Mind Steadfast and Trusting

Time away from the crowd, reflect and pray

Life gets busy sometimes and can be overwhelming with demands.  There comes the need to scale back, re-evaluate, prioritize, and sometimes take a break or stop doing things completely.  Well, I have been away from my blogs attending to the tasks that required me the most, rescheduled or pushed other things out a bit more, took an actual vacation, and then finished my transition to being at home full-time.  It is so easy to get caught up in the whirlpool of life...just spinning around in circles sometimes.  I've come to learn that it is okay to set boundaries, limit your activities, and not fear the expectations (real or perceived) of others.

I was looking at some examples from Jesus.  The time he spent doing anything was intentional...that is to say, he lived on purpose with purpose.  Day after day he was surrounded by people and accomplishing all kinds of activity, but then he took time away from the crowd. He also encouraged his disciples to do likewise.  Take a look at Mark chapter 6.

"Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. And He said to them, 'Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while'. For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat." -- Mark 6: 30 - 31

"Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away.  And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray.  Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land". -- Mark 6:45-47

 I keep saying this to burn it into my own memory for times when I get too busy..."You can't draw water from an empty well".  No, I don't think Jesus was running on empty, but in every move he sets an example for those of us that would be drained.  Get away from the crowd, stop for a moment, seek God and listen.  In those away from the crowd moments, you get strengthened to move forward, wisdom, direction, comfort, and peace.  I get clarity about what I really need to do and what I don't.  Away from the crowd I learn what is the more valued thing so that when I am in the crowd, I can keep the right perspective.

For Easter, I thought I would also share the work of artist Ron DiCianni, The Resurrection Mural .  It is simply beautiful.

Enjoy your Easter activities this weekend. 

Allow yourself some time away from the crowd for reflection and prayer.

May you always remember God's great love for you.

Man Over 40 Gets Healed!

You know the man...the lame man who had previously been begging at the gate called Beautiful in Acts 3 when he encounters Peter and John.  He was going through another year that he probably thought would be like any other year...when life changed.

"For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed". -- Acts 4:22

You just never know when a pivotal moment may show up and set your life on a different course than the year before or even the decades before.  Age does not have to be a limiting factor in experiencing pivotal, life-changing moments.  You can be part of the "over-40" crowd and still have an experience that sets your life in a totally different direction. 

Thank God our age does not disqualify us from knowing Him and receiving from Him, whatever the need...physical healing, emotional healing, financial healing, spiritual healing, etc.

This wasn't a current news event, but it has a current message.  Don't give up and don't count yourself out at 40...or beyond.

Meditate On This For The New Year: Philippians 4:8

I hope everybody had a Merry Christmas.  I began my process of unplugging from email, etc,  soon after my last post in prep for holiday activities.  It was a nice break.  But now comes the new year and with it new goals, new decisions, new things to look forward to or events for which I may need to prepare.  Regardless, ready or not, the new year comes.  Remember to be anxious for nothing. Right?  Instead...meditate. 

To wrap up my look at Philippians, today's post is on verse 8.  I find it a fitting verse as the new year quickly approaches because the mind can start going in various directions, sometimes leading to anxiety...and also those infamous new year's resolutions yet to be broken...again.  No worries. Meditate.

"Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things". - Philippians 4:8 (NKJV)

I've come to learn that what I set my mind on makes a big difference.  There is a lot in this world that can weigh the mind down so take plenty of moments to meditate on the good.  It is good for the soul and a healthy attitude. 

Start the New Year off right...with your mind set on good things and focused on God who is good.  Stay steadfast and trusting.

Have a Happy and Blessed New Year!

 

Don't Worry: Philippians continued (4:6-7)

I'm continuing on from my last post about Philippians 4:4-5 and moving forward to verses 6 & 7.  Paul, encouraging the Philippians:

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus". -- Philippians 4:6-7

I find these verses so encouraging and good to read over and over again as a reminder.  Don't worry.  Why? because I have the ability to go to God with all my concerns.  I like the word supplication.  It reminds me of supply.  I essentially supply my concerns.  I hand them over, giving them away, and putting them in God's hands.  Thanksgiving is an incredible key.  I think we are able to unlock a deeper level when we have thanksgiving.  It is sweet to God and changes our own perspective.

What is also very encouraging is what takes place in verse 7, when I follow through with verse 6.  I get peace to guard my heart and mind.  I have often heard verse 7 quoted all by itself, "and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus".  However, verse 6 puts me in the right position, aligned with God, to receive verse 7. In human nature, letting go can be tough, trusting is not always easy, but the benefit (verse 7) is tremendous.

Yes, I get peace, but not just any kind of peace.  I get the crazy, just-don't-make-any-sense, kind of peace.  The kind of peace that allows you to stand and keep walking, when others would expect you to be on the ground.  It is the kind of peace that allows you to say "It will all work out", even when you may not know exactly how.  It is the kind of peace that allows you to live a life filled with joy.

I hope you will stay encouraged today and every day.  Remember:

• Don't worry.
• Pray and hand it over to God.
• Be Thankful.
• Enjoy crazy peace.

 

Take Hold and Celebrate, A look at Philippians 4:4-5

I will preface by saying that I am not a theologian or Greek or Hebrew Scholar.  I am ordinary me sharing with you the quiet time I experienced with an extraordinary God.  He will show things to ordinary people who trust Him and seek him for wisdom and guidance.

Holiday seasons are happy times for me, but I am sensitive to the fact that holidays can also be stressful.   For some, this season can even be a bit depressing.  So I was looking for encouraging words and went to Philippians because that is where you find the well known passage about thinking about good things.  I began reading Philippians 4 starting at verse 4 and focusing in on verses 4 through 10.  Then I went back to 4 and 5.  I've read it hundreds of times before, but I just kept looking at it.  I'll ponder the other verses more, but for today I'm going to stay on 4 and 5. 

"Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near". -- Philippians 4: 4-5

I made some words bold for empasis because this is what was standing out to me.  I don't know about you, but I don't use the word rejoice a lot in conversation.  When I think of rejoice, I think of people being at a celebration.  I decided to look up the modern day definition in a regular dictionary.

v. re·joiced, re·joic·ing, re·joic·es

v.intr.

To feel joyful; be delighted: rejoiced at the news; rejoiced in her friend's good fortune.

v.tr.

To fill with joy; gladden.

from The Free Dictionary

No surprises there.  Rejoice as in feel joy or be filled with joy.  Now take a look at "Rejoice in"

Phrasal Verb:

rejoice in

To have or possess: rejoices in a keen mind.

From The Free Dictionary

In order to have or possess something, I take hold of it.  Now things starts to unfold some more. 

Next we let our gentleness be evident, but gentleness is not the same as weakness.  I understand that this is not a call to be a wimp.  Being gentle (especially in encouraging, motivating, and mentoring others) takes a certain amount of strength and discipline.

Lastly, "The Lord is near".  Some translations read returning or coming soon.  What comes to my mind is He is near, and if he is near enough for me to have, possess, or take hold of, then He is here -- a recurring theme that holds true.

So friends, be encouraged.  The Bible says repeatedly that the Lord will never leave us or forsake us.  Know that He is near, He is here.  He is ours and we are His.  He understands joy and pain.  He is faithful to see us through anything.

"Rejoice in" and "Rejoice" --> Take hold of and be filled with joy.  So...

• When tough times come...take hold of him and be filled with joy. 
• When troubling thoughts come...take hold of Him and be filled with joy.  

Take hold of Him today and be filled with joy.  Take hold and celebrate!

Happy Thanksgiving Daily

"Oh, give thanks to the Lord!

Call upon His name;

Make known His deeds among the peoples!

Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him;

Talk of all His wondrous Works!

Glory in His holy name;

Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord!

Seek the Lord and His strength;

Seek His face evermore!

Remember His marvelous works which He has done,..." 1 Chronicles 16:8-12

During this week in the United States, we are approaching the holiday of Thanksgiving.  Families will be gathering for an olympic sized meal.  Yes, there will be the event of eating a lot of turkey...fried turkey...um, um goooood.  There is also the ham, assorted side dishes, and desserts such as pie.  I make sweet potato pies instead of pumkpin.  There will be plenty of joy and merriment...until the trytophan from the turkey kicks in.  That leads to the part of the day where we lounge around and consider taking a nap.  It can be a good time of family remenicing and repeats of stories you may wish where left untold, but that is family.  Most of all, we pause as a nation and give thanks.  

I am thankful that I can have moments to pause and give thanks daily, not just during a holiday and not just during a meal.  This is not limited to a single nation, but available to all nations. 

Thanksgiving on a daily basis (minus the heavy meal of course) is good for us.  It gives us a spiritual and physical boost.  When I think about what God has done, I know what he can do.  I also recognize he is willing and able to do more...again and again.  Faith and trust increases in those moments and that leads to much more peace. 

Be blessed and have a Happy Thanksgiving this week.   Remember God's marvelous works in your life and give thanks daily for God is good. 

2 Keys to Peace: Focus and Trust

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.  Isaiah 26:3

If you have ever been let down or disappointed, trust can be a difficult thing.  Our mind shifts to a situation, a memory, that then becomes a barrier to trust.  This verse tells me that my focus impacts trust.  If my mind is steadfast, that is to say focused on God, I open myself up to knowing Him better and understanding His goodness and love.  My eyes open up to his activity in my life, situations I've come through, the strength developed, and growth that has occurred.  He has always been there.  I can trust him. 

Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.  Psalm 9:10

The heart (or mind) once filled with stress and worry, becomes calm knowing all will be okay, even at times when I can not see how.  I can trust him and that brings peace.

Peace...It is a matter of focus and trust. 

Be encouraged today and everyday to shift your focus and trust Him.  He is pouring out His peace in abundance.  Swim in it.