*These are not my words. This was forwarded to me by a friend and it struck a chord in my heart so loud I had to share. The point is: I am claiming this as my own personal prayer from this day forward. God has big plans for me and I am no longer squandering this life that was meant for more.
New Adventure
I am “prayed up” and prepared for positive change today.
I may be stepping outside my comfort zone to begin a new adventure in life; however, my first step is to be prayed up and ready for a positive change.
I pray to be divinely guided, and I also use my imagination to set the scene for the good that I am about to experience. I see myself going about my day confident in whatever I am doing. I envision my new surroundings personalized for me with pictures and colors, people and activities that invite me to feel at home and comfortable.
Most important, I affirm that the spirit of God goes before me to make my way safe and secure. There is a holy preparation going on for my new adventure. I know I will meet people who are open to supporting me and being supported by me in love and faith.
“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”—Deuteronomy 31:8
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
"Triple Grip" my eye.
Ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight? Well wrestling a rain soaked 3x5 flag (pole included) away from an over grown Crape Myrtle tree, in the middle of an intense thunderstorm, in the dark of night is about equal to that…well, at least as far as I am concerned.
I am tired of fighting this battle but I refuse to give up. A little background for you...my porch posts are made of vinyl. Yes, vinyl is low maintenance and a much cheaper material to use than actual wood. However, nothing, and I do mean nothing, is able to attach and keep attached my American Flag to said porch post. I have tried numerous solutions, the last of which were "Triple Grip" anchor screws. Keep in mind the Home Depot helper who pointed them out to me was quite sure they'd "do the trick." He wore orange and I trusted him. In addition to his very professional apron and the measuring tape hooked to his belt, the screws bore a high rating of strength. Supposedly they can withstand more than 200 lbs. of pressure before giving up the ghost. I eagerly installed them a little more than 24 hours ago. They seemed to be up to the task and last I looked, they were holding strong. That was before tonight.
Summertime thunderstorms are one of my favorite things. But they have become what test my patience and my flag mounting engineering abilities. First big storm that comes along rips the flag off my front porch like a cheap dress off a cheaper prom date. I heard the noise and knew immediately what had happened. I donned my rain slicker (also known as a button up shirt) and headed out into the storm. I found the flag, bracket, screws, and anchors...all intact and still fastened together. The kicker is that none are still fastened to the porch post. The entire ensemble was lying atop my Crape Myrtle tree. If I weren't so darned respectful, I would've left the flag where it lay until morning. But I know better and I am glad I do. So I braved the storm and retrieved my flag. It is now properly stored, out of the storm, until I think of another option.
Sigh. Maybe glue is the next step. Was it Krazy Glue or Super Glue that held an elephant over the Grand Canyon?
I am tired of fighting this battle but I refuse to give up. A little background for you...my porch posts are made of vinyl. Yes, vinyl is low maintenance and a much cheaper material to use than actual wood. However, nothing, and I do mean nothing, is able to attach and keep attached my American Flag to said porch post. I have tried numerous solutions, the last of which were "Triple Grip" anchor screws. Keep in mind the Home Depot helper who pointed them out to me was quite sure they'd "do the trick." He wore orange and I trusted him. In addition to his very professional apron and the measuring tape hooked to his belt, the screws bore a high rating of strength. Supposedly they can withstand more than 200 lbs. of pressure before giving up the ghost. I eagerly installed them a little more than 24 hours ago. They seemed to be up to the task and last I looked, they were holding strong. That was before tonight.
Summertime thunderstorms are one of my favorite things. But they have become what test my patience and my flag mounting engineering abilities. First big storm that comes along rips the flag off my front porch like a cheap dress off a cheaper prom date. I heard the noise and knew immediately what had happened. I donned my rain slicker (also known as a button up shirt) and headed out into the storm. I found the flag, bracket, screws, and anchors...all intact and still fastened together. The kicker is that none are still fastened to the porch post. The entire ensemble was lying atop my Crape Myrtle tree. If I weren't so darned respectful, I would've left the flag where it lay until morning. But I know better and I am glad I do. So I braved the storm and retrieved my flag. It is now properly stored, out of the storm, until I think of another option.
Sigh. Maybe glue is the next step. Was it Krazy Glue or Super Glue that held an elephant over the Grand Canyon?
Monday, June 8, 2009
Degree of Trust?
Just now, I found myself searching the internet for a friend's blog. I couldn't remember the address and I hadn't saved the site in my favorites. So I typed in what I could recall (which led me no closer to the goal) and was inundated with results. One of the results was a site that yielded links to blogs upon blogs that held promise of matching my search criteria. I think it's safe to say none of them actually did. However, one entry caught my eye and before I knew it I was skipping down an unmarked rabbit trail.
As I read the blog entry, which was assumedly about Christianity, I was immediately heartbroken. No, I take that back. First, I was angry. Then I was heartbroken. The thoughts expressed on this stranger's page were baffling. Misconceptions like the following: All religion is bad, therefore all faith is bad. Christians are nothing more than judgmental hypocrites. Why can't the world be more like Buddha? etc. caused me to question how anyone could ever arrive at the same conclusion. This poor misguided heart actually thinks they have it right. They think by advocating acceptance of all religious paths yet, trusting in none they are well on their way. They believe that a god is in all of us regardless of faith or lack thereof. They hold to a lie, told by the Father of Lies, that no matter the condition of their soul, they are every bit as entitled to enter Heaven as the Son of God. Thoughts such as these caused (and will continue to cause) an anger to rise up in me that is almost frightening. I am quite laidback by nature but I found myself resisting the urge to point out just how idiotic these "beliefs" are. Realizing that would not be the proper response, I withheld my righteous judgment. Please note the sarcasm in that last statement. I bent my strong will to assert what I know to be true and I bowed my head to pray. Because I do know how anyone could arrive at the same conclusions...they have not the Spirit of God in them. Their vision is clouded if not eclipsed. They are hell bound.
As I prayed for this lost person and all those who follow, I became anxious. Even as I made a poor attempt to communicate with God the Almighty, thoughts of worry polluted my mind. What is this world coming to? What will happen if we continue on this path? What, as Christians, can we do to stop this spiral into hell? Honestly, to say we are near the end times is no longer accurate. In my opinion, we are there. As I approached my King on behalf of others, Satan attacked with these unnecessary reservations. *(As a side note, I realize now more than ever I must be on guard at all times. Even in prayer, evil rises up in me.) Back to my point. As I confidently asked the Lord to open the eyes of this outsider, I wrestled with doubt. How can I believe without hesitation my God is powerful enough to call this stranger to Himself, yet I worry this world is too evil, too far gone to be helped? How can you hold to one idea and to the other? How can I hold on to my faith and my disbelief at the same time? The point is, I can't.
Oswald Chambers once said, "Faith is complete confidence in the character of God..." Either your confidence is complete or it isn't. Either you have it or you don't. Either I trust God entirely or I don't. There is no middle ground. Faith isn't calculated in degrees. There is no scale when it comes to measurement of belief. Do you believe? "Yes!" Do you believe? "No." As much as some folks would like to claim it, "Maybe" isn't an option.
Wondering how to put words to my thought process (which I recognize as being all over the place now), I went to my daily devotional. I found the following message: Overcoming Anxiety The last sentence convicted me most. "We may be in the midst of hard times and wondering where the good is. Do not lose hope. God is sovereign and true to every one of His promises (2 Cor. 1:20)." Just as He orchestrated my day so that the message just referenced would be received when I needed it most, God is in complete control at all times. Do I believe it? Absolutely. Then why do I question it?
The lessons learned through one stray click of a mouse are priceless. By straying to a page never before seen, God spoke to me and pointed out more than one much needed message. As I judged others for their blindness to the truth, He gently reminded while praying for their salvation, that I too am often blind to my own sin. Even now as I type an incorrect thought flows through my brain with little to no resistance..."Yeah but my sin isn't as bad as THEIRS." In a brief 5 minute period, while reading another's blog, I judged (with anger) a fellow sinner's state of affairs. I elevated myself above them in my mind though I am just as depraved. I viewed myself as superior though I know full well the phrase "There but by the grace of God, go I" has never been more true. I prayed for them with doubt in my heart. I questioned my God's ability to extended His saving hand to them. I was a fool.
To wrap up this convoluted and perhaps bewildering page of thoughts, I will share the reminder that I must speak for my own benefit daily...Satan may be adapt but my God is absolute. Repeat it if necessary. Satan may be adapt but my God is absolute! Whether you fret over the condition of a single soul or whether you agonize for the future of this world, know that our God is Sovereign. And believe with your whole heart, holding on to no doubt, we can place every bit of our faith in that. Either you trust God...or you don't.
As I read the blog entry, which was assumedly about Christianity, I was immediately heartbroken. No, I take that back. First, I was angry. Then I was heartbroken. The thoughts expressed on this stranger's page were baffling. Misconceptions like the following: All religion is bad, therefore all faith is bad. Christians are nothing more than judgmental hypocrites. Why can't the world be more like Buddha? etc. caused me to question how anyone could ever arrive at the same conclusion. This poor misguided heart actually thinks they have it right. They think by advocating acceptance of all religious paths yet, trusting in none they are well on their way. They believe that a god is in all of us regardless of faith or lack thereof. They hold to a lie, told by the Father of Lies, that no matter the condition of their soul, they are every bit as entitled to enter Heaven as the Son of God. Thoughts such as these caused (and will continue to cause) an anger to rise up in me that is almost frightening. I am quite laidback by nature but I found myself resisting the urge to point out just how idiotic these "beliefs" are. Realizing that would not be the proper response, I withheld my righteous judgment. Please note the sarcasm in that last statement. I bent my strong will to assert what I know to be true and I bowed my head to pray. Because I do know how anyone could arrive at the same conclusions...they have not the Spirit of God in them. Their vision is clouded if not eclipsed. They are hell bound.
As I prayed for this lost person and all those who follow, I became anxious. Even as I made a poor attempt to communicate with God the Almighty, thoughts of worry polluted my mind. What is this world coming to? What will happen if we continue on this path? What, as Christians, can we do to stop this spiral into hell? Honestly, to say we are near the end times is no longer accurate. In my opinion, we are there. As I approached my King on behalf of others, Satan attacked with these unnecessary reservations. *(As a side note, I realize now more than ever I must be on guard at all times. Even in prayer, evil rises up in me.) Back to my point. As I confidently asked the Lord to open the eyes of this outsider, I wrestled with doubt. How can I believe without hesitation my God is powerful enough to call this stranger to Himself, yet I worry this world is too evil, too far gone to be helped? How can you hold to one idea and to the other? How can I hold on to my faith and my disbelief at the same time? The point is, I can't.
Oswald Chambers once said, "Faith is complete confidence in the character of God..." Either your confidence is complete or it isn't. Either you have it or you don't. Either I trust God entirely or I don't. There is no middle ground. Faith isn't calculated in degrees. There is no scale when it comes to measurement of belief. Do you believe? "Yes!" Do you believe? "No." As much as some folks would like to claim it, "Maybe" isn't an option.
Wondering how to put words to my thought process (which I recognize as being all over the place now), I went to my daily devotional. I found the following message: Overcoming Anxiety The last sentence convicted me most. "We may be in the midst of hard times and wondering where the good is. Do not lose hope. God is sovereign and true to every one of His promises (2 Cor. 1:20)." Just as He orchestrated my day so that the message just referenced would be received when I needed it most, God is in complete control at all times. Do I believe it? Absolutely. Then why do I question it?
The lessons learned through one stray click of a mouse are priceless. By straying to a page never before seen, God spoke to me and pointed out more than one much needed message. As I judged others for their blindness to the truth, He gently reminded while praying for their salvation, that I too am often blind to my own sin. Even now as I type an incorrect thought flows through my brain with little to no resistance..."Yeah but my sin isn't as bad as THEIRS." In a brief 5 minute period, while reading another's blog, I judged (with anger) a fellow sinner's state of affairs. I elevated myself above them in my mind though I am just as depraved. I viewed myself as superior though I know full well the phrase "There but by the grace of God, go I" has never been more true. I prayed for them with doubt in my heart. I questioned my God's ability to extended His saving hand to them. I was a fool.
To wrap up this convoluted and perhaps bewildering page of thoughts, I will share the reminder that I must speak for my own benefit daily...Satan may be adapt but my God is absolute. Repeat it if necessary. Satan may be adapt but my God is absolute! Whether you fret over the condition of a single soul or whether you agonize for the future of this world, know that our God is Sovereign. And believe with your whole heart, holding on to no doubt, we can place every bit of our faith in that. Either you trust God...or you don't.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Here am I Lord; Send me
Starting as far back as I can remember I used to feel that I was born for a very important reason. This is taking for granted all of God's children are here for His reasons and all reasons are important. Truly, with much conviction, I knew in my heart God had big plans for me. What qualifies as "big plans"? I couldn't tell you. But my confidence in a personal calling never wavered even though the calling I was sure of was shrouded in mystery. I never knew without doubt what God had in store for me. But I knew it was specific and I was prepared to follow the instructions to the letter. In my mind, I was simply waiting on Him.
Somewhere along the line, the gut feeling that I was being called by God, for His purpose, started to fade. I'm not sure when the Holy Spirit loosed His grip on me but I know without doubt I felt the absence of His hand earlier this week. The realization that I could no longer hear God's calling shook me to the core. The silence was deafening.
As I sang along to a new favorite song, the words laid heavy on my heart. The message was unmistakable. We, as Christians fail often. But often, the failure doesn't come in like a lion. The failure begins with compromise and our convictions slowly begin to fade. Before we know it, we are floundering, if not drowning. With little care for spiritual matters that pertain to the quiet moments between our heart and God's heart, our spirit begins to die. My voice disappeared when I began to comprehend I could no longer feel the pull of God on my will. My heart broke. How did I get here? When did I become so complacent? When did I fade?
I receive daily devotionals via my email. I signed up for the online delivery because I thought it might be more convenient than having to make time to actually sit down and read the Scripture. Of course my choice of convenience has turned into a choice of neglect. I receive the emails but I rarely read them. And when I do read them, I rarely meditate on them. Prayer is absent from my daily life and I am ashamed to admit it doesn't bother me like it should. The same week that God broke my heart through a song, I received three devotional messages that dealt with the call of God. "Loved but Lost" on Sunday. "Called for God's Purpose" on Monday. "Living in God's Calling" on Tuesday. I didn't read them. I didn't want to. I didn't have to. The title told me what I needed to hear. Don’t worry; my plan is to read them, soon. This same plan includes a reconnection attempt with my Lord and Savior. Though it is not deserved, I will pray for another dose of grace and mercy. And I will open my heart, fully, to His calling. I bring up the devotional messages to point out that God is reaching out to me once again. He is not through with me, though I have been unconsciously through with Him for years.
Aside from my shame and brokenness, my heart is glad. Glad that God still speaks to me, though I have ignored Him and deliberately shut Him out through my apathy. My heart leapt in my chest when I recognized God was speaking to me through a song, through devotion, through my faith. He is pulling me closer though my sinful will constantly fought against Him. He is still knocking on the door though I had grown deaf to the sound. I am glad my Lord is louder than my own voice. I am glad my God will not give up on me. I am glad my Father loves me more than I love myself. I am glad my Savior will not let me squander this gift of life He has given.
This brings me to a crossroads...and my point. Though I am still unsure of what God may be calling me to do or where God may be calling me to go, I am ready. Mentally accepting and willing to hear; I am ready to follow. Spiritually I need work. And that is where the simple act of reading the devotions and talking to God come into play. My relationship with God has suffered to the point of extinction thanks to my arrogance and disregard. I must, as a child, learn to crawl again. I must turn to God first, not last. I must make my connection with God the only priority. The rest, the details, are up to God to reveal in due time. He may have me stay where I am for the next 50 years. He may send me to places I've only heard of. No matter what God has in store for me, I now remember and accept that it is about Him. It's not about me at all. This plan, this “big plan” that God has meticulously designed for me is to serve Him. How did I lose sight of that? When did I mistake the truth for lies? When did I fade? No matter; I am my Father’s child. I am forgiven. I am here to do His work.
Yes, the feeling that God has something big in store for me is starting to return. The idea that I am here for a specific reason is becoming real again. The knowledge I was created for His purpose is reaffirmed. This, I am thankful for. Though I did much to drown out the voice of the Holy Spirit, I failed. I hear His voice clearly now and He asks if I'm listening. He asks if I am willing. He asks me to follow Him. I can think of no better response than, "Here am I Lord; Send me."
Lord, protect my heart from getting lost again.
Somewhere along the line, the gut feeling that I was being called by God, for His purpose, started to fade. I'm not sure when the Holy Spirit loosed His grip on me but I know without doubt I felt the absence of His hand earlier this week. The realization that I could no longer hear God's calling shook me to the core. The silence was deafening.
As I sang along to a new favorite song, the words laid heavy on my heart. The message was unmistakable. We, as Christians fail often. But often, the failure doesn't come in like a lion. The failure begins with compromise and our convictions slowly begin to fade. Before we know it, we are floundering, if not drowning. With little care for spiritual matters that pertain to the quiet moments between our heart and God's heart, our spirit begins to die. My voice disappeared when I began to comprehend I could no longer feel the pull of God on my will. My heart broke. How did I get here? When did I become so complacent? When did I fade?
I receive daily devotionals via my email. I signed up for the online delivery because I thought it might be more convenient than having to make time to actually sit down and read the Scripture. Of course my choice of convenience has turned into a choice of neglect. I receive the emails but I rarely read them. And when I do read them, I rarely meditate on them. Prayer is absent from my daily life and I am ashamed to admit it doesn't bother me like it should. The same week that God broke my heart through a song, I received three devotional messages that dealt with the call of God. "Loved but Lost" on Sunday. "Called for God's Purpose" on Monday. "Living in God's Calling" on Tuesday. I didn't read them. I didn't want to. I didn't have to. The title told me what I needed to hear. Don’t worry; my plan is to read them, soon. This same plan includes a reconnection attempt with my Lord and Savior. Though it is not deserved, I will pray for another dose of grace and mercy. And I will open my heart, fully, to His calling. I bring up the devotional messages to point out that God is reaching out to me once again. He is not through with me, though I have been unconsciously through with Him for years.
Aside from my shame and brokenness, my heart is glad. Glad that God still speaks to me, though I have ignored Him and deliberately shut Him out through my apathy. My heart leapt in my chest when I recognized God was speaking to me through a song, through devotion, through my faith. He is pulling me closer though my sinful will constantly fought against Him. He is still knocking on the door though I had grown deaf to the sound. I am glad my Lord is louder than my own voice. I am glad my God will not give up on me. I am glad my Father loves me more than I love myself. I am glad my Savior will not let me squander this gift of life He has given.
This brings me to a crossroads...and my point. Though I am still unsure of what God may be calling me to do or where God may be calling me to go, I am ready. Mentally accepting and willing to hear; I am ready to follow. Spiritually I need work. And that is where the simple act of reading the devotions and talking to God come into play. My relationship with God has suffered to the point of extinction thanks to my arrogance and disregard. I must, as a child, learn to crawl again. I must turn to God first, not last. I must make my connection with God the only priority. The rest, the details, are up to God to reveal in due time. He may have me stay where I am for the next 50 years. He may send me to places I've only heard of. No matter what God has in store for me, I now remember and accept that it is about Him. It's not about me at all. This plan, this “big plan” that God has meticulously designed for me is to serve Him. How did I lose sight of that? When did I mistake the truth for lies? When did I fade? No matter; I am my Father’s child. I am forgiven. I am here to do His work.
Yes, the feeling that God has something big in store for me is starting to return. The idea that I am here for a specific reason is becoming real again. The knowledge I was created for His purpose is reaffirmed. This, I am thankful for. Though I did much to drown out the voice of the Holy Spirit, I failed. I hear His voice clearly now and He asks if I'm listening. He asks if I am willing. He asks me to follow Him. I can think of no better response than, "Here am I Lord; Send me."
Lord, protect my heart from getting lost again.
Friday, May 8, 2009
A Mother's Greatest Gift
The greatest gift a mother can give her children is instruction about faith principles. Do your youngsters see godly precepts lived out in your words and choices? Parents are a child's first spiritual advisors. However, if moms and dads do not instruct young people, someone else will. We absolutely cannot neglect our responsibility to train up our kids in the way they should go (Prov. 22:6).
Each person comes into the world as a "blank slate" that over time develops a belief system--a grid that filters everything the mind takes in. A child who has been prayed over and taught God's ways will see the world as it truly is. But one who's been programmed by secular culture or another religion will view life as he or she wishes it to appear--or through someone else's tinted lens.
Pastors and Sunday school teachers can help to form a child's grid, but they cannot do all the work. It is the responsibility of parents to invest whatever time, patience, and love are necessary to grow boys and girls into godly men and women. Teach them biblical principles, talk about the Lord and His ways, and show them what a righteous life looks like by living one. In other words, be the kind of believer that you hope your child will become.
Sending a child into the world without a biblical foundation is like throwing him into a lion's den without weapons or armor. Little ones cannot discern truth from error because their grid systems are immature. Parents must defend children's minds against the world's onslaught until they are ready to take over the challenge themselves.
Deuteronomy 6:1-7
In Touch Ministries
Each person comes into the world as a "blank slate" that over time develops a belief system--a grid that filters everything the mind takes in. A child who has been prayed over and taught God's ways will see the world as it truly is. But one who's been programmed by secular culture or another religion will view life as he or she wishes it to appear--or through someone else's tinted lens.
Pastors and Sunday school teachers can help to form a child's grid, but they cannot do all the work. It is the responsibility of parents to invest whatever time, patience, and love are necessary to grow boys and girls into godly men and women. Teach them biblical principles, talk about the Lord and His ways, and show them what a righteous life looks like by living one. In other words, be the kind of believer that you hope your child will become.
Sending a child into the world without a biblical foundation is like throwing him into a lion's den without weapons or armor. Little ones cannot discern truth from error because their grid systems are immature. Parents must defend children's minds against the world's onslaught until they are ready to take over the challenge themselves.
Deuteronomy 6:1-7
In Touch Ministries
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