A Word (Or Several) For the New Year
For
the past few early-Januarys I have asked God to give me a word or phrase to lend context to the upcoming year, something simple and easy to remember, that I can go back to
as sort of a North Star.
My
word for 2012 was HOPE. God provided
opportunities to increase hope, seek hope, cling to hope, encourage hope, and
draw close to The Hope We Profess.
This year my word is STEADY. My first thought
about it was that 2013 is going to be a roller coaster ride! I looked for a verse and the one I was drawn to was Isaiah 35:3, Strengthen the feeble hands, STEADY the knees that give way. I get
the feeling that this will not be an insignificant year.
Then
there is the word for the Daily Audio Bible community, of which I am a part.
That word is RHYTHM. As a drummer
and dancer, I definitely identify, and a STEADY RHYTHM makes my heart soar.
A few more came along when, inspired by my friend Corky, I choose three words as my goals (NOT
resolutions) for this new year. After
prayer and contemplation, those words are FINISH (my screenplay), PUBLISH (a bit of my writing) and PURGE (my house, maybe even following Flylady
guidelines of working 15 minutes a day).
Using
those goals and themes, maybe if I STEADilY seek and work, with God’s Grace and
Blessing, I will find my RHYTHM.
And
I do know that, whether this year is a roller coaster ride or a smooth drum roll, God
is with me, in me, next to me, ahead of me and behind me. I will rely on His strength for my feeble
hands and His love to steady my steps.
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Thursday, January 17, 2013
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The Power of Words
What's Your Name?
I’ve often thought of how much fun it must have been for Adam to name the animals. Today’s version of that fun, for me, would be naming nail polish colors. God loves to give new names to people. Abram and Sarai became Abraham and Sarah. Jacob became Israel. Simon became Peter. Saul became Paul. In Heaven we will receive a new name.
God has many names – The Word, Alpha and Omega, Bright and Morning Star, I Am.
Each new stage of my life has brought me a new name – Daughter, Sister, Friend, Wife, Mother and Writer are a very few examples.
Some of our names are true – Child of God, Friend of God, Beloved.
Some of our names are lies – Stupid, Ugly, Useless, Screw-up.
There is great power given when a name is bestowed, or one is bestowed upon us.
What names have you been given? Which are true?
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Thursday, May 26, 2011
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The Power of Words
Issue an Invitation
Something about the Road to Emmaus story (Luke 24) has always bothered me. Jesus is (anonymously) teaching a couple of His disciples while they travel. As they all approach Emmaus He continues walking.
Why would He go on? Didn’t He want to stay? Why wouldn’t Jesus continue accompanying His people?
I believe it was simply because they hadn’t asked Him to stay. Once they spoke up He joined them, but He wasn’t going to presume. He wasn’t going to force Himself on them. He would not circumvent their free will. As The Ultimate Gentleman, He waits to be invited.I know He is always with me on my road, but truthfully, how often have I neglected to invite Him into my circumstance and then blamed Him for not showing up? I’ve left Him no choice but to continue on.
He’s only waiting to be invited. ASK and you will receive. (Matthew 7:7 CEV)
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Wednesday, May 25, 2011
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The Power of Words
Stop, Look and Listen
Where can we turn when words are not enough? When, like John the Baptist, we wonder, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” (Luke 7:20 NIV)
Jesus’ reply was, “Report to John what you have seen and heard.” (John 7:22)
“Don’t take My word for it,” He says. “Search and discover for yourself. Make up your own mind about Me.” Jesus acknowledged that even His actions speak louder than words.
Where can we go to look and listen? How about the wonder and beauty of nature: The Heavens declare the glory of God (Psalm 19:1). Keep a gratitude journal: Every good and perfect gift is from above. (James 1:17)What? You STILL need some help? Well then, if you don’t have your own God Showed Up story, borrow someone else’s.
Remember all the ways God has worked in your life.
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Tuesday, May 24, 2011
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The Power of Words
Cleaning the Filter
I’ve said I need a filter over my mouth. Truthfully, though, it wouldn’t help much. Why?People speak the things that are in their hearts. (Luke 6:45 NCV)
As a man thinks in his heart, so he is. (Proverbs 23:7 KJV)
We must be careful what we allow into our hearts and minds. (Yep, Captain Obvious strikes again.)
However, not everything in our hearts and minds originates with us. The Enemy loves to fill our minds with his lies and convince our hearts they are true. Don’t believe everything you think or feel.
Two filters I (imperfectly) use are Philippians 4:8, (whatever is true… noble… right… pure… lovely… admirable… excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things.) and Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) (Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life).
It is easier to filter what goes in than what comes out.
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Monday, May 23, 2011
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The Power of Words
Why the Spoken Word?
What is it about the spoken word that is so powerful? “The Word became flesh.” (John 1:14) Why the Word? Why not The Thought? “If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9) Why can’t we simply believe?
Why must we also confess?
Why must we also confess?
Why must we say it out loud?
Maybe it’s because “God… breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” (Genesis 2:7). When we speak, we breathe. Life-breath enters the world through our words.
The Word LIVES in us. “In Him (The Word) was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. (John 1:4)
Words can be light and life or destruction and death. “The tongue has the power of death and life.” (Proverbs 18:21)
Speak powerful, life-giving words.
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Sunday, May 22, 2011
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