Chewing The Cud (Translating Meditation From Christianese Into Plain English)

Hee hee, I LOVE that title!! Love it. (On a side note, I need to write a book and include the sentence, "The grill was a screaming sea of grease.")

Today, at work, while I prepared a vast quantity of pork chops I listened to the sermon from Sunday's service (Making Disciples). And, it was funny and frustrating, bits and pieces of the sermon kept popping out at me. It was like they were highlighted on the inside of my heart. There was one part in particular that I kept rewinding and listening to again and again. I tried very hard to figure out what I was trying to understand or what I was on the verge of discovering, but, whatever it was, it remained shapeless and flighty, just out of my reach.

But the experience got me thinking. Meditation is SO important! It seems kind of boring and mundane, but the process of focusing on one scripture, or one thought from the bible, or one part of a sermon is like exercising. As you look at the scripture from different angles and really lean into thinking about it, the Holy Spirit is right there. It's like, you're doing chin ups, and as you pull up, when you get your chin over the bar, He pops something sweet in your mouth to reward your work.

I was tempted to email my pastor and question him until he gave me the discovery that my spirit was working on. But as I considered it, the image of a chick chipping it's way out of its shell popped into my mind. If someone comes along and helps the chick out, does all the work for it, then the chick will grow up weak. It won't have developed the muscles that it needs. I think meditation is like that. Sometimes, we need to figure out things for ourselves. Not just take whatever has been fed to us, but root around for our own food.

Anyway, check out the sermon. It was GOOD.

Visiting My Friends' Church

I went to a service at my friends' new church "Shift" and afterwards we were all sitting around just talking. After a bit, I realized how PASSIONATE I am about God. And the more I find out about Him, the more I love Him. Gah, that sounds so sappy, but it's true.

Mrs. Collins posted on her blog about knowing God and it hit my heart just the right way. (Click here to read it!) I'd love to restate everything she said, but honestly, she said it best. So read it!!

Hebrew 8:10-12: This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' because they will ALL know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."

Wow.

I didn't even see this until a few seconds ago, but check it out. It's amazing.

April Showers

Ooo, and this too: 10/21/07, Schlyce Jimenez - Living By Grace.

http://www.familylife.cc/sermons.html

Click 'em. I dare you. ^_^

When You Have Nothing Good To Say...

I've been reading the book that I got from Kenneth Copeland Ministries, the one that has all the daily bible studies/deep thought of the day's. It's an interesting read, and it definitely sticks in your head. It's not unusual for me to find myself mulling over something I read several days after I read it!

Like this: "Patience is the power twin of faith." At first, it stuck with me just because I though it was hilarious! Like, "Pastor Copeland, let me guess. You watch the power rangers with your grandkids, right? It's starting to creep into your semi-sermons..." (Heheh....)

But I keep hearing that phrase in my head. Not because it's hilarious, but because it's true.

I'm experiencing something I've never experienced before. I don't have a short term vision that I'm steering towards. And it's frustrating, annoying, and tiring. I'm a visual person, I have a vivid, active imagination, and I love daydreaming. Since turning my life over to God, I've seen just about all of my imaginations come true. I've gotten used to expecting the things that I'm dreaming about come to fruition pretty quickly. To suddenly have nothing looming on the horizon is very disconcerting. =\

I don't want to waste my time dreaming about things that aren't "on the approved list" with God. And it would be a waste! Why daydream about something that doesn't fall into line with what I was created to be/do?

So for now, I'm just waiting. I've decided to keep on doing the things that I know have life in them, that are good, and trust that God will show me what to do at some point. This is where patience comes in. I know that God has good plans for me, and I know that this spot, this time is temporary.

Just Some Encouraging Scriptures

Is. 40:11
He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.

Is. 40:28-31
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grown tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be fail.

Drama!!

So I thought I'd update you all on my new job. Let me allay all your fears, I LOVE my new job!!

It's hilarious actually, 'cause like everyone speaks Spanish and I don't, and I'm the youngest and the only female, and it's just a riot! Most of the time I have no idea what they are laughing about, I have only a hazy idea of what I'm supposed to be preparing, and I'm completely certain that I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.

Also, ladies, let me say this. Lots of people like to say that anywhere there's estrogen there's also drama, but guess what! The same is true of the stronger sex!! Where I work, the men far out number the women, and they have their own soap operas going on all the time. Because of this fact, I cut the sandwiches a different way for every person I work with, my station is never set up the same way twice in a row, and I NEVER air my opinion!!! Haha!!

Ahh, The Responsibilities Of Focused Blogging!!

Some of you may have noticed that some of the blog links I posted when I started this blog aren't available any more. Well, that's because this blog has a pretty focused purpose. I want this blog to have things that uplift and encourage people. It's supposed to be a spot where folks can find things that bring life, inspiration, and blessing.

As time passes a lot of blogs change. While I may still read them and enjoy them, they aren't the right fit for this blog anymore. So, yup, that's the editing process this blog goes through. =)

~ The Editor