Every parent knows the excitement and wonder of the possibility that is wrapped up in the little baby they hold in their arms. They dream of great things their child will do to influence the world. Their coos and goos are imagined to be the next singing sensation. Their dexterity is interpreted as athletic ability worthy of a gold medal. Parents hold in their arms and their hearts, high hopes and dreams for the tiny gift given to them from God. It takes years to unwrap the gift.
God the Father had high hopes and dreams for His Son, too. He knew from the beginning what Jesus would do. He knew how He would change the world. I wonder if when the angels sang "Glory to God" over the stable if God, the Father, wept knowing what His Son would suffer. If I knew what my children would have to suffer along life's' way, I would weep. I have been spared the knowledge of future pains, but God gave His Son knowing He was given to save the world from sins destruction by suffering horribly under cruel men. God spared us the pain and gave us hope, dreams, and possibilities.
I hold my grandchildren and dream good and wonderful days for them. The best of those days is the day they receive the Promised Son of God. Jesus is our promise. Jesus is Gods' "Yes!" to our dreams and hopes!
Rest, little ones, He promises to care for you because He is love and Love has sent His promised Son. He is your gift every day, not just at Christmas.
Loving Father, You have given the greatest gift of hope and possibility to us who will receive. I want that for my children and grandchildren and for myself! We do not deserve this gift. Because You love I will take it! Thank You for Your promise. Thank You for Jesus!
Showing posts with label dreams. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dreams. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
Labor Day
When I was a kid I had chores that needed to be done every day, sometimes weekly. Our family was large and it was necessary for all of us to pitch in with what needed to be done. A country needs to work that way too. America has been a nation of hard workers who have accomplished much in our short existence. Labor Day celebrates the workers who have labored for the good of all.
I will be out of town on Monday and so I want to thank our Labor Force today! Thank you, Mothers and fathers who care for our children. I appreciate our spiritual leaders who lead us in seeking God. There are many workers in many fields caring for our needs for food, clothing, health and shelter. Have I forgotten any one? Oh, maybe I still need to thank God for those who govern us. God has said we should even when we do not agree with their ways. So, yes, I recognize their work and ask God to lead them into wisdom.
This Labor Day let us remind ourselves of the accomplishments of our labor force. Our workers are not always paid. We have many who volunteer, working diligently to improve the lives of our citizens and increase the output of accomplishments of the whole. Monday, let's evaluate our own contribution to the greatness of our nation. Maybe it is time to also make a new resolution to not just work for ourselves, but to work as a team!
Triune God, You are One and yet share Your work with each other and with us. You understand the usefulness of working together as a team. We in America have wandered far from Your ideal. We work for ourselves and greedily use what we have for our own enjoyment. Forgive us! Thank You for giving us this great country and the heritage of Labor! Thank You for blessing the work of our hands. Turn us back to our roots and make us be the nation where dreams come true because our individual dreams give back to everyone! God, please bless America and her labor force.
I will be out of town on Monday and so I want to thank our Labor Force today! Thank you, Mothers and fathers who care for our children. I appreciate our spiritual leaders who lead us in seeking God. There are many workers in many fields caring for our needs for food, clothing, health and shelter. Have I forgotten any one? Oh, maybe I still need to thank God for those who govern us. God has said we should even when we do not agree with their ways. So, yes, I recognize their work and ask God to lead them into wisdom.
This Labor Day let us remind ourselves of the accomplishments of our labor force. Our workers are not always paid. We have many who volunteer, working diligently to improve the lives of our citizens and increase the output of accomplishments of the whole. Monday, let's evaluate our own contribution to the greatness of our nation. Maybe it is time to also make a new resolution to not just work for ourselves, but to work as a team!
Triune God, You are One and yet share Your work with each other and with us. You understand the usefulness of working together as a team. We in America have wandered far from Your ideal. We work for ourselves and greedily use what we have for our own enjoyment. Forgive us! Thank You for giving us this great country and the heritage of Labor! Thank You for blessing the work of our hands. Turn us back to our roots and make us be the nation where dreams come true because our individual dreams give back to everyone! God, please bless America and her labor force.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Faith-Filled Dreams
Why is it so hard to let go of dreams and hold onto faith? Dreams can be difficult to attain and yet the desire for their realization tempts us over and over. We grasp for those visions and believe if only we try hard enough, it will happen. Faith, on the other hand, seems to slip away so easily from us with a simple word or circumstance.
Sometimes the loss of a dream causes a loss of faith. It is sad indeed to lose faith over worldly hopes, but we too often choose what we would see more than what we cannot see. A woman seeking the love of a man might surrender her faith to get him. A couple dreaming of a perfect home might manipulate and forget their faith in order to gain what may someday become a nightmare. There are many dreams that have the foundation of faith, but there are also those that have no support. The only way to hold onto faith is to let your dreams be rooted in a faith that is based in truth.
Faith founded on the one true God and His plan for our lives, His wisdom and great love for us, is the only sure way to find our dreams and the desires of our hearts fulfilled. Yes, I have known the sadness of losing those dreams I wanted from the world. I have also had the deep abiding joy of receiving from God's hand the things I most desire.
Father God, You have generous hands. You know my heart and You supply all my needs and most of my desires. Trusting in You is a sure foundation. Thank You for allowing me to dream big when walking hand in hand with You. Thank You for leading me into the best places....those green pastures where You shepherd me safely. I love You, Lord
Sometimes the loss of a dream causes a loss of faith. It is sad indeed to lose faith over worldly hopes, but we too often choose what we would see more than what we cannot see. A woman seeking the love of a man might surrender her faith to get him. A couple dreaming of a perfect home might manipulate and forget their faith in order to gain what may someday become a nightmare. There are many dreams that have the foundation of faith, but there are also those that have no support. The only way to hold onto faith is to let your dreams be rooted in a faith that is based in truth.
Faith founded on the one true God and His plan for our lives, His wisdom and great love for us, is the only sure way to find our dreams and the desires of our hearts fulfilled. Yes, I have known the sadness of losing those dreams I wanted from the world. I have also had the deep abiding joy of receiving from God's hand the things I most desire.
Father God, You have generous hands. You know my heart and You supply all my needs and most of my desires. Trusting in You is a sure foundation. Thank You for allowing me to dream big when walking hand in hand with You. Thank You for leading me into the best places....those green pastures where You shepherd me safely. I love You, Lord
Friday, July 30, 2010
Fading Dreams
I am a dreamer. My dreams are vivid and complicated. I love my dreams even if they are intense, or scary. God visits my dreams in subtle ways. The visions I see in my dreams bring to mind scriptures and that is how God speaks to me in my dreams. I seldom lose my dreams. The pictures usually remain sharp in my mind, but there are those few times when they are like vapor, dissolving in air before I can grasp their fullness. Losing my dream makes me feel frustrated. It is those lost dreams I hope I can revisit when I lay down again. They rarely come back though, and knowing that makes me sad. My heart misses the dream and longs for the message I sense was lost.
I am also a day dreamer. My mind wanders off with hope and faith by my side. I love my day dreams also. They do not always stick around for long, but they are always something to enjoy, hope for, and even talk over with my Heavenly Father. When day dreams fade I feel a deeper sense of loss. Maybe it is because my hope is greater that these dreams could be real. Whatever the reason, the fading of dreams will always draw me closer to my Father who has placed the desires and dreams in my heart.
Father, You are the author of my dreams. You are my hope. I love the hymn that says "Be Thou my vision....." I pray that today. I need You to be my vision, my hope, and my dreams.
I am also a day dreamer. My mind wanders off with hope and faith by my side. I love my day dreams also. They do not always stick around for long, but they are always something to enjoy, hope for, and even talk over with my Heavenly Father. When day dreams fade I feel a deeper sense of loss. Maybe it is because my hope is greater that these dreams could be real. Whatever the reason, the fading of dreams will always draw me closer to my Father who has placed the desires and dreams in my heart.
Father, You are the author of my dreams. You are my hope. I love the hymn that says "Be Thou my vision....." I pray that today. I need You to be my vision, my hope, and my dreams.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Before I Die
What do you want to do before you die?
That is a question posed by many people. Some go so far as to write out a list of things to do before they die. I've watched a show called Buried Life that is dedicated to fulfilling the "Before I die" lists. So I've wondered what I would write on my list.
Dreams are elusive. They are not easy to write in permanent ink. Ink makes them real and frightening. What would happen if I wrote my list and then laid it aside never reaching for those amazing moments that I dream about? It may not make a difference, but then it could make all the difference.
I think I need to make a list!
Living God, You are an amazing adventurer! You not only invite me to explore Your creation and discover the abundant blessings of living life fully, but You also join in the adventure! You became a man, experiencing all that life holds! You join Yourself to me through Your Holy Spirit and ask me to risk and reach into unknown areas and live! You began the adventure of creation. Seeking and knowing You is an adventure. you are the planner and the completer of all my adventures! I will let You help me write my list!!
That is a question posed by many people. Some go so far as to write out a list of things to do before they die. I've watched a show called Buried Life that is dedicated to fulfilling the "Before I die" lists. So I've wondered what I would write on my list.
Dreams are elusive. They are not easy to write in permanent ink. Ink makes them real and frightening. What would happen if I wrote my list and then laid it aside never reaching for those amazing moments that I dream about? It may not make a difference, but then it could make all the difference.
I think I need to make a list!
Living God, You are an amazing adventurer! You not only invite me to explore Your creation and discover the abundant blessings of living life fully, but You also join in the adventure! You became a man, experiencing all that life holds! You join Yourself to me through Your Holy Spirit and ask me to risk and reach into unknown areas and live! You began the adventure of creation. Seeking and knowing You is an adventure. you are the planner and the completer of all my adventures! I will let You help me write my list!!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Wrestling with God
When we wrestle with God something will be broken.
A stubborn will shattered by Love and Goodness sets the imprisoned dreamer free to become real.
Almighty God, I believe You are Good and You are Love. Break the things in me that must be broken so that I might become the dream You have for me.
A stubborn will shattered by Love and Goodness sets the imprisoned dreamer free to become real.
Almighty God, I believe You are Good and You are Love. Break the things in me that must be broken so that I might become the dream You have for me.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
I Have a Dream
I have a dream that I think is Gods' vision of the world. It isn't that I see everything as God sees it, but when He shows me bits and pieces I get excited and imagine how the world would be if God's vision was fulfilled.
This dream I have today is one of the equality of mankind. What would the world be like if presidential celebrations or other accomplishments are not focused on the color of the persons' skin or their gender but of their character, beliefs and deeds?
Certainly today's inauguration is historical, but the overwhelming message has been that President Obama is African American. My dream is that it would not be his heritage but his person hood that would be the standout message. This black and white mindset keeps the racial divisions alive. We the people do not need to be reminded of our differences. Rather, we must seek our common core to make us truly be the United States! Our unification is in a people "Under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." Maybe for the next president this will be so!
"For the Lord sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." I Samuel 16:7b
This dream I have today is one of the equality of mankind. What would the world be like if presidential celebrations or other accomplishments are not focused on the color of the persons' skin or their gender but of their character, beliefs and deeds?
Certainly today's inauguration is historical, but the overwhelming message has been that President Obama is African American. My dream is that it would not be his heritage but his person hood that would be the standout message. This black and white mindset keeps the racial divisions alive. We the people do not need to be reminded of our differences. Rather, we must seek our common core to make us truly be the United States! Our unification is in a people "Under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." Maybe for the next president this will be so!
"For the Lord sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." I Samuel 16:7b
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Secrets
I just "whispered" a secret in an email to my family. I tucked it into the last line and even now I hope they do not make a big fuss about it.
I've kept the news to myself because my heart needed time to catch up. My heart is still tender about it, but I will be okay.
I am learning that I do not always need to tell everything to everyone, right away. Sometimes it is best for me that the secret is kept, but other times it is best for them. This time my secret may hurt their feelings a bit, because I didn't tell earlier, but I needed to hold on to the information for my heart comfort.
It all reminds me of one of my favorite poems.The poem is "Hold Fast Your Dreams " by Louise Driscoll. The first stanza goes like this:
Hold fast your dreams!
Within your heart
Keep one still and secret spot
Where dreams may go,
And sheltered so,
May thrive and grow
Where doubt and fear are not.
O keep a place apart,
Within your heart,
For little dreams to go!
My secret wasn't a dream, but it does have a dream wound around it. That dream still needs a secret place so I will keep it there until I must let it go.
I've kept the news to myself because my heart needed time to catch up. My heart is still tender about it, but I will be okay.
I am learning that I do not always need to tell everything to everyone, right away. Sometimes it is best for me that the secret is kept, but other times it is best for them. This time my secret may hurt their feelings a bit, because I didn't tell earlier, but I needed to hold on to the information for my heart comfort.
It all reminds me of one of my favorite poems.The poem is "Hold Fast Your Dreams " by Louise Driscoll. The first stanza goes like this:
Hold fast your dreams!
Within your heart
Keep one still and secret spot
Where dreams may go,
And sheltered so,
May thrive and grow
Where doubt and fear are not.
O keep a place apart,
Within your heart,
For little dreams to go!
My secret wasn't a dream, but it does have a dream wound around it. That dream still needs a secret place so I will keep it there until I must let it go.
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