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My cell phone went off several times today in church " WEATHER UPDATE: Winter Storm Warning - 8-10 inches of snow." UGH UGH. I H...
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Okay...It was pouring outside this morning and air has a raw chill to it. I sent my 9 year old to the bus top with a bent up umbrella and wh...
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Yesterday I talked about why it is essential to hear from God. Today I continue this conversation with "How to Hear from God" -a...
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Are you living a meaning full life? Or just chasing after the wind ? Those questions were brought up recently at church. I can honestly sa...
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Hey there followers...If you dont already know, I now have my blog on a website and will continue to past often on that site. There are grea...
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
WEBSITE
Hey there followers...If you dont already know, I now have my blog on a website and will continue to past often on that site. There are great resources available now and I am so excited to come up with new topics, reviews of books that I have read, exploring more into how we can all be sober, free, and the person that god wants us to be. Hope to see you at http://www.soberfreeandlovingme.com/ Love you all !! Betsy
Monday, March 14, 2011
Part 2 He said he wanted to talk to me - I am listening
Yesterday I talked about why it is essential to hear from God. Today I continue this conversation with "How to Hear from God" -about a sermon I heard from Saddleback.com where Rick Warren is the pastor. He touches on 3 main points that are essential to hear from God.
1) Cultivate an open mind- Stop being so stinking resistant ! Stop acting like you are tough and don't need God..we all do and He needs us. Be receptive, stay eager and cooperative. Have a mindset that is wide and far reaching, not narrow, hardened and trampled on.
Having hard soil is having a closed mind. Pride and fear feed the hardened heart. Pride is when we think that we are tough and can do it all by ourselves. Prayer is not important. Fear is being afraid to hear God speak. He may be try to get our attention, but we shut him out.
"Get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls." JAMES 1:21 NLT
Bitterness keeps our minds and heart closed. It is holding on to hurt, resentment, grudges. It is offensive to God and all the love he has for us.
Unforgiveness is a self -inflicted wound. When we forgive another or a situation, we are the ones who are truly blessed.
To forgive is the highest, most beautiful form of love. In return, you will receive untold peace and happiness.”
2) Take time to listen - Hurry makes it so we cant hear God. When we slow down, we can hear him. God speaks to us in so many different ways. Turn off the chatter in your mind and tune in to the quiet and stillness of your soul...Can you hear him say how awesome you are and how much he wants to be in your life ?
Having a shallow soil is like living superficially. We are touched by something or maybe a sermon heard in church , but nothing changes. We don't give anything time to sink in or to change in our lives. We may be stirred a bit in church, a meeting or a good talk with someone, then we are off and running concerned about our own agendas and our own fast pace in life.
3) Eliminate distractions - the bottom line is that we cannot hear God when our mind is distracted with other things. We are always on the go - but are we really going someplace? Our soil is full of weeds.
"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10.
Our God is our refuge and strength. Look at your life and see where you can eliminate distractions that keep you from hearing him.
4) Cooperate with what God says to you - I hear what God says. I remember what he told me. I obey what he says, and I persist until I bear fruit and see change come to my life.
Keep your mind willing. Keep your soil good. God wants us to be successful with family, marriage, fiances, friendships and spiritual growth. He wants us to have emotional, physical, and relational success. He wants our cooperation with him so that he can give to us. He want us to share with others the joy in our lives. We cant keep it unless we give it away.
Slow down, stop the racing and running - Be still and know that he is God.
1) Cultivate an open mind- Stop being so stinking resistant ! Stop acting like you are tough and don't need God..we all do and He needs us. Be receptive, stay eager and cooperative. Have a mindset that is wide and far reaching, not narrow, hardened and trampled on.
Having hard soil is having a closed mind. Pride and fear feed the hardened heart. Pride is when we think that we are tough and can do it all by ourselves. Prayer is not important. Fear is being afraid to hear God speak. He may be try to get our attention, but we shut him out.
"Get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls." JAMES 1:21 NLT
Bitterness keeps our minds and heart closed. It is holding on to hurt, resentment, grudges. It is offensive to God and all the love he has for us.
Unforgiveness is a self -inflicted wound. When we forgive another or a situation, we are the ones who are truly blessed.
“There is no love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without love.”
2) Take time to listen - Hurry makes it so we cant hear God. When we slow down, we can hear him. God speaks to us in so many different ways. Turn off the chatter in your mind and tune in to the quiet and stillness of your soul...Can you hear him say how awesome you are and how much he wants to be in your life ?
Having a shallow soil is like living superficially. We are touched by something or maybe a sermon heard in church , but nothing changes. We don't give anything time to sink in or to change in our lives. We may be stirred a bit in church, a meeting or a good talk with someone, then we are off and running concerned about our own agendas and our own fast pace in life.
3) Eliminate distractions - the bottom line is that we cannot hear God when our mind is distracted with other things. We are always on the go - but are we really going someplace? Our soil is full of weeds.
"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10.
Our God is our refuge and strength. Look at your life and see where you can eliminate distractions that keep you from hearing him.
4) Cooperate with what God says to you - I hear what God says. I remember what he told me. I obey what he says, and I persist until I bear fruit and see change come to my life.
Keep your mind willing. Keep your soil good. God wants us to be successful with family, marriage, fiances, friendships and spiritual growth. He wants us to have emotional, physical, and relational success. He wants our cooperation with him so that he can give to us. He want us to share with others the joy in our lives. We cant keep it unless we give it away.
Slow down, stop the racing and running - Be still and know that he is God.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
He said he wanted to talk to me....
Yesterday I was listening and watching a live service from SaddleBack Church, where Rick Warren is the pastor. Rick wrote a life changing book, for me and many others, titled " The Purpose Driven Life. " Saddleback.com.
God wants to talk to us. He wants us to be tuned in to him. We must turn to him in order to have a relationship . We have to be tuned in all the time, not just when we are in a crisis and need results fast. Not just when we are bargaining and begging " I promise if you get me out of this one, I wont do it again''. We all have those kind of prayers and requests. Mine were foolish, self centered, and manipulative.
Why is it essential to hear from God ?
1) Hearing from God - it proves that we are part of Gods family. Jesus said: "My sheep recognize my voice and follow me." John 10:27. He will give us real life.... Listen.
2) Hearing from God - Protects us from Mistakes - There is a warning that can come from God in advance from traps and situations that we need to stay away from. " Listen for Gods voice in everything you do, and everywhere you go: he is the one who will keep you on tract." Proverbs 3:6..... Listen
3) Hearing from God - Produces an Open Mind - Stay receptive, eager, and willing to hear " I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you." Psalm 32:8.... Listen
When I saw others straining toward God, I did not understand it, for though I may have had him less than they did, there was no one blocking the way between him and me, and I could reach his heart easily. It is up to him, after all, to have us, our part consists of almost solely in letting him grasp us. ~Rainer Maria Rilke, Rilke and Benvenuta: An Intimate Correspondence
Prayer is when you talk to God; meditation is when you listen to God. ~Diana Robinson
Meditate, pray, stop fighting and resisting. If you are wrinkled with fine lines from burdens and worries - Come to God for a faith lift.
Tune in tomorrow for more on "he said he wanted to talk to me...."
God wants to talk to us. He wants us to be tuned in to him. We must turn to him in order to have a relationship . We have to be tuned in all the time, not just when we are in a crisis and need results fast. Not just when we are bargaining and begging " I promise if you get me out of this one, I wont do it again''. We all have those kind of prayers and requests. Mine were foolish, self centered, and manipulative.
Why is it essential to hear from God ?
1) Hearing from God - it proves that we are part of Gods family. Jesus said: "My sheep recognize my voice and follow me." John 10:27. He will give us real life.... Listen.
2) Hearing from God - Protects us from Mistakes - There is a warning that can come from God in advance from traps and situations that we need to stay away from. " Listen for Gods voice in everything you do, and everywhere you go: he is the one who will keep you on tract." Proverbs 3:6..... Listen
3) Hearing from God - Produces an Open Mind - Stay receptive, eager, and willing to hear " I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you." Psalm 32:8.... Listen
When I saw others straining toward God, I did not understand it, for though I may have had him less than they did, there was no one blocking the way between him and me, and I could reach his heart easily. It is up to him, after all, to have us, our part consists of almost solely in letting him grasp us. ~Rainer Maria Rilke, Rilke and Benvenuta: An Intimate Correspondence
Prayer is when you talk to God; meditation is when you listen to God. ~Diana Robinson
Meditate, pray, stop fighting and resisting. If you are wrinkled with fine lines from burdens and worries - Come to God for a faith lift.
Tune in tomorrow for more on "he said he wanted to talk to me...."
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Chasing After The Wind ?
Are you living a meaning full life? Or just chasing after the wind ? Those questions were brought up recently at church.
I can honestly say that somedays life really does feel meaningful, real, promising and free. Then there are the days that feel heavy, long, tiring, and suffocating. The good news for me is that the days of real living, real loving, and real promise, tremendously out number the windy days of grey and nothingness.
Not sure how I got to be where I am. It wasnt by my power, although my pride wants to take all the credit. I am not sure how I made it out alive. Addiction had its grips on me. I suffocated for years. That is what addiction does to you - robs of all dignity, strips away the ability to love and have meaning. Chokes the life out of you and the life out of the people you love and who love you. Addiction blows the victim all over like a tornado and destroys every one and every thing in their path.
I am done chasing the wind. I am done living in the land of the walking dead. I am strapped down for the ride. I am not where I want to be, but thank God I am not where I use to be. I have been renewed.
Lent is here. Forty days of self reflection and taking stock. It is a time for doing good works for others.
It is a season in our lives for spiritual renwel, discipline, and self inventory. It is a time to add meaning and Godly behavior to our lives. Daily reading,praying, journaling, helping others, praying for others are suggestions for adding meaning and purpose during these 40 days. I love to get up early and have the time to think ,pray, and fill myself up with spiritual teachings and God's word. It is a time for transformation.
I heard something last night that got me really thinking on how we live our lives and what we place importance on. " Do you want to spend the rest of your life storing up money and things; do you want to work to exhaustion building up the ladder of success; do you want to store up money and things - or do you want a chance to save the world."
When we come to the end of our lives, those things that we thought were so important to own, to drive, to live in, to wear, and to cling on to will all end with our death. " What doesnt end is the impact that we have made on the lives of others."
I dont know about you, but I want to be an impact , not an accident. I am done suffocating. I have direction to my path now. Psalm 119:105 says" Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." I can see where I am going now. I can have a chance to do something in this world.
Are you still chasing the wind? Are you or someone you love being robbed of dignity and self respect ? Are you in the grips of accumulating stuff, driven by the worlds view of success, storing up falses riches, and stumbling around in the dark ?
Commit yourself to a honest self inventory. Ask yourself "Where am I falling short God? How do I keep you number one in my life ? How do I even find you?
One day at a time. One request at a time. One answered pray at a time. He is there, every where all the time. He has never left...we may have left him.
Come Back.
I can honestly say that somedays life really does feel meaningful, real, promising and free. Then there are the days that feel heavy, long, tiring, and suffocating. The good news for me is that the days of real living, real loving, and real promise, tremendously out number the windy days of grey and nothingness.
Not sure how I got to be where I am. It wasnt by my power, although my pride wants to take all the credit. I am not sure how I made it out alive. Addiction had its grips on me. I suffocated for years. That is what addiction does to you - robs of all dignity, strips away the ability to love and have meaning. Chokes the life out of you and the life out of the people you love and who love you. Addiction blows the victim all over like a tornado and destroys every one and every thing in their path.
I am done chasing the wind. I am done living in the land of the walking dead. I am strapped down for the ride. I am not where I want to be, but thank God I am not where I use to be. I have been renewed.
Lent is here. Forty days of self reflection and taking stock. It is a time for doing good works for others.
It is a season in our lives for spiritual renwel, discipline, and self inventory. It is a time to add meaning and Godly behavior to our lives. Daily reading,praying, journaling, helping others, praying for others are suggestions for adding meaning and purpose during these 40 days. I love to get up early and have the time to think ,pray, and fill myself up with spiritual teachings and God's word. It is a time for transformation.
I heard something last night that got me really thinking on how we live our lives and what we place importance on. " Do you want to spend the rest of your life storing up money and things; do you want to work to exhaustion building up the ladder of success; do you want to store up money and things - or do you want a chance to save the world."
When we come to the end of our lives, those things that we thought were so important to own, to drive, to live in, to wear, and to cling on to will all end with our death. " What doesnt end is the impact that we have made on the lives of others."
I dont know about you, but I want to be an impact , not an accident. I am done suffocating. I have direction to my path now. Psalm 119:105 says" Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." I can see where I am going now. I can have a chance to do something in this world.
Are you still chasing the wind? Are you or someone you love being robbed of dignity and self respect ? Are you in the grips of accumulating stuff, driven by the worlds view of success, storing up falses riches, and stumbling around in the dark ?
Commit yourself to a honest self inventory. Ask yourself "Where am I falling short God? How do I keep you number one in my life ? How do I even find you?
One day at a time. One request at a time. One answered pray at a time. He is there, every where all the time. He has never left...we may have left him.
Come Back.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
OPEN 24/7
I heard this statement a couple of days ago and it really caught my attention:
"God has great office hours - OPEN 24/7."
How cool is that !! Love it.
How comforting to know that we are never alone. We always have a link to God. There is no waiting list or buttons to push to hear a live voice. Gods voice is always available. Be still and listen to the still small voice with in you. Listen to his spirit trying to get your attention. Where do you need a jump start in your life ?
The season of Lent is here. Lent is typically described as a season of fasting, self denial, growth, simplicity. I like something I read " ...it is a time of spiritual spring cleaning and cleaning out those things that hinder our personal relationship with Jesus.'"
What is in your way to Gods unlimited office hours ? What hinders you from reaching out to the greatest source of comfort and care ? I know I am a great excuse maker. I am a master of denial and " too busy " one liners. Been there done that most of my life - yet my soul has always cried out for comfort and care, for an unlimited sense that I am okay and so is life. I have tried to find that peace through things,substances and a lifestyle that ultimately destroyed me.
Now is a good time to really commit to some spiritual and emotional house keeping. No EXCUSES. NO BARGAINING. NO COMPLAINING. NO BLAMING.
It is not about " I am giving up chocolate for Lent "...add to your life. Add Gods "24/7" free office hours to your automatic dial or Favorites List.
KEEP IT SIMPLE - take a few minutes each day and say "Thank you". Take a 5 minutes break from your daily routine and ask God to show you were to clean out the cobwebs and dust that keep you in constant strife. Commit with a trusted friend or family member that you are going to "do some spiritual housecleaning ' and that you are taking up time with God at his office - OPEN 24/7 - no lines, no fees, no deposits, no insurance card needed.
Folks..we are never alone. He always has time for us.Get out your mop,broom,and bucket and get going.
"God has great office hours - OPEN 24/7."
How cool is that !! Love it.
How comforting to know that we are never alone. We always have a link to God. There is no waiting list or buttons to push to hear a live voice. Gods voice is always available. Be still and listen to the still small voice with in you. Listen to his spirit trying to get your attention. Where do you need a jump start in your life ?
The season of Lent is here. Lent is typically described as a season of fasting, self denial, growth, simplicity. I like something I read " ...it is a time of spiritual spring cleaning and cleaning out those things that hinder our personal relationship with Jesus.'"
What is in your way to Gods unlimited office hours ? What hinders you from reaching out to the greatest source of comfort and care ? I know I am a great excuse maker. I am a master of denial and " too busy " one liners. Been there done that most of my life - yet my soul has always cried out for comfort and care, for an unlimited sense that I am okay and so is life. I have tried to find that peace through things,substances and a lifestyle that ultimately destroyed me.Now is a good time to really commit to some spiritual and emotional house keeping. No EXCUSES. NO BARGAINING. NO COMPLAINING. NO BLAMING.
It is not about " I am giving up chocolate for Lent "...add to your life. Add Gods "24/7" free office hours to your automatic dial or Favorites List.
KEEP IT SIMPLE - take a few minutes each day and say "Thank you". Take a 5 minutes break from your daily routine and ask God to show you were to clean out the cobwebs and dust that keep you in constant strife. Commit with a trusted friend or family member that you are going to "do some spiritual housecleaning ' and that you are taking up time with God at his office - OPEN 24/7 - no lines, no fees, no deposits, no insurance card needed.
Folks..we are never alone. He always has time for us.Get out your mop,broom,and bucket and get going.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Digging Out
The roads are finally clear on my street . The county was in a state of emergency all day. No work and no school for this household and many others in the area. Now there will be school the Friday before Memorial Day weekend. I already made reservations in Delaware, so we will "camper school" the boys that day !!I spent the day thinking about different topics to write about on this blog. I heard some really great pod casts over the past several days from Chip Ingram livingontheedge.org and womenoffaith.com/. There are so many good pod casts to listen to and talk about.
As I "dig out" my sources to write about, whether I listen or read them, I am excited where this blog will lead to.
So, as we all shovel out the mess in our lives after a big snowstorm, a long cold winter, a heart break, or personal crisis, take comfort in knowing that there can be hope and renewal in the days ahead. When we believe and have faith in our selves and in a power greater than our little being here on earth, there is a lightness and sense of peace that can be had. When our God is big, our problems are small. When our problems are big, our God has become small.
For those of you who have tried to comment and it wont post..I am still trying to get that one figured out . You may need to open a google mail account , which is painless and easy to do. Please keep them coming on FaceBook if you want.
As I "dig out" my sources to write about, whether I listen or read them, I am excited where this blog will lead to.
In my prayer's and blessings to you - I wish you a safe travels if you have to go out tonight and I wish you hope, love, peace, joy, and miracles to come your way.
For those of you who have tried to comment and it wont post..I am still trying to get that one figured out . You may need to open a google mail account , which is painless and easy to do. Please keep them coming on FaceBook if you want.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
I saw a Sign
My cell phone went off several times today in church " WEATHER UPDATE: Winter Storm Warning - 8-10 inches of snow." UGH UGH. I HAVE HAD ENOUGH.
As I was leaving church there was a sign of whats to come along the side walk - buds from Daffodils and Crocus. I felt sudden relief. It has to improve soon.
I guess that is the way life is. We have storms that are brewing. We predict that things are going to be horrible, predict that we are ruined or will never see the light. We think that the stress will kill us or we will drown in our anger, grief, and fear because life is not the way we want it. We cant control or fix anyone. We fight and manipulate to get our way. We get it and then we are still miserable..STOP !!!
Just hold on. Find the quiet in your soul. Find the love from your God. Cast your cares and burdens on him. Hand over the people you want to be different to suit your comfort zone. That is Gods job to mold them into his likeness, not yours to toss around. Let go and let God be God.
He will give you light and make your paths straight. Search for buds of hope, buds of faith, flowers of new life, and victory. Its in your reach. It is on every sidewalk you walk and every corner you turn.
Watch and listen. One day at a time and one step at a time we can channel the weight from our weary souls into a garden overflowing with Gods beautiful creations. His love is an everlasting love.
The snow continues to fall but my soul rests in knowing that just around the corner the days will be even longer, buds will be out everywhere, and my heart will be free from burdens and concerns - if I just let them go.
As I was leaving church there was a sign of whats to come along the side walk - buds from Daffodils and Crocus. I felt sudden relief. It has to improve soon.
I guess that is the way life is. We have storms that are brewing. We predict that things are going to be horrible, predict that we are ruined or will never see the light. We think that the stress will kill us or we will drown in our anger, grief, and fear because life is not the way we want it. We cant control or fix anyone. We fight and manipulate to get our way. We get it and then we are still miserable..STOP !!!
Just hold on. Find the quiet in your soul. Find the love from your God. Cast your cares and burdens on him. Hand over the people you want to be different to suit your comfort zone. That is Gods job to mold them into his likeness, not yours to toss around. Let go and let God be God.
He will give you light and make your paths straight. Search for buds of hope, buds of faith, flowers of new life, and victory. Its in your reach. It is on every sidewalk you walk and every corner you turn.
Watch and listen. One day at a time and one step at a time we can channel the weight from our weary souls into a garden overflowing with Gods beautiful creations. His love is an everlasting love.
The snow continues to fall but my soul rests in knowing that just around the corner the days will be even longer, buds will be out everywhere, and my heart will be free from burdens and concerns - if I just let them go.
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