Wounds

Our former pastor (Gene Appel) preached a message and shared the definition of an emotional or psychological "wound."  It is "a deep sense that there is a core part of us that is unlovable, unaccepted, and unwanted."  Wounds like that are not healed easily.  He also said...

"Reality is that we can't make it through life without somebody hurting us, leaving nicks, cuts, and sometimes even gashes in our souls; and we have to learn how to access the God who is greater than our hurt. It just doesn't work when we try to cover our wounds with success or achievement or try to keep the hurts deeply buried. In Psalm 55, we learn from King David's experience that rather than burying the hurt, we have to acknowledge it; and rather than expecting instantaneous healing from God, we have to have a persevering mindset. Healing takes time. In God's mind, our hurt always has two intended recipients: us and someone else. Typically it's our wounds that equip us to serve others in their woundedness. And with regard to the one who has caused us hurt, we have to leave justice to God, the God who is greater than."

It is the grace of God that says that we *are* lovable, wanted, accepted. It seems natural to look for healing to come from the one who hurt us, rather than the One who created us. But God's plan and purpose for us was never meant to be natural. Gene's right... Based on the Word of God, we are to comfort others with the comfort we ourselves received from God.  He is faithful. 

Who in your life has been a living example of love and acceptance?  Thank God for that gift of grace.

Apples of Gold

I sent a text to a friend last night... "My grandpa is gone."  It was after I had received my sister's phone call, and had made calls to my kids.  Her response was very sweet.  More tears as I processed the passing of a man who has meant so much in my life.  After a few minutes she shared something else.  Something I'd like to pass on...

"God showed me the peace and beauty of death while I was thinking of and praying for your grandpa (earlier today).  I was taken aback by the beauty of death He showed me, as it is shared , in a great sense, with the beauty of our birth and beginning of life.  We are born and celebrated... fresh from our journey...straight from God.  Death, in a sense, is just as beautiful... and we are even more celebrated by all of the lives we have created and touched... as we leave this world a better place for our having been in it.  What an intimate and beautiful experience that must be.  He gave me a great peace today... and I knew your grandpa felt the same way.  I have no doubt about it."

"For You formed my inward parts, You knit me together in my mother's womb.  I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well." ~Psalm 139:13-14

"I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky... and through your offspring, all nations on earth will be blessed."   ~Genesis 26:4
 
"Therefore, we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord.  We live by faith, not by sight... So we make it our goal to please Him... for we all must appear before the judgement seat of Christ that each one may receive what is due him for the things done in the body, whether good or bad."  ~2Corinthians 5:6-10

"Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope."  ~1Thessalonians 4:13

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.  And He who was seated on the throne said, 'I am making everything new!'"  ~Revelaton 21:4-5

(Thank you, Jennifer!)

11.27.11

Unnecessary Roughness

Lord, God, I'm not proud of my behavior yesterday.  Why is it so difficult to turn from wrath?  To simply be silent, and let foolishness run its course?  Why can't I remember, in the heat of the moment, that a gentle answer turns away wrath?  Where was my gentle answer?

Is it real?

Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest: “Holy Spirit is the experiential name for eternal life working in human beings here and now. The only thing that makes eternal life actual is the entrance of the Holy Spirit by commitment to Jesus Christ. Our beliefs will mock us unless something comes into us from God, because nothing has any power to alter us except the incoming of the life of God. The Holy Spirit is the One who makes experientially real in us what Jesus Christ did for us.”

No weapon.

A friend posted this today.  This is the hope of our calling...

"Beloved, rise up in faith to know that no weapon formed against you will prosper. It doesn't matter what the enemy brings against you, you belong to Me. You will have to take a stand and resist his maneuvers, but I have already given you the power to defeat him soundly. Refuse to allow his tactics to overwhelm you or bring discouragement. It is My will that you obtain and maintain the victory, says the Lord. Isaiah 54:17 'No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me,' Says the LORD." 

...from SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND by Marsha Burns

She added... "lots of verbs here... stand... resist... refuse... obtain... maintain."

I know where I'm gonna' spend my time this morning!

Thank you, Melinda Quinn!  Still so grateful the Lord knit us together for a time... so that we would be forever friends, sisters in Christ.  YOU, my dear, are a precious gift of God!  I love you.

(I love HIM!)

to know...

I opened my facebook and read these words,
 "... but this is all i know."
A simple, honest, hopeless phrase.

Get still.

Meditation sounds very mystical.  Many of us tend to resist the idea.  But that's the best time, in some cases the only time, to hear from God!

Happy Veteran's Day

Honored, grateful, humbled...

Empathy

Empathy : the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another of either the past or present without having the feelings, thoughts, and experience fully communicated in an objectively explicit manner. Also : the capacity for this.

(Thank you, Loraine!)  :)

Lord, please teach me to empathize.  Amen.

Home is Where Your Story Begins...

This morning's devotion took me back to memories of the homes I lived in while growing up.  There were many.  In fact, it wasn't until 9th grade that my family settled down and stayed put (for a while.)  Even "family" was an ever-changing dynamic.