On the road again, or I should say flying again. I am off tomorrow to attend a conference in AZ. The upside is I get to see my daughter and ganddaughter too. This is a conference I am excited about attending because I hope to learn so much more about dental office management. In my last twenty plus years I have been mainly working on the clinical side of dentistry. I am sure that many things have changed for the office management side and I am ready to get caught up-to-date. But it involves traveling and that is probably one of my least favorite things to do.
Funny for me to say that because as a child my dream job was to be a flight attendant. Now the thought of a flight anywhere is not exactly met with exhuberance. I guess it is because I really don't like being away from home, family, comfortable surroundings. I prefer the status quo. My sense of adventure isn't what it used to be.
I think about that when I am spending time with the Lord, reading the Bible, praying, singing a few worship tunes. I kinda get in a familar rut and I tend to repeat the sequence over and over. I have a favorite place to read, I like the same songs and all that changes are my prayers. Different needs and focus keep that from being a stagnant pool.
How about you? Do you mix up your "Jesus" time? Do you vary the place, length of time, style? If we are not careful even the most rewarding and refreshing time, that spent in God's presence, can become a rut and the adventure gone.
Lord, please help me to find my sense of adventure again. I want to always be renewing my style of being in your presence. Amen
So the journey along the moutain brings me to a perfect place to pray for today. However, to increase my sense of adventure I am going to step off the path and into a shady spot among a grove of trees. There is something about being among trees, especially majestically tall ones, that makes you feel protected. Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Monday, September 3, 2012
Day 57 - Vision
I've been reading deeper into "The Blessed Church" by Robert Morris and I must admit it could have been titled, The Blessed ???, you name it, because the principles apply to everything in life. In prayer while reading chapter after chapter, highlighting and writing in the margins, I have begun to develop the vision I am pursuing. I can't do this in my natural strength. Only by submitting to God my talents and expertise will this vision become reality. It seems huge to me, but my God is a big God.
It's fun to dream. It's great to put your plan and vision on paper. It is like drawing the plans for a dream house and then sitting back and allowing God to show you the steps involved to get there. The best part is having God as your dream mate and dream maker. My part: obedience, hard work and perseverence.
How about you? Have you looked inside yourself and found that purpose, dream or vision meant for you? Are you active in making it become reality? Have you submitted it to God and are waiting to see the hand of God move?
Lord, I am so blessed to be able to hear from you. My Spirit is alive and the seed planted in me for ministry is growing. Part of the plan is the healing of my 'broken' places. From the healing will be a birth of vision. I am grateful to be chosen for the task you have laid on my heart. Please bless each of my readers as they seek to find that special plan you have prepared for them. Amen
So the peace river is flowing, teaming with life. I am so happy that even in our weakness God uses us. I can't help but praise Him all the more wtih every step I take. My time alone with God is always full of more than I deserve and rich beyond treasure. May my life continue to be a fragrant aroma attracting others to His kingdom.
It's fun to dream. It's great to put your plan and vision on paper. It is like drawing the plans for a dream house and then sitting back and allowing God to show you the steps involved to get there. The best part is having God as your dream mate and dream maker. My part: obedience, hard work and perseverence.
How about you? Have you looked inside yourself and found that purpose, dream or vision meant for you? Are you active in making it become reality? Have you submitted it to God and are waiting to see the hand of God move?
Lord, I am so blessed to be able to hear from you. My Spirit is alive and the seed planted in me for ministry is growing. Part of the plan is the healing of my 'broken' places. From the healing will be a birth of vision. I am grateful to be chosen for the task you have laid on my heart. Please bless each of my readers as they seek to find that special plan you have prepared for them. Amen
So the peace river is flowing, teaming with life. I am so happy that even in our weakness God uses us. I can't help but praise Him all the more wtih every step I take. My time alone with God is always full of more than I deserve and rich beyond treasure. May my life continue to be a fragrant aroma attracting others to His kingdom.
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Day 56 - Peace of contentment
This is a holiday weekend which means an extra day off work. It is a time to get extra things done around the house or relax and re-charge. In my case it was a bit of both. I wonder why it is that people that work wish they had more time off and those that stay at home long for something to do.
It got me to thinking that it boils down to being down to being content. We find ourselves throughout life in various situations or circumstances. Being content has more to do with our mindset than it does anything else. How about you? Do you get disenchanted from time to time?
For me it is another 'broken' area of my life. I find it hard to be content. I am always looking for a better way to do something, another ladder to climb, etc. I get so many ideas about different things to try that I make my husband dizzy with, "Hey honey, I know you are not going to believe this but I have an idea." Good thing is that I don't act on all these ideas.
Lord, it is my heart to find contentment and peace for many areas of my life. I want to really know the "rest" to be found in You. Help me and my readers who struggle with this. Amen
So continuing on after my Sound of Music re-enactment I ponder peace. What is it really? How can I get it and stay grounded. I want that peace that passes all understanding, that guards my heart and mind. So I pray. I know that God hears and peace, like a river, is sure to flow soon.
It got me to thinking that it boils down to being down to being content. We find ourselves throughout life in various situations or circumstances. Being content has more to do with our mindset than it does anything else. How about you? Do you get disenchanted from time to time?
For me it is another 'broken' area of my life. I find it hard to be content. I am always looking for a better way to do something, another ladder to climb, etc. I get so many ideas about different things to try that I make my husband dizzy with, "Hey honey, I know you are not going to believe this but I have an idea." Good thing is that I don't act on all these ideas.
Lord, it is my heart to find contentment and peace for many areas of my life. I want to really know the "rest" to be found in You. Help me and my readers who struggle with this. Amen
So continuing on after my Sound of Music re-enactment I ponder peace. What is it really? How can I get it and stay grounded. I want that peace that passes all understanding, that guards my heart and mind. So I pray. I know that God hears and peace, like a river, is sure to flow soon.
Saturday, September 1, 2012
Day 55 - Don't accept man's words
For the better part of my life I have struggled to find my purpose and how to use gifts and talents for the kingdom. One thing I for sure was I could sing. I was in choir from a very early age and all through my school years. I didn't excel in high school as much as I would have liked because I couldn't sight read music. Still can't. Unless I have heard the melody at least once I can't "cold sing."
But the most damaging thing happened when I was in a church praise team. The music leader decided to make two teams for the various services. He called a meeting and then proceeded to divide singers into the two teams. I was only sad that I might not be singing with my best friend. It never occurred to me and I was not prepared for, "Sorry but we don't need you on either team. I was shocked. This was not happening.
Have you ever been in this spot? Maybe it wasn't singing but it was something you knew God had gifted you to do. Did it take the wind out of your sails? Like someone knocking the air from your lungs?
That event so scarred me that to date I have not sang in an organized group since. It hurt my heart so badly and I chose to believe the words of a man over the gift from God. It wasn't till I was in prayer today that it dawned on me that I must believe in God's directive, His report, the leading of the Holy Spirit. God did not give me gifts to just toss aside because a man said so. Part of my healing in this 'broken' area of my life has everything to do with using what God has already given.
Lord, I thank you that the gifts and talents You dispense to your people. They are forever. They are not given and then re-trackded. They are meant to be used. I choose to correct this and look for opportunities to use my talents for Your glory. Amen
As the embers fade and the campfire grows cold I am eager to continue along the path. I am thankful for the song in my heart and the voice to sing it. It feels great to be in His hands. I hear a tune in my heart and it goes like this, "The hills are alive, with the sound of music....." With not another person in sight I belt it out as I twirl and pretend for a moment.
But the most damaging thing happened when I was in a church praise team. The music leader decided to make two teams for the various services. He called a meeting and then proceeded to divide singers into the two teams. I was only sad that I might not be singing with my best friend. It never occurred to me and I was not prepared for, "Sorry but we don't need you on either team. I was shocked. This was not happening.
Have you ever been in this spot? Maybe it wasn't singing but it was something you knew God had gifted you to do. Did it take the wind out of your sails? Like someone knocking the air from your lungs?
That event so scarred me that to date I have not sang in an organized group since. It hurt my heart so badly and I chose to believe the words of a man over the gift from God. It wasn't till I was in prayer today that it dawned on me that I must believe in God's directive, His report, the leading of the Holy Spirit. God did not give me gifts to just toss aside because a man said so. Part of my healing in this 'broken' area of my life has everything to do with using what God has already given.
Lord, I thank you that the gifts and talents You dispense to your people. They are forever. They are not given and then re-trackded. They are meant to be used. I choose to correct this and look for opportunities to use my talents for Your glory. Amen
As the embers fade and the campfire grows cold I am eager to continue along the path. I am thankful for the song in my heart and the voice to sing it. It feels great to be in His hands. I hear a tune in my heart and it goes like this, "The hills are alive, with the sound of music....." With not another person in sight I belt it out as I twirl and pretend for a moment.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Day 54 - Offering #3, the best for last
Well a great nights sleep was wonderful. I can think clearer. I also have some great stuff to share. Sit back and enjoy.
Yesterday while flying to south Texas I had time to do two favorite things, read and pray. As I mentioned I am reading, "The Blessed Church, by Robert Morris pastor of Gateway Church and where Ken and I are attending and soon to join. I had mentioned in a previous blog that my husband bought me the book and it began impacting me very early into the first few pages. The book I thought was only about the history of Gateway. However that is part, the deeper message is for everyone. There are life principles for the individual and applications for the work arena. Well it has not disappointed one bit. I am still not halfway done but have already had to close the book several times and pray over the rich treasures, one of which I will share in a minute.
But as I closed my eyes, the plane making a descent into the McAllen airport, I heard myself praying in the Spirit and a phrase I repeated rung in my ears. It was so forceful that I almost audibly said it. I'm sure my fellow plane mates would have thought me a bit weird.
After a full day of work as I waited to re-board a flight home I used Google translator to try and determine what I was praying that morning. Ta kishe mon, translated - Embrace my church! Wow, I was awed.
I praise God that my spirit recognizes how much I love people, long to encourage, minister out of my pain and use everything to His glory. I take all those things the enemy thought would destroy and beat me down as tools to reach others that are hurting, wounded, and in shame to prove that there is a God and He is our all in all.
I got on the plane, had extra seat space around me to enjoy, got out my dinner and book to enjoy on the flight home. I began to read and had to stop again after chapter twelve, the Feed and Lead chapter. How many times have I read the conversation between Peter and Jesus from the twenty-first chapter of John. Jesus is asking Peter, "Do you love me? Then feed my sheep." He asks it three times. (Strange isn't it that later Peter, three times, denies knowing his friend Jesus) Peter answers each time, "Yes I love you." Well I had never done a word study on feed and tend but how it is explained here is rich truth for this mature believer. I then cried knowing that before I read this chapter, earlier that morning I was praying "Embrace my church."
I guess you would have to have been me in that moment to get the full impact of what this meant but it helped me see this blog on 'broken' as not only healing for me but for the church, the unchurched.....PEOPLE. Wow! No matter if my audience is one or many I am humbled at the opportunity to lay my life down before you, my readers, knowing that everyone will be blessed.
Lord, I submit my life to You. I have promised to be the real me in this blog for the world to read. I know you will draw the people who are to be on this journey with me to this place. I give them and myself into Your mighty hands and ask that everything I say and do bring honor to You. Amen
So back to my mountain trek and when last we were together we were having a bonfire. I had offered up my critical nature, my anxiousness and now for offering #3, the best for last. My impatience. I ask God to help me be more long suffering especially with those closest to me. As I stand to purge this sin on the fire I ask God to forgive me for being "short" with people at times. May the nature of Christ fill me so I can be a blessing.
With that one burning to ash I bow in reverence waiting to feel the Spirit of God wash over me. In a very small, small way I think of what it must have felt like as Moses left the mountain after the glory of God visited him. You can't leave the same. You are speechless. But above all you know that power has been transferred and you are a better vessel for God to use.
I gather up my satchel and wait as the fire begins to die down. As soon as the embers are cold it will be time to trek on. Great things are coming.
Yesterday while flying to south Texas I had time to do two favorite things, read and pray. As I mentioned I am reading, "The Blessed Church, by Robert Morris pastor of Gateway Church and where Ken and I are attending and soon to join. I had mentioned in a previous blog that my husband bought me the book and it began impacting me very early into the first few pages. The book I thought was only about the history of Gateway. However that is part, the deeper message is for everyone. There are life principles for the individual and applications for the work arena. Well it has not disappointed one bit. I am still not halfway done but have already had to close the book several times and pray over the rich treasures, one of which I will share in a minute.
But as I closed my eyes, the plane making a descent into the McAllen airport, I heard myself praying in the Spirit and a phrase I repeated rung in my ears. It was so forceful that I almost audibly said it. I'm sure my fellow plane mates would have thought me a bit weird.
After a full day of work as I waited to re-board a flight home I used Google translator to try and determine what I was praying that morning. Ta kishe mon, translated - Embrace my church! Wow, I was awed.
I praise God that my spirit recognizes how much I love people, long to encourage, minister out of my pain and use everything to His glory. I take all those things the enemy thought would destroy and beat me down as tools to reach others that are hurting, wounded, and in shame to prove that there is a God and He is our all in all.
I got on the plane, had extra seat space around me to enjoy, got out my dinner and book to enjoy on the flight home. I began to read and had to stop again after chapter twelve, the Feed and Lead chapter. How many times have I read the conversation between Peter and Jesus from the twenty-first chapter of John. Jesus is asking Peter, "Do you love me? Then feed my sheep." He asks it three times. (Strange isn't it that later Peter, three times, denies knowing his friend Jesus) Peter answers each time, "Yes I love you." Well I had never done a word study on feed and tend but how it is explained here is rich truth for this mature believer. I then cried knowing that before I read this chapter, earlier that morning I was praying "Embrace my church."
I guess you would have to have been me in that moment to get the full impact of what this meant but it helped me see this blog on 'broken' as not only healing for me but for the church, the unchurched.....PEOPLE. Wow! No matter if my audience is one or many I am humbled at the opportunity to lay my life down before you, my readers, knowing that everyone will be blessed.
Lord, I submit my life to You. I have promised to be the real me in this blog for the world to read. I know you will draw the people who are to be on this journey with me to this place. I give them and myself into Your mighty hands and ask that everything I say and do bring honor to You. Amen
So back to my mountain trek and when last we were together we were having a bonfire. I had offered up my critical nature, my anxiousness and now for offering #3, the best for last. My impatience. I ask God to help me be more long suffering especially with those closest to me. As I stand to purge this sin on the fire I ask God to forgive me for being "short" with people at times. May the nature of Christ fill me so I can be a blessing.
With that one burning to ash I bow in reverence waiting to feel the Spirit of God wash over me. In a very small, small way I think of what it must have felt like as Moses left the mountain after the glory of God visited him. You can't leave the same. You are speechless. But above all you know that power has been transferred and you are a better vessel for God to use.
I gather up my satchel and wait as the fire begins to die down. As soon as the embers are cold it will be time to trek on. Great things are coming.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Day 53 - Too Little Sleep
Well friends as I write this I have been up twenty hours, traveled on three plane flights, driven over sixty miles and worked seven hours. I am exhausted and I fear anything I write at this point will be incoherent. So for sake of not just rambling and writing to 'get a post done' I am going to defer to my bed for a long nights sleep with the promise of a great blog tomorrow.
Be blessed because the Lord tells us in the Word to be still and know He is God. Sometimes we need the stilness to hear clearer. Sometimes we need the stillness to re energize. I need the stillness to rest fully.
Lord I thank you for your protection over me today and for a good nights rest. Amen
Until tomorrow, keep the fire burning, another offering awaits in the morning.
Be blessed because the Lord tells us in the Word to be still and know He is God. Sometimes we need the stilness to hear clearer. Sometimes we need the stillness to re energize. I need the stillness to rest fully.
Lord I thank you for your protection over me today and for a good nights rest. Amen
Until tomorrow, keep the fire burning, another offering awaits in the morning.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Day 52 - More tilling of the Heart
So yesterday we started a bonfire. We looked into our hearts in a desire to till out the bad and make the soil ready to be planted again. This time our new crop will flourish with the growth the Lord intends to make us ready to testify of His goodness and reach people who are without hope, have no joy, lack peace.
So watching my "critical" habits burn I sought the Lord for what else there might be that needs purified. Yep, more and the next was a huge one. Anxiousness.
Okay, please tell me someone in my reading audience has been anxious, is anxious or will be anxious soon? Let me know I am not the only one who worships God and sings praises but yet struggles with this?
I will admit for all the joy I have and the trust in the Lord I profess and the constant hope I lean on daily I still get anxious. Why?!? There are ample Bible passages that address "being anxious for nothing" yet it plaques me. Even as I write this I am anxious for a business trip I am taking tomorrow. I love to fly, have secretly desired to be a flight attendant as my dream job, but the thought of leaving home and being away sends mild panic and anxious feelings into my body.
I was reading today in 1 Peter 3:4 today and it spoke to me. I'll quote it from the amplified Bible, "But let it be the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which is not anxious or wrought up, but is very precious in the sight of God." Wow!
Lord I submit to you that my anxious nature is crippling my walk. I ask for the Holy Spirit to wash over and remove the root of this problem. Help my readers who struggle in this area to be renewed so that the vacant place where anxiousness used to reside can be more good ground for the seeds of the Fruit of the Spirit. Amen
So I guess I'm going to sit a spell here at the fires edge and make my offerings into the inferno. I am determined to walk away from this place, give it a name for where I left my hearts issues born from error, as a new person with a heart postured for service to the King who resides there. Then the healing portion of the 'broken' journey can really begin from a basis of health.
So watching my "critical" habits burn I sought the Lord for what else there might be that needs purified. Yep, more and the next was a huge one. Anxiousness.
Okay, please tell me someone in my reading audience has been anxious, is anxious or will be anxious soon? Let me know I am not the only one who worships God and sings praises but yet struggles with this?
I will admit for all the joy I have and the trust in the Lord I profess and the constant hope I lean on daily I still get anxious. Why?!? There are ample Bible passages that address "being anxious for nothing" yet it plaques me. Even as I write this I am anxious for a business trip I am taking tomorrow. I love to fly, have secretly desired to be a flight attendant as my dream job, but the thought of leaving home and being away sends mild panic and anxious feelings into my body.
I was reading today in 1 Peter 3:4 today and it spoke to me. I'll quote it from the amplified Bible, "But let it be the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which is not anxious or wrought up, but is very precious in the sight of God." Wow!
Lord I submit to you that my anxious nature is crippling my walk. I ask for the Holy Spirit to wash over and remove the root of this problem. Help my readers who struggle in this area to be renewed so that the vacant place where anxiousness used to reside can be more good ground for the seeds of the Fruit of the Spirit. Amen
So I guess I'm going to sit a spell here at the fires edge and make my offerings into the inferno. I am determined to walk away from this place, give it a name for where I left my hearts issues born from error, as a new person with a heart postured for service to the King who resides there. Then the healing portion of the 'broken' journey can really begin from a basis of health.
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