Giving Thanks Tool

Got this in my email today- thought I'd share the site with you-
http://www.aholyexperience.com/2011/04/when-youre-feeling-a-bit-broken-free-weekly-gratitude-journa-l/

Simple reminder for this week (can do it throughout the year) to Give Thanks. 

A lot of days we may have to dig deep to come up to that place-- I dearly love that in Scripture, it is called a 'sacrifice of praise'! 

God understands the choice of sacrificially giving Him the praise He is deserves- despite our current circumstance, pain, fear, unknown future.... 

When we boldly give a sacrifice of praise to Him in the face of pain and uncertainty- it does not go unoticed-  it's fragrance is heavy, with a sweet aroma as it rises to Him. 

Our LORD never requires of us something that won't also in turn bring benefit to our well-being; He is just too generous and full of lovingkindness not to. 

May this Giving Thanks season (in the United States) be one richly blessed by His presence in your praise...as you lift your praise to Him, may you find your heart, soul and mind lifted as well...your soul encouraged, your LORD glorified...a wonderful cycle...

Blessings to you!

1. Psalm 27:6
   And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me, And I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.
   Psalm 27:5-7 (in Context) Psalm 27 (Whole Chapter)
2. Hebrews 13:15
   [ God-pleasing Sacrifices ] Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.

Dying to Live

Die to self-  it isn’t as much about those things which make us unique in personhood- as much as it is allowing the LORD to continue to wash out the sin stains in our heart (sanctification) and for us to continually submit to His revealed will for us in Scripture…  (basically thing that are opposed to the Fruit of the Spirit described in Galatians 5:22-23)

 

Each disciple/apostle, in surrender to Christ, did not lose their unique personality/personhood, but rather their unique personhood was being perfected and completed in their submission to the LORD unto their:  a) cleansing of sin   b) salvation   c) sanctification   d) submission to the will of God   e) calling

 

By setting our hearts and minds on Him, toward Him- and opening, and submitting, our hearts and minds to His work through the Holy Spirità transformation takes place. 

Instead of concerning self with ‘outcomes, activities…’, we must continue to first seek Him, to know Him; allowing Him to do His work in our hearts (wean us, Psalm 131).  It is paramount to pay attention in the process within our relationship to Him and concern ourselves foremost with this.  The LORD will take care of the business of life.

Not to say we halt engaging the world as this process progresses, but as we do- we must allow the Holy Spirit to reset our heart’s and mind’s responsive default system which has been hair-triggered to the world’s stimuli. 

Instead of a default setting on hurt, may it be on Him.  Instead of a response default setting on

 anger-> love,

 bitterness->love,

 contempt->submission,

 lies-> truth, 

harshness-> grace,

 judgment->mercy, 

self-righteousness->His righteousness,

 my way-> His way,

 revenge-> His vengeance,

tearing others down->humility,

 self-loathing (pride)-> humility,

 speaking out->quietness,

 fear-> His security,

 anxiousness-> His peace,

 hate-> His Love,

pride-> His glory

 

I don’t know about you- but there are plenty more default settings in my heart that are in need of the Chief Engineers work.  I’m sure I can add to this list- perhaps you can also (or make up your own).  It helps me though to list them out on paper…to see them more clearly, it helps me to more concretely give them over to the LORD. 

Yes, salvation comes in that moment of complete surrender to Christ as Saviour and Lord; sanctification is ongoing until that day He brings us before His throne and completes us.  Meanwhile, we are getting ready.

 May His work be so begun in our lives that others may be encouraged, and most of all- may God be glorified.  (Romans 8:28)

Blessings~

PS-  tip:  Instead of those perfume/chemical laden dryer sheets- I've been using a crumpled ball of aluminum foil (I have an electric dryer).  It works great to soften AND to rid clothes of static kling!

Bombed

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

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!

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'. 

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

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

Listening to Your Heart and Soul~

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..."