Godplace/Mission238 forums

This morning I'm musing through some of life's muddles. Life takes such abrupt twists and turns sometimes, and then at other times it seems to go forever in the rut of my own choosing.

Last week I got out of my rut by doing a very irresponsible thing (or was it?). Took two extra days off work, for no good reason at all (or was it?)... and spent a wonderful few days with Titushome's family.

It never ceases to amaze me how much stress falls away while you're holding a sleeping baby. And is there anything more delightful than a baby's smile and chortle?

Musing about how wonderful it is to sip tea with a good friend while you're curled up on the couch, chatting about everything and nothing.

God is good to give us friends, and babies, and tea, and safe trips over the mountain passes.

:beret:

:addnothing:

This was written for my blog (not GP) so you already know about Indy, but here's a little more of the story...

It may sound overly dramatic to say I'm making a break for freedom, but I kind of think that's what I'm doing. And my big resignation from ministry involvement was only the beginning. Somewhere in the muddle of my life, I think I forgot who it was God created me to be. Or maybe I never entirely knew, and maybe I'm just now starting to see glimpses. Or maybe I just focus too much on the annoying parts of my confusing personality, and I'm learning to see some positives and re-learning how to have fun.

My first big clue that I'd been missing something was last summer at the church campout when Bro Dale brought his boat and inner tube to the lake. I always feel so responsible to make sure things go well, and everyone has a good time, and everyone feels included, and.... Sometimes I don't have much fun in the process. I'd watched the kids have fun being towed around the lake, screaming and laughing, and coming back to camp completely soaked, but with the biggest smiles on their faces, and giddy with excitement. Several people had asked me if I was going to go in the inner tube (but especially Nikki, who said if I'd go, she would), and I kept saying 'no'. But the more I watched them, and the more I thought about it, the more I realized there was no good reason for me to stay and be 'responsible'. Why shouldn't I be a kid for an hour? And why shouldn't I have fun with a friend of my own? And what would it hurt if I got soaked from head to toe? I had other clothes to change into. Sooo... I went.

Bro Dale helped Nikki and I get situated in the tube, and promised he wouldn't get too carried away since he knows I can't swim. I did have a life jacket on, but I knew if I ended up in the water, I'd panic—badly.  He started out slowly, but kept gaining speed as Nikki and I hung on tighter and tighter. We both had big grins on our faces, and every time a wave of water came over the edge and soaked us, we'd scream. Bro Dale seemed pleased with the results, and decided to step it up a notch. Before I knew it we were zooming through the water, doing zigzag motions, careening around corners, bumping and bouncing over the waves from the other boats in the water, and Nikki and I were laughing ourselves silly. By this point we were so wet, it was impossible to get any wetter, but the water was so cold we'd scream every time it hit us.

Long story short, I screamed so much I made myself hoarse, I laughed so much my sides hurt for several days (no joke!), and I couldn't even remember the last time I'd had that much fun.

The second big clue was when Trent came home for Christmas. He randomly decided to take me to Toomie's one Sunday night after church, because his former guitar teacher's band was playing live jazz. I almost never do things like that when he's not here. I generally figure it's not worth spending the money. But really now... does an appetizer and a cup of tea cost all that much for a relaxing evening? Of course, the largest part of my fun was being with Trent, but I love good jazz, and there's no reason I couldn't invite someone else to go with me sometime.

And then Leo came to Oregon as well. Sitting up late chatting with Trent and Leo reminded me of how much I miss having other young adults around to talk about life with, and discuss Scripture, and laugh at silly jokes.

But the day the three of us went cross-country skiing was a day I'll never forget. Leo had never been cross-country skiing before, and it had been a long time since Trent and I were on skis, so the three of us spent as much time with our faces in snow banks as we did standing upright. And yet again, I found myself laughing harder than I had in a very long time.

Why is it so hard for me to lighten up and just enjoy being? Why is it so difficult for me to allow myself to put time and energy into fun things? Life isn't all about work and duties and responsibilities.

The third thing came as yet another shock to me. I flew to Indiana for Musicfest, expecting to put my time and brain to hard use in the classes, and perhaps have a few minutes here and there with the friends I knew were going too.

But God knew I needed the fellowship more than I needed the musical training. And I found myself intentionally skipping a class to buy myself extra time with a group of friends. Even more surprising, I stayed up until 3 a.m. chatting and laughing with them. I'm not sure when the last time was that I was up at that hour. Yes, I came home exhausted. But it was a good exhausted, not the mental fatigue that is so hard to deal with. And the memories and friendships I came away with were worth more than money could buy.

Was I surprised at myself in some of these situations? Yes. If I had it to do over, would I play it safe and stay out of the inner tube? Go to bed instead of staying up listening to jazz? Stay home instead of risking a twisted ankle on the mountainside? Diligently go to class, and head for bed at a decent hour rather than enjoy being with friends? Never!

Not really sure where these discoveries are taking me. I guess time will tell. But in the meantime, I'm enjoying the journey.


:beret:

YES! too cool! yipee! /me is REALLY glad! for more than one reason!

*HUGS* Ruby.  ;)

*Tight HUG*

Yeah. I am VERY proud of you for that...all of it. ;)

*Hugs* Chel, Sandra, and Melody

Thanks. :)

:beret:

Random (or not so random) Scriptures and thoughts:

I Kings 19:18--"Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him."

You are more than able to preserve people who are dedicated to You.

Matt 21:21-22--"Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."

I believe You, Jesus. I'm asking in faith, and trusting that You will fulfill your promise.

Psalm 84:11--"For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly."

If what I have prayed for is within your will for my life, and would be good for me, then I know it will come to pass. If it does not come to pass, then I will trust in the fact that You know what is best in my life, because You see the whole picture. I'm so thankful I can rest in that.

Jer. 29:11-12--"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you."

I know that You hear me, I know that You care, I know that Your plans for me are only for good, and never to harm or hurt.

Heb 6:15--"And so, after he [Abraham] had patiently endured, he obtained the promise."

Jesus, I am waiting with patient expectance to see how Your promise will be fulfilled.

Heb 10:23--"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)"

Holding tight to Your hand, Jesus. Holding onto hope.

:beret:

/me hugs Ruby in a tight Chel hug

We think a lot alike.
That's not meant to be a put-down!

*Hugs* Dina and Chel

You're both really sweet. :)

:beret:

Same title, different letters:
Musing the Muddles
Perusing the Puddles
Choosing the Cuddles
Losing the Love Handles
Bruising the Befuddles
Oozing the Oodles

ok. enough.
Your title was inspiring, that's all.

 :biglaugh:

:beret:

I love my sister! lol./me hugs Ruby and Dina

Awesome, Ruby!  :thumbsup2:


How 'bout "Paddling the poodles"?

:grin:

Quote from: coolguy on May 03, 2008, 04:29:19 PM

How 'bout "Paddling the poodles"?

:grin:

Thats a title for Brandon. LOL

Quote from: coolguy on May 03, 2008, 04:29:19 PM
Awesome, Ruby!  :thumbsup2:


How 'bout "Paddling the poodles"?

:grin:

Thank you, thank you! And I'll cheerfully paddle any poodle within reach. ;)

Quote from: iridiscente on May 03, 2008, 03:07:59 AM
Choosing the Cuddles

Hmmm... how 'bout I borrow this one for the title of my next thread, when this one is at 20 pages? *grin*

:beret:

BOL!

 :searching: Who posted that anyhow?

:beret:

Discoveries about giants... and about myself:

I think we probably all have a giant in our lives. You know... One of those things that seem so huge, so enormous, that we think we can never get past them. Those things that keep us awake at night. Those things we are afraid to even look in the face.

Giants come in many forms, but they all have the same goal: to paralyze their prey with fear.

Almost exactly a year ago I decided I was tired of living in fear of the giant in front of me, tired of standing still and watching it take things that were precious to me. I was fed up with feeling completely helpless, fed up with the taunts the giant threw in my face every day, fed up with my own cowering before them.

I declared war.

In the face of the taunts, I reminded him that Jesus' blood is more than enough to cover even my worst mistakes and bad choices. When the giant caused nightmares that made me wake in the night shaking and in tears, I quoted verses in its face until my heartbeat returned to normal and I was peaceful enough to sleep once again. When the giant tried to come between me and relationships that were important to me, I pushed past it to the people that I loved and that loved me. When the giant tried to tell me I wasn't worth anything, I pointed out that Jesus thought I was worth enough to die for.

To my shock, I saw the giant begin to falter.

My declaration of war began as a timidly whispered verse or two, that I wasn't even certain the giant could hear, but when I realized that the giant couldn't stand against the strength that lives inside me (I John 4:4), I grew bolder in my declarations.

The last number of months have been open warfare between us, and while I haven't won every battle, I already know who the victor of the war is.

I've seen the giant take a death-blow. He may still be on his feet, but the stone is sunk in deep. And it's only a matter of time until he lies on the ground.

:beret:

And then you'll go grab his sword and CHOP OFF HIS HEAD!!!!  :hyper:

YES! ALRIGHTY! YAY! AMAZING!
/me hugs Ruby tight...
i have a giant too.... and you are so right!

I still cant believe that it has been almost exactly one year. *sigh* WOW.

This reminds me of that song, you remember? I know Mary will... :sing: Giants, do die, the bigger they are, the harder they fall.... :sing:


Thanks Ruby, once again, you have spoken the true feelings that are in MY heart as well, but you are much better about knowing how to put them into words. I am so blessed to have you in my life, and so thankful that God saw fit to put you there to help me defeat MY giant.

*TIGHT HUG*

I'm currently reading through Crazy Love by Francis Chan, and finding such encouraging and thought provoking things in it!

Here are a few quotes from the book that I think you may like:

"Isn't it a comfort to worship a God we cannot exaggerate?"

"As much as we want God to explain Himself to us, His creation, we are in no place to demand that He give an account to us."

"When I am consumed by my problems-stressed out about MY life, MY family, and MY job-I actually convey the belief that I think the circumstances are more important than God's command to always rejoice. In other words, that I have a 'right' to disobey God because of the magnitude of my responsibilities."

"The point of your life is to point to Him."

"All that matters is the reality of who we are before God."

:beret:

And you already know which one of those fits ME. :great: ;)

Great quotes.

Thanks, Dina. :)



I wait. I love.

I wonder.
But only time will tell.

I wish.
But only action makes wishes come true.

I worry.
But only faith and prayer will do any good.

I wait.
But I will worship in the waiting.


I long.
But there is purpose for the delay.

I look.
But even the evidence is sometimes faulty.

I list.
But give God the eraser.

I love.
But only from a distance for now.

:beret:

Wow.  That's awesome Ruby!

:thumbsup2:


;)

That is an awesome Ruby! :grin:

Quote from: sunlight on May 29, 2008, 04:44:08 PM
That is an awesome Ruby! :grin:

Yup....I think so too. ;)

 :sing: "Resting in the peace that only comes in the waiting..." :sing:

Among the riffraff

"And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (Matt 9:10-13)

When I read this passage earlier today, I had to ask myself: Do I hang out with outcasts? Can I be found among the riffraff?

Sometimes I think that too many of my friends look and act too much like I do. But perhaps not. There's B, who seems to go home drunk more often than he comes home sober. There's R, who is so emotionally needy that she might as well be 5, rather than the 60-whatever she really is. There's A, whose Dad has had--what is it now? four?--affairs within the last year. There's V, who has messed up so many times, in so many ways, that his life looks like you put a goat in a china store. There's D, who had two babies before she was married, lived like a lonesome little alley cat, screams at her four kids, and dresses like she belongs in a strip joint. There's N, who has piercings in places God never intended to be pierced. There's C & D, who can't hold down a job for any length of time, and who live in a junky travel trailer because they can't afford anything else, and who really should take a shower a little more often--say, once a month or so.

Most of 'polite society' (whatever that is) wouldn't want to be found chatting with most of these people. But these people are folks I know quite well. And I'm realizing more and more that what you see on the outside isn't important. The packaging, the layers, the look, the stuff, the surroundings, the circumstances... these are inconsequential.

The truth is: everyone looks the same if you can see past the packaging. The truth is: everyone has a soul. The truth is: God created every one of us in His own image. The truth is: every last person on this planet matters to Him. The truth is: every last person on this planet should matter to me. The truth is: everybody needs to hear about Jesus. The truth is: everybody needs to know His love. The truth is: it's up to me (and you) to show them His love. The truth is: we're all sinners that need a Savior.

I think I need more friends among the riffraff.

:beret:

Falling in love all over again

My heart is caught by Him, utterly captivated by His beauty, awestruck at the love that He shows me, humbled by His grace, enthralled by who He is, delighted with the intimate ways He showed Himself to me this week, enchanted by all the little things He did to make me smile, and...

Once again I'm wildly in love with Him. A love so great, so wonderful, so terrible, it almost takes my breath at times.

And this is an answer to prayer.

Last February I wrote in my journal:
     "Although I'm tempted to say I no longer know who God is, the truth of the matter is that I no longer know who I am. I've been too busy doing, and have forgotten how to be. I've been too busy serving, and have forgotten how to know. At which point I am forced to ask just who it is I have been serving. Myself, perhaps. Because I'm quite certain He once said that His yoke was easy and His burden light. And mine certainly hasn't been. I've nearly forgotten what happiness feels like, what helpless laughter is, what childlike enchantment is, how a peaceful heart feels.
     The point is that I'm desperate to recover what I've lost. The far-off dream of knowing I'm loved regardless of my actions, knowing contentment regardless of my circumstances, knowing peace though my day is hectic. The utter relief of knowing Him. Really knowing Him. And in being known.
     I wonder if that is even possible to find once again."

I'm overwhelmed. Just remembering how dark life has felt at times during the past year, and to think that He listened to the cry, the longing, and to suddenly realize that He longed for me, too.

What utter relief it is to be in His arms. To step inside that circle, and realize that nothing, no one, can touch me when I'm hidden in Him. To know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am loved. Completely.

This is what it means to be held. This is what it means to know I'm forgiven. This is what it means to be loved. This is what it means to be at peace. This is what it means to be captivated by Someone. This is what it means to be falling in love all over again.


It had been so very long since I'd really felt Him. I knew with my head that He was there. I knew with my head that He was still good. But I couldn't feel Him. What a lovely thing it is to be back where I belong.


:beret:

wow. 

/me hugs Rwooby... Thanks for sharing

I don't know how I missed this thread for the last four months, but I'm all caught up now.

You're a very talented writer, Ruby.  And a very introspective person.  And, from what I can see, a very godly woman.  Don't stop reaching.

Quote from: titushome on August 06, 2008, 01:56:13 PM
You're a very talented writer, Ruby.  And a very introspective person.  And, from what I can see, a very godly woman.  Don't stop reaching.

Thanks, Don. That's a very high compliment coming from you. *smile*

I go through spurts where I write like mad for several days or even weeks, and then... weeks or months of nothing. *shrug*

:beret:

Beautiful Ruby! You are incredibly talented. I feel your heart!

Thanks Rae. :) You're a sweety.

:beret:

Not so much. ;) Just honest.

Quote from: SippinTea on August 06, 2008, 03:23:00 PM
Thanks, Don. That's a very high compliment coming from you.

You said something like that once before - am I stingy with compliments or something?  ;)

Stingy? Nah. But you don't hand them out constantly, and when you give them you really mean them. :)

:beret:

Ruby, Something I remember that helps me alot when I feel completely forsaken is these 2 sets of verses.  I think you have seen them before, but it is always worth the repeat.


Job 35:9-11 (New International Version)   

9 "Men cry out under a load of oppression;
       they plead for relief from the arm of the powerful.

10 But no one says, 'Where is God my Maker,
       who gives songs in the night,   11 who teaches more to us than to [a] the beasts of the earth
       and makes us wiser than  the birds of the air?'

Psalm 42:5-8 (King James Version)
King James Version (KJV) 

5Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.

6O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.

7Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.

8Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.

"In the Garden"

1.   I come to the garden alone
   while the dew is still on the roses,
   and the voice I hear falling on my ear,
   the Son of God discloses.
Refrain:
   And he walks with me, and he talks with me,
   and he tells me I am his own;
   and the joy we share as we tary there,
   none other has ever known.

2.   He speaks, and the sound of his voice
   is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
   and the melody that he gave to me
   within my heart is ringing.
   (Refrain)

3.   I'd stay in the garden with him
   though the night around me be falling,
   but he bids me go; thru the voice of woe
   his voice to me is calling.

You're right, Brandon! Those are great passages. And He did indeed give me songs in the night during those darker days. I'm just very thankful the sun/Son broke through and it's not so cloudy anymore. :)

:beret:

You need to come visit some of the riff-raff friends you have in TX!

*grin* If my riffraff friends in TX don't mind being visited by riffraff from OR... it sounds like a simply mah-velous idea. The how and when might be a tad more difficult to work out, however. ;)

:beret:

*ahem*  California is on the WAY to Texas, thankyouverymuch.  Stop here first before you go see Dina and your *cough* other friends in Texas.

/me checks the tickets to Ca... :lol:

Quote from: RainbowJingles on August 14, 2008, 10:41:58 PM
*ahem*  California is on the WAY to Texas, thankyouverymuch.  Stop here first before you go see Dina and your *cough* other friends in Texas.

yeah... I'm not the ONLY riffraff around here.

 :lol: You sillies.

All three of you gals are terrific.  :grouphug:

:beret:

/me hugs ST TIGHT!

YAY! :hyper: Im so stinking glad for you! :clap:

Yay! hehe! :hyper:

hehe! weeeee!

:lol:
/me contains herself to just huggin ST again... hehe! or tries too...








:hyper:

:eyebrow: Wow.

That happy, huh?

*laugh*

:beret:

YES!

:hyper:

that happy... arent you?


:REG:

Nope.

I'm MORE happy.

I'm just sitting on my hands to keep from bouncing or twirling around the room.

I'm attempting to being ladylike and dignified, ya know. ;)

*cough*

:beret:

Yeah right... :roll:

;)


*HUGS* Ruby too.

I dont think i ever try to do that... :grin:

RUBY! Guess what i did today! BOL!

speaking of undignified and unladylikeness... REG!

*grins at Mel and hugs her really tight*

Quote from: sunlight on August 17, 2008, 12:05:18 AM
RUBY! Guess what i did today! BOL!

speaking of undignified and unladylikeness... REG!

What?!?!

:beret:

Bumper Boats, Go Karts, a Merry-go-round, and played with little kids! :grin: after working with my friend at her shop/store of course... :lol:

*is jealous*

:beret:

/me grins hugely!

AND  she got Ariel some cute little white church shoes that she's been needing! Yay!

I love your new av Melody!

Thanks! I love it too!
/me hugs Ruby again...tight ;)
Thanks for the chat pal ;)

My heart needs to be where You are

Jesus, I don't want to go somewhere if I know that You're not there. I'm not sure where You're taking me right now, but I'm trusting You to guide me in the journey. I'm watching Your eyes, holding Your hand, stepping in the direction that I feel You gently tugging me. But if I begin to miss a step, Jesus, please pull me back on track. Because I don't want to be walking a road without You beside me.

When my eyes are clouded by the fog around me, let me see with eyes of faith.
When my feet grow weary, give me new strength.
When my courage weakens, instill boldness in my heart.
When my ears are distracted by the trivialities around me, whisper my name again.
When my hope wavers, give me another glimpse of the future You have prepared for me.
When my understanding is limited, give me Your wisdom.

When I can't hold myself up, grant me friends that will lift me in prayer.
When I can't change the circumstances, let me remember that You still work miracles.
When I can't say the right thing or find the words, put Your words in my mouth.
When I can't see the way things really are, clear away the confusion.
When I can't go, grant me grace to stay where You have placed me.
When I can't stay, give me wings to fly to the new assignment.

I want to be in the center of Your will for me--not a step behind, not a step ahead.

My heart needs to be where You are.

Hold me close, Jesus. I need Your arms around me. I need to hear Your heartbeat. I need to hear Your love for me whispered in my ear. I need You.


:beret:

Wow Ruby....WOW.

Yeah, THAT, Jesus.

/me hugs Ruby   really really really tight...

Is Ruby working on her first book yet?

She needs to. :)

*smile* Noooo... I have not. And I don't really think anyone but my family and friends would have any interest in my ramblings anyhow. :updown:

But it's nice to have a fan club. ;)

:beret:

If you sign me a copy, Ill pay double for it. ;)

what she said... ^

Quote from: SippinTea on November 10, 2008, 07:31:18 PM
*smile* Noooo... I have not. And I don't really think anyone but my family and friends would have any interest in my ramblings anyhow. :updown:

But it's nice to have a fan club. ;)

:beret:

You have a gift with words and great insights.  You should think about it.

and you could get D to illustrate it... :grin: I would buy more than one then! BOL! :laughhard:

Quote from: SippinTea on November 10, 2008, 07:31:18 PM
*smile* Noooo... I have not. And I don't really think anyone but my family and friends would have any interest in my ramblings anyhow. :updown:

Bah.

Quote from: titushome on November 11, 2008, 12:08:28 AM

Quote from: SippinTea on November 10, 2008, 07:31:18 PM
*smile* Noooo... I have not. And I don't really think anyone but my family and friends would have any interest in my ramblings anyhow. :updown:

Bah.

Humbug. *grin*

Quote from: sunlight on November 10, 2008, 09:13:53 PM
and you could get D to illustrate it... :grin: I would buy more than one then! BOL! :laughhard:

Yeah, I just bet you would! *laugh*

Quote from: The Purple Fuzzy on November 10, 2008, 08:57:44 PM
You have a gift with words and great insights.  You should think about it.

Hmmm... tell ya what... if you find me a publisher, I'll think about it. ;)

:beret:

*hmph*

;)

Just use all those empty journals. ;)

Got one! :hyper:

*shakes head and wonders about her friends*

:beret:

Quote from: SippinTea on November 11, 2008, 04:20:26 AM
Hmmm... tell ya what... if you find me a publisher, I'll think about it. ;)

Ummm, Ruby... generally you have to write the book, THEN find a publisher.

Details, details... *grin*

:beret:

*wonders what Wooby is grinning about*

:eyebrow:

I was lying in bed, trying to go to sleep. But my mind was going a hundred miles an hour, fretting over various things, worrying over several situations, and I suddenly realized I was doing my oh-so-stupid-human-thing...looking at the mountains instead of the Mountain Mover. So I started praying about those things and situations instead.

As I began handing those things one by one to God, and giving them into His care, I started remembering something else, too... my God is awesome, and His power is endless. How did I forget that fact? It's so easy to give everyone else the pat answers, and so much harder to remember them for myself--to KNOW them for myself.

A few hundred dollars can look so huge to me. But to Him? Pffftt. What's a few hundred dollars when you own it ALL?

A body full of cancer? Pffftt. What's a few cancer cells when you created that same body, and know every detail of its innermost workings?

A dangerous situation? Pffftt. What danger?

A thousand questions flying through someone's mind? Pffftt. He had the solutions and the answers all figured out before the questions ever even arrived on the scene.

A tangled relationship? Pfffttt. If he made those crazy personalities, than figuring out how they fit together isn't difficult at all.

A prodigal? Pffftt. He watched them wander down the road a ways, and He knows exactly how to bring them back home again.

Not a challenge to Him. Not a stretch of His strength. Not a test of His ability. Not a pull on His power.

Nothing is hard for Him. Nothing is impossible. Nothing is confusing. Nothing is stressful. Nothing is bewildering. Nothing is frightening.

That's my God.

:beret:

Quote from: SippinTea on November 22, 2008, 07:53:38 AM
A tangled relationship? Pfffttt. If he made those crazy personalities, than figuring out how they fit together isn't difficult at all.

:-)

**HUGS** Ruby
That tickled my funny bone, my friend!  :-)  You're awesome.  GREAT post.  All of it!

QuoteA prodigal? Pffftt. He watched them wander down the road a ways, and He knows exactly how to bring them back home again.

Not a challenge to Him. Not a stretch of His strength. Not a test of His ability. Not a pull on His power.

Nothing is hard for Him. Nothing is impossible. Nothing is confusing. Nothing is stressful. Nothing is bewildering. Nothing is frightening.

That's my God.

isnt our God awesome? :grin: all that and more! and all that and less too... (the big and the little)

Elona--I kinda thought that one might make you smile. ;)

Chel--prezactly!

:beret:

I just like watching you say "Pffffft!"

Yup.  Sure did!

**HUGS** Ruby

Quote from: SippinTea on November 22, 2008, 05:38:28 PM
Elona--I kinda thought that one might make you smile. ;)

Chel--prezactly!

:beret:

Come to the Recliner

I'm currently reading Satisfy My Thirsty Soul by Linda Dillow, and I'm thoroughly enjoying her book. (As always! She's an excellent writer, and I continually find myself being drawn closer to God through her compelling style.)

This book is about intimacy with God. Not just a relationship with Him. Not just being a friend of God. But a face-to-face intimacy with Him.

I found myself smiling when I read a particular paragraph from chapter two, but not because it was in itself amusing. I was smiling because a couple of recent conversations made the paragraph seem a little more... real? understandable? approachable?

Maybe you'll see what I mean, and maybe you won't. Either way, here's the paragraph that caught my attention:

"Psalm 22:3 says that He comes in a very special way. My Bible translates it, "God is enthroned in the praises of His people." Other English translations say, "God inhabits the praises of His people." In the Japanese Bible, it says: "When we we worship, we build a big chair for God to sit in." I love that! My worship invites the Holy God to come and dwell in the big recliner my worship creates for Him. I invite His presence. My worship speaks to God's heart."

Dillow also quotes George Skramstad as saying:

"Ultimate worship takes place when we, like children, find ourselves climbing into the lap of our heavenly Father with the desire just to be with Him. At that moment there is no agenda other than to sit in His presence, to love Him, to whisper in His ear our gratitude, to feel His face, to hear His heart, to rest in His embrace, to enjoy the moment, and to understand more fully the God who yearns to enjoy us."

I know exactly what they're saying. And I want more of those moments. Those moments that no words can express. Those moments of being completely secure, and peacefully resting in His arms, just enjoying Him.

:beret:

Yeah, that.

Awesome Ruby. Once again, you have described what is in my heart and what I most desire. Thanks.

Quote from: SippinTea on November 23, 2008, 06:23:09 AM
In the Japanese Bible, it says: "When we we worship, we build a big chair for God to sit in."

Oh WOW!  What an AWESOME word picture!!!!!

Quote from: RainbowJingles on November 23, 2008, 07:10:21 AM

Quote from: SippinTea on November 23, 2008, 06:23:09 AM
In the Japanese Bible, it says: "When we we worship, we build a big chair for God to sit in."

Oh WOW!  What an AWESOME word picture!!!!!

that IS an awesome word picture... but for some reason the rest of your post made me uncomfortable.

Quote from: iridiscente on November 24, 2008, 06:40:56 PM

Quote from: RainbowJingles on November 23, 2008, 07:10:21 AM

Quote from: SippinTea on November 23, 2008, 06:23:09 AM
In the Japanese Bible, it says: "When we we worship, we build a big chair for God to sit in."

Oh WOW!  What an AWESOME word picture!!!!!

that IS an awesome word picture... but for some reason the rest of your post made me uncomfortable.

I'm not surprised. *smile*

:beret:

What was wrong with that post?

I don't like to mix words like "intimacy" with my thoughts on my relationship with Diety. I don't think anything she said is wrong. It just makes me think of all of the "Jesus is my boyfriend" music and that stuff makes me gag.

But are we not the Bride of Christ?

sure, but I still don't like the analogy. I think it gets taken too far. I think many songs we sing appeal to women and make men not want to be a part of the church culture... in one way of looking at it. At the same time, I don't like it, but, I'm not a man either. So maybe when it's taken to an extreme it makes more than just men not be drawn to it.

Quote from: iridiscente on November 25, 2008, 01:06:02 AM
I don't like to mix words like "intimacy" with my thoughts on my relationship with Diety. I don't think anything she said is wrong. It just makes me think of all of the "Jesus is my boyfriend" music and that stuff makes me gag.

Okay, the whole "Jesus is my boyfriend" thing makes me gag, too. *grin* Believe me! I don't get confused between Jesus and PC. *cough* But...

The word 'intimacy' has been changed to mean only one aspect of intimacy--the physical aspect--(which is a major pet peeve of mine, btw). True intimacy is much bigger than that. Which is why I don't mind using the word in relation to how Jesus knows me. He knows all the secret corners of my heart that I never, ever show to other people. And He still loves me in spite of them.

:beret:

One more quick thought...

This whole year I have felt like God was showing Himself to me in ways I've never known before. One of the biggest things was that I had a somewhat twisted view of Him waiting to pounce when I mess up. But this year I've had this growing awareness that if I TRULY believe in the oneness of God (as I say I do) then the compassion, and gentleness, and love that Jesus showed others while He was on earth are the same attributes that God shows toward me today. You can't separate the two. And I guess the whole little journey I've been on this year has given me a different picture of God Himself. He seems more approachable, more loving, more compassionate, more gentle, more merciful, more... near. Close.

*shrug* Not sure I'm able to put into words what I've been learning this year, but that's the best I can do for now.

:beret:

Yeah...that. Thats exactly how I feel lately too. Naturally ;)

Quote from: SippinTea on November 25, 2008, 05:27:35 AM

Quote from: iridiscente on November 25, 2008, 01:06:02 AM
I don't like to mix words like "intimacy" with my thoughts on my relationship with Diety. I don't think anything she said is wrong. It just makes me think of all of the "Jesus is my boyfriend" music and that stuff makes me gag.

Okay, the whole "Jesus is my boyfriend" thing makes me gag, too. *grin* Believe me! I don't get confused between Jesus and PC. *cough* But...

The word 'intimacy' has been changed to mean only one aspect of intimacy--the physical aspect--(which is a major pet peeve of mine, btw). True intimacy is much bigger than that. Which is why I don't mind using the word in relation to how Jesus knows me. He knows all the secret corners of my heart that I never, ever show to other people. And He still loves me in spite of them.

Very true - when we talk about 'intimacy' with God, we need to set aside incorrect, worldly, carnal notions about the meaning of the word.

Here's another thing to think about: we relate to Christ as His bride not as individuals, but as an assembled whole.

"Can we speak of God's power only after we've been healed or after we survive the struggle we find ourselves in? Why are testimonies of how awesome God is typically announced after the fact? Is there not testimony of His saving grace in the midst of my crumbling? Can I only proclaim His goodness in the absence of disease? doesn't He speak of who He IS in the agony of my brokenness? Is He less when I am less? NO. He is my ALL in ALL. I have to stand (even when I've lost my balance) on the solid rock of Jesus. He is my Sustainer and Redeemer in my weakness. He knows what it is like to be broken. He alone understands why I can't stand up. I know nothing, save His power. Maybe that is how I glorify Him: recognizing I need nothing else, not even my health.

So this is where I am today. It is not pretty. I have no mountaintop from which to report. This valley seems deep and very foggy. It can be a lonely place to hang out. But God is here. If He wasn't I could not breathe. I trust He is steering, but I cannot see. He will get me through. I trust. I believe. I wait. That's all." -- taken from Satisfy My Thirsty Soul by Dillow

I kinda did a double-take when I read this quote, because it was only recently that Sarah and I were talking about how people are more than happy to tell their story after the crisis is past, after the adoption has been finalized, after the battle has been won, after the kids are grown, after the depression has lifted, after the healing has happened, after, after, after. See, we were discussing a certain situation I'm currently facing, and I mentioned how I keep looking for resources from other people who have walked this road, but am having little success. She said, "Maybe it's about time someone wrote their story while they are going through it." And she pointed out that memories fade with time, and details are forgotten, and the questions and agonizing and fears have subsided, and the passion isn't there. And people give silly pat answers because their story is already written, and they aren't facing the struggle anymore.

I'll admit she got me thinking. Hard. She got my attention.

So I'm writing my story. Because someday someone else might need to know my story. Might be asking those same questions, might be having those same fears. Whether or not I'll have the courage to share it someday is yet to be seen, I suppose. But I think I will.

I think I'll remember what a relief it was when someone shared their story with me. I think I'll remember how wonderful it was to realize I wasn't the only woman who had faced those issues. I think I'll remember how grateful I was when an uncle shared his view from the other side of the same equation. I think I'll remember enough to be willing to hand a friend my journal pages from this era, and let her see into my heart. I think I'll remember enough to let a guy (with questions about how a woman's brain thinks about certain scenarios) read my questions, and fears, and hopes.

And maybe, just maybe... the tears, and the hopes, and the passion, and the fears, and the dreams, and the longing, and the dread, and the terrror, and the love, and the prayers will come through. And maybe, just maybe... they'll realize they aren't alone. That someone is walking that road along with them.

Because right now, if someone needed to hear my story--partially written as it is--I would share it.

I want glorify Him IN my struggles, not just after they are over.
I want to worship Him IN the waiting, not just after the fulfillment has come.
I want to praise Him IN my questions, not just after they are answered.

:beret:

THAT was just...WOW. I cant express.

*HUGS* Ruby...really tight.

/me hugs urby la rue really tight... even though i dont belive in cyber hugs anymore... :grin:

you are awesome gal... and keep writing!

I did keep writing, Chel. And this one's long. :o Don't say I didn't warn you...

If long posts irritate you, don't read this one. There's no good spot for me to try to break it up. :updown:




I've had several conversations lately that revolved around the topic of hope. Do you realize just how important hope is? I mean, when you give up on hope, what do you have? Nothing. Nothing! There is nothing to look for, nothing to work for, nothing to take joy in. Really. I want you to think about it. Look at your life in this very moment. Even if you're in a happy, wonderful stage of life, even if you're mostly content with circumstances and people around you, even if you're happy with where you are... would you really want to stay there? Forever? Yeah, that's what I thought. I wouldn't want to either. Because what in this world is worth hanging around for? Not my job, not my friends, not my church, not my family. Because each of those elements have the potential to bring tremendous hurt and pain to me. Because I'm human. They're human. And jobs and churches? Yeah, exactly. They're constantly changing, and sometimes the changes aren't changes I'm comfortable with. If I didn't have hope in a future that's far better than my present, I wouldn't like this life much.

    * Job 6:11 - What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What prospects, that I should be patient?
    * Job 13:15 - Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him
    * Psalm 39:7 - But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.


When you look at the stuff around you it's easy to be discouraged. But what is your hope in? Stuff? People? Money? or God? It's only when your hope is in God that you have true hope.

    * Job 11:18 - You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety.
    * Psalm 25:5 - Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
    * Psalm 31:24 - Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.
    * Psalm 33:18 - But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
    * Psalm 33:20 - We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.
    * Psalm 62:5 - Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.
    * 1 Timothy 6:17 - Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.


When our hope is based in Him, that's when we can be strong, and can see past our present. That's when we are secure, in spite of evidence to the contrary.

    * Psalm 25:3 - No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame
    * Psalm 37:9 - For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.
    * Lamentations 3:25 - The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him


AND... God rewards those who hope in Him. Nice thought, that.

    * Psalm 42:5 - Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
    * Psalm 52:9 - I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints.


I have found that when my perspective is wrong and things look very dark, I'm neglecting to praise Him. When I'm thinking of all the amazing things He is, all the amazing things He's done, all the amazing things He's promised for the future, it's hard to stay down.

    * Psalm 71:5 - For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth.
    * Psalm 130:7 - O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.
    * Psalm 147:11 - The LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.
    * Isaiah 49:23 - Then you will know that I am the LORD; those who hope in me will not be disappointed.
    * Hebrews 6:19 - We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.
    * Hebrews 10:23 - Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful
    * Lamentations 3:20-22 - I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
    * 2 Corinthians 1:10 - He has delivered us from such a ly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us


And there's another amazing thing: He's always faithful. Hope placed in Him is never misplaced.

    * Psalm 119:74 - May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word.
    * Psalm 119:81 - My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word.
    * Psalm 119:147 - I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word.
    * Romans 15:4 - For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.


His Word is one of the best places to find hope. When I can read about how He made a way for other people, how He shut lions mouths, how He rescued, how He saved, how He protected, it restores my own hope that He will do the same for me.

    * Isaiah 40:31 - But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
    * Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.


This hope is a personal hope for me. It's not just for other people. He takes a personal interest in my life, and He has specific plans for my life.

    * Psalm 65:5 - You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas,
    * Matthew 12:21 - In his name the nations will put their hope.
    * Psalm 65:5 - You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas,
    * Jeremiah 14:22 - Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies themselves send down showers? No, it is you, O LORD our God. Therefore our hope is in you, for you are the one who does all this.


But this hope is not JUST for me. It's for everyone who puts their trust in Him. He brings a hope that is big enough for all the nations of the world to be secure in.

    * 1 Corinthians 15:19 - If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.
    * Proverbs 23:18 - There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.


What a wonderful thing it is that this hope reaches far beyond what we can see, far beyond this life, far beyond this planet. I can't even wrap my brain around a hope that big.

    * Micah 7:7 - But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
    * Psalm 130:5 - I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.
    * Titus 2:13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,
    * Romans 8:24-25 - For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.


But then we get to the waiting point. And that can be SO hard sometimes. What makes the difference for me is in who is offering hope. People sometimes offer hope for something and then don't follow through with their promise. Waiting and hoping for something that may or may not happen is agony. But when you trust the One who promised, when you know beyond a doubt that He is faithful to ALL He has promised, when you know that hope is based on something - Someone! - far bigger than yourself, it makes it ever so much easier to wait patiently. When it's not a question of 'if' - it's a question of 'when' - then I can rest in the knowing. And I am peaceful inside, resting in a hope that is not unfounded.

    * Acts 26:7 - This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. O king, it is because of this hope that the Jews are accusing me.
    * Acts 26:6 - And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our fathers that I am on trial today.


Ever been ridiculed, accused, or on trial because of your hope? I know that feeling. When people around you don't have the same confidence, don't have the same assurance, the typical response to an expressed hope is to try to dissuade that belief in what can't be seen. Which is where faith and hope go hand in hand.

    * Romans 4:18 - Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be.
    * 2 Corinthians 3:12 - Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold
    * Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.


Belief in the promise, belief in the One who promised, belief in the fulfillment of that promise. Faith and hope really are inseparable. And the duo gives a boldness, a confidence, a sure footing, even against the odds and evidence and nay-sayers.

    * Romans 15:13 - May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
    * Ephesians 1:18 - I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints
    * 1 Thessalonians 1:3 - We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.


That confidence and hope is not something we can manufacture on our own, however. It stems from a close relationship with the One who gave the promise. You cannot believe Someone you don't know. You cannot have hope in a promise made by a stranger. We must know Him. Really know Him.

    * 1 Corinthians 13:6-7 - Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres


As we grow to know Him more, we grow to love him more. And love always hopes.

    * 1 Corinthians 13:13 - And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
    * Romans 5:1-6 - Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.


Look closely here. I'd never noticed this one before, and it's really cool. See how these passages fit together like a hand in a glove? Three things remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest is love. Next passage: we're saved by the faith we have in His grace. Then there's this list of things produced in a life of faith, and the last thing mentioned is - you guessed it - hope. And hope does not disappoint us, why? Because God has poured out - yeah, you guessed it again - his love, in our hearts. Now look back at that verse in I Corinthians. Which of the three was the greatest? Yep. Exactly. Love is the greatest of the three. And it's His love that is now inside me. The same love that caused me to have faith in Him. The same love that offers me hope beyond what my eyes can see.

How cool is that?!

:beret:

Rubes - I love the latest posts... you've touched me.

Thanks, Rae. *smile*

:beret:

Grl. You did it again.

Thanks. Truly.


*HUG*

QuoteDo you realize just how important hope is? I mean, when you give up on hope, what do you have? Nothing. Nothing! There is nothing to look for, nothing to work for, nothing to take joy in

Wow. This is exactly what I've been thinking lately, maybe not so eloquently, but you covered all of the same bases.

Had Steven C. Chapman's song My Surrender running through my head today. And the more I've thought about the lyrics, the more I realize I do indeed need to give it all back to Him again. The more areas of my life I thought about, the more I realized how much I tend to hand them to Him only to take them back again. It would be easy to ask why I do that. It's obviously a much smarter choice to leave my life in His more than capable hands. But surrender is never easy, I suppose. Not really. Even the things that (on the surface) appear easy to give to Him, they come harder later. Or at least that's been my experience. It's easy to give Him things that aren't really yours - yet. Not so easy when they are in your hand, right there in front of you.

In advance, I can offer Him my career... When the time comes that I am faced with a choice, I can either push ahead with my own agenda, or surrender to His plan for something that wasn't in my viewfinder.

In advance, I can offer Him my time and energy... When the time comes that I'm exhausted nearly past endurance, I can give up or resentfully do the next task in front of me, or surrender that exhaustion to Him and let Him give me His own strength.

In advance, I can offer Him my money... When the time comes that the budget is tight, I can hoard away the little I have, or I can surrender it to the One who gave it to me in the first place and let Him use it to bless others as well as myself.

In advance, I can offer Him my purity... When the time comes that temptation is staring me in the eye, I can either allow my own deceitful heart and emotions to rule me, or I can surrender my desires to Him and let Him meet those desires in the right time and way.

In advance, I can offer Him my children... When the time comes that my little one is deathly ill, I can become bitter and angry, or I can surrender my child into the arms of the One who gives - and sometimes takes away.

In advance, I can offer Him my hopes and dreams... When the time come that those dreams are seemingly stripped away, I can fear and worry, or I can surrender them back to Him and allow Him to do with them what He will.

Insurrection, insubordination, and rebellion are ugly words... but aren't my actions ugly too, at times? Aren't those the things I demonstrate when I refuse to surrender my will, my thoughts, my emotions, my family, my fears, my career, my desires, my dreams, my material goods, my time, my actions, and my words?


:beret:

*HUGS* Ruby

Quote from: SippinTea on January 30, 2009, 05:09:24 AM
In advance, I can offer Him my children... When the time comes that my little one is deathly ill, I can become bitter and angry, or I can surrender my child into the arms of the One who gives - and sometimes takes away.

These words reverberate in my soul.

The grace with which He carries us through such times is nothing less than miraculous.

Quote from: titushome on January 30, 2009, 02:43:13 PM

Quote from: SippinTea on January 30, 2009, 05:09:24 AM
In advance, I can offer Him my children... When the time comes that my little one is deathly ill, I can become bitter and angry, or I can surrender my child into the arms of the One who gives - and sometimes takes away.

These words reverberate in my soul.

The grace with which He carries us through such times is nothing less than miraculous.

I have to do this often.

Awesome Ruby. Beautiful.

My muddle isn't a muse today. It's a statement.

I choose to forgive.

That's it.

No explanations, and no qualifiers.

I choose to forgive.

Forgiveness involves release.
You choose to no longer hold something to a record.
If you were called upon to testify against someone, you would have nothing upon which to base your testimony.
I have forgiven in word before, but still kept the tally.

*hands Ruby an eraser and a prayer*

thats hard to do.

im really proud of you gal. like really proud. like a grandparent about its grandchild. yeah. that proud. :grin:

That is VERY hard to do.

I am also very proud of you. That takes a lot of strenth to do. Especially in some cases. And you will become stronger for it. And God is pleased. Thats the most important thing.

Yes.

Yes.

And yes.

Quote from: RainbowJingles on February 12, 2009, 06:08:21 PM
Forgiveness involves release.
You choose to no longer hold something to a record.
If you were called upon to testify against someone, you would have nothing upon which to base your testimony.
I have forgiven in word before, but still kept the tally.

*hands Ruby an eraser and a prayer*

Thanks for posting what God prompted you to, Elona. That was a direct hit.

Quote from: sunlight on February 12, 2009, 06:10:05 PM
thats hard to do.

And it's hard more than once.

Quote from: MelodyB on February 12, 2009, 06:14:41 PM
And God is pleased. Thats the most important thing.

Ya know... that's what has been on repeat through my head this morning. I want God to be pleased with me, because that IS that most important thing.

**HUGS** Ruby

My pastor has ingrained that in us as a church.  If we, as a congregation, know nothing else, we know God's edict and method of forgiveness: Release.

Great way of putting it, Elona!

"Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever." Psalm 30:11-12

Dreams are scary things sometimes. Even the dreams that God gives. Because even God-given dreams come with issues. He never promised the dream wouldn't have issues. What He DID promise is that He would be right with us through those issues.

Today I had a sudden God-moment. Not that God isn't with me all the time, but I think you know what I mean. One of those moments where God came close and whispered in my ear and reminded me of something about a dream He gave me years ago. A dream people have discouraged me over. A dream I have grieved over. A dream I thought was dead.

Today God reminded me of a service I was in on July 27, 2007. A service that was about dreams God has given you. A service where I realized I had to put a certain dream back into His hands. A service where my heart was breaking, because I knew God had spoken to me and yet the dream was not coming to pass. A service where I had to lay the dream on an altar, and turn and walk away. A service I was grieving what I thought was the death of a dream.

Today God opened my eyes. And I realized that He has given me back the dream. I realized the dream is being unfolded before me. I realized the dream doesn't look quite like I thought it would, but it IS the dream. And it is far better than I thought it would be.

Has there been a price to pay for this dream? Yes. Dreams worth pursuing cost much. And looking toward the future, I realize there will continue to be a price to pay for this dream. Dreams worth pursuing are worth sacrifice.

But the dream isn't about me. It's about His kingdom. It's about bringing Him glory with my life. It's about giving Him worship with everything in me - even my pain.

"Fulfillments always look different than dreams, and fulfillments always involve helping other people to have their dreams fulfilled." -Rev. David Norris

Things that are spoken in secret are not gone. He still has those special things for you - for me - to do.

It is NOT the death of a dream. It is the REAL dream being realized.

:beret:

WOW.

Thank Ruby, that was VERY timely.

*Tight HUG*

Okay, I confess...

I used to really dislike The Message. But lately I keep finding myself reading it.

I know, I know, it's a paraphrase - not a translation - and I wholeheartedly agree it's not the most accurate thing in the world, but... c'mon, gimme a break! I'm a bear of very little brain (that's a reference to Winnie the Pooh, for those of you that are completely illiterate where good literature is concerned... ;-P), and sometimes these simplistic things are needed to get something through my thick (or was that stuffed??) skull.

Anyhow, I've been reading John's view of Jesus' time of earth lately, and I'm finding some rather interesting stuffs here.

Take a look at this:
"Jesus said, "You're tied down to the mundane; I'm in touch with what is beyond your horizons. You live in terms of what you see and touch. I'm living on other terms. I told you that you were missing God in all this. You're at a end. If you won't believe I am who I say I am, you're at the end of sins. You're missing God in your lives." John 8:23,24

And this:
"Jesus answered, "I told you, but you don't believe. Everything I have done has been authorized by my Father, actions that speak louder than words. You don't believe because you're not my sheep. My sheep recognize my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them real and eternal life. They are protected from the Destroyer for good. No one can steal them from out of my hand. The Father who put them under my care is so much greater than the Destroyer and Thief. No one could ever get them away from him. I and the Father are one heart and mind." John 10:25-30

And this:
"If I don't do the things my Father does, well and good; don't believe me. But if I am doing them, put aside for a moment what you hear me say about myself and just take the evidence of the actions that are right before your eyes. Then perhaps things will come together for you, and you'll see that not only are we doing the same thing, we are the same—Father and Son. He is in me; I am in him." John 10:36-38

I think it's rather intriguing that Jesus Himself told them to put aside the things He had said about Himself, and focus on the evidence of His actions for a while. Isn't it a relief when you remember that He knows our feeble limitations, and that we sometimes just plain don't get it?

As a music teacher, when I start seeing that glazed look in a student's eyes I often tell them to take a step back and look at the sheet of music in another way. It's not that the facts weren't there in the first way of looking at it, but sometimes it's just too big for them, too much for them, and taking a step back and looking at it from another way makes them get it. It's not that it's right or wrong to take it in from a different angle, it's about making sure someone understands. And if that means understanding that this chord is made up of a G, a B, and a D note, rather than understanding that this chord is a G chord... well, they'll get that part later when they're ready for it. In the mean time... just play those notes, Pal. The other part doesn't matter at the moment. You'll get it sooner or later - when it's the right time. When you need to know it, you'll know it. 'Cause the simple facts are already there, floating around in your head. And it'll all come together when it's supposed to.

I love that God does that for me. 'Cause sometimes I need that. I really, really need that.

:beret:

Control - Mine? or His?

When I worry about the 'what ifs' I'm wondering if I'll be able to control something that is outside of my control. I don't like feeling like life is outside of my control. But when something IS within my control, IS within my capabilities, I don't worry about it. I know I can handle it.

It's the other stuff. The stuff that is too big for me. The stuff that is profoundly affected by someone else's actions or words. The stuff that I can't understand. The stuff that I don't even know the questions for, much less the answers to those questions. The stuff that is decided by someone else. The stuff that is totally, completely NOT in my control.

That's the stuff that reminds me how helpless I really am. The stuff that reminds me I don't have all the answers. The stuff that remind me I don't have the knowledge. The stuff that reminds me I don't have the wisdom. The stuff that reminds me it's too big, too heavy, too complicated, too involved, too hidden, too much... TOO!

That's when I remember I need to release control into God's capable hands.

And then I wonder why I let my own very human fears get in the way so often.

It's hard to believe that someone else truly has my best interests at heart, that someone else could truly love me enough to put my own needs ahead of his own.

BUT, in the moments when I have trusted someone else who is bigger, stronger, wiser, to take care of something for me (for instance, my Dad) I realize that I trusted that person even more than I trusted myself. I realized their strength, their knowledge was so far beyond my own, they were clearly more competent, more worthy of trust in the situation. And I clearly didn't know what I was doing.

Why do I think trusting God is somehow different?

Why do I think I still have to remain in control? Why do I think I still need to be enough, do enough, know enough?

I can't.

I might as well face it.

And I might as well recognize that asking 'what if' is buying into a lie from my enemy that my God is not big enough to take care of me. Not strong enough to carry the burden. Not wise enough to solve my problem. Not loving enough to make the best choice for me. Not capable enough for my most difficult situations. Not worthy of my trust.

But He is.

He is more than enough.

He is more than able.

:beret:

:great:

The stuff I'm learning/re-learning lately...

- The questions about some things may always be there. He never promised to give us all the answers we wanted. But He DID promise He'd never leave us or forsake us, and He DID promise to always give us what we needed. And I can trust Him, even if I never get the answers I want.

- The mountain(s) may be so high I can't even see the top of them, BUT... right now, at this moment, I have a pretty clear vision of The Mountain Mover. And I'm seeing Him begin to move my mountains. So I'm not really worried about them. :) (That's not to say I won't hit another patch of doubt, of not seeing Him so clearly, but for right now I'm thankful for the view I have of Him.)

- I'm not alone. Sometimes it has felt that way. But I'm not. God is ALWAYS with me. And He has given me friends and a wonderful family that genuinely love me, and pray for me, and care very much about my life. I think I lost sight of that for a little while.

:beret:

:lurk:

I had a God-moment today in the form of a children's book. I highly recommend you buy yourself a copy of this book. Or pretend it's for your kids or grandkids. Either way. *wink*

It's called A Parable About the King, by Beth Moore.

It's the story of a princess who didn't want to clean her room. So she dressed in old clothes and ran away. Soon she was playing with the common children, getting all muddy, and pretending her father wasn't the King.

I'm sure you can guess how this goes. Through a series of events she realizes just how far she is from who and what she truly is, and goes back to the castle, crying and ashamed of how she had behaved while she was away from home.

The King is right there to welcome her back, and it was this scene that caught me:

"Come here, my child, my princess," he said.

"But I'm not a princess anymore... I'm just like them," she sobbed.

"Ah, my child," he said. "You may have acted like them, but you are not one of them. You are mine, and you will never be happy until you accept both the privilege and responsibility that goes with belonging to me."

That night, after he had dressed her wounds, he tucked her into her soft bed and kissed her goodnight. He had even helped her to clean the mess she had left in her room. As she settled into the soft quilts, she thought about how much she liked being a princess, the daughter of a King.

As the King walked out of her room, the dim night light softly illuminated his royal robe, which was now smudged with dirt. Tears filled the princess' eyes, "Look what I've done to the Kind's robe. Never again," she whispered, apologizing to the King.

Sensing her broken heart, the King turned and spoke softly, "Yes, my child, there will be other times, but I will open the door every time you knock and I will always love you... ever, again."

And this story has no end.

Some things are just so simplistic when you view them through the eyes of a child.

I'm thinking that's the way it should be more often.

:beret:

 :thumbsup2:
:lurk: :listen:

 :great:

I started writing a children's book a few years ago along those same lines.  I need to find it and dig it out.  I had written it in rhyme and used it as a basis for a children's sermon.

When you find it, I'd love to see it. :)

:beret:

I've been thinking lately on what it means to draw near to Jesus, what it means to be held by Him. And then in my Bible study notebook this week, the question was posed "When you come near to God and He comes near to you, what difference does it make in your life?" What a difference indeed! It makes the difference between peace and chaos, between pain and healing, between upset and calm, between confusion and a solid knowing, between feeling alone and being held.

:beret:

I've been doing an in-depth study of Hebrews for a few months now, and it's been quite a journey.

My latest discovery has to do with Jesus as my High Priest.

In the O.T. a high priest was called by God - not the people. His task was to offer sacrifices as an atonement for the people's sins. He stood in the gap, where the people were separated from God because of their sin, and he dealt gently with them when they were ignorant and going astray.

In the N.T. Jesus was called by God to be our High Priest. His task was to offer a sacrifice for the people's sins. He was to stand in the gap, where the people were separated from God because of their sin, and he dealt gently with them when they were ignorant and going astray.

BUT...

Our High Priest did not just offer 'a' sacrifice for our sins. He offered Himself. Willingly. The High Priest Himself became the sacrifice. He stood in the gap, in a very literal sense. It was his body hanging on the cross, hanging between heaven and earth. And in every story of His contact with those who were ignorant and going astray, He was so very gentle and loving.

The sacrifice of the High Priest Himself was the ultimate sacrifice. The complete sacrifice. This sacrifice did not just roll the sins of the people ahead. This sacrifice did not just stay the hand of God in judgment. This sacrifice was sinless. This sacrifice was perfect. This sacrifice was the payment in full, the fulfillment for all our debt.

No longer do we have to work to pay off our debt. A debt so horrific that our lifetime of work would never even scratch the surface of paying it off.

The debt has been payed.

Because He thought we were worth it.

Because He thought you were worth it.

Because He thought I was worth it.

And how, HOW, can I ever thank Him for a gift so magnificent, so amazing, so awesome, so outrageously beyond my comprehension?

I'm speechless at the view I've had.

:beret:

Quote from: SippinTea on May 29, 2009, 03:19:33 AM
I'm speechless at the view I've had.

last Sunday I had went to a Charismatic church to sing, and while I was there I seen some different things, people that once knew better, and lived in a good way.. were there, the women were wearing Low Cut Tank Tops showing their whole dairy farm, and wearing pants.. and they were Speaking in Tongues, one lady w.big earings and pants went over and was prophesying to someone in the spirit.. - The People were SUPER nice people, some of them I believe were actually Good People, and they all treated me so well, and I really appreciate that.. but one woman, was praying in front of me, and when she stood up, she showed the church everything had.. LOL - maybe I shouldnt laugh.. but I couldnt help it.. then another lady had a huge caboos and of course she had to be wearing skin tight stretchy pants, and she was up dancing and shaking her booty!!! it was all my family and I could do to keep a serious face.. - but anyway, when I went back to home church that night, I was telling about How Grateful I am to serve a Living God, and how greatful I am to be raised in Holiness, and to know whats right and wrong.. I take it for Granted, because I could have been raised in some other total different religion to believe anything is okay, and it would make living this way so much more difficult..

Quote from: EricShane on May 29, 2009, 03:33:01 AM
when I went back to home church that night, I was telling about How Grateful I am to serve a Living God, and how greatful I am to be raised in Holiness, and to know whats right and wrong.. I take it for Granted, because I could have been raised in some other total different religion to believe anything is okay, and it would make living this way so much more difficult..

Ya know... you're right. It's far too easy to take those things for granted. And yes, sometimes it's amusing the things that bring perspective back. ;)

:beret:

yay! I love to be reassured that im right! lol

I've got a few questions for you peoples that have read some of my writing/rambling over the last couple years...

I don't know if I've got what it takes as a writer or not, but I've been wondering lately if I should attempt submitting a few of my things somewhere. *shrug* We shall see. Anyhow, several of you have at different times said you appreciated certain bits of what I've written, and my questions are:

Which pieces do you remember as being particularly thought-provoking or encouraging?
Which do you think were well-written, or could be with some editing?
Which pieces would you have perhaps liked to see me expand a bit more?

Any thoughts?

:beret:

Start with a Word Aflame devotional.  That'll boost your confidence (not your pocketbook, but you've gotta start SOMEWHERE, right?).  I'm sure they would take some of your stuff almost as is.

Check their submission guidelines and see what they are looking for, and then find something that you have written that would come close to fitting the bill.  Edit a bit if necessary and submit.

Yes, you're good enough for publication.

Trying to put my finger on what in particular has inspired me of late...

All I've read of your writing is what's here on GP, and these pieces tend to be rather short and focused - which would rather lend themselves to a devotional, as RJ suggested.

Also, if you look through these shorter writings and see a common theme or thread linking some of them, you could try to organize them into longer works.  You might see a collection of essays emerge - pieces longer than what you've posted here, but still not book-length - or who knows, maybe a whole book will emerge as you begin to piece the shorter works together into a cohesive whole.  If you write like I do, these short pieces are probably parts of a larger whole that already exists in your mind, anyway.

I've you've written longer pieces, I'd love to read those as well, and would be glad to offer whatever thoughts I have on them.

/me is thinking...

God, you alone see my past, my present, and my future. You see my fear, you see my hope, you see my beginning and my end, and all that is in between. Please guide me, keep my feet steady on the path you want me on, and don't let me stray or waver. Please give me your peace when I'm on the right track, and give me an unsettledness when I am not. Let me find you even in the uncertainty, and be sure of your leading when it's time to follow you into the unknown.

:beret:

Amen.

I let Ann read that from my phone right after you posted that, Ruby, and she read it and then handed it back to me and said "See, I told ya so" and she smiled. (that was the next day after I left that phone message for you from her ;) )

*smile*

*Hugs* Chel and Mel and Ann

:beret:

She was right, right? I have been hoping and praying she was right!

*HUGS*

Umm... yes and no? :updown: We both were right I guess. ;)

:beret:

me too.

Quote from: SippinTea on September 01, 2009, 07:54:49 PM
God, you alone see my past, my present, and my future. You see my fear, you see my hope, you see my beginning and my end, and all that is in between. Please guide me, keep my feet steady on the path you want me on, and don't let me stray or waver. Please give me your peace when I'm on the right track, and give me an unsettledness when I am not. Let me find you even in the uncertainty, and be sure of your leading when it's time to follow you into the unknown.

:beret:

I can't lose!

"So how am I to respond? I've decided that I really don't care about their motives, whether mixed, bad, or indifferent. Every time one of them opens his mouth, Christ is proclaimed, so I just cheer them on!

And I'm going to keep that celebration going because I know how it's going to turn out. Through your faithful prayers and the generous response of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, everything he wants to do in and through me will be done. I can hardly wait to continue on my course. I don't expect to be embarrassed in the least. On the contrary, everything happening to me in this jail only serves to make Christ more accurately known, regardless of whether I live or die. They didn't shut me up; they gave me a pulpit! Alive, I'm Christ's messenger; dea.d, I'm his bounty. Life versus even more life! I can't lose. "

Philippians 1:18-21 (The Message)

I can't change others' actions. I can't change their motives.

I can only change my own.

And as long as I'm holding my course, as long as I make sure my own motives are right, I CAN'T LOSE.

Nothing we do for Christ is ever wasted. Oh, it may seem to be in the moment. But it's not. And our surroundings have not one thing to do with our effectiveness for Him. It matters not whether we are free or imprisoned, whether we are in a functional or dysfunctional family - or even church. What matters is how WE live... and how WE die.

I want my life to count. Regardless of whether my life is successful in the eyes of men or not. Regardless of walls around me. Regardless of the opinions of others. Regardless of where I live, where I work, where I reach out.

I want my dea.th to count. Regardless of how I die. Regardless of when. Regardless of the opinions of others. Regardless of the walls that have held me against my will.

Sometimes those walls that I have fought against have proved to be the salvation of me in this life, and I suspect they may prove to be that in dea.th as well. Even the walls that other people have put around me have been allowed there by my God. And sometimes those very walls give me a chance to grow. A chance to be heard for Christ. A chance to make a difference for Him.

I want my life and my dea.th to count. For Him. And when that is my focus, I can't lose!

"Alive, I'm Christ's messenger; dea.d, I'm his bounty. Life versus even more life! I can't lose."

:beret:

:grin:/me hugs Urby

"Dea.d" and "dea.th"?  I don't get it.  What's with the periods?

Oh, and good post too.  ;)

Her filter would have bleeped those words had she not placed the periods there.

Prezactly. *sigh* I declare, that thing is so annoying... the minute I move out of this household, I'm taking it off.
Okay, well, maybe not, but it's really annoying.

:beret:

So, you didn't put the filter on yourself?  Did your parents?

As long as I'm living in their house it has to stay on.

All I know is, it's not particularly effective - as in, bad stuff still comes up sometimes - and it's selective about when it will and won't delete words in something I'm writing. Sometimes a particular word is okay, and sometimes it's not.

:beret:

Quote from: SippinTea on November 12, 2009, 05:59:06 PM
As long as I'm living in their house it has to stay on.

All I know is, it's not particularly effective - as in, bad stuff still comes up sometimes - and it's selective about when it will and won't delete words in something I'm writing. Sometimes a particular word is okay, and sometimes it's not.

:beret:

lol thats about how i feel here with the filter here, it bleeps the dumbest words at times lol

Why does your filter dislike those particular words?  Is your filter afraid to die?  Does it not like to think that someday its life will come to an end?

Very good questions... for which I have no answer. ;) I think perhaps it's to keep me from going emo or goth or something. *lol*

:beret:

I know you so little.

Perhaps.

But then, sometimes it seems very few people know the real me.

I'll confess I'm curious what prompted you to post that comment though. :)

:beret:

If I had to make a list of things I know about you, there are few facts I could place with surety. However, if given situations, I could probably choose which decision you'd make with 60% accuracy on details.

We should visit more!

p.s. (Post-marriage will this turn into the "Choosing the Cuddles" thread?)

 :freaky2: After I'm married, I'm definitely choosing the cuddles!

:beret:

:hyper: I bet!
and the hot chocolate... :halo:

*cough*

:beret:

GROW

Resolutions never seem to work with my perfectionistic and idealistic personality 'cause I always bite off more than I can chew and then get overwhelmed and feel like a failure when I can't keep them. So I've come up with an alternative plan. I've decided to GROW towards my bigger goals, and take things in bite-sized pieces.

GROW = Get Real On Wednesday... meaning Wednesday is the day I'll use to check up on myself and take inventory of how I'm doing in growing in various areas of my life.

The way it works is, I'm making lists of activities and/or small goals that will help me grow in each of the categories I want to work on, and then I'll pick at least one small thing from the list to do. That way I'm actively and purposefully working my ultimate goals (I.E. growing into a more godly woman, or growing in my relationships with friends) but I'm not trying to accomplish the whole goal in one week. :-)

The general categories are:
GROW in my spiritual life
GROW in my relationships with my family
GROW in my relationships with my friends
GROW in homemaking skills
GROW in physical well-being
GROW in being a godly woman/wife
GROW in personal development

Broken down to bite-sized pieces it looks like this:

GROW in my spiritual life
~Continue reading through the Bible
~Pray for specific needs in my own life or the lives of my friends/family
~Do an in-depth study of a specific passage/chapter/book
~Fast - whether food, media, or something else
~Read a chapter in a Christian classic

GROW in my relationships with my family
~Write a note
~Make a phone call
~Invite someone over for tea/coffee/lunch
~Go on an outing
~Give a gift (time, energy, etc - it doesn't have to cost money)

GROW in my relationships with my friends
~Write a note
~Make a phone call
~Invite someone over for tea/coffee/lunch
~Go on an outing
~Give a gift (time, energy, babysitting, etc - it doesn't have to cost money)

GROW in homemaking skills
~Try a new recipe
~Learn to knit
~Make something useful and/or beautiful for home (crochet, sew, paint, etc)
~Clean out and organize a shelf/cupboard/closet that is usually neglected
~Read a chapter in a book about natural cleaning agents or health remedies
~Grow an herb or two
~Research local and organic options for food

GROW in physical well-being
~Read a chapter about nutrition, or eating healthy
~Do stretching exercises
~Walk a mile or two
~Research a natural/healthy remedy for a health issue

GROW in being a godly woman/wife
~Read a chapter in a Christian woman growing book
~Study the life of a woman in the Bible
~Talk to someone I admire/respect about living life as a Christian woman/wife
~Close my mouth when I want to say something sarcastic
~Say something kind and/or encouraging
~Memorize a verse or passage of Scripture

GROW in personal development
~Read a chapter in a book about a topic or person I don't know much about
~Watch a travel video
~Practice the piano
~Play a song by ear
~Organize my purse
~Make a list or chart that will help me focus on my tasks or goals

C'mon 2010! I'm ready to tackle you - with God's strength!

:beret:

You go, girl!

Oh.
My.
Word.

Okay...  I can't even begin to explain how that post totally hit me between the eyes and nailed what I needed to hear.  Being overwhelmed can be disastrous, making you feel like you're taking in so much water that there's no need (or use) to bail, because then how will you paddle?  And if you paddle, you're moving forward only to sink in a different place...

My pastor has declared this year a year of growth for our church, and what you had to say just seems to fit in with where God is taking me/us.  I just needed to see what you wrote for a LOT of reasons.

**HUGS** Ruby

:hugs: 'lona

**HUGS** Dina

Matthew 6:34-7:27 (The Message)

"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

"Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, 'Let me wash your face for you,' when your own face is distorted by contempt? It's this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.

"Don't be flip with the sacred. Banter and silliness give no honor to God. Don't reduce holy mysteries to slogans. In trying to be relevant, you're only being cute and inviting sacrilege.

"Don't bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn't a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we're in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn't think of such a thing. You're at least decent to your own children. So don't you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better?

"Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God's Law and Prophets and this is what you get.

"Don't look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don't fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention.

"Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don't be impressed with charisma; look for character. Who preachers are is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook. These diseased trees with their bad apples are going to be chopped down and burned.

"Knowing the correct password—saying 'Master, Master,' for instance— isn't going to get you anywhere with me. What is required is serious obedience—doing what my Father wills. I can see it now—at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, 'Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.' And do you know what I am going to say? 'You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don't impress me one bit. You're out of here.'

"These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock.

"But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don't work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards."




This is a passage I've been smacked between the eyes by recently. Especially the phrases I've put in bold type. I might be back later to add some comments, but for now I'm just posting the passage itself.

:beret:

Smacked me between the eyes too, thanks for sharing.

Wow.  I may need to get that version for comparison.

My thoughts exactly!

Are you broken? It's okay. Really. It's more than okay. Because when you give all those broken pieces to God, He creates a beautiful stained glass picture from all those broken pieces. And stained glass pictures allow Him to shine through them in the most beautiful ways. Question: Are you allowing Him to shine through you today? Or are you trying to cover up your brokenness? I want Him to shine through me...

:beret:

:crying:

Talking to God - Job style

Sometimes when I'm praying I wonder if I'm bordering on disrespect by asking Him questions, by demanding answers, by asking Him why, by questioning His reasons/timing/purposes. And sometimes when I'm having a conversation with other people, they convince me of it. They say things like "Who are you to question God?", and "Be careful! Don't be disrespectful in your questions." and "God isn't required to answer to you." and other things that convince me I must be a terrible person to verbalize the questions in my head.

The funny thing is: I know that the things I face are not unique to me. Therefore, the questions in my head cannot be unique to me. I'm not the first human being to question God.

And then tonight I read Job... in The Message.

Wow. Can I ever identify with him! Not, perhaps, in the specific things that went wrong in his life. But I do understand the feeling of things being stripped away from you - taken for no apparent reason. And I do have friends who have said the same things Job's friends told him - over and over and over and over again. And I do have conversations with God where I'm asking the same blunt questions, asking for - no demanding - answers to the "why", reminding God that I've tried with everything in me to live an upright life. Job even said "it's not fair!"... just like I have.

And just like me, Job had friends who were horrified at his conversations about (and to) God. Just like my friends, they told him he was being disrespectful - told him God would punish him for questioning Him.

Okay, so my friends may have been slightly more veiled about their speeches. They weren't quite so in-your-face as Job's friends were. But then... sometimes they were.

And just like me, Job grew angry. Angry at the unfairness. Angry at the accusations. Angry at the inconsistencies.

But surprisingly enough, in spite of the predictions of Job's friends, God did not grow angry with Job. On the contrary, He wasn't too pleased with Job's friends.

"After God finished addressing Job..." (Which address put Job in his place, by the way, but not in the angry and punishing way his friends had predicted. It was a response in kind to Job's blunt questions... a direct and blunt reply. Kind of like the kind He gives to me. Kind of very like the kind He gives to me.) Anyhow...

"After God had finished addressing Job, he turned to Eliphaz the Temanite and said, 'I've had it with you and your two friends. I'm fed up! You haven't been honest either with me or about me—not the way my friend Job has. So here's what you must do. Take seven bulls and seven rams, and go to my friend Job. Sacrifice a burnt offering on your own behalf. My friend Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer. He will ask me not to treat you as you deserve for talking nonsense about me, and for not being honest with me, as he has.'"

Did you catch that? He told Job's friends that they hadn't been honest with Him - nor about Him - not the way "my friend Job has." Amazing! Job has this blunt, confrontational, almost in-your-face conversation with God Himself, and what does God have to say about him?... "'My friend Job' was honest with me." Not only was God not going to punish Job for his questions and demands of answers, but He called Job His friend!

I guess maybe my friends were wrong. I guess maybe God can handle my questions and demands just like He did Job's. And I guess maybe He'll still call me His friend when we're done with our conversation.

:beret:

P.S. Not all my friends are like the ones I talked about in here. Just in case you wondered or worried. ;)

You read my mind on that last part...naturally! ;) I was worried that our Job conversation the other day was taken the wrong way! Haha.

This is an AWESOME post, Ruby! I love you grlie. :) I am SO happy to see this sort of writing. ;) 


(I request permission to read it to Ann...)

Permission granted. ;)

:beret:

God already knows the deepest doubts, the hardest questions in our minds.  He knows the darkest desires of our hearts.  People will sometimes tell us to hide those things away - often with reasonable-sounding statements about being respectful toward God - but God hasn't said any such thing.

I think he wants us to be honest.  Let it all come out.  Let those things deepen our relationships with him.

/me hugs Ruby really really tight.

thank you for writing this.

It upsets me. It makes me sad. Sometimes it almost makes me cry. And sometimes it almost makes me angry. It makes me want to ask her to please quit talking that way.

What am I thinking of? I'm thinking of the times Nana starts talking about dying. The times she talks about "after I'm gone". The times she wants to plan her memorial service. The times she talks about how long she's lived and how heaven is next - as if her life is over.

But today I got it. I really, really got it.

You see...
In grade school I looked forward to summer. It was my Next Big Event.
In winter I looked forward to my birthday. It was my Next Big Event.
In December I looked forward to Christmas. It was my Next Big Event.
In high school I looked forward to graduation. It was my Next Big Event.
In summer I looked forward to family vacation. It was my Next Big Event.
In my 20's I looked forward to falling in love. It was my Next Big Event.
While I've been engaged I've been looking forward to my wedding day. It's my Next Big Event.
When I'm married I'm sure I'll be looking forward to having a baby. It will be my Next Big Event.

Sometimes I've been impatient, eager, longing for my Next Big Event.
Sometimes I've been content and happy in the stage I was in, but I was still looking forward with anticipation to my Next Big Event.
Sometimes I've planned for the Next Big Event for days ahead. Weeks ahead. Months ahead. Even years ahead.
Sometimes I'd think about the Next Big Event. A lot.
Sometimes I'd talk about the Next Big Event. A lot.
Sometimes I drove everyone around me nuts by how much I talked about the Next Big Event.

I guess it would be fair to say that the Next Big Event was never far from my mind. Ever.

And now I get it.

Heaven is Nana's Next Big Event.

See, she's not happy here. She's in pain. She's missing people she loves that went to heaven ahead of her. And she knows that her life here isn't exactly improving.

She knows that in heaven she'll get to see Bapa again. She won't have pain. She won't be sad. Or lonely. Or fearful.

And it's her Next Big Event.

And suddenly, in my own mind, that makes all the difference in the world.

:beret:

This is incredible. I feel enlightened. Like a revelation has taken place in my thought process because of this.

Thank you.

Honestly?... that's kinda how I felt too. I mean, as a Christian you know that heaven is good... and that dying is the only way to get there... and that it's not sad for the person going... but still - it hurts. At least, it does to be here. But something kinda snapped into place in my head today. Not sure why, not sure how, but it's like some fog cleared up in my head. Nice feeling. :)

:beret:

Great post Ruby!   :great:

I recently heard a message while visiting a few friends at their church. It is a home missions church... and they have had a rough yr... But the Brother who preached that night is from another church... and his sermon was how sometimes we forget that at the end of all this... whatever this is... we have a reward.  It was awesome!

Your post made me think of this again! 

Praying for your family Ruby...  :)   *hugs Ruby*

Thanks. :)

:beret:

/me hugs ruby really really tight
That was awesome!

*bump*

This thread has been idle too long...with all the creativity on GP these days, Im sure that there is SOMETHING that can be mused...or muddled...

;)

Everyone has his own thread these days. 

Quote from: MelodyB on March 16, 2011, 02:32:45 PM
*bump*

This thread has been idle too long...with all the creativity on GP these days, Im sure that there is SOMETHING that can be mused...or muddled...

;)

Hmm... maybe. But you know me... inspiration strikes in spurts. And even then, I have to muddle and muse on my own before anything is ready to share. ;) But we'll see. I've got a couple things simmering.

Quote from: Psalm_97 on March 16, 2011, 10:30:20 PM
Everyone has his own thread these days. 

These days? *lol* Hmm. Not quite sure how to respond to that.

:beret:

Isaac, this is Ruby's thread.  The way Mel worded it, it kinda sounded like it belonged to whoever and nobody was posting.

That's the way I took it.  I was assuming this was a general thread for people to post musings, started before everyone started his own thread.

I meant, with all the creativity just floating around GP in general, some should rub off on rWooby and she could post. In here. In her own thread.


*COUGH*