Well, I'm a day late, but just wanted to say Merry Christmas - Happy Birthday Jesus! =)
I read Psalm 117 yesterday and it seemed very appropriate.
"Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol Him all you peoples. For great is His love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD."
God showed His love in sending His son. I never cease to be amazed that Jesus would give up everything He had in heaven, to be born as a helpless baby, in a smelly stable even. What tender compassion and humble love!
Hebrews 2:11 says "Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers."
Now that is incredible! That Jesus, awesome as He is, is not ashamed to be called my brother, to acknowledge me as part of His family. WOW!
Thank you Jesus, for coming, for dying, for rising again, for saving me from sin and death and for calling me your sister, part of your divine family!
Amen and amen.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Singing trees, jubilant flowers
"Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the LORD, for He comes...." -Psalm 96:11-13a
Isn't it amazing how creation is always praising God? If only we were as faithful....
"Exalt the LORD our God and worship at His holy mountain, for the LORD our God is holy." -Psalm 99:9
Amen.
Isn't it amazing how creation is always praising God? If only we were as faithful....
"Exalt the LORD our God and worship at His holy mountain, for the LORD our God is holy." -Psalm 99:9
Amen.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Happiness
Last week God gave me a very special gift. I was sitting by the beach, trying to breathe deeply in the fresh air. It had been a rough week (what's new?). I was gazing out over the ocean and suddenly saw a bunch of dolphins! (bunch=at least 5, maybe more, it was hard to tell.) It's been a long time since I've seen dolphins. It was so fun to watch them jumping and swimming. Then I saw two of them do something that looked like body surfing! They jumped into a wave right as it crested and rode it in for a bit. It looked like they were having a lot of fun. =)
I thanked the Lord for giving me such a special gift. It was a sweet reminder of His love as well as an illustration for my own life. Of all the animals, I always think of dolphins as the hpapiest ones. I think it's mostly because of the way God made them - they always look like they're smiling. =) If you think about it, a dolphin doesn't have an easy life. They face predators, finding food, etc. Yet they seem so happy just to be in the ocean!
I've felt convicted lately about my lack of being "glad" in the Lord. As I read through Psalms, I keep seeing more and more verses that command us to be glad in the Lord. When I feel so awful physically, it's hard to be glad about anything. But the Lord is indeed always wonderful, no matter how I feel. I felt like the Lord was telling me, 'Be like the dolphins. No matter what hardships are in your life, just be glad to be in the ocean of my love!'
Isn't it great to know that Jesus has provided not only eternal life, everything we need for this life and grace for each trial, but also the ability to be truly Happy in Him, regardless of our circumstances? This is something I'm learning more about...thanks to some very special creatures.
Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of the dolphins, but I do have proof I was at the beach. =)
I thanked the Lord for giving me such a special gift. It was a sweet reminder of His love as well as an illustration for my own life. Of all the animals, I always think of dolphins as the hpapiest ones. I think it's mostly because of the way God made them - they always look like they're smiling. =) If you think about it, a dolphin doesn't have an easy life. They face predators, finding food, etc. Yet they seem so happy just to be in the ocean!
I've felt convicted lately about my lack of being "glad" in the Lord. As I read through Psalms, I keep seeing more and more verses that command us to be glad in the Lord. When I feel so awful physically, it's hard to be glad about anything. But the Lord is indeed always wonderful, no matter how I feel. I felt like the Lord was telling me, 'Be like the dolphins. No matter what hardships are in your life, just be glad to be in the ocean of my love!'
Isn't it great to know that Jesus has provided not only eternal life, everything we need for this life and grace for each trial, but also the ability to be truly Happy in Him, regardless of our circumstances? This is something I'm learning more about...thanks to some very special creatures.
Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of the dolphins, but I do have proof I was at the beach. =)
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Happy Anniversary
"Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what He has done for me." -Psalm 66:16
This month marks 4 years since I got really sick and had to quit working, had to give up "normal" life, and began a journey I never would have chosen. November has become a sort of anniversary for me...'celebrated' with sadness that it's been another year and I'm still not well, but also with gratitude for the good things God has done through this trial.
4 years...it's hard to believe. In the beginning I thought it would be a short-term problem, hopefully resolved in a few months. Gradually as time stretched out and I saw doctor after doctor who just didn't know what to do for me, I began to realize God had a very different plan in store than what I expected. (Basically there's more wrong with me than most doctors can fathom. How I got this sick is another story, but my health has been under attack from various things since high school. What happened 4 years ago was just the final straw.)
The first two years were like being in a tunnel with no light at the end. I kept praying and trying just to hold on to what I knew was true. Then two years ago at Thanksgiving God gave me a breakthrough, not in my health but in my heart. Finally I could see the light, not at the end of the tunnel, but beside me in the darkness illuminating the next step. The Lord showed me that His purpose was to use the physical trial to bring not just spiritual "growth" but spiritual transformation--deep change from the inside out! Until then I couldn't see just how desperately I needed God to change things on the inside of me (thoughts, desires, hopes, fears...).
Once again, I thought at first that this process would be a short-term one, a few changes and then I'd be good to go (not perfect, but better somehow?). As the months went by, the Holy Spirit kept revealing more and more areas of my life He wanted to transform. The Lord showed me that it's a life-long, continual process He does in me so that others can see His power at work. He always uses some sort of tool to do His transforming work. Right now for me it's serious health problems. It's not the tool I would have chosen, but it's the one He knows is best.
It hasn't been easy. I've had days of pure agony physically, emotionally and spiritually. There were days I didn't think I'd make it through and days when I didn't care if I lived or died. I questioned God, I wept, I begged for mercy, I despaired.... Through it all He never has forsaken me. He has also given me days of pure joy in Him completely apart from my circumstances, moments of insight, greater freedom and intimacy with Him...and so much more. For these things I am deeply grateful.
As I face another year of this trial (and possibly longer), I can't help but think of all the things I miss. I miss little things like walking to the mailbox, cleaning the house, going shopping, driving a car.... I miss having the strength to talk, the ability to think clearly, the enery to sing, the fun of staying up late.... I miss really important things like spending time with family and friends, going to church, being involved in ministry.... I don't know when I'll be able to enjoy these things again. But I am thankful for the greater riches Jesus has given me of inner transformation and deeper intimacy with Him. Whatever the next year holds in store, I know that my Heavenly Father knows what is best for me.
Amy Carmichael said, "So does our...Beloved, choose out of all possible circumstances (and they are all at His command) the best for the fulfillment of His purpose...However things may appear to be, of all possible circumstances, this in whose midst we are set is the best that He could choose." (from "Rose From Brier")
I believe this is true. I am confident that God will continue to use the hardships He allows to bring the transformation He desires, and thus bring glory to His wonderful name!
So by His grace, I can say - Happy Anniversary, glory to God!
"Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you." -Psalm 9:10
This month marks 4 years since I got really sick and had to quit working, had to give up "normal" life, and began a journey I never would have chosen. November has become a sort of anniversary for me...'celebrated' with sadness that it's been another year and I'm still not well, but also with gratitude for the good things God has done through this trial.
4 years...it's hard to believe. In the beginning I thought it would be a short-term problem, hopefully resolved in a few months. Gradually as time stretched out and I saw doctor after doctor who just didn't know what to do for me, I began to realize God had a very different plan in store than what I expected. (Basically there's more wrong with me than most doctors can fathom. How I got this sick is another story, but my health has been under attack from various things since high school. What happened 4 years ago was just the final straw.)
The first two years were like being in a tunnel with no light at the end. I kept praying and trying just to hold on to what I knew was true. Then two years ago at Thanksgiving God gave me a breakthrough, not in my health but in my heart. Finally I could see the light, not at the end of the tunnel, but beside me in the darkness illuminating the next step. The Lord showed me that His purpose was to use the physical trial to bring not just spiritual "growth" but spiritual transformation--deep change from the inside out! Until then I couldn't see just how desperately I needed God to change things on the inside of me (thoughts, desires, hopes, fears...).
Once again, I thought at first that this process would be a short-term one, a few changes and then I'd be good to go (not perfect, but better somehow?). As the months went by, the Holy Spirit kept revealing more and more areas of my life He wanted to transform. The Lord showed me that it's a life-long, continual process He does in me so that others can see His power at work. He always uses some sort of tool to do His transforming work. Right now for me it's serious health problems. It's not the tool I would have chosen, but it's the one He knows is best.
It hasn't been easy. I've had days of pure agony physically, emotionally and spiritually. There were days I didn't think I'd make it through and days when I didn't care if I lived or died. I questioned God, I wept, I begged for mercy, I despaired.... Through it all He never has forsaken me. He has also given me days of pure joy in Him completely apart from my circumstances, moments of insight, greater freedom and intimacy with Him...and so much more. For these things I am deeply grateful.
As I face another year of this trial (and possibly longer), I can't help but think of all the things I miss. I miss little things like walking to the mailbox, cleaning the house, going shopping, driving a car.... I miss having the strength to talk, the ability to think clearly, the enery to sing, the fun of staying up late.... I miss really important things like spending time with family and friends, going to church, being involved in ministry.... I don't know when I'll be able to enjoy these things again. But I am thankful for the greater riches Jesus has given me of inner transformation and deeper intimacy with Him. Whatever the next year holds in store, I know that my Heavenly Father knows what is best for me.
Amy Carmichael said, "So does our...Beloved, choose out of all possible circumstances (and they are all at His command) the best for the fulfillment of His purpose...However things may appear to be, of all possible circumstances, this in whose midst we are set is the best that He could choose." (from "Rose From Brier")
I believe this is true. I am confident that God will continue to use the hardships He allows to bring the transformation He desires, and thus bring glory to His wonderful name!
So by His grace, I can say - Happy Anniversary, glory to God!
"Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you." -Psalm 9:10
Friday, November 28, 2008
An Adrenal Analogy
I've spent the last week under major adrenal stress (thanks to a strong allergy to something in our house). It's very difficult to explain to someone who has never experienced adrenal problems how awful and frightening it can be.
This week while I was resting, trying to concentrate on breathing and using as little as energy as possible, the Lord gave me an analogy which I think is pretty good. Maybe it will be helpful to those who are fortunate enough to have no clue what adrenal insufficiency is all about.
Simply put, the adrenal glands are like the body's energy generator. No adrenal function = no production of energy = thus no body function. I've been labled with "adrenal insufficiency" or "adrenal fatigue" which basically means my adrenals are barely functioning, thus I have almost no energy in my body. So I only have energy for essential body functions. Things like talking, jumping, running, etc. are now luxuries, not normal life.
Anyway, my analogy is to think of the adrenals like a battery-powered generator. You have to plug it in to a power source at night to recharge it, then run on the battery during the day.
Unfortunately, my 'battery' doesn't recharge much at night, so I have very little battery power during the day. Every movement, every stress big or small, etc. takes a certain amount of 'battery' power from the generator. The worst part is that when the 'battery' is all used up (like with a major stress), then I feel the generator "sputtering" nearing the end of its reserve. Unfortunately, if the generator ever quits completely, that's it. No restarting it. That is the danger of adrenal problems. You have to know the warning signs and immediately stop using energy and find a way to recharge or you end up in adrenal crisis.
Thankfully I've never gotten as bad as adrenal crisis (which would put me in the hospital or worse). But I have experienced some of the warning signs like nausea and shakiness. That's when the body gets panicky, and it's hard to stay calm as you feel your inner source of energy 'sputtering.'
In God's grace, He reassures me that He will see me through those scary moments, but it's still hard. I'm thankful for the Cortef (cortisol), which is an external way to 'recharge' my battery. Other than that I have to suspend all activity that isn't completely essential and just try to rest in God's hands. I certainly hope that one day my adrenals will be recovered, and I'll forget what it's like to be always thinking about the state of my internal 'generator.' Until then, I'm thankful for people's prayers and God's sustaining grace.
I hope this analogy is a helpful glimpse into what it's like for me at times. I'm glad that this is not common knowledge to people, because that means they have the privilege of taking normal function for granted. If you're reading this, I hope you're thankful for that. =)
God bless,
-Joanna
This week while I was resting, trying to concentrate on breathing and using as little as energy as possible, the Lord gave me an analogy which I think is pretty good. Maybe it will be helpful to those who are fortunate enough to have no clue what adrenal insufficiency is all about.
Simply put, the adrenal glands are like the body's energy generator. No adrenal function = no production of energy = thus no body function. I've been labled with "adrenal insufficiency" or "adrenal fatigue" which basically means my adrenals are barely functioning, thus I have almost no energy in my body. So I only have energy for essential body functions. Things like talking, jumping, running, etc. are now luxuries, not normal life.
Anyway, my analogy is to think of the adrenals like a battery-powered generator. You have to plug it in to a power source at night to recharge it, then run on the battery during the day.
Unfortunately, my 'battery' doesn't recharge much at night, so I have very little battery power during the day. Every movement, every stress big or small, etc. takes a certain amount of 'battery' power from the generator. The worst part is that when the 'battery' is all used up (like with a major stress), then I feel the generator "sputtering" nearing the end of its reserve. Unfortunately, if the generator ever quits completely, that's it. No restarting it. That is the danger of adrenal problems. You have to know the warning signs and immediately stop using energy and find a way to recharge or you end up in adrenal crisis.
Thankfully I've never gotten as bad as adrenal crisis (which would put me in the hospital or worse). But I have experienced some of the warning signs like nausea and shakiness. That's when the body gets panicky, and it's hard to stay calm as you feel your inner source of energy 'sputtering.'
In God's grace, He reassures me that He will see me through those scary moments, but it's still hard. I'm thankful for the Cortef (cortisol), which is an external way to 'recharge' my battery. Other than that I have to suspend all activity that isn't completely essential and just try to rest in God's hands. I certainly hope that one day my adrenals will be recovered, and I'll forget what it's like to be always thinking about the state of my internal 'generator.' Until then, I'm thankful for people's prayers and God's sustaining grace.
I hope this analogy is a helpful glimpse into what it's like for me at times. I'm glad that this is not common knowledge to people, because that means they have the privilege of taking normal function for granted. If you're reading this, I hope you're thankful for that. =)
God bless,
-Joanna
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Thanksgiving
"They were also to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD. They were to do the same in the evening." -I Chronicles 23:30
I read this verse today about the duties of the Levites. Can you imagine it being part of your job every day, twice a day, to stand up and thank and praise the Lord? On the surface it sounds easy, but what if one of them just had a fight with his wife, or had a sick kid at home, or his donkey just died? It didn't matter. That was their duty every day, twice a day, to thank and praise the Lord. I can't help but imagine that those Levites were probably the most blessed of the Israelites. How could you spend every day giving thanks and praise to God no matter what and not come away with a different perspective and a heart at peace?
This week I spent some time telling the Lord all the things I don't like about my life:
I don't like having dry skin because I'm allergic to lotions.
I don't like not being able to go shopping when I need a new pair of jeans or shoes.
I don't like being cold because I can only wear 100% cotton sweaters, (which are next to impossible to find).
I don't like being too weak to talk.
I don't like not getting to spend time with family & friends
I really don't like not being able to go to church and fellowship with my wonderful church family!
.....
I won't bore you with the rest. It was quite a pity party. The Lord is a kind listener, but He also helped me to change the direction of my thoughts and be thankful.
I'm very thankful that in Heaven I won't have to worry about dry skin r being cold, and I won't need to go shopping! =)
I'm very thankful that in Heaven I'll be able to talk all I want and it will all be praise to Jesus!
I'm very thankful that in Heaven I'll have forever to spend in fellowship with my loved ones, like an eternal church service!
I'm so thankful for the hope of eternity in Heaven, when all the hardships of this life will be a distant memory.
I wish I could get in the habit of thanking God for these things every day, twice a day. But until that small miracle happens, I'm really thankful for this week and the holiday we celebrate. Thanksgiving has long been my favorite holiday. No muss, no fuss, no commercialism, just a pure and simple reminder to be thankful. And even if I can't find much to be thankful for in my circumstances here and now, there is always much to be thankful for in what is waiting for me!
I read this verse today about the duties of the Levites. Can you imagine it being part of your job every day, twice a day, to stand up and thank and praise the Lord? On the surface it sounds easy, but what if one of them just had a fight with his wife, or had a sick kid at home, or his donkey just died? It didn't matter. That was their duty every day, twice a day, to thank and praise the Lord. I can't help but imagine that those Levites were probably the most blessed of the Israelites. How could you spend every day giving thanks and praise to God no matter what and not come away with a different perspective and a heart at peace?
This week I spent some time telling the Lord all the things I don't like about my life:
I don't like having dry skin because I'm allergic to lotions.
I don't like not being able to go shopping when I need a new pair of jeans or shoes.
I don't like being cold because I can only wear 100% cotton sweaters, (which are next to impossible to find).
I don't like being too weak to talk.
I don't like not getting to spend time with family & friends
I really don't like not being able to go to church and fellowship with my wonderful church family!
.....
I won't bore you with the rest. It was quite a pity party. The Lord is a kind listener, but He also helped me to change the direction of my thoughts and be thankful.
I'm very thankful that in Heaven I won't have to worry about dry skin r being cold, and I won't need to go shopping! =)
I'm very thankful that in Heaven I'll be able to talk all I want and it will all be praise to Jesus!
I'm very thankful that in Heaven I'll have forever to spend in fellowship with my loved ones, like an eternal church service!
I'm so thankful for the hope of eternity in Heaven, when all the hardships of this life will be a distant memory.
I wish I could get in the habit of thanking God for these things every day, twice a day. But until that small miracle happens, I'm really thankful for this week and the holiday we celebrate. Thanksgiving has long been my favorite holiday. No muss, no fuss, no commercialism, just a pure and simple reminder to be thankful. And even if I can't find much to be thankful for in my circumstances here and now, there is always much to be thankful for in what is waiting for me!
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