Bumpy Monday - Reflections (12/31/10)

On this final day of 2010, I've not felt compelled to think back over the year.  I've not wanted to dwell on the ups an downs.  Instead I sit here doing my normal thing.  I'm here in the present.  I read the blogs on my list and wish that more were updated today.  I smile at the cat curled comfortably next to my husband's Bible on the couch.  I am again thankful to be in this place at this time.

I consider my friend, Ashley, and am grateful for her parents and their dedication to choose life.  Choosing life is a reflection of God.  Awesome.  I consider another family waiting and working patiently for their Ukrainian child.  Their desire to care for an orphan is a reflection of God.  Awesome.  My heart grows heavy when I consider my friend, Jan.  Cancer has invaded her life aggressively.  Yet, she has chosen to live with her daughter and redeem this time to the best that she can.  What a lesson for me to learn!  Sounds a bit like another reflection of God, doesn't it?  My son is defending his faith against an atheist.  Their conversation challenges me to grow more intimate with my LORD.  It requires me to see the reflection of God in His Word.

I know I can't change the past.  It has happened.  I will be exposed to the consequences of it.  And, I can fully trust God for all I need in the present.  I am so thankful to be surrounded by reflections and remembrances and realities of my God.  Awesome!

(Father God, thank you for your great and mighty presence in my life.  Thank you that you surround me with reflections of yourself in so many places.   What a joy!  Father, I pray that as this calendar year closes you will be a welcome, comforting, sustaining presence to Ashley, Angela, Jan, and us.  In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)

Encouraging Words: Youthful

Let's use an encouraging word today.  Share it with someone you love, with a co-worker, with a friend, with a clerk at the store, or with a complete stranger anywhere.

Youthful - fresh or vigorous; having youth

Try these also... young, dewy, new, springtime, prime, green, maiden

Heritage

Truths about God can be passed on from generation to generation, but personal faith cannot.  Parents can and should teach their offspring about God, but it is up to each child to accept this heritage through his own personal choice.

From The Names of God copyright 2009 by George W. Knight, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc.  Used by permission.

From the Archives: Need Marriage?

December 29, 2008

Genesis 2:18 - God said it is not good that the man should be alone.

Genesis 2:22 - God brought her unto the man.

Proverbs 18:22 - He who finds a wife finds a good thing.

Hebrews 13:4 - Marriage is honorable in all.

After many years God has revealed to me the part that I played in destroying my first marriage. It rests in need. When my first child was an infant, I told my husband that I did not need him. I told him that I could raise the baby without his help. I wanted - but didn't need - my husband to be a part of my life and the raising of the baby. I never let go of the posture of independence through 10 years of marriage.

This week I learned that undermines all that God uses to make a man. I also learned that I continue to not need a husband. Yet, God is moving my heart.

Let's apply this to my own relationship with God. I know I NEED Him. I cannot obtain salvation without Him. I cannot pay the penalty of my own sins. I cannot bridge the gap between God and myself on my own righteousness. I don't have any.

Garden Lessons: The Squash Plant

It is mid-summer and sitting on our back porch nestled snugly in its pot is a single squash plant.  It is a beautiful plant.  I admire the large gorgeous yellow blossoms it produces.  Its lovely green leaves are strong.  It's a great plant.  It's beautiful to see.

But, in all those blooms, we've not seen any fruit.   A squash plant has two types of flowers, one male and one female.  Some type of pollinator, such as a honeybee, is required to move pollen from the male flower to the female flower.  The flowers are only receptive to pollination for one day.  I haven't observed any honeybees around our squash plant.  Ugh.  This means that I'm going to have to intervene.

What does the squash plant tell me about God?  God is an amazing creator.  He has fashioned so many incredible systems - our own human body made up of the muscular, skeletal, endocrine, circulatory, and other systems in one body.  There is the ecosystem of nature.  And, there are social systems such as the work place, school, and other places where people interact.

Is your church like our squash plant?  Is it gorgeous on the outside but unable to produce fruit?  Are the environmental factors taking their toll?  Is someone going to have to intervene in order to cause the production of fruit?  God has set these systems to work properly.  Our indifference to God and His ways have resulted in some factors that influence the system.

Within any church, there are a multitude of people.  It may be a small group or an expansive group.  In either case, some people have the skills, ability and desire to accomplish one part of the job such as the flowers and  the honeybee.  The flower cannot do the honeybee's job and vice versa.  And sometimes, it takes an outside influence to accomplish the job.  Is God calling you to a specific job within your church?  If so, do your part to produce the fruit.

(Father God, how amazing your creation is.  Your intelligence is evident in the various systems.  O how I long to see it in it's original perfect state.  Help me to work as you designed me.  Thank you.  In the name of Jesus, I pray.  Amen.)

Bumpy Monday - Faithful and Correcting (05/06/08)

This may seem like an odd title for a blog entry but it is very representative of my past few weeks. My body is physically tired from the stress of my job and the mental work that seems to surround every day. God has been faithful to provide a job for me. The job allows me to have a place to live, food to eat, and stuff I want. I have allowed the physical tiredness to distract me from the provision of God. Tonight, I was corrected.

Yes, God is faithful to give me what I need in the form of physical things. He is also faithful to give me what I need spiritually and mentally even when that means correcting me. Our church has a visiting evangelist this week. Tonights lesson was for me. It was all about being a mature Christian. 1. Mature Christians do not gossip. There is always an encouraging, uplifting, building message from a mature Christian. God showed me that I have some growing up to do. 2. Mature Christians see the blessings of burdens. God has been faithful to call to remembrance how the trials and burdens I've been through have been for His purpose. He's been working with me on this for some time. 3. Mature Christians know that to live IS Christ and to die is gain. God has much for me to learn here though He only gives me what I can handle each time.

(Lord God, forgive me for my loose lips, for the hurtful things I've said, for the negative tone about my church, for each time I have fallen short. Thank you for bridging the gulf between us so that I can know You. I cannot do this under my power, You alone are the power needed. I pray for that power to be evident through my life. Thank you for the salvation You have given to me. In Jesus name, I pray.)

Encouraging Words: Sincere

Let's use an encouraging word today.  Share it with someone you love, with a co-worker, with a friend, with a clerk at the store, or with a complete stranger anywhere.

Sincere - genuine; free from hypocrisy or deceit

Try these also... heartfelt, hearty, unfeigned, whole-hearted, candid, frank, open, plain, faithful, honest, truthful, forthright, clear, devout, unaffected