It's His Party!!

A couple years ago a friend said to me "I will hurt you!" She figured that since she is human and we are involved in a relationship, I'd get hurt at some point. I've thought about that statement often, and taken it to God in question. I have been hurt in relationships many times, because I was selfish, or possibly because the other person was selfish. I've put myself in vulnerable situations and there's been pain.  Each time I bring it to God and ask Him what could've been different, how do I need to learn, what can I do better next time?
I am often led to the book of 1 Peter. In chapter 2, there are many treasures that speak to my heart.  He stresses that I, all of us, are chosen by Him for a high calling., a priestly work.  We are chosen to be a holy people, I am CHOSEN to be holy! He says I am God's instrument to do His work and to speak out for him--telling others of the night and day difference He has made in my life.
If I am always keeping my focus on Him, if I strive for this holy calling, I will be a blessing to others, not a curse. I will be able to work through my differences and I will be able to love them as Jesus does. I will be able to set my ego aside for the sake of my soul and the soul of others.
Today, I am praying that I will not be hurtful to anyone, but instead I will serve them willingly and lovingly.  I am praying that God will use me to further His kingdom, and to be a soothing salve to everyone in my path. I am praying that when my self gets in the way, God will bring quick recognition, and He will bind any wounds that I have created. I am praying for a blazing holiness, a firm foundation, a love that is unbreakable.
This is the kind of life that my Jesus has invited me into, I must join Him today and everyday.  He is wooing me, dancing with me, holding me in His heart. I am invited to the party of His love, and it is my mission to invite others.  To bless them, dance with them, enjoy them, understand them, be intrigued by them. The Spirit of Jesus will enable me to do this, He will give me boldness, courage, strength and wisdom. It's His party, and it is my job to celebrate at His party!
So, Jesus, Say That Again to me! Remind me today to be a blessing, to laugh, love, embrace all that You are and pass it on to my family, community, and my church.  I love you, Jesus, thanks for the invite!

It's Just Crazy!!

When I look at my life with all the twists and turns, I think " this is crazy!"
 When I think of God's never-ending, magnificent love, enduring patience, beautiful lasting grace and mercy--I know that He has a crazy love for me!
When I walk through a day and I think everything is crashing around me, I can start to feel crazy.
When I look at the gifts and the blessings He has bestowed upon me,the realization that I am living in the promised land He has promised me, right now. I am an eternal being, with His Spirit IN me, it's a reality that only He can keep alive through me. Wow, crazy!
I am His Bride, His friend, His love, His servant, and He is using me, little ole' me to be the salt of this earth, to further His Kingdom, to be His witness. Heaven is my home, I'm just visiting here, I'm in transition.
He can take the trials, the bad, the sad, the despair and turn it all for good, an amazingly crazy miracle!
He binds up the broken hearted, He sews my heart and makes it clean, well, beautiful.  He touches me, loves me, speaks to me--wow, crazy.  He wants to be with me, walk beside me, use me in my home, church, community.
No one can do what God does.  He raises the dead. His very own son died and now lives again.  He offers this very same power to me.  The power of His Spirit, whoa--that's the kind of crazy that blows me away! He becomes so much a part of His children, that He enables them.  Me, His blood pulses through my being and I am able to be One with Him!
He is able to take my selfishness. He can give me the power and the boldness to live like Jesus; that is a mind boggling crazy truth.
His fruit, love, peace, joy, self-discipline, patience....it's a wonderful crazy.
He has renewed, redeemed, revived. He has forgiven. He has set me free, really, really free!
He has compelled me, moved me, commissioned me, prodded me, stayed with me, endured for me, carried me, kept me, talked to me, danced with me, assured me, disciplined me, STAYED with me always.  He has fed me, heard me, used me, given me access to His Father, been my advocate.
He died for me because He loves me, now that is crazy!
Jesus, Say that Again.  Your love for me is unexplainable.  Everything is; it's all Your incredible crazy gift to me. Thank you!

The Path

Sometimes I find myself standing at a crossroad, wondering which way to go.  Or, even worse, I find myself feeling like it's not even a crossroad; it's a dead end, and that, I do not like.  I've felt that way a lot the past few months, and I have had to throw myself at His throne and ask for direction, wisdom, discernment.  He pulls through every time, but in His timing, not mine.

While in a training, there was another image that God gave me while the facilitator was praying for me to know how God was calling me to use the information I was learning: I was standing again in a clearing and Jesus walked out of the forest towards me.  He smiled, and He came up behind me.  This time He put His hands on my back and began to gently push me on the path that was lit before me.  He said "go do as I have asked you to do, the path is lit and I am here with You." As I looked around, there were several paths, but only one was lit by His light and glory. 

It's fascinating to me how He directs my way, and lights the path before me.  He brings all things together, even before I realize that He's doing it.  He works my life into His life and because I have asked Him, He pushes me in the right direction, gently.  He prods me, pursues me, firmly roots my being into Him.

Still, with all His assurances, I sometimes question Him! Even though He always pulls through, I can easily slip into doubt and sometimes fear. Every time, He forgives me, gently holds me, pulls me up to His heart.

I enjoyed 1 Corinthians 10 this morning. It started out by relaying the story of the Israelites, and all the miracles they experienced in their lives. Yet, even with all those wonders, It didn't seem to be enough for them. They were still defeated by temptations as they walked through the desert. 

This very same thing could, and has, happened to me. It is because I have been set on having my own way, rather than resting in God's way. I forget whose really in charge. As this chapter warns; "We must never try to get Christ to serve us instead of us serving Him."

So, as I move forward on the path that He has lit for me, I choose to remember that all my confidence must rest in Him, not myself.  This is about my Jesus, it has nothing to do with me.  He won't let me down, and He won't allow me to be pushed past anything that can't be handled. He will always be there, behind me, guarding me. I will choose to remember that my Jesus does not become who I am, but He lifts me up to become what He is! He enables me to further His Kingdom, because He lives IN me. He is asking for all of me so He can use it to benefit others. He enables me to walk in the freedom He has so graciously given me, and close my ears to what others might  say about me.  

So, Jesus, Say That Again today.  I hear you, desire you, love you, and I choose to walk your path of light and freedom today.

Loyal Love

There are some pretty significant memories that I have of my grandma, on my mother's side. She loved me, and that was a big deal for me.  She loved coffee, too, and she smoked.  Her purse always smelled like juicy fruit gum.  Her language was colorful. She loved to make dessert and can jams, jellies, fruits, and vegetables. She was a good cook. She liked to watch TV, especially game shows, like the Price is Right. She lived in a pink house, on a hill, and she had a big yard. She liked the artwork I did on the bedroom wall with her lipstick, she liked it so much it remained there for years! She was opinionated, bold, involved, and dear to my heart.
I would spend my summers playing at her house, spending time with her.  It is a good memory.  It's good because I knew she loved me.  I knew she was there for me, and I knew she cared.  I believed all of this because of her actions. Her walk towards me showed me her love and care. She spoke loving words to me as well, and then she proved them to me through her actions. I needed that. She was a gift from God to help me survive.
This morning I read 1 John 2. This verse reminded me of my grandma: "If someone claims, ' I know him well' but doesn't keep his commandments, he's obviously a liar.His life doesn't match his words. But, the one who keeps God's word is the person in whom we see God's mature love. This is the only way to be sure we're in God. Anyone who claims to be intimate with God ought to live the same kind of life Jesus lived."
Further down in the chapter: "It's the person who loves brother and sister who dwells in God's light and doesn't block the light from others."
Okay, so here's my question. My grandma didn't have much to do with God. She wasn't a church goer by any means. She thought the church we went to was full of hypocrites, and she was diligent to run the other way. But, she was full of passion and love. She walked out Christ's love for me, and she inspired me to search for more. Did she know Him? She didn't really talk about Him. How does all this apply to me? I am friends with Jesus, I love Him with all my heart.  I speak of Him and I want to be a witness for Him.  The more I do life; it is confirmed to me that unless I walk out His love, it means nothing.  I have to be a living testiment of who He is, my love has to be action, passion, fire that blazes deep within my soul, and it has to warm those around me.  Love, it is the most valuable, life saving gift I can receive and offer.
Near the end of the chapter, this verse stood out for me: "They left us, but they were never really with us. If they had been, they would have stuck it out with us, loyal to the end. In leaving, they showed their true colors, showed they never did belong."
I want to remain loyal to the end.  Loyal to my Jesus, loyal to my family, loyal to my friends.  I want Him to light the path marked for me, and enable me to stay loyal to the goal. I want to have compassion for those that are not loyal, for those that choose to leave. This is a mission life, it is His, not mine. He has given me a purpose, and that purpose is to love loyally, unconditionally, fully, and with grace.  Thank you Jesus, for all your children desire this.
Say That Again, Jesus and say it to me continually.  I can't do loyal love unless You do it through me!

Conversations

Conversations can be interesting, boring, confusing, short, slow, mind boggling, fun, healing, wounding. forgetful, or possibly life changing.  I've had some pretty good conversations lately, some of all of the above! We had a potluck with a dear group of friends last night, our conversations were good, friendly, informative, comfortable. I learned something about each person in the group, like what they would do if they only had a year to live.  And, how much chocolate fountains mean to them.  And, how wounded some of us may feel. I learned the value, once again, of walking my talk and being real with others. I learned that I can be deeply impacted by another persons words and actions, and others can be deeply impacted by mine. I learned that God's hand is in all things and He controls the coming and going, the ultimate destination of my conversations, my friends, my life.
Sometimes, in my conversations, I just want to get to the bottom of the issue.  I want to be able to see inside someone's heart and I want all games and masks to be put away.  Just say it like it is, and be real with me.  Other times, in my conversations, I choose to be more quiet and just watch.  Praying for God to give me the wisdom I need to understand.  To bless me with His knowledge.
I felt all of this last night. I was intrigued with some of the conversation, moved, confused and even irritated. I was pushed into the place of wanting to be more like Jesus, no matter what. I found myself needing prayer from trusted friends, because some of the conversation was getting to my heart.
I come before my God today and ask Him to bless my conversations.  To hold me up in His light and let all my words shine for Him.  I come before His throne and ask Him to continue to show me His truth and to bind up wounds that are tearing away at my heart.  I come before Him and ask Him for protection for all of the ones that I love, protection from the games people play, the untruths that circle around, the love that does not walk.
So, today is a another day that He strengthens me, loves me, carries me.  And, He does this for you too. What could be better than that? It is joy!
Say That Again, Jesus, You are clothing me again today, whispering in my ear Your direction, healing me with Your conversation.  I know you are there all the time, keep saying it!

Fire!

I grew up watching the Brady Bunch.  It was another favorite of mine. I liked Marsha and I wanted to be like Marsha and have a home like Marsha. They all seemed so happy, and they had great parents.
Consequently, our third son is named: Brady!
When our three older boys were little we went tent camping a lot.  We went to the Oregon Coast on a regular basis.  On this particular occasion the weather was cold and rainy, but we proceeded to set up camp anyway. My husband built a fire first so we could attempt warmth and then went to setting up camp.  Our son Brady was only about two years old at the time.  He was wearing a winter coat and was happily running around our campsite. He was oblivious to the fire danger as he ran towards it, tripped, and fell right in the fire. I was right behind him and grabbed the hood of his jacket and pulled him out of the fire.  He was unharmed, thanks to God! It was truly amazing, a miracle for sure.
It brings me to the danger of the fires I face everyday and the value of being clothed in Jesus for protection. He can and will pick me up and carry me through the trials, unharmed.  I may feel harmed in my physical body, or my feelings may be wounded, but my soul is unharmed.  My eternity is still in tact. I know where my final destination is and I know how I'm getting there. While in prayer a couple weeks ago, Jesus gave me a very clear image: I was outside in a clearing.  Trees were all around me and it was snowing.  I was cold, very cold. Out of the forest I saw Jesus walk towards me.  He came to me and put warm boots on my feet, gloves on my hands, a hat on my head.  He then walked behind me and wrapped me in a beautiful warm cape, fuzzy and cozy.  Then He wrapped both His arms around me and said to me: "The path is lit for you, I want you to go."
This was a very meaningful image to me. He was saying to me that He has clothed me in Himself, and He has a plan for me and He wants me to walk in it.  I am walking in it, and I know He is with me! His arms are tightly wrapped around me and He is keeping me.  He is keeping me from being burned by the fire!
So, today I will continue down the path He has lit for me.  It is good.  When I am feeling sad, frustrated, or discouraged I will remember that I am clothed IN Jesus and He is with me.  I will remember that I am on the path He has laid out for me, and all things will work together for good.  His good, and my good. I will trust Him.
Say That Again, dear Jesus.  I am wrapped in YOU.

Just Say It!

I met with a friend this morning, we are young in our relationship, but there's a connection between us that means something.  She texted me to see how I was doing, and initiated relationship.  That felt good to me, because I felt like she cared.  We had a good conversation, and shared about life. We set up a time to meet again. I will look forward to that. I like relationship, even though relationship can prove to be risky.
Life is risky though, don't you think? Just existing in a world that is full of people makes life risky. I could try to hide away to avoid the pain of relationship, but even that would be risky. So, with each blessed day given to me, I step out.
I am asked how I'm doing, and sometimes it's really great.  Other times, not so great.  And, I say so.  I don't like the fake stuff, when someone says they are doing great, when in reality they are hurting.  What's the harm in just saying how it really is? I wonder.  If I say I'm great, when in reality my heart is hurting, what and where does that get me? If I allow my walls to be big and strong so I look good,  how does that help me or the person in front of me?
So, I'm thinking that even though it is good to use wisdom and discernment, transparency is still the ticket. And, yes, it is risky.  I might get hurt, again.  I might feel unaccepted, unloved, rejected.  But, the truth is, I am none of those things.  God's love covers it all, and He has me right where He wants me.
I will step out today and be real. I will play in the sandbox that God has so graciously given me, and I will dance to His music.  Delight in the Lord will be my motto!
In Romans 5, my chapter this morning, God says that He will set things right. So, I will walk beside Him and know that He will do exactly as He says.  Someday.
And, when I cry out to Him because of the trials and the pain, I will also rest IN Him and be assured that He has my hand.
Say That Again, Jesus, You have my hand,  And, I cannot be snatched out of it!