Zechariah 13
9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, And will refine them as silver is refined, And will try them as gold is tried: They shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: And they shall say, The Lord is my God.
I opened my fridge yesterday and a horrible smell came out of it. I thought, “What in the world is that smell”, I looked to see if I could see anything rotten that would be causing that smell. I did not find anything. So I dismissed it. My husband opened up the fridge and found the same smell and tried to find out what it was….and could not. Well, I was determined to figure it out, so I started moving things, picking up things, smelling things and I found the culprit. It was a package of feta cheese that had expired. Boy did it stink. A few hours later, we opened the fridge again and well, it still smelled. So we put some baking soda in there to soak up the stench. This morning, I again opened up the fridge and there was that same smell that we had yesterday, except worse. I am thinking now what in the world could it be. Then a light bulb came on (no not the fridge light), I remembered that I had salmon a couple days ago and I bet that some juice from the package slipped out. I immediately took out the disinfectant and cleaned the area. Yep, you guessed it, no more smell.
You know we have a lot of things in our lives that stink. Things that God does not like to see or smell. I think that He is constantly giving us signs of things that He wants us to clean up. I know in my life I have a lot of things that need cleaning. He puts things in my head that I did years and years ago. When they pop up, I ask God to forgive me and He does. He cleans me up. His plan is to make us pure. To refine us, to disinfect us in order to be a part of His church, His body. Do you find that things pop up in your mind? Things that happened forever ago? Realize that when those things pop up, and they will, that God is cleaning you up. He loves you. Ask for His forgiveness. He will. Once you go through this cleaning process, your light bulb will go off as well. You will become to realize how wonderful and loving our God is. We need to simply obey.
Dear Lord, I ask that you continue to refine me. Clean me up. All I want is to be your humble servant. Please show me what I need to throw away in order to become closer to you. You are our mighty Creator and you are the one in control of ALL things and I thank you so much that you love us so much to continue to clean us up and that you have the patience to not give up on us. In your mighty name, Amen.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Dancing Queen
Philippians 3
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
As far back as I can remember, I loved to dance. I remember dancing in front of company that would come and visit my parents. I remember dancing in front of the mirror for hours with my “curling iron” microphone. And oh, those high school dances. I remember going out with my friends and dancing till the sun came up. But what I remember the most about dancing was not really the dance part, but how the music would just take me away. A place away from whatever was bothering me at the time. I would just let the music consume me. I no longer had control over my body, the music did. Aaahhhh, it was awesome.
I so want to go back to that place where I don’t have to think about anything but the music. Let it take me away.
One of my papercuts is not allowing God to take over and control me, control my body. But that is exactly what He wants and needs me to do in order for His will to be done. It is so hard to just let go. To just allow the Holy Ghost to come in and move me, teach me, direct me. But yet that is exactly what my prayers are all about lately - "Lord, allow me to let the Holy Ghost guide me." But what I am finding out is that it is not God’s job to tell the Holy Ghost to move me, direct me, teach me. The Holy Ghost is ready willing and able. We have to submit and humble ourselves. Let Go and Let God. I so want to be at that place where I can pray and know that I know that the Holy Ghost is directing my prayers. Where I no longer have control, He is moving me like the music did. How beautiful it will be. It is all in our control to let go of our control. How profound is that? I am trying. Trying really hard to let go. Let God just consume me. Move to the flow and beat of His heart. I hope that you have found that place. And if you haven’t, I challenge you to not give up. Keep pressing forward. Maybe there is something that is in your heart that is preventing you from letting go. Search your heart. Ask God to reveal those things. He will. And when He does, ask for forgiveness. My hope is that at some point, we all will be at the place where we no longer have control and God is moving us in very powerful ways to fulfill His will.
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
As far back as I can remember, I loved to dance. I remember dancing in front of company that would come and visit my parents. I remember dancing in front of the mirror for hours with my “curling iron” microphone. And oh, those high school dances. I remember going out with my friends and dancing till the sun came up. But what I remember the most about dancing was not really the dance part, but how the music would just take me away. A place away from whatever was bothering me at the time. I would just let the music consume me. I no longer had control over my body, the music did. Aaahhhh, it was awesome.
I so want to go back to that place where I don’t have to think about anything but the music. Let it take me away.
One of my papercuts is not allowing God to take over and control me, control my body. But that is exactly what He wants and needs me to do in order for His will to be done. It is so hard to just let go. To just allow the Holy Ghost to come in and move me, teach me, direct me. But yet that is exactly what my prayers are all about lately - "Lord, allow me to let the Holy Ghost guide me." But what I am finding out is that it is not God’s job to tell the Holy Ghost to move me, direct me, teach me. The Holy Ghost is ready willing and able. We have to submit and humble ourselves. Let Go and Let God. I so want to be at that place where I can pray and know that I know that the Holy Ghost is directing my prayers. Where I no longer have control, He is moving me like the music did. How beautiful it will be. It is all in our control to let go of our control. How profound is that? I am trying. Trying really hard to let go. Let God just consume me. Move to the flow and beat of His heart. I hope that you have found that place. And if you haven’t, I challenge you to not give up. Keep pressing forward. Maybe there is something that is in your heart that is preventing you from letting go. Search your heart. Ask God to reveal those things. He will. And when He does, ask for forgiveness. My hope is that at some point, we all will be at the place where we no longer have control and God is moving us in very powerful ways to fulfill His will.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
New York, New York
Luke 11
9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.'
This past weekend Bruce and I went to a wedding in New Jersey. While we were there, I had the opportunity to go into New York City. I love going to New York. All the lights, the excitement, different walks of life are found in New York.
This was probably the third or fourth time that I have been in the city. And each time I go, I never come back with a shopping bag. My day has been totally filled with seeing all kinds of things, but yet I always feel that I should have done more. Next time I will definitely go in with a plan. Next time I will research and find exactly what I want to see and do and just concentrate on doing that versus just going to the City and just scrambling and just hitting the surface spots. I want to explore more. I want the City that never sleeps to come alive and I want to leave satisfied.
As I was leaving the Big Apple, I thought, wow, this can be related to how people seek God’s word. They don’t go in with a plan. Their daily time with God is skimmed over with a quick sentence through a devotional book and then they are off doing daily life. My friend, let me share with you how much you are missing when you don’t go in with a plan. When you don’t take the time to read God’s word. The Bible will never, ever become more than “feel good” words on a page. We need to dig deeper. The Bible is a living word. It is so alive and three dimensional. Open it up; take the time to really read it. Research a topic that is heavy on your heart. Are you angry, tempted, depressed, impatient? All of those things are my papercuts. God has a lot to say about each and every one of them. Don’t just skim and hit the surface. Dive in, look in the back of the concordance, research and read. Go shopping in your Bible and I promise you will come out with all sorts of bags filled with lots of really, really good things that will fulfill you until your next visit.
9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.'
This past weekend Bruce and I went to a wedding in New Jersey. While we were there, I had the opportunity to go into New York City. I love going to New York. All the lights, the excitement, different walks of life are found in New York.
This was probably the third or fourth time that I have been in the city. And each time I go, I never come back with a shopping bag. My day has been totally filled with seeing all kinds of things, but yet I always feel that I should have done more. Next time I will definitely go in with a plan. Next time I will research and find exactly what I want to see and do and just concentrate on doing that versus just going to the City and just scrambling and just hitting the surface spots. I want to explore more. I want the City that never sleeps to come alive and I want to leave satisfied.
As I was leaving the Big Apple, I thought, wow, this can be related to how people seek God’s word. They don’t go in with a plan. Their daily time with God is skimmed over with a quick sentence through a devotional book and then they are off doing daily life. My friend, let me share with you how much you are missing when you don’t go in with a plan. When you don’t take the time to read God’s word. The Bible will never, ever become more than “feel good” words on a page. We need to dig deeper. The Bible is a living word. It is so alive and three dimensional. Open it up; take the time to really read it. Research a topic that is heavy on your heart. Are you angry, tempted, depressed, impatient? All of those things are my papercuts. God has a lot to say about each and every one of them. Don’t just skim and hit the surface. Dive in, look in the back of the concordance, research and read. Go shopping in your Bible and I promise you will come out with all sorts of bags filled with lots of really, really good things that will fulfill you until your next visit.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Getting Down and Dirty
Matthew 6
25 Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?'
My whole life for the most part has been pretty sheltered. Yeah, of course I have gone through some major trials, but always came out clean – Thank You Jesus. As I look at my life now, even though unemployed, I have a pretty cushy one. My husband is very successful – Thank You Jesus, we all have our health. I live in a beautiful home. We basically want for nothing. Yet we are always looking for more. What is it that we are looking for? More stuff? Better job? More meaning to life?
There has to be something beyond these four walls that I have been surrounded by since I got laid off. Then the Lord talked to me. Patti, trust me. Go out and touch the world. Show them my Love that I have for them. While I was so excited to hear from God and His direction and eager to do it, I found myself at a screeching halt. What do you want? You want me to get out of my comfort zone, beyond these nice clean walls and get “Down and Dirty”? Then I realized that I had found yet another papercut of mine. Am I really going to trust in God with all my heart…..or just some of it?
As I continue down this spiritual journey I am realizing that that are a lot of people that “hear” God but they are scared. What if people don’t like me? What if I mess up? Lord, I am just not good enough. I have to clean my act up first. So they just ignore God and continue their nice clean life. We need to wake up and realize that God is in control of all things. This is His world. He already knows our needs even before we do. He will give us the tools that we need in order to “get down and dirty”. Have you heard God? Is there that tugging in your spirit to volunteer? Do you have the sense of urgency to pray for someone? Or to just give them a hug? Trust God. Don’t ignore that voice. Our job is to fulfill His will here and He is asking us to get a little dirty. Hey, you might find it a little fun to play in the mud. Let’s grab onto that childlike faith and jump in.
25 Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?'
My whole life for the most part has been pretty sheltered. Yeah, of course I have gone through some major trials, but always came out clean – Thank You Jesus. As I look at my life now, even though unemployed, I have a pretty cushy one. My husband is very successful – Thank You Jesus, we all have our health. I live in a beautiful home. We basically want for nothing. Yet we are always looking for more. What is it that we are looking for? More stuff? Better job? More meaning to life?
There has to be something beyond these four walls that I have been surrounded by since I got laid off. Then the Lord talked to me. Patti, trust me. Go out and touch the world. Show them my Love that I have for them. While I was so excited to hear from God and His direction and eager to do it, I found myself at a screeching halt. What do you want? You want me to get out of my comfort zone, beyond these nice clean walls and get “Down and Dirty”? Then I realized that I had found yet another papercut of mine. Am I really going to trust in God with all my heart…..or just some of it?
As I continue down this spiritual journey I am realizing that that are a lot of people that “hear” God but they are scared. What if people don’t like me? What if I mess up? Lord, I am just not good enough. I have to clean my act up first. So they just ignore God and continue their nice clean life. We need to wake up and realize that God is in control of all things. This is His world. He already knows our needs even before we do. He will give us the tools that we need in order to “get down and dirty”. Have you heard God? Is there that tugging in your spirit to volunteer? Do you have the sense of urgency to pray for someone? Or to just give them a hug? Trust God. Don’t ignore that voice. Our job is to fulfill His will here and He is asking us to get a little dirty. Hey, you might find it a little fun to play in the mud. Let’s grab onto that childlike faith and jump in.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Love Loves
Leviticus 19
18 " 'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbors as yourself.
Love Loves is a silly term that my husband and I say to each other. I am not sure how it started, or when, but when we are feeling, well, lovey dovey, we say that. As I was expressing my love to my husband the other day, I thought, wow, I really love this person. And then I thought, WOW, how much my Lord and Savior really loves me.
Then of course, I was reminded of yet another papercut that always creeps in. I know that I love my husband and I know that my God loves me and I love them back. But what about everybody else. Do I love my neighbor as I love myself, or my husband or God?
Think about it. The devil wants us to think that we do. Even asking this question to yourself, you are probably saying.."of course I love thy neighbor as myself". But do you really? What about that person that cuts you off while driving, or that little old lady that is blocking the aisle in the grocery store and you are in a hurry or your boss yelling at you or even somone that is talking bad about God. Those are papercuts that we don't even think about. I am reminded time and time again......Jesus did not die on the cross for just me or for all the Christians, but He died for ALL. The next time you want to "spit fire" at that person that is in your way, stop and just lift them up in prayer. See what happens to you. You will be changed. We can do ALL THINGS through Christ who strengthens us.
18 " 'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbors as yourself.
Love Loves is a silly term that my husband and I say to each other. I am not sure how it started, or when, but when we are feeling, well, lovey dovey, we say that. As I was expressing my love to my husband the other day, I thought, wow, I really love this person. And then I thought, WOW, how much my Lord and Savior really loves me.
Then of course, I was reminded of yet another papercut that always creeps in. I know that I love my husband and I know that my God loves me and I love them back. But what about everybody else. Do I love my neighbor as I love myself, or my husband or God?
Think about it. The devil wants us to think that we do. Even asking this question to yourself, you are probably saying.."of course I love thy neighbor as myself". But do you really? What about that person that cuts you off while driving, or that little old lady that is blocking the aisle in the grocery store and you are in a hurry or your boss yelling at you or even somone that is talking bad about God. Those are papercuts that we don't even think about. I am reminded time and time again......Jesus did not die on the cross for just me or for all the Christians, but He died for ALL. The next time you want to "spit fire" at that person that is in your way, stop and just lift them up in prayer. See what happens to you. You will be changed. We can do ALL THINGS through Christ who strengthens us.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Wine and "Spirits"
Ephesians 5
18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
Last night, we went out to celebrate mom’s baptism, which was great. I had two glasses of wine. Not that big of a deal most of the time. However, I have learned what the verse above means. If you are truly experiencing spiritual warfare, and I hope that each of you are, then take heed. The devil will use any tactic to beat you down and take advantage of you. While my two glasses of wine did not “lead to debauchery”, it did however lead to a disagreement between my husband and I. And it also lead to some pretty interesting dreams while I was “trying” to sleep. My point is, just take heed, lest you fall into the wiles of the devil. We do not want to be “exactly where he wants us”. We need to press forward toward the goal and that is to fulfill the Will of God.
18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
Last night, we went out to celebrate mom’s baptism, which was great. I had two glasses of wine. Not that big of a deal most of the time. However, I have learned what the verse above means. If you are truly experiencing spiritual warfare, and I hope that each of you are, then take heed. The devil will use any tactic to beat you down and take advantage of you. While my two glasses of wine did not “lead to debauchery”, it did however lead to a disagreement between my husband and I. And it also lead to some pretty interesting dreams while I was “trying” to sleep. My point is, just take heed, lest you fall into the wiles of the devil. We do not want to be “exactly where he wants us”. We need to press forward toward the goal and that is to fulfill the Will of God.
From the beginning
I am starting this blog, well, because I feel that the Holy Spirit is leading me to do so.
I have entitled it "My Papercuts" because I have come to the point in my spiritual walk where I am turning a corner of growth. I am realizing that I have not ever had an issue with giving God all of my big issues in life to take care. For example, letting my children go live with their dad, or stepping out of a bad relationship, or healing my cat. But what I did not realize was that I always relied on "myself" for the small stuff. The Papercuts. I am having a very difficult time letting God take care of those small darn papercuts. Those small insignificant papercuts are where the devil gets into my everyday life and reeks havoc.
I am hoping that with this blog that I can help others deal with their papercuts. While I do not have the answers, I am continually seeking God to lead me. My mantra scripture is what keeps me going everyday.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
Lean not on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him
And He will make your paths straight.
Those 4 lines have helped me so much in these past couple of months after being layed off. I hope that it helps you too. Meditate on it and I think you will figure out how to let God take care of your papercuts.
I have entitled it "My Papercuts" because I have come to the point in my spiritual walk where I am turning a corner of growth. I am realizing that I have not ever had an issue with giving God all of my big issues in life to take care. For example, letting my children go live with their dad, or stepping out of a bad relationship, or healing my cat. But what I did not realize was that I always relied on "myself" for the small stuff. The Papercuts. I am having a very difficult time letting God take care of those small darn papercuts. Those small insignificant papercuts are where the devil gets into my everyday life and reeks havoc.
I am hoping that with this blog that I can help others deal with their papercuts. While I do not have the answers, I am continually seeking God to lead me. My mantra scripture is what keeps me going everyday.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
Lean not on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him
And He will make your paths straight.
Those 4 lines have helped me so much in these past couple of months after being layed off. I hope that it helps you too. Meditate on it and I think you will figure out how to let God take care of your papercuts.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)