Excellence~

I was given gifts from the Lord.  I write, sing, am a sensitive individual (yes, it is a gift), among other things.  I work hard to be the best I can be.  When learning a new song, or practicing one I know, I listen repeatedly, say the lyrics as a prayer, and memorize the words.  My writing is given much thought and prayer before I begin penning it out.  The sensitive part of me values relationships greatly, and I invest my heart deeply.  When I fail, it makes me mad, so I work harder.  I have high expectations of myself.  I strive for excellence, always working to be a little better.  Though I receive compliments at times, and am sometimes judged, I do not work hard, or strive for excellence for the accolade or recognition of others.  Not for man’s praise, but for the glory of Him who gifted me.  “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17).  I thank Him for the gifts He has blessed me with and want to use them always for His glory.  His Word tells me to do whatever I do heartily as unto the Lord.  Heartily = wholeheartedly, sincerely, genuinely, profoundly, eagerly, enthusiastically, with eagerness, with enthusiasm, zealously, vigorously, with all one’s heart.  That is how I want to use my gifts!  I write well, I sing well, I care well.  Not for approval or applaud, but to praise the Lord, to worship Him who created me.  To Him who created the universe, calls me by name, loves me, gave His life for me, and uses me to glorify Himself.   “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3: 23-24).

Seasons~

I'm lying in my bed this morning chilled from the cold night air.  I said aloud, "I'm ready for summer!"  Then I thought about it.  How often in life things are colorful, beautiful, and warm, and we just want to stay there as long as we can.  And definitely, let's pass the cold, dark, grey days up!  Who needs them?!

The seasons are all necessary for growth.  During fall, leaves that have been damaged by insects and weather fall to the ground, and the trees and plants rest and live off of stored food until spring during winter.  Spring brings new life to all.  Trees bud, flowers bloom, colors are restored, and the smells of new life are everywhere.  Then Sumner will be here. Bright, warm, and glorious!

During this time of being cold and gloomy, may we reflect on our lives.  Knowing that we need rest, and that Spring awaits us, let us cling to and embrace the Lord, and take this time to shed what life has damaged and live on the stored food of our souls.

Change of Heart~

My mom was recently in the hospital for atrial fibrillation. Her heart was racing at 146 beats per minute.  She took a ride in the ambulance to the hospital to get some help.  In the emergency room a nurse administered some medication and mom waited for it to take effect.  She lay waiting while a few of her friends were there by her side.  In an instant, alarms sounded and freaked her friends out a bit, and in that instant, mom’s heart-rate went from 146 to 70.  Mom felt relief in that moment and knew that her heart had gone back into normal rhythm. 

Your heart can change in a moment!  Never stop praying.  Don’t give up on those you are praying for.  Whether they need to soften their heart to the Lord or open their ears to His call on their life, the change CAN happen.  God is able to accomplish what He desires.  “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever” (Ephesians 3:20-21).  I believe that God has everything planned for our lives as is states in Psalm 139 “Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.  And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them” (vs16). I don't think He changes His plan, but I also believe that He wants the prayers of His children for all things and that that is a piece of the puzzle of everything planned before we are even substance.  Pray without ceasing. “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).  Don’t give up.  Part of the will of God in Christ Jesus for you is praying without ceasing! We pray and trust Him to move in the way He chooses. 

Death~

November 28, 2019

Day 28 of 30 days of thankfulness, I am thankful for death. Death always makes you think about life. 

This morning I walked up to the cemetery and spent some time with my dad, and other family who have passed. Taking the time to visit brought back many memories. Dad always loved having his family come home. He would be thrilled to sit at the head of the table today with 12 members of his family. 

Always loved my visits with other family I "visited" this morning when I was growing up and when visiting home.

Make the most of living. Love deeply. Cherish every moment with your family and friends. Life is but a vapor. 

Think about death. What will you leave behind? How will people remember you? 

Mostly thankful for the death of Jesus. His death brought life. His death makes me want to live like He did, love like He did, and be like He was. #heroseagain #helivesinme #hegivesmelife 

Love you all! Happy Thanksgiving!

Black sheep~

Being called the black sheep has always had a negative meaning. Not fitting in, being an outcast, undesirable member of the group. I believe there is no "black sheep" in God's family.  He loves all of His sheep the same. God sent His son to die for all of us. "While we were still sinners Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). When we stray (and we all do), He gently and lovingly, and sometimes with a little strength, brings us back to the fold. We always fit in His family.

I'm thinking I want to be a black sheep. They are unusual, and stand out among the majority. I don't want to blend in, I want to stand out. I want people to notice that I am different, and I want to share what makes me different. That my identity is not with the majority, but hidden in Christ.

"I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.  As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.  And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.  No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father" (John 10:14‭-‬18).

From the mire~

While walking today, I saw this beautiful flower all by itself among the weeds.  It is a precious reminder to me that sometimes when we are going through tough times and seem to be alone, or surrounded with things that will choke us out, we can still grow into something beautiful. When life knocks you down, outside forces punch you, work overloads you, children break your heart, vehicles break down, health fails, remain grounded in the soil that will allow you to grow.  He will lift you up, strengthen you, and make you to stand tall and beautiful. 

“I waited patiently for the LORD;

And He inclined to me,

And heard my cry.

He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,

Out of the miry clay,

And set my feet upon a rock,

And established my steps.

He has put a new song in my mouth-

Praise to our God;

Many will see it and fear,

And will trust in the LORD.

Blessed is that man who makes the LORD his trust,

And does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

Many, O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works

Which You have done;

And Your thoughts toward us

Cannot be recounted to You in order;

If I would declare and speak of them,

They are more than can be numbered” (Psalm 40: 1-5)

The cattle on a thousand hills...

“A faith that hasn’t reached your wallet, probably hasn’t reached your heart” (Adrian Rogers).

I work for the Lord.  Every penny I make belongs to Him.  Everything I am able to do is because of who He created me to be.  Psalm 24:1 and 1 Corinthians 10:26 tells us that “The earth is the Lord’s and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein.”  “He owns it all – not a tithe, not a love offering, not our leftovers; He owns it all” (D. Ramsey, Complete Guide to Money pg. 311).  He doesn’t need my money… “He owns the cattle on a thousand hills… For the world is Mine, and all its fullness” It’s All His! (Psalm 50:10-12).  If I work for the Lord, God gets 100% and gives me 90%... That’s very generous!!

We have a giving God.  He gave His one and only Son for me.  I am made in His image.  He is the ultimate example of giving.  His word has many examples for me to give of my first fruits; to tithe 10% of all I make.  “’Bring all the tithes into the storehouse...’Says the Lord of hosts” Malachi 3:10).

Sometimes when life gets tough and finances are looking bleak, some would suggest that perhaps not tithing as much is an option.  This is not an option for me.  In all my adult life I have seen the goodness of the Lord in His caring for me.  I remember when I was living with my best friend (late 80’s early 90’s) and we had pretty much nothing.  She was blessed to be able to eat breakfast and lunch at her work, and me mine.  I was out of gas though… How would I get to work?  Guess what came in the mail that very afternoon?  An unexpected check from my insurance company for $19 (gas was only $.97 a gallon), plenty of money to fill my gas tank.  When things were tight when my boys were young and expenses came up, we (my ex and I) never opted to not tithe, and while our budget did not work on paper, our bills were always paid!  That is a testimony to the Lord!  My trust is in Him.  I once had a pastor who when he was teaching about giving asked the congregation “What bills would you rather have not paid?”  He was not making it a legalistic thing, but it presented it (to me) that God should be first in giving and paying bills.  I don’t give out of legalism, but out of obedience, and with the gratefulness of His constant provision.  To think that my measly tithe can further His kingdom is mind baffling.  What an honor it is to give.

I just finished the Financial Peace University class, and am amazed at the statistics that Christians tithe only 2.5% - 3% of their finances.  Not my words, but I agree with them. “You can’t say you are a follower of Christ when you are not giving.  You can’t walk around with the clenched fist (holding tightly on to your “own” money) and tell people about how amazing Jesus is.  There’s a disconnect.  They won’t believe you because your whole attitude is of selfishness, fear, and greed…” (Dave Ramsey, Complete Guide to Money pg. 312)

Stewardship is the job of supervising or taking care of something such as an organization or property.  God is trusting us to manage what He is so graciously allowing us to have.  I encourage you to ask yourself, How am I doing?  “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). God speaks a LOT about money in His word.   We need to pay attention to His words, and be good stewards with His money.

Light

I have been pondering this since last Monday when I saw a note that I had written in my Bible years ago.  It reads “the world is without light” next to this passage.  Then I listened to a sermon built around the same passage this morning. 

“You are the light of the world.  A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see our good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Mt. 5: 14-16). 

The world is without light.  We must walk in the light and shine bright for all to see. 

“But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleansed us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). 

Am I letting my light shine?  God, please help me to always shine my light… the light that You have instilled in me, may it shine so brightly that people will see You in me, that they see my good works and glorify You, my Father in heaven.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.