Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Choose Peace

Colossians 3:15
Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

15and let the peace of God rule in your hearts...and become thankful.

Peace sometimes seems elusive as we deal with day to day life. If we are not dealing with turmoil in our own lives, all we have to do is see the news, go downtown, wherever, and you sense the anxiety and unrest of people around you.

One thing I have learned through my experience with anxiety and worry is that it is a form of control. I know, right? That's ridiculous! If you had control, you wouldn't be worried! Well, think about it for a second, if you are worried are you telling God He can't take care of you? I believe that is exactly what we tell Him when we let worry and anxiety take over. Been there, done that, have the t-shirt.

I have also felt the peace that He gives when I let go of the worry and anxiety. Anxiety and peace just don't go together. They cannot co-exist and it is up to you and I to decide who is going to have the control. 

I choose peace. I am thankful!

Friday, November 18, 2011

The High Road

1 Peter 2:15-16
New Century Version (NCV)

15 It is God's desire that by doing good you should stop foolish people from saying stupid things about you.16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. Live as servants of God.

At first glance, this may not seem like a post about thankfulness.  In fact, as I sat down to write, I did not think I was particularly thankful.  But, having typed a few lines and then back spaced, I realized that, actually, I am thankful.  I am thankful for my job.  And the inspiration for this post that I got today through a situation at work. 

I have been dealing with a rather petty person who was doing something rather petty.  Trying to analyze everything and everybody is one of my downfalls, however, I have been at a loss to try and figure out what this person's problem is.  And at a loss to figure out how to respond or deal with the situation. 

I definitely did not want to stoop to the level that pettiness is on.  (I don't like to do that because it compromises my invisible crown)  Yet, I knew that eventually I would have to deal with the issue.  Fortunately, for me, the person finally said something to the boss (as opposed to everyone else) and the boss approached me and I was able to explain the, uh, pettiness. 

To make a long story short, I ended up taking the "high road" (which is definitely not instinctive!) and apologized for any "confusion".  (Between you and me, the person was definitely not confused but, as I've mentioned, petty)  Anyway, on my drive home I had nothing to do other than contemplate this whole deal.  I admit that part of me wished I could of just given the what for.  (now that is instinctive)  I also know I wouldn't have felt any better and my invisible crown would've lost its perch on my head.  Then this scripture that I read a few days ago came to my mind and I thought -- exactly!!

Friday, November 11, 2011

Freedom's Choice

Romans 6:17-18
New King James Version (NKJV)

17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.

Today is Veteran's Day.  A day that has been set aside to remember and thank those who have given and risked their lives for the freedom of America.  We are reminded, very clearly, that freedom comes with a cost. 

The same with the freedom we receive as believers.  The Word tells us that we are set free.  However, this doesn't mean that it's an anything goes type of freedom.  We are free...from sin and its dictates...but we become slaves to righteousness.  Because, see, we serve someone, something always.  There is freedom to choose who and what we serve, ourselves or God.  It's really one or the other. 

Freedom isn't free.  There is always a cost.  Our soldiers over the years have fought for and protected the freedom our country enjoys.  Some of them paid the ultimate price for the rest of us just as Jesus paid the ultimate price on the cross.  In the natural and the spiritual, lives were laid down so that others could enjoy freedom...to choose. 

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Pieces of My Heart

1 Timothy 4:4
New Living Translation (NLT)
4 Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks.
My heart is thankful today for my children. Those boys are the part of my heart that walks around with everyone else. From the day they were each born, my focus and a lot, if not all, of my reason for living became them and their needs.
Anyone who has read this blog from the beginning knows that I have recently had to adjust to having one of those little pieces of my heart go off to college. I've been so thankful for the one still at home. I appreciate the hugs (and kisses!) a lot more these days.
So, I have been blessed with two perfect children. They were created by God. Everything He created is good. I'm not willing to tell Him that His good is just okay! 
And I will continue to receive them from God with thanks.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Real Reality

Ephesians 5:20
Good News Translation (GNT)

20 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, always give thanks for everything to God the Father.

With it being the month of November, it seemed appropriate to to focus on thankfulness.  Now, we all know this shouldn't be reserved for November, but it is helpful to have a reason to focus on it!  

Like most people I know, my life is not perfect.  There are things I would like to change or improve or completely do away with.  It is very hard, sometimes, to get past those things to be able to clearly see the blessings of life.  It does take some practice!

Today, I would like to express my thankfulness for my husband.  I have been blessed!  At the (very) young age of 20, I had very little idea of what the next 20 years would be like.  I did have a Negative Nelly here and there telling me to just wait and see...once the honeymoon is over, reality will set  in...well, I really doubt those negative people are reading this today, but I am still over the moon about him.  (So, there!)   (I don't know what reality those negative people were talking about...)

Well, reality has set in...marriage is work, sometimes.  But, when you work, you are rewarded, right?  The bonds are deeper, more meaningful and stronger.  Marriage is a growing process, you have to be willing to go through a few hard times, maybe some painful times.  Isn't that part of growing?  Nobody, including me, likes to deal with the hard things...but again, the rewards are worth what it takes to grow.

So, Gorgeous, if you are reading this...you are still the one.  You make my world go 'round.  You complete me.  I can't live without you.  And I thank God for you.