Well, the past few days have been...interesting, shall we say! I've had an encounter with God that was unexpected, yet so needed. You know when you are in a 'season' in which understanding it seems like something foreign?...I was there! I use the term was lightly because by no means have I mastered the understanding of this season I'm in. So in essence, I'm still there, but I was reminded that it's not where my focus is to be. Although I'd like there to be, I have to reside myself to the fact that there may never be understanding of this season - if I'm to know, God will let me know! Easier to say than it is to hear, but so true.
In my last post "Oppression and 'the bubble' ", I expressed the difficult time I was experiencing at the time of writing it. I did go to my 'bubble' and hide. It was good for me to have given the fight over to God and just rest in Him. However, that wasn't the end of my difficult day. Later that evening (by God's strength and a kick in the butt!) I went to Prayer Meeting. I came to a place where the Lord broke me and I became a teary mess - but in a good way! (I won't go into details because they really aren't necessary to the overall point of this blog - and also they're of personal nature.) Needless to say though, God showed up in a big way to me that night - as He has done before, and I know He will continue doing so in the future!
Even though the Holy Spirit was so present that night, my struggle picked back up the following morning. I managed to get through Monday just fine, but this 'issue' was still very much on the forefront of my mind. This was now irritating me, as I just wanted it to go away - kind of like the thorn. Yesterday morning, I really broke before the Lord. I simply and literally fell upon Him and just laid it all out there! I knew that what I needed to boldly ask could take me in a direction of being uncomfortably active. Was I willing for that to be the answer, knowing I would then have to follow through in obedience? Because I seem to have come to this comfortable place of passiveness in regards to this situation, I would think that being anywhere other than there, would throw me off of my 'normalcy'.
In any event, I knew I could not put off praying specifically and intentionally about it any longer. After the day had passed and evening set in, I received God's answer to my prayer petition. (It isn't always the case that an answer to prayer comes the same day, but the way I see it is that He gives us answers to some prayers quicker than others so that we're reminded that He does hear us and that He always answers them!) I was thankful for His answer to still remain passive on this! What I heard from the Lord was that I was being selfish - ouch! Due to the fact that this involves another party other than myself, I was only focusing on myself and what I wanted, instead of thinking about the other party and where they might be at. So thanks to the Lord for directing my path, yet again! Don't get me wrong, this 'season' (from what I can see) is far from complete, but knowing that when I get in the rut of thinking only of my own struggles with it, I have the Lord to graciously remind me that this isn't about me! Not just 'this' situation.....but everything. It's all about Him - always.
Go with me here for a minute... On my way home from the church tonight, I was approaching a green light and noticed something seemed out of place. Someone was crossing the street in front of me...on their red light. I found this to be odd, and was thankful I had caught the sight of this person and had slowed my speed down before it resulted in my hitting them. This man was using a walker and seemed to be having some difficulty with it. By this point, my light had changed to red, so I sat there and continued to watch him take the last few steps to the sidewalk. I then felt the pull in my heart to get out and see if this man needed some help...while in my mind was telling me exactly was Jesus would have done. Without further hesitation, I put my signal on to turn right and pulled over. *Teachable moment here, and the kids were asking what I was doing.* I got out of the van and walked back down the block to the corner to him. As I got closer to him, I could see that his posture was in awful form and that it was difficult enough just for him to be out walking, let alone being out in the cold slush with a walker on wheels. I asked him if everything was alright, and told him I'd seen him struggling...was there anything I could help with? He looked up at me the best he could, and mumbled something. I couldn't hear what exactly he said, so I asked him if his wheel was locked (it crossed my mind while I was watching him in the van just seconds before). He then said no, that his wheel wasn't locked - it was just frozen. (Obviously something he's experienced before.) I didn't know what else I could do, but asked if there was anything I could do to help. His reply was a kind 'no, it's ok, thanks'. I then smiled and said that I'd just wanted to stop and see if there was anything he needed help with...blessed him, and went back to the van. Driving away explaining to the kids what I'd just done and why, I realized what my kids witnessed. I hope they remember that in years to come, and when they find themselves in that situation that they too would stop to help. Thank you God for the little moments where you just take over!
The reason I shared the last paragraph of this blog tonight is because 1) it just happened on my way home and was fresh in my mind; 2) it parallels what was reiterated to me through this recent showing up of God and his answering my prayer (putting others before yourself), and; 3) that is ALL about HIM. Sure it would have been easy to just keep driving home because I had to get the kids into bed, but it in reality took a few mere moments to stop and see if someone needed help. Would you stop to help (when it's safe to do so)? Have you stopped to help?
Putting others first is unfortunately hard to do sometimes more than others, but I know when I have done so - especially when it hasn't been 'convenient' for me - I feel very blessed by doing so. It just makes a person feel good! Being obedient always does, doesn't it?! Even though not every 'blessing' is quickly experienced, it will come!
Until next time,
'K'
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Oppression and 'the bubble'.
I don't know what's going on. Today's service, fellowship, and small group afterwards were good...but now this thumping headache and heavy feeling of oppression is throwing me off, and is very much unwelcome. I've felt it before, and I'm sure I will again, but it doesn't mean that it's really all the explainable - or understandable for that matter! There seems to be a mix of questioning, condemnation, and second-guessing of self that is going on. However, none of what it's regarding is completely clear, as there seems to be many things all tangled up in that ball. Sigh. It's the feeling of just wanting to sink into bed, pull the covers up over your head and go to sleep. Praying that when you wake up it'll all be gone and you'll be good-to-go again. However, the good thing about it being many things and it not being specific, tells me that it is indeed condemnation - not conviction. So 'yay' for that!
I suppose being oppressed is a good thing; a sign that you're close to the Lord. Otherwise if we didn't experience it, the enemy wouldn't need to focus on us. For me, I know that the times I've been close with God, the enemy strikes. And he strikes hard. As I write, this appears to be the case today. It feels like 'yuck', and it needs to leave - now. This is the time when I remember that I'm tucked in the cleft, covered by the hand of Almighty God. I just want to hide there, where it's safe. Where nothing can damage me any further than what I've already endured. Where the world can't judge, and the enemy can't condemn me. Where only the unconditional love, grace and mercy of the Lord is upon me, and nothing else matters. Oh, to live in such a 'bubble' seems like a sweet place of residence; and it is when we need to revisit it. Like a private little 'get-away' with God! But at some point, we need to come back into this world here as we know it. Where hurting words create scars that you swear will never heal. Where situations come about that leave you with no understanding whatsoever, and you stand there with the rug pulled out from underneath your feet in a hearts beat...questioning what happened and trying to discern why. Where you feel unloved, or judged, or misunderstood. This world is hard, that's for sure...I don't know what else to say!
I pray that as you come into this place yourselves, that you fall on the Lord. Completely, and wholeheartedly. Humble yourselves before Him, and He will show His favor. He's waiting! We just need to ask for His strength to endure what is oppressing us. Although it likely seems that it's something we'll never make it through, nothing is impossible for all sufficient God!
Thank you Lord for being the defender of man. For being the strength that allows us to continue pressing on when we feel we simply have nothing left. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (1Corinthians 12:9) All the praise and glory be to Your name Father!
Well, I'm going to go off to my 'bubble' now, and let the Lord take over this fight for me.
Until next time,
'K'
I suppose being oppressed is a good thing; a sign that you're close to the Lord. Otherwise if we didn't experience it, the enemy wouldn't need to focus on us. For me, I know that the times I've been close with God, the enemy strikes. And he strikes hard. As I write, this appears to be the case today. It feels like 'yuck', and it needs to leave - now. This is the time when I remember that I'm tucked in the cleft, covered by the hand of Almighty God. I just want to hide there, where it's safe. Where nothing can damage me any further than what I've already endured. Where the world can't judge, and the enemy can't condemn me. Where only the unconditional love, grace and mercy of the Lord is upon me, and nothing else matters. Oh, to live in such a 'bubble' seems like a sweet place of residence; and it is when we need to revisit it. Like a private little 'get-away' with God! But at some point, we need to come back into this world here as we know it. Where hurting words create scars that you swear will never heal. Where situations come about that leave you with no understanding whatsoever, and you stand there with the rug pulled out from underneath your feet in a hearts beat...questioning what happened and trying to discern why. Where you feel unloved, or judged, or misunderstood. This world is hard, that's for sure...I don't know what else to say!
I pray that as you come into this place yourselves, that you fall on the Lord. Completely, and wholeheartedly. Humble yourselves before Him, and He will show His favor. He's waiting! We just need to ask for His strength to endure what is oppressing us. Although it likely seems that it's something we'll never make it through, nothing is impossible for all sufficient God!
Thank you Lord for being the defender of man. For being the strength that allows us to continue pressing on when we feel we simply have nothing left. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (1Corinthians 12:9) All the praise and glory be to Your name Father!
Well, I'm going to go off to my 'bubble' now, and let the Lord take over this fight for me.
Until next time,
'K'
Saturday, January 22, 2011
This IS our 'Temporary Home'.
This song is such a great reminder that this earth is our 'temporary home'! It brings tears to my eyes each time I hear it. Not because I doubt my eternal home, but because I know this isn't the case for every human out there.
It continues to press upon my heart just how important prayer for the lost truly is. I continually ask the Lord for Him to do a 'new thing'...and I trust that He is. I can feel the manifestation of the Holy Spirit shaking things up! That makes me so excited!!
However, we need to be doing our part, now, to further His Kingdom while we are here. Are you praying for the lost? Do you want to see them in eternity?!! Let's continue to pray for those who don't, (yet!), know their Creator. If only they knew what a genuine personal relationship with Almighty God really is! Don't we want that for them? Then let's live our lives in step with the message of this song, and show the unsaved what a 'Christ-centered life' truly is. Let's remember too, that 'actions speak louder than words'....you never know who is watching you live the life of a 'Christian'.
Enjoy :)
'K'
It continues to press upon my heart just how important prayer for the lost truly is. I continually ask the Lord for Him to do a 'new thing'...and I trust that He is. I can feel the manifestation of the Holy Spirit shaking things up! That makes me so excited!!
However, we need to be doing our part, now, to further His Kingdom while we are here. Are you praying for the lost? Do you want to see them in eternity?!! Let's continue to pray for those who don't, (yet!), know their Creator. If only they knew what a genuine personal relationship with Almighty God really is! Don't we want that for them? Then let's live our lives in step with the message of this song, and show the unsaved what a 'Christ-centered life' truly is. Let's remember too, that 'actions speak louder than words'....you never know who is watching you live the life of a 'Christian'.
Enjoy :)
'K'
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
'Joy' vs 'happy'
What a lovely day it is today! Today is one of those 'feel-so-good' days, yippee :) And the best part is....there is no particular reason why! Nothing special has happened or anything, it's just remembering that I have a wonderful life, and knowing that I'm truly filled with the joy of the Lord! And quite honestly, it's quite intoxicating! There is almost a little bit of 'giddy' goin' on here, lol! All the praise be to God for that...well, for everything actually!
Speaking of 'the joy of the Lord', it brings about a question. How do we really know it's 'joy' and not just 'happy'? I mean it's easy to be filled with 'joy' when things are good, but to still have 'joy' when things aren't going so well - how can that be? James 1:2-3, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." From reading that scripture, and from past experiences, I know it to be true. It's been the 'trials' I've gone through (and have yet to go through) that exercise my faith. In turn developing my 'perseverance'. This being a realization as I grow in the Lord has been great comfort to me. Don't get me wrong, I'd like to not have to endure (what I feel is like) so much difficulty, but knowing what the reward is, makes it all worth it, doesn't it?! I'm sure there have been many times in your own life where you've experienced hard times too. If you got through it with your 'joy' still in tact, then you'll know what I'm talking about! It's by no means easy, and it's not to hard to start slipping away from it. That's exactly when the enemy attacks us and encourages us to continue down that dark path the the pit of despair. But I promise you, when you set your eyes on the Lord - no matter what the situation - the joy will be there! God promises that! "Weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning". (Psalm 30:5)
Whether or not you're in a trial now, or it's a place of 'good'...it's so necessary that we distinguish the difference between 'joy' and 'happy'. You can have one without the other, as they are not dependent on one another. Happy is a momentary 'feeling' - many worldly material things can bring us happiness - and it's good to be happy! But joy is not a 'feeling', it's a fruit of the Spirit. True, lasting joy isn't based on material accumulation, or in extraordinary physical accomplishments, but in the hope of salvation and the wonderful promises that God has set before us. I don't know about you, but I'll take the 'joy' over the 'happy' any day if it means spending eternity with my Creator!
Romans 15:13, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
K
Speaking of 'the joy of the Lord', it brings about a question. How do we really know it's 'joy' and not just 'happy'? I mean it's easy to be filled with 'joy' when things are good, but to still have 'joy' when things aren't going so well - how can that be? James 1:2-3, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." From reading that scripture, and from past experiences, I know it to be true. It's been the 'trials' I've gone through (and have yet to go through) that exercise my faith. In turn developing my 'perseverance'. This being a realization as I grow in the Lord has been great comfort to me. Don't get me wrong, I'd like to not have to endure (what I feel is like) so much difficulty, but knowing what the reward is, makes it all worth it, doesn't it?! I'm sure there have been many times in your own life where you've experienced hard times too. If you got through it with your 'joy' still in tact, then you'll know what I'm talking about! It's by no means easy, and it's not to hard to start slipping away from it. That's exactly when the enemy attacks us and encourages us to continue down that dark path the the pit of despair. But I promise you, when you set your eyes on the Lord - no matter what the situation - the joy will be there! God promises that! "Weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning". (Psalm 30:5)
Whether or not you're in a trial now, or it's a place of 'good'...it's so necessary that we distinguish the difference between 'joy' and 'happy'. You can have one without the other, as they are not dependent on one another. Happy is a momentary 'feeling' - many worldly material things can bring us happiness - and it's good to be happy! But joy is not a 'feeling', it's a fruit of the Spirit. True, lasting joy isn't based on material accumulation, or in extraordinary physical accomplishments, but in the hope of salvation and the wonderful promises that God has set before us. I don't know about you, but I'll take the 'joy' over the 'happy' any day if it means spending eternity with my Creator!
Romans 15:13, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
K
Friday, January 14, 2011
After the 'flop'!
Well, the last post was encouraging to me. The Lord spoke to me...and I heard him! How awesome is that?! That in itself was worth it all.
Now, two days later post-flop I followed through with the 'act of service' and said party received what I had prepared. At least I'm assuming they have, as it was left at their house for them to arrive home to at day's end. At any rate, that's not what is important - my obedience is!
As I was gathering things up again today (lol), I was listening to our Christian Radio Station and Charles Stanley was on. I knew it was a continuation of the message from God in regard to the other day. Do you know what the message was?!! It was titled 'When We Say Yes' (part 2)! How right on was that!?! He was talking about "being obedient when God gives us specific instructions" - I kid you not! He also went on to say that how "being obedient with the simple little things in life, you and I will be absolutely amazed at what God will do it we obey him when it's unreasonable and unpopular when we don't want to or don't like it, when it may be painful or difficult, or when we may not know how...we obey him anyway if we want to get blessed. If you don't, just keep doing it your own way".
There is so much more where that came from, and I'd love to type it all out...but I won't! If you're interested in hearing both parts you just have to follow this link
http://www.intouch.org/broadcast/audio-archives
and select 'When We Say Yes' parts 1 &2! Great messages to hear for encouragement and reminder of how we're to be with our Creator. The Lord is never done working on us...isn't that great to know?!! That we are always being pursued by him - I love it!
This concludes the 'follow up' blog on my 'IP' 'flop?!' experience - for this time around anyhow! Blessings to you all, and remember just how blessed we are by our obedience to God :)
K
Now, two days later post-flop I followed through with the 'act of service' and said party received what I had prepared. At least I'm assuming they have, as it was left at their house for them to arrive home to at day's end. At any rate, that's not what is important - my obedience is!
As I was gathering things up again today (lol), I was listening to our Christian Radio Station and Charles Stanley was on. I knew it was a continuation of the message from God in regard to the other day. Do you know what the message was?!! It was titled 'When We Say Yes' (part 2)! How right on was that!?! He was talking about "being obedient when God gives us specific instructions" - I kid you not! He also went on to say that how "being obedient with the simple little things in life, you and I will be absolutely amazed at what God will do it we obey him when it's unreasonable and unpopular when we don't want to or don't like it, when it may be painful or difficult, or when we may not know how...we obey him anyway if we want to get blessed. If you don't, just keep doing it your own way".
There is so much more where that came from, and I'd love to type it all out...but I won't! If you're interested in hearing both parts you just have to follow this link
http://www.intouch.org/broadcast/audio-archives
and select 'When We Say Yes' parts 1 &2! Great messages to hear for encouragement and reminder of how we're to be with our Creator. The Lord is never done working on us...isn't that great to know?!! That we are always being pursued by him - I love it!
This concludes the 'follow up' blog on my 'IP' 'flop?!' experience - for this time around anyhow! Blessings to you all, and remember just how blessed we are by our obedience to God :)
K
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
An 'inner prompting' 'flop'?!
Have you ever experienced an 'inner prompting' 'flop'? You know, where you are certain the Lord is telling you to do something, say something, or move in a certain 'direction'. Then when you follow through with it, it seems to just 'flop'? Leaving you wondering what on earth just happened and if it was actually indeed a true IP (inner prompting) from God?
I had such an experience today. Sigh. Initially, when I first felt the prompting, I tried to put it out of my mind while questioning the motivator behind it. Was it God or the enemy? The harder I tried to ignore it, the more it kept popping up, so I naturally went to prayer. Once I was certain it was from the Lord, I unwillingly went ahead and followed through obediently. (I've come to realize that my fear of the Lord is greater than doing things my way! But that doesn't mean that I'm always raring to move ahead with something He is asking me to do.) In a nutshell...it was a 'random act of kindness' involving food...I'm good with that, that I can do! However it was the receiver that I questioned. As I was 'preparing' for this, I felt my heart become more willing to follow through and make this happen, (even though I still didn't have a clue as to why it was this particular person). As a result, I had a wonderful afternoon in worship with God.
When I was all prepared and ready for the 'follow through', I was surprised by what happened next. I arrived at said person's house with said 'act of kindness' all ready to drop it off, leaving it there for them when they arrived home from their day. However, I quickly became aware of the fact that they were away. As in...'snow hadn't been shoveled in a few days' away. Nuts! Now what was I supposed to do?! This 'thing' I'd prepared was specifically for this evening - or at least I thought it was to be!
This left me driving away confused and questioning the IP 'flop'. How could something I was certain was prompted by the Lord not work out? Where all the steps I took to prepare said 'act' for nothing? After my baffled head stopped spinning and I was ready to receive it, I saw it...the 'teachable moment'. I heard the Lord saying to me that it wasn't really about the 'act of kindness for said person', but that it was my willingness to proceed with the IP the Lord had given me! Especially due to the fact that initially, I was like a child not wanting to eat their veggies! Yet, I followed through with it and was in turn blessed by my afternoon spent with the Lord because of my obedience! God is good!
This makes me chuckle now though...what am I to do with said 'act of kindness' now?! I suppose I could freeze it and wait until they arrive back home...or...enjoy it at some point myself, lol! Regardless of what happens to it...the lesson of it all is the importance of hearing the Lord's voice and following in the direction He is leading - whether or not we want to! He has never failed us, nor will he ever! The question is...are you hearing from him? Is there an IP he's been giving you but you've been trying to sweep it under the carpet because it's something you don't want to do? If so...be vulnerable with him, give in and be obedient! You'll only be rewarded by your obedience in doing so!
"Thank you Father for this reminder today!"
Blessings to you all,
K
I had such an experience today. Sigh. Initially, when I first felt the prompting, I tried to put it out of my mind while questioning the motivator behind it. Was it God or the enemy? The harder I tried to ignore it, the more it kept popping up, so I naturally went to prayer. Once I was certain it was from the Lord, I unwillingly went ahead and followed through obediently. (I've come to realize that my fear of the Lord is greater than doing things my way! But that doesn't mean that I'm always raring to move ahead with something He is asking me to do.) In a nutshell...it was a 'random act of kindness' involving food...I'm good with that, that I can do! However it was the receiver that I questioned. As I was 'preparing' for this, I felt my heart become more willing to follow through and make this happen, (even though I still didn't have a clue as to why it was this particular person). As a result, I had a wonderful afternoon in worship with God.
When I was all prepared and ready for the 'follow through', I was surprised by what happened next. I arrived at said person's house with said 'act of kindness' all ready to drop it off, leaving it there for them when they arrived home from their day. However, I quickly became aware of the fact that they were away. As in...'snow hadn't been shoveled in a few days' away. Nuts! Now what was I supposed to do?! This 'thing' I'd prepared was specifically for this evening - or at least I thought it was to be!
This left me driving away confused and questioning the IP 'flop'. How could something I was certain was prompted by the Lord not work out? Where all the steps I took to prepare said 'act' for nothing? After my baffled head stopped spinning and I was ready to receive it, I saw it...the 'teachable moment'. I heard the Lord saying to me that it wasn't really about the 'act of kindness for said person', but that it was my willingness to proceed with the IP the Lord had given me! Especially due to the fact that initially, I was like a child not wanting to eat their veggies! Yet, I followed through with it and was in turn blessed by my afternoon spent with the Lord because of my obedience! God is good!
This makes me chuckle now though...what am I to do with said 'act of kindness' now?! I suppose I could freeze it and wait until they arrive back home...or...enjoy it at some point myself, lol! Regardless of what happens to it...the lesson of it all is the importance of hearing the Lord's voice and following in the direction He is leading - whether or not we want to! He has never failed us, nor will he ever! The question is...are you hearing from him? Is there an IP he's been giving you but you've been trying to sweep it under the carpet because it's something you don't want to do? If so...be vulnerable with him, give in and be obedient! You'll only be rewarded by your obedience in doing so!
"Thank you Father for this reminder today!"
Blessings to you all,
K
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
11 year old boy defines God throughout entire Bible!
(*NOTE: this is a video, so in order to hear it you'll have to scroll to the bottom of the page and stop the music player!*)
This young boy sure details some of the most wonderful things about our Savior throughout the Bible - right from Genesis to Revelation. Sit back and be encouraged (and reminded!) of everything our Creator is!!
God bless you :)
K
This young boy sure details some of the most wonderful things about our Savior throughout the Bible - right from Genesis to Revelation. Sit back and be encouraged (and reminded!) of everything our Creator is!!
God bless you :)
K
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Singing in harmony...
Happy New Year to all of you blog readers! 2010 is now behind us, and we've gotten comfortable writing 2011 by now I'm sure! It is such a lovely, bright day here today - thank you God! I know the Lord is present just by the way the sun is shining! He really is Omnipresent...Amen!
As this time of year tends to bring about 'resolutions', I will admit to having fallen to them in the past. It's almost like a 'New Year resolution' sets you up for the failure you know is coming shortly after you make it. And then in the failing of it, you can use the whole 'resolution' thing as a scapegoat - they never stick anyway! That's why I would rather view 'resolutions' as 'life changes' instead. To me, it's a more positive way of saying you want to do something different within the life you have gotten comfortable living over the past year. This year, for me, there are a few things about my life I'd like to change...or perhaps 'need' to change would be a better phrase! But for those things to change, I'm relying on the guidance of the Lord to set me straight when I fall off the 'discipline wagon'. We'll see how many times He needs to yank on that short leash I've asked Him time and time again to put me on!
It's Sunday today. My most favorite day of the week hands down...or should I say hands up?!! This is the day when I receive the encouragement from my Pastor's message that reminds me of what is important and that I'll get through another week! I don't know about you, but sometimes daily life just becomes overwhelming and it seems I have no steady footing. Then Sunday comes! It's like Sunday has become my day of making sure my feet are truly on the firm foundation of Christ. It doesn't mean that it's the only day I rely on Him - cause that's sooo not the case! - however, it's the day where coming together with other believers girds me up...gives me the reminder that Christ Jesus is bigger than anything I endure here on earth.
Today in worship as I stood there, eyes closed, I just took some time to really listen to the entire congregation lift their voices in praise to our Most High. It was simply lovely, and it swelled my heart. As I stood listening (and singing too!) I heard all the different parts of harmony being sung. I was overjoyed with this sound as it reminded me of how alike but truly unique we are. Follow me here! Just think of how boring it would be if everyone sang the same song in the exact same key. A song with no harmony??...how monotone! Singing the same song is great, but it's the different parts that make it sound so wonderful!
So with that being said, let's turn that around to the perspective of us as human individuals. We serve the same God, but in our own style...our own 'harmony' - if you will. What makes this so great is that where one person is weak in a certain area, there is someone else who is strong in that very area. We all have something to bring to the table! I know for myself, being around children all of the time really isn't my thing. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my children and those of others as well. But being involved in something with them on a constant basis, such as Sunday school, etc, I wouldn't fair well. I know this now, as I've tried and it's proven to be so. Now that doesn't mean that I would not or could not be involved in something with children here and there or for something special, but on a day-in-day-out thing....it's simply not my gig. (I've had to let the guilt of that go, and remind myself that it's ok not to be the best in that area.) Then you take a look at the Children's Pastor and her assistant at our church - it's totally their gig. They are wonderful at working with the kids and it shows by everything they put into it, and how the kids respond to them both. This going to show us, where one is weak, there is a counteraction of strength by another, better suited for that department! But what really amazes me is that this is the way the Lord designed it all!
I'll never stop being amazed and in awe of the wonderful and delicate ways, our Creator has designed us! It just takes me to a special place. A place where fear is necessary and His love is completely unconditional! As I sign off for today, I'll leave you with this piece of scripture, Ephesians 4:16 "From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." Let's use the areas of our strengths to balance out the areas of our weakness - our own and of our brothers and sisters in Christ as well.
Be blessed as you continue on with your day!
K
As this time of year tends to bring about 'resolutions', I will admit to having fallen to them in the past. It's almost like a 'New Year resolution' sets you up for the failure you know is coming shortly after you make it. And then in the failing of it, you can use the whole 'resolution' thing as a scapegoat - they never stick anyway! That's why I would rather view 'resolutions' as 'life changes' instead. To me, it's a more positive way of saying you want to do something different within the life you have gotten comfortable living over the past year. This year, for me, there are a few things about my life I'd like to change...or perhaps 'need' to change would be a better phrase! But for those things to change, I'm relying on the guidance of the Lord to set me straight when I fall off the 'discipline wagon'. We'll see how many times He needs to yank on that short leash I've asked Him time and time again to put me on!
It's Sunday today. My most favorite day of the week hands down...or should I say hands up?!! This is the day when I receive the encouragement from my Pastor's message that reminds me of what is important and that I'll get through another week! I don't know about you, but sometimes daily life just becomes overwhelming and it seems I have no steady footing. Then Sunday comes! It's like Sunday has become my day of making sure my feet are truly on the firm foundation of Christ. It doesn't mean that it's the only day I rely on Him - cause that's sooo not the case! - however, it's the day where coming together with other believers girds me up...gives me the reminder that Christ Jesus is bigger than anything I endure here on earth.
Today in worship as I stood there, eyes closed, I just took some time to really listen to the entire congregation lift their voices in praise to our Most High. It was simply lovely, and it swelled my heart. As I stood listening (and singing too!) I heard all the different parts of harmony being sung. I was overjoyed with this sound as it reminded me of how alike but truly unique we are. Follow me here! Just think of how boring it would be if everyone sang the same song in the exact same key. A song with no harmony??...how monotone! Singing the same song is great, but it's the different parts that make it sound so wonderful!
So with that being said, let's turn that around to the perspective of us as human individuals. We serve the same God, but in our own style...our own 'harmony' - if you will. What makes this so great is that where one person is weak in a certain area, there is someone else who is strong in that very area. We all have something to bring to the table! I know for myself, being around children all of the time really isn't my thing. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my children and those of others as well. But being involved in something with them on a constant basis, such as Sunday school, etc, I wouldn't fair well. I know this now, as I've tried and it's proven to be so. Now that doesn't mean that I would not or could not be involved in something with children here and there or for something special, but on a day-in-day-out thing....it's simply not my gig. (I've had to let the guilt of that go, and remind myself that it's ok not to be the best in that area.) Then you take a look at the Children's Pastor and her assistant at our church - it's totally their gig. They are wonderful at working with the kids and it shows by everything they put into it, and how the kids respond to them both. This going to show us, where one is weak, there is a counteraction of strength by another, better suited for that department! But what really amazes me is that this is the way the Lord designed it all!
I'll never stop being amazed and in awe of the wonderful and delicate ways, our Creator has designed us! It just takes me to a special place. A place where fear is necessary and His love is completely unconditional! As I sign off for today, I'll leave you with this piece of scripture, Ephesians 4:16 "From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." Let's use the areas of our strengths to balance out the areas of our weakness - our own and of our brothers and sisters in Christ as well.
Be blessed as you continue on with your day!
K
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