Category Archives: First 100 days

January 2015 – Where did you go?

For all that have chosen to befriend me, and watch me for various reasons(of which we will not ask here), January was very obviously missing from my internet charades or escapades. I have many things to write about – and this year, 2015, I will be writing, and painting, and I hope that I will be speaking – but that will come.

Oh what a difference a month makes! And, what a prophetic post about Simplify!

I learned a lot last month, but had no consistent ability to write this blog. I spent January at a residential program for behavioral health – mental illness.

And, the draft – on Dec 21 that says ‘The End’…

The point is that on Dec 21, I wrote the draft that I am going to post right now – and on Dec 25th, I did attempt to take my life. It would appear that Dec 21, I was writing a suicide letter – despairing of my ever being able to be good enough to live.

The End
This post is password protected with TheEnd – so that only those that are reading THIS post will know how to get to the other.

I have an illness, a mental illness with several other issues surrounding it that cause me to have things happen that I am not aware of.

Jim’s comment to a friend was that I told him I didn’t remember taking the pills – and, I don’t. Until I talked to that friend, I didn’t know that I didn’t remember it at THAT time…that it wasn’t an amnesia occurring from the overdose.

Of course I am ultimately responsible, in a way that someone with cancer would not be – but, DID/MPD is very complicated, and I am not always myself. Major depressive disorder can spiral because of chemistry in the body – and then trigger the DID/MPD. AND – PTSD, from the abuse that caused the DID/MPD can trigger all of it – and that’s if no one human decides to be part of my life!

I have hope for the future – and even a hope that there will be a future as long as the Lord allows it. I don’t know what the people in my life will do with me, I know what my 2 bffs will say – and I know that my God is all about forgiveness – and as one bff says – GRACE.

Pray for Jim – he is exhausted from taking care of me.
Pray for my family – they don’t know what to think of me.
Pray for my friends – they don’t know what to do with me.
Pray for me – that we will learn enough about this disorder, and my additional mental illnesses, while I am in remission and can change behaviors and be prepared the next time this disease tried to take my life.

BTW – to be a bit sacreligious – God is a multiple! Father, Son, Holy Spirit all in One! if no one else gets me – HE DOES!!!

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” –
from My Utmost for His highest

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Soon, we will have a gallery for the art I have created by the hand of God.

Barbs Drawing

Naomi’s Heart Mission

Help a child in need. Check out Naomi’s Heart Mission or Compassion International. The life that changes will be your own!

100 Spiritual Steps #36 consistency

A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. ~Lao-tzu

The quotation page suggests this quote be translated more like this:

Although this is the popular form of this quotation, a more correct translation from the original Chinese would be

“The journey of a thousand miles begins beneath one’s feet.” Rather than emphasizing the first step, Lau Tzu regarded action as something that arises naturally from stillness. Another potential phrasing would be “Even the longest journey must begin where you stand.” [note by Michael Moncur, September 01, 2004]

This saying is so enlightened, so ethereal, and so useless! Every year I take the first steps to do something new! Yea! I’ve started a journey of a thousand miles…but I never get out my front door! Starting is great..but it doesn’t amount to much unless each day, each morning, I get up, and take that next step.

Elisabeth Elliott Gren often said “When you don’t know what to do, just do the next right thing.”
AA uses this quote.

What steps are there? What would be the next right step?

Phil 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Press on….
International Standard Version says it this way:

I keep pursuing the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly call in the Messiah Jesus.

Many translate it run towards.

Later, I’m going to write about taking steps…but right now, I am dealing with my difficulty with being consistent in taking steps, no matter how small or how large.

Philipians 3:14 is a forward moving, active concept. It is NOT static. It is NOT waiting for the next step, it is MOVING toward that next step…even if there is a question.

WHAT DO I DO NEXT?

The next right thing.

WHAT IS THE NEXT RIGHT THING?

That which would glorify God at this time.

WHAT WOULD GLORIFY GOD AT THIS TIME?

For that answer, one needs to spend time with the Lord, hearing HIS voice, and following HIM.

For me – right now it is writing, and I believe that soon, it will be painting again.
For me – it is praying.
For me – it is reading my Bible through and through.

WHEN CAN I NOT DO THOSE THINGS?
With an Android phone – I can always read my Bible – no excuses.
With the tablet Jim provided by God’s grace – I can always write.
With my easel, and my supplies, soon, I can always do some art.
WITH THE SPIRIT OF GOD IN ME – I CAN ALWAYS PRAY!!!

I want to consistently decide to do the NEXT RIGHT THING.

So, this year, I am combating procrastination, distraction, and even laziness.

Prov 6:10 A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—
:11 then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.(Pr 24:33-34)

Psalm 90 is the song of Moses – and he is talking about the brevity of life. We are but dust – and days of our lives are nothing in comparison to the eternity of God. Our years are filled with trouble, and they end with a sigh. But, Moses prays:

Ps 90:12 So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Dear Lord – TEACH US TO MAKE OUR DAYS COUNT!!! FOR ETERNITY!!!

WISDOM?

Ps 111:10 The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do [his commandments]: his praise endureth for ever.

Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

BECAUSE

Eccl 12:6 Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.
:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

AND SOLOMON SAYS:

Eccl 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this [is] the whole [duty] of man.
:14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether [it be] good, or whether [it be] evil.

After my 51st birthday, I started sensing an urgency of time. I am past 1/2 way to 100. As Moses said:

Psalm 90:10The length of our days is seventy years–or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span [fn] is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

75 is between the two – and is only 24 years away.

My first 50 years has so many starts without finishes that, even if I tried to get everything I started done, I would NOT finish them by the time I was 75!

Starting, without finishing is the lack of consistency.

For me, I think my lack of consistency has always been about “I will have time later” or “I’ll do it tomorrow.” or distraction.

Luke 9:62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.

  • 2008 – Jim and I participated in The Biggest Loser Million Pound Matchup – and I lost almost 40 pounds in 4 months, and completed many 5k’s. I didn’t keep it up.
  • 2009 – after Physical Therapy, I completed a modified mini triathlon. I had lost the weight, again. I didn’t keep it up.
  • 2010 – many surgeries…but I didn’t keep up the eating plan.
  • AND NOT ONCE DID I READ THROUGH THE ENTIRE BIBLE!
  • NOT ONCE DID I KEEP MY PRAYER JOURNAL!

I still have many unfinished projects – though I did donate many of them to worthy causes. Does that count? Of course not! I didn’t finish those projects! I want to be fit for the Kingdom of Heaven!

So – why did I fail?

  • Lack of consistency…I didn’t do the next right step moving towards a goal…I stood still. I stood still so long that time moved past me, and those projects became impossible to complete.
  • Lack of diligence…I got distracted by other projects, people and events.
  • Laziness…no sense of urgency. I didn’t number my days.

In 2012 – I have some goals to press on towards.

  1. Bible Reading –
  2. Prayer
  3. Writing
  4. Painting

In that order.

While doing this – I feel that I have some responsibilities.

  • Health
  • Relationships
  • Home

What is my responsibility, really?

To fear God, and keep His commandments. ~Solomon

Micah 6:8 He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

It’s simple really:

John 10: My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

Just listen and follow! It only costs everything!
Just be consistent!
Day By Day!

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi

Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

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Barbs Drawing

Naomi's Heart Mission

 

Help a child in need. Check out Naomi’s Heart Mission or Compassion International. The life that changes will be your own!

The First 100 Days – Day 100 – what have I done?

Day 100

What were my goals?

  1. 100 days of moving challenge
  2. 100 days blog challenge
  3. 90 days Bible Reading
  4. multiple T-Tapp challenges
  5. 40 days of Fasting For Food

What have I done?

  • I did complete the Fasting for Food – though I raised very little money for Compassion through that project.
  • I did not complete any T-Tapp challenges, because of vertigo issues – though this did separate the vertigo issues from everything else.
  • I did not complete the 90 days Bible Reading – though I read parts of my Bible I had never really ‘read’ before, and I did read more in the first 100 days because of this challenge.
  • As obvious by the lack of blog posts, I did not complete the 100 blog challenge, though the eye problems from the vertigo were clarified because of my difficulty at the computer screen.
  • I did not complete the 100 days of moving challenge – though because of it, I am now able to walk more than a 5k (3.2 miles) in a little over an hour, and I am able to start handling stairs. This has prepared me for my trip to Germany.

While the goal of a challenge is to complete it, I’m not sure that is what God’s requirement is. Yes, we are to be like Paul:

Phil 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

I just don’t think that God means that we are to arrive there in our lifetime. I’m not sure it’s possible.
What kept me from completing my challenges? Trials, to be sure, but more honestly, temptations to do otherwise.

James 1:12 Blessed [is] the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

  • I did not choose to move when I could…and, honestly, if I could move to go to the bathroom or put something in my mouth, I could have moved for 10 minutes!
  • I did not choose to read the Bible or to listen to the Bible being read when I was too dizzy to focus… and honestly, I watched a lot of stupid TV while I sat trying to stay upright.
  • I did not choose to write short blogs, to share my experiences (which would have caused me to do some Bible study as well)…but I did keep up with email.

See, I can make excuses for not completing my challenges.

I know that God does not grant me salvation based on how good I do in challenges(THANK YOU JESUS!).
But I KNOW that I did not give my all to these challenges.
I KNOW that I treated my flesh before honoring God’s Spirit.

James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth [it] not, to him it is sin.

So, for me, there has been sin.
Thankfully, for me, Jesus takes care of that for me when I confess my sins. He is faithful to forgive me of my sins(Thank you LORD!) (1 John 2:1-2 with 1 John 1:9)
Thankfully, there is no condemnation!

Rom 8:1 [There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

And the last two qualifiers are what lead me to my next goal…
walk NOT after the flesh, BUT AFTER THE SPIRIT!

When Jesus forgave the woman caught in adultery, he said: “Go, and sin no more.” (John 8:11)

I will be setting new goals for the next 100 days, and I will be trying to walk in the Spirit (Gal 5:25).

AND, I will continue to confess my sins, I owe that to my Savior.

James 5:16 Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

And, through James, I have a promise:

James 5:15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

 

I will be working on a new signature set of challenges…but until then,
Thank you for joining me in this journey!

In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi

The First 100 days- Day 85 – Like the Waves

Galveston, Tx
The Gulf of Mexico.
March 26, 2011

Waves of water
ebb and flow
with the ocean’s
push and pull.

Coming in,
lay down fresh sand
water washing
onto the land.

Flowing out,
and taking trash,
but digging ruts
with splish and splash

Ridges roll
bumps fall down
circles swirl
is that a crown?

Trials flow
in and out
cutting down
the trash of doubt

Holy Spirit
washes o’r
and the sins
are never more.

Slowly scraping
sin and flesh
and molding me
into holiness.

Things that fight
the flow of God
rip and tear
break down and fall

Flowing with
the waves of God
is peaceful, joyful,
life unfraught

Waves of God
please overflow
wash away
sin’s tight hold

Take out the flesh
that over rides
my spirit hopes,
and heart’s desires

Swirl around
my heart and soul
mold me, make me
white as snow.

As I yield to
Your ocean’s flow
renew my mind
so that I know

I know that you
are King of Kings
and you are Lord
of everything

When I’m allowed
to fall down,
it’s only to
design my crown

Your hands are always
holding me
just like the beach
holds the sea

The ocean waves
they ebb and flow
illustrate
God’s power to know

None can count
the ocean sand
But out of trillions
God holds my hand

I can ride
the waves of life
with peace from God,
and not with strife.

He has a plan
that’s just for me
If I will just
abide with HE.

Wash me with
Your water, Lord,
Help me live
life by Your word.

Thank you, Lord.

The First 100 days – day 83 – Protection

Psalm 91 – the Protection Psalm.

It’s called the Soldier’s Psalm. You can print it out at Lamppost Publishing. It is said that it was prayed by the 91st Brigade and they suffered no casualties.

I want to believe that this is psalm is a promise that is absolute.

~~~Especially this part~~~
Ps 91:3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
5 You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
~~~~and this part~~~~
Ps 91:11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
12On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.

Yes there are the qualifiers:

vs 1 dwells in the shelter of the Most High
vs 2 says to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
vs 9 has made the Lord your dwelling place—
vs 9 has made the Most High, your refuge
vs 14 holds fast to God in love
vs 15 knows MY(God’s) name.

I suppose that if I walked perfectly, without sin, then nothing would happen to me, to hurt me…right? We always have the promises in Deuteronomy 28. Even that comes with qualifiers:

Deut 28:1 And it shall come to pass, if
a. thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God,
b. to observe [and]
c. to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:

Are we really supposed to be protected from all the evil that is in the world?  If everything went right for Christians, we’d have no problem evangelizing, or would we?  When the Jews, who followed God’s cleansing laws, didn’t get the diseases around them, they were attacked for calling on their God to attack those that got sick!  When a family has raised children that are obedient, respectful, God-fearing and God serving, others don’t say “Hey, how did you do that…I want my kids to be just like yours!”  Others say – you are too strict, you are too narrow minded…you are stunting your children’s growth, all the time their children are running amuck.

My children are not the perfect God-fearing, missionary, ministry focused youth, so, I can say the above.  They had a problem.  They had a handicap. They had Jim and I for parents.  And, we are imperfect.  We have a fallen nature.  We made mistakes – probably more than even those we’d rather not broadcast!  So, we had injuries.  We had sickness.  We had financial issues.  We didn’t qualify for Deut 28.  We tried to abide under the shadow of the almighty, and dwell in the secret place…but we kept steppin’ out of the covering!  Because we ARE human!

The Bible is not black and white. WHAT???!!!??? Is this CHRISTI writing???!!!???

While there are these promises for protection, there ARE qualifications – cause and effect – consequences – and, um, freedom of choice – free will – which can turn into self will!

Jesus was perfect…and those last few days were pretty painful to Him.  It was because of our sin.

Is 53:5 But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Have you stopped transgressing?  I haven’t.
Have you overcome all your iniquities?  I haven’t.

Therefore, the chastisement of our peace was laid upon him, and he gave us peace.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

And by his STRIPES we are healed.

1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

WHOA! THERE’S MORE QUALIFIERS! Or is it the responsible reaction of gratitude?

God KNEW we would still have trouble with our sinful nature…and gave us even MORE help!

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 2:1-2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for [the sins of] the whole world.

Why am I contemplating this today?  There have been several incidents lately that have made me dig deeper into my understanding of God’s handling of my affairs.

Today, I learned that my middle son almost lost his finger in a log splitting accident.

Steve's finger, after log splitting accident

I know he isn’t walking ‘perfectly’ with the Lord – just by what I know!  But, even though his finger was not protected, and the bone was cut in two – God DID protect him, and in his drugged state, he called and told my husband these ways, giving God the praise:

  1. it did not go all the way through…it has all the parts cut, and the bone broken…but missed the artery.
  2. He had gloves on. Grandson Brayden was with him and did not see much at all – was fine until the ambulance got there.
  3. Brayden’s mom was out there – a) they are trying to work out their relationship, b) she was able to take care of Brayden and Steve
  4. The doctor at the community hospital put it back on, then sent him to a bigger hospital…which was so impressed with her work, it did not need to be re reattached.
  5. They are sure that they can reattach tendons and such – he has a consult tomorrow (Friday)

Stephen was praising God for all these ways that God protected him…and we join him in that praise and thanks!

All of the mighty men and women of the Bible had ‘bad’ things happen to them in their lives.  How do I hold both the evidence of a fallen world(we don’t live in the Garden of Eden) with the promises of protection and provision?

I Believe:

  1. God is Who He says He is.
  2. God can do what He says He can do.
  3. I am who God says I am
  4. I can do what He says I can do(all things through Christ!)
  5. God’s word is active and alive in me.

from Beth Moore – Believing God.

I believe that God’s Word – the Bible as we know it – is, well:

2 Tim 3:16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Therefore, what seems to be a contradiction, is just a matter of digging deeper, to get understanding.

Dog owners – have you watched the shows Dog Whisperer or It’s Me or the Dog?  To train a dog, you do not give them affection when they are doing the wrong thing.  You praise them when they are doing the right thing, and give them blessings called treats!  As humans we are just now learning this…maybe God knew it all along?

Parents – are you familiar with such training as Positive Parenting? Actually, I have only heard rave reviews.  My training for child care at the YMCA utilized this type of training.  When a child is misbehaving, you do not give them the attention they are trying to obtain.  When the child is behaving you lay praise and adoration on thick!  You choose discipline that leads the child to an ability to self control, and eventually, other character qualities.  IBLP has a great training about Character Qualities. Another group, Character First has great resources as well.

What’s my point? We’re not here to be protected from physical harm.  Noah lost everything in a flood!  And he was the only righteous man found!  Lot was protected from destruction.  Jesus was beaten, and crucified – and He was PERFECT.

A child that ate candy all their life would have cavities.  Is that God’s fault? It’s a consequence of the choices(for a child, the parent’s).
Lot’s family was delivered from the destruction, and because of their hearts, they then brought destruction upon themselves. It was THEIR choices!

I have health issues because of how I have NOT taken care of this temple…that’s NOT God’s fault, that’s cause and effect. I can, however, use these ‘negatives’ to change things, and then ask God’s favor, grace and mercy to help me ‘get it right’.  After all, that’s God’s purpose – to have me run into His tower for protection, and dwell with Him!

The spirit of the man is what is important. The purpose for anything in our lives is to make us more like Jesus.

2 Tim 3:16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

1 John 2:1-2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

To me, the promise of protection is a ‘carrot’ that reminds me to DWELL under the shadow of the Almighty!
To me, the promises of Deuteronomy 28 are ‘rewards’ for choosing to obey what God has shown me.

YES – when something bad happens, I do check out my relationship with God first! Then, if I need to repent – I do it.  If I need to turn around, or ask forgiveness, or change something – I do it!

I KNOW that my heavenly Father loves me, and gives me ONLY good gifts.  James 1:17
I KNOW that bad things happen because of my fallen nature. James 1:13-16
I KNOW that all things work together for my good….Romans 8:28(there’s a qualifier here!)
I KNOW that God has a plan for my life – Jeremiah 29:11
And that plan has been in effect since before I was born…Psalm 139:13-17, Jeremiah 1:5
I KNOW that bad things happen, because of the fallen nature of the world…Romans 8:22

I also know, by combining these scriptures and many others, that some perfect gifts come wrapped in bags of garbage.  It I toss them out, and complain about the garbage, I will never get that diamond, ruby, sapphire that is hidden in the midst of the garbage.  It’s just like those presents that people give with multiple boxes, filled with newspaper…only the gift at the end of this garbage bag is eternal…and growing closer to the Everlasting God!

God’s ways are so much higher than ours. The foolishness of man(what confuses man) is the wisdom of God.

Romans 8:1 [There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Col 2:6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, [so] walk ye in him:

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Does it make any sense that one person, totally void of any wrong doing, would take the death penalty for all the terrorists in the world? All the rapists? All the murderers? All the child abusers? All the kidnappers?  No.  It doesn’t make any sense to me.
Does it make any sense that the death of one man could provide the choice for anyone, whosoever chooses, to be washed of all their crimes, and to start life anew – nothing hanging over them?  No.  It doesn’t make any sense to me.
Does it make any sense that a person, to whom so much has been given, would go back to their crimes, and muck up the beautiful opportunities laid before them?  No.  It doesn’t make any sense to me.
Does it make sense that the Bible has promises for perfect protection, as a result of perfect obedience? Yes.
Does it make sense that a judge would give out leniency, mercy, and grace to criminals that break the laws of his jurisdiction? No. And yet, God blesses the just and the unjust every day.
Does it make sense that a loving Heavenly Father would make a way for His erring children to come back into fellowship – and receive the blessing of His presence through Jesus Christ, our ambassador?  As a mother, this makes sense to me. As a citizen, I want the full application of the law! Put those ogres in prison!

So, I have conflicts with what many take for granted in God’s word…and yet, I can hold the conflict of protection, with the bad things that happen together in my heart as both true. Why? Because Christianity IS FAITH! I may not be able to see the sense in what God has done, but I am so grateful for the ‘foolishness’ of God that has washed me from my sins, that I am willing to receive all the ‘foolishness’ of God as just far above my wisdom. Jesus asked the questioning Pharisees – Is it easier to heal or to forgive sins? In truth, it is much easier to heal…because forgiveness comes very hard! So, the greatest mystery is that God sent His Son to die on my behalf…everything else is just, well, faith!

I have been guilty of asking “WHY ME?” or “WHY MY FAMILY?” at times…and, I have repented.  The question should be “WHY NOT ME?”  Why do you choose to look upon my family with grace and mercy, when we are not perfect?  Why didn’t I leave 2 seconds earlier and be in that huge accident right behind me?  Why didn’t my babies die at birth when things looked so bad? Why didn’t Jim lose his job, and we go for months on unemployment?  Why didn’t I get cancer?  Why not us?  Because, HE LOVES US!  And because HE loves us first, we love Him.

Here is a passage from Isaiah – to just remind us what Jesus did for us…and can we take the little difficulties(as Paul said) and choose to count them but joy?(2 Cor 4:16; 2 Cor 11:23; Phil 3)

Isa 53:1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
Isa 53:2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, [there is] no beauty that we should desire him.
Isa 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were [our] faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Isa 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
Isa 53:5 But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

I have one last quote:

“If you wish to know God, you must know his Word.
If you wish to perceive His power, you must see how He works by his Word.
If you wish to know His purpose before it comes to pass, you can only discover it by His Word.”
…(C.H. Spurgeon)

I lied:

Sola Fide – by faith alone
Sola Gracia – only by God’s grace
Sola Scriptura – only by God’s word
Solus Christus – through Christ only
Soli Deo Gloria – only for the glory of God.

Bad things WILL happen. That’s NOT the point.  The point IS – how will we respond?  I want to always run to the tower of the Lord, and to dwell under the shadow of His wings – because it’s only through the Lord that I have help to make it through the bad things that happen.

Prov 18:10 The name of the LORD [is] a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

In case you are interested, Mary Jane Holt, of the The Citizen researched the story, and the truth about the Soldier prayer...very nicely done.
Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment! Or ‘like’ me! Or follow me with the RSS feed.

  1. 100 days of moving challenge – day 83 – going to the Y!
  2. 100 days challenge- blog – check
  3. 25 verses in 52 weeks – Phil 4:8
  4. 90 days Bible Reading – Luke
  5. 50 days T-Tapp – AL, OIP, HD

The First 100 Days – Day 76 – Fifteen

15

Not enough to be a quarter, clumsier than a dime.
It’s only half of a 30 day challenge.
Not old enough to drive.
We see John 3:16 every where, but who memorizes John 3:15?
1 Corinthinans 12, 13, and 14 have been etched in our minds, but what about chapter 15?
Wikipedia actually has an entry for 15, with the warning:”This article may contain excessive, poor or irrelevant examples.”

What good is 15?
You get 10 minute breaks, 30 minute or 60 minute lunches, but not 15.

What can you do with 15 minutes?
In the book, Side-Tracked Home Executive, there were an amazing amount of 5, 10 and 15 minute chores! It doesn’t seem to have transferred over to the internet version, The FlyLady, though.

Think about it, what can you do in 15 minutes?
My S.H.E.  Motto was Swish, Swipe and Shine. Toilet, counter top and sink.
With a little practice, I could do it in 15 minutes.
If I did it every day, I could do it in 15 minutes.
If I skip a day, that would add up to a week, and then, it would take longer than 15 minutes.
Keeping up with things means it takes less time to keep up with things!

Fly Lady goes into setting a timer for 15 minutes, and tackling hot spots…those spots that just build up. It’s amazing what you can do in 15 minutes, if you focus on the task, and stay with it.

An exercise program that I have found VERY useful is called T-Tapp. Teresa’s book is “Fit and Fabulous in 15 Minutes.” Almost every T-Tapp video I have is less than 15 minutes.  And the impact of 15 minutes everyday is evident in the testimonies shared.

Anything else?

Here, I’ll try some things….

  1. How many ecards can I send in 15 minutes? Set the timer….Well, with my goofs, and some extra time to view things, at DaySpring, I was able to send 5.  Others may be faster(computers, programs and/or people).
  2. How many FB posts can I view and like in 15 minutes? Well, since I had already commented and posted on many today, in five minutes, I found 15 to like, one to check out the photo, and another I could have commented on.
  3. How many emails can I go through in 15 minutes? I had already read through emails this morning, but in 15 minutes I was able to go through 40 emails, deleted 30, actually read through 7(blogs and newsletters) and filed or archived 3.  I did reply to 3, as well.

These activities can be a real time waster…I’m sitting at my computer(because it’s easier than getting up and exercising) and I realize it’s 1:30PM, I haven’t eaten breakfast, and I haven’t gotten anything done but email, FB, chat, skype, and sometimes, my blog.

I can’t set a timer for my blog…because I want to let it flow. But I can do that for other things!

  • FB – Facebook. If I set a timer for FB, I wouldn’t get lost in the variety of posts, and I would be able to purposefully focus my time.
  • Email – If I would set a timer for email, I might make better choices about whether to archive, reply, forward, trash various posts. But giving myself unlimited time on either of these just keeps adding up to, well, a lot of time!
  • Hot Spots – I do get caught up with organizing, or I get distracted while do so, and lose track of time.
  • Chores – yes, even adults have chores(especially when the kids grow up and move out!). But, rather than putting them off, what about “I’ll work on that for 15 minutes!”

There are some things that won’t work well with this system.

  • TV – it just doesn’t fit into 15 minute time slots
  • Skype – I’m NOT going to put a timer on my Grandbabies!
  • Jim Time – I need to give him more time
  • Bible Time – while 15 minutes is a good start – sometimes a study just won’t quit in 15 minutes.
  • Prayer – again, giving at least 15 minutes is a good start, but hopefully, prayer life will take over.

The last two, you may have to set a timer so that you actually can quit in time for school, work or church!

15 minutes can be very powerful.
What about 15 seconds?

Hold your breath for 15 seconds…and read this:

ONE one thousand
TWO one thousand
THREE one thousand
FOUR one thousand
FIVE one thousand
SIX one thousand
SEVEN one thousand
EIGHT one thousand
NINE one thousand
TEN one thousand
ELEVEN one thousand
TWELVE one thousand
THIRTEEN one thousand
FOURTEEN one thousand
FIFTEEN one thousand

Now, was that hard? Probably not.
But imagine that it is NOT you that isn’t breathing, but your child…and how long is 15 seconds then?

Time is a gift, given to us by God. Every second we let slip away is gone, forever. It doesn’t come back around, even though it seems like it when we wake up. It’s gone. Forever.

Time adds up.
The one month old, living day by day for 335 days, is now 1 year old. He won’t go back to being one month old again. He will always be at least 1 year old.
I am 50 years old. The amount of time that I have wasted is only calculated by the grace of God knowing my every second, and forgiving me. The totality of my years is immersed in God’s mercy, that HE chooses not to remember my past sinful seconds upon seconds, but HE looks at the cross, and then, waits for me in my future.

15
it can be as big or as small as we make it.
Most people can do just about anything for 15 minutes.
The past is gone, do not dwell in it.
The future is not here, do not stress over it.
All we have is the gift of today, that’s why it’s called
the present.

Psalm 90:12 So teach [us] to number our days, that we may apply [our] hearts unto wisdom.

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment! Or ‘like’ me! Or follow me with the RSS feed.

  1. 100 days of moving challenge – day 76
  2. 100 days challenge- blog – check
  3. 25 verses in 52 weeks – Phil 4:8
  4. 90 days Bible Reading – Isaiah – very behind.
  5. 50 days T-Tapp – AL

The First 100 days – Day 71 – Am I Dying?

severe stomach pains
sweating
dizziness
nausea
blurred vision
what is it?

I thought I had food poisoning! But my friend was fine, and we split the whole meal! Apparently, the place I ate lunch also served some things that I am allergic to…shellfish. People on the gulf LOVE their shrimp! Cross contamination can be deadly for me.

2 Cor 6:14-16a Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?

Cross contamination in our Christian walk is deadly. Reading the Old Testament…the Hebrews messed up when they took wives from outside the faith.  Solomon messed up with all the wives that drew him away.  King upon King, man upon man…even Rachel took her father’s idols and hid them!  Cross contamination!

There is a solution:

I died on the imaging table as they pumped IVP(iodine) into my blood system. I was told the rescue was quite exciting, probably only because I survived!  They did the huge needle with ‘adrenalin’ and stuck it right into my heart.  I’m told that the reaction is eerie…like seeing someone raised from the dead.  Understand, I didn’t see it, but I am here now, because of it!

2 Cor 6:16b-18 for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you,
And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

 

The solution for cross contamination in our spiritual life is to cut it out. I became allergic to IVP dye, and eventually Iodine totally, because when they did one of the exams, my spine wouldn’t let go of the last bit of iodine dye. A nerve got stuck on the needle, and they were not able to get that last bit. BTW, needles pulling on spinal nerves seems to wake the dead…I screamed and jumped, while being totally sedated! They had to leave that dye in my spine, because ‘I’ wouldn’t let go. That bit of dye caused the code reaction with the next test…and now, 32 years later…my system does not react well to any type of iodine! It makes me sick.

Just like that iodine dye, we need to let go of the things that compromise our walks with Christ. We need to remember that we are the temple of the Holy Ghost, and we should bring no ‘unclean’ thing into the temple. So often, we cannot do it alone…we need a big shot of ‘Holy Ghost adrenaline’ right into our hearts. We need to be raised up from the cross contamination death we are headed into!

Sometimes, like when we have yucky stuff in our system – we need to purge. Nausea and diarrhea are natural ways for our bodies to purge uncleanness.
Repentance – true repentance and turning way from the unclean things(sin – from murder all the way to lying) – is the only way to rid our spiritual lives from the weakness that comes from being cross contaminated!

Kingdoms were destroyed because of cross contamination. But God is merciful. Just like He gave Israel chances, over and over and over and over…so He will with us.

Lamentations 3:22-23 [It is of] the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. [They are] new every morning: great [is] thy faithfulness.

I have tended to make excuses. Isn’t that why our country is in the state it is in? And our nation? And especially our churches, families, and marriages? We’ve made excuses for our cross contamination.

Go back to the cross…put down the garbage things that are holding us down. Cry out for forgiveness, pray for forgiveness and put everything on the altar and pray for God’s fire to come down and burn off the dross. Then, take up ONLY those things that survive HIS cleansing fire.

This is a matter of life, or death!
Choose Life!

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment! Or ‘like’ me! Or follow me with the RSS feed.

  1. 100 days of moving challenge – day 69
  2. 100 days challenge- blog – check
  3. 25 verses in 52 weeks – Phil 4:8
  4. 90 days Bible Reading – Isaiah – very behind.
  5. 50 days T-Tapp – AL

The First 100 days – day 62 – storms

I have failed to write this blog consistently…and this response is more personal…this is my life.

Life is happening here…but after reading about a friend’s  life…I am reminded of the story about the woman that met with Jesus about how heavy her burdens were.  He showed her the burdens of those around her, that she could not see – and everyone of those that she picked up were too big, too heavy for her.  Then she saw this small burden and asked who’s that was…she was told to pick it up, and she said “it’s so light? Whose is this?”  Yours, my child…

So, life is happening here…I have a disability that makes these difficulties challenging…but, I have a God that is greater than all these things…and I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me.

I have to remember, like Christian in Pilgrim’s Progress…the lions are chained.
I haven’t been able to T-Tapp, because for some reason, my energy levels, my strength, my heart rate and my breathing have all continued down hill.  I haven’t even been able to take walks.
I will be taking my walker to Germany, and we are talking about some sort of braces for my ankles.
Apparently, my Fibromyalgia is in rare form, and I’ve had to add Mobix to aid the pain issues.

Other than that, this is all I have to get done:

  • planning the downsizing(Katy Christian Ministries is getting lots and lots of stuff),
  • preparing for the trip(April 18-May 18),
  • doing training for Gabe in prep for Germany(classes and trainers),
  • preparing for the move at the end of May(which has to be ready before I leave for Germany),
  • planning the June trip to Ohio(where I will meet a man that wants to confirm face to face what my father was – as in, validate the memories that have ‘destroyed’ my life), and that trip needs to be planned before I leave for Germany,
  • plan for Faith and Daniel’s visit here in July(because when I get back, I will be too busy moving and vacation to mess with tickets then), and
  • prepare for medical issues that have come up – in the mean time.

I haven’t blogged.
I haven’t kept up with the scripture memorization.
I’m not T-tapping much more than once a week, though sometimes I skin brush
I’m not walking much – energy issues
I’m not checking in here, or encouraging folks on the my initiated 50 challenge, or even doing the second 50 day challenge.
My blood work came back worse…even though I have eaten better, and exercised better during that 3 months. I KNOW that becoming fully diabetic is my fault.  God gave me 7 years…and I failed.
I need to find that money tree…oh right, my God shall provide all my needs….
I’m failing commitments all over.

Anxiety? A little.
Physically – things seem to have gone backwards.
Making progress? definitely…but not as fast, or as well as I’d like…see that noun?

I ‘need’ a foundation…and I have put much of my roots into certain physical things that make me feel at home.  God is shaking those roots…and reminding me that my roots need to be grounded somewhere even deeper…and I KNOW that I will get through this…

BUT – in the mean time…I feel like I am going through an earthquake, hurricane, and forest fire all at the same time.  Sometimes, daily. I need to remember Elijah…in the cave…God is not in all of this, I need to be still, and wait for HIS still small voice.

The problem – when I get still, and hear his still small voice…I DON’T WANT TO LEAVE!!!  I want to stay in HIS presence! LOL, I don’t want to go back to the storms!!!  But, they still keep raging…and I am learning that while there are times that I need to turn my back on the storms, and look into Jesus’ face…apparently, there are times that I need to face the storms…Sometimes, I need to face my enemies…knowing that HE has my back…and when it’s too dangerous, HE will command the storms to cease.

Still, I daily find myself to be human, weak, and struggling with my inabilities.  Technically, in the Biblical and Spiritual world, that means that I am learning that when I am weak, HE is strong.  Military Boot Camp was hard…but I learned my weaknesses, and the Navy showed me how to become strong.  This is like God’s boot camp for me…and I KNOW that I will come out stronger.  I KNOW that HE is with me.  I KNOW that THIS is to help me put off those fleshly rags, and put on the garments that HE purchased for me.

I also KNOW that I should be counting all these things gifts, and rejoicing in these trials, testings…because HE is making me into what HE has planned for me.  I KNOW that I will be better for these things.  But, I also KNOW that I am human. These things hurt, like Eustace’s shedding of the dragon skin – he couldn’t do it alone – Aslan had to use his claws to cut through the layers.  My God, My Christ, My Savior, My redeemer Jesus is answering my prayer to be more like HIM.  right now, HE is clawing through the layers of fleshly baggage…because I can’t do it alone.

Sometimes, my heart holds on to “though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.”
Sometimes, I remember “I shall not die, but live to declare the glory of God.”
I’m trying to just stand – simply stand, and wait to see the deliverance of God.
Sometimes, I just acquiesce to the process…which implies some pride still.
I don’t know that I have totally yielded to this process….which probably means I’m not being still. Actually, re-reading that – duh…I haven’t’ yielded yet!

One thing I know – God knows that I am but dust, and still, He will never leave me nor forsake me.
Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling…and to present you faultless …FAULTLESS…before the presence of HIS glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God, be glory and majesty, dominion and power both now and ever. Amen.

 

Thanks for joining me in this journey,

In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi

Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment! Or ‘like’ me! Or follow me with the RSS feed.

  1. 100 days of moving challenge – day 62
  2. 100 days challenge- blog – check
  3. 25 verses in 52 weeks – Ps 15:3-5(didn’t set up verse 4)
  4. 90 days Bible Reading – Isaiah – very behind.
  5. 50 days T-Tapp – ???

The First 100 days – day 55 – Hard questions

“Did I mess up so bad that God has removed me from this position?”

“What are we to do when there is no money, and the bills keep going up?

“How can we make it if my husband can’t get a job?”

“Why do I have so much pain, if I’m supposed to be walking for God’s glory?”

I don’t know.

I know WHO knows.

And the bottom line is that His purpose is for us to know him better!

Ps 46:10 Be still, and know that I [am] God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

This Psalm is my ‘go to’ Psalm for when things go wrong. Ps 46:10 is followed by:

Ps 46:11 The LORD of hosts [is] with us; the God of Jacob [is] our refuge. Selah.

That verse closes Psalm 46. It begins with:

Ps 46:1-2 God [is] our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear,

God is NOT the God of fear.

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

We are told that God IS Love:

1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.

Ps 46 even mentions some of the types of things that we will not fear, as we dwell in God’s love:

  • Ps 46:3-4…though the earth be removed,
  • and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
  • [Though] the waters thereof roar [and] be troubled,
  • [though] the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

Ps 46:7 The LORD of hosts [is] with us; the God of Jacob [is] our refuge. Selah.

In 1 John 4:18 it says “fear hath torment”

1 John 3:19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

1 John 3:20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

God is greater than our heart…what is the point of saying this?  IF our heart condemns us…WE ARE CONVICTED! And that means we have done something WRONG!  AND GOD IS BIGGER THAN THAT!  This is the point of Jesus coming and dying on the cross…so that we would be delivered from the condemnation of sin!  God knows we are flesh. God knows that we will not be able to walk perfectly. Reading 1 John can give one a pretty heavy guilt trip…because we don’t all know how to read Greek!

God is not worried about mess ups.  He’s the God of building bridges to get the messy ones across! He’s Big enough for that!

God is not worried about besetting sins…those that we are working to put off.  Jesus died for our sins, and gives us grace and mercy to repent, confess our sins, and move on.  He’s BIG enough for that!

Matt 9:5NLT Is it easier to say, `Your sins are forgiven’ or `Get up and walk’?

Willful disobedience. Those that lie, and keep on lying…are Liars. Those that steal, and keep on stealing…are thieves. Those that play around with sex become fornicators and adulterers and whore-mongers.

For me, I know I am walking on dangerous ground when I am tempted to do something that I KNOW is against what God has called me to.  Do I still do that? Ashamedly, yes.  I have disappointed my FATHER, by saying no to something I should have said yes to, or saying yes to something  I knew I should have said no to. Romans 7 really encourages me in this realm.

Rom 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but [how] to perform that which is good I find not.(read the whole thing at Rom 7:13-25)

1 John 2:1-2 gives us the promise of our Advocate, Jesus Christ, for IF we have sinned.

The truth is, we will sin, but the soft heart wants a right relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ, drawn to conviction by the power of the Holy Spirit.  1 John 1:8 shows me that God KNOWS that we are going to sin…and 1 John 1:9 tells me how to take care of that sin! 1 John 1:10 calls me a liar if I say I have no sin.

In my mind, the point is, I’m to work on not sinning within the light I have at my disposal at the time of the specific event in question.  The main point is that I want to be righteous…having a right relationship with God…at all times.  So, if all sin is confessed, forgiven, and all attempts are made to put that sin down…we stand before the Lord, and He sees us through the blood of His Son, Jesus!

Romans 8:1 [There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Just for clarity – Romans 8:1 comes after Romans 7:24 that says “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” The answer? God! And HE says – there is NO condemnation!

Walking is a movement from one point to another! It is a verb. It is ACTIVE.  We have not arrived, and God doesn’t expect us to have arrived…HE expects us to keep moving on toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.(Phil 3:14)

1 John 3:21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, [then] have we confidence toward God.

1 John 3:22And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

And to which commandments does John refer?

1 John 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

Mark 12:30-31 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this [is] the first commandment. And the second [is] like, [namely] this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

Once someone has searched their own hearts…

Ps 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if [there be any] wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.(a great Psalm, along with Psalm 51 to search your hearts)

…and has that relationship with God restored, then, they need to abide.  This is one of the hardest, yet most precious verses to me.

Ps 91:1-2 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, [He is] my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

ABIDE. The responsibility is on ME! Do a word search through the Bible for ABIDE!  We choose to abide with Him, and HE is BIG enough to choose to abide with us!

Ps 46:10 – 11 Be still, and know that I [am] God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts [is] with us; the God of Jacob [is] our refuge. Selah.

I don’t know the answers to most questions.  I do know that my only way of making it through this world is to believe in Rom 8:28 with the whole bible applications. There is so much more in Rom 8 – before and after verse 28!

Rom 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what [is] the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God.

Rom 8:29-30 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

In my life, I know that God seems more concerned with working on me to be in the image of Christ, than He is with making me look good in the world’s eyes.

He is more interested in providing for me, than for me to provide for myself.

He is more interested in my heart, than my words or deeds, because, if my heart is right, words and deeds will follow.  Because I recognize that this is HIS plan in my life…above all the little plans that my beady little eyes can see…I can embrace Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.

While we are bieng still, and recognizing that HE is God, and not we ourselves(with a bow to the prayer book), we can learn to sing with the Psalmist:

Ps 46:1-3 God [is] our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; [Though] the waters thereof roar [and] be troubled, [though] the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

Ps 46:11 The LORD of hosts [is] with us; the God of Jacob [is] our refuge. Selah.

Our God is Sovereign.  Our God reigns.  Even when we feel like Job!

***here’s a verse that came up after the writing of this blog.  It fits perfectly, so I am putting it here:

1 Pet 4:12-13 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

Another purpose for God’s trials for us…JOY!

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment!
Or ‘like’ me!
Or follow me with the RSS feed.

  1. 100 days of moving challenge – day 54 – SATI
  2. 100 days challenge- blog – check
  3. 25 verses in 52 weeks – Ps 15:3-5
  4. 90 days Bible Reading – Isaiah
  5. 50 days T-Tapp – starting a new one – day 5

The First 100 Days – Day 54 – an old poem

This is a poem that I wrote in October 1988.

Father,
Let me enter in
to the throne room again.
Touch the coal to my lips,
make me burn again.
Father, forgive me for
wallowing in my sin,
Pick me up, heal me,
bring me home again.

(c)1988 M. Christine Wildman, all rights reserved.

Thanks for joining me in this journey,

In His hands and under His wings,

~Christi

Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment! Or ‘like’ me! Or follow me with the RSS feed.

  1. 100 days of moving challenge – day 54 – workout with Kirsten
  2. 100 days challenge- blog – check
  3. 25 verses in 52 weeks – Ps 15:3-5
  4. 90 days Bible Reading – Song of Solomon
  5. 50 days T-Tapp – starting a new one – day 4