A new day dawning.....

The sun comes up, its a new day dawning.....its time to sing your song again

Whatever may pass or whatever lies before me

Let me be singing when the evening comes

Bless the Lord O my soul

Worship His Holy name

Sing like never before

O my soul

I worship your Holy Name

Last week, I had the opportunity to be in my car car driving early enough in the morning to see an absolutely breathtaking sunrise.  I've been thinking about it for days!!  The variations in the oranges and pinks were blended so beautifully with the hints of white in the clouds and blues in the dawning sky.  All I could think of were the words to this song; It's a NEW day dawning.  A new day to begin again; to ask for forgiveness, to learn to love, to choose joy, to surrender.  To be more relaxed, to catch up, to be organized or to take time off.  Everything can begin again new and fresh.  Every day....

 This is a day that has never been before which means we have the choice to make it completely different than yesterday, last week or last year.  We have a beautiful new opportunity to change anything by changing our attitude but most importantly, to sing our song to the Lord no matter what our present circumstances.  Philippians 4:8 says Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable - if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise - dwell on these things.  We have such an opportunity to focus on the good in each and every circumstance that we find ourselves.  And each new dawn is a beautiful reminder that we can begin again!!  What is our song?  Thankfulness? Joy?  Bitterness or resentment? Hope?  My prayer today is that my song (and your song) would be one of thankfulness, humbleness and hope that God in all things will work for HIS good.  Not my good but HIS!!!

Our lives are a song with many notes and harmonies.  Think about it....sometimes your life is a quiet surrender like a peaceful stream and other times it is exciting and bursting with life life the waves slamming into the rocks by the sea and lets face it - many times we are just somewhere in between.  Sometimes those waves are the doubt, hurt and bitterness that you struggle with.  Can you hear the song?  Are you in tune or perhaps a bit sharp or flat?  I see the sharpness in our lives when we are hard, selfish and bitter; perhaps when we are unkind with those we come in contact with (family, friends or strangers).  Or are you feeling flat today?  A little deflated or detached from the world around you?  Not really motivated to "do" the life God has called you to - thinking you can just wait until tomorrow??  Or perhaps it's uncertainty of where God wants you to go.

Oh dear friends - may our lives be a song of beautiful melodies blended together seamlessly through the good times and the rough ones.  May we look at each and every day as a new opportunity to begin again with a clean slate full of the promise of that amazing sunrise.  Sing your song today wherever you are and whatever may come - let us be singing praise and thanksgiving when the evening comes.

Enough

Before you read this blog post - click on the link and listen to the song that inspired it!!

Christ is enough for me......

Christ is enough for me

Do you go through life thinking about the next big "thing".  That "thing" could really be a thing, a physical possession (house, car, newest gadget, vacation etc) or it could be your next accomplishment or goal or getting a relationship just right (spouse, kids etc).  How much of your  attention, focus and desire is on what you will get next?  I'm guilty of this many times but I'm beginning to realize that my human desires, my flesh will never be satisfied (hear me when I say - NEVER be satisfied and if we aren't fully satisfied we will still be thirsty)  There can never be enough accomplishments for me to feel like I've "made it" and none of those accomplishments will ever fill the hole in my soul that only Jesus Christ can fill.  Don't get me wrong - I'm not suggesting that we just lay down, curl up and wait for the end.  If you know me at all - you know that I believe God has made us to be wonderfully unique creations with BIG dreams and desires - but they MUST be of Him and for Him.  If I'm just working and working spinning my wheels in urgent running to accomplish something that I desire - it really is truly all for nothing.  But..... if ALL I want is ALL He wants, then I can strive and work in peace being already filled because Christ is enough.  Not the "thing" - I don't need that to be content and satisfied, I just need to be following Christ and letting Him handle all the big stuff.

I think it's interesting that when I pulled up this video there was nothing to see....I thought for a moment about finding another one that had words or pretty pictures but then I realized God gave me that blank screen to show me (again) that I don't need all that other stuff....I just need to allow the words to penetrate my heart and rest in Christ being totally and always sufficient and enough!!!

What if everything I thought was important in my life was gone....the "stuff" or more importantly and more traumatic the people I love.  I know I've written about this before but what if God had a valley for me to walk through where I lost someone before we were ready to say goodbye?  What if that were my spouse or child?  We don't want to think about that, but sometimes I do.  It's painful and frightening but if Christ really truly is enough I have to be willing to say even if I lost what was most precious to me - Christ would be enough.  Even if He was truly ALL I had in this life (and really He IS all we need).  Are you there or is there something or someone that you hold so closely that they are above your love for Christ and His sufficiency for you?

I'm adding another paragraph as I'm praying this morning for a dear woman who is struggling with health issues beyond what most of us can imagine and thinking of another dear friend who lost her battle with cancer.  What if what we "lost" was our health….what if we had to walk that very hard road of fighting a disease, praying for healing and waiting for a miracle?  What if that miracle in our life was to go home to be with the father as it was for my friend?  Would we, in the face of that, knowing we were leaving our children behind be willing to say, even then that Christ is enough?

2 Corinthian 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back

As you will probably find if you follow my blog - many of the posts come from a song.  I love to sing and God speaks to my heart through the words every time.  Worship through music is one of my very favorite places to just "be".....its in those times that I feel God speaking life into my heart and recreating or regenerating me as a follower of Christ.  I'm reminded so many times of why I'm here and what my purpose is.  Studying scripture is the only place I feel more connected with my source and center.   This phrase was interesting to me because I decided to follow Christ so many years ago but realized that this is really a recurring commitment.  There is no turing back but that decision often has to be made on a daily basis - not to let the cares and demands of the world we live in pull us away from our commitment and desire to follow Jesus.  So as I stood singing this Sunday - God allowed me to just stand before Him in all my selfishness and sinfulness and tell Him again that there is no turning back and no turning away.  My passion was renewed again to follow Him and bring glory to His name in all I say and do.

I wish I could say that's it and never have to revisit this commitment again because I'm going to do all the right things and live as He wants me to every moment of every day but I know better.   but I'm thankful that God is so merciful and loving that He welcomes that heartfelt and humble recommitment each and every time I've allowed the "stuff" of the world to creep in slowly and eat away at my resolve to be the devoted follower I want to be.

1 Peter 2:21 "For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps."

The Cross before me, the world behind me

If I'm totally transparent with both God, myself and you - I realize that there are times in my life when I want to just pretend that my eyes have not been opened to the opportunities available to follow and live in Christ through action and with purpose.  But here is what I know….no matter how "hard" I think it is to put one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward on this journey I know it is ALWAYS worth it.  On the other side or just over the hill He has asked me to climb is a beautiful view that I'm always overwhelmed and thankful for.  We never get to see that view if we are not willing to do the work of climbing up the steep incline by just putting one foot in front of the other.  My challenge to you is to keep walking and focus on what is ahead of you.  Don't worry about what is around the bend or over the hill.  Just trust that it WILL be worth it IF you are walking the path God has for you.  Don't kid yourself into believing that if you are not on HIS road that you will see the same "view"……if you are walking in your own strength and on your own path, the view and reward will leave you empty and wanting for more.

If I am moving toward the Cross and focusing on Jesus, the world and all its cares, hurts, struggles and pain can be behind me.  I've seen the quote so many times "don't look behind you - you are not going that way".  Why do we have such a hard time looking forward to what is ahead instead of reliving the things of our past.  I know I wrote a blog about this recently but I want to put a second challenge out in this blog.  Think about the things that will serve you well.  God creates us with this amazing brain that can move you closer toward the Cross or farther away depending on what we allow in our thoughts.  If you play the same tape over and over - you will get the same outcome.  If there is something in your life that you need to "move on" from - don't keep thinking about it!!!  Train your brain the think of something positive - focus on Jesus and not you and your circumstances, serve and love others and you will find yourself in a totally different place emotionally.

Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

Thankfulness

I Thesselonians 5:18 

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

You know, I absolutely knew that this would be the first verse that came up when I put a search in for thanks/thankful.  It was already in my head.  Isn't it hard sometimes to be thankful in ALL circumstances....really, God?  How can I be thankful in "this" you can fill in the blank.  Sometimes I just honestly don't want to be thankful; I want to have a pity party, quit and feel sorry for myself because things aren't going the way I want or someone isn't acting the way I want or something is happening in my life that I don't want.  Notice something about each of those statements?  They all include one ugly letter "I".  When I am dissatisfied or not thankful many times it is because I'm focusing on "I" and not "HIM".

Psalm 136:1 "give thanks to the Lord for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever"

So even in the midst of our emotional ups and downs, His steadfast love endures forever....I love that word steadfast when we think of God.  What a blessing to know that when we struggle with our emotions and feelings lead us to a place we don't really want to be - HE is the rock beneath us, our foundation to steady us and guide us back to Him; to His path, to His Word and His Way!!  You see these words over and over is scripture - HIS steadfast love endures forever.  His Truths are rock solid, immovable, unyielding to the world around us, so take a minute - have a cry, take a few deep breaths but always, always always come back to His word for guidance.  I'm not a bible scholar but I just don't think there is a place in His Word that says we feel sorry for ourselves, hide from the world, talk about "it" or think about "it" (whatever "it" is) over and over.  What works for me is seeking His Word first and allowing those truths to penetrate through my selfishness to allow me then seek His face in prayer and thanksgiving for ALL He has done.  Seeking His Word first, I believe allows us to pray in truth and not in our will or our desires clouded by our perceptions of what is going on in the world around us.  HE must be the steadfast anchor in our lives and that happens through allowing the Word to speak clearly to us!!

Philippians 4:6  "do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."

Praying with thanksgiving allows us to be open to whatever God has for us.  As we pray about everything with thankfulness - the outcome is less important than the prayers themselves.  Being thankful for the smallest and the biggest things helps us to let go of the control we want to have over so much of our lives.  What freedom there is in knowing we can be thankful about everything He has done and everything He will do.....sort of takes the load of our shoulders, right? If you are engaged in a difficult relationship - can you be thankful for the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus to that person.  If something didn't go the way you wanted - can you be thankful that you may have been protected or shielded from something God knew could happen?  If you just got a horrible diagnosis or lost someone you love - can you be thankful for the time together, thankful for the memories, thankful that you have God to lean on and thankful for the testimony you have to share with someone else who will desperately need you?  I'm not saying it's easy and I don't want to sound like a pollyanna - it's gut wrenching sometimes, heart breaking to walk that uneven road filled with potholes and mountains to climb.  His word says not to be anxious about anything and in everything by prayer, supplication and with thanksgiving - that doesn't leave anything out, does it??  Not a thing......so go, walk in His peace.  Not silly happy everything is wonderful peace but the peace of knowing He is steadfast and we can be thankful in Him for EVERYTHING!!

THRIVE

For those of you who follow me - I going to do a long(ish) play on the word THRIVE.  I've been thinking about the song Thrive by Casting Crowns for days and want so much to encourage us to thrive in everything we do.  One line of the of the song just keeps rolling around in my head over and over..

We know we were made for so much more than ordinary lives
Its time for us to more than just survive
We were made to thrive

I've talked to two people in the past two days that when we talked about their "dream" for their lives…what they really had a driving passion and desire to do…. were unsure about what that looked like in their lives.  What I'm realizing is that so many people in our culture are just trying to make it to the next day, the weekend or next month that they don't have a vision of what they really want their life to look like.  We are running on that hamster wheel trying to stay just ahead of drowning in the urgent or mundane of life.  Take your pick - they are equally devastating to our souls.

We were made for more that just surviving - like the song says.   God created us as magnificent and unique masterpieces of HIS design to do the work (live the life) that HE has set before us; actually planned for us before we were even here!!

"for we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."  Ephesians 2:10

If we are indeed His workmanship, how can we think of ourselves as anything less that amazing and magnificent workmanship.  God is the master creator, architect and builder of the universe and we are part of that Master Design!!

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.  I came that they might have life and have it abundantly"  John 10:10

Jesus Christ came that we might have life AND have it abundantly.  Big, overflowing, exciting, peaceful, serving life that is so far beyond "us" that we know it can only come from God!!!!  What is your burning passion, what would you do if you could do ANYTHING?  I challenge you to take some time to be quiet and think about that question - think about the "anything" that God planted in your heart from the very beginning.  Who did God create you to be?  What is your purpose?  What is your passion. If we are going to T.H.R.I.V.E. - we need to figure that out first, then the question is…."what will you do with that purpose, how will you weave that into your life everyday?"

More to come on how to live a life that thrives……check out the song below!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQ71RWJhS_M

the past, forgiveness and a roller bag

"we all wish that we could change our past"

I heard this line of a song recently and it got me to thinking…..I had my own thoughts but of course headed to the Bible for the real truth.  I'm always thrilled to see what God has to say about what I think.  Sometimes I'm spot on and others I get a little "talking to".

My first thoughts on this subject were that perhaps we should not want to change our past but embrace the learning experiences that we've had.  Some very painful and difficult and others just circumstances we'd like to forget.  Maybe because we did something or said something we wish desperately that we could take back.  I've always been a fairly analytical person who looks at each life experience through what I hope are the glasses of personal responsibility and learning.  There are very few things that I do not eventually break down and put back together to see what I might have done differently and what I can learn or change going forward.  Often times, it takes a bit of work to get there but in the end I want to come to a conclusion and move forward in a way that glorifies the Lord and is beneficial for me and those around me.  Because of that, I personally don't carry around a big weight of the "past".

I do recognize, however that I have been given a gift from the Lord to maybe not take things quite as personally as others.  So, while my initial thoughts on this one line in a song swirled around in my own head based on my own personal tendencies, The Lord quickly brought me to a place of empathy for those who still carry those experiences and feelings in a very heavy bag often weighing them down and exhausting their emotions and energy.  It makes me think of a trip taken with a friend.  We were flying and I do NOT like to carry anything heavy through the airport.  I prefer a small rolling bag that I can simply pull behind me.  It takes less energy, which for me makes the journey more enjoyable.  I get tired and grumpy if I'm lugging some big heavy thing that pulls on my shoulder….it's harder to have a lift in my step or smile at those around me.  She on the other hand, had a bag full and heavy that had to be carried on her shoulder.  Here is the beautiful thing that happened and a great word picture for being a friend and helping someone with their burden.  We stopped and I had her put that heavy bag on top of my rolling case.  Guess what happened??  It was only slightly harder to pull that rolling suitcase and we shared the job as we traveled to our gate.  Lesson here?  If your load is lighter and you have the capacity - take the weight of someone else's burden and walk beside them.  If they are carrying that big heavy weight from their past - offer to help walk them through it as someone who doesn't have the emotional connection.  Help them to break apart the emotions and see what can be learned so that moving forward that experience can be something that will strengthen them.  The other thing this can do is to bring that experience in to the light so that it can be seen clearly for what it is.  Sometimes, I will admit there is a tragedy I cannot begin in any way to understand but many times these heavy burdens can be viewed in a  different light (the Light of the Word) and turned into something that can be helpful and even positive in a persons life.

It is amazingly hard sometimes to work through this stuff and that is honestly another post all together but let me say this - we have to be willing to be vulnerable and tell others what we need and how we feel.  There is nothing that can be accomplished by pretending everything is OK while walking though life with that overstuffed bag on your shoulders.  This process is often painful and scary but so worth it in the end.

Jesus is so gentle to the hurting and so forgiving of our sins (even the ones we don't think we have).  Luke 7: 36-50 tells us about woman of the city, who was a sinner came to Jesus with an alabaster flask of ointment.  she wet his feet with her tears, washed them with her hair and put the ointment on his feet.  Those around him were outraged - surely if he were truly a prophet, he would know what kind of woman this was???  He proceeded to tell a parable of a moneylender and two debtors…..moral of the story?  The greater the sin or the weight of your bag - the more overwhelmed you will be by the freedom we have in Christ.  Verse 47 and 48 say "Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven - for she loved much.  Be he who is forgiven little, loves little.  And he said to her "Yours sins are forgiven.  Finally v 50 "and he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

Your faith has saved you, now go in peace - words not just for this woman in the Bible but for us.  It is time to recognize that the Lord has forgiven your sins, my sins, our sins by sending Jesus to that cross.  We have no business carrying around the heavy bags that HE came to take.  Can you imagine Jesus standing in front of you with his hands outstretched to take that bag and you holding on to it?  What a slap in the face, right?  I cannot imagine anyone would just say "no, I'm more qualified to hang on to this bag of junk….I appreciate your offer but I've got this".   No way, not gonna happen!!!  But here is the crazy thing - we do it all the time.

If you are a born again follower of Christ - these truths are yours to stand on today as you begin the process of letting go, hopefully by analyzing and unpacking those bags in the Light of His Word.  Trust me on this - don't do it any other way.  Everything has to be viewed through the lens of scripture and personal responsibility.  I believe Scripture will always point us to our responsibility (we can't change others) by showing us our lives in relation to The Cross.  It would be easy to say - just put the bag at the foot of the cross, but here's the deal.  You will go back and get it if you don't unpack it and deal with it.

If you are unsure of your relationship with Christ or know you don't have one - don't you want to live in this freedom?  Don't you long for that one thing that will fill the void you feel in your heart?  Aren't you tired of searching for answers in the world and the "freedom" we are told it offers?   It doesn't - this worlds freedom will do nothing but add to the chains that already enslave you.  I've never done this in a blog post but if by some chance you are reading this and want to know more about that freedom - I invite you to let me know.  I would love to share more.

Take the time to view your past for what it is - a tapestry of experiences that has made you the person you are today.  Don't compare your journey to anyone else.  Rest in the freedom that Jesus Christ offers.  Rejoice in the unique person that God created you to be and go in peace!!

Psalm 32:1  Blessed is the one who's transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

Colossians 2:13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of our flesh, God made alive together with hi, having forgiven us all our trespasses

God's Timing

Trust that you are in just the place God has for you today.  We may not understand or desire the place we are in right now but God has a vision so much bigger than we can ever begin to understand.  He knows exactly what is going to happen in your life today.  As we walk our path, the one He has designed perfectly to fit our every need - we only need to focus on taking one step at a time.  Sometimes we are running up those steps and other times lingering slowly, perhaps to enjoy the view or to struggle through a situation that lies in front of us.

I have been reminded this week over and over that His ways are not my ways. In both my own personal life and circumstances of those around me - I see HIS hand at work, HIS timing being shown perfect.  Funny, how in the very center of life swirling around us it can be hard to see and focus and understand.  But in waiting patiently and not trying to "get it" or understand it all so many times you can look back and it becomes so clear how HIS hand was at work.

I'm sharing a bit of what I've been practicing this week.  Stop and pray for clarity - not that we have any right to ask God, He is the Creator of the Universe for heavens sake!!  But....I've found that in spending time being quiet and still and asking for wisdom and clarity - it becomes clear how HIS plan has been in place and working long, long before I could have ever imagined.  What a blessing to know that He can work in our circumstances literally years before we encounter something to put all the pieces in just the right place.  What total freedom to put our troubled hearts and mind at rest knowing He has ALL things in His hands and no amount of "working it" it going to be effective.  Personally, I've found that usually that is when I mess things up!!!  Look for His hand because we were created for HIS works, unique in our own path and loved so very much by our Father that He reveals one step at a time and asks only that we follow in obedience, faithfulness and love trusting that HE will guide us on a straight path and give us the very desires of our hearts.  Even if we don't fully know what those desires are.....HE has SO much more for us than we can comprehend.

Walk in peace, my friends!!


Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not lean on your own understanding.
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make straight your paths.  

Proverbs 3:5-6

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10

Consistency

Consistency is my word for 2014.  I don't do "resolutions" and have never had a word for the year so this should be interesting.  Especially when I look back over the infrequency of my posts since I've started this blog.  That is one glaring example of great intentions without consistent activity.  Great desires, thoughts and dreams but no action.  For all the "I want to do this", there has been very little of anything to show for it.  Why is this important?

Life has enough mountains and valleys all on it's own.  We only add to the height or depth of them by being inconsistent.  I can think of so many examples - let's start with one that everyone is thinking about right now.  Weight loss.  We decide we are going to start a "diet" or even a healthy eating lifestyle change and we do great for the first 3 or 4 days.  We might be eating better, cutting out the sweets and even adding in a little exercise.  We get on the scale and don't see any change (or very little change) and then get frustrated and eat a pizza or stop going to the gym.  Ask any gym owner and they will tell you that the first week or two are super busy but get to the end of the month and it's a ghost town again.  We want immediate results and it takes being consistent for long periods of time to yield real results.  Those pounds didn't jump on overnight and they aren't going to be chased away that quickly either.  This doesn't mean working out 3 hours a day or eating lettuce all day.  It means making smaller, more manageable changes that we can be consistent in and keep up for the long term.

What about work or a hobby that you want to start.  Maybe you want to learn how to sew, write a blog or improve your productivity at work.  Each one of these things require you to be consistent in learning each step of the way, building block by block and not expecting immediate results.  Just because you want to sew doesn't mean you sit down and sew a dress - you have to learn and that takes consistent time.  If you spend three hours on a Saturday on anything and then don't think about it again until a month later what do you do?  You start over!!  But if you worked 15 minutes a day, three days a week you would be building on your foundation.  Consistently learning and progressing much faster than doing ALOT and then nothing.  The stopping and starting are SO hard.  I'm in a sales type job that requires doing something every day that I see no immediate results for.  It's hard to keep doing the activities when you don't see the immediate results but there is no other way.

I think our spiritual lives are so similar.  We don't see the fruit from the seeds planted right away, but we still have to care for and consistently water those plants.  If we want to grow in the Lord, it must happen every day - not just on Sunday's and Wednesday's when we are in the church building and a quick 3 minute devotion every day so we can check it off our list.  And I'm not talking about joining another bible study or small group either.  I desperately need consistent time in the Word for God to grow love in me.  Love for Him, His Word and His world - without this love, I am nothing and I can do nothing.  How can I grow that love if I don't consistently spend time nurturing my understanding of Him and His lavish love for me?  Living water to pour over me and fill me to be used for His purpose.....quiet moments for Him to speak to me and for me to fully surrender everything to Him.  Let's talk about prayer time.  So many times I think it's daunting to think about setting aside a large chunk of time and we put it off, right?  Perhaps instead of being so concerned about doing it "just right" or for an extended period of time - we should stop right where we are and say those prayers.  There is a time and place for extended time on our knees but hear me when I tell you that an earnest prayer in your car reaches God too.  Don't eliminate those wonderful times of extended prayer but if you are struggling with this issue - start right where you are and begin a habit of consistent prayers throughout your day.  What a difference it will make and I'm absolutely sure this will help you with other prayer time!

Small consistent steps will yield results over time - in every area of our lives.  There may be several areas in your life that you desire change, I know there are in mine.  So make small manageable and bite-sized changes and make them consistent.  When those things become a habit, add something else.  I've been working consistently (big smiley face here) at this for the past few weeks and it feels good.  I have a better routine and I feel accomplished (which by the way makes you want to do just a little more).  Have I soared to great successes in any area yet?  Nope, but ask me again in a few months and I'm sure I'll be able to give you some solid examples of bigger changes.  Take the challenge - you will miss 100% of what you don't try for!!