August 12
an excerpt from Flashbang, Mark Steele, p. 132/133
"It is actual truth that changes others. Actual truth coming out of ourselves, not orchestrated truth. Not "just enough truth" but the whole enchilada. Does this mean every person needs to see every wart and blemish inside of me? No, it does not...I have to be open to the fact that He may ask that I reveal some of my flaws and hurts to those I least want to when I least want to do it. That is
36 the difference between a grenade and a flashbang. A flashbang only lets out what is impressive while a grenade throws every bit of itself out there when the pin is pulled... This is about being open to God saying "this truth to this person right now."
2 Tim 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
The answer to every question is that God has given me a sound mind to accomplish His will. He will empower me to say what needs to be said when it needs to be done. His Spirit will reveal what I need as I try to rest in His leading. The body and mind are for His good pleasure and purpose.
2 Tim 1:9 (GOD) has saved (me) and called (me) witha holy calling, not according to (my) works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to (me) in Christ Jesus before time began.
Father, thank you for speaking to me, not only in Your Word, but in the words of others. Their experiences, their hurts, their vulnerability. I am learning this lesson: how to be transparent while still giving You glory at all times. How to be vulnerable without losing my sense of worth. Not every story to every person - yet to be bold to share the deep hurts and mistakes when called to - to be truly accountable to an inner circle.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
New path, old friend
An old friend of Heather's is getting married tonight ~
What precious thoughts that provokes: singing practice on the way to the Christmas play. Meals on wheels. Camping with 103 temp and not telling me because she didn't want to have to leave. Jr. High Camp in the mountains. Getting ready for Bible College in England. It strikes me that this child / woman has been a part of our lives since we joined our church. Her family was one of the first to bring us a meal when I was very ill. Her mom knowingly brought her children when delivering the meal, knowing that I had a daughter who was probably bored and scared. Her mom helped me feel welcome my first time at Women's Retreat. This young lady was always a phone-call away when Heather needed a companion, even if they hadn't spoken for quite some time. She always felt like a welcome addition, even more, a family member. Much like a cousin that lives not too far away and just makes themselves at home whenever they show up. I have loved watching her grow, mature, find her callings, make mistakes and learn from them, become a young woman. She is truly precious to me.
I love her choice (actually, God's choice for her) for a mate. He's a great guy, totally suited to her personality. As she is suited to his. I love most that God had a plan for her - and kept her on that path to bring her to this place of joy. She could have turned aside. Settled for less than God's best for her. She certainly had opportunities. She chose the hard part - said no to the easy and kept her eyes fixed on Jesus.
I look forward to tonight - the culmination of a dream and the beginning of a new lifestyle.
I look forward to the day I will celebrate God's choices for my daughters. Until then, I celebrate the marriages of her best friends. The ones who chose to travel the path with her, and continue in the paths chosen for them.
What a great God!
What precious thoughts that provokes: singing practice on the way to the Christmas play. Meals on wheels. Camping with 103 temp and not telling me because she didn't want to have to leave. Jr. High Camp in the mountains. Getting ready for Bible College in England. It strikes me that this child / woman has been a part of our lives since we joined our church. Her family was one of the first to bring us a meal when I was very ill. Her mom knowingly brought her children when delivering the meal, knowing that I had a daughter who was probably bored and scared. Her mom helped me feel welcome my first time at Women's Retreat. This young lady was always a phone-call away when Heather needed a companion, even if they hadn't spoken for quite some time. She always felt like a welcome addition, even more, a family member. Much like a cousin that lives not too far away and just makes themselves at home whenever they show up. I have loved watching her grow, mature, find her callings, make mistakes and learn from them, become a young woman. She is truly precious to me.
I love her choice (actually, God's choice for her) for a mate. He's a great guy, totally suited to her personality. As she is suited to his. I love most that God had a plan for her - and kept her on that path to bring her to this place of joy. She could have turned aside. Settled for less than God's best for her. She certainly had opportunities. She chose the hard part - said no to the easy and kept her eyes fixed on Jesus.
I look forward to tonight - the culmination of a dream and the beginning of a new lifestyle.
I look forward to the day I will celebrate God's choices for my daughters. Until then, I celebrate the marriages of her best friends. The ones who chose to travel the path with her, and continue in the paths chosen for them.
What a great God!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Mindset
Rom 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
What is your mindset today? Does it run in ruts, jagged with dryness and monotony? Does it run over the same tired ground, fixed on the same perceptions and judgments? We have the choice to be refreshed by the Spirit on a daily, moment by moment basis. We can be led by the flesh, or led by the Spirit. The two do NOT operate simultaneously. We can take each day's experiences and allow them to run like water down the ruts of our past, or we can allow the Spirit to channel them into the new life, and new way of thinking, that we received at salvation. It takes some practice. A lifetime of practice. Oh, but the delight of a new way of seeing people, experiences, "accidents", insults, and injuries. We can chose to learn, to forgive unconditionally, to pour out grace.
All in the Spirit.
What is your mindset today? Does it run in ruts, jagged with dryness and monotony? Does it run over the same tired ground, fixed on the same perceptions and judgments? We have the choice to be refreshed by the Spirit on a daily, moment by moment basis. We can be led by the flesh, or led by the Spirit. The two do NOT operate simultaneously. We can take each day's experiences and allow them to run like water down the ruts of our past, or we can allow the Spirit to channel them into the new life, and new way of thinking, that we received at salvation. It takes some practice. A lifetime of practice. Oh, but the delight of a new way of seeing people, experiences, "accidents", insults, and injuries. We can chose to learn, to forgive unconditionally, to pour out grace.
All in the Spirit.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Looking Forward
Just made our reservations for our 25th Anniversary trip. I am SO excited!! A whole week alone with my honey, beautiful scenery, and hopefully very little cooking.
He sure takes good care of me!
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