Jesus Loves Me: That's What Counts!

 I saw this on a Facebook post, “What other people think of you is none of your business.”

My first thought was that lots of people may think unkind things about me.  They may think I’m gullible, religious, untidy, a slob, fat, too critical, not critical enough, etc, etc.

And to dwell on the bad things others may think about me interferes with how I am to relate to them.  Dwelling on others unkindness to me blocks the way I am supposed to interact with them and also with the way I bring them before the throne of God.  So, it’s better not to know, or if knowing, to bring that before the throne, and to ask God how to love them better.

But then I thought, what about people who think really nice things about me?  Is that none of my business too?

It seems easier to love those who openly favor me, those who outwardly encourage me and present their love of me openly.  But will that make me bigger in my own eyes?

I once idolized a woman.  I put her up on that pedestal and wanted to be just like her, and thought I never could.  And, when in my eyes, she fell, the falling was great!  I turned my back on her.  In doing so, that dark and mirky upside down umbrella grew very large, preventing me from hearing God’s voice, feeling His presence.

Once I forgave her and repented before God I learned to love her more and more!  It’s easier to love flesh and blood than to love a marble icon, isn’t it, Jesus?

I think the goal of living everyday in a society, it doesn’t matter where, or who it’s made up of, is to keep my eyes focused on God and how much He loves me!  That’s the love that counts the most and will never lead to sin.

Because the Lord loves me singularly, delightfully, overwhelmingly, it never matters what others think of me.  I will love them, not because they love me or hate me, but because God loves me and demonstrates to me how to love them.

Tuesday Word Bytes: Mmmm, Mmmm, Mmmm!

I LOVE words!  I think language is the best part of being a human.  There's nothing as good as taking a new word and rolling it around the inside of my mouth and feeling how it tastes.

Todays word;

Bayard (bay - ard)
From the French.  It was the name of a legendary horse given to 

Renaud of Montauban  by the emperor, Charlemagne.  

He was a large, bay colored horse who was very brave in battle.

A true hero of equine pulchritude.

Later, it became a back handed insult.  When a person was called a Bayard, it was not in reference to being brave and handsome but was used as an antonym of the word; someone stupid, cowardly, ugly, clownish.

One example that comes to mind of a Bayard is 

Bottom, from  "A Mid Summernight's Dream" by William Shakespeare.

Bottom is a goofy man who thinks he's pretty smart.  (He's really a pretty sorry clown!)

He gets himself into trouble with a fairy and ends up with the head of a donkey on his shoulders.

Another character that I think of as a Bayard is Baron Von Munchausen.   Who, by the way, rode a fine and heroic horse named Bucephalus.  Baron Von Munchausen was always having outlandish adventures which were always getting him thick into fantastic trouble.  

Not, altogether, a smart person!

What's your favorite word this week?

God is Not Like People

Numbers 23:19 - God is not like people, who lie; He is not a human who changes His mind.  Whatever He promises He does; He speaks and it is done.

And my response is; “ Be transformed by the renewing of your mind”, “There is now no condemnation...”, “I know the plans I have for you... to prosper you...”

I am an heir.  Even an earthly king will break his promises to his children sometimes.  But our Father does not.

I made a list of scripture verses that are the promises of God to His righteous people.  It’s a very long list and incomplete.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  That’s true!  Not sometimes, not just when I’m feeling particularly holy or useful.

I gave my life to Him 40 years ago.  Looking back, I see the evidence.  I have not always been faithful, but He has always been faithful.  He has never changed His mind.  

His plans for me are perfect.

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him.  Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Romans 15:13 (NLT)

“Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus

Just to take him at his word.

Just to rest upon his promise

And to know, ‘Thus saith the Lord’

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him!

How I’ve proved Him ‘ore and ‘ore.

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!

Oh, for grace to trust him more!”

Neat, huh?

Tuesday Word Bytes Mmmm, Mmmm, Mmmm!

I LOVE words!  I think language is the best part of being a human.  There's nothing as good as taking a new word and rolling it around the inside of my mouth and feeling how it tastes.

Todays word:

Aspectabund  (Ass-pec-ti-bund)

 From the Latin; aspectus + bundas
An abundance of aspect

To have a very expressive face.
To be able to easily show the world what you are feeling

If you know a person has a secret without even asking, then their face is very aspectabund.
If you can tell someone is dying to tell you something, they are aspectabund.
If you have a lousy poker face, you may be aspectabund.

What's your favorite word this week?

The Perfect Pattern

Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will.

Last night I dreamed about sewing patterns.  I was making piles of the tissue pieces and trying to sort them out.

Sorting out the patterns of the this world, trying to figure them out, looking at them from different angles, trying to make sense out of them, to make them fit, can be an exhausting, lifetime endeavor!

Trying to conform to this world; to figure out how things that happened in my past fit together with what’s happening now and what it will mean for my future, not to mention how it fits together with what’s happening around the world, is like trying to sew together a crazy quilt when the pieces won’t come together, no matter how hard I try.

But, if every day, I focus on the good, pleasing and perfect will of God for my life, then my life, looking back, will seem like a woven fabric, every line perfectly blending with the one before it and the one after it.  It’s a tapestry that was begun the day I first surrendered to Him and will never be completed.

Even the somber, heavy hues of suffering add exquisite beauty to the piece of art my God is making out of my life.

It is cohesive.  It is breathtaking.  It is a perfect pattern.

TUESDAY WORD BYTES Mmmm, Mmmmm, Mmmm!

I LOVE words!  I think language is the best part of being a human.  There's nothing as good as taking a new word and rolling it around the inside of my mouth and feeling how it tastes.

Todays word;

Apodictic (app-uh-dik-tik)
From the Latin; apodicticus, proving fully
An adjective meaning the expression of absolute certainty.
Something that is incontestable because it has been proven.

Here are some examples of appodictic sentences;

The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.

Deciduous trees shed their leaves every year.

Romans 3:20New International Version (NIV)

Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.

That about sums it up for me!

What's your favorite word this week?

PROVISION

Thursday, 12/4/14  

THIS IS A CONVERSATION I HAD WITH THE LORD BACK IN DECEMBER.

John 16:23,24  In that day you will no longer ask me anything.  I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.  Until now you have not asked for anything in my name.  Ask and you will receive and your joy will be made complete.

Are you (Jesus) talking about now, or up in heaven?  In verse 33b you say, “In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.”

I believe that your words are always true.  Not one of them is false. But I know that many never receive the positive answer they desperately seek.  So, there’s something we’re missing here.  That’s why I ask, are you referring to heaven?

There is this concept of “pulling the kingdom down.”  When we partner with you in true sincerity then we are creating your kingdom on earth.  And if we are in your kingdom then whatever we ask for we will receive.

Last night Bill Johnson talked about people being totally sold out for you and your kingdom.  He seemed to say that they are the ones who receive the provision needed to make big things happen.

The more we center ourselves in your kingdom, the smaller that upside down umbrella becomes. (our upside down umbrella that prevents the Father’s blessings from reaching us)  Doors just open.  Ways are made smooth and point in the right direction.

So, what more must I do (or what am I doing incorrectly) to be in the place of receiving your provision?

You do provide!  You always have!  But there’s never been enough left over to invest in big ideas.  How do I get to THAT place?  Do I even try?  Is trying the same as striving?  Do I simply trust you more?

It seems really silly, but I hear you saying, “Lay down the solitaire and get off your duff!”

So I will break this addiction by the power of your presence.  (at the time of this posting I haven’t played solitaire in 2 months)

I have always strived to trust you more and more.  Maybe it’s time for me to work on being a person you can trust.

TUESDAY WORD BYTES Mmmm, Mmmmm, Mmmm!

I LOVE words!  I think language is the best part of being a human.  There's nothing as good as taking a new word and rolling it around the inside of my mouth and feeling how it tastes.

Todays word;

Agrestic (Ag-rest-ic)

Greek; "agrestis" from ager, meaning a field.

Rustic, rural, from the country (as opposed to from the city)

When referring to a person or behavior; unrefined, uncouth, dull.

You might be a redneck.....if your agrestic tendencies lean towards doublewides up on concrete blocks.

What's your favorite word this week?

DISCLAIMER:  I am a country girl, myself.  I have deep respect for those who love, appreciate and are nurtured by nature.  So, please don't take this post too seriously.  Thank you and God bless your day!