May My Heart See...

T his being National Day of Prayer and all, I was wondering if you have a power closet?   Somewhere just for you and God?   Its a place of devotion, surrender and confession.  It might be in your house or in the front seat of your car.   It really doesn't matter because a ll you have to do is “show up” and talk to God.   It’s getting there that’s the hard part.   First, we have to take the time. Second, admit something - a need, a want, a sin and third, listen.  Satan doesn’t want us in the power closet, you know.   He rather see us in the denial bin - in darkness, where there is no light.  But light is where healing begins.  In Christ there is no darkness at all.  Hence, the need for the power closet . . . .  talking to God brings it all to the light, don't you think?  Confession, repentance, strength, hope - the power that comes forth from God through hearts devoted to Him is amazing!!   The power clo...

I had a question asked of me yesterday that quickened my heart and left me wondering.  I'm still wondering for that matter.  It actually makes me a little sick to my stomach to think that I even have to question myself and admit this out loud.  But here goes . . . . . do I worship God out of obligation or desire? We are studying 1 Kings on Wednesday mornings and King Solomon is the main character.  He's the son of David (known for being the man after God's own heart).  Solomon loved God and worshiped Him.  In fact, Solomon was allowed to build God's temple and became one of the wisest richest rulers of all time.  I Kings says,   5  Three  times a year Solomon sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings on the altar he had built for the  Lord , burning incense before the  Lord  along with them, and so fulfilled the temple obligations. I'm thinking to myself, WOW, this guy's doing it all rig...

Have you ever had someone in your life who truly showed joy, no matter the circumstance?  How about someone who has made a profound influence?  I can honestly say that I have had two, and they both have the name "Joyce" - hence, the title of this post - The Joyces of My Life. First of all, Joyce ( my stepmom) came into my life when she married my dad.  My life was pretty unstable with my mother, but we all made the best of it.  Once I graduated from high school, I moved in with Dad and Joyce. Life happened, I got married, had some kids, you know the drill.   When I think back, there's nothing specific I remember, except  her constant-ability.  She was always there for me.  Period.  When you meet someone who lets you into their heart, bears her own heart and soul, while introducing you to Jesus, your life changes.  At least mine did.  Her love for Jesus and scripture was evident and contagious.  I wanted in - all...

I was recently asked the question, "what is love?"  Thinking hard, I found that I could think of what it ISN'T, but for the life of me, couldn't define it.  I know what it feels like, warm, fuzzy . . .  good.  Or maybe that's sitting in front of a fire with a cup of chai tea.  Okay, let's start over.  Love (without truth) isn't love.  True statement.  Love, true love, is telling the truth, no matter how hard it is.  Or how about the theme of the old movie, Love Story.  "Love is never having to say you're sorry".  That's hogwash by the way.  For when you love someone, saying sorry is what you do over and over. As far as I remember, from little on, I wanted to be loved.  For some reason, I never thought I was.  Now I know that was a lie.  To think back on my childhood, I was the first grandchild on my mother's side and her siblings and parents adored me.   Adoration = love?  Yeah, I guess ...

I am a spiritual lesson seeker.  At least once a week, I find a spiritual lesson in something - whether its an occurrence, or when I'm reading my devotions.  Sometimes its in worship.  Most times, though, its every day life, the normal, day to day grind, that makes me stop, take notice and ponder. By spiritual lesson, I mean a "heart" lesson.  Something God tells me, shows me, or teaches me.  I have to smile when I think about it because its usually SO SIMPLE.  You know what I mean?  And because I take everything (literally) "to heart" , these spiritual lessons are life changing.  Sorry if you think I'm being slightly dramatic here, but to me, they really are. Deuteronomy 6:5 says, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."  To me, that's pretty much impossible.  Yet, I pray it. And I truly want it.  But I can't.  I just . . . .  can't.  I'm too full of mysel...

Is it enough to just want to be happy?  I think it takes more than that.  Resolve is good, don't get me wrong, but the condition of the heart HAS to have something to do with it, along with the journeys life takes you on. I'm on a new journey.  I retired January 3rd of this year.  And its August and I'm still getting used to it.  Am I happy I'm retired?  Oh yes!  But am I happy? Maybe. I think its time I RESOLVED to open up my heart to all this journey is.  I'm feeling pretty vulnerable right now.  Hang on, this might not be pretty. In the last eight months, I have realized a few things about myself that has made me feel truly UNhappy.  I could blame this on my mother.  It's tempting to lay the blame on someone else and not own up. Fortunately, I'm not that person anymore (or at least I don't want to be).  I'm owning it and I'm releasing it.  Tootaloo!  (Now that felt good!) So, what is the root of my unh...

Its my youngest son's birthday this month.  My "baby" is 30 years old and he asked for ultralight handcuffs as one of his presents this year.  He's a federal police officer in northern Minnesota and I thought it was interesting that they make "ultralight" handcuffs.  You would think the best handcuffs would be strong and sturdy - or maybe the "never get out of my site" brand would be the kind to buy.  That sounds better to me or at least more useful. I wonder what's so special about  ultralight handcuffs?  Can they hold the perpetrator steady, making sure there isn't an escape?  Are they used for discipline?  Do they hurt when used?  They obviously don't weigh much so how effective can they be? Of course this got me to thinking of ultralight handcuffs in a spiritual way cause, as you know, I'm weird that way. :)  I thought if (when) God puts handcuffs on me, I would definitely want them to be "ultralight".  Ones tha...