Friday, April 15, 2011
Vintage Charm and Redo...
My sweet sister in law sent me a link to a page she new I would love...furniture restoration. She nailed it! I love the idea of taking something old and outdated, ugly and unusable and making it beautiful again. Call me a sucker, but I actually wept as I perused the website. I saw the parallel to my own life. I recognized my own longing to make something beautiful out of something that has become somewhat stagnate and shall I say "outdated". Maybe it is just turning 40 and maybe it is because I am realizing I am not reaching my potential in Christ. Whatever it is I long for a redo. I am thankful I serve a loving, gracious Heavenly Father that is tender and merciful and longs for me, that waits for me.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
I've been there...
I've taken quiet a break! I had to take time to reflect on things that were going on in my life. Some that were difficult, some that were wonderful, but I've just needed to reevaluate. Time to think about the ups and downs of this journey we call life. Why do we experience the events that we do? How do we handle them? Sometimes with grace and dignity, others withdrawn and quiet and still others with rage and resentment. What I've come to understand is that there is a reason for everything we endure, be it good or bad. His Word says so...
"There is time for everything, and a season for ever activity under the heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and time time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather,
a time to embrace and time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace." Ecclesiates 3:1-8
I've often thought that the beauty in life was only found in the good times. However, as time goes by, I'm not so sure. I'm beginning to think that true beauty is found as we overcome the struggles. "He has made everything beautiful in its time." Ecclesiates 3:11 I think it is during those dark hours when a loved one, a friend, even a stranger embraces you with the knowledge of understanding. Just those words...."I've been where you are and I understand...." There are times that those few words give more power to the grieving or the hurting than we may ever know. I've been there....I've heard them. What great comfort it gave me to know that someone understood. This is why, I firmly believe, we have to embrace every situation that is thrown at us and use it bring glory to our Father...good and bad. We've all been there... we've been on the mountaintops and we've been in the valleys. It is what we choose to do with them that counts. Do we become hardened and inaccessible or do we truly use all things to bring Him honor?
We "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 but I think God can even find beauty in our shortcomings....when we turn them over to Him and allow Him to use them to further His Kingdom. I'm so thankful that I serve such a gracious Father. That He can make ALL things beautiful....wherever I've been or whatever I've done. It is necessary for the glorious changes in the seasons for us to fully appreciate the beauty and magnitude or our Maker's incredible creation. Extend yourself the same grace....it is through the different seasons in our lives that we can fully comprehend the beauty of the Creator's handiwork in us!
My prayer is that we will all learn to except who we are, what we've done and where we've been, knowing that our Father does. That our past is what makes us who we are today, but it doesn't enslave us. God can and DOES use everything for His good just as it says in Romans 8:28 "We know that ALL things work together for the good of those who love God." I pray for our ability to lift our heads, extend our hands and through our lives (however messy) pull others into the all encompassing, gracious Kingdom of the Heavenly Father.
Until next time....
"There is time for everything, and a season for ever activity under the heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and time time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather,
a time to embrace and time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace." Ecclesiates 3:1-8
I've often thought that the beauty in life was only found in the good times. However, as time goes by, I'm not so sure. I'm beginning to think that true beauty is found as we overcome the struggles. "He has made everything beautiful in its time." Ecclesiates 3:11 I think it is during those dark hours when a loved one, a friend, even a stranger embraces you with the knowledge of understanding. Just those words...."I've been where you are and I understand...." There are times that those few words give more power to the grieving or the hurting than we may ever know. I've been there....I've heard them. What great comfort it gave me to know that someone understood. This is why, I firmly believe, we have to embrace every situation that is thrown at us and use it bring glory to our Father...good and bad. We've all been there... we've been on the mountaintops and we've been in the valleys. It is what we choose to do with them that counts. Do we become hardened and inaccessible or do we truly use all things to bring Him honor?
We "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 but I think God can even find beauty in our shortcomings....when we turn them over to Him and allow Him to use them to further His Kingdom. I'm so thankful that I serve such a gracious Father. That He can make ALL things beautiful....wherever I've been or whatever I've done. It is necessary for the glorious changes in the seasons for us to fully appreciate the beauty and magnitude or our Maker's incredible creation. Extend yourself the same grace....it is through the different seasons in our lives that we can fully comprehend the beauty of the Creator's handiwork in us!
My prayer is that we will all learn to except who we are, what we've done and where we've been, knowing that our Father does. That our past is what makes us who we are today, but it doesn't enslave us. God can and DOES use everything for His good just as it says in Romans 8:28 "We know that ALL things work together for the good of those who love God." I pray for our ability to lift our heads, extend our hands and through our lives (however messy) pull others into the all encompassing, gracious Kingdom of the Heavenly Father.
Until next time....
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Loving you...
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart with all your soul and with all your mind." Matthew 22:37 These are Jesus' words...again "Love the Lord your God with all your heart with all your soul and with all your mind." As I contemplated this today I don't know that I could fully grasp all that was being asked of me. I want to. I want to say of course I do. I love my Savior with all of my being, but I want to answer truthfully. I want to understand what it is like to give that kind of love.
As I was reading today I can across a verse that described Jesus "Your head and hair white like wool, your feet like fine bronze fired in a furnace, Your voice like the sound of cascading water, Your face shining like the sun at midday. When I saw him I fell at his feet as though dead." Revelation 1: 14-17 This description is spoken in awe, by someone that understands what it is to be awestruck. I'm searching for that depth in my relationship with my Savior. I think we throw around the words love and awe too lightly in our society. We talk about loving our spouse, our Savior and then turn around and say we love dessert or a movie. It is just mind boggling. No wonder we have such difficulty understanding what it means to truly love God, but that is my desire to truly be in love with my Savior.
I look around and I see the beauty of His creation and see how truly blessed I am, but I want my love to be deeper still. Romans 1:20 says "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." In the evening when the sunsets and I see the beauty of His handiwork I'm amazed. I know He is there. His evidence is everywhere, but am I in love? I want to be! I'm getting there. I want Jesus to be at the forefront of my every thought. I don't want to serve just because I'm commanded to serve, I want to serve my Savior because I love Him and I want to please him.
My heart has been stirred. In Proverbs 8:17 He tells me "I love those who love me and those who seek me early and diligently shall find me." I know that my Father loves me, now it's my turn. My turn to seek Him, to learn to truly love Him. It is easy to say I love Him, but my prayer is that others will long to know Him, because of my deep love for Him.
"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live just not I but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20
Until next time...
Friday, August 13, 2010
Renew Me
"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." Psalm 51: 10 I long for a pure heart. Have you ever had that sin that continually nags at you robbing you of purity of spirit? I believe that is one of Satan's strongholds on humanity.
God's word tells us "I have swept away your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like a mist." Isaiah 44:22 So why am I so rattled with past guilt? Consumed with things that I have given to Him? Things He has forgiven me for.
I believe all things can be used for God's glory. Even my past...my ugly, hurtful past. I am the one caught in the stronghold of guilt, because my Father says "It is I who sweeps away your transgressions for My own sake and remember your sins no more." Isaiah 43:25 You see He says "for My own sake," I believe that is the key to my freedom. The key is knowing my past, however ugly, can still be used to bring glory to His Kingdom. It is me that has to get over the heartache, the disappointment of letting myself and possibly others down. He is faithful to forgive...to renew. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:19
My heart is clean....it is just a matter of getting that through to my head. Satan is sophisticated, He wants me to believe that at some point I am rendered useless to God. I'm learning, however, that is never the case..."Therefore this is what the Lord says, "If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me." Jeremiah 15:19 Once you've repented He has done His part. The rest is up to me.
Overcoming fear is one of the biggest obstacles when stepping out in obedience to serve Him. Fear of the repercussions of sin and the pressures of our society. This is where I'm trying to grow in my faith, learning that "God did not give me a spirit of timidity, but of power and of love and of calm and well balanced mind..."2 Timothy 1:7 He is encouraging me "To be strong, courageous and firm;" reminding me "fear not nor be in terror before them, for it is the Lord your God Who goes with you: He will not fail you or forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6
So I'm learning that I've been forgiven and there is no need to fear. Do I think I need to tell everyone everything? No, but I do think I am called to live a life of transparency. I think often times Christianity is about secrecy and shame and I think that defeats the purpose of my sweet Savior dying on the cross. "We have ALL sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 I think if others could see where some of us were then and where we are now they might like to know more about our Savior. My prayer is that I will learn to see my past as just that...the past. Something to grow from, something to learn from, but something that will no longer render me useless!
"I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Jesus Christ." Philippians 3:13-14
Until next time...
God's word tells us "I have swept away your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like a mist." Isaiah 44:22 So why am I so rattled with past guilt? Consumed with things that I have given to Him? Things He has forgiven me for.
I believe all things can be used for God's glory. Even my past...my ugly, hurtful past. I am the one caught in the stronghold of guilt, because my Father says "It is I who sweeps away your transgressions for My own sake and remember your sins no more." Isaiah 43:25 You see He says "for My own sake," I believe that is the key to my freedom. The key is knowing my past, however ugly, can still be used to bring glory to His Kingdom. It is me that has to get over the heartache, the disappointment of letting myself and possibly others down. He is faithful to forgive...to renew. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:19
My heart is clean....it is just a matter of getting that through to my head. Satan is sophisticated, He wants me to believe that at some point I am rendered useless to God. I'm learning, however, that is never the case..."Therefore this is what the Lord says, "If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me." Jeremiah 15:19 Once you've repented He has done His part. The rest is up to me.
Overcoming fear is one of the biggest obstacles when stepping out in obedience to serve Him. Fear of the repercussions of sin and the pressures of our society. This is where I'm trying to grow in my faith, learning that "God did not give me a spirit of timidity, but of power and of love and of calm and well balanced mind..."2 Timothy 1:7 He is encouraging me "To be strong, courageous and firm;" reminding me "fear not nor be in terror before them, for it is the Lord your God Who goes with you: He will not fail you or forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6
So I'm learning that I've been forgiven and there is no need to fear. Do I think I need to tell everyone everything? No, but I do think I am called to live a life of transparency. I think often times Christianity is about secrecy and shame and I think that defeats the purpose of my sweet Savior dying on the cross. "We have ALL sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 I think if others could see where some of us were then and where we are now they might like to know more about our Savior. My prayer is that I will learn to see my past as just that...the past. Something to grow from, something to learn from, but something that will no longer render me useless!
"I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Jesus Christ." Philippians 3:13-14
Until next time...
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Embracing Change
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1 I am embarking on a new journey. For the past seven years have taught preschool and loved it! It has been a fun, fun job and very fulfilling. The Lord gave me a safe haven. A place with sweet co-workers and precious children. A place to heal. A place to be a mom to many children. Now, however, I find myself called in a different direction. I believe that season of my life is over. It served it's purpose.
I'm not sure what my new journey entails but I'm excited and content where I am..."I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am." Philippians 4:11 I know that it is the right decision, a little scary, but the right decision, nonetheless. After talking and praying with one of the ministers I felt as if a weight had been lifted. I felt as if God was there closing this door telling me "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for "I" will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
I know that God is preparing me for something more. I'm not sure what that is right now. God's timing is not mine. I will just wait for Him patiently seeking Him "But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." Romans 8:25 I believe my job right now is to delve into His word finding truths for my life. "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given you as well." Matthew 6:33
I look forward to this next chapter in my life knowing He has great plans for me... "For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Until next time...
I'm not sure what my new journey entails but I'm excited and content where I am..."I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am." Philippians 4:11 I know that it is the right decision, a little scary, but the right decision, nonetheless. After talking and praying with one of the ministers I felt as if a weight had been lifted. I felt as if God was there closing this door telling me "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for "I" will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
I know that God is preparing me for something more. I'm not sure what that is right now. God's timing is not mine. I will just wait for Him patiently seeking Him "But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." Romans 8:25 I believe my job right now is to delve into His word finding truths for my life. "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given you as well." Matthew 6:33
I look forward to this next chapter in my life knowing He has great plans for me... "For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Until next time...
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Life to the fullest!
"I beg you…to have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves as if they were locked rooms or books written in a very foreign language. Don’t search for the answers, which could not be given you now, because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps then, someday far in the future, you will gradually, without ever noticing it, live your way into the answer…" - Rainer Maria Rilke
I love poetry and wanted to share this with you. Isn't it true that sometimes we live our lives so focused on finding the answers that we fail to live the beautiful life that has been given to us. I want to embrace life uninhibited by the worries of tomorrow. "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34
I want to live in the moment, focused on loving those that are around me, making the most of the opportunities that I am given. "Make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversations always be full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Colossians 4: 5-6 Who wouldn't want to live a life full of grace, bringing glory to the King of Kings? This is my desire. This is what I am striving for. I haven't fully attained it, but I'm working!! I'm working on seeking out the opportunities and turning trials into triumphs. Enjoying each day. Trying to find beauty in all things and when all else fails I hope to find a reason to laugh! "A joyful heart is good medicine." Proverbs 17:22
I hope you've enjoyed every single minute of your weekend!
Until next time...
Monday, July 26, 2010
Searching for direction
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you." Psalm 32:8 Have you ever been frustrated by your circumstances? Looking for guidances? Exhausted by your situation? That is how I feel right now, but I refuse to give up. I refuse to give in! My Father promises that He will instruct me and teach me and will watch over me all the while.
If I allow myself I will become overwhelmed by things of this world. Some things that are out of my control (and some things that stem from my own disobedience) but, I believe if I am faithful to look to God for guidance and forgiveness He will protect me. In these times of frustration I am thankful that I can just come to Him broken and He helps me in my weakness. "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." Romans 8:26 I'm comforted knowing that He is my best friend, that He understands the groans of my heart better than I do....that He is willing to intercede on my behalf when I am exhausted and don't know what to pray for.
When I am confused and don't trust myself, I take comfort in knowing that my Savior is near. "The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on Him in truth." Psalm 145:18 As I told you before this is journey into freedom. I am old enough and wise enough to realize that every road worth traveling has it rough patches, but I brought you along. I will be transparent in my joys and my heartbreaks.
It is still my belief that my frustrations are an opportunity to bring me closer to my Father. Every time I think of the obstacles I am trying to overcome I am reminded to turn it over to God. "Evening and morning and at noon, I will pray and cry aloud; and He shall hear my voice." Psalm 55: 17 "I may grow weary from my many wanderings, but I will not say "It is useless." because He will rekindle my desire and I will not weaken." Isaiah 57:10. Even as I type this verse I am reminded of my hearts desire...simply to know Him more be closer to Him..."Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." James 4:8
What better time to seek Him than during times of difficulty. I am richly blessed and find it easy to praise Him when things are easy, but what about the difficult times? Do I praise Him and give Him thanks for these times as well? YES!! I choose to be thankful in all things because the "God of hope has filled me with all joy and peace, so that as I trust in Him, I may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 I will look for God in the midst of painful situations and use them to become the person that He wants me to be. I've heard it said that "sometimes God calms the storm; and other times, He lets the storm rage and calms the soul." Whatever the situation I will praise Him....even in the storm. "I'll praise You in this storm, and I will lift my hands : For You are who You are, no matter where I am." Casting Crowns "I will praise You, O lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever." Psalm 86:12
If I allow myself I will become overwhelmed by things of this world. Some things that are out of my control (and some things that stem from my own disobedience) but, I believe if I am faithful to look to God for guidance and forgiveness He will protect me. In these times of frustration I am thankful that I can just come to Him broken and He helps me in my weakness. "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." Romans 8:26 I'm comforted knowing that He is my best friend, that He understands the groans of my heart better than I do....that He is willing to intercede on my behalf when I am exhausted and don't know what to pray for.
When I am confused and don't trust myself, I take comfort in knowing that my Savior is near. "The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on Him in truth." Psalm 145:18 As I told you before this is journey into freedom. I am old enough and wise enough to realize that every road worth traveling has it rough patches, but I brought you along. I will be transparent in my joys and my heartbreaks.
It is still my belief that my frustrations are an opportunity to bring me closer to my Father. Every time I think of the obstacles I am trying to overcome I am reminded to turn it over to God. "Evening and morning and at noon, I will pray and cry aloud; and He shall hear my voice." Psalm 55: 17 "I may grow weary from my many wanderings, but I will not say "It is useless." because He will rekindle my desire and I will not weaken." Isaiah 57:10. Even as I type this verse I am reminded of my hearts desire...simply to know Him more be closer to Him..."Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." James 4:8
What better time to seek Him than during times of difficulty. I am richly blessed and find it easy to praise Him when things are easy, but what about the difficult times? Do I praise Him and give Him thanks for these times as well? YES!! I choose to be thankful in all things because the "God of hope has filled me with all joy and peace, so that as I trust in Him, I may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 I will look for God in the midst of painful situations and use them to become the person that He wants me to be. I've heard it said that "sometimes God calms the storm; and other times, He lets the storm rage and calms the soul." Whatever the situation I will praise Him....even in the storm. "I'll praise You in this storm, and I will lift my hands : For You are who You are, no matter where I am." Casting Crowns "I will praise You, O lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever." Psalm 86:12
Until next time...
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