Matthew 11: 28/30
28:Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. (I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls).
29: Take my yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.
30: For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good - not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.
In studying a study of Hebrews today, I remembered something from 15 years ago when studying this whole Yoke and rest thing. From there I began to see that whole journey thing in another way. A new way! I want to share this with you, and pray it opens up some new vistas for you as well.
Years ago we learned about the yoke of oxen. There is always two at the head of the group. Of that two we have one who is the lead, most experienced Oxen. The study back then illustrated how the lead oxen is Jesus and we can rest in that co-pilot position. Jesus faces ALL of our life's events with us. As I had pointed out once before in Deut. 31: 8 - He goes before us and He marches with us on every road of our map. We do not have to fear failure, being forsaked, or abandoned.
As I visualized being in that safe yoked place with my high priest, lead oxen who knows the way and knows what we face at all times, I saw my eyes closed. I chuckled. How typical for me. When things are going to fast, and are too scary I close my eyes.
I remember a trip through downtown Chicago with John. I sat on the floor, eyes shut.
If we TRUST God, have FAITH in God, BELIEVE in His safety and outcome; then should we not keep our eyes open?
KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE! JESUS CHRIST!
And, that my friends is the truth about coming to Him when you are heavy laden. He will face all that gives us labor and fears. Let us then, keep our eyes open to SEE how He works it all out. He will probably get on a road less traveled. But, no matter if it is the one most traveled, He still takes us there in victory. We win, the enemy losses.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Sunday, September 25, 2011
LETTING THEM SWIM TO YOU!
As I thought about what I wanted or needed to share with you today, I have to share something I heard today.
Visualize sitting in a boat out in deep waters. Why you ask? I have to agree with Pastor Stuart that sometimes we look for deeper waters in our spiritual life. A new book, music concerts, special targeted workshops, anything to spruce up our own spiritual level. So, what if we see someone on the shore that needs to hear about Jesus and they are waving at you. What do we normally do? We wave back and bid them to swim out to us. Think about that a minute.
Putting my own spin on this today - because it is very convicting to acknowledge that we can miss an opportunity to share our God with others, so easily.
I don't know about you, but the older I get, the more I am likely to say, "Hey, come on out, the water is great, I have plenty of snacks, and the sun is so much warmer here out of the wind." The more it is convenient, the better. Geesh! Shame on me, or any of us that take the easy way out to share our Lord with those who need Him most.
My prayer for each one of us is that we ask God to help us become bold and unafraid. Remember, when we put on the armor of God, we need to have the shoes of "being prompt and ready" to do whatever brings glory and honor to Him. We have the authority, He never wastes anything. HE NEVER WASTES ANYTHING!
So, no matter how you think you bungled it, you didn't. He turns everything we intend for good to His good.
SIDEBAR: Along with this theme, I want us to remember the widows of this world. When my cousin's wife, Nancy was here Monday, we had a moment on the 2nd floor of the ACD Museum. It reminded me of the time when Cheryl Sheeler, ten years ago, said - "Shirley, we need to talk about our husbands. It is a healing thing to be able to do that. No one seems to want to do that with us!" Nancy verified that she can talk with a group who has lost their husband, but not when you are with couples. Another thing that says, "Hey come on out, swim out to me and let's talk." My commitment then became to write to her and I asked a page full of questions about my cousin Denny. I promised to call and let her talk about him as I need to know more about him too. It is that whole thing about, we don't want to make them cry or feel bad. I want to commit to being more real, more ready, more prompt about others. It is easy to do that in the counseling office, but what about outside?
Who needs you today to talk to them?
Let's be prompt and ready to serve God.
Visualize sitting in a boat out in deep waters. Why you ask? I have to agree with Pastor Stuart that sometimes we look for deeper waters in our spiritual life. A new book, music concerts, special targeted workshops, anything to spruce up our own spiritual level. So, what if we see someone on the shore that needs to hear about Jesus and they are waving at you. What do we normally do? We wave back and bid them to swim out to us. Think about that a minute.
Putting my own spin on this today - because it is very convicting to acknowledge that we can miss an opportunity to share our God with others, so easily.
I don't know about you, but the older I get, the more I am likely to say, "Hey, come on out, the water is great, I have plenty of snacks, and the sun is so much warmer here out of the wind." The more it is convenient, the better. Geesh! Shame on me, or any of us that take the easy way out to share our Lord with those who need Him most.
My prayer for each one of us is that we ask God to help us become bold and unafraid. Remember, when we put on the armor of God, we need to have the shoes of "being prompt and ready" to do whatever brings glory and honor to Him. We have the authority, He never wastes anything. HE NEVER WASTES ANYTHING!
So, no matter how you think you bungled it, you didn't. He turns everything we intend for good to His good.
SIDEBAR: Along with this theme, I want us to remember the widows of this world. When my cousin's wife, Nancy was here Monday, we had a moment on the 2nd floor of the ACD Museum. It reminded me of the time when Cheryl Sheeler, ten years ago, said - "Shirley, we need to talk about our husbands. It is a healing thing to be able to do that. No one seems to want to do that with us!" Nancy verified that she can talk with a group who has lost their husband, but not when you are with couples. Another thing that says, "Hey come on out, swim out to me and let's talk." My commitment then became to write to her and I asked a page full of questions about my cousin Denny. I promised to call and let her talk about him as I need to know more about him too. It is that whole thing about, we don't want to make them cry or feel bad. I want to commit to being more real, more ready, more prompt about others. It is easy to do that in the counseling office, but what about outside?
Who needs you today to talk to them?
Let's be prompt and ready to serve God.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
A FALL NOTE!
Just a few days away and it becomes a new season. One of my favorite. I think it is the way the sun falls to earth. Its almost like its sleepy. Muted and hazy like colors make you just want to sit in the grass. The sun hits our water on the pond differently. I have tried often to capture it on film. It is impossible. I promised one year to put this gorgeous fall picture of the sun on the lake, glistening and glittery so I could see it in January with snow and ice everywhere. (It doesn't help on those days - by the way) There are different smells too!
You swear someone is burning leaves, but it can't be time yet! Fall has a softer gentler touch. If I didn't know better I would say Fall is trying to soften the harsh winter that is, or could be lurking just weeks away. I don't enjoy the sweeping or blowing of leaves so much. They all congregate at my front door. I have to check the front door every time a client comes, because they really pile up there. But, it is no matter how you put it, a very beautiful time. I have hundreds of pictures of the same date, different year and how the trees turn early or late. We have an Ash tree that we have saved. I am going to take a battery of pictures this year, because it won't be long and that tree will have to come down. It has been there 41 years. Dan Pfister keeps belting the top part together where it is splitting and John has kept the ash- boror away several times. I always know when it is October 16th - The Ash tree is completely gone - announcing winter is on its way. Last year it was two weeks behind.
All of that to say - seasons are for our enjoyment. Seasons of our lives are for our enjoyment. Contentment reigns when we are 12 and enjoying the fun of throwing leaves and fall parties. Or when we are 35 and living each day to its honor as before God. The age of 60 wasn't even to bad. But, I have got to say, I am actively looking for the tarnish remover in my 70's. It is a time we all have to make a decision, even though we see the finish line coming up, we need to live each day all to the glory of the Lord.
I do give Him the glory too, when I realize that my cousin Denny's wife, Nancy will be visiting in my home Monday. Denny died of brain cancer last year. I did get to visit with he and Nancy at their beach home near Manizita Way, Oregon. The picture as I stated was my crown and glory. Its just a thousand feet from where they live. I would never have believed you - had you told me she would be coming east and in my living room this coming Monday. Now all I have to do is start praying about God's intervention to bring Denny's sister Gwen, and her husband Doug out here. That would be another major miracle. It is these kinds of things that propel us forward in each season of our lives. Find it, it is there.
Eph 4: 21/24
You swear someone is burning leaves, but it can't be time yet! Fall has a softer gentler touch. If I didn't know better I would say Fall is trying to soften the harsh winter that is, or could be lurking just weeks away. I don't enjoy the sweeping or blowing of leaves so much. They all congregate at my front door. I have to check the front door every time a client comes, because they really pile up there. But, it is no matter how you put it, a very beautiful time. I have hundreds of pictures of the same date, different year and how the trees turn early or late. We have an Ash tree that we have saved. I am going to take a battery of pictures this year, because it won't be long and that tree will have to come down. It has been there 41 years. Dan Pfister keeps belting the top part together where it is splitting and John has kept the ash- boror away several times. I always know when it is October 16th - The Ash tree is completely gone - announcing winter is on its way. Last year it was two weeks behind.
All of that to say - seasons are for our enjoyment. Seasons of our lives are for our enjoyment. Contentment reigns when we are 12 and enjoying the fun of throwing leaves and fall parties. Or when we are 35 and living each day to its honor as before God. The age of 60 wasn't even to bad. But, I have got to say, I am actively looking for the tarnish remover in my 70's. It is a time we all have to make a decision, even though we see the finish line coming up, we need to live each day all to the glory of the Lord.
I do give Him the glory too, when I realize that my cousin Denny's wife, Nancy will be visiting in my home Monday. Denny died of brain cancer last year. I did get to visit with he and Nancy at their beach home near Manizita Way, Oregon. The picture as I stated was my crown and glory. Its just a thousand feet from where they live. I would never have believed you - had you told me she would be coming east and in my living room this coming Monday. Now all I have to do is start praying about God's intervention to bring Denny's sister Gwen, and her husband Doug out here. That would be another major miracle. It is these kinds of things that propel us forward in each season of our lives. Find it, it is there.
Eph 4: 21/24
Saturday, September 10, 2011
WHAT DELUSIONS DO YOU SUPPORT?
Ephesians 4: 21/24
Did I get your attention with that one? The older I get the more I wonder about that question. I listen to people every day and learn how easy it is to get side-tracked and going down the wrong track. Let me support that by showing you God's Word!
Vs 21:
Amplified version
Assuming that you have really heard Him and been taught by Him, as all truth is in Jesus (embodied and personified in Him),
VS 22:
Strip yourselves of your former nature (put off and discard your old unrenewed self) which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from D E L U S I O N;
VS 23:
AND BE CONSTANTLY RENEWED IN THE SPIRIT OF YOUR MIND (HAVING A FRESH MENTAL AND SPIRITUAL ATTITUDE!)
VS 24:
And put on the nature (the regenerate self) created in God's image, God like) in true righteousness and holiness.
I had originally thought I would entitle this - "Let us have a good old-fashioned Strip Party!" But I knew you would freak out, or some of you anyway.
From our previous look at the Armor of God, the Authority of God and claiming that authority, here is our really huge and difficult reality. Let us NOT be held hostage to delusions. I was impressed here by the word because I suddenly saw things differently then before. Delusions come in all sizes and flavors. Delusions come through how we see someone, reacting to a comment they made, getting offended, and or seeing something and acting upon it. It is so multi-performance it took my breath away. But, if we put on the armor of God, if we renew our mind each day, and stay obedient to taking off anything that can possibly contaminate us; think about it! Life would be so much easier then it is. It wouldn't be perfect, because we aren't ever going to be perfect, however signing up for being more like Him every day would help.
Proverbs 1: 7
"The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning and the principal and choice part of knowledge (its starting point and its essence); but fools despise skillful instruction and discipline."
It is the most important thing we do every morning. We wake up and we have a choice. To get up to the tomb or to the resurrection. The resurrection being our first choice brings on the responsibility of asking God to help us be a blessing today. To think only His thoughts, to give glory and honor to Him through our actions and thoughts. It is huge. It is something to pray about each and every morning. "Help me Lord take captive all thoughts, all delusions. Bring me only truth. Show me how to live each day resembling You."
Did I get your attention with that one? The older I get the more I wonder about that question. I listen to people every day and learn how easy it is to get side-tracked and going down the wrong track. Let me support that by showing you God's Word!
Vs 21:
Amplified version
Assuming that you have really heard Him and been taught by Him, as all truth is in Jesus (embodied and personified in Him),
VS 22:
Strip yourselves of your former nature (put off and discard your old unrenewed self) which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from D E L U S I O N;
VS 23:
AND BE CONSTANTLY RENEWED IN THE SPIRIT OF YOUR MIND (HAVING A FRESH MENTAL AND SPIRITUAL ATTITUDE!)
VS 24:
And put on the nature (the regenerate self) created in God's image, God like) in true righteousness and holiness.
I had originally thought I would entitle this - "Let us have a good old-fashioned Strip Party!" But I knew you would freak out, or some of you anyway.
From our previous look at the Armor of God, the Authority of God and claiming that authority, here is our really huge and difficult reality. Let us NOT be held hostage to delusions. I was impressed here by the word because I suddenly saw things differently then before. Delusions come in all sizes and flavors. Delusions come through how we see someone, reacting to a comment they made, getting offended, and or seeing something and acting upon it. It is so multi-performance it took my breath away. But, if we put on the armor of God, if we renew our mind each day, and stay obedient to taking off anything that can possibly contaminate us; think about it! Life would be so much easier then it is. It wouldn't be perfect, because we aren't ever going to be perfect, however signing up for being more like Him every day would help.
Proverbs 1: 7
"The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning and the principal and choice part of knowledge (its starting point and its essence); but fools despise skillful instruction and discipline."
It is the most important thing we do every morning. We wake up and we have a choice. To get up to the tomb or to the resurrection. The resurrection being our first choice brings on the responsibility of asking God to help us be a blessing today. To think only His thoughts, to give glory and honor to Him through our actions and thoughts. It is huge. It is something to pray about each and every morning. "Help me Lord take captive all thoughts, all delusions. Bring me only truth. Show me how to live each day resembling You."
Sunday, September 4, 2011
TRIBUTE TO 41 YEARS!
In reflecting on 41 years together with one man, what can you say? When you start out, you think about all the midnight, candlelight suppers, walks in the moonlight, kids, grand-kids, vacations, new cars, family holidays with lots of good food and fellowship.
Well, as you all smile, it hasn't always been that. It never is. However, it is a journey. Tough as that journey may have been at times with annoying manly habits, there are way too many good things to remember.
Thank you John for always providing for us!
Thank you John for always coming home when you said you would!
Thank you John for learning how to say I am sorry!
Thank you John for the integrity and mirror you set for us all!
Thank you John for keeping our home looking ALWAYS mowed and cleaned up!
Thank you John for always supporting my adventures and misadventures!
Thank you John for always complimenting and making me feel like an important girl in your life!
Thank you John for all the ways you taught me to stop, look and listen!
And, not to bore everyone with all the good you brought to the table over 41 years, Thank you for the confidence I have always had - that you had my back.
HAPPY 41ST - TO ONE ANNOYING, SLOW DRIVING, BUT FANTASTIC MAN THAT GOD SURELY PUT IN MY PATH!
Love Shirley
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