Do you regift? Okay, so maybe you don't want to admit it, but even if we don't regift, we all think about it from time to time. I love to give books as gifts. I wonder how many have gone unread by my intended giftee before they passed it on to someone who may or may not read it. Maybe my choice of gifts is just not a wise choice.
In fact, as I ponder this I am convicted that giving the kind of book I want the person to have, is possibly judgemental on my part. I am judging that they "Need" what the book says, or they are interested in the same material in which I am interested.
Okay back to my original thought....
God is in the gifting, regifting business. He has given the world His son. His Son, Jesus has given those who believe His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives wisdom to those who ask. God has given His word and His love. With all He has given us, He actually tells us not to keep it all for ourselves! (God is worthy to make a judgement on what we need. He is our Creator and Father!)
God wants us to make His gifts our own and then regift them to others. The more receive the more we are to give! This blog is a regifting of all that God has given me! I want the receiver to be aware of the original giver: God.
Father God, You are a wise Giver of good and generous gifts! You are wise in asking us to regift what You have given to us, because You alone give the best! Thank You for teaching me to give without judgement. Thank You for giving me good gifts to regive! Teach me more about giving the precious gifts You have given me!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Lost and Found
Lost coin. Lost Sheep. Lost little girl. Now found.
There is great rejoicing here in Central Florida over the little girl found after four days lost in the woods. Nadia has come home!
There is great rejoicing in heaven when one of Gods' little children find their way back home!
Nadia's return has given us all a picture of the joy that erupts when we turn and look to His face and ask if we can come home. He always waits with open arms!
Father, I know of so many that You love and You sent Your Son to die for that keep running away from You. You await with open arms and a longing heart. You never give up on them and never turn Your back to them. Sometimes I tire of waiting for them to change. I want to forget I know them. Thank You for staying there with eyes seeking for each one. Thank You for seeking for me! Thank You for never giving up. change my heart, Lord, to be like Yours!
There is great rejoicing here in Central Florida over the little girl found after four days lost in the woods. Nadia has come home!
There is great rejoicing in heaven when one of Gods' little children find their way back home!
Nadia's return has given us all a picture of the joy that erupts when we turn and look to His face and ask if we can come home. He always waits with open arms!
Father, I know of so many that You love and You sent Your Son to die for that keep running away from You. You await with open arms and a longing heart. You never give up on them and never turn Your back to them. Sometimes I tire of waiting for them to change. I want to forget I know them. Thank You for staying there with eyes seeking for each one. Thank You for seeking for me! Thank You for never giving up. change my heart, Lord, to be like Yours!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Do You Believe?
Jesus often asks me, "Do you believe?" When I pray for a healing, or for help in some way, He will ask me if I believe. It is futile to tell Him "Yes, I believe," when I have doubts. He knows my thoughts and my heart. So I have learned to be honest with Him and with myself over the things I pray for.
Being Honest, even with God, is not easy sometimes. Claiming myself to be a believer, makes me want to say, "I believe." I can believe in His resurrection power that raised Jesus from the dead, but do I believe His resurrection power can heal disease now? I believe that He can set people free from bondage, but do I believe it for myself? for the really tough cases?
Do my hesitations make me a doubter, not a believer? Am I double minded believing one time and doubting the next? Is it me, or is it the enemy of our faith that shadows my inconsistent belief? Does my Heavenly Father expect purity in my belief, or does He accept my doubts as a wonderful challenge to prove His love for me?
Father, I have many questions today, but even with my questions I know You are the answer. You are Truth and Giver of all good gifts. You withhold nothing from those who come to You seeking honest answers. I feel guilty not believing You. I know in my heart that You are good but You are so far beyond myself that I cannot see or understand Your ways in the world. When I do see I am amazed and believe more, but so often, I do not see. Thank You for Your Word and Your presence in my life. Thank You for Your voice that speaks to me in times of doubt. I believe. Help my unbelief!
Being Honest, even with God, is not easy sometimes. Claiming myself to be a believer, makes me want to say, "I believe." I can believe in His resurrection power that raised Jesus from the dead, but do I believe His resurrection power can heal disease now? I believe that He can set people free from bondage, but do I believe it for myself? for the really tough cases?
Do my hesitations make me a doubter, not a believer? Am I double minded believing one time and doubting the next? Is it me, or is it the enemy of our faith that shadows my inconsistent belief? Does my Heavenly Father expect purity in my belief, or does He accept my doubts as a wonderful challenge to prove His love for me?
Father, I have many questions today, but even with my questions I know You are the answer. You are Truth and Giver of all good gifts. You withhold nothing from those who come to You seeking honest answers. I feel guilty not believing You. I know in my heart that You are good but You are so far beyond myself that I cannot see or understand Your ways in the world. When I do see I am amazed and believe more, but so often, I do not see. Thank You for Your Word and Your presence in my life. Thank You for Your voice that speaks to me in times of doubt. I believe. Help my unbelief!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Blessing
I am blessed! I am surrounded by blessing! Blessings flow with my every breath! Yesterday I cried and today I cherish my blessings.
Simple things are the greatest of blessings. Breath, color, smiles, feelings, life. Within these simple pleasures God dwells and thus I am blessed. When I look upon the unlimited blue sky, and drink in the light of the sun shining upon the waters, or follow the winds moving effortlessly through the variegated green of the trees, I am awed by the bigness of God! But then, He draws my thoughts to His presence within me! He dwells within me, and I am blessed!
His presence within the beating of my heart, the breath that passes through my lungs, the workings of every cell amazes me, and I am blessed! Why would THE big, powerful all-knowing God give me life?
I only see it and feel it as love. Love so huge that it cannot be contained ! I am certain God is much deeper than that, but for me, It is all I need for today.
Great and Mighty God of the Universe! Holy God! Creator of endless life and love for us, Your servants, You are amazing! I am lowly and totally dependant on You. Thank You for creating our world. Thank You for entering our world so personally! Thank You for loving our world enough to give Your only Son! I want to spread Your blessing as You have given to me!
Simple things are the greatest of blessings. Breath, color, smiles, feelings, life. Within these simple pleasures God dwells and thus I am blessed. When I look upon the unlimited blue sky, and drink in the light of the sun shining upon the waters, or follow the winds moving effortlessly through the variegated green of the trees, I am awed by the bigness of God! But then, He draws my thoughts to His presence within me! He dwells within me, and I am blessed!
His presence within the beating of my heart, the breath that passes through my lungs, the workings of every cell amazes me, and I am blessed! Why would THE big, powerful all-knowing God give me life?
I only see it and feel it as love. Love so huge that it cannot be contained ! I am certain God is much deeper than that, but for me, It is all I need for today.
Great and Mighty God of the Universe! Holy God! Creator of endless life and love for us, Your servants, You are amazing! I am lowly and totally dependant on You. Thank You for creating our world. Thank You for entering our world so personally! Thank You for loving our world enough to give Your only Son! I want to spread Your blessing as You have given to me!
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Tears Heal
When was the last time you cried? I just wiped away my tears for the day. Healing tears that are precious to my Father in heaven.
My tears washed away tensions and through them I saw forgiveness and found strength. Strength, you say? Yes, strength. My tears are an open expression of my weakness and scripture tells me that when I am weak He is strong. He lives within me and He is my strength at all times but so much more so when I cry.
Father, You are my comfort and my peace. You are the strength I need today and every day! I have fallen into a pot hole today, Father and I thank You that You picked me up when You heard me cry. You wiped away my tears and bandaged my hurts. You kissed away the pain and lifted me up close to You! You have sent the Bully away and reprimanded him. You have protected me from his taunts and fiery darts. You are a good Daddy! I love You! I want to know how to be Your delight. Teach me the right way and help me to obey without question.
My tears washed away tensions and through them I saw forgiveness and found strength. Strength, you say? Yes, strength. My tears are an open expression of my weakness and scripture tells me that when I am weak He is strong. He lives within me and He is my strength at all times but so much more so when I cry.
Father, You are my comfort and my peace. You are the strength I need today and every day! I have fallen into a pot hole today, Father and I thank You that You picked me up when You heard me cry. You wiped away my tears and bandaged my hurts. You kissed away the pain and lifted me up close to You! You have sent the Bully away and reprimanded him. You have protected me from his taunts and fiery darts. You are a good Daddy! I love You! I want to know how to be Your delight. Teach me the right way and help me to obey without question.
Friday, April 9, 2010
Celebrating Poetry
April is National Poetry Month! I am excited and challenged to put a new poem on my poetry blog (http://poetryimpressed.blogspot.com) every day throughout April.
I am sharing my own poetry as well as some of my favorites from other poets, well-known and not so well-known. I hope you will visit and enjoy the beauty of words woven together into a mind picture just for you!
I began writing poetry in high school, but did not share it with others for many many years. My love for words that flow and rhyme and are spoken in melody most likely began in Kindergarten. My Mom has told me the story over and over that I had memorized every poem and verse that was recited for our Kindergarten play. I sometimes wonder what those poems were so I could see how much I remember of them.
Words are a delight to me. They express the heart and soul of the person and I have never been one to stay in the shallows except when swimming. My favorite words are from our Poet God who weaves His life into His Scriptures and makes them live in me!
O Poet God,
I rejoice in Your voice! It is sweet in my ear and awakens my spirit! You are The Word of Life! You are Truth revealed. I bow in humility to Your perfection of all things. Thank You for filling me with delight in Your word and the words that You create in me to share with the world! Thank You for the pleasure of hearing, seeing, reading and speaking! Reign over my words and my thoughts. Rein in my wayward tongue and untamed thoughts. Keep me close to You so I may hear Your whispers clearly!
I am sharing my own poetry as well as some of my favorites from other poets, well-known and not so well-known. I hope you will visit and enjoy the beauty of words woven together into a mind picture just for you!
I began writing poetry in high school, but did not share it with others for many many years. My love for words that flow and rhyme and are spoken in melody most likely began in Kindergarten. My Mom has told me the story over and over that I had memorized every poem and verse that was recited for our Kindergarten play. I sometimes wonder what those poems were so I could see how much I remember of them.
Words are a delight to me. They express the heart and soul of the person and I have never been one to stay in the shallows except when swimming. My favorite words are from our Poet God who weaves His life into His Scriptures and makes them live in me!
O Poet God,
I rejoice in Your voice! It is sweet in my ear and awakens my spirit! You are The Word of Life! You are Truth revealed. I bow in humility to Your perfection of all things. Thank You for filling me with delight in Your word and the words that You create in me to share with the world! Thank You for the pleasure of hearing, seeing, reading and speaking! Reign over my words and my thoughts. Rein in my wayward tongue and untamed thoughts. Keep me close to You so I may hear Your whispers clearly!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Poetry
Do you like poetry? I am always amazed at the people who tell me they love poetry or even those who say they hate it! I've heard both statements in the last few weeks.
One hates poetry because she doesn't understand it, so she says. She is a creative writer who uses metaphor and yet she does not understand poetry? I wonder what poetry she has read. There are so many beautiful, simple poems that are easy to understand. If she has been under a teacher who took the beauty from poetry by the teaching a strict form and not allowing the thought, flow and rhythm of the words to delight the senses, I can understand. I've been there. But I cannot stay there.
The other person I discovered loved poetry, was my father-in-law. It was a wonderful surprise and I am sorry I did not know our love of poetry while he lived. He seemed to be an unlikely lover of poetry. But then, he had a tender heart and a wonderful intellect that saw beneath the surface. I'm so glad I found out. It brings me joy to know this about him.
When I read the Psalms I am assured that God loves poetry too! I see poetic influences in most of scripture. God delights to be The Word. He places within it a heartbeat, and a melody that we can feel and move within! He is a poet. He is the Poem.
O Lord the great Poet of all time, You are the Word, You are Delightful and You reach my heart with Your Thoughts through Your life filled words. I can only follow You when writing. I can never write without Your guiding hand. Thank You for giving us poetry. Thank You for Your beautiful life giving poetical words. Teach me to hear Your words with an open heart and open life to live them every day!
*Did you understand my "Writer's Block?" The WALL (The block) with WRITER written over a person was my picture of a writer's block. I thought it was funny! *
One hates poetry because she doesn't understand it, so she says. She is a creative writer who uses metaphor and yet she does not understand poetry? I wonder what poetry she has read. There are so many beautiful, simple poems that are easy to understand. If she has been under a teacher who took the beauty from poetry by the teaching a strict form and not allowing the thought, flow and rhythm of the words to delight the senses, I can understand. I've been there. But I cannot stay there.
The other person I discovered loved poetry, was my father-in-law. It was a wonderful surprise and I am sorry I did not know our love of poetry while he lived. He seemed to be an unlikely lover of poetry. But then, he had a tender heart and a wonderful intellect that saw beneath the surface. I'm so glad I found out. It brings me joy to know this about him.
When I read the Psalms I am assured that God loves poetry too! I see poetic influences in most of scripture. God delights to be The Word. He places within it a heartbeat, and a melody that we can feel and move within! He is a poet. He is the Poem.
O Lord the great Poet of all time, You are the Word, You are Delightful and You reach my heart with Your Thoughts through Your life filled words. I can only follow You when writing. I can never write without Your guiding hand. Thank You for giving us poetry. Thank You for Your beautiful life giving poetical words. Teach me to hear Your words with an open heart and open life to live them every day!
*Did you understand my "Writer's Block?" The WALL (The block) with WRITER written over a person was my picture of a writer's block. I thought it was funny! *
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