GIVE ME YOUR EYES...I WANT YOUR IDENTITY...

TRANSFORMING THURSDAY

Today is the National Day of Prayer. Oh, how I want to stay connected in prayer throughout everyday to my Heavenly Father! I don't want to "say my prayers" as if it were some rote obligation. I want to have a daily relationship / communication with my Heavenly Daddy! I want my identity to be in Him. I want people to say that they "see Him in me"!

.

In fact, this last weekend as I spent time with our new grandbaby, we discussed how it looks like little Chloe resembles her mommy's side of the family from the nose down and our side of the family from the nose up. That must mean that she has "her daddy's eyes".

.

Last night, in our Thessalonians class, Glynn led us in a discussion of chapter 5. We spent quite a bit of time on vss. 4-8: our identity and our responsibility. We talked alot about us being "CHILDREN OF LIGHT". It reminded me of the verse in Ephesians 5 that says, "...you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord."

.

Of course, I want to learn what is pleasing to the LORD. So, in true Patti fashion, I needed to give myself some kind of connection. I thought about our scripture from yesterday and, of course, Matthew 5. If I want my Heavenly Daddy's eyes...if I want to learn from Him and imitate Him...if I want His identity...then, making it my practice to live in the LIGHT as His child is what I need to be doing today and everyday.

.

I came home after class and constructed these 2 "Handouts for Children of Light" on WORD documents. The first one is symbolic of a staircase going up to the sun as an illustration of 1 Peter 1:1-11. The second one is from Christ's Sermon on the Mount when He tells us that The Blessed Life is the way to be THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.

.

I challenge you to internalize these concepts...talk to God about them...

• P lugged into



• R ighteousness



• A ll the time with



• Y ahweh



• E verywhere and



• R ight now!
  

.

.

.

CHILDREN

OF

LIGHT

ARE

TRANSFORMED!

.

.

CHILDREN

OF

LIGHT

ARE

TRANSFORMING!

.

.

GIVE ME YOUR EYES...HELP ME TO NOT BE BLIND OR SHORT-SIGHTED...

.
As I flew into Chicago on Saturday, I got a very minimal glimpse of what God sees. He sees the spiritual thoughts and intents of the hearts of every person who lives in each house, apartment, condo, townhome, trailer, tent... He knows them by name. As the scripture in the box above says, He is willing to "direct my footsteps according to His WORD..." so that we will not stumble. He also offers us the secret to having His spiritual eyesight...

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE ANSWERS THESE QUESTIONS:

1. How can I keep from being spiritually blind and short-sighted?


2. Is it possible to never "stumble" spiritually?

.

2 Peter 1:5-11

Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence:

• in your faith supply moral excellence
  
• and in your moral excellence, knowledge


• and in your knowledge, self-control,


• and in your self-control, perseverance,
  
• and in your perseverance, godliness;


• and in your godliness, brotherly kindness,
  
• and in your brotherly kindness, love.

.

8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; 11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you."

.

May these words sink deep in your heart today, sister. Come back tomorrow and let's talk about how they can be transforming!

GIVE ME YOUR EYES...TO SEE WHAT I'M GRATEFUL FOR...

GRATITUESDAY
.
I'm so thankful today that my eyes
have been able to behold
my new grandaughter.
I'm so thankful today that my arms
have been able to hold
my new grandaughter.
I'm so thankful today that my lips
have been able to kiss
my new grandaughter.
I'm so thankful today that my ears
have heard the sounds of
my new grandaughter.
I'm so thankful today that my LORD
knit Chloe together in Jacqueline's womb.
I'm so thankful
my LORD created Chloe!
.
I read PSALMS 139
and rejoice that I can read it and
find that this scripture applies to me.
Someday,
Chloe will read it
and find that it applies to her.
I am so grateful!
May you find this scripture put to video
a blessing to your day.

.

GIVE ME YOUR EYES...TO SEE WHAT'S CLOSEST TO ME...THE NEED OF THE MOMENT...

MEDITATION MONDAY

.

Each Monday on this blog, I share with you something to contemplate or ponder on that I heard from the day before on Sunday, whether it be: worship, communion, prayer, the sermon/lesson, Bible class, fellowship, or life group. I am currently in Chicago visiting our oldest son, Jordan, his wife Jacqueline, and their new baby daughter, Chloe. They are members of the Cardinal Drive church of Christ. My yesterday included our drive to their Sunday morning services, the sermon, being with baby Chloe, and one other thing ...

.

1. On the way to Cardinal Drive, Jordan saw the need of the moment and said "time to sing". We started out singing my mom's favorite hymn "I Serve a Risen Savior" and continued singing until we reached our destination about 15 minutes later. It was a special time of encouragement.
2. Their preacher, John Wright, gave a lesson entitled "Are You Building On What You've Been Given?" He connected with the parable of the talents (everyone has been given some kind of talent(s). Are we using those talents to bless others? To serve? To meet the needs of the moment? He stressed the words SLOTH and SLOTHFUL. He referred to an essay entitled, "SLOTH-The Seventh Deadly Sin - Keeps You from Becoming the Person You Could Be". Then he took us to 2 Peter 1:1-11. I nudged Jordan. We both smiled. We were going to one of Steve's favorite scriptures. One our kids have heard many times over the years. Steve draws a tall healthy tree with a nice root system and then diagrams these verses starting at the root system. John didn't use a tree to show these verses. After discussing talents and "sloth", he said that he was taking us to these verses because we had some very important decisions to make about our lives. It's time to quit ignoring what needs to be done in our lives. This is where he suggested we get started:

• 2 Peter 1:1-11 "...His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness... ...make every effort to add to your faith...goodness...knowledge...self-control... perseverance... godliness... brotherly kindness... love... possess these qualities in increasing measure (in other words "grow in them") ... if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind... forgetting the he has been cleansed from his past sins... "

What did I take from John's lesson? Alot! In connection with our theme this week? Well, since we're looking this week at God giving us His eyes, maybe we need to look more at these verses on Wednesday because I don't want to be spiritually nearsighted or blind!

.

3. Last night as we were visiting at the apartment, Jordan said, "So, we sang Grandma Klein's favorite song in the car this morning...and during church services we sang her dad's favorite song: 'He First Loved Me' ... what are some other family favorites?" Here's a few we discussed:

.

• Papa Sikes': I Come to the Garden Alone
• Mama Sikes: Led by the Master's Hand (one of hers)
• Steve's: Softly and Tenderly
• Mine: Because He Lives (one of mine)
• Grandpa Klein's: This World Is Not My Home
• Granny Carron's and Bob Keesee's: Nearer Still Nearer
• Jordan: Mansions Over the Hilltop (one of his)

.

Oh, what better eyes we have to see when we know the likes and dislikes of those we love. Steve likes brown. I like red and purple. Steve likes mexican and so do I. Steve likes peace. I like action.

.

4. The need of the moment is obvious in this apartment: SLEEP. Chloe has been uncomfortable. She's been cranky. She's feeding every two hours or less. Mommy and Daddy need sleep. I pray that I will have the eyes to see the need of the moment today!

.

.

GIVE ME YOUR EYES

SUNDAY IN THE SON
.

Yesterday, I flew into Chicago Midway airport from Philadelphia. Flying over two major U.S. cities is humbling. I cannot imagine what God sees. Yet, down below I know there are millions of lost and dying people in need of a Savior. God offers His mercy, grace, and forgiveness to all those who seek Him and find Him. God asks us to be His hands and feet.
.
Last week, this song was named the #1 christian song of the year at the Dove awards. It is a new song to me. The song starts out with the singer looking down from a plane on the lights of a city. It articulates some of the things that we have been talking about recently on this blog. I can't get the words of this song out of my head! Jesus, give me your eyes!
.
Here is Brandon Heath's song lyrics and video link:
.

Looked down from a broken sky

Traced out by the city lights
My world from a mile high
Best seat in the house tonight
Touched down on the cold black top
Hold on for the sudden stop
Breath in the familiar shock
Of confusion and chaos
All those people going somewhere,
Why have I never cared?

Chorus:
Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
Ones that are far beyond my reach.
Give me your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see
Yeah
Yeah
yeah
yeah

Step out on a busy street
See a girl and our eyes meet
Does her best to smile at me
To hide what's underneath
There's a man just to her right
Black suit and a bright red tie
Too ashamed to tell his wife
He's out of work
He's buying time
All those people going somewhere
Why have I never cared?

Chorus
Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
Ones that are far beyond my reach.
Give me your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see
Yeah
Yeah
yeah
yeah

I've Been there a million times
A couple of million eyes
Just moving past me by
I swear I never thought that I was wrong
Well I want a second glance
So give me a second chance
To see the way you see the people all along

Chorus (x2)
Give me your eyes for just one second
Give me your eyes so I can see
Everything that I keep missing
Give me your love for humanity
Give me your arms for the broken hearted
Ones that are far beyond my reach.
Give me your heart for the ones forgotten
Give me your eyes so I can see
Yeah
Yeah
yeah
yeah

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OihvG607W-c
.
.
NOTE: I have no idea why there is a Macy's ad on my blog. If anyone has an idea how to get it off of here please let me know. ps
.

EVERLASTING GOD...YOU NEVER LET GO...AND YOU ALWAYS PROVIDE

KETCHUP AND MUSTARD SATURDAY

(Catch Up and Must Do)

.
1.
I'm in Chicago at Jordan and Jacqueline's with my new Grandaughter, Chloe! Praise Him! Crystal, our youngest daughter, met me here and we're having some very special GIGI and AUNTIE bonding time with Chloe!
.
2.

SPRING GIVE-AWAY WINNER!
.
CONGRATULATIONS TO: Wanda
.
Jordan and Crystal helped me with the drawing for A NAMES OF JESUS framed print.

Wanda won our Spring Give-Away! When I return home from Chicago, I plan to mail Wanda her beautiful framed print.
.
Wanda commented that her favorite God name is "Jehovah-jireh......the God who provides. Cause He always does."
.
3.
.
Here are a few of my favorite Facebook status' for this week. Thank you to my God loving friends:
.

• thinks it's interesting that whenever she prays about finances, she gets an opportunity to work harder rather than winning the lottery. But hey, the bills get paid!

• “Live in such a way that those who know you but don’t know God, will come to know God because they know you.”

• “Enjoy the little things in life…for one day you’ll look back and realize they were the big things.”

• Good news: Jesus was born! Good news: He died on the cross! Good news: He rose again! Good news: He's coming back soon! Good news!

• Life is so short and we have so little time to spend with those we love. I have lost 2 good friends in the past 4 weeks. My friend was murdered and my friend, G. died yesterday while undergoing a heart transplant. He was only 35. Take time today to tell everyone you love how precious they are to you. This is to tell all of you that I love you and hold you close to my heart!

EVERLASTING GOD...YOU NEVER LET GO...

It's the end of the semester! It should never get this way but it does...piles...mess... Oh, in the next few weeks there will be much grading to do and grades to post... but for today...I've got to do some cleaning...in fact, changing over from winter clothes to spring/summer clothes...after all, our college young 'un is coming home next week to spend the summer and I can't find her bedroom:)... Time for Spring Cleaning!!!!

.

Here's our office across the hall from our bedroom...yet, it often becomes Patti's office... here's the computer last night with over 2,000 messages in the inbox... and lots of papers to file...I think I've gotten behind at some point this semester!!!




.

Steve and I like to sit together on the little couch but alas my papers have taken over! The light highlights the mess in my study! Yet, there are alot of other messes I daily make in my home, in my work and in my relationships. Please don't judge me for it! I don't need that kind of stress.

.






.


Okay, I know April is over, but I still must refer to the Sermon on the Mount. Even though I really get bothered when my house is messy...I try to keep focused on where my treasure really is.. And, right here in the Sermon on the Mount are verses that encourage me with what I've been thinking....

Matthew 6:19-7:5
19 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth,

where moth and rust destroy,

and where thieves break in and steal.

20 "But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,

where neither moth nor rust destroys,

and where thieves do not break in or steal;

21 for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

22 "The lamp of the body is the eye;

if therefore your eye is clear,

your whole body will be full of light.

23 "But if your eye is bad,

your whole body will be full of darkness.

If therefore the light that is in you is darkness,

how great is the darkness! ...

33 ..."But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness;

and all these things shall be added to you.

34 "Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow;

for tomorrow will care for itself.

Each day has enough trouble of its own.

7:1 "Do not judge lest you be judged.

2 "For in the way you judge,

you will be judged;

and by your standard of measure,

it will be measured to you.

3 "And why do you look at the speck

that is in your brother's eye,

but do not notice the log

that is in your own eye? ...

.

.

There! I feel better! I've given myself permission over the past months to focus alot on my Treasure and to Seek Him! Today, for such a time as this: Cleaning, Catching Up, and Caring for Patti in other ways!

.

Please, be inspired to tackle some spring cleaning today and see Laura's pics over at Heavenly Homemakers for some great spring cleaning ideas! Spring cleaning = great family fellowship!!!!

.

http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/blog/category/organizing-and-scheduling