Today has been one of those days. Everything started off well and then things started going downhill. Life comes with these days whether we like them or not. It's all in how we take them. I guess I have learned to look at it this way, no matter what happens, the best thing that could ever happen already did and nothing can change that. I met Jesus and since then I have not had to face the world alone.
I know I recently talked about distractions and how the enemy loves for us to get caught up in everything except what God wants us to be caught up in. Satan is the author of confusion and doubt.
I'm glad Jesus was there today when everything went downhill. I wanted to throw my hands up and quit. I found myself crying and feeling like a failure. I made a stupid mistake, one unfortunately I have made before.
I caught myself as I began to think...you fool, who are you kidding...you can't even handle the small things in life...give it up...your house is a wreck...you worked too much today...you can't even stick to a schedule...and you want to do more...what?
I had to just flip the switch, change the channel and tune in to the truth. God is changing me from the inside out, He gives me grace when I need it, God accepts me just as I am, I am making progress, nothing can separate me from His love. God will take all things and work them out as I seek His will and purpose.
Tonight I had to just take a time out...Forget the day and just refocus. I turned on spa music and took a hot shower and just slowed down for a bit.
Time outs are important and on a day like today I needed one.
I put my kids in time out when they are acting out...mom's need time outs too sometimes.
If we don't purposely take time to refill and recharge we burn out. I was in the store today and I overheard a conversation. One lady said I am just running myself crazy, and the other lady said I know all about it. Life will be busy at times but there is no need to let it drive us crazy.
Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
There is nothing wrong with being busy, but what or whom are we being busy for?
We have to seek God with everything we have, our thoughts, our plans, our emotions, our actions, and our reactions.
Our family has been undergoing some changes this year and we are learning to let go of the drawing board and trust the plan as it is revealed. I make such a mess of things when I try to plan out my life.
Just today while driving I thought of that scripture Matthew 6:25-34 25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
And I thought a little deeper. You know how we might charge something at the store, or even a car payment, their is no guarantee we will be around to pay the debt we make. I kind of felt like God was saying you can plan it out all you want, but don't get carried away, how many people do you think plan there whole life out and one day something unexpected happens. It important to take care of and plan wisely with everything we have been given because first of all we don't own anything. We are temporary owners. It is not coming with us despite what some may think.
My brother and his wife are working to simplify their life and possessions. How freeing it is to let go of those things that bury us and weigh us down. God is waiting for us when we cry out, He is there helping us to cross the finish line.
Tonight I am dreaming big of crossing the finish line. I'm limping and in pain today but safe in the arms of Jesus.
Hebrews 12:1-2
1THEREFORE THEN, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us,
2Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.(A)
I close with this inspirational video a friend shared on facebook http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDgVske63cY
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Arms Open Wide
Jeremiah 30 (The Message)
Jeremiah 30
Don't Despair, Israel
1-2 This is the Message Jeremiah received from God: "God's Message, the God of Israel: 'Write everything I tell you in a book. 3"'Look. The time is coming when I will turn everything around for my people, both Israel and Judah. I, God, say so. I'll bring them back to the land I gave their ancestors, and they'll take up ownership again.'"
4This is the way God put it to Israel and Judah:
5-7"God's Message:
"'Cries of panic are being heard.
The peace has been shattered.
Ask around! Look around!
Can men bear babies?
So why do I see all these he-men
holding their bellies like women in labor,
Faces contorted,
pale as death?
The blackest of days,
no day like it ever!
A time of deep trouble for Jacob—
but he'll come out of it alive.
8-9"'And then I'll enter the darkness.
I'll break the yoke from their necks,
Cut them loose from the harness.
No more slave labor to foreigners!
They'll serve their God
and the David-King I'll establish for them.
10-11"'So fear no more, Jacob, dear servant.
Don't despair, Israel.
Look up! I'll save you out of faraway places,
I'll bring your children back from exile.
Jacob will come back and find life good,
safe and secure.
I'll be with you. I'll save you.
I'll finish off all the godless nations
Among which I've scattered you,
but I won't finish you off.
I'll punish you, but fairly.
I won't send you off with just a slap on the wrist.'
12-15"This is God's Message:
"'You're a burned-out case,
as good as dead.
Everyone has given up on you.
You're hopeless.
All your fair-weather friends have skipped town
without giving you a second thought.
But I delivered the knockout blow,
a punishment you will never forget,
Because of the enormity of your guilt,
the endless list of your sins.
So why all this self-pity, licking your wounds?
You deserve all this, and more.
Because of the enormity of your guilt,
the endless list of your sins,
I've done all this to you.
16-17"'Everyone who hurt you will be hurt;
your enemies will end up as slaves.
Your plunderers will be plundered;
your looters will become loot.
As for you, I'll come with healing,
curing the incurable,
Because they all gave up on you
and dismissed you as hopeless—
that good-for-nothing Zion.'
18-21"Again, God's Message:
"'I'll turn things around for Jacob.
I'll compassionately come in and rebuild homes.
The town will be rebuilt on its old foundations;
the mansions will be splendid again.
Thanksgivings will pour out of the windows;
laughter will spill through the doors.
Things will get better and better.
Depression days are over.
They'll thrive, they'll flourish.
The days of contempt will be over.
They'll look forward to having children again,
to being a community in which I take pride.
I'll punish anyone who hurts them,
and their prince will come from their own ranks.
One of their own people shall be their leader.
Their ruler will come from their own ranks.
I'll grant him free and easy access to me.
Would anyone dare to do that on his own,
to enter my presence uninvited?' God's Decree.
22"'And that's it: You'll be my very own people,
I'll be your very own God.'"
23-24Look out! God's hurricane is let loose,
his hurricane blast,
Spinning the heads of the wicked like dust devils!
God's raging anger won't let up
Until he's made a clean sweep
completing the job he began.
When the job's done
you'll see it's been well done.
******************************************
God has been so good to me even after all the times I have failed Him. It's good to know He gives His love, favor, forgiveness to me. So many times in my life I tried to earn it. I can never earn it, I will never be good enough and that's the beauty of Jesus. He is the only one and the only way. He is the only one who PAID the debt once and for all, placed his blood on the throne and covered all my past and future sins. No one else did this but Jesus.
I have reaped what I sowed sometimes the bad. God has used my failures to teach me more about who He is and how He sees things. I have to remember everyday that I need a Savior.
I like Jeremiah 30. Came across it tonight not looking to read anything in particular. I can relate. God knows how many stupid things I have done and said. Daily. God is always faithful, He will always finish what He starts. How true that rings to me in my own life tonight. My journey is just that, a journey. I have not reached my destination, but thank God I have passed through the valleys, stood on the mountain tops, lost my footing, found peace, love, forgiveness and mercy that comes only from Jesus.
God has been at work in me and I can look back now and say "okay God, I see now what you were doing" I didn't understand it then but now I do.
I reflected tonight on what a tough emotional year this has been. Loss of dear loved ones, job loss, teen parenting, homeschooling, business, weight challenges, transitioning in church, and numerous little things. I see some things I did right and some things I might have done a little differently. But God truly is working things out for our good. At times it may be painful. I cannot say that everyday I have woke up with a smile on my face, but I know God is holding me.
God knows there are nights when I can't sleep, cry and relive, remember moments with Jen. It's all a part of life. We will experience grief and pain. It's not all happy times. Our praising should not cease just because we are having hard times. Our joy should come from knowing who God is.
Today was an extra special day in my faith. I saw some prayers being answered, some doors being opened, and some chains being broken. My 4 year old miraculously survived crashing through a glass mirror. How he did this, I do not know. He walked away with a bruised knee and slice on the arm.
I have also come to see this year that when God is moving and trying to get you to a certain place, the enemy does whatever he can to stir up strife and cause a distraction. Praise God I have walked through this. I already know it is coming, but just like Jeremiah 30 says God will repay, He will cut off the enemy, He will cut off all those that dare come against Him (not just me). They are dealing with Him, because I am His. And He will not stop until He has completed and carried out His plan. If God be for me, then who can be against me.
Don't be quick to plan your own life. Put your life in the hands of God and don't take it back. Be ready to let something go at a moments notice if need be to answer His call.
I have not blogged because of time restraints but God has been at work in the many things I do each day and I have at so many times wanted too. I will continue to post as I am able.
Dreaming Big Reflecting on the past but standing with Arms Open Wide ready for today
I close today with Arms Open Wide by Hillsong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvNdybdyeOc
Jeremiah 30
Don't Despair, Israel
1-2 This is the Message Jeremiah received from God: "God's Message, the God of Israel: 'Write everything I tell you in a book. 3"'Look. The time is coming when I will turn everything around for my people, both Israel and Judah. I, God, say so. I'll bring them back to the land I gave their ancestors, and they'll take up ownership again.'"
4This is the way God put it to Israel and Judah:
5-7"God's Message:
"'Cries of panic are being heard.
The peace has been shattered.
Ask around! Look around!
Can men bear babies?
So why do I see all these he-men
holding their bellies like women in labor,
Faces contorted,
pale as death?
The blackest of days,
no day like it ever!
A time of deep trouble for Jacob—
but he'll come out of it alive.
8-9"'And then I'll enter the darkness.
I'll break the yoke from their necks,
Cut them loose from the harness.
No more slave labor to foreigners!
They'll serve their God
and the David-King I'll establish for them.
10-11"'So fear no more, Jacob, dear servant.
Don't despair, Israel.
Look up! I'll save you out of faraway places,
I'll bring your children back from exile.
Jacob will come back and find life good,
safe and secure.
I'll be with you. I'll save you.
I'll finish off all the godless nations
Among which I've scattered you,
but I won't finish you off.
I'll punish you, but fairly.
I won't send you off with just a slap on the wrist.'
12-15"This is God's Message:
"'You're a burned-out case,
as good as dead.
Everyone has given up on you.
You're hopeless.
All your fair-weather friends have skipped town
without giving you a second thought.
But I delivered the knockout blow,
a punishment you will never forget,
Because of the enormity of your guilt,
the endless list of your sins.
So why all this self-pity, licking your wounds?
You deserve all this, and more.
Because of the enormity of your guilt,
the endless list of your sins,
I've done all this to you.
16-17"'Everyone who hurt you will be hurt;
your enemies will end up as slaves.
Your plunderers will be plundered;
your looters will become loot.
As for you, I'll come with healing,
curing the incurable,
Because they all gave up on you
and dismissed you as hopeless—
that good-for-nothing Zion.'
18-21"Again, God's Message:
"'I'll turn things around for Jacob.
I'll compassionately come in and rebuild homes.
The town will be rebuilt on its old foundations;
the mansions will be splendid again.
Thanksgivings will pour out of the windows;
laughter will spill through the doors.
Things will get better and better.
Depression days are over.
They'll thrive, they'll flourish.
The days of contempt will be over.
They'll look forward to having children again,
to being a community in which I take pride.
I'll punish anyone who hurts them,
and their prince will come from their own ranks.
One of their own people shall be their leader.
Their ruler will come from their own ranks.
I'll grant him free and easy access to me.
Would anyone dare to do that on his own,
to enter my presence uninvited?' God's Decree.
22"'And that's it: You'll be my very own people,
I'll be your very own God.'"
23-24Look out! God's hurricane is let loose,
his hurricane blast,
Spinning the heads of the wicked like dust devils!
God's raging anger won't let up
Until he's made a clean sweep
completing the job he began.
When the job's done
you'll see it's been well done.
******************************************
God has been so good to me even after all the times I have failed Him. It's good to know He gives His love, favor, forgiveness to me. So many times in my life I tried to earn it. I can never earn it, I will never be good enough and that's the beauty of Jesus. He is the only one and the only way. He is the only one who PAID the debt once and for all, placed his blood on the throne and covered all my past and future sins. No one else did this but Jesus.
I have reaped what I sowed sometimes the bad. God has used my failures to teach me more about who He is and how He sees things. I have to remember everyday that I need a Savior.
I like Jeremiah 30. Came across it tonight not looking to read anything in particular. I can relate. God knows how many stupid things I have done and said. Daily. God is always faithful, He will always finish what He starts. How true that rings to me in my own life tonight. My journey is just that, a journey. I have not reached my destination, but thank God I have passed through the valleys, stood on the mountain tops, lost my footing, found peace, love, forgiveness and mercy that comes only from Jesus.
God has been at work in me and I can look back now and say "okay God, I see now what you were doing" I didn't understand it then but now I do.
I reflected tonight on what a tough emotional year this has been. Loss of dear loved ones, job loss, teen parenting, homeschooling, business, weight challenges, transitioning in church, and numerous little things. I see some things I did right and some things I might have done a little differently. But God truly is working things out for our good. At times it may be painful. I cannot say that everyday I have woke up with a smile on my face, but I know God is holding me.
God knows there are nights when I can't sleep, cry and relive, remember moments with Jen. It's all a part of life. We will experience grief and pain. It's not all happy times. Our praising should not cease just because we are having hard times. Our joy should come from knowing who God is.
Today was an extra special day in my faith. I saw some prayers being answered, some doors being opened, and some chains being broken. My 4 year old miraculously survived crashing through a glass mirror. How he did this, I do not know. He walked away with a bruised knee and slice on the arm.
I have also come to see this year that when God is moving and trying to get you to a certain place, the enemy does whatever he can to stir up strife and cause a distraction. Praise God I have walked through this. I already know it is coming, but just like Jeremiah 30 says God will repay, He will cut off the enemy, He will cut off all those that dare come against Him (not just me). They are dealing with Him, because I am His. And He will not stop until He has completed and carried out His plan. If God be for me, then who can be against me.
Don't be quick to plan your own life. Put your life in the hands of God and don't take it back. Be ready to let something go at a moments notice if need be to answer His call.
I have not blogged because of time restraints but God has been at work in the many things I do each day and I have at so many times wanted too. I will continue to post as I am able.
Dreaming Big Reflecting on the past but standing with Arms Open Wide ready for today
I close today with Arms Open Wide by Hillsong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvNdybdyeOc
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