I Wish They'd Get What They Deserve!

I am a Christian.  Yet, there's this sense within me that people should get what they deserve. How often we, as Christians, take for granted the grace & mercy which God bestowed upon us as His children, while secretly wanting others to NOT receive that same grace & mercy. We seem to think we know the perfect punishment for other people's sins. But, God's promises are for everyone...

His mercies are NEW every morning.
Great is His faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:23

When Jonah complained about God's sentence upon Nineveh, God told him, "... Nineveh has more than 120,000 people living in spiritual darkness, not to mention all the animals. Shouldn't I feel sorry for such a great city?" Jonah 4:11. This didn't really sit well with Jonah.

It often doesn't sit right with us when others don't get the punishment we think they deserve. A verse that has taken on a very special meaning for me in the past year or so is... 

"The Lord isn't really being slow about His promise, as some people think. No, He is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent." 

2 Peter 3:9

God's grace is greater than all our sin... all of everyone's sin! His grace & mercy is great enough for the little sins... and the big sins -- as we often see them! God gives every single one of us "second chances".

Perhaps we (I) should be less concerned about what others deserve and more concerned about expressing thankfulness to God for the mercy & grace which He has extended to... each of us.

Linking with Ann Voskamp - A Holy Experience today... 

Where Can They Go?

If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there Your hand will guide me,
Your right hand will hold me fast.
Psalm 139
photo by Tom Getz

My children can't accurately be called children.  They're young adults.  I've loved them to the moon & back.  And, I've taught them about my love for the Lord & his children.  But, will they choose to embrace the things I hold so dear?  I've been looking at my "love" in comparison to the love of God. 

We're promised in Romans 8:38, "... NOTHING can separate us from the love of God." Nothing is a pretty big deal. It really leaves out NOTHING :) 

We are assured in Psalm 103:8, "The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love." Unfailing love - unable, no matter the circumstances or the choices made by someone, to fail??

But, what if we don't want God's love or someone dear doesn't want God's love OR our love? True love doesn't come with strings. It's freely given. Love isn't contained by boundaries or diminished by someone's refusal to accept it!

David asked God in Psalm 139:7-10, "Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me." 

God's love GOES with us - even when we don't want it... when we are hiding from it. Even there God's hand is upon us & leading us. That's the kind of love I want to have. God is love & He is unfailing, ever-present & never discouraged.

Psalm 139 is a great reminder that God will never leave us. But, it's also a great reminder that God promises to not let ANYTHING separate any of His children from His love - not even their choices.

(shared 9/4/12 with the Ann Voskamp One Thousand Gifts community) 

Too Noisy in Your Life?

A devotional thought from My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers: 

"Is my ear sensitive enough to hear even the softest whisper of the Spirit?" 

Photo by T. Getz

What a GREAT question for every day. It reminds me of how crazy life can get & how we allow the "noise" around us to deafen us to the voice of God. We don't just need God in the crisis situations. He doesn't just give us suggestions & commands. 

God gives us affirmation, encouragement, consolation, comfort... everything we NEED at just the right moment. 

If we are so preoccupied by the noise around us, how can we hear His sweet, sweet voice? Even in the "noisiest" times, we need to "Be still & know that I AM GOD." Psalm 46:10. 

Take time every day to sit quietly in the presence of the Lord and hear His voice.

My Life in Tweets (and Thoughts)

Thanks to T. Getz for this photo & scripture.  In the twists & turns of life, whether good or bad, those who claim the name of "Christ-follower" can know that God will work GOOD out of anything & everything, if we trust Him to do so.

Since I started doing Twitter over 2 years ago, I seem to think in about 140-character thoughts.  Here's My Life in Tweets (and Thoughts) for the past month or so.  I seem to "tweet" a lot!

05/09/11... Dear God, Help me forgive those who see & do nothing. Give me peace that through You I have seen & done all I can. It's in Your hands.

05/09/11... Each day brings new heartaches & new joys. It's great to know that God is never caught by surprise & has a plan! Jeremiah 29:11

05/09/11... Everyone's story is their own to tell -- even when it deeply affects "me" and/or the lives of those around. You never know what someone is going through. Be slow to judge & quick to love.


05/07/11... "Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. " 1 Corinthians 13:7


05/07/11... No matter how hard you try to get someone to love you back, you can't MAKE them. That doesn't mean you shouldn't still love them. ( This entire chapter is worth reading! 1 Corinthians 13)


05/05/11... Ever see one of your friends and think, "Oh my! She's aged about 15 years!!!"?Well, I'm gonna be that friend next time you see me.


05/05/11... It's not every day that you hear the hubby ask, "Wanna go shoot the Glock out behind the pine trees, Honey?"


05/04/11... What a great comfort we have in God's Word... "When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul." Psalm 94:19  #GodWins


05/04/11... Looks like our son will be a busy boy at UofCinci, College-Conservatory of Music this fall - Double Major Trombone Performance & Composition.


05/04/11... "Dear James, Great news!!! You have been moved off the composition waitlist to accept! We’ll get an official letter out to you later this week. CCM"


05/03/11... Just in time for Mother's Day - "IN THA MUTHAHOOD" - where my muthas at? Laugh and RT! http://bit.ly/mm9BKm "I'm a Momma Bear & all the Mommas agree, If you messin' with my kids, you straight up messin' with me!" - love those words from the video!


05/03/11 3:44am... @kimberlymajeski For some reason I was awakened abruptly at 3:44 am. So, I'm part of the "night shift" & praying for Rose, you & the family!


05/02/11... If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong… http://bible.us/1Cor13.1.NLT


05/02/11... I'm losing myself in my work today... being reminded gently in my spirit that someone BIGGER is dealing with the yuck for me.


04/30/11... Might need to go move a few things so my MPCWomMinLeadTeam girlfriends can safely walk thru the house tomorrow 6-9pm WOOHOOO... party!


04/29/11... "For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known." 1 Corinthians 13:12


04/29/11... KISS HER... KISS HER... KISS HER... KISS HER... KISS HER... KISS HER... KISS HER... KISS HER... KISS HER... KISS HER... KISS! #TheRoyalKiss


04/29/11... I am being SUCH A GEEK about this Royal Wedding!!! I can do without some of the press comments. I just wanna see the pretty stuff :D


04/29/11... History in the making right before our eyes. May they remember & reflect upon the Word which was spoken in their ceremony. God be praised!!


04/29/11... I love when weddings are "church" -- bringing honor, glory & praise to God. And, I love words from God's Holy Word put to music!!! #blessed


04/28/11... "Fight your battles on your knees. No one knows the whole story better than God." ~ C.Stanley    ".. the Spirit himself intercedes for us.." Romans 8:26


04/28/11... I'm pretty sure we broke a world record at getting in & out of Bonge's... which is fine for tonight. Idol on TV & working on our laptops :)


04/28/11... I don't want to cook... I just want to go out or eat chocolate... I'm in a working mood


04/28/11... I truly hate SQUARE cars... seeing them makes me feel angry. They look like a box on wheels.


04/28/11... Does somebody know anyone who would deliver some raspberry filled & vanilla creme filled donuts ASAP? PLEASE and THANK YOU :D


04/27/11... Today is Administrative/Executive Assistant's Day & I got to be a recipient thanks to my part-time, temporary job at MPC. THANKS FRIENDS :D


04/27/11... There's just something about being a mom that melts your heart when you see other moms with their kids... even when the kids are grown up :)


04/26/11... I hate it when I'm in a hurry and accidentally RT myself... but, I can only be social to a small degree when working!


04/26/11... There was a boy, a very strange, enchanted boy... they say he wandered very far, very far over land & sea.... background to work... REALLY?


04/26/11... The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return. So,if you can can can... open your heart to love :)


04/26/11... The car our daughter drives, the "Teal-Mobile," died on the road on Good Friday night. It didn't rise on Easter morning though! #MomChaffeurNow


04/25/11... #tragicmoviedeaths Kevin Costner in The Guardian & in Message in a Bottle. Come to think of it, Kevin Costner anytime/anywhere #Hottie


04/25/11... The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peacefu… (cont) http://deck.ly/~eOjAg


04/25/11... @xxxeleni Text message me if you can't sleep... i'll tell you a story & bore you to sleep! You know how we old people can be!!


04/25/11... Hanging w/my "gang members" tonight - The Riverwood Gang. Love our small group ministry at @MadisonParkCh


04/22/11... TODAY 4-9pm Journey to the Cross: Huge Easter cross set in Main Auditorium-freestanding, towering, sobering, thoughtful - at @MadisonParkCh


04/22/11... I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrow… http://bible.us/John16.33.NLT


04/21/11... 1 of our son's "homework friends" has been here for almost 6 hrs. He's gotten an after-school snack & dinner. Wonder if I should make up a bed??


04/21/11... I am OVERWHELMED with ALL THE GREAT THINGS TO DO TODAY... Dear God, Please set my schedule today! Love you, Your Little Girl :D


04/21/11... RT @nolyon: Nyquill is a miracle drug. I just wake up feeling refreshed after using it! // What HE said!


04/20/11... When we put on a facade & pretend to be perfect, we're not being real & we rob God. In admitting our weaknesses, God CAN be strong thru us!


04/20/11... i might have stolen @KevinMajeski 's tweet verbatim earlier. As I've said before & will surely say again, it's not my fault he's brilliant!!


04/19/11... I'm struggling here people! There's nothing wrong with talking with a Christian counselor :) #RealLifeTweets


04/19/11... Why YES, I always dress up when I'm going to get my head examined :) http://twitpic.com/4muvoz


04/19/11... Time to head out to "Real Life"... actually, my life HERE is totally REAL... I just don't have to put on make-up for life here :D


04/19/11... It's a cool, gray, rainy day here in central Indiana. Started the day with oatmeal at the breakfast table with both kids. Perfect start!!!


04/18/11... After school snack on the patio swing with my little boy - 6' tall, 18yo, heading to college in the fall little boy. Love my kids :D


04/18/11... Dear God, Please help my attitude to be more like yours today. Somebody is really getting on my nerves. Thank you & Love, Your Child


04/18/11... For me, there's a sense of excitement in the air... a new beginning following rest & renewal... my favorite time of year HOLY WEEK!


04/17/11... Plan B: We'll be having pigs n a blanket instead of hot dogs roasted over the fire. We forgot to buy buns. S'mores-we remembered everything! THEN: PlanB evening-Someone fixed the last boxed mac n cheese--made homemade. Set table for those home, daughter showed up-set another place :) THEN: Bonfire & s'mores w/just a minor Plan B. Our son bought GIANT Hershey bars - LOL. Oh well... overall, an entertaining dinner & evening.


04/17/11... 2.5 hrs cleaning up sticks & left over plant debris on a cool, sunny day is a good thing - right @KelliBays #WeBeFarmGirls :)


04/17/11... So much on my heart today... but not the words to articulate. Good music on & projects inside the house and outside do not require words.


04/15/11... Yes folks, I feel like a worn out toy that the dogs have been fighting over for YEARS! But, I'm going to http://on.fb.me/MusicOfBigBands


04/15/11... Well, apparently the doctor is scared of me & wants me to skip him & go get drugs at the pharmacy. First time out of the house since Sunday


04/13/11... "Sometimes we do everything right & we still lose." My thoughts, keep doing what you believe to be right. That's all the control you have.


04/13/11... Whatever hits the fan will not be distributed evenly.


04/13/11... I'm 100% positive I'm gonna die! I'm just trusting that it won't be due to this sore throat, cold, fever thing that's going on now.


04/12/11... If you are a child of God & you marry a child of the Devil, you're going to have trouble with your father-in-law. #maxonlife


04/12/11... Pretty sure i'm water-logged! The allergy med's i'm taking require me to drink LOTS of water, which requires me to take LOTS of breaks!


04/12/11... I was in a TOTAL PANIC trying to get ready for a wk's vacation-including a cruise-in less than 4 days but, I rolled w/it & had a GREAT TIME!


04/11/11... Scripture I taught the kids when they were very young-I have hidden Your Word in my heart O Lord, that I might not sin against You. Psalm 119:11


04/11/11... I'm making myself work but, I feel ROTTEN! Good thing I love my "job" incorporating my spiritual gift of "communication aka social media" :D


04/10/11... I like to keep money that I find lying around the house.


04/10/11... Hooray! My middle of the night driving shift is over -- hooray!! Driving from 2:15am to 7:45am can be bad for a girl's waistline!


04/09/11... High of 85 projected today in New Smyrna Beach & S-U-N-N-Y. I don't wanna go home to Indiana yet! Heading out later today for a 17-hr drive
 
CRUISE :)


04/05/11... Admitting your mistakes, poor choices, shortcomings, etc. is tough for everyone, I'd suspect. But, it sure does make us all more REAL!


04/05/11... You know you're on a cruise when: 100 waiters from every country in the world EXCEPT the US are dancin & singing along to APPLE BOTTOM JEANS


04/05/11... ... just sitting in bed on my laptop... in my cushy Carnival robe... having coffee & fruit that my HUBBY brought to me :D KEY WEST today!!


04/04/11... This is the jankiest lifeboat drill I've ever done. This is my 11th cruise & 1st without lifejackets!


04/04/11... When you pray, it's best to be specific! We are so grateful that God provided a van for our drive. We just forgot to mention functional AC!!


04/02/11... Guest: "Oh, i see, Burt's changing his socks."  My husband to said "Guest", "Did you just call me Burt?" I'm so glad we brought Layke along to entertain!


04/01/11... Mini-van to borrow (check) Person to feed the cat (check) God’s still working on: House-sitter, Safe Trip, Good family time -- trusting!


04/01/11... A few SURE things for those who walk w/the Lord: He will provide for ALL our needs. Sometimes we won't agree with His methods of providing.


04/01/11... I have a million things to do... why am i lying down now? Oh, I know... my nails need time to completely dry. A girl has her priorities!!!

Jagged Puzzle Pieces

"He brought streams out of a rocky crag
and made water flow down like rivers." Psalm 78:16
Photo by T. Getz

With some things that have recently happened in my life & in the lives of others around me, I can't help but think about a small-yet powerful verse, Philippians 4:4, "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say - rejoice!" Close friends of mine have lost loved ones recently or marked the anniversary of the passing of a cherished one or are anticipating the passing of a loved one soon. Marriages & relationships are under attack by Satan. Economic trials are pressing in on many in these day.

But, when I read Philippians 4:4, I can honestly say that I believe that promise. God doesn't ask me to rejoice in what happened but to rejoice in Him through whatever happens. He offers peace in the troubled times. He offers comfort in the times of loss. He offers reassurance in the times of uncertainty & fear. 

David offered the truth in Psalm 37:25a... "I've been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken..." I rejoice in the fact that God will bring His children through anything & everything. I rejoice in the fact that our struggles and hardships will play a part in the wonderful plan of the Father.  It's not always easy... but, God's promises are true. 

Often our "jagged puzzle pieces" are designed to fit perfectly into the masterpiece that will be revealed when we meet him face to face. 

Church Isn't Required for Strong Christians



Photo taken by T. Getz

Community... is BIG for me. I believe in making a conscious effort to connect & have real relationships with others. People in my local church fellowship encourage me, inspire me, and challenged me to be a better person -- not just a better Christian. I know some of their stories.  I know that life isn't that easy for most of them - as they face the up's & down's of life.

The Apostle Paul said in Hebrews 10:24-25, "Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love & good deeds. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near." NLT

I love the New Living Translation  with the words of "encourage one another to outbursts of love & good deeds". I'm thinking we could all use some outbursts of love & good deeds - whether we're the recipient or the giver of those.

Can we effectively & consistently do this on our own - without community with other believers?  Who hasn't seen that the closer we get to God, the harder Satan tries to draw our eyes away from Him.  It's easy to fool ourselves into believing that our close relationship with God diminishes our need to be with His people in His house. Often the smallest gestures (such as just BEING at church) can be an encouragement to those around who are watching us.  I would like to encourage you today - if you claim the name of Christian - to make a commitment to regular fellowship with other believers.  And be reminded, we aren't always there for just us!  Sometimes other believers who know our story are encouraged by our regular attendance.


End of sermon.
Signed. 
The Preacher's Daughter -- but more importantly, 
A Daughter of the King :)


(written 14 Jan 2011)

I Don't Really Like "Worship" at Our Church -- Just the Sermon



Photo taken by T. Getz

 Hello Church-Goers Out There :)

How many times have you heard someone from church say something like this, "I don't really like the "worship part" of the service. I come for the Word... the sermon."

What is worship? It's not just the music part of the church before the "real stuff" of the service, the sermon. It's not predicated on whether we particularly enjoy the style, rhythm & presentation of each song. Worship is offered up to God in honesty by each person individually.  It's what each of us does every moment of our lives to bring honor to God.  Yes, we need to hear the sermon from God's Word.  But, we must also offer up our own worship. When we seek Him daily, we worship Him by showing Him his worth in our life. When we seek Him, we find Him. Deuteronomy 4:29 says "... from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul."

When we worship God, we praise Him -through our words, deeds, thoughts... through our lives. Psalm 145: says, "I will praise the LORD, and everyone on earth will bless his holy name forever and forever."

(written 07 Jan 2011)

I Am A Voice in the Wilderness

Each week I pray & ask God to tell me what to say in this section.  The Word is full of great promises & ways that we can draw nearer to God & be used more effectively by Him.  So, finding something GREAT to share from God's Word isn't a hard thing at all.  My goal is to allow God to make the choice of what I share each week in order to fit into HIS plan for that day/week :) 

In reading John 1 this week, I was reminded over & over of a play that Highland High School's Music & Drama Departments did a few years ago, "Godspell" - adapting the 1973 play & movie.  In the New Testament, when asked by the priests & temple assistants if he was the Promised Messiah, John told them flat out, NO.  When they asked, "Well, then who are you, he replied In John 1:23:  ... in the words of Isaiah: "'I am a voice shouting in the wilderness, `Prepare a straight pathway for the Lord's coming!'"  I especially LOVE the fact that John said I am A voice... instead of I am THE voice.  Each of us can be a voice shouting in the wilderness, Prepare Ye The Way of The Lord :)  

Here's a link from Godspell where John is helping PREPARE THE WAY OF THE LORD:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9viyJB8a7GQ

As said in Ephesians 2:10, "... we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things He planned for us long ago."  There's lots to do out there that God planned for YOU.

He Can't Derail the Plan!




Thanks to T. Getz for capturing this photo 
& adding the scripture!

If you know anything or hear anything about "being a Christian", you will most likely have heard 1 Thessalonians 5:18. 

 One translation reads, "In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

For ME, when things explode in my life & the walls start crashing around me, I often find myself sulking in a corner feeling like the last part of that verse is a curse on me. But my God, who sees all things & knows all things, knows what I will encounter along the way is often allowing me to go through tough times to better prepare me for what will happen in the future. God doesn't let the road blocks that Satan throws in front of us derail His great plans! Satan wants to pull our eyes away from God. I believe that he tries to do this through hardship & tough life circumstances. However, if we keep our eyes on God in the tough times:

• we learn valuable lessons, 
• we grow stronger with the struggle, 
• we open our eyes to the suffering of others around us, 
• we soften our hearts to what God wants us to see, 

and so many more things!

And another cool thing... usually down the road God gives us a glimpse of how the tough times served to draw us closer to Him & bring honor and glory to Him.

I've been in a rough patch for some time now. I can't lie & say that it's easy to stay focused on God. But, in all sincerity, I couldn't make it without Him. He has never let any of His children down. He is faithful to save. God doesn't waste a single moment of our lives.

I encourage you (and remind myself) to learn from life's experiences while GIVING THANKS for how God will use them!

Shared with the Ann Voskamp One Thousand Gifts community on 11/12/12: 

Sometimes We Have No Words...

Sometimes We Have No Words...
           ... and, in those times we hear the words of Jesus.
 
When life gets crazy, sometimes we just don't know what to say.  Right now, it's hard for me to think of much else than what has happened & is happening to 1,000's... 1,000,000's of people on the other side of the earth this March 11, 2011. Jennifer at the office has this scripture at the bottom of her email notes: "He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken." Psalm 62:2, NLT.

Photo by T. Getz  John 8:16

No matter how HORRIBLE life can seem, GOD IS OUR ROCK! He is present in times of trouble. Here's Psalm 46:

1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

I encourage you to go to God in prayer today for those suffering in our world... and for the things that break your heart! God hears His children!