Monthly Archives: April 2012

Community

Laughing girl

Laughing girl (Photo credit: @Doug88888)

thegypsymama

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Please visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments.

OK, are you ready? Give me your best five minutes on:  Community

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I want it. I need it. I gotta have it!  Community.

When I moved states with my family, I left my girlfriends behind….and I miss them.

I’ve made new friends in my new home.  I’m grateful for the relationships.

Walking together, just talking. Going out to eat at a local place. Spending time at church socials.

I am thankful for their smiles, and wisdom along with their gripes and complaints.

It’s all about life.

Whether one is 14 , 40, or 84, friends are important.

Community is essential.

God didn’t make us to be alone.

Community is a gift.

 

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Jesus In The Gospels

I often wonder what it would have been like to know Jesus while He was here…in this place. Walking this earth. Living among us. I think that once I knew that Jesus was, who He claimed to be…God….that I would have bombarded Him with questions. (Jesus is patient, right?)

Passion of Christ at Ginosa (TA) (Italy)

What is heaven like? What did it feel like to be at creation? Please explain The Trinity. How many stars are there? What were you thinking when you made the platypus? How did you make such beautiful colors in a sunset? Physics, and biology, and gifting people with words and colors……and Jesus…..um…….what I really want to ask……what I really want to know……Why do you love me so? Why are you willing to die for me?

Honestly, I’m glad I live in this current period of time but, it would have been wonderful to see Jesus face to face. I know that some day I will. I will stand before Him, and all my questions will have answers. It will all make sense. I, right now, can only see a dim image but, one day I will “get it”.

Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. I Corinthians 13:12 NIV

I’ve had people ask me, “How can I know Jesus?”  I point them to the gospel books. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. These are the written accounts of Jesus’ life on this earth. His words, His actions…that tell the story. Listen to what He says.

“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” Luke 2:49  NIV (Jesus at age 12,  in the temple, when his parents were looking for Him.)

“Away with you, Satan!” replied Jesus, “the scripture says, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only you shall serve’.” Matthew 4:10

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” Matthew 5:17-18 NIV

After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God.  “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1: 14-15 NIV

Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” Mark 1:38 NIV

“But what about you?” he (Jesus) asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”  Mark 8:29 NIV

“Why must you argue like this in your minds? Which do you suppose is easier – to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But to make you realize that the Son of Man has full authority on earth to forgive sins – I tell you,” he said to the man who was paralyzed, “get up, pick up your bed and go home!” Luke 5: 23-24

And He was saying to them, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” Luke 6:5 NIV

“And what is the point of calling me, ‘Lord, Lord’, without doing what I tell you to do?” Luke 6:46

Then he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Luke 7:48

But Jesus said, “Somebody touched me, for I felt the power went out from me.” Luke 8:46

The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” John 1:35-36 NIV

“Is that your concern, or mine?” replied Jesus. “My time has not come yet.”  John 2:4 (Jesus before performing the miracle at the Cana wedding)

After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days. And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise. John 2: 12-16 KJV

“Believe me,” returned Jesus, “a man cannot even see the kingdom of God without being born again.” John 3:3

“I am Christ speaking to you now,” said Jesus. John 4:6

I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the very work that the Father has given me to finish, and which I am doing, testifies that the Father has sent me. John 5:36  NIV

“The work of God for you,” replied Jesus, “is to believe in the one whom he has sent to you.” John 6:29

Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out, “Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. I am not here on my own authority, but he who sent me is true. You do not know him, but I know him because I am from him and he sent me.” John 7:28-29  NIV

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 NIV

Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me,  but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.  My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.  My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” John 10: 25-30 NIV

“I myself am the resurrection and the life,” Jesus told her. “The man who believes in me will live even though he dies, and anyone who is alive and believes in me will never die at all. Can you believe that?” John 11: 25-26

On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. John 14:20 NIV

JESUS —- Name above all names.

MESSIAH. LORD OF ALL.




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Stoning

Stones

Last Saturday I attended a women’s conference. One of the speakers talked about throwing stones, as she carried a large rock onto the stage with her.  It was not the kind of rock one skips across a lake, but one that is thrown at others.

Her illustration made me think.

What a horrible way to die. Slowly. Each blow from a rock, leading to bruising. Breaking. Pain. Until mercifully, it was over. In times past, and still in some countries today, stoning is for those that have broken the law. Committed an unpardonable sin. Those that throw the stones are sure that they are right. That they are above this sin. That punishment is due.

And, the stones are heavy and cold in their hands.

As I listened to the woman speaking, I was reminded of something.

I have been like that woman. The lost. The sinful. The one who made mistakes. My wrongs were not always known to others, but, still there….marking me….as the one that was (and is) covered in the grime of sin.

And, I also must admit that I’ve picked up the stones. I have been the one holding the rocks, to bash them against another. To break them. Holding on to the belief that they deserve what they get.

And the tears fell.

Aren’t the ones casting the stones just as needing of forgiveness, as the one who cowers in the midst of the the angry circle?

We have all sinned, and we are all helpless to save ourselves………

that is where His grace comes in. Amazing grace.

1 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

   9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”  John 8  NIV

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For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God… Romans 3:23  NIV

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 NIV

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Sanctuary

Sanctuary

Sanctuary (Photo credit: Lawrence OP)

“Lord prepare me, to be a sanctuary

Pure and holy, tried and true

With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living

Sanctuary for You.”

(I’m not sure who wrote this little chorus……I think Randy Scruggs and John Thompson?)

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Be a living sanctuary. Consecrated. Set apart.

For Him.

God deserves my thanksgiving.

With each utterance of thanks, each writing of the gratefulness, each acknowledgement of His gifts…

there is worship.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.  Psalm 100:4 NIV

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Today I am thankful for:

* listening to sweet music

* looking up to see the dog looking back at me

* my husband telling me he loves me

* hugs from my sons

* early morning sunshine

* the flag flapping in the wind

* looking at old pictures…and remembering

* the chance to make a difference

* God, who extends His grace

* filling my eucharisteo journal…more and more

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Together Is A Good Place To Be

A man and a woman holding hands with fingers i...


thegypsymama

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Please visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments.

OK, are you ready? Give me your best five minutes on:  Together

********************************************

Together is a good place to be….

My husband and I were both widowed in our 30’s.  We lived in different states during our first marriages. Our kids didn’t go to school together. We didn’t even know the others existed. Each living our own lives, oblivious to what was going to happen. How life would change for us all.

Death entered. The door on the future seemed to slam shut. The room was quiet. So quiet.

Weeks to months, months to years.

The realization of new life, after death, slowly emerges.

Two people meet. Two families come together.

God is in the union.

Though one may be overpowered,
   two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.  Ecclesiastes 4:12  NIV

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Being Still

I think I might go outside for a walk this afternoon, around the yard and down the dusty road, finding the quiet place…where I can slow down.

I crave quiet. The chance to think. An opportunity to evaluate.      

Are you anything like me? This world we live in, pulls at me. I am tugged by the minutes and hours. Chores to do, lessons to check, a blog to write, mail to read, a house to clean, a family life to participate in, problems to solve. The days start early and end late….and I get tired. So very tired and… soul weary.

How many times do I attempt to squeeze in my thanks, my prayer, my walk with God. The One who deserves my time most, and yet I find myself rushing through the day…out of breath, out of sorts, and out of relationship.

Being still is in order.

Slowing down with purpose.

Seeing my life for what it really is… not a sprint, where I am constantly out of breath and out of my mind. It should be, needs to be, more of a leisurely stroll,  stopping to appreciate all there is…

because of all HE is.

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
   I will be exalted among the nations,
   I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10  NIV

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Congratulations to the winner of my Day Spring mirror give away! (April 11)  Check out her blog at journey bits.

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I Know I’ll Be Home

Today, at A Holy Experience, we are discussing resurrection.

Resurrection. A powerful word. I spoke about it a lot in the weeks leading up to Easter. I understand that resurrection. Jesus, alive, no longer in the tomb! This morning I looked up the word, and I came across these definitions:  resurgence, revival.

Casais Estacios Pillows

I looked at the word, revival. How am I part of that word? What kinds of things can I do, to be revived? I’ll be honest. There are a lot of times that I know I need some revival. Life can be dry. Withered. Needing refreshment.

Lately, I’ve been thinking about Heaven. I used to think about it a lot after my first husband died. Heaven became not just a place, but a destination. The end of a journey. Home.  No, I was not anxious to see Heaven, in the sense that I wanted to die….but, I believe it is natural to think about when you lose someone you love.

Presently, I’ve been thinking on these verses, found in the book of John.

 1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4You know the way to the place where I am going.”

 5Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”  John, Chapter 14  NIV

Because He lives, and because I know the truth of John 14:6, I will live too.

I think on Christ’s words.  Don’t be troubled. I’ve gone ahead. I’m preparing a place for you. You will be with me.

Heaven is real.

And this is how my mind works……. I think on the words,”preparing a place”. I know that I try to prepare if people are coming to visit. Fresh sheets on the bed, cleaning the house, special meals prepared….. I want the visitors to feel at home. I think about what Jesus meant when he said he was preparing a place. I know there are Biblical scholars, much more intelligent than I, that probably could speak to this, but even they don’t know for sure. Not really.

I know my family members. I know what their favorite meals consist of, I know the shows they like to watch, the style of clothes they wear, what decorating style they are drawn to, even what flavor of toothpaste they prefer. I know what makes home, home for them.  As Christ’s child, His redeemed, He knows me intimately. He is preparing a place just for me, and if you are also His child, then He is preparing a place just for you, too. A place where you will feel revived, new, and wanted.

I laugh to myself. For as long as I can remember, when shopping, I’ve always wanted to touch everything. The silkiness of the drapes, the plush feel of the couch pillows, the softness of the sheets. The warmth of a fuzzy blanket. God made me very aesthetic. I am drawn to detail and how things make me feel.  When I take pictures of sunsets, the sky ablaze with vibrant color, I feel peace. When I sit on my front porch on a lazy summer afternoon, watching the llamas across the road, I feel content. When I hear the crunch of the gravels on the driveway…I know I’m home.

Don’t I know, in my spirit, that Jesus will have my place prepared? He knows me. And won’t my spirit be revived as I enter my new home? Seeing Him, who makes all things new.

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Inspiration Board

Above my desk I have a bulletin board. The board is filled with pictures pulled out of magazines, things that I found interesting, or beautiful, or both. Quotes written down. Swatches of fabric. Favorite recipes. I call it my inspiration board. If someone “read” my board, they’d get to know me

a little bit better.

 

Words. That have meaning…

Best chocolate chip cookies I've made in decades.

Pictures that create a story.

 

The story of a life.

 

How many times do we intentionally think about our life’s story? When others look at us, what do they see? What would we like for them to see? What will our legacy be? Do we live in the moment, enough? Heart full of love or longing? Grateful or grating? Hopeful or hopeless? Thanking or thankless?

 

While we should not live our lives for the opinions of others, we should be aware of the impact that we have on those around us. It matters not whether your domain is a house full of children, or managing CEO of a fortune 500 company. Warm chocolate chip cookies can taste just as scrumptious as any Parisian fare. Trips to the Grand Canyon, or trips around the world. A helping hand, a quiet smile, changing diapers, or changing an attitude. Our circles of influence are unique to us.

 

We all have a life to share. I think of my life, much like my favorite books. Some of the pages are dog -earred, favorite lines are highlighted, sometimes there is a note in the front pages from the giver of the book, maybe some smudges from fingers that were….um…snacking while reading, the cover may be a little wrinkled and frayed because of being well loved and the binding might get worn from opening up so much…..but, that is alright. A well read book is usually valuable for what it has on the inside.

 

What does your story reveal?

 

What will be in your next chapter?

 

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Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever… Psalm 23:6  NIV

 

 

 

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Magical Memories

Dusk in the Smokies

That November evening was clear and cool. Early darkness had settled in, as happens on the cusp of winter.  The park, nestled in the Smoky Mountains, was lit, seemingly just for us. Very few people were there that night. The trees twinkled with Christmas lights, music filled the air, the sweet taste of warm chocolate chip cookies and steaming cups of hot chocolate felt good to both the body and soul.

My aunt was visiting, and she, along with my mother and six year old son, made my evening complete. Every light, every sound was just for us….the beauty was ours to savor.

The previous year had been a struggle, learning how to live as a widow…my new role in life….but, that night…..was different.

That evening was a special celebration–a time to enjoy. That evening God granted me time to delight, to feel, to really see and just be in the moment. I still hold that special time close to my heart, over a decade later.

Memories are something I am thankful for.

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This day I am thankful for:

* good memories that continue to make me smile

* hard memories that I learned something from

* the opportunity for second chances

* eggs for breakfast

* the opportunity to go to Finders Keepers one more time before the stored closed

* pets, I love my animals so much!

* old friendships renewed

* painting word pictures

* lunch out with my husband

* chores completed

* my head on a soft pillow

* new objects to decorate with

* warm sunshine

* things I look forward to

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