"Where did you get those cute shoes" I inquired?
She responded "Bed, Bath and Beyond."
Shocked I repeated "Bed, Bath and Beyond."
She flippantly replied "Yeah that must be the beyond part of the store."
We laughed! "Wow your quick on your toes, did you just make that up?"
Most confidently she chuckled "Yeah". I had to laugh with her. I
never thought of the "Beyond stuff" in that title.
How many times in my life do I hear a prayer, title or a bible verse
and not focus on each word. A prayer in the end is just babbling to God; if I
don't really know who I am praying to and what it is about. A prayer like
"Our Father" is beautiful. The first part “Our Father
in heaven, hallowed be Your name”. Do I recognize and honor God as
holy?
Suddenly as I grasped and focused on the beyond of Bed, Bath and Beyond
title, I began to put it in spiritual terms; Here, Now and Beyond. The
here and now is staples of every day but the beyond is the part I forget to
focus on. It came to my mind that there are two spiritual ways to look at beyond.
One is eternity or my time after my death. Where will I go and why? How
could I be living my life daily with the understanding of "eternal
security with Jesus in heaven" or "Beyond"? The Our Father
prayer goes on to say "Your Kingdom come." The eternal security I
experience when I focus on the cross and Jesus second coming.
Secondly, the beyond is not more things I want or have. It is the need God
grows in me to be in relationship with Him. The Lord's Prayer that asks “give
me today my daily bread” which is the essential fruits of the Spirit that I
need daily.
If I trust in the Lord with all my heart daily I can experience the
"beyond" that the Lord freely wants to give me. I was "quick on
my toes"; a pun intended by God as I went from shoes, to toes and
"Beyond."
"Our Father in heaven, hallowed
be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it
is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And
forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our
debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the
evil one" (Matthew 6:9b-13 NIV).
"And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they
think they will be heard because of their many words" (Matthew 6:7 NIV).
Monday, August 27, 2012
Friday, August 17, 2012
LAINEY IS OKAY
Last week I wrote about changes going on in life.
I asked, "Are you going through changes right now?" Are you afraid, worried or anxious about the changes?
Here is where I am at now with the whole said subject about schedule changes.
Proverbs 3:26 Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life; don't for a minute lose sight of them. They'll keep your soul alive and well, they'll keep you fit and attractive. You'll travel safely, you'll neither tire nor trip.You'll take afternoon naps without a worry, you'll enjoy a good night's sleep.
No need to panic over alarms or surprises, or predictions that doomsday's just around the corner,Because God will be right there with you; he'll keep you safe and sound. (The Message)
I am resting in the last line of this verse. "Because God will be right there with me!"
Others have been saying "You think it is emotionally hard sending your daughter off to college. Wait to next year when you send the last daughter. Then you are really going to freak out. You will be a empty nester."
Will I?
I grew up in a home where my Mom did freak out when everyone left the nest. It was so hard for her. I like to think that with God next year he will be setting "New things" in motion. I am choosing to set my mind on things above. The love from above will set me on a continued course for the plans God has for my life and my families life. Now I know my family is not wishing me to feel defeated and lost. I just pray they will pray for me and ask God between now and then that a plan will unfold for "Lainey." (That is what they call me)
I just know God will not let all the scriptures in my go head go void and not produce anything for His glory.
"He who began a work in Lainey will carry it on till the day of the Lord Jesus Christ" (Phil. 1:6 NIV)
"I know the plans I have for Lainey declares the Lord, Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV).
Don't worry about Lainey God will help her get through these changes. Quite possibly with fun new things on the horizon.
How about you?
Let's make a promise. We will trust in the Lord with all our heart. It will be okay! Okay?
I asked, "Are you going through changes right now?" Are you afraid, worried or anxious about the changes?
Here is where I am at now with the whole said subject about schedule changes.
Proverbs 3:26 Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life; don't for a minute lose sight of them. They'll keep your soul alive and well, they'll keep you fit and attractive. You'll travel safely, you'll neither tire nor trip.You'll take afternoon naps without a worry, you'll enjoy a good night's sleep.
No need to panic over alarms or surprises, or predictions that doomsday's just around the corner,Because God will be right there with you; he'll keep you safe and sound. (The Message)
I am resting in the last line of this verse. "Because God will be right there with me!"
Others have been saying "You think it is emotionally hard sending your daughter off to college. Wait to next year when you send the last daughter. Then you are really going to freak out. You will be a empty nester."
Will I?
I grew up in a home where my Mom did freak out when everyone left the nest. It was so hard for her. I like to think that with God next year he will be setting "New things" in motion. I am choosing to set my mind on things above. The love from above will set me on a continued course for the plans God has for my life and my families life. Now I know my family is not wishing me to feel defeated and lost. I just pray they will pray for me and ask God between now and then that a plan will unfold for "Lainey." (That is what they call me)
I just know God will not let all the scriptures in my go head go void and not produce anything for His glory.
"He who began a work in Lainey will carry it on till the day of the Lord Jesus Christ" (Phil. 1:6 NIV)
"I know the plans I have for Lainey declares the Lord, Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV).
Don't worry about Lainey God will help her get through these changes. Quite possibly with fun new things on the horizon.
How about you?
Let's make a promise. We will trust in the Lord with all our heart. It will be okay! Okay?
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Knock Some Sense into You
What do I do? I'm getting ready for a season change? I don't like this! I'm being honest.
Maybe you have changes coming soon in your life like I do. What are we going to do? Freak out! You maybe moving out and going away to school for the first time. You maybe staying home watching your friends and loves ones go away. As Summer winds downs schedules will change. How do you feel about it?
I was trying to find a verse today and thought it was Proverbs 26:3. So I looked that verse up. Here is what it said "A whip for the racehorse, a tiller for the sailboat—and a stick for the back of fools." Was God giving me a message advising us to get a stick and knock some sense into ourselves? LOL, that would hurt!
This message for today is entitled Read God's word it will literally knock some sense into you.
Maybe these words are creeping up on you:
I am afraid.
I am excited.
I can't wait.
I am not sure about this whole "change" thing.
While you are waiting for the change to happen, do you tend to conjure up thoughts of wondering what it will be like? Are those thoughts good or bad?
The scriptures command us to stand firm. How do you stand firm when your waiting? Waiting for your life to change. Change completely for ever. I have been feeling this way. Many changes will be coming quickly in my life the next few weeks. My daughter going off to college for the first time. I will be going on some new speaking engagements. School starting up for my other daughter.
"Stop" I declare to myself. I am feeling and thinking so much about these next weeks. I am getting exasperated with them. I ask God "Can I get a little help with these thoughts and fears." He replies "Read my truth and that will set your mind free."
Reading the bible would be like you playing a card game. Your thoughts represent your cards played vs. God's truth is His cards played. Certain cards when played trump other cards. Trumping means it beats the other card played and ultimately you WIN! God's words trump all of your negative thoughts. You win when you read what God has to say about life and upcoming life changes. Sometimes this concept is so hard to understand. I ask "I just read His words and trust Him and my mind and heart will be at peace?" It is a peace that passes all understand and it guards your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. It works! Sometimes you have to pick up your bible and just read it. The connection of what I am trying to describe to you happens! Reading God's words has taken up space in my mind where "stinkin thinkin" has been taking place. That is the trump I am writing about.
Read these verses:
Proverbs 3:26 Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life; don't for a minute lose sight of them. They'll keep your soul alive and well, they'll keep you fit and attractive. You'll travel safely, you'll neither tire nor trip.You'll take afternoon naps without a worry, you'll enjoy a good night's sleep.
No need to panic over alarms or surprises, or predictions that doomsday's just around the corner,
Because God will be right there with you; he'll keep you safe and sound. (The Message)
Psalm 26:3 "your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth.
Ephesians 6:13-18 "Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out." (The Message)
Knocking some sense into you:
Following God is not the popular way with many today. Many reach for food, shopping, alcohol, drugs you name it, to try and stop the feelings of excitement, anxiety and worry.
Experience peace that I am writing about, talk to God. You will be able to stand on your own two feet.
Dear God, help me to experience your strength, power and love as I read through these verses. I don't always get it but I want to try. I want peace of mind. Give me the desire to read your word. In Your powerful name I pray. Amen.
Hopefully, you will text, tweet or e-mail me saying "I get it already, stop beating me over the head."
Maybe you have changes coming soon in your life like I do. What are we going to do? Freak out! You maybe moving out and going away to school for the first time. You maybe staying home watching your friends and loves ones go away. As Summer winds downs schedules will change. How do you feel about it?
I was trying to find a verse today and thought it was Proverbs 26:3. So I looked that verse up. Here is what it said "A whip for the racehorse, a tiller for the sailboat—and a stick for the back of fools." Was God giving me a message advising us to get a stick and knock some sense into ourselves? LOL, that would hurt!
This message for today is entitled Read God's word it will literally knock some sense into you.
Maybe these words are creeping up on you:
I am afraid.
I am excited.
I can't wait.
I am not sure about this whole "change" thing.
While you are waiting for the change to happen, do you tend to conjure up thoughts of wondering what it will be like? Are those thoughts good or bad?
The scriptures command us to stand firm. How do you stand firm when your waiting? Waiting for your life to change. Change completely for ever. I have been feeling this way. Many changes will be coming quickly in my life the next few weeks. My daughter going off to college for the first time. I will be going on some new speaking engagements. School starting up for my other daughter.
"Stop" I declare to myself. I am feeling and thinking so much about these next weeks. I am getting exasperated with them. I ask God "Can I get a little help with these thoughts and fears." He replies "Read my truth and that will set your mind free."
Reading the bible would be like you playing a card game. Your thoughts represent your cards played vs. God's truth is His cards played. Certain cards when played trump other cards. Trumping means it beats the other card played and ultimately you WIN! God's words trump all of your negative thoughts. You win when you read what God has to say about life and upcoming life changes. Sometimes this concept is so hard to understand. I ask "I just read His words and trust Him and my mind and heart will be at peace?" It is a peace that passes all understand and it guards your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. It works! Sometimes you have to pick up your bible and just read it. The connection of what I am trying to describe to you happens! Reading God's words has taken up space in my mind where "stinkin thinkin" has been taking place. That is the trump I am writing about.
Read these verses:
Proverbs 3:26 Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life; don't for a minute lose sight of them. They'll keep your soul alive and well, they'll keep you fit and attractive. You'll travel safely, you'll neither tire nor trip.You'll take afternoon naps without a worry, you'll enjoy a good night's sleep.
No need to panic over alarms or surprises, or predictions that doomsday's just around the corner,
Because God will be right there with you; he'll keep you safe and sound. (The Message)
Psalm 26:3 "your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth.
Ephesians 6:13-18 "Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out." (The Message)
Knocking some sense into you:
Following God is not the popular way with many today. Many reach for food, shopping, alcohol, drugs you name it, to try and stop the feelings of excitement, anxiety and worry.
Experience peace that I am writing about, talk to God. You will be able to stand on your own two feet.
Dear God, help me to experience your strength, power and love as I read through these verses. I don't always get it but I want to try. I want peace of mind. Give me the desire to read your word. In Your powerful name I pray. Amen.
Hopefully, you will text, tweet or e-mail me saying "I get it already, stop beating me over the head."
Thursday, August 2, 2012
AMERICAN IDOL
The famous television show American Idol is watched by millions. I am glued to the television especially on the finale wondering who the next American Idol will be. The idea of having one person who is a singing sensation is how we define the "American Idol." Here is what I have been thinking when I hear those words. American (those in the United States) Idol (excessive devotion for some person/persons or things/activities).
I was telling a friend "We have excessive devotion to our own american idols like friendships, boyfriends, spouses, children, television, work, movies,sports and hobbies" just to name a few. I have been spending time watching a six season television series, filling my calendar with a parties, luncheon dates and bike rides. This is all fine until I start feeling out of whack. What is that feeling? Conviction of the Holy Spirit. Someone is missing in my life.
Things are out of order. Spirit, mind and body are all part of the balance for a daily recommended living regimen.
Oops! Unbalances living can lead to depression, worry, anxiety all kinds of stress. Americans are spending millions of dollars yearly on medication, exercise, diet plans, television, movies and electronic gadgets.
I picture Jesus, an American Idol, with his own phone app called Hotline and it is available 24/7 to download free. The app is full ideas of how to meet with Him. Do you need to get that app?
Make a list of your American idol's? Meditate on these verses.
" But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:33NIV).
"The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:17-18 NIV)
"The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want" (Psalm 23:1 NASB)
I was telling a friend "We have excessive devotion to our own american idols like friendships, boyfriends, spouses, children, television, work, movies,sports and hobbies" just to name a few. I have been spending time watching a six season television series, filling my calendar with a parties, luncheon dates and bike rides. This is all fine until I start feeling out of whack. What is that feeling? Conviction of the Holy Spirit. Someone is missing in my life.
Things are out of order. Spirit, mind and body are all part of the balance for a daily recommended living regimen.
Oops! Unbalances living can lead to depression, worry, anxiety all kinds of stress. Americans are spending millions of dollars yearly on medication, exercise, diet plans, television, movies and electronic gadgets.
I picture Jesus, an American Idol, with his own phone app called Hotline and it is available 24/7 to download free. The app is full ideas of how to meet with Him. Do you need to get that app?
Make a list of your American idol's? Meditate on these verses.
" But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:33NIV).
"The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit" (Psalm 34:17-18 NIV)
"The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want" (Psalm 23:1 NASB)
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