Because of strained family relationships, for some of you holidays are not pleasant times, but events weighed with the tension of trying to avoid confrontations. Arguments can erupt, opinions clash, and understanding is elusive. Ironic how some must endure--what should be the most joyous time of the year--holidays with people they like to be around the least.
Fortunately for us, we are blessed with great family. But sadly, that is not the case for most. So, if you are struggling to see Thanksgiving weekend and Christmas as times to look forward to and are just "trying to get through," let me encourage you with some words from Scripture.
Philippians 4:6-7: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
The Message puts it this way: "Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life."
In false perception, I used to think that if I offered everything up to God in prayer, that peace would come because He would modify the circumstances that were causing the anxiety. That rarely happens. It's not about the circumstance. The peace of God comes when our minds are focused on Him and not that which is perpetuating our fear or anger. He whose mind is fixed on Him will be kept in perfect peace.
Imagine yourself in a battle scene--Lord of the Rings perhaps. You are surrounded by evil, evil that wants to make you miserable, destroy your joy, take your very life. Feeling overwhelmed with anxiety is an understatement. You hardly know what to do. You pray, but you feel no different. The Orcs are closing in on you, laughing, taunting you with swords. You continue praying, but you turn yours eyes toward your Commander, the King of the warriors. His might is unmatched, his skill incomprehensible. No worry etches his brow. He is not afraid. You do not doubt that he is more than capable of protecting you. And instead of glancing back at all the evil, you keep your vision focused in His direction. Our perspectives change and our fears will calm when we keep our eyes fixed on our warrior.
Through the anxiety of strained relationships, unpleasant confrontations, and misunderstanding people, remember that there is one who "gets you," loves you fully, and desires to be near. When you feel yourself overcome with anxious thoughts, turn your eyes toward our Ultimate Warrior, our Lord. May His peace guard your hearts and minds.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Tuesday Trips: Imagine...
Imagine yourself here, under this tree. You're walking around, hearing the crunch, crunch under your feet. Your view turns upwards as you scan the blue peeking through the vibrant yellow. Leaves are thrown up all around you, shuttering against the Indian summer breeze, cascading around like petals. You fall to the ground and make snow angels in the leaves, and let the warm sun rest on your closed lids. You are still; you hear nothing but the faint chirp of a Cardinal and smell the leathery smoke scent of autumn. Your friend joins you, offering you a cup of hot cocoa. As you sip, you reminisce and laugh from your gut. Your soul feels free, rested, and you are now ready to walk home.
Monday, November 23, 2009
To Carry Your Love
This morning I was listening to Caedmon's Call (it's been a long time) and looking through the world vision gift catalog. This past year--and even more so in the last few months--God has been stirring my heart to see the needs of his people (most specifically of children). Perhaps it is because I am a new mom or perhaps it is because my heart has always been sensitive to the innocent, but I have been convicted about the surplus of "things" that I have when so many are without the barest necessities. Who needs another purse or pair of earrings when I can take those funds and make sure that a child has clean drinking water and food?
Although this post may not seem to line up with the theme of the blog, I'd argue that few things bring more peace, joy, or fulfillment to your spirit than giving to someone else in need. Too often the crux of our "problems" and complaints stem from a lack of gratitude and perspective from what we really have. Now, I'm not saying that there are not legitimate struggles in your life, but on the whole, Americans don't really understand what true need looks like.
So I'd challenge you to do something radically different this Christmas season. Instead of giving gifts that people don't really need or will forget about in a month, and instead of receiving more stuff you don't need, consider giving to a child this year. You can check out the World Vision page by going to www.worldvisiongifts.org. In fact, you can even personalize a card to the gift honorees. May God encourage your hearts to carry His love.
Although this post may not seem to line up with the theme of the blog, I'd argue that few things bring more peace, joy, or fulfillment to your spirit than giving to someone else in need. Too often the crux of our "problems" and complaints stem from a lack of gratitude and perspective from what we really have. Now, I'm not saying that there are not legitimate struggles in your life, but on the whole, Americans don't really understand what true need looks like.
So I'd challenge you to do something radically different this Christmas season. Instead of giving gifts that people don't really need or will forget about in a month, and instead of receiving more stuff you don't need, consider giving to a child this year. You can check out the World Vision page by going to www.worldvisiongifts.org. In fact, you can even personalize a card to the gift honorees. May God encourage your hearts to carry His love.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Pull Along...
Since I had such a satisfying weekend, I'm just not ready to jump into a Monday "mood"... so, I guess I won't. Mellow Monday is out; pull along the weekend. In the essential holiday spirit, is it not fitting to just view this whole week as a fun time? ...Even though I do have to work the same amount of time? ;) But after all, Thanksgiving is only four days away.
So, I thought I'd see what is most meaningful to you. When you dream about the holidays and relive childhood memories, what comes to mind?
For me it is the Macy's day parade, baking several homemade pies, the scent of cinnamon, and one particular plaid shirt--a favorite. I think the whole preparation time at home with Mom and sitting with Zach in the living room made more of a festive impression on me than the actual Thanksgiving dinner event.
So, I thought I'd see what is most meaningful to you. When you dream about the holidays and relive childhood memories, what comes to mind?
For me it is the Macy's day parade, baking several homemade pies, the scent of cinnamon, and one particular plaid shirt--a favorite. I think the whole preparation time at home with Mom and sitting with Zach in the living room made more of a festive impression on me than the actual Thanksgiving dinner event.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Thankful Thursday
Thanksgiving is a week away!
For today, I decided to pull up one of my old articles that was published a couple years ago. Here is a link, if you want to check out WT online. http://wtonline.ag.org/features/having_a_thankful_heart.cfm
Otherwise, here is the text in full. Let me know what your thoughts are.
Having a Thankful Heart
The Scriptures tell us to give thanks always—not just when we feel like it. For most of us, it seems a lot easier to make demands or complain to God rather than joyfully remember all He is doing. Only an eternal perspective will allow us to view our lives in a way that always leads to thanksgiving.
Recently, one of my friends and I started e-mailing “thanks for” lists back and forth to one another. We wrote a “thanks” for washing machines, sunshine, hammocks, fresh strawberries, laughter, memories. The list could go on and on.
Since then, my friend and I have gotten out of the habit of writing these lists, but every once in a while, I will pray only words of gratitude to God. When I do this, joy begins to move through my heart and I am reminded again of how great our God is and how abundant His blessings are. Thanking Him for the ability to get up and walk on healthy legs and see with healthy eyes does a lot for putting my “bad day” in perspective.
In 1 Chronicles 23:30, King David commands the people to “stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord, and likewise at evening” (NASB). What an incredible way to start every day; what a life-giving practice to establish. Psalm 50:23 says this: “He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors me; if you keep to my path I will reveal to you the salvation of God” (NIV).
The use of sacrifice in this text emphasizes an interesting point. Giving thanks is not always easy. Yet our praise and gratitude do not have to be directly tied to our emotions. Despite difficult circumstances and trials, we can choose to offer our words and hearts to God in gratitude. It is a discipline, a way to actively captivate our thoughts before the Lord. Often, our circumstances will naturally pull us toward discouragement, a complaining attitude and a lack of joy. But if we refuse to be passive in our thought lives, offering up words of gratitude instead, we often find that God renews our hope.
You can take a few practical steps to realign your thinking. When you find yourself dwelling on the negative, pull out a piece of paper and spend one minute writing down things you are thankful for. Nothing is too big or small for the list; just write it down. Take the list to God as a prayer offering, asking Him for the strength to think with gratitude.
Another idea involves your interaction with people. Most complaints come from the negative views all around you, so if someone hurts, disappoints or frustrates you, take that person to the Lord. Ask Him to give you the eyes to see them as He does, and then choose to remember all the ways that person has impacted, changed or blessed you. When you’re consciously grateful for someone, it is difficult to have a critical spirit toward her. Paul entreats Timothy with this request: “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them” (1 Timothy 2:1, NASB).
Take the Word of God as a challenge, reflecting on all the writers who spoke about having a grateful heart. Remember that these men were not perfect, but they chose thankfulness. They decided to offer gratitude beyond their circumstances.
God often uses ugly situations to develop beautiful character within us. The next time you are confronted with the decision to complain or to praise, choose to focus on the positive. Take the opportunity to thank God for what He is doing and what He will do.
For today, I decided to pull up one of my old articles that was published a couple years ago. Here is a link, if you want to check out WT online. http://wtonline.ag.org/features/having_a_thankful_heart.cfm
Otherwise, here is the text in full. Let me know what your thoughts are.
Having a Thankful Heart
The Scriptures tell us to give thanks always—not just when we feel like it. For most of us, it seems a lot easier to make demands or complain to God rather than joyfully remember all He is doing. Only an eternal perspective will allow us to view our lives in a way that always leads to thanksgiving.
Recently, one of my friends and I started e-mailing “thanks for” lists back and forth to one another. We wrote a “thanks” for washing machines, sunshine, hammocks, fresh strawberries, laughter, memories. The list could go on and on.
Since then, my friend and I have gotten out of the habit of writing these lists, but every once in a while, I will pray only words of gratitude to God. When I do this, joy begins to move through my heart and I am reminded again of how great our God is and how abundant His blessings are. Thanking Him for the ability to get up and walk on healthy legs and see with healthy eyes does a lot for putting my “bad day” in perspective.
In 1 Chronicles 23:30, King David commands the people to “stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord, and likewise at evening” (NASB). What an incredible way to start every day; what a life-giving practice to establish. Psalm 50:23 says this: “He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors me; if you keep to my path I will reveal to you the salvation of God” (NIV).
The use of sacrifice in this text emphasizes an interesting point. Giving thanks is not always easy. Yet our praise and gratitude do not have to be directly tied to our emotions. Despite difficult circumstances and trials, we can choose to offer our words and hearts to God in gratitude. It is a discipline, a way to actively captivate our thoughts before the Lord. Often, our circumstances will naturally pull us toward discouragement, a complaining attitude and a lack of joy. But if we refuse to be passive in our thought lives, offering up words of gratitude instead, we often find that God renews our hope.
You can take a few practical steps to realign your thinking. When you find yourself dwelling on the negative, pull out a piece of paper and spend one minute writing down things you are thankful for. Nothing is too big or small for the list; just write it down. Take the list to God as a prayer offering, asking Him for the strength to think with gratitude.
Another idea involves your interaction with people. Most complaints come from the negative views all around you, so if someone hurts, disappoints or frustrates you, take that person to the Lord. Ask Him to give you the eyes to see them as He does, and then choose to remember all the ways that person has impacted, changed or blessed you. When you’re consciously grateful for someone, it is difficult to have a critical spirit toward her. Paul entreats Timothy with this request: “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them” (1 Timothy 2:1, NASB).
Take the Word of God as a challenge, reflecting on all the writers who spoke about having a grateful heart. Remember that these men were not perfect, but they chose thankfulness. They decided to offer gratitude beyond their circumstances.
God often uses ugly situations to develop beautiful character within us. The next time you are confronted with the decision to complain or to praise, choose to focus on the positive. Take the opportunity to thank God for what He is doing and what He will do.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Worry-free Wednesday
Music contains some persuasive powers over my emotions. Even without words, the melodies can conjure up feelings of sadness, elation, rage, or energy. One song that has been a classic favorite over the years is Louis Armstrong's What a Wonderful World. It just makes me happy. Perhaps it's the combination of lyrics and music. Who knows. But seemingly, the only disadvantage to the song is how short it is. I always thought numerous verses could have been added, and it's always over long before I am ready for it to be.
I see skies of blue, clouds of white, the bright blessed day, the dark sacred night... and I think to myself... what a wonderful world.
The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky, are also on the faces of people going by. I see friends shaking hands, saying "how do you do?"... They're really saying, "i love you,"
I see babies cry; I watch them grow. They'll learn much more than I'll ever know. And I think to myself... what a wonderful world.
So, if you could add a verse to this song, what would it be? Do share.
I see skies of blue, clouds of white, the bright blessed day, the dark sacred night... and I think to myself... what a wonderful world.
The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky, are also on the faces of people going by. I see friends shaking hands, saying "how do you do?"... They're really saying, "i love you,"
I see babies cry; I watch them grow. They'll learn much more than I'll ever know. And I think to myself... what a wonderful world.
So, if you could add a verse to this song, what would it be? Do share.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Tuesday Trip
Take a trip down memory lane or make a new memory with your child--or any child--by blowing bubbles together. Although Maddie is very young and is nowhere near mastering the delicate art of blowing, she loves to touch and pop each bubble that floats down around her. This afternoon I pulled out her 2 1/2 liter of bubbles (which I got at Walgreens for $1.50 by the way) and we laid a beach towel out on the floor (because of the nasty weather outside). Such delight. Such simple delight. So, that's your exercise for the day. Some time this week blow some bubbles. Money and weather are no excuses and as all these postings attest, it only takes ten minutes for a some simple rest and bliss.
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