Birth order......
It is fun watching my grandchildren in all their phases from birth the the oldest at 14....at different ages, they are easier to talk to, hug, hold, cuddle, listen....it brings back so many memories of their parents....and I wonder in each one what trait will be their life's vocation or calling....just as I did with their parents...how will they fit into the world? Who is God preparing them for or what path does He have for each with their various personalities, likes and dislikes.....each is so unique....
I remember reading Kevin lemans book on birth order early on as well as Cynthia Tobias' book of learning styles, plus books on personalities by Florence Litthauer..books and studies on spiritual gifting.....looking at each child as they were growing to understand them and myself , plus our reactions to one another, how I could be a better parent to each, as well as a better wife in understanding my husband....we even took financial tests to see how we each reacted to financial decisions...it was worth the time and effort....I was the only and he was the baby of the family......and we definitely reacted differently on a lot of issues!
All this being said, I really appreciate how God carefully crafted each of us, our spouses, our children and grandchildren as well as each person we come into contact with ....we have friends that God brings into our lives, people we meet here and there to build and sharpen us...no accidents....
Thank YOU, for your special design in each of us.....the personalities, the gifts, the temperaments, even the order in which we were born...how You use that in our lives and In the lives of others....
Psalm 139:13-16
New International Version (NIV)
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
The following is a short article from the web....
"Know thyself" is a powerful principle that leaders, managers and effective people intuitively know.
When you understand your own strengths and preferences you are in a position to maximise those strengths and compensate for any weaknesses either by working differently or surrounding yourself with people with different strengths.
Most of us have a dominant birth order personality that matches our birth position. But that personality is influenced by variables such as temperament, gender and other family circumstances. So it is not so much where you are born in your family but how you function that counts. How a person functions generally correlates with birth position.
Your birth order personality relates both to your working style (i.e. how you work and what motivates you) and also your relational style (i.e how you relate to people). For many people that means working along different birth order lines. For instance, I am in the youngest in my family by seven years, which means I am like a functional first born. S So I work like a first-born (achievement-oriented, ambitious and like to be in control) but I relate like a youngest (very good at outsourcing to others and a poor decision-maker). It sounds complicated but it is not.
Birth order theory outlines four types of personalities- first borns, second borns, only's and youngests. If you were 3rd of six children then circumstances would have meant that you either functioned predominantly like one of the big four above.
Here are the four birth order types and some of their characteristics:
First borns - the leaders, the drivers and the responsible types. These people like to manage others but first they need to manage themselves. They love to feel in control and can feel uncomfortable with surprises or feeling out of their depth. They are conservative in their outlook, which is both a strength and a weakness. Their ability to focus on a goal and their propensity to organise others means they can achieve whatever they put their minds to.
Their tendency toward perfectionism can mean they can be low risk-takers but they can be the rock around which organisations can be built. Approval of authority is important for this group so don't expect them to rock the boat too much. First borns, above all else, want to forge ahead.
Second borns - the 'people' people, the compromisers, and the flexible operators. They are likely to motivated by a cause and will enjoy working alongside people. They will often choose tasks or even a job that will give them a feeling of belonging. Friendships are important to this group so they will learn to get along and will help keep the peace in a group or organisation. They often need others to drive them but they are the glue that holds groups together. Relationships are important to this group so make sure they included in all activities. Seconds, above all else, put people first.
Only's - the quiet achievers, the finishers, they expect nothing less than the best. This group will raise the bar for everyone around them as nothing but the best will do. Their great strength is their ability to work for long periods of time on their own so they make great project finishers and strategic thinkers but they can be secretive and don't deal well with conflict. Recognition is important to this group. Only's, above all else, aim to please.
Youngests - the initiators, ideas people and the challengers. This group are the creative, live-for-the moment types who can put some fun and verve into activities. While the message for first borns is to lighten up it seems that this group need to take things more seriously sometimes. Great initiators and very impatient doers, they perservere to get something started but often are not the greatest of finishers. This group will often do anything to be noticed so make sure you pay heed to their efforts. Youngests, above all else, will blow your mind.
Which birth order personality do you most closely resemble? Does it match your birth order position? In reality, you probably nodded your head for some characteristics in each position. But which did you nod most vigourously while reading? That will give you an indication of your dominant birth order personality.
So what is the point? Know thyself and know the circumstances you are working in. There are times when your birth order personality should take over but there are times when you may need to operate or work like someone in another position. This may make you feel uncomfortable but you can do it.
I have a set of badges - one for each position - which I wear for different occasions and different jobs. Sometimes I need to be more like a first born particularly when I need to take a lead. But there are also times that I must act like a second born and learn to compromise and be more diplomatic than take a crash and burn approach. When it is time to take action and throw caution to the wind I will wear my youngest born badge.
Birth order knowledge is simple as it is intuitive but it is also powerful because as Kevin Leman author of The New Birth Order Book maintains, the affects .... "can touch you in profound and sometimes disturbing ways years after you think you have grown beyond all that."
Michael Grose is a leading authority on birth order and its affects on personality. He is the author of the ground-breaking book 'Why first borns rule the world and last borns want to change it' published by Random House. You can obtain this book from the shop at http://www.parentingideas.com.au. Find out how you can get Michael to help your people unleash the power of their birth order personalities at http://www.michaelgrose.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/45481
Monday, March 31, 2014
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Seeking....
Seeking.....
While i have been treading I have been watching a movie about a little girl who leaves home seeking her father...trying to find out who he really is, in the process seeking who she is.....
A thought provoker....i could change the channels at any given time and find various ways of seeking: beauty, pain free living, better cooking, war, peace, better housing, thinking, treasures and pleasures of all kinds, ways of gaining riches, etc, etc, etc....seeking, striving.....young , old and in between...
Right now, the drama and heartache of families and the world seeking answers to a missing plane....the whys,the whereabouts,.....or world leaders at odds with one another over peace and pieces of ground, or ideologies of terror....each seeking their own ways...
As humans we have sought answers from the beginning of time...some to our detriment and others to our growth, some In the right places and others not...and we are seeking still ....
Our Creator, Father wants us to seek Him....search for Him...He wants us to search our hearts, cleanse them....
I have to ask myself, as the psalmist wrote in Psalm 27:4, do I earnestly ask ....
"One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple."
Lord, help me to seek You above all else...no matter what the world seeks...You alone are worthy to be sought....
Song-Search my heart
Search my heart and search my soul
There is nothing else that I want more
Shine Your light and show Your face
In my life, Lord, have Your way, have Your way
Hear my cry and hear my prayer
Draw me close, I know You're near
Give me strength and give me grace
To walk with You, Lord, all my days
So with all my heart and all my soul
With all I am, Lord, I will follow You
You took the cross, You took my shame
Restored my life, now I live to worship You
Search my heart and search my soul
There is nothing else that I want more
With all my heart and all my soul
With all I am, Lord, I will follow You
You took the cross, You took my shame
Restored my life, Lord, I will follow You
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
With all my heart and all my soul
With all I am, Lord, I will follow You
You took the cross, You took my shame
Restored my life, Lord, I will follow You
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Search my heart and search my soul
Read more at http://www.songlyrics.com/hillsong-united/search-my-heart-lyrics/#p4KKbbAqRmMXIXHC.99
Deuteronomy 4:29
But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Matthew 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Luke 11:9
“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Luke 11:10
For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Luke 19:10
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
John 4:23
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.
Acts 15:1
that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things’—
Romans 2:7
To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.
Romans 2:8
But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.
1 Corinthians 10:24
No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.
1 Corinthians 10:33
even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.
Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
1 Peter 3:11
They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.
While i have been treading I have been watching a movie about a little girl who leaves home seeking her father...trying to find out who he really is, in the process seeking who she is.....
A thought provoker....i could change the channels at any given time and find various ways of seeking: beauty, pain free living, better cooking, war, peace, better housing, thinking, treasures and pleasures of all kinds, ways of gaining riches, etc, etc, etc....seeking, striving.....young , old and in between...
Right now, the drama and heartache of families and the world seeking answers to a missing plane....the whys,the whereabouts,.....or world leaders at odds with one another over peace and pieces of ground, or ideologies of terror....each seeking their own ways...
As humans we have sought answers from the beginning of time...some to our detriment and others to our growth, some In the right places and others not...and we are seeking still ....
Our Creator, Father wants us to seek Him....search for Him...He wants us to search our hearts, cleanse them....
I have to ask myself, as the psalmist wrote in Psalm 27:4, do I earnestly ask ....
"One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple."
Lord, help me to seek You above all else...no matter what the world seeks...You alone are worthy to be sought....
Song-Search my heart
Search my heart and search my soul
There is nothing else that I want more
Shine Your light and show Your face
In my life, Lord, have Your way, have Your way
Hear my cry and hear my prayer
Draw me close, I know You're near
Give me strength and give me grace
To walk with You, Lord, all my days
So with all my heart and all my soul
With all I am, Lord, I will follow You
You took the cross, You took my shame
Restored my life, now I live to worship You
Search my heart and search my soul
There is nothing else that I want more
With all my heart and all my soul
With all I am, Lord, I will follow You
You took the cross, You took my shame
Restored my life, Lord, I will follow You
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
With all my heart and all my soul
With all I am, Lord, I will follow You
You took the cross, You took my shame
Restored my life, Lord, I will follow You
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Without You I am nothing
Search my heart and search my soul
Read more at http://www.songlyrics.com/hillsong-united/search-my-heart-lyrics/#p4KKbbAqRmMXIXHC.99
Deuteronomy 4:29
But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.
Matthew 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Luke 11:9
“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Luke 11:10
For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Luke 19:10
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
John 4:23
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.
Acts 15:1
that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things’—
Romans 2:7
To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.
Romans 2:8
But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.
1 Corinthians 10:24
No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.
1 Corinthians 10:33
even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.
Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
1 Peter 3:11
They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Guilt and relief....the grief oxymoron ....
Guilt and relief...the grief oxymoron .....
One topic that seems to be shoved aside in grief is the relief that the person has finally died....if it has been an expected death....just putting the words out there sounds cold, calculated, terrible, and unfeeling....but they are filled with tears of guilt of even thinking....
those of us who are left, are tired, relieved in anguish, stressed to the max, smiling on the outside, hurting on the inside, shaking hands of other mourners, wondering how to take the next steps, wondering what the next steps are, working through all kinds of relationships,...are we doing the right things, not trying to step on anyone's toes or offend anyone, listening to the usual platitudes or what not to say to mourning family....missing the person excruciatingly, missing the might have beens, laughter mingled with tears of remembrances .....the clean up....the aftermath.....
For some, watching and waiting those days and weeks are endless pain management, care details,
For others, comfort care quickly comes,...
Watching, waiting, holding hands, talking softly if possible, but waiting ...the waiting...is so hard....watching the person go through the phases of dying....and finally it is guiltily over....and we still can't even fathom the relief and guilt of feeling the relief.....and release....
Anticipatory grief....I had never even heard of such terms before two years ago....is real...our hospice nurse brought it up to us...and there is a lot out there to read and meditate upon as well as find that we aren't so crazy after all...
http://dying.about.com/od/thegrievingprocess/a/anticip_grief.htm
Our family had so much support from others...and I thank them so much.....it helps me empathize with those who are moving down the same path...it is not an easy one...not fun..not really enjoyable....
God watched His son move down the path to meet death head on...it wasn't a pretty picture...He held his hand in prayer and purpose, but couldn't endure the pain set before Him...such agony...such torture, such abandonment..no friends there holding His hand, speaking softly, comforting...only resolve to finish the course...to finalize the victory over death with resurrection .....
Thank YOU...for Your victory, our gain...in You...
Matthew 27 and 28, Luke 23
One topic that seems to be shoved aside in grief is the relief that the person has finally died....if it has been an expected death....just putting the words out there sounds cold, calculated, terrible, and unfeeling....but they are filled with tears of guilt of even thinking....
those of us who are left, are tired, relieved in anguish, stressed to the max, smiling on the outside, hurting on the inside, shaking hands of other mourners, wondering how to take the next steps, wondering what the next steps are, working through all kinds of relationships,...are we doing the right things, not trying to step on anyone's toes or offend anyone, listening to the usual platitudes or what not to say to mourning family....missing the person excruciatingly, missing the might have beens, laughter mingled with tears of remembrances .....the clean up....the aftermath.....
For some, watching and waiting those days and weeks are endless pain management, care details,
For others, comfort care quickly comes,...
Watching, waiting, holding hands, talking softly if possible, but waiting ...the waiting...is so hard....watching the person go through the phases of dying....and finally it is guiltily over....and we still can't even fathom the relief and guilt of feeling the relief.....and release....
Anticipatory grief....I had never even heard of such terms before two years ago....is real...our hospice nurse brought it up to us...and there is a lot out there to read and meditate upon as well as find that we aren't so crazy after all...
http://dying.about.com/od/thegrievingprocess/a/anticip_grief.htm
Our family had so much support from others...and I thank them so much.....it helps me empathize with those who are moving down the same path...it is not an easy one...not fun..not really enjoyable....
God watched His son move down the path to meet death head on...it wasn't a pretty picture...He held his hand in prayer and purpose, but couldn't endure the pain set before Him...such agony...such torture, such abandonment..no friends there holding His hand, speaking softly, comforting...only resolve to finish the course...to finalize the victory over death with resurrection .....
Thank YOU...for Your victory, our gain...in You...
Matthew 27 and 28, Luke 23
Friday, March 28, 2014
Road to the cross....
Road to the cross.....
It occurred to me today that a little less than two years ago we were seeing my husband's cancer care doctors for the last time, leaving with a hospice prescription in hand, moving to a care facility where he and I could both have help caring for him, closer to family, less stress (if that is possible), more family time..we left the cancer center and drove until dark that night to continue and finish the journey the next day...to settle in...and wait..but more than that, to enjoy one another, to meet with family and friends..as we knew that time was indeed short...he slept more and more, but visited as much as he could, laughed over jokes, shared stories, hugged, until he slept not to awaken...here on earth...
It is no mistake that I was reading the walk to the cross from the Bible this week.
No, my husband was not the Christ or a savior ...
but both were headed in the same direction and they knew it, no turning back, not alternate path...
both were limited in time,
one to join the crowd of praisers, the other to sit at the right hand of God
both had fulfilled their present purposes..
One the rock explorer...the other, the Rock, the rock creator
One a mere man, the other, God, with us in man's flesh
one passing with death, the other the Victor over death....
one who enjoyed the sun, the Other the creator of the sun...
both looked forward not to the pain of death, but the reward afterwards..
one to worship in the heavenly realm, the other to be the worshiped,
one saved, the other-the Savior...
one temporal to eternity, the other-the Eternal.....
Thank YOU for reminders again....of Yourself...Your life, Your death, Your resurrection ....Your purpose in our lives. ....
Luke 23
"Jesus calling....for that day
I am a God of both intricate detail and overflowing abundance. When you entrust the details of your life to Me, you are surprised by how thoroughly I answer your petitions. I take pleasure in hearing your prayers, so feel free to bring Me all your requests. The more you pray, the more answers you can receive. Best of all, your faith is strengthened as you see how precisely I respond to your specific prayers.
Because I am infinite in all My ways, you need not fear that I will run out of resources. Abundance is at the very heart of who I am. Come to Me in joyful expectation oreceiving all you need—and sometimes much more! I delight in showering blessings on My beloved children. Come to Me with open hands and heart, ready to receive all I have for you.
How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.
—Psalm 36:7–9
I will bless her with abundant provisions; her poor will I satisfy with food.
—Psalm 132:15
When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten."
—John 6:12–13
It occurred to me today that a little less than two years ago we were seeing my husband's cancer care doctors for the last time, leaving with a hospice prescription in hand, moving to a care facility where he and I could both have help caring for him, closer to family, less stress (if that is possible), more family time..we left the cancer center and drove until dark that night to continue and finish the journey the next day...to settle in...and wait..but more than that, to enjoy one another, to meet with family and friends..as we knew that time was indeed short...he slept more and more, but visited as much as he could, laughed over jokes, shared stories, hugged, until he slept not to awaken...here on earth...
It is no mistake that I was reading the walk to the cross from the Bible this week.
No, my husband was not the Christ or a savior ...
but both were headed in the same direction and they knew it, no turning back, not alternate path...
both were limited in time,
one to join the crowd of praisers, the other to sit at the right hand of God
both had fulfilled their present purposes..
One the rock explorer...the other, the Rock, the rock creator
One a mere man, the other, God, with us in man's flesh
one passing with death, the other the Victor over death....
one who enjoyed the sun, the Other the creator of the sun...
both looked forward not to the pain of death, but the reward afterwards..
one to worship in the heavenly realm, the other to be the worshiped,
one saved, the other-the Savior...
one temporal to eternity, the other-the Eternal.....
Thank YOU for reminders again....of Yourself...Your life, Your death, Your resurrection ....Your purpose in our lives. ....
Luke 23
"Jesus calling....for that day
I am a God of both intricate detail and overflowing abundance. When you entrust the details of your life to Me, you are surprised by how thoroughly I answer your petitions. I take pleasure in hearing your prayers, so feel free to bring Me all your requests. The more you pray, the more answers you can receive. Best of all, your faith is strengthened as you see how precisely I respond to your specific prayers.
Because I am infinite in all My ways, you need not fear that I will run out of resources. Abundance is at the very heart of who I am. Come to Me in joyful expectation oreceiving all you need—and sometimes much more! I delight in showering blessings on My beloved children. Come to Me with open hands and heart, ready to receive all I have for you.
How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.
—Psalm 36:7–9
I will bless her with abundant provisions; her poor will I satisfy with food.
—Psalm 132:15
When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten."
—John 6:12–13
What am I thinking?......
What am I thinking?....
http://www.quotesforthemind.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Inspiring-Positive-Lifestyle-Quotes-You-cant-live-a-positive-life-with-A-negative-mind.jpg
Each morning when I wake up, I say "thank you".. Then I mentally go through the day, before I turn on the light, grab my iPad, check the email, the headlines, then settle down into devotions-my comfort zone...
...all the while, asking, "what lesson am I to learn about today?" The answer may be from a quote, a devotion, a verse, an observation, a thought, yesterday's events, a thought in the night......anywhere .....and then it expands....if these were my last words/actions, how would I want them to read?.....and what does the Word have to say about them??? As inevitably we have to turn back to God's word for us. My lesson won't be what another's is, but in sharing, it may uplift another...or create an environment of expanding in their life....and mine.....encourage....
It is overwhelming to think that God loves us so much that He can enter our lives with His Words and make them pertinent in all situations...bringing to mind Himself...what would he do, react, care, and pass that on to us who are like a vapor in the wind of time...and then He has the patience to teach us lessons over and over again if we don't get it the first time...or even the second....
Thank YOU, again for a new day...lessons to learn,....thoughts along the way...Your presence...Your Patience with me.....Your encouragement... Your love that has no end...
Psalm 19:14 (KJV)
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
Philippians 3:8-9
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. Phil 3:8
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Whirling mind....
Whirling mind......
I awoke with a whirling mind,, many things to think about...ponder, fix?, and immediately went into the busy mode....that is exactly why I am going to a sleep therapist...to learn to put those thoughts back to sleep, so I can sleep. So opened two devotionals, both about not worrying, .....isn't God a good mind reader....He knows all things and reminds us that we can rest in HIM..and thank Him.....which I am still learning to do....I cannot change the world, the circumstances, people...but He can...if I don't get in His way, or lessons to learn... For myself and others...I see such different solutions....which of course should be logical...But He says, his thoughts are not my thoughts, or His ways are not my ways...basically... "Chill"....okay, but........
...easier said than done....
I may be part of the solution and maybe not...and I have to rest in that...Only He sees the big picture , how all the puzzle pieces fit together into a perfect picture ....with the outcome He alone knows...how He is working In peoples lives, my life...what brings about the growth in Him....
It comes down to a basic 5 letter word, "trust"....so little, so much .....
"Trust Definition
dictionary.search.yahoo.com
n. noun
Firm reliance on the integrity, ability, or character of a person or thing.
Custody; care.
Something committed into the care of another; charge.
v. verb
To have or place reliance; depend.
Trust in the Lord.
To be confident; hope.
Synonyms
faith - confidence - reliance - dependence"
Proverbs 3:5-6
New International Version (NIV)
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Okay, okay...thank YOU again and again for the reminders. You work in such wonderfully, awesome ways...and I still question..."help my unbelief"... And You do again and again...in YOUR way....
Jesus calling....March 27
Be still in My Presence, even though countless tasks clamor for your attention. Nothing is as important as spending time with Me. While you wait in My Presence, I do My best work within you: transforming you by the renewing of your mind. If you skimp on this time with Me, you may plunge headlong into the wrong activities, missing the richness of what I have planned for you.
Do not seek Me primarily for what I can give you. Remember that I, the Giver, am infinitely greater than any gift I might impart to you. Though I delight in blessing My children, I am deeply grieved when My blessings become idols in their hearts. Anything can be an idol if it distracts you from Me as your First Love. When I am the ultimate Desire of your heart, you are safe from the danger of idolatry. As you wait in My Presence, enjoy the greatest gift of all: Christ in you, the hope of Glory!
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
—Romans 12:2
Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.
—Revelation 2:4
To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
—Colossians 1:27
I awoke with a whirling mind,, many things to think about...ponder, fix?, and immediately went into the busy mode....that is exactly why I am going to a sleep therapist...to learn to put those thoughts back to sleep, so I can sleep. So opened two devotionals, both about not worrying, .....isn't God a good mind reader....He knows all things and reminds us that we can rest in HIM..and thank Him.....which I am still learning to do....I cannot change the world, the circumstances, people...but He can...if I don't get in His way, or lessons to learn... For myself and others...I see such different solutions....which of course should be logical...But He says, his thoughts are not my thoughts, or His ways are not my ways...basically... "Chill"....okay, but........
...easier said than done....
I may be part of the solution and maybe not...and I have to rest in that...Only He sees the big picture , how all the puzzle pieces fit together into a perfect picture ....with the outcome He alone knows...how He is working In peoples lives, my life...what brings about the growth in Him....
It comes down to a basic 5 letter word, "trust"....so little, so much .....
"Trust Definition
dictionary.search.yahoo.com
n. noun
Firm reliance on the integrity, ability, or character of a person or thing.
Custody; care.
Something committed into the care of another; charge.
v. verb
To have or place reliance; depend.
Trust in the Lord.
To be confident; hope.
Synonyms
faith - confidence - reliance - dependence"
Proverbs 3:5-6
New International Version (NIV)
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Okay, okay...thank YOU again and again for the reminders. You work in such wonderfully, awesome ways...and I still question..."help my unbelief"... And You do again and again...in YOUR way....
Jesus calling....March 27
Be still in My Presence, even though countless tasks clamor for your attention. Nothing is as important as spending time with Me. While you wait in My Presence, I do My best work within you: transforming you by the renewing of your mind. If you skimp on this time with Me, you may plunge headlong into the wrong activities, missing the richness of what I have planned for you.
Do not seek Me primarily for what I can give you. Remember that I, the Giver, am infinitely greater than any gift I might impart to you. Though I delight in blessing My children, I am deeply grieved when My blessings become idols in their hearts. Anything can be an idol if it distracts you from Me as your First Love. When I am the ultimate Desire of your heart, you are safe from the danger of idolatry. As you wait in My Presence, enjoy the greatest gift of all: Christ in you, the hope of Glory!
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
—Romans 12:2
Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.
—Revelation 2:4
To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
—Colossians 1:27
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
A question posed....
A question posed.....
In the Griefshare workbook, at the end of each week of lessons/probing, there are a list of questions that one may or may not choose from to journal about...
One of the questions is "what are the most significant lessons you are learning through your grief?" Or to put it another way, what lessons am I learning throughout life??? Grief is one segment or it can define our life....
As I was thinking through that question, I was listening to a secular talk on attitude of gratitude...the talk is designed to help you relax by reprogramming you to be thankful and trust....doesn't that sound familiar??? I told the presenter about the verse in the Bible that say those exact words...
So how did significant lessons of grief and thankfulness come together??? Was that God's timing or what???? For me personally, I have tried to be grateful in all things over the years...but grief has reemphasized that attitude....I have to admit, I am NOT thankful all the time and I do worry, fret, agonize, vent...but God is there as well faithfully redirecting my thoughts to the thankfulness..as he did so many times for David in the Psalms....I want to be grateful. I want that to define me rather than grief...not forgetting the lessons or the reasons, the people for grief, but moving into gratitude as a lifestyle...praise....and thankfulness all the time...
Thank YOU for the ability and chance to see good, to be thankful for Your greatness in all things....
Griefshare-"take an inventory of the ways God is blessing you during your grief..think of your blessings as threads of goodness being woven in with the dark threads of your life's tapestry. When your life's tapestry is combined with God's larger, finished product, what will be the pattern of the good threads show?"
Revelation 21:4
‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Isaiah 61:3
and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.
Jeremiah 31:13
Then young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.
In the Griefshare workbook, at the end of each week of lessons/probing, there are a list of questions that one may or may not choose from to journal about...
One of the questions is "what are the most significant lessons you are learning through your grief?" Or to put it another way, what lessons am I learning throughout life??? Grief is one segment or it can define our life....
As I was thinking through that question, I was listening to a secular talk on attitude of gratitude...the talk is designed to help you relax by reprogramming you to be thankful and trust....doesn't that sound familiar??? I told the presenter about the verse in the Bible that say those exact words...
So how did significant lessons of grief and thankfulness come together??? Was that God's timing or what???? For me personally, I have tried to be grateful in all things over the years...but grief has reemphasized that attitude....I have to admit, I am NOT thankful all the time and I do worry, fret, agonize, vent...but God is there as well faithfully redirecting my thoughts to the thankfulness..as he did so many times for David in the Psalms....I want to be grateful. I want that to define me rather than grief...not forgetting the lessons or the reasons, the people for grief, but moving into gratitude as a lifestyle...praise....and thankfulness all the time...
Thank YOU for the ability and chance to see good, to be thankful for Your greatness in all things....
Griefshare-"take an inventory of the ways God is blessing you during your grief..think of your blessings as threads of goodness being woven in with the dark threads of your life's tapestry. When your life's tapestry is combined with God's larger, finished product, what will be the pattern of the good threads show?"
Revelation 21:4
‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Isaiah 61:3
and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.
Jeremiah 31:13
Then young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.
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