"FAN THE FLAME" FRIDAY - Longing

Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.

This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)

Just a word and a question (or few)…just a little something to
"fan the flame" of your creativity!

And, to further fan those faith-filled flames (try saying that 10 times in a row!) – I'm adding my favorite devotional from the week!


Today's word: longing

What are you longing for?

Why is it impossible for the things of this world to fulfill that sense of longing?

In what ways does God answer the deepest longing of our hearts?


Let me know what you think!!

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life." (Proverbs 13:12, NIV)

"My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times." 
(Psalm 119:20, NIV)

"My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word." (Psalm 119:81, NIV)

"At night my soul longs for You, Indeed, my spirit within me seeks You diligently..." (Isaiah 26:9, NASB)

"As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God." 
(Psalm 42:1, NLT)

DEVOTIONAL OF THE WEEK:

A Prayer About EMPTINESS
When my soul is dry and empty

Heavenly Father,

     My heart feels empty.  I feel a loss of motivation, meaning, and purpose, and there seems no reason to go on...It's always some sort of loss that empties one's emotional tank.  My reserves are used up...and I have nothing left to give...Fill me with your love, truth, and goodness...You are the Living Water that can refresh me eternally.  I am waiting on you, Lord, to restore meaning, purpose, and satisfaction in my life.

*I am filled with longing for You, Lord - please fill me.


John 7:37-38 (NASB):  Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink.  He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'"


"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:6-7)


(Devotional from: "365 Pocket Prayers for Women" by Ronald A. Beers, c. 2011, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.)


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

THE GOOD OL' DAYS

Here I am in Utah!

"The Hub" and I love all things western – western, as in the Old West.  And twice a year we venture out to western festivals where we enjoy shopping, dressing up (photos of us below!), and visiting with old western TV and movie stars.

Here's a few of the names that are at this year's Western Legends Roundup:

James Drury from The Virginian
Clint Walker from Cheyenne
Dan Haggerty from Grizzly Adams
Cheryl Rogers-Barnett, daughter of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans
Wyatt McCrea, grandson of Joel McCrea and Frances Dee
Johnny Crawford from The Rifleman
Peter Ford, son of Glenn Ford
Robert Fuller from Wagon Train (and Emergency!)
James Hampton from F Troop (he was the bugler)


Do any of these names ring a bell and make you take a walk down Memory Lane?!

Well, let me tell you, we're sure experiencing a second childhood!

One of things we love is how nice people are.  Friendly, polite, accommodating.  "The Hub" and I are always bemoaning how sad it is that progress and technology seem to be gradually (or not-so-gradually) eroding good old-fashioned values.

The "Code of the West" has disappeared.  Three years ago, I blogged about that code, and I thought I'd reprint my thoughts on that here:

There are many versions of the "Code" – but they all have one thing in common.

They closely parallel Biblical principles.

So, without further ado, here's a short version of "The Code of the West" – and a verse from Scripture that corresponds with it:


1. Live Each Day with Courage – "…be strong and courageous!  Do not be afraid or discouraged.  For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)

2. Take Pride in Your Work – "Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord…" (Colossians 3:23)

3. Always Finish What you Start – "Now you should finish what you started.  Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now…" 
(2 Corinthians 8:11)

4. Do What Has to Be Done – "Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone's duty." (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

5. Be Tough, But Fair – "This is what the LORD says: Be fair-minded and just.  Do what is right!" (Jeremiah 22:3)

6. When You Make a Promise, Keep It – "The godly are directed by honesty…" (Proverbs 11:5)

7. Ride for the Brand – "So we are Christ's ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us.  We speak for Christ…" (2 Corinthians 5:20)

8. Talk Less and Say More – "…I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say.  I will hold my tongue…" (Psalm 39:1)

9. Remember That Some Things Are Not For Sale – "You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price.  So you must honor God with your body." (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20)

10. Know Where to Draw the Line – "Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation." (Matthew 26:41)


If it's not yours, don't take it.
If it's not true, don't say it.
If it's not right, don't do it.

"Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable." (Philippians 4:8)


Advice that SHOULD stand the test of time, huh?

The other thing I'm pondering tonight is how much "The Hub" and I wax nostalgic for those good ol' days.  We often think it would be so much fun to have been able to live in the Old West.  However, granted, we look backward with romantic eyes.  

The ACTUAL Old West was a tough frontier.  

Lives were hard and often short-lived.  Making a living was thankless toil. Hard work was the rule, from sunup to sundown.  And I'm not exactly sure I would have fit in real well – (for instance, in my leisure time I don't smoke cigars, play the game of Faro, nor gulp shots of whiskey).  

Also, I'm not thinking that I would have done well in the real reality of being a homesteader.

I collect old irons – (as in ironing clothes, not golf clubs!)  And those things weigh a TON!  I can't imagine hoisting those things to get out wrinkles – I would have had true Biceps of Steel – (instead of these flabby things made of crepe paper that I call upper arms).

And that's not even considering washboard-clothes-cleaning, butter-churning, wood-splitting, horse-shoeing, or a thousand other chores.

But…

"The Hub" and I have the luxury of looking back in fondness, without all the tough stuff.

I think about this.

Sometimes we look back at our own lives, our own memories, and we long for the good ol’ days.  Maybe for the blissful and carefree days of childhood.  Or the giddy moments of a first love.  Or the reckless freedom of adolescence.  Or the wonder-full joys of early parenthood.

But, if you think about it, for those of us who believe in Jesus Christ and long for His return, the good ol' days don't lie behind us…

…they hover on the horizon of hope!

Hope for a future in eternity with the Lord!

Hope for a place where the values of the Code of the West will be fulfilled in perfection.  Where there will be no more drudgery or heavy-laden hearts.

A timeless time when all will be well, all will be truly well…forever.


Having fun in Utah right now, yes.

But oh, so longing for the Good Ol' Days that await me in the future!


Yee Haw and Yippee Ki Yay!!

Marshal Virgil Earp... 

...and His Wife 

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice..." (1 Peter 1:3-6, NIV)

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared...And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven...I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, 'Look, God's home is now among his people!  He will live with them, and they will be his people.  God himself will be with them.  He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.'  And the one sitting on the throne said, 'Look, I am making everything new!'" (Revelation 21:1-5, NLT)


So what are you looking forward to the most in the Good Ol' Days to come in Heaven?


Linked today with:

Joan at SHARING HIS BEAUTY
Michelle at HEAR IT ON SUNDAY, USE IT ON MONDAY
Hazel at TELL ME A TRUE STORY
Darlene at TITUS 2SDAY
Jen at UNITE
Rachel at WHIMSICAL WEDNESDAYS
Tracy at WINSOME WEDNESDAY
Shari at WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY
Laura at FAITH FILLED FRIDAY
Charlotte at SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS
Wanda at FRIDAY FIVE FELLOWSHIP
Barbie at WEEKEND BREW


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

"FAN THE FLAME" FRIDAY - Broken

Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.

This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)

Just a word and a question (or few)…just a little something to
"fan the flame" of your creativity!

And, to further fan those faith-filled flames (try saying that 10 times in a row!) – I'm adding my favorite devotional from the week!


Today's word: broken

What has broken your heart lately?

Why do you think God is especially close to those with broken hearts?

What comfort have you found in times when your heart is broken?

What is the one thing you would say to someone whose heart is broken?


Let me know what you think!!


"The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.  The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:17-18, NIV)

"He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds." 
(Psalm 147:3, NLT)

"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, for the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed." (Isaiah 61:1, NLT)*

*This was also quoted by Jesus Himself as he read in the synagogue in Nazareth (cross reference: Luke 4:18).
      


DEVOTIONAL OF THE WEEK:

"Jesus had a big heart.  The Gospels are filled with stories of his touch...he healed because he had compassion on the ones who suffered.  This picture of the tender, sympathetic Jesus can sometimes...get lost...[But] Jesus' actions spoke volumes...If Jesus was truly the tenderhearted God we see in the Gospels, surely his heart has not changed...Let Jesus reach out and touch you, lovingly assuring you of how much he cares about your need.  Let the truth of his deep love for you fill your mind and body.  Ask for healing in his time and his way as he continues to teach you about himself."


*I would not trade my broken heart for the ability to know His love. 



"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:6-7)


(Devotional from: " Meet the Bible" by Philip Yancey and Brenda Quinn, c. 2000, Zondervan Publishers)


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

DAD, REMEMBER ME?

The mind is an amazing thing.

Did you know?

The average human has about 100 billion brain cells.  Weighing in at about 3 pounds, the brain is one of the largest organs in the body.  It's an electrical circuit board that processes somewhere in the neighborhood of 400 billions bits of information a second.

When it's working at optimum productivity, it's an incredible machine.

When it isn't – it's a heartache.


My father is disappearing.

Though we've not had a *formal* diagnosis of Alzheimer's – I'm pretty sure that's what he has.

And over the course of the last few months especially, he is becoming but a shadow of who he once was.

Nancy Reagan wrote a book about her experiences with her husband, Ronald Reagan, and his battle with Alzheimer's at the end of his life.

She said that it was "a truly long, long goodbye."

Yes, I would agree.

And my heartache lately is not only that my dad is losing himself, it's that he is also forgetting me.

I can't describe the pain.

I'm his first child.  And we spent many years together.  When I had my sons, the legacy of time and friendship continued.  He was included in everything my family did.

All of this is gone now.

When he isn't resentful of my presence – which he often considers an intrusion – then he's suspicious of why I'm there.

He's always concerned that he's going to get into trouble for not obeying "the rules."  Not rules, Dad – desperate attempts to help you.  Like use your walker ALL THE TIME to prevent the multiple falls you've had over the last few months.

My dad enjoys spending long lengths of time reminiscing.  However, many of his "facts" are based in a truth that he has manufactured.  His recollections are blurry at best.

He's told me that though he sees me now, he doesn't really remember me – because until recently, "he hadn’t seen me for 40 years."

My heart silently cries, "Dad, I was always there.  You were always there. I grew up with you.  My sons and I LIVED with you for many summers."

He argues with me that he was NOT home every night, as he thinks he was traveling all the time.  He seems to think that it was only my brother in all the home movies.  He's not sure who "that other girl" is.

My heart silently cries, "It was ME, Dad.  ME.  Your daughter…"

Yesterday he talked about family vacations.  He said he only remembered our family being there – so he didn't recall my presence.

My heart silently cried, "Dad, I am your family, too."

Sometimes he attaches my name to my face, but I can tell that there are only fleeting moments when he comprehends that I am related to him.  That I'm not just the "dark-haired woman who comes to see him from time to time."  

He doesn't remember me growing up in his household, nor the years that I worked for him at his business.   He doesn't remember things I did with him, nor things he did with my sons growing up.  He seems stunned that I remember so much.

"How do you know that?" he often asks.

I say, "Because I was there."

But my heart is silently screaming, "I WAS THERE!!!  ME.  SHARON. 
YOUR DAUGHTER!"

And though I feel frustrated, I know that underneath that feeling is a deep well of sorrow.  A pain that keeps on hurting.  And all that I can say and feel in my heart is the agonizing cry…


Dad, remember me?


It is brutal to accept that most of the time, perhaps all of the time, the answer to that question is no.  No, he doesn't remember me.

If Alzheimer's is the long, long goodbye – then being the daughter of that dreaded disease is an excruciatingly long, long grief.

It's like having a band-aid stuck to the hair on your arm.  And someone is pulling it off s-l-o-w-l-y…one hair at a time.

Every visit is a new puzzle piece missing, a new forgetting, a new denial of the truth of the past, a new stab to my heart.

I cry out…


DAD, REMEMBER ME??  

PLEASE remember me, please remember ME.


In some ways, it feels like I'm losing a bit of myself – like part of my identity and worth is being diminished.  Like somehow I'm getting sucked into his shadow of obscurity.

And if someday he looks at me and actually says, "Who are you?" – I feel like I might just shrivel up and die.

But…

There is another Someone.

A SOMEONE who was rejected and betrayed and forgotten by the people close to Him.  A SOMEONE who longed to be known and loved, but was often ignored and left by the wayside of life.  A SOMEONE who actually had his Father turn away when he needed Him the most.

A SOMEONE who suffered all that because He longed for me.

For ME, Sharon.  

For me, SHARON.

And lately I have heard His dear and kind and gentle Voice speaking to me.

He knows me.  He did before I was born, and He'll know me for eternity. He knows me better than I know myself.  He knows what I think and feel and say and do.  He knows where I am at all times.

He leads me during the day, and watches me through the night.

He hovers like a mother hen, and protects me with eagle wings.

My hairs are numbered, my tears are recorded, my heart is cherished…

…and I am NEVER forgotten nor forsaken, NEVER lost nor let go.

I am held tightly by the Hands that formed me.

And when I am crushed by the weight of Alzheimer's, when I am incredibly despondent over the long good-bye, when I am slashed by the wounds of grief…

When my heart silently cries out, "Dad, remember me?"

I hear HIM answer:

"Yes, dear child.  I remember YOU."


My dad may not remember me, and that is an earthly cross to bear indeed. But, because of the Someone who bore the cross for me, I have a Heavenly Father who is as close as my heartbeat, as near as a breath.

Do you get this???

In the midst of it all, when we feel forgotten or ignored or dismissed, rejected or betrayed, may we never forget this one incredible fact…

We are GREATLY loved.

I have now seen the One who sees me.

"'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart…'" (Jeremiah 1:5, NIV)

"How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!" (Psalm 139:17, NLT)

"But now thus says the LORD, he who created you…he who formed you…: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.'" (Isaiah 43:1, ESV)

"O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.  You know when I sit down or stand up.  You know my thoughts even when I'm far away.  You see me when I travel and when I rest at home.  You know everything I do.  You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD.  You go before me and follow me.  You place your hand of blessing on my head.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!  I can never escape from your Spirit!  I can never get away from your presence!" (Psalm 139:1-7, NLT)

"'I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.'" (John 10:28, NIV)

"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love.  No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39, NLT)


Have you felt forgotten lately?


Linked today with:

Joan at SHARING HIS BEAUTY
Michelle at HEAR IT ON SUNDAY, USE IT ON MONDAY
Hazel at TELL ME A TRUE STORY
Darlene at TITUS 2SDAY
Jen at UNITE
Tracy at WINSOME WEDNESDAY
Rachel at WHIMSICAL WEDNESDAYS
Shari at WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY
Laura at FAITH FILLED FRIDAY
Wanda at FRIDAY FIVE FELLOWSHIP
Charlotte at SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS
Barbie at WEEKEND BREW


BLOG ="Blessedly Leaning On God!"

"FAN THE FLAME" FRIDAY - Sorrow

Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.

This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)

Just a word and a question (or few)…just a little something to
"fan the flame" of your creativity!

And, to further fan those faith-filled flames (try saying that 10 times in a row!) – I'm adding my favorite devotional from the week!


Today's word: sorrow

What does the word sorrow mean to you?

Do you think there's such a thing as *good* sorrow?  If you do, how would you define that, and what things might lead to that feeling?

How might God use sorrow for His purposes?

How does God comfort you in times of sorrow?


I found so many good verses about sorrow this week - (yes, I know that sounds like an oxymoron) - that I had to post them all.  Hope you find encouragement in them:


"My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word." (Psalm 119:28, NIV)

"Those who have been ransomed by the LORD will return.  They will enter Jerusalemc singing, crowned with everlasting joy.  Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness." (Psalm 51:11, NLT)

"'I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them and exchange their sorrow for rejoicing.'" (Jeremiah 31:13, NLT)

"'So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.'" (John 16:22, ESV)

"'I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.'" (John 16:33, NLT)

"God himself will be with them.  He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.  And the one sitting on the throne said, 'Look, I am making everything new!'"  (Revelation 21:3-5, NLT) 


Let me know what you think!!        


DEVOTIONAL OF THE WEEK:

"To whom do you turn when you feel completely disheartened?  Turn to the Word of God and His commandments.  There you will find renewal...Even when you feel most discouraged, seek God's help to enable you to fully understand this truth: God knows about our discouragement and despair and He will handle every situation that comes our way."


*Lord, I weep with sorrow and despair.  Encourage me through Your Word.


"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:6-7)


(Devotional from: "Grace for Each Moment" Compiled by Kylie Munger from devotionals by Solly Ozrovech, c. 2008, Christian Art Gifts, RSA)


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

SOB STORY

OK, I just wanna know…

Is there anyone else out there who feels like they could just crawl up into a corner and sob their eyes out?

For no particular reason?

Most of the time I can pinpoint some sort of "event" that precipitates a crying jag.  But sometimes my emotions just plain baffle me.

Like tonight.

Tears have been threatening to spill over all day long.  Sure, I'm a bit overtired, a bit overwhelmed, a bit overwrought.  But honestly, what is the deal?

Female feelings are fickle things.

They can be *up* and *down* and all over the place – often in the very same day.  And it doesn't seem to me that menopause has "cured" any of it.  

Holly Hormone and her bossy band of various insanities still rule many days.

So, here I am tonight.

Weepy – sitting next to a box of Kleenex.

Does anyone understand?

I'm thinking that I'm not alone.

But I'm also thinking about Someone else who cried.

When I was a little girl, I remember learning about the Bible.  I liked learning about all the little *trivia* things about it.  Like how the longest book in the Bible is Psalms, and the shortest is 2 John.

I remember learning that the shortest verse in the Bible is John 11:35:

"Jesus wept."

At the time I thought that was kinda cool. 

But now I'm thinking – oh wow, Jesus actually cried...

...just like me.

That really is an amazing thing.

First of all, Jesus' body made actual tears.  Salty, drippy tears.  Tears manufactured in a body that was human – totally. 

Second, Jesus cried because He experienced emotions.  Real, strong emotions.  Emotions felt in a heart that was human – totally.

And you know what's so VERY cool about that?

The fact that the God of the Universe cries.

I've heard various *theories* about why He cried.  He was sad that his friend, Lazarus, had died.  He was moved by the grief of others.  He was frustrated with their unbelief.  He was chagrined that He would have to bring Lazarus from a place of peace back to this fallen world, only for him to have to die again at some point.  He was grief-stricken at the sorrow sin brings.

But, for me, it doesn't really matter WHY He wept – what matters to me is THAT He wept.

I don't know – that just gives me a warm feeling.

Am I happy that God feels sad or heartbroken sometimes – (and often at my expense)?

Of course not!

I'm just glad that He feels...

It is so very comforting to have a God who understands.

And in that very shortest verse in the Bible – Jesus wept – I think the entire Gospel can be found.

Think about it.

God saw His beloved creatures, He saw their lostness, their helplessness, and it touched His heart deeply.  So deeply that He did something about it.

Yeah, those tears represent a God who CARED.

So, here I am sitting in my little corner, feeling like crying for no particular reason.  Feeling a little lost in my emotions, a little isolated.

But not alone.

Jesus wept.

So He knows.  He gets it.

He gets me.

OK, now I'm shedding tears of joy at how very deeply I am loved.

Hand me some more Kleenex…

Not a teardrop goes unnoticed. 

"You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book." (Psalm 56:8, NLT)

"Hear my prayer, LORD, listen to my cry for help; do not be deaf to my weeping." (Psalm 39:12, NIV)

'"This is what the LORD…says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will heal you…'" (2 Kings 20:5, NLT)

How are you comforted by the truth that Jesus wept?

Linked today:

Joan at SHARING HIS BEAUTY
Michelle at HEAR IT ON SUNDAY, USE IT ON MONDAY
Hazel at TELL ME A TRUE STORY
Jen at UNITE
Darlene at TITUS 2SDAY
Tracy at WINSOME WEDNESDAY
Shari at WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY
Rachel at WHIMSICAL WEDNESDAYS
Laura at FAITH FILLED FRIDAY
Wanda at FRIDAY FIVE FELLOWSHIP
Charlotte at SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS
Barbie at WEEKEND BREW

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

"FAN THE FLAME" FRIDAY - Delight

Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.

This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)

Just a word and a question (or few)…just a little something to
"fan the flame" of your creativity!

And, to further fan those faith-filled flames (try saying that 10 times in a row!) – I'm adding my favorite devotional from the week!


Today's word: delight

What does the word delight mean to you?

What does it mean to you that God takes delight in you personally?

What are the things that impede your ability (or desire) to accept God's delight?

How might we take greater delight in God?


"The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17, NIV)

"...the LORD's delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love." (Psalm 147:11, NLT)

"Surely then you will find delight in the Almighty and will lift up your face to God." (Job 22:26, NIV)

"Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4, NLT)


Let me know what you think!!        


DEVOTIONAL OF THE WEEK:

Re: The story of Jesus meeting Zacchaeus

"What an amazing glimpse of Jesus' approach with each of us.  He knows us and calls us by name.  He invites us to come to him and know him, and then he goes with us.  Jesus always personalizes his invitations...The details may change, but the work Jesus offers to do in any life is the same work he accomplished for Zacchaeus."


*Seek a greater intimacy with Jesus, who knows us so well.


"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:6-7)


(Devotional from: "Life Application Study Bible Devotional - The Gospels" by Dave Veerman and Neil Wilson, c. 2011, Livingstone Corporation)


(SIDENOTE:  Another wildfire is raging out of control.  Not as close as the one that forced our evacuation last month, but definitely way too close for comfort.  One side of our highway out of town is completely closed again. Many people have already lost their homes, and there have been injuries. 

Pray, oh warriors, pray)


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

CHIPPIE THE MUNK

One of the things that I love so much about my mountain home is how close we live to nature.

The deer, the bobcats, the hawks, the squirrels, the blue jays, the woodpeckers – the rattlesnakes and lizards…(uh, not so much).

But, my favorite creatures are the chipmunks.

And starting a couple of months ago, I have had a steady visitor.

It began with a visit from Mom Munk, and three of her precious offspring.  I so enjoyed watching them scamper all over the backyard.  (We have this one picture window that looks out on the valley, and it has become my *television* for the natural world).

Well, after a couple of weeks, I only saw the three *teenagers* coming by to visit.

And now, it is just one guy – whom I have named (naturally) – Chippie the Munk.

He usually comes out in the late afternoon – around 4 or 5.  Some days, though, he mixes it up and shows up in the middle of the day.

I love watching him.

He scurries all over.  Sometimes he's digging up food in the dirt. Sometimes he's running all over a tree stump.  Sometimes he's gnawing at something – probably trying to keep those incisors in check!

Then, after a while, he runs over to a cement landing we have outside one of our doors, and makes a flying leap to the nearby tree.  This is the part that completely cracks me up!  It's about a 3-foot jump – and Chippie looks hysterical flying through the air!

I think he's channeling his inner "Rocky, the Flying Squirrel."

I wonder where he is during the day – I wonder where he goes at night.

He sure is cute, and I've become rather attached to him.  I actually worried about him during the recent wildfire we had up here.  Would he still be here when we got home?  Yup, he is.

One day as I sat watching him, I got to thinking about creation.  About all the wonderful things that God has created.  Especially the animals.  I am so intrigued by their variations, and the way they develop physically to help them adapt to the environment.  I am fascinated by their habits, and their instincts.  I can sit enthralled wondering what they're thinking and feeling.

How each creature is unique.

(For instance, I just learned last week that a dog's noseprint is as unique as a human's fingerprint!  Yup, no two are alike.  Did you know that??)

All created for God's glory.

God knows each individual creature that He made.  Every single one.  He knows where they are during the day, and He knows where they sleep at night.  He gave them their unique coloring, and abilities, and adaptations, and instincts.  He created them…

JUST. THE. WAY. THEY. WERE. MEANT. TO. BE.


So, if God is such a perfect Creator – and He knows His creation intimately – how come I have such trouble with ME?

Seriously.

I can't tell you the many times that I have bemoaned the way I am.

If it isn't physical stuff, then it's emotional stuff.

Why am I short?  Why was I born with allergies?   Why do I get headaches all the time?  Why am I prone to arthritis in my neck?  On and on and on…

Why do I have such trouble with anxiety?  Why am I so sensitive?  Why do I cry so easily?  Why am I self-conscious?  On and on and on…

A thousand *why's* to assault the King's ears.

All questioning the way HE chose to make me.

Sure, there is a danger in becoming complacent in who we are or what we look like.  Not all changes we try to make are bad, after all.

Eating a healthier diet, or trying to lose some dangerous weight = good things.

Myopically fixating on one's appearance?  Not so good.

Trying to become more emotionally mature, or attempting to overcome weaknesses = good things.

Chastising and condemning oneself about personal foibles?  Not so good.

Yes, I believe we are called to be diligent in taking care of our bodies, and it's not a good idea to make excuses for behavioral or emotional changes we need to make.

But, it's also REALLY not good to put ourselves down all the time.

We are fearfully and wonderfully made – and we need to gain a greater appreciation for that Truth.

So, as I watched Chippie the Munk the other day – out there just doing his God-ordained thing – I really stopped and thought about it all.

God knows what He's doing.

He did – way back in the beginning when He created Creation.  And way back in the slightly-sooner-than-the-beginning when He created me…

JUST. THE. WAY. I. WAS. MEANT. TO. BE.

Can I learn to embrace who God created me to be?

Can you?


Chippie the Munk might have a thing to say to us about it all.  I think he knows the secret to just being a chipmunk.

I think God has a lot to teach us about just being who we are.

Imperfect bodies – being renewed through His Son.

Imperfect minds – being transformed by the Spirit.

Imperfect hearts – being restored to righteousness.

Imperfect humans – who will one day be joined in perfect harmony, perfect unity, perfect PERFECTION, in His eternal Kingdom.

OK, that's really good news.


So, Chippie, as I watch you and take delight in you being a chipmunk – I'm also going to picture God watching me.  

I'm going to think about Him smiling at how much He enjoys me.  

Loving me for who I am.  

Taking delight in me being me…


…just the way He made me.

Chippie the Munk

Master of Antics, Hijinks, and Shenanigans

(For Chippie):  "Then God said, 'Let the earth produce every sort of animal, each producing offspring of the same kind—livestock, small animals that scurry along the ground, and wild animals.' And that is what happened.  God made all sorts of wild animals, livestock, and small animals, each able to produce offspring of the same kind. And God saw that it was good." 
(Genesis 1:24-25, NLT)

(For Us):  "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.  Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.  How precious to me are your thoughts, God!  How vast is the sum of them!" 
(Psalm 139:13-17, NIV)


Do you find it hard or easy to accept the way God made you?  Why?


Linked today with:

Joan at SHARING HIS BEAUTY
Michelle at HEAR IT ON SUNDAY, USE IT ON MONDAY
Hazel at TELL ME A TRUE STORY
Darlene at TITUS 2SDAY
Jen at UNITE
Tracy at WINSOME WEDNESDAY
Jenifer at WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY
Rachel at WHIMSICAL WEDNESDAYS
Wanda at FRIDAY FIVE FELLOWSHIP
Laura at FAITH FILLED FRIDAY
Charlotte at SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS
Barbie at WEEKEND BREW


BLOG = “Blessedly Leaning On God!”

"FAN THE FLAME" FRIDAY - Content

Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.

This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)

Just a word and a question (or few)…just a little something to
"fan the flame" of your creativity!

And, to further fan those faith-filled flames (try saying that 10 times in a row!) – I'm adding my favorite devotional from the week!


Today's word: content

What does the word content mean to you?

Why do you think it's so hard to be content in this world?

Do you think you are a content person?  Why or why not?

How might we learn to be more content with people, possessions, finances, circumstances, abilities - (fill in the blank)?


"Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:10, NASB)

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all this through him who gives me strength." 
(Philippians 4:11-13, NIV)


Let me know what you think!!        


DEVOTIONAL OF THE WEEK:

"How I desire a simpler life!  Material things so quickly ensnare me...I need to pursue simplicity...Help me to develop the right attitudes.  May I develop thankfulness...[finding] delight in everything.  May I trust that my life and everything about it is ultimately under your care, not my own...[Free me] from anxiety and worry...Teach me to hold things loosely...[Help me] live a life of simplicity, focused on you."


*Teach me the secret of contentment - to want what I have.


"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:6-7)


(Devotional from: "365 Pocket Prayers for Women" by Ronald A. Beers, c. 2011, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.)

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BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"