Posts

Following the Leader

-
Image
I was reading in Galatians this morning when I came across this little verse in chapter 5. Galatians 5:25 says, " Since we live by the Spirit,  let us keep in step with the Spirit." I was reminded of the game, follow the leader, that we used to play as a child. The point of the game is to follow behind the lead person and imitate whatever they do as you follow behind. If doing it correctly, you will move as one unit.  As we walk in the Spirit we will put away those behaviors that belonged to our former way of life and will begin to see the fruit of the Spirit developed in our life. Our lives will reflect joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. But Paul gives this reminder to keep in step with the Spirit. In other words, our lives should be so reflective of the Lord that we move as one unit - much like the game of follow the leader. Paul makes it very clear in this passage that every attitude, action and word we speak is to be ...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Lord is my Shepherd

-
Image
I lay away in the wee hours of the morning on Sunday, unable to sleep and stressed about a situation. Psalm 23 began to run through my head and as I recited it to myself I walked through the verses and what they mean.  The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. He gives me everything I need. He watches over me. He is my protector and provider. He is my defender. He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. I find this verse interesting since the pastures of the Old Testament wouldn't look like pastures here in the states. They weren't green and lucious. They were just intermittent tufts of grass near where moisture collected by the rocks.  So the sheep had to keep moving to find nourishment. That's true of our lives. As we follow the shepherd we will have moments of nourishment and rest, but we need to keep moving to grow.  Shepherds didn't drive the sheep, they led them. God isn't pushing us forward, but He leads us and it's ou...
1 comment
Read more

My Creative Head Space

-
Image
I had to laugh this morning as I thought about a blog post to write. Every so often I think that I need to keep this blog focused, but that just feels boring to me. I am creative. I have many things going on all of the time and they are an eclectic mix of ministry, cooking, crafting, business, writing, and on and on it goes. It is how the Lord has hard-wired me and I feel like my blog has lost a bit of ME as I try to stay focused on one direction. I really am just going to start posting so that it's more reflective of who I am.  This post is going to be a glimpse into my creative head space. Perhaps some of you can relate to me. Some of you may be cringing and thinking, "Here she goes again!" "Hopping down zig-zagging bunny trails." That's the challenge of my brain. Everything ties together. As I walk and take pictures, ideas for writing or scripture passages pop into my brain. As I sew and craft, I often am problem solving ministry or business issues. As I ...
2 comments
Read more

Look Up!

-
Image
This beautiful sight was ahead of us the other night as we drove home. It was a good reminder to learn to appreciate the many blessings we see each day. At times, we don't notice because we are so consumed with our problems. Other times, we take them for granted. I want to learn to be thankful for each moment of my day. That takes intentionality and awareness. And if I spend my life looking down at the problems, I'll never look up to see the bigger picture. This week I'm thankful for many things... 💓 Getting to know a new friend. We had our missions conferenct his past week and I spent Friday with our international worker. I took her to the local Audubon to walk and then to a restaurant and a local museum. It was enjoyable.  💓 Because I had been invited to a local business leader gathering, a woman reached out to me to have lunch. She wanted to discuss a local ministry she had and the possibility of me coming and speaking. It was nice getting to know her and finding a fel...
2 comments
Read more

Lessons Learned

-
Image
I had anticipated the beginning of last week with high hopes. My new book, Fostering a Positive Ministry Environment, had been accepted into a bundle and was heavily marketed to a wider audience than I have. I was excited about it and spent weeks getting it ready to release. The time arrived and I pictured lots of social media sharing and while the e-book was offered for free for the three days of the bundle, I also had a paperback available on Amazon. Last Monday I awoke with anticipatory glee! After a week and a half I can safely say that the response from that bundle was just "meh". It really didn't produce much of anything and I was deflated.  The other downside to being part of this bundle was that I had to heavily do self-promotion which I absolutely hate. It's uncomfortable for me and I would rather have others just kindly share for me rather than me having to do it myself.   It is a new week and with some reflection, I realize that some good has come from it.....
2 comments
Read more

Rest ~ Relaxation ~ Rejuvenation

-
Image
  Another Easter has come and gone and as I sit and reflect this morning I am happy because it really was a good day.  My sons went and picked up my father-in-law and brought him to church. Normally, I'm doing multiple things on a Sunday morning, but I didn't schedule anything and deliberately chose to sit and enjoy the service.  We had dinner together and then played a game and chatted. I kept dinner simple which made prep and clean-up easy.  After Dan left to take my father-in-law home, I was even able to get out for a walk. My daughter called me and I chatted with my sister by text. Overall, it was a fairly uneventful, but wonderful day.  I'm having lunch with someone today, but other than that, nothing else is on my schedule. Since the rest of the week is going to be very busy, I'm looking forward to a day of puttering around my house and doing my best to ignore my email which never goes away! Even yesterday, on Easter, I received emails asking que...
2 comments
Read more

Holy Week Reflections: The Cup of Surrender

-
Image
CUP OF SURRENDER Scripture Reading: Luke 22:39-44 ~ He went out and made His way as usual to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed Him. When He reached the place, He told them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” Then He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and began to pray, “Father, if You are willing, take this cup away from Me—nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.” Then an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. Being in anguish, He prayed more fervently, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.  Reflection: “Lord, I don’t want to do this.”  “This is too hard.”  “I cannot do what you are asking.”  “Take this cup away from me.” Jesus, in his humanity, had no desire to die.  He was sorrowful and anxious.  He wanted God to take it all away. Yet, he spoke the words, “Not my will, but yours.” Jesus is at a crossroads. Will He complete the plan laid out for Him or will He reje...
Post a Comment
Read more