When Someone Is Hurting

I watched two of my grandsons last night and I was asking the youngest (2 years old) if he wanted me to rock him because he was getting sleepy. Of course, he said no. It was then that my 5 year old grandson looked at me, and with tears in his eyes he told me, "My mama had to rock me because my heart was broken." More tears started rolling down his cheek. I asked what happened. He told me that his hamster had died. It reminded me of the many pets I've had over the years and just how heartbroken I was when they died. As a child I wasn't the most liked person, so pets were like my very best friends. They didn't expect me to be cool or rich or smart or funny or anything that the peers around me expected. They loved me unconditionally. And that love helped me endure the trials I went through. So I knew all too well how my grandson felt, and I sympathized with him. I gave him a hug and let him climb up in my lap and I rocked him as he gently wept. But you know, there are many parents and grandparents out there who might not have thought this was a big deal. I've heard people tell their kids stupid things; things that didn't help heal the hurt. Their words were unsympathetic. Perhaps they were even things that would cause the child to be less compassionate when they grew up. When hearts are hurting we need to show a little compassion. It may not seem like a big deal to us, but to the one hurting, it is a very big deal. And they need to know you care. It shows the heart of the Father. When we hurt, He hurts. And we're to be imitators of Him. If our brother or sister in Christ is hurting, show a little love. If you don't know what to say, just offer a shoulder to cry on. Listen as they speak. You don't have to pretend to know how to respond. Flippant statements often do nothing to help ease their pain. Just as I held my grandson, you too can just hug the one whose hurting. It can't erase the pain, but it can show you care about what they're going through.

Memories of Marie

In 2005 we had a family reunion. My daughter in law made a tape of part of it. Over time we really didn't think much about it. She never had it transferred to dvd and it was a hassle to try to watch it from her tape. At the time, we didn't know that 5 years later my cousin Marie would no longer be with us. I guess we should have known. She had already been diagnosed with lupus and with breast cancer. But we were all believing for that miracle. And throughout the journey we would see glimpses of hope that she would beat the odds. Sadly, she didn't. On January 12, 2010 she passed away. Her battle that started in her breasts (she had a double mastectomy) had spread to her liver, her colon and eventually her brain. Watching such a vibrant woman deteriorate was heart breaking. But even through the struggles, she was always positive, always seeing the good in her situation. She bragged wholeheartedly about God and how He was working all around her. Her excitement and joy were truly something to behold.
My husband and I had the video transferred to a dvd, and a couple of weeks later we received the tape and dvd's back. I knew what was on the tape, but wasn't expecting the surge of emotion that came forth as she began to speak about her sister, and those who had prayed for her. I often wonder why God chose not to heal her. She was a prime candidate. She was always giving Him glory. She was a woman who thought more about the needs of others than the needs of herself. She didn't whine and complain. She didn't blame God. So why didn't she get healed? I guess I'll never know the answer to that in this lifetime, but I'm sure that God has a plan in place through it all.

"Put Your Dream To The Test" by John C. Maxwell

When I received a free copy of "Put Your Dream to the Test" by John C. Maxwell I was super excited to read it and offer a review. I am always seeking good books that teach me something and I am generally pleased with John Maxwell's teachings on leadership so this book seemed to be a good fit for me. I suppose I went into it with extremely high expectations. But what I soon discovered was that this book was a difficult read for me. Being that I am a person who bores easily, I need books that capture my attention right off the bat and then are interesting enough to hold my attention throughout the book. I love a book that I am hard pressed to put down. That wasn't really the case here. Oh, don't get me wrong, there were some good points made in the book and John Maxwell does like to encourage people and help steer them in the right direction. But some of it seemed repetitious and I often found myself wanting to skim read. That's a tactic I use when I only want to grasp the valuable information. Some of John's questions may nudge you to dig deep inside and examine whether what you're dreaming is truly your own dream, and if you have the potential to actually fulfill the dream based on your level of passion and commitment. The questions are:

1. Is my dream really my dream?
2. Do I clearly see my dream?
3. Am I depending on factors within my control to achieve my dream?
4. Does my dream compel me to follow it?
5. Do I have a strategy to reach my dream?
6. Have I included the people I need to realize my dream?
7. Am I willing to pay the price for my dream?
8. Am I moving closer to my dream?
9. Does working toward my dream bring satisfaction?
10. Does my dream benefit others?

I once read a quote that said, "A vision minus a plan equals a dream." This statement kind of says the same thing that John Maxwell is saying throughout the book. Dreams don't just happen by osmosis. There is going to be work involved. There will be plans made, strategies, and involvement of others along the way. You can't just sit around and wait for God to do all the work for you. You will definitely need a passion that compels you to pursue the dream and a desire so strong that you are willing to pay the price to get there.

My First Book Arrived

Today I received my first free book from http://www.booksneeze.com/ and I am pretty excited about it. Of course, I haven't read it yet, so no review is ready. I chose "Put Your Dream to the Test" by John C. Maxwell. So be looking for my review soon.

Booksneeze

Okay, so my blog writing has been scarce as of late. I've had a lot going on. In an attempt to discipline myself I signed up for booksneeze.com. It is a site that sends you free books if you'll review them on your blog and elsewhere. This may at least motivate me to write something with a purpose rather than just log on and apologize for not writing. Don't get me wrong, it is still my intention to post other things. In fact I may go work on something right now...

Transforming Our Thinking

Have you ever just wished you could have a brain transplant? Not a literal transplant, but removing all that old yukky thinking and replacing it with thinking that is pleasing to God. This is a possibility, but it takes commitment. When we are born again we become new creations. But the old thinking is still there and needs to be replaced. So how do we do that? Ahh...I thought you'd never ask. Seriously, the transforming of our mind comes as we study and meditate the word of God. Romans 12:2 says, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." All throughout scripture we see the importance of meditating on God's law, contemplating His ways. In Psalms 1:1-2 it says, "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the Law of the Lord, and in His Law he meditates day and night." There are two points that really stand out in these verses. The first, of course, is that we are to delight in the Law of the Lord and to meditate it day and night. But notice the first verse. This verse is speaking about who we hang with. It's been said that if you want to be wise, hang with wise men. Our friendships are important. Who we get advice from is important. Our unions in marriage are important. Remember, the word says that we are not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers. That's not to say that if you are married to an unbeliever that you should divorce them. But if you haven't married, you shouldn't be dating those who don't have an intimate relationship with Christ. You can save yourself a lot of trouble if you heed that warning. Who you hang with will play a definite role in how you perceive things. Anyway, we should be meditating God's precepts. We should contemplate His ways. We should delight in His statutes. What we put into our hearts will flow out. "Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks." Once we have God's word so deeply embedded in our hearts, we will begin to think and act accordingly. Our mind will be like the mind of Christ. And we will begin displaying the fruit of the Spirit, as detailed in Galatians 5:22. We will show love to the unlovely. We will be joyful when our circumstances seem impossible. We will have peace even when we don't see the answers to our problems. We will be patient. We will be kind to others, gentle in our mannerisms. And we will have self control.

Colossians 3:2 tells us, "Set your mind on things above, not on things on earth." If our focus is on God and His kingdom, we won't be so inclined to stress about this life's trials. Philippians 4:8 says, "Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things." Too many times we look around us and we want to see the bad in the world. But we need to be thinking about God's promise to us. We need to be aware of His greatness, of all that He did for us. We can walk through trials knowing that this home is temporary and that God will see us through whatever we face.

Unshakable Faith

Yesterday's message at church was entitled, "Unshakable Faith." As one might guess, the scripture passage was found in Hebrews 11, the faith chapter. So many times we think about all the marvelous things these incredible men of God did, but we fail to remember that their walk wasn't always one of ease and comfort. They faced adversity. Yet they endured these things and remained faithful in the process.

There are many preachers out there who think that all Christians should be prosperous and shouldn't have to face trials. But is this a scriptural viewpoint? In Hebrews 11:33-35 we see all the great things about faith...through faith kingdoms were conquered, justice administered, some escaped the jaws of death, were strengthened and made powerful to fight battles.But then it goes on to say in 35-38 that some were tortured and refused to be released, faced jeers and flogging, chained and put in prison, stoned, sawed in two, put to death by the sword, they went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated, wandering about in desserts, caves and mountains, and holes in the ground. Now, does this seem like the glamorous life of faith we often hear portrayed in pulpits across America? Our lives may not always be these wonderful bed of roses where everything comes up smelling sweet and looking beautiful. We will face trials. But if we have that unshakable faith, we can endure even through trying circumstances, knowing that God is there in the midst of it all. We may not always know why we are going through these things, but we can rest assured that God still has a plan and we still have His promise of a better life to come. God is not a man that He should lie so we can stand strong as we trust Him to fulfill all that he has promised.