Pondering History

I love history. That was rarely the case before I had a history. Once mature, and thankfully wiser- glory to God for that- I see and understand the value of true history. History drives the present for better or worse unless or because God intervenes, as the case may be. History will be repeated without intervention. This has been proven experientially and historically.

My own history is only here because of mostly my own life choices, some good and some bad and a myriad of layers of cover up or bragging, as the case may be. But the more I live, the more I realize life is not about me. I am a speck in the universe, significant only because God said I am and His love. That is true for every person, every country, every church group, every leader, every poor person, every rich person, every serviceman, or every robber.

The great news is that God, our Maker, knows us intimately, those who allow Him to have an intimate relationship with the only One who truly matters. And this should keep us humble in history’s scope and focused on the present worship of all-mighty, holy, loving God. Praise Jesus!😄❤❤❤

When We Get What We Don’t Want

I know and understand now from my own life and experience why Jesus calls us sheep and not co-shepherds with Him. Sheep are really dumb, hard-headed creatures. They follow blindly, even to fall off a cliff. They bleed and whine and beg even if what they want is horrible for them. They fall for wolves in sheep’s clothing. Sheep need direction. They will literally eat their grass roots and all until there is no grass to propogate and they starve, so have to be moved around conatantly.

I digress, the bigger story is this. Job. I get Job. His story is our story but with a great man who made right decisions but still had to be put straight by God in thr end. He got more than what he wanted. He got everything then nothing then more than he had with everything. And it was to prove a point.

Job started with good decisions and God blessed him for it. The devil wanted to put him down to size, jealous of him and how much God had given him or something or just wanted to bring down and destroy a good man because he’s evil. Regardless, God allow the test, first with all his stuff and then his body illness. He left him with 4 well-meaning but incorrect friends and one nagging fish wife. And Job said the one thing that proved his worth as a righteous man. He said (my paraphrase), “Can I rejoice in only the good things God gives and not the bad?” And that attitude is epic and contrite and amazing. He also wished for God to tell him if he sinned somehow to deserve this. So God did. He told Job what’s up and how enormous He is and that we cannot comprehend why He does what He does. And God of course is always right. So to show Job who n is n really in charge through it all, God gives him health and double what he had before materially and 10 more kids.

God is in charge. He is huge and we cannot comprehend why He does what He does and hoe much is His design versus our bad choices or sins. We take the good with the bad. That is our act of contrition to the Lord. It is our salvation. We are contrite of heart and so can accept Jesus’ forgiveness and sacrifice for our sins. Then we accept a permanent (Lord willing and with His help) state of contrition to accept whatever comes our way. And God rewards this obedience and praise and thanks by blessing us, either now or in and with heaven. We have eternal liven in luxury for bowing low.

And if we consider this story in light of our own, it is very clear why Job is a book in the Bible and why Jesus considers us sheep and the importance of contrition and trust in God for every little thing.❤

God’s Prominence

God is the most important Person/Anything in the universe. I base that on the fact that He made everything. Think of it… everything you know about that exists in the universe was designed and made by God. That puts Him on the throne, friend. That puts everything else bowing to Him willingly (so much better) or unwillingly (a really bad plan). So, it would be so much better to put the cell phones/computers/social media/video games/entertainment/drugs/alcohol/pornography/heroes/addictions/obsessions down and give honor and praise and worship to God who designed and made you. Those things are worthless trash to distract and stupify you. They are traps of no worth. God needs to be returned to His rightful throne and prominence in our lives, our church, our city, our state, our country, our world. So much better to do so willingly while in this age of grace and mercy than to be forced to in the coming age of judgment. And because He is our loving God and we love Him back and are sincerely grateful for life at all, much less the many many blessings He pours out on our lives.❤❤❤

Why Weight Loss Numbers Matter to Me

So, I have lost 30 pounds since I started this inspired quest to be healthy. God was my motivation as I was blatantly living recklessly and with gluttony, as big a sin as any sin. I wanted to obey my dear Lord God in every area of my life. Not only that, but on top of it, I was unable to do everything He asked me too, not having enough energy or stamina and in pain when I forced it.

Thr numbers matter because to me, they motivate. When I see them go down, I know progress is being made. I know I am obeying God and that success is echoed by looser fitting clothing and greater energy and no pain. And today I was asked to play the piano for chapel services in assisted living facilities and that is something I can do bow and take my kids. How beautiful.

People say the numbers don’t matter. To me they do. I have to have that encouragement that I am doing the right thing. I get it very few other places. Most people I see regularly have not said one word- I am not sure if they are convicted and avoid the topic or they think if they compliment they would be misconstrued as flirting or perhaps 30 pounds is no big deal of a difference, but it doesn’t matter. I am not losing for them and just find it a curiosity, but the numbers encourage me. When I started in June and had 50 pounds to lose, that number was a bit daunting, even to me who rises to a challenge, but having 30 pounds gone in just 2 1/2 months the healthy way, I am more than half way there and it feels good that I am obeying. And I am healthy and strong doing it.

So, there is why the numbers matter to me. Other people have different stories and numbers are bad guys for good reasons and I get that completely and respect you for where you are on your journey. This is just my opinion and reasoning, in case anyone wanted to know. God bless you!❤

The Crime of Busy-ness

When we do too much, we turn into Marthas, busy-bodies, doing the work diligently but not ever stopping to take time to sit at Jesus’ feet worshipping and conversing and learning. I quit Facebook and only Twitter about once a day for a few minutes. I disconnected from distractions and busy things that absorbed all my attention and time. Except doing dishes. I still waste my time on that. Lol But stopping unnecessary things and focusing on the main things and leaving extra time to just be and hang out with my family has made the world of difderence. We have opportunities to do things, talk about God, read the Bible together, hike in His creation, laugh, learn, observe, just be. Our bonding time has been so beneficial and I see the difference in all of us. Being too busy is not good, even if it looks like the things we are doing are very good things. God first and family next. Everyone else has to wait in line for their appointment. 🙂 This simplicity is important to me and as such I am guarding fervently. It is important to refuel and bond and grow together with God. Nothing is more important than this. 

The Importance of Playgrounds

We are blessed to have many playgrounds and parks by us. It is so good for my kids to get out of the house, turn off the tech and use their bodies for playing on the playground. It builds their muscles and imaginations, trains their bodies and brings them enjoyment, and allows them to interact with the natural world God made. Playgrounds not only have man made equipment but also are full of trees, birds, brerzes, fresh air, etc. It allows them to experience God’s creation and appreciate Him. Invaluable! 🙂

Exchanges

I just prayed this out the other day. I have had a heck of a lot of loss in the past six months particularly and about a year caretaking half days. I have lost people I love dearly, one after another. I have lost a lot of time and energy and gained weight without being able to exercise (that one is almost resolved- yay!) and lost a lot of myself. In addition, I have had to put several things down, give them up, that had been terribly important to me at rhe time, several self-ignited concepts and ideals. And every single loss was always countered by a new blessing or gift or insight or talent. And I sit here now still amazed that every loss I cried and mourned and poured myself out over was met with something of greater long term or just plain nice benefit/blessing. I lost two close friends (which I only have a handful), and God gives me two new good friends. I lost a drummer from our band to a psychopath of his choosing and God provides a new drummer who fits us like a glove. My voice was taken from me at church because of other girls’ egos and God improved my voice and taught me that I sing for Him and not crowds and I can lead worship from my piano and my voice is still heard that way. My Daddy passed away into Heaven and I am reminded daily how God is my Heavenly Daddy and steps in stronger when left alone. Man, has that helped me!!!! Sleeping alone, God comforts. Crying? God comforts. Needing security? God comforts and answers through my husband. I have never felt God’s presence so real and close to me than when I read my Bible and pray after going through all these changes. My trust and faith has grown leaps and bounds through suffering and exchanges of what I clings to versus what God gave me back that was more important and better in the long run for my soul. God is amazing! And I will take His exchanges any day any time. I know they are for God’s plan and my best because He loves me. He loves you that way too. Of course He does! 🙂