Thursday, January 29, 2009
is it my heart or feet that need help?
I was in a lot of pain yesterday and this morning and both times I asked God to stop teaching me whatever it is he wants me to learn through this process. I know that not all pain is for this purpose and just is but what I really wanted was relief. I realize now that I can think clearly that God wanted me to want Him for my relief. He always wants us and waits on us for so much longer then I can imagine. I have blisters on my feet and they needed to be drained this morning. This seems gross but yet my heart so often develops blisters on it and I don't drain them. God is showing me humility, patience and that crying is one way to drain the blisters on my heart and let Him care for me. I love God so much and He is truly the only relief to everything.
just what i needed today. . .
I receive lots of different e-mails and devotions but when they hit home they really hit home. I so relate to this being an adult with pimples
Mentoring Moments BlogCast published a new entry entitled "Do You Have Pimples In Your Life?" on 1/28/2009 8:19:13 PM, written by Carla Anne Coroy.
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Do You Have Pimples In Your Life?
My youngest daughter was standing in the kitchen ready to practice her violin. Her oldest sister said, “What’s on your cheek?”
“Nothing. Just a red spot,” replied the youngest.
Two other kids crowded around her instantly, pressing their faces close to hers to inspect this ‘red spot’.
“Hey, you’ve got a pimple!” her sister announced.
“No,” countered her brother, “it’s a real live ZIT!”
So she ran off to the bathroom to check it out. Could it be true? Would it really be happening to her?
As I watched this happen in front of my eyes I said nothing. I was trying to come up with words of consolation, not to mention trying to console myself that my ‘baby’ has pimples! I needn’t have worried though.
She raced down the stairs to tell her dad and brother the big news. As she danced her way back up the stairs she flung her hands into the air and with great flair said, “Finally! I can’t believe I’ve finally got a pimple! God really is helping me grow up and not stay a kid!”
Who can argue with that logic? If only I looked at my circumstances and trouble with the mature perspective of my eight year old daughter.
As women we often look at the hard things that come our way and struggle with them like we did with the pimples on our faces as teenagers. We forget that with growth comes pain, with maturity comes the acceptance that not everything will be perfect, good maybe, but not perfect.
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 (NLT)
Is there a ‘pimple’ in your life that you’ve been picking at and complaining about? Why not rejoice instead that God has already overcome the world and the trial you are in today is as fleeting as yesteryear’s pimples?
Mentoring Moments BlogCast published a new entry entitled "Do You Have Pimples In Your Life?" on 1/28/2009 8:19:13 PM, written by Carla Anne Coroy.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Do You Have Pimples In Your Life?
My youngest daughter was standing in the kitchen ready to practice her violin. Her oldest sister said, “What’s on your cheek?”
“Nothing. Just a red spot,” replied the youngest.
Two other kids crowded around her instantly, pressing their faces close to hers to inspect this ‘red spot’.
“Hey, you’ve got a pimple!” her sister announced.
“No,” countered her brother, “it’s a real live ZIT!”
So she ran off to the bathroom to check it out. Could it be true? Would it really be happening to her?
As I watched this happen in front of my eyes I said nothing. I was trying to come up with words of consolation, not to mention trying to console myself that my ‘baby’ has pimples! I needn’t have worried though.
She raced down the stairs to tell her dad and brother the big news. As she danced her way back up the stairs she flung her hands into the air and with great flair said, “Finally! I can’t believe I’ve finally got a pimple! God really is helping me grow up and not stay a kid!”
Who can argue with that logic? If only I looked at my circumstances and trouble with the mature perspective of my eight year old daughter.
As women we often look at the hard things that come our way and struggle with them like we did with the pimples on our faces as teenagers. We forget that with growth comes pain, with maturity comes the acceptance that not everything will be perfect, good maybe, but not perfect.
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 (NLT)
Is there a ‘pimple’ in your life that you’ve been picking at and complaining about? Why not rejoice instead that God has already overcome the world and the trial you are in today is as fleeting as yesteryear’s pimples?
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Questions for Kids
I found these questions "23 Great Questions to Ask Your Kids" and so today I decided to ask them. Some of the questions are too hard for them to answer or understand but I loved some of them and most of all my kids loved the one on one and me asking them questions and listening to them.
My favorite was "When you pray, how do you picture God?". My kids answered with smiling, standing right next to me, looking down from the sky and tall with no hair. I did learn that I yell or talk rough too much because they all answered that when I asked what I did that hurt their feelings they said I don't really yell just get a rough voice and upset so I guess I know what I need to work on and pray about. It is really icky to hear that and makes me feel like scum but in reality I'm human and I can't change what I've done but I can work on my responses. I really am not suprised because I know it. I am not a patient person and I try to apologize to them for my mistakes. It's not what I want them to grow up remembering about me. Am I the only one that has messed up as a parent but keeps on trying to improve? What areas are you working on? What questions were your favorite?
My last question for you is the last one "What is the most important decision you will ever make?" My answer is the decision to ask Jesus to be in my life and my heart forever as my best friend.
My favorite was "When you pray, how do you picture God?". My kids answered with smiling, standing right next to me, looking down from the sky and tall with no hair. I did learn that I yell or talk rough too much because they all answered that when I asked what I did that hurt their feelings they said I don't really yell just get a rough voice and upset so I guess I know what I need to work on and pray about. It is really icky to hear that and makes me feel like scum but in reality I'm human and I can't change what I've done but I can work on my responses. I really am not suprised because I know it. I am not a patient person and I try to apologize to them for my mistakes. It's not what I want them to grow up remembering about me. Am I the only one that has messed up as a parent but keeps on trying to improve? What areas are you working on? What questions were your favorite?
My last question for you is the last one "What is the most important decision you will ever make?" My answer is the decision to ask Jesus to be in my life and my heart forever as my best friend.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
this was helpful to hear today
I like to listen to Nancy Leigh DeMoss podcasts and she is doing a series on Getting Into the Word and Getting the Word Into You and today's was titled "Developing a Hunger". This is what I need to pray for and I was encouraged by the scripture she shared Psalm 51:12 and will ask God to "make me willing to obey".
I struggle with consistency and mornings...
I used to wake up every morning early and I would exercise, spend time with God, get ready for the day and feel really good. I am so far from this now and I really miss those days. I dread morning, struggle to wake up, no way I'm heading out in the cold to the Y, occasionally think about exercise and sometimes actually try it but restricted by my feet, and start the day feeling off. It's impossible to have a normal day when you start the day feeling off. I have been consistently spending time with God the last couple of weeks and it really does make a difference but I need to work on all my disciplines. I miss that old person and the joy I found in life and myself and it is really annoying that pain, sickness and life can get you totally off course. Why do we finally feel like we have arrived and then realize we actually don't have a clue what that means? Do my children miss that old mom that was healther, happier and a lot more fun to be around? It is so easy to read something and know what to do but doing it so much harder. I always know what I need to do but once I mess up I give up and I don't continue until I get it right - I used to but I must be getting lazier as I get older. I will continue to give this to God and journal about it. Do you feel off and struggle with normal?
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
time with God
I've been trying to consistently spend quality time with God and Wow does it make a difference in my attitude with my family and life in general. I know this to be true but as it happens to me again this time I am overwhelmed by God's grace.
My friend Vicki gave me "30 Days to Greater Praise" a long time ago and God has brought it to my attention recently - honestly I started it this fall and I am only on Day 12 so not doing it in 30 days. Today I memorized the verse
Psalms 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
I was then asked to meditate on this for 5 minutes - I am not one to sit still or meditate easily so it was challenging for me. The parts of the verse that stood out to me were "be still", "know" and "I will be". Its hard to be still and I never realized that it was a way to praise God, I have a long way to go to develop this but will continue to work on it. KNOW - I need to not wonder, think, feel, question, pretend, hesitate or procrastinate but KNOW that He is God - such a strong, powerful word. God is confident and sure "I will be exalted" and I need to be confident and sure in my relationship with Him.
Have you ever tried being still? Do you find time to praise God? Is consistency in time with God easy or hard for you?
My friend Vicki gave me "30 Days to Greater Praise" a long time ago and God has brought it to my attention recently - honestly I started it this fall and I am only on Day 12 so not doing it in 30 days. Today I memorized the verse
Psalms 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
I was then asked to meditate on this for 5 minutes - I am not one to sit still or meditate easily so it was challenging for me. The parts of the verse that stood out to me were "be still", "know" and "I will be". Its hard to be still and I never realized that it was a way to praise God, I have a long way to go to develop this but will continue to work on it. KNOW - I need to not wonder, think, feel, question, pretend, hesitate or procrastinate but KNOW that He is God - such a strong, powerful word. God is confident and sure "I will be exalted" and I need to be confident and sure in my relationship with Him.
Have you ever tried being still? Do you find time to praise God? Is consistency in time with God easy or hard for you?
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
My Jesus, I Love Thee
My Jesus, I love thee, I know thou art mine,
For thee all the follies of sin I resign.
My gracious Redeemer, My Saviour art thou,
If ever I loved thee, My Jesus, 'tis now.
I love thee because thou has first loved me
And purchased my pardon on Calvary's tree.
I love thee for wearing the thorns on thy brow.
If ever I loved thee, My Jesus, 'tis now.
I love thee as long as thou givest me breath.
And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow
If ever I loved thee, My Jesus, 'tis now.
In mansions of glory and endless delight
I'll ever adore thee in mansions so bright.
I'll sign with the glittering crown on my brow
If ever I loved thee, My Jesus, 'tis now.
William R. Featherston, 1864; Featherston was only 16 years old at the time.
I read this the other day and the words keep going through my head. "Thee" is not a word I use but the sentence describes my constant struggle. I love Jesus but it seems to be stronger some days and then there are the days that I forget about Him and struggle and then am reminded that "If ever I loved thee, My Jesus, 'tis now." I'm so thankful that He is My Jesus and that he first loved me. Are you familiar with this tune? Can you imagine putting into words at the age of 16 your love for Jesus? I desire to do this at my age, much past 16 and yet God is happy with any words I say to Him.
For thee all the follies of sin I resign.
My gracious Redeemer, My Saviour art thou,
If ever I loved thee, My Jesus, 'tis now.
I love thee because thou has first loved me
And purchased my pardon on Calvary's tree.
I love thee for wearing the thorns on thy brow.
If ever I loved thee, My Jesus, 'tis now.
I love thee as long as thou givest me breath.
And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow
If ever I loved thee, My Jesus, 'tis now.
In mansions of glory and endless delight
I'll ever adore thee in mansions so bright.
I'll sign with the glittering crown on my brow
If ever I loved thee, My Jesus, 'tis now.
William R. Featherston, 1864; Featherston was only 16 years old at the time.
I read this the other day and the words keep going through my head. "Thee" is not a word I use but the sentence describes my constant struggle. I love Jesus but it seems to be stronger some days and then there are the days that I forget about Him and struggle and then am reminded that "If ever I loved thee, My Jesus, 'tis now." I'm so thankful that He is My Jesus and that he first loved me. Are you familiar with this tune? Can you imagine putting into words at the age of 16 your love for Jesus? I desire to do this at my age, much past 16 and yet God is happy with any words I say to Him.
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