Just wondering....I mean, I have been having some fun and letting my hair down. But I can't help but wonder if I am being bad. God, I want to be a child that brings joy and love and happiness to all I meet. So why do I feel bad about that? And then I question, how bad is bad? Where is the line? It seems I knew it so well one time and now it isn't so clear.
What happened?
Showing posts with label love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label love. Show all posts
Friday, August 24, 2012
Sunday, July 15, 2012
silence
It's good for me to be quiet. Often times my mind becomes so full of thoughts that I need to be silent just to think them. Even if I were to speak my thoughts, I don't think I could speak them fast enough.
Perhaps silence is the language of God? Plants reach up to the sun in silence; the clouds pass, the sun sets, and the stars orbit in silence; even babies are conceived and silently grow into individual humans. Growth and change happens in silence.
Silence is where I find God. My soul craves for quietness every day. I need it in order to hear the still, small voice of God whisper deep within. For when I am quieted, God speaks. And when God speaks, I listen.
Perhaps silence is the language of God? Plants reach up to the sun in silence; the clouds pass, the sun sets, and the stars orbit in silence; even babies are conceived and silently grow into individual humans. Growth and change happens in silence.
Silence is where I find God. My soul craves for quietness every day. I need it in order to hear the still, small voice of God whisper deep within. For when I am quieted, God speaks. And when God speaks, I listen.
Psalms 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God"
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
on spiritual matters
I am a Christian. I would even go so far as to say I am a born again Christian, even though that has negative connotations in our culture. But it is what I am; let it be said for the record. But let it also be said that I am becoming less and less comfortable associating with the right-wing, conservative, fundamental, evangelical subculture. I find that subculture extreme and excessive in nearly all things. Come on, helicopter egg drops? Smoking stages? Campuses for thousands? Really?
I'm not so sure this is what Jesus meant when he said to Peter, "build my Church."
Fact is, the North American Church spends millions of dollars on promotion, presentation, pastoral and staff support while the Asian and African Church starve. Not to mention the myriad of social injustices that plagues humanity today. Injustices such as poverty, AIDS/HIV, the oppression and abuse of women, and the orphan crisis, just to name a few. Injustices that I believe as Christians, as the Church, should be our focus and priority.
This is what I read in my Bible:
Matthew declares our 'acts of righteousness' as giving to the needy, praying, and fasting.
Micah tells us to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.
James says true religion looks after orphans and widows and guards against corruption.
And Jesus himself says we have but two commandments; to love God and to love others.
I dare say that God is not pleased with our collective indulgence while the needy elsewhere goes without.
Am I the only one who sees this?
I'm not so sure this is what Jesus meant when he said to Peter, "build my Church."
Fact is, the North American Church spends millions of dollars on promotion, presentation, pastoral and staff support while the Asian and African Church starve. Not to mention the myriad of social injustices that plagues humanity today. Injustices such as poverty, AIDS/HIV, the oppression and abuse of women, and the orphan crisis, just to name a few. Injustices that I believe as Christians, as the Church, should be our focus and priority.
This is what I read in my Bible:
Matthew declares our 'acts of righteousness' as giving to the needy, praying, and fasting.
Micah tells us to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.
James says true religion looks after orphans and widows and guards against corruption.
And Jesus himself says we have but two commandments; to love God and to love others.
I dare say that God is not pleased with our collective indulgence while the needy elsewhere goes without.
Am I the only one who sees this?
Sunday, April 8, 2012
soft pink roses
Sometimes the simplest things bring the greatest comfort.
Soft pink is a gentle color. Tender and delicate. To be honest, it has always been a favorite of mine. Over time I think I outgrew it. It was too gentle, too delicate for the harsh world I lived in. I needed bright, bold colors to push against the angst. Intense colors that declare life. Loud colors. There's nothing loud about soft pink.
Recently, at an indoor flower show, my soul was awakened from her winter's slumber as spring sprung forth in magnificent displays of plants and gardens. Of course I wanted to bring some of it home. While looking over all the choices, I found myself attracted to the soft pink roses. I dismissed the notion and tried to find something more bold, more vibrant for my table. Something more my style. But I kept going back at the array of roses, back to the soft pink ones. They caressed me with their tenderness and beauty; they reminded me of the child within who once loved soft pink things. They were absolutely lovely.
For years, I have held back the harshness of life with vibrancy and boldness. I have pushed away the soft and delicate things in order to survive the sinfulness of men. Soft pink is a color that would never describe me. But that day I was feeling free; there was something about those soft pink roses that felt so good. Finally, I gave into to the wanting and embraced them. My soul smiled as my heart filled with love. God is not finished with me. I am still ever changing.
My friend and I admired the bouquet, inhaling all its glory. I decided to speak the unspoken. In a quiet voice, I said, "Ya want to know something? These soft pink roses is really what I'm like on the inside." She looked at me in utter disbelief and said, "Really? Maybe you should let it show more often." "Hmmmm, maybe I should."
Maybe I will.
Soft pink is a gentle color. Tender and delicate. To be honest, it has always been a favorite of mine. Over time I think I outgrew it. It was too gentle, too delicate for the harsh world I lived in. I needed bright, bold colors to push against the angst. Intense colors that declare life. Loud colors. There's nothing loud about soft pink.
Recently, at an indoor flower show, my soul was awakened from her winter's slumber as spring sprung forth in magnificent displays of plants and gardens. Of course I wanted to bring some of it home. While looking over all the choices, I found myself attracted to the soft pink roses. I dismissed the notion and tried to find something more bold, more vibrant for my table. Something more my style. But I kept going back at the array of roses, back to the soft pink ones. They caressed me with their tenderness and beauty; they reminded me of the child within who once loved soft pink things. They were absolutely lovely.
For years, I have held back the harshness of life with vibrancy and boldness. I have pushed away the soft and delicate things in order to survive the sinfulness of men. Soft pink is a color that would never describe me. But that day I was feeling free; there was something about those soft pink roses that felt so good. Finally, I gave into to the wanting and embraced them. My soul smiled as my heart filled with love. God is not finished with me. I am still ever changing.
My friend and I admired the bouquet, inhaling all its glory. I decided to speak the unspoken. In a quiet voice, I said, "Ya want to know something? These soft pink roses is really what I'm like on the inside." She looked at me in utter disbelief and said, "Really? Maybe you should let it show more often." "Hmmmm, maybe I should."
Maybe I will.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)