Ok, forty-four years old and I am having butterflies today at the thought of my first day of school at Barton college. How silly! Isn't it strange how we can react to the unknown. My insecurities come to the surface in a fierce rush! Crazy! You would think those "voices" that we heard when we were young school age that said the other kids would make fun of you...your clothes are not the coolest...people will laugh at your big nose...you'd think those voices would eventually shut up, wouldn't you! I suppose there is a part of us that just wants to be accepted and do well. Well, at least I am that way.
However, I find peace today knowing that my God loves my big nose...He thinks I am the coolest...and He never makes fun of me, even when I make fun of myself. He loves all my silly jokes that crack myself up and I really think He laughs with me. He loves me - flaws and all. Will I ever get that from my head to my heart? I sure hope so...'cause insecurity is tiresome!
Mosaic Me
Original artwork by Renee J. Moore. Image is not to be used without permission of owner.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Gotta Kink in Your Hose?
For several days now I keep hearing phrases about having a "kink in your hose"...what? I turn my head upward, point my index finger towards my chest, raise my eyebrows and say, "You talkin' to me?" The visual I have is of someone standing with a garden hose watering towards something then suddenly the flow of water gets slower and slower until finally only a drip drops from the end. The one watering turns to find a kink in the hose that is blocking the water flow. Have you been there, done that? I believe we all have at one time or another. The one watering lays down the nozzle, walks to the kink, and straightens it out. Ahhh, the water flows again...and gardens grow, cars are washed, and the grass is watered. Is there a kink in your hose?
When we allow those kinks to remain, nothing gets accomplished. We must first find it, walk to it, and straighten it out. Is there a kink blocking the flow of the Spirit in your life? Is there something you need to straighten out? Hummm, if you want to accomplish anything in life for God, you gotta get rid of that kink in your hose.
When we allow those kinks to remain, nothing gets accomplished. We must first find it, walk to it, and straighten it out. Is there a kink blocking the flow of the Spirit in your life? Is there something you need to straighten out? Hummm, if you want to accomplish anything in life for God, you gotta get rid of that kink in your hose.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
The House Fire
Scott & I were watching TV last night when Travis, Scott's son, went running from the house with an urgency unlike I've seen before. Now, he is quick to leave quite often since he is on the Walstonburg Volunteer Fire Department, but this was different. He did not speak a word but ran with determination on his face. Scott & I looked at each other and commented that something serious must be going on...moments later, Scott's father called and said his neighbor's house was on fire. We jumped into the truck and went to see if there was anything we could do. By the time we got there, the fire had pretty much been contained and mostly extinguished. We stood to the side watching...waiting. I was praying for safety for our son and the others who were sacrificing themselves - all for the sake of others.
One firefighter came out of the smoking house, threw his axe into the ground and fell to his knees. He was breathing heavily while removing all of his protective headgear. Someone gave him a couple of bottles of water. The mask came off...it was Travis. The pride of a step-mama swelled up in me, and then my Father spoke..."Watch, see how he is on his knees while the other one behind him is changing his oxygen tank? See how he is guzzling the water like it was his last drop?" The Father reminded me that He is the water and I must drink of Him like it's my last drop! He pointed out that while the christian is on her/his knees, she still needs the help of others to hand her some water and keep the oxygen tank loaded and ready. Travis could not fight this fire alone - he could not endure the heat without the aid of others. Nor can I...nor can you! We need others to keep the oxygen tank tight and loaded...We need the water to quench our tired and weary soul. As christians, we fight every day...the fire of the furnace is turned up sometimes and some fires are stronger and rage with more vengeance than others, but we still fight!
I don't often tell Travis how proud I am of him and the courage he has shown by accepting his calling to become a professional firefighter. Usually when I do say I'm proud or that I love him, he shrugs modestly and gives a little half grin; but Scott & I are very proud of the man he has become. For that moment, while he was fighting, God used him to speak to me as I witnessed how he fought the fire. I hope this reflection speaks to you: When the fire is raging, fight it with all your might. When you need a breath of air, fall to your knees in prayer and guzzle the water of the Holy Spirit like it's the last experience you'll ever have with Him, and trust God to provide the right person to secure your oxygen tank behind you. When you're revived, stand up and fight the fire again.
One firefighter came out of the smoking house, threw his axe into the ground and fell to his knees. He was breathing heavily while removing all of his protective headgear. Someone gave him a couple of bottles of water. The mask came off...it was Travis. The pride of a step-mama swelled up in me, and then my Father spoke..."Watch, see how he is on his knees while the other one behind him is changing his oxygen tank? See how he is guzzling the water like it was his last drop?" The Father reminded me that He is the water and I must drink of Him like it's my last drop! He pointed out that while the christian is on her/his knees, she still needs the help of others to hand her some water and keep the oxygen tank loaded and ready. Travis could not fight this fire alone - he could not endure the heat without the aid of others. Nor can I...nor can you! We need others to keep the oxygen tank tight and loaded...We need the water to quench our tired and weary soul. As christians, we fight every day...the fire of the furnace is turned up sometimes and some fires are stronger and rage with more vengeance than others, but we still fight!
I don't often tell Travis how proud I am of him and the courage he has shown by accepting his calling to become a professional firefighter. Usually when I do say I'm proud or that I love him, he shrugs modestly and gives a little half grin; but Scott & I are very proud of the man he has become. For that moment, while he was fighting, God used him to speak to me as I witnessed how he fought the fire. I hope this reflection speaks to you: When the fire is raging, fight it with all your might. When you need a breath of air, fall to your knees in prayer and guzzle the water of the Holy Spirit like it's the last experience you'll ever have with Him, and trust God to provide the right person to secure your oxygen tank behind you. When you're revived, stand up and fight the fire again.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Confession....
Know this: In no way have my parents ever spanked me in an abusive way. I realize many of today's thoughts regarding discipline believe that spanking is unacceptable. ABUSE is unacceptable. While reading this post, please know that my parents gave me nothing but love! With that being said...
When I was a little girl, on more than one occasion, my mom would tell me to do something and I just would not do it. Rebellion? Stubborness? Procrastination? (probably more of the latter!) For what ever reason, I wouldn't UNTIL she would give me a "good pop" on my bottom or fat little thigh. I can hear her saying something like, "Renee, I told you to _____, and I don't want to have to tell you again. Now do it!" That was the motivation that pushed me to a place of obedience. Spiritually speaking, I feel as though God has given me that same kind of "good pop" recently. For months now, I have felt a nudge to get back to writing devotions. The nudges have gotten harder and within the last week or so I have felt His "pop" and strong hand saying that I don't need to understand "why" He says do it...I just need to do it! So, after strong encouragement from Him and more encouragement from a dear sister-friend...I am going to do my best to share what He puts on my heart. My prayer is that these words will be words to encourage you today.
Are you hearing Him tell you to do something, but you are putting if off...ignoring it...questioning with all the whys? I encourage you to just go ahead and do what He says do. I don't think He spares the rod. Hummm, isn't it a walk of faith, not a "sit down and do nothing...wait for better timing" kinda faith...walk it! Move! Now, do it!
All In love!!!
When I was a little girl, on more than one occasion, my mom would tell me to do something and I just would not do it. Rebellion? Stubborness? Procrastination? (probably more of the latter!) For what ever reason, I wouldn't UNTIL she would give me a "good pop" on my bottom or fat little thigh. I can hear her saying something like, "Renee, I told you to _____, and I don't want to have to tell you again. Now do it!" That was the motivation that pushed me to a place of obedience. Spiritually speaking, I feel as though God has given me that same kind of "good pop" recently. For months now, I have felt a nudge to get back to writing devotions. The nudges have gotten harder and within the last week or so I have felt His "pop" and strong hand saying that I don't need to understand "why" He says do it...I just need to do it! So, after strong encouragement from Him and more encouragement from a dear sister-friend...I am going to do my best to share what He puts on my heart. My prayer is that these words will be words to encourage you today.
Are you hearing Him tell you to do something, but you are putting if off...ignoring it...questioning with all the whys? I encourage you to just go ahead and do what He says do. I don't think He spares the rod. Hummm, isn't it a walk of faith, not a "sit down and do nothing...wait for better timing" kinda faith...walk it! Move! Now, do it!
All In love!!!
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