God Sighting!

Prayers answered, a surprise even though it was expected! God is moving. It may have seemed slow for so long but finally a big move has been made.

God is huge! It His time and His way He cannot be stopped! I'd like to give all the details but for now I am praising God. He has taken us through a long and sometimes arduous journey. He has never failed us even when He has moved slowly to the end we have all longed. He is good and trustworthy and today we celebrate who He is more than what He has done!

Yes, all He has done is great and worthy of praise, but He Himself is more than enough!

God, our Father, Lord, King, Friend, You are more than enough and yet You have given more than we deserve! You give us what we desire in our hearts. You give us life abundantly! Thank You for this surprise gift of Your faithful action on our behalf! Thank You for being good! Complete the good work You have begun in us and through us. We give You the glory!

Friends in High Places

I have friends in high places that pull me up when I am feeling low. How about you? If your friends are in low places, they will pull you down with them. I have a few low down friends too, but most are in high places communing with the Most High God!

Thank you to Corrine, Jenny, Carol, M.E., Connie, and so many many more! You lift me up when I am down and you also push me to greater things! Thanks for being ready with a thoughtful and encouraging word! I hope that I am a Friend in high places for you as well!

Most High God, You are a Friend to me when no one else can be! I need you and rely on You to send me friends who speak Your words of encouragement! Thank You for being so generous with You gifts of friendship! Help me to be a friend to others as You are!

Forgive Me

After posting and rereading my post, I must let you know that I desire connections, but I often fall into the trap of thinking there is a connection with my short and sweet conversations.

I have not followed through on what I know I should do to connect with you.

Please forgive me. Be patient with me as I learn, grow stumble and fall in connecting with you. I'll be patient with you too!

Thanks for reading!

Carolynn

Connect

"Reach out and touch someone" was a popular advertisement for the phone company awhile back. It was meant to get us connected with others by way of the telephone. with the advent of the internet we now have email, Facebook, My Space, and Twitter among other vehicles that want us to "Connect" with one another. But is there a real connection?

I admit that there are moments when I think I've made a connection with someone. Most often it is when they send the message that yes, they want to be my friend, or when I find someone i have not spoken to in ages. Unfortunately a dialog of surface communication falls short of connecting. We "like" what someone has said, or we make a comment about their post and sometimes we have a "Thread" of a conversation that spans a small amount of space. Though it may cover a few hours it is only a few minutes in real time. Even now with my blog I wonder where the other side of the conversation lives. Are my readers smiling, laughing, crying, wondering? With our face to screen conversations or our quick witted comments are we really connecting to one another?

Yes, there are times we connect, but they are rare. So why do we spend so much time trying to connect through cyberspace when face to face and hand in hand has been proven to be the best way to connect with others?

I asked my Granddaughter to put away her game and connect with her sister and myself as we drove to their swimming class yesterday. She complied with turning off the game, but then there was silence. I waited, but no conversation started so I began by asking a question. A lively conversation ensued. Listening to answers and asking more questions is a valuable tool to connect people. It is difficult to listen without voice inflections, tone and body language. It is hard to ask a question if you seldom get an answer other than "Like."

I hope that I can find a way to really connect with people even through wire or wireless connections. I want to be better at trying to connect! I still prefer face to face.

Father, you desire for us to seek Your face. I admit that I sometimes use the quick and easy way, pretending I have made that daily connection with You, only to realize that I am left hungry for something more. I need the connection with You above all else! I need true connections with others. Thank You for making a way possible for me to connect with You. Thank You for giving us the gift of conversation! Teach me to treasure each moment with You and with others. Our stories are entwined. We grow best when our connections to You and one another are deep and meaningful! Help us grow strong roots in one another!

Keeping Promises

I promise. Those are big words no matter what comes after them. We promise never to do something again, go somewhere, or do a chore. Wedding promises are so important that we celebrate those vows with celebrations fit for a king and queen and then remember them year after year! Promises, little or big are meant to be kept.

It is not easy to keep promises. Many things can stand in our way from following through with what our words have spoken. I find that my promises haunt me. Even if I am late with making good on my word, I do what I can to fulfill it. When I cannot make my promise happen, I need to ask forgiveness and admit my failure. I am becoming more aware of my promises. I am careful to communicate to others, especially children, when saying I will.

We make promises to God, others and ourselves. I know that God forgives. He even gives us everything we need to fulfill our promises to Him. Others may not always be so kind. We may suffer broken relationships when we break our promises to others. Sometimes the vows we make to ourselves become barriers to fulfilling our vows to God and others. Vows should never be spoken lightly but with sincere hearts and counting the cost.

Today I promised to attend my Grandlady, Brooke's', Poetry Play at her class. It was a delight and I am so very glad I kept my promise! I am reminded that Gods' word has said that when we are faithful in little things we will be given more. Being faithful in keeping my little promises will prepare me for being faithful with the big ones!

Faithful and True God, You are the Promise Keeper. Your word is always true and You are faithful to fulfill every promise! I cannot say that I am always faithful, and I do not like it when I fail You. Thank You for showing me the wonderful rewards of faithfulness. Thank You for revealing Yourself in the promises You keep! Guard my mind, heart and mouth when tempted to make promises. change me to be more like You, Lord!

Seeing June

June is a precious jewel. That is how I see it when I ponder the month of June. I guess I am an odd duck "Seeing" months or the days of the week in symbols and colors. But it helps me to celebrate the times that God has given me to enjoy.

My computer reflects the changing months. I change the desktop picture and the colors each month according to how I see them in my mind. June is like a palm sized pearl waiting for me to caress in my two hands. It has a luminescence and beauty that draws me close. It does not hold my birthday, nor anniversary. My oldest daughter celebrates her birthday during the month of June and of course Father's Day is in June. These celebrations don't make June a precious jewel. June simply is.

I am glad June is here. I want to delight in its days, their beauty, their hopes, their unique place in my life.

Ancient of Days, You set the moon, sun, and stars in place to help us mark the days of our lives. You are with us in each day. You are the One who gives us each day and all that it holds! I don't always cherish my days, Lord. I am sorry when I run through each chore just to get the day over. Your gift should never be wasted as I waste it sometimes. Forgive me, Lord! Thank You for the gift of days and nights. Thank You for the gift of the abundance that flows within each one! Teach me to open my eyes to see the wonder of each day. Teach me to listen for Your voice in those special minutes!

Greater Love

Service. Sacrifice. Laying down your life for a friend is a greater love. Today we remember those who have given so much, loved so much. Memorial Day 2010 will be filled with fun outings for families and good food and fellowship with friends. It is all made possible by those brave souls who protect us from enemies who would take it away.

Memorial Day is set aside to honor the soldiers killed in battle , but if we are truthful with ourselves we must admit that anyone who has walked in a uniform of the military has made sacrifices. They have given so much for all of us. A soldier may have a job far behind the front lines, but they work as a unit to fulfill the duty of maintaining our freedoms. We honor those who have fallen. It is right to do so. It is also right to thank the soldier who has lost a part of themselves when their buddy has died. Thank you!

Today, I remember family and friends who have served with patriotic hearts. They fought in WWII, Korea and Vietnam. Most came back with only the frightening memories of horrors from which they protect us even now. Lance Corporal Leslie Wayne Williams did not come home. He died in Vietnam, far from the comforting voices and touches of those who loved him. He was only 20 years old. He fought hard to come home, but his injuries finally overcame his bravery. I will always remember him. I will always have a love for him.

Father God, You are Love. You weep over the loss of life. You desire that life is lived in peace. We fail to live as You desire because of our pride and arrogance. We thank You for the courage and love placed in the hearts of those who would protect innocence from evil. We want to live our lives as a living sacrifice, giving all we can in love for others. Pour your love and courage into us!