Heroes - Ruth: It's More About The Journey Than You Think

Children Of The Lord - A Heart Like His

“I prayed for this boy, and since the Lord gave me I asked him for, I now give the boy to the Lord.  For as long as he lives, he is given to the Lord”  (1 Samuel vv27-28)

What promises have you made to God during your life’s most difficult situations?

Like so many others who are faced with circumstances that seem indomitable I have tried bargaining with God.  We bargain for ourselves, for a job, for another chance, for someone to take away our loneliness.

When we petition God for our heart’s desires we know we are begging. We know we are asking for a favor. Even if we promise to sacrifice something or to try harder, we know that God is giving us something we probably do not have the right to ask for.

When God “grants” our prayers we praise him but when he seems to ignore our repeated and reverent prayers we curse him.  We wonder why God has abandoned us.  The fact, however, is that he never did abandon us.  God has something better planned for our lives and he will eventually reveal his plan to us in his own time.  God wants to give us better things than we have asked for, the best things for us!

This does not mean that we will never know suffering or pain.  It is an unrealistic expectation that we should go through life with no serious illnesses, traumatic divorce, or troubled children. Remember that God didn’t deliver his own totally sinless and obedient Son from torture and death, he watched him get strung up between two thieves, why then should he spare you from life’s challenges.  It is by facing the consequences of our own actions that we grow and become the person that God created us to be.

What do these promises indicate about your perception of God, or about the state of your relationship with Him, or about the priorities that you know should come first in your life? 

In making a bargain with God we tend to view him as someone who dispenses favors.  God is not an ATM machine who will reward us when we use the correct password. 

Instead we should be living our lives according to His will all along. The blessings we receive are through God's grace, because He loves us, not because we persuaded Him into by promising to do those things we should have been doing all along.
 

What works the hardest against your heartfelt desire for your children to be used by God in whatever way He chooses?

I would suppose that my behavior and my poor example would be the biggest impediment in my desire for my children to be used by God. 

 

They say that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree and if this is true my kids need to be afraid, very afraid.  

I lived my life throwing myself at every bad choice that ever came my way.  There were times where not only were the guard rails down and the lights were flashing but the train whistle was wailing “Get off the Track!”  I would still grasp on to the underside of the train, holding on for dear life, while pretending that I could right the situation if I just tried hard enough.  I suppose one could say that takes a certain amount of hubris or a large helping of insanity.  

Despite my worst efforts my sons seem to be doing better than I did.  Yes they have made mistakes but I pray that they learn from mine. 

Where To Go When It Hurts - A Heart Like His

Today is day four of my Bible study with Beth Moore's 90 Days With A Heart Like His.

Deeply hurt, Hannah prayed to the Lord and wept with many tears...Then Hannah went on her way; she ate and no longer appeared downcast.(1 Sameul vv 10, 18)

What's your usual first response to troubling situations? And how has it typically turned out when you've tried handling your hurts this way?

You know, if I were to pick one super hero capability it would be the ability to disappear. So many times when I found myself in troubling situations I tried to make myself invisible wishing with all my might that I could really succeed in doing just that.

I would attempt to flee from the situation, deny the situation, abdicate my ability to solve the situation in hopes that "this too shall pass." I hoped that my "invisibility" would keep others from hating me especially if my decision could affect others. Essentially I was making a decision by not making one.

We all know we can't run from our problems. Yes even I understood that. Sometimes the problems grew when they were not dealt with expeditiously. This didn't seem to phase me though as I repeated this coping method over and over again "as needed."

Why does God not always seem to be the most reliable place to go with the painful feelings and experiences in our lives? What does he appear to lack, and why is believing that so deceptive?

I think it can be hard for you to reach out to God once we've set our course down a road that we may have known was wrong from the outset. We want to believe that somehow we can set things straight or that things will solve themselves. Perhaps we may even feel that we deserve the situation where we find ourselves.

God lacks for but as humans dealing with emotions at a human level find it difficult to believe that God still loves us and that he doesn't want us to suffer.

When Husbands Wimp Out - A Heart Like His

Today is the third day of Bible Study with Beth Moore’s “David 90 Days With A Heart Like His”

"Hannah, why are you crying? her husband Elkanah asked. "Why won't you eat? Why are you troubled? Am I not better to you than ten sons?" (1 Samuel:8)

Where does your husband comes up short in the caring and understanding department?  And—be honest—where do you come up short for him?

Isn’t it always that way that it’s far easier to enumerate all the ways your spouse comes up short but always more difficult to see where you might not always be the loving caring spouse you think yourself to be.  The fact is that no one is perfect and it would be foolish to expect others to be perfect when you are a flawed individual.

I tend to take the fact that my husband sometimes talks in short clipped sentences.  I’ll use an example from this week at church.  I wanted to take a photo of a couple of statues at church to send to my sons.  One was St. Michael and the other was St. Francis.  My oldest son was born on the Feast of St. Francis.  My youngest son is named Michael. 

I was trying to be discrete and quickly take the photos.  That’s when my husband said, “Why don’t you ever take the time to center up your photos.  You never seem to care how the photo is going to turn out.”  I told him, “Here’s my phone.  Why don’t you take the photos for me.”  This was greeted with “No if you don’t care then I don’t care.”

I certainly realize that I am no Ansel Adams but I HATE when my husband uses the words ALWAYS and NEVER.  If he really didn’t care why did he make a point to verbalize his opinion about the photo I was taking?

I obviously did not want to get into it with him at church, especially since the priest had just given us a special blessing for having been married for 10 years. 

I waited until later and then asked him, “Honey do me a favor.  If you see me trying to take a photo and you think it’s going to look really bad, why not just offer to take the photo for me.  Please don’t go on and on about what I’m doing wrong just offer to take it for me.

The reply to this plea was, “No if you don’t care then I don’t care if your photos look bad.  I will just keep my mouth shut.” 

As far as where I come up short, I’d like to report that I exceed expectations and do everything right.  I’d like to say that but I’d be lying. 

My husband is a man with a burning desire to have a successful business.  He’s had a couple and they both went under.  I haven’t been supportive of another try and by withholding this support I have hurt his pride. 

When I do this I’m may be making him fearful of sharing with me because of my reactions.  They say that every man craves a woman who will dream with him and encourage his dreams. I need to learn to listen to the dreams in his heart and actually believes he can accomplish them.

What could you do, not out of meanness or manipulation but with a genuine desire to encourage, to help him see where he’s hurting you?

I have learned that arguing, yelling, screaming, threatening, and cajoling generally are not long term solutions.  When I’m upset I try very hard to wait until cooler heads prevail.  I try to tell my husband what exactly is wrong and I don’t try to make him guess what it is or pout until he can figure it out on his own. 

Sometimes I wait until I can hold his hands and talk or until I can curl up in his arms and speak.  I know that sounds weird.  You’re angry, upset, but I think it’s important to let my husband know that I love him no matter what.

What are some of the most significant ways a husband can minister to his wife?  In what was does your husband to this very well?

One of the most significant ways a husband can minister to his wife is outlined in Ephesians 5:25 which reads, “Husbands, love your wives just as Christ also loved the church".

When a husband’s love is active without neglect, Genuine, without hypocrisy, and Free, without conditions before or expectation, it sets the stage for the family.  All things flow from this basic need.  When there is that love there is a solid foundation for the children and an atmosphere that allows both partners to grow.

A husband can minister to his wife by showing her great tenderness. He does this with his protection of her, from dangers, temptation, harm, reproach, contempt, and his sympathy with her in troubles.

I believe that my husband loves me and he is better at showing that love than he was early in our relationship.  He seems to love and care about my children. 

From Youthful to Useful - A Heart Like His

Today is day two of my Beth Moore Bible study with "David 90 Days With A Heart Like His".  I wanted to work on this study this weekend but like so many weekends hubby and I were rushing around working on moving into this new home.

We did go to St. Joeseph's Catholic Church today.  the scriptures for mass were:

FIRST READING
Ezekiel 2:2–5

As the LORD spoke to me, the spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and I heard the one who was speaking say to me: Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, rebels who have rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have revolted against me to this very day. Hard of face and obstinate of heart are they to whom I am sending you. But you shall say to them: Thus says the LORD God! And whether they heed or resist—for they are a rebellious house— they shall know that a prophet has been among them.

SECOND READING
2 Corinthians 12:7–10

Brothers and sisters:
That I, Paul, might not become too elated, because of the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

This passage held particular interest to me because I feel that at some level I can NEVER be forgiven for my sins, yet at some level I know that when you come to God and repent of your sins you ARE forgiven.  Last night I had a dream in which I felt that the doubts I was having were based on Satan trying to seperate me from God.  Yes I am week but with God I am strong enough to face the hardships and constraints.

GOSPEL
Mark 6:1–6

Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.

So Samuel took the horn of oil, anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the Lord took control of David from that day forward. (1 Samuel:13)

What's been the cost of not letting the Holy Spirit be in total control of your life: How have you noticed it the most?

I've paid a heavy cost for no letting the Holy Spirit be in control of my life. As a matter of fact I would say that there were long stretches in my life when I was the wreck you slowed down and craned your neck to see. My hubris led me to believe that I knew best when in reality it often fogged reality. I paid an awful price for my conviction that I was the best and only captain of my life.

Okay, then how could you change that? What do you think is really standing between you and a great future with God?

If you haven't realized that you are NOT the center of the universe, if humility hasn't removed the plank from your own eye, then you haven't really grown. I've been hit square in the face with reality and realize that I ABSOLTELY do NOT have all the answers. I am working towards being more receptive to God's message and less defensive about standing my ground at all costs.

How has God been working--all of your life--to prepare you for kingdom service What experiences, lessons, talents, or even hurts do you need to present to him for his use?

I have learned that much of my trials and tribulations have allowed me to be a good teacher. A teacher to whom students open up about the troubles they face so I can try to help them. I am more likely to try to reach out to a student who may seem like a lost cause because though I may have come across to some as just that, inside me was a child that craved to hear "I'm there for you. I know you can do it!"

I believe that God put the desire to teach in my heart. He created the pathway that allowed me to fulfill this calling. He gave me special talents and allowed me to learn great lessons from the hurts and experiences along the way.

Oscar Winning Actor Ernest Borgnine Dead at 95

Ernest Borgnine (born Ermes Effron Borgnino; January 24, 1917 – July 8, 2012) was an American film and television actor whose career spanned more than six decades. He was an unconventional lead in many films of the 1950s, winning an Oscar in 1955 for Marty. On television, he played Quinton McHale in the 1962–1966 series McHale's Navy and co-starred in the mid-1980s action series Airwolf, in addition to a wide variety of other roles. Borgnine was also known for his role as Mermaid Man in the animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants. Borgnine earned an Emmy Award nomination at age 92 for his work on the series ER.

Ermes Efron Borgnino was born in Hamden, Connecticut, on 24 January 1917, the son of Italian immigrant parents. For five years from the age of two, he and his family lived in Milan before returning to the US. He joined the US Navy in 1935 and served on a destroyer during the war. He weighed 135 pounds (61 kilograms) when he enlisted. He left the Navy 10 years later, weighing exactly 100 pounds (45 kilograms) more.
For a time he contemplated taking a job with an air conditioning company but his mother persuaded him to enroll at the Randall School of Dramatic Arts in Hartford, Connecticut. Over the course of four months he received his only formal training.

Borgnine died of renal failure on July 8, 2012, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. His wife and children were at his side. He was 95 years old.

I remember him best for his role Lieutenant Commander Quinton McHale in McHale’s Navy.  As a kid I loved that show and even now I still laugh at antics of the insubordinate crew of PT-73.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Ernest‘s family and friends during this difficult time.

A Look At The Heart - A Heart Like His

I decided to hegin a Bible study using Beth Moore's book, "David 90 Days With A Heart Like His".  I've read other Beth Moore books in the past and felt that this was the perfect season in my life for this journey.
But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or his stature, because I have rejected him. Man does not see what the Lord sees, for man sees what is visible, but the Lord see the heart." (Samuel 16:7)

Where do you find yourself doing the most--judging people by height, weight, and appearance, sizing them up?

People will often say "I don't judge other people." That of course is the right thing to say and do but you'll find that in practice we all judge people to an extent. Interesting considering that most of us don't like for others to judge us.

When I was dating I passed over certain men because I didn't find them attractive for some reason or another. I'm certain that there were men who didn't give me a second look for the same reason. Perhaps I missed out on the love of a lifetime, perhaps not. I ignored the truth that a beautiful appearance is a good thing, but righteous heart is more valuable.

Now that I'm happily married to a man who very well may not have been a man I would have dated as a young girl, I'm a bit less judgmental ,which is not to say that I NEVER judge others.

I cringe if I see a 700 pound man headed for the heart-attack grill for dinner. "Oh My God he's going to kill himself if he keeps eating like that," I say to myself. Perhaps I see a woman with huge tattoos, a nose ring, and more and wonder, "How is she going to get a good job?"

 Our sinful nature likes to compare ourselves with others, especially among the people we know and relate with. Our sinful "flesh" wants to hold them in contempt and anger when they rise above us, or express a position which is contrary to our own point of view.
I compare myself to others and often feel I'm on the losing end, but don't forget that this is judging others too.

Actually, what qualities should catch your eye and impress us the most about others? What are the marks of true greatness?

The qualities that catch my eyes these days are kindness, compassion, and empathy. I'm not interested in people telling me about their "beliefs" about what others should do. I'm much more interest in their actions rather than their words.

Giving consistent effort in the little things in day-to-day life leads to true greatness. Specifically, it is the thousands of little deeds and tasks of service and sacrifice is a sign of greatness.

True greatness is never a result of a chance occurrence or a one-time effort or achievement. It requires the development of character. It requires a multitude of correct decisions for the everyday choices between good and evil.

Who are the "older brothers" you compare yourself to? Who or what have you allowed to intimidate you into believing that you're less than you really are, incapable of achieving?

They say that you can be your own worst enemy and I believe that's true. I was taunted, teased and bullied at school when I was growing up. Home was not a sanctuary rather it was a place of violence and abuse. I took to heart the heart judgments.

The one that stung me for such a long time was what my mother told me when I asked her, "Mom, do you love me?' Her answer came sharp and quick, "Have you EVER given me a reason to love you?"

I allowed my ex-husband to totally dominate my life and cripple my spirit further. I saw myself as unlovable and worthless.

It's been hard work trying to heal these deep wounds but as I grow stronger in my faith I find myself forgiving those who hurt me, especially myself.