Lifting My Hands In Praise... God Is Soveriegn

 I lift my hands in praise... even when I do not understand.

When my heart cries out...

"Why God, do you let these things happen!!"

I still know who You are.

 I am thankful that God knows the outcomes... when they don't make sense to me.

Some days... lets be real, most days life seems out of control, a disaster... heading for hell.

This week has felt like that...

My TV has been in the on position.

Maybe it's the elections. 

I switch from CNN, MSN to FOX.... trying to find truth somewhere.

What a foolish black screen. Surely, no good can come from you.

The week has been full of repeated political verbal assaults. I tune those out, yawn.

But... the child abductions, the murders of children, sometimes by other children.

I struggle.

 I don't understand this. 

I hurt for these children, parents of these children and parents of the children who caused these crimes. 

How? Why?

This week has brought news of two babies, not yet reaching their second birthdays who have stage four cancers. How? Why?

Sweet parents... I weep with you.

Psalm 34:18 "The Lord is near to the broken hearted and saves the crushed in spirit."

  

I think of our own country that doesn't respect the unborn, the innocent.

The elderly, pushed aside... ignoring the wisdom that resides within. Forgetting the value they hold, the struggles they have lived. Their eyes and tongues unfold stories of worth. 

Why... do we not care? 

Words of politicians who speak foolishness regarding violence against women, then try and explain it... like forcing toothpaste back into the tube.

Words of political pundits who call people names that are hurtful, show ignorance and disregard for all life, even those born that are special. 

We could use more special in our world. 

Special is good, beautiful, pleasing, kind, compassionate.

How? Why... do people speak as if a fool?

Proverbs 10:14 "The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near."

I don't know. I don't understand. I never will. 

If I understood it would mean I had become desensitized to a place where I could justify these things....

The thankfulness comes from recognizing God is in control. No, He did not cause these things to happen. He weeps with us in our sorrow. 

John 11:35 "Jesus wept."

Does this mean He is a powerless God? No...

A thousand times No.

He is sovereign.

The triune God, (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) is the eternal, just, loving, ultimate ruler of everything and the first cause of all good things.

Psalm 103: 15-19

 As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. 16 When the wind has passed over it, it is no more; And its place acknowledges it no longer. 17 But the loving kindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children, 18 To those who keep His covenant, And who remember His precepts to do them. 19 The LORD has established His throne in the heavens; And His sovereignty rules over all.

I will raise my hands to Him. 

My God, my Deliverer, my Rock and my Fortress. He hides me in His mighty arms, loving me as His daughter.

My Redeemer lives... so that I may have life with Him, forever.

Where do you turn when you struggle to make sense of the sorrows in this world?

 

Wednesday Wisdom... Cowboy Style

 Staying with the theme of Thankfulness I thought I would look to wisdom today.

Cowboy Wisdom

to be specific.....

* Generally, you aint learnin much when your mouth's a-jawin.

    * If you're ridin' ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it's still there with ya. 

* The only good reason to ride a bull is to meet a nurse.  

* Treat a woman like a racehorse, and she'll never be a nag.

*When you give a lesson in meanness to a critter or a person, don't be surprised if they learn their lesson.

* Don't mess with something that ain't bothering you. 

*Don't dig for water under the outhouse.

* Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear or a fool from any direction.  

* Never slap a man who’s chewing tobacco. 

* Never miss a good chance to shut up.

Ah... seems Cowboys got it going on.

I have reminded my husband of the racehorse/nag saying, while he has mentioned never missing a chance to... well, you get the idea.

 Lots of wisdom if we are willing to listen.

Proverbs 10:19
When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.

Yesterday I was at a Bible Study and the speaker talked about yielding to others. 

I get it, I see the benefits and I know my flesh (plus being from N.Y.) wants to be first.

It's always a race, a competition...

 I know yielding can be a blessing... if I let it happen, you know.... yield. 

In my head it's more like slamming on the car brakes, while everything fly's in front of me, in slow motion.

I must call it a stop sign.

Yield is an option... to me.

Ah, the devils in the doing.

Literally...

I left the study and stopped by one of my favorite shopping haunts (TJ Max. Don't judge me)

As I approached the register, actually in line, a woman pushed by me, mumbling excuse me.  I thought she was in line with another person in front of me.

Not the case. 

She ended up in front of me, waiting impatiently.

She turned at one point, looked directly at me.

 I smiled. 

She did not.

 Hmm, didn't I just yield to you lady? 

You know you should be behind me...

This time I was at total peace. 

I was not annoyed. 

 I felt a bit sad for her. She seemed in a rush, preoccupied.

Maybe she was late to work, out of work, had a sick child at home. Perhaps she was a single parent, or had a sick parent... or just having bad day.

We all have them.

I'm glad I didn't miss that chance to shut up. 

I miss wisdom most days.

 My mouth is a-jawin when I need to be shuttin it.

I am thankful for Wisdom. The Good Book is full of it... 

Proverbs 1:7
Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.  

Proverbs 4:6-7
Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

Where do you seek wisdom?

Thankful For The Adventure Of Community...

I have enjoyed 2 major moves in my adult life.... so far.

Some of you have moved more times than you can or care to remember.

You are my heroes... part of me envies you while another part understands the pain that comes with these moves.

The excitement in the unknown has always drawn me in.

 The search for new adventure and surprise tugs at my heart. 

The journey is found in the road I have not yet traveled... the hidden places.

 I could sit with a map for hours and draw circles around places I would go... and stay awhile. My heart is a wanderer... and yet... it also needs more. 

Community...

It tugs along with adventure.

People and relationships fill me up.

Relationships recharge me.

I think of the ways God brings community to us.

 Many times, we are surprised by it. It may not look like we thought it would. 

He is gracious like that, giving us more than we asked or could have imagined.

Maybe part of the adventure, surprise and unknowns are in the community we will make... if we give them a chance. 

God in all His wisdom and grace, places us where we need to be and only He knows the timing.

Do we give Him that role, freely and openly, asking Him to lead? 

Do you struggle like me, butting in daily... trying to redirect Him?

Then I read something HE wrote and I am reminded that this is not my job.

My job is to enjoy the ride and look for the gifts.

Truly.

Psalm 32:8-10
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you and watch over you."
Do not be like the horse or the mule,
which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
or they will not come to you.
Many are the woes of the wicked,
but the LORD's unfailing love
surrounds the man who trusts in him."

Today I am thankful for adventure, surprises, unknowns and most of all

Community.

We all need it... desperately. 

Do we seek it and recognize the gift that it is?

Fun Friday

Whew... where has the week gone. I was practicing being thankful and the week slipped by. It flew down the hall, around the corner and danced past me. I think I saw it dart down the sidewalk.

Time is racing...

 I was traveling... with Mr Fun. Yes, I have renamed my husband... at least for the moment. This guy knows fun and celebrates it most days.

 "It's fun to have fun. You just have to know how." Dr Seuss

Let someone other than I argue with Dr Seuss.

Today... thinking about thankfulness as I look out my window at a huge expanse of blue sky. A warm sun shining in my window on this fall day, I am thankful. 

Today...
I am thankful I live with a man who remembers fun. 

Not making fun of others, but having fun, wherever he is.
And yes, he is slightly obsessed with monkeys, gorillas, apes.... he says they are misunderstood and I should not worry about being attacked... if he were to come home with one as a pet.

If you were making a list of top 10 character traits important in a mate, I would tell you that fun should be in the top 5, somewhere after tall, dark and handsome. Kidding.... really!

Tall, dark and handsome

 should be numbers 8, 9 and 10, assuming you are going for the whole shebang.

Really.

Fun is important. It helps us through the days that may not feel like fun. 

Life is mostly about our attitude right? 

It's like that saying... Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% our attitude.

"A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22

Sneak some fun in each day.

I believe God smiles at us when we trust Him enough to have fun... and laugh through our days.

Do you remember how to have fun?

Thankful Thursday...

 

"A Thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all other virtues." 

Marcus Tullius Cicero

and... yes, I believe this with ALL my heart.

 An attitude of gratitude is what I desire.

In all circumstances...

Sounds easy... 

that's where easy stops. At the sound... some days.

But...

Today, I am thankful for sound.

The Sound of Music...

No, not the musical with Julie, though she is lovely.

More like...

 Chris Tomlin, Colbie Caillet, Neon Trees, David Crowder, Jason Mraz, Mercy Me, Needtobreathe, Jon BonJovi and Frank

(who needs no last name)

I could list a hundred artists who make me sing... loud.

What a gift, to hear song.

I am amazed when I think of the gifts God has given to man in this form. 

Amazed.... really. 

He could have given us people in robes, singing deep, low with furrowed brow.

I love that... sometimes, but I need more.

Some who sing may not recognize where the gift comes from.. but I do.

 There is no denying the gifts from above.

Thank you God for not giving us manna everyday when it comes to sound, music and ears to hear.

I pray we, "make a joyful noise unto the Lord."

Psalm 98:4 

What makes your heart sing when it comes to music?

The Wisdom Of Thankfulness...

Today I am thankful for wisdom... 

not the human kind, the kind that trips us up, puffs us up, generally makes us fools.

"Jesus answered and said, 'I thank you, Father... that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes' " Matthew 11:25

Matthew reminds me I may always be a babe in the faith... but I can still have wisdom. God doesn't make us wait. When He is revealed to us, it's game on... we can have all we want of Him. 

No jumping through hoops, passing tests or joining particular denominations. He loves freely, gives freely.. to all who seek and ask.

Thomas Merton said, 

"We do not want to be beginners (at prayer) but let us be convinced that we will never be anything but beginners, all our life."

   But...

 we can still have wisdom.

 We may feel like beginners in our faith many days, but God sees us as His beloved children. 

His desire is for us to have all of Him we can handle, including wisdom.

  

The wisdom I desire... true wisdom.

It comes not through man, but God.

  Being open, yielded, pliable...

with an attitude of obedience to my creator,

then Godly wisdom will flow.

 I am thankful that a babe like me...

can have wisdom live inside... and from that there... will, should, better be an outflow of Christ's love.

Grateful, thankful heart have I .

Today I am thankful... Day 1

                       Today I am Thankful for...

New ways to see a glimpse of God... to witness His love, His provision for me.

He reminds me that He is not found in textbooks, but in people.

 I am not changed by knowledge, but by love.

I am thankful for lingering, waiting.. and then acting when He provides the way.

He gives me a voice to share, love and encourage.

 He gives me ears to learn, grow, be reminded of His love.

I hear it through Truth spoken by those who are wise...

 reminding me... 

stay the course, you know the way.

I am thankful that others see me as worthy of their time, their efforts.

The blessing is larger than they will know.

God's timing, their obedience.... a willing vessel.

Today I am thankful for... women to build community with.
Small steps... but what glorious steps when walking in the faithful, unmistaken direction.

"I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and the new."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

What are you thankful for today and have you found a community of women to share this journey with?

In Quietness and Thanksgiving

 I have been quiet.

The zeal of the everyday takes over. 

Quietness of my heart is lost. 

Sometimes I wake and think I have nothing to share, offer, encourage.

Today I read

"One does not write what has already been written. One writes out of the storehouse of revelation and personal knowledge gained through painful experiences of growth. You cannot escape the growing experience without forfeiting the other. You will cease writing if you cease learning. You do not learn to write but write as you learn." 

Come Away My Beloved

I see it is good I have been quiet. I have much to learn.

When I step away from my Truth Teller, Giver of Life, I am like a man without a tongue. If I speak it will be nonsense and confusion to your ears.

I will not even understand... because I have eyes that glimpse a short distance, detecting but a shadow in a dark corner... always contemplating my earthly desires.

I know this.. deep in my heart.

I have been quiet, listening to God, waiting on Him. 

This has been a time of growth. They seem to come in waves, perhaps because I do not remember or learn well.

 I will never be done with these times... times of quiet, solitude, sometimes feeling cast aside, jilted, forgotten... by Him, my God.

He is there, growing, shaping, pruning.. oh the pruning.

I am grateful for these times, even though they gouge at me, tearing away places I keep sacred... for me.

He strips me bare, showing me my ways... that are not His ways.

And then He brings me to Thanksgiving.

Yes, glorious Thanksgiving. Not just a season but a place of comfort and truth... a place to remember. Remember TRUTH.

This will be my call to remember.

Thanksgiving for all that He is and all that He has provided for me.

Especially times of quiet.

"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."

Psalm 91:1