WALKING IT OUT

Monday, February 23, 2009

ho·meo·sta·sis?



Homeostasis - noun : a relatively stable state of equilibrium or a tendency toward such a state between the different but interdependent elements or groups of elements of an organism, population, or group.



The aquarium photo is one of our home tanks. The inhabitants love this natural sandy crushed limestone substrate and the aquatic plants provide a stabilizing eco-structure. The equilibrium in this tank is reached but must be maintained by someone. Of course, we are hobbiest and so my husband takes much care in being that person. We are close to the tanks creatures & pay close attention. We notice when the enviroment begins to change in a positive or negative way.

Do people tell you when they see a positive or negative change in your overall life? Do your closest friends help keep you balanced or do they tend to keep you off balance?

Within my personal life, God has been showing me that I am not maintaining the Healthy Balance of ALL the 'groups of elements' that make my life complete. The healthy lifestyle of diet & exercise is great but when not with an equivalent spiritual balance there is not homeostasis. God is also showing me that He has people who love me around me to help guide me back to "stable"! To show me my sins of selfishness and remind me to carry my burdens to the one who can stabilize my inner workings to function as He designs.

Galatians 6 The Message Bible
Nothing but the Cross

"1-3 Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.
4-5Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.
6Be very sure now, you who have been trained to a self-sufficient maturity, that you enter into a generous common life with those who have trained you, sharing all the good things that you have and experience.
7-8Don't be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he'll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God's Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.
9-10So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith." (bold is my emphasis)


How can I become out of balanced? Well, for me it is simply by becoming focused if even temporarily on the things that seem to matter at that moment but really have no bearing on the eternal. This passage in Galations seems to say it best. Let us work on the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in faith. Why? Maybe so that as we grow, those that are near us are growing as well to keep us in balance.

Of course, this is my interpretation of the balance I need to find in my life. I believe that all things are balanced based on our inner "tilt". If we have a tilted view of who God is, then all of our outer & physical lives will be to counter that view - good or bad.

My view of God is becoming more balanced as I meditate more in the Word that describes him best. Now, I just need to keep a check on the physical enviroment that tends to negatively OR positively affect my self-image. For how I see MYSELF in the image of God...will ultimately determine how I treat myself and those around me.

God help me to maintain a homeostatic enviroment to ultimately be able to best fulfill the plan you have for me. The plan that I know requires me to help others for your glory. I lay down my pain and my burdens, my self-loathing, my pride, and my inability to see who YOU are IN me. Forgive me Lord for my unrighteousness, and fill me with your compassion and love for myself but more inportantly others around me. Start a new work in me, but let me finish the work you would have me do here on Earth. In Christ's Arms, Amen.

Labels:

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Needle & Thread Repair Kit

I was left to the work of a mom today. The work of trying to repair a stuffed animal is somewhat typical in our home, but not today's job! Today, set before me a poodle...who will remain nameless...with no ears, holes in the body & whom had been 'shaved' in spots no poodle could imagine. (Funny, but sad at the same time!)
As I began this project with my mobile toy hospital kit (stitching kit to any other women). I did what any crafter does and looked for the perfect thread, needle and so on. Attacking this project has been on my to do list for over a month. I realized once I got started that there were MANY more holes to repair than I had first noticed. Anyway, long story but it was such a long surgery! Each patch revealed a new little snip or 'scissor accident' that was unnoticed. The total ended up at two ears chopped off, shaved fur off head & body and NINE holes!
God spoke quietly to my heart as I asked God how to explain this poor little dog to the child owners. See, the owner of this dog didn't know that one of the siblings decided to 'groom' it with kid scissors. I prayed for patience and guidance. God showed me HIS patience with me.
1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins. He is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
He gently holds me when I have done wrong. He cuddles me and will sometimes wait a period of time to allow our tears to slow, but He will always cleanse us from the unrighteousness. The Message Bible says it like this:
"On the other hand, if we admit our sins—make a clean breast of them—he
won't let us down; he'll be true to himself. He'll forgive our sins and
purge us of all wrongdoing."

Purging is not a pleasant thought. But patching that poor poodle wasn't exactly a walk in the park. Regardless, when I am not faithful and when I make big mistakes...He lovingly (sometimes painfully) repairs the damage I have caused. I only need to come clean and turn in my mess!
Lord, give me the strength to turn in my mess and let you repair the damage. I am thankful that you are faithful to forgive me of my sins. Give me the patience to make teachable moments out of these simple childhood lessons. Continue to show me the dept of your love for me as my heavenly Daddy God. Amen.



Labels:

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

2 Cor 9:8 Thoughts

These last couple of days has been wierd regarding money in the house. Because we have some set aside to take care of the daunting tasks that have laid undone...now that time is upon us when we have enough (for a moment it seems) to take care of these repairs.
I have questioned God's plan in all this & why does it seem so easy and so hard to spend money on needed items. In the case of our van; the van itself was supplied directly from God in telling someone to give it to us...debt free. So, why do I fret over how much it will cost now (months later) to fix a few things.
Then the verse. 2 Corinthians 9:8 (New
Living Translation) "And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will
always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with
others."
As it said in the whole context (NASB) Verses
8-11 "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always
having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good
deed; 9as it is written, "HE SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO THE
POOR, HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER."
10Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; 11you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God."
Ok, really! So I must confess my lack of faith that God would supply what I needed?? BUT I DO TRUST GOD...HE HAS SUPPLIED ME WITH WHAT I NEEDED...WE TITHE, WE GIVE OFFERINGS, WE GIVE WHENEVER GOD ASKS...then it hit me! I do that stuff, and yet still can not imagine that this God loves me enough to continue to provide my needs AND the needs of others! Then the context of the idea that He declares that I will have enough AND an abundance left over to bless any situation that presents itself to me through the Spirit.
I hope my realization makes sense to you, because I was struggling to understand: how can I live on this (small) budget that we live on - MAKING it work, yet somewhere there is still doubt. I realized that what I was considering holding back from the prompting of God to give in order to pay for repairs, well, I was HOLDING BACK. I know that there are a long list of repairs more than the van but I also felt uncomfortable with the unkown. (i.e. how much do I need...where will the other come from...can I afford to give extra beyond my comfort...)
I have to trust this verse, because the other verses have rung true in my life. God has taken care of the unknown when I trust him. OUCH, I learned about another area in my life that I thought I had turned over to Him that wasn't completely His yet.
This passage reminds me that my seed (offering good will/deeds/money) in good ground will continue to produce MORE THAN ENOUGH harvest to do what he wants to and He will provide for my cares.
Lord, Help me to understand that you are a loving God. That you do in fact love me enough to produce a harvest with my seeds that will be like the little boys lunch, and provide for others in enough that I can still have some. Lord help me to have the mentality of the little boy with the fish...willing to sacrifice for others and see that You will take care of me. AMEN.

Labels:

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

"But Take Heart..."

The dedication plaque that was recovered from the World Trade Center...picture taken while at the New York memorial wall in 2006.

John 16:33"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
Jesus gave the disciples a clear image of reality that this world would do them harm...much harm would come to those who pursue the cause of Christ because the world first rejected Christ.
Reading this chapter today, I was reminded of the reality of the terror that has been happening all over the world. We have only been briefly touched by such tragedy. Jesus declared in John 16 that there would come a day...16:1-3 "a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God. They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me." Jesus warned the disciples that harm would be done, their deaths would be offered up as a service to god. I have no choice but to hear the words of terrorist or leaders such as Iranian President Mahmouhd Ahmenajad ring in my head. But, then I listen to the rest of the chapter and hear the verse 33 with a sigh. "In this world you will have trouble, but take heart..." Jesus has ALREADY overcome the world. He will not take away the trouble, because this world still belongs to the sin. But I belong to Him who has overcome all evil.
I must remember that the Word of God reveals the truth to us so that we will NOT be in worry or fret over what MAY happen. The Word of God wants us to be aware of the times, know that our God has given us the signs of the times to instead be READY and be at PEACE with what He has in store. I can choose to be in the peace provided. God provided the answers to staying in peace with Eph 6:13-18.
"Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out."
Lord help me take up my cross and follow you and teach me to walk in the spirit so that I may have the fruit of the spirit to guide me. Help me to use the weapon of the Word of God on the enemies plan and not my fellow man. Renew in me the right spirit to pray hard and for those who walk beside me in this life of trouble. Allow me to bind together with others of like minds to inspire one another. Thank you Lord for your reminders, may I remain humble in following your will. Amen

Labels:

Monday, February 9, 2009

Revolve Revelation


We attended the Revolve tour in Orlando this weekend with friends. The entire group was more like 65 but I was attending because my sister was a part of the larger group. There were a lot of things to pull away from that weekend. I was most impressed with the Psalms Natalie Grant repeated to the girls throughout her talk.
Psalms 139:13-16 "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
'I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."
I can know by looking at the unpoluted portions of this earth that God's hand creates master pieces. Now, Natalie Grant didn't expand on it more than to acknowledge God's fingerprints on our life. But, I heard the deep undertones of the recently released song by Audrey Assad called "Known". It relates to how deeply God understands us because as the verse states, he formed us in our inner depths. I am not hidden from God and yet He has written and ordained my days.
Since, God has ordained the days set before me before even one of those days came to be, then I am exactly where he wants me to be today. All the mess of my past may have been painful but will come together to create the character, the mission and the purpose of my life. What more could I ask for? The bad things, the good things, they will all have meaning because of where he is leading me. Just like this weekend, there is meaning in the promise of the future.
God, help me to continue to be a leader of men to YOU, and teach me to lead by serving you. I pray for this generation that includes my children, but I also pray for my generation. Lord, we have a long way to go to reach our potential and to reach our peers. We need you in our businesses and world so that as the next generation comes to exit high school there is a primed world for them to minister. Thank you for the opportunity to attend a weekend with my daughter, sister, niece and great friends. Be real to those girls who attended long after the good feelings leave and life returns. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

Labels: ,

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Files??

I knew the minute I saw Noah drawn to the filing cabinet that this could be a recipe for disaster. God spoke to me in the moments I grabbed my camera.
"The willing heart of a child to do ANYTHING just to be near a parent was created for our relationship with the Lord."

Wow I thought, God that is great, but I don't understand? Aren't you always with me? Don't I long to be near you? What are you saying to me?

See, Noah is willing to do ANYTHING while he waits for me...WAIT.. WHAT...??

Noah desires to me in my presence and will do anything he can to stay busy while he waits for me. He knows that I am only going to be a minute and then I can play, so he waits.

Ok, so you are probably getting it, but sometimes when I hear God it's like the Charlie Brown's teachers voice. It didn't all sink in until about a day later. Sad, I know, but true.

I need to keep doing His works, the things that I know He approves of while I wait for the "big plan". He will provide Grace to me, as it declares in 2 Corinthians 9:8 "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." He will even give me all I need!! He has already shown me what He cares about with the example of Jesus.

I need to remember that any good work I put my hands to while I am with him will bear fruit. John 15:5"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

I need to know that He will do what He said He would do. Philipians 1:6 "There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears." (The Message Bible)

As my 11 month old waits patiently with a smile while he does something he knows he has seen me do. God is so amazing that he allows us to call to Him as little children. He even allows the small things to speak dramatic message to my heart of just what he expects of me. "Love one another...do what you have seen me do..."

Noah waits with a smile and cheerful heart as I pay bills, and take care of household business. So I too must abide in my Fathers presence while I toil at the everyday works He has called me to and yet be ready when He calls for me to come dance with Him or pray or speak of His goodness to others.

Lord, Thank you for your insight into the heart of who you are. You speak so loudly to us about such soft things. I am grateful that I can afford the ability to play with my children as they grow. I am so blessed to call myself a mother to such healthy children. Continue to use them to teach me about your Love. I pray that you will help me remember how simple it should be to follow after you and wait for your leading. Amen

Labels: ,

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Tent Of Meeting - Ex 40:34

Exodus 40:34 "Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. 35And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. "

The Glory of the Lord is not just an Old Testament ideology. I believe that Moses had the first Tent Revivals with all the glory of the Lord but without the circus the "western church" seems to need. The bible tells me that the spirit of the Lord should dwell in the place He is praised, where a body comes to worship. I believe that in some places across this globe in recent days people have been able to experience the true power of the glory of God. I wonder if anyone in "today's church" would consecrate the building, the priests/pastors or even the furniture as this Old Testament Tent 'Revivals'? It seems that the Catholics go through the motions of 'cleansing' without seeing the cloud of the glory of the Lord (in most cases). Yet, in the churches that seem to have the fire of God that is described to be on the tabernacle at night those places sometimes forget to fear the Lord's presence and commit deep sins within the church.

I can not create the Lord's cloud of glory nor would I need to. I should be careful to fear the Lord as Moses did and understand that with His presence comes too much power to have an ego about it all. I believe that the current inhabitance of the Holy Spirit in my life can give me the direction I need. However, I wonder if I shouldn't come to realize that there comes a time to repent and consecrate myself for His glory to fall with enough power that I am not able to move until the power of God lifts.

I should be doing whatever I can to remind myself that "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" as in Ro 3:23. In this, I will find a humble spirit and hopefully remember that I am not worthy yet God did more than just inhabit a tent for me, He sent His son to die the ultimate death for me. I should be grateful and pray for the leaders of my church, so that they too may consecrate themselves in humbly before our God.

Lord, Direct my paths with your presence and keep my heart in a state of confession to consecrate myself before you so that you may live through me and dwell in with power in my life.

Labels:

My Faith...in 4D


I wanted to open this blog with an insight about me. I have been pregnant many times (we'll just say more than 3!) and birthed 3 beautiful little babies. I am learning that technology can not always prepare us or help us with the childbirthing experience. Nor can all the technology in the world replace the sight of your newborn baby finding it's way to the world. As a mom, women and child of God, I am constantly unprepared for this wonder of the world. A Miracle.

Such is my faith...unprepared for the trials but a miracle of Hope that springs forth from within me.

I choose this picture because it has captured the idea of my faith in 4D! 4D is the technology that has in most situations allows parents to see their child's actual face so that you can see their little features. Of course, Noah could not be still long enough for our poor technician to capture a still image on film. We did see Noah smile at us, wave and could make out his adorable little face, but were unable to have an image to last a lifetime. Only memories...sweet memories. For medical reasons, the images 4D provided cleared the original cause for concern and we were swept away with emotions.

Today riding in the van, my 6 year old son asked about the 'rising with wings like eagles' he heard in a song. I recited Is 40:31 "but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles;they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." He was not amazed by the verse or my ability to memorize, but I began to cry at the craziness that has been this week. If you took a 'still image' of my day yesterday it would have been blurry with motion and not a clear picture of the Faith I profess.

So, I realized in thinking about pictures this morning that for someone to see my Faith, they can not try to take a still image of it. My observation then turned to the reality that in order to wait on the Lord, I may have to actually run...or walk for a long time...and thus, the verse provided me with a comforting Peace. "...not be weary.."

My Faith is in motion...like taking breaths...but let me not grow weary. I must continue to pursue His Cause and move as fast or as slow as life demands, and let God worry about the images people see.

My prayer is that I will remember to seek God for the rest I need as in Matthew 11: 28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Labels: ,