|
Users viewing this topic:
none
|
|
Login  | |
|
Let Everything That Has Breath Praise The Lord! - 12/31/2007 7:50:08 AM
|
|
|
Focusing
Posts: 5339
Status: offline
|
Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty expanse.
Praise Him for His mighty deeds; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness.
Praise Him with trumpet sound; Praise Him with harp and lyre.
Praise Him with timbrel and dancing; Praise Him with stringed instruments and pipe.
Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!
Psalm 150
Today marks the end of another year ..... and praises are going out from my heart for the wonderful changes in my life over the course of this year.
Not all of it has been pleasant, there have been some incredibly painful moments. A lot of tears. The kind of crying were you forget to breathe. Cleansing tears. Ripping up roots of bitterness. Remembering to forgive. Forgiveness has been an immense blessing in my life ...... through the process of forgiving another, my heart has been released of the burden it was carrying. It has all brought me closer to my God.
There have been amazing blessings in my life this year. Watching my son as he transitions from a little boy into a young man. Special friends near and far. A new job that I wasn't even looking for, with better pay, better benefits, a wonderful work environment. A bigger place to live. A desire to pay closer attention to the little details going on day to day, and in the process of doing so, letting go of the multi-tasking mindset that society pushes us to conform to.
I stop to appreciate all the beauty that God gives us to enjoy. For no reason but for our pleasure. The glorious sunrises to start the day. The trees and flowers .... even the little tiny flowers produced by the *weeds* in the cracks of old sidewalks. His beauty is everywhere! It's become a little game to see where I can spot it. And it becomes a praise when I do.
But mostly, I have been able to form a deeper relationship with my God. His answer to prayer has been to give me special friends whom I can call and discuss His word with. Friends who help me have a better understanding, a wider perspective, help to guide me in applying His word to my life and my actions, they encourage me to dig deeper into His word. It comes in all shapes and sizes ..... straight reading out of the Bible, a Bible study, commentaries, articles of subjects running through my mind at any given time, Bible games and trivia, songs, silly little games to remember verses ..... all to the glory of the One who created us. To remind me how very much He does care. It has brought an unshakable peace and joy to my heart. Even through the trials and tribulations, the funks and difficulties, the peace and joy don't go away.
So as I say goodbye to one year and look forward with excitement to another, I can't help but say PRAISE THE LORD!
|
|
|
|
RE: Let Everything That Has Breath Praise The Lord! - 12/31/2007 8:27:13 PM
|
|
|
cherish405
Posts: 30302
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Australia
Status: online
|
Excellent post, Sam! 
_____________________________
*** My name is Trish and I'm His daughter, desirous and glorious in His sight ***
|
|
|
|
RE: Let Everything That Has Breath Praise The Lord! - 1/1/2008 3:22:49 PM
|
|
|
Focusing
Posts: 5339
Status: offline
|
Thoughts on the Subject of Love (a.k.a. Rock Climbing)
Jesus commanded us to love one another. The fact that we have been commanded, or told, to do so tells me that it is a conscious choice that we have the ability to make. A choice of our will. The ability to love comes more naturally to some than to others. What makes love so difficult for this latter group? Is it a lack of trust? Certainly it cannot be a lack of trust in the Lord. Is it a let down because we have not received what we expected ….. disappointment? He never lets us down. Our disappointments come out of human relationships. Our expectations of what we *think* someone else should do. Do these things hinder our relationship with the Lord? It has for me. Through a study of love over the past several months, and trying to understanding the various types of love and the various depths of love we can experience, and express, and whether that love can come from me or if it needs to come through me from Christ, has made a huge difference in how I feel about love. I have the ability to love everyone. Whether I chose to or not is dependent upon my free will.
For some, the ability to love all comes freely. Without discrimination towards any. The people I have seen with the ability to be this way are the ones I have observed to have a very close relationship with God. They walk side-by-side with Him daily, in easy conversation. Conversation that can be very simple or very complex. But always in an open communication where there are no walls.
The lack of ability to love freely without condition is how I have observed the vast majority of people. It was me for most of my life. It still is me. I struggle with the ability to give and receive love freely.
What do these observations tell me? Rather than having feelings of envy towards the former group, it tells me that I am missing something very important. It tells me that my relationship with the Lord, Whom I love with all my heart, has flaws. Some refer to these flaws as rocks. I like that visual ….. rocks in the narrow path I am taking in my journey with the Lord. As we walk side-by-side, His side of the path has no rocks. It’s my side that has the rocks. I need to pick them up and get them out of the way so I can continue the journey. Jesus is right there, telling me He will help me. All I need to do is ask. But my stubborn heart likes to stop and gaze at them. “Oh, isn’t this just so beautiful?” They cause my mind to wander. They cause me to be sidetracked. They cause me to stumble.
I have come to have an appreciation for these rocks on my journey ….. to stop and really look at them, to feel the emotions, to live life as a human ….. but I must eventually turn to Jesus and ask Him to help me remove them from the path so we can continue on together. He is very patient, and He so desires us to ask questions so He can teach us. Sometimes I want to just say “take them”. But it doesn’t work that way. These are lessons I need to learn, intentionally placed in my path. Things I need to know before I can move along the path to the higher road. I see them as stepping stones when a steep incline comes along the path, and as I come across these rocks or stones, I see them and observe the details and little nuances that each one has. They are all so very unique, representing our relationships with others. No two relationships are ever the same. I am not referring exclusively to romantic relationships, though these tend to be the most intense. Any encounter we have with another is to be considered a relationship. I see it as a process of opening another aspect of my mind, and as I work through these aspects I ask Him to help me move the rocks out of my way, but first I must ask Him to explain what the purpose of the rock is. Without this vital understanding, the rock cannot truly be removed. Without dealing with the meaning of these rocks, they get caught up in a net that we drag along behind us. They hinder our walk with the Lord. They drag us down. It’s a beautiful thing when I can look back and see the progress ….. and must be careful not to run back to gaze at them again. There will certainly be more rocks to encounter. I understand and embrace this fact, and I see it as an expression of His great and never ending love for me.
As we start a new year, this is the perfect time to stop and reflect on where we stand along the narrow path. What rocks have you encountered? Are you viewing them as stepping stones? Are you turning to Jesus to help you have an understanding of why they are on your path? Are you releasing them into His capable hands? Or are you allowing them to weigh you down, hindering your progress?
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Let Everything That Has Breath Praise The Lord! - 1/2/2008 7:43:24 AM
|
|
|
Focusing
Posts: 5339
Status: offline
|
I was very excited to come across these verses in my morning devotions today!
Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:13-14
.....forgetting what lies behind..... forgiveness. Forgiveness is such a blessing!
.....reaching forward to what lies ahead..... keeping our eyes focused on the Lord, knowing He is there beside us every step of the way
.....press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God..... continually seeking sanctification, as He has called us to do
And a humble heart that stated it .....I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet.....
My heart is humbled, knowing that I have not laid hold of it yet. The mountain top seems so far away, yet He is there beside me, always encouraging me, always ready to lend a hand. All I need to do is ask.
< Message edited by Focusing -- 1/2/2008 7:50:38 AM >
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Let Everything That Has Breath Praise The Lord! - 1/4/2008 9:09:52 AM
|
|
|
Focusing
Posts: 5339
Status: offline
|
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit. Psalm 51:12 (NASB)
This was from one of my devotions this morning. It talked about the *living dead*. What a phrase!
There was a story about a woman in her 80’s who decided to return to college, and she was talking about her secrets of staying young. One of the things she said was “Laugh and find humor every day, for there are so many people walking around who are dead and don't even know it.”
I wonder during times when I’m going through a funk ….. I’m alive and healthy, why do I feel so discouraged? Is it because I go through periods of being spiritually comatose? I think that’s it! I lose track of keeping my mind focused on God. Oh, I am usually still doing my devotions (notice I said *usually*, once in a while I slack off), but I am not in close communication with Him. I’m reading the words, but I’m not allowing Him to enter my mind, explain it to me, tell me how to apply these things to my life, show me how these words have meaning to various things going on in my life - my relationships with others ….. be it a good friend, a coworker, a fellow brother or sister in Christ, strangers I meet. How can I use His word to show His love to others? Notice how I say *show* His love. It’s not always the words I say to another, it’s my actions that they see. My actions that draw others to me. And when I draw them to me, then they see the Jesus in me.
I find myself occasionally going through the motions, without the emotions. Of course, this helps keep me on the path in the general direction, and I know it’s only through His grace that my focus is made sharper. He draws me back gently.
Do you have times like this? Where you’re *dead* spiritually? How do you keep yourself spiritually alive?
Father, I pray that you will always sustain me with a willing spirit!
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Let Everything That Has Breath Praise The Lord! - 1/4/2008 10:58:08 AM
|
|
|
Focusing
Posts: 5339
Status: offline
|
Just wanted to share something in an email from a friend this morning ......
When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better.
Remember: The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.
What an awesome thought!!
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Let Everything That Has Breath Praise The Lord! - 1/4/2008 11:07:52 AM
|
|
|
Focusing
Posts: 5339
Status: offline
|
Twenty Things to Remember
1. Faith is the ability to not panic.
2. If you worry, you didn't pray. If you prayed, don't worry.
3. As a child of God, prayer is kind of like calling home every day.
4. Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.
5. When we get tangled up in our problems, be still. God wants us to be still so He can untangle the knot.
6. Do the math. Count your blessings.
7. God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.
8. Dear God: I have a problem. It's me.
9. Silence is often misinterpreted, but never misquoted.
10. Laugh every day - it's like inner jogging.
11. The most important things in your home are the people.
12. Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional.
13. There is no key to happiness. The door is always open. Come on in.
14. A grudge is a heavy thing to carry.
15. He who dies with the most toys is still dead.
16. We do not remember days but moments. Life moves too fast so enjoy your precious moments.
17. Nothing is real to you until you experience it; otherwise it's just hearsay.
18. It's all right to sit on your pity pot every now and again. Just be sure to flush when you are done.
19. Surviving and living your life successfully requires courage. The goals and dreams you're seeking require courage and risk-taking. Learn from the turtle, it only makes progress when it sticks out its neck.
20. Be more concerned with your character than your reputation. Your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are. No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting. Leave gentle fingerprints on the soul of another for the angels to read. I don't want to get to the end of my life and find that I lived just the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Let Everything That Has Breath Praise The Lord! - 1/4/2008 3:52:01 PM
|
|
|
Focusing
Posts: 5339
Status: offline
|
Attitude
There once was a woman who woke up one morning,
looked in the mirror,
and noticed she had only three hairs on her head.
Well," she said, "I think I'll braid my hair today?"
So she did, and she had a wonderful day.
The next day she woke up,
looked in the mirror
and saw that she had only two hairs on her head.
"H-M-M," she said,
"I think I'll part my hair down the middle today?"
So she did, and she had a grand day.
The next day she woke up,
looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one hair on her head.
"Well," she said,
"today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail."
So she did, and she had a fun, fun day.
The next day she woke up,
looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head.
"YEA!" she exclaimed,
"I don't have to fix my hair today!"
Attitude is everything.
Be kinder than necessary,
for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
Live simply,
Love generously,
Care deeply,
Speak kindly.......
Leave the rest to God
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Let Everything That Has Breath Praise The Lord! - 1/4/2008 8:06:24 PM
|
|
|
Focusing
Posts: 5339
Status: offline
|
A fifth grade teacher in a Christian school asked her class to look at TV commercials and see if they could use them in some way to communicate ideas about God. Here are some of the results:
God is like BAYER ASPIRIN - He works miracles.
God is like a FORD - He's got a better idea.
God is like COKE - He's the real thing.
God is like HALLMARK CARDS - He cares enough to send His very best.
God is like TIDE - He gets the stains out that others leave behind.
God is like GENERAL ELECTRIC - He brings good things to life.
God is like SEARS - He has everything.
God is like SCOTCH TAPE - You can't see Him, but you know He's there.
God is like DELTA - He's ready when you are.
God is like ALLSTATE - You're in good hands with Him.
God is like V-O-5 HAIR SPRAY - He holds through all kinds of weather.
God is like DIAL SOAP - Aren't you glad you have Him? Don't you wish everybody did?
God is like the U.S. POST OFFICE - Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet nor ice will keep Him from His appointed destination.
God is like CHEVROLET - the heart beat of America.
God is like MAXWELL HOUSE - good to the very last drop.
God is like BOUNTY - He is the quicker picker upper ..... He can handle the tough jobs ..... and He won't fall apart on you.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Let Everything That Has Breath Praise The Lord! - 1/5/2008 1:01:32 PM
|
|
|
Focusing
Posts: 5339
Status: offline
|
In a devotion this morning, we are studying Psalm 2:11
Worship the LORD with reverence And rejoice with trembling. NASB
Worship GOD in adoring embrace, Celebrate in trembling awe. MSG
I love the the wording in the Message translation ..... in adoring embrace. That brings such a tender visual to mind. Hugging God! Running up to Him as a child of His, reaching our arms around His neck, and just hugging Him for all we're worth. He is our loving Father
Can you imagine doing such a thing? Can you imagine the incredible comfort? While we're hugging Him, truly He is hugging us back.
(((((GOD)))))
He loves us so much that it cannot possibly ever be fully expressed in words. Wow!!
At the same time, we must always remember and never forget His incredible power. He made the universe and everything in it. He made us. He has our very best in mind. He has plans for us. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Eph 2:10
1 King 2:3 says Keep the charge of the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies ..... that you may succeed in all that you do and wherever you turn
We must remember this ..... to keep His commands in all that we do, in all that we say, in all that we think. It is an ongoing work in us. It can be a struggle, especially during times of trials. But to truly succeed, we must always remember to rejoice in Him, and to tremble in awe. In awe of His great majesty. In awe of His great love for us. In awe that despite the things we do and say and think that are contrary to Him, that He still loves us. We must always remember to be grateful for His love and grace and mercy.
Sometimes I think the trembling comes in the form of crying because we know we don't measure up. Knowing we have failed Him miserably. Knowing we are not always keeping Him first. Knowing that we are being selfish and self-centered. Thinking only of ourselves. *I want, I want, I want* Knowing that despite all these things, He still loves us dearly with a love beyond explanation.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Let Everything That Has Breath Praise The Lord! - 1/6/2008 1:05:52 AM
|
|
|
Focusing
Posts: 5339
Status: offline
|
Tonight's service was wonderful, we talked about MIRACULOUS. What an awesome subject!
When considering miracles, consider the following:
What does it take to do the miraculous?
How can we set goals and succeed?
A miracle is a goal so big it will ultimately fail unless God is included.
Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." Peter said to Him, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." And He said, "Come!" And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. Matthew 14:22-32
“…Then Peter got down out of the boat …”
Why do we stay in the boat?
How many times do we miss opportunities to do something great?
Do you have a “getting out of the boat” experience?
What holds you back and keeps you from accomplishing the miraculous?
What goal challenges you to get out of your comfort zone?
Sometimes in order to move ahead we have to leave something behind.
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2
And looking at them Jesus said to them, "With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26
“…and walked on the water…”
When is the last time you did something miraculous or beyond yourself?
What is the last time you attempted the impossible?
You cannot experience the miraculous until you attempt the impossible.
“…toward Jesus…”
What determines your direction in life?
Are your goals God-honoring or self-serving?
What priority do your goals demonstrate?
What would (my life, my job, my relationship, my finances, my fill-in-the-blank) be like if I imitated Christ?
“…But when he saw the wind, he was afraid…”
What distractions take you off course? (are they doubts? demands of life? discouragement? delays?)
What obstables keep you from accomplishing great things?
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Phil 4:13
Success isn’t found in the results, but in Whom you rely upon.
Therefore be imitators of God… Eph 5:1
Four Principles in Goal Setting:
1. Chose action v. apathy.
When we start settling, we stop striving.
Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Eph 5:15-17
Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works." James 2:17-18
2. Creativity defeats complacency.
Settling for mediocrity instead of the miraculous.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2
3. Choose impact over image.
Rather than seeing obstacles, view them as opportunities.
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21
4. Faith overcomes fear.
The bigger the goal, the bigger God’s role
And He said to them, Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. Matthew 17:20
How can I do the miraculous?
1. Make goals radically.
2. Announce them publicly. (This gives you accountability.)
Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart. A poor yet wise lad is better than an old and foolish king who no longer knows how to receive instruction. Ecc 4:9-10; 12-13
3. Include God daily.
Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus. Acts 4:13
Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. John 14:12
I'm ready for some miraculous changes in my life this year!!
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Let Everything That Has Breath Praise The Lord! - 1/11/2008 11:21:50 AM
|
|
|
Focusing
Posts: 5339
Status: offline
|
Hello God, I called tonight
To talk a little while
I need a friend who'll listen
To my anxiety and trial.
You see, I can't quite make it
Through a day just on my own...
I need your love to guide me,
So I'll never feel alone.
I want to ask you please to keep,
My family safe and sound.
Come and fill their lives with confidence
For whatever fate they're bound.
Give me faith, dear God, to face
Each hour throughout the day,
And not to worry over things
I can't change in any way.
I thank you God, for being home
And listening to my call,
For giving me such good advice
When I stumble and fall..
Your number, God, is the only one
That answers every time.
I never get a busy signal,
Never had to pay a dime.
So thank you, God, for listening
To my troubles and my sorrow.
Good night, God, I love You, too,
And I'll call again tomorrow!
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Let Everything That Has Breath Praise The Lord! - 1/14/2008 11:04:41 AM
|
|
|
Focusing
Posts: 5339
Status: offline
|
Do you know how sometimes you put things off for a while?
You're too busy.....
You see the subject line of an email and it doesn't catch your attention.....
You think "Later. I'll have time later to get to that."
Then, when the time is exactly right, God says "Now." And you open the email. Or you read the devotional. Or you attend a service at a church you feel drawn to attend.
And you obey Him. And you receive exactly the right message at exactly the right time you need it.
It's a God moment.
This poem is something that a friend sent me a while ago. I only read it this morning. It was exactly the encouragement I needed today.
I have been deeply discouraged by my brethren lately.
Why do I allow the control the enemy has over others discourage me? Why am I not allowing God to be in complete control? Protect me from these spiritual attacks?
I have been told my feelings don't matter.
My feelings matter. God cares. My real friends care.
I have been told I am too sensitive.
What's wrong with a tender heart?
I have been told to quit doing kind things .... I'm too nice.
Is this possible?
I have been told that out of my generosity and kind and giving spirit that I am only seeking to have attention drawn to myself.
How is having a generous spirit self-serving?
It is between me and God. And if He desires me to continue having a tender heart, a generous and kind spirit, I shall.
They may see the good you do
as self serving.
Continue to do good.
They may see your generosity
as grandstanding.
Continue to be generous.
They may see your warm and
caring nature as weakness.
Continue to be warm and caring.
For you see, in the end,
it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Let Everything That Has Breath Praise The Lord! - 1/15/2008 1:01:00 PM
|
|
|
Focusing
Posts: 5339
Status: offline
|
We complain about the cross we bear
but don't realize it is preparing us for the
dip in the road that God can see and we can't.
Whatever your cross, whatever your pain,
there will always be sunshine, after the rain.
Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall;
But God's always ready, to answer your call.
He knows every heartache, sees every tear,
a word from His lips, can calm every fear.
Your sorrows may linger, throughout the night,
But suddenly vanish, dawn's early light.
The Savior is waiting, somewhere above,
to give you His grace, and send you His love.
This poem comes with drawings of a man carrying a cross. He's complaining that it's too heavy, and requests Jesus to cut it down. He continues making this complaint, and continues making the request for Jesus to cut it down. Jesus answers his prayer each time.
What the man doesn't see is what's up ahead, and that he would have needed the entire length of the cross to "cross" over the barrier.
It's a beautiful analogy for the trials we go through. Asking Jesus to take the pain away so we don't have to experience it, only takes away what we need to continue on our journey. The very things we need to strengthen us. He desires us to continue building our muscles (prayer and trust in Him). He desires us to persevere. He so desires us to seek after Him for the help we need in our weakest moments, our biggest struggles.
Sometimes it's better to stop and rest awhile. Receive some refreshment. Pray. To put on Jesus' yoke as we continue on the walk. To use His strength rather than our own.
For those who know me personally, you know the trials I have been and am currently going through. That cross is really heavy right now. It seems everywhere I turn there is yet another obstacle.
I come here to CW to receive encouragement. From many I do. And I am truly thankful for you. I hope I have given some encouragement as well. I've been through much in my life, and have been blessed tremendously knowing that I have helped others by sharing my heart. That is the blessing He gives us. The promise that when we trust Him, He will turn the bad in our lives to good use ..... all for His glory.
I have decided to take a hiatus from CW. I am very weary, and in much need of refreshment. I will sit on the shore of a quiet brook and talk with my Lord, the One Who loves me, the One Who will never let me down, and allow Him to heal the broken places in my heart.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Let Everything That Has Breath Praise The Lord! - 1/21/2008 10:57:53 AM
|
|
|
Focusing
Posts: 5339
Status: offline
|
I decided a few days hiatus was good enough for me. Lots and lots (and lots and lots) of stuff going on in my life lately. It's all for good and all for growth, and He is holding me through all of this ....
Despite some discouragement and sadness bringing about a heavy heart, God has once again brought me through some wonderful life lessons. There was never any doubt that He would ..... just a lot of questioning. Not in anger, but through a humble heart of wonder "Lord, why? What is the purpose of what I'm going through? What do You want to teach me? What am I to learn through these trials?"
Withdrawing from everything that is unnecessary can be a good thing. A time spent seeking after God's heart.
In expressing the "silly" things going through my mind and expressing my heart with someone who is there as a sounding board, holding no judgment, seeing through other eyes, helping me to work things out. It was all right there in front of me, I just couldn't see it. It reminds me of the Wizard Of Oz ...... everything Dorothy could ever need or want is right there in her own backyard, all she needs to do is open her eyes. (LOL)
He has once again brought me right back to the basics. It seems everytime I stray from them, I end up running right on back. As long as I keep them in the forefront of my mind, every day, all day, I do fine. All I need to do is keep my focus directed on Him.
Now, for a funny perspective on life, and a praise to God, I had wanted to crawl into a hole in the ground and hide from the world for a while. God, with His amazing humor, has granted me such a desire ........ in the form of visiting one of the most beautiful caves in the United States. Once again, I am thankful that He has answered a prayer, not only exactly what I had wanted (I only wanted to hide for a brief amount of time), but in a way that will show me the splendor He has given us to enjoy, the beauty and depth of a giant cave that fills us with awe and wonder. How much more can He do to show His immense love for us? I have such a wonderful feeling of love filling my heart, knowing He cares for me so much. 
Today I have a fabulous song running through my head. What a great song for a day off!
You put a new song in my mouth
A hymn of praise to you
All I wanna do is wake up
Spend my days with You
You put a new song in my mouth
A hymn of praise to you
You put my feet on the rock Lord
I’ll put my trust in you
Sing a newsong, yeah!!!!
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Let Everything That Has Breath Praise The Lord! - 1/22/2008 8:13:33 AM
|
|
|
.Pammy
Posts: 4093
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Mechanicsburg, PA, USA
Status: online
|
Sam, I just found your thread, and I'm so glad I did!
Is that you in your avatar? I'd seen it before, but now I see your signature, and I'm thinking it might be.
_____________________________
Pam
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Let Everything That Has Breath Praise The Lord! - 1/22/2008 9:02:43 AM
|
|
|
Focusing
Posts: 5339
Status: offline
|
Good morning Pam! I'm glad you found me too 
That's how I looked back in my 20's, when I lived at the beach. LOL I think I might have a wrinkle or two more nowadays. Smile wrinkles of course 
I have to share my exciting experience of the cave yesterday. We went to Kartchner Caverns. It was amazing! It was an escape from the world for an hour and a half, complete silence except for the voices of the tour guides. The grandeur of a giant passage under the mountain ..... the beauty of the stalacmites and stalactites ..... there were "eggs" and "bacon" and "turnips" and "drapery" and "popcorn" and "strawberries", all quite descriptive terms for the formations ..... it was beautious!! We toured the Big Room, which is only open for about six months of the year, as the remained of the year it is closed for the bats. It's referred to as the "maternity ward". They expect about 1000 bats to fly in this spring, and about 2000 bats to fly out in the fall. We had the great fortune to see the tiny miniscule droplets that can take sometimes more than three hours to form, reach the point where they dripped from a stalactite and down to the stalacmite below. So, I suppose we can say we experienced nature growing, although we really couldn't exactly see it with our eyes.
God is so wonderful to have created so much beauty for us to experience! When we came back to Earth as we know it, there was the giant full moon. Our drive back to town was after the sun had gone down, and that moon was so bright, and the sky so clear, it appeared that the sun had never fully set. There was a beautiful glow to the horizon everywhere we looked.
It was an incredible day ..... one of much needed rejuvination ..... one that brought about the wonder of nature ..... shared with a friend who came along with me and the munchkin ..... one that reinvigorated my spirit ..... once again gave me the desire and excitement to experience all that life has to offer ..... gave me that craving to see what's in my own backyard, this beautiful state and all the glory it has to offer ..... and plans were made for many day trips this coming year. God knew exactly what I needed, and brought it all back into focus for me. He never ever ceases to amaze me.
|
|
|
|
|
RE: Let Everything That Has Breath Praise The Lord! - 1/24/2008 12:47:08 AM
|
|
|
Hisjoy
Posts: 5244
Joined: 5/22/2005
From: The Golden State in the USA
Status: offline
|
Hi, Sam! Love your thread. Thanks for the truths and for looking at things spiritual and all around us with wonder and praise, for sharing how the Lord has spoken to you. Yes, I have felt "spiritually dead" knowing the truth is that I am not because Christ lives in me! So I get my focus back on track--on Jesus, on the Word, in prayer. I could identify with many other things you talked about as well.
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Tools
Printable Version
