Distraction

wow, it's been a while since I've blogged.....

I came across this quote today by Frances Chan;

“In our world, where hundreds of things distract us from God, we have to intentionally and consistently remind ourselves of Him.” 

It made me stop think about how many things actually CAN and DO distract us from God and the calling that we have in Him. In today's fast paced, "get it now" society we are always doing something. We find ourselves doing and doing and doing and never just being still. I started thinking how even our so called "good" intentions can take our focus off of Him. Our friends, our good deeds, our church duties (yeah......). So many of these things, while they seem to be things that we should be focusing our time on, can turn into distractions if we are not careful.

1 Corinthians 7:35  I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.

When things or events or even people start to share your devotion with God you are treading on shaky ground. All it takes is one moment, one thought to get our focus off of God and then we could head down a dangerous and deadly path. 

He wants all of our devotion. "undivided". I believe that when we are focused fully on Him we are a better friend. A better worker. A better spouse, mother, helper. I plan to begin today making more time for Him. More time to spend in His presence. In His word. More time to spend on the wheel of the Potter so that He can make and mold me into exactly what He wants me to be.

Focusing on my Father and His plan,

Misty

Dreaming

I dream of a place...a place where love is a universal language
a world where hate is nonexistent....a place where children aren't abused and mothers aren't left alone.
      where no one is left out and everyone belongs
a place where cancer is a foreign word and babies don't die....
      where not one more mother has to long to hear her baby cry...
a place where we don't hurt one another...where friends are forever.
       where promises are real and marriages stay together
a place where you never have to worry about mistakes from your past
        where relationships and homes are built to last
a place where words spoken can be easily forgotten and each day is better than the days gone by
        where people were never broken and patience never tried
a place where the only tears shed are tears of happiness...loneliness doesn't prevail
         where honesty, faith and reputation are never for sale
a place where we get better as we get older...the aging mother never forgets her children or their names
          where the elderly widow and teenage girl overlook differences and see how much they are the same
a place where flowers and sunsets still bring smiles...and listening to a child laugh brings joy to the soul
          where people are simple, and happy and healthy and whole.
a place where hearts aren't ripped apart and taped back up
           where we never have to drink from a bitter cup
I dream of this place, yet when I awake...a small voice reminds me that it's not only a dream. I have a place awaiting me with all of these things. I have a world that holds all of my dreams, all of my hope, that captures my hurt and catches my tears....a world just waiting for me to get there! But for now, I'll dream this dream....I'll spread His hope and show His love in things i say and do....because i know that this dream that i dare to dream really will one day come true..

Love God. Love People.

I always find myself discouraged when I am talking with someone and the minute that they find out I am a 'christian' they feel they are being judged by me. It's almost as if you insantly see this protective wall go up and they clump me into "that" category. I hate that feeling! Since when did my relationship with Jesus give me the authority to BE God and judge people for the things they have done or even are doing? Last time I checked Jesus said

"Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.' This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: 'Love others as well as you love yourself.' These two commands are pegs; everything in God's Law and the Prophets hangs from them."

It doesn't say "Love others...as long as they are like you..." or "Love others that are doing everything exactly the way they should...or you think they should". It just simply says "Love others as well as yourself" This whole scripture paraphrased; Love God, Love People. I'm sick and tired of being categorized as "small-minded" or "judgemental" just because I profess to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. It's time that people who bare the name of Jesus realize that we CAN, and Christ DOES love people regardless of their past AND PRESENT! We have got to stop trying to "fix" them or preach at them or convict them. (How dare we take the job of the Holy Spirit!) We are called to love them. As we love them and show them the love of Christ and represent our LOVING, COMPASSIONATE, FORGIVING, CLEANSING, LIFE-CHANGING God, we are doing more than any hurtful, condemning, damning word could ever do. We are being Jesus with skin on. We are showing them the true nature and heart of our God. We then have to trust Him to do the transformation. The way some professed "christians" represent my God, I can understand why people would shun Him. I can see why they turn away and resist His "love". I wouldn't want love from anyone who i was told repeatedly "hated" me and was going to "cast me down into fiery pits of hell for my sins". Don't get me wrong, I know truths. I know what the Word says and I stand behind every single word. I just don't think that this is something we should be telling people that don't even know Him. There is so many BETTER things that we can tell them about Him. About His LOVE and FORGIVENESS and GRACE and His JOY in them. If they don't even have a relationship with Him, they more than likely already know the 'fiery pits of hell' scenario and have decided it's not true either. We have GOT to lead in love. It is so very important. It is a command.....of God....doesn't get any plainer than that! Ok, I'm off my soap box. I won't apologize for anything that I have said and I mean it all from the deepest part of my heart. I am so, so tired of people claiming to LOVE others but slandering and judging and gossiping and hating. I'm offended to be grouped into that category and I'm offended that people represent MY God that way. We have ALL fallen short. We have ALL sinned. We have no right to judge anyone, We are to LOVE them...LOVE them TO Him and let HIM handle the heart changes! Love God, Love People.

Prayer for my Husband, Day 22: Mind

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Rom. 12:2

Lord, help Kenn to not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of his mind. Help him so that he might prove Your good and perfect will. Thank you for Your will that is good and acceptable and perfect.

Amen

Prayer for my Husband, Day 21: Fear

Light, space, zest— that’s God!
So, with him on my side I’m fearless,
afraid of no one and nothing.

Psalm 27:1

Lord, You have not given my husband the spirit of fear or timidity, but one of power and love and a peaceful mind! (2 tim. 1:7) I pray that You would keep his mind clear and free from all tricks of the enemy that would attempt to induce fear. Remind him that You are his protector and defender. In Jesus Name.

Amen

Prayer for my Husband, Day 20: Purpose

 16 I couldn’t stop thanking God for you—every time I prayed, I’d think of you and give thanks.17 But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally,18 your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers.

Ephesians 1:16-18 The Message

May the eyes of Kenn's heart be opened so that he will hold on to the hope of Your calling. Remind him daily who he is in You. Remind him daily the You are the pioneer and the protector of our faith (Heb. 12:22). Remind him that You are faithful to carry out the good work that You began in him (Phil. 1:6), no matter the way he may feel at times. I am believing with him that You will turn our ALL of our pain into purpose!

Amen

Prayer for my Husband Day 19: Choices

Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse

Philippians 4:8

Lord, Fill my husband with the fear of the Lord and give him wisdom for every decision he makes. Help him make Godly choices and seek Godly counsel. Help him to think on the things that are true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling and gracious. Help him to think the best and not the worst in all things. Give him Your sight to see the beautiful in people and circumstances. I thank You for the heart of praise that You have given him.

In Jesus Name,

Amen