The past four weeks at church we have been talking about "Hope in a House of Blues". We all deal with troubles from the past that seem to weigh us down as we attempt to move forward. One of the biggest parts for me from this sermon series was naming my hurt. It is strange how we hold our pains inside and dare not to tell others; fear of being judged, scrutinized or even laughed at. I took the leap and named some of my hurts to a friend. The words flowed out and I felt so relieved to have named some of these pains and to find out that my friend has suffered from these pains as well. I truly felt that God had put this person in my life so that we could be here for each other through life's pains and triuphs.
Now that I have named some of my pains....I am able to deal with them and minimize them to the size that they truly are. Sometimes when we hold our pain inside it begins to feel gigantic and unmanageable. We begin to have regret and hate towards these things and I truly believe that the pain and hate start to bleed over over into other parts of our lives. Now my pains are able to be held in the palm of my hand. I feel as if I am able to dissect them and over come them, forgive and move on in a positive light. For once I have hope that my dark cloud is not going to weigh me down in aspects of my life. I actually get a bit giddy when I think about relinquishing this fear and pain inside of me.
Take some time to think about pains that you are carrying with you. Whether it be a loss of a family member or friend, loss on innocence or even the loss of trust. Reach out to someone and name your pain. Pray with them. Tell them so they can not only listen but offer a helping hand. You will be amazed what God can do in your life. Being able to restore hope in your heart will be refreshing and much needed.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
The Path: Give A Glove
The Path: Give A Glove: The time for winter apparel to go on clearance is now. Get your gloves, hats and coats all on discount prices. Hurry they will be gone soo...
Give A Glove
The time for winter apparel to go on clearance is now. Get your gloves, hats and coats all on discount prices. Hurry they will be gone soon. I love a good deal as I am sure most of you do to. I also love the feeling of helping someone else out. So I'm going to put out this challenge to you.....
Next time your are in a Target, Walmart or some retailer that sells clothes....buy a pair of gloves and a hat for an adult. Remove the tags and keep in your car. When you see a homeless person give them the hat and gloves. They will be thankful. You see, I think we take warmth for granted. We don't grab the hat and gloves when we leave the house on these cold mornings because we go from our warm house, into our cars that have a heater and then into our final destination. All of these locations are warm. Now put yourself in the homeless person's shoes......where do they sleep? Some nights, in the woods....I can't remember the last time the woods had a heater. Your hat and gloves will help keep them warm during the times that they have no where that is warm. This truly gives a new definition to giving a helping hand. "Give a Glove!!!" Reach out a hand to give a hand. Have a blessed day.
Psalm 41:1 - 1Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.
Next time your are in a Target, Walmart or some retailer that sells clothes....buy a pair of gloves and a hat for an adult. Remove the tags and keep in your car. When you see a homeless person give them the hat and gloves. They will be thankful. You see, I think we take warmth for granted. We don't grab the hat and gloves when we leave the house on these cold mornings because we go from our warm house, into our cars that have a heater and then into our final destination. All of these locations are warm. Now put yourself in the homeless person's shoes......where do they sleep? Some nights, in the woods....I can't remember the last time the woods had a heater. Your hat and gloves will help keep them warm during the times that they have no where that is warm. This truly gives a new definition to giving a helping hand. "Give a Glove!!!" Reach out a hand to give a hand. Have a blessed day.
Psalm 41:1 - 1Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Sour Milk
I kept thinking today about analogies that I could use to blog about tonight....but nothing seemed to click. Driving home in this gloomy weather over the lake that was deep in fog, I thought the fog in your life doesn't disappear until you have the warmth from the Son to let you see clearly.....or perhaps the nasty bottle of sour milk that I emptied from the fridge this morning, the smell so rank that I held my breath after getting a wif. Kind of like our life when we stand still in our faith walk and don't keep ourselves fresh with the scripture and spiritual activities that our spiritual life becomes stagnant. Okay, okay, I think you get the picture.
So where do you stand in your faith walk? Feeling kind of dull, doing the same thing you do week after week....going to church and going home? Or do you stay fresh in your walk by doing activities within your church and community that allow you to reach out? I recently wrote about getting involved in volunteer activites to help with the homeless and those less fortunate. I said to a close friend, "Please hold me to this, I want to stay true to my word."....She said I had to make a plan, a life plan. So this got me thinking about "the plan". I happen to be one that finds the word "plan" to be close to a four letter word. I at times feel confinded by the actions of making a plan. I have always worried about the what if's and the what not's. I'm also one who hits the pavement running, with no shoes on and forgets to strech out first.
However, this is the first time in a long time that I am making plans, both short and long term. I'm trying to remember that my plans aren't all about me. My plans affect me, my family and others. I have also in the past made plans by myself...I didn't need assistance from anyone. I have learned from this mistake and am working to communicate my wishes and fears to the man I love and spend my life with. I have also learned that I have to be patient and listen to the big Man upstairs. God does truly laugh when we plan. So with a prayerful mind I am walking my path, trying to be sure that it is the path that God has chosen for me and my family.
So as part of my plan, I am researching various outlets to get involved whether that be more at church or more so in the community. I am amazed at the outlets that are out there for us to be more involved. Research has shown that people that volunteer their time to help others are proven to rate their lives as happier and more confident of themselves. God put us here to help others, especially those less fortunate.
So if your feeling slightly stangnat in your faith walk and need a little jump start, find an outlet to help someone. This could be as simple as helping a neighbor or reaching out at church volunteering for something you have yet to do. I know the first steps are the hardest but once a plan is in action the possibilites are endless. Remember to enjoy the journey, don't worry God will take you to your final destination when He is ready.
So where do you stand in your faith walk? Feeling kind of dull, doing the same thing you do week after week....going to church and going home? Or do you stay fresh in your walk by doing activities within your church and community that allow you to reach out? I recently wrote about getting involved in volunteer activites to help with the homeless and those less fortunate. I said to a close friend, "Please hold me to this, I want to stay true to my word."....She said I had to make a plan, a life plan. So this got me thinking about "the plan". I happen to be one that finds the word "plan" to be close to a four letter word. I at times feel confinded by the actions of making a plan. I have always worried about the what if's and the what not's. I'm also one who hits the pavement running, with no shoes on and forgets to strech out first.
However, this is the first time in a long time that I am making plans, both short and long term. I'm trying to remember that my plans aren't all about me. My plans affect me, my family and others. I have also in the past made plans by myself...I didn't need assistance from anyone. I have learned from this mistake and am working to communicate my wishes and fears to the man I love and spend my life with. I have also learned that I have to be patient and listen to the big Man upstairs. God does truly laugh when we plan. So with a prayerful mind I am walking my path, trying to be sure that it is the path that God has chosen for me and my family.
So as part of my plan, I am researching various outlets to get involved whether that be more at church or more so in the community. I am amazed at the outlets that are out there for us to be more involved. Research has shown that people that volunteer their time to help others are proven to rate their lives as happier and more confident of themselves. God put us here to help others, especially those less fortunate.
So if your feeling slightly stangnat in your faith walk and need a little jump start, find an outlet to help someone. This could be as simple as helping a neighbor or reaching out at church volunteering for something you have yet to do. I know the first steps are the hardest but once a plan is in action the possibilites are endless. Remember to enjoy the journey, don't worry God will take you to your final destination when He is ready.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Perfect Harmony
As I am sitting here this evening, reading a bit and listening to music, I feel moved to share some thoughts. I find it amazing that God has given us so many talents. One talent that I find so passionate and moving is that of music. Such an art, a movement, a slice of heaven for all of us to enjoy. Yes, I know there is genres of music that we find we don't meld well with and others we could listen to all day. I find it amazing what music does to us. The mesh of tones, brought together in such beautiful harmony.
I will never forget my symphony days...the days of playing violin or singing. That ultimate feeling that overtakes you as you play your part and join in together as a group. The feeling of the vibration of your instrument as you strike the chord so perfectly that your instrument hums. My son for Christmas got a children sized guitar. As I was picking a few notes and heard the perfect hum of the note so right, that "pung" took me back to the days of playing violin, when you were in perfect pitch. I have truly enjoyed having my children have such love for music. We shall see if that develops over the years.
But such wonderment that God created this thing....this sound that moves us. The movement not just to move our bodies but move our emotions and spirit. Take us to memories and places near and far after you hear a tune. The beauty of a musician with the gift given to them to use part of the body to make music. I remember the pain that I felt in my fingers and hands after playing for hours. But the wonderment that I received from playing was so much more than the pain.
I don't play violin anymore as my hands can't handle the pain. But I am still moved and feel as if there are times that I am still in the orchestra playing. I miss it and wonder where life would be if I had that path before me. However, I have learned the path isn't there for a reason.....it is not the path that God has for me. For some strange reason, (with tears in my eyes right now), I have learned to accept that. There will be other arts out there for me to explore.
However, as I sit here this evening listening to Yanni, (dorky I know), I am moved by his music. His ability to take such notes that invoke strong emotions to take me to places I once knew and hope to know again. I know there are other talents and arts that I will be able to express emotions and beauty in the future. I am thankful to God to give us amazing musicians that can put together sounds to remind us how truly amazing He is.
I will never forget my symphony days...the days of playing violin or singing. That ultimate feeling that overtakes you as you play your part and join in together as a group. The feeling of the vibration of your instrument as you strike the chord so perfectly that your instrument hums. My son for Christmas got a children sized guitar. As I was picking a few notes and heard the perfect hum of the note so right, that "pung" took me back to the days of playing violin, when you were in perfect pitch. I have truly enjoyed having my children have such love for music. We shall see if that develops over the years.
But such wonderment that God created this thing....this sound that moves us. The movement not just to move our bodies but move our emotions and spirit. Take us to memories and places near and far after you hear a tune. The beauty of a musician with the gift given to them to use part of the body to make music. I remember the pain that I felt in my fingers and hands after playing for hours. But the wonderment that I received from playing was so much more than the pain.
I don't play violin anymore as my hands can't handle the pain. But I am still moved and feel as if there are times that I am still in the orchestra playing. I miss it and wonder where life would be if I had that path before me. However, I have learned the path isn't there for a reason.....it is not the path that God has for me. For some strange reason, (with tears in my eyes right now), I have learned to accept that. There will be other arts out there for me to explore.
However, as I sit here this evening listening to Yanni, (dorky I know), I am moved by his music. His ability to take such notes that invoke strong emotions to take me to places I once knew and hope to know again. I know there are other talents and arts that I will be able to express emotions and beauty in the future. I am thankful to God to give us amazing musicians that can put together sounds to remind us how truly amazing He is.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
The Short Worn Path
The holidays are over and things have come to settle down in my life. I found December to be one of the best times in my life, meeting new friends, making strong connection, doing some volunteer work and just feeling a peace in my heart. Now January is here and I feel a lull. I am sure we have all experienced lulls in our life....that stuck feeling, like where is the road to go. I have learned to recognize the lulls in my life and how to handle them. But the first part of recognition is to pinpoint the cause and for the life of me, this past week...the cause has been hidden from me until today.
One of my favorite sayings is "the Lord works in mysterious ways." Every morning, as I head to work, I get off at my exit to look sadly at the path that has been worked away by those that stand at the exit with a sign. This isn't a sign announcing huge sales for discount furniture or $5 foot longs....the sign pretty much reads...."Homeless, Jobless, Hungry, God Bless." In the mornings this short, gravel pathway is not occupied by a person holding a sign. I always figured it was either to early or they liked to sleepin...where ever it is that they sleep. There has been times that I have used this exit during the day...the occupied time. I never carry cash and don't really know what to give them. I always chuckle that I have a can of soup or a granola bar....just not sure if they would want it. The pain that there is an actual path worn away by them standing there is painful enough.....but the day I saw a woman standing there.....was so painful. You see, I have a secret that I used to keep, however I have learned that sharing my secret has helped others view the homeless differently....my sister, about nine years ago, chose to be homeless. No, not drugs, not lazy, but mental health. Many ask me as to why I don't go get her and save her.....I have no idea where she is and no idea where to start. I know she is Texas and that is all that I know. And to be honest, I do not know if she is even alive. So on the day that the "person with the sign" was a woman, I felt moved and scared. I have wanted to do more volunteer with the homeless and just don't find the time. This past week, during my lull, numb time, in the morning, in 20 degree weather, a new "person with the sign" appeared. He is a man, appears to be in his 30's with a coat that has hood. No hat and no gloves, but he has a sign. I don't read the signs anymore....the only part I see is God Bless. The fact that he had no gloves, has bothered me for days. I need to remedy this situation. Back to my lull......
I wanted to sleep in today, not go to church, to crawl inside my lull and not work to let go of my funk. But I said enough was enough. We went to church and I listened carefully for something to be said to help me see.....Becoming involved in my church is important. Volunteering with various groups and honing into our given talents helps us grow as individuals and as a group as a whole for the betterment of others and the church as well. Even though my life was busy over the holidays I made sometime to volunteer. I felt complete like I helped and I still managed to get the laundry done. So many things in my life are going so well....but I forgot to work to do something that can help me feel complete.
So I need to become involved at church and by volunteering to do what I can to help the homeless. It may not help my sister directly but it will help others in her position. I just hope that God has someone out there that will help her in her times of need. Give her shelter, food and a slice of dignity when they can.
One of my favorite sayings is "the Lord works in mysterious ways." Every morning, as I head to work, I get off at my exit to look sadly at the path that has been worked away by those that stand at the exit with a sign. This isn't a sign announcing huge sales for discount furniture or $5 foot longs....the sign pretty much reads...."Homeless, Jobless, Hungry, God Bless." In the mornings this short, gravel pathway is not occupied by a person holding a sign. I always figured it was either to early or they liked to sleepin...where ever it is that they sleep. There has been times that I have used this exit during the day...the occupied time. I never carry cash and don't really know what to give them. I always chuckle that I have a can of soup or a granola bar....just not sure if they would want it. The pain that there is an actual path worn away by them standing there is painful enough.....but the day I saw a woman standing there.....was so painful. You see, I have a secret that I used to keep, however I have learned that sharing my secret has helped others view the homeless differently....my sister, about nine years ago, chose to be homeless. No, not drugs, not lazy, but mental health. Many ask me as to why I don't go get her and save her.....I have no idea where she is and no idea where to start. I know she is Texas and that is all that I know. And to be honest, I do not know if she is even alive. So on the day that the "person with the sign" was a woman, I felt moved and scared. I have wanted to do more volunteer with the homeless and just don't find the time. This past week, during my lull, numb time, in the morning, in 20 degree weather, a new "person with the sign" appeared. He is a man, appears to be in his 30's with a coat that has hood. No hat and no gloves, but he has a sign. I don't read the signs anymore....the only part I see is God Bless. The fact that he had no gloves, has bothered me for days. I need to remedy this situation. Back to my lull......
I wanted to sleep in today, not go to church, to crawl inside my lull and not work to let go of my funk. But I said enough was enough. We went to church and I listened carefully for something to be said to help me see.....Becoming involved in my church is important. Volunteering with various groups and honing into our given talents helps us grow as individuals and as a group as a whole for the betterment of others and the church as well. Even though my life was busy over the holidays I made sometime to volunteer. I felt complete like I helped and I still managed to get the laundry done. So many things in my life are going so well....but I forgot to work to do something that can help me feel complete.
So I need to become involved at church and by volunteering to do what I can to help the homeless. It may not help my sister directly but it will help others in her position. I just hope that God has someone out there that will help her in her times of need. Give her shelter, food and a slice of dignity when they can.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Holiday Love and Cheer!
So I woke up this morning feeling overwhelmed. So much to do and so little time. My mind is heavy with worries of travel, of dealing with difficult family members and just plan worry of the good ol' typical question.....Am I doing the right thing? I love the holidays....but then again...I down right hate the holidays. We spend so much hustle and bustle for what? I like the festive decorations, the music and spending time with one another. But this gift for that person and this gift for another....the problem of money and spending evenly. All the thought and worry that goes into that. I made the FB comment of "Change your thoughts.....change your life." I need to do this right now and I need to allow God in to help. I allowing myself to get pulled down by the past that doesn't even matter.
So instead of dwelling on the crap....I'm going to speak to some positive things in my life right now:
This weekend I had an amazing experience volunteering at church. I won't go into detail however I will give you numbers. Over 4,000 toys/gifts donated, 300 families given the opportunity to shop for their families with dignity and joy, over 150 volunteers helped these families, the families paid $12,000 which in turn is turned around to the food bank to help feed the hungry for the next two months. Amazing what a group of people can do if they come together with a common goal in mind. I was uplifted from this experience.
We have currently joined a community group at church. I feel as if the Holy Spirit has led us to the right group and I feel we are building life long friendships. The joy I feel from these new beginnings is so great. I am amazed by how much we have in common with these people but also how much we can learn from each other. Our children are also building relationships with the other children in this group.
We leave soon to go travel to go home to celebrate Christmas with family. I love this time of gathering. The food, the laughter and the tears. This is my first Christmas back with my extended "married" family. This will be a Christmas of memories as this is the first Christmas with out the Oma and Opa. They have passed on and we won't hear their songs from the forgien land and hear their laughter. But we will remember them by listening to the CD that was recorded years ago of their songs. I also look forward to being with my children this Christmas. Being back together as one family....all of us under one roof.
And lastly but not the least....my soon to be husband....again and I are planning our second wedding. I'm excited for this celebration. I am ready to exchange vows with him again and feel like this is the bond that is meant to last. This wedding feels so different. Maybe due to the fact that I am at a different point in my life.
So many negative things I could dwell on and let them destroy my spirit....But that is not what God wants from me. I am to remember to love others, love myself and remember that I am loved.
So instead of dwelling on the crap....I'm going to speak to some positive things in my life right now:
This weekend I had an amazing experience volunteering at church. I won't go into detail however I will give you numbers. Over 4,000 toys/gifts donated, 300 families given the opportunity to shop for their families with dignity and joy, over 150 volunteers helped these families, the families paid $12,000 which in turn is turned around to the food bank to help feed the hungry for the next two months. Amazing what a group of people can do if they come together with a common goal in mind. I was uplifted from this experience.
We have currently joined a community group at church. I feel as if the Holy Spirit has led us to the right group and I feel we are building life long friendships. The joy I feel from these new beginnings is so great. I am amazed by how much we have in common with these people but also how much we can learn from each other. Our children are also building relationships with the other children in this group.
We leave soon to go travel to go home to celebrate Christmas with family. I love this time of gathering. The food, the laughter and the tears. This is my first Christmas back with my extended "married" family. This will be a Christmas of memories as this is the first Christmas with out the Oma and Opa. They have passed on and we won't hear their songs from the forgien land and hear their laughter. But we will remember them by listening to the CD that was recorded years ago of their songs. I also look forward to being with my children this Christmas. Being back together as one family....all of us under one roof.
And lastly but not the least....my soon to be husband....again and I are planning our second wedding. I'm excited for this celebration. I am ready to exchange vows with him again and feel like this is the bond that is meant to last. This wedding feels so different. Maybe due to the fact that I am at a different point in my life.
So many negative things I could dwell on and let them destroy my spirit....But that is not what God wants from me. I am to remember to love others, love myself and remember that I am loved.
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