Most of us are familiar with the fifth chapter of Matthew in the Bible. You remember where Jesus gave us the Sermon on the Mount.....Blessed are the poor,those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger, the merciful, the pure of heart,the peacemakers, the persecuted for righteousness sake, the falsley accused and slandered for the name of Jesus". Having been in a few of those positions in my lifetime, it is hard to feel a special bond among the blessed! The big kicker here is at the end of this we are told "Rejoice and be glad, your reward is great in Heaven!"
The reward is in Heaven? But the struggle is here on earth! And you want me to rejoice? How Oh Lord ,can this be accomplished? Years of searching out the scriptures have helped me to learn some of Christs strategies for having a right heart response or as I call it a "Be - Attitude". My favorite reference comes from the fourth chapter of Phillipians as the Apostle Paul writes starting with verse 4,"Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice! Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men, the Lord is near. 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 comprehension, shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true,honorable,right,pure,lovely,of good report,if there is any excellence or anything worthy of praise , let your mind dwell on these things....practice these things and the God of peace shall be with you". Verse 12, " I know how to get along with humble means,and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry,both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who stregthens me.
The beggining of this text reminds us that we will need to position ourselves as forbearers. Others will see the load we carry. Life is messy! You can't sweep the dirt under the carpet! We need to shake it out and sweep it up. We make declaration of God at work in our situation by rejoicing! We allow our spirit to be grateful for the revealing of hidden enemies to the greater and deeper work of God in our lives. We express the intimate partnership of our burdens by speaking the holiness of Gods divinity into each moment of hardship. And we get the broom out and whistle while we work . We relocate our minds to the dwelling places of His excellece in the mysterious ways He works, and we remember it is Christ in us that is strong enough to conquer our fears and anxieties and enable us to do all things.
Once we begin to operate in such a way as to accept that we will have to encounter an unholy world, we will indeed recognize the need to remain in the presence of a Holy God to help us overcome that part of it that wants to cling to us.
May the Spirit of God coat you with a teflon "Be-Attitude", Begin with rejoicing to apply to all surfaces. Nothing the world throws at you will stick!!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Sunday Village
Over many years I have come to recognize the value of Sundays. Sunday is not just the name given for the day following Saturday. Nor is it of value to me because it is considered a day of rest .
Since I was a small girl, I can recall Sunday dresses and petticoats, patent leather shoes(white from Easter till Labor day,black for fall and winter) hats ,and gloves. What a great treasure to dress up in that special outfit once each week! For close to 12 weeks this outfit consisted of the same single dress! We were not wealthy, but it seemed most the kids also had 1 set of Sunday clothes. I think it only changed if you grew or with the seasons.
The priveledge of putting on such garments was for the purpose of going to church as a family.
We went faithfully with our friends and neighbors to church school and worship services each Sunday. We sang songs of Jesus' love for us and made crafts that helped remind us at home of the lessons we were taught on flannel boards about bible characters and Gods big plan! It always felt good to be there. I felt loved , I felt beautiful, I felt like it was one big family! I remember learning to recite the Lords prayer. It wasn't about anything rote that took place,yet the tradition was foundational in my sense of experiencing God through His people" The Church".
After Worship Service we always went to my Great Grandmaothers house for Sunday supper. This also was a tradition. As we entered her tiny cottage, the smells of a roast in the oven and fresh baked bread made our tummies grumble for the feast to follow! She would set us up with a quiet activity she found from the "funny pages" of the sunday paper. My sister and I weekly cut out the paper doll dress to add to our cigar box collection for later play. My older brother colored the by number picture insert. We sprawled across the small sitting room floor until called to our places at the childrens table, an arms length away from our elders. Grace was said and "children should be seen and not heard" was the rule for dinner conversation. If we ate all on our plates we were given dessert. Now all this was accomplished in our Sunday best with dishtowels covering our necks and chests.
After dinner we would be sent out to the front porch to play jacks or cards or jump rope. If the weather was bad we could take toys from a box out and play on the enclosed pantry -back door area. On long summer days we sat out under the cherry tree and played dolls as the adults talked and relaxed.
We ended each Sunday with full tummies, tired eyes and promises to be back next week. We children sat quietly in the back seat as our parents headed us home for bed. I remember watching the trees and neighborhoods pass by us from the car windows, sun setting,seasons changing. Everything familiar, each block etched into my memory of the road home.
I share this trip down memory lane with you today because I'm stirred by the promise I made this morning to God about Hunter. Hunter was Baptized today! His parents are Phil and Robin. They were surrounded by generations of family and friends. Robin and her family are new to our church family, and we all celebrated this joy together. Today I promised God to support Her and her family in showing Gods love, in encouraging them to come to the feast He has prepared in Christ thru the bread and cup. I promised to be that place that would help Hunter grow through years of laughter,tears,victories and challanges, and understand his gifts, along with all the others present.
Lord Jesus help us all to recieve the little children in our midst, to cherish your heart towards them as we learn to serve you more each day! For the sake of your kingdom coming into our midst every day. Amen
Since I was a small girl, I can recall Sunday dresses and petticoats, patent leather shoes(white from Easter till Labor day,black for fall and winter) hats ,and gloves. What a great treasure to dress up in that special outfit once each week! For close to 12 weeks this outfit consisted of the same single dress! We were not wealthy, but it seemed most the kids also had 1 set of Sunday clothes. I think it only changed if you grew or with the seasons.
The priveledge of putting on such garments was for the purpose of going to church as a family.
We went faithfully with our friends and neighbors to church school and worship services each Sunday. We sang songs of Jesus' love for us and made crafts that helped remind us at home of the lessons we were taught on flannel boards about bible characters and Gods big plan! It always felt good to be there. I felt loved , I felt beautiful, I felt like it was one big family! I remember learning to recite the Lords prayer. It wasn't about anything rote that took place,yet the tradition was foundational in my sense of experiencing God through His people" The Church".
After Worship Service we always went to my Great Grandmaothers house for Sunday supper. This also was a tradition. As we entered her tiny cottage, the smells of a roast in the oven and fresh baked bread made our tummies grumble for the feast to follow! She would set us up with a quiet activity she found from the "funny pages" of the sunday paper. My sister and I weekly cut out the paper doll dress to add to our cigar box collection for later play. My older brother colored the by number picture insert. We sprawled across the small sitting room floor until called to our places at the childrens table, an arms length away from our elders. Grace was said and "children should be seen and not heard" was the rule for dinner conversation. If we ate all on our plates we were given dessert. Now all this was accomplished in our Sunday best with dishtowels covering our necks and chests.
After dinner we would be sent out to the front porch to play jacks or cards or jump rope. If the weather was bad we could take toys from a box out and play on the enclosed pantry -back door area. On long summer days we sat out under the cherry tree and played dolls as the adults talked and relaxed.
We ended each Sunday with full tummies, tired eyes and promises to be back next week. We children sat quietly in the back seat as our parents headed us home for bed. I remember watching the trees and neighborhoods pass by us from the car windows, sun setting,seasons changing. Everything familiar, each block etched into my memory of the road home.
I share this trip down memory lane with you today because I'm stirred by the promise I made this morning to God about Hunter. Hunter was Baptized today! His parents are Phil and Robin. They were surrounded by generations of family and friends. Robin and her family are new to our church family, and we all celebrated this joy together. Today I promised God to support Her and her family in showing Gods love, in encouraging them to come to the feast He has prepared in Christ thru the bread and cup. I promised to be that place that would help Hunter grow through years of laughter,tears,victories and challanges, and understand his gifts, along with all the others present.
Lord Jesus help us all to recieve the little children in our midst, to cherish your heart towards them as we learn to serve you more each day! For the sake of your kingdom coming into our midst every day. Amen
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Spring Cleaning
As I look around my home in the bright morning light I am energized with the possibilities of a beautiful day yet unexplored, until I spy small particles of airborn pollen and dust floating in my open windows. Spring is finally here! Allergy Alert!
I'm having one of those weeks where my eyes are itching and tearing up, my nose is dripping and my throat is slimey. I guess it's time to put my SUPERWOMAN costume on. This consists of a ponytail, my stretched out and stained yoga pants(don't kid yourself, housekeeping is very much like yoga if you think about the many twisted and stretched movements it takes to reach cobwebs) an oversized ratty tee-shirt and my sneakers. But what really makes my costume complete are the yellow playtex gloves and the baby blue dust mask over my nose and mouth,as well as the safety glasses I've recently added (to protect my eyes from falling ceiling fan grime goons).
Yes, I am now ready to tackle the messy build up of a long winter encampment! I don't move well in cold winter months! I prefer cooking to cleaning! I like visiting with friends over feeling trapped by my own four walls. And so I am astonished that in my brief departure from sunlight so much has been taking place around me in terms of downright neglect. And so this week with my trusted sidekick home from college, we will literally go where no man(in my family) has ever gone before! Into the cracks and crevices of darkness, searching out the closets of chaos, vacuaming up a variety of home invaders!
My first attack was on the tile floor in my kitchen. The grout was screaming to be set free from the grimey build up that had slowly caused a dull and lackluster appearance. This is where the super power took over. The Holy Spirit to the rescue!! The mundane and repetitive act of scrubbing was wearing me into a state of apathy. Maybe it was a waste of my time to expect the grout to come back to the original state and color. Perhaps I was putting my energy into an area of my home that wasn't necesary, what if I couldn't finish the whole floor today! And last but not least, if I stop now then only half of the floor will look done!
The Spirit began to show me how change is a choice,how it takes time and repitition to restore an area of my life to it's original beauty! I recognized that the goal here was not just a clean floor but a maintained surface. As hard as it is to admit my limits, I was also aware that like the grout, there are tiny groves that have collected deposits brought in on the feet of others who walked over my life, without concern for keeping it clean. It was my job to take care of what I could see. The Holy spirit would loose the grit and grime from the hidden places beyond my own ability. And why worry about what is not completed today when tomorrow will offer time to come back and do yet one more tile to perfection. It is much better to do a big thing half way today, then to walk away in defeat. Who knows tomorrow may produce better results toward the finished work.
I am reminded that He(Jesus) who began a good work in you , is faithful to complete it! Don't grow faint hearted when the mess is revealed, put on your superwoman costume( from Ephesians 6:10-12) The full armor of God ! For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. { And sometimes they float in on the light of a beautiful sunny morning as specks of dust. }
I'm having one of those weeks where my eyes are itching and tearing up, my nose is dripping and my throat is slimey. I guess it's time to put my SUPERWOMAN costume on. This consists of a ponytail, my stretched out and stained yoga pants(don't kid yourself, housekeeping is very much like yoga if you think about the many twisted and stretched movements it takes to reach cobwebs) an oversized ratty tee-shirt and my sneakers. But what really makes my costume complete are the yellow playtex gloves and the baby blue dust mask over my nose and mouth,as well as the safety glasses I've recently added (to protect my eyes from falling ceiling fan grime goons).
Yes, I am now ready to tackle the messy build up of a long winter encampment! I don't move well in cold winter months! I prefer cooking to cleaning! I like visiting with friends over feeling trapped by my own four walls. And so I am astonished that in my brief departure from sunlight so much has been taking place around me in terms of downright neglect. And so this week with my trusted sidekick home from college, we will literally go where no man(in my family) has ever gone before! Into the cracks and crevices of darkness, searching out the closets of chaos, vacuaming up a variety of home invaders!
My first attack was on the tile floor in my kitchen. The grout was screaming to be set free from the grimey build up that had slowly caused a dull and lackluster appearance. This is where the super power took over. The Holy Spirit to the rescue!! The mundane and repetitive act of scrubbing was wearing me into a state of apathy. Maybe it was a waste of my time to expect the grout to come back to the original state and color. Perhaps I was putting my energy into an area of my home that wasn't necesary, what if I couldn't finish the whole floor today! And last but not least, if I stop now then only half of the floor will look done!
The Spirit began to show me how change is a choice,how it takes time and repitition to restore an area of my life to it's original beauty! I recognized that the goal here was not just a clean floor but a maintained surface. As hard as it is to admit my limits, I was also aware that like the grout, there are tiny groves that have collected deposits brought in on the feet of others who walked over my life, without concern for keeping it clean. It was my job to take care of what I could see. The Holy spirit would loose the grit and grime from the hidden places beyond my own ability. And why worry about what is not completed today when tomorrow will offer time to come back and do yet one more tile to perfection. It is much better to do a big thing half way today, then to walk away in defeat. Who knows tomorrow may produce better results toward the finished work.
I am reminded that He(Jesus) who began a good work in you , is faithful to complete it! Don't grow faint hearted when the mess is revealed, put on your superwoman costume( from Ephesians 6:10-12) The full armor of God ! For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. { And sometimes they float in on the light of a beautiful sunny morning as specks of dust. }
Saturday, May 9, 2009
A Mothers Merit badge-Grown up children!
This past month has been incredible. I am still reviewing in my minds eye the lessons given me by my children and granddaughters. Part of me is shocked to find out that they all have so much to inspire me with. They also are showing ownership of foundational truth in application. On Easter, we are reminded of a resurrection power of supernatural proportions in Christs' triumph over sin & death. A selfless, loving act to free us of our burdens! Restore us to the very source of universal love.
This Easter my son (who no longer lives at home) joined my husband and I for a light breakfast before church. As we sat chatting, a familiar sound came from the lower level of our house. It was the washing machine! I looked at both men and asked if someone accidently knocked into it and perhaps started it. My son casually responded that he was putting a load through. I was flabergasted to say the least. He had never used the machines before! I ran over to him and planted a big kiss on his cheek and thanked God for this miracle of resurrection life over him. Why you ask? Because at one time the boy was deaf to my pleading for him to take respondsibility over his laundry, At one time he was blind to the extra tasks left to other memebers of our household, At one time he was deadened beyond belief to the need to gain skill in areas of home economics. He was now aware-alive-and active in these ways. It was a startleing revelation for me his mother!
My youngest daughter also showed me incredible growth in that she choose to spend her spring break with us at home, indulging herself with home cooked meals,family game time and long deep intimate conversations about her spiritual convictions! She recieved our words without conflict, restored areas of seperation and made obvious leaps in mature decisions toward finance and education. She will be moving home to continue college and work. This too is a major miracle in her life as she had only one year ago declared her distaste for being with her old fashioned and goofy parents. We were out of sync with the real world!
I was also pleasantly surprised by a simple statement made by my oldest daughter. For her a dare to live more fully in faith. She declared to me that this would be the year of "no regrets!" She was willing to live outside the restrictions of circumstance to forge a path of inviting new and difficult challanges into her life. She would begin to allow momentary discomforts for the sake of unknown rewards both physically and spiritually recieving each as a gift to greater fullness in her life. For her it meant a 7 day road trip with 2 small children, Her Aunt and I, along the east coast. We crammed into a 5 seat vehicle and drove 10 hours each way to Myrtle Beach for a 4 day stay in a one room efficiency. She is much stronger then she even knows for having gone the distance.
And last but not least is the lesson we all got when my 4 year old grandaughter (having never seen the ocean, awoke to her mother throwing back the curtain on our 9th story balcony to take in the panaoramic sight of the Atlantic. AWE, SILENCE, PURE JOY was her expression. We all delighted in that moment with her!
That is the same way I feel over each of these small revelations of my children. It is because of the many sacrifices we make as mothers to bring them along to a place were the view is spectacular! To see Gods grace and growth in each one. To feel that the untold hours of prayer can provide us with these glimpses of His seal on their lives. This was the only gift I will need this mothers day!
This Easter my son (who no longer lives at home) joined my husband and I for a light breakfast before church. As we sat chatting, a familiar sound came from the lower level of our house. It was the washing machine! I looked at both men and asked if someone accidently knocked into it and perhaps started it. My son casually responded that he was putting a load through. I was flabergasted to say the least. He had never used the machines before! I ran over to him and planted a big kiss on his cheek and thanked God for this miracle of resurrection life over him. Why you ask? Because at one time the boy was deaf to my pleading for him to take respondsibility over his laundry, At one time he was blind to the extra tasks left to other memebers of our household, At one time he was deadened beyond belief to the need to gain skill in areas of home economics. He was now aware-alive-and active in these ways. It was a startleing revelation for me his mother!
My youngest daughter also showed me incredible growth in that she choose to spend her spring break with us at home, indulging herself with home cooked meals,family game time and long deep intimate conversations about her spiritual convictions! She recieved our words without conflict, restored areas of seperation and made obvious leaps in mature decisions toward finance and education. She will be moving home to continue college and work. This too is a major miracle in her life as she had only one year ago declared her distaste for being with her old fashioned and goofy parents. We were out of sync with the real world!
I was also pleasantly surprised by a simple statement made by my oldest daughter. For her a dare to live more fully in faith. She declared to me that this would be the year of "no regrets!" She was willing to live outside the restrictions of circumstance to forge a path of inviting new and difficult challanges into her life. She would begin to allow momentary discomforts for the sake of unknown rewards both physically and spiritually recieving each as a gift to greater fullness in her life. For her it meant a 7 day road trip with 2 small children, Her Aunt and I, along the east coast. We crammed into a 5 seat vehicle and drove 10 hours each way to Myrtle Beach for a 4 day stay in a one room efficiency. She is much stronger then she even knows for having gone the distance.
And last but not least is the lesson we all got when my 4 year old grandaughter (having never seen the ocean, awoke to her mother throwing back the curtain on our 9th story balcony to take in the panaoramic sight of the Atlantic. AWE, SILENCE, PURE JOY was her expression. We all delighted in that moment with her!
That is the same way I feel over each of these small revelations of my children. It is because of the many sacrifices we make as mothers to bring them along to a place were the view is spectacular! To see Gods grace and growth in each one. To feel that the untold hours of prayer can provide us with these glimpses of His seal on their lives. This was the only gift I will need this mothers day!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Happy Saint Patrick's Day Queen Esther!
I was asked to lead Devotions for our womens group this Sunday. With a Saint Patricks day theme tea, I decided to study up on his ministry. I also will be leading a bible study on Tuesday evening with some materials and subject matter from the book of Esther. This is one of my favorites and I have spoken and taught the text many times. After contemplating the preparations for each, a larger connection seemed to be unfolding to my spirit.
Saint Patrick was taken into captivity by an Irish band of raiders, Esther was also a result of the captivity of Isrealites in Persia. God had placed Patrick in a very rich religious family that practiced and lived out their vocation in the church. Esther was also a reciepient of faith devotion in her own family and jewish practice of faith. Patrick was faithful in his prayer life during his slavery for freedom, Esther fasted and prayed expecting God to move on behalf of His call for His people to be free from a death sentence. Patrick was called to return to Ireland as a missionary on behalf of those who needed to come to the knowledge of God. Esther needed to go before the King and make clear declaration of Her God. Esther needed to be placed in a position to save Gods people from certain death. Patrick needed to be used to lead Gods people to the knowledge of eternal life!
Although from different times, cultures, and geography the thread of Gods heart for the message of salvation is still trumpeting to us today! GO into all the world and make disciples of every nation! This is the great comission to us all.
Are we also in some way captives? Yes held back by political correctness. Are we also called to pray for freedom, our own and others? Yes, for justice and mercy for all whom Christ died. Are we also sent back to the places that once powerfully enslaved us? Yes, when we recieved new life in Christ we were redeemed and empowered by His Holy Spirit to overcome our sin nature and testify to His abounding GRACE! From glory to glory we recognize our victory over sin. We acknowledge we fall short of Gods glory! It is evident to me that we are not the recipients of salvation for ourselves alone. ALL who share air with us are in need of this message. All whose souls cry out in their slavery to addictions and ignorance. Satan has taken captive our minds with lies about who we are intended to be in this world. Make no mistake that daily we march to deaths door without the precious blood of Christ poured out for our sake. Is that door your neighbors? Is it you childrens? Is it your friends who fear and doubt and say" there is no help for me in my circumstance?" Open the door of hope to them! free them from deaths grip! Let them meet the Loving Jesus that once and for ALL rescued you!!!
Our righteousness is the putting on of Christ, so it shall be that the prayers of the righteous will prevail!!!! Christ Jesus, seated in the high place of His authority releases the captives when we pray!
Remember the shamrock, (it's not luck you need) just the Father Son And Holy Spirit!!
Saint Patrick was taken into captivity by an Irish band of raiders, Esther was also a result of the captivity of Isrealites in Persia. God had placed Patrick in a very rich religious family that practiced and lived out their vocation in the church. Esther was also a reciepient of faith devotion in her own family and jewish practice of faith. Patrick was faithful in his prayer life during his slavery for freedom, Esther fasted and prayed expecting God to move on behalf of His call for His people to be free from a death sentence. Patrick was called to return to Ireland as a missionary on behalf of those who needed to come to the knowledge of God. Esther needed to go before the King and make clear declaration of Her God. Esther needed to be placed in a position to save Gods people from certain death. Patrick needed to be used to lead Gods people to the knowledge of eternal life!
Although from different times, cultures, and geography the thread of Gods heart for the message of salvation is still trumpeting to us today! GO into all the world and make disciples of every nation! This is the great comission to us all.
Are we also in some way captives? Yes held back by political correctness. Are we also called to pray for freedom, our own and others? Yes, for justice and mercy for all whom Christ died. Are we also sent back to the places that once powerfully enslaved us? Yes, when we recieved new life in Christ we were redeemed and empowered by His Holy Spirit to overcome our sin nature and testify to His abounding GRACE! From glory to glory we recognize our victory over sin. We acknowledge we fall short of Gods glory! It is evident to me that we are not the recipients of salvation for ourselves alone. ALL who share air with us are in need of this message. All whose souls cry out in their slavery to addictions and ignorance. Satan has taken captive our minds with lies about who we are intended to be in this world. Make no mistake that daily we march to deaths door without the precious blood of Christ poured out for our sake. Is that door your neighbors? Is it you childrens? Is it your friends who fear and doubt and say" there is no help for me in my circumstance?" Open the door of hope to them! free them from deaths grip! Let them meet the Loving Jesus that once and for ALL rescued you!!!
Our righteousness is the putting on of Christ, so it shall be that the prayers of the righteous will prevail!!!! Christ Jesus, seated in the high place of His authority releases the captives when we pray!
Remember the shamrock, (it's not luck you need) just the Father Son And Holy Spirit!!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Enemies
Matthew 5: 43-48, "you have heard it said 'Love your neighbors and hate your enemies' But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you. Then you will be acting like your Father in heaven. He makes the sun rise on both good and bad people. And He sends rain for the ones who do right and for the ones who do wrong. If you love only those who love you, will God reward you for that? Even tax collectors love their friends. If you greet only your friends, what's so great about that? Don't even unbelievers do that?But you must always act like your Father in heaven."
I spend a lot of time in prayer. I have known alot of enemies. From years of experience I've found that they all have one thing in common, ME! When I start out in prayer over the misdeed of another, I usually see myself as a victim of unfairness or cruelty. In my own frail and human spirit I am too limited to muster my own resevoir of love. As my time before God releases cries of pain, anger and even vengeful thoughts, I confess by faith that God will right this wrong.
Following my confession, I begin to let go of the emotional reactions. I pray for all the good things I would want to recieve of His goodness and mercy to be released to the offender. This was at first a strange discipline to apply, but here is the real truth about having enemies. If you suffer an offense( and we all will have that oppertunity, if we breathe) it lands on you and comes into you to reveal something of your weakend state spiritually. When we are unable to retrieve the love of Christ as an immediate response by forgiving, we deny the very same access to God to those who need it most!
The offender is simply a container of others offenses toward them!! They are seeking to rid themselves of this hot potato of unkindness. With an adjusted view of the real enemy, we can see that to stop this cycle of hurt and pain, we need Gods perspective to flow directly to the area in need of restoration in our own lives.
When someone intentionally or even unintentionally hurts me, I have to examine my own heart. Because somewhere in there is the real enemy! The selfish part of me that doesn't want to have to share space with other hurting people for the sake of the Lord! Somewhere in there is the real truth, the one that sets us free!
It can take hours,days, months even years , to get free of being someone elses container! But remember we also are vessels. What do we contain that spills out into anothers life? Are we toxic in the things we release? As long as we live we will be filled with something.
And so I pray for my enemies, the ones that keep me from loving, forgiving, and being in right standing with God. I pray for the newness of joy and healing that comes from The Holy Spirit, I pray that the words of Christ Jesus will keep my mind in His peace! I pray for you this day that you will longsuffer for the sake of a revolutionary love, as Jesus continue to longsuffer in His perfect love over imperfect man. That none should perish, all should come to the knowledge of Him in his fullness!!!
I spend a lot of time in prayer. I have known alot of enemies. From years of experience I've found that they all have one thing in common, ME! When I start out in prayer over the misdeed of another, I usually see myself as a victim of unfairness or cruelty. In my own frail and human spirit I am too limited to muster my own resevoir of love. As my time before God releases cries of pain, anger and even vengeful thoughts, I confess by faith that God will right this wrong.
Following my confession, I begin to let go of the emotional reactions. I pray for all the good things I would want to recieve of His goodness and mercy to be released to the offender. This was at first a strange discipline to apply, but here is the real truth about having enemies. If you suffer an offense( and we all will have that oppertunity, if we breathe) it lands on you and comes into you to reveal something of your weakend state spiritually. When we are unable to retrieve the love of Christ as an immediate response by forgiving, we deny the very same access to God to those who need it most!
The offender is simply a container of others offenses toward them!! They are seeking to rid themselves of this hot potato of unkindness. With an adjusted view of the real enemy, we can see that to stop this cycle of hurt and pain, we need Gods perspective to flow directly to the area in need of restoration in our own lives.
When someone intentionally or even unintentionally hurts me, I have to examine my own heart. Because somewhere in there is the real enemy! The selfish part of me that doesn't want to have to share space with other hurting people for the sake of the Lord! Somewhere in there is the real truth, the one that sets us free!
It can take hours,days, months even years , to get free of being someone elses container! But remember we also are vessels. What do we contain that spills out into anothers life? Are we toxic in the things we release? As long as we live we will be filled with something.
And so I pray for my enemies, the ones that keep me from loving, forgiving, and being in right standing with God. I pray for the newness of joy and healing that comes from The Holy Spirit, I pray that the words of Christ Jesus will keep my mind in His peace! I pray for you this day that you will longsuffer for the sake of a revolutionary love, as Jesus continue to longsuffer in His perfect love over imperfect man. That none should perish, all should come to the knowledge of Him in his fullness!!!
Friday, February 13, 2009
All you need is love
Chocolates, candles, dinner out and sexy lingerie are all a marketing strategy to make us mindful of the importance of romance on Valentines Day. Sometimes it has just the opposite effect. It puts more pressure on us and our spouses to have symbols of affection showered upon us.
Over the many years of my marraige I have come to realize that V-Day happens when you least expect it. I now laugh with my husband about his lack of knowledge from the book of love-you know the secret book we women use as a manual to assess a mans merit in the area of romance.
I recall a trip my husband made to visit his ill mother in Florida about 15 years ago. At the airport gift shop he purchased some tee shirts for the kids as souveniers. He also gave me the worst gift I ever recieved. An Iron wood hand carved pelican! It was about 10 inches tall. I could have clubbed him with it! Instead I tried to wrap my head around the message behind the gift. It took me 2 weeks to finally ask him what he was thinking when he bought it. He said the wood was the same color as my coffee table so at least it would match the living room.
That was when I lost it altogether! I ranted about the decor(all floral victorian at the time) I questioned him on his history of knowledge of my likes and dislikes. I asked if his mother helped him pick it out(proof that she hated me). Finally after interrogating him I wrote down all my hobbies, favorites from perfume to food, and gave a list of my sizes,designers and wardrobe choices. This resume of me included music choices, authors, and places I'd like to visit. I made him tuck it into his wallet in case he ever wanted to shop for a gift for me again!! At that time he replied with a firm"don't expect any surprises". I think I ticked him off!
But to tell you the truth, some months later he surpised me while we were out shopping. I was looking at a bunch of sweaters and he suggested I buy the blue one because it was my favorite color! He must have read the resume! Something clicked inside me. I realized that men aren't mind readers and we women need to tell them what we want! No beating around the bush, no manipulations, just straight up ASK!
I would rather have a back rub that put me to restful sleep than a nightie. I'd rather a chinese take out night with a funny movie, than a high priced dinner out in heels that pinch and stockings that cut off my circulation. And I'd rather hold hands watching the 6:oo news than watch cut flowers die over the course af a week, but thats just me and thats real love. I don't have to be a super model for him to cast a glance. I don't need to speak in a sultry voice to twist his heart. I just remind myself that a quiet and gentle spirit, a deep caring love causes him to want me near.
I know my husbands love language- a listening ear, an interest in his concerns, a home cooked meal, and a smile. Making our home a sanctuary of peace proves my love for him.
Men are not complicated. If you respect your husband he will surely love you.
All you need is love!
Over the many years of my marraige I have come to realize that V-Day happens when you least expect it. I now laugh with my husband about his lack of knowledge from the book of love-you know the secret book we women use as a manual to assess a mans merit in the area of romance.
I recall a trip my husband made to visit his ill mother in Florida about 15 years ago. At the airport gift shop he purchased some tee shirts for the kids as souveniers. He also gave me the worst gift I ever recieved. An Iron wood hand carved pelican! It was about 10 inches tall. I could have clubbed him with it! Instead I tried to wrap my head around the message behind the gift. It took me 2 weeks to finally ask him what he was thinking when he bought it. He said the wood was the same color as my coffee table so at least it would match the living room.
That was when I lost it altogether! I ranted about the decor(all floral victorian at the time) I questioned him on his history of knowledge of my likes and dislikes. I asked if his mother helped him pick it out(proof that she hated me). Finally after interrogating him I wrote down all my hobbies, favorites from perfume to food, and gave a list of my sizes,designers and wardrobe choices. This resume of me included music choices, authors, and places I'd like to visit. I made him tuck it into his wallet in case he ever wanted to shop for a gift for me again!! At that time he replied with a firm"don't expect any surprises". I think I ticked him off!
But to tell you the truth, some months later he surpised me while we were out shopping. I was looking at a bunch of sweaters and he suggested I buy the blue one because it was my favorite color! He must have read the resume! Something clicked inside me. I realized that men aren't mind readers and we women need to tell them what we want! No beating around the bush, no manipulations, just straight up ASK!
I would rather have a back rub that put me to restful sleep than a nightie. I'd rather a chinese take out night with a funny movie, than a high priced dinner out in heels that pinch and stockings that cut off my circulation. And I'd rather hold hands watching the 6:oo news than watch cut flowers die over the course af a week, but thats just me and thats real love. I don't have to be a super model for him to cast a glance. I don't need to speak in a sultry voice to twist his heart. I just remind myself that a quiet and gentle spirit, a deep caring love causes him to want me near.
I know my husbands love language- a listening ear, an interest in his concerns, a home cooked meal, and a smile. Making our home a sanctuary of peace proves my love for him.
Men are not complicated. If you respect your husband he will surely love you.
All you need is love!
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