Then I Realized...

Concerned about all the folks on the East Coast with Sandy having roared in with more water than belongs on land, my heart goes out to all involved. I was just listening to “My Hope” by Paul Baloche http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuKY8G9i64w and thought I’d share it on Facebook for anyone it could help.

Then, I realized that those who need it most, or that it could possibly mean the most to in the middle of this storm, may not have the power to hear it. Not sure how long your computer or iPod or phone battery works…

Then, I realized that is the case much of the time for any of us going through the storms of life.  When the storm is at its peak, our power goes out, and our ability to receive help is almost nil.  What do I mean by “our power is knocked out”?  That’s when we struggle the most with believing we will be rescued, or that we are not alone, or that God is who he says he is and does what he says he will do.

Then, I realized that the Holy Spirit who lives on the earth now, is here and ready to work. And, that’s his job!  He gives power, enabling us to receive – God’s love, God’s power, God’s mercy, God’s grace, God’s strength…basically everything we receive from God.

Then, I realized that my best thing to do for those I’m concerned for in the path of the storm “Sandy” is to pray. Pray for the power of the Holy Spirit to be theirs. Pray for the Holy Spirit to surround, invade, interrupt the fear, the doubt, the anguish, the sadness, the grief, the hurt, the loss, the pain they are experiencing. May you do just that Holy Spirit! Come and generate enough power for them to live on. Give them wisdom for the day, for the moment. Give them hope. For now, and for a lifetime. Give them provision, both physical and spiritual food. Bring your best game, today. Come in power, come in love. Come in your mercy and unending faithfulness.

Then, I realized that a verse I read yesterday has life for today. Yesterday I read a verse from Psalm 89: 8 which says “O Lord God Almighty! Where is there anyone as mighty as you, Lord? Faithfulness is your very character.” Holy Spirit, generate the power to believe that God is truly faithful. Generate the power to trust, to give over the fear, to accept Your peace today.

Then I realized that the little devotional book I picked up Sunday “The Same Love” by Paul Baloche (yes, you may see I’m on a roll here) had a verse from Mark 5 where Jesus says, “Don’t be afraid. Just trust me.” What a call during any storms we are in. Jesus knows that when things get bad, our own personal “fear factor” goes way up, and our power, or ability, or desire to trust is diminished. He’s ahead of all that. He already knew that. He realized a long time ago how we would struggle with today. Yet, he knows that “faithfulness is his very character” therefore he asks us to trust him.

Then I realized that I need the Holy Spirit to generate faith, and trust, and peace today as well.  One of my favorite passages is in Ephesians 3 where Paul (not Baloche) is praying for spiritual empowering…and he prays that the Holy Spirit would give “mighty inner strength” and that the Holy Spirit would “give the power to understand” how much God loves us…”power enabling us to experience God’s love”. May that be so today. May all of us in storms, physical or spiritual ones, have the power that can only be generated by the Holy Spirit to receive all God has for us.

Then I realized that the Holy Spirit is the generator who generates his own power, who never quits, who never needs repair, who can’t be stopped by sin, wind, or waves. Who is always on and is inviting us to plug in to him now. I’m pluggin’ in and prayin’ for you too. I’m just sayin’.

What’s My Measure of Success?

To-Do-Lists or the Golden Rule? 

So, you get to the end of your day and wonder what on earth you did ALL day. You check the to-do-list (if you can find it) ☺ and see there is really nothing to mark off. In fact, you jot down a couple of new things you now remember that are supposedly urgent. 

The books can tell you how to avoid this predicament. They can give you tips and advice and how-to's so you don't feel like piling up into a heap with a snack and some brain-dead TV show and quietly griping yourself out over and over.

Is there an alternative that actually sets us back on course?

Turn it over. Take that "condemnation riddled” to-do-list and flip it over and write down what you actually did throughout the day. Here’s mine for today.

-         Good visit with husband

-         Wrote out scripture prayer for teen, prepared note-card to mail

-         Bubble bath

-         Hair cut & color!!

-         Visit with friend/prayed for her friend

-         Mini-lunch date

-         Visted some family members

-         Shopped w/ husband (3 stores!!)

-         Good nap!

-         Sat with and listened to new ideas for business plan

-         Ate healthy supper

-         Played with the dog

-         Cleaned kitchen

-         Called 3 friends, sent letter to friend

-         Decided to agree there is NO condemnation for me…

Now that wasn’t so bad was it…the day I mean. So you had some meaningful conversations and did some heart-felt relating and really everything was pretty much good stuff done today.

The real problem is not in creating the list, or not doing what is on the list but the belief that if there is nothing marked off the list, it means “I have failed”. Before you know it, we actually believe that. Guess what’s next? Yep, if we stay there, then we’ve have just set ourselves up for an un-productive day or most certainly an un-fulfilled one tomorrow. Or, even if it is productive, we’ll tell ourselves we didn’t get anything done because there are no lines marking anything off!  Maybe we should throw that list away!

Or…what if we used it like it is meant to be used. A way to capture things we want to do while we’re being the person we want to be. What if we were able to get most everything on our list done, but had been real crabby all day- making everyone around us wish they had thrown the list away! Or left home. Or they piled up in a heap-checked out, so they didn’t get blasted with our “poor, me, to-do-spray”!

Measuring our success on how we treat those around us rather than how many things we can mark off the list seems to be a better guide.

Let’s try being a little more gentle with ourselves. When we encourage others to see a better perspective of their lives, we would profit if we listened to those words ourselves!

Here’s betting if I go to bed tonight with the flip side of that list in my heart and mind, I’ll be thankful for the good day I had, rest a little better, and actually turn it back over with a slight pep in my step ready to tackle something listed. At least I’ll remember that “being” trumps “doing” and my success is not based on lines drawn through lists. Besides, the list is perpetual and if I want to accomplish the most important of all assignments, the approach has to change. Now. 

Do unto others…Matthew 7:12

I’m just sayin’.

It ain't no quiet time!!

Psalm 46:10   “Be STILL and know that I am God.” 

This verse has helped guide me for years. When life gets out of balance, I somehow get reminded of this instruction. I used to have it up in beautiful scripted letters all across my bathroom mirror to remind me first thing each day.

But, you know how it is when you see something every day. You get where you don’t see it at all. Just like when I call a very intentional, much needed and desired visit with the LORD God Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth…my “quiet time”.  I call it that. I say I have it. But ritual gives way to distraction so easily. I either begin to forget how much I need and desire it, or when I show up for it (set aside a few minutes) it just isn’t quiet.

Well, the verse really says to be still. J So, is it still?? I think currently the answer would have to be NO. I usually sit in a glider rocker in my multi-purpose room.  I have a quilt studio, an office, and a piano in here. Bringing in a cup of hot tea, gathering up my journal and bible, getting everything set should put me in….Oh, and finding my iPod, headset, and quilt...  a great place, atmosphere, and mood for worship, reading a verse or two, praying….oh, wait, I also need to turn on the extra little heater sometimes and get the Texas Rangers Snuggy my son gave me…. But for some reason it takes a basic aerobics session… Oh, sometimes it’s the ceiling fan that needs to be turned on…to get still, and yet I still can’t be still!

You would think the glider was an airplane not a rocking chair! I get the glider rockin’, the ottoman rockin’, my heart is beating fast, my mind is racing, and the last think going on is quiet, much less still.

Now to slow those rpm’s a tad.

For starters, drop the title. It ain’t no quiet time. It doesn’t need to be. Not at the moment. If this is me right now, my best bet is to put on some jumpin’ type worship music and shuffle a bit. Raise my arms and thank the LORD for giving me a day to start. Holler a bit about what’s got me riled up. Shout to the LORD some thankfulness. Give up a few Hallelujahs.  Cry a few honest tears about the fears I keep cussin’ and discussing throughout the day.

After all that, it’s time to grab my To Do List! What? During my “quiet time”?? Yep, because if I don’t, sure as I start to wind down and get a stillness coming over me, my mind will go into relax mode and that’s exactly when I’m going to remember that I need to make a trip to Walmart for this, Brookshires for that, and go by and say hi to… You too? You have just been declared normal and fully able to enter into the Holy of Holies intact, ready to converse with your Creator on an intimate basis!

Now, with some of my junk out of the way, the to-do-list by my chair, maybe a potty break, I’m ready to ask some sincere questions, read that verse, pray that verse, write a thank-you note to God, etc.

Is it any wonder we’ve been instructed to Be still - before, or so we’ll have the capacity to know that he is God? The order of our gyrations to get to the point of stillness is not important. It is only important that we eventually get still. And know that he is God.

I’m just sayin’. 

Christmas Eve

December 24, 2011                

I wonder how Mary felt on Christmas Eve. Expectant for sure – but not like the little children waiting on Santa.  Also, not like the Grandmas and Grandpas waiting on little children to come over the river and through the woods to their house. Mary’s expectation was laced with surrender, joy, uncertainty, and a lack of comfort.

Mary knew better than anyone – because she was “experiencing” the miracle whereas up until that point, everyone else was only hearing about it. She already had the physical life of Jesus impacting her. Well, Joseph was getting “2^nd hand impact” I’m sure. You don’t take a nine month pregnant lady for a ride on a donkey, and put her up in a stable without impact. Just sayin’. J

But, eventually her physical sensations subsided as he was born…but the spiritual ones came on stronger and closer together. And it was set up so we can experience them too.

Birthing the Savior of the world was much like birthing any child under less than desirable circumstances, poor facilities. And much like many births, there was no “real” father to claim the child.  Young, unmarried, and preggers back in bible days was downright shameful. She must have been battling that, along with Joseph. At least there was no guilt. But shame can sometimes make you feel guilty whether you are or not.

Yep, Jesus caused quite a stir before he even got here…and he hasn’t stopped.

I favor the King of heaven and earth coming in as a nobody. And instead of creating a war, with death and destruction as “earthly” leaders do, he brought life and peace for anyone who wants to trust him for it.  He managed to take on our sin without becoming sinful. The first stir of shame over him was only an introduction to the kinds of guilt and condemnation and confusion and shame he would resolve in lives that ask for it.

My perspective has been altered this year by a simple talk I heard, “God with Us”. I’m accustomed to trusting that God sent Jesus so I can be with him, but the idea that God sent Jesus so he can be with me is a switch in my mindset. It’s loading me up with peace, almost like a giggle in my spirit (maybe that is known as joy), and the way I view my day has become less complicated.

He seriously wants to come into our presence, our thoughts, our actions. He wants to be with us more than anything. He offered his best gift – Jesus – Emanuel, so he could be with us.

A merry Christmas it is. God is with us.

Be blessed experiencing God with you,

Susan

Fridays are a mindset

I just now wrote in my journal: "It’s Friday! Yay!" Then I thought, "why are Fridays such a big deal to me?” I’m a homemaker! 

Friday is a mindset we would do well to live in for more days a week.  We have a better outlook for a day.  We anticipate enjoying the next couple of days rather than dread them. In reality most people have to work at least one, if not both days on the weekend.  Maybe not at the workplace but at home or helping friends and family.  And some kind of “relational” work usually takes place. However, we cheerfully enjoy Fridays because we look forward to a break, a change of pace.

I think retirement is like years of Fridays all strung together. It’s not that we don’t have work to do, but the anticipation boosts our energy level.  We tend to have a clearer mind about what’s important. We don’t try to do too much.  We plan fun activities long awaited and “re-creation” occurs.  Life gets livelier. Our hearts get bigger, and we are able to give and receive love more readily.

My husband recently retired after working for forty years and is taking some time to figure out what he wants to be when he grows up. Interestingly, it feels like I retired too.  He had long hours and a killer schedule working from home.  I scheduled around his schedule.  Now, my calendar feels as empty and free as his does.  By the way, I’ve not cancelled anything. J

I’m cheerfully looking forward to the days ahead, just like on Fridays. We are in a transition and probably have more work to do than ever but it feels different. I realize that in a few years, my perspective will most likely change, but today I say “Hello weekend, hello retirement! You have put pep in my step!” I’m just sayin’. Proverbs 17: 22a  A cheerful heart is good medicine...

Crumbs, it's what's for dinner

If I were to develop a brand of dog food, I would name it Crumbs.  Dogs love crumbs!  I don't feel bad when I accidentally rake some off the kitchen counter, 'cause I know my Brandi Lea will scarf them up in no time.

Can you imagine going into PetSmart with your dog to pick up their food and when they see the bag labeled "Crumbs" they go wild, jumping, sniffing, and wanting to rip open the bag?  Of course they would! Did you know there's actually a brand called "Solid Gold Barking at the Moon" (why would anyone want to encourage that in their dog?) and then of course the "IAMS" which could be putting the dog on an ego trip. :)  Nobody gets to say "I AM" other than the I AM.  And then there's my favorite brand "Taste of the Wild"...just sounds inviting and my dog likes it. 

Well believe it or not I realize that the words on the packages are for us consumers, not the dogs - but what I consume personally some days could be considered "crumbs" especially in the spiritual food category.  I make sure I get normal, large, or Super-Size portions of food for the body.  But soul food?  That’s too often best described as a tiny morsel, scraps, tidbits of the real stuff, just a spec, a fragment of the larger portion available …basically just crumbs.  

I think I have it in reverse.  I would be a lean mean fighting machine (or maybe just fit) if I took just the crumbs from my plate instead of the whole plate full, and eat normal portions of spiritual food.  What's on the plate matters, because even large amounts of junk foods don’t satisfy or sustain for very long.  Unfortunately, there's a lot of spiritual junk food out there. (I’ll try to come up with some great menus at another time.) But it starts with regular meals, normal portions, and then menu selections can be fine tuned.  It may take a while to figure out what strengthens and what leaves us lacking.  What inspires, and what makes us tired and droopy.  What makes us want to come back for more, and what leaves us dreading the next meal. But, it won't be long before we’ll find some treats ready and waiting, just for the taking....if we'll just come and get it. I’m just sayin’.

Enter at your own risk. :)

Greetings! Welcome to my wondering and wandering world. I don't know if there is a category for me but if I were to name it, I would call it exploration....so I figure you might need sort of a tour guide intro to get started with me....here's some of what you might should expect from me.

Blogging was inevitable because neither twitter nor FB have enough room for me to express a complete thought...and this is great place to go when you are very wordy, but don't want to impose on others. It's a way to capture your thoughts plus share them, without pushing them into somebody else's head.

I'm aware of how our words affect those around us and that is the reason for my title, "I'm just sayin'". It is a way to say "this is what I think" without being certain...although saying it with pretty strong conviction. :) So these thoughts are what I think I believe, or these are thoughts I believe I think...not sure.

I feel pretty confident that my opinions will change...whether real soon...or fairly later. So, it's probably wise to qualify my blog as being just that...things I think, believe, or feel pretty strongly about, for now...I'm just sayin'.

By the way, something that might help if you choose to come back and read again is knowing that I am somewhat jovial...overuse smiley faces a lot :) and you are invited to read my blog in the most friendly frame of mind possible...actually, if you read with a smile on your face you'll get what I intended most likely....also I say things backwards sometimes....on purpose...and reading slowly might help too. :)

I hope my words are encouraging, challenging, and inviting...yes, especially inviting. I have a mission of sharing God's love through prayer, friendship, and quilting...I guess this is the "friendship" section. But you must know I am not what most/or some would consider a "religious" person, but fall into the "spiritually minded, reflective soul" sort. So, if I say words or talk about things that offend you it's not on purpose. Life itself can be offensive, truth can be offensive, and anything that is not just like us can be offensive...so chances are, you may get offended some where along the way on my blog. Being offended is usually a nice time to ask myself good questions ....and then be determined to find a way away from it....like repeating "I will not be offended by that" over and over until I find myself a new perspective...one my heart and mind can live in peace with. It usually takes seeing/hearing others in a less critical light, having a non-judgmental attitude, and pausing long enough to consider where they are in life. So, here I am trying to share the love of the Creator of the whole universe and I am imperfect. Go figure. But, it is what I believe in and am passionate about and hope you will sense it through this blog.

Succinct is not what most people refer to me as...so my words may seem to need de-coding at times. Frankly, I don't make sense a lot of the time. :) Always feel free to ask if you don't understand something....I may be trying to figure it out as well! Comments are welcome and probably helpful.

"Blessings" will most likely be my regular way to close a blog...it is the shortest prayer I know that covers everything. :) (remember that is part of my mission....for me, praying is one of my ways of sharing Love) When you read "blessings" at the end, know that I truly hope and pray for God's love and favor and help and ____ for you. You can throw one up for me too!

So, welcome into my world....and thanks for letting me into yours. You and I - regardless of how alike and different we are - need others. I prefer face-t0-face over electronic messages but hopefully this will suffice for the moment and if we do get to meet, we'll have a great starting place in our conversation. You are probably a lot more interesting/lovable/valuable than you realize...I'm just sayin'.

Blessings,

Susan