Balm

Someone called me a "balm" the other day.  I decided I needed to look the definition up in the dictionary.  It's not that I don't know what a balm is, but in reference to myself, I needed more clarity of the depth of the compliment. I truly believe the Lord gave me that word on purpose to wink at me.

Balm: a fragrant ointment or preparation used to heal or soothe the skin, an oily substance that has a pleasant smell and that is used for healing, smoothing, or protecting the skin, something that gives comfort or support (Webster Dictionary & Wikipedia).

I guess I needed to know that word that day, because when you don't feel very useful at times, you wonder what purpose am I serving right now. We've all been there.  Then God gives us a WORD.  Just one WORD, and our heart gets encouraged.  My WORD was BALM.

My heart was overwhelmed with such a WORD.  My heart was overwhelmed with such a compliment.  My presence gave them a feeling of being protected, comforted, and supported.  My presence gave them a sense of peace, a soothing and healing atmosphere. My heart rejoices that God would use me in such a way to touch lives.  I am humbled to be called a "balm".  I am blessed to be honored with such a title: Balm.

May we all be a balm to those around us.  May we all let the love of God flow through us in our activities, actions, and words.  May we all let God's peace surround us so that our very presence affects all those with whom we come in contact. To God be all the glory.

Let us be a "balm" to this hurting world, to the weak and weary, to the discouraged, to all those God brings across our path.  Now that I'm thinking about it, a Christian's nickname should be "Balm".  Let's live up to our nickname.

New Appreciation

Yesterday I met with some friends for lunch. Even though we all normally pray over our food even publicly, but silently, I asked if I could pray out loud.  The prayer touched my heart, and I'm the one who prayed it.  "Thank You, Lord, for Your grace and mercy and faithfulness to us...words we can appreciate so much more now than we could a year ago."  You see, besides all the normal trials and tribulations in life and my friends' lives, my friend had been in a struggle for his life this last several months.  The battle isn't over.  He still needs God's miracles.  But, having walked through much of this with him and his wife, my heart rejoices even more in God's grace, God's mercy, and God's faithfulness.  Words I don't take lightly anymore.  Words that have become richer to me day by day and year by year.  More than words.  More than actions of God.  God is not just merciful.  God is not just full of grace.  God is not just faithful.   HE IS MERCY.  HE IS GRACE.  HE IS FAITHFULNESS.  GOD IS LOVE.  Thank You, God, for seeing us and hearing us, and most of all, for loving us.

Atheistic Living

Isn't living in fear and doubt atheistic living?  Just ponder that.  Not condemnation, but calling us to repentance.

Playing

I was thinking about playing. I know children play and animals play.  Many "serious" Christians I know don't ever think about playing.  Life is always a mission.  I think that is very sad.  Who put the time limit on playing?  I know that when we are older we put away the childish things as the Bible says, but not the childlike things.  There are too many people who put limits on themselves. God didn't put those limits on us.  A matter of fact, He says we need to stay childlike.  I'm thinking we will enjoy life a lot more that way.  There are too many people that don't enjoy God's creation as He intended.

We can see in nature that God intended play to continue.  Even adult animals play with their children. Even adult animals run through the fields and valleys and snow.  Even adult animals rest and relax and enjoy watching God's nature and seeing others enjoy themselves.  I see too many adult humans that don't get it.  I believe we need to relax and rest and play.  It's okay!  Really!

Be His Vessel of Honor

Been thinking about praying...talking to God about things. My hearts cry recently has been, "God, help me hate what you hate and love what you love". I know God hates sin. I know I sin. I know we all have things to overcome, and we need to be overcomers. He says we can and should. Yet I struggle. It's a hard thing to do. There are things that I would have never considered sin years ago. But, as I grow closer to God and development my relationship with Jesus, there are things that are now sins, because I have heard God's Word more and more. Over and over again we repent. Over and over again we sin. Frustration reigns sometimes in some areas of our lives if we are looking honestly at ourselves. It's okay. We need to be frustrated at times, I think, to keep the focus on overcoming. It's a way for us to pay attention to the areas of our lives that need repair. Usually I wouldn't say frustration is good, but, we are humans, we need to remember that God hates sin. He wants to transform us into the image of His Son...from faith to faith, from glory to glory. We are a work in progress until the Trumpet blows.

Sin to me now is neglecting to pray for someone who God has placed before me either physically or in my heart or in my head. There's a reason these people pop into our hearts and heads. There's always a reason you "run into someone". There are no accidental meetings. There are no accidental memories. God has purpose in all things. We are His instruments. Each situation doesn't have the same gravity. Sometimes it's just an act of kindness, followed by a simple prayer, "peace be with you". Sometimes it's a full-on intercession and mighty spiritual warfare. Be available to hear God at all times. God is entrusting to you something very precious and important. Look at every day and every event as an opportunity to bless others and bless God. Be His vessel of honor.

Another sin I'm aware of in my own life is inattentiveness. Again, that person or situation is there for a reason. Be present in the moment. Believe that God has crossed your path with this person or situation for a purpose. He is full of purpose and fills us full of purpose and gives us purpose. If we listen carefully everyday, we will have assignments all along the way. What a privilege to communicate with the Most High God in such an intimate way all day and every day. Be His vessel of honor.

Another sin so many have is not knowing when to shut up. Just because someone is engaged in talking with you or others around you, doesn't mean they have to hear everything you know on the subject. Interrupting and pontificating on whatever the conversation is, does not endear people to you or to the Lord whom you represent. Here again, you have to be listening to the Holy Spirit even as you are engaged in conversation, being present in the moment with that person or persons. Only speak what the Holy Spirit says is important. Be His vessel of honor.

I could go on, and maybe someday will add more to this list, because there are many more I could add right now...but you get my point. There are everyday things and actions and habits we have that God wants to change in us. Be alert to hear and face the giants that are so tiny sometimes. Be His vessel of Honor.

Announcing my new book: On To the Prize

Many of my previous posts have been revamped and put in my new book: On To The Prize. The book is out as of March 18,2015 as an e-book through smashwords.com and will be available for purchase as a paperback through lulu.com in April. This book is a valuable tool for spiritual growth. We all go through such hard times, but God's Word stands true through it all. I share His Word in a very personal way to help you apply His principles to your own lives through everyday things and situations. My hope is that you will be blessed, encouraged, strengthened, and comforted by these words I share.

DISCONNECTED

On TV a few months ago, I heard someone say "you need feedback from others to get in touch with your reality".  Another way of saying that is, if you stay disconnected from others, you will not be in touch with reality.  I know that's hard for some people to hear because they think they don't need anyone and they're doing just fine. It is a very dangerous place to be on so many levels.

It is in our connectedness with people where we are filled and healed (James 5:16). We need to PRACTICE connection. It's not always the natural thing to do, so we have to work at it. We have to do it “on purpose”. Because we’re gun-shy from all the disappointments in life and all the hurts we've encountered along the way, disconnection seems the best thing to do to prevent further disappointment. It's the wrong way to go. Disconnection hurts you in so many ways. You can't be the person you were meant to be from the foundations of this world. Without allowing others to invest in your life, you won't learn and grow as it was intended when you were formed in your mother's womb.

So, if you know someone who doesn’t “connect” with many people, they are very out of touch with reality.  They have been wounded and don’t want to hear what anyone has to say.  They don’t want to hurt anymore, so they disconnect.  Disconnection is losing your lifeline.  God put us on this earth for each other.  We are created to be relational. Get connected to others and stay connected.