Perfection?

Where did the idea of perfection come from? When did we embrace the lie?

God knows we're human - He created us

Our goal is persistence not perfection!

I will miss the Olympics after Saturday. I love watching it all. I noticed something this time. There is a genuine appreciation by the participants of just being in the stadium. There's an honest thankfulness to be included in the race!

The athletes state "giving their all" in representing:

country

coaches

family

supporters





They also stress striving for "personal best". That discipline and focus is necessary to reach the goal of victory. Years of practice and training resulting in peak performance is needed.

Paul, in his writings often uses athletic competitions in comparison to our Christian walk. He encourages us to keep our eye on the goal, to run the race.

Is he saying run it perfectly? No, just do it!
 As days,  months and years go by . . . our spiritual muscles become stronger.

Time spent in the presence of Jesus molds our heart into His image.

 God is already pleased with us! He rejoices in the faltering steps of His "newborns", the mad dashes of His "teenagers", the solid race of His trained runners! We are forgiven and accepted in the Beloved!

Perfect? Not yet.

"Get Real" Bad News

"Get Real" Got a phone call this morning.

One of those you really don't want. Right in the middle of your comfortable routine. All is well and the sun is shining. You answer the call and are plunged into a grey day, the sun is gone and dark clouds are threatening.

"God, help me" you cry, "give me words, pour out Your wisdom!" and He does!

After the call you pray. Your heart hurts for dear ones beginning a journey that will forever change their lives. You pray for each heart touched by the ripples of the event. You pray for comfort and healing. Praising God for holding them close, cradling them in His arms and giving peace.

I read recently that growth is like a birth - painful, bloody, messy. These dear ones hit a mighty growth spurt today. All involved will stretch beyond themselves. I pray their roots will dig deep into the Living Waters and reach high their branches to touch the face of God!

Sometimes He calms the storm, more often He calms His child!

Philippians 4:19 - "And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus."

Thought it was Friday!

Thought it was Friday! Opened my eyes and nope, it's Monday. Where did this weekend go?
Time flies faster now that I am my mother's age, ha. Funny how you think of people as certain ages.  I remember clearly the day Daddy turned 50. We traveled south on  A1A to visit friends in Boca Raton. They lived in a lovely pink stucco home close to the beach. Wow, my Daddy was 50 years old . . . now, well, let's say I know how he felt and then some.

When I think of "the boys" I see them sleeping in the back of the van as we head to Canada, playing in the pool at mom and dad's apartment building, jumping off the cliffs at Joy camp, fishing  as we drift in the canoe on the lake listening to the Loons . . . graduations, band competitions, plays and football. Seems strange to see them grown, married, daddies . . . where did the time go?

Don't get me wrong, I am so very proud of the men these "boys" are now. I love the women they chose and the precious grandchildren gifted to us. It's just hard to believe minutes, hours, days, suddenly years slipped by to now.

I close my eyes and the waves are hitting the sandy beach in Florida, the sea gulls are loudly calling to each other, the transistor radio is playing "Sugar, Sugar" and salty, warm breezes are tickling my skin. There's sand between my toes and I smell baby oil! The fearsome foursome are laughing and joking as we  slather ourselves with oil to bake in the sun. Great times, special memories.

"Time stops for no man"

So today I will:

Cherish those I love

Enjoy each moment

Praise my God who knows and loves me

Smile more

You know it's going to be a great week . . .

Here we are at a great restaurant enjoying incredible food! Excused myself to "wash my hands" before eating and in I march to the restroom thinking about what a lovely time we're having. I stop suddenly,  "What is that man doing in here helping  with that little boy?????  Strange, His mommy wouldn't bring him into the women's bathroom!" Then I glanced around and saw something on the wall that caused me to start giggling . . . I quickly turned around and bumped into a gentleman coming in. Oh boy, did he back up faster than a running rabbit! ha "Oh, excuse me!" the poor man stammered. Ok, by this time I am dying. So embarrassed but killing myself laughing. "No, you're fine!" I squeaked, "it's my fault!" Oh boy!

Monday morning was busy. I was so proud of myself. Got up early, took care of our neighbors animals, walked Wendy, started the laundry, washed the kitchen floor and headed into Coppell for my dentist's appointment. Such a nice drive, not much traffic, the morning was fresh and cool and drove right by the office to the edge of town. Hello, missed the coffee this morning! Ok, no problem lots of time, so I merrily turned around and headed back. Parked without problems and signed in, greeted the receptionist with a smile and sat down to wait for my name to be called. A few minutes later the hygienist walked down the hall, sat down beside me, put her arm around my shoulders and said, "Ummm, your appointment is not for two weeks!" A few minutes later, wiping away the tears and holding our sides we said goodbye, Marsha shaking her head and me . . . well, I wondered where mine was! (They called me two days later to make sure I remembered I had an appointment!)

Ya never know~ enjoy each day!!!

Pain and Tragedy

"Get Real", Who came up with the idea that because we are Christians pain, disappointment, hurt, tragedy ain't knocking at our door?

Have you felt your heart torn from your chest and stomped on? Have you fallen to your knees when there's no strength to stand? Have you cried "Oh God, help me!"  from deep inside, far deeper that you thought possible?  The tears, the gut wrentching sobs and the pain - hot, cold, breathtaking pain, tearing apart your heart?

Blindsided . . .a phone call, a doctor's visit, a knock on the door, a tearful conversation, an angry word. It happens, it has happened, it will happen. The big IT. Life is hard, love is hard, relationships are hard.

 "It's not fair!" "Why me?"

No, it's not fair - it's that sin thing again so life isn't perfect!
And why not me? Isn't it in the time of brokenness that I heal and grow stronger? Doesn't the mighty wind during a storm cause the tree's roots to dig deep into the heart of the earth, so I dig deeper into the heart of God? When there is nothing, isn't that when my heart flies to God?

I have fallen to my knees. I have stared at my heart floundering on the floor. I have pounded the walls and screamed "God hold me" .

I know it will happen again.

He is always there.

HE IS REAL!

Unloved, Abandoned, Alone

"Jesus Calling" got the brain working this morning. (after the first cup of coffee, of course)

                                                           

  To feel:

unloved

abandoned

   alone

This has never been my experience. I can't relate to these three words . . . yet . . . deep down, way down in my soul there is a fear - primal, raw - of this very thing. I believe each heart carries this fear -guarded, covered, hidden - quietly touching each relationship, effecting every action and reaction.

Is this a warning of Hell?  

To be separated eternally from God, who is love,

Totally alone in misery and torment of that separation,

surrounded forever by intense hate and indescribable evil?

Is this a reminder from God of what we are without Him because of sin?

The solution?

"Perfect love casts out fear!" 1 John 4:18

"We love him because He first loved us" 1 John 4:19

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn it but to save it"

John 3: 16-17

Christ died for ALL, God's unfailing, eternal, unconditional love is for All. May we live the answer to this primal fear each and every day of our lives!





Who taught them that?

Read this morning in "Jesus Calling" how pleased the Lord is when we see His glory in Nature.

I remember visiting Sea World a few years ago and holding my breath as a great killer whale gracefully jumped into the air.

 As Wendy and I walk in the mornings there is a little bird who has a white underside. A very persistent bird who draws attention to itself by pretending to be injured and flashing that underside to move us away from her/his nest. Who taught that bird what to do?

While in Colorado, Bruce and I were able to follow four baby robins from newly hatched to being covered with feathers. The parents dive bombed my head several times to protect these babies as I snapped pics each day, even left a juicy worm while playing tug-o-war to get it out of the ground to protect the nest. Oh, did you know robins usually lay four eggs? Momma keeps the eggs cool till the last egg is in the nest so they all hatch around the same time. Robins lay their eggs mid morning, unlike most birds who lay their eggs early in the morning . . . Why? The worms come out early in the morning and robins enjoy wormy meals! Who told them this?

Our God is great and greatly to be praised! Matthew 6 shares how even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautiful as the flowers in a field. The birds are provided with food when they need it.
And the question in verse 26 - "Are you not more valuable than the birds?"