Hundreds of thousands of people dead. That is the unofficial report on the earthquake devastation in Haiti. Hundreds of thousands. The Red Cross reports that as many as three million may be affected. That is so many families and friends that are in need of prayer and counseling support. There are so many that are in need right now. What can we do? Pray for them and their strength, and then check with your local organizations to see what other help is needed.
It is very overwhelming to think about - yet God.
It is difficult to think about our day to day to day activities while so many are in need of so much- yet God.
Hold on to what you know to be true- the power of prayer does avail much. Your prayers can make a major difference- ahhh but God.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Saturday, January 9, 2010
On Track
A friend just sent this on email, and is appropo with "being you." Step out today to step into the 'you' God designed. When you find those snippets of who you really are you can exclaim "A ha!" That exclamation is somewhat like one of the little lost boys in "Hook" when he was trying to find the vibrant Peter Pan in the face of an out of shape Peter Banning. His exclaimation- "Oh there you are [Peter]" You place your name.
From email:
An Angel says, 'Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice.'
1. Pray
2. Go to bed on time.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.
5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
6. Simplify and unclutter your life.
7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.
10. Take one day at a time.
11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety. If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.
12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.
13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
14. K.M.S... (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble..
15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.
16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.
17. Get enough rest.
18. Eat right.
19 Get organized so everything has its place.
20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.
21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.
22. Every day, find time to be alone.
23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.
24. Make friends with Godly people.
25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand...
26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good 'Thank you Jesus'.
27. Laugh.
28. Laugh some more!
29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.
30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).
31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
32. Sit on your ego.
33 Talk less; listen more.
34. Slow down.
35.Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.
36. Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU.
'If God is for us, who can be against us?'
(Romans 8:31)
From email:
An Angel says, 'Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice.'
1. Pray
2. Go to bed on time.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.
5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
6. Simplify and unclutter your life.
7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.
10. Take one day at a time.
11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety. If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.
12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.
13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
14. K.M.S... (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble..
15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.
16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.
17. Get enough rest.
18. Eat right.
19 Get organized so everything has its place.
20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.
21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.
22. Every day, find time to be alone.
23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.
24. Make friends with Godly people.
25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand...
26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good 'Thank you Jesus'.
27. Laugh.
28. Laugh some more!
29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.
30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).
31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
32. Sit on your ego.
33 Talk less; listen more.
34. Slow down.
35.Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.
36. Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU.
'If God is for us, who can be against us?'
(Romans 8:31)
Friday, January 8, 2010
Be You
My father used to say, "Be the best you that you can be." F.G. Sampson (Doc) used to tell me (and I'm sure others) "Don't let anyone out you-you." I have tried to hold to both of those, so I don't have time to worry about what others are doing. (So now you know the secret.) There is a process to being 'you'. I mean the 'you' that was made in the Divine image, the 'you' that should be dynamically spiritually growing into who you really are. You know, without the junk.
So to be on a track of 'being you', you don't have time to worry about what others are doing. You only have time to perfect 'being you'. Try it. Find out just how special you, and then grow to that level. It's just about walking this journey without some of the baggage. And in Doc's words, "Don't let anyone out you- you." type to you later.
So to be on a track of 'being you', you don't have time to worry about what others are doing. You only have time to perfect 'being you'. Try it. Find out just how special you, and then grow to that level. It's just about walking this journey without some of the baggage. And in Doc's words, "Don't let anyone out you- you." type to you later.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Even When
I need to take that "even when you can't see" a little farther. What about the times you cry out and can't hear? What about the dark that your eyes can't penetrate? What about the hurt so deep that your heart aches? What about the financial needs that can't be met? What then? It happens. It does. It is difficult. It is wrenching.
How do you hang on when that happens? Yeah, you know that it will happen, but can you make it until it does happen? It is at that time that people can't help, nothing does. At that time there is no one but you and God. You alone with what you can't see can't feel because you are so immersed in your own pain. Can you hold on? Can you wait to hear? Can you let everything go in order to receive? Can you?
It is hard...But...It is lonely... It is at this time that you can lose your righteous mind. Ahhh, but then you find your spiritual self. Your righteous self can't stand at these times. You see, it was never about your righteous self, but your spiritual growth. You’re growing into more of what God has for you. The carnal, the righteous must be shed in order to effectively grow spiritually.
In these dark times, be still. Listen for God, wait on God. And then watch what God is doing. NO, you can never understand the power, the majesty, the grace, the love God has for you. You venture out on this journey to learn more about such power, such, majesty, such grace, such love. Yes, it gets hard...but.... Yes it gets dark...but.
Even when it does not look like, it may be that your way is through, not out. Even when the rain of pain is hard, your umbrella of stamina will keep you. Even when you don't know, God does. Be reassured that your care is God's concern. Remember Mt Rainer, it is there, even when.
You will go through, you will survive. Don't give up - be still. That 'being still' is not giving up, but giving over your will. It is trusting in what God is doing in your life to shape you. Watch what God does, and follow that lead. type to you later.
How do you hang on when that happens? Yeah, you know that it will happen, but can you make it until it does happen? It is at that time that people can't help, nothing does. At that time there is no one but you and God. You alone with what you can't see can't feel because you are so immersed in your own pain. Can you hold on? Can you wait to hear? Can you let everything go in order to receive? Can you?
It is hard...But...It is lonely... It is at this time that you can lose your righteous mind. Ahhh, but then you find your spiritual self. Your righteous self can't stand at these times. You see, it was never about your righteous self, but your spiritual growth. You’re growing into more of what God has for you. The carnal, the righteous must be shed in order to effectively grow spiritually.
In these dark times, be still. Listen for God, wait on God. And then watch what God is doing. NO, you can never understand the power, the majesty, the grace, the love God has for you. You venture out on this journey to learn more about such power, such, majesty, such grace, such love. Yes, it gets hard...but.... Yes it gets dark...but.
Even when it does not look like, it may be that your way is through, not out. Even when the rain of pain is hard, your umbrella of stamina will keep you. Even when you don't know, God does. Be reassured that your care is God's concern. Remember Mt Rainer, it is there, even when.
You will go through, you will survive. Don't give up - be still. That 'being still' is not giving up, but giving over your will. It is trusting in what God is doing in your life to shape you. Watch what God does, and follow that lead. type to you later.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Even When You Can't See
When my nephew joined us in Seattle I was so excited about him seeing Mt Ranier. It was so cloudy that visibility was nil and no mountain could be seen. My brother-in-law was teasing me about the "mountains" that only I could see. Ahhh, but one day the sun came through just before it rested for the evening and there they were bold and majestic - Mt Rainier and Mt Baker. Both my nephew and brother-in-law joined me in awe of the beauty of Mt Rainier. All I could say was, "see, see,I told you."
This cause me to think how sometimes we may miss an opportunity. Just because we could not see the mountain did not mean it was not there. Can you feel me? I knew what I had seen. I knew what I had witnessed in the majesty of the mountain. I couldn't see it, but I knew it was there.
You see, there are times that we go through periods of low visibility in our lives. These periods could be from so many things: fear, doubt, lack, pain, loneliness, you can name it. (I think you get the point.) And during these times we feel that God is not visible, nowhere to be found. Could be (not visible that is), but not being visible does not mean not being there. Just because you can't feel God's presence does not mean God is not close. Hold on to what you know about the character, the love, the grace of God through those periods of low spiritual visibility. And when you have your 'ah ha' moment of sight you will feel in that moment more than you could remember. When I saw Mt. Rainier, it was more majestic than I remembered.
What do you do? Hold on to your relationship with God. You may need to help another who can see, can't feel. And if you are at a spot where you can't see, can't feel, talk to me. I promise God is there- more than a church figure, but one who loves, guides, and answers prayer. If the mountain could come through bold as it has been can you even imagine the boldness of the majesty of God? And then, can you fathom the love God has for you? Try. type to you later.
This cause me to think how sometimes we may miss an opportunity. Just because we could not see the mountain did not mean it was not there. Can you feel me? I knew what I had seen. I knew what I had witnessed in the majesty of the mountain. I couldn't see it, but I knew it was there.
You see, there are times that we go through periods of low visibility in our lives. These periods could be from so many things: fear, doubt, lack, pain, loneliness, you can name it. (I think you get the point.) And during these times we feel that God is not visible, nowhere to be found. Could be (not visible that is), but not being visible does not mean not being there. Just because you can't feel God's presence does not mean God is not close. Hold on to what you know about the character, the love, the grace of God through those periods of low spiritual visibility. And when you have your 'ah ha' moment of sight you will feel in that moment more than you could remember. When I saw Mt. Rainier, it was more majestic than I remembered.
What do you do? Hold on to your relationship with God. You may need to help another who can see, can't feel. And if you are at a spot where you can't see, can't feel, talk to me. I promise God is there- more than a church figure, but one who loves, guides, and answers prayer. If the mountain could come through bold as it has been can you even imagine the boldness of the majesty of God? And then, can you fathom the love God has for you? Try. type to you later.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
They That Wait . . .
We are familiar with the Isaiah passage (40:28-31) and have used it many times. The passage gives hope for those whose hope has faded -but. It reassurance that renewal is certain - but. The coordinating conjunction "but" is the core of the matter. You see, as youth do, they get tired, and adults try and fail, they stumble and fall. "But they that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength" (Is. 40:31). The "but" transfers you to a new place, no matter what. You will make it, you will get through, get over, get under, stand. You will -because you are waiting, not waited, that's past tense, but you are waiting.
So what is the waiting? Try this: Those waiting for God, that "waiting" is like those enduring, those strengthening. The strengthening in the waiting for God. Can't explain it, but who can explain how God works? There is a supernatural work of magnificent proportion happening and there is nothing anyone can stop, not even you - when you are waiting for God. Because of this magnificent work of God, you will gain strength, you will be powerful. Not because of you, but because of your cooperation in working with God by waiting for God. Can you see it? It is exciting! Yes, it is scary at times. But in the wait you ascend above the glares of others who don't know your heritage as a child of God that is waiting for God. In the wait you move beyond your deepest fears. In the wait it is you and God.
The give give you the ability to soar on wings like eagles, to run and not get weary, to walk and not be faint. All because the Lord is everlasting and He does not grow tired or weary and no one can even begin the understand the mystery of God. Back in the day I would hear in church someone call out "Who wouldn't serve a God like that?"
Welcome to your season of waiting. Yes we all should be waiting, waiting for more than material, temporal things. Wait for God. Journal it. Start today. Watch for God's move in your life, and then follow, without hesitation. "But those who
hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint" (Is.40:31 NIV). Take time and read Isaiah 40:28-31. type to you later!
So what is the waiting? Try this: Those waiting for God, that "waiting" is like those enduring, those strengthening. The strengthening in the waiting for God. Can't explain it, but who can explain how God works? There is a supernatural work of magnificent proportion happening and there is nothing anyone can stop, not even you - when you are waiting for God. Because of this magnificent work of God, you will gain strength, you will be powerful. Not because of you, but because of your cooperation in working with God by waiting for God. Can you see it? It is exciting! Yes, it is scary at times. But in the wait you ascend above the glares of others who don't know your heritage as a child of God that is waiting for God. In the wait you move beyond your deepest fears. In the wait it is you and God.
The give give you the ability to soar on wings like eagles, to run and not get weary, to walk and not be faint. All because the Lord is everlasting and He does not grow tired or weary and no one can even begin the understand the mystery of God. Back in the day I would hear in church someone call out "Who wouldn't serve a God like that?"
Welcome to your season of waiting. Yes we all should be waiting, waiting for more than material, temporal things. Wait for God. Journal it. Start today. Watch for God's move in your life, and then follow, without hesitation. "But those who
hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint" (Is.40:31 NIV). Take time and read Isaiah 40:28-31. type to you later!
Friday, December 25, 2009
Blessings
I bless you all with joy and peace. It is a thing about peace that cannot be duplicated. That true shalom that comes from God can move you through a world of obstacles and keep you sane. It can keep you grounded when things are over the top -in good or in bad. Peace is really what we all want, but many times we search n the wrong places not knowing what true peace looks like.
When I was young we sang songs at my church of real joy and true peace. We sang as kids not really understanding the meaning. As I got older I know those snipets of real joy and true peace and long more for both. There comes a time when we all must face the realization that no one can provide joy or peace, that no job can give joy or peace. Oh yeah it can provide financial stability and comfort, but real joy and true peace . . .my, my.
Paul says it best: "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:4-9 NIV).
Merry Christmas!
When I was young we sang songs at my church of real joy and true peace. We sang as kids not really understanding the meaning. As I got older I know those snipets of real joy and true peace and long more for both. There comes a time when we all must face the realization that no one can provide joy or peace, that no job can give joy or peace. Oh yeah it can provide financial stability and comfort, but real joy and true peace . . .my, my.
Paul says it best: "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:4-9 NIV).
Merry Christmas!
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