This Time Try God

What if you don't get the job? The tests were not favorable? The money has run out? He has left? She has left?  And you can't hear God?  You can't find God?  What then? Have you been there?  Oh you know, the place where no one really undersatnds what you are going through yet everyone offers ideas for the way out.  What then?  If you have never been there, hold on, it is coming.  It is life.

What can you do?  In spite of how you view the situation, or how you cry, scream, fret, one thing is certain- God is still God.  What does it mean for you in your situation?  Be still. . . listen. . .wait. . . Be still, don't make a move on your own- you have already done it and itt didn't work anyway- did it?  Listen for the guidance of Holy Spirit.  Wait to get the directions straight. 

Oh I know it to be true.  Been there, done that.  Had so many people offer their ideas of what I should do, and then I actually tried to follow their lead. Here's the part that baffles us all.  God knows exactly the situation and the outcome.  If we follow God's lead, then we will progress along the hard times. Yeah, it may hurt but you will emerge victorious and more aware of God's love and guidance.

I had a friend that was upset about a bad review that I had received on my book.  He wanted me to write a rebuttal, but why?  That would only give power to what was said. What was interesting was that this friend did nothing to write a positive review.  That would have helped more.  How do I feel about all of it?  I'm fine, it is not that important.  I have learned to take life while receiving directions from Holy Spirit.

Life is too short to miss the joy of life, even in the rough times.  You have tried it your way, try it God's way this time.  Take it one day at a time.  Go ahead- let me know how you are doing. type to you later.

Be Content

Wow!  Aren't you amazed at how God 'feels' your thoughts, hears your needs, supplies you peace?  

Let me see can I show you this playing out:  I was going to start by sharing that yesterday I got my zest back.  I have been too busy trying to get others to 'let me in', when God has already given me my own 'in'.  Isn't that crazy?  Those who know me understand.  One sad part of my lack of zest was my lack of writing.  I was too busy doing what was expected that I was not missing the use of my gifts, and missing complete joy from God.  I couldn't be 'content'.  You know,". . .for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances" (Phil. 411bNIV).  Oh but that's over now.

Watch this:  Yesterday I bought "The Pocket Thomas Merton, which is a collection of Merton's paragraphs."  While I was waiting for my laptop to load I read the author's intro and - well let me share it.

"At the heart of Merton's Spirituality is his distinction between our real and false selves. Our false selves are the identities we cultivate in order to function in society with pride and self-possession; our real selves are a deep religious mystery, known entirely only to God. The world cultivates the false self, ignores the real me, and therein lies the great irony of human existence;  the more we make of ourselves, the less we actually exist" (Inchausti 2005).

I think you get it.  I was happier when I functioned in my real self.  And that is where I return.  Join me in this year, in this season of contemplation discarding the false self.  I think that is what Paul had achieved when he could be content in whatever the circumstance.  type to you later

Continue

Well I had to spend the time getting started.  How did I do  it?  I got still, and asked Holy Spirit "where"?  And - I just put one foot out there.  Since we love thinking about new beginnings at the first of the year we can begin the new leg of our journey. 

Yes, the year will take you in a different place.  Are you ready?  Good.  Let;'s back track a little.  If the new year can take you in a new direction, then why stop there?  Each new day can lead to a new adventure while following Holy Spirit.  Let this day be a day of wonder, of exploration, of no fear.  Don't look back.  You may miss a joy of today.  Each new day is your gift- go ahead unwrap the gift, and follow. type to you later.

Get Started

Where do you start?  How do you make changes?  Take time to make a vision statement, a mission statement.   You see, both of these can aid in getting and keeping you on track.  My pastor recommended you have a vision statement for every area of your life.  Work on that as soon as possible.  What do you want to happen?  Vision statement, then make a plan to accomplish, and then identify distractions to the plan and push them out of your way.  You cannot effectively remove distraction alone, but together with Holy Spirit.  Go ahead, this is your time.  type to you later.

Blessings for a Great New Year

Blessings to all for a year of new beginnngs: A time of hearing the heart of others and of understanding your response to them.  A time of getting you out of God's way in order to watch God's work in your life.  A time of releasing old hurts and unforgiveness.  A time of loving and allowing yourself to be loved.  A time of following God's will for your life.  Enjoy your journey. type to you later.