At my childhood home, there was a huge tree that was the focal point of the front yard. It was grand and gorgeous. It shaded the whole front yard. It was a second home for me, because I climbed all around its limbs all of the time. Mom had a flower bed all around the base of the trunk with stones. She kept all kinds of flowers growing there. It was nature's beauty.
Mom came home from a friend's house one day with a tiny twig. She quietly went to the flower bed and planted this twig at the base of the tree's trunk. No one noticed it, no big deal.
Over time this twig began to grow. Plush green leaves began to appear, and it began to grow up the tree. It was beautiful. I realized that it was ivy, like you see on those 'ivy league' college walls. I asked Mom if she realized it was ivy, and she said, "Not at the time, I just thought it was pretty."
As the vine kept growing around our beloved tree, no one really thought much of it, it was pretty to look at, so we went on with our lives. Before we knew it, the vines were all the way up the tree, it was taking over the whole tree. And, upon a deeper examination, we noticed that it was literally sucking the life out of the tree.
We began to pull part of the vines away, breaking them off, clipping them away. The vine was mostly gone, and you could see the tree better now, everything was good.........right? Nope....the vine grew again, and the tree started looking sickly again. Again we pulled out the clippers, pulled out the poison to try to kill it. Again, it worked for awhile, but it came right back.
This time, my husband got down at the base of the tree and began to dig....and dig...and dig. After a lot of hard work and sweat, he revealed a huge root base! I thought he had dug up the tree...but no, it was the root base of that little ivy twig!
Wow! Isn't that just like sin? We think it's no big deal... we plant it.. no one notices, meanwhile an elaboate root system is growing. Oh, for a little while some make think its pretty, or cool....but slowly you are spiritually dying.
Sometimes, if left long enough, it takes a lot of hard work to cut that sin out of our lives. The ivy is gone now, but it left a scar on the trunk of the tree. and sin does the same thing in our lives. We can get rid of it, get forgiveness, but it leaves a scar. Depends on how you look at it, but I believes it adds character. The scar is a reminder of what was, and that God stepped in and restored us!
Don't give up hope, don't let sin win....ask God to remove that sin, and grow in His will! Your beauty will return! Let the scar remind you that His mercy and grace and love are sufficient!!
Monday, January 7, 2013
Monday, December 10, 2012
What if......
I was sitting in church yesterday......I haven't gotten to be in church in a week due to the birth of my first grandbaby....I was receiving such blessings from my Heavenly Father, and I began to think...what if...????
What if....Christ had not loved us enough to die for us? What a horrible state we would be in....doomed for Hell....no hope. God loved each and every person who has ever lived, living now, and who is going to live on Earth. He loved us enough to send His only Son to die, so that we have eternal life. John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." That is a love beyond what our human minds can fathom!
What if......I hadn't been born in America, the land of the free, where men have given their lives so that we can have the freedom to worship and live for Jesus?? Better yet, I am so thankful to be born in the South, the Bible belt, where Christ is taught, where Christians live what they preach, and Jesus' love can shine! I am so thankful for parents who gave me a Godly heritage, and gave me the tools to be able to walk my own Christian pathway! "train up a chld in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6
What if.....I didn't know Jesus as my personal Saviour....was deceived to believe in Budda or Muhammud? It is so scary to see how easily Satan deceives and blinds people. I Peter 5:8 says, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."
What if.....I hadn't chosen to stay with God and grown in grace and maturity when times get tough, when storms of life arise? This past spring, my 15 yr. old daughter, my baby, told me that she was going to have a baby. Talking about rocking your world...but praise God, I have Jesus Christ as my rock, my foundation! This was the roughest storm I have faced....but, because I chose to stay with God through it, He has overwhelmingly blessed us....way beyond measure!!!! It has been a trying time....I have gone through many emotions...and God has been along with me. I have a bracelet that says,"....it was then that I carried you...". I have worn that bracelet the whole time as a reminder to myself and others that Christ has not and will not forsake. I have witnessed family drawing closer through this. I have seen my daughter mature and become a wonderful mother. I have seen 2 families going through this...together, with no arguments, no anger....that's God! I have seen friends gather around me and pray a hedge around me. I have seen new friends walk into my life, just in time, to share their stories of how this very storm has been in their lives. I have seen God's mighty Hand reach out and make situations workout, and I have felt that same Hand gently grab my hand and comfort me. I have seen friends I thought would have been there for me, walk out of my life...whether it be due to judgement, lack of understanding....or whatever may be the cause......while it has hurt deeply, it has not made my faith wavor at all! In fact, there has been a peace....a grace that can only come from Him. I hold no ill feelings toward those who have chosen not to continue in my life, I love them and pray for them. Proverbs 18:24, "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly; and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." Thank God I know that Friend...and better yet, He knows me!!!
What if.....I had chosen to walk out on my daughter when she told me that she was pregnant? Who knows where she would be right now, or even if my precious grandbaby would've survived! My goal through all of this, is for Christ's light to shine through all of this. I believe it has, and it is, and I cannot wait to see how God is going to use my daughter through her testimony! I can truly say that no matter what my 2 children do....I will not stop loving them.......this has really shown me that. My daughters are God's gift to me, and I am so blessed. It is so awesome to see their strong suits, as well as their weaknesses, and see how God works in their lives. What a pity it would be if I walked away and left all that, because I don't approve of a choice, or because of pride....because I allow Satan to guide my steps. I thank God, He has never left me nor forsaken me.....and I mess up everyday!! I fall everyday....and no matter what....He loves me and is there for me. How can I expect my Father to forgive me, if I hold a grudge, walk away, or don't forgive others?....He won't....the Bible says in Matthew 6:14,15, "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." I tell you one thing, God has tenderized my heart even more through this...I am less likely to critize and throw judgement around.......I will not compromise on sin....it is still sin....but I look through that sin and see the person.
What if.....I let my pride get in the way of truly being a christian? Then I will surely fall. Proverbs 16:18, "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." It's not worth it....it's not worth being puffed up so much that you push those around you away. It's not worth being full of self righteousness, and ending up alone. Satan is more than happy to pat you on the back, provide you with just enough scriptures to make you feel you are 'in the right'....meanwhile, he is robbing you of the joy of your salvation.....the sweetness of His love.
What if......we let all that stuff go, and live....and love...and bask in His joy, His light, His love? We may not see eye to eye...and that's okay....it would be boring if we were carbon copies of each other! James 4:14, "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It, is even a vapour that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." Life is too short! I choose to love, and love others......I love my husband, my daughters, my granddaughter, my friends, my extended family.....and I chose to look at the positives and be happy and satisfied in His love! It is the most freeing thing I have ever experienced!! Thank you, Lord for your blessings on me....thank you for never giving up on me, thank you that I am never too old to grow in You! Thank you Lord for my dear family and friends who have stuck by my side.............I am a blessed, blessed woman!!....so undeserving............but sooo blessed!!
What if....Christ had not loved us enough to die for us? What a horrible state we would be in....doomed for Hell....no hope. God loved each and every person who has ever lived, living now, and who is going to live on Earth. He loved us enough to send His only Son to die, so that we have eternal life. John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." That is a love beyond what our human minds can fathom!
What if......I hadn't been born in America, the land of the free, where men have given their lives so that we can have the freedom to worship and live for Jesus?? Better yet, I am so thankful to be born in the South, the Bible belt, where Christ is taught, where Christians live what they preach, and Jesus' love can shine! I am so thankful for parents who gave me a Godly heritage, and gave me the tools to be able to walk my own Christian pathway! "train up a chld in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6
What if.....I didn't know Jesus as my personal Saviour....was deceived to believe in Budda or Muhammud? It is so scary to see how easily Satan deceives and blinds people. I Peter 5:8 says, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."
What if.....I hadn't chosen to stay with God and grown in grace and maturity when times get tough, when storms of life arise? This past spring, my 15 yr. old daughter, my baby, told me that she was going to have a baby. Talking about rocking your world...but praise God, I have Jesus Christ as my rock, my foundation! This was the roughest storm I have faced....but, because I chose to stay with God through it, He has overwhelmingly blessed us....way beyond measure!!!! It has been a trying time....I have gone through many emotions...and God has been along with me. I have a bracelet that says,"....it was then that I carried you...". I have worn that bracelet the whole time as a reminder to myself and others that Christ has not and will not forsake. I have witnessed family drawing closer through this. I have seen my daughter mature and become a wonderful mother. I have seen 2 families going through this...together, with no arguments, no anger....that's God! I have seen friends gather around me and pray a hedge around me. I have seen new friends walk into my life, just in time, to share their stories of how this very storm has been in their lives. I have seen God's mighty Hand reach out and make situations workout, and I have felt that same Hand gently grab my hand and comfort me. I have seen friends I thought would have been there for me, walk out of my life...whether it be due to judgement, lack of understanding....or whatever may be the cause......while it has hurt deeply, it has not made my faith wavor at all! In fact, there has been a peace....a grace that can only come from Him. I hold no ill feelings toward those who have chosen not to continue in my life, I love them and pray for them. Proverbs 18:24, "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly; and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." Thank God I know that Friend...and better yet, He knows me!!!
What if.....I had chosen to walk out on my daughter when she told me that she was pregnant? Who knows where she would be right now, or even if my precious grandbaby would've survived! My goal through all of this, is for Christ's light to shine through all of this. I believe it has, and it is, and I cannot wait to see how God is going to use my daughter through her testimony! I can truly say that no matter what my 2 children do....I will not stop loving them.......this has really shown me that. My daughters are God's gift to me, and I am so blessed. It is so awesome to see their strong suits, as well as their weaknesses, and see how God works in their lives. What a pity it would be if I walked away and left all that, because I don't approve of a choice, or because of pride....because I allow Satan to guide my steps. I thank God, He has never left me nor forsaken me.....and I mess up everyday!! I fall everyday....and no matter what....He loves me and is there for me. How can I expect my Father to forgive me, if I hold a grudge, walk away, or don't forgive others?....He won't....the Bible says in Matthew 6:14,15, "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." I tell you one thing, God has tenderized my heart even more through this...I am less likely to critize and throw judgement around.......I will not compromise on sin....it is still sin....but I look through that sin and see the person.
What if.....I let my pride get in the way of truly being a christian? Then I will surely fall. Proverbs 16:18, "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." It's not worth it....it's not worth being puffed up so much that you push those around you away. It's not worth being full of self righteousness, and ending up alone. Satan is more than happy to pat you on the back, provide you with just enough scriptures to make you feel you are 'in the right'....meanwhile, he is robbing you of the joy of your salvation.....the sweetness of His love.
What if......we let all that stuff go, and live....and love...and bask in His joy, His light, His love? We may not see eye to eye...and that's okay....it would be boring if we were carbon copies of each other! James 4:14, "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It, is even a vapour that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." Life is too short! I choose to love, and love others......I love my husband, my daughters, my granddaughter, my friends, my extended family.....and I chose to look at the positives and be happy and satisfied in His love! It is the most freeing thing I have ever experienced!! Thank you, Lord for your blessings on me....thank you for never giving up on me, thank you that I am never too old to grow in You! Thank you Lord for my dear family and friends who have stuck by my side.............I am a blessed, blessed woman!!....so undeserving............but sooo blessed!!
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Discord
My church's Wednesday Bible Study is currently in Matthew chapter 5. We are going over the beautitudes. What a wonderful time of year to be studying this. Everyone wants to speak of thankfulness, and indeed we should, but I pray it is from the heart...and not just to do it because others are....or to try to 'out-do' others.
Discord seems to be on the rise. People are in disagreement about almost everything. Just look at our recent election. So many different views and opinions.
This past Wednesday evening, our pastor spoke on the spirit of sweet gentleness. Verse 5 says, "Blessed are the meek (kind, gentle, humble) for they shall inherit the earth." He brought out that we need to be compassionate...not cold hearted; caring...not critical; considerate... not condemning; cheerful..not full of contention. WOW!! Those 'c' words hold quite the punch! So many christians seem to forget about meekness. They may be 'kind' when it suits them....but are you genuinely kind? When someone does not share your point of view....are you meek....or do you bow up and let your opinion be known? It takes work at times to be compassionate......the lazy way out is to be cold hearted. If we curb our critical thoughts.....do we really care about what we are criticizing? Mom always told me it's hard to talk bad about someone or something that we are bathing in prayer.
So often we take the easy road and condemn someone's actions. "Well, let me tell you, my kids won't ever do that!" "They made their bed hard....now they can just lie in it!" "Well, I'm just done with them! Who needs them anyway???"..............really?....really? Oh my.....we speak of how glorious God is to us, how merciful, how gracious............and yet with that same mouth...it doesn't bother us to cut someone to the core, to walk away..........and yet we can say..."I'm in God's will"....are we?... are we really? Well, you don't know what he did to me.....you don't know what she said.........no....we may not know the full story....every detail...........but is your 'beatitudes' in check? How's all that coldness and attitude workin' for you?....really...........
Cheerfulness cannot hang around contention....ever tried it? Try to be all 'happy'....all 'cheery'....'oh, yes, everything is great!'...but underneath that fake smile, there is contention, roots of bitterness choking out the true joy of your salvation. You cannot be humble and haughty at the same time. You can not speak Godly sayings, quote scriptures, and say how awesome life is, meanwhile, cold-heartedness, critical spirit, condemning thoughts, and contention rules our mind and heart. Your words may sound good...but your actions are screaming the total opposite to others around you.....and you know what.............you end up alone....well except for your stubborn pride, lol.
I've been at several of those places at different times in my life....believe me....not a good place to be. God help me to keep a spirit of submission (verse 3..'blessed are the poor (humble) in spirit'..), a spirit of sorrow (verse 4..'blessed are they that mourn...'..), and a spirit of sweet gentleness (verse 5..'blessed are the meek (kind, gentle, humble)'..). I am so thankful that I truly can be thankful because so much bitterness and criticism and coldness is not in my heart. I am so thankful of the valleys in my life...they have made the mountain tops so much sweeter.
I never want to stop learning, never want to stop growing in Him. I am truly thankful for my church, my church family and my pastor who help me do both. I can't wait to get back next Wednesday and learn more about the beautitudes. I have read and studied them all my life...but I have never gotten to the point that I think I can't learn even more. I thank God for my family and my friends....I would not be where I am today without them. Thank you, Lord for the true joy that is overflowing in me!
Discord seems to be on the rise. People are in disagreement about almost everything. Just look at our recent election. So many different views and opinions.
This past Wednesday evening, our pastor spoke on the spirit of sweet gentleness. Verse 5 says, "Blessed are the meek (kind, gentle, humble) for they shall inherit the earth." He brought out that we need to be compassionate...not cold hearted; caring...not critical; considerate... not condemning; cheerful..not full of contention. WOW!! Those 'c' words hold quite the punch! So many christians seem to forget about meekness. They may be 'kind' when it suits them....but are you genuinely kind? When someone does not share your point of view....are you meek....or do you bow up and let your opinion be known? It takes work at times to be compassionate......the lazy way out is to be cold hearted. If we curb our critical thoughts.....do we really care about what we are criticizing? Mom always told me it's hard to talk bad about someone or something that we are bathing in prayer.
So often we take the easy road and condemn someone's actions. "Well, let me tell you, my kids won't ever do that!" "They made their bed hard....now they can just lie in it!" "Well, I'm just done with them! Who needs them anyway???"..............really?....really? Oh my.....we speak of how glorious God is to us, how merciful, how gracious............and yet with that same mouth...it doesn't bother us to cut someone to the core, to walk away..........and yet we can say..."I'm in God's will"....are we?... are we really? Well, you don't know what he did to me.....you don't know what she said.........no....we may not know the full story....every detail...........but is your 'beatitudes' in check? How's all that coldness and attitude workin' for you?....really...........
Cheerfulness cannot hang around contention....ever tried it? Try to be all 'happy'....all 'cheery'....'oh, yes, everything is great!'...but underneath that fake smile, there is contention, roots of bitterness choking out the true joy of your salvation. You cannot be humble and haughty at the same time. You can not speak Godly sayings, quote scriptures, and say how awesome life is, meanwhile, cold-heartedness, critical spirit, condemning thoughts, and contention rules our mind and heart. Your words may sound good...but your actions are screaming the total opposite to others around you.....and you know what.............you end up alone....well except for your stubborn pride, lol.
I've been at several of those places at different times in my life....believe me....not a good place to be. God help me to keep a spirit of submission (verse 3..'blessed are the poor (humble) in spirit'..), a spirit of sorrow (verse 4..'blessed are they that mourn...'..), and a spirit of sweet gentleness (verse 5..'blessed are the meek (kind, gentle, humble)'..). I am so thankful that I truly can be thankful because so much bitterness and criticism and coldness is not in my heart. I am so thankful of the valleys in my life...they have made the mountain tops so much sweeter.
I never want to stop learning, never want to stop growing in Him. I am truly thankful for my church, my church family and my pastor who help me do both. I can't wait to get back next Wednesday and learn more about the beautitudes. I have read and studied them all my life...but I have never gotten to the point that I think I can't learn even more. I thank God for my family and my friends....I would not be where I am today without them. Thank you, Lord for the true joy that is overflowing in me!
Monday, September 24, 2012
Aglets and Eyelets
Okay, picture this....lazy evening...sitting on the couch....husband asleep..............with TV remote in hand........and of course the station is on a show that I care nothing about!!! Got the visual?? The name of the show is, "How It's Made." I dare not wake the sleeping bear by trying to steal the remote....so I concede, and watch the show.
The topic was shoelaces. I must admit, I have never wondered how they are made...but....It was intriguing. I didn't realize how much work was involved. Watching those machines intertwine the threads in what reminded me of a maypole dance was impressive. The supervisor then began to show the 'most important' part, the aglet. The aglet is the plastic part at the end of the lace. His statement was, "The aglet is the most important part of the lace. Without the aglet, it is almost impossible to insert the laces through the eyelet of the shoe."
Well, that got me to thinking.....I can see all the facets of our lives as all the different colors of the thread, it is on the 'machine' of life, being tightly spun together. Each color has a purpose, each thread is needed. Not only is every thread needed...but each thread is also needed to be of good, consistant quality or the lace will fray. All those threads spun together is very pretty, but is basically useless without the aglet. I see the aglet as the example of salvation....all we have, all we are made of..each fiber, each thread, is incapsulated into the aglet...and now is given direction and the ability to truly work in the way it is intended.
You ever have a shoelace that has lost its aglet?....frustrating to say the least, isn't it? I have twisted the ends, wet them to try to mold them together better...trimmed the ends with scissors...and even taken a match to them to try to melt them together............nothing really works, does it? Such is life....we try to do things our way, try to push through life and hope to make it through........doesn't really work too well. But if we accept Christ into our hearts and let Him lead us, let Him be the 'most important part of our lace...our life," then everything flows much easier through the eyelet of life.
Lord, please help me to stay humble and not let the lace of my life 'fray' so that life becomes so hard and unable to manage. If the aglet falls off and the shoelace comes out, then it is unable to be put back in, and the shoe then flops around and is of no use. Something so small...an aglet....is not out there in the spotlight...but vitally needed. Jesus, you are that perfect gentleman...You often are standing somewhere in the shadows...but so vitally needed in our lives.
What are the conditions of the aglets in your life? Do you step on them without thought? Do you give them no thought, no consideration until they are damaged and now your shoe is not able to function?............funny how something so small can cause such thought, huh?
The topic was shoelaces. I must admit, I have never wondered how they are made...but....It was intriguing. I didn't realize how much work was involved. Watching those machines intertwine the threads in what reminded me of a maypole dance was impressive. The supervisor then began to show the 'most important' part, the aglet. The aglet is the plastic part at the end of the lace. His statement was, "The aglet is the most important part of the lace. Without the aglet, it is almost impossible to insert the laces through the eyelet of the shoe."
Well, that got me to thinking.....I can see all the facets of our lives as all the different colors of the thread, it is on the 'machine' of life, being tightly spun together. Each color has a purpose, each thread is needed. Not only is every thread needed...but each thread is also needed to be of good, consistant quality or the lace will fray. All those threads spun together is very pretty, but is basically useless without the aglet. I see the aglet as the example of salvation....all we have, all we are made of..each fiber, each thread, is incapsulated into the aglet...and now is given direction and the ability to truly work in the way it is intended.
You ever have a shoelace that has lost its aglet?....frustrating to say the least, isn't it? I have twisted the ends, wet them to try to mold them together better...trimmed the ends with scissors...and even taken a match to them to try to melt them together............nothing really works, does it? Such is life....we try to do things our way, try to push through life and hope to make it through........doesn't really work too well. But if we accept Christ into our hearts and let Him lead us, let Him be the 'most important part of our lace...our life," then everything flows much easier through the eyelet of life.
Lord, please help me to stay humble and not let the lace of my life 'fray' so that life becomes so hard and unable to manage. If the aglet falls off and the shoelace comes out, then it is unable to be put back in, and the shoe then flops around and is of no use. Something so small...an aglet....is not out there in the spotlight...but vitally needed. Jesus, you are that perfect gentleman...You often are standing somewhere in the shadows...but so vitally needed in our lives.
What are the conditions of the aglets in your life? Do you step on them without thought? Do you give them no thought, no consideration until they are damaged and now your shoe is not able to function?............funny how something so small can cause such thought, huh?
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Enjoying the Sandbar of Life
I was recently at the beach........ahhh........I would love to be there again. I just love sitting under an umbrella with a good book with my toes in the sand, and the waves crashing in the background. Anyway, at this particular place, as you walk into the ocean, it was so warm and nice....but it gradually got deeper. If you kept going, you eventually would reach a sandbar that once again would put your feet firmly on the ocean floor.
I must admit, it was a little scary to keep walking out into the deeper water, with the waves coming on strong, and get to the point to where you could not reach bottom. You had to do some actual swimming, and watch those waves closely, or you were going under! But, if you kept going, you would reach the sandbar, and could relax. There you are, out in the middle of the ocean! You can still see the beach, but you are far enough away as to not hear all the commotion of people playing, talking, radios booming....all you hear are the waves and the wind.
I began to watch a certain group of people near us. All of them were enjoying the sandbar, except one. He was disgruntled at the others. You see, he wouldn't chance going into the deeper water to get to the sandbar. He would watch the others having fun....and would be angry...because they were having fun. I felt sorry for him in one way...but wanted to tell him...oh come on.....you can take the chance....go to the sandbar!!
It reminded me of Jonah. He knew God was going to forgive Ninevah. Jonah didn't like them, and knew if he obeyed God, God would forgive....and he didn't want that. You all know the story....he ran.....God definitely got his attention....and then he obeyed, and the people of Ninevah were forgiven! After all Jonah had gone through...after all Jonah had been a witness to...and had a hand in...why in the world did he then go and pout? He was angry....God, well, had been God...and forgiven Ninevah....and Jonah didn't like it.
God even loved ole Jonah enough to grow a gourd so that Jonah would have shade while he pouted....still didn't help his attitude, did it? Jonah had more compassion over the death of that gourd then the souls in Ninevah.........what a miserable small minded world Jonah lived in. I'm sure Jonah had his good moments.........and God still used him.........but that didn't mean Jonah had a right attitude.
This guy at the beach was working hard to stay afloat in the deeper water, waves crashing over his head...getting out of breath...meanwhile his friends were enjoying life at the sandbar. I envisioned the ocean as the world....we all live in it....we were all in the water...waves were hitting all of us. Most of us chose to enjoy the sandbar....where we didn't have to work hard, we could relax more, and see more. Yes, the waves came in...but they were more manageable. Meanwhile, that one guy, while he was in the same water as us, was miserable.
Sometimes we wear ourselves out in life........and it may not be in sin...it may be while doing God's work. We are so stubborn and prideful, that we hold on and cater to our anger, that we can't enjoy our lives. We want things to go like we want them to...instead of truly trusting and following God. We stop looking through God's eyes....with a Godly heart. We would rather burn all of our energy in the deeper water, rather than swimming on out to the sandbar and letting God truly bless us.
One of my favorite quotes is, 'Your attitude determines your altitude with God.' We may be 'in God's will' to a certain point...and doing God's work, too. But if we really look closer....could God really be doing so much more, if we got our own selves out of the way? We can know all about God, and we can quote His Word all day, but that doesn't mean we are fully obeying Him.
As I kept watching this young man, I could see his heart harden. Well...dadgum it...if his friends weren't going to join him in the deeper water, then..poo on them! He turned his back and raised his nose and tried to prove he was having the better time. It was so sad, it was almost laughable! If he had just softened his heart....admitted what was really going on...maybe he was a little scared...maybe he didn't like swimming alone....whatever the reason....if he had just had the faith to swim on.....or humble enough to ask a friend to help him...then he could have enjoyed the sandbar too!
He can go back home and tell everyone he enjoyed the ocean...and I know he did to a certain point...but he could've had a much better time if he had only gotten to the sandbar. Please, Lord....don't let me be that way....I don't want to let my stubborn nature, my opinion, my pride prevent me from enjoying the life you truly intended me to have. I do not want You to have to grow a gourd to give me shade while I sit in my pride...my opinions...my 'self'....and stew! I want to enjoy the sandbars of my life....I want to enjoy my family and friends...and everyone you place in my life to the fullest extend that you intended for me! Not my will, oh Father...but yours! Thank you for my contrite heart, thank you for my humble spirit...may I NEVER fail to love!
I must admit, it was a little scary to keep walking out into the deeper water, with the waves coming on strong, and get to the point to where you could not reach bottom. You had to do some actual swimming, and watch those waves closely, or you were going under! But, if you kept going, you would reach the sandbar, and could relax. There you are, out in the middle of the ocean! You can still see the beach, but you are far enough away as to not hear all the commotion of people playing, talking, radios booming....all you hear are the waves and the wind.
I began to watch a certain group of people near us. All of them were enjoying the sandbar, except one. He was disgruntled at the others. You see, he wouldn't chance going into the deeper water to get to the sandbar. He would watch the others having fun....and would be angry...because they were having fun. I felt sorry for him in one way...but wanted to tell him...oh come on.....you can take the chance....go to the sandbar!!
It reminded me of Jonah. He knew God was going to forgive Ninevah. Jonah didn't like them, and knew if he obeyed God, God would forgive....and he didn't want that. You all know the story....he ran.....God definitely got his attention....and then he obeyed, and the people of Ninevah were forgiven! After all Jonah had gone through...after all Jonah had been a witness to...and had a hand in...why in the world did he then go and pout? He was angry....God, well, had been God...and forgiven Ninevah....and Jonah didn't like it.
God even loved ole Jonah enough to grow a gourd so that Jonah would have shade while he pouted....still didn't help his attitude, did it? Jonah had more compassion over the death of that gourd then the souls in Ninevah.........what a miserable small minded world Jonah lived in. I'm sure Jonah had his good moments.........and God still used him.........but that didn't mean Jonah had a right attitude.
This guy at the beach was working hard to stay afloat in the deeper water, waves crashing over his head...getting out of breath...meanwhile his friends were enjoying life at the sandbar. I envisioned the ocean as the world....we all live in it....we were all in the water...waves were hitting all of us. Most of us chose to enjoy the sandbar....where we didn't have to work hard, we could relax more, and see more. Yes, the waves came in...but they were more manageable. Meanwhile, that one guy, while he was in the same water as us, was miserable.
Sometimes we wear ourselves out in life........and it may not be in sin...it may be while doing God's work. We are so stubborn and prideful, that we hold on and cater to our anger, that we can't enjoy our lives. We want things to go like we want them to...instead of truly trusting and following God. We stop looking through God's eyes....with a Godly heart. We would rather burn all of our energy in the deeper water, rather than swimming on out to the sandbar and letting God truly bless us.
One of my favorite quotes is, 'Your attitude determines your altitude with God.' We may be 'in God's will' to a certain point...and doing God's work, too. But if we really look closer....could God really be doing so much more, if we got our own selves out of the way? We can know all about God, and we can quote His Word all day, but that doesn't mean we are fully obeying Him.
As I kept watching this young man, I could see his heart harden. Well...dadgum it...if his friends weren't going to join him in the deeper water, then..poo on them! He turned his back and raised his nose and tried to prove he was having the better time. It was so sad, it was almost laughable! If he had just softened his heart....admitted what was really going on...maybe he was a little scared...maybe he didn't like swimming alone....whatever the reason....if he had just had the faith to swim on.....or humble enough to ask a friend to help him...then he could have enjoyed the sandbar too!
He can go back home and tell everyone he enjoyed the ocean...and I know he did to a certain point...but he could've had a much better time if he had only gotten to the sandbar. Please, Lord....don't let me be that way....I don't want to let my stubborn nature, my opinion, my pride prevent me from enjoying the life you truly intended me to have. I do not want You to have to grow a gourd to give me shade while I sit in my pride...my opinions...my 'self'....and stew! I want to enjoy the sandbars of my life....I want to enjoy my family and friends...and everyone you place in my life to the fullest extend that you intended for me! Not my will, oh Father...but yours! Thank you for my contrite heart, thank you for my humble spirit...may I NEVER fail to love!
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Learning Through The Storm
As Christians.....as humans, for that matter.....we go through storms of various shapes and sizes all of our lives. It is up to us on how we react to them, what we do while in them, and what we learn from them. Speaking from my past, I know I have done well through some....and no doubt, failed through some. But the one constant through them all has been Jesus! He loves us no matter how we react during the storms. But nothing pleases Him more than when we endure the storm through Him, by Him, and glorify Him.
Recently, I have been dealing with probably the greatest storm I have ever gone through in my entire life. I don't feel the need to share the details of this storm right now, but know that I would have never imagined that I would have to face it. Storms are put in our lives, one, because we are made of flesh, and things are going to happen....and two, storms keep us humble and remind us that we ARE flesh...and all things are done through Christ, and for His glory...and not our own! He is in control!
Through my soon to be 43 yrs of life, I have had my share of storms....as well as blessings. I have been saved for 35yrs of my life.....I've never one time regretted being saved nor have I ever been forsaken. It took some time and maturing, but I can say I have learned from past storms, and have gotten stronger.
This current storm has really taught me to lean on Him. This storm has separated the supposed to be friends from my true friends. While it is disheartening, it is a blessing to truly know who my friends are. And of course, the friend who sticketh closer than a brother has not let me down! Funny.....in a sad way.............it is some of my christian friends that want to keep the negativity of this storm swirling around me. As christians we are supposed to build our brothers and sisters up, and point the lost to Christ. Sadly, christians...or so called christians....tend to tear their fellow brothers and sisters down, judge them.....and live just like the lost!
It's easy to see the negative side of things. That seems to be our human nature. Something negative will definitely move around the rumor mill a whole lot faster than anything postive! Believe me, my family has been the talk of the town. Everyone loves to stare and whisper....and walk around me on eggshells. Satan would have me to stay focused on all of that. All the sad, bad, negative details that have happened. Where does that get me? How does that help me get closer to Christ?
Yes, this is a terrible storm. Yes, this was not God's perfect will.....it was His permissive will. Yes, I could wallow around in all the pity and sadness. But, I CHOOSE to allow Christ to shine through this storm! I want others to see how Christ has done a work through this. How He has made our mess a masterpiece for His glory! I will choose to look at the positives in this storm! We often see the dark clouds, the dark skies, the scary winds, the rough rain. We see the damage those things bring. But, the sun comes out and evaporates the rain waters, the sky gets bright and blue again. The grass, and flowers, and gardens flourish because the storm came through! The wind benefited the trees by shaking loose the limbs that needed to be pruned away.............the list of positives go on and on!
We keep a barrel to catch rain water here, so we can water our garden with it. That is a blessing! The storms come and fill that barrel. If that barrel is turned over, its just a waste. Its of no help. If we let our storms turn us sideways or turn us over........than what good will we be for Christ? When the storms come...be focused on Christ so that through that storm you can be a vessel to be used later on for Him!!!!!
So, the next time a storm hits you my friend..........CHOOSE to look at the positives in the storm, and as a result of the storm you will be stronger. Stay a vessel that God can use!!
Recently, I have been dealing with probably the greatest storm I have ever gone through in my entire life. I don't feel the need to share the details of this storm right now, but know that I would have never imagined that I would have to face it. Storms are put in our lives, one, because we are made of flesh, and things are going to happen....and two, storms keep us humble and remind us that we ARE flesh...and all things are done through Christ, and for His glory...and not our own! He is in control!
Through my soon to be 43 yrs of life, I have had my share of storms....as well as blessings. I have been saved for 35yrs of my life.....I've never one time regretted being saved nor have I ever been forsaken. It took some time and maturing, but I can say I have learned from past storms, and have gotten stronger.
This current storm has really taught me to lean on Him. This storm has separated the supposed to be friends from my true friends. While it is disheartening, it is a blessing to truly know who my friends are. And of course, the friend who sticketh closer than a brother has not let me down! Funny.....in a sad way.............it is some of my christian friends that want to keep the negativity of this storm swirling around me. As christians we are supposed to build our brothers and sisters up, and point the lost to Christ. Sadly, christians...or so called christians....tend to tear their fellow brothers and sisters down, judge them.....and live just like the lost!
It's easy to see the negative side of things. That seems to be our human nature. Something negative will definitely move around the rumor mill a whole lot faster than anything postive! Believe me, my family has been the talk of the town. Everyone loves to stare and whisper....and walk around me on eggshells. Satan would have me to stay focused on all of that. All the sad, bad, negative details that have happened. Where does that get me? How does that help me get closer to Christ?
Yes, this is a terrible storm. Yes, this was not God's perfect will.....it was His permissive will. Yes, I could wallow around in all the pity and sadness. But, I CHOOSE to allow Christ to shine through this storm! I want others to see how Christ has done a work through this. How He has made our mess a masterpiece for His glory! I will choose to look at the positives in this storm! We often see the dark clouds, the dark skies, the scary winds, the rough rain. We see the damage those things bring. But, the sun comes out and evaporates the rain waters, the sky gets bright and blue again. The grass, and flowers, and gardens flourish because the storm came through! The wind benefited the trees by shaking loose the limbs that needed to be pruned away.............the list of positives go on and on!
We keep a barrel to catch rain water here, so we can water our garden with it. That is a blessing! The storms come and fill that barrel. If that barrel is turned over, its just a waste. Its of no help. If we let our storms turn us sideways or turn us over........than what good will we be for Christ? When the storms come...be focused on Christ so that through that storm you can be a vessel to be used later on for Him!!!!!
So, the next time a storm hits you my friend..........CHOOSE to look at the positives in the storm, and as a result of the storm you will be stronger. Stay a vessel that God can use!!
Thursday, May 31, 2012
The Garden
As I look at my garden this morning...I can't help but picture a spiritual application. A storm blew in night before last. Lots of rain, wind, thunder and lightening. My garden looks good, but some of the corn was leaning over. A closer look showed no breaks in the stalks, some were just leaning over and bent. My thoughts began to take over.
My life is like that garden. I have to work hard and stay focused. If I don't, then weeds and pests can come in and reek havoc. If I keep it watered, then it will stay healthy and grow. If I am patient, it will produce wonderfully healthy food that not only will feed myself, but those around me as well. Storms will come....but if I planted correctly, the roots will hold.
The wind blew the corn over a couple nights ago. But as the sun came out, the corn began to stand back straight and tall. Some stayed a little leaned over, but it will still produce corn! And here I am day 2 after the storm...and the garden has grown...everything is greener....the garden is beautiful.
Sometimes we don't understand the reasons for the storms of life....sometimes we never know the reason....but, if we are rooted in His Word, keep focused on Him, diligently work, then when the storms of life come....we shall not be moved! The storm may bend us over, but as the Son comes out, we will straighten back up! Some storms may really work us over, and we may bear signs of that storm...we may always seem a little 'bent'. But, that doesn't mean our spiritual walk is over. Some of the most twisted, bent, stalks of corn produce the most and prettiest corn we have ever seen!!
Keep tending to that garden.....keep pulling the weeds, keep fertilizing, keep applying the dusts to keep pests away, keep watering.......there is a reward coming!!!! Not only will you reap what you sow and be blessed....but everyone around you will receive blessings as well!!
My life is like that garden. I have to work hard and stay focused. If I don't, then weeds and pests can come in and reek havoc. If I keep it watered, then it will stay healthy and grow. If I am patient, it will produce wonderfully healthy food that not only will feed myself, but those around me as well. Storms will come....but if I planted correctly, the roots will hold.
The wind blew the corn over a couple nights ago. But as the sun came out, the corn began to stand back straight and tall. Some stayed a little leaned over, but it will still produce corn! And here I am day 2 after the storm...and the garden has grown...everything is greener....the garden is beautiful.
Sometimes we don't understand the reasons for the storms of life....sometimes we never know the reason....but, if we are rooted in His Word, keep focused on Him, diligently work, then when the storms of life come....we shall not be moved! The storm may bend us over, but as the Son comes out, we will straighten back up! Some storms may really work us over, and we may bear signs of that storm...we may always seem a little 'bent'. But, that doesn't mean our spiritual walk is over. Some of the most twisted, bent, stalks of corn produce the most and prettiest corn we have ever seen!!
Keep tending to that garden.....keep pulling the weeds, keep fertilizing, keep applying the dusts to keep pests away, keep watering.......there is a reward coming!!!! Not only will you reap what you sow and be blessed....but everyone around you will receive blessings as well!!
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