Thursday, September 16, 2010

I bloomed...not in the best of gardens

Unfortunately I mastered a skill I usually don't.  Have you ever been in a heated conversation, knowing you have the upper hand and the better argument, however you fail to mention your amazing points?  Afterwards you have a case of "I wish I said this..." or "Had I said this I'da had them in their tracks!"  Finally I didn't have to do that!  Short story-the car dealership we bought our new pride and joy from has some very aggressive managers who lack customer service skills.  They called me and right off the bat gave me all sorts of attitude.  Instead of shriveling up in a ball (which I think was his intention), I told him to stop, they would not be speaking to me that way and let's try this again.  That unfortunately didn't work, so I yelled, yelled like I've never yelled at an adult.  I said everything I needed to say, without cursing, (go me), and managed to make the manager realize how wrong he was, though he was still very aggressive.  So while I may have bloomed in this current garden, it sort of feels like I bloomed in the flower bed outside of McDonald's.  I was the prettiest flower out there, but I'm still outside of McDonald's (kid don't you feed me a fry!) :) 

So yay blooming, but I'm going to try and not be in those gardens anymore :)

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Failure to bloom


Bloom where I am planted

Anyone who knows me, knows I am completely guilty of generally despising something about my current life situation (for the last few years it has mostly been work).  I’m always counting down to something bigger and better.  Even now I am counting down to leaving my current job to return home, live with my husband and resume my former job.  Don’t get me wrong—I’m not saying there is anything wrong with my wanting to be returning home.  However, I know that I have failed to bloom where I was planted; instead I have fumed, and generally been in need of constant pruning from God and all those he uses to do this.  I realize that I have on a whole not taken advantage of the places God has planted me at all.  Sure I have selfishly taken advantage of these places-- financially, finishing my school, getting back in shape—but what do those things matter when we’re talking about eternity?  What have I done to show God’s love and be an example of him?  So, in an effort to bloom more, I am going to begin with (attempting to) not complain.  Really what does complaining do—nothing but supposedly make me feel better, when the reality is it only gets me more stirred up and more than likely stirs other up.  Assess the situation, if I can bloom, great if not—be the tree that can still bear fruit later on.  Second step—seriously stop telling people things they really don’t need to know for the sake of conversations!  Bah I find myself doing this all the time.  

While I have submitted that work not be greatest area to bear fruit (I may never be jumping for joy at my work…), I can still utilize whatever job I get thrown in, to bear fruit for the Lord.  I can still be a bright and shining bloom instead of a Debbie downer! :) 
So…
Passage 1 Corinthians 7:17-24:
   17 Each of you should continue to live in whatever situation the Lord has placed you, and remain as you were when God first called you. This is my rule for all the churches. 18 For instance, a man who was circumcised before he became a believer should not try to reverse it. And the man who was uncircumcised when he became a believer should not be circumcised now. 19 For it makes no difference whether or not a man has been circumcised. The important thing is to keep God’s commandments.
   20 Yes, each of you should remain as you were when God called you. 21 Are you a slave? Don’t let that worry you—but if you get a chance to be free, take it. 22 And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are now free in the Lord. And if you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ. 23 God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world.[a] 24 Each of you, dear brothers and sisters,[b] should remain as you were when God first called you.
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My prayer Lord is for your continual guidance to bloom where you plant me, to be a positive example of your kingdom and your Love.  Lord please also guide anyone else who is also struggling with their current pot you have planted them in.  Let us all bloom in your time.  Amen!

P.S.  

(Not a P.S. prayer-but a P.S. side note)—part of this drive to bloom where I am planted is because I can see God re-planting me in situations I have been in before.  Clearly I did not bloom in those seasons when he put me through them before, and really it would be much easier for me if I didn’t have to repeat seasons! :)  Silly me! 

P.P.S-Anyone else experienced blooming issues? Can I add anyone/anything to my prayer list?

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

The world makes God an easy choice

http://www.newsok.com/satanic-group-to-hold-october-event-at-oklahoma-citys-civic-center/article/3490365?custom_click=email_lead_story_title

A quote from the article "it (the Satanic church congregation) is made up of people who believe in Satan as a friendly entity, people who believe there are no gods and people, like himself, who believe they are gods"

If there are no gods, how can you be gods?

God thank you for making it so easy to chose you. Thank you for making the alternative seem so absurd that you appeal to our earthly philosophy. Lord I pray for these people, that they will understand that there is a God, not made by man but that made man and that is Awesome. :)


Chris Tomlin sings it best:
Our God is greater
Our God is stronger
God you are higher than any other
Our God is Healer
Awesome in power