Messes

It's so easy to look at pictures and captions and then [compare] tell yourself stories about what something else looks like. You don't even realize that you do it. Yet, it changes your mood, how you feel, your response, everything!

This picture behind me is my living room. Most of what you see on EVERY surface is what we unloaded from vacation over the weekend. We haven't managed to get it all put away yet. 🤷‍♀️(But it looks like we got back from vacation a lot- with dust- so, tell yourself that if you ever come over. Haha).🤦‍♀️😂

And trust that this is not the only place that needs some tidying.

NONE of us have it all together. And sometimes learning something new, practicing a new habit, or even life, brings changes that come at the expense of something that you used to do and know well. 

It's ALL only for a season. (Ecclesiastes 3) and most of what we worry about doesn't even matter (Ecclesiastes 1).

CELEBRATE even your tiniest accomplishments, especially in the chaos. Try to enjoy the things you don't like because there are many other scenarios that are much worse. Prayerfully, prioritize your messes and choose one or two that you're willing to live with. If you want perfection, seek Jesus. He's the only thing that is! Heck seek him anyway, because he changes you, and can even change your circumstance or carry you through it. Now be BOLD AND COURAGEOUS and post a picture of your 'mess' in my comments. Tell me about it if you don't have a picture! #BandTogether #RealitySocialMedia#PerfectionismAnotherSilentKiller #ComparisonIsAThief #EndTheSilence 🙌👍

Living As Our Creator | Genesis 1

Hello, this morning we are in Chapter 1 of Genesis. You might already be familiar with it, even if you don’t read your Bible regularly. It’s the chapter about creation. You know, when God created the Earth, man, and animals.

When we spend time in the Bible and with our heavenly Father, we can look for God to reveal new things about himself which are also invitations that we can accept to be more like him.

Ephesians 5:1-2 says that we should be imitators of God, as beloved children and walk in love, just as Christ loved you and gave himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God, as fragrant aroma.

As I was reading through Genesis 1, some unexpected things stood out to me. Mostly words that were repeated throughout the chapter. So, this post won’t be line by line but rather focused on the sum of those words that stood out.

Sometimes we don’t share enough scripture between friends, so let’s begin by reading the full chapter of Genesis 1. 

For whatever reason, it’s a bit of a tongue twister for me, so please extend a little grace

while you listen. ;) If you’d like to follow along, I’m using an NIV translation.

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1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.

6 And God said, “Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water.” 7 So God made the vault and separated the water under the vault from the water above it. And it was so. 8 God called the vault “sky.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.

9 And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.” And it was so. 10 God called the dry ground “land,” and the gathered waters he called “seas.” And God saw that it was good.

11 Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. 12 The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 13 And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.

14 And God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth.” And it was so. 16 God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. 17 God set them in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth, 18 to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fourth day.

20 And God said, “Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky.” 21 So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. 22 God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth.” 23 And there was evening, and there was morning—the fifth day.

24 And God said, “Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind.” And it was so. 25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. 26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,[a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

29 Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.

31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day. 

Gleanings:

Sometimes, I like to use a word counter when I study. I did mention it recently in another post, but it’s not something that I usually rely on. When several stuck out to me, I was curious about any others that I may have missed.  So, I used it in this post. While I know you’ve probably heard several words repeated here, let’s take a look at some of them now. Those are the keys that I will be pointing to in this message.

The first is ‘Created.' It’s used five times. The word ‘Made’ appears another 5 times [KJV has it 8x]. In verse 27 he says that we are made in His image. Well, remember that verse I just shared in the beginning from Ephesians about being an imitator of Christ-  well, that got me wondering if we too are meant to ‘create.'

1 Timothy 2:2 says that we should lead Godly lives. There are countless other verses that show us that the things in our life are created to glorify Him. Wouldn’t that consist of doing and being the same as he?  Yet how many times have I heard someone say, I am not talented or creative? How many times have I said those things myself?

I recognize that for some of you listening, it would take a real act of faith to believe that you could create something that might glorify God but isn’t that gap where God does his best work? –When God asks you to believe that he can use your offerings- when you don’t see the way or the means or even direction.

Our God carefully and thoughtfully created each of us with plans and purpose. –And if it there is something that has been brewing in your heart, he might have designed you to do something with it. Please, friend, take the pressure off of yourself and just prayerfully explore it.

The next word I see is the word ‘Saw.' It appears 7 times. In this case, He looked at the things that he made after he made them. Do you and I study the things that we’ve made? Do we let them minister to us while we’re making them or once they are complete?  On the other hand, as humans, maybe we need to first see them in our mind to create them. –To envision them or use our imaginations.

But over and over again every time he ‘saw’ or looked at something, you know what he did? He said it was ‘Good.' That’s our next word. It appears 7x. He saw the light, and it was good. He saw the seas, and it was good. He continues through the passage.

Yet you and I when we create, we’re quick to note the things that we could do better or differently. We judge them usually in a negative fashion or compare them to someone else. He does none of this. I know—He’s God. Why would he?

For every single thing he makes, he says it is good. Then when he gets to man, he says -----‘whoops—do over’. 

Just kidding.

He says that we’re good too!

YOU are good!

Good.

Now, I don’t know if this disclaimer will be helpful or confusing but, when I say that we’re good, I am not talking about who we are as sinners.

We are all sinners. Christ died on a cross for every one of us, but he also died to give us a new life.

1 Timothy 1:15-17 is a great passage (and paraphrased here) it says to me, Christ came to save sinners, of whom I am the worst. BUT because I am the worst and because God shows me mercy- and uses something in my life even when I am still a Hot mess, others are able to believe and have hope in him as well and receive their own eternal life.

He died to use or weakness, to reveal his glory.

Yet how many times, do we tell God, who we are not, why we cannot, instead of living by the Life of a God who is and who is shown time and again using people who create and step out of their comfort zone and use things within their means.

Because you are made in his image, chosen, forgiven, accepted by God, you have power. His power.

John 16:15 says: All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”

John 17:10 - All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.

You can’t be full of power available to God, made in his very image, chosen and purposed, and yet still be too broken to make a difference. YOU ARE GOOD!

And I know, this might be too- “self helpy” or too “hippy” because it’s about creating. Some of you are flinching because you think creative only means crafty. Hang in there.

Hear my heart. He does not say we’re perfect or flawless. He says that you (we) are good!

So, the sum of things that you make out of your life, they don’t have to keep you up at night to be perfect either. It’s like we tell our kids; if it was your best, and in the right heart for God, your ‘good enough’ still glorifies our heavenly Father. That might to you feel like a failure because it’s not blue ribbon worthy in your eyes, but it’s good enough for Him.

We’re talking about a God who let Moses part seas with a stick. I don’t think that his standards are too lofty. They might be too lofty for us to attain as it says in Psalms 139.  But that’s is a matter of what we can understand.  –Not who or what he expects us to be.

Moving right along.

Remember that crafty bit? Well, creation isn’t only using a paint brush and canvas. Creation is in your work and how you plan your meetings. It’s in your parenting and how you choose to discipline your kids. True yes, it can be in how you express yourself, your hobbies, your interests but it’s also in the methods that you choose to connect with people, even when—especially when- you have to overcome an obstacle to meet them.

But the next thing that I see is the word ‘Said’ – 11 times it appears. Creation is in your words. It’s how you encourage others. God spoke light, he spoke the sun and moon and stars. Some of the brightest things that you and I will ever create will be things that are made from our words. Even if it’s only what you say to yourself that no one hears-- or what you pray for.

Who do you speak to?

What and whom do you have authority over?

What do you give your power to when you do speak? Are your words about the problem, or the possible solutions? Are they about your worry or your hope? Are they about what you cannot or what God can? 

--or are your words even about what God might be able to do through and in you?

What about what he doesn’t say?

This is the first chapter, right? I get it’s the history of the beginning, but it’s also like the baseline. I mean, it sets the tone for the whole Bible. Not once in the first chapter when God is making the entire universe, do you see the words labor, sweat, work…

Give me some more words that aren’t listed – please. It peaks my interest. (Yes, I know that there is an entire dictionary that's missing from chapter 1.)

In fact, the word we see instead caught me by surprise because it appears 13 times. More than any of the other words we discussed. It’s the word ‘Let.' He said let there be light, let there be water, let there be grass.

I am not saying that there is anything wrong with hard work or planning or trying to make things the best you can. Certainly, we should do our best to glorify God. –But I have been a perfectionist and it sometimes still seeps out. When it does, it robs me of the joy that surrounds me. –I mean does anyone remember Martha? Jesus was at her table, and she couldn’t put the vacuum down.

I am kidding again. Don’t look that up. There are no vacuums in the Bible.

You can read about her in Luke 10. But some of you are the same way. Jesus, the Holy Spirit, GOD is in your midst –and you can’t understand why you don’t see him. Why He doesn’t speak to you. Why you don’t feel his presence. It’s because you haven’t left your work. Even when you’re sitting in a pew.

You’re relying on the things that you can create perfectly, instead of trusting a perfect God to use what you created.

But HE LET- these things happen.

Just stop and Imagine with me all the things your life could be, the person you could be, the things that you could make and the ways that you could glorify God if only you would let it…

Maybe even let it go.

Or Let yourself go.

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Now backing up for a minute. I am really trying to write/speak more about Scripture and challenge myself to go deeper than just ‘what about me”.

I recently shared a post on some tips to help you study your Bible. Then this week, I opened a box of books that were given to me by a friend last year. In it just so happened to be (in a Godly coincidental kind of way) a book on Genesis. It is called, “My Creator, My Friend” by Bruce Larson

On pg. 13, the author gives two more points that I’d like to add to that but to also challenge myself to use here and in the future as well.

The first is:

1. When you study your Bible, what does this chapter say about God? (And how does it say it?)

2. The second tip given was Instead of looking for hidden messages, what does the text say when you take it at its word? So, let me try to answer both of those things here.

So, what do I see about God, simply from the text?

·       First verse – God IS…. and has been from the beginning

·       Verse 2 says he is hovering above waters. Later in the Bible, you will see other verses, like Zephaniah 3:17 that says He is in our midst. The end of this chapter does not lead to the end of God, he is still here.

·       As for God, he is a creator. He is shown over and over making things from what was not there before.

·       He is a part of the Trinity. (v26)

·       He calls things to be. The he restates it. Go back and read each thing that he spoke into existence, then a few lines later you will see, “and it was so” or a summary of what was just created.

·       Next, he is a God of law and order. One or two things were created at a time. He didn’t make it all at once or even on the same day. He was putting things in their place., separating water from the sky. Even designating power to some of those things. The sun and moon were to govern the day and night. Men were made to rule over the fish in the sea…

·       In that same vein, He is a God of purpose – The trees and plants were created to produce seeds. The birds and fish were to multiply. Even the land was called to produce something. When we circle back to our purpose, man’s purpose. Look at verse 28 – God blessed man and woman and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.

Subdue doesn’t mean to force submission. It means to make things calm. 

So, with your purpose and circling back to the point of my message, imitating Christ as a creator; When you create, how can you bring law, order, yet calmness to your realm. -In your work place, in your home, at your church, in your neighborhood?

Colossians 3:15 says:  Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Philippians 4:7 says that it’s the peace of God that transcends all understanding.

Matthew 5:9 says Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Friend to friend: I don’t know what this speaks to you, but I hope that it speaks the same light to you as it did to me. But I had to go through this on my own and learn it before I even saw it here. So, let me wrap this up with a few tips from what I’ve learned. If you’re not looking to have the power to use, or looking for a way to use God’s power in your life, there’s a void. Create an opening and let it in. If you don’t have a hobby, get one. Find things to learn about. I had a lot of things that I was interested in but when all this changed for me, it started by painting rocks that I found at the river with my kids. You don’t have to use rocks. It’s what I had available. Don’t buy anything if you’re not able, find some things in your house and google it. –or message me, maybe we’ll have an adult creative experience. Haha (I don’t know what that means).

1.     Curiosity seems to feed your creative energy. You can be curious about being a gardener, and it can feed your thoughts in another area of your life, unrelated to gardening.

2.     Whatever you attempt the first time, heck even if it’s a big deal like a presentation or a speaking event that you have never done. Don’t go in, making it perfect.  Go in, making a list of what you’ll learn from it so that you can do it even better next time.

3.     If you can tie it to scripture and meditate on it while you’re doing it, it will speak to you, but it will also help you memorize it.  –That’s part of why all those verse coloring pages and Bible journals are such a hit.

4.     More than that, though, having a hobby, all your own, will give you a sense of accomplishment and your own little private thing to enjoy. But it’s also a form of meditation. It’s relaxing. Because the thing requires such focus, it helps you stop giving attention to all the other chatter running behind the scenes that is stressing you out.

5.     Finally, don’t stop there. When you get too comfortable or bored, look for another hobby or take it up a notch. Do the same in your spiritual life.

So, with that, I challenge you to go into the day being willing to put your ideas to work. "Let us challenge ourselves." Be willing to try new things, reinvent, even if it's only ourselves. In the end, no matter the results, acknowledge the effort and what was produced. –How’s that for another look at holy living?

I would LOVE for you to read Genesis 1 on your own and share your findings with me as well. (Links, emails, comments – all of it! –Even if it’s a week or month later or if your points are extremely different than mine.) J

 4 Kids

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All of this started because I wanted to have a lesson with our neighborhood kids. Using this message and doing an art project. I had to cancel my event because of weather, but I know it will happen soon, so these are my notes.

1.     What are the things that you can see about God here?

a.     Well, he’s a creator. What else?

2.     What are some of the things he created?

3.     How did he create them?

a.     He spoke many of them.

b.     Some of the brightest things that you create will be the things that you speak into your life and others as well.

4.     Can you name something that you heard about us in this passage?

a.     We’re created in his image too. – v26

b.     What else –we’re good?

c.     See commentary on 1:25

5.     In fact, it looks like every time he made something –he stood back, checked it out and decided that it was good.

a.     Admire your work [take picture]

b.     Tell me things 3 things that are good about it. [Write them down]

c.     He doesn’t say look at your best friends work or write what you wish was different.

d.     He doesn’t tell you everything that’s wrong with it either.

6.     Did you learn anything from what you made today?

Washing Seashells

At first, I was a little disappointed to have to cancel my plans for the day. I had been collecting things to have an art day/Bible message with some neighborhood kids. But as the time drew near weather reports were only predicting rain. I was forced to give in and cancel.

As it was, most of the week I had been fighting a cold, and by last night and this morning, I was spent. There were many things that would not have been finished. It was hard not to be thankful for the break even if I was disappointed.

Several friends had given items for the kids to use in their creations. One of which was a tub full of shells that my friend Sue had collected off the western coast of Florida.

By noon the sun was still shining, and there wasn’t a drop of rain, so I called to ask what she used to clean them with—Thinking that maybe I could muster up enough energy to still make use of the day. By the end of the call, Sue and I decided that she would come over. We’d have a mini lesson with the kids and neighbors and see what came of it. 

I remembered a friend and Pastor named Terry that would frequently have children bring something to church on Sunday and make a lesson out of it. I always admired his attempt, especially never knowing what the kids would bring each morning. 

I was sure that today, we could do the same. Then I prayed for the words to share.

Sue’s enthusiasm touched me. She insisted that she bring her own things to clean with. She told the kids the name of every shell and little stories about where she found them. The kitten's paw, a treasure chest, olives, whelks, lady slippers, the list went on. She tried to make music out of the worms and ‘swooshed’ the dead sea grass.

Every time she rinsed one off, she would ooh and awe over how much more it sparkled; pointing out the true colors, now revealed, that were hidden beneath the elements.

The love gushed from her as if she’d made them each herself. I was reminded of Isaiah 43:1 

“…I have called you by name, and you are mine.”

The kids crowded around her sorting, lifting, rinsing. –Scurrying to the table to dump one bowl, only to fill it again with new wonder(s).

When the tub was empty; each shell washed, and drying, she packed up her things and headed home.

I attempted a mini Bible lesson, although the kids were too busy, literally--claiming their plunder. Next time I might wait until we’re by the fire to have the story, I thought to myself after.

I talked about the pretty ones, how sometimes, it’s what we all go after. Even on the cover of magazines and who we friend at school. The ones that look perfect and unmarred. Yet every.single.one is made by our Father. –Knit together. By hand.

Each shell once had something living in them just like our bodies still have something living within our shell of skin.

We talked about how some might have housed better filters for the ocean floor. Some were stronger, others were better fighters. –But my favorite is how the broken ones might get cast aside by collectors, but it’s also the broken ones that are used for a purpose (like cutting, piercing, or as other tools).

While the table was full of many that looked similar, each and every shell was unique, just like each person sitting there.

Just as we so eagerly hold each shell and marvel over them. The Lord marvels and loves each of us, no matter how we appear, when we are before Him. Later on, I would find the perfect verse to summarize it.

The kids quickly filled their bags and were well on their way to the next adventure. Painting them.

Then we ate dinner and roasted marshmellows around a fire.

Sitting around it, I couldn’t help but feel like I myself, had been renewed. -Not quite as achy and still congested, sure. But peaceful. Like a good kind of tired. Not from doing or making things perfect with my own hands. But by my accepting what was offered even it wasn’t how I envisioned my plan. -His was better.

It's such a reminder that when we seek to glorify him with our lives, even when our attempts fail, he stands in. Every time that I am willing to accept a variation or a detour, His provision blows my mind. –Like a friend with many treasures.

The verse in Zephaniah 3:17 says it best.

The Lord your God is in your midst;

He is a warrior who can deliver.

He takes great delight in you.

He renews you by his love;

He shouts for joy over you.

Oh Lord, teach us all of your unfathomable ways and to be your grateful recipients and messengers.

Turning From Vanity

Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity, and revive me in Your ways. -Psalm119-37 NASB

I heard this verse in a song by Sherri Youngward yesterday. It’s a song I’ve heard a number of times but the words of this one line struck me.  “Turn my eyes from looking at vanity”…

There are 2 things that came out and I want to write them out in order to share with you but also so that I remember.

In a bloggers world as I have tried to figure out my [writers] voice, something has always felt right and something has always felt off.

I believe that the ‘off’ part is because, even though I try to be transparent, I know there’s too much of me in some of the lines. – What does balance between those two angles look like? 

I think I've got part of my answer...

In that verse, there was a click for me, as to where some of that self-focus came from…. A story perhaps for another day… but it satisfied something.

The part that is right about blogging, is that instead of a blog, it's more about processing His Word for my life. Philippians 3:14-16 assures us each that when we step out to pursue him, He will right our paths, in His time. –When He knows we’ve matured enough to get to the next junction. -When we can handle the next nugget.

This idea swam nicely with another realization that’s been floating lately in the air.  About how some of this self-reflection – is turning in, instead of out.  Looking directly at self, instead of focusing on Him.

Does Proverbs 3:5-6 not say:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.

It is the same when we don’t write at all, but instead speak in and about our lives, for example: When we focus on people pleasing and apologize for every little thing that we do, be it right or wrong, because we worry about what others expect us to be.  –Worried about our image. Worried about what [or who] we are. Worried about what others might be thinking…. about us...  constantly looking at our image.

Our good Lord already tells us that we ARE made in HIS image. We ARE Formed and Fashioned by Him, just like rubies and sunshine and life.

Do not be afraid, just believe [that] truth and move forward.

Then you are free to look at what you might have to offer others and free to see and embrace what others may have to offer and teach you.

If I applied this new answer here [on a blog], I might not try to analyze or be so fixated with WHY I did, or was, or came to be, but instead HOW I might move forward and be free to glorify.

What a wonderful nugget and prayer for the day: Lord Turn our eyes from vanity and revive us in your ways.

I hope that this blesses you as much as it did me. :)

Photo Credit: http://taigamemienphimoinhat.com/ngut-mat-voi-nhung-hinh-nen-thien-nhien-dep-me-long-nguoi-xem-h133.html