Living in the Difference

A question to ponder: Am I whitewashed and living plain, or am I in full color and living the difference? Which is real, and which do I prefer?  And what exactly is real in this world?  Is there a difference?  And what is the difference?  Hmmmm…

Ponder the words of this awesome song:

The Difference

 

For You came to me

In a whitewashed time

Nothing was real,

Nothing worth a dime

Went through my days

Just getting by

Nothing to show

Or testify

Nothing to testify.

 

But then I heard You say,

“I made you, you are Mine,

Rise up and shine”

“Open your eyes and see

The colors I have made to be,

Change your white to bright

And make a difference

 

Yeah, change your white to bright

and go make a difference”

 

So, let the oceans roar

Let the earth cry out

The Lord is real

 Yeah yeah

Let my voice raise high

Let my heart cry out

This joy I feel

 

So yeah, I opened my eyes

And looked around me,

Wow! 

And now I see

God, You are real

And all around me

 

I have a call

A difference to make

A purpose to fill

And not for my sake

 

So, yeah, I changed my white to bright

And now my heart can see

The colors you made

And purpose for me

Yeah, a purpose for me

and victory 

 

I changed my white to bright

And now I see

The difference you made

The difference for me

 

 So, let the oceans roar

Let the earth cry out

The Lord is real

 

Let my voice raise high

Let my heart cry out

This love I feel

 

So, let the oceans roar

Let the earth cry out

This love is real

 

The Lord is real

And now I feel

I was meant to be

To make a difference,

 

Yeah, to make a difference

To make a difference…

 You see?

“I made you, you are Mine,

Rise up and shine”

Jeremiah 1:5 – “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you…”

Jeremiah 31:3 – “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn (made) you with lovingkindness.”

Isaiah 41:3 – “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are mine!”

 John 8:32 – “…and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.”

 Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Have you changed your white to bright?  Do you wanna make a difference? Let’s do it! Now’s the time! 

 

Let’s live in the difference!!

 

Are You a Light Stand or a Bucket?

            This morning I read something that really resonated with me.  The last few months (or maybe year!) I have been sort of hiding out at home, not participating in much outside social activity, and for whatever reason, feeling pretty apathetic.  I know – doesn’t sound too smart, but how many of you feel, or have felt this way too?

            Well, if you’re in this same pit I am right now, what I read this morning was a good kick start for me today – maybe it will be for you too.  And for those of you who don’t really need a good kick start, let’s call it a nice affirmation, or inspired reminder of what life is really all about – or should be J

¹³ “Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth.

(God-flavors: love, kindness, mercy, justice, compassion, caring, sharing, to name a few)

If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.

(Garbage: unfriendly, unhappy, afraid, paranoid, selfish, worried, LONELY.  Oh no – is this where I’ve been lately!!)

^14-16 “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world.

(God-colors: TRUTH, peace, joy, love, happiness, openness, transparency, light!)

God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.  

(Matthew 5:13-16 MSG)

            This was my directive this morning; to get out and be productive, to do something – to help my fellow man.  It’s not just a nice idea, a feel-good sort of thing to do in my spare time – no, it’s a directive from God! 

            We are to be purposeful in our lives, not just sit idly under the bucket of our homes, being complacent, playing games and spending hours on end perusing social media (this has been me lately L).  Instead, we are to be purposeful, good salt, helping one another, especially the sick, the poor, the needy.  We should go out, with our warming, life-giving light shining, doing good things, seeking justice, spreading our tasty (God) flavoring to all those around us.  Yes, we should let our lights shine like a bright city on a hill that cannot be hidden!

            So, this, then, is our purpose in life.  Whatever our personality - bold or timid, bubbly or serious, gregarious or quiet, there is a way we can be salty and light-bearing.  If this wasn’t so, God wouldn’t have directed it.  He has already equipped us with what we need – we just need to use it.  If we just open our eyes to what is going on around us, we will see an unsalted, dim life or place that can use exactly what flavoring we each have to give. 

Be purposeful!

I choose the light stand, which do you choose?

Thank God for Chocolate Cake!

     Have you ever had one of those yukky days when everything goes wrong, no matter how hard you try, the whole day just flies out from underneath you, takes off on its own, and seems bent on messing up everything you do, stirring up more problems, more issues, and more work?  Ugghh!

     And then you feel discouraged, dumb, inferior, incapable, useless, withered, exhausted, done in, etc.  Uuuuuuuugggghh!!!!!!

     You go home, get into your comfy flannel jammies, feeling down and dejected, and your tummy grumbles – “need food!” But nothing sounds good – nothing that’s good for you anyway.  You need a treat, something yummy, something that’s not good for you, something bad – oh yeah, something that will make you feel good!  Aaaah yes, comfort food!

And then you remember – left over from last night – oh yeeesssssss!!!!!

CHOCOLATE CAKE!!!!!

Rich, dreamy, smooth, moist, luscious, soothing, soul reviving chocolate cake!!

Now, for those of you who don’t like chocolate – I will pray for you – because you are missing out on one of life’s most miraculous healing tools!!

But for those of you who know what I’m talking about – there’s just nothing like a big slice of rich, deep, yummy, super moist, super chocolaty, chocolate cake, topped with thick, rich, dark chocolaty, creamy icing! Oooooooohhhhh Lord – it just soothes my soul and all that ails it!!!!  Makes me feel delectably worthy and able again.

Thank God for chocolate cake!

 (And might I add here that I make a baaaaaaaaaaddddd chocolate cake!!)

     Well, what about when that delectable chocolate cake isn’t available? Or Heaven forbid – you don’t like delectable chocolate cake? (Unfathomable to me, but, hey, whatever floats your boat J) 

     I realized something a few days ago that put me on this thought path; having my daily personal quiet/devotional/meditation time, for me, provides that same delectably worthy and able feeling, deep down in my soul – that same delectable feeling that chocolate cake gives me after I have liberally imbibed. It simply soothes my soul and all that ails it.

      But, for me, just like that amazing chocolate cake, the right ingredients have to go into the mix, or I’m left wanting, feeling that something is missing.  Without the main ingredient – rich, decadent chocolate - it’s just not chocolate cake, right?

     In my quiet time, my main ingredient is God.  Like chocolate, God just simply soothes my soul. He and His awesome words of truth and love lift my spirits.  They assure me that I am not alone, that I am loved, just as I am, faults and all.  They tell me that, yes, I will have bad days along with the good, that there are times I will fail, times I will do the wrong thing.  They acknowledge I’m not perfect, but that it’s ok!

     And then they tell me I am beautiful, that I am beloved, and that I matter, that I am worth it, and that I am precious!!  No matter what!!!  And when I talk to God while reading these Words, I get that incredible, delectable, rich chocolate cake feeling, deep down in my soul.  And then everything is better once again. 

     So, I invite you – try some daily personal quiet/devotional/meditation time.  Reflect upon the good, positive things in your life. Everyone has some, every day of their life – you just have to look for them.  If you don’t already have an open, daily dialogue with God, I recommend you try it.  Today!  Just start talking to Him like He was sitting there right next to you.  Tell Him about your day; ask Him to give you peace.  Devour a piece of His rich, dreamy, chocolate cake – Scripture - as often as you can.  Guaranteed not to put pounds on you, instead, it takes tons of worry and sorrow OFF! Try some today and experience that soul-satisfying, spirit lifting, yummy, delectable, good feeling!

Yes, thank God for Chocolate Cake!

His kind is the best <3

Light Bulb Moments

Remember the last time you had a light bulb moment, an ah-ha moment, an epiphany?

That moment when a thought, an experience, something you just read, or something

someone said, becomes an extraordinary, maybe life-changing revelation to you? I had one of those yesterday.  It was something very simple, really, but, for me, it was powerful indeed!

I was born the second of 5 children, and was raised mainly by my mother after my parents divorced when I was about 8.  We didn’t have much growing up but the one thing we did have was love.  Though we didn’t spend a lot of time with Mom – she worked long hours to provide for us, attended school full-time to earn a nursing degree, and spent countless hours doing homework – she made sure we knew we were loved.  And as she showed us love, she also instilled in us a deep love and caring for others.  No matter how bad we kids might have thought we had it, we knew there was always someone, somewhere who had it worse.

Therefore, I grew up being aware of others’ circumstances around me and helping others became second nature. I grew up believing that other people’s needs were more important than mine, and if need be, I could lay aside my circumstance to help them. So, caring for others has always felt good to me.

As a result of growing up without a father figure influence, and having a very busy mother, I have struggled with control and self-esteem issues, manifesting into eating/food issues, such as bulimia (for which I have had treatment and celebrate recovery, J for many years), but still struggle with sweet addictions, and the pull of old, bad habits from time to time.  However, I have always felt that my issues impacted or hurt no one other than myself.  If I chose to live like that, it was ok because no one else would be hurt by it.  I could live like that and still be a loving, caring person, willing and able to help my neighbor when needed.  Sounds good, right?

Yesterday I realized how wrong I have been in thinking that way.  Contemplating a few questions in a book I am reading (Wonder Struck, by Margaret Feinberg**) it hit me.  These questions basically asked:

What does loving your neighbor as yourself, as described in the Bible mean to you?

Do you think you can truly love your neighbor if you don’t love yourself?

When have you not taken care of yourself and, as a result, found yourself caring for other people less?

First, I have always thought I loved “my neighbor” more than myself, and thought that was a good thing.

Second, of course I answered yes, I can love my neighbor fully with the love that God put in my heart for them.  It doesn’t matter if I love myself or not.

Then on the third question I of course began to answer that I haven’t cared for people less because of not caring for myself.

But, a little voice inside me said, “Wait – let’s think about that a moment. Is that really true?”

Hmmmm….well…when I am not caring for myself the best, and am in a period of “catering” to my food issues, when I’ve had some binging days and I’m feeling “fat” or guilty, I do tend to hide in my house and not take part in social activities until I feel less fat or guilty or whatever.  But that doesn’t hurt anyone else, does it? 

Well, let’s see, when I am hiding in my house, not wanting anyone to see me, I am not seeing anyone else either. If I am not seeing anyone else, then how am I to know if “my neighbor” is in need, and care for them?

Hmmm…well, I guess you could say then, that catering to my not-so-healthy eating/thinking issues, from time to time, and as a result, hiding myself in my house and not dealing with people –though not really harming anyone else –actually might be a little selfish behavior. And if I am being selfish with something - that means someone else is doing without that thing I am being selfish with and keeping for myself, right? Hmmm…thinking a little deeper…

Can this really mean that in my not-really-meaning-to-be-selfish behavior, I am actually caring for other people less?

Yes! I can see now that when I am not caring for myself correctly, I really AM caring for OTHERS LESS.  Not purposely, but yes, it’s true!

Lightbulb!!!!!

So, now I understand that even though I think I am doing no harm to anyone but myself on those days that I want to binge on sweets, the result of my binging does affect others.  It does cause me to be less caring of others, because in my feeling bad and my guilt, I am hiding myself away from them, taking away the chance of my ministering to them – or them ministering to me! 

I don’t know about you, but I don’t ever want to knowingly be less caring; I, nor anyone else, can make any good difference in the world if we are practicing being less caring, right?  In catering to my bad food cravings, even if not every day, and thinking that doing so affected no one else, I was wrong – my results do affect others, and not in a good way.

So, now I have new incentive to resist those tempting urges to binge on sweets instead of healthy foods, and to get proper exercise, not too much or too little.  In resisting those tempting little urges, not only will I be taking better care of myself, I will actually be caring for other people - more!

In closing, and as a thought for this week, I would invite you to ask yourself those same questions that Margaret Feinberg asks in her book study, “Wonderstruck” and see where you stand.  Will it be a light bulb moment for you too?

Blessings and much caring to you,

Mindy

** WONDERSTRUCK, AWAKEN TO THE NEARNESS of GOD, © 2013 Margaret Feinberg,

Published by LifeWay

http://margaretfeinberg.com/wonderstruck/

Heart-Healing Words

Happy Sunday to you!!

Are you happy this morning? Or are you, like me, maybe feeling a little hurting in your heart - from hurt feelings, or maybe sadness from a loss? 
A few days ago someone I love slung some very hurtful words at me and in hurt and anger I slung a few ugly and not nice words right back.  Words that I thought would never come out of my mouth. Today I feel great remorse (even though I am still reeling in hurt). 

However, I read a few Words this morning that sounded so good and reminded me where I always can find healing for my hurt. These words were:

How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Ps 119:103

And I am reminded again of how magically reviving and hurt-healing the Words of this Book can be to me when I remember to seek them out and let them into, and wash over my heart. I love to also dwell in Psalm 139 to know that I am not, I am NEVER alone.And there is good with me, wherever I am - always.  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+139&version=NASB

Today, I choose to dwell in His Words, instead of those other hurtful words. 

And bask in His awesome healing 

Bible Gateway passage: Psalm 139 - New American Standard Bible

www.biblegateway.com

God’s Omnipresence and Omniscience. - For the choir director. A Psalm of David. O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I 

Pity Party - Me?

A beautiful, crisp Good Morning to you!!

How are you?

As I write this, it is a cool, crisp, fall Saturday morning in Massachusetts.  The beautifully colored leaves are now almost all fallen off the trees, but the berry-bearing bushes are in full bloom.

This morning as I took my moment’s breathe of reprieve (http://wordwithmindy.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-moments-breathe-of-reprieve_23.html ) and quiet time, my eyes settled on a verse that seemed to resonate in my heart and mind.  I thought about how on some days my schedule is so hectic I forget to remember to see the positive in the negative.  (Did you get that?) How sometimes I let my “issues” cloud my gratitude for the (many) good things I have in life (oh yes, I can find many good things I should be thankful for) and how I even allow myself to wallow in a pity party at times (yikes!).  Yes, I do that sometimes – do you?

Well, as I read these words, I begin to think of some people in my life whom I feel would benefit from reading them.  And, being a writer, lots of words start jumping up and down in my mind, yelling out and vying for a chance to be chosen for today’s helpful wordwithmindy blog entry.  However, as I read the verses again, I begin to get this warm feeling spreading through my stomach and chest, and into my heart.  And then I realize I need to stop a moment; I need to look again at these words.  Uh-oh – yep, you got it –maybe, just maybe I need to apply these words to my own life this morning. 

These are the words:

You’re Blessed

5 ^1-2 When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:

³ “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

⁴ “You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.

⁵ “You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.

⁶ “You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.

⁷ “You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.

⁸ “You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.

⁹ “You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.

¹⁰ “You’re blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God’s kingdom.

^11-12 “Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.  Matthew 5 The Message (MSG)  

Wow - these wonderful words tell me that  

·       when I’m exhausted and have nothing left to give, that is when I am most open and accepting of God’s care of me and His guidance.  Yes, in reflection, I see that this is true.

·       That when I have lost my heart’s desire or a most dear loved one, then that is when I am able to accept God’s embracing and enveloping love of me. When I am too wrapped up and focused on the one(s) I love, I am too full and distracted to receive God’s love (God – who loves me more than anyone else ever would or could.)

·       That when I am ready to accept who I am, with humility, with all my little quirks, flaws and all, that is when I receive peace in having all the important things in life that cannot be bought with a price.

·       That when I deeply desire to know more about God and things of God, then I will be more fulfilled and satisfied than with anything else.

·       That when I am mindful and caring and merciful to others, that is when I will find caring and mercy given to me.

·       That when I set my sights and heart on the right things, good and caring things, pure things, things that truly matter, not just to me, but to others around me, then my eyes will be open to all the good, right, pure and wonderful things in my life and in the world.  And it is then that I will see God!

·       That when I work to create peace and harmony in those around me, instead of gossip, rumor spreading, or conflict, then I will find my place in God’s plan and kingdom.  Meaning I will find peace and joy and contentment in my own heart. And make God’s heart happy as I embrace being one of HIS.

·       And that when I take a stand for God, when I take part in worship of God, when I share His Word and love with others, and as a result am made fun of, ridiculed, or even lose out on something I wanted - that’s ok.  I can surround myself with Christian people, keep seeking God, sharing things of God, and become more deeply centered in God’s kingdom and His care of me.  Some others may not like it, but God does – and He will reward me for it!!! After all – all the great prophets and teachers of the Word have all gone through some persecution. And they held fast.

We all go through persecution of some kind or another. 

We just need to choose if it’s for a bad or non-productive cause, or a good and life-changing one.

So, this morning, in contemplation of these verses and words – I feel a little silly and misguided in ever having a pity party.  Yes, I get that there will be times when I feel overwhelmed and wonder “why me?” But that’s ok.  Because it is those times that I will turn to God and ask Him why?

I will have conversation with God.

And He likes that

Because that is when we have relationship – a 2-way relationship

Instead of me by myself or God by Himself.

Yes, I see that it takes conversation between us – me and God.  And my heart being open and willing to hear His leading, and not my own stubborn will.  Sometimes that means being empty, broken, harassed, lost, or torn.  And if that’s when I find God most intimately and allow myself to feel His presence and love the most – then that’s ok. 

Because therein lies my peace, my purpose, my life.

 

May you each find peace, purpose and an overflowing fountain of life

in your day to day living.

And may you feel totally blessed indeed!

Love forever,

Mindy