Becoming Every Day

I've often described myself as a "loved and forgiven child of God."  A week or so ago as I was talking to a dear family member, I stressed that I was a "flawed" and forgiven child of God.

Although that sounds, "surface good," it's good only as long as I will remember the forgiven part. I can then accept that I am no longer in the "flawed" catagory.  Jesus' death on the cross erased that part of my identity.  He made me clean and new.

Jesus' sacrifice for us changed our identity, but we can still keep on "becoming" - becoming more like Him.  Oh yes, we still struggle with the opportunity to mess up and mar the beautiful work that Jesus did when He died for us.  But we can still become examples, as dearly loved children of the King.  

Children, when they are asked what they  want to be, or to do when they grow up, may give grandious answers.  Possibly, they may plan on "becoming" an astronaut, the president, superman, or even like mom or dad.  

While they plan on "becoming" something special, they don't always know that they already are.  The innocence of that is so beautiful.  

And, as we grow and age, sometimes we forget that we can
still keep on "becoming."

So,  

May I greet each morning in a way
that I don't mar the beauty
of my Savior's sacrifice 

of love.

But, may I then remember it's ok 

to "keep becoming" as I pray,

awake, 

 "becoming " every day

 more like my Father, 

God above.

No matter where I am in life, I still want to strive to "keep becoming."

Words Again

more words

Words from the mouth of God
"Wisdom comes from the heart of God."

Quotes from the Book of Proverbs – The Bible

For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.  Out in the open wisdom calls aloud.  She raises her voice in the public square; on top of the wall she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech:

Every word of God is flawless. 

He is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Proverbs 30:5 (NIV)

A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word!

The soothing tongue is a tree of life.

The tongue of the righteous is choice silver.
    
The lips of the righteous nourish many.

The one who has understanding holds their tongue.

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves.

A gentle answer turns away wrath.
 
The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge.
     
The tongue of the wise brings healing.

Whoever would foster love covers over an offense.
    
The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint,
and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.

Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.

You will notice that I chose to include only positive parts of those proverbs - If I had included the warnings, I wouldn't have been able to get them all on one post.  Besides these gave me plenty to think about and work on.  Wow! 

I took these thoughts from several versions of the Bible and you'll find that some of the wording might be a little different, but I've tried very hard to keep the thoughts true to the Bible.  

words

I've been thinking about words recently, having spent some time in the book of Proverbs.  There are so many references to the way we use our voices.  Next time I'll share the verses that really impacted my thoughts - but for now......

Words can help or hurt.

Words can wound or heal.

Words begin with thoughts.

Words show what we feel.

God has given speech to human-kind to use.

May I watch the words I say
and speak in such a way

that doesn't wound, it soothes.

Misunderstanding!

This is a strange  word, how can a person "miss" understand? 

 Sometimes when I speak, my words don't truly express true feelings - not lying, just not saying things in a way that speaks gently of what is really in my heart.

So many of our words today just become "sound bites."  They are little bites of noise that become what someone "expects" to hear, not what we really wanted to say to them.  

Maybe it's because we think that person will understand,  because they know us?  Or maybe we think they know us, and they truly don't.

Or, there are those who, by nature of their personalities, can just not say anything - just keep their opinions to themselves.  Many times I wish I was one of those people.  

There are also those who good-heartedly want to FIX, and while trying to do that. they feel they must say something!  

And of course there are those who of us that sometimes do not think, and we  just blurt out whatever is on our minds.

So what is the answer to this "miss" understanding?

I suppose that it would be to think before we speak.  

Wow!  That is a concept!

The Veil is Thinnng

 

Do you ever notice as the rain falls from on high

how it tends to touch your heart or makes you want to sigh?

Do you ever stop and think,

 and sadly wonder 

why? 

Could it be that you see God’s own tears within the sigh?

Tears full of love

Tears full of pride

But tears filled with pain,

because

you’re dissatisfied.

  

So when you feel the rain, the wetness on your face,

maybe you will wonder if it’s from another place.

Has the veil between your world and heaven perfect land

begun to thin,

as you begin

 to touch the Father’s hand?

 

God touches your heart in those “thin veil” ways, in the voice of a violin, the moon’s subtle rays.

 

Or

The scent

 that sweet perfume sends out in that hour

with

God’s comfort and peace from the heart of a flower.

 

Has the veil between your world and heaven’s perfect land

 begun to thin

as you begin

to feel your Father’s hand?

This morning 

May I fall on my knees in humble awareness

of your glory, your majesty, power and might.

May I look at the sunrise in wide-eyed amazement

at the brilliance, the splendor, you hid in the night.

May my heart fill with wonder at the sparkle of dew drops 

May I wake to the presence of you in my sight.

May I see that the morning is painted with beauty

on the canvas of love,

By  

The painter

The Light.