She's Gonna Blow

So, I purchased one of those nifty electric pressure cookers; it's chrome and it's all shiny.  Looks pretty nice sitting on my counter.  Today I decided I would try it out and make some lentil soup.  It's suppose to cook the soup in 8 minutes, that's my kind of cooking!
I chopped onion; it also sautes the onion, and the garlic.  Put in some carrots, and chicken broth, added the lentils, salt and a bay leaf.  Pretty simple. I got the lid on and set the cooker to high pressure, 8 minutes.  It heated up very fast and the steam poured out of the top.
My kids and I watched the event with anticipation, and I was thinking "she's gonna blow!" It beeped, I let it cool down, and then removed the lid.  Yup, there's lentils in there, but no liquid.  This is not soup! Tasted it, and found it to be very good, but where's the soup?
I added more broth and stirred it around, sprinkled a little more salt, and wa-la, I had soup!  And, it was very quick, I'll definitely  use it again, probably tonight.  I think I'll try chicken noodle soup, and hope the liquid stays in tact. The pressure gets so high, that it seems like the whole thing is going to blow, but with the lid on, all is well!
I know what this feels like.  I've had a few days here and there where the pressure inside of me feels pretty intense and I think "I'm going to blow!" Last night, I had dinner with some girl friends, we really had a nice time.  But, I found myself making sly comments here and there that I could've been left out of the evening.  The kind of comments that are right on the edge of blowing it.
God was quick to convict me, and put the lid on. He reminded me that I am to treat those that have hurt me with love and respect.  It is not okay to build up steam against them, and then let it blow out on girls night. God and I spent some time talking about it, me confessing, repenting of my wrong, Him loving me still. He is good all the time, and He wants me to not only guard my own heart, but others as well. And, I do fail at this often. I let the pressure of life's trials build up until I just want to let it all blow out. But, that is not the solution.
So, I am praying still for Jesus to take the pressure that I sometimes feel and turn it to good. Continue to sweeten my mouth and cleanse my heart. Continue to move me forward, and cover me with the lid of Your Spirit and Your love. Say That Again, Jesus, that You will fulfill Your words to me, and take all that I give you, even the steam and pressure of life.

Windows

There's a lot of new snow outside.  This morning, I crawled back into bed, because I just needed to be cozy.  All the snow made me want to cuddle, have my fuzzy blanket, and see a fire.  When my husband got up I asked him to open the curtain so I could see outside, he pushed back the curtains beside our bed.  It is very pretty, but the view from that window is blocked  by a yellow house.  I can still see trees and snow, but not nearly as nice as the view from the other windows.  From our bathroom window, I see our hill and it is covered in white this morning.  Usually I see deer or squirrels wandering around, and it's serene.  From our other bedroom window I can see far out over the valley, the neighborhood, the street, the quiet in the early morning.  It too is very beautiful.  "Maybe we should move our bed over by that window," I suggested, then we can lay in bed and see the beauty outside. He nodded. "That house is in the way." I continued with a chuckle.
Windows, we all have them. What about the windows to my soul? What does someone see when they look into me? Is it a reflection of Jesus? Does my heart and soul have windows of beauty and love?
I read about obedience this morning, and how it is impossible to love God without obeying Him.  I remember a few years ago telling a friend that God had called me into obedience to Him.  Not just when I feel like it, but all the time.  My freedom depends on my ability to willingly obey Him.
The journey of obeying Him, and looking into my own windows has been challenging.  And, I haven't always done a spectacular job of it.  But, I can say, my heart is committed to this journey He calls me to.
I've had to allow Him to scrub many of my windows, so that I could reflect Him clearly, and so I could see clearly.  I've had to trust Him, lean on Him, challenge myself and others.  I've had to investigate things from my past and be real about them.  I've had to believe that even though some of the windows I have looked through in this process have been dirty, He is there, cleaning, living within me, refining me.  In some places, I just have needed brand new windows, because the old ones have been broken, smashed. He has done that for me, and as He continues to work in me, He gives me the ability to bless others.
Windows of my soul and heart reflect His love, His desires, His suffering, His relationship with me.  Ah, that is beauty to me, and I want to share it with others.
Jesus, Say That Again to me.  Open all my windows to you, and keep cleaning.  Walk with me through the journey of my window life.

Truth

I awoke at my usual time this morning and read my devotional book.  But, instead of journaling my prayer, I just spoke it to God this morning.  I was feeling a little out of sorts, again, and I just needed to speak. I needed Him to talk to me as well, so I was quiet and listened.  He is always quick to assure me that He is here for me and that He loves me. I know this is true, even with that, I am still left to question sometimes the path I am on.  I want to do His bidding, not my own.
He gave me the thought to read Proverbs 12, so I turned to that chapter in my Bible.  It starts out by saying that whoever loves discipline loves knowledge. And, a good person delights in God and wants nothing to do with devious schemes.  Fools are headstrong and do what they like, but a wise person takes advice.
There is healing in words of the wise, and the truth lasts.
The truth lasts--Jesus is the truth and He is my solid foundation.  He will last through everything, no matter what, I know I will be able to count on Him.  He is the planner behind the plan, He is the One that molds me, completes me, drives me to my goals.  It is Him, not me.  He is the One that disciplines me, and increases my knowledge of Him.  I will delight in Him today, because He is who He says He is!  I will continue to learn of His goodness and pray for faith that sustains me through all trials.
There are days, that I just want to hide in my bedroom and pretend that everything is cushy all the time. But, that is not real life, it's not truth.  I can't hide from the pain, the losses, the reality of life.  But, I can move ahead IN Him and be full of the power of His Spirit.  I can choose boldness, love, peace, and relationship. I can do this, because it is the truth about life, Jesus is truth, and I choose Him.
So, today, I'm going to keep walking in His truth.  I will not pretend that everything is cushy and great, I will look at reality and I will be real.  He makes me that way, no walls, no avoidance, accountability to Him.
Say That Again, Jesus--Truth Lasts.

Stick with the Plan!

It's been a good day, I've accomplished stuff.  But, then sometime late this afternoon, I started to feel a little discouraged. I received an email, and it kinda set me in a discouraged mood.  My kids ran down to play with the neighbor and I went to the bedroom, to pray.
"Jesus, in my heart I want to do as You have asked! Change me so I can carry out Your plan, not mine. Jesus, I need You, help me.  I believe in the calling You have set before me, but I am not moving right now. I feel like I'm just here, Jesus do something!"
Hebrew 10 came to mind and I grabbed my bible that was sitting right beside me.  Willing to hear, eager to see what He was going to give to me, right now, in this moment.
The chapter is full of treasure and, of course, it is just what I needed to hear.  It starts out reminding me of the sacrifice of Jesus and His forgiveness.  It tells how Jesus walked this earth God's way, so that he could enact a new plan for me. Such amazing love! His plan, carved on the lining of my heart.
It encouraged me to believe in his promises, to love and help others. To worship with others.  It reminds me that vengeance is His, not mine.  And, at end of the chapter, He says this: "Nothing they did bothered you, nothing set you back. So don't throw it all away now. You were sure of yourselves  then. It's still a sure thing! But you need to stick it out, staying with God's plan so you'll be there for the promised completion."
Ah, I really needed to hear this.  I needed Him to tell me to keep going, to not let stuff get to me.  This is about Jesus and His plan, not me.
Say that Again, dear Jesus, keep reminding me that I need to keep going.  I need to stick with Your plan, and join You. It's all good!

Little Children

My son and daughter do not always get along with each other very well.  There can be some days where they just want to fight.  Eli will give Ruby that look and she will scream "Eli looked at me!" Ruby will poke fun at Eli and he will stomp off in tears.  "Ruby touched me, she's bothering me!" It is not fun when they behave this way, they just get on each other in annoying ways, and that in turn is annoying!
The last two days, they have actually been very good with each other.  No fighting, they've simply played with each other and been kind.  Ah, I like this. They've spent most of their time playing lego together, and enjoying each other as playmates. They've been in right standing with each other, and consequently, life has been far more pleasant for everyone in the house.
God led me to 1 John 2 this morning, and I enjoyed it very much. It teaches me about being in right standing with God.  John points out that the one who keeps God's word is the person in whom we see God's mature love.  Anyone who claims to know God intimately will live as Jesus lived! When I love my brother and sister, I am dwelling in the light, God's light, and I don't block the light from others, but it shines all around. If I am hating my brother or sister, I am living in the dark, stumbling around, blinded by darkness. There will not be peace in my household, there will be anxiety.  As I fellowship with my God, His word will be steady within me, and I will gain victory over the enemy.  This means I will be steady in relationship as well, and get along with others.
Eli and Ruby practice living in the light, but they are often stumbling around in darkness, caught up in fights, temper tantrums, blame, anger.  They don't even want to be in right standing with each other, sometimes! They are little children and they are learning to get along, slowly.  As they grow, they do better, their level of maturity is stronger and it becomes more evident that they love each other.
I can be like a little child sometimes too, I get angry, I feel hurt, I blame someone else for the issue. I need to step back and let God's light shine on me and His forgiveness work through me.  I need to be in right standing with my sisters and brothers, not in turmoil. This is displaying mature love for Him and obeying His commands for my life. At the end of 1John 2 it says to stay with Christ and to live deeply in Christ.  I like that.  Deeply IN who He is, so I am like Him. And, the last blurb  "all who practice righteousness are God's true children." This is because He is right and righteous.
I am hoping that today will be another day that my little children are in right standing with each other, and they will know who they are  IN Him, and live accordingly.  Today, I am living in right standing with them, and with others, so all will know that I am dwelling in God's light.
Say That Again to me Jesus, it is Your light, Your righteousness, that keeps me in that place of loving my sisters and brothers. Hold me there, deeply In You.

Peace Man, Peace

I have a lot of favorite things. I love to collect rocks off of the sandy beach, and sand dollars. I really enjoy boots, skirts, and my Land Rover.  I collect journals, and enjoy writing in them. I have a favorite chair that sits by the fireplace, and it's piled with favorite blankets.  I have a favorite dog, and my favorite food is chocolate covered ice cream bars! My favorite book is the Bible. And, I like the peace symbol. I have clothes with the peace symbol, books, jewelry, and paper; it' cool!
I like peace, because it's a gift from God and I strive to live a peaceful life in unity with His Body. I like the fact that Christ gives me peace deep down inside, even if things around me are chaotic. He blesses me in times of trouble and strengthens me.  He lights the path before me, and gives me peace in walking His Way.
In the battle of life, and it is a battle, I have peace knowing that He is the Victor and I am in His hands forever. In the trauma, the hurt, the wounds, He offers His peace and His love for me to settle in. There is peace in knowing that I am complete IN Him and my life is going to be blessed because of who He is.
I want to bless others with His peace and have the depth of peace that is beyond understanding. A peaceful Spirit, calm and soothing.
In peace, there is joy.  The joy of the Lord, brings peace! As I walk the path He has lit for me today, I will continue to be in peace and joy.  When the emotions of conflict and pain swell within me, I will turn it over to Him and ask Him to take it.  I will pray for peace. Peace within and peace in our nation, our world. I will pray today for His Spirit to bring peace to all and favor to shine upon me and you.
In His authority and in His name I will bless others with His peace, joy and love.  I will pray for Him to use me today to be fruitful in this way, the way of His Peace.
When my children are fighting, the dog is stealing food off the counter, the grandchild is crying, the phone is ringing, the chores are piling up, the car won't start, I'm running late, the schedule is in chaos, friends are hurting, the money is low, relationships are in pain and turmoil, and more...I will pray for peace to cover it all, and to reflect off of my character. For truth.
Say That Again, Lord, You are my peace and my life. My covering in the chaos.

Wisdom

This morning I was reading in Isaiah 39; it's the story of Hezekiah showing all his treasure to the messengers from Babylon. If I back up a little bit, Hezekiah is the king that God healed from death, and he was pretty excited about that.  In his excitement, he kinda forgot that the story was about God, not himself. He was a very wealthy king and he wanted to show off all that he had.  So, the messenger guys came and they got the grand tour of Hezekiah's kingdom.  They saw that it was very good!
 A little later, the prophet Isaiah showed up and he asked the king what these guys were up to.  He also asked Hezekiah what he had showed them. "Everything," Hezekiah said. "I showed them the works, opened all the doors and impressed them with it all."
Isaiah gave him a warning, telling him that someday everything, even his sons, would be taken away to Babylon. There would be nothing left--nada.
Hezekiah said it was a good thing, but in his heart he was thinking that nothing bad would happen in his lifetime, he would enjoy peace and stability!  Basically, not his problem!
The first thing that came to mind after reading this story was how God wants me to have wisdom in the choices I make. I need to be careful who sees my internal kingdom, because if I trust someone who is not of one spirit with God, it will all be stripped away!  Wow, this is big.  God has given me experiences, and those experiences can be taken and used for bad if I'm not careful. God will turn it back into joy, but the pain I walk could be big.
I have walked in caution most of the time when it comes to my internal life.  But, I've also been pretty open to some people, and I've been hurt. I walked these steps believing it was the will of God, so why the stripping? Why would God allow me to be trampled upon and left wounded? I think it's all for the purpose of learning His wisdom and learning to trust in His ability to bring it all together for good. It's to see that He can and will reconcile those who are one spirit.
Babylon was not one spirit with Hezekiah, and consequently, he was greatly harmed and enslaved. The consequences of Hezekiah showing his all to his enemy was devastating.  He was not wise.
I recently had a man tell me this exact thing, be wise about who I reveal my life to. He had a lot of wise advice, actually.  And, even though, I have been careful, some of my choices have not necessarily been wise. My question to God is where's the balance between transparency and wisdom? Wise transparency is the goal in my life and I'm praying for the ability to discern better.  Hezekiah did not have either of these.
So, today, Jesus, Say That Again! Seek wise transparency and know discernment.