Posts
Our body is about 75% water, approximately 3/4 of the earth's surface is covered by water and all living organisms around us (on which our life depends) are mostly water.
Every single living cell is made up of water (intracellular fluid) - including our own body cells - and surrounded by water (extra cellular fluid). Every one of our body's tissues and organs, as well as every one of the body's sustaining process, such as thinking, nerve function, blood circulation, digestion, locomotion and elimination, requires water in order to function properly. Lack of water in the body tends to give rise to dehydration, thereby posing hurdles for the blood to circulate. The gravity of problem increases, as it causes the brain to become less active and your body feels tired and fatigued. Water keeps the digestive system in order and flushes out the waste products from your body.
I love word pictures and how Jesus taught…so I decided to do a little study on water and how it relates to the Living Water. I find it interesting that our very survival as human depends on the consumption of water; not only that, but it is in every cell…the majority of our being and the creatures around us are made up of water. Suffice to say that without it we would all cease to exist.
So how does that relate to the Living Water of Jesus Christ? Water is mentioned in the Bible 396 times in the KJV (485 in the NIV). Some are pure references to actual drinking water, some refer to bodies of water and yet others relate to this idea of living water.
John 4:10-14 "Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."
"Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?"
Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
The Greek word for “living” used in this context is "zao" and means:
1)to live, breathe, be among the living (not lifeless, not dead)
2)to enjoy real life, to have true life and worthy of the name
3)to live i.e. pass life, in the manner of the living and acting
4)living water, having vital power in itself and exerting the same upon the soul
5) to be fresh, strong, efficient
6) as adj. active, powerful, efficacious
When we drink water for our bodies, we give life to our cells. Immediately brain and nerve function are improved, we expel wastes and toxins, we are refreshed. However, as Jesus stated, we become thirsty again in our humanity.
When we drink the Living Water, we give life to our souls through the Holy Spirit. We are cleansed and expel the toxins of sin, have eternal refreshment, eternal life, and strength in life on Earth. We can become “active, powerful and efficacious” and “fresh, strong and efficient” when we go to the true source of Life each day…we can “enjoy real life”.
We can also give life to others by our example: "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” When we accept Jesus and believe in Him, we are filled with rivers of living water. I believe that the more we are filled, the more we “spill out” onto those around us.
We drink enough water to make sure our bodies are hydrated and running properly. I wonder if we have the same urgency to “drink” from the Word and hear from the Lord daily so our spiritual bodies are in tip top shape? Are we being filled? Drinking from other fountains? Or are we walking around dehydrated, weary, less than functional and dry from our lack of Living Water?
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
My Company's Annual Sample Sale-Everyone's invited!
Everyone who wants to save some money this holiday season, come check out my company's annual sample sale. We offer everything at manufacturer's cost or below and you can get some incredible deals and inexpensive gifts. There will be a lot more samples of Home and Garden Decor (the category that I sell) this year-everything from glass hurricanes/apothecary jars to metal wall decor to outdoor decor, planters, etc.
Salesman’s Sample Sale
A Holiday Tradition!
Where: 335 Second Street - Lake Oswego
Same time, same place as last year . . .
Wizer’s Mall - Lower parking garage off 2nd St.
When: Friday December 4th 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Saturday December 5th 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Everything . . . Gadgets to Giftware
Table -Top to Food Prep.
Kitchen Appliances & Cookware
Baby Products & Infant Accessories
Lawn & Garden & Home Decor and . . .
Lots of ALL-New Products & Categories
December 4th & 5th ONLY!
Wizer’s Mall, Lake Oswego - Lower parking garage off 2nd St.
Salesman’s Sample Sale
A Holiday Tradition!
Where: 335 Second Street - Lake Oswego
Same time, same place as last year . . .
Wizer’s Mall - Lower parking garage off 2nd St.
When: Friday December 4th 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Saturday December 5th 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Everything . . . Gadgets to Giftware
Table -Top to Food Prep.
Kitchen Appliances & Cookware
Baby Products & Infant Accessories
Lawn & Garden & Home Decor and . . .
Lots of ALL-New Products & Categories
December 4th & 5th ONLY!
Wizer’s Mall, Lake Oswego - Lower parking garage off 2nd St.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Contentment
So the issue of contentment has been laying heavy on my heart for the past few weeks (really, for years since it's something I've always struggled with). I've been meditating on what it actually means to my Christian walk and example. The question of HOW keeps coming up as I consider the implications of being truly content.
In this world of "more" and "me" it seems almost impossible to rewire my brain to think "enough" and "thank you." Especially with a type A personality, it's hard to not always want to take my work, personal life, accomplishments, athletics, etc to the next level. It's not necessarily a monetary ambition, but more of a "I only have one life to live" kind of a motivation. There isn't anything wrong with living and enjoying life, per say, but when the reflection of your life seems to show that nothing is good enough, that's a problem.
I am learning a lot from Paul's example, who was in chains when he wrote the following to the Philippians: "for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." Phil 4:11-12
I think the key word in that verse is "learned." It is not always natural for us to be content in all situations, especially with the world we live in. It's always a challenge to be in this world but not have it rub off on us. Still, here is a man who was literally in chains praising God and rejoicing in his situation. I want to be more like that, since the struggles in my life shrink in comparison to Paul's (and Christ's) sufferings.
I was reading in John Courson's Commentary Bible in Colossians 4 last night and he was talking about disgruntled believers and what an oxymoron that is. We have everything to be thankful for so it should be pouring out of our mouths at every opportunity.
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. Phil. 2: 14-16
We have the gift of eternal life, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, a Father that loves us and His Son that died for us. In addition to that, it's important that we don't compare our lives or blessings to those of others. In his words, "Don't look around." I think that is a part of what contentment means but it is also about knowing that our home is in heaven and the trials, struggles and wants we have here on earth are going to be more than insignifcant when we get there. Our challenge from the Word is to be "shining stars" to those around us and when trials come our way, may we not be knocked down and out like the world expects, but may we trust and thank the Lord for what we DO have.
"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it." I Timothy 6:6-7
I guess the bottom line is I'm praying for more of Jesus and less of me, for an eternal perspective, to be "others" centered and thankful for the millions of blessings that God gives me each day.
Shanna
In this world of "more" and "me" it seems almost impossible to rewire my brain to think "enough" and "thank you." Especially with a type A personality, it's hard to not always want to take my work, personal life, accomplishments, athletics, etc to the next level. It's not necessarily a monetary ambition, but more of a "I only have one life to live" kind of a motivation. There isn't anything wrong with living and enjoying life, per say, but when the reflection of your life seems to show that nothing is good enough, that's a problem.
I am learning a lot from Paul's example, who was in chains when he wrote the following to the Philippians: "for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." Phil 4:11-12
I think the key word in that verse is "learned." It is not always natural for us to be content in all situations, especially with the world we live in. It's always a challenge to be in this world but not have it rub off on us. Still, here is a man who was literally in chains praising God and rejoicing in his situation. I want to be more like that, since the struggles in my life shrink in comparison to Paul's (and Christ's) sufferings.
I was reading in John Courson's Commentary Bible in Colossians 4 last night and he was talking about disgruntled believers and what an oxymoron that is. We have everything to be thankful for so it should be pouring out of our mouths at every opportunity.
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. Phil. 2: 14-16
We have the gift of eternal life, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, a Father that loves us and His Son that died for us. In addition to that, it's important that we don't compare our lives or blessings to those of others. In his words, "Don't look around." I think that is a part of what contentment means but it is also about knowing that our home is in heaven and the trials, struggles and wants we have here on earth are going to be more than insignifcant when we get there. Our challenge from the Word is to be "shining stars" to those around us and when trials come our way, may we not be knocked down and out like the world expects, but may we trust and thank the Lord for what we DO have.
"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it." I Timothy 6:6-7
I guess the bottom line is I'm praying for more of Jesus and less of me, for an eternal perspective, to be "others" centered and thankful for the millions of blessings that God gives me each day.
Shanna
Monday, November 9, 2009
Nursery Love Giveaway!
Check out this lovely Plum Infinity Scarf from BellaUrbana.etsy.com!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/BellaUrbana
Perfect for this season!
NurseryLove http://www.NurseryLove.etsy.com is giving it away at the end of this week.
Friday, November 6, 2009
It is Well with my Soul
HYMN HISTORY:
This hymn was written by a Chicago lawyer, Horatio G. Spafford. You might think to write a worship song titled,'It is well with my soul', you would indeed have to be a rich, successful Chicago lawyer. But the words,
"When sorrows like sea billows roll ... It is well with my soul”, were not written during the happiest period of
Spafford's life. On the contrary, they came from a man who had suffered almost unimaginable personal tragedy.
Horatio G. Spafford and his wife, Anna, were pretty well-known in 1860’s Chicago. And this was not just because of Horatio's legal career and business endeavors. The Spaffords were also prominent supporters and close friends of D.L. Moody, the famous preacher. In 1870, however, things started to go wrong. The Spaffords' only son was killed by scarlet fever at the age of four. A year later, it was fire rather than fever that struck. Horatio had invested heavily in real estate on the shores of Lake Michigan. In 1871, every one of these holdings was wiped out by the great Chicago Fire.
Aware of the toll that these disasters had taken on the family, Horatio decided to take his wife and four
daughters on a holiday to England. And, not only did they need the rest -- DL Moody needed the help. He was
traveling around Britain on one of his great evangelistic campaigns. Horatio and Anna planned to join Moody in late 1873. And so, the Spaffords traveled to New York in November, from where they were to catch the French steamer 'Ville de Havre' across the Atlantic. Yet just before they set sail, a last-minute business development forced Horatio to delay. Not wanting to ruin the family holiday, Spafford persuaded his family to go as planned.
He would follow on later. With this decided, Anna and her four daughters sailed East to Europe while Spafford
returned West to Chicago. Just nine days later, Spafford received a telegram from his wife in Wales. It read:
"Saved alone."
On November 2nd 1873, the 'Ville de Havre' had collided with 'The Lochearn', an English vessel. It sank in only 12 minutes, claiming the lives of 226 people. Anna Spafford had stood bravely on the deck, with her daughters Annie, Maggie, Bessie and Tanetta clinging desperately to her. Her last memory had been of her baby being torn violently from her arms by the force of the waters. Anna was only saved from the fate of her daughters by a plank which floated beneath her unconscious body and propped her up. When the survivors of the wreck had been rescued, Mrs. Spafford's first reaction was one of complete despair. Then she heard a voice speak to her,"You were spared for a purpose." And she immediately recalled the words of a friend, "It's easy to be grateful and good when you have so much, but take care that you are not a fair-weather friend to God."
Upon hearing the terrible news, Horatio Spafford boarded the next ship out of New York to join his bereaved
wife. Bertha Spafford (the fifth daughter of Horatio and Anna born later) explained that during her father's
voyage, the captain of the ship had called him to the bridge. "A careful reckoning has been made", he said, "and I believe we are now passing the place where the de Havre was wrecked. The water is three miles deep." Horatio then returned to his cabin and penned the lyrics of his great hymn.
The words which Spafford wrote that day come from 2 Kings 4:26. They echo the response of the Shunammite woman to the sudden death of her only child. Though we are told "her soul is vexed within her", she still maintains that 'It is well." And Spafford's song reveals a man whose trust in the Lord is as unwavering as hers was.
It would be very difficult for any of us to predict how we would react under circumstances similar to those
experienced by the Spaffords. But we do know that the God who sustained them would also be with us.
No matter what circumstances overtake us may we be able to say with Horatio Spafford...
When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul!
It is well ... with my soul!
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Taken from site http://www.biblestudycharts.com/A_Daily_Hymn.html
This hymn was written by a Chicago lawyer, Horatio G. Spafford. You might think to write a worship song titled,'It is well with my soul', you would indeed have to be a rich, successful Chicago lawyer. But the words,
"When sorrows like sea billows roll ... It is well with my soul”, were not written during the happiest period of
Spafford's life. On the contrary, they came from a man who had suffered almost unimaginable personal tragedy.
Horatio G. Spafford and his wife, Anna, were pretty well-known in 1860’s Chicago. And this was not just because of Horatio's legal career and business endeavors. The Spaffords were also prominent supporters and close friends of D.L. Moody, the famous preacher. In 1870, however, things started to go wrong. The Spaffords' only son was killed by scarlet fever at the age of four. A year later, it was fire rather than fever that struck. Horatio had invested heavily in real estate on the shores of Lake Michigan. In 1871, every one of these holdings was wiped out by the great Chicago Fire.
Aware of the toll that these disasters had taken on the family, Horatio decided to take his wife and four
daughters on a holiday to England. And, not only did they need the rest -- DL Moody needed the help. He was
traveling around Britain on one of his great evangelistic campaigns. Horatio and Anna planned to join Moody in late 1873. And so, the Spaffords traveled to New York in November, from where they were to catch the French steamer 'Ville de Havre' across the Atlantic. Yet just before they set sail, a last-minute business development forced Horatio to delay. Not wanting to ruin the family holiday, Spafford persuaded his family to go as planned.
He would follow on later. With this decided, Anna and her four daughters sailed East to Europe while Spafford
returned West to Chicago. Just nine days later, Spafford received a telegram from his wife in Wales. It read:
"Saved alone."
On November 2nd 1873, the 'Ville de Havre' had collided with 'The Lochearn', an English vessel. It sank in only 12 minutes, claiming the lives of 226 people. Anna Spafford had stood bravely on the deck, with her daughters Annie, Maggie, Bessie and Tanetta clinging desperately to her. Her last memory had been of her baby being torn violently from her arms by the force of the waters. Anna was only saved from the fate of her daughters by a plank which floated beneath her unconscious body and propped her up. When the survivors of the wreck had been rescued, Mrs. Spafford's first reaction was one of complete despair. Then she heard a voice speak to her,"You were spared for a purpose." And she immediately recalled the words of a friend, "It's easy to be grateful and good when you have so much, but take care that you are not a fair-weather friend to God."
Upon hearing the terrible news, Horatio Spafford boarded the next ship out of New York to join his bereaved
wife. Bertha Spafford (the fifth daughter of Horatio and Anna born later) explained that during her father's
voyage, the captain of the ship had called him to the bridge. "A careful reckoning has been made", he said, "and I believe we are now passing the place where the de Havre was wrecked. The water is three miles deep." Horatio then returned to his cabin and penned the lyrics of his great hymn.
The words which Spafford wrote that day come from 2 Kings 4:26. They echo the response of the Shunammite woman to the sudden death of her only child. Though we are told "her soul is vexed within her", she still maintains that 'It is well." And Spafford's song reveals a man whose trust in the Lord is as unwavering as hers was.
It would be very difficult for any of us to predict how we would react under circumstances similar to those
experienced by the Spaffords. But we do know that the God who sustained them would also be with us.
No matter what circumstances overtake us may we be able to say with Horatio Spafford...
When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul!
It is well ... with my soul!
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Taken from site http://www.biblestudycharts.com/A_Daily_Hymn.html
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Anger Management
I was reading online in Proverbs (I like to keep biblegateway.com open on my computer during the day when I take breaks, etc) about anger...and was completely convicted:
The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, And his glory is to overlook a transgression. Proverbs 19:11
He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow, And the rod of his anger will fail. Proverbs 22:8
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. Proverbs 16:32
Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, For anger rests in the bosom of fools. Ecc 7:9
Does anyone ever feel like their words are out of control? I have been struggling lately with such a terrible attitude. It feels good to be mean and to say things harshly and I'm not sure where that's coming from. I think there are quite a few underlying frustrations in my life that I am not dealing with but trying to sweep under the rug. The frustration of not having a "normal" life with my husband because of his work schedule, frustration with our infertility issues, with the stress that comes with my full time job, with not feeling well physically a lot of the time...and all the other things we deal with.
This is the major area in my spiritual life where I have not had victory. I am so discouraged, especially when words give life or give death to those I love. And they can never be taken back once spoken. I don't want to be the "fool" that harbors anger and is quick to speak harshly...
Ephesians 4:31 says to "Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice" and Col 3:8 says to "put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth."
The truth of the matter is I have so much to be thankful for and no valid reasoning for being angry or irritable. I have an amazing husband, even if I don't see him very much, :) wonderful family and friends, an awesome church, a great paying job, a beautiful house, car. I read somewhere that instead of looking at the challenges in our lives as problems, we should look at them as learning opportunities...or how can we "be part of the solution, not part of the problem." Being washed in the Word and surrendering myself to the Lord's control are two of the ways I know I can overcome this. I guess it's like any other struggle-it's a life-long journey.
Prayer for the day:
Lord give me the strength to do what your Word says and put away all negative and harmful words from my mouth. Quench my anger and my quick temper. Give me a joyful spirit that rejoices in the gift of life and all my blessings. Forgive me for my impulsive, restless, discontented nature. More of you and less of me Lord...
The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, And his glory is to overlook a transgression. Proverbs 19:11
He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow, And the rod of his anger will fail. Proverbs 22:8
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. Proverbs 16:32
Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, For anger rests in the bosom of fools. Ecc 7:9
Does anyone ever feel like their words are out of control? I have been struggling lately with such a terrible attitude. It feels good to be mean and to say things harshly and I'm not sure where that's coming from. I think there are quite a few underlying frustrations in my life that I am not dealing with but trying to sweep under the rug. The frustration of not having a "normal" life with my husband because of his work schedule, frustration with our infertility issues, with the stress that comes with my full time job, with not feeling well physically a lot of the time...and all the other things we deal with.
This is the major area in my spiritual life where I have not had victory. I am so discouraged, especially when words give life or give death to those I love. And they can never be taken back once spoken. I don't want to be the "fool" that harbors anger and is quick to speak harshly...
Ephesians 4:31 says to "Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice" and Col 3:8 says to "put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth."
The truth of the matter is I have so much to be thankful for and no valid reasoning for being angry or irritable. I have an amazing husband, even if I don't see him very much, :) wonderful family and friends, an awesome church, a great paying job, a beautiful house, car. I read somewhere that instead of looking at the challenges in our lives as problems, we should look at them as learning opportunities...or how can we "be part of the solution, not part of the problem." Being washed in the Word and surrendering myself to the Lord's control are two of the ways I know I can overcome this. I guess it's like any other struggle-it's a life-long journey.
Prayer for the day:
Lord give me the strength to do what your Word says and put away all negative and harmful words from my mouth. Quench my anger and my quick temper. Give me a joyful spirit that rejoices in the gift of life and all my blessings. Forgive me for my impulsive, restless, discontented nature. More of you and less of me Lord...
Thursday, September 24, 2009
UPDATED: OBAMA ADDRESS TO U.N. WEAK ON IRAN, HARD ON ISRAEL, VIRTUALLY SILENT ON AFGHANISTAN
This is from Joel Rosenberg's website, http://flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com/. Very interesting world events transpiring...thought it needed to be shared.
ORIGINAL POST: Today is a major test for President Obama as he addresses the U.N. General Assembly this morning.
1. IRAN — Will he lay down the law with Iran? Will he mobilize the world to do everything in its power to bring the illegitimate and tyrannical regime in Tehran to its knees to stop the nuclear weapons program? Or will he be the 21st century Neville Chamberlain, and allow the world to lurch towards another Holocaust? I admit, I’m not that hopeful. But I do believe in the audacity of hope. Perhaps the President will rise to the challenge. That’s what I’m praying for.
2. AFGHANISTAN — Iran is the top challenge facing the President, but not the only. He is getting weak in the knees on his resolve to win in Afghanistan. Our top general there says he needs more troops — fast — or we’re going to lose. Yet Obama won’t commit to giving our commanders on the ground everything they need. Remarkably, even an editorial in the Washington Post this morning challenges Obama for being weak and wobbly. We cannot lose in Afghanistan. If we do, we could destabilize Pakistan, a nuclear armed country. This could trigger a war with India and the Paks. The stakes are high. Let’s pray for the President to do the right thing.
3. ISRAEL — Anti-Semitic and anti-Israel sentiment is metastasizing in the U.N. Will the President stand with our most faithful ally in the epicenter, or effectively cut her loose? Let’s be praying for good news.
God bless Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper for directing his delegation to walk out on Ahmadinejad.
MY INITIAL REACTION (updated analysis):
President Obama’s first address to the United Nations General Assembly was not just a disappointment, it was dangerous. Weak on Iran. Hard on Israel. Virtually silent on Afghanistan. The President effectively called for Israel’s capital city of Jerusalem to be divided, for Israel itself to be divided, and proposed no enforcement mechanism to stop Iran from getting the Bomb. This will only encourage the Radicals from Gaza City to Tehran.
Examples:
* ON IRAN AND THE NUCLEAR THREAT — I was glad to hear President Obama say: “If the governments of Iran and North Korea choose to ignore international standards; if they put the pursuit of nuclear weapons ahead of regional stability and the security and opportunity of their own people; if they are oblivious to the dangers of escalating nuclear arms races in both East Asia and the Middle East — then they must be held accountable. The world must stand together to demonstrate that international law is not an empty promise, and that treaties will be enforced. We must insist that the future does not belong to fear.”
* Also glad that he said: “We must stop the spread of nuclear weapons….For decades, we averted disaster, even under the shadow of a superpower stand-off. But today, the threat of proliferation is growing in scope and complexity. If we fail to act, we will invite nuclear arms races in every region, and the prospect of wars and acts of terror on a scale that we can hardly imagine….The next 12 months could be pivotal in determining whether this compact will be strengthened or will slowly dissolve.”
* I was glad to hear him say: “We must never allow a single nuclear device to fall into the hands of a violent extremist.”
* But I was disappointed that the President drew no line in the sand with regards to Iran (much less North Korea), put no decisive enforcement mechanism on the table, threatened no consequences. Right now, the President is just talk. But the clock is ticking. Iran’s nuclear enrichment centrifuges are spinning. Iran’s ballistic missile factories are creating longer-range and more accurate delivery vehicles. If Washington and the world does not take decisive action to stop Iran this fall, we may very well leave the Israelis with no alternative but to strike. Is that what the world wants…Israel acting on its own when then is really a global problem?
* ON AFGHANISTAN — I was, frankly, stunned and disappointed that while the President mentioned the word “Afghanistan,” he barely talked about one of the most urgent military issues of our day. Will he accept his own commanders recommendations and put tens of thousands of more American troops into Afghanistan to defeat al Qaeda and the Taliban and secure the peace? Or will he cut and run? How could he not even broach the topic today?
* ON STANDING WITH ISRAEL – I was glad to hear the President say his goal is, in part, is “a Jewish state of Israel, with true security for all Israelis.” It’s important that the President affirms the essential Jewish character of the State of Israel. Palestinian leader Abbas, after all, won’t say he supports a “Jewish state” living next to a Palestinian one, which is telling indeed.
* But I was disappointed to hear Obama say: “America does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements” and disappointed to hear him say he supports “a viable, independent Palestinian state with contiguous territory that ends the occupation that began in 1967.”
* First, in its full historic context, the President is telling the Israelis they have to divide their eternal capital of Jerusalem (which was a divided city before ‘67) and divide the actual territory of Israel by allowing the Palestinians to have “contiguous territory” — that is a land bridge between the West Bank and Gaza. This from a President who wouldn’t speak out on behalf of the pro-democracy Reformers in Iran this summer because he didn’t want to “meddle” in the internal affairs of another country? Mr. President, what you are proposing in morally wrong and strategically dangerous. Jerusalem should never be divided again. What’s more, the sovereign territory of Israel should never be divided at all. Certainly not because an American President insists on such things. And by insisting on them, the President is actually emboldening the Radical hardliners who will now argue that until the President forces Israel to make such sweeping concessions the jihadists should force such concessions.
* Second, why are the so-called “settlements” in Jerusalem and the West Bank illegitimate? In 1947, the U.N. Partition Plan offered half the holy land to the Jews, and half to the Arabs. The Jews said yes and created Israel. The Arabs said no and launched 62 years of war and terrorism. The Israelis have repeatedly offered the Palestinians “land for peace” deals, but the Palestinian leadership keeps saying “no.” So Israelis are building homes, schools, medical clinics and other communities on disputed territory that the Palestinians refuse to accept in return for real peace. Why is that wrong? Come with me to Israel. I’ll take you to the West Bank. These Jewish communities are being built on land where Palestinian Arabs aren’t even living. It’s vacant land. Again I ask, why is it illegitimate for Israelis to build on land that has repeatedly been offered to the Palestinians, but the Palestinians refuse to take? Moreover, the so-called West Bank was known in ancient times as “Judea and Samaria.” This is the biblical heartland of Israel. I support autonomy for the Palestinian people living in their own towns and villages. But I also support the right of Israeli Jews to build on the territory the Lord gave them as their “eternal possession.”
ORIGINAL POST: Today is a major test for President Obama as he addresses the U.N. General Assembly this morning.
1. IRAN — Will he lay down the law with Iran? Will he mobilize the world to do everything in its power to bring the illegitimate and tyrannical regime in Tehran to its knees to stop the nuclear weapons program? Or will he be the 21st century Neville Chamberlain, and allow the world to lurch towards another Holocaust? I admit, I’m not that hopeful. But I do believe in the audacity of hope. Perhaps the President will rise to the challenge. That’s what I’m praying for.
2. AFGHANISTAN — Iran is the top challenge facing the President, but not the only. He is getting weak in the knees on his resolve to win in Afghanistan. Our top general there says he needs more troops — fast — or we’re going to lose. Yet Obama won’t commit to giving our commanders on the ground everything they need. Remarkably, even an editorial in the Washington Post this morning challenges Obama for being weak and wobbly. We cannot lose in Afghanistan. If we do, we could destabilize Pakistan, a nuclear armed country. This could trigger a war with India and the Paks. The stakes are high. Let’s pray for the President to do the right thing.
3. ISRAEL — Anti-Semitic and anti-Israel sentiment is metastasizing in the U.N. Will the President stand with our most faithful ally in the epicenter, or effectively cut her loose? Let’s be praying for good news.
God bless Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper for directing his delegation to walk out on Ahmadinejad.
MY INITIAL REACTION (updated analysis):
President Obama’s first address to the United Nations General Assembly was not just a disappointment, it was dangerous. Weak on Iran. Hard on Israel. Virtually silent on Afghanistan. The President effectively called for Israel’s capital city of Jerusalem to be divided, for Israel itself to be divided, and proposed no enforcement mechanism to stop Iran from getting the Bomb. This will only encourage the Radicals from Gaza City to Tehran.
Examples:
* ON IRAN AND THE NUCLEAR THREAT — I was glad to hear President Obama say: “If the governments of Iran and North Korea choose to ignore international standards; if they put the pursuit of nuclear weapons ahead of regional stability and the security and opportunity of their own people; if they are oblivious to the dangers of escalating nuclear arms races in both East Asia and the Middle East — then they must be held accountable. The world must stand together to demonstrate that international law is not an empty promise, and that treaties will be enforced. We must insist that the future does not belong to fear.”
* Also glad that he said: “We must stop the spread of nuclear weapons….For decades, we averted disaster, even under the shadow of a superpower stand-off. But today, the threat of proliferation is growing in scope and complexity. If we fail to act, we will invite nuclear arms races in every region, and the prospect of wars and acts of terror on a scale that we can hardly imagine….The next 12 months could be pivotal in determining whether this compact will be strengthened or will slowly dissolve.”
* I was glad to hear him say: “We must never allow a single nuclear device to fall into the hands of a violent extremist.”
* But I was disappointed that the President drew no line in the sand with regards to Iran (much less North Korea), put no decisive enforcement mechanism on the table, threatened no consequences. Right now, the President is just talk. But the clock is ticking. Iran’s nuclear enrichment centrifuges are spinning. Iran’s ballistic missile factories are creating longer-range and more accurate delivery vehicles. If Washington and the world does not take decisive action to stop Iran this fall, we may very well leave the Israelis with no alternative but to strike. Is that what the world wants…Israel acting on its own when then is really a global problem?
* ON AFGHANISTAN — I was, frankly, stunned and disappointed that while the President mentioned the word “Afghanistan,” he barely talked about one of the most urgent military issues of our day. Will he accept his own commanders recommendations and put tens of thousands of more American troops into Afghanistan to defeat al Qaeda and the Taliban and secure the peace? Or will he cut and run? How could he not even broach the topic today?
* ON STANDING WITH ISRAEL – I was glad to hear the President say his goal is, in part, is “a Jewish state of Israel, with true security for all Israelis.” It’s important that the President affirms the essential Jewish character of the State of Israel. Palestinian leader Abbas, after all, won’t say he supports a “Jewish state” living next to a Palestinian one, which is telling indeed.
* But I was disappointed to hear Obama say: “America does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements” and disappointed to hear him say he supports “a viable, independent Palestinian state with contiguous territory that ends the occupation that began in 1967.”
* First, in its full historic context, the President is telling the Israelis they have to divide their eternal capital of Jerusalem (which was a divided city before ‘67) and divide the actual territory of Israel by allowing the Palestinians to have “contiguous territory” — that is a land bridge between the West Bank and Gaza. This from a President who wouldn’t speak out on behalf of the pro-democracy Reformers in Iran this summer because he didn’t want to “meddle” in the internal affairs of another country? Mr. President, what you are proposing in morally wrong and strategically dangerous. Jerusalem should never be divided again. What’s more, the sovereign territory of Israel should never be divided at all. Certainly not because an American President insists on such things. And by insisting on them, the President is actually emboldening the Radical hardliners who will now argue that until the President forces Israel to make such sweeping concessions the jihadists should force such concessions.
* Second, why are the so-called “settlements” in Jerusalem and the West Bank illegitimate? In 1947, the U.N. Partition Plan offered half the holy land to the Jews, and half to the Arabs. The Jews said yes and created Israel. The Arabs said no and launched 62 years of war and terrorism. The Israelis have repeatedly offered the Palestinians “land for peace” deals, but the Palestinian leadership keeps saying “no.” So Israelis are building homes, schools, medical clinics and other communities on disputed territory that the Palestinians refuse to accept in return for real peace. Why is that wrong? Come with me to Israel. I’ll take you to the West Bank. These Jewish communities are being built on land where Palestinian Arabs aren’t even living. It’s vacant land. Again I ask, why is it illegitimate for Israelis to build on land that has repeatedly been offered to the Palestinians, but the Palestinians refuse to take? Moreover, the so-called West Bank was known in ancient times as “Judea and Samaria.” This is the biblical heartland of Israel. I support autonomy for the Palestinian people living in their own towns and villages. But I also support the right of Israeli Jews to build on the territory the Lord gave them as their “eternal possession.”
Thursday, August 27, 2009
One of my best childhood memories
In continuing going through The Sacred Romance workbook, one of the exercises was to recall one of my best childhood memories, when times were simpler and the outlook on life so much purer, remembering the sounds, smells and how it made me feel. So here's what I cam up with.
It was a traditional Colorado Christmas, complete with fresh powder on the ground and bright blue skies. Only instead of staying in the city that year, the entire family was going up to a cabin in Estes Park to celebrate.
It seemed like it took forever to get there: past the familiar doghnut shop where my Grandpa always liked to stop, past the huge slides that kids slid down on old pieces of carpet during the summer months, past gurgling brooks and finally to the breathtaking majesty of the Rocky Mountains.
As we pulled up to the cabin, it looked as though the scene was taken out of a storybook...the white snow covered trees with shoots of green poking out here and there, the lumbering wrap around front porch with hand carved benches. The sound of my fuzzy calf-high snow boots crunched to the front door through the drifts that had already formed throughout the week, my cheeks and eyes bright from the bitter winter cold.
The cabin was well used and stepping over the threshold, I saw ghosts of visitors past, decorating Christmas trees, cooking in the small, well-lit kitchen, sitting in front of the fireplace. The worn carpet, old upholstered furniture and faded wood held their memories.
The excitement was too much for my little tender heart to bear: I loved these mountains...her steep, jagged peaks, sun-warmed pines and raw beauty made me feel like I was gazing into the face of God. What made it even better was sharing it with those I loved, and my close-knit family always promised a memorable time.
My sister, cousin and I raced downstairs to place our claims on a bunk bed and to settle in. The stark snow-lit light pouring in through the blinds created a magical setting and we all thought about the presents we would get to open in the morning.
But more than that, I couldn't wait to get outside and soak in the environment. I stood breathless on the deck taking in the view before me, my breath escaping in small white puffs in the cold mountain air. Snow capped peaks, a myriad of blues, grays and greens all rising dramatically out of the valley below seemed to me like the gateway to heaven.
The snow-covered silence was a facade...for underneath the surface, the rocks and far-reaching trees, rivers and peaks shouted their songs at me as I inhaled their message deeply, closing my eyes. It was a message of enduring hope, love, romance and passion and it stirred a longing in my heart. I was in the presence of my Creator. His beauty caressed each of my senses and awakened my soul, filling me with life, peace and joy. The steady thump, thump, thump my heart made inside me kept time to the song and music all around me: the pristine non-smell of snow, the fragrance of the laden pine branches catching the breeze, the far-off sound of my family's voices preparing for dinner, the sun setting over the horizon, triggering millions of crystalline lights to come to life on the white ground. Nothing could touch me here, the world was right and I drank in the wooing of my Savior.
I sighed and took one more deep breath, peeling myself away from my eternal love letter...and went back inside.
It was a traditional Colorado Christmas, complete with fresh powder on the ground and bright blue skies. Only instead of staying in the city that year, the entire family was going up to a cabin in Estes Park to celebrate.
It seemed like it took forever to get there: past the familiar doghnut shop where my Grandpa always liked to stop, past the huge slides that kids slid down on old pieces of carpet during the summer months, past gurgling brooks and finally to the breathtaking majesty of the Rocky Mountains.
As we pulled up to the cabin, it looked as though the scene was taken out of a storybook...the white snow covered trees with shoots of green poking out here and there, the lumbering wrap around front porch with hand carved benches. The sound of my fuzzy calf-high snow boots crunched to the front door through the drifts that had already formed throughout the week, my cheeks and eyes bright from the bitter winter cold.
The cabin was well used and stepping over the threshold, I saw ghosts of visitors past, decorating Christmas trees, cooking in the small, well-lit kitchen, sitting in front of the fireplace. The worn carpet, old upholstered furniture and faded wood held their memories.
The excitement was too much for my little tender heart to bear: I loved these mountains...her steep, jagged peaks, sun-warmed pines and raw beauty made me feel like I was gazing into the face of God. What made it even better was sharing it with those I loved, and my close-knit family always promised a memorable time.
My sister, cousin and I raced downstairs to place our claims on a bunk bed and to settle in. The stark snow-lit light pouring in through the blinds created a magical setting and we all thought about the presents we would get to open in the morning.
But more than that, I couldn't wait to get outside and soak in the environment. I stood breathless on the deck taking in the view before me, my breath escaping in small white puffs in the cold mountain air. Snow capped peaks, a myriad of blues, grays and greens all rising dramatically out of the valley below seemed to me like the gateway to heaven.
The snow-covered silence was a facade...for underneath the surface, the rocks and far-reaching trees, rivers and peaks shouted their songs at me as I inhaled their message deeply, closing my eyes. It was a message of enduring hope, love, romance and passion and it stirred a longing in my heart. I was in the presence of my Creator. His beauty caressed each of my senses and awakened my soul, filling me with life, peace and joy. The steady thump, thump, thump my heart made inside me kept time to the song and music all around me: the pristine non-smell of snow, the fragrance of the laden pine branches catching the breeze, the far-off sound of my family's voices preparing for dinner, the sun setting over the horizon, triggering millions of crystalline lights to come to life on the white ground. Nothing could touch me here, the world was right and I drank in the wooing of my Savior.
I sighed and took one more deep breath, peeling myself away from my eternal love letter...and went back inside.
Monday, August 24, 2009
The Wellspring of Life
"In prayer, it is better to have a heart without words, than words without a heart."
I have been reading Sacred Romance by John Eldridge as my devotional and have been inspired to journal about what I’m learning. This quote I found today lends itself perfectly to the lesson.
The more I read, the more I realize just how true it is that most Christians have lost heart when it comes to our spiritual lives. We go through the motions of church, praying, service, tithing, but are our hearts close to the Lord? Are we living a love relationship with him? Are we living it with passion and intimacy with all the fullness that He purposed for us?
I have had to do a major spiritual inventory as to what level my heart is engaged in my relationship with the Lord. I am reminded of the verse “these people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” Mark 7:5-7 God forbid (literally) that I be that person although more and more I find myself scheduling in time with the Lord on my calendar like just another “to do” to check off. It is a chore and not a pleasure, an obligation and not a joy. How sad it is because out of the heart stems a “well-spring” of life, which the Bible tells us in Proverbs 4:23. When we disconnect our hearts and replace them with head knowledge, we become thirsty, desolate and unfruitful, like a spring that’s run dry.
I think this quote applies to more than just our prayer lives. Our hearts can express themselves through our actions that should be indicative of our inner prayer lives…through loving others, showing peace, patience, kindness, gentleness and self control. Instead of just talking about these things, we should emulate them in our examples. What a huge challenge for the week!
I have been reading Sacred Romance by John Eldridge as my devotional and have been inspired to journal about what I’m learning. This quote I found today lends itself perfectly to the lesson.
The more I read, the more I realize just how true it is that most Christians have lost heart when it comes to our spiritual lives. We go through the motions of church, praying, service, tithing, but are our hearts close to the Lord? Are we living a love relationship with him? Are we living it with passion and intimacy with all the fullness that He purposed for us?
I have had to do a major spiritual inventory as to what level my heart is engaged in my relationship with the Lord. I am reminded of the verse “these people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” Mark 7:5-7 God forbid (literally) that I be that person although more and more I find myself scheduling in time with the Lord on my calendar like just another “to do” to check off. It is a chore and not a pleasure, an obligation and not a joy. How sad it is because out of the heart stems a “well-spring” of life, which the Bible tells us in Proverbs 4:23. When we disconnect our hearts and replace them with head knowledge, we become thirsty, desolate and unfruitful, like a spring that’s run dry.
I think this quote applies to more than just our prayer lives. Our hearts can express themselves through our actions that should be indicative of our inner prayer lives…through loving others, showing peace, patience, kindness, gentleness and self control. Instead of just talking about these things, we should emulate them in our examples. What a huge challenge for the week!
Friday, June 26, 2009
First Kiss
So, I have always had an interest in writing and thought I would try my hand at it, pulling from a long-ago childhood experience. Let me know what you think or if it's too boring, too cliche or if I should just stop now. :)
The light from a Rocky Mountain sky filtered into my bedroom that summer morning, coaxing me to open my eyes. It was only 6 am but my lithe 12 year old body hopped right out of bed, welcoming the day.
I stretched in front of my window, looking out onto an expanse of pavement in our little piece of suburbia. I could hear the faint sounds of the morning sprinklers as the neighbors prepared for the scorching Colorado heat.
I couldn’t wait to get outside; summer was my favorite time of year-barbeques, hanging out with my friends, eating juicy watermelon, days at the pool. My tanned skin and sun-lightened hair made me look like I belonged in the outdoors, which is where I always preferred to be-a self proclaimed tomboy. I hurriedly threw on some shorts, a tank top and my favorite Keds, pulling my long hair back into a messy ponytail. I raced down the stairs of our still-sleeping house to my bike in the garage. The cool air greeted me as the garage door opened and I sped down the driveway. I was halfway down the street when I saw him: Josh.
Those startling blue eyes, freckles and black tousled hair made my heart thud in my chest. He was waiting for me, a huge smile spread over his perfect face. I wondered what could make him look that happy and then remembered that this was the boy that had gotten down on one knee at the end of our street-in view of all the neighbors-and “proposed” to me (really it was just to ask me to be his girlfriend). The thought made me return his grin with one of my own as I rode up beside him. “Hi, Josh,” I blushed just saying his name. “Hi,” was all he said as he gazed into my eyes. There was something about the way he looked at me that made me feel special and of course, made my heart flutter. I was on the cusp of leaving the pre-teen world and entering into the unknown-being a teenager-and the thoughts and feelings that coursed through me both surprised and excited me.
The minutes passed as we rode along our quiet street, and in between as much conversation as two 12 year olds could muster I could hear the “slap-slap-slap” of the baseball card hitting the spoke of his BMX bike tire. Everything seemed to be magnified in his presence-the birds sang louder, the sun seemed to fill the moment with glaring brightness and heat and the sound of my blood and the wind as we rode came in whooshes in my ears.
He finally turned and asked me, “Did you want to come to my house for a little bit? We can just hang out on the front porch and play some cards if you want.” His cornflower eyes were pleadingly hopeful and I tried to will my face not to turn red at his question. “Uh…sure, that sounds great,” I said and the grin on his face got even wider. “Race you to the stop sign,” he challenged. I forgot about everything else except pushing my pedals as fast as they could go-I was always up for anything having to do with winning, which I did more often than not. As much as I liked him, I wasn’t going to let him beat me. It was a close one as we screamed through the finish line, both out of breath and both hysterically laughing. “I WON!” I screamed, and I’m sure my eyes were bright with the victory. “I let you win,” Josh said, trying to cover up his disappointment. It didn’t last long… as we climbed off our bikes I grabbed his hand, and we walked to his corner house.
The street was waking up as we settled in on the porch as the temperature climbed-both in the air around us and between us. We started our card game and I was just as ruthless at winning at that. Maybe I was just too sore of a loser and had to win to prevent him from seeing that childish side of me. As I won the second game in a row, I peered up at him from beneath my lashes, smugly seeing his frustration with losing…to a GIRL.
“Can I ask you something?” he said abruptly. “Of course,” I responded. “I’ve been meaning to ask you for awhile and well…I was wondering…if…I could…k..kiss you”? I froze into place at his question and in my complete innocence had no idea what to say or do. Inside I was freaking out-I’d never kissed a boy in my entire life and I almost wasn’t sure how I felt about it. But I definitely was curious and my heart was doing a strange dance in my chest as the question hung in the air, unanswered. “S-sure, you can kiss me.” There was suddenly a shyness about him as he leaned over the cards towards my face…the fact that I was still frozen in place wasn’t making anything easier for him. He scooted closer to me, scattering and bending some of the cards as he did so…but I didn’t care. This was my first kiss-I had better pay attention!
Slowly, ever so slowly, his lips touched mine. It was awkward, wet and we stayed locked into place not really moving for what we both thought was a reasonable amount of time…all the while my mind was whirling and everything around us disappeared. It was just he and I in this new little world, even the cold cement front porch step disappeared from under me; there was only him and this moment. When we parted, I didn’t quite have the courage to look into his eyes-my face was burning, but after feeling his hand on mine I hesitantly looked into his patient, innocent eyes…and into the fever of first love burning there, reflected in my own.
The light from a Rocky Mountain sky filtered into my bedroom that summer morning, coaxing me to open my eyes. It was only 6 am but my lithe 12 year old body hopped right out of bed, welcoming the day.
I stretched in front of my window, looking out onto an expanse of pavement in our little piece of suburbia. I could hear the faint sounds of the morning sprinklers as the neighbors prepared for the scorching Colorado heat.
I couldn’t wait to get outside; summer was my favorite time of year-barbeques, hanging out with my friends, eating juicy watermelon, days at the pool. My tanned skin and sun-lightened hair made me look like I belonged in the outdoors, which is where I always preferred to be-a self proclaimed tomboy. I hurriedly threw on some shorts, a tank top and my favorite Keds, pulling my long hair back into a messy ponytail. I raced down the stairs of our still-sleeping house to my bike in the garage. The cool air greeted me as the garage door opened and I sped down the driveway. I was halfway down the street when I saw him: Josh.
Those startling blue eyes, freckles and black tousled hair made my heart thud in my chest. He was waiting for me, a huge smile spread over his perfect face. I wondered what could make him look that happy and then remembered that this was the boy that had gotten down on one knee at the end of our street-in view of all the neighbors-and “proposed” to me (really it was just to ask me to be his girlfriend). The thought made me return his grin with one of my own as I rode up beside him. “Hi, Josh,” I blushed just saying his name. “Hi,” was all he said as he gazed into my eyes. There was something about the way he looked at me that made me feel special and of course, made my heart flutter. I was on the cusp of leaving the pre-teen world and entering into the unknown-being a teenager-and the thoughts and feelings that coursed through me both surprised and excited me.
The minutes passed as we rode along our quiet street, and in between as much conversation as two 12 year olds could muster I could hear the “slap-slap-slap” of the baseball card hitting the spoke of his BMX bike tire. Everything seemed to be magnified in his presence-the birds sang louder, the sun seemed to fill the moment with glaring brightness and heat and the sound of my blood and the wind as we rode came in whooshes in my ears.
He finally turned and asked me, “Did you want to come to my house for a little bit? We can just hang out on the front porch and play some cards if you want.” His cornflower eyes were pleadingly hopeful and I tried to will my face not to turn red at his question. “Uh…sure, that sounds great,” I said and the grin on his face got even wider. “Race you to the stop sign,” he challenged. I forgot about everything else except pushing my pedals as fast as they could go-I was always up for anything having to do with winning, which I did more often than not. As much as I liked him, I wasn’t going to let him beat me. It was a close one as we screamed through the finish line, both out of breath and both hysterically laughing. “I WON!” I screamed, and I’m sure my eyes were bright with the victory. “I let you win,” Josh said, trying to cover up his disappointment. It didn’t last long… as we climbed off our bikes I grabbed his hand, and we walked to his corner house.
The street was waking up as we settled in on the porch as the temperature climbed-both in the air around us and between us. We started our card game and I was just as ruthless at winning at that. Maybe I was just too sore of a loser and had to win to prevent him from seeing that childish side of me. As I won the second game in a row, I peered up at him from beneath my lashes, smugly seeing his frustration with losing…to a GIRL.
“Can I ask you something?” he said abruptly. “Of course,” I responded. “I’ve been meaning to ask you for awhile and well…I was wondering…if…I could…k..kiss you”? I froze into place at his question and in my complete innocence had no idea what to say or do. Inside I was freaking out-I’d never kissed a boy in my entire life and I almost wasn’t sure how I felt about it. But I definitely was curious and my heart was doing a strange dance in my chest as the question hung in the air, unanswered. “S-sure, you can kiss me.” There was suddenly a shyness about him as he leaned over the cards towards my face…the fact that I was still frozen in place wasn’t making anything easier for him. He scooted closer to me, scattering and bending some of the cards as he did so…but I didn’t care. This was my first kiss-I had better pay attention!
Slowly, ever so slowly, his lips touched mine. It was awkward, wet and we stayed locked into place not really moving for what we both thought was a reasonable amount of time…all the while my mind was whirling and everything around us disappeared. It was just he and I in this new little world, even the cold cement front porch step disappeared from under me; there was only him and this moment. When we parted, I didn’t quite have the courage to look into his eyes-my face was burning, but after feeling his hand on mine I hesitantly looked into his patient, innocent eyes…and into the fever of first love burning there, reflected in my own.
Friday, March 20, 2009
Isaiah 43 and God's promises
"But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, Shanna, he who formed you, Shanna: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.' When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:1-3, 18
Last night I met with a prayer group consisting of some older women and one of my dearest friends. I had asked her if she wouldn't mind having the group pray over me for the blessing of a baby. But it turned out to be so much more than that...little did I know that the ENTIRE focus was on me. This is something I both welcome and shy away from; on one hand I love being the center of attention because it fills something inside of me, but on the other hand I don't want people looking at me too closely. Perhaps that's why the leader of the group-who is also a Biblical counselor-said that she felt I have a hard shell around me. Amazing isn't it, that the image of ourselves we project is so different than the person we really want to be!
These verses were read to me after some discussion of many deeper rooted issues than just the desire to have a child. The Holy Spirit was really working on me and tt was like something snapped inside of me (or cracked) with these verses spoken aloud. All of the sudden the floodgates just opened, both in my heart and in my tears. It was like God's words loosened chains that have been restricting me for quite some time. It wasn't only these verses but also what came after them-pointed, direct observations on the condition of my heart and how I STRIVE for grace, rather than rest in it.
One "word picture" that one of the ladies gave me was of me running on a treadmill. I've been running for so long that I am weary. I long to get off the treadmill but find myself increasing the speed. Jesus is in the room with me, just watching me and waiting for me to get off. I look over to him every now and then in an attempt to spend time with him and listen to him, but mostly I am just focused on striving on my treadmill. Striving for perfection, striving for accomplishment, striving for grace, striving to make myself "good enough" and worthy enough to be deserving of not only his grace, but his presence as well. All Jesus wants of me is to come to him, "weary and burdened" because he longs to give me rest. He wants to replace my burden of perfectionism, lies, control, anger, fear with HIS burden, which is grace, obdience, discipline, blessing and love. But I have to get off the treadmill first.
My challenge in these coming weeks is not only to "change the tapes" in my mind and replace them with God's promises and truths but to SLOW DOWN and REST. I've said this before and heard this said to me countless times but either my lackluster will or my chains have prevented me from truly completing this exercise. More importantly, I don't WANT to be a mother until I learn how to rest in the Lord, until I learn how to crack my shell, how to resolve my fears...of course, as it was so well put last night, I will never "arrive." But I CAN get to the point of spiritual health in order to be an example to my future children. I don't want them to inherit my weaknesses and my inability to be vulnerable with the Lord and truly submit my will to His.
These verses are the first promise that I'm claiming. I am kicking fear out of my life for good, because the God of the universe has redeemed ME and called ME by name. I belong to him therefore I will not fear. I will work on forgetting the former things and cling to the promise that his mercies are NEW every morning and he is doing a NEW work in my heart.
you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:1-3, 18
Last night I met with a prayer group consisting of some older women and one of my dearest friends. I had asked her if she wouldn't mind having the group pray over me for the blessing of a baby. But it turned out to be so much more than that...little did I know that the ENTIRE focus was on me. This is something I both welcome and shy away from; on one hand I love being the center of attention because it fills something inside of me, but on the other hand I don't want people looking at me too closely. Perhaps that's why the leader of the group-who is also a Biblical counselor-said that she felt I have a hard shell around me. Amazing isn't it, that the image of ourselves we project is so different than the person we really want to be!
These verses were read to me after some discussion of many deeper rooted issues than just the desire to have a child. The Holy Spirit was really working on me and tt was like something snapped inside of me (or cracked) with these verses spoken aloud. All of the sudden the floodgates just opened, both in my heart and in my tears. It was like God's words loosened chains that have been restricting me for quite some time. It wasn't only these verses but also what came after them-pointed, direct observations on the condition of my heart and how I STRIVE for grace, rather than rest in it.
One "word picture" that one of the ladies gave me was of me running on a treadmill. I've been running for so long that I am weary. I long to get off the treadmill but find myself increasing the speed. Jesus is in the room with me, just watching me and waiting for me to get off. I look over to him every now and then in an attempt to spend time with him and listen to him, but mostly I am just focused on striving on my treadmill. Striving for perfection, striving for accomplishment, striving for grace, striving to make myself "good enough" and worthy enough to be deserving of not only his grace, but his presence as well. All Jesus wants of me is to come to him, "weary and burdened" because he longs to give me rest. He wants to replace my burden of perfectionism, lies, control, anger, fear with HIS burden, which is grace, obdience, discipline, blessing and love. But I have to get off the treadmill first.
My challenge in these coming weeks is not only to "change the tapes" in my mind and replace them with God's promises and truths but to SLOW DOWN and REST. I've said this before and heard this said to me countless times but either my lackluster will or my chains have prevented me from truly completing this exercise. More importantly, I don't WANT to be a mother until I learn how to rest in the Lord, until I learn how to crack my shell, how to resolve my fears...of course, as it was so well put last night, I will never "arrive." But I CAN get to the point of spiritual health in order to be an example to my future children. I don't want them to inherit my weaknesses and my inability to be vulnerable with the Lord and truly submit my will to His.
These verses are the first promise that I'm claiming. I am kicking fear out of my life for good, because the God of the universe has redeemed ME and called ME by name. I belong to him therefore I will not fear. I will work on forgetting the former things and cling to the promise that his mercies are NEW every morning and he is doing a NEW work in my heart.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Friday Ramblings
Ok Lord. I know I had to get to this point eventually. The point where my angst, anxiety, and worries are all wound up inside me so tight that the edges of my soul are straining to keep me in one piece.
I confess Lord that I have been ANGRY. ANGRY AND HURT. I just don’t know why. I don’t want to be a puny little human with my tiny fist shaking in the air, like you are to obey MY wishes. I long to be a child of God that submits to your will and your plans for my life. I guess with the anger there is FEAR. Fear that you won’t give me the deepest desires of my heart because I have been too bad, too sinful, have made too many mistakes. Maybe I wouldn’t be a good mother? Maybe I am too selfish? Maybe I am too moody? Maybe I need to learn how to be content with my circumstances before you can give me something more? I’m sorry for even asking you for it because I feel like there is still so much left that I have to learn before I can begin to think about being a mom. But I know that your timing is perfect-it is the single thread that I’m holding on to and it’s keeping me from tumbling down the dark cliff of doubt and worry in my mind. I am so thankful that I’m anchored to you and that I have a Heavenly Father who is so in-tune with my needs.
Please help me to come back to you. Help me to run to you, help me to return to your ways, obey you, fill me with joy and happiness, with love, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness and self-control. Plant me by your river and water me, shine the truth of your Son onto my branches so I can grow tall and full, bearing beautiful fruit. Connect me back to the vine where truth, peace, life and contentment lie. Help me not to be distracted by the “things” of this world and take away the restlessness inside of me, the frustration, the helplessness of my own weak human flesh. I am selfish, prideful, merciless, critical, mean and disrespectful. But YOU are self-LESS, humble, self controlled, full of compassion and mercy, gracious and forgiving, never cruel, always kind and patiently accepting me as I am-because I have JESUS. Please make me more like you. I pray that He’s who you see when you look at me, that others would see him when they look at me. I want to make a difference in your kingdom Lord instead of just focusing on myself. I’m tired of the tears, the fears, the struggles against believing and trusting in you. I want to be full o f life and full of YOU, trusting that whatever happens in my life is a gift from you and part of the perfect plan you had laid out for me since the beginning of time. Help me to accept your grace, your Son’s blood, your amazing sacrifice, your LIFE GIVING Holy Spirit, so that I can share it with others.
I don’t want to sulk around any more. I don’t want to be angry for no reason. I don’t want to feel blind rage at people all the time. I don’t want to swear anymore. I want my road rage to be taken away and replaced with endless patience, love and grace. I want to be happy. I want to love my husband like I always said I would when you and I spoke about that before you gave me Tim. I said that if only I could have someone, I could share this bottomless pit of love with them. I have so much love to give Lord, but it’s all from you. A
nd I feel very weary and dusty, like I’ve been traveling in the desert for way too long. I’m dehydrated of your Living Water and I need to be hooked up to your IV and brought back to life. Please lead me to your water source so that I may be replenished and the water that I am so desperately seeking would flood the cracked, sun-scorched barren parts of my heart and soul. Make me willing to hear and obey, Lord in everything-even if I don’t understand. I love you.
I confess Lord that I have been ANGRY. ANGRY AND HURT. I just don’t know why. I don’t want to be a puny little human with my tiny fist shaking in the air, like you are to obey MY wishes. I long to be a child of God that submits to your will and your plans for my life. I guess with the anger there is FEAR. Fear that you won’t give me the deepest desires of my heart because I have been too bad, too sinful, have made too many mistakes. Maybe I wouldn’t be a good mother? Maybe I am too selfish? Maybe I am too moody? Maybe I need to learn how to be content with my circumstances before you can give me something more? I’m sorry for even asking you for it because I feel like there is still so much left that I have to learn before I can begin to think about being a mom. But I know that your timing is perfect-it is the single thread that I’m holding on to and it’s keeping me from tumbling down the dark cliff of doubt and worry in my mind. I am so thankful that I’m anchored to you and that I have a Heavenly Father who is so in-tune with my needs.
Please help me to come back to you. Help me to run to you, help me to return to your ways, obey you, fill me with joy and happiness, with love, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness and self-control. Plant me by your river and water me, shine the truth of your Son onto my branches so I can grow tall and full, bearing beautiful fruit. Connect me back to the vine where truth, peace, life and contentment lie. Help me not to be distracted by the “things” of this world and take away the restlessness inside of me, the frustration, the helplessness of my own weak human flesh. I am selfish, prideful, merciless, critical, mean and disrespectful. But YOU are self-LESS, humble, self controlled, full of compassion and mercy, gracious and forgiving, never cruel, always kind and patiently accepting me as I am-because I have JESUS. Please make me more like you. I pray that He’s who you see when you look at me, that others would see him when they look at me. I want to make a difference in your kingdom Lord instead of just focusing on myself. I’m tired of the tears, the fears, the struggles against believing and trusting in you. I want to be full o f life and full of YOU, trusting that whatever happens in my life is a gift from you and part of the perfect plan you had laid out for me since the beginning of time. Help me to accept your grace, your Son’s blood, your amazing sacrifice, your LIFE GIVING Holy Spirit, so that I can share it with others.
I don’t want to sulk around any more. I don’t want to be angry for no reason. I don’t want to feel blind rage at people all the time. I don’t want to swear anymore. I want my road rage to be taken away and replaced with endless patience, love and grace. I want to be happy. I want to love my husband like I always said I would when you and I spoke about that before you gave me Tim. I said that if only I could have someone, I could share this bottomless pit of love with them. I have so much love to give Lord, but it’s all from you. A
nd I feel very weary and dusty, like I’ve been traveling in the desert for way too long. I’m dehydrated of your Living Water and I need to be hooked up to your IV and brought back to life. Please lead me to your water source so that I may be replenished and the water that I am so desperately seeking would flood the cracked, sun-scorched barren parts of my heart and soul. Make me willing to hear and obey, Lord in everything-even if I don’t understand. I love you.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Letter from God To Women
When I created the heavens and the earth, I spoke them into being. When I created man, I formed him and breathed life into his nostrils. But you, woman,
I fashioned after I breathed the breath of life into man because your nostrils are too delicate. I allowed a deep sleep to come over him so I could patiently and perfectly fashion you. Man was put to sleep so that he could not
interfere with the creativity. From one bone, I fashioned you. I chose the bone that protects man's life. I chose the rib, which protects his heart and lungs and supports him, as you are meant to do.
Around this one bone, I shaped you.... I molded you. I created you perfectly and beautifully. Your characteristics are as the rib, strong yet delicate and fragile. You provide protection for the most delicate organ in man, his
heart. His heart is the center of his being; his lungs hold the breath of life. The rib cage will allow itself to be broken before it will allow damage to the heart. Support man as the rib cage supports the body.
You were not taken from his feet, to be under him, nor were you taken from his head, to be above him.
You were taken from his side, to stand beside him and be held close to his side.
You are my perfect angel.....You are my beautiful little girl. You have grown to be a splendid woman of excellence and my eyes fill when I see the virtues
in your heart.
Your eyes......don' t change them.
Your lips - how lovely when they part in prayer.
Your nose, so perfect in form.
Your hands so gentle to touch.
I've caressed your face in your deepest sleep.
I've held your heart close to mine.
Of all that lives and breathes, you are most like me.
Adam walked with me in the cool of the day, yet he was lonely. He could not see me or touch me. He could only feel me. So everything I wanted Adam to share
and experience with me, I fashioned in you; my holiness, my strength, my purity, my love, my protection and support.
You are special because you are an extension of me. Man represents my image, woman my emotions. Together, you represent the totality of God.
GOD
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