"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." John 15:5-8

God is so good to me. He knows I am a hands-on, visual kinda of learner, so He continually shows me through circumstances and things what He may be trying to teach me. Nothing like an illustration to go with the message huh? I love it! I see it as a form of confirmation that I am hearing Him correctly. Yes, I am a note-taker otherwise I will forget what I just learned. I have ADD and Spiritual ADD-haha!

In my orevious post, I casually mentioned "pruning." Well, I got the visual, so I believe we have ourselves a pruned girl! Our only tree in the front yard is a towering pine tree. Last week, it's pine needles began to turn brown and rapidly spread through the remainder of the tree. It took us a while to figure out what was happening. First, we thought it was in desperate need of water, so for the first few days, we watered it a lot. It didn't make sense because of the amount of rain we have been experiencing, so then we thought maybe a bug was attacking it and we planned on spraying it. By Day 6 the tree was crisp. Toast. Burnt brown amongst the neighbors green landscapes!

We called a Tree Expert who would know exactly what was wrong with our tree and he said it was the Pine Beetle; therefore the tree is dead...no hope for reviving it. He explaind that the beetles get into the core of the tree and suffocate the tree within days. It is a quick death. Removing it immediately was necessary to prevent the bettle from destroying another nearby tree or plant. So, yesterday, finally, the towering tree came down, stump and all. Today, we did notice a dying branch on one nearby tree. Time will tell if the beetle has moved in. My 13 year old grabbed the saw and we pruned out some of the branches, hoping to save the rest of the tree from being destroyed. It was hard work but needed to be done. It looks ugly in form now but we know next spring it will be better for it.

God used this experience to teach me about my pruning. It is necessary to remove the dead places. It is also necessary to stop the spread of any more impurities, to other areas of my own life or in the life of another. Some disease is self-destructive, hurting only itself all the while affecting those that surround. We may be dealing with a personal/private sin but odds are, you are indirectly affecting someone else. There are diseases which are contagious, spreading itself to those around. Sin entangles us and often someone else gets caught up in our web!

Pruning is costly. For the tree it was $350 out of the checking account. Spiritually, it may cost us relationships, pride, temporary suffering. It may be a quick process but it depends on how thick our "branches" are. My son grew fatigued as he sawed the thick middle branch. It took a lot more work of time and energy to cut it off than the smaller branch next to it.

For me, the process of pruning the the fat branch of fear in my life took many months to cut out. As new twigs sprout worry and anxiety (just to name a few), they are quickly snipped off. God has created us to live and be fruitful and joyful. He makes everything beautiful in His time. So, it may be that you have large, thick branches that need to be pruned and removed from your core system. Depending on the amount of smaller branch systems sprouting out of your thick one, it may take extra time and energy to get all the way down to that thick branch. 

Choosing the right tool is important. A dull blade will certainly prolong the process and fatigue you. You need a sharp iron, a sword of the Spirit. God's Word can cut through anything!!! Small or large. God can also bring in a work crew of Godly people in your life to support and mentor you as you work. No one can do it for you. Your property is just that-your property and it is up to you to take care of your space! You are living and anything living is suseptible to disease. When it becomes necessary for a little trim, you can be sure that something glorious is to come in it's place.

Prevention is key! With my tree, if I would have been pro-active, I would have protected it with pesticides at the beginning of the season. It would have been better equipped to repel the bugs. For me, being proactive would look something like this. (Specifics will be as individual as each of us are but this is general foundations.) I would equip myself with and through the Word of God which is Living and acts like a Sword, cutting through to the truth of everything. Within His Word is truth, application and battle gear instructions, such as prayer, salvation, petitions, surrender. We must daily be in His Word so that we know how to live in our space and take proper care of it.Little Satan Bugs are constant pests that we must repel and only the blood of Jesus can repel them from destroying your core and suffocating you. Get them at the boundary before they destroy you. Be on guard. Be ready and prepared.

When you face something that you are unsure about, seek the Expert and heed His advice. He knows what He is talking about. Be sure to take a picture because something beautiful is going to grow.   

In HIS timing there are tears of joy and tears of sadness

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. What does the worker gain from his toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live." Ecc 3:1-12

Some days are roller coasters of a day, aren't they?! I try really hard to stay in the moment and not dwell, but sometimes it gets the best of me, hence, the struggle with worry and anxiety. I have people in my life that if one thing goes wrong, the rest of the day is ruined. For me, I am pretty level-headed, I think. I am patient, have to be as a Mom of 4!!, so I don't flip from one extreme to another. I say each day is a blessing, a gift and when something bad comes along, I address it (most of the time) and work with it...other times, it is put under one of the Not-dealing-with-this-right-now-Rugs. And we move on.

Recently, my heart has been grieving over many different things in my life-in the life of those around me, along with all the evil in our world! I was heart broken last night to listen to some of the testimonies from the Youth Mission trip my son just returned home from...we have no idea what some children have to deal with on a daily basis. Can they comprehend that God loves and cares for them and will never leave them, all the while being beaten and abused in their own home!!! It would have to be a miracle movement of God, such a clear evidence that God is there for them to believe it. That is so sad.

 Our homes are supposed to be a place of refuge from the world and yet so many children live in homes that often host the evils of our world...Jesus please rescue them, show Yourself in mighty and clear ways in these broken and abused hearts. Through each one may a new legacy begin in Love's name.

My toddler, the baby, was diagnosed with Periodic Fever Syndrome and it is like getting the flu for 5 days each month. It is hard on his little joyful body and on me. This past month, actually last week, I was thrilled to hear him say "My knee hurts." and then later saying, "I swallowed my tooth." I was thrilled because these are issues during the episode but he wasn't suffering with a fever that day! I rejoiced with gladness that God had heard our prayers and answered them, healing had come...only to be awakened at 4am with a very sick baby. Needless to say, I was not happy. My bubble burst. My joy was zapped. I cried out to God, "WHY? What happened?" My once compassionate and patient spirit became angry and exasperated. Again God? I want a miracle.

I have several friends dealing with health and cancer issues-what's there to like about that?! Some of the sweetest people I know are suffering. Why? It hurts me to feel and know their pain and yet, you can still see God moving through them in beautiful ways. Romans 8:28-to Him be the glory....even in this.

I could go on and on on all the tragedy and evil...

There are countless blessings in my life, and in those around me to make us all jump for joy all day long. God's grace and movement is everywhere if we look. He leaves His fingerprints all around us for us to discover as we journey on through our life with Him.The beauty of His creation alone amazes me! The diversity of the animals, the landscapes, human life, the twinkling stars...everywhere, He gives us things that amaze us.

With the amount of good things in my life, I could rejoice all day long and never see or meet a need. Same thing can be said about the bad things in my life, I could fuss and complain and stew all day long and never see or be a blessing.

To everything, there is a season. He makes everything beautiful. If this is true, then despite my circumstances, I can rejoice in a moment of good news or mourn in a moment of bad news. I may even be talented enough to cry in grief and joy at the same time!!!

I may be struggling and have a bad day only to be met with a blessing. It doesn't remove my struggle, but for a moment, I can smile and feel relief from the storm upon me. The storm may even seem smaller.
I may be dancing and singing, on a mountaintop high with the Lord and become aware of a desperate need, and mourn for the moment, petition the Lord with all heart and soul, broken hearted over the situation, and yet continue on in my day with a glad and cheerful heart with a remembrance.

God is working on me, He is pruning once again. It is painful. I have become quite good at masking emotions and I have a feeling God is calling me out on it and I so do not want to go there, so I think He is allowing me to get mad and feel mad and learn to become okay with being mad. I do not want to be mad. I want to be happy and joyful, patient and loving with no anger or bitterness. I do not like Green Eggs and Ham~ Sam I am! (heehee)

There is something to be said about staying in the moment, feeling what you feel when you feel it and yet not being consumed by it, blocking out everything else. I understand some things are overwhelming and it may be something we have to deal with for a longer season (like my toddler's disease, or these abused children or someone who may be suffering from an illness) but in the midst of every circumstance, every storm, every blessing stands a Mighty and Loving God and Father who is our strength and peace. It is His steady hand that we can stretch out. His grace will meet our every need, great or small, it is sufficient for a moment or the duration longer than we expected.

There is a time to weep and a time to dance. It may be on the same day, or it just might be a season apart. But in the midst, each day is full of mercy and grace, compassion, forgiveness and love. Count your blessings every day! You may not be happy, but don't let Satan steal your joy, trust and your peace. Guard it.

Do not let pride get in the way of asking for another to come alongside you to encourage you when you are having "one of those days." Perspective helps and Prayer heals. Maybe you are too consumed by your circumstances to see the rainbow in your cloud...ask God to send you a friend with good news. Or maybe you need help and guidance dealing with a tough issue...ask God to send you someone with the gift of counsel and wisdom.

Whatever "it" is...God makes everything beautiful in HIS time. You are are a light in the darkness. You may be struck down but not destroyed!!!! I pray that our spirits remain trusting, joyful, calm, peaceful and satisfied. May our hearts feel all that He has created us to feel and may God bless hearts and minds, rescuing us from the pit of despair, placing us at His throne of Grace to see His glory shining through!

Be joyful always, giving thanks in ALL circumstances. I Thess 5:16-18

We are For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned;

struck down, but not destroyed. 

We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that His life may be revealed in our mortal body. II Cor 4: 6-11

In all things...to HIM be the Glory! AMEN!

Renewed Day by Day

"For it is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. 

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;  persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. 

For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. But just as we have the same spirit of faith that is in accordance with scripture—"I believed, and so I spoke"—we also believe, and so we speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will bring us with you into his presence. 

Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. 

For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal."  
II Corinthians 4: 6-18

What are you looking for?

Do you remember playing the game Slug Bug or even Hide and Seek when you were a little kid? It is funny how our brain works. Days can go by and I am still noticing the Bugs and good hiding places for next time we play Hide and Seek. Your brain can be tuned in and focused without you even realizing it.

So then it makes me wonder, what is my mind focused on. What am I looking for as I go throughout my day. God has been working with me on being anxious and negative in my thought patterns ( I know, it is hard to believe I would ever think negatively, but I do, that is what anxiety and worry and fear are....negative thinking.) I tend to notice it (the "What If's") as I go about my day wondering "what will I do if...." so maybe because I am continually looking to put out or avoid the next fire, I see a lot of potential fires.

If this is true, that our brains will focus in and cause us to be sensitive to our "object", and we tend to find what we are seeking, it is important to know what we are seeking so we will know that we have found it and be ready to receive it. Don't know about you...but I prefer to find good things...rewards...blessings of hope and love, mercy and compassions. I don't want misery, chaos, problems, conflicts, doubt, fear, illness.

So why am I constantly noticing these "bad" things? I have to look at my thoughts and my thoughts are based on what I believe in my heart and spirit. My heart, mind and soul must be focused on the Lord and my spirit must be God led. When my entire being is dwelling on the good things of God, then my heart will fill with joy, my spirit will give me direction of where I should go. Therefore, my thoughts, my focus, will be on the good things of God. Behind the good things of God, is knowing who God is. You have to know Him to trust Him and if you trust Him, you can receieve His love and it is in receiving His Love that you will find your blessings...your treasures!!

And if my thoughts are focused on the good things of God, I can expect to find the good things of God. I will begin to notice them more in my day. My brain will be challenged to be attentive, seeking out the little treasures of God in things around me, in my circumstances and in my relationships.

What are you seeking today? What does your mind focus on? What does your day look like before your feet even hit the floor in the morning? Begin each morning with thanksgiving. Praise God for His Grace and Love that covers you. Ask God to touch your heart, fill it with joy, lead your spirit, control your mind. Capture each thought and choose today whom you will serve for you cannot serve two Masters!

May you think, feel, notice, hear, read, smell, encounter, impact, see, believe all that is good today. God is hiding treasures just for you, have fun looking for them!!

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:21