I guess I am starting to wax philosophical in my old age. The innudation of all of the Christmas advertisements an black Friday sales are not bad within themselves, but I have come to the point of absolute distaste for any of those commercials, or even frequenting any of the merchants who are having black Friday sales.
One would wonder if I have become the infamous Bob Marley in the old Christmas movie. I prefer to think I am more like Jimmy Stewart character in its a wonderful life.
By that I mean circumstances of the year have made me truly realize those things that are important and how really we should all be greatful for the life we have. It is a life made safer by a wonderful group of men and women, who sacrifice their lives each day. These are they who lay their lives on the line for the great United States that we live in. Something I wish everyone could pick up on......keeping these folks in high honor, for we owe them a debt of gratitude.
I want to take the time on this day to think on those things that I am most thankful for. First and foremost a God that is so incredibly patient, way beyond what most of us deserve. That He was so kind to see that I was placed in the family I have I will praise Him forever for making that happen.
My father is my best buddy. He is older now, but I am telling you this man never ceases to amaze me. His spirit is such that I just love him to death. He likes to laugh, and I like to laugh, and he makes me laugh. I think right now he is a great blessing to my life.
My mother- just a wondeful wonderful woman. She has a character of the godly woman spoke of in the Psalms. If I miss talking with her even one day, its like my day isn't complete. She is going through a lot right now, but I look at her and I know that if there is a job to be done, she will see it through.
My sister...as many know she is fighting cancer, and I look at this kid through the eyes I used to look at her when we were kids. I want to take on the cancer fight for her. But it's like my very dear friend Dave said, "we cannot chose who gets stricken" Only God can make that choice. When I look at her, I think she is even more beautiful that ever. You who know me know that I can read people fairly well. I know she is ill, but I look at her countenance, and listen to her talk and right now all I sense is peace. It's that peace that passes understanding.
My brother-how do you call a 6ft 4 man a kid? My brother is so smart, and so funny, and so wise all at the same time. I still see the little baby in my minds eye. When I look at Mark, I am sooooooo proud. He picked an amazing wife, and he has really grown into one of my heroes over the years.
Stephanie-thank you my Stephanie for being such a pandora's box of everything. You are so sensitive, and yet you get this thing where its like don't mess with me. You know why I love all of it? Because God made you very very special, and you will always have my heart (even on the days you want me to butt out) LOL. And also, thank you for giving me my little buddy Aidan, who makes me laugh just by being in this world. Thank you also for being smart enough to find a daddy who can help you grow Aidan up into a wonderful human being.
Amy- thank you Amy just for being. I love how you like to talk. I adore and respect how much time you spend with your kidlets.... No matter what else you may do, raising those girls is the most important task you will every have on this earth. I love that you love people. I love your faithfulness to your mother under these difficult circumstances. I'm glad you are there to watch her back.
Dennis, I know you are going to probably freak because I put you on here, but I have to. This Thanksgiving season, I am so glad that you are in our lives. I am glad you are there for Paula, for she needs you. You indeed are a blessing.
So many things to be thankful for. I am thankful that I am working. I am working in a position that I am passionate about, and I am thankful for each encounter I have with the people in this position. It is because I know each opportunity is one more way to show Jesus. Which some days I fail miserably, but today I am just thankful for those opportunities.
I am thankful for in-laws that have taught me without a doubt what God's grace looks like.
I am also thankful for WCF, and the Bible teaching there, even if sometimes it makes me take a long hard look at myself.
Mostly I am thankful to Jesus. One of these days, I want to be able to say thank you over and over and over....for someone like me who does not deserve it, Jesus took my place on Calvary, and I praise and thank Him for loving me enough. He is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. He is all we need,
but let us remember to be thankful......
Friday, November 25, 2011
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
HOW THEN SHALL WE PRAY?
I SIT STILL PONDERING WHAT JESUS WOULD PRAY IN THE SITUATIONS THAT WE WOULD DEAL WITH AS INDIVIDUALS IN OUR DAILY LIVES. LETS RETURN TO THE BOAT TOSSING AND TURNING ON THE GALILEE, AND HOW FRIGHTENING IT WAS FOR THE DISCIPLES. THEY RAN TO THE MASTER WHO WAS ASLEEP, AND SAID MASTER SAVE US , THE BOAT IS TOSSING AND TURNING , THERE IS A STORM. (MY TRANSLATION) JESUS STOOD UP, JUST RAISED HIS HANDS, AND BY THE MERE WORDS "PEACE BE STILL," THE STORM CALMED, AND THE BOAT QUIT TOSSING AND TURNING.
I RETURN TO THE OLD TESTAMENT WHERE GOD ASKS US TO PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM. THIS LITTLE COUNTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST, ISRAEL, HAS FACED MORE CHAOS IN HISTORY THAN PERHAPS ANYONE. ONE DAY GOD WILL RAISE HIS ARMS AND BRING A PERFECT PEACE WHEN HE RETURNS TO SAVE US ALL.
THE TWO THINGS THAT I HAVE NOTICED THOUGH IN THESE SITUATIONS IS FOR US TO HAVE PERFECT PEACE, WE WILL BE FACING HARD TIMES AS WE GO THROUGH THIS LIFE. AND FOR US TO HAVE PERFECT PEACE, WE MUST ASK THE FATHER TO BRING US THROUGH THE TRIBULATIONS AND TRIALS OF LIFE , AND HE WILL RAISE HIS HANDS AND BRING A PEACE THAT PASSES THE WORLDS UNDERSTANDING.
OR EVEN OUR UNDERSTANDING.
WITH KEVIN, THE PEACE CAME ON THOSE LONGS RIDES TO MILWAUKEE, WHEN I DROVE MYSELF, BUT I WAS NOT REALLY ALONE. GOD WAS SO PRESENT AND I WOULD NOT TRADE THOSE MOMENTS FOR ANYTHING THE WORLD HAS TO GIVE.
I AM LEARNING TO SEEK PEACE IN THIS SITUATION WITH MY SISTER AND HER CANCER DIAGNOSIS. PEACE FOR OUR WHOLE FAMILY. PEACE IN OUR HEARTS, PEACE SURROUNDING US, PEACE FOR THE LITTLE CHURCH WHO RAISED US. EVEN PEACE FOR THE MEDICAL PERSONNEL INVOLVED IN HER CARE. WE ALL SEEK YOUR PEACE LORD, I THANK YOU THAT YOU CAN BE TRUSTED IN EVERY SITUATION IN OUR LIVES.
"WHEN PEACE LIKE A RIVER, ATTENDETH MY WAY, WHEN SORROWS LIKE SEA BILLOWS ROLL, WHATEVER MY LOT, THOU HAS TAUGHT ME TO SAY, IT IS WELL, IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL"
ONLY BECAUSE OF JESUS......
I RETURN TO THE OLD TESTAMENT WHERE GOD ASKS US TO PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM. THIS LITTLE COUNTRY IN THE MIDDLE EAST, ISRAEL, HAS FACED MORE CHAOS IN HISTORY THAN PERHAPS ANYONE. ONE DAY GOD WILL RAISE HIS ARMS AND BRING A PERFECT PEACE WHEN HE RETURNS TO SAVE US ALL.
THE TWO THINGS THAT I HAVE NOTICED THOUGH IN THESE SITUATIONS IS FOR US TO HAVE PERFECT PEACE, WE WILL BE FACING HARD TIMES AS WE GO THROUGH THIS LIFE. AND FOR US TO HAVE PERFECT PEACE, WE MUST ASK THE FATHER TO BRING US THROUGH THE TRIBULATIONS AND TRIALS OF LIFE , AND HE WILL RAISE HIS HANDS AND BRING A PEACE THAT PASSES THE WORLDS UNDERSTANDING.
OR EVEN OUR UNDERSTANDING.
WITH KEVIN, THE PEACE CAME ON THOSE LONGS RIDES TO MILWAUKEE, WHEN I DROVE MYSELF, BUT I WAS NOT REALLY ALONE. GOD WAS SO PRESENT AND I WOULD NOT TRADE THOSE MOMENTS FOR ANYTHING THE WORLD HAS TO GIVE.
I AM LEARNING TO SEEK PEACE IN THIS SITUATION WITH MY SISTER AND HER CANCER DIAGNOSIS. PEACE FOR OUR WHOLE FAMILY. PEACE IN OUR HEARTS, PEACE SURROUNDING US, PEACE FOR THE LITTLE CHURCH WHO RAISED US. EVEN PEACE FOR THE MEDICAL PERSONNEL INVOLVED IN HER CARE. WE ALL SEEK YOUR PEACE LORD, I THANK YOU THAT YOU CAN BE TRUSTED IN EVERY SITUATION IN OUR LIVES.
"WHEN PEACE LIKE A RIVER, ATTENDETH MY WAY, WHEN SORROWS LIKE SEA BILLOWS ROLL, WHATEVER MY LOT, THOU HAS TAUGHT ME TO SAY, IT IS WELL, IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL"
ONLY BECAUSE OF JESUS......
Saturday, November 5, 2011
WHAT THEN SHALL WE PRAY?
In a time that the whole world seems to be in chaos, I pray for joy. Not joy as the world thinks of joy, but that a joy that springs up like an underground spring and rises up into the air for all to see.
I know some may think that this is impossible, but I pray for joy to surround my family. I pray for joy to surround all my friends, even those acquaintances that I have been so fortunate to meet. I pray that we all may have joy through all the difficulties that arise. I also pray that those around us may see that our Joy indeed comes from the Lord.
What brings joy to me? Music, Music, and more Music. Ask my piano teacher and all those who have endured my picking out songs on the piano. Kathy was probably one of the first to show me what joy could come from music. Even at a younger age, I was taught joy by a group that we used to watch on a program called "Jubilee" with The Happy Goodmans. These folks still held onto and shared that joy till the day they passed, and I still get to share that joy when I listen to their tapes.
There are people who have told me over the years that they know when I am around because I am singing. (Mind you, not because I have such a great voice) but because most of the time I have a song in my heart.
I also get great joy from watching little children, and the great treasure God has placed in their parents lives, and their souls. I keep telling parents, children are the encouragement that the world can still become a better place. I also get great joy from the elderly. It is because of their wisdom and their knowledge and the great heart that they share when they talk with me.
I get awesome joy from nature. I go outside on a starry night and it is like I can see Gods handwriting to us, so beautiful.
May we all take time and think on those things that give us joy, not just happiness.
God please surround my family and all of those around us with a spirit of joy......even in the hard places. May you carry us all through, and bind us together with "joy unspeakable and full of glory"
"I got the joy, joy, joy, joy. Down in my heart. Where? Down in my heart to stay"
Amen
I know some may think that this is impossible, but I pray for joy to surround my family. I pray for joy to surround all my friends, even those acquaintances that I have been so fortunate to meet. I pray that we all may have joy through all the difficulties that arise. I also pray that those around us may see that our Joy indeed comes from the Lord.
What brings joy to me? Music, Music, and more Music. Ask my piano teacher and all those who have endured my picking out songs on the piano. Kathy was probably one of the first to show me what joy could come from music. Even at a younger age, I was taught joy by a group that we used to watch on a program called "Jubilee" with The Happy Goodmans. These folks still held onto and shared that joy till the day they passed, and I still get to share that joy when I listen to their tapes.
There are people who have told me over the years that they know when I am around because I am singing. (Mind you, not because I have such a great voice) but because most of the time I have a song in my heart.
I also get great joy from watching little children, and the great treasure God has placed in their parents lives, and their souls. I keep telling parents, children are the encouragement that the world can still become a better place. I also get great joy from the elderly. It is because of their wisdom and their knowledge and the great heart that they share when they talk with me.
I get awesome joy from nature. I go outside on a starry night and it is like I can see Gods handwriting to us, so beautiful.
May we all take time and think on those things that give us joy, not just happiness.
God please surround my family and all of those around us with a spirit of joy......even in the hard places. May you carry us all through, and bind us together with "joy unspeakable and full of glory"
"I got the joy, joy, joy, joy. Down in my heart. Where? Down in my heart to stay"
Amen
Thursday, November 3, 2011
PRAYER IS THE KEY
I HAVE BEEN THINKING SINCE THE SERMON ON SUNDAY ABOUT THE PHRASE "THEN HOW SHALL WE PRAY" THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS THAT I COULD WISH FOR SELFISHLY, BUT GOD IS MORE TO ME THAN JUST A PERSON I CAN GO TO WITH A WISH LIST AND HE WOULD FULFILL IT.
THIS HAS ALL BECOME MORE RELEVANT AS MY SISTER HAS BEGUN HER CANCER TREATMENT. IT BECOMES MORE RELEVANT AS I HAVE A DEAR SOUL THAT IS A FRIEND WITH ACUTE RENAL FAILURE.
HOW THEN SHALL WE PRAY? I WOULD PERSONALLY IN MY MINDS EYE LIKE TO FALL ON MY KNEES BEGGING GOD FOR PERFECT HEALING IN BOTH CASES. ACTUALLY IN ALL CASES THAT I SEE PEOPLE STRUGGLING PHYSICALLY. BUT THESE TWO IN PARTICULAR. BECAUSE THESE PEOPLE ARE IMPORTANT TO ME.
I WISH MY PARENTS DIDN'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH SUCH A SCARE WITH MY SISTERS CANCER DIAGNOSIS. I PRAY FOR GOD TO TAKE THE FEAR AWAY AND REPLACE IT WITH PEACE. EVEN FOR ME.. ITS KIND OF LIKE I TOLD MY DAD THIS MORNING, WE HAVE TO LITERALLY LET GOD BE THE ONE IN CONTROL, AND WE HAVE TO TRUST THAT HE WILL WORK THE PURPOSES OUT IN THE LIVES OF THE TWO DEAR PEOPLE WE LOVE.
I DON'T WANT TO PRAY "GIVE ME' ALL THE TIME, SO I REVERT BACK TO THE LORDS PRAYER. "OUR FATHER, WHO ART IN HEAVEN HALLOWED BE THY NAME. THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN. GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD, AND FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS, AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL, FOR THINE IS THE POWER AND GLORY FOREVER AND FOREVER AND FOREVER.
I ALSO THINK OF THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT. AND I PRAY TODAY, THAT IN BOTH SITUATIONS, MY SISTER AND MY FRIEND, WILL HAVE GOD'S LOVE SURROUND THEM IN WAYS THEY NEVER KNEW BEFORE. HELP THEM BOTH TO KNOW GODS LOVE AS A WARM BLANKET AROUND THEM.
I PRAY THE SAME FOR MY FAMILY, AND THEIR EXTENDED FAMILY MEMBERS. MAY GOD BE GLORIED, WHETHER WE WIN THIS FIGHT OR WHETHER WE LOSE THIS FIGHT. WE OWE HIM EVERYTHING BECAUSE HE HAS BEEN SO GOOD TO US.
THIS HAS ALL BECOME MORE RELEVANT AS MY SISTER HAS BEGUN HER CANCER TREATMENT. IT BECOMES MORE RELEVANT AS I HAVE A DEAR SOUL THAT IS A FRIEND WITH ACUTE RENAL FAILURE.
HOW THEN SHALL WE PRAY? I WOULD PERSONALLY IN MY MINDS EYE LIKE TO FALL ON MY KNEES BEGGING GOD FOR PERFECT HEALING IN BOTH CASES. ACTUALLY IN ALL CASES THAT I SEE PEOPLE STRUGGLING PHYSICALLY. BUT THESE TWO IN PARTICULAR. BECAUSE THESE PEOPLE ARE IMPORTANT TO ME.
I WISH MY PARENTS DIDN'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH SUCH A SCARE WITH MY SISTERS CANCER DIAGNOSIS. I PRAY FOR GOD TO TAKE THE FEAR AWAY AND REPLACE IT WITH PEACE. EVEN FOR ME.. ITS KIND OF LIKE I TOLD MY DAD THIS MORNING, WE HAVE TO LITERALLY LET GOD BE THE ONE IN CONTROL, AND WE HAVE TO TRUST THAT HE WILL WORK THE PURPOSES OUT IN THE LIVES OF THE TWO DEAR PEOPLE WE LOVE.
I DON'T WANT TO PRAY "GIVE ME' ALL THE TIME, SO I REVERT BACK TO THE LORDS PRAYER. "OUR FATHER, WHO ART IN HEAVEN HALLOWED BE THY NAME. THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN. GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD, AND FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS, AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL, FOR THINE IS THE POWER AND GLORY FOREVER AND FOREVER AND FOREVER.
I ALSO THINK OF THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT. AND I PRAY TODAY, THAT IN BOTH SITUATIONS, MY SISTER AND MY FRIEND, WILL HAVE GOD'S LOVE SURROUND THEM IN WAYS THEY NEVER KNEW BEFORE. HELP THEM BOTH TO KNOW GODS LOVE AS A WARM BLANKET AROUND THEM.
I PRAY THE SAME FOR MY FAMILY, AND THEIR EXTENDED FAMILY MEMBERS. MAY GOD BE GLORIED, WHETHER WE WIN THIS FIGHT OR WHETHER WE LOSE THIS FIGHT. WE OWE HIM EVERYTHING BECAUSE HE HAS BEEN SO GOOD TO US.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)