Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
Yesterday I took a trip down to the river, the Mississippi and Wolf Rivers, that is. My brother is in town taking care of some personal business and so to get him out we decided to go walk around in Jefferson Davis park and talk. I thought as we visited that it is time to wind this blogspot subject down and it seemed fitting b/c we ended up down by the river.
Mom and I are planning a trip to Mud Island this weekend. Kind of like our trip to the zoo it's part of the Locust Project I'm wanting to start. Mom asked me the other night how that was going. I have to admit that I've been so involved with keeping my grades up and my reading caught up for class that I have not worked on the project much at all. Mom seemed a little disappointed but then come up with her own idea which thrilled me to death. She's wanting to write some for the blogspot. I welcome the idea completely. This will give a perspective of her side of everything we went through over the years and recently.
I am reminded of 2 verses we studied Sunday morning in worship service. Hebrews 3:7-8 "Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, 'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness'." Pastor Kenny Carr reminded us of a warning, "What could happen if you don't let God change you? You set yourself up to the danger of a hardening heart." My experience with moving to Memphis and regaining a meaningful relationship with my mother is my way of allowing God to change me.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Where have I been?!?
Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
Wow! I just took a week off from here. Was I missed? It would be interesting to know who truly looks forward to my rantings. Drop me a comment and tell me how this blog has helped you or what you enjoy about it. I am devoting more of my time to studying and doing well in school. The real reason I haven't been on here in a week is because I'm not tech savvy and Ceily, my 8 year old little girl, was playing with my laptop last weekend and accidentally shut off my wireless capabilities. I wasn't sure how to turn it back on but the guy at the office supply store helped me out last night.
I've learned so much in the last week that I didn't miss the Internet half as much as I thought I might. Funny how our life can be filled with other things and we think nothing of not keeping our regular routine. I did miss blogging a little bit but I had lots of reading to do for my 2 journalism classes where they give a pop quiz every week! My literary hertiage class is my favorite, the stories we read for discussion are really out there in terms of content.
I'm getting ready to go to my 2nd University of Memphis football game. My step dad is going with me this time. I anticipate we will have loads of fun b/c we both love football.
Back to the "our life can be filled with other things" topic. My tennis shoes had started wearing out about a month ago and it was starting to hurt my back to walk so I put walking on hold for about a month. I was blessed to be able to buy a new pair of walking shoes but in the process of not walking I gained some weight. I workout at a local Curves and today we did my weight and measurements and compared them to earlier this summer in June....my results were awful! I've gained some weight and inches! So my goal now is to get serious about these last 30-35 pounds I want off and do it by the end of this year! I've done the Curves diet before in 2005 and lost a good amount of weight and it's easy to do. So I'm going to stock up and prepare to DIET on Monday. I know I can do this, I've lost over 65 pounds in a year and a half without really trying. So to diet to lose these last 35 will make a positive impression on me. I will remember what it took to get it off and won't easily stuff my mouth with junk. That's been my problem lately, eating junk I don't have any business touching let alone eating!
So what did you want to finish this year? You've got a little over 3 months to do it. It isn't too late to finish what you started, is it? Go for it! Finish what you started or get started!
Wow! I just took a week off from here. Was I missed? It would be interesting to know who truly looks forward to my rantings. Drop me a comment and tell me how this blog has helped you or what you enjoy about it. I am devoting more of my time to studying and doing well in school. The real reason I haven't been on here in a week is because I'm not tech savvy and Ceily, my 8 year old little girl, was playing with my laptop last weekend and accidentally shut off my wireless capabilities. I wasn't sure how to turn it back on but the guy at the office supply store helped me out last night.
I've learned so much in the last week that I didn't miss the Internet half as much as I thought I might. Funny how our life can be filled with other things and we think nothing of not keeping our regular routine. I did miss blogging a little bit but I had lots of reading to do for my 2 journalism classes where they give a pop quiz every week! My literary hertiage class is my favorite, the stories we read for discussion are really out there in terms of content.
I'm getting ready to go to my 2nd University of Memphis football game. My step dad is going with me this time. I anticipate we will have loads of fun b/c we both love football.
Back to the "our life can be filled with other things" topic. My tennis shoes had started wearing out about a month ago and it was starting to hurt my back to walk so I put walking on hold for about a month. I was blessed to be able to buy a new pair of walking shoes but in the process of not walking I gained some weight. I workout at a local Curves and today we did my weight and measurements and compared them to earlier this summer in June....my results were awful! I've gained some weight and inches! So my goal now is to get serious about these last 30-35 pounds I want off and do it by the end of this year! I've done the Curves diet before in 2005 and lost a good amount of weight and it's easy to do. So I'm going to stock up and prepare to DIET on Monday. I know I can do this, I've lost over 65 pounds in a year and a half without really trying. So to diet to lose these last 35 will make a positive impression on me. I will remember what it took to get it off and won't easily stuff my mouth with junk. That's been my problem lately, eating junk I don't have any business touching let alone eating!
So what did you want to finish this year? You've got a little over 3 months to do it. It isn't too late to finish what you started, is it? Go for it! Finish what you started or get started!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
I know how to make the sadness go away...
Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
Today I’m going to share with you an introduction to a book called Wide Awake by Erwin McManus. This introduction says everything about what we yearn to be, to do, and it introduces the book well. Again maybe I’m being lazy by sharing someone else’s work but this is some good stuff to read. Enjoy.
“From M. Night Shyamalan’s film Unbreakable
David. (to Elijah) This morning was the first morning I can remember, that I didn’t open my eyes and feel that sadness…I thought the person who wrote that note had an answer for me.
Elijah. (to David) That little bit of sadness in the mornings you spoke of? I think I know what that is. Perhaps you ’re not doing what you’re suppose to be doing.
Unbreakable is a fictional story about a seemingly ordinary person who discovers he is nothing less than a superhero. This clever film is wrapped around the premise that graphic novels - comic books - are based on the exploits of individuals who live and work among us. It has been years since I saw this film, yet these lines have remained with me. They resonated far more deeply than I care to admit.
For years, I woke each day with a sadness I couldn’t shake, and then more sadness met me the moment I crawled out of bed. Thankfully, it is not so today. My best dreams are no longer wasted on my sleep. I find myself closing my eyes each night, eagerly waiting for tomorrow to come. There is nothing like feeling fully alive and dreaming wide awake. I am living a life beyond my wildest dreams - and I had some wild dreams.
Yet every day, I meet people who appear happy and are by every perceivable measure successful - but in the mornings, just before they face the world, they are greeted by that little bit of sadness. Los Angeles, my home, is filled with stark reminders that even for the most talented and ambitious, fulfillment can be elusive if not impossible to find. It is here, where Marilyn Monroe and James Dean serve as our icons, that we find the boulevard of broken dreams.
Many of us struggle to find a dream that doesn’t turn out to be a nightmare. Or we find ourselves shipwrecked when our dreams come true, but they were nothing like what we thought. We were sure this was the life we always wanted - the life we would kill for. Instead, it almost kills us.
For fifteen years, I have served as the spiritual and life mentor for our community of faith known as Mosaic. Thousands of deeply sincere, passionate, talented, bright, and immensely gifted people journey with us in pursuing the life God has created us to live. They are people with great dreams and the courage to back them up. But the process of finding the right dream and then moving it into life sometimes keeps them from making their dreams a reality. With an average age of twenty-five, our community is 90 percent energy and 10 percent experience. These are the cream of the crop, and sharing life together has reinforced the need for Wide Awake - because even the best of us can find turning our dreams into reality elusive and even overwhelming.
For a long time I have felt the weight of calling people to pursue their dreams, to take great risks, and to live a life beyond their imagination. But the devil, of course, is in the details - or in this case, in the process. Many people have told me they are now in hot pursuit of dreams long forgotten, but just as many ask me to please explain how exactly they can make their dreams a reality.
There are too many amazing people with unfilled lives and unfulfilled dreams. It’s as if I keep meeting M. Night’s David, who has yet to discover he is more than he knows. I many not know you personally, but this I know about you without question - there is a hero within you waiting to be awakened.”
How many days do you awake to the “sadness” Erwin McManus was talking about? I understand b/c only just recently did I awaken each day to greet the sadness and go about my day as if that sadness was just a part of life and I had to deal with it any way I could. I finally had to realize that God was in control of everything and I needed to give Him control of everything in my life. When I decided to stop controlling my own life and allow God to do it, the sadness finally disappeared. Each day is now met with all kinds of possibilities. And I still have days when it isn’t the greatest joy to get up but I still know Who is in control of it all and it is NOT me any longer. God can and will take care of everything in your life if only you would get out of His way and let Him do what He knows is best for you. Once you surrender everything to God in Faith knowing He will take care of it all, the weight of the world will come crumbling off your shoulders and you will see a physical, psychological, and emotional difference throughout your whole being.
Today I’m going to share with you an introduction to a book called Wide Awake by Erwin McManus. This introduction says everything about what we yearn to be, to do, and it introduces the book well. Again maybe I’m being lazy by sharing someone else’s work but this is some good stuff to read. Enjoy.
“From M. Night Shyamalan’s film Unbreakable
David. (to Elijah) This morning was the first morning I can remember, that I didn’t open my eyes and feel that sadness…I thought the person who wrote that note had an answer for me.
Elijah. (to David) That little bit of sadness in the mornings you spoke of? I think I know what that is. Perhaps you ’re not doing what you’re suppose to be doing.
Unbreakable is a fictional story about a seemingly ordinary person who discovers he is nothing less than a superhero. This clever film is wrapped around the premise that graphic novels - comic books - are based on the exploits of individuals who live and work among us. It has been years since I saw this film, yet these lines have remained with me. They resonated far more deeply than I care to admit.
For years, I woke each day with a sadness I couldn’t shake, and then more sadness met me the moment I crawled out of bed. Thankfully, it is not so today. My best dreams are no longer wasted on my sleep. I find myself closing my eyes each night, eagerly waiting for tomorrow to come. There is nothing like feeling fully alive and dreaming wide awake. I am living a life beyond my wildest dreams - and I had some wild dreams.
Yet every day, I meet people who appear happy and are by every perceivable measure successful - but in the mornings, just before they face the world, they are greeted by that little bit of sadness. Los Angeles, my home, is filled with stark reminders that even for the most talented and ambitious, fulfillment can be elusive if not impossible to find. It is here, where Marilyn Monroe and James Dean serve as our icons, that we find the boulevard of broken dreams.
Many of us struggle to find a dream that doesn’t turn out to be a nightmare. Or we find ourselves shipwrecked when our dreams come true, but they were nothing like what we thought. We were sure this was the life we always wanted - the life we would kill for. Instead, it almost kills us.
For fifteen years, I have served as the spiritual and life mentor for our community of faith known as Mosaic. Thousands of deeply sincere, passionate, talented, bright, and immensely gifted people journey with us in pursuing the life God has created us to live. They are people with great dreams and the courage to back them up. But the process of finding the right dream and then moving it into life sometimes keeps them from making their dreams a reality. With an average age of twenty-five, our community is 90 percent energy and 10 percent experience. These are the cream of the crop, and sharing life together has reinforced the need for Wide Awake - because even the best of us can find turning our dreams into reality elusive and even overwhelming.
For a long time I have felt the weight of calling people to pursue their dreams, to take great risks, and to live a life beyond their imagination. But the devil, of course, is in the details - or in this case, in the process. Many people have told me they are now in hot pursuit of dreams long forgotten, but just as many ask me to please explain how exactly they can make their dreams a reality.
There are too many amazing people with unfilled lives and unfulfilled dreams. It’s as if I keep meeting M. Night’s David, who has yet to discover he is more than he knows. I many not know you personally, but this I know about you without question - there is a hero within you waiting to be awakened.”
How many days do you awake to the “sadness” Erwin McManus was talking about? I understand b/c only just recently did I awaken each day to greet the sadness and go about my day as if that sadness was just a part of life and I had to deal with it any way I could. I finally had to realize that God was in control of everything and I needed to give Him control of everything in my life. When I decided to stop controlling my own life and allow God to do it, the sadness finally disappeared. Each day is now met with all kinds of possibilities. And I still have days when it isn’t the greatest joy to get up but I still know Who is in control of it all and it is NOT me any longer. God can and will take care of everything in your life if only you would get out of His way and let Him do what He knows is best for you. Once you surrender everything to God in Faith knowing He will take care of it all, the weight of the world will come crumbling off your shoulders and you will see a physical, psychological, and emotional difference throughout your whole being.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
MOVE THAT MOUNTAIN!
Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
So I’ve been asked to pray about starting a college/singles group at the church I attend in Memphis. Actually it is the church I’ve decided to join b/c I need to be involved with a church family that will hold me accountable to my attendance, as well as my service to the Lord. So back to the singles group thing. Why me? I guess b/c I am single and I know how to meet strangers on the street, I can get them to join a church group based on being single and/or in college. The pastor seems to think it will be fun and it will but there has to be lots of planning and inviting done ahead of time in order for something like this to work. Am I cut out for it going to school? Sure, I just need to start each day with a better schedule and life will work out just fine. I’m only taking 3 classes this semester b/c I still haven’t gotten that MMR shot I need. I’m getting it on September 25th when I go back to my hometown for a visit. (I go back this weekend too, whoop, whoop!)
I try to think about what would be part of a college/singles group and the only thing that comes to mind is serving LOTS of free pizza and cookies! College kids will eat up millions of pounds of pizza the next few months. I don’t know the numbers on those statistics but I do know they eat lots of food and especially if it is FREE! I was shocked by what the University of Memphis’ Tiger Den has to offer in the way of food. There was absolutely no cafeteria food in there, it was all conveince food and some sandwiches like a deli would make but no food like I experienced in high school or just 10 years ago when I was a college student. Where did it go? No wonder obesity is an issue in this country especially if every college campus offers food like that. I know in my hometown that the newly named Bethel University offers cafeteria type food along with some other stuff but those items are offered inside the student center but inside University of Memphis’ Tiger Den which is their cafeteria you have all these convenience food places grouped together as the choices for food. Okay, how did I end up talking about all of this off the subject stuff?
I’m still praying about a ministry for college/singles at my new home church in Memphis. I’m not confused about how to do it but I am curious as to what to do to make the how happen. Did that make sense? I’m not really doing a whole lot at White Station Baptist to serve the Lord so I’m excited to be asked to do this. I just really want to be able to put the time and effort into doing the ministry and it be successful. If you have any ideas PLEASE share them with me. I’ve got a couple of things in mind and I’m also going to hook up with the Baptist Student Ministries on campus for help in getting the word out about our new ministry and for any ideas about how to begin this type of ministry. I’m a “non-traditional” student (which means I’m not college age going during the typical college years) and I’m thinking that will be an advantage for me.
Tonight at church we read Matthew 21:18-22 and if we ask God in faith for our “mountains” to be removed, they will come tumbling down. “Truly, I say to you , if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” Matthew 21:21-22 ESV We were asked do we really expect God to move when we ask Him to move the mountain?
So I’ve been asked to pray about starting a college/singles group at the church I attend in Memphis. Actually it is the church I’ve decided to join b/c I need to be involved with a church family that will hold me accountable to my attendance, as well as my service to the Lord. So back to the singles group thing. Why me? I guess b/c I am single and I know how to meet strangers on the street, I can get them to join a church group based on being single and/or in college. The pastor seems to think it will be fun and it will but there has to be lots of planning and inviting done ahead of time in order for something like this to work. Am I cut out for it going to school? Sure, I just need to start each day with a better schedule and life will work out just fine. I’m only taking 3 classes this semester b/c I still haven’t gotten that MMR shot I need. I’m getting it on September 25th when I go back to my hometown for a visit. (I go back this weekend too, whoop, whoop!)
I try to think about what would be part of a college/singles group and the only thing that comes to mind is serving LOTS of free pizza and cookies! College kids will eat up millions of pounds of pizza the next few months. I don’t know the numbers on those statistics but I do know they eat lots of food and especially if it is FREE! I was shocked by what the University of Memphis’ Tiger Den has to offer in the way of food. There was absolutely no cafeteria food in there, it was all conveince food and some sandwiches like a deli would make but no food like I experienced in high school or just 10 years ago when I was a college student. Where did it go? No wonder obesity is an issue in this country especially if every college campus offers food like that. I know in my hometown that the newly named Bethel University offers cafeteria type food along with some other stuff but those items are offered inside the student center but inside University of Memphis’ Tiger Den which is their cafeteria you have all these convenience food places grouped together as the choices for food. Okay, how did I end up talking about all of this off the subject stuff?
I’m still praying about a ministry for college/singles at my new home church in Memphis. I’m not confused about how to do it but I am curious as to what to do to make the how happen. Did that make sense? I’m not really doing a whole lot at White Station Baptist to serve the Lord so I’m excited to be asked to do this. I just really want to be able to put the time and effort into doing the ministry and it be successful. If you have any ideas PLEASE share them with me. I’ve got a couple of things in mind and I’m also going to hook up with the Baptist Student Ministries on campus for help in getting the word out about our new ministry and for any ideas about how to begin this type of ministry. I’m a “non-traditional” student (which means I’m not college age going during the typical college years) and I’m thinking that will be an advantage for me.
Tonight at church we read Matthew 21:18-22 and if we ask God in faith for our “mountains” to be removed, they will come tumbling down. “Truly, I say to you , if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” Matthew 21:21-22 ESV We were asked do we really expect God to move when we ask Him to move the mountain?
Monday, September 7, 2009
Your Behavior
Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
I found a beautiful piece written by an unknown author titled, When You Thought I Wasn’t Looking. “When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I wanted to paint another one. When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I thought it was good to be kind to animals. When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you make my favorite cake just for me, and I knew that little things are special things. When you thought I wasn’t looking, I heard you say a prayer and I believed there is a God I could always talk to. When you thought I wasn’t looking, I felt you kiss me goodnight, and I felt loved. When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it’s all right to cry. When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be. When you thought I wasn’t looking, I looked…and wanted to say thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn’t looking.”
Many of us have had this person in our life either as a mother or father or grandparent or maybe even an aunt or uncle has done these nice things for our life. In my life, I’ve had the privilege of many people in my family doing this for me in numerous ways. I’ve even had teachers and Christian leaders do this for me. “When You Thought I Wasn’t Looking”…have you been this to anyone? Think about that. If you have children you should be this for your children with no problem. Children watch our every move and they mimic what we do as they grow older. Believe me, I know, I have a 14 year-old daughter and I see my own behaviors in her. Some of it is hereditary b/c I see her daddy in her also but most of our behaviors are learned behaviors. Think about that statement for a minute too. Behavior is learned. Be aware of yours.
Proverbs 1:20-33
“Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks; ‘How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? If you turn at my reproof, behold I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you. Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded, because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you , when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices. For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them; but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster’.” ESV
As a parent, my prayer for each of my 3 children is that they gain Godly wisdom and heed to its instruction. In my own life I pray for God’s wisdom to lead every facet of my life.
I found a beautiful piece written by an unknown author titled, When You Thought I Wasn’t Looking. “When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I wanted to paint another one. When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I thought it was good to be kind to animals. When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you make my favorite cake just for me, and I knew that little things are special things. When you thought I wasn’t looking, I heard you say a prayer and I believed there is a God I could always talk to. When you thought I wasn’t looking, I felt you kiss me goodnight, and I felt loved. When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it’s all right to cry. When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be. When you thought I wasn’t looking, I looked…and wanted to say thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn’t looking.”
Many of us have had this person in our life either as a mother or father or grandparent or maybe even an aunt or uncle has done these nice things for our life. In my life, I’ve had the privilege of many people in my family doing this for me in numerous ways. I’ve even had teachers and Christian leaders do this for me. “When You Thought I Wasn’t Looking”…have you been this to anyone? Think about that. If you have children you should be this for your children with no problem. Children watch our every move and they mimic what we do as they grow older. Believe me, I know, I have a 14 year-old daughter and I see my own behaviors in her. Some of it is hereditary b/c I see her daddy in her also but most of our behaviors are learned behaviors. Think about that statement for a minute too. Behavior is learned. Be aware of yours.
Proverbs 1:20-33
“Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks; ‘How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? If you turn at my reproof, behold I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you. Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded, because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you , when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord, would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices. For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them; but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster’.” ESV
As a parent, my prayer for each of my 3 children is that they gain Godly wisdom and heed to its instruction. In my own life I pray for God’s wisdom to lead every facet of my life.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Wonder & Faith
Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
My new favorite Christian author is Michelle McKinney Hammond. Right now I'm finishing up her book titled How to be Blessed and Highly Favored. I don't know if I'm being lazy or I just really like what Michelle has to say but much of today's blogging will be from this book.
"One little word: faith. Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1
We put so much trust in technology and the ability of man without considering the likelihood that those things will disappoint us. How much more should we put our trust in God, who is truly able and faithful to do what He says? How can we be sure of what we hope for? How can we be certain of what we do not see? Because of the promise. God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? Numbers 23:19
What hinders our faith? Could it be our preconceived notions of how God should or will act in a situation? Could it be our personal timetable of when we think that He should come through? It amazes me how often we assume the way in which God will carry out His promise to us. We stand looking to the left, waiting to see Him come over the horizon. All the while He is coming from the right. But we cannot see him, so we decide He is not coming. At other times the clock on the mantel of our hearts chimes the hour, and in the deafening silence that follows we begin to undress and settle in for a night of weeping, concluding we've been stood up. Then He appears in the morning, bringing His joy with Him. When questioned as to why He didn't come the night before, He looks at us quizzically and answers, 'You never asked me when I was coming, so I believed you would wait'."
The best example of a person's faith from the Bible to study is Mary, Jesus' mother. Can you imagine being told what she was told about her virgin conception? I cannot fathom how she felt and then to trust it! I pray for that kind of faith on a daily basis since reading more about Mary's encounter with the angel Gabriel in the Beth Moore Study, Jesus, the One and Only. I am fascinated by her wonder and faith. She never once wavered in her belief of what God told her. I want that kind of faith, every day, every moment. I've had moments in my life when God has placed certain things on my heart that were wonderful and I couldn't enjoy them fully b/c of my lack of Mary-like wonder. Do you know what I'm talking about? It's a shame for Christians to live their walk with Jesus that way, with doubt. We should never doubt anything we know the Lord has told us. But we do don't we? I know we do, b/c I do it. I'm learning more and more to give God my doubt and allow Him to fill me with wonder from His Holy Spirit.
Father God, Right now in the name above all names, I ask for You to pour out Mary-like wonder into everyone who is reading this. May they know Your voice so well that they never question anything You tell them as it is in accordance to Your Will and Your Plan. Thank You for giving us Jesus so that we can have wonder and faith in everything You say You will do in our life and through our lives. Amen.
My new favorite Christian author is Michelle McKinney Hammond. Right now I'm finishing up her book titled How to be Blessed and Highly Favored. I don't know if I'm being lazy or I just really like what Michelle has to say but much of today's blogging will be from this book.
"One little word: faith. Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1
We put so much trust in technology and the ability of man without considering the likelihood that those things will disappoint us. How much more should we put our trust in God, who is truly able and faithful to do what He says? How can we be sure of what we hope for? How can we be certain of what we do not see? Because of the promise. God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? Numbers 23:19
What hinders our faith? Could it be our preconceived notions of how God should or will act in a situation? Could it be our personal timetable of when we think that He should come through? It amazes me how often we assume the way in which God will carry out His promise to us. We stand looking to the left, waiting to see Him come over the horizon. All the while He is coming from the right. But we cannot see him, so we decide He is not coming. At other times the clock on the mantel of our hearts chimes the hour, and in the deafening silence that follows we begin to undress and settle in for a night of weeping, concluding we've been stood up. Then He appears in the morning, bringing His joy with Him. When questioned as to why He didn't come the night before, He looks at us quizzically and answers, 'You never asked me when I was coming, so I believed you would wait'."
The best example of a person's faith from the Bible to study is Mary, Jesus' mother. Can you imagine being told what she was told about her virgin conception? I cannot fathom how she felt and then to trust it! I pray for that kind of faith on a daily basis since reading more about Mary's encounter with the angel Gabriel in the Beth Moore Study, Jesus, the One and Only. I am fascinated by her wonder and faith. She never once wavered in her belief of what God told her. I want that kind of faith, every day, every moment. I've had moments in my life when God has placed certain things on my heart that were wonderful and I couldn't enjoy them fully b/c of my lack of Mary-like wonder. Do you know what I'm talking about? It's a shame for Christians to live their walk with Jesus that way, with doubt. We should never doubt anything we know the Lord has told us. But we do don't we? I know we do, b/c I do it. I'm learning more and more to give God my doubt and allow Him to fill me with wonder from His Holy Spirit.
Father God, Right now in the name above all names, I ask for You to pour out Mary-like wonder into everyone who is reading this. May they know Your voice so well that they never question anything You tell them as it is in accordance to Your Will and Your Plan. Thank You for giving us Jesus so that we can have wonder and faith in everything You say You will do in our life and through our lives. Amen.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
I feel like I've started kindergarten.
Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
So I have over 100 credit hours toward my college degree and I feel like I'm starting kindergarten. Apparently since I was last in college (Dec. 1999) the State of Tennessee has passed a new law requiring any student who is full time at a university to prove your MMR shot record. Well so I thought I had it covered by having the high school where I attended send my immunization record to the university I'm attending. The issue was getting me approved to take more than 11 course hours this semester b/c of the immunization record. Well guess what?!? I've only had one of the MMR shot series and require a second one b/c I was born after 1957 and graduated from a Tennessee high school before 1999. So I get to go and get a shot tomorrow in order to register for the other class I'm taking. When I was on the phone with student health services and found out I was going to have to get a shot I asked, "Is it gonna hurt?" I felt like a little 5 year old having to go get my shots done for school. I guess by this time tomorrow I'll know if it hurt or not.
How many times in life have we asked God, is this gonna hurt? Or do we wonder if it is gonna hurt, either physically, emotionally, or even mentally? Life hurts but if we know God is in control of what hurts and He has our best interest in His plan it all works for His good. Romans 8:28 "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." ESV Sometimes we have to go through pain in order to understand who we truly are in Christ. God never said it wouldn't hurt, He promises to be there for us through those times when the pain seems unbearable.
So tomorrow as I go to the Shot Nurse to get an immunization, I'm thinking about asking my mother to go with me for added effect. What do you think? She might enjoy watching me wince in physical pain a little bit and then when we're done we can go out for some ice cream. Maybe they'll be handing out balloons at the doctor's office.
So I have over 100 credit hours toward my college degree and I feel like I'm starting kindergarten. Apparently since I was last in college (Dec. 1999) the State of Tennessee has passed a new law requiring any student who is full time at a university to prove your MMR shot record. Well so I thought I had it covered by having the high school where I attended send my immunization record to the university I'm attending. The issue was getting me approved to take more than 11 course hours this semester b/c of the immunization record. Well guess what?!? I've only had one of the MMR shot series and require a second one b/c I was born after 1957 and graduated from a Tennessee high school before 1999. So I get to go and get a shot tomorrow in order to register for the other class I'm taking. When I was on the phone with student health services and found out I was going to have to get a shot I asked, "Is it gonna hurt?" I felt like a little 5 year old having to go get my shots done for school. I guess by this time tomorrow I'll know if it hurt or not.
How many times in life have we asked God, is this gonna hurt? Or do we wonder if it is gonna hurt, either physically, emotionally, or even mentally? Life hurts but if we know God is in control of what hurts and He has our best interest in His plan it all works for His good. Romans 8:28 "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." ESV Sometimes we have to go through pain in order to understand who we truly are in Christ. God never said it wouldn't hurt, He promises to be there for us through those times when the pain seems unbearable.
So tomorrow as I go to the Shot Nurse to get an immunization, I'm thinking about asking my mother to go with me for added effect. What do you think? She might enjoy watching me wince in physical pain a little bit and then when we're done we can go out for some ice cream. Maybe they'll be handing out balloons at the doctor's office.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
What are you truly passionate about?! Find it!!!
Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
I love days like today. I was about 3 days late getting started with my college courses b/c I was waiting for one of my last transcripts to come in. But today was the day, I got registered and my ID made and went to the bookstore to price my books. I am super excited! It has been 10 years since I put my education on hold to stay home and raise my children. I'm excited also about the major I'm studying. Public Relations.
As my admissions counselor went over my transcripts I was really impressed that I have more credit hours than I thought. I told my grandmother that I could possibly graduate by May but then I started looking at my major and was a little disappointed at the credit hours I have to make up in my major. Anyway, at least I'm moving forward again and I cannot contain my excitement over it.
I tried to get all of my classes on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays but it didn't work out that way. So I have to give up my volunteer work with the American Red Cross, for now. My schedule won't allow me to go to McKenzie every other month to do blood drives. Sometimes we have to weigh the benefits with what we are giving our time to. My education has been something I've wanted to complete for many years but raising my children was more important. Now having my education is a pressing matter compared to my volunteer work. I've volunteered a number of years for Relay for Life also. My volunteer heart speaks for itself.
So tonight at church Brother Jeff challenged us to find something we were passionate about and turn it into something that brings glory to God's Kingdom and helps further His Kingdom. You had to be there tonight as Brother Jeff was truly calling us to "get focused on Christ". He had me laughing out loud when he said and I wrote it down to quote him, "Let's read scripture and do what it says not just read the by-laws and do what they say." The church where I just moved my membership to in Memphis is a small but loving Baptist church in the heart of the city or inside the 240 loop as they say. We should "look at our gifts and passions as we look at Jesus and get them to line up." God is able to share in abundance what you need in order to do what you have a passion for. Brother Jeff wanted us to ask ourselves what is He calling me to be a part of RIGHT NOW.
The scripture we studied to go along with this was 2 Corinthians 9:6-11. As I draw this entry to a close I will soon be changing this blogspot to The Locust Project. My passion is to help people who have lost years with their mothers due to what the locust have eaten or, as in my case, taken away. God is a God of restoral. My mother and me are proof of that. I'm having so much fun with her every day of my life.
I love days like today. I was about 3 days late getting started with my college courses b/c I was waiting for one of my last transcripts to come in. But today was the day, I got registered and my ID made and went to the bookstore to price my books. I am super excited! It has been 10 years since I put my education on hold to stay home and raise my children. I'm excited also about the major I'm studying. Public Relations.
As my admissions counselor went over my transcripts I was really impressed that I have more credit hours than I thought. I told my grandmother that I could possibly graduate by May but then I started looking at my major and was a little disappointed at the credit hours I have to make up in my major. Anyway, at least I'm moving forward again and I cannot contain my excitement over it.
I tried to get all of my classes on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays but it didn't work out that way. So I have to give up my volunteer work with the American Red Cross, for now. My schedule won't allow me to go to McKenzie every other month to do blood drives. Sometimes we have to weigh the benefits with what we are giving our time to. My education has been something I've wanted to complete for many years but raising my children was more important. Now having my education is a pressing matter compared to my volunteer work. I've volunteered a number of years for Relay for Life also. My volunteer heart speaks for itself.
So tonight at church Brother Jeff challenged us to find something we were passionate about and turn it into something that brings glory to God's Kingdom and helps further His Kingdom. You had to be there tonight as Brother Jeff was truly calling us to "get focused on Christ". He had me laughing out loud when he said and I wrote it down to quote him, "Let's read scripture and do what it says not just read the by-laws and do what they say." The church where I just moved my membership to in Memphis is a small but loving Baptist church in the heart of the city or inside the 240 loop as they say. We should "look at our gifts and passions as we look at Jesus and get them to line up." God is able to share in abundance what you need in order to do what you have a passion for. Brother Jeff wanted us to ask ourselves what is He calling me to be a part of RIGHT NOW.
The scripture we studied to go along with this was 2 Corinthians 9:6-11. As I draw this entry to a close I will soon be changing this blogspot to The Locust Project. My passion is to help people who have lost years with their mothers due to what the locust have eaten or, as in my case, taken away. God is a God of restoral. My mother and me are proof of that. I'm having so much fun with her every day of my life.
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