Emerging!

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." -- Ephesians 2:10

I look at you. You look at me. And neither one of us can see how God sees us because He sees the finished product.

I love this quote by R. Buckminster Fuller:

"There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it's going to be a butterfly!"

But God Knows!

Today's prayer: "God, sometimes I look in the mirror and see a caterpillar. Thank you for seeing me through the lens of a finished product -- a butterfly! Amen."

Vision Board

"If you can see it you can receive it." -- Shawn Baker

Sherri Shepherd will play Lulu in the upcoming movie, "One For The Money." In a recent interview she said she saw herself being cast for the role of Lulu long before she showed up for the audition. In fact she posted it on her "vision board" so she'd keep focused on her dream. Just like Moses, Joshua, and Samuel who were told by God, "See it!" ... Sherri saw it. God often shows us what He's going to do before He does it. What's on your vision board?

"Then the LORD said to Moses, "See, I have made you like a god to Pharaoh." -- Exodus 7:1

"Then the LORD said to Joshua, "See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands." -- Joshua 6:2

"And the LORD said to Samuel: "See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle." -- 1 Samuel 3:11

"God I Look To You" (Jenn Johnson)

God I look to You, I won’t be overwhelmed

Give me vision to see things like You do

God I look to You, You’re where my help comes from

Give me wisdom; You know just what to do

I will love You Lord my strength

I will love You Lord my shield

I will love You Lord my rock forever

All my days I will love You God

Hallelujah our God reigns

Hallelujah our God reigns

Hallelujah our God reigns forever

All my days Hallelujah

Lessons From The Little Children

"And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." -- Matthew 18:3

"We must unlearn everything we've been taught and become like little children." - Shawn Baker, Pastor, Oxford Church of God 

Lessons from the little children:

Little children trust their parents for provision. They don't worry where their next meal is coming from. When it's time to eat they just put a "demand" on the  provision.

Little children can fight on the playground over a ball and be best friends again in 5 minutes. They don't hold grudges.

Little children can throw a temper tantrum and say they hate their mommy, but when it's over they literally forget it happened!

Little children are not prejudiced. They embrace all of God's creation ... until adults tell them otherwise.

Little children are full of faith. They believe easily and do not doubt.


Today's prayer: "Lord, help me to unlearn the 'adult' habits that do not line up with your WORD. Teach me again how to become a little child. Amen."
 

Pondering

"But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart." -- Luke 2:19

pon-der-ing:

To weigh in the mind with thoroughness and care. To reflect or consider with thoroughness and care.

Lately I've taken to pondering more and "reporting" less, especially as it relates to what I think God might be saying. I found out a long time ago that people aren't really all that interested in what God might be saying to you. I also found out that most of what God whispers in your ear should be pondered in your heart rather than broadcasted aloud. In fact, when God reveals a fact about someone else to you, it is most likely so that you will pray. If we're not careful, telling others what we believe God said about them can be nothing more than pride on our part. Isn't gossip centered around pride (being in the know before anyone else)? The Bible is clear that God does indeed reveal secrets to us; but very often I think they should be kept between friends.

"Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, and he was called God's friend." -- James 2:23

Pray Continually

Saw this excellent post by GET UP WITH GOD:

Pray Continually.
(1 Thessalonians 5:17) 

If you take this verse literally, it seems ridiculous. But maybe God means exactly what he says.

Basically, praying is staying connected to God. If we aren’t connected to God in this world, we’re as good as dead. So …

Pray when you wake up. Pray while you shower. Pray when you can’t find your hairbrush. Pray when you’re stuck in traffic. Pray for your boss. Pray for that annoying co-worker who keeps stealing your stapler. Pray before you hit “send” on that email with all the capital letters and exclamation points. Pray for that big project you haven’t started that’s due tomorrow. Pray before you call the help desk to complain about your computer losing that document you worked on all afternoon but forgot to save. Pray while you drive home. Pray before you eat. Pray while you eat. Pray after you eat. Pray while you watch TV. Pray before you go to bed. Pray while you’re lying there freaking out about everything you forgot to do today and everything you have to do tomorrow. Pray, pray, pray. And then pray some more.

God wants to be with us every single moment of our lives. We should want the same.

PRAY!

Creating Memories

"Grandparents are proud of their grandchildren, just as children are proud of their parents." -- Proverbs 17:6, GNT

I was watching a Suze Orman podcast the other day and she was giving out some advice prior to Christmas. She said rather than give your children so many gifts, give them experiences and memories. Thinking back to my own childhood my greatest memories are not in the toys I owned but in the memories of my mother sitting on the floor with us making memories through playtime. She would play games and encourage our imaginations to soar through make believe. She was always a full participant and never just a spectator.

My children have fond memories of their two grandmothers doing the same with them. My mother has carried on the merrymaking with her grandchildren and now with her great grandchildren. My spouse's mom saved the toys from her children's childhood and brought them out for the grandchildren -- such a treat to explore the toys from days of old -- most of them battery free! My girls still talk about these memories.

I have learned from both grandmothers and for that I am grateful. I think my grandparenting is a little bit of both of them. I too saved my girls toys and my grandchildren are delighted when I dig out some old toy from the basement to delight them. I've brought these toys out little by little to keep the excitement going -- we're going on 6 years now! And I've also taken on the role my mom used to take with us. At times I even amaze myself with the different hats of imaginary play I am able to wear with my grandsons.

Here's to creating memories!

Prayer Delay

"But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John." -- Luke 1:13, KJV

I love this verse. The phrase "for thy prayer is heard" should be reassuring to us all. We must not miss the meaning here. The prayer that Zechariah prayed was prayed many years earlier, and having reached an advanced age, his petition had ceased. Our prayers are ever before the Lord. They do not expire. Prayer is sometimes immediately heard and answered; and sometimes an answer is deferred a long time. Our prayers are prayed from the earth which has time, but they reach God in heaven where time does not exist. Ponder the deep things of God today.

Love Languages

"Love will last forever ..."

1 Corinthians 13:8

Many years ago I purchased Gary Chapman's book, "The Five Love Languages" and since that day I've discussed the contents with my spouse, my children, and my closest friends. I've recommended this book to others when they've asked my opinions on navigating their own relationships. But what I love the most is that my spouse and my children get it -- they understand my love language(s).

Most people have a primary and secondary way in which they prefer to have love expressed to them. For example, mine are "acts of service" and "quality time." I've used this book to discover the love languages of my spouse, my children, and my close friends. Oftentimes we try to love others in our "own" love language and don't understand why we don't get the results we were hoping for. For example, if my love language is "acts of service" it means that I feel really loved when you take care of things for me (e.g. clean the house or wash the car). I don't get as jazzed about gifts (I've been told I'm too particular and that I buy what I want myself -- so very true!). 

When it comes to birthdays and Christmas my spouse and children set themselves to the task of taking care of some "chore" they've heard me say I want done. This Christmas is no different. I'm very blessed to be able to love and be loved by those who speak my language, so here's a shout out to my spouse and children for all the acts of service you've undertaken this year!

The five love languages are:

1. Words of Affirmation - (speak loving and true words to build the other person's self image and confidence)

2. Quality Time - (put down the remote and give one another some undivided attention)

3. Gifts - (be sure to remember birthdays and special days with a gift of appreciation)

4. Acts of Service - (take care of chores and that "to do" list with joy)

5. Physical Touch - (hold hands, give hugs, etc. to show your love)

Withdraw

"But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.." -- Luke 5:16

I like to withdraw, especially when I'm hurt or stressed. I was talking this over with my accountability partner the other day and she said, "that's actually Biblical. Jesus often withdrew from the crowds and went off alone to pray. Sometimes you have to come apart from the world ... so you don't come apart."

A good and timely word of wisdom.

Receipts

"For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable." -- Romans 11:29

Saw this tweet yesterday from GetUpWithGod and it ties in perfectly with the holiday season: "Don't bother keeping the receipt: God's gifts & his call are irrevocable."

Seems like with every purchase made this season comes the resounding question, "Do you need a gift receipt?" And most times the answer is probably yes. According to a study done by Kohl's, gift recipients are most likely to return clothing (74 percent), followed by items for the home (11 percent), beauty or fragrance products (8 percent), electronics (5 percent) and jewelry or watches (2 percent)." That's a lot of gift returning going on! But I'm thrilled to know that God's gifts and his call are irrevocable. No gift receipt needed!