Who encourages us most in this world? Is it those with little faith or who have the capacity to turn your day into a downer? Is it the entertainment world with its lust for lust? Is it the smell of rain on a spring day or the smell of a newborn baby? What is it that ultimately encourages you?
Recently it has been brought to my attention that the struggle between life and death can bring encouragement. Big Dave, a missionary I'm familiar with was shot at point blank range this past week by someone trying to steal the money he had gathered to buy materials to build an orphanage. As I write this blog entry, he is in very grave condition in a Miami hospital.
You probably think I'm crazy that I'm talking about this incident at the same time I'm talking about encouragement. Here's what I know. When Christians gather together in unity to pray for healing, strength and power, there is encouragement! There is encouragement in unity before our Heavenly Father.
I know I'm talking from the lips of someone who has been touched by the events of this week. I know that in the midst of all that swirls in our world each day, there is only one hope and that is Christ Jesus. You can toy with a thousand religions and talk a big talk about your personal philosophies, but Jesus is the ultimate truth. He is the only encouragement we need and quite frankly, he is the only true encouragement.
Take a long, tall drink of Jesus. You will find life in ways you could never imagine and hope in hopeless places. You'll find courage to do things you never thought you were capable of. Don't take my word for it. Who am I but an instrument to lead you there. Like me, you'll need to discover Him for yourself.
I encourage you to test the waters - taste and see that He is good.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Favorite Encouragements
"Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes, Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes, Silver white Winters that melt into Springs, These are a few of my favorite things" (1959 Rodgers and Hammerstein)
What things bring joy to you? Is it the favorite "things" you've stored up for yourself, like houses and furniture, Coach purses or hot cars? Maybe the parties you attend or friends you spend time with? I know...it's your job because you've worked so hard to climb the ladder? Are these your favorite things?
This morning my favorite things are a hot cup of tea on a very chilly morning, a soft blanket and the quietness of a still darkened house, while gazing at Christmas lights across the way - those hours right before the dawn. A time when I can be with my Lord and know that He has my best interests in mind, even on days when I'm brutal with myself.
Favorite things come in all shapes and sizes. Some favorite things are memories of days gone by. Days of laughter and giddiness - days of "sunshine and roses." Most of the time favorite things aren't tangible at all(unless you have a well-loved stuffed animal that you've kept all of these years!)
I'm reminded that my most favorite things are the voice of a school teacher who said, "great job"; the words of commitment whispered at my wedding; the coo of a new born baby; the gentle assurance that my God always loves me and always has my back.
This morning in the quiet of my house, I can clearly hear the words of my Lord in Psalms 119:103 which says, "How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth." Come to think of it, God's Word is my favorite thing. His word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. His word is sweet. His word instructs and disciplines. His word is full of promises and is always true. His word tells me what my future will be. His word never fails me or disappoints me. His word guards my heart and encourages me to go on in the midst of trials.
Spend some time today thinking about your favorite things - I think you'll find that they are not things made by the hands of man, but things that flow from the heart of God.
What things bring joy to you? Is it the favorite "things" you've stored up for yourself, like houses and furniture, Coach purses or hot cars? Maybe the parties you attend or friends you spend time with? I know...it's your job because you've worked so hard to climb the ladder? Are these your favorite things?
This morning my favorite things are a hot cup of tea on a very chilly morning, a soft blanket and the quietness of a still darkened house, while gazing at Christmas lights across the way - those hours right before the dawn. A time when I can be with my Lord and know that He has my best interests in mind, even on days when I'm brutal with myself.
Favorite things come in all shapes and sizes. Some favorite things are memories of days gone by. Days of laughter and giddiness - days of "sunshine and roses." Most of the time favorite things aren't tangible at all(unless you have a well-loved stuffed animal that you've kept all of these years!)
I'm reminded that my most favorite things are the voice of a school teacher who said, "great job"; the words of commitment whispered at my wedding; the coo of a new born baby; the gentle assurance that my God always loves me and always has my back.
This morning in the quiet of my house, I can clearly hear the words of my Lord in Psalms 119:103 which says, "How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth." Come to think of it, God's Word is my favorite thing. His word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. His word is sweet. His word instructs and disciplines. His word is full of promises and is always true. His word tells me what my future will be. His word never fails me or disappoints me. His word guards my heart and encourages me to go on in the midst of trials.
Spend some time today thinking about your favorite things - I think you'll find that they are not things made by the hands of man, but things that flow from the heart of God.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Where Have You Been EncourageMeNews?
Whew - the past year has blown by! Can it possibly be that I have not added one post to this blog in almost a year? What could have gotten in the way of my passion for writing? What has gotten in the way of your passion or life's call?
What were you doing last year at this time? Were you getting your house ready for the holidays or were you packing your bags to visit family? Are you still wanting to loose those same unwanted pounds, or working in the same dead-end job? Maybe the next few days is a good time for some good 'ole personal reflection. I realize more and more lately that I act as though I have all of the time in the world. I keep spinning the same thoughts and doing the same things over and over again - only to keep getting the same results. I constantly find myself doing things the way everyone else wants me to do them and slowly, slowly I loose my ability to express myself creatively.
Jesus created me to be unique, not a robot that answers to the beckoning call of others. Yes, we are to serve others, but not at the loss of our own identity.
Right now, I don't know whether I'll be employed by the company I've worked for my entire career - close to 40 years. My job is to be eliminated effective Dec. 13. Will I have a new job with my steady employer? Or, is this a time in life that I'll need to be making some major changes? I'm really not sure. Only God knows the answer.
Today I will not worry, but reflect on who God has created me to be - today, I will be thankful that He knows my future. What will a year from now look like? I'm not sure - I just know that I want to be closer to the center of what and who God created me to be. Today, I will find encouragement in that!
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
What were you doing last year at this time? Were you getting your house ready for the holidays or were you packing your bags to visit family? Are you still wanting to loose those same unwanted pounds, or working in the same dead-end job? Maybe the next few days is a good time for some good 'ole personal reflection. I realize more and more lately that I act as though I have all of the time in the world. I keep spinning the same thoughts and doing the same things over and over again - only to keep getting the same results. I constantly find myself doing things the way everyone else wants me to do them and slowly, slowly I loose my ability to express myself creatively.
Jesus created me to be unique, not a robot that answers to the beckoning call of others. Yes, we are to serve others, but not at the loss of our own identity.
Right now, I don't know whether I'll be employed by the company I've worked for my entire career - close to 40 years. My job is to be eliminated effective Dec. 13. Will I have a new job with my steady employer? Or, is this a time in life that I'll need to be making some major changes? I'm really not sure. Only God knows the answer.
Today I will not worry, but reflect on who God has created me to be - today, I will be thankful that He knows my future. What will a year from now look like? I'm not sure - I just know that I want to be closer to the center of what and who God created me to be. Today, I will find encouragement in that!
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
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