That's right, friends. I woke up with a crummy attitude yesterday...
2017 Focus: Daily Encounters With Jesus
Can you believe it's ALREADY January THIRD? Wow!
So here I am... I realized that last year I had only blogged twice... TWICE... all year! And believe me, there were days I blogged in my head. My thoughts flowed and flowed but never got to a blank page. I felt guilty. Then I felt freed. Then I felt like it became forgotten. But I always missed this... THIS... putting my thoughts on the screen.
The Lord spoke very vividly with me as I was reading His Word at my kitchen table one afternoon...
The Learned Art of Contentment
Confession time...
I'm not a fan of King Solomon. There. I said it. (...but stick around... it "might" get better!)
I've been reading through 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles in my beloved Chronological Bible again this morning, about Solomon's great weath and wisdom. But OH. MY. GOODNESS... Am I the only one who has had a hard time going through these pages? Maybe because I know of his "faults" later in his life. AND... because it seemed so extreme! Such riches and weath... in extreme abundance.
Unlimited amounts of pure gold, cedar wood, imported horses, textiles, spices... oh my!
I can't relate...
But it does remind me that despite King Solomon's possessions and God-given wisdom, a person can still fall and fail. He was the one who pleased the Lord with the ONE request asked of Him. When God asked Solomon to choose ONE thing, ONE wish, ONE request, Solomon said "Give me an understanding heart, so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong." 1 Kings 3:9. In 2 Chronicles 1:10, it says, "Give me the wisdom and knowledge to lead them properly." Wow! And if you don't know the rest of the story, God not only grants Solomon's request for godly wisdom, but Solomon is also given great weath! In 1 Kings 3:13, God tells Solomon, "I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days."
I wonder when Solomon's riches and weath became "too much".
I wonder when Solomon learned that having everything WASN'T everything.
And I wonder why I can learn SO MUCH from Solomon on this one.
I have "too much". I don't have what Solomon had. And I don't have what others close to me might have. But my own fault is looking to the right and to the left and realizing that I have not yet master the art of contentment.
During the Thanksgiving season, we are all encouraged to "give thanks", "be thankful", "count your blessings", and express gratitude towards the ones we love. This exercise brings me to the realization, every year, that I am blessed. I am truly blessed. And I'm sure you feel the same way. Right? Who wouldn't start to feel thankful when listing their blessings? BUT... what about the reality of loss, lack of health, failed marriages, broken hearts, distant relationships, lack of world peace and threat of radical groups toward our nation? What does contentment look like?
You probably already know that King Solomon is responsible for the "wisdom" books of the Bible, more specifically, the books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. But, did you know that he also wrote a couple of the Psalms? He wrote the famous Psalm 127:
"Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.
It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep." vs 1-2
In Solomon's God-given wisdom, he reminds me that it's not UP TO ME.
It's ALL in God's perfect timing, plans, and hands.
He is in control. I'm not.
He knows the future. I don't.
The apostle Paul also experienced "abundance and need". Joel recently preached on this... In Philippians 4, Paul tells us that contentment is a LEARNED mindset. Paul says in verse 11, "...I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content." Really? Really, Paul? Easier said than done! But if you keep reading this passage... Verse 12, "I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have LEARNED the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me."
There it is!!! The "secret" of contentment is to put our trust in Him, through WHOM we can do all things! Contentment is not of our own self. It comes from God. Jesus Christ is the SOURCE of our contentment. King Solomon spoke of this in his Psalm, and the apostle Paul confirms the same TRUTH.
Outside of a relationship with Jesus, I CANNOT be content or satisfied. Especially if I base contetment or happiness on the things of this world.
What are we putting our satisfaction and joy in?
Who are we working so hard for?
Are the things we are thankful for based on current circumstances?
Does the state of our heart and mind depend on just the blessings we experience?
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
All In... A Daring Plan.
Can I just say that LOVING my times in God's Word every morning is an understatement?
I mean... sure, it's NOT perfect, but the Lord has a way of faithfully speaking through His Word. DUH... that's HIS very words we're talking about. Right?
This morning was no ordinary morning. This morning was my kids' first day of school. It was the day when I was supposed to wake up super early, have a "quiet" time, pray, make breakfast, wake kids up, and get them ready for school. Well, let's just say that... they got up, had breakfast, and were ready for school in less time than I was planning on giving them (and me!). First day of school. First day. First. And I know it won't be the last time that happens. I just know. And that's ok.
Grace.
And in His perfect grace, He brought me to today's reading in 1 Samuel 14:1-15.
Wow! Can I just say... WOW!
I needed these 15 verses of Scripture today.
So, if you're ready this post, STOP. Get your Bible, open to 1 Samuel 14 and read the first 15 verses in this chapter...
I'll wait...
Go!
Read it!
Okay. Sooo... Jonathan's "Daring Plan" to defeat the Philistines was nothing short of... DARING! He was going to take on this giant army, while his father's coward group of Israelite-Soldiers-Wanna-Be, which were all hiding in holes, caves, rocks, cisterns... (yes, hiding!). And you know what really spoke to me? Jonathan's vision for this plan was to somehow climb those cliffs, trusting that God would fight the battle for them. In verse 6 (I love this!), he says, "Perhaps the Lord will help us, for NOTHING CAN HINDER THE LORD. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few." WOW!
WOW!!!!
So, with that faith, Jonathan proceeds to climb that cliff with "both hands and feet", verse 13 tells us. BOTH HANDS AND FEET. Wow! He went ALL IN! He trusted the Lord, then did all he could, giving all he had, to climb that cliff. He faced the Philistines with both FAITH and ACTION.
I want that same faith living in me. Don't you? The faith that assures me that I can conquer anything with the Lord. That He can win ANY battle for me.
And the other side of this beautiful story, was that Jonathan was not alone. He had an armor bearer who not only believed with Jonathan. He also fought WITH and FOR Jonathan. Verse 7 shows Jonathan's armor bearer's trust and dedication to him, "Do what you think is best,...I'm with you completely, whatever you decide (NLT)." The NIV says, "I'm with you heart and soul." And that reminds me that I'm not to fight my battles without a friend, a partner, someone to keep me accountable, to believe for and with me, and to fight with me when needed. At the end of those 15 verses, it says that Jonathan and his armor bearer killed 20 men that day.
Okay... count with me...
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19...20!
Sometimes we read stories in the Bible where the Israelites killed tens of thousands of people. I can't even wrap my mind around that. But I CAN visualize the killing of 20 individuals. NO EASY TASK... right?
Please, don't tell me you could do that alone! Jonathan couldn't. I KNOW I sure couldn't!
AND THEN... the Lord sealed the deal! He sent an earthquake at the end! WHAT!!!!
So epic!!!
I love how God works!
So, here's my plan of action right now.
1. As I fight my battles, I'm choosing to believe that God can win any of them for me!
2. I need to fight with BOTH HANDS and FEET. Go ALL IN!
3. I need to partner with a good friend (or spouse) to fight the battles with me.
How about you? Did you take the time to read 1 Samuel 14:1-15? Do it! Are you facing some battles right now? Do you believe that He will fight for you, if you trust in Him and go all in? Do you have a friend, a partner, an armor bearer to fight with and for you?
Writing Love Letters... A Review.
Do you remember waiting for the mailman to deliver the mail, in hopes that "somebody" sent you that so-awaited letter? A note? A card? A LOVE letter?
I remember those days... I remember waiting for my Dad's letters whenever he left for long trips. I still remember letters from Singapore. I think he was gone for 40 straight days! Wow... can't believe my mom made it without him, raising all 4 of us! Whew...
And I remember waiting for letters from friends... every Summer after camp, after moving away, and especially after moving from Brazil to the US. I craved communication in my own language.
Until... the letters seemed to disappear. They seemed to have been replaced by those... emails... then texts... and now Facebook messages. Crazy, right?
But if you're anything like me, you still crave those hand-written notes.
If you're anything like me, you still love writing and sending hand-written cards, letters, and Love notes. That's right... LOVE notes! And I'm not talking about letters to your "lover". I'm talking about LOVE notes. Notes that express how much you LOVE someone, or something done for you, or an act of kindness.
A few months ago, I received a book called "The World Needs More Love Letters: All-in-One Stationary and Evelopes" by Hanna Brencher from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review.
The idea behind this gem is to provide the "reader", an easy and all-inclusive tool to get your mind going, your ideas flowing, your inspiration and motivation ready to send that special someone a quick note. It's a pad with 40 lined stationary papers, that when folded, it becomes its own envelope... which is also all ready to be addressed, stamped, and sent! Just enough lines. Just enough space. Just enough "cuteness" to call it stationary.
I love the idea!
I also love the convenience!
AND... I love the inside cover suggestions and inspirations for Love Letters... such as:
- "Put your heart on one of these pages for a teacher who has gone above and beyond to make you a better person."
- "Write down your best life lessons and tuck this letter in a favorite coffee shop for someone else to find."
- "Getting married in the morning? Write a letter to the one who will be holding your hand at the altar and deliver it before the wedding bells ring."
And there are 37 other suggestions... So clever!
BUT, the best part of this tool, in my humble opinion, was the opportunity I had to share this "art" of letter-writing to my children. My 4 year-old can't read or write, yet, but she used one of these pages to draw a picture of herself and send it to her friend. Well, she ended up drawing 3 pictures of herself and sending all of them to her friends. I love that! And the anticipation she had, that her friends would receive her drawing in the mail!
And just lately... I've been using it to write those quick notes to the people that come to mind, at random times. Y'know... those times when someone comes to mind and you tell yourself, "I should text her/him and see how they're doing", or "Hmmm, I forgot to say hi at church. I should call or check in on FB." I'm taking those prompts to actually sit down and write them a little note. It would make those contacts so much more special. Thinking about praying for them as these notes are being sent as well.
Overall, I enjoyed using this "book" for the first time this Summer. And I'll continue to use it until the pages are no more... but hopefully, until then... this Love Letter writing will become a habit.
 |
| Cute Kimono girl post-it notes NOT included... |
How about you? When was the last time you write someone a Love letter? When was the last time someone wrote YOU a Love letter? It doesn't need to be elaborate... just thoughtful.
Starting Over... Again...
I'm not embarrassed to say that "it's been a while" since I blogged.
Or.. maybe I should?
No.
Life has a way of getting in the way... but really... LIFE IS what really happens when you stop to take care of family, business, and relationships.
SO...
Over 4 months has passed and I'm BACK!
Back at writing my thoughts here on this beloved blog. I'm choosing to create space and make writing a habit again. A GOOD habit. A way to connect. To converse. To leave my thoughts out there, regardless of how safe, open or available the destination is. Who's my audience anyway???
As I look around my living room (where my laptop quietly sits on most days), I am overly aware that my house is a mess! Crayons, toys, papers, coloring books, random pillows, books, recycling items (out of the recycling bin, mind you...), and a sense of restlessness lingering around my house on this Friday afternoon.
And yet... I'm at peace.
There's something about letting God take over the temporary details of this temporary life. I am called daily to take up my cross, to think and invest on eternal endeavors, and THAT, my friends, allows me to focus on an Eternal God. With Eternal purpose. Who will unconditionally love and accept me, despite my crazy and "messy" circumstances.
Are you looking to find a way to reconnect with someone?
Are you looking to find a way to motivate yourself to reach that goal?
Are you looking to get back into the swing of things?
Are you struggling to find peace?
Are you tired?
Let me encourage you today.
God's Presence is just a cry away... Just say His name... And He's there.
I promise you.
I'm starting my blogging journey... Again!
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