Inspirations

Ok, here’s the scoop.  I am a 50 something (a lady never tells her age); and yes, I am white.   I am not racist, and I hate no one.    I want to live a peaceful life, surrounded by friends.   I do not have swastikas painted on anything, but I believe in God.  I say all this because I know I am not alone.   There are many people out there that are right where I am.  We all know people of other races, and it goes without saying that there are good and bad in every race.  We listen to the news and hear of another atrocity committed in the name of racism, and we cringe.  To my friends of other races, I want you to know that those committing these horrible acts are a minority and do not reflect the feelings of the rest of us; and our hearts break for you.  To those wanting to tear down a statue, because they do not like what it stands for, I would like to ask one question.  Will it erase that part of history?  Will it make anyt...

They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.  Matthew 27: 28-30 (NIV) My child that I love,             I know you have days that seem dark and the sun refuses to shine.   It feels like even though you have done nothing wrong, everyone is against you.  You can’t win.     Believe me when I say I know how you feel.   For I also was spit at and mocked. The people of my day insulted me. I was whipped and hung naked on a cross meant for criminals.  Even though I did nothing to deserve...

Ok, so my "plan was to have this written on Sunday. It's now Tuesday, My plans fell through. I realized my daughter was coming and I had lots of preparing to do. There were dished to clean, floors to mop, Food to buy. The List goes on. I want her to enjoy being home, and I want to enjoy having her here.  love her and want to show her that I love her by having everything ready. Part of preparing is planning. God had everything planned out for Jesus, birth as well. He designed for Mary and Joseph to be his parents, He planned for him to be born in a barn, He planned for him to be born in a little town called Bethlehem, He even made sure that there were people there to welcome him, the shepherds. I am sure that many might have felt that God had made some mistakes in his "planning." It just didn't seem like a good plan. What can be right about a baby in a manger, and how can a child save the world? Yet God...

So, I've been asking myself how we prepare our hearts for Christmas. We all know how the "world" gets ready for Christmas. It's often why we get cranky. There are parties, and baking. Let's not forget about shopping and decorations to buy. Finances and tempers are often short, and the lists long. But, how do we prepare our hearts for Christmas? I have to say I am not sure this is a "one answer fits all" question. Yet, as I look at Mary and Joseph, I see one quality in them that might help us in our endeavor to prepare our hearts for Christmas. It called obedience.   If anyone had a good reason for questioning God, it would be them. They took God at his word.   An angel told Mary she would have a baby without being married  and her response is "ok," Elaine's translation.  There was no argument, just obedience. Joseph is told to take Mary as his wife and  went and married her...

We're heading into the Christmas season. Everyone's busy running here and there, scurrying around like some kind of rodent. They're all shopping for gifts to go under the tree, and putting up Christmas trees, or decorating houses. They're having parties, and baking all kinds of goodies. Everyone, young and old, man and woman are preparing for one special day. Christmas. part of the fun of Christmas are the preparations that we make. Yet, there is the danger of losing sight of Christmas among all the trappings. We can get so busy with all the things leading up to Christmas that Christmas is no longer joyous and fun, filled with love. In fact, to be honest, it can be one of the most stressful, irritating, depressing times. My daughter is coming to visit. I am making preparations! Why? because I LOVE her. I want to be sure everything is perfect. I want the house clean, and everything ready for her to come. Frie...

As I look at the world around me, I am in awe of  the creativity of the God who created it. I'm awed by the fact that the God who created sameness in each and every person  also created uniqueness in every person.  In everything God created, there is a degree of similarity and at the same time things that make each object unique and unlike any other. It doesn't matter whether it's animals, plants and  trees, or the stars in the sky there are similarities  and  differences in each one .     The amazing thing, and what I'm thankful for,  is that God did not hoard creativity and imagination and keep it all for himself.   No, he also lavishes it on us as the crown of his creation.   For some, it's singing,  others writing,  still others photography,  drawing,  cooking and the list goes on.   Everyone has been given creativity by God;...

      Today I want to thank God for the times when God talks to us.   There have been many times in my life when God has given wisdom, insight, direction when I need it most.  Sometimes have lost "things", usually the keys.  I have always had a hard time keeping track of those things.  I am sure they have legs. I search every nook and cranny and come up empty. In despair, I call out to God and as I continue searching the planet for what was lost, I have this "whispering voice" saying, "Did you look in the (insert place) ".  I'll go back and look and sure enough right there they are, right where I left them.  Other times, God has given me wisdom concerning people.  Sometimes it's just a negative feeling about someone that I cannot "put aside".  I've learned to listen to those feelings because I serve a God who discerns the heart.  At times, I have asked God to show me who to trust.  He has answered by bringing situatio...