Studies have shown that laughter is a powerful medicine! Nothing brings the body back into balance like a good hearty time of laughter. It's power to relax the entire body, boost the immune system, and protect the heart as the blood flow increases with every belly jolt, is nothing short of amazing! The problem lies in that somewhere between childhood and adulthood, life begins to rob us of this powerful health transforming behavior; kids laugh on an average of 300 to 500 times a day as oppose to adults who average a measly 15. Which means the "no-brainer" thing to do is try to "lighten up!" Take time to search for, and find, the funny side of life ... and then ... let it rip! For our health sake, let's begin to develop a habit of laughter. Maybe together we can raise the average daily adult laughs to 50 and while we are at it gain a healthier mental state.
How many nights do we lay our heads down on our pillows and are unable to relax, much less fall sleep. Instead, we find ourselves tossing and turning over the words exchanged during the day. Some of these words hurt deeply while others bring extreme joy and excitement.
I woke up this morning rehearsing in my mind the various words spoken, read, and texted yesterday. So many different words all are influencing my emotions, directing my responses or my reactions, bringing peace and calm or setting me on edge. That’s just me! What about you?
Interestingly enough, studies have proven that each of us is wired so differently toward the words we hear or we read. Depending on our own personality traits, biological makeup, and life experiences, we may pay more attention to certain words. This explains why two people respond totally different to the same text message, email, or spoken word.
For example, while one person may be extremely confident, strong in their personality, and raised in a very encouraging home, another may be the opposite; insecure, unsure of themselves and raised in an environment where they never measured up. Put these two people together and have them read or hear job performance words and they will respond totally different to the same words.
We experience this in the workplace, in our homes, and within our closest relationships which, most of the time, leave us scratching our heads and thinking, “what did I just say to cause such a reaction?”
So, why today should we think so deeply about words? Words matter. People matter. In the Bible, Proverbs, chapter 15, verse 23 says, “A person has joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word spoken in due season, how good it is!” Words have the ability to bring such joy, encouragement, and strength to someone, especially words spoken in the right time and in the right way.
However, just understanding our words and which encourage and which tear down isn’t enough. We must also seek to understand the people around us. Realizing every person is different; our words must be crafted just for them and delivered in the appropriate way at the right time … for that particular person.
Again, why so much thought? If we choose to let our words flow from our mouths like letters pouring out of a box, not considering the uniqueness of the people around us, we will most definitely hurt someone, unintentionally. However, if we put a lid on the box, and choose which words, or letters, to release, all the while seeking to understand the differences in the people around us, we will become like the wise person in the book of James who has learned to bridle their tongue.
That’s how Jesus asks us to live. That’s how we learn to be a reflection of Him, the living Word, who left us a love letter which speaks very personally to each of us; transforming us, giving us hope and joy, and making us feel valued and loved … like we are the only one.
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Dear Child,
While you sleep, I watch you toss and turn; wrestling with the thoughts overwhelming you. I know you are consumed with grief, fear, and doubt. I know you do not understand how I am able to bring good out of something so horrible but I can and I will. Why? I love you.
My response to your torment is to remind you who I am. I am your helper and your strength; you can trust that “through my Son, you can do all things.” Not just some things, but ALL things.
It saddens me to see you suffer and someday, I will show you how I have caught every tear staining your pillow and bathing your face. My deepest longing is to wipe away these tears and to soothe your troubled soul, but while I long to help you, to be your strength, you too have the responsibility of asking.
So, roll over and cry out to me. Ask me for peace and rest. Ask me to soothe your troubled mind. Tell me how you feel … and then … wait. Yes … I know it’s hard to … wait … but if you … wait … I will reveal myself to you. You will be amazed! Trust me to show myself. Remember, as an earthly father longs to soothe their troubled child, I too, even more so, long to soothe you. I will draw you close and blanket your heart and mind with my hand of love.
My child, seek me and you will find me. I will give you rest.
With all my love, into eternity,
Your Heavenly Father
2012 Copyright. All Rights Reserved - Text and Images. Mary Armstrong
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The Tidal Wave of the Mind
The force battling tomorrow’s sunbreaks
And yesterday’s night sky,
Forms a tidal wave of thoughts
Crashing onto the heart’s shore;
“Will tomorrow win?
Will peace, joy, and love prevail?
Or, will the dark sky of yesterday continue to surge,
Forcing walls to crumble, as the undercurrent,
Pushes and pulls the soul’s defenses.
The mind gives way to desperation,
When, from the north, a heavenly gust
Forces the gaze to lift and
Fragrantly fills the sea air,
The wind whispers, “He rules over the surging sea,
When life’s tidal waves begin to rise,
He and only He can speak, Peace!
For who is like God Almighty;
Who forms the ocean and the seas
And stills the raging storm within?”
2012 Copyright. All Rights Reserved. Text and Image. Mary Armstrong
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Sitting here on the balcony
Listening to the waves greet the shore
God's amazing peace gently reminds me,
My heavenly Father sits beside me
He knows my name, intimately
He loves me, unconditionally
He's in control, eternally
Therefore, there's no need to fret
The Spirit whispers in my ear, "Breathe deeply,
Allow His peace to gently blow away all of life's cares."
2012 copyright. All Rights Reserved. Mary Armstrong
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Birds can talk and robots can change into talking super heroes! Watching my grandsons, ages 4 and 2, I realize how easy it is for them to believe … to believe in good … to believe in heroes … to believe in safety … to believe in heaven … to believe in God … to believe they are special, unique.
C. S. Lewis in his book Faith writes,
“I am considering not how, but why, He makes each soul unique. If He had no use for all these differences, I do not see why He should have created more souls than one. Be sure that the ins and outs of your individuality are no mystery to Him; and one day they will no longer be a mystery to you … Your soul has a curious shape because it is a hollow made to fit a particular swelling in the infinite contours of the Divine substance, or a key to unlock one of the doors in the house with many mansions. For it is not humanity in the abstract that is to be saved, but you – you, the individual reader … Your place in heaven will seem to be made for you and you alone, because you were made for it – made for it stitch by stich as a glove is made for a hand.”
“Stitch by stitch as a glove is made for a hand” we have a place made for us in heaven. A place not based on how well we perform, or how well we look, or how well …., but a place designed for our unique contribution to God’s “Divine substance.”
To grasp these words penned by one of my favorite authors takes faith … belief. Not belief in C. S. Lewis’ words, or belief that is dumb and blind, but belief in God and His precious Word; a child-like belief in the Divine. Maybe this is why Jesus magnifies the faith of children; their ability to simply trust and believe there is more than meets the eye.
“And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.” Matt. 10:13-16
I love playing make believe with my grandboys, but even more I look forward to an eternity where I can simply be His child and live within His Divine care fulfilling His Divine plans. Until then, let’s believe we are each uniquely made for more than this world has to offer!
Copyright 2012. All Rights Reserved. Images and Text. Mary Armstrong.
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“Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Romans 12:1, 2
Recently, while engaged in a conversation, I was challenged to get rid of the trash residing within my mind and to practice living in the moment. What a challenge!
Most of my trash comes from memories of my past still haunting me. Thinking I have overcome these childhood traumas, I realize, at times, I’m still giving them the power to form a mental image of myself. This is called insanity. Insanity is transferring my self-picture to others, when most people view me through a completely different lens. So here’s what I’m learning to do, and maybe … just maybe … you too may benefit from my last month’s challenge.
First, I meditate on God’s Word allowing Him to reveal himself to me in new ways. Second, each and every time one of these memories force themselves upon me, I take them captive. I literally grab them and with a fixed gaze I stare them down, reminding each mental image it no longer has a place within my thoughts; Philippians 4 tells me to “take captive every thought and align it with God’s Word.” Third, I replace it with the reality of who I am in Christ.
First, I meditate on God’s Word allowing Him to reveal himself to me in new ways. Second, each and every time one of these memories force themselves upon me, I take them captive. I literally grab them and with a fixed gaze I stare them down, reminding each mental image it no longer has a place within my thoughts; Philippians 4 tells me to “take captive every thought and align it with God’s Word.” Third, I replace it with the reality of who I am in Christ.
Who I am in Christ, my identity and my source of power to overcome, is where living in the moment begins. So much of life is unfair and not of God’s design. He did not choose for me, as a child, to experience the trauma I endured; however, He did allow it. Allowing it, to me, is not God selecting me to experience or be raised in a certain way, but to “allow it” means, through free-will, God allows sin to enter this world. Therefore, consequences of man’s choices abound: there is darkness, destruction, devastation, pain, suffering, ridicule, torment, and injustice forced upon children; forced upon me as a child.
Reality, living in the moment, tells me hope abounds. The God of the universe so loved me, He gave Jesus, His one and only Son to die for me. Therefore, through Christ, God grabbed me, and my entire childhood trauma, out of the darkness, destruction, devastation, pain, suffering, ridicule, torment, and injustice and gave me love, peace, joy, contentment, and self-worth. I am a new person with an old past and a new future.
Bottom line … I can choose to dwell on the old past which is full of sin and pain, or I can choose to embrace and contemplate my new future full of hope and love. Whichever I choose will be recognized in my daily life … Why? Because where I allow my mind to go, my feelings follow, and my actions reveal.
How about you … where are you living? It begins in our minds … the trash bin or in the moment?
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Love is all you need.
There's nothing you can know that isn't known.
Nothing you can see that isn't shown.
Nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be,
It's easy.
All you need is love.
So much truth found in these simple lyrics.
In 1967, during a live broadcast, John Lennon and the Beatles belted out a song designed to reach around the globe and unite all people with a message … All We Need Is Love. Forty-five years later, I’m sitting in my living room humming the tune … love, love, love … love, love, love … love, love, love … Love is all you need … and it’s true.
Love is a basic human need and every human being spends their life searching for this need to be met. Therefore, the attainment of love is easy … Really? In my opinion, this is where the song breaks down. Not so easy!
So where’s the hope, If we recognize love’s a universal desire but human beings will fail in this arena, to whom do we turn. Where do we really find our love need met? I see this happening in three steps …
The first step is to recognize this deep seeded need, the need to be loved, cannot be fully met through another human being. The second step is to recognize who has placed this longing, this need, within every human being; who’s the common denominator? In the Bible, 1 John, Chapter 4, verse 8, John declares “God is Love.”
Throughout the Old and New Testaments, God demonstrates his very character to us, Love. With God’s final act, He lays aside his divine nature and steps down from His heavenly reign, taking up residence on earth in human form. Why? God is love and He longs to shower Himself upon us and join us together as one gigantic family.
C.S. Lewis is quoted as saying, “We are all receiving Charity (Love). There is something in each of us that cannot be naturally loved. It is no one’s fault if they do not so love it. Only the lovable can be naturally loved. You might as well ask people to like the taste of rotten bread or the sound of a mechanical drill. We can be forgiven, and pitied, and loved in spite of it, with Love; no other way. All who have good parents, wives, husbands, or children may be sure that at some times they are receiving Love, love not because they are lovable but because, Love Himself is in those who love them.
Bringing us to the third step, recognizing, through Christ Jesus, we are conduits of Love. That’s when it becomes eas..ier … in the here and now … easier to experience the Love (God himself) uniting and bringing people together around a common longing and desire. A longing and desire that can be experienced today through others. Through our husbands, our wives, our children, our friends but never fully attained until we walk into the arms of Love, Himself.
So, until that day, love, love, love … love, love, love … love, love, love … all we need is LOVE (God Himself) … and yes, that’s easy, if we choose to turn and run to Him. He’s standing there waiting with arms open wide!
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Seasons … designed by God … emphasizing not a fixed time, but the right time. The book of Ecclesiastes is found in the Bible in the Old Testament. The Old Testament was originally written in Hebrew and in Hebrew, Ecclesiastes chapter 3 says, “to everything there is a zeman … ‘et” (right time) to cry, to laugh, to die, to live, to mourn, to rejoice … a right time … for every purpose under heaven.
God’s timing is never off. He has a perfect plan, a right time for all things, and while God allows free will to operate within our daily lives, he expects his children to submit their free will to him. In yielding our way, our seemingly idea of the right time, right way, right … to God, we invite His plans and purposes to be fulfilled within our every day lives.
Submitting, yielding, these words are easier said than done. After all, if you are like me, I have a difficult time giving up control. I generally think I know the right thing, right way, right time to speak, act, do, etc. However, I have come to realize, when left to make these decisions on my own, I normally create a mess.
Why? I do not see, nor understand, the bigger picture. I am limited to my feelings, my way of thinking, even my needs. Left to myself, I will choose my will every time, often without a true understanding of how choosing "my time" over God's time will affect those around me.
The small picture of a right time is all about me while the bigger picture of a right time is all about God’s plans and purposes. So, when I do submit, I am recognizing my eyesight is limited but his eyesight is not ... for he sees how my life intersects with others; how a right time is not only right for me but right for the people my life touches.
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Marks
Pictures our hearts remember;
happy, sad,
good, bad ...
shaping our life in some way.
Marks ...
Forever leaving foot prints;
family, friends,
God, love ...
staining hope for a lifetime.
Marks ...
Others' legacies left;
courage, faith,
peace, joy ...
God’s plan and purposes lived out.
In the New Testament, in the book of 1Timothy, chapter 1, verse 5, Paul attributes Timothy’s genuine faith to the heritage left him through his grandmother, Lois, and his mother, Eunice. Paul states, “when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded it is in you also.”
“Persuaded that it is in you also” … a faith that is genuine; a faith that pursues God. Makes me ask the question, “Who are the people who have marked my life, leaving a visible faith impression?” I can think of two, right off the top of my head; the first is my father-in-law and the second is my husband.
Both of these individuals are men of integrity, compassion, faith, and loyalty. My father-in-law was also a man of prayer; he taught me how to pursue God and helped me build a firm foundation. My husband taught me to believe in myself, mentoring me in so many ways.
Combining these “marks” with God’s divine purposes and plans, I, like Timothy in the New Testament, can say I am a living testimony to the goodness of God and am forever grateful to the people who have helped to form and shape my faith.
This leads me to ask these two questions, “Who marks your life? And, whose life will you mark?”
All rights reserved. Copyright 2012. Text and poetry may not be reproduced without prior permission from the author, Mary Armstrong.
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“That they may be
called trees of righteousness,
the planting of the Lord, that He may be
glorified.”
Isaiah 61:3
This morning my heart is full of joy knowing I have a redeemer
who not only loves me and rescues me, but embraces me, inviting me into His
family. How about you?
Looking back over the timeline of my life, I see His arms,
carrying me, prodding me, lifting me, focusing me, correcting me, and loving me
before I even knew Him. How about you?
Just as Isaiah
prophesied in the book of Isaiah, chapter 61, verses 1 through 3, Jesus’ loving
arms are reaching out to set me free from despair, from myself, from others
opinions or judgments of me … free in my pain, free in my suffering … to
what? Free to rejoice in all things, in
all circumstances, because I know who holds me and walks beside me. How about you?
Not only do I have freedom, but I exchange all the ugly,
shameful things of my past, my present, and my future, for the beauty found in
the sacrifice and the love of Jesus Christ.
I know where I should be and the life I should be living, but He rescues
me. How about you?
I become His daughter
and He becomes my Father; therefore, I live like I belong to a royal
family. Not in prideful arrogance, hoarding
all the Father gives me, but in humility, remembering I am adopted and the
Father longs to adopt more children. So,
I too must follow in His Son’s footsteps, focusing on our heavenly Father’s
business; spreading the Word and extending His love to everyone I met. How about you?
It’s not my choice who to invite in because my Father has
already said everyone gets an invitation …
“I love the world so much, I gave my only Son so that whoever believes in Him
may have everlasting life.” (John
3:16) I hold the invitation and have been commanded to deliver … it’s our
Father’s business … but too often, I forget, I get busy … becoming deaf to the
cries of the hopelessness, to the lost ones, surrounding me waiting to be rescued. How about you?
Palm Sunday ushers in a week of rejoicing over freedom,
salvation, and hope: It also ushers in a
week of focusing on others who need to know about Easter Sunday. How can I not be about the Father's business? This week especially. So my prayer is for the Father to help me recognize someone’s cry and respond with His
invitation to join our family. How
about you?
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“My soul magnifies the Lord, My soul magnifies the Lord and rejoices in God, my Savior … for He who is mighty has done great things for me and holy is His name!” Luke 1:47, 49
How would you respond if you encountered an angel who said you were chosen to bear God’s Son? How would your family and friends respond to your news?
So many stories in the Bible are romanticized such as the story of Mary, the mother of Jesus. We forget she was a real girl, young in age, living in a society with strict moral standards and traditions. I can’t even imagine what went through her mind having been visited by an angel and having been told she was the chosen one. Did she consider the whispers behind her back, the ridicule, false judgments, and humiliation she would face?
While I realize the Bible only gives us a glimpse, I believe she knew the sacrifice ahead and it didn’t matter. She was a girl who loved God. She was raised in a family who loved and served God: she could not respond any other way.
This type of relationship with our heavenly Father is powerful. What type? The type of relationship built on generational stories telling of a powerful, all loving, heavenly Father. A generational relationship passed down which binds together family; a family so focused on God that life’s circumstances are simply His opportunity to reveal himself. A relationship with God which allows families to look reality square in the face and respond with, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and rejoices in God, my Savior … for He who is mighty has done great things for me and holy is His name!”
Reality can be intimidating, overwhelming, and downright scary, but, as believers, like Mary, we know “nothing is impossible” with God. Today’s families are struggling. As mothers, fathers, grandparents, we have forgotten that our testimony will build up or tear down our kids’ faith. Our children are watching us as we face the daily trials and victories of life. They watch who we give the credit to and where we go for help. Today, I need Mary’s reminder and I need her example of pure devotion and trust. How about you?
Yes, easier said than done but possible. Here’s how. Reflect over our lives; remember who God is and what He has already done for us … write it down. Let’s look the impossible circumstance in the face, and speak to it, “God it is yours, work the impossible because I know all things are possible with you; have your way in our family and through our family.” Every day, until we see the impossible made possible, let’s step forward believing and trusting in God’s strength and power. Lastly, let’s start telling God stories to our children, and grandchildren. By doing so, we give Him all the credit, glory, and freedom to do the possible in the impossible circumstances of life.
Not to mention, we are building strong generational families who face even darker days and will respond to God as Mary did, as you and I do, “Our soul magnifies the Lord and rejoices in God, our Savior ... for He is mighty and has done great things for me, holy is His name.”
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"He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day ..." Psalm 91:4
How do two kids, growing up in the same house, end up living two very different lives? How do you deal with the emotions you feel, when you see someone you love, trying desperately to change their ways.
As children, my younger brothers and I were raised in a very violent, abusive home. On more than one occasion, as the oldest of the last four kids, I would gather the three younger boys and we would huddle together. Stretching my young arms around them, protecting them as best a seven year old could, we would wait out the storm.
As adults two of us navigated through the psychological trauma to find healing and peace; however, the other two have struggled their entire lives, numbing the painful memories as best they could, while surviving life; searching for the love and the protection they should have experienced from birth.
Here’s the purpose in my ramblings today. One of these younger brothers is a gifted musician and songwriter. On a recent visit, he pulled out his guitar and began to sing a song he had just written. Watching him and listening to him sing from his heart, I fought back tears, silently asking myself, “where is his hope?” And, then I remembered, as it was and continues to be for me, it is in Christ.
In the Bible, in 1 Samuel, chapter 16, verse 7, Samuel, based on the Lord’s directive, begins the selection process for the next king. Looking solely on the physical appearance, God redirects Samuel telling him, “For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
Man looks on the outward. From outward appearances, my brother is an older, rough looking, man who, based on life choices, will be harshly judged by others. However, the Lord looks at his heart and sees him as I do; an older man who is just a kid, coping with pain and loss, while searching for unconditional love.
Our hope, as well as Keith’s hope, lies in knowing that the Lord looks beyond our choices, our actions, and sees why we do what we do, he sees our heart, our motives. He knows our pain and sufferings. He knows our hopes and dreams and he catches every tear we shed as we cry over our loss. Focusing on this truth, like Keith, we can put others’ opinions and judgments, no matter how difficult, in their proper place.
Measuring up to God’s expectations of us is a lot simpler than man’s. Requiring our love and devotion, we do our best and remember where our help comes from. Like Keith, we lift our gaze to the heavens, we cry out to the one who faithfully loves us, and we remember our Father has 10,000 angels ready and waiting to go to battle on our behalf.
view Keith's video on YouTube - http://youtu.be/Q9RNkvMN7mw
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Copyright 2012. All Rights Reserved. Images, text, music, may not be reproduced in any form without prior permission. Mary Armstrong
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Why do we spend time viewing our past through the side-mirror of life?
Or, like the fine print on the bottom of the side-mirrors of our cars, when we think the past has been dealt with and put to rest, we glance off to the sidelines, expecting something positive, but the reminder glares back “objects in the (side) mirror (of life) are closer than they appear” and these words are right. The past is right there, closer to today than we realize, tainting our present day living, tainting our perspectives toward relationships, toward success, toward failure, toward future choices and, most importantly, toward ourselves.
So how do we truly put the “past,” in its proper place? Paul tells us in Philippians, chapter 3, verse 13, to “forget those things which are behind and reach forward to those things which are ahead…” If anyone has a right to speak of forgetting the past, it’s Paul.
Let’s remember that Paul was originally called Saul. Saul lived his life with a zeal and passion for God. So much so, his zeal led him to persecuting the early Christians until he was confronted by Jesus himself. Saul was passionately doing what he thought was right in God’s eyes, only to find that he was passionately wrong; he spent a portion of his life murdering his fellow brothers and sisters. Try living with these memories.
After Saul’s encounter with Jesus, he changed his name to Paul, he faced the truth of his actions, and he gave up all of his earthly rights. Saul was a person held in high esteem; a man of pedigree but Paul chose to be one of them; a follower of Christ, someone held in low esteem. Imagine looking into this side-mirror of life, where the past not only held the reality of wrong choices but also held the position of power and prestige.
Our pasts may be like Paul’s, filled with wrong choices, painful memories, and opportunity for “earthly” greatness. However, like Paul, we must look straight into the side-mirror and say, “in light of Christ, the past is rubbish!”
There’s the key. In Philippians, chapter 3, verses 3 through 11, Paul tells us “to give up the past is worth gaining Christ.” Our past, whether before conversion, or from yesterday, if we allow it, helps us know Christ, more passionately and more deeply, in His fullness, just as Saul’s past led him to Christ.
Reaching forward is likened to a runner straining with every muscle in his body toward the goal. To forget the past we must make a trade. We trade the past for a goal, something to reach for, to grasp, and win like a trophy. What’s your prize, your goal?
Paul’s was the “knowledge of Christ.” This isn’t merely an intellectual attainment, but an experiential knowledge resulting in an intimate communion with Christ. Paul realized this pursuit involved two things, experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit at work within him and participating with Christ in suffering, all wrapped in the promise of everlasting life.
So, what’s this mean to us, like Paul, we should remember we trade our past for Christ; therefore, today I will focus on knowing Christ more intimately, recognizing I will suffer; life is not easy and there will be times of pain, sacrifice, and heartache. However, I am never alone for in pursuing Christ, His resurrection power is at work within me.
Evident, when I am able to glance away from the race and see the side-mirror of my life, my past, and my past is silenced, as I declare, “I count all of it (the past) as rubbish for I know my Savior and His love.”
All Rights Reserved. 2012. Text and images may not be copied or reproduced without permission from the photographer and the author, Mary Armstrong.
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Despite a gigantic mess, my grandsons, Grayson and Parker, helped me build a bird feeder. After plastering the sides and top with birdseed, we carefully placed it in our yard. Racing back inside, Gray waited … as long as a 3 year old could wait … only to be discouraged; not one bird landed to feast upon the table we spread!
However, after Grayson and Parker left, you guessed it! The birds began to flock to the food. Grabbing my camera … Grayson and Parker needed to see their hard work had paid off … I snapped a photo or two, noticing one little bird became very territorial.
He not only sat on top of the bird feeder, eating away, but as each bird landed and inched toward this wonderful feast, this little finch jumped down and chased them away. He was not going to share! Despite the fact, Grayson, Parker, and I provided the feast, and would continue to do so, he had taken “ownership."
Watching this “tango” take place, I began to think about two verses. First, Matthew, chapter 6, verses 25 and 26 and Luke, chapter 12, verses 22 through verse 24. In both chapters, Jesus encourages us to have a proper perspective, or attitude, toward material things.
“Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body what you will put on is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”
Three great truths are wrapped up in these verses! First, the “therefore” connects these verses with the previous verses where Jesus teaches concerning covetousness and the need to come against this attitude with total dependence upon our Heavenly Father.
Second, when we have a proper attitude toward material things, based on truth, God is in control of all things (Psalm 103), all good things are gifts from God (James 1:17), God owns everything and we are simply His stewards (Colossians 1:16, Psalm 50: 10 and 12), God cares for us (1 Peter 5:7) and, because we are His creation, He knows our needs before we do (Matt. 6:25, 26), we will be set free from “worrying” about the physical necessities of life.
Third, we are of great value to God. He loves us dearly and, as His children, He will provide for us.
Here's the challenge! Trusting God completely, evident by practically applying these verses to our daily living, can be overwhelmingly difficult. However, by taking captive every “worry," our thoughts become redirected toward total dependence upon God, helping us overcome the temptation to be like this little finch; perched upon our possessions, worrying about the supply running out while taking ownership, as if we provided, and then we hoard.
Ouch! Thank you Father for using this little bird to remind us of your faithful, loving, and gracious care, not because we deserve it but because we're your children and as our Father, you will provide for our every need!
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Ever found yourself complacent? Maybe it’s complacent in a relationship or maybe your job; same thing, same time, same way, same people, same workload. Whatever “sameness,” you know it’s all good, and you feel confident that regardless of what you do, or don’t do, it will remain the “same” … good, acceptable.
Dictionary.com defines “complacency” as a feeling of quiet pleasure or security, often while unaware of some potential danger, defect, or the like. While reading this definition, the words jumping off the page are “often unaware.” Isn’t that the truth! Haven’t we been there? The bottom drops out of the boat and we think, “What just happened and why didn’t we notice there was a problem?” Well, maybe ... just maybe ... complacency has come into play.
Complacency is when we feel secure in a relationship, no need to do anything more, or less, and no need to “check-in” with the other person. Self-satisfaction tells us all is good. I’m good, so we are good. Until the day, when the other person comes in and says, “Hey, you’ve been busy, so I found another best friend!”
What happened? Complacency. Complacency led to stagnation, a failure to develop, progress, or advance, and stagnation has the potential to "stink-up or sting" all types of relationships, including our relationship with Jesus.
The key to “knowing” God is to constantly be seeking after Him. In the Bible, Matthew, chapter 7, verses 7 and 8 tell us if we ask, seek, and knock, we will receive, find, and be opened to knowing all there is to know about God. Why? God desires to have an intimate ongoing relationship with us. Also, we must take note that these verses are talking about an ongoing, ever increasing desire to ask, seek, and knock which requires constant, day in and day out, engagement in the relationship.
Here’s the difficult piece, as with all relationships, Busyness cries out for our attention; romancing us like a lost love. When busyness seduces us, we push aside relationships, whether it’s with Jesus or someone else, and we depend on what we know and have experienced, our past encounters, to sustain the relationship. Past encounters lie to us, telling us all is well, leading to complacency which takes over the relationship(s), while busyness gets all of our attention.
So, what to do? First, we cannot be seduced by busyness. Second, we cannot become satisfied with past relational encounters. Third, we must keep, or put, Busyness in its proper place … not allowed. Fourth, we must continually be pursuing fresh opportunities to learn something new, something more about God, or about another person. These four steps will keep the stink of stagnation away.
Water that stagnates stinks! Relationships that stagnate stink! The “stink” is noticeable when something, or someone, gets our attention; divorce papers, rebellious kids, and broken friendships. Spiritually speaking, stress, anxiety, out of control relationships, loss of loved ones and … well, you name it … gets our attention, and we find ourselves helplessly crying out, “God, why have you forsaken, me?”
During these “relationship moments”, I imagine God looking down at us and saying, “Finally … I thought you had forgotten about me!”
He doesn’t move … we do … busyness leads us to complacency. Complacency leads us to stagnation. Stagnation, and its stink or sting, leads us back to God. Bottom line, we are like the children of Israel; same thing, same pattern, same result, and same GOD.
God, in His divine love, patiently waits for the stink or sting to bring us back to him. Unfortunately, earthly relationships, are not as resilient.
All images and text are copyrighten. All Rights Reserved 2012. Permission to reproduce in any way must be requested from the author /photographer. Thank you for respecting these rights.
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To be grateful is to recognize the love of God in everything He has given us--and He has given us everything. Every breath we draw is a gift of His love, every moment of existence is a grace, for it brings with it immense graces from Him.
~ Thomas Merton, Thoughts on Solitude
Singing songs of praise is such a powerful experience. It doesn’t matter if it’s during one’s personal devotions or during a corporate service, praise opens up our hearts to experience God’s presence in powerful dimensions.
Many years ago I had the honor of spending time with students, older and younger, at a college in India. I enjoyed all of the students but it was the ladies who were challenging me the most. They had no idea that while they were asking me for prayer, I was longing for their faith, trust, and joy.
These women are etched upon my heart and memory to this day, especially one particular gal. She had approached me with tears streaming down her face, asking for prayer. As I stood there intently listening to her story, praying under my breath for some words of encouragement, she asked to pray for one thing. It wasn’t for deliverance from her persecutors, it wasn’t for understanding as to “why her”, it was simply a request for boldness.
Following her simple plea, she began to tell me about her and her husband. They are pastors and they are spreading the “Good News” of Jesus around many surrounding villages and, on more than one occasion, during the last several months, her husband and she had been severely beaten. As a matter of fact, her husband had recently been left to die. While he recovered, she was fearful it would happen again. She simply wanted boldness to keep telling others about Jesus, despite the threat of death.
If that’s not amazing enough, there’s more … I would have never known had she not asked for prayer that she was facing such difficult circumstances. She walked around the campus with a smile on her face and a song on her lips. During services her hands were lifted high and she was one of the most joy-filled people I met. Following my feeble prayer, I asked about her smile and her ability to sing and praise God during such persecution. She very quickly responded with, “The joy of the Lord is my strength.”
And then it clicked. This passage that I had read so many times before finally had a depth to it that it had never had. Her joy was not found in any temporal thing, or a person, but she knew her Lord. He was faithful to provide all she needed for that day and that day alone. Her praise opens the door to experience God’s presence in powerful dimensions. Her ability to praise God allows her to walk into the darkest night and keep on singing. Like Paul and Silas, her praise sets captives free.
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(My thoughts tonight have been inspired by Ray's message on suffering.)
All of creation groans awaiting the return of Jesus (Romans 8:22). Romans 8:23 tells us that we ourselves groan awaiting the day when we are fully adopted into God's family and, God himself groans as he awaits the divine time to set things right. This type of groaning results from suffering, at its worse; when all that is left is a deep, gut-wrenching sigh called a groan.
Adam and Eve's sin ushered in the worse type of suffering, separation from our Creator. Suffering set our heavenly Father into motion, divinely orchestrating a way back to Him, a way through the muck and mire, called sin. Our life-line out of the muck and mire is found in the Trinity; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They are harmoniously working to bring all of creation together, till that right moment in time, when the Father victoriously declares,
"It is finished. No more suffering, no more sorrow, and no more tears. It's time! Let us make all things new and restore all of creation to its right and proper state, for eternity."
Groaning ceases. God's original masterpiece will be on display and the angels in heaven will join Him in rejoicing over His work; we His people.
So, when suffering comes, let us not focus on the pain and loss, but focus on the Father, the Son, and the Spirit who is at work in us, through us, and around us; our strength and our hope.
A universal song is being composed;
The masterpiece of God’s love and pain.
Notes, building chords, stringing together,
His melodic line recreates.
The theatre, in its splendor, displayed.
Gloriously, lives rings out,
Each follows the chorus,
“My beloved, I am here.”
I know the beginning and the end.
With my orchestration and care,
[1] A piece of music
[2] Consistent, note for note imitation of one melodic line by another, the second line starts after the first.
[3] A part in a musical composition designed to serve as background and support for more important parts.
[4] A composition for an orchestra and one or more solo instruments, typically in three movements
[5] Arranged or proceeding in regular, systematic order.
[6] An eminent composer, teacher, or conductor of music
[7] The text, words, of a dramatic musical work such as an opera.
[8] Monophony - a style of composition with one melodic line without accompaniment.
Copyright 2012. All Rights Reserved.
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For example, when the storm of life surrounds me and I feel confused, I rely on His promise telling me He has a plan for my life; a plan for good and not disaster, a plan full of hope; one with a future (Jeremiah 29:11). I also remember He has given me a gift … peace of heart and mind … and nothing in this world can take this gift, which quiets life’s storms, away (John 14:27; Proverbs 1:33).
There are other days when I am tired and the cares of this world are weighing me down. During these life moments, He reminds me to come to Him and find rest (Matt. 11:28-29), cast my cares on Him, because He cares for me (1 Peter 5:7) and not to worry about tomorrow because He will provide (Matthew 6:34 ).
Then there are the days when I am strong. When I actually keep my mouth shut instead of spewing words that cannot be taken back, when I love someone who is being unlovable, when I forgive undeservedly, or when I stop to help someone in need. These days reveal His promise that I can share in His Divine image (2 Peter 1:4); that He gives me strength to overcome and power to soar like an eagle above life circumstances (Isaiah 40:29-31).
Yes, there are many things I do not understand or comprehend about Him but this one thing is for certain … daily … He keeps His promises to me. There are moments in time … when I fail to hold up my end of the relationship … I fail to keep my promise to Him. It’s during these moments that He reminds me … nothing can separate me from His love… poetically and tenderly … He tells me His love will never be separated from me. He tells me life cannot separate it, death cannot separate it, no power in the sky, no power on the earth, nothing that’s ever been created can separate me from His love (Romans 8:37-39).
All I can say is … He’s never let me down. He keeps His Word … and I love Him. He’s my Father, my Creator, and my God.
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“If you could have seen where Jesus brought me from to where I am today, then you would know the reason why I love Him so. You can take this world’s wealth and riches; I don’t need earth’s gain. It’s my desire to live for Him.”
Sunday morning sitting on the front row of the church where my life took a “U” turn, these lyrics began to race through my head; words from an old hymn I sang as a 14 year old girl. At the same time, I felt overwhelmed by the love of a big and gracious heavenly Father. Love is what brought me to Jesus. How about you?
Some people turn to Christ out of desperation; a need for hope. Others turn to Jesus during the storms of life in need of peace or protection. For me it was a need to be loved. Regardless of what drew you and me to Christ, we are here and it is good! Today is really, really good because, I realize dawn is breaking over the “dark night” of my soul ... just like the first Sunday morning I sat on the front row of my first church!
I’ve had many “dark nights” throughout my life and while it’s never a pleasant experience, I have found them very profitable to the strengthening of my character and the burning away of the dross in my life. Why? It’s during these “dark nights” God grows me up and grows me closer.
I learn to depend on Him more deeply. I learn to return hurt with love. I learn that nothing is impossible with God. Taking my vices, he creates virtues within me; pride gives way to humility, simplicity pushes greed out the door, contentment fills my soul as anger dissipates, peace overwhelms the anxiety, bubbling up like a hot spring within my soul. And, then I notice, for no reason at all, I’m smiling, I’m safe, I’m loved, and I have a joy that the world cannot understand nor take from me.
So where are you? Are you living in the “dark night;” a time where if you take your eyes off Jesus, you won’t make it? Here's what I do during these long and difficult days; hang on, stay close and focused on Him, find a group of friends who will guide you along the way, and remember dark nights do not last forever; dawn is coming!
I hate these seemingly long and difficult seasons of life but without them, our spiritual lives will not grow … deep … for God does His best work in our souls by means of the "dark nights."
Psalm 42 - “As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God? My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me continually, “Where is your God?” These things I remember, as I pour out my soul: how I went with the throng, and led them in procession to the house of God, with glad shouts and songs of thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival.”
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Why, at times, do we as human beings compare others' actions based on degrees of how bad is bad and how good is good?
We measure sin based on outward actions neglecting the attitudes of the heart and, in some sick way, we actually feel better when we point our finger at someone else and say, "See I'm not so bad, just look at them."
Maybe, it's because we do not have a clear definition of sin. Maybe, we need to clearly understand what is sin, really? In simple terms sin can be defined as any action or attitude that does not give another person the "right opinion (or picture)" of God. Let's pause and read that statement one more time.
So, if God is love and I, as His child, am expected to represent him well, how then should I act toward all people, regardless of how I feel about them. The correct answer is I should conduct myself in a very loving manner, so people can understand God a little better. Why? Because God is love.
Isn't this how Jesus lived? He said, "If you have seen me, you have seen my Father." Jesus was showing us how to live a life free of sin. If we were to walk verse by verse through the first four books of the New Testament, we would gain a very clear picture of our Heavenly Father. Why? Because Jesus conducted himself in such a manner that God's very character was on display ... 24/7. Hanging on the cross, after having been beaten, mocked, spit upon, and wrongly accused, Jesus still asked the Father to forgive the people who condemned him to death. How could he do such a thing? Because he was perfect, without sin; he continued to "paint a picture", for his accusers and for us today, of God's very character ... a Father of forgiveness, even when forgiveness is undeserved.
I'm not sure about you, but I know my limitations and there isn't a chance that I can represent the character of God 24/7. I might also add, neither can you. Romans, chapter 3 and verse 23 reminds us that all people sin and fall short of the glory of God.
So, what's my point today. Maybe, we should stop focusing on "sin" as an outward action that represents choosing right and wrong (good and bad) and, instead, focus on representing the Father, as best we can, knowing at times we will fail; we will sin. Maybe, this will keep our eyes focused on our own actions and attitudes and allow others to sin, too.
Tossing stones might end and the world might see God, alive, in us.
Just a thought ...
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One Sunday morning, at the age of 9, sitting on the front row of a little, old country church in Dawson Springs, Kentucky, my life was forever changed.
Grandpa was playing the guitar and Grandma was playing the piano (chords only), both singing from the top of their lungs, "I'll Fly Away O Glory." This particular Sunday morning was special, not because of their beautiful voices, or the wonderful hymns being corporately sung, but because, from that platform, they were radiantly beaming and all I knew was I wanted what they had; Love, all wrapped up in God's greatest gift to humanity, Jesus Christ.
So, my prayer today is ...
O God, you have proven to all of humanity your love by giving us your Son, Jesus Christ who has illuminated our lives by the radiance of His presence.
We give you thanks for Jesus' days upon this earth, pointing us to you, our Heavenly Father.
We give you thanks for all the records of Jesus' love toward humanity, every act that demonstrates your love toward us.
We give you thanks for Jesus' Words, for they daily light our paths and direct our footsteps.
We give you thanks for Jesus' obedience unto death, for through His obedience amazing grace is ushered into our lives.
We give you thanks for Jesus' triumph over death, for now we too can walk in His resurrection power, today and into eternity.
Let us remember ... Jesus' eargerness to serve and minister to the very least.
Let us remember ... Jesus' sympathy with suffering of every kind.
Let us remember ... Jesus' simplicity toward life.
Let us remember ... Jesus desire to please only you.
Let us remember ... Jesus' example as he walked this earth.
O God, we ask for your grace to walk in His footsteps.
O God, we ask for your power to overcome the temptations of this world.
O God, we ask for your love to permeate all of our relationships.
O God, we ask for your joy to be expressed in all we do and say.
O God, we ask for your peace to go before us.
O God, we ask these things not because of anything we have done, but because of what Jesus accomplished.
Thank you for your Son, our greatest gift.
Amen
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Humanity
He sits on the
corner
With a blanket
and pan
Silently, crying
out
A lost and lonely
man
Stone towers walk
by
Hearts as hard as
a rock
Unable to
sympathize
Humanity is
blocked
I sit at a
distance
And watch what I
see
Pondering the
empathy
Welling up,
within me
A beggar am I,
when
No different than
he
Silently, we cry
out
Why can’t anyone
see?
Misplaced,
isolated
Whether wealthy
or poor
Compassion walks
by
People close
their heart’s door
But dignity sees
public
With a tear in
the eye
And a hand
expanded
To those passing
by
Most of humanity
has become like this poem. We race past people who are hurt, lonely, and isolated or we are the hurt,
lonely, or isolated people longing to be helped.
Regardless of which, we need one another and we need Jesus' healing touch.
The Bible tells
us about a blind man who approaches Jesus and asks for healing. Jesus spits
on his hands and wipes the man’s eyes, then asks him the question, “What do you
see?” The man replies, “I see people,
they look like trees walking around.” We are no different. We come to Jesus and ask for healing, he
touches us, but, more often than not, we race off neglecting Jesus and the
opportunity for him to finish his work. We are
better but we are not healed.
Continuing the story, Matthew chapter
8, verses 22 through 25 tell us after the blind man’s response, Jesus took his
hands and touched the man’s eyes a second time and asked the question again,
“What do you see?” This time the man’s
sight was restored and he saw everything clearly, he saw people walking around
as people.
What's the point? Our time with
Jesus can’t be rushed because we desperately need him, and people desperately need us to see them
clearly. To see them as Jesus sees
them. Maybe, for the first time we need
to see a family member who feels lonely and isolated, our neighbor who is shut-in,
forgotten by loved ones, or a rebellious teen-age son who feels neglected and
pressured by the world around him. Or, maybe you are waiting to be noticed because you are in need of someone to reach out and help you.
Mother
Teresa sums it up this way … “You and I, we are the Church, no? We have to
share with our people. Suffering today
is because people are hoarding, not giving, not sharing. Jesus made it very clear. Whatever you do to
the least of my brethren, you do it to me.
Give a glass of water, you give it to me. Receive a little child, you
receive me...”
So here's the thought demanding our time and attention: People are hurting and every day has
opportunity for us to share with people but do we clearly see the people and
the opportunity to be Jesus?
All Rights Reserved. 2012. Text and Images may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the author or photographer, Mary Armstrong.
All Rights Reserved. 2012. Text and Images may not be reproduced in any form without permission from the author or photographer, Mary Armstrong.
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In our family, our youngest daughter, is the clown. As a little girl she would do the silliest things to lighten a mood or to entertain us. Her expressions, her language, and her delivery, to this day, makes me laugh. As a matter of fact, this picture is a sample of how one of her simple expressions can fill my eyes with tears, and cause my sides to hurt, as I fall to the ground in laughter!
Laughter ... such an important emotion. Google it on WebMD! Laughter has been proven to boost your immune system, increase your circulation, and relieve stress. Not to mention burn calories! We all know that the average kid laughs up to 400 times a day ... and ... well ... this statistic drops dramatically as we age. As a matter of fact, the average 35 year old adult laughs (or just smiles) 15 times a day, and that's on a good day.
The Bible also talks about the importance of a "merry heart", that it "does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones" (Proverbs 17:22). Proverbs 15:15 tells us that those with a "merry heart" have a continual feast." Then, there's Psalm, chapter 16, verses 7 through 11:
I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope. You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore!
"In your presence is fullness of joy" ... this statement makes me smile. I can't read it without smiling and ... pausing ... to let this powerful statement be absorbed.
So, this week, I invite you to join me in absorbing and practicing two things. One, laughter ... Let's up our laughter meter from 15 times A DAY to at least 20. Two, let's be aware that God is around us, in us, and moving through us; this should at least bring a smile to our faces and put joy in our hearts!
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The Mask
Her countenance
hides the truth;
assaulted and exploited,
Her countenance
hides the truth;
assaulted and exploited,
Imprisoned by fear,
she longs to cry, to feel,
instead, she smiles.
she longs to cry, to feel,
instead, she smiles.
So many times we are like the woman in the poem. We wear a mask; a mask to hide the pain of rejection, abandonment, failure, shame, performance, and perfection, to name a few. Other times, the openness to share the truth about ourselves with another person, results in neglect or ridicule. So what do we do? We put back on the mask. We smile, or joke, when inside we are dying. Until … someone who truly makes us feel safe crosses our path.
Like the Samaritan woman in the Bible (John 4), Jesus crosses our path and offers us a new way of living, a drink from a well that will never run dry, but will quench our every longing. Stepping back we try to keep our mask firmly in place, until he reminds us we are loved and safe. Jesus tells us, as he told the woman at the well, we can’t hide from him. He sees and knows us better than we know ourselves.
Psalm 139:15, 16
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
Jesus knows us just as he knew the Samaritan woman had five husbands and was currently with a man who wasn’t her husband. Like the woman at the well, he doesn't shame us, or ridicule us, or make us feel less than. He simply offers us something better. A love that will meet the need we are searching to have met, a need that can't be met by a human being. Jesus offered the woman, and offers us today, himself and, like the woman, we have a choice to make ... do we believe?
Do we believe he can love us when we feel so unlovable? Do we believe he can give us the strength to overcome life’s difficulties, when we feel so battered and torn? Or, will we put on the self-sufficient, don't need anyone mask? Do we believe he offers us abundant life today and into eternity, when we only see life from a human perspective ? Do we believe in him enough to take off our masks and trust he will bring healing?
I believe but there are still times, I battle with not wearing a mask. However, I try to remember that I long to live my life without hiding and by removing my mask I allow others to feel safe to do the same. Ultimately, I hope, through my eyes, someone finds Jesus staring back at them. How about you?
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"Happiness depends upon our self." Aristotle
"Happiness is mostly a by-product of doing what makes us feel fulfilled." Benjamin Spock
Analyzing people's activities, studies conclude we all search for happiness. While the search isn't always evident to someone's choices, every act is indeed a longing for that one thing, or moment, where pleasant feelings may be experienced. Therefore, the world's definition of happiness is "a pleasant state of activity" or the "pleasant feeling of fulfillment." However, true happiness can only be found in knowing God (positional truth).
"Blessed (Happy) is the person who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord, for he/she will be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit." Jeremiah 17:7, 8
Based on the Word, specifically, Jeremiah, chapter 17, verses 7 and 8, happiness (positional truth) is found in trusting the Lord and finding hope in who we "know" the Lord to be; His character. What do we "know" (experiential truth) about the character of the Lord? Personally, I know the Lord to be good, all the time. He is kind. He is loving, faithful, gentle, forgiving, able to provide for my every need, all powerful, all knowing, ever present, keeper of His promises and, most definitely, trustworthy.
In what we "know" of God, we find our nourishment and strength. When hard times come, we are not fearful nor are we anxious (stressed). Instead, we experience a peace, a strength, an ability to overcome, that ought not to be, but is so. Why? We are planted in Christ and fruit (His character in us) is being produced. Furthermore, we are not being nourished by the temporary pleasures of life, but our very sustenance and refreshment (pleasant feelings) comes from the depths of our souls as we drink in the truth of His Word (Psalm 1:1-3).
So, what’s the key to truly experiencing this kind of happiness? “We gotta want it bad enough!” We stop searching for happiness “in all the wrong places” and commit to being "planted" (rooted in an on-going relationship) like a tree by a "river" (His Word). The Spirit takes it from there and begins to work within us and we find pleasure in Him; thus, experiencing a happiness the world cannot understand!
Sometimes, easier said than done, but definitely worth the commitment!
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