Saturday, January 26, 2013
MeccaMusing: A Snip Snip here, and a Snip Snip there
MeccaMusing: A Snip Snip here, and a Snip Snip there: Good Evening sweet family and friends - I had a restful Saturday. For the first time in a long time I laid around, watched a couple of movi...
A Snip Snip here, and a Snip Snip there
Good Evening sweet family and friends - I had a restful Saturday. For the first time in a long time I laid around, watched a couple of movies, and drank ice tea on crushed ice (sweetened with saccharine like my mother and daddy have made for us all of our lives).
I napped a bit, gave myself a manicure, ate a little bit here and there and just rested. Frank needed to go to work for awhile and called when he was about to leave work to ask what I had done today and to see what was going on.
When I told him, he said, "well, do you think you could get around and paint that barn and put on some clothes before I get home?" To which I replied, "No, and you are gonna have to fix your own supper, too." Of course, he laughed, and when he got home, he fixed his own dadburn supper.
Ladies and Gentlemen, some days just have to be like that. I thank the Lord for every moment today. It was great. The added value is that I don't have to remove my makeup tonight. I'm still "ready for bed." Yeehaw!!
My last blog was about the wonderful hope I have in the Lord Jesus, and how I don't ever have to be disappointed if my hope and expectations are placed in Him.
He continues to teach me profound lessons about the simplest principles from His Word that I have known all of my life. The precious thing about belonging to the Lord Jesus is that as His child, I am consistently learning as He provides guidance, wisdom, and clarity when I have a teachable spirit and long to know more.
There has been a great deal of change for me at work. I am not a fan of change. Frank and I often joke that if I had had my way, we would still be living in the house on Sinclair in Midland, Texas.
I am a nester and a homebody, and the Lord usually has to pry my hands away a finger at a time from the thing that holds me back when He wants to unsettle and grow me. Amazingly, He is always patient and never hurts a single finger in the process. I might be reeling because I wouldn't just let go, but He is always there to steady my walk and point me in the right direction.
He is currently affecting change in my life by pruning me. I feel the "snipping." I also feel the loving tenderness of my Gardener. He is doing it for my good and His glory. While there is discomfort, there is no pain or fear.
"I am the true vine (The Lord Jesus), and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit. While every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes so that it will be more fruitful." (John 15: 1-2). What a blessed thought. One of the ways He confirms that I "am in Him, and He is in me," is that He prunes me.
I googled the reason plants need to be pruned. I was amazed at what I read and how it paralleled spiritual pruning. First, pruning must take place for Safety - not for the plant's safety, but for the safety of things around the plant - covered signs, overhanging branches that could cause harm to people, or intrude on another plant's ability to flourish. Spiritually, I need pruning so I will not be a spiritual hindrance or do spiritual harm to others.
Health - to prevent the spread of disease, improve circulation, and provide more exposure to sunlight. What a beautiful picture of what we need as Christians for spiritual health - freedom from the disease of sin so that the Holy Spirit has free flow, and we can be a light in a dark world because we walk in light.
Production - to encourage more fruit bearing. Without pruning, most of a plant's energy goes into growth instead of yielding fruit or flowers. What good is height and depth, if there is no joy, peace, forbearance, gentleness, goodness, kindness, and self-control? (Gal. 5:22-23)
Keep trees to a pickable size - I loved this. Pruning keeps a tree from being so tall that it is really hard to reach the fruit or so short that it is physically hard to pick - having to bend over, etc.
I thought about thinking so little of my position in Christ that my light was dim, and my fruit was too much trouble to pick or not sweet enough to use or eat; or being so "heavenly minded I was no earthly good." Either one keeps me from exhibiting the fruits of the spirit the way the Lord wants me to.
There are many more, but the one that really caught my attention was: Pruning avoids weak tree whips and dual leaders.
I am going to actually quote the google source. "Most fruit trees come with "whips," which are tall and slender. Proper pruning avoids weak whips that split in a storm, and instead limits the tree to a single leader strengthened by a strong root system."
Now, just think about that, pruning ensures that there is only one Leader (The Lord Jesus), that the source of the strength of the tree or plant is provided in the strong root system (rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith - Col. 2:7), so that as I grow, I am not a weak whip that splits in the storms of life, but I am a fruit bearer because I am a branch that remains or abides as an outgrowth of the Leader drawing from His strength. "If I remain in Him, and He in me, I will bear much fruit; but without the one true Leader, the Vine, I can do nothing." John 15:5
Listen, sweet family and friends, I would welcome more than just a snip snip here and a snip snip there if it would continue to give me the joy, peace, gentleness and forbearance I have experienced in the last week of "pruning."
Now I will have to admit that the self-control fruit or flower in some areas of my life is really struggling to blossom. Maybe that means that when it finally does, its beauty will be beyond compare as it is with the butterfly.
Lord Jesus, thanks for the strong connection to my Heavenly Daddy, my Gardener. Thanks for showing your love for me and ownership of my life through pruning. Thanks for the gentleness of the snip. Thanks for the beauty this pruning will produce.
Most of all, Lord Jesus, let the fruit produced within me as I grow in You - glorify You and point others to You, so that at the end of this season of pruning, I will have greater treasure to lay at your feet.
Pruning - a marvelous reason I can continue to approach each day with the joy of the Lord. Love to you all. Mecca
I napped a bit, gave myself a manicure, ate a little bit here and there and just rested. Frank needed to go to work for awhile and called when he was about to leave work to ask what I had done today and to see what was going on.
When I told him, he said, "well, do you think you could get around and paint that barn and put on some clothes before I get home?" To which I replied, "No, and you are gonna have to fix your own supper, too." Of course, he laughed, and when he got home, he fixed his own dadburn supper.
Ladies and Gentlemen, some days just have to be like that. I thank the Lord for every moment today. It was great. The added value is that I don't have to remove my makeup tonight. I'm still "ready for bed." Yeehaw!!
My last blog was about the wonderful hope I have in the Lord Jesus, and how I don't ever have to be disappointed if my hope and expectations are placed in Him.
He continues to teach me profound lessons about the simplest principles from His Word that I have known all of my life. The precious thing about belonging to the Lord Jesus is that as His child, I am consistently learning as He provides guidance, wisdom, and clarity when I have a teachable spirit and long to know more.
There has been a great deal of change for me at work. I am not a fan of change. Frank and I often joke that if I had had my way, we would still be living in the house on Sinclair in Midland, Texas.
I am a nester and a homebody, and the Lord usually has to pry my hands away a finger at a time from the thing that holds me back when He wants to unsettle and grow me. Amazingly, He is always patient and never hurts a single finger in the process. I might be reeling because I wouldn't just let go, but He is always there to steady my walk and point me in the right direction.
He is currently affecting change in my life by pruning me. I feel the "snipping." I also feel the loving tenderness of my Gardener. He is doing it for my good and His glory. While there is discomfort, there is no pain or fear.
"I am the true vine (The Lord Jesus), and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit. While every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes so that it will be more fruitful." (John 15: 1-2). What a blessed thought. One of the ways He confirms that I "am in Him, and He is in me," is that He prunes me.
I googled the reason plants need to be pruned. I was amazed at what I read and how it paralleled spiritual pruning. First, pruning must take place for Safety - not for the plant's safety, but for the safety of things around the plant - covered signs, overhanging branches that could cause harm to people, or intrude on another plant's ability to flourish. Spiritually, I need pruning so I will not be a spiritual hindrance or do spiritual harm to others.
Health - to prevent the spread of disease, improve circulation, and provide more exposure to sunlight. What a beautiful picture of what we need as Christians for spiritual health - freedom from the disease of sin so that the Holy Spirit has free flow, and we can be a light in a dark world because we walk in light.
Production - to encourage more fruit bearing. Without pruning, most of a plant's energy goes into growth instead of yielding fruit or flowers. What good is height and depth, if there is no joy, peace, forbearance, gentleness, goodness, kindness, and self-control? (Gal. 5:22-23)
Keep trees to a pickable size - I loved this. Pruning keeps a tree from being so tall that it is really hard to reach the fruit or so short that it is physically hard to pick - having to bend over, etc.
I thought about thinking so little of my position in Christ that my light was dim, and my fruit was too much trouble to pick or not sweet enough to use or eat; or being so "heavenly minded I was no earthly good." Either one keeps me from exhibiting the fruits of the spirit the way the Lord wants me to.
There are many more, but the one that really caught my attention was: Pruning avoids weak tree whips and dual leaders.
I am going to actually quote the google source. "Most fruit trees come with "whips," which are tall and slender. Proper pruning avoids weak whips that split in a storm, and instead limits the tree to a single leader strengthened by a strong root system."
Now, just think about that, pruning ensures that there is only one Leader (The Lord Jesus), that the source of the strength of the tree or plant is provided in the strong root system (rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith - Col. 2:7), so that as I grow, I am not a weak whip that splits in the storms of life, but I am a fruit bearer because I am a branch that remains or abides as an outgrowth of the Leader drawing from His strength. "If I remain in Him, and He in me, I will bear much fruit; but without the one true Leader, the Vine, I can do nothing." John 15:5
Listen, sweet family and friends, I would welcome more than just a snip snip here and a snip snip there if it would continue to give me the joy, peace, gentleness and forbearance I have experienced in the last week of "pruning."
Now I will have to admit that the self-control fruit or flower in some areas of my life is really struggling to blossom. Maybe that means that when it finally does, its beauty will be beyond compare as it is with the butterfly.
Lord Jesus, thanks for the strong connection to my Heavenly Daddy, my Gardener. Thanks for showing your love for me and ownership of my life through pruning. Thanks for the gentleness of the snip. Thanks for the beauty this pruning will produce.
Most of all, Lord Jesus, let the fruit produced within me as I grow in You - glorify You and point others to You, so that at the end of this season of pruning, I will have greater treasure to lay at your feet.
Pruning - a marvelous reason I can continue to approach each day with the joy of the Lord. Love to you all. Mecca
MeccaMusing: This Princess is Shouting.
MeccaMusing: This Princess is Shouting.: Dear Friends: I have missed you. I hope you have missed me. We have a special connection because we know and love the Lord Jesus and belo...
Sunday, January 20, 2013
MeccaMusing: The Hope of a Peculiar People
MeccaMusing: The Hope of a Peculiar People: Good Evening sweet, dear friends. Such a busy life I have (all of us have). I'm sure most of us have heard of the PBS Masterpiece series, ...
The Hope of a Peculiar People
Good Evening sweet, dear friends. Such a busy life I have (all of us have). I'm sure most of us have heard of the PBS Masterpiece series, "Downton Abbey," and its inexplicably immense popularity throughout the United States and Europe. There has been much conversation about why it is so successful.
For me, it is a slower paced, genteel world with defined boundaries that people understand and respect. There is a calmness to the environment created by individuals who exhibit depth of character in their actions and attitudes.
That doesn't really have anything to do with my thoughts this evening, except to explain that we might all crave a little less busyness in our lives. We might also appreciate a slower paced environment with defined boundaries that gives us time to really live and appreciate life and all of its beauty - while being rested enough to handle the "ugly" when it comes along. Now that is some real wisdom right there.
Having said all of that, I want to share with you what the Lord is teaching me about what it really means to be a "peculiar" (belonging to the Lord, chosen) people. I Peter 2:9: But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
When I was growing up, I got the impression that "peculiar" meant different and set apart in the way Christians looked, acted, and the places we went. I realize there is a modicum of truth in that perception, just enough to create an attitude of legalism and cause me to miss the point of being "holy" and really set apart "because" of the Lord Jesus and what He has done for me and not because of what someone else might think of me.
I wondered why when I went to a Christian University they wouldn't allow us to wear maxi dresses when they were so popular and very modest. The reason given: "we are a peculiar people, and we don't want to look or act like the 'world'." The same reason was given when we couldn't go to movies, wear pants, listen to certain music, and on and on.
My rebellious thought was, "Yep, we're peculiar alright, and who would want to be around us and would anyone be drawn to us?"
I thought we wanted others to be drawn to "Christ in us, the hope of glory,"not repelled by us because we were too peculiar and a bit self-righteous because we were just a tad proud of how peculiar we were. And my self-righteousness for all of its reasons was/is a stench in the nostrils of my Heavenly Daddy. Yikes. No self-righteousness, none - not if we want an open, sweet relationship with the only righteous One.
OK - that was just an aside - but an important one for me.
As I have continued to grow and mature in the Lord, I have realized what a shallow and erroneous view that was of being "peculiar." My position in Christ as "chosen in Him before the foundation of the world" begs me to remember I am peculiar because I belong to the Lord Jesus and for no other reason.
However, when I walk with the Lord Jesus, hand in hand, learn His Heart, know His mind, seek to honor Him in all that I do, that will surely make me stand out as "peculiar" in a world filled with stress, chaos, discouragement, loss, disillusionment, and hopelessness. (And by the way, that kind of peculiarity will also take care of the way I act, look and the places I choose to go.)
I have always loved Proverbs 13:12 - "hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life." Here's why I love this verse. It represents the opposite of hopelessness to me. I realize that hope deferred means a delay or even cancellation of something I have passionately desired.
This is how I avoid hopelessness, being heart sick and disappointed; I place my hope and all of my desires in the Lord Jesus (my "tree of life") who never fails or disappoints, who has plans for me, plans for good and not for evil, plans to give me a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).
All of those promises in God's Word only work when we claim them and act on them. Now, here is my confession. I failed this week to place my hope in the Lord. Instead, I tried to handle things and circumstances in the flesh. Boy, did I ever experience disappointment, disillusionment and a feeling of hopelessness.
That mere description of this past week tells me where my hope was. I have had to ask for forgiveness, once again. My prayer included this admission, "Lord, I can't do this." To which He replied, "now, sweet Mec, my daughter, we start at the beginning because My strength is made perfect in your weakness." To which I humbly replied, "Thank you, Heavenly Daddy, for meeting me where I am, lifting me with Your strong right hand, restoring my hope and making me acceptable in Your sight, Oh Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer," (Romans 12:1, Ps. 19:14).
That doesn't mean the results of my self-righteousness automatically go away. I have created stumbling blocks instead of stepping stones. But my God, my Heavenly Daddy, will remind me before I stumble over the very traps I created, when my hope is in Him.
Are you ever disappointed in people and circumstances as I was this week because of misplaced hope? Or is your hope in the Risen One, Who gives you resurrection power to be peculiar and walk in peace, hope and confidence in a world of chaos and hopelessness?
I choose hope in the Risen One, the reason I can always approach the day with joy. What do you choose? Love to all, Mecca
For me, it is a slower paced, genteel world with defined boundaries that people understand and respect. There is a calmness to the environment created by individuals who exhibit depth of character in their actions and attitudes.
That doesn't really have anything to do with my thoughts this evening, except to explain that we might all crave a little less busyness in our lives. We might also appreciate a slower paced environment with defined boundaries that gives us time to really live and appreciate life and all of its beauty - while being rested enough to handle the "ugly" when it comes along. Now that is some real wisdom right there.
Having said all of that, I want to share with you what the Lord is teaching me about what it really means to be a "peculiar" (belonging to the Lord, chosen) people. I Peter 2:9: But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
When I was growing up, I got the impression that "peculiar" meant different and set apart in the way Christians looked, acted, and the places we went. I realize there is a modicum of truth in that perception, just enough to create an attitude of legalism and cause me to miss the point of being "holy" and really set apart "because" of the Lord Jesus and what He has done for me and not because of what someone else might think of me.
I wondered why when I went to a Christian University they wouldn't allow us to wear maxi dresses when they were so popular and very modest. The reason given: "we are a peculiar people, and we don't want to look or act like the 'world'." The same reason was given when we couldn't go to movies, wear pants, listen to certain music, and on and on.
My rebellious thought was, "Yep, we're peculiar alright, and who would want to be around us and would anyone be drawn to us?"
I thought we wanted others to be drawn to "Christ in us, the hope of glory,"not repelled by us because we were too peculiar and a bit self-righteous because we were just a tad proud of how peculiar we were. And my self-righteousness for all of its reasons was/is a stench in the nostrils of my Heavenly Daddy. Yikes. No self-righteousness, none - not if we want an open, sweet relationship with the only righteous One.
OK - that was just an aside - but an important one for me.
As I have continued to grow and mature in the Lord, I have realized what a shallow and erroneous view that was of being "peculiar." My position in Christ as "chosen in Him before the foundation of the world" begs me to remember I am peculiar because I belong to the Lord Jesus and for no other reason.
However, when I walk with the Lord Jesus, hand in hand, learn His Heart, know His mind, seek to honor Him in all that I do, that will surely make me stand out as "peculiar" in a world filled with stress, chaos, discouragement, loss, disillusionment, and hopelessness. (And by the way, that kind of peculiarity will also take care of the way I act, look and the places I choose to go.)
I have always loved Proverbs 13:12 - "hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life." Here's why I love this verse. It represents the opposite of hopelessness to me. I realize that hope deferred means a delay or even cancellation of something I have passionately desired.
This is how I avoid hopelessness, being heart sick and disappointed; I place my hope and all of my desires in the Lord Jesus (my "tree of life") who never fails or disappoints, who has plans for me, plans for good and not for evil, plans to give me a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).
All of those promises in God's Word only work when we claim them and act on them. Now, here is my confession. I failed this week to place my hope in the Lord. Instead, I tried to handle things and circumstances in the flesh. Boy, did I ever experience disappointment, disillusionment and a feeling of hopelessness.
That mere description of this past week tells me where my hope was. I have had to ask for forgiveness, once again. My prayer included this admission, "Lord, I can't do this." To which He replied, "now, sweet Mec, my daughter, we start at the beginning because My strength is made perfect in your weakness." To which I humbly replied, "Thank you, Heavenly Daddy, for meeting me where I am, lifting me with Your strong right hand, restoring my hope and making me acceptable in Your sight, Oh Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer," (Romans 12:1, Ps. 19:14).
That doesn't mean the results of my self-righteousness automatically go away. I have created stumbling blocks instead of stepping stones. But my God, my Heavenly Daddy, will remind me before I stumble over the very traps I created, when my hope is in Him.
Are you ever disappointed in people and circumstances as I was this week because of misplaced hope? Or is your hope in the Risen One, Who gives you resurrection power to be peculiar and walk in peace, hope and confidence in a world of chaos and hopelessness?
I choose hope in the Risen One, the reason I can always approach the day with joy. What do you choose? Love to all, Mecca
PS. Just found two more feathers today. They cling to the broom, my hand or just fly away. Those durn words. They do come back to haunt me.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
MeccaMusing: Read It Again, Please!!
MeccaMusing: Read It Again, Please!!: Well, Good Morning - I've surprised myself writing again so quickly, but it is really "re-gifting the gift." I wrote this story about the p...
Read It Again, Please!!
Well, Good Morning - I've surprised myself writing again so quickly, but it is really "re-gifting the gift." I wrote this story about the power of our words and the feather pillow on August 15, 2012.
It is powerful for me, and it has special clarity this morning. I have been cleaning out my closet, all of the drawers in my bathroom, under the sink in my bathroom and just getting things in order. Do you know what I keep finding? Read below and let me know if you figure it out.
How many of us have said things we wish we could take back? We can apologize, ask for forgiveness, and by the miraculous power of the blood of Jesus, forgiveness can be complete; however, words spoken are always available to our arch enemy to use against us. Never confuse the source of the voice that speaks to you.
In James 3, there is a perfect description of how we know that what we are hearing and experiencing is from the Lord. He tells us that words spoken to us by the Lord Jesus are "first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. [that produce] Peacemakers who sow in peace and reap a harvest of righteousness." When our words produce the same results, we know our tongue has been tamed by the Holy Spirit (we certainly can't do it.)
It is powerful for me, and it has special clarity this morning. I have been cleaning out my closet, all of the drawers in my bathroom, under the sink in my bathroom and just getting things in order. Do you know what I keep finding? Read below and let me know if you figure it out.
August 15, 2012
I have a feather pillow that I love because I do sleep so sweetly when I use it. It conforms to the shape of my head and shoulders, and that is a good thing. I do have to double case it because the feathers tend to stick out of the pillow and can prick the skin - not a good thing.
The other day I noticed a slight separation in the seam which means several feathers could escape. I keep finding them. Just when I think they are all cleaned up, I find another. They are elusive little devils. They are so light and airy that it is impossible to gather all of them up.
It reminded me of a story I heard about a man who had repeated something that had caused great harm to another's reputation. He desperately wanted to make amends and asked his parish priest what he should do.
The priest told him to break open a feather pillow and put a feather on the door step of every person that knew what he had told and to come back when he was finished. Sure enough, the man came back after a couple of days and asked what he should do next. The priest told him to go gather all of the feathers back up.
The man couldn't believe what the priest had told him to do. He retorted, "I can't do that, all of the feathers have blown away." To which the priest replied, "I know, so have your words. Once they are spoken, they can never be taken back."
I immediately thought of the old idiom, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me." That is not true, is it? I have a broken little finger on my left hand that doesn't bother me one bit. I broke it playing softball at recess in the 5th grade; but I can think of words that were spoken to me by my 5th grade teacher that the devil still uses to try to discourage me.
How many of us have said things we wish we could take back? We can apologize, ask for forgiveness, and by the miraculous power of the blood of Jesus, forgiveness can be complete; however, words spoken are always available to our arch enemy to use against us. Never confuse the source of the voice that speaks to you.
In James 3, there is a perfect description of how we know that what we are hearing and experiencing is from the Lord. He tells us that words spoken to us by the Lord Jesus are "first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. [that produce] Peacemakers who sow in peace and reap a harvest of righteousness." When our words produce the same results, we know our tongue has been tamed by the Holy Spirit (we certainly can't do it.)
Back to the Present - January 2, 2013
If you guessed that I keep finding those pesky feathers, you are correct. With each feather, I thought, "I can't believe these things are still swirling around." (I really have cleaned and vacuumed since August). They are nearly impossible to catch.
After finding several in different places, I remembered the story I told back in August. Here, 6 months later, I was still trying to retrieve feathers I didn't even realize were there.
The Lord spoke so sweetly to me again. "Mec, my Word is as powerful as a two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12).
The thought then came to me that God, Himself has placed such ultimate Power in His Word, and because we are made in His image, our words also have great power. The fallacy for us is that we are fallen, and our words don't always encourage or heal. They often destroy or discourage. (I'm sure there is some great theological truth in the correlation between the power of God's Word and power of our words, but I haven't been studying the concordances lately).
I'm just sayin' that those feathers are still wreaking havoc in my cleaning world six months later. I wonder what encouragement or discouragement (havoc) our words spoken in August are still reaping.
Lord Jesus, "'set a watch before my mouth and keep the door of my lips,' so that not only can I approach this day with joy, but all who come in contact with me today will experience your joy because my words have been encouraging."
OK, that's all. Later this week I'm going to share something I learned walking this morning. Oh, it's good to have the Lord speaking freely to me again. Love to my dear friends and family. Mecca
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