Friday, July 27, 2012

Refreshment

 "Our faith awakens to it's passionate core when we become more interested in who God is in us, than what His presence in our life will do for us."    M. Wayne Brown


 100 degrees with 90% humidity, air thick and stifling, sun beating down----whew I was hot!  I felt like I was wilting from the inside out! It was only 9 am and I seriously was wondering just how hot it was going to get before the day was over.  I was already anticipating the worst!  But over in the distance, I heard the sound of water splashing and was drawn to a nearby fountain.  Sun was glistening on the fresh spray of water shooting high above the pond, and for an instant, I felt like taking a quick dip!  I wanted to be splattered by that cool refreshing mist---or better yet, I wanted to be immersed in the pond itself!  But I knew that being refreshed on the outside would only be temporary. What I needed was a tall glass of ice cold water to fill me on the inside!

We seek refreshment in many ways; spiritually, physically, and emotionally. I'm as guilty as the next guy for wanting a "quick fix", but I'm beginning to learn that unless we are satisfied from the core, our "quick fix" will only last a "quick while" as well.  When we are spiritually, physically, and emotionally "dehydrated", a covering of refreshment is no help at all.

Isn't that what happens when we focus on what God will do for us, rather than on Who He Is in us?  To be filled with His Spirit is to be filled with Living Water.  There is the story in the Bible of the woman at the well from John 4.  Married five times, living with her 6th man, an outcast in her community----this woman was trying to fill her life with love----but from all the wrong places.  She met Jesus at the well and this is what He told her:  "Everyone who drinks this water (well water) will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him, will never thirst again. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life" John 4:13-14 And from that point on, she was never the same again because she accepted His invitation and ran and told the others to "Come and See!".  

"The Well" by Casting Crowns

Like the fountain, when we are filled with His Living Water, we overflow into fountains of joy and long to invite others to His internal and eternal refreshment!  As we are continually being refilled, we continue to pour forth.  And like the glistening sun on the droplets of water, we can shine in the Son and splash others with love, drawing them to want to come near to Him and know Who He is.

Lord, fill me each and every morning with the freshness of your Spirit.  Fill me to overflowing and give me the faithfulness to reach out to refresh others with Your love.







Thursday, July 26, 2012

SHINE

SHINE
                    "DEEP IN THEIR ROOTS, ALL FLOWERS KEEP THEIR LIGHT."
                                                                             Theodore Roethke

Roots always extend underground.  Sometimes the only way we know one of these roots exist is when we see what is growing from it. The root is what absorbs the nutrients and the water needed for growth.  Sun shines from above and is taken in and used by the root somehow.  Even in the darkness of night, the flower continues to blossom and grow as it waits for new light. 

Have you ever wondered why God created such beauty for us to behold? I know He did it partially for our pleasure and joy.  I never get tired of looking at the intricacies of nature. It's like sweetness to the eye, and  a smile from heaven! But could there also be messages in how to live within the complexities of God's creation?  I believe so.  Jesus often used Word pictures to teach in the Bible.

I ask myself where my roots lie.  What am I rooted in?  What shows on the outside is a product of what we are rooted in.  Our past is part of us.  No matter what was in our past, we can look back and see how it shaped us and grew us---we can see how God used every bit of it in some way to draw us closer to Him---to draw us into His light.  Being rooted in truth---absorbing the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ---has resulted in an ability to grow and shine in ways I never before knew.  The Light changes things deep within.  Instead of just existing, I can see things from new perspectives.  If I stay closely rooted and steeped in His light, His love shines through---and even in the dark of night, that Light is held in my heart, and I can continue to shine as I await new Light. 

Winter strips this area of the world from visible signs of growth, but deep down, the roots continue to flourish.  I even think that sometimes the challenge of wind and winter causes the roots to even become stronger.  The light is still present in the winter, and although we may not see bright and beautiful blossoms, we know that the light is stored down deep.  And we know that the blossoms are coming.

In times of sorrow and grief.  In times of strain and uncertainty---the winters of life---we can be sure that His Light still shines, and we can be sure that as our roots become stronger in Him, the blossoms are on their way.  We can SHINE!


The Lord Bless you and Keep you; the Lord make His face SHINE upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you Peace Numbers 6:24-26
                                                                                        

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Unexpected Blessings

 Puppy love?  Who knew?  Our kids think we are crazy!

Now that we are "Empty Nesters" we seem to have a new affection for our animals!  The kids have told us that we treat our animals better now than ever before..........well, they used the word "SPOIL" our animals more than ever before!  It's probably true, but just look at these pictures! I mean, how can you NOT love them?!                                

This picture of Scott and Georgi was taken the night we brought her home to "try her out"!  We thought we would see if the other dog liked her........well, I guess you can see who really liked her!  We told ourselves we were getting a 2nd dog to keep Oakley company.  And now, I don't know who she keeps best company with.....Oakley or us!  The truth is, we have found our pups to be such unexpected blessings these days!

  I've always liked animals OK, but I have found myself loving the ones we have now!  I think God knew that my need to nurture was not being met enough after the kids left home so He provided Georgi and Oakley!                                                                                                                                                    
God cares about even the little things in life.  He is such a personal God.  He knows what each of us need and provides in such unexpected ways.  I'm so grateful for our
sporting her new sundress from Doree!
unexpected blessings!  They are like little lights when things seem too gloomy.  They are what bring smiles and giggles even when everything else seems so serious.  And they are the warmth held close when a Mama's arms are missing her "real" kids!
too tired to care!

Oakley--peek-a-boo!
Kristin's baby!

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Being Good

 God doesn't love us because we are good, He makes us good because He loves us

Eph. 2:10 says, "For we are God's prepared workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do".  In other words, those who know Christ personally have been chosen and appointed to accomplish something good.  Something that matters.  Something that has been prepared for us before time began.  And something that is meant to have serious impact within our sphere of influence.

We are human.  We make mistakes.  But it's what we do with those mistakes that matter.  I think one of the  biggest obstacles to faith is SELF.  When I beat myself up for my mistakes, I am being self-conscious.  When I think I have done something good, it can easily become self-righteousness.  But when I remember that good comes from God, and comes from Him transforming us into His likeness, 2 things happen: 1)  I quit allowing my mistakes to hold me back with guilt; and 2) I quit taking credit for the things that God deserves credit for!  It's like a greenhouse........the things inside of greenhouse don't grow because the greenhouse attracts the sun; the things inside grow as a result of the sun's penetrating light through the greenhouse.  Our good works do not attract God's love;  God's love----His Son's penetrating light----- causes growth and good works. 

We have been created for something good, and even in the midst of our daily struggles with sin, God can bring good as we open ourselves up to the Son's penetrating Light and Spirit so that we may grow and be fruitful and reflect His likeness in this world.

Monday, July 23, 2012

After the Rain

Resilience


I have never ever seen such resilience amidst such horror.  With each interview, each testimony from the witnesses of the terrorizing event in Aurora Colorado, there emerges light.  Each account not only describes the painful scene, but also rays of hope.

I have been astounded at the things I have heard.

The media tends to focus on the tragedy, but I keep hearing the people follow up the facts with faithful assurance that they will work through their pain together, and I keep hearing them bring out the positive aspects of the story.  For instance, one girl was saved because of her boyfriend's sacrificial protection over her, taking the bullet while covering her body with his own.  When interviewd, she praised the bravery of her boyfriend and told of his heroic character, not only in this instance, but in others as well.  Another interview with the brother of a girl lost in the incident, had a similar response.  He told the media that he did not want to focus on the gunman or the details of the crime, he wanted to focus on who his sister was an on the amazing charitable work that she was part of.  He intends to pick up where she left off, using this tragedy to point people to helping the victims of the Colorado fires.

On and on the interviews go. And on and on, I hear people clinging to their faith in God, and their faith that they will be able to work through their grief and bring hope for the future.

I am astounded at the things I have heard.

Being thankful for what is, instead of being bitter for what is not, that is the lesson I am learning.  If it wasn't for Jesus' sacrificial protection over us, taking the nails for us while covering us with His body and His grace, we would all perish.  Shouldn't we be praising Him for what He did for us, and for Who He is, rather than dwelling on what we have lost?  Instead of focusing on the crime and darkness of the world, shouldn't we be focusing on picking up where Jesus left off on this earth, using His saving grace to point people to Him and help victims of the fire of evil?

Though this life may be devastating at times, there is always hope and there is always someone to share God's grace with.  May we all take this tragedy and learn from the people who have survived, and from their resilience in such a horror.

Saturday, July 21, 2012

give THanks (no MaTTer what)

It came as a gift....3 pieces of wood saying, "give" ; "THanks" ; "{no MaTTer what}".  It came as a set....all of the pieces belong together. The 3 phrases belong together. This gift looks great in my kitchen, but just think how great it would look in my character! Easier said than done!  That's why I chose to start a blog, because it's easier to say "thank you", than it is to live in constant gratitude. Maybe if I purposefully document ways that I am thankful for God's presence in my life, I will begin to live as such!

I see and hear the words, "give thanks" and have no problem with it.....it's the "no matter what" that gives me trouble!  It's downright difficult to give thanks in times of fear and sorrow....but isn't that the point?  I mean, 1Thessalonians 5:18 says, "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  We are giving thanks IN all things, not for all things.  Sure, I give thanks for things, but what about the things that happen that are not so good?  We don't thank God for the bad things themselves, because bad things don't come from God. We thank God for His presence in those circumstances, and we thank Him for the good that He will accomplish through them. 

 Understanding this truth has caused an entire shift in my thinking!   It's also caused an entire shift in how I look at God, and how I look at the world around me.  It's been so comforting to know that I CAN give thanks in all things because I CAN count on God to somehow bring good from them, even though I do not understand. And it's also caused me to seek out the good in things, rather than focusing on the problems. Having a thankful heart results in that deep kind of joy...not superficial, fleeting happiness...but that deep joy that comes from knowing God's faithfulness in all of our circumstances.

So.....I intend to set my heart and mind on the ways that I can thank God and share them with whoever chooses to listen! And I invite you to send your own words of gratitude as well.  Together, we can glorify the gracious Lord of our lives!


Friday, July 20, 2012

New Beginnings

A Piece of Paradise 
Today is a new day.....
    Today is a new beginning as I start my new "blog".  For someone who didn't even really know what a blog is, this is kind of intimidating!  I really just want a place to share my thoughts and to reflect His presence in my life. No matter what is going on in my life, in His presence, I can make this place a piece of paradise because in Him, all things are pieces of paradise. So....here goes!