Just Say NO!

Levi our big golden retriever had just been neutered.  It was a bit more of an operation than normal for that procedure and so I was already concerned.  He was so drugged up he slept right through the first night. The next morning however, we soon realized he would need to wear the “cone of shame” so that he would not bother his stitches.   He was not allowed to run free in the backyard, as he is accustomed to doing.  I had to walk him around so that he could go to the bathroom. He seemed to be fine but then after about 10 hours I realized he hadn’t gone to the bathroom….at all.  He had been eating and drinking just fine. So I began fretting, praying.  What could be wrong? My mind started buzzing. I put a call into the vet but while I waited for their return call back I researched on the Internet all the scary results of not peeing and began worrying some more.  I walk him again and again. Nothing.  My mind was spinning by now. By the time Phil got home from work I could barely think straight! However, wise and patient man that he is, he clearly saw through all the muddle I had created.  Levi couldn’t properly smell with his cone on.  I had not even thought of this.  Of course! Dogs sniff around first to prompt them to do their business. Phil removed the cone, walked him, and after a while Tada! Pee!

OH HOW FOOLISH I FELT, AND HOW FOOLISH I WAS!  How much time had I spent unproductively worrying that Levi’s kidneys might burst or that something serious might be wrong.

I had just recently finished the bible study “Breathe” by one of my favorite teachers, Priscilla Shirer. Through the study she showed how the Sabbath principle should be a lifestyle that enables us to “steer clear of bondage.” The Hebrew word for Sabbath is Shabbat, which means to cease, to stop, to pause, to come to an end. God used the study to show me a few areas in my life that needed a Sabbath. Tendencies to take on too many things just because I couldn’t say “No”(been there?)  and being too much of a perfectionist on projects were just a few.  But now I believe I saw a greater and deeper area that needed Sabbath rest.  My mind.

I see it clearer now- the slave I can be to thoughts.  Bound by worry or indecision – how sad and unnecessary.  It is easy to revert to this unproductive way of thinking because I have allowed it for so long. But now I am determined with God’s grace and help to JUST SAY NO (to worrying). Take a Sabbath from over thinking everything.  ENOUGH IS ENOUGH (let it go -quit ruminating) I guess it really comes down to trust – if I really trust God then I will rest in him.

From decisions as simple as what to make for dinner or as complicated as what to do in this season of my life. When my mind starts spinning, I need to stop. Breathe! Just say No- I’m not going there. Enough is enough! Then I can pray and release my concern to God, who loves me in my muddling and ruminating, but who desires to see me living a life that is free- resting in Him.

 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1

Join the Dance

Arms in mid flight

Body twirling in delight

My little Sophie spins

In every picture of her I see it -Hands never all the way down.

My little butterfly- always ready to take off and fly.

Carefree- Happy

Where does the dance go?  As we get older why does the twirling stop?

As dearly loved children, we start out life knowing that we are accepted and loved just the way we are- knowing that our parents will take care of us– that all of our needs would be met. 

But then we grow up.  We get schooled.   We become wise.   We can do things ourselves.  The cares of life take up residence, make our hands hang low and the dance slows or stops altogether.

Jesus said, “Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matt. 18:3

We need to be free again like a little child, trusting and knowing that our heavenly father dearly loves us and that he will always do what’s best for us.  A small child is dependent on their parents for everything.  We need to depend on our Abba Daddy for everything!  HE is our provider, our protector, our shield, our deliverer, our healer, our savior, our redeemer, and our counselor.  He holds our lives in His hands. He has got everything under control.

Maybe you entered the kingdom of God with childlike faith, but somewhere along the line, you got schooled- became wise- thought that you were big enough to handle things on your own.  I know I sometimes find myself there.  Not truly living in the freedom that is ours.

Christ has set us free to live a free life. Galatians 5:1(MSG) 

I want to live there- totally free- totally trusting- able to dance and fly.

Child like faith

Child like wonder

Mountains to climb

Dragons to slay

Princesses to save

Worlds to conquer

Oh what Freedom

Oh what joy!

Let the dance begin!

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!”  It is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. Roman 8:14-17

Begin Again

They come out holding signs

Signs of who they were and who they have become

Of what held them back and now what pushes them on

Signs of their past and of their future

Imprisoned / Set Free

Timid / Bold

Lost / Found

Unloved / Loved

Addicted / Clean

Rejected / Accepted

me / Him

The newly added chorus of Amazing Grace fills the church as they walk across the stage bearing their signs of the struggle and flipping the sign to show the victory Christ has given them.

My chains are gone

I’ve been set free

My God, my savior has ransomed me

And like a flood his mercy reigns

Unending love, amazing grace.

The wells burst forth inside of me

Wells of joy and gratitude

The tears pouring so fast I can’t keep my face dry

Some of those bearing signs I know -Some are strangers.

I want to shout it out

Yes this one is me! - And that one that just crossed the stage is me too!

Oh how I related to that one - and oh I’ve also had that struggle before

Healing  -  Hope -  Starting Over -  Beginning Again

At the start of this New Year it is good to remember that we can have a fresh start.

No matter what our past- in Christ we can begin again.  He makes all things new.

Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new. 

2 Corinthians 5:17(CEV)

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14(NIV)

Song in the Night

Sometimes it feels as if the weight of the whole world is upon you.  Darkness fills your soul and your spirit can’t seem to rise above the heaviness. You are hurting, wounded, gripped with fear. Tormenting thoughts fill your mind.  What should you do?   I believe I have the answer.   Sing!  Sing a song to the Lord.  It worked for Paul and Silas, it worked for King David, it has worked for me and I believe it will work for you.

After being beaten, Paul and Silas were thrown into the inner prison cell of darkness.  They were chained, but they knew a truth that would set them free. A truth that can set all of us free from whatever bondage we are in. In the midnight bleakness they began to pray and sing praises to the only one who could release them from their prison. Suddenly, a violent earthquake shook the prison, the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose! The jailer was so terrified that he asked, “What must I do to be saved?”

Paul and Silas had much to complain about and even more they could have worried about concerning their future, but they chose to sing instead. It was the right choice!

After the praises went up to God not only were Paul and Silas set free physically but also the jailer and his family were set free spiritually. (Acts 16:22-34)

The Psalms are filled with every emotion we will ever experience.  David pours out his heart to God many times starting in despair with his eyes focused on his circumstances, but somewhere in the singing the focus changes.  He gets it right.  His eyes are set upon the King, the Healer, the Deliver, and praise rises up and fills his spirit, calms his emotions and brings peace.

Often we don’t feel like singing, but it is just what we need. After surgery, when I could barely make it down the steps, I knew I needed to play and sing to the God who had got me through it all. I had so little energy it was very difficult to sing, but I had to pour out my heart to Him. He is so worthy of our praise!

During a recent struggle I remember singing a song by Plumb that voiced my despair:

How many times have you heard me cry out

"God please take this?”

How many times have you given me strength to

Just keep breathing?

Oh I need you

God, I need you now.

Like many of David’s psalms this song cries out to God for rescue. As I sang this over and over God set me free from worry and gave me peace about the situation.

Maybe you need a song in the night to set you free from the oppression you are under. Maybe you just need to get your eyes off your circumstance and refocused on Him. Put on some praise music or make up your own song. Sing a song unto the Lord.  Sing with all your heart, mind and strength. You will be glad you did!

Need You Now - Plumb
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9CjYvQDDIo