Stumbled across this tonight and I liked it a lot and wanted to share.
"What can it mean? Is it ought to Him
That the days are long, and the nights are dim?
Can He be touched by the griefs I bear,
Which sadden the heart and whiten the hair?
About His throne are eternal calms,
And strong glad music of happy psalms,
And bliss unruffled by any strife--:
How can HE care for my little life?
And yet, I want Him to care for me,
While I live in this world where sorrows be.
When the lights die down from the path I take;
When strength is feeble and friends forsake;
And love and music which once did bless,
Have left me to silence and loneliness;
Then my life-song changes to sobbing prayers,
And my heart cries out for a GOD WHO CARES.
When shadows hang o'er the whole day long,
And my spirit is bowed with shame and wrong,
And I am not good, and the bitter shade
Of conscious sin makes my soul afraid;
And the busy world has too much to do
To stay in its courses to help me through;
And I long for a Savior - can it be
That the God of the universe CARES FOR ME?
Oh, wonderful story of deathless Love,
Each child is dear to that heart above'
He fights for me when I cannot fight;
He comforts me in the gloom of night;
He lifts the burden, for He is strong;
He stills the sigh and awakes the song;
The sorrows that bear me down HE shares,
And loves and pardons because HE CARES.
Let all who are sad take heart again;
We are not alone in our hours of pain;
Our Father looks from His throne above
To soothe and comfort us with His love.
He leaves us not when the storms are high,
And we have safety, for He is nigh;
Can that be trouble which He doth share?
Oh, rest in peace, for the Lord DOES CARE."
(Hugh Miller)
Showing posts with label spiritual musings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spiritual musings. Show all posts
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Saturday, September 11, 2010
my Granny
To be honest, after this week I hardly know where to start my blog post. So many conflicted emotions, so much inside and yet words seem incapable of describing it.
On September 9th at 12:05 PM, my dear sweet Granny's long silenced voice was finally restored. She was freed from her earthly body and the Alzheimer's that had slowly imprisoned her in her own body, into the presence of the Savior she loved to sing praises to. I really feel that she is where my deep love for music must have come from because I remember growing up she was always singing or humming. In fact I think I've sort of picked up her funny little habit of humming what seemed to be a random tune she would make up on the spot. In the beginning of this long goodbye I remember how special it was to take her to church and hear her still belting out hymns even though she was already forgetting who I was standing beside her.
I remember sitting in the bathroom one night when I was staying with her a couple of years ago and crying because I missed my Granny and knew she would never be back even then. I weep now knowing that my younger siblings and cousins will never have the precious memories of her that I do. I know I'm so very, very blessed because most people don't even get to know their great-grandparents and I had not only my Granny but also Oma, and Grandaddy & Grandmother Wilson.
There are many fun memories of Granny that stick in my head from when I was small. Granny was the one who stayed with us and help when Mom would have a new baby. She also often brought a special treat when she came to visit, Cookie Crisp Cereal, and I remember her taking us to McDonald's a few times. Her house was like something out of a book, she had beautiful flowers and often a vegetable garden. As a kid I loved playing her old childrens' records and using a slide projector in the bathroom to look at cartoons. There was the amazing treehouse she built (seriously who can say their great-grandmother built a treehouse??) and a big tire swing that we forever battled wasps for, not to mention cool little trails in the woods around her house and the best blackberry cobbler you ever tasted in the summer.
But I think of all the things that impressed me the most about Granny, the one thing that stuck with me the most was her prayer life. If anybody knew how to pray it was Granny. I could hear her praying under her breath a lot throughout the day, and at night when the lights were out I could hear the whispers. She prayed for protection and against spiritual warfare, for colds, and for everything in between. Because of her influence I grew to see the importance of prayer, and I noticed she didn't always just ask for things but almost always included thanksgiving. Her Bible was also very important and well read. I knew when I got up in the mornings she had been up for awhile already with her coffee and Bible on the swing. I'm ashamed to say I'm not nearly as faithful to my Bible as she was to hers.
I know my Granny was only human but so many spiritual lessons in my life I can trace roots back to things I learned from her, and one of the most remarkable things about this is I don't often remember her actually talking about these things--it was just me watching her live them out. Actions speak much louder than words. Because of the Alzheimer's Granny hasn't been the same person I knew as a kid, and I'm so grateful God allowed me as a child to observe those things in her life. Far too often we don't pay attention to spiritual lessons as children but somehow in this case I absorbed those seeds from her and they have sprouted over time. Some much healthier than others but still there nonetheless.
As we've watched her body and mind deteriorate these last few years it's been a very sad and painful process. For probably a year now I've been praying that God would be merciful to her, because to actually die from Alzheimer's is a very ugly picture. Several times she went into the emergency room with seizures and other things and I'd think we were reaching the end and she'd somehow bounce back. When I left to come here to France I had no idea this would finally be the time she wouldn't. This week when Mom told me things weren't looking good my heart sank. I wasn't wishing to be home to see her one last time, I had seen her shortly before I left for here and she wouldn't have known me anyway. Something inside of me just couldn't fathom not being at her funeral. It wasn't about what she would have wanted, I knew I could probably be sure she would be excited for me to be here and wouldn't have wanted me to cut my time short. It was just something that personally for myself I really felt I needed. Unfortunately there is just no way for me to come home in time and I'm trying to remember God knows and has a plan in all of this. He knew long before I did about this trip and knew that Granny would be coming home right in the middle and still led me here. I'm already planning to visit her grave as soon as possible when I come home.
And so I cry tonight as I did on the 9th, but certainly not sad tears for Granny's sake. She is sooo much better in heaven than where she was just a few days ago. I cried when I saw my mom's Facebook status about my Pappaw welcoming her and using his special name "Mrs. Bake". I cry for me and how much I miss them both but I know why God wanted them there with Him. Between the two of them they'll be singing all eternity. I can't wait to get there and listen to them, what a grand duet that must be!!
On September 9th at 12:05 PM, my dear sweet Granny's long silenced voice was finally restored. She was freed from her earthly body and the Alzheimer's that had slowly imprisoned her in her own body, into the presence of the Savior she loved to sing praises to. I really feel that she is where my deep love for music must have come from because I remember growing up she was always singing or humming. In fact I think I've sort of picked up her funny little habit of humming what seemed to be a random tune she would make up on the spot. In the beginning of this long goodbye I remember how special it was to take her to church and hear her still belting out hymns even though she was already forgetting who I was standing beside her.
I remember sitting in the bathroom one night when I was staying with her a couple of years ago and crying because I missed my Granny and knew she would never be back even then. I weep now knowing that my younger siblings and cousins will never have the precious memories of her that I do. I know I'm so very, very blessed because most people don't even get to know their great-grandparents and I had not only my Granny but also Oma, and Grandaddy & Grandmother Wilson.
There are many fun memories of Granny that stick in my head from when I was small. Granny was the one who stayed with us and help when Mom would have a new baby. She also often brought a special treat when she came to visit, Cookie Crisp Cereal, and I remember her taking us to McDonald's a few times. Her house was like something out of a book, she had beautiful flowers and often a vegetable garden. As a kid I loved playing her old childrens' records and using a slide projector in the bathroom to look at cartoons. There was the amazing treehouse she built (seriously who can say their great-grandmother built a treehouse??) and a big tire swing that we forever battled wasps for, not to mention cool little trails in the woods around her house and the best blackberry cobbler you ever tasted in the summer.
But I think of all the things that impressed me the most about Granny, the one thing that stuck with me the most was her prayer life. If anybody knew how to pray it was Granny. I could hear her praying under her breath a lot throughout the day, and at night when the lights were out I could hear the whispers. She prayed for protection and against spiritual warfare, for colds, and for everything in between. Because of her influence I grew to see the importance of prayer, and I noticed she didn't always just ask for things but almost always included thanksgiving. Her Bible was also very important and well read. I knew when I got up in the mornings she had been up for awhile already with her coffee and Bible on the swing. I'm ashamed to say I'm not nearly as faithful to my Bible as she was to hers.
I know my Granny was only human but so many spiritual lessons in my life I can trace roots back to things I learned from her, and one of the most remarkable things about this is I don't often remember her actually talking about these things--it was just me watching her live them out. Actions speak much louder than words. Because of the Alzheimer's Granny hasn't been the same person I knew as a kid, and I'm so grateful God allowed me as a child to observe those things in her life. Far too often we don't pay attention to spiritual lessons as children but somehow in this case I absorbed those seeds from her and they have sprouted over time. Some much healthier than others but still there nonetheless.
As we've watched her body and mind deteriorate these last few years it's been a very sad and painful process. For probably a year now I've been praying that God would be merciful to her, because to actually die from Alzheimer's is a very ugly picture. Several times she went into the emergency room with seizures and other things and I'd think we were reaching the end and she'd somehow bounce back. When I left to come here to France I had no idea this would finally be the time she wouldn't. This week when Mom told me things weren't looking good my heart sank. I wasn't wishing to be home to see her one last time, I had seen her shortly before I left for here and she wouldn't have known me anyway. Something inside of me just couldn't fathom not being at her funeral. It wasn't about what she would have wanted, I knew I could probably be sure she would be excited for me to be here and wouldn't have wanted me to cut my time short. It was just something that personally for myself I really felt I needed. Unfortunately there is just no way for me to come home in time and I'm trying to remember God knows and has a plan in all of this. He knew long before I did about this trip and knew that Granny would be coming home right in the middle and still led me here. I'm already planning to visit her grave as soon as possible when I come home.
And so I cry tonight as I did on the 9th, but certainly not sad tears for Granny's sake. She is sooo much better in heaven than where she was just a few days ago. I cried when I saw my mom's Facebook status about my Pappaw welcoming her and using his special name "Mrs. Bake". I cry for me and how much I miss them both but I know why God wanted them there with Him. Between the two of them they'll be singing all eternity. I can't wait to get there and listen to them, what a grand duet that must be!!
Friday, September 3, 2010
be still and know
Much to my mom's relief I made it back to the Cross family in France after my ten day vacation in the UK. :) My foot which was so very painful by Sunday got better within about 48 hours of arriving back in France. I don't know if the ibuprofen reducing the swelling made so much difference or just not walking on it so much allowed it to begin to get better but it's been totally fine since. There is still a twinge from time to time and the spot is still sore to the touch but I'm no longer considering looking up a doctor here.
School started back up this week so we've been trying to adjust to the new routine. It's so strange having the house quiet from about 9-4:30! Just about the time we'll be figuring out this new set up though Amy and Charles will leave for Houston and it'll be just me and the kids for ten days. I think though that the changing up in routine is a good thing for me because it doesn't let me get in a rut and I have to constantly pay attention to the task at hand, and yet there is much less chaos than in my life at home so that I'm able to remember what it's like to stop and smell the roses. I really really hope that when I get home I can not go back to crazy, helter-skelter, flying by the seat of my pants like I was before but settle into more of an easygoing pace that gives me time to help those closest to me who need it and also allow for me to not live on the edge of burn-out all the time. The lady who spoke at the GEM conference was amazing and so inspiring. Why do we think we are so important that the world will cease to move if we need to draw away for some time alone with God? I know I'm so guilty of this. It seems so overwhelming at times, all of the needs that are screaming at us. This was what she talked about that helped me so much as I began in my head to try to prioritize things. From Alicia Chole's blog:
How very very true this is!! And I know I've been living in overload for far too long. It's so evident just by the way that for a year or two I couldn't even handle being at church. All I wanted to do was go home and crawl into my PJs and my bed. I couldn't handle being with people. Sometimes I still feel that way when I am getting close to the absolute-overwhelmed-overloaded moments. I remember last year at VBS, CI and CMT needing to find a quiet corner at various points and just breathe. This year was better but VBS was a different level of involvement and CMT I didn't get to help with. I feel like this last month has been so great for being able to clear my head and ground myself a bit more, I felt like I was caught up in a tornado being carried higher and higher and faster and faster. I am keenly aware of how much too easy it will be to get sucked up into the vortex of business once I'm home but I'm bound and determined to give it my best shot at slowing down.
Back on a more practical note, Audrey has really good days and really bad ones. :) Hoping pretty soon she will settle into more of a routine that she is comfortable with and works well for Amy. I do have to say that when I gave her a bath the other day she didn't get NEARLY as upset when I got her out! And I think if I'd been a hair faster she might not have cried at all. :) We ARE making progress I can feel it.
Sunday is the first Sunday of September and every first Sunday of the month means free entry to some museums in Paris so guess where I'm going after church?? I'm hoping to go to the Louvre for sure and maybe I'll just stay there all afternoon. I'm pretty excited about it!
Well as I said we've been trying to get into the school routine so no new pictures this week or exciting happenings, but I think I put up enough pictures from my trip to the UK to last awhile yeah? Spin through them if you haven't seen them all yet. :)
School started back up this week so we've been trying to adjust to the new routine. It's so strange having the house quiet from about 9-4:30! Just about the time we'll be figuring out this new set up though Amy and Charles will leave for Houston and it'll be just me and the kids for ten days. I think though that the changing up in routine is a good thing for me because it doesn't let me get in a rut and I have to constantly pay attention to the task at hand, and yet there is much less chaos than in my life at home so that I'm able to remember what it's like to stop and smell the roses. I really really hope that when I get home I can not go back to crazy, helter-skelter, flying by the seat of my pants like I was before but settle into more of an easygoing pace that gives me time to help those closest to me who need it and also allow for me to not live on the edge of burn-out all the time. The lady who spoke at the GEM conference was amazing and so inspiring. Why do we think we are so important that the world will cease to move if we need to draw away for some time alone with God? I know I'm so guilty of this. It seems so overwhelming at times, all of the needs that are screaming at us. This was what she talked about that helped me so much as I began in my head to try to prioritize things. From Alicia Chole's blog:
rest, part two
2. rest: a framework
I would like to strongly suggest that you consider purchasing a great book that will provide a spiritual, physical, and interpersonal framework for our redefining of rest: Margin, by Dr. Swenson.
Barry and I read this book years ago. Picture a straight line that represents our daily reserve of personal energy. Swenson is a medical doctor whose premise is that God designed us (physically, emotionally, relationally) to live between points A and B and that the space between B to C is on reserve for the unexpected, for crisis. BUT on a daily basis we live from A to C. So when a crisis does arise, it pushes us over into overload.
In other words, God didn't design us to live to the end of our abilities every day. We're supposed to have a buffer. If we live each day to the end of our rope, there's nothing left to hold onto when an unanticipated problem calls for something "more."
How very very true this is!! And I know I've been living in overload for far too long. It's so evident just by the way that for a year or two I couldn't even handle being at church. All I wanted to do was go home and crawl into my PJs and my bed. I couldn't handle being with people. Sometimes I still feel that way when I am getting close to the absolute-overwhelmed-overloaded moments. I remember last year at VBS, CI and CMT needing to find a quiet corner at various points and just breathe. This year was better but VBS was a different level of involvement and CMT I didn't get to help with. I feel like this last month has been so great for being able to clear my head and ground myself a bit more, I felt like I was caught up in a tornado being carried higher and higher and faster and faster. I am keenly aware of how much too easy it will be to get sucked up into the vortex of business once I'm home but I'm bound and determined to give it my best shot at slowing down.
Back on a more practical note, Audrey has really good days and really bad ones. :) Hoping pretty soon she will settle into more of a routine that she is comfortable with and works well for Amy. I do have to say that when I gave her a bath the other day she didn't get NEARLY as upset when I got her out! And I think if I'd been a hair faster she might not have cried at all. :) We ARE making progress I can feel it.
Sunday is the first Sunday of September and every first Sunday of the month means free entry to some museums in Paris so guess where I'm going after church?? I'm hoping to go to the Louvre for sure and maybe I'll just stay there all afternoon. I'm pretty excited about it!
Well as I said we've been trying to get into the school routine so no new pictures this week or exciting happenings, but I think I put up enough pictures from my trip to the UK to last awhile yeah? Spin through them if you haven't seen them all yet. :)
Sunday, December 20, 2009
True Love Waits
The other day at Mardel's I found some of the True Love Waits rings and realized that it was exactly what I've been looking for without even knowing I was looking! I had heard of the idea in the past and seen pictures of the rings but it never really occurred to me to get one. More recently though I'd been wanting a symbol to remind myself of my faith that God has me exactly where He wants me.
The traditional meaning of the phrase has been centered around moral purity but for me personally it was much more than that. It's also about waiting for that perfect one God has for me and not just the first nice Christian guy that comes along. But as I thought of this I thought of other applications in the lives of friends and family members. What if you found your true love...but it has been lost along the way and you must wait for God to bring it back? This is also not an easy thing to wait for and many along the way encourage you to give it up. But true love waits.
Waiting seems to be a constant classroom God has me in. I guess I haven't learned patience yet because it seems every time I turn around He's telling me to wait for something. Waiting for people, waiting for answers... Do you know how many times the theme of waiting on God is in the Bible? I think of Joseph and how much of his life he was waiting on God--in the pit his brothers threw him, in slavery to Potifar, in prison. I think of Abraham waiting for God's promised son, Jacob waiting for Rachel, David waiting to be king...and many others. Over and over again people waiting for God to work in impossible situations that sometimes they tried to change on their own and failed. But you know what? God makes beautiful promises for those who do wait on Him. Isaiah 40:31 says "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 30:18 tells us "blessed are all they that wait for Him."
So I wait, and wait, and wait some more. And I look at this ring and I don't just think of the one out there somewhere I'm waiting for but I think of others I know who are waiting in various ways. I think of how God waits for each of us to receive the gift of Love He gave us on Christmas. I think of waiting for Christ to return for His bride. I think my new favorite verse is Psalm 130:5--"I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in His Word do I hope." Instead of looking at my ring as waiting for someone, I am waiting for the Lord to do great and marvelous things for me and for the ones I love.
There's a song that has been especially meaningful to me lately in regards to waiting. It's called "Time In Between" by Francesca Battistelli.
The traditional meaning of the phrase has been centered around moral purity but for me personally it was much more than that. It's also about waiting for that perfect one God has for me and not just the first nice Christian guy that comes along. But as I thought of this I thought of other applications in the lives of friends and family members. What if you found your true love...but it has been lost along the way and you must wait for God to bring it back? This is also not an easy thing to wait for and many along the way encourage you to give it up. But true love waits.
Waiting seems to be a constant classroom God has me in. I guess I haven't learned patience yet because it seems every time I turn around He's telling me to wait for something. Waiting for people, waiting for answers... Do you know how many times the theme of waiting on God is in the Bible? I think of Joseph and how much of his life he was waiting on God--in the pit his brothers threw him, in slavery to Potifar, in prison. I think of Abraham waiting for God's promised son, Jacob waiting for Rachel, David waiting to be king...and many others. Over and over again people waiting for God to work in impossible situations that sometimes they tried to change on their own and failed. But you know what? God makes beautiful promises for those who do wait on Him. Isaiah 40:31 says "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 30:18 tells us "blessed are all they that wait for Him."
So I wait, and wait, and wait some more. And I look at this ring and I don't just think of the one out there somewhere I'm waiting for but I think of others I know who are waiting in various ways. I think of how God waits for each of us to receive the gift of Love He gave us on Christmas. I think of waiting for Christ to return for His bride. I think my new favorite verse is Psalm 130:5--"I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in His Word do I hope." Instead of looking at my ring as waiting for someone, I am waiting for the Lord to do great and marvelous things for me and for the ones I love.
There's a song that has been especially meaningful to me lately in regards to waiting. It's called "Time In Between" by Francesca Battistelli.
You were there when your Father said
Let there be light
You obeyed when He whispered
Son, You have to leave tonight
To spend nine months in a mothers womb
Three days in a borrowed tomb
But it’s the time in between
That brings me to my knees
Knowing you came for me
And all that I can't be
I'm amazed, so amazed
And I thank You for the time in between
Don't take much for this crazy world
To rob me of my peace
And the enemy of my soul
Says You’re holding out on me
So I stand here lifting empty hands
For you to fill me up again
But it’s the time in between
That I fall down to my knees
Waiting on what You'll bring
And the things that I can't see
I know my song’s incomplete
Still I'll sing in the time in between
So many ways
Your love has saved the day
And I'm grateful for them all
But it’s the time in between
The middle of two thieves
That says everything
It’s the reason I believe
I'm amazed, so amazed
And I thank you for the time in between
Oh Lord, I thank you for the time in between
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
pharisees
You don't want my perfection
all you ask of me is that I show up broken at your feet
you don't want my religion
you are looking for devotion that is more than just routine
so show me what it means
to take up my cross
and count it all as loss
all for the sake of knowing you
to bow my head and knees
and care for those in need
show me what it means
to follow you
if I become like a pharisee
passing by the needy while I'm speaking Jesus on my lips
will I walk with you on raging seas
will I turn away when you want more than what I want to give
so show me what it means, what it means
to take up my cross
and count it all as loss
all for the sake of knowing you
to bow my head and knees
and care for those in need
show me what it means
to follow you
to love as you love
and live as you lived
to never give up on giving you my life
to love as you love
and live as you lived
to find out what it means to be a light, to be a light
to take up my cross
and count it all as loss
all for the sake of knowing you
to bow my head and knees
and care for those in need
show me what it means
to follow you
I will follow you
I will follow you
show me what it means
I will follow you
Meredith Andrews "Show Me What it Means"
I've had this draft saved for awhile, I'm not sure why I hadn't published it yet but I remembered it during our church's afternoon service on Sunday. A group of our young people went to SMITE last week and a song was used in the service that reminded me of my post.
How many times have we in seeking favor with God refused to "associate" with people who appeared less "spiritual" than we? Just because a a brother or sister in Christ doesn't share the same views we do doesn't mean we should not allow ourselves to associate with them. I know that I myself have told my brothers to be careful who they hang out with because I don't want the wrong kinds of people influencing them. However we must be careful to not hold other members of the body of Christ at arm's length just because we don't agree with them over some trivial matter.
Sometimes we even hide away from the lost world in our attempt to be different and "set apart". Jesus ate with the sinners did he not? He didn't only choose to visit with the good church people but He spent time with those who the pharisees despised. In Matthew 15:24 He said "But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel." Sometimes God calls us to befriend the friendless. You may never know what your friendship could mean to someone who is hurting and how you can touch them for Christ by reaching out to them. The lost world doesn't want snotty religious Christians who pride themselves in looking "different" from the world...they want people who care and have answers to the questions that all of us face. Some would think that if your family doesn't follow the perfect little Christian mold that you are a failure as an example to others. I don't think so. I think that it gives you more of an advantage because they know you've BEEN there. You've felt those same emotions they have, you've had those same problems and yet you have an answer for the hope that lies within you.
This is the song that was used in the background of the photo slideshow from their week. Click this link to listen to the song (it's not a professional recording).
He walked along the shores of Galilee
From clay He formed the healing bond
That caused the blind to see
When stones of wrath weighed heavy in their hands
He knelt to write His mercy in the sand
Jesus came to set the captives free
Showed us by the way He lived
The way we need to be
All love is more than words can ever say
We must touch them with compassion
To help them find their way
Chorus:
How can we reach a world we never touch
How can we show them Christ if we never show them love
Just to say we care will never be enough
How can we reach a world we never touch
Verse 2:
Could we so busy being saved
Trying to impress a world
That's long since lost it's way
We pride ourselves in being set apart
Yet we don't take time to touch a broken heart
Even if we found the time to care
Would we take the risk involved in always being there
Oh we hold the very thing they need so much
Sometimes the Word of God can pass through just a simple touch
Chorus
Verse 3:
We hide behind these walls
And the security of friends
While beyond the stain glass windows
The world is lost in sin
Chorus
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
a song in my heart
While I'm on the topic of music I thought I would post a little about the title to my blog. It has multiple meanings of course but the one that stands out right now has a lot to do with my personality. I love music and I think anyone who knows me would know that. I had noticed this about myself before but it has been more obvious this last week than in a long time and made me begin thinking more about it but you can tell a lot about my mood by whether or not I am singing. If there is music on and I know the song it is just inevitable that I will begin humming or singing along.
I remember the Psalty books from when I was young and more specifically a book about his daughter Melody. Something happened in the book and Melody "lost her song". She was only able to sing again when she had confessed whatever it was she had done wrong and asked for forgiveness from her dad. I have found that to be true of myself. When I am in a bad mood whether it be because I'm annoyed with someone or sad or frustrated I have a hard time singing. Normally I won't be able to KEEP myself from singing and I think it would be a very effective method of torture for me if someone were ever to say "I'm going to play this music and you can't sing all day or you will die". I'd probably end up dying within five minutes haha!!
It's been a good check in the past to nudge me that I need to straighten up my attitude but this weekend it was different. I just had a hard time singing and I didn't know why. Since Thursday I felt very burdened about a lot of things and just felt like I surely couldn't go on any longer. on Sunday we had both Sunday School and morning service all about faith in God to do the impossible for us. It was convicting in some ways and encouraging in others. I know I talk about faith a lot and truly believe in it but sometimes if you take your eyes off Jesus just for a split second to look at the water you begin to sink. I told God I can't do anything about my current situation...I've done everything He's shown me to do so far and it seems now that I'm stuck in between a rock and a hard place with a hammer banging away on top. The rest of Sunday I was very drained emotionally but it is true that weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning (Psalm 30:5). Today when I plugged up my ipod I could feel my song coming back. Nothing has changed, no audible voice telling me how to proceed or special instructions arriving in the mail from God...I just felt that my batteries had been recharged and I was able to go again. It feels so much better when I can sing. :)
I remember the Psalty books from when I was young and more specifically a book about his daughter Melody. Something happened in the book and Melody "lost her song". She was only able to sing again when she had confessed whatever it was she had done wrong and asked for forgiveness from her dad. I have found that to be true of myself. When I am in a bad mood whether it be because I'm annoyed with someone or sad or frustrated I have a hard time singing. Normally I won't be able to KEEP myself from singing and I think it would be a very effective method of torture for me if someone were ever to say "I'm going to play this music and you can't sing all day or you will die". I'd probably end up dying within five minutes haha!!
It's been a good check in the past to nudge me that I need to straighten up my attitude but this weekend it was different. I just had a hard time singing and I didn't know why. Since Thursday I felt very burdened about a lot of things and just felt like I surely couldn't go on any longer. on Sunday we had both Sunday School and morning service all about faith in God to do the impossible for us. It was convicting in some ways and encouraging in others. I know I talk about faith a lot and truly believe in it but sometimes if you take your eyes off Jesus just for a split second to look at the water you begin to sink. I told God I can't do anything about my current situation...I've done everything He's shown me to do so far and it seems now that I'm stuck in between a rock and a hard place with a hammer banging away on top. The rest of Sunday I was very drained emotionally but it is true that weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning (Psalm 30:5). Today when I plugged up my ipod I could feel my song coming back. Nothing has changed, no audible voice telling me how to proceed or special instructions arriving in the mail from God...I just felt that my batteries had been recharged and I was able to go again. It feels so much better when I can sing. :)
When God Is Silent
At the first year I attended The Wilds' Music Conference this song was included in one of the free books I received. At the time I remember thinking it was a nice song but didn't really think much more about it. Throughout the last couple of years the words to this song, mostly the chorus, have come to my head multiple times when I feel like I've reached the end of my ropes and God doesn't seem to be answering any of my pleas.
When God Is Silent
When God is silent, and we don't know, the way before us that we ought to go;
When we've attempted to do His will, and yet His silence continues still;
Then it's time to trust. Yes, it's time to remember that the Lord is faithful to His own.
If we hope, we shall yet be praising once again; for His silence never means that we're alone.
When God is silent, and all seems lost, as o'er the waves our boat is tempest tossed;
When answers fail us and doubts arise, but God seems distant, hid from our eyes;
He is in the mountain praying that our faith will never fail, though our souls be sifted through.
O'er the wind and waves we soon shall see Him coming to prevail.
We can trust Him for His promises are true. They are true!
Then it's time to trust. Yes, it's time to remember that the Lord is faithful to His own.
If we hope, we shall yet be praising once again; for His silence never means,
No, His silence never means that we're alone. He will never, ever leave us alone.
-Jeanine Drylie
Thursday, May 14, 2009
disappointment
This is mostly for informational purposes for my family who reads my blog as I try to not bore anyone with too much of my day to day life. :-)
Just like about 90% of the US right now I've been having some financial stresses mostly in the last six months. I was really feeling the strain anyway and just barely keeping my head above water so to speak and I began having a lot of car trouble the last month or two. I found I needed new brake pads, three new tires and my serpentine belt is just about kaput when I started having some strange electrical trouble. My dear brothers took the alternator off and Haley ran it to Autozone for testing but found nothing wrong. I had finally broke down and bought two of the new tires (one kept going flat on me) so having no money and this being the really tight paycheck I was going to grit my teeth and pray my car through another month.
We were very busy (read stressed!) today, Mom had a shift, I had two, the girls worked this morning, Haley was busy all afternoon, we are trying to prepare the house for the exterminator to come on Monday and Micah's birthday is tomorrow so we were needing to do some prep for that. I had just made dinner and was making birthday cake when I got a call from Mom that she had hit something in the road and it made an awful clacking sound so she was on the shoulder. She tried to start it back up again and it wouldn't so I began trying to locate Dad or Haley who had the other functioning vehicles (the van has been out of commission since that fateful trip home from the rodeo in Marc) to meet her. While I was on the phone with Dad I got a voicemail from Mom. Whatever she hit had torn a hole in my gas tank and the entire contents emptied onto the shoulder. I suspect that was $20 worth of gas alone as I had only recently filled it up. :-P To be quite honest I shed a few tears. Having just bought the tires I really don't have the ability to pay for more repairs. Mom said she wasn't the only one who hit the mysterious object and that several people were on the shoulder with flat tires. We were grateful that having discovered it was the gas tank Mom had not been hurt when she tried to restart the car. A wrecker came and towed my poor little car to home up into the driveway alongside the van where it will sit until I have some money. I'm really afraid to find out how much it will cost. :( So I guess God is really teaching me right now what Bro Joe was talking about a few weeks ago--giving everything you've got and then trusting God to take care of the rest since we have no way to get the entire family anywhere (including church I am reminding Him :) ) until either the car or van is running again. It will be interesting to see what He does!
Just like about 90% of the US right now I've been having some financial stresses mostly in the last six months. I was really feeling the strain anyway and just barely keeping my head above water so to speak and I began having a lot of car trouble the last month or two. I found I needed new brake pads, three new tires and my serpentine belt is just about kaput when I started having some strange electrical trouble. My dear brothers took the alternator off and Haley ran it to Autozone for testing but found nothing wrong. I had finally broke down and bought two of the new tires (one kept going flat on me) so having no money and this being the really tight paycheck I was going to grit my teeth and pray my car through another month.
We were very busy (read stressed!) today, Mom had a shift, I had two, the girls worked this morning, Haley was busy all afternoon, we are trying to prepare the house for the exterminator to come on Monday and Micah's birthday is tomorrow so we were needing to do some prep for that. I had just made dinner and was making birthday cake when I got a call from Mom that she had hit something in the road and it made an awful clacking sound so she was on the shoulder. She tried to start it back up again and it wouldn't so I began trying to locate Dad or Haley who had the other functioning vehicles (the van has been out of commission since that fateful trip home from the rodeo in Marc) to meet her. While I was on the phone with Dad I got a voicemail from Mom. Whatever she hit had torn a hole in my gas tank and the entire contents emptied onto the shoulder. I suspect that was $20 worth of gas alone as I had only recently filled it up. :-P To be quite honest I shed a few tears. Having just bought the tires I really don't have the ability to pay for more repairs. Mom said she wasn't the only one who hit the mysterious object and that several people were on the shoulder with flat tires. We were grateful that having discovered it was the gas tank Mom had not been hurt when she tried to restart the car. A wrecker came and towed my poor little car to home up into the driveway alongside the van where it will sit until I have some money. I'm really afraid to find out how much it will cost. :( So I guess God is really teaching me right now what Bro Joe was talking about a few weeks ago--giving everything you've got and then trusting God to take care of the rest since we have no way to get the entire family anywhere (including church I am reminding Him :) ) until either the car or van is running again. It will be interesting to see what He does!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
more on grace
I'm sure everyone I know is about sick to death of hearing viewpoints on grace vs legalism but I just had a few more musings that have been slowly penetrating while I've been reading various ones such as Kristin and Mr. Wychopen and others notes. Before I get into it though I will reiterate again that these are truths God has been showing me personally about incorrect concepts in my own life. I do not seek to tell others where they are wrong but rather share what God has brought me personally to.
Mr. Wychopen posted a little while ago something that has taken only until a few days AFTER he posted that to really sink in. Despite the fact that I have been saying it somehow it was one of those things that took a certain wording before it finally broke through some little imaginary wall in my own head. I can't find at this moment the exact article I was remembering but the idea was basically that there is NOTHING I can do to earn any more favor with God than I already have. It doesn't matter how "good" I am, it does not make me any more special in His sight. By the same token just because I am not as "good" as others it doesn't make me any less to Him. The only thing God sees when He looks at me is Jesus' righteousness and none of me. Now I have said these sorts of things before and fully believed that only Jesus saved me but somehow I still had this little lie in my head that to make God "happy" with me on any given day I should read my Bible, be kind to those around me, do my little list of things for the day etc etc. It was another root of legalism that had somehow worked it's way into my heart.
The article Mr. Wychopen had written kind of hung around in the back of my head for most of a day before it finally occurred to me. Everyone had gone to bed and the house was quiet. I had finished my shift and was thinking over the day's events as I got ready for bed. It literally was a light bulb moment in my head. I was still somehow trying to "earn" God's favor each day. I was still in my head saying "well today went badly but tomorrow I can be better God". There is no way for me to accurately describe how much of my life this lie was touching and perhaps no one close to me would even be able to tell a difference but there is one even if it's only between me and God. I can't tell you that suddenly I have this amazing desire to just spend hours in my Bible but I do have more of a longing now than I've ever had in my Christian life TO read it.
This song has a lot of similarities to the way I felt. There is therefore now no condemnation...
Mr. Wychopen posted a little while ago something that has taken only until a few days AFTER he posted that to really sink in. Despite the fact that I have been saying it somehow it was one of those things that took a certain wording before it finally broke through some little imaginary wall in my own head. I can't find at this moment the exact article I was remembering but the idea was basically that there is NOTHING I can do to earn any more favor with God than I already have. It doesn't matter how "good" I am, it does not make me any more special in His sight. By the same token just because I am not as "good" as others it doesn't make me any less to Him. The only thing God sees when He looks at me is Jesus' righteousness and none of me. Now I have said these sorts of things before and fully believed that only Jesus saved me but somehow I still had this little lie in my head that to make God "happy" with me on any given day I should read my Bible, be kind to those around me, do my little list of things for the day etc etc. It was another root of legalism that had somehow worked it's way into my heart.
The article Mr. Wychopen had written kind of hung around in the back of my head for most of a day before it finally occurred to me. Everyone had gone to bed and the house was quiet. I had finished my shift and was thinking over the day's events as I got ready for bed. It literally was a light bulb moment in my head. I was still somehow trying to "earn" God's favor each day. I was still in my head saying "well today went badly but tomorrow I can be better God". There is no way for me to accurately describe how much of my life this lie was touching and perhaps no one close to me would even be able to tell a difference but there is one even if it's only between me and God. I can't tell you that suddenly I have this amazing desire to just spend hours in my Bible but I do have more of a longing now than I've ever had in my Christian life TO read it.
This song has a lot of similarities to the way I felt. There is therefore now no condemnation...
I’ve been searching
Wandering and hurting
Ashamed of the shape I’m in
Afraid you’ll see who I really am
But you invite me in
Doesn’t matter where I’ve been
Your arms are open wide
There’s nothing left to hide
How can this be
A love so unfailing
Reached down and lifted me
From ashes to beauty
And you invite me in
Doesn’t matter where I’ve been
Your arms are open wide
There’s nothing left to hide
You invite me in
Doesn’t matter who I’ve been
Your arms are open wide
Holding me to your side
Now I am walking away from the life I once knew
And running into your grace
It covers my shame again and again
I find my life in you
You invite us in
Doesn’t matter where we’ve been
Your arms are open wide
There’s nothing left to hide
You invite us in
Doesn’t matter who we’ve been
Your arms are open wide
Holding us to your side
Your arms are open wide
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
the wiles of the devil
Pastor's sermon Sunday morning reminded me of a song that has taken a new level of meaning in my life. I don't think people realize just how easy it is for Satan to get his foot in the door of your life. I know that preachers frequently warn of it but until it happens to you, you tend to think "ahhh but I won't let that happen to ME!" Satan rarely comes at you straight off with something you would never do. It's a gradual descent, little by little, so subtle you may not notice. That's why it's critical to be sure your foundation is on CHRIST alone, not on works, not on standards or any thing else--because everything else can crumble beneath you as Satan chisels away at your so-called "standards" bit by bit.
"Slow Fade"
Be careful little eyes what you see
It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow
It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade
Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray
It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you're thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking
It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day
Oh be careful little eyes what see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
"Slow Fade"
Be careful little eyes what you see
It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow
It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade
Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray
It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you're thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking
It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day
Oh be careful little eyes what see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
For good
Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."I've gone awhile without posting anything "deep" but I have had this saved in my drafts intending to write it down for awhile. It kept being in the back of mind through various events in my life and in those of friends.
I suppose this verse is one of the most used verses in the Bible, right alongside Psalm 23, John 3:16 and Philippians 4:13. As we are all well aware sometimes the most used scriptures and stories get somehow overlooked in their significance to our lives. How many times have we quoted these verses without much thought to what they really mean? Surely I am not the only one to do this. :-)
As you go through the valley of the shadow of death you often wonder--okay God you said that ALL things work together for good but I just don't know HOW you can mean this to be good! I've asked that myself many times over the last few years. How can this be good? It isn't even YOUR WILL that these things should happen, we know it from Your Word! How can You let it and how can it be GOOD? I mean some of the testings in the Bible I think well duh, God made good out of that sad situation--but that wasn't a situation that seemed to go against His Will. During one such time of pondering I had one of those light bulb experiences...God didn't say that it WAS good but that it would work together FOR good. A simple thing to some but a dramatic difference to myself and the way my silly little mind works.
When I looked back over the events of the last several years it amazed me just how many "good" things had happened because of the place I was in. Things that would never have happened if I hadn't been there and yet they were able to happen because of the trials and testing God lead us through. It has been hard, and it has hurt and still hurts and we are still in that valley but as I looked back I could not wish any of those things away. If you had asked me five years ago to choose a path and shown me all the hurt and despair of this road I still can't say honestly I would have chosen this path. But I have seen how God can use this FOR good in my life and in the lives of my family. And perhaps one day I will say that I would gladly walk through that path again for the good that it brought...but right now I am just clinging to faith and hope that God knows what He is doing and that we are walking through the valley of death.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Why we do what we do
This post is the culmination of a great deal of discussion and meditation. I'm not sure that I have it still completely put into words yet but I've definitely finally thought of a way to put down something I've been meaning to blog about. As our preferences and convictions have developed over the years there was always something that I couldn't put my finger on that seemed to separate things into two categories. Today it kind of sort of clicked.
As I've made decisions about what things I participate in and what things I don't there was always a struggle. What would God think of this? How does this fit? The Bible doesn't really address this or that issue. How do I know what He wants me to do? Some people say that a certain activity is wrong and some think it is okay. Why the difference between one Christian to the next? Obviously we all have to hear from God about what He wants us to do but something that has helped me to better understand it is that there are essentially two different kinds of activities I should not participate in. One kind of thing would be the things God clearly spells out in the Bible--thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, you know the drill. The second type is the one that usually causes all the division however--things that we abstain from because of the appearance of evil.
What kinds of things appear evil can change through the years. Something considered wrong in Bible times won't necessarily be considered wrong today and vice versa. Here is the key--to focus on the principle, not the application of it. Don't get so wrapped up in specific applications of things that you forget the point of it. For example, modesty can not be defined. You can't give someone exact guidelines on exactly how their clothes should fit and know that will always make them modest. Some of modesty is attitude and how you wear your clothes. If you have completely modest clothing but act like the woman Proverbs warns us about, you are not modest. Something that made even more sense to me was when Dr. Innes who we heard speak at The Wilds used the example of playing pool. Years ago pool was seen as something associated with drinking and worldly behavior. Now it does not have the same connotations and we can play pool without those same appearances of evil. It is all about the principle not the application of it.
As I've made decisions about what things I participate in and what things I don't there was always a struggle. What would God think of this? How does this fit? The Bible doesn't really address this or that issue. How do I know what He wants me to do? Some people say that a certain activity is wrong and some think it is okay. Why the difference between one Christian to the next? Obviously we all have to hear from God about what He wants us to do but something that has helped me to better understand it is that there are essentially two different kinds of activities I should not participate in. One kind of thing would be the things God clearly spells out in the Bible--thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, you know the drill. The second type is the one that usually causes all the division however--things that we abstain from because of the appearance of evil.
What kinds of things appear evil can change through the years. Something considered wrong in Bible times won't necessarily be considered wrong today and vice versa. Here is the key--to focus on the principle, not the application of it. Don't get so wrapped up in specific applications of things that you forget the point of it. For example, modesty can not be defined. You can't give someone exact guidelines on exactly how their clothes should fit and know that will always make them modest. Some of modesty is attitude and how you wear your clothes. If you have completely modest clothing but act like the woman Proverbs warns us about, you are not modest. Something that made even more sense to me was when Dr. Innes who we heard speak at The Wilds used the example of playing pool. Years ago pool was seen as something associated with drinking and worldly behavior. Now it does not have the same connotations and we can play pool without those same appearances of evil. It is all about the principle not the application of it.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Santa Claus
I have noticed through the years a great deal of animosity from Christians toward Santa Claus. While I think I understand their root concern I think that he has gotten a rather bad rap. One of the things that bothers me the most is something that was said at our church a couple of weeks ago. Someone I highly admire and respect mentioned that Santa Claus was based on fiction. I think I know what he meant but in all fairness the man that Santa Claus is based on was a real person. Wikipedia says:
Now this does not mean I endorse lying to children and telling them that Santa really exists as we see him in movies. That's wrong just because it's wrong to lie to kids. I don't think though there's any harm in having Santa movies or stories just like we have fairy tales about Cinderella or The Three Little Pigs even. No those things didn't really happen but do we say that Cinderella is evil or that the Three Little Pigs are satanic?? Of course Satan can use the whole idea of Santa Claus to distract from the true meaning of Christmas but if Santa Claus had a day all his own separate from Christmas would we really have that much to complain about? I really doubt it.
Personally I have never really considered Santa Claus to be "cute" so I do not own any Santa Claus decorations but I think if you want them have at it. In fact if you want to put a Santa Claus kneeling at the manger scene I'm not even sure why that should be a problem hehe. Okay I'm sure I'm gonna get comments on that one. ;-)
Saint Nicholas of Myra is the primary inspiration for the Christian figure of Santa Claus. He was a 4th-century Greek Christian bishop of Myra in Lycia, a province of the Byzantine Anatolia, now in Turkey. Nicholas was famous for his generous gifts to the poor, in particular presenting the three impoverished daughters of a pious Christian with dowries so that they would not have to become prostitutes.Also attached to the evils of Santa is generally the idea that "you know if you rearrange Santa you get Satan!" Umm Santa actually means "Saint". I think this is one of those things where the fundamentalists or something have really gone overboard. It's okay to not want to participate in something but you needn't make it out to be some evil thing. Just don't participate.
Now this does not mean I endorse lying to children and telling them that Santa really exists as we see him in movies. That's wrong just because it's wrong to lie to kids. I don't think though there's any harm in having Santa movies or stories just like we have fairy tales about Cinderella or The Three Little Pigs even. No those things didn't really happen but do we say that Cinderella is evil or that the Three Little Pigs are satanic?? Of course Satan can use the whole idea of Santa Claus to distract from the true meaning of Christmas but if Santa Claus had a day all his own separate from Christmas would we really have that much to complain about? I really doubt it.
Personally I have never really considered Santa Claus to be "cute" so I do not own any Santa Claus decorations but I think if you want them have at it. In fact if you want to put a Santa Claus kneeling at the manger scene I'm not even sure why that should be a problem hehe. Okay I'm sure I'm gonna get comments on that one. ;-)
Thursday, December 4, 2008
The Christmas "Spirit"
As I was driving along this morning running some errands, listening to the Christmas music in my car, and huddled in my coat with the heater on full blast it suddenly felt like Christmas. I instantly began thinking of all my friends who I've heard say recently "I just don't feel like decorating yet because I'm not in the Christmas spirit". Some indicated it was not time for Christmas yet while others just didn't "feel" it. I began musing on this and the thought crossed my mind--what is the Christmas "spirit" anyway?
When you think about Christmas and "feeling" what immediately comes to your mind? Mine thinks of the nativity, family, friends, yummy foods, and a general contentment and happiness. I suddenly realized why people might not be feeling in the mood. If you are missing some of these things can it be harder to feel in the "mood"? Why do we need these things to be in the mood? I think it's because the Christmas spirit depends on the attitude of your heart, and a CHOICE. Sure those things are going to make it EASIER to feel in the mood but they are not NECESSARY.
This is not to attack any of my friends who don't feel like Christmas right now but I decided that personally for me, if I sit around moping and pouting, and dwelling on my current situation I certainly wouldn't feel like Christmas. I have to make the choice to think about this time of year and what it means to me as a Christian. Does this mean that I'm "happy" and suddenly all is right in my world? Heck no! My situation is unfortunately still the same and probably won't change a bit through the holidays. I can however make a choice to dwell on the meaning of Christmas, what God has done for me, and have the joy of the Lord anyway. Just like sometimes we have to choose to be grateful at Thanksgiving, and choose to dwell on the good things we have and what God HAS blessed us with and NOT the things that are going wrong in our lives.
So I guess my challenge to you is this--if you are being a "Scrooge", scowling at everyone who tries to wish you a Merry Christmas and refusing to acknowledge the time of year just think about the real reason for the season. News flash! It's not about YOU anyway. :-) It's the time of year we celebrate Jesus' birthday, so think to yourself how you'd feel if it was your birthday and everyone walked around with their head to the ground whining "I don't feel like it's your birthday, I don't want to celebrate it right now". Attitudes are infectious and easily spread. If you choose to have the right attitude it will help others around you to do the same. If you choose to be depressed that same depression will dampen everyone around you. I'm not saying you have to pretend that your trials don't exist. It's about your RESPONSE to the trials.
MERRY CHRISTMAS ;-)
When you think about Christmas and "feeling" what immediately comes to your mind? Mine thinks of the nativity, family, friends, yummy foods, and a general contentment and happiness. I suddenly realized why people might not be feeling in the mood. If you are missing some of these things can it be harder to feel in the "mood"? Why do we need these things to be in the mood? I think it's because the Christmas spirit depends on the attitude of your heart, and a CHOICE. Sure those things are going to make it EASIER to feel in the mood but they are not NECESSARY.
This is not to attack any of my friends who don't feel like Christmas right now but I decided that personally for me, if I sit around moping and pouting, and dwelling on my current situation I certainly wouldn't feel like Christmas. I have to make the choice to think about this time of year and what it means to me as a Christian. Does this mean that I'm "happy" and suddenly all is right in my world? Heck no! My situation is unfortunately still the same and probably won't change a bit through the holidays. I can however make a choice to dwell on the meaning of Christmas, what God has done for me, and have the joy of the Lord anyway. Just like sometimes we have to choose to be grateful at Thanksgiving, and choose to dwell on the good things we have and what God HAS blessed us with and NOT the things that are going wrong in our lives.
So I guess my challenge to you is this--if you are being a "Scrooge", scowling at everyone who tries to wish you a Merry Christmas and refusing to acknowledge the time of year just think about the real reason for the season. News flash! It's not about YOU anyway. :-) It's the time of year we celebrate Jesus' birthday, so think to yourself how you'd feel if it was your birthday and everyone walked around with their head to the ground whining "I don't feel like it's your birthday, I don't want to celebrate it right now". Attitudes are infectious and easily spread. If you choose to have the right attitude it will help others around you to do the same. If you choose to be depressed that same depression will dampen everyone around you. I'm not saying you have to pretend that your trials don't exist. It's about your RESPONSE to the trials.
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." Phil 4:8
MERRY CHRISTMAS ;-)
Monday, October 27, 2008
Obama
I know this post will likely not reflect the opinions of many of my conservative friends but I just finally feel like I HAVE GOT to say some things. This election is completely unprecedented in so many ways and there are such heated opinions that people have resorted to all sorts of "name calling". Obama is probably the most discussed person in this election so let's discuss him for a minute.
There have been all KINDS of emails floating around out there with many interesting and somewhat ridiculous sounding claims about Obama. Some have to do with his acquaintances and some have to do with the man himself. People, before you blindly forward an email around can you do one quick thing for me? Go to Snopes and do a quick search to verify the email's validity. Many times all it takes is thirty seconds to discover a silly forward is completely untrue and saves everyone a lot of headaches. This applies for all forwards, not JUST forwards to do with the election. This has always been an extreme pet peeve of mine that people believe everything that passes through their inbox simply because it starts with something official sounding like "so-and-so at such-and-such company" or "I heard from my sister's husband this was true".
Okay so there are even more emails running around out there about Obama than I have personally seen so just know if you go here then you will find a list of them. Some of the most popular I've seen and heard of are that Obama is not eligible for the presidency because he is not a natural born citizen or that he wouldn't be able to be his own bodyguard because of his relationship with William Ayers. The first one is ridiculous because I don't know how people think he possibly got this far in politics if he truly wasn't a citizen. I know all you conspiracy theorists out there will give me all these reasons why but I'm not buying it.
There has also been discussion of whether or not Obama is muslim but I think that doesn't really jive with the fact that he's been sitting under that crazy pastor for however many years and then that Obama could be the antichrist. This is also more malarkey because as many of you know there are a lot of prophecies about the antichrist and Obama doesn't fulfill them. The email is rather hilarious because first it claims Obama is muslim (okay whatever) and then says that the antichrist will be a muslim (false)--so now we have lied to say he is one thing so that we can claim he is another thing when really that other thing doesn't need the first? That makes no sense whatsoever but it's late and I'm tired.
People also like to talk about how the world as we know it will come to an end if Obama is elected. I simply don't buy it. Do I agree with his policies? No. Do I want to vote for him? NO. Have I heard some of the crazy things he's said? Yes. But I also happen to know that this country has a lot of checks and balances in place to prevent one branch of the government from taking over and doing ridiculous things. I believe this system can and will work even if Obama should be elected. I also don't think he will do some of the absolutely insane things people keep claiming he will. A lot of those people are Christians and may I just say to you how big is your God? Sure maybe God has decided to withdraw His hand of protection because of the sins of our nation but even when the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt and wandered in the wilderness for forty years because of their own stupidity and sin God was there with them the whole way. So just don't get your panties in such a wad. There is no need to borrow trouble.
"Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."
I'm not sure why Obama has drawn so much more freaking out than any other presidential candidate in recent memory. Maybe it's because he's a likeable person whereas Gore & Kerry--well need I say more? Part of the frenzy may be that the Republicans just can't seem to get excited about McCain (I'm totally with you there!) and so they compensate by making Obama out to seem like the devil (or antichrist) to give everyone a good reason to vote for McCain. I personally don't think that it's necessary to get into all these side issue/personal attacks when policy can speak clearly enough for itself. If you need a reason to decide who to vote for just sit down with the Republican and Democratic platforms and decide which one you align with most. Then take the policies on McCain and Obama's sites and compare those. Which sound closer to you? Let's leave off all the negative criticism. As we've seen with Sarah Palin it is just a do-unto-others boomerang that will come back to haunt us. So yes, I say vote McCain/Palin but not because Obama is the antichrist. :-)
There have been all KINDS of emails floating around out there with many interesting and somewhat ridiculous sounding claims about Obama. Some have to do with his acquaintances and some have to do with the man himself. People, before you blindly forward an email around can you do one quick thing for me? Go to Snopes and do a quick search to verify the email's validity. Many times all it takes is thirty seconds to discover a silly forward is completely untrue and saves everyone a lot of headaches. This applies for all forwards, not JUST forwards to do with the election. This has always been an extreme pet peeve of mine that people believe everything that passes through their inbox simply because it starts with something official sounding like "so-and-so at such-and-such company" or "I heard from my sister's husband this was true".
Okay so there are even more emails running around out there about Obama than I have personally seen so just know if you go here then you will find a list of them. Some of the most popular I've seen and heard of are that Obama is not eligible for the presidency because he is not a natural born citizen or that he wouldn't be able to be his own bodyguard because of his relationship with William Ayers. The first one is ridiculous because I don't know how people think he possibly got this far in politics if he truly wasn't a citizen. I know all you conspiracy theorists out there will give me all these reasons why but I'm not buying it.
There has also been discussion of whether or not Obama is muslim but I think that doesn't really jive with the fact that he's been sitting under that crazy pastor for however many years and then that Obama could be the antichrist. This is also more malarkey because as many of you know there are a lot of prophecies about the antichrist and Obama doesn't fulfill them. The email is rather hilarious because first it claims Obama is muslim (okay whatever) and then says that the antichrist will be a muslim (false)--so now we have lied to say he is one thing so that we can claim he is another thing when really that other thing doesn't need the first? That makes no sense whatsoever but it's late and I'm tired.
People also like to talk about how the world as we know it will come to an end if Obama is elected. I simply don't buy it. Do I agree with his policies? No. Do I want to vote for him? NO. Have I heard some of the crazy things he's said? Yes. But I also happen to know that this country has a lot of checks and balances in place to prevent one branch of the government from taking over and doing ridiculous things. I believe this system can and will work even if Obama should be elected. I also don't think he will do some of the absolutely insane things people keep claiming he will. A lot of those people are Christians and may I just say to you how big is your God? Sure maybe God has decided to withdraw His hand of protection because of the sins of our nation but even when the Israelites were enslaved in Egypt and wandered in the wilderness for forty years because of their own stupidity and sin God was there with them the whole way. So just don't get your panties in such a wad. There is no need to borrow trouble.
"Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."
I'm not sure why Obama has drawn so much more freaking out than any other presidential candidate in recent memory. Maybe it's because he's a likeable person whereas Gore & Kerry--well need I say more? Part of the frenzy may be that the Republicans just can't seem to get excited about McCain (I'm totally with you there!) and so they compensate by making Obama out to seem like the devil (or antichrist) to give everyone a good reason to vote for McCain. I personally don't think that it's necessary to get into all these side issue/personal attacks when policy can speak clearly enough for itself. If you need a reason to decide who to vote for just sit down with the Republican and Democratic platforms and decide which one you align with most. Then take the policies on McCain and Obama's sites and compare those. Which sound closer to you? Let's leave off all the negative criticism. As we've seen with Sarah Palin it is just a do-unto-others boomerang that will come back to haunt us. So yes, I say vote McCain/Palin but not because Obama is the antichrist. :-)
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Psalm 61
I was thinking of some friends today and remembered this passage. It seems appropriate for a lot of things I know going on right now.
Psalm 61
1Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
2From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
4I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.
5For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name.
6Thou wilt prolong the king's life: and his years as many generations.
7He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him.
8So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.
Psalm 61
1Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.
2From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
4I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.
5For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name.
6Thou wilt prolong the king's life: and his years as many generations.
7He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him.
8So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Lamentations 3:31-33
For the LORD will not cast off for ever: But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
The Dark Knight
Okay so we (Savanna, Micah, Luke & I) went to see The Dark Knight with Bradley, Barron, Hannah and some friends. Let me just say that was a really good movie. I went into it a little hesitantly considering all the warnings I'd received about how dark the movie was (although I thought to myself what can you expect from a movie with dark in the title??) and was pleasantly surprised. As it seems to be with all middle movies (I'm assuming this one is a trilogy) it does have it's downers and sad moments (I don't want to give anything away). I think that is almost inherent in the nature of middle movies. I read something one time about the Star Wars movies that I thought pretty much summed it up. The middle movie is like the middle OF a movie--it's where everything is building in intensity to the triumphant ending. Sometimes middle movies end with everyone in despair, other times it's just some major cliffhanger but the POINT of it is to make you want to come back to see the next one. I felt the ending of this movie was both of those rolled into one.
So is it dark? Certainly. I have to say though that I did not feel it was oppressively so. It WAS extremely intense which I guess may have Generally speaking super hero movies have reaaally baaad villains and I didn't feel the Joker seemed any more evil than any other villain in any other movie. I guess after Heath Ledger's death and all of the people insisting how he committed suicide because of the evilness and all that, it just didn't seem that bad. Hopefully this won't offend any friends who did think the movie was just extremely dark but I personally found it to be a great movie and will definitely look forward to the next one.
So is it dark? Certainly. I have to say though that I did not feel it was oppressively so. It WAS extremely intense which I guess may have Generally speaking super hero movies have reaaally baaad villains and I didn't feel the Joker seemed any more evil than any other villain in any other movie. I guess after Heath Ledger's death and all of the people insisting how he committed suicide because of the evilness and all that, it just didn't seem that bad. Hopefully this won't offend any friends who did think the movie was just extremely dark but I personally found it to be a great movie and will definitely look forward to the next one.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Music
I am so very excited because Mr. Socolofsky has made his Sunday School lessons on music available on the internet! These lessons were the best I have ever heard on music. It was a very balanced approach and very thorough. I would highly encourage you to take a peek here.
Part 2 of CI still in progress. :)
Part 2 of CI still in progress. :)
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