Good evening ladies!
I am getting this done on time, Praise God! :) So here is the post for Chapter 6. It was another interesting one, especially with the story of her trying to basically touch the moon. It sounds silly, but I imagine the excitement, the joy, the fulfillment she must have felt when doing that - the closeness of God in those moments. When do I get excited about something like that? Do I run outside to check out the sunset or to see one of His creatures? I don't say this to compare us with her, but the meaning behind it, the experience she had with God in that moment in the wheat field. Something to think about.
This kind of goes along with her thoughts of how the fullest life brings us out of the darkest moments and emptiness. I truly want that - to bring myself out of this joyless ungrateful pit that I have been in and latch on to the joy that God has already given me! Given you. It's ours my dears for the taking, from Christ above. He wants us to be grateful and full of life!
The whole earth is full of His glory. Indeed it is! Just seeing that while doing the incline today was awesome. To be outside, in His creation, getting some exercise and fresh air - truly a beautiful thing. AND in gorgeous spring-like weather- a true blessing! I challenge us ladies to grasp ahold of even the smallest of things and thank Him for those very things. Anywhere is a start, and a start is much better then nothing.
Beauty. It requires no justification,no explanation; it simply is and transcends. Every moment I live, I live bowed to something. And If I don't see God, I'll bow down before something else. True that. Mine would be my relationship with Chris, or my business, or perhaps my feelings of sadness and incompleteness. For me it just depends on the hour or day. What are you bowing down to, instead of Jesus? " The life of true holiness is rooted in the soil of awed adoration. It does not grow elsewhere."
On page 107 she talks about : What do you want? I can't tell you how much I have asked myself that very question lately. It sounds like it would be a very easy question, but honestly it's like one of the hardest. Her realization was: more of the God-glory. I am famished for His peace, in all completeness, no matter of my circumstances. What is yours?
"Living in His presence is fullness of joy - and seeing shows the way in. The glory of God is the human being fully alive and the life of the human consists of beholding God. Praying with eyes wide open is the only way to pray with out ceasing." How can I be praying for you today?
Joy is God's life. Do we each yearn for it to ours as well? I will leave you with this quote from J.I.Packer : "The life of true holiness is rooted in the soil of awed adoration. It does not grow elsewhere."
Humbled and loved,
Miranda
Monday, March 26, 2012
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Everyday Grace
Good afternoon Beautiful Ladies ~
Well, here we are in the middle of the week already. Maybe I should have agreed to do the blog Wednesday's or something. But here is the post for Chapter 5. I read it on Monday, but just didn't post on it.
It started very interesting with the story of her son hurting his hand. I know I've said it before, but her writing is extremely unique. But It also so amazingly applicable though too.
"Joy hiding in gratitude and who but the Jesus people are the most thankful?"...... Truly, shouldn't we as believers be the most thankful, the most grateful for all that we know that God is doing in our lives? I am speaking to myself right now in this, because this has been a real issue for me lately. Even Monday evening there were such low moments, I could think of nothing that I wanted to be thankful or joyful for. And I know that's not true. God is so much greater then our demons, our Skeletons in our closet, our struggles, our low times,our hard times. Which thus reminds me: Fully Live! Live Fully!
"Joy is always worth the wait, and fully living worth the believing. Daily discipline is the door to full freedom, and the discipline to count to one thousand gave way to the freedom of wonder and I can't imagine not staying awake to God in the moment, the joy in the now. But awakening to joy awakens to pain."(page 84) So true.
Notice the verses and context on page 90..... "All our days are struggle and warfare. (John 14:14) and that the spirit-to-spirit combat I endlessly wage with Satan is this ferocious thrash for joy." I can SO relate to that! It's an everyday battle, but also one I know that I can win, with Christ by my side and if I want to win it, meaning truly desiring to be positive and uplifting for myself and for others. I encourage each of us to look at the start of the new day in light of Jesus and asking Him before we even begin the day of what God has for us and what He wants to teach us that day. Which brings me into "Always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Amen to that Sistah's!
Hmm, here is something else I loved from her book. "Emptiness itself can birth the fullness of grace because in the emptiness we have the opportunity to turn to God, the only begetter of grace, and there find all the fullness of Joy."
So with that, I will end with: God is always good and I am always loved. Indeed we are ladies!
P.s My 3 things that has brought me joy today is: 1) Time chatting w/ a girlfriend 2) Marking things off my to-do list! 3) A Tall extra hot 4 pump no water chai w/ whipped cream and cinnamon dulce sprinkles from *$ ;) What are your's? Please share!
Much love to each of you,
Miranda
Well, here we are in the middle of the week already. Maybe I should have agreed to do the blog Wednesday's or something. But here is the post for Chapter 5. I read it on Monday, but just didn't post on it.
It started very interesting with the story of her son hurting his hand. I know I've said it before, but her writing is extremely unique. But It also so amazingly applicable though too.
"Joy hiding in gratitude and who but the Jesus people are the most thankful?"...... Truly, shouldn't we as believers be the most thankful, the most grateful for all that we know that God is doing in our lives? I am speaking to myself right now in this, because this has been a real issue for me lately. Even Monday evening there were such low moments, I could think of nothing that I wanted to be thankful or joyful for. And I know that's not true. God is so much greater then our demons, our Skeletons in our closet, our struggles, our low times,our hard times. Which thus reminds me: Fully Live! Live Fully!
"Joy is always worth the wait, and fully living worth the believing. Daily discipline is the door to full freedom, and the discipline to count to one thousand gave way to the freedom of wonder and I can't imagine not staying awake to God in the moment, the joy in the now. But awakening to joy awakens to pain."(page 84) So true.
Notice the verses and context on page 90..... "All our days are struggle and warfare. (John 14:14) and that the spirit-to-spirit combat I endlessly wage with Satan is this ferocious thrash for joy." I can SO relate to that! It's an everyday battle, but also one I know that I can win, with Christ by my side and if I want to win it, meaning truly desiring to be positive and uplifting for myself and for others. I encourage each of us to look at the start of the new day in light of Jesus and asking Him before we even begin the day of what God has for us and what He wants to teach us that day. Which brings me into "Always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Amen to that Sistah's!
Hmm, here is something else I loved from her book. "Emptiness itself can birth the fullness of grace because in the emptiness we have the opportunity to turn to God, the only begetter of grace, and there find all the fullness of Joy."
So with that, I will end with: God is always good and I am always loved. Indeed we are ladies!
P.s My 3 things that has brought me joy today is: 1) Time chatting w/ a girlfriend 2) Marking things off my to-do list! 3) A Tall extra hot 4 pump no water chai w/ whipped cream and cinnamon dulce sprinkles from *$ ;) What are your's? Please share!
Much love to each of you,
Miranda
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Time. Is it treasured?
Greetings, yet again today! :)
Well, here is the post as promised for Chapter 4. Am starting to get on track again with my life and commitments, praise God!
This evenings chapter was quite fascinating. And very applicable to my life at the moment. Time. Truly what is it? Are we living each moment to the fullest? Or are we in such a rush, that we are looking to the next before the current is even over? I know I have been guilty of those very things, especially this week. It has been a hard week for me, stressful at best. And why, truly, when I get down to the nitty gritty details of my life. Was it worth it, getting all wound up over the details, the deadlines, the daily things grappling for my attention? I'm not saying we should ignore our commitments or stop doing things that we need to.
But I feel, at least for me, it's my outlook on life, my perspective on things, on all parts, situations and decisions of my life. As my sister in law and I we're talking this week, I've realized a few things, and these chapters have confirmed those things. I want to control it, I want to have things my way, I want life to go the way I want it to go, I want, I want, I want. But in the midst of it all, I've lost my joy, my contentment, my zeal and love for life. It's meant to be enjoyed, loved, adored, treasured - let's grab it by the horns ladies and run with what we are given in the moment. Tomorrow is not guaranteed, nor is even the next moment. I am determined not to live my life in regret. And trust me, this week has given me many moments for it. But I refuse to even go there, life is fleeting. A moment is there, and then gone in the next. I am going to be one that lives life to the fullest, to be in that moment, and enjoy for what is. Not for what isn't. Are you with me ladies?
Which brings us into Ann's thoughts. "I am attentive, aware, accepting the whole of the moment, weighing it down with me all here. Wherever you are, be all there." We've all heard it before. But I urge you really ponder that. It goes right along with my thoughts above. "It's not the gifts that fulfill, but the holiness of the space." Full attention slows time and I love the full of the moment,right to the outer edges. When I'm present, I meet I am, the very presence of a present God. In His embrace, times loses all sense of speed and stress and space and stands so still and... holy."
"I hunger to taste life. God." I want that myself. I want to see God, feel Him,touch Him and live for Him greater, deeper, dangerously.
Final words from the chapter: Thanksgiving makes time. Thanksgiving creates abundance. I want to slow down and taste life,give thanks, and see God. Don't I always have the choice to be fully attentive?
I will leave you with this thought. What are you hungering for, and what are you going to do about it? And are you going to view time and your attentiveness around it differently now?
Growing with you on this journey, Miranda
Well, here is the post as promised for Chapter 4. Am starting to get on track again with my life and commitments, praise God!
This evenings chapter was quite fascinating. And very applicable to my life at the moment. Time. Truly what is it? Are we living each moment to the fullest? Or are we in such a rush, that we are looking to the next before the current is even over? I know I have been guilty of those very things, especially this week. It has been a hard week for me, stressful at best. And why, truly, when I get down to the nitty gritty details of my life. Was it worth it, getting all wound up over the details, the deadlines, the daily things grappling for my attention? I'm not saying we should ignore our commitments or stop doing things that we need to.
But I feel, at least for me, it's my outlook on life, my perspective on things, on all parts, situations and decisions of my life. As my sister in law and I we're talking this week, I've realized a few things, and these chapters have confirmed those things. I want to control it, I want to have things my way, I want life to go the way I want it to go, I want, I want, I want. But in the midst of it all, I've lost my joy, my contentment, my zeal and love for life. It's meant to be enjoyed, loved, adored, treasured - let's grab it by the horns ladies and run with what we are given in the moment. Tomorrow is not guaranteed, nor is even the next moment. I am determined not to live my life in regret. And trust me, this week has given me many moments for it. But I refuse to even go there, life is fleeting. A moment is there, and then gone in the next. I am going to be one that lives life to the fullest, to be in that moment, and enjoy for what is. Not for what isn't. Are you with me ladies?
Which brings us into Ann's thoughts. "I am attentive, aware, accepting the whole of the moment, weighing it down with me all here. Wherever you are, be all there." We've all heard it before. But I urge you really ponder that. It goes right along with my thoughts above. "It's not the gifts that fulfill, but the holiness of the space." Full attention slows time and I love the full of the moment,right to the outer edges. When I'm present, I meet I am, the very presence of a present God. In His embrace, times loses all sense of speed and stress and space and stands so still and... holy."
"I hunger to taste life. God." I want that myself. I want to see God, feel Him,touch Him and live for Him greater, deeper, dangerously.
Final words from the chapter: Thanksgiving makes time. Thanksgiving creates abundance. I want to slow down and taste life,give thanks, and see God. Don't I always have the choice to be fully attentive?
I will leave you with this thought. What are you hungering for, and what are you going to do about it? And are you going to view time and your attentiveness around it differently now?
Growing with you on this journey, Miranda
Change, are we willing?
Afternoon beauties!
Yes, here is the post for Chapter 3, almost 2 weeks late, yikes :P So sorry about that girls! I also plan to do Chapter 4 today, and Lord willing, I will be on track and will do Chapter 5 on Monday as planned. Here's to that intention :)
So, yeah Chapter 3 was something else. Her writing is SO unique, but also interestingly enough, is quite real and practical in other ways. One of things that stuck out to me in the very beginning, is when she is talking about change and she says that real change takes real intentionality. Is that not true or what? There are so many things I'd like to change in my life, and I am realizing more and more, it's up to me and my take and perspective in things. What are my reactions to things and how am I truly honoring God in my heart, soul and spirit- thus in how I'm treating myself and most of all, others? I saw this in her book and this resonated with me - the saving habit of gratitude, that would lead me back to deep God-communion.
What are gifts? They are blessings....gifts... Truly out-pouring of His love for us, as His children. And writing down the gifts as the author did - it is sort of like...unwrapping love.
This is something I have struggled with big time this week.... "discontentment and self-condemnation, the critical eye and the never satisfied." No more! That is something I wanna leave right here on this page. It is not an honoring way to live, or attitudes to have in my life. I want to be somebody people want to be around and a person that builds up others, especially those closest to my heart. To those I love with all of my heart and want to show it to the most. Better,deeper,fuller and more in tuned with God, so that love just naturally pours out it in every other part of my life.
Philippians 4:11-12. We've all read it. But I do suggest reading it again. It's in the book. But perhaps read it in several translations and really meditate on it. Also take note how Paul said in the verse, learned not only once but twice. Reading something is one thing, but learning it is so much more. I challenge myself and you to really think on that. "Learn to be thankful - whether empty or full. Could the list teach me even that hard language? "
Take note how simple a lot of her 'gifts' are. It's not always the big things but stopping long enough to see God in all and everything we are doing. I bet we'd be surprised on all that we could and can be truly grateful for if we just stopped long enough to notice and to thank Him in it. Just a notice.
Also, do notice the last paragraph on page 53. What do you think of that? Also I love this - "To name a thing is to manifest the meaning and value God gave in it." God is in the details; God is in the moment. God is in all that blurs by in life - even hurts in life. True true!
Practice. It is the hardest part of learning, and training is the essence of transformation. Wow. I don't know about you but I am in a place where I need that. I need healing, restoration and God's grace in my life, in relationships and in my day to day realities.
Joy is the realest reality, the fullest life, and joy is always given, never grasped. God gives gifts and I give thanks and I unwrap the gift: joy.
Truly, all of this is a dare to name all the ways God loves me. Also remembering how much prayer plays apart in our life. " Prayer with out ceasing is only possible in a life of continual thanks."
"Life change comes when we receive life with thanks and ask for nothing to change." I will leave you with this thought. What are three things you are thankful for today, or things that brought you joy?
Mine are : 1) Fresh air on a beautiful day 2) A long nights rest 3) Laughing with sisters in Christ
Today, I choose JOY, what do you choose?
Always His Child, Miranda
Yes, here is the post for Chapter 3, almost 2 weeks late, yikes :P So sorry about that girls! I also plan to do Chapter 4 today, and Lord willing, I will be on track and will do Chapter 5 on Monday as planned. Here's to that intention :)
So, yeah Chapter 3 was something else. Her writing is SO unique, but also interestingly enough, is quite real and practical in other ways. One of things that stuck out to me in the very beginning, is when she is talking about change and she says that real change takes real intentionality. Is that not true or what? There are so many things I'd like to change in my life, and I am realizing more and more, it's up to me and my take and perspective in things. What are my reactions to things and how am I truly honoring God in my heart, soul and spirit- thus in how I'm treating myself and most of all, others? I saw this in her book and this resonated with me - the saving habit of gratitude, that would lead me back to deep God-communion.
What are gifts? They are blessings....gifts... Truly out-pouring of His love for us, as His children. And writing down the gifts as the author did - it is sort of like...unwrapping love.
This is something I have struggled with big time this week.... "discontentment and self-condemnation, the critical eye and the never satisfied." No more! That is something I wanna leave right here on this page. It is not an honoring way to live, or attitudes to have in my life. I want to be somebody people want to be around and a person that builds up others, especially those closest to my heart. To those I love with all of my heart and want to show it to the most. Better,deeper,fuller and more in tuned with God, so that love just naturally pours out it in every other part of my life.
Philippians 4:11-12. We've all read it. But I do suggest reading it again. It's in the book. But perhaps read it in several translations and really meditate on it. Also take note how Paul said in the verse, learned not only once but twice. Reading something is one thing, but learning it is so much more. I challenge myself and you to really think on that. "Learn to be thankful - whether empty or full. Could the list teach me even that hard language? "
Take note how simple a lot of her 'gifts' are. It's not always the big things but stopping long enough to see God in all and everything we are doing. I bet we'd be surprised on all that we could and can be truly grateful for if we just stopped long enough to notice and to thank Him in it. Just a notice.
Also, do notice the last paragraph on page 53. What do you think of that? Also I love this - "To name a thing is to manifest the meaning and value God gave in it." God is in the details; God is in the moment. God is in all that blurs by in life - even hurts in life. True true!
Practice. It is the hardest part of learning, and training is the essence of transformation. Wow. I don't know about you but I am in a place where I need that. I need healing, restoration and God's grace in my life, in relationships and in my day to day realities.
Joy is the realest reality, the fullest life, and joy is always given, never grasped. God gives gifts and I give thanks and I unwrap the gift: joy.
Truly, all of this is a dare to name all the ways God loves me. Also remembering how much prayer plays apart in our life. " Prayer with out ceasing is only possible in a life of continual thanks."
"Life change comes when we receive life with thanks and ask for nothing to change." I will leave you with this thought. What are three things you are thankful for today, or things that brought you joy?
Mine are : 1) Fresh air on a beautiful day 2) A long nights rest 3) Laughing with sisters in Christ
Today, I choose JOY, what do you choose?
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
A Word to live by....are we going to choose it?
Evening Ladies!
My apologies for getting this out 2 days late! I don't know where the week is going -- it is flying by! I hope this finds each of you doing well and having a great week thus far.
I read Chapter 2 this evening - it was quite good. She has such an interesting way of writing, very unique. But I love also, how it makes sense and how honest and upfront she is. It's refreshing!
Her story of her diagnosis is very touching. I also very much dislike the 'C' word ( I don't know who does though) , as it brings back memories of Grandpa Bergen and more recent my best friends Mom situation, who was diagnosed with Breast Cancer back in early December. It hits home for sure. I just can't honestly imagine what it's like to be the one with it. Her plea of "I want to live. Fully live." was enlightening for me.
Her feeling like she was always failing, constantly was very motivating and it really caught my attention. I always have seen myself as not extremely anxious or the fear of the future type person, but lately I can totally relate.When she said" Would I ever be enough,find enough,do enough?", it hit home for me. I know I have been dealing with inadequacies lately of wondering, do I have what it takes to succeed, to fully live with all that I am? "To live either fully alive. . . or in empty nothingness?" So true. Which will each of us choose?
"How to live the fullest life here that delivers into the full life ever after?" Her story of getting her letter from her widowed father-in-law was good to read. Which presents the questions: "How does one live ready, and always?" Indeed. I know this is something that has been on my heart a lot lately, and I can't say I've reached a conclusion yet though. I do believe it is something worth pondering, praying over, thinking on and asking God to show each of us what that looks like for us, as sisters in Christ. Here is another way she put the question. . . " How do we live fully so that we are fully ready to die? And then to dove tail that thought. . . " Why do I spend so much of my living hours struggling to see it? " So true indeed. Let's each take the time to ask God what it is that He is wanting to teach us through this book and the thoughts in it.
And this brings us to the word to live by. Did you all catch it? It sure resonated with me, and really spoke into my heart. What's the WORD you may ask? I'd love to encourage you to read pages 32-33 a few times. But yes, the word is: Eucharisteo. No idea how to pronounce it, but the meaning behind it = WOW! Grace, thanksgiving, joy. All of them combined make up this word. A Greek word. . . that might make meaning of everything?" she asks. . . What do you think? I know for myself those have been hard characteristics for me as of late, grace for myself and sometimes others, joy in everyday life especially in the lower moments and thanksgiving/gratefulness of all that God has already gave me and trusting Him for what is yet to come. She also mentioned it as the symbol of Christianity. Also as a lifestyle - a way of living daily. Are we each ready to take it on and own it as our own? I say let's do it! Until next week. . .
With you along the journey, Miranda
My apologies for getting this out 2 days late! I don't know where the week is going -- it is flying by! I hope this finds each of you doing well and having a great week thus far.
I read Chapter 2 this evening - it was quite good. She has such an interesting way of writing, very unique. But I love also, how it makes sense and how honest and upfront she is. It's refreshing!
Her story of her diagnosis is very touching. I also very much dislike the 'C' word ( I don't know who does though) , as it brings back memories of Grandpa Bergen and more recent my best friends Mom situation, who was diagnosed with Breast Cancer back in early December. It hits home for sure. I just can't honestly imagine what it's like to be the one with it. Her plea of "I want to live. Fully live." was enlightening for me.
Her feeling like she was always failing, constantly was very motivating and it really caught my attention. I always have seen myself as not extremely anxious or the fear of the future type person, but lately I can totally relate.When she said" Would I ever be enough,find enough,do enough?", it hit home for me. I know I have been dealing with inadequacies lately of wondering, do I have what it takes to succeed, to fully live with all that I am? "To live either fully alive. . . or in empty nothingness?" So true. Which will each of us choose?
"How to live the fullest life here that delivers into the full life ever after?" Her story of getting her letter from her widowed father-in-law was good to read. Which presents the questions: "How does one live ready, and always?" Indeed. I know this is something that has been on my heart a lot lately, and I can't say I've reached a conclusion yet though. I do believe it is something worth pondering, praying over, thinking on and asking God to show each of us what that looks like for us, as sisters in Christ. Here is another way she put the question. . . " How do we live fully so that we are fully ready to die? And then to dove tail that thought. . . " Why do I spend so much of my living hours struggling to see it? " So true indeed. Let's each take the time to ask God what it is that He is wanting to teach us through this book and the thoughts in it.
And this brings us to the word to live by. Did you all catch it? It sure resonated with me, and really spoke into my heart. What's the WORD you may ask? I'd love to encourage you to read pages 32-33 a few times. But yes, the word is: Eucharisteo. No idea how to pronounce it, but the meaning behind it = WOW! Grace, thanksgiving, joy. All of them combined make up this word. A Greek word. . . that might make meaning of everything?" she asks. . . What do you think? I know for myself those have been hard characteristics for me as of late, grace for myself and sometimes others, joy in everyday life especially in the lower moments and thanksgiving/gratefulness of all that God has already gave me and trusting Him for what is yet to come. She also mentioned it as the symbol of Christianity. Also as a lifestyle - a way of living daily. Are we each ready to take it on and own it as our own? I say let's do it! Until next week. . .
With you along the journey, Miranda
Monday, February 20, 2012
*A Dare to Live Fully! Are you?*
Good evening lovely's!
Whew, I am barely getting this in on Monday, but here it is. I just read the 1st chapter - it was quite interesting. Ann has a very unique way of writing to say the least. But I do appreciate her raw honesty and the sharing of her heart. It's pretty evident in the pages of her book. The starting out of her sister's death was very touching and I felt I was almost right there with her as she watched her sister's body lowered into the grave. I can't imagine that kind of loss personally. I do know when I lost both Grandpa's it was very challenging - especially of Grandpa Bergen's - maybe mostly because it is more recent. But even the thing with that , we knew he was mostly likely going to go to heaven...meaning we had a bit of time to 'prepare' I guess. Still does not make it easier really, but I remember times when I was busily working and just a wave of sadness and emotion would come over me. It's like I was mourning him leaving before he actually went to heaven. Death is very touchy....very real....very very raw.
And in that story I feel she set up a great analogy of where she was coming and her background. Something that struck me of her words was, "Where hides this joy of the Lord, this God who fills the earth with good things, and how do I fully live when life is full of hurt? How do I wake up to joy and peace and beauty and all that is the fullest life when I must stay numb to losses and crushed dreams and all that empties me out?" Most definitely questions to ponder. I've thought much similar things myself. I believe it comes down to believing Him. Am I going to trust Him, at His Words, like truly TRUST Him, with all that I am? I say that I do, but at the end of the day, I sometimes wonder. God has working on my heart on this very subject since Friday night at a Kelly Minter Conference, and there must be a reason God keeps bringing me in contact with this very thing. "Like all beliefs, you simply live them."
Another thing that struck me, is that gratitude does not come naturally. We are naturally fallen people, in a fallen world. And thanks to Adam and Eve, we have sin and much of it. "Satan's sin becomes the first sin of all humanity: the sin of ingratitude. Everywhere we look, we see a world of lack, a universe of loss, a cosmos of scarcity and injustice."
And where she wrote about communion was fascinating to me, especially the line, 'that table that restores relationship.' Interesting eh'? Look up several translations of 1 Corinthians 2:7(page 17) if you get a chance. I'm going to do the same. Also her comment of 'His secret purpose--our return to our full glory.' What do you think she means by that? What is grace to you?
So will finish up with this, and it's something I've been thinking a lot of. How do I replace resistance for action, loneliness for everlasting peace, sadness for cup-spilling-over joy? It's my prayer for this week. What is yours?
Journeying with you on God's faithful path, Miranda =)
Whew, I am barely getting this in on Monday, but here it is. I just read the 1st chapter - it was quite interesting. Ann has a very unique way of writing to say the least. But I do appreciate her raw honesty and the sharing of her heart. It's pretty evident in the pages of her book. The starting out of her sister's death was very touching and I felt I was almost right there with her as she watched her sister's body lowered into the grave. I can't imagine that kind of loss personally. I do know when I lost both Grandpa's it was very challenging - especially of Grandpa Bergen's - maybe mostly because it is more recent. But even the thing with that , we knew he was mostly likely going to go to heaven...meaning we had a bit of time to 'prepare' I guess. Still does not make it easier really, but I remember times when I was busily working and just a wave of sadness and emotion would come over me. It's like I was mourning him leaving before he actually went to heaven. Death is very touchy....very real....very very raw.
And in that story I feel she set up a great analogy of where she was coming and her background. Something that struck me of her words was, "Where hides this joy of the Lord, this God who fills the earth with good things, and how do I fully live when life is full of hurt? How do I wake up to joy and peace and beauty and all that is the fullest life when I must stay numb to losses and crushed dreams and all that empties me out?" Most definitely questions to ponder. I've thought much similar things myself. I believe it comes down to believing Him. Am I going to trust Him, at His Words, like truly TRUST Him, with all that I am? I say that I do, but at the end of the day, I sometimes wonder. God has working on my heart on this very subject since Friday night at a Kelly Minter Conference, and there must be a reason God keeps bringing me in contact with this very thing. "Like all beliefs, you simply live them."
Another thing that struck me, is that gratitude does not come naturally. We are naturally fallen people, in a fallen world. And thanks to Adam and Eve, we have sin and much of it. "Satan's sin becomes the first sin of all humanity: the sin of ingratitude. Everywhere we look, we see a world of lack, a universe of loss, a cosmos of scarcity and injustice."
And where she wrote about communion was fascinating to me, especially the line, 'that table that restores relationship.' Interesting eh'? Look up several translations of 1 Corinthians 2:7(page 17) if you get a chance. I'm going to do the same. Also her comment of 'His secret purpose--our return to our full glory.' What do you think she means by that? What is grace to you?
So will finish up with this, and it's something I've been thinking a lot of. How do I replace resistance for action, loneliness for everlasting peace, sadness for cup-spilling-over joy? It's my prayer for this week. What is yours?
Journeying with you on God's faithful path, Miranda =)
Sunday, February 12, 2012
One Thousand Gifts Together as Sistah's in CHRIST :)
I've been meaning to start a blog for weeks regarding the well known book "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp - so here finally is! My thoughts for this blog are to read a chapter a week on our own, since a lot of us are through out the country and then discuss what we learned and enjoyed about that chapter on the blog by commenting on the post that I plan to do weekly. I will write a post every Monday starting Monday the 20th discussing my thoughts on it and then inviting each of you to join in on the conversation and to share your thoughts,questions,comments,ect as well.
So the plan is to read a chapter a week and discussing it on here weekly, starting:
February 20th ~ Chapter 1
February 27th ~ Chapter 2
March 5th ~ Chapter 3
March 12th ~ Chapter 4
March 19th ~ Chapter 5
March 26th ~ Chapter 6
April 2nd ~ Chapter 7
April 9th ~ Chapter 8
April 16th ~ Chapter 9
April 23rd ~ Chapter 10
April 30th ~ Chapter 11
I hope each of you will join me on this journey of reading this book and learning and growing together as sisters in Christ's. And also, being open to new ways of GROWING in thankfulness and gratefulness of ALL the things that God has already done for us and will continue to do! And I KNOW He'll use this for great things and to teach us to be More Like Him Everyday!
Love to you all ~ Miranda =)
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