MyDivineJourney

May 28, 2011 Leviticus 19:18 (GW) "Never get revenge. Never hold a grudge against any of your people. Instead, love your neighbor as you love yourself. I am the LORD." Last night I had one of those discussions with my college-age daughter, and she said to me, “Don’t come at me side-ways.” I am convicted because many times I don’t handle parenting in a direct way. Instead, I get irritated because she doesn’t “read my mind.” You can probably relate. I am learning to deal with my shortcomings by using God’s word and his promptings in my spirit. My usual method of parenting was typically best described as: “I am the grown up; I have been there and I know best.” But many times I don’t know best, even when I think that I do . And, I tend to react with my old habits. Many of us have old habits that God changes as we do life in his power. The "Christianese" name for it is “ sanctification .” It’s a lifetime process, but awareness is available when we desire to k...

May 21, 2011 2 Corinthians 5:20   (The Message) We're Christ's representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things right between them. We're speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he's already a friend with you. After putting up a façade of perfection for many years, I still struggle with the fact that God uses my weaknesses to touch the lives of others. Whether I write, minister to the ill, facilitate a small group or tell others about Christ, I have to be real. I struggled with believing that God even existed. I couldn’t believe that he would come through for me during my saddest times. I didn’t want to give up my false sense of control and my many weaknesses. I just didn’t believe that God loved me. The Lord was waiting for me to surrender all when he became real in my life. The refining process has been sobering since he changed my life. Honestly, I would rather sa...

5/11/2011 Psalm 63:7 You have been my help. In the shadow of your wings, I sing joyfully. ♥ Life is so much easier and sweeter when we realize that God has a hand in all the amazing things that happen in our lives and in the lives of our family. Today I had a conversation with an acquaintance that made me realize how beautiful it is to be aware and acknowledge that God takes care of all the details of my life. She told me how her son keeps getting the right college financial aid package year after year and she can’t explain it. She marveled at what “luck” he has had. I replied, "I call that the grace of God." She replied, "It's what it is. I don't know."  For it’s by God’s hand that circumstances benefit our lives – after all he works all things together for our good. How amazing it would be if this person opened her eyes to see that God has her son under the shadow of his wings.

May 9, 2011 Psalm 103:8 The LORD is merciful! He is kind and patient, and his love never fails. ♥ Psalm 23:6 Your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life. It has been one of those exhausting days. I haven’t taken time to pray, to take in the power of the Lord or much less thank him for the divine ways he orchestrates the details of my daily life. Instead, I chose to do things my way. I tend to specialize in “my way” knowing that it’s never the best way. But there is something powerful about God. He never lets go especially when he knows that you truly seek his heart. He can easily let me go because he knows that I am a carnal, selfish creation. Yet he hangs on and tugs at my heart. ♥

My mom's health has been declining lately, so I think it's important that she reads how I feel about her now. Over the years, our family has struggled in many ways, as all of us do. But God has a way of bringing all of us back together. I am so glad that He gave me the ability to appreciate the great things about my mother and not dwell on the past. If you are struggling with your family, give it to God and remember that your family didn't get to choose you either. Exodus 20:12 (Contemporary English Version) Respect your father and your mother, and you will live a long time in the land I am giving you. Leviticus 19:3 (New Century Version) “You must respect your mother and father, and you must keep my Sabbaths. I am the LORD your God.” Proverbs 1:8 (Amplified Bible) My son, hear the instruction of your father; reject not nor forsake the teaching of your mother. Proverbs 6:20 (New International Version, ©2011) My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake ...