Laryngitis is making its rounds! I substituted teaching a bible class for a friend who has had laryngitis for the entire week, and my grandson is also affected.
It is a strange phenomenon that when someone has laryngitis or begins to whisper everyone tends to speak to them in a whisper! When I think about it, the opposite is also true. When we raise our voice to one another, the other person also raises their voice. It is like follow the leader.
The simple act of lowering our voice when someone is angry can help to calm the person and possibly bring a sense of common sense into the situation. Smart idea! But the credit goes to God. He has decreed that a soft answer turns away wrath. (Proverbs 15:1) I think I'll try lowering my voice and see what change I can effect in the world around me!
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
Re-gifting
Re-gifting can sometimes seem rude and sneaky. Maybe it is, but there are times when re-gifting means a lot to the giver and the receiver.
A couple of years ago I attended a women's Christmas party where the hostess asked everyone to bring a gift that means something to them to re-gift to someone in the group. We were to be prepared to share the story of the gift. How did we get it? If it was a gift , who was the first giver? etc. She explained that we all have many things that we keep because of sentimental value but we do not use for one reason or another. Why not give it to someone else who may appreciate the gift and the story behind it.
This year I've been looking around my house and in my jewelry box to see what I can thoughtfully re-gift. It is like shopping in my own home! Sometimes I need to do some digging but when you are looking for treasure digging is where you start!
I have decided to start small this year. I have chosen two people to whom I want to re-gift. Maybe next year I can find something for all my children as well!
The thoughtful giving of a gift, even a re-gift, is always a treasure of the heart. There can be no greater gift than a piece of our heart.
A couple of years ago I attended a women's Christmas party where the hostess asked everyone to bring a gift that means something to them to re-gift to someone in the group. We were to be prepared to share the story of the gift. How did we get it? If it was a gift , who was the first giver? etc. She explained that we all have many things that we keep because of sentimental value but we do not use for one reason or another. Why not give it to someone else who may appreciate the gift and the story behind it.
This year I've been looking around my house and in my jewelry box to see what I can thoughtfully re-gift. It is like shopping in my own home! Sometimes I need to do some digging but when you are looking for treasure digging is where you start!
I have decided to start small this year. I have chosen two people to whom I want to re-gift. Maybe next year I can find something for all my children as well!
The thoughtful giving of a gift, even a re-gift, is always a treasure of the heart. There can be no greater gift than a piece of our heart.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Labels
Everywhere we look there is a label. Labels on our food, clothing, and just about everything we buy. We also have labels for people. Some are very helpful, but others can create a stigma for the person labeled. Mister, Mrs., President, father, mother, sir and other labels like these are signs of respect, if not for the person, at least for the position he/she holds. Then there are labels that reflect our sin like murderer, thief, prostitute, and liar that are black blotches that take time and hard work to blot out. Labels tell a story about us, or do they?
As soon as we are born a label is placed on us. "It's a Boy!" or "It's a girl!" is the first label we wear. From that moment the labels come at us white/ black, cranky/peaceful, cute/not-so-cute, funny/serious, happy/angry. Some stick and others don't. We become a friend, fiance, spouse, widow. In school we can be gifted or slow, troublemaker or good kid, maybe even a Phd.
Labels can stick on us long after the reason for the label has been put behind us. Some people will not let the labels on others be removed. That is where I find a deep sadness, because I've been on both ends of that story. Neither side can find peace, understanding and hope for the future.
In my estimation labels should be positive if at all possible. I also believe that if we must name a person with a not so positive label, we should always be willing to look for the opportunity to drop that label. If the label is truly from the past then let us keep it there. Like our Moms' used to say, "If you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all."
The best thing about God is that He has no labels. (Neither Jew nor Greek, slave or free, male or female...) He also washes away those sin labels with the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross and He has put them as far away as the east is from the west. WOW! The labels we see in scripture (children of God, apostles, prophets etc. ) are there for our benefit, not His! He sees us as we are. He calls us by name. Maybe all He sees is the love He has for us when He looks into our faces.
Love. Now that is a label I'd like to wear!
As soon as we are born a label is placed on us. "It's a Boy!" or "It's a girl!" is the first label we wear. From that moment the labels come at us white/ black, cranky/peaceful, cute/not-so-cute, funny/serious, happy/angry. Some stick and others don't. We become a friend, fiance, spouse, widow. In school we can be gifted or slow, troublemaker or good kid, maybe even a Phd.
Labels can stick on us long after the reason for the label has been put behind us. Some people will not let the labels on others be removed. That is where I find a deep sadness, because I've been on both ends of that story. Neither side can find peace, understanding and hope for the future.
In my estimation labels should be positive if at all possible. I also believe that if we must name a person with a not so positive label, we should always be willing to look for the opportunity to drop that label. If the label is truly from the past then let us keep it there. Like our Moms' used to say, "If you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all."
The best thing about God is that He has no labels. (Neither Jew nor Greek, slave or free, male or female...) He also washes away those sin labels with the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross and He has put them as far away as the east is from the west. WOW! The labels we see in scripture (children of God, apostles, prophets etc. ) are there for our benefit, not His! He sees us as we are. He calls us by name. Maybe all He sees is the love He has for us when He looks into our faces.
Love. Now that is a label I'd like to wear!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Romance
In today's world romance is the expression of love between a couple. In the dictionary it is first described as a narrative or verse that tells about the adventures of knights and other chivalrous heroes. It is funny to me that most men that I know run away from the word romance claiming that it is a woman's realm.
Okay so what is romance to a woman? Is it the flowers and candy or diamond gifts that bring true romance into our lives? I have to admit that those things are nice and certainly can be a part of a romantic gesture. I don't think it is the essence of romance to a woman though.
Flowers or candy given to fulfill a duty cannot possibly be felt as romantic to a lady who is waiting for her man to prove his love through strength, and sacrifice. A lady waits and watches for the signs that she was really the only one on his mind. Are the flowers her favorite color and kind? Has her knight listened to her, learned about her, and loved her with the things that delight her?
A lady's knight must prove that his adventures and exploits (his pleasures and work) are done with her in mind. That proof is romantic to her.
A quick story of my knight fighting the battle to prove his love for me came the week of 9/11. I was in Colorado with my daughter who was expecting our second grandchild very soon. She was on bed rest and so I went to aid her in taking care of our first granddaughter. Our anniversary was four days after that brutal attack. My knight had planned to come for the weekend but with air traffic suspended he thought it would not happen.
The attacks did not stop him though. He braved the fears, the delays and cancelled flights to be with me. Yes, he was a day late, but his arms around me were the ribbon on a romantic gift I will never forget! Romance is an expression of sacrificial and personal love that is meant for only one. Yes, for men it is an adventure and a heroic act. For us women our men become romantic and a man worthy of our attentions by slaying the dragons that stand between him and his love!
Okay so what is romance to a woman? Is it the flowers and candy or diamond gifts that bring true romance into our lives? I have to admit that those things are nice and certainly can be a part of a romantic gesture. I don't think it is the essence of romance to a woman though.
Flowers or candy given to fulfill a duty cannot possibly be felt as romantic to a lady who is waiting for her man to prove his love through strength, and sacrifice. A lady waits and watches for the signs that she was really the only one on his mind. Are the flowers her favorite color and kind? Has her knight listened to her, learned about her, and loved her with the things that delight her?
A lady's knight must prove that his adventures and exploits (his pleasures and work) are done with her in mind. That proof is romantic to her.
A quick story of my knight fighting the battle to prove his love for me came the week of 9/11. I was in Colorado with my daughter who was expecting our second grandchild very soon. She was on bed rest and so I went to aid her in taking care of our first granddaughter. Our anniversary was four days after that brutal attack. My knight had planned to come for the weekend but with air traffic suspended he thought it would not happen.
The attacks did not stop him though. He braved the fears, the delays and cancelled flights to be with me. Yes, he was a day late, but his arms around me were the ribbon on a romantic gift I will never forget! Romance is an expression of sacrificial and personal love that is meant for only one. Yes, for men it is an adventure and a heroic act. For us women our men become romantic and a man worthy of our attentions by slaying the dragons that stand between him and his love!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Labor Pains
I don't really know what to write today. I have many thoughts but they do not seem to really go anywhere. Each thought gives me some measure of unease, and I sometimes wonder what God is doing in all those areas of my life.
I liken these uneasy moments to labor and childbirth. I know that may sound odd, but they do come in waves like labor pains. It is nice when they ease off a little, and I get a rest from the struggle of whatever is coming. There is expectation but also a sense of loss. Whatever Gods' plan is for my future, I know that I will labor to believe in the fulness of his plan and my part in it. The end result will be something new and because God is in on it, there will be life!
Okay, so I'm being somewhat cryptic in this writing. It is not my intent to be secretive, but I really don't know all that is going on or what God has in mind. I only know that I have mixed emotions and uncertainty in what direction to go. The only thing I trust is Gods' goodness, His love, His faithfulness and His life living in me!
At this time in my life I am looking for signs of God working around me. He is everywhere and He is wanting me to join Him each day. As I do, I will move forward with Him.
I liken these uneasy moments to labor and childbirth. I know that may sound odd, but they do come in waves like labor pains. It is nice when they ease off a little, and I get a rest from the struggle of whatever is coming. There is expectation but also a sense of loss. Whatever Gods' plan is for my future, I know that I will labor to believe in the fulness of his plan and my part in it. The end result will be something new and because God is in on it, there will be life!
Okay, so I'm being somewhat cryptic in this writing. It is not my intent to be secretive, but I really don't know all that is going on or what God has in mind. I only know that I have mixed emotions and uncertainty in what direction to go. The only thing I trust is Gods' goodness, His love, His faithfulness and His life living in me!
At this time in my life I am looking for signs of God working around me. He is everywhere and He is wanting me to join Him each day. As I do, I will move forward with Him.
Monday, February 2, 2009
God's Gift of Me
Sunday at church this question was posed: What is in me for God? It was a question that I think we all may ask at some point.
When we contemplate God's greatness, His immense being, what could we possibly have inside of us that we could give God? The answer begins and ends with God. If it didn't then He would not be God at all!
God wanted us to be able to give Him something. He knew that we would desire to offer Him something in return for the many blessings He has given us. In His great wisdom He gave each of us a unique blend of talents, personality, ability, passions, gifts, and experiences. Within the combination of these, we find a treasure that we can offer God.
Finding our gift for God is a lifelong quest. The gift is not meant to be given one time, but over our lifetime! Yes, I am still searching for all I can give Him! He has worked miracles in me and around me and He deserves my best! When I meet with Him in heaven I pray He will be pleased with what I offer Him.
When we contemplate God's greatness, His immense being, what could we possibly have inside of us that we could give God? The answer begins and ends with God. If it didn't then He would not be God at all!
God wanted us to be able to give Him something. He knew that we would desire to offer Him something in return for the many blessings He has given us. In His great wisdom He gave each of us a unique blend of talents, personality, ability, passions, gifts, and experiences. Within the combination of these, we find a treasure that we can offer God.
Finding our gift for God is a lifelong quest. The gift is not meant to be given one time, but over our lifetime! Yes, I am still searching for all I can give Him! He has worked miracles in me and around me and He deserves my best! When I meet with Him in heaven I pray He will be pleased with what I offer Him.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Bullies
Bullies come in all sizes, ages, and genders. It does not matter who they are, their aggressive, belittling behavior must be confronted. The victims of a bully must be protected!
Bullies most likely have their own problems. They may think that putting down others by showing their own strength in a bully fashion will make them feel better about themselves or their situation. The truth is that in acting out this way they reinforce their own lack of character. They are foolish to believe that pushing others around will lift them higher.
God has said that if we would be great we must be the servant of all. Having servants is not the way to be great or feel great. Bullies are people in need. One small step in service to other's needs is one giant leap into finding the greatness within themselves.
Bullies most likely have their own problems. They may think that putting down others by showing their own strength in a bully fashion will make them feel better about themselves or their situation. The truth is that in acting out this way they reinforce their own lack of character. They are foolish to believe that pushing others around will lift them higher.
God has said that if we would be great we must be the servant of all. Having servants is not the way to be great or feel great. Bullies are people in need. One small step in service to other's needs is one giant leap into finding the greatness within themselves.
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