BLESSED ARE THE MEEK - GRATITUESDAY

I am convinced that learning to live CHRIST'S Sermon on the Mount, day in and day out, is a big part of my transformation process.

Have you ever had to have PHYSICAL THERAPY or known someone who has? It's amazing how doing a few exercises day in and day out will transform a muscle from unable to able.

I have seen the same thing happen with other therapies:

VISION THERAPY: people who can't read or attend do prescribed eye exercises over a period of time and transform visual skills for reading or attention from unable to able.

INTENSIVE LEARNING THERAPY: people who have trouble with comprehension, memory, decision making, test taking, receiving/expressing information, or a myriad of thinking skills can work through prescribed thinking exercises over a period of time and transform abilities to think, reason, and learn from unable to able.

MARRIAGE/FAMILY THERAPY: couples and families who struggle with their relationships can work through prescribed relational assignments over a period of time and transform their ability to do "healthy family" from unable to able.

PSYCHO-THERAPY: people who struggle with emotional or mental health challenges can work through assignments over a period of time and transform their ability to control emotions and mood swings from unable to able.

HOLY SPIRIT THERAPY: christian moms and dads, women and men, girls and boys who have named Jesus as their LORD and been spiritually clothed with Him in baptism struggle with their christian walk can work through Sermon on the Mount daily exercises and activities over a period of time and transform their ability to "walk by faith and not by sight", via the leading of the Holy Spirit, from unable to able.
 

Recently, we've looked at the first 3 Be-attitudes. Now, here's a daily "therapy" assignment to jump start your HOLY SPIRIT THERAPY.  What a blessing!  I am so thankful that God's Holy Spirit works with me....

• to move from unable to able 
• to transition to transformation

Do this each morning before getting out of bed and right before each meal (either aloud or in your mind).

1. BE POOR IN SPIRIT - God, I empty out my spirit at Your feet today...this life is not about me... it's about You!  Thank you for allowing me to be part of the kingdom of heaven!
2. BE A MOURNER - God, I grieve over my sins and this lost world...AND weep with joyful thanksgiving over the grace, mercy, and salvation that You have extended to me. 
3. BE MEEK - God, take the reins, I give up the control to You... I choose to gently respond to Your lead.  Thank You!

BLESSED!  OH, THE JOY!

BLESSED ARE THE MEEK - MEDITATION MONDAY

BLESSED ARE THE MEEK, 
FOR THEY WILL INHERIT THE EARTH!

Meek does not mean weak!

Meek means gentle... 

power under control...

 
 If you have been a long time reader of this blog, this is a subject that I have talked about before.  Although I am not a horse woman, I have had a long history with horses. Last Monday night, when I taught my first class of my summer school course at Rowan University, I shared different place that I have lived in my life.  One of my students gasped, when I shared Dugway Proving Grounds, Utah.  She had done quite a bit of research on it as a toxic wasteland.




1. I lived in Dugway Proving Grounds, Utah in the 2nd to the 4th grades. It is where the army tested their weapons of mass destruction (germ, chemical, and radiological). The security was extremely high for coming on or going off the army post. Yet, each afternoon a herd of wild horses would come up over the ridge and look out over those of us who lived down below. Then, with one huge bound (from their fearless stallion leader), they were galloping down the hill to graze on the grass of our lawns, forcing all the children to go inside (army orders). This happened every day from about 4-6 p.m. Above are two pictures of the "wild horses of Utah" that bring back a flood of memories. Sometimes GOOGLING information does not always give you what you want to hear...  there is now a "survivors web page" of those people who lived at this chemical site and are still alive to tell about it.... there have been hundreds of animals over the years that have been found dead in "skull valley" near Dugway.

2. I married a man who grew up with horses. Steve rides with ease. He can ride bareback. One of the first times I went home with Steve as his "girlfriend", he saddled his horse and one of his brothers saddled mine - for us to take a ride (I had ridden before - on a guided trail ride). I came off a lot more confident than I felt and before you know it Steve had taken off down the road and ready or not my horse decided to follow. The rest of the story should have been on Funniest Home Videos. The horse already knew that I was afraid, so he was not going to listen to me. I yelled! I screamed! I pleaded! I hung on for dear life! I bobbed up and down uncontrollably as my horse raced to catch up with Steve's horse. Then, it happened! The cinch strap underneath began to work it's way loose. Little by little the saddle was sliding off to the side. Chaos, panic, terror are what I remember...a rider who had no control over her horse...

3. We moved to work at Cornhusker Christian Children's Home (CCCH), in western Nebraska, in 1986. Steve had taken the job as Assistant Superintendent. We had 3 kids ages 1, 3, and 5. I was pregnant with the fourth. CCCH had once been the ranch of the man who invented Kool-aid. Now, it served young boys and girls who needed a home or a second chance in life. It was a beautiful place surrounded by a white railed fence with horses and cows to care for. We lived in the original farm house. Then, one day, a christian family who owned the American Quarter Horse champion named Lucky Stroke called to ask if they could "board" him at CCCH.  Lucky Stroke was a very spirited and strong horse! A horse very few could ride. Just what is an American Quarter Horse? If you have ever seen a horse in one of rodeo's timed events, been along for work on a ranch or watched a Western on the big or small screen, 9 times out of 10 you have witnessed an American Quarter Horse. Although, I GOOGLED about Lucky Stroke, I could not find much information, but here is a picture of his father, Sonny Go Lucky, who looks like he could be Lucky Stroke.


 






4. Something else remarkable had happened at CCCH. Denny and Sheri Swaim had moved there from Maryland to become houseparents. Sheri was a horse woman. In fact, she had been on the Olympic Equestrian Dressage team as an alternate. I knew nothing about Dressage but quickly learned...here is an explanation I found online: 

The French word for "training," dressage is a harmonious demonstration of the horse's three natural gaits (walk, trot and canter) and its ability to respond to the rider's commands as the horse performs a series of movements in prearranged order. Throughout the course the rider directs the horse to perform movements. They are also judged on the trot, canter, pirouette, piaffe and passage. Riders, who must memorize the test in order to guide their horses through it, may not use their voices throughout the competition. Riding whips are also forbidden in the ring, but spurs are required, allowing riders to demonstrate the ability to convey light pressure to the horse. In order to perform well in dressage, the horse must be calm, supple, loose and flexible, but also confident, attentive and keen, showing a perfect understanding with its rider.

Sheri was an AMAZING Dressage rider! It didn't take long for her and Lucky Stroke to almost become as "one". 



5. Our daughter, Jessica, is a horse lover! Always has been! One day, standing at the kitchen sink washing dishes, I expected my daily idyllic view over the rolling green pastures to be like any other day...instead there I saw my 4 year old daughter walking under the horses...petting their "bellies". The horses gently allowed her to adore them as I watched in horror. Yet, it was as if she was "one" with them...

• Some horses defy there to be a rider at all...we call them wild. Some people refuse to submit to authority or others...we call them rebellious. 

• Some horses are so powerful and spirited...very few dare try to ride...we say that they are unwilling to be controlled. Some people are so gifted and spirited...they leave no room for anyone to "tell" them what to do...we say that they are unsubmissive. 

• Some horses are so powerful and spirited...yet, when they submit to the skilled rider....we call them champions. Some people are so gifted, spirited, and wise...they know they must "listen, submit, and follow"...they do and we call them victorious.

 

• Some horses learn when to be still...how to listen...when to obey...we call them "one" with their rider. Some people know when to be still...how to listen to the Spirit of GOD, and when to let GOD be in control...when to let GOD be GOD...we call them "one" with GOD.

How did Lucky Stroke become the American Quarter Horse Grand champion?  He learned to be powerful under the control of a master rider.

How about you?

• MEEK = power under control...

• Blessed are the MEEK, for they shall inherit the earth...

BLESSED! OH, THE JOY!

BLESSED ARE THE MEEK - SUNDAY IN THE SON...

SUNDAY IN THE SON

.

Today, as we celebrate Jesus and also our earthly fathers, on Father's Day, I propose that we commit to give God back the leadership role in our lives.  As a wild stallion can be led by the right master with a bit, bridle, and reins, each of us needs to take the step to honor our Heavenly Father today by relinquishing the control of our lives.

 HAPPY FATHER'S DAY, TO YOU, FATHER GOD!

Back when I owned the business Ten Thousand Angels, I would go to the Christian Bookstore Association (CBA) market each summer. The family went with me several times. In 2001, Jordan, Jessica, and I went together. It was one of those rare times that Jessica was able to go and do. She had just had her gall bladder and appendix out and had really turned a corner in being able to manage her pain and feel better. We were thinking that must have been what had been causing her problems all along.  We didn't know how short lived it would be, but we made some wonderful memories.

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That summer, the CBA market was in the New Orleans Convention Center (later made famous during Hurricane Katrina). We loved these markets because all the vendors who sold to Christian Bookstores were there, including christian musicians and authors. Over the years I was blessed to have my booth near some amazing people who our entire family enjoyed interacting with and/or getting to know.  There was Thomas Kinkaide, Frank Peretti, David Jeremiah, Jars of Clay... and this particular year we were across from singer Twila Paris. This woman has blessed many, since 1981, by releasing 22 albums, amassing 33 number one Christian Radio singles, and being named the Gospel Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year three years in a row. You may know her by one or more of the songs that she has made famous: 

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• HE IS EXALTED
• WE WILL GLORIFY
• WE BOW DOWN
• THE WARRIOR IS A CHILD
• DAYS OF ELIJAH
• GO LIGHT YOUR CANDLE
• HOW BEAUTIFUL

.

and, a song I'd like us to think about this week:

GOD IS IN CONTROL...

1.

This is no time for fear!

This is a time for faith and determination.

Don't lose the vision here-

Carried away by emotion.

Hold on to all that you hide in your heart!

There is one thing that has always been true-

It holds the world together.

CHORUS:

God is in control!

We believe that His children will not be forsaken.

God is in control!

We will choose to remember and never be shaken.

There is no power above or beside Him,

we know...oh...oh...oh...

God is in control!

oh...oh...oh

God is in control!

.

2.

History marches on

There is a bottom line drawn across the ages

Culture can make its plan

Oh, but the line never changes

No matter how the deception may fly

There is one thing that has always been true

It will be true forever

.

CHORUS:
God is in control!
We believe that His children will not be forsaken.
God is in control!
We will choose to remember and never be shaken.
There is no power above or beside Him,
we know...oh...oh...oh...
God is in control!
oh...oh...oh...
God is in control!

.

3.

He has never let you down

Why start to worry now?

Why start to worry now?

He is still the LORD of all we see

And He is still the loving Father

Watching over you and me

watching over you...

watching over me..

watching over everything..

watching over you..

watching over me..

every little sparrow..

every little thing...

every little thing...

.

CHORUS:
God is in control!
We believe that His children will not be forsaken.
God is in control!
We will choose to remember and never be shaken.
There is no power above or beside Him,
we know...oh...oh...oh...
God is in control!
oh...oh...oh...
God is in control!
we know...oh...oh...oh...

God is in control!

oh...oh...oh...

God is in control!

.

 

BLESSED! OH, THE JOY!

BLESSED ARE THE MEEK - SUNDAY IN THE SON

"BLESSED are the meek,
 for they will inherit the earth."

BLESSED! OH, THE JOY!

I apologize for the break in blogging, after today, but I will be needing to focus on the ending of the semester, beginning of teaching summer school, and some family transitions.  My desire is to continue blogging about the Sermon on the Mount when I  hopefully return, sometime in mid-June.  

BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO MOURN - WOMEN IN THE WORD WEDNESDAY

PSALM 30

"I will extol You, O Lord, for You have lifted me up,
And have not let my enemies rejoice over me.

 
² O Lord my God,
I cried to You for help, and You healed me.

 
³ O Lord, You have brought up my soul from Sheol;
You have kept me alive, that I would not go down to the pit.

 
⁴ Sing praise to the Lord, you His godly ones,
And give thanks to His holy Name.

 
⁵ For His anger is but for a moment,
His favor is for a lifetime;

 
Weeping may last for the night,
But a shout of JOY comes in the morning.

⁶ Now as for me, I said in my prosperity,
“I will never be moved.”

 
⁷ O Lord, by Your favor You have made my mountain to stand strong;
You hid Your face, I was dismayed.

 
⁸ To You, O Lord, I called,
And to the Lord I made supplication:

 
⁹ “What profit is there in my blood, if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your faithfulness?

¹⁰ “Hear, O Lord, and be gracious to me;
O Lord, be my helper.”

 
¹¹ You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness,
¹² That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever."

 BLESSED!  OH, THE JOY!

BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO MOURN - MEDITATION MONDAY

As a "transformed mom", I want to wake up each morning, beginning my day reminding myself of Jesus' words:

• "BLESSED are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
• BLESSED are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."
  
  
  
  I want my children to remember that their mom was focused on Jesus and not on herself AND that I was very willing to mourn over my sin and ask for forgiveness."
  
  Several years ago, our son Caleb penned a poem based on the book of Ephesians.  Today, I'd like to share with you the part of the poem based on Ephesians 1:
  
  
   
  
  
  
   Chapter 1 
  
  
  1A
  "Looong before time began,
  God was indeed our biggest fan,
  He wanted us to carryout
  The love within His master plan
  Jehovah knew what we should be about.
  
  
  1B.
  Before the world was given frame
  God was ready to give us His name
  He foresaw us blameless and pure
  Even before we repented in shame,
  God knew that Jesus would be the cure.
  
  
  1C.
  That’s when Christ came, that’s where we saw
  When we were forgiven and filled with awe
  His blood cleansed us without any glitches.
  His grace and peace lavished on us all                                                                                            
  According to His wonderful and marvelous riches.
  
  
  1D.
  Christ reigns, in heavenly places, on God’s right,
  As we keep walking in the light,
  The Son of God; the one with blessings
  What He promised He has fulfilled:
  The Holy Spirit my heart has sealed.
  
  
  1E.
  Now, I’m blessed with all I need
  Because Jesus Christ did succeed
  I have joy and lots of peace
  Yes on Him, the Word,  I feed
  And in Him I have release."
  
  
  
  
  

  BLESSED!  OH, THE JOY!

BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO MOURN - SUNDAY IN THE SON

 YOU HAVE TURNED MY MOURNING INTO DANCING!

As sung by Hillsong:

  BLESSED!  OH, THE JOY!