Glorify the Lord with me;let us exalt his name together. Psalm 34:3 NIV
At the beginning of the week I saw the tortilla shells, one lonely bag of tortilla shells. I looked for more, but I didn't see any. "Hum, I thought I got more, I guess the boys have really snacked on them. That means I either go to the store or hope there's enough for Thursday's lunch."
I really didn't want to go to the store. I've been trying to shop for two weeks at a time and really didn't want to spend more money. I'm trying to stick to a budget. I planned on making something else for Thursdays lunch. I didn't think any more of it.
I had a few days to figure it out. Imagine my surprise the next day when I looked in the fridge and I discover another bag of tortillas. I hadn't asked for them, I didn't go to the store--they just appeared. "Wow! Thanks Lord, I believe that will end up enough for us on Thursday."
It didn't end there though, the following day when I opened the fridge in the same location there were two more bags of tortilla shells. "Now that's weird," I thought. "What's going on? Are they multiplying on me?"
I couldn't figure it out, all I know is the Lord heard my need even without me asking. It was a small blessing, but it was enough to show me how much God cares for my littlest need.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Worshipping With Clowns, Oh My!
"Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs." Psalm 100:2
It was a time of reunion, a reunion with some women who spent a weekend together learning how to become a strong disciple for the Lord. During the weekend we found out two of these ladies were clowns, now as we met together we were all surprised as they came dressed in their finest clown gear.
It made the reunion a little more interesting and a bit more happy. Some of these women have had a great time since returning to the battle of the world and some have had a rough time. Just the way life can be, a roller coaster ride. A ride at times that can be scary and at other times a lot of fun.
The night progressed with so much food, that there was no way to try it all even though I think some may have tried. After all pot lucks are a lot of fun that way, trying things that you don't normally make or even know how to make.
Then we moved to the sanctuary to praise the Lord together. I found a pew large enough for my family and the couple who had joined us for the evening. I hadn't really thought about the clowns, I figured they'd found a place and were just fine. I continued to watch for my husband and the couple since they were still finishing up dessert when we made the trek over. I had saved room for them.
The next thing I know, we're beginning and there was no sign of them as of yet. As I begin to send my husband a text to put a little fire under his eating, guess who would arrive needing a seat. Yep-the clowns! Now I could have been rude, but no I scooted over and let them sit next to me. Now my husband and the couple would have to be on their own.
"How in the world am I suppose to worship the Lord and concentrate on his message for me with two clowns sitting beside me?" I thought. I tried my best, I sang and praised the Lord as if they weren't sitting beside me. I mean one look at them and I would forget the purpose of worshipping the Lord.
Funny thing happened to me though, it turns out that was one of the closest worship experiences I've had with the Lord in awhile. The clowns didn't bother me, in fact they reminded me to sing joyfully before my God.
What a great experience!
It was a time of reunion, a reunion with some women who spent a weekend together learning how to become a strong disciple for the Lord. During the weekend we found out two of these ladies were clowns, now as we met together we were all surprised as they came dressed in their finest clown gear.
It made the reunion a little more interesting and a bit more happy. Some of these women have had a great time since returning to the battle of the world and some have had a rough time. Just the way life can be, a roller coaster ride. A ride at times that can be scary and at other times a lot of fun.
The night progressed with so much food, that there was no way to try it all even though I think some may have tried. After all pot lucks are a lot of fun that way, trying things that you don't normally make or even know how to make.
Then we moved to the sanctuary to praise the Lord together. I found a pew large enough for my family and the couple who had joined us for the evening. I hadn't really thought about the clowns, I figured they'd found a place and were just fine. I continued to watch for my husband and the couple since they were still finishing up dessert when we made the trek over. I had saved room for them.
The next thing I know, we're beginning and there was no sign of them as of yet. As I begin to send my husband a text to put a little fire under his eating, guess who would arrive needing a seat. Yep-the clowns! Now I could have been rude, but no I scooted over and let them sit next to me. Now my husband and the couple would have to be on their own.
"How in the world am I suppose to worship the Lord and concentrate on his message for me with two clowns sitting beside me?" I thought. I tried my best, I sang and praised the Lord as if they weren't sitting beside me. I mean one look at them and I would forget the purpose of worshipping the Lord.
Funny thing happened to me though, it turns out that was one of the closest worship experiences I've had with the Lord in awhile. The clowns didn't bother me, in fact they reminded me to sing joyfully before my God.
What a great experience!
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
New Growth
So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 1 Corinthians 3:7 NIV
The beauty of new branches on a tree that was all but destroyed, amazes me.
Last year, I was upset when tree trimmers came in and mutilated the beautiful trees that lined the main street in our neighborhood. The trees had finally grown to the point where our street was almost draped across with trees.
The drive into our entrance reminded me of the tree lined street we drove down in St. Augustine, which is protected because of it's natural beauty and history. We also experienced this in Savannah. The beauty on our street was just beginning. Sure turning onto it from other streets was becoming difficult as you had to creep your car carefully up, so that you could see when it was safe to turn. I for one was willing to live with it because the natural beauty out weighed the danger.
Then the workers came, they were hired to trim branches. It seemed as though they trimmed branches that were unnecessary. My husband assured me that it was because school buses could no longer drive safely down the street, they were using the middle instead of being on the side of the road they needed to be on. Not to mention when an emergency vehicle needed to enter our neighborhood.
So with mourning, I said good-bye to the beauty of the street and watched as the branches were mulched up and taken away.
Today though, I can rejoice again. Today as I drove on our street, I noticed something-NEW GROWTH! Where the branches had been cut away now there is three to four new branches forming. Man may have tried to destroy the beauty, but God will make things bloom once again.
The beauty of new branches on a tree that was all but destroyed, amazes me.
Last year, I was upset when tree trimmers came in and mutilated the beautiful trees that lined the main street in our neighborhood. The trees had finally grown to the point where our street was almost draped across with trees.
The drive into our entrance reminded me of the tree lined street we drove down in St. Augustine, which is protected because of it's natural beauty and history. We also experienced this in Savannah. The beauty on our street was just beginning. Sure turning onto it from other streets was becoming difficult as you had to creep your car carefully up, so that you could see when it was safe to turn. I for one was willing to live with it because the natural beauty out weighed the danger.
Then the workers came, they were hired to trim branches. It seemed as though they trimmed branches that were unnecessary. My husband assured me that it was because school buses could no longer drive safely down the street, they were using the middle instead of being on the side of the road they needed to be on. Not to mention when an emergency vehicle needed to enter our neighborhood.
So with mourning, I said good-bye to the beauty of the street and watched as the branches were mulched up and taken away.
Today though, I can rejoice again. Today as I drove on our street, I noticed something-NEW GROWTH! Where the branches had been cut away now there is three to four new branches forming. Man may have tried to destroy the beauty, but God will make things bloom once again.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
The Darkness Consumes
You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. Psalm 18:28 NIV
The darkness is so hard to walk in, yet alone live in. Why do people want to stay in the dark? Is it easier in the dark?
It's hard to see what's in front of you in the dark. I experienced this once in a cave. I took a tour and while in a room they turned the light off. It was so dark I couldn't see my hand in front of my face. Is this why people choose to stay in the dark? Because if they hide in the dark, no one will see their flaws.
It's easier to hide, isn't it. Why should anyone know where you've fallen short? So much is expected of each of us, and we certainly wouldn't want to disappoint anyone. It's so much easier if no one knows my shortcomings. If I were in the light, than people would realize I'm not perfect.
The problem is though, while you've been in the dark you've turned people away. You haven't let anyone get close enough to get to know where you've messed up and fallen short. It's easier that way, isn't it? After all, no one can really see one another in the dark.
The hope to face another day, can disappear in the dark. Strange thoughts happen in the dark. Then there's a glimpse of light, not a big flame just a tiny glow from the spark of light shown. Your eye turns to it, maybe it would be better to live with this light. Anything would be better than the darkness.
You reach out and grab a hold of the light, it's no longer cold a warmth fills your soul. The things you thought were so terrible about yourself, turns out weren't so bad. The source of this light helps you, loves you unconditionally, and soon you become a new creation.
The imperfections are not so important, and so you shine with the light of Christ. God has turn your darkness into shining light for him.
The darkness is so hard to walk in, yet alone live in. Why do people want to stay in the dark? Is it easier in the dark?
It's hard to see what's in front of you in the dark. I experienced this once in a cave. I took a tour and while in a room they turned the light off. It was so dark I couldn't see my hand in front of my face. Is this why people choose to stay in the dark? Because if they hide in the dark, no one will see their flaws.
It's easier to hide, isn't it. Why should anyone know where you've fallen short? So much is expected of each of us, and we certainly wouldn't want to disappoint anyone. It's so much easier if no one knows my shortcomings. If I were in the light, than people would realize I'm not perfect.
The problem is though, while you've been in the dark you've turned people away. You haven't let anyone get close enough to get to know where you've messed up and fallen short. It's easier that way, isn't it? After all, no one can really see one another in the dark.
The hope to face another day, can disappear in the dark. Strange thoughts happen in the dark. Then there's a glimpse of light, not a big flame just a tiny glow from the spark of light shown. Your eye turns to it, maybe it would be better to live with this light. Anything would be better than the darkness.
You reach out and grab a hold of the light, it's no longer cold a warmth fills your soul. The things you thought were so terrible about yourself, turns out weren't so bad. The source of this light helps you, loves you unconditionally, and soon you become a new creation.
The imperfections are not so important, and so you shine with the light of Christ. God has turn your darkness into shining light for him.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Do You Really Hear Me?
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, " James 1:19 NIV
"We had pasta and sauce for dinner last night," the little girl shared.
"No, we didn't we had spaghetti for dinner last night," her brother was quick to correct her.
"Nah-uh"
"Uh-huh"
"Quit it you two, you're saying the same thing just listen to each other!"
Then later with my husband, "No you don't need to stay." I just finished talking about Bible study and the possibility he'd need to bring our daughter up. That's where my mind was when he asked if he'd need to stay. I mean why would he stay at a women's Bible study.
As I prepared to leave, he asked "So you'll get her from practice?"
"No you are, then you'll bring her to wherever I am."
"But then I need to stay."
"Yeah, it'd be kind of silly to drive back and turn around just to go back there."
"You said. I didn't need to stay." Ugh!
Oh, the misunderstanding that can happen just because we don't listen clearly. If I had stopped and listen to his question more clearly, or if he had paid attention as I went on to explain that men can't stay at our women's Bible study, then we would not have had to have the later conversation.
How often do we fail to listen? To hear what is clearly being said. Sometimes in the rush of things I fail to listen, or my mind wanders. I really want to listen, but something else pops into my head while I'm trying to listen.
As I was reminded later that evening, God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason. It's so we can be quick to listen and slow to speak.
I hope this week I can listen and really understand what's being said, because sometimes the person talking to me just needs a listening ear not any advice.
"We had pasta and sauce for dinner last night," the little girl shared.
"No, we didn't we had spaghetti for dinner last night," her brother was quick to correct her.
"Nah-uh"
"Uh-huh"
"Quit it you two, you're saying the same thing just listen to each other!"
Then later with my husband, "No you don't need to stay." I just finished talking about Bible study and the possibility he'd need to bring our daughter up. That's where my mind was when he asked if he'd need to stay. I mean why would he stay at a women's Bible study.
As I prepared to leave, he asked "So you'll get her from practice?"
"No you are, then you'll bring her to wherever I am."
"But then I need to stay."
"Yeah, it'd be kind of silly to drive back and turn around just to go back there."
"You said. I didn't need to stay." Ugh!
Oh, the misunderstanding that can happen just because we don't listen clearly. If I had stopped and listen to his question more clearly, or if he had paid attention as I went on to explain that men can't stay at our women's Bible study, then we would not have had to have the later conversation.
How often do we fail to listen? To hear what is clearly being said. Sometimes in the rush of things I fail to listen, or my mind wanders. I really want to listen, but something else pops into my head while I'm trying to listen.
As I was reminded later that evening, God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason. It's so we can be quick to listen and slow to speak.
I hope this week I can listen and really understand what's being said, because sometimes the person talking to me just needs a listening ear not any advice.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
The Unexpected Guilt
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised to be faithful. Hebrews 10:23 NIV
I was in for quite a shock last week. I had scheduled my MRI, and arrived at my appointment. To the sounding voice of the pleasant receptionist, "That'll be $810, please."
"Gulp, what do you mean? We always get billed later."
"You mean you weren't called." At that moment I wasn't sure what to do, I had no idea what the balance on our HSA was. Do I leave, the therapy's working maybe I don't need this. My husband griping in the background didn't help.
I took the chance that maybe the money would be available on the card, it was. So then I went through with the appointment feeling guilty for having to spend that kind of money on me. Especially after the ER visit.
I waited patiently for the results. Knowing that this was a Tuesday evening, and it took 48 hours I figured at the very least it'd be Friday. No news then, so I wait through the weekend planning to call sometime on Monday.
Luckily, though they called Monday morning of course while I'm away. The message though didn't give me the results, only that I need to make an appointment for that. So I do.
"Ok, Lord, I don't understand this but I'll go." I wasn't sure what to think, I mean if everything was fine than wouldn't they just tell me over the phone.
One person told me, "Must be bad news, good news they tell you over the phone."
Another said, "That's the way the doctor's do it now, so they can charge you again."
Not knowing what to expect, I went to my appointment. The news wasn't the best, but could have been worse. I have 6 bulging disc. Even though it wasn't the best news somehow I found relief. Because now I know I needed to keep the MRI appointment and don't feel so guilty.
God is faithful to me always, even if I don't know if I'm on the right path his hand is there to guide me.
I was in for quite a shock last week. I had scheduled my MRI, and arrived at my appointment. To the sounding voice of the pleasant receptionist, "That'll be $810, please."
"Gulp, what do you mean? We always get billed later."
"You mean you weren't called." At that moment I wasn't sure what to do, I had no idea what the balance on our HSA was. Do I leave, the therapy's working maybe I don't need this. My husband griping in the background didn't help.
I took the chance that maybe the money would be available on the card, it was. So then I went through with the appointment feeling guilty for having to spend that kind of money on me. Especially after the ER visit.
I waited patiently for the results. Knowing that this was a Tuesday evening, and it took 48 hours I figured at the very least it'd be Friday. No news then, so I wait through the weekend planning to call sometime on Monday.
Luckily, though they called Monday morning of course while I'm away. The message though didn't give me the results, only that I need to make an appointment for that. So I do.
"Ok, Lord, I don't understand this but I'll go." I wasn't sure what to think, I mean if everything was fine than wouldn't they just tell me over the phone.
One person told me, "Must be bad news, good news they tell you over the phone."
Another said, "That's the way the doctor's do it now, so they can charge you again."
Not knowing what to expect, I went to my appointment. The news wasn't the best, but could have been worse. I have 6 bulging disc. Even though it wasn't the best news somehow I found relief. Because now I know I needed to keep the MRI appointment and don't feel so guilty.
God is faithful to me always, even if I don't know if I'm on the right path his hand is there to guide me.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
I'm Broken
Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.
Isaiah 64:8 NIV
The mug sat there in several pieces after its fall from the cabinet.
"Throw it out," was the first response, "it'll be to hard to fix."
The pieces though, I felt could be put back together by the right person. It sat for a couple of days, in the broken pile. Soon it was moved to a bag, that way all the pieces could stay together and out of my way.
It seemed this poor mug would end up in the trash. Before long though, the right one came for the job. He found just the right glue. He sat down and figured out where each piece fit. Some of the pieces were stubborn, the handle didn't want to stay in place even after holding it for several minutes.
When it was almost complete, it seemed a piece or two was missing. He searched the location of the fall and found them. The mug was now complete, put back together. Not quite as good as new, but the cracks now showed character. It had a story to tell whenever someone asked.
We are like this mug. We become broken, we feel like we should be thrown out with the trash. But the right one sees us and won't let that happened. We call out to the fixer, the potter.
He painstakingly molds us back together. He may have difficulty with some of our flaws, we may be stubborn and not want to change. The potter though keeps working at it until finally it sticks.
The finish product may still show the scars, the pain at times, but it's now a part of who we are- our character. We now have a story to tell. The potter came and fixed this broken piece of clay, and molded me to be the disciple I am today.
Isaiah 64:8 NIV
The mug sat there in several pieces after its fall from the cabinet.
"Throw it out," was the first response, "it'll be to hard to fix."
The pieces though, I felt could be put back together by the right person. It sat for a couple of days, in the broken pile. Soon it was moved to a bag, that way all the pieces could stay together and out of my way.
It seemed this poor mug would end up in the trash. Before long though, the right one came for the job. He found just the right glue. He sat down and figured out where each piece fit. Some of the pieces were stubborn, the handle didn't want to stay in place even after holding it for several minutes.
When it was almost complete, it seemed a piece or two was missing. He searched the location of the fall and found them. The mug was now complete, put back together. Not quite as good as new, but the cracks now showed character. It had a story to tell whenever someone asked.
We are like this mug. We become broken, we feel like we should be thrown out with the trash. But the right one sees us and won't let that happened. We call out to the fixer, the potter.
He painstakingly molds us back together. He may have difficulty with some of our flaws, we may be stubborn and not want to change. The potter though keeps working at it until finally it sticks.
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