A little goes a LONG way...

It's amazing to me how the simplest of things, the smallest of thoughts entertained, can make the most difference.  At least being a girl, being this girl, I can go from loving myself to tears all from one little number or dress or thought.

Why do things like that effect us so, why do we let the little things creep inside and ruin a perfectly good day?

This totally happened to me. One picture and I was broken in a million pieces...how sad to let something so trivial affect me so much.  While my sisters helped, especially Elena, I'm kinda annoyed I was weak enough to fall for the negative train my mind likes to go on.  I've always tried to work on by pessimistic attitude, to flip it but this time I earned a F.

It shows you how much a little thought, small joke, or bit of sarcasm can really effect you (regardless if you think it does or not).  Studies have been done to prove the effect your thoughts can have on your mind and physical well-being.  Being someone who suffers from negativity, I've learned the truth regarding the thoughts-to-tongue connection.

"If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain" James 1:26 KJV

"Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. 

Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:  But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

 

Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God." James 3:4-9 KJV

The New Kings James version mentions a ships rudder instead of helm, a slightly different aspect of the same intention.. A focus on how something so small can change the course of something so big!  

 "Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things." James 3:4-5 NKJV

It's just a friendly reminder I think we all can use regarding keeping a positive outlook, positive thoughts, & positive speech towards ourselves & others.

Things can always be worse...instead of being down because the glass is half empty, be glad it's not broken. If the glass is broken, then be glad your dirty dishes just got that much lighter!

"For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:" 1 Peter 3:10 KJV

One last verse but something to really think about. Instead of giving yourself so much idle time to think of the poor emptying glass, how about instead doing something positive for others to take your mind off of it!  Nothing can make you feel better then when you reach out & lend a helping hand who's needs are greater then your own.  

My church has always been big in outreach but what's neat is recently my work has been also.  They now do something for the community in the area on most Saturdays.  What could be better for a stressed & overwhelmed student or tired and overworked employee then to take their mind off of themselves, their studies/jobs, and offering help to those around them.  The few volunteering things I do take part of always leaves me feeling more fulfilled and uplifted then before.

"Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established" Proverbs 16:3 KJV

Just some things to think on this weekend and hopefully we can begin autumn in a positive manner, with love to ourselves and others

Hebrews 12

This has been a very interesting week, well interesting time in my life recently really.  My birthday, mom's birthday, applied for a new job (finger's crossed with many prayers!), current work has been crazy busy, some outings scheduled with friends & family, and one blind-date (didn't work out though). Mix that with the emotional stress I put myself under on a normal basis anyhoo, two of my closest friends battling severe depression, major financial battles that not only I am enduring, but having to watch many of my family members go through the same...it has also been very overwhelming!

So when one of my friends had to cancel today, I decided to take the wonderful weather welcoming September in as a chance to have a run with God.

When I run with one of my running partners we go 4-6 miles, when I run with the other I run 6-8 miles, when I run with just myself I run 10.5 miles, and when I run for the world I run 13.5-14 miles (a very rare run indeed)...no matter the distance I always run with the Lord!

This was a 10.5 mile kind of day. A just run everything off kind of day. I ran with just God, no music, no conversation...just God and me.  Emptying myself onto Him, my thoughts and fears, reaffirmed my trust and faith in His decisions and spoke that no matter what happened, I knew it was His will and I would follow.  I didn't know what the future holds, who my soul mate is, where I'll live or work, how my bills will work out, but I know that they will...through Him and His hand on my life, it will all be okay.

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." 

Hebrews 12: 1-2 NKJV

Ending this blog post on a positive note, my friend's father and the outreach pastor stood in the place for my father and spoke a blessing over me a few weeks ago. One that I cherish, and now get to see every time I wake up!  Knowing that my heavenly Father's blessings are on me, over me, and awaiting me, I cannot wait to see what His Almighty plans will be!

One thing the future does hold for me....Autumn & the state fair!!! Yay!

It's In The Little Things

It's funny how the little things you do everyday mindlessly, the things you don't think twice upon, can affect others.

This morning a friend of mine, Chelsi, posted about how just an unconscious smile blessed someone that day.  Something she not only didn't think about, but is self-conscious about also!  I remember working at QuikTrip and, while in the middle of a fight on the checkstand, I did my fake happy girly voice and smiled, with the usual greeting to the lady who came in and walked up to my register. As we finished the transaction she thanked me, and was so appreciative to see someone who actually was happy and loved their job, how rare that was.  It made me feel a tink bad honestly for faking it but it also actually changed my mood too!  Not only did the Lord use me to brighten up her day but He innocently used her to change my attitude and cheer me up!

Today at lunch, after eating I did my usual walking around the library reading, and passed a student who told me I inspired him to try walking while he read and now he loved it!  I can't recall how long I've walked around that library reading various books over the past 3 years, but to think that something so simple, God can use to reach others, amazes me.

But then He does it for me everyday...in the little things He blesses me with.  A beautiful painted sky every morning or the glowing of the moon and stars at night, uniquely crafted each time.  A bird bathing in a puddle, a lighting bug's cute little butt all lit up, honey bees, flowers, the sound of rain drops and the flash of a lightening, or even just the secondhand unprovoked compliment from my mother.

^"For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.”"

1 Corinthians 1:26-31 NKJV

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^"Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen." 

1 Timothy 1:16-17 KJV

The Power of His Perfection

On my way to work one morning, while gazing upon the Lord's painted morning sky for me, I heard a verse of a song I've heard many times before but in a different light. One I don't know that I agree with...

"perfection is my enemy"

Now I don't know what song it was, just some chick's on the Fish radio station really (probably better I don't know) but it made me begin to think, why does humanity have to have such a love/hate relationship to the idea and concept of  'perfection'?

"[ Noah Pleases God ] This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God." Genesis 6:9 NKJV

"As for God, His way is perfect;The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him. For who is God, except the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? God is my strength and power,^[e] And He makes my^[f] way perfect." 2 Samuel 22:31-33 NKJV

" I will behave wisely in a perfect way. Oh, when will You come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart." Psalm 101:2 NKJV

"Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect." Matthew 5:48 NKJV

 

"Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." 2 Corinthians 7:1 NKJV

"Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. " Colossians 1:28 NKJV

"Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, ² of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. ³ And this we will^[a] do if God permits." Hebrew 6:1-3 NKJV

" But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." James 1:4 NKJV

" But may^[a] the God of all grace, who called us^[b] to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you." 1 Peter 5:10 NKJV

If we are to have the mind of Christ, be the light of Christ, and Christ-like then how can we say that perfection is our enemy when He is perfection.

"though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. ⁹ And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him" Hebrews 5:8-9 NKJV

Why can't we have an unobtainable goal and not such negativism towards it. What's wrong with reaching for the stars?

Being someone who has issues with perfectionism, I think what we need is balance.  We tend to either obsess over or avoid perfection altogether.  

Strive always try to be perfect with the realization that you are never going to be able to reach it.  Focus on Christ's perfection and His perfect work for us as our example. That is the key.

As long as we keep our focus on Him and His perfection, and realize that He lives within us, within our hearts, perfection isn't such a scary thought.  It is only when we take our focus off of Him who is perfect and start to look toward our own ability to be perfect (or failed attempts to be honestly) that we begin to breed such disapproval for the concept.  Because it is through our attempts to be perfect we realize our failures and shortcomings. We no longer can lie to ourselves or others.  

Christ's perfection is not our enemy, its what keeps us going in this life...all we do and are is based around this. We are called to love perfectly, without fear. Live perfectly, without sin (through the cleansing blood of Christ and God's amazing grace).  This is not a bad calling, and it isn't an impossible calling, for God has not given us anything we cannot accomplish...through Him!

I'm amazed and proud to say I've finally gotten to a place in my life where I've made peace with perfection. It does not control me or my life, yet I strive toward the goal, keeping my Focus upon Him who is my perfect example.

Little ones to Him belong; they are weak but He is strong. ...

Have you not known?
Have you not heard?
The everlasting God, the LORD,
The Creator of the ends of the earth,
Neither faints nor is weary.
His understanding is unsearchable. 
He gives power to the weak,
And to those who have no might He increases strength. 
Isaiah 40: 28-29 NKJV

I am strong through Him, & have a powerful God that backs me up!
He uses me to reach others in a positive way...God loves me & always enjoys my company

But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord will deliver me from every evil work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!

2 Timothy 4:17-18 NKJV

Hand in Hand

I have found grace in God's sight, He knows me by name and He has given me a double portion of His blessing for the future plans He has for me. He shall show me His way for my life as we walk through it together.

Then Moses said to the LORD, “See, You say to me, ‘Bring up this people.’ But You have not let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found grace in My sight.’ Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way...”   
  So the LORD said to Moses, “I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name.

Exodus 33: 12-13,17 NKJV

And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?”
Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.”   
So he said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.” Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.   
And Elisha saw it, and he cried out, “My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!” So he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces. He also took up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan.

2 Kings 2:9-13 NKJV



And we will Walk in Fields of Gold

So Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Please let me go to the field, and glean heads of grain after him in whose sight I may find favor.”
And she said to her, “Go, my daughter.”  
Then she left, and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers. And she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech...   

...Then Boaz said to Ruth, “You will listen, my daughter, will you not? Do not go to glean in another field, nor go from here, but stay close by my young women...

...The LORD repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge ...

Ruth 2:2-3,8,12 NKJV

God has a purpose for every field He has me glean upon, and I will work and learn whatever lesson He has for each one until the day I WILL happen upon the field of the Boaz He has for me!