Category Archives: meditations

May 3 2013

Working Cursed Ground

there!
a pen
a blank page
waits

quick strokes!
a brush
a colored fabric
don a camera ’round the neck

INTERLUDE

why
madness?

get
our
self
sealed
onto
eternity?

idols?

produce
care
less
work
hard
fall
down

Silence can tell us much if we listen well.
Watch and see goodness abound.
From dirt comes food.
Nestled beneath our hurried hearts lays a seed of hope.

Can it be found, here, in these words and pictures?
I do not want to be seen.
I do not want to be heard.
Let God’s glory shine!

Genesis 8:21 The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.

©jeannelizabeth

May 1 2013

Anger and why we need to get a grip on this emotion

Who hasn’t had a mouth, bursting full of hot water, ready to scald anyone within feet? I know I have. I felt justified…at least at the moment I erupted. Reflecting back, I have to wonder why I waited so long to let everyone know how I was feeling? Was I worried they wouldn’t love me if I expressed my thoughts? Who ended up hurt? How can I get a grip on my emotions in the future?

There is undoubtedly a lot of unfairness in life. Yet, do we understand truth enough to apply it to other people’s lives when we can hardly understand our day-to-day interactions? Even a slight smirk in a friend’s view, can say a 1,000 hurtful words. Perhaps tempering the tongue first, will reel in our vile thoughts and mishandling of someone’s spirit.

Forgiveness is a dying art. Accusations may play out in a courtroom, yet what does it say about a society willing to trample one another, with mud-slinging and pie-throwing. I am all for justice. Still, I question, what are we accomplishing? Clearly, if someone has caused pain and terror in someone’s life, we should not turn away, claiming we had no idea this was going on (for how long)?  Still, no one is completely innocent. Even those who hate a brother or sister, commit murder. We may not embrace their lifestyle, their hair color or  any myriad of personal attributes, but they are still an image-bearer of our Creator and deserve respect.

Ephesians 4:26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.”
Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, (NLT)

Psalm 4:4 Don’t sin by letting anger control you.
Think about it overnight and remain silent.

Be quick to confront a wrong. Let someone know personally how their behavior towards you is hurtful. Talk! At least try and talk to them. You may gain a friend or you might create an enemy. Even our enemies deserve our love.

Psalm 63:6 On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of the night.

Luke 6:27 “But to you who are willing to listen, I say,
love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you.

I pray you have a good day. I pray you have the courage to be above the fray of  life and do as Jesus did. He came to bring LIFE and bring it more ABUNDANTLY. How can we have that in such a misshapen world?

Romans 10:9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord
and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,
you will be saved (NLT)

Please note: If you are being threatened physically or spiritually, I recommend you exit the nearest door, and consider your situation carefully. Take some time and  contemplate. Find a shelter. Find a friend. Seek someone willing to listen and steer you towards the truth. We are all worthy of love. Do not be bullied. That is the next topic I will tackle; love. Hope to see you soon at Sweet Promises!

Apr 30 2013

abide in me

two weeks
until
I hear

waiting
to know
my fate

Helpless to change my destiny.
It is written.
It is.

Menopause
was suppose
to free me

Jesus says*
“Abide in me…
let my words abide in you,”

This valley
is familiar, Lord
the trees have grown

See
the climb
ahead

How
will I spend
each bright morning star?

Show me
Lord!
Teach me to count my days…

*John 15:7

When you face sickness, it takes over the mind. Every sunny day seems ten times sunnier. Every rainy day seems gloomier than usual. How will this change me? What am I to learn?

I almost welcome the pain. My heart has become as grand and spacious as the heavens opened up. Again, I cry out to God to help me through. I don’t feel alone. I feel helpless.

Update: Just an hour after blogging this, a dear friend sent me this verse, having no idea of what I was searching for. Again, there it is…PEACE, that no man can afford to give, except for the King of kings and Lord of lords. Again, I am in awe of His Majesty!

“4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
The holy dwelling places of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.” Ps. 46:4-5

This help cannot be seen outwardly.

This help cannot be taken away.

This help will keep me in perfect peace.

This help will I meditate on day and night.

Let this be my prayer Lord…Psalm 43:3 Send me your light and your faithful care,
let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.

Apr 16 2013

We are not alone

Sand footprints

How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!

Psalm 139:17

If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.

Psalm 139:18

Mar 18 2013

Hello world, take two!

For the child we each are…cheers!  May your road be blessed, as you journey to an understanding of yourself, others and the world around you.  Peace :)

I first published that sentiment, October 3, 2011, as a way to break into the  world of journaling with technology. Reflecting back on my blogging beginnings, I do not appear much different, physically, emotionally or spiritually. At the most, I wonder why I publish such intimate thoughts.

I have continually asked myself what I really want to accomplish on my WordPress site? If I go down the list of personal interests, rarely do I encounter posts written on quilting, cooking or gardening. I want to change that aspect of our experience together. Of those three activities, which do you participate in? Quilting? Cooking? Gardening?

I notice I delve quite a bit into my spiritual being, but I am not reaching the audience to the extent I had hoped. I have longed to encounter hurting people looking for answers to some of life’s most difficult questions. To have a dialogue with believers and unbelievers about what life has taught and provided each of us. What can you share? Do you have a blog? Feel free to ad a link to the comments so we can find you.

There is never enough time to spend with our dearest friends and dearest passions. I want to be able to reach out to those who need a gentle hug, an understanding, a heart of love to pave a new road for their tired and worn feet.

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23

If you do nothing else today, for yourself, a stranger, or a friend, be reminded that time is fleeting. Store up for yourselves not things that rot, rust and can be stolen, but treasures that endure for eternity. I sincerely pray that we are able to spend more time together, if not in person, enjoying a favorite beverage, at least through the waves of air, light and speed. Technology often feels like a barrier, but we can conquer our fear by interacting and sharing life. Feel free to drop a line. Be brave. Ask. Inquire. Let us learn and grow together.

©jeannelizabeth

Jan 2 2013

To Life in 2013!

Is your life complicated? Do you have power over your circumstances?  Do you feel as if you are floating on the water, waiting for the crashing waves and the rains to begin to fall?  Or have you found a solution to the mounting despair, loneliness and despondancy.   

Isaiah 6:1-3To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory. NLT2007

What a promise! This is certainly what my blog is all about. Finding the promises of God, applying them to our personal lives, and finding true peace in our hearts and minds, regardless of the circumstances surrounding us.

Navigating the waters, whether they be rolling rivers, choppy lakes or vast bodies of open water with no sign of land for days, we have a Book to take with us, to give us counsel and guidance. Applying the Word from that Book will prove enormously fruitful. Be patient. Take heart. Have faith. ©Jeannelizabeth

May 24 2012

These are the days.

This is the time. Make the best of what is
and do not think about tomorrow, it is only a possibility.

I am here. Now.

Those were the days to remember. They will never come again.  You were my best friend. You were the light of my mind. You shone in the crevices of my dark alleys and hidden thoughts. You breathed life into my cold heart. You were the spark that revived the lost child, lurking in the shadows of broken promises. Someday soon, I will walk this way again, and cherish the moments together.

Since you have been gone, the color has left my world.
I see shades of gray, black and white.

I long for the hues of oranges, greens and blues.

These are the days and this is the time, I will remember forever.

Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Psalm 34:18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Philippians 1:3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,

Jeannelizabeth©

May 17 2012

Wayward Travelers and a Path to Life

Mother’s Day has come and gone. I wonder about the childless woman, either by choice or by fate. I wonder about the woman who struggles daily with the children she is raising. I wonder about the children who will be mothers someday.

I have seen woman, who come for counseling regarding a pregnancy. Some of them are vulnerable to the daily experience. No father’s presence or support from family. No money. No home. No hope.

Life is hard. The problems loom over us like dark rain clouds and we wait for the final downpour that will drown. The stories I hear are broken records of dysfunction. Our society is sick and individuals are the victims of a collaborative effort to exterminate God. Confusion is rampant and labeling the life-cycle as sperm, egg, embryo, and fetus, organizes our thought, but it does nothing for the emotion that coincides with the fact that sperm move and are alive and fight to the bitter end to make an egg theirs! Which sperm wins, claims the prize of being the next child that will develop inside the womb of a woman. The DNA of both people will merge into one individual, unique in the world, with one set of fingerprints. This should be a time to celebrate!

The cold, hard truth is by offering choice, life loses. The sperm that fought so valiantly will be squashed as an ant on the sidewalk. The egg that once housed all the information that would determine the color of the eyes, hair and skin, will diminish as the setting sun. The sidewalk and playgrounds will be void of one smiling child.

Life is hard. Choices are made every day. What toothpaste to buy, what clothes to wear, what friends we hang with and what job we perform. Some choices are easier than others. Choice seems good until we are faced with making a decision that reaches higher than a mountain peak. Once made, the decision cannot be taken back. It takes days to make such a choice and with limited time to choose, the stress level rises exponentially.

The first right choice would be to decide if having sex, with the possibility of becoming pregnant, is right. What is wrong with waiting until a secure, stable relationship is formed and consecrated by a vow until the bitter or joyous end? What is wrong with making a commitment to you? Why give away your soul like free candy at a parade?

Sex is a gift. Children are a gift. Make the first right choice. Celebrate life and the gifts.

JOSHUA 24:15

“But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”

Over the coming days I will be praying for those facing the mountain that looms ahead. I pray for the peace that passes all understanding, to guard your heart, soul and mind, in that perfect way that only Jesus can touch our humanity. He said He came to bring life, and to bring it more abundantly. Do you believe? Is Jesus who He said He was…the Son of the Living G-d? Test the waters. Find a church home that embraces you and shows you the path to walk that brings hope, healing and redemption. And if not now, when? Most will wait until they have hit rock bottom. Is that what you want to experience? The Gospel does not promise a trouble free existence. We certainly will face obstacles and trials. The Gospel does promise a better way, full of truth, hope and joy that sustains, despite the pitfalls and stumbling blocks encountered daily. I will be praying.  Jeannelizabeth©

Apr 19 2012

Insurmountable

Forgive! …such an easy word to give out.

Okay Lord, in your loving arms I can forgive.

Then my sinful nature asks “Why?”
“Look what they did to me Lord? Can you not see their evil deeds against me?”

“Yes, I see.”

Forgive! It is the only way to find freedom.
Peace! Let your heart not be troubled child.
Mercy! Show compassion to the lost.
Joy! It is your strength to hide in me and lose yourself and your evil ways.

“Did I not forgive you?”

“I did not want to nail you to the cross.
My tears flow
and wash your feet
but you still cling to the
CROSS!”

“You died….
for me…
and the whole world…
and you wait patiently
for all hearts to turn back to you.”

“I need your grace again…
I sin day and night…
in my anger I plead for justice
but in my heart I plead for mercy.”

Indeed I forgive Lord.
Renew me daily lest I fall.

We find in Romans 12:14 these words: “Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse.” Oh Lord, give me lips of honey. Soften my heart that no hatred can find home. Till the earth of my soul, that no seed can root that is only a weed. Forgive my unforgiveness that hides from sight, lurking, waiting for a chance to strike. You fashion your children in ways that produce fruit, let my vines be bountiful this year. Hold my tongue against sinful words and keep my thoughts pure. AMEN!