PONDERS AND WONDERS: As I sit on this quiet Thanksgiving night, reflecting on the past couple of weeks, I again immerse myself in the Awe and Wonder of God. Today as I sat in Mass, celebrating the day with Thanksgiving and realizing the Power of Gratitude. I often diminish the effect that an attitude of gratitude brings to my life. Becoming complacent in my thanksgiving soon leads me to boredom in the blessing and in the trial! BOREDOM ...yep, it results in grumbling and complaining, even if only to God about how the situation should change.
And YET I am reminded that when Paul was talking about doing all things in Christ, that directly followed his ability to BE CONTENT in ALL...much or little, easy or hard.....contentment and gratitude are hand holding partners for sure. As I took holiday blessing boxes to people today, I was struck by Elaina.....she is a woman probably in her 50's although the age of the street would make one think much older, she is homeless here in the Bay....and yet she was contentedly lying on the ground, with a sweater as a pillow. She was amazed that this AM a man woke her up to give her food..."What a great way to start Thanksgiving"
O Lord, that I may be as she, able to rest where ever I am, knowing in your unfailing love you will provide and keep me in the shadow of your wings. It was a day of true celebration....The Lord has provided for me a family and friends that give me BIG SNAPSHOTS of HIS LOVE, He has given me a wonderful purpose of life...JOY...in ALL things.....yes this day Lord I am thankful and ask that each and every moment of the day my attitude of gratitude will slash and spill like a ride in the rapids and I will never become bored by the Blessing of your great LOVE....YOU are the BEST JESUS......love ya
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
Tippy Toes and Wonder
PONDERS AND WONDERS: The past few weeks have been so hectic. Finally this AM after a weekend of sharing Katrina news and fund raising, I am sitting quietly reflecting with amazement what I experienced yesterday in Mass.
I celebrated at St. John the Baptist in Ottsville, PA. The church has been a supporter of Katrina efforts, sending volunteers, praying and financially supporting the recovery. I was asked to speak at 3 Masses, then share at a fund raising tea and silent auction. All of that was great, but the experience I take home is the tippy toed little girl and how I need to get on my toes!
During the 10:30AM Mass, Father Tony brought the children starting their first communion journey up to circle the altar during the consecration. As forty or so children eagerly ran up I witnessed their exuberance and joy, faces lit up as they had the privilege to see first hand what the priest was doing.
Standing beside Father Tony was a wide blue eyed, blonde haired little girl. Being to short to see over the top of the altar, she stood on her tippy toes. She spent the next 15 minutes watching intently with wonder as the consecration process unfolded before her. Never taking her eyes off the altar, and never standing back down on her fee.
WOWOWOWOWOW....that is what God is calling me to.....that wide eyed, wonder and awe of WHO HE IS....captivated by His love, silenced by His presence and filled with Joy at the revelation of Him. I will never be the same. As tears streamed down my face I asked the Lord to renew my ability to come to Him as a little child. Full of trust and awe, and standing on my tippy toes never tiring of His beauty.
What a wonderful day...thank you Jesus, all I can say is I love you so much....Sparkle
I celebrated at St. John the Baptist in Ottsville, PA. The church has been a supporter of Katrina efforts, sending volunteers, praying and financially supporting the recovery. I was asked to speak at 3 Masses, then share at a fund raising tea and silent auction. All of that was great, but the experience I take home is the tippy toed little girl and how I need to get on my toes!
During the 10:30AM Mass, Father Tony brought the children starting their first communion journey up to circle the altar during the consecration. As forty or so children eagerly ran up I witnessed their exuberance and joy, faces lit up as they had the privilege to see first hand what the priest was doing.
Standing beside Father Tony was a wide blue eyed, blonde haired little girl. Being to short to see over the top of the altar, she stood on her tippy toes. She spent the next 15 minutes watching intently with wonder as the consecration process unfolded before her. Never taking her eyes off the altar, and never standing back down on her fee.
WOWOWOWOWOW....that is what God is calling me to.....that wide eyed, wonder and awe of WHO HE IS....captivated by His love, silenced by His presence and filled with Joy at the revelation of Him. I will never be the same. As tears streamed down my face I asked the Lord to renew my ability to come to Him as a little child. Full of trust and awe, and standing on my tippy toes never tiring of His beauty.
What a wonderful day...thank you Jesus, all I can say is I love you so much....Sparkle
Monday, October 20, 2008
He NEVER Sleeps
PONDERS AND WONDERS: Last night, I curled up under my new down comforter (thanks Mary Kay)with the screen door open (thanks Dad) as the cool air gently refreshed the bedroom. Prince was sleeping as always at my side....aaahhh sweet sleep in Jesus.
2:30 AM Prince began barking furiously, as I emerged from my sleep, he was standing near the screen "pitching a fit", as I looked outside I saw the culprit....a cat had jumped the fence!
As I snuggled back under the covers, I realized how like God this experience is. I settle in, snuggled up in the safety and security of His love and protection. Yet He never sleeps, watching and protecting me, as I rest in peace.
Simple truths, simple faith and unreasonable love and devotion...what is man that you are mindful of him???? HIS BELOVED.....
Good Night Lord!!
2:30 AM Prince began barking furiously, as I emerged from my sleep, he was standing near the screen "pitching a fit", as I looked outside I saw the culprit....a cat had jumped the fence!
As I snuggled back under the covers, I realized how like God this experience is. I settle in, snuggled up in the safety and security of His love and protection. Yet He never sleeps, watching and protecting me, as I rest in peace.
Simple truths, simple faith and unreasonable love and devotion...what is man that you are mindful of him???? HIS BELOVED.....
Good Night Lord!!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Being -Doing-Belonging
PONDERS AND WONDERS: Father had a wonderful message today about giving to God what is God's. I realize how I may gripe about what belongs to Cesear to Cesear, but when you really ponder that what belongs to God you give Him...it requires a shift in the thinking....
SINCE ALL IS HIS....time, talent and treasure...ALL OF IT>....so easy to pay the tithe, give Him the 10%, did my duty and then I am done! Right...WRONG....the heart of this scripture is beyond the tithe....and not just the tithe of money, but what about time...2.4 hours/day belong to HIM...not DOING FOR HIM...actually belong to HIM...and what about my talents and gifts....using them FOR HIM....NOPE they belong to HIM...to do WHAT HE WILLS....how easy I can deceive myself that it is ALL His because I am doing FOR HIM....and yet does it really belong to Him OR is that sense of good because I am doing and controlling my giving and actions.
Seems I circle back to the destruction of my being,,,,the Human Doing....instead of BEING...I can easily cloud the issue with urgencies and responsibilities...yet BELONGING TO HIM...ALL
The sense of belonging not because of what I do, but because of who WE ARE...HIM and ME....there for each other, to talk, to laugh, to figure out what's next...to BE. I guess it boils down to the LOVE factor with TOTAL ABANDONMENT to HIM.
Lord I have so far to go, thank you for drawing me again to a place of greater surrender, please help me live beyond the tithe. Let it be a 100% of my life, all my being belonging without resistance to you....
SINCE ALL IS HIS....time, talent and treasure...ALL OF IT>....so easy to pay the tithe, give Him the 10%, did my duty and then I am done! Right...WRONG....the heart of this scripture is beyond the tithe....and not just the tithe of money, but what about time...2.4 hours/day belong to HIM...not DOING FOR HIM...actually belong to HIM...and what about my talents and gifts....using them FOR HIM....NOPE they belong to HIM...to do WHAT HE WILLS....how easy I can deceive myself that it is ALL His because I am doing FOR HIM....and yet does it really belong to Him OR is that sense of good because I am doing and controlling my giving and actions.
Seems I circle back to the destruction of my being,,,,the Human Doing....instead of BEING...I can easily cloud the issue with urgencies and responsibilities...yet BELONGING TO HIM...ALL
The sense of belonging not because of what I do, but because of who WE ARE...HIM and ME....there for each other, to talk, to laugh, to figure out what's next...to BE. I guess it boils down to the LOVE factor with TOTAL ABANDONMENT to HIM.
Lord I have so far to go, thank you for drawing me again to a place of greater surrender, please help me live beyond the tithe. Let it be a 100% of my life, all my being belonging without resistance to you....
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Hurricane Wall Street
PONDERS AND WONDERS: In the midst of a very busy week here in the Bay, my unceasing prayer has been for those affected by the Financial Hurricane that has ripped through our nation from coast to coast. I have witnessed on the news, the glazed eyes, the fear, hand wrenching and hair pulling that results from the deepest sense of helplessness and fear....what I have not seen or heard is the church.
What about the incredible philanthropists that have lost millions and billions of dollars? The impact of that will deeply affect the care of the poor and helpless. God has given so many in this nation a heart whether it is from faith perspective or not, their hearts are moved to help others. And then, what about those who just don't know HIM yet???
God has been speaking to me over the past five years about the plight of the soul of the wealthy. Scripture says it is like a camel getting through the eye of a needle for a rich man to make his way to the Kingdom. So in this moment, when those who have trusted in mammon, those who have dedicated their lives in pursuit of money, those who have exploited others from greed are most vulnerable....WE HAVE THE ANSWER.....there will be no FEMA, or Red Cross...although many view the government 700 billion rescue as the bailout, the answer if not Uncle Sam but Jesus Christ.
Why is it that when it comes to the wealthy conversations change from compassion to criticism? Why when people feel God calling them to minister to the wealthy, do organizations doubt, since the way and place they live to be in proximity may be a standard that is "above average" ? Why when over 40,000 wealthy people have lost their jobs, will not be able to pay their rent, all their assets which were paper have burned in the market crash do we not cry out for help for them?
Again God has given the church, the body of Christ an opportunity to be the rescuers...just like after Katrina, the witness is had it not been for the church we would have never made it.....only this response is scary!! Organizations whose giving is down 47% can't afford to pay thousand dollar mortgages to save houses, or pay utilities, or credit card bills....and the bigger question is would we??? Would we be able to get past our judgement of a lifestyle and extend the hand of provision??
Lord please give us wisdom, that we your people may be the peace and love to those victims of this storm. Your word says perfect love casts out fear.....the market and the world is spiraling in fear....may we your people be LOUD LOVE....HELP US JESUS HELP US HELP THOSE YOU LOVE AND DESIRE!!!!!!!
Please join me as we pray for our nation that we would not miss this special opportunity to be Jesus to a people that may have not been aware of their needs so clearly until now!
What about the incredible philanthropists that have lost millions and billions of dollars? The impact of that will deeply affect the care of the poor and helpless. God has given so many in this nation a heart whether it is from faith perspective or not, their hearts are moved to help others. And then, what about those who just don't know HIM yet???
God has been speaking to me over the past five years about the plight of the soul of the wealthy. Scripture says it is like a camel getting through the eye of a needle for a rich man to make his way to the Kingdom. So in this moment, when those who have trusted in mammon, those who have dedicated their lives in pursuit of money, those who have exploited others from greed are most vulnerable....WE HAVE THE ANSWER.....there will be no FEMA, or Red Cross...although many view the government 700 billion rescue as the bailout, the answer if not Uncle Sam but Jesus Christ.
Why is it that when it comes to the wealthy conversations change from compassion to criticism? Why when people feel God calling them to minister to the wealthy, do organizations doubt, since the way and place they live to be in proximity may be a standard that is "above average" ? Why when over 40,000 wealthy people have lost their jobs, will not be able to pay their rent, all their assets which were paper have burned in the market crash do we not cry out for help for them?
Again God has given the church, the body of Christ an opportunity to be the rescuers...just like after Katrina, the witness is had it not been for the church we would have never made it.....only this response is scary!! Organizations whose giving is down 47% can't afford to pay thousand dollar mortgages to save houses, or pay utilities, or credit card bills....and the bigger question is would we??? Would we be able to get past our judgement of a lifestyle and extend the hand of provision??
Lord please give us wisdom, that we your people may be the peace and love to those victims of this storm. Your word says perfect love casts out fear.....the market and the world is spiraling in fear....may we your people be LOUD LOVE....HELP US JESUS HELP US HELP THOSE YOU LOVE AND DESIRE!!!!!!!
Please join me as we pray for our nation that we would not miss this special opportunity to be Jesus to a people that may have not been aware of their needs so clearly until now!
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