We really enjoyed our visit with our dearest friends this past weekend. They get to enjoy this beauty every day just by walking outside...
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
A New Season...
You may be thinking I'm a little off in my timing. Even though here in Texas, it *feels* like Fall has just begun... it's still practically mid-season on the calendar.
But, the calendar season isn't what I mean. I'm referring to a season of God's work in my community, my church, my family, and my own heart. Much like the fall just seems to 'suddenly arrive' each year... this spiritual season has caught me almost by surprise.
Each year, as I begin to notice those vibrant reds & oranges of falltime - they always seem 'new' somehow... like they have never been quite *that* color! So, too, am I seeing God's work around me... it almost seems like it's never been quite *that* perfect in it's orchestration.
But, I remind myself... His work has always been perfect, and it will always be so. His work is not new. He does not change.
But, oh! How thankful I am that He brings change in ME! And, today, I am thankful for this refreshed appreciation of His unchanging nature. Just like the crisp, cool breeze I felt outside today - this "new" adoration of Him is not generated by me. It is purely His work... His gift!
And, what a sweet, sweet gift... not only getting to witness His work around me & in me, but adding that extra touch of appreciative joy to accompany it ... it's almost like seeing His work for the first time.
I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart and tell about the wonders you have worked.
God Most High, I will rejoice; I will celebrate and sing because of you. (Psalm 9:1-2)
But, the calendar season isn't what I mean. I'm referring to a season of God's work in my community, my church, my family, and my own heart. Much like the fall just seems to 'suddenly arrive' each year... this spiritual season has caught me almost by surprise.
Each year, as I begin to notice those vibrant reds & oranges of falltime - they always seem 'new' somehow... like they have never been quite *that* color! So, too, am I seeing God's work around me... it almost seems like it's never been quite *that* perfect in it's orchestration.
But, I remind myself... His work has always been perfect, and it will always be so. His work is not new. He does not change.
But, oh! How thankful I am that He brings change in ME! And, today, I am thankful for this refreshed appreciation of His unchanging nature. Just like the crisp, cool breeze I felt outside today - this "new" adoration of Him is not generated by me. It is purely His work... His gift!
And, what a sweet, sweet gift... not only getting to witness His work around me & in me, but adding that extra touch of appreciative joy to accompany it ... it's almost like seeing His work for the first time.
I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart and tell about the wonders you have worked.
God Most High, I will rejoice; I will celebrate and sing because of you. (Psalm 9:1-2)
Monday, October 6, 2008
Filling a space...
I'll just go ahead & admit it now... this blogging thing, it just might be a little more difficult than I first thought. I fancied that there were layers & layers of witty ideas & insights sitting just below the surface of my everyday life - just waiting to be shared. Ideas & insights that were... well... insightful! (Note the creative juices there just oozing out!)
I mention it just to point out that, while I still have lots of 'growing room' in my own blogs, I have found some here that are REALLY GOOD! Over at "LESS of me", Luanne does a great job of using her everyday life as a springboard into meaningful discussion of spiritual principles. Here's one I was particularly drawn to.
Luanne finds meaning & inspiration in her plastic containers! Now that really speaks to me!! Let's not ponder too long on what exactly that says about me... but, I was thinking, if Luanne can share about plastic containers - I could share with you this idea that was inspired by my purse.
I have this new purse. Much to my husband's relief, I do not have expensive tastes in handbags. I have good friends that do - and don't get me wrong - some of those bags are nice! It's not that I feel deprived by not having one - it's just simply not my thing. Even so, I often feel compelled to share with my husband just how lucky he is in this regard. I mean, if he's so blessed to have such a wife, he should at least know it! From time to time, I will casually mention to him the approximate price of a handbag I see someone carrying... just so he can be properly appreciative. Just my little way of being helpful.
But, I digress...
Ok, my purse... it's rather nondescript as far as handbags go, but my particular attraction to it was it's efficiency: lots of pockets, sections & extra space.... it's the Container Store of purses! For those of you that might share in my borderline-obsession with organizational items, I know you'll understand. A place for everything - gotta love that! As I transferred my items over into it, I did note the leftover, empty space with a bit of caution. I already know this principle: many things (or people!) tend to g-r-o-w to fill the environment they are placed in. I made a mental note to resist this tendency inside my bag. Problem solved, right?
Of course not! I just went to check - it now weighs right at 5 pounds! I'll confess, I thought it would be more - but I did just clean it out a couple of days ago ;) Now you've invested this much time in reading about my purse - you're ready for the great insight, right?
It's simple, really... as I thought about this principle of "filling the allotted environment", the ultimate picture of this came to me:
God, too, will fill the space that we purposefully choose to give Him. This thought flooded my mind with possibilities...
Dedicate time for reading His Word: He will fill it!
Set aside a time of prayer & praise: He will fill it!
Dedicate time for serving others in His name: He will fill it!
Set aside (empty) your heart from self-driven motives: He will fill it!
It's really endless when you start thinking about it.
I believe our God is all about 'choice'. He could have created robot-creatures, but He didn't. He gave us free will... choice! We may choose to invite Him in or choose not to (but, make no mistake here - it's a choice either way!) I believe when we choose with a humble, servant's heart to ask Him into our 'space', He fills it in a way that we couldn't imagine.
Today, I'll challenge you (and myself!) to find even one small space in your day, in your life... and choose to set it aside specifically for Him! My prayer for you is this:
(Romans 15:13) May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
I mention it just to point out that, while I still have lots of 'growing room' in my own blogs, I have found some here that are REALLY GOOD! Over at "LESS of me", Luanne does a great job of using her everyday life as a springboard into meaningful discussion of spiritual principles. Here's one I was particularly drawn to.
Luanne finds meaning & inspiration in her plastic containers! Now that really speaks to me!! Let's not ponder too long on what exactly that says about me... but, I was thinking, if Luanne can share about plastic containers - I could share with you this idea that was inspired by my purse.
I have this new purse. Much to my husband's relief, I do not have expensive tastes in handbags. I have good friends that do - and don't get me wrong - some of those bags are nice! It's not that I feel deprived by not having one - it's just simply not my thing. Even so, I often feel compelled to share with my husband just how lucky he is in this regard. I mean, if he's so blessed to have such a wife, he should at least know it! From time to time, I will casually mention to him the approximate price of a handbag I see someone carrying... just so he can be properly appreciative. Just my little way of being helpful.
But, I digress...
Ok, my purse... it's rather nondescript as far as handbags go, but my particular attraction to it was it's efficiency: lots of pockets, sections & extra space.... it's the Container Store of purses! For those of you that might share in my borderline-obsession with organizational items, I know you'll understand. A place for everything - gotta love that! As I transferred my items over into it, I did note the leftover, empty space with a bit of caution. I already know this principle: many things (or people!) tend to g-r-o-w to fill the environment they are placed in. I made a mental note to resist this tendency inside my bag. Problem solved, right?
Of course not! I just went to check - it now weighs right at 5 pounds! I'll confess, I thought it would be more - but I did just clean it out a couple of days ago ;) Now you've invested this much time in reading about my purse - you're ready for the great insight, right?
It's simple, really... as I thought about this principle of "filling the allotted environment", the ultimate picture of this came to me:
God, too, will fill the space that we purposefully choose to give Him. This thought flooded my mind with possibilities...
Dedicate time for reading His Word: He will fill it!
Set aside a time of prayer & praise: He will fill it!
Dedicate time for serving others in His name: He will fill it!
Set aside (empty) your heart from self-driven motives: He will fill it!
It's really endless when you start thinking about it.
I believe our God is all about 'choice'. He could have created robot-creatures, but He didn't. He gave us free will... choice! We may choose to invite Him in or choose not to (but, make no mistake here - it's a choice either way!) I believe when we choose with a humble, servant's heart to ask Him into our 'space', He fills it in a way that we couldn't imagine.
Today, I'll challenge you (and myself!) to find even one small space in your day, in your life... and choose to set it aside specifically for Him! My prayer for you is this:
(Romans 15:13) May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
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