Tag Archives: gratitude

A Powerful Mix

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P1210613 compressedMy heart is quaking within me. I have no idea what to write. Overwhelmed and with too few days to accomplish all that is necessary I am merely going task to task, email to email, blog to blog, daily thought to daily thought, meeting to meeting, prayer to prayer…

Phew!

Now I have all of you overwhelmed as well

What do we do in the face of overwhelm?

Heading off on a plane for Uganda in just over a week, with a myriad of details to take care of, I’ve been implementing three strategies in my own life to deal with overwhelm.

the FIRST is: PRAYER

Taking time each day and throughout the parts of my day, to settle myself in inner quiet before God. To feel the burdens on my heart and mind shift into the Lord’s most capable care, frees me from the inside out.

I begin each day by simply inviting God into my day: “I invite you into my day God” does a world of good. For every day is different kind of day when God is in the mix.

In addition to my own private prayers, I meet with others to pray and I regularly ask for others to pray for me and the things I am about.

For you see I have found, that when I am transparent with what I need prayer for and when I take the risk to put it out there before any number of individuals, things happen. Life begins to shift immediately and often radically.

My need and the spoken expression of such, mixed before community and with the mighty hand of God results in miracles of heart and mind and life every single day.

I guarantee it!

the SECOND thing I practice: GRATITUDE

Not the ‘thank-you God that you give me life, thank-you for my family, thank-you for the food in my fridge…’ kinds of gratitude. Sorry, but these kinds of gratitude, while important, do not ground me into any moment in time.

When I am overwhelmed by days full and gone stretching forward past my line of vision, I need heavy duty gratitude that powerfully brings me right back to this very moment.

Like this:

“My tea sure tastes good in this New York Starbucks cup that my friend Carol bought for me, and it is such a treat to do some of my work in my housecoat on my couch. Wow, thanks Lord. My kids are still sleeping, the dogs too; I love early mornings. The pillows at my back and the brocade fabric under my feet all give a texture and a massage of sorts to my senses, and I welcome this comfort.”

Bringing myself out of tomorrow and out of next week and out of next month, and even out of the rest of today requires pausing, noticing and remarking, which naturally gives way to thankfulness and gratitude.

Powerful yet simple gratitude is one perfect battalion against overwhelm.

Give it a try for yourself

the THIRD: ACTION

We’ve just got to start doing things. Putting one step in front of another is most difficult when we know that there are five-hundred steps that must happen. But step we must. One step at a time will get us those five-hundred steps down the road.

No steps, no movement, equals more overwhelm.

The thing is, in the midst of Prayer and Gratitude simple promises will seep into our consciousness; perhaps quotes or Bible verses or the encouragements of a friend, the vision of an elder over our life, the affirmations of peers.

We will remember:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Or:

“May your year exceed all others in an ability to recognize God’s presence and love for you and will the ‘spill-over’ heal the nations.” A Friend

Whatever it is that comes to mind, whatever our hearts recall, it is all simply a call for ACTION.

We ask ourselves,

  • ‘If this is true then what might the next step be?’
  • ‘How might I enter into this promise?’
  • ‘In what way might cooperation with these visions come to be?’

And we start putting action to our convictions.

If I know ‘A’, then ‘B’ is my response. If I know ‘B’ then ‘C’ is my response.

Words are powerful.

Action combined with words, unstoppable.

Overwhelm need not have the last say. It is not a player at the table unless we allow it to be there. We have the say, and we say ‘No’ to overwhelm’s voice.

Now certainly, we will feel overwhelmed, don’t get me wrong. I am often overwhelmed every single day and even more so lately!

MAKE NOTE: We simply don’t make decisions or choose our course of action based on overwhelm.

I’m not interested in that kind of life, and I am pretty sure you aren’t either.

Instead of overwhelm we choose Prayer, Gratitude and Action

A powerful mix for powerful living

When It All Goes Wrong

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P1230385 compressedI’ve been thinking about when it all goes wrong. Except ‘wrong’ needs to be put in quotation marks.

Much of what we don’t like about life, much of what ruffles our feathers and steals our satisfactions are simply the anomalies that we haven’t counted on and have no control over.

The food doesn’t taste to our liking, its either too sweet or to sour, too rich or too bland. The pillow doesn’t squish just right, too much or too little. The bed is too soft or too hard, too narrow or too big. Bedding, too light or not light enough.

That person looked at me the wrong way, or didn’t look at me at all. The driver is too crazy or too slow or too rude or too quiet.

The day is too busy or too boring, too long or too short. Shopping was a nightmare, that gal got my drink wrong, that fellow cut me off. It was too expensive, they didn’t have it to my liking.

The sun is too hot, the clouds are too many, the rain is too much. The day is too gloomy, the room too cold, the fireplace too hot…

The unspoken expectations and standards that mark how well our days go, how well our month has been, and whether we will be happy within the next 30 minutes or not…

“Wrong” has so much power to change our moods and affect our experiences,

But what if there is not a thing wrong?

… What if nothing is wrong?

I took a trip to Uganda in November of 2011, and am preparing to head there once more in less than a weeks time.

Over the course of my months between these trips I’ve been thinking about how really, when we travel to another country, another continent and another culture, that in essence everything goes wrong.

And yet, nothing is wrong.

Yet to some, it would surely feel wrong.

We are used to our specific food, the way we eat our food, the time of day we eat.

We have routines around washing and bathing and personal hygiene and care.

Standards of personal space, travel needs, of interactions with strangers and general expectations of safety.

And so much more

What if all that is tossed to the wind. What if all that you expect is not to be. What if everything you are used to is simply a figment of your particular culture? What if everything was flipped upside down. How might we manage?

Well? or not so well?

When all of the ‘normal’ that we are so accustomed to is stripped away, what would you really have, and what would you really need?

I tell you, very little.

After 22 hours of travel, simply having a bed to sleep in is heavenly. No matter that the roof is leaking onto a corner of the bed. No matter that you are sharing the room with a stranger. A bed is all one really needs!

Nothing is wrong

Awakened to a new day, washing means a 3X4′ outside concrete ‘closet’, with a wooden slat door, an old car door for a roof, with a basin of hot water (that someone has just worked over a stove to produce for you), two small nails to hang your clothes on (the ones you have taken off and the clean you are going to put on, not to mention your towel)….  Hot water and that bit of space is all that is really needed.

Nothing is wrong

And what about going to the bathroom. First we find out ‘bathroom’ means nothing. Neither does ‘restroom’ or ‘washroom’. Each of these greeted with a blank stare, and with ones mind scrambling to express the need, ‘toilet’ comes to mind.

“Toilet?”

Directed to a hole in the ground, the communal neighborhood toilet, thankful to have brought my own toilet paper…

Nothing is wrong

Is it different? For sure

Do I need to fix it? No

Nothing is wrong

A few years back now I separated from my husband, but did not leave the family home for some time (far longer than I would have ever imagined!). I simply moved a single mattress to the Den floor and made that my abode for what turned into nine long months.

Squashed between the piano and the desk, with a foot of space on one side and about three feet at the bottom, that 9’X4′ space became the little bit I could completely call my own and the only part of ‘home’ where I felt safe.

It was quite wrong. Friends of mine upon entering that space would well up in tears, appalled at my living conditions. Bless their hearts.

Today, I am SO glad for those months in that little space.

Those months stripped me forever of having to have anything a certain way ever again.

All the things I thought once mattered, don’t matter whatsoever.

Whatsoever!

Nothing is wrong

During my month in Uganda I’ll be visiting ten communities. Moving to a new location about every three or four days, staying with the people, refusing ‘nice’ only needing safe, I’ve no idea what my accommodations will be,

But I know it’ll be good and fine

And nothing will be wrong

And when  nothing is wrong we have ample space for joy and delight and fellowship and community.

When nothing is wrong, our eyes are open to see all that is right

I can hardly wait

Capturing God’s Heart – Compassion – Volume 4

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God has been bringing Compassion to mind. I’ve not always been a compassionate person myself. Years back I was rather intolerant of people. Yet the Lord is faithful to do a work in our hearts and minds. It is the Lord’s grace that teaches us compassion. Let’s see what the Bible has to say about this.

For starters, the Bible is pretty clear that the only way we come to know God is because of his compassion extended to us. We find a picture of the Father’s compassionate heart in Hosea,

“I led them with cords of kindness, with bands of love, and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws and I bent down to them and fed them.” Hosea 11:4

Continue reading →

Capturing God’s Heart – Forgiveness – Volume 3

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Forgiveness is Gospel 

I would say that forgiveness is the primary point of the gospel.  Forgiveness is gospel.  It is the good news of Jesus Christ over and for and through our lives. 

“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:13-14  ESV

“He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.”  Psalm 103:10  ESV

“He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins — and not only our sins but the sins of all the whole world.” 1 John 2:2  NLT

Forgiveness flows from the heart of God.  It has always been there for both you and I and the entire world.  Forgiveness is not for sale.  You cannot buy it.  You cannot earn it.  Forgiveness is a free gift of God to the world, to all humanity. 

It takes humility to stand in this forgiveness.  It is vast and deep.  In response to God’s forgiveness we must put down our striving to make ourselves right with God.  This is sin.  Because, forgiveness is an act of God unto us and it is Jesus as Salvation, that makes us right with God.

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

 Forgiveness is the way and manner of God.  Long before we even knew we needed it.  Jesus Christ is our salvation.  The cross is evidence of God’s great love poured out on our behalf. 

In John 3:16 we read, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Then, in John 3:17 we read,  “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

In the incarnation of Jesus Christ (his life, death, and resurrection) God committed to co-suffering with us.  God brings no condemnation.  God is good news.  To all of us!  This Good News is better than we have even imagined. 

Consider the story of the adulterous woman found in John 8:1-11.  In this story we see:  

  1. The religious leaders were eager to condemn her.  And eager to kill her even, for her sin. 
  2. But Jesus shows us God’s way,  “Then neither do I condemn you.  Go and sin no more.” 

This, is the gospel.  Sweet and simple. 

Have your eyes and understanding been opened to the forgiveness of God, freely given you? 

  • Or, are you still trying to earn your way to God? 
  • Are you still trying to make yourself right with God? 
  • Are you believing that forgiveness is something given you if you do good? 

Then, you have missed the message and life of Jesus Christ. 

“Rather I am a sinner if I rebuild the old system of law I already tore down… so I died to the law — I stopped trying to meet all its requirements — so that I might live for God.  My old self has been crucified with Christ.  It  is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.  So I live in this earthy body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”  Galatians 2:18-20

  • Have you missed this great gift to the world?  
  • Are you selling the gospel, selling forgiveness in any way? 

Then you have missed the message and life of Jesus Christ.  We are called to agree with the Lord.  You see, in this verse in Revelation, that it is the Spirit AND the Bride who say, 

“The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.” Revelation 22:17

Forgiveness is freely given.  Forgiveness is not a transaction.  There is nothing you can do to earn it.  You cannot buy it.  Forgiveness is not for sale.  The Gospel is not for purchase.  It is a gift.  Give it freely. 

Forgiveness Works Across Time 

Of course, it takes humility and courage to stand in forgiveness.  We must put down our striving to make ourselves right with God.  We must stop demanding that others make themselves right with God.  Forgiveness is an act of God unto us and makes us right with God, before we even knew we needed such a thing.  The writer of Psalms, long before Jesus’ coming, knew of the Lord’s forgiveness:

“But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.” Psalm 130:4 ESV

And Daniel proclaimed:

“To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him”  Daniel 9:9 ESV

The incarnation of Jesus Christ (life, death, and resurrection) is not bound by time.  Salvation is a continuous present tense occurrence.  We do not have to work for our forgiveness.  We cannot work for our forgiveness.  Forgiveness is a done deal, accomplished some 2000 years ago on a cross.

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 6:23 ESV

Forgiveness is present regardless of our response.  It’s about the Lord. 

“For the sin of this one man,  Adam, brought death to many.  But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his fight of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. … Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. “ Romans 5:15b & 18

Let’s say this again, “Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.” 

I don’t know about you.  But I need to really get this.  God’s love reaches to all of us.  *footnote at the bottom of the page

Forgiveness is a Way of Life 

Too often though, as humans we have tried to organize and manage this thing of God that is forgiveness and that is salvation, and what is the good news of Christ.

Our organized religion would take this free gift of God and pander it to people, like sellers on a street bartering sweet buns, or tomatoes, or rice.  We sometimes play games of who deserves it or who doesn’t.  We make divisions in our thinking about whom this is for and whom it is not for. 

We tell people they have to perform some sort of ritual prayer or repentant process in order to be forgiven.  And while prayer and repentance are both gifts to us and in us, they are not necessary for forgiveness to happen.  Forgiveness originates in the heart of God.  

  • We are invited into the great mercy and grace of God for each other and for this earth and world. 
  • It is this great mercy and grace and remittance of sins that we are all healed. 
  • It’s an invitation to the remittance of sins and to the goodness of God poured out upon the world.

For God is love (1 John 4:7-21) and love covers over a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).   The Bible speaks much of forgiveness.  It is the entire weave of the good news.  And our response matters.  

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.  Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”  Ephesians 4:31-32

Like all things in the Kingdom of Heaven, forgiveness comes alive in us as it runs through our lives.  As it flows through us to others it becomes even more alive within us.

Imagine even.  “Love your enemies!  Do good to them.  Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be eating as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked.  You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.” Luke 6:35-36

We breath this in our everyday interactions with a hurting world.  We declare, 

“God loves you with an everlasting love.  Jesus Christ died on a cross in co-suffering love to take on your sin and to overcome death.  I simply tell you about this today.  Become alive in Christ. The work has been accomplished.  There is nothing you need add to it.  Christ is all-sufficient unto your healing and wholeness from the inside out.  The very foundation of your life is better than you have even imagined.  God loves you more than you will ever know.  Be alive in Christ.”

This is the good news of the gospel.  It is our privilege to now tell folks about this. 

God has forgiven you.  This has always been God’s heart for you.  Jesus lived this when he was on earth for you and I.  We are forgiven in God even before we know it. 

As Jesus said to the adulterous woman, “I do not condemn you.  Now, go and sin no more.”

Footnote:

“Every person who has ever been conceived was included in the death, burial, resurrection and ascension in Jesus.  When Jesus was lifted up, God ‘dragged’ all human beings to Himself (John 12:32) and that Jesus is the Savior of all humankind, (I Tim 4:10).  Further, every single human being is in Christ and Christ is in them, and Christ is in the Father (John 14:20).  When Christ died—the Creator in whom the cosmos was created—we all died.  When Christ rose, we rose (II Cor. 5).

The context of salvation involves three dimensions. First, prior to the foundation of the world we were all included.  Saved in eternity (II Tim 1:9).  Second, in the birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus we were all included (II Cor 5:19).  Third, within the context of our own experience a present tense on-going active participation to work out what God has worked in (Phil 2:12-13).  Although we didn’t do anything in the accomplishment of our salvation (except to kill Jesus), our participation in the working out of this salvation is essential.  Our ongoing choices matter.”  

Quote by Paul Young, as referenced in this article by Brad Jersak. https://www.ptm.org/are-you-saved