Saturday, April 15, 2017
Because He Lives
This has been one of those weeks where I have met myself coming. Today is my decompress day, and though I had a million things on my list to get done today, I have taken the rare opportunity to mark some things for later and go on. And I can....The Bible tells me so:
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28.
When I am sitting in my quiet time and being diverted from my real purpose of being there by all this stuff I have to do, I truly hear Him whisper, "What you do for Me today is more important than any of that stuff", and similar to what I tell my own Sunday School student, "I would rather you be a happy, rested, Christian, with a house that isn't perfect, than a grumpy Christian who is tired, but has a clean house." Some things are being put by the wayside....
It has been a crazy week and one of those marked up to "I can't believe I get to do this job". Tuesday, I and a cohort took the train to Chicago to go to a meeting in Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower). Wednesday I went to a Homeless Summit. Thursday, I took my mom to the doctor, then went to another office to work on computers; and yesterday, she and I went grocery shopping. It has been a busy week, and today I am home. Tomorrow is Easter Sunday, so I do have some preparing and practicing to do for that. And yes, my dishes will still get done, as well as the laundry, but I'm not digging into deep cleaning the bathrooms as was originally the plan.
I am trying to plan music for tomorrow's services and all week Because He Lives has been running through my mind. It is apparently my Easter them song this year, but that song holds so much truth.
In Mark 16:6, we read, " Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.
Do you ever read a book and then go see the movie of the same book? I have a very hard time doing this, as that movie in my head is almost always better than someone else produced. So, when I think about the fact that Jesus hung on a cross, and suffered the death He did, I imagine what must have been going through his mind. I wonder as Jesus hung on the cross, what He saw when He saw me? I realize in such deep wonderment, that everything that was in my future was scrolling before Him, as it was with all of His other children. That, my friend, is humbling. It is even more humbling when I can hear that whisper of Him saying, "You were worth it".
Through our lives, we hit snags where it feels like nothing is going right, we get in those pits where we feel nobody values us, or that we have made too many mistakes and wrong turns, and that we can't do anything right.
He is still whispering, "You were worth it".
He did this so you could have this life, make those mistakes, have those feelings, and then turn to Him, and say, "I need some rest", and He will give you perfect rest.
John 14:19 says:
"Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live."
Because I live, you also will live.
Because He Lives.
I wish all of you the happiest of days, hopefully in deep realization of what Christ really did for you, and me, that day He suffered death on the cross.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28.
When I am sitting in my quiet time and being diverted from my real purpose of being there by all this stuff I have to do, I truly hear Him whisper, "What you do for Me today is more important than any of that stuff", and similar to what I tell my own Sunday School student, "I would rather you be a happy, rested, Christian, with a house that isn't perfect, than a grumpy Christian who is tired, but has a clean house." Some things are being put by the wayside....
It has been a crazy week and one of those marked up to "I can't believe I get to do this job". Tuesday, I and a cohort took the train to Chicago to go to a meeting in Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower). Wednesday I went to a Homeless Summit. Thursday, I took my mom to the doctor, then went to another office to work on computers; and yesterday, she and I went grocery shopping. It has been a busy week, and today I am home. Tomorrow is Easter Sunday, so I do have some preparing and practicing to do for that. And yes, my dishes will still get done, as well as the laundry, but I'm not digging into deep cleaning the bathrooms as was originally the plan.
I am trying to plan music for tomorrow's services and all week Because He Lives has been running through my mind. It is apparently my Easter them song this year, but that song holds so much truth.
In Mark 16:6, we read, " Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.
Do you ever read a book and then go see the movie of the same book? I have a very hard time doing this, as that movie in my head is almost always better than someone else produced. So, when I think about the fact that Jesus hung on a cross, and suffered the death He did, I imagine what must have been going through his mind. I wonder as Jesus hung on the cross, what He saw when He saw me? I realize in such deep wonderment, that everything that was in my future was scrolling before Him, as it was with all of His other children. That, my friend, is humbling. It is even more humbling when I can hear that whisper of Him saying, "You were worth it".
Through our lives, we hit snags where it feels like nothing is going right, we get in those pits where we feel nobody values us, or that we have made too many mistakes and wrong turns, and that we can't do anything right.
He is still whispering, "You were worth it".
He did this so you could have this life, make those mistakes, have those feelings, and then turn to Him, and say, "I need some rest", and He will give you perfect rest.
John 14:19 says:
"Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live."
Because I live, you also will live.
Because He Lives.
I wish all of you the happiest of days, hopefully in deep realization of what Christ really did for you, and me, that day He suffered death on the cross.
Saturday, April 8, 2017
Preparing for a Giant
As I continue on my trek through the Bible, I came to David and Goliath this week. As always, when I read through the Bible, God points out different things to me. I find it funny that I can read a regular book over and over and I read the same story. The Bible is very different though, and I feel God points out things to us as we need them in our lives.
We have all heard the story of David and Goliath. Little, humble boy; big. egotistical giant. 5 stones and a slingshot. But going to quickly point out some things God impressed on me.
The whole story is in 1 Samuel 17, if you want a refresher. I am just going to point out a few verses. We all know that David's three older brothers were actually the ones who had went to war against the Philistines. David was sent by his dad to take food to those men. When David got there, he found that there had basically been a 40-day standoff. Goliath would come up and say, send someone down to me, whoever wins, the others will be their servants. Can you imagine, looking across the yard for 40 days, wondering if this is ever going to end, and if it does, is it going to end badly for you?
So, here was David, this young man, looking at the situation. I am going to back up here for a minute and tell you that several years ago, we learned that the part of your brain that tells you something is really dangerous doesn't develop fully until you are around 25. I think God used that fact on David that day. He wasn't thinking about being afraid, he was thinking about solving the problem. So, he basically said, "I will go do this!" King Saul basically told him he couldn't do it, he was not able. David told of killing both a lion and a bear to protect his sheep, yes, he could do this. Saul finally agreed but wanted to prepare him, to armor him up. When David tried to wear Saul's armor, it was big, and clunky, and truly just made David slower. David took all of this off, went and got some stones, used his slingshot and shall we say, the rest is history.
I have to tell you, I have had a lot of times of doubting myself this week. I am in one of those points at work where God tells me every morning, "Let's go do this!" and by the middle of the afternoon, the Devil is laughing and saying, " who do you think you are?" I so needed to hear about David and Goliath this week. I needed God to say to me, "Look what happens when you are trusting in Me".
Most of the time, I have it in my head, exactly why God is wanting me to put something here. Today, I am not really sure if He wants me to tell you about David and Goliath, or if He wants me to tell you to listen to Him, He will give you what you need. The world may think you need tons of armor to go fight your battle. God says you only need Him.
I am making this short for today, I leave in a couple of hours to go spend time with two of my favorite people. When David was asking what the king would give the person who slayed Goliath, there was a laundry list of stuff. I have known all week, my reward for making it to today was seeing Dani and Tammy. I get a few hours of that deep-down soul cleansing friendship that comes from knowing each other for basically forever. Thank you, Lord for getting me through this week!
I am leaving you with Mandisa's Overcomer. I have had this song on my mind a lot this week and listened to it several times. I can't find where I have used it on the blog before, but if I have, that's okay. Maybe you needed it today too!
Happy Saturday! Have a great week!
We have all heard the story of David and Goliath. Little, humble boy; big. egotistical giant. 5 stones and a slingshot. But going to quickly point out some things God impressed on me.
The whole story is in 1 Samuel 17, if you want a refresher. I am just going to point out a few verses. We all know that David's three older brothers were actually the ones who had went to war against the Philistines. David was sent by his dad to take food to those men. When David got there, he found that there had basically been a 40-day standoff. Goliath would come up and say, send someone down to me, whoever wins, the others will be their servants. Can you imagine, looking across the yard for 40 days, wondering if this is ever going to end, and if it does, is it going to end badly for you?
So, here was David, this young man, looking at the situation. I am going to back up here for a minute and tell you that several years ago, we learned that the part of your brain that tells you something is really dangerous doesn't develop fully until you are around 25. I think God used that fact on David that day. He wasn't thinking about being afraid, he was thinking about solving the problem. So, he basically said, "I will go do this!" King Saul basically told him he couldn't do it, he was not able. David told of killing both a lion and a bear to protect his sheep, yes, he could do this. Saul finally agreed but wanted to prepare him, to armor him up. When David tried to wear Saul's armor, it was big, and clunky, and truly just made David slower. David took all of this off, went and got some stones, used his slingshot and shall we say, the rest is history.
I have to tell you, I have had a lot of times of doubting myself this week. I am in one of those points at work where God tells me every morning, "Let's go do this!" and by the middle of the afternoon, the Devil is laughing and saying, " who do you think you are?" I so needed to hear about David and Goliath this week. I needed God to say to me, "Look what happens when you are trusting in Me".
Most of the time, I have it in my head, exactly why God is wanting me to put something here. Today, I am not really sure if He wants me to tell you about David and Goliath, or if He wants me to tell you to listen to Him, He will give you what you need. The world may think you need tons of armor to go fight your battle. God says you only need Him.
I am making this short for today, I leave in a couple of hours to go spend time with two of my favorite people. When David was asking what the king would give the person who slayed Goliath, there was a laundry list of stuff. I have known all week, my reward for making it to today was seeing Dani and Tammy. I get a few hours of that deep-down soul cleansing friendship that comes from knowing each other for basically forever. Thank you, Lord for getting me through this week!
I am leaving you with Mandisa's Overcomer. I have had this song on my mind a lot this week and listened to it several times. I can't find where I have used it on the blog before, but if I have, that's okay. Maybe you needed it today too!
Happy Saturday! Have a great week!
Saturday, April 1, 2017
Five Good Things
This has been a week. I am so very grateful it is in the books, but hectic really doesn't do the reality justice. We have had things going on at work, atypical to normal problems, but things that need dealt with. Things that have to happen in order for us to keep growing as an agency. Tuesday, I had my hands on a total of 31 computers in one day, I think that was a new record. 2 of them took me down. 1 of those two, I have no clue as to why. I have some studying in my future, to say the least.
This is week number 2 of the musical I am playing flute for at Robinson, and it was the week of the High School musical here in Newton. As I was looking at a list musicals done at the high school, I realized I think I have only missed 4 or 5 of the forty some-odd number listed. 4 of them I went to because my sister was in them. 4 of them, because I was in ( really 3, but I worked on the 4th, just wasn't on the stage) and 4 of them because Robert was in. I love that legacy.....Roots and Wings.
On Thursday night, I left work at 6, picked my mom up, picked my husband up and made it to the high school by 7. Just a little plug here, if you live anywhere close and have not seen The Little Mermaid......you need to see this. It is awesome, the acting, the sets, and the wardrobe are all just astounding. Lots of amazing kids in this too, the chef, who is just "a little" over the top (and fantastic at it) is my Sunday School student. I just sit in awe of the talent God gives people.
As I was on my way to Mom's Thursday night, I was running through everything that had been going on and everything I needed to do, and seriously laughed out loud, and though a couple of my co-workers who were in what felt like a boiling pot with me may not think it is funny, I am just a little amazed at the things God has put me in the middle of. I truly had a "count your blessings" session, and it was good.
When I still worked in AWANA, we had 4 high school boys. These boys were also 3 of Robert's best friends, so our relationship went far beyond Wednesday nights. I knew these boys and I knew their lives. On Wednesday evening I was often met with all of the bad things, or hectic things going on. Why do we, as humans, tend to be able to share bad so much easier than good? I started a little time frame in our evening where each one of them had to tell me 5 good things that had happened since the last week. It changed the atmosphere of the evening.
So, today, I decided, I have so much I want to get done and so little time to do it, I would change my atmosphere. I came up with 5 good things that are in my life right now.
1. My community. I absolutely should be the Poster child for our town's motto: Catch the Spirit; Live the Dream. We seem to take some blows, as do all communities, there have been things happen, but as I was coming back into town last night a little after 10, I was greeted with the square being lit up in blue lights. April is Autism Awareness month, and we go big here. We have a foundation that was started out of the devastating loss of a community citizen. He had two daughters with Autism. His sister-in-law, with the help of many of her friends started a foundation that helps families who have autistic members. I love this. We also have a counseling center that works with special needs children, a lot of work is done with autistic children there as well. Our little county.....doing big things for Autism.
2. Supper, at 10:30....a real live, carb-loaded, comfort food, sleep like a baby afterwards, hot supper. I texted Andrew as I was leaving Robinson and asked if he happened to fix supper. Yes, he had, home made mac and cheese, baked beans, and he and Robert had pork burgers and he was ready to fix me one too if I wanted. I hadn't ate since lunch....I wanted. I love that Andrew is willing to fill in the gaps when I have things I want to do. He doesn't make me feel guilty (I do that myself sometimes, but it is truly just me).
3. Good young people. As I mentioned, the play here in Newton is just phenomenal. Those kids have worked so hard, doing something they enjoy doing but nonetheless, putting in lots of hours and juggling school, other activities, and sometimes even a job in there. I am seeing the same thing out of so many of the school-aged kids in the cast at Robinson, as well as one of our pit members. These kids are learning young, the value of hard work, doing something you love, and all the rewards that go with that. These are kids that will grow up to be the ones to get the job done, and the ones that I believe have a good grasp on our future.
4. Personal and Professional growth. I have gotten to incorporate some things I have wanted to do for quite a while, and it was met from both my boss and the ones I supervise with positive notes. That pretty well made for a good week, no matter what the other madness going on. I have to say though, we have had some pretty major changes at work this week, definitely a point of growth. It hasn't been easy, but there have been parts that went better than expected, and of course, parts that didn't go as expected, but we survived, and it is one of those things that I venture a guess that when we even look back in a month, it will be decided it really did go well.
5. I love my job, everyone knows this, but this week, I was really glad it was time to go home, not only call it a day, but last night, at 4, we called it a week, and it was time to go home. I was only here for a few minutes, giving me time to change gears, and get ready for last night. I love home. I love my house, even when it is not as clean as it should be, or even in need of a handyman (glad I have one, and not really sad that he is too busy to fix some things here right now, lol) but as much as I love my home, weeks like this also make me dream a little of my real home. That one that is always perfect, always clean, never in need of repair. The one Jesus went to prepare for me. For ME.
I love that we have the ability to spend time with Him right here on earth and that a few minutes in silent communion with Him can make the whole world feel different but there is part of me that longs for that day when everything is perfect....and calm.......and right.
John 14:3 says: And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
Yes, that will be a blessed day. But until that day comes, I thank the Lord that He sent us a comforter.
Psalms 118:24 says, "This is the day that the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."
So much to be thankful for; good things the Lord has put in our lives, even when other things are not so right.
I challenge you today to find your 5 things. It truly does change your perspective and gets your day going with just a little more oomph.
One of the many songs that I love about Heaven is this one from Chris Tomlin.
Happy Saturday everyone!
This is week number 2 of the musical I am playing flute for at Robinson, and it was the week of the High School musical here in Newton. As I was looking at a list musicals done at the high school, I realized I think I have only missed 4 or 5 of the forty some-odd number listed. 4 of them I went to because my sister was in them. 4 of them, because I was in ( really 3, but I worked on the 4th, just wasn't on the stage) and 4 of them because Robert was in. I love that legacy.....Roots and Wings.
On Thursday night, I left work at 6, picked my mom up, picked my husband up and made it to the high school by 7. Just a little plug here, if you live anywhere close and have not seen The Little Mermaid......you need to see this. It is awesome, the acting, the sets, and the wardrobe are all just astounding. Lots of amazing kids in this too, the chef, who is just "a little" over the top (and fantastic at it) is my Sunday School student. I just sit in awe of the talent God gives people.
As I was on my way to Mom's Thursday night, I was running through everything that had been going on and everything I needed to do, and seriously laughed out loud, and though a couple of my co-workers who were in what felt like a boiling pot with me may not think it is funny, I am just a little amazed at the things God has put me in the middle of. I truly had a "count your blessings" session, and it was good.
When I still worked in AWANA, we had 4 high school boys. These boys were also 3 of Robert's best friends, so our relationship went far beyond Wednesday nights. I knew these boys and I knew their lives. On Wednesday evening I was often met with all of the bad things, or hectic things going on. Why do we, as humans, tend to be able to share bad so much easier than good? I started a little time frame in our evening where each one of them had to tell me 5 good things that had happened since the last week. It changed the atmosphere of the evening.
So, today, I decided, I have so much I want to get done and so little time to do it, I would change my atmosphere. I came up with 5 good things that are in my life right now.
1. My community. I absolutely should be the Poster child for our town's motto: Catch the Spirit; Live the Dream. We seem to take some blows, as do all communities, there have been things happen, but as I was coming back into town last night a little after 10, I was greeted with the square being lit up in blue lights. April is Autism Awareness month, and we go big here. We have a foundation that was started out of the devastating loss of a community citizen. He had two daughters with Autism. His sister-in-law, with the help of many of her friends started a foundation that helps families who have autistic members. I love this. We also have a counseling center that works with special needs children, a lot of work is done with autistic children there as well. Our little county.....doing big things for Autism.
2. Supper, at 10:30....a real live, carb-loaded, comfort food, sleep like a baby afterwards, hot supper. I texted Andrew as I was leaving Robinson and asked if he happened to fix supper. Yes, he had, home made mac and cheese, baked beans, and he and Robert had pork burgers and he was ready to fix me one too if I wanted. I hadn't ate since lunch....I wanted. I love that Andrew is willing to fill in the gaps when I have things I want to do. He doesn't make me feel guilty (I do that myself sometimes, but it is truly just me).
3. Good young people. As I mentioned, the play here in Newton is just phenomenal. Those kids have worked so hard, doing something they enjoy doing but nonetheless, putting in lots of hours and juggling school, other activities, and sometimes even a job in there. I am seeing the same thing out of so many of the school-aged kids in the cast at Robinson, as well as one of our pit members. These kids are learning young, the value of hard work, doing something you love, and all the rewards that go with that. These are kids that will grow up to be the ones to get the job done, and the ones that I believe have a good grasp on our future.
4. Personal and Professional growth. I have gotten to incorporate some things I have wanted to do for quite a while, and it was met from both my boss and the ones I supervise with positive notes. That pretty well made for a good week, no matter what the other madness going on. I have to say though, we have had some pretty major changes at work this week, definitely a point of growth. It hasn't been easy, but there have been parts that went better than expected, and of course, parts that didn't go as expected, but we survived, and it is one of those things that I venture a guess that when we even look back in a month, it will be decided it really did go well.
5. I love my job, everyone knows this, but this week, I was really glad it was time to go home, not only call it a day, but last night, at 4, we called it a week, and it was time to go home. I was only here for a few minutes, giving me time to change gears, and get ready for last night. I love home. I love my house, even when it is not as clean as it should be, or even in need of a handyman (glad I have one, and not really sad that he is too busy to fix some things here right now, lol) but as much as I love my home, weeks like this also make me dream a little of my real home. That one that is always perfect, always clean, never in need of repair. The one Jesus went to prepare for me. For ME.
I love that we have the ability to spend time with Him right here on earth and that a few minutes in silent communion with Him can make the whole world feel different but there is part of me that longs for that day when everything is perfect....and calm.......and right.
John 14:3 says: And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
Yes, that will be a blessed day. But until that day comes, I thank the Lord that He sent us a comforter.
Psalms 118:24 says, "This is the day that the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."
So much to be thankful for; good things the Lord has put in our lives, even when other things are not so right.
I challenge you today to find your 5 things. It truly does change your perspective and gets your day going with just a little more oomph.
One of the many songs that I love about Heaven is this one from Chris Tomlin.
Happy Saturday everyone!
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