Hope In The Friend To Send You A Friend

Sometimes life is excruciatingly unbearable, and others don't understand when we try to share.  We implore, we coerce, we cry out in frustration, and then we retreat back into the "house of ourselves," back into alone-ness, and despair.

Sometimes we don't realize that we're trying to share with the wrong people.  Sometimes, the closest people around us can't or refuse to sympathize, and comfort us.  Sometimes, we have to make new friends with those who are compassionate and empathetic about our cause or who we are.

The greatest empathizer is Jesus Christ, who felt beforehand what we feel today.  And only Jesus Christ knows exactly what we're feeling, to the very minute pinpoint of emotion.  Only Jesus Christ can send to us the perfect empathizing friendships that we so desperately need, in order for us to feel healed, to feel normal, to feel a part of the world.

Have hope in what God through Jesus Christ can do.  Though you are lonely, and feel that you can't go on, God does care.  No matter how it looks, He is aware.

A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.

(Proverbs 17:17 New Living Translation-NLT)

_________________

Image Credit: jillis_

 

Don't Hate, Just Pray

While walking to the store this morning I was solicited by a guy loitering out front.  As I walked through the convenience store parking lot, he stood up from where he was leaning against the wall behind the trash can.  Hey baby, he called.  You wanna jump on me?  I looked to the left at him with a scowl.  I was on my way to the grocery store next door, and didn't break stride as I said I don't know what that means, and kept stepping.

As I crossed over into the supermarket parking lot, I thought with annoyance how people do this sort of thing.  They are always bothering people and getting on the nerves of others.  As I walked and thought, my frown began to smooth out, and I thought that God can help him.  I silently rebuked myself for my train of thought.  Don't hate, just pray I told myself.  God knows why he's doing what he's doing. God knows what he needs that is beyond what he's doing.  I began to pray for him as I approached the glass doors of the store.

Don't hate, just pray is not about being jealous of the possessions, blessings or traits of someone else.  It's about re-directing our train of thought from being angry at the activities of others, to feeling compassion for them, and then praying a heartfelt prayer on their behalf.  We can hate what they do, but it's more beneficial, for us and them, to arrest our train of thought from hating the person.

We don't like it when we are approached by certain types of characters.  We don't want to rub shoulders with certain types of people.  When we encounter this, our thoughts can rapidly degrade, and become useless, if we are not aware of it.

When I left the store the 'fella was still loafing outside the convenience store.  He yelled out a similar invitation to another man, as he left the store.  That person said I don't know man, and kept walking, never turning around to look at the loafer.  Using my wisdom as a woman walking alone, I gave a wide berth to the front of the store where the man loitered.  As I made my way on towards home, I smiled and thought, Give grace to the graceless, and don't hate, just pray.  I did not doubt that God loves that man.

I desire therefore that the men in every place pray,

lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

(I Timothy 2:8 World English Bible)

 _______________________
Image Credit: lovette<3 

Maybe It Was An Angel Who Walked By

I was in my 20's, walking from the bus stop when I noticed a nurse trudging slowly towards me.  She stopped and asked if I had some money to give her for bus fare.  She seemed to be in her 30-40's.  Though I wasn't sure of her age, I knew she was considerably older than me.

She looked so incredibly dejected and depressed.  I recognized it because I've been incredibly depressed at times.  Being as young as I was though, I was very disconcerted by her request.  I couldn't imagine someone in a nurse's uniform asking me for a handout.  It felt too bizarre for me to even consider stopping to talk with her, and to try to help.  I shook my head and mouthed "no," and hurried on in my discomfort. 

It wasn't that I would not have wanted to help her, because I've needed help often in my life.  The truth is that I probably didn't have a nickle to give her, but I was not thinking about that.  It startled me so much for an older, professional person to humble herself enough to ask a younger person like me, on the street and in jeans and a t-shirt, for monetary help.

I never forgot that incident.  It comes back to me regularly.  Why?  Because it reminds me of the saying, Maybe we are entertaining angels unaware.   I wish so much that it could have happened now, when I'm much more experienced and mature, and cannot be surprised by the needs of different types of "others."   Was she an angel?  I don't know.  I do know that at that time, I was not capable of responding differently.

Since then I have helped a lot of people.  I have been an instrument through which God has blessed others in different ways.  I have also been blessed by the obedience and generosity of others.  Everyday I welcome opportunities to help others.

Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver. 

(2 Corinthians 9:7 World English Bible)

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly , or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.  

 (2 Corinthians 9:7 King James Version)

Not only does God love a cheerful giver, but we feel good when we give what we want to and feel that we can give.  Peace comes in this way, rather than when we feel forced or coerced.  If more, or even less, needs to be done, we can trust God to let us know.  He will also give us the resources to honor his wishes.
____________________________________
Image Credit: James Blunt Photography 

Grace, Restraint & Peacemaking

Responding with grace and diplomacy is always the best policy.  It is a lesson that builds upon the saying if you can't say anything good, don't say anything at all.  It is a lesson that I use when my response has the potential to be too heated, too emotional, unfair or belligerent.  When debating and contesting may not increase knowledge, or foster friendly relationships, I choose this tact.  Thinking like this helps me to defuse situations and to also practice good conflict resolution.

Many years ago, I bought an electronic typewriter that began to have problems shortly after purchase.  I contacted the company, but was not able to resolve the issue to my satisfaction.  Though I was disappointed, angry and dissatisfied, the customer service manager was graceful in her formal letters to me.

Unfortunately, their service plan never served me well, so I never purchased an item with that brand name again.  I had always liked that company and they lost a customer.  However, I never forgot the consistent grace with which that person used to communicate with me.  Despite my angry and aggressive approach, she did not allow herself to respond in kind.  It did not cause me to remain loyal to her company, but it worked to diffuse my anger.  It prevented the situation from escalating, which was very helpful to me, emotionally and socially.

As you can see I am still impressed, after almost 20 years, by that manager's skill in the practice of restraint.  I choose to use the lesson of responding with grace and diplomacy in all of my interactions, and you know what? It always works.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

(Matthew 5:9 New International Version)

By a soft answer wrath is turned away, but a bitter word

is a cause of angry feelings.

(Proverbs 15:1 Bible in Basic English)

Whoever loves pure thoughts and kind words will have even the king as a friend.

(Proverbs 22:11 New Century Version)  

____________________________________
Image Credit: OCVA

A Chance To Prepare

The knowledge of the inevitable is a chance to prepare.  Often, we don't take the chance that is given to us.  It's a lifelong chance, for we have all of our lives, starting today, to prepare.  It seems that something as inevitable as death would be attended to by all, but instead we avoid it until it overtakes us.

If we die instantly and before our time, we don't know what hit us.  We laugh at people who plan their funerals and choose their burial garments.  We hope it won't happen to us, while knowing it will, and that it could be any day.  We ignore children when they ask questions about death, preferring to judge them as incapable of dealing with it, when really it is the incapability of us adults.  As a result of being unable to face the inevitable, we die without our affairs in order, and without consideration to the ongoing lives of our loved ones.

If we care about those who will live after us, we can show that by beginning today to get our affairs in order.  If we want to be good stewards of all that we've been given,  we'll make time today to begin to prepare for our loved ones to have a smooth transition when we are gone.  We can love the ones we love by facing the fact that because we will be departing, we need to work to lessen the burden of those left behind.  We can begin to face the inevitable and leave a legacy of Godly preparation.  

For this God is our God, for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.

(Psalm 48:14, King James Version)

May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you.

(Psalm 25:21, New Living Translation)

What Difference Does It Make, If Any At All?

Obey the prompting, in faith, and it'll all work out.  God promises to replace, in this world, in our present lives, what we feel we may miss.  I know because it has happened to me several times.

Once when I threw away a paperback book because some of the content would turn my mind away from the good things of God, an amazing thing happened.  I think the book was a Christian romance.  The main character had a flashback about erotic details of a previous relationship.  Because of that, there was the potential of similar flashbacks occurring in the story.  I had read about 1/3 of it, and wanted to learn the end.

I felt in my spirit that I didn't need to know the end.  I tried to convince myself that I could finish the book, glossing over any more flashbacks, but decided to toss it anyway.  It was not easy since my curiosity was so strong, and it almost stuck to my hand as I tossed it in the round file.

Satisfied, I still lamented that I'd have to find and start a new book right away.  The very next day, as I walked into the foyer of the community outreach where I helped out, there was a pile of hardback books on the donation table, where clothing usually was.  Loving the written word, I advanced to the table and saw that the dust jackets were similar paintings of town scenes. I'd never heard of Jan Karon and read on the back of one that it was a Christian novel, and that this author was a Christian.

The seven volumes were a series, with the first one titled At Home In Mitford.  I felt excitement rise, and feeling that it was too good to be true, I asked anyway.  As I held my breath, because I wanted them so badly, I was told that they were free, that I could take what I wanted.  I almost tip-toed to the table, nervous that someone would rush out and prevent me from claiming such a wonderful gift.  As I piled them into my arms, I knew that they were a reward from my God, for my obedience, not sacrifice, to his Spirit.

Ms. Karon had written 2-3 more in her wonderful series about Pastor Tim.  They are about a clean Christian romance, with comedy and drama, and spiritually encouraging.  I would say that I got a seven times return on my investment, wouldn't you?  I eventually checked the others out at the library.

The thing is that God didn't need me to give up that book, but it strengthened me.  It also helped me to understand a little more about who God is.  He does not take things from us, and jerk us around.  If his Spirit nudges us to do or not do, it will help us, not cheat us. 

Obeying the prompting of the Spirit is vital in every area,  regarding associations with others, things, thoughts, circumstances, plans, pursuits, everything.  Spiritually, and therefore technically, we cannot accurately choose of what to deny ourselves.  The Holy Spirit pinpoints the things which daily should be denied.

Samuel, a prophet, priest and judge, knew that obedience is always better than sacrifice.  Sacrifice is generally something we have chosen to give up, so we don't feel very much tension about it.  We feel pious.  When we obey God's prompting, it may feel uncomfortable, or even painful at first.  It is certain however, that we'll be strengthened and righteous, rather than pious.  Our sacrificial choices bring fleshly joy and no lasting significance.  What God asks us to do/not will result in spiritual joy and eternal significance.

 
Allow God to daily chose the sacrifices, obey the prompting of the Spirit and choose strength.  You'll be storing up valuables in heaven, where they will not become obsolete or stolen.  Your heart will be for things of God, helping you to lose your attachment to non-beneficial things in this world.

Don't focus on denying, because often failure comes through denying.  It's founded upon our fleshly strength, which is weak.  The spirit of man is willing.  The flesh is weak.  Just listen, and obey.  That's founded upon the power of God through his Spirit, which is strong.  If we can remember that God always has our best interest at heart, we'll listen and obey much more often, and not waste time on picking what to sacrifice.  Jesus Christ was the ultimate sacrifice for everything.  We don't have to do that anymore.

Luke 9:23

I Sam. 15:22
Matt 6:19-21
Col. 3:2 
Luke 9:24

Books by Jan Karon at Amazon
________________________

Image Credit: midnightlounge

Easter: A Day of Rest & Celebration

My mom's lillies risen again on our apartment breezeway, salvaged from her old home.

Sundays always seem to be a day of rest for me.  Many of us were raised this way.  The Lord rested on the 7th day, or the 1st day, or otherwise, depending on how you see it.  So should we.

I think we should all have a day of rest, no matter what day it is that we choose.  Our bodies, minds and spirits benefit greatly from it.  The actual day doesn't matter to me, because the history of the names and times of days is variable, so why make a big deal of it?  Just choose a day, even if it changes each week, and rest.

Worship, hunt eggs, read the Bible, eat ham, go to an Easter sunrise service for the first time to celebrate the risen Christ, eat a chocolate rabbit.  Celebrate Easter however you can, and have a blessed rest.
_____________________________________

DNTH has been submitted to Technorati W4DYW3Z7RHSM and the claim process is underway.

Poetry: Life Is A Miracle Don't Let It Slip Away

Looking up at a Winter sky.

We run across cutesy quotations, verse and poetry everyday.  Often our emailboxes are crammed with positive alerts and good news notes, many that we have subscribed to.

Sometimes our lives can seem overloaded with positive thinking suggestions and admonitions to look up, think upwardly, aspire upwards, be upwardly mobile.  I support and promote all of that.  I am a positive thinker and becoming more so, as I combat cynicism, discouragement and dejection.

I ran across this poem in my bulging quotations file.  I don't even remember from where it came.  There is no credit to who wrote this insight into selflessness.  When I read it, I was inspired by the simple suggestions to be present and positive in our lives.

Life is a miracle

Don't let it slip away,

Open your heart to others

Give of yourself each day.

See the beauty in everyone

Regardless of where they've been,

Some have a difficult journey

And really need a friend.

Share your gifts and talents

Listen with your heart.

Do the things you dream about

But don't have time to start.

Pick a bouquet of flowers

Show someone that you care,

Be gracious and forgiving

Life is never fair.

Hold on to your courage

You may need it down the road,

We all have a cross to bear

It could be a heavy load.

If you practice all these things

No matter where you roam,

You may find both sun and rain

But you'll never feel alone!

(anonymous)

Do the things you dream about but don't have time to start.  Make the time to do the things that you don't have time to do. Make the money to do the things that you can't afford.  Make the effort to do the things that you wish you felt like doing...Understand?

Dear Father: I pray that for each person who reads this post, that you will broaden his scope and widen her horizon. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

___________________________

 

Image Credit: Artsy Craftery Design Studio

Do You Want To, Or Not? It's As Simple As That.

If you want to do it, there is always a way, and you find it.

If you don't  want to do it, there are obstacles.

The realization of your dreams

is as simple as that. 

Everything is possible for him who believes. 
Mark 9:23 NIV

______________________

Image Credit: guillenperez 

Me, Myself & God

I went walking this morning with my coffee mug in hand.  It was a gray, drizzling daybreak, and 53 degrees.  Then I came back and sat on the breezeway to read my Bible, and spend time with God.  I like having these morning devotions.  They help me start my day on a positive note.  I start out strengthened and inspired, better prepared for anything that may come along.

I am glad that I have faith in how God does things.  God's ways seem to be very crazy and unfair to many, with 911, Jeffrey Dahmer, Sandyhook, slavery and war.  Many wonder if there is even a God at all.  If there is, they muse, he is very non-compassionate, selfish and self-centered.  Not a loving God at all, but a monster.

Some feel that starting my day with God is no different than starting the day with Yoga, meditation, exercise or other life-enhancing practices.

As I drank my coffee, listened to the winter birds and squirrels, and observed the leaden sky, I thought, anything can happen today.  There could be a devastating event in my life today.  A great blessing could come into my life today.  

I took another sip of my smooth, sweet coffee, and got up to start my day.
_____________________
Image Credit: prettyinprint