Delete

by Sharon O | Jan 28, 2010 | Uncategorized

Tonight I went through my emails. I had 1493 emails. I think it is because growing up no one “cared” so in my adult life it is like throwing away a ‘letter’ from someone, a contact of relationship. Tonight I did a lot of deleting, an email is only that, it can be deleted, it cannot discount that you are a worthy, honorable trusting person. It was easy to press the button.. delete-delete-delete- I found power :o)
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This was on my face book last night. I kept thinking about it as I woke up this morning.
What do we need to delete in our lives to make our journey more purposeful, more rewarding and more healing?
Dictionary. com said the definition of delete is : to strike out or remove (something written or printed); cancel; erase; expunge — “from away.”
So the question for us all; is what do we need to do, what action do we need to take, to remove or delete something that is not good for us. For example I used to really like to watch the CSI show, it was interesting. It was a detective and investigative type show which is what I like. But as I started watching it more and more I found myself repulsed by the violence. I would cover my eyes and say ‘oh I can’t watch that.’ So what was my purpose? I wanted to relax and watch a TV show. If I had to watch it with my eyes covered, it wasn’t good for me. So I stopped watching it. It was easy to delete what was not pleasing for my spirit, even though I liked the characters and the show. It wasn’t positive for me. It wasn’t good for my heart. It didn’t make me feel good.
So what do we all have in our lives, that we need to move away from us? some of us will have a hard time removing cable, or the Internet or (you fill in the blank). This can even mean a decision such as a new pattern of eating, or reading or even texting. All can be good. All have the potential to be bad. All have the potential to do harm. Do we want to keep something in our lives that can cause harm to our heart, our spirit and our soul.
I choose this year to purpose in my heart and give honor to my soul, to erase, cancel or remove what is not positive or good for me (or my family).
If I watch a TV show and it is violent, which is NOT what I like. What purpose is it for me to watch it. If I find I spend too much time on the Internet, I will ration my time. Purpose in my heart to spend equal time, that I would spend on the computer, with the Lord. Encouraging my spirit to grow and creating a save peaceful place inside.
When I was on the computer last night deleting emails, it was freeing. It was sad, but sad can be good. I have much to delete in my life and sometimes it can even mean, deleting a job that is not good for you. I did that a few months ago. I moved ‘away from’ the environment and it was good.
In the process of staying home I realized I had more to delete or remove. I tore into my closet and cleaned and purged what was not needed or wanted any more. It was a hard process for me. It was exhausting yet after it was done I felt empowered, just as I did when I hit the delete button. It was freeing.
Can we even move the idea more intimate, into our relationships with others? Deleting or removing the ‘friendship’ you hoped would always get better. Yet every time you are with them you feel down and discouraged. How can that be good for your heart and soul? Deleting the attitudes or words that can be harmful to us and to others. Deleting the idea that ‘my right’ my way must be heard.
Deleting or removing the idea that if I stay at this church they will finally see my ministry.
We have the power to remove what is taking too much space in our heads and in our lives. Just as I had to push the button, to remove emails taking too much computer space. We need to push the button of our heart and ask God what He would HE like us to remove today, this month, this year.
As we press forward to a new direction of wholeness and restoration. I hope you and I can delete, remove, push away things in our lives that are not good for us.
Lord help us to encourage one another in this process as we examine our lives. Help us to be open, willing and accepting of your vision for us. Give us wisdom to know what you would want and help us to take action to do it.

Be wise

by Sharon O | Jan 26, 2010 | Uncategorized

“The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” Proverbs 18:21 (NLT)

As I read this verse today I was moved to remember the various situations where this applied in my life.
The Lord convicted me? I am not sure. What I am sure of, is our words are like gifts to those who listen. We can build someone up with what we say. Affirming them for their goodness, their faithfulness, their kindness. Or we can criticise them, with unkind ways to hurt their heart. I often find myself saying ‘life is too short for this nonsense’ and really that is a Truth.
Life is indeed too short for offenses to ruin relationships.
God takes our offenses and erases them, forgives them.
“I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.” Isaiah 44:22
another version says it like this: “I have swept away your sins like a cloud. I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist. Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free.”
We can be free from unkind ways. It is our choice.

As the verse says… those who love to talk will reap the consequences. Do we want them to be positive, encouraging and life giving? Or do want the consequences to hurt someone and kill their spirit.
I challenge us today, to think. To stop. To ask ourselves as we share with others. Is this positive? Is this good? Is this true? is there any benefit for them to hear this or know this?
We all need to challenge each other to be kind, gentle and compassionate.

Does this mean every morning, every day we must evaluate our heart and test our motives? I challenge us to think on these thoughts.

Lord, continue to show us ways we can grow deeper in relationships with you and with others. Help us to be wise.

Rest for your soul

by Sharon O | Jan 25, 2010 | Uncategorized

Rest for your soul.
As he was teaching, Jesus said, “unless you come to me as a child, you cannot enter the kingdom of Heaven”.
We know he did not mean ‘be born again’ by your mother. That’s impossible.
He meant, come to me…with ‘Freedom of heart’… Freedom from rules…Freedom from fear, with a child like spirit, spontaneous…with joy and excitement.
Come to me with innocence and a desire to learn.
Have you ever seen a child so joyful and so excited; they could not contain the feelings within them?
You say to them ‘calm down’ and they know they can’t. It is so exciting, and so wonderful.
They are in the moment. They share the joy with you not caring, who is watching or listening.
Jesus says to us, “come to me as a child”.
Who would not run to their Father especially if he was a safe person?
He wants freedom for us. He wants us to rush into His arms.
As a child who needs a protector. As a child who SO misses his or her daddy.
“Abba Father I have missed you. Please hold me as I rest in your arms.”
Would you run towards a God who is pleading for you to come, or would you run away?
I guess it would depend on your experience with your earthly father.
We know the days have been hard and the fatigue is surrounding us.
Jesus says, “come to me everyone; who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest”.
He is not talking about sleep for a weary body. He is talking about rest for your soul.
Rest for a heart ravaged by life.
Rest for a soul so beaten down by adult responsibilities and duties.
Rest for a soul that is tired.
“Come to me. I can give you the rest you need. I am able to fill your heart with so much. Your needs will be met.”
Is your heart longing for the God who loves you?
I pray you will soon find.
Rest for your soul.

Different perspectives

by Sharon O | Jan 24, 2010 | Uncategorized

The other day our son asked his almost 6 year old son a question as he was making lunch for them. He said “son would you like a whole sandwich?” the reply came quickly “no thanks I just want two halves”. Our son shared that he had to think about it for a minute. Being a parent is challenging enough, but when we get those kind of ‘answers’ it is good to stop and think. Take a moment and breathe.
They were saying the same thing only in different ways. It reminded me of the verse found in 1st Corinthians in the new testament of the Bible.
1 Corinthians 13:11 : When I was a child I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up I put away childhood things (some versions say childish ways).
They were saying the same thing.
Only maturity would know the difference.
How often do we do that? We say the same thing as someone else only in a different way. Our way becomes our truth or maybe our reality. My grandson wanted two halves. Two halves made a whole. He didn’t ask for a whole he asked for two. The same end result. Just different perspectives and thought processes. Life is like that, a challenge of perspectives and opinions. To be open and flexible is a gift we can give to others. My son handled the two halves in a mature, reasonable way and lunch was shared. (of course taking the experience in as another humorous moment in their lives).
Our willingness to see and experience another persons point of view helps us to grow in maturity.

Lord in our journey this week help us to be open to all that you allow us to be a part of. Give us wisdom to know how to not make a big deal out of something. When it really ends up with the same result.
And Lord… thank you for little boys.