My son has a dog named Roofis. Actually we all have the dog since JR lives with us for now. Jack and I always said that we would not get another pet. Does the term pooper scoop come to mind? Roofis sneaked into our lives and our hearts.
I often take Roofis for walks around the area in which we live. He never fails to remind me of joy. Pure unadulterated joy. He finds joy in sniffing out trash and bringing it to me. He finds joy in picking up tree branches (no kidding) and carrying them into the house to chew on. Joy in chasing the bunnies that lives under the hedges in our yard. He finds joy just in being outside.
As I watch him leaping and cavorting, it occurs to me that he is God's creature and that he finds joy just being what God created him to be. So simple. Joy in just being a dog.
God created us for joy also. We are created to find joy in the work that was given to us. To find joy in the beauty of this world that He created just for us. To find joy in relationship with Him. Most of us drag through the day, angry and defeated. Loaded down with the cares of this world. I wonder what would happen if we reconnected with that joy I see in Roofis. Joy in just breathing in the day and the promise that it holds for us as creations of the Most High God.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
A Calling Out
Yesterday morning I read an article about the coming days here on earth and the spiritual battle taking place that rocked me to the core. The article spoke of the days of Noah recorded in Genesis 6 throught the account in Matthew 24:37-39 as follows. "For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be."
As I read on I saw these words, "Some form of restraining force has been removed from our country (America) that has sheltered us from this realm and dimension of spiritual darkness on a broad basis. It has been seen in isolated areas and circumstance but not as widespread as we are about to witness. We must prepare now to meet this incredible challenge. This level of hostile opposition will require the Lord's Bride to enter a level of maturity belonging to "the fullness of Christ" and absolute demonstration of the Lord's victory over death, hell and the grave."
For some time now I have sensed a "calling out" of believers, who are being awakened to a life set apart from the daily life in the natural. Believers who sense something more is taking place in the spiritual realm than what is taking place here on earth. Believers comitted to stepping out in faith to follow Christ. Believers called to intercessory prayer.
A new determination welled up in me and I fell to my face in prayer. I want that fullness of Christ, that maturity in Him. I do not want Christ's return to catch me in my comfortable chair. I want to be fully clad in armor; fully engaged in battle. Lord, may it be so today and all my days.
As I read on I saw these words, "Some form of restraining force has been removed from our country (America) that has sheltered us from this realm and dimension of spiritual darkness on a broad basis. It has been seen in isolated areas and circumstance but not as widespread as we are about to witness. We must prepare now to meet this incredible challenge. This level of hostile opposition will require the Lord's Bride to enter a level of maturity belonging to "the fullness of Christ" and absolute demonstration of the Lord's victory over death, hell and the grave."
For some time now I have sensed a "calling out" of believers, who are being awakened to a life set apart from the daily life in the natural. Believers who sense something more is taking place in the spiritual realm than what is taking place here on earth. Believers comitted to stepping out in faith to follow Christ. Believers called to intercessory prayer.
A new determination welled up in me and I fell to my face in prayer. I want that fullness of Christ, that maturity in Him. I do not want Christ's return to catch me in my comfortable chair. I want to be fully clad in armor; fully engaged in battle. Lord, may it be so today and all my days.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
40th High School Reunion
Yesterday I received in the mail two CDs containing pictures taken at my high school reunion. We celebrated 40 years last summer and I had not been back since our 10 year reunion. I was blessed to be able to go with my best friend, Sherry. She and I had not seen each other or communicated in over 30 years so it was doubly sweet.
As I looked through the pictures a flood of memories returned. I thought about what things were like back in 1968. How I did not fit into any one group but had friends throughout all the cliques. I thought about how angry, rebellious and sarcastic I was then. I never did try to develop relationships other than my friend, Sherry. No boys ever asked me out. I saw myself on the fringe always.
Than I thought about our 10 year reunion. I went with a huge chip on my shoulder. My sole motivation in going was to show them what they missed. I rejoiced at how the "popular kids" had let themselves go and how the nerds and the outcasts had come into their own. I behaved badly and did not care.
Yesterday as I looked at over 400 pictures from the reunion, I realized that age is a great equalizer. Every one of us had changed dramatically over 40 years. We all have drooping skin, yellowing teeth and graying hair. I looked at the lined faces and saw the pain that comes from living life badly. I also saw the joy and grace in life lived well. No longer can I discern the "popular kids" from the rest of us. I see the result of choice in those pictures. I wonder how differently might things have been had I opened my heart to them. No longer do I live with regrets but I do love how I choose to be in relationships now. As I put away the pictures I quietly prayed that they may come to know peace in this season of their lives.
As I looked through the pictures a flood of memories returned. I thought about what things were like back in 1968. How I did not fit into any one group but had friends throughout all the cliques. I thought about how angry, rebellious and sarcastic I was then. I never did try to develop relationships other than my friend, Sherry. No boys ever asked me out. I saw myself on the fringe always.
Than I thought about our 10 year reunion. I went with a huge chip on my shoulder. My sole motivation in going was to show them what they missed. I rejoiced at how the "popular kids" had let themselves go and how the nerds and the outcasts had come into their own. I behaved badly and did not care.
Yesterday as I looked at over 400 pictures from the reunion, I realized that age is a great equalizer. Every one of us had changed dramatically over 40 years. We all have drooping skin, yellowing teeth and graying hair. I looked at the lined faces and saw the pain that comes from living life badly. I also saw the joy and grace in life lived well. No longer can I discern the "popular kids" from the rest of us. I see the result of choice in those pictures. I wonder how differently might things have been had I opened my heart to them. No longer do I live with regrets but I do love how I choose to be in relationships now. As I put away the pictures I quietly prayed that they may come to know peace in this season of their lives.
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