Today I received very good news. News that has taken one of my worries (yes I know I'm supposed to turn the over to the Lord but it's my weakness) off of my shoulders and allowed me to take a deep, anxiety free breath - if only for a moment.
Unfortunately many other people received bad news today. These are people that I know, that I work with and have come to know as a second family. So while I celebrate, I am also sad and yes, feeling a bit of guilt at my good fortune.
Funny how my life parallels the Sunday sermon at my church. I joke with the Priest all the time about it - does he think about what craziness is going on in my life when he decides on a sermon topic? It really isn't a joke though because his words always bring comfort and sometimes a bit of shame at my own failings. This past Sunday's sermon was titled "Be Encouraged" - (see what I mean?). It expanded on Luke 11:1-13 where Jesus taught the disciples the words of The Lords Prayer. I couldn't have asked for a better sermon to speak to my heart.
I've always thought of "our daily bread" as our sustenance - our food. At the most, I thought it was our life itself. Father Hubbard described it as a "bread of a different sort" - it is a daily need. It is "an empty, hungry place in each of us that is begging for its own kind of bread". He went on to describe the effect of going without this different sort of bread - "we may not starve to death, but we are weakened, lost, forlorn, fearful, despairing - emaciated in our character and well-being, or just plain irritable".
In my case, my "daily bread" may change from day to day or even every hour. I need to remember that no matter what shape or form my "daily bread" takes, the key is to ask and then to KNOW that God will provide it for me. It may not be in the shape that I want it, but God does know best and He always provides. The keys are to Ask and Trust - those are the two main ingredients of your daily bread.
I'm going to close with the last lines from the sermon that I think we all should remember, especially in these trying times...
"Let us remember, then, to pray for our daily bread, whatever that is, and be encouraged that God will provide. That is Jesus' message of encouragement and hope to us today and everyday - God will provide because, being the best of fathers, He loves us."
Please remember my co-workers in your prayers. Times are tough and really don't look like they are going to be getting better any time soon for those of us working in the healthcare field.
May God Bless You.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Pray For Pastor Rick Warren - UPDATED
One of my favorite people and a spiritual mentor, Pastor Rick Warren (author of Purpose Driven Life), has tweeted that his eyes were burned by a "toxic poison" and he has lost some of his vision. He is now home from the hospital after the Monday accident and is in extreme pain. This information was confirmed via Saddleback Church so it is not a hack-job or a joke. Please keep Pastor Rick Warren and his family in your prayers.
update on Pastor Rick Warren
He is not blind and he is expected to make a full recovery. He apparently was pruning a Firestick plant in his yard and got some sap on his hands. He didn't realize the sap was on his hands and he wiped his face. The sap then got into his eyes. Still keep him in your prayers - we need him back at full strength in this tumultulous times.
update on Pastor Rick Warren
He is not blind and he is expected to make a full recovery. He apparently was pruning a Firestick plant in his yard and got some sap on his hands. He didn't realize the sap was on his hands and he wiped his face. The sap then got into his eyes. Still keep him in your prayers - we need him back at full strength in this tumultulous times.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Be Careful How You Think
I've posted here previously about negative thoughts and how they can be harmful to you. No matter how many times I remind myself to stop with the negative thoughts and worry, they still seem to creep back up on me.
Yesterday's Daily Hope with Rick Warren was about "Influential Thoughts" and how our thoughts influence our lives. Despite all my Bible studies and absolute love of Proverbs, I somehow missed this little verse...
Here's some snips from "Influential Thoughts" with some added insights from me...
"It's not what happens to me that matters as much as how I choose to see it." - This is certainly no joke. With all the changes in my life, I find that I am much more at ease when I look at the changes as an opportunity rather a roadblock. So I'm going through a divorce - well now I can do those things that I never got to do while I was married like go to the 9/12 March on Washington or the Restoring America Rally in DC. Diagnosed with uncontrolled diabetes? - Hey there's my excuse to start eating healthy and getting in daily exercise. It's much healthier than stewing in your own bitter juices at the hand life has dealt you.
"Your beliefs influence your behavior" - If I believe that life is handing me a big old crap burger, then I'm gonna act like someone holding a big old crap burger. If I believe that God is in control and nothing happens without a reason, then I am free to let go of the worry and focus on the positive. It's much easier to laugh when you're not drowning in worry.
"You self-talk influences your self-esteem" - If there were physical signs from mentally "beating yourself up", I would be just one big old massive walking bruise. I know that I am hypercritical of myself and a thousand times more critical than I would be to a friend. I'm sure you've felt this before. Why do we treat others better than we treat ourselves? We hurt ourselves worse than any living being could ever damage us.
Remember there are several tricks to stopping the negative chatter in your head - anything from yelling "shut up" to proclaiming "get thee behind me Satan" to popping yourself with a strategically placed rubber band to distract your thinking. But I think that memorizing certain Bible verses is the best way to focus your thoughts - not only does it open your heart to God but it closes the door on Satan. Reciting or reading the Bible is to Satan what water is to the Wicked Witch of the West. It's just that we forget and let the flying monkeys take over our mind.
So find you a Bible verse that touches your heart and reminds you of how much God loves you. Post it everywhere and commit it to memory. Let it be your Kevlar vest against Satan.
Yesterday's Daily Hope with Rick Warren was about "Influential Thoughts" and how our thoughts influence our lives. Despite all my Bible studies and absolute love of Proverbs, I somehow missed this little verse...
"Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts". Proverbs 4:23
Here's some snips from "Influential Thoughts" with some added insights from me...
"It's not what happens to me that matters as much as how I choose to see it." - This is certainly no joke. With all the changes in my life, I find that I am much more at ease when I look at the changes as an opportunity rather a roadblock. So I'm going through a divorce - well now I can do those things that I never got to do while I was married like go to the 9/12 March on Washington or the Restoring America Rally in DC. Diagnosed with uncontrolled diabetes? - Hey there's my excuse to start eating healthy and getting in daily exercise. It's much healthier than stewing in your own bitter juices at the hand life has dealt you.
"Your beliefs influence your behavior" - If I believe that life is handing me a big old crap burger, then I'm gonna act like someone holding a big old crap burger. If I believe that God is in control and nothing happens without a reason, then I am free to let go of the worry and focus on the positive. It's much easier to laugh when you're not drowning in worry.
"You self-talk influences your self-esteem" - If there were physical signs from mentally "beating yourself up", I would be just one big old massive walking bruise. I know that I am hypercritical of myself and a thousand times more critical than I would be to a friend. I'm sure you've felt this before. Why do we treat others better than we treat ourselves? We hurt ourselves worse than any living being could ever damage us.
Remember there are several tricks to stopping the negative chatter in your head - anything from yelling "shut up" to proclaiming "get thee behind me Satan" to popping yourself with a strategically placed rubber band to distract your thinking. But I think that memorizing certain Bible verses is the best way to focus your thoughts - not only does it open your heart to God but it closes the door on Satan. Reciting or reading the Bible is to Satan what water is to the Wicked Witch of the West. It's just that we forget and let the flying monkeys take over our mind.
So find you a Bible verse that touches your heart and reminds you of how much God loves you. Post it everywhere and commit it to memory. Let it be your Kevlar vest against Satan.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
My Hut is on Fire!! - A Better Way to Look at Trials & Tribulations
I try my best to remain upbeat and remember that God has a plan for everything but dang - sometimes it is really hard to do. With so much going on in my life right now, a friend sent this story to me. It really hit me in the heart and I hope it does the same for you...
My Hut is on Fire!
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon for help but none seemed forthcoming.
Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions. One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had happened and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief and anger. He cried out, "God! How could you do this to me?"
Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! It had come to rescue him. "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal", they replied.
The Moral of this Story:
It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of our pain and suffering. Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground. It just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God.
My Hut is on Fire!
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon for help but none seemed forthcoming.
Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions. One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had happened and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief and anger. He cried out, "God! How could you do this to me?"
Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! It had come to rescue him. "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal", they replied.
The Moral of this Story:
It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of our pain and suffering. Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground. It just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
My New Motto and The Thought For The Day
I came across this the other night and thought just how perfectly this latin phrase fit me at this stage in my life. So here is the "Thought for the Day"...
Translated it means "Do not wish ill for your enemy, plan it".
DISCLAIMER - This is not an attempt to disparage or denigrate anyone. Nor is it a threat - implied or implicit - to anyone especially TheColdOne. Don't want anyone to get their panties in a wad.
De inimico no loquaris male, sed cogites.
Translated it means "Do not wish ill for your enemy, plan it".
DISCLAIMER - This is not an attempt to disparage or denigrate anyone. Nor is it a threat - implied or implicit - to anyone especially TheColdOne. Don't want anyone to get their panties in a wad.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Thought For The Day
Have a lot going on right now and finding time to blog is in short supply. So I'm gonna fall back on a tried and true idea - post simple thoughts, quotes, bible verses for the day. Here is today's installment...
"Integrity is like virginity. Once you give it up, it's gone for good." - Proverbs 11:3
I LOVE reading Proverbs - great insights and amazingly still pertinent in these times.
On a personal note - please keep me in your prayers. There are some significant and life-changing things going on right now that I really need guidance on and support for. When I can share more about this, I will but for now please get those prayers flowing up.
May God Bless You!
"Integrity is like virginity. Once you give it up, it's gone for good." - Proverbs 11:3
I LOVE reading Proverbs - great insights and amazingly still pertinent in these times.
On a personal note - please keep me in your prayers. There are some significant and life-changing things going on right now that I really need guidance on and support for. When I can share more about this, I will but for now please get those prayers flowing up.
May God Bless You!
Friday, July 2, 2010
A Funny To Start the Long Weekend... Why Women Over 50 Are Better
As one who is less than 12 months away from the big 5-0 and finding myself thrust back into the singles scene, I can truly appreciate this bit of funniness from Andy Rooney. Oh and the last line is now my new motto - especially after my own personal experience with TheColdOne and his "little sausage"...
A woman over 50 will never wake you in the middle of the night and ask, 'What are you thinking?' She doesn't care what you think.
If a woman over 50 doesn't want to watch the game, she doesn't sit around whining about it. She does something she wants to do, and it's usually more interesting.
Women over 50 are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if you deserve it, they won't hesitate to shoot you if they think they can get away with it.
Older women are generous with praise, often undeserved. They know what it's like to be unappreciated.
Women get psychic as they age. You never have to confess your sins to a woman over 50.
Once you get past a wrinkle or two, a woman over 50 is far sexier than her younger counterpart.
Older women are forthright and honest.. They'll tell you right off if you are a jerk, if you are acting like one. You don't ever have to wonder where you stand with her.
Yes, we praise women over 50 for a multitude of reasons. Unfortunately, it's not reciprocal. For every stunning, smart, well-coiffed, hot woman over 50, there is a bald, paunchy relic in yellow shorts making a fool of himself with some 22-year old waitress. Ladies, I apologize.
For all those men who say, 'Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?' Here's an update for you. Nowadays 80% of women are against marriage. Why? Because women realize it's not worth buying an entire pig just to get a little sausage!
Have a safe and fun Independence Day and remember to thank a soldier for upholding all our freedoms!
A woman over 50 will never wake you in the middle of the night and ask, 'What are you thinking?' She doesn't care what you think.
If a woman over 50 doesn't want to watch the game, she doesn't sit around whining about it. She does something she wants to do, and it's usually more interesting.
Women over 50 are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if you deserve it, they won't hesitate to shoot you if they think they can get away with it.
Older women are generous with praise, often undeserved. They know what it's like to be unappreciated.
Women get psychic as they age. You never have to confess your sins to a woman over 50.
Once you get past a wrinkle or two, a woman over 50 is far sexier than her younger counterpart.
Older women are forthright and honest.. They'll tell you right off if you are a jerk, if you are acting like one. You don't ever have to wonder where you stand with her.
Yes, we praise women over 50 for a multitude of reasons. Unfortunately, it's not reciprocal. For every stunning, smart, well-coiffed, hot woman over 50, there is a bald, paunchy relic in yellow shorts making a fool of himself with some 22-year old waitress. Ladies, I apologize.
For all those men who say, 'Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?' Here's an update for you. Nowadays 80% of women are against marriage. Why? Because women realize it's not worth buying an entire pig just to get a little sausage!
Have a safe and fun Independence Day and remember to thank a soldier for upholding all our freedoms!
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