Tag Archive | Christian

This I Love

This morning as I was waiting for my cup of coffee to brew, I began my morning quiet time with an “Attitude of Gratitude”. As I looked around our kitchen, I thought to my self “I really love that arrangement” or “That picture belongs right there” and then I became flooded with the memories of where those items originated or who had given them to me. Then I began to thank God for the provisions He has given me and the people He has placed in my life.

Then, I allowed my mind to broaden and think of many of the people He placed in my life over the years. While most were amazing, not all were easy or a pleasure. I might add, some of those individuals were exhausting…They would suck the life right out of me with their:

Low Self-esteem
Under Developed Communication Skills
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Inadequate Support System
Difficulty Coping

Oh Wait…I Just Described Myself!!!

Yep, I have personally experienced every one of those things listed above at some point in my life. Oh, and believe you me…about the time I think I have things under wraps a wave hits and I find myself gasping for air.

Let me ask you something, Do you think this comes as surprise to God? Absolutely not!!! and the wall decor in my kitchen serves as my daily reminder!

He knows me…He really knows ME!!! Jesus gets me, understands me, tolerates me, and most of all He celebrates me!!!

Do I break His heart? Yes, I do on a daily basis!

Do I ask for His forgiveness? Yes, I do on a daily basis!

Does He beat me over the head with shame and condemnation? Absolutely not! In fact the scripture that assures me of this is Romans 8:1

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus“

So, why does God place people in my path that remind me of my failures, deficits, past, lack of support, and my inability to cope or resolve my own problems?

To remind me:

I am Broken
I need to support and lift others up
I need to work to do better every day
I need to continue to work on my communication skills
I need to develop empathy

And sometimes…He is teaching me I need to set boundaries.

Whatever the reason…

Jesus Knows Me…This I Love!

It is OK to Be Out of Control

Aug1

Control Freaks…Do you know one or perhaps you are one!

“Now, it is only natural to want be in control of your own life, but when you feel you have to have control of everyone else’s life, you have a problem. These are the key aspects of a Control Freak. They have a driving need to create your agenda, they insist on controlling all their interactions with you, basically, they have to run the show and call they shot – OR ELSE.”~ Socyberty

“Are You a Control Freak?” is an incredible article on what makes a Control Freak tick and how to deal with them..I highly recommend this read!

We all know a Control Freak…It is the person who must know every aspect of what you are doing and proceeds to provide feedback or even tell you how to do it…They have no respect for boundaries and need to know all the details.The Control Freak will pump you for information by asking lots of questions…Because knowledge is power!

Control Freaks can be a family member, friend, boss, co-worker, teacher, fellow Christian or pastor…. Yes, you read correctly…pastor!

If you struggle with a Control Freak…”Sometimes, in order to keep your self-worth, and not be humiliated or bulldozed by their controlling ways, the best thing you can do is to walk out, turn that phone off, or just generally take yourself out of that situation. As easy as it may seem to be to just get angry back at them, it really does no good, and your best frame of mind is to remind yourself that they are stuck in that world of self-pity, and you are not. Even if they try to goad you by saying you are to chick to stay and fight, walk away. You will have one in essence anyways.” ~Socyberty

If you struggle with being a Control Freak…this scripture will help!

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

IT IS OK TO BE OUT OF CONTROL!

Love Lee ♥

There Is A Winner Within

Sep19

Wow, who would have thought…

Landau Eugene Murphy Jr takes the stage and appears to be the least likely person to audition much less win America’s Got Talent.

As you will see in the video, none of the judges were expecting to hear such a spectacular audition. In-fact their body language and reaction to Landau’s appearance indicates they have absolutely no confidence in his ability. In-fact, the judges had judged him before he had even opened his mouth.

As I watched this episode of America’s Got Talent and then watched again in the video, I couldn’t help but wonder…How would we respond if Landau had walked through the doors of our church and sat down next to us? Oh I know, we all would like to believe we would welcome him with open arms. But, would we really?

As much as Christians hate to admit it we are such a judgmental group of people. I’m sure you are thinking… “Not Me!” Are you sure about that? Below are some scenarios, as you read them being totally honest with yourself…What would be your gut reaction to this person who decides to sit next to you in church?

A 15-year-old female wearing Daisy Dukes
A derelict who reeks of alcohol
An elderly man who’s clothing smells of old urine
A teenage boy wearing a baseball cap
A group of young men wearing black trench coats
A woman in her 40’s wearing a t-shirt and no bra
A young mother with a screaming baby
A teenager eating a hot dog and drinking a coke

Hmmm…did you get up and move from your pew, ignore them, or embrace them?

I would venture to say if we are totally honest with ourselves if we did embrace them, we did not embrace them with our heart but in gesture only.

My friend, we cannot continue to judge a book by its cover. We must open up the hard external cover of broken lives and begin to read the pages chalked full of experiences. We must begin to see the internal person; the one screaming to come out.

We are so bound by tradition and religion we lose track of who we are and our calling. We are called to love the “Unlovely” and the “Rule Breakers”.

“Church is not a household for saints. It is a hospital for sinners.” ~Robin Butler

“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. Luke 6:37

Don’t Judge the Book by Its Cover…

There Is A Winner Within!!!

Love Lee ♥

Get Real and Cut the Bull

Sep11

Do you find yourself being who people expect you to be?
Are You always putting on a front?
Do you have difficulty sharing your views and thoughts?

Perhaps it’s time to

Get Real and Cut the Bull

I love what Beth Moore has to say about Cutting the Bull…

Is it time for you to Get Real?

Love Lee ♥

Tread Softly on My Dreams

Aug28

I remember in our early years of marriage Richard and I would sit for hours and dream of the future. Believe it or not…We still do!!! I love sitting out on the swing while having coffee and listening to him as shares his thoughts and dreams. Oh, and I so love the fact he is interested in mine!

When sharing my dreams with others, it is such a reality check to be reminded of my age… The buzz words are “at your age”…I am not quite ready to be an “old woman” and at times can be a sensitive subject for me; I sooo miss my youth!!!

I love this quote by James Dean:”Dream as if you’ll live forever… live as if you’ll die today.” I have always adopted this mindset. We only get one chance in life remembering… Dreams can often become challenging, but challenges are what we live for. ~ Travis White

Dreams are renewable. No matter what our age or condition, there are still untapped possibilities within us and new beauty waiting to be born. ~ Dale E. Turner. So, as Justin Bieber would say…”If you don’t dream big, there’s no use of dreaming. If you don’t have faith, there’s nothing worth believing.”

Having a dream is all the more realistic when I dare to dream with the person I love the most in this world. It is even more special when we both have individual dreams but they are amplified because they complement each other and are intertwined. For me to have a dream and my husband’s dream is the act of creating what I dream for…That is God in His awesomeness further amplifying how we compliment or complete each other….A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality. ~John Lennon

Do you have a dream you are afraid to share with others? Don’t be!

Speak up…Share your dream and conclude with…

I have spread my dreams beneath your feet. Tread softly because you tread on my dreams. ~W.B. Yeats

Love Lee ♥

Powering Up

Aug26

Wow…soft music playing, scented plug-ins, accent lamps…Yep, everything is perfect as I walk out the door for work. A scheduled appointment to show our home was set for the early afternoon. I returned home at 6pm to find a silent house, I can’t smell the plug-ins, and my accent lamps are off.

Yes, you guessed it…the rain storm that blew through took out the power.

Of all days for this to happen! But isn’t that just like our lives?

When we least expect it a storm blows through and we lose our power. With the disconnect from our power source; Jesus Christ, we begin to stop speaking in love, our lights go out, and we begin to stink..

Thank goodness once we plug back into Jesus Christ we power up and our light is restored, our responses are tempered with love, and we take on His sweet aroma…

So, the next time you find yourself out of energy…

Power Up!!!

God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect. 2 Samuel 22:33

Love Lee ♥

Are You Blowing Hot Air

Aug23

Have you heard the phrase “she is just radiant”?

A radiant personality is much like radiant heat.

Radiant heat is a unique transfer of energy that naturally searches out colder objects to warm. Instead of rising like warm air, radiant heat starts by warming the coldest and closest objects from its source.

Radiant heat unlike forced hot air is a gentle slow warming while forced hot air from air vents tends to be dry, dusty and even loud. I am sure you have met that person as well…

So here are some characteristics of a radiant personality?

Sincere
Enthusiastic
Wholesome
Successful
Self-confident
Sense of humor
Good manners
Charm
magnetism
Tender
Original
Spiritual
Pleasant speaking voice
Soft facial expressions

As I typed these characteristics I thought to myself…

Wow, It sounds like I am describing Jesus!!!

Then like an epiphany it came to me…If we have Jesus in our hearts and lives we can’t help but have a radiant personality.

So if your blowing hot air perhaps you need JESUS!!!

Love Lee ♥

Shhh…Listen

Aug17

Growing up as a little girl, I always tried to be respectful and obedient to the voice of my parents; especially when they were expressing their expectations. Primarily because my parents would tolerate nothing less.

It was an expectation!

This morning during my quiet time, I was reminded it is no different with God.

“but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.” Proverbs 1:33

Wow…If we are feeling vulnerable, uncomfortable, or in fear…Perhaps we are not listening to His voice!

To ignore my parents voice usually lead to negative consequences but to obey yielded safety, harmony and there was no fear. It is no different with God…Perhaps we need to start listening!!!

Shhh…Listen

Can You Hear Him?

Love Lee ♥

Enough Said…

Aug15

I Love This Saying!!!

Preach the Gospel, and if necessary use words. ~ Unknown

I have never been one to shove God down anyone’s throat. To do so would imply the Holy Spirit does not exist. I would rather allow the Holy Spirit to draw people to Christ.

If He chooses me to be His instrument may I…

To listen to His voice
To see Him in all His Glory
To taste His Goodness
To feel His Presence
To smell His sweet aroma

My Daily Prayer: “Here I am Lord, use me”

Enough Said

Love Lee ♥

I Won!!!

Aug3

I remember as a little girl playing a game with my classmates and friends called “Duck…Duck…Goose”. We would all sit in a circle and one person would go around the tapping each person on the head and labeling us as a duck or a goose. There was only one goose and everyone wanted to be the goose…

She would walk around the circle ” Duck…Duck…Duck…Duck…GOOSE”. Yeah…It was me!!! I am the GOOSE…I would jump up and chase her around the circle trying to catch her before she was able to get back to the slot where I had been sitting.

You know, looking back, I didn’t want to get up and run around the circle…I just wanted to CHOSEN.

Life is much like a game of Duck…Duck…Goose. Jesus walks around our lives and He chooses us wanting us to chase after Him…

The coolest part of it all is He didn’t choose me because I am

Perfect
Popular
Beautiful
Thin
Tall
Rich
Famous

He chose me because He loves me!!! He says…

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. John 15:16

Wow!!! He chose me, trusted me with an assignment and THEN…He promised to give me the desires of my heart!!!

Now that is better than any game of Duck…Duck…Goose I have ever played and already