Category Archives: GRATITUDE

Monday Mrng Musings V

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“How is it that some can accept as simple FACT that GOD Loves them?” Why Can’t I?

My Struggle is Real! More so on some days than on others…

The reasons we create in our minds for which God loves us can be a stone tied around our spirit and become a barrier to entering His Presence with boldness and confidence. (Ephesians 3:12)

I have more to say… tomorrow? The Cyclone in my mind is spinning this morning. Give me a day – or two – let’s see if it begins to make enough sense to share. But in the meantime,

Whatcha think??

Do YOU Know this struggle?

Share with us!

T.B.T. # 16

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#ThrowBackThursday

I’m a bit dismayed as I look back and remember this post from 4 years ago! 😪  Some of the lessons I was being taught then have yet to be properly applied to my everyday practices.

That’s part of the reason my Favorite Recovery Word is PROCESS.  I’m not what I was, I’m not what I will be, but “For Today, Just For Today, I can BE What HE Desires For Me.”   O’Course, without the work done in that time, our lives would be so different today. That’s a good thing! 😆 A  Very Good Thing! 🥰

Something I HAVE learned better since that point is we have to be (very) careful about comparing TODAY with YESTERDAY or TOMORROW. We run the risk of losing the JOY laid out for us on THIS Day.

https://itreallyisjustthatsimple.com/2015/10/22/stuff-in-the-way-2/

 

Me? Bless God?

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I awoke with this thought this morning! (@ 5:15) 😜 💤💤

Do I bless GOD when I spend time with Him? Or, how ‘bout this… is there a part of God’s heart (life) that is lonely when I get too busy for Him?

Wow, I sure don’t have an answer yet this morning. But that’s usually how this hotel (cyclone) in my head works. In drops a Q such as this, my mind begins to spin, and sooner or later, “I” discover something new.

So, whatcha think? If God is God, #He.Is,I’m.Not, then how can He need ANYTHING from me? But He made us “in His Image.” Is the need for interaction with others a HUMAN trait, or is it part of His image created in us?

Barbara Horwege, our first Pastor’s wife after we got out of the Air Force almost 50 years ago told me, “Jim, you think too much!” Nailed me!!!

All I know and understand this morning is, it BLESSES ME when I spend time with Him. Is it reciprocated?

Have a GREAT Day, my friends!! Don’t think TOO much, but share with the rest of us! Pretend we’re sitting across from each other at the corner table in Walnut Creek ButterCup.

Phil.4:8 Response

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Gualala, Ca “Sea Cliff on The Bluff”       http://seacliffonthebluff.com

This is our favorite Get-Away Spot! We love sitting in the twin recliners gazing out the picture windows overlooking The Pacific Ocean and this view. At times, we’ve even been able to watch the whales. When we manage to spend a few days here, the cares of our (real) lives fade into the distance.

By the time the morning of our final day is drawing to a close and it’s time to depart, we’ve been able to rest our bodies, quiet our minds, renew our spirits and begin to dwell on “The Better Things” of life.

The good news is, more and more, we are learning – (being taught – by Him) to do this in the midst of our REAL day-by-day lives. How? You ask? Good Question!! As I sit here this morning and ponder, I’m  realizing how “simple” it turned out to be.

GOD Loves me! The ONLY Things He desires of me is for me to Love Him – in return. “It Really IS Just that Simple!” #But-ItAin’tEasy! This PROCESS of getting from “there” to “here” and continuing on to “there” has been an at-times tortuous trek. Other times, it’s like a walk in the park.

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I’m learning the difference is that I can walk with Him, because He LOVES me. Unconditionally! Just as I am! I spent a lifetime trying to be worthy of walking with Him. HE walks with me! He takes my hand. He holds me by my right hand. (Isaiah 41:13)  I can rest secure in His Love! That makes it simple. Whether the path is smooth or rocky, bright or dim, straight ahead or hidden behind a bend in the road, when I choose to believe His Promise to “Never leave me, Never forsake me,” my life works in ways that amaze me. One of the most amazing changes has been the voice in my head. Phil 4:8 has become much more a reality because I’m able to see it as RESPONSES to His Presence rather than REQUIREMENTS.

Photo credits:

Gualala Sunset by – The Author

Mtn.hike photo by Eric Sanman on Pexels.com

ParkPhoto by Andrii Nikolainko on Pexels.com