My Heart to Yours

I have been thinking about happy endings tonight. Why do happy endings leave us with a lump in our throat? Could it be because God has set eternity in our hearts? Think about all of your favorite stories and their endings. Simba defeats Scar, rescues the lion trube and takes his rightful place at the throne and the land is restored, Marlin searches the whole ocean to find Nemo and finally bring him home, in Appollo 13 our men make it home, in Titanic at the end the ship is restores and Rose is taken to Jack who is waiting for her in the banquet hall, Lover and Beloved, reunited, Dorothy arrives safe at home in the Wizard of Oz, and Middle Earth is restored at the end of The Lord of the Rings.

The world in all of it’s beauty shall be ours again- in all of it’s beauty. God will restore the world that he made. That sure beats the religious imagery of “Heaven will be one never- ending church service in the sky, or we will all be floating around on clouds singing and playing harps. I love the scene at the end of Gladiator where Maximus, very much alive and healed from his wounds, is walking throught the fields of Spain to be reunited with his wife and son.

I don’t think there is any better way to say it except “The end is the restoration of life as it was always intended to be.”

Thank you Jesus!

The hustle and bustle is well underway. We just spent the weekend with about 25 energetic middle schoolers at the MS Extreme retreat. My husband and I were the speakers of the retreat and we had a great time. I have sure grown to love several of these kids. I have hosted the middle school girls small group at my house for the last 4-5 months and those girls are precious. They are all smart and each very gifted. I love to watch their innocence, especially in sixth and seventh grade. Alot changes by the eigth grade year. The girls are in a new reality and “new” things matter like boys and fitting in, etc. Nevertheless, we had a wonderful time at the retreat and hopefully we planted some seeds that will grow and make a difference in their lives for many years to come.

It was a very crazy weekend though. Not only did we speak four different times at this retreat, we took our son to a piano recital Friday night, a piano contest on Saturday, and then after church today was the Ladies Ornament Exchange. All of these activities were happening simulataneously with the retreat. Needless to say, I am so glad the weekend is over and I am hoping that this week will be a little slower. But……

I have not bought one single Christmas present. AGGGHHHH!!!! I know I still have a couple of weeks but I usually don’t ever wait this long. I do have my list made though.

Oh, and another thing. You probably have noticed all of the spam comments that I have received on my blog. I have now had to put a moderation on all comments. That means if you post a comment I will have to approve it before it actually posts. Don’t worry though, I will post all comments unless it is spam. So my Dr. Suess friend can keep posting crazy comments.

Well, I have had one thing bothering me that I would love to blog about but for now I think I will keep my mouth shut a little longer. (It would be just a rant a rave for me.) So, check back… I just might show a little frustration here in the days to come. Me…. frustrated?????? NEVER! haha

~ Quiet your mind before God and then prayerfully consider the following passage:

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.”
Ecclesiastes 3.1-7

Two ~ Take several minutes to write your responses to this passage. For example,
“in this season of my life, I feel ______ is being planted and ________ is being uprooted;
I am weeping over ___________ and laughing about ____________;
_________ seems to be growing, ___________ seems to be dieing.”

Would you care to share?

1. Depressed mood

Depressed mood for most of the day, for more days than not, as indicated either by subjective account or observation by others.

2. Presence, while depressed, of two or more of the following:

Poor appetite or overeating
Insomnia or sleeping much more than normal
Low energy or fatigue
Low self-esteem
Poor concentration or difficulty making decisions
Feelings of hopelessness
Inability to enjoy normally pleasurable activities or interests
Significant weight change (+ or – 5% of body weight in one month)
Feelings of restlessness or lethargy
Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
3. The symptoms cause significant distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning.

4. Depressed mood may be brought on by a medical condition, grief after a loss, or other major life change.

What to do if You experience these Symptoms:

1. Seek Medical Attention

Talk with a physician about the symptoms of depression that are observed.

2. Seek the help of a trained professional therapist:

Someone who both understands depression and includes it in their scope of practice.
Someone who understands the Biblical guidelines for life and health and can offer scriptural reference points.
Someone who is willing to pray with and for their clients.

The righteous call to the Lord, and he listens; he rescues them from all their troubles. - Psalm 34:17

Today we live in an environment of high anxiety. More people than ever before are seeking professional help to deal with the stress and depression caused by our modern lifestyles.

Many individuals require antidepressant drugs that counter the effects of chemical imbalances, but the most physically balanced person on the planet will still feel the challenge of dealing with complications and questions that were unheard of just fifty years ago.

The Bible says that God is our high tower, a refuge in time of trouble. When we feel anxious and overwhelmed, God has promised to fill us with His peace that passes understanding, sheltering us from the torment of our worry and restoring us once again to soundness. He has promised never to leave us, to be always available to help us when we cry out to Him.

Where do you turn when the extremities of life seem to have you cornered? Do you reach out to God? He understands what you are facing today. He knows the boundaries of your strength and courage. He wants to reach out to you with His peace. Call on Him and you will feel His calm assurance that together you can handle whatever life dishes out.

(I got this in an e-mail yesterday. Thought it was cute.)

REMEMBER THIS AT CHRISTMAS TIME

According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, while both
male and female reindeer grow antlers in the summer each year,
male reindeer drop their antlers at the beginning of winter, usually
late November to mid-December. Female reindeer retain their
antlers till after they give birth in the spring. Therefore,
according
to EVERY historical rendition depicting Santa’s reindeer, EVERY
single one of them, from Rudolph to Blitzen, had to be a girl.

We should’ve known… ONLY women would be able to drag a
fat man in a red velvet suit all around the world in one night and
not get lost.

Ephesians 6:10 Be strong in the LORD and in the power of HIS might.

Almighty GOD, I praise YOU for empowering me to stand with strength and courage in the midst of spiritual warfare. I come to the armory of YOUR presence to be suited up with YOUR whole armor for today’s battles of the mind and spirit.

Thank YOU for the breastplate of righteousness, which makes me secure in YOUR unqualified love and forgiveness. Shod my feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace and help me to stride forward with the inner calm of YOUR perfect peace, which surpasses all understanding. Give me the shield of faith to quench the fiery darts of satanic influence. Place over my head the helmet of salvation and protect my thoughts from distorted half-truths and confused direction. And help me to grasp the sword of the SPIRIT……..YOUR words of guidance for hand-to-hand battles with evil. On time and in time, whisper in my soul the exact word of encouragement and strength I need.

LORD, I gladly accept YOUR whole armor as YOU prepare me for today’s battles —— in the name of the ONE who vanquished evil and is my victorious SAVIOR…..”AMEN”….

(Another anonymous e-mail I received.)
“Be my Valentine…forever.” - God

“Let’s meet at My house Sunday before the game” - God

“C’mon over and bring the kids” - God

“What part of ‘Thou shalt not…’ didn’t you understand?” - God

“We need to talk” - God

“Keep using My name in vain and I’ll make rush hour longer” - God

“Loved the wedding, invite Me to the marriage” - God

“That ‘love thy neighbor’ thing, I meant it.” - God

“I love you…I love you…I love you…” - God

“Will the road you’re on get you to My place?” - God

“Follow me.” - God

“Big bang theory, you’ve got to be kidding.” - God

“My way is the highway.” - God

“Need directions?” - God

“You think it’s hot here?” - God

“Tell the kids I love them.” - God

“Need a marriage counselor? I’m available.” - God

“Have you read My #1 best seller? There will be a test.” - God