Front Porch Swing
Conversations we might be having if we still had front porch swings.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Are you moody?
I love this photo because it is such a great depiction of life. Old, muddy ruts, mixed with fresh covered ground, blue skies mixed with dark clouds, young trees trying to grow, and old trees trying to stay erect...a mixed bag for sure! And my how our moods can change just by focusing on the different views. But, when we look at the whole picture, we see the beauty of an amazing Creator who is constantly doing something new among the old, revealing hope amidst the clouds and revealing the path where it is safe to walk along with the uncharted ground that is yet to be trampled on.
Isaiah 43 reminds us that God is constantly on the move. He is doing brand new things in our familiar lives. Do we see Him? Are we paying attention? He longs to be gracious to us and rises to show us compassion. My prayer daily has become that I would embrace these amazing gifts, no matter what the picture looks like, and trust that He is leading me in His grace and compassion (Isaiah 30), His hand of blessing rests upon me (Psalm 139) and He follows me with His love and mercy (Psalm 23). Focusing here replaces whatever foul mood my nature sinks to (and believe me, it goes there quickly) and fills my heart with hope and joy. Help me to dwell here Spirit! Are you moody? Lift your eyes!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Weird envy
I am so proud of my sisters at Teen Challenge who are hanging in there and doing the work that needs to be done in order to live sober in our pressure filled society. Yesterday I had a moment with them. A moment that was a weird envy. We started talking about where 'they' will be this year for the holidays. We addressed the obvious: not home (which can be good, bad, or both), not with family, not with familiar traditions etc. That can make us feel very homesick for either what we had, or what we wish we had, or what we think others have in our fantasy minds. But then we were all invited to a new thought...what IF...
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Roadblocks
It’s so frustrating to hit a train or a detour on a road when you are trying to get somewhere in a timely fashion. Last week I was late to Teen Challenge because of a train parked on the tracks. That train tried to frustrate me and steal all my joy. Wow. I gave that train a lot of power. My goal was to get to TC, and I did, but I sure let that silly train mess with my head. I almost decided I shouldn’t even go.
Do you ever let people block your way to Jesus and frustrate you so much that you never reach Him? How it must grieve Him when His children stop seeking Him because of the behavior of other “Christians.” Those intolerant, judgmental, hypocritical, back biting believers park right in front of us and block our view. Then we lump them all together where pretty soon the whole church is one big nasty train that is going nowhere fast and we want nothing to do with it. “Let’s just go home.”
Yep. I’ve been there. I’ve let sin sick sinners like me keep me from the beauty of Jesus far too often. My own behavior and the behavior of my brothers and sisters has robbed my joy and made me sour (even toxic) more times than I care to admit. But, I’m learning to wait, or go around and make sure I reach the goal of seeing Jesus…because He is not like me. I am seeing how God loves the stubborn trains, even the train wrecks, and how He heals us with His abundant goodness. The fruit of that seeking is so sweet. Jesus set His face like a flint; fixed on the Father. Can you imagine if he let the ‘religious people’ sidetrack Him?
“I wait quietly before God, for my salvation (daily!) comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken.”
Psalm 62
Friday, November 19, 2010
Favorite Things!
Favorite Things
We had a sleepover with our grandsons the other night. At breakfast I asked Milo, “Do you know what my very favorite thing in all the world is?” And he said “what gg?” “Having a sleepover with you!” He smiled big and said, “me too.” Delightful.
Do you ever wonder what if feels like for God to delight in you as you delight in Him? I’m getting a taste and it is sweet.
I can’t imagine my grandsons running through the door and me saying, “okay, line up…here is the list of to-dos while you are here. Get to work!” Yes, we have disciplines we keep (eating, sleeping, cleaning up etc.), but those are not the basic disciplines of our relationship. Mainly we practice the discipline of celebration, rest, communion (talking to one another) and a few corrections of behavior along the way (my least favorite part).
I wonder how God enjoys my relationship with Him. He tells me He welcomes me as his special guest and anoints my head with oil. He prepares a feast for me and pursues me with goodness and unfailing love (Psalm 23). Wow. I hope I’m a grandma like Him. And, I hope I learn to delight in Him just like I see our grandsons delighting in time with us. My cup overflows!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
The power of story: HIS story
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Crossing the bridge: next steps
Hi friends...so I've been working on this blog and trying to get it up to speed with where I am at these days. It (the blog and me) is a work in progress that I would love to get your feedback on. Check out the links to the right under INTIMACY REALIZED. I am stepping out in faith, trusting that the Shepherd is leading.