Ever have a bomb dropped on you?
Out of nowhere. Blue sky. BOOM!
In my case, the shell of the bomb was an email from a confidant who was blasting me about the sin in my life (to which I'd already confessed, and have been repentive- and now am in the 're-programming stages' as the Chief Engineer re-wires me and I get used to re-routing my ways to align with His Way).
She also mentions, amoungst other things, that I need to stop hiding behind chronic illness. OUCH!
Okay- that one really stung; actually several judgements stung, but that one in particular because I'd really believed this person had understood to a goody portion of the all the challenges I have going on battling Lyme...
I don't know about you- but I have plenty of times where I am just trying to sort out my thinking and emotions- are those things related to the borrelia and babesia in my brain, or is it my whacked out endocrine system (what's left of it), or is it menopause, or is it plain faulty thinking, or am I thinking correctly;
am I 'just emotional', or is it my funky fluctuating hormonal system, lack of sun, isolation, pain, grief;
am I truly misunderstood, or is it my imagination? Is my anger related to the infections, the hormones, natural response to stimuli...or am I sinful: contemptuous, rebellious, bitter...
My confidant sees me in a pit, which I would say is fairly accurate as of late- as I've gone to her to help me deal with some things, as it gets overwhelming and discouraging... I am facing some ugly stuff in my heart- never pretty to do, or easy, or quick.
In her email, she shares how she keeps throwing different things 'down to me' and she doesn't think I want to grab hold of what she is throwing to me.
Well, I guess if it were things I could grasp, that would help. But mostly, I told her I guess what would be good is that instead of someone throwing something 'down to me'- It would be a great help to have someone who would be willing to step into the pit with me, take hold of my hand with gentleness and strength, and walk alongside of me as we (I) make my bloody way out of the pit.
Ah, and isn't that just what Jesus did for us? He humbled Himself, stepping out of Heaven- out of limitlessness onto earth, putting on the limitations of humanness....He encountered trials, being isolated, tempted, ridiculed, misunderstanding, rejection, pain.... My Lord knows all these things personally, and He is near now to take my hand and walk me out of the pit.
He doesn't call down to me and tell me to get all washed up first, and come up to Him...
He will admonish me- but He does not accuse me. And when I confess my sin, He is faithful and just to forgive me-- He will take my hand in the process of healing and renewing, lovingly and fearfully leading me in His way.
He will help me sort all these things out. Meanwhile, I will look for new counsel. One who will come alongside of me, admonish gently with understanding and humility; and give me practical help and encouragement as I get off my knees and begin taking my wobbly steps on the newly lit path.
Bombs are no fun! But once things settle down, and accounts are taken- I see that the Lord will use even this bomb to teach me something more about Him, about me, how I respond to others- how He wants me to respond to others.
LORD- heal me in this- You know my heart-of-hearts better than anyone else- You have been leading me toward healing, and I thank You that You alone are Just, Truth, and Love. Let me learn what You would have me to learn from this- that I might better serve You. Help me to sort out all the tangles in my heart- and direct me to good counsel as You reveal the roots of those tangles.
Bless Your Holy Name~
Isaiah 1:18 IJohn 1:9 Colossians 3:16 Psalm 69:20 I Thessalonians 5:14 Hebrews 4:15-16
John 1:14,17,29
Friday, November 9, 2012
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Elasticity in Captivity
Song of the week- 10,000 reasons by Matt Redman!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jYLTn4fKYQ
This is one of those songs I keep playing over and over again! Wish my Lyme-brain could get the lyrics all together in my mind!
Some of you may be experiencing 'auditory hallucinations'- I do not wish that on anyone! But, if you had to have a song stuck in your mind on repeat- this would be a good one! :)
I was reading through Psalm 126 today. And, of course, I had to see what C.H.Spurgeon had in his commentary... In his intro, he writes, "We see here not only that Zion abides, but that her joy returns after sorrow. Abiding is not enough, fruitfulness is added. The pilgrim went from blessing to blessing in their Psalmody as they proceeded on their holy way. Happy people to whom every ascent was a song, every halt a hymn. Here the truster becomes a sower; faith works by love, obtains a present bliss, and secures a harvest of delight."
Lord, I want to me one of those 'happy people'- or might I say, joy-filled people, who carries a song with each ascent, and at every halt a hymn.
Verse 3 of the Psalm states "The LORD has done great things for us; We are glad.
I love the ending, 'We are glad.'.... you could almost say 'period' out loud at the end of it!
Today I wasn't feeling especially 'happy or glad'... and in this the LORD whispered it is because I have taken my eyes off the 'great things He has done for me'.
If I look past the struggles and afflictions of the day, using my spiritual eyes to see- I see He is providing me with shelter, food, clothing....a computer on which to share these things... But even greater- for the Psalmist states 'great things'- I look beyond the worldly, into the really great things-- His Presence, His grace, His mercy, His lovingkindness, salvation, eternal life, Protection, Shield, Strong Tower, Holy Spirit, His Word, Mansion in Glory, new life,....
These are Great Things!
So, I am help captive in many ways to Lyme Disease- but even in it, with the LORD, I have an elasticity that transcends the circumstance...allows me to be in places of Song or Hymnody- He allows me to reach beyond my circumstance, through Him, to joy. To re-bound out of captivity...
Verses 5-6 "Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting. He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him."
Oh for the 'joy set before us'!
LORD, hide the Truth of Your great works- these 'Great Things' You have done- deeply in our heart... and so fill our heart- that our heart can no longer contain it...and so it becomes rain not only to our parched souls- but that it will spill out and bring rain to those parched souls around us. You have done Great Things for us- let us be glad!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jYLTn4fKYQ
This is one of those songs I keep playing over and over again! Wish my Lyme-brain could get the lyrics all together in my mind!
Some of you may be experiencing 'auditory hallucinations'- I do not wish that on anyone! But, if you had to have a song stuck in your mind on repeat- this would be a good one! :)
I was reading through Psalm 126 today. And, of course, I had to see what C.H.Spurgeon had in his commentary... In his intro, he writes, "We see here not only that Zion abides, but that her joy returns after sorrow. Abiding is not enough, fruitfulness is added. The pilgrim went from blessing to blessing in their Psalmody as they proceeded on their holy way. Happy people to whom every ascent was a song, every halt a hymn. Here the truster becomes a sower; faith works by love, obtains a present bliss, and secures a harvest of delight."
Lord, I want to me one of those 'happy people'- or might I say, joy-filled people, who carries a song with each ascent, and at every halt a hymn.
Verse 3 of the Psalm states "The LORD has done great things for us; We are glad.
I love the ending, 'We are glad.'.... you could almost say 'period' out loud at the end of it!
Today I wasn't feeling especially 'happy or glad'... and in this the LORD whispered it is because I have taken my eyes off the 'great things He has done for me'.
If I look past the struggles and afflictions of the day, using my spiritual eyes to see- I see He is providing me with shelter, food, clothing....a computer on which to share these things... But even greater- for the Psalmist states 'great things'- I look beyond the worldly, into the really great things-- His Presence, His grace, His mercy, His lovingkindness, salvation, eternal life, Protection, Shield, Strong Tower, Holy Spirit, His Word, Mansion in Glory, new life,....
These are Great Things!
So, I am help captive in many ways to Lyme Disease- but even in it, with the LORD, I have an elasticity that transcends the circumstance...allows me to be in places of Song or Hymnody- He allows me to reach beyond my circumstance, through Him, to joy. To re-bound out of captivity...
Verses 5-6 "Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting. He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him."
Oh for the 'joy set before us'!
LORD, hide the Truth of Your great works- these 'Great Things' You have done- deeply in our heart... and so fill our heart- that our heart can no longer contain it...and so it becomes rain not only to our parched souls- but that it will spill out and bring rain to those parched souls around us. You have done Great Things for us- let us be glad!
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Profanity
I was doing my devotions today, and have been reading in Hebrews chapter 12 and I was convicted of being 'profane'!
No, I do not litter my speech with profane words- but, I was struck by how actions I take, and words I may say can still be profane. The word profane comes from two Latin words: pro- meaning either 'before' or 'against'; and fanum- meaning 'temple'. Together, basically being 'against temple/ against God'.
Just a couple days ago, I heard about one of our youth at church was being mistreated by other youth from our church. This particular youth had stepped back from church, and Christianity- and the mistreatment by those from his own church was not producing conviction which leads to repentance and salvation-
but conviction that Christians are no different than the rest of the world; in fact, it seems the mistreatment from others who profess to be a Christian hit, and wound, even more deeply. And for those looking for an excuse for rebellion (consciously or unconsciously)- these profane acts become further personal justification for the youth's self-righteousness and rebellion.
When I heard the mother recounting the episode to me, I was deeply grieved for this youth and his parents- and, grieved that others in our youth group would do, or say, wounding things~
Then, yesterday, as I read verse 15, I was mindful, and then prayerful, about areas in my own heart in which the root of bitterness has sprung...then I read on into verse 16.."lest there be any fornicator, or profane person".. (In context- the verse is speaking of spiritual fornication- in which one turns from their 'first love' of God, and replaces that place which only God is deserving, with things of the flesh)
Whenever I allow my will, my flesh, to act out- 'against God' I am being profane. Sure, so maybe I don't speak out in a tirade of foul words- but my 'quick whit' can certainly hit a target when twisted as sarcasm or teasing. Or, perhaps it is when I make a promise, only to put it out of my mind...or, simply say yes with my tongue, but know I won't do it in my heart....or, cancel out if something 'better' comes along...
Profane.
So what does this have to do with Lyme? For me- daily living with an illness, and doing all my treatment protocols....well, I have plenty of times where I just feel angry (maybe it comes out in a burst, maybe it comes out as depression).... And bitterness has good soil to spring up~
Perhaps it is when I am listening to someone go on-and-on about how hard it was to find just the right out-fit to go out on the town...how hard it was to find a new purse and matching shoes... being too busy to go in to get a manicure...how expensive it was to do all the decorating..... While my big day was getting out of bed and doing a little housework, and the medical bills are mounting- there is no room for 'fun' purchases...And bitterness has good soil in which to spring up~
Thankfully- the LORD provide the 'cure' or protection against a root of bitterness...becoming a spiritual fornicator...or being profane-- it is at the very beginning of verse 15: The GRACE of God!
"Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God"
Yes indeed- I must be diligent- so that I will not fall short of God's grace!
And, how do I 'get' this grace- It only comes by spending time with the LORD in prayer, His Word, and by practicing His principles (diligently). Not to pray, 'Dear Lord, please give me more grace!;- but grace comes more-and-more, the more-and-more I KNOW Him... The more I know Him and His grace- the more it will become a part of who I am...
Oh LORD- according to Your great lovingkindness and mercy- teach me about Your grace. Remove the roots of bitterness that have taken hold in my heart- and replace them with Your attributes: grace, love, mercy... Guard my heart-- Holy Spirit- filter what I allow into my heart, and what I allow to escape my heart to my tongue-- show me where there may be profanity, take this areas and cleanse me- reform and renew me...encourage my heart to me diligent that I may not profane your Holy Name....
Blessings-
cynthia
No, I do not litter my speech with profane words- but, I was struck by how actions I take, and words I may say can still be profane. The word profane comes from two Latin words: pro- meaning either 'before' or 'against'; and fanum- meaning 'temple'. Together, basically being 'against temple/ against God'.
Hebrews 12:15-16
New King James Version (NKJV)
15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; 16 lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.
Just a couple days ago, I heard about one of our youth at church was being mistreated by other youth from our church. This particular youth had stepped back from church, and Christianity- and the mistreatment by those from his own church was not producing conviction which leads to repentance and salvation-
but conviction that Christians are no different than the rest of the world; in fact, it seems the mistreatment from others who profess to be a Christian hit, and wound, even more deeply. And for those looking for an excuse for rebellion (consciously or unconsciously)- these profane acts become further personal justification for the youth's self-righteousness and rebellion.
When I heard the mother recounting the episode to me, I was deeply grieved for this youth and his parents- and, grieved that others in our youth group would do, or say, wounding things~
Then, yesterday, as I read verse 15, I was mindful, and then prayerful, about areas in my own heart in which the root of bitterness has sprung...then I read on into verse 16.."lest there be any fornicator, or profane person".. (In context- the verse is speaking of spiritual fornication- in which one turns from their 'first love' of God, and replaces that place which only God is deserving, with things of the flesh)
Whenever I allow my will, my flesh, to act out- 'against God' I am being profane. Sure, so maybe I don't speak out in a tirade of foul words- but my 'quick whit' can certainly hit a target when twisted as sarcasm or teasing. Or, perhaps it is when I make a promise, only to put it out of my mind...or, simply say yes with my tongue, but know I won't do it in my heart....or, cancel out if something 'better' comes along...
Profane.
So what does this have to do with Lyme? For me- daily living with an illness, and doing all my treatment protocols....well, I have plenty of times where I just feel angry (maybe it comes out in a burst, maybe it comes out as depression).... And bitterness has good soil to spring up~
Perhaps it is when I am listening to someone go on-and-on about how hard it was to find just the right out-fit to go out on the town...how hard it was to find a new purse and matching shoes... being too busy to go in to get a manicure...how expensive it was to do all the decorating..... While my big day was getting out of bed and doing a little housework, and the medical bills are mounting- there is no room for 'fun' purchases...And bitterness has good soil in which to spring up~
Thankfully- the LORD provide the 'cure' or protection against a root of bitterness...becoming a spiritual fornicator...or being profane-- it is at the very beginning of verse 15: The GRACE of God!
"Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God"
Yes indeed- I must be diligent- so that I will not fall short of God's grace!
And, how do I 'get' this grace- It only comes by spending time with the LORD in prayer, His Word, and by practicing His principles (diligently). Not to pray, 'Dear Lord, please give me more grace!;- but grace comes more-and-more, the more-and-more I KNOW Him... The more I know Him and His grace- the more it will become a part of who I am...
Oh LORD- according to Your great lovingkindness and mercy- teach me about Your grace. Remove the roots of bitterness that have taken hold in my heart- and replace them with Your attributes: grace, love, mercy... Guard my heart-- Holy Spirit- filter what I allow into my heart, and what I allow to escape my heart to my tongue-- show me where there may be profanity, take this areas and cleanse me- reform and renew me...encourage my heart to me diligent that I may not profane your Holy Name....
Blessings-
cynthia
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Healing, Wellness, Wholeness
Healing, Wellness, Wholeness~
Been a 'achey' week- So thankful for Epsom Salts! ;)
Being ill for so many years is draining in so many ways. In our Sunday School class, we have been going through a DVD presentation called "Comforting the Afflicted' by Dr. Tony Evans. I've gleaned a lot from his lessons these past weeks. Today's lesson was impressed on my heart to share~
In this note, I won't be able to cover everything Dr. Evans does. If you have an opportunity, I'd encourage you to find his DVD series and go through it yourself- or even better, with a small group of people. The lesson today is entitled "To Be Made Whole"
The primary biblical texts are taken from Matthew 9, Mark 5, and Luke 8. Particular to this message are Luke 8:40-49 and Mark 5:25-34 Theses passages recount a time in Jesus' life in which he is on his way, by foot, traveling to Jarius' home in response to Jarius' daughter.
As typical at this point in Jesus' earthly journey, there is a large crowd moving with him; so tightly packed together , the crowd is pressing in upon Him.
As He makes his way along, and through the crowd- He perceives power going out of Him. Here is a woman who has been bleeding for 12 years, who has determinedly made her way to reach Jesus- in her mind convinced that if she can only touch the hem of His gown, she would be healed.
Indeed- she touches His hem, most likely a tassel sewn there, on a rabbi's robe, to represent God's Word...and she is immediately healed, the bleeding stops.
(Sometime, I think I'll Blog about my view on healing- but for now- I will move on because there is more here to consider.)
Jesus notices her, affirms her to the crowd and she shares with them that she is healed. Then, in a private moment- she tells Jesus 'the rest of her personal story'-- As she leaves, He says to her, " Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your affliction."
Most of us can relate to the woman as she approaches Jesus- she is weak, diminished; she has multiple loss issues- she has not only been hemorrhaging physically, but she's likely bled-out socially, financially..spiritually.... (Where are you 'bleeding' today? Are you feeling 'diminished'?)
In her weakness, having no more human resources to which she can turn, focuses on reaching this person, Jesus. Just to touch His robe will be enough for her. She humbles herself, even to bend low, and she grabs His hem/tassel- in effect she not only is reaching out to Him personally, but for the written Word of God as well.
Dr. Evan points out- If we only grab hold of the Written Word: we have Truth, but no Life.
If we grab only for the Life, but not the Written Word: we have Life, but no Truth.
When you have the Living Word and grab hold of the Written Word, you have LIFE & TRUTH. "When the Living Word (Jesus) gets connected to the Written Word (Bible)--> you get the operational power of the Word."
This woman was not just another person in the crowd, not just a 'fan of Jesus' '....she came to personally seek Him out, He touched her life- and she left being known to Him as His daughter...and well.
Wellness here is in the sense of 'wholeness'. Some people come to Jesus for healing, but not for wholeness. Jesus is most concerned with our spiritual well-being, our wholeness. We can be very ill, and yet be well/whole. There are times when healing doesn't come immediately, or at all...
but when we meet with Jesus in a personal way, by faith, acknowledging our own sinful nature, believe in His death and resurrection unto our salvation--- we can be truly whole, we can be well...
Any time we hit those rough patches in life- we can go to the Source of Life- and He will remind us that He came that we might have life, and have it abundantly (John 10:10), irregardless of circumstance.
Today- I need to call out to Jesus, and grab hold of His Word- This past week I have felt more like the woman at the beginning- diminished in so many ways...but the Truth is, that in relationship to Jesus- I have an abundant life!
May His person, and His Word together empower you today; may those aspects of your life that have been diminished, be reclaimed by Our Precious Lord- and His Life, in abundance, flow through you~
Blessings-
cynthia
Been a 'achey' week- So thankful for Epsom Salts! ;)
Being ill for so many years is draining in so many ways. In our Sunday School class, we have been going through a DVD presentation called "Comforting the Afflicted' by Dr. Tony Evans. I've gleaned a lot from his lessons these past weeks. Today's lesson was impressed on my heart to share~
In this note, I won't be able to cover everything Dr. Evans does. If you have an opportunity, I'd encourage you to find his DVD series and go through it yourself- or even better, with a small group of people. The lesson today is entitled "To Be Made Whole"
The primary biblical texts are taken from Matthew 9, Mark 5, and Luke 8. Particular to this message are Luke 8:40-49 and Mark 5:25-34 Theses passages recount a time in Jesus' life in which he is on his way, by foot, traveling to Jarius' home in response to Jarius' daughter.
As typical at this point in Jesus' earthly journey, there is a large crowd moving with him; so tightly packed together , the crowd is pressing in upon Him.
As He makes his way along, and through the crowd- He perceives power going out of Him. Here is a woman who has been bleeding for 12 years, who has determinedly made her way to reach Jesus- in her mind convinced that if she can only touch the hem of His gown, she would be healed.
Indeed- she touches His hem, most likely a tassel sewn there, on a rabbi's robe, to represent God's Word...and she is immediately healed, the bleeding stops.
(Sometime, I think I'll Blog about my view on healing- but for now- I will move on because there is more here to consider.)
Jesus notices her, affirms her to the crowd and she shares with them that she is healed. Then, in a private moment- she tells Jesus 'the rest of her personal story'-- As she leaves, He says to her, " Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your affliction."
Most of us can relate to the woman as she approaches Jesus- she is weak, diminished; she has multiple loss issues- she has not only been hemorrhaging physically, but she's likely bled-out socially, financially..spiritually.... (Where are you 'bleeding' today? Are you feeling 'diminished'?)
In her weakness, having no more human resources to which she can turn, focuses on reaching this person, Jesus. Just to touch His robe will be enough for her. She humbles herself, even to bend low, and she grabs His hem/tassel- in effect she not only is reaching out to Him personally, but for the written Word of God as well.
Dr. Evan points out- If we only grab hold of the Written Word: we have Truth, but no Life.
If we grab only for the Life, but not the Written Word: we have Life, but no Truth.
When you have the Living Word and grab hold of the Written Word, you have LIFE & TRUTH. "When the Living Word (Jesus) gets connected to the Written Word (Bible)--> you get the operational power of the Word."
This woman was not just another person in the crowd, not just a 'fan of Jesus' '....she came to personally seek Him out, He touched her life- and she left being known to Him as His daughter...and well.
Wellness here is in the sense of 'wholeness'. Some people come to Jesus for healing, but not for wholeness. Jesus is most concerned with our spiritual well-being, our wholeness. We can be very ill, and yet be well/whole. There are times when healing doesn't come immediately, or at all...
but when we meet with Jesus in a personal way, by faith, acknowledging our own sinful nature, believe in His death and resurrection unto our salvation--- we can be truly whole, we can be well...
Any time we hit those rough patches in life- we can go to the Source of Life- and He will remind us that He came that we might have life, and have it abundantly (John 10:10), irregardless of circumstance.
Today- I need to call out to Jesus, and grab hold of His Word- This past week I have felt more like the woman at the beginning- diminished in so many ways...but the Truth is, that in relationship to Jesus- I have an abundant life!
May His person, and His Word together empower you today; may those aspects of your life that have been diminished, be reclaimed by Our Precious Lord- and His Life, in abundance, flow through you~
Blessings-
cynthia
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Listening to Your Heart and Soul~
While battling Lyme, it is easy to 'lose yourself'. The losses are overwhelming, and bring grief. There are more unanswered questions than there are answered.
Survival-mode is the modus operandi. Who has the energy for anything more most days, and if you do have more energy- you are trying to catch up with all the things left undone that demand attention.
Meanwhile, your personhood shrinks more and more- as things are left undone, less contact with other people, more and more about what has to be done- less and less room for what I like/want to do.
But, deep inside, your personhood is hanging on for dear life!
We are well into autumn here now- a couple weeks ago I was slowly walking out to the mailbox, and I a clump of Milkweed plants, which my husband had carefully avoided with the mower ensuring butterflies would have what they needed from the plant.
Their leaves were brown, but not yet dropped - and there were the pods I had watched transform from flower- now opened and spilling out delicate, fluffy seeds- launched gently by the autumn breeze.
I couldn't help but feel encouraged. Looking around- I saw many of the plants and trees expressing seeds...even while settling in for a long winter rest.
You see, it reminded me that the LORD had created me as a non-repeatable human being... with hopes, dreams, talents, gifts, wishes... And even in times when Lyme doesn't always allow me to express them- His Holy Spirit acknowledges them in me- and in time, His gentle breeze will again release those things now being held hostage by Lyme.
Meanwhile- I must rest in Him and His timing... Continuing to study His Word, the Person of Jesus Christ, the Father, and the Holy Spirit... He will keep those things within my heart alive- even unto eternity. For now- as I rest, and am quite, I can ask Him to teach me- so I can be ready when He gently releases me to share in life again.
I can also pay attention to those things in my heart- allowing the LORD to sift out sin, and reveal that which is uniquely 'me'- in which He delights. He listens to my heart and soul attentively.... Others may not care, listen, or no longer view me someone of depth- just someone who is 'sick'. But the LORD knows us deeply- we can bring all our hopes, dreams, wishes... to Him.
Even the 'little things'. Last week, I was coming off of a tough couple weeks and was trying to get some laundry done. My laundry room doubles as a 'flower-drying' room for us girls when we get flowers. I had accidentaly bumped one of my daughter's upside-down hanging bouquets; having been there awhile, a few of the dried petals wafted to the floor. I mused, half to myself, and half to the LORD, that it had been so long since I'd gotten a bouquet of flowers. I was feeling unoticed, and lonely- and the beauty of flowers is usually uplifing to me- but now it was fall, and the garden held no bright, cheery colors...there was no 'special occaission' in sight, and finances tight...well- I quickly packed that wish back inside my heart, just glad that the LORD is patient to listen when I share these things with Him.
A couple days later- my husband came home with a bouquet of flowers for me! (This is not a regular occurence.) It was wonderful in that I knew that LORD had heard that cry from my personhood, and had not only not condemned me for the wish- but He had directed my husband to bring that wish to reality, and my husband had graciously followed that direction!
The LORD is never too busy to listen to our heart and soul...Even when we think we have lost our own personhood to the thieving of Lyme; The LORD will do something so unique, so personable...just to let us know, He knows us, He hears us, He cares about us... We are not alone, He loves us uniquely... we (our personhoods) are not lost!
Psalm 4:3
But know that the LORD has set apart the godly man for Himself; The LORD hears when I call to Him.
Psalm 34:17
The righteous cry, and the LORD hears And delivers them out of all their troubles.
Psalm 138:3,8 "On the day I called Thou didst answer me. Thou didst make me bold with strength in my soul...The LORD will accomplish what concerns me; Thy lovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting..."
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
"Joy to You"
Greetings!
I learned yesterday, that 'Greetings', in New Testament Greek, means "Joy to you"!
'Greetings' has been a favorite way of starting a correspondence for some time- and now I like it even more!
Currently, I am going to a Bible study with my daughter which is studying the New Testament of James- and it is led (via DVD) by Beth Moore. We've only started, and last night we camped out on the first verse.
James' name is actually an English translation of the name Jacob, which makes sense, as James/Jacob was a Jew by birth...his parents were famously- Mary and Joseph. (Yes, that makes James the elder half-brother of Jesus.) Although James didn't believe his half-brother to be Messiah until after Jesus' death and resurrection- he did come to believe in Jesus as Lord and the Messiah... making James a 'Christian Jew', with a remarkable perspective.
Now I am beginning the next section of study for the upcoming lesson, and we are looking at James 1:2-4 "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be prefect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Yep- James doesn't beat around the bush- he hits us right where many of us are living: with various trials! We could substitute any number of things in there as a trial: finances, health, relationships, dealing with doctors...just getting out of bed for an hour!
Just there in verse one- James says 'Greetings' - Joy to you!- and goes right into 'considerate all joy'....all joy! Even if today you feel crappy, the bills are mounting, no one seems to understand, you are lonely, you hurt, you are grieving....So many 'robbers' of joy stealing into your heart to try to make off with your treasure (perhaps more succinctly: a buried treasure)!
The treasure my Dear One- is the joy of knowing that you are His Beloved! That no matter what circumstances befall us- we are not truly alone; the LORD has promised to be faithful, and as He is present in us- then in Him we have peace, safety, love....joy! Nothing in fact that any 'robber' is able to take from us- unless we give those things over to the robbers of discontent, fear, doubt...
Our security must be rooted in knowing the Lord (Master) Jesus Christ (Messiah). That 'know-that-I-know-that-I-know' kinda knowing. Our default must be set on Him- not our emotions, not our circumstances- but on Him and His Word.
Today- whatever kind of day it is for you; whatever the moment; whatever the circumstance- I say with my heart to yours- GREETINGS! Joy to you! May the One Who Is Joy bless your heart/soul/mind in whatever travail you are experiencing-- as you give Him the sacrifice of your praise--may His Holy Spirit lift your's up, and fill you with His Joy~ may 'endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be prefect and complete, lacking in nothing'
-amen
I learned yesterday, that 'Greetings', in New Testament Greek, means "Joy to you"!
'Greetings' has been a favorite way of starting a correspondence for some time- and now I like it even more!
Currently, I am going to a Bible study with my daughter which is studying the New Testament of James- and it is led (via DVD) by Beth Moore. We've only started, and last night we camped out on the first verse.
James' name is actually an English translation of the name Jacob, which makes sense, as James/Jacob was a Jew by birth...his parents were famously- Mary and Joseph. (Yes, that makes James the elder half-brother of Jesus.) Although James didn't believe his half-brother to be Messiah until after Jesus' death and resurrection- he did come to believe in Jesus as Lord and the Messiah... making James a 'Christian Jew', with a remarkable perspective.
Now I am beginning the next section of study for the upcoming lesson, and we are looking at James 1:2-4 "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be prefect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Yep- James doesn't beat around the bush- he hits us right where many of us are living: with various trials! We could substitute any number of things in there as a trial: finances, health, relationships, dealing with doctors...just getting out of bed for an hour!
Just there in verse one- James says 'Greetings' - Joy to you!- and goes right into 'considerate all joy'....all joy! Even if today you feel crappy, the bills are mounting, no one seems to understand, you are lonely, you hurt, you are grieving....So many 'robbers' of joy stealing into your heart to try to make off with your treasure (perhaps more succinctly: a buried treasure)!
The treasure my Dear One- is the joy of knowing that you are His Beloved! That no matter what circumstances befall us- we are not truly alone; the LORD has promised to be faithful, and as He is present in us- then in Him we have peace, safety, love....joy! Nothing in fact that any 'robber' is able to take from us- unless we give those things over to the robbers of discontent, fear, doubt...
Our security must be rooted in knowing the Lord (Master) Jesus Christ (Messiah). That 'know-that-I-know-that-I-know' kinda knowing. Our default must be set on Him- not our emotions, not our circumstances- but on Him and His Word.
Today- whatever kind of day it is for you; whatever the moment; whatever the circumstance- I say with my heart to yours- GREETINGS! Joy to you! May the One Who Is Joy bless your heart/soul/mind in whatever travail you are experiencing-- as you give Him the sacrifice of your praise--may His Holy Spirit lift your's up, and fill you with His Joy~ may 'endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be prefect and complete, lacking in nothing'
-amen
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Mary's Lasagna
Hhhhhmmmm, Mary's lasagna!
Been overdoing the past couple weeks- in part to care for one of our daughters who came down with mono, strep, and on top of that had severe subluxation of her back/neck! Otherwise, there were extra doctor visits, meetings...and, the fall garden produce push.
I am thankful to be able at this point to participate in any of these activities- but I feel the 'teetering' each day of my body, and I don't have much margin built up in my immunity. My mind says- plow forward, but my body says rest; more importantly, my gut tells me STOP-REST! So, I am leaving the stack of things sit for now- and thought I'd spend a few moments with you~
Ok- back to Mary's lasagna (ha, with brain fog, you thought I'd forgotten what I started writing about, or did you forget? :) )
Over the course of the most intense months of treatments/reactions- Mary, from our Church Family, began to make our family a pan of lasagna. Which, by the way, my family has declared to be The Best Lasagna ever! She always includes a sweet treat along with the meal as well.
It has been a wonderful blessing to have had one of Mary's Lasagna show up in timely fashion; just-the-day when making a good meal would've been 'too much', or to have a pan of her lasagna tucked in the freezer to go to when I needed the cooking break.
Mary's Lasagna not only fed my family deliciously, but it also allowed me to save energy that I could now spend sitting with my family at the table, or resting , or getting at some other duty...
Anytime Mary would get a clean pan back- it wouldn't be long and one full of lasagna would lovingly return to us. This went on for months! Once I was up to regularly preparing meals to a decent degree- I told her thank you again, and asked for her recipe. She told me she'd rather not give me the recipe- because then I'd be compelled to make the lasagna, and she believed I wasn't that well yet :)
But, with my being able to do 'more' the lasagnas did slow- as I didn't have to pull them out of the freezer as often.
As I said, the past few week's challenges have been just a tad more than my reserve- Mary had heard about the challenges of late, and here came a dish of her lasagna- much to the great delight of us all! It didn't even get into the freezer- it went right to the table! Timing was perfect! What a blessing!
(For those of you wondering if I'm following my 'Lyme diet'- no, I can't eat lasagna. But I just make myself something to eat that is easy. Which is fine- because I'm not cooking a big meal- and can just sit with my family and enjoy being together.)
Mary still won't give me her recipe- but she is such a blessing! Not only that she shares her talents in lasagna with us, but most of all- even after all this time in treatment, she is still 'tuned in' to our situation...she is faithful. The biggest blessing~
Throughout this illness/treatment... I have camped out a lot in the Psalms. This past week I've been lingering in the 111-117 Psalms. Today I read in Psalm 116 "I love the LORD because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because he bend down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath! (vs1-2) and Psalm 115 vs 1 "Not to us O LORD, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness."
It is such a comfort to know that the LORD hears my voice- in fact- He bends down to listen to me! My God cares! I may not always feel like He hears/cares...but He is at work nonetheless-
Before being diagnosed with Lyme- at one point, I almost died from being struck with the Norwalk virus and a precipitous Thyroid Storm- The hospital was so full of sick patients for the mini-pandemic- the staff was very busy. The next day after being admitted, I was feeling well enough to have had a lot of questions formulate in my mind- I wanted to ask the doctor about them, but hadn't had one visit me since the ER doctor admitted me well over 24hrs ago~
I waited. And waited... later that afternoon I asked my attendant again if I could talk to the doctor! Finally, much later- a doctor came in. I got to ask my questions- and found out that at this hospital, there was a doctor out at the 'nurses station' 24/7. He's been closely monitoring my situation/watching my telemetry.... I hadn't seen him, but he was there watching me, giving orders to those attending to me...
This struck me, it is a bit like when we call out to the LORD- we may not always get to 'see Him', or hear back from Him in ways we'd like, or as quickly as we'd like...but we can be sure that He hears us, He sees us, He is taking care of us, He sends His servants to minister us... He has the (very) big picture in view of what we truly need, and what those around us (truly) need- and how all these inter- mesh, even dimensionally....things well beyond my comprehension; I must rest in knowing He is God!
Verses like Psalm 115 vs 1 sum it up- Not to us O LORD, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for you unfailing love and faithfulness."
And sometimes He chooses to show His unfailing love and faithfulness to me by sending a baking dish full of lasagna, covered by aluminum foil, ready to heat, extended to us by one of His dear, smiling, kind servants- Mary.
Blessings-
cindy
Been overdoing the past couple weeks- in part to care for one of our daughters who came down with mono, strep, and on top of that had severe subluxation of her back/neck! Otherwise, there were extra doctor visits, meetings...and, the fall garden produce push.
I am thankful to be able at this point to participate in any of these activities- but I feel the 'teetering' each day of my body, and I don't have much margin built up in my immunity. My mind says- plow forward, but my body says rest; more importantly, my gut tells me STOP-REST! So, I am leaving the stack of things sit for now- and thought I'd spend a few moments with you~
Ok- back to Mary's lasagna (ha, with brain fog, you thought I'd forgotten what I started writing about, or did you forget? :) )
Over the course of the most intense months of treatments/reactions- Mary, from our Church Family, began to make our family a pan of lasagna. Which, by the way, my family has declared to be The Best Lasagna ever! She always includes a sweet treat along with the meal as well.
It has been a wonderful blessing to have had one of Mary's Lasagna show up in timely fashion; just-the-day when making a good meal would've been 'too much', or to have a pan of her lasagna tucked in the freezer to go to when I needed the cooking break.
Mary's Lasagna not only fed my family deliciously, but it also allowed me to save energy that I could now spend sitting with my family at the table, or resting , or getting at some other duty...
Anytime Mary would get a clean pan back- it wouldn't be long and one full of lasagna would lovingly return to us. This went on for months! Once I was up to regularly preparing meals to a decent degree- I told her thank you again, and asked for her recipe. She told me she'd rather not give me the recipe- because then I'd be compelled to make the lasagna, and she believed I wasn't that well yet :)
But, with my being able to do 'more' the lasagnas did slow- as I didn't have to pull them out of the freezer as often.
As I said, the past few week's challenges have been just a tad more than my reserve- Mary had heard about the challenges of late, and here came a dish of her lasagna- much to the great delight of us all! It didn't even get into the freezer- it went right to the table! Timing was perfect! What a blessing!
(For those of you wondering if I'm following my 'Lyme diet'- no, I can't eat lasagna. But I just make myself something to eat that is easy. Which is fine- because I'm not cooking a big meal- and can just sit with my family and enjoy being together.)
Mary still won't give me her recipe- but she is such a blessing! Not only that she shares her talents in lasagna with us, but most of all- even after all this time in treatment, she is still 'tuned in' to our situation...she is faithful. The biggest blessing~
Throughout this illness/treatment... I have camped out a lot in the Psalms. This past week I've been lingering in the 111-117 Psalms. Today I read in Psalm 116 "I love the LORD because he hears my voice and my prayer for mercy. Because he bend down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath! (vs1-2) and Psalm 115 vs 1 "Not to us O LORD, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness."
It is such a comfort to know that the LORD hears my voice- in fact- He bends down to listen to me! My God cares! I may not always feel like He hears/cares...but He is at work nonetheless-
Before being diagnosed with Lyme- at one point, I almost died from being struck with the Norwalk virus and a precipitous Thyroid Storm- The hospital was so full of sick patients for the mini-pandemic- the staff was very busy. The next day after being admitted, I was feeling well enough to have had a lot of questions formulate in my mind- I wanted to ask the doctor about them, but hadn't had one visit me since the ER doctor admitted me well over 24hrs ago~
I waited. And waited... later that afternoon I asked my attendant again if I could talk to the doctor! Finally, much later- a doctor came in. I got to ask my questions- and found out that at this hospital, there was a doctor out at the 'nurses station' 24/7. He's been closely monitoring my situation/watching my telemetry.... I hadn't seen him, but he was there watching me, giving orders to those attending to me...
This struck me, it is a bit like when we call out to the LORD- we may not always get to 'see Him', or hear back from Him in ways we'd like, or as quickly as we'd like...but we can be sure that He hears us, He sees us, He is taking care of us, He sends His servants to minister us... He has the (very) big picture in view of what we truly need, and what those around us (truly) need- and how all these inter- mesh, even dimensionally....things well beyond my comprehension; I must rest in knowing He is God!
Verses like Psalm 115 vs 1 sum it up- Not to us O LORD, not to us, but to your name goes all the glory for you unfailing love and faithfulness."
And sometimes He chooses to show His unfailing love and faithfulness to me by sending a baking dish full of lasagna, covered by aluminum foil, ready to heat, extended to us by one of His dear, smiling, kind servants- Mary.
Blessings-
cindy
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