by Sharon O | May 24, 2010 | Uncategorized
The graveside service is the final good bye
when someone leaves us.
It is a symbol of an ending to a life well lived.
A brass plate or stone tells the observer who is represented at the grave site as information is etched in scratched out letters.
Mom O’s service was yesterday afternoon in a picturesque military burial setting. The green grass and stormy weather set the mood as we drove through the rod iron gates decorated with flags and military emblems. Dad served time in wars and is eligible for military honors and because she shared his life she is able to be honored this way also other than the gun salute.
She might not have been in a war with combat and battles fought but the war she was in was just as honorable.
We met as a family each one of us representing sons or daughters or grand children who brought meaning to her life. We drove to the hillside where her temporary marker rested next to flowers bent with rain. We walked slowly as we protected our selves from the wind and blustery weather.
Dad stood shoulders bent as his oldest son and youngest son held his shaking unsteady frame up
as he wept for his bride of almost 61 years.
The reality of her death hit his heart hard as he read her name…date of birth and date of death.
Each of us stood in silence as the middle son… began to speak about her life… her love and her Lord.
We sang amazing grace our voices mixed with emotion as the pounding rain deafened our notes against the umbrella’s fold. Before we went to this resting place on the hill pea sized hail pounded the pavement and grass receptive to the force of nature.
Not too different than the forcing of a new life for him now.
We believe he will be alright. His heart along with ours will forever be changed because of our loss. She was mama…mom O…Grandma… grandma grandma as some would call her.
She was a wonderful example of a life well lived and respected by all who met her.
As we drove away in different cars we took with us memories of her stored in our hearts forever. We will miss you mom… till we meet again.
by Sharon O | May 24, 2010 | Uncategorized
A bleeding heart ~ broken and restored by God ~ a beautiful picture of His Love and Grace for us.
by Sharon O | May 19, 2010 | Uncategorized
Our Pastor asked two questions the other day when he was in the middle of a teaching.
It made me pause and take note.
It challenged me and in turn I will challenge you.
He said: “How do you live?” and “What defines you?”
As Christians what should define us is the word of the Lord.
There needs be a difference between us and those who don’t believe.
A difference so vast and so clearly defined so that those who are seeking a new way will know who to look for to where to find it.
Dictionary. com says: define: to explain or identify the nature or essential qualities of; to fix or lay down definitely; to make clear the outline or form of; to specify distinctly; to describe the nature of basic qualities of: to give form or meaning to: “For him, a life is defined by action”…
Definite means “defined, clear, precise, unmistakable” So is the difference for the observer needs to be so clear it removes all doubt.
It is a definite unmistakable difference.
The question how do you live is not just a question of what do you do for a living, what are your hobbies, what are your interests.
I think he is asking….”How do you live differently…?”
“How do you live intentionally…?”
If we say we are followers of Jesus and HE is the LIGHT of the world, we are supposed to be so different that others will see the light within us.
I think that’s what he is asking for us to consider and think about.
What defines you … if someone were to say, ‘Tell me about this person’…what would others say?
I think of modern day people such as Tiger Woods. He was defined and known as a great and awesome golfer but did that really define who he really was??
Pastor said, “Your life is all about who you are becoming.” … who we are becoming.
It is a process… a journey to a different place in our hearts.
The goal to follow after God and the direction he pulls us towards should be the first thing on our agenda so that we can lead others to go there too. If we are Christians the defining truth of who God is and who Jesus is and the Holy Spirit should be wrapped around us so tightly that there would be no question who defines us.
I think it is a huge challenge for us all.
Lord God,
As we journey through the challenges of our days help us to examine our hearts and examine our lives so that we can say to you: In the morning I wait for your leading Lord …in the morning I rest in your presence. Help my life to be so in tune with you that I become blended with your love and purpose so that it fully becomes the definition of who I am.
by Sharon O | May 18, 2010 | Uncategorized
Continuing in the book ‘Waking the dead’ John Eldredge says:
“As long as we have unhealed places within us, these rifts of the soul, we will find it next to impossible to live in freedom and victory.”
He continues to share, “These places keep under mining us at critical moments, cutting us off at the knees.”
This makes great sense to me. Have you ever felt so confident in something and really sure of yourself then all of a sudden you get blindsided with words of accusations and messages?
The voices in your head slam dunk your confidence as you hear:
“You can never do that”….or “You are not capable”…or…” Why would you even try you know you are going to fail.”
Growing up in your childhood someone told your tender heart and the spirit within you that you were not worthy or valued and you believed them. The damaging undermining words took root and you allowed the words to take residence in your heart and bend you in ways that you never should have bent.
The words were lies you had no business believing them.
John continues to say,”We desperately need the stream of Healing, so that we may go on to walk this journey with Christ.”
My challenge for us today is to ask what places of healing do we need to work on?
When I say ‘we’ I am asking you and I to look deep inside ourselves and be open to what we see.
John called them rifts in the soul, little cracks that allow negatives words or behaviors to affect us in the midst of moving forward. Our confidence becomes shattered and our belief in ourselves no longer stand strong and firm.
Today…We need to claim healing…
the Healing stream of Jesus and the waters of the Holy Spirit to refresh our souls.
Lord help us… to slow down….
so that we may see…
and feel and remove…
the broken hurt places in our hearts
so that you… ‘THE GREAT and Almighty Healer …can heal us.’
It is all about becoming who WE really are… a healed Child of God.
by Sharon O | May 13, 2010 | Uncategorized
In the book waking the dead; John Eldredge says: “When we see life from the eyes of the heart, we begin to see clearly the battle that rages around us.”
There is a battle for our hearts.
It is a spiritual one taking place daily… we are not aware of it but it is ongoing and always.
John says: “The heart is the dwelling place of our true beliefs. The store house of memories is stored in our hearts.” So what do we believe and what are we seeking?
In Jeremiah 29:13
“You will find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Are we seeking Jesus with everything in us?
John says: “Christ did not die for an idea. He died for a person.”
“Jesus came to give us back our hearts.” do you remember the song;
Create in me a clean heart oh God and renew a right spirit within me.
It is a prayer put to music for us to meditate on.
If we are Christian with Christ in us we will know the contrast between the world’s values and the values of God.
In order for us to hear His voice, we must listen with our hearts.
It is our choice: to listen to God or listen to the world.
Ezekiel 36:26
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you, I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”
John said: “We cannot love others if we are hiding from ourselves”… Lord help us to examine our hearts and motives and show us what is hidden as we develop a new ‘heart’ that is full of love and compassion for others.
