What does the verb "change" mean to you? I react negatively to it. It means disrupting my schedule, my thinking, and perhaps, my values. I don't want to change.
In Bible Study Fellowship, we are often asked, "How has this Bible passage changed your thinking?" or "How will you change because of this insight?" For some reason, my hackles go up. I've already changed. I've chosen to follow Jesus Christ - that's settled. I'm not going to change my mind. I've decided these changes must have to do with my sanctification - the process that continually makes me more like Christ - nothing big, just tweaking, some major and some minor.
I remember a long time ago when I played Marion, the Librarian in the Music Man, my counterpart who played Harold Hill remarked, "You say your lines the same way every time." Wasn't I supposed to do that? I'd practiced them until I figured out the inflections and nuances that sounded right and then delivered them.They were right. Why would I change them every time? Wasn't that an indication of insecurity, let alone fickleness or wishy-washyness? One must know what one thinks, feels, believes, and then move forward.
But I don't want to be what Christ called stiff-necked. I want to be open to His whispers: "Veer right. Edge to the left. Apply brakes. Don't look back." How about "Stop and rest a while." "Look. What do you see?" "Listen. Hear Me above the chatter. I will speak to you in thoughts, plant songs in your subconscious, and help you retrieve Scripture when you need it most. Don't be afraid of change. I will not deceive you. I love You."
God told Isaac, " Do not go to Egypt. Live in the land I gave you." The situation was a famine. God told Isaac's son Jacob, "Don't be afraid to go to Egypt." God was moving the entire family out of Canaan temporarily.
Am I close enough to God to hear His changes as He directs my life?
Insightfully yours,
Paulita
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Feed My sheep
Do you mean to tell me that I didn't have a single insight during January?
OK so I'll start again now.
It was late in the afternoon and Jesus was teaching people. The disciples came to Him and said, "Let the people go home to get something to eat." Jesus said, "You feed them." Then follows the familiar story of the five loaves and two fish - the lunch of a little boy. Jesus miraculously multiplied the lunch and the disciples used it to feed not only all who were there, but to provide left-overs.
Similarly, there have been several times in my life when I have prayed for Jesus to send someone along side to care for a friend of mine and the Lord has said, "You care for her."
During my mother's last two months of life in a convalescent hospital, she had a roommate named Dora. Although I was there to care for my mother, I did form a relationship with Dora. When Mother died, I prayed that God would send someone to minister to Dora. He clearly impressed on my mind, "You minister to her."
Mother died in December. Dora died in late spring. During those few months Dora and I talked, took rides together to get ice cream cones, and read the Bible which she loved. I was with Dora when she left this life to meet her Savior in heaven.
Jesus said to Peter, "Do you love me?" Peter answered, "You know I love you, Lord." And Jesus said, "Feed my sheep."
Insightfully yours,
Paulita
OK so I'll start again now.
It was late in the afternoon and Jesus was teaching people. The disciples came to Him and said, "Let the people go home to get something to eat." Jesus said, "You feed them." Then follows the familiar story of the five loaves and two fish - the lunch of a little boy. Jesus miraculously multiplied the lunch and the disciples used it to feed not only all who were there, but to provide left-overs.
Similarly, there have been several times in my life when I have prayed for Jesus to send someone along side to care for a friend of mine and the Lord has said, "You care for her."
During my mother's last two months of life in a convalescent hospital, she had a roommate named Dora. Although I was there to care for my mother, I did form a relationship with Dora. When Mother died, I prayed that God would send someone to minister to Dora. He clearly impressed on my mind, "You minister to her."
Mother died in December. Dora died in late spring. During those few months Dora and I talked, took rides together to get ice cream cones, and read the Bible which she loved. I was with Dora when she left this life to meet her Savior in heaven.
Jesus said to Peter, "Do you love me?" Peter answered, "You know I love you, Lord." And Jesus said, "Feed my sheep."
Insightfully yours,
Paulita
Monday, December 24, 2012
Christmas Day
Tomorrow will be Christmas Day and for sure I won't have time to write what I want to say, so I'll do it today. I made several discoveries this year when I sat to read the words to all the Christmas songs and Scriptures included in my hymnal. Some were not the familiar first verses, but the obscure third, or the last.
"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.
"So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." (Luke 2:1-7)
"How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given. So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heaven. No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in.
"O Holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us we pray. Cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels, the great glad tidings tell. O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel." (O Little Town of Bethlehem)
"Break forth O beauteous heavenly light to herald our salvation. He stoops to earth, the God of might, our hope and expectation. He comes in human flesh to dwell, our God with us, Immanuel. The night of darkness ending, our fallen race befriending." (Break Forth O Beauteous Heavenly Light)
"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:5-11)
"For lo the days are hastening on by prophets seen of old, when with the encircling years shall come the time foretold, when the new heaven and earth shall own the Prince of Peace, their King, and the whole world send back the song which now the angels sing." (It Came Upon the Midnight Clear)
Insightfully yours,
Paulita
"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.
"So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." (Luke 2:1-7)
"How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is given. So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heaven. No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in.
"O Holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us we pray. Cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us today. We hear the Christmas angels, the great glad tidings tell. O come to us, abide with us, Our Lord Emmanuel." (O Little Town of Bethlehem)
"Break forth O beauteous heavenly light to herald our salvation. He stoops to earth, the God of might, our hope and expectation. He comes in human flesh to dwell, our God with us, Immanuel. The night of darkness ending, our fallen race befriending." (Break Forth O Beauteous Heavenly Light)
"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:5-11)
"For lo the days are hastening on by prophets seen of old, when with the encircling years shall come the time foretold, when the new heaven and earth shall own the Prince of Peace, their King, and the whole world send back the song which now the angels sing." (It Came Upon the Midnight Clear)
Insightfully yours,
Paulita
The Desire of Every Nation
The Desire of Every Nation is mentioned in at least two Christmas carols that I know of. Maybe that is because he is associated with the peace we all want. Here is one instance:
"O come Desire of nations
bind in one the hearts of all mankind
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease
And be Thyself our King of peace." (O Come O Come Emmanuel)
John wrote
"In the beginning was the Word: the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.
Through Him all things came to be, not one thing had its being but through Him.
All that came to be had life in Him and that life was the light of men, a light that shines in the dark, a light that darkness could not overpower.
"...the Word was the true light that enlightens all men; and He was coming into the world.
He was in the world that had its being though Him, and the world did not know Him.
He came to His own domain and His own people did not accept Him. But to all who did accept Him He gave power to become children of God, to all who believe in the name of Him who was born not out of human stock or urge of the flesh or will of man, but of God Himself.
The Word was made flesh, He lived among us, and we saw His glory, the glory that is His as the only son of the Father, full of grace and truth."
"Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown when Thou camest to earth for me. But in Bethlehem's home there was found no room, for Thy holy nativity; O come to my heart Lord Jesus: There is room in my heart for Thee.
When the heavens shall ring and the angels sing at Thy coming to victory, let Thy voice call me home saying, 'Yet there is room. There is room at my side for thee.' And my heart shall rejoice Lord Jesus, when Thou comest and callest me." (Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne)
May you have peace this Christmas - peace with God and peace with man.
Insightfully yours,
Paulita
"O come Desire of nations
bind in one the hearts of all mankind
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease
And be Thyself our King of peace." (O Come O Come Emmanuel)
John wrote
"In the beginning was the Word: the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.
Through Him all things came to be, not one thing had its being but through Him.
All that came to be had life in Him and that life was the light of men, a light that shines in the dark, a light that darkness could not overpower.
"...the Word was the true light that enlightens all men; and He was coming into the world.
He was in the world that had its being though Him, and the world did not know Him.
He came to His own domain and His own people did not accept Him. But to all who did accept Him He gave power to become children of God, to all who believe in the name of Him who was born not out of human stock or urge of the flesh or will of man, but of God Himself.
The Word was made flesh, He lived among us, and we saw His glory, the glory that is His as the only son of the Father, full of grace and truth."
"Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown when Thou camest to earth for me. But in Bethlehem's home there was found no room, for Thy holy nativity; O come to my heart Lord Jesus: There is room in my heart for Thee.
When the heavens shall ring and the angels sing at Thy coming to victory, let Thy voice call me home saying, 'Yet there is room. There is room at my side for thee.' And my heart shall rejoice Lord Jesus, when Thou comest and callest me." (Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne)
May you have peace this Christmas - peace with God and peace with man.
Insightfully yours,
Paulita
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Sleepless Night
Last night I couldn't sleep.That's been happening lately, so I devised a plan. From now on when I can't sleep, I'll get up and read my hymnal. Yep, you read me right. Sometimes I can sing myself to sleep with hymns memorized long ago, but when my legs won't relax in bed, it's hard to remember the songs unless I mentally go through the alphabet. So last night I got up, put on a jacket against the coolness of the house, picked up the hymnal from its permanent place on the piano, and sat in my favorite chair.
At the front of my hymnal are the songs praising God, the Creator. Most of these I know, or at least I can read the music, so I had no trouble singing them in my mind. Within a verse or two (I sang all of the verses) I sensed something I've been missing: awe, praise, wonder, joy, and peace. But don't misinterpret that last word to mean rest, or even that I was getting sleepy. I wanted more, more of this sense of God's presence.
I finally settled on the hymn I'd go to sleep with because I'd learned all three verses as a child. "This is My Father's World" directs me to listen for the sounds of nature, the music of the spheres. It says the carols sung by birds, the beauty of white lillies, and the dawn of each day will tell me something new about my Creator. Finally the writer of the hymn assures me that "though the wrong seems oft so strong," God is still in charge. The battle with sin is not finished, but one day, Jesus, who gave his life for me will be satisfied, when earth and heaven are one.
I rather hope I stay awake again tonight.
Insightfully yours,
Paulita
At the front of my hymnal are the songs praising God, the Creator. Most of these I know, or at least I can read the music, so I had no trouble singing them in my mind. Within a verse or two (I sang all of the verses) I sensed something I've been missing: awe, praise, wonder, joy, and peace. But don't misinterpret that last word to mean rest, or even that I was getting sleepy. I wanted more, more of this sense of God's presence.
I finally settled on the hymn I'd go to sleep with because I'd learned all three verses as a child. "This is My Father's World" directs me to listen for the sounds of nature, the music of the spheres. It says the carols sung by birds, the beauty of white lillies, and the dawn of each day will tell me something new about my Creator. Finally the writer of the hymn assures me that "though the wrong seems oft so strong," God is still in charge. The battle with sin is not finished, but one day, Jesus, who gave his life for me will be satisfied, when earth and heaven are one.
I rather hope I stay awake again tonight.
Insightfully yours,
Paulita
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
What Shall I Do With My Guilt?
On this day and in this age, it seems we don't know what to do with our guilt. When I was a kid, we ran and hid if we did something wrong, like Adam and Eve. We made excuses to cover our bad deed. Then not too many years ago, groups "claimed responsibility" for car bombings and such as if to brag about what they had done. Was that just safety in numbers or a shift in thinking? Today the phrase "damage control" has crossed the political landscape more than once as a politician or CEO has had to "walk back" remarks he "misspoke." Where is truth? Where is integrity? Where is forgiveness?
The Bible records the very first murder - a pre-meditated murder. Cain, being jealous of his younger sibling, Abel, persuaded Abel to accompany him out to his field. There he attacked Abel, killed him, and presumably buried him. But guess who saw.
The Lord said to Cain, "Where is your brother?" Cain out and out lied. "I don't know. Am I my brother's keeper?" But God persisted. "What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground."
If that wasn't enough of a word picture, God pronounced a curse on Cain. He was to be driven from the ground which opened its mouth to receive Abel's blood from Cain's hand. God said, "When you work the ground (Cain was a farmer) it will no longer yield its crops for you, and you will be a restless wanderer on the earth." How would you respond to that?
Cain said, "My punishment is more than I can bear. Today you are driving me from the land and I will be hidden from your presence. I will be a restless wanderer on the earth and whoever finds me will kill me." God assured Cain that he would not be murdered. Then, the Bible says, Cain went out from God's presence.
The Bible records another pre-meditated murder (II Samuel 11:1-12:25) and the murderer's response when confronted by a prophet from God.
"Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion, blot out my transgression. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin for I know my transgression, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge...Cleanse me with hyssop and I will be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow...Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me. You do not delight in sacrifice or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
What a difference! As we look for leadership in our country, and to those who we would follow, what do we see? Are they (and we) hiding from responsibility, boasting as we claim responsibility, or is there a willingness to bow before God? For what good is there in self-justification? What solace is there in self-pity?
I John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and will cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Insightfully yours,
Paulita
The Bible records the very first murder - a pre-meditated murder. Cain, being jealous of his younger sibling, Abel, persuaded Abel to accompany him out to his field. There he attacked Abel, killed him, and presumably buried him. But guess who saw.
The Lord said to Cain, "Where is your brother?" Cain out and out lied. "I don't know. Am I my brother's keeper?" But God persisted. "What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground."
If that wasn't enough of a word picture, God pronounced a curse on Cain. He was to be driven from the ground which opened its mouth to receive Abel's blood from Cain's hand. God said, "When you work the ground (Cain was a farmer) it will no longer yield its crops for you, and you will be a restless wanderer on the earth." How would you respond to that?
Cain said, "My punishment is more than I can bear. Today you are driving me from the land and I will be hidden from your presence. I will be a restless wanderer on the earth and whoever finds me will kill me." God assured Cain that he would not be murdered. Then, the Bible says, Cain went out from God's presence.
The Bible records another pre-meditated murder (II Samuel 11:1-12:25) and the murderer's response when confronted by a prophet from God.
"Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion, blot out my transgression. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin for I know my transgression, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge...Cleanse me with hyssop and I will be clean; wash me and I will be whiter than snow...Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me. You do not delight in sacrifice or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."
What a difference! As we look for leadership in our country, and to those who we would follow, what do we see? Are they (and we) hiding from responsibility, boasting as we claim responsibility, or is there a willingness to bow before God? For what good is there in self-justification? What solace is there in self-pity?
I John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and will cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Insightfully yours,
Paulita
Another New Part
This isn't really a new post in the real definition of a "New Post." This is just an explanation of where I have been and what I've been up to. I have another NEW KNEE. That makes two. No more!
This one (I say) was easier than the last because I had a spinal and was put to sleep but I didn't have a general anesthetic. This time I woke up feeling good. Last time I slept for three days +. Last time my whole body was sick. This time it was only a knee. This time I'm way ahead on my recovery and my therapist is happy. Last time I flunked therapy.
So even though I told my therapist to take it easy - I didn't want to be his poster child, I think I may have changed my mind. I really am motivated to see what this old bod can do with new knees.
Insightfully yours,
Paulita
This one (I say) was easier than the last because I had a spinal and was put to sleep but I didn't have a general anesthetic. This time I woke up feeling good. Last time I slept for three days +. Last time my whole body was sick. This time it was only a knee. This time I'm way ahead on my recovery and my therapist is happy. Last time I flunked therapy.
So even though I told my therapist to take it easy - I didn't want to be his poster child, I think I may have changed my mind. I really am motivated to see what this old bod can do with new knees.
Insightfully yours,
Paulita
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