I have been reading several articles and blogs lately; and alot of common threads have been on emotions and also thankfulness.
I started to wonder this morning if there is a difference between "choosing to BE thankful" and "choosing to GIVE thanks". It might be a silly thing to write about, but sometimes I honestly choose to be thankful; and other times, even when my feelings don't "feel" like it - I need to CHOOSE to give thanks (Even if my attitude isn't one of thankfulness). Does that make sense at all?
Let me give an example. This weekend I turn 40yrs old, and for me this comes with alot of different emotions. It is not really about the number, and although there is something about "becoming older"; for me it's about looking back and thinking about where things might have been. Let me tell you that I was not going to be single again and starting a new decade doing life on earth "alone". So, heading into this birthday, with all the mixed emotions, I am choosing to give thanks.
* I am thankful that I am a new creation and I am not the same person
* I am thankful for God's understanding and neverending patience with me
* I am thankful that all sins have been paid for
* I am thankful that I am one with Christ; His spirit dwelling in me
* I am thankful for a tangible copy of God's word
* I am thankful for my family - for it is them that I laugh, cry and learn
* I am thankful for friends who care
* I am thankful for friends and family who want to celebrate me
* I am thankful for the forgiveness of friends when I mess up
* I am thankful for tears that flow
* I am thankful for THE church
* I am thankful for a beautiful home to rent
* I am thankful that I have ears that can hear music (and birds singing)
* I am thankful for eyes that can see: flowers, people, rainbows
* I am thankful for hands that can type on a laptop that isn't even mine
* I am thankful for all the supporters God has provided me with for my ministry position
* I am thankful that I have another day to let HIS light shine through me
* I am thankful that I am loved
* I am thankful that I have a voice that can sing and can talk
* I am thankful that I have new beginnings
* I am thankful that God loves me enough to not leave me where I am
I admit, sometimes I need to choose to give thanks, and in doing so, I then become thankful in my attitude.
Til Next Time,
Jacqueline
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Surgeon and Healer
If you have been following this blog, you know that I have taken the last several weeks to see deeper our Father's heart for me. Every step has not been joyful and exciting; and there has been somewhat of a struggle; but I did come to the place of being willing to have further heart surgery done where needed.
I came to the place of simply being held in His embrace, to have Him uncover some of the lies that I have yet believed; to feel His presence as I puttered around dealing with dandelions; and to just sit in the still of the night quietly singing to Him.
In the begining of this time, I started singing one simple song to get "my song" back. I started singing the simple song, (and yet the one with the most profound lyrics) - "Jesus Loves Me This I Know". What showed me that surgery was needed was when I couldn't even sing the first line without my eyes swelling up with tears.
I have not learned all there is to learn, and I am still on the journey of accepting ALL of me. BUT, I am in HIS embrace and I am learning what it means to develop further intimacy with the one who desires to be our most intimate best friend.
I never want to forget these last 6-8 weeks; for it has been a sacred time for me. Going forward, I will be making time for my "retreat days" alone with God. I am thankful for a place of employment and a boss who strongly encourages me to have that one day a month to simply be with Father.
Jesus is both the surgeon (a physician who specialized in surgery)and the healer. That is, He is the comfort pre-surgery, while in surgery and post-surgery. He is the ultimate healer and friend. What an empathetic priest and friend is He!
That's all for now,
Jacqueline
I came to the place of simply being held in His embrace, to have Him uncover some of the lies that I have yet believed; to feel His presence as I puttered around dealing with dandelions; and to just sit in the still of the night quietly singing to Him.
In the begining of this time, I started singing one simple song to get "my song" back. I started singing the simple song, (and yet the one with the most profound lyrics) - "Jesus Loves Me This I Know". What showed me that surgery was needed was when I couldn't even sing the first line without my eyes swelling up with tears.
I have not learned all there is to learn, and I am still on the journey of accepting ALL of me. BUT, I am in HIS embrace and I am learning what it means to develop further intimacy with the one who desires to be our most intimate best friend.
I never want to forget these last 6-8 weeks; for it has been a sacred time for me. Going forward, I will be making time for my "retreat days" alone with God. I am thankful for a place of employment and a boss who strongly encourages me to have that one day a month to simply be with Father.
Jesus is both the surgeon (a physician who specialized in surgery)and the healer. That is, He is the comfort pre-surgery, while in surgery and post-surgery. He is the ultimate healer and friend. What an empathetic priest and friend is He!
That's all for now,
Jacqueline
Saturday, June 11, 2011
God's Character
So, this week I have been thinking about the character of God. More specifically, as I continue my journey to know Him; I have wondered if I started to list of all He is .. how many would I list? I imagine my list would be on going as I come to know His heart for me.
Many of you (if not all of you) are familiar with Ann Voskamp's book Thousand Gifts and her popular website "Holy Experience". If you have yet to check it out, take a few minutes, it will be sure to bless you.
When I looked at her challenge to find something to be thankful for each day (which was initially the beginning of it all); I wondered how our lives would change if we would keep a continual list of the characteristics of God? There is no number in my mind, but I wonder how big our list would get? In making the list, I am sure that we would come to see (and know) more and more about the heart that God has towards each of us.
I just listened to a youtube video that made me think further on this. Take a few minutes and check out the video link I just posted on my facebook wall; or look up "Jesus in every book of the Bible" by an 11 year old boy on Youtube.
May we continue to press on in knowing Him.
Til Next Time
Jacqueline
Many of you (if not all of you) are familiar with Ann Voskamp's book Thousand Gifts and her popular website "Holy Experience". If you have yet to check it out, take a few minutes, it will be sure to bless you.
When I looked at her challenge to find something to be thankful for each day (which was initially the beginning of it all); I wondered how our lives would change if we would keep a continual list of the characteristics of God? There is no number in my mind, but I wonder how big our list would get? In making the list, I am sure that we would come to see (and know) more and more about the heart that God has towards each of us.
I just listened to a youtube video that made me think further on this. Take a few minutes and check out the video link I just posted on my facebook wall; or look up "Jesus in every book of the Bible" by an 11 year old boy on Youtube.
May we continue to press on in knowing Him.
Til Next Time
Jacqueline
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
A Song Just For You?
Last weekend as I was enjoying my reading, the author mentioned God giving a woman a song from Him to her. I went to bed asking Father for a song ... Monday morning this is the song that was clearly for me; (and yes, Father can use anything to talk to us; He even used a donkey at one time didnt He?)
Oh, why you look so sad?
Tears are in your eyes
Come on and come to me now
Don't be ashamed to cry
Let me see you through
'Cause I've seen the dark side too
When the night falls on you
You don't know what to do
Nothin' you confess, could make me love you less
I'll stand by you, I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you
So, if you're mad, get mad
Don't hold it all inside
Come on and talk to me now
Hey, what you got to hide?
I get angry too
Well I'm a lot like you
When you're standing at the crossroads
And don't know which path to choose
Let me come along
'Cause even if you're wrong
I'll stand by you, I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you
Take me in, into your darkest hour
And I'll never desert you
I'll stand by you
And when, when the night falls on you, baby
You're feelin' all alone
You won't be on your own
I'll stand by you, I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you
Take me in, into your darkest hour
And I'll never desert you
(Song I'll Stand By You - originally by the Pretenders).
I found a version that I like sang by a man; as I needed to hear Father singing this to me. Won't you consider asking for a song from Father to you; to meet you where you are at today?
Til Next Time
Jacqueline
Oh, why you look so sad?
Tears are in your eyes
Come on and come to me now
Don't be ashamed to cry
Let me see you through
'Cause I've seen the dark side too
When the night falls on you
You don't know what to do
Nothin' you confess, could make me love you less
I'll stand by you, I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you
So, if you're mad, get mad
Don't hold it all inside
Come on and talk to me now
Hey, what you got to hide?
I get angry too
Well I'm a lot like you
When you're standing at the crossroads
And don't know which path to choose
Let me come along
'Cause even if you're wrong
I'll stand by you, I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you
Take me in, into your darkest hour
And I'll never desert you
I'll stand by you
And when, when the night falls on you, baby
You're feelin' all alone
You won't be on your own
I'll stand by you, I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you
Take me in, into your darkest hour
And I'll never desert you
(Song I'll Stand By You - originally by the Pretenders).
I found a version that I like sang by a man; as I needed to hear Father singing this to me. Won't you consider asking for a song from Father to you; to meet you where you are at today?
Til Next Time
Jacqueline
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Being truly Romanced ...
I continue the journey of knowing more of Father's heart for me. Let me share with you yet another small piece of the book - A Divine Invitation. God's desire for us is beyond anything we have ever experienced. He gets us, He gets what we are not saying and what we are having trouble saying .. He gets ME and He gets YOU!
"If you want to experience the intimacy that your heavenly Father has for you, know that His heart longs for you even more. His heart's desire toward you burns with a single desire. "Allow me to guide you to a deeper level of intimacy with Me. I will hold you continuously. I will fulfill the deepest desires of your soul because I have placed them there. Come to me JUST AS YOU ARE (I added the emphasis) and know without any doubt that you will be accepted. You will be loved and nurtured. Come with me - I want to whisper something to you, something you will never forget."
I am "amazed at such a thought ... teach us to enter that place, to be still, to talk to you -even without words at times."
What more is needed for me to say?
Til Next Time,
Jacqueline
"If you want to experience the intimacy that your heavenly Father has for you, know that His heart longs for you even more. His heart's desire toward you burns with a single desire. "Allow me to guide you to a deeper level of intimacy with Me. I will hold you continuously. I will fulfill the deepest desires of your soul because I have placed them there. Come to me JUST AS YOU ARE (I added the emphasis) and know without any doubt that you will be accepted. You will be loved and nurtured. Come with me - I want to whisper something to you, something you will never forget."
I am "amazed at such a thought ... teach us to enter that place, to be still, to talk to you -even without words at times."
What more is needed for me to say?
Til Next Time,
Jacqueline
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Let's Dance!
I have a small pile of books, all of which I would like to reread at some point over this summer. The one I am glancing through this weekend is "A Divine Invitation". The author's points about the degree to how much God loves us is valid, accurate and summed up very well in this book.
I have yet to meet one person who completely understands the vast degree to which God loves us. It seems obvious to us when we see someone else not trusting or resting in Jesus. Perhaps we are tempted to sit and judge someone else's lack of faith? How about we let that person's relationship with God be their business, and focus on our own? (Unless of course you have been asked to join them on their walk and journey; but even then, don't neglect to examine your own relationship with Jesus).
Let us press on to know Him more, for I am sure I am not alone in admitting that I have not experienced all there is to experience about the way Father God loves us. In his chapter titled - From Must To Trust; Steve challenges us to remember that it is about HIM, not US.
"If we would know Him intimately, it's important to understand that HE sets the terms of the relationship. Jeff Imbach notes, "This is God's life and God's purpose, a river of life within us. We do not start the flow and we will not provide the current." page 114.
The author goes on to say, "If you want to dance with God, you had better let Him lead."
So how about we learn to dance?
Til Next Time
Jacqueline
I have yet to meet one person who completely understands the vast degree to which God loves us. It seems obvious to us when we see someone else not trusting or resting in Jesus. Perhaps we are tempted to sit and judge someone else's lack of faith? How about we let that person's relationship with God be their business, and focus on our own? (Unless of course you have been asked to join them on their walk and journey; but even then, don't neglect to examine your own relationship with Jesus).
Let us press on to know Him more, for I am sure I am not alone in admitting that I have not experienced all there is to experience about the way Father God loves us. In his chapter titled - From Must To Trust; Steve challenges us to remember that it is about HIM, not US.
"If we would know Him intimately, it's important to understand that HE sets the terms of the relationship. Jeff Imbach notes, "This is God's life and God's purpose, a river of life within us. We do not start the flow and we will not provide the current." page 114.
The author goes on to say, "If you want to dance with God, you had better let Him lead."
So how about we learn to dance?
Til Next Time
Jacqueline
Friday, June 3, 2011
Grace Sufficient
“Many Christians keep themselves in a perpetual foment by hoping they will get into a situation where they can enjoy a better (and easier) Christian Life. They feel enclosed in a net of circumstances from which they cannot escape. They are so wearied and baffled and beaten by the continuous pressure about them that they wish and itch for things to be different, quite sure that if they were only different Christ would be more real. It has not dawned on them that at the heart of these very circumstances they are to find the Lord Jesus, find His grace sufficient, find the life more abundant.” L.E. Maxwell from HIS VICTORIOUS INDWELLING
Father, show us what it means to find your grace sufficient in all things.
Til Next Time
Jacqueline
Father, show us what it means to find your grace sufficient in all things.
Til Next Time
Jacqueline
Thursday, June 2, 2011
No More Good or Bad Days ...
Just a thought for today ...
"There are no more good days or bad days; only grace days. Some days God's grace allows you to ENJOY the day and some days God's grace enables you to ENDURE the day"
Graham Cooke
Til Next Time,
Jacqueline
"There are no more good days or bad days; only grace days. Some days God's grace allows you to ENJOY the day and some days God's grace enables you to ENDURE the day"
Graham Cooke
Til Next Time,
Jacqueline
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