What do you expect?

I have had this blog in the making for a few weeks, but had a hard time finishing it.   Expectations are such a touchy subject.  We need to have some expectations, but unmet expectations can destroy relationships.   Where is the balance?

So it got me thinking..............  

Why do we get disappointed in people?

Why do we often run instead of stick things out?

Why do we get disappointed when “some person” can’t fix us? (our problems)

When our heart hurts because of unmet expectations that we have placed on someone, we desire our “hurt heart” to heal ASAP!  No one likes to hurt.     Then, we can begin to live out of that hurt.   We pursue harder and harder “expecting”  someone will help us.    When that doesn’t happen, we are disappointed in that person, begin to pursue another, and/or run!   The cycle can be unending.

So what is the alternative?      Seek God above all else, give Him your hurt (no really, give it to Him and don’t take it back), and give Him time to heal the wound.   In the mean time, keep walking in love and service to others.  Don’t put expectations on others that will only lead to disappointment.   God never meant for someone other then Himself to “fix us”.  He is a jealous God. He wants all of us, depending on Him!

There is only one that will always meet our expectations as long as they line up with His word.   God.

I expect Him to walk through my hurt with me, because He said He would.    I must seek Him before “a person” and give Him TIME to heal me.   In our impatience , we seek out people to fix us, only to be disappointed, because God wants us to come to Him.   

Don’t hear what I am NOT saying.  We need each other!   We need to encourage each other as we walk out life.    God asks us to love each other, not fix each other; Not be disappointed because our expectations of each other are not met.   

When you look at others, see what God values in them, not the things that need to be fixed.   That is God’s job!   Give him time to work, while we have grace!

Our job:   Seek God always, at all times!  (good and hard times)   When we hurt, take some extra time,  run to him, sit in a quiet place, spend time with Him and in His word.  Put your Ipod in your ear filled with praise.    Give your wound time to heal, knowing that God is doing the complete healing.    Then continue to walk in love with people as the healing takes place.

As we all know.........It’s a choice!!

 

Love me please........

Love me please.............

We all want to be loved!  Some will try everything and anything to be loved.   Some crave love from a certain person (a spouse, friend etc.)  so badly , they try to force it to happen.   If it doesn’t happen , then they are hurt.  The more that person tries , out of that hurt,  the more unlovable they become.

What makes us loveable?   

So this got me thinking.......................  Which again, brought me back to I Cor. 13. 

I know, I know, this chapter again!   But please........ Think about it!   When we truly get this  , off the pages into our hearts, can you imagine what God could do with the body of Christ!?

God knew that love had to be the most important thing.  That’s why He said it!  He knew that our personalities would clash, and could potentially destroy.

As we learned through this study;  God has made all of us unique, with our own personality,  perfectly crafted for what He needs. Psalms 139

I believe that walking in the I Cor. 13 kind of love, is exactly what makes us loveable.

Then why is this so hard?    That is the very question I am seeking God about.

Because when we GET this,   nothing can break the unity of the body.

The only thing I know for sure, is what I Cor. 13 says:     So here....... read it again and place your name in the blanks:

_______ is patient and kind: _______does not envy or boast:  _______ is not arrogant or rude: _______ does not insist on its own way: _______ is not irritable or resentful:

______ does not rejoice at wrongdoing: _______ rejoices with the truth:  ______ bears all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Really!   Meditate on this.......... I am!  I must!

Ruth

watch what you say today..........

as i ponder my life today and i am reminded to say the end result.......not what i am seeing or feeling....the Lord is walking me down a path that in a lot of ways i must be quiet....i could say...i didn't sign up for this.........this is not what i expected to happen......but girls i did sign up for everyday to walk with Him in all circumstances to bring Him glory and honor.....not me....it's not about me..........is it......we learned many things in our last study with beth moore....the fruit of the spirit is good and will take us to new heights in our walk with Him.....i praise Him and worship Him for the journey that He has us on..........no matter how difficult it may seem....He is right by our side.......that empowers us to soar with Him with joy and a strength we have never known.....enjoy and praise Him for the day He has once again so graciously given us......
robbye

Reflections from the last session.

I missed you all Friday night.  I am thankful that Robbye brought the DVD to me.  I watched it Sunday night, then again Monday morning.    Incredible!

I wanted to share the points that stood out to me.   

Of course , the freedom part about our physical bodies was huge, but I will not elaborate on that at this point.

Point:  We can say what we believe all we want, but how are we walking?   I love this!   Our lives reflect what we truly believe.   How many times do you see people SAYing what they believe, but walking in a different direction.  It just doesn’t work that way.

Point: We are not puppets!   I love that she brought the puppet out as a visual.

This is truth in it’s purest way!   God is right there when we need him.   He is waiting for one thing:  Us to CHOOSE!   Everyday we choose to walk in His direction and guidance, or our own.    God will never force us to walk with Him,  he just waits for us to choose!  

I think that sometimes we are sitting, waiting on God to make a move, when all along, he is waiting for us to move.    Once we choose Him and choose to “do life” His way, then He can take over.   What does that look like?................. it is so simple.   Do what He says in His Word.    God has an answer for every situation we face.   Don’t try to solve it  by your own knowledge, look up verses in the bible and do what it says.  It works!  There is no way around it.

God will let us make mistakes (and we all will), but hopefully we will learn from them and get right back on track.

I am so thankful that God gave us a way.  The way!   If we are to walk in the fruits of the spirit like we have learned through this study,  we must choose to.  

Point: Radical restoration requires radical repentance.   This is a WOW point if I have ever heard one.    There is not much elaboration for this point.   It just plainly states the truth.

This study has been awesome.  I went through it before, but it didn’t impact me last time like it has this time.    Jesus gives me a reason to wake up in the morning, give up my own agenda, because He is right with me, we can handle things together.

Love you girls!  See you soon.

Ruth

 

 

Tuesday Top Ten

Good evening, friends.  Hope this blustery, potentially stormy evening finds everyone doing well. I'm angry with winter, so today's top ten contains my frustrations on this subject.

Ten Reasons I'm Soooo Over Winter:

1. Old Man Winter never showed up.  He stood me up with only the occasional tease he might decide to go ahead and come.  I don't like being stood up. 
2. He'll probably decide to show up around March for a brief fling, expecting me to just be happy he came at all, when the reality is that I'll just be mad that my newly planted flowers will freeze.  
3. He left me wanting.  Only dreams of hot chocolate, snowmen, and scarves and hats. 
4. I've got fever.  And by that I mean the spring variety.  Just the mere signs of things in stores that are green and have soil is enough to woo me over and forget all about my winter woes.
5. I love waking up really cold in the morning and snuggling under the covers, but these days I'm not lingering around that much to snuggle so I don't miss it all that much.  Plus it's still cold in the mornings in springtime so I can have the best of both worlds.
6. I like wearing flip flops to work in the Pilates studio.  Can't do that when it's 20 degrees in the morning.
7. I'm dying to get out in my yard and play with new pretty things to plant.
8. The weather has been just warm enough to be delicious.  Not too hot.  Very enticing.  Nothing like feeling the sun on your face.  And a great boost of Vitamin D for health and mood enhancement :)
9. Winter thought he'd satisfy all of my longings by just spitting out a little ice and sleet.  Putting in the least amount of effort possible when I know what he's capable of.  How disappointing.
10. I'm just tired of getting my hopes up.  Hope deferred makes the heart sick.  A girl's just gotta move on, you know?

Come to think of it, summer is about the only season that doesn't disappoint around here.  And I love summer as much as the next person, but the variety and beauty of each season is something I really treasure.  And now, with a tinge of sadness, I am officially skipping over winter in my heart and giving my affections over completely towards spring.  Picked up some new flowers for my window today as a matter of fact.  Just couldn't stand it.  They call to me in the store.  They know how to get me.  Unlike winter, spring is coming with the flowers (no pun intended), candy, and a new song - what can I say, I'm a romantic at heart :)  The idea and thought of new life springing up is especially wonderful this time. Here's to the glorious spendor of Spring, and may he come soon.

First Time for Everything;)

Okay, this is the first time Ive ever tried this so here it goes. Its not really a blog as much as an update or thank you note.

First of all I want to let all yall know that this was the first week that I have been faithful to do my study EVERYDAY this past week. That is a big deal for me. I am really trying to be faithful to do the little things everyday for a long period of time. And I did it for one week so far. Yeah Me!

I also just want to say that if yall missed WOW this morning, you missed out greatly! I love and appreciate Ruth and all she is teaching me and walking out with me right now. Ruth I love you and thank you for discipling me in every area of my life. Not just spiritually but with everyday life. I need both greatly.

Ruth told a story about Starfish this morning and I feel like Im one of those starfish that Ruth is making a difference in and helping get back into the water. This is probably not making much sense to most of yall but Im just so glad that we are surrounded by such strong women in our group to help, at least, me grow in all the areas of my life. Kacee, Mom, and Ruth, yall are making a difference in my life on a daily basis and I will be forever greatful. And Im sure my family is greatful also.

Cant wait to see yall Friday night. Well hopefully I will see yall tomorrow and Wednesday first.

Liz

Easy or Empowered?

As I glanced at my home page this morning and scrolled down a little, I saw this caption “Easy or Empowered?”.   It had absolutely nothing to do with the Christian life, actually It had to do with something totally void of Christain values.  But...........  it got me thinking?

Do you (I) want to live an easy life or an empowered life?

Just “existing” in this life is the easy way to live.   Making it through the day by day grind of life, isolating oneself , giving up as soon as we make a mistake, or giving up when a relationship gets difficult.   An easy life sounds easy, but it produces no fruit.   We must live an empowered life to be able to produce the fruit..... love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (the things that make life enjoyable!)  

“Empowered living” is given to us by God through the Holy spirit.   It is the “enabling’ to function at a level that is beyond ourselves.

An empowered life allows us to learn by our mistakes and keep trying until we get it right.  

The empowered life is not always easy, but it’s one of great joy, incomprehensible peace, intimacy with our Father, and rest for our souls.

An empowered life is accompanied by joy and peace that transcends our circumstances and is often in spite of circumstances.  God has promised to go through tough spots with us. He has given us the honor of serving Him. 

When we trust Him by faith and make Him our all in all, life carries a joy and richness that only comes from the empowered life, but can be lost when we make life all about us and the passing things of this world.

I have lived both ways.    The empowered life takes more effort....... seeking God above all else , studying His word, applying the truth to our lives, but it’s the only way to fully live!

Easy or Empowered?  Choose!

Ruth