Thursday, June 30, 2011

the beauty of the morning, the beauty of the earth...

Oh, what a beautiful morning it is! to drink in the beauty of nature, to sense the freshness that fills the air, to hear the birds as they happily sing their tunes. oh, the beauty of the earth. i love nature. i love to sit and just listen. it opens my senses, my mind, my heart to think about the One who created such a masterpiece for each of us to soak in and enjoy. as it has been said, and many have heard, "each day is a gift from God" truly it is. morning, one of my favorite times of the day, as the sun so high above the earth shines in all of it's splendor and radiance, shinning down on us so, bright and lovely. a sky that looks soft and to me is the most perfect shade of blue, what a breathtaking back drop for the green trees that bloom and many that rise so high, and the mountain peaks which stand with such grandeur and the oceans that run so deep and seem to go on forever with beaches that are filled with objects of beauty. yes, the delightfully gorgeous beauty of the earth, to try and drink it all in can overwhelm the senses and make them run wild. what a gift, what a treasure, and one that we must cherish, and treat with respect. God created the beauty that we see. He gave it to us as a precious and delightful gift, we must take care of it for He entrusted it within our care. so take a moment to pause, listen, breathe in the wonders that surround us....the beauty of the earth such a precious and delightful gift indeed.
Genesis 1:1-25

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

reasoning things out in my mind by myself can be a problem...

do you ever try to reason everything out in your mind? or perhaps try to reason some things out in your mind? i can tell you that i lean quite heavily on trying to reason things out in my mind. however, something that i need to be aware of is that trying to reason everything out by myself is a problem, and it can be a very serious matter, that i know i personally have to deal with. i need to ask God to help me to stop reasoning and begin to live by faith, leaning on and trusting in Him and not on my own understanding. In Proverbs 3:7 it says "Be not wise in your own eyes." What I believe that is saying is: i shouldn't even think that i can run my life on my own and do a good job at it without the help and direction from God. Giving up the reigns to God and allowing Him to take full control has always been something that i have found to be difficult. i am sure most of this difficulty can be traced back to my problem with trust. trust to me is somewhat like sky diving. just jumping out of a plane extremely high above the earth with the belief and trust that a parachute will for sure open and keep you from smashing to the earth with great force. but, you know i seriously need to take that leap of faith and believe that God is in control and will take care of me as He will take care of you NO matter what may come. i need to stop reasoning things through by myself. i need to give it all over to God, and walk by faith....for He is in control. 
Here Goes Nothing

Sunday, June 26, 2011

what do we believe about ourselves?

it has been proven that if people believe something about themselves strongly enough, they will actually begin to behave the way they perceive themselves to be. if parents, teachers, or other authority figures say to you over and over in your youth that you were no good, that there was something wrong with you. that you could not do anything right, that you were worthless, and would never amount to anything, you may actually believe it. it's such a shame. but, many have had this experience and many go through life believing that they are worthless, and have no real reason to be alive, or have nothing positive to give back to society. What's also so sad is that many are Christians and deal with this daily. satan reinforces this message by repeating in the mind time and time again until it becomes such a part of a persons self image that they actually become on the outside the way they envision themselves on the inside. however, our mind can be renewed by the Word of God. when i went through my lowest and deepest and darkest abyss i had to begin a time of listening to, and reading the Word of God over and over, this started a process of healing and also the ultimate goal of the renewing of my mind. none of this happens over night, actually i still need to do this i strive to make it a daily practice. i believe my mind needs to be renewed every single day. with all of the lies that satan will try to feed me, and in my human weakness some of the lies seap into my mind, using the Word of God as a means of fighting back is the answer, and in my life i have seen it work. does it mean that i don't get down, become frustrated? if you've read my blog long enough you will find that nothing could be further from the truth. each day that God gives me is a day that i must armour up and fight satan with the Word of God,with prayer, with speaking the truths from  the inspired book upon which i must stand, i cannot do it alone, i need God, and with Him as my guide, nothing is impossible.

Friday, June 24, 2011

do you have complete joy?

i never thought that i would do this on my blog. but, it is called "transparent thoughts" so, i suppose i'm not too far off in left field for going to where i am going to go. i have always been under the impression that God uses the weak of this world, those who are driven to their knees, those who live with scars to influence those who need Christ. i suppose it's two fold though. God does not want to just use the weak, but, He wants the weak to be an example of how one can be weak then made strong through Christ Jesus. there are words like restore, revive, refines, repent in the Bible. i have been told that i am weak. that there are still things that i am afraid of, that at this point in time should be over. that i need to grab a hold of myself so that i can be a great example to my children, on how Christianity can make a person strong, and i have not done this. most of this is true. so, as you see most of this is transparency. i know i have never once put myself on display or even have projected myself as one who could be used as an example of what Christ is like. i try to daily stay in His Word and i am striving to reach that goal, i am striving to become more like Christ. but, i fail miserably, and it seems i fail more than i succeed. maybe this is all coming across as a pity party, and you may be thinking, why in the world would she write an entire post on how much she fails. i guess i am just being open and real and truly being transparent, this lies heavy on my heart, and i felt so compelled to share it. joy is one of the most powerful weapons we have against satan, and a big question enters my mind, why don't I get some joy, and quit talking so negative. in my heart of hearts at this moment i feel quite "joyless" so i suppose i am opening myself up to satan to steal my joy. obviously, that's the case so i should cling to joy because it is a great source of strength that God has given to interrupt satan's plan. if i allow him to destroy me, i am useless for the Kingdom, i loose my strength and i allow satan to walk all over me. however, i need to remember that the joy of the Lord is my strength & I can do all things through Christ who is my strength. through joy, i can receive strength to do things that would other wise be impossible. what is amazing is that there is nothing that satan can do to stop me when my heart is full of joy. when the joy of Jesus is in my life, i radiate, i shine, there is a transparency and those around me see Christ, not me. if i allow satan to steal my joy, things become clouded and the view is obscured, that light and radiance of God does not shine through...the view is muddied. now, maybe i've been all over the map today with this post, and i suppose that's OK. i was taking the time to just jot down the thoughts that were on my heart and in my mind. hopefully something that i said will ring true to you, for that is my one and only goal. My prayer to the Father: "Lord pour over and fill me with Your joy. May it over come any fear that I may have. Lord i pray that i will allow you to fill each and every part of my inner being with your joy, so that i can be transparent and the light of you and your love will shine through like the radiant sun. i love you Lord, be with me i pray...amen."
Peace On Earth

Thursday, June 23, 2011

A wonderful plan instore...

in order for us to grow God sometimes has to strip away everything we put our security in, and that is everything else but Him. this is because God is a God of restoration. He restores our minds, our emotions, our souls, and our health. i've heard it said or have heard it explained that when an expensive piece of antique furniture is restored the old paint or varnish must be stripped away before a new finish is applied. the piece of furniture is sanded before so the new application will stick. we can sometimes be like that  piece of furniture. i have found myself lately in the position of being in that stripping process. but i must remember that whatever God takes away during that process or requires for me to give up, He will give back more than i previously had, and everything will be better than before. and during this time His grace covers me, it pours down on me like a cool soft rain. this grace never leaves, never ceases to exist, but remains to remind me that He has me covered and i can look to the future with anticipation for what He has in store. i may not be able to see it now, but i know He has something wonderful planned. that is the positive way for me to think. i have often said that God does not bring you to a certain point then drop you in a ditch out in the middle of no where only to say, "OK, you're on your own, it's just you from now on." thank God He leads us, shows us the way, and carries us when we need to be carried. He says He will never leave us or forsake us. so, as we travel on this journey He may take away, or ask us to give up certain things, only to restore us with something that is better for us, and a plan that is wonderful.
Grace
http://youtu.be/N4ZK_ZaYhmE

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

a personal relationship with God that is the goal....


this may totally blow you away and catch you off guard, but God doesn't want you to know about Him. That's crazy but very true because He actually wants you to know Him! We can keep ourselves busy keeping this rule and that rule. Making sure we do all of the "right" things. Participating in lifeless, religious duties, and rituals. many go on for years doing this and never find true inner joy. the only way to experience true inner joy comes from a life that is living in the abiding presence of God. It's a life that is being lived intimately with the goal of having a close and personal relationship with the maker of the universe. it's not at all about living your life fulfilling a list of man made rules and regulations. it is so easy to get caught up in keeping a set of rules possibly laid down by a pastor. following after that pastor, and believing all that they preach about or personally say as if it is right in all ways, but this could not be further from the truth. we are not supposed to put our confidence in man, but rather in God. search out the truths from scripture, like i said too many rest soley on what the pastor says as opposed to searching for ones self.
so, let's draw close to Him, seek Him out. bathe in the awesome presence of Him and don't base your relationship with Jesus Christ on man made rules and regulations. learning to know Him, and not just about Him becomes a real personal relationship. that is the goal after all.

Monday, June 20, 2011

We will always be moving forward...

you know we will always be moving towards some goal or objective in our lives. As soon as we finish one, another will take it's place. it seems we are always extending and reaching for something. whatever we believe God could provide for right now could end up happening a year from now, but by that time we will be believing God for something else. It's as if we spend the majority of our lives waiting for something, but you know during that time we should learn to enjoy life as it unfolds. if we do not, life will pass us by and we will never enjoy where we are right now. it is often difficult to enjoy everything we do to the fullest extent. the couple of words that seem most difficult for me is: everything &fullest extent. many times i fall short, as i am sure many do and being human means that we will, especially if we are relying on ourselves to take us to that place. letting God take full reign and guide us, will definitely get us to the place of being able to enjoy what we do in life to it's fullest extent. God's desire is for us to enjoy our lives while living on this earth. He does not wish for us to live our lives with the attitudes of "doom and gloom" but instead to have an attitude that remains positive, and joyful. As our life unfolds God desires to walk with us, to talk with us, to enjoy His presence as He enjoys ours. What's amazing when I think that way is that not only am i His friend, but He longs to be my friend, and true friends stick together through thick and thin. so, while He walks with us and talks with us and let's us know that we are His own, He is showing His desire to be our friend....how amazing is that? as i set my goals may they be goals that have been prayed over, and be filled with what God would have. and, while i wait i pray that i will not allow life to pass me by, but instead enjoy where i am at right now.
the following song may not tie into what i have written but it is a song that spoke to me, may it speak to you as well.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

was i meant to read it?

yesterday and today every time i would pick up my Bible whether it would be to read it or move it because i was dusting, a piece of paper with the quote: "Be who you were meant to be not who you've allowed yourself to become." kept falling out. so, i started thinking, maybe i'm supposed to be reading this because i need to hear it and somehow and someway it applies to me right now. i don't know maybe just because it kept falling out meant nothing at all but, then again maybe it did. the quote is a very powerful one, at least i believe it is. in Christ we are meant to be the best that we can be. we are supposed to shine like the sun, because the radiance of the son dwells within us. but sometimes i personally cut myself short, i allow myself to be just so so, mediocre. and settle for second best, when all that is done in Christ should be done with excellence. He wants us, He wants me to excel, and yet at the same time remain humble and exemplify the heart of a servant....He wants what's best for me, what's best for you. many times because we cut short or don't listen at all to what God is saying we allow ourselves to become, complacent. happy with the place we are at while on our Christian walk. instead of reaching forth, we're happy to be in park. i need to allow God to bring me to the place where He wants me to be, to the place where i am meant to be for such a time as this, may i not allow myself to become someone who can't follow, can't obey, can't dream, can't get excited about God and what plan He has for me. now, it's possible i'm stretching this quote a bit, in order for it to fit into what i am writing, honestly, this is how i am interrupting it at this point, and that is how it has spoken to me. honestly, i believe i was supposed to see it, read it and think about it.

Friday, June 17, 2011

What do we strive for?

what we seek in life reveals so much about our character. do we seek the wrong things? if we do, the result is never being satisfied or fulfilled. i tend to lean towards, finding it hard to meet the point of truly being content. do you? as i write these posts it seems i lack in a lot of areas and to be totally candid and real....i do. i suppose i don't pretend to be something that i am not. i am not a super Christian, and to be honest i really don't think most people are. i believe we are all striving to do what God wants us to do. Now, that's not to say that some are not spiritually further ahead than others, but, it is to say that there is not one of us, that do not lack in some way. Perfection doesn't take place until we reach heaven's gates. so, if that's the case it could be safe to say, we are all on this journey attempting to stay focused and reaching forth unto those things which are before, reaching for the finish line and along the way striving to fulfill the life that God would have for us to live. what am I seeking after? What are you seeking after? A life that God would look upon and smile? Or would He be frowning the majority of the time or even possibly be sorrowful? I know for myself I desire for Him to be proud, delighted in what I am doing as one of His children. I think when He looks down and sees my life, there is a mixture of all of the above. Humanly speaking as I said earlier, perfection isn't obtained until we reach heaven. So, I suppose it would be best to say, "What are we striving for?" God knows the heart of each one of us. He sees what our desires are, He sees how we try, what we are driven to be or to become, and what is so amazing is at the same time despite our shortcomings, He loves us with an unconditional love, and knows how imperfect we really are. i believe (and i could be wrong) that He really wants to see that our desires are to do the right thing. He wants to see that we are transparent, and that we are striving to be emptied of ourselves daily only to be filled with Him. when we strive to be filled with Him that's where the contentment comes in, where the fulfillment comes in, and the satisfaction in knowing that we are on the right track at becoming more like Christ. Let's strive at doing what is right. Let's aim for the finish line knowing full well that along this journey we have put forth the effort to strive to fulfil what God wants for each one of our lives. To realize that He is everything that we need and that with His help and guidance we truly can be a Christ follower who strives with every ounce of us to be what we need to be for Him. The world is watching....what do they see?

You Are Everything











Thursday, June 16, 2011

a fresh start....

not just another ordinary day but, a day filled with the grace and mercy of God. if the Lord dwells within your heart He gives you a day with a brand new fresh start. the sun is out with its warm radiance filling up the morning sky....simply beautiful. yes, a wonderful new day filled with fresh new possibilities. O, the earth filled with beauty that surrounds us. don't get too caught up in all the business and noise that can fill up your day and make you pass up the wonderful opportunities to drink in the beautiful things on the earth given to us as a precious gift from God. it is not difficult to find the bad, but allow yourself to look for the good. Be still and listen, Be still and look, for you just might experience something that you need to flush out the noise and chaos that could be clouding your view. He's all around me, He's all around you... quiet your soul, listen and look and take a moment to be still and know that He is God.

Living Landscapes

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

my own little corner of the canvass....

a thought that kept reoccurring to me today:
"i need to treat others the way that i would like to be treated". so tonight as i sat down and got my laptop, i started thinking deeper. do i do this? do i treat others the way that i would like to be treated? and unfortunately my answer was not what i had wished it would be. i wish i always treated others in a way in which i like to be treated, but, i don't why? because i can't, i'm not able to....i'm human. but, then i had this thought: i can strive for that goal, i can put forth the effort, decide that it's important enough to me to make that a matter of great importance. the thing is, how do i expect to be treated in a positive way, if i treat others around me in a negative way? i can guarantee you other's will not want to treat me in a positive way, if i'm a mean and hateful person, or even a person who is so filled with me, and there is not enough room for anyone else, then i am being selfish. sometimes i can be self absorbed, and miss many opportunities that are around me. i love to get a smile, i love it when someone with a genuineness about them says "Hello". i like it when people care, when they take the time to ask how i am doing. i like knowing that i am being prayed for and so much more. so, if that is how i like to be treated, then i need to take the time regardless of whether or not i am "in the mood" and treat others in a way in which i would like to be treated. i bring all of this up because, i have a really hard time in this area. i tend to think about what's going on in my life, the people's lives that are closest to me, in my inner circle if you will, and forget that there's a whole big world out there just filled with people who need what i can give them or show them and that is the Love of God. that's being the true hands and feet of Jesus. it may come easy for you but for me, it takes a conscience effort. don't get me wrong, i realize the world needs Jesus and the story of His amazing love, but, i can so often get way wrapped up in my own little corner of the canvass....my prayer is that i'll allow the Lord to help me to look past my own little world and put forth the effort to treat others the way that i would like to be treated. Lord give me your eyes.

Give Me Your Eyes

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Questions....

if life is not a dress rehearsal, why do we so often live our lives as though it is? if we only have today because we don't know if tomorrow will be ours, why do we sometimes waste today? if one of the best ways to be the hands and feet of Jesus is to show love, why do we pass up so many opportunities to do so? time can't be stopped, no it just keeps slipping through our fingers like sand. what do we make of our time? do we spend it being self absorbed? or do we reach beyond ourselves and look for ways to touch in positive ways the lives of others? or are we thinking of ourselves so much that we loose sight of why it is we are still on this earth? do we forgive, cover with love and grace a fellow brother or sister in Christ, who has strayed off of the straight and narrow and with loving and caring hearts gently and prayerfully bring them back? or do we find it easier just to ignore, forget, and even treat badly the individual that needs to be shown that Christ forgives, and that it begins with us? when will we ever get to the place that we realize that life matters more when it is lived loving, forgiving, cherishing, caring for others more than for ourselves? when will we get to the place in which we see the good in people before we see the bad, most people have so much more good in them than bad, and yet the bad so often is magnified...ran over with a fine tooth comb, if we look for the good before we zero in on the bad we might  just totally surprise ourselves and wouldn't that just be wonderful? it might just bring us together as opposed to dividing us, for isn't unity the goal? we waste so much precious time arguing, finding fault, searching for guilt, passing the buck, and sometimes just being down right arrogant, angry, and even cruel, that before we know it the time that has been given to us has flown by. isn't it time to wake up and treat others as Christ would have us? maybe we should try treating others the way that we would like to be treated. none of us like to be hurt, so why do we hurt others? yes, all of what i've written is just a load of questions, questions i must ask myself. honestly as long as we live in this mortal body we will all deal with such things, but i honestly believe that should not be used as an excuse. shouldn't our goal be to rise above such actions? and at the same time cry out for a servants spirit, a servants heart? shouldn't we view ourselves as sinners covered and saved by grace? and if not for the grace of God we all no matter who we are could fall into deep sin? the love of God is boundless, so should we strive for ours to be....it's hard, it's not natural, it's often not what we want to do, but when the rubber meets the road isn't it the right thing to do?


I Hope You See Jesus
http://youtu.be/GBIpvoNVlDk

Thursday, June 9, 2011

raw and transparent....

sometimes deep in my heart i wonder why people do the things that they do. what makes them tick? why do some say the first thing that comes to their heads? act as if they know the answer to all things and think more highly of themselves than they ought? who knows, maybe i'm describing myself to a point...i don't know. i know i don't wish to do any of the things that i've mentioned. but, the bottom line...we are human and we will fail, that for sure we can count on. i guess what matters is if we strive to be what God would want. at right about now, i feel like i'm rambling on. maybe i am who knows, i suppose i have thoughts just racing through my head, and questions that i don't have answers for. this blog has become pretty much unread. so, if anything it has become more of a personal journal. so, i will just pour out my heart. bottom line is: i don't understand people. mostly at this point in my life...Christians. lately i have been hurt so much by them. i'm a Christian and really want to draw close to Him, i'm not better than any one else, just a person covered by the grace of God. i have come to the realization that we must not look to people for much of anything, the minute you do, they will fail you, and that's including myself. most of this is just different thoughts that are presently overwhelming my mind...so, i am just writing it all down...kind of helps me feel a little better to get it out. why are sins sometimes rated? gossip seems to be the most accepted sin, while others are condemned.some of the Christians that i have come in contact with as of late seem to love to gossip. now i must make it clear not all love it, many see it for what it is. but, there are those who find it quite acceptable, and they spread gossip like it's second nature to them, like they don't even think twice about doing it. but, heaven forbid someone else committing another sin...these same people are right there quick as a wink pointing judgemental fingers...how sad, but, unfortunately true. well, so much for my rambling. just thoughts going on inside this head of mine. typing it out has somehow seemed to help...kind of getting it out...just raw, transparent, and me.

Monday, June 6, 2011

cherish each moment....

time slips through your fingers just like sand. do you ever wish you could just hold on to time, stop it some way in order to savor the moments that have filled your heart with joy? time is not that way,tick tock goes the clock and before you know it moments have passed.how do i spend my time? a question i often ask myself. do i cherish each moment God gives?may i look at each day as a beautiful gift from God. of course this has been on my mind even more because my oldest daughter, sarah just finished High School and i ask myself where has all the time gone? i am sure many of you have asked yourself the same question regarding your own children. i must say i do have a difficult time looking at baby pictures and pictures of her growing up because time has flown so quickly.and yet through those pictures i see a girl that has grown up to be a sweet and beautiful young lady. knowing that fills my heart with joy. my prayer is that she'll walk close to God. that she will follow in His footsteps and allow Him to guide her. i pray that He will always be the most important part of her life and that she will never stray from Him but, grasp his hand and hold on ever so tightly.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

a Christian brother or sister that is hurting so desperately....

gos·sip/ˈgäsip/
Verb: Engage in gossip.
Noun: Casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details that are not confirmed as being true. 
i felt compelled to cover this topic this morning because not only is it rampant in the world, but unfortunately, it runs rampant in the church today. i think some people believe that it is OK to pass on information, that may be true, to other people behind a person's back, and many times the words that are repeated can as well be half truths or even lies all together. my main question is what makes this OK? in comparison to other sins it seems that this sin is given a pass. gossip has almost become acceptable, and some of the people that you would least expect doing it, play an active role in passing information through the "grapevine" and the information moves through this vine so quickly that by the time it makes its way through, those that hear it hear information that has become embellished, twisted, or a spin has been put on it, and it comes out as a complete and very hurtful lie. so many of us, if honest, have been participants of this sin, but, have found victory, while others continue this sin and in the process, create deep pain, tear up the life or testimony or even the name of a person. the bottom line? gossip is a sin and is a completely and disgusting tool that can be used by satan in the life of Christians to destroy. nothing good comes from gossip. why should we repeat something that we know will cause destruction? why should we participate in something that would cause another person such pain? the answer is beyond me. i don't regard myself as perfect in this area, it is so easy to do. when a fellow Christian has fallen shouldn't we keep our mouths closed to gossip and open our mouths to prayer? instead of gently placing a blanket of protection and love over a hurting person so many just trample over a fellow christian soldier through gossip, and lies or embellished stories. shouldn't we get back to love? get back to truth, get back to keeping our mouths closed regarding stories that can be repeated, toward a Christian brother or sister that is hurting so desperately?

I Hope You See Jesus

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

i can't quit....

i haven't written in this my blog "journal" for several days. i have been so busy with gardening, a hobby that i love so much. i love nature. when i'm out in it i feel so close to God, and just love digging in the dirt, planting and watching what i planted grow. now to some this may not be a favorite thing to do, but, for me i find it satisfying and therapeutic.
one of the other reasons i haven't written because when i initially started this blog, i really wanted people to read and take something from it you know something like a "gold nugget" that they could apply to their lives or just think about maybe throughout their day. i don't sense that happening, but then of course that's going strictly on "feelings" and that's not always the best thing to do. some have let me know that they very rarely read, and i suppose that's what got me started thinking that way. however after thinking it over, i have come to the conclusion if not for anyone else but for myself i must continue to write. it too is therapeutic and in some interesting way brings a healing to my soul. how could i not be filled with words when God fills me each day with something that i could share. i tend to lean towards some of the same topics, i guess because those topics are what seem to be most relevant to me at this point in my life. maybe in time this will change, as i continue to grow. of course not physically but mentally through mind and soul. well, these are the thoughts that have come to mind this morning. i almost quit writing, but i believe God wants me to continue, because it brings a soothing to my soul and a real enjoyment to me. always trying to keep it real and remembering what i titled this blog so i must try to live up to it. in some way i believe i have this morning.
the following is a song that i found to be just beautiful and soothing. a song worth listening to as you possibly have your own time of reflection.

Quiet Beauty
James Todd