Can you see me down here?
My thoughts rise up to meet
you in the clouds.
Silence.
Dread.
So running forward,
I leave behind my faith.
You weep.
Roar.
Fear.
Stopping in my track
I look up.
There you show your love.
The quest for grace
can only be found
when I am nothing.
I am listening.
In my garden
I hear!
Do not worry.
Do not rush
faster than the wind.
Be still,
my soul!
Streaming
into my world
are answers
piling higher
the laundry
patiently waits
washed words
eagerly
spring forth
I am
telling you
“I’m sorry”
your bad news
overshadows
my good news!
My doctor originally told me the biopsy results would take two weeks. I graciously was told a few days ago, that the tissue sample tested, came back benign. How happy I was. Was, until I thought of my blog and how I had told my story and would have to give an ending. I thought of all those who hear they are afflicted with the dreaded “c” disease. It can be ravaging. I did not want my answer to be a curse onto those with different fates. (Do not despair! There is an answer for you as well. Seek it!)
We all face bad news at some point in our life. The answer can be cruel. The answer is a lesson. I feel guilty for being cancer free when others face hurdles I escape. In my past, in the physics department where I worked, a professor and his wife were expecting a baby, as I was. We both went into labor the same day. My baby lived. Their baby was stillborn. My baby was a miracle. Their baby was too, in a different way. It taught a lesson harder to accept. An answer hard to discern.
The bigger questions demand bigger answers.
I am obligated to embrace both.
©jeannelizabeth
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!
Sound advice….
http://www.jameswatkins.com/antisocial.htm
Let us pray…Father, grant us wisdom to speak in love, judge ourselves, forgive everyone, tell the truth and be full of joy in all circumstances! Amen, in Jesus precious name!
Have you experienced grace in your life? What did it look like?
What about amazing grace?
Witnessing the beauty
of love surrended
all for the benefit of my soul.
Reborn
Renew
Refresh
Regain
The day I became His own.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
©jeannelizabeth
Opening Act:
Are you as confused as me? Can anyone watch the news today and say, glad they sorted out that mess?
Are these days, finally, the end of days? Many have speculated and announced dates, only to see their prophecy vaporize into clouds that hang over their heads.
My daily soapbox: Proverbs 17:15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent– the LORD detests them both.
Sound familiar? Yes, the truth has become evil and evil has become truth. Look no further than the evening news. You choose, your pick. Which story comes to mind?
Second Act:
Will anyone be found a believer in the end of days? 2 Corinthians 11:3 But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.
Closing Curtain:
One day, the JUDGE will speak, and no one can utter a word! Matthew 25:41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. I have seen this in a dream…even in the church, many will burn, searching for relief, and not even the town fountain will put out the flames that torture.
Until then, the show must go on. Christians are asked to forgive those who trespass against them, be disciplined, pray continually, be grateful regardless of surrounding circumstances and continue to let our light shine in joy!
the solitude of the moment
the quietness in the air
words are harnessed and written down
knowing i am almost there
amongst the trees and water
where birds and crickets share
the rainbow hangs above the clouds
the sacred is here
H is for heaven. No I have not been there. Many claim to have been present and seen a glimpse. We are told to bring heaven on earth. What would that look like for you?
I volunteer with the homeless population, in a Christian mission, where plenty of negative vibes squash the possibilities that God promises. Yet, what is impossible with us is certainly feasible with God and so we should redirect our focus and not dwell on certain facts but instead dream! We are told that if we knock, He will answer. Doors will be opened to us that seemed unimaginable. This is a very creative expression of hope that will change a person’s outlook along with a great many prayers to our Father, through Jesus!
DO you have a creative expression of hope that you cling to in times of despair?
Keep your eyes looking up? From where does my help come from? Even when our hearts are dragging on the dusty road of life,
we know there is a SAVIOR who cares for us inexplicably.
God, In Jesus’s name I pray: As I prepare myself for our upcoming trip to Arizona, to witness the open space of your creation, to experience the forgiveness and mercy of Your love, I ask that you give me the strength I need to stay alert, to be open to hear instruction and utilize the teachable moments ahead to grow in my faith and trust, in Your ability, and not my own. Thank you and AMEN!
©jeannelizabeth
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body
but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One
who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28
It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Hebrews 10:31
See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful,
unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.
Hebrews 3:12
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy,
which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces
of this world rather than on Christ.
Colossians 2:8
How much more, then, will the blood of Christ,
who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself
unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from
acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!
Hebrews 9:14
Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling,
fix your thoughts on Jesus,
whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest.
Hebrews 3:1
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Matthew 16:16
To all those in Boston and around the world, who are rocked by yet another act of terrorism…
may you be comforted by the prayers that are being lifted to God.
John 14:16 And I will ask the Father,
and He will give you another advocate to help you
and be with you forever–
John 14:26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit,
whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
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
