How many minutes have passed since the last time you thought about something that you are looking for...that you are longing for to happen in your life? Most likely, once you've researched this briefly, you will find that not too many minutes have passed since you thought of that something.
We women have deep secrets that we don't even share with our closest friends. Some of those things are great longings and lookings that saturate our minds...in the deepest parts. Ever so often, one of those longings will be exposed simply because of life circumstances and stress. But for most part, we women are resilient to keep those things locked away and hidden from everyone.
However hidden we think we have these things, these hopes and dreams (that seem to be too silly to share with even our dearest friends or our spouse) are seen and known intimately by someone. That someone is the One, the Lord Jesus Christ...God the Father...and the Holy Spirit. These three persons are one; in the form of the Trinity. God knows our longings and lookings.
Secrets and heartaches and unspoken hopes and dreams can be very taxing to carry along. I encourage you to first, bring them before God...since He knows and sees them in your thoughts already. The effort to speak them out to God in a prayer is still a powerful thing. God knows. And God cares about them because He loves you with an everlasting love.
Has it always been this way in the history of women? Have we always kept so many things so far away from the ears of our closest and dearest friends...even our spouses? Why do we do it, when there is so much freedom and peace in knowing someone else hears us and can help carry that dream and vision to completion. So what, if our hopes and dreams sound silly to someone-- once they are spoken. I believe we should first bring them to God, as I have already stated, and allow God to minister to our hearts and minds about the content. Then, if there is a peace in our minds and hearts about it, we can learn ways in which to share our hopes and dreams with others. Perhaps one of our dearest and closest friends is the very person who can help that dream or goal become a reality.
This blog post is somewhat simple and completely 'out of the blue', but it is so important that we spend a bit of time on a regular basis allowing the Light of God shine into the depths of us and allow that light to illuminate those dreams and hopes we suppress. It very well might be that those dreams,...those hopes...those grand aspirations were planted there by God because He knows we will able to accomplish it! We must not live so superficially that we miss out on really sharing life with those we call our confidants. And if you do not think you have a confidant currently--a dear friend who you can share anything with. You already do--in God.
The part about you trusting God...believing He is the true God...believing His Son Jesus is true---that's completely up to you. However, once you do believe...and trust, the Lord Jesus is the best friend, teacher and counselor to ever be. Even before his birth, an angel spoke about Jesus; that he shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
So, now I have to say it: get real, woman! You only live once. Let the glorious grace of God wash over you and your mind. Let him sort through the things rumbling in your heart. Allow Christ to look into your life and show you the great potential you have for great things; the things you have been dreaming of for years and years. You have a grand purpose. Let us not let our insecurities and our cultures hold us back in this thing....this reality of admitting our longings, our hopes and dreams.
There is life in the truth. For us, it starts at the heart; being truthful with ourselves--about ourselves, then declaring those things to God. This is a beautiful way to embrace and proclaim truth to the world in which you live.
Get Real.
And I will strive to do the same.
Blessings.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Monday, April 8, 2013
A Big Shout-Out to THE ROSE
Today is a special day because I am welcoming a whole other group of ladies to join the Get Real, Woman family! THE ROSE is a group of women who have received a beautiful red rose from me or my friend Sarah today at West Chester University. Once a woman gets a rose from us, they are forever welcome to be in THE ROSE. It's like a club, but more like a common bond. Women who share a common story.
Speaking of story, that is exactly what I am wanting to write about today. We all have a story. Some of us like to share their story as much as possible and find ways to relate to their friends and....even strangers they meet. Others like to NOT share their story...ever...because it brings too many questions from those listening and thus is exhausting just to get through the story un-interrupted. Some of us have never thought that you have a story...one that is unique to you and that has power to encourage, challenge, strengthen and...well, even entertain and bring joy to others. Welp, whoever you are, dear one, you have a grand story!
My story is unique. Your story is unique. Our story of coming together with this common ground of a blog called THE ROSE is unique. Sharing your story is important. Over the next few posts, I will be writing about this STORY thought.
So, even if you are the woman who loves your story or who thinks your story is no good or that your story is old and boring. If you are a woman who hasn't thought, up until you read this blog post, that you ever had a story to tell. NOW you all most definitely have a story; your story of receiving a beautiful red rose from a stranger with a tag on it that led you to THE ROSE blog and then led you to us, here at Get Real, Woman!.
Speaking of story, that is exactly what I am wanting to write about today. We all have a story. Some of us like to share their story as much as possible and find ways to relate to their friends and....even strangers they meet. Others like to NOT share their story...ever...because it brings too many questions from those listening and thus is exhausting just to get through the story un-interrupted. Some of us have never thought that you have a story...one that is unique to you and that has power to encourage, challenge, strengthen and...well, even entertain and bring joy to others. Welp, whoever you are, dear one, you have a grand story!
My story is unique. Your story is unique. Our story of coming together with this common ground of a blog called THE ROSE is unique. Sharing your story is important. Over the next few posts, I will be writing about this STORY thought.
So, even if you are the woman who loves your story or who thinks your story is no good or that your story is old and boring. If you are a woman who hasn't thought, up until you read this blog post, that you ever had a story to tell. NOW you all most definitely have a story; your story of receiving a beautiful red rose from a stranger with a tag on it that led you to THE ROSE blog and then led you to us, here at Get Real, Woman!.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Where We've Been Planted
Since I'm on a horticultural focus from the re-debut post of this blog, I will continue! ha! Let's continue thinking upon the concept of rising out of the junk and the sin that so easily entangles us; just as a plant rises up out of the ground in spring time. The plant pushes through the soil and digs it's roots deeper into the soil below--thus searching for light and the nutrients the light brings and digging for nutrients and water in the ground.
As you well know, plants do NOT have a choice where they get planted. They are planted by the gardener--the one tending to their development, their nourishment and their harvest. Plants do not have a say in the amount of sunlight they are given or how much water is or will be available to them. But according to however much nutrients and sunlight they are attributed, they grow upward and outward and dig their roots in deeper. Basically, they respond to it.
Some plants are fruitful; life givers in one or multiple ways. Some of them are strong and useful for others to grow in. Other plants are fast growers, but wilt and fade away quickly; returning to compost soon after. Just as some fruitful plants are good, there are plants that are poisonous. And there are plants we call weeds because they grow wherever they end up and take over the space provided choking out the other plants availability to sunlight/nutrients.
Plants trust that where they've been planted is the best place. You might say, "Well, of course, Becky. They can't just get up and move." But think about it. It is something that we can learn. God is our Creator. He knows what is best for us. He knows if we are okay in a smaller pot, a smaller garden or if it is His desire for us to be planted in an open field or a large country garden with space all around. Since God is our Maker, HE KNOWS OUR NEEDS. He tends to our needs and sends rain to sustain us and storms and wind to strengthen us. Since God is our Maker and the Great Gardener, then we can trust Him where we are currently planted. He will tell us to move from our current situation as we grow toward Him. He is the LIGHT of the world. Jesus tells us in the Gospels that he is the Bread of Life. God is spoken of many times in the Bible as a rock we can stand on. So, God is our foundation, our sustenance and our power source.
There are so many things to learn from the plant world. The Lord Jesus used analogies about plant life many times in his teachings, too. Since He is the Maker of the heavens and the earth, Jesus must know the best ways to get his points across. We should allow the teachings of Jesus penetrate us found in the Holy Bible, even the stories about seeds and hard ground or fertile ground.
The world around us is most obviously available to us to look deeper in and see what we can learn from the creation.
So, while we are planted WHERE we are planted, we can (if we so choose to) trust God where we are. haha! Plants cannot rebel of their surroundings; they are stuck until the gardener or some force of nature moves them. However, if they have access to light and water and good soil---they grow and flourish until their time on this earth is done. Since we are people, not plants, things are a bit different. We COULD move away from the blessings of God. We can put ourselves in places that choke out the Light. But I just wanted you to think about two things as I end this post:
1. God has given us everything we need to grow and flourish in this life, but we must choose to receive it.
2. We have the choice to trust that God knows where we are "planted" and that when we are seeking Him and growing in the knowledge of His Word, He will guide us to the next "place" or opportunity whenever or if-ever He wants us to move.
Here are some verses from the Bible on this thought. BLESSINGS TO YOU!
Hebrews 4:16
John 6:33 & 35
2 Peter 1:2-4 *****
1 John 5:11-12
As you well know, plants do NOT have a choice where they get planted. They are planted by the gardener--the one tending to their development, their nourishment and their harvest. Plants do not have a say in the amount of sunlight they are given or how much water is or will be available to them. But according to however much nutrients and sunlight they are attributed, they grow upward and outward and dig their roots in deeper. Basically, they respond to it.
Some plants are fruitful; life givers in one or multiple ways. Some of them are strong and useful for others to grow in. Other plants are fast growers, but wilt and fade away quickly; returning to compost soon after. Just as some fruitful plants are good, there are plants that are poisonous. And there are plants we call weeds because they grow wherever they end up and take over the space provided choking out the other plants availability to sunlight/nutrients.
Plants trust that where they've been planted is the best place. You might say, "Well, of course, Becky. They can't just get up and move." But think about it. It is something that we can learn. God is our Creator. He knows what is best for us. He knows if we are okay in a smaller pot, a smaller garden or if it is His desire for us to be planted in an open field or a large country garden with space all around. Since God is our Maker, HE KNOWS OUR NEEDS. He tends to our needs and sends rain to sustain us and storms and wind to strengthen us. Since God is our Maker and the Great Gardener, then we can trust Him where we are currently planted. He will tell us to move from our current situation as we grow toward Him. He is the LIGHT of the world. Jesus tells us in the Gospels that he is the Bread of Life. God is spoken of many times in the Bible as a rock we can stand on. So, God is our foundation, our sustenance and our power source.
There are so many things to learn from the plant world. The Lord Jesus used analogies about plant life many times in his teachings, too. Since He is the Maker of the heavens and the earth, Jesus must know the best ways to get his points across. We should allow the teachings of Jesus penetrate us found in the Holy Bible, even the stories about seeds and hard ground or fertile ground.
The world around us is most obviously available to us to look deeper in and see what we can learn from the creation.
So, while we are planted WHERE we are planted, we can (if we so choose to) trust God where we are. haha! Plants cannot rebel of their surroundings; they are stuck until the gardener or some force of nature moves them. However, if they have access to light and water and good soil---they grow and flourish until their time on this earth is done. Since we are people, not plants, things are a bit different. We COULD move away from the blessings of God. We can put ourselves in places that choke out the Light. But I just wanted you to think about two things as I end this post:
1. God has given us everything we need to grow and flourish in this life, but we must choose to receive it.
2. We have the choice to trust that God knows where we are "planted" and that when we are seeking Him and growing in the knowledge of His Word, He will guide us to the next "place" or opportunity whenever or if-ever He wants us to move.
Here are some verses from the Bible on this thought. BLESSINGS TO YOU!
Hebrews 4:16
John 6:33 & 35
2 Peter 1:2-4 *****
1 John 5:11-12
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
RISE
Hello, everyone!
I am back from an unplanned break from writing on my blog!!! Family life and ministry life got priority over this blog for several months now, so I haven't written much in quite awhile. I apologize for my neglect of this blog. Let us start again. Spring 2013.....re-start.....GO!
It's spring and obviously things are coming into bloom all around us and we should take note of this and follow along. It is time for us to break forth out of the things in our minds and lives that have kept us down and "underground" out of the Light's delightfully warm rays. It is time for us to break out, rise up, look to God and seek His face. Hebrews 12:1-2 says,
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
We will gain strength for times of adversity, whenever they come. We will gain lasting hope for this life and we will gain nourishment we need (physically, spiritually, emotionally) when we look to God in heaven by reading God's Word, the Holy Bible. It is time for us to "up" our prayer life, to become women who pray to God, talk to Him, about anything and EVERYTHING. It is time for us to break out of old habits like bitterness and deceit, and rise into a life of truth, openness, hopefulness and love.
It is time....to RISE.
I am back from an unplanned break from writing on my blog!!! Family life and ministry life got priority over this blog for several months now, so I haven't written much in quite awhile. I apologize for my neglect of this blog. Let us start again. Spring 2013.....re-start.....GO!
It's spring and obviously things are coming into bloom all around us and we should take note of this and follow along. It is time for us to break forth out of the things in our minds and lives that have kept us down and "underground" out of the Light's delightfully warm rays. It is time for us to break out, rise up, look to God and seek His face. Hebrews 12:1-2 says,
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
We will gain strength for times of adversity, whenever they come. We will gain lasting hope for this life and we will gain nourishment we need (physically, spiritually, emotionally) when we look to God in heaven by reading God's Word, the Holy Bible. It is time for us to "up" our prayer life, to become women who pray to God, talk to Him, about anything and EVERYTHING. It is time for us to break out of old habits like bitterness and deceit, and rise into a life of truth, openness, hopefulness and love.
It is time....to RISE.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Staying Knit Together
Community is so incredibly valuable these days. It's such a precious find. Do you have a group of people in your life that you can lean on, learn from, help out, confide in, pray with, encourage, motivate and/or be motivated by?
So many times in my adult life (during and after college) I have had to make a choice about what amount of time in my daily living will be set apart for spending time with friends. I know that time with people that are friends is super important to my success in my work life, my family life and in my life-life. ha!
What amount of time each day do you allow yourself to spend with friends....those who will naturally invest in you-encouragement and quality time.....and those in whom you will naturally invest encouragement and quality time? Its important---whether you are a keep things to myself kinda gal or a share my thoughts with anyone and everyone kinda gal. Both types of gals NEED community to thrive. More than money, recognition, fame, etc., having a community of folks that care about you and check in on you is one of the richest things on this planet. I don't have much wealth AT ALL (in American standards), but I am RICH with a community of people I care about and who care about me. My community is my church and other peers in my town. It is full of folks who care for me and my family. Only a small few of that group are really close friends, but my church as a whole is a HUGE blessing to me and my family. We can go out into our "work" week (funny saying that as a minister to college students) with confidence that there is a group of folks all over our city who "have our backs".....who will be there for us when times get tough/when times are fantastic.
The next thought on this is that we can't just sit at home and wait for a community of people to come to us. We must continue pressing in to the world we live in. We must be willing to get "dirty" so to say; get involved in the lives of those we work with, go to church with, etc. Community comes to us when we open up our hearts and minds to serving the people in our world of influence. When we decide each day to invest God's love and kindness into the lives of people in our work place, and in our family's sphere of influence. We cannot just sit and wait. The world is waiting for hope. And hope comes many times through kindness and friendship.
We can be the friend someone needs, thus promoting hope to rise up in them. And if you are a believer in Jesus, you can share the story of God's love for the world, in your own creative way, to the people in your sphere of influence and they will hear of the greatest hope there ever is or ever will be. JESUS.
Community comes with sacrifice, too. We can't live this American dream and have true genuine community. The American dream is all about YOU. But if an American wants true community, that person needs to be focused on others and not on themselves as the center of everything---sacrificing their own desires for the better-ment of others. (this isn't the case at all times of the day, everyday, but you know what I mean.) The me centered mentality is very difficult to thrive in a true community of folks.
The ideal solution to this epidemic problematic thinking (American Dream-"have it your way") is to believe Jesus as Savior and Lord and love Him with all of your mind, heart, body and soul. Since He is God of all things and the Creator of each person's hearts and desires, Jesus is the key to having the dream life....to having a great community around us. Sacrificing OUR wants and dreams for the joy of others will ultimately bring us joy, too, because we will be living like the One who gave His life for us on the cross--sacrificed His title of King of kings and Lord of lords. He, Christ Jesus, earns all rights of the greatest fame and fan-club of all time.
Stay knit together with people in your community that the Lord has or is giving you. As usually spoken on this blog: Get real, woman! Live honestly with those in your sphere of influence. Watch how barriers will fall between people because they see your honesty....your integrity...your genuine life that shines out of you. Watch how many gals will flock to you because they've never known someone to be as open about life/joy and struggle, pain and death. They.....we all long for truth....real-ness in our world. (yeah, yeah,....I know my grammar STINKS. sorry.) So, it's okay to show pain, share hurts and burdens with others. It's a super fabulous way to live.....risking your true identity being known by other human beings. Yikes! haha! Be the woman who the Creator made you to be. Be free and embrace community.
So many times in my adult life (during and after college) I have had to make a choice about what amount of time in my daily living will be set apart for spending time with friends. I know that time with people that are friends is super important to my success in my work life, my family life and in my life-life. ha!
What amount of time each day do you allow yourself to spend with friends....those who will naturally invest in you-encouragement and quality time.....and those in whom you will naturally invest encouragement and quality time? Its important---whether you are a keep things to myself kinda gal or a share my thoughts with anyone and everyone kinda gal. Both types of gals NEED community to thrive. More than money, recognition, fame, etc., having a community of folks that care about you and check in on you is one of the richest things on this planet. I don't have much wealth AT ALL (in American standards), but I am RICH with a community of people I care about and who care about me. My community is my church and other peers in my town. It is full of folks who care for me and my family. Only a small few of that group are really close friends, but my church as a whole is a HUGE blessing to me and my family. We can go out into our "work" week (funny saying that as a minister to college students) with confidence that there is a group of folks all over our city who "have our backs".....who will be there for us when times get tough/when times are fantastic.
The next thought on this is that we can't just sit at home and wait for a community of people to come to us. We must continue pressing in to the world we live in. We must be willing to get "dirty" so to say; get involved in the lives of those we work with, go to church with, etc. Community comes to us when we open up our hearts and minds to serving the people in our world of influence. When we decide each day to invest God's love and kindness into the lives of people in our work place, and in our family's sphere of influence. We cannot just sit and wait. The world is waiting for hope. And hope comes many times through kindness and friendship.
We can be the friend someone needs, thus promoting hope to rise up in them. And if you are a believer in Jesus, you can share the story of God's love for the world, in your own creative way, to the people in your sphere of influence and they will hear of the greatest hope there ever is or ever will be. JESUS.
Community comes with sacrifice, too. We can't live this American dream and have true genuine community. The American dream is all about YOU. But if an American wants true community, that person needs to be focused on others and not on themselves as the center of everything---sacrificing their own desires for the better-ment of others. (this isn't the case at all times of the day, everyday, but you know what I mean.) The me centered mentality is very difficult to thrive in a true community of folks.
The ideal solution to this epidemic problematic thinking (American Dream-"have it your way") is to believe Jesus as Savior and Lord and love Him with all of your mind, heart, body and soul. Since He is God of all things and the Creator of each person's hearts and desires, Jesus is the key to having the dream life....to having a great community around us. Sacrificing OUR wants and dreams for the joy of others will ultimately bring us joy, too, because we will be living like the One who gave His life for us on the cross--sacrificed His title of King of kings and Lord of lords. He, Christ Jesus, earns all rights of the greatest fame and fan-club of all time.
Stay knit together with people in your community that the Lord has or is giving you. As usually spoken on this blog: Get real, woman! Live honestly with those in your sphere of influence. Watch how barriers will fall between people because they see your honesty....your integrity...your genuine life that shines out of you. Watch how many gals will flock to you because they've never known someone to be as open about life/joy and struggle, pain and death. They.....we all long for truth....real-ness in our world. (yeah, yeah,....I know my grammar STINKS. sorry.) So, it's okay to show pain, share hurts and burdens with others. It's a super fabulous way to live.....risking your true identity being known by other human beings. Yikes! haha! Be the woman who the Creator made you to be. Be free and embrace community.
Veritas, Pulchritudo et Amor: The King's Table
Veritas, Pulchritudo et Amor: The King's Table: 2 Samuel 9:1-8 1 David asked, "Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan's sake?" 2 Now ...
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