Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah!
Merry Christmas to the souls that embrace the gift of freedom, purpose and hope through Jesus; and celebrate life to glorify Him! And Happy Holidays to my friends that embrace other beliefs. I wish you the same freedom and hope during this season.
God bless you all today. At the end of the day, no matter the holiday celebrated it comes down to a picture grander than ourselves -we are given breath today to celebrate life and worship a Creator that makes all of this possible.
May today remind us how fragile our breathes are and enable us to walk a journey that not only helps ourselves but the many voices around us that are silenced in one way or another - whether they are outright silenced, in emotional bondage or inner turmoil that no one recognizes but themselves. I am inspired to think of the man Jesus. No one understood emotional bondage better and no one overcame it better than the life Jesus.
Thank you Jesus for showing me their is always hope through pain. And the kind of hope that enables me to embrace each day, specially a day like today - Christmas.
Sweet blessings from my heart to yours on this miraculous day. Merry Christmas!
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
My Parents
The other night I was talking to my mom on the phone. And when I got off, I sat in my chair and thought how precious my parents are to me and my children. I was amaze in spite of how many changes both of us have gone through in the past 31 years, my picture of them is the same I grew up with.
I hope when I am 56, Ken and I can give some of the gifts my parents give me today.
To say we are married 35 years, and loving each other more on that day than the day we got married.
To have the Word of God be the compass in our life.
I could go on, but just writing those 2 lines down from my dad and mom are gifts from above.
Thank you dad and mom for being who you are. Mom, thank you for being a lady. A lady of grace, truth and courage. You always show me to courageously, but with grace, stand tall, and fight for truth no matter what is front of me.
Dad, thank you for being a picture of protection and always encouraging me to soar. You confidently protect with wisdom and are brave enough to show compassion. I am proud of you. I will never forget your retirement dinner and absorbing your success; not with your work but the success you had remain as a father through it all.
And above all, thank you for keeping each other the love of your life. If I can pass that down to Sophie and Cole, they will be beyond bless like I am.
I hope when I am 56, Ken and I can give some of the gifts my parents give me today.
To say we are married 35 years, and loving each other more on that day than the day we got married.
To have the Word of God be the compass in our life.
I could go on, but just writing those 2 lines down from my dad and mom are gifts from above.
Thank you dad and mom for being who you are. Mom, thank you for being a lady. A lady of grace, truth and courage. You always show me to courageously, but with grace, stand tall, and fight for truth no matter what is front of me.
Dad, thank you for being a picture of protection and always encouraging me to soar. You confidently protect with wisdom and are brave enough to show compassion. I am proud of you. I will never forget your retirement dinner and absorbing your success; not with your work but the success you had remain as a father through it all.
And above all, thank you for keeping each other the love of your life. If I can pass that down to Sophie and Cole, they will be beyond bless like I am.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Everyday Distractions
I recently heard a message that hit me deeply. The individual didn't call it distractions but hidden idols of the heart. At the end of the message, a list was given of possible idols that override our fulfillment in Christ and are the root of our cultures obsession of self destruction and empty fulfillment.
A few years ago, I would have heard the same message and I would have had an attitude of, "Maybe I have 2 or 3 distractions..." Not the case today. Both my husband and I nearly checked off every category. And as humbling as it was, it was freeing. Right in front of my face, I was seeing how muddy my heart is without the work of Jesus in my soul everyday. The fact that my Redeemer is able to give me freedom when I fight flesh everyday is a miracle in it self.
I was reminded how often throughout my day, I short change my freedom - from chasing distractions that I don't even recognize as distractions. I would have been able to tell you shopping is a great distraction for me...but I quickly would have stopped. Not the case today.
I hope the list below can enlighten your heart as it did for me. This week I put it on my bulletin so I remember each day who I should be pursuing and where I should be going for soul fulfillment; The Glory of God and not empty distractions.
From the individual: "Life has meaning for me or I have self worth when I pursue:
Achievement Idolatry (If I am being recognized for my accomplishments and excelling in life pursuits)
Approval Idolatry (If I am loved and respected by others)
Comfort Idolatry (If I have a particular standard or quality of life)
Control Idolatry ( If I have a mastery over my life in particular areas)
Dependence Idolatry (If someone is there to protect me)
Family Idolatry (If my kids or spouse is happy and happy with me)
Helping Idolatry (If people are dependent on me and need me)
Image Idolatry (If I have a particular look or body image)
Independence Idolatry ( If I am completely Free from responsibility to care for others)
Materialism Idolatry (If I have a certain level of wealth)
Pleasure Idolatry (If I have something fun and entertaining to look forward to in the future)
Power Idolatry (If I have power and influence over others)
Religious Idolatry ( If I am adhering to my religions moral code)
Work Idolatry ( If I am highly productive by getting a lot of accomplished)
(more on this list visit: www.perimeter.org/pope)
Jesus never lived by these idols. His passion was to share the gospel -the good news - at the expense of many of these recognizable idols that today are widely acceptable and bigger yet, are widely prized.
Some of these idols in the right perspective are healthy, of course it is a noble to want to influence others, have people around you that protect you, etc. However, it is when these idols are absent from your life and your happiness is dependent upon them - that is when you know you have crossed the line of taking care of your soul and are serving an idol bigger that our Creator.
There are way to many days I am dependent upon many of these idols for my day to be called a 'good day'. Ah. Life is humbling, but oh so freeing!!
A few years ago, I would have heard the same message and I would have had an attitude of, "Maybe I have 2 or 3 distractions..." Not the case today. Both my husband and I nearly checked off every category. And as humbling as it was, it was freeing. Right in front of my face, I was seeing how muddy my heart is without the work of Jesus in my soul everyday. The fact that my Redeemer is able to give me freedom when I fight flesh everyday is a miracle in it self.
I was reminded how often throughout my day, I short change my freedom - from chasing distractions that I don't even recognize as distractions. I would have been able to tell you shopping is a great distraction for me...but I quickly would have stopped. Not the case today.
I hope the list below can enlighten your heart as it did for me. This week I put it on my bulletin so I remember each day who I should be pursuing and where I should be going for soul fulfillment; The Glory of God and not empty distractions.
From the individual: "Life has meaning for me or I have self worth when I pursue:
Achievement Idolatry (If I am being recognized for my accomplishments and excelling in life pursuits)
Approval Idolatry (If I am loved and respected by others)
Comfort Idolatry (If I have a particular standard or quality of life)
Control Idolatry ( If I have a mastery over my life in particular areas)
Dependence Idolatry (If someone is there to protect me)
Family Idolatry (If my kids or spouse is happy and happy with me)
Helping Idolatry (If people are dependent on me and need me)
Image Idolatry (If I have a particular look or body image)
Independence Idolatry ( If I am completely Free from responsibility to care for others)
Materialism Idolatry (If I have a certain level of wealth)
Pleasure Idolatry (If I have something fun and entertaining to look forward to in the future)
Power Idolatry (If I have power and influence over others)
Religious Idolatry ( If I am adhering to my religions moral code)
Work Idolatry ( If I am highly productive by getting a lot of accomplished)
(more on this list visit: www.perimeter.org/pope)
Jesus never lived by these idols. His passion was to share the gospel -the good news - at the expense of many of these recognizable idols that today are widely acceptable and bigger yet, are widely prized.
Some of these idols in the right perspective are healthy, of course it is a noble to want to influence others, have people around you that protect you, etc. However, it is when these idols are absent from your life and your happiness is dependent upon them - that is when you know you have crossed the line of taking care of your soul and are serving an idol bigger that our Creator.
There are way to many days I am dependent upon many of these idols for my day to be called a 'good day'. Ah. Life is humbling, but oh so freeing!!
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