"Shabbat Shalom" ?? 02/23/2012
"Shabbat Shalom"... words I have recently become very familiar with. At first they were "fun new words", then they became words that "connected" our little "group" together (that we meet with on a regular basis)--because we began to greet one another freely using those words on the Sabbath (Shabbat), and now they have become "personal" words that hold very special meaning to me. 'Shabbat Shalom'... Hebrew words for "Peaceful Sabbath". I am learning the Hebrew language, and it is so exciting to become even more connected to these words and the language they come from!! But, it is more than that. It is "what" the Sabbath--and the peace of the Sabbath-- has come to mean to me. More than a ritual, more than a tradition, and more than a list of "don'ts"... but truly a special "set apart" time from the rest of the week. A time I have come to anticipate and look forward to. A time I have got into the routine of planning for and preparing for. A time I have come to LOVE. Without realizing it, I can see that it has brought a Peace to me and my life. I cherish it. It has become one of my greatest pleasures, one of my *favorite gifts* from YHWH :) And it comes EVERY WEEK!! :) "Shalom" is Peace, but also More than {only} peace. It IS lack of confusion and lack of chaos and lack of deveastation and despair... but More than all of these. It is wellness, completeness, wholeness... nothing missing, nothing broken, and nothing lacking. It is the presence of YHWH, which is secure and safe and at rest from worry or fear or anger--or any thing that would cause disturbance. PEACE. What a Treasure! Can one put a price on genuine peace? It is beyond money or power or prestige... and it is freely given to all those that fear YHWH and keep HIS commands. What a gift!!! I truly appreciate this gift, and I cherish it with my whole heart. <3 But I don't have to wait until Shabbat to experience Shalom... it is in HIM :) And as I sit quietly in my little home, listening to the clock tick and the keyboard keys click, I can experience Shalom/Peace :) And I *Am*... I hope you are to :) Shabbat Shalom, my friends~ Add Comment A 'love' for learning :) 02/14/2012
This morning I awoke with immediate *joy* :) I thought about it for awhile and determined that it was probably because I had listened to two different "teachings" before I went to bed last night... teachings in some areas that I had already been studying on my own. I feel like I am gaining some clarity in some areas that I've been pondering. The more I explore and research and think and pray and listen and learn... the more "alive" I feel! The more meaning and purpose I see. The more excitement there is in life and living :) {and in this case, I'm learning more and more about YHWH... which brings me closer and closer to HIM <3 THAT I LOVE!} The other night my daughter came downstairs and saw me with my Bible, pen, and notebook and said (with a grin) "It figures"... meaning she had already expected to find me doing what I was doing and it didn't surprise her or seem abnormal. I hope that's a good thing! :) My children ask me questions, and I pull out the Bible... "*sigh*..."here we go again! ;) " they tease me. We can barely "stay on track" with our daily Scripture reading/discusion time, because there is always SO MUCH I want to share with them... and the more they ask... the more there is to share with them and try to show them. I have a "love" for learning... I guess that's why I love homeschooling and teaching my children. It seems I always have a pile of books, papers, notebooks, etc. piled around me-- either preparing school lessons and plans, or studying the Scriptures. There is nothing like the thrill of learning! I'm not speaking of "head knowledge of facts" for the sake of "prestige" or "self pride", but genuinely learning new things and exploring the world around you... whether it be the physical world surrounding you (science), the way we became "who" we are in this world (history), or even the world of language-- the way we speak and how/why it works. This world and creation that YHWH has made is an AMAZING thing!! And it is THRILLING to LEARN about it * :) * It is this "love of learning" that I hope to instill in my children. It is why I do what I do for them. I want them to really learn, not just memorize facts for a test about things they have no interest in or for. I want them to learn and enjoy learning. And I want them to KEEP learning for their entire lives. This is my hope for them. But in all their learning, I hope they learn YHWH and HIS ways... NOTHING else matters in comparison. So, YES, *sigh* "here we go again!"... and "Again"... and "Again!" :) I want them to "GET IT" and I mean REALLY get it. I want them to read and study and ponder and search out TRUTH for themselves. I don't want them to get in the habit of settling for "quick answers"... even if those "answers" are from me. I want them to spend some time Thinking and Finding Out about it. It takes time and effort. I want them to see the importance of taking that time and spending that effort... on what really matters. I'm thankful for the gift of learning and the ability and resources available to make it as beneficial as possible. It is my prayer that I can pass it on to my precious children! Let it snow...Let it snow...Let it snow! 02/11/2012
Snow? WHAT'S that?? We've had such an unusually warm "spring-like" winter, that I've almost forgotten what snow and winter is :) I know that's a good thing for most people, but I'VE missed having -at least- some resemblance of the season. My evergreen garland and pinecones, cardinals and snowmen scattered throughout the house seem so out of place... and seem to bring less enjoyment than usual. The warmer darker colors, cozy quilts, and *wintertime* decorations and candles just don't seem to fit :( Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not looking for another ice storm to hit- or to be buried in snow 12 ft. deep for 3 months! No, I don't enjoy driving on snow and ice and worrying about loved ones, I don't like high heating bills and hoping the electricity stays on, and I don't like getting out when it's so cold it hurts-just to go to the grocery!!! However, I DO enjoy the snowy wintery atmoshere -within reason- and I feel a little disappointed that there hasn't been any snow sleding, snow-angel making, snowman-building, snow cream making weather this season! :( Yesterday we had a few flurries and a small little non-accumilating snow, turning in to rain and ice last night... but it was hardly worth counting. I was hoping to put on a big pot of chili (which I did) and snuggle up and drink some hot chocolate or hot tea while I *practice* a little more on my newly-learned knitting skills :) But it didn't really feel the same :( By this morning, the sun was shining brightly (which is beautiful!) and the birds were singing sweetly (which is lovely!) and there was not a trace of "yesterday's winter" left :( Oh well, I guess knitting coziness will have to wait for "next year" ... because I already have a yard full of Robins every day, a sure sign of *spring* Not all is lost-- I can look forward to seeing if my newly planted flowers will come back up that I planted last year :) Snow? WHAT'S that?? ;) I'm still here! :) 02/04/2012
*Wow*!! I can't believe it's been SO LONG since I've written anything on my poor little blog!! I've been very busy trying to update the rest of this website and doing some other personal studies (I'm attempting to learn the Hebrew language! :) that I have very little spare time... homeschooling, home-cleaning, laundry, meals, and the list goes on :D Can anyone relate?? hee!hee! I just wanted to put a quick note up on here to let everyone know I AM still here, and I DO intend to write and keep things up to date as much as I can. I hope everyone "out there" has been doing well! I've added quite a bit of websites on the *Fun* page... hope you check them out and enjoy them~ Shalom, my Friends :) *Creating a Life of Beauty* 06/28/2011
Creating a life of Beauty... I have thought MUCH on this topic-- through many years, due to all the different 'beliefs' and 'interpretations' of what is acceptable with "Christians" and GOD in the areas of "material things/posessions" and "pretty/vanity" ...etc. I Do believe in modesty, and I Do believe in being a good steward, being conservative, and focusing on eternal purposes... however, to totally abstain from all the beauty that our Father has created within US, as well as the earth surrounding us, would be (in my opinion) a very sad mistake. YHWH did not create an uninteresting, ugly, plain world... He created the most BEAUTIFUL BREATH-TAKING earth/universe EVER... how can one behold it and Not be 'captured' by its Beauty and AWE-someness? How can one Not want to re-create -in some way- the beauty that surrounds them? If done in the right heart/motive, isn't it the highest compliment to our Creator? I truly appreciate all the beauty He has chosen to share with us... and find myself, without effort, constantly wanting to express the same sense of beauty to all those around me :) Around two years ago, after the Ice Storm, we lived six months with my mother... which was a special time for all of us... but during that time I didn't know when or if I would ever have another 'place of our own' (because we were living in a friend's trailor for a year and a half at the time of the storm--and would not be returning). I learned a LOT about being content... even without "all my things"...but there were times it was sad and hard at not having a place of my own to decorate--create. Even while we were living in our friend's trailor, Nothing in the trailor was OURS, except our clothes. So, for TWO YEARS I lived with Nothing of 'my own'. During the time I was at my mom's (and feeling a little low) I read a blog that really spoke to me about my present circumstance, and it really made a difference for me. It gave me encouragement~ and inspiration. I went to the storage unit that held all our belongings, and pulled out one (very) small table and a very few "knick-knacks" to sit on top of it-- and went "home" to my little bedroom (at my mom's) and set up my little table... it was my way of creating beauty in the cicumstance of my life at that time... and I've Never forgotten it, or the blog. Now, TWO YEARS (almost) of 'having' another "place of our own", I am STILL daily thankful for the gift of a home <3 And I often think of that blog when I get discouraged at not having the finances I'd like to have to "fix up" my little home... after two years! But... I recently re-read that same blog from two years ago... and guess what? YES, it encouraged and inspired me all over again!! (THANK YOU, RINA!! ;) I have been looking at what I can do-- with what I have-- to make my life more beautiful, for me and my family! :) I'd like to share that original blog (and some pictures of my efforts) with you: Original Blog: (from Into Still Waters) {Creating a Life of Beauty December 11, 2008 by Rina I visited the most beautiful blog I’ve ever seen today and there is really no way to describe how it affected me. Every picture, every post, seemed to reach out and touch my heart. This beautiful family, living in their beautiful home, surrounded by beautiful land, creating beautiful things… knitting and sewing, cooking and building. A family so connected, so close, so loving toward one another that it shines over all their faces. If God had asked me to paint a picture of the life I’ve always wanted, I couldn’t do any better than some of the photos I saw on this blog. And I found myself crying out to the Lord: “I want that some day!” And in the still, small voice, I heard God answer me: This isn’t something given, it’s something that is made. And then, I looked more closely. I saw the everyday, made lovely by warm and caring hands. A bit of lace hung tastefully over a window. A mason jar, filled with fresh flowers. A porch, swept clean and pleasantly arranged. Little girls wearing dresses with matching pinafores; bright, clean faces and braided hair. This beautiful life I saw in pictures was the work of loving hands, carefully tending the blessings of God. And suddenly I realized that this life is meant for me, as well. I, too, can choose to tend what God has given me, and create beauty out of the ordinary. I can choose to stop waiting for the perfect life to somehow find me, and begin to live it now. What do I want my “perfect life” to look like? I want to live somewhere beautiful. I can make my home more beautiful. I want to live in a larger house. I can make better use of my space. I want my children to have beautiful clothes. I can learn to make them. I want my family to eat nutritious, healthy meals. I can learn to cook them. I want to have livestock and a large garden. I can start a small garden, and tend to my chickens. I want to be close to my husband and children. I can draw closer to them. I want my children to enjoy being with me. I can enjoy being with my children. I want my children to love God. I can display God’s love toward them. I can live the way I want to live, and choose my path in life. And so tomorrow I will find a way to add beauty to my home. I will ask a friend to teach me how to sew. I will find a new recipe. I will play with my children. I will serve my husband willingly and cheerfully. And I will thank God for the life I am living – my perfect, blessed life.} Isn't that SO GOOD?? I Love it!! I know that the beauty within our heart and lives is so much More than physical things... but as a woman who desires to "feather her nest"... the little things (like a crochet doily) can bring such a simple pleasure! And I'm Thankful for those 'little things'... even if they are frivolous!! ;) I still love the beauty in a sunset... but I also love the beauty in a candle put in just the 'right spot' and lit :) Beauty comes in different forms... and I hope to appreciate them all (remember my blog "Beauty is in the eye of the Beholder" ?) And, so, I am on my way to (again) choosing my path in life... by choosing to tend to what YHWH has already given me... by choosing to find a way to create beauty out of the ordinary... and by choosing to stop waiting for the 'perfect' life to somehow find me--and start living the 'perfect' life YHWH has already given me NOW :) *Some pictures of Creating MY Beautiful life...  I "fixed up" the small space on my little front porch... all with things given to me and stored in my garage! *No money needed*  A little closer view... and, by the way, *I* painted my front door red :) I always wanted a red door!! (don't know why) :) And I have to say, I do love it!!  A birdhouse shutter...  GOTTA have a quilt somewhere!! This quilted pillow sham (that I've had for YEARS) did just the trick! ;)  The little house says "Enter with a happy Heart"... and I do! ;)  I eventually plan to re-paint this little house, and put "the Coates" on it...  HAVE to see my little birdnest... I LOVE birdnests, I have about four REAL ones :)  Inside my little chest... I really like the little Mother Rabbit, she reminds me of the Beatrix Potter stories.  One last bird house...  And...just thought you might want to see a picture of the little table I moved to my bedroom two years ago (the only "my" space I had at the time-- and wasn't even really mine). It now stands in my living room... don't know how well you can see it, sorry. *A JOYful Thought* "But godliness WITH CONTENTMENT is GREAT GAIN" :) 1 Timothy 6:6 "Let your conversation be without covetness; and BE CONTENT with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Hebrews 13:5 My "Soul Mate"...or not? 06/18/2011
There is a blog post I read several weeks ago that has stayed on my mind...and I asked my friend if she would mind if I posted it here on my blog...it was just so beautiful to me. She speaks of a genuine love for her husband-- beyond all the 'fantasy' of 'romanticism' that we all tend to dream of, hope for, and sometimes EXPECT from our husband and in our marriage. Truly, "LOVE" goes BEYOND affection, attraction, and the emotional and physical traits that iniatally bring two together. LOVE is commitment. LOVE is devotion, loyality, and trust. LOVE is honesty and selflessness...the list goes on and on...unending in its service to the one that is 'loved'; and in marriage, LOVE is the life shared together--growing and learning--and STAYING...Being there...and LOVE is memories <3 When we embrace the REALITY of genuine LOVE and LIFE and RELATIONSHIPS, we find we are far Less Discontented. When we cherish the time and the people and the circumstances we've been given on this side of eternity, we can enjoy the richness and the fullness and the beauty of our existance :) Here is my friend's blog: (from Into Still Waters) I Didn’t Marry My Soul Mate February 8, 2010 by Rina I didn’t marry a man who likes what I like. I didn’t marry a man who wants what I want. I didn’t marry a romantic man or a rich man, or a man who loves to cuddle. I didn’t marry a man who meets all of my needs, understands me completely, or can finish my sentences. I didn’t marry my soul mate. I married a man who has been with me for almost ten years. I married a man who has laughed with me, cried with me and held my hand through the birth of five children and the death of another. I married a man who doesn’t understand me, but is willing to listen. I married a man who has seen me at my worst, and loved me anyway. I married the father of my children. I didn’t marry my soul mate. I married the only man who knows my children the way that I know them. I married the only man who remembers me as a blushing bride and a first time mother. I married the only man who saw my tumble off our marital bed and still laughs about it. I married the only man who knows which pillow is my favorite and which side of the bed I like to sleep on. I married the only man who can look at my children with the love of a parent who sees himself in their eyes. I didn’t marry my soul mate. A few moments ago, my youngest son came to me, holding a picture from our wedding day. In it, my husband and I are kissing. My son smiled up at me and said “That’s Mommy and Daddy!” What a beautiful thing, for a child to hold his parents, together. In a picture, and in life. I didn’t marry my soul mate. I married my husband. And somehow, that’s enough. I wish I could write such a 'tribute' to My husband :) But, that's what our LOVE is...18 years of living and loving and sharing...the birth of 4 children (the loss of 1)--ups and downs; good times and bad times; easy times and hard times; times of grand celebration and times of great devastation--all shared together in one beautiful strong LOVE... *A JOYful Thought* LOVE is...YHWH, therefore is eternal :) We have been given the ability to experience the GREAT ETERNAL YHWH in a way that no other part of His living creation is able...and we are able to share it together--Now--and ETERNALLY <3 What a gift! What a JOYful thought! :) "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder..." 05/26/2011
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder"...I'd been thinking about this statement for a week or two, and then I was faced with a "real-life" situation that caused me to further contemplate the true meaning of this well-known saying (or what the truth is, "to me")...It, actually, is full of a liberating truth--but am I willing to be free? It seems I must have a deep rooted tendency to judge, be critical, and just plain refuse to (inwardly) accept those opposed to what 'I' deem as righteous and pleasing to GOD... leaving little room for "where" they may be on their journey... leaving little room for "what" may be locked within their heart... leaving very little room for YaHWeH to reveal Himself through me (to others)--- or TO ME (by others). Hmmm... I read a BEAUTIFUL blog about a wonderful family this person had met and spent some time with. A family that expressed such love toward one another that it seemed to just pour out on those surrounding them. A family that showed such love, respect, and honor toward one another that it felt like an honor to know them. A family that carried an air of love and integrity. Wouldn't we all want to be looked upon as that type of family? I know I would want those qualities to be portrayed from my family. But here's the [embarressing] "catch"... when I SAW the family... well, it surprised me! WHY?? Because they didn't LOOK like the kind of family those things would be said about. They didn't LOOK like the description that was given them. They didn't?? They didn't, to WHOM? They didn't... to ME. I could only see their 'outsides'... which 'certainly didn't meet with MY standards of respectable, loving, honorable human beings'. UGH!! HOW SICKENING of me!!! YaHWeH sees the beauty that lies within... YaHWeH sees with eyes of love and compassion... YaHWeH receives the heart of man, without prejudice. Now, read within the context of my point... I DO believe YaHWeH DOES have a standard for us to live by... but that is HIS buisness and HE is the Judge. I do NOT believe we should condone or take part in sin... but this is NOT what I'm talking about here. What I'm saying is that I, for one, have been guilty of pre-judging and withdrawing myself from those that seem to be "too worldly" or "too 'whatever' "... and I can clearly see that it is NOT right. It is NOT the example that YAHshua lived or taught... and my heart is to follow the heart of YaHWeH and His Son... so there is no room for me to not give my all. Relationships and people are what matter... and I want to live fully unto my Father <3 :) So, I guess what I feel like YaHWeH is showing me is the true beauty that lies within... the beauty that HIS eyes behold... and the beauty that He desires to share with me-- through others. I'm very thankful that YaHWeH is so patient and kind with me, leading me out of my 'comfort zone' and opening my eyes to the error of my ways. It's never easy and it's never comfortable... but it's always the best way!! :) *A Joyful thought* "Beauty is in the eye of the Beholder (YHWH)" :) "He hath made every thing beautful in His time..." Ecc. 3:11 "Lord, teach us to pray..." 05/14/2011
Luke 11:1 records that, at some point, one of the disciples said unto YAHshua, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples." Then we see the well known 'model prayer'... but the words "Lord, teach us to pray" are the words that have stuck out in my mind for the past several days. Let me explain "Why". I don't think it would be appropriate to tell all the details, but let me just say that I have come in contact with a VERY RUDE person that has behaved VERY OBNOXIOUSLY toward me-- for NO reason that I can think of AT ALL. Well, I have been 'dealing' with this person's behavior for quite some time now, and not only with the past extreme rudeness and hatefulness...but also with some very 'odd' and 'strange' behavior that I just can't understand. This person is diffintely like NOone I have ever met before.... I have mostly tried to maintain as LITTLE contact with this person as possible--to avoid ANY cause for conflict or misunderstanding of ANY kind. I have been 'cordial' and 'polite' and have tried to be as pleasant as possible WITHOUT pursuing any personal connection. I realize, NOW, that I have basically been trying to "protect" myself. I am a "Peace Maker" at heart... I despise and avoid conflict, confrontation, or any disagreeance that causes uncomfortableness or offence (I'm a coward!)... and that's HARD when there arises certain circumstances that DO require "a backbone" in the ways of YaHWeH. I've had to rely HEAVILY on His grace and Spirit at times, for that very reason. However, left to my own, I "run the other way" rather than face contention. This particular person has been showing small kindnesses toward me and my family, though... and I have smiled and given the appropriate 'thank yous'-- all the while maintaining my distance. I, truly, have not been intending to be hypocritical... I simply have not been able to bring myself to TRUST this individual. I honestly don't feel that I have a 'grudge' against this person. I have checked my heart and emotions often in this matter... I don't feel I have unforgiveness or anger or "revenge" or ANY such things; I simply have mis-trust. Well, reasoned I, the LORD has not commanded that I TRUST everyone... so I must be "OKAY". After all, reasoned I, you fear the fire after you've been burned! Right? I'm simply using "wisdom" (It certainly sounded "spiritually mature" to me!). But my Father is righteous and genuinely wise, and will not leave me in error. He is the perfect Father that Teaches His children what IS right, and doesn't leave us to our own opinions. I Am thankful, but it's NOT easy! It's hard and it's humbling sometimes-- yet, it is very sweet :) My Daddy is so very sweet! :) So, you may be wondering, How did He do this? What happened? Well, once again, I feel I should withold the specific details-- but this person did something VERY helpful to me. It was a VERY generous and kind act that was totally unexpected! They certainly didn't 'have' to do it! They just did--and I'm not even sure if they realized what it meant to me, but they just offered something- with no strings attatched- and went on their way... leaving me to ponder... and, without even realizing what I was doing at first, I just HAD to say, " Lord, BLESS that person... for they are truly a better person than me!" And they are! As far as I know, they are NOT a 'Christian'... nor 'live for God' in any way... yet; comparing "us"-- THEY have done more righteously than I. That's when I realized this lesson... I had just earnestly Prayed for "my enemy" (so to speak). I had genuinely prayed for this person that had opposed me and hurt me and caused me to be weary. The LORD had "taught" me to pray! It's not enough to just forgive... we Must pray. Will this person ever come to the Messiah if I pray? I don't know, but I DO know that He instructs that we forgive--and He instructs that we pray. I may earnestly forgive, but I must also earnestly pray. So, now... "LORD, teach ME to pray." And He is! * A joyful thought: "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth the rain on the just and on the unjust." Matthew 5:44-45 :) Peace in the storm... 05/06/2011
It seems that everyone notices the "spiritual side" of our exsistance a lot more in times of adversity, calamity, and devestation... and even more so when it's on a grand scale (community, state, or nation wide). We 'know' what the Scripture foretells, but we fail to really grasp it "as truth" until something shakes us; or is it that we don't think it's within OUR lifetime... until something makes us consider "the signs of the times"? With all the earthquakes, hurricanes, and tornadoes in recent months, it does give one reason to wonder... with the talk of the death of Bin Laden, the Wars, and the "gas prices"/oil crisis, it does give one reason to wonder... when things occur like the pipe that burst in the ocean and no one knew 'if' or 'when' it would be able to be fixed, it does give one reason to wonder... BUT WHY DO WE WONDER?? Has our Messiah not forwarned us of these devestating circumstances that plague our world? Do we not realize we are NOT in His PERFECT DAY (yet)? Whether we are in the "last days", the "last of the last days", or the "very last day"... it makes no difference. Our Messiah told us what to do with our life until He returns... and worrying ourselves to death, spreading the fear and hopelessness, is NOT what He gave us to do. I may sound a bit critical and harsh, but that is not my intent. The printed page does not give justice to the heart it is written in. My intent is to draw us back to what our focus should be on, not on the devestation that may surround us. We are not as those who have no hope, and we have His promise of a greater day! :) In the midst of our hard times, we have His grace, strength, and comfort... we have His peace. I read something several years ago that YaHWeH used to really impact my "way of thinking". It was in a "Homeschool" book written by Robin Sampson. She explained the differences between the way the Hebrews thought (and lived), and the way the Greeks thought (and lived)--in total opposition to one another. I want to share with you one of her examples: " A quick example of the differences between Greek and Hebrew thought is the word peace. In Greek thought peace is a lack of confusion or commotion, or lack of war. In Hebrew thought, shaloam or peace is wholeness or completeness. Notice that in the Greek way of thinking, peace is what remains when there is an absence of something, but in the Hebrew, peace is the presence of something. When a person is fully submitted to God he is at peace." -The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach by Robin Sampson pg.120 I realized my thinking on most Everything was GREEK!! It is our culture, it is our lifestyle... and without even realizing it, it forms our mindset---and it's in total opposition of our Elohim/GOD. Peace is not the absence of anything... it is the Prensence of 'something' / of someONE... the presence of the Messiah! He IS the Prince of peace, and He promised to leave His disciples HIS peace: not as the 'world' gives--but as HE gives!! THAT is worth keeping our attention and focus on! THAT is worth counting on! Shaloam Peace... As I was recently sharing with a friend, I heard someone teach about 13-15 years ago on Psalm 37. In verses 1, 7-8 David said "fret not thyself" three times. The lady gave a picture of a nice beautiful calm lake... how on a bright sunny day, you can see a very clear reflection of the sky, clouds, trees, and everything that is surrounding the lake. But when you take a rock and "skip" it across the water, you "fret" the water... and the picture then becomes distorted. It is no longer a clear view or reflection of what is surrounding the lake. The same with us, when WE begin to FRET ourselves... our vision becomes distorted and we cannot clearly see the truth. We need not "fret ourselves" when trouble comes... we need only to focus on the truth... and Keep Going :) May you find great comfort, joy, and strength as you live with Peace in Messiah! *A Joyful Thought: "PEACE I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27 Differences 04/06/2011
As I think about the different people that exsist around me, and the different cultures around the world (and diversity that exsists even within the different cultures)-- it's mind-boggeling! I could never even begin to count all the various types of cultures around the world! Isn't it a beautiful picture of the diversity of our Creator? He not only created trees and flowers-- He created a variety of different kinds of trees and flowers :) There are different kinds of animals, differences within the ocean ( the Pacific different than the Atlantic, the Atlantic different than the Indian, etc.--although, looking at a globe, you can see it's all one connected piece of water). He made a difference in the seasons and even in the stars.All the way down to dirt and grass, you can find a variety of different kinds. Everything He created, He created a variety within. BEAUTIFUL! How amazing is His creation! 'And it is good'... when our Creator looked at all He had created, He must have been pleased, because the Scripture tells us "And GOD saw every thing that He had made, and, behold, it was very good..." (Gen.1:31). Now most of us would think of ourselves as being pretty accepting of the differences surrounding us. And maybe some of us are... but do we realize the depth of that acceptance? Yes, we can accept someone of a "different gender" or of a "different nationality"... maybe even a "different denomination"... some may even go so far as to accept someone of a "different religion". We all have a different degree of acceptance, a different measuring stick that we use to 'judge' others, so we can accurately put them in the "appropriate group" [or box] that we deem as "right". And within 'the body' of our Messiah... we tend to judge even more harshly than we do without; not embracing the call to "love the brethren", but to cast out every one that is different than us. The body of our Messiah is made up of so many DIFFERENT kinds of people: different personalities, different gifts and talents, different opinions, different interests, different 'ways of looking at things' , and the list goes on... If we could see these differences 'as good', if we could see these differences as another variety of YHWH's creation-- then maybe we could more easily embrace the brethren in genuine love and acceptance, and release the brightness of the light of our Messiah into the world... what a glory to our Father and His Son! The words to a song I have posted on my "Journey" page come to mind (all the words are worth listening to, but I will use the second verse), it says: "When we have loosened all the heavy chains that bind us, When we can leave behind the hatred and the strife, When we rejoice in all the differences among us... Then we shall truly know the beauty of this life" ('One Beautiful Day' ~ Front Range) *May we truly know the beauty of this life! *A Joyful Thought~ "For the body is not one member, but many... But now hath GOD set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased Him." 1 Corinthians 12:14,18 :) | *A JOYful Thought!* Speaking...
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