It was one of the most difficult times in my life. I had people all around me, but I felt alone. I knew God loved me, but I didn't feel His presence with me as strongly as I previously had...and circumstances had worn me down so that I felt like I was only a shadow of myself.
I went to church each week longing to hear from God. My prayer as I sat listening to the message was, "Please speak to me even if it's something I don't want to hear." I craved to hear from God and it didn't matter whether it was something that was comforting (though that would have been nice) or something that would pierce my heart.
I just wanted to hear from Him.
I was hungry.
The difficult time passed. I learned several lessons in the storm, and God met all my needs spiritually, emotionally, and physically. I was very grateful to Him.
Fast forward to today.
Recently, I realized that I don't always approach a message from the pastor or my personal time with God with the same intensity that I did during that difficult time. Oh, I still want God to speak to me and direct my steps. (I even expect to hear from Him.)
But I don't always have that same fervent hunger as I did when I was going through the storm.
And I want to.
How about you?
Father, let me be just as hungry to hear You speak to me in the good times as I am in the difficult days I go through. Help me to step into church, and into my own personal times with You, with an eager, open heart ...ready to accept both comfort and correction from You. Give me a hunger to hear Your word, read Your word, and live out Your word in my life each day. And let the words that I hear and read, through your Holy Spirit, change me...change my life...and mold me into the person You intended for me to be so that I bring honor to You. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." Matt. 5:6
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Sunday, September 19, 2010
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Sometimes I . . .
Sometimes I wanna feel small
Standing in front of a vast, roaring ocean
that You created
Wind blowing my hair as if You'd brushed it
from my face with Your hand
Sometimes I wanna feel alone
With only You beside me
Pouring out my deepest thoughts
to You
With no one else around to hear
And my heart ready to listen to what You
have to say back to me
Sometimes I wanna kneel before You
With head bowed and hands raised
in thanksgiving for the many blessings You've
graciously poured in my life
So many wonderful things that I in no way deserve
But gratefully and joyfully receive
Sometimes I wanna be more than
who I am today
To live my life for You in
some spectacular way
But all I can do is say, "Thank You,"
And mean it with all of my heart
"It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High."
Ps. 92:1
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Standing in front of a vast, roaring ocean
that You created
Wind blowing my hair as if You'd brushed it
from my face with Your hand
Sometimes I wanna feel alone
With only You beside me
Pouring out my deepest thoughts
to You
With no one else around to hear
And my heart ready to listen to what You
have to say back to me
Sometimes I wanna kneel before You
With head bowed and hands raised
in thanksgiving for the many blessings You've
graciously poured in my life
So many wonderful things that I in no way deserve
But gratefully and joyfully receive
Sometimes I wanna be more than
who I am today
To live my life for You in
some spectacular way
But all I can do is say, "Thank You,"
And mean it with all of my heart
"It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High."
Ps. 92:1
***********************************************************************
Saturday, June 19, 2010
The Last Day
As soon as I finished saying the words, I wished I could have taken them back.
***********************************************************************
It was the last day of school. I had given some gifts to my students. Among them was a small tablet of paper. A couple of students immediately started writing as soon as they received theirs. A few minutes later, a thank you note was given to me--written on paper from the tablet. We went on about our day and just as it was time to clean up and leave for the year, I quickly scanned the insides of the desks once again to make sure everything was out and no one had left anything behind. When I noticed a piece of paper in the desk of the other student who had been writing I said, "Please take out everything in your desk." As soon as I finished saying the words, I wished I could have taken them back because just as I completed my sentence, I realized that the student didn't accidentally leave the paper in his desk, rather he was carefully placing the paper inside so that I would find it after he had left. (Ever left a note for someone that you didn't want them to read until you were gone? I have.) Anyway, he obediently took the paper out and I felt horrible. As we walked out the door, he handed the paper to me. I couldn't help reading it before he left even though he had intended for me to see it after he was gone. I won't say everything he said, but he told me he had a great year in my class. I smiled and told him it had been great having him in my class and his face lit up. (Smile. God worked it out even though I had ruined his surprise.)
Later, I read his note again and it brought tears (joyful tears!) to my eyes. Sometimes you never know what effect your life has on another. His words were a blessing to me. I'm glad he decided to share his thoughts.
How about you?
Anybody you need to tell that they've made a difference in your life?
You don't need a fancy gift to thank them. You don't even need a sparkly card.
A plain sheet of notebook paper will do just fine.
Or words said face to face.
In whatever way you decide to let them know, I bet it will be a blessing to them.
I know it was to me.
"What a joy it is to find just the right word for the right occasion!" Prov. 15:23
**********************************************************************
***********************************************************************
It was the last day of school. I had given some gifts to my students. Among them was a small tablet of paper. A couple of students immediately started writing as soon as they received theirs. A few minutes later, a thank you note was given to me--written on paper from the tablet. We went on about our day and just as it was time to clean up and leave for the year, I quickly scanned the insides of the desks once again to make sure everything was out and no one had left anything behind. When I noticed a piece of paper in the desk of the other student who had been writing I said, "Please take out everything in your desk." As soon as I finished saying the words, I wished I could have taken them back because just as I completed my sentence, I realized that the student didn't accidentally leave the paper in his desk, rather he was carefully placing the paper inside so that I would find it after he had left. (Ever left a note for someone that you didn't want them to read until you were gone? I have.) Anyway, he obediently took the paper out and I felt horrible. As we walked out the door, he handed the paper to me. I couldn't help reading it before he left even though he had intended for me to see it after he was gone. I won't say everything he said, but he told me he had a great year in my class. I smiled and told him it had been great having him in my class and his face lit up. (Smile. God worked it out even though I had ruined his surprise.)
Later, I read his note again and it brought tears (joyful tears!) to my eyes. Sometimes you never know what effect your life has on another. His words were a blessing to me. I'm glad he decided to share his thoughts.
How about you?
Anybody you need to tell that they've made a difference in your life?
You don't need a fancy gift to thank them. You don't even need a sparkly card.
A plain sheet of notebook paper will do just fine.
Or words said face to face.
In whatever way you decide to let them know, I bet it will be a blessing to them.
I know it was to me.
"What a joy it is to find just the right word for the right occasion!" Prov. 15:23
**********************************************************************
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Sometimes...Always
Sometimes.
Sometimes you can try your very best...
and still come up short.
A marriage failed.
You blew it as a model parent.
One of your customers/clients is upset with you.
Your lifelong dream didn't pan out.
Downsizing left you without a job.
A friendship you treasured came to an end.
...and a myriad of other difficult, heartbreaking situations.
But through it all, remember that in the midst of your “sometimes”, God is always there.
He knows exactly what you’re going through, and He will give you the strength you need to navigate the twisting, unexpected paths that our lives often take.
He will listen to you, love you, and help you through whatever comes your way.
You may feel His presence...and you may not.
But He is there.
Always.
“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Pet. 5:7
“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” Ps. 56:8
**********************************************************************
Sometimes you can try your very best...
and still come up short.
A marriage failed.
You blew it as a model parent.
One of your customers/clients is upset with you.
Your lifelong dream didn't pan out.
Downsizing left you without a job.
A friendship you treasured came to an end.
...and a myriad of other difficult, heartbreaking situations.
But through it all, remember that in the midst of your “sometimes”, God is always there.
He knows exactly what you’re going through, and He will give you the strength you need to navigate the twisting, unexpected paths that our lives often take.
He will listen to you, love you, and help you through whatever comes your way.
You may feel His presence...and you may not.
But He is there.
Always.
“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Pet. 5:7
“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” Ps. 56:8
**********************************************************************
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Words
I just finished a post for this blog. It was honest, from the heart...it poured easily from my mind to my fingers as I typed because the feelings behind the words have been on my heart for quite some time...but it was too personal to post. (At least right now.)
Sometimes words are like that. Too personal to tell someone you don't know well...or too personal to have people on the internet read them. Some words are reserved for our close circle of friends only.
And it's good to know the difference.
At some point, I may share what I wrote. But not today.
Today, I will trust that God knows my heart. He knows the thoughts behind my words. He knows the deepest parts inside me that need His loving touch.
He knows you, too. He knows your heart, your thoughts, your emotions, your hurts, your dreams, your hopes, your fears...He knows everything about you and He loves you.
He will be with you in whatever situation you find yourself in at this very moment.
Talk to Him now.
He's listening.
"O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord. You hem me in--behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast." Psalm 139: 1-10
*****************************************************************************
Sometimes words are like that. Too personal to tell someone you don't know well...or too personal to have people on the internet read them. Some words are reserved for our close circle of friends only.
And it's good to know the difference.
At some point, I may share what I wrote. But not today.
Today, I will trust that God knows my heart. He knows the thoughts behind my words. He knows the deepest parts inside me that need His loving touch.
He knows you, too. He knows your heart, your thoughts, your emotions, your hurts, your dreams, your hopes, your fears...He knows everything about you and He loves you.
He will be with you in whatever situation you find yourself in at this very moment.
Talk to Him now.
He's listening.
"O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord. You hem me in--behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast." Psalm 139: 1-10
*****************************************************************************
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
A Moment in Time
My students gasped and pointed as they looked up. I turned to look at what had their attention.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
We were at PE that day. In the middle of our lesson, my students' attention was clearly not on me or the skill we were working on. I heard them gasp and saw them point at something overhead. Our school is near an airport. We aren't all that far from military bases. Blimps often are in our area. Helicopters fly over all the time. I thought maybe a low flying craft was coming our way.
I turned around, looked up, and saw....a seagull.
A lone, white seagull gliding through the air with wings spread against a bright blue sky.
We all stopped and stared at the magnificence of it.
And I smiled and LOVED that my students were captivated by the simple beauty of a seagull soaring on the breeze.
I pray they always see the wonder in the world around them.
How about you?
Life is busy. It's so easy to miss the beauty that God has allowed us to enjoy on earth.
Have you really looked at the world lately?
Today, take a minute to enjoy the things around you. Let your eyes linger on a lovely sunset. Look at the elegance of a flower. Enjoy the smell of a freshly mown lawn. Listen for the soft chirping of birds. Gaze at the snow on a mountaintop. Admire the twinkling stars overhead at night.
Find the wonder in the world around you.
And then breathe a prayer of thanks to God for letting us be blessed with such beauty.
For the Beauty of the Earth
song lyrics by Folliot S. Pierpoint
For the beauty of the earth
For the glory of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies.
Refrain
Lord of all, to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.
Ps. 19:1
************************************************************************************
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
We were at PE that day. In the middle of our lesson, my students' attention was clearly not on me or the skill we were working on. I heard them gasp and saw them point at something overhead. Our school is near an airport. We aren't all that far from military bases. Blimps often are in our area. Helicopters fly over all the time. I thought maybe a low flying craft was coming our way.
I turned around, looked up, and saw....a seagull.
A lone, white seagull gliding through the air with wings spread against a bright blue sky.
We all stopped and stared at the magnificence of it.
And I smiled and LOVED that my students were captivated by the simple beauty of a seagull soaring on the breeze.
I pray they always see the wonder in the world around them.
How about you?
Life is busy. It's so easy to miss the beauty that God has allowed us to enjoy on earth.
Have you really looked at the world lately?
Today, take a minute to enjoy the things around you. Let your eyes linger on a lovely sunset. Look at the elegance of a flower. Enjoy the smell of a freshly mown lawn. Listen for the soft chirping of birds. Gaze at the snow on a mountaintop. Admire the twinkling stars overhead at night.
Find the wonder in the world around you.
And then breathe a prayer of thanks to God for letting us be blessed with such beauty.
For the Beauty of the Earth
song lyrics by Folliot S. Pierpoint
For the beauty of the earth
For the glory of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies.
Refrain
Lord of all, to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.
Ps. 19:1
************************************************************************************
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Kate McRae
Please pray for little Kate McRae and her family. Her story can be found below.
Such a brave little girl.
Such a wonderful family.
May God give them all the strength they need, peace as they travel this part of their journey, and the healing they seek.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mcraekate/journal
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Such a brave little girl.
Such a wonderful family.
May God give them all the strength they need, peace as they travel this part of their journey, and the healing they seek.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mcraekate/journal
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