Sunday, July 24, 2011

Check Mate

The chess board came to my mind, or any such similar effort because the statement was made 'I believe in God, but I am in control of my life'. On the one hand, you have me who at best can competently choose a path to achieve an end sidestepping, avoiding, and working my way through, if necessary, obstacles along my endeavor. I am even equipped to make judgements about the possibilities of what will likely occur and adjust appropriately.

On the other hand,  there is God (drum roll ... smile) who not only is the ace at accomplishing such a task of getting from point A to point B regardless of detriments, but He is fully packaged to know exactly what I will do, exactly what will happen, and exactly how it needs to resolve while allowing me the free will of putting forth my best. Actually this reminds me of the character Seth in Ted Dekker's novel Blink I just read, seeing all possibilities and choosing what works for the best. Bottom line ...Who's really in control?

Okay, the interaction is not as opponents, not challengers, nor gamers; endeavor? To overcome. Check Mate! I'm glad not just that God is my team mate, but moreso that I'm on His team!

Majority

When all I see is beyond me, whatever I alone bring to the table can only be insufficient, God is my sufficiency. I am fortified by His presence with and in me. It is certain peace and salve to my soul to know that God is in control even in His making of me, a place He chooses to dwell. As the pastor said "God and me are a majority"! Grateful!

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Let His Eyes be Your Mirror

from a young lady on facebook ... beautiful; she and her words of  wisdom ...
"encounter with the Father ... He allowed me to see myself through the eyes of His son Jesus and I cried like a baby because for the 1st time in my life I felt beautiful and I understood that He had made me according to His purpose for my life. I no longer feel insecure about my outside appearance bc it's what the Father wanted me to look like, and if that pleased Him then it pleased me. I worry about my inside appearance and being beautiful in heart and spirit so others can see the Jesus in me. Love yourself bc the Father lovingly created and fashioned you in his own image."
~the beautiful Loreine Alamillo

Sunday, July 17, 2011

watching what the watcher watches

In service during the sermon, I am usually to be found trying to be inconspicuous, taking copious electronic notes, and people-watching (something I do anyway, anywhere). However from the back row I have a different view of what the pastor sees from the pulpit from which I too can gain a sense of the receptivity to the message by watching people's non-verbal communication.

The young couple directly in front of me are a delight because they love each other - its new, its fresh, it's settling in for the long haul. They amused me today because of their knowing glances shared responding to the pastor's teaching and a bit of elbowing going on - I saw a little of the pastor and me as I observed their unspoken tête à tête. It is a wonderful perspective to see how God reaches us and reinforces things we already know and can share, remind, and encourage in each other. Cheers to today's couple - keep hearing God and communicating His Word to each other.