I know I've talked so often about change...yesterday was a day of change...Jenn and Nick moved out of their home late on Friday. Jenn and the kids moved in for a month with me. There was sadness and joy.. Sadness for the passing of a home and a house and good neighbors and kid's friends. But a joy that Nick was here, and they are moving on to the next phase of their life. I also take great joy in spending a month with them.
Friday night I went out with ladies from church as we celebrated with my friend Cindy the same transition from a life here to her new life in Florida. She and Jenn are in the same boat. Sadness yet joy. Eagerness to get it started, to see what comes next but yet such sadness as an era passes. Nothing will be the same.
Nick and I talk all the time about "when I retire" there is a place for me in Washington. To come out...start over, start fresh. I don't know if I am as brave as these two women. It is a hard concept for me to think of leaving all of this (friends, work, home) for something new. I know at this point in my life anything is possible and to rule nothing out. I keep saying a lot can change in three years and we will just see where life takes us.
I know you have been following me through my Disciple class and we are still on the prophets of old but the message has changed. From the message of sin and betrayal and now to a message to those in exile about a new day and a new future. Isn't it funny how God works and how he has talked to me through this class? He sends me a message in so many different ways, if I am open to it! Last night...as my grand kids were laughing and playing in a sprinkler I read my lesson for the day...from Isaiah...46:10-13..
"If you will wait, if you will trust, God has a plan for you and will soon bring it to pass" (there is that patience thing again, too!)...Just like those poor folks in exile in Babylonia...we have all been in some kind of exile in our lives...but we need to know God is in charge, he hasn't forgotten us, he always loves us and he has a plan for us.
So I remind myself yet again, be patient, sit back and enjoy the ride...the plan will come...in God's time and not in mine.
Showing posts with label hopes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hopes. Show all posts
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
pride...where did that come from?
As I mentioned last night was my Disciple Class. I just love this class. This week we read those prophets...those books of the bible that you never read or have a Sunday School class about. Zephaniah, Nahum and Habakkuk. I didn't even know how to pronounce them. I just knew they were SHORT!!
That is the great thing about this class, you dig deep into these books and I found they are some of my favorites. I love these prophets of old. I think it is the vision of a God of punishment and people who took a stand. They stood up and said to the people and the government "You are sinning. This is not OK. Turn from your evil ways." If someone did that today we would have documentaries written about them and then have them committed.
Our first assignment was to find the message about sinful "pride". We all looked at each other like...did we read the right books because I didn't see the message of pride anywhere. But as we dug...there it was.
In Zephaniah the people of Judah had become self-satisfied. They didn't need God. They had called to him and he seemed like he didn't answer one way or the other so...who needs him. They were busy. Things were good. They thought they could do it themselves. Who needs God? Their faith in God had become complacent. We'll call on him only when we need him. Is this sounding familiar...like society today?
It is scary sometimes how close those Israelites are to us today. What scares me is we are suppose to learn from history. HA. We continue to sin over and over. We never learn!
But throughout the three books...there is hope. It is parental love. As a parent you know how hard it is to discipline your kids. But you have to do it for them to learn. God punishes us so we learn. But we never do!
Habakkuk 3:17-19 is considered one of the most strongest manifestations of faith (copied those big words) in the bible. Who has read Habakkuk! Condensed in Kim language: When all around me is crashing down...I look to God who gives me strength....This was written by the prophet as he was waiting for the invasion he knew was coming from the mighty Chaldeans. All around him there would be destruction but he would rejoice in the Lord. That is a tough one!
We learn from history...if we are smart! We recognize sinful pride...if we are smart...We see complacency...if we are smart. Ask for wisdom and open the bible and read these guys!
That is the great thing about this class, you dig deep into these books and I found they are some of my favorites. I love these prophets of old. I think it is the vision of a God of punishment and people who took a stand. They stood up and said to the people and the government "You are sinning. This is not OK. Turn from your evil ways." If someone did that today we would have documentaries written about them and then have them committed.
Our first assignment was to find the message about sinful "pride". We all looked at each other like...did we read the right books because I didn't see the message of pride anywhere. But as we dug...there it was.
In Zephaniah the people of Judah had become self-satisfied. They didn't need God. They had called to him and he seemed like he didn't answer one way or the other so...who needs him. They were busy. Things were good. They thought they could do it themselves. Who needs God? Their faith in God had become complacent. We'll call on him only when we need him. Is this sounding familiar...like society today?
It is scary sometimes how close those Israelites are to us today. What scares me is we are suppose to learn from history. HA. We continue to sin over and over. We never learn!
But throughout the three books...there is hope. It is parental love. As a parent you know how hard it is to discipline your kids. But you have to do it for them to learn. God punishes us so we learn. But we never do!
Habakkuk 3:17-19 is considered one of the most strongest manifestations of faith (copied those big words) in the bible. Who has read Habakkuk! Condensed in Kim language: When all around me is crashing down...I look to God who gives me strength....This was written by the prophet as he was waiting for the invasion he knew was coming from the mighty Chaldeans. All around him there would be destruction but he would rejoice in the Lord. That is a tough one!
We learn from history...if we are smart! We recognize sinful pride...if we are smart...We see complacency...if we are smart. Ask for wisdom and open the bible and read these guys!
Sunday, April 17, 2011
holy days
This week we head into holy week.
This is one of the most special weeks in the Christian calendar as we prepare for the greatest gift of all time.
John 3:16 comes to life. For God so loved the world that he gave his holy son. Whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
This is the week Jesus turns his face toward Jerusalem and knows what is coming.
This is the week he will stand before Pontius Pilot
This is the week he will ride triumphantly into the city to shouts of "Hosanna" (means "Save Us")
This is the week he prays that God take this cup from him
This is the week his friends betray him
This is the week he suffers
This is the week that prepared him to understand all of our suffering.
This is why he understands my pain.
This is why he understands my sorrow.
He has been where I stood this past year. He felt what I feel...the suffering, betrayal, hurt..he has felt it. He gets it. He gets me all because of this holy week.
I always take time during this week to spend time with Christ and to walk the walk with him.
I find a stations of the cross and walk the walk of Holy Week. It is a busy week of services but it is also a week to feel and react.
Think about all that was given this week for you....because of love.
Because God so love the world.
Because God so loved Kim.
Because God so loved you.
This is one of the most special weeks in the Christian calendar as we prepare for the greatest gift of all time.
John 3:16 comes to life. For God so loved the world that he gave his holy son. Whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
This is the week Jesus turns his face toward Jerusalem and knows what is coming.
This is the week he will stand before Pontius Pilot
This is the week he will ride triumphantly into the city to shouts of "Hosanna" (means "Save Us")
This is the week he prays that God take this cup from him
This is the week his friends betray him
This is the week he suffers
This is the week that prepared him to understand all of our suffering.
This is why he understands my pain.
This is why he understands my sorrow.
He has been where I stood this past year. He felt what I feel...the suffering, betrayal, hurt..he has felt it. He gets it. He gets me all because of this holy week.
I always take time during this week to spend time with Christ and to walk the walk with him.
I find a stations of the cross and walk the walk of Holy Week. It is a busy week of services but it is also a week to feel and react.
Think about all that was given this week for you....because of love.
Because God so love the world.
Because God so loved Kim.
Because God so loved you.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
525,600 minutes
This is a song from the Broadway musical "Rent". One of my all time favorites. Zack sang this song at his Christmas program this year. He and I had major discussions about how do you measure a year. All that happens in the course of a year.
One year ago today I went to court and in the stroke of a pen my 32 year marriage was over. Mark didn't even show up. That told me what I meant to him. My son Nick went with me.
So 525,600 minutes...how do you measure, measure a year?
In day light
In moon light
In nights when there is no sleep
At the beach
In the mountains
with family
with friends
on road trips with mom
on the other coast with family
in sunsets on my back porch with a glass of wine
in quiet
in lots of kid laughter!
in watching stars on my back porch
in searching for constellations
in hugging puppies
in crying in fur
in puppy kisses
in youth mission trips
in youth overnights and long talks
riding bikes with the kids
riding a roller coaster of emotions
in early morning cups of tea
in sleepovers
in sleigh riding off the roof
in hot cocoa on cold days
in baby steps taken and in major miles jumped
in many tears..........many tears and more tears
many cursing tirades
in hatred
in bitterness
in betrayal
in learning truths
in burning bridges
in faith
in church
in friends
in acquaintances
in work family
in new family additions
in baby smells and coos
in family long talks
in Jennifer wine nights
in new holiday traditions
in the power of prayer
in dreams and wishes
in comfort
in making my home mine
in dirt poor and paydays!
in lost hope and found hope
in God found and God walks
in the dark face of fear
in meeting God face to face
in strength and maturity
in maturity of boys into men
in ocean breezes
in art and creating
in a sense of who I am
in realizing my potential
in the sneak peak of a new life
in dreams
in new hopes
The song is called "Seasons of Love" and this past year has been a season of love for me. I have found it in so many places and in so many ways and I know and praise God that he is in the midst of it all. I see his signature on all of it and feel him present. I am blessed beyond all belief and am humbled by that thought. I wish for each of you a "Season of Love"
Amen and Amen
One year ago today I went to court and in the stroke of a pen my 32 year marriage was over. Mark didn't even show up. That told me what I meant to him. My son Nick went with me.
So 525,600 minutes...how do you measure, measure a year?
In day light
In moon light
In nights when there is no sleep
At the beach
In the mountains
with family
with friends
on road trips with mom
on the other coast with family
in sunsets on my back porch with a glass of wine
in quiet
in lots of kid laughter!
in watching stars on my back porch
in searching for constellations
in hugging puppies
in crying in fur
in puppy kisses
in youth mission trips
in youth overnights and long talks
riding bikes with the kids
riding a roller coaster of emotions
in early morning cups of tea
in sleepovers
in sleigh riding off the roof
in hot cocoa on cold days
in baby steps taken and in major miles jumped
in many tears..........many tears and more tears
many cursing tirades
in hatred
in bitterness
in betrayal
in learning truths
in burning bridges
in faith
in church
in friends
in acquaintances
in work family
in new family additions
in baby smells and coos
in family long talks
in Jennifer wine nights
in new holiday traditions
in the power of prayer
in dreams and wishes
in comfort
in making my home mine
in dirt poor and paydays!
in lost hope and found hope
in God found and God walks
in the dark face of fear
in meeting God face to face
in strength and maturity
in maturity of boys into men
in ocean breezes
in art and creating
in a sense of who I am
in realizing my potential
in the sneak peak of a new life
in dreams
in new hopes
The song is called "Seasons of Love" and this past year has been a season of love for me. I have found it in so many places and in so many ways and I know and praise God that he is in the midst of it all. I see his signature on all of it and feel him present. I am blessed beyond all belief and am humbled by that thought. I wish for each of you a "Season of Love"
Amen and Amen
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