Quiet Time

Everyone needs a little quiet time.  Nay likes to hide behind chairs, tables, under the bed and in corners in order to get quiet time.  Zeke is very content to lay by my side for his quiet time.  "Quiet time" is what I call time that you have space and peace.

When I get in the car, for my 50 minute drive to work, I really love to listen to a book on audio. Sometimes, it's kind of odd.  When a man reads a bpok and he tries to sound like a girl when the female characters speak it makes me laugh.  Once I listened to this lady who was a professional puppeteer.  The voices were comical and cartoon like, I couldn't make it through the book~  Usually, some of the readers grow on me and I enjoy it.

I also like to listen to music.  Loudly.  There's something about a song that can uplift the soul, change your emotions, or just encourage. 

There are also moments where I like "quiet time".  It is time that I reflect and meditate.  There is truly something about "quiet" that allows you to hear God.  "Being still" truly allows you to seek God.  It's a time where I may sit and empty my mind of all things and wait.  Once you can find that moment..not necessarily in prayer or in reading...but just in stillness, it is an experience that allows you hear God....not audibly, but yet hear Him.

For me it is usually a message of love and one of encouragement, because my God knows that's what this girl needs.  I find that quiet time is never enough, never truly appreciated, but once I sit and do it....it can change the course of the rest of my day.

Quiet time for my puppies are different.  For Nay, in her old age, it is often.  For Zeke, it is rare...usually after complete exhaustion (even as I type this he's chewing a bone while Nay is knocked out!).  For me..I guess I am kind of like Nay...the older I get the more I realize I need it.  May God help me to "be still".

Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God..."

Do you call yourself a Christian?  I do.  I think there are people though, who have not grasped what being a true Christian means.  You see, a lot of people in the world watch Christians and wait for them to "trip up".  What these people are missing is that being a christian is not about "who I am" but it is "about who HE IS". 

You see, if I were really perfect, I wouldn't need Christ.   I need Christ because I am a sinner.  And I need Christ because I fail. When things are tough, and I worry, I need Christ to make me strong.  When I am at my lowest and not the person I should be, Christ is there to convict me and make me better.

I ask you not to look at who you think I am, or even who you think I SHOULD BE, because while here on earth I will never be what I should be and I will only cause room for you to doubt.  I ask that you look at who HE IS. It is by HIM that I call myself a christian.  I am humbled to be called a child of God and I am grateful that He loves me, not matter who I am and no matter what I do.  I pray God gives me a love for others...as He loves me.

Earthquake in Japan

It has been a while since I've blogged.  I have attempted several this evening but it just doesn't seem right that I can blog about anything without even mentioning what is going on in Japan today. 

My family lives in Japan, but it is southern Japan and so far it seems they are safe.  My mom still has 3 sisters living.  One of them lives here with her husband.  The other two still live in Japan with their families.   My aunt here has been trying to get through but it seems the phones are so busy we cannot.  It seems though that all is okay.

Yesterday evening, as I thought about what was happening it made me sick to my stomach.  I could see the cars trying to out drive the tsunami.  I saw a man in his house, floating in the water...waving a white towel in hope of rescue.  It saddens me to see how terribly frightening it all must've been.  It saddens me to see the lives that were lost in this disaster.

I pray for these families and for Japan that they might recover.  I have no doubt they will.  I have seen Hiroshima today....more than 60 years after the atomic bomb.  It is one of the largest cities I have ever been to.  I believe that the Japanese are tough people, strong and determined to succeed.

On the other hand, I hope that through this they might find God.  Nothing brings us to our knees more than experiencing life's tragedies.  Whether it be losing a loved one to natural causes or losing a loved one to an earthquake disaster, we must consider eternity. 

I pray that the rescuers will find survivors, I pray that the survivors will be safe during the aftermath of nuclear power plants, tsunamis, and after shocks.  I pray that God will offer mercy and grace to those that remain, and I pray that the people of Japan will see it.

Have you considered eternity?

Presence- Sometimes It's All We Need!

Do you think it is possible to "feel Jesus"?  I would first like to say that I don't base my faith nor my salvation on how I "feel"....I base it on what God's Word says, but still, I wonder if I can feel Jesus. 

I am one who likes to keep my emotions inside and contained.  So often, many people don't want to be "emotional" in church because emotion is not to be mistaken for the Holy Spirit, but I do believe God uses our emotions at times to speak to us.

There are days that are so hard, that the emotions build, and for a moment I can sense God speaking to me and nudging and reminding me what is important.  A sense of calm will rush over me.  It's like I can "feel Jesus".  Have you ever had this experience?

As i type this, all cramped up with my computer way up on my chest in the bed, because Zeke is laying half in my lap...I think of the comfort of the presence of God and knowing his presence.  Yesterday it STORMED.  Naomi was beside herself....but it seemed that no matter where she went she made sure that either I or Steve was present.  Right now Zeke is laying on top of me.  Our presence comforts our dogs.

I know this blog post is not necessarily politically correct or at least on this blog post proven with Scripture....but for me it is real.  I don't know what God does in those moments where I really feel like a weight has been taken from my shoulders, or where I feel a sense of calm rush over me, or when I feel like sunshine is hitting me but its not.  Really, it is through those experiences where I feel God is speaking to me and God is taking care of me...and God is reminding me that "HE IS".....everything I need. 

GRATEFUL......

Getting in Shape

This weekend I took Nay and Zeke to my parents' house to play.  I know it sounds kind of funny but they have "running around room" and two labs of their own.  While I was there my mom confirmed what I had already been talking about for weeks..."Zeke is getting chubby."  The look on his face in this picture...it kind of makes me wonder if he knows?  I don't think so...he loves food way too much to let his weight get him down.  I am thinking he knows I've been batting around the idea of a green bean diet for him.  He's had other diets that did not work.  He ended up getting all kinds of food off the counters.  I know you think I should train him not to do this...BUT...I have never SEEN him counter surf but the evidence I have found in the dining room suggests otherwise.

I need to lose weight too.  I have heard this green bean diet (consisting of green beans and kibble) is very successful.  I am even considering the kibble!  :)

This past summer, I took my 35 year old "over-weight" self on a journey.  As they say, losing weight in your 30's is not like losing weight in your 20's.  I started with a mile a day, EVERY SINGLE DAY, and it didn't work.  I cut back on calories, and it didn't work.  So what did work?  Two miles a day and a good protein good carbs diet.  I lost weight, FINALLY.  I took a break and never went back.  I still have more to lose, not much, but enough to be considered a healthy and happy weight.

When I think about my physical health and how it affects me mentally and emotionally (because Zeke's expression looks how I feel!) I also think of my spiritual health.  When I make time to read God's promises in the Bible and think on them, I find that my spiritual health is strengthened. 

I have to get in shape physically but not to neglect getting in shape spiritually.  I find that with life experience the reality of God becomes more sure. Sometimes He takes things away from us so that we only see Him.  In life we concentrate so much on the temporal.  What kind of paycheck we bring home, what nice things we buy, and the work we do each day. These things are all important but it is not as important as that which is eternal.  I HAVE TO get in shape.  It will allow me to serve God more effectively when I am healthy. Though I feel that I have progressed this past summer there is still more that I can do.  I cannot allow some progress to keep me from the goal I need to make.  I also HAVE TO get in shape spiritually.  The outside is merely the result of the inside.  On occasion we can wear a great disguise on the outside...but eventually the truth will reveal itself.  I cannot allow feeling  "a little bit good" about the time I spend with God each day, keep me from gettting even more from Him so that I can feel "a whole lot good". 

May I find myself working as hard on the inside as I do the outside.

Good Morning!!

I had all kinds of blog ideas the last few weeks but I could not resist sharing with you Zeke and Naomi's new habit.  This week, each morning, they have decided to be the "see the neighborhood off" committee.  Yes, every single car that leaves our culdesac, every car that they can see from our back windows, and every child to ride the school bus....they say good bye to each morning.  When does this begin?  Well, let's see, on Monday morning it started around 5:15 a.m.   

If we could only face each morning with the same excitement and vigor.  Some of you may have that sunshine feeling as you pop out of bed each morning to giggle and smile as you face the day, but me....oh no....I drag myself out of bed, half-blind, slipping in my contacts, and slowly but surely drudging forward.   Now, in the evening it is a whole other story.  I am WIDE awake! 

 Be excited, each day God gives you is a new day.  Watch for the blessings and know them when you see them.  I am one to usually not notice because I'm too busy "doing".  I want to be like my own labs when they see the neighbors leaving each morning....seeing the blessings and rejoicing in them.

Only He Can Calm the Storm

I am posting this for a few friends of mine who have some storms of their own.  I wrote it when I was going through a storm.  I know we all have them! 

When the storm around me rages, and I face a darkened sky

And the problems they grow greater, that I'm tempted to ask why

When I find myself fallen, on my knees to ask in prayer

"Lord, wrap your love around me, show me that you care"

Only you can calm the storm, and carry me through

Though the waves they toss above me, Lord, help me to see you

You can make the storm waters; feel as if it's calm

Lord give me strength to make it, Lord help me carry on

When life's trials get so heavy, and I know I'm in the storm

I see what is around me, instead of looking to My Lord

And the moment that I call Him, the storm becomes peace

And even though the waves move, it will feel as if they've ceased

And when the sea is calm, and I have not a care

Lord, help me to remember, to still call on you in prayer

And through each day I'll seek you, finding strength for every day

And when the storms come raging, I know that I can say

Only You can calm the storm, and carry me through

Though the waves they toss above me, Lord help me to see you

You can make the stormy waters feel as if it's calm

Lord give me strength to make it, Lord help me carry on.

Only you can calm the storm, and carry me through

Lord, give me strength to make it....Lord, I depend on You.

by Debbie Fincher, September 2004