Category: Faith

Own It

by Charlotte

We’ve been studying Genesis Chapter 3 (the fall of man) in church on Wednesday nights. It hasn’t been really fun for me. In fact, I am beginning to see why I had such a beautiful time of rest; because this isn’t going to be easy. It is going to be a little painful, I do believe.

Let me back up and explain.

Eve: There she is minding her own business and this snake comes up to her and strikes up a conversation. First mistake, she doesn’t walk away. Then the snake convinces her that God is holding out on her. Second mistake, doubting God’s love and wisdom. Then, of her own free will (the snake didn’t make her do it), she disobeys God. The big mistake. The one that brought her death and curses. But the story doesn’t end there, unfortunately. No, when God asks her what she has done, she doesn’t own her sin. She tries to put it off on someone else – the serpent; it was the snake’s fault, “he made me do it.”

At this point it is easy for me to point a finger at Eve. “Eve, Eve, why didn’t you just fall down at God’s feet and beg for mercy?” I can understand why she talked to the snake. I’ve talked to enough snakes in my own life to know I am just as sinful as Eve was in this area. I can understand doubting God. I am guilty of that as well. I can understand eating the fruit. Seems I do it on a daily basis. But why not just confess? “I don’t know, why not just confess, Charlotte?”

Okay that hurts a little bit.

This realization that I don’t own my sin has hit me in the heart and it hurts my pride – quite a bit. For example, I’m yelling at the kids to get in the car because we are going to be late. It is the kids fault because they are dwadling. “Ummm…no.” I am called to be self controlled. And not only am I called to be self controlled, I am given the ability to be self controlled because it is a fruit of the Spirit of God. But if those kids would just hurry when I need them to hurry … no. I need to own my sin regardless of what the kids do, I am called to be self controlled regardless of what my circumstances are.

See what I mean? Owning your sin is painful. Knowing that I sin is the first step, taking responsibility for that sin is a lot harder for me. We all sin. That is a fact. But it would be nice to be able to qualify sin and tell myself that it isn’t as big of a sin because it was somehow forced upon me. Typed out like that, it really seems silly . . . and it is. It is silly to think that I am somehow forced to sin instead of given the ability (by God) to rise above it. That I willingly choose, not only to sin, but to deny responsibility for that sin.

Dang it, Eve. I am your daughter after all.

Cream Rises 22

posted by Donna

Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.

Do you remember this childhood rhyme? It was often taught as a bedtime prayer. Many of you young moms have established bedtime routines. I like that. I wish all children had them. And I wish all routines included cuddling and talking about the day, successes, failures, favorite thing, least favorite thing, and reading a book. And finally, prayers. Including the Almighty in the recap of a busy day, asking Him to be with you and your loved ones.

Psalm 4:4 says: “Be angry and do not sin; on your bed, reflect in your heart and be still.”

So you see, you can tell your children our Heavenly Father thinks of everything, even what’s best for us at bedtime.

Christmas Eve 2011

Please feel free, CC readers, to post your favorite bedtime routines to share with others.

Cream Rises 21

posted by Donna

Psalm 8:1

Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name throughout the earth!

Arabic ~ f l . <<I’ ” E ^/ I ” E /

Cambodian and Chinese ~ (beautiful script not found on my keyboard OR yours)

Danish ~ Jesus af Nazarets ord

German ~ Die Wort Jesu Jesus von Nazareth

Hindi ~ not found

Italian ~ La Parola Di Gesudi Nazareth

Mexican ~ Jesucristo

Portuguese ~ Jesus de Nazare

Romanian ~ Cuvintele Luitsus Din Nazaret

Russian ~ C^OBA NNCYCA N3 HA3APETA (picture N’s backwards)

Serbian ~ Isusa Iz Nazareta Reci

Swedish ~ Jesu Ord

Turkish ~ QNSQY

Vietnamese ~ LOCI CUUA GIEAXU NGOOOI NAXAREUT (picture many more accents and marks)

Psalm 8:9

Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name throughout the earth!

Dios Te Bendiga ~ God Bless You!

Cream Rises 20

posted by Donna

Stop me if you’ve heard this one. It’s one of God’s great promises and one of my favorites.

Psalm 17:15

But I will see Your face in righteousness; when I awake, I will be satisfied with Your presence.

Wow, does anyone else love those words? Can you think of ANY experience that will even come close to seeing the face of God? The shepherds and the magi saw it, along with Mary and Joseph, and I suspect they knew. But how confusing must that have been? El Shaddai’s face as they gazed into a pudgy brown face not yet 2 days or 2 years old. The disciples and their contemporaries saw it up close every day for 3 years. But very few recognized it. And those who did were mostly women. His disciple, Philip said, “Jesus, just show us the Father and that’s enough for us.” The face of God must have looked crestfallen in that moment, deep sadness lining His eyes and forehead, downturned lips. “Philip, have I been with you all this time and you still don’t know Me? The one who has seen Me has seen the Father.” Face to Face.

Jacob saw God face to face when he wrestled Him at the place Peniel. He spent the rest of His life limping. And haven’t we all experienced when it seems like God hides His face from us, as when David complained , “Lord, why do You reject me? Why do You hide Your face from me?” But God promises you and me, we will see His face in righteousness (throughout eternity, and David and Jacob will be there, too). When I awake (Is that after a cat nap or immediately following death or just plain come to my senses and work with Him, not against Him?), I just know I will be satisfied with His presence. That’s an understatement!

Privileged? Yes!

Awestruck? Oh yeah.

Secure in? Mmm Hmmm.

Have my socks blessed off? Yup.

But satisfied? I’m still shocked that He invited me.

Cream Rises 15

posted by Donna

Let all who seek You rejoice

and be glad in You;

let those who love Your salvation continually say,

“The Lord is great!”

Have you ever read a poem and a small part of it jumps out at you or heard a song on the radio and one stanza speaks right to you? That’s what happened to me with Psalm 40:16. Actually several parts of Psalm 40 came into sharp focus not too long ago (see Cream Rises 14) but God made sure I had the appropriate response to some very difficult circumstances when He reminded me to continually say, “The Lord is great!” Try it this week (and mean it!) when troubles come your way. Four words that pack a punch! The Lord is great!

Heart Wide Open

By Charlotte

I’ve been praying for some time that God would make me more like Him. I know I am selfish and self-centered (aren’t we all to some degree or another?), but I don’t want to remain that way. God is faithful. He answers our prayers if we ask according to His will [Matt. 7:7] (and it is His will that we not stay as selfish and self-centered as we start out). I need to clarify that I haven’t vocalized this prayer for awhile so it had kind of slipped my mind. And I need to add that this week hasn’t been a particularly fun one for me.

I fought my own head for quite a while this week. Hashing things over and over in my mind until I was sick of hearing myself think. Then I listened to our pastor’s talk concerning Matthew 1:18-25 and decided to put what I heard into practice. I prayed that God would show me His way in the situation I had found myself. That He would shift my perspective to see it all in the light of His glory.

As any of you who have walked with God very long can imagine, I found myself running smack dab into the poor reflection of myself [I Cor. 13:9]. It was so ugly that I then found myself in a pile of seathing, self-loathing goo. Which then turned into the victim, blaming everyone else for the horrible state I was in. Do you all see the problem here? God showed me a tiny, little bit of the truth and I “can’t handle the truth” (imagine my best Jack Nickolson voice). I know the victim mentality is wrong and by wrong I mean a sin so when I heard the voices of a victim running through my head, the warning sirens began to sound. I immediately stopped the voices – told them to hush up, and quieted my heart. This is the first thing I had done right all week. “Okay, God,” I said, “What do I do with all this mess that is before me and is me?”

The image of the people on the roller coaster with their hands high in the air flashed through my mind and the words from John Mayer’s song “Say” drifted in my thoughts; specifically the phrase “with your heart wide open”. I started thinking about Jesus and how He approached life – with His “heart wide open”. He wasn’t afraid. He wasn’t afraid to go to Bethany after Lazarus had died. He wasn’t afraid to cry and feel the pain of the people He loved [John 11]. He wasn’t afraid of the storm. He wasn’t afraid of telling it to “be still” [Mark 4:39]. He wasn’t afraid of coming to earth in ignoble terms [Luke 2]. And He certainly wasn’t afraid to die with His “heart wide open” [Luke 23:44-46].

I don’t want to talk about having my “heart wide open” any more: I want to live it. I want to follow in my Saviors footsteps and find my courage from “Him who dwells in me” [1 Cor. 3:16]. I want to overturn the tables in the temple [John 2:15] and call people from the dead [John 11:43]. I want to eat with the fisherman [John 21:13] and turn water into wine [John 2:1 - 10]. I want to be in the front of the roller coaster and I want to throw my arms in the air and . . . scream (because I’m going to be scared out of my mind) – but I’m going to do it with my “heart wide open”.

*all photos given to me by a lady named Sue in 2006 (I wish I could remember more to give her more accurate credit because I think they are beautiful.)

Cream Rises 19

Is Psalm 119:101 just wishful thinking?

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.) I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep Thy word.

American Standard Version I have refrained my feet from every evil way, That I might observe Thy word.

World English Bible I have kept my feet from every evil way, that I might observe Your word.

Young’s Literal Translation From every evil path I restrained my feet, So that I keep Thy word.

Whichever translation you choose to use, the message is still the same. God knows we cannot circumvent evil every time ~ only Jesus, His Son was able to do that. But He loves our intent, when we desire with our whole heart to stay away from evil; to, literally, walk away from evil, any evil, every evil. I work with children in several capacities. I watch them walk right up to evil and dance. I watch them run to evil and skip to evil and hop to evil. We’ve all been children, and we’ve all been there, done that. But at some point in our lives, it’s time to grow up. And when we do, we can refrain from evil and from every evil path. How? by saying we will? by willing it to be so? with best intentions and our best efforts? That’s the human way. The way of God is by His Word. As we read and study and listen and learn and grow, our feet refuse to walk on any evil path. His Word….it does the body good!

Cream Rises 18

Posted by Donna

Psalm 102:1

“Lord, hear my prayer; let my cry for help come before You.”

‘Forgive me, Lord, for taking my responsibility and privilege to pray so lightly. Help me to resume that critical activity in earnest. Let me heed my own words (Cream Rises 17). Please, Almighty, be sure I’m listening and not just preparing for the next thing I want to say, or spouting a constant stream of words with a furrowed brow and doubt in my heart. Oftentimes, we approach You in desperation and great despair. Like the proverbial monkey on our back, we just want You to lift the problem off, solve it, and let us resume our carefree days. But You, Sovereign God, have a different strategy. Your ways are not our ways.’

And in fact, here’s how God creates pearls: Pearls are formed when a bit of sand or other foreign object enters into an oyster shell and the oyster excretes calcite to coat the intruder until it is smooth and stops bothering it. Through this biological process, gems of great value emerge. Could it be that God uses a similar process on us?

‘Heavenly Father, over and over in the Psalms, You allow and encourage us to plead with You for ourselves and others. You assure us that You Hear our prayers. And you tell us You will help us because we are not so different from that plain, nondescript oyster. Please cause those things which invariably enter our lives and disturb our day to day, all our troubles, big and small, to shape our inner being into pearls of great beauty for You!’

Psalm 102:17

“Lord, hear my prayer; let my cry for help come before You.”

: My Parents October 17, 1953

Passions

by Charlotte

I’ve been thinking a lot about passions lately – as in what am I passionate about not as the romantic passion. :) The biggest question that keeps coming to mind is, “What is my passion?”

Is it decorating? I like decorating. I love beautiful homes and I like the process of making an ordinary home beautiful. But it is not my passion.

Is it cooking? I would like to be a better cook and make delicious meals for my family, but it is so far from my heart that I can hardly even cook a simple meal these days. Speaking of; I should be thinking about what is for supper tonight instead of writing this. :)

Is it cleaning and organizing? Definitely not. I am one of those people that will have random items in the silverware drawer. And cleaning, well, I would really rather not.

Is it horses and horsemanship? I love horses and would love to be a good horseman, but it is not a big enough passion to get beyond thinking it would be nice. It is kind of like playing the guitar for me. I would love to play the guitar, but I really don’t want to practice. I want to be a good horseman without putting in the effort it takes to get to that place.

Is it being a mother? This is one area that I would like to see more passion. Passion can be cultivated and I am working on cultivating passion for being a mother, but it is not a natural passion.

So what is my passion? I’m still praying and seeking the Lord’s answer. I do know that I enjoy writing about Him. I love sharing what He has done in my life, what He is stirring up in my heart at the moment, and sharing my appreciation for His creation.

Having said that I am going to share what is swirling around in my head now. My husband and I have been watching a documentary on Auschwitz. The horrors of what happened at that death camp are appalling, but upon examination of my own heart, I know I am not incapable of doing such things. Jesus said if we have hate in our heart, then we have murdered and, unfortunately, I do have hate in my heart at times.

(source:)

The only thing that lets me sleep at night is that I also have the Holy Spirit and I trust that He would check my own evil thoughts. That He would keep me from doing such things to other people. That He would give me the courage to actually do something to stop other people from doing such horrible things. That He would stand in the way of my own self and help me rise above fear and hate and anger and do what Jesus would do. I have hope of that not only in extreme cases such as the holocaust, but also in small cases. Times such as happen every day when I would naturally respond in anger instead of love. Times when my children argue with me and I feel anger rising to the surface. I want to practice letting the Holy Spirit check my spirit in those moments and respond instead with love (love can be firm, but it is always kind and not easily angered). By practicing letting the Spirit be in control of me in the small situations, I can be assured that I will be submissive to Him in situations that are really important. I will know no other way to respond but in submission to Him. After all, my righteousness comes from Jesus, wouldn’t it make sense to let His Spirit guide me?

*while searching for a picture to put in this post I came across a website’s that sole purpose was to explain away the holocaust as Western propaganda

Cream Rises 17

Van Morrison has a line from a song ~ “and it’s a new dawn, and it’s a new day.” Well, it’s a new year and that’s exciting. What can we accomplish together with the Lord in the next 365 days (This being leap year!)? There are many worthy endeavors out there:

Do your job well.

Be honest and kind to others.

Try to save money and spend wisely.

Stay healthy (eat right, wash your hands, exercise, avoid vices).

Perfect a hobby.

Plan a trip for yourself and others.

Stay in touch with relatives and friends.

Get involved with your kid’s education.

Keep your house and car clean.

Spend time online.

Attend or participate in sporting events.

Develop a new passion.

Volunteer.

All worthy. All, in and of themselves, not a bad way to spend your precious time. But what if the Lord has a far different approach to the next 365 days (including February 29^th)? What if we understood that He has our spiritual well-being first and foremost on His priority list? What if activity in our lives was entirely inconsequential to Him until we mastered the far-more-essential art of being still and knowing that He is God? What if none of the rest of it matters until we learn to revel in His presence and begin really conversing with Him? With Him starting the conversation and encouraging you to respond?

The Almighty: I assure you (Insert your name here.): Anyone who hears My Word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgement but has passed from life to death (John 5:24)

Lil ol’ me: Never take the word of truth from my mouth, Lord, for I hope in Your judgements. (Psalm 119:43)

The Almighty: For I know the plans I have for you (Insert your name here again.), plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. You will call to Me and come and pray to Me and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

Lil ol me: I have sought Your favor with all my heart, Lord; be gracious to me according to Your promises. (Psalm 119:58)

The Almighty: Come to Me, all you who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take up my yoke, and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

Me: My life is down in the dust; give me life through Your Word. Psalm 119:25

What if, in this year of the Lord, 2012, He really doesn’t busy Himself with anything but time with YOU, just you, and He wants you to do the same? What if your list looked more like this?

Begin the day with a smile and a “Good Morning, Lord,” greeting.

Sing praise songs as you shower.

Kneel to ask for His presence throughout your busy day.

Continue memorizing the verse you have taped to your mirror or over your kitchen sink or in your back pocket (Thanks, Mary Jo.)

Give heartfelt thanks for health and exercise as you walk and bend and stretch and lift.

Pray throughout the day for family and friends then start on countries who persecute Christians, our president, elected officials and armed forces.

More thanks as you get in and out of your vehicle.

More praise as you greet various people.

Have a Bible handy should you get a break, with a chapter or passage all picked out. I recommend Psalms 1, 13, 16, 19, 23, 27, 34, 42, 91, 92, 93, 96, 100, 103, 104, 111, 116, 117, 118, 119, 121, 122, 133, 134, 145 on.

Bow your head to ask the blessing at mealtimes.

A time of sitting, silent and at peace, with the Almighty.

Say bedtime prayers….

then one more round of praise.

And a sleepy “Good night, Lord.”

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Cowgirl Clippings

Category: Faith

Own It

Cream Rises 22

Cream Rises 21

Cream Rises 20

Cream Rises 15

Heart Wide Open

Cream Rises 19

Cream Rises 18

Passions

Cream Rises 17

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