Monday, March 19, 2012
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Wait on the Lord, I Say Wait
Waiting on the Lord. Patience. Unction. What does it all mean? Many think they understand, but putting it into realistic practice can show whether there is a true understanding deep down. The verse actually reads: “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” (Psalm 27:14)
Learning how to wait, truly wait, comes with faith and a true understanding of scripture. Waiting also requires that one learn how to be still. We wait every day in traffic, in the grocery store line, on the phone when we are put on hold. But that type is waiting is temporary, and we know what is going to happen... and we can “see” with our natural eyes what the outcome will most likely be. Waiting on the Lord is quite different. No longer are we looking with our natural eyes, but if we truly have the faith and the understanding, knowledge and wisdom that comes from scripture, we will see waiting with our spiritual eyes. When we truly decide to wait, we are saying that we don't see the outcome already, we don't know how long it will take, and we don't know how God will work it all out. We purposefully put ourselves in a position to simply step aside.
Waiting on the Lord requires not only faith and understanding, but good courage? For sure. We know God wants us to do all things without murmings and disputings (Philippians 2:14), He wants us to pray always with prayer and supplication (Ephesians 6:18), He wants us to be of good cheer (John 16:33), and He wants us to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). Being of good courage is a combination of those things, all put together. When we decide to wait on God in situations in our lives, we must not complain while we wait, we must continually pray to remain in communication with God, we must remain positive, no matter how long we wait, and we must still seek Him in all things while waiting and even after the waiting period is over.
While we are waiting, according to scripture (Psalm 24:14), our hearts will be strengthened. What does this mean? We are made stronger. Our hearts are strengthened in love for God as we draw closer to Him during our waiting season. Our faith is strengthened as we see God work in and through our lives. Regardless of whether it is a short wait or a long season of wait, God will work. Sometimes we recognize His workings immediately and other times, how God chooses to work may come in a way so differently than we expected that before we know it, we are through the wilderness period and on the other side of our challenges. Our knowledge, wisdom and understanding is strengthened as we stay in the Word. The more we seek the Lord, the more strength we have in knowing how to run a good race and fight the good fight of faith. (1 Timothy 6:12)
What happens when we choose to wait? “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31) Simply put, God sees us as we wait, he acknowledges our wait and he blesses and rewards our waiting.
How does the word “unction” (quick definition: holy anointing) fit into waiting on the Lord and being strengthened by the Lord? Believing in the Lord, constantly seeking to draw closer to the Lord, walking with the Lord, waiting on the Lord, worshiping and praising the Lord, and living for the Lord can grant us an unction from the Holy One to know all things (1 John 2:20). “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.” (1 John 2:27) Through God's loving-kindness and grace, we are given what will equip us for this journey called life. What we are given is for us, but it is also for helping others along as well.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
He Winked and Simply Said "Pay it Forward" Dear
Pay it forward. I am a firm believer in what those three words say and mean. As a matter of fact, I even have that as part of my Twitter profile. The interesting thing is that I try to pay it forward whenever the opportunity arises. But, recently - I was the receiver!
It all started with my huge purse! I carry tons of stuff with me all the time. Why? Not really sure. LOL! I guess as a mother of two you get into the habit when kids are young to carry all that you need and "might need" while out and about. Even when kids begin to get older, I think that notion of having everything at your fingertips goes away very slowly. My boyfriend has even said to me once "I could survive for 30 days in the woods with your purse". Too Funny! Anyway - I wanted to make a quick trip into the grocery store after work one day. I knew - absolutely knew - I had stuffed some cash in my purse. I picked up the few items I needed and headed to the checkout line. I got to the register - and guess what? I couldn't find the cash. I was thinking "I KNOW it's in there". But, for whatever reason it was nowhere to be found. So, of course, starting to become embarrassed very quickly, I tell the cashier to just take the next person in line and let me find my money. He was very nice and said sure.
I step to the end of the checkout line and proceed to search frantically when all of a sudden I hear a person say - "I got it". As if snapped out of a deep concentration - I look up to find a nice gentleman standing there smiling at me. He repeats "I got it". Startled, I said are you sure??? He says yes, I got it. I asked if I could get his phone number - he laughs, winked at me and simply said just "Pay it Forward" dear. With more gratitude than he could ever imagine, I said thanks. Then, I turned back toward him and said, you know what? I actually have "Pay it Forward" as part of my Twitter profile. He just smiled. Now, as you can imagine, as soon as I get home, I search through my purse - the money is there, just like I thought. Maybe it was all simply a grand pay it forward opportunity for both of us to experience.
Now, what makes this interesting is that only about two weeks prior I was walking along at a shopping center. A lady (stranger) walks by me and frantically says her car is being towed and that she had no idea what she was going to do. She was way out of sorts and said she was going to cry because her daughter was with her and they had no coats and it was chilly outside. Before she could even finish the story, I had already reached in my purse to help her out. I knew that $10 was what I was going to hand her. Literally, at the same time I grabbed it, she said I want my daughter and I to take the bus but it will cost us $5 each to go that distance. Confirmation. $10 was what she needed. I handed her the money. The look on her face was priceless. She said "you're giving me all of it"? I said yes! She said can I have your address or something? I said nope, don't worry about it! Before I knew it, she had hugged my neck tightly and said I love you! I simply said "I love you too, God Bless" and then I walked away. Being able to help someone is one of the best feelings you can ever have. That day, the money I needed was sitting right inside my purse.
Will I ever see that lady again? Will I ever see that gentleman again? Who knows. But, what I do know is that in this world and in this society, the most important things in life are still those things that are most basic. A genuine love and care of people. A need for empathy. A need for extending helping hands.
(Reference Luke 10:25-37)
To everyone that reads this, I hope you are inspired to pay it forward.
It all started with my huge purse! I carry tons of stuff with me all the time. Why? Not really sure. LOL! I guess as a mother of two you get into the habit when kids are young to carry all that you need and "might need" while out and about. Even when kids begin to get older, I think that notion of having everything at your fingertips goes away very slowly. My boyfriend has even said to me once "I could survive for 30 days in the woods with your purse". Too Funny! Anyway - I wanted to make a quick trip into the grocery store after work one day. I knew - absolutely knew - I had stuffed some cash in my purse. I picked up the few items I needed and headed to the checkout line. I got to the register - and guess what? I couldn't find the cash. I was thinking "I KNOW it's in there". But, for whatever reason it was nowhere to be found. So, of course, starting to become embarrassed very quickly, I tell the cashier to just take the next person in line and let me find my money. He was very nice and said sure.
I step to the end of the checkout line and proceed to search frantically when all of a sudden I hear a person say - "I got it". As if snapped out of a deep concentration - I look up to find a nice gentleman standing there smiling at me. He repeats "I got it". Startled, I said are you sure??? He says yes, I got it. I asked if I could get his phone number - he laughs, winked at me and simply said just "Pay it Forward" dear. With more gratitude than he could ever imagine, I said thanks. Then, I turned back toward him and said, you know what? I actually have "Pay it Forward" as part of my Twitter profile. He just smiled. Now, as you can imagine, as soon as I get home, I search through my purse - the money is there, just like I thought. Maybe it was all simply a grand pay it forward opportunity for both of us to experience.
Now, what makes this interesting is that only about two weeks prior I was walking along at a shopping center. A lady (stranger) walks by me and frantically says her car is being towed and that she had no idea what she was going to do. She was way out of sorts and said she was going to cry because her daughter was with her and they had no coats and it was chilly outside. Before she could even finish the story, I had already reached in my purse to help her out. I knew that $10 was what I was going to hand her. Literally, at the same time I grabbed it, she said I want my daughter and I to take the bus but it will cost us $5 each to go that distance. Confirmation. $10 was what she needed. I handed her the money. The look on her face was priceless. She said "you're giving me all of it"? I said yes! She said can I have your address or something? I said nope, don't worry about it! Before I knew it, she had hugged my neck tightly and said I love you! I simply said "I love you too, God Bless" and then I walked away. Being able to help someone is one of the best feelings you can ever have. That day, the money I needed was sitting right inside my purse.
Will I ever see that lady again? Will I ever see that gentleman again? Who knows. But, what I do know is that in this world and in this society, the most important things in life are still those things that are most basic. A genuine love and care of people. A need for empathy. A need for extending helping hands.
(Reference Luke 10:25-37)
To everyone that reads this, I hope you are inspired to pay it forward.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Dawning of a New Day
One of the simple yet astounding pleasures in life? Watching a sunrise at the beach. Watching it with someone else and sharing that simple pleasure - truly wonderful. (Thanks DC - Smile) How completely amazing to witness the dawning of a new day. The slow, yet fast, rise of light that signifies so much. To quote the lyrics from one of my all time favorite songs.... (Nicole Mullen, "My Redeemer Lives")
"Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning?
Who told the ocean you can only come this far?
Who showed the moon where to hide 'til evening?
Whose words alone can catch a falling star?..."
Depending on the seasons, the sun comes up every single morning around the same time. Think about that.... the sun knows every single day where to stand. Wow! We get caught up, too many times, thinking of a new sun rising as the gateway to the new day's activities, stress, or normal hustle and bustle that life can give. But, taking a moment to focus on what the sun rise each day really means can start your day off with a sense of peace, tranquility and simple awe.
You may not be at the beach, but the sun rises and sets whereever you are. Take a moment to look at it - and think about it. I can guarantee that it will slow you down and make you focus on things other than the hustle and bustle. Appreciate life in all that it offers, make efforts to seek that which is worthy every day - all else will fall into place. (Reference Matthew 6:33 AKJV) What better time than the dawning of each new day to focus.
American King James Version: Psalm 113:3
From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same the LORD's name is to be praised.
"Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning?
Who told the ocean you can only come this far?
Who showed the moon where to hide 'til evening?
Whose words alone can catch a falling star?..."
Depending on the seasons, the sun comes up every single morning around the same time. Think about that.... the sun knows every single day where to stand. Wow! We get caught up, too many times, thinking of a new sun rising as the gateway to the new day's activities, stress, or normal hustle and bustle that life can give. But, taking a moment to focus on what the sun rise each day really means can start your day off with a sense of peace, tranquility and simple awe.
You may not be at the beach, but the sun rises and sets whereever you are. Take a moment to look at it - and think about it. I can guarantee that it will slow you down and make you focus on things other than the hustle and bustle. Appreciate life in all that it offers, make efforts to seek that which is worthy every day - all else will fall into place. (Reference Matthew 6:33 AKJV) What better time than the dawning of each new day to focus.
American King James Version: Psalm 113:3
From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same the LORD's name is to be praised.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
The "Light" that Guides My Writing
I have written numerous posts over the past couple of years – on my own (previous) blog and as a contributor to others. Writing has been a favorite past-time since I was a child. Even thinking back to high school, I remember vividly being one who looked forward to going to the library to do research on the next big writing project! Times have not changed much…. I still love to write… but now, the library I visit is from one of two places…. An inward reflection of life experience that lends itself well toward written expressions, or from external sources like online resources, the media, other authors, etc. Basically, the latter has become, to many (including myself), a library of sorts - without walls.
As time progresses, the topics and reflections I write about adjust to what is seemingly a collection of proper posts for that time period, environment, etc. Hence, my new blog entitled “The Light Within”.
Webster has defined light (noun) simply as:
So… What can you expect from reading/following this blog? Light shed, from a personal perspective, on a broad spectrum of ideals from distance learning, to education, to day-to-day “musings” (thanks Em), to harpists, to Grace and all things spiritual. Simply put, various topics, ideologies, theories, truths and reviews of happenings will be covered... to give all who read them a different perspective, always softened and offered by a mind that is deeply rooted in the mild, humbled and spiritual”ness” of, in and through my life. That is the light on the inside.
Your comments are welcomed.
As time progresses, the topics and reflections I write about adjust to what is seemingly a collection of proper posts for that time period, environment, etc. Hence, my new blog entitled “The Light Within”.
Webster has defined light (noun) simply as:
a: something that makes vision possible
b: the sensation aroused by stimulation of the visual receptors
But, in day-to-day life, we know the word light has many more definitions, eludings and significances. The title of this blog being “The Light Within” signifies the importance of being led by what is on the inside – regardless of what is happening externally, on the outside.
So… What can you expect from reading/following this blog? Light shed, from a personal perspective, on a broad spectrum of ideals from distance learning, to education, to day-to-day “musings” (thanks Em), to harpists, to Grace and all things spiritual. Simply put, various topics, ideologies, theories, truths and reviews of happenings will be covered... to give all who read them a different perspective, always softened and offered by a mind that is deeply rooted in the mild, humbled and spiritual”ness” of, in and through my life. That is the light on the inside.
Your comments are welcomed.
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