Over the last week I decided to step off the roller coaster of emotions that I have been on. I had to step out on faith. My heart hurts. An unforseen event happened, my husband and I switched emotions. I am thankful that God's allowed him to feel the same anguish that I have had over the last nine months. I am also thankful that God allowed me to feel the separateness that my husband felt. I can't express my feelings here. They are too private. I am still in prayer for God's will in my life. I try to look at each day. Today I spent the day alone trying to be at complete peace being by myself. I haven't been able to feel that peace because I had been so angry about my situation. Now I feel I can stop looking at the past and wishing I was there. This is really hard for me. I have a future that I can't see and will rely completely on God for what will be best for me.
Today's verse spoke to me first thing this morning,
Philippians 4:7
"God's peace, which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
When we are in a situation we feel we will never be able to get out of, and God tells us to get out, He gives us a wonderful gift called peace.
Peace before the storm. Peace beyond logic. Nothing is logical about my situation. But my divorce is going to happen and God is giving me a peace about it.
This evening my bible study reminded me that this life is temporary and I need to keep my focus on the things of God. I am still reading the book of Exodus daily.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
One hundred thirty-six
Psalm 22:10
"I have leaned on you since the day I was born; you have been my God since my mother gave me birth."
Not all of us know that God gave us our first breath, and eyes for our first sights and the urgency to do all the things we had to do to grow.
If I was asked about my earliest thoughts about God in my life, I know it would be from going to church with my mom and later letters from my mother after my parents divorce. Every one of her letters ended with her asking me to pray for her. I still pray in that same childish way, "God bless, daddy, mommy, J, my dog, etc."
Knowing that you are a child of God, you cannot help but to be drawn to the things of God. You seek the peace that God can give. You seek to feel His presence. You want to know He is with you.
God is here and God is at work every day from our first breath to our last.
Today I wish I had a day to sit with God for a while and just listen.
I think I will make time for that later. Just silence. Just me and God. I spend a lot of time alone and even then I know I am not alone. I still have my little chats with God all through the day, but today feel a little different. I have a few aches, a few prayer requests, a few things to give thanks for, I feel overwhelmed and have a need for some encouragement.
I know we could all use some encouragement from God.
Take a deep breath- A deep, deep breath and know it is a gift from God.
Grace and peace to you from God our father.
"I have leaned on you since the day I was born; you have been my God since my mother gave me birth."
Not all of us know that God gave us our first breath, and eyes for our first sights and the urgency to do all the things we had to do to grow.
If I was asked about my earliest thoughts about God in my life, I know it would be from going to church with my mom and later letters from my mother after my parents divorce. Every one of her letters ended with her asking me to pray for her. I still pray in that same childish way, "God bless, daddy, mommy, J, my dog, etc."
Knowing that you are a child of God, you cannot help but to be drawn to the things of God. You seek the peace that God can give. You seek to feel His presence. You want to know He is with you.
God is here and God is at work every day from our first breath to our last.
Today I wish I had a day to sit with God for a while and just listen.
I think I will make time for that later. Just silence. Just me and God. I spend a lot of time alone and even then I know I am not alone. I still have my little chats with God all through the day, but today feel a little different. I have a few aches, a few prayer requests, a few things to give thanks for, I feel overwhelmed and have a need for some encouragement.
I know we could all use some encouragement from God.
Take a deep breath- A deep, deep breath and know it is a gift from God.
Grace and peace to you from God our father.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
One hundred thirty- five
Hebrews 12:1-2
“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.”
Today I admit I lack motivation. I didn’t want the day to start. I didn’t want to say the difficult things I had to say. I didn’t want to do all the difficult things I had to do. I did not start my day, I was late getting up, I said the things I said and didn’t say them in the best way. I got in my car and drove away, even though it was the hardest thing for me to do. Today I did all the things I didn’t want to do. I have to focus on the fact that it is part of God’s plan, not mine.
He really has changed my everyday, so much has been removed and so much more; I have to have faith in the future.
Sometimes faith requires us to do things we don’t want to do, but faith is believing in what we can’t see.
“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.”
Today I admit I lack motivation. I didn’t want the day to start. I didn’t want to say the difficult things I had to say. I didn’t want to do all the difficult things I had to do. I did not start my day, I was late getting up, I said the things I said and didn’t say them in the best way. I got in my car and drove away, even though it was the hardest thing for me to do. Today I did all the things I didn’t want to do. I have to focus on the fact that it is part of God’s plan, not mine.
He really has changed my everyday, so much has been removed and so much more; I have to have faith in the future.
Sometimes faith requires us to do things we don’t want to do, but faith is believing in what we can’t see.
Monday, January 25, 2010
One hundred thirty-four
2 Thessalonians 2:16
“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our father encourage you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.”
I needed to hear this verse today. I listen to people complain a lot during the day and I think as I listen, “Please Lord, don’t let me sound that bitter when I speak.”
I think sometimes it is best when someone is able to say an encouraging word instead of supporting another’s bad attitude.
Today my heart hurt for some of my friends that have experienced a loss. It is my prayer God will be with all of us during these dark days.
I saw a painting once and it was a simple painting of two stick candles lit side by side. The woman that owned the painting commented that she and her husband bought the painting because they saw themselves as the two candles. Two people- illuminating a room burning at the same pace. It might have been said differently but seeing the photo and hearing what she said, was beautiful.
Lighting candles have always been a part of worship- Advent candles, unity candles at weddings, and others I can’t think of now. I wonder if I could have the same relationship with God? God said, “I am the light of the world.” And he represents one of the two candles, and I represent the other.
Dear Lord, bring us all good things in our actions and our words.
I am thankful that tomorrow, I will have another chance to be filled with the Holy Spirit and be in the presence of the Lord.
Grace and mercy to you from God the Father.
“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our father encourage you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.”
I needed to hear this verse today. I listen to people complain a lot during the day and I think as I listen, “Please Lord, don’t let me sound that bitter when I speak.”
I think sometimes it is best when someone is able to say an encouraging word instead of supporting another’s bad attitude.
Today my heart hurt for some of my friends that have experienced a loss. It is my prayer God will be with all of us during these dark days.
I saw a painting once and it was a simple painting of two stick candles lit side by side. The woman that owned the painting commented that she and her husband bought the painting because they saw themselves as the two candles. Two people- illuminating a room burning at the same pace. It might have been said differently but seeing the photo and hearing what she said, was beautiful.
Lighting candles have always been a part of worship- Advent candles, unity candles at weddings, and others I can’t think of now. I wonder if I could have the same relationship with God? God said, “I am the light of the world.” And he represents one of the two candles, and I represent the other.
Dear Lord, bring us all good things in our actions and our words.
I am thankful that tomorrow, I will have another chance to be filled with the Holy Spirit and be in the presence of the Lord.
Grace and mercy to you from God the Father.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
One hundred thirty- three
My brother-in- law, Mark Foster, was in a motorcycle accident yesterday while on duty. Prayers for healing of his injuries for a speedy and full recovery.
Thanks to God that his injuries were not critical.
At times when I feel like I am having a difficult time in my love life, that is when it seems like every verse I turn to during my bible study has the same theme- love.
1 Corinthians 13 has been evident all week in my studies and on Christian radio these were one of the selected daily bible verses.
“Love… bears all things, believes all things.”
All things. All leaves nothing out. I know I love like that, but I think the only person I have had this love with is with my family. I know I love like that. God has the same love for us. NOTHING IS HIDDEN FROM GOD. God sees our good days and our bad days along with all our failings.
Love is not like shopping where you make selections of all good things, smiles, good health and good moods. That sounds like ideal love for anyone. When you are shopping you don’t make selections that would be bad or not right for you. You don’t buy dog food when you don’t have a dog. You don’t make selections not right for you. Love isn’t a shopping trip.
Love wouldn’t be love if it only exists when things are easy or only there when it reflects our own needs. It is when times are difficult that love is needed most. Love is needed when there is chaos. Love is needed when there is pain. Love is needed ALL the time. Love doesn’t happen only when things are easy. What if God only gave love when things were easy?
That makes me think of the quote, “Love isn’t love until you give it away.” - unknown
I know that when things are the most difficult, God shows his love by offering encouragement from friends and sometimes even strangers. It is during the difficult times that I experience the strongest love. Love is powerful.
I am thankful to God for the love I have experienced from Him ALL the time. Trials do come, times are difficult, chaos happens, but when love is present, everything changes.
I love you even if I don’t know you. God wants you to know he feels the same way. God loves us even if you don’t know him, but you can. If God could speak to you right now if you don’t know him, he might say, “I find YOU very interesting, attractive and exciting, Let’s be friends. I love you.” I know God would say that to you if you are covered from head to toe with chicken pox, suffered from burns, or have a life challenge that makes you unique. God’s love for you is no different, because every human is different.
Could you love God in the same way?
Can you say, “Jesus, I find you very interesting, attractive and exciting. Let’s be friends. I love you.”
May God show you his love today and you feel it without a doubt.
Love, hope and joy to you from God our father.
Other verses from Corinthians tha reminds us of God's love- 2 Corinthians 4
"8 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 10 Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.
11 Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies. 12 So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you.
13 But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, “I believed in God, so I spoke.” 14 We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you. 15 All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.
16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever."
Love.
Thanks to God that his injuries were not critical.
At times when I feel like I am having a difficult time in my love life, that is when it seems like every verse I turn to during my bible study has the same theme- love.
1 Corinthians 13 has been evident all week in my studies and on Christian radio these were one of the selected daily bible verses.
“Love… bears all things, believes all things.”
All things. All leaves nothing out. I know I love like that, but I think the only person I have had this love with is with my family. I know I love like that. God has the same love for us. NOTHING IS HIDDEN FROM GOD. God sees our good days and our bad days along with all our failings.
Love is not like shopping where you make selections of all good things, smiles, good health and good moods. That sounds like ideal love for anyone. When you are shopping you don’t make selections that would be bad or not right for you. You don’t buy dog food when you don’t have a dog. You don’t make selections not right for you. Love isn’t a shopping trip.
Love wouldn’t be love if it only exists when things are easy or only there when it reflects our own needs. It is when times are difficult that love is needed most. Love is needed when there is chaos. Love is needed when there is pain. Love is needed ALL the time. Love doesn’t happen only when things are easy. What if God only gave love when things were easy?
That makes me think of the quote, “Love isn’t love until you give it away.” - unknown
I know that when things are the most difficult, God shows his love by offering encouragement from friends and sometimes even strangers. It is during the difficult times that I experience the strongest love. Love is powerful.
I am thankful to God for the love I have experienced from Him ALL the time. Trials do come, times are difficult, chaos happens, but when love is present, everything changes.
I love you even if I don’t know you. God wants you to know he feels the same way. God loves us even if you don’t know him, but you can. If God could speak to you right now if you don’t know him, he might say, “I find YOU very interesting, attractive and exciting, Let’s be friends. I love you.” I know God would say that to you if you are covered from head to toe with chicken pox, suffered from burns, or have a life challenge that makes you unique. God’s love for you is no different, because every human is different.
Could you love God in the same way?
Can you say, “Jesus, I find you very interesting, attractive and exciting. Let’s be friends. I love you.”
May God show you his love today and you feel it without a doubt.
Love, hope and joy to you from God our father.
Other verses from Corinthians tha reminds us of God's love- 2 Corinthians 4
"8 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 10 Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.
11 Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies. 12 So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you.
13 But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, “I believed in God, so I spoke.” 14 We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you. 15 All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.
16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever."
Love.
Friday, January 22, 2010
One hundred thiry-two
James 1:12
“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God promised to those who love him.”
I’ve been tested, and I feel like I fail every day. Do I give up? No. Stubborn me, I continue on. Things are very fallow with me right now. I feel like that empty field awaiting spring and for something to be planted and sprout new growth. Patience. I keep reminding myself. Patience will make a difference.
So much tragedy going on in the world and within each individual life can make a person feel helpless. We are supposed to keep positive and rejoice in everything. I admit I am completely human and rejoicing is difficult when it seems every thing happening is a trial.
I heard this morning that the Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has accused the United States of having an earthquake weapon and we used it on Hati and now the United States is planning to occupy Hati. I really do believe that the earthquake was a natural act, but the Venezuelan President has now accused the United States of being an enemy instead of a country of goodwill. It is frustrating.
Can America persevere? Can each American persevere? God never promised things would be easy. He never said these trials would not come. It is frustrating. It can be discouraging. It can seem hopeless.
During these times we are to turn to God. I lay my trials out to God every day and I admit to God I don’t understand why things have happened. I know I am supposed to hold on to today’s verse and look forward to the goal, in the same way as looking forward to a trip. We decide to take a trip. To go on the trip we know it will cost a certain amount of money, so we sacrifice to be able to save for the trip. Saving the money is hard, but the day you have the ticket in your hand, hope is restored, and then you travel to the destination, and after arriving, it is all you have expected and know it was worth the sacrifice to be at the destination.
Life on Earth is Christians saving up and preparing for that trip to heaven when we will be with God.
Yes, persevere. Persevere with God. Persevere with prayer. Persevere with worship to God. The destination is going to be worth it.
Pray for perseverance and encouragement for each other and also for our nation. I am still proud to be an American. I am still proud to live in a country where I can openly be a Christian and worship God.
Love and peace to you from God our father.
“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God promised to those who love him.”
I’ve been tested, and I feel like I fail every day. Do I give up? No. Stubborn me, I continue on. Things are very fallow with me right now. I feel like that empty field awaiting spring and for something to be planted and sprout new growth. Patience. I keep reminding myself. Patience will make a difference.
So much tragedy going on in the world and within each individual life can make a person feel helpless. We are supposed to keep positive and rejoice in everything. I admit I am completely human and rejoicing is difficult when it seems every thing happening is a trial.
I heard this morning that the Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has accused the United States of having an earthquake weapon and we used it on Hati and now the United States is planning to occupy Hati. I really do believe that the earthquake was a natural act, but the Venezuelan President has now accused the United States of being an enemy instead of a country of goodwill. It is frustrating.
Can America persevere? Can each American persevere? God never promised things would be easy. He never said these trials would not come. It is frustrating. It can be discouraging. It can seem hopeless.
During these times we are to turn to God. I lay my trials out to God every day and I admit to God I don’t understand why things have happened. I know I am supposed to hold on to today’s verse and look forward to the goal, in the same way as looking forward to a trip. We decide to take a trip. To go on the trip we know it will cost a certain amount of money, so we sacrifice to be able to save for the trip. Saving the money is hard, but the day you have the ticket in your hand, hope is restored, and then you travel to the destination, and after arriving, it is all you have expected and know it was worth the sacrifice to be at the destination.
Life on Earth is Christians saving up and preparing for that trip to heaven when we will be with God.
Yes, persevere. Persevere with God. Persevere with prayer. Persevere with worship to God. The destination is going to be worth it.
Pray for perseverance and encouragement for each other and also for our nation. I am still proud to be an American. I am still proud to live in a country where I can openly be a Christian and worship God.
Love and peace to you from God our father.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
One hundred thirty-one
Psalm 90:4
"For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night."
Time happens so fast. One day and one chance. Take it.
Grace and peace to you from God our father.
"For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night."
Time happens so fast. One day and one chance. Take it.
Grace and peace to you from God our father.
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