WHERE DOES ORDER COME FROM? OUT OF THIS CHAOTIC WORLD HOW DO WE COME UP FOR A GULP OF AIR, LET ALONE FIND FIFTEEN MINUTES TO:
TEND THE GARDENOne of the coolest things in the Bible to me is when Jesus calmed the storm. The Disciples were in the boat with the MASTER...did they think He was going to let them drown? I'm not sure but anyway they freaked. Jesus woke up, said, "Oh, ye of little faith." Translation: Chill, this is a teachable moment, and then told the storm to calm down. Out of lightening, waves, wind, came perfect calm.
How can we get that into our daily routine. We have to practice. We have, through Christ the same ability to speak to ANY storm, wind, wave, crises, emergency in our lives the way Jesus spoke to the storm. But we don't get it overnight. It is a learned experience. That's why we have so many trials and tribulations; so we can practice becoming more Christlike. And we are told to Count it all joy when these diverse (Different) weird emergencies happen. Welcome them. This is a time when you can go to the Heart and calm the seas of your life.
That's right: THE HEART. THE HEART OF THE MATTER. Look at all of the scriptures concerning matters of the HEART. Read them and think on them this next week. See what Jesus taught about Treasures and the HEART.
If in the Chaos and Briar Patch of life, we can WEED EAT A PATCH out in the middle of the Garden, we can set our HEARTS RIGHT, in that place. It may not show externally for many days, and it may not change externally this side of Heaven. But how we approach it, our attitude about it, and the way Whatever it is affects us, WILL CHANGE.
IT WILL BE MORE PEACEFUL & STILL!
WE WILL HAVE LEARNED A SIGNIFICANT LIFE LESSON WHEN WE GET TO THE POINT THAT WE REALIZE THIS SIGNIFICANT PRINCIPLE:
THE DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF OUR INNER GARDEN, OUR SPIRIT; IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT FUNCTION OF OUR EXISTENCE. MacDonald, G. Ordering Your Private World, p 25.
Please read that again. Even more important than your Children and Husband or Wife, is this principle. You cannot Give, Love Nurture, Heal or Minister when the Well is dry. You need to be in tip top shape mentally and physically and especially Spiritually to be able to say:
Stop! Hold Everything! Be Still!-----and it obeys you!
You have just come up for a gulp of fresh air in the world of chaos. When all about you are losing their heads, yours is becoming crystal clear. Over your morning Coffee, before you go to sleep, during your walk.....WHENEVER...take 15 minutes a day to tend to the Heart of the Matter. Be still and know that He is God. Let HIM lead you into the day instead of rushing headlong out into it!
We will learn this and practice this more as we go along....but do it for one week. Pick one scripture about the Heart- anyone, from the Gospels to Psalms...one that hits YOU, and read it every day next week and spend 15 minutes just quietly sitting and thinking about quieting your INNER GARDEN. Just try it and see what happens. You may want to have a pen and paper handy just to jot down any random thoughts that POP into your head.
Great post, Juansito! :)
ReplyDeleteI understand the whole concept of putting God first and everything else with flow well...but when He feels far away, there's a feeling of hypocrisy there that you know God can see through. I hate going through the motions without emotions. Know what I mean??
Yep,
ReplyDeleteBut you know Uncle Juan has an answer. That's Satan. He condemns and gives guilt. God never does!
God gently convicts and pulls, so don't let Satan win. You just have to know that you are right where you are supposed to be, and that will take all the pressure off! God knows we are struggling with this...that's why Paul said Oh Chief sinner...who will deliver me from this body...his answer...GOD.
Take it a little easier on yourself....and please don't take this the wrong way, but one of the ideals of Catholicism (I know you are Believer as well!) is GUILT!
NUN-GUILT! NUN- With the RULER IN THE HAND GUILT!
Well since Jesus died and spilled His perfect blood for us- there actually is NONE GUILT! It is all paid for, so let's cash the personal check and live in the freedom that is Christ. And yes, it is that simple. So simple most don't believe it because you never get something for nothing. But in Christ I believe we do.
You are as non-guilty and as loving a Spirit as is in the Blogasphere- don't let Satan's lies drag you down, you mentioned DAVID right? Then Eat Drink and be Merry, (or Scarlet) because look what God did with that cheating, murdering husband!!!!
Hey? Huh? C'mon- where's the argument sis!! PS: God doesn't use emotions to get across most messages because they aren't stable enough. By that I mean emotions you can get caught up in, have others manipulate, etc.- step back in that 15 mins and look at only the truth- God's WORD- and then let it bleed into your emotions.
Dang, I promised I wasn't going to do sermons. I'm sorry Scarlet- I really am- I should have just read your response and let it alone. God is obviously working in and through you. I have seen that for almost two years now. You are a powerful force in His kingdom! I hate it when we men respond with an I can fix it mentality when all a woman wants to do is think out loud and express her feelings. That's why I want to be a Life Coach..so I can let each person come to their own conclusions. Everyone is perfectly capable of it if only the Right QUESTIONS are asked rather than the right ANSWERS being given. What if you were thinking something totally different when you wrote this and I misinterpreted it? I totally could've screwed up the answer, lost your trust and set you back in your walk.
J
I need some garden implements! I left mine out when I went to go pee and someone made off with them.
ReplyDeleteGreat post bud!
Your missing comment is on the previous post :)
Have a great weekend!
John, you could never offend me. Ever. I appreciate the time you took to offer up and answer. It's hard to shake off the guilt feeling sometimes. What you wrote previously (on the actual post) is very powerful...taking the time to tend the garden, so one day we reap what we sow...is so important. Sometimes just doing it is enough...the rest will follow. Before I know it, the hypocritical feelings will disappear and hopefully it will be replaced by peace and joy. I believe that it will. BTW, I could use a little prayer in this department. (I probably should've posted all this on the Ssh! blog, but honestly, this is as good a place as any!) I love your blog!
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work, mi amigo!
I'm glad you liked my little joke today (re: toy story).
Thanks Ms. Scarlet,
ReplyDeleteAfter all, you were one of the motivating forces if not "the" motivating" force behind Shhhh....God's Talking
Love,
Woody
Thanks Hammer!
ReplyDeleteMeans a lot coming from you, I'll be on the lookout for your garden tools. Quit drinking that Home Brewed swill and spring for some ge'inuwine American beer and you want have to whiz your life away!! :-)
Have a good rest of the weekend
J