DO THEY SEE JESUS IN ME
DO THEY RECOGNIZE YOUR FACE
DO I COMMUNICATE YOUR
LOVE AND YOUR GRACE
DO I REFLECT
WHO YOU ARE
IN THE WAY I CHOOSE TO BE
IN THE WAY I CHOOSE TO BE
BLESSED SABBATH,
DEAR FRIENDS
KEEP ON KNOCKING
Friday, October 7, 2016
There are times in my life--when my prayers grow woefully short and completely redundant. I have no problem praying for the long list of those in need--pain--distress--disaster--and more. My prayers for me and my relationship with Him though have become a repetition of the same few words over and over--and begin to take on the rote recital of more of the same. What am I to do when my prayers become quickly thrown up words in a vain attempt to communicate with The Faithful One. What is the answer when I feel the line of communication is blocked by the ceiling? How do I reach God when my efforts seem lacking?
How do we communicate with the ones we love? Is it always through our words--whether oral or written? As I pondered this, I thought of a long marriage and what communication looks like after years and years of living with another. When you know someone really well--you begin to have the same thoughts--know how to finish the sentence of the other--can speak to each other by a mere look. Communication can be as simple as a glance across the room.
The language of love includes acts of kindness and service. Doing for one another without prompt or thought of reciprocity. Acting in anticipation of needs which have not even surfaced--all out of care and concern for the other. Good communication between marriage partners comes from years and years of growing to know each other and many hours of living life together. It does not come without plenty of work, effort, and patience. It comes as you grow together, make time for one another, and work at keeping the lines of communication open. The fruit of all those years together is a wide variety of methods of effectively communicating. It truly is a beautiful thing to see and even more of a blessing to be a part of.
Circle back to our communicating with God. I am a firm believer in our marriages were given to us to model the depth of the relationship we can have with The Father. If this is true, then we communicate with God in many ways--not only our prayers. Our acts of love and service for His children are concrete evidence of our love and honor of Him. A heavenward look in a time of wordless need speaks volumes. A simple groaning of, "Oh God" and he can finish our thoughts. Time spent with Him over a lifetime can grow our relationship to the point where we communicate in a love language learned over an eternity of learning who He is. There is no ceiling--no barrier--which can thwart our reaching Him with our language of love. Most important, when we stay the course, do not drift away, continue to knock on the door-- He is always with us.
How do we communicate with the ones we love? Is it always through our words--whether oral or written? As I pondered this, I thought of a long marriage and what communication looks like after years and years of living with another. When you know someone really well--you begin to have the same thoughts--know how to finish the sentence of the other--can speak to each other by a mere look. Communication can be as simple as a glance across the room.
The language of love includes acts of kindness and service. Doing for one another without prompt or thought of reciprocity. Acting in anticipation of needs which have not even surfaced--all out of care and concern for the other. Good communication between marriage partners comes from years and years of growing to know each other and many hours of living life together. It does not come without plenty of work, effort, and patience. It comes as you grow together, make time for one another, and work at keeping the lines of communication open. The fruit of all those years together is a wide variety of methods of effectively communicating. It truly is a beautiful thing to see and even more of a blessing to be a part of.
Circle back to our communicating with God. I am a firm believer in our marriages were given to us to model the depth of the relationship we can have with The Father. If this is true, then we communicate with God in many ways--not only our prayers. Our acts of love and service for His children are concrete evidence of our love and honor of Him. A heavenward look in a time of wordless need speaks volumes. A simple groaning of, "Oh God" and he can finish our thoughts. Time spent with Him over a lifetime can grow our relationship to the point where we communicate in a love language learned over an eternity of learning who He is. There is no ceiling--no barrier--which can thwart our reaching Him with our language of love. Most important, when we stay the course, do not drift away, continue to knock on the door-- He is always with us.
"Evening and morning and noon, will I pray, and cry out aloud and He shall hear my voice."
Psalm 55:7
GUILTY AS CHARGED
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Recently the question was posed to me, "Do you think they will be judgmental?" My flippant reply, "Do you care what they think?"
Those words have haunted my thoughts and hounded my dreams ever since I uttered them. OF COURSE WE CARE! As much as we would like to deny that truth and as brazenly as we thumb our noses at conventionality---WE DEEPLY CARE what others think of us. If we did not care, we would never question what others think.
I do not like the feeling I am being judged--be it my martial status, my appearance, my intellect, whatever---it is not a good feeling to know someone has turned their nose up and cast the "Poor You" my way. In most cases, those things for which I am judged --I had no control over. Yet others feel the freedom to judge me without giving me the benefit of explanation. Shame on them!
In my smug pious world, I loudly declare, I am not judgmental. I never cast a disparaging glance at those with multiple piercing and metal hanging from every orifice. I never doubt those standing on street corners with signs asking for money. I never turn my nose up in disgust when someone who smells ripe stands in line next to me in the grocery store. I always smile with delight when wayward children run amok in the waiting room.
I AM GUILTY AS CHARGED! I AM JUDGMENTAL and as badly as I hate to admit it, I have prejudices. It comes down to this---we want everyone to act, smell, think, and look, like we do. For after all we are always right! Though some might disagree---VEHEMENTLY!
SO what I found most distressing about my conversation about another being judgmental was not the fact that inherently we all tend to be judgmental, but the question was asked because we were speaking of a pastor. We Believers have given the world the sad impression we are sitting around judging others and their actions. Before you hastily deny this, remember where there is smoke there has been fire. It wounds me grievously to know others look upon us as disapproving, judgmental hypocrites. What we should be known for is our love for others--our acts of service, our compassionate spirits, and contrite hearts. We should be confessing our humanness and sinful nature--allowing others to see our feet of clay. We need to quit casting stones, and declaring judgment. We should be loudly proclaiming the grace which we were freely gifted when we came up woefully short and threw ourselves on the mercy seat.
What can be done about this? A change starts with one person--ME. If I change my attitude, my direction, my heart--then hopefully others will see my actions and be inspired. My charge is to be the reflection of Jesus to those placed in my path--not their judge--nor their jury--but a fellow man in need of grace.
Those words have haunted my thoughts and hounded my dreams ever since I uttered them. OF COURSE WE CARE! As much as we would like to deny that truth and as brazenly as we thumb our noses at conventionality---WE DEEPLY CARE what others think of us. If we did not care, we would never question what others think.
I do not like the feeling I am being judged--be it my martial status, my appearance, my intellect, whatever---it is not a good feeling to know someone has turned their nose up and cast the "Poor You" my way. In most cases, those things for which I am judged --I had no control over. Yet others feel the freedom to judge me without giving me the benefit of explanation. Shame on them!
In my smug pious world, I loudly declare, I am not judgmental. I never cast a disparaging glance at those with multiple piercing and metal hanging from every orifice. I never doubt those standing on street corners with signs asking for money. I never turn my nose up in disgust when someone who smells ripe stands in line next to me in the grocery store. I always smile with delight when wayward children run amok in the waiting room.
I AM GUILTY AS CHARGED! I AM JUDGMENTAL and as badly as I hate to admit it, I have prejudices. It comes down to this---we want everyone to act, smell, think, and look, like we do. For after all we are always right! Though some might disagree---VEHEMENTLY!
SO what I found most distressing about my conversation about another being judgmental was not the fact that inherently we all tend to be judgmental, but the question was asked because we were speaking of a pastor. We Believers have given the world the sad impression we are sitting around judging others and their actions. Before you hastily deny this, remember where there is smoke there has been fire. It wounds me grievously to know others look upon us as disapproving, judgmental hypocrites. What we should be known for is our love for others--our acts of service, our compassionate spirits, and contrite hearts. We should be confessing our humanness and sinful nature--allowing others to see our feet of clay. We need to quit casting stones, and declaring judgment. We should be loudly proclaiming the grace which we were freely gifted when we came up woefully short and threw ourselves on the mercy seat.
What can be done about this? A change starts with one person--ME. If I change my attitude, my direction, my heart--then hopefully others will see my actions and be inspired. My charge is to be the reflection of Jesus to those placed in my path--not their judge--nor their jury--but a fellow man in need of grace.
Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others,
you will be judged,
and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Matthew 7:1-3
EXPOSED
Monday, October 3, 2016
My trip to Dachau Concentration Camp this summer and all of the historical fiction I have read over the past has left a stark reminder of man's inhumanity to his fellow man.
Why would the Nazi's strip everything off their prisoners before leading them to the gas chambers? It is the final step of ripping away the dignity of another---the ultimate blow of degradation---the exposure of our bodies to the eyes of others with no regard for the sense of shame and embarrassment.
When I make my every third year nod to the medical establishment, my question at each test or appointment is what do I need to take off? I am not a big fan of being exposed on these visits and will take every opportunity to take off as little as possible. Can't they just take some blood and leave it at that? This old story about "If you've seen one"--just doesn't fly when it comes to personal exposure. We all seem to think we are unique--and yes, you may have seen theirs--but MINE is a different story. The only time in my life I was able to leave modesty behind was in the midst of childbirth and my famous words that day were "Modesty flew out the door!"
I have often found it intriguing how a rank stranger will tell me their deep dark secrets with only the prompting of one innocent question, such as, "How are you?" It never ceases to amaze me when someone who will never see me again bares their soul to me. Is it because I am a good listener--or something much deeper---the need for confession-a trial run for reaction---the simple need to process? In my naivety, I once thought it was my wise counsel. NO--they just have a need to verbalize the story---bounce it off another---tell the tale--expose the truth.
I have often found it intriguing how a rank stranger will tell me their deep dark secrets with only the prompting of one innocent question, such as, "How are you?" It never ceases to amaze me when someone who will never see me again bares their soul to me. Is it because I am a good listener--or something much deeper---the need for confession-a trial run for reaction---the simple need to process? In my naivety, I once thought it was my wise counsel. NO--they just have a need to verbalize the story---bounce it off another---tell the tale--expose the truth.
As I writer, I have exposed more of "me" than I would EVER dare in person. Something about the anonymity behind the keyboard allows for freedom of exposure. If I cannot see your face when I reveal my secrets, I am not aware of your reaction. THERE YOU HAVE IT--THE KEY--we are hesitant to see the reaction of others when we expose ourselves-be it physically, emotionally, or spiritually. We want to hide behind our cloaks, for fear of rejection.
HERE IS THE GOOD NEWS, MY FRIENDS----THERE IS NOTHING NEW UNDER THE SUN! And yes, we are all uniquely created, but in our uniqueness we find commonality. If you are interested enough to search, you will find another or perhaps many more with similar stories. If you believe as I do that God has a plan for us, then He intends us to use our story for His good purpose. There is someone out there who needs to hear your story--understand your survival--be comforted by your exposure. Not to say you should bore every Tom, Dick & Harry with the details of your life, discretion is the better part of valor. The question is are you confident in His ability to take your story and use it for His good purpose when prompted---or are you hiding the truth in fear of exposure? There is a time to cast aside our timidity and be the beacon of light of truth---all for His good purpose!
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16
SHHHHH
Monday, September 26, 2016
I pass by this house when I walk in the neighborhood, Frankly I find it lacks eye appeal and always wonder what were they thinking? Someone told me this plain stone - rather ugly wall hides a secret. A secret English garden which no one but the owners and those invited in can see. A well kept secret --a beautiful garden kept behind a huge stone wall which hides the beauty from all who pass by. One has to wonder why the need for secrecy? Why hide all the beauty behind the drab shroud of a colorless wall?
If others know the deep dark truth we hide from public view--we fear they will no longer respect us---avoid our company---retreat from the relationship. Shame clouds our vision and reason flees the premises. We think there could be nothing worse than the exposure of who we are--what we have done---our short comings or what we have endured.
Here is the truth---we are at greater risk for loss of integrity--relationship--love of others by keeping our secrets than admitting them and acknowledging our human failings or those who have wounded us. There is not one among us who has not made mistakes--not wished for a do-over--for none of us are perfect. Others will be more likely quick to forgive and forget if we confess--tell the truth than if they find out we are living behind a thin veil of secrecy. As the emperor had no clothes and all could see his nudity---so our veil will become transparent when placed in the light of the truth.
So release the burden of your secrets--live the truth---and be the better person for it. We punish ourselves far more when we cling to avoiding truth by pulling the sheet of shame over our head. Those who hear our confession would never inflict the guilt and shame we place upon ourselves. We do not realize this sheet we hide behind is transparent when the light shines on it, and our secrets are never really secret from Him who knows and sees all.
Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.
Ephesians 4:25
MYSTERIOUS
Sunday, September 25, 2016
IF YOU ARE BENDING
UNDER THE STRAIN OF
WHY?
TRUST
IN HIS GRACE
AND REST IN HIS PLAN
AND REST IN HIS PLAN
BLESSED SABBATH,
DEAR FRIENDS
MEANWHILE HERE IN THE HOOD
Saturday, September 24, 2016
THE JUNGLE DRUMS
HAD A STEADY BEAT
THIS WEEK
LIVING ON THE EDGE
OF THE TRINITY RIVER
WE ARE CLOSE
TO MANY ENTERTAINMENT VENUES
IT WOULD SEEM
ONE OF THE LOCAL
HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS
HAD A "DO"
AT THE FOOD PARK NOT FAR FROM THE HOOD
OH THE NEIGHBORS BY THE RIVER
WERE IN AN UPROAR!
CALL THE POLICE!!
CALL THE POLICE!!
HAVING LIVED ON THE EDGE OF THE TCU CAMPUS
I AM NOT VERY SYMPATHETIC
THE NOISE COMES
WHEN YOU LIVE BY
PRIME REAL ESTATE
THIS GIVES ME PEP IN MY STEP
WHILE OUT WALKING
THEY PUT THESE SIGNS UP
WHEN MOSQUITOES WITH THE
VIRUS ARE CAUGHT IN YOUR HOOD
DR. SON IN LAW TOLD ME TO NOT WORRY
IT IS ONLY DANGEROUS IF IT GET IN YOUR BRAIN
THAT HELPS MY FEELINGS--NOT!
A COUPLE OF THESE PEOPLE
HAVE BEEN SICK
WHICH LEADS TO FURTHER CONFUSION
IN THE COMINGS AND GOINGS
THIS ONE IS TAKING KARATE
SERIOUSLY--WHAT IS HIS MOTHER THINKING!!
AND THE REALLY GOOD NEWS
FALL IS FINALLY SNEAKING
IN THE BACK DOOR
NOTICE--ONLY HITTING 90 ONCE NEXT WEEK!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
STILL LIVING LIFE LARGE
HERE IN THE HOOD!
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