I don't see my mom super often, but we talk on the phone as much as we can . She is great. An adorable lady who is so very kind, and just makes you smile. Loves gardening, and she kind of "gardens" people, too. She's also a very strong person. There's a lot I could say about my momma. But today she made me chuckle by how excited she was... and almost cry.
She told me she carried pictures along with her all day to look at during her free time. They were pictures of...
...my brother and me.
That took my breath away and make me whisper "aw" and want to cry at the same time! You see, we get to visit her on Saturday. She is so excited!! She is looking forward to it, and is fostering that hope with pictures and by talking to others about my brother and me.
That's it... now my eyes are teared up. I'm thankful for that love my mom has. And I'm glad she has that hope and joy inside of her. It is precious and contagious.
-------
.....What if we walked around day to day like that, with reminders of God held dear and close to our hearts? How would that change the day? Psalm 27:4 and Phillipians 4:8 seem relevant!!!
God holds us ever near His heart... !!!! Whoa!
Psalm 40:5 KJV
Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done,
and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in
order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are
more than can be numbered.
Isaiah 43:1
But now, this is what the LORD says--he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed
you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name;
you are mine.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Praises!
Lord, O Lord!
How great Thou art!
How I long to sprint to Your feet,
To dance in your presence,
To skip and sing
Praises unto Your Holy name with all the nations.
Somehow you notice and love each of your children you design with care!
Thank You for all You do and all You've done.
Thanks for what You will do, too.
Thanks for saving my family and for being so dear to everyone in my family.
Your character is the very best, O God.
Thanks for providing for us and always meeting our needs.
Thanks for teaching us.
Thanks for big joys and hard lessons
That are now joys.
Thanks for being Daddy, Savior, Fortress, Strength, Shepherd, Friend, Redeemer, and Love (and more).
O Lord,
How great You are!
How great Thou art!
How I long to sprint to Your feet,
To dance in your presence,
To skip and sing
Praises unto Your Holy name with all the nations.
Somehow you notice and love each of your children you design with care!
Thank You for all You do and all You've done.
Thanks for what You will do, too.
Thanks for saving my family and for being so dear to everyone in my family.
Your character is the very best, O God.
Thanks for providing for us and always meeting our needs.
Thanks for teaching us.
Thanks for big joys and hard lessons
That are now joys.
Thanks for being Daddy, Savior, Fortress, Strength, Shepherd, Friend, Redeemer, and Love (and more).
O Lord,
How great You are!
Kindness of God!
My God is so kind.
I've been struggling in an area lately. This devo from Jesus Calling was perfect for today and brought smile and tears to my eyes.
Come to me when you are weak and weary. Rest snugly in My everlasting arms. I do not despise your weakness, My child. Actually, it draws me closer to you, because weakness stirs up my compassion- My yearning to help. Accept yourself in your weariness, knowing that I understand how difficult your journey has been.
Do not compare yourself with others, who seem to skip along their life-paths wth ease. Their journeys have been different from yours, and I have gifted them with abundant energy. I have gifted you with fragility, providing opportunities for you spirit to blossom in My Presence. Accept this gift as a sacred treasure: delicate, yet glowing with brilliant Light. Rather than struggling to disguise or deny your weakness, allow Me to bless you richly through it.
Scripture references: Isaiah 42:3 A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
Isaiah 54:10 Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,”
says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
Romans 8:26 26 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 through wordless groans.
I've been struggling in an area lately. This devo from Jesus Calling was perfect for today and brought smile and tears to my eyes.
Come to me when you are weak and weary. Rest snugly in My everlasting arms. I do not despise your weakness, My child. Actually, it draws me closer to you, because weakness stirs up my compassion- My yearning to help. Accept yourself in your weariness, knowing that I understand how difficult your journey has been.
Do not compare yourself with others, who seem to skip along their life-paths wth ease. Their journeys have been different from yours, and I have gifted them with abundant energy. I have gifted you with fragility, providing opportunities for you spirit to blossom in My Presence. Accept this gift as a sacred treasure: delicate, yet glowing with brilliant Light. Rather than struggling to disguise or deny your weakness, allow Me to bless you richly through it.
Scripture references: Isaiah 42:3 A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.
In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;
Isaiah 54:10 Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,”
says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
Romans 8:26 26 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 through wordless groans.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
the mind!
God, when I remember You- forgive me- when I remember You, things make so much more sense and I feel so much calmer. It is like borrowing your perspective.
Thank You. I need You! All the time!
I struggle sometimes with the relationship topic. I'd like one, to be honest, and occasionally it brings me down. But when I turn my heart and thoughts towards God, that changes.
I feel peace about the future,
About friendships with guys,
about the day and everything that's part of it.
God changes my heart. And He will as often as I let Him!
What a change in mindset from longing to confident in Christ, and wanting MORE of Christ. (In that light a relationship actually looks like a distraction...) ... And a matter I can leave in God's trustworthy, capable hands - like a child trusting a trinket to an adult. The trinket gets put in the adult's pocket, and the child then pays little or no mind to it and skips happily along, living moment by moment without the worry about it.
It is kind of like that. We can trust that God is trusworthy, that He really loves us, and that He is in control...
Really. It is okay. God tells us Who He is in the Bible. Do we really trust Him to be what He says? Do your actions line up with your answer?
I struggle with this, always it seems wanting to grasp a worry or thought and find out EVERY possible angle of it, or the ways it could turn out. (Ginny! no.) God is faithful to teach me and show me HIS way. He's so patient.
This verse just seems relevant.
Romans 12:2
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.
"More God, less me!"
Thank You. I need You! All the time!
I struggle sometimes with the relationship topic. I'd like one, to be honest, and occasionally it brings me down. But when I turn my heart and thoughts towards God, that changes.
I feel peace about the future,
About friendships with guys,
about the day and everything that's part of it.
God changes my heart. And He will as often as I let Him!
What a change in mindset from longing to confident in Christ, and wanting MORE of Christ. (In that light a relationship actually looks like a distraction...) ... And a matter I can leave in God's trustworthy, capable hands - like a child trusting a trinket to an adult. The trinket gets put in the adult's pocket, and the child then pays little or no mind to it and skips happily along, living moment by moment without the worry about it.
It is kind of like that. We can trust that God is trusworthy, that He really loves us, and that He is in control...
Really. It is okay. God tells us Who He is in the Bible. Do we really trust Him to be what He says? Do your actions line up with your answer?
I struggle with this, always it seems wanting to grasp a worry or thought and find out EVERY possible angle of it, or the ways it could turn out. (Ginny! no.) God is faithful to teach me and show me HIS way. He's so patient.
This verse just seems relevant.
Romans 12:2
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.
"More God, less me!"
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
an afternoon
She walked to the edge of the field and stared.
The wind twirled her long straw-colored hair. It blew apart like a handful of straw caught in a large gust, and shimmered in the sunlight.
She was watching. And waiting. At any moment, her Pa would drive into the drive in his navy blue pickup. It was a beaten but faithful old truck. She wondered if he had made a grocery run or not today. Ma had mentioned needing flour. Alaina hoped he hadn't, so that they could go together later, probably with her younger sister Janie too.. It was so fun to go into town. It was just different. It didn't hurt that the clerk's son who also helping in the store, a year older than she, was an attractive young fellow. Perhaps a little too boyish to take seriously yet, but for whatever reason she hoped he'd be there.
After a few seconds more of staring poetically into the distance, she became bored, so turned to contine on the path to the creek. She wanted to find smooth stones to give to Janie, who was working on a flower garden. The stones would be pretty border decorations. They would need a lot though, so Alaina had resolved to take trips on occasion, whenever time found itself open.
She would look for any more treasures the ravens had left, too. One tree held a raven's nest, and it seemed like every time she looked at it something new was there. Why, she had even seen her mother's broach (missing after church one day) in the nest last time she had visited. Along with some strands of horse hair and one of her own shoelaces. The family dogs would announce the arrival of her Pa, so she needn't worry about keeping her eyes out for the pickup going down the lane.
The wind twirled her long straw-colored hair. It blew apart like a handful of straw caught in a large gust, and shimmered in the sunlight.
She was watching. And waiting. At any moment, her Pa would drive into the drive in his navy blue pickup. It was a beaten but faithful old truck. She wondered if he had made a grocery run or not today. Ma had mentioned needing flour. Alaina hoped he hadn't, so that they could go together later, probably with her younger sister Janie too.. It was so fun to go into town. It was just different. It didn't hurt that the clerk's son who also helping in the store, a year older than she, was an attractive young fellow. Perhaps a little too boyish to take seriously yet, but for whatever reason she hoped he'd be there.
After a few seconds more of staring poetically into the distance, she became bored, so turned to contine on the path to the creek. She wanted to find smooth stones to give to Janie, who was working on a flower garden. The stones would be pretty border decorations. They would need a lot though, so Alaina had resolved to take trips on occasion, whenever time found itself open.
She would look for any more treasures the ravens had left, too. One tree held a raven's nest, and it seemed like every time she looked at it something new was there. Why, she had even seen her mother's broach (missing after church one day) in the nest last time she had visited. Along with some strands of horse hair and one of her own shoelaces. The family dogs would announce the arrival of her Pa, so she needn't worry about keeping her eyes out for the pickup going down the lane.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
His ear is fluffier.
Thankful for new perspectives.
Today I sat outside with my dog, sitting on the cement patio. I journaled. I read old entries and prayers. then I began snapping pictures on my phone of my dog. I focused in on the texture of his fur on his back, on the lighter fur around his leg, on his fluffy ear, on his red collar. On his wet beard after getting a drink of water and on his mouth as he started to yawn (accident). I turned my camera to the dry leaves crinkled on speckled pavement after that, and the old red vase with moss crawling across the sides, faded red and green to crisp orange and forest evergreen. I saw a flower glowing where shade had missed a spot and photographed it a few different ways. I photographed myself, like I had my dog, just simple, looking straight ahead, my hair, eyes closed, and as I was writing. Then I saw soo many other opportunities for photos, but my phone was about dead and laundry was waiting on me. I could only afford a couple more photos before heading in.
Shooting from such angles is nothing new. Art students do it to get perspective and better know how to recognize and illustrate detail.
I noticed that the world seemed a lot more magical when I photographed in this manner. I just photographed what was there... not a moment or a put- together pose. In a way, I distanced myself and just examined the many qualities of what was in the lens. It even made me appreciate how I look in a different way, when the photos sit next to ones of flowers, moss, vases, and my dog.
People do that in their day to day lives, too. Step back. Distance themselves for a while from a situation that is consuming or overwhelming you. Examine their questions about the present and future with a camera, snapping the pretty light that falls and the shadows that they can't quite name.
They don't know what is in the shadow... and that is OK.
The grass yonder is a little fuzzy, unfocused.... and that is how the picture is, for now, right now.
It has been peaceful people that have done this in my experience. People who have faced a lot of punches in life, but while I've known them at least, remained calm and true blue in the midst of it. I think of my grandma. When her son was in terrible condition, she of course felt bad. But she prayed. She still welcomed whoever came to the door. She still set out a little something sweet, in case anyone might be hungry or have a sweet craving. Grandma didn't cave in. She looked at what was there, and tacked that photo to the wall.... she didn't cry and complain that the situaion existed.
She examined it, and accepted it.
Christ did very much that, too, in the Garden of Gathsemene. He knew what God wanted Him to do. He talked to God about it, sweating and crying. "If you will, take this cup from me." If You will it, God, take this away. "If Your servant must take this cup, then I will." If I must do it, God, I will do it.
He owned up to His fear. He owned up to what God wanted Him to do. Because of His love for us, and Him being THE WAY to forgiveness---the ONLY WAY- He accepted it and did it. He died on the cross.
And rose.
--
Remember God's perspective. He sees every angle of every matter.
That comforts me.
Faith is a decision.... It is trust that God is who He claims to be and that He does what the Bible says He does.
Will you be able to stand if thing don't go how you imagined, hoped for, or outlined? just a question.
Some of the best artworks were accidents. Some of the best inventions were never intended. Go, google it. (Makes me wonder about fire.... :) )
Here is a video that takes a different spin on urban life and what hundreds of people pass by every day. He did this with his secondary camera while he waited for the new "good" one to come in so he could start a project... It is pretty cool!!!
http://accidentalart.wordpress.com/
Done rambling. Have a great day and God bless!!
Today I sat outside with my dog, sitting on the cement patio. I journaled. I read old entries and prayers. then I began snapping pictures on my phone of my dog. I focused in on the texture of his fur on his back, on the lighter fur around his leg, on his fluffy ear, on his red collar. On his wet beard after getting a drink of water and on his mouth as he started to yawn (accident). I turned my camera to the dry leaves crinkled on speckled pavement after that, and the old red vase with moss crawling across the sides, faded red and green to crisp orange and forest evergreen. I saw a flower glowing where shade had missed a spot and photographed it a few different ways. I photographed myself, like I had my dog, just simple, looking straight ahead, my hair, eyes closed, and as I was writing. Then I saw soo many other opportunities for photos, but my phone was about dead and laundry was waiting on me. I could only afford a couple more photos before heading in.
Shooting from such angles is nothing new. Art students do it to get perspective and better know how to recognize and illustrate detail.
I noticed that the world seemed a lot more magical when I photographed in this manner. I just photographed what was there... not a moment or a put- together pose. In a way, I distanced myself and just examined the many qualities of what was in the lens. It even made me appreciate how I look in a different way, when the photos sit next to ones of flowers, moss, vases, and my dog.
People do that in their day to day lives, too. Step back. Distance themselves for a while from a situation that is consuming or overwhelming you. Examine their questions about the present and future with a camera, snapping the pretty light that falls and the shadows that they can't quite name.
They don't know what is in the shadow... and that is OK.
The grass yonder is a little fuzzy, unfocused.... and that is how the picture is, for now, right now.
It has been peaceful people that have done this in my experience. People who have faced a lot of punches in life, but while I've known them at least, remained calm and true blue in the midst of it. I think of my grandma. When her son was in terrible condition, she of course felt bad. But she prayed. She still welcomed whoever came to the door. She still set out a little something sweet, in case anyone might be hungry or have a sweet craving. Grandma didn't cave in. She looked at what was there, and tacked that photo to the wall.... she didn't cry and complain that the situaion existed.
She examined it, and accepted it.
Christ did very much that, too, in the Garden of Gathsemene. He knew what God wanted Him to do. He talked to God about it, sweating and crying. "If you will, take this cup from me." If You will it, God, take this away. "If Your servant must take this cup, then I will." If I must do it, God, I will do it.
He owned up to His fear. He owned up to what God wanted Him to do. Because of His love for us, and Him being THE WAY to forgiveness---the ONLY WAY- He accepted it and did it. He died on the cross.
And rose.
--
Remember God's perspective. He sees every angle of every matter.
That comforts me.
Faith is a decision.... It is trust that God is who He claims to be and that He does what the Bible says He does.
Will you be able to stand if thing don't go how you imagined, hoped for, or outlined? just a question.
Some of the best artworks were accidents. Some of the best inventions were never intended. Go, google it. (Makes me wonder about fire.... :) )
Here is a video that takes a different spin on urban life and what hundreds of people pass by every day. He did this with his secondary camera while he waited for the new "good" one to come in so he could start a project... It is pretty cool!!!
http://accidentalart.wordpress.com/
Done rambling. Have a great day and God bless!!
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
GF in God devo, crosswalk.com
July 24, 2012
Don’t Give Up!
Sharon Jaynes
Today’s Truth
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” - (2 Timothy 4:7 NIV).
Friend to Friend
It was the first swim meet of the year for our newly formed Middle School Aquatics team. The atmosphere on the three hour bus ride was electric with anticipation as the band of forty-eight adolescents thought of nothing but victory. However, the electricity turned into shock as our minnows filed off the bus and stared in disbelief at their muscle clad, Neptune-like opponents.
The coach checked the schedule. “Surely there’s been a mistake,” he thought. But the schedule only confirmed that, yes, this was the right place and the right time.
The two teams formed a line on the side of the pool. Whistles blew, races were begun, and races were lost. Halfway through the meet, Coach Huey realized that he had no participants for one of the events.
“OK team, who wants to swim the 500 yard free style?” the coach asked.
Several hands shot up, including Justin’s. “I’ll race coach!”
The coach looked down at the freckle faced youth and said, “Justin, this race is twenty lengths of the pool. I’ve only seen you swim eight.”
“Oh, I can do it coach. Let me try. What’s twelve more laps.”
The coach reluctantly conceded. “After all,” he thought, “It’s not the winning but the trying that builds character.”
The whistle blew and the opponents torpedoed through the water and finished the race in a mere four minutes and fifty seconds. The winners gathered on the sidelines to socialize while our group struggled to finish. After four more long minutes, the last exhausted members of our team emerged from the water. The last except for Justin.
Justin was stealing breaths as his hands slapped against the water and pushed it aside to propel his thin body forward. It appeared that he would go under at any minute, yet something seemed to keep pushing him onward.
“Why doesn’t the coach stop this child?” the parents whispered among themselves. “He looks like he’s about to drown and the race was won four minutes ago.”
But what the parents did not realize was that the real race, the race of a boy becoming a man, was just beginning.
The coach walked over to the young swimmer, knelt down and quietly spoke.
Relieved parents thought, “Oh, he’s finally going to pull that boy out before he kills himself.”
But to their surprise, the coach rose from the concrete, stepped back from the pool’s edge, and the young man continued to swim.
One teammate, inspired by his brave friend, went to the side of the pool and walked the lane as Justin pressed on. “Come on Justin, you can do it! You can do it! Keep going! Don’t give up!”
He was joined by another, then another, until the entire team was walking the length of the pool rooting for and encouraging their fellow swimmer to finish the race set before him.
The opposing team saw what was happening and joined the chant. The students’ contagious chorus sent a chill through the room and soon the once concerned parents were on their feet cheering, shouting, and praying. The room was pulsating with energy and excitement as teammates and opponents alike pumped courage into one small swimmer.
Twelve long minutes after the starting whistle had blown, an exhausted, but smiling, Justin Rigsbee swam his final lap and struggled to pull himself out of the pool. The crowd had applauded the first swimmer, as he crossed the line, first place. But they gave Justin the greater cheer, for finishing the race.
In 2 Timothy 4:7, Paul writes, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (NIV). On some days, when the swimming or running grows difficult – on those days when I want to quit, I long for friends and family who will walk the course with me cheering me on. “Come on Sharon, you can do it!” “Don’t give up! You’re almost there!”
But there are days when I look around and there seems to be no one there to cheer me on. That’s when I need to look a bit closer, listen a bit more intently, and hear the still small voice of my Heavenly Father. He’s always there to pick me up when I fall, hold me when I cry, hug me when I’m feeling alone, cheer for me when I’m victorious, and love me when I’m just me. And He’s there for you too.
Our Heavenly Parent is cheering for you, my friend. He’s saying, “Keep going! Don’t give up! You are precious to Me! You’re not alone! You can do it!”
Today, feel God’s embrace and listen closely as He speaks to your heart. I think I hear Him now…
Let’s Pray
Dear Heavenly Father, sometimes I feel like I’m not going to make it. Thank You for friends that come alongside me and cheer me on when I feel like I’m about to go under. Most of all, thank You for always being with me and cheering me on in the great race of life. I love You!
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Don’t Give Up!
Sharon Jaynes
Today’s Truth
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” - (2 Timothy 4:7 NIV).
Friend to Friend
It was the first swim meet of the year for our newly formed Middle School Aquatics team. The atmosphere on the three hour bus ride was electric with anticipation as the band of forty-eight adolescents thought of nothing but victory. However, the electricity turned into shock as our minnows filed off the bus and stared in disbelief at their muscle clad, Neptune-like opponents.
The coach checked the schedule. “Surely there’s been a mistake,” he thought. But the schedule only confirmed that, yes, this was the right place and the right time.
The two teams formed a line on the side of the pool. Whistles blew, races were begun, and races were lost. Halfway through the meet, Coach Huey realized that he had no participants for one of the events.
“OK team, who wants to swim the 500 yard free style?” the coach asked.
Several hands shot up, including Justin’s. “I’ll race coach!”
The coach looked down at the freckle faced youth and said, “Justin, this race is twenty lengths of the pool. I’ve only seen you swim eight.”
“Oh, I can do it coach. Let me try. What’s twelve more laps.”
The coach reluctantly conceded. “After all,” he thought, “It’s not the winning but the trying that builds character.”
The whistle blew and the opponents torpedoed through the water and finished the race in a mere four minutes and fifty seconds. The winners gathered on the sidelines to socialize while our group struggled to finish. After four more long minutes, the last exhausted members of our team emerged from the water. The last except for Justin.
Justin was stealing breaths as his hands slapped against the water and pushed it aside to propel his thin body forward. It appeared that he would go under at any minute, yet something seemed to keep pushing him onward.
“Why doesn’t the coach stop this child?” the parents whispered among themselves. “He looks like he’s about to drown and the race was won four minutes ago.”
But what the parents did not realize was that the real race, the race of a boy becoming a man, was just beginning.
The coach walked over to the young swimmer, knelt down and quietly spoke.
Relieved parents thought, “Oh, he’s finally going to pull that boy out before he kills himself.”
But to their surprise, the coach rose from the concrete, stepped back from the pool’s edge, and the young man continued to swim.
One teammate, inspired by his brave friend, went to the side of the pool and walked the lane as Justin pressed on. “Come on Justin, you can do it! You can do it! Keep going! Don’t give up!”
He was joined by another, then another, until the entire team was walking the length of the pool rooting for and encouraging their fellow swimmer to finish the race set before him.
The opposing team saw what was happening and joined the chant. The students’ contagious chorus sent a chill through the room and soon the once concerned parents were on their feet cheering, shouting, and praying. The room was pulsating with energy and excitement as teammates and opponents alike pumped courage into one small swimmer.
Twelve long minutes after the starting whistle had blown, an exhausted, but smiling, Justin Rigsbee swam his final lap and struggled to pull himself out of the pool. The crowd had applauded the first swimmer, as he crossed the line, first place. But they gave Justin the greater cheer, for finishing the race.
In 2 Timothy 4:7, Paul writes, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (NIV). On some days, when the swimming or running grows difficult – on those days when I want to quit, I long for friends and family who will walk the course with me cheering me on. “Come on Sharon, you can do it!” “Don’t give up! You’re almost there!”
But there are days when I look around and there seems to be no one there to cheer me on. That’s when I need to look a bit closer, listen a bit more intently, and hear the still small voice of my Heavenly Father. He’s always there to pick me up when I fall, hold me when I cry, hug me when I’m feeling alone, cheer for me when I’m victorious, and love me when I’m just me. And He’s there for you too.
Our Heavenly Parent is cheering for you, my friend. He’s saying, “Keep going! Don’t give up! You are precious to Me! You’re not alone! You can do it!”
Today, feel God’s embrace and listen closely as He speaks to your heart. I think I hear Him now…
Let’s Pray
Dear Heavenly Father, sometimes I feel like I’m not going to make it. Thank You for friends that come alongside me and cheer me on when I feel like I’m about to go under. Most of all, thank You for always being with me and cheering me on in the great race of life. I love You!
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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