YES! YES! YES! Spring is finally starting to eek her way out of the winter slumber and grace us with her periodic warm breezes and sunny days. Today I was able to come home and head straight for the flower bed that adorns the front of my house. I found it an utter mess, but was determined to clear it of it's clutter so that the tender green shoots could breathe the fresh air. As I was working the earth, I started to think about the various kinds of flowers that would array that garden throughout the summer, and my mind wandered into thinking how those flowers remind me of my friendships.
The first plant to be uncovered was my beloved poppy clump. Now, I love the fiery, orange blooms that burst on the scene in late spring. They are airy, carefree, and short-lived. While I enjoy these flowers, they are the most high maintenance plant in the bed! I have to be very gentle when clearing the area around them, being very, very careful not to damage their shallow roots. Due to their many needs and my short attention span, there is only one plant in the entire bed. Same with "poppy friendships". They often can be beautiful for a short time, but lose their luster and my interest quickly. I am way too hard on them and often find myself tromping on the shallow roots.
The next flowers I unearth are what I call the 'butterfly bunch' - purple cone flowers, Shasta daisies and black eyed susans. This grouping of flowers are a hearty bunch. They have strong stalks, rough leaves, and plain flowers. They look great for about two days, then start to look a bit ragged. However, on closer inspection, these lovely girls are probably the most purposeful in the garden. They are the feeders. All summer long, they languish so that the delicate butterflies and buzzy bees that swarm my yard can get nourishment, then when the crisp fall and winter winds blow in, the birds can find the sustenance they need from the seed heads that sit atop those sturdy stalks. These remind me of the lion's share of my friendships. They are strong,nothing really showy about them, but they provide me with a sustenance that I require. They bring a purpose to my life, whether great or small...but a purpose that I cannot live without.
Finally, are my absolute favorites: lilies. I am a HUGE fan of the low maintenance beauties, whether it be hosta, day, Asiatic, oriental, or tiger varieties, you will find these in abundance in my yard. They bloom where they are planted, and reproduce themselves with great gusto. They have the most gorgeous flowers and you will find them stretching up to the sun in worship. They require little maintenance and survive the most extremes of circumstances, including rough handling by the gardener. These are my inner circle. They are the women (and men!) who love Jesus with everything in them and every aspect of their lives show it. Regardless of what life throws them, they anchor down deep roots in Him and His word and the result is the most fragrant, gorgeous life you've ever witnessed! These are the friends that I can make mistakes with and they still shower me with kindness. I can be a bit rough, and their roots are so deep in Christ that they are forgiving. And they lift their lives up to the Son in worship in a way that causes me to do the same. Spectacular!
My prayer is that I am very rarely a poppy, more often a nourisher, and most definitely a lily in the flowerbeds of friendship! Hugs ~
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
What does Jesus look like?
This past weekend I got to fulfill a long time dream and teach the word of God to a group of women who were seeking to live life like Christ. The Lord was beyond gracious with me and gave me some great points of truth to share. The women were a mixed bag of ages, spiritual levels, and I am certain some were saved and some may not have been.
At the end of one of my sessions, I was approached by a woman who knew me from my previous place of employ. She told me that she didn't know I "had this in me" and I told her that while I do try to live my faith out loud, I am sure there are times that I don't always do it well. Now, while I don't take every comment from acquaintences to heart, I do try to listen for anything that the Lord might be telling me. I didn't take her comment as a critical need to change,however, it did get me to thinking about how people view Jesus, both as their Lord and through the lives of others...let me explain.
There have been many times over my walk with the Lord that I have viewed Jesus in a variety of ways. When I was first saved, I was so excited about everything to do with Him and my love for Him was all consuming. He was the be all for my life and I couldn't ever imagine not seeing Him as the perfect answer to everything. As the hot flame of the first love of knowing Jesus cooled and the truth of his Word was butting heads with my carnality, I began to see Jesus as a fun hater, wanting to keep me from really enjoying life as I wanted.
Then there was the period that I believe a lot of believers get to and stay stuck, sometimes until they go home with the Lord. Either one of two views prevail. The first is seeing Jesus as our genie on the shelf. We want to live our lives as we see fit, only bothering to pull Jesus off the shelf when life's circumstances overwhelm us and we finally realize our need for Him. Often we want just enough of Jesus to get us through the trouble we are currently experiencing, only to place him back up on the shelf when we are in easier times. The second is what I call the "fire proof" life...we want just enough Jesus to secure our eternity. Either position refuses to allow the Lord to infuse every aspect of our lives because deep down we want the control. My, did I live life there way too long.
The last view of Jesus is the correct view and one I hope to continue to grow in. That's the biblical view. When I study the life of Christ, I find Someone very different than what the world believes He looks like. I do not find a man who would just overlook the sins of others, but would confront those with their sin with the desire to reconcile them to the Father. I find a Man of immense compassion on a woman who was caught in sin by the hypocrits of the day, showing her grace in her repentance. I find a Man whose righteous anger cleared the moneychangers out of the house of God. I find a Man who expected those He'd invested in to live changed lives, yet love them throught the growth period. You see, I see Jesus as a Man who had the right response to the hearts of those around Him. While the world may expect me to be one of those views that they hold of Jesus, I want to pursue the biblical view. So, how do you see Him?
At the end of one of my sessions, I was approached by a woman who knew me from my previous place of employ. She told me that she didn't know I "had this in me" and I told her that while I do try to live my faith out loud, I am sure there are times that I don't always do it well. Now, while I don't take every comment from acquaintences to heart, I do try to listen for anything that the Lord might be telling me. I didn't take her comment as a critical need to change,however, it did get me to thinking about how people view Jesus, both as their Lord and through the lives of others...let me explain.
There have been many times over my walk with the Lord that I have viewed Jesus in a variety of ways. When I was first saved, I was so excited about everything to do with Him and my love for Him was all consuming. He was the be all for my life and I couldn't ever imagine not seeing Him as the perfect answer to everything. As the hot flame of the first love of knowing Jesus cooled and the truth of his Word was butting heads with my carnality, I began to see Jesus as a fun hater, wanting to keep me from really enjoying life as I wanted.
Then there was the period that I believe a lot of believers get to and stay stuck, sometimes until they go home with the Lord. Either one of two views prevail. The first is seeing Jesus as our genie on the shelf. We want to live our lives as we see fit, only bothering to pull Jesus off the shelf when life's circumstances overwhelm us and we finally realize our need for Him. Often we want just enough of Jesus to get us through the trouble we are currently experiencing, only to place him back up on the shelf when we are in easier times. The second is what I call the "fire proof" life...we want just enough Jesus to secure our eternity. Either position refuses to allow the Lord to infuse every aspect of our lives because deep down we want the control. My, did I live life there way too long.
The last view of Jesus is the correct view and one I hope to continue to grow in. That's the biblical view. When I study the life of Christ, I find Someone very different than what the world believes He looks like. I do not find a man who would just overlook the sins of others, but would confront those with their sin with the desire to reconcile them to the Father. I find a Man of immense compassion on a woman who was caught in sin by the hypocrits of the day, showing her grace in her repentance. I find a Man whose righteous anger cleared the moneychangers out of the house of God. I find a Man who expected those He'd invested in to live changed lives, yet love them throught the growth period. You see, I see Jesus as a Man who had the right response to the hearts of those around Him. While the world may expect me to be one of those views that they hold of Jesus, I want to pursue the biblical view. So, how do you see Him?
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
To Everything There is a Season
It's been a quiet season for me. The words that normally tumbled out without much effort, have been rolling around in my heart to be pondered, edited, redacted, and then allowed to just remain there until a time He saw fit to release them. Here's a synopsis of what's happened between my last post and now...
Ecclesiastes 3
A time to be born, and a time to die;
To pull an example from farming, a seed must die before new life can be seen. So it was in my life, a ministry had to die before a new one could be conceptualized. Last summer saw the abrupt end to my involvement in a ministry in which I was truly struggling, but would have never voluntarily left because it was what I'd always loved to do. But in that death, the Lord has birthed a new passion for ministering to the hearts of women. I have no idea where He is taking us on this adventure, but I am in the passenger seat, I've got my sunglasses on and am ready to go!
Lesson learned: He WANTS me to be a part of His work, but He certainly doesn't need me. Know what? I'd rather be wanted than needed any day!!
3aA time to kill, and a time to heal;
I know the time to kill sin is at the start. I've experienced a longer-than-I-want-to-admit period of unforgiveness for a fellow believer. My attitude was completely wrong, yet I delighted in holding on to my "right" to indignation and hurt. Shame. on. me. Yet again, Jesus is so gracious, loving and FIRM with me. A broken and contrite heart on the matter has replaced the haughty, ugly one that was beating inside my chest, and healing has taken over. Now to work on the fractured relationship....
Lesson learned: Forgiveness is readily available to the repentant, but the longer we wait, the more scar tissue remains to be dealt with.
7b a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
This has been a huge blessing that has been a long time in coming. God, in his graciousness, has been working on my desire to constantly offer my opinion on EVERYTHING. With His wisdom, I am finding that less is more on the sharing front! And as is the enemy's MO, there have been some very, very difficult situations that I've experienced over the past 18 months that I have been tempted to start in, and the Lord has either used His word, His people, or His circumstances to keep that from happening, and I am seeing the fruit. He is supplying opportunities for HIS words to be spoken, not out of my flesh, but through His love. I firmly believe that because of the hard choices of that discipline, He is now preparing me to speak to women. He was just waiting for me to follow Him and He needed to know that I will do my best to say His words.
Lesson still learning: Always, always, always talk to Him first.
8b a time of war, and a time of peace.
This is probably the scariest challenge/change of all. I have been fighting being overweight for a majority of my life. I have dieted endlessly and can tell you the "ins" and "outs" of most major diet plans. I have lost and gained more weight than I can even count. In October, things started to come to a head and I knew that there was NO WAY I was going to do all that He has for me to do if I didn't do something. I also knew that this was much more than a fundamental food issue. It was spiritual. I had the how to, but needed the want to. So I started a quest to figure out how to come to terms with it. I sought counseling from a professional which didn't produce the results I'd hoped. Then three weeks ago I began the study by Lysa TerKurst called "Made to Crave". Honestly, I didn't want to. But when the Holy Spirit dogs me like He did, I couldn't say no. Within an hour of reading the blog on it, I had ordered the book,workbook and DVD for the study. I tried reading it on vacation, to no avail. I got back and had convinced 6 others to do the study with me. This is where the war began. Week one was horrible...I was BLANTANTLY and WILLFULLY rebellious. I knew I was on to something if I was going to be battling like this from the start. Week two got a bit better. Then week three. The word of the week has been peace. I knew that with that being the word, the enemy of my soul was gonna be on me like white on rice. Oh, but my God had different plans...plans for me to rest in him each day, plans for me to see Him supernaturally be strength in my weakness, plans for Him to bless my obedience. Where this is going to go, I have no idea. But I do know that in a few short weeks, I am seeing my God in a whole new way. I am seeing my walk with Him take turns that never would have occurred without discipline and obedience. As with any war, there are battles that I am afraid of entering. I am afraid of failing, YET again. I am afraid of outing myself via this blog and having the scrutiny of those around me. Most of all, I am afraid of making a mockery of the power of Christ, who tells me I can do all things through Him. Yet, in spite of those fears, I am claiming my first memory verse of Philippians 4:6-7 and allowing that peace that passes all understanding to guard my heart and mind.
Lesson learned: pending....
Ecclesiastes 3
A time to be born, and a time to die;
To pull an example from farming, a seed must die before new life can be seen. So it was in my life, a ministry had to die before a new one could be conceptualized. Last summer saw the abrupt end to my involvement in a ministry in which I was truly struggling, but would have never voluntarily left because it was what I'd always loved to do. But in that death, the Lord has birthed a new passion for ministering to the hearts of women. I have no idea where He is taking us on this adventure, but I am in the passenger seat, I've got my sunglasses on and am ready to go!
Lesson learned: He WANTS me to be a part of His work, but He certainly doesn't need me. Know what? I'd rather be wanted than needed any day!!
3aA time to kill, and a time to heal;
I know the time to kill sin is at the start. I've experienced a longer-than-I-want-to-admit period of unforgiveness for a fellow believer. My attitude was completely wrong, yet I delighted in holding on to my "right" to indignation and hurt. Shame. on. me. Yet again, Jesus is so gracious, loving and FIRM with me. A broken and contrite heart on the matter has replaced the haughty, ugly one that was beating inside my chest, and healing has taken over. Now to work on the fractured relationship....
Lesson learned: Forgiveness is readily available to the repentant, but the longer we wait, the more scar tissue remains to be dealt with.
7b a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
This has been a huge blessing that has been a long time in coming. God, in his graciousness, has been working on my desire to constantly offer my opinion on EVERYTHING. With His wisdom, I am finding that less is more on the sharing front! And as is the enemy's MO, there have been some very, very difficult situations that I've experienced over the past 18 months that I have been tempted to start in, and the Lord has either used His word, His people, or His circumstances to keep that from happening, and I am seeing the fruit. He is supplying opportunities for HIS words to be spoken, not out of my flesh, but through His love. I firmly believe that because of the hard choices of that discipline, He is now preparing me to speak to women. He was just waiting for me to follow Him and He needed to know that I will do my best to say His words.
Lesson still learning: Always, always, always talk to Him first.
8b a time of war, and a time of peace.
This is probably the scariest challenge/change of all. I have been fighting being overweight for a majority of my life. I have dieted endlessly and can tell you the "ins" and "outs" of most major diet plans. I have lost and gained more weight than I can even count. In October, things started to come to a head and I knew that there was NO WAY I was going to do all that He has for me to do if I didn't do something. I also knew that this was much more than a fundamental food issue. It was spiritual. I had the how to, but needed the want to. So I started a quest to figure out how to come to terms with it. I sought counseling from a professional which didn't produce the results I'd hoped. Then three weeks ago I began the study by Lysa TerKurst called "Made to Crave". Honestly, I didn't want to. But when the Holy Spirit dogs me like He did, I couldn't say no. Within an hour of reading the blog on it, I had ordered the book,workbook and DVD for the study. I tried reading it on vacation, to no avail. I got back and had convinced 6 others to do the study with me. This is where the war began. Week one was horrible...I was BLANTANTLY and WILLFULLY rebellious. I knew I was on to something if I was going to be battling like this from the start. Week two got a bit better. Then week three. The word of the week has been peace. I knew that with that being the word, the enemy of my soul was gonna be on me like white on rice. Oh, but my God had different plans...plans for me to rest in him each day, plans for me to see Him supernaturally be strength in my weakness, plans for Him to bless my obedience. Where this is going to go, I have no idea. But I do know that in a few short weeks, I am seeing my God in a whole new way. I am seeing my walk with Him take turns that never would have occurred without discipline and obedience. As with any war, there are battles that I am afraid of entering. I am afraid of failing, YET again. I am afraid of outing myself via this blog and having the scrutiny of those around me. Most of all, I am afraid of making a mockery of the power of Christ, who tells me I can do all things through Him. Yet, in spite of those fears, I am claiming my first memory verse of Philippians 4:6-7 and allowing that peace that passes all understanding to guard my heart and mind.
Lesson learned: pending....
Monday, January 4, 2010
2009 in Review
I've been thinking about 2009 and, as is usual for me, anticipating the new beginning of 2010. Here, in random order, are the top highlights/lessons/life changing moments of the year...
* Change, while not usually easy, is necessary for growth. I've seen this written across the pages of my life in 2009. A major change for me this year was a new career. After almost 20 years in the field of long term care, I embarked on another path in the health care arena: public health. It has been stress filled 6 months on a learning curve that still has me feeling like I'm behind the 8 ball. However, I've not been this fulfilled in many years! I like the challenges, the diversity of the position, the people I meet, and, most of all, not dealing with a governmental bureaucracy that is positioned on job justification instead of best practice standards. I admit it... I was beyond burned out. The Lord knew that and deep down, I knew it. I was apathetic in many ways...and the elderly folks that I was responsible for deserve so much better than that. What a privilege to have been able to touch as many lives over the years as I was allowed to...and oh how they touched mine!
* Committing to oneself is a very health thing to do!
I'd promised to myself that 2009 would see significant changes in the way I lived my life. I'd committed to not have anything or anyone in my life that was an imitation. I've realized that time is moving at an ever quickening pace and I just don't have time to waste on stuff that isn't the real deal. For the most part, I believe I've succeeded at making some real progress in this area. I've allowed myself not to be guilted into commitments, committees, organizations, relationships, ministries, etc. that are not geared towards the eternal goals the Lord has for me. I've said no to some very good things, but not the most expedient things for me and the talents the Lord has given me. Know what? Jesus blesses that! Oh, I've by no means arrived, but I am better than I was 365 days ago!
* I love quiet!
Now, you may be chuckling at this one, but I've actually struggled with this all of my adult and most of my childhood. I am often jazzed by people... they can give me energy and I feel at my best when I'm in the midst of them helping in some way. But towards the end of 2009, I began to sense a need to spend some time alone. I'm still not sure it was something the Lord led me to, or if I was just so spent that it had to happen, but I found myself enjoying the peace of my home. I found myself relaxed and not anxious to call someone to hang out, or go somewhere. In fact, I was a bit concerned that I was going to swing too far the opposite way that I became somewhat reclusive. 2010 is the year I anticipate gaining more ground in the balance of serving/being with others and seeking the solace of solitude.
* In spite of the circumstances, He is still in control and He is still good.
This year I helplessly stood by and watched some people I love dearly go through some gut wrenching pain. So many early morning and late night prayer vigils were held in my bed, so many morning and afternoon drives were spent praying and pleading with Jesus to change the circumstances. Far too many tears to count were spilled. The depths of the agony I felt and the utter frustration of knowing that my prayers were all that I could do let me know that I would do anything I could for these people. And it taught me that the greatest thing I can do for them is to stand in the gap on their behalf. It also taught me that often times, the Lord doesn't want to change the circumstances. He wants to change those I love for His glory and purposes. I wish I could say everything ended like a fairytale...but that's only in the movies. Circumstances are still difficult, but God is so good.
* I'm wowed and wooed by My Savior.
The mission trip I got to take this year was life altering. I still stand amazed that He would use me for His purposes. I never, ever want to take that for granted. I want to continue to be awed by that truth... that He WANTS me to be a part of His eternal plan. Wow.
* I believe forgiveness is the best gift anyone can give or receive!
This one is the biggie for 2009. I've witness the supernatural healing that forgiveness bestows on people. I've been both the recipient and giver of forgiveness and I am always changed for the better by it. I've seen it raise a devastated individual from the ashes of hurt and remorse into a beautiful situation that saw God get some unbelievable glory. Personally, I've witnessed the chains of the past be released by forgiving, which I am certain will only enhance who I become. It is a most beautiful thing.
All in all, 2009 was a splendid year. Thank you Lord!
* Change, while not usually easy, is necessary for growth. I've seen this written across the pages of my life in 2009. A major change for me this year was a new career. After almost 20 years in the field of long term care, I embarked on another path in the health care arena: public health. It has been stress filled 6 months on a learning curve that still has me feeling like I'm behind the 8 ball. However, I've not been this fulfilled in many years! I like the challenges, the diversity of the position, the people I meet, and, most of all, not dealing with a governmental bureaucracy that is positioned on job justification instead of best practice standards. I admit it... I was beyond burned out. The Lord knew that and deep down, I knew it. I was apathetic in many ways...and the elderly folks that I was responsible for deserve so much better than that. What a privilege to have been able to touch as many lives over the years as I was allowed to...and oh how they touched mine!
* Committing to oneself is a very health thing to do!
I'd promised to myself that 2009 would see significant changes in the way I lived my life. I'd committed to not have anything or anyone in my life that was an imitation. I've realized that time is moving at an ever quickening pace and I just don't have time to waste on stuff that isn't the real deal. For the most part, I believe I've succeeded at making some real progress in this area. I've allowed myself not to be guilted into commitments, committees, organizations, relationships, ministries, etc. that are not geared towards the eternal goals the Lord has for me. I've said no to some very good things, but not the most expedient things for me and the talents the Lord has given me. Know what? Jesus blesses that! Oh, I've by no means arrived, but I am better than I was 365 days ago!
* I love quiet!
Now, you may be chuckling at this one, but I've actually struggled with this all of my adult and most of my childhood. I am often jazzed by people... they can give me energy and I feel at my best when I'm in the midst of them helping in some way. But towards the end of 2009, I began to sense a need to spend some time alone. I'm still not sure it was something the Lord led me to, or if I was just so spent that it had to happen, but I found myself enjoying the peace of my home. I found myself relaxed and not anxious to call someone to hang out, or go somewhere. In fact, I was a bit concerned that I was going to swing too far the opposite way that I became somewhat reclusive. 2010 is the year I anticipate gaining more ground in the balance of serving/being with others and seeking the solace of solitude.
* In spite of the circumstances, He is still in control and He is still good.
This year I helplessly stood by and watched some people I love dearly go through some gut wrenching pain. So many early morning and late night prayer vigils were held in my bed, so many morning and afternoon drives were spent praying and pleading with Jesus to change the circumstances. Far too many tears to count were spilled. The depths of the agony I felt and the utter frustration of knowing that my prayers were all that I could do let me know that I would do anything I could for these people. And it taught me that the greatest thing I can do for them is to stand in the gap on their behalf. It also taught me that often times, the Lord doesn't want to change the circumstances. He wants to change those I love for His glory and purposes. I wish I could say everything ended like a fairytale...but that's only in the movies. Circumstances are still difficult, but God is so good.
* I'm wowed and wooed by My Savior.
The mission trip I got to take this year was life altering. I still stand amazed that He would use me for His purposes. I never, ever want to take that for granted. I want to continue to be awed by that truth... that He WANTS me to be a part of His eternal plan. Wow.
* I believe forgiveness is the best gift anyone can give or receive!
This one is the biggie for 2009. I've witness the supernatural healing that forgiveness bestows on people. I've been both the recipient and giver of forgiveness and I am always changed for the better by it. I've seen it raise a devastated individual from the ashes of hurt and remorse into a beautiful situation that saw God get some unbelievable glory. Personally, I've witnessed the chains of the past be released by forgiving, which I am certain will only enhance who I become. It is a most beautiful thing.
All in all, 2009 was a splendid year. Thank you Lord!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
To Know Him
My life has been oddly different for the past couple of months. This extroverted, opinionated woman has found a need at the depths of my soul to be quiet. To listen more and talk less. To seek the solace and quietness of my home. To not be in the midst of crazy scheduling that being involved in a host of ministries/organizations/relationships/activities bring. I'll admit, at first I thought I was going through a depression or some passive aggressive notion where I disliked being around people. Then I thought I was just being rebellious. I'm not used to pulling back the reigns and separating myself from the crowds. Normally, I'm energized by people, but honestly I have felt myself drained by them. As I kept pleading to the Lord to CHANGE ME back into the person I was, there was seemingly no response from Him. Then one night after our annual conference at church ended and as I laid in bed meditating over all I had heard that week, it dawned on me. This dry time was from the One who loves me most. The Lord wasn't satisfied with my superficial knowledge of Him and therefore, He wasn't going to allow me to be satisfied with the status quo our relationship had become. I laid there thinking of all I have seen Him do, the fact that He wanted me to know Him so deeply that HE PURSUED ME into a wild love relationship with Him, that He wants me to know Him so intimately that HE GAVE ME an unending volume of His word that shows me nuances to His character every time I make the effort to read it. I have seen Him change lives in such dramatic ways because HE LOVES.
This was verified by something that one of the speakers had said the next day. In paraphrase, he stated that we cannot know who we are in Christ until we really know who Christ is. God usually has to say it a couple of time for me to get on the clue bus. I've been spending so much time looking for the personal application to my time in the Word that I have totally missed the PURPOSE for being in the Word...to simply KNOW HIM. Yes, there is personal application and systems for living our lives found all throughout the word, but seriously, this is the one place that gives me insight into the very being of God Himself. How have I missed that simple truth all of these years? What is so ironic about all of this is the number of close friends I have spoken with about this very thing... that we spend so much time doing, being task oriented, trying to prove our faith, that we neglect the very foundation of the whole reason for our faith ~ a PERSONAL relationship with Jesus.
Since that night? My time in the Bible has been nothing short of amazing. I see things about Jesus I never realized before...I was too busy thinking about me instead of searching for Him. I went to our prayer night last night and it was one of the best I'd ever been to...because I was in sync with my Savior. No bells and whistles... just being in one accord with Jesus.
This was verified by something that one of the speakers had said the next day. In paraphrase, he stated that we cannot know who we are in Christ until we really know who Christ is. God usually has to say it a couple of time for me to get on the clue bus. I've been spending so much time looking for the personal application to my time in the Word that I have totally missed the PURPOSE for being in the Word...to simply KNOW HIM. Yes, there is personal application and systems for living our lives found all throughout the word, but seriously, this is the one place that gives me insight into the very being of God Himself. How have I missed that simple truth all of these years? What is so ironic about all of this is the number of close friends I have spoken with about this very thing... that we spend so much time doing, being task oriented, trying to prove our faith, that we neglect the very foundation of the whole reason for our faith ~ a PERSONAL relationship with Jesus.
Since that night? My time in the Bible has been nothing short of amazing. I see things about Jesus I never realized before...I was too busy thinking about me instead of searching for Him. I went to our prayer night last night and it was one of the best I'd ever been to...because I was in sync with my Savior. No bells and whistles... just being in one accord with Jesus.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Authority=Responsibility
James 3:1-2 My brethren, be not many masters,knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
We studied this passage a couple of weeks ago in Unite, but it is still resonating with me. Perhaps because I have spent some in depth time in the Proverbs as I have felt the need for deeper wisdom and conviction in my life. While this passage is talking mainly about teachers of God's Word, I firmly believe that it's application relevant to anyone in a position of influence, authority or leadership. Truthfully, I believe those of us in authority/leadership are woefully lacking in this most important discipline ~ control of our words.
I have witnessed several examples of this over the past few weeks. On a national and local level, people in positions of authority (and by default for most of them - positions of leadership)have been spewing their 'spin' on everything from the economy to H1N1 with little factual data to support their opinion. Of course, when confronted, they simply say it is their 'right' to have freedom of speech. When did we lose that fact that with 'rights' come responsibilities? When did it become the acceptable way for a person with authority to somehow neglect the fact that with that power comes much responsibility to do the right thing...which can often mean to say nothing at all? I am so frustrated with people who want the power but then lay the blame on others when things don't go as they claimed it would. Oh, what a breath of fresh air would be the leader who actually lives out the principle of 'the buck stops here'!!
Now, there are many who have less nefarious ways and simply get caught up in the moment, say things they wish they hadn't, or who truly do not realize their influence and the ramifications their words have. I have seen words said in jest affect lives in dramatically negative ways. Over the past couple of weeks I have notice a progressive regression in my ability to control what comes out of my mouth. Flippant, sarcastic, divisive words seem to pour out of my lips with ease. I have witnessed it reduce my effectiveness and credibility with those I am charged to lead. Several times I have found myself appalled and devastated at my lack of discipline. I know it's a heart issue and one that My Savior is more than capable of eradicating from my life.
Heavenly Father... I need You and know that I cannot effectively lead without your Word and Spirit flowing through my heart, mind and ultimately my words.
We studied this passage a couple of weeks ago in Unite, but it is still resonating with me. Perhaps because I have spent some in depth time in the Proverbs as I have felt the need for deeper wisdom and conviction in my life. While this passage is talking mainly about teachers of God's Word, I firmly believe that it's application relevant to anyone in a position of influence, authority or leadership. Truthfully, I believe those of us in authority/leadership are woefully lacking in this most important discipline ~ control of our words.
I have witnessed several examples of this over the past few weeks. On a national and local level, people in positions of authority (and by default for most of them - positions of leadership)have been spewing their 'spin' on everything from the economy to H1N1 with little factual data to support their opinion. Of course, when confronted, they simply say it is their 'right' to have freedom of speech. When did we lose that fact that with 'rights' come responsibilities? When did it become the acceptable way for a person with authority to somehow neglect the fact that with that power comes much responsibility to do the right thing...which can often mean to say nothing at all? I am so frustrated with people who want the power but then lay the blame on others when things don't go as they claimed it would. Oh, what a breath of fresh air would be the leader who actually lives out the principle of 'the buck stops here'!!
Now, there are many who have less nefarious ways and simply get caught up in the moment, say things they wish they hadn't, or who truly do not realize their influence and the ramifications their words have. I have seen words said in jest affect lives in dramatically negative ways. Over the past couple of weeks I have notice a progressive regression in my ability to control what comes out of my mouth. Flippant, sarcastic, divisive words seem to pour out of my lips with ease. I have witnessed it reduce my effectiveness and credibility with those I am charged to lead. Several times I have found myself appalled and devastated at my lack of discipline. I know it's a heart issue and one that My Savior is more than capable of eradicating from my life.
Heavenly Father... I need You and know that I cannot effectively lead without your Word and Spirit flowing through my heart, mind and ultimately my words.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Coco
Today my puppy had surgery on her knee. After several years of frolicking with her boyfriend, Shadow; a near stomping from a horse and a wild cat chase at the neighbors, her back knee finally had taken all the stress it could stand. With the prognosis not good without surgery, I sat trying to decide which option was the best choice for her quality of life and which option was the best steward of the money the Lord has provided me. What has been the most interesting thing through all of this process is the deep seeded feelings I have for my dog. Yep, I am one of those crazy dog lovers and here is why.... she teaches me so much. Now, before you say I've went off the deep end, think about these ideas for a moment:
Love: My precious pup LOVES me. Without compromise, without doubt, without reservation. Oh how I wish I could love like she does! I wish I could love my Master with abandon as she does me. When my day has been less than wonderful, walking in the door to find her sitting on the sofa, wagging her tail in excitement to see me erases so much of the stress I often carry.
Focus: Coco's one desire in life is to please me. Yes, she reponds with spastic pleasure to a few of my friends, but I am the Alpha in her life. It is my heart's desire to have Jesus be the one to please in my life. I admit, I lose focus in this area all too often. Coco's daily reminder of this principle helps me readjust my vision.
True companionship: The diva dog is my friend. That may sound odd, but she provides forgiveness when I'm grumpy and snap at her, the benefit of the doubt when I've been less than attentive, a compassionate precence when I'm upset and need attention, a fierce defender when danger looms, and a playful, goofy attitude when I need to laugh. I wish I were half as good a friend to my human ones as she is to me!
Simplicity: The best lesson I've learned from Coco is to keep life simple. She enjoys just being where I am, or investigating what's been hanging out in the yard, or trying to make new friends with the cats, squirrels, deer or whatever critter is in her sight. It takes little to entertain her, but her heart always comes back to knowing where I am, where I'm moving, what I'm doing and being a part of it. A dear friend of mine made a simply profound statement a few years back. We were talking of all the issues of ministry and Christianity, and he said, "We just need to love Jesus and get on with it." That has resonated with me since he said it. How simply, but wisely put! If I love Him, I will know where He is, where He's moving and what He is doing. I will want to be a part of Him. My deepest desire is to love Jesus and get on with it!
Thank you Father, for blessing my life with Coco. She's a gift that You have used to teach me some simple, yet profound lessons.
Love: My precious pup LOVES me. Without compromise, without doubt, without reservation. Oh how I wish I could love like she does! I wish I could love my Master with abandon as she does me. When my day has been less than wonderful, walking in the door to find her sitting on the sofa, wagging her tail in excitement to see me erases so much of the stress I often carry.
Focus: Coco's one desire in life is to please me. Yes, she reponds with spastic pleasure to a few of my friends, but I am the Alpha in her life. It is my heart's desire to have Jesus be the one to please in my life. I admit, I lose focus in this area all too often. Coco's daily reminder of this principle helps me readjust my vision.
True companionship: The diva dog is my friend. That may sound odd, but she provides forgiveness when I'm grumpy and snap at her, the benefit of the doubt when I've been less than attentive, a compassionate precence when I'm upset and need attention, a fierce defender when danger looms, and a playful, goofy attitude when I need to laugh. I wish I were half as good a friend to my human ones as she is to me!
Simplicity: The best lesson I've learned from Coco is to keep life simple. She enjoys just being where I am, or investigating what's been hanging out in the yard, or trying to make new friends with the cats, squirrels, deer or whatever critter is in her sight. It takes little to entertain her, but her heart always comes back to knowing where I am, where I'm moving, what I'm doing and being a part of it. A dear friend of mine made a simply profound statement a few years back. We were talking of all the issues of ministry and Christianity, and he said, "We just need to love Jesus and get on with it." That has resonated with me since he said it. How simply, but wisely put! If I love Him, I will know where He is, where He's moving and what He is doing. I will want to be a part of Him. My deepest desire is to love Jesus and get on with it!
Thank you Father, for blessing my life with Coco. She's a gift that You have used to teach me some simple, yet profound lessons.
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