Christmas is in 11 days! There are Christmas-y things to do! Like going to see Christmas lights. Going to church Christmas events like musicals/dramas. Decorating the house with Christmas tree, lights (oh wait, we haven't put up our lights yet...), house decorations. Going shopping. Baking cookies. Wrapping presents. Decorating. Visiting family. Get ready to cook for Christmas Dinner. Cook Christmas Dinner. Clean up after Christmas Dinner :( But wait...among all of the things to do what's the one thing we should be most pressed to do?
It's the same thing we should be doing year round! It's...thanking Jesus for coming as a baby! Thank God for sending Him! Thank the Holy Spirit for being with Him during His time here in ministry! Thank you GOD for Jesus! Jesus is the reason for this season means more than just a beautiful slogan. He really is the reason this holiday even exists!
It's in memory of the beginning of His time here on earth as all man and God at the same time. We cap our celebration of Jesus' ministry while on earth with Easter. So, Christmas is the first celebration in memory of Jesus' ministry and Easter is the second celebration in memory of Jesus' ministry. Christmas is my most favorite time of year! I love all of the celebratory things that we do but, it's so important that we remember why we celebrate it in the first place! So, Happy Birthday Jesus!
.......................................
Thank you for reading all of my Thought's of Days in 2014! I may post at least another one before the end of the year, but just in case I get too busy (which we're all pretty busy this time of year) I want to say thanks! Love you! Praying for all of you my dear friends!!! May God continue to bless all of you & Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!
Sunday, December 14, 2014
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Building or Tearing Down?
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ’Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:1-5 (ESV)
It’s really easy to point out the faults in others, isn’t it? There are hidden lists of faults of people in our personal lives tucked away in our hearts and minds. The minute one of them messes up we quickly add their blunder to their list of faults. These lists of past blunders can sometimes be added up and then we have several blunders we keep holding on to for years and years. The purpose of building these lists of faults is due to the unwillingness to forgive and let go. What we do is use these lists of faults (usually during a heated “discussion”) against them. The list of past offenses and or faults starts to fly out of our mouths faster than anyone can blink. That’s when words like “always,” or “never,” or “here we go,” are used.
These words, among many other negative words can quickly become harmful. We neglect to realize that these words can tear down instead of build up a person. Our need to win, or to prove that we are right at any cost can quickly cost us the closeness of the relationship we have with the other person. We tend to forget that God is paying close attention to how we are managing our “discussions.” We do however notice when our feelings get hurt. The words that are told to us, that is if the other person is willing to say anything at all back to us, are the ones that we tend to focus on more. Why is that?
Are any of us free of any faults? No. Are any of us willing to admit that having to always be right or the need to win a “discussion” is a fault in and of itself? What did Jesus mean in Matthew 7:1-5? Is it that we can’t point out anyone’s faults at all? No. We can but, we need to first look at ourselves, really look at ourselves with the same type of measurement or expectation we have for everyone else. Let’s build up our loved ones instead of tearing them down. ‘“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.’” John 13:34-35
It’s really easy to point out the faults in others, isn’t it? There are hidden lists of faults of people in our personal lives tucked away in our hearts and minds. The minute one of them messes up we quickly add their blunder to their list of faults. These lists of past blunders can sometimes be added up and then we have several blunders we keep holding on to for years and years. The purpose of building these lists of faults is due to the unwillingness to forgive and let go. What we do is use these lists of faults (usually during a heated “discussion”) against them. The list of past offenses and or faults starts to fly out of our mouths faster than anyone can blink. That’s when words like “always,” or “never,” or “here we go,” are used.
These words, among many other negative words can quickly become harmful. We neglect to realize that these words can tear down instead of build up a person. Our need to win, or to prove that we are right at any cost can quickly cost us the closeness of the relationship we have with the other person. We tend to forget that God is paying close attention to how we are managing our “discussions.” We do however notice when our feelings get hurt. The words that are told to us, that is if the other person is willing to say anything at all back to us, are the ones that we tend to focus on more. Why is that?
Are any of us free of any faults? No. Are any of us willing to admit that having to always be right or the need to win a “discussion” is a fault in and of itself? What did Jesus mean in Matthew 7:1-5? Is it that we can’t point out anyone’s faults at all? No. We can but, we need to first look at ourselves, really look at ourselves with the same type of measurement or expectation we have for everyone else. Let’s build up our loved ones instead of tearing them down. ‘“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.’” John 13:34-35
Monday, November 3, 2014
Really?
"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes." Matthew 6:34 (MSG Bible)
"Really?"
Okay, I don't know about you, my dear friends, but I'm in a state of shock here. Is the year really almost over!!! It's November!!! What! Really???
Our youngest the other day happily said this to me, "Mom, in about a month and a half it's Christmas! I can't wait!" The look on my face surprised him. I was shocked. I just didn't put the math together. December 25th is quickly approaching which means that the New Year is quickly approaching too! Really?
I pretty sure I'm not the only one in the world that's shocked by how fast the clock seems to be ticking. Time seems to disappear. Our way of life not just here in the States but in most of the world has changed dramatically in just the last twenty years. Everyone seems to be busy all of the time. "Down time" is quickly becoming a thing of the past. Who has time to stop and take it easy?
It seems as though every other person I speak to is so busy. They're exhausted almost all of the time. When I suggest they take it easy they look at me like my son did. Like I'm clueless. I live in this world too. I know how stressful life can get. I know that there are "twenty-million things to do" just about all of the time.
Thing is, I have had to learn how to slow it down. I'm easy going by nature so it wasn't too difficult for me to learn how to slow down but, I did have to work at it, still do. It's all in our perspective. If we look at our lives as a never-ending-to-do-list then that is exactly what it will be. But, if we look at our lives as something precious, a gift that had a start date (our birthday) but an end date was not given then that's what our lives will be, a precious gift.
We know our birthdays but we do not know when our last day on this earth will be. I'm actually thankful that I don't know. Life would seem too sad. Every day would be one day closer to the end. No, I'm happy not knowing but, I also know that I shouldn't live as if there is no tomorrow. That means that I can take today for granted and expect a tomorrow. That is also not a good way to live.
The Bible teaches us to live our lives one day at a time. Sound familiar? We know it in our heads that we need to enjoy every day that we are given. We know in our heads that we need to stop and smell the roses. But, do we know it in our hearts? Are our hearts and mind connected to the fact that every day well lived is a day lived well? Does that make sense? What I'm trying to say is it's one thing to know and its another to live it out.
"Really?"
Okay, I don't know about you, my dear friends, but I'm in a state of shock here. Is the year really almost over!!! It's November!!! What! Really???
Our youngest the other day happily said this to me, "Mom, in about a month and a half it's Christmas! I can't wait!" The look on my face surprised him. I was shocked. I just didn't put the math together. December 25th is quickly approaching which means that the New Year is quickly approaching too! Really?
I pretty sure I'm not the only one in the world that's shocked by how fast the clock seems to be ticking. Time seems to disappear. Our way of life not just here in the States but in most of the world has changed dramatically in just the last twenty years. Everyone seems to be busy all of the time. "Down time" is quickly becoming a thing of the past. Who has time to stop and take it easy?
It seems as though every other person I speak to is so busy. They're exhausted almost all of the time. When I suggest they take it easy they look at me like my son did. Like I'm clueless. I live in this world too. I know how stressful life can get. I know that there are "twenty-million things to do" just about all of the time.
Thing is, I have had to learn how to slow it down. I'm easy going by nature so it wasn't too difficult for me to learn how to slow down but, I did have to work at it, still do. It's all in our perspective. If we look at our lives as a never-ending-to-do-list then that is exactly what it will be. But, if we look at our lives as something precious, a gift that had a start date (our birthday) but an end date was not given then that's what our lives will be, a precious gift.
We know our birthdays but we do not know when our last day on this earth will be. I'm actually thankful that I don't know. Life would seem too sad. Every day would be one day closer to the end. No, I'm happy not knowing but, I also know that I shouldn't live as if there is no tomorrow. That means that I can take today for granted and expect a tomorrow. That is also not a good way to live.
The Bible teaches us to live our lives one day at a time. Sound familiar? We know it in our heads that we need to enjoy every day that we are given. We know in our heads that we need to stop and smell the roses. But, do we know it in our hearts? Are our hearts and mind connected to the fact that every day well lived is a day lived well? Does that make sense? What I'm trying to say is it's one thing to know and its another to live it out.
Monday, October 20, 2014
News!
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:33-34
It seems as though more and more people are worried about the world these days. There's a whole lot going on everywhere. The world is pretty chaotic but, we need to remember that what is on the news does not surprise God. We may be shocked with the news but God knows all things. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Turn to His Word before you turn to the news. It's what helps us to stay focused on God and the fact that God is our good news, day in and day out!
The following is the whole passage on worry:
"25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[e]?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:25-34 (NIV)
It seems as though more and more people are worried about the world these days. There's a whole lot going on everywhere. The world is pretty chaotic but, we need to remember that what is on the news does not surprise God. We may be shocked with the news but God knows all things. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Turn to His Word before you turn to the news. It's what helps us to stay focused on God and the fact that God is our good news, day in and day out!
The following is the whole passage on worry:
"25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[e]?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:25-34 (NIV)
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
“I Disagree!”
How frustrating it is to have disagreements! A disagreement can lead to even more disagreements if they are not dealt with. If things are never cleared up what happens next? A lot of the times what happens is that the relationship will break. How many friendships have broken up because of disagreements? How many marriages have ended in divorce because of disagreements? How many families have suffered because of disagreements?
Sometimes all it takes to clear up a disagreement is to talk about it with the other person. Listening to the other person and having them listen to you can do wonders! The key is to talk not argue. Something else is needed to clear a disagreement…forgiveness. The ability to forgive is not always easy but doable. The only way really to forgive another is to ask the Lord to help us forgive and to help us let the hurt go which is the “forget” part that we hear people say all of the time…”forgive and forget.” Another key part in clearing up a disagreement is time. We need to be willing to give each other time to sit and talk things through…time to forgive and heal (“forget”) and time to let time do its thing. “Time heals all wounds,” to a certain point I agree but healing, true healing can only happen if the truth was stated which is what is needed to clear up a disagreement.
There’s an example of Paul and Barnabas in the Bible having a disagreement. When they were planning out their second missionary trip Barnabas told Paul that he wanted to take John (also known as Mark) and Paul disagreed. Their disagreement was so bad they went their separate ways!
Acts 15:36-41, “Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.”
It’s amazing to me that these two men of God had such a “sharp disagreement.” They had gone through a lot together and accomplished a lot. Even though they had such a great history together they could not see eye to eye on the issue of John. Paul didn’t want to risk being abandoned by John again whereas Barnabas wanted to give him another chance. Barnabas ended up going on a separate mission trip with John. Can you imagine how John must have felt? It was because of his decision to leave Pamphylia when the circumstances grew difficult that changed Paul’s mind of him. He no longer believed that John had what it took to be a dependable missionary.
Thankfully the story doesn’t end there. Years later while Paul was under house arrest in Rome he wrote a letter to Timothy and in it he mentions John Mark. 2 Timothy 4:11, “Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.” In Philemon 1:23-24 Paul mentions Mark’s name too, “Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow workers.”
Disagreements will occur. Reconciliations can follow if we allow them. As we see in Paul’s case he gave Mark another chance. My dear friend I know firsthand how much a disagreement can cause discord, hurt, and or frustration. I’ve had situations where reconciliation never occurred, relationships were broken and hurts took longer to heal from. I also know that when there is reconciliation the problem is resolved and the relationship can grow and blossom into what the Lord would want it to. So, like Paul, we too should give another chance and resolve the problems through prayer. If the Lord’s will is for the two parties to split then that’s what needs to happen.
Sometimes all it takes to clear up a disagreement is to talk about it with the other person. Listening to the other person and having them listen to you can do wonders! The key is to talk not argue. Something else is needed to clear a disagreement…forgiveness. The ability to forgive is not always easy but doable. The only way really to forgive another is to ask the Lord to help us forgive and to help us let the hurt go which is the “forget” part that we hear people say all of the time…”forgive and forget.” Another key part in clearing up a disagreement is time. We need to be willing to give each other time to sit and talk things through…time to forgive and heal (“forget”) and time to let time do its thing. “Time heals all wounds,” to a certain point I agree but healing, true healing can only happen if the truth was stated which is what is needed to clear up a disagreement.
There’s an example of Paul and Barnabas in the Bible having a disagreement. When they were planning out their second missionary trip Barnabas told Paul that he wanted to take John (also known as Mark) and Paul disagreed. Their disagreement was so bad they went their separate ways!
Acts 15:36-41, “Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.”
It’s amazing to me that these two men of God had such a “sharp disagreement.” They had gone through a lot together and accomplished a lot. Even though they had such a great history together they could not see eye to eye on the issue of John. Paul didn’t want to risk being abandoned by John again whereas Barnabas wanted to give him another chance. Barnabas ended up going on a separate mission trip with John. Can you imagine how John must have felt? It was because of his decision to leave Pamphylia when the circumstances grew difficult that changed Paul’s mind of him. He no longer believed that John had what it took to be a dependable missionary.
Thankfully the story doesn’t end there. Years later while Paul was under house arrest in Rome he wrote a letter to Timothy and in it he mentions John Mark. 2 Timothy 4:11, “Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.” In Philemon 1:23-24 Paul mentions Mark’s name too, “Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow workers.”
Disagreements will occur. Reconciliations can follow if we allow them. As we see in Paul’s case he gave Mark another chance. My dear friend I know firsthand how much a disagreement can cause discord, hurt, and or frustration. I’ve had situations where reconciliation never occurred, relationships were broken and hurts took longer to heal from. I also know that when there is reconciliation the problem is resolved and the relationship can grow and blossom into what the Lord would want it to. So, like Paul, we too should give another chance and resolve the problems through prayer. If the Lord’s will is for the two parties to split then that’s what needs to happen.
Busy!
It's hard to believe how the busyness of life can truly keep you from doing what you really want and know you need to do! You know how it is. You set goals, you decide wholeheartedly that you're going to do it and then WHAM! Life happens. Thing is this is what happens a lot, to a lot of us, a lot of the time! What to do? Pray! That's what I do. I ask the Lord to please help me not get overwhelmed with this gift called life that He has given to me. Yes, it's tough. Yes, I get tired too but, I don't complain about how busy I am anymore. I've learned (and am still learning) how to see my life through the lenses that Christ offers to me everyday.
The Holy Spirit guides me into seeing my life more clearly. Instead of focusing on the negative I focus on the positive. Instead of getting frustrated I stop and praise the Lord for the bountiful blessings He has given to me. Perspective is key. It's all about how you look at life.
So, now as I write this to you I have a "million" things to do and I know that the end of day is coming soon so, that means that most of these "million" things are not going to get done. But, instead of allowing stress to settle in I take a deep breath, close my eyes and focus on God. I say words of praise to God. I'll sing or I'll smile and thank God for my life. "This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us be full of joy and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24 (NLV)
The Holy Spirit guides me into seeing my life more clearly. Instead of focusing on the negative I focus on the positive. Instead of getting frustrated I stop and praise the Lord for the bountiful blessings He has given to me. Perspective is key. It's all about how you look at life.
So, now as I write this to you I have a "million" things to do and I know that the end of day is coming soon so, that means that most of these "million" things are not going to get done. But, instead of allowing stress to settle in I take a deep breath, close my eyes and focus on God. I say words of praise to God. I'll sing or I'll smile and thank God for my life. "This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us be full of joy and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24 (NLV)
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Want
"Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV)
As I was working this morning I thought of something. You know how you can play with words? You know, use the same words but in different order? For example, you can say "Good Morning again," but now if you use the same words in a different order it changes the meaning a little. "Again, good morning," it has like a sarcastic flair to it. Same is true with these words, "I want God," and "God I want." See? Two different meanings even though they're the same words.
With the "I want God," one it means that you want God. The word "want" (according to Dictionary.com) used as a verb and with an object means "to feel a need or desire for; wish for...need, crave, demand, or desire." So, these three words used in this format, "I want God" can mean that God is needed, desired and or craved. The meaning of these three words changes in the second example. With "God I want," the use of the word "want" is now different. The word "want" (again, according to Dictionary.com) used as a verb and without object means "...wish; like (often followed by to)...to feel or have a need (sometimes followed by for)."
Which way do you use these three words most? Do you usually say, "I want God" or do you usually say "God I want?" Can we be honest here? Don't we tend to use "God I want" more. We have various needs, wants, desires, for others as well as for ourselves, that we go to God with in our prayer time. It is important to stop and remember to also want God, more of God. To desire a deeper more meaningful relationship with God daily. Not just the needs and or desires met but more importantly our spiritual lives fed and nurtured by the ONE and ONLY too. How about you my dear friends? Do you feel the same?
As I was working this morning I thought of something. You know how you can play with words? You know, use the same words but in different order? For example, you can say "Good Morning again," but now if you use the same words in a different order it changes the meaning a little. "Again, good morning," it has like a sarcastic flair to it. Same is true with these words, "I want God," and "God I want." See? Two different meanings even though they're the same words.
With the "I want God," one it means that you want God. The word "want" (according to Dictionary.com) used as a verb and with an object means "to feel a need or desire for; wish for...need, crave, demand, or desire." So, these three words used in this format, "I want God" can mean that God is needed, desired and or craved. The meaning of these three words changes in the second example. With "God I want," the use of the word "want" is now different. The word "want" (again, according to Dictionary.com) used as a verb and without object means "...wish; like (often followed by to)...to feel or have a need (sometimes followed by for)."
Which way do you use these three words most? Do you usually say, "I want God" or do you usually say "God I want?" Can we be honest here? Don't we tend to use "God I want" more. We have various needs, wants, desires, for others as well as for ourselves, that we go to God with in our prayer time. It is important to stop and remember to also want God, more of God. To desire a deeper more meaningful relationship with God daily. Not just the needs and or desires met but more importantly our spiritual lives fed and nurtured by the ONE and ONLY too. How about you my dear friends? Do you feel the same?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)