LISTENING WOMAN

LISTENING WOMAN
Do You Hear What I Hear?

Apr 18, 2011

The Lenten Journey

Day 40:  A New Commandment
One day behind, but I have completed my “official” Forty Day Lenten Journey.  For any of you that followed, I pray it has blessed you because my sweet Abba has totally blessed me.   I was surprised when I woke up this morning with His words from John 13:34-35 going through my brain:
 34-35"Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other."  (The Message)
In retrospect this whole journey has been an awakening to how much God loves each of us and a focus on how much He loves me.  Everything He has instructed each day has been so I will understand that He Really Loves Us.  (My mind flashes to Psalm 139).  It has become so evident that the reason I don’t love or may not be able to love is that I have not comprehended His Love.  I end my journey with Abba requesting that I comprehend – as much as possible – His great love for us, His children.  But for today that I don’t stop there!  He wants me to turn around and love others as He loves me. . . no excuses, just obedience.  He already knows in and of myself I will choose to be judgmental, self centered or me focused.  But, He also knows that He has provided the Holy Spirit to empower me to do what He asks.  Will I allow Him –daily, hourly, yes even each moment – to pour His love in me, receive it as a gracious gift, and then pour it out on others.
The second thing He desires as I end this journey was brought to mind by the song:
Jesus Calls Us:  Text: Cecil Frances Alexander, 1818-1895 Music: William H. Jude
Jesus calls us o'er the tumult of our life's wild, restless sea;
day by day his sweet voice soundeth, saying, "Christian, follow me!"

Jesus calls us from the worship of the vain world's golden store,
from each idol that would keep us, saying, "Christian, love me more!"

In our joys and in our sorrows, days of toil and hours of ease,
still he calls, in cares and pleasures, "Christian, love me more than these!"

Jesus calls us! By thy mercies, Savior, may we hear thy call,
give our hearts to thine obedience, serve and love thee best of all.

I end my Lenten Journey focused on Jesus’ call each morning.  A call to focus on Him; to respond to His love; to not go shopping at the world’s “golden store; whether I’m  joyful or filled with sorrow, at work or at play that my choice will be obedience  to that sweet call to me.  Oh, I do hope this habit has been so engrained in my brain that I will continue waking and asking:  What’s on Your agenda today Abba.

Apr 17, 2011

The Lenten Journey

Day 39:  Give Them a Gift
Truthfully, family can be a challenge.  The barriers are down, everyone is different but wants to stay in their comfort zone.   Tension can develop as each person wants to do things their way.  As Abba has been working on me, He has also given me assignments to Stop working on others!!  It is such a gift to know that I am loved for just being me, no games necessary, freedom . . . ah a breath of fresh air.  But in return Abba is asking me to allow others the freedom to be themselves, to accept them as they are and not try to make anyone fit into my grid.  That means that I allow my mom and dad to have their own relationship, my son and his family to be and do what they choose, and my daughter and her family to be and do as they choose.  I wish I had asked Abba about these gifts earlier.  How much hurt, misunderstanding and anger could have been avoided.  When we try to force someone to act and pretend while they are around us in order to keep peace, there can’t be open love and a sweet peaceful attitude.  Our family may never understand why each of us act the ways we do, why each of us think different things are important, why we are so different.  But as I treat others as Abba treats me, I am implementing change.  I don’t know why I thought for years that I was “The Authority” or anyone’s “Holy Spirit” but I can tell you there wasn’t peace, love and respect when I did those things.  My intentions, as good as they were, were not lined up with God’s agenda.  He has given us such a simple rule to follow – LOVE each other as He loves us.  I have an acronym for that:
L – et
O –thers
S –ee
E – ternally
My man informed me that I am doing great as it is good to have an accountability partner.  Oh, it’s time.  Time to Love Extravagantly, Leave Others Alone, Focus on Abba and the resources He provides, and Become a Woman After God’s Own Heart!  I am being blown away and blessed by this Journey.  Today I gave Him the Gift of allowing everyone to be themselves in my home.  In return, I sense Abba’s smile and a “thumbs up”!  I am reminded of His smile in the beautiful sunsets.

Apr 16, 2011

The Lenten Journey

Day 38:  The Final Days
The house is full of laughter, children, grand children – family.  As I near the end of this forty day journey, life is full.  There are little voices who call out before I’m ready to respond.  There are bright faces excited about the adventures of the day.  In less than three days I have gone from my mom and dad and the toll aging takes - to the joys of life in its beginning.  A friend’s father died last week and calls and shares sweet memories.  An email tells me that a mother has been given the verdict – cancer in remission.  Another friend sends me a picture of a new great grandbaby for the minister that opened our eyes to a vibrant relationship with God.  Mom and Dad got home and one of dad’s friends had departed for heaven while he was visiting us.  Beginnings and Endings!  Oh, I want to capture all that Abba has and is saying to me.  The beauty of what He has shown me of Himself in this journey   I am about to end.  I realize my love for Him has expanded because of all He has provided.   I get  sad when I realize that I can get too busy to enjoy – His Word that He longs to share with me; His gifts that are signs of His love; His expansion of my Spiritual Family that are out of my “box”; the magnitude of what He intends my marriage to be and His purpose and plans for it; and the sweetness of why He places us in a family.    How will I respond?  Will I put my Forty Day Lenten Journal in a drawer and go back to life as usual?  I don’t think so.  I have fallen in love with Him in a different way – not trying to prove I’m worthy or that I will work hard enough to prove “He got a good deal” with me.  No, I hopefully will stay focused,  as they say  it takes about forty days to form a habit.  I want to keep this habit.  I want to continue to wake up each morning and ask:  What would you like today, my Abba?  So what did He ask for today and what did I give Him ?  I gave Him my Focus so I could enjoy my family, love them as they are and give them the privilege of being who they are.  I gave Him a quiet spirit and an open adoration for my man.  In other words, I enjoyed this day and can sing:  This is the day, this is the day that the Lord has made.  I did rejoice, I did rejoice and was glad in it.  Thank You Abba.

Apr 15, 2011

The Lenten Journey

Day 37:  Reflecting
I am a day behind from traveling but as I have traveled I have thought of my Lenten Journey.  It has ended up being totally different from what I had anticipated.  I was – in truth – wanting to do something “big” - not just chocolate and I like my glass of wine that the doctor says is good for my cholesterol.  What God is showing me is that He is bigger, better, more wonderful than I can imagine and not to be manipulated by me.  He wants me to answer:   What would happen in my life if the information in my head so penetrated my heart that I accepted all that Jesus has done for me, all that God has planned for me and all that the Spirit is ready to empower me to do?  What if I took the word “Hurry” out of my vocabulary and went about my daily life in a spirit of peace?  What would happen if I  allowed the Holy Spirit to guide me as He knows the plan that Father, Son and Holy Spirit want me to experience?  I am questioning some of the things I have done in the name of Jesus.  I am getting a sense that a great deal of it is about “me” instead of “Him”.   But the thing that is different is one of my devotionals said He looks at my heart and it pleases Him that I want to please Him.  With that I must burst out in song:  Oh how He loves you and me.  Oh how He loves you and me.  He gave His life, what more could He do?  Oh how He loves you.  Oh how He loves me.  Oh how He loves you and me.

Apr 13, 2011

The Lenten Journey

Day 36:  You Can’t Out Give God!
Yesterday was a “deal breaker” between my man and me so I ran to Abba all day long for Focus, Love, Assurance.  I woke up singing It Is Well With My Soul but wanting things to always be “perfect” (still struggling there) I asked Abba the same ole same ole:  God how come I can’t get this right, how come I . . blaah blaah blaah. . pity pity party…Abba, what would you like today as my Lenten offering to you?  That’s when this song came up: 
Perfect People by Natalie Grant
Never let 'em see you when you're breaking Never let 'em see you when you fall
That's how we live and that's how we try Tell the world you've got it all together
Never let them see what's underneath Cover it up with a crooked smile
But it only lasts for a little while

[CHORUS:]
There's no such thing as perfect people There's no such thing as a perfect life
So come as you are, broken and scarred Lift up your heart and be amazed
And be changed by a perfect God

Suddenly it's like a weight is lifted When you hear the words that you are loved
He knows where you are and where you've been And you never have to go there again

[CHORUS]

Who lived and died to give new life To heal our imperfections
So look up and see love. Let grace be enough

Be changed by a perfect God  Be changed
“Baby doll, did you hear the Dove coo to wake you this morning?   Do you see the sun rising to brighten your day?  Look at the beauty of the ocean and Breathe.  Focus on Me.  Feel my arms around you.  Look into my eyes and see that you are the apple of My eye.  I love you.  It’s ok, you don’t have to be perfect for Me.  I see your heart and know that your desire is way above what you can do and be.  You get up every morning wanting to give Me something to prove your love.  I know you love Me.   Now, realize that this Lenten Journey is about you believing that:  (From Beth Moore’s  Believing God)
I, God, am who I say I am.
I can do what I say I can do.
You are who I say you are.
You can do what I say you can do.
Now BELIEVE It!
OK, I am taking a bath in Abba’s love, forgiveness (confessing my faults to the one that is affected, asking for forgiveness from my Abba, makeing restitution where needed and move on!)
  1. La la la   It is well, with my soul, It is well, it is well, with my soul la la la.
“Accept and enjoy this new day Baby Doll!”   Thank You My Abba – I Love You.

Apr 12, 2011

The Lenten Journey

Day 35:  Focus Girl!
I must confess that after days of having people around, even if they are the ones I love more than anything in the world, I can wake up cranky and unfocused because although I exhibit great extravert qualities I am really an introvert and must have time by myself to restore and refuel.  As I woke up today whatever song was going off in my head disappeared because the news was on and I got unfocused.  My soul’s desire is that I hear no voice except my Abba until I am focused so I found myself going into my “negative” mode of. . . what if my house sells and a giant hurricane comes… what if my house doesn’t sell and I never have my “stuff”…what if I never get the relationships in my life the way I want them to…what if my man and I never really understand each other (like that can really happen as we are opposites)…what if I never………..  Oh my, that doesn’t create peace and tranquility.  I ran to Abba and asked what I should do.  I  heard the clear word “Focus”.  I asked myself if that was His voice and can you believe, as much as I dislike TV, the world Focus boomed out?  OK, I’m on track – Focus Girl.  What do I focus on?  Well, first I focused on how I could make everything perfect and everybody get along perfectly (Hmmm I do believe I have  a “Jesus complex” this morning – like I could really accomplish that).  Believe it or not,  I even bought into that sneaky snake lie and bite the apple before I knew what I was doing.  I tried to help my man be perfect!  Now how many times am I going to believe that lie and “go for it?”  After the day began in a real “stew” I rewound or went for a “redo”.  Abba, I didn’t get that one right so I will sit my little butte down and Listen.  Yep – In Quietness and Trust is your strength!  Oh Abba, how many days, how many times am I going to have to repeat that verse before it sinks into my spirit and brain?  Ok, one more time…In Quietness and Trust is Your Strength. . . 35 Days of Requests from Abba and all of the requests are about morphing me into His Gal.  Now focus… I am a soldier in His Army to accomplish His purposes, bring honor to Him and Enjoy Him Forever!!  Yes Sir!  FOCUS!!!

Apr 11, 2011

The Lenten Journey

Day 33:  Accept My Peace

"The Peace that Jesus Gives"

Like the sunshine after rain, Like a rest that follows pain,
Like a hope returned again, Is the peace that Jesus gives.

Refrain
Oh, the peace that Jesus gives never dies; it always lives.
Like the music of a psalm, like a glad, eternal calm,
Is the peace that Jesus gives, Is the peace that Jesus gives.

Like the soft, refreshing dew, like a rosy daybreak new,
Like a friendship tender, true, Is the peace that Jesus gives.

Like a river deep and long, with its current ceaseless, strong,
Like the cadence of a song, Is the peace that Jesus gives.
- Haldor Lillenas, 1885-1959
I woke up and wanted to be focused - but I might add I am agitated this morning.  One of my old friends is becoming totally incapacitated by Lou Gehrig’s disease;  another of my new friends father was re-birthed into heaven yesterday; a fellow believer is causing havoc in life, and my Daddy is in my home for several days and is eaten up with “self” and “aging”.  He also is eaten up with GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) which I inherited.   Watching him be an old, self absorbed person is more frightening than dealing with the issues that I have considered “major” in my life (mastectomy, depression, raising teenagers, having my marriage be an example of Christ and His bride, etc.)  I realize as I watch him that I have this inward dialogue (maybe more like panic) going on with God asking that He please help me remain a "gentle and quiet" woman.  God has blessed me this Lenten season by requesting that I give Him the things I don’t need to “mess” with and accept the Gifts that produce Abundant Life.  So, again this morning, I am “dealing”.  Dealing with the things I have no control over, things I can’t change, things that cause anxiety if I allow my mind to go to those “mind fields”.    Focusing on my Abba, I heard Him say:  Breathe Baby doll, regain focus”!  Abba what do you want me to focus on?  That’s when I heard my instructions:  
Isaiah 40:31   But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.  They spread their wings and soar like eagles, they run and don't get tired,  they walk and don't lag behind.  (The Message) - (Or the King James version)   But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Yes Breathe – great gulps of God’s word.  Refocus my brain – do not worry, be anxious, fear, judge, condemn, act snitty, or dare I say bitchy?  But spread those wings Pattigail and focus on Abba; Listen to Abba; meditate on Abba’s Word and . . . la la la The things of earth shall grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace. La la la  
Again, I am undone that I began my Lenten Journey to prove I could “give up” something for Abba and He has asked me to accept the things that blow this blond, senior citizen brain – like  Watch Me Soar!!!

Apr 10, 2011

The Lenten Journey

Day 32:  Dream Without Boundaries
This morning I woke up with the thought of having a Dream – a God Sized Dream - and then the thought:  Will I allow it to happen?  I have had dreams through the years, but being a “Pleaser” I allow myself to figure out how my dreams will affect others and then I sabotage  the outcome, but then want to blame them.  
I long to be a strong woman and accomplish God's purpose for my life and not be "Chicken Little".  I am always amazed when a woman is strong enough to follow her “gut” and accomplish something or do things no one thought she could.
OK, once I get the idea, I ask if it is God or Pat.  Today being Sunday, I went to Chapel and a Quaker minister led us in worship.  The reason I mentioned this is because Quakers stop during the service for times of quiet to reflect on what has been sung or said and to meditate or hear from God.   We visisted the story of Zacchaeus , we explored what it means to be a sinner as that is what the "religious" people called him.  Jesus didn’t deny this but His presence caused Zac to repent – change his mind about his life – and realize that he was Lost – which was explained as “not knowing where you are” (don’t you just love it).  The opposite of lost is found – called back to God, restored to our place as beloved -  or to get back on the pilgrimage!  (I have been to Israel on a Pilgrimage so I understand that differently now)
At the end of the service we were asked to Listen to what God was saying to us.  My thoughts were directed to:  STOP the direction you are going.  I God want to spend time alone with you and you can't have a God Dream unless you give me, God, your calendar.  It was then that I realized that this was God's request today - Alone with Him.  No frantic trying to work it into my schedule, just check in with Him and OBEY.   Suddenly, I was overwhelmed with the thought of God longing to have my undivided attention and for me to be content being with Him - alone.   The thought of the Potter’s House came up and the longing to respond and be alone with God almost overwhelmed me.  From habit my first thought was how I could work this out!  I heard the quiet voice –after you take your daughter and family back to Asheville after Easter – come spend time with Me.  Oh my will I look at my calendar and try to “juggle” or will I say “Yes Abba”?  Oh my soul is giddy that God wants o spend time with me - alone.  God Dreams. . .Yes Yes Yes

Apr 9, 2011

The Lenten Journey

Day 31:  Let Your Parents See Me!
Oh Abba, I heard your quiet voice this morning.  My mother and daddy are here at the beach with me.  We are celebrating their Sixty Fifth Wedding Anniversary.  Amazing – I still have both of them at 88 and 82!  But things are changing.  K Larry and I are the strong ones, the drivers, the ones that look out for their safety.  My Abba wants me to Serve them in love today.  Now that is a simple statement but sometimes it is a little hard when mother wants me to be her 5 year old and tell me everything to do, how to do it and when to do it.  Daddy lives in his own universe that revolves around him, his wants, needs and great aggravation at his failing body.  He fell up the steps coming in yesterday trying to “be the man and help”.  That was when I got a dose of reality that things are really changing.  The verse that popped up in my head was where Jesus was talking to the “religious guys” and they were saying they didn’t have time to mess with their parents because they were devoting their time and money to “God Work”.   In the past, after a few days of “dealing” I can get rather “FINE = Finicky Irritable Nasty Eccentric (me focused and what I’m having to put up with).  Oh this morning Abba said Serve them with lots of love, extravagant love, consideration for their age, and a heart that loves and honors them with NO Resentments.  And then the verse that jumped in my head was Isaiah 30:15:  In quietness and trust is your strength.  I called my man in and explained the gift my Abba wants today.  I asked him if he would help me = being patient, overlooking lack of consideration because daddy’s focus is on himself and mother’s focus is on helping.  Oh my goodness – the Everybody Loves Raymond TV shows just popped up.  Tee Hee Hee!   Ok, a good sense of humor, a thankful heart, and lots of love are getting ready to be dispensed today.  How can I say that?  Because II Peter 1:3 says His divine power has given to me all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these I may be a partaker of the divine nature! -    Or my translation:  You got everything you need baby doll - not because of you but because of Jesus - so get with it!
Let me put on my little servant hat -the mind of Christ – as I am reminded that one of the last things Jesus said was “John, look out after mom” and watch to see the effect of generous, outrageous, God size Love.

Apr 8, 2011

The Lenten Journey

Day 31:  Heart Surgery
Today I reread the book of Romans that I have written to help me understand better the magnitude of what Jesus Christ has done for me.   Abba stopped me again at Romans 6 – which is where He stopped me on Day 28:
Where I dealt with how I AM living in Graceland, today the emphasis is on the last sentence. 
 I am now living in the Freedom of God.  As I listen to my new Master, the freedom gets bigger and SURPRISE - I have a whole, healed, put together LIFE! 
 
It doesn’t say I will get, I might get or I hope I get but I HAVE a whole,  healed, put together Life because of Jesus Christ.  Does this FACT change my situation?  No!  Does it change other people?  No!  Well, excuse me, what does it do?  I get to choose to allow that new heart that I received to direct my life.  I believe, like Abraham and Sarah that the situation is as God says.  Do I realize that it is for “now” not later?  I am slightly overwhelmed but as I went through the day, when things would not be as I wanted, I would consciously turn to my Abba and ask my Master:  How do I handle this?  Oh my, Freedom!!!  I am not responsible for how others act.  I do not have to let their decisions cause me to act less than who I am.  I can choose to be like Abraham and Sarah and realize that I have something new inside of me and I can live  in a whole, healed, put together way.  It is mind boggling and takes faith like Abe and Sarah to believe that what God says is true.  Hummmmm do you hear it?  Lub dub lub  dub lub dub lub dub
The Bible Says It.  I Believe It.  But Help me to believe it again tomorrow!  My new heart assures me that I have a whole healed, put together life!  Amen

The Lenten Journey

Day 30:  Enjoy the Gifts Today
I am having a lovely week.  I needed a “family fix” so I am zooming from my son and daughter in love’s house (grandbabies:  Caelyn and Urijah) and to my daughter and son in love’s house (grandbabies:  Jackson and Miller) and I have my mom with me as I visit my daughter.  I got a beautiful surprise in that mom has not been able to travel with me for several years and “lo and behold” this time she is able to!!  We have three generations in the same house and are enjoying such a sweet mother, daughter, granddaughter time together.  No, I’m not getting much quiet time.  Yes, it is a little tiring going from the Seashore, to the Piedmont, to the Mountains white with “dogwoods”!    As I focused to ask Abba how I could please his heart today, again I was told “ENJOY”.  Oh how He is thrilling my heart.  The vision that some have of my Abba as a God who delights in taking things away from us is blowing my mind.  This whole Lenten adventure has thrilled my heart in that He is revealing what a wonderful Abba He is.  Oh there are “little foxes” trying to steal the joy but I don’t think I’ll let them.  I’ll stay focused on my Abba and what a wonderful adventure I am having.  Thank you  my Abba

The Lenten Journey

Day 29: No Dieting – Spiritual That Is!
Are you ready to pay attention today?  Will you slow down and allow Me, your Abba, to point out all the special things I have for you today?  OK, confession, through the last couple of weeks I have put on some pounds and the blue jeans let me know it today.  I am focused on salads because I don’t have a problem until I reach a certain weight and then it is out of control.  This winter has been a very special time, not much conflict, working through old junk – thanks to the steps in Al Anon (which is a great program for whatever  issue need fixing).   I think I have gotten “fat and happy.”  I’m one of those weird persons who loses weight when things are out of kilter so I generally don’t have weight issues, because when is there something in life not out of kilter.  But thanks to “working my steps”, the “out of kilter” things haven’t bothered me.   All that is to say as I woke up today I was focused on only eating healthy stuff.  I woke up singing Break Thou The Bread of Life – see I’m focused spiritually, mentally and physically!  But then I heard:  “Pattigail, no spiritual dieting today.  Feed on every lovely thing I place before you.  Springtime flowers and trees, family, grandbabies, mom and dad, think about what a special man you have (he’s home taking care of things while I have a “family fix”. )  Look for me in everything.  Use all your senses and be keenly aware of all I shower on you.   Oh, I think I’m going to have a wonderful “chocolate day”.  Thank you Abba

Apr 5, 2011

The Lenten Journey

Day 28:  No Judging

This morning I woke up singing:  O Worship The King; there were tremendous storms through the night; the wind had the trees dancing; the rain was washing off everything and my best bud had told me that God wants her to dance with Him on the mountain.  (A quick view into the brain and the soup pot that it is).  As I began focusing on today, I went to my piano and started playing O Worship The King - I turned my thoughts loose and let them go whereever they flowed.  It was then that I head my Beloved's quiet voice:  Baby doll, today I would like for you not to  judge one person, not make one comment about what they do, did, or will do.  Do not give an opinion on it!  Yikes, that is my favorite sport Abba!  What game will I play if I don't give my opinion on what everyone else is "not doing right" in their life?  Oh my, Abba has me rewriting scripture to make it personal  - His love letter straight to my heart.  He brought up Romans 6.  My entry for what He wants me to understand from this chapter of the Bible: 
Baptism portrays leaving my old home and taking up residence in the new home he has provided.  My home has a banner over the front door that says:  GRACELAND!  I live in a light filled world where I can see where I am going.  Through Jesus I have experienced death and resurrection.  Sin has been brought down (nailed to the cross and buried) and God has taken up residence in me through the Holy Spirit!  I am now living in the Freedom of God.  As I listen to my new Master, the freedom gets bigger and SURPRISE - I have a whole, healed, put together LIFE! 
Even as I write that I hear his sweet voice saying:  Pattigail, when anyone enters your life today remember there is a sign over you that says:  Entering Graceland!
Oh sweet Abba, Forgive that my favorite past time is playing "Here comes the Judge".   
Close my eyes:  He is placing a picture in my mind of Graceland; of what people should get when they are in my presence.   God, I yield to You to allow Your Holy Spirit to extend Grace - not Judgment to everyone You place in my life today.    Oohhh -  I can smell the fragrance of "Graceland"?

Apr 4, 2011

The Lenten Journey

Day 27:  Treat Him Like Me!
First, for any of you that are following this, I will be away from the computer for a week – but I will continue my Lenten Journey and catch up next week.
As I was singing  my little head off – inside of course – as my man K Larry might not be able to handle it this early, I sensed Abba directing my thoughts.  What would it look like if I treated K Larry the way I treat my Abba?  The next step – what would it look like if my daughter in love treated my son the way she treats Abba?   How would my daughter’s mom in love feel if my daughter treated her son the same way she treats Abba . . .What if people took their marriage vows seriously and quit waiting for their partner to treat them better before they carried out their God assignment of showing the world the love of Jesus through our marriages?  (Bad writing but that’s the jumble going on in this blond brain!)  I must also mention that the world “Tough Love” popped up also in that God doesn’t ask us to Love any differently than He loves so it means no “crap” going on in our marriages:  speaking the truth in love, producing only good results for each other as long as we live, looking at Proverbs 31 and Ephesians 5 and “lining up”.   He calmly let me know that I am not responsible for how anyone else, including my man, responds to His requests (I’m reminded of Peter asking Jesus:  excuse me what about John?  Jesus told him to mind his own business).  Today, can I mind my own business, focus on Jesus’ request for me  as a gift to Him and LOVE   MY   MAN   THE   WAY    I   LOVE JESUS?  OK,  I’m taking a deep breath and heading out to give Him the gift He requested today – Oh please Pray for Me.

Apr 3, 2011

The Lenten Journey


Day 26:  Falling Upward -Letting Go
I woke up mellow this morning – sensing a “different peace,” quietness in my spirit and an absolute yearning for my Abba.  Oh He has been changing me, from the inside out.  He is removing the drive to always be right, perfect, know it all and to exhibit quietness and a gentle spirit – THAT’S  BIG.  Little Southern Baptist that I have been, He is teaching me through ways I would never seek out on my own.  Growing up in the South, there was a suspiciousness of any thoughts that didn’t “sound” Baptist.  However, He has been gently, sweetly opening my narrow little mind.  He has placed me beside a boisterous Brethren, a focused Methodist, a converted Mormon, sweet Presbyterian friends, liturgical Episcopalians, an eighty two year old Moravian who has become a mentor, and a devout Catholic.  We are all sheep in the same pasture and we all have one Shepherd – Jesus Christ.  I am being impacted most profoundly by what He is showing me through my Catholic friends.  They have introduced me to Henri Nouwen,  Mother Teresa and now, Richard Rohr. He has a new book – Falling Upward – His reading for today is excellent and if you want to check out the website it is:  cac@cacradicalgrace.org
Oh, I am growing - there are little buds of grace, quietness, mercy, trust, and a peace that is starting to pass understanding. And thanks to Richard Rohr, I am learning to Fall Upward "in that the second half of life feels like going down after we have spent so much sound and fury  into going up [the first half of life]". 
  
What is my gift to my Abba today?  - Staying  Quiet so He can teach me and I can be strong in Him.   
In Quietness and Trust is Your Strength – Isaiah 30:15

Apr 2, 2011

The Lenten Journey

Day 25:  Be Lead-able

Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us

Text: Attr. to Dorothy A. Thrupp, 1779-1847 Music: William B. Bradbury, 1816-186
    Savior, like a shepherd lead us, much we need thy tender care; in thy pleasant pastures feed us, for our use thy folds prepare. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast bought us, thine we are. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast bought us, thine we are.

     We are thine, thou dost befriend us, be the guardian of our way; keep thy flock, from sin defend us, seek us when we go astray.  Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!  Hear, O hear us when we pray.  Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Hear, O hear us when we pray.

     Thou hast promised to receive us, poor and sinful though we be; thou hast mercy to relieve us, grace to cleanse and power to free. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! We will early turn to thee. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!  We will early turn to thee.

    Early let us seek thy favor, early let us do thy will; blessed Lord and only Savior, with thy love our bosoms fill. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast loved us, love us still.  Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast loved us, love us still.

It’s quite simple today Baby doll.  Allow Me to Lead you and don’t try to second guess or figure it out, just follow!  OK?  Breathe Girl!

Apr 1, 2011

The Lenten Journey

Day 24:  No Rebellion
Being misunderstood, being accused – I hope falsely, produces an opportunity to examine my motives.  I woke up singing:
Words: John E. Bode, 1 Music: An­gel’s Sto­ry, Ar­thur H. Mann868 
O Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end;
Be Thou forever near me, my Master and my Friend;
I shall not fear the battle if Thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway if Thou wilt be my Guide.
O let me feel Thee near me! The world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle, the tempting sounds I hear;
My foes are ever near me, around me and within;
But Jesus, draw Thou nearer, and shield my soul from sin.
O let me hear Thee speaking in accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion, the murmurs of self will.
O speak to reassure me, to hasten or control;
O speak, and make me listen, Thou Guardian of my soul.
O Jesus, Thou hast promised to all who follow Thee
That where Thou art in glory there shall Thy servant be.
And Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end;
O give me grace to follow, my Master and my Friend.
O let me see Thy footprints, and in them plant mine own;
My hope to follow duly is in Thy strength alone.
O guide me, call me, draw me, uphold me to the end;
And then in Heaven receive me, my Savior and my Friend.



Abba asked me to not be “rebellious” today.  That means I don’t respond out of hurt, anger, misunderstanding but with a “gentle and quiet” spirit.  I sense that the second part of my Lenten Journey is to focus on the requests of the last twenty some days and really deal with them.  I can make anything in my life a “daily Bible reading exercise.”  By that I mean, seeing the words, checking off that I saw them and read them, and thinking that is the end of that.  But I hear Abba saying :  “Oh no, no,  no Baby doll!  We are going to go to work now and make the words part of your life.”  Well shoot, I like reading them better, checking off that I read them and putting everything nicely away until tomorrow. 
I am wanting to be “rebellious” and tell God what I will take part in and what I won’t take part in.  I am wanting to be a petulant child.  I am wanting to have my own way.  Oh, a “bunny trail” to go down.  I re-wrote Have Thine Own Way Lord:

Have Mine own way, Lord!  Have Mine own way!  I want to be the Potter, and not be the clay.  Just a little touch up will suit me just fine, Being still and waiting seems way out of line.
Have Mine own way, Lord!  Have Mine own way, Fix (him/her)  real quick Lord, just as I say.   Whiter than snow, Lord, Make me right now, Do something painless, and I’ll take the bow.
Have Mine own way, Lord!  Have Mine own way!  I get so weary, help me TODAY!  Power, all Power, I want to have!  Zap me and make me perfect right NOW.
Have Mine own way, Lord!  Have Mine own Way!  I’ll tell you how Lord, do it today!  Filled with my way Lord, So all can see.  If I’m in Control Lord, I can be soo happy!  
OK, off the bunny trail  and  on to  the God Trail.  I’m opening my hand Lord, placing  it in yours.  I think I’ll sing – “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus, I Have Decided to Follow Jesus . . . .No turning back, no turning back.