LIKE LOVE

This whole world is spinning like crazy. I can't quite keep up.

You may feel that way too!

Each day I wanna to look a little more like love.

A song written by Ben Rector More Like Love

I put this song on repeat and  thought about the complications of life and how my desire is to express love to others. I agree with Ben.

Do you struggle with loving others?

Can we just conjure up love by saying "I wanna look more like love."


I don't need to have all the answers or be like an expert.

I just know.
God is love.

I am going to love--love and be loved. First I have to recognize I am loved, now I love. He loves me first.

Am I perfect in love.

No.

But this was a nice reminder for me today.

Love makes me crazy. It helps me to continue on. Live fully.

Think about it. He loved you and will always love you. Do you wanna look more like love?

I get a warm and fuzzy feeling thinking about this.

LICKETY SPLIT

Dear Friend:

 

As I yanked a big weed I fell back and yelped "Oh my gosh I got it!" I was a little dirty but the yard looked better. Oh my goodness. Isn't this just like life; meaning whenever I get past a difficult moment in life with God's help It may have been a little messy but it was worth it. 

I have realized lately that little messages become big messages when taken to heart.

 I have found myself wasting time with distractions when it comes to messy moments. That day I just kept thinking "It takes a moment" to pull a weed. That certainly is not a life time.

Is there something you are avoiding today?  Like confronting, forgiving, confessing....

Pull the weed out. You may get a little dirty but a shower can take care of that lickety split.

PRAY:
God help me with...............

MIND OVER MATTER

Some of what I am going to write about today will be common sense. You know when someone quotes a catch phrase of some sort that encourages, inspires or strengthens you. I catch myself responding by tapping my head shouting "Dah!, I've known that all along, why don't I remember that". I could attempt to spell our a neuroscience reason why are brain won't remember such things that would help each of us.

The ancient proverb often quoted "Mind over matter" can be put into motion where one uses your mind to think about more crucial issues in life other than lame materialistic or small less consequential things in life.

I think at this point you're probably asking me "Why are you bringing this up"?

I think we can all agree we are trying our best to make the most out of life experiences. To walk away from work, home life, relationships, vacations, exercising etc. to feel satisfied.

Sometimes we walk away from these experiences analyzing ourselves by questioning "Maybe I did not workout hard enough, did I get the most out of that vacation, is this the best work I can do...We can go on and on questioning all sorts of things. (Not enough space here to list them all).

I chose to put in this list vacation because once I came back from my vacation just questioning so much that I was ready for a vacation again. I guess a professional would label it as anxiety. Do we need medication for this? Can we reduce this questioning, impulsive, emotional thinking? When we question ourselves are we really formulating in our minds regrets, guilt or even shame.

So many questions, right?!

Here is the amazing thing you may not know. Licensed counselors, all religions, psychologist agree that this needs to be addressed so that our minds can "RENEW." If we renew our mind we will have less incidents that present a problem and robbing us of peace.

So what does it matter in the big scheme of things some of our regrets or questioning? How do we make it stop.

Creating pathways in our brain that make healthy connections so our brains stream more positive patterns. It takes practice and for me most importantly is the Father's help and love.
Inviting God into the situation.

Prayer:  Father I confess I have patterns of thought that are not feeling healthy today. How can I change this? Thank you Father for always being so sweet and loving toward me. I ask you to help me to learn a better.  Amen.

CAN YOU HEAR HIM NOW?

Dear Friend:

Decisions can pile up one after another. Circumstances on top of that. Your calendar appointments on top of that. Planning and eating three balanced meals on top of that.

I picture all of the above like a huge pile of dirt that ends up being taller than I am. That's like over six feet of layers of dirt.

On some days you float from one decision to the next. No mound build up.

On another day it truly is a mound of dirt and  you just don't have much clarity. You cannot get past the mound.

I don't know about you but if I'm not clear about things and I am questioning it and not getting an answer I begin to roll it around in my head and I don't do anything with the thoughts. When that happens I begin to compare myself saying; look at so and so they just float from one thing to the next. They must have a better connection with God. They make life seem so easy. Wow! Where is the joy? I must really be disappointing God. There must be something wrong with me. I'm weak. I'm sensitive.

I am being very vulnerable here. Like really honest. I am writing this because I really learned something from this kind of critical thinking and I believe there are many of you who do the same thing but won't admit it.

I stand before you honestly also because I think God has given me this opportunity to examine myself and speak to Him about my thoughts and then write about what I have learned. Not to create a formula for you but to create a connection between you and God so we can all grow.

I asked a friend why does it seem like things roll off of so and so's back so easy, they responded  "Maybe the other person is suppressing their thoughts and feelings."

After hearing those words that resonated with me. When things resonate with me I go to God and ask him "Is this from you? Do you want me to explore the idea of suppressing my emotions and thoughts?"

Further consideration after praying:

Maybe I am the weak one. Maybe I am the willing one. The one who won't suppress my feelings but go to God and ask Him to help me go through my feelings and circumstances one by one. Let Him speak into them and help me to reconcile things. Get healthy and not stuff things down.

Here is the deal. God loves me. He says important things like I am the WAY the TRUTH the LIFE. Way= direction on His path.

Truth sets us free. We can be free indeed. Not entangled with things on earth but seated in the heavenlies with Jesus.

Life. God sets before us either life or death and says "You chose!" (free will).

Doesn't God say he likes the weak after all?

So okay I am weak. Good we got that cleared up and I think God is pretty happy about it.

If I look at everything I say and do as a challenge to love the way Jesus loves. I must remember I'm not perfect. When the opportunities of emotions and circumstances arise it creates lessons. This is progressive sanctification. My process. The most important lesson I can learn is God's extension of showing me His love and intimacy (our connection) that will get us to a place of overflowing. Overflowing love will express itself through me when I serve others. I am enabled to see and love others the way Jesus does.

When we introduce people to Christ and ask them if they want to understand what a personal relationship with Christ is to "connect" with Him.  To begin to read about and listen to the good shepherd. Through the connection you will understand. You will build confidence. You will have courage to do things you never thought possible. You will feel whole again. Most importantly you will feel loved beyond measure. Ultimate love! Doubting causes us to be tossed to and fro. It's not a peaceful place. It takes faith. In fact Jesus said they know my voice.

"I can't hear from God" declares many Christians. Am I doing something wrong? Am I a weaker Christian? Does God think lesser of me? Cause I just have never hear from God. I heard a friend say with confidence "God told me to read Proverbs 2 or he told me to go to the doctor....."

Can this be possible?

This small whisper is possible. Ask God questions and journal for ten minutes what your head is thinking or saying. Be sensitive to the loving, caring voice of God. It is gentle. Ever so gentle. Never abrasive, demanding or guilting you into any feeling or action.

Try it! Your life will change. Be still. Sit, give it ten minutes. Start your timer on your phone. Seriously!

Everyday is an opportunity to say less; love more; pray more. Opportunity can be facing hardships, loneliness, sickness, decisions, tiredness. All make tolerance and love harder. But take heart. He's got this! #shinebright

Lighting up,

Elaine