Drag and Drop

Steam from my coffee cup swirls and I rub the sleep from my eyes. It’s an early morning with much to do and the bright computer screen pierces through the dark of 5:30am. I’m still hazy, trying to see and think clearly through my mind fog.

Even at this hour, the words and that same thought remain.

It’s the visual scenario I took away from last Sunday’s sermon. The thought of me sitting in a room void of all things and of all people…except Jesus. There’s only He and I with nothing but space and silence between us because words seem trite in His presence.

He’s sitting there open and ready to receive all that I hope to hand over to him. All the “stuff” weighing me down and bringing the strife…all the thorns of life that aren’t of Him.

Sort of like the computer screen glowing in early morning and the blinking cursor ready, waiting for that moment when I decide the burden is no longer mine to bear. Much like dragging computer documents from one full, oversized file into one with space available to handle it ALL.

It’s a simple drag-and-drop process, really.

I think of how I drag the worry, the fear, the inadequacies, one by bitter one and drop them into His capable hands. I drag ragged me to the hem of His garment and drop at His feet.

I drag the sharp words spoken in anger, the ones spun into the air without thought.

I drag the judging, the sarcasm and all the times I haven’t come through for those I love.           

I drag the guilt and the shame, too.

I drag the pain and hurt caused by others – it’s not mine, anymore!

One. By. Bitter. One.

I remove them from my mind and from my heart…from my “file” and hand them over.

It’s how salvation happens.

We come to Him dragging it all behind us; the ugly filth of it all. And He invites us to leave every shred of it behind; to leave it where it drops and cast not a single glance back - and to simply reach for His hand.

He’s there now ready for us all to simply drag and drop all that we have and all that we are…

to simply say “yes” to Him!

For if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. (Romans 10:9-10)

Give Thanks...and Repeat!

Sometimes, when it rains on your parade…or your party…or your wedding…OR your computer…all you can do is splash in the puddles.

Or add to that puddle with your own tears as I have the past couple of days.

I learned this truth recently when I lost a HUGE file I’d been working on for the past month or so. I’d put countless hours into it, finished everything down to the last detail and was ready to print.

But in an instant…gone! Lost! Tossed to oblivion never to be found again!  

I’m trying very hard to see the blessing in my situation. I’m trying to read into some sort of lesson in all of this. But I suppose it doesn’t really matter whether I understand it or not. God doesn’t owe me an explanation – I simply owe HIM my trust and my thanks…and start over, however painful and laborious that may be.

Give thanks in all circumstances and pray

without ceasing….and repeat!

For some reason, this scenario reminds me of growing up with horses. Out of our five, one was a stubborn little pony - very headstrong and didn’t like to be ridden. She’d bloat up when I saddled her and tightened the cinch only to pick some random spot in the pasture to buckle her legs and roll over with me still in the saddle! More than once I had to bail off to avoid being crushed. But I learned early on  that each time, it was necessary to take charge, to pull her back up on all fours, get back up in that saddle and start over until she did it right.

That whole scene happened THEN so I could draw from it NOW. That’s how God works.

Sometimes, I can get so involved in something that I overlook God’s bigger picture. Do you ever do that?

I believe there’s something to be gleaned from every situation, including this one. That certain “Aha!” moment when God’s hand becomes visible in the middle of our groaning and we realize why it had to come to pass. Why ALL that work was necessary only to be repeated for a bigger purpose.

Sometimes it’s like God says “Nope. You didn’t quite get all I wanted you to out of that experience. It’s time to go back to the drawing board and start over – trust me."

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:6)

 

Be Blessed

today and Everyday,

Debbie

 

 

 

 

 

 

Live Intentionally

Only a few days left between now and Christmas and a brisk wind stirs leaves around my feet as I walk. It’s the kind of cold that pierces right through as if you aren’t even wearing a coat. Trees toss their last remaining leaves to the frigid afternoon and I breathe in the hope of the season and the coming year.

So much to do and to hope for and all the while I’m thinking of these words that constantly spin around in my head much like the leaves:

~~Live Intentionally~~

I want to live as an intentional Christian.

To be intentional with my praise of Him!

To intentionally pray.

To intentionally give thanks.

To intentionally follow and believe.

To live on purpose……His purpose!

 The God of the universe intentionally created me – He intentionally created you. It’s not by chance that we belong to Him. Jesus intentionally loves us – when we say the wrong thing, do the wrong thing, when we’re quick to anger, when we’re overcome and overwhelmed – He’s there to pick us up, to forgive and to comfort.

Please remember, sweet sister, that you are intentionally a child of the Most High!

Let Him intentionally reign in your heart.

Wishing you Christmas Blessings and a beautiful New Year!

Debbie

He IS Enough!

I’ve done it again.

It’s 3am in a quiet house, but the thoughts in my head spin loud and hectic. I’ve opened the door to every kind of worry and fear known to me and there is no comfort found in my restlessness. All the things that threaten to steal my joy – all the barriers standing between me and my God rise up brighter and louder in the dark.

I call to God in my fretting, but it’s a struggle; my fears speak louder than the cries of my heart.

Why does this happen?

Why do I ALLOW it to happen time and time again when I’m still

in the palm of His hand.

When I’m STILL a child of the King?

But it’s “time and time again” that He’s already proven himself! He’s already cared enough. He’s already been present enough. He’s already loved me enough.

He’s already enough!

He’s brought me through all the other times of tossing and turning when daggers from the enemy pierce through the night robbing me of sleep and contentment. He’s already made a way and I’ve stood in the warm glow of His mercy and grace.

 

Finally, sleep does come.  He pushes the worries and fears to a darkened corner and I drift off reassured and knowing that I am His and He is mine.

He IS enough!

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.  (Psalm 23:4)

Be blessed today and always,

Debbie

Interview on Alive in Christ Radio Network

It was so much fun to be a guest on the Alive in Christ Radio Network. I was super nervous, but was grateful for the opportunity to share about my magazine, Christian Women's Voice. 

Alive in Christ has excellent programming and Toni and Lynn Marino were a blast to work with!

If you'd like to listen to the entire show, here's the link:

http://www.aliveinchristradio.com/alive-in-christ-radio-liner-notes/alive-in-christ-radio-112712.html

Transformed

I lit the candle on the buffet by the front door. Lit the one in the kitchen, too.

I fluffed the pillows on the couch and folded the throw blanket over the arm rest.

I checked the bread baking in the oven and adjusted the music from Classical to Christmas carols.

The lights and festive decorations across the fireplace mantle cast a warm glow to the living room and instantly my mood changed from hurried and distracted to centered and settled.

It’s amazing the impact just a few simple elements

can have on my mood and my whole outlook.

Sometimes, to bring real transformation about, you have to change your surroundings, or perhaps just a few simple, though important, elements – the ones that reach beneath the skin.

When we fill our lives with things that are not of the Lord…we become something other than what He desires for us.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2)

Real transformation takes place in the heart…right there where the Lord lives. Only He will make sense out of the chaos. Only He will bring about real transformation.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.  (2 Cor. 5:17)

Many Blessings,

Debbie

Celebrate the Season With Our Nov/Dec Issue!

Can you feel it in the air? That certain chill? That certain fragrance of the most special time of year? It’s got me breaking out the candles and fluffy throw blankets. I’m stocking up on firewood, my baking supplies and favorite coffees, and starting my secret shopping list; all the necessary items in shining up a season of joy and celebration.

Speaking of joy and celebration: now is the time to check out the new November/December issue of Christian Women’s Voice Magazine. Our contributors have shared their favorite holiday recipes and special family traditions. You’ll find great articles, contest winners, special features and SO much more! Let our brand new issue awaken your holiday spirit and…

Join us as we welcome the glorious season of Christmas!

Give the gift of hope and encouragement this Christmas with a 1-year subscription to Christian Women’s Voice Magazine!

Visit christianwomensvoice.org today!

Wishing you many blessings,

Debbie