PONDERS AND WONDERS: It is a very cold windy morning here in Mississippi. I am wrapped in my flannel jammies reflecting back on an amazing month. Filled with excitement, exhaustion and an increasing awareness of GOD in the every breath of every day. Sometimes when I write that I look and think you already know that, yet in the quiet of my heart that is a greater place I desire Him to take over. How I long for the day when my mind will be so disciplined to always think of Him first, speak with His voice, have His perfect peace a constant manifestation in my life....aaawwwwwweeeeee
I finished a week long resiliency training this week....it was so cool to watch God at work, bringing hope and healing to so many lives. There were some who were not even sure what had touched them, but everywhere was the fragrance of His presence and the touch of His peace. How I long for the world to know HIM.
I stop every Christmas at think how cool the Father must think Christmas is...to look down from heaven and around the world see the twinkle of lights. It truly is the forerunner of every knee bowing.....no matter what the persons religion, they put out their Christmas decorations.....not knowing that without Christ there would be no season!! Smile ABBA, this is the time we not only are thankful for You sending Your son. ALL THE LIGHTS AND GLITTER ARE IN ANTICIPATION OF HIS RETURN!!
Seems like the time is drawing near, so thankful that you are patient that none will perish, may my life this holiday season be truly JESUS with SKIN on and PEACE within....O how I love Jesus
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Thanksgiving and giving
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
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
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....
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