(This letter was sent to Victor Marx, from a teenage boy who is in prison. I posted it under my If You Could tab to ask this question:)
IF YOU COULD RESPOND TO THIS LETTER WHAT WOULD YOU SAY?
May2
Tag Archives: love
Apr27
Random (hopefully inspired) Thought
I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)
Exodus 38. “These are the amounts of the materials used for the tabernacle, the tabernacle of the covenant law, which were recorded at Moses’ command by the Levites under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron, the priest. (Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made everything the Lord commanded Moses; with him was Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan—an engraver and designer, and an embroiderer in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen.) The total amount of the gold from the wave offering used for all the work on the sanctuary was 29 talents and 730 shekels, according to the sanctuary sheke” (Verses 21-24). Wondering why I choose these specific verses? Well partially because the entire chapter reads like this, and partially to make a point. Our life sometimes feels like it has been thrown together, with no rhyme or reasons. Some days are good, and some days are so terrible it feels like one more thing (no matter how small) will kill us. Read the chapter and notice this, everything, EVERYTHING had an exact amount. The gold, the silver, and the wood all were specifically measured to what was being built. Notice this also at the end of every measurement, every amount, you find the words, “According to…” God had a blueprint a design already in place. He knew what was needed, according to what He was building. Right now you and I are being built by God. He constructs and tears down (in our lives), “according to”, what is needed to make us what we are meant to be. Life isn’t random (even if it feels that way). There is a designer, a CREATOR and He does it all ACCORDING TO plan.
Apr19
DAY 109 (2014)
![It's a new day. Yesterday has been redeemed by the rising of the [Son]. (Picture by Lisa R.)](https://i0.wp.com/journeyofthankfulness.blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/dsc01306.jpg)
It’s a new day. Yesterday has been redeemed by the rising of the [Son].
(Picture by Lisa R.)
“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).
Today instead of a plan I am thankful that Christ conquered it ALL.
Apr18
Random (hopefully inspired) Thought
I have hidden Thy word in my heart.
(Picture by Lisa R)
Exodus 29. “For the generations to come this burnt offering is to be made regularly at the entrance to the tent of meeting,before the Lord. There I will meet you and speak to you; there also I will meet with the Israelites, and the place will be consecrated by My glory. So I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar and will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve Me as priests. Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their God. They will know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them. I am the Lord their God” (Verses 42-46). God wanted communication with His people. He desired (and still desires) to be their God. He created us, gave us a place to live, and provides for our needs. Why? Because He wants to be with us. Today is Good Friday, the day that He made His biggest sacrifice to be with us. Let God be what He wants to be in our life today, our Father and our Friend.
Apr3
DAY 93 (2014)
A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song.
(Picture by Lisa R.)
I was given an interesting challenge today. It all started with a conversation about getting into college, or more appropriately getting into a “good” college. My coworker was talking about her daughter’s increasing hard school work. Her daughter normally gets amazing grades, but now she is enrolled in a school that is both high school and college and thus the work load is harder. During the conversation this statement was said, “Have you ever seen a happy poor person? If so, bring them so I can see them.” Gauntlet thrown. Two things came to mind, after the statement. 1.) Who decided that all rich people are happy? 2.) Is money really the only thing that makes a person happy? Here’s the thing I know lots of people who are poor by societies standards, who happen to be very happy. Why? They found a treasure that is greater and more precious than just earthly riches. They found an EVERLASTING hope. When did we decided that the only way to be happy was not to be poor? Better yet what defines poor? Lack of funds, lack of the latest fad? Each person has his/her own definition and thus even the richest of persons can have areas in which they feel poor. Here’s what I have been learning. Our joy and happiness should and can never be dependent on tangible things. Because they don’t last. It can be here today and gone tomorrow. Our happiness should come from something that does not fade, does not disappear. Our joy and happiness should be found in the love of God. Does that mean we won’t have bad days? No. it simply means that even in the hard times we have hope that does not fade. Hope that allows us to find joy, even in the midst of trials. A joy that causes us to be happy, even if we’re poor.
“Happy is the man who has faith in the Lord, and does not give honor to the men of pride or to those who are turned away to deceit” (Psalm 40: 4).
So what’s my plan of attack? Find my joy and happiness in the unfailing love of God.
Mar25
DAY 84 (2014)
If you’re in the dark and waiting. It’s not the dark that scares you, but the waiting.
(Picture by Lisa R.)
We are having a stress moment here. We can’t get in touch with my brother, which wouldn’t normally bother me. However, recent events have me a little nervous, coupled with the fact that not one, but both of my parents are worried. I am learning (right now) that the most horrible thing in the world is waiting. It’s one thing to wait, when you know what to expect. It’s a whole other ball game when you have no idea if anything bad has happened. Every scenario runs through your head and most of the time what comes to mind is the worse situation possible. I am watching my mom worry because she doesn’t know if her child is okay. My father (who we normally don’t talk to) has called several times. I am not a panic-er by nature, but hearing the concern in your parents voice has an effect on you. When I lived away from my family I use to be irritated when my parents worried about me. However, today I realized it is love, it’s sacrifice. Today while my brother may be upset. I pray he knows that all of it is because he is loved. Many people in the world don’t have that. Tonight I realized how blessed I am to know that God has put people in my world who are more concerned with my well being, than my anger at them. Oddly, for that I am extremely grateful.
“Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger…” (Ephesians 4:26).
So what’s my plan attack? Learn to appreciate what I have been blessed with.
Mar19
DAY 78 (2014)
“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”
(Picture by Lisa R.)
As you know on Mondays at my job I send out an email, it is a weekly reminder to that life does not always do what we want, but that does not make it any less amazing. This Monday’s message was somewhat somber, due to one of our own going through a period of mourning. Loss is such a painful thing, and it is made worse when the loss is unexpected. Today I have been thinking how we tend to spend our time living as though life is guaranteed. Therefore we spend our moments chasing meaningless things, things that disappear. When we should be cultivating things that will remain. I am going to share my Monday email. I hope reminds us to live life not taking a moment of it for granted.
What a difference 2 weeks makes. Everything feels different, but the same. It is nice to experience something “new”, but equally as nice to come back to the “familiar”. I have had a lot of free time in the last two weeks, to think about this journey, this life. Here’s what I learned: Don’t take any of it for granted. Nothings guaranteed, not today and most definitely not tomorrow. Oddly, while we all know this truth, sadly many of us live our daily life taking it for granted. Believing (falsely so) that things will be as the always have been. Somber message for a Monday morning, isn’t it? Here’s why: Right now while we still have this moment, we must LIVE in it. Appreciate it. Not just the good things, but the bad as well. To the people in our world (the one we like and the ones we don’t), be kind, considerate remembering tomorrow they may not be there. Be grateful for our job, life, family, and friends and realize how blessed we are to have each. As always remember your perspective determines your day, your week. Make it amazing. Happy Monday!
“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses” (1 Timothy 6:12).
So what’s my of attack? Cultivate what remains.
Mar13
DAY 72 (2014) – Saying Goodbye
Goodbyes are often hard, but when done for the right reason will give birth to something beautiful.
Last day before I go back to South Florida and leave my baby brother in Buffalo. Can’t lie, I am nervous, a little scared, and really sad. We have not been separated in a while, and the family unit we have right now is very tight. So this feels like a part of my flesh is about to be cut off. This is an odd feeling for me, because I am not the personality type to miss things when they are gone. Sounds cold, doesn’t it? But it isn’t. I have always believed that life, things, and people are transient, and not permanent. Does that mean that I treat them carelessly? No, on the contrary it means that I treat them as though each day, each moment is the last I will be able to spend with them. So my goal always with friendships and life is to learn, grow, and respect the people and things that God has blessed me to encounter. Because of this attitude I don’t often feel sad at goodbyes. But this goodbye will hurt. To my brother (who reads my posts everyday…he’s my loyal fan 😉 ). I am praying for you. I know that you are where you are for a reason. I know that at this moment you may feel overwhelmed and maybe even scared. But don’t ever feel like those feeling make you a coward or weak. Understand that those feelings are the stepping stones to strength. I am very proud of you, and even though I may not show it, I will hate being apart from you for even a second. But I know that God will wrap His loving arms around you and keep you safe until we are reunited. Love you always. Your big sister, Lisa.
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26).
So what’s my plan of attack? Trust God to take care of the part of me that will be missing.
Mar7
DAY 66 (2014)
We can’t do it alone, we all need help on the journey.
(Picture taken at House Of Hope, S. Korea)
I have a wicked bad cold, turns out extreme cold weather does that to you. However, despite the cold I have to say I really like the small town atmosphere of Buffalo. There is something to be said about politeness, it nice to have people say hello when they see you acknowledging your presence. This of course got me thinking about how easy it is to not acknowledge others. It has been so nice to feel human connection. It makes the world feel less big, less scary. It makes a person feel less alone. Being here I now realize that we are meant to have human interaction. We are hard wired for connection. I wonder what state the world would be in now if we acknowledged each other more, if we treated each other like human beings. I know for me it has made a world of difference. It definitely makes me feel less scared about leaving my baby brother here.
“Be kind and compassionate to one another…” (Ephesians 4:32).
So what’s my plan of attack? Acknowledge those around me.
Mar6
DAY 65 (2014)
“He shall be like a tree planted by living water…which brings forth food in its season” Psalm 1:3 (Picture by Lisa R.)
I have been catching up on my Facebook posts. As I peruse what’s going on with my friends and acquaintances, I bumped into a post from my old Bible College teacher, John Duncan. I learned a lot from him about humility and Christianity in human form. He taught me that following Christ doesn’t mean everything will be roses and butterflies. But it does mean that no matter how rough the trial we have an ANCHOR. I have watched (more accurately read) as pastor Duncan has gone through trial after trial. There have been times of whining and times of praise. But in each circumstance God has been his constant guide. Today I am posting something he wrote. It reminds us (me). That when we do what God tells us to do, He’ll meet our needs (note, I said needs). Here’s Pastor John:
“I believe it is our duty as Christians is to walk until our toes are touching the Red Sea. When I cry out for help it is because I have taken it as far as I can as a man, then I have no trouble asking for help. I am not proud, it does not humiliate me to have to ask for help. To be humiliated does not produce humility, and in fact it can have the opposite effect on us.
We all know it is more blessed to give than receive. But have you thought on that for a while? The person who has the ability to help has the power over the one asking. Many times those who give, even those in the church, expect to be rewarded for their giving. But there is so much pride and so few who really know how to give with no strings attached that I believe in terms of treasure in heaven they might as well throw out their cash in the trash.
We all (everyone of us), have a problem with pride. We can be proud of just about everything, while taking on an outward appearance of humility. In this life I have been on both sides of that process of being the needy one and the one who can help someone in need.
I remember more than once giving my last dime away, actually it was a twenty that I gave to four brothers who were on the road and heading to the mid-west. My thoughts were many at the time, one was they were four I was one they needed it more than I did. I thought about the fact that they had twice as far to go, so I just gave them all I had. They were from the mid-west and I knew how to survive on the road a whole lot more than they did, so I gave and was at peace. I sat down to read my Bible for the first time in about a week, and I don’t know who did it, (it looked to me like different people did it not knowing what the others had done), on one page I found three dollars then two on another, then a five and a ten on other pages. I held my Bible so I could shake it and it was 20 dollars! Not the 10 fold promised by the false teachers out there. On that day when I gave my last twenty I didn’t know that God had already provided for me. So it was like I didn’t give at all I just shared what already belonged to all of us. I slept good that night. No pride, just the simple peace of knowing I did what God wanted me to do.
So sure it is better to give, better to be the one with the power. To be the one who has a choice, whereas the poor man has no choice (except to go hungry).
I am not hungry tonight. I may or may not sleep well, but it won’t be from hunger. Tonight if someone was out front in need of food I have an abundance. I may not have cash but I have all I need. Good night to ya’ll.” – JD –
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
So what’s my plan of attack? Remember that God has already met the need, He has already provided.