Thoughts to Shift our Perspective

I enjoy quotes.  Words matter.  They inspire or tear down.  

- Be a thermostat and not a thermometer.
(a thermostat controls the temp - a thermometer reflects the temp around it)

- Blowing out someone else's candle doesn't make you shine any brighter.

- Courage does not mean that you are indifferent to or immune from the fear of doing so' it just means that you do it - scared!

- F alse
  E vidence
  A ppearing
  R eal

- How lucky I am to have something that makes saying good-bye so hard.  - Winnie-the-Pooh

- In adversity we must be alert, for God will find a way, somehow, to touch us.

- In God's eyes, no amount of "Christian service" can ever replace the simple and pure love we can offer Him as His children.  - Beverly LaHaye

- It's not important WHO you are, but WHOSE you are!

- It's not the years in your life that count, it's the life in your years.  - Abe Lincoln

- Seeds are miracles waiting to happen...

- "Sometimes you don't realize how much you have to share until you begin sharing." -Todd and Beth Whitaker (Teaching Matters)

- These hard places give us the gift of intimately knowing God in ways that would never be possible in our comfort zones.

- We're in the God zone when we're out of our comfort zone.

- You know, sometimes it is the artist's task to find out how much music you can still make with what you have left.

PAIN

- Pain closes the door of our heart.

  Fear clicks the deadbolt but;

  God's GRACE opens the door.

  ( Matthew 10:8 - ... Freely you have received, freely give.)

WEARY IN WELL-DOING

- Must I be giving and giving again?

  The weary wondering question came.

  "No," said the angel, piercing me through,

  "Just stop when the Lord stops giving to you."  -Anonymous

(Matt. 10:8... Freely you have received, freely give.)

Freed to be YOU

Is there a secret to being YOU???

We've all said and heard another say it too, "I like being with you, because I can be myself."

That was something I either said or thought of as I interacted with people.  It was something that either set me free or paralyzed me to be me.

A few questions/thoughts that I roll around are:
Being yourself, Is that always a good thing?? (Sometimes myself needs to be refined... it's not always a good thing to let loose :))
Can I be myself, even if I am misunderstood or not gotten?
Do I reject someone just because I can't be myself with them?

When we hinge 'being ourselves' with someone, then the people around us, control us...
But when we hinge our self on Someone, then we are controlled by a Force and Love greater than ourselves, and we can be our true self wherever we are.

Yes, there are people who we can relax with more than another.
Yes, there are people who we are more comfortable with and enjoy us.
Yes, there are people who 'get us' where another may miss us.

And THAT, is a gift!  I love being with people like that.

But that is not the case with all people and I don't think it's meant to be...

So, how can you can be you wherever you are?
What's the key??  Is there are key?
And why do I say, "secret"?

Because I believe it's in the quiet of our connection with Jesus that our selves are truly found and secured.  It's alone with God, that we find out who we truly are.

The secret to being YOU is secured in the secret places with God.

We are loved.
We are beautiful, created perfectly by God.

Sin has marred that perfect creation.  And we may feel like the daisy pictured below, missing petals, scarred among others who we think have it all together.
So, it is that when we are with Jesus, we re-member who we are.  We are put back-together.  We are put back together by the One who put us together.

Let's look at the life and story of Jesus...

The Son of God.  The Man who lived in perfection, created perfection.

He left perfection for brokenness and pain.

Why??  Why would anyone want to enter a world of pain and brokenness??

For YOU.  For ME.
To set us free from the bondage that grips our hearts.

His earthly story begins when He entered the womb of a virgin.  Mary.
His earthly story begins with the shame of a virgin bearing a child and is riddled with rejection, death, denial, and being misunderstood among the people who got Him, among the people who loved Him.  (It's easy to focus on the negative instead of the positive)

Yet, He didn't withhold Himself or love to anyone.  He gave in the midst of pain.  He loved in spite of the rejection.

We find Jesus, many times, being intentional in His time alone with His Heavenly Father.  I believe it was in those times alone that gave and kept His perspective and mission clear and He was reminded of Who He was. (if Jesus needed reminding... I believe the man of God needed it...)

It's not the absence of pain where we can be free to be, but it's in the middle of it and knowing Whose we are.
He did it for YOU.  for ME.
He knows and understands our pain and when we turn to Him He sets us free from the bondage and fear that grips our hearts, to set us FREE TO BE in spite of and in the midst of heartache and misunderstanding.

Jesus, is the component needed to be truly YOU!  Not the validation or lack thereof of people tangible.  It's so easy to wrap our identity in what people around us are saying or not saying because that's what we see and hear.

But it's by faith that we please God.  It's believing His Truth and going back to His Word when we need reassurance that we are love.
It's in Him that we remember who we are.  It's in Him that we are re-membered.
It's in Him that we remember our mission and gain eternal perspective.

Being rooted and grounded in His love, you can soar and grow to heights you aren't aware of.
Being rooted and grounded in His love, you are FREE TO BE YOU!
Ephesians 3:17-21

The Call to Be in the Midst of a Doing World

This corner of the world has been a bit silent...  Many things have been happening and schedules a bit turned around since the dismissal of school days to exchange with summer days.

Days of summer have given to grass cutting, husband home and so off we do this or that, biking, chicken coop shopping, tending flower gardens, birthdays, and more.

So, how does one BE in the midst of DOING???

Being vs. doing is a passion of mine because I believe it's a passion of God's.  It's a call from the heart of God and I have caught a glimpse of it, but when there are moments of so much to do and you're in the midst of raising a family, there is simply MUCH TO DO.
When you are given the strength of youth, now is the time of doing and there is MUCH TO DO.

So, how does one BE in the midst of doing?  What is God really calling us to?

I honestly can say, I haven't got it down pat.  I struggle with the reality of staying in the presence of God and working (doing, busy, even good things for God) at the same time...

What I do know is, the name for God that I had recently was I AM.

I AM.
Nothing more and nothing less.  God is who He is.  He needs nothing more to prove anything.

When Moses was to go to the children of Israel and say "The God of your fathers hath sent me to you,"  and he wondered what he should say when they asked what is His name.
God replied, "I AM THAT I AM."

He is and nothing more.  He is ever present in the midst of life and ever aware of us.

Maybe it's our heart's attitude... Is it feeling a need to perform or is it simply resting in the finished work of our Saviour and learning more of Him??

Jesus also says in Matthew 11:28 -  "Come unto me,... and I will give you rest."

Rest.  Rest from what??  Come...

Mary obviously found it as she sat at Jesus' feet.  Present.  Listening.  Engaged to the voice of the Master.
And I believe Martha could have been listening and present while serving the people there.  But she got caught up in the doing-serving instead of the being-serving.

So, how do we live engaged, present in the midst of our MUCH TO DO??

A few points that I have found that help me are:
Intentional living.  Aware of more than what we are doing and remembering Who we are serving. Making a conscious effort to focus on my Saviour, right in the middle of it all.  And to those of us who are introverts to different degrees, that is a bit harder to do, for we like quiet to process.  Jesus said, "My grace IS sufficient for thee,"

Abide in the Vine.  John 15.  Stay connected to Jesus.  His Written Word tells us about Him and brings a refocus to our perspective as we absorb and inhale His Truths.  His Truth sets us free as we believe it.

Jesus says in John 7:38, "He that believeth on Me, out of his belly shall FLOW rivers of living water."
Jesus is the Living Water, and when He is a part of our breath, He will flow out.  It simply is.  It will happen.

I don't believe that being is equivalent to doing nothing.

Being/be, in the Webster's dictionary means to live; to exist; to have a place or position.
Also, a bit of English, being verbs take the place of the action verb.  They connect the subject to the rest of the sentence.

And so, for us, being takes place of doing, doing and it's our connection to do life.
To be. To be present.  To live. Being connects us to Jesus.  It connects us to life.

And when we become doers we forget who we are and wrap our identity in our doing.
We are because Jesus is.  And I believe we must bask in His Presence and snatch those moments to refocus on Him, who loves us.

Ephesians 2:8-9, For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
not as a result of works, that no one should boast,

Am I rambling???  Perhaps. :)  But how does one describe or grasp this truth?

So don't forget to live today in the Presence of Jesus.  Inhale His Truths, absorbing them into your bloodstream, so they may flow out of you today.  Living Water - Jesus.

Be.
Be alive.  Be present.  Be real.  Be connected.
Be a be-doer. 

A bit from the prayer of Ephesians 3:14-21
... and that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fulness of God.

Be Still and Know

Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.  Psalm 46:10-11

Be still means to cease striving, to let go, relax.
It doesn't mean, do nothing.  It means stop working so hard at making life work.
Cease striving for perfectionism.  Let go of a standard or criteria to perform.  Relax.  Take a deep breath.  Let go...

Why??

To know God. To listen for His voice.  To know that He IS God.  He is capable.  He has your back.  His shoulders are big enough to shoulder your load.  He wants you.  Pursue Him and learn of His heart for you.
Relax.  Let go. Cease striving...

Let go of perfectionism to find His perfect love, grace, and rest.
Let go of a standard you place on yourself or you think others want to find His standard of grace is enough for this moment, this trial.
Let go of doing or performing for God and relax.  He wants you.  He wants you to find Him...

Let go of worry to rest in His care.
Let go of hate or bitterness to find His love and forgiveness.
Let go of performing to bask in His grace.
Let go of control to find that He is strong enough to take care of you.
Let go of criticism to hear His words...

Let go...
To find Him.

God wants to be and will be exalted and when we find Him, He is exalted. He is exalted among the people around you.

God is with us.  He is our stronghold.

He is in the boat with us in the midst of the storm.
He is holding our hand and guiding us.  Don't let go.
He is our stronghold.  A place to find refuge from the darts and daggers that come our way.  That want to hit the mark of our heart and lodge there.

Strongholds were a place built for a group of people to be out of danger's way.  So the darts of the enemy could not pierce them.  They were built to be strong, to endure attacks.  Human strongholds didn't always last or hold up, but our Stronghold will.  God will endure the storm, so hide in the shadow of the Almighty; for you will find that you will make it.  You will endure, because He endures.  You will be safe.  Not that life will now be easy or comfortable, but when I think of safe, I think of a place where I can relax and take a deep breath.

Relax, because I know He is trustworthy.  Relax, because I know in whom I have believed, has a heart that is good towards me.  Relax from perfectionism because His love is not based on my performance, but on His heart of love; which neither success or failure will alter.  Relax, because I am important to Him.

Be still.
Cease striving.  Let go.  Relax.  To find His hand.  To find a place of safety from all that threatens to overwhelm our soul.

To hear His voice.  To hear His words above the words that pound our minds and hearts.  His words whisper and bring peace.  His words calm the overwhelmed soul and soothe the troubled heart.

Listen.  Let go.  Relax.  Be still and know God.

Failure...Is Not the Final Voice

Failure haunts us around every corner.  We experience it.  We hear it.  It breathes down our necks as we dare to step out.
Others let us know when we fall short...  We tell ourselves... and most of all, we let it define us.

Failure was knocking at my door and in that moment I wanted to give in to it.  to quit. to give up.  CONDEMNATION was speaking rather loudly!
But then... another knock sounded and i cracked open the door.  What if it was one of your boys?  What would you say to them?
       -get up.  try again.  it's not the end of the world.
Hmmm... So why am I having a hard time believing those same words of advice for myself?  Why do I look at failure as a bad thing for myself??

I asked God, "How do You view failure or when we mess up?"

This was the reply that softly filled my thoughts...
       Adam and Eve...
they messed up.  They took of the fruit, while full well knowing they weren't supposed to.  They knew immediately that what they did was WRONG.
(can anyone relate?  I can.)

So they did what I so quickly and easily do... hide.  They went and hid themselves.  They felt the shame and condemnation of having known better and yet choosing otherwise.

What did God do??  Did He let them go?  No.  He pursued them.  He waited until evening and asked them what they did?
He engaged with them, He continued to love them.  Yes, His heart was grieved.  Disobedience was given consequence.  But He LOVED them, still!  GOD DID NOT ABANDON THEM!  And HE WON'T YOU either!
He loved them enough that He planned a redemption plan.  One that cost a lot.  It cost Him His all.  Jesus!  (Do I love like that?)
Their failure was not the end of the world for God.  And it isn't the end for you or me, either.
Yes, His heart longs for more for us.  Yes, He loves us still.  But most of all He wants us to repent.  To turn our hearts toward Him for His redemption plan.

There are no if-onlys in the Bible.
If-only Adam and Eve had not eaten the fruit...
If-only they would have listened...
If-only... if-only...
then I (God) wouldn't have had to send Jesus to die for your mistake...
The if-onlys that ring loudly in our ears are not there...

Redemption is.  God's love continues on..

Failure is NOT the end of the world.  Redemption is.  LOVE. IS.

So pick up your head.  Look to the Saviour.  Rest in His embrace of love.  Acknowledge your mistake... It does NOT define you.

God's Greater Truth does.  And that Truth is...
       You are precious.  Precious enough that He gave His all.  His very life for our mistakes.
        Thank Him by choosing His redemption plan.  Love Him back.

Again.  FAILURE IS NOT THE END OF THE WORLD.

Redemption is.

In all the mess-ups and failures recorded in the Bible, there was no condemnation, unless the individual refused to repent.
Jesus always invited or called the individual to repentance with questions.  He did not cover over the wrong-doing.  He spoke into it, but never condemned.

That came after the individual's choice to walk away from His redemption.

Go.  And sin no more.  Neither do I condemn you... were Jesus' words to the adulteress woman.  They are ours, too, when we choose to look to the Redeemer for salvation.

She received grace.

The Pharisees felt the condemnation.  Jesus never spoke the words. But it is there for the unrepentant.

Grace is given to the one who leans into God's redemption for the mistake.

So, the next time condemnation knocks at the door.  Answer it fair and square by taking it the Father and hearing His words of Truth.  The Greater Truth that needs and must trump the truth of the failure...

AGAIN... Failure IS NOT  the end of the world.  Redemption is!!!
(something that must be breathed into this soul of mine.  absorbed.  inhaled)

Repent and believe!  Believe Jesus' Greater Truth.