In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. (Romans 8:26-27)
For those that have been brought up in church and learning Bible verses, we know all the "appropriate" verses to say in times of tragedy. The problem is that none of the verses feel adequate enough to sooth our hurting hearts. The anger that is deep within our hearts masks the good that God has stored there.
The ideas that come to mind are that God will not give you more than you can handle or that with Christ all things are possible. I KNOW these verses are true and I KNOW that God intended for them to get us through hard times, but when something happens that defies our understanding these verses come from rote memory and escape our hearts.
God, in His infinite wisdom, gave us His Holy Spirit. He knew there would be times that all we can do is groan out loud because of the pain in our heart. Recently I received news that left me crying out to God in only the way that the Holy Spirit could. The Holy Spirit is our Comforter-Counselor and God knows how much we need Him when we get "that phone call" or the news from the doctor we are not prepared to receive.
That name Comforter-Counselor is Paraclete in the Greek and is the word behind this name. It refers to an advocate. Someone who comes alongside to strengthen and fight on behalf of another. Today, I need the Holy Spirit Comforter Counselor. My prayer...
My Father, hear our hearts cry. Listen to the Holy Spirit as He intercedes on our behalf. We need the peace You promise us and the strength to get through this time of profound loss. Even now, words escape me. Please help us. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Friday, May 28, 2010
In Letting Go, We Embrace
In letting go, we embrace the memories of our precious Tracy Lynn.
In letting go, we embrace each other a little tighter.
In letting go, we embrace her sweet spirit and make it our own.
In letting go, we embrace the children she left behind.
In letting go, we embrace the good Tracy Lynn saw in this world.
As we embrace Tracy Lynn's memory, we can let go because we know Whose she is.
As we embrace each other, we can let go of the ties this world has on each of us.
As we embrace Tracy Lynn's sweet spirit, we can let go of our needs to hold on to this world.
As we embrace her children, we can let go of our agendas and make their world a little easier.
As we embrace the good Tracy saw in this world, we can let go of the hate we feel toward the one who took her from us.
We have one family with many members. Remember Tracy Lynn's love of all the members and love without boundaries!
In letting go, we embrace each other a little tighter.
In letting go, we embrace her sweet spirit and make it our own.
In letting go, we embrace the children she left behind.
In letting go, we embrace the good Tracy Lynn saw in this world.
As we embrace Tracy Lynn's memory, we can let go because we know Whose she is.
As we embrace each other, we can let go of the ties this world has on each of us.
As we embrace Tracy Lynn's sweet spirit, we can let go of our needs to hold on to this world.
As we embrace her children, we can let go of our agendas and make their world a little easier.
As we embrace the good Tracy saw in this world, we can let go of the hate we feel toward the one who took her from us.
We have one family with many members. Remember Tracy Lynn's love of all the members and love without boundaries!
Monday, May 24, 2010
Lost in Christ:
Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower;
the righteous run to it and are safe.
"A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ, that a man should have to seek Him first to find her." Maya Angelou
For the last few years, I have tried to state how I felt about possibly remarrying someday. Being single has been very rewarding for me because I am learning about myself; not only who I am, but Whose I am. Maya Angelou has nailed it! My heart is precious to God. He wants the very best for me. And, He wants the very best for all of us.
It is a woman's desire to feel protected and safe. If our hearts are hidden in Christ then that is the safest place to be. He is: my strong tower (Psalm 61:3, Proverbs 18:10,), a strong arm (Song of Solomon 8:6), and a strong fortress (Psalm 18:2, 31:2, 144:2). It will take a man strong in his faith to seek for a woman strong in the Lord. God's desire is for us to have the longings of our heart, and if our desires are rooted and grounded in God, then get ready, He will meet those desires according to His divine plan for your life.
It is in our impatience that we began to settle for less than His best for us. Whatever your station in life...single or single-again...if you will live Isaiah 40:31 and wait, just wait, He will give you gold instead of bronze, diamonds instead of crystal, and the best instead of good.
*Edited and transferred
the righteous run to it and are safe.
"A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ, that a man should have to seek Him first to find her." Maya Angelou
For the last few years, I have tried to state how I felt about possibly remarrying someday. Being single has been very rewarding for me because I am learning about myself; not only who I am, but Whose I am. Maya Angelou has nailed it! My heart is precious to God. He wants the very best for me. And, He wants the very best for all of us.
It is a woman's desire to feel protected and safe. If our hearts are hidden in Christ then that is the safest place to be. He is: my strong tower (Psalm 61:3, Proverbs 18:10,), a strong arm (Song of Solomon 8:6), and a strong fortress (Psalm 18:2, 31:2, 144:2). It will take a man strong in his faith to seek for a woman strong in the Lord. God's desire is for us to have the longings of our heart, and if our desires are rooted and grounded in God, then get ready, He will meet those desires according to His divine plan for your life.
It is in our impatience that we began to settle for less than His best for us. Whatever your station in life...single or single-again...if you will live Isaiah 40:31 and wait, just wait, He will give you gold instead of bronze, diamonds instead of crystal, and the best instead of good.
*Edited and transferred
Single Life and Family
Recently, I have had the joy of getting closer to one of my dad's brothers. He stops by fairly often and I always enjoy the visit, how ever brief it might be. This has me reflecting on my family. I have been blessed with two families that are close. As I think back on my childhood, I have very fond memories of my cousins, aunts, and uncles! Now that I'm older and all of my cousins have families of their own now, it is much more difficult for us to visit regularly. In fact, if we see each other one time a year, we are fortunate.
Being single with an empty nest is very lonely at times. The prospect of remaining single for some is not even an option and for others, it may be the only option. But, my advice to all the single folks out there is to "Carpe Diem!" Live life wide open! Reconnect with family! There will never be a better time than right now to rebuild those close ties to the ones who love you and know you.
Time investment in family will one day be the most important thing you have ever done. From an eternal point of view, your investment may be the difference between heaven and hell for someone. So live your life worthy of the calling of Christ and in the process show others what it really means to "Carpe Diem!"
Being single with an empty nest is very lonely at times. The prospect of remaining single for some is not even an option and for others, it may be the only option. But, my advice to all the single folks out there is to "Carpe Diem!" Live life wide open! Reconnect with family! There will never be a better time than right now to rebuild those close ties to the ones who love you and know you.
Time investment in family will one day be the most important thing you have ever done. From an eternal point of view, your investment may be the difference between heaven and hell for someone. So live your life worthy of the calling of Christ and in the process show others what it really means to "Carpe Diem!"
Psalm 143
Tug-of-war was one of my favorite school yard games as a child. I considered myself to have superhuman strength and apparently, for a girl, I was very strong. I was either the captain, or I was first pick. What was child's play has become a spiritual situation I have known all too well, just as David understood!
I thank God that He recorded David's life. In David's life, I am shown how real "life" problems and circumstances are not new to us, but more importantly they are not new to God. I have battled fear and depression as did David. As I read this Psalm, I recognized the beauty of David's language as he called out to his Lord for help while showing his humanness.
David understood from his heart that God was his source of help. It did not take away his depression, but he continually called out to God. He even lost hope. He said, "I am losing all hope; I am paralyzed with fear" Psalm 143:4. If you have been paralyzed in your spirit, you know the deep despair you are left with to struggle against. Being paralyzed physically has taught me the struggle of imprisonment. I am in a prison of my body. I cannot break free of my physical limitations, but I thank God that my body is not "who" I am. The physical bondage has given me great insight into the very real emotional and spiritual bondage we face in our anger, depression, and hopelessness.
Let our prayer be that of David's, "8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go for to you I lift up my soul. 12 In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant." (Psalm 143:8, 12).
**Edited and transferred
I thank God that He recorded David's life. In David's life, I am shown how real "life" problems and circumstances are not new to us, but more importantly they are not new to God. I have battled fear and depression as did David. As I read this Psalm, I recognized the beauty of David's language as he called out to his Lord for help while showing his humanness.
David understood from his heart that God was his source of help. It did not take away his depression, but he continually called out to God. He even lost hope. He said, "I am losing all hope; I am paralyzed with fear" Psalm 143:4. If you have been paralyzed in your spirit, you know the deep despair you are left with to struggle against. Being paralyzed physically has taught me the struggle of imprisonment. I am in a prison of my body. I cannot break free of my physical limitations, but I thank God that my body is not "who" I am. The physical bondage has given me great insight into the very real emotional and spiritual bondage we face in our anger, depression, and hopelessness.
Let our prayer be that of David's, "8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go for to you I lift up my soul. 12 In your unfailing love, silence my enemies; destroy all my foes, for I am your servant." (Psalm 143:8, 12).
**Edited and transferred
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Fine China or Cheap Ceramics
If I were having to describe myself in these terms, I'm definitely cheap ceramics. I had a ceramic shop once upon a time not long after I became a quadriplegic. I understand the process of taking "slip" (watered down clay) and turning it into a beautiful vase or eagle figurine by using preformed molds. It is a process. The shaped or molded clay must dry. The seams, ridges, and imperfections must be smoothed using sharp tools. The fragile figure could be easily damaged if placed in the wrong hands. I know this well. I delegated the "cleaning" of the different figures to others with steady hands. Being a quadriplegic, I do not have fine motor skills in my hands. I can paint. I can paint intricate details on faces of ceramics, but that is only after the clay figure has gone through the kiln.
The kiln is a special oven that reaches ridiculously high heat. It is the extreme heat (2200-2300 degrees) that causes the formed clay to harden to the bisque stage. Once the ceramics are "fired", they must not be taken out of the heat too soon or it can damage the integrity of the piece. You may be in the fire, but trust God to leave you there long enough to perfect your character to look like His. I know it is uncomfortable, but "For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow" James 1:3. I know that I am healed, but for now, I'm still riding around in my wheelchair. God, in His wisdom, has not removed me from the fire...and so, my faith and endurance are growing.
The imperfections in His creation are not from God's mistake or His negligence, but rather from the dawn of man. Adam and Eve brought on the imperfection, but God in His mercy and love for us will not leave us that way. Because of the Cross, He places us back on the potter's wheel. As a result of the Cross, I am fine china.
The kiln is a special oven that reaches ridiculously high heat. It is the extreme heat (2200-2300 degrees) that causes the formed clay to harden to the bisque stage. Once the ceramics are "fired", they must not be taken out of the heat too soon or it can damage the integrity of the piece. You may be in the fire, but trust God to leave you there long enough to perfect your character to look like His. I know it is uncomfortable, but "For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow" James 1:3. I know that I am healed, but for now, I'm still riding around in my wheelchair. God, in His wisdom, has not removed me from the fire...and so, my faith and endurance are growing.
The imperfections in His creation are not from God's mistake or His negligence, but rather from the dawn of man. Adam and Eve brought on the imperfection, but God in His mercy and love for us will not leave us that way. Because of the Cross, He places us back on the potter's wheel. As a result of the Cross, I am fine china.
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