Welcome to my blog! I post my thoughts on the Lord and anything else that may cross my mind.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
May 2010
What happened to May? Is it my imagination or did this month fly by at warp speed?
I chose a Bible Study for the small group which meets in my home, we'll begin in a couple of weeks. Turns out Beth Moore and many Siestas will be doing the same study of Ruth by Kelly Minter.
Have you chosen a summer study? If you have, please leave me a comment and tell me what it is.
I am looking forward to a quick trip to the beach Friday afternoon and watching the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday. I hope to attend in person next year.
Join me in feasting on Ps 19:1-3
1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.
3 There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.
Enjoy your week and stay in the Word!
I chose a Bible Study for the small group which meets in my home, we'll begin in a couple of weeks. Turns out Beth Moore and many Siestas will be doing the same study of Ruth by Kelly Minter.
Have you chosen a summer study? If you have, please leave me a comment and tell me what it is.
I am looking forward to a quick trip to the beach Friday afternoon and watching the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday. I hope to attend in person next year.
Join me in feasting on Ps 19:1-3
1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.
3 There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.
Enjoy your week and stay in the Word!
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Letting Go
I've been reading a blogging sister's journey with her husband as his condition worsens due to COPD. He is now receiving palliative care. Her words are so touching as she describes letting go. Her post from a few days ago reminds me of my last serious conversation with my father 2 weeks before he died. I think (not realizing it that day) the topic of conversation in a sense gave my father permission to leave this home for his real home in heaven and I was letting go.
Americans frequently say I've learned to let _____________ go, whether it's a person or a situation. Many times however, we want to or justify holding on to something such as anger, a grudge, bitterness and or unforgiveness. When we hold on to those things, we are no longer living in spiritual freedom.
Most of us learned the Lord's Prayer as youngsters and may say it in each church service we attend. Do we really think about what the words say:
Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
What about the verses which immediately follow the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6: 14-15
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive yours.
I'm not saying forgiveness always comes instantly when we decide to forgive someone or something. I am saying let go and let God. Choose to forgive, choose to let go of the the fruit of unforgivness. Yield to the Holy Spirit. Our Father would not tell us to forgive if it were not possible.
Americans frequently say I've learned to let _____________ go, whether it's a person or a situation. Many times however, we want to or justify holding on to something such as anger, a grudge, bitterness and or unforgiveness. When we hold on to those things, we are no longer living in spiritual freedom.
Most of us learned the Lord's Prayer as youngsters and may say it in each church service we attend. Do we really think about what the words say:
Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.
What about the verses which immediately follow the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6: 14-15
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive yours.
I'm not saying forgiveness always comes instantly when we decide to forgive someone or something. I am saying let go and let God. Choose to forgive, choose to let go of the the fruit of unforgivness. Yield to the Holy Spirit. Our Father would not tell us to forgive if it were not possible.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
FRIENDS
The other day I thanked the Lord for the friends He put in my life even the friends who ultimately betrayed me. Being betrayed is no fun, but it can be a time to grow in the Lord.
Jesus had big mouth friends- Peter; high maintenance friends (I think James and John might have been a little bit on the high maintenance side.); friends who listened - John & Mary; busy friends - Martha; and we all know He had at least 1 friend who betrayed Him - Judas.
I went steady with a dear boy off and on through high school. His parents and sister were very dear to me. When I married he became friends with my husband and when he married my husband and I became friends with his wife. The 4 of us did a lot together over the years.
He was diagnosed with 2 forms of cancer late in 1998; we were devastated. His wife had carte blanche to call any time of the day or night. I could tell something was going on with her, but I wrote it off to her husband's illness and juggling 2 young children and trying to work.
One day she told me he didn't want to talk to me anymore. I was hurt but thought it's his decision. He has little energy and is saving it for his family.
Not long after that, I discovered his wife was a binge alcoholic and ended up commiting her to a facility on Mother's Day in 1999. I went to her in-law's house that night, her father-in-law asked me why I quit speaking to his son. My mouth dropped open. I told him his daughter-in-law said his son no longer wanted to speak with me. He then told his son.
Thankfully my friend and I had a couple of weeks to talk before he died. We laughed about the silly plans we had in high school. We talked about how nervous he was to leave his children. We also discussed how secure he was in his salvation. I anointed him with oil and then he took my hand and said it was time to say goodbye. He died the next day. I will never forget that dear boy who grew into a dear man.
The Lord was with me as I rode the roller coaster of anger and forgiveness. I can tell you if it were not for grace from heaven, I would never be able to forgive her. She no longer speaks to me. She is very embarassed by her actions and that huge lie. She really does not believe I forgave her. It took almost a year but I can honestly say all is forgiven - I love her, I would be there for her in a heartbeat.
During the process of forgiveness, I grew in Christ and for that reason, I can be thankful for the trial of betrayal.
Jesus had big mouth friends- Peter; high maintenance friends (I think James and John might have been a little bit on the high maintenance side.); friends who listened - John & Mary; busy friends - Martha; and we all know He had at least 1 friend who betrayed Him - Judas.
I went steady with a dear boy off and on through high school. His parents and sister were very dear to me. When I married he became friends with my husband and when he married my husband and I became friends with his wife. The 4 of us did a lot together over the years.
He was diagnosed with 2 forms of cancer late in 1998; we were devastated. His wife had carte blanche to call any time of the day or night. I could tell something was going on with her, but I wrote it off to her husband's illness and juggling 2 young children and trying to work.
One day she told me he didn't want to talk to me anymore. I was hurt but thought it's his decision. He has little energy and is saving it for his family.
Not long after that, I discovered his wife was a binge alcoholic and ended up commiting her to a facility on Mother's Day in 1999. I went to her in-law's house that night, her father-in-law asked me why I quit speaking to his son. My mouth dropped open. I told him his daughter-in-law said his son no longer wanted to speak with me. He then told his son.
Thankfully my friend and I had a couple of weeks to talk before he died. We laughed about the silly plans we had in high school. We talked about how nervous he was to leave his children. We also discussed how secure he was in his salvation. I anointed him with oil and then he took my hand and said it was time to say goodbye. He died the next day. I will never forget that dear boy who grew into a dear man.
The Lord was with me as I rode the roller coaster of anger and forgiveness. I can tell you if it were not for grace from heaven, I would never be able to forgive her. She no longer speaks to me. She is very embarassed by her actions and that huge lie. She really does not believe I forgave her. It took almost a year but I can honestly say all is forgiven - I love her, I would be there for her in a heartbeat.
During the process of forgiveness, I grew in Christ and for that reason, I can be thankful for the trial of betrayal.
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