I've seen several posts on Facebook from friends - and I've been experiencing it here, too...
The enemy is selling his lies in the temples of our hearts - and we are buying them.
It's time to invite Jesus to upturn those tables and send Satan packing.
There isn't room for both.
Ask Him to expose the lies and katargeo them. Their familiarity makes them comfortable and dangerous. There is a mole in the kingdom of our souls - and it is us. Jesus is not King - He's an ornament we look at to feel better.
Enough is enough.
Join me?
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
unwrapping the now
I love my home!
I especially love my little corner of it - we call it The Studio. I always wanted one of those!
This week I'm sharing that space with one of my closest friends. She's here from out-of-state and we're busy as elves sewing our hearts out for Christmas. Christmas carols play, a pine-scented candle burns in the corner, and a pot of soup simmers on the stove. Life is good. :o)
The reality is we don't know how long we'll have this house. The seller told a big lie that cost us lots of money we didn't have. At first, the Hunk and I were tempted to hold back... why pour ourselves into something we can't keep? Why get too attached? But God whispered to our hearts, encouraging us to embrace the now.
It's the perfect get-together place, with it's HUMONGOUS back yard and view of the stars. The outside looks sort of abandoned. And the inside still has boxes to unpack and lots of fixing-up we'd like to do.
But we're not waiting for it to be "perfect" to enjoy it. To invite friends over for s'mores around the fire. To have Sunday dinners and game nights and sewing marathons.
We don't want to look back and regret not enjoying this wonderful space. Today it belongs to us. So we're unwrapping the gift that is now. Because that's all we're really ever promised.
I especially love my little corner of it - we call it The Studio. I always wanted one of those!
This week I'm sharing that space with one of my closest friends. She's here from out-of-state and we're busy as elves sewing our hearts out for Christmas. Christmas carols play, a pine-scented candle burns in the corner, and a pot of soup simmers on the stove. Life is good. :o)
It's the perfect get-together place, with it's HUMONGOUS back yard and view of the stars. The outside looks sort of abandoned. And the inside still has boxes to unpack and lots of fixing-up we'd like to do.
But we're not waiting for it to be "perfect" to enjoy it. To invite friends over for s'mores around the fire. To have Sunday dinners and game nights and sewing marathons.
We don't want to look back and regret not enjoying this wonderful space. Today it belongs to us. So we're unwrapping the gift that is now. Because that's all we're really ever promised.
Join me the month of December for Tuesdays Unwrapped... a place for joyful hearts to unwrap the gift that is now.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
unwrapping rest
The curve balls of life continue to come at me full speed. An already challenging task became almost impossible as the physical hindered the mental and skewed the emotional. At the start of the week I was in panic mode, knowing what still needed to be done without enough time to do it.
And I hit my wall. You know, the brick one that leaves you bloody because you keep charging into it thinking this time it will move. Out of sheer exhaustion, I decided to let it go. I quit. I even posted it on Facebook, which makes it official. (Right?)
Then something happened. The mental act of "quitting" gave me the freedom to relax. To allow things to be what they are. To allow God to worry about the details while I rest a little. I didn't quit and walk away. Instead I was able to face the task from a different direction. (I believe someone smart named Antoine said that...)
The circumstance hasn't changed. There will still be consequences to face and I'll worry about those when they present themselves. In the meantime, I'm still plugging away, and accomplishing a lot more from a place of rest.
"Are you tired? Worn out?... Come to me... Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace." Matthew 11:28, The Message
And I hit my wall. You know, the brick one that leaves you bloody because you keep charging into it thinking this time it will move. Out of sheer exhaustion, I decided to let it go. I quit. I even posted it on Facebook, which makes it official. (Right?)
Then something happened. The mental act of "quitting" gave me the freedom to relax. To allow things to be what they are. To allow God to worry about the details while I rest a little. I didn't quit and walk away. Instead I was able to face the task from a different direction. (I believe someone smart named Antoine said that...)
The circumstance hasn't changed. There will still be consequences to face and I'll worry about those when they present themselves. In the meantime, I'm still plugging away, and accomplishing a lot more from a place of rest.
"Are you tired? Worn out?... Come to me... Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace." Matthew 11:28, The Message
Join me the month of December for Tuesdays Unwrapped... a place for busy hearts to unwrap the peace of His rest.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Jesus in the midst of brokenness
Old wounds run deep. And when those wounds are triggered the hurt can be overwhelming. That's when we need to fix our eyes on Jesus and focus on what's true.
But what if more hurt is piled on the hurt? Just when you think you can't take one more blow someone delivers words that crush your spirit and leave you thinking thoughts you know you shouldn't think? Your brain is on board with truth, but every fiber of your being grieves in agony with crippling pain that begs for relief?
And in that pain you lash out, and no one wants to be on the receiving end of that, so they walk away - affirming the lie that you aren't worth the time. You're unlovable. You're not good enough. You're ______________.
Have you ever felt that way?
Some people have never hurt that badly. They can't relate. They will shake their head and call it drama.
I wish I could say I can't relate, but I can. I know that pain and the desperation it causes first hand.
For the one in pain it's very real and overpowering. It leaves him gasping for breath, searching wildly for something, anything, to hold on to. Someone in that place doesn't need a pat scripture. Or a sermon on how she shouldn't feel that way. Or a guilt trip that if he was a true Christian they would just focus on Jesus and be okay. They're already feeling like they can't measure up.
Those words only affirm the message that they don't.
Someone in that place needs assurance.
Assurance that someone's willing to fight for their victory. Assurance that they are loved and worth it. Assurance that the lie IS a lie and they aren't deceiving themselves.
He needs assurance.
She needs assurance.
And often they need it in tangible form. I love my Jesus, but sometimes I need physical arms around me and soothing words I can actually hear with my ears. He knows that. He made me this way.
So today I'm challenging you. Is there someone who could use Jesus through you today? Are you willing to get a little dirty to be Christ to someone who's hurting? Will you take the time and stop right there in the middle of the hallway to hold a hurting brother and speak peace over him? When she tells you she's fine, and you can see the tear stains on her cheeks will you take the risk and hug her - even though it might make the tears flow harder?
When you don't know how to pray - are you willing to just be there?
Be Jesus.
But what if more hurt is piled on the hurt? Just when you think you can't take one more blow someone delivers words that crush your spirit and leave you thinking thoughts you know you shouldn't think? Your brain is on board with truth, but every fiber of your being grieves in agony with crippling pain that begs for relief?
And in that pain you lash out, and no one wants to be on the receiving end of that, so they walk away - affirming the lie that you aren't worth the time. You're unlovable. You're not good enough. You're ______________.
Have you ever felt that way?
Some people have never hurt that badly. They can't relate. They will shake their head and call it drama.
I wish I could say I can't relate, but I can. I know that pain and the desperation it causes first hand.
For the one in pain it's very real and overpowering. It leaves him gasping for breath, searching wildly for something, anything, to hold on to. Someone in that place doesn't need a pat scripture. Or a sermon on how she shouldn't feel that way. Or a guilt trip that if he was a true Christian they would just focus on Jesus and be okay. They're already feeling like they can't measure up.
Those words only affirm the message that they don't.
Someone in that place needs assurance.
Assurance that someone's willing to fight for their victory. Assurance that they are loved and worth it. Assurance that the lie IS a lie and they aren't deceiving themselves.
He needs assurance.
She needs assurance.
And often they need it in tangible form. I love my Jesus, but sometimes I need physical arms around me and soothing words I can actually hear with my ears. He knows that. He made me this way.
So today I'm challenging you. Is there someone who could use Jesus through you today? Are you willing to get a little dirty to be Christ to someone who's hurting? Will you take the time and stop right there in the middle of the hallway to hold a hurting brother and speak peace over him? When she tells you she's fine, and you can see the tear stains on her cheeks will you take the risk and hug her - even though it might make the tears flow harder?
When you don't know how to pray - are you willing to just be there?
Be Jesus.
Monday, February 14, 2011
valentines 2011
Every year I make home-made valentines for my family. Usually their valentines have something to do with their lives that year. Some years are easier than others.
This year I did something new... a joint theme that linked all four valentines. I was wracking my brain for ideas, when a simple thought struck.
Love letters. Literally. So I made these....
It helped that I have one husband and three kids. Lol I make the envelopes to match, too.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
the burden of procrastination
One cannot talk about things creative without addressing this demon. Cynthia Morris words it so brilliantly here, that I'm not going to try to embellish it. This is really good stuff.
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