Rosh Hashanah. Happy New Year to my adoptive Jewish relatives. You may wonder why I say I have adoptive Jewish relatives. I have a Jewish brother in Jesus. I am adopted into His Jewish family and I enjoy learning about their traditions and celebrations.
It has always been around this time of year that I find my conversations with God to turn to the future. Maybe He is wishing me a happy year to come! Our family has traditions that center around Christmas and New Years. Christmas is the time we offer Jesus a gift. We usually make a commitment to change our lives to be more like Him. This is the prelude to our New Years goals.
September is when I begin asking my Heavenly Father and Jesus what I should give to them. In that regard my New Year begins. It is a subtle celebration of Rosh Hashanah. I also take a look back at the past year. It is a time to reflect on what I chose to give last year and how intently I pursued that choice. It is a beautiful time of my life. The falling away of the old habits and the trying on of new ones.
This year promises to be a year of growth. I know that growth often comes with pain, hardship and a need to persevere and so I will begin that process by submitting in obedience and keeping my eyes on His light and my ears attuned to His voice.
What will your New Year hold? You can plan to be held in the strong and safe arms of the Father. Set aside some time to ask. I am sure He is waiting for you to call!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Reading Between the Lines
I write my blog in cryptic words. There are mysteries behind my writings. Though I try to give you readings that will make you think, I most often have something going on in my life that triggers the subject. I don't write about myself. I write for you. My life is hidden so that you can see yourself in the message.
Do you read between the lines? Do you glimpse a little bit of my life when you read my words? If you don't that is fine. I really do have YOU in mind when I write. If you do find yourself reading between the lines you might want to say a prayer for me. I can always use the prayers that offer blessings.
Thanks for reading and praying. I'm praying for you as I write! We have made a circle of prayer.
Do you read between the lines? Do you glimpse a little bit of my life when you read my words? If you don't that is fine. I really do have YOU in mind when I write. If you do find yourself reading between the lines you might want to say a prayer for me. I can always use the prayers that offer blessings.
Thanks for reading and praying. I'm praying for you as I write! We have made a circle of prayer.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Fly Away Home
When children leave home there is much excitement. The change for them is a gigantic step of independence and maturity. I know from experience that at the same time it is also a leap of faith for parents.
Letting go of the child into the adult world is not easy. In fact it takes much courage and strength to let go. Parents have provided, protected, pacified and punished in an effort to make the day of flying away from the nest a successful one for the child. But as their young one drops over the edge of the nest and before the first flutter of their wings catch the wind, a parent forgets to breathe, and remembers every mistake they made. The well taught fledgling seems to never look back.
Children find the place they will call home. It is no longer where the parents live. Home is their own place of comfort and security. Home is a place Mom and Dad visit. It is a place where they can make mistakes and learn to live life fully in charge, making choices and reaping the harvest, good or bad.
Parents know the importance of letting their children fly away home and so they do, with tears. There is a future hope that parent and child will one day share an eternal home. With that hope there is joy. It is never a mistake to give your child wings that leads them to the home that Jesus is preparing for us. In that truth a parent can rejoice!
Little one, with tears I let go, so you can fly away to a place where you can learn who you are and who God can be in your life. Fly away home!
Letting go of the child into the adult world is not easy. In fact it takes much courage and strength to let go. Parents have provided, protected, pacified and punished in an effort to make the day of flying away from the nest a successful one for the child. But as their young one drops over the edge of the nest and before the first flutter of their wings catch the wind, a parent forgets to breathe, and remembers every mistake they made. The well taught fledgling seems to never look back.
Children find the place they will call home. It is no longer where the parents live. Home is their own place of comfort and security. Home is a place Mom and Dad visit. It is a place where they can make mistakes and learn to live life fully in charge, making choices and reaping the harvest, good or bad.
Parents know the importance of letting their children fly away home and so they do, with tears. There is a future hope that parent and child will one day share an eternal home. With that hope there is joy. It is never a mistake to give your child wings that leads them to the home that Jesus is preparing for us. In that truth a parent can rejoice!
Little one, with tears I let go, so you can fly away to a place where you can learn who you are and who God can be in your life. Fly away home!
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Morning?
It is dark outside. It will get lighter in a few minutes but right now it is dark and I would much rather be in bed dreaming . Well, depends on the dream I guess!
Today is Saturday and it is my day to rise early and take time to join friends and visit with the King of glory. You may know the One of whom I speak. He is the One who awakens every new day with an array of color and chorus of bird song. He is the One who also tucks the day away under a patchwork of majesty. He sprinkles the night with glittering lights and makes the moon to dance over the earth. He is majestic and holy and my friend!
I can't wait to meet with Him! I'd love you to come with me! Maybe we will see a glimpse of Him in the sunrise!
Today is Saturday and it is my day to rise early and take time to join friends and visit with the King of glory. You may know the One of whom I speak. He is the One who awakens every new day with an array of color and chorus of bird song. He is the One who also tucks the day away under a patchwork of majesty. He sprinkles the night with glittering lights and makes the moon to dance over the earth. He is majestic and holy and my friend!
I can't wait to meet with Him! I'd love you to come with me! Maybe we will see a glimpse of Him in the sunrise!
Friday, September 26, 2008
Music Magic
The enjoyment of music is a spiritual experience. Music sometimes disturbs me and causes me to cringe. More often it draws me into a deeper place inside myself where I find spiritual treasures.
Through music I am excited to love, impelled to dance for joy, or exhale my cares letting the floodgates of peace wash over me. It is not only the words but the sounds rising and falling in harmony and melody all in unity.
Music is said to be the universal language. I admit that I can "read" the music of other countries. I can touch the depth of truth hidden within the sounds. I hear the cries of those who are just as human as me.
Music nudges me closer to God, my loved ones, and everyone. My thoughts wander to others as I listen . I am not alone in this world and music is a delicate ribbon connecting me to you. Right now I must go dance! There is a song calling me! Want to come along?
Through music I am excited to love, impelled to dance for joy, or exhale my cares letting the floodgates of peace wash over me. It is not only the words but the sounds rising and falling in harmony and melody all in unity.
Music is said to be the universal language. I admit that I can "read" the music of other countries. I can touch the depth of truth hidden within the sounds. I hear the cries of those who are just as human as me.
Music nudges me closer to God, my loved ones, and everyone. My thoughts wander to others as I listen . I am not alone in this world and music is a delicate ribbon connecting me to you. Right now I must go dance! There is a song calling me! Want to come along?
Thursday, September 25, 2008
My Choice
When it comes to my everyday individual choices,I seldom consider how my choice will affect others. I do not consider what has been dubbed butterfly effect. The butterfly effect is a theory that even the soft beating of a butterfly wing will cause the air to stir in such a way as to ripple out and cause major changes in the world. But, I find that I am too selfish to consider long range consequences to others. I am even too concerned for my pleasure or comfort of the moment to consider that what I choose may change many lives.
In my experience I find that it is only when I am hit head on with the consequence of my actions or of others random choices that I stop for a moment and think through my choices.
I guess it comes down to this: our lives do matter. Our presence in the world and the actions we choose do matter to others. Our being invited into existence by the uniting of two cells changes the world. It is our choice to make in how we change it. Over our life time we all, make poor choices. We all make unwise decisions. Even if we live trying to always do right , we will fall short.
We do have hope even in our fallen state. God alone is totally good. He offers us the opportunity to change every bad thing in our life to our good. Letting Him connect to us everyday has a much more powerful butterfly effect and it is all for our good!
In my experience I find that it is only when I am hit head on with the consequence of my actions or of others random choices that I stop for a moment and think through my choices.
I guess it comes down to this: our lives do matter. Our presence in the world and the actions we choose do matter to others. Our being invited into existence by the uniting of two cells changes the world. It is our choice to make in how we change it. Over our life time we all, make poor choices. We all make unwise decisions. Even if we live trying to always do right , we will fall short.
We do have hope even in our fallen state. God alone is totally good. He offers us the opportunity to change every bad thing in our life to our good. Letting Him connect to us everyday has a much more powerful butterfly effect and it is all for our good!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
To Tell the Truth
How do we teach our children, or even ourselves, to be speakers of truth? Don't lie to me! Tell me the truth!
When my oldest daughter went through a phase where she was telling lies, I began a discipline with her that I've even used with myself. When I use the word discipline I can see the red flags go up. Yes, discipline is hard. It is work. It is much like the discipline of exercise, learning a new skill, or dieting. Truth telling discipline is just as difficult, maybe more so because telling the little "White lie" is such an acceptable practice. To be seen as an honest person, we must practice the art of using tact while still remaining truthful.
If we are to stop lying, we must tell the truth. That is it! That is the discipline I use. Every time I heard my daughter tell a lie I commanded her to speak the truth. Even if the lie was days old she had to speak the truthful words to me, and on most occasions to the one she lied to: teachers, siblings, neighbors, friends. I use that same discipline in my life. There are still times that I wrap myself in the cloak of a lie so that the truth in my heart will not be known. When my conscience pricks me I discipline myself by speaking the truth out loud to myself and to the other person where appropriate.
This brings me to one other point. There are times when we lie to ourselves. Those lies are most often revealed when another person speaks truth into our life. OUCH! Sometimes pointing out the dishonest life we are living hurts, but their truthful words can become the key to my freedom.
The discipline for today is to tell myself the truth. If I take care of the plank in my own eye, then I will be better equipped to help someone take the speck out of their own.
When my oldest daughter went through a phase where she was telling lies, I began a discipline with her that I've even used with myself. When I use the word discipline I can see the red flags go up. Yes, discipline is hard. It is work. It is much like the discipline of exercise, learning a new skill, or dieting. Truth telling discipline is just as difficult, maybe more so because telling the little "White lie" is such an acceptable practice. To be seen as an honest person, we must practice the art of using tact while still remaining truthful.
If we are to stop lying, we must tell the truth. That is it! That is the discipline I use. Every time I heard my daughter tell a lie I commanded her to speak the truth. Even if the lie was days old she had to speak the truthful words to me, and on most occasions to the one she lied to: teachers, siblings, neighbors, friends. I use that same discipline in my life. There are still times that I wrap myself in the cloak of a lie so that the truth in my heart will not be known. When my conscience pricks me I discipline myself by speaking the truth out loud to myself and to the other person where appropriate.
This brings me to one other point. There are times when we lie to ourselves. Those lies are most often revealed when another person speaks truth into our life. OUCH! Sometimes pointing out the dishonest life we are living hurts, but their truthful words can become the key to my freedom.
The discipline for today is to tell myself the truth. If I take care of the plank in my own eye, then I will be better equipped to help someone take the speck out of their own.
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