You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever. Psalm 30:11-12 NIV
How strange that I can write on this blog that, hopefully, someone other than me is reading but it's extremely difficult to voice these thoughts and feelings to the people I love the most.
Jesus woke me early this morning and I had a thought I just had to get up and share regarding depression. That was a few minutes ago. Now I've forgotten it. I haven't forgotten this one thing, though. That even if I make my bed in hell, sweet Lord God, You are there. (Psalm 139:8).
Holding a thought is almost as difficult as holding sand in a spaghetti strainer. It's gives me the tateds (agitated, irritated, and frustrated). However, each moment brings me one breath closer to You, sweet Lord, regardless of the tateds. Your love infinitely holds all that I am even thoughts that flee like the wind.
To God Be the Glory! Amen.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
Living in Darkness
"...The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." Matthew 4:16 NIV
Most of us from time to time have felt a little "blue," or, "down in the dumps." We know this feeling is temporary and will go away in its own good time as we continue the routine of daily life.
For some people, however, this is not simply a feeling that goes away. It's an overwhelming sense of darkness shadowing every aspect of life. The darkness has a name---clinical depression.
A shameful thing, clinical depression not only is darkness but its very existence has to be kept hidden in the shadows. Depression is something folks whisper about behind their hand. It's odd to me, but I have never heard one prayer request for someone with a debilitating mental illness or sickness of the soul. But a severe physical illness will get you front page on the prayer request bulletin.
Clinical depression can kill as quickly as cancer and with far less compassion. Yet, there IS good news. Jesus came to shine the light of His love in every nook and cranny. Even the shadows of depression cannot resist the the dawning light of the Savior.
And even though we will experience all manner of sickness, trouble, and heartache this side of heaven, sufferers of clinical depression "wait for the blessed hope---the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ." (Titus 2:13 NIV). His light dispels all darkness, including the shadows of clinical depression.
To God Be the Glory! Amen.
Most of us from time to time have felt a little "blue," or, "down in the dumps." We know this feeling is temporary and will go away in its own good time as we continue the routine of daily life.
For some people, however, this is not simply a feeling that goes away. It's an overwhelming sense of darkness shadowing every aspect of life. The darkness has a name---clinical depression.
A shameful thing, clinical depression not only is darkness but its very existence has to be kept hidden in the shadows. Depression is something folks whisper about behind their hand. It's odd to me, but I have never heard one prayer request for someone with a debilitating mental illness or sickness of the soul. But a severe physical illness will get you front page on the prayer request bulletin.
Clinical depression can kill as quickly as cancer and with far less compassion. Yet, there IS good news. Jesus came to shine the light of His love in every nook and cranny. Even the shadows of depression cannot resist the the dawning light of the Savior.
And even though we will experience all manner of sickness, trouble, and heartache this side of heaven, sufferers of clinical depression "wait for the blessed hope---the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ." (Titus 2:13 NIV). His light dispels all darkness, including the shadows of clinical depression.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
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| Lake Chatuge |
Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
Sometimes when the pressure is just too much my sweet husband, Michael C., and I find ourselves longing for peace and quiet. We've been several places over the years but have found ourselves getting closer and closer to home.
We used to enjoy the road trip and still do if the road trip is less than four hours. Anything longer simply makes me irritable which doesn't add to our driving pleasure, if you know what I mean.
For the time being the perfect spot for us is a little cove in the mountains of northeast Georgia on Lake Chatuge. When we get there we tend to reflect on the goodness of God and all His blessings to us. It is a time to simply be and enjoy being in the presence of God with each other. (They also have boiled peanuts which I cannot stop eating once I start!).
We just got back from there as a matter of fact. Refreshed and ready to go again we resume our daily lives. I know the peace of God which transcends all understanding guards my heart and mind in Jesus. Sometimes, though, I just need a sweet place to settle in and listen for His whispered words of peace and love.
To God be the Glory! Amen.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
God Does Not Want You to Destroy Yourself
From The Inner Voice of Love by Henri Nouwen
Give every part of your heart and your time to God and let God tell you what to do, where to go, when and how to respond. God does not want you to destroy yourself.
God is gentle and loving. God desires to give you a deep sense of safety in God's love. Once you have fully allowed yourself to experience that love fully, you will be better able to discern who you are being sent to in God's name.
Give every part of your heart and your time to God and let God tell you what to do, where to go, when and how to respond. God does not want you to destroy yourself.
Exhaustion, burnout, and depression are not signs that you are doing God's will.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Vacation---All I Ever Wanted
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation and we have a priceless inheritance---an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. 1 Peter 1:3-5 NLT
Michael C. and I have been counting the days and it is finally here...vacation! We have a time share condo for the 26th week of the year at Daytona Beach where we enjoy friends, fun, sun, and food (lots of food). We are packed and ready to go. We have paid our fees and trust that this week has been saved just for us at Marine Terrace.
We're looking forward with even more anticipation to a vacation that some rarely think about. Our dues have been paid and we trust that a place has been reserved and saved just for us. It's a place that hurricanes can't touch and rust and decay can't destroy. This time share has a beginning date but lasts much longer than one week. Well...it lasts forever!
It not only lasts forever but it's beautiful beyond imagination. The King of that land bought the place for us and all we had to do was believe it. Now we just wait eagerly for that last day when we get to go to that primo destination spot...heaven.
Yes, heaven. The place where King Jesus, who bought our spot for us with His blood, reigns and lives. Heaven...a place where we will live and love forever. O, and food, there will be lots of food, actually there will be a feast of food.
The day of our expectation has arrived---Daytona Beach here we come! And...perhaps, the day of our Great Expectation, the hope of heaven, will be today. For that day is coming soon. Come, Lord Jesus, come!
To God be the Glory! Amen.
Michael C. and I have been counting the days and it is finally here...vacation! We have a time share condo for the 26th week of the year at Daytona Beach where we enjoy friends, fun, sun, and food (lots of food). We are packed and ready to go. We have paid our fees and trust that this week has been saved just for us at Marine Terrace.
We're looking forward with even more anticipation to a vacation that some rarely think about. Our dues have been paid and we trust that a place has been reserved and saved just for us. It's a place that hurricanes can't touch and rust and decay can't destroy. This time share has a beginning date but lasts much longer than one week. Well...it lasts forever!
It not only lasts forever but it's beautiful beyond imagination. The King of that land bought the place for us and all we had to do was believe it. Now we just wait eagerly for that last day when we get to go to that primo destination spot...heaven.
Yes, heaven. The place where King Jesus, who bought our spot for us with His blood, reigns and lives. Heaven...a place where we will live and love forever. O, and food, there will be lots of food, actually there will be a feast of food.
The day of our expectation has arrived---Daytona Beach here we come! And...perhaps, the day of our Great Expectation, the hope of heaven, will be today. For that day is coming soon. Come, Lord Jesus, come!
To God be the Glory! Amen.
Monday, June 14, 2010
I Am With You Always
Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere. Mark 1:45
Ultimately, we are alone. We came into this world alone and will leave this world alone. No human being can come close enough to fill that void within that cries out for companionship. We try to fill the void in many ways. We buy more stuff. We become addicted to substances that are supposed to make us feel better. We schedule every moment of our day hoping to drown out our heart's lonely cry with busy-ness. But in the end we're still alone.
Then...there's Jesus---Jesus Christ, Son of God creator of heaven and earth. Jesus lived and died just as we do with one exception---Jesus is God. Jesus is also a Man and as a man He knows what it like to experience loneliness. Surrounded by crowds of people most of the time, Jesus' need for companionship could not be filled by another human being. How lonely He must have been. There was no other person who could understand someone who was both human and divine.
Isn't that the cry of our heart? We need someone to understand. We have a void that can only be filled by God himself but the gulf between God and people is too great. Then...there's Jesus. In some mysterious way He took our wrongs and shortcomings, our sin, upon Himself and died on a cross. He was human and He died. But (thank God for the "but"), He didn't stay in His grave. He broke the chains of death and despair. He lives! God can finally have the relationship with people that only One who knows what it's like to be human can have.
And that's not all. Hallelujah, people---you and me---can now have a relationship with God through the only Man who has a perfect relationship with the Father. This Man that is God---is Jesus. Jesus is the One, the only one, that can fill the void inside us. We can experience the deep abiding love of God when we trust in Him, Jesus the Christ. In knowing Him, ultimately, we are never alone.
To God Be the Glory! Amen.
Ultimately, we are alone. We came into this world alone and will leave this world alone. No human being can come close enough to fill that void within that cries out for companionship. We try to fill the void in many ways. We buy more stuff. We become addicted to substances that are supposed to make us feel better. We schedule every moment of our day hoping to drown out our heart's lonely cry with busy-ness. But in the end we're still alone.
Then...there's Jesus---Jesus Christ, Son of God creator of heaven and earth. Jesus lived and died just as we do with one exception---Jesus is God. Jesus is also a Man and as a man He knows what it like to experience loneliness. Surrounded by crowds of people most of the time, Jesus' need for companionship could not be filled by another human being. How lonely He must have been. There was no other person who could understand someone who was both human and divine.
Isn't that the cry of our heart? We need someone to understand. We have a void that can only be filled by God himself but the gulf between God and people is too great. Then...there's Jesus. In some mysterious way He took our wrongs and shortcomings, our sin, upon Himself and died on a cross. He was human and He died. But (thank God for the "but"), He didn't stay in His grave. He broke the chains of death and despair. He lives! God can finally have the relationship with people that only One who knows what it's like to be human can have.
And that's not all. Hallelujah, people---you and me---can now have a relationship with God through the only Man who has a perfect relationship with the Father. This Man that is God---is Jesus. Jesus is the One, the only one, that can fill the void inside us. We can experience the deep abiding love of God when we trust in Him, Jesus the Christ. In knowing Him, ultimately, we are never alone.
To God Be the Glory! Amen.
Friday, June 11, 2010
The Dwelling Place
For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: "I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people." 2 Corinthians 6:16 NLT
God saw fit not only to give me everlasting life through Jesus but to actually live His life in my heart. How amazingly incredible that the Dwelling Place of the King of the universe is my heart. Does He dwell in your heart?
Father, today I ask You to quiet my mind so I can hear you and feel you move in my heart. I pray the life I live will reflect Your loving kindness and faithfulness in the way I treat others. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
To God be the Glory!
God saw fit not only to give me everlasting life through Jesus but to actually live His life in my heart. How amazingly incredible that the Dwelling Place of the King of the universe is my heart. Does He dwell in your heart?
Father, today I ask You to quiet my mind so I can hear you and feel you move in my heart. I pray the life I live will reflect Your loving kindness and faithfulness in the way I treat others. In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
To God be the Glory!
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