still waters

Soooo....long time, no see, huh? I started this blog with the best of intentions (don't we all?), and, well...those intentions surely didn't carry me far! Part of it is being committed, part of it is finding (or making) the time, and the biggest part...not knowing what in the world to "blog" about. So many interests (family, children, home, quilting, nursing (as in BEING a nurse, NOT the other nursing!)....but this morning, sitting in church and listening to our pastor give to us what God has given to him, and taking notes not only on what Pastor Matthew was preaching, but also writing down what the Holy Spirit was saying to my heart, I thought, "why not share what God is saying to you?" Therefore...(like the use of that "Bible word?")..here goes! First, let me be the first to say, I am no "expert" when it comes to the christian life. It's a battle and struggle, fought daily, and at times, more often than I like, I fall, scratch up my knees, bloody my hands, and (yes, it's true) have a pity party (you know what I'm talking about, don't you). But, praise God, He gives me strength to get up and start again..."His mercies are new every morning!" I pledge to be transparent and honest...by God's grace...because, truth is...we all fall down. This morning, Pastor Matthew spoke from Colossians 3:1-15, "The Struggle of Unity." Instead of giving his outline and notes, I'd like to share what God spoke to me about as I sat and listened. First, I need to set my mind and heart on things above, things that are eternal, and not on things that are temporal and leave me unfulfilled and dissatisfied. I DO NOT want to get to the end of this life and look back and realize it was all a waste. I need to ask myself this question: Is what I am going NOW bringing glory to God? Will it matter for eternity? What is God's purpose for me in this life? Am I seeking Him and His direction and leading, or am I just living day to day ... get up, go to work, come home and fix dinner, watch a little TV, go to bed, and start it all again at 5am tomorrow (sound familiar?). Yeah, honestly, that's basically what my life consists of these days... pitiful, right? I SO do not want to waste this precious time God has given me. Lord, help me to seek you daily. Help me focus on eternity...I cannot do it without your help. To miss Your purpose for my life would be a tragedy. Secondly, I need to remember that whichever dog I feed will be the stonger dog. (What?) I know, but it's a visual...two dogs - the old man and the new man- whichever gets fed the best is gonna' be the stronger dog! What do I read? listen to? watch on TV? search on the internet? What am I putting into my mind and heart? Those things will determine whether the "old man" and its desires, habits, and sins is prevailing in the struggle, or if the "new man" and all Christ has for me is the one winning. Lord, help me feed the spirit and not the flesh. Help me to be mindful of what I am listening to, watching on TV and the internet, and reading. Lastly, I need to actively and intentionally put off the old sins and habits. And when they pop up in my life, I need to "kill" them...kinda' like Whack-a-mole..you know the game where you whack the mole when it pops its head up? (LOVE that game!) Lord, help me to recognize sin when it rears its ugly head in my life, and "whack it" good! This life is a journey...Lord, help me to reflect Christ to others as I walk..may I not make you ashamed.