Tag Archive for: King

My Busy, but Blessed Day

/2 Comments/in , , , /by

While enduring physical therapy, I began feeling sorry for myself. My headaches persisted, leg ached, and my neck and shoulders complained often.

“Should I keep coming if I’m not sure this is doing any good? You’re adding another exercise?!” Yes, you’d probably say I was grumbling.

My therapist paused, then replied, “Consider the man in here earlier. He had only one leg, and wonders if he’ll ever return to work, or earn enough money to pay the bills for the family.”

Oh. I guess I have nothing to complain about, do I? A good reminder to be thankful for what I can do and what I do have.

We did some deep breathing and slowly releasing my breath. He continually reminds me to relax and loosen my shoulders. Relax? Are you kidding? This is December! Who relaxes in December?

“You’d better or you’re gonna wind up feeling even worse. Be positive. You’ll never mend until you allow your body time to re-generate and mend.”

Next on my agenda: Fresh Thyme to capture gluten-free onion rings for a holiday green bean casserole. This stop helped me temporarily forget my next appointment. These are tough to find, but I was grateful that a kind sales clerk led me to the shelf where there was a supply of them. This store is a specialty shop and I love to wander. Near the deli a young Dad was scooping up chicken noodle soup. His son was pushing a mini cart full to the brim with items.

“Looks like you’re a great helper,” I commented.

Dad smiled, patted his son on the back and said, “He’s a great helper!”

“Good for you. Merry Christmas you two.” I said with a smile as I walked away.

I couldn’t stall any longer so I took off for a dreaded dentist appointment. I’ve spent too much time in a dentist chair ever since my automobile accident just five months after I got married. Upside: felt good to have fresh, clean teeth. Downside: they discovered a fracture in a molar which requires a crown. In the waiting room, I noticed a Christmas tree adorned with ornaments for sale. Proceeds would go to help Women at Risk—a most worthy cause. I chose several for my Christmas list. 😊 Score!

Drove home after my dentist appointment, connected with my husband where he reminded me of his Christmas concert at an assisted living facility. I could sit with the groupies or band-aids—spouses whose husbands play in the Celebration Brass band. I was tired and came up with excuses, but in the end I did go and am glad I did.

Soaking in the joyous, meaningful Christmas melodies helped me unwind; relax just like my PT advised me earlier in the day. I started the evening tired and defeated. When I left the concert, I felt refreshed and renewed. The music reminded me of a baby boy born in less than ideal circumstances, raised and walked this earth healing, sacrificing. Christ gave His own life for mine so we might be free and whole enjoying heaven after this body gives out. His birth night was a Holy night—the most special Christmas gift of all.

Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th’angelic host proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”

post by Teresa K. Lasher, author of:

“The Child becomes The Parent: Coping with Grief” and

“Life is: Good, Fragile, and Precious–Loving yourself so you can love others”

Potential

/12 Comments/in , , , /by

Five-Minute Friday – POTENTIAL         apples

“You have such great Potential!” Reminds me of a classic response from a teacher. You don’t have to say the student is good at any one particular subject matter, but that she has potential to be good at such & such. Maybe it’s a way of sugar-coating the fact that the student is either lazy, unmotivated, almost there, but not quite.

God tells us in His word over and over that we have great potential. Only he sincerely means what He says! We have such great potential because you and I are created in His image. And how can He be wrong, misguided, or tell a lie. None of those attributes can be connected with a loving heavenly Father.

He tells me he loves me, cares for, and wants only the best for me and my life. How can I not love and trust someone who only has my best interests in mind? A daughter of the Most High King. What more potential could one ask for? I know of no higher compliment than this. Lord. I don’t want you to be ashamed of me. Help me to strive to know you more and serve you better in this upcoming new month and season.

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.

*****

This post is part of the weekly Five-Minute Friday link-up!

The prompt this week is: Potential

The assignment: Write for five minutes on the word of the week. This is meant to be a free write, which means: no editing, no over-thinking, no worrying about perfect grammar or punctuation. Just write.

Nothing is impossible with God

/0 Comments/in , , /by

“With Him, nothing is impossible” — (Luke 1:37).

I’m considering the words to the famous song written by Chris Tomlin, “How Great is Our God.” Only five one-syllable words, but packed with power and meaning. Let’s look at a few attributes of this great and awesome God:

Sunset over Lakeshore Yacht Harbor - Muskegon Lake

Sunset over Lakeshore Yacht Harbor – Muskegon Lake

*  Clothed in majesty (compared to my filthy rags)
*  He is Light (I sometimes hide in darkness, how about you?
*  King of all Kings (I am nothing without Him)

Yet when I humble myself and call on his matchless name, I am called a daughter of the King. God desires my fellowship and bids me to walk in the light as he is in the light. He truly is a great God — worthy of all my praise.

*  Have you thought about the hugeness of God, creator of the universe
*  Have you told him your worries (none of which are too big or too small for him to handle)?

 

How great is our God!

/0 Comments/in /by

Have you thought about the words, “How great is our God?” Only five one- syllable words, but packed with much heavy power and meaning. Let’s look at a few attributes of this great and awesome God:

  • Clothed in majesty (compared to my filthy rags)
  • He is Light (I sometimes hide in darkness, how about you?)
  • King of all Kings (I am nothing without him)

Yet when I humble myself and call on his matchless name, I am called a daughter of the King. God desires my fellowship and bids me to walk in the light as he is in the light. He truly is a great God — worthy of all my praise.

Thank you, God, for allowing me to participate in your plan and be a part of your holy family.

Have you thought about the hugeness of God, creator of the universe? Have you told him your worries — none of which are too big or too small for him to handle.

***

Force of Nature?

/0 Comments/in , , /by

“For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts…” (Psalm 95:3–8).

Associated Press reports: Tokyo—“A ferocious tsunami unleashed by Japan’s biggest recorded earthquake slammed into its eastern coast Friday, killing hundreds of people as it carried away ships, cars and homes, and triggered widespread fires that burned out of control.”

 Widespread evacuation efforts continue, people and buildings displaced and millions without homes or power. 80 foot waves plow through areas where over 1 million people live and work. Devastation is headed toward Hawaii and the US west coast. How very tragic!

I see a piece of white fabric wave outside a window as the radio broadcaster announces, “People surrender to the power and force of nature.” Really? Nature, I don’t think so!  God, the Creator of heaven and earth and the seas, is the one ultimately in control. He sees all. He knows all and longs for us to worship him, the Ruler over all.

While growing up, my family and I survived a tornado whose path went straight through our campsite. A huge oak tree landed in the spot where my parents would have been sleeping if we had remained in our camper. My mother felt the urge to get in the car and drive to the other side of the campground; my Dad followed her advice.  God spared my whole family that day from injury and death. Scary? Yes, but we thanked God for saving our lives. When horrible things happen, what and who is really important in our lives immediately surface. The small stuff seems far, far away.

Prayer: Thank you, God, for preserving my life and my family’s life many years ago. I want to sing praises to you, God! May I never forget your countless blessings and benefits.

Ask: Is there an area in your life that needs attention? Some selfish desire you should not be pursuing? Do you hear God pleading with you to not harden your heart and come back to him?

***

Adopted

/0 Comments/in /by

“He predestined us to be adopted as his sons (and daughters) through Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 1:5a). 

Because of God’s sovereign and gracious act in providing for your salvation by adopting you, there is a blessed climate of intimate love and trust between you. How infinitely precious and worthwhile you must be to him!—Kay Marshall Strom

 Adopted…by the King of Kings—how awesome is that!

*** 

Shout to the Lord!

/0 Comments/in , /by

 “My Jesus, my Savior, Lord there is none like you.  All of my days I want to praise the wonders of your mighty love. My comfort, my shelter, tower of refuge and strength, let every breath, all that I am, never cease to worship you. 

Shout to the Lord all the earth let us sing power and majesty, praise to the King, mountains bow down and the seas will roar at the sound of your name. I sing for joy at the work of your hand. Forever I’ll love you, forever I’ll stand. Nothing compares to the promise I have in you.” – Darlene Zschech 

*** 

Shout Hosanna!

/0 Comments/in , /by

“Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle (lowly) and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey” (Zechariah 9:9).

Righteous King…gentle…this multi-faceted dimension is hard for my human mind to wrap around: a King exhibiting both righteousness and gentle humility all incased in one! My Lord showed such great humility as He rode into Jerusalem during His triumphal entry. John 12 tells us, “…the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,

            Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel!” Jesus then found a young donkey and sat upon it—not a stallion or warrior house, but a common donkey.

            I wonder if Jesus rode into town today, would I be excited enough to lay down palm branches and shout out loud accolades of Hosanna? I truly hope I’d go door to door, e-mail blast…anything to awaken those around me.

Ask: Am I doing all I can to alert others of God’s return to earth? Do I take every opportunity to tell others what He’s done for me yesterday and today?

Prayer:  Dear God, thank you for sending your one and only Son, Jesus Christ, to take on my sin and the sin of all those who put their faith in you. Thank you for showing us what true humility looks like. You are truly to be blessed—the King of Israel!

.