It's All In the Timing

"Hey, I just killed a snake."

These were the words I heard from my 14-year old brother. He had been mowing the lawn, and I was sitting beside Mrs. P in her comfortable, town house garage.

Snake.

If there is one word that sends tremors through my heart, you just read it. I firmly believe in the verse that says we shall 'crush' the head of the serpent (Gen. 3:15), and I have no spiritual dilemma following it through!

Now it doesn't take a geographer or zoologist to know there are lots of snakes here in Texas. In fact, when you hear 'Texas' what picture comes to mind? Rolling desert, robust cacti, roaming cowboys maybe? And, more likely than not, you thought rattle snakes.  Well, you are not too far off.

One would think, or at least the one writing this story, that rattlesnakes would stay far away from any humanized, motorized, form of settled civilization. But apparently, when it comes to snakes, they must be as dumb as they are ugly.

On a bright, beautiful, beaming suburban morning, my little brother Anthony came upon our unwelcome guest, not but four yards away from the house, coiled comfortable under the shade of Mrs. P's well watered pear tree.

Unknowingly my brother had walked right past Mrs. Snake as he mowed one length of grass and didn't notice him until his return trip when the snake was right in front of the mower. The perfect place I would say, because Anthony did what any snake-fearing person would do...he mowed right over it and chopped it to bits.

At the time, Anthony didn't actually realize it was a rattler. It wasn't until after his 'I killed a snake' declaration at which I time I followed him to the scene of the crime, that we made the discovery. While picking up the pieces, we had about decided it had been a harmless snake when I spotted a tail piece we had missed...and there attacked at the end was the infamous rattle.

Now, although I rejoice in the death of any rattlesnake, that isn't the best part of this story. The best part comes in the timing and God's hand in the events that took place before hand.

You see, Anthony had actually been late that morning. He was supposed to have been there hours earlier. But, for some reason, his alarm clock had failed to go off.

Imagine if it had.

At the time he found the snake, according to his earlier schedule, Anthony would most likely have been done and gone.

All the menfolk at my home and those of Mrs. P's sons were out and away during the morning, so there would have been no one to call for help. And I can assure you, I would not have been able to kill a rattle snake by myself.

And what if we had taken our walk later, or Mrs. had taken a walk by herself earlier in the morning before I got there, like she sometimes does? Things could have turned out very differently.

God took care of me and Mrs. P that morning. And hey, He may not have held back the sun, but I think it is pretty special that He held back the alarm.

A New Revelation, A New Creation

Always and whenever I read about being a 'new creation', 'being made new',

and 'being transformed by the renewing of your mind',

I pray and ask God to make it so in my life.

 

It has been said we never see change taking place in us until it has fully come upon us.

No one knows when being snuck up on that they are about to be surprised until they are overtaken.

 

I realized as of late that I had been overtaken by my answered prayers.

 

The suddenness of that realization came upon my mind sharply.

 

Once again, I found myself reading about  'the new man'.

Once again I wondered if I would ever be so.

Once again I prayed.

 

But this time, in answer to my "Lord, make me new" I heard without hesitation,

 

"You are ."

 

Across my mind flashed a recent conversation I had with a good friend

who had gone through a break-up.

This friend was not a Christian.

 

As I listened to them share their woes and tell how things had fallen apart- I was dumbstruck.

 

Completely, utterly, speechless.

 

Their perspective, their basis upon which they built this entire relationship,

their concepts of material loss or small victories in keeping some item

from their ex's grasp, was so pointedly and 100% opposite and removed from my own.

My views, beliefs, priorities and morals were so utterly dissimilar

that I had no grounds on which to meet this friend.

 

We were worlds apart.

 

There was no way of translating my before-planned counsel so they could grasp or

understand some shred of the truths I had wanted to communicate.

 Because my friend didn't even know the phonetics, if you will,

the very basics of Christian morals and principals, there was simply no way.

 

Yes, we were indeed of different worlds, speaking different languages.

 

As recollection of this experience washed over my memory,

bringing afresh a small, concentrated dose of the emotions felt from it,

reality struck me.

 

"You are  transformed...you are a new man."

 

I was so entirely different in my approach to life and its issues,

my convictions and beliefs so stirringly, strikingly opposed,

the very workings and reasonings of my thoughts, emotions and responses

were on the other end of the pendulum in comparison to my friend's.

In fact they are not those of an 'ordinary' person, a person of this world.

 

A way of thinking, feeling, seeing and interpreting life's events

had gotten ahold of me that was not 'normal',

was not like other 'men' around me.

 

I was like an alien operating on a strange planet, under a different set of 'kingdom rules'.

I was like...

a new man.

 

 

 

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away;

behold, all things are become new.



A Thought

God allows each man some vice or shortsighted vision

 of His truth in one area or another

simply so we as humans won't lift them up higher than we ought

 and make a 'christ' out of them.

 

No one sees all truth.

Truth is God, and it is impossible to see all of God in our human form.

All of His glory is too much to take in all at once- so it truth.

 

~Me~



Let's Be Real

Hello there.

How have you been?

It has been a long time since I last blogged, and I might say in my defence, for good reasons.

But they are my own, so you'll just to trust me on this one.

One reason, I will share with you, truthfully.

Sometimes I just feel it doesn't matter.

My words, my feelings, my blogging.

What does it amount to?

Hours of my life spent in front of a computer screen wearing my eyes out....

and for what reason?

We all of us, sooner or later, have to examine the reasons behind our actions.

And sometimes those reasons lead to further questions, which may lead

to some unsettling answers and ultimately, point out something buried deep

that we may not have know lurked in our heart.

I'm gonna peal back the mask for a moment, not because I want you to feel sorry for me,

or even understand me,

but because we need more real people in this world.

I know I do.

So here goes.

I stopped blogging (in part) because I was discouraged.

Why?

Because is seemed none of it mattered, it wasn't making a difference.

What made you think that?

I have two followers and only a handful of readers.

Which means...?

I'm wasting my time, I'm must not be a very good writer if people won't read it.

Why does it matter if people read it?

Because I want them to.

And why is that?

So I feel like I'm a good writer, like I'm appreciated.

In other words, you write for attention?

NO. No, I'm not like that! You know me, I grew up the shy wallflower, I don't clamor for attention!

But...?

I want others to accept me. To like me.

You have real, present people in your life that accept you, love you.

That's not enough.

Why?

Because- because what if they are wrong? What if they are just being nice?

What makes you think that, why do you doubt others love and acceptance of you?

.....

And this is where the truth hit me, it came flying at me like a rock hurled to the head.

But instead of knocking me blind, it cleared my sight so I could see the real issue.

Because...because I don't like myself. I have never accepted myself, I don't like who I am.

And there you have it.

The whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God.

Yes. Please. Help me God.

We may know the truth of who God says we are, and we may know that others love and accept us.

But we can never accept others until we accept ourselves.

We can't truly love others until we love ourselves.

Flaws and all.

We can't give what we don't have.

So.

That is kind of where I'm at.

I'm a bit of perfectionist, I'm always trying to improve myself, and yes, others.

I'm extremely critical of myself, and secretly of others, though to a far lesser degree.

And it irks me.

God used the book The Bluebird and the Sparrow by Janette Oke to bring this self realization crashing into my heart.

All the way through the book the main character, Berta, drove me crazy.

I got upset with her, and thought she was being stupid and irrational about many things,

making bad decisions out of pain that ultimately resulted in more pain.

In spite of this, I could really identify with some of her feelings and coping mechanisms...

her hurts and how she molded her life and herself based on those wounds.

It was just what I needed to hear.

Amazing how He knows that, isn't it?

Truly, I love writing.

Writing is a release and a way of expressing what I can't say with my tongue.

So I'll keep blogging because I want to write.

Even if no one ever reads it.

I'm restraining myself from re-reading over this post, rewriting it, nitpicking here,

deleting there, because frankly, perfectionism is exhausting.

And besides, this is more of a raw post.

It isn't perfect, I didn't labor hours over the wording and grammar.

As I work, with God's help, to accept myself, just as I am, I think I will learn to accept that too.

~Me~



My Garden and Living Water

Chives in my herb garden.

What does 100 degrees + my herb garden - 2 days of watering equal?

You've got it.

Droopy plants.

Here in my region of the Lone Star state, we are going through what is affectionately referred to as a "drought". As a result, every evening my family and I venture forth from our cool, A/C endowed home to assess the damage on our various plants and do our best to restore them.

This year I took a leap of faith and planted my first herb garden. It has been a source of joyous accomplishment to witness seeds I planted sprouting up and showing up on our dinner table. In the cool of the evening, just before dark, I go out to water them after surviving yet another Texas squelcher.

One weekend not so long ago I got myself into a 'funk'.  It had been a trying week and I was beat. My attitude and perspective on life, quite frankly, had been blown a little off course. Not much got done. Including my evening water ritual.

After two missed waterings, I found myself, watering wand in hand, staring at a very sad, very parched little garden.

"Amazing," I thought to myself, "how two days time can be the difference between life and this."

Water droplets dribbled gently to the ground, and no sooner having landed, were instantly absorbed...all trace of their presence vanishing like some magic trick.

As I stood watering and surveying my poor little greens, a though gently dawned on me.

I was just like my wilted, thirsting plants.

Running water gave them life. Living Water gave me life.

They had been cut off from their source. So had I.

Like my growing garden, I live in a dry and thirsty land, where one day without water, without some nourishment and Strength beyond myself, can have sickly consequences.

My soul had become dry and crusty, leaving a trail of dust behind me simply because I had been neglecting to get my daily dose of Living Water.

John 4:10- Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water."

Slowly I breathed in, and surly my heart gave in. A single name...a Holy Name, fell from my lips.

And there it was.

My Source.

My Living Water.

Isaiah 44:3- For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground;
 I will pour out my Spirit...

I'm still not sure who benefited most from that watering...the plants, or this thirsty girl.

After All

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.
~ 1 Timothy 2:1, NLT ~

Photo by mufan96 via Flickr

An ambulance just squealed down the highway, lights ablaze.

Pray for the people inside it.



A tragic headline catches your eyes in the news.

Pray for those it effects.


Anytime a cord of your compassion is plucked by something you hear or see.

Pray.


Hmmm...


All.

.....

Well, unfortunately I'm prettyyyyy sure that means....ALL.

Enemies...jerks... politicians...line-cutters and speeders included.  *Aww, shucks...Sigh*

After all, they are people too, with hurts and hopes just like us.

After all, aren't those simply titles we give them for OUR emotions based on how they treat us?   

AFTER ALL, these people need help, right? So why not tell God and let HIM fix it!

Prayer is not just for the hurting, but for those who hurt others.


The type of prayer this verse talks about is a two-way street of blessing. It frees us from bad attitudes, self-focus, and resentment while also blessing the other person as we speak positive, thankful things about them in prayer along with asking God to help them.


We may, after all, be the only person that will.

Resurrection Day!

This Day

Today is the day.

All of history....

All existence...

Held its breath for this day.

Prophecy fulfilled,

Eternities altered.

Lives restored,

a Kingdom established.

This day.

Death died, He lived.

God's Son,

the battle won.

A chasm Crossed,

for sin to pay,

man restored.

This day.

His day.

HIStory made.

This day.

~Desarae Phipps~

Happy Resurrection Day everyone!

We are blessed beyond worldly measure!

Your Productive Kingdom?

Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; they they will not be unproductive. -Titus 3:14 NLT

Is it just me, or does this verse seem to go against our 'grain'?

Read it once, it sounds great!

But read it twice and you go "Whoa! Wait!"

Productive.

What comes to mind when you hear that word?

To-Do list, deadlines, writing letters, making phone calls, mopping floors, grocery shopping, mow the lawn, the list goes on and on.

Each check mark earns us a productive point, no?

But hold the horses, this verse says productive lives come by meeting the urgent needs of others. How does that work?

Let's all admit, it can be frustrating when someone interrupts our focused, get-it-done attitude with a request, right?

It seems contrary to think we can be more productive by fulfilling those little interruptions, doesn't it?

But then...I think therein lies the point.

We serve a God who operates on a different 'economy system', a Kingdom that is contrary.

Me, I and My rule in the kingdom of To-Do-Lists and productivity, but His Kingdom To-Do-List reads more like this,

"Feed my sheep..." (John 21:17)
                       
                     "Love one another..." (John 13:34)

                                         "Encourage each other...." (1 Thess. 5:11, Heb. 3:13)

                                                                         "Pray for one another..." (James 5:16)

                                                                                 
At the end of the day the floor may still be muddy, but the waters of someone's heart clear.

That delicious meal you planned may have been replaced with sandwiches, but the family that just lost a loved one need not worry because you took time to feed their hurting hearts as well their bellies.

You may not home as soon as you wanted after a crazy day at work, but at least that lady didn't walk home in the rain 'cause you gave her a ride.

In a Father's economy, He sees after all of His children. And He lets us help!

Through the process, we lose 'self', lose fear, lose mistrust, and that sounds like spiritual productiveness doesn't it?

This thing is a two way street.

Hope to see you on it. :)

The Least of These



Photo from Flickr

Does it really matter?!

       Will this even make a difference?

                    What am I doing?

Me. Last week. These questions.

Been there?

I know you have.

Cause we ALL have.

We all struggle, all reach, all strive, all wonder. We want to make a difference, be successful, leave a mark on this crazy world.

Some are given platforms which the world looks at and says 'wow', but most of us live 'normal' lives, and some of us live seemingly small lives...like me.

I was once a waitress, then an office hand, then a journalist, then an ad salesman; I was in contact with lots of people everyday.

And now, after the dust of God's hand at work has settled, I'm in a place, be it far more peaceful than before, that is indeed very small.  Have you been there too?

Where I used to see to the needs to business men, now I see to the needs to an aged widow.
 
Where once I fed my editor front page stories, now I feed this woman.

I used to write stories, now I listen to hers.

No longer interviewing doctors, now I serve as one.

And one day, I stopped and said to myself.

    "Lord, I know this matters to her, and I know this is where you have placed me, but today I don't feel very important. No one sees what I do, does it even matter or not if I keep her house clean or give her bath, or make sure her shoes are polished?!"

No sooner had I uttered these words than a gentle whisper floated through my heart,

"The least of these...."

I stopped in my tracks.

"I was hungry....I was thirsty...I  was sick...you looked after Me." (Matthew 25:34-40)

The rest of the verse came flooding back to mind, and with it came a deep reassurance and peace.

The little things we do matter.

They are seen.

Today as I sat down to write this entry, I wasn't quite sure if I should publish it, so in between writing I check my e-mail. I was amazed by what I found waiting for me. A daily Bible verse reading,

"So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless." 1 Cor. 15:58 NLT.

How amazing!

Again, that peace and reassurance came.

I believe someone needed to read this today, was it you?

Let's remember together that our platform may be as small as as stepping stool that dusts the ceiling fan of an old ladies house, but it matters...

It matters.

Identity

I stumbled upon this poem today and wanted to share it with you. These are truths, let them sink in, take root and heal your soul.~

My Identity In Christ

Because of Christ's redemption,

I am a new creation of great worth.

I am deeply loved,

completely forgiven,

fully pleasing,

totally accepted by God,

and absolutely complete in Christ.

There has never been another person like me

in the history of mankind,

nor will there ever be.

God has made me original,

on of a kind, really somebody!

~Unknown Author~