"I am sending you to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me."
Acts 26:17-18
I picked up Reflections for Ragamuffins off the book shelf yesterday. It is a daily devotional by Brennan Manning, author of one of my most favorite books, Ragamuffin Gospel. Here is one of his essays ...
"A person, in a real sense, is what he or she sees. And seeing depends on our eyes. Jesus uses the metaphor of eyes more often than that of minds or wills. The old proverb, 'The eyes are the windows of the soul,' contained profound truth. Our eyes reveal whether our souls are spacious or cramped, hospitable or critical, compassionate or judgemental. The way we see other people is usually the way we see ourselves. If we've made peace with our flawed humanity and have embraced our ragamuffin identity, we are able to tolerate in others what was prevously unacceptable in ourselves."
Something to ponder, those folks who irritate me the most may have some of my more irritatable traits.
I love the song, "Open the Eyes of My Heart" not only to see Jesus but see people as He sees them through eyes of love and compassion.
"I pray also that the eyes of your heart my be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe..."
Ephesians 1:18-19
What are your eyes seeing today?
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Thursday, January 17, 2008
What on Earth Are We Doing?
"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."
1 Corinthians 10:31
As I reflect on this verse, I can say that there are indeed times where I'm not doing all to the glory of God. I'm sure you can list with me the reason/excuses I quickly come up with: I'm tired, too busy, it takes too much time (excellance that is), I don't feel like it, the list goes on and on.
Something I'm really working on right now (Kellie, read resolution) is focusing on my DAILY actions as those quickly add up to be what you become and reflect. I'm trying now, every minute, hour, and day to consciously make the choices that often I've made on auto-pilot in the past - what I put in my mouth, what comes out of my mouth, how I treat others, making time to read in the Word.
If my intention is to eat healthy, and yet I continue to eat junk -- my actions are not reflecting my intentions. Difficult to remain authentic if your actions don't match your intentions. As a Christian, if I want others to see the Lord through me -- my ACTIONS must reflect His love and be to His glory.
So that is it, simply examining my daily choices/actions to determine if they are congruent with how the Lord wants me to live my life. Simple, but often not all that easy.
Have this post-it on my computer at work "Align your actions with your intentions" to remind me constantly.
How are your actions reflecting your intentions and how are they giving glory to God today?
1 Corinthians 10:31
As I reflect on this verse, I can say that there are indeed times where I'm not doing all to the glory of God. I'm sure you can list with me the reason/excuses I quickly come up with: I'm tired, too busy, it takes too much time (excellance that is), I don't feel like it, the list goes on and on.
Something I'm really working on right now (Kellie, read resolution) is focusing on my DAILY actions as those quickly add up to be what you become and reflect. I'm trying now, every minute, hour, and day to consciously make the choices that often I've made on auto-pilot in the past - what I put in my mouth, what comes out of my mouth, how I treat others, making time to read in the Word.
If my intention is to eat healthy, and yet I continue to eat junk -- my actions are not reflecting my intentions. Difficult to remain authentic if your actions don't match your intentions. As a Christian, if I want others to see the Lord through me -- my ACTIONS must reflect His love and be to His glory.
So that is it, simply examining my daily choices/actions to determine if they are congruent with how the Lord wants me to live my life. Simple, but often not all that easy.
Have this post-it on my computer at work "Align your actions with your intentions" to remind me constantly.
How are your actions reflecting your intentions and how are they giving glory to God today?
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Be a Star
"Men and women who have lived wisely and well will shine brilliantly, like the cloudless, star-strewen night skies. And those who put others on the right path to life will glow like stars forever."
Daniel 12:3 The Message version
What a wonderful defination of a Star, especially today where the world's defination is so far away from that. It seems many, many people are still seeking their 15 seconds of fame through ridiculous stunts or skits on You-tube or getting on a reality television show. I admit I've thought from time to time it would be kinda neat to mentioned somewhere in the pages of history.
Bringing my faith into this discussion then makes all that silly fame talk fall away quickly. Our time on earth is to help others along their spritual journey, bring them to Jesus, show His light to others through our words, deeds, and love.
The following quiz was printed in a recent president's message of a Northwest ag commodity group's publication. It really made me think about fame and Stars and how best to be remembered.
The following quiz has been attributed to Charles Schulz, the creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip, however after a little internet research, I discovered he never said it. It is a good exercise, regardless of who thought of it. You might have seen it as it has made the rounds via e-mail. A good reminder.
You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just read straight through, and you'll get the point.
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winner for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.
How did you do?
The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.
Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
Easier?
The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.
It really reminds me what truely makes a difference in the whole scheme of things - the important stuff - loving others where they are, because they are.
One of my favorite quotes is posted on Lindsay's blog, "Live in such a way that those who know you but don't know God, will come to know God because they know you."
How are you being a Star today, shining the Lord's light to others?
Daniel 12:3 The Message version
What a wonderful defination of a Star, especially today where the world's defination is so far away from that. It seems many, many people are still seeking their 15 seconds of fame through ridiculous stunts or skits on You-tube or getting on a reality television show. I admit I've thought from time to time it would be kinda neat to mentioned somewhere in the pages of history.
Bringing my faith into this discussion then makes all that silly fame talk fall away quickly. Our time on earth is to help others along their spritual journey, bring them to Jesus, show His light to others through our words, deeds, and love.
The following quiz was printed in a recent president's message of a Northwest ag commodity group's publication. It really made me think about fame and Stars and how best to be remembered.
The following quiz has been attributed to Charles Schulz, the creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip, however after a little internet research, I discovered he never said it. It is a good exercise, regardless of who thought of it. You might have seen it as it has made the rounds via e-mail. A good reminder.
You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just read straight through, and you'll get the point.
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winner for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.
How did you do?
The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.
Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
Easier?
The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.
It really reminds me what truely makes a difference in the whole scheme of things - the important stuff - loving others where they are, because they are.
One of my favorite quotes is posted on Lindsay's blog, "Live in such a way that those who know you but don't know God, will come to know God because they know you."
How are you being a Star today, shining the Lord's light to others?
Monday, January 7, 2008
Time of Reflection
"Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen."
Deuteronomy 4:9
Wasn't going to continue blogging about the Israelites' journey in the desert but recent Daily Bread reading mentioned the reflection/review aspect of their 40 year journey. "The journey was about training, about a lesson in using God's past workings as instruction for future godly living."
Just think about the Manna, new every morning. If a person tried to horde more than what they needed, it would spoil. That lesson was available every day, 14,600 times during the Exodus journey - the opportunity to learn, reflect and one's actions.
So we as stiff-necked people are unwilling to obey at times, when that happens and there are consequences to our choices, do we then reflect on our actions and the results and determine wisely that God's way is a better way to accomplish things?
A harsh word to a love one, that never seems to go well. Better to keep the biting remark to one's self. Then the next step would be asking for forgiveness and the resolve and reflection of doing it differently next time.
So you messed up, welcome to being human. The essential question is upon reflection how will you better reflect Christ and His love next time?
Deuteronomy 4:9
Wasn't going to continue blogging about the Israelites' journey in the desert but recent Daily Bread reading mentioned the reflection/review aspect of their 40 year journey. "The journey was about training, about a lesson in using God's past workings as instruction for future godly living."
Just think about the Manna, new every morning. If a person tried to horde more than what they needed, it would spoil. That lesson was available every day, 14,600 times during the Exodus journey - the opportunity to learn, reflect and one's actions.
So we as stiff-necked people are unwilling to obey at times, when that happens and there are consequences to our choices, do we then reflect on our actions and the results and determine wisely that God's way is a better way to accomplish things?
A harsh word to a love one, that never seems to go well. Better to keep the biting remark to one's self. Then the next step would be asking for forgiveness and the resolve and reflection of doing it differently next time.
So you messed up, welcome to being human. The essential question is upon reflection how will you better reflect Christ and His love next time?
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Traveling the Desert
"You saw the anguish of our parents in Egypt. You heard their cries at the Red Sea; You amazed Pharaoh, his servants, and the peopel of his land with wonders and miracle-signs. You knew their bullying arrogance against your people; you made a name for yourself that last to this day.
You split the sea before them; they crossed through and never got their feet wet; You pitched their pursuers into the deep; they sank like a rock in the storm-tossed sea. By day you led them with a Pillar of Cloud and by night with a Pillar of Fire to show them the way they were to travel. You came down onto Mount Sinai, you spoke to them out of heaven; You gave them instructions on how to live well, true teachings, sound rules and commands; You introduced them to your Holy Sabbath; Through your servant Moses you decreed commands, rules, and instruction. You gave bread from heaven for their hunger, you sent water from the rock for their thirst. You told them to enter and take the land, which you promised to give them.
But they, our ancestors, were arrogant; bullheaded, they wouldn't obey your commands. They turned a deaf ear, they refused to remember the miracles you had done for them; They turned stubborn, got it into their heads to return to their Egyptian slavery. And you, a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, incredibly paitent, with tons of love - you didn't dump them. Yes, even when thet cast a scultpted calf and said, 'This is your god who brough you out of Egypt,' and continued from bad to worse, You in your amazing compassion didn't walk off and leave them in the desert. The Pillar of Cloud didn't leave them; daily it continued to show them their route, The Pillaar of Fire did the same by night, showed them the right way to go.
You gave them your good Spirit to teach them to live wisely. You never stinted with your manna, gave them plenty of water to drink. You supported them forty years in that desert; Their clothes didn't wear out and their feet never blistered. You gave them kingdoms and peoples, establishing generous boundaries."
Nehemiah 9:9-21 The Message
Oh those stiff-necked people, making a 11 day journey into, not a 40 day, but a 40 YEAR ordeal!
The story of Moses and the Israelites has always amazed me. When I was little listening to it in Sunday School I remember thinking how awful it was that they built that calf. What where they thinking, with all those amazing miracles they witnessed themselves and they go and melt down their gold in the image of a calf? Then thirty some years later, studying it in Bible Study Fellowship I recognized some of my own stiff-necked tendencies in their actions. Ouch.
Can I really be that stubborn? God has given me instruction, rules to live by, commandmants to follow. He feeds me each day and takes care of me and yet, I'm disobedient at times and choose to go my own way. Thank you Lord for your compassion and never-ending love.
What would the desert journey and the next 40 years of looked like, if the Israelites would have followed God's commandments and made the trip in 11 days?
Hmmm, what areas of my life am I being stiff-necked about ignoring and/or disobeying God's plan for my life causing me to be in the hot, uncomfortable sands of disobedience?
You split the sea before them; they crossed through and never got their feet wet; You pitched their pursuers into the deep; they sank like a rock in the storm-tossed sea. By day you led them with a Pillar of Cloud and by night with a Pillar of Fire to show them the way they were to travel. You came down onto Mount Sinai, you spoke to them out of heaven; You gave them instructions on how to live well, true teachings, sound rules and commands; You introduced them to your Holy Sabbath; Through your servant Moses you decreed commands, rules, and instruction. You gave bread from heaven for their hunger, you sent water from the rock for their thirst. You told them to enter and take the land, which you promised to give them.
But they, our ancestors, were arrogant; bullheaded, they wouldn't obey your commands. They turned a deaf ear, they refused to remember the miracles you had done for them; They turned stubborn, got it into their heads to return to their Egyptian slavery. And you, a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, incredibly paitent, with tons of love - you didn't dump them. Yes, even when thet cast a scultpted calf and said, 'This is your god who brough you out of Egypt,' and continued from bad to worse, You in your amazing compassion didn't walk off and leave them in the desert. The Pillar of Cloud didn't leave them; daily it continued to show them their route, The Pillaar of Fire did the same by night, showed them the right way to go.
You gave them your good Spirit to teach them to live wisely. You never stinted with your manna, gave them plenty of water to drink. You supported them forty years in that desert; Their clothes didn't wear out and their feet never blistered. You gave them kingdoms and peoples, establishing generous boundaries."
Nehemiah 9:9-21 The Message
Oh those stiff-necked people, making a 11 day journey into, not a 40 day, but a 40 YEAR ordeal!
The story of Moses and the Israelites has always amazed me. When I was little listening to it in Sunday School I remember thinking how awful it was that they built that calf. What where they thinking, with all those amazing miracles they witnessed themselves and they go and melt down their gold in the image of a calf? Then thirty some years later, studying it in Bible Study Fellowship I recognized some of my own stiff-necked tendencies in their actions. Ouch.
Can I really be that stubborn? God has given me instruction, rules to live by, commandmants to follow. He feeds me each day and takes care of me and yet, I'm disobedient at times and choose to go my own way. Thank you Lord for your compassion and never-ending love.
What would the desert journey and the next 40 years of looked like, if the Israelites would have followed God's commandments and made the trip in 11 days?
Hmmm, what areas of my life am I being stiff-necked about ignoring and/or disobeying God's plan for my life causing me to be in the hot, uncomfortable sands of disobedience?
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Cousins
With all the family gathering this Christmas season, I spent time recalling many of my childhood memories of Christmas gathering with my family, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Ahh, cousins ... I have many of them, I'm blessed that way. However, my two closest girl cousins are picture above with me in the middle. Sharon on the left - we shared Grandma and Grandpa Catlin and LuAnn on my right - we shared Grandma Kayser. Both Sharon and LuAnn are three years older than me.
Since I don't have any sisters, these two cousins do feel like my sisters. Growing up they always seemed to have it together and I wanted to be like them. They got to do things first, they went to high school first, they drove cars first, had boyfriends first, went to college first, got married first and had kids. I was honored to be in both of their weddings and always have enjoyed time spent with them and their families. They gave me sage advice full of the wisdom they both posess. I've watched them in their sorrows and their joys, always wanting the best for both of them.
They are both amazing women. Of course I don't get to see them as often as I liked - they too have busy lives of their own- and coordinating schedules seems difficult most of the time. I don't tell them as often as I should how much I appreciate and value their friendship and cousinship, but I do. I feel blessed to have them in my life.
We share history ... the stories we recall that make us laugh, the stories about our amazing grandparents we shared, our childhood memories whether on the beach in Lopez or up in our mountains at the cabin we always had fun - whether on bikes or horseback.
I watched Eli with his two cousins closest to him in age. Makayla shares Pa and Grandma Gilkey and Morgan who shares Gramps and Grammy Catlin with Eli. They now have fun playing together, most of the time and though arguments arise from time to time, they sort it out.
I wonder what the future holds for Eli and his cousins? I'm thankful that he has cousins to share his memories of growing up.
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