For those of you who love Jesus and know that God is good, I'd like to propose a question that's been on my heart a while.
"What would it take for you to no longer believe that God is good?"
Would it be some deep tragedy or loss? Only God know I guess, but it IS worth pondering. Would it be bankruptcy? Divorce? Serious illness? Rebellion of your child/teen?
I know we all go through deep dark valleys but if we knew God was good on the mountain, how can he not be good in the valley. Changing where we are does not change who or what He is!
December 28, 2010
July 28, 2010
Where do you look for answers?
Life is always hard for some, but others kind of float merrily along without a care in the world. Though, for most of us, that season doesn't last too long. Then we find our selves running head long into something huge we've no idea what do do about. At that point we have a few choices.
We can:
But the first question is: Where do you look for answers? Seriously, when you have a big problem, where do you turn? Many popular choices are:
God......
Can you imagine with me for a moment? Pretend you're a devoted parent and your child has a big problem. And maybe by accident or unintended by that child, you discover the suffering your child has gone through. Perhaps your imaginary child needs something that is astronomical to them, but may be simple. for you to fix for them. Maybe they've wasted huge amounts of time and energy fretting, worrying and trying to change things until they give up. But if they had only come to you...if they'd just realized how deep your love went...if only they'd known that you desire to help them and deliver them from suffering.... But not until they've tried everything...exhausted all energy and known resources, they finally humble themselves and come to you.
If this scenario were real, and perhaps it IS real for some of my readers, wouldn't your heart just break? How much anguish you could've spared this precious child!! But they would not let you, or perhaps they didn't trust you. Maybe they were to "grown" too proud and independent! Wanting to "make it on their own!"
For whatever reason, in our story, they didn't turn to you, even though you were willing and able to give them exactly what they needed. Perhaps you'd been down the road they were going and all they really needed was a guide. But no. Not until the value of everything else out there was totally lost to them.
Have you been there? Has your child done this to you? Has he/she shut you out when you knew they were grieving? Did it break your heart? Maybe you did this to your parent. Thinking they couldn't possibly understand. Maybe you thought times were just too different now for them to relate. Then you had your own children. Then your heart longed to be a part of their world...but they would not.
Would you consider for a moment that this story replays itself more than a million times every single day? Maybe not in a physical family, though it IS far too common, but in a spiritual sense.
Many of you reading this maybe find your self in a spot you could've never foreseen and have no idea how to get out of. Maybe you've never even pondered the existence of God. Perhaps you've been taught He's either a myth, or maybe whatever you choose Him to be. Some say God is in everything, or maybe even IS everything.
Let's go back to our story for a moment. Could you put yourself in the place of that child? Just what if God is a Father who loves His child and has all power and recourses at His disposal. But there's only one problem. He only goes where He's invited.
What if.....
Just a thought. What if there IS an answer...what if there IS someone who can help you? What if you look every where ELSE except where your answer really is?
But just maybe you're a bit like me...you believe in God and His Father's Heart, but easily distracted by every day life. I'm the one at the top of this post. Looking to Drs, Books, Internet, Friends... Have you ever heard this phrase, "Now all we can do is pray." As if that's the last resort!
If God loves us as much as the Bible says He does, how His heart must break when we waste so much time, energy and grief looking everywhere but His Heart for what can really help us. Why do we wait 'till the very last to do what we should have done first?
Tonight as this realization hit me, my heart was overwhelmed with the grief that must be in my Father's Heart when I wear myself out and become hopeless. Its as if I've forgotten all the times He's been there and helped me all my life. (see: Time to Remember Pt 2) Yet when my husband's ill, what do I do? I talk to friends. I search Internet info on meds. I order herbs on-line. Not until nothing seems to work and hubby's still suffering I realize what I've done...again.
The tears began to flow as I cried out to my Father...in my heart falling at His feet...feeling the pain of His discounted heart...again. Why have I put Him last? Why have I not called on Him first? We might have had the answer long ago.
Where will YOU go for answers?
We can:
- panic
- get depressed and think life is over
- we can start looking for answers.
But the first question is: Where do you look for answers? Seriously, when you have a big problem, where do you turn? Many popular choices are:
- Doctors
- Books
- Pastor/Priest
- Best Friend
- Fortune Tellers
- Search the Internet
God......
Can you imagine with me for a moment? Pretend you're a devoted parent and your child has a big problem. And maybe by accident or unintended by that child, you discover the suffering your child has gone through. Perhaps your imaginary child needs something that is astronomical to them, but may be simple. for you to fix for them. Maybe they've wasted huge amounts of time and energy fretting, worrying and trying to change things until they give up. But if they had only come to you...if they'd just realized how deep your love went...if only they'd known that you desire to help them and deliver them from suffering.... But not until they've tried everything...exhausted all energy and known resources, they finally humble themselves and come to you.
If this scenario were real, and perhaps it IS real for some of my readers, wouldn't your heart just break? How much anguish you could've spared this precious child!! But they would not let you, or perhaps they didn't trust you. Maybe they were to "grown" too proud and independent! Wanting to "make it on their own!"
For whatever reason, in our story, they didn't turn to you, even though you were willing and able to give them exactly what they needed. Perhaps you'd been down the road they were going and all they really needed was a guide. But no. Not until the value of everything else out there was totally lost to them.
Have you been there? Has your child done this to you? Has he/she shut you out when you knew they were grieving? Did it break your heart? Maybe you did this to your parent. Thinking they couldn't possibly understand. Maybe you thought times were just too different now for them to relate. Then you had your own children. Then your heart longed to be a part of their world...but they would not.
Would you consider for a moment that this story replays itself more than a million times every single day? Maybe not in a physical family, though it IS far too common, but in a spiritual sense.
Many of you reading this maybe find your self in a spot you could've never foreseen and have no idea how to get out of. Maybe you've never even pondered the existence of God. Perhaps you've been taught He's either a myth, or maybe whatever you choose Him to be. Some say God is in everything, or maybe even IS everything.
Let's go back to our story for a moment. Could you put yourself in the place of that child? Just what if God is a Father who loves His child and has all power and recourses at His disposal. But there's only one problem. He only goes where He's invited.
What if.....
Just a thought. What if there IS an answer...what if there IS someone who can help you? What if you look every where ELSE except where your answer really is?
But just maybe you're a bit like me...you believe in God and His Father's Heart, but easily distracted by every day life. I'm the one at the top of this post. Looking to Drs, Books, Internet, Friends... Have you ever heard this phrase, "Now all we can do is pray." As if that's the last resort!
If God loves us as much as the Bible says He does, how His heart must break when we waste so much time, energy and grief looking everywhere but His Heart for what can really help us. Why do we wait 'till the very last to do what we should have done first?
Tonight as this realization hit me, my heart was overwhelmed with the grief that must be in my Father's Heart when I wear myself out and become hopeless. Its as if I've forgotten all the times He's been there and helped me all my life. (see: Time to Remember Pt 2) Yet when my husband's ill, what do I do? I talk to friends. I search Internet info on meds. I order herbs on-line. Not until nothing seems to work and hubby's still suffering I realize what I've done...again.
The tears began to flow as I cried out to my Father...in my heart falling at His feet...feeling the pain of His discounted heart...again. Why have I put Him last? Why have I not called on Him first? We might have had the answer long ago.
Where will YOU go for answers?
July 08, 2010
Mama Grizzlies
Women w/ sense are rising up!
Remember November!
If you're a woman or care for one and you care what happen to this nation...please forward :-)
-Becca
Remember November!
If you're a woman or care for one and you care what happen to this nation...please forward :-)
-Becca
http://m.youtube.com/watch?desktop_uri=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DfsUVL6ciK-c&v=fsUVL6ciK-c&gl=US
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
May 25, 2010
Mark Schultz Video - I have been there
There's nothing u can go thru Jesus doesn't understand. His Love can see u thru if u only trust in Him.
Check out this YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQ2jDUGcOsk
Love,
Rebecca
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
March 26, 2010
Who's Captain of Your Ship?
Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net. -LUKE 5:5
Do u remember this story? These guys were expert fishermen. They tried their best and caught nothing! They were exhausted! Why should the even consider trying again?
Comon sense would scream INSANITY! (You know...doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different outcome.) But there WAS something VERY differrent this time. All night they worked in their own strength, by their own limited perspectives. But now, Jesus was not only 'in the boat', but He was guiding them. And unknown to them ALL of Creation was at His command. Even the fish!
How often do we think a calling or dream is over, too hard, or maybe we're just not qualified...so we just don't step out again? Could it be we've "toiled all night" in our own strength, ideas and limited perspective? Could it be that if we ask Jesus into our boat...not as a passenger, or even co-pilot, but as Mighty Captain, that ship will finally get to its designed destination, might you finally accomplish your true purpose in life?
Now I'm not saying there still won't be storms and nights w/ no wind to fill your sails. Just that you'll never be alone or truly lost again. That is...unless you decide to take back the wheel. You see...on the wheel, there's only room for one pair of hands.
Sail On!
Love,
Rebecca Thames
-----------------------
Overcome Bias In Popular Media
Be Heard!
http://www.pyrabang.com/go/jclight
March 13, 2010
Heart Full of Praise...
Pray for a heart full of praise...an attitude of gratitude.
Think about what makes us miserable. Self image? Not enough money? Don't have what others have? Worry? Fear? Illness? Bad marriage?
The list could go on and on. But I believe, and have heard from many others, that your current situation isn't what can debilitate you...its your attitude toward it.
Think about what makes us miserable. Self image? Not enough money? Don't have what others have? Worry? Fear? Illness? Bad marriage?
The list could go on and on. But I believe, and have heard from many others, that your current situation isn't what can debilitate you...its your attitude toward it.
I've heard of people, and even met one, who've even overcome CANCER w/ a possitive outlook! Jesus said, If you can only believe, ALL things are possible with God. (emphasis mine)
So lets think for a minute. Just as light cancels and drives out darkness, wouldn't praise, thankfulness and gratitude drive of things like greed, anger, self-pitty, jealousy, and any form of discontentment? Sure seems right to me.
You see, if we're busy thanking and praising God for His goodness, His greatness, His power to save, His all-sufficiency...then we're acknowledging His ability to take care of us and handle ALL our concerns.
If we're honest we'll admit that most are way to big for us to carry. No matter how hard we try. We weren't built for that kind of load. Thats why the Scripture says, Casting your cares on Him, for He cares FOR you. Believe it or not, thats worth celebrating over. Since He's doing the caring, YOU DON'T HAVE TO! :-D
Here's kinda what I prayed this morning. Maybe you might try something similar:
Dear Lord God, please wash my heart and take away all the ugly stuff. Please ignite in me a heart full of praise and gratitude. For how can anger, anxiety, worry, or fear possible live in a heart filled praise thankfulness and grattitude!? Thank you so much! Amen!
Love,
Rebecca Thames
-----------------------
Overcome Bias In Popular Media
Be Heard!
http://www.pyrabang.com/go/jclight
March 02, 2010
Trivial or Triumphant?
For quite sometime I've noticed more and more, my life has been becoming quite uneventful. Some due to illness and some due to bad weather. It's just been very difficult for Bill and me to both get out of the house at the same time.
Now, he's been out on short runs for food or medicine, or to run a friend somewhere. But the last time we really went out together for a time of enjoyment to us both was 01/11/2010 for or anniversary. Praise God it was nice then. The Lord truly blessd that day.
Now, he's been out on short runs for food or medicine, or to run a friend somewhere. But the last time we really went out together for a time of enjoyment to us both was 01/11/2010 for or anniversary. Praise God it was nice then. The Lord truly blessd that day.
Before that we'd had a Drs appt the Monday before Christmas. Before that I think it was Walmart sometime in November. Plus its been months since I've been to church. I hate to say it, but this is where I am right now.
All this is to say, this is the closest to a "shut-in" I've ever been since the invention of pulic transit for wheelchair people, when I was 8 yrs old!
After that we had no excuse to stay home even though my mom also was in a wheelchair. She was the oe who got us all ready to go out. No excuses. Now it seems like any old excuse will do to just stay home. Too cold, too damp, flurries possible, too warm, too windy, a little achy today, too tired... The list goes on and on.
I've wondered if my life had become rather trivial...mundane. You know, a lotta stay-at-home moms go through it...get breakfast, open the mail, pay bills, clean house, plan dinner, watch tv.... some details vary, but many lists are similar. You may through in laundry or shopping trips or something the kids need on your basic list, but primarily they're the same.
I've been meaning to write this a while now, but something crazy happenned. Bill and I both got pretty sick last Sun night...sudden, vioolent and persistant stomache flu. Pretty traumatic for both of us. Especcially when each other was all we each had.
But once again the Lord came through in ways I never expected. He sent help when we needed it most and we pretty much slept the rest of the time. Today, after a whole week, we've both been feeling maybe 90% better.
Somehow that super-down time gave me a slightly different perspective. Maybe life wasn't so trivial after all. Even though I could barely keep my tummy together half the time, I found so much joy in any little thing I could do to make Bill's life any little bit easier or more comfortable. It was a great reminder...thats my real job-tittle "Help-meet" for Bill. That's what the Lord has called me to. And I'll only be most fulfilled when I'm truly filling that role to the best of my physical, emotional and spiritual ability.
So I suppose through a terrible illness, perhaps the Lord has used it to teach me. Take the "trivial" or "mundane" parts of life and fit them into their propper place to compliment and enhance my role in Bill's life and my life will truly go from "trivial" to Triumph! Thank You Jesus!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
SWEETHEART!
Love,
Rebecca Thames
-----------------------
Overcome Bias In Popular Media
Be Heard!
http://www.pyrabang.com/go/jclight
January 15, 2010
Who's Responsible 4 USA's Troubles?
Hi Friends! :)
My wonderful hubby just put up a post based on an article a journalist wrote called:
"545 People Rule You"
Its a very interesting read how and why the Congress and the Prez. are solely responsible for the mess our country's in. Check it out. Its a great and eye-opening read! ;-)
-Rebecca
My wonderful hubby just put up a post based on an article a journalist wrote called:
"545 People Rule You"
Its a very interesting read how and why the Congress and the Prez. are solely responsible for the mess our country's in. Check it out. Its a great and eye-opening read! ;-)
-Rebecca
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