Dreaming...And Then Some

Lately, I have been working on making some of my God-given dreams a reality.  The first step in the process was to compile a list of dreams.....100 to be more precise.  Well, after a few days of thinking it through, I purchased a journal to use through this process and began to write down my dreams.  Big, little, and everything in-between that I could imagine.  Things I would love to do if money, time, talent etc were not an issue.  For someone who is more of a realist than a dreamer, this has been a much harder task than anticipated and has taken some significant time.  In total obsessive/compulsive fashion, I have made a commitment to myself to make sure that I jot down at least 100 dreams before beginning to work on them.  I did not put them in alphabetical order or categories, but believe me....I was tempted to do so!  Because I know myself and I know that once I reach 100 I will put a limit on what I think God can do with these dreams He has placed in me.......so I have also committed to adding to it as the Lord directs.  No limits!

Once the list reaches 100, I will continue to add to it as He directs, but I will also take the next steps in making a few of these dreams come to fruition.  This is what I am super excited about!

Having grown up with "less than" most people, I have never really been a dreamer.  My life approach has been to take each day as it comes.  So, the first dream that I have began to work on is to things about Heaven at least once a day.  Seems simple, even logical.  But to me, honestly, it always seemed so frivolous.  The Bible teaches that if you believe in Jesus and that He died on the cross for the sins of all humankind, and proclaim His name as the King of King and Lord of Lords in your heart and live, then you will go to Heaven when you die.  So, my thoughts have always been, "Why think about something that is already promised to happen?  What's the point in thinking about Heaven?"   Is it a coincident that He would have, "Think about Heaven at least once a day" as one of the first dreams that I wrote down in my dream journal?  I don't believe it was a coincident but rather a divinely inspired, long-forgotten dream placed in my heart one evening long ago when I was about 7 years old as I was laying down on the grass in my friend's backyard out under the stars one night wondering where I came from and why I am here.  It has been a blessing to think about Heaven each day for the past few weeks!  One thing I have discovered as I have been dreaming about Heaven is that my thoughts are not big enough to imagine its vastness!  To think that the Lord would have me first work on a dream to think about something each day that is so fast and endless and so unrestricted....yes, pretty sure He is giving me a glimpse of how He wants me to view these dreams as I begin to bring them into fruition in my life.  To dream so big that only He could make it come to pass. Amazing feeling!

Looking forward to working through this list of dreams, adding to it as I go and as He leads and so super stoked to see where it is He is leading me through this journey.  Whoot!

"If your dream isn't big enough to scare you.....it isn't big enough!"

Seagulls, Pecking Orders and Blessings

While driving to work the other morning, I was (as I do each morning) listening to K-Love radio and the morning host shared a recent incident in which the Lord spoke to him.  While feeding seagulls, he came to realize that there are three kinds of seagulls.  When a cracker is held out for them to eat, there are those seagulls who hang back and watch from a distance as though they are afraid to take the cracker.  Also, there are those who settle for hanging out on the ground and settle for the crumbs. Then there are those who go right in and take the entire cracker right from the hand of the giver.  His observation was that we are like the seagulls in that we choose to A.) observe from the sidelines, B.) settle for the crumbs of a blessing, or C.) go right in and take the gift from the Giver.

After hearing this, and knowing much about the ways of seagulls, it dawned on me that the seagulls react in certain ways because in their "culture" there is a pecking order.  The strongest and fittest are the ones to fly right in and take it from the giver's hand.  However, with the Lord, it is not this way!  We ALL have equal access to the blessings He hold out from His children.  While we settle for watching from the sidelines or picking up the crumbs left from others, He desires for all of us to have faith and trust enough to fly in and swoop up the blessings He holds out for us.

Now you, like me, might think that it is selfish to "grab up" the blessings He has in store for me.  Actually, He is FULL of blessings and is overjoyed to share the many blessings He has with each one willing to partake of them!

This insight and the wonderful analogy He gave to me as well has changed my outlook on blessings.  It is not that He is not wanting to, willing to, or going to bless me....it is whether or not I am wanting to, willing to, and going to dive in and take the blessing, giving Him full credit and thanks for His love for me.  It is not out of greed that we receive blessings, it isn't because we have earned the blessing or deserve it...it is that the Father wants to give us blessings and is elated when we accept what He is offering.

Getting Back Into It

It has been since last December that I posted anything here on my blogspot.  Feeling a prompt recently to get back into posting here, I thought it best to do a bit of catching up.

Dec of 2012 was my last post, and I was depressed a bit.  Our son had moved out and moved back in after a roommate issue.  Since then, he has moved back to Eugene, found employment and some great new roomies and is doing well.

Our daughter has moved out....moved back....moved out.....moved back and is now living here but gone much of the days in each month.  She is still "looking" for a job....we'll see where this goes.  LOL!

My husband recently went to Montana to help his sister move and to discuss the possibility of his parents moving closer to us all.  That will be nice.

In March, I took a huge leap of faith (for me anyway) and starting meeting with some other Christian gals at a twice monthly meeting titled Toast the King (part of the Mighty Women of Vision ministry based in Eugene).  It has been great to see who the Lord brings to our meetings!  I have set some goals to get the word out and will see where God takes us.  So exciting!!  It was with humility and honor that I took another leap of faith and spoke at the June Community of Unity (also part of the Mighty Women of Vision ministry) meeting in Eugene.  God had given me an old lesson with a new spin.......you are loved, God can redeem anyone from anything and we are His daughters!

It is wonderful to be doing what I feel God has for me to do.  I plan to start writing a book about God's grace in the lives of women and will begin the process in the fall......Lord leading of course. :)

Wanting to get back into the swing of things and focus on blogging a bit more.  Looking forward to opportunities to use my gifts as He sees fit.

Joyful in Depression

It has been a rough season for me personally.  With Christmas coming and going and very little under the tree this year, I was beginning to get a bit depressed.  Not at all usual for me.  With having to use up my remaining vacation time I have earned at work, I was able to take some time and find joy in the depression that wanted to surround me.  We were not able to "go" anywhere or "do" anything for my vacation due to financial restraints, but I have been able to find some time to "go" along in my faith walk and to allow Him to "do" many things in my heart of hearts.  From the trials of owning our own businesses to the ups and downs of my other job, a close relative facing prison time, a son moving home again after struggling to make it on his own, and a few other things that are to personal to mention here, it has been a rough time for sure. BUT, I know that through all of these trials, God is teaching us a lesson or two or three. 

The Lord has used James Chapter 1 to speak to me lately and I wanted to share this passage.  It is so encouraging to know that there is good even in the things that so often times seem bad to us.  God is at work in and through the trials of life.  How often do I disregard the fact that even in the trials of life....God is in the center of it all!  Hopefully, you will find strength toady in these words written so very long ago....a reminder that God is always near to those He loves and calls His own!

^{James 1: 2-12}

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. ⁴ Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. ⁶ But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸ he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

⁹ The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. ¹⁰ But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. ¹¹ For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.

¹² Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Treasure of Friendship

Just taking a moment to share something I came across today.  This is from a daily devotional I receive.  It was written by Joan Horner.  Thought I would share it here.  Her is what Joan has to say:

The Treasure of Friendship

We need friends. They multiply our joys and divide our sorrows. They serve as mirrors to show us things about ourselves we need to see. Friendships are stronger many times than family relationships. We are able to relax and allow more easily for the faults of our friends.

Now, is't that the truth?  My friends laugh with me, cry with me, call me just to chat about nothing in particular, love me through thick and thin, help me through life's big and little problems, tell me the truth....even if it hurts, love me deeply, care for me intensely, and make me smile when my heart hurts beyond words.  They know when to speak, what to say and how to say it.  They keep quiet when needed and scream if they have to.  Love you, my friends and I am so grateful that the Lord saw fit for us to be friends!

A Visitor Here

Today I was supposed to work, but for reasons that have the potential to depress me if I talk about them, I did not work.  While driving home, I realized that I was going to be able to attend the remaining church service.  I found a place to park and as I entered the church building, the new pastor (whom I have yet to meet) was saying something about "the people parish....or as my father used to say they will find a new parish."  Everyone laughed and then he proceeded with his sermon.  It was an odd feeling I had as I approached the sanctuary and began the search for my hubby among the many who were all looking toward the pulpit.  I was unable to find him and thought that perhaps he had not attended the service today for some reason.  It was at this point that it occurred to me that this feeling is something that many have felt when entering a church.  It has only been about 2 months since I was last attended church due to my work schedule.....how must it feel for those who have not attended for many years or maybe never!  It must be absolutely, overwhelmingly uncomfortable.  This is my church home and when I didn't see Dale there today (he told me later that he was sitting on the back row which is up against the wall...the only place I didn't search for him) I simply left.  It was a very uncomfortable feeling to be there in the middle of it all and to not feel a part of it all.  This feeling stuck with me this whole afternoon and I can only imagine how those who have been gone from church for so long must feel extremely uncomfortable.  Hopefully, soon I will be able to attend again and my work schedule will change so that that is possible.  If not, I will continue to listen to K-Love, read my Bible each day and study His work and pray.  Just because I am not there physically at church, I am staying connected to the Vine through time spent talking with Him (prayer) and time spent listening to Him (reading His work and time spent following His example (doing things in my life that He has called me to do).  I do miss many in my church family and have heard that a few miss me as well. It was a strange feeling today to be back in church, but I feel the Lord showed me that he wants me to be a bit more compassionate toward other "visitors" when they get up the nerve to come back to church or actually show up for the first time. :)

June Is Here!

So my attempt to post a blog-a-day-for-the-month-of- May went better than I expected.  I think I only missed about 5 days.......4 of them being the last four days of the month....oooops!  Not bad, considering everything that is currently going on in my little world.  

Today,  I wanted to share the following revelation that took place in my heart.  Why is it that I often want the Lord to extend grace to me, but then on the other hand, grace is the last thing I want to extend to another?  Why is it that instead, I want the Lord to somehow hold that person accountable for their actions (or lack of action)?  Shouldn't I seek for them the same degree of forgiveness that I expect the Lord to extend to me at times when I am sinning, rebelling or otherwise choosing my own way over His?  hummm.....got me thinking about times that I have asked forgiveness for a sin in my life and then held another person accountable for the sin in their life?  The word hypocrite came to mind.  Harsh and hard for me to take.....but when I want someone else to have forgiveness withheld, I am in fact being just that....a hypocrite.  Ouch!  

Not wanting to do this, I have started to pray for those who offend me/sin against me/irritate me/annoy me etc. wow...now THERE is an idea...extend grace to others as He has to me.  Hmmmm....what a great idea!  It is amazing to me the difference that this heart-change has made in my life lately!  What freedom there is not only in being forgiven, but in forgiving!  Thanks you Lord for your example of how to forgive!