Beautiful Longings Ordained ~n~ God

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to the end." Ecclesiastes 3:11 Sharing a little of my heart, soul, and mind which make up my Beautiful Longings Ordained ~n~ God. May it make you smile,draw you closer to God, comfort you, and spur you on in your walk with God-the One in whom all of my longings are granted in what He ordaineth.

Tuesday, January 31, 2006

~The next American Idol~



Will there be a 3rd contestant that makes it into the top five from Birmingham, Alabama? I believe I am good luck for Birmingham, Alabama American Idol contestants. I mean come on, Bo Bice came from my hometown, and tonight as I watched I saw somebody I went to high school with as one of the contestants going to Hollywood.(Ok so I wasn't best friends with him, but we did grow up in the same town together!)

His name you ask??? Taylor Hicks.....and let me say I remember he was hot in high school, but I had no clue he could sing. He has a soulfoul, bluegrass, country, jazzy kind of sound. I like it! Go Taylor, vote for him America!

I also forgot to add a HUGE way God was sweet to me this weekend. Saturday my niece Amanda called me.....She is 14 and let me just say that when they call you as teenagers it breaks your heart because you know they want to talk to you and that is so special! She was in a beauty pageant that night at her school and I was able to attend and see her win first place for her grade. I was so proud, but even more proud when we talked on the phone and I told her to say a prayer before going out on stage and she said, "I Know." Praise God! I love her so much and pray she grows closer to God in beauty everyday.

Also, Sunday morning God reminded of His hand on my life through the song "Praise To The Lord the Almighty." This is one of my favorite hymns and the actual reason for the name of my blog. Thank-you God for your tangible reminder of your promises and love through music.


Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation!All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near;Praise Him in glad adoration.

Praise to the Lord, Who over all things so wondrously reigneth,Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!Hast thou not seen how all thy longings have beenGranted in what He ordaineth?

Praise to the Lord, Who hath fearfully, wondrously, made thee;Health hath vouchsafed and, when heedlessly falling, hath stayed thee.What need or grief ever hath failed of relief?Wings of His mercy did shade thee.


Praise to the Lord, Who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee.Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,If with His love He befriend thee.

Praise to the Lord, Who, when tempests their warfare are waging,Who, when the elements madly around thee are raging,Biddeth them cease, turneth their fury to peace,Whirlwinds and waters assuaging.

Praise to the Lord, Who, when darkness of sin is abounding,Who, when the godless do triumph, all virtue confounding,Sheddeth His light, chaseth the horrors of night,Saints with His mercy surrounding.

Praise to the Lord, O let all that is in me adore Him!All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him.Let the Amen sound from His people again,Gladly for aye we adore Him.

Sunday, January 29, 2006

~Fragrance of Blue~


This weekend I have been reflecting on my personality and my interactions with others. I have been praying over last year and the beginning of this year to walk more by the Spirit and less in the flesh. I do believe that we all have distinct and unique personalities from birth.
Psalm 139:14I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

I believe we also have experiences through life that shape us along with giftings given to us by the Holy Spirit for those of us who are believers in Christ.

However, I do believe that despite our genetics, experiences, and giftings I can learn to become more Christ-like by putting off the flesh in the power of the Spirit. This "Putting On of Christ" has to be intentional, though, through the power of the Word dwelling richly in me, through thanksgiving and prayer, and through my relationships with others. I often read this verse and think of it in the mornings as I am getting ready.

Colossians 3:12-18 (The Message)
12So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. 13Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. 14And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.
15Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. 16Let the Word of Christ--the Message--have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! 17Let every detail in your lives--words, actions, whatever--be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.

This weekend I was reminded of the insight I learned at a Sunday school leadership retreat on my personality.....I am a Blue and a Green. However, I feel that I need to yeild to the Spirit more when I am spreading the fragrance of Blue. How ironic, because my favorite perfume is Blue, by Ralph Lauren. Here are some insights to the blue personality.

Melancholic (Blue)
Like orderly lives, Prone to mood changes
Showing no bias, objective, detached
Structured, detailed, realistic

Demonstrated Behaviors
Questioning
Deliberate
Cautious
Precise
Formal

On a Bad Day…
Suspicious
Indecisive
Reserved
Stuffy
Cold

Gifts
Air of competence
Thorough follow-up
Asks probing questions
Knowledgeable and detailed

Liabilities
Overlooks others’ feelings
Focus on inconsequential details
Initial interaction may be difficult of stuffy
Questions may be seen as critical & insensitive

Approaching and Communicating: Do…
Be well prepared & thorough
Let me consider the details
Put things in writing

Approaching and Communicating:
Get too close of hug me
Be flippant on important issues
Change my routine without notice

This Friday I used the last of my Blue perfume. I was trying to use it to the last drop since it is my fav and it is so expensive to replace. However, alas, it is gone and it is a good reminder to me this weekend to ask if I want to continue to smell of blue? I recieved several compliments Friday night on how good I smelled, but yet, that makes me wonder, is it Too Much? Which leads me to pray and question of my Blue personality.....is it too much God? Please break me and help me spread your fragrance more and less of my fleshly fragrance of Blue.

2 Corinthians 2:14But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.

On a side note, I always have to say one way God was sweet to me as the weekend closes and I am reminded tonight of feeling protected and cared for. I was leaving to go home from time with some friends and made the comment that I was going to follow someone as they were leaving, as I don't like to be on dark roads while feeling sleepy. This gentleman proceeded to follow me all the way home to ensure I made it safely there without even being asked. Thank-you God for your protection and care through others. It felt really good!

Sunday, January 22, 2006

~Beautiful Gates~


Christo and Jeanne-Claude have created art together as partners for more than 4 decades. They are married and have a son, Cyril, born in 1960, who is a published poet and writer. They are the artists for "The Gates" exhibit in New York City's Central Park.

Christo and Jeanne-Claude conceive of the projects together. Then Christo makes drawings, scale-models and other preparatory art of the artwork.

Why are their works so big. What's the point?Christo and Jeanne-Claude's works are entire environments, whether they are urban or rural. The artists temporarily use one part of the environment. In doing so, we see and perceive the whole environment with new eyes and a new consciousness.The effect is astounding. To be in the presence of one of these artworks is to have your reality rocked. You see things you have never seen before. You also get to see the fabric manifest things that cannot usually be seen, like the wind blowing, or the sun reflecting in ways it had not before.The effect lasts longer than the actual work of art. Years after every physical trace has been removed and the materials recycled, original visitors can still see and feel them in their minds when they return to the sites of the artworks.There is no other way to describe that the feeling of that effect other than to say it is magical.

So why all the information on The Gates, an art project in Central Park? Today I went to a class at church on Ministry to find out my giftings and SHAPE for ministry. I had a very sweet time with the Lord through a reading of Acts 3:1-11.

Acts 3
Peter Heals the Crippled Beggar 1One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!" 5So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.
6Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." 7Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. 8He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

In reading this my heart was broken and my spirit was convicted. What am I doing everyday and everywhere I go that I miss the Beautiful Gates God has for me to minister at and have people filled with wonder and amazement in order to glorify our God, the great Beautifier of Time. I immediately thought of this art project in NYC and thought about all of the people that walk through it and partake in the masterpiece just as the people in my life and yours. They are God's creation. I need to recognize the role I play in touching their lives and pray they are affected by the magic of the Artist. I pray that I am constantly seeing things I've never seen before to further the Kingdom of God and realize I am merely participating in the myriad masterpiece of life.

Did you catch that God uses Peter and John to heal the beggar....God can use us mightily to heal others through Him. I pray I am not a barrier to someone's healing due to my disobedience or lack of vision to their need.

This was an emotionally charged weekend for me with sharing my testimony at a prayer and fellowship for my Sunday school and bringing up some areas of my life where God has restored me, yet there is still some tenderness to some of my scars. Praise God the scars are more like character now....Sara Groves-Less Like Scars. Today was intense for me as I find myself saddened and excited all at the same time for my friend, Dan, who is moving back to Spokane, WA next week.

Despite my emotional catharsis last night and tonight, God reminded me this morning at exactly the time my alarm went off and one of my favorite songs was beginning at the very first word until tonight when driving home after time with Dan and thinking about my feelings of sadness the same song began within 3 miles back to my home, in which God knew it would be enough time for me to hear it entirely before getting home. I literally pulled in my driveway as the song finished.

God is so sweet to us.....can you think of how He was sweet to you today despite the kind of day you had? He is there, He does love you, and He will see you through. All we need is Him.

I Just Want You-Vicki Yohe

I could have fortune and fame- go anywhere do anything
But oh God, I just want You
I could search for earthly things- to satisfy my every need
Oh God, I just wnt You

Chorus I just want You, I just want You
I just wanna live in Your presence everyday
I lay down my will and every selfish desire
Whatever it takes, Father that's what I'll do
Cause I just want You

Standing in this holy place- I'm here to seek Your face
Oh God, I just want You
Can You feel the passion in my heart- to be close to where You are
Oh God, I just want You

Chorus I just want You, I just want You
I just wanna live in Your presence everyday
I lay down my will and every selfish desire
Whatever it takes, Father that's what I'll do
Cause I just want you

Thursday, January 19, 2006

~Faith,Hope, and Love~


More to come on Faith, Hope, and Love....but for tonight:

1 Corinthians 13:13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Colossians 1:5the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel.

1 Thessalonians 1:3We 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.

1 Thessalonians 5:8But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.


http://www.abetterhope.com/hope/i-hope.html

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

~What's Your Dream~



I have always wanted to go and visit and stay in a castle. I think many little girls dream of castles and think about being a princess and having their knight in shining armor come and rescue them. I sometimes think, "That's a silly dream to want to go to a castle." However, why is it silly? Christ has given us hope, we are to be dreaming. Not only that, I believe we are to be obedient to follow Him and work on achieving the dreams that He is birthing within us and calling or drawing us to.

I can't get this verse out of my head.

Proverbs 13:12Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

I do not want to be sick in my heart. Therefore, I am praying that my longings are fulfilled. I don't have to feel guilty about this and I can trust that God will fulfill them in His time and for His purpose. The exact details may not be what I was longing for, but the overall dream will come true because I am seeking to delight myself in Him first.

Psalm 37:4Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Acts 2:17" 'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.

God awakens me to a new song every day and He puts it in my heart and mouth. How fitting today the song was Dreamer.

Dreamer - Bethany Dillon

Love woke me up this morning

With a memory Love came and whispered a story

That awakened a dream

Imagine a beautiful castle And a beautiful king

He left the comfort of his throne To fight for victory

I am a dreamer Take me higher

Open the sky up Start a fire

I believe Even if it's just a dream

Love woke me up this morning

And I ran to see The king in the winners' circle

On the horse he won for me Only a king would do anything To protect the kingdom

Monday, January 16, 2006

~H.O.P.E.~





I am loving the comments to my last post and God used them to remind me of a lesson He was teaching me last week on hope. Our hearts our sick. Jeremiah 17:9-10. One way we can heal our hearts is to focus on building and increasing our hope in Him. As I was reading my friend Brandi's blog, Lightbeams, God reminded me of His plan for my life and I thought of H.O.P.E., His Ordained Plan Envisioned. I pray I daily envision His plan for my life.

Psalm 139:16 All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

If we can truly focus on His plan and our bright future in Him, we heal our hearts. We will have our longings fulfilled like a tree of life. The tree in this picture appears to stand alone, yet it is strong, not wavering, beautiful, peaceful, and lifegiving. The tree has the ground beneath its roots,(Psalm 1:2-4), the sky above it's branches(Psalm89:34-37), the Sun to reflect it's beauty(Psalm 84:11,Psalm 37:6), and the mountains in the distance(Psalm 36:6, Psalm 72:3).

Proverbs 13:12Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

I close with a picture of hope....I love rainbows. Thank-you Lord for your covenant with us.

Sunday, January 15, 2006

~Life Is Beautiful~


These past few days I have been thinking about Paris. I don't know why, but I have. Paris has shown up in a couple movies I watched, in a post I read on a blog(humanmerelybeing), and in my thoughts several times.

I have never been to Paris but hope to visit there one day. I had a relaxing weekend. It was nice to unwind a little. Friday night I went to visit somebody I love in prison. I had never done that before. It was a very reflective and emotional time for me. I found myself so grieved for the men in prison, yet at the same time, felt relieved that they were there.

As I drove home I listened to God speak to me about my own spiritual bondage at times in different areas of my life as I am being sanctified. How true it is for myself, that I have grieved over areas in my life I have been imprisoned in through my own lack of repentance and not yielding to walking in the Spirit and accessing the freedom that is already mine. However, hopefully for the individuals I saw in prison Friday, they will be changed and restored as I am changed from glory to glory in my sanctification journey towards Christ. So in that, maybe they too, as well as I, are relieved to have been in prison in order to truly recognize and appreciate freedom and see how beautiful life really is.

2 Corinthians 3:17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

I am reading a book that God is really speaking to me through. Here is an excerpt:

"It still all comes down to the same thing. Life is beautiful. And I believe in God. And I want to be there right in the thick of what people call "horror" and still be able to say: Life is beautiful...I don't think I have nerves of steel, far from it, but I can certainly stand up to things. I am not afraid to look suffering straight in the eyes." Etty Hilesum quoted in A Tree Full of Angels:Seeing the Holy in the Ordinary-Macrina Wiederkehr

Thursday, January 12, 2006

~Completely~


Completely - Ana Laura

The secret of life is letting go
The secret of love is letting it show
In all that I do In all that I say
Right here in this moment

The power of prayer is in a humble cry
The power of change is in giving my life
I’m laying it down Down at your feet
Right here in this moment

chorus: Take my heart Take my soul
I surrender everything to your control
And let all this is within me lift up to you and say
I am yours and yours alone
Completely

The journey of life is a search for truth
This journey of faith is following you
Every step of the way
Through the joy and the pain Right here in this moment

Right here, right now, and for the rest of my life Hear me say I am yours and yours alone Completely



Wednesday, January 11, 2006

~Let it Go~



Let it go for 2006...By T. D. Jakes

There are people who can walk away from you.
And hear me when I tell you this! When people can walk away from you: let them walk. I don't want you to try to talk another person into staying with you, loving you, calling you, caring about you, coming to see you, staying attached to you. I mean hang up the phone.
When people can walk away from you let them walk. Your destiny is never tied to anybody that left.

The bible said that, they came out from us that it might be made manifest that they were not for us. For had they been of us, no doubt they would have continued with us. [1 John 2:19]

People leave you because they are not joined to you. And if they are not joined to you, you can't make them stay. Let them go.
And it doesn't mean that they are a bad person it just means that their part in the story is over. And you've got to know when people's part in your story is over so that you don't keep trying to raise the dead. You've got to know when it's dead.

You've got to know when it's over. Let me tell you something. I've got the gift of good-bye. It's the tenth spiritual gift, I believe in good-bye. It's not that I'm hateful; it's that I'm faithful, and I know whatever God means for me to have He'll give it to me. And if it takes too much sweat I don't need it. Stop begging people to stay. Let them go!

If you are holding on to something that doesn't belong to you and was never intended for your life, then you need to......LET IT GO!!!
If you are holding on to past hurts and pains .......LET IT GO!!!
If someone can't treat you right, love you back, and see your worth.....LET IT GO!!!
If someone has angered you ........LET IT GO!!!
If you are holding on to some thoughts of evil and revenge......LET IT GO!!!
If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction......LET IT GO!!!
If you are holding on to a job that no longer meets your needs or talents.....LET IT GO!!!
If you have a bad attitude.......LET IT GO!!!
If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better......LET IT GO!!!
If you're stuck in the past and God is trying to take you to a new level in Him......LET IT GO!!!
If you are struggling with the healing of a broken relationship.......LET IT GO!!!
If you keep trying to help someone who won't even try to help themselves.......LET IT GO!!!
If you're feeling depressed and stressed.......LET IT GO!!!
If there is a particular situation that you are so used to handling yourself and God is saying "take your hands off of it," then you need to......LET IT GO!!!
Let the past be the past. Forget the former things. GOD is doing a new thing for 2006!!!! LET IT GO!!!
Get Right! or Get Left... think about it, and then ....LET IT GO!!!

"The Battle is the Lord's!"

Isaiah 43:19See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.

Monday, January 09, 2006

~So There's That~



So I was home sick today and flipping through channels and saw this movie on. Wow....all I can say! Loved it, can't believe I haven't seen this movie already. I kept asking myself why this sounded so familiar, and remembered that this is a fav of 2 of my close friends, which one of them always says, "So there's that!".....I should have watched it sooner. This was probably one of my favorite scenes.....I pray I find someone I can be this real with in a courting/dating relationship, so safe, so fun, and so accepting. "Safe... when I'm with you I feel so safe... like I'm home." Ok I am having a major girl moment, but it's fun!

I think these will be some of my new favorite lines, so don't be surprised if you hear me quoting some of this!

"So there's that. I guess I have that."

"If you can't laugh at yourself, life is going to seem a whole lot longer than you'd like."

"You're in it right now, aren't you? "

Andrew Largeman: You remember that idea I had about working stuff out on my own and then finding you once I figured stuff out?

Sam: The ellipsis?

Andrew Largeman: Yes, the ellipsis. It's dumb. It's dumb. It's an awful idea. I'm not gonna do it, okay? 'Cause like you said, this is it. This is life. And I'm in love with you, Samantha. I think that's the only thing I've ever been really sure of in my entire life.

(Ok, so I won't be quoting this one, but I LOVE IT! Would love to hear this one day from a man that loves me in spite of all my failures and who allows me to love him with all of his! My Mom would love to hear me say this because she is always telling me this, not waiting for everything to be worked out to live.) This movie also made me think of my favorite song today, "Just Showed Up" by Sara Groves. Check her out....

And might I add, I feel like a school girl with Andrew Largeman. Check out the blog, baby! Let's just say he should have won the award for best movie kiss!

http://www2.foxsearchlight.com/gardenstate/blog/

~Walk By Faith~


This morning the Lord awakened me to the song, "Walk By Faith," by Jeremy Camp. This was fitting after the road He led me on this weekend. While searching for pictures of roads, I found this one the most intriguing. The road is not visible in the picture, but you can see the mile marker indicating one's journey surrounded by peaceful water and a glorious sunset nearby. I find that this is how my walk with Christ is. I can't always see the road, but peace is mine in the rivers of His love and there is hope of a new day in His light guiding my journey.

Walk By Faith Lyrics~Jeremy Camp

Will I believe you when you say
Your hand will guide my every way
Will I receive the words You say
Every moment of every day

Well I will walk by faith
Even when I cannot see
Well because this broken road
Prepares Your will for me

Help me to win my endless fears
You've been so faithful for all my years
With the one breath You make me new
Your grace covers all I do
yeah, yeah , yeah, yeah, ya

Well I will walk by faith
even when I cannot see
well because this broken road
prepares your will for me

Well I'm broken- but I still see Your face
Well You've spoken- pouring Your words of grace

Well I will walk by faith
Even when I cannot see
Well because this broken road
Prepares Your will for me

hallelujah, hallelu (I will walk by faith) Well hallelujah, hallelu (I will walk by faith) I will walk, I will walk, I will walk by faith I will, I will, I will walk by faith

Out Of The Grey \ Walk By Faith
I'm gonna walk by faith, not by sight

'Cause I can't see straight in the broad daylight
I'm gonna walk by faith, not by fear
'Cause I believe in the One who brought me here

I'm standing on the edge of whatever
Whatever He has planned for me
My next step will be measured With confidence in the unseen

Like dancing on the edge of forever
I have nothing left to lose
Flying free as a feather
A vagabond in beautiful shoes

I'm moving through this great unknown
With faith beneath my feet
I take the road invisible But I know Jesus goes with me

Oh, I believe, I believe
Because You gave Yourself to me
And I have nothing left to fear
'Cause I see it's You who brought me here
Though the road ahead is not quite clear
Still I know the way

Sunday, January 08, 2006

~Get Out Of The Boat~

I posted this week more than usual, but I find that I am compelled to do a post every Sunday, now.....ending and beginnings...the end of the weekend, the beginning of a new week.

This weekend I had some very sweet moments with God. Saturday God spoke to me through 2 words in a movie I saw...."Be Present."

Psalm 118:24This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Matthew 6:34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Saturday evening I enjoyed the new "Milan" thin crust pizza from one of my favorite restaurants at the Summit, California Pizza Kitchen. Not to forget one of my fav salads from there, Waldorf Chicken Salad:
A bicoastal rendition of a NYC favorite! Field greens, chilled grilled chicken breast, seedless grapes, Granny Smith apples, candied walnuts, celery and Gorgonzola cheese. Tossed with your choice of Dijon balsamic vinaigrette or blue cheese dressing. It was a very nice evening.

Sunday morning was a little more nerve wrecking for me as I found myself nervous about some new responsibilities I have undertaken in ministry. However, God calmed my nerves and reminded me that it is in my weakness, His strength is made perfect. On the way home from church I was driving into Helena over the bridge in Old Town that covers the Cahaba River, and as I looked up to the right above my favorite coffee shop, I saw a rainbow. God reminded me of His covenant with me and renewed my hope once again for my future.

Genesis 9:16Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth."

Which leads me to this evening. I attended Singles Worship at church in which the message was on having the audicity to get out of the boat. The sermon was referencing to Matthew 14 where Jesus walks on water and calls Peter out of the boat. The Lord spoke to me tonight about looking at this story with new eyes through the teaching of our singles minister, Tommye. She talked about the great fear that the disciples had when they saw Jesus walking on the water. Peter does decide to step out of the boat towards Jesus, begins to sink, but then is saved by Jesus. How beautiful and motivating.

We need to recognize the storms and fear within the boat of our lives as we continually press closer towards Him, into the water, despite the raging wind and waves. Which leads me back to the beginning, my rainbow in the raging waterfall....Did you see the faint glimmer of the rainbow in the above picture? It is there, the hope is found in the crashing waves and storms of our lives. We must leave the fear behind and step out more in faith closer to Him, the anchor of our lives.

Thursday, January 05, 2006

~God's Beauty Queen~

This is me dressed up for a costume party this year as Ms. Minneapolis...I have a last name that has acquired many nicknames, one from my good friend Patrick, Ms. Minneapolis.

I was at the post office the other day and a man was walking towards me smiling and stopped and said, "You are a beautiful woman." Why is it easier sometimes to accept this from complete strangers and not believe it for myself, from God, or from close loved ones. So this blog is about beauty, my beauty in Christ. I pray I truly grow in beauty that is outlined below for all to see Christ's radiance and beauty through me.

Isaiah 52:7How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"

Ecclesiastes 3:11He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

I have felt like God has been leading me to do a post on beauty to teach me something He wants me to accept. I was resistant....however, tonight as I was thumbing through a new devotional book I bought today, this was the first entry I turned to.

"God's Beauty Queen" Proverbs 31:30 "Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised."

As she walked across the stage in front of the crowd, I smiled and wondered at how quickly time had passed. Our oldest daughter, Lindsey, was in a beauty pageant, and she was stunning! Though she looked like a grown woman, my mind reminisced of earlier years when she still played with Barbie dolls, and had fun "playing dress up" with her friends. At the end of the pageant, when they placed the crown on Lindsey's head, it became obvious that others recognized her beauty as well. We were grateful and proud.

God has beauty queens. He measures beauty differently than the world does. In God's eyes, beauty is within a person's heart. A godly woman who loves Jesus and "fears the Lord" is a beauty queen in God's sight. She cultivates "the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God" (1 Peter 3:4). Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. Outer beauty may be a blessing, but it will not last. Time and circumstances diminish its glory. Inner beauty, however, increases and intensifies through the years.

To posess true beauty, we must trust Jesus as our Savior, and then cultivate our spiritual lives through Bible intake, prayer, worship, witnessing, and fellowship. Then, when we see Jesus, He will crown us with His righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8).

God has many godly women who revere Him and possess a Christlike spirit. Regardless of their outward appearance, they are the most beautiful women on earth. God Himself will honor and crown them one day. They are all first-place winners in His pageant. He is their proud Father, and all of them are His precious beauty queens! Taken from Morning Manna by Steve Gaines

"And this is grace an Invitation to be Beautiful......" Add To The Beauty-Sara Groves

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

~His Strength is Perfect~

1 Peter 4:7-18
The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Steven Curtis Chapman Lyrics - His Strength Is Perfect Lyrics
I can do all thingsThrough Christ who gives me strength
But sometime I wonder what He can do through me
No great sucess to showNo glory on my own
Yet in my weakness He is there to let me know

His strength is perfect when our strength is gone
Hell carry us when we cant carry on
Raised in His power, the weak become strong
His strength is perfect, His strength is perfect

We can only knowThe power that He holds
When we truly see how deep our weakness goes
His strength in us beginsWhere ours comes to an end
He hears our humble cry and proves again

His strength is perfect when our strength is gone
Hell carry us when we cant carry on
Raised in His power, the weak become strong
His strength is perfect, His strength is perfect

Philippians 4:13
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Psalm 18:31-33
For who is God besides the LORD ? And who is the Rock except our God?
It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.
He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights.

Tuesday, January 03, 2006

~One More Time~

Just a quick post tonight. I feel like such a grown up making coffee the night before...I never thought this day would come, but I now have an awesome coffee maker.

This song is sent out to a dear friend I spoke to this evening. I thought of you as I was listening to it tonight on my computer....I forgot how much I love The Katinas.

The Katinas \ One More Time
Lord, I saw your face last night
When I looked in the sky You were smiling You told me it would be okay
You would make a way In my dark times

CHORUS: Every time I hear your voice Every time I feel your touch
It makes me know that I can face tomorrow One more time

When all my friends go away
I'll be glad to say You're still near me
Even when the wind blows by I feel warm inside
You're so lovely

CHORUS
I need you, don't leave me Without you I can't survive

CHORUS
I know that I can face tomorrow
'Cause you will walk me through My pain and sorrow
I know that I can face tomorrow One more time
I can face tomorrow You can face tomorrow We can face tomorrow
One more time

Sunday, January 01, 2006

~Year of Jubilee~


Happy New Year! So I have been studying about the year of Jubilee in the Old Testament, and I have found some conflicting information which leads me to question if the 7th year of each of the 7 Sabbatical Year Periods is considered the Year of Jubilee as well as the 50th, but I am more or less going to use a metaphor for myself despite what it really is, and say that 2006 is a year of jubilee for me, which is also a sabbatical year. Basically, I feel I have been through 6 years of some sowing and pruning and now God is bringing me into a year of rest and release! Praise the Lord. For inquiring minds, here is a little information on the year of jubilee from the Old Testament.

ju·bi·lee-A season or an occasion of joyful celebration.

The term jubilee year (Vulg. annus Jubilei, or Jubileus) is of Hebrew origin, the etymological meaning of which is, in all probability, "ram", which metonymically stands for "the horn of a ram". Thus the name "the year of the blowing of the ram's horn" exactly corresponds to "the day of the blowing of the horn", or the "feast of the new year", and it was, like the latter, announced to the people by the blowing of the horn. In Ezechiel (xlvi, 17) the Jubilee Year is called "the year of release"; hence some commentators have derived the Hebrew word for "Jubilee" from the stem which means "to emit", "to liberate". The first derivation, however, is more acceptable. (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08534a.htm)

The Sabbatical Year

The seventh day was special and the seventh month was special, and so also was the seventh year. It was a sabbatical year. Leviticus 25: 1-4 reads: 'The LORD said to Moses on Mount Sinai, "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'When you enter the land I am going to give you, the land itself must observe a sabbath to the LORD. For six years sow your fields, and for six years prune your vineyards and gather their crops. But in the seventh year the land is to have a sabbath of rest, a sabbath to the LORD. Do not sow your fields or prune your vineyards.'"'

Every seven years the land is to rest, with no sowing or harvesting of crops, and pruning of vineyards (Leviticus 25:1-5). Whatever grows by itself in the fields or grows on the untended vines shall not be harvested. But people, especially the poor can go out into the fields or vineyards and pick what they need to eat (verses 5-6; Exodus 23:10-11).
Associated with the Sabbatical Year is the "Year of Release." At the end of "every seven years" Israelites were to cancel the debts owed to them by their fellow countrymen. This regulation did not apply to debts owned by non-Israelites (Deuteronomy 15:1-11). Also, at the end of every seven years, during the Year of Release, the people heard the Law of God read to them during the Feast of Tabernacles (Deuteronomy 31:10-13).

Through my prayer and reflection on 2006 the Lord has also brought to my mind several verses that keep reccuring to me.

1 Peter 1:6-10
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith--more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Job 23:9-11
When he is at work in the north, I do not see him;
when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him.
But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.

Nehemiah 8:10-13
Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
The Levites calmed all the people, saying, "Be still, for this is a sacred day. Do not grieve."
Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-15
A Time for Everything

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

What does the worker gain from his toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on men.
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.
That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God.
I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.
Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account.

Isaiah 61
The Year of the LORD's Favor
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD

Today was a reflective day for me. I spent time with family today as my Mom and her husband Larry flew back to Colorado and I had a girl's day with my sister Angela and my niece Amanda as we went to see a movie, The Family Stone.

This morning my Mom came and laid in the bed with me and we talked. It was so comforting and refreshing just to talk with her on that level. Later in the afternoon I saw a scene in the movie that made me think of my time with her this morning in which one of the daughters in the family of 5 children goes into lay with her Mom as she is napping. It is such a sweet scene of love and acceptance of things we cannot control and learning to enjoy the moments we have as Diane Keaton, the mother in the movie, is dying of breast cancer. The Lord has used today for me to reflect on Christ's love for us and our love for others based on the time we are given by Him. I was later surrounded by friends and found myself very quiet and just focused on each of them and thinking of how I pray they truly have brothers and sisters in Christ that are cherishing moments with them and that I can be one of those people in their lives that cherishes them.