Enlightened Perspective

Kathy Partridge emailed this reading to me and I love it so much I just had to post it.
If you will take the time to read these. I promise you'll come away with an enlightened perspective.

The subjects covered affect us all on a daily basis:They're written by Andy Rooney, a man who has the gift of saying so much with so few words. Enjoy.......

I've learned.... That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

I've learned.... That when you're in love, it shows.

I've learned.... That just one person saying to me, 'You've made my day!' makes my day.

I've learned.... That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.

I've learned.... That being kind is more important than being right.

I've learned.... That you should never say no to a gift from a child.

I've learned.... That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.

I've learned.... That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

I've learned.... That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

I've learned.... That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.

I've learned.... That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

I've learned.... That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.

I've learned.... That money doesn't buy class.

I've learned.... That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

I've learned... That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

I've learned.... That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

I've learned.... That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.

I've learned.... That love, not time, heals all wounds.

I've learned.... That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.

I've learned.... That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

I've learned.... That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.

I've learned... That life is tough, but I'm tougher.

I've learned.... That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.

I've learned.... That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

I've learned.... That I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one more time before she passed away.

I've learned.... That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.

I've learned.... That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

I've learned.... That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for life.

I've learned.... That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.

I've learned.... That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done

Guarding Your Heart

Guarding Your Heart While I was checking my email this morning I read a wonderful devotion by Gail Rodgers who writes for Retirement With A Purpose. Some of these thoughts are hers...some are mine. I loved her thought provoking little sermon. Are you overwhelmed with too many responsibilities? Most of us have too much to do and not enough time to pay attention to what's going on within our spirits. Poverbs 4:23 "Above all else, guard your heart for it is the well spring of life." How in the world do we do that? Most of us have things coming at us from every direction but God's Word does actually spell out some specific steps. 1. Pay attention to what is causing you to feel anxious in your thoughts. What has made your shoulders tense up? 2. Talk to God about it just as you would talk to your best friend. Make an actual request to Him for His help, strength, wisdom or insight. 3. Don't stop there. Find something to thank Him for. You will start to experience His peace and calm. He promises this... "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petittion, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6&7 -Heavenly Father, Thank you for Your understanding care of me. I know that sometime today anxiety will steal its way into my heart and mind but will you remind me to pay attention and talk You about it. Guard my heart and mind with Your peace. Help me to be ever thankful....in Jesus' name, amen.

Psalm 19:14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. I memorized this verse years ago because I needed to do so. Anyone who says they always say the right thing is a liar. I fail, you fail, and we all fail in this area of watching our words. Words are invisible to the eye yet they are the most powerful things we can use to encourage or disparage someone. Don't you love to have someone tell you how nice you look? Well, all of sudden our day is a little brighter and we feel pretty good about ourselves. Yet if someone says truthful or untruthful things that reveals a flaw we "feel" like dying. Someone's words should not have this kind of power over us but they do! I heard a preacher say that our words should pass through the gates of: is it true? is it needful? is it hurtful?. That sure lessens all my talking...how about you? The book of James in the New Testament also talks about the tongue being so powerful. He says it can set the world on fire or change the course of a ship. The tongue is a small part of our bodies yet it can destroy...or remember it can build! Sometimes women are encouraged to do little talking because they're of the female gender. Yet I would dare say if women took that to heart our churches, businesses, hospitals, schools and government would be in dire need for the work to get done. Men can rattle of the book of Timothy when they're afraid a woman might be right. If I as a woman use the words of my mouth to please God I don't have to worry about the hurt or destruction they cause to those around me. The last part of the Psalm says, "my Rock (strength) and my Redeemer." Forgiveness is always found but look close...my Strength wants to help me say the right things...good things, helpful things, loving things and blessings. If you've said hurtful words go make it right with man and God. Forgiveness is just a few words away!

What Did You Say?

Photo of Katie, me and Sara. I was sitting in the Detroit airport last night around 8:00 trying to read my Bible. My hubby has had another yearly Bible reading for our church so I feel compelled to read that and usually get a great blessing inspite of my reservations. Judges 12,13&14 were on the list to read...I'm a little ahead...and landed (no pun intended) on some truths that made me laugh out loud. In chapter 12 the Gileadites and Ephraimites were battling over land. When any of the Ephraimites wanted to cross certain land they had to prounounce the word 'Shibboleth' properly. Their accent would give their true identity. Chapter 13 brings Sampson onto the scene. His dad Manoah asked the Lord to come to him and share the words He had shared with his wife Zorah. It happened. They both were told of Sampson's birth and how he should be cared for as a future Nazarite serving his people. Then in chapter 14 Sampson is grown and his words bring him trouble. He is trying to impress the Philistines to whom he was trying to marry into. He winds up losing the lady and killing 30 men. You might want to read this chapter in particular, but Sampson was clearly trying to marry and impress people he had no business associating with. Now I said, "Jerral, how many times have your words reveal where your heart truly resides? How many times have you asked the Lord to reveal His plans for your future? How many times have you let your words lead you to people and place God does not want you to visit?" Isn't it quite easy to judge these characters without looking closely at our own lives?

Watch and Learn

Next Tuesday, April 2, my friend, Rebecca faces the third anniversary of her beautiful daughter's life here with us. Yes, Bethany is with our Lord but I know she is dearly missed.
I was thinking of Rebecca and how couragously she faced this tragedy and how I took strength in watching her faith. She and I walked, talked, cried and prayed through the weeks and months that followed and I was inspired to write the following song which I wholly dedicate to Rebecca.

VERSE Today my friend lost her child
She couldn't find her for awhile
But then she knew the Lord had called her home.
Today I watched this pain and loss
My words were few I felt so tossed;
But my friend shard her heart… she's not alone.

CHORUS: Watch and learn the pain will grow
Into a thing of beauty
Watch and learn and you will know
You'll never be the same
For God will use this life to change your world
Watch and learn.

VERSE On the cross God lost Son
He couldn't see Him for awhile
But God knew that His Son would soon be home.
Many watched this pain and loss
Their words were few they felt so tossed.
But my Friend shared His heart
And gave His life…I'm not alone.

Bridge: Life is hard but there is beauty in the ashes
Life is hard but winter turns to spring
Life is hard but darkness turns to light someday
If you watch and learn…If you…( repeat chorus)

Worship in Times of Trouble

Just as I'm beginning to write this the phone rang here at church. One of our families called for prayer because they have no heat. The pipes are frozen so the basement is flooded because the pipes burst. The husband lost one of his jobs, their phone won't ring in and their house is infested with lice!

I've had two other people in touch with me yesterday and today with family problems. One of them is struggling so painfully she cannot even talk about specifics.

Maybe it's the time of year but it seems there are many struggles right now.

This next Sunday I plan to gather our worship team together for prayer, fellowship and some study of what we do "worship." I bought a little book called Worship Celebration to trigger some interaction with our group and the first thing I read was about longing for God in times of trouble.

Psalm 63 finds David in the Desert of Judah separated from his beloved Jerusalem and the sanctuary of worship. It was his own son that betrayed him and set him on of course of hiding to save his life. David could have raised his fist to the Lord and distanced himself from His presence. David did not but notice what he did...

1. sought the Lord vs. 1

2. longed for God vs. 1

3. knew God loved him vs. 3

4. praised the Lord vs. 4 -5

5. found satisfaction in God vs. 5

6. thought about God during sleeplessness vs. 6

7. found protection in God vs. 7

8. found strength to go on in God. vs. 8

9. found confidence in God vs. 9-10

10. saw future joy in God vs. 11

We can know of God's presence when life is at its worst!!! Let me encourage you to invite the Lord into your difficult situation. Pray and seek the one who knows your struggle. Think on Him and you will not be disappointed.

You may ask what about you Jerral? Where have you struggled? What's your burden right now? Oh...I have them! We have family struggles too. Some health problems that may require future surgery as well. I've lost loved ones to death's bed and we are dealing with aging parents as I write. Life is a STRUGGLE...but along with Job we can say as he fell to the ground in worship, "Naked I came from my mother's womb and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, may the name of the Lord be praised."

Shame on You!

Shame...I'm trying to get a handle on the meaning and what's good and bad about it. One definition I read says that shame is an intense feeling of anguish the make you wish you could evaporate. Sometimes we use words like guilt or condemnation but they are not the same meaning at all. Guilt comes from realizing you have done something wrong. Condemnation is being convicted for doing wrong.
Society doesn't have much shame anymore. Everything is acceptable and God help you if you say anything against a life-style or practice. The Apostle Paul wrote in I Corinthians 6:5 "I say this to shame you." The Corinthian church was taking other believers to court and they had tremendous moral laxity.
We should never feel shame because of something that has been done to us. Abuse and rape are examples of the something done to us that causes undue shame. To the abuser and rapist we must say "shame on you!"
God help me to be ashamed when I 1) put others before God 2) put anthing before God 3) misuse God's precious Name 4) do no prioritize His day 5) do not honor my parents 6) murder someone 7) commit adulty 8) steal 9) give a false testimony 10) want my neighbor's house, husband, work or anything that belongs to them. These Ten Commandments were given to us for good reason. They show us all Christ died to forgive and there is no room for shame when we deal with it before the cross of Christ.
Jesus took all our shame on Calvary's cross. Hebrews 12:2 say; "...For He Himself endured a cross and thought nothing of its shame because of the joy He know would follow his suffering..." Every time I fail/sin I can go back to that wonderful cross and find Jesus bearing my shame. He always forgives for He want to say "Joy on you."
If you have a shame burden, please do not carry it long...it is too heavy for you but not for Jesus. The way free up the load of sin is to leave it at the cross. As Jesus said, "Go and sin no more!"