It's a Good Thing.

There is...

   This morning I made a blubber in front of a bunch of people that served as a reminder of how beautiful grace is.

   Forgetting almost all the words to a song you are performing, stinks - period. so... Guess what happened.... Yep.... That happened this morning.  Fortunately I nailed the chorus and the next song I'd written; but as I sat there after proclaiming "All I have is Christ"  over and over and over again. I didn't feel embarrassed or weird.... (well may be a bit) but more than anything I was relieved ... relieved that my success and accomplishments in life are not what I live for because if they were... well I'm just glad they don't define me. 

ITS A GOOD THING...

...I messed up this morning, oddly enough it refocused my thinking - I find it wonderful that the words that I did remember were ones proclaiming my commitment to make Jesus my life. No matter the degree I get, the job I have,  or the talent I possess.. I would much rather have a legacy of surrender than of anything else. 

 ITS A GOOD THING...

...Grace keeps me grounded. Grace, that which is totally undeserved is a tool that reminds me of how sweet commitment and surrender are. Without it I'm afraid of who I'd be -- probably a prideful and conceited mess.

ITS A GOOD THING... 

...That God is a father who gives grace to his rebellious and disobedient children. His patiance and giving of Grace absolutely astounds me! Really though... I thought I understood... there is so much I don't and that I am seeing for the first time. 

But no worries.... ITS A GOOD THING! 

Refreshment at The End Of Chaos.

This week has been a whirl wind of activity. Going straight from one job to the next and coming home exhausted at the end of the day can leave a girl worn out. 

So..

To take my mind off things I went out and had a chance to take some beautiful photos. Even though life can get crazy, taking time to do something you love can keep you sane. Plus with scenery like this I am able to see and think about the blessings that I fail to recognize when I'm in to much of a hurry.   

This post is combination of my two favorite things... Pictures and Song lyrics. 

A Three Lettered Word.

Joy

   I've been thinking about that word lately. That small word doesn't do justice to the huge emotion it describes. To be joyful in all circumstances is tough. In fact I would go as far as to say that to be joyful in all circumstances is a lost art in humanity today. how much easier is it to give a reason for discomfort or unfairness than to look at the good that MIGHT possibly come out of the situation.
  
   Joy is something that HAS to be INSTIGATED. Thinking back to the many different times I have FELT joy, the feeling was never felt without an accompanying action. I guess a good metaphor in describing joy would be drinking a energy drink. You can eye it, talk about it, and even substitute it, but without actually opening the lid - you'd never taste and receive the Energy.  Which is why I think it is mentioned in Galatians as a fruit of the spirit. To acquire fruit there is quite a bit of effort involved I would know, due to our WONDERFUL patch of strawberries I have become well acquainted with the actions of  planting, watering, weeding, all the way down to the picking. Being JOYFUL is hard business and it takes practice but thats what makes us SALT and LIGHT in a world that is BLAND and DARK. Sometimes we need to be that ray of sunshine people encounter. 

   Nehemiah 8:10 says  that the "Joy of the lord is your strength"--- So what would happen if instead of complaining about rough and ugh things in our life we instead focused on the ways that God is moving and working to fulfill HIS good purpose in our lives. Having joy about the items on the "TO DO" list that is waiting to be accomplished makes each task bearable and I would go as far as to say enjoyable. Even if you are exhausted and running on the last bit of steam to do something you love because you love doing it makes whatever it is a breeze. 

   PERSPECTIVE is the key to complete and unspeakable joy. Shifting our perspective off our definition of "Good" and on to God's definition of "Good" is the only way to live a life that is satisfying and fulfilling. Life isn't Rainbows and unicorns - its more like mistakes, uncertainty and failure that we are bound to be plaged by; but if we fix our eyes on what really matters and are reminded of what already took place to make that misery temporary there is no reason that joy should not overflow.