While I am on vacation this blog will be silent. Unless I get access to a computer and time to do more than delete emails my words will be written in a journal. Or, maybe I should challenge myself in an exercise in silence.
I need to be silent in order to listen and listening is an integral part of relationship. Refraining from expressing my own thoughts is not easy but also not impossible. It seems to me that all of us humans have a fear of losing those thoughts that are so important for a moment in time. If we don't speak out or write down our lists, ideas, opinions etc, we lose our chance. The moment passes and we wander around wondering what we forgot to say, do or buy.
The question is how important was the thought in the first place? Could it be expressed better at another time? Is there truth we can learn if we wait and listen before we speak?
My vacation will be a time of resting from my blog and listening to my own thoughts as I interact with new surroundings and people. Silence can be golden so I will mine a bit of wisdom while I vacation.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Monday, July 7, 2008
Packing
I am begining to pack for a ten day vacation. I want to carry a light load, but I don't want to forget anything I will really need. I am planning my clothing carefully, but when it comes to my books I know I can be a little heavy in that department.
I have a book I am reading and must decide if I will finish before the ten days and need the second in the trilogy. I think I'll read slow. I must take my bible. I thrive on Gods' word. Then there is my study book and journal. Gee, I'd love to take them so I can move along with my plan. Okay, so that makes four books, all of which are medium in size. Maybe I'll skimp on the shoes!
Packing is a bit like choosing three things you can have on a deserted island. You can't carry everything, but there are things you really need. What will I REALLY use on my trip? I guess I need clothes, books and my vitamins!
Makes me think about what I carry along on my spiritual journey. I carry Gods' word but I also tote along some unnecessary baggage! I think I'll try to do some unpacking before moving forward in my day. What are you needing to unpack? Jesus told us that His burden is light! I want to take a trip with Him and let Him show me what I really need on my trip to heaven!
I have a book I am reading and must decide if I will finish before the ten days and need the second in the trilogy. I think I'll read slow. I must take my bible. I thrive on Gods' word. Then there is my study book and journal. Gee, I'd love to take them so I can move along with my plan. Okay, so that makes four books, all of which are medium in size. Maybe I'll skimp on the shoes!
Packing is a bit like choosing three things you can have on a deserted island. You can't carry everything, but there are things you really need. What will I REALLY use on my trip? I guess I need clothes, books and my vitamins!
Makes me think about what I carry along on my spiritual journey. I carry Gods' word but I also tote along some unnecessary baggage! I think I'll try to do some unpacking before moving forward in my day. What are you needing to unpack? Jesus told us that His burden is light! I want to take a trip with Him and let Him show me what I really need on my trip to heaven!
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Falling
I took a tumble off the back end of a moving van today. It was something I would have rather not done, but I did, and now I am very sore. I expect to end up with a couple of black and blue temporary tattoos from the experience.
It happened as a result of a simple miscalculation. My husband and I were unloading my sons equipment that he lent us for our fireworks tent. I was moving items in the truck and my husband was carrying them to their shed. My sons ladder was leaning against the back of the truck on the side that had the shortest drop from the step to the ground. Being a short woman, my intention was to hold the ladder out and step down at that shorter step. Unfortunately for me I miscalculated, and as I reached my foot down I found air not ground. Thus I became off balance and the ladder started to fall. I let go of the ladder, but my body also continued in the same direction. I hit the ladder with my left side, lost my hat, my glasses and my dignity as I rolled onto my back into the street. My husband came running and after a quick assessment he helped me up.
Any fall can jar me into an awareness of body parts that seem to work in obscurity. This fall is no exception. The truth is that spiritual falls can also jar me into an awareness of vulnerable areas of my life. One misstep can send me tumbling causing contusions of my emotions or my spirit.
The healing of my physical wounds calls for gentle TLC. Spiritual wounds calls for my loving and gentle Saviors' voice, speaking truth. His voice is gentle strong, and healing. Thanks Jesus for the TLC of Your voice. Thanks also for every little bit of TLC I can find for my body!
It happened as a result of a simple miscalculation. My husband and I were unloading my sons equipment that he lent us for our fireworks tent. I was moving items in the truck and my husband was carrying them to their shed. My sons ladder was leaning against the back of the truck on the side that had the shortest drop from the step to the ground. Being a short woman, my intention was to hold the ladder out and step down at that shorter step. Unfortunately for me I miscalculated, and as I reached my foot down I found air not ground. Thus I became off balance and the ladder started to fall. I let go of the ladder, but my body also continued in the same direction. I hit the ladder with my left side, lost my hat, my glasses and my dignity as I rolled onto my back into the street. My husband came running and after a quick assessment he helped me up.
Any fall can jar me into an awareness of body parts that seem to work in obscurity. This fall is no exception. The truth is that spiritual falls can also jar me into an awareness of vulnerable areas of my life. One misstep can send me tumbling causing contusions of my emotions or my spirit.
The healing of my physical wounds calls for gentle TLC. Spiritual wounds calls for my loving and gentle Saviors' voice, speaking truth. His voice is gentle strong, and healing. Thanks Jesus for the TLC of Your voice. Thanks also for every little bit of TLC I can find for my body!
Friday, July 4, 2008
Freedom Fences
Freedom has boundaries ordained by God and enforced by each individual.
These boundaries are good because God is good. They are the dividing line between good and evil. We must choose good in order to live in freedom. Good is infinite Evil is finite.
When we choose to live selfishly and without self control we will eventually find that government needs to control more and we will live with less freedom. Bigger government does mean less freedom. Our individual choices are much more important than our choices at the voting booth. Our hearts must beat in rhythm with Gods' goodness because there can be no law against Him that will stand. It matters not what men may rule against Gods' good boundaries, we will own freedom if we remain within the safety and security of those freedom fences!
Today we here in the U.S.A. celebrate the birthday of our nation that has been founded on the choice to live within the expansive boundaries God has given us. Today I celebrate my freedom to choose. May I choose wisely.
These boundaries are good because God is good. They are the dividing line between good and evil. We must choose good in order to live in freedom. Good is infinite Evil is finite.
When we choose to live selfishly and without self control we will eventually find that government needs to control more and we will live with less freedom. Bigger government does mean less freedom. Our individual choices are much more important than our choices at the voting booth. Our hearts must beat in rhythm with Gods' goodness because there can be no law against Him that will stand. It matters not what men may rule against Gods' good boundaries, we will own freedom if we remain within the safety and security of those freedom fences!
Today we here in the U.S.A. celebrate the birthday of our nation that has been founded on the choice to live within the expansive boundaries God has given us. Today I celebrate my freedom to choose. May I choose wisely.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
God Bless the U.S.A.
I am the patriotic sort of person who cries easily when hearing our "National Anthem" or "God Bless America" or any other patriotic song. I don't really know how I got that way, but I think I have a vague idea.
As I grew up I was told over and over that the U.S.A. was the greatest country in the world. My parents were grateful for the privileges and opportunities we were afforded here as citizens. Thanksgiving was birthed in me for my native land. I thus took to heart that God had placed me in a place that was rich and built on priceless treasures. These treasures were the God given rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
May life flow from the spilt blood of those who gave so freely in service to the people of this great land. May life be valued from its simplest of beginings to its struggling breaths of its endings. May liberty be honored for all. May freedom build its safe and strong boundaries within each self controlled heart. And may the pursuit of happiness never be for ourselves alone but for every people and neighbor.
May our celebration of Country be filled with hope for our future. May God grant us wisdom in seeking the paths to these ageless and foundational ideals we call our own.
God Bless America!
As I grew up I was told over and over that the U.S.A. was the greatest country in the world. My parents were grateful for the privileges and opportunities we were afforded here as citizens. Thanksgiving was birthed in me for my native land. I thus took to heart that God had placed me in a place that was rich and built on priceless treasures. These treasures were the God given rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
May life flow from the spilt blood of those who gave so freely in service to the people of this great land. May life be valued from its simplest of beginings to its struggling breaths of its endings. May liberty be honored for all. May freedom build its safe and strong boundaries within each self controlled heart. And may the pursuit of happiness never be for ourselves alone but for every people and neighbor.
May our celebration of Country be filled with hope for our future. May God grant us wisdom in seeking the paths to these ageless and foundational ideals we call our own.
God Bless America!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Wisdom
What is wisdom? My definition is seeing things from Gods' perspective. If that is a true definition then is it really possible for us to have wisdom apart from God?
I suppose that we can stumble on a piece of wisdom. I am almost certain it would not be a complete understanding though. I firmly believe that to own wisdom entirely is Gods' possession and His gift to those who choose to receive. He does give it freely because He desires for us to know the truth and to be set free. He waits for us to ask.
Lord, I want Your wisdom in all my relationships and choices. Thank You for offering and giving it so freely!
I suppose that we can stumble on a piece of wisdom. I am almost certain it would not be a complete understanding though. I firmly believe that to own wisdom entirely is Gods' possession and His gift to those who choose to receive. He does give it freely because He desires for us to know the truth and to be set free. He waits for us to ask.
Lord, I want Your wisdom in all my relationships and choices. Thank You for offering and giving it so freely!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Chisles
Who might be a chisle in my life? I really think God is the hammer. It is His direction and power that sets in motion how others affect me and carve into my life the character God has chosen.
WHEW! could you be one of my chisles? Don't worry. I thank God for putting you in my life!
WHEW! could you be one of my chisles? Don't worry. I thank God for putting you in my life!
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