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Showing posts with label Christian Living. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christian Living. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Let's Do Some Spiritual Screamin'!
It is my thought that the things we allow into our life determine its “volume”. With that in mind, let’s live loud for God’s glory! Be careful not to allow the enemy to “silence” your influence.
Have you ever noticed that a car can’t make any noise unless you put the key into the ignition? Well, in your life today, Jesus holds the key, the Holy Spirit is the GPS and God provides all the fuel! With that combination, you can have a loud influential life!
If you put in the wrong fuel, such as wasted time, anger, depression, confusion, criticism, etc., your transmission is going to conk out on you. Your power will deteriorate and your positive influence will be silenced. Wrong fuel stops loud living for God’s glory. That’s not what you want as a daughter of the Most High.
As you head into the rest of this week, the temperatures might be freezing outside, but your heart can still be warm and calm by adding the right fuel. What fuel is that?
Lots of Jesus.
Everything else is just wasted energy. Do everything you do for Him and you will make a mark! What goes through your mind is what influences the world. Let it be good stuff. Weed out the negative.
When life gets noisy, and it always does, don’t be tempted to loose your voice in the mix. God wants the secular to fade and the spiritual to scream!!
Be louder than the noise of this world! Turn up your volume for Jesus!
“Shout for joy to the Lord all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us and we are His; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His holy name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations!” (Psalm 100)
· What do you feel like shouting today?
Love and Blessings!
Starr
Saturday, July 24, 2010
God Is So Good!!!!!
I just love it when I can feel God working all around me! It is exciting, refreshing and keeps me full of anticipation! Makes me look forward to waking up in the mornings to see what He is gonna do next!!
How about you? Do you feel Him working in your life today? I certainly hope you do. I do know, though that there are scores of people who wonder where God is right now because they definitely don't feel Him working in their lives at this moment in time.
I have experienced times like that too. We all have. Last year at this time, I had just endured the loss of my precious Daddy after a battle with cancer. I did NOT exactly feel God working right then, but I knew He was. I had seen miracles and blessings all around me, but I was too numb to actually feel them. Looking back, I can see even more blessings than I did at the time, but the pain still stings my soul. It always will. But God, in His awesomeness has used That pain for His Glory and my healing! The thing I want to get across to you today, friend, is that GOD IS ALWAYS at work behind the scenes, even when you don't FEEL Him.
Have you ever read Exodus 33:18-23? It goes like this. Moses was on the side of the mountain and he so badly wanted to see the Glory of God. He was actually having a conversation with God Himself and asked ever so humbly to see Him face to face. God replied by telling Moses that His Glory was so powerful and incomprehensible that no person could see Him face to face and live. But, God loved Moses so much He made a way to honor his request. Here is what He did; He allowed Moses to stand behside Him on a rock and God covered Moses with His mighty hand while He passed right by him. Then the coolest thing ever happened, God removed the covering of His hand from Moses and allowed Moses to see His back after He had passed!
You see, friends, God is there beside you. You may not see Him or even feel His presence right now, but know that He has got you covered!! And, one thing is for certain...you might not see His face, but you will sure know when He has been there!!
Lay your pains, fears and concerns at His feet and let Him work on your behalf. He loves you just as much as He loved Moses and wants to honor your requests for experiencing His Glory. Close your eyes, imagine Him covering you with His hand and be ready to see the results He leaves behind!! May God Bless You Today!
How about you? Do you feel Him working in your life today? I certainly hope you do. I do know, though that there are scores of people who wonder where God is right now because they definitely don't feel Him working in their lives at this moment in time.
I have experienced times like that too. We all have. Last year at this time, I had just endured the loss of my precious Daddy after a battle with cancer. I did NOT exactly feel God working right then, but I knew He was. I had seen miracles and blessings all around me, but I was too numb to actually feel them. Looking back, I can see even more blessings than I did at the time, but the pain still stings my soul. It always will. But God, in His awesomeness has used That pain for His Glory and my healing! The thing I want to get across to you today, friend, is that GOD IS ALWAYS at work behind the scenes, even when you don't FEEL Him.
Have you ever read Exodus 33:18-23? It goes like this. Moses was on the side of the mountain and he so badly wanted to see the Glory of God. He was actually having a conversation with God Himself and asked ever so humbly to see Him face to face. God replied by telling Moses that His Glory was so powerful and incomprehensible that no person could see Him face to face and live. But, God loved Moses so much He made a way to honor his request. Here is what He did; He allowed Moses to stand behside Him on a rock and God covered Moses with His mighty hand while He passed right by him. Then the coolest thing ever happened, God removed the covering of His hand from Moses and allowed Moses to see His back after He had passed!
You see, friends, God is there beside you. You may not see Him or even feel His presence right now, but know that He has got you covered!! And, one thing is for certain...you might not see His face, but you will sure know when He has been there!!
Lay your pains, fears and concerns at His feet and let Him work on your behalf. He loves you just as much as He loved Moses and wants to honor your requests for experiencing His Glory. Close your eyes, imagine Him covering you with His hand and be ready to see the results He leaves behind!! May God Bless You Today!
Monday, June 7, 2010
Encouraging Words
I am almost finished with a book I have been writing for months. Because of that, I have been away from my bloggy friends here for entirely too long and I have missed you. Even though I haven't posted for so long, I have continued to receive many touching comments from new and regular readers. It's nice to know I am still loved and serving others even in my absence.
In the weekly Bible Study I teach, we have been taking time each day to encourage and pray for each other. That is something we all tend to neglect in our all-too-busy lives. But, God has always known just how inportant it is to encourage and be an encourager. He tells us in Hebrews 10:24-25:
"And let us consider how we may spur each other on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another- and all the more as you see the day approaching."
I am blessed in that I have many people who love and encourage me on a regular basis. I hope you do too. But even if you don't you have a Father in heaven who adores you so much that He gave His only Son that you may have eternal life as well as have an abundant life here on this earth to enjoy and savor. I pray that you will seek a closer relationship with Him today.
Remember, God inhabits the praises of His people! When we praise Him, He graces us with his presence. When we praise and encourage others, we ourselves become more aware of Him and the effects of his loving-kindness.
Go find someone to lift up right now. We all need a boost every now and then. And, much thanks to my special friends who encourage me every time they see me. You know who you are and I appreciate the "boost".
In the weekly Bible Study I teach, we have been taking time each day to encourage and pray for each other. That is something we all tend to neglect in our all-too-busy lives. But, God has always known just how inportant it is to encourage and be an encourager. He tells us in Hebrews 10:24-25:
"And let us consider how we may spur each other on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another- and all the more as you see the day approaching."
I am blessed in that I have many people who love and encourage me on a regular basis. I hope you do too. But even if you don't you have a Father in heaven who adores you so much that He gave His only Son that you may have eternal life as well as have an abundant life here on this earth to enjoy and savor. I pray that you will seek a closer relationship with Him today.
Remember, God inhabits the praises of His people! When we praise Him, He graces us with his presence. When we praise and encourage others, we ourselves become more aware of Him and the effects of his loving-kindness.
Go find someone to lift up right now. We all need a boost every now and then. And, much thanks to my special friends who encourage me every time they see me. You know who you are and I appreciate the "boost".
Friday, October 9, 2009
Being A Survivor
Today I walked in the rain. It wasn't wet when we started out, but it was before we finished. I walk with a group of wonderful gals every week for a time of fellowship and encouragement. It helps us get through the week a little easier.
I decided to put on my daddy's shirt this morning. It is the one he got at the Relay For Life Cancer Walk earlier this year. It says "SURVIVOR" in big letters all across the back. I wear that shirt a lot.
You see, I was with him on that walk. He was fighting the battle of his life at that particular time. We all were. When someone you love has cancer, the whole family gets it in a sense. It's what you live, breath, and ingest for as long as the disease endures. It's a walk that no one chooses to take, but once you get on the path, you can't just step off. You gotta keep walking.
Today I wore that shirt proudly. I always do. Maybe some folks see it and think I am the survivor. Maybe in some sense, I am. My daddy went on in early July to make his new home in heaven. He went out smiling and full of joy. He most assuredly survived!! He is living in eternity with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!!
On the other hand, I am left here to continue to fight the battles of every day life. His purple SURVIVOR shirt reminds me to keep on keepin' on. It reminds me that no matter how hard the walk gets, I can make it. How do I know that for sure?
Because I have a Savior that walks with me. He walks on each side to protect me. He walks before me to prepare the way. He walks behind me to cover my back. He holds me up with His Righteous Right Hand of Love. That's encouraging, people! That increases my determination to make it through all the trials that come my way. That gives me the security I need when doubts try to creep in.
Where is your walk leading you? Are you a survivor? Know you are not trudging along by yourself. Other people have been just where you are right now. God WILL get you through, no matter what the outcome is. Trust me, I know. Just because you get wet along the way, doesn't mean you won't finish your walk.
He has brought me and my family through. He escorted my daddy to his new home. He is on the sidelines waiting to escort you to your next season of life.
Walk on, my friend. Wear your SURVIVOR shirt! Live like a survivor! Expect to be a SURVIVOR!! You are!! We all are if we believe God's got us covered. And, I am willing to bet you all I have and all I am that He does.
I decided to put on my daddy's shirt this morning. It is the one he got at the Relay For Life Cancer Walk earlier this year. It says "SURVIVOR" in big letters all across the back. I wear that shirt a lot.
You see, I was with him on that walk. He was fighting the battle of his life at that particular time. We all were. When someone you love has cancer, the whole family gets it in a sense. It's what you live, breath, and ingest for as long as the disease endures. It's a walk that no one chooses to take, but once you get on the path, you can't just step off. You gotta keep walking.
Today I wore that shirt proudly. I always do. Maybe some folks see it and think I am the survivor. Maybe in some sense, I am. My daddy went on in early July to make his new home in heaven. He went out smiling and full of joy. He most assuredly survived!! He is living in eternity with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!!
On the other hand, I am left here to continue to fight the battles of every day life. His purple SURVIVOR shirt reminds me to keep on keepin' on. It reminds me that no matter how hard the walk gets, I can make it. How do I know that for sure?
Because I have a Savior that walks with me. He walks on each side to protect me. He walks before me to prepare the way. He walks behind me to cover my back. He holds me up with His Righteous Right Hand of Love. That's encouraging, people! That increases my determination to make it through all the trials that come my way. That gives me the security I need when doubts try to creep in.
Where is your walk leading you? Are you a survivor? Know you are not trudging along by yourself. Other people have been just where you are right now. God WILL get you through, no matter what the outcome is. Trust me, I know. Just because you get wet along the way, doesn't mean you won't finish your walk.
He has brought me and my family through. He escorted my daddy to his new home. He is on the sidelines waiting to escort you to your next season of life.
Walk on, my friend. Wear your SURVIVOR shirt! Live like a survivor! Expect to be a SURVIVOR!! You are!! We all are if we believe God's got us covered. And, I am willing to bet you all I have and all I am that He does.
Friday, April 3, 2009
A Season Of Change
Fresh and new. That is how everything around me appears today. It has rained for days. Clouds have covered the skies and dreariness has prevailed. Thank God it is over for a season.
My life has been just the same. Darkness has been the normal course of most every day. Changes came that were unwelcome. Funny how those intruders can sometimes turn out to be just what is needed to bring refreshment to a weary soul.
At this moment, flowers are in bloom all around me. Grass is green from the rains. The air seems cleaner somehow as the sun shines brightly over the earth. Dark clouds have been replaced by beautiful snow white shapes in the sky. The heavens are smiling and so am I.
The former ways are being consumed by a new thing. The dross is being revealed and tossed away. The birth of a new attitude and new opportunities are on the horizon. How wonderful that the end result will be a deeper righteousness; a deeper and more effective servant's heart.
I am watching and waiting; stunned with wonder at what I can already see. God is working and something beyond my comprehension is about to take place. Positive change has come and will continue to be manifested in the life of my family.
In my expectation, I ponder why we resist change with such vigor.
Change always requires repentance. Change asks us to give up things that are sometimes very near and dear to us. Change brings refreshment, though. Even if it takes us through storms we want to avoid. There is goodness is everything that God filters into our lives. It all has to get by Him before it reaches us.
Just like today, the rains will eventually subside for a season. The sun will shine brightly again and new life will be waiting to reveal itself to us in a spectacular fashion. We can walk in the promises of our Creator God, The Great I AM, where there is only light(1 John 1:6).
Praise God for the storms, for without them there would be no refreshment. Life is hard, but God is good. Jesus said to David, a man who endured many storms, that one who lives in righteousness and in awe of God is "like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth." (Samuel 23:2-4)
David knew what the prophet Jeremiah spoke of, that "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is (His) faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:23)
Growth takes change. Growth is what is required of us as Christians. Growth is a good thing. "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)
It's all good, friends! Great works are happening all around you! Get ready, for positive change is coming!
Read also Habakkuk 1:5 and Ephesians 4:22-24.
Have a wonderful day in the Lord Jesus Christ today and every day!
Love and Blessings,
Starr
My life has been just the same. Darkness has been the normal course of most every day. Changes came that were unwelcome. Funny how those intruders can sometimes turn out to be just what is needed to bring refreshment to a weary soul.
At this moment, flowers are in bloom all around me. Grass is green from the rains. The air seems cleaner somehow as the sun shines brightly over the earth. Dark clouds have been replaced by beautiful snow white shapes in the sky. The heavens are smiling and so am I.
The former ways are being consumed by a new thing. The dross is being revealed and tossed away. The birth of a new attitude and new opportunities are on the horizon. How wonderful that the end result will be a deeper righteousness; a deeper and more effective servant's heart.
I am watching and waiting; stunned with wonder at what I can already see. God is working and something beyond my comprehension is about to take place. Positive change has come and will continue to be manifested in the life of my family.
In my expectation, I ponder why we resist change with such vigor.
Change always requires repentance. Change asks us to give up things that are sometimes very near and dear to us. Change brings refreshment, though. Even if it takes us through storms we want to avoid. There is goodness is everything that God filters into our lives. It all has to get by Him before it reaches us.
Just like today, the rains will eventually subside for a season. The sun will shine brightly again and new life will be waiting to reveal itself to us in a spectacular fashion. We can walk in the promises of our Creator God, The Great I AM, where there is only light(1 John 1:6).
Praise God for the storms, for without them there would be no refreshment. Life is hard, but God is good. Jesus said to David, a man who endured many storms, that one who lives in righteousness and in awe of God is "like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth." (Samuel 23:2-4)
David knew what the prophet Jeremiah spoke of, that "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is (His) faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:23)
Growth takes change. Growth is what is required of us as Christians. Growth is a good thing. "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)
It's all good, friends! Great works are happening all around you! Get ready, for positive change is coming!
Read also Habakkuk 1:5 and Ephesians 4:22-24.
Have a wonderful day in the Lord Jesus Christ today and every day!
Love and Blessings,
Starr
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Evidence
"Tattoo Me On You". I remember hearing a Heavy Metal Christian song with those lyrics. Don't know who recorded it, but I really liked it. I can hum it it my head, but since you can't get in my head, I won't be able to sing it for you. Oh well.
I bring that up because my 19 year old son,Chase, got a tattoo today. Actually, I think it's pretty cool. This is a son that, as a child, had to be practically hog-tied to receive a shot or even a throat check from the doctor. Go figure.
It looks awesome! It is a cross with a treble clef running through it. That just says "Chase" to me. It tells the story of who he is. He is deeply devoted to Christ and to his love of music. He eagerly uses his musical gifts to glorify God and to worship Him in a profound way. If I had a digital camera that was working, I would take a picture of it for you. Maybe soon.
I know a lot of people have a variety of opinions when it comes to putting permanent markings on the body that God gave us. I do too. I don't think certain tattoos are appropriate at all. Nor do I think an over-abundant amount of them on one person is becoming. But,I am proud to the core that my son chose to demonstrate his love for God by permanently marking his arm with a distinguishing design that just says "I Love Jesus and I Will Serve Him With My Talents".
The tattoo shop we patronized is actually owned and operated by a member of our church. Isn't that amazing!? I would gladly recommend them to anyone who asked as they are very reliable and trustworthy to work with. It was just an entirely "God Thing" experience.
Brings to mind a verse from Galatians 6:17. "....I bear on my body the [brand] marks of the Lord Jesus Christ [the wounds, scars, and other outward evidence of persecutions-these testify to His ownership of me! " (AMP)
I'm sure Chase will be persecuted by some for having gotten the tattoo. I am more sure, though, that he will proudly display it as a banner of God's ownership of his soul and body. And, above all, I am sure glad that God blessed me with a son that I am pleased with; One who lives as an example of what God can accomplish in a life willing to surrender to Him.
What outward evidence of His ownership of you are you displaying today? Maybe it's your godly attitude. Maybe it's your smile or your willingness to help another human being. Think about it and be proud to wear that banner!!
Love and Blessings,
Starr
I bring that up because my 19 year old son,Chase, got a tattoo today. Actually, I think it's pretty cool. This is a son that, as a child, had to be practically hog-tied to receive a shot or even a throat check from the doctor. Go figure.
It looks awesome! It is a cross with a treble clef running through it. That just says "Chase" to me. It tells the story of who he is. He is deeply devoted to Christ and to his love of music. He eagerly uses his musical gifts to glorify God and to worship Him in a profound way. If I had a digital camera that was working, I would take a picture of it for you. Maybe soon.
I know a lot of people have a variety of opinions when it comes to putting permanent markings on the body that God gave us. I do too. I don't think certain tattoos are appropriate at all. Nor do I think an over-abundant amount of them on one person is becoming. But,I am proud to the core that my son chose to demonstrate his love for God by permanently marking his arm with a distinguishing design that just says "I Love Jesus and I Will Serve Him With My Talents".
The tattoo shop we patronized is actually owned and operated by a member of our church. Isn't that amazing!? I would gladly recommend them to anyone who asked as they are very reliable and trustworthy to work with. It was just an entirely "God Thing" experience.
Brings to mind a verse from Galatians 6:17. "....I bear on my body the [brand] marks of the Lord Jesus Christ [the wounds, scars, and other outward evidence of persecutions-these testify to His ownership of me! " (AMP)
I'm sure Chase will be persecuted by some for having gotten the tattoo. I am more sure, though, that he will proudly display it as a banner of God's ownership of his soul and body. And, above all, I am sure glad that God blessed me with a son that I am pleased with; One who lives as an example of what God can accomplish in a life willing to surrender to Him.
What outward evidence of His ownership of you are you displaying today? Maybe it's your godly attitude. Maybe it's your smile or your willingness to help another human being. Think about it and be proud to wear that banner!!
Love and Blessings,
Starr
Thursday, October 30, 2008
The Spirit Of Fear
Ok.....Now that you all know that I'm not so great at playing the Waiting Game, I have another confession to make. I am a big scaredy-cat. Yes I am. Though, Not scared of ghosts and goblins and such.
Let me put it this way: Not knowing what the future holds is not only irritating me from the "waiting" standpoint, it is slightly freaking me out in a scary sort of way.
It's not that I don't trust God to take care of me and my family. It is just my human nature seems to be escaping from deep inside to rear it's ugly head out into the world. It's the bad kind of fear that I am experiencing.
Did you even know that there was anything BUT bad fear? Well, I'm here to set ya straight, my friends.
First, there is the kind of fear that scares us to death, That kind that makes one shake, tremble and get all googly-eyed. The kind that intimidates and places dread into your very core. That's the bad stuff I'm talking about. We need to avoid that kind of fear at all costs. (even though I'm not doing such a good job at it right now.) That fear is what sets in and grips us tight when we face uncertain things. Fear that maybe things won't work out like we want them too. You've felt it, haven't ya?
Then there's that kind of fear that we are supposed to feel. SUPPOSED TO FEEL??? ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? (I can hear your thoughts, people!) Yep.....SUPPOSED to feel. Let me explain:
The kind of fear that comes from God is a GOOD thing. It is a feeling of reverential awe, profound regard of God. That kind of fear does not grab you around the throat and choke the life out of you. That kind of fear brings you a peace that passes all understanding. That kind of fear should be DESIRED above all else. It BRINGS life!!!
Desiring fear sounds a little strange, I know. But, if you desire peace, then that good kind of fear is a fear that you need to experience. The fear of being so profoundly stunned by the awesomeness of your CREATOR that nothing else matters!!! The kind of fear that assures you that He has it all under control. He sees the certain future He has in store for you. He is seated well above any negative circumstance you can ever face in your life.
Do you fear Him enough to believe that??
One of my very favorite verses in God's word is found in 2 Timothy 1:7- " For God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power, and of love and of a sound mind."
He did not give us that "SCARY" kind of fear. He gave us a sound mind to get the revelation that we are to admire Him to the point of being so respectful of Him, we fall down in fear in His presence.
That same scripture speaks of a sound mind as an alternative to fear. What do you think of when you think of a "sound mind"?
How about wisdom? Read this verse:
Psalm 111:10- " The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts have good understanding. To Him belongs all eternal praise."
WOW!!! How cool is that!!! Godly Fear = Wisdom. Wisdom = Good Understanding. Good Understanding = A Sound Mind. A Sound Mind = Peace. Peace is the OPPOSITE of Ungodly fear.
That's the only kind of fear I EVER want to experience!! The kind that leads me into such a state of mind that I can only ache to spend my entire eternity praising Him and experiencing His peace!!!!!
People, let's hunger for that kind of fear!!!
Read this in Proverbs 29:25:- "The fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe."
I'm breaking outta this snare!! I am soaking myself in the Fear of the Lord!!! I am going forward head-first into the unknown knowing only that I will be kept safe!!!
Will you join me?
Have a wonderful day in HIM!!
Love and Blessings,
Starr
Let me put it this way: Not knowing what the future holds is not only irritating me from the "waiting" standpoint, it is slightly freaking me out in a scary sort of way.
It's not that I don't trust God to take care of me and my family. It is just my human nature seems to be escaping from deep inside to rear it's ugly head out into the world. It's the bad kind of fear that I am experiencing.
Did you even know that there was anything BUT bad fear? Well, I'm here to set ya straight, my friends.
First, there is the kind of fear that scares us to death, That kind that makes one shake, tremble and get all googly-eyed. The kind that intimidates and places dread into your very core. That's the bad stuff I'm talking about. We need to avoid that kind of fear at all costs. (even though I'm not doing such a good job at it right now.) That fear is what sets in and grips us tight when we face uncertain things. Fear that maybe things won't work out like we want them too. You've felt it, haven't ya?
Then there's that kind of fear that we are supposed to feel. SUPPOSED TO FEEL??? ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? (I can hear your thoughts, people!) Yep.....SUPPOSED to feel. Let me explain:
The kind of fear that comes from God is a GOOD thing. It is a feeling of reverential awe, profound regard of God. That kind of fear does not grab you around the throat and choke the life out of you. That kind of fear brings you a peace that passes all understanding. That kind of fear should be DESIRED above all else. It BRINGS life!!!
Desiring fear sounds a little strange, I know. But, if you desire peace, then that good kind of fear is a fear that you need to experience. The fear of being so profoundly stunned by the awesomeness of your CREATOR that nothing else matters!!! The kind of fear that assures you that He has it all under control. He sees the certain future He has in store for you. He is seated well above any negative circumstance you can ever face in your life.
Do you fear Him enough to believe that??
One of my very favorite verses in God's word is found in 2 Timothy 1:7- " For God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power, and of love and of a sound mind."
He did not give us that "SCARY" kind of fear. He gave us a sound mind to get the revelation that we are to admire Him to the point of being so respectful of Him, we fall down in fear in His presence.
That same scripture speaks of a sound mind as an alternative to fear. What do you think of when you think of a "sound mind"?
How about wisdom? Read this verse:
Psalm 111:10- " The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts have good understanding. To Him belongs all eternal praise."
WOW!!! How cool is that!!! Godly Fear = Wisdom. Wisdom = Good Understanding. Good Understanding = A Sound Mind. A Sound Mind = Peace. Peace is the OPPOSITE of Ungodly fear.
That's the only kind of fear I EVER want to experience!! The kind that leads me into such a state of mind that I can only ache to spend my entire eternity praising Him and experiencing His peace!!!!!
People, let's hunger for that kind of fear!!!
Read this in Proverbs 29:25:- "The fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe."
I'm breaking outta this snare!! I am soaking myself in the Fear of the Lord!!! I am going forward head-first into the unknown knowing only that I will be kept safe!!!
Will you join me?
Have a wonderful day in HIM!!
Love and Blessings,
Starr
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Just Waiting
Waiting is not something I do very well. I am one of those people who wants it done yesterday. Not tomorrow. Not a week from now. And, heaven forbid, a year from now! When I get my mind made up, I want to get on the ball and accomplish the task at hand.
I realize that patience is a virtue, but I am still working to acquire that one. I want to see the light at the end of the tunnel, and I want to see it NOW!!!!!!
Forget the process of getting there. Show me the end result.
Ecclesiastes 7:8 tells me that "The end of the matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride". I am ashamed to say that I have way more pride that patience. Guess I need to work on that.
Lots of things are hanging in the balance right now for our family. We are currently waiting for our house to sell. We are still unsure that we are doing the right thing But, are trying desperately to follow God's leading. We don't have any idea where the house is that God has for us. No one is exactly knocking down the door to buy ours either. So, we continue to play the waiting game.
I really despise that feeling of "not knowing" what the future holds. But, when you think about it, we never really know anyway, do we? We just kind of think we do just because everything falls into a routine. It's when that comfortable routine gets all topsy-turvy that we get anxious.
One thing I have learned is to keep on keepin' on. Keep living life. Keep enjoying all the moments in-between when things are uncertain. Keep trusting in The One Who holds it all anyway. I am certainly glad that ONE is not me. I wouldn't even want that responsibility, would you? In that case, why do we so eagerly grasp things with our own weak hands and refuse to loosen that grip when God calls us to let things go and let Him work? I think it must be that pride thing creeping in again.
Oh well, No one ever said this life would be easy. In fact, God told us just the opposite.
John 16:33 NIV says: "I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you WILL have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world."
What good news! These uncertain times will not last forever! I can honestly say that I have heard God in my siprit over and over again telling me to just wait and be patient, that He has things more wonderful in store for us than I can ever imagine. In that respect, I am excited. Even in the midst of my waiting, with no signs of the light at the end of the tunnel, no promise of when, where, or how.
Wait, maybe there is a promise. Jesus is the How. So, who cares about the when or the where!!
Habakkuk 1:3 NIV: "Look at the nations and watch- be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told."
I think what He has for us would be too wonderful for description. That is why we have to wait for it. I also believe that we will see it here in this lifetime, sooner than later. Why? Because He wants only the best for His children.
You know, when something is lost, something better is gained. That's how God's economic plan works!!
I would like to share a poem with you today. I got it from my former pastor, Rick Auten, many years ago. It is written, to the best of my knowledge, by Nancy Lee Demoss. The words say it all. I hope it touches you as it does me.
*************************************************
WAIT!
by Nancy Lee Demoss
Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried;
Quietly, patiently, lovingly God replied.
I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate...
and the Master so gently said, " Wait."
"Wait? You say wait", my indignant reply.
"Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!"
Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard?
By faith I have asked, and I'm claiming your Word.
My future and all to which I relate,
Hangs in the balance, and you tell me to wait?
I'm needing a 'yes' a 'go-ahead' sign.
Or even a 'no' to which I'll resign.
You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe,
we need to but ask, and we shall receive.
Lord, I've been asking, and this is my cry:
I'm weary of asking! I need a reply.
Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate,
as my Master replied again, "Wait."
So I slumpled in my chair, defeated and taut,
and grumbled to God, "So I'm waiting... for what?"
He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes met with mine...
and He tenderly said "I could give you a sign.
I could shake the heavens and darken the sun.
I could raise the dead and cause the mountains to run.
I could give you all you seek and pleased you would be.
You'd have what you want, but you wouldn't know Me.
You'd not know the depth of my love for each saint.
You'd not know the power that I give to the faint.
You'd not learn to see through the clouds of despair;
You'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there.
You'd not know the joy of resting in Me,
When darkness and silence are all you can see.
You'd never experience the fullness of love,
When the peace of my spirit decends like a dove.
You would know that I give, and I save, for a start,
But you'd not know the depth of the beat of my heart.
The glow of My comort late into the night,
The faith that I give when you walk without sight.
The depth that's beyond just getting what you ask,
From an infinite God who makes what you have last.
You'd never know should your pain quickly flee,
'WAIT' means that My grace is sufficient for thee.
Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true,
But oh, what a loss, if I lost what I'm doing in you.
So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see,
that the greatest of gifts is to truly know me...
and though oft My answers seem terribly late,
my most precious answer of all is still 'WAIT'."
***************************************************
Are you waiting with me? Leave a comment so I'll know I'm not in the waiting game alone! God is with us, dear friend. And, we're in it together!!
Love and Blessings,
Starr
-
I realize that patience is a virtue, but I am still working to acquire that one. I want to see the light at the end of the tunnel, and I want to see it NOW!!!!!!
Forget the process of getting there. Show me the end result.
Ecclesiastes 7:8 tells me that "The end of the matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride". I am ashamed to say that I have way more pride that patience. Guess I need to work on that.
Lots of things are hanging in the balance right now for our family. We are currently waiting for our house to sell. We are still unsure that we are doing the right thing But, are trying desperately to follow God's leading. We don't have any idea where the house is that God has for us. No one is exactly knocking down the door to buy ours either. So, we continue to play the waiting game.
I really despise that feeling of "not knowing" what the future holds. But, when you think about it, we never really know anyway, do we? We just kind of think we do just because everything falls into a routine. It's when that comfortable routine gets all topsy-turvy that we get anxious.
One thing I have learned is to keep on keepin' on. Keep living life. Keep enjoying all the moments in-between when things are uncertain. Keep trusting in The One Who holds it all anyway. I am certainly glad that ONE is not me. I wouldn't even want that responsibility, would you? In that case, why do we so eagerly grasp things with our own weak hands and refuse to loosen that grip when God calls us to let things go and let Him work? I think it must be that pride thing creeping in again.
Oh well, No one ever said this life would be easy. In fact, God told us just the opposite.
John 16:33 NIV says: "I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you WILL have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world."
What good news! These uncertain times will not last forever! I can honestly say that I have heard God in my siprit over and over again telling me to just wait and be patient, that He has things more wonderful in store for us than I can ever imagine. In that respect, I am excited. Even in the midst of my waiting, with no signs of the light at the end of the tunnel, no promise of when, where, or how.
Wait, maybe there is a promise. Jesus is the How. So, who cares about the when or the where!!
Habakkuk 1:3 NIV: "Look at the nations and watch- be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told."
I think what He has for us would be too wonderful for description. That is why we have to wait for it. I also believe that we will see it here in this lifetime, sooner than later. Why? Because He wants only the best for His children.
You know, when something is lost, something better is gained. That's how God's economic plan works!!
I would like to share a poem with you today. I got it from my former pastor, Rick Auten, many years ago. It is written, to the best of my knowledge, by Nancy Lee Demoss. The words say it all. I hope it touches you as it does me.
*************************************************
WAIT!
by Nancy Lee Demoss
Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried;
Quietly, patiently, lovingly God replied.
I pled and I wept for a clue to my fate...
and the Master so gently said, " Wait."
"Wait? You say wait", my indignant reply.
"Lord, I need answers, I need to know why!"
Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heard?
By faith I have asked, and I'm claiming your Word.
My future and all to which I relate,
Hangs in the balance, and you tell me to wait?
I'm needing a 'yes' a 'go-ahead' sign.
Or even a 'no' to which I'll resign.
You promised, dear Lord, that if we believe,
we need to but ask, and we shall receive.
Lord, I've been asking, and this is my cry:
I'm weary of asking! I need a reply.
Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate,
as my Master replied again, "Wait."
So I slumpled in my chair, defeated and taut,
and grumbled to God, "So I'm waiting... for what?"
He seemed then to kneel, and His eyes met with mine...
and He tenderly said "I could give you a sign.
I could shake the heavens and darken the sun.
I could raise the dead and cause the mountains to run.
I could give you all you seek and pleased you would be.
You'd have what you want, but you wouldn't know Me.
You'd not know the depth of my love for each saint.
You'd not know the power that I give to the faint.
You'd not learn to see through the clouds of despair;
You'd not learn to trust just by knowing I'm there.
You'd not know the joy of resting in Me,
When darkness and silence are all you can see.
You'd never experience the fullness of love,
When the peace of my spirit decends like a dove.
You would know that I give, and I save, for a start,
But you'd not know the depth of the beat of my heart.
The glow of My comort late into the night,
The faith that I give when you walk without sight.
The depth that's beyond just getting what you ask,
From an infinite God who makes what you have last.
You'd never know should your pain quickly flee,
'WAIT' means that My grace is sufficient for thee.
Yes, your dearest dreams overnight would come true,
But oh, what a loss, if I lost what I'm doing in you.
So, be silent, my child, and in time you will see,
that the greatest of gifts is to truly know me...
and though oft My answers seem terribly late,
my most precious answer of all is still 'WAIT'."
***************************************************
Are you waiting with me? Leave a comment so I'll know I'm not in the waiting game alone! God is with us, dear friend. And, we're in it together!!
Love and Blessings,
Starr
-
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Tongue Twisters
Tongue twisters can be tremendous amounts of fun. My six-year-old son, Austin, and I have discovered that this week as we have used tongue twisters as part of our homeschool. It is quite humorous to listen to a young child attempt to say the jumbled up words without getting off track. We have laughed at each other many times during this course of study! I have found that moms can’t spill out those tangly tongue twisters much easier than the child can! Twisted words are not easy to say!
Taming the tongue is not an easy task either, but a necessary one none-the-less. The Bible speaks on many occasions about the words that exit our mouths. We are warned repeatedly to take heed when it comes to conversation. Have you ever spouted out something and then stood in disbelief at what you just heard coming from your own mouth? I certainly have. It is not a good feeling to regret the words you have spoken. Self-talk is no different. Sometimes my words hurt me as much as anyone else. We are to speak good things about ourselves to ourselves, even if we don’t feel like it. That is one way we can tame our tongues.
I have quite a sense of humor. Often times, what starts in my mind as a funny thought, makes it’s way through my mouth and ends up not sounding so uplifting upon being born into the world and landing upon the ears of someone else. Not everyone shares my sense of humor thus; I have had foot-in-mouth disease more than one time. Thinking about the outcome before we speak is another way to tame the tongue. How will my words actually come across sounding to the other person?
The bible tells us in Luke 6:45- “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart, his mouth speaks.” (NIV) Now I’m not insinuating that just because one may make a conversation blunder that one is evil. In that case, I would certainly be in big trouble! But, what we think is a large part of what eventually flows from our mouths.
Colossians 3:2 tells us to “Set our minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (NIV)
What are we thinking about? In Romans 12:2, we are told “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. The you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (NIV)
Is it going to uplift another person if we speak it? If it won’t, then it is probably not God’s will that we say it. If no good thing can come from it, just keep it to yourself. Even better, do not even think about it. Ephesians 4:29 is one of my all-time favorite verses. It says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (NIV) Wow! Do my words benefit my family? Am I uplifting my friends when I talk to them, or am I dragging them down spiritually? Those are tough questions. I can honestly say I try hard to be a lifter-upper instead of a bringer-downer, but when things get tough for me, do I complain too much?
Maybe we all need to pray this prayer:
“Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” (Psalm 141:3 NIV)
Is what I have to say honoring God? “Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so; let your words be few.” (Ecclesiastes 5:2 NIV)
In essence, it all boils down to this: We are to be focused on the Lord Jesus Christ, not the things of this world. By doing that, we can be assured that the words coming from us will be uplifting, loving, and beneficial to everyone who hears our voice.
Everyday, I say this Psalm aloud when I wake up:
“May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14 NIV)
Understand, I do mess up almost every day, but at least I am asking God to help me along the way. I believe He hears my petitions and forgives me when I miss the mark. He will do the same for you.
Just for fun, I thought I would share some of the hilarious tongue twisters Austin and I have penned over the last few days.
Baxter bought big beautiful brass bottles at the beach by the bay with his best buddy, Babar.
Tom tossed Teresa’s tooth to the trash Tuesday.
Gwen gave her guitar from the garage to Gilly Gasrrison.
Ancient armies attacked angry apes.
And, last but not least, here is a tongue twister that my oldest son, Chase (now 18) and I made up when he was a little boy:
The lion roared in World War One.
I bet ya can’t say that one ten times fast!
****Today in your comment, leave your favorite tongue twister; better yet, make one up! It’s lots of fun! I will reward the one who makes Austin laugh the loudest with a copy of one of my favorite books: “I Hate Whining Except When I’m Doing It” by Sheila Rabe.
I’m looking forward to reading them!
Have a blessed day in The Lord!
Love,
Starr
Taming the tongue is not an easy task either, but a necessary one none-the-less. The Bible speaks on many occasions about the words that exit our mouths. We are warned repeatedly to take heed when it comes to conversation. Have you ever spouted out something and then stood in disbelief at what you just heard coming from your own mouth? I certainly have. It is not a good feeling to regret the words you have spoken. Self-talk is no different. Sometimes my words hurt me as much as anyone else. We are to speak good things about ourselves to ourselves, even if we don’t feel like it. That is one way we can tame our tongues.
I have quite a sense of humor. Often times, what starts in my mind as a funny thought, makes it’s way through my mouth and ends up not sounding so uplifting upon being born into the world and landing upon the ears of someone else. Not everyone shares my sense of humor thus; I have had foot-in-mouth disease more than one time. Thinking about the outcome before we speak is another way to tame the tongue. How will my words actually come across sounding to the other person?
The bible tells us in Luke 6:45- “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart, his mouth speaks.” (NIV) Now I’m not insinuating that just because one may make a conversation blunder that one is evil. In that case, I would certainly be in big trouble! But, what we think is a large part of what eventually flows from our mouths.
Colossians 3:2 tells us to “Set our minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (NIV)
What are we thinking about? In Romans 12:2, we are told “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. The you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (NIV)
Is it going to uplift another person if we speak it? If it won’t, then it is probably not God’s will that we say it. If no good thing can come from it, just keep it to yourself. Even better, do not even think about it. Ephesians 4:29 is one of my all-time favorite verses. It says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (NIV) Wow! Do my words benefit my family? Am I uplifting my friends when I talk to them, or am I dragging them down spiritually? Those are tough questions. I can honestly say I try hard to be a lifter-upper instead of a bringer-downer, but when things get tough for me, do I complain too much?
Maybe we all need to pray this prayer:
“Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” (Psalm 141:3 NIV)
Is what I have to say honoring God? “Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so; let your words be few.” (Ecclesiastes 5:2 NIV)
In essence, it all boils down to this: We are to be focused on the Lord Jesus Christ, not the things of this world. By doing that, we can be assured that the words coming from us will be uplifting, loving, and beneficial to everyone who hears our voice.
Everyday, I say this Psalm aloud when I wake up:
“May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14 NIV)
Understand, I do mess up almost every day, but at least I am asking God to help me along the way. I believe He hears my petitions and forgives me when I miss the mark. He will do the same for you.
Just for fun, I thought I would share some of the hilarious tongue twisters Austin and I have penned over the last few days.
Baxter bought big beautiful brass bottles at the beach by the bay with his best buddy, Babar.
Tom tossed Teresa’s tooth to the trash Tuesday.
Gwen gave her guitar from the garage to Gilly Gasrrison.
Ancient armies attacked angry apes.
And, last but not least, here is a tongue twister that my oldest son, Chase (now 18) and I made up when he was a little boy:
The lion roared in World War One.
I bet ya can’t say that one ten times fast!
****Today in your comment, leave your favorite tongue twister; better yet, make one up! It’s lots of fun! I will reward the one who makes Austin laugh the loudest with a copy of one of my favorite books: “I Hate Whining Except When I’m Doing It” by Sheila Rabe.
I’m looking forward to reading them!
Have a blessed day in The Lord!
Love,
Starr
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
When God Is In The Room
We have just returned from a trip to Savannah, GA. My husband's family lives there and we went down for a lovely visit.
What fun we had! We, along with our two kids, piled into the van for the long 5 hour drive Friday evening. It is so unusual for our 18 year old son to travel with us anymore, so we thoroughly enjoyed our time together as a family.
Our 6 year old sat in his carseat all the way, listening to his ipod, coloring, and singing slightly out-of-tune while wearing his headphones.
Our 18 year old sat listening to his ipod, no singing (just air guitar and tapping), mostly snoozing, and reading occasionally from his college textbooks.
Hubby and I talked about our future, listened to our favorite cds, and discussed how wonderful it was to have both our boys with us on the trip.
We pulled into my brother-in-law's driveway at exactly 12:10 am. As tired as we were, we stayed up a few more hours talking and laughing. It is good to be with family, talk about old times and catch up on new ones.
The next day we spent exploring the river front in downtown Savannah. On Sunday, we spent the day relaxing and playing at the beach on Tybee Island. Nights were long and enjoyable as we ate and ate, talked and talked, laughed and laughed.
My mother-in-law lives with my husband's brother and his family now. She has suffered many strokes and they kindly took her in to care for her. She is living like a queen, I tell ya! She has her own private area of the house, gets lots of attention and eats well! She walks a mile or two every day and has made new friends in the neighborhood.
She sometimes tends to get her words mixed up when she speaks. She knows EXACTLY what she is trying to say, but we have to decipher it. It's kinda like playing charades. We all spout out different words as we attempt to finish her sentences for her. It is quite comical, really. Even she laughs!
Saturday night, she kept telling us the same story over and over again. It had gotten to the point of being annoying. She just wanted someone to acknowledge what she was saying. We had been, but she was so busy telling us her version, that she never once heard our acknowledgement.
The main point of her story was that "God is in the room." It took about ten times of her saying it and my brother-in-law shouting it back to her before she finally just let it go. It was hilarious! I have never seen my husband laugh so hard in our 30 years together! She joined in our laughter as we all tried desperately to catch our breath from lack of oxygen! Laughter truly is THE best medicine!
And, yes, God was in the room. His presence was felt as we shared life with family that we seldom get to see.
His presence was felt as we explored Savannah with our unusual little group which includes my brother-in-law, his wife, his middle daughter Melissa, his youngest daughter Jamie, now 25, who has downs syndrome, my husband, myself, our 6 year old, our 18 year old, and the one who started it all, my mother-in-law. We joked about how we all need to tie ourselves together with a long rope on these journeys so we would not keep getting lost from each other in shops and when crossing streets!
God's presence was felt as we rode to Tybee Island listening to Jamie sing the touching words to "I Can Only Imagine" and "How Great Is Our God" as the music echoed from the radio. It brought tears to my eyes.
God's presence was felt as my sister-in-law prayed with me about some difficult decisions we are facing just before we left to head back home.
We decided that we needed a tv crew to follow us around and we would probably have the highest rated reality show on television!
We could show the world how it really is when "God Is In The Room" or on the beach, or leading us down the streets of Savannah, or riding with us in the van.
Yes, God was with us as we pulled into our own driveway yesterday evening and saw a newly placed "for sale" sign in our front yard.
And, God will be with us as we face whatever He has in store for our future.
As the saying goes, "I don't know what the future holds, but I know WHO holds the future."
God is in the room. I am listening and I am following. I am feeling His peace and thanking Him for a wonderful weekend. I am thanking him for family, health, and a future full of good things.
Do you feel Him, too?
Love and Blessings,
Starr
What fun we had! We, along with our two kids, piled into the van for the long 5 hour drive Friday evening. It is so unusual for our 18 year old son to travel with us anymore, so we thoroughly enjoyed our time together as a family.
Our 6 year old sat in his carseat all the way, listening to his ipod, coloring, and singing slightly out-of-tune while wearing his headphones.
Our 18 year old sat listening to his ipod, no singing (just air guitar and tapping), mostly snoozing, and reading occasionally from his college textbooks.
Hubby and I talked about our future, listened to our favorite cds, and discussed how wonderful it was to have both our boys with us on the trip.
We pulled into my brother-in-law's driveway at exactly 12:10 am. As tired as we were, we stayed up a few more hours talking and laughing. It is good to be with family, talk about old times and catch up on new ones.
The next day we spent exploring the river front in downtown Savannah. On Sunday, we spent the day relaxing and playing at the beach on Tybee Island. Nights were long and enjoyable as we ate and ate, talked and talked, laughed and laughed.
My mother-in-law lives with my husband's brother and his family now. She has suffered many strokes and they kindly took her in to care for her. She is living like a queen, I tell ya! She has her own private area of the house, gets lots of attention and eats well! She walks a mile or two every day and has made new friends in the neighborhood.
She sometimes tends to get her words mixed up when she speaks. She knows EXACTLY what she is trying to say, but we have to decipher it. It's kinda like playing charades. We all spout out different words as we attempt to finish her sentences for her. It is quite comical, really. Even she laughs!
Saturday night, she kept telling us the same story over and over again. It had gotten to the point of being annoying. She just wanted someone to acknowledge what she was saying. We had been, but she was so busy telling us her version, that she never once heard our acknowledgement.
The main point of her story was that "God is in the room." It took about ten times of her saying it and my brother-in-law shouting it back to her before she finally just let it go. It was hilarious! I have never seen my husband laugh so hard in our 30 years together! She joined in our laughter as we all tried desperately to catch our breath from lack of oxygen! Laughter truly is THE best medicine!
And, yes, God was in the room. His presence was felt as we shared life with family that we seldom get to see.
His presence was felt as we explored Savannah with our unusual little group which includes my brother-in-law, his wife, his middle daughter Melissa, his youngest daughter Jamie, now 25, who has downs syndrome, my husband, myself, our 6 year old, our 18 year old, and the one who started it all, my mother-in-law. We joked about how we all need to tie ourselves together with a long rope on these journeys so we would not keep getting lost from each other in shops and when crossing streets!
God's presence was felt as we rode to Tybee Island listening to Jamie sing the touching words to "I Can Only Imagine" and "How Great Is Our God" as the music echoed from the radio. It brought tears to my eyes.
God's presence was felt as my sister-in-law prayed with me about some difficult decisions we are facing just before we left to head back home.
We decided that we needed a tv crew to follow us around and we would probably have the highest rated reality show on television!
We could show the world how it really is when "God Is In The Room" or on the beach, or leading us down the streets of Savannah, or riding with us in the van.
Yes, God was with us as we pulled into our own driveway yesterday evening and saw a newly placed "for sale" sign in our front yard.
And, God will be with us as we face whatever He has in store for our future.
As the saying goes, "I don't know what the future holds, but I know WHO holds the future."
God is in the room. I am listening and I am following. I am feeling His peace and thanking Him for a wonderful weekend. I am thanking him for family, health, and a future full of good things.
Do you feel Him, too?
Love and Blessings,
Starr
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Great Expectations
We were sitting in the drive-through window at our bank. The drawer opened. I removed my deposit receipts and drove away.
"Am I invisible?", came the small disappointed voice from behind me.
Then it dawned on me. My six year old son had been waiting patiently in the back seat of the van, expecting to receive a lollipop from the teller. I felt sorry for him. I did not even think about the fact that he had been excited about getting a treat until he muttered those sad little words.
Have you ever felt that way? Invisible, I mean?
I certainly have.
How many times I have walked down the halls at church, expecting a "hello" and a smile from a passer-by, but didn't receive one.
How many times I have wanted my husband to notice I cleaned up the house so it would be nice for him and he didn't.
How many times I have wanted my teenage son to give me a hug before heading out the door, but he forgot.
How many times I have wanted to be a part of the group of friends, but wasn't invited.
The list is endless. I'm sure you have a list of your own. The funny thing about that list, though, is our level of expectation. We are expecting things and reactions from people who aren't even aware of our desires. They do notice us. But, they cannot read our minds. They have no earthly idea what we are expecting from them.
Why do we place such high expectations on others, but often forget how we are treating them?
You be the one that smiles and gives a cheerful hello to that passer-by at church. Especially that new family who doesn't know a soul there.
You greet your husband at the door when he gets home from work with a warm welcome and a haven of rest. He will definitely notice that!
You grab your teenager before they head out for the day and tell them they are loved immensely.
Why not call a group of friends together for a Girl's night out? You can be the initiator. Don't wait until they realize they have overlooked you.
Today is the day! Find a person you can bless. Even if they have never lifted a finger to patronize you in any way at all. Commit a random act of kindness. Think of someone who may feel invisible and make them feel worthy and loved.
Believe me, after doing that, you won't feel invisible anymore. You will feel 10 feet tall! You will feel gratified! You will feel the love of Jesus flowing all over and through you!
That is something worthy of expectation.
I'm off to get my little guy a lollipop. See ya tomorrow!
Love and Blessings,
Starr
"Am I invisible?", came the small disappointed voice from behind me.
Then it dawned on me. My six year old son had been waiting patiently in the back seat of the van, expecting to receive a lollipop from the teller. I felt sorry for him. I did not even think about the fact that he had been excited about getting a treat until he muttered those sad little words.
Have you ever felt that way? Invisible, I mean?
I certainly have.
How many times I have walked down the halls at church, expecting a "hello" and a smile from a passer-by, but didn't receive one.
How many times I have wanted my husband to notice I cleaned up the house so it would be nice for him and he didn't.
How many times I have wanted my teenage son to give me a hug before heading out the door, but he forgot.
How many times I have wanted to be a part of the group of friends, but wasn't invited.
The list is endless. I'm sure you have a list of your own. The funny thing about that list, though, is our level of expectation. We are expecting things and reactions from people who aren't even aware of our desires. They do notice us. But, they cannot read our minds. They have no earthly idea what we are expecting from them.
Why do we place such high expectations on others, but often forget how we are treating them?
You be the one that smiles and gives a cheerful hello to that passer-by at church. Especially that new family who doesn't know a soul there.
You greet your husband at the door when he gets home from work with a warm welcome and a haven of rest. He will definitely notice that!
You grab your teenager before they head out for the day and tell them they are loved immensely.
Why not call a group of friends together for a Girl's night out? You can be the initiator. Don't wait until they realize they have overlooked you.
Today is the day! Find a person you can bless. Even if they have never lifted a finger to patronize you in any way at all. Commit a random act of kindness. Think of someone who may feel invisible and make them feel worthy and loved.
Believe me, after doing that, you won't feel invisible anymore. You will feel 10 feet tall! You will feel gratified! You will feel the love of Jesus flowing all over and through you!
That is something worthy of expectation.
I'm off to get my little guy a lollipop. See ya tomorrow!
Love and Blessings,
Starr
Monday, August 11, 2008
A Kink In The Chain
Have you ever tried to untangle a necklace? It is a daunting task to say the least. It can drive a girl CRAZY, I mean!!! I have been known to just throw the chain away instead of struggling to straighten it out.
Life can be the same way. You get motivated to step out in faith and then things get all tangled up. Frustration sets in. You start questioning your decisions. Then you get tempted to just throw it all away and forget about it.
When things get messed up, then is the time to dig in and trust in what you know God instructed you to do. Keep working on the tangles. Look for ways to reverse the damage. Trace your tracks and make sure you are going in the right direction. Just like Abraham, know that God is guiding you every step of the way. He will never call you and then leave you alone in the desert. He won't leave you twisted and going down the wrong path.
When a chain is tangled, it is weak. God will untwist the mess. He is strongest when we are weak. Don't let the kinks throw you!
1 Corinthians 1:25- "For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength." (NIV)
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12- "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But, pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But, how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."
A necklace cannot untangle itself, can it? Neither can we. Trust God. Confide in friends. Seek wisdom from the wise. Things WILL straighten out! God's will prevails every time we allow Him to work out the kinks in our mess.
Love and Blessings,
Starr
Life can be the same way. You get motivated to step out in faith and then things get all tangled up. Frustration sets in. You start questioning your decisions. Then you get tempted to just throw it all away and forget about it.
When things get messed up, then is the time to dig in and trust in what you know God instructed you to do. Keep working on the tangles. Look for ways to reverse the damage. Trace your tracks and make sure you are going in the right direction. Just like Abraham, know that God is guiding you every step of the way. He will never call you and then leave you alone in the desert. He won't leave you twisted and going down the wrong path.
When a chain is tangled, it is weak. God will untwist the mess. He is strongest when we are weak. Don't let the kinks throw you!
1 Corinthians 1:25- "For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength." (NIV)
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12- "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But, pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But, how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."
A necklace cannot untangle itself, can it? Neither can we. Trust God. Confide in friends. Seek wisdom from the wise. Things WILL straighten out! God's will prevails every time we allow Him to work out the kinks in our mess.
Love and Blessings,
Starr
Saturday, August 9, 2008
A Steadfast Spirit
Today, I am posting this devotion instead of the usual "Saturation Saturday" article. It is a word in due season for me as I hope it will be for you. I had written it a few months ago and it now ministers to me in a very special way. Funny how God can take my own words to teach me something. Maybe they weren't my own words at all, Huh?
Isaiah 51:16- "I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand- I Who set the heavens in place, Who laid the foundations of the earth, and Who say to Zion, 'You are my people.' "
You may do a word study on "Steadfast" and "Endurance" to enhance your understanding of what God wants us all to learn; The same God Who covers us under His protecting hand...Who leads us through change safely...Who guides us every step of the way...Who grants us the faith to have endurance. He Who put the heavens in place loves us and wants the best for us. Enjoy!
Read: By your steadfastness and patient endurance you shall win the true life of your souls.
(Luke 21:19 AMP)
Have you ever had a dream? Not the kind that slips into your mind at night as you sleep; I mean a true vision for your life. A mission from God.
I have those dreams. Lots of them. Our children are full of those dreams, too. But, they look at them in an entirely different way than we parents do. They see them as something they can actually accomplish. They see them as a challenge and they are eager to conquer!
I saw a perfect example of that childlike perseverance while I was lying on the beach the other day. When I had arrived a couple hours earlier, the surface of the sand was pristine. Beautiful and white. I set up my "spot", greased up with sunscreen, and positioned myself for a nice relaxing afternoon. I must have zoned out for a while, because when I opened my eyes, the clean pristine beach had been covered over with mounds and mounds of seaweed. It went on endlessly as far as my eyes could see in both directions.
My mom and I noticed a little girl. As we watched her, we realized she was on one of those missions only accomplished through childlike faith. She meticulously picked up armload after armload of seaweed and ran to the water's edge to toss it back in. She had a vision of depositing every last piece of that messy stuff right back into the ocean where it belonged. She did not see it as impossible, though to onlookers, it seemed a daunting task beyond any hope of completion. In her mind, she saw the end result: a nice clean beach that she could be proud of! She had hope! She had endurance! She had perseverance! She had a vision!
I don't think you would ever see an adult trying to do what that determined little girl was doing. We would see it as useless. Why even try to take on something so tedious, so impossible.
You see, kids look at something like that with possibility thinking; Nothing is beyond their accomplishment as far as they are concerned. They are born with a natural faith. If they have an idea, you can bet they are going for it; full speed ahead! They don't ever think of the obstacles.
God created us to be dream-catchers! Who do you think He gives us all those great ideas? Even those little 'inklings" that tell us to bless someone, give away some money, or speak to that stranger. I know me. I am too eager to second-guess those little "inklings", not to mention the big dreams. I tend to focus on the obstacles and the seeming unlikeliest of those big dreams ever coming true. Most adults do.
God is willing to provide us with all we need to carry out His plans for us. But, we usually want to see the whole blueprint before we even get started. That's not really how He works. In Genesis 12, God told Abraham to pick up and go to a land that He would show him. Abraham went. He didn't ask how, when or where. He just went. He just had faith he would get to the land God had set aside for him. He didn't have the slightest idea where he was headed in a physical sense. He just knew in his heart what wonderful blessings were waiting for him there. (Wherever "there" turned out to be.) He certainly faced obstacles on the journey, but he just kept trudging through the mire to complete the mission the Lord had given him.
Go ahead. Write down those dreams. Write down the awesome possibilities and blessings that await you when you get there. Don't ignore those "inklings". And, DO NOT focus on the obstacles. Instead of seeing the endless piles of seaweed, envision the pristine, white beach. Work hard and be patient. Your perseverance will pay off! You will get to that land, that true life, the Lord has waiting for you!
Prayer: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and give me the faith of a child, that I may have a persevering and steadfast spirit within me.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Love and Blessings,
Starr
Isaiah 51:16- "I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand- I Who set the heavens in place, Who laid the foundations of the earth, and Who say to Zion, 'You are my people.' "
You may do a word study on "Steadfast" and "Endurance" to enhance your understanding of what God wants us all to learn; The same God Who covers us under His protecting hand...Who leads us through change safely...Who guides us every step of the way...Who grants us the faith to have endurance. He Who put the heavens in place loves us and wants the best for us. Enjoy!
Read: By your steadfastness and patient endurance you shall win the true life of your souls.
(Luke 21:19 AMP)
Have you ever had a dream? Not the kind that slips into your mind at night as you sleep; I mean a true vision for your life. A mission from God.
I have those dreams. Lots of them. Our children are full of those dreams, too. But, they look at them in an entirely different way than we parents do. They see them as something they can actually accomplish. They see them as a challenge and they are eager to conquer!
I saw a perfect example of that childlike perseverance while I was lying on the beach the other day. When I had arrived a couple hours earlier, the surface of the sand was pristine. Beautiful and white. I set up my "spot", greased up with sunscreen, and positioned myself for a nice relaxing afternoon. I must have zoned out for a while, because when I opened my eyes, the clean pristine beach had been covered over with mounds and mounds of seaweed. It went on endlessly as far as my eyes could see in both directions.
My mom and I noticed a little girl. As we watched her, we realized she was on one of those missions only accomplished through childlike faith. She meticulously picked up armload after armload of seaweed and ran to the water's edge to toss it back in. She had a vision of depositing every last piece of that messy stuff right back into the ocean where it belonged. She did not see it as impossible, though to onlookers, it seemed a daunting task beyond any hope of completion. In her mind, she saw the end result: a nice clean beach that she could be proud of! She had hope! She had endurance! She had perseverance! She had a vision!
I don't think you would ever see an adult trying to do what that determined little girl was doing. We would see it as useless. Why even try to take on something so tedious, so impossible.
You see, kids look at something like that with possibility thinking; Nothing is beyond their accomplishment as far as they are concerned. They are born with a natural faith. If they have an idea, you can bet they are going for it; full speed ahead! They don't ever think of the obstacles.
God created us to be dream-catchers! Who do you think He gives us all those great ideas? Even those little 'inklings" that tell us to bless someone, give away some money, or speak to that stranger. I know me. I am too eager to second-guess those little "inklings", not to mention the big dreams. I tend to focus on the obstacles and the seeming unlikeliest of those big dreams ever coming true. Most adults do.
God is willing to provide us with all we need to carry out His plans for us. But, we usually want to see the whole blueprint before we even get started. That's not really how He works. In Genesis 12, God told Abraham to pick up and go to a land that He would show him. Abraham went. He didn't ask how, when or where. He just went. He just had faith he would get to the land God had set aside for him. He didn't have the slightest idea where he was headed in a physical sense. He just knew in his heart what wonderful blessings were waiting for him there. (Wherever "there" turned out to be.) He certainly faced obstacles on the journey, but he just kept trudging through the mire to complete the mission the Lord had given him.
Go ahead. Write down those dreams. Write down the awesome possibilities and blessings that await you when you get there. Don't ignore those "inklings". And, DO NOT focus on the obstacles. Instead of seeing the endless piles of seaweed, envision the pristine, white beach. Work hard and be patient. Your perseverance will pay off! You will get to that land, that true life, the Lord has waiting for you!
Prayer: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and give me the faith of a child, that I may have a persevering and steadfast spirit within me.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Love and Blessings,
Starr
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Make Your Requests Known To The Father
This is my prayer for today. It is from Psalm 143 in the Amplified Bible. The ending is from my heart.
Dear Lord,
I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your doings; I ponder the work of Your hands (v5).
I spread forth my hands to You; my soul thirsts after you like a thirsty land (for water) (v6).
Cause me to hear Your loving-kindness in the morning for on You do I lean and in You do I trust. Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk, for I lift up my inner self to You (v 8).
Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; let Your good spirit lead me into a level country and into the land of uprightness (v10).
Thank You, Father, for all You have done, all You are doing, and all You have for my future. May I please You as I set about my day today and every day hereafter. Thank You for Your provision, Your protection, Your guidance, and Your grace.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Love and Blessings,
Starr
Dear Lord,
I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your doings; I ponder the work of Your hands (v5).
I spread forth my hands to You; my soul thirsts after you like a thirsty land (for water) (v6).
Cause me to hear Your loving-kindness in the morning for on You do I lean and in You do I trust. Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk, for I lift up my inner self to You (v 8).
Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; let Your good spirit lead me into a level country and into the land of uprightness (v10).
Thank You, Father, for all You have done, all You are doing, and all You have for my future. May I please You as I set about my day today and every day hereafter. Thank You for Your provision, Your protection, Your guidance, and Your grace.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Love and Blessings,
Starr
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Fully Equipped
There are times in life when I find myself just plain stumped. What am I supposed to be doing? Is this all there is? I desire so much more for my life. I thought it would be different. I ache to step out and make my statement to the world, but fear grips my mind and my tongue stops short of saying anything. I stay frozen in time and just keep on keeping on; never moving forward. How does a woman overcome moments like those?
My best friend and I were having a phone conversation this morning about how we really want God to use us. Neither of us feel that we are in our true place in life. There is a strong feeling that there must be more. We are missing something. That may sound like a strange sensation for two sold-out Christian women to have, but I think it is actually common among many women today. We find ourselves early on making decisions about education, career, marriage, family, home life, and pretty soon we have lost ourselves in the mix. How can we get back on track?
I have been searching for the anecdote and I think I have found it. Think back to when you were younger. Before life kicked in full force. Back before you had kids, jobs, housework. What did you want to do then? It's not too late! I am stretching my faith and pursuing my passions for the first time in many years. In September I'll be turning 44, so better late than never! Hopefully, I've got at least 45 more years left. I am not going to let them slip by without trying my best to fulfill God's plan for me.
God places a purpose into the heart of every human being He creates. If you haven't found it, try searching your soul. What excited you when you were younger? What fueled your flame? The answer to those questions is probably a pretty good indication of what you should be fearlessly pursuing. Maybe you don't feel equipped. Neither do I, but I am studying God's word and following the directions He gives me.
2 Timothy 3 Verses 16-17 in the AMP says, "Every scripture is God breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God's will in thought, purpose and action), So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well-fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work."
He has equipped me! I am able! When I find my passion, I discover my voice. I will no longer be fearful about speaking what God has ordained me to share. Praise Him for His provision. I will trust in The One Who has given me all I need to serve Him.
Father, Thank You for loving us and for having a divine plan for each of our lives. May we seek You with all our hearts and keep our minds focused on You as we serve. Make our purpose evident and obtainable. Give us strength. Give us joy in the journey. Use us, Lord for Your glory. In Jesus' name, Amen and Amen!
Blessings,
Starr
My best friend and I were having a phone conversation this morning about how we really want God to use us. Neither of us feel that we are in our true place in life. There is a strong feeling that there must be more. We are missing something. That may sound like a strange sensation for two sold-out Christian women to have, but I think it is actually common among many women today. We find ourselves early on making decisions about education, career, marriage, family, home life, and pretty soon we have lost ourselves in the mix. How can we get back on track?
I have been searching for the anecdote and I think I have found it. Think back to when you were younger. Before life kicked in full force. Back before you had kids, jobs, housework. What did you want to do then? It's not too late! I am stretching my faith and pursuing my passions for the first time in many years. In September I'll be turning 44, so better late than never! Hopefully, I've got at least 45 more years left. I am not going to let them slip by without trying my best to fulfill God's plan for me.
God places a purpose into the heart of every human being He creates. If you haven't found it, try searching your soul. What excited you when you were younger? What fueled your flame? The answer to those questions is probably a pretty good indication of what you should be fearlessly pursuing. Maybe you don't feel equipped. Neither do I, but I am studying God's word and following the directions He gives me.
2 Timothy 3 Verses 16-17 in the AMP says, "Every scripture is God breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God's will in thought, purpose and action), So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well-fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work."
He has equipped me! I am able! When I find my passion, I discover my voice. I will no longer be fearful about speaking what God has ordained me to share. Praise Him for His provision. I will trust in The One Who has given me all I need to serve Him.
Father, Thank You for loving us and for having a divine plan for each of our lives. May we seek You with all our hearts and keep our minds focused on You as we serve. Make our purpose evident and obtainable. Give us strength. Give us joy in the journey. Use us, Lord for Your glory. In Jesus' name, Amen and Amen!
Blessings,
Starr
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Decision Making 101
The first scripture I ever memorized is Proverbs 3:5-6. It says: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him and He will direct your paths." Those verses have served me well over the years. Many times, I have learned the hard way that my own understanding is usually far, far from the wisdom I have needed to decipher the trials and tribulations of life. On my own, I can't accomplish much of anything. But, with God, the possibilities are endless!!
Decision making is no different. When we are faced with a fork in the road and can't discern which path is the right one to pursue, acknowledging Christ is the best place to start. He wants us to desire His will for every decision. Most times, our will does not line up with His; not if we follow our first instinct. We almost always will choose the easiest path, the most obvious path, the shortest path, or the one that seems to be the most pleasurable. His path for us does not usually fall into one of those cut and dry categories.
How is His will determined? Well, it's not very easy sometimes, but it is do-able. Matthew 6:10 plainly states that God's desire is for His kingdom to come and for His will to be done on the earth. Basically that is telling us that first and foremost, whatever the final decision is, it needs to bring glory to Him and it needs to enhance His kingdom. That one verse lets us know that finding out what God wants is the most important part of our decision.
Right now, my husband and I are faced with some very difficult decisions concerning the well-being of his 76 year-old mother. She is currently in the hospital suffering from the effects of multiple strokes and is in need of full-time care in the near future. That is a hard place in which to find yourself; making decisions that will effect the remainder of your mother's life. I guess, sooner or later, every person with an aging parent will be in a similar situation. For us, this is our first time and it is heart-wrenching to say the least.
We are constantly asking ourselves how we can best handle this-or-that. What would she want us to do? What is the best solution for her? Why do we even have to be in such a situation? Why is this so hard? Traveling down this undesirable road has often left us with a less-than-joyful attitude. As I have studied God's Word looking for solutions, some of the words that have leaped right off the page have been in Romans 12:2. Renewing our minds, focusing on Christ and His Word; those things will keep our attitudes in check as we decide which path to take.
If you find yourself facing some hard decisions (as we all will eventually), all you have to do is pick up your Bible. In it, you will find not only the answers, but the right questions to ask yourself.
-Will my decision show God's love and build another person up or is it for my own selfish desires?
( Romans 15: 2-3, 1 Corinthians 10:24, 1 Corinthians 10:33)
-Will my decision honor the Word of God?
(1 Corinthians 10:31, James 1:22, Titus 1:9)
-Will my decision glorify God?
( Psalm 64:10, John 17:10, Ephesians 1:11-12)
-Will my decision make me a more effective witness for Christ?
( Isaiah 43:10, 1John 4:12-15, 1Timothy 4:12)
-What is the right thing to do?
(Psalm 119:128, Galatians 6:9-10)
Facing difficult decisions is something none of us look forward to, it is just a part of life that we all have to deal with. God's Word will never fail to give us the answers we need, refresh our joy and calm our spirits during the process.
Psalm 119:28 offers the remedy for the heaviness we experience in our hearts during the tough times; "My life dissolves and weeps itself away for heaviness; raise me up and strengthen me according to (the promise of) Your word."
Psalm 119:130 says: "The entrance and unfolding of Your words give light; their unfolding gives understanding (discernment and comprehension) to the simple."
He will NEVER leave us wondering which path to follow. Acknowledge Him first, He will illuminate the way and you can rest peacefully when you know you have made a God-honoring decision.
Leave a comment and let me know how this article may have helped you today!
May God Bless you always,
Starr
Decision making is no different. When we are faced with a fork in the road and can't discern which path is the right one to pursue, acknowledging Christ is the best place to start. He wants us to desire His will for every decision. Most times, our will does not line up with His; not if we follow our first instinct. We almost always will choose the easiest path, the most obvious path, the shortest path, or the one that seems to be the most pleasurable. His path for us does not usually fall into one of those cut and dry categories.
How is His will determined? Well, it's not very easy sometimes, but it is do-able. Matthew 6:10 plainly states that God's desire is for His kingdom to come and for His will to be done on the earth. Basically that is telling us that first and foremost, whatever the final decision is, it needs to bring glory to Him and it needs to enhance His kingdom. That one verse lets us know that finding out what God wants is the most important part of our decision.
Right now, my husband and I are faced with some very difficult decisions concerning the well-being of his 76 year-old mother. She is currently in the hospital suffering from the effects of multiple strokes and is in need of full-time care in the near future. That is a hard place in which to find yourself; making decisions that will effect the remainder of your mother's life. I guess, sooner or later, every person with an aging parent will be in a similar situation. For us, this is our first time and it is heart-wrenching to say the least.
We are constantly asking ourselves how we can best handle this-or-that. What would she want us to do? What is the best solution for her? Why do we even have to be in such a situation? Why is this so hard? Traveling down this undesirable road has often left us with a less-than-joyful attitude. As I have studied God's Word looking for solutions, some of the words that have leaped right off the page have been in Romans 12:2. Renewing our minds, focusing on Christ and His Word; those things will keep our attitudes in check as we decide which path to take.
If you find yourself facing some hard decisions (as we all will eventually), all you have to do is pick up your Bible. In it, you will find not only the answers, but the right questions to ask yourself.
-Will my decision show God's love and build another person up or is it for my own selfish desires?
( Romans 15: 2-3, 1 Corinthians 10:24, 1 Corinthians 10:33)
-Will my decision honor the Word of God?
(1 Corinthians 10:31, James 1:22, Titus 1:9)
-Will my decision glorify God?
( Psalm 64:10, John 17:10, Ephesians 1:11-12)
-Will my decision make me a more effective witness for Christ?
( Isaiah 43:10, 1John 4:12-15, 1Timothy 4:12)
-What is the right thing to do?
(Psalm 119:128, Galatians 6:9-10)
Facing difficult decisions is something none of us look forward to, it is just a part of life that we all have to deal with. God's Word will never fail to give us the answers we need, refresh our joy and calm our spirits during the process.
Psalm 119:28 offers the remedy for the heaviness we experience in our hearts during the tough times; "My life dissolves and weeps itself away for heaviness; raise me up and strengthen me according to (the promise of) Your word."
Psalm 119:130 says: "The entrance and unfolding of Your words give light; their unfolding gives understanding (discernment and comprehension) to the simple."
He will NEVER leave us wondering which path to follow. Acknowledge Him first, He will illuminate the way and you can rest peacefully when you know you have made a God-honoring decision.
Leave a comment and let me know how this article may have helped you today!
May God Bless you always,
Starr
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