Interesting quote I heard this week. Made me laugh out loud.
"You can't change the proud. You can't change the stupid. You can't change the selfish. You can only change your underwear."
Hmm. Words to live by. ;)
Friday, August 22, 2014
The "Heart" Man
Oh my...I struck gold with my Mr. Right. Finding a real "heart" man...was definitely worth waiting for!!! Yep!!!...I'll say it again to single women everywhere...waiting for God's timing has been the absolute best decision!! God is so good.
It's been a hugely stressful season...August always is with school prep. Adding into that my friend's mom who is passing and my friend's deep sorrow, a friend who is moving on, and just a lot of other sad things...I've been so overwhelmed. Well, Mr. Right swoops in being his wonderful self, and on one night when I was sad, he came over, listened and quoted me Forrest Gump. YES!!! Pretty amazing.
"Sometimes I guess there just aren't enough rocks."
It's been a hugely stressful season...August always is with school prep. Adding into that my friend's mom who is passing and my friend's deep sorrow, a friend who is moving on, and just a lot of other sad things...I've been so overwhelmed. Well, Mr. Right swoops in being his wonderful self, and on one night when I was sad, he came over, listened and quoted me Forrest Gump. YES!!! Pretty amazing.
"Sometimes I guess there just aren't enough rocks."
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Wedding Planning...and Help
So here's an interesting discovery. While I'm trying to plan out the details of the upcoming wedding, I have a ton of people offering to help. And taking help....has NEVER been easy for me. Never.
Some of it is that I want people to be able to be at the wedding instead of assisting with everything.
Some is that...from ministry experience...not all help is "help". Hahaha.
Some, though, is a kind of pride. In a false humility, I may not want to be a burden to others. And in self-reliance, I don't want to admit I can't do it all myself.
Interesting...what my response to help can reveal. Sigh.
But...there's so much to celebrate!!! So letting people be a part of that special event is a sort of gift too. Honoring their hearts and their talents. Cheers to that!
Some of it is that I want people to be able to be at the wedding instead of assisting with everything.
Some is that...from ministry experience...not all help is "help". Hahaha.
Some, though, is a kind of pride. In a false humility, I may not want to be a burden to others. And in self-reliance, I don't want to admit I can't do it all myself.
Interesting...what my response to help can reveal. Sigh.
But...there's so much to celebrate!!! So letting people be a part of that special event is a sort of gift too. Honoring their hearts and their talents. Cheers to that!
Monday, August 18, 2014
Justice
Uffda...should probably clarify some of my ramblings.
Returning to "normal" life soon...and one of my friends isn't joining me. While so good for her...ugh...I'm so sad about injustice she has experienced. Right now her absence is reminding me that workplace abuse is alive and well in the world of education. Maybe it's an ok reminder though...it'll keep me vigilant that treatment of that sort doesn't happen again. Sigh. Sad stuff.
For the life of me, I'll never understand...why people need to make others the "enemy" instead of healthily working out their grievances. So tragic.
The good news???...God doesn't let our valleys be the end of our story. Here's to His restorative work...and hopefully a dose of justice for all. ;)
Returning to "normal" life soon...and one of my friends isn't joining me. While so good for her...ugh...I'm so sad about injustice she has experienced. Right now her absence is reminding me that workplace abuse is alive and well in the world of education. Maybe it's an ok reminder though...it'll keep me vigilant that treatment of that sort doesn't happen again. Sigh. Sad stuff.
For the life of me, I'll never understand...why people need to make others the "enemy" instead of healthily working out their grievances. So tragic.
The good news???...God doesn't let our valleys be the end of our story. Here's to His restorative work...and hopefully a dose of justice for all. ;)
Letting Go...Painful
One of those tricky moments...ugh.
The kind where there aren't really words that can...and maybe even should...be uttered. Trapped between the need to support and release and a whole lot of concerns about the whole person. I don't know...those moments when enough experience actually contributes to a lack of peace...
I'm working hard to not let satan do what he does best...introduce fear, suggest hurt or insult, inspire frustrations. Sigh. Standing against the things that can become a negative foothold but still processing the reality of loss.
Change in life...sucks. Especially when it comes to people you love.
Sigh.
Here's to kingdom realities that can...and hopefully will...trump the potential for negative across the board.
We need to be people who intentionally bring His goodness. We need to see people as more than minds and bodies. We need to take the whole person seriously, and as such, we need to also invest in the heart. True "becoming" is unleashed in intentionality...in the nurture and encouragement of the whole person. No particular system is perfect at it...but the Holy Spirit is. God, have Your way.
The kind where there aren't really words that can...and maybe even should...be uttered. Trapped between the need to support and release and a whole lot of concerns about the whole person. I don't know...those moments when enough experience actually contributes to a lack of peace...
I'm working hard to not let satan do what he does best...introduce fear, suggest hurt or insult, inspire frustrations. Sigh. Standing against the things that can become a negative foothold but still processing the reality of loss.
Change in life...sucks. Especially when it comes to people you love.
Sigh.
Here's to kingdom realities that can...and hopefully will...trump the potential for negative across the board.
We need to be people who intentionally bring His goodness. We need to see people as more than minds and bodies. We need to take the whole person seriously, and as such, we need to also invest in the heart. True "becoming" is unleashed in intentionality...in the nurture and encouragement of the whole person. No particular system is perfect at it...but the Holy Spirit is. God, have Your way.
Friday, August 15, 2014
Ministers in the Night
I've been sitting in Psalms lately for my devotions. The "130's" to be exact. :) When I read Psalm 134, I was immediately drawn to some different "takes" on some of the words...and it felt appropriate to share.
The Psalm is talking to the "servants of the Lord" who specifically "minister by night". I would suppose the literal meaning was the night shift of the temple, but it struck me how many people in my life "minister by night" in the sense of stepping into another's darkness or nightmare every day. The ones who run into the burning houses of life while everyone else is fleeing the scene. Such heroic and precious people.
Well, I love how it directs those people to a beautiful word..."sanctuary". It's the place of safety, presence and peace. Walking with someone in their hell...or dark night of the soul...is so very hard on the heart of the minister as well. They need to have those moments of sanctuary to have their compassionate hearts nurtured and filled.
What a great reminder that the God who crafted the heavens and the earth is that very same God who brings comfort and peace. So, ministers in the night????...know you are seen for your gifts! And, know there is rest for your mercy-driven heart!!!
The Psalm is talking to the "servants of the Lord" who specifically "minister by night". I would suppose the literal meaning was the night shift of the temple, but it struck me how many people in my life "minister by night" in the sense of stepping into another's darkness or nightmare every day. The ones who run into the burning houses of life while everyone else is fleeing the scene. Such heroic and precious people.
Well, I love how it directs those people to a beautiful word..."sanctuary". It's the place of safety, presence and peace. Walking with someone in their hell...or dark night of the soul...is so very hard on the heart of the minister as well. They need to have those moments of sanctuary to have their compassionate hearts nurtured and filled.
What a great reminder that the God who crafted the heavens and the earth is that very same God who brings comfort and peace. So, ministers in the night????...know you are seen for your gifts! And, know there is rest for your mercy-driven heart!!!
Psalm 134
1 Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord
who minister by night in the house of the Lord.
2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary
and praise the Lord.
who minister by night in the house of the Lord.
2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary
and praise the Lord.
3 May the Lord bless you from Zion,
he who is the Maker of heaven and earth.
he who is the Maker of heaven and earth.
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Who Knows...He Does
I overheard a conversation today about the death of Robin Williams. One of the people made a comment that struck at my heart. He said that he knew the actor wasn't a "believer" and then commented about how sad it was that he likely wasn't in heaven.
Ugh.
I just can't do that...make sure assessments like that.
My sister Debbie has had a lot of experience with people in their last moments via her job with hospice. She says all the time that the moment of death is so very sacred. She has experienced time and again the sense that the person in the process of departing is interacting with the divine beyond our comprehension. I witnessed my own Gramma definitely experiencing something of heaven in her process of dying. She continually reached out and smiled. Holy encounters free of the limitations of earthly constraints.
So...no...I can't make a statement like that when the reality beyond our physical reality is so much more of...everything...and everything we really need.
I'm all for people knowing and loving the Jesus I do...and I'm going to do what I can to hopefully show people who He is while I'm here. Other than that, I'll entrust it to that very same Jesus to meet people here and on their way to the beyond and to do what He does best...pursue the hearts of mankind.
Ugh.
I just can't do that...make sure assessments like that.
My sister Debbie has had a lot of experience with people in their last moments via her job with hospice. She says all the time that the moment of death is so very sacred. She has experienced time and again the sense that the person in the process of departing is interacting with the divine beyond our comprehension. I witnessed my own Gramma definitely experiencing something of heaven in her process of dying. She continually reached out and smiled. Holy encounters free of the limitations of earthly constraints.
So...no...I can't make a statement like that when the reality beyond our physical reality is so much more of...everything...and everything we really need.
I'm all for people knowing and loving the Jesus I do...and I'm going to do what I can to hopefully show people who He is while I'm here. Other than that, I'll entrust it to that very same Jesus to meet people here and on their way to the beyond and to do what He does best...pursue the hearts of mankind.
God in the Questions
I posted a blog yesterday wondering about married life, and God...I shouldn't be surprised...has showered me with His "view" in so many ways. Some in response to what I wrote. Thank you!!! Others without any knowledge!! Two friends texted me yesterday afternoon with some things they felt God was saying...and they had no clue I was in "ponder" mode. Great wisdom, encouragement and direction to just keep leaning on Him. God THROUGH people...so special. I also received a "random" link in my Facebook feed today...a blog about balance. And...my times with Him in the morning have been wonderful invitations to sit inside some powerful passages of Scripture. Peace with Him...God WITH us. :)
So...I say "Ponder Away!!!"...and let God meet you there. :)
One day at a time...one divine delight at a time... :)
So...I say "Ponder Away!!!"...and let God meet you there. :)
One day at a time...one divine delight at a time... :)
Monday, August 11, 2014
Thinking Down the Road
Married life is on the horizon, and I've been thinking about how my life may or may not...or must...change to adjust. Don't get me wrong...I'm SUPER excited. It's just that in the midst of all of the wonderful things that will happen, there will be some adjustments and...in the reality of any change, even good ones...I'll have some losses. So, I've been doing some pondering to prepare.
One of the things that comes to mind is how crazy-busy my life gets with my job. I work a 1.4 (1.0 is full-time) to make a bit more money. A more ministry-oriented job, you know...low pay generally. ;) So, when it gets especially insane, I'm basically dead and can get lax on other things. The notion of coming home to more intentional maintenance of a household (a step-daughter, cleaning and meal preps) seems a little ominous. I want the change, but the thought of it can be a little overwhelming. Trying to figure out how to manage all that on top of what I already struggle to manage...hmm. Here's to hoping it's possible! Guessing it will be, but the getting there might be a little traumatic. Ahh!! ;)
Complicating this is the fact that any "extra" time I have is usually directed toward passions I have for speaking, writing and assisting how I can with church. Having a job that I don't love any more, these moments are like water for a parched soul. So...you can see where I'm going here...how do I do those things with the job from hell and the blessing of a new family??? Hoping it's possible too! But again...the getting there might be a little traumatic. ;)
I wish I could find a job that released me more in my passions. Sigh. Baby steps.
Whatever is headed my way, I know that processing outside of my own head is probably a good thing. That and connecting with God in all of His goodness and wisdom. He has all of this in His hands. Doing so will help me clear the fog to see all the absolutely wonderful things that are on the way...miracles right from the Father's heart.
One of the things that comes to mind is how crazy-busy my life gets with my job. I work a 1.4 (1.0 is full-time) to make a bit more money. A more ministry-oriented job, you know...low pay generally. ;) So, when it gets especially insane, I'm basically dead and can get lax on other things. The notion of coming home to more intentional maintenance of a household (a step-daughter, cleaning and meal preps) seems a little ominous. I want the change, but the thought of it can be a little overwhelming. Trying to figure out how to manage all that on top of what I already struggle to manage...hmm. Here's to hoping it's possible! Guessing it will be, but the getting there might be a little traumatic. Ahh!! ;)
Complicating this is the fact that any "extra" time I have is usually directed toward passions I have for speaking, writing and assisting how I can with church. Having a job that I don't love any more, these moments are like water for a parched soul. So...you can see where I'm going here...how do I do those things with the job from hell and the blessing of a new family??? Hoping it's possible too! But again...the getting there might be a little traumatic. ;)
I wish I could find a job that released me more in my passions. Sigh. Baby steps.
Whatever is headed my way, I know that processing outside of my own head is probably a good thing. That and connecting with God in all of His goodness and wisdom. He has all of this in His hands. Doing so will help me clear the fog to see all the absolutely wonderful things that are on the way...miracles right from the Father's heart.
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Missing the Point
My cousin sent this to me. VERY interesting! The limitations that a sexualized culture places on identity, relationships and living to the fullest. Wow.
Was Bonhoeffer Gay and Other Adventures in Missing the Point
Was Bonhoeffer Gay and Other Adventures in Missing the Point
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