Checking in on My Poor Neglected Blog

Dear Escapades,

I have missed you and longed to spend time with you.  Dashing off "Theme Song Thursday" posts as a way to stay connected, though somewhat lame, has ministered to my heart and given me hope that indeed I will once again be regularly posting here.  Thanks for your grace, patience and understanding.

A Social Media Lie

There’s a thought “out there” that people present only their “best side” to the world through social media and that this affects people negatively.  It’s been awhile since I first heard this thought, and I’ve been pondering it off and on since then.  Does it affect me negatively?  I say not.

It is true that my not spending much time on social media potentially lessens its negative impact upon me , which means I probably don’t recognize it immediately.  Yet, as much as hearing good news from someone else about something in their lives can cause jealousy to arise or can trigger a “poverty mindset,” social media only impacts me negatively if I choose to go down the path of negativity.

You got me — I am saying that social media does not control me or anyone else.  The reality is that each one of us has the responsibility and authority to control our own self.  A person can give that control over to someone or something else, but it resides with each person.

Social media is an opportunity to rejoice with others and to believe for the good things that are ahead for each one of us; it’s a momentum thing.  Ride that wave of the amazing things He is doing on the earth with expectancy. He is always up to wonderful things!  (How I love seeing Kingdom truth show up in the world without any religious clothing on it!)

Self control may be an unfashionable character quality these days, but it is a truth that cannot be ignored or denied.  How much better a world this would be if each person pursued excellence in self control!

{I had promised myself that I would not duplicate posts at both of my blogs, but. . . this one seems to fit the landscape of both.  My apologies to anyone who is reading both.}

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God Does Whatever He Chooses

Acts 10:44-48 NASB

"While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, 'Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?'  And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days."

   I LOVE this; according to this passage, Peter did not do an "altar call" or have them repeat the "sinner's prayer." It does not say that these folks confessed their sins or repented before Holy Spirit filled them. Holy Spirit showed up, Peter recognized that these Gentiles had been given the gift of Holy Spirit, which is the evidence of belief in and acceptance of Jesus as Savior & Lord, and then had them baptized in water.

  

  Following Jesus is not a formula or a road or a step-by-step process; it's a relationship from the very beginning. He meets us right where we are.

  

  Now that is wonderfully like our loving, good Father.

  What opportunities do I miss of sharing the Good News because I have a list in my head of what has to happen first? Open my eyes to see You moving so that I can follow You and do my part, Holy Spirit.

  Who are the "Gentiles" of in my sphere of influence that you are sending me to love with Your love? Open my eyes to see them, LORD.

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Did You Notice?

 This is ONLY for my regular readers and followers. . .ok, the rest of you can read this, also.  I was only teasing.  Who am I to discourage anyone from reading my little ol' blog?

  I chose a different blog template recently; did you notice?  I'd love your thoughts and feedback in regard to it.  I feel like I need change often, so my blog reflects that at times.


And today's random:

  I was grocery shopping this morning, using my re-usable shopping bag horde. The cashier who was waiting on me does NOT like the re-usable shopping bags.  I have been in her "line" before, and each time she comments offhandedly about how she does not like those bags.  Honestly I try to avoid her line because I know it pains her to wait on someone like me.  As far as that goes, I'd rather we both be enjoying the shopping experience as much as possible.  As I could not avoid being in her line (read that as not enough lines open), there I was.  She grudgingly greeted me, and I cheerily replied.  She began listlessly loading my frozen and cold items in one of my freezer bags; "great!" I silently cheered.  After she filled one of my "least of these" bags, I re-positioned my bag o' bags (whilst she was busy and NOT looking) with the other freezer bag on top and my best bags next; in her defense, the "least of these" was the next one in the pile.  I said nothing except cheerful thank-you's as we both endured the process -- me with a smile and her with lips in a grim line.  Then I heard her sadly mutter, "I don't pack these kinds of bags very well." My heart stirred with compassion for her -- silently I released blessings and peace over her.  And I am thankful that I was privileged to be in her line this morning.  She needed me and what I carry of the #Kingdom.  I needed her to stir my compassion and to give away what Jesus gave me.

  Someone once told me that I pick up on lots that is going on in a given situation, which seems to be true.  What I have realized is that I often misinterpret after the observation.  This morning I was reminded that even Paul did not always hear and discern correctly, (it's right there in The Book).  I need Holy Spirit and His gifts soooooo much!  Still a work in progress here:).

So, what do ya think about the new template?

What's your random from today?


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An Eclectic Random Thought

  I feel that if I cannot understand a passage or verse of Scripture through the lens of love, then I  do not understand that verse or passage as of yet.  Interpreting Scripture without the revelation of Holy Spirit, who is Love, is not interpretation, but appeasement of our soulish desire to understand.


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Change is Good and Hard

 BLEH -- Ok, now that that's out of the way, I can agree with my title.

 Love it that the weather has warmed and the snow pack is melting.  Love it that I can change the background of my blog and feel the freshness of spring.  Love it that God is always at work, doing new things, making all things new and providing us with new opportunities.

 And yet, the "warmer" temperatures and melting snow pack bring severe weather and flooding.  Changing my blog's background looks great (in my opinion) with the recent posts that show on the home page, but is not as attractive on some of the older posts.  New things, renewed things and new opportunities free me from my ruts, but jolt me out of my comfort zone and cause me to have to make new decisions and take new action. 

 It's been a long, frustrating morning here in our home school; math, the usual suspect, has bruised us again.  Tears and frustrated words have flowed, and we have decisions to make that are difficult and grievous.  Yet once again I sing:

You can have it all, Lord, every part of my world.  Take this life and breathe on this heart that is now Yours!"

 What good/hard changes are happening in your world?

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Run & Enjoy

One of my newest Brooks running shoes

My stomach churned and burned.  I could feel my breathing become shallower and faster.  The whistle blew and off I lurched.  I sprinted to each line on the gym floor and back to the beginning point all the while complaining internally.  I flopped to the floor at the end of the circuit, gasping for air and despising that part of practice…

“Yes, you can run the hurdles,” our track coach replied to my dream request.  She continued, “as long as you also run the mile relay.”  My heart sunk, but I agreed.  I would run a race I hated for the sake of one I loved…

The 3 R's plus a Confession

Reframing and renewed seeing are themes today.  Perhaps I should add remembering to the list as well.  To take every thought I am having about today and to reframe it and see it from Heaven’s perspective would be truly transformational.  For instance, this morning I have step-by-step done the usual daily grind items for today:  made whole-wheat pancakes for breakfast, started supper in the crockpot, started laundry, started the dishwasher and started my kiddos off into their school day.  That’s something creative and a lot of new beginnings already in my day (cooking is a creative outlet for me, generally speaking, especially when I love to eat what I am cooking/baking).

I have also answered and sent emails, listened to narration from a couple of my students and blessed my kiddos.  Kingdom connection has happened!

Another privilege that I get to practice is loving and honoring my kids daily. 

And lastly (for now), I listened to a podcast that confirmed previous similar admonishments from a dear friend:  make time for community, show up when in community and be authentic when in community.  If I am going to become a normal Christian like Jesus, I must receive this timely message as from the hand of God.  That’s an act of reframing and  of renewed seeing.  Remembering to pay attention is a key to the activation of these admonishments.

My confession:  today it is much easier to see and to reframe and to remember all of these benefits.  On my hazy hormonal days, I struggle.  Remembering to keep my eyes on my Friend and to find joy in Him is the trickiest part of those days, because my natural circumstances look dark almost regardless of the light they bear in reality.  (Soon I will be re-reading a book that I hope with give me some more tools and encouragement, Jump off the hormone swing : fly through thephysical, mental and spiritual symptoms of PMS and perimenopause.)

“Let hope arise!”  Today’s themes water and give nutrients to the seeds of hope, abiding faith and breakthrough, my 2012 words.   

What are the themes Holy Spirit is highlighting to you today?

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