Clinton Door

Monday, April 16, 2012

Making Jesus Attractive

Can't sleep.... God's Word always comes through! He took me to Philippians One. Verse 11 - ....Live a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.


I so want my life to attract others to Christ...I feel so bound up sometimes. Like I am tied up fatter than a hog being led to the slaughter! Life gets crazy busy and I just let the moment pass me by! My friend Andi shared once that being intentional is what keeps us steady. This very word is what spurs me on...to remind myself that life can pass by...it is up to me what I allow to take residence in my soul.

Short but sweet and true.....I want Jesus to strip the binds off and give me breathing room so I can expand!

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

the "something, terrible, awful"

Our God...yes, our God. Is that enough? Is it enough to proclaim? What more do we have to offer Him other than our words...you are my God? My God has several meanings...these are just a few: You are my God, in whom I trust. You are my God, my Rock, my Refuge, my Strength. 


When the "something, terrible, awful" happens in our lives...how do we respond? I find myself in the midst of the "something, terrible, awful"....yet, even in the midst of this thing...God has shown so much of His glory. But I will be honest with you, there is a little bit of that wants to hide this under a bushel and hope it all goes away. And tonight, I heard God remind me: Because I am Sovereign, nothing can happen that hasn't already been sifted through My hands first. In the midst of this thing - we recognize that God has a plan and sometimes that plan can get a little twisted... because God allows those bends/twists in the road we journey on. Embrace where He is leading, trust where He is leading, and encourage the person that is experiencing this more as they walk through this journey. Isn't that what we are called to do? Don't give them words they want to hear, give them words of wisdom..praying for God to season them with grace and the words that would only be what He has ordained and placed on our lips. 


The greatest lessons we learn come when we don't harbor a bitter root and don't root in the pigsty...and understand this: God is who He says He is. God will do what He says He will do. I am who God says I am. I can do all things through Christ. God's Word is alive and active in me. (Beth Moore)


So what do we offer Him? Our undivided hearts. Is my God enough??? He is more than enough! Praise Him for who He is...he King of Kings, the LORD of Lords.


Amen, and Amen!

Saturday, January 21, 2012

The Help, The Blessing....

Pearl....Annie Pearl Harris. She is the one who hugged me, she is the one who taught me how to make a bed, even it was with a switch in her hand! Pearl could make an apple pie like nobody's business. I have tried and tried to duplicate it...tried to get her recipe but there was no recipe, just a hand full of this, a pinch of that...and magic was created! The magic was in her hands of love. I really don't know where I would be today if she had not been such a large part of my life. She gave me something my mother couldn't...real affection that came through her discipline, her hugs, her apple pies and all the time she spent with me. I can remember the time my friend came over and talked me into pouring finger nail polish all over the mattress! Yep, my butt was sore for a few days!!! And Pearl taught me a lesson I never forgot...don't follow bad decisions...do what is right. She taught me much about life...and boy did she love her Cincinnati Reds!! She would watch her baseball and iron at the same time. She was spirited! And she loved some nasty Falstaff Beer! But drank it with control...something I had never seen before. 

Today...she passed away. Today....she was on my mind. Several months ago, I felt an urging to see her, but I didn't act upon it. No regrets...can't go there, it would be too painful. Life is so short...life gets too busy and time slips away. I know this all too well, but how easy it is to fall back into that trap. I can trust that Pearl knew how much she meant to me as I have told her so many times. But I wish I could've had one more of her great hugs and hear her say my name like nobody else could. 

So tonight, my heart is sad....and very thankful for the blessing He brought in my life through my Pearl...He truly does give us food at the proper time. 

The LORD upholds all who fall 
   and lifts up all who are bowed down. 
The eyes of all look to you, 
   and you give them their food at the proper time. 
You open your hand 
   and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

Psalm 145:14-16 (NIV)