Spend the Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend with family, friends,
but most of all, with God……..
Thanks be to “Him” !
Archive for November, 2008
Wait Wednesday
In our fast paced society, having to “wait” for something or someone, is becoming more and more difficult. We want it “yesterday”, and are becoming less willing to be patient. Technology has contributed greatly to our increasing need to be gratified immediately. We get used to “high speed”, and then that even seems slow!
Instead of appreciating the time and expertise that goes into quality workmanship, we are willing to give up quality in order to get something faster. Training methods are condensed, schooling programs are rushed. Even relationships are expected to be set on “fast forward” !
Sooner or later we find out that all this rushing got us nowhere, and really got us nothing worthwhile. Learning to slow down and “wait” is a valuable process. Waiting on the right “timing” becomes imperative. When we give our lives to God, He cautions us to learn to “wait” on Him. His timing is perfect.
When we become patient, life takes on a steady fulfilling pace. God is a God of order, and peace. Our lives can then reflect His peaceful influence. He shows us the way to what really matters and is truly worthwhile. It is then that we learn that the purpose of our life was -
- worth the “wait” !
Talk Tuesday
We women love to talk !
Before the telephone was invented, women got together at someone’s home to – talk ! Then with the telephone, and now the cell phone, talking can happen all throughout the day. Research has shown that even “little” girls have a lot to talk about.
So what is all this talk about? Anything and everything…….! Topics are never a problem. But what can be a problem is the outcome of our conversations. Am I encouraging, edifying, and uplifting someone? Or am I using conversations as an excuse to gossip. Bringing other people down can be used as an indirect way to build yourself up. This not only hurts others, it can create an empty life of constantly having to justify yourself – to your “own” self.
The Bible has a lot to say about the “spoken” word. Negative and empty chatter can lead to an anxious and unproductive life. Lifetime quarrels over bitter words bring terrible heartache. On the other hand, words “fitly spoken” are described as cherished treasures. Uplifting comments make the heart “glad”.
Proverbs 18:21 reads: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Interestingly, the Bible itself is described as the “Word” of life. In reading the Bible, we learn that we can choose to use life giving words to help others. God gave us His written Word – the Bible - to help us come to an “everlasting” life - with Him.
Now my talks can help lead others to a better life…….with “Him”.
Miracle Monday
Do you believe in miracles?
Can they be explained? And if they can be explained, are they no longer miracles?
We can experience an event and decide it is a “miracle”. It is “super” natural, having no logical explanation. Looking around our world, there would seem to be many events that happen daily, having no logical explanation. You put a seed in the ground, and water it, and a plant grows. We can describe how it happens, but how does it “really” happen?
The air that we breathe is necessary for us to stay alive, but where did it come from? We can describe the components, but how do we explain the intricate part it plays in sustaining us? All around us are examples of the miracle of “life” in one form or another. Flowers bloom, trees grow, animals reproduce – babies are born………
The “miracle” of “life” - we can tell about it, theorize it, but it truly remains unexplainable. As Christmas approaches, we are reminded about the biggest miracle of all – Jesus’s birth………A “miraculous” event that impacted the entire world, and continues to do so. He was born to die…….and then live again……..for us to be saved. His was a Holy birth – God’s Son.
It’s not just a story, it’s a “miracle” worth believing.
Flavor Friday
With the Holidays approaching, food with “flavor” thoughts come to mind. Our tastebuds gravitate to our annual favorite dishes - pumpkin pie, sweet potatoes, turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, etc. When something tastes good, not only do we enjoy eating it, we find ourselves wanting more.
On the other hand, if something lacks flavor, is tasteless, bland, or bitter, we would rather pass up that dish and avoid trying it again. We tend to have a good memory for the things we didn’t like. Sometimes it was so bad, we may “never” try it again!
Some people who have tried Christianity have had a similar experience. They found out that their life still contained times which lacked “flavor”, was bland, or bitter. Those memories stood out enough to cause them displeasure. They then decided it was so bad - it was not worth trying again.
“Oh yeah, Christianity – I tried that, it didn’t work for me…….”
Unfortunately, if someone has said that, they were misled from the beginning. Christianity is not something to “try”. It is a divine relationship with the Creator God, His Son and Holy Spirit. If you truly receive Jesus into your heart, you will “never” want to “try” anything else again. Bland and bitter days will happen, but Jesus is the “eternal” ingredient that turns everything into something “good” !
Instead of just giving it a “try” - open up your heart to receive “Him” .
—— you will “forever” want more !
Therapy Thursday
What’s your therapy?
I love to go for a ride on my horse out in the country, just before sunset. Swimming laps in an outdoor pool always refreshes me. And, once in a while, some chocolate chip cookie dough hits the spot!
Ultimately, talking things through with a trusted friend, and/or counselor does wonders to put our issues in perspective. But what “kind” of perspective I acquire makes a difference. A healthy perspective on life doesn’t just happen automatically. Finding out what is truly healthy requires devoted research and discipline. A healthy perspective has to come from somewhere…………….
God’s Bible is our manual on how to develop a healthy perspective. Every life experience that can be imagined is described, along with the ending results. The wisdom handed down through the ages has been tried and tested. The whole story is there, along with what we need to know to develop our life’s purpose. My daily reading of the Bible puts my perspective on a strong and healthy track. It will be my “viewfinder” for life……
—– and I will need less “therapy” !
Whining Wednesday
I was born and raised in the Chicagoland area. The winters were cold with many gray days. The summers seemed very short, were very humid and mosquitos spoiled many evening cookouts. We used to complain a great deal about the weather. Because of the conditions, we had to find activites that could be enjoyed indoors. Most activites then revolved around food, and so we complained about gaining weight. We found a lot to “whine” about.
Now that I have been gone from that area for a number of years, I no longer whine about bad weather. I live in an area where it is sunny and nice most of the time. There are very few mosquitos and the weather is perfect for cookouts and outdoor activites. But now I find I miss the Italian beefs and pizza for which Chicago is famous, and the festive gatherings with the friendly people who live there. I now have new things to “whine” about!
When I look to the things I don’t have, and forget to be thankful and content with what I do have, life can seem to become unhappy and unfair. Even my prayers can become empty and selfish. I can lose sight of what really matters, and take on an unhealthy focus.
One of the Ten Commandments cautions us to not covet what is not ours. In some of the stories of the Old Testament, the children of Israel got into trouble when they decided to “whine” for things they did not have. Sometimes God went ahead and gave them what they thought they wanted. He did this purposely, so that they would find out that what they thought they really wanted - wasn’t always good for them.
Being content can combat coveting. In order to be more content, I need to spend more time with God, and read “His” Bible.
I can then be more of a “winner” than a “whiner” !
Tough Tuesday
Some of the most happiest days can be the toughest.
Have you ever felt like your day was going along really great, you’re in a good mood and life is good? Then only to have it all change, in an instant…………and you find yourself almost in a state of shock that “this can’t be happening right now?”.
It would be so nice to live a pain free life, that nothing would ever go wrong. If we look back through history, the “painful” reality is that “pain free” does not exist. At least, not here in our life on earth. We’ve heard about how wonderful Heaven will be, but for now, of course, we are here, living our lives.
Heaven is an inviting place to think and talk about. But what of the reality of a place called Hell? Now there’s a place that won’t make the top ten topics at your next Holiday celebration! If what the Bible says about the reality of Hell is true, how do I avoid going there? After all, being there is all about “constant” pain, for eternity……….
Jesus promises that “He” is the way. He is knocking on our “door” of life, and wants to come in and save us. I found out that when I let Him into my life, and submitted to Him as my Lord and Savior – Hell would “never” be my destination. I can rejoice in knowing that Heaven will be my forever “Holiday” celebration !
My ”painful” experiences in life can be more “pain free”.
Muddled Monday
Have you ever had a day that started out “muddled” and stayed that way?
Our lives can be over filled with responsiblilities and opportunities. We can clog our minds with “mental clutter” because everything we do or want to do requires thoughts of some kind. Technology brings into our lives information on a global level. It is no wonder that confusion can interfere with our main purpose in life.
Keeping life simple holds the key to staying on the path to your purpose. When we allow the “muddle” of the world to affect our God given priorities discontent and dissatisfaction reign. The Bible speaks a great deal about peace and being still with God. Contentment comes when we go to Him in prayer at the start of each day. Reading His word gives us the examples we need to follow. He promises to lead us to His perfect purpose for our lives.
When I stay “online” with God, contentment, peace and inner joy make up my day. I would rather choose that kind of day – any day – than a “muddled” day !
Friendship Friday
In order to have friends, I must be friendly.
A friend shows interest in others, loves unconditionally, sympathizes, sacrifices. A friend gives constructive criticism, helpful advice, is valuable in a time of need, and is always faithful. I like to think of my horse and cat as my friends! They are definitely always there for me, and so very loyal. They do love me unconditionally and show interest in me. They actually want to be with me. They do provide much comfort in a time of need.
But they can’t give me helpful advice or constructive criticism………. So it appears that we still need other people to be our friends. Without other people to give me sound advice, I may not mature into the person I need to be. I may not become the ”true” friend to others I “could” be. As a Christian, I know that Jesus is the best friend I could ever have. He not only has proven to show me all the characteristics of a real friend, He went a step further - He took on all my transgressions and died for me………….
Now I don’t ever have to feel totally alone. Jesus is with me round the clock, each and every day. That is His promise. His perfect advice has been given to me in the Bible. He has given me the Holy Spirit to guide me. When my other friends can’t be there for me, I know I can always rely on “Him”.
With “Him” as my best friend, I can now become more of a “true” friend to others.
