Eyes of a child

Let it snow

Words, words, words

There's a line from "My Fair Lady" in which Eliza sings, "Words, words, words. I'm so sick of words." That's what today's message makes me think of.

Just in case some of you don't know me...I like to talk. Words are usually not a problem for me. As a matter of fact...especially when I write, I use TOO many words. When writing papers for classes, I was often instructed to be more susinct and to the point.

Do you think God gets tired of our words? I mean how our prayers go on and on and on...The devotional I read today encouraged me to do two things. First, we should start out, before we ask anything for ourselves or our families, we should begin with worship. Praising and worshiping our God creates a connection and better enables our hearts to pray how HE wants us to pray. Imagine...God will give us wisdom and guide us to who, what and how we should pray! And here all along, I have been droning on and on about what MY needs are...God knows better than I what my needs are!

But, in order to gain from this God-driven guidance, I have to HEAR it. Perhaps one of the biggest surprises comes when the Lord asks you to sit and be still. He just wants to be with you. He isn't interested in words; he just wants you to let him love you. I have studied about being still before. Our pastor did a whole sermon on this topic...encouraging us to pray, "Speak Lord, your servant is listening."

Today, I am stopping my words right now...asking God to lead me, my thoughts and my prayers. It's not about my words...it's about my heart.

Have a wonderful day and STAY WARM!!!!

When you're worried and cannot sleep...

Good morning!

Worries...do you have any? How about ones that wake you up in the early morning and stick with you all day? And how do you keep the Christmas spirit and joy in your heart that you long to have when worries spread through your brain like a speeding locomotive? That's what I woke up to this morning.

Worries...about many things really. And being the "positive" person that I am...my being depressed by Christmastime worries...well, that worries others. It's a vicious cycle.

Matthew 6:25 That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life-whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing? (NLT) Sounds so easy, doesn't it?

Then why can't I put those worries out of my mind? It really is all about trust. I have responsibilities and God trusts me to use the time, talents and treasures He gives me to keep my family safe and warm and fed... and to keep my work, church and friend lives in order as well. It all just seems too much sometimes. That is when (like now!) I am not trusting God enough and trying to handle everything myself. Why do I do that to myself????

Are you like me? Are you wanting to enJOY this holiday season but your joy is being clouded by worries about money, family issues, work, world problems? I have a feeling there are many out there like me. Well, since there's strength in numbers...let's all work on this together! There's also strength in knowing and BELIEVING and TRUSTING what God has to say about worry.

In 1 Peter 5:7 we are instructed to “cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” God does not want us to carry around the weight of problems and burdens. In this verse, God is telling us to give Him all of our worries and concerns. Why does God want to take on our problems? The Bible says it is because He cares for us. God is concerned about everything that happens to us. No worry is too big or too small for His attention. When we give God our problems, He promises to give us the peace which transcends all understanding (Philippians 4:7)

I love hearing The Messiah sung at Christmas. Someone I know recently said that Handel was a genious...I truly believe that as that music touches my heart every year...but it's the words that carry the real meaning and those come from the REAL genious, our loving Father. Through Jesus, He said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30)

So, in this week or so before Christmas, you can work on this with me. I want to do what it says in Philippians 4:6, Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all he has done. (NLT) Maybe then I will experience even just a little of that peace that passes all understanding. A little peace is all I want this Christmas!

Remember that scene in "White Christmas" when Bing Crosby sings about "when you are worried and cannot sleep, count your blessings instead of sheep." Count with me, won't you?

Letting go...

Good Monday morning!

Getting in the habit of having a quiet prayer time with God each day is a hard thing to do...whether you try in the morning or at night before you go to bed. We are SO busy doing life (going to work, school, church and other extra activites...how can we POSSIBLY fit an hour with God into all of that? It's not that we don't WANT to...but where to find the time!!! It's all about priorities...

I've been thinking a lot about control lately...how much I WANT to be in control of things, but don't do a very good job of keeping things in order. Perhaps if I "Let go and let God." as they say. Realizing that He IS in control is something that many of us need to do. Maybe that would help me to let go of the reigns and let God do what He wants to do THROUGH my life. A friend recently shared with me how she finally, after all these years, surrendered her career to God. After she made that conscience decision, God did some amazing things in her workplace. I believe God wants to show us what he can do for us and through us, but we are so busy trying to run our lives that we don't take time to SEE!

Surrendering is the hardest thing for me. It sounds good, right, and what I am supposed to do, but it's really not that easy. It took me a LONG time to give up and hour or so each morning to pray and write these messages...but I see now the benefits...for me and for the people who read them. That HAS to be God working in me because I would much rather be back under my electric blanket snoozing, than sitting here at the computer!

Doing these messages has helped me to see how selfish I really am...it also has helped me deal with some major sins in my life. There are times when I KNOW God can see and know all I am doing, but am not honest with Him or myself. These quiet times with just me and God help me to focus on what HE wants me to do, and He helps me see what I need forgiveness for and what I still need help with. It has also filled a hole in my life...there are times when I feel very alone...even in the midst of my own house. These quiet times in the morning remind me that I am NOT alone...

Are there things you are avoiding talking to God about? He already knows...He is just waiting for you to come to Him with it. Find a time today when you can be still with God and allow Him to take control over whatever that thing may be.

"Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on Your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart." Psalm 15:1,2
How can you hope to get rid of the sin in your life and work toward being blameless in the eyes of God if you never TALK to him and ask him to help you? I can't get rid of my sins, but God can! He gave us a way out from under our sins through Jesus...join me in that daily journey of putting Christ FIRST! Let HIM fill that hole in your life too!

Have a good week! Stay safe and warm!

Love,
Linda

A song of Praise for a life well lived!

It's a sad day for me and my church family will be saying goodbye to Betsy Ford. But, last night at choir, we talked a lot about her and how she loved to laugh and sing and how much she loved the Lord. As I sing for her this morning, I will praise God for her life and ask God for the strength to live the kind of life that Betsy lived...I want to walk THAT walk!

Today, as I sit here in my quiet living room, I am reminded of Psalm 89:15 - Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, o Lord.

In these few minutes of quiet, before I face the noise and confusion of the day, Lord I ask that you prepare me for what lies ahead today and tell me what I can do in this busy day to follow you more closely.

I think if God was speaking directly to me, He would say, "Dearly loved child, praise me joyfully, talk with me intimately, trust me totally and love others and I will be pleased."

Bless you all today!
Love,
Linda

Christmas gifts

It's WAY too cold to be on the Sun porch today...or for quite a while. But...the blessings from my morning quiet time still begin my day on the right foot.

Today I was reading and thinking about Christmas gifts. In an effort to cut back this year, and give more than just trinkets to people who really need it around the world, I had to do some creative thinking. And during that thinking I realized it was ME I need to give...to surrender fully instead of hanging on and trying to control my life.

Dear God
This Christmas
I want to give You me.
I come just as I am
Unboxed
Unribboned
Without glitter
Or glamor.
On the name tag of my heart
I've written
"To God with love"
Do with me exactly as you choose.

And in return...God says:
Dear child
I choose to give you Me.


Friends, as you rush to buy Christmas gifts for friends and family, don't forget to let God know you are ready for whatever He sends your way! Talk about the gift that keeps on giving!

Keeping the JOY in my heart!
Linda