"Your kingdom come, Your will be done." Matthew 6:10
As I look towards the future and pray for direction, whether it be in job-related activities, art, writing, family, health, I am reminded by this scripture that He knows better than me the path I am to take, and in fact, it is Him who sees the entire purpose of what I go through today and how it will impact the days to come.
What I pray for, is abundance of blessings, as He calls us to pray; not to pray that God would award me with a million dollars or a brand new car, as if I am owed such a thing, as if those things have matter. But, rather that I would go beyond the poverty line of faith, that I would accept Him at his word that he has storehouses of riches and blessings and promises for me in Heaven. That I wouldn't wait Heaven to see what I have missed out on in this life.
So, with this knowledge, I seek His will and perfect plan for my life, abiding in him minutely, hourly, daily. In all I do during the day and have going on in my life, I just trust that it will all work out according to His purposes. I pray that my heart will be so aligned with His that all that I desire would be in alliance with His heart. Whatever I hope for today, I hope tomorrow it will work out for the greater good of the kingdom in Heaven and in Earth.
I don't know, maybe what you are going through, whether success or struggle, you can rest in the promise that it will all work out for good, if we hope and have faith.
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:14
He who has ears to hear, let him hear
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Friday, April 13, 2012
Father's Love, or something of that nature
So, this morning in my prayer and devotional time, I happened to fall upon Matthew 6, specifically verse 9, which the Lord Jesus speaks of how we should pray. Now, I know those who may have been exposed to Catholicism have a different viewpoint of this prayer, that is one of memorization and too structured for their taste, and that, honestly, is how I used to see it. But, I had it explained to me, a few years ago, that gave me a fresh perspective of the idea of prayer, worship, and my relationship with, none other, than the Father God.
Now, those of you who know me personally, know I have had issues with my own father, indeed even men that could be father figures, for actually not being who I wanted them or needed them to be. This has in fact led to some insecurities and misunderstandings with the Father God, in a sense, I am okay with the Son and the Spirit, but this Father figure, who is He, really?
So, in the past years, I have begun to look at what it means to have a Father, what my needs are for that and how this trouble with a father figure has caused trouble in relationships with men, of all ages, and even a lack of trust in friends of the same sex. Just all around feeling rotten about the whole relationship issue, and even, slipping into some relative form of codependency, which is to say, maybe they won't hurt me or leave me or be mean to me if I do everything to please them and make them like me. Well, that doesn't really work.
So, in my time of healing, I decided that I wanted to look at what it means to have a Father that loves me, is there for me, won't leave me. The only true infallible father that meets these "requirements" is in fact the Father in Heaven. As John writes in his first epistle,
"Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!" (1 John 3:1)
So, with a stretch of my faith, I allow the love of the Father to fill me and accept his gracious pouring out of love, knowing that this will not only strengthen me in all my endeavors, empower me to overcome my weaknesses, and help me, in effect, know how to rightly behave in relationships of any kind.
So, looking at the Lord's prayer, I am awakened to a new sense of understanding, a new revelation:
"Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be your name." (Matt. 6:9)
So, remember this doesn't mean that you have to pray these exact words, but really I think, to start out your prayers meditating on and being thankful for the awesome greatness and sovereignty of the Father, in a sense, being thankful for the love He so graciously gives us. And, I say yesterday, asking in faith for these abundant blessings He has promised us.
So, today, Father, I worship you, I pray, not only in this moment, but in the moments to follow and in the days, weeks, months, years to come. I worship you for your perfect plan for my life. I pray that today, in all I do, I would meditate on and constantly be aware of your presence, your power, and your promises. I thank you for all you have done for me in the past, what you have for me today, and in the future. I surrender to you with hope and patience. And yes, Lord, I thank you so greatfully for Jesus. In love, Amen.
He who has ears to hear, let him hear...
Now, those of you who know me personally, know I have had issues with my own father, indeed even men that could be father figures, for actually not being who I wanted them or needed them to be. This has in fact led to some insecurities and misunderstandings with the Father God, in a sense, I am okay with the Son and the Spirit, but this Father figure, who is He, really?
So, in the past years, I have begun to look at what it means to have a Father, what my needs are for that and how this trouble with a father figure has caused trouble in relationships with men, of all ages, and even a lack of trust in friends of the same sex. Just all around feeling rotten about the whole relationship issue, and even, slipping into some relative form of codependency, which is to say, maybe they won't hurt me or leave me or be mean to me if I do everything to please them and make them like me. Well, that doesn't really work.
So, in my time of healing, I decided that I wanted to look at what it means to have a Father that loves me, is there for me, won't leave me. The only true infallible father that meets these "requirements" is in fact the Father in Heaven. As John writes in his first epistle,
"Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!" (1 John 3:1)
So, with a stretch of my faith, I allow the love of the Father to fill me and accept his gracious pouring out of love, knowing that this will not only strengthen me in all my endeavors, empower me to overcome my weaknesses, and help me, in effect, know how to rightly behave in relationships of any kind.
So, looking at the Lord's prayer, I am awakened to a new sense of understanding, a new revelation:
"Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be your name." (Matt. 6:9)
So, remember this doesn't mean that you have to pray these exact words, but really I think, to start out your prayers meditating on and being thankful for the awesome greatness and sovereignty of the Father, in a sense, being thankful for the love He so graciously gives us. And, I say yesterday, asking in faith for these abundant blessings He has promised us.
So, today, Father, I worship you, I pray, not only in this moment, but in the moments to follow and in the days, weeks, months, years to come. I worship you for your perfect plan for my life. I pray that today, in all I do, I would meditate on and constantly be aware of your presence, your power, and your promises. I thank you for all you have done for me in the past, what you have for me today, and in the future. I surrender to you with hope and patience. And yes, Lord, I thank you so greatfully for Jesus. In love, Amen.
He who has ears to hear, let him hear...
Thursday, April 12, 2012
So, how do you make gluten-free chocolate chip cookies?
I've been trying off and on for months, whenever I can afford good chocolate chips and whenever I find that mad craving, like the other night I dreamed I had gooey gooey chocolate chip cookies, and ate them all as quick as can be. That was a dream...but when I try to make it, they come out all flat and burned, never like the pictures you see in magazines or cookbooks. I seem to be able to make brownies and cakes, but the art of chocolate chip cookies evades me.
The other night I tried to make gluten-free graham cracker brownies (did you know there are actually, really, bona-fide gluten-free graham crackers now? PTL), however, tried and, could I say, failed...my husband and I ended up eating all the chocolate chips and graham crackers...we couldn't resist and me having this nasty nagging hanging on cold, I seem to be a little tired to cook, oh well, life goes on. But, I am starting to feel better, after garlic-gluten-free-buffalo burgers, I coughed up some flem (yay, aren't you glad you just read that?) and then fell fast asleep on clean sheets and woke up with the sniffles and such and such gone.
But, here is another gross part, when I went #2, blood came out and what do you say to that, (after gagging and maybe barfing), its because I ate gluten, in what, sadly, girl scout cookies. Yes, its true but I can no longer enjoy the deliciousness of girl scout cookies. (Too bad, they aren't actually made of girl scouts, hey, wait a minute!)
Anyway, prayers and good thoughts are requested. God has opened up several doors for me to work close to home in Ashland (actually within walking distance, if I can get up early enough) basically self-employed. Already, I have two nanny jobs that pay well, hopefully, with increasing hours and am waiting on a caregiving job which is mostly in the bag! Today, I have applied for a weeding/pet sitting job, a tutoring job, and, even, a modeling job. So, fingers crossed, prayers go up, and I stand, as much as I possibly can, waiting in faith.
Yeah, doesn't it seem we are always waiting, waiting, waiting....the trick is to relax and enjoy the ride or the walk or the crawl...
And, for the past three months since this momentous year began, my husband and I have been praying for than just, Lord, provide for our needs, but for the abundant blessings and wealth, not just wordly, but spiritual...but, in fact, that not only will our needs be met, but fulfilled over and abundantly. And, now it seems we are finally getting caught up on bills and other expenses, and with faithfulness to give out what we have, God seems to be providing just that. (Like, for example, when I added up all my groceries in my head and then went up to pay, it came out to the exact amount that I had calculated, PTL!)
So, the message for today is: Don't just pray for the poverty line, pray for everything you can ask for and more, and trust that God will provide in accordance with his will, because, after all, hasn't he always promised us the kingdom, his entire heart, love, everything that we desire:
The Prayer of Jabez says:
Oh, that you would bless me indeed
and enlarge my territory
that your hand would be with me,
and that you would keep me from evil.
He who has ears to hear let him hear.
The other night I tried to make gluten-free graham cracker brownies (did you know there are actually, really, bona-fide gluten-free graham crackers now? PTL), however, tried and, could I say, failed...my husband and I ended up eating all the chocolate chips and graham crackers...we couldn't resist and me having this nasty nagging hanging on cold, I seem to be a little tired to cook, oh well, life goes on. But, I am starting to feel better, after garlic-gluten-free-buffalo burgers, I coughed up some flem (yay, aren't you glad you just read that?) and then fell fast asleep on clean sheets and woke up with the sniffles and such and such gone.
But, here is another gross part, when I went #2, blood came out and what do you say to that, (after gagging and maybe barfing), its because I ate gluten, in what, sadly, girl scout cookies. Yes, its true but I can no longer enjoy the deliciousness of girl scout cookies. (Too bad, they aren't actually made of girl scouts, hey, wait a minute!)
Anyway, prayers and good thoughts are requested. God has opened up several doors for me to work close to home in Ashland (actually within walking distance, if I can get up early enough) basically self-employed. Already, I have two nanny jobs that pay well, hopefully, with increasing hours and am waiting on a caregiving job which is mostly in the bag! Today, I have applied for a weeding/pet sitting job, a tutoring job, and, even, a modeling job. So, fingers crossed, prayers go up, and I stand, as much as I possibly can, waiting in faith.
Yeah, doesn't it seem we are always waiting, waiting, waiting....the trick is to relax and enjoy the ride or the walk or the crawl...
And, for the past three months since this momentous year began, my husband and I have been praying for than just, Lord, provide for our needs, but for the abundant blessings and wealth, not just wordly, but spiritual...but, in fact, that not only will our needs be met, but fulfilled over and abundantly. And, now it seems we are finally getting caught up on bills and other expenses, and with faithfulness to give out what we have, God seems to be providing just that. (Like, for example, when I added up all my groceries in my head and then went up to pay, it came out to the exact amount that I had calculated, PTL!)
So, the message for today is: Don't just pray for the poverty line, pray for everything you can ask for and more, and trust that God will provide in accordance with his will, because, after all, hasn't he always promised us the kingdom, his entire heart, love, everything that we desire:
The Prayer of Jabez says:
Oh, that you would bless me indeed
and enlarge my territory
that your hand would be with me,
and that you would keep me from evil.
He who has ears to hear let him hear.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Let God, Let Go?
So much is happening in my life personally, both internally and externally, and yet both seem to have an effect on my own being....as I am sure much change is occuring in your lives, dear reader...from gray hairs to increasingly rising gas prices (which probably are causing the gray hairs) to new beginnings....well, it all wraps up in some kind of purpose...for all of us.
Yeah, these last so many years (6 or so, I lose count), I think I have really struggled, grown, yes, emotionally, mentally, spiritually (no, not physically)...but, in the grand scheme of things, I must admit I have been a royal b with an "itch", pardon my french (what, that's not french?) Alon-sy, let's move on!
So, I have been praying for healing in my own heart, in those relationships I have wronged, and for those people as well...and in time going to them, making amends, offering my apology, and then just practicing the art of letting go, which can be difficult, but with God's grace all things are possible...and letting that individual decide whether they want to return or move on....all things, including relationships, have a reason, to everything there is a season, including friendships...And, I am thankful for each one, the ones that have newly come into my life, the ones that have hung on for years, and the ones who have moved on...each have made my life richer, brighter, and more meaningful. In short, all of you have made me a 'rainbow', made me the person I am today... All of you are reflections of God's love in my life!!!
So, now my heart struggles with what to do about forgiving and moving on with two people who in the past have had primary roles in my life, my college boyfriend and high school best friend!!! Seriously, it has been years since the horribleness of high school and what happened with that girl, and I keep thinking, really, that I have forgiven and forgotten, but then it rises up again...and really it always boils down to trust. I just don't think I CAN trust her, but I wish I could. It causes quite an anxiety about someone I used to love, even though it has been years. So, I keep breathing, and releasing, and saying "Let God, let go" of this particular situation that has plagued me for almost 15 years +.
The next is the boyfriend, and this one, is closer to forgiving because I am starting to see that maybe he did some good...so, I guess, that is all in the timing.
But, the question is, do I want these people back in my life? Can I trust them?
Yeah, I guess as I learned in the play I just performed in, Our ways are not God's ways, there is a purpose for everything and a timing...but, the thing is, I am not even really thankful for the fact that these people were in my life at one point and can't even fathom the good they did...GAAA! But, all God asks is that we give out grace, as he did, and forgive, as he did....Can I? Can you?
What are your thoughts? What do you think I should do?
Yeah, these last so many years (6 or so, I lose count), I think I have really struggled, grown, yes, emotionally, mentally, spiritually (no, not physically)...but, in the grand scheme of things, I must admit I have been a royal b with an "itch", pardon my french (what, that's not french?) Alon-sy, let's move on!
So, I have been praying for healing in my own heart, in those relationships I have wronged, and for those people as well...and in time going to them, making amends, offering my apology, and then just practicing the art of letting go, which can be difficult, but with God's grace all things are possible...and letting that individual decide whether they want to return or move on....all things, including relationships, have a reason, to everything there is a season, including friendships...And, I am thankful for each one, the ones that have newly come into my life, the ones that have hung on for years, and the ones who have moved on...each have made my life richer, brighter, and more meaningful. In short, all of you have made me a 'rainbow', made me the person I am today... All of you are reflections of God's love in my life!!!
So, now my heart struggles with what to do about forgiving and moving on with two people who in the past have had primary roles in my life, my college boyfriend and high school best friend!!! Seriously, it has been years since the horribleness of high school and what happened with that girl, and I keep thinking, really, that I have forgiven and forgotten, but then it rises up again...and really it always boils down to trust. I just don't think I CAN trust her, but I wish I could. It causes quite an anxiety about someone I used to love, even though it has been years. So, I keep breathing, and releasing, and saying "Let God, let go" of this particular situation that has plagued me for almost 15 years +.
The next is the boyfriend, and this one, is closer to forgiving because I am starting to see that maybe he did some good...so, I guess, that is all in the timing.
But, the question is, do I want these people back in my life? Can I trust them?
Yeah, I guess as I learned in the play I just performed in, Our ways are not God's ways, there is a purpose for everything and a timing...but, the thing is, I am not even really thankful for the fact that these people were in my life at one point and can't even fathom the good they did...GAAA! But, all God asks is that we give out grace, as he did, and forgive, as he did....Can I? Can you?
What are your thoughts? What do you think I should do?
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