Good Morning to my readers.
It is a very pretty day here in Vegas, the sunny has just peeked over the mountains and the sky is cloudless. It is going to be another day of meetings and dine arounds before I get ready to come home tomorrow. Of course these hotels have a sea of people in them at all hours of the day and night. But today a special person will be here and sure to cause some buzz and attract some press. Presidential candidate Mitt Romney's running mate Paul Ryan will be in this very hotel.
Many people I am sure that both support and do not support him will be hanging out in an attempt to catch a glimpse of him. Maybe some will want their picture taken with him. Some may get a chance at a photo opportunity. But never the less there will be at lot more acctivity than a normal casino day.
It got me to thinking. Just a few days ago Paul Ryan could go about anywhere and not draw a huge crowd. But just get picked by a Presidential candidate and your life changes forever. The media is all over you, digging into your past, your family, even staking out your home. Not the lifestyle that many people would embrace but some crave.
So how about Jesus. As a child and growing young man he was just one of the gang, nothing exceptional. Or so we thought. Then he enters into his "profession" and the world stalks him, followers crave to spend time with him, day and night. He attracts the attention of leaders and many write about his activities.
I'll be honest, if I lived in Jesus time I would have liked to rub shoulders with him. Had cameras been invented I would have loved a picture with him. Who wouldn't? But here lies the challenge. Each of us must choose who we want to "be seen" with, supporting, admiring.
Lord I thank you that you decide who becomes elevated in status and that people are allowed to choose those that they want to look up to. I thank you that for everyone You desire a fellowhsip and hero status. You have so much to offer us that we are not even aware of that can be life giving. Amen
So onward I move along a path that has me traversing some smooth places and some rough patches. My focus is on You and I'm constantly praising and singing of the goodness of Christ in my life.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Monday, August 13, 2012
Day 36 - Prophetic
It was exciting to dive into a great book while I was flying to Las Vegas. Yesterday at church we had an awesome message about not being fearful of the prophetic. Since I was raised in a pentecostal church the prophetic, like other manifestations of the Spirit, are not foreign to me. I was thrilled to hear that our church would be having impartation sessions. The sad thing, it was going on while I was in Vegas. Bummer!
So I determined that even though I was in Vegas for business I could find plenty of time to pray and seek God for a "word in season." Part of my time in prayer today is asking God about a ministry my husband Ken and I are thinking about beginning. I told Ken that we would compare ideas when I get home and then step out as we feel God leading us.
It can be scary starting a new venture but when you know that God is on the adventure with you, it is a great support system. The neat thing, this new ministry idea, has so much to do with 'broken' people. Go figure. Just like God to have me involved with something I am in a current study of so I can put things I'm learning to the test.
How about you? Have you ever felt like you needed to do something but were scared or hesitant to begin? It is just like us to want the whole charted course before we beign. That way we can plan for dangerous areas. Kinda like climbing a mountain. If you knew the steep areas and any narrow paths you could mentally be prepared.
But I have found doing much of anything substantial for the Lord, you fly blind. He requires that we are leaning totally on Him. We are not doing anything in our own strength. I never forget Indiana Jones in the movie where he had to traverse a gorge and there was nothing else to do but take a step into thin air. Of course a step appeared and he was able to cross. But it was in faith he took that first step and then the next and the next.
Lord, I commit the inception of this ministry to you. I will follow where you lead and do what you what accomplished. Please infuse me with your ideas and the power of the Holy Spirit to make it a major transformation in people's lives. Amen
So as I am walking along it is wonderful to have a huge goal in front of me. I have plenty of time to gather ideas while the Lord is doing a complete healing in my life in regards to 'broken.' Having something that helps define your purpose sure puts a pep in your step.
So I determined that even though I was in Vegas for business I could find plenty of time to pray and seek God for a "word in season." Part of my time in prayer today is asking God about a ministry my husband Ken and I are thinking about beginning. I told Ken that we would compare ideas when I get home and then step out as we feel God leading us.
It can be scary starting a new venture but when you know that God is on the adventure with you, it is a great support system. The neat thing, this new ministry idea, has so much to do with 'broken' people. Go figure. Just like God to have me involved with something I am in a current study of so I can put things I'm learning to the test.
How about you? Have you ever felt like you needed to do something but were scared or hesitant to begin? It is just like us to want the whole charted course before we beign. That way we can plan for dangerous areas. Kinda like climbing a mountain. If you knew the steep areas and any narrow paths you could mentally be prepared.
But I have found doing much of anything substantial for the Lord, you fly blind. He requires that we are leaning totally on Him. We are not doing anything in our own strength. I never forget Indiana Jones in the movie where he had to traverse a gorge and there was nothing else to do but take a step into thin air. Of course a step appeared and he was able to cross. But it was in faith he took that first step and then the next and the next.
Lord, I commit the inception of this ministry to you. I will follow where you lead and do what you what accomplished. Please infuse me with your ideas and the power of the Holy Spirit to make it a major transformation in people's lives. Amen
So as I am walking along it is wonderful to have a huge goal in front of me. I have plenty of time to gather ideas while the Lord is doing a complete healing in my life in regards to 'broken.' Having something that helps define your purpose sure puts a pep in your step.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Day 35 - Restoration
Finishing Nehemiah this morning before heading to church and then the airport. I came across a 'fit of carnality' that Nehemiah had with the children of Israel. They were well into the rebuilding but trouble was rampant. I'll quote a statement from Jack Hayfords book "Rebuilding the Real You." He mentions "the goal of God's restoration programs will always be to beget responsible self-government instead of slothful self-indulgence."
Nehemiah was angry and God gets angry but the ultimate outcome is for the good of the person or people involved. It is important to remember, too, God is not vindictive but will always confront evil. He wants to restore us because He loves us.
So today I am headed on a business trip to Las Vegas. I've been there, done that a few times as a sightseer. I've expereinced the massive hotels, been to Hoover Dam and seen some great shows. I have done everything 'wholesome' there is to do in that city. It did not get it's nickname 'sin city' for no reason. There is plenty of bad to go around. I'm sure I will be elbow to elbow with people that are so excited to be there and partake in the feast of unbridled pleasures. For me it is an endurance thing. I am there for the business meeting and don't plan on leaving the hotel till I fly home.
Lord, help me to be a radiant light as I go to this business trip. No matter where I am may your love and passion for people always be something that is reflected in me. Help me to help others. Let me see into the 'broken' places in peoples lives and touch them with your healing. Amen
So moving along the path I encounter hostile creatures. Snakes in front of me heading away, one for a pool of water where some are swimming and one heading toward a campsite. I look for a weapon to snuff out the life of these venemous reptiles. I warn the swimmers to exit the pool and caution them check their sleeping quarters. Then I wake up. I realize I've just had a bad dream or was it? Maybe it is God telling me that when I encounter evil before me running away from me toward others I am to be His voice warning them to be on the lookout and to also be watching myself, ready to attack if needed.
Nehemiah was angry and God gets angry but the ultimate outcome is for the good of the person or people involved. It is important to remember, too, God is not vindictive but will always confront evil. He wants to restore us because He loves us.
So today I am headed on a business trip to Las Vegas. I've been there, done that a few times as a sightseer. I've expereinced the massive hotels, been to Hoover Dam and seen some great shows. I have done everything 'wholesome' there is to do in that city. It did not get it's nickname 'sin city' for no reason. There is plenty of bad to go around. I'm sure I will be elbow to elbow with people that are so excited to be there and partake in the feast of unbridled pleasures. For me it is an endurance thing. I am there for the business meeting and don't plan on leaving the hotel till I fly home.
Lord, help me to be a radiant light as I go to this business trip. No matter where I am may your love and passion for people always be something that is reflected in me. Help me to help others. Let me see into the 'broken' places in peoples lives and touch them with your healing. Amen
So moving along the path I encounter hostile creatures. Snakes in front of me heading away, one for a pool of water where some are swimming and one heading toward a campsite. I look for a weapon to snuff out the life of these venemous reptiles. I warn the swimmers to exit the pool and caution them check their sleeping quarters. Then I wake up. I realize I've just had a bad dream or was it? Maybe it is God telling me that when I encounter evil before me running away from me toward others I am to be His voice warning them to be on the lookout and to also be watching myself, ready to attack if needed.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Day 34 - Fit of Carnality
Friends were over tonight and we watched an older video of Jesse Duplantis entitled, "A Fit of Carnality." The message, woven in with true account stories delivered in hilarious fashion, was rather simple. If you do not hold firm to sound words (salvation words/profession of faith) then the flesh is sure to be subject to "fits" on a daily basis. For most it is seen in bouts of anger when the the soul takes control. The discipline is to be in faith, consecrated to being who and what God says we are so that our body is overlaid by the cross of Jesus.
How many times have you been going along and then out of no where you get in an attitude quite unbecoming? You can bet that it only takes a minute and one episode for you to lose it and have others watching. "Hypocrite," they say. You may have been trying to show someone where true blessed joy and peace come from and then, BAM! You lose it.
I have had that happen on too many occasions to even remember them all. Seems to happen several times a week. It doesn't mean I don't love the Lord and praise Him for my life. It just means that no good thing comes from my flesh and if not held in check it will run me.
Think about the last "fit" you had. Were you alone or was someong else involved or overheard? Did you feel miserable afterwards or did it even phase you at all?
Lord, I know it is the desire of my heart and that of my readers to want to please you in all things and to live a victorious life. Keeping and holding firm to sound words, faith words is the key. Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to be our thermometer. When we are starting to reach the boiling point may we listen to the inner voice and then heed it. Amen
I think it is common for the enemy to want to make a run at you when you are finished worshiping. There is no better time to make you slip up and then throw condemnation on you. But I am so glad that I know that my Savior is not the accuser. Praise God that even when I mess up there is grace to help me begin again.
So as I keep making the trek I want to use this time to fortify my faith words. As He is healing 'broken' places he is also turbo charging my positive profession. I'm feeling the difference already.
How many times have you been going along and then out of no where you get in an attitude quite unbecoming? You can bet that it only takes a minute and one episode for you to lose it and have others watching. "Hypocrite," they say. You may have been trying to show someone where true blessed joy and peace come from and then, BAM! You lose it.
I have had that happen on too many occasions to even remember them all. Seems to happen several times a week. It doesn't mean I don't love the Lord and praise Him for my life. It just means that no good thing comes from my flesh and if not held in check it will run me.
Think about the last "fit" you had. Were you alone or was someong else involved or overheard? Did you feel miserable afterwards or did it even phase you at all?
Lord, I know it is the desire of my heart and that of my readers to want to please you in all things and to live a victorious life. Keeping and holding firm to sound words, faith words is the key. Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to be our thermometer. When we are starting to reach the boiling point may we listen to the inner voice and then heed it. Amen
I think it is common for the enemy to want to make a run at you when you are finished worshiping. There is no better time to make you slip up and then throw condemnation on you. But I am so glad that I know that my Savior is not the accuser. Praise God that even when I mess up there is grace to help me begin again.
So as I keep making the trek I want to use this time to fortify my faith words. As He is healing 'broken' places he is also turbo charging my positive profession. I'm feeling the difference already.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Day 33 - Describe Yourself
Have you ever taken a personality test? Have you ever had to rate yourself on a job performance evaluation? How about thinking ahead for those five and ten year goals? Better yet what if someone said, "Please describe yourself to us?"
Well I have taken personality tests and I guess there is something to them. I can see places that are very accurate and then a few that fail to hit the mark. I have worked long enough to have done my share of performance evaluations too. I have yet to sit for interview that I don't get the question, "Where do you see yourself in five or ten years?" The idea of describing myself seems that hardest of all.
So why is describing yourself so hard. God seems to know and repeats it over and over again in the Bible. Countless adjectives and labels of who we are and what we mean to Him. Yet what is the first thing that comes out of your mouth when you begin to describe. Is it how you look, what your job is, your position in the family and how many members there are? What about strengths and weaknesses? Which do you start with or do you even talk about weaknesses?
Taking time to pray about this it dawned on me that if all we ever did was repeat what God says about us then we could actually get our soul to line up with our spirit. Here are a few to get you started. See how many others you can find in the Word and then start verbally speaking these over yourself.
I am a Child of God (Romans 8:16)
I am a New Creature (2 Corinthians 5:17)
I am an Heir of Eternal Life (1 John 5:11,12)
I am Healed by His Stripes (1 Peter 2:24)
I am the Light of the World (Matthew 5:14)
Lord help all of us to dig out of Your Word all the descriptions about who we are. Beyond the bounds of this world we have a eternal heavenly home. There we will all know who we are and whose we are. Amen
So for me on this path another moment to stop and praise Him. His goodness is overwhelming at times. The higher I go the smaller my problems look. The air is fresh, the sun is warm and the SON is inviting.
Well I have taken personality tests and I guess there is something to them. I can see places that are very accurate and then a few that fail to hit the mark. I have worked long enough to have done my share of performance evaluations too. I have yet to sit for interview that I don't get the question, "Where do you see yourself in five or ten years?" The idea of describing myself seems that hardest of all.
So why is describing yourself so hard. God seems to know and repeats it over and over again in the Bible. Countless adjectives and labels of who we are and what we mean to Him. Yet what is the first thing that comes out of your mouth when you begin to describe. Is it how you look, what your job is, your position in the family and how many members there are? What about strengths and weaknesses? Which do you start with or do you even talk about weaknesses?
Taking time to pray about this it dawned on me that if all we ever did was repeat what God says about us then we could actually get our soul to line up with our spirit. Here are a few to get you started. See how many others you can find in the Word and then start verbally speaking these over yourself.
I am a Child of God (Romans 8:16)
I am a New Creature (2 Corinthians 5:17)
I am an Heir of Eternal Life (1 John 5:11,12)
I am Healed by His Stripes (1 Peter 2:24)
I am the Light of the World (Matthew 5:14)
Lord help all of us to dig out of Your Word all the descriptions about who we are. Beyond the bounds of this world we have a eternal heavenly home. There we will all know who we are and whose we are. Amen
So for me on this path another moment to stop and praise Him. His goodness is overwhelming at times. The higher I go the smaller my problems look. The air is fresh, the sun is warm and the SON is inviting.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Day 32 - Perspective
Wow, today was busy. Work, then home for errands, another evening appointment and then home for housework. Now it is blog time.
I got up early this morning and was reading in the Psalms. It truly amazes me how much God speaks to us. It is really a matter of perspective on how each person takes away from the Bible what is needed to sustain life. This book is so incredible because of how versatile it is for everyone. No matter if you are on a tremendous high or a devastating low, all the help, encouragement, power, support, etc. is here. So it is really up to each of us to appropriate what we read and then apply it.
I was recounting to my friend today some of the stories I lived through with my four teenage children when I was a single parent. It was hard and at times seemed impossible to bear but I survived and my children are well adjusted adults today. It is just so hard when you are in the fire or eye of a storm to see that help is all around. I talk to many who are dealing with stuff in their life and they feel hopeless, lost, alone, confused. It causes me to remember my own bouts with turmoil and how I got through. It was perspective. When everything looked at its worst God was actually closer than I knew. It was my perspective that made me dig in and keep going when screaming in my ear was, "Give Up!"
So where are you? If you are struggling, He's there. If you are rejoicing, He's there. If life is mundane, He's there. And we have at our fingertips His love letters, instruction manual, road map and therapeutic guide.
Lord, can we all be quick to run to your Word for our help. May we read of friends that have journeyed through everything we face and made it. We have to look no further than the Bible for all the answers. Thank you for preserving history for us. Amen
As I'm sitting here rejoicing and now reminiscing I am in awe yet again. God is my completeness. He's been a loving father I never had, a husband when I was alone and is now my reigning King. How can it get any better.
I got up early this morning and was reading in the Psalms. It truly amazes me how much God speaks to us. It is really a matter of perspective on how each person takes away from the Bible what is needed to sustain life. This book is so incredible because of how versatile it is for everyone. No matter if you are on a tremendous high or a devastating low, all the help, encouragement, power, support, etc. is here. So it is really up to each of us to appropriate what we read and then apply it.
I was recounting to my friend today some of the stories I lived through with my four teenage children when I was a single parent. It was hard and at times seemed impossible to bear but I survived and my children are well adjusted adults today. It is just so hard when you are in the fire or eye of a storm to see that help is all around. I talk to many who are dealing with stuff in their life and they feel hopeless, lost, alone, confused. It causes me to remember my own bouts with turmoil and how I got through. It was perspective. When everything looked at its worst God was actually closer than I knew. It was my perspective that made me dig in and keep going when screaming in my ear was, "Give Up!"
So where are you? If you are struggling, He's there. If you are rejoicing, He's there. If life is mundane, He's there. And we have at our fingertips His love letters, instruction manual, road map and therapeutic guide.
Lord, can we all be quick to run to your Word for our help. May we read of friends that have journeyed through everything we face and made it. We have to look no further than the Bible for all the answers. Thank you for preserving history for us. Amen
As I'm sitting here rejoicing and now reminiscing I am in awe yet again. God is my completeness. He's been a loving father I never had, a husband when I was alone and is now my reigning King. How can it get any better.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Day 31 - Legacy
Do you have any idea how people will speak about you when your time on earth is over? Are you taking steps now to ensure that you leave behind a legacy for your family and friends to remember you? In our hurried life it is not something that many people think about yet it is important.
I had time to think on this today when I was driving from my job to home. It is no surprise that my family is always on my mind. If I had more disposable income I would shower my children and grandchidren with enough money so that they don't ever have to struggle. I know the driving force behind me wanting to spare them struggle is because I did enough for all of them combined. For many years I was a single parent raising four children. It was tough and my living conditions at times went from fair to poor. I had to tell my children no so much it was pathetic. I grieved over the inability to be what I thought of as a proper parent. I wanted my children to know how much I loved them yet I felt helpless to make it any better. Then the Lord told me something that rang in my head. "If you provide everything they need and they never feel hardship they will never learn to rely on me". Wow, a heavenly rebuke. I had made it so that when times got tough they turned to me first, usually, instead of to God. Oops.
My focus is a bit different now. I still help as much as I can but I am quicker to point them to where their help comes from. I want them to learn to lean on Jesus as much as I have had them lean on me. I turned some really bad times around by God's favor and good old hard work. Nothing happened overnight. It was "keep on keeping on" and persevering even when things looked bleak. I thank those that reached out to help me and saw them as angels God used to help get me back on track.
Today my children are all making their own impact in the world and they are providing for their families. I am very proud of each of them. As the grand children grow up I am loving my time to be with each of them.
So I want what is remembered about me to be a knowing that I would give the shirt off my back, pray without ceasing and always have an ear to hear and discernment to give wise counsel. I enjoy a profession that has been my focus for over thrity years and I am still reaching to be even more. That's it. God, Family, Job. Pretty much sums up my life and legacy.
Lord, please find something that all my readers can focus on as the legacy they want to be remembered for in their life. Help us to stay pointed toward you and full of praise and adoration. Amen
Hiking along I think it is time to sit a spell and praise Him. He is so good and worthy of all of me. May my legacy forever be first and foremost that I was a Christian woman covered in grace.
I had time to think on this today when I was driving from my job to home. It is no surprise that my family is always on my mind. If I had more disposable income I would shower my children and grandchidren with enough money so that they don't ever have to struggle. I know the driving force behind me wanting to spare them struggle is because I did enough for all of them combined. For many years I was a single parent raising four children. It was tough and my living conditions at times went from fair to poor. I had to tell my children no so much it was pathetic. I grieved over the inability to be what I thought of as a proper parent. I wanted my children to know how much I loved them yet I felt helpless to make it any better. Then the Lord told me something that rang in my head. "If you provide everything they need and they never feel hardship they will never learn to rely on me". Wow, a heavenly rebuke. I had made it so that when times got tough they turned to me first, usually, instead of to God. Oops.
My focus is a bit different now. I still help as much as I can but I am quicker to point them to where their help comes from. I want them to learn to lean on Jesus as much as I have had them lean on me. I turned some really bad times around by God's favor and good old hard work. Nothing happened overnight. It was "keep on keeping on" and persevering even when things looked bleak. I thank those that reached out to help me and saw them as angels God used to help get me back on track.
Today my children are all making their own impact in the world and they are providing for their families. I am very proud of each of them. As the grand children grow up I am loving my time to be with each of them.
So I want what is remembered about me to be a knowing that I would give the shirt off my back, pray without ceasing and always have an ear to hear and discernment to give wise counsel. I enjoy a profession that has been my focus for over thrity years and I am still reaching to be even more. That's it. God, Family, Job. Pretty much sums up my life and legacy.
Lord, please find something that all my readers can focus on as the legacy they want to be remembered for in their life. Help us to stay pointed toward you and full of praise and adoration. Amen
Hiking along I think it is time to sit a spell and praise Him. He is so good and worthy of all of me. May my legacy forever be first and foremost that I was a Christian woman covered in grace.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)