Tag: God

Christmas Funk

One week to Christmas! Are you excited? Thrilled with anticipation? Looking forward to time with family and friends? Singing Christmas songs while wrapping presents? Planning menus?

Or are you in a funk? Remembering that the season doesn’t live up to the ‘Hallmark’ hype? Not happy with the amount of presents under the tree? Wishing for more? Wishing for less?

I have been in a funk, for sure. But when I really focus on how I got here, it is pretty obvious.

I have been concentrating on what I DON’T have (or think I should have) instead of fixing my eyes on what I DO have.

What do I think I don’t have or I should have?

It’s not more presents (although I always like the unwrapping part.)

It’s not more get-togethers (although I enjoy seeing people but I don’t always spend my time with the people. Such a Martha!)

I know I would enjoy it if my kids/grands would come to church with us. I know I would enjoy it if they even acknowledged the invite.

I know I would love to give a thoughtful, personal gift to people that would be treasured and used.

What do I have?

Family and friends that love me and challenge me with truth.

A church that loves God and people and encourages me to do the same.

Health. Home. Work. Food. Clothes. Both for us and our kids and grands.

A daughter in law who did acknowledge my invitation to church and has visited in the past. A scheduled time for all of us to be together after Christmas.

I have a personal relationship with the God of the universe. He provided a way for my sins’ penalty to be paid. Now, I can live with Him in heaven for eternity.

And this relationship can be yours too. You can never ‘out sin’ God’s love.

God sent His Son, Jesus, to be born in a manger. He is Christ the Lord!

And if I focus on that, worship will come and the funk will disappear.

Thank you, Jesus!

‘Tis the Season

It is the season of more commitments, more food and more to do.

It is the season of much traffic, school band concerts and shopping over your lunch break.

Many people in grocery stores. Much food to prepare. Many things to do.

My prayer for you (and for myself) is that we take a few minutes every day. Do this several times a day and really slow down. Think on purpose about the true meaning of Christmas.

God sent His perfect Son to be born in a feeding trough. He did this so that His Son might one day die to pay the penalty for my sins. Your sins.

This is the Light we need to focus on. This is the Bread of Life we need to consume.

Thank you, Jesus!

Protection

Have you ever had a near miss with a baseball, flying hockey puck or a car?

I have – all three.

I was protected and, in those instances, was not harmed.

Even last night, Tim and I were awakened by something falling. (Notice that it did not seem to bother Xena, the wonder dog.) Tim got up and walked around but didn’t notice anything.

We tried to sleep and I got some but Tim was out of bed before 3am.

Finally, I rolled out of bed and turned the light on. It wasn’t until then that I saw what had fallen. My canvas print of a Van Gogh masterpiece had leaped from the wall. Fortunately, the headboard caught it before it hit our heads.

That certainly wouldn’t have injured us. However, we definitely could have been hurt by the startling and jerking movements if it had hit our heads.

Once again, we were protected.

Sometimes when we pray, we thank God for what we don’t see. For the late start to the traffic which keeps us from being involved in an accident. For the ‘nudge’ to go into this store rather than that one that keeps us from overspending-overeating.

He protects His children.

Does that mean we are never harmed or hurt? Of course not. There will be (and is) trouble in this world.

There is much we do not see. But we can catch a glimpse of it if we keep our eyes fixed on what we know to be true.

Thank Him for the protection you do see and for what you don’t.

Thank You

I came home from grocery store complaining about people in the grocery store.

I complained about unexpected things happening and ‘ruining’ my plans for the day.

I griped when the maraschino cherry juice spilled on the counter, the cabinet, the floor and stained my fingers.

Xena, the wonder dog, awakened me 5 times during the night to go outside. I guess her tummy was upset. I was not happy.

Shall we shift focus, please?

Lord, thank you for food and the money to buy it. Thank you for the variety of choices and the vehicles to get us to and from the stores. Thank you for safe travel.

Father, I pray for these seemingly angry people in the store. Perhaps they are missing a loved one, lost their job, or are going to be alone. Maybe I can only give them a smile. Please help it be sincere.

You, God, direct my steps. I make my plans but You have the final say. Perhaps the delay kept me from running into traffic. Lord, You know the number of my days. Help me to live for You.

Thank you for this house, Lord. I am grateful that I have a space to prepare and store food. I have a switch that changes from heat to cool quickly. Thank you that I can still move my body to clean things off the floor and to open jars. Thank you for your provision. I am also grateful for the people in the house.

And Father, I am thankful that Xena, the wonder dog, awakens me when she needs to go outside. I’m grateful that she has been the best dog and in my life for the past 10 years. I am thankful that she is feeling better.

Please, Lord, bless our time this afternoon with family and friends. Change my heart of stone to one of flesh. I think protecting my heart keeps me safe but that is a lie.

Living with and blessing others with the joy and light of the Lord is what this world needs.

And I want others to know You too. How can I show that with a callous heart? How can I show Your light if I want to be dim and dark?

Change me, O Lord. Thank You in advance. Give me Your words to share with others.

Amen.

It is Well

I did something totally outside my comfort zone last night.

I attended a community prayer vigil for a family I did not know. I was to serve at this event but, I was the one who was blessed.

A local wife and mother tragically lost her husband and two daughters at the same time. I can’t even imagine the grief and pain. It hasn’t even been a week.

Our city wanted to do something and people made it happen. Hundreds gathered at a local stadium to remember those lost and to support one another.

I learned about the family and how they loved each other and their friends. I also learned how they loved God.

Young people stood and read Bible verses and prayed. They all testified to the FACT that these three were now safe in the arms of Jesus. They were sure they were going to see them again in heaven. They spoke with confidence through tears.

People acknowledged their pain, their anger, their questions. But they also acknowledged God and His authority and the surety of salvation.

My heart was full. Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound.

The pain, anger and questions are still there. But Jesus is too. Thank you, young people of Huntsville, for preaching the truth and spreading the gospel.

Short and Simple

Today is the day the LORD has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

Actually, the verse states it this way: This is the day the LORD has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. I made it singular.

I’ve been awake since 1 something and out of bed since 3:00. I don’t know why I couldn’t sleep. Tim couldn’t either.

Now, not even three hours later, Tim is already at the office and I’m searching for words.

Mostly, the ones that are coming are questions. Why…? How am I going to…? What does this…?

I know He is listening. But telling me to wait. Or am I not listening.

Regardless, today – (all 94.5 hours of it) – I will (on purpose and continuously) – rejoice (be thankful and find delight) – be glad (keep a good attitude and smile.)

How is your morning?

Think on Purpose

Anyone an over thinker? Both of my hands are raised.

Anyone run down various rabbit trails in your mind? Again, both hands are raised.

I started my card business on September 1 (http://goGoddesigns.myshopify.com) and was very focused for about 10 days.

But then life happened – nationally, locally, within family – and I became distracted and quite sullen.

I found myself escaping to the lure of the scroll. I told myself I was learning. But I was actually escaping and avoiding.

I was asking the big questions – why, how, what, who…. But I wasn’t talking to the One who knows the answers. I was avoiding Him too.

I was invited to a worship night. I didn’t want to go. I had enough of people. But I knew I needed to.

I reminded myself that worship wasn’t about how I was feeling. Worship was about who my God is.

And He is worthy.

After making my joyful noises and listening to others speak of Jesus, I was refreshed. I spent time in His presence. He held my hand.

A couple of nights later, it was small group time. Again, I didn’t want to go. But I knew I needed to.

Being around people who are like minded and who are discussing Jesus is exactly what I needed. Time and time again, we said we need to focus our thoughts (think on purpose), determine what lies we are believing, and replace those with God’s truth.

How many times have I believed the lie that I can do things alone. I’m better off without people. I don’t need anyone. Or, I’m not good enough for God to love me so why talk with Him?

Stupid defeated enemy. He knows he can’t keep me out of heaven. His goal, however, is to make me ineffective here on earth.

When you find yourself escaping or avoiding, stop! Think on purpose! What lies are you believing? What truth do you need to remind yourself of?

Run TO Him – not away from Him. He is the Comforter. He is the Truth.

Choices lead and feelings follow. Choose to read, hear and accept His Word and His Truth.

Think on purpose!

Thankful

I don’t believe Thanksgiving is just a season. We should constantly be in a mind of giving thanks.

We all have an abundance of opportunities each day to be grateful. It could be the kind clerk behind the counter. It could be the honest mechanic who will fix the actual problem with your vehicle. It could also be the teacher who enjoys his pupils. Or it could be the nurse who enjoys taking care of her patients.

There are many reasons to be thankful for people. There are many reasons to be thankful for situations also.

Our youngest son was involved in a head on vehicle accident yesterday morning. We have much to be thankful for.

‘Somehow’ the paramedics and state troopers were notified. There was special equipment to extricate everyone from the vehicle. There were plenty of emergency vehicles to transport people to multiple facilities.

They were able to contact his fiancé and she contacted his dad. Tim was already in town and only had a 15 minute drive to the hospital instead of 30 minutes. After multiple nights of little sleep, the night before the accident, Tim and I both slept soundly.

Tim was able to witness the love his fiancé has for our son. She wouldn’t leave his side. The hospital was conducting a mass casualty drill during this time so there were many employees available to help assess the injuries. Ben’s head, chest and abdomen were clear. He has a cast on his arm and a splint on his finger.

Many lives changed yesterday morning because of the accident – most I will never know of. We have much to be thankful for. God, you are good. All the time. I don’t understand but I trust You. Help us to be grateful even in the hard times.

God is Unable

Yes, that felt strange even as I typed the words.

God is God and is able to do anything and everything. But, is He really?

He forms life, created the world, provided salvation for all who believe. Jesus lived a sinless life on earth. The Holy Spirit lives inside His children.

God makes it rain on the just and unjust. He makes the sun bright and the earth far enough away not to ignite.

Yes, He is “able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,” according to Ephesians 3: 20.

However, God is unable to go against His nature or His character.

God is good. All the time. And all the time, God is good.

Not that God is limited by time, of course. But, if He is always good, He cannot NOT be good. (Yes, that hurts my brain too.)

Psalm 92:15 states there is no wickedness in Him.

I don’t know the answer to all of your questions. If God is good, then why are we remembering the horrific acts of 9.11.2001? If God is good, why were there horrific acts of violence this week against people NOT being horrific?

God has emotions and He is with us when we are hurting, confused, sad and angry. Please take your questions, concerns, and anger to Him. He is a big God.

As David wrote, “But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.” (Psalm 39:7)

Again, I don’t understand, Lord. But I trust in You. That phrase is on repeat in my head.

God is good. All the time. And all the time, God is good.
    

25 Years in the Making

More or less.

When you finally breathe life into something you’ve thought about and dreamed about for so many years, it’s a bit surreal.

Many years ago, a friend and I would take a greeting card and write a Bible verse inside with a note to encourage the recipient to add a verse and send it to someone else. It was fun when the cards circled back to us and were full of different verses.

People enjoyed getting real mail. And they enjoyed reading positive words. People still do. With that in mind, I finally launched Go God Designs. (http://goGoddesigns.myshopify.com)

Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue….” Proverbs 12:18 says, “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”

Words matter. We can all remember the feelings of hurt and rejection. We have felt abandonment and pure hatred when someone said what they said or texted what they thought.

Sometimes, we replay those words in our minds. That is, sometimes we speak the horrible words someone else said to us over ourselves. Stop it!

We need to stop speaking death over ourselves. We need to stop speaking death to others.

My prayer is that when people read the words of these cards, they will remember who they are. I hope they will also remember whose they are. I pray they will brighten someone’s day and refocus them towards Jesus.

Send them anonymously or write a personal note. Stash it in someone’s notebook or leave it on a seat addressed as simply “For You!” Post it on your fridge or bathroom mirror.

25 years (or so) is a long time to dream. But I am so very thankful to the Lord for helping me every step of the way. So very thankful.