I had a big message in my heart that I wanted to share with my family. I didn't want Christmas to go by without putting the focus on the real message. I had a 'sparrow message' for Thanksgiving that I put on white origami sparrows but did not speak aloud. I didn't want this to happen again because it was too big for my little heart to contain. This message was FEAR NOT. A couple of us with manufacturing jobs are wondering if or how long we will have a job. One bro is going to Central America for a week for his master's degree leaving wife and child home to fend for themselves. And all of us feel the uncertain times even though we have the HOPE. When every thing around you is quaking and moving, you still see it even when you are secure on the Solid Rock. So armed with my white origami Christmas trees with a different FEAR NOT verse on the back of each for each family member to read aloud, I was going to speak up.
I did speak up and a sister-in-law who's job was the most secure became a puddle just as the first verse was spoken. She was such a mess that she had to have my bro read Ethen's and her verse aloud. When all the verses where read, she said she had lost her job the previous Monday due to false accusations. My bro is on call back - five weeks or more of no work. We were beginning to wonder if she would have told us if I wouldn't have done this 'fear not' thing. It is amazing how God moves us. She said that everywhere she turns it is God telling her not to fear but to trust. I have been needing to put all the verses together and even some others and email them out so that everyone has the list of verses to fortify their life.
So here it goes:
Luke 2:10-11
''FEAR NOT for behold, I bring you good tidings of Great Joy which will be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.''
Luke 12:32-34
''FEAR NOT, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom. ...a treasure in Heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.''
Luke 12:6-7 (sparrows)
''Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. ... FEAR NOT therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.''
Isa 43:1-4
''FEAR NOT, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. ... since you are precious and honored in My sight, and because I love you.''
Ps 118:6-9
''The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?
The Lord is with me; He is my Helper.
I will look triumph on my enemies.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in man.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in princes.
[
Ps 56:4
''In God, Whose Word I praise,
in God I trust; I will fear not.
What can mortal man do to me?
[
Heb 13:5-6
''God has said,
Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you. (deut 31:6)
So we say with confidence,
The Lord is my Helper; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?'' (ps 118:6-7)
Isa 44:8
''Do not tremble. FEAR NOT.
Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago?
You are My witnesses. Is there any God besides Me?
No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.''
Rom 8:15
''For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry, Abba, Father.''
Isa 35:3-4
''Strengthen the feeble hands,steady the knees that give way;
say to those with fearful hearts,
'Be strong, FEAR NOT;
your God will come,
He will come with vengeance;
with divine retribution
He will come to save you.''
I John 4:16-17
''God is Love. Whoever lives in love lives in God and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judegement ... There is NO FEAR in love. But perfect love drives out fear ...''
I Tim 1:7
''For God did not give us the spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love, and of sound mind.''
Rev 1:17-18
''FEAR NOT. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.''
[
Rev 15:4
''Great and marvelous are Your Deeds,
Lord God Almighty.
Just and true are Your Ways,
King of Ages.
Who will not fear You, O Lord,
and bring glory to Your Name?
For You alone are Holy.
All nations will come
and worship before You,
for Your Righteous Acts have been revealed.''
I ended here with Dad saying a prayer for us. It was amazing to see God move and move us together in trials.
I do have to say that once I get a roll on laying out verses, more and more come and fit up against each other... so here I go adding some more verses because it is fine and dandy to say that I will lean but I need some action or I become immobile.
Here is my action plan:
Deut 29:29
''The secret things belong to the Lord our God,
but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever,
that we may follow all the words of this law.''
Deut 30:15, 19-20
''See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His Ways, and to keep His Commands, Decrees and Laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.
... I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to His Voice, and hold fast to Him. For the Lord is your life ...
fear not part I
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
wishes for 2009
to be more creative
I have the old standbys and favorite loves of my life like cross stitching, painting, and looming. I am adding yo-yo's! because they are quite easy and just another way to embellish! I have been wanting to make some really cute amigurumi toys but crocheting has been a real nemesis of mine.
I am a self-teacher because I can't find anyone who will teach me. I am at it again being too focused on trying to find easy pictures and instruction for my learning. I have to come up for air and let me tell you, it is not going very well. So here is to taking my time and try, try, try again.
I like learning new things and I have to watch to not forget my first loves and real passions - painting & writing. I want to expand my painting imagination and ability on glass. However, I do want to be more handmade in my gifts and yo-yo's looks like it will help in the area of hair bows and embellished clothes for a little niece of mine and just maybe the big niece might like some too. I love things small and amigurumi is just perfect for this tiny fetish. I guess my biggest hope that I can be well rounded in the creativity but play up my favorite passion as well.
With that I wish to make my creativity my profession or maybe just to have some pocket change or at least get my kitchen back to a more kitchen instead of being overrun by glass. So I am checking out esty.com and making plans! Hmmmm ...
to move more
I already walk every Saturday in the summer if it is a nice day. I do on occasion lift weights for a toned arm but now that I have two dance dvds I really need to use them! An old quote that I love is 'movement is medicine.'
to write more
Now we are talking. I have always loved the written word whether it is a book or blog. I like to write and have found that writing gets out all the pent up emotion and thought that started to bog me down. Not that I have morbid thoughts even thought they are present at times but even the good thoughts need to be expressed and even taken in by others. It is a form of encouragement.
I have been using google docs but I really want to get iWorks so that I can really get into writing and be organized about it without having to be online and have that distraction! I am waiting to see what the job front is doing because it is hard to fork out the mula when it could go for groceries or some other important bill.
Besides online I really need to figure out how I can be successful with my writing and do it. Maybe I need a more organized writer space or maybe I need to really create some writer habits to do every day or maybe I need to really put the focus on words. I have been making white origami & putting God's Words as a why to encourage others as well as myself...
to be Romanced more by God
I have already fallen more and more in love with Him so much so that I really want to dig into His Word and keep my eyes open and receive His Love. Psalms 45:1 & Jer 31:3
to embrace my life & fear not the constant companion of aloneness
Kinda enough said! I am so tired of this duel emotion of this want of teamwork and having to be alone. I have got to make this work! I dig a duet but having to sing alone? help! Anyway my focus is on the above - Romanced by an Everlasting Love.
to have an neat & organized home to promote more creativity
I am well on my way but I would love more storage and more organization. Being tidy and having a space for everything allows you to see all and coordinate things together that you would not have thought of at first. I like a creative imagination and this allows for adult play! It is not just for kids. Problem is that I need some good furniture for the bedroom especially but furniture is pricey and quality isn't found at the local department store. If I am honest my 'craft room' isn't just in the kitchen but there are parts of it everywhere!
I have the old standbys and favorite loves of my life like cross stitching, painting, and looming. I am adding yo-yo's! because they are quite easy and just another way to embellish! I have been wanting to make some really cute amigurumi toys but crocheting has been a real nemesis of mine.
I am a self-teacher because I can't find anyone who will teach me. I am at it again being too focused on trying to find easy pictures and instruction for my learning. I have to come up for air and let me tell you, it is not going very well. So here is to taking my time and try, try, try again.
I like learning new things and I have to watch to not forget my first loves and real passions - painting & writing. I want to expand my painting imagination and ability on glass. However, I do want to be more handmade in my gifts and yo-yo's looks like it will help in the area of hair bows and embellished clothes for a little niece of mine and just maybe the big niece might like some too. I love things small and amigurumi is just perfect for this tiny fetish. I guess my biggest hope that I can be well rounded in the creativity but play up my favorite passion as well.
With that I wish to make my creativity my profession or maybe just to have some pocket change or at least get my kitchen back to a more kitchen instead of being overrun by glass. So I am checking out esty.com and making plans! Hmmmm ...
to move more
I already walk every Saturday in the summer if it is a nice day. I do on occasion lift weights for a toned arm but now that I have two dance dvds I really need to use them! An old quote that I love is 'movement is medicine.'
to write more
Now we are talking. I have always loved the written word whether it is a book or blog. I like to write and have found that writing gets out all the pent up emotion and thought that started to bog me down. Not that I have morbid thoughts even thought they are present at times but even the good thoughts need to be expressed and even taken in by others. It is a form of encouragement.
I have been using google docs but I really want to get iWorks so that I can really get into writing and be organized about it without having to be online and have that distraction! I am waiting to see what the job front is doing because it is hard to fork out the mula when it could go for groceries or some other important bill.
Besides online I really need to figure out how I can be successful with my writing and do it. Maybe I need a more organized writer space or maybe I need to really create some writer habits to do every day or maybe I need to really put the focus on words. I have been making white origami & putting God's Words as a why to encourage others as well as myself...
to be Romanced more by God
I have already fallen more and more in love with Him so much so that I really want to dig into His Word and keep my eyes open and receive His Love. Psalms 45:1 & Jer 31:3
to embrace my life & fear not the constant companion of aloneness
Kinda enough said! I am so tired of this duel emotion of this want of teamwork and having to be alone. I have got to make this work! I dig a duet but having to sing alone? help! Anyway my focus is on the above - Romanced by an Everlasting Love.
to have an neat & organized home to promote more creativity
I am well on my way but I would love more storage and more organization. Being tidy and having a space for everything allows you to see all and coordinate things together that you would not have thought of at first. I like a creative imagination and this allows for adult play! It is not just for kids. Problem is that I need some good furniture for the bedroom especially but furniture is pricey and quality isn't found at the local department store. If I am honest my 'craft room' isn't just in the kitchen but there are parts of it everywhere!
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
fav reads of 2008
* ''The Last Lecture'' by Randy Pausch
Do you need a boost to get your focus back on your dreams and the stuff of importance? This is a must read!
* ''Meeting God at a Dead End'' by Ron Mehl
This is a favorite author of mine. When I began to get lost in October with the job mess, I got into this book. Great renewing of the mind stuff.
* ''Chronicles of Narnia''
Started to read the series and must continue to finish. I am not a big fan of science fiction but with the movies it helps to see it in your imagination as you read. I fell in love with the Lord of the Rings & these authors where friends, maybe I could fall in love with Narnia. Well, I didn't fall for Narnia like I have with the Rings, but a good read none the less!
Do you need a boost to get your focus back on your dreams and the stuff of importance? This is a must read!
* ''Meeting God at a Dead End'' by Ron Mehl
This is a favorite author of mine. When I began to get lost in October with the job mess, I got into this book. Great renewing of the mind stuff.
* ''Chronicles of Narnia''
Started to read the series and must continue to finish. I am not a big fan of science fiction but with the movies it helps to see it in your imagination as you read. I fell in love with the Lord of the Rings & these authors where friends, maybe I could fall in love with Narnia. Well, I didn't fall for Narnia like I have with the Rings, but a good read none the less!
fav hymns for 2008
* ''You are My Hiding Place'' - sounds haunting like Phantom of the Opera ( a chorus)
* ''Jesus, I am Resting, Resting''
* My Hope is Built on Nothing Less - nov
* ''I heard the Bells on Christmas Day'' by Henry W Longfellow - dec
and a little chorus:
* ''Jesus, I am Resting, Resting''
* My Hope is Built on Nothing Less - nov
* ''I heard the Bells on Christmas Day'' by Henry W Longfellow - dec
and a little chorus:
Jesus has come & my cup overruns.
Oh, say that I'm glad, I'm glad.
Oh, say that I'm glad.
Oh, say that I'm glad, I'm glad.
Oh, say that I'm glad.
firsts of 2008
*1st pizza!
*1st photobook
*1st played on the Wii
*1st twitter entry - jul 26th
*1st stuffed cabbage - yum
*1st pear sauce & butter!
*1st loomed Christmas bell
*1st loomed tiny stocking
*1st loom snowman treat bag
*1st photobook
*1st played on the Wii
*1st twitter entry - jul 26th
*1st stuffed cabbage - yum
*1st pear sauce & butter!
*1st loomed Christmas bell
*1st loomed tiny stocking
*1st loom snowman treat bag
highlights of 2008
*making several cute hats for Lucia on the loom - jan
*had major probs with my mac & loosing appleworks grr - mar
*felt an earthquake - apr
*scoffer epiphany - prov 22:10
*major cold & cough enough to take me out - may
*Tink, bro's dog, adopted into our brood w/ Bobby & Andy - jun
-->What make's you (or ______) successful? epiphany
*Wii adventures w/ mom - love tennis!
*Erica & Mitch's wedding - jul
*loss of online time because I really messed up my mac - jul
*Summer Olympics! the opening, US swimming, & US beachball!! - aug
--> 'Don't put an age on your dreams' Dana Torres
*Getting back with my old friend, my bike - aug
*got a new iMac!!!!
*an old friend came back who didn't want to hear my no - sad to say no but was the best thing to do - sep
-->no on the human level hurts but no in the Eternal realm is freeing!!!
*two sister company's merged into 1 - means I had to move offices and now share. - sep
*rearranged my livingroom! Love it better! more organized
*sparrows epiphany - FEAR NOT epiphany!!!!
*working with a bumper crop of pears -making pear sauce & pear butter - oct & nov
*'my HOPE is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood & righteousness'
*got to have two weeks vacation right at Christmas!!!!
*wondering if I will have a job....
*had major probs with my mac & loosing appleworks grr - mar
*felt an earthquake - apr
*scoffer epiphany - prov 22:10
*major cold & cough enough to take me out - may
*Tink, bro's dog, adopted into our brood w/ Bobby & Andy - jun
-->What make's you (or ______) successful? epiphany
*Wii adventures w/ mom - love tennis!
*Erica & Mitch's wedding - jul
*loss of online time because I really messed up my mac - jul
*Summer Olympics! the opening, US swimming, & US beachball!! - aug
--> 'Don't put an age on your dreams' Dana Torres
*Getting back with my old friend, my bike - aug
*got a new iMac!!!!
*an old friend came back who didn't want to hear my no - sad to say no but was the best thing to do - sep
-->no on the human level hurts but no in the Eternal realm is freeing!!!
*two sister company's merged into 1 - means I had to move offices and now share. - sep
*rearranged my livingroom! Love it better! more organized
*sparrows epiphany - FEAR NOT epiphany!!!!
*working with a bumper crop of pears -making pear sauce & pear butter - oct & nov
*'my HOPE is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood & righteousness'
*got to have two weeks vacation right at Christmas!!!!
*wondering if I will have a job....
fav tunes of 2008
* ''Somebody's Me'' by EI
* ''Miss You'' by EI
* ''Don't Forget about Me.'' by EI
* ''Learning How to Bend'' by Gary Allen
* ''Shattered'' (turn this car around) by o.a.r.
* ''Addicted'' by ...
* ''Gotta be Somebody'' by Nickelback
Like always give me a song that is all about lonely or broken hearts and I will tend to like it. My heart is a big fat feeler and very sappy - a good thing for empathy but for my personal heart aguish and pain, it is purely a very dark eery place. It is my heart standing front and center exhaling. Funny thing though is that hymns really feed my soul and happy reigns..
I am a country fan but this year not so many on the list! Hmmm ...
* ''Miss You'' by EI
* ''Don't Forget about Me.'' by EI
* ''Learning How to Bend'' by Gary Allen
* ''Shattered'' (turn this car around) by o.a.r.
* ''Addicted'' by ...
* ''Gotta be Somebody'' by Nickelback
Like always give me a song that is all about lonely or broken hearts and I will tend to like it. My heart is a big fat feeler and very sappy - a good thing for empathy but for my personal heart aguish and pain, it is purely a very dark eery place. It is my heart standing front and center exhaling. Funny thing though is that hymns really feed my soul and happy reigns..
I am a country fan but this year not so many on the list! Hmmm ...
monthly thoughts of 2008
Jan: Is this living life abundant?
Feb: Bury seeds - Bloom Flowers
Mar: exceedingly, abundantly, beyond
Apr: you - Me - travel!
May: Conquer your brick wall!
Jun:stop trying -starting training!
Jul: The battle is the Lord's
Aug: HABOR LOVE
Sep: Prove faithful.
Oct: in God's hands
Nov: more valued than sparrows
Dec: FEAR NOT!!
Feb: Bury seeds - Bloom Flowers
Mar: exceedingly, abundantly, beyond
Apr: you - Me - travel!
May: Conquer your brick wall!
Jun:stop trying -starting training!
Jul: The battle is the Lord's
Aug: HABOR LOVE
Sep: Prove faithful.
Oct: in God's hands
Nov: more valued than sparrows
Dec: FEAR NOT!!
Monday, December 29, 2008
Sunday, December 28, 2008
my 14,525th day
1. The 3 monkeys made for my little niece, nephew, and tween niece seemed to be a hit. The nephew was really giving his train monkey a workout! I hope my workmanship holds up to the wear and tear!
2. Made white origami Christmas tree name cards with a different 'fear not' verse on the back of each for each of us to read aloud because I wanted to encourage each family member that we are not given the spirit of fear. Bravo! I didn't chicken out. However, a lot of tears as the sister-in-law whose job was the safest out of the lot was lost past Monday due to false accusations. She has been getting a lot of fear not and trust God messages. I had Dad follow up with prayer. It has been amazing to exhale as a family and see how God has been working in our lives.
3. Added 3 lip goo to my collection! Plus, a really simple patriotic stationary ... hmm, maybe I should start writing long hand!
2. Made white origami Christmas tree name cards with a different 'fear not' verse on the back of each for each of us to read aloud because I wanted to encourage each family member that we are not given the spirit of fear. Bravo! I didn't chicken out. However, a lot of tears as the sister-in-law whose job was the safest out of the lot was lost past Monday due to false accusations. She has been getting a lot of fear not and trust God messages. I had Dad follow up with prayer. It has been amazing to exhale as a family and see how God has been working in our lives.
3. Added 3 lip goo to my collection! Plus, a really simple patriotic stationary ... hmm, maybe I should start writing long hand!
Friday, December 26, 2008
great gain ...
I Tim 6:6
I ran across this verse earlier in this Christmas season and was thinking how it was an important thought to teach the little ones. In the following verses it talks about be content with the food and clothing and at this time of pinching everything for all its worth, shouldn't the simple things instead of toys and gadgets make us content?
Last night I was reading God's Word for some mental renewing as I was feeling a bit frustrated. Aloneness has been a long time companion even as I try to make homey traditions that one usually does with a little brood of a family and I find my heart always a bit wanting at this time of year. I want contentment to be very deep seated in my life and I wonder if I will ever achieve it.
Why isn't shelter - shelter of family and friends - added here in this passage? It is simple and it is not a toy or gadget. I know this kind of shelter is important as other passages point to like being friendly in Proverbs 18:24 and like be courteous as we are heirs together in I Peter 3:7-8 and like being knitted together in Col 2:2. I know I failed terribly in the sheltering part last night and even as I saw being neglected by others, I didn't get it until I got into my cold jeep and made way to my small quiet home.
I have a mental picture of the man of the house coming home and the wife greeting him as a king coming home to his kingdom. That wife knows deeply in her heart that she wants him to feel welcomed and safe here so that it is a no brainer that when things are tough and heart wrenching out there that he chooses to home and her than work or another woman every time. So why aren't I developing another picture to work out for the knitted heirs? Shouldn't I treat each moment even when I am physically or emotionally hurting as royal moments?
Teamwork is extremely important to me but it involves two or more - again here I have couple thoughts and motives yet I have a lone life. {Sighs} Anyways as I seek contentment, a wish I have is teamwork in my life as I think it would give me the encouragement I long for .... hmmm, another wish!
Great gain ÷ by God-Ways = contentment
Is this a valid ? a thinker ...
Thursday, December 25, 2008
God is not dead nor doth He sleep...
I was loom knitting my first Christmas bells earlier in the month and as I was amazed at how well they turned out, some of the words from a beloved Christmas Hymn came to mind. "God is not dead nor doth He sleep ... peace on earth, good-will to men''. I was trying to recall all the words from the hymn when from the back of the darken memory halls came the thought that this hymn was written in the time of war. Was it WWII? I would search for more info when I got online but it was dark and the Christmas lights were twinkling, bedtime was here, and my heart was very moved thinking how much hope is there was in hearing Christmas Bells. God is not dead to the quaking hearts of man even in war or financial darkness. I prayed with heavy heart for those of us facing turbulent times at work and possible no work in the near future and I prayed with a very light heart because of the HOPE in God who cares for little old me and for all those who SEEK Him.
When I did get online to find the words to this beloved hymn, I found out that it was a poem written by a beloved American poet. It wasn't WWII but the American Civil war on Christmas Day 1864. More info found that Henry had just received news that his son was injured in battle and he also had lost his wife to a fire accident two years prior. This man had so much darkness and despair in his heart and he let it bubble out onto the written page and with it his faith and hope in God poured out too. It still rings out today in any kind of pain or loss or desperation. Let the Christmas Bells ring out in the chambers of your heart today and year 'round!
Christmas Bells by Henry W Longfellow
I HEARD the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;
"For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men."
When I did get online to find the words to this beloved hymn, I found out that it was a poem written by a beloved American poet. It wasn't WWII but the American Civil war on Christmas Day 1864. More info found that Henry had just received news that his son was injured in battle and he also had lost his wife to a fire accident two years prior. This man had so much darkness and despair in his heart and he let it bubble out onto the written page and with it his faith and hope in God poured out too. It still rings out today in any kind of pain or loss or desperation. Let the Christmas Bells ring out in the chambers of your heart today and year 'round!
Christmas Bells by Henry W Longfellow
I HEARD the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;
"For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men."
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
FEAR NOT!!!
Instead of resolutions I choose a theme for each year as a way to seek God on something that I would like to enrich in my life. It isn't about change or self-help but rather seeking and having God-Help in my life. Some years I don't have a theme and what is cool is that God brings a theme into my life just like He did this year.
Towards the beginning of the year the whisper of ~fear not~ began. I saw it in that God never has told us to be discouraged or defeated. He is always saying to ~fear not and to take heart~! I just want to shout because it moved me so. Then September hit me like a freight train on a frantic mission of speed and evil - an old relationship tried to come back and the combining of two companies then with the $markets in a tailspin, I had feelings of sadness and wonderings. God sent in the sparrows so that I could hear His ~fear not~. My strength was renewed and I want to spread it to my family as each of us is affected since 3 of us have manufacturing jobs.
I am so thankful to have these two weeks off here in December even if it is because my place of work is teetering on the unknown. I have been on the go for so long and so fast, this calm is so welcomed and enjoyed. I do not know what January holds but I shout back that God took care of me with one job loss, He will take care of me in this one.
Who knows, maybe there will be a new beginning in work that I am passionate about! Last time God gave me the gift of JOY. So all I can be is excited and expectant for what He will bring!
I do feel frustrated when I see the men in my life get bogged down by the pressures of work and their loss of providing for their loved ones. I know this is crucial in a man's life so how does a girl reflect this ~fear not~ message into a man's life? I don't know but to quietly express it and convey to them how good they are in the providing. God will be showing me the way of encouraging because I seek ...
I am making a list of ~fear not passages from His Word. Try it! I using the Blue Letter Bible.com to do my study.
'The Lord Himself goes before you
& will be with you;
He will never leave you nor forsake you.
Do not be afraid;
Do not be discouraged.'
Deut 31:8
'For I the Lord thy God will hold your right hand,
saying unto thee, FEAR NOT;
I will help thee.'
Isa 41:13
'FEAR NOT for I have redeemed thee,
I have called thee by thy name;
thou art Mine.'
Isa 43:1
'Wait on the Lord,
Be of Good Courage
& He will strengthen thine heart ♡'
Ps 27:14
'I, even I, am He
Who comforts you.
Who are you to be afraid of mortal man?'
Isa 51:12
'The Lord will not allow the righteous soul to famish.'
Prov 10:3
'.. if God is for us, who can be against us?'
Rom 8:31
'The Lord gives strength to His people;
the Lord bless His people with peace.
Ps 29:11
'Look to the Lord
& His Strength;
Seek His Face always.
Remember the Wonders He has done,
His Miracles & the judgements He pronounced.'
Ps 105:4-5
'Rejoice in Christ Jesus
& have NO confidence in the flesh.'
Phil 3:3
'For God has NOT given us the spirit of fear,
but of POWER, and of LOVE, and of a SOUND MIND.'
II Tim 1:7
'And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.
And He laid His Right hand upon me, saying unto me,
FEAR NOT; I am the First and the Last.'
Rev 1:17
'Who shall not fear Thee, O Lord,
and glorify Thy Name?
For Thou only art Holy:
for all nations shall come and worship before Thee;
for Thy judgements are made manifest.'
Rev 15:4
So quake on earth, I SHALL NOT BE MOVED!
Merry Christmas & FEAR NOT!
FEAR NOT for behold,
I bring you Good Tidings of Great Joy
which will be to all people.
For there is born to you this day in the city of David
a SAVIOR, who is Christ the Lord.'
Luke 2:10-11
Towards the beginning of the year the whisper of ~fear not~ began. I saw it in that God never has told us to be discouraged or defeated. He is always saying to ~fear not and to take heart~! I just want to shout because it moved me so. Then September hit me like a freight train on a frantic mission of speed and evil - an old relationship tried to come back and the combining of two companies then with the $markets in a tailspin, I had feelings of sadness and wonderings. God sent in the sparrows so that I could hear His ~fear not~. My strength was renewed and I want to spread it to my family as each of us is affected since 3 of us have manufacturing jobs.
I am so thankful to have these two weeks off here in December even if it is because my place of work is teetering on the unknown. I have been on the go for so long and so fast, this calm is so welcomed and enjoyed. I do not know what January holds but I shout back that God took care of me with one job loss, He will take care of me in this one.
Who knows, maybe there will be a new beginning in work that I am passionate about! Last time God gave me the gift of JOY. So all I can be is excited and expectant for what He will bring!
I do feel frustrated when I see the men in my life get bogged down by the pressures of work and their loss of providing for their loved ones. I know this is crucial in a man's life so how does a girl reflect this ~fear not~ message into a man's life? I don't know but to quietly express it and convey to them how good they are in the providing. God will be showing me the way of encouraging because I seek ...
I am making a list of ~fear not passages from His Word. Try it! I using the Blue Letter Bible.com to do my study.
& will be with you;
He will never leave you nor forsake you.
Do not be afraid;
Do not be discouraged.'
Deut 31:8
'For I the Lord thy God will hold your right hand,
saying unto thee, FEAR NOT;
I will help thee.'
Isa 41:13
'FEAR NOT for I have redeemed thee,
I have called thee by thy name;
thou art Mine.'
Isa 43:1
'Wait on the Lord,
Be of Good Courage
& He will strengthen thine heart ♡'
Ps 27:14
'I, even I, am He
Who comforts you.
Who are you to be afraid of mortal man?'
Isa 51:12
'The Lord will not allow the righteous soul to famish.'
Prov 10:3
'.. if God is for us, who can be against us?'
Rom 8:31
'The Lord gives strength to His people;
the Lord bless His people with peace.
Ps 29:11
'Look to the Lord
& His Strength;
Seek His Face always.
Remember the Wonders He has done,
His Miracles & the judgements He pronounced.'
Ps 105:4-5
'Rejoice in Christ Jesus
& have NO confidence in the flesh.'
Phil 3:3
'For God has NOT given us the spirit of fear,
but of POWER, and of LOVE, and of a SOUND MIND.'
II Tim 1:7
'And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead.
And He laid His Right hand upon me, saying unto me,
FEAR NOT; I am the First and the Last.'
Rev 1:17
'Who shall not fear Thee, O Lord,
and glorify Thy Name?
For Thou only art Holy:
for all nations shall come and worship before Thee;
for Thy judgements are made manifest.'
Rev 15:4
So quake on earth, I SHALL NOT BE MOVED!
Merry Christmas & FEAR NOT!
I bring you Good Tidings of Great Joy
which will be to all people.
For there is born to you this day in the city of David
a SAVIOR, who is Christ the Lord.'
Luke 2:10-11
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
secret things vs. revealed things
I have been wanting closure then taking it back on a friendship with someone who was very important to me. There was no fight only long talks which have left me with a lot of good memories. This person left. I have spent 4 years trying to close the door. I would love to have a final conversation so I can get rid of him but honestly I would rather he come back. So I sorta want a closure but don't want to. I hate ugly and friendship endings are always ugly.
A warning: When you seek, you better be ready for an answer! God has given in Deut 29:29 my closure. I do not have to trust man's lame excuses. I can still pray for this person and still cherish him without getting mean and upset with him when and if I would get the chance. So I will take God's closure and know that He is at work and working out His Best for me and more importantly 'THROUGH' me. Just maybe this friendship I had wasn't His Best for me but rather maybe what I did or what we talked about helped and just maybe is continuing to echo His Word into this person's life. I did write a boat load of letters via snail mail and email. (Talking too much is probably the reason he vanished!)
The secret things belong to the Lord our God,
but things revealed belong to us
& to our children forever,
that me may follow all the words
of the law.
Deut 29:29
Ahhh, yes! The secret things belong to the Lord my God. This special person and his vanishing act belong to the Lord, never for me to understand or to know until God decides to reveal it to me even when my heart pipes up from the back and shouts out about Proverbs and the message there that understanding and wisdom are very important things to achieve in my life. I then have to calm my quaking heart with ''those who know God's Name will put their trust in God; for God the Lord have not forsaken those who SEEK HIM.'' (ps 9:10) By seeking God and His Word things revealed are before me to follow and obey. Obeying God is expressing my love to Him and in return obedience brings blessing - disobedience brings punishment.
I have enough revealed things to keep my heart and me very busy!
secret things:
*vanishing act by a very dear one
revealed things:
* a list of must haves so I will recognize the one
* a more God-confident me with more God-confidence to go
* I truly loved someone else - a work that I wanted to do forever
* fearing not a single hood future no matter what age... {hard swallow}
* if I have that 'fear' about something, I will speak up & not stuff it down
ie: his leaving - I knew he would leave but never told him this.
* Proverbs 18:1 & 24 - wrong to be insular - must show yourself friendly BUT if it doesn't work, if you love & love is denied in return there is SOMEONE WHO IS A FRIEND WHO STICKS CLOSER THAN A BROTHER. Jesus Christ loves me and will never forsake me! AMEN!
A warning: When you seek, you better be ready for an answer! God has given in Deut 29:29 my closure. I do not have to trust man's lame excuses. I can still pray for this person and still cherish him without getting mean and upset with him when and if I would get the chance. So I will take God's closure and know that He is at work and working out His Best for me and more importantly 'THROUGH' me. Just maybe this friendship I had wasn't His Best for me but rather maybe what I did or what we talked about helped and just maybe is continuing to echo His Word into this person's life. I did write a boat load of letters via snail mail and email. (Talking too much is probably the reason he vanished!)
but things revealed belong to us
& to our children forever,
that me may follow all the words
of the law.
Deut 29:29
Ahhh, yes! The secret things belong to the Lord my God. This special person and his vanishing act belong to the Lord, never for me to understand or to know until God decides to reveal it to me even when my heart pipes up from the back and shouts out about Proverbs and the message there that understanding and wisdom are very important things to achieve in my life. I then have to calm my quaking heart with ''those who know God's Name will put their trust in God; for God the Lord have not forsaken those who SEEK HIM.'' (ps 9:10) By seeking God and His Word things revealed are before me to follow and obey. Obeying God is expressing my love to Him and in return obedience brings blessing - disobedience brings punishment.
I have enough revealed things to keep my heart and me very busy!
secret things:
*vanishing act by a very dear one
revealed things:
* a list of must haves so I will recognize the one
* a more God-confident me with more God-confidence to go
* I truly loved someone else - a work that I wanted to do forever
* fearing not a single hood future no matter what age... {hard swallow}
* if I have that 'fear' about something, I will speak up & not stuff it down
ie: his leaving - I knew he would leave but never told him this.
* Proverbs 18:1 & 24 - wrong to be insular - must show yourself friendly BUT if it doesn't work, if you love & love is denied in return there is SOMEONE WHO IS A FRIEND WHO STICKS CLOSER THAN A BROTHER. Jesus Christ loves me and will never forsake me! AMEN!
Friday, December 19, 2008
sugar plums!
I am offffff of work for two whole weeks! I did start a day early because of not paying certain vendors due to the lack of money flow out there so it took a ton of time to go through 3 weeks worth of invoices and then to delete the 'checks' from the check run. I also filed and received some nice and painful paper cuts as the files are full. We will go back to do inventory then it should get interesting. But as of these two weeks I will spend just how I like - being creative and festive! I have many projects that I want to get at and accomplish - probably too many! Some of those projects is to get Shutterfly to work w/ the transfer on the new iMac. Don't know why it won't work! Plus, getting logged into Shutterfly takes ages. Then I need to write here in llj and also need to write a some letters and update the resume. I got to look now for a new job. Maybe this is the time to go into something that really fuels my soul!!!
I have already spent many of my nights being festive with what things I have around the house. I have always loved the idea of having glass ornament bulbs in a bowl or tall glass cylinder. I don't have the regular sized bulbs so instead I used miniature sparkling water glass bottles I had. I liked so I fill some baskets with the tiny blue wine bottles I had. Yes, I have a ton of glass in my house! Good thing I don't have the huge quakes they have in Cali! Anyways, I would like to get into some glitter and Christmas origami too. I have an idea about 'fear not' that I need to collect 'fear not' verses. I want to somehow share it with my family.
Ahh, I have soooo many visions of sugar plums dancing in my head! ♬
I have already spent many of my nights being festive with what things I have around the house. I have always loved the idea of having glass ornament bulbs in a bowl or tall glass cylinder. I don't have the regular sized bulbs so instead I used miniature sparkling water glass bottles I had. I liked so I fill some baskets with the tiny blue wine bottles I had. Yes, I have a ton of glass in my house! Good thing I don't have the huge quakes they have in Cali! Anyways, I would like to get into some glitter and Christmas origami too. I have an idea about 'fear not' that I need to collect 'fear not' verses. I want to somehow share it with my family.
Ahh, I have soooo many visions of sugar plums dancing in my head! ♬
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Australia !
I would give this movie a rating of 10. Unfortunately, I am just getting around to writing about it since I did see this movie Thanksgiving Day where I did get both my mom and dad to go see it. (My own life has been weary and too fast. It is frustrating to be over loaded at work with layoffs and the fear of no job in the future. Mixed messages. So my thoughts go on whirling away without being able to jot them down and exhale through writing. I must remedy!)
This movie is full of tragedy and triumph. So it might be possible that you might need to bring a kleenx even though I did not shed a tear. I have decided that I did have tear leakage was because I have had enough crying over a man from down under. Why cry when here I could drink in all that this movie could give me and where I could delight in what Aussie knowledge I did know. See America is my home but Australia is a second most favorite place. You know you have places you would like to go see and then come home. You just want to experience it for a time. Then I believe there are places that you have love ones in where you want to experience a place because of them. You want to see what this place that has effected them even shaped them. This is what Australia is to me. I want to know and someday be able to experience this place as if I was there living. It would make me feel closer to him - to wear his shoes and travel his path a bit ... to understand.
I was most excited about knowing as much Australia as I did like the boab poison tree and Aussie words like digger (Aussie solder) etc. I even had heard about the Kimberly's before seeing the movie. I even knew where Darwin was on the Aussie map. I think I have always had an interest in Australia and it first began with words - I discovered an Aussie dictionary where I preceded to photocopy it so I could have a personal copy! Then I developed some friendships (even had a set up group date in college with the lone aussie there. Funny, I don't think we even talked to each other. However, now days I would know exactly what to say and he probably would run away thinking I was very much a crazy yank!) Now days I keep in touch with Australia or a certain place in Australia by a local paper there and by weather maps.
Here I am talking about everything but the movie! Well, the movie takes place in WWII. A British lady goes to Australia to bring her husband back home. She seems so prim and proper that you are surprised that she quickly feels the pain in others. Oh, how I love her grit! She is a fighter! Not the verbal kind but a fighter for what is right! Like our own history with the American Indians, Australia has history with the Aboriginal people. What I like most is that she fights for the underdog even if she is messy in her way. She throws out culture even though she is high bred. What is most important is the person. Well, through it all, she falls in love with Australia. Oh yes, there is a love story here! Got to have in an epic!
Baz Luhrnmanm - creator and director of Australia says, ''You cannot really possess anything; not land, not a person, not a child. All that you do possess at the end of your life is your story.'' There is truth here but there is more truth that is missing here. All that you possess at the end of your life is your story, but you have the choice to possess His Word and Everlasting Life. Having His Word keeps me going when I know I cannot keep a friendship with a fellow believer down under. Even when my story has an unraveling when he up and vanished is a big reminder that that stories do intertwine... and come undone. Own your story. Choose Everlasting Life. Own His Word. Because when you arrive on Heaven's Shore, God the Master Story Teller will show you your story and how it intertwined and affected other stories that you did not know like in "It's a Wonderful Life.''
sighs....
This movie is full of tragedy and triumph. So it might be possible that you might need to bring a kleenx even though I did not shed a tear. I have decided that I did have tear leakage was because I have had enough crying over a man from down under. Why cry when here I could drink in all that this movie could give me and where I could delight in what Aussie knowledge I did know. See America is my home but Australia is a second most favorite place. You know you have places you would like to go see and then come home. You just want to experience it for a time. Then I believe there are places that you have love ones in where you want to experience a place because of them. You want to see what this place that has effected them even shaped them. This is what Australia is to me. I want to know and someday be able to experience this place as if I was there living. It would make me feel closer to him - to wear his shoes and travel his path a bit ... to understand.
I was most excited about knowing as much Australia as I did like the boab poison tree and Aussie words like digger (Aussie solder) etc. I even had heard about the Kimberly's before seeing the movie. I even knew where Darwin was on the Aussie map. I think I have always had an interest in Australia and it first began with words - I discovered an Aussie dictionary where I preceded to photocopy it so I could have a personal copy! Then I developed some friendships (even had a set up group date in college with the lone aussie there. Funny, I don't think we even talked to each other. However, now days I would know exactly what to say and he probably would run away thinking I was very much a crazy yank!) Now days I keep in touch with Australia or a certain place in Australia by a local paper there and by weather maps.
Here I am talking about everything but the movie! Well, the movie takes place in WWII. A British lady goes to Australia to bring her husband back home. She seems so prim and proper that you are surprised that she quickly feels the pain in others. Oh, how I love her grit! She is a fighter! Not the verbal kind but a fighter for what is right! Like our own history with the American Indians, Australia has history with the Aboriginal people. What I like most is that she fights for the underdog even if she is messy in her way. She throws out culture even though she is high bred. What is most important is the person. Well, through it all, she falls in love with Australia. Oh yes, there is a love story here! Got to have in an epic!
Baz Luhrnmanm - creator and director of Australia says, ''You cannot really possess anything; not land, not a person, not a child. All that you do possess at the end of your life is your story.'' There is truth here but there is more truth that is missing here. All that you possess at the end of your life is your story, but you have the choice to possess His Word and Everlasting Life. Having His Word keeps me going when I know I cannot keep a friendship with a fellow believer down under. Even when my story has an unraveling when he up and vanished is a big reminder that that stories do intertwine... and come undone. Own your story. Choose Everlasting Life. Own His Word. Because when you arrive on Heaven's Shore, God the Master Story Teller will show you your story and how it intertwined and affected other stories that you did not know like in "It's a Wonderful Life.''
sighs....
Thursday, December 11, 2008
LIFE!
After having a very heated argument over pro-life or pro-choice, God has been bring life/death situations and His Word to my attention. Like the a father in England emailing his children in the States about his choosing the assisted suicide in Sweden and having it viewed on the web for all to see. A previous assisted suicide was either a soccer or ruby player also of England who was paralyzed at the neck down and decide it wasn't worth living anymore. Just sad. I have to give a disclaimer here. I am very empathic and what I mean is that I lean in and listen to people's life stories and passions. Then I try on their shoes and walk in their path. So life to me isn't a cheap and easy answer.
A co-worker told me about her husband's fast moving cancer that claimed his life in a matter of 11 months! I couldn't help but have some private and personal questions about how much I would do to save my life if I was facing a cancer monster. Would I go through all the 'treatments' to have it claim my life anyways? Then I felt very conflicted over these suicides..
Then God reminded me of His Blessing for us when we choose life. ''See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His Ways, and to keep His commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to His Voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and He will give you many years in the land He swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. ~Duet 30:15-20 No it isn't easy but remember God has given us Joni who after a diving accident that broke her neck leaving her paralyzed to this day. It has not been easy yet she choose life! I will have to dig out her book but I do think she thought of ending it all. Not so anymore. Look at the blessing God has poured into her life!
Now if I can harbor this Word in my heart so that it flows out naturally when an old friend calls me, maybe she will see God and see how precious life truly is ....
A little side note that in a way fits here because choosing life is obeying .. I found a recent saying that I wish I had in my growing up years. 'Obedience brings blessing. Disobedience brings punishment.' Do you know that the best way to love God is to obey?
A co-worker told me about her husband's fast moving cancer that claimed his life in a matter of 11 months! I couldn't help but have some private and personal questions about how much I would do to save my life if I was facing a cancer monster. Would I go through all the 'treatments' to have it claim my life anyways? Then I felt very conflicted over these suicides..
Then God reminded me of His Blessing for us when we choose life. ''See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His Ways, and to keep His commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to His Voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and He will give you many years in the land He swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. ~Duet 30:15-20 No it isn't easy but remember God has given us Joni who after a diving accident that broke her neck leaving her paralyzed to this day. It has not been easy yet she choose life! I will have to dig out her book but I do think she thought of ending it all. Not so anymore. Look at the blessing God has poured into her life!
Now if I can harbor this Word in my heart so that it flows out naturally when an old friend calls me, maybe she will see God and see how precious life truly is ....
A little side note that in a way fits here because choosing life is obeying .. I found a recent saying that I wish I had in my growing up years. 'Obedience brings blessing. Disobedience brings punishment.' Do you know that the best way to love God is to obey?
seek & you shall find ...
As I am wanting closure to a relationship and taking it back again and as I have taken stock of my own personal growth, could it be that instead of asking for understanding and getting none that I should be asking for wisdom? Proverbs is all about Wisdom but it is also about understanding. So I am a little confused at where I am going with this.
I want understanding about a relationship disappearance but I highly doubt I will ever get that understanding. So how is asking for wisdom any better? Maybe as being a single girl who is unique and whole, I should act like it and the wisdom might just fall into place with Psalms 9:10 ''.. those who know Your Name will put their trust in You; for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.'' Seeking His Right Ways and doing them is doing God's Will. It is solid no second guessing. I think I have gotten distracted by asking what shall I do questions and going by what I felt... than actually stopping the questions and do what God requires of me. He made it sooooo plain and obvious! Then the stuff of earth won't confuse me and the stuff of emotions won't give way.
''I love those who love Me, and those who seek Me diligently will find Me,'' says Wisdom (prov 8:17) So how do you seek so that you will find overflowing treasure? God's Word! - the best Love Letter ever...
I want understanding about a relationship disappearance but I highly doubt I will ever get that understanding. So how is asking for wisdom any better? Maybe as being a single girl who is unique and whole, I should act like it and the wisdom might just fall into place with Psalms 9:10 ''.. those who know Your Name will put their trust in You; for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.'' Seeking His Right Ways and doing them is doing God's Will. It is solid no second guessing. I think I have gotten distracted by asking what shall I do questions and going by what I felt... than actually stopping the questions and do what God requires of me. He made it sooooo plain and obvious! Then the stuff of earth won't confuse me and the stuff of emotions won't give way.
''I love those who love Me, and those who seek Me diligently will find Me,'' says Wisdom (prov 8:17) So how do you seek so that you will find overflowing treasure? God's Word! - the best Love Letter ever...
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
whole!
I was listening to a lady speaker on BNN who used the definition of single as separate, unique, & whole. This thought coupled with the thought of wondering if I could be 'confident' of who I am with no striving whatsoever if I would happen to be in a male relationship - have I learned to be happy with me and my God-Placement without wanting more or companionship?
Sighs. I think I am tainted because of a relationship that I had that was so good but is gone without closure. Right now I am so waffling between so many questions without any answers. All I have is talking back 'I shall not want' to 'forget what lies behind and lay hold to what lies ahead' but my heart keeps looking back ... I cannot be a Lot's wife.... God has too much good for me to want lest than the best....
{Shhh heart .. you don't know if what you had was the best....}
Sighs. I think I am tainted because of a relationship that I had that was so good but is gone without closure. Right now I am so waffling between so many questions without any answers. All I have is talking back 'I shall not want' to 'forget what lies behind and lay hold to what lies ahead' but my heart keeps looking back ... I cannot be a Lot's wife.... God has too much good for me to want lest than the best....
{Shhh heart .. you don't know if what you had was the best....}
Saturday, December 06, 2008
snowy calm ...
It is Saturday and the calendar says December. The snow is flying and the temp has dipped into the teens and twenties. This Christmas is promising to be calmer and more about the home as the work is rocketing downwards. I have the last two weeks off and I am lucky to have 7 days of holiday pay for it. Then back to work to finish inventory. After that I am not sure what will happen. It doesn't look good and the fear at work is beginning to show.
I am thankful for the time off this month and will take it to make things I have been wanting to make. I am also going to spend it organizing my personal life to make it more productive. I have Christmas gifts I attend to make and I really need to some creative brainstorming for the possible job loss ahead. I have really wanted to write and feel so lacking because it has been about work and surviving at such a fast pace. That is why I am so looking forward to slowing down.
Today has been so picture perfect every time I look outside. Snow flying, homes lit up, music playing, kids making snow angles - night falls and the snow still flies...
I am thankful for the time off this month and will take it to make things I have been wanting to make. I am also going to spend it organizing my personal life to make it more productive. I have Christmas gifts I attend to make and I really need to some creative brainstorming for the possible job loss ahead. I have really wanted to write and feel so lacking because it has been about work and surviving at such a fast pace. That is why I am so looking forward to slowing down.
Today has been so picture perfect every time I look outside. Snow flying, homes lit up, music playing, kids making snow angles - night falls and the snow still flies...
Thanksgiving Sparrows ...
I had this overwhelming need to Thank God for Sparrows and I wanted to share with the whole family. There are little ones around the table and not enough quiet to share. I am not one that feels comfortable leading and need someone to start. So after looking at my origami books, I folded a sparrow for each family member with their name on the front as a name card and then put Scripture references (II Tim 1:7, Isa 43, Luke 12) with a verse out of Luke 12 written out ' Do not FEAR therefore, you are of more value than many sparrows '. When the table was cleared I made sure I tucked the sparrows in their personal belongings just encase they might want to have it as a reminder for later...
Here is a letter I got from little bro:
Sis,
I have been meaning to get this email off to you...
With everything going on at the dinner table (Lucia and Ethen) I did not get a chance to express how special I think the sparrows you made are. I am not sure if each had a different verse, but mine seemed personalized. Thank you for the time and energy that you put into them and ultimately put into our family. Family is important. I know it may not always seem that I think that, but I do. It gets difficult juggling fatherhood, husbandhood, studenthood, child-of-Godhood, and brotherhood, and sonhood. I think hearing what you expereinced at Paul's viewing and then the ackwardness I felt at Wilma's viewing and then standing in the hospital hearing the doctor tell Grandma Erma the end of her life is near, has got me thinking about the importance of family.
I love you!
little bro
Yes!!!! So here was my opportunity to share more ...
Dear little bro,
Thank you for sharing with me about your thoughts on my thanksgiving sparrows. I have so much to say and have no outlet to do these little creative things of bearing witness to God. I am not a mom nor did I want to be but of recent I have been having 'mom' thoughts and been figuring out how I would bear witness of God to kids and others. There is something to the reason of those thanksgiving sparrows...
In September my world began to change. Consolidating two companies meant that I had to give up my very small windowless office where I felt very secure and at peace with my little world. I could listen to BNN and get my fill of God's Word and hymns. On the outside it was a numbers world but on the inside I was just a growing in my sure Foundation, the Rock. I got word that I would be moving to a bigger office with one whole wall of window and that I would be sharing it with another. I didn't like this new info one bit. I already had one experience with an office mate and I didn't want another. I also was worried that BNN wouldn't come in or that it would offend the office mate. My office is right by the water cooler and everybody would say 'how do you rate with a big office and a window to boot!' I would get so mad because having a window isn't the most important thing on my mind! Grrrrrr....
Then in the still of the afternoon sparrows would come and peck around by the window. It was God telling me that I was important and special even when changes make you feel less important. The day before the big news of the 8% pay cut, the sparrows were again at the window. Again God was saying look at those sparrows and see that they do not worry about food or clothes. I am more value than these special little birds and God will provide. He has taken me through one job loss and He will take me through another. Today the news is even more bleaker but in Hebrews 10 & 11 it says: ' without FAITH it is impossible to please Him! ' & 'do not cast away your Confidence, which has great reward.' It doesn't mean I don't feel scared but I am right back standing tall and talking back with God's Word, Promise, & Blessing to the enemy!
I always try to have a yearly theme and sometimes I don't start the year with one in mind like this year. God has given me one: FEAR NOT! So I have begun to throw away the spirit of timidity and I am trying to be bold in speaking out with encouragement. I think it is my gift even when I don't feel it is going anywhere.... like with the thanksgiving sparrows so HUGE HUG and thank you for giving me a vote of confidence with the birds. (Do you know that God never tells us to fear anything but He Himself? He is always saying to fear not and to take courage.)
What is amazing with God's Word that is so different with man's words is that it is given to all of us but it is personalized for each individual. I can use His Word to pray for others and to encourage even when I don't know what someone else might be facing or going through. So whenever you see sparrows or any bird for that matter and hear their songs, you the child of the King can sing for all your little heart can pump out! Reading all of Hebrews 11 you will see that we are longing for a homeland not here, a heavenly country. We are not alone. We are surrounded by such a huge family - not just the ones written in the Bible but those of us here and loved ones far away and ones freshly on Heaven's shore. We are all connected even when it feels like we are so alone... Keep running the race with the sparrow's song fresh on your heart and mind and your soul will soar!
To Thanksgiving Sparrows!
always sis
Here is a letter I got from little bro:
Sis,
I have been meaning to get this email off to you...
With everything going on at the dinner table (Lucia and Ethen) I did not get a chance to express how special I think the sparrows you made are. I am not sure if each had a different verse, but mine seemed personalized. Thank you for the time and energy that you put into them and ultimately put into our family. Family is important. I know it may not always seem that I think that, but I do. It gets difficult juggling fatherhood, husbandhood, studenthood, child-of-Godhood, and brotherhood, and sonhood. I think hearing what you expereinced at Paul's viewing and then the ackwardness I felt at Wilma's viewing and then standing in the hospital hearing the doctor tell Grandma Erma the end of her life is near, has got me thinking about the importance of family.
I love you!
little bro
Yes!!!! So here was my opportunity to share more ...
Dear little bro,
Thank you for sharing with me about your thoughts on my thanksgiving sparrows. I have so much to say and have no outlet to do these little creative things of bearing witness to God. I am not a mom nor did I want to be but of recent I have been having 'mom' thoughts and been figuring out how I would bear witness of God to kids and others. There is something to the reason of those thanksgiving sparrows...
In September my world began to change. Consolidating two companies meant that I had to give up my very small windowless office where I felt very secure and at peace with my little world. I could listen to BNN and get my fill of God's Word and hymns. On the outside it was a numbers world but on the inside I was just a growing in my sure Foundation, the Rock. I got word that I would be moving to a bigger office with one whole wall of window and that I would be sharing it with another. I didn't like this new info one bit. I already had one experience with an office mate and I didn't want another. I also was worried that BNN wouldn't come in or that it would offend the office mate. My office is right by the water cooler and everybody would say 'how do you rate with a big office and a window to boot!' I would get so mad because having a window isn't the most important thing on my mind! Grrrrrr....
Then in the still of the afternoon sparrows would come and peck around by the window. It was God telling me that I was important and special even when changes make you feel less important. The day before the big news of the 8% pay cut, the sparrows were again at the window. Again God was saying look at those sparrows and see that they do not worry about food or clothes. I am more value than these special little birds and God will provide. He has taken me through one job loss and He will take me through another. Today the news is even more bleaker but in Hebrews 10 & 11 it says: ' without FAITH it is impossible to please Him! ' & 'do not cast away your Confidence, which has great reward.' It doesn't mean I don't feel scared but I am right back standing tall and talking back with God's Word, Promise, & Blessing to the enemy!
I always try to have a yearly theme and sometimes I don't start the year with one in mind like this year. God has given me one: FEAR NOT! So I have begun to throw away the spirit of timidity and I am trying to be bold in speaking out with encouragement. I think it is my gift even when I don't feel it is going anywhere.... like with the thanksgiving sparrows so HUGE HUG and thank you for giving me a vote of confidence with the birds. (Do you know that God never tells us to fear anything but He Himself? He is always saying to fear not and to take courage.)
What is amazing with God's Word that is so different with man's words is that it is given to all of us but it is personalized for each individual. I can use His Word to pray for others and to encourage even when I don't know what someone else might be facing or going through. So whenever you see sparrows or any bird for that matter and hear their songs, you the child of the King can sing for all your little heart can pump out! Reading all of Hebrews 11 you will see that we are longing for a homeland not here, a heavenly country. We are not alone. We are surrounded by such a huge family - not just the ones written in the Bible but those of us here and loved ones far away and ones freshly on Heaven's shore. We are all connected even when it feels like we are so alone... Keep running the race with the sparrow's song fresh on your heart and mind and your soul will soar!
To Thanksgiving Sparrows!
always sis
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
lame duck ..
ARgh! This is a calmer more my style of dealing with a conversation with an old high school friend who is Vietnamese and doesn't believe that God should be in every part of your life. She wants to talk politics and faith yet will not listen so the talk gets very elevated so much so that I told her that she had better change the subject more than one time before she finally did so. I dread her calls because it is such a fight. The only time I truly enjoyed our talk was the last time she talked about Nicholas Sparks because she fell in love with his books... So here is my cathartic response if I could since I am such a lame duck when it comes to 'fighting'.
I am sorry but my vote is my vote and I have the right to keep it to myself as this is a basic right that the government has given me. I don't even have to share with you what party I favor. Voting is my choice not what I think people in general might think or choose. My vote is not limiting the general thinking; it is just a vote of my choice in the direction I think and want my country to follow. I do not care if the general thinking that a woman has a right to choose whether or not to kill her baby by calling it abortion. It is my choice to honor life because God created life and like a master creating a masterpiece that masterpiece had better reflect the master. That is how I see life. I will not go with the general thinking that about pro-choice. I will honor God and respect life. I tried very hard to show you all aspect of this issue. Funny how you agreed with me that abortion was a selfish choice yet you continue to your barrage of it is the general thinking. Thinking about this makes me think you were trying to make me feel bad about my choice. When I could get no where with you, I told you that you had better change the subject. I do not 'fight' well at all because I come from a 'feelers' place or maybe I should say empathic. I am all over with my points and cannot make it tight and convincing. After I had the holiday weekend to feel upset and bad about the conversation, a radio preacher repeated a point that we christians tend to fight the symptoms instead of pointing to the solution. I told God that I don't understand why I keep failing with this old friend. Why else is she always calling me? Isn't God waiting to bear witness of Him to her?
I wish I could tell her that I refuse to strive with her because it is wrong for me to be of quarrelsome manner. No fire. No wood! I don't know how to pack pleasant words because she is always high pitch and I cannot function at that level. I don't know how to steer the conversation in such a matter that it doesn't focus on worldly symptoms but focus on the God-Solution. I know that my vote is not a solution but rather a voice of how I would like my government to be run. Remember this is suppose to be the government by the people and for the people but my vote is and will be govern by what I feel will honor God the most. It must not honor man. The founding fathers gave us the right to vote and they based every part of this government on God and His Word! This whole thing about faith and founding fathers would be lost on her because she Vietnamese and they believe in god through honoring dead relatives. I know she asks me about my politics and my faith because she doesn't know and understand and wants to - like she is always asking me English grammar. She isn't afraid to try with English but when it comes to politics and faith, she wants to be like others in general and I feel and know that politics and especially faith is personal. I really just need to be a lighthouse...
I kind of have a running conversation with God about having someone to hone my 'fighting' skills with. See, I used to have a great someone in my life who really knew how to bring out my thinking without getting me in a meltdown contention. That someone left and then I found a great book called Quiet Leadership that really helped me with myself but turning toward others, I am finding it harder to switch on even though I love asking question which is the whole point of Quiet Leadership where you ask questions to honor their thinking yet you make them do all the work so that you don't tell them what to do which I loathe so others would loathe too. Anyways that someone I think would have been a good one to practice with because he already has it without reading the book!
Maybe I am to forget about honing my fighting skills and be the lighthouse. Lighthouse never saved the day. It only shines -warning of danger....
Still figuring it out....
I am sorry but my vote is my vote and I have the right to keep it to myself as this is a basic right that the government has given me. I don't even have to share with you what party I favor. Voting is my choice not what I think people in general might think or choose. My vote is not limiting the general thinking; it is just a vote of my choice in the direction I think and want my country to follow. I do not care if the general thinking that a woman has a right to choose whether or not to kill her baby by calling it abortion. It is my choice to honor life because God created life and like a master creating a masterpiece that masterpiece had better reflect the master. That is how I see life. I will not go with the general thinking that about pro-choice. I will honor God and respect life. I tried very hard to show you all aspect of this issue. Funny how you agreed with me that abortion was a selfish choice yet you continue to your barrage of it is the general thinking. Thinking about this makes me think you were trying to make me feel bad about my choice. When I could get no where with you, I told you that you had better change the subject. I do not 'fight' well at all because I come from a 'feelers' place or maybe I should say empathic. I am all over with my points and cannot make it tight and convincing. After I had the holiday weekend to feel upset and bad about the conversation, a radio preacher repeated a point that we christians tend to fight the symptoms instead of pointing to the solution. I told God that I don't understand why I keep failing with this old friend. Why else is she always calling me? Isn't God waiting to bear witness of Him to her?
I wish I could tell her that I refuse to strive with her because it is wrong for me to be of quarrelsome manner. No fire. No wood! I don't know how to pack pleasant words because she is always high pitch and I cannot function at that level. I don't know how to steer the conversation in such a matter that it doesn't focus on worldly symptoms but focus on the God-Solution. I know that my vote is not a solution but rather a voice of how I would like my government to be run. Remember this is suppose to be the government by the people and for the people but my vote is and will be govern by what I feel will honor God the most. It must not honor man. The founding fathers gave us the right to vote and they based every part of this government on God and His Word! This whole thing about faith and founding fathers would be lost on her because she Vietnamese and they believe in god through honoring dead relatives. I know she asks me about my politics and my faith because she doesn't know and understand and wants to - like she is always asking me English grammar. She isn't afraid to try with English but when it comes to politics and faith, she wants to be like others in general and I feel and know that politics and especially faith is personal. I really just need to be a lighthouse...
I kind of have a running conversation with God about having someone to hone my 'fighting' skills with. See, I used to have a great someone in my life who really knew how to bring out my thinking without getting me in a meltdown contention. That someone left and then I found a great book called Quiet Leadership that really helped me with myself but turning toward others, I am finding it harder to switch on even though I love asking question which is the whole point of Quiet Leadership where you ask questions to honor their thinking yet you make them do all the work so that you don't tell them what to do which I loathe so others would loathe too. Anyways that someone I think would have been a good one to practice with because he already has it without reading the book!
Maybe I am to forget about honing my fighting skills and be the lighthouse. Lighthouse never saved the day. It only shines -warning of danger....
Still figuring it out....
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