Reflecting over the year

I think it's important to take some time by ourselves to do some reflecting. I think it's a good way to look at mistakes we've made and things we've done, and reflect on how we've learned from them.

I also think it's good to remember the times over the year that brought the most happiness, and biggest smiles to our faces.

I then think of what I "want" from the year to come ? What do I really want to accomplish or do.
I'm not one for making "resolutions," but I do like to set 2-3 goals that I plan on caring out throughout the year. Things I know I'm going to stick with.

Here are a few of the things I live by daily or thoughts that really help me in my daily walk...

I think beauty comes from within, where most true treasures lie.

Make the CHOICE to have a great day !

Everything in life is a choice.

Really live everyday like it's your last.

Never give in to the hopelessness that this world offers.

Strive to be a little better everyday.

Push forward and never give up.

Find the Lord within, everyday !

These are the things that I'm going to change this year.

I'm going to smile and laugh more.

I'm going to (with the Lord's help) conquer my weight.

Put ALL my weakness at His feet, so that I may know my Lord with more depth.
Deborah

Commenter's Welcome !!:)
We enjoy having visitors to Sister Talk. We welcome commenter's from all backgrounds.
I noticed how I started getting drawn into arguing "my point." The blog started taking on a mean spirit through comments, and this started becoming a distraction for me.
So, I still welcome comments but I won't be commenting on as many. I think we all have our beliefs, I just want to share my experiences that I have with the Lord as I grow spiritually, and give a glimpse of what our life is as a church outside the church system.
Besides, we are still sisters and brothers and I think we should treat each other with respect - even if we have a difference of opinion.
May the Lord bless each and everyone of you as He sees fit !!
Deborah

I read this from Jeanne Guyon's (Final steps in Christian Maturity) book and it really struck me how after asking the Lord to have a personal relationship with Him, and sharing the love flowing between us, this was what was "next."

Chapter 3
In Quiet
" One of the first things a spiritual pilgrim must learn is to be quiet before God and to remain before Him - coming without any request or even any personal will in any matter."
"If the believer chooses to act on his own he is, of course, hindering the progress of God. He is being active strictly for his own activity's sake. (He has chosen to do something for God rather than by God.")
"As he begins to come before the Lord, it is better for the believer to learn to die to all influences of motivation that originate in the self, which - after all - only aggrandize his self nature. If one remains before the Lord without will, he becomes like soft wax, a perfectly manageable instrument in the hands of God."

Wonderful union/love with the Lord

How can I express the ever flowing love that the Lord has for us ? I think words can only give a glimpse at best.
I think one example is the union between a husband and wife. I believe this shows something of union with Christ. I think there are different "levels" if you will of union with the Lord. As we grow in Him we experience different depths of love and oneness.
There's also those who are single, the Lord talks about how those (virgins) who don't ever marry are not burdened with the things that married couples are.
So I think there's (obviously) a union that can be had with our Lord that has nothing to do with physical union.
I believe physical union is simply a reflection of what we can attain from our Lord by finding Him within. Which in turn is a reflection of the church which also, when together, finds that union.
I have found such a pure love, a passionate love, a love that only deepens as I grow more and more within my wonderful Lord ! Oh I wish I could write on paper the passion and life that lives within me !
How great to have a Lord who is so willing to let us experience His love all we have to do is ask.
I read this in Jeanne Guyon's Autobiography - "Likewise, the rising of the sun does not extinguish the stars, but overpowers and absorbs them in the luster of its incomparable glory."
What a wonderful example of how union with our Lord can be !
Deborah

When God closes a door, He opens a window.

The Eve Of Christmas
Two thousand years have almost gone by Since Jesus was nailed on a cross to die. His teachings were done by words and deed. Thousands would listen and thousands would heed. The words of His wisdom and that of God. As many miles on foot would he trod. Let Peace be on earth would be His command, and nothing less than this should we demand! On the Eve of His birth let us all be blessed , and thank our God as we see the end of our quest. Let us all stand together as sister and friend, and pledge our love, and respect to a world without end. Together we stand, in joy and in sorrow and praise the birth of Jesus with the light of tomorrow.

I pray everyone has a blessed and fulfilling Christmas !
Deborah

It is not our purpose to become each other; it is to recognize each other, to learn to see the other and honor him for what he is.

Hermann Hesse

Environment

I don't want to be a product of my environment, I want my environment to be a product of me.

I watched a movie recently that started out with this saying and it really stuck in my mind.

When I think of environments I think of fish. When you take a fish out of its natural environments it struggles to survive.
I think that's how it's for us as Christians. I think we have been taken out of our natural environment (with Him) and "put" on this earth.

Oh how we struggle sometimes just to keep "our head above water."

Oxford American Dictionary definition
Environment - a structure designed to be experienced from inside as a work of art.
When I read this I was really surprised to find it as one of the definitions for environment.

After reading it I looked at it this way.
We're the structure designed to experience from within (the Lord.) As we grow and learn more from within, we become a work of art formed by our Lord.
I thought that was pretty neat.

Deborah

Distractions

It's so easy to distracted. There are distractions of the world and also distractions at home. I think we have to keep ourselves in check constantly. It's so easy to get caught up into things that take us off our center, the Lord !
I think sometimes we get a little off course but we think we have to make big adjustments. Actually we just need to make a minor adjustment or two and then we're back on track.

Fine tuning

As I continue to grow spiritually it seems that there are different stages of growth, just like a child's.
As my relationship continues to grow with the Lord, I'm going through what I'd call a "fine tuning." I've been through some "major" changes, things that had to be removed but only happened after me asking the Lord to take the things that were not from Him, to change me.
Now it seems to be more a fine tuning. I play the violin, and after a instrument is tuned there are what are called fine tuners. Usually the notes are just a little off, but they tune the strings to the exact note.
That's what the Lord's been doing with me, fine tuning to get me exactly in key with what He wants.

Deborah

What is the one thing we all get an equal part of everyday ?
Time
It's what we choose to do with that time that makes the difference !

I saw this on a sign at a local "church building"

Sunday school 417
Offering today $9,255.00
Attendance a year ago 439
Attending worship 565

Hmmm, since when has the church become about how many people you have and how much money is given !?
I couldn't believe it when I read this, and a friend told me how this is pretty customary in "church buildings."
I'm still astonished by this !! Does nobody else see something a "little" off about this ?
Deborah

When I read this I thought of the spiritual family.

Your family and your love must be cultivated like a garden. Time, effort, and imagination must be summoned constantly to keep any relationship flourishing and growing.

Kim Rohn

Through a child's eyes

For a child the world is fascinating, every thing's so exciting and full of discovery !
How great it must be to be a child ! What if we were that way ? What if that's how we were meant to be ?
I think of Adam and Eve in the garden before sin. How that discovery of everything created must have been just indescribable. The beauty - seeing God in everything created. What they saw wasn't the cursed earth, like now.
I believe everything created by God shows something of Himself.
I think that's how our discovery of God ,as we continue to grow in Him should be !
For me, my relationship with the Lord is alive and real, the discovery of who He is as I grow spiritually fills me with such awe. I feel like such a child as I learn from our wonderful Lord and I can't wait to experience more.
May we all strive to be pure, like a child in our Father's eyes !
Deborah

I always try to not put "personal" things on here, but I must "break" my own rule, just this once.
To wish my Mom a very Happy 50th Birthday !! I'm one of the fortunate people to have my Mom as my best friend and sister in the Lord. We do everything together and don't go a day without seeing each other or talking several times on the phone. Thank you Mom for being you ! I love you with all my heart !!

(For those who don't know, Sally is my Mom)

We are who we are

I've been thinking about this lately. There are so many different types of people ! Some like myself who are very upfront and honest and if I have something to say I say it. (I have learned the hard way, not everything should be said though:)
Some people are timid and shy, sensitive, ultra sensitive, some obnoxious or rude, I could go on and on, but get the gist.
I think it's great to have such a diversity of people ! Thank goodness we're not all the same (clones.)
With everything created there are so many varieties of every single type, and I think it's the same way with people.
There's such a variety and we all have something to offer and we can learn so much from each other.
I don't think we should try to change each other we simple love each other with brotherly love and accept everyone with all their faults and irritations because we are who we are. Only God can change us into who He wants us to be. Not what everybody else wants us to be !
Deborah

Good ?

Someone said something to me once that really struck me. I think of how some people are so focused on doing "good." There's the "old" saying "the road to hell is paved with good intentions." Think back to the garden of Eden and the two trees, one was the tree of Life and the other was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This person said " did you ever notice how good was with the same tree as evil?" After hearing that I never looked at it the same way.
Having the knowledge of good, which then turns into good works or deeds wasn't from God.

I was really amazed at how even something as doing "good" doesn't mean it's from God.

I look at some people and they do incredible things for people all around the world. There are some really good people, some christian some not, but I don't think the point of God's creation was to do "good." It couldn't have been if it wasn't in the tree of life.

I think people don't want to hear such a thing because so many religious organizations promote "doing good" (whatever good deed you want to put in there,) but in the midst of doing all that good, some how God and His purpose are lost.

What if we changed our thinking just a little, instead of "doing" first, lets put having a (true living) relationship with Him first and then the rest will come.
Deborah

Darkness hides the light...

Darkness in our lives, things not of God are hidden when we live in that world of darkness. Have you ever thought of how when a light's turned on we can then see what's around us ? When there's no light you can't see anything, but once a light is turned on you can then gradually start to see things clearer.
The darkness conceals (hides) what is really there. I was thinking recently of another example: look at black clothes how they conceal (hide) the imperfections. The whiter the clothes the more you see the imperfections.
Then there are some things so devastating in our lives that we can only see them in darkness, even the darkness is used to His purpose !
Deborah

I'm really enjoying the simplicity and contentment that comes from within ! I think of the times when my life wasn't that way. How chaotic just simple things would be. I'm so much more relaxed and really enjoy life, I don't feel high strung anymore. I also don't take things for granted in my life. I live every day and moment to its fullest ! You never know how much time you have with someone. So take time to enjoy the moments.
Deborah

Lonliness during the holidays...

This time of year is full of emotions. For some it's full of happiness and joy, but I think more often it's a time of loneliness, sadness and memories. There's a reason why suicide rates and depression rise at this time of year. I think of the people who don't have family and how this time of year promotes family, happiness, and love. How utterly lonely many people are. When you see the commercials of happy families and wish you had one.
To those who are sad and lonely, may you find comfort and peace in the Lord. Even though we can't change our pasts, lets start making a future how we want it to be. We don't have to live with the sorrows, regrets, and anger from the past. If we make a choice to let go of those things we can start over "new." I've done it, it's hard to face those things that have made us who we are. Once we face them then we can just give them over to the Father, and let Him lovingly take them ! I wish everyone the best and happiest holiday season filled with everything that makes you happy !:)
Deborah