I read a book recently that I want to share with you!
Perspective: the faculty of seeing all the relevant data in a meaningful relationship. How often do we, as human beings, look at a situation and only see the surface? When storms brew and wind begins to blow, we have a tendency to seek shelter and hide. We tend to the see stress, negativity, and nothing more. Yet, with a bit of perspective, we would have the ability to weather the storms and come out the other side much better off. In his book, The Noticer, Andy Andrews walks us through the life of several people who are facing major tests and trials within their lives; whether personal or professional. Andrews uses a man named Jones, the central character, to bring about change within these people to literally save their lives. This book gripped me with the first chapter and I could not put it down. I recommend it to EVERYONE; because, whether we are willing to admit it or not, we could all use a bit of perspective. When those trials begin to wear us down, we’ve got to remember to take a deep breath, step back, and reevaluate. I hope this book makes a difference in your thought process.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 7, 2009
"That's not fair!?!"
Please read Psalm 73:21-28 with me~
Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside.I was so foolish and ignorant- I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you. But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.
Do you ever find yourself saying or thinking “that’s not fair?” The Lord used these verses to rebuke me today. I often feel like I’m running myself to death and getting nowhere. I work ALL THE TIME yet never seem to get ahead. Then there are those around me who seem to excel and prosper without lifting a finger. Sometimes, my prayer is “Father, when will I be enough, when will my hard work pay off?” This week, the answer has been clear, when I quit trying to earn it. God is so sovereign! He has my life laid out before me. He has paved a path for me. But I have to choose to follow where He leads. At some point, I will get tired of running in the wrong direction and realize that I have been created to do certain things in this life, while others are created to do something different. Some women were created to marry and have children; some were created to be sassy, satisfied and single. Many women were created to be teachers; others were created to lead ministries.
I hope there comes a point in my life (sooner rather than later) when I can say, “AHA, God put me through all of these tests and trials because THIS is what He has planned for me.” I will quit comparing myself to those around me and become content with being the BRANDI God intended me to be. One day, when I stand before Him, I want to hear, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” How joyous it will be to know that I didn’t attempt to change the world by my own strength, but that I made a small difference in the world around me with HIS strength. I don’t want to be president, I couldn’t care less about becoming a celebrity, I have no desire to be well known…BUT I would like to be remembered as someone who fought hard to live a life worthy of her calling as a child of God.
I am trying extremely hard to treat those around me in the way Jesus would treat them if He were walking among us. I don’t want people to hear me describe compassion, forgiveness and love; I want them to see me act it out. If you see me out and I’m not walking my talk, PLEASE rebuke me. I do not reject correction. I want to be held accountable. I want to know that the people I walk with in this life; whom I pour my life into; who look to me for guidance and direction are getting truth! I may not always tell you what you want to hear, but I will be honest with you and I will back up my words. I’ve been called to set an example. I’ve been blessed to lead.
Precious Lord,
I bow before you this morning and I thank you for another day and another chance to pour out your love on a struggling world. Thank you for loving me beyond all I, do, say and think. I do not deserve to call you Father and I do not deserve the grace you so freely give. I pray blessings on the people reading this. I ask that you would direct their paths. I pray they seek you with their whole heart. Today, Lord, as we remember Sept 11, 2001, I pray peace over the families of the brave men and women who passed from this life. May you remind them of your restorative power! Keep us mindful today of the costs of our actions. Watch over and keep our servicemen and women all over this world. Protect them wherever they go. Make them know they are loved and missed. God, I give you this day and all you have planned. Use me! I love you and I praise you with all that I am!
In the Holy name of Jesus, I pray all these things, Amen.
~In HIS name~ BG
1 Corinthians 10:24 ~ Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.
Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside.I was so foolish and ignorant- I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you. But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.
Do you ever find yourself saying or thinking “that’s not fair?” The Lord used these verses to rebuke me today. I often feel like I’m running myself to death and getting nowhere. I work ALL THE TIME yet never seem to get ahead. Then there are those around me who seem to excel and prosper without lifting a finger. Sometimes, my prayer is “Father, when will I be enough, when will my hard work pay off?” This week, the answer has been clear, when I quit trying to earn it. God is so sovereign! He has my life laid out before me. He has paved a path for me. But I have to choose to follow where He leads. At some point, I will get tired of running in the wrong direction and realize that I have been created to do certain things in this life, while others are created to do something different. Some women were created to marry and have children; some were created to be sassy, satisfied and single. Many women were created to be teachers; others were created to lead ministries.
I hope there comes a point in my life (sooner rather than later) when I can say, “AHA, God put me through all of these tests and trials because THIS is what He has planned for me.” I will quit comparing myself to those around me and become content with being the BRANDI God intended me to be. One day, when I stand before Him, I want to hear, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” How joyous it will be to know that I didn’t attempt to change the world by my own strength, but that I made a small difference in the world around me with HIS strength. I don’t want to be president, I couldn’t care less about becoming a celebrity, I have no desire to be well known…BUT I would like to be remembered as someone who fought hard to live a life worthy of her calling as a child of God.
I am trying extremely hard to treat those around me in the way Jesus would treat them if He were walking among us. I don’t want people to hear me describe compassion, forgiveness and love; I want them to see me act it out. If you see me out and I’m not walking my talk, PLEASE rebuke me. I do not reject correction. I want to be held accountable. I want to know that the people I walk with in this life; whom I pour my life into; who look to me for guidance and direction are getting truth! I may not always tell you what you want to hear, but I will be honest with you and I will back up my words. I’ve been called to set an example. I’ve been blessed to lead.
Precious Lord,
I bow before you this morning and I thank you for another day and another chance to pour out your love on a struggling world. Thank you for loving me beyond all I, do, say and think. I do not deserve to call you Father and I do not deserve the grace you so freely give. I pray blessings on the people reading this. I ask that you would direct their paths. I pray they seek you with their whole heart. Today, Lord, as we remember Sept 11, 2001, I pray peace over the families of the brave men and women who passed from this life. May you remind them of your restorative power! Keep us mindful today of the costs of our actions. Watch over and keep our servicemen and women all over this world. Protect them wherever they go. Make them know they are loved and missed. God, I give you this day and all you have planned. Use me! I love you and I praise you with all that I am!
In the Holy name of Jesus, I pray all these things, Amen.
~In HIS name~ BG
1 Corinthians 10:24 ~ Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.
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