Hi Everyone!
I am here. I am breathing and maybe even treading water. It has been an amazing couple of weeks.
God has taken me through the valley while fear swirled above my head, to the mountain top with splendor all around and through the rocky crag with anger and bitterness nipping at my heels.
I thank God that no matter the path I walk, he is there, guiding me with his perfect plan.
Coming (hopefully tomorrow): Our trip to Staunton River State Park, Scottsburg, VA.
Love you all!
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label God. Show all posts
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Praise!
My day?
Started out great! Thank you for asking.
See, we read the last few chapters of Psalms this morning for our bible reading. It is all about PRAISE.
The very last verse of Psalms says:
Psalms 150:6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Yep, that's how my day started.
But reading all that praise reminded me of a sermon - an amazing praise filled sermon.
S.M. Lockridge
That's my KING!
Have you heard it?
click the title (a link) and be uplifted-soar actually.
So what happened to me today after reading and listening to that message?
talked to my sister - nice to catch up.
texted with my brothers - nice also.
found out on of my favorite high school teacher's son had died horrifically over the weekend - sad.
store very slow - bad.
disobedient children - ugh.
more things to do that time to do them - frustrating.
Ephraim's heart twin had foot movement for the first time since birth (7 years) - spectacular.
but
praise God - he is my King.
Praising helps me maintain a positive attitude through it all. This week I have experience many ups and downs, my own and other people's. I try to always focus on Jesus.
Praise God, He is my King. He is there for me. Day or night. Rain or shine. Never changing.
Yep, I'll be ok because I will praise God.
How about you? What does praising God bring you through?
Started out great! Thank you for asking.
See, we read the last few chapters of Psalms this morning for our bible reading. It is all about PRAISE.
The very last verse of Psalms says:
Psalms 150:6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Yep, that's how my day started.
But reading all that praise reminded me of a sermon - an amazing praise filled sermon.
S.M. Lockridge
That's my KING!
Have you heard it?
click the title (a link) and be uplifted-soar actually.
So what happened to me today after reading and listening to that message?
talked to my sister - nice to catch up.
texted with my brothers - nice also.
found out on of my favorite high school teacher's son had died horrifically over the weekend - sad.
store very slow - bad.
disobedient children - ugh.
more things to do that time to do them - frustrating.
Ephraim's heart twin had foot movement for the first time since birth (7 years) - spectacular.
but
praise God - he is my King.
Praising helps me maintain a positive attitude through it all. This week I have experience many ups and downs, my own and other people's. I try to always focus on Jesus.
Praise God, He is my King. He is there for me. Day or night. Rain or shine. Never changing.
Yep, I'll be ok because I will praise God.
How about you? What does praising God bring you through?
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Jealousy
Have you ever heard that God is jealous? Yep.
Or at least his word claims that he is.
Check it out.
Exodus 20:5 (+6 for context & blessing)
5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
Then there is:
Exodus 34:14
14 Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.
Then also:
Deuteronomy 4:24
and
Deuteronomy 5:9
and
Deuteronomy 6:15
and
Deuteronomy 32:21
and
Joshua 24:19
and
Nahum 1:2
God is a jealous god. He will not share his creation.
Are you his?
I am his and I have to wonder how I rouse God's jealousy.
Could it be my
hobbies
shopping
no?
collections
relaxation
no?
How about
my children
my husband
my parents
siblings
friends?
I tend to believe that whatever our knuckles get the whitest over holding back from God will be what he uses to bring us back to proper perspective.
When Ephraim was born, it was scary and he was dying. Never once did my husband and I pray that God would take him or us out of that situation; instead, we prayed, "Save this child physically if you intend to save him in your kingdom and use him." He wasn't ours - not then and surely not now - just on loan - as are TJ and Amber, also.
I think the thing I value that God has really challenged my with is my friendships, though. Those relationships that I thought were Christ centered and godly were horrifically and heartbreakingly removed from me . It was as if God was telling me that I valued my friendship with people more that I valued my friendship with him. I focused more on my relationship with God and he returned a dear friend to me. Thank you, Jesus!
Father God,
Keep my heart, mind, soul and strength focused on you. Lifting up praise, honor and glory to you - to the Son - to the Holy Spirit. Help me make much of you for your kingdom. Thank you, for the reminder that you are jealous and will have no other gods before you. Help me to identify the gods in my life so that I may remove them with your help. I love you, Lord. Be Lord in my heart so that others may see you in me.
Or at least his word claims that he is.
Check it out.
Exodus 20:5 (+6 for context & blessing)
5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
Then there is:
Exodus 34:14
14 Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.
Then also:
Deuteronomy 4:24
and
Deuteronomy 5:9
and
Deuteronomy 6:15
and
Deuteronomy 32:21
and
Joshua 24:19
and
Nahum 1:2
God is a jealous god. He will not share his creation.
Are you his?
I am his and I have to wonder how I rouse God's jealousy.
Could it be my
hobbies
shopping
no?
collections
relaxation
no?
How about
my children
my husband
my parents
siblings
friends?
I tend to believe that whatever our knuckles get the whitest over holding back from God will be what he uses to bring us back to proper perspective.
When Ephraim was born, it was scary and he was dying. Never once did my husband and I pray that God would take him or us out of that situation; instead, we prayed, "Save this child physically if you intend to save him in your kingdom and use him." He wasn't ours - not then and surely not now - just on loan - as are TJ and Amber, also.
I think the thing I value that God has really challenged my with is my friendships, though. Those relationships that I thought were Christ centered and godly were horrifically and heartbreakingly removed from me . It was as if God was telling me that I valued my friendship with people more that I valued my friendship with him. I focused more on my relationship with God and he returned a dear friend to me. Thank you, Jesus!
Father God,
Keep my heart, mind, soul and strength focused on you. Lifting up praise, honor and glory to you - to the Son - to the Holy Spirit. Help me make much of you for your kingdom. Thank you, for the reminder that you are jealous and will have no other gods before you. Help me to identify the gods in my life so that I may remove them with your help. I love you, Lord. Be Lord in my heart so that others may see you in me.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
History, Meditations and Change
I am blessed to be in church at a very young age. My first memory of church was when I was little, little. There was a girl who looked like my oldest sister who had just left to go to college. I didn't understand the girl at all and was afraid of her as a result I wasn't the kindest of people to her.
The next memory I have is a Sunday School class at that same church. The teacher talked about how scarred hands help us. At the time my mother still had her garden. Her hands were rough but gentle. I will always equate my mother's hand with Jesus because of that.
Later, I went to church with my grandparents. Graciously picked up and dropped off by folks that had to drive a long way out of their way to get me and my younger brother. I learned a lot during this time....mostly what was right and what was wrong. I love these people dearly and deeply.
When I got married, Jim went to a different denomination, which was very difficult for me. It was very liturgical and (if you ask me) stoic. I complained, "I don't understand a word he's saying." We were in and out of church for a period of time for that reason and also, even though we were married, our daughter was conceived before wed-lock. We didn't feel accepted any longer.
Due to situations in life, we (willingly) ended back at my husbands home place and started attending a baptist church. We fit in until my formerly divorced husband was called by God to full time ministry. No matter how much Hebrew & Greek you try to teach someone, if someone has it in their mind that the KJV is the inspired word then you are sunk. We left.
It's hard to find a church.
The next church had a pastor who fed Jim's call.....with a carrot.....dangled on a stick.....just out of reach.
We pulled back and then Jim got his first official people call. Interim at a SBA. Well, we'll leave it at that.
When the body elected a pastor, Jim started Joshua House Baptist Church. We met at a local nursing home in the Alzheimer unit. We grew quite a bit...in number and in understanding.
I grew. It was during this time when I read through the bible for the first time. I found things in there that just didn't agree with things I've been taught for years and years.
It was then that God wanted to move us into our own building. Guess what? He gave us a build. You read that right. He GAVE us a building. It was a mission with out a leader. The board was weary from carrying the burden.
We started with status quo mentality. But God didn't leave us there. We began a journey into grace, into mercy and into love.
There have been events over the course of the last week that have really called my attentions to where we were and where we are now.
I think all Christians can say that they believe obeying God's commands are essential for a fulfilled life. I agree. But Jesus says that Loving God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength is the most important commandment AND to love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments all others hinge.
People ask me how I can be so unconcerned with this or that or why situations don't bother me. I believe I can honestly answer that by saying, believing and living: "If I compare all the wrongs I've done to God which are numerous and grievous, then the small offenses against me are insignificant."
My standard is not what others have done, but what Jesus has done. While being murdered on the cross for my sin he prayed, "Forgive...".
God's grace is forgiveness extended to me, not because I deserve it, but because he loves me. How can I not help but love those he loved.
I pray daily that this grace grows in my heart. That I may touch others with a love so deep that it changes a person's very breath. That people wouldn't even see me, but the Jesus that loves me, the Jesus that loves them. I wonder if that what Paul meant when he said he died daily.
These thoughts are so different than what they were 15 years ago. I concerned myself with doing the right thing and making sure that others in my path were doing the right thing. I didn't do a very good job at it, but after all, the Holy Spirit does a much better job at conviction than I do.
Maybe you can identify. Maybe you get discouraged trying to keep up with the "good christians". Maybe you feel dissatisfied with teachings that only about going to Heaven. Jesus came, lived and died so that you could have life and have it more abundantly. Keep pressing, keep praying and keep reading your bible.
Love and peace to you in Jesus.
The next memory I have is a Sunday School class at that same church. The teacher talked about how scarred hands help us. At the time my mother still had her garden. Her hands were rough but gentle. I will always equate my mother's hand with Jesus because of that.
Later, I went to church with my grandparents. Graciously picked up and dropped off by folks that had to drive a long way out of their way to get me and my younger brother. I learned a lot during this time....mostly what was right and what was wrong. I love these people dearly and deeply.
When I got married, Jim went to a different denomination, which was very difficult for me. It was very liturgical and (if you ask me) stoic. I complained, "I don't understand a word he's saying." We were in and out of church for a period of time for that reason and also, even though we were married, our daughter was conceived before wed-lock. We didn't feel accepted any longer.
Due to situations in life, we (willingly) ended back at my husbands home place and started attending a baptist church. We fit in until my formerly divorced husband was called by God to full time ministry. No matter how much Hebrew & Greek you try to teach someone, if someone has it in their mind that the KJV is the inspired word then you are sunk. We left.
It's hard to find a church.
The next church had a pastor who fed Jim's call.....with a carrot.....dangled on a stick.....just out of reach.
We pulled back and then Jim got his first official people call. Interim at a SBA. Well, we'll leave it at that.
When the body elected a pastor, Jim started Joshua House Baptist Church. We met at a local nursing home in the Alzheimer unit. We grew quite a bit...in number and in understanding.
I grew. It was during this time when I read through the bible for the first time. I found things in there that just didn't agree with things I've been taught for years and years.
It was then that God wanted to move us into our own building. Guess what? He gave us a build. You read that right. He GAVE us a building. It was a mission with out a leader. The board was weary from carrying the burden.
We started with status quo mentality. But God didn't leave us there. We began a journey into grace, into mercy and into love.
There have been events over the course of the last week that have really called my attentions to where we were and where we are now.
I think all Christians can say that they believe obeying God's commands are essential for a fulfilled life. I agree. But Jesus says that Loving God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength is the most important commandment AND to love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments all others hinge.
People ask me how I can be so unconcerned with this or that or why situations don't bother me. I believe I can honestly answer that by saying, believing and living: "If I compare all the wrongs I've done to God which are numerous and grievous, then the small offenses against me are insignificant."
My standard is not what others have done, but what Jesus has done. While being murdered on the cross for my sin he prayed, "Forgive...".
God's grace is forgiveness extended to me, not because I deserve it, but because he loves me. How can I not help but love those he loved.
I pray daily that this grace grows in my heart. That I may touch others with a love so deep that it changes a person's very breath. That people wouldn't even see me, but the Jesus that loves me, the Jesus that loves them. I wonder if that what Paul meant when he said he died daily.
These thoughts are so different than what they were 15 years ago. I concerned myself with doing the right thing and making sure that others in my path were doing the right thing. I didn't do a very good job at it, but after all, the Holy Spirit does a much better job at conviction than I do.
Maybe you can identify. Maybe you get discouraged trying to keep up with the "good christians". Maybe you feel dissatisfied with teachings that only about going to Heaven. Jesus came, lived and died so that you could have life and have it more abundantly. Keep pressing, keep praying and keep reading your bible.
Love and peace to you in Jesus.
Tuesday, May 01, 2012
Cowgirl UP!
There were words I never heard in my house growing up and if I did, they were squashed in an instant. Those words were "It isn't fair." Honestly, life isn't about fair. Whether it be good or bad life isn't fair. And Why is life only fair when everyone wins?
Job had every thing he owned taken from him through no fault of his own. Job's children were all killed by a storm that struck the house where they were holding a feast. Job was obviously distraught and questioning. His friends who came to console him were watching his pity party and had to have their say. Their say was: "you have some sin in your life". Job's answer was "I am a righteous man".
When everyone has taken their turn and God has heard enough he comes to Job. Here is the first thing God says to Job:
Job 38 Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said:
Ok, Wow!
First, it is very clear from the beginning of the book that Satan found Job and wanted to prove to God that his righteous servant wouldn't be so righteous if God lifted his protection from Job. But in the end, God has even power over Satan. He wouldn't have been allowed to reek havoc if he wasn't allowed. What happened to Job WAS GOD'S PLAN.
I've dealt with loss in my life. When the dust settles, this is what I hear. Patty, stand up and take it like a man (a woman). Who are you to question me?
I profess in good times that my God is in control, that he is all knowing and all powerful, but when I face a storm of life, I whine and forget my professions.
Lord, Direct my heart to always rely on your wisdom and not to my own - Not to go for the easy answers, but embrace the changes that you are trying to work in me. Let me rest in the fact that you are in control of all things good and bad in my life, that they are your plan and let me understand that you love me an will see me through it. Let me trust in that fact - in YOU.
Job had every thing he owned taken from him through no fault of his own. Job's children were all killed by a storm that struck the house where they were holding a feast. Job was obviously distraught and questioning. His friends who came to console him were watching his pity party and had to have their say. Their say was: "you have some sin in your life". Job's answer was "I am a righteous man".
When everyone has taken their turn and God has heard enough he comes to Job. Here is the first thing God says to Job:
Job 38 Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said:
2 “Who is this that obscures my plans
with words without knowledge?
3 Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.
with words without knowledge?
3 Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.
Ok, Wow!
First, it is very clear from the beginning of the book that Satan found Job and wanted to prove to God that his righteous servant wouldn't be so righteous if God lifted his protection from Job. But in the end, God has even power over Satan. He wouldn't have been allowed to reek havoc if he wasn't allowed. What happened to Job WAS GOD'S PLAN.
I've dealt with loss in my life. When the dust settles, this is what I hear. Patty, stand up and take it like a man (a woman). Who are you to question me?
I profess in good times that my God is in control, that he is all knowing and all powerful, but when I face a storm of life, I whine and forget my professions.
Lord, Direct my heart to always rely on your wisdom and not to my own - Not to go for the easy answers, but embrace the changes that you are trying to work in me. Let me rest in the fact that you are in control of all things good and bad in my life, that they are your plan and let me understand that you love me an will see me through it. Let me trust in that fact - in YOU.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Elihu Speaks to Job
Right now we are reading in the book of Job. It is an arduous job. It's a lot like listening to a lot blow hards telling you how to live your life.
Job is pondering his life and all that has happened to him. He blames God and considers himself to be righteous. Job has listened to his friends tell him how he must have done something wrong or God wouldn't have taken everything he has; while Job defends his (self)righteousness.
The book is really fascinating and each time I read it I look at the overall differently. This time, I believe it is the postering of Job and his friends. The friends speaking for God and Job insisting that he is right. Kind of like today's time when we see someone in our sphere hurting.
Elihu is the last to speak because he is the youngest and wanted to respect his elders.
Elihu is angry and says so. Lots of times when we are angry we get puffed up or I should say, I get puffed up when I'm angry. Most of my anger stems from pride, but back to Elihu.....
He makes some good points. He says in Job 33:4-14 NIV1984
4 The Spirit of God had made me; the breath of the almighty gives me life. 5 Answer me then, if you can; prepare yourself and confront me. 6 I am just like you before God; I too have been taken from clay. 7 No fear of me should alarm you, nor should my hand be heavy upon you. 8 But you have said in my hearing-- I have heard the very words-- 9"I am pure and without sin; I am clean and free from guilt. 10 Yet God has found fault with me; he considers me his enemy. 11 He fastens my feet in shackles; he keeps close watch on all my paths." 12 But I tell you, in this you are not right, for God is greater than man. 13 Why do you complain to him that he answers none of man's words? 14 For God does speak -- now one way, now another -- though man may not perceive it.
Elihu (Anywho) goes on to make some other remarks that are....well, a little out of bounds, but hey, I've been there done that.
This is a very good point (after he put Job on the defensive).
What is he saying? Look, Job, you say that you have done no wrong and that God is unjust in what has happened. I'm saying consider that it is God who gave you everything, even the very breathe that you have. ( He later goes on to say that God gave you everything and made everything.) Who are you to correct God? Who are you to complain to God?
Isn't that the easy way out? Get mad at God. I've done it. I know others that have done it. To what end?
God is God. When you belong to God, you are his. He gave everything for you. If he tests you with the fire of life, you will not be burnt....you won't even smell like smoke. The answer is right there in Romans 8:28 &29.
Almost everyone can quote 8:28, but mostly stop there. PLEASE DON"T, the best is yet to come in 29.
Romans 8:28&29 (Patty paraphrase from memory)
For we know that all things work together for good to those that are called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he predestined to become CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF HIS SON.
The good is not for things to work out the way we want them. No that would be God building our kingdom. The good is to make us more like Christ. That, Dear Ones, is building God's kingdom.
Oh, how I love HIS WORD!
What do you think? Share with me.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
The Face Book Friend List and Statuses
How many of you use facebook? I use Facebook to keep up with friends, family, church members, etc. I've even reconnected with my best friend from high school. I keep a finger on what the youth in our church are up to in their lives. Let's face it, FB (facebook) is how this new generation is communicating.
Don't some of your friends annoy you on there? I have read and posted all kinds of statuses'. Game statuses, sad statuses, happy, excited, boring, stupid......there is no limit to what you will see online. If a person on my list raises my annoy factor to a point where I feel like I need to respond on their level there is a clever little button called "ignore". I've used it and it works.
The reason I write this blog is I have even had the blessing of reading the most rude status out of the thousands that I've read about 10 days ago. Why, you ask, do you say that a rude comment could be a blessing?
This particular person posted, and I quote: "just finished pruning her Friends list. If you're reading this, you made the cut. This time."
First of all this person puts on social airs. Secondly, she puts on spiritual airs. And thirdly, why do you have to announce your absolute disdain for people so openly.
You can de-freind all day long, it's fine, it's your right to do so. Then to follow up with a threat that you could be gone in future rounds? Hmmmm. Doesn't sound friendly or Christ-like. Actually sounds sick and self-centered.
On one hand, I'm sorry that I've let it bother me so much to the point that 10 days after the event that it's strong enough on my mind to blog about it. On the other hand, I'm glad that God let me experience it to grow from.
Jesus come unto me. Where ever He went crowds thronged around him. He was the life of the party (remember the Pharisees called him a glutton and a wine biber). And yet, we go to and fro and up and down the earth with the self imposed label of Christian and can't be bothered to be kind, and sweet and tenderhearted?
Words, spoken and written, have power. Power to hurt, heal, help, encourage, and love if we so choose them.
Papa, allow my words to honor everything that Your Son did in life, in death and in resurrection.
How many of you use facebook? I use Facebook to keep up with friends, family, church members, etc. I've even reconnected with my best friend from high school. I keep a finger on what the youth in our church are up to in their lives. Let's face it, FB (facebook) is how this new generation is communicating.
Don't some of your friends annoy you on there? I have read and posted all kinds of statuses'. Game statuses, sad statuses, happy, excited, boring, stupid......there is no limit to what you will see online. If a person on my list raises my annoy factor to a point where I feel like I need to respond on their level there is a clever little button called "ignore". I've used it and it works.
The reason I write this blog is I have even had the blessing of reading the most rude status out of the thousands that I've read about 10 days ago. Why, you ask, do you say that a rude comment could be a blessing?
This particular person posted, and I quote: "just finished pruning her Friends list. If you're reading this, you made the cut. This time."
First of all this person puts on social airs. Secondly, she puts on spiritual airs. And thirdly, why do you have to announce your absolute disdain for people so openly.
You can de-freind all day long, it's fine, it's your right to do so. Then to follow up with a threat that you could be gone in future rounds? Hmmmm. Doesn't sound friendly or Christ-like. Actually sounds sick and self-centered.
On one hand, I'm sorry that I've let it bother me so much to the point that 10 days after the event that it's strong enough on my mind to blog about it. On the other hand, I'm glad that God let me experience it to grow from.
Jesus come unto me. Where ever He went crowds thronged around him. He was the life of the party (remember the Pharisees called him a glutton and a wine biber). And yet, we go to and fro and up and down the earth with the self imposed label of Christian and can't be bothered to be kind, and sweet and tenderhearted?
Words, spoken and written, have power. Power to hurt, heal, help, encourage, and love if we so choose them.
Papa, allow my words to honor everything that Your Son did in life, in death and in resurrection.
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