by Sharon O | Feb 1, 2010 | Uncategorized
I mentioned I have an editor. She sits by my computer chair. When she wants to be petted, she taps my arm with her paw and if I ignore her, she crawls behind me, and puts her head under my arm or taps my back with her paws (almost like a back rub). Since I had to put down my other ‘black cat’, this one has been very spoiled. She gets soft food at night now, just because. Her name is Smudge. She is a tortoise calico. She is around 13 years old and has been my ‘perfect child’. She is always here by my side as I type. If I don’t come into the computer room in the morning she ‘calls’ out to me. Waiting for me to show up with my coffee.
by Sharon O | Jan 29, 2010 | Uncategorized
When you read the word, what image came into your mind?
The image of someone spray painting a fence or throwing a rock through a window?
The definition of vandalism is: willful destruction with malicious intent, to do harm or destroy; OR willful or ignorant destruction of artistic or literary treasures.
Our Pastor was sharing about this not long ago. It provoked a lot of thought in me. (imagine that!) The word vandalism brings to our minds many images. We would never take a spray paint can and destroy someone else’s property. Yet I challenge us to think of this in a different way.
When we talk bad about someone. When we hear a rumor and choose to believe it, and maybe even spread it more. When the words we say become less in line with the truth. We are committing vandalism of the heart. Fragmenting the heart and treasure of one another. Pastor said, it is like we are committing a homicide of the heart. It creates death to a relationship, and places a judgement on someone else’s character.
The willful destruction, is when we choose to spread the rumor, or believe the untruth. The malicious intent, is when we choose to say harmful or unkind things about someone. The intention of doing harm, hurts us, as well as the one we are talking about.
Pastor talked about, not letting anything come near our hearts that would be hurtful. Not letting anything vandalise your honorable self. We need to take note of and remember, “This is not good for me”. So in this journey called life, we must be careful with our words, our thoughts, our actions and our intentions. God has given us all, if we follow him, a discerning truth. If we read the word, if we take caution in our motives, and if we listen to our heart. We will be truthful to ourselves and those around us.
The challenge today is for us all.
We need to examine our lives, to see if there is anything that is vandalising the pureness, and holiness of Gods love for us. And the pureness and holiness of one another.
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, Oh Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14
Lord God, help us to redeem our words towards one another and be kind.
“And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, Just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:2
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.
by Sharon O | Jan 27, 2010 | Uncategorized
“And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way; bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience…” Colossians 1:10-11 (NIV)
How do we live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way?
There are things we can do to encourage this process. Like a timed release capsule God’s love pours into us. Just as we would be faithful to take our ‘morning vitamin’, for it is good. Why are we not so faithful to partake in a daily dose of Gods word?
Our vitamin adds to our life. We become stronger, healthier and more able to fight off whatever would make us sick. How is that different from the word?
The word is a slow releasing of nourishment for a soul desperate for health. It becomes our dose of life that we can’t live without. We become strengthened, renewed, and more empowered.
We choose to be life giving, so why would we not partake in what would make that life better? We choose what is important to us. Is the word important?
We grow so we can endure. Life has a way of making us tired. Every day routines can remove our energy.
We partake in the word so we can become stronger and bear fruit in every good work.
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, Patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.” Galatians 5:22
I believe we cannot bear this fruit on our own. We fail in our efforts. We grow in the knowledge of God by partaking of his word. (definition of partaking: to have something of the nature or character) By the discipline of reading and partaking of the word, our nature and character becomes more like HIS. He empowers us. He strengthens us. By the Holy Spirit we become whole.
My challenge for the day is this. What kind of vitamin is important to you? What kind of supplement do you partake in, to empower you on this journey? Can we encourage each other to live a life worthy of the Lord, so we may please Him.
“Since we are living by the spirit, let us follow the spirits leading in every part of our lives.” Galatians 5:25
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.
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.
