Oh, How He Loves Me!

Okay, if you thought this was an article about a  romanic and passionate experience I had to share, you’ve stumbled upon the wrong blog . . .

Passionate it is, though!  I’m hearing a line from a favorite praise song in my heart and head just now.  I must say it’s delightful when my heart and head are on the same “team.”  It’s not always the way.  I was not exactly “high on life” earlier today and remarkably – rather than stew for a while and eventually think of praying, I prayed right away and then got involved in doing some things that needed doing.  Wish I could say that this Christian is just so focused on the Lord that this is simply a common occurance, but being human brings with it a host of imperfections and yup, I’ve got ’em.  Like a broken watch, though, I must say I get it right twice a day anyway . . . at least that .  . . I hope . . .

When we surrender ourselves to the Lord and say “use me . . . fill me” we’d better be ready to receive our “honey do” list fast.  He hears a willing heart and He says “sign  up!  Here’s your first job!  Go to it!”   It’s funny, but shortly after I prayed the words  I prayed, I found myself blessed not once but three times!  First with a lovely conversation with a stranger, then with finding myself say to someone “you need to let it go.  It’s not yours to worry about.  Give it to the Lord.  He’ll handle it and enable you.”  Then I heard myself telling someone else “It just takes a willing heart.  God will provide the ability.”

These things took place in under an hour from the time I felt “off” and prayed about it and are all direct answers to that prayer.  Just further proof, if any is needed, that He loves us totally and completely and He so desires us to “get close and personal” with Him. .  Our Lord does not call the enabled – He enables the called!  Thanks be to God!

Psalm 121:7-8

He keeps you from all evil and preserves your life. He keeps his eye upon you as you come and go and always guards you.

HAS SHE GOT ROCKS IN HER HEAD?

Rock On – Compassion Redefined!

How do you define compassionate living?  It just may be broader

than you have considered . . .

Our sense of community

and compassionate intelligence must be extended to all life forms, plants, animals, rocks, rivers, and human beings. This is the story of our past and it will be

the story of our future.

– Terry Tempest Williams –

FAITH IS THE ANSWER!

Those who live always filling time ranting and blaming others will always be unhappy. WHY CHOSE THIS? You only hurt yourselves in doing so. Those you rant about are taking steps to move on with their lives!

 

PRAY! LISTEN! FOLLOW HIM!

Contrary

I am one who does not run from a challenge but . . .

CRITICIZE?

NO!  Dear readers, I intend, or HOPE, instead to encourage and bless!  My sometimes failure to do so reveals the truth that God is not finished with me yet!

 

GRACE AND GRATITUDE

It need not take devastation to awaken us to the beauty we’re surrounded with, but sadly that is so often the case! – Martha L Shaw

 

 

 

 

LOOK FOR IT!

The sun still shines

on dark rainy days.

You can see it reflected

in EVERY puddle!

By Martha L Shaw – © 2016

TGIF Bible Verse

Okay, I read this and thought “yikes, that is hard.”  Then I thought “gosh, if we could just ALL do this, it could make a huge difference” but do you know what?  We are commissioned to be Christ’s body in this world and His joy is in us.  When we allow Him to live in us and through us, we do indeed feel His joy in all things.  We then reflect that joy to others . . . Hmmm . . . I need more joy in my life . . . how about you?  I am wondering if maybe the reason is ME.  Maybe I need to listen more closely to His loving whisper . . .

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.”        1 Peter 3:8

H-H-H-H-HELP!

Why is that word so hard to say?  We like to think there’s nothing, absolutely NOTHING we cannot handle and we deceive ourselves quite effectively in that inner claim until certain things happen in life which cannot be ignored.  What then?  I can only speak for myself. I tell myself:

• It must be God’s will
• I can live without . . .
• The answer will come.
• Oh, it’s not that big a deal.
• I’m okay.  Really.
• I can do this.
• I’ll do it myself.
• I’ll figure it out.
• I’ll pray about it.

Those aren’t all completely wrong statements, but they truly don’t satisfactorily support never needing help from one another.  The one which leaps off the page for me is “I’ll pray about it.” I do pray.  You pray.  Prayer is amazing.  He answers our prayer.  He fixes things.  Sometimes the answer is to direct us to one another seeking support from the body of believers of which we are a part.  So, today I made a phone call for some advice.  I’ve needed to make the call for a while.  I got this very person’s name and phone number over a week ago.  I didn’t call until just now.  Why didn’t I call?  My reasons . . .

• I was busy.
• There were all these appointments . . .
• The weather (???)
• I had a lot on my mind.
• I lost the phone number.

I could go on.  Truth?  Asking for help freaks me out.  I’m strong.  I’m smart.  I should succeed on my own.   Asking for help is so . . . so what?  I looked the word up in the dictionary.  The words weak and failure are not in the long list of definitions.  What was there?

• give
• provide
• necessary
• satisfy
• succor
• cooperate
• strength
• render
• contribute
• useful
• profitable
• cooperate
• effective
• fascilitate
• advantage

There is not a single word in that list that’s frightening or remotely suggests help is a bad thing or a wrong choice.  We, most of us, freely offer and give help – often before being asked.  We don’t, I am sure, even give thought to looking down upon the one needing it.  Yet, if we are honest with ourselves, we inwardly tremble at the thought of seeking it.  Interesting, isn’t it? 

Know what?  The woman I was told to call is “out of the office at this time.”  So, I have to call back.  Okay, I’m actually giggling over that.  I finally got up the nerve and she’s not even there.  Making the call didn’t change me.  I might not even tremble quite as much when I try again.  We are the body of Christ.  We lift each other up.  That is the way we are called to live.  I can do this.  With His help, I can do anything He desires me to do, even ask for help.