From the outside looking in we can mistakenly think that our neighbors or friends have it "All together. " We are not witnesses to everyones' heartache, trials and struggles. We perceive their lives as a finished puzzle with every piece in its proper place.
Do they see us the same way? Undoubtedly! Even if we share our failures they look longingly at the way we have handled them. We, too, have perpetuated the myth by embellishing the stories to show ourselves in the best light.
God sees the truth. He sees our hearts. He sees us in our darkest places. He sees broken lives and He offers Himself to bring healing.
It is to Him that our Lenten meditations should turn. Our healing and restoration depends on Him, not on ourselves. Once we begin the walk of faith we can lead others into the healing place.
My prayer today is that my brokenness will be transparent to others and My Lord Jesus will be revealed as my healer and restorer.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Live Out the Sorry
On my way home from dropping off my granddaughters from school, I listened to the end of a teaching program. I don't recall the Bible teachers' name but the program is Living on the Edge. He stated that in all our brokenness we must go to Jesus and tell Him we are sorry, and then we must "Live out our sorry."
Wonderful words! Live out my sorry! Don't do it again! Be different. Change what I need to change so that my "Sorry" becomes a new life!
Lent begins today and the traditional giving up of our vices does not always bring us a life walking closer to God. Could it be that Lent is about living out our sorry? We are broken. We can be sorry over and over for the wrong living that causes brokenness in us and in others. Today is the day to start living out our sorry!
The first step is to pray. All sin is against God first. Asking His forgiveness is the place to go first. Then we go to those whom we have harmed by our brokenness. From there God will guide our steps. One step at a time. One day at a time. All done in oneness with God, our friend, Savior, King, and Lord.
My prayer today is that the ashes of our brokenness be blown away by the Holy Spirit, to land in the nail scarred hands of our precious Savior and offered to our loving Creator Father for a re-creation in our lives.
Wonderful words! Live out my sorry! Don't do it again! Be different. Change what I need to change so that my "Sorry" becomes a new life!
Lent begins today and the traditional giving up of our vices does not always bring us a life walking closer to God. Could it be that Lent is about living out our sorry? We are broken. We can be sorry over and over for the wrong living that causes brokenness in us and in others. Today is the day to start living out our sorry!
The first step is to pray. All sin is against God first. Asking His forgiveness is the place to go first. Then we go to those whom we have harmed by our brokenness. From there God will guide our steps. One step at a time. One day at a time. All done in oneness with God, our friend, Savior, King, and Lord.
My prayer today is that the ashes of our brokenness be blown away by the Holy Spirit, to land in the nail scarred hands of our precious Savior and offered to our loving Creator Father for a re-creation in our lives.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Wrong Thinking
Thoughts direct our actions. I am discovering how true this really is.
When I constantly think about myself and even speak only of my point of view or how the situation affects me, I experience a snowball of emotions that grow into an ice cold selfish me-centered person. I don't like myself much when that happens.
The opposite is also true. When my thoughts are turned to God I am aware of others around me. I am merciful and kind. I glow with God's glory shining through me. It is Christ who lives in me. Others experience my warmth and are drawn to me so that I am able to point them to the Goodness of God and His love for them.
Dying to self is a process where we stop feeding selfish me-centered thoughts. It is not a one time decision, though I wish it were. I must continually take each though as it comes along into the captivity of Christ. It is hard work, and as I grow in doing this I hope it will become second nature, like hearing the voice of the Lord.
I don't like dying, but I am excitedly eager to experience life as it was meant to be lived: in the center of The Great I Am!
When I constantly think about myself and even speak only of my point of view or how the situation affects me, I experience a snowball of emotions that grow into an ice cold selfish me-centered person. I don't like myself much when that happens.
The opposite is also true. When my thoughts are turned to God I am aware of others around me. I am merciful and kind. I glow with God's glory shining through me. It is Christ who lives in me. Others experience my warmth and are drawn to me so that I am able to point them to the Goodness of God and His love for them.
Dying to self is a process where we stop feeding selfish me-centered thoughts. It is not a one time decision, though I wish it were. I must continually take each though as it comes along into the captivity of Christ. It is hard work, and as I grow in doing this I hope it will become second nature, like hearing the voice of the Lord.
I don't like dying, but I am excitedly eager to experience life as it was meant to be lived: in the center of The Great I Am!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Dying to Self
I've been thinking that the struggles we go through in our lives and the inner battles we fight are signs of the Holy Spirit revealing to us the places where we need to die to self. It is hard to recognize in ourselves, but God sees all. He also knows that dying to self will set us free to live the abundant life He wants us to live!
Think about this: When we are in a battle of our own or others' making don't we begin with a tirade of "I" statements? "I don't need to put up with this!" "I am miserable", "I am....whatever." The focus is on me and my uncomfortable situation. If we would die to that problem that comes against us, and die to our selfish ways, our vision of God would be clear and focused!
Dying to self seems harsh and against our natural instinct of self preservation. In God's kingdom the opposite is true: to be a leader we must become a servant, if we die we will live! God's ways are not our ways but they are always the best way!
Think about this: When we are in a battle of our own or others' making don't we begin with a tirade of "I" statements? "I don't need to put up with this!" "I am miserable", "I am....whatever." The focus is on me and my uncomfortable situation. If we would die to that problem that comes against us, and die to our selfish ways, our vision of God would be clear and focused!
Dying to self seems harsh and against our natural instinct of self preservation. In God's kingdom the opposite is true: to be a leader we must become a servant, if we die we will live! God's ways are not our ways but they are always the best way!
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Perspectives
Today I was part of a slightly heated discussion with five other women. The subject matter of the discussion is not the topic here today, but may someday find its way to these pages. Today I am interested in what Gods' perspective was as He listened in to our discourse.
In my humble opinion, the discussion was possibly a misunderstanding between parties. It possibly could be that both sides were either correct, wrong, or only partially so. From my viewpoint the subject was not brought to an agreed upon closure. It left much to be answered and so I have spent a better part of my morning asking God to give me His perspective.
He has not answered completely and so I must wait, and search His word for the answer. I do have a sense that His view of the whole matter was not my view, nor the others'. He will use it to teach and guide each of us and I am ready to listen!
Perspective can be a learning tool if we choose to see the other side. That includes God's side as well as the other persons' side. I am ready to learn. What is God thinking about my thoughts? good question!
In my humble opinion, the discussion was possibly a misunderstanding between parties. It possibly could be that both sides were either correct, wrong, or only partially so. From my viewpoint the subject was not brought to an agreed upon closure. It left much to be answered and so I have spent a better part of my morning asking God to give me His perspective.
He has not answered completely and so I must wait, and search His word for the answer. I do have a sense that His view of the whole matter was not my view, nor the others'. He will use it to teach and guide each of us and I am ready to listen!
Perspective can be a learning tool if we choose to see the other side. That includes God's side as well as the other persons' side. I am ready to learn. What is God thinking about my thoughts? good question!
Friday, February 20, 2009
God Sightings
Have you seen God today? What is He up to in your part of the world?
My day is only about 1/3 over and I have already noticed a few things.
1. He has made a change in our weather. It is chilly outside and the air is crisp! It is fall-like for those of you who live up north. to us in Florida it is winter!
2. He has worked forgiveness and peace in the heart of my granddaughter. She was angry at my discipline but today she was at peace and said she was not mad any more.
3. God is the giver of all good gifts and I consider smiles gifts. I've received a couple from people behind the counter at the school and the store. The most special gifts of all were the smiles from all three Grandchildren!
4. God is moving in the hearts of His faithful people. I've heard of red envelope day and have signed up to participate. If you would like to know more go to www.redenvelopeday.com and join the move of God.
5. In my heart He has worked patience when I had to run an extra chore and spend extra money for a forgetful grandchild.
6. There are probably many more delights that God has placed in my path that I have overlooked. Oh how I wish I could be flooded with those delights and not push them aside!
What have you seen God do today? Join in the celebration of His delights, look for Him, praise him join in His work! You will never be disappointed!
My day is only about 1/3 over and I have already noticed a few things.
1. He has made a change in our weather. It is chilly outside and the air is crisp! It is fall-like for those of you who live up north. to us in Florida it is winter!
2. He has worked forgiveness and peace in the heart of my granddaughter. She was angry at my discipline but today she was at peace and said she was not mad any more.
3. God is the giver of all good gifts and I consider smiles gifts. I've received a couple from people behind the counter at the school and the store. The most special gifts of all were the smiles from all three Grandchildren!
4. God is moving in the hearts of His faithful people. I've heard of red envelope day and have signed up to participate. If you would like to know more go to www.redenvelopeday.com and join the move of God.
5. In my heart He has worked patience when I had to run an extra chore and spend extra money for a forgetful grandchild.
6. There are probably many more delights that God has placed in my path that I have overlooked. Oh how I wish I could be flooded with those delights and not push them aside!
What have you seen God do today? Join in the celebration of His delights, look for Him, praise him join in His work! You will never be disappointed!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Gods' Standard
Recently, I heard a young woman declare that she was a "Good girl." It occurred to me that it may be very true to the worlds' standards but what about Gods' standard?
We label ourselves as "good" businessmen, church goers, Moms', Dads', Grandparents, friends, and on and on. Again we need to take a close look at what standard we are judging ourselves by.
Jesus explained "good" in an encounter with a rich young ruler. He said (Mt.19:17) that "There is only one who is good." The GOOD standard we must follow is Jesus.
When a young woman says she is a "good girl" we must look at her life to see if she is following Jesus' example of purity and goodness. The same holds true for the businessman, church goer, or anyone else to whom we see as good.
In my life this has been an awakening. I have been "good" by the worlds' standards. Only God and me know how far short I have come to reaching His standard. I am happy to know that Jesus has kept Gods' standard and offers His perfect life in place of my imperfect one. I am happy about that!
We label ourselves as "good" businessmen, church goers, Moms', Dads', Grandparents, friends, and on and on. Again we need to take a close look at what standard we are judging ourselves by.
Jesus explained "good" in an encounter with a rich young ruler. He said (Mt.19:17) that "There is only one who is good." The GOOD standard we must follow is Jesus.
When a young woman says she is a "good girl" we must look at her life to see if she is following Jesus' example of purity and goodness. The same holds true for the businessman, church goer, or anyone else to whom we see as good.
In my life this has been an awakening. I have been "good" by the worlds' standards. Only God and me know how far short I have come to reaching His standard. I am happy to know that Jesus has kept Gods' standard and offers His perfect life in place of my imperfect one. I am happy about that!
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