LettingGoOfCrap

I woke up this morning and peered out the front window to find a soft blanket of snow had been laid the night before. (Is that proper English...laid or is it lain?)

Anyway, in the quiet of the morning, I opened my "online" Bible and began reading again in Genesis 1.

"How much can I get from Genesis 1?" I asked.

"Read Genesis 1:5"...was the response.

Gen 1:5
And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

So before you scroll down and think this is another theological dissection of the Word which sucks the very life out of you, let me assure you it is not.

At this point, you may be wondering what "LettingGoOfCrap" has to do with Genesis 1:5.

As I was mulling and listening for a fresh God view on this verse, several scriptures popped into my head...Lamentations 3:23 where he says God's mercies are new every MORNING...and Ephesians 4:26 which tells us to not let the sun go down on our anger.

1. Evening and Morning constitutes a day...A day starts in the evening.

2. Morning is the end of night...the coming of daylight

3. Light was the first creation which was NAMED...Day. Light was named Day...I am named Cheryl...

If you place Lamentations 3 and Ephesians 4 into the Genesis framework, you find something quite remarkable...the perfect 24 hour period. God has given us instructions as to how we are to face each 24 hour period. In the evening...the first part of that period, He tells us in Ephesians to not hold on to anger...this is a "don't" phrase. The sun is not to set with anger in our hearts. How much violence, thievery, family quarrels happen in the evening? I dare say a lot.

Perhaps we would not be so testy if we remembered the framework for the day...or light period of that 24 hour time. "His mercies are new every morning"... In the morning when we awaken to the first light of day...the night has ended. The whole idea behind the word "morning" in this verse is exactly that...the end of night or the coming of daylight.

When His mercies and love come at the crack of dawn...the beginning of light...we awaken to God's goodness, kindness and faithfulness which, according to the writer, are NEW...a new beginning if you will.

The whole idea of naming Day(light) or should I say (light)Day, was to give importance to this act of creation...light. Because light brings with it the idea of revelation, Jesus being the light, we as his special creation in Christ being light, understanding, growth and security just to name a few.

In a nutshell...We were created to walk in His Daylight. We were given gifts of kindness, goodness, His sure promise that what He says...He will do...what He sees in us, nothing will change that picture. We are to walk in His light by shunning anger and latching on to His love. From evening to morning we have a fresh new beginning...a new 24 hour period in which to live in this knowledge.

PetPeeves

All of us have those little varmints that hang around us called "Pet Peeves".

Now these peeves make our hearts race, our temperatures rise, our mouths shoot off comments with rapid fire speed, as the little tantrum stomping kid inside expresses displeasure and signs..."back off sugar"!

One of my top peeves is:
Cereal in the sink which was not pushed down the disposal but instead had water or milk or whatever liquid dumped on top throughout the day...then dried as hard as concrete by the time I return from work.

Why?

Because it gags my precious children.

Okay...here is a pevey list...this is real, but funny too.

2. (I've already said what #1 was.) Toilet paper put on backwards that you don't discover until you are sitting down at night in the dark unable to reach the light switch and trying to get your wits about you enough to figure out the paper is on backwards.

3. Dirty clothes thrown in the closet to keep from having to walk 10 paces down the hall to the laundry hamper.

4. A telephone that smells funny and looks like the stuff in the garbage disposal is caked on right about nostril level.

5. A very tall person sitting down right in front of my short self when all the other chairs on their row are empty.

6. A toothbrush that looks like it hasn't been rinsed out since the hot chocolate.

7. Back to the bathroom...finding a TP roll with just the sheet that is stuck to the roll left and you have to lift up and tinkle across the bathroom to get a new roll.

8. Now this is a big pevey also...being in a store and having to stay two isles away from (it is always a woman) a gum snapping, popping woman who must have a mini mic inside her mouth 'cause the sound is overriding the canned music.

9. The reply from a teenager to every question you ask..."What do you think I am...stupid?" coupled with the bobbing head, raised eyebrows and the flaring nostrils.

10. And last...but not least...sniffing, and then more sniffing, and then more sniffing...along with the guttural snorting with each sniff.

Aahh...we all have pet peeves, but thankfully not many of them keep us away from those we love...they just test us...as one of my friends used to say..."They've gotten on my last nerve".

I know one of Holy Mama's peeves...the non-word..."irregardless".

So, what 'cha got?

Feelin'Misunderstood

In the Gospel of John, the writer...the disciple John, gives a very Genesis like description of who Christ is. He is "The Word". He is "The Light".

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He describes the distinction which God made during creation between darkness and light. The light shines in darkness, but darkness was unable to understand the light.

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What a true statement.

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Those who are in darkness because the LOVE of Christ has not been shed abroad in their lives do not understand even the thinking of those who are in light.

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In Christ is light and there is LIFE when there is light. That is why in the darkness, life does not hold as precious a place as it does to those in light.

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I like the scripture which says...therefore, if any man be IN CHRIST, he is a new creature...old things have passed away...and all things have become new.

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Part of being misunderstood comes from the fact that when we are born again we are a new creature.

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Just like God made the distinction by setting light in a dark world, we are new...get it...a NEW CREATION if you will...distinct from those who live in darkness.

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So when we feel misunderstood, it is because our mind has been renewed...we are new creatures...we don't think like we did before.

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This is the beauty of a life in Christ. It is okay to be misunderstood 'cause we should just be continuing to walk past the misunderstanding and love folks as He did.

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We were "created" to be distinct, but that is how others are drawn to the life of Christ...that is when they get good and tired of sitting in darkness...they'll remember where the light was!

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So, keep on shining and spreading that light to someone today. Remember you are a light bearer when you are waiting in line at a FAST FOOD RESTAURANT, and the order taker acts bored and rolls her eyes at you when you ask for extra anything. Remember you are a light bearer, 'cause you may be the one to lead that person into the light of Christ.

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Just a side comment. My son-in-law told me in the food industry, no one liked to work on Sunday...especially the after church crowd because they were the lowest tippers and the hardest to deal with...ouch!

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With that in mind...Shine on you little distinct new creation...full of light...someone needs to see past the darkness in their life...and maybe it's the guy taking your order today.

Howdy

Hey ya'll...I'll get a post ready this p.m...we've been at my hubby's sistas ranch...internet was just about one step up from dial up. We had a great time...hope all of your Thanksgiving's were thankful...see ya late this p.m.

TheCrackOf...

CRACK><><><><><>
Happy Thanksgiving to you all...

A few days ago, our youngest asked me what early morning was called.

"Early morning I guess...what do you mean?"

"I can't remember...(long pause)...is it called the crack of doo?"

(hilarious laughter)

"No sweetie...it's called the crack of dawn!"

So for all of you who got up this morning at the crack of doo to get everything prepared for your family...a good crack of doo to you too!

Have a good day...

IDon'tWannaPostToday

Have you ever had one of those days you just didn't want to post. Probably because my first post was lost...it just takes the wind out of you.

So here goes...I'm breathing the wind back in so I can do this post....

First, I had written this great post about family and then a funny one about when I used to hide in a closet and shine a flashlight up my nose so I'd appear scary when I was found during a game of hide-n-seek. Kind of opposite ends of the spectrum wouldn't you admit?

I suppose, I could post about Thanksgiving, but I'm feeling rather obvious today, and giving thanks is always a great attitude to have EVERY day!...so that is my Thanksgiving blog...as least for the moment.

Perhaps I could blog about my little man doing what appears to be the funky chicken, the jerk, and who knows what all rolled up into one neck craning dance.

Perhaps I could blog about putting up the Christmas tree already...nah.

I think, my mind is on turkey...dressing...(cornbread dressing)...cranberries and fruit salad...and pumpkin pie and key lime pie and sweet potatoe casserole and green bean casserole and homemade yeast rolls with butter dripping off into my mouth and pecans all chopped up into little pieces and put in and on everything and then there is the real whipped cream being overdone on the top of my pie. And of course, lots and lots of conversation and laughing and wishing all of the family...bros and sistas and of course you could be here to kick back and just enjoy each other's company.

I know it is a couple of days before Thanksgiving, but like I said earlier...we're getting together tonight, and why not...any day with family and friends is a day to give thanks...so there you have it...my Thanksgiving blog three days early...

ARRGH

Just did a blog on family and must have hit delete...I'll post again later....arrgh...

ThinkingBig

Don't you just love this picture. A little photo shop exaggeration makes me look Texas-sized in hair and nose....

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Anyway, this is what came to mind as I was mulling over the idea of "Thinking Big".

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I tried to do this post yesterday, but blogger was timing out and not saving, so here is yesterday's thought today!

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Perhaps you are like me and get more than one reminder about what the Holy Spirit wants you to hear. Sometimes, I hear the same message through many sources.

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Well, the "Thinking Big" theme has continually come at me throughout the last few weeks.

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Here's the skinny on it.

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When I was a kid, I liked getting the tubes from the wrapping paper and using them like a one eyed binocular. Of course it didn't magnify anything, it just narrowed my view.

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Point.

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When fear or pressure or doubt comes into our lives, we are like the kid using the tube to see through. There is no peripheral vision, just what is framed in the opening of the tube.

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Now, let's take God as an example. He sees all, knows all, understands all, and loves us all. He is a BIG THINKER. Have you ever thought big enough to create an entire universe with such detail that we as humans are still realizing there are "things" smaller than what the most powerful microscope can detect! His creative layering in this world just baffles my mind with the color, personality and detail seen in each part.

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He can see what is ahead for each of us in microscopic detail. He sees the sequence of events He is ordering (as we cooperate) that we don't see.

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So, what we need is a broadening of our viewpoint in order to THINK BIG.

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That broadening comes from seeing events through the eyes of the One who created everything.

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We all have two choices to make...two vantage points, when decisions are staring us in the face...when troubles are looming at our door...or...when fear tells us we are going to "die".

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What are those two vantage points?

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Wrapping Paper Tube View OR God's View

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You choose...

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So what is our hangup with seeing events and people through God's eyes?

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You tell me!

ASweetMiracle

No, this is not the new "Angels", but this is our eldest daughter (in the wedding dress)...her sister...back row, and two of her bridesmaids and long time friends.

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Now, I know I've been remiss in not showing you wedding pictures, but I'll spring them on you a little at a time.

(This picture was taken in an old historical building here in town...you can see the staircase in the back.

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A sweet miracle is our eldest...even before she was born and I thought I was miscarrying her, God intervened and she was born right on time.

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For those of you who followed her throughout Marine Boot camp until she came home, you know she was discharged with hip and knee fractures. Even in this picture she is wearing tennis shoes because heels were just too much for her. She was in a lot of pain from standing on her Wedding Day because of the injuries, but this post is to report a sweet miracle.

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The same God who stayed with her throughout her 89 days in boot camp and was there when she was injured and was there when she came home...that same God last Sunday healed her. She has been pain free for three days now and it started when a corporate prayer was prayed during a church service. You have to understand...this is the first time she has NOT been in pain.

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I just wanted to share a pic with you and let you know we serve a God who is always there with us even when we don't see anything happening. Your miracle might just be around the corner...but no matter how long it takes and how it comes, remember He is always there with you...you never have to go through ANYTHING ALONE.

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Thank you for all of your prayers for her.

ALittleBright

Please be patient with me as I am trying to learn how to change up my blog. No telling what you might see in colors and fonts and such. Just wear your sunglasses if my colors get too bright!

WorkingTheFoundation

Everything has to come from something.

Every house built has to have a foundation. But even before the foundation, the dirt has to be moved out of the way and leveled and prepared. Lines have to be run for sewage and electricity. The framers come in and provide the shape for the building then the house begins to take on it's own personality.

It started out formless and empty.

As I was looking again at Genesis 1:1-2, I saw another side to our lives as pictured through these verses.

God did not say the formless, empty and darkness were bad...nor did he call these things good. What is interesting is that when God spoke light into being...then he separated it from the darkness and said the light was good. Of course we tend to think the darkness is bad because the light was good. Was this what God was saying?

Back to the house...the foundation and dirt work have to be put in place before the house can be built. This is what the formless, empty and dark areas of our lives provide...groundwork for the house to be built.

Do you remember the lovely poem which was written about the potter and the clay? I had the chance in college to "throw" pots and absolutely loved getting my hands in the mud. The clay was without form until I kneaded out all of the little air pockets kind of like what you would do with dough...then I put it on the wheel and began to add a little pressure first on the inside and then on both the inside and the outside until the pot was formed. It wasn't useful until it had been fired and sometimes...depending upon how may layers of glaze...it went through multiple firings.

Was the formless clay bad? It was neither. It depended on who formed it.

What I am NOT saying is that we are born without sin. What I am saying is that the formless, dark, void places of our lives, when put into the hands of the Master can become something beautiful and pleasing.

I remember in teaching kids, we had this lesson about a "place in your heart" which could only be filled with God.

A hungry, empty stomach signals us we need to put something in the void.

With our lives, when we fill ourselves with unhealthy food, we create problems in the long haul. If all we ate was chocolate bars, eventually something unpleasant would happen in our system.

That void, formless darkness should signal to us we need a filling that will satisfy us. That filling has to be from God for us to be satisfied. I'll have to admit I've stuck my fingers in my spiritual ears from time to time because I was dis-satisfied instead of just listening to what He was telling me to do.

That ugly foundation you think you have in your life? Guess who can make it beautiful?

OpenDoors

Open doors...I've prayed for open doors many times and perhaps you have too.

The longer I walk this Christian life, however, I learn that everything we need...we already have. That goes for open doors as well.

...This morning as I was having my smoothie, I sat down and opened my Bible to Genesis 1 again. My first thought earlier that morning had been "Open Doors", so as I picked up my pen and prepared to write, I knew that this would be the subject matter of my tutoring by God time.

I reread Genesis 1:1 and started moving down to 1:2 when the Lord spoke..."Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there IS and open door. Quit looking for an open door...I am the door." Whoah! My mind raced to that scripture in Revelation 3:8, "See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut..."

Example: We were founding members of a church for 14 years until several weeks ago when we officially departed. Nothing bad had happened. We agreed with the preaching and liked the new pastor and his wife, but it was clear to the whole family, it was time to leave.

Both my husband and I knew it was time, but he kept it inside for 5 months, and I couldn't decide what was going on...what I was sensing and feeling. It just didn't seem like we were where we were supposed to be. It began to affect all areas of our lives. Because we did not move on His leading quickly enough, our lives lacked the energizing influence of the Spirit of the Lord. Why, because we were not following His lead. It's a little hard to see the path God is leading when you are so far behind Him, you can't even see Him!

Do you remember in the Old Testament when the children of Israel were to follow the cloud by day? When the cloud would move...they loaded up their goods and followed. The Spirit of the Lord moved those millions of people from place to place so that they would be provided for. Had they not moved, they would have died in the dessert and on their tombstones would have been written..."Failed to follow the Spirit of God".

So what does all of this have to do with doors? Where the Spirit of the Lord is...there IS an open door. You can guess the opposite of this statement I'm sure.

Following the Spirit of the Lord is imperative to seeing open doors. He sees open doors and knows which doors are closing before it even happens. If we will listen, He will position us in just the right spot. This has to do with going when He says go, and staying when He says stay.

I hope you are not like me. Right now, I can think of several things God asked me to do which haven't been done as of this writing. Some of these are lost opportunities while others many still have open doors.

So, when you are looking for open doors, remember, Jesus is the Door...Genesis 1:1...In the beginning God. HE is where everything you desire in life starts.

"Thank you Jesus for being the Door and that your Spirit is hovering right now just waiting for us to agree and follow. Thank you that you have already provided every good and desirable thing for us. Thank you for the open doors in my life. I'm ready to step in 'cause I know you will be there with me."

TheBeginningOfBeginnings-AGenesisExperience

I know I have spoken of this before, but this morning as I was listening and studying I once again knew it was time to revisit this subject.

I so much look forward to this time when I can read and listen to the voice of the Lord. It is like water being poured over my head and a wonderful cleansing - washing away all the cares of the day. It is like being refocused...not out of determination and guts, but a gentle leading and encouraging just knowing I am hearing what He is saying this day.

For so many years now, I have heard this from the Lord..."This is a Day of New Beginnings". Sometimes I am encouraged, but most times I am unbelieving this is true. Today as I sat down all curled up with my Bible and pen and paper, I understood a different side of New Beginnings.

God was directing me and helping me understand some events which had recently taken place in our lives and my ears were wide open...wanting all of the answers.

"Read the beginning of beginnings." This was the directive this morning and it dawned on me where I was to begin to study...Genesis. What He had been telling me for years..."This is a day of new beginnings" finally connected to what He was saying this morning...A Genesis experience.

Have you ever seen the relationship between what God did in the beginning to your life having that Genesis experience? Neither had I until this morning.

Genesis 1 says that in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth and the earth was without form and empty....darkness covered the expanse of the waters, but the Spirit of the Lord was "hovering" over the waters, waiting until The Word was spoken...then radical change happened.

This is how I applied this first verse today:

1. New beginnings always start with God and His creative influence.

2. If God will take care to create, order and separate darkness from His creation, how much more will He order our lives...a new beginning.

3. We all experience times when our lives are: formless (without direction), empty, covered in despair and darkness like the waters are about to consume us.

4. But, and this is a very important word..."but" the Spirit of the Lord hovers over our lives just waiting for The Word to be spoken.

5. Truth...the Word spoken sets in motion the creative power of the Spirit of the Lord to begin to order, plant seed, bring to maturity and create change and beauty in our lives.

How amazing is the Word of God...how amazing is God to take our formless lives...our darkest times when there is chaos and turn them into amazing order and beauty.

May this be a Genesis Day for you...beginning with God.

Change

Making A Positive Change, Always Requires A Greater Commitment!

RibMan

Have you ever thought about this: Woman was taken from man...thus Adam and Eve. Men are born from women.

Okay, here's another one: God made man and formed woman from him...one turns into two. Marriage puts them back together...the two become one.

This evening when I was putting our little man child to bed, I told him the story about Adam and Eve and how woman was made from the rib of man. I dropped a little nugget in there about the difference between a woman and a man is that woman is a womb-man. He doesn't quite get the thing about all humans being called mankind, and didn't even hear the womb-man comment 'cause he was still stuck back on Eve coming from Adam's rib.

Anyway as his eyes were closing, a faint smile came across his little freckled face and he said...."I guess I'll have to call you RIBMAN". They're always thinking aren't they!

So, goodnight from YellowMamaRibMan...I'm not sure I'll refer to myself with that name, but it posts cute...

PeaceBaby

I've been reading out of I Kings the stories from the life of Elijah the prophet of God.

I guess I've read them dozens upon dozens of times throughout my life but (as is the case with the Word of God) I saw something different this time.

You can read this out of BibleGateway if you want...http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Kings%2019:%2011-13;&version=31;

A brief on what had happened before this scene in the cave of the mountain:

Elijah encounters the prophets of Baal and God shows himself...a great victory...

Jezebel...the Kings wife is ticked off and pursues Elijah with murder in her heart.

Elijah flees to the Brook Cheroth and is revived.

He runs to the cave to hide himself and to let God know "he alone" is the only prophet of God left and it looks like he is headed for destruction as well.

This verse I've given you a link to talks about how God showed himself to Elijah. First a great wind...a violent wind rocked the rock...but God was not in that...then an earthquake rocked the rock...but God was not in that either. Something happened and then there was a fire...but God was not in that either. Elijah stayed put during all of that...I would too...until he heart a "still small voice". He knew God was there and covered his face with his cloak and walked to the entrance of the cave to hear what God had to say.

Elijah knew God would show up. God did showed up with the still...peaceful, small...not overpowering, voice. Elijah heard God.

When the waters in your life have been stirred, wait before you go off on a tangent and listen for the voice of God. His presence bring peace.