"Among the participants in a recent study of identical twins, there was a pair of brothers in their 40's whose lives were quite opposite. One of them was a happily married lawyer with a flourishing practice. The other was a twice-divorced alcoholic who had gone from job to job all his life. The questionnaire they filled out asked, "What made you the way you are?" The researchers were astonished that these two men had written identical answers to that question: "My father's death when I was ten years old."
I was saddened when I read the above but not truly shocked. I think we all know the underlying truth here...it is clearly not what happens to us that makes us happy or unhappy.
It is how we react.
If my husband rejects an idea I have, I can choose to give up or look for alternative ways. If there's a problem in a relationship I am in, I can blame the other person and walk away or I can see it as a way to learn more about how to love and show compassion. I can allow the stress in my life to make me sick or I can use it to make me stronger and more dependent on God. My weakness can defeat me or it can make me wonderfully aware of God's strength.
Lord, help me choose the way I react today...
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
The Conductor
Why do we watch the conductor in music? To keep tempo, to see dynamics, for expression instructions...and the list goes on.
In a believers life, God is our conductor - He gives us our life's tempo, leads us in our expressions and dynamics. God is the source of life leading us through the troubled times, even putting down the baton and clapping out the tempo for the times when we can't see but maybe can hear. He conducts us through the dynamic ups and downs of life, celebrating with us when it is done correctly and working with us when it isn't quite right.
It's one thing to experience a piece of music being written in your own life, but it is something extraordinary to witness it in someone else's life - especially when it is one of your own children.
Two weeks ago, we invited some friends over to pray with us and our home to begin the new year. The Lord laid this heavy on my husbands heart, so he was following the Lord's prompting. I will blog more about what transpired that evening later, but I can tell you that it was the most incredible hour and a half prayer session that we have ever experienced.
My daughter began to weep as our friends prayed over her and her room. I believe this was the beginning of Victoria's score sheet.
Her demeanor changed - overnight.
There was something different in her eyes.
Then came Friday night Refuel - an extra worship service that our church has started doing once a month. I wasn't sure that we were going since my husband had been in TX for the last three days. He came home and announced that he did indeed want to go. I believe this angered Satan. Instantly, I began to get agitated at the smallest things. Then, when we told the kids what we had planned, Victoria got very upset. Satan was working hard to keep us from going. Once I finally received an attitude adjustment myself, we were ready to enter God's presence. Victoria's last words before we left the house were, "I don't want to go - it's nothing but singing and I can't sing. Why do I have to go?"
I hesitated going. I know she doesn't enjoy worship. She's deaf. She can hear the music but has no idea when to sing and when not to sing. She can read the words and tries to mouth them as she sees other peoples mouths moving, but that is the extent of her participation.
Then I felt the nudge - the Holy Spirit nudge. We had to go...we needed to go.
What awaited us? Two hours of the most incredible, candlelight worship experience I have had in quite a while. The freedom to worship as though you were the only person in the room. The presence of the Lord was so prevalent...so thick...so anointed. My 17 year old who played the guitar the entire time, even mentioned how strong God's presence was. He said, "I am physically, mentally exhausted but spiritually on top of the world!"
My daughter walked in the house and said, "Why do I feel this way?" When I tried to get her in touch with her feelings, all she could say was, "I think the Holy Spirit touched me. I feel different. I feel strange. Are they doing another service like that again? I want to go back!"
Oh.My.Stars!
I do believe I just witnessed the first notes being penned to her song...
In a believers life, God is our conductor - He gives us our life's tempo, leads us in our expressions and dynamics. God is the source of life leading us through the troubled times, even putting down the baton and clapping out the tempo for the times when we can't see but maybe can hear. He conducts us through the dynamic ups and downs of life, celebrating with us when it is done correctly and working with us when it isn't quite right.
It's one thing to experience a piece of music being written in your own life, but it is something extraordinary to witness it in someone else's life - especially when it is one of your own children.
Two weeks ago, we invited some friends over to pray with us and our home to begin the new year. The Lord laid this heavy on my husbands heart, so he was following the Lord's prompting. I will blog more about what transpired that evening later, but I can tell you that it was the most incredible hour and a half prayer session that we have ever experienced.
My daughter began to weep as our friends prayed over her and her room. I believe this was the beginning of Victoria's score sheet.
Her demeanor changed - overnight.
There was something different in her eyes.
Then came Friday night Refuel - an extra worship service that our church has started doing once a month. I wasn't sure that we were going since my husband had been in TX for the last three days. He came home and announced that he did indeed want to go. I believe this angered Satan. Instantly, I began to get agitated at the smallest things. Then, when we told the kids what we had planned, Victoria got very upset. Satan was working hard to keep us from going. Once I finally received an attitude adjustment myself, we were ready to enter God's presence. Victoria's last words before we left the house were, "I don't want to go - it's nothing but singing and I can't sing. Why do I have to go?"
I hesitated going. I know she doesn't enjoy worship. She's deaf. She can hear the music but has no idea when to sing and when not to sing. She can read the words and tries to mouth them as she sees other peoples mouths moving, but that is the extent of her participation.
Then I felt the nudge - the Holy Spirit nudge. We had to go...we needed to go.
What awaited us? Two hours of the most incredible, candlelight worship experience I have had in quite a while. The freedom to worship as though you were the only person in the room. The presence of the Lord was so prevalent...so thick...so anointed. My 17 year old who played the guitar the entire time, even mentioned how strong God's presence was. He said, "I am physically, mentally exhausted but spiritually on top of the world!"
My daughter walked in the house and said, "Why do I feel this way?" When I tried to get her in touch with her feelings, all she could say was, "I think the Holy Spirit touched me. I feel different. I feel strange. Are they doing another service like that again? I want to go back!"
Oh.My.Stars!
I do believe I just witnessed the first notes being penned to her song...
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
The Map Unfolded Today!
I am totally flabbergasted.
I just hung up with a friend, talking 90 miles an hour, in complete awe of how this day has turned out.
Mind-blowing. Jaw-dropping. Stupefying! (I love that word!)
Please forgive me, but I am going to have to be vague since the matter at hand is rather personal and private.
There was a chain of events that took place in our home last week that caused a ripple effect to transpire. My husband and I were at peace with the new decision (or so we thought) and were moving ahead with the only obvious answer at hand.
Unbeknownest to me, my husband began to feel uneasy about our decision and started praying that the Lord would open another door (this would have to be a miracle since there were no other avenues open last week). Well, it all unfolded today! When I sat down to read my devotion this morning, I was passionately moved. I knew of at least 4 people - including myself - who would benefit from the insightful words that Sarah Young penned, so I posted it on my blog. I finished my prayer time and went on with my day. it wasn't until after lunch that my whole world started in a head-throbbing, massive whirlwind!
After three hours of phone calls, emails and internet searching, the door was not only open but the road was completely paved!
I had tried on three different occasions to reach my husband to let him know what I was going through but was unsuccessful in reaching him at work. Although I was excited about what God had done, I had not realized to what extent He had been working. When I finally got a hold of Allen, I quickly told him about my unbelievable day and what direction our life was now taking! Much to my surprise, he was more than elated. He shared with me that this was a complete answer to prayer - something he had been praying about for days but never shared with me! Talk about confirmation - I feel so relieved and all giddy inside!
Then I received icing on the cake...when I sat down to write this blog, my previous blog popped up. I couldn't believe what I was reading again - it was my devotion from this morning:
"Let me prepare you for the day that stretches out before you. I know exactly what this day will contain, whereas you have only vague ideas about it. You would like to see a map, showing all the twists and turns of your journey....I will not show you what is on the road ahead, but I will thoroughly equip you for the journey."
I have never read the same devotion in the morning and again at night. It was amazing how the words that God spoke to me through my devotion this morning is exactly what happened to my day - He had it all planned out. He had the map and all I had to do was trust Him. WOW!
I can tell you that Satan is NOT happy with these results or my public declaration of God's all-powerful, mighty hand that completely orchestrated these events to HIS will. Right in the middle of typing this blog, I had to stop and pray and scream for Satan to flee in the name of Jesus! He began to put doubt in my mind that tomorrow these events will begin to crumble right before my eyes. It will not happen, Satan - my God is in complete control and you are completely powerless! So, hit the road Jack and don't come back!! Okay - I feel better :)
What an astonishing God we serve! Thank you is just not sufficient, Lord. Such a remedial, empty word for what You do for us.
You are truly indescribable!
I just hung up with a friend, talking 90 miles an hour, in complete awe of how this day has turned out.
Mind-blowing. Jaw-dropping. Stupefying! (I love that word!)
Please forgive me, but I am going to have to be vague since the matter at hand is rather personal and private.
There was a chain of events that took place in our home last week that caused a ripple effect to transpire. My husband and I were at peace with the new decision (or so we thought) and were moving ahead with the only obvious answer at hand.
Unbeknownest to me, my husband began to feel uneasy about our decision and started praying that the Lord would open another door (this would have to be a miracle since there were no other avenues open last week). Well, it all unfolded today! When I sat down to read my devotion this morning, I was passionately moved. I knew of at least 4 people - including myself - who would benefit from the insightful words that Sarah Young penned, so I posted it on my blog. I finished my prayer time and went on with my day. it wasn't until after lunch that my whole world started in a head-throbbing, massive whirlwind!
After three hours of phone calls, emails and internet searching, the door was not only open but the road was completely paved!
I had tried on three different occasions to reach my husband to let him know what I was going through but was unsuccessful in reaching him at work. Although I was excited about what God had done, I had not realized to what extent He had been working. When I finally got a hold of Allen, I quickly told him about my unbelievable day and what direction our life was now taking! Much to my surprise, he was more than elated. He shared with me that this was a complete answer to prayer - something he had been praying about for days but never shared with me! Talk about confirmation - I feel so relieved and all giddy inside!
Then I received icing on the cake...when I sat down to write this blog, my previous blog popped up. I couldn't believe what I was reading again - it was my devotion from this morning:
"Let me prepare you for the day that stretches out before you. I know exactly what this day will contain, whereas you have only vague ideas about it. You would like to see a map, showing all the twists and turns of your journey....I will not show you what is on the road ahead, but I will thoroughly equip you for the journey."
I have never read the same devotion in the morning and again at night. It was amazing how the words that God spoke to me through my devotion this morning is exactly what happened to my day - He had it all planned out. He had the map and all I had to do was trust Him. WOW!
I can tell you that Satan is NOT happy with these results or my public declaration of God's all-powerful, mighty hand that completely orchestrated these events to HIS will. Right in the middle of typing this blog, I had to stop and pray and scream for Satan to flee in the name of Jesus! He began to put doubt in my mind that tomorrow these events will begin to crumble right before my eyes. It will not happen, Satan - my God is in complete control and you are completely powerless! So, hit the road Jack and don't come back!! Okay - I feel better :)
What an astonishing God we serve! Thank you is just not sufficient, Lord. Such a remedial, empty word for what You do for us.You are truly indescribable!
A Map for Today
This is 100% copied from my devotion called Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. It is written in first person with God as the speaker and is just too good not to pass along...
"Let me prepare you for the day that stretches out before you. I know exactly what this day will contain, whereas you have only vague ideas about it. You would like to see a map, showing all the twists and turns of your journey. You'd feel more prepared if you could somehow visualize what is on the road ahead. However, there is a better way to be prepared for whatever you will encounter today: Spend quality time with Me.
I will not show you what is on the road ahead, but I will thoroughly equip you for the journey. My living Presence is your Companion each step of the way. Stay in continual communication with Me, whispering My Name whenever you need to redirect your thoughts. Thus, you can walk through this day with your focus on Me. My abiding Presence is the best road map available."
I pray this is just what you needed to hear today. I love the way God speaks right to my soul and knows exactly where I am - mentally and spiritually - every moment of each day.
"Let me prepare you for the day that stretches out before you. I know exactly what this day will contain, whereas you have only vague ideas about it. You would like to see a map, showing all the twists and turns of your journey. You'd feel more prepared if you could somehow visualize what is on the road ahead. However, there is a better way to be prepared for whatever you will encounter today: Spend quality time with Me.
I will not show you what is on the road ahead, but I will thoroughly equip you for the journey. My living Presence is your Companion each step of the way. Stay in continual communication with Me, whispering My Name whenever you need to redirect your thoughts. Thus, you can walk through this day with your focus on Me. My abiding Presence is the best road map available."
I pray this is just what you needed to hear today. I love the way God speaks right to my soul and knows exactly where I am - mentally and spiritually - every moment of each day.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Girlfriends in God
When bad things happen, we cry out in desperation for someone to care. A simple text message or a lengthy, alarming phone call. What we desire is to hear a compassionate voice on the other end of the phone.
I am reminded of the story of the little girl who was sent on an errand by her mother. When the girl was gone far too long, the mother demanded an explanation. The little girl said that on her way she had met a friend who was crying because she had broken her doll. "Oh," said the mother, "then you stopped to help her fix her doll?" "Oh, no!" replied the little girl. "I stopped to help her cry!"
Sometimes that's all we need. Someone to help us cry. We not only need God in the midst of a storm, we need each other.
If I know my friend is unable to speak because the words are blocked by the huge boulder of insurmountable salt water ready to burst through her sockets, my floodgate of tears immediately opens. I loose all control and begin to weep with her. More times than not, that's all she wanted.
Kindness. Compassion. Empathy.
Words that need to be practiced DAILY in our interactions with the people we meet - those special to us as well as complete strangers. A sweet word. A sincere hug. I gentle reminder that nothing surprises God and that He loves us beyond measure.
Kindness is simply compassion at work and love in action. I often wonder just how amazed we will be when we get to Heaven and find the unlikely, unknown but devoted servants of God exalted above all others - rewarded for their quiet and often unseen acts of kindness. Kindness does not look for reasons. Compassion doesn't ask for limitations - it searches for opportunity.
Paul writes that we must "prove" ourselves by being patient and kind. How we handle relationships exhibits the depth and validity of God's love at work in and through us.
As I posted on Facebook last week...I hate storms, but have finally come to terms with the fact that they are certain. So is God's deliverance. Sometimes He delivers us from the storm and other times He delivers us in the storm. Either way, God is with us.
I love the girlfriends in my life - I love the strength I draw from them, the compassion I receive from their words, the Biblical wisdom they instill in me and the accountability that is always there.
The next time you are at the other end of a heart-breaking phone call, remember to just stop and listen. Hear her heart and when the time is right, shower her with your golden nuggets of insight.
Or maybe...just cry with her.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
One Thousand Gifts
"As the moments slip down the hour glass of time, I am scratching down the gifts—just as they happen, as they arrive, as they are unwrapped—that He has given that make my life grace, the daily graces that He gives in an infinite number of ways, that stir me."I love reading her writing...and learning about the 1000 Gift List was just what we needed - another special moment for my kids and I to share together as we start our morning.
"I am seeing things I have never seen before, attuned and aware of this constant, endless stream of gifts from His hand. I am one waking from slumber….from the stupor of indifference and ignorance. I have sight, fresh and keen—the world is new and full of His gifts."
Ann Voskamp's website is my new passion. Her words drip off the page right into my soul and strike chords that only He knew existed. This complete stranger writes in such a way that I sit back in awe, wondering if she has been secretly living in a corner of my abode.
She reminds us that we often we "miss" Him...what He has created; what He has graced us with. Fulling seeing yet completely blind. The Gift List makes us aware of His love, His presence and His ability. It helps us acknowledge what He has showered us with and to pay attention to the little details of the world He has given us.
"We need to have everyday epiphanies everywhere." I love that. I think I will make that my statement and goal for 2011!
What are you thankful for? The sound of a windmill...the smell of fresh baked bread...the baby frog in your flowerbed...listening to your children laugh...cracking open a new book...your friend who always has a listening ear...just writing them down as they happen begins your gratitude journey.
Ann states that, "The Thousand Gifts list is about the gifts Abba gives His children every day… and, ultimately, about the very gift of self, life as we know it."
As I began to read further, I found this interesting conclusion:
Participants who kept a gratitude journal felt better about their lives as a whole and were more optimistic about the future. They reported feeling more joyful, enthusiastic, interested, attentive, energetic, excited, determined, and strong.
We have started our gratitude journey with The Thousand Gift List. Won't you start yours today? I believe it will change you forever...eternally.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
A Memorable December...
WOW!! It's been 14 days since I last wrote a blog! But what is so exciting is that I vowed to myself I wouldn't write a sentence in my blog during the holidays while all the grandparents were here and although it was difficult, I was able to be true to my word (it was just an internal vow, but I still felt good about not breaking my own promise!)Now that I am biting at the bit, I don't know where to begin :)
First and foremost, I can say that the family time we had together during December was amazing and much needed. Kyle (our 17 year old son) is usually at church, work or concurrent at school, so we get very little quality time with him. I always take three weeks off from schooling Adam and Victoria, so it was 100% playtime in our house! Here are some of the highlights of our three week sabbatical:
* 3-4 hours of game playing everyday (one day we spent 4 hours playing Monopoly!)
* Candlelight dinner together every evening till Christmas Day
* Watched movies that made us laugh and cry together
* Incredible brunch at Bellini's - highly recommend this restaurant!
* Shopped till our money was all gone :)
* We visited Walmart everyday for 8 days in a row - we're going to add this to our 12 days of Christmas for next year - haha!
* Awesome girl time while we all got new hairdo's!
* The men enjoyed two hours of listening to different muffler sounds on old trucks on YouTube - they laughed hysterically!
* Baked and baked and then ate enough sugar to last us all year long (although I did make a healthy honey apple pie and honey cinnamon rolls :)
* Reminisced at pictures taken during the 2010 year - amazed at how the kids have changed
* Met daddy for lunch while he was on his break at Iguana's - love their salsa!
* Experienced the Bricktown Water Taxi while it was 70 degrees and gorgeous - then treated everyone to Toby Keiths for dinner!
* Drove around town for two hours looking at Christmas lights at Chesapeake and gorgeous Nicholas Hills
* Stayed up until the wee morning hours just catching up on each others lives
* Slept in so late many mornings that we only had to eat two meals!!
* Scrolled through my Facebook to show everyone all my photo albums - we really did a lot in one year!
Most importantly, we talked, laughed, cried, talked, laughed and talked some more.
Everyone is gone now...including the two dogs we were pet sitting and the house is back in order. The amount of clutter and disarray from having eight people living in the same house for 14 days is incredible. Funny thing is, I wouldn't have changed a thing. I have learned to relax in the midst of chaos to enjoy what really matters - people not perfection.
I pray your holidays were festive and that you made memories that can be talked about for years and years to come.
Thanks for letting me share...it's been a joy :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)