Challenge For Today: Remind yourself...the Masterpiece is still in progress....
Love this...as I listened I was reminded of David the king... so many remember him as wonderful ruler and see only the crown he wore. Yet, let us not forget his journey of ups and downs. He was praised as he took down Goliath yet, he was betrayed, starved, found hiding in a cave, had to pretend insanity and paid the consequences for moral sin. Yet, he was called a friend of God.
We are seen as a beautiful picture from the perspective of where God sits. But the journey from that first stroke of paint on the canvas to the completed picture, requires a lot of mixing of the colors of paint before it becomes a masterpiece.
See more of Deborah at hadassah-wordsinseason.blogspot.com
Thursday, January 25, 2018
Thursday, December 14, 2017
A Christmas Memory
A Christmas Memory... 👠👠ðŸ‘
I suppose every generation has had some type of Christmas "behavior modification" tool that they used for their children during the weeks before Christmas. Elf on the Shelf had not been born yet when I had children. So when they were very young, I wanted to downplay the myth that Santa only gave good gifts to children who behaved appropriately.
I had read a magazine article about instilling the art of "loving your neighbor" during this time of year. Bickering and gripping between brother and sisters, seemed to be a frequent visitor in our house. This prompted me to think that perhaps this feeling of goodwill should start among my own children. With that thought in mind, I resurrected an old doll cradle and lined it with a blanket. Then I gathered a bucket and filled it with straw. I put both the empty cradle and the bucket of straw under the Christmas tree. Then that night after reading the Christmas story, I reminded my little ones, that it was the willing gift of Gods son, that Jesus was the reason for the season.
In light of that, I motioned to the straw and cradle. I mentioned that the cradle was empty but it could be filled by each child doing nice things for each other. For example, if child A gave in to child B and willingly gave their toy back, child A would have done something nice for their sibling and therefore be allowed to put one piece of straw into the cradle? Another example might be making a siblings bed...without their knowledge...all things done were to be done without seeking praise from the recipient. ...and the added straw was to be added to the cradle without someone seeing.
I wasn't sure if this would work since my children were so young. But, believe it or not, my house environment became much more enjoyable...and the cradle was nice and full of hay before Christmas.
I am not sure if any of my kids even remember this as it was only done for a couple of years. But, I dare say, all of my children today, are very giving adults. I would like to think that somewhere along the line, the true meaning of Christmas was instilled in them.
I suppose every generation has had some type of Christmas "behavior modification" tool that they used for their children during the weeks before Christmas. Elf on the Shelf had not been born yet when I had children. So when they were very young, I wanted to downplay the myth that Santa only gave good gifts to children who behaved appropriately.
I had read a magazine article about instilling the art of "loving your neighbor" during this time of year. Bickering and gripping between brother and sisters, seemed to be a frequent visitor in our house. This prompted me to think that perhaps this feeling of goodwill should start among my own children. With that thought in mind, I resurrected an old doll cradle and lined it with a blanket. Then I gathered a bucket and filled it with straw. I put both the empty cradle and the bucket of straw under the Christmas tree. Then that night after reading the Christmas story, I reminded my little ones, that it was the willing gift of Gods son, that Jesus was the reason for the season.
In light of that, I motioned to the straw and cradle. I mentioned that the cradle was empty but it could be filled by each child doing nice things for each other. For example, if child A gave in to child B and willingly gave their toy back, child A would have done something nice for their sibling and therefore be allowed to put one piece of straw into the cradle? Another example might be making a siblings bed...without their knowledge...all things done were to be done without seeking praise from the recipient. ...and the added straw was to be added to the cradle without someone seeing.
I wasn't sure if this would work since my children were so young. But, believe it or not, my house environment became much more enjoyable...and the cradle was nice and full of hay before Christmas.
I am not sure if any of my kids even remember this as it was only done for a couple of years. But, I dare say, all of my children today, are very giving adults. I would like to think that somewhere along the line, the true meaning of Christmas was instilled in them.
Thursday, November 16, 2017
Bearing Your Cross
Reading through the trials and stress on Facebook, I see many walking out their journey in the mist of hurt and pain . I understand some of what this looks like and I can pray with in real compassion...my granddaughter was diagnosed with a rare form of terminal cancer at age 12. She is a senior in high school now, enduring chemo and periodic operations that have taken away her ability to ever have her own children. Over the years, there are times when I, too have wondered why?? And yet, I always go back to biblical history when parents had to endure their children being killed by kings and enemies of all kinds. One verse always reminds me of this time period...it says, Rachel cries for her children and could not be comforted...because they were not. Know one is immune to tragedy... everyone has a cross to bear. It might not be illness, but it could be the loss of a child, homes destroyed through hurricanes, deep financial issues resulting in bankruptcy, children fighting addiction or in prison. Life is a toss up, but know one escapes something they have to cling to the cross to bear. I am an old woman. I have seen the hand of God in miracles and I have seen the hand of God as he has led many through the storms... just keep walking my friend..regardless of how bad it looks at the moment, let his light shine through you and fall on those around you and receive inspiration for the cross they have to bear...because they see you clinging to the cross you have been given.
Thursday, October 26, 2017
Hidden In Jerusalem
Just a thought: There are those who do not understand why America should stand with Israel. Many have not had biblical teachings and do not understand the relationship between God and his people. For them, it is not enough for us "old people " to explain the blessings and promises of a Bible they don't understand. A book of teachings of past generations they have no relationship with. They continue to align themselves with false information and the tug of the heartstrings of perceived injustice to the Palestinian people.
Just as the heart of Pharaoh was hardened in biblical times, many contemporary hearts have been hardened to the truth of the struggles of Israel. But God has always been a God of patience and mercy....and mystery.
In this age of "open your mouth and let anything speak," I would remind you of...Ephesians 4:31
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
Regardless of the fact that this is a biblical reference...it is a value we are taught in grade school. Be kind to one another.
The Lord is working on us all..continue to pray for our country and that our hearts be melted to be one with the heart of God....
Oh and one more thing..remember the mystery of the word of God...the word Jerusalem is mentioned over 800 times in the Bible. You may not have ever noticed, but God' s love for us is hidden in his love for Jerusalem...Jer USA lem.
Have a great day
Just as the heart of Pharaoh was hardened in biblical times, many contemporary hearts have been hardened to the truth of the struggles of Israel. But God has always been a God of patience and mercy....and mystery.
In this age of "open your mouth and let anything speak," I would remind you of...Ephesians 4:31
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
Regardless of the fact that this is a biblical reference...it is a value we are taught in grade school. Be kind to one another.
The Lord is working on us all..continue to pray for our country and that our hearts be melted to be one with the heart of God....
Oh and one more thing..remember the mystery of the word of God...the word Jerusalem is mentioned over 800 times in the Bible. You may not have ever noticed, but God' s love for us is hidden in his love for Jerusalem...Jer USA lem.
Have a great day
Monday, October 16, 2017
Shed The Flesh in His Presence
..as we travel our earthly journey..we do strive to show the love of God to others...but as we all know, we cannot give/show others what we do not have...Jesus yearns for us to not only receive the gifts he has given us but to walk in them like he did. We strive to not be upset when illness, financial crises, government upheaved etc., comes calling. We strive to walk in the peace that passes all understanding..As we shed the flesh and develop the skin of the love of God that is in us...then they will know us by his love in us...All spiritual things are given as a gift...but only in his presence can the "noise " and "chatter" of the daily grind be turned down so that we can have intimate conversation with the creator of our purpose....and understand what the next right step is towards our destiny.
Quite The Chatter
All spiritual things are given as a gift...but only in his presence can the "noise " and "chatter" of the daily grind be turned down so that we can have intimate conversation with the creator of our purpose....and understand what the next right step is towards our destiny. Come into his presence with Thanksgiving...Thanksgiving for the blessings as well as those trials that have a way of causing us to run into his open arms to find mercy and grace and forgiveness and restoration...knowing that it is only through the cross ...that all things can be made new.
Struggling Without Fear
Reminder...God will make a way so I am not afraid of the storm I am struggling to walk through..
Yesterday during worship, this song was played by the praise team at First Assembly in Heber Springs. It was new to me, but served its purpose as a reminder that, it is not the absence of the storm that is the miracle. The miracle is the fact that we can lean on a Father God who walks with us and not be afraid. His presence will cover us from fear..if we ask. We live in an evil world. There will always be some type of earthly struggle. But be reminded, that just as Jesus was able to sleep in the boat during the storm, we too, can walk through the storm in peace.
Pastor Lee Brown, laid down on the platform as visual reminder of how Jesus knew his father intimately and so knew he was safe..regardless of where he was in his journey. We live in an evil world. We will not escape without some monstrous waves, lighting and thunder claps of life threatening to stop us in our tracks. But, as they come, I challenge you to step into his presence and take a deep breath ... breath in that peace that passes all understanding.
Yesterday during worship, this song was played by the praise team at First Assembly in Heber Springs. It was new to me, but served its purpose as a reminder that, it is not the absence of the storm that is the miracle. The miracle is the fact that we can lean on a Father God who walks with us and not be afraid. His presence will cover us from fear..if we ask. We live in an evil world. There will always be some type of earthly struggle. But be reminded, that just as Jesus was able to sleep in the boat during the storm, we too, can walk through the storm in peace.
Pastor Lee Brown, laid down on the platform as visual reminder of how Jesus knew his father intimately and so knew he was safe..regardless of where he was in his journey. We live in an evil world. We will not escape without some monstrous waves, lighting and thunder claps of life threatening to stop us in our tracks. But, as they come, I challenge you to step into his presence and take a deep breath ... breath in that peace that passes all understanding.
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