Seashells in Panama....

Seashells in Panama....

Today I was walking along the beach in Panama...picking up seashells as I went along...some were stuck in the sand, others wet sitting on top, while others were being washed by the tiny rivulets running  toward the sea...many colors, sizes and shapes...showing the weathering of time and water...

It reminded me of people I know...different colors, personalities, backgrounds, ages, shapes and sizes...each being weathered as well with time, circumstances, to make up the kingdom...

Some are dealing  aging parents, cancer, loss or gain of people around them, wayward children, health issues...weathered...but the structure of God's word and strength is there, smoothing them out, watering, washing them, ....giving them personality all their own...maybe different than they thought life would be, but beautiful in their polishing...

I don't  know what draws me to one shell or another, but i reach  down, choosing one among the millions available ...choosing it from the others..it maybe the color or shape, the weatheredness, ....it just calls...I put it in my bag to take home to remember the beach where is came from...to join others from different parts of the world....

God is allowing weatheredness in me as well..he holds my hand, he has chosen me from among the millions for whatever reason, He loves me...he sends truth to my heart, examines me, cleanses me, tucks me away sometime to be displayed ...holds me close...when I feel sandblasted, washed, with the cares of the world...I feel humbled that He has chosen me...

Thank YOU...for choosing me, for helping me through the weathering of time....loving me...

Deuteronomy 7:6 For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. 

Ephesians 1:4, 11 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. 

In love In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 

Remembered kindness....

Remembered kindness .....

Reading my Facebook page this morning, I found I was "tagged"...so wondered why and what that was...(am new at this, forgive me)...

But, it turned out okay...it was for an "anniversary" casserole I made for a family on moving day NINE years ago...a remembered kindness...

One of the fruit of the Spirit is kindness....

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 

Job 6:14 “Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty. 

Job 10:12 You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my spirit. 

Isaiah 63:7 I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us—yes, the many good thingshe has done for Israel,according to his compassion and many kindnesses. 

Colossians 3:12-14 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 

I am not writing this to toot my own horn....but it reminded me to remember the kindnesses shown to me by others, through thick and thin days ...flowers, bags of groceries on my table, a hug, a note, prayers around the world,  of encouragement, people who showed up to help me move, grass cutting, a rainbow on "hopeless days"....millions of kindnesses through the years...showing me God's love through Himself and through His people....thanked YOU....to You be the glory...and Praise and Honor....

http://www.coolestone.com/media/12161/Angels-Of-The-Morning/#.VrdFOYg8KK1

Romans 12 from the Message....

Romans 12  from the Message.....

I don't usually read the Message version of the Bible..but one of the speakers at this Jesus film conference read a portion from Romans 12.  It stayed roaming around In my head until I had to share it...read it out loud  to hear the words spoken as if Paul, the writer,  was right here, sitting across the table, speaking ....and the Holy Spirt speaking to your heart...in a practical way....it is touching...I am by no means negating another translation , just hearing it differently....

Romans 12: So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. 

Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. 

Unlike the cultures living around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. 

I’m speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. 

Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it’s important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. 

The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him. In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. 

Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. 

The body we’re talking about is Christ’s body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. 

But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn’t amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ’s body, let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren’t. If you preach, just preach God’s Message, nothing else; if you help, just help, don’t take over; if you teach, stick to your teaching; if you give encouraging guidance, be careful that you don’t get bossy; if you’re put in charge, don’t manipulate; if you’re called to give aid to people in distress, keep your eyes open and be quick to respond; if you work with the disadvantaged, don’t let yourself get irritated with them or depressed by them. 

Keep a smile on your face. Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. 

Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. 

Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. 

Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. 

Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. 

Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody. Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.” 

Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. 

Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good. 

There, now, what did Paul speak to your heart about?..

How did the Holy Spirit work in your heart and mind?

What will you do in response to those words spoken?

Thank YOU that you speak to us in everyday language, to sear our souls, convict our behavior, change our hearts...help me personally to put your Word into practice in my life,..that You would shine...Your glory be praised...

Weather...

Weather...

Yesterday I flew from the Oregon to Tampa, Florida ...starting with icy roads to get to airport ( I slide through one intersection), leaving behind my down coat..arrived in Salt Lake city in a snow storm...then on Atlanta in beautiful sunshine ....final destination in pouring rain...but 30 degrees warmer than starting airport...

My husband, as a teenager, went with his parents to visit his older brother in Southern California. He told us that they excitedly packed their swimsuits, in anticipation of a California pool or the beach...upon arrival the pool was empty and the beach was COLD and windy...

weather...and our expectations ...now we can check hourly on weather via the Internet with Doppler pictures and forecast...we check on road conditions for our destinations or trip routes...and it is great to know what to expect and plan accordingly...

The Bible talks about weather in a variety of ways, with Noah, Moses,

Elijah...even Jesus...  the clouds that one, the weather changes, the blessings of it or the lack of rain...and what we associate with good or bad weather...or the seasons

Thank YOU for blessings of what You have given us, the variety...Help me to be  a blessing , not to "rain" on someone's parade or joy, but bring showers of Your blessings.....

Leviticus 26:3-6, 14-15, 18-20 If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments and obediently do them, then I will give you rain in its season, and the land will yield her produce and the trees of the field bear their fruit. And your threshing season will last until grape gathering and the grape gathering time will last until planting, and you will eat your bread and be filled and live securely in your land. I will also grant peace in the land, so that you may lie down and there will be no one to make you afraid. I will also eliminate harmful animals from the land, and no sword will pass through your land.

 ‘But if you do not obey Me and do not obediently do all these commandments, if, instead, you reject My statutes, and if your soul rejects My ordinances, so that you will not obediently do all My commandments, and in this way break My covenant, 

If in spite of all this you still will not listen to Me and be obedient, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins. I will break your pride in your power, and I will make your sky like iron giving no rain and blocking all prayers and your ground like bronze hard to plow and yielding no produce. Your strength will be spent uselessly, for your land will not yield its produce and the trees of the land will not yield their fruit. 

Matthew 16:2-3 But He replied to them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ 

And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and has a threatening look.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but cannot interpret the signs of the times? 

Achilles' tendon...

Achilles' tendon....

6 years ago I ripped my Achilles' tendon.  I went to my regular morning exercise routine, and I heard a pop and felt a searing pain in my calf. That changed the rest of the day and then the summer..my husband had just left for Mongolia that morning and was somewhere in the air when it happened..I decided not to call him or tell him until he got to his destination...there was really nothing he could do for me and I didn't want him to change his much planned for trip... 

So I spent three excruciating hours in ER until they finally gave me a pain killer and temporarily wrapped my leg with a partial cast and gauze..I drove myself home, adjusted my new crutches, hopped Into the house and cried...not what I wanted...

My daughter called, whose husband had gone to Mongolia with mine, wanting to know how I was getting along...not knowing anything about my day so far... She decided to come down and spend the weekend with me while I had on the temporary cast on...  We went on a "drive about.."   we drove on a circular  trip around part of our state, visiting places we had driven by over the years...this time, we stopped, wandered, enjoyed ...instead of sitting home in pain , feeling sorry for myself...I ended up wearing a boot for 4 1/2 months after that rip...to western China, my mother's last illness and helping my father adjust their home down into a home for one ...

When I went to exercise that morning, I didn't expect one little squat to change the course of the summer and fall...as it did for me, not so much others... My husband's  trip went ahead, my daughter's  weekend  changed...my walking style changed, the western Chinese  saw a weird contraption, I learned that squatty potties don't work well with a knee high boot, flight attendants will give you aisle seats, ....

A sense of humor will get you further than grouching...contentment...what a hard word sometimes...

Thank YOU...for even the pulled Achilles' tendon ....I am reminded of that summer and fall every once in a while with the twinge of pain that lingers...and lessons learned, caring people and cared for people...

Philippians 2:14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing,

1 Timothy 6:6-8 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 

Proverbs 21:9 Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. NIV

Proverbs 21:19 It is better to dwell in a desert land than  with a contentious and troublesome woman. AMP

Achilles' tendon....

6 years ago I ripped my Achilles' tendon.  I went to my regular morning exercise routine, and I heard a pop and felt a searing pain in my calf. That changed the rest of the day and then the summer..my husband had just left for Mongolia that morning and was somewhere in the air when it happened..I decided not to call him or tell him until he got to his destination...there was really nothing he could do for me and I didn't want him to change his much planned for trip...

So I spent three excruciating hours in ER until they finally gave me a pain killer and temporarily wrapped my leg with a partial cast and gauze..I drove myself home, adjusted my new crutches, hopped Into the house and cried...not what I wanted...

My daughter called, whose husband had gone to Mongolia with mine, wanting to know how I was getting along...not knowing anything about my day so far... She decided to come down and spend the weekend with me while I had on the temporary cast on...  We went on a "drive about.."   we drove on a circular  trip around part of our state, visiting places we had driven by over the years...this time, we stopped, wandered, enjoyed ...instead of sitting home in pain , feeling sorry for myself...I ended up wearing a boot for 4 1/2 months after that rip...to western China, my mother's last illness and helping my father adjust their home down into a home for one ...

When I went to exercise that morning, I didn't expect one little squat to change the course of the summer and fall...as it did for me, not so much others... My husband's  trip went ahead, my daughter's  weekend  changed...my walking style changed, the western Chinese  saw a weird contraption, I learned that squatty potties don't work well with a knee high boot, flight attendants will give you aisle seats, ....

A sense of humor will get you further than grouching...contentment...what a hard word sometimes...

Thank YOU...for even the pulled Achilles' tendon ....I am reminded of that summer and fall every once in a while with the twinge of pain that lingers...and lessons learned, caring people and cared for people...

Philippians 2:14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing,

1 Timothy 6:6-8 But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

Proverbs 21:9 Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. NIV
Proverbs 21:19 It is better to dwell in a desert land than  with a contentious and troublesome woman. AMP

Someone cares....

Someone cares...

Recently, I received an encouragement card from an encourager...

The statement on the back of the card read as follows,

"Life is like a well-tended garden filled with beautiful flowers of every size and color. What if those flowers represented all kinds of happy thoughts, wishes, and blessings? Imagine having the privilege of picking bouquets of your most favorite varieties, then sending those beautiful "flower" thoughts to the ones who need them most. What a fun way to spend a day encouraging others!" Someone cares Cards

The inside read," if thoughts of you were flowers, that came in bright bouquets, you'd find blossoms everywhere in beautiful displays!"

This person always finds the most wonderful cards..she has a heart to encourage...and proceeds to do it in every life she touches...she uses her Spiritual gifting  so well...with blessings to those whose lives she touches...from grandchildren to strangers she meets along her path in life...

It is fun to have those encouragers in your life...you don't have to speak everyday, or even see each other often, but when you do, life is a little brighter...

Has she been without problems, life all roses with no thorns? NO, battled MS for years, went through an excruciatingly bad  marriage battle, lived in a women's shelter...but through it all she encouraged others even through her own tears...

When we choose to use our gifting, we build up others...when we choose to make God our center, we choose life....

We aren't promised that everything will always be a garden of flowers without weeds...but, we can choose to be a "garden" to others ...a flower to brighten someone's way...

thank YOU for bringing encouragers across our paths...help me to be that to others...

Isaiah 58:11 The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched  land and will strengthen your frame.You will be like a well-watered garden,like a spring whose waters never fail. 

Proverbs 17:22 A happy heart is good medicine and a joyful mind causes healing, But a broken spirit dries up the bones. AMP

Proverbs 20:7 The righteous man who walks in integrity and lives life in accord with his godly beliefs—How blessed happy and spiritually secure are his children after him who have his example to follow. AMP

Put on....

Put on.....

Yesterday morning was a short one and I didn't have time to work through blog, only got the title...and thoughts for the rest...

Arrived at church, with a series on "follow", what should i being and doing as a follower of Christ...

Colossians 3:12, 14 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 

 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 

Then other events through the day were "put on" related...Sewing pillowcase dresses for Christmas boxes,, crocheting head bands- for children to "put on".... putting on "my thinking cap" about some matters at hand, my Bible study about "putting on the armor" of God ...

Joseph was granted royalty level rank by Pharaoh putting on his ring and golden chain.. We are granted a "royal" position as children of God..given a robe of righteousness ...

Genesis 41:42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. 

At salvation we are given the Holy Spirit as a seal... 

2 Corinthians 1:22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 

And taught..

Ephesians 4:22-25 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 

Colossians 3:10, and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

 

And finally...

Ephesians 6:10, 13 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 

Isaiah 59:17a He put on righteousness as his breastplate,and the helmet of salvation on his head....

 

Romans 13:14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. 

"Putting on" is a tall order ....but , oh, so rewarding...a gift...to all who would desire eternal life as well as fulfilled earthly life...

Thank YOU, help me to put  off those thing which encumber, and put on those things which free...to be a follower of Christ..kind, good, encouraging, seeking unity, as well as standing firm in Christ....