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Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Now THIS is scary!

 Diann, a friend I dearly admire recently wrote about decluttering her closets and her life. In fact, I have a house like that. ...and a life. If you walk into my house most days, hopefully, you find a reasonably uncluttered home with a place for everything and everything in its place. Right. That is the picture I present on the first floor. Of course, no one is allowed in the (ooh, scary!) upstairs. No, that is off limits, except for a few old and faithful friends who will love me in spite of my secret hoarding. If I allowed you to creep upstairs with me you might be sucked into my web of stuff, never to return again!
Entering at your own risk, you may first look for an exit sign, sensing it may be a one way trip. Cautiously, you would lift one foot, than the other, over the overflowing boxes of mementos of days gone by, from an era few remember. The scariest part - they are not my mementoes, but people I don't even know...and never met! Yes, that's right, I buy boxes of other peoples stuff! Weird, I know. But, oh how I love it. Before you risk putting another foot down, you may spot what looks to be a desk in the right hand corner of the room. I say looks, because it is hard to tell what it is under the piles of papers, books, collectible glassware, jewelry, pens, magnifying glasses etc.
In the left corner of the room is (what others may call) mess, is my comfy chair with Bible, books, paper and pen strewn lovingly around it.Some have told me it is a miracle in itself that I come out of that chair alive and am not swallowed, never to be found.  
When I am overcome with the stuff in my life, I sit and read about the creator of peace and order and allow him to work on me to clean up. After all, He is the only one who has a shot at helping me declutter my life. For I am a closet hoarder and in need of my Savior to help me through my daily messes. Without Him, I am without hope. But I trust Him, so nothing to be scared about. He is my shelter.

Friday, October 12, 2012

Lessons God has taught me....

Psalm 119:66  "Teach me Knowledge and good judgement, for I believe in your commands."


1.  Love, Then let go and let God.

2.  Nagging is a form of manipulation, no matter how righteous I feel. God doesn't nag us. He is a gentleman. He leads us to the truth, offers it and waits for our acceptance. He sends the Holy Spirit to help us understand and encourage us in the right direction. Once we are of age and right mind, he puts in our path evidence and proof of his love and power. If we use nagging to get results it is usually self aimed and not for the good of others. We must give God respect and the opportunity and trust that He is in charge and the other person is responsible to Him in the end.

3.  To walk in love, I must first know the object and creator of love. God gives me the capacity to love , thru first loving me. He sacrificed His own son so I may live. I now have the opportunity to lavish that love on others so they may want to know Him. He draws them near. He makes them His own. I am only the clay in His hand to be formed into His likeness and be used for His purpose. How grateful I am to be used.

4. Peace is not obtained by momentary lack of trouble. It has nothing to do with circumstance. It has everything to do with trust and surrender and abiding in Christ. Each day can bring me a challenge...or not. Doesn't matter. I cannot put on peace and wear it like a jacket. It doesn't fit most problems if I choose it like I'm choosing a coat off a rack. God has a "one size fits all" rack that He gives us our peace. And it works no matter how large or small our problems get. It is a promise he keeps when we keep our eyes on him. Isaiah 26:3,4  "you will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever for the Lord, the Lord is the rock eternal."(NIV)

5. Sometimes we try to put our footprint on something, but instead, put our foot in it.   Proverbs 21:23, " He who keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble." True wisdom.

Saturday, October 06, 2012

Seasons Of Growing

  

Gold, orange, red and brown; tumbling leaves all around.
Cool winds blowing, sparsely dressed trees; chilling the air for the first freeze.
Dark awakenings, early to bed; slower pace, warmer threads.

Where is Summer? It was just here!
Did I blink? Did I not care?

Taken for granted...warm, sunny days; many choices, lighting my way.
Stretching before me, lazily spent; plenty of time before winters event.

Before Spring(it seemed so long!)...waiting, anticipating, hurrying along.
Planting my future, much time to spare. Opportunities for growth, everywhere.
No need to hurry, p-l-e-n-t-y of time...years before Fall and life starts to unwind.

Winter must be close. What good comes from cold?
Slower moving, barren days, what promise can this hold?

Shared wisdom as memories unfold; lovely warm fires and stories to be told.
A life anticipating seasons of change; each an opportunity of wisdom to gain.

What was I thinking! Didn't I know? God gave us seasons to help us grow!
Each with its purpose and color to delight; holding out promise for each new life.
Just as seasons come and go, year after year, they display their show.

To remind us that He never changes or moves
Each season a promise of life to renew.