him more, to seek Him more and to love Him more. Maybe the Lord is calling to me and my spirit is answering with this desire for a closer relationship with Him.
Perhaps I should reevaluate the way I live. Change my routine and let go of those things that do nothing to help me accomplish those desires replacing them with time spent with God my Father.
Instead of immediately turning on the television to catch the news in the morning perhaps I should place a chair where I can see outside and sit quietly before Him. Then after everyone is gone for the day I can start mine with His word and pray for myself and all those I love.
The New Year is a good time to start new things, but I don’t think I will wait until then. I think I will start today. Change can be a very good thing if we allow God to lead us.
What do you think?
May you have a Wonderful, Joy Filled, New Year!!
Is this a good way to occupy my mind and my time? What of God? He has a plan for us all. Perhaps I fail at so many resolutions because I am not aligning myself with His will for my life.
Perhaps this year I should begin with prayer, ask my heavenly Father what He wants me to accomplish this year. And then ask for His help with it.
There is a desire within me to come closer to Him, to know Him more, to seek Him more and to love Him more. Maybe the Lord is calling to me and my spirit is answering with this desire for a closer relationship with Him.
Perhaps I should reevaluate the way I live. Change my routine and let go of those things that do nothing to help me accomplish those desires replacing them with time spent with God my Father.
Instead of immediately turning on the television to catch the news in the morning perhaps I should place a chair where I can see outside and sit quietly before Him. Then after everyone is gone for the day I can start mine with His word and pray for myself and all those I love.
The New Year is a good time to start new things, but I don’t think I will wait until then. I think I will start today. Change can be a very good thing if we allow God to lead us.
What do you think?
May you have a Wonderful, Joy Filled, New Year!!
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
The Other Gift
The Holidays, The Season, Christmas. No matter what you call it the feelings it brings are many and so varied a book couldn’t hold them all. We cherish so these days of celebration; sending cards to loved ones, family and friends, practicing for weeks with the church choir for a special presentation of worship in song, baking and making things ahead of time so we will be ready, decorating and making our homes look festive, getting surprises together and hiding them until the day nears, keeping our little secrets and hugging close the feeling that this year we will really surprise our loved ones.
All these things go together to make the Christmas season the most celebrated on earth. Done so that we can in some way let our Lord know what His birth means to us. That His birth in the stable, His coming to earth is remembered and celebrated with thankful hearts and joyful spirits.
We are eager to treat each other with kindness during these weeks. We work, shop and practice, cook and help others until we are on the point of exhaustion, for Him. And yet the other gift He gives us every year is overlooked by most of us. This gift, this celebration of love.
What is the other gift, you ask? The gift of family. One of the best parts of the holiday is gathering with friends and family to celebrate. We give gifts, bake special treats to share, dress up and make time for each other. What a wonder I didn’t realize it before. This wonderful gift, is because of Him.
He came to earth, a babe in a manger, in order to save us from sin but in doing that He gave us this chance to celebrate Him and in the celebrating He gives us each other; a closeness to family and friends, clarity of mind, fullness of spirit and a joy that overwhelms. How blessed we are to know Him, to have the gift of Salvation brought by Him and to have this other gift, one of celebrating with each other.
May you enjoy “The Gift” this Christmas and may you praise Him for it.
Have a wonderful, beautiful, joyful, love filled Christmas!
All these things go together to make the Christmas season the most celebrated on earth. Done so that we can in some way let our Lord know what His birth means to us. That His birth in the stable, His coming to earth is remembered and celebrated with thankful hearts and joyful spirits.
We are eager to treat each other with kindness during these weeks. We work, shop and practice, cook and help others until we are on the point of exhaustion, for Him. And yet the other gift He gives us every year is overlooked by most of us. This gift, this celebration of love.
What is the other gift, you ask? The gift of family. One of the best parts of the holiday is gathering with friends and family to celebrate. We give gifts, bake special treats to share, dress up and make time for each other. What a wonder I didn’t realize it before. This wonderful gift, is because of Him.
He came to earth, a babe in a manger, in order to save us from sin but in doing that He gave us this chance to celebrate Him and in the celebrating He gives us each other; a closeness to family and friends, clarity of mind, fullness of spirit and a joy that overwhelms. How blessed we are to know Him, to have the gift of Salvation brought by Him and to have this other gift, one of celebrating with each other.
May you enjoy “The Gift” this Christmas and may you praise Him for it.
Have a wonderful, beautiful, joyful, love filled Christmas!
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
What Do You Think?
The things that are going on today seem to be leading us down a path we would rather not face. Those things are a consequence of our lack of attention to what went on years ago. So, we are paying the price of the inattentiveness of generations who went before us. What things, you ask?
At the top of the list must be the phrase Merry Christmas which is being killed off by those whose interest in being P. C. (politically correct) carries more clout than our desire to honor the One who blessed this country and provided us with freedom.
Common courtesy, without being judged by what you say, do or how you look is also vanishing, though during these Christmas holidays it does resurface for a few wonderful weeks.
Violence is growing at alarming rates and though our lawmakers and justice system say they are working on the problem I haven’t seen any improvement.
So, what should we do? Should we sit at home and hope things get better? Sign petitions and hope they get into the right hands? Trust the government to take care of the situation? Believe what the news media says? Keep our focus on trivial bits which fill the news about which Celebes are divorcing and which ones are getting botox or having surgery?
Or should we agree together in prayer daily. Ask God to forgive us for our sin and for letting our country get in this deplorable shape without seeking him? Ask Him to take control, bring us back into His will and make us truly one nation under God. Then ask our Lord to protect and bless us as a Christian nation.
What do you think?
At the top of the list must be the phrase Merry Christmas which is being killed off by those whose interest in being P. C. (politically correct) carries more clout than our desire to honor the One who blessed this country and provided us with freedom.
Common courtesy, without being judged by what you say, do or how you look is also vanishing, though during these Christmas holidays it does resurface for a few wonderful weeks.
Violence is growing at alarming rates and though our lawmakers and justice system say they are working on the problem I haven’t seen any improvement.
So, what should we do? Should we sit at home and hope things get better? Sign petitions and hope they get into the right hands? Trust the government to take care of the situation? Believe what the news media says? Keep our focus on trivial bits which fill the news about which Celebes are divorcing and which ones are getting botox or having surgery?
Or should we agree together in prayer daily. Ask God to forgive us for our sin and for letting our country get in this deplorable shape without seeking him? Ask Him to take control, bring us back into His will and make us truly one nation under God. Then ask our Lord to protect and bless us as a Christian nation.
What do you think?
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