Sunday, February 17, 2019
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Love Story
A
love story begins with commitment and joy.
The story is unending and travels through the highs and lows of emotion,
spiritual, and just the being together through the mundane and mountain heights
of life The key word is together.
When
I was small, we enjoyed family gatherings at Christmas. When my Dad and his three brothers, all
fathers, sat in wooden straight chairs in a row, they told stories of long
before my time. There was no greater joy
for me than to listen to their many stories and watch them slap their knees as
they laughed together. Stories are for
the young and for the old.
A
story teaches, involves our very being, tugs at the heart, challenges us, and
opens new windows to the world we live in so that we understand. Sometimes we can be so enveloped into the
‘story’-world that we forget the ‘real’-world.
Learning the difference sometimes can create havoc. The contrived dilemmas that lead to happily ever after are not always so
easy in the real world.
When
I read Mother’s journal from long ago, I searched for gems of thought, quips of
wisdom or bits of laughter. I did not find
those ‘forever remember’ sayings. Mom
wrote about the things that occupied her time – the every day chores, the
people who came and helping and sharing. She wrote the happenings of weather --
rain and sunshine and snow. Then I realized
God desires faithfulness and steadfastness, even in the little things. I re-read the journal with new eyes. She held our family together and that was
her/our story.
Story is a way
of language in which everything and everyone is organically related. Story is a
way of language that people cannot be known by reducing them to what they do,
how they perform or the way they look.
(Eugene Peterson – The Pastor)
Reading genealogical stats of born and died does not touch the hyphen of time
when that person’s story is written.
Each
of us writes a story that will be remembered by family and friends. The WHO of our story is forever changed by
the WHOSE we are. The principles by
which we live. One father told his children whenever they stepped out into the
world – remember who you are. My Dad often told me the one thing that cannot be taken away from me is my reputation or who
people think I am. Another wise man
said, What is most important of what God
thinks of us.
Our
story is enhanced by relationships with others. We do not live alone. Our worth and being is reflected in those
around us. What kind of story are we
writing? A story of encouragement, love,
forgiveness, joy or are we writing a critical, hateful, angry story without
hope? This is our choice and it stands for an eternity, and our story is taught
to our children and children’s children.
A
year ago we left a church family where our story was well known their stories
were known to us. We came to a new
church family. We hear names and bits
and pieces of their stories, but our lives are not yet entwined into one. We miss the strength of being part of a
church family that will come in time…that relationship that mirrors our own
family. We will grow into a family here
where sacrifice and joy are equally present.
Where suffering and hope are present in the hearts and lives of those
who follow Jesus. Where conflict is
banished with encouragement and forgiveness and patience. Where prayer is a matter from the heart and
God’s Word is emblazoned on the heart, as well.
It is a new adventure of finding our place and what God wants of us
here.
The
chains of hatred, misunderstanding, criticism and labelling cripple only the
one who continues to let their minds indulge in self-pity and delusion of who
we are. The only freedom and peace is in
our Lord Jesus.
The
question is, Are we living a story that is worth telling? We have decisions to make every day. The decisions we make color our story. What if Noah decided that building an Ark was
too hard and refused? What if Abraham
asked, “Go where? Surely you jest. I want to stay home!” What if Isaac refused
to go to the mountains with Abraham?
What if Jacob had not wrestled with the angel? What if the disciples refused to follow
Jesus? What if Jesus refused to come to
earth to die on the cross to save us from our sins? Their stories would not be worth re-telling
to this day.
We
are a nation of instant gratification (the easy way out) and materialism
(keeping up with the Smiths, Joneses or the Browns’). And I turn back to the family stories of
sacrifice and love and worshiping God. As
my Aunt Irene says, “How thankful I am for my ancestors and what the Lord has
done for our families because of them.”
Yes, there stories, are a part of God’s stories. As a nation we have been blessed by trust and
faith. Just as our story includes our
nation’s story, our story is part of God’s Love story.
The
beautiful song, tells us of hope for our story within God’s Story. (Townsend/Getty)
How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.
Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one
another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and
peace will be with you. II Corinthians 13:11
Is
it too late to write a love story? Even
at the age 84, I know that my story is just begun, for I am never too old to revel
anew in God’s Love Story and being a part of not only our family and in the
Family of God.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
May 4, 2011
Psalm 94
Arise, O Lord, Judge of the earth
How long will the wicked reign?
How long will the evil ones
Crush your people with disdain.
The Lord God is not deaf
He is able to speak.
He is able to see. the wicked
He will raise up the weak.
Teach us your ways, O, Lord,
Give us in troubled times, your relief
Protect us from the wicked ones
Deliver us from their grinding grief.
You are my Rock and Fortress
In You, we will ever hide
Your strength erases our doubts
And brings us hope, deep and wide.
May 3, 2011
Great Are You, Lord
As the mighty waters
Thunder in their banks
Lord, I give you thanks,
Great are You, Lord.
You are mightier than all
The mighty breakers on the shore
Oh, Your Majesty, it is You I adore.
Great are You, Lord.
How I sing your praises
Help me to follow your way
To trust in faith, and only you obey
Great are You, Lord.
Your reign, Lord, is forever
Your royal laws cannot be changed
I obey, and not be estranged
Great are You, Lord.
April 27, 2011
Psalm 91
Praise
You are my Rock, You are my Rock,
You are my Fortress
You are my Light, You are my Light
You are my salvation
I'm trust You, I'm trusting you,
You are my God!
I hide in the shelter,
In the shelter of your Presence.
You keep me safe from the enemy
Because of your love for me.
How great is your goodness
And the mighty works of your hand
When your final trumpet sounds
In You I will ever stand.
I delight in the Lord
I sing praises to the Mighty King
I sing with joy and thankfulness
Until all heaven rings.
April 27, 2011
Psalm 92
Worship
What is Worship?
What is praise in song?
What is thankfulness?
What is right or wrong?
I praise you, Lord
You lift my heart in joy
When I see your works
That man cannot destroy
I praise you, Lord
In the morning light
And faithfulness at night.
I praise you, Lord,
Exalted one forever
You are my Rock
My song forever.
April 16, 2011
He is Alive
He is alive
My Lord and King
He is alive!
Praise Him and Sing
He is alive!
He's my ev'ry thing!
When sleep eludes me
and words capture sleep
I awake with praise
Pray His love to keep.
The night hours fly by
And I know not why
My heart lifts up prayer
In your presence, I cry.
The sun will soon rise
Rubbing my sleepy eyes
My heart cries, Amen
Let His praise arise.
The earth stirs with joy.
Mountains will sing
Trees dance in the breeze
I'm praising Jesus the King.
March 28, 2011
Glory
I sing glory, glory, glory
To your name
I sing glory, glory, glory,
You're ever the same.
Yes, Lord, I hear your voice,
Yes, Lord, in you, I rejoice.
The heavens proclaim
Your glorious name
Day after day I see you
Night after night, You are new.
March 15, 2011
What Time Is It?
What time is it?
I asked the nurse
As the pain dug deep
The time seemed perverse.
What time is it?
I asked, as I waited
To hear how my child fared
And the illness is routed.
What time is it?
As the minister speaks.
I look at my watch and wonder
If it has been weeks.
What time is it?
My slowing walk and
I know what time it is
Time to walk the talk.
What time is it?
My heart begins to slow
I hear angels singing
It's God- time I know.
3/13/11
Prayer is....
...knowing that God is real
...to see His power
...to praise His name
...to know He is dear.
Prayer is....
...trusting and believing
...asking for guidance
...placing my Hand in His
...and knowing His fragrance.
Prayer is...
....living hope that is ours
....to know that He hears
...and know He answers
...having faith until He appears.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Expectation Living
April 2, 2011
Psalm 121
I look into the forever
I look into His face
He is my help
In All His Ways.
He doesn't let me stumble
He doesn't let me fall
Always He watches
And doesn't sleep at all.
The Lord is my shade
At His right hand
I do not fear
For He is always near.
He engraves my name
On the palm of His hand
The sun shall not blind me
In the moonlight, He sings over me.
Forever - Forever!
God watches over me.
Forever - Forever!
Farther than I can see.
Forever - Forever!
Now and for an eternity!
Wrritten at the 2011 RCC Retreat by Heather, Katie, Belva and Emily
March 15, 2011
Prayer is....
...knowing that God is real
...to see His power
...to praise His name
...to know He is dear.
Prayer is....
...trusting and believing
...asking for guidance
...placing my Hand in His
...and knowing His fragrance.
Prayer is...
....living hope that is ours
....to know that He hears
...and know He answers
...having faith until He appears.
March 8, 2011
Expectation Living
Who writes the expectations
That fill my heart each day?
Who holds the pen that writes
Frustration in a myriad of ways?
The names are Confusion Chaos
And Confounding Commotion
That fill my every moment with
Increasing defeat and frustration.
From the depths of despair
I raise longing eyes to You
“Lord, write on my heart your message
Of eternal expectations true.”
Fill my heart and my mind
That Jesus is Lord of all
So world expectations will dim
And all I hear is your sweet call.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
February Thoughts
Who Is Jesus?
Galatians 5:22-23 -
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Who is Jesus? My Savior
He's the Shepherd, Lord and King
He's the Prince of Peace, my Shield
He's the love song that I sing.
How can I ever praise Him?
No matter the trouble I see,
No matter what circumstance,
I love Him, He set me free.
I lift my heart to you,
I lift up my hands
To the Shepherd, Lord and King
His faithfulness ever stands.
Sing a song of kindness,
Sing a song of faithfulness
In patience I will rest
Jesus is my gentleness.
He's my over-flowing joy
His glorious peace is mine
He gives me self-control
He's the love and joy I find.
HOPE (2/8)
Psalm 37:3-4 -
Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Colossians 1:27 -
To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Psalm 33:20-21 -
We wait in hope for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.
21 In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name
But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him,
on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
.I Peter 1:20 - 21 -
He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
My hope is in you, O Lord
I trust your Holy Name
Your love never fails
You are ever the same.
You are my help
You are my shield
In You I find wisdom
To You I ever yield.
The desires of my heart
I receive day and night
For it is in You
I ever will delight.
He Cares (2/6/11)
Psalm 31:7 -
I will be glad and rejoice in your love,
for you saw my affliction
and knew the anguish of my soul.
Psalm 121:8 -
the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
I Peter 5:7 -
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
The Lord watches over you
He watches over me
Forever more He watches
He knows, He cares and sees.
I give Him all my troubles
I give Him all my cares
For evermore He watches
He wipes away my tears.
He know my anguish
He knows my sorrow
I know He ever cares
He knows my tomorrows!
Psalm 91:1 - Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty
Psalm 90:12 - Teach us to number our days,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 23:2 - He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
In the shadow of the Lord, I rest.
In His love, I am blessed
He leads me beside still waters
His name I praise and profess!
Teach me your great wisdom
And your grace so winsome
From sin, give me freedom
Mere men will never fathom.
Without you, my days are few
Without you, there's no virtue
With you, forever is truly new
Each day I'm resting in you.
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