A different point of view...

You probably can't tell but these two boys on the far end... not so excited about the whole dead deer thing. I guess the whole man kills for food thing isn't a hit with them. Well, it's an experience anyway. Eli has been around it for always so it doesn't get to him. However, last year we had quite a situation with Cassie. She wanted to go with Dad to the processing plant(deer processing that is) and well, let's just say she is very much a vegitarian (as much as you can be with McDonalds and stuff : )
Anyway, one mans treasure can be another mans indifference.

Something about sitting in a tree for hour upon hours and freezing your hiny off to maybe see a deer is, to me, crazy... to him pure joy. Poor bambi...just kidding, if you can't tell it's an 8 point buck that is a good 150 lbs. so expect some deer meat for Christmas!

Love is everything without an action

living each day choosing to be uncomfortable... It sounds like self-hate huh? Well, today in Church we talked about living outside our comfort zone. whether, it's getting out of the country and into the inner-city, going out instead of staying in, giving it a try rather than wondering what if, speaking out rather than choking down... what ever your comfort is, try stepping out. Say hi to a stranger even when it's hard, strike up a conversation in the grocery store line without knowing what you have in common, ask for help instead of struggling in silence... all of these things are getting out of the norm. It's really no stretch, it's those things that tug on your heart... "just get up out of your chair", "just do it"," just say it"," just hug her"... it's God led intervention into another life and, at times, it's hard and uncomfortable.

What if we saw everyone as God created them... equal. What if when you are sitting at the red light and see a homeless person you really saw a brother or sister in need not the dirty, suspicious-looking shell we choose to see through. Or what if we didn't prejudge a person by the size of their bankbook. What if when we are hurting we just said it instead of acting like we are all OK and hunky-dorey? What if we said those things that may hurt but people need to hear... what if?

There are so many examples in the bible of Jesus doing, saying and living outside the norm and people flocked to Him because He was true. What you saw and what you heard is what you saw lived out without compromise. He gave and gave unconditionally to those God brought to him and then ultimately; he gave his everything for those He knew did not understand but one day would. He gave so that we would have a future.

I don't pretend to think we can live as Jesus did but I know without doubt He is calling us to choose life outside the box. Seeing into one another and caring enough to stop and help when we are called to, give until we can't, and love without limits no matter what. Now, do not misunderstand me, loving without limits is loving and supporting, sometimes... that means having to step back and love from afar, setting boundaries, saying no, and interceding on their behalf from a distance. Love is everything without an action, it's nothing you can just do, it's something you have and only God births. Everything else springs forth from love.

Sound of Strength

There's a song by Casting Crowns called the "Voice of Truth" and it talks about getting out of the boat your in and walking on water. To me, this hit home because I get stifled in the thought that I am stuck or have hit a dead end. I am Probably a lot like the disciples in the boat, they thought there was no way out but, Jesus showed by example that, there is always a way out.

Peter is the only one that got out of the boat and he's the only one who personally experienced the miracle of walking on water. It's not something everyone wants to do... stepping out into an uncomfortable situation, everyone wants the miracle but without the sacrifice of self it takes to get it. Not that we can do anything to make a miracle but it takes faith. We tend to stay close to home, where we are comfortable with the familiar surroundings and happenings. We trust what is proven to be trustworthy and rarely take a chance without a safety net.

What is that? Why can't we trust Jesus and live outside of our comfort zone? Well, for me, it's fear and disobedience. A fear that I will be hurt and the disobedience is my constant ability to focus on anything and everything to keep busy, especially when I am feeling overwhelmed emotionally.

What if I, like Peter stayed in God's will and kept my focus on God more than staying busy? What f I stepped out of my little comfy boat that I keep just barely afloat and planned my day solely around what God desires? Really, that's what Peter, David, Daniel, Job and Mary (to name just a few) did, they stepped away from the norm and lived in "God's zone". Maybe it wasn't every minute of every day but each life tells a story of taking a step out and finding a victory like none they would have never dreamt.

The next (and most touching part to me) part of the song is "I stand and listen to the sound of Jesus singing over me". I completely and whole-ly believe that when we step outside the box we have put God in, that Jesus celebrates over us... that's what He died for, our life as a child of God and to have the choice to live that way.

Why with all of this, do we still live like we are powerless and defeated? HMmm....

confessions of a blank mind...

I feel like I need to say this although I assume I have been transparent with my many struggles. Being a Jesus-devoted christian is not saying that I have it all figured out or that I have any answers. EVERYTHING on this blog is pure interpretation by me. I don't pretend to be up on anybody, in fact, I am finding that when I think I may be getting it all figured out... there's more to do.

I just love to know that the pressure is off... when I get tired of doing it on my own, overwhelmed from going on ahead or just in a fit of rebellion... I have a God waiting for me to surrender to Him. I know that my life is what it is because of Him and I am because He chose to let me.

I guess a blog is just my way of working it all out, think it through and process the mysteries of life. I am glad to take you along just come at the risk of this knowledge.... I have no answers, get them from God. = )

Waiting...

I just gave a sister-friend some advice, I said "don't rush it and don't get overwhelmed but wait on God to deal and sort things out in you and through you". In hind-sight I see that my advice, as true as it is, can be harder to accomplish than just spouting off a few words. I think wait is one of the top most used words in the Bible. Noah waited for the waters to recede, The Israelites waited, everybody had to wait at some point and if they did not... trouble befell them.

So, how do you WAIT? What if all of life starts closing in, your heart just can't take another beating and you are just barely hanging on? What then, how long can you hold onto the rope? Well, the answer is... not long enough.

Waiting means giving God the burden and trusting Him to unload it as He sees fit. I know, for those of us that don't really know how to trust... that's a lesson that has to come first. We have to be able to trust to be able to survive. We are not made to handle all that life dishes out but, Jesus was and through Him, we can bear anything. We can not face the sins of this world and have hope. God loved us and made a way, He built a bridge between us that overcame the sin and the bridge was Jesus. Jesus carried the weight for all of our sin (past, present and future) to the cross. So if He can give His all for us we can safely trust in Him for what we can not see.

Waiting... to me, means having to trust God and know that he has a better view.

Fog

Sitting here thinking about my day ahead I find that there is so much fog in my view. Fog, the fuzzy distractions that don't really accomplish anything but steal away time and energy. Sometimes we add the fog to avoid those chores that we have to do but would rather ignore hoping that they will just disappear or a miracle of God will come and it will be done. That's how I am with home chores... could I procrastinate any more? You don't know the answer but it a resounding NO! Some fog rolls in virtually undetected to subtly steal your focus or attention. Some fog co es in so dense you can't see anything but the distractions.
What is this Fog and where does is come from? Well, I believe that our enemy is waiting to roll in at times when we are weak, confused, DISTRACTED, hurt, sad, depressed, angry and when we are totally focused, on the right path and just stop and let our guard down for a millisecond. Face it, our enemy thrives on the element of surprise and when at war... you can never let your guard down.

Eph. 5:15-17
Be very careful, then, how you live- not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.

Eph. 6:10-20
The Armour of God
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled round your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Ouch

This was just a thought today.

So many times I want to not open up and allow people in because of fear. A fear that they won't like me, a fear that they will hurt me or a fear that something will go drastically wrong. However, it has become easier for me to do this being dependant on God to bring people to me, rather than doing it n my own. But, still I tend to grow weary and today as I said a temporary good-bye to a sister and friend my heart said ouch and it dawned on me that I had been touched profoundly by this person and that part of being touched is allowing the ouch of intimacy that comes and goes but doesn't run and hide.

Thank You Father,

Today as I woke, you rolled back the covers of the skies to allow a glimpse of the majesty and beauty of color hidden underneath the cover of clouds. You bless me with a family that is more than I could have ever dreamed, imagined or asked for and you put a song in my heart that I know was just from you to me.

How could I ever doubt you care or that you are always aware of where I am or where I have been. You know my innermost thoughts and fears and you can soothe them. Thank you, that I don't have to believe in something that never shows up or leaves a shadow of doubt, that you are real and working.

Thank you that sometimes you just want to say I love you in ways only I will understand and know that you are blessing just me. Thank you, that when I am at my most critical time of fear or question... you show up. Thank you, that when I have backed myself into a corner... you are always making a way out for me and that when I am overwhelmed and overpowered... you step in to win the fight.

Thank you for teaching me that I need you and all I have to do is ask and you will lead me when I have gone on ahead on my own.

Thank you Jesus because I know the price paid is more than I could ever comprehend or fully take in. This day is yours, reign in me.

In the precious name Jesus I pray, AMEN