Out with the Old & In with the New

ThisLittleLightofMine

But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.1 Peter 2:9 (MSG)

As I read this verse on my computer screen this evening, I realized how lucky we are that we are chosen by God, to be a holy people, to do his work, to spread the good news of the gospel and the Love HE has for each and every one of us. No matter where we are in life or how messy our lives out. HE LOVES us just the way we are and HE wants us to come to him, to accept Jesus Christ, His son, as our Personal Lord and Savior.  Accepting Jesus as my Savior, at the age of 11 was easy for me to do, because I had great role models in my life and knowing and believing I would have eternal life with God through Jesus Christ, was far greater a reward than I could ever hope or imagine.  However, I realize that there are many people who have never had someone teach them about Jesus Christ or how different your life not only will be once you accept Him as your Lord and Savior and build a relationship with HIM.  I know this, because somewhere along the journey I fell out of step with the Lord; and that is a very hard thing for me to admit.

When I was blessed enough to become a wife and a mother, I stopped talking and walking with Christ. Well, let me be a little more specific, I talked with Him occasionally, but not daily and not all day, like I do now. My spouse didn’t want to go to church with me and I somehow felt if I went alone, what would people think and that was my downfall.  I was so worried about what people would think, I didn’t give it much thought about what God or Jesus would think. Sad, I know. But for years, many years, I tried to do everything in my own strength, without the guidance of God or His Holy Word.

But God never gave up on me. Many times I felt drawn to Bible Study groups or churches, but the fear that I would be looked down upon, kept me away. Mostly the shame I felt, the enemy used that and that shame had such a grip on me, I just felt defeated. So, needless to say my children-our children, did not grow up grounded in the truth and their lives weren’t built on a strong rooted foundation as mine was, in Christ.  Oh, they knew that at Easter, Christ arose from the dead, but it really didn’t have much bearing on their lives. And they knew Christmas day was about celebrating God’s gift to the world, Baby Jesus; but they really didn’t grasp or care to grasp why God sent Jesus to earth in human form.

I would try to teach them about faith and what faith was and when they struggled, I would say you’ve got to have faith. If something isn’t working, you need to try harder; don’t give up; don’t quit, but I didn’t say let’s pray and ask Jesus for His help. Because I had fallen out of being instep with the Lord, I didn’t think to share the great message with my children. And, if you are a Christian and a believer, you know how easy it is to lapse. Miss a service here, don’t take time to pray or talk to God or get in the Word, and pretty soon, you feel so far way~much like the prodigal son did.

After years of struggles and disappointments, I realized that something had to change. Was it me, was I the problem? Why had life become so difficult? I fell to my knees and I cried out to God, where are you? I need you? Why aren’t you answering me? And when I sat there, in tears, that continued flowing and didn’t think they were ever gonna stop-I felt this tug in my spirit, this tiny whisper, I am here. I have always been here, I was just waiting for you to invite me back into your life.  What a powerful moment!

In God’s Word, he promises us that HE will never leave us or forsake us. THE MESSAGE TRANSLATION puts it like this:

Hebrews 13:  Message (MSG)

5-6 Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can boldly quote,

God is there, ready to help;
I’m fearless no matter what.
Who or what can get to me?

And so it began, a new chapter in my journey with the Lord. I returned to the fold and HE welcomed me with open arms. While being prayed over, by a woman I had never met, but who has since became a great friend, I felt such peace, that I knew from that moment, God was with me-had always been with me-I just hadn’t noticed because I was trying to do everything on my own, instead of doing it in HIS strength!

You see, because we are of the world, it is very easy to think we can do everything on our own, in our own ways and our own power, but in the WORD (Holy Bible), God reminds us in Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ, He gives me strength.” God did not create us to do anything without Him. But he did give us free will to make our own decisions and choices.  If we choose to do it without Him, we are bound to make a mess of our lives. We may have small victories, every now and then, but we won’t have the JOY and PEACE in us, if we don’t have HIM in our hearts.

I started dragging my children to church with me as young teenagers. I tried to get them involved in the fabulous, energetic, passion, on fire youth group at the church I was attending; but they weren’t interested.  And by dragging, I mean sometimes they were actually kicking and screaming on the way in the door during weekly evening services. And I was quite embarrassed and shocked by their reactions. Mostly embarrassed. But one of the pastors told me not to worry about it. As a parent, it was my job to get them there and let God do His work.   Seemed simple enough, but it was the farthest thing from simple that I could imagine. But each week, I would take them. And each week, they sat there, irritated and aggravated they had to be there.

Our children our 19 and 21 now, and oh, how I wish I could say that they found the Lord and walk with Him, but they are still fighting the fact that they need Him now more than ever. But I continue to trust God that He is in Control; that He has a plan and the best I can do now, is what I have been doing-pray for them, love them, let them see God/Jesus in Me and leave the results up to Him.

My greatest fear, as a parent, is that they will die, never accepting Christ Jesus as their Lord and Savior. But through a friend, God told me, years ago, I have a plan for your children. Trust Me. And I am trusting Him.

So, when you decide to truly follow Jesus and take up the cross and walk with Him, you let go of your old life and shrug off the old things that made you the person that was used to be condemned for your faults; but when you accept Jesus, the slate is wiped clean; because HE has already paid the price for your sins-all of them-and you become pure and righteous-not by anything you did-but everything HE did. And you become a Holy People.

It’s pretty cool, actually when you think about it.  I am Holy. I am also a mess at times; my life is utter chaos but I have the Holy Spirit within me. No matter where I am or what I am doing, HE is ALWAYS with me! I can choose to let the chaos rule me or I can let God’s Peace cover me and permeate my being and I can choose how I respond to whatever it may be-loving and kind or not so kind. I strive to be loving and kind. I don’t like to be the “not so kind” type of person, because then I am not a good representation of who Jesus is. And that is my goal. I want to be the person, that when people look at me, they want to know how can you be so calm in this storm?? AND then I can share JESUS with them. 

So, just remember this: no matter how far away you feel from Jesus; no matter if you have never even given Him a thought, HE CREATED YOU, HE LOVES YOU & HE WILL MEET YOU RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE!

May you be blessed! Thank you for reading this and please share if you feel led to do so.praise the lord

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Stillness in the midst of Chaos

I keep hearing the words, Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10)
And it seems like an easy request, but in human form, being still in the midst of my chaotic life, seems next to impossible. That’s where I need to remind myself, many times in a day, or even many times in a moment, that I can do all things through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:13).

At this stage of my life, approaching mid-life, I had thought things would be a lot simpler and quieter in my space. But I am constantly reminded that God has a plan for my life and it’s not being sedate.

When you have an almost 9 month old in your home, it is anything but boring. This little bundle of joy and laughter reminds me every single day how precious life is and what a gift it is that God gives me every day when I awaken.

There are moments, short bursts where I know God is with me..when I just want to scream or cry because life can be so overwhelming. Work was hectic, dinnertime was rush rush rush and trying to find a moment just to sit and read is a thing of the past..and in those moments where my head is spinning and I just want to close myself in a quiet dark room, I see God in the twinkle in my grandson’s eyes or in his laughter or smile at something that he has found or seen for the first time…the beauty in being able to pick up a tiny cracker between his small fingers and I am reminded that God is with me everywhere I go, in the midst of worldly chaos, in the midst of toys scattered about and laundry folded but not put away and even in the dusts bunnies that are found hiding under the sofa.

By blessing us with this young sweet child, God is showing me that being still helps me focus on what is important…..loving each other.

You see God loves me right where I’m at. He doesn’t wait for me to get all cleaned up and dusted off, he says Carlene, you are my masterpiece, you are my creation and I love you right where you are and I am your Father and I am here for you always…whether it be still or chaotic.

And the best news: He is here for you also!

Just a Glimpse

I’ve been thinking about home, my heavenly home. I’ve been thinking about what it will be like to have NO MORE PAIN.  I have even experienced ‘just a glimpse’ of what it may be like and yes, I want more.  Sadly it seems, more often than not that none of us are truly satisfied with the blessings God bestows upon us. We always want more of something.  

You see, in April of 2012,I attended a Healing Conference and was healed of Fibromyalgia.  The pain was gone, I was able to run up and down stairs, bend over, dance with joy and just relish the feeling and knowledge of NO MORE PAIN. I was so overwhelmed with the Love.  So overwhelmed that Jesus loved me that much to take all my physical pain away! I have always believed in healing and prayers and I know my Jesus, my God is a God that loves, truly~however, until I experienced it first hand, little ole me, I just can’t explain the overwhelming, joyful, radiant love I felt and still feel to this day.

You know I have studied and I have been told that when we go home to be with Jesus, in the Heavenly realms, there will be NO MORE PAIN, no more tears, just the most wonderful, glorious joy.  And I have always thought how will our hearts hold that much joy~will it be spilling out of every part of us, will we even be able to stand it. I for one, am truly looking forward to finding out.

Since the arctic cold winter has descended upon us this year, I have been having pains. I don’t really classify them as chronic pain, because I have chosen not to speak that over my life, but there is something different. I struggle with going to the doctor or not, because if I do that….does that mean I don’t believe I was healed? I know I was healed! I praise the Father for his healing touch! 

The problem with my eyes, is that when I get a glimpse of something I like, I always want more and there are times I hear God telling me that His grace is enough for anything I am facing. So maybe I had that glimpse to know that better things are coming.  Glorious times are unfolding. And I know from past experience, His grace is enough. It is sufficient.  I am His. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. What I see as a flaw, HE does not. He sees beauty. It’s so easy to go along with the world and the flesh and think of all the things that make us who we are or who we aren’t but strive to be.  

I have physical pain. Yes it hurts, but I am still walking, talking, seeing, hearing, tasting and loving. I am still breathing and learning and living. And as a very dear friend reminded me today, I am thriving.

Sometimes a glimpse is needed to push us forward, to find our focus on what is important. Getting over the physical pain, is that the most important thing in my mind now…no.  The most important thing in my mind is hearing what God wants me to hear, for me to know where I am supposed to go with the directions He gives me, to discern that they are of Him and not my own wishful thinking and I know that by having ‘just a glimpse’, the Lord was able to redirect my focus on what is truly important~Him and my relationship with Him.

I just have to say that one day, we will all be dancing and singing with joy, because there will be no more pain, no more tears, no more hurt…..can you even imagine?

As always, I leave you with this thought, God Loves You, right where you are~blessings,

Carlene

Do Not become Embittered

Hebrews 12:15NIV

See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

Acts 8:22-24

New International Version (NIV)

22 Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. 23 For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”

24 Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”

I was just sitting here thinking about bitterness and how easy it is for any of us to let it take root in our hearts and pretty soon we are so full of it, literally, that we don’t know how to walk in love as Jesus has called us to do.  With the pessimistic, negative people we come in contact with daily, it’s easy to see how we can let bitterness take root and just go with it.  It’s not easy to remain bitter-free, but it can be accomplished; it just takes lots of practice to not let the world shape your focus or your perspective.  Jesus has worked with me on this one subject for some time now and how I react to what people say and do, can also determine how or when bitterness comes.

By nature, I am not, nor will I ever see myself as a ” morning” person.  Yes, I work a daytime job and yes, I have to get in the  early morning hours, but I am not someone that wakes up happily, eagerly ready to jump out of bed and start the day.  I am the one, that hopes I can reach my alarm clock, so I can press the snooze bar, just one more time, and that 7 minutes doesn’t really do me any justice; I really don’t get any more rest than if I had just gotten up, but it’s something I have always done and do not plan on stopping anytime soon. Then once I am up and getting ready, I don’t want to have to talk to anyone. I want time to wake up, put myself together, maybe have time for a cup of coffee and spend a little  time with God (and I need to do more of this in the morning, than I do now) and then after all that, if there was anytime left before I had to head out the door, then and only then am I ready to embrace any type of conversation.

So, it should come as ABSOLUTELY NO SUPRISE to my husband that I don’t want to chit chat about anything, unless it’s a matter of life and death, so to speak. If you want to stay up late and chat, I am all for that.  We are complete polar opposites on this matter. You guessed it, he is happy go lucky, eager to start his day; if he’s up, then everyone should be up and ready to go too.  It’s funny how after 19 years, that hasn’t changed, and probably never will.  So the whole reason I am sharing this tidbit, is that more often than not, when he tries to have conversation with me shortly after the alarm buzzer goes off, I am usually less than friendly…sometimes I think I might even be snarling….I honestly don’t like that part of myself, but I have never tried to change it.  Words are said, and you guessed it, if I am not very careful and stop and think about how Jesus wants me to be, that old, ugly word BITTERNESS creeps in.  And if I swill it around and think about it all the way to work, while dealing with people just learning how to drive (no not really-just seems that way), it grows.  The sad part is it is only a 15 minute drive at best and it doesn’t take long for that Bitterness (B word) to settle in for the day.

I get frustrated and upset and, you guessed it, way too snarly for my own good.  I start thinking about how dare he do that and then go do whatever he has planned for the day.  Sometimes, I have to pleasantly remind him that mornings are not my thing, anymore than late nights are his.  And he looks at me like I made some alien comment, and again I just have to say, please don’t get upset with me. I don’t get upset with you when you want to go to sleep way earlier than me. We are all just different and we are that way because that’s how God created us.

At http://www.thefreedictionary.com/bitterness, The Free Dictionary Online describes bitterness as this:

bit·ter  (btr)

adj. bit·ter·erbit·ter·est

1. Having or being a taste that is sharp, acrid, and unpleasant.
2. Causing a sharply unpleasant, painful, or stinging sensation; harsh: enveloped in bitter cold; a bitter wind.
3. Difficult or distasteful to accept, admit, or bear: the bitter truth; bitter sorrow.
4. Proceeding from or exhibiting strong animosity: a bitter struggle; bitter foes.
5. Resulting from or expressive of severe grief, anguish, or disappointment: cried bitter tears.
6. Marked by resentment or cynicism: “He was already a bitter elderly man with a gray face” (John Dos Passos).
Now I don’t know about you, but when I see what the word bitter means, I know I don’t want to be that way.  I don’t want my heart to become harsh, or acrid or unpleasant. And it can if you let it.  OR You can show grace and be gracious.
I know that people think that is hard to do, but it really isn’t. We all have choices every day. We can choose how we react to something. We can choose to show grace or not. I want to be the person that shows grace, lives graciously and accepts the fact that the world does not revolve around what I want and that not everyone sees life from my point of view or perspective.
However, I think it is very important that we talk to Jesus about this. He could have become so embittered when he walked among us on earth as the Son of Man, but he didn’t. If anyone deserved or earned the right to be bitter, he surely did; but he never was. I strive daily to remember all he went through, all he suffered and why, because he loves me. He loves you.  So when I become embittered Lord, forgive me. Show me how to be gracious. Teach me how to be more loving like you. Examine my heart and guide me so that I will not let bitterness prevail. Thank you Father.
I leave you with reading Proverbs 14 THE MESSAGE translation

Proverbs 14

The Message (MSG)

A Way That Leads to Hell

14 Lady Wisdom builds a lovely home;
Sir Fool comes along and tears it down brick by brick.

2 An honest life shows respect for God;
a degenerate life is a slap in his face.

3 Frivolous talk provokes a derisive smile;
wise speech evokes nothing but respect.

4 No cattle, no crops;
a good harvest requires a strong ox for the plow.

5 A true witness never lies;
a false witness makes a business of it.

6 Cynics look high and low for wisdom—and never find it;
the open-minded find it right on their doorstep!

7 Escape quickly from the company of fools;
they’re a waste of your time, a waste of your words.

8 The wisdom of the wise keeps life on track;
the foolishness of fools lands them in the ditch.

9 The stupid ridicule right and wrong,
but a moral life is a favored life.

10 The person who shuns the bitter moments of friends
will be an outsider at their celebrations.

11 Lives of careless wrongdoing are tumbledown shacks;
holy living builds soaring cathedrals.

12-13 There’s a way of life that looks harmless enough;
look again—it leads straight to hell.
Sure, those people appear to be having a good time,
but all that laughter will end in heartbreak.

Sift and Weigh Every Word

14 A mean person gets paid back in meanness,
a gracious person in grace.

15 The gullible believe anything they’re told;
the prudent sift and weigh every word.

16 The wise watch their steps and avoid evil;
fools are headstrong and reckless.

17 The hotheaded do things they’ll later regret;
the coldhearted get the cold shoulder.

18 Foolish dreamers live in a world of illusion;
wise realists plant their feet on the ground.

19 Eventually, evil will pay tribute to good;
the wicked will respect God-loyal people.

20 An unlucky loser is shunned by all,
but everyone loves a winner.

21 It’s criminal to ignore a neighbor in need,
but compassion for the poor—what a blessing!

22 Isn’t it obvious that conspirators lose out,
while the thoughtful win love and trust?

23 Hard work always pays off;
mere talk puts no bread on the table.

24 The wise accumulate wisdom;
fools get stupider by the day.

25 Souls are saved by truthful witness
and betrayed by the spread of lies.

26 The Fear-of-God builds up confidence,
and makes a world safe for your children.

27 The Fear-of-God is a spring of living water
so you won’t go off drinking from poisoned wells.

28 The mark of a good leader is loyal followers;
leadership is nothing without a following.

29 Slowness to anger makes for deep understanding;
a quick-tempered person stockpiles stupidity.

30 A sound mind makes for a robust body,
but runaway emotions corrode the bones.

31 You insult your Maker when you exploit the powerless;
when you’re kind to the poor, you honor God.

32 The evil of bad people leaves them out in the cold;
the integrity of good people creates a safe place for living.

33 Lady Wisdom is at home in an understanding heart—
fools never even get to say hello.

34 God-devotion makes a country strong;
God-avoidance leaves people weak.

35 Diligent work gets a warm commendation;
shiftless work earns an angry rebuke.

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God Loves you, right where you are.