Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury,pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Monday Reflections
This weekend, a member of my family, offered to do something completely selfless for SteveO and I. So big, that you wonder if they really thought it through.
Please pray for us to have wisdom.
When the offer was presented, I immediately thought of Sarah in the Bible who took matters into her own hands. And well, it wasn't God's perfect plan. I don't want to be Sarah. I want God's perfect plan.
Please pray for us to have wisdom.
I also don't want to box God in. I have given Him freedom to fulfill His promises anyway He plans. I have given up any agenda I may have. And I don't want to miss what He's doing.
Please pray for us to have wisdom.
This member of the family, has a difficult relationship with the Lord. A product of a 'religious' environment that was full of rules and 'you'll never measure up' has resulted in a person who, by there own admission, 'doesn't know anything of God's plans'.
Please pray for us to have wisdom.
Despite the upbringing and very tough exterior, has a heart that simply wants to know it's accepted and lovely. Despite studying science and trying to logically prove everything, cannot figure our faith out. Why two people of such character and intelligence would seek after and desire to be in an intimate relationship with a Deity. Why, when faced with an obvious solution to a heart wrenching desire, we wouldn't jump and say...absolutely. Why, by her own mind, would we even entertain turning down this answer to put faith in said Deity??
Please pray for us to have wisdom.
Part of me says jump. Part of me says wait. Most of me wants to use this as a tool to develop faith in my family. But then there's that part that doesn't want too at the expense of having this desire met.
Please pray for us to have wisdom.
God, you alone know what you are up too. I trust you with every fiber of my being. Please give us wisdom to walk this road. Please give us wisdom to receive your blessings...but not those things disguised as such. Help us to discern between the two.
Please pray for us to have wisdom.
When the offer was presented, I immediately thought of Sarah in the Bible who took matters into her own hands. And well, it wasn't God's perfect plan. I don't want to be Sarah. I want God's perfect plan.
Please pray for us to have wisdom.
I also don't want to box God in. I have given Him freedom to fulfill His promises anyway He plans. I have given up any agenda I may have. And I don't want to miss what He's doing.
Please pray for us to have wisdom.
This member of the family, has a difficult relationship with the Lord. A product of a 'religious' environment that was full of rules and 'you'll never measure up' has resulted in a person who, by there own admission, 'doesn't know anything of God's plans'.
Please pray for us to have wisdom.
Despite the upbringing and very tough exterior, has a heart that simply wants to know it's accepted and lovely. Despite studying science and trying to logically prove everything, cannot figure our faith out. Why two people of such character and intelligence would seek after and desire to be in an intimate relationship with a Deity. Why, when faced with an obvious solution to a heart wrenching desire, we wouldn't jump and say...absolutely. Why, by her own mind, would we even entertain turning down this answer to put faith in said Deity??
Please pray for us to have wisdom.
Part of me says jump. Part of me says wait. Most of me wants to use this as a tool to develop faith in my family. But then there's that part that doesn't want too at the expense of having this desire met.
Please pray for us to have wisdom.
God, you alone know what you are up too. I trust you with every fiber of my being. Please give us wisdom to walk this road. Please give us wisdom to receive your blessings...but not those things disguised as such. Help us to discern between the two.
New Love
So, I LOVE Laura Story's new song..Blessings
....like, seriously L O V E. Could listen to it over and over and over (much to Stephen's dismay!)
We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things
Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe
Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home
It's not our home
Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching(s) of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise
L O V E.
....like, seriously L O V E. Could listen to it over and over and over (much to Stephen's dismay!)
We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things
Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe
Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise
When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home
It's not our home
Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching(s) of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise
L O V E.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
The Encourager
I've heard for years now...
1. your a natural encourager
2. your gifting is encouragement
3. you ooze encouragement
4. hey, you need to go talk to XYZ they could really use some encouragement.
5. yes, but, your an encourager (to discount my words).
6. you have a red phone from God when it comes to encouragement.
So, as someone who is describe by people around her as an encourager, but doesn't neccesarily see herself that way....I need to offer you a glimpse inside my heart.
1. there are many days when it's hard for me to find anything positive to say. Despite perception, I am not always happy, peppy, or encouraging. Just ask my closest friends. But, when I do feel led to encourage someone, it's a very vulnerable position for me. I expose my heart. And it's not easy.
2. Whether or not my gifting is encouragement, it doesn't negate or relieve you of your responsibility to do the same.
3. Not really. I have to choose to shut out what is going on in my world. I have to quiet my soul, and listen to the Holy Spirit.
4. We are all called to encourage each other. If you were talking to XYZ and thought they needed encouragement, YOU need to step up and do it. Perhaps God gave you that conviction FOR YOU. Do not let Satan deceive you into thinking it's not part of your walk to encourage. IT IS. There is a blessing in encouraging people, don't walk away from that.
5. Being an encourager does not mean I lie. Or don't tell the truth, or sugar coat things. (just ask my husband or staff!) I really try to speak the truth in love. But, I leave the person feeling good about the situation or themselves. Don't discount my words or opinion because of your own issues.
6. I am human. I blow it all the time. Many times I've walked away and thought....well, that was fruitless. Besides, everyone who believes in Jesus.... has VIP access to the throne room!!
Please know my heart isn't to sound bitter at all! I love encouraging people! I love reminding them of God's goodness and faithfulness! Want to know why? Because it ALWAYS refocuses MY heart, MY perspectives, or MY thoughts. I really just wanted to express my heart on the issue and issue a challenge to all my friends out there. Don't listen to Satan when he says someone else will do it. If it's your conviction. It's yours to carry out. There is part of God's character He wants to reveal to YOU. So, jump in!
He doesn't call the equipped....he equips those he calls. Answer it. He's trustworthy. I promise! :)
...side note: thank you to my sweet friends who remember that an encourager needs to be encouraged! So grateful to God that we are in this together!!
1. your a natural encourager
2. your gifting is encouragement
3. you ooze encouragement
4. hey, you need to go talk to XYZ they could really use some encouragement.
5. yes, but, your an encourager (to discount my words).
6. you have a red phone from God when it comes to encouragement.
So, as someone who is describe by people around her as an encourager, but doesn't neccesarily see herself that way....I need to offer you a glimpse inside my heart.
1. there are many days when it's hard for me to find anything positive to say. Despite perception, I am not always happy, peppy, or encouraging. Just ask my closest friends. But, when I do feel led to encourage someone, it's a very vulnerable position for me. I expose my heart. And it's not easy.
2. Whether or not my gifting is encouragement, it doesn't negate or relieve you of your responsibility to do the same.
3. Not really. I have to choose to shut out what is going on in my world. I have to quiet my soul, and listen to the Holy Spirit.
4. We are all called to encourage each other. If you were talking to XYZ and thought they needed encouragement, YOU need to step up and do it. Perhaps God gave you that conviction FOR YOU. Do not let Satan deceive you into thinking it's not part of your walk to encourage. IT IS. There is a blessing in encouraging people, don't walk away from that.
5. Being an encourager does not mean I lie. Or don't tell the truth, or sugar coat things. (just ask my husband or staff!) I really try to speak the truth in love. But, I leave the person feeling good about the situation or themselves. Don't discount my words or opinion because of your own issues.
6. I am human. I blow it all the time. Many times I've walked away and thought....well, that was fruitless. Besides, everyone who believes in Jesus.... has VIP access to the throne room!!
Please know my heart isn't to sound bitter at all! I love encouraging people! I love reminding them of God's goodness and faithfulness! Want to know why? Because it ALWAYS refocuses MY heart, MY perspectives, or MY thoughts. I really just wanted to express my heart on the issue and issue a challenge to all my friends out there. Don't listen to Satan when he says someone else will do it. If it's your conviction. It's yours to carry out. There is part of God's character He wants to reveal to YOU. So, jump in!
He doesn't call the equipped....he equips those he calls. Answer it. He's trustworthy. I promise! :)
...side note: thank you to my sweet friends who remember that an encourager needs to be encouraged! So grateful to God that we are in this together!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)