Friday, January 18, 2008

Stockades

Okay, I can't remember what Brent did, but the punishment must have been just! Of course this was Disney World a few years ago. A great Kodak moment for sure.

I really can relate to this though. I do this to myself continually when I make a mistake. I lock myself into some sort of internal stockade and stay there without a determined sentence of punishment. I ridicule myself for not being perfect or for failing God or my family. This is such wrong thinking. God would never put us in stockades to be ridiculed and punished. Jesus did that for us on the cross, so we would not have to endure this type of torture.

So why do I choose to do what has been paid for already by Jesus? It is so hard to accept that I do not have to do anything more to gain favor with God and I do not need to punish myself continually for falling short. God's grace and love are too indescribable and amazing for me to truly understand.

2 Corinthians 5:20-21

"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

Thursday, January 17, 2008

11 cents





I was on my way home tonight and I decided to stop at the grocery store near work. I like to stop at the Food Lion near my work because it is small and you get to know the same people working there day after day. Tonight there were several homeless people hanging out front. One man had his dog with him and looked to be homeless or pretty much destitute from appearance. I walked past him and went inside to get my few items.


When I got to the checkout, I put my items on the conveyor belt and waited to be checked out. Who do you think was behind me in the line? The man from outside. He plopped down his 12 pack of beer and waited for me to be checked out. My bill came to 9 dollars and 11 cents. I fumbled in my purse for the 11 cents to go along with my 20 dollar bill so that I wouldn't get any coins back. I couldn't find change in my purse at all (which is a first for me).


The man behind me piped up and said, " I have 11 cents for you." I thanked him but said, "that's okay". He looked disappointed that I didn't take his money. I assured him that I appreciated his gesture. He replied with a comment that he was happy to give because it always comes back to you when you do.


I am amazed how encouragement can come in the strangest ways. There are people that we might not want to give a second look because of their outward appearance or their strange behavior. God speaks through so many avenues that we cannot comprehend how they are able to touch our lives. I love the fact that we should always have our eyes, ears and hearts open to receive encouragement, wisdom, and blessings from anywhere, anyone, and at anytime!


Hebrews 13:1-3


" Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies."

Looking for God

Have you ever asked the question, "Where are you God?". I sure have. There are times that I get so absorbed in "looking" for God, that I don't realize all that I am missing around me. Just like Tyler in this picture! When you concentrate on finding that one thing, you miss out on the people and opportunities around you. I have found that God cannot be found, because he cannot be lost! God is everywhere. We can only be in one place. ( I wish I could be in more than one place). When I get self absorbed, God says "Look around and you will see all that I am doing". That is encouragement to me.

Deuteronomy 4:29-30

"But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and obey him."

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Busyness

John Baldessari, «I will not make any more boring Art»,
1971Photography © John Baldessari


This piece is from the Modern art class I took recently. I love this piece, and yes it is art. You can take it for what it is, or you can look deeper and realize that he is using this to make a point, scolding himself for being 'status quo" and reminding himself to put expression in his art.

I think everyone would benefit from writing sentences now and then. I would start with...
I will not complain about my life.
I will remember to be thankful for what I have.
I will not be selfish.
I will think of others above myself.
I will be content where I am
II Corinthians 11:16-17
"I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then receive me just as you would a fool, so that I may do a little boasting. In this self-confident boasting I am not talking as the Lord would, but as a fool."
"

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Youth

I love this picture of Brent. He loves football, and had the opportunity to play in high school when his family was on furlough from Papua New Guinea. There is just something wonderful about being able to participate in something that you love. He coaches a flag football team now and has a great team. I think youth is such a gift from God. He allows us to have a brief time in our lives with little responsibilities and a lot of opportunities to just enjoy life! If you think of all of the opportunities we had in our teen years you realize how much there is to grasp and hold onto in the years to come.

As an adult the bills come, the children appear and life closes in each day that we press forward. I believe God gives youth to remind us that we have a carefree, adventurous spirit deep inside of us.

Ecclesiastes 11:9-10
"Young people, it’s wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do. 10 So refuse to worry, and keep your body healthy. But remember that youth, with a whole life before you, is meaningless."