Reflections~

September 4, 2013 

 Happy Birthday, Dad!  I miss you.  

75 years ago today my dad was born into this world.  2 years and 26 days ago he left this world.  Nasty cancer invaded his body and did not relent.  I miss him, and I loved him very much.  He taught me so much about life.  He taught me to honor my word, and to respect people.  I remember him saying “You can’t judge a man until you have walked a mile in his shoes.”  And of course none of us have walked a mile in each others shoes.  We didn’t have a lot, but he was a generous man to so many people.  He and my sweet Mother owned and operated (Mom still operates making the best Salt-Rising bread in the country!) a bakery in Angelica, New York since 1969.  Through that business, he taught me and my siblings’ good work ethics, as well as working together as a family to get things done.  He shared his gifts of baking with us his family, and when there were needs for baked goods at a function, he would gladly provide them.  He taught me my love for music.  He shared his talent of playing the piano, and organ at our church every Sunday.  And at home, I have so many precious memories of him playing his way through the Readers Digest music books while my Mom and I, and sometimes my sister, would stand behind him singing the tunes.  Every year we would pile the seven D’s (Duane, Dottie, Dan, Darcy, Darryl, Debbie, and Doug) in our van and drive to Florida for a vacation.  Looking back, I see the great sacrifice that was made for us to be able to take those trips.  He gave me my love for ice cream Sundays!  My dad truly loved his ice cream.  I remember having vanilla ice cream, Spanish peanuts, Hershey’s chocolate syrup, whip topping… yum!  Oh, and there is also the pure maple syrup!  He taught each of us five kids how to make maple sugar candy.  He would heat up a big pan of it and then put some in bowls for us to stir and stir… and stir. :-) Oh how I love that stuff.  Every year he would take us to the fair that came to our little town.  That was one his favorite things.  It was a joy to see him take my kids to the fair when we went up to visit. 

So many years, so many memories I am thankful for the 42 years and 60 days that I got to be his daughter.  I am thankful that in his last days, he professed Christ as his savior.  I am thankful that one day, I will see him again.  I am thankful for the valuable life lessons he gave to me.  I am thankful for the memories.  Thanks, Dad! <3 

Integrity~

September 2, 2013  

 Integrity

“Integrity is the #1 most important characteristic for performance leaders.  As I remind young people, integrity is one of those few things in life that can’t be taken from you – you can only give it away” (The Global Ripple).  That statement is very loud.  “…can’t be taken from you – you can only give it away” Integrity according to Webster is: 1.) Completeness 2.) Unimpaired condition; soundness. 3.) Honesty, sincerity, etc.

When you contradict what you say, integrity is not being exhibited.  When someone is not being honest in actions, behavior, or speech; then they are not demonstrating integrity.  God will expose you when you are not walking in integrity, and He will use other trusted friends to help you see this.  “He who walks with integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will become known” (Proverbs 10:9). 

When people say “Don’t question my integrity”, a red flag goes up.  If one is walking in integrity, then that thought should not even enter into the mind; or even come to the surface, therefore, I immediately question.  Why the insecurity?  Why the defense?  Why the need to voice that statement?  Just walk in integrity, and don’t worry what others say.  People who live their lives in integrity will be truthful at all times.   

There is nothing worth sacrificing our integrity.  “Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich” (Proverbs 28:6).  In every situation in life, we should remain honest and sincere.  “in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works, in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say about you” (Titus: 2: 7-8).  More people will learn from our actions than what we proclaim with our mouths.  It is vitally important to make sure that our actions line up with what we state our morals and values to be.  When we let sin reign, we destroy integrity (and often harm others).  When we practice things contradictory to what we proclaim our beliefs to be, we compromise integrity.  Losing integrity is easy!  Regaining it is extremely difficult, and takes a lot of hard work.  With God’s help, remorse, and repentance, one can begin to reclaim integrity.  “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.  Therefore be zealous and repent” (Revelation 3:19).  “The integrity of the upright will guide them, But the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them” (Proverbs 11:3).  “Better is the poor who walks in integrity than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool” (Proverbs 19:1)  “Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, But a man of understanding will draw it out.  Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, But who can find a faithful man?  The righteous man walks in his integrity: His children are blessed after him” (Proverbs 20: 5-7).  

The Bible is full of examples of how important our integrity is; your integrity is important!  Are you credible?  Do your actions line up with your words/beliefs?  Do people respect you?  If any of the answers are no, then it is time to examine yourself, repent, and restore integrity, relationships, and your personal health.

Father God, thank You for love and grace.  Please fill me to overflowing with Your Holy Spirit.  Empty me of me, and fill me with You, so that my integrity will remain intact.   May I always be receptive to You.  Thank You for loving me enough to chasten me when I fail.   Keep my eyes open, and my heart softened to Your ways.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

Envy~

“For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.  For there are no pangs in their death, But their strength is firm.  They are not in trouble as other men, Nor are they plagued like other men” (Ps. 73: 3-5).

“When I thought how to understand this, It was too painful for me—  Until I went into the sanctuary of God;  Then I understood their end” (Ps 73: 16-17).

 “Thus my heart was grieved, And I was vexed in my mind.  I was so foolish and ignorant;
I was like a beast before You.  Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand.  You will guide me with Your counsel, And afterward receive me to glory.   

Whom have I in heaven but You?  And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.   My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. 

For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish; You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry.   But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, That I may declare all Your works (Psalm 73: 21-28).

I love how David described his feelings in this passage.  I also love that he explains that after going into the sanctuary of God he then understood the end of those he envied.  It is so easy to look at others and be envious of their jobs, homes, families, vehicles, or whatever.  David points out that when his heart was grieved over such things that he was foolish and ignorant.  It is encouraging to me to read the struggles, and the hearts cry of one who is named a man after God’s own heart.  He admits his weakness in verse twenty five as he states that his flesh and his heart fail.  He doesn’t leave it there though; he proclaims that God is the strength of his heart and his portion forever.   

The end of this passage sums it all up, and is my heart’s desire.  “But It is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all Your works”.   I pray that I will keep my eyes, my heart, and my mind on the Lord and focus on what He has for my life, and to do what He is calling me to do.

A Good Word~

September 1, 2013

Yesterday was a tough day.  I went to bed last night with much anxiety!  Before I went to bed, I put out a Facebook post that my stress level was off the chart, and would appreciate a prayer, or a good word. “Anxiety in the heart of a man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad” (Proverbs 12:25) I kind of hate putting it out there, but know the power of prayer.  I then turned my thoughts to how cool it is that I can ask others to pray for me.  “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7).  We are to cast our cares upon Him, because He cares for us. 

I am so thankful for the “Good Word” that people shared with me. A few of them are the following: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7); “But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible” (Mark 10:27); “Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all” (2 Thessalonians 3:16); and all of Isaiah 54. 

         The Word of God is so powerful.  A good Word indeed makes it glad.  I am thankful for the reminder from a friend today, who when I told her that I thought that I was grumbling and complaining (Philippians 2:14) when sharing what was causing the stress, that we bear each other’s burdens.  “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2) I am thankful for the body of Christ that are so willing to go before the throne of God with my requests.  I am also thankful for the opportunities to go before His throne for others when they ask.  “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16).  Lord God, thank You for the sacrifice of Your own son so that we can even approach Your throne, and that You love us that much.  Thank You that you care so much for us that You tell us to cast our cares, worries, concerns upon You.  I love You and praise You for Your love. In Jesus Name, Amen.