Category Archives: Realizations & Ponderings

Self-explanatory

True confessions

Posted on by
2

Truth is…

I’ve seen that in many Facebook statuses of my younger friends.  They post something on a friend’s wall saying things like “truth is you’re my best friend and I’d be lost without you” or “truth is no one understands me like you do”, etc.

The Bible says confess to each other and you will be healed. (James 5:16)

So here goes:

Truth is I do not have it all together.

Some of you who know me may be thinking with a smirk on your face, “Tell me something I don’t already know!”

Truth is sometimes I don’t blog what’s in my heart and mind because I’m afraid it might discourage someone who goes to my church, Continue reading →

Oh, yes he can

Posted on by
Reply

I’ve begun watching American Idol again after taking a couple of years’ break and am enjoying it.  It seems a little kinder than before and there are still plenty of good singers in America, yet undiscovered.  Last night John and I watched an episode in which the last contestant to audition, Ramiro Garcia, had a remarkable story:  he was born without ears.

His parents were told he would never speak or sing.  While baby pictures of him were shown, he explained how he underwent many surgeries to reconstruct ears for him, even creating ear canals.  The doctors found ear drums inside, so he had the mechanisms to hear!  We were curious to hear what he sounded like and were amazed to hear Continue reading →

I can’t fix it…and that is precisely the point

Posted on by
1

My heart and mind have been ruminating all day about hope, faith, doubt, Jesus, God, despair, pain, disappointments, trust, and truth.  I’m a little weary inside tonight.

Already having a mini faith crisis of sorts lately, pondering truth and what I really, truly believe about God, Jesus, eternity and life and…when I try to solve these issues on my own I just find myself walking in circles, getting nowhere and feeling restless.

With all this filling my heart already, today I reached a tipping point.  A dear friend who has so much pressure in her life already shared some details with me of the latest tough news and troubling lack of answers and hopeful outcomes.  As I listened I felt so inept, incapable of helping her.  I was thinking I should say something about Jesus but we were at work at the front desk and it wasn’t the right time.  And for some reason I felt it would come across as ineffective or cliché, like offering to put a little Band-aid on a gaping wound, or bailing out a sinking boat with a teaspoon.

Then I felt guilty for feeling that way.  Maybe I hesitated, too, because I wasn’t confident at the moment of that hope myself.  Why was my heart hesitating? Continue reading →

I could use a Kirby hug

Posted on by
Reply

I think I can find an illustration or lesson in just about anything: a song, a story, an experience, even a video game.  Hey, they’re there if you’re lookin’!

My daughter, Krissy, and I just finished playing a Wii game called “Kirby: Return to Dream Land.”  It is cute and hilarious at the same time.  As Kirbys, little round guys who can fly as well as suck up enemies and then take on their powers/traits, you travel through all different sorts of lands fighting enemies, gathering stars and treasures.  Of course if you bump into the enemies or they shoot you somehow your health goes down and if it gets really low, your little Kirby starts panting and looking sad, like he can hardly go another step.

The fantastic thing about playing with a friend, or with my girl, is that Continue reading →

Sunday Morning

Posted on by
Reply

I was nice and warm and comfy when the alarm went off.  It took a few hits of the snooze and kicking myself in the rear to actually get out of those toasty covers and get dressed.  Goin’ to church today, like every Sunday, all my life.

Why do I go?  It’s more than just a good thing to do, or a habit.  There is something encouraging about spending time with the other people in my church community.

There is something really uplifting, healing and even fun about singing songs with other people about God and to God.  Music is one of my biggest loves so I especially like this part of church and always have.  Today we had a horn ensemble playing as special guests and during one particular song I could just picture Jesus in heaven being honored by a royal fanfare of thousands of angels playing trumpets.  I remembered He is King of kings and Lord of lords and is deserving of the best music we can make, the best praise we can muster.

There is something affirming and reassuring to hear someone give a story of how God has helped them or worked in their life.  Today two men offered stories.  One told how praising God constantly through fear and possible cancer diagnosis kept him steady and hopeful.  The other shared how in the midst of turmoil and breaking relationships God told him in many different ways not to give up, Continue reading →

The living what I blog phenomenon

Posted on by
Reply

I am having to read my own words and practice them today…the ones in that last post about being thankful and how it changes our perspective and attitude?

Almost without fail, I will blog about something and then very soon after have to practice what I preach, like my own words get bounced back at me, or like I’m being tested to see if I will live what I’m learning.

Lord, help me to keep a thankful heart today.  I can feel the enemy prowling around, like he always does, seeking a way to devour.  Set my eyes on you, be near me today.

Let all that I am praise the LORD; 
      with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. 
 2 Let all that I am praise the LORD; 
      may I never forget the good things he does for me. 
 3 He forgives all my sins 
      and heals all my diseases. 
 4 He redeems me from death 
      and crowns me with love and tender mercies. 
 5 He fills my life with good things. 
      My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!  Psalm 103:1-5 NLT

Thankfulness = Trust?

Posted on by
Reply

What has the power to turn a heart’s gaze to hope, peel away a complaining attitude, and open the door for peace?

Thankfulness.

Being thankful shows self-pity the door and gives contentment the best seat in the house.

Even in the most meager, terrible, or desperate circumstances we can choose to be thankful for something…even everything.

When I read the book “The Hiding Place” about Betsy and Corrie Ten Boom’s experience in a Nazi concentration camp during the holocaust, I was moved and humbled by Betsy’s constant thankfulness.  In the face of cruelty and horrendous day-to-day living conditions, she kept her face turned toward Jesus in hope.  She didn’t complain but instead kept thanking God for everything, much to the amazement of her sister Corrie, who admitted sometimes she wondered if her sister was from another planet.

One particular situation stands out in my memory:   Continue reading →

Halt. Refocus.

Posted on by
Reply

God our Father loves us. He is kind and has given us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope.  II Thessalonians 2:16  CE

I didn’t even know she was ill.  I wasn’t close friends with the family but I know them and was so shocked and sad to hear that she succumbed to a long battle with cancer and has now gone to be with Jesus.  I’m not sad she went to be with Jesus but sad that her husband, not much older than John and I is now without his partner, and that her two kids, the age of my college girls, are now without their mom when there are still life milestones to cross like marriage and grandbabies and a host of other special events.

It causes my heart to halt and forces me to remember … Continue reading →

Totally Devoted

Posted on by
2

Whenever I hear the word “devoted” I think of that song from the musical “Grease” when Sandy is singing about Danny and how much she can’t help loving him.  “Totally devoted to youuuu…” You know that one?

This morning while reading today’s devotional in Jesus Calling this line stood out to me:  “I go before you to open up the way, and I also walk alongside you. There could never be another companion as devoted as I am.”¹  (Jesus Calling reads as if Jesus is talking to the reader personally.)  I looked up the word devoted and found this definition: as a noun – “zealous or ardent in attachment, loyalty or affection” and as a verb – “to give up or concentrate on a particular pursuit, occupation, purpose, cause, etc.” ²

I’ve heard a lot about people being devoted to something or someone, and to God, but hadn’t really thought of God being devoted to us, not in those certain terms.  It does say in the Bible that God is a “consuming fire, a jealous God” (Deuteronomy 4:24).  He is not jealous of us, He is jealous for us – for our attention.  The Word says that God is love (I John 4:8), that His faithfulness reaches to the skies (Psalm 36:5), that He is always true and keeps His word (Psalm 145:13).  I love the verse in Romans that says if God gave up His only Son for us, how would He not also give us every good thing?  That He is for us and nothing can separate us from His devoted love (Romans 8:31-35).

Why would God be devoted to humans?   Continue reading →

Ready to go

Posted on by
1

I’m sitting on my suitcase, lovingly packed, ready for the trip, eager to go.  I can just see the open road in my mind and hear it beckoning me.  I’m waiting for Papa first, though.  I can’t go without Him, especially since He’s the driver, navigator, and planner.  Besides, I’d much rather travel with Him than alone.  No question about that.

I know it’s going to be a great trip, but also that there will be bumps along the way.  To expect a trip without any slip-ups, accidents or near-mishaps, or discouraging moments would be naive and unrealistic.  I know that if I go with Papa, though, I’ll be fine one way or another.  He can handle anything and promised He would stay with me the whole way.  I believe Him.

“I’m waiting, Papa!  Are you ready?  Is it time?”  I stand up bouncing on my heels looking out the open door when I hear his footsteps behind me.  “Okay, let’s go!” His happy voice rings out.  He reaches for my hand and squeezes it tight.  I grab my bag with my other hand and look up at Him with a big smile as we head outside.

The LORD said, ” I will go with you and give you peace.”
Then Moses replied, ” If you aren’t going with us, please don’t make us leave this place.  Exodus 33:14-15 CEV

Wait patiently for the Lord.  Psalm 27:14  NLT