When we come to the end of the road and we need to turn a particular way, how do we know which way to turn? There doesn't seem to be any sign markings or indication as to what will happen down the road. It is dark and we need to walk by faith; one step at a time.
Have you ever walked in the dark carrying a flashlight that is fairly dim? The distance ahead that you can see is just ahead as you take the next step. Well, I have been thinking today about how I really do not like change. I like to know what is ahead and I like to know how things are going to go when we come around the next bend. BUT, where is the faith in that?
God says to walk by faith; step by step trusting Him to guide the way. We will see what we need to see when we are supposed to see it. We need to continue walking unless He directs otherwise. If the path was fully lite, how much faith would it take to continue walking ahead? Not much at all; in fact we would be tempted to walk in our own abilities; trusting in ourselves.
Thanks Father for the dark paths where we are forced to let you light the way; remind me to trust you when there is so much ahead that we have yet to have clarity on.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet; and a light unto my path!
Til Next Time
Jacqueline
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
A Butterfly For Me
Early yesterday morning I decided to go outside and water my flowers (and to offer some assistance to keeping the lawn from completely dying through this dry spell). I had just came home from going to Curves for my weekly weigh in and I was discouraged that I had gained a couple pounds. I was frustrated with myself because I knew exactly why; and mostly the reasons were that I was not taking time to take care of me; I was not eating proper meals now that I am alone during the week (cooking for one person is no fun, and living off of raised support means not eating out everyday either.)
I was in abit of a mood as I watered and I was looking at how brown the lawn was looking. I was realizing that my grass seed wont grow, and the only thing that was growing was my water bill! I admit I was finding it hard at that moment to be thankful about anything.
As I continued to grump and inwardly complain, Father was reminding me that as long as I continue to seek acceptance by becoming thinner, this will continue to be a battle; and that food was not the enemy. He also once again reminded me that my acceptance is NOT dependant on me being thinner. I answered Him outloud, "Yes I know you accept me fat and all" and he simply responded with "but will you accept you if you dont lose any weight?" I dwelt further on that and realized that I had woken up that morning in a great mood (inspite of the heat), and it wasnt until I stepped on the scale and saw the numbers that my emotions took a nose dive.
I was just about finished watering and while thanking Father for His loving words I looked up and saw an absolutely beautiful yellow and black butterfly land in the middle of a dead patch of grass. It was completely stunning. It didnt take me long to realize that this butterfly was a gift for me. Father was reminding me of the new creation that I am now (2 Cor 5:17), and that while He HAS transformed me; He is also continuing to do so in a more deeper way. He has made me his beautiful butterfly!
My verse for this year has been "May the God of peace sanctify you ENTIRELY; spirit, soul AND body ... " I Thess 5:23. Father will continue HIS work. In the next verse we read that HE is faithful to do what He has started.
I trust something I shared today has touched you as well. That's all for now.
In Him
Jacqueline
I was in abit of a mood as I watered and I was looking at how brown the lawn was looking. I was realizing that my grass seed wont grow, and the only thing that was growing was my water bill! I admit I was finding it hard at that moment to be thankful about anything.
As I continued to grump and inwardly complain, Father was reminding me that as long as I continue to seek acceptance by becoming thinner, this will continue to be a battle; and that food was not the enemy. He also once again reminded me that my acceptance is NOT dependant on me being thinner. I answered Him outloud, "Yes I know you accept me fat and all" and he simply responded with "but will you accept you if you dont lose any weight?" I dwelt further on that and realized that I had woken up that morning in a great mood (inspite of the heat), and it wasnt until I stepped on the scale and saw the numbers that my emotions took a nose dive.
I was just about finished watering and while thanking Father for His loving words I looked up and saw an absolutely beautiful yellow and black butterfly land in the middle of a dead patch of grass. It was completely stunning. It didnt take me long to realize that this butterfly was a gift for me. Father was reminding me of the new creation that I am now (2 Cor 5:17), and that while He HAS transformed me; He is also continuing to do so in a more deeper way. He has made me his beautiful butterfly!
My verse for this year has been "May the God of peace sanctify you ENTIRELY; spirit, soul AND body ... " I Thess 5:23. Father will continue HIS work. In the next verse we read that HE is faithful to do what He has started.
I trust something I shared today has touched you as well. That's all for now.
In Him
Jacqueline
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Words
It is a well known fact that words have the ability to build up or to destroy. Years ago I sat listening to a devotional about the tongue, and it has stuck with me.
The tongue is sharp and can cut like a blade (and now a days we don't even have to say the words, we can hide behind computers and internet access and not have to look the person in the eye). Once the words are out, yes they can be forgiven, but they are not easily forgotten. I have been hurt by words often in my life, and yes, I have spoken (or typed) words that have hurt others as well. I am aware of the damage that words spoken in haste, defensiveness, hurt or anger can do.
The words on the wall in my office are "May the words of my mouth be pleasing in your sight ..." Psalm 19:14. That is my desire, for because I am aware of the possible damage, I want to be constantly reminded to seek Father before I speak.
I have also been thinking about the meaning of some "little" words. When I read the Bible I have learned to pay close attention to the "little" (yet powerful) words. Take Romans 8:31 "If God is FOR us, who is against us?" or, John 10:10 "The thief has ONLY come to seek, kill and destroy"; 2Cor 5:17 "If anyone be IN Christ, they are a new creation..."; Rom 8:38,39 "For I am convinced that neither death NOR life, NOR angels, NOR principalities, NOR things present, NOR things to come, NOR powers, NOR height, NOR depth, NOR any other created thing shall separate you from the love of God...". I could continue but you get the point; there is power in words; whether big or small.
If one little word can hold such impact when reading the word of God and His promises to us; just think about how much of an impact our words have on people?
Father, speak truth through me, but remind me to stop first and lean on you for YOUR words.
That's all for now
Jacqueline
The tongue is sharp and can cut like a blade (and now a days we don't even have to say the words, we can hide behind computers and internet access and not have to look the person in the eye). Once the words are out, yes they can be forgiven, but they are not easily forgotten. I have been hurt by words often in my life, and yes, I have spoken (or typed) words that have hurt others as well. I am aware of the damage that words spoken in haste, defensiveness, hurt or anger can do.
The words on the wall in my office are "May the words of my mouth be pleasing in your sight ..." Psalm 19:14. That is my desire, for because I am aware of the possible damage, I want to be constantly reminded to seek Father before I speak.
I have also been thinking about the meaning of some "little" words. When I read the Bible I have learned to pay close attention to the "little" (yet powerful) words. Take Romans 8:31 "If God is FOR us, who is against us?" or, John 10:10 "The thief has ONLY come to seek, kill and destroy"; 2Cor 5:17 "If anyone be IN Christ, they are a new creation..."; Rom 8:38,39 "For I am convinced that neither death NOR life, NOR angels, NOR principalities, NOR things present, NOR things to come, NOR powers, NOR height, NOR depth, NOR any other created thing shall separate you from the love of God...". I could continue but you get the point; there is power in words; whether big or small.
If one little word can hold such impact when reading the word of God and His promises to us; just think about how much of an impact our words have on people?
Father, speak truth through me, but remind me to stop first and lean on you for YOUR words.
That's all for now
Jacqueline
Friday, July 8, 2011
Two Paths
Over the last couple of weeks I have been immersed in two different books: "Bo's Cafe" by John Lynch and "True Faced" by John Lynch, Bill Thrall and Bruce McNicol. Both books talk of the importance of being part of a community of Grace.
Bo's Cafe is a story and TrueFaced is a teachin book, both easy reads with not so easy heart lessons to learn. I love them both, and to be honest still processing much of what is writen in these books.
TrueFaced talks of each of us having a choice of two paths that we must walk. One "Pleasing God" and the other marked "Trusting God". As Christians we typically will choose the pleasing God (after all that He has done for us); but the book does well to articulate that it is our trusting in Him that pleases Him. (Hebrews 11:6 says "without faith it is impossible to please God). I am seeing the importance of deepening our level of trust in God.
There is alot more I would like to say and I will most likely write more tomorrow about the differences between these two paths and where the paths lead, but for now ... I wonder, if you had a choice, (and you didnt know where each path led to) - which path would you take: the path marked "Pleasing God" or the path marked "Trusting God"?
That's all for now
Jacqueline
Bo's Cafe is a story and TrueFaced is a teachin book, both easy reads with not so easy heart lessons to learn. I love them both, and to be honest still processing much of what is writen in these books.
TrueFaced talks of each of us having a choice of two paths that we must walk. One "Pleasing God" and the other marked "Trusting God". As Christians we typically will choose the pleasing God (after all that He has done for us); but the book does well to articulate that it is our trusting in Him that pleases Him. (Hebrews 11:6 says "without faith it is impossible to please God). I am seeing the importance of deepening our level of trust in God.
There is alot more I would like to say and I will most likely write more tomorrow about the differences between these two paths and where the paths lead, but for now ... I wonder, if you had a choice, (and you didnt know where each path led to) - which path would you take: the path marked "Pleasing God" or the path marked "Trusting God"?
That's all for now
Jacqueline
Saturday, July 2, 2011
What Voice Are You Listening To?
Should I go shopping today for a new shirt? "Yes," says one voice, "you deserve it, you have worked hard and spent little money on yourself."
The other voice says, "can you afford it? do you need it?"
I have been thinking lately that all through our day we hear many voices telling us what to do, and also telling us messages of who we are. There is the voice that encourages and affirms us; and there is another voice that constantly remind us when we fail and when we dont measure up.
Recently, I am coming to see that shame has a life of its own. Shame has a voice, and sometimes its voice is louder than any other voice around. Shame says "I am wrong, there is something defective about me." Shame never imparts truth or life to us and is always there waiting to condemn.
Should we have guilt when we do something wrong? Yes of course, but guilt is admitting what I did was wrong; while shame is saying I AM wrong.
I have been spending time with Father lately asking Him to show me the affects of shame. Not just for the benefit of helping others, but also how it has affected my life. How many times have I listened to that voice and therefore chose to not follow through with plans, because of the lies I chose to believe? How many times does the voice of shame interupt what grace filled messages Father has been wanting me to hear?
It is because of shame that we let a comment devastate us.
It is because of shame that we sometimes don't even bother trying.
It is because of shame we try to perform for acceptance.
It is because of shame that we believe there is something we have to do to make us more acceptable.
We who are in Christ are completely acceptable, whether we always feel it or not. Does Jesus Christ not live in us? Then how could we be wrong? for what place does light have living in dark?
Father, your sheep know your voice. Let us purpose to hear your voice above all the crowds.
Til Next Time,
Jacqueline PS. Casting Crowns has a song "Voice of Truth" - give it a listen!
The other voice says, "can you afford it? do you need it?"
I have been thinking lately that all through our day we hear many voices telling us what to do, and also telling us messages of who we are. There is the voice that encourages and affirms us; and there is another voice that constantly remind us when we fail and when we dont measure up.
Recently, I am coming to see that shame has a life of its own. Shame has a voice, and sometimes its voice is louder than any other voice around. Shame says "I am wrong, there is something defective about me." Shame never imparts truth or life to us and is always there waiting to condemn.
Should we have guilt when we do something wrong? Yes of course, but guilt is admitting what I did was wrong; while shame is saying I AM wrong.
I have been spending time with Father lately asking Him to show me the affects of shame. Not just for the benefit of helping others, but also how it has affected my life. How many times have I listened to that voice and therefore chose to not follow through with plans, because of the lies I chose to believe? How many times does the voice of shame interupt what grace filled messages Father has been wanting me to hear?
It is because of shame that we let a comment devastate us.
It is because of shame that we sometimes don't even bother trying.
It is because of shame we try to perform for acceptance.
It is because of shame that we believe there is something we have to do to make us more acceptable.
We who are in Christ are completely acceptable, whether we always feel it or not. Does Jesus Christ not live in us? Then how could we be wrong? for what place does light have living in dark?
Father, your sheep know your voice. Let us purpose to hear your voice above all the crowds.
Til Next Time,
Jacqueline PS. Casting Crowns has a song "Voice of Truth" - give it a listen!
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