Appreciate the Little Things

(Photo by M. Toerner; November, 2008)

One morning the Lord woke me up about 4:30 a.m. Usually when He does that, it is because He wants me to pray for someone or something.  I never know 100% what He is up to, but it is always interesting. 

On this particular morning, the Lord impressed me to get my camera and walk out onto our covered patio.  I gladly did as I was "told."  In those initial moments, all seemed forever dark and still. In those dark moments, I witnessed the colors and light of the pre-dawn sky subtly, yet assuredly, transform into a new day.  It was amazing to behold; pure beauty.   

Through the entire experience, I sensed the Lord whispering, "Good morning, sweetheart."  It was as though He and I watched the initial hints of color press through the darkness.  The sky was a mixture of maroon and black.  It continued to morph into lighter and darker shades of pink and lavender.  The limbs of the trees effortlessly reached toward the heavens like hands greeting the day with welcoming arms.  The trees, the birds, the grass, and my own soul were mesmerized as we patiently awaited the transformation.  We were not disappointed.

Watching the morning unfold created a deep sense of wonder.  As the light slowly, softly changed, my heart, mind, strength, and soul felt the full impact of God's goodness and creativity.  It was simply amazing.  How precious it was of the Father to awaken me and invite me to join Him for the birth of a new day.  

What are some ways the Father manifests Himself to you?

Do you see Him in the little things in your life? 

Do you give Him credit for the beauty that surrounds you?  

What are you most grateful for?  

Don't forget that He is the Alpha and the Omega; the beginning and the end; the first and the last.  Let's appreciate Him in all things, even in the little things of life.  

Love, murphy  

The First Step Toward Healing

Photo by M. Toerner; December, 2007

The general definition of "trauma" is anything that leaves a lasting negative impact on one's life. According to this broad definition, all of us have experienced one or more traumatic events during our lifetime.  

There are several categories of traumas. Physical traumas include things like:  car accidents, sports injuries, excessive discipline, mistreatment by a bully, military action, domestic violence and more.

  

Emotional or psychological traumas include: abandonment, rejection, betrayal, teasing, sarcasm, poverty, neglect, unemployment, and others.  Abuse of any kind, whether physical, emotional, psychological, or sexual, would be considered sources of trauma.

When you think about it, most traumatic events touch our lives because of the poor choices and/or mean-spirited actions of people.  If a person drinks too much and causes a car accident, their choice to drink and drive caused a trauma.  If a parent is immature and ill equipped and chooses to beat a small child because the child is crying, that child experiences a trauma.  If a young girl is sexually abused by her father, mother, or brother, she is traumatized by their choices to sin.  

Most often, we experience trauma at the hands of other people.  Isn't that why we self-protect and withdraw?  Isn't that why we shy away from vulnerability in relationships and refuse to cry or be emotional in front of others because we might appear weak? Our greatest injuries happen because of the willfulness of those around us.  

Yet, we learn about healing and wholeness through the healthy relationships in our lives.  Although some people may believe it is possible to become healthy and whole without a relationship with God, I know from personal experience that God is the greatest and most profound source of healing, health, and wholeness.  Our relationship with God is founded on His love for us.  It is a settling thing to know you are totally and completely loved and accepted by God.  He knows everything you've done, are doing, and will do. He knows every sin and yet chooses to not hold the past against us.  His wrath has been appeased by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus.  He knows our thoughts and choices. His sense of and demand for justice is satisfied because Jesus paid for the sins of the world via His sacrificial death on the cross.  

Have you experienced one or more traumas in your life?  If you want to be healed, the first step is to establish a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  This is the first and foremost initial step toward healing because God becomes the most powerful, stable, unchanging source of strength, acceptance, love, and stability in your life.  Do you have that kind of relationship with Him?

All Things ...

Everything that happens to you is for your own good.  If the waves roll against you, it only speeds your ship toward the port.  If lighting and thunder comes, it clears the atmosphere and promotes your sol's health.   You gain by loss, you grow healthy in sickness, you live by dying, and you are made rich in losses.

Could you ask for a better promise?  It is better that all things should work for my good than all things should be as I would wish to have them.  All things might work for my pleasure and yet might all work my ruin.  Of all things do not always please me, they will always benefit me.

This is the best promise of this life.           -- Charles Haddon Spurgeon

Do you believe this promise?  

Is the God you worship big enough to cause everything to work together for your good?

Are  you quick to blame God because he did not "perform" for you?

In your current situation, what is God trying to work into your life?

What's Wrong

G.K. Chesterton (1874--1936) was an English journalist, theologian, philosopher, playwright, mystery writer, and  more.  Among his many great works are Saint Francis of Assisi, The Everlasting Man, The Man Who Would be Thursday, and Saint Thomas Aquinas.

When the London Times asked a number of writers for essays on the topic "What's Wrong with the World?"  Chesterton sent in the shortest reply and one that was to the point:

   Dear Sirs:

   

   I am.

   Sincerely yours,

   G.K. Chesterton

What is wrong with our world today?  

We are and unless we learn to love others and care about others the way Jesus did, there is little hope that the world will get better on its own.  Let us all work toward creating a better world.  

Blessings, 

Murphy

Scenery People

How do we survive family dysfunction?  We learn to: fly under the radar, be seen and not heard, pursue perfection, obey promptly, play quietly, deny feelings, suppress thoughts, keep secrets, and tell adults what they want to hear.  

In severely dysfunctional homes, we learn that dissociation, not dogs, is our best friend (even though it costs us huge portions of our memory).  In order to survive, we learn to "X" ourselves out as people.  Our joy, spontaneity, hope, and child-likeness is quashed and we intuitively know it is not safe to ask for what we want or need.  When carried to an extreme, these defense mechanisms unequivocally change us from "real" people to "scenery" people.  

What's so bad about "scenery" people?  I'll tell you.  "Scenery" people easily and effortlessly replicate and re-create themselves.  In no time at all, one "scenery" person rubs off onto scores of others transforming them into dull, lifeless, disingenuous, inauthentic, uncaring, unloving droids, i.e. "scenery" people.

God never designed human beings to be pieces of scenery.  We are created to be image bearers. We are made from muscle, bone, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, and more. We have hearts and minds; personalities and temperaments. According to our original design, we are supposed to be open, honest, real, and transparent.  We have eyes with which to see and ears with which to hear.   Our hands and arms can touch, hold, and comfort.  God gives us the ability and desire to love others and help others.  We portray Him well when we fulfill His design.

Blessings,

Murphy

 

The Wide Open Spaces of God

Photos by M. Toerner; 3/2009; Chapel Women's Retreat 

If you have not yet read The Wide Open Spaces of God by Beth Booram, you need to.  This is a poignant book about the various stages of life through which we navigate.   

Some stages will be familiar to you:  the valley of darkness, the valley of light; the valley of transition, the valley of the shadow of death; the valley of discouragement, the plateau of praise and worship; the valley of green pastures and quiet waters.  

Do you know these places?  Some of you know a few; others know them all.  

Being in a specific "landscape" is not bad; it just is.  If you are struggling with depression, it is not because one morning you woke up and said, "I know what.  I want to get severely depressed today.  I want the depression to overwhelm me so I can know the faithfulness of Jesus."  Most assuredly you did not do such a thing.   If you are in the valley of the shadow of death, you probably did not see it coming.  However, once you entered that place, your only way out was through the faithful guidance of the Lord Jesus.  

If you are currently in a green pasture, if you are experiencing the Father's peace, then you are truly blessed.   God gives heavenly peace to His children.  May His peace bring rest and hope to your weary soul.  May His peace linger heavily upon you.  May His grace, mercy, hope, and forgiveness enable you to rise above the fray.   

Blessings,

Murphy