Category Archives: Troubles

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Curly Hair

I have curly hair. After losing a lot of it several months ago, I don’t complain about it like I once did…but it has a mind of its own! I got it from my mom and dad.

My dad died 22 years ago when he was actually only one year older than I am now. My uncle reminded me of some good memories several years ago. I have always had trouble remembering the good because there were so many bad.

As I went further back into my childhood memories, I remembered some of the names I called him and that he called me. “Da-Da” of course, although I don’t remember specifically, it can be said that that term is universal. My mom told me that when I was up all night crying my “Da-Da” would get up and rock me. I was his baby girl.

I remember calling him “Daddy” as a little girl. That was the time that I hung on every word he uttered. He could do no wrong in my eyes.

My parents soon divorced and I was becoming a teen about that same time. He went from “Dad” to “Father” to “that man”. That was a very hard and emotional time in my life. My memory often plays tricks on me and doesn’t allow any pleasant memories to forge themselves through these thoughts.

But I did recall that my dad called me “Sis”. I have been wondering about that….I was the eldest child of three. But the more I look upon that I believe that was a term of endearment that my father gave me. For that memory is precious now to me and I will always cherish it.

Our heavenly Father has many names. The Bible tells us many of those names in many scriptures. He is…Everlasting Father, Advocate, Lamb of God, Resurrection, Bishop of Souls, Abba Father, Shepherd, Judge, Lord of Lords, Man of Sorrows, Head of the Church, Master, Rock, High Priest. John 10:9 tells us He is the Door. John 4:10 He is the Living Water. He is the Bread of Life, the Rose of Sharon, the Alpha and Omega, Messiah, Beloved, Redeemer, Bright and Morning Star, The Way, The Truth, The Life.

He is the Last Adam The Great I Am, the Chief Cornerstone, The Most High God, Provider, Our Banner, Our Perfect Peace, Our Righteousness….just to name a few! But there is one very special to me.

What is He to you right now in your life? Which name ministers to you?

Mine? Abba Father, which means Papa, daddy…Oh how I love that name of God! He allows this little girl to climb up in His lap! I am no longer without a Daddy. He is all I want, He is all I need!

“For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry, ‘Abba Father.’ The Spirit himself testifies with out spirit that we are God’s children.” Romans 8:15-16

I am kind of thinking that my Abba Father may even call me “sis”. I think I like that.

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Be Blessed~

IN CHRIST ALONE



Isaiah 55:8-9

Sweet Spring Song Birds

Christ's rest, Discouraged Christian, Freedom in Christ, Hope, Jesus Christ, Spiritual Encouragement, To Rest in Christ, Trials, Troubles, , , , , , , , , , ,

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Sweet Spring Song Birds

I look so forward to spring. There are a variety of reasons we can list, but one of my favorite things to do is sit on our back porch and watch the songbirds. We keep food out during the winter as well, but there is just something about sitting in my rocking chair, sipping a cup of coffee and watching them interact with one another. Gosh, that makes me sound really old!

There have been a few times we ran out of food before we could get to the store. I worried about the birds and realized that in all honesty they weren’t worried at all. At all.

Why is it so hard for us? Why do we worry? Is it the fear of the unknown? Is it that we are taking the circumstances and outcome into our own hands? Will my son get that job? What will we do if the furnace breaks down? What if that test result comes back as cancer?

The truth is…we shouldn’t worry. In fact, we are told that the power not to worry is from the Holy Spirit. I just think I turn things over to the Father, and as if I physically laid down that piece of paper, I pick it right back up!! Sometimes I do it daily!

Jesus taught..

 “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:19-34
I can just envision Jesus teaching this lesson. He pointed to the birds. He bent down to smell the lilies of the field. He held up his cloak. Why worry?
Some theologians refer to this passage as the biblical doctrine of God’s ‘providence’. God is our provider. Do we believe this?
It is our choice. In fact, believing the word of God is totally our choice.
I like that choice. And I choose to believe. He has always been faithful. He has never failed me yet. Worry has gotten me no where. Stress made me sick. So I have to actively make the choice to believe Him and what He says.
Afterall, I have the birds of spring to remind me.

Blessings
IN CHRIST ALONE



Isaiah 55:8-9

*google image, NIV Bible*

Ragamuffin

Christ's rest, Christian encouragement, Discouraged Christian, Encouragement for Women, Freedom in Christ, Grace, Jesus Christ, Love of God, Spiritual Encouragement, To Rest in Christ, Trials, Troubles, , , , , , , , ,

Rich_Mullins

RAGAMUFFIN The True Story of Rich Mullins

My heart is so full right now. We went and saw this movie Saturday night and I was reminded of so many things. Memories flooded every fiber of my being. I have pulled out some of Rich’s CDs and books and reread quotes. Brennan Manning was a “ragamuffin” that Jesus used to bring healing into Rich’s life, and I have been re-reading the RAGAMUFFIN GOSPEL.

Why? Trust me, Rich nor Brennan are not on a pedestals. Besides, they would not want to be there. I remember the first time I met Rich I was organizing a meal for his first time of three in our little city. I was uncovering all the food and asked where Rich was? Of course, he was sitting directly in front of me. He laughed when I said I did not recognize him. He remarked that the album covers with his picture didn’t look like him either. After the concert and cleaning up, he was ever so gracious and asked us to help him count money from tape sales (1991). He did not like the stuff.

I got to hear Brennan Manning speak a couple of times. He was so unassuming and humble..and truthful. I was so moved by his honesty.

I was reminded last night about how much God loves me. HE LOVES ME. I had a pretty rocky relationship with my dad as my parents divorced and things were always bad between us. As a result, I could never get it in my head that GOD loved me unconditionally. I struggled and struggled.

Then I met Rich Mullins and his music. Abba Father spoke to my heart with reckless abandon. He pursued me relentlessly. And I got it. Oh, I went back to many of my “legalistic” ways from time to time, but God always pulled me back into His arms of love.

A ragamuffin is someone who, according to Brennan Manning, one who is “dirty, bedraggled, and beat up.” Rich Mullins said “We miss the gospel of Christ: the good news that, although the holy and all-powerful God knows we are dust, He still stoops to breathe into us the breath of life-to bring to our wounds the balm of acceptance and love.”

Friends…this is the GOOD NEWS. “Jesus Christ is crazy about you. He loves you just as you are, not as you should be” Brennan Manning

I encourage you to see this movie. Please. It will either confirm what you already know to be true, or challenge you to think about the grace of God.

Be blessed~
IN CHRIST ALONE

Isaiah 55:8-9

*Wikipedia image, The Ragamuffin Gospel, All is Grace: A Ragamuffin Memoir