I had an interesting dream last night.
I was driving along a highway when all of a sudden a "entering construction zone" sign was on the side of the road. I slowed down to what felt like barely moving. The road had many lanes and only a few drivers on it. We all traveled at this agonizingly slow pace. There were no road crew workers, no other signs, and no orange cones. It looked like a normal road with no construction in sight for miles, but we were stuck traveling along like we were driving Flintstones cars.
Another driver, was right next to me, and she was getting very frustrated. She told me she was getting annoyed going so slow and wanted to sped up. I told her that I wasn't sure that was a good idea. She was just about to sped up when we saw smoke up ahead. Going so slowly it took us awhile to drive to the scene of the smoke. We were stopped on a bridge and looked down to the road below us. A car was upside-down and was no longer on fire.
There were people around the car, firemen, tow truck workers, and by-standers. They were talking about the driver of the car and it seemed others like him. They were saying that they wished that people in the construction zone would travel the right speed and not try to rush through the construction zone. They said this always happened when someone thought that because the road was clear they could just rush through it.
I woke up then and thought it was a strange dream. It wasn't long before I heard God speak to me. He told me that the dream was like life. We drive along our road of life and run into these times when it feels like we are barely moving.We feel stuck, frustrated, and try to figure out how to get moving quicker. We think if I just do this or just do that then we can get going faster. Some succeed in speeding the construct phase up, but end up crashing. But regardless of how clear the road appears God has a purpose and a plan for the construction phases of our lives.
So if you are in a construction zone phase of your life remember that you need to go at the pace God has set, even if it feels extremely slow. We have all been there, are there, or will be there soon, so let's encourage each other as we travel in the zone.
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Exposing the Lies
Sometimes I get something from God and have to keep it just for me. Sometimes I get something from God and I know I have to share immediately. Then times like now, when God gives me something and I have to wait to share it.
A few months ago I felt led to pray for Truth to be revealed. It wasn't long before things started happening, ugly things and I felt overwhelmed by them. I went to God and said, "Lord, I asked You to reveal Truth. What is happening?"
His response, "I have to expose the lies in order to reveal the Truth."
It seems like a no-brainer now, but at the time it was a very enlightening statement. Today I had a conversation and shared what God had told me. I went all these months with this truth and not feeling that I was supposed to share, and today it was obvious that it was the moment to share it.
I have to admit some of the ugly things, the lies and such had taken a backseat. I actually thought that maybe they had been dealt with. I still prayed for Truth, but it I wasn't getting resistance. What I didn't realize was that it was festering under the surface. It seems it is poised to rear it's ugly head again.
I feel a bit apprehensive about it. I feel like a serious battle is about to be unleashed. That is a little daunting! I feel a little bit like a warrior about to go into battle. I felt like I was the only one standing up before, but now I know that I am not. Together with others I will continue to stand, pray, and fight for Truth.
A few months ago I felt led to pray for Truth to be revealed. It wasn't long before things started happening, ugly things and I felt overwhelmed by them. I went to God and said, "Lord, I asked You to reveal Truth. What is happening?"
His response, "I have to expose the lies in order to reveal the Truth."
It seems like a no-brainer now, but at the time it was a very enlightening statement. Today I had a conversation and shared what God had told me. I went all these months with this truth and not feeling that I was supposed to share, and today it was obvious that it was the moment to share it.
I have to admit some of the ugly things, the lies and such had taken a backseat. I actually thought that maybe they had been dealt with. I still prayed for Truth, but it I wasn't getting resistance. What I didn't realize was that it was festering under the surface. It seems it is poised to rear it's ugly head again.
I feel a bit apprehensive about it. I feel like a serious battle is about to be unleashed. That is a little daunting! I feel a little bit like a warrior about to go into battle. I felt like I was the only one standing up before, but now I know that I am not. Together with others I will continue to stand, pray, and fight for Truth.
www.viralnovelty.net
Saturday, February 7, 2015
The Big Cat Is Ready To Kill
Through tears I write this post. It is minutes before 3:00 am, but I knew I needed to write this. I cry for a few reasons.
I just woke up from a dream. In this dream I wanted to give someone a gift. I looked and looked for something special, but had such a hard time finding the right thing. I finally found a small trinket, actually a carved, wooden acorn. I purchased it for her and then I saw the cat. He was a big cat, not a big house cat, but a big cat. He looked so sad and I thought, "I'll rescue him." So I bought him.
A man placed him in the back of my car where my dog and one of my cats were. I tried to create barriers between them and him, but they would have easily been knocked over. Then my friendly cat decided he wanted to be friends with the big cat. He maneuvered passed the barrier and tried to snuggle. The big cat killed him right before my eyes. I grabbed my poor cat away from it and cradled him in my arms. I kept saying, "I'm so sorry! I knew better!" Then mercifully I woke up.
Immediately I started to call on Jesus, and as the tears rolled I leaned over to my kitty and kissed his sweet head. Then he got up and started to love on me, head butts and all. In that moment I knew the truth about that dream, and what I needed to do. That's why I'm up at this hour writing this post.
About 10 years ago, I heard God tell me that the woman of God are next. He told me that the acceptance of dirty joke and free talk about porn meant that satan had succeeded to destroy men. Obviously not all men, but men as a whole have stopped hiding their addiction and now proudly boast about it. Watch almost any comedy and it is laced with innuendo and blatant references to sex and porn. They've already accepted the big cat and watched it destroy, but said, "oh well, I like the big cat anyway." God told me that once that happens satan's next target is the women.
Now, women have had racy novels for years, but they didn't tell others they read them. They were read behind closed doors and in secret. Today that is no longer the case. Yesterday I saw on the news, the news, not some entertainment show, a reporter interviewing women who had already seen an upcoming movie. These women ranged from young to ones with fake red hair.You know the ladies who hair is really white, but they think the red dye will somehow fool someone into thinking they are younger than there 60+ years. I was trying to not hear or see this interview, so the TV was muted and I had already hit the button to change the channel. Unfortunately, my TV takes a moment before changing channels. I saw their faces and knew what they were saying by them. It broke my heart! It confirmed that the big cat has come in and is about to kill, and these women can't even perceive his intent. Satan is succeeding.
Last year, I felt the Lord tell me that I was to warn some of my friends. I told one of them, an was shocked when I was met with accusations and honestly, ugliness. I was told I was judgmental. I was told that as long as God hadn't convicted her about it that it was fine. I was made to be the bad guy and the topic was not to be discussed. My heart still aches that I wasn't in a place where I could stand up against that and still speak the truth. It grieves me that even though I shared what I could I was pushed into a corner and told to be silent. Even before I shared with my group of friends, up until minutes before, she tried to derail me from even speaking. I had a veil lifted that day, and knew that the end of me being apart of that group was coming.
I sit here tonight crying for the women I call Friend who have read the books and celebrated it. For the ones who have been soaking in the media hype of an upcoming movie as if it were a Calgon-take-me-away event. I grieve that satan is getting ready for a victory lap because he found it so much easier to pull women in since the men have already fallen. It's like Eve all over again. Adam just stood by and let the enemy manipulate his wife. Men, even men of faith, stand by and let satan toy with their wives, sisters, mothers, and daughters and they say nothing. I grieve because when God told me this was coming, He also said who was next, the children. I grieve that I have remained shut down and silent on this extremely important issue. I have let the big cat get too close to people I care about, and I know the flimsy barrier created between them is about to devour them. I grieve who the big cat will seduce next.
Call me judgmental, call me a prude, call me out-of-touch. I no longer care! I saw in that dream what the big cat does to anyone who tries to befriend it, and it has shaken me to my core. I have seen what it has done to man and I am watching the story unfold before my eyes with women. I hope that I never see him succeed with the next group, but I can honestly say he has already been at work for a long time. He's just waiting for it to become more acceptable, and then he can raise his hands high as he does that victory lap too.
I would love to Pollyanna the end of this post, but I know that I am not meant to. I do pray that the words will take root in your hearts, and the truth will grow there. I pray that the truth will grow to your eyes and the veil will be lifted. I pray that the truth will seep into your heart and burst forth within you. I pray you will realize the big cat is about to kill you or someone you love, and you will fight, protect, and run from him before he can.
I love you, even those of you who read my blog that I do not know. Please hear my heart for you.
I just woke up from a dream. In this dream I wanted to give someone a gift. I looked and looked for something special, but had such a hard time finding the right thing. I finally found a small trinket, actually a carved, wooden acorn. I purchased it for her and then I saw the cat. He was a big cat, not a big house cat, but a big cat. He looked so sad and I thought, "I'll rescue him." So I bought him.
A man placed him in the back of my car where my dog and one of my cats were. I tried to create barriers between them and him, but they would have easily been knocked over. Then my friendly cat decided he wanted to be friends with the big cat. He maneuvered passed the barrier and tried to snuggle. The big cat killed him right before my eyes. I grabbed my poor cat away from it and cradled him in my arms. I kept saying, "I'm so sorry! I knew better!" Then mercifully I woke up.
Immediately I started to call on Jesus, and as the tears rolled I leaned over to my kitty and kissed his sweet head. Then he got up and started to love on me, head butts and all. In that moment I knew the truth about that dream, and what I needed to do. That's why I'm up at this hour writing this post.
About 10 years ago, I heard God tell me that the woman of God are next. He told me that the acceptance of dirty joke and free talk about porn meant that satan had succeeded to destroy men. Obviously not all men, but men as a whole have stopped hiding their addiction and now proudly boast about it. Watch almost any comedy and it is laced with innuendo and blatant references to sex and porn. They've already accepted the big cat and watched it destroy, but said, "oh well, I like the big cat anyway." God told me that once that happens satan's next target is the women.
Now, women have had racy novels for years, but they didn't tell others they read them. They were read behind closed doors and in secret. Today that is no longer the case. Yesterday I saw on the news, the news, not some entertainment show, a reporter interviewing women who had already seen an upcoming movie. These women ranged from young to ones with fake red hair.You know the ladies who hair is really white, but they think the red dye will somehow fool someone into thinking they are younger than there 60+ years. I was trying to not hear or see this interview, so the TV was muted and I had already hit the button to change the channel. Unfortunately, my TV takes a moment before changing channels. I saw their faces and knew what they were saying by them. It broke my heart! It confirmed that the big cat has come in and is about to kill, and these women can't even perceive his intent. Satan is succeeding.
Last year, I felt the Lord tell me that I was to warn some of my friends. I told one of them, an was shocked when I was met with accusations and honestly, ugliness. I was told I was judgmental. I was told that as long as God hadn't convicted her about it that it was fine. I was made to be the bad guy and the topic was not to be discussed. My heart still aches that I wasn't in a place where I could stand up against that and still speak the truth. It grieves me that even though I shared what I could I was pushed into a corner and told to be silent. Even before I shared with my group of friends, up until minutes before, she tried to derail me from even speaking. I had a veil lifted that day, and knew that the end of me being apart of that group was coming.
I sit here tonight crying for the women I call Friend who have read the books and celebrated it. For the ones who have been soaking in the media hype of an upcoming movie as if it were a Calgon-take-me-away event. I grieve that satan is getting ready for a victory lap because he found it so much easier to pull women in since the men have already fallen. It's like Eve all over again. Adam just stood by and let the enemy manipulate his wife. Men, even men of faith, stand by and let satan toy with their wives, sisters, mothers, and daughters and they say nothing. I grieve because when God told me this was coming, He also said who was next, the children. I grieve that I have remained shut down and silent on this extremely important issue. I have let the big cat get too close to people I care about, and I know the flimsy barrier created between them is about to devour them. I grieve who the big cat will seduce next.
Call me judgmental, call me a prude, call me out-of-touch. I no longer care! I saw in that dream what the big cat does to anyone who tries to befriend it, and it has shaken me to my core. I have seen what it has done to man and I am watching the story unfold before my eyes with women. I hope that I never see him succeed with the next group, but I can honestly say he has already been at work for a long time. He's just waiting for it to become more acceptable, and then he can raise his hands high as he does that victory lap too.
I would love to Pollyanna the end of this post, but I know that I am not meant to. I do pray that the words will take root in your hearts, and the truth will grow there. I pray that the truth will grow to your eyes and the veil will be lifted. I pray that the truth will seep into your heart and burst forth within you. I pray you will realize the big cat is about to kill you or someone you love, and you will fight, protect, and run from him before he can.
I love you, even those of you who read my blog that I do not know. Please hear my heart for you.
mwomercs.com
Thursday, February 5, 2015
Chaos or Subtle?
Last week I was feeling a lot of stress. My class is wonderful and a joy to teach, so I knew it wasn't related to them. I have a good relationship with their parents, so not that either. The marking period had just ended and report cards were done, so I was relieved not stressed about that. I haven't had any issues with anyone. I just couldn't figure out what was causing the stress. All I knew for sure was I was exhausted, no matter how much sleep I was getting. I carry my tension in my shoulders and they felt so tight I was starting to feel like a hunchback. I was stressed and had no idea why, until I had a couple of dreams.
In the first dream I was living in a bright, neat home (now that neat part is definitely a dream!). It was just me and my Riley Girl. We kept coming home and finding little things moved. I was confused but just thought I moved it and just forgot. Then one day we came home and something that didn't belong to me was laying in the middle of the living room floor. It was a small shower head (I don't get that part). I picked up and then I woke up. Right away I heard God tell me that it was about satan. I'll explain more later.
The second dream was vastly different. It was full of chaos. Everywhere I went I was met by confrontation. Everything I tried was attacked. It was a dark and cluttered everywhere I was. I felt such frustration and was completely overwhelmed by it. When I woke up I once again felt God speak to me about the way satan works.
Now, what I heard from God. He told me that satan works one of two ways. He told me that he has to approach people differently. Those who aren't vigilant and just think everything is bright and easy are easily tricked by him. He really doesn't have to work that hard to mess with their lives. He brings something minor into their life, something that seems harmless but isn't. He twists a truth just a little bit and people don't even realize it isn't even truth anymore. He sits back with his feet up and just watches as the little thing slowly eats away at the person and destroys them.
The other way is actually for the ones who are watchful. He can't just be subtle with them. He has to throw an all-out assault at them.He tries to thwart every thing they do. He knows he has to pull out all the stops. Think Job. He killed his children, destroyed his livelihood, turned his wife against him, and gave him boils. Job had his eyes on God and he had to be attacked to the fullest of satan's power. Remember God to do what he wanted, but he couldn't kill him. So he did. Sometimes this approach has been successful for him, so he keeps using it.
I realized that it wasn't really stress that I was experiencing. I realized that I wasn't being vigilant, and God was warning me. I haven't been praying for my class and my school the way He had asked me to. I started the year off great, but I had become slack. I wasn't spending the time with Him that I need to. I was just looking at all the good stuff and was not watchful. Since then I have begun to pray more and stand in the gap for my children and my school. I have spent more time with Him, but more importantly that time is deeper rather than longer. I am being more vigilant and feel less stress and my sleep has been more restful. Maybe the chaos is to come, but I'd rather that then be blindsided.
In the first dream I was living in a bright, neat home (now that neat part is definitely a dream!). It was just me and my Riley Girl. We kept coming home and finding little things moved. I was confused but just thought I moved it and just forgot. Then one day we came home and something that didn't belong to me was laying in the middle of the living room floor. It was a small shower head (I don't get that part). I picked up and then I woke up. Right away I heard God tell me that it was about satan. I'll explain more later.
The second dream was vastly different. It was full of chaos. Everywhere I went I was met by confrontation. Everything I tried was attacked. It was a dark and cluttered everywhere I was. I felt such frustration and was completely overwhelmed by it. When I woke up I once again felt God speak to me about the way satan works.
Now, what I heard from God. He told me that satan works one of two ways. He told me that he has to approach people differently. Those who aren't vigilant and just think everything is bright and easy are easily tricked by him. He really doesn't have to work that hard to mess with their lives. He brings something minor into their life, something that seems harmless but isn't. He twists a truth just a little bit and people don't even realize it isn't even truth anymore. He sits back with his feet up and just watches as the little thing slowly eats away at the person and destroys them.
The other way is actually for the ones who are watchful. He can't just be subtle with them. He has to throw an all-out assault at them.He tries to thwart every thing they do. He knows he has to pull out all the stops. Think Job. He killed his children, destroyed his livelihood, turned his wife against him, and gave him boils. Job had his eyes on God and he had to be attacked to the fullest of satan's power. Remember God to do what he wanted, but he couldn't kill him. So he did. Sometimes this approach has been successful for him, so he keeps using it.
I realized that it wasn't really stress that I was experiencing. I realized that I wasn't being vigilant, and God was warning me. I haven't been praying for my class and my school the way He had asked me to. I started the year off great, but I had become slack. I wasn't spending the time with Him that I need to. I was just looking at all the good stuff and was not watchful. Since then I have begun to pray more and stand in the gap for my children and my school. I have spent more time with Him, but more importantly that time is deeper rather than longer. I am being more vigilant and feel less stress and my sleep has been more restful. Maybe the chaos is to come, but I'd rather that then be blindsided.
Sunday, January 4, 2015
Preparing My Fields For Rain
The other day I was checking out what was on TV and I saw Fireproof was about to start. I have seen the movie a couple of times, but never from the beginning. During a commercial the station said that Facing the Giants and Courageous were coming up. I really like Facing the Giants and have never seen Courageous so I looked forward to watching them.Okay, I had to dvr Courageous since I was too tired to stay up to midnight when it would be done. I did however, watch Facing the Giants.
One of the things I like about Facing the Giants is that I feel like God speaks to me through it. Since Fireproof is about marriage and Courageous is about fatherhood I mostly just enjoy them. Facing the Giants is different, the lessons from the movie can speak to anyone. One of the messages that really spoke to me was the story of the farmers. Watch the scene.
Facing the Giants,Youtube clip
I really believed that God was speaking this same message to me. I feel that He is telling me to prepared my fields to receive rain. So each day since watching the movie I have been doing at least one thing that I believe is preparation. Number one thing I do each day is embrace me. I have never been very good about loving the me that God created. I believe that God has asked me to embrace the me that He created me to be. Instead of focusing on what I want changed about me I am focusing on the things that I like about me. Are there things that need to change? Yes, some of those are the things I need to do to prepare my fields. I used to want to change everything all at once and got discouraged because it doesn't work that way. That's why I try to do one thing each day to prepare. There have been days and will be days when I can do more than one thing.
I am excited to see what His rain will look like in my life, and I certainly want to be ready for it!
commons.wikimedia.org
Sunday, December 28, 2014
The Shepherds Need More Nativity Space
I collect nativities. I have 13 at this point. I would have 15, but I can't find one small one and I dropped and broke the most beautiful snow globe nativity. All of my scenes have Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Well, actually I lost a Joseph at some point so I use a shepherd to stand in for him. I have a few scenes with only the Holy Family. Other scenes have three wise men and a shepherd or two.
Actually, one of my nativities is just the three kings, and I'm not sure that's technically a nativity, but I count it anyway. The three kings get a lot of attention. They even get their own holiday. Their gifts were very important, even though many people don't get their purpose. I've seen the quote about what if three wise women had come instead. They would have asked for directions, would have arrived on time; helped with the birth; cleaned the stable; made a casserole; brought practical gifts; and there would be peace on earth. Um, yeah and Jesus would have died at the hands of Herod's men and there would be no peace on earth. The wise men may have shown up late to the birth, but right on time to reveal Herod's plot to kill Jesus. The gifts they brought were fit for a king and helped that king and his family survive the journey and years in Egypt. As great as the wise men are I have to say I like the shepherds more.
Their story is brief and they didn't do anything like save the life of Jesus, but they were so very important. Their story starts in Luke 2:8 and continues until verse 20. "2. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shown around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11. For unto us is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and laying in a manger." 13. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14."Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" 15. When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." 16. And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning the child. 18. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19. But Mary treasured up these things, pondering them in her heart. 20. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them."
There are a couple of things that stuck out to me today that I have never noticed before. The first is in verse 18 when it says "all who heard it". I wonder who the all is? If it was just Mary and Joseph, which is what most of us believe, then wouldn't it have said Mary and Joseph instead of all? In verse 19 is says "but Mary treasured these things, pondering them in her heart", so it would have made sense to just say that Joseph wondered at what the shepherds told him. Plus Mary and Joseph knew already knew that the baby was the Son of God. So who else was there? I don't know, but I have a feeling Joseph found at least one woman who helped with the deliver. Woman did the delivering, and even though there was no room in the inn, it didn't mean that no one would help them. It was the town of Joseph, so he would have had some family there who may have helped them. I believe there were others in that stable with them. The nativity makers will need to add a midwife or two the scenes.
The second thing I noticed, and this one jumped out at me. It's at the end of the shepherds' story: they returned. Returned where? To the sheep. Shepherds never left their sheep unattended, but when God interrupts their night with the good news they leave the sheep and head to the city. After seeing the King and telling everyone there what they heard, they returned to their work. They went back to their sheep. They went back to work! When I looked it up in Strong's it said that "returned" meant to go back with a purpose. They went back because they had a job to do. They didn't just go back to work, but they also glorified and praised God.
It made me think about all the times I have experienced an amazing moment with God and just wanted to soak in it. I am sure the shepherds could have done that. They could have just stayed in the stable and basking in the presence of the King, but they went back to work. They returned to the field and their work, because they needed to take care of their sheep. They went about their jobs and they praised God. I know that as much as I love what I do and know that God has gifted me to do it, I let the paperwork, meetings, and difficulties have much of my attention. I rarely think about glorifying God when I'm at work. I know that doing work as unto the Lord is a way of praising Him, but I don't always consider Him when I'm working. I need to be more like a shepherd and return to my work after this break and glorify and praise Him while I take care of my little sheep.
Actually, one of my nativities is just the three kings, and I'm not sure that's technically a nativity, but I count it anyway. The three kings get a lot of attention. They even get their own holiday. Their gifts were very important, even though many people don't get their purpose. I've seen the quote about what if three wise women had come instead. They would have asked for directions, would have arrived on time; helped with the birth; cleaned the stable; made a casserole; brought practical gifts; and there would be peace on earth. Um, yeah and Jesus would have died at the hands of Herod's men and there would be no peace on earth. The wise men may have shown up late to the birth, but right on time to reveal Herod's plot to kill Jesus. The gifts they brought were fit for a king and helped that king and his family survive the journey and years in Egypt. As great as the wise men are I have to say I like the shepherds more.
Their story is brief and they didn't do anything like save the life of Jesus, but they were so very important. Their story starts in Luke 2:8 and continues until verse 20. "2. And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shown around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11. For unto us is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and laying in a manger." 13. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14."Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" 15. When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." 16. And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning the child. 18. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19. But Mary treasured up these things, pondering them in her heart. 20. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them."
There are a couple of things that stuck out to me today that I have never noticed before. The first is in verse 18 when it says "all who heard it". I wonder who the all is? If it was just Mary and Joseph, which is what most of us believe, then wouldn't it have said Mary and Joseph instead of all? In verse 19 is says "but Mary treasured these things, pondering them in her heart", so it would have made sense to just say that Joseph wondered at what the shepherds told him. Plus Mary and Joseph knew already knew that the baby was the Son of God. So who else was there? I don't know, but I have a feeling Joseph found at least one woman who helped with the deliver. Woman did the delivering, and even though there was no room in the inn, it didn't mean that no one would help them. It was the town of Joseph, so he would have had some family there who may have helped them. I believe there were others in that stable with them. The nativity makers will need to add a midwife or two the scenes.
The second thing I noticed, and this one jumped out at me. It's at the end of the shepherds' story: they returned. Returned where? To the sheep. Shepherds never left their sheep unattended, but when God interrupts their night with the good news they leave the sheep and head to the city. After seeing the King and telling everyone there what they heard, they returned to their work. They went back to their sheep. They went back to work! When I looked it up in Strong's it said that "returned" meant to go back with a purpose. They went back because they had a job to do. They didn't just go back to work, but they also glorified and praised God.
It made me think about all the times I have experienced an amazing moment with God and just wanted to soak in it. I am sure the shepherds could have done that. They could have just stayed in the stable and basking in the presence of the King, but they went back to work. They returned to the field and their work, because they needed to take care of their sheep. They went about their jobs and they praised God. I know that as much as I love what I do and know that God has gifted me to do it, I let the paperwork, meetings, and difficulties have much of my attention. I rarely think about glorifying God when I'm at work. I know that doing work as unto the Lord is a way of praising Him, but I don't always consider Him when I'm working. I need to be more like a shepherd and return to my work after this break and glorify and praise Him while I take care of my little sheep.
These are mine. :)
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Darkness Has To Be Exposed To the Light
As many of you know I had a very rough year last year. Even as tough as it was I know that God did so much through the struggles I faced. I know that He healed old wounds and brought freedom into areas of my heart and mind. After the year was up I felt such amazing joy and peace! I knew that the mountain top, wind sweeping through my hair experience would not last forever, but I certain wished that it would. ;)
School started again and with it comes certain challenges for all teachers, but I also faced some unique ones. Because of them I would walk into school with one prayer upon my lips, "Lord, please reveal your Truth." I knew what I wanted Him to reveal, but I also knew that there would be so much more revealed.
It wasn't long before some of those unexpected revelations started popping up. Some I kind of expected, but many were surprising to me. Some were about me, some were about people who related directly with me, and some were about people I really had no or little interaction with. You would think I would be happy to see the truth being revealed, but instead I've been more grieved than anything.
I went to God and asked Him why so much ugliness was being revealed. Why was there lies, bullying, and cruel behavior being revealed? His response makes sense, but surprised me. He said, "In order for Truth to be revealed darkness has to be brought out into the Light."
I can't say that I like the ugliness anymore now that I understand that, but I now see why it is necessary. I still pray the same prayer as I walk the halls of the building, and more darkness keeps coming out. Of course, what I want Him to reveal hasn't been, yet. I have to trust that He will continue to reveal things in my life that need to change, and I know that in His time He will revel what I have asked to be. Until then, I will continue to pray for Truth to be revealed and understand that that means I will also see the darkness that the Truth reveals.
School started again and with it comes certain challenges for all teachers, but I also faced some unique ones. Because of them I would walk into school with one prayer upon my lips, "Lord, please reveal your Truth." I knew what I wanted Him to reveal, but I also knew that there would be so much more revealed.
It wasn't long before some of those unexpected revelations started popping up. Some I kind of expected, but many were surprising to me. Some were about me, some were about people who related directly with me, and some were about people I really had no or little interaction with. You would think I would be happy to see the truth being revealed, but instead I've been more grieved than anything.
I went to God and asked Him why so much ugliness was being revealed. Why was there lies, bullying, and cruel behavior being revealed? His response makes sense, but surprised me. He said, "In order for Truth to be revealed darkness has to be brought out into the Light."
I can't say that I like the ugliness anymore now that I understand that, but I now see why it is necessary. I still pray the same prayer as I walk the halls of the building, and more darkness keeps coming out. Of course, what I want Him to reveal hasn't been, yet. I have to trust that He will continue to reveal things in my life that need to change, and I know that in His time He will revel what I have asked to be. Until then, I will continue to pray for Truth to be revealed and understand that that means I will also see the darkness that the Truth reveals.
https://www.behance.net/gallery/4269169/The-Truth-Revealed
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