Category Archives: PROCESS

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!

GoAhead – Take A Step!

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Sometimes (Perhaps – Usually? – more often than we wish) we have to
“Just Take That BabyStep” – Without the understanding we’ll gain after taking The Step.

P.S. Sometimes the Path to Understanding is an even longer Process.

But in order to take tomorrow’s BabyStep,
we may need to be where
Today’s Step will take us.

BabyStep after
BabyStep after
BabyStep from
Here to “There”
By Faith
In HIM!

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/

 

LIONs,TIGERs‘n BEARs-“Oh LORD!”

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Can SOMEBody Please tell me why CHANGE seems to only happen in BabySteps?

BabyStep! after BabyStep! after BabyStep! From “There” to Here!

Why can’t I wake up one morning and Just Decide to be “HERE”?

AA tells me it’s because I keep looking for the “easier, softer” way.

Most Recovery Programs say: “Take These (12) Steps.” (P.S. – it all helps)

I’m sure it’s because I’d rather “Do it My Way! – by myself!”

JESUS says: “Jim, follow Me, I know the way!” –

Actually….

Something I continue to learn is that HE IS The Way. He takes my hand in His and says: “Jimmy, let’s take a walk through the garden this morning and let me tell you a few things about having me in your life. We can lie down in this green pasture, beside the still water and enjoy some quiet time together. You will find some healing and strength as we do it.”

“Now, listen to me very closely – This is important!”

“This afternoon we have a mountain to climb, but I’ll keep your hand in Mine and we’ll go there together! Trust Me.”

When we leave this quiet place, we’ll see some lions, tigers, and maybe even a bear or two. It may seem dark, you may not see me as clearly as you do now.

   But Fear Not, I Will be with you!

                     I Promise!”

“I have something to teach you that can’t be learned here – in the garden.”

BabyStep after BabyStep – with my hand in His!! …From “HERE” to “THERE!”

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.

10 Years Later

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Three years ago this week, Nelda’n I took Lex’n Logan to Yosemite.

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On the way, we passed through the area burned by the RIM FIRE. Five years ago, that 400 sq mile forest fire dominated the headlines much as the CARR FIRE has this summer.

I remember standing at the edge of the road overlooking one of the valleys that had been destroyed. We were saddened and dismayed at the measure of destruction.

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However, just around the next bend in the road, we were able to observe the recovery that was beginning to take place. New sprouts of green were beginning to appear. A (very) few birds and animals were venturing into the area.

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You see fire is a part of nature.  However recovery is very much a part of nature as well. There are some pine cones that only open after they’ve been through fire. God and nature takes care of His part, but some of the rebuilding man has to participate in.

Ten years ago this month, I remember standing on the edge of the “road” I’d been traveling, feeling very much as if I was gazing upon the hopeless devastation that had engulfed my life as a result of that dark, dismal time. I now refer to that time, that place as my “GIFT of Desperation”. If I had not been there, I doubt that I’d be here. You can read about it HERE!

This morning, as I’ve sat on our patio for a couple of hours in the morning quiet, I’m able to recognize the recovery that has been taking place. New Growth is occurring. I’ve (We’ve) been healed in places I did not know needed it. Areas of my life that had been closed have opened to new revelations. Relationships have been renewed, strengthened and restored. Hope for tomorrow has never been brighter. Fears of past, present or coming storms are greatly diminished. Rebuilding is underway.

“Old (dead) things have passed away, Behold, all things are becoming New.” II Corinthians 5:17

Through it all, we (me’n mine) have discovered, He Really IS still our God even in the midst of darkness! I’ve realized that God has His part in my recovery, and I have mine. I can’t do His part, (‘cause He’s God, I’m not) but He helps me with my part when I ask. The more I keep that in mind, the better it is! Last night, a young man asked me: “Hi Jim, How are you this evening?” I replied: “Better than I ever thought I’d be.”

You can read the RIM FIRE post from five years ago   HERE