Perspective

I don't know what's worst...having a horrible life threatening disease or living a miserable existence wasting your life feeling purposeless each day...
yesterday, a good friend of ours found out his mother has stage two cancer. I can empathize with my friend b/c my dad was recently diagnosed with cancer. Thankfully they caught it early enough to where it hadn't spread to the lymphnodes so they were able to remove it completely. However, 13 years ago my husbands sister (age 22) didn't have the same result, ending in years of grief for the family that to this day still affects them deeply.
It's a struggle to feel like you're life is meaningless while you're watching someone else fight for theirs. A change of perspective quickly comes into play. A great number of people are hurting so deeply, especially this time of year. The holidays are supposed to be a joyful time of the year with much celebrating. However, this season is often a horrible reminder to many of the great loss in their lives. I think of my neighbor who lost her mother a few years ago, a college friend who was killed this year leaving 5 kids behind, the hole in our family b/c my husbands sister & grandma are no longer with us, and my good friends who've walked the road of divorce and now have to spend the holidays apart splitting time with kids. Not to mention Abby from this year's Biggest Looser who lost her husband and two children in an accident.
It's a sobering reminder that as we go about our lives and "rush" through the holidays not to overlook those who are experiencing deep hurt, pain, hopelessness, brokenness and sorrow over these next couple of weeks. Whatever the reason, whether in confusion, depression, unemployment, angst, broken relationships or financial hardship, may our present circumstances develop in us the compassion to reach out to those who are walking through this winter with an emptiness that only the son of God can fill. May the celebration of His birth remind us that it is for this reason that He came...

Bible Studies - In Touch Ministries - Dr. Charles Stanley 2009

Bible Studies - In Touch Ministries - Dr. Charles Stanley 2009

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December 17th, 2009

One of the greatest gifts God has given (in my opinion) is music. There's nothing that lifts my spirits more quickly and effectively like listening to worship songs and worshiping God, especially in times of distress...I had a great morning with some ladies from Bible Study, then came home to get a head start on dinner before we have to rush to school for Megan's Christmas program...as I was cooking, as I often do, I put my ipod on to my worship playlist and slowly all cares seem to fade away...
I don't know if it's the soft melody of the piano, or the words that so eloquently express what's in my heart...but I seem to get lost in these great songs and my focus once again is placed on where it should be...my eyes begin to look up to where my help comes from...the maker of heaven and earth...the one who does not sleep, the one who watches my going out and my coming in...so here I am to worship, here I am to bow down, here I am to say that You are My God and you will meet ALL my needs in Christ Jesus....
Lord You have my heart and I will search for yours...Jesus take my life and lead me on...may His praises be lifted up today...no matter what the circumstances of life...
...and I will praise You Lord, and I will sing of love come down, as You show Your face...we will see Your glory here...

It's been a long time...

Tonight I had the opportunity to help out on the worship team at church, even though it was a small crowd I was still pretty nervous as it's been almost 5 years since I haven't really been "involved" in ministry....it was really fun singing up there and helping lead worship...especially with some really talented and special friends we've made recently...I really don't know what God has for us next month, let alone next year...but for today it was great to be in God's presence and worship with friends! :-) I will take these little joys and be thankful for each one of them!

Quiet Moments - Dec 13th, 2009

Usually Sunday afternoons I take advantage of my naptime and being able to catch up on rest from all my late nights from a busy week, but today after church we came home, I fed everyone and before I knew it everyone was asleep but me...so I took advantage of the quiet, tidy'd up the place, looked through the paper and ran a few errands...
I just got back a few minutes ago after a quick trip to the grocery store and a car wash to find everyone still sleeping...today I am thankful for some uninterrupted time to do a few things without someone asking for something and having the peace and quiet to do so! :-)

December 12th, 2009

Ever feel so down it makes you sick? Lately I've really taken to Proverbs 13:12 "Hope deferred makes the heart sick.." We have been in a season of waiting that seems unending...there's only so much the human soul can endure...yesterday I picked up my Christmas cards and it wasn't till after I got home from Costco that I noticed I'd misspelled "Best is yeSt to come!" Way to end the year off, that's the kind of year it's been for us...one hope dashed after another, things promised unfulfilled, put off, no answer for direction but to wait...one door shut after another, disappointment after disappointment...it would seem that God has removed His hand from us and at times we feel as if this is our lot in life. It's hard seeing one friend after another rejoicing over promotion after promotion...it's easy to ask why...it's hard to stay and wait...it's easy to sulk...it's hard to praise...it's easy to quit...it's hard to press on and endure the trial...
But one thing I know my God IS faithful and true...He loves me even when it appears He doesn't...He has plans for my life to prosper me and not to harm me...He has plans to give me a future and a hope...
Today I rest in His word and find peace in the little joys of life..like the good friends I enjoyed spending the day with and the beautiful sunshine and high of 50 degrees!

the rest of the Proverb says "...but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life." So we continue to wait and believe that The Best IS Yet to Come!

Broncos Game