Friday, July 31, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
I LOVE My Pom Poms!!
It amazes me how God uses our dreams to show us things. Usually my dreams tell me something about myself or how I'm perceiving a situation. Over the last few weeks I've been having the strangest dreams. Dreams that when I interpret them I learn something about myself that I think I need to change. Only, later I learn that these dreams are preparing me for the future. They are showing me how I am to act in the coming days.
Here I am, thinking I need to step up my game because I'm being walked on. When, in reality, I am being shown what will happen so I'm not taken by surprise! Surprise is a bad thing for me because I hate change when it isn't a good one. I feel blindsided. Which inadvertantly sends me back into my old ways of reacting almost immediately and I respond out of "survival". I see these "surprises" happen in my dream and the thought process that I go through during that is what I am characterized of thinking in real life. Each response is different depending on if I'm blindsided or prepared. In each case it seems that I am frustrated (just like in real life) by what is happening at that moment. So I pray (yes, I pray in my dreams too). Questioning God, asking for understanding of what is taking place and how to act in a way that would be pleasing to Him. Later, (in real life) come find out that He was giving me the answer of how to be a witness through my dream.
Despite wanting to help, I was being instructed to stand back. (I'm filled butterflies thinking of this) Every time!! Because of my stubborness mentioned in previous posts, I have to really focus on my response so as not to come across defensively beligerant. Being beligerant is my "survival instinct" that kicks in when I feel like a rug. A handful of people (of which do not know each other) have told me throughout the years, "Tera, you are only a rug when you feel like one".
Do you think God was trying to tell me something?!
I do. To prove it to me He has shown me verse after verse over the last year (especially over the last month) of what carrying my cross looks like, how Jesus responded to carrying His cross, what Satan looks and acts like when he's winning that battle, and Satans reaction when he's loosing the war (that there brought my laughter back, ha ha ha)! Then, to drive t
he point home, shows me what it looks like specifically for me through my dreams!!!
Because He prepared me, I have more strength to control myself. Its is much easier to watch on the sideline while The Quarterback (ye-es that would be ...God) controls the game. I have been taken out of my 2nd string position standing next to the sideline trying to inch my toe onto the field thinking the next play I make will be better.
Here I am, thinking I need to step up my game because I'm being walked on. When, in reality, I am being shown what will happen so I'm not taken by surprise! Surprise is a bad thing for me because I hate change when it isn't a good one. I feel blindsided. Which inadvertantly sends me back into my old ways of reacting almost immediately and I respond out of "survival". I see these "surprises" happen in my dream and the thought process that I go through during that is what I am characterized of thinking in real life. Each response is different depending on if I'm blindsided or prepared. In each case it seems that I am frustrated (just like in real life) by what is happening at that moment. So I pray (yes, I pray in my dreams too). Questioning God, asking for understanding of what is taking place and how to act in a way that would be pleasing to Him. Later, (in real life) come find out that He was giving me the answer of how to be a witness through my dream.
Despite wanting to help, I was being instructed to stand back. (I'm filled butterflies thinking of this) Every time!! Because of my stubborness mentioned in previous posts, I have to really focus on my response so as not to come across defensively beligerant. Being beligerant is my "survival instinct" that kicks in when I feel like a rug. A handful of people (of which do not know each other) have told me throughout the years, "Tera, you are only a rug when you feel like one".
Do you think God was trying to tell me something?!
I do. To prove it to me He has shown me verse after verse over the last year (especially over the last month) of what carrying my cross looks like, how Jesus responded to carrying His cross, what Satan looks and acts like when he's winning that battle, and Satans reaction when he's loosing the war (that there brought my laughter back, ha ha ha)! Then, to drive t
he point home, shows me what it looks like specifically for me through my dreams!!!Because He prepared me, I have more strength to control myself. Its is much easier to watch on the sideline while The Quarterback (ye-es that would be ...God) controls the game. I have been taken out of my 2nd string position standing next to the sideline trying to inch my toe onto the field thinking the next play I make will be better.
Now................I have sparkly pom poms shaking wildly in my hands, flying ribbons in my pon
ytail, and glitter in my team's color on my uniform and face, screaming with excitement at each move that is made! Hearing the roar from our team's fans behind me shouting for more! The thunder of their feet on the stands to put fear and weakness in the oth
er team. They are on our turf now!
ytail, and glitter in my team's color on my uniform and face, screaming with excitement at each move that is made! Hearing the roar from our team's fans behind me shouting for more! The thunder of their feet on the stands to put fear and weakness in the oth
er team. They are on our turf now!Tuesday, July 21, 2009
God's Calling
My stubborness never seems to fail me. Even when I'm on the phone crying my eyes out to my cousins, "I can't do this anymore"...blah, blah; in my heart I know I'm not willing to give up on my marriage! It's just not in my nature. All through childhood me and my mom would fight constantly! It wasn't until this year that she was willing to admit things she had done wrong and understand my point of view as a child. I am now 28 and chaos started happening before I was in 2nd grade. I remember calling her bluff when I was in kindergarten! But I knew she wasn't happy. And I knew without a shadow of a doubt that Jesus had her name written on the palm of His hand with His hand wrapped inside God's hand, never to be plucked!! So I never gave up on her actively following Jesus! I won't give up on my sister actively following Him either. Nor will I give up on my husband. I love him more than anyone else on this planet. So though I grow weary, I will not quit!
I believe that my stubborness is most certainly a strength. Although it has had to be refined. I know this strength matches my husband's. And thank God for that because boy!...is he ever stubborn.
Through this I have learned to not be so hurt when he keeps his distance from me. Why? Well, I know that he does so when he is resisting God. So I (right now I am reminding myself) rejoice knowing that God is pursuing him. Calling him to higher ground. And the fun part is ...... satan is loosing! I know that he can't resist God forever. Are you kidding?! Ha! We don't have that kind of strength. So it's funny to me how satan tries to rub it in my face. "See how he's acting?! I got him where I want him. And I see you crenging with fear." And I, for so long have allowed that ploy to work on me. I would freak out.
I believe that my stubborness is most certainly a strength. Although it has had to be refined. I know this strength matches my husband's. And thank God for that because boy!...is he ever stubborn.
Through this I have learned to not be so hurt when he keeps his distance from me. Why? Well, I know that he does so when he is resisting God. So I (right now I am reminding myself) rejoice knowing that God is pursuing him. Calling him to higher ground. And the fun part is ...... satan is loosing! I know that he can't resist God forever. Are you kidding?! Ha! We don't have that kind of strength. So it's funny to me how satan tries to rub it in my face. "See how he's acting?! I got him where I want him. And I see you crenging with fear." And I, for so long have allowed that ploy to work on me. I would freak out.
I am choosing to draw my strength and wisdom from the Lord that He is giving me presently. I will no longer allow myself to be restricted to what I have already gained from wisdom. Instead, allow God to build on to it. Adding more wisdom and understanding to what is happening currently is how He is molding me, strengthening me, encouraging me. teaching me to persevere with confidence! Confindence in Him! My Maker. My Father. My Father who knows what is best for me and proves it to me time and time again.
Patience as We Grow
I have been confronted more and more lately with the different purposes God calls each individual to act on. Not just that, but how vastly different they are and how each purpose works together so perfectly for God's plan! Every time I think about it I'm just amazed and filled with butterflies at how He works!!
The interesting thing is how I notice it......out of judgement. I catch myself going back to my "old way" of thinking (or shall we say old way of judging others harshly!). I'll be thinking to myself how irked I am that someone is not acting the way I think they should. Then one of the verses of how we are not to judge others crosses my mind. One in particular from the book of James says that God is the only Judge so what right do we have to judge others. Can I as a human change that person? No. That is done through God. So I ponder, "What does God have in store for this person's imperfections?" "When will is His perfect timing for teaching this person about there imperfections?" "What's the purpose for His timing on this?" For I know all too well how He has used my imperfections. I also know how He has used the strengths in my character for His purpose. So I think about the other persons strengths and just wonder how all of it will play out for them. Will they even notice? Or will they be just as amazed as I am?
"Don't let any evil talk come out of your mouths. Say only what will help to build others up and meet their needs. Then what you say will help those who listen ....Get rid of all hard feelings, anger and rage....Be kind and tender to one another. Forgive each other, just as God forgave you because of what Christ has done. You are the children that God dearly loves. So be just like him." Eph 4:29-5:1
We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me. For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through patience and comfort of the Scriptures we might have hope.May the God who gives patience and comfort give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Rom 15:1-7
So in short we need to be patient with each other as we grow. In God's perfect timing He will work on our weaknesses.
The interesting thing is how I notice it......out of judgement. I catch myself going back to my "old way" of thinking (or shall we say old way of judging others harshly!). I'll be thinking to myself how irked I am that someone is not acting the way I think they should. Then one of the verses of how we are not to judge others crosses my mind. One in particular from the book of James says that God is the only Judge so what right do we have to judge others. Can I as a human change that person? No. That is done through God. So I ponder, "What does God have in store for this person's imperfections?" "When will is His perfect timing for teaching this person about there imperfections?" "What's the purpose for His timing on this?" For I know all too well how He has used my imperfections. I also know how He has used the strengths in my character for His purpose. So I think about the other persons strengths and just wonder how all of it will play out for them. Will they even notice? Or will they be just as amazed as I am?
"Don't let any evil talk come out of your mouths. Say only what will help to build others up and meet their needs. Then what you say will help those who listen ....Get rid of all hard feelings, anger and rage....Be kind and tender to one another. Forgive each other, just as God forgave you because of what Christ has done. You are the children that God dearly loves. So be just like him." Eph 4:29-5:1
We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me. For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through patience and comfort of the Scriptures we might have hope.May the God who gives patience and comfort give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Rom 15:1-7
So in short we need to be patient with each other as we grow. In God's perfect timing He will work on our weaknesses.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Called to Action
My brothers and sisters, what good is it if people claim they have faith but don't act like it? Can that kind of faith save them?
Suppose a brother or sister has no clothes or food. Suppose one of you says to them, "Go. I hope everything turns out fine for you. Keep warm. Eat well." And you do nothing about what they really need. Then what good have you done?
It is the same with faith. If it doesn't cause us to do something, it's dead.
But someone will say, "You have faith. I do good works."
Show me your faith that doesn't do good works. And I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that. And they tremble!
You foolish man! Do you want proof that faith without good works is useless? Our father Abraham offered his son Isaac on the altar. Wasn't he consisdered to be right with God becauase of what he did? So you see that what he believed and what he did were working together. What he did made his faith complete.
That is what Scipture means where it says, "Abraham believed God. God accepted Abraham because he believed. So his faith made him right with God." (Genesis 15:6) And that's not all. God called Abraham his friend. So you see that a perosn is made right with God by what he does. It doesn't happen only because of what he believes.
Didn't God make even Rahab the prostitute right with him? That's because of what she did. She gave the spies a place to stay. Then she sent them off in a different dirction.
The body without the spirit is dead. In that same way, faith without good works is dead.
-James 2:14-26
Believe it or not I have had the second paragraph happen to me and my family more than once. However, it was with hope and love. I've seen it happen with others,too, but I was scared to help and didn't know how even if I wasn't.
Do you know someone who is hurting? Reach out to them. Show them you care.....on a regular basis. God will lead you when you are grounded in Him.
Suppose a brother or sister has no clothes or food. Suppose one of you says to them, "Go. I hope everything turns out fine for you. Keep warm. Eat well." And you do nothing about what they really need. Then what good have you done?
It is the same with faith. If it doesn't cause us to do something, it's dead.
But someone will say, "You have faith. I do good works."
Show me your faith that doesn't do good works. And I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that. And they tremble!
You foolish man! Do you want proof that faith without good works is useless? Our father Abraham offered his son Isaac on the altar. Wasn't he consisdered to be right with God becauase of what he did? So you see that what he believed and what he did were working together. What he did made his faith complete.
That is what Scipture means where it says, "Abraham believed God. God accepted Abraham because he believed. So his faith made him right with God." (Genesis 15:6) And that's not all. God called Abraham his friend. So you see that a perosn is made right with God by what he does. It doesn't happen only because of what he believes.
Didn't God make even Rahab the prostitute right with him? That's because of what she did. She gave the spies a place to stay. Then she sent them off in a different dirction.
The body without the spirit is dead. In that same way, faith without good works is dead.
-James 2:14-26
Believe it or not I have had the second paragraph happen to me and my family more than once. However, it was with hope and love. I've seen it happen with others,too, but I was scared to help and didn't know how even if I wasn't.
Do you know someone who is hurting? Reach out to them. Show them you care.....on a regular basis. God will lead you when you are grounded in Him.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
True Love
It amazes me every time I witness how far Love will go. When one feels truly excepted by those around, the difference it makes in that person's life. It's incredible! I get to see the bible come to life every time!
I'm not talking about a half shoulder hug, or a few good compliments, etc. I'm talking about an honest relationship with someone. A relationship that we, as christians, are called to be an example of. We are called to except people where they are currently in their life and embrace them. Get to know them. What do they like or dislike are a great starting point. But you need to to go further than that! Spend time with them. Doing what?! Invite them to dinner. Go camping, fishing, lay out in the sun, play games, help them in times of need (which may be as simple as letting them borrow your tools or helping them with maintenance), celebrate in times of excitement, take the kids to play a game of football in their front yard....What do they enjoy??? Then go do it! But don't fake your enjoyment!
Go over to their house if you're invited. So many times I've seen people afraid to do that because that means you will most likely be uncomfortable. Here's a news flash - So Will They!! lol So why not share in that feeling?! Ha! Or because they don't want to be that close to them, for fear of being "blemished" [That could be an appropriate feeling. My response to that - spend more time with God so to stand firm in Him. (Here my heart on this cuz I'm talking to myself, too.)]Or because they don't want to be involved in the drama of that person's life. Well I'm sorry but when someone doesn't know what True Love looks like or has only seen glimpses of it and therefore not living by true love.....there WILL be drama.
We are called to be the light of the world because the world is naturally a dark place. But what does that look like? Well....this! This is one example. One of many. Use your imagination. Don't have an imagination? Not to worry. God gave you a life story with Christ and by golly He's going to use it. So wouldn't you rather be proactive about letting Him use your experiences to help others rather than "if it happens it happens"?
People are people. Meaning we are all alike. Who cares if we don't have the same interests because we all have the same burning desire to be loved and wholly accepted as we are. Whether one is a gangster and the other is a princess; or one is gothic, the other is an outdoors adventurist; or how-abouts a cowboy and a skater; use your imagination. That's the way we were created. I can type this paragraph now with confidence!! I've always believed this. But 2 yrs ago I would not have been so bold to say it like this where ANYONE could read it because there was a piece of me (a very small piece mind you, like a decimal of a decimal of a percent, but still a piece - which lets be real in God's eyes it's still doubt) that wondered if this were still true in the most extreme cases. In my heart of hearts I did believe this to be true but now I know it to be true. God has blessed me so that I no longer have any doubt but now have facts of what have happened and I now know it to be true! I've have seen it with my own eyes.
Hear me cry out....."Love Heals!!"
I'm not talking about a half shoulder hug, or a few good compliments, etc. I'm talking about an honest relationship with someone. A relationship that we, as christians, are called to be an example of. We are called to except people where they are currently in their life and embrace them. Get to know them. What do they like or dislike are a great starting point. But you need to to go further than that! Spend time with them. Doing what?! Invite them to dinner. Go camping, fishing, lay out in the sun, play games, help them in times of need (which may be as simple as letting them borrow your tools or helping them with maintenance), celebrate in times of excitement, take the kids to play a game of football in their front yard....What do they enjoy??? Then go do it! But don't fake your enjoyment!
Go over to their house if you're invited. So many times I've seen people afraid to do that because that means you will most likely be uncomfortable. Here's a news flash - So Will They!! lol So why not share in that feeling?! Ha! Or because they don't want to be that close to them, for fear of being "blemished" [That could be an appropriate feeling. My response to that - spend more time with God so to stand firm in Him. (Here my heart on this cuz I'm talking to myself, too.)]Or because they don't want to be involved in the drama of that person's life. Well I'm sorry but when someone doesn't know what True Love looks like or has only seen glimpses of it and therefore not living by true love.....there WILL be drama.
We are called to be the light of the world because the world is naturally a dark place. But what does that look like? Well....this! This is one example. One of many. Use your imagination. Don't have an imagination? Not to worry. God gave you a life story with Christ and by golly He's going to use it. So wouldn't you rather be proactive about letting Him use your experiences to help others rather than "if it happens it happens"?
People are people. Meaning we are all alike. Who cares if we don't have the same interests because we all have the same burning desire to be loved and wholly accepted as we are. Whether one is a gangster and the other is a princess; or one is gothic, the other is an outdoors adventurist; or how-abouts a cowboy and a skater; use your imagination. That's the way we were created. I can type this paragraph now with confidence!! I've always believed this. But 2 yrs ago I would not have been so bold to say it like this where ANYONE could read it because there was a piece of me (a very small piece mind you, like a decimal of a decimal of a percent, but still a piece - which lets be real in God's eyes it's still doubt) that wondered if this were still true in the most extreme cases. In my heart of hearts I did believe this to be true but now I know it to be true. God has blessed me so that I no longer have any doubt but now have facts of what have happened and I now know it to be true! I've have seen it with my own eyes.
Hear me cry out....."Love Heals!!"
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