Mary or Martha

I remember watching my parents just randomly talking to people they didn't know.  And I remember being slightly embarrassed thinking oh those people may be busy you should leave them alone. Not that my parents were saying bad things, it was usually a compliment to them or maybe their child.  And I really think my Dad whom doesn't travel at all knows everyone, or at least he thinks he does.  He says, Hey do I know you?  But for some reason it would make me uneasy that they would just talk to random strangers. 
As I got older there were times when people would stop me and tell me what a beautiful child I had, that she was sweet or precious - and that just made this Mama's heart beam.  A Blessing from God. But I've also found that people will just start talking to me.  So I listen, I guess I figured they needed someone to talk to. 
One day while visiting an aviation museum, I stopped in front of a particular airplane reading about it's function in WWII. An an older woman stopped and started telling me a story of how she and her brother were in WWII.  She was a civilian working the radios and he was a fly boy on one of the bombers, and flew this type of airplane.  She told of how they would go out on their missions and she would wait to hear her brothers call sign to come back in.  I could tell that she was reliving it like she was there at that very moment.  Suddenly she stopped and looked slightly embarrassed and apologized for rambling on. 
I told her no apology necessary I was enjoying the story.  I don't know if I needed to listen or she needed to talk, but I've never forgotten it. 
Now I'm a little older, and a little bolder, I find myself just randomly speaking to strangers.  Flash a smile, give an encouraging word, or compliment, or help them if I know how.  And I ask myself, why do I do that?  Is it because I'm bolder now as I'm older, or is it that I've slowed down enough to be in the moment.  Have I taken the focus off myself and taken the time to look around me.  By not focusing on what has happened or what is going to happen, but by being in the moment helps you to not miss a blessing that God may be trying to give you. Maybe even from a stranger. 
I'm a Martha most of the time.  I've got places to be and things to do. 
Luke 10:38-42 (NIV)
³⁸ As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. ³⁹ She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
⁴¹ “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, ⁴² but few things are needed—or indeed only one.^[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

And even though I am often told I'm a good listener, I'm also guilty of constantly planning my next move.   There needs to be balance.  It's important to pay attention to what needs to be done.  But it's also important to be present and love on those around you, whether it's Jesus or a stranger. 
The light of Jesus will shine through you if you let it. Your smile, kind word or listening ear, may be the only Jesus they will see.  
I pray you find a stranger to compliment. 
Blessings,
Lynn

New Year - New Location

Your dwelling has everything to do with where you are at in your life.  No Really! 

If only you could live in Malibu or the Keys, or maybe if you lived in the Bahama's - ya then life would be okay. No, it would be perfect.  

But wait if that was true then why is Hollywood clothed in lies, and scandal, deceit , divorce.  But your dwelling is not necessarily a house, or villa , a mansion, your dwelling is where your mind is parked. What do you think about? What do you ponder?  What do you dwell on?  

I believe what we focus on, has a lot to do with what shapes our lives.  If we focus on positive things we will be a positive person.  If we focus on negative things, we will never be able to appreciate what we have in front of us.  

* Isaiah 43:18  - Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. 

I've seen a lot of people in life living in their past. Struggling with a strongholds that developed due to circumstances, or holding on to guilt or hurts that hold them in bondage from going forward.  I've seen people miserable due to their unwillingness to forgive.  I've seen people that are stuck in a shack so to speak, because they were not teachable.  They wouldn't try anything else. 

My husbands father used to tell them when they were growing up, that people get stuck in their minds. See getting out of a physical place,  first starts with getting out of it in your mind.  

* Hosea 4:6 - My People are destroyed from a lack of knowledge. 

* Philippians 3:13   Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,

So what's the answer - Lay it at the feet of Jesus.  Let go of anger, let go of un-forgiveness, let go of your past. Choose a new dwelling place. Dwell in the presence of the God.  

* Psalm 27:4 

One thing I ask from the Lord,
    this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
    and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble
    he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
    and set me high upon a rock.

*Psalm 91

1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty

9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
    and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,

As we start a New Year and everyone is making goals and resolutions I would like to challenge us all to ponder a new dwelling for the new year.  Seek the peace that can only be found by resting in the dwelling of our Father God.  

Blessings, 

Lynn 

A Mother and Fathers Love...

This time of year elicits memories and feelings that are individual and unique to each of us.  For me I like to reflect on not only memories that I have created with my family and loved ones, but I like to reflect on what all the birth of Jesus has done in my life. 

I don't even know how many near misses I've had that the protection of Jesus has saved me from.  I have favor beyond measure everywhere I go.  I have healing, and peace like no other that the world has to offer.  But most of all - I have an eternal home, that when I leave this earth that I can go to because a Father - Father God loved me so much that he gave his only son as a sacrifice for me.  (paraphrased) 

John 3:16

One of my favorite songs is "Mary did you know"  I don't care who sings it - it brings me to tears ever time I hear it - and yes I listen to it over and over. 

Here are the lyrics: 

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy has come to make you new?
This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy will calm the storm with His hand?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little Baby you kissed the face of God?

Mary did you know.. Ooo Ooo Ooo

The blind will see.
The deaf will hear.
The dead will live again.
The lame will leap.
The dumb will speak
The praises of The Lamb.

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
The sleeping Child you're holding is the Great, I Am.

Here's a link if you want to listen to it:  Here

My Granddaughter and her husband are expecting their second son.  "Benjamin" in February.  I talked to her last night and she's getting so excited to see her new little baby.  It's so exciting to think of what all this new little boy will do with his life.  I say dream big - Jesus say we could do even greater things than He... 

John 14:12 (NIV)

 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

But none of this would be possible with out there first being a birth.  The birth of Jesus had to happen for any of these blessings.  And that is truly what this holiday is about for me.  Reflecting and rejoicing that Jesus was born.  

Blessings to you all and a very Merry Christmas.

  

Little Things

There are so many little things, that I do everyday and on special days that have just become habit. And one day I stopped and pondered - why do you do that?  Like when I make a sandwich, I'm very particular about making sure the mustard, or Mayo is spread all the way to the very edge of the bread so the flavor is consistent.  Does anybody realize that or is it just a good sandwich. (hopefully) Another example is when I frost a cake, it has to be evenly frosted on all corners and the center.  Or how no matter how messy my desk is daily or weekly at the end of the week, I can't go home for my weekend until everything in my office is straightened and put away. Then there is my present wrapping.  I make sure the edges are folded under just right when I tape them. And the ribbon, while tying the bow is tucked just right, so the shiny side is facing out all the way around the loop.  And again I ask myself - why do you do that? Like the children at Christmas time pick up the package, look it over and admire the care that was put into making it look so pretty.  I don't think so!  :) They don't even know what color the wrap was let alone that the bow had to match the magenta swirl that went through it.  I'm laughing at myself now. :)

So as I pondered this and asked myself why do you do this, does anybody even notice that you pick this up, straighten this, spread this, match that? I heard God whisper I DO!  God sees! God sees everything.  All the time and care and thought that goes into these little things, that seemingly go unnoticed, are noticed. So what ever my reasons are for doing these things, I'm now going to look at them as doing things "the little things" unto the Lord.  Because now when I spread mustard on a sandwich or tie a bow on a present - I will know that God is watching and I will feel His presence.

God created us to do things with excellence and though I don't profess to be excellent in everything, I'm noticing that I am taking what I do more seriously. Not wanting to run through everything just to say I did it - but if I'm going to do something I want to do it with care and purpose.

So if you are out there and think what you do doesn't matter - you're wrong.  It matters to God.

Hope you all have a Blessed Day! 

Lynn 

Puppies - Babies and Monsters

The other day my husband and I were talking about getting a dog someday, maybe after we retire. He listed off a type or two of dog he would like and then I did the same.  And then for a while I think we both drifted off in our own thoughts of this new dog we would have in our lives what they would look like and what we would name them.


My youngest daughter is going through this similar thing with babies right now. Newly re-married, she is having a huge desire to have another baby.  She has a daughter 10, a son 7 and now from new hubby another daughter 6. So her home is full and blessed, but she does have this yearning for a baby.


This brought up a whirl of thoughts in me - one, God made us to have desires, and God made us to love, because God is Love!


So I started thinking of how we all crave, and we all desire something and these desires change through out our life - yearly - monthly - hourly.  We desire puppies, and babies and things, and money and food and wealth.  And not that any of them are bad by themselves, but bad can come of them if they are not cared for properly. 


Puppies are oh so cute, but after the fifth pair of shoes they have destroyed they are not so cute anymore.  Do you stay diligent and keep training them to be all they can be as a pet and companion - or do you give up and put them on a chain in the back yard? Hence becoming this burden that you have to feed and water each day. 


Likewise - babies are so precious and so sweet and such a blessing from Heaven - until they learn to talk back and get their own opinions of how the world should be run.  Then it's not all the warm fuzzy feeling of the afghan Aunt Tilda made for your little bundle of ...... what ever that is behind that slammed door. See if we are not consistent about not just nurturing but training and correcting these cute little babies - they become a monster in our lives.


Tthis can apply to anything that we allow to get out of control in our life.  We desire things and then when we have to take care of these things, or pay for these things. We crave food and then we gain weight, and have to be a slave to loosing it. We desire wealth, but with it comes great responsibility, long hours and again it becomes a monster in our life.


So what's the answer - My canned answer for everything - It's God!  If there's a question about a computer I ask did you re-boot? And if there is a question of what do I do about anything else I ask Did you Pray?  Because if you ask God,  and here is the really really big secret to everything in the universe - Are you ready - wanna take notes?  Did you do what God told you to do?  If you ask and if you listen, and if you do what God said - there is no failing, there is no monster. Because even when the puppy chews your shoes and even when the child slams the door and even when all else becomes a monster that you created - God is so wonderful - he'll show you the way out.  If you do it.


Have a blessed day! 
Lynn

Pushing

There's "Pushing" and there is "Pushy".  And there is so much I could say about Pushy people right now but I'll stay off that soap box for now.  
But I want to talk about pushing and the fine line between pushing on, pushing forward,  fighting the good fight or trying to make things happen in your own strength. Because I feel sometimes if we have to fight that hard - we're either going the wrong way, or it's not God's timing for our lives.

Some times it is so hard for us to Stand and Wait.  We are in a time where we want it and we want it now.  I think I've shared before how our oldest Granddaughter at the age of 2 or 3 said "Nobody believes me I've gotta have it nooow!"  Well I think we have trouble growing out of that mentality.  See if we are standing in faith, believing God for direction and breakthrough, then until God speaks in our spirit to move then that's what we do "Stand"
Ephesians 6:10-13 ¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
I heard a speaker talk about how God is like a GPS - Continue forward until further notice.  See so many times we pray for God show us what to do.  Then when he's quiet - we think we need to make it happen ourselves.  Or we think that's not what God wants us to do, so we stop or give up.  Why do we struggle so much with the quiet times, why can't we just, relax in the assurance that God's got it under control?
Isaiah 40:31 ³¹ but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
(Eagles are very tenacious animals they will persevere even to their death)

Psalm 27:14  Wait patiently for the Lord.  Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.
We do have patience it's one of the fruit of the spirit  - However like a muscle you need to use it.
 
Proverbs 3:5-6   Trust in the Lord with all your heart;  do not depend on your own understanding. ⁶ Seek his will in all you do,  and he will show you which path to take.

And one of my favorites:  

Jeremiah 29:11  For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Gods way is definitely better than mine - So I really want Him in the drivers seat of my life!

So take some time to stop and evaluate if you are pushing to fight the good fight or are you pushing  your own agenda. 

Have a great weekend - Blessings,   Lynn

Marriage - What's it to - You?

Everyone has opinions on what marriage is or should be - and those vary widely.  But I guess a better question would be "What do you want your marriage to be"?  Do you want it to be a partnership?  Do you want it to be a friendship?  Do you want both? See there will be stages in marriage, it will change with time. When you first think about getting married are you caught up in the fairy tale?  Oh they're so dreamy.  Then after you've been married awhile you realize they have just as many hang ups as you.  The marriage isn't perfect - wanna know why - cause you are there.  :)  Okay now I'm not a scholar and don't have a degree in relationships, nor have I been married 50 years.  But as of today I've been married 16 years.  And though some may think it strange that my husband and I spend all our time together, we truly do enjoy each other and want to spend our time together. It's not that we don't do things with others but we really enjoy each other. He is my best friend.   But let's look and see what God has to say about Marriage.  There is the part where God told wives to be submissive to their husbands.  So many struggle with this, but I want to give you a different look at this and hopefully when I'm done - you will want to give this submissive thing a try. :)
Colossians 3:18  Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord. (nlt)
1 Peter 3:1 In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over. (nlt) 
Ephesians 5:22-24  For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. ²³ For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. ²⁴ As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything. (nlt)

What most women don't understand is that as the husband is the head of the house, he is also responsible for it - and if you are submitting to his authority, as long as he is not going against God, you're covered.  But what does that coverage mean?  I'm going to show you that.

Ephesians 5:25-33:
^25-28 Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church—a love marked by giving, not getting. Christ’s love makes the church whole. His words evoke her beauty. Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her, dressing her in dazzling white silk, radiant with holiness. And that is how husbands ought to love their wives. They’re really doing themselves a favor—since they’re already “one” in marriage.
^29-33 No one abuses his own body, does he? No, he feeds and pampers it. That’s how Christ treats us, the church, since we are part of his body. And this is why a man leaves father and mother and cherishes his wife. No longer two, they become “one flesh.” This is a huge mystery, and I don’t pretend to understand it all. What is clearest to me is the way Christ treats the church. And this provides a good picture of how each husband is to treat his wife, loving himself in loving her, and how each wife is to honor her husband. (msg)
Colossians 3:19  Husbands, go all out in love for your wives. Don’t take advantage of them. (msg)

I once heard an explanation on what "Covering" means.  We talk about "Gotcha Covered" and it could mean, I'll back you up, I'll pay for you, I'll protect you... But when God instructs Husbands to COVER their Wives as Jesus covered the church... You better take a double take on that.  When Jesus covers you not only did he give his life (and I'm sure husbands would for their wife/families) but notice Jesus never did anything that tore someone down.  He never did anything that made someone else feel less than. He treated them with respect, he lifted them up.  Even the woman at the well that had had several relationships, he did not make her feel like she was less than in his eyes.  That is what Covering your bride should be. 

I see so many people get caught up in movie star lives and they want to model their marriage and relationships after them... but I ask - How's that working for you?  I think about all the reality shows on couples and there is only one left that I can think of that did a show about their life and it hasn't ended in divorce.  Hmm  Do you really want what they have?  Look to a marriage that has withstood a storm.  Look to a marriage where the people are happy where they want to spend time together.  It's one thing to love each other but I think it's important to like each other too.  Find a role model that will make the marriage work. 

Proverbs 31 Is a great guide to what a great wife should be and do. It's who I want to model myself after. (click the link) See times are different - But God's design is still the same.  Ephesians 5:21 Out of respect for Christ, be courteously reverent to one another.

This is the person that you swore to God that you would love, honor and obey- so I ask - Is what you're doing Honorable in the sight of God?  

Have a Blessed Day everyone - Enjoy your spouse if you have one - I'm going to go spend time with my best friend.  Blessings, Lynn