HOW I GOT STARTED BLOGGING

Blogging.

Some people take to it like a duck takes to water.

Me?

Not so much.

In fact, I would call myself a most reluctant blogger.

At least in the beginning.

It's kind of an interesting story.  

Would you like to hear it?


In 2010 I decided to take a class on speaking.

A woman who used to be in my Bible Study group was teaching it.  She had a lot of experience in speaking – at conferences, retreats, ladies' groups, luncheons, etc.

Actually, I had never even considered taking the class until my Bible Study leader, a good friend, suggested it.

Well, more than suggested it.

She said, "God told me to tell you to take the class."

I believe that God talks to us, bubbles up His thoughts in our spirits.

And so, I believe that He did indeed lay this message upon her heart.

However, I wasn't quite so sure that He was speaking the same message to me!

So I used the proper *Christian* response when we don't really want to do something – "I'll pray about it."

But here's the thing.

The more I prayed about it, the more I started hearing the same thing!

Which was crazy!!

You see, I remember the 12 weeks our group had spent listening to this woman's "speaking class travails."  She cried, she was nervous, she felt inadequate, she felt overwhelmed.  Every week she asked us to pray for her as she prepared for the class, as she wrote another speech.

And then she would report to us how difficult it was to be critiqued.

Well, with this enthusiastic endorsement of the class, who wouldn't be eager to sign up?!

Me.

But, I kept hearing the Lord telling me He wanted me to do it.

And so, I did.

Yes, the whole experience was really difficult.  I also cried, felt nervous, inadequate, and overwhelmed.  I also found it emotionally excruciating to be critiqued.  And I asked for prayer every week.

In the end, though, God gave me a life-changing experience through the process.

And this speaking class was the springboard into blogging.

Here's the story on that…


About halfway through the class, our teacher told us about a Writer's Conference that was being held at a local church.  She highly recommended that we attend, as good writing is a crucial step toward good speaking.

One of the other ladies in the class and I decided to go.

We were so excited.

The morning of the conference, we got all dressed up in what we thought made us look like *real* writers.  We brought all our important note-taking stuff.  We practiced serious faces.

We loved the initial mix-and-mingle buzz in the room.

Then, just before the keynote speaker's presentation, my friend went to the restroom.

And promptly came back with another woman in tow.  (I think we women have a knack for making instant personal friends anywhere!!)

"Look who I met!  This woman goes to my church, and she's going to join us!"

Well, that was fine with me.

And so, the three of us immediately became fast friends.

Later that afternoon, there were breakout sessions – individual seminars on all sorts of topics.  My two friends decided to go to the one that was all about blogging.

Nothing was less interesting to me than blogging.

I was and am not a social media girl.

At the time, I did not even own an updated cell phone.

And even the word *blog* bugged me to death – I couldn't even say the word without a "teenage valley girl" inflection in my voice:

"Hi, I'm Sharon.  I, um, like, live in Southern California.  I totally love walking on the beach, like, it's awesome.  I'm a Taurus, like, that means I'm ornery, whatever that means.  Hee, hee.  Oh yeah, and I, um, I blog.  Ciao!"

So I politely told my friends that I couldn't care less about blogging, it had zero appeal to me, and I'd catch up to them later.

That's when I went off by myself and had a good ol' meltdown.

I talked to my husband.  

I talked to my sons.  

And I finally talked to God.

I told Him how lost I felt, like I had no purpose.  I told Him how I didn't feel like I was good at anything.  The speaking class was terribly hard, and I wasn't doing anything with my writing either.

I told Him how useless I felt.

No thunderbolts.  No whirlwind.  No burning bush.  

No startling revelations.

But, I did feel a nudge.

"Go join your friends."

I wasted some more time, because I did not want to go hear anything about stupid blogging, Lord, thank you very much.

But, considering the fact that passersby were beginning to look at me weird, I decided to gather myself and move on.

Because, after all, who wants to see a sobbing woman in the lobby at a Writer's Conference??  ("Wow.  That must have been a tough rejection letter…")

I (reluctantly, unwillingly, grudgingly) joined my friends just in time for the tail end of the blogging seminar.  But, instead of listening, I doodled and sniffled and muttered under my breath...

"This is so NOT me."


A couple of months later, my friend – the crazy extrovert who makes lifelong friends in the bathroom – had started her own blog, and was applying lots of fervent pressure on me to do the same.

Finally, I allowed her to open an account for me.

"You've got to pick a name for your blog," she gushed.  "Something fun and catchy."

Fun and catchy.  

Not exactly my forte.

But I finally came up with something I liked…

Sharon Sharing God.

I thought of it because if I was going to attempt blogging, it was going to be all about God!  This was my whole desire – to serve Him in my writing and in my life.  And I liked the little wordplay of sound-alike "Sharon Sharing."

Who could have known that six long years later, I would be the only person still blogging?!

Well, God did.

The irony does not escape me.

Me, the most reluctant blogger, still at it and still enjoying it!

Blog Land is where I belong.

I have found it to be a place of comfort and inspiration.  A place to connect and make real friends.  A place for God to use His words through me to help others.

A place to wrestle with my own faith, and an avenue to encourage others in theirs.

My blogging has evolved.

I can see how my writing has changed.  How my format has changed.  How God has developed something that I am truly blessed by.  (If you're interested, my first blog post can be found here).

And, after all is said and done, God has taught me a thing or two through this blogging journey!!


1.  Be careful what you say *no* to!

God has a sense of humor.  I'm convinced of it.  And He is at His funniest when He brings to our lives the very last thing we want.  Not troubles or trials, but opportunities that we think we will *never* do.  It is much better to really and truly pray about these things, for they just may be the very moment that God has planned for us all along.


2.  Listen to your friends.

There are times when our friends are invaluable conduits for what God wants to say to us.  They can encourage and cajole us, prod and coax us, counsel and advise us.  And sometimes, they really do hear from the Lord, and can speak a message into our lives.  Sometimes they can be wrong – but if they're saying the same thing that the Holy Spirit has been niggling you about, well, I'd pay attention!


3.  Sometimes God knows us better than we know ourselves.

Sometimes we may think that we'd never be good at something, it just isn't "our thing."  But, God knows our hearts, and He knows how He made us.  And the very thing we don't consider as a possibility may be just the thing that allows us to blossom in our faith.  God wants to use our unique talents and abilities, and He knows best what they are.  He knows the shape and color of our threads.  Let's trust Him to weave us into the place that we belong.


4.  God likes to take us out of our comfort zones.

Growth happens when we are stretched.  When we reach a point where we cannot do something on our own.  God loves to step into those moments.  He often opens opportunities for us that make us feel inadequate or unprepared for.  This is when He shines!  He delights in giving us strength in our weakness, power in our feebleness, and comfort when we're out of our comfort zones.


5.  God delights in showing us His purposes.

I marvel at the fact that if I had kept saying no to God's invitation into blogging, I would never have discovered some of His purpose for me.  God wanted me to write, and He knew how much it would fulfill me, while at the same time fulfilling His purpose for me.  If you truly want to serve the Lord, be ready for Him to show you what that looks like.  And be willing to venture forth, even if it doesn't look like what you thought it would look like!  God has given each of us spiritual gifts, and He enjoys revealing them to us and through us to others.  And no one cheers louder than Him when we use them for His glory!


So, there you have it – my blogging autobiography.

It's been quite a journey.

A journey I never expected taking in the first place.

But God…

God had an idea.

He had something He wanted me to do.  

And He found a way to get me to do it.


Sharon Sharing God.

I can still hear Him chuckling…



How did you start blogging?

I write because the words
burst forth from
within me.

And God is faithful
to keep filling me
with
His words. 

SSG Blog Trivia: I usually tell people that I have an online devotional.  I guess I still haven't made peace with the word *blog* – though I have coined this tagline – which you'll see at the end of all my blog posts:

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

Fun and catchy, huh?!



"Everyone who is called by My name, and whom I have created for My glory, whom I have formed, even whom I have made." (Isaiah 43:7, NASB)

"For we are God's masterpiece.  He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:10, NLT)

"For God's gifts and his call can never be withdrawn." (Romans 11:29, NLT)

"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.  There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.  There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work." 
(1 Corinthians 12:4-6, NIV)

"As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart.  Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do…" (Ephesians 6:6-8, NLT)

"Therefore I…beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God." (Ephesians 4:1, NLT)

"…for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." (Philippians 2:13, NIV)

"…may he equip you with all you need for doing his will.  May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him.  All glory to him forever and ever!  Amen." (Hebrews 13:21, NLT)

"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14, NIV)

"…my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus – the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God." (Acts 20:24, NLT)

"The master was full of praise.  'Well done, my good and faithful servant.  You have been faithful…'" (Matthew 25:21, NLT)



Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, MONDAY OF MANY BLESSINGS, THANK GOODNESS IT'S MONDAY, THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS, MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAY, MUSING MONDAYS, MODEST MONDAY, MOTIVATION MONDAY, INSPIRE ME MONDAY, LIVING PROVERBS, REFLECT LINKUP, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS, UNITE LINKUP, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TUESDAY TALK, RA RA LINKUP, TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD, INTENTIONAL TUESDAY, WISE WOMAN, THE HOMEMAKING PARTY, TELL HIS STORY, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, WOMEN WITH INTENTION, WAITING ON WEDNESDAY, SITTING AMONG FRIENDS, WEDDED WEDNESDAY, THE LOFT LINKUP, ONE WORD COFFEE, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, GRACE MOMENTS, THANKFUL THURSDAYS, THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS, LIVE FREE THURSDAY, PARTY AT MY PLACE, SHINE BLOG HOP, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, GRACE AT HOME, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, COZY READING SPOT, NO RULES WEEKEND BLOG PARTY, 100 HAPPY DAYS, BLOGGER SPOTLIGHT PARTY, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, FAITH 'N FRIENDS, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, GRACE & TRUTH, DANCE WITH JESUS, TGI SATURDAYS, FAMILY, FRIENDSHIP & FAITH, WEEKEND WIND DOWN PARTY, LET US GROW, WORD OF GOD SPEAK, SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY, GIVE ME GRACE, SOCIAL BUTTERFLY SUNDAY




BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

SPILL THE BEANS

Spill the beans.

Blab.

Blurt.

Blather.

Yes, I have been guilty of spilling the beans.

But let me be perfectly clear here.  I am not talking about sharing secrets or confidences.

No way.  

I am eminently trustworthy with private conversations, vulnerable feelings, honest thoughts.

I will not betray a person's faith in me.

And I will not be the one to burst the bubble of a surprise party, gift, or announcement.

So, I'm not talking about that.

It's more that I just don't think sometimes, and something slips out that probably wasn't the best thing to say.

You see, I suffer from "foot-in-mouth disease."

I can't tell you the number of times I've said something, and then realized what I've said, and wished that I could rewind my words.

For instance, I am a walking, human spoiler alert at times.

Like how I ruined the movie Armageddon for my older son (SPOILER ALERT!):

"It's so sad when Bruce Willis dies at the end of the movie."

Or how I ruined the movie Sixth Sense for my youngest son (SPOILER ALERT!):

"It's so weird how Bruce Willis is really dead at the end of the movie."

(Honestly, what is it about Bruce Willis and me??  In my defense, I thought both of my sons had already seen these movies).

I've also been known to tell my oldest son the score of a game, only to find out that he hadn't seen the game yet.

"Did you see that comeback in the third period?  WOW!"

"No, Mom, I taped it.  Thanks."

Sigh.


I also seem to tell everyone way too much about my personal life.

My sons tease me about how often I make *a close personal friend in less than five minutes.*

I think some of the teasing is good-natured, and comes from their admiration of my openness and vulnerability.  But sometimes, I think they believe that I should be a little more circumspect in what I share!

And I can't begin to recount the all-too-many times that I've said something in anger, in the heat of the moment, only to realize that I didn't really mean it.

So, if spilling the beans means upturning a pot of beans and making a big 'ol mess, yeah, I've done it…

No wonder we are admonished to *tame the tongue!*


I got to thinking about this…

As I read in the New Testament, it's interesting that there are several instances when Jesus performs a miracle, and then cautions people not to tell others about it.

It never worked.

People always told.

But why didn't Jesus want it told?

What were His reasons for wanting silence?


In my research, I've come upon two good reasons:

First, if news of Jesus' healings and miracles became widely known, His movements would become hindered.

Can you imagine the excitement generated by what Jesus did?  And how much attention this brought Jesus?

And how much this newfound *celebrity* would inhibit Him on His mission?

Indeed, this is exactly what happened:

"As a result, large crowds soon surrounded Jesus, and he couldn't publicly enter a town anywhere.  He had to stay out in the secluded places, but people from everywhere kept coming to him." (Mark 1:45, NLT)


Secondly, Jesus was undoubtedly concerned that news of His miracles would distract and detract from His mission.  Instead of coming to Jesus for His message, many would be attracted to Him solely for the miracles He performed.

They would be less interested in finding truth than in viewing a "show."

Dazzled by having their physical problems solved, they would concentrate on that instead of their spiritual need – the forgiveness of sins.

They would become like King Herod:

"Herod was delighted at the opportunity to see Jesus, because he had heard about him and had been hoping for a long time to see him perform a miracle." (Luke 23:8, NLT)

Or like everyone else:

"Jesus asked, 'Will you never believe in me unless you see miraculous signs and wonders?'" (John 4:48, NLT)


So, there was a time when Jesus counseled against "spilling the beans."

And people disobeyed.

However, at the end of His time on earth, Jesus gave a completely different message.

He commissioned His disciples to go and tell the world about Him:

"And then he told them, 'Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.'" (Mark 16:15, NLT)


I think about this.

You know, He was talking to us, too.

The Great Commission was given to ALL His followers.

How are we doing?

Sometimes we've been known to disobey these words, too.

We've kept the message to ourselves, bypassed opportunities to speak truth, or melted into a corner when people start castigating "religious" people.

(At least I've done this – have you?)

But we can't afford to be silent.

Jesus wants to be known.

For who He truly is – the Living Son of God.

Jesus did not come to this world to be a performing puppet.  He wasn't a circus entertainer or a showman.  Not a magician or a conjurer.

Certainly not a vending machine to fulfill our endless requests.

He didn't come for our purposes.

He came to save us.

And now, as His hands and feet, He calls us to spread His Gospel – the very Good News of who He is, what happened when He was here on earth, and why He did what He did.


We're so human, aren't we?

We're told to keep quiet – and we open our mouths.

We're told to speak out – and we close our mouths.

Oh, how we need the Holy Spirit's discernment and His power.

We need to be told when it's wisest to keep silent, and then to obey.

And we need to be told when it's wisest to speak out, and then to obey.


I'm asking for the Lord to help me in this area.

I want to *tame my tongue* – and use it properly for His purposes.

But, as far as spreading the message of His salvation?

Well, I can hear Him saying to me…

"Go on!  Spill the beans!!"



Are you boldly taking opportunities to share the Gospel?

Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills
and everywhere -
Go, tell it on the mountain
that Jesus Christ
is born.


(Written by John Wesley Work, Jr.) 

"'I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept his claim to be God.  That is the one thing we must not say.  A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher.  He would either be a lunatic – on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg – or else he would be the Devil of Hell.  You must make your choice.  Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse.  You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher.  He has not left that open to us.  He did not intend to." 

(C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity)



"When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, 'Who do people say the Son of Man is?'
They replied, 'Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.'
'But what about you?' he asked.  'Who do you say I am?'
Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.'
Jesus replied, 'Blessed are you…'" 

(Matthew 16:13-17, NIV)


"'But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.  And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere…to the ends of the earth.'" (Acts 1:8, NLT)

"With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.  And God's grace was so powerfully at work in them all…" 
(Acts 4:33, NIV)

"Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.  Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world." 
(Isaiah 12:4-5, NIV)

"…'Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.'  But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him?  And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him?  And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?  And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent?  That is why the Scriptures say, 'How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!'" (Romans 10:13-15, NLT)

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith…" (Romans 1:16-17, NASB)

"I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom: Preach the word of God.  Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not." (2 Timothy 4:1-2, NLT)

"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." (1 Peter 3:15, NIV)

"'Now go!  I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.'" (Exodus 4:12, NLT)

"'God will give you the right words at the right time.  For it is not you who will be speaking – it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.'" (Matthew 10:19-20, NLT)

"'And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.'" (Matthew 24:14, NLT)




Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, MONDAY OF MANY BLESSINGS, THANK GOODNESS IT'S MONDAY, THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS, MAKING YOUR HOME SING MONDAY, MUSING MONDAY, MODEST MONDAY, MOTIVATION MONDAY, INSPIRE ME MONDAY, LIVING PROVERBS, REFLECT LINKUP, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, UNITE LINKUP, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TUESDAY TALK, RA RA LINKUP, TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD, INTENTIONAL TUESDAY, TITUS 2SDAY, WISE WOMAN, THE HOMEMAKING PARTY, TELL HIS STORY, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, WOMEN WITH INTENTION, WAITING ON WEDNESDAY 
(The last few days have been so busy, and I've not been feeling well.  So, if I joined your blog hop/link party and didn't reference you here this week, I apologize.  I'll be back on track next week.  Thanks!)


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

I'M SPEECHLESS

Speechless.

I know, I'll bet you never thought you'd hear that word come out of my mouth (irony intended).

My family agrees.

In fact, "The Hub" just went out the front door and declared, "Yup.  I definitely see pigs flying."

At a loss for words.

Seems downright impossible for me, doesn't it?

Sometimes being speechless is a good thing.  It can arrive in a moment when we are confronted with great beauty of some sort, some wonderful act of love, or some unbelievably impossible thing being accomplished.

For example, I've been struck speechless at the sight of a beautiful sunset.  Or upon receiving a gift that overwhelmed me.  Or at the unbelievably impossible sight of ten less pounds on the scale.

These are good times to be speechless.

But then, there are other times when words won't/don't/can't flow freely because we are overwhelmed with other not-so-good feelings.

Like the past week of craziness in my life.

I was off-the-hill for my monthly visit to my family and to take care of my mom.  When I go down there, I live with her, do errands, visit my sons and my daughter-in-law (and Marty!), and race around to accomplish a myriad of other *in-town things* that aren't easily done when I'm home in the mountains.

Some visits are great.  Others are, well, challenging.


So, here's the list of insanity that was my week:

1.  Son #2's truck died.  I had to drive him back and forth to work for five days (and he likes to be up-and-running at 6:00 AM).  Brought back memories of middle-school, which wasn't necessarily pleasant for either one of us.

2.  Taxes – need I say more?

3.  Well, I will say more.  Our accountant made a mistake on our taxes (to be fair, the computer did something wrong).  At any rate, I caught the mistake and it was fairly easy to fix, but it required another trip back-and-forth to his office (I made a total of three - total driving time: three hours).

4.  OK, and one more thing.  Let's just say that Uncle Sam doesn't owe us any money this year.

5.  Went to mail all the above-mentioned taxes, including property taxes – (which are also due in April, making this month a real wallet-buster) – and was confronted with a huge line.  (Like a thousand people at least).

6.  Upon entering, one guy was yelling at a postal authority.  He was really angry, really loud, and it was scary.  I was afraid that this guy was going to go crazy and start hurting people.  Especially when he started "stamping" his feet.

7.  As I'm filling out some paperwork, I notice a package next to me.  I ask the guy closest to the package, "Is this yours?"  He says no.  So, I checked the address.  It was being sent to "SHIPPING DEPARTMENT" and had a weird return name and address.  Thinking it could be something dangerous, I picked it up and turned it in.  It was really, really heavy.  Only later did I stop to think that if it had been something dangerous, like a bomb, I would have set it off.  Helpful, but dumb.

8.  I went to two places to find the nutritional drink that my mom likes for breakfast.  Yup, they were all sold out.  And, the place where we used to buy it no longer carries it.  Can you say: Certain Valueless Store.

9.  When I stay with Mom, I use the powder room instead of her bathroom. This trip the sink plugged up and would not respond to anything.  And then, the toilet plugged up, too.  I plunged myself to China, no luck.  Looks like it's Plumber Time (not to be confused with "Hammer Time" – though I was dangerously close to resorting to that!)

10.  One night at my mom's I was awakened by rather startling noises just outside the house.  Squealing, snarling, growling, banging around on the wall. I decided that midnight was NOT a good time to investigate whatever Freddy Krueger was up to.  Story to be continued…

11.  The morning of the day I was leaving to come home, I noticed that several large cormorants (birds) had graciously used my mom's dock for a bathroom.  I decided to be a champ and hose it off.  

12.  As I was walking down the outside stairs to the patio, I came upon Freddy Krueger's *scene of the crime.*  There was blood everywhere (fortunately, no carcasses).  I saw little raccoon footprints.  I'm afraid that some roof rat probably lost this "cage match" confrontation.  It was so gross.

13.  Stepped around the mess for the time being.  After all, I had poop to clean up.  Well, wouldn't you know it, the hose on the dock had a leak and I got sprayed with water.  Then I couldn't get any water pressure.  There was another hose at the side of the house – and yes, it was right next to the Elm Street massacre.

14.  Hosed off most of the blood.  Then pulled out the hose to full length.  It didn't fully reach the dock.  So, though I wasn't really able to get rid of the excrement, I did a fine job of re-wetting it.

15.  I finally managed to pack and leave my mom's, and decided that I truly deserved a treat for my most terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad week.  I decided that I deserved a Big Mac.  On my way home, I stopped in and ordered one.  Anxious to get home, I decided that my lap would make a good tray.

16.  Laps are not good trays.

17.  As I was trying to steer out of the parking lot with one hand, and attempting to pick up my burger with the other hand, I proceeded to flip the entire thing over the side of my seat.

18.  I opened the door to discover that two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun were delightfully arrayed all over the side of the seat, the floor, and the door of my car.  Not to mention my lap (tray).  Cleanup on aisle Sharon.

19.  Did I drive off at this point, you ask??  Oh no!  C'mon people, I deserved that burger!  Went through the drive-through and got another one.  And a chocolate chip cookie, which I decided I really deserved.

20.  Made it home finally, after 2 hours and 45 minutes of driving because I had bumper-to-bumper traffic for a while – on a Saturday.  Evidently some Las Vegas and San Diego travelers don't leave until 3:00 in the afternoon on Saturday??  Or a bunch of people decided to pull a flash mob just for my benefit.  (Definition of flash mob: a group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual and seemingly pointless act for a brief time, before quickly dispersing.  Sounds like most of Southern California freeway driving – except for the quickly dispersing part).


I hope you've had a chuckle at my mishaps.  But truly, that last incident with the Big Mac was kinda the final straw.  And though this week was full of little stuff, there are other bigger issues and concerns that rumble through my mind all the time lately.  So often I find myself looking to the sky with my hands raised and no words upon my lips.

I am finding that my prayers can't keep up with my feelings.

Do you ever get like that?

Sometimes the only prayer I can utter is, "Lord, You know…"

I was talking to a good friend the other day.  She's fighting cancer – and to make matters worse, she just found out the brakes on her car are worn out. We were commiserating about the times when we feel so inundated with *life* that we cannot find adequate words to say.

And I reminded her of these most powerful verses:

"In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." (Romans 8:26-27, NASB)


I'd like to make two points about these verses:

One, we are listened to and heard.  Even when our prayers are not lengthy, particularly "pious," or well-worded, God still bends down to catch every single thing we say.  And, He even hears the feelings underneath the words.

Two, when we don't know what is the right thing to pray for, when we are at a loss for words, we can be assured that intercessory prayers are being offered in perfect alignment with the will of God.  Isn't that wonderful?!  Lately I have felt tremendous relief knowing that when I cannot express my feelings, I can rely on Someone else to fill in the blanks.

The Holy Spirit is a good friend indeed.

Finally, I'd like to add the verse immediately preceding these verses in Romans, and the one following them.  It is very powerful context.

Verse 25: "But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it."

Verse 28: "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."


Do you see the *faith sandwich* here?

Bread: If we have hope, and hang on to it with perseverance, we will also learn how to wait...with eager anticipation.

Meat: The Spirit helps us in our weakness, interceding for us in perfect alignment with God's perfect will.

Cheese: The Spirit searches our hearts and expresses our thoughts and feelings with groanings that are too deep for words.  In other words, when we can't speak, He does.

Bread: Knowing we are heard, knowing that the Spirit aids us in our prayers, and holding on to the hope that we have, we can now be assured by the Truth that all things work together for God’s good purposes.


That, my friends, is blessed assurance.

And at the wonder of these verses, the fullness of these promises, I am left…

…speechless!

Well,
shut my mouth! 

"Though the infirmities of Christians are many and great, so that they would be overpowered if left to themselves, yet the Holy Spirit supports them.  The Spirit, as an enlightening Spirit, teaches us what to pray for; as a sanctifying Spirit, works and stirs up praying graces; as a comforting Spirit, silences our fears, and helps us over all discouragements.  The Holy Spirit is the spring of all desires toward God, which are often more than words can utter.  The Spirit who searches the hearts, can perceive the mind and will of the spirit, the renewed mind, and advocates his cause.  The Spirit makes intercession to God, and the enemy prevails not."  (From commentary by Matthew Henry)



"[Jesus speaking]: 'I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him.  You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.'" (John 14:16-17, ESV)

"'When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.  He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.'" (John 16:13-14, ESV)

"'…when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative – that is, the Holy Spirit – he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.'" (John 14:26, NLT)

"For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.  For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him?  Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God.  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words." (1 Corinthians 2:10-13, NASB)

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests." (Ephesians 6:18, NIV)

"'…do not worry about what to say or how to say it.  At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.'" (Matthew 10:19-20, NIV)

"…because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, 'Abba, Father.'  Now you are no longer a slave but God's own child.  And since you are his child, God has made you his heir." (Galatians 4:6-7, NLT)

"When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession – to the praise of his glory." 

(Ephesians 1:13-14, NIV)

"…build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life.  In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God's love." 
(Jude 1:20-21, NLT)



Are you speechless today?  How does trusting the Holy Spirit's intervention on your behalf bring comfort to your soul?



Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, PLAYDATES WITH GOD, SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, MAKE A DIFFERENCE MONDAYS, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, MOTIVATE & REJUVENATE MONDAYS, A GRATEFUL HEART, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, SOLI DEO GLORIA, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, UNITE, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS, TUESDAY TALK, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAYS, TELL HIS STORY, WOMEN ENCOURAGING WOMEN, WISE WOMAN, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, WOMAN TO WOMAN WEDNESDAY, WAITING ON WEDNESDAY, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, WOMEN WITH INTENTION, RA RA LINKUP, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, BELOVED BREW, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, EVERYDAY JESUS, GRACE AT HOME, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, SHINE, LIVE FREE THURSDAY, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, LIGHT FRIDAY HIT LIST, FELLOWSHIP FRIDAYS, BELOVED BREW, SO MUCH AT HOME, A GROUP LOOK, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, COUNTING MY BLESSINGS, FAITH & FELLOWSHIP, FELLOWSHIP FRIDAY, GRACE & TRUTH, TGI SATURDAY, DANCE WITH JESUS, STILL SATURDAY, WEEKEND BREW, SATURDAY SOIREE, RECOMMENDATION SATURDAY, SUNDAY STILLNESS, GIVE ME GRACE



BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION

I am a voracious reader.

I love reading, always have.

And my taste in books is rather eclectic.  I tend to lean toward fiction, for I do indeed love a good story, but non-fiction has its appeal, too.  Almost entirely, the non-fiction books that I read are written by Christian authors.

As for fiction?  I'm all over the place!

First of all, might I just say that I am quite pleased to see that the world of fiction now contains some wonderful Christian books.  Just as the world of Christian music has become more "legit" in recent years – the world of Christian literature is becoming more professional, more marketable. With better writing, and better exposure, the world of Christian fiction is exploding.

No longer do we have to be "embarrassed" by faulty fiction with poor plot, shallow characterization, or stilted dialogue.  Good books are being written – books that just happen to be written by Christian authors.

Having said that, I am also a great reader of secular fiction.  I am quite fond of mysteries, having earned my *reading stripes* on Nancy Drew.  And I also enjoy fantasy and science fiction.  I find that I tend to go on "reading jags" – becoming enraptured with one genre, and reading only that for several books in a row.

Lately, I've gotten rather immersed in historical detective novels.  Novels that have a wonderful plot, great characters, and a smattering of true historical facts and settings.  I've learned a lot about other centuries in other countries.  I've discovered a lot about early medical practices and forensics. And let me tell you, I'm glad I live in the 21st century!!


But, once in a while, I find that my two worlds clash.  My *Christian* comes against the worldview.

This happened just the other day.

I'm currently in the middle of a great series.  The characters are truly captivating.  The settings are breathtaking.  And the mysteries are multi-layered and intriguing.  So, I'm hooked on finishing this series, and then eagerly awaiting the next installment.

But, as I was reading the introduction of the next book (for me) in the series, which is set in Jerusalem, I was taken aback by something I read.  The sentence started out, "In the first century of the Common Era…" OK, I'm immediately perturbed at the use of this term.  I think it's a way to get rid of the traditional A.D. – which stands for "Anno Domini" – and means "in the year of our Lord."  It serves as the other side of B.C. – which stands for "before Christ."

So, I'm upset that this author is removing herself from any reference that uses Jesus as a benchmark.

Then, she refers to Him like this: "…a troublesome rabbi and carpenter from Nazareth…"

This is where my spiritual shackles rose!

How dare she dismiss our Lord?!

That entire day, I felt upset.  And I've been thinking about my thoughts and feelings ever since.

Why did I react like this?

And why so quickly?

For yes, my reaction was visceral, without rational thought, instinctual, and even protective.

I felt the same way I used to when someone would make fun of one of my sons, or try to bully them.  The *mother eagle* in me would swoop in with flaming eyes of vengeance and protection.

"Don't you dare go after one of my boys!!"

And, this is how I felt after reading these words.

"How dare you go after my Lord?!"

I felt righteously indignant.


So, curious, I looked up that term:

"Righteous indignation is typically a reactive emotion of anger over perceived mistreatment, insult, or malice. It is akin to what is called the sense of injustice…a feeling involving anger mingled with contempt or disgust."

Yup, that's what it felt like.

But, on pondering this whole incident, and my ensuing reaction, I have three things I want to bring to the table today.  Three lessons that I think the Lord wanted me to learn.


1) We should stand up for what we believe.

In other words, sometimes I think we're tempted to slough off things that people say or do.  We're unwilling to take a stand, for we are afraid of offending them, or of being attacked ourselves.  And so, thinking we're being spiritually meek and humble (at least that's the rationalization I use sometimes), we let things slide.

I've been party to conversations when people are bashing Christians and religion to my face.  My old neighbor used to do this.  And, I was silent. While on the inside, I kept thinking these two things:

"Does she not KNOW that I am a Christian, too?"

"And why am I not setting her straight about that?"

Yeah, sometimes I made a feeble attempt to justify the actions of people associated with the faith, but often it was a very tepid, milquetoast response on my part.  And part of what made it hard to have a good response is that, quite frankly, sometimes Christians behave badly.

I have often said that Christians can "block the view."  Sometimes it's really hard to see Jesus through our faults and sins.  Sometimes we're obstacles and not reflections.

But there is another situation in which I find it hard to stand up for what I believe.

I also find myself getting upset, but staying silent, when this happens in conversations.  The person says to me something along the lines:

"Oh, you're religious."

My hackles rise, but I either stay quiet, or I make some attempt to distinguish between a religion and a relationship.

Usually it falls on deaf ears.  For most people will then look at me like I'm a nutcase, a fanatic who's having a "relationship" with an invisible being.

Koo-koo…

I am all too often a spiritual shrinking violet, slinking away from confrontation or possible offense – even though the Spirit within me has been hurt, demeaned, or dismissed.

I want to do better.


OK, the next thing that I think the Lord wanted me to learn is this:

2) We should feel compassion and pity for the unsaved.

My first reaction to this person was anger.  Oh boy, I wanted to "get in her face."  I wanted to point out how disillusioned she was, how woefully incorrect she was in her view of Jesus.  I wanted to tell her off and set her straight.

And not in a kind way.

But, over the next few hours after reading this, the Lord began to change my heart.  He began to reveal to me that this woman didn't deserve my anger and hatred – though her words might stir up ill feelings, her lost heart should move me to tears.

I felt convicted.

Righteous conviction.

I got to thinking.  Though we might be highly offended at the words and actions of the unsaved, what should move us most is sadness and pity at the lost state of their souls.

Jesus told us to love our enemies.

How can we do that?

Sometimes I think it means that we pray, fervently, for their salvation.

For after all, aren't we really offended in the first place because we are privileged to know the Savior?

And don't we want that for everyone?

It's what the Lord wants.

I am reminded of this verse:

"The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9, NASB)

These people are not ignorant or stupid.  We are not "better" than them.  For truth be told, all of us are but creatures in desperate need of a Savior, whether we know Him or not.

Therefore, we should have the heart of God, who mourns over the lost, who does everything in His power to move them toward repentance.  The One who died for them, and loves them.

So, we can feel angry, yes, but we should really feel sad, and we should pray.


And finally, the Lord had this to say:

3) We should rely on Him in these situations.

Righteous indignation.

It should lead us to action, yes, but God-ordained action.  After all, we are not perfect – (I'm not, are you??).  And in our humanness, our indignation can become anger and we can say things we ought not.

Sometimes it's hard to distinguish between when I've been offended and feeling selfish anger, as opposed to a healthy indignation that comes from the Spirit.  Sometimes I can end up defending myself and not the Lord.  My heart is a deceptive thing.

Only Jesus knew indignation that was perfectly righteous.

He must lead us.

When to say something, and how to say it.

For His purpose in everything He did and said was to point to the Father.

And therefore, everything we do and say must also point to Him.  To His grace, His mercy, and His salvation.

This world is going to be offensive at times – perhaps lately, most of the time.  And we can be righteously angry and deeply offended.

How to react?

Stand up for what you believe, pray for the salvation of the lost, and rely on the Lord to do the speaking through you.

At the right time, in the right way, with the right words.


You're probably wondering, will I finish this book?  Probably.  For I do love the people, the story, and the series.  But, I am adding this author to my prayer list.

Because, though she wrote so eloquently about Jerusalem, the beautiful and shining city on a hill…

…she totally missed the Main Character.

It is ALL about Jesus.
The Way,
The Truth,
and The Life.

"Then the LORD asked Moses, 'Who makes a person's mouth?  Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the LORD?  Now go!  I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.'" (Exodus 4:11-12, NLT)

"'At that time your mouth will be opened; you will speak...and will no longer be silent.  So you will be a sign to them, and they will know that I am the LORD.'" (Ezekiel 24:27, NIV)

"'...when I give you a message, I will loosen your tongue and let you speak. Then you will say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says!'  Those who choose to listen will listen, but those who refuse will refuse...'" 
(Ezekiel 3:27, NLT) 

"…do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say." (Luke 12:11-12, ESV)

"...don't worry about how to respond or what to say.  God will give you the right words at the right time.  For it is not you who will be speaking – it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you." (Matthew 10:19-20, NLT)

"...for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you!" (Luke 21:15, NLT)

"...no one can tame the tongue.  It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God.  And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth.  Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!...

If you are wise and understand God's ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom...the wisdom from above is first of all pure.  It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others.  It is full of mercy and good deeds.  It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.  And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness." (From James 3, NLT)



What gets your *spiritual hackles* up, and how do you handle it?




Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, PLAYDATES WITH GOD, UNFORCED RHYTHMS, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, SALT & LIGHT, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, SOLI DEO GLORIA, UNITE, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TITUS 2 TUESDAYS, WHIMSICAL WEDNESDAYS, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAYS, WOMEN HELPING WOMEN, CAPTURE YOUR JOURNEY, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, WINSOME WEDNESDAY, TELL HIS STORY, WHAT YOU WISH WEDNESDAY, WISE WOMAN, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, WEDNESDAY'S PRAYER GIRLS, SO MUCH AT HOME, THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY, THRIVING THURSDAY, EVERYDAY JESUS, GRACE AT HOME, HEARTS FOR HOME, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAYS, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, LIGHT FRIDAY HIT LIST, MISSIONAL WEEKEND, FELLOWSHIP FRIDAYS, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, A GROUP LOOK, SHINE, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, HEART FILLED FRIDAYS, FAITH & FELLOWSHIP, FELLOWSHIP FRIDAY, COUNTING MY BLESSINGS, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, STILL SATURDAY, SATURDAY SOIREE, RECOMMENDATION SATURDAY, SUNDAY STILLNESS, WEEKEND BREW, GIVE ME GRACE



BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

HERE A COMMENT, THERE A COMMENT...

...everywhere a comment, comment.

Old McSharon had a blog...E, I, E, I, O.

Oh dear.


Yup, today I'm going to do something a little different.

But first, a little introduction.

Every now and then I take some time and ponder the whole cyberworld that is Blog Land.  And I continue to be amazed that I am part of it.

You see, my entry into blogging started rather inauspiciously.  In April of 2010, I attended a writer's conference with a friend of mine.  She encountered another woman from her church in the bathroom (which is a whole blog post in itself!), and this woman joined us for the day, and soon became a fast friend.

So, there were keynote speakers at this conference, but there were also "breakout sessions" on particular subjects.  In the afternoon, there was a session on blogging.  Both of my friends were very eager to attend this one.  I told them that I had absolutely NO interest in blogging, so I was going to take a break.

When I rejoined my friends, they were super-hyped about the idea of blogging.  I, being the social media rebel that I am, had no intention of ever joining the new blogging craze that was rapidly sweeping the nation.

Uh, yeah.

Never say never unless you really enjoy a hearty meal of crow!

I'm not exactly sure how I arrived at my conclusion that I was going to give blogging a try.  I think the Holy Spirit had a little something to do with it!! But, two months later, at the end of June, I became an official blogger.

I did hate the sound of the word *blog* - as it sounded so cliche to me - "Hi, I'm Sharon.  I just love all things computer.  Like, it's so cool to like, talk to people on a screen.  So, like yeah, I have a blog.  So, what's your sign?"

So, that's when I came up with my rather catchy (if I may say so myself) tagline:

BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

It's at the bottom of every post, and it also serves to remind me of why I'm out here in Blog Land at all. It's all about God.  Has to be, or it's for naught.

My story, His glory.


Now, I also happen to think that being a member of the Blog Land community comes with a certain set of responsibilities.  

Sure, I'm like all of you - I LOVE COMMENTS!

They make me feel good.  There, I said it.  Comments make me feel like my writing is valid, that my thoughts are making a connection, that I just might have something to say, that the Lord is using my gifts, that I'm not alone.

But, the responsibility is this: I also feel that I am in Blog Land for the sake of others.  Therefore, I take very seriously the importance of reading and commenting on other peoples' blogs.  It's important to encourage others, and I feel strongly that this is a big part of what blogging is all about.


OK, so that was a big introduction.

But, I thought it was important to let you know how I feel about comments.

So, every now and then, something I say in a comment to someone else makes me think about my own words.  I love how the Holy Spirit does that with me - how sometimes words come out before I really think them, and then those very same words get me thinking!

That's why today I am doing something different.  I'm going to list some comments that I've made on other blogs in the last four years.  Hopefully something will strike a heartstring, and we can all ponder some more.



1.  "This is not the end of the story."

Not only is that incredibly comforting, it's also amazingly hopeful.  I heard this Truth in my heart, as if it was echoing down through the millennia from that dark and dismal Friday at Calvary.  Not the end, not by a longshot.  And because of that day, which was truly the beginning of our story, God is writing a new story that will never die.

One day we will be released into the final chapter that never ends – in which we all live happily ever after.  Truly.


2.  I think for me, as one who has always felt "not enough" and "unworthy", I had to finally understand this one thought.  In the whole scheme of redemption, I truly was not and never could be "worthy" of my salvation. Never.  However, God loved me.  And HE deemed me worthwhile - worth the cost of His Son on the cross.  I have found blessed release in letting go of the constant need to be worthy, and learned how to bask in the glow of being worth the Lord's eternal LOVE.


3.  "I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord...who summons you by name."

I love that verse - treasures to be found in darkness, the hidden riches only found in secret places.  I have taken that verse and applied it to my life when I am in a period of discouragement.  I am finding out that when I have nothing left to give, when I am burned out, when I am dry and despairing - that that is when God teaches me something about Himself so personal and intimate that I scarce can take it in.

I am learning who He is in ways I could not unless I was walking in the valley. 

4.  I loved what you had to say about the Real Power Source - the Holy Spirit. How often I forget that I am not called to live the Christian life on my own. On my own, I'm a very faulty, fading flashlight.  But, with the Spirit's power, I can shine as bright as the SON!


5.  Yes, we are called to unity in the Body of Christ.  I am reminded of that phrase, "They will know we are Christians by our love."  As I ponder that, it occurs to me that our unity across cultures, languages, races, and any other earthly thing that might cause division, is a huge testimony of faith.  What else could account for such unity other than the resounding and unifying power of a Savior?!

May I strive to be a wall-breaker - and not waste my time on adding bricks.


6.  I found myself pondering that very weighty question that Jesus asked: "Do you want to get well?"  At first glance, it seems like the answer would be easy. Well, of course!  But, sometimes people get very comfortable in their *sickness* - sin can be quite familiar, and we can easily become complacent. Do we really want to be cured?  For sometimes, the cure can only come through pain.  Sometimes healing requires brokenness.  Sometimes getting well means we have to face our *sickness* straight on.

When we ponder this question, we do well to count the cost of discipleship before we answer.  If we say yes to Him, we will never be the same.


7.  God's plans are often much bigger than my dreams.


8.  After all, the appeal of Jesus is not that He makes us perfect, but that He makes us whole.


9.  I truly believe that our enemy speaks lies to us – he tempts us to be complacent when action is required, but he also makes us resist (or not, and then to feel guilty about it) when we need to rest.  Jesus Himself took time away on a regular basis.  I believe He understood the very human need to rest, restore, and revive. 


10.  Tending to focus on the worries and troubles, I sometimes miss the miracles.


11.  I truly believe that the most insidious lie of the enemy, the one lie that began in the Garden, the one lie that ruined us was this:

"Is God really good?"

I am reminded of this exchange in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe – when Lucy asks Mr. Beaver about Aslan, the great and mighty lion of Narnia:

"Is he—quite safe?"

"Safe?" said Mr. Beaver. "Who said anything about safe?  'Course he isn't safe.  But he's good."

I am thrilled by a Savior who isn't tame, but whose goodness knows no end.


12.  You know, most of the time when I hear that word [perseverance], I think of trudging along in spite of circumstances - mostly with an exhausted spirit, and a disgruntled attitude.  However, I think you're right.  Perseverance is a process.  And rather than a destructive windstorm that serves only to erode us, it's more like a chisel in the hand of a master sculptor.  God uses our perseverance to work on our character.  And so, the longer we persevere, the more we'll look like Him.  That IS a lifelong process, but worth it for the joy that awaits.


13.  After all, much of God's will is all about making me like His Son. And that can happen anytime and anywhere because it happens in the heart. Even in a heart that is whining...


14.  The enemy doesn't just drop bombs on us, he also likes the incessant attack of darts.


15.  I know that I am not alone in this struggle.  This desire to be known. Part of it stems from God-given desires, a true wish to be used by the Lord for His purposes.  But most of it just gets filtered through self-pride and enemy lies. I know that David must have had MANY battles against his own flesh, and against the enemy of the Lord.  And yet, he continued to pursue God with all of his being, and God called him a man after His own heart.

So, above all the riff-raff that is me, I want God.  First.  Foremost. Forever.


16.  "Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope..."

Sometimes, when we're downcast, hope is a conscious choice, a willful re-focusing on the Truth of God's great love and tender mercies, a determination to remember His faithfulness.


17.  It isn't the *outside* things that proclaim what we believe. It is the inner transformation of the Spirit - and that is most reflected in how we love people - even our enemies.  For perhaps it is then, when it is most difficult to love, that we most resemble our Savior.


18.  Sometimes I wonder if the needy can see God more clearly.  I pray for His help in remembering the neediness inside of me.


19.  Hope is what makes our faith soar.


20.  Oh, how deep is that desire to be known completely, understood implicitly, and loved unconditionally.  And how the enemy perverts that God-given desire into a frantic striving to be known by other people - recognized and, perhaps, a bit famous?

I am asking God daily to help me be completely satisfied and content to be known by HIM, and to realize how much The Audience of One cheers for me.


That's all, folks.

I'm speechless...(finally!)

Leave good footprints...
...for we are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses. 

"Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." 
(Exodus 4:12, NIV)

"...do not worry about what to say or how to say it.  At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you." (Matthew 10:19-20, NIV)

"...for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said." 
(Luke 12:12, NLT)

"For I will give you words and wisdom..." (Luke 21:15, NIV)

"...and I will open your mouth among them. Then they will know that I am the LORD." (Ezekiel 29:21, NIV)

"I thank my God every time I remember you.  In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." 
(Philippians  1:3-6, NIV)

"So we have been greatly encouraged in the midst of our troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith.  It gives us new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord.  How we thank God for you!  Because of you we have great joy as we enter God’s presence." (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9, NIV)



Which thought struck you today and why?



(SIDENOTE:  I sincerely hope that no one thinks I'm touting myself by listing some of my comments.  Truth be told, I'm dry of ideas this week!!)

(IRONIC SIDENOTE:  And I do realize that I'm asking for comments about comments.  But, I always appreciate your thoughtful and thought-provoking input.  E, I, E, I, O!)


Linked today with:

Kelli at UNFORCED RHYTHMS
Laura at PLAYDATES WITH GOD
Joan at SHARING HIS BEAUTY
Jen at SOLI DEO GLORIA
Hazel at TELL ME A TRUE STORY
Kathy at TITUS 2 TUESDAYS
Jen at UNITE
Rachel at WHIMSICAL WEDNESDAYS
Tracy at WINSOME WEDNESDAY
Judith at WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY
Beth at THREE WORD WEDNESDAY
Holley at COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART
Rosilind at A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS
Jenifer at WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY
Bonnie at FAITH BARISTA JAM
Lyli at THOUGHT-PROVOKING THURSDAY
Crystal at THRIVING THURSDAY
Mel at ESSENTIAL FRIDAYS
Elizabeth at WHATEVER IS LOVELY
Wanda at THE FRIDAY FIVE
Charlotte at SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS
Barbie at WEEKEND BREW
Sandy at STILL SATURDAY
Julie at FELLOWSHIP FRIDAYS
Lisha at GIVE ME GRACE
Janis at SUNDAY STILLNESS
Shelly at RECOMMENDATION SATURDAY


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"