Thursday, December 13, 2012
Thursday, April 12, 2012
I Share with You my Joy
1 John 1:1-8 (The Message)
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%201:1-8&version=MSG
1-2From the very first day, we were there, taking it all in—we heard it with our own ears, saw it with our own eyes, verified it with our own hands. The Word of Life appeared right before our eyes; we saw it happen! And now we're telling you in most sober prose that what we witnessed was, incredibly, this: The infinite Life of God himself took shape before us.
3-4We saw it, we heard it, and now we're telling you so you can experience it along with us, this experience of communion with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. Our motive for writing is simply this: We want you to enjoy this, too. Your joy will double our joy!
6-7If we claim that we experience a shared life with him and continue to stumble around in the dark, we're obviously lying through our teeth—we're not living what we claim. But if we walk in the light, God himself being the light, we also experience a shared life with one another, as the sacrificed blood of Jesus, God's Son, purges all our sin.
8-10If we claim that we're free of sin, we're only fooling ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. On the other hand, if we admit our sins—make a clean breast of them—he won't let us down; he'll be true to himself. He'll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing. If we claim that we've never sinned, we out-and-out contradict God—make a liar out of him. A claim like that only shows off our ignorance of God.
THURSDAY, APRIL 12 Read 1 John 1:1-8
unknown. Upper Room Disciplines 2012 (p. 115). Kindle Edition.
...When we sin, God doesn't stop loving us; but we may sense that something blocks both God's blessings and our conscious sense of God's presence. Admitting our sins and naming them is the first step to removing that block.
God is so gracious. He has provided the means by which we can stay in constant fellowship with Him. I can let go of the behaviors and thoughts that keep me away from God, and His forgiveness allows me to reconnect with Him. God has never left me, but my sin has kept me from experiencing His presence.
There are not enough words of praise and thankfulness that God has done this for each and every one of us.
Romans 8:38-39
Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:
They kill us in cold blood because they hate you. We're sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.
None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I'm absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.
In moments of clarity, when I can wrap my mind and heart around this idea, I am blown away by how much God loves me, the lengths to which He went, the sacrifice that Jesus willingly made, so that I could be in fellowship with God.
And this is freely available to anyone! God is amazing! And I am forever grateful!
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20John%201:1-8&version=MSG
1-2From the very first day, we were there, taking it all in—we heard it with our own ears, saw it with our own eyes, verified it with our own hands. The Word of Life appeared right before our eyes; we saw it happen! And now we're telling you in most sober prose that what we witnessed was, incredibly, this: The infinite Life of God himself took shape before us.
3-4We saw it, we heard it, and now we're telling you so you can experience it along with us, this experience of communion with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. Our motive for writing is simply this: We want you to enjoy this, too. Your joy will double our joy!
Walk in the Light
5This, in essence, is the message we heard from Christ and are passing on to you: God is light, pure light; there's not a trace of darkness in him.6-7If we claim that we experience a shared life with him and continue to stumble around in the dark, we're obviously lying through our teeth—we're not living what we claim. But if we walk in the light, God himself being the light, we also experience a shared life with one another, as the sacrificed blood of Jesus, God's Son, purges all our sin.
8-10If we claim that we're free of sin, we're only fooling ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. On the other hand, if we admit our sins—make a clean breast of them—he won't let us down; he'll be true to himself. He'll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing. If we claim that we've never sinned, we out-and-out contradict God—make a liar out of him. A claim like that only shows off our ignorance of God.
THURSDAY, APRIL 12 Read 1 John 1:1-8
unknown. Upper Room Disciplines 2012 (p. 115). Kindle Edition.
...When we sin, God doesn't stop loving us; but we may sense that something blocks both God's blessings and our conscious sense of God's presence. Admitting our sins and naming them is the first step to removing that block.
God is so gracious. He has provided the means by which we can stay in constant fellowship with Him. I can let go of the behaviors and thoughts that keep me away from God, and His forgiveness allows me to reconnect with Him. God has never left me, but my sin has kept me from experiencing His presence.
There are not enough words of praise and thankfulness that God has done this for each and every one of us.
Romans 8:38-39
The Message (MSG)
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%208:%2038-39&version=MSGDo you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:
They kill us in cold blood because they hate you. We're sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.
None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I'm absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.
In moments of clarity, when I can wrap my mind and heart around this idea, I am blown away by how much God loves me, the lengths to which He went, the sacrifice that Jesus willingly made, so that I could be in fellowship with God.
And this is freely available to anyone! God is amazing! And I am forever grateful!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Gee-Gee Smith First posted on FB Feb 14, 2012
www.youtube.com
O soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see? There's a light for a look at the Savior, And life more abundant and free! Turn your ey...
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Snoopy's Happy Dance
Today's meditation from Upper Room Discipline is from 1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18.
16-18Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.
I always think of Snoopy's Happy Dance when I read this passage. It is an image I have held for over 30 years and it still brings a smile to my face when I think of it.
From URD meditation: What we know is that we must keep praying, keep seeking the alignment of our spirits with the Holy Spirit that results in forming lives of holiness and faithfulness. ... These practices position us to receive the blessing of wholeness: an integration of spirit, soul, and body. Thus we become complete, sound, and holy.
Upper Room, Disciplines 2011 (Kindle Locations 4595-4597, and 4603-4604). Unknown. Kindle Edition.
16-18Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.
I always think of Snoopy's Happy Dance when I read this passage. It is an image I have held for over 30 years and it still brings a smile to my face when I think of it.
From URD meditation: What we know is that we must keep praying, keep seeking the alignment of our spirits with the Holy Spirit that results in forming lives of holiness and faithfulness. ... These practices position us to receive the blessing of wholeness: an integration of spirit, soul, and body. Thus we become complete, sound, and holy.
Upper Room, Disciplines 2011 (Kindle Locations 4595-4597, and 4603-4604). Unknown. Kindle Edition.
In light of the news we received yesterday that the recovery and restoration of the basement was not covered by our insurance, it is a timely Scripture. My nature is to wallow in the "woe is me" mindset. But God calls us to trust Him, that He will be with us in whatever the world delivers, and He will meet our needs, whatever they may be.
I don't believe that God will necessarily rain money from heaven (although He is capable of doing this, it is not generally how he chooses to act.). But I do believe that God will help us find a way through this both financially and emotionally.
As I was in my prayer time, I asked God to make His presence known to me, and to release from me all the barriers I put up to keep Him out. I had a sense of dancing with God: ballroom, ballet and and then an old fashion hoe down. I laughed at God's sense of humor. I felt joy in knowing God is with me whatever my circumstances may be.
I thank God for this season of Advent as we prepare to receive God's Son once more. Amen.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Meanderings
I am having great difficulty focusing my mind. I feel as if the neurons are firing all over the place. The fear comes in because I can't tell if this is some type of fire storm before they burn themselves out, or, more of a firing up for some great project ahead. It feels as though my life could go either way at this point.
I have a leaden inertia that makes it impossible to move, sometimes to breathe. I think of so many things I want to do, want to try, but I remain unmoved, still, dead.
Take this writing project I have tried; NaNoWeiMo. My heart is so full of stories but I am unable to find the translation key, to change these things in my heart into words. I feel this is true in many areas of my life. My heart is full of love for my family, but I rarely tell them that I love them. I always feel so awkward when I do, as if I am afraid my love will not be returned. I am so insecure, and yet I suspect that most people who know me wouldn't suspect that about me. I have spent a lot of my life hiding, and protecting my inner most thoughts.
Except with God. I pour out my heart to God, but I rarely feel God's love, presence. I know God is present, and there is no way I can explain that knowledge. It is one of those things in my heart for which I am unable to find words. There have been a few special moments when God was so near that I could reach out and touch Him. (yes, I refer to God in terms of "Him" although I believe God is somehow both male and female. After all, we are all created in God's image.) And i certainly experience the results of God's presence with/in me.
There are the dreams I had about Ted, that we would marry, at a time I was very far from feeling that. I laughed at the time, until Ted proposed to me very unexpectedly. (I was trying to break up with him permanently.) Boy did I feel the full impact of God's presence that day!
There are the series of GIM journey's in which God was present to me; sitting with Jesus in the empty tomb, hearing the chorus of angels sing of God's love for me, being a small child cradled in God's arms. And those moments when I went walking in Wissahickon Creek, feeling the sunshine through the tree leaves and knowing God was with me.
But I have spent so much of my life hovering in the back of a dark, dank, cave of depression. I know God is with me there, but I so want to be released into God's light. I think that is why I crave AZ so much. Somehow, there, I can feel the sunshine, at least some of the time. The deep blue sky fills my heart and I can breathe again. But even here in AZ, I hibernate. I don't leave the house for days. I wonder at times if I will ever leave, and then I muster the energy and go out.
I have no idea what the purpose of this discourse is. I am wandering "bunny trails". But somehow this is expressing my very confused and frightened heart right now.
I have no purpose and that scares me. Why am I still living if I have no purpose? There is a strong part of me that has been ready to let go of this life for such a long time. I just don't have the energy to keep trying. But I don't want to leave Ted and Aaron and Becca and Bernadetta and Konrad. I love them each so deeply. I want to support each of them as best I can. But I fear that I am more of a drain than a support, especially for Ted. He has been such a wonderful husband; more than I could have ever hoped or dreamed. I have no doubt that he has has been absolutely faithful to me. How many women are able to say that in this day and age? He has carried me throughout our life together. My depression has made functioning so difficult so much of the time. And yet he has stayed with me.
There were times when I felt so distant and cut off from Ted.He has too often been a slave to his work and I felt abandoned. I am amazed that he still feels so insecure about his value at work. Even now he seems to have times when he fears he will be fired.
And there are so many people who seem to have such close relationships with their children, but I rarely have meaningful conversations about life and love and hopes and fears with my kids. It comes back to that business with the full heart and no way to translate all those feelings into words. I care deeply about their happiness, and am so proud of the wonderful adults they have become, but so rarely tell them so.
And Konrad! I want to be his go-to granny, but don't know how to relate to him. He is so physical and I am such a lump. I gaze at his pictures on my computer and am amazed at what an amazing child he is; so creative, fun, intelligent. But I have no idea how to heal or channel his dark side; his deep anger at times, so like Aaron, and, apparently Bernadetta as well. Poor kid; a double whammy of angst!
And I wish they could each know God's love. Even though I don't feel God as I would wish, I KNOW that He loves me, and died for me so that we could have relationship. I wish for that peace and knowledge for each of them as well.
And that brings me full circle to my time of Centering Prayer. I can't get my brain to quiet, to listen for God's Voice. My mind runs in circles and over hill and dale. I never have a sense of God's presence during my prayer time. I rarely have a moment of inspiration or insight from God. And yet my life is richer when I spend time trying to listen for God's Voice.
All this has poured forth from my 20 minutes of listening.
God of heaven and earth:
Have mercy on me, a sinner saved by Your grace. thank you that in all these meanderings, You know my heart. You know the fullness and the emptiness that I so often feel. you alone are able to hold all the opposites of who I am in one being.
Help me to have the confidence of Your presence and the ability to hear your voice.
Help me find purpose in serving You. Help me to know HOW I am to serve You at this point in my life.
In Jesus' Holy Name I pray, AMEN!
I have a leaden inertia that makes it impossible to move, sometimes to breathe. I think of so many things I want to do, want to try, but I remain unmoved, still, dead.
Take this writing project I have tried; NaNoWeiMo. My heart is so full of stories but I am unable to find the translation key, to change these things in my heart into words. I feel this is true in many areas of my life. My heart is full of love for my family, but I rarely tell them that I love them. I always feel so awkward when I do, as if I am afraid my love will not be returned. I am so insecure, and yet I suspect that most people who know me wouldn't suspect that about me. I have spent a lot of my life hiding, and protecting my inner most thoughts.
Except with God. I pour out my heart to God, but I rarely feel God's love, presence. I know God is present, and there is no way I can explain that knowledge. It is one of those things in my heart for which I am unable to find words. There have been a few special moments when God was so near that I could reach out and touch Him. (yes, I refer to God in terms of "Him" although I believe God is somehow both male and female. After all, we are all created in God's image.) And i certainly experience the results of God's presence with/in me.
There are the dreams I had about Ted, that we would marry, at a time I was very far from feeling that. I laughed at the time, until Ted proposed to me very unexpectedly. (I was trying to break up with him permanently.) Boy did I feel the full impact of God's presence that day!
There are the series of GIM journey's in which God was present to me; sitting with Jesus in the empty tomb, hearing the chorus of angels sing of God's love for me, being a small child cradled in God's arms. And those moments when I went walking in Wissahickon Creek, feeling the sunshine through the tree leaves and knowing God was with me.
But I have spent so much of my life hovering in the back of a dark, dank, cave of depression. I know God is with me there, but I so want to be released into God's light. I think that is why I crave AZ so much. Somehow, there, I can feel the sunshine, at least some of the time. The deep blue sky fills my heart and I can breathe again. But even here in AZ, I hibernate. I don't leave the house for days. I wonder at times if I will ever leave, and then I muster the energy and go out.
I have no idea what the purpose of this discourse is. I am wandering "bunny trails". But somehow this is expressing my very confused and frightened heart right now.
I have no purpose and that scares me. Why am I still living if I have no purpose? There is a strong part of me that has been ready to let go of this life for such a long time. I just don't have the energy to keep trying. But I don't want to leave Ted and Aaron and Becca and Bernadetta and Konrad. I love them each so deeply. I want to support each of them as best I can. But I fear that I am more of a drain than a support, especially for Ted. He has been such a wonderful husband; more than I could have ever hoped or dreamed. I have no doubt that he has has been absolutely faithful to me. How many women are able to say that in this day and age? He has carried me throughout our life together. My depression has made functioning so difficult so much of the time. And yet he has stayed with me.
There were times when I felt so distant and cut off from Ted.He has too often been a slave to his work and I felt abandoned. I am amazed that he still feels so insecure about his value at work. Even now he seems to have times when he fears he will be fired.
And there are so many people who seem to have such close relationships with their children, but I rarely have meaningful conversations about life and love and hopes and fears with my kids. It comes back to that business with the full heart and no way to translate all those feelings into words. I care deeply about their happiness, and am so proud of the wonderful adults they have become, but so rarely tell them so.
And Konrad! I want to be his go-to granny, but don't know how to relate to him. He is so physical and I am such a lump. I gaze at his pictures on my computer and am amazed at what an amazing child he is; so creative, fun, intelligent. But I have no idea how to heal or channel his dark side; his deep anger at times, so like Aaron, and, apparently Bernadetta as well. Poor kid; a double whammy of angst!
And I wish they could each know God's love. Even though I don't feel God as I would wish, I KNOW that He loves me, and died for me so that we could have relationship. I wish for that peace and knowledge for each of them as well.
And that brings me full circle to my time of Centering Prayer. I can't get my brain to quiet, to listen for God's Voice. My mind runs in circles and over hill and dale. I never have a sense of God's presence during my prayer time. I rarely have a moment of inspiration or insight from God. And yet my life is richer when I spend time trying to listen for God's Voice.
All this has poured forth from my 20 minutes of listening.
God of heaven and earth:
Have mercy on me, a sinner saved by Your grace. thank you that in all these meanderings, You know my heart. You know the fullness and the emptiness that I so often feel. you alone are able to hold all the opposites of who I am in one being.
Help me to have the confidence of Your presence and the ability to hear your voice.
Help me find purpose in serving You. Help me to know HOW I am to serve You at this point in my life.
In Jesus' Holy Name I pray, AMEN!
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Put the Poor & Working People First
In today's meditation from Upper Room Disciplines 2011, the author starts off by saying he had seen a political poster for a little known political party that said, "Put the Poor & Working People First". He made the observation that this was not a very savvy way to win in politics since the poor and working class had no one in privileged positions or with "clout" - money, prestige and access.
"Who in the world could truly put “poor and working people first” as a matter of principle? Then it occurred to me that Jesus is the guy who says “the greatest among you will be your servant.” That must have sounded positively ludicrous in a hierarchical society like Roman-ruled, first-century Palestine. And it still makes us pretty uncomfortable in much of our contemporary society."
Upper Room, (2011-01-24). Disciplines 2011 (Kindle Locations 4026-4029). Unknown. Kindle Edition.
Today's scripture is from Matthew 23:1-12
"Who in the world could truly put “poor and working people first” as a matter of principle? Then it occurred to me that Jesus is the guy who says “the greatest among you will be your servant.” That must have sounded positively ludicrous in a hierarchical society like Roman-ruled, first-century Palestine. And it still makes us pretty uncomfortable in much of our contemporary society."
Upper Room, (2011-01-24). Disciplines 2011 (Kindle Locations 4026-4029). Unknown. Kindle Edition.
Today's scripture is from Matthew 23:1-12
Matthew 23:11-12
The Message (MSG)
11-12"Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant. If you puff yourself up, you'll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you're content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty.
I am very puzzled by the Republican veneer that they are the "better" Christians because they love God & country, but have little room in their view point for caring for the poor, widowed and orphaned. I wonder what Bible they read. Jesus was humble, concerned about the welfare of others, especially the vulnerable in society. And he repeatedly calls us to do likewise.
I do agree that our country needs to address the deficit in a planned, systematic manner. It is a dangerous albatross around our necks. But I believe that getting people working is a far more successful approach than making draconian cuts to the budget, especially in the human service areas. Our country is only as strong as its weakest members. Making sure that people have education, medical services, affordable housing, clean air to breathe, and safe food to eat needs a national approach to be effective. And these services will elevate us all.
Creator God: I pray that You will guide our leadership locally, on the state level and nationally to work together to heal our country, to provide for the needs of the most vulnerable, and to require all citizens and large corporations to pay their fair share.
In Jesus' Holy Name I pray, AMEN!
I am very puzzled by the Republican veneer that they are the "better" Christians because they love God & country, but have little room in their view point for caring for the poor, widowed and orphaned. I wonder what Bible they read. Jesus was humble, concerned about the welfare of others, especially the vulnerable in society. And he repeatedly calls us to do likewise.
I do agree that our country needs to address the deficit in a planned, systematic manner. It is a dangerous albatross around our necks. But I believe that getting people working is a far more successful approach than making draconian cuts to the budget, especially in the human service areas. Our country is only as strong as its weakest members. Making sure that people have education, medical services, affordable housing, clean air to breathe, and safe food to eat needs a national approach to be effective. And these services will elevate us all.
Creator God: I pray that You will guide our leadership locally, on the state level and nationally to work together to heal our country, to provide for the needs of the most vulnerable, and to require all citizens and large corporations to pay their fair share.
In Jesus' Holy Name I pray, AMEN!
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