Jesus isn't PC...

Where do I start?

  I have this friend that is always so encouraging.  Great kind of friend to have right.  And if that's not enough, he encourages me to get into the word of God.  WOW - that's the best.  He likes how I break the word down. He likes my teaching style.  And whenever we talk, he always nudges me to write more of my blog posts.  I love to write, I love to teach, I love Jesus, so why then do I go so long in between posts on my blog for God?  Well that's a very good question actually.  
Really - the world has happened.  There is so much political correctness that is expected, and so many are offended by so called Christians because after all we are hypocrits.  And because some in this world have strayed so far from morality and Christianity - the word seems very unrealistic.

So again I ask - Where do I start?  

While talking to my friend tonight, he reminded me - Jesus wasn't always politically correct - but he always spoke the truth.

I pray I can find that balance - to deliver the word to those who are willing to hear it. That it will draw people closer the the Lord that I know to be so loving and kind and forgiving.  I pray that my words of truth never leave anyone to feel hopeless, but hopeful.

God give me the right words to speak to your people. Words that lift up and don't drag down.  Help me to be kind but not let political correctness hold me back.

May God's word give you hope and happiness and peace - now and always.

Thanks my friend -
Blessings to all,
Lynn

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