In the course of his introduction and announcements before his sermon today, our beloved pastor made a brief mention about the human state becoming so easily depressed about the things that are wrong in our lives rather than counting our blessings for the rest of the things that are right in our lives.
God provided such a beautiful garden, full of enticing endless wonders, completely sustainable even by such a novice gardener as Adam. But there was that ONE tree, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, that drew Eve's attention. For all that she could have, the serpent in the garden beguiled her into believing that the permissible garden was just not enough. She became mesmerized by that tree of knowledge of good and evil, believing that God is holding out on her, clearly focused on what she doesn't have rather than the abundance she already does have. Unfortunately, that fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil ruined mankind for the rest of our days.
I know I can get stuck at the tree in the garden from time to time. Sometimes I get down about the circumstances that surround me, but when I really take my eye off of my doubts, fears, trials, and realize that I'm still greatly blessed beyond measure (two healthy sons; wonderful hubby; wonderful home; flexibility to be there for my family; our health; ability to have meals, paid bills, etc.....). Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God..... His world is indeed amazing, even still. :)
His "world" expands farther than the eye can see, but as you travel along it, His amazing "garden" becomes even more expansive. I don't need to focus on the tree any more, I've got a garden to explore! :)
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Lord, Lift Me Up With Your Song!
Siiiiiiiiiing.....sing-a-soooooooong.....sing out loooouuuuud....sing out stroooooooong....
Siiiiiing of good thiiiiiiiiings, not baaaaaaaad......sing of happyyyyyyyy, not saaaaaaaad......
Do you have a favorite hymn or song that just gets your spirit stirred up and invigorated? I've got a few. One of my ultimate favorite songs that's been around a few years is Rich Mullin's OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD. Oh, my goodness!! Crank it up, already!! : D
Paul admonishes us to "...be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess, but be filled with the Spirit: Speaking to yourselves in psalms, and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in you heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5:18-20.
David sang psalms to the Lord while watching his sheep. Paul and Simon sang praise to the Lord while in prison. (LOL, in this case, you can't say Paul didn't practice what he preached!)
Many of the hymns that have come out over the course of the centuries mark times of pain and suffering, and oftentimes ending with a sense of renewal and victory. A few of them touch my spirit in such a way that I just can't make it through them without shedding some serious Niagara Falls tears. COME THOU FOUNT is one of them (lol, kinda ironic...Come Thou Fount literally brings on the fountain of tears, lol). The magnitude of what Jesus has done for me hits me soooooo hard when I hear this hymn. It's a beautiful hymn of untouchable compassion that our Lord has expressed as He took our place on the cross and set us free. Set me free. I'm not aware of any Christian who is not affected by AMAZING GRACE. The story behind AMAZING GRACE is something to behold; so many of us have been there and done that and have come to the point of knowing that God's grace is truly amazing. :) BLESSED ASSURANCE and WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS are a couple of other ones with particular meaning to me.
Songs on Christian radio stations have been very inspirational lately. There was a time when it seemed like God was more generic than it is now. I could be wrong, but I wonder if 9/11 has something to do with that. We're hearing more Christian songs identifying Jesus as God. We're hearing more Bible-based lyrics. We are hearing more about intimate faith than just an emotional reaction to songs. We are preaching the Gospel message to ourselves and others again through songs.
Sometimes a tune that has no known name or melody comes to our heart. We should sing those, too! When our spirits are lifted through song, our days become more bearable and even enjoyable.
Siiiiiing of good thiiiiiiiiings, not baaaaaaaad......sing of happyyyyyyyy, not saaaaaaaad......
Do you have a favorite hymn or song that just gets your spirit stirred up and invigorated? I've got a few. One of my ultimate favorite songs that's been around a few years is Rich Mullin's OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD. Oh, my goodness!! Crank it up, already!! : D
Paul admonishes us to "...be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess, but be filled with the Spirit: Speaking to yourselves in psalms, and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in you heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5:18-20.
David sang psalms to the Lord while watching his sheep. Paul and Simon sang praise to the Lord while in prison. (LOL, in this case, you can't say Paul didn't practice what he preached!)
Many of the hymns that have come out over the course of the centuries mark times of pain and suffering, and oftentimes ending with a sense of renewal and victory. A few of them touch my spirit in such a way that I just can't make it through them without shedding some serious Niagara Falls tears. COME THOU FOUNT is one of them (lol, kinda ironic...Come Thou Fount literally brings on the fountain of tears, lol). The magnitude of what Jesus has done for me hits me soooooo hard when I hear this hymn. It's a beautiful hymn of untouchable compassion that our Lord has expressed as He took our place on the cross and set us free. Set me free. I'm not aware of any Christian who is not affected by AMAZING GRACE. The story behind AMAZING GRACE is something to behold; so many of us have been there and done that and have come to the point of knowing that God's grace is truly amazing. :) BLESSED ASSURANCE and WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS are a couple of other ones with particular meaning to me.
Songs on Christian radio stations have been very inspirational lately. There was a time when it seemed like God was more generic than it is now. I could be wrong, but I wonder if 9/11 has something to do with that. We're hearing more Christian songs identifying Jesus as God. We're hearing more Bible-based lyrics. We are hearing more about intimate faith than just an emotional reaction to songs. We are preaching the Gospel message to ourselves and others again through songs.
Sometimes a tune that has no known name or melody comes to our heart. We should sing those, too! When our spirits are lifted through song, our days become more bearable and even enjoyable.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
What's on Your Mind?
We are CONSTANTLY bombarded by bad news on a daily basis. What, with 24/7 news availability, newpapers (okay, the "e-news" now), Facebook, Twitter, other social networks, and just people talking ... it's all to easy to let it get you down and KEEP you down. The world can have you believe that it's a pretty depressing place. What can we do?
I've long been accused of being ignorant of world affairs because my reaction is not quite the same as many people's. I don't always watch the news. I've got a life to live. I've got a family who needs my attention. There are things I'm busy doing. The news can wait.
Now, what happens when bad news surround me? For the most part, I try not to let it get to me. I try not to let it develop root into my heart. I try to follow the advice of the Serenity Prayer:
Crime is up in some areas. Mean-spirited people are everywhere. Cities have been torn apart by tornados, hurricanes, earthquakes, and other natural disasters. Other than going to those places and helping in the rebuild, there's not much we can do but pray and send supplies to the best of our abilities. People are looking for someone who can lift them up, not make them feel even more desperate about their utter loss. People are suffering from loss of a dearly loved one, oftentimes suddenly. Some people are experiencing hunger, unemployment, eviction, illness (obvious and hidden), addictions, depression; in combinations or even all the above. Satan's playground is busy and HUGE.
However, where there is light, there is no longer darkness. Where there is sin and consequences of sin, grace more abounds. When the world gets you down, return to the Lord. Remind yourself that He is your source of peace.
My favorite passage to gauge what I think about and leave on my mind is in Philippians 4:8-9:
thought >> emotion >> decision >> action >> habit >> character >> destiny.
Conversely, if you're unhappy about where you are in your life, take a brutally honest look at your character. What habits have you developed over time? Trace your habits back to actions you tend to take when faced with certain decisions. How did you make these decisions? Under what circumstances did you make these decisions? How were you feeling when you made these decisions? Pinpoint where these kinds of thoughts came from? Where is your focus? What is your influence in life? Is God leading you? Or are circumstances and situations and/or people of the world leading you? It was like a light bulb went off in my head. I've done some study, and put those principles to work, and they worked for me! There are plenty of days when I still feel out of control, but when I judge myself, God has always plainly revealed my issues of life from the root in my garden of heart.
It took me a while to understand when Jesus told a potential follower "let the dead bury their dead." What??? It sounds so callous and cold that it doesn't match the "kind Savior" we believe Jesus to be. An application I've drawn from this passage is that there will always be things that need to be done, but do not to let them consume your ultimate purpose or time away from God's will for your life. To me, it's an admonition similar to the passage about the woman who broke the alabastar box of costly perfume to anoint Jesus. Judas criticized her for "wasting" the ointment, that she could've sold it and given the money for the poor. Jesus answered him and said that "the poor will always be with you, but I am only here for a time." It's not at all that Jesus or the woman did not care for the poor, but that Jesus' time was short and the woman was led to anoint Jesus before His crucifixion. He memorialized this woman for her deed, and I'm sure that when He was gone, she became an example of blessing and hope to those who were poor.
I say all of this to say that we are all affected by the bad things that go on in this world, some to a greater extent than others. We can choose to let problems, especially others' problems, negatively affect our lives and even take root in our hearts, or we can boldly determine what action we CAN take to alleviate the problems, and let God lead us where He may. And, we can let God have all the room and quit trying to muscle in on what is clearly His territory, and watch the miracles take place in our lives and in the lives of others.
I've long been accused of being ignorant of world affairs because my reaction is not quite the same as many people's. I don't always watch the news. I've got a life to live. I've got a family who needs my attention. There are things I'm busy doing. The news can wait.
Now, what happens when bad news surround me? For the most part, I try not to let it get to me. I try not to let it develop root into my heart. I try to follow the advice of the Serenity Prayer:
O God and Heavenly Father,The more familiar prayer:
Grant to us the serenity of mind to accept that which cannot be changed;
Courage to change that which can be changed,
And wisdom to know the one from the other,
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,Essentially, I try to fix what I can fix, pray for the things I can't, and let God handle the rest. An example: Just last week, the Casey Anthony trial came to a close, acquitting Casey Anthony of the murder of her precious little toddler, Caylee Anthony. The overwhelming vibe is that she is guilty of killing her little girl (even I believe this). However, the jury (of which I wasn't a part) let her go because they felt that the evidence presented to them was just not enough to convict her. There are other issues involved in this case, but what's done is done. While many believe that justice was not served, and I momentarily felt the same way, I just think it was a case not meant for mankind's hands. I believe that God's hands are in the middle of this judgment, and perhaps her "walk" will be more costly than any guilty sentence can ever be. Read more about my thoughts on this here.
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.
Crime is up in some areas. Mean-spirited people are everywhere. Cities have been torn apart by tornados, hurricanes, earthquakes, and other natural disasters. Other than going to those places and helping in the rebuild, there's not much we can do but pray and send supplies to the best of our abilities. People are looking for someone who can lift them up, not make them feel even more desperate about their utter loss. People are suffering from loss of a dearly loved one, oftentimes suddenly. Some people are experiencing hunger, unemployment, eviction, illness (obvious and hidden), addictions, depression; in combinations or even all the above. Satan's playground is busy and HUGE.
However, where there is light, there is no longer darkness. Where there is sin and consequences of sin, grace more abounds. When the world gets you down, return to the Lord. Remind yourself that He is your source of peace.
My favorite passage to gauge what I think about and leave on my mind is in Philippians 4:8-9:
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.I've heard a couple of pastors say that what you think about eventually manifests into your life. Your life begins with a thought. Your thought is governed by your emotions, which leads how you feel about that thought. Your emotions drive you into making a decision. Your decisions determine what action you'll take. Your series of actions will develop into a habit. Your habits shape your character. Your character reveals your life's destiny. Quickly broken down, this means:
Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do; and the God of peace shall be with you.
thought >> emotion >> decision >> action >> habit >> character >> destiny.
Conversely, if you're unhappy about where you are in your life, take a brutally honest look at your character. What habits have you developed over time? Trace your habits back to actions you tend to take when faced with certain decisions. How did you make these decisions? Under what circumstances did you make these decisions? How were you feeling when you made these decisions? Pinpoint where these kinds of thoughts came from? Where is your focus? What is your influence in life? Is God leading you? Or are circumstances and situations and/or people of the world leading you? It was like a light bulb went off in my head. I've done some study, and put those principles to work, and they worked for me! There are plenty of days when I still feel out of control, but when I judge myself, God has always plainly revealed my issues of life from the root in my garden of heart.
It took me a while to understand when Jesus told a potential follower "let the dead bury their dead." What??? It sounds so callous and cold that it doesn't match the "kind Savior" we believe Jesus to be. An application I've drawn from this passage is that there will always be things that need to be done, but do not to let them consume your ultimate purpose or time away from God's will for your life. To me, it's an admonition similar to the passage about the woman who broke the alabastar box of costly perfume to anoint Jesus. Judas criticized her for "wasting" the ointment, that she could've sold it and given the money for the poor. Jesus answered him and said that "the poor will always be with you, but I am only here for a time." It's not at all that Jesus or the woman did not care for the poor, but that Jesus' time was short and the woman was led to anoint Jesus before His crucifixion. He memorialized this woman for her deed, and I'm sure that when He was gone, she became an example of blessing and hope to those who were poor.
I say all of this to say that we are all affected by the bad things that go on in this world, some to a greater extent than others. We can choose to let problems, especially others' problems, negatively affect our lives and even take root in our hearts, or we can boldly determine what action we CAN take to alleviate the problems, and let God lead us where He may. And, we can let God have all the room and quit trying to muscle in on what is clearly His territory, and watch the miracles take place in our lives and in the lives of others.
Introduction to Infinite Peaceabilities
Hello! I'm Estelle. :)
Some of you know me from another blog I write called Emerald Star of Texas. Some people say I have a sense of humor. I don't know that I'm necessarily "comedy-club worthy" (don't necessarily think I wanna be!), but I do see humor in many things, and sometimes I write about them. Even when I'm upset and aggravated...when all is said and done, most of what I see is either funny or I've learned something pretty awesome from it. Life is too short to have my peace stolen for long. Mourning endures for the night, but joy cometh in the morning.
I realize that "peaceabilities" is not even a real word. The closest "peace" words that might have worked for what I'm trying to accomplish were "peacefulness" and "peaceable" and even "peaceably." None of these suited my purpose in finding my unique title for my new blog. :) Not only that, I was trying to find a word that attempts to sum up my most favorite subject of all time: Christian faith! The topic is truly infinite! The purpose of this blog is to talk about the Christian faith and how it affects our everyday life.
Right off the top of your head, what words do you think of to describe the ideal Christian life? Truth ... faith ... love ... joy ... hope ... belief ... miracles ... paaaaaaaaaaatience ... gentleness ... etc. All of that balanced with traits like prayer ... boldness ... power ... confidence ... reasoning ... conviction ... etc. A Christian in a relationship with Jesus can lead to experiences in joy and peace in virtually every aspect of life. Shalom, if you will. More on that topic another time.
I pray that, in spite of all the fiery darts of the wicked hurled your way, you can remember to enter into God's rest while enjoying joy unspeakable and peace which passeth all understanding. In other words...I'm looking forward to talking about infinite peaceabilities. :)
Some of you know me from another blog I write called Emerald Star of Texas. Some people say I have a sense of humor. I don't know that I'm necessarily "comedy-club worthy" (don't necessarily think I wanna be!), but I do see humor in many things, and sometimes I write about them. Even when I'm upset and aggravated...when all is said and done, most of what I see is either funny or I've learned something pretty awesome from it. Life is too short to have my peace stolen for long. Mourning endures for the night, but joy cometh in the morning.
I realize that "peaceabilities" is not even a real word. The closest "peace" words that might have worked for what I'm trying to accomplish were "peacefulness" and "peaceable" and even "peaceably." None of these suited my purpose in finding my unique title for my new blog. :) Not only that, I was trying to find a word that attempts to sum up my most favorite subject of all time: Christian faith! The topic is truly infinite! The purpose of this blog is to talk about the Christian faith and how it affects our everyday life.
Right off the top of your head, what words do you think of to describe the ideal Christian life? Truth ... faith ... love ... joy ... hope ... belief ... miracles ... paaaaaaaaaaatience ... gentleness ... etc. All of that balanced with traits like prayer ... boldness ... power ... confidence ... reasoning ... conviction ... etc. A Christian in a relationship with Jesus can lead to experiences in joy and peace in virtually every aspect of life. Shalom, if you will. More on that topic another time.
I pray that, in spite of all the fiery darts of the wicked hurled your way, you can remember to enter into God's rest while enjoying joy unspeakable and peace which passeth all understanding. In other words...I'm looking forward to talking about infinite peaceabilities. :)
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