Monday, April 30, 2007

Got Gossip?

Several weeks ago at work, I noticed there were an awful lot of rumors going around and it seemed as though everyone was talking about someone all the time. I also noticed that I was rapidly becoming more and more involved and it did not take long for me to become convicted of my part in it. The first thing I did was decide to back off. Easier said than done. I have to admit I immediately felt "out of the loop" with everyone. I knew all had to do to get back in was engage in the talk.
So, I had a major decision to make. If I was that easily enticed to participate then I needed to remove myself from the opportunities to gossip. To do this would mean putting myself in an environment where being a part of the TALK was less likely to occur, which also meant stepping down from a position with title to one without. So, what to do? After praying,and praying some more. I went in to work and asked to step down and relocate myself to another position that would get me away from all the temptation to "share". I was asked why, and I told the truth. Talk about being alienated, I was! Almost instantly.! It seems as though the bosses can't help but gossip either. I was a little concerned I may have made the wrong decision, but then I went to church two Sundays ago, and as is usually the case, God used Heath to speak to me again. (Which kind of makes me afraid to tell God about any other areas I may be struggling in, because I am convinced He has a hot line to the preacher telling him.) Anyway, the sermon series is titled SMAK! Chews your words wisely. The first week was on the Fiery Tongue and the hurtful things we can say(short synopsis). Yesterday's was on, you guessed it. Gossip! It only confirmed to me that I had made the right decision.
The situation at work is still unpleasant. There will be no rewards for me at work for being the most popular, but that is OK, I will get my reward in Heaven. This may have seemed like a really drastic measure to some. For me the right thing to do for now.
Once again, I am amazed at God's timing. Bringing the right message to me at the right time. He is awesome!!!
Another observation on this. ..As I have monitored more of my conversations with people, I have realized when I edit out all gossip, there doesn't seem to be a whole lot to say. Sad, but true.
I will work on this.

Saturday, April 14, 2007

My Sis is home...

Well not home, really. If she were home she would be here in the mountains with me. But she is back in Florida where I can call her anytime I want. For those of you that do not know, she has been on a cruise for a week. A LOOOONG week.

Just this morning I found myself wanting so badly to "cry on someone's shoulder" or, "bend someone's ear" and it is, and always has been, my sister who has had that priveledge. ( well, I don't know if she would call it that). She wasn't available and it crushed me. I didn't know she would be home later in the day or I would have saved it all up and downloaded it all on her this evening. Lucky for her I thought she wasn't coming home until tomorrow.

But since I did not know she was home, I had to resort to other measures to let out all my frustrations. My floors have never been cleaner. All the the items on the very top of my kitchen cabinets have been run through the dishwasher. The dresser drawers are cleaned out.
and the furniture has been dusted. Twice. Still I was restless.

Then... it came to me... I mean really did just come to me in the middle of nowhere. ( I am not saying my brain is the middle of nowhere) ... but the words of the 23rd Psalm came over me and through me and filled me up. I had not looked at his verse or even heard it spoken in forever.
I know it refers to to our victory over death, but today it meant much more to me than that.

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want. I don't have to figure everything out on my own - God will guide me, if I let him.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters. Ah, green pastures and quiet waters. That sounds wonderful... I need to be still and rest in His assurance. Contentment. That is what I need to strive for.
He restores my soul, He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name sake. Ok, I need to stop and sit on this one for awhile. HE restores my soul! Nothing else can do it but Him.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. I will fear no evil for you are with me, your rod and your staff they comfort me. For me today, it is not death I fear. It is temporal things. Financial struggles, work issues, family concerns. IF God can walk with me through deaths door when it is time, then He can certainly bring me through the things I am fearful of now. Comfort me, Lord.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. God is going to protect me. I just need to remain faithful and know that He is in charge.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. What a promise! How could I forget this for one moment. In the church where I came to know the Lord, we sang a hymn " Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life" I hadn't thought of that song in years. I bet I will be singing it for a few days now. And dwelling in th house of the Lord. How awesome. My sister will be there too.
For anyone reading this... I don't claim to be a theologian, just sharing how God uses certain scripture when you least expect it to speak to you.
For Peggy... If you read this... I hope I never take you for granted. You are one of the rods and staffs God uses to comfort me.

Sunday, April 1, 2007

UMM UMM...Coffee.

As I am writing this I am sipping a cup of the fresh brewed stuff. One of the most relaxing things I do is sit at the computer and drink a cup of coffee. I just wish I had more time to do it.

I read a book once, actually I have read it twice. That is how good it is and I recommend it to you. The book is titled Fresh- Brewed Life by Nicole Johnson. In this book she shares a lot of facts about coffee but more importantly she shares with us how we can have a fresh brewed life with Christ. A quote from the book that I treasure is this ... "Here's the promise of a fresh-brewed life: the Almighty wants to spend time with you, stirring your soul and waking you up."
My copy is highlighted, underlined and has notes in all the margins.

The reason I am going here tonight is this... This week I have felt in need of a fresh brewed life. I have let some things in the workplace bring me down, that, coupled with some family issues have consumed me in an unpleasant way. I realize though, that God is waiting to stir my soul and wake me up. In my prayer time tonight I was reminded that He is all I need to be refreshed. Just like we need to pour the cup of coffee and drink to be awaken, we need to pour His word into our hearts and be awakened by His spirit as it fills us up. Drink with me.

I will close with a little humor from Nicole's book.
Ten Signs you know you need a wake-up call to a fresh-brewed life:
1. You yelled at your minister last Sunday or ever.
2. You fell asleep at your own party.
3. You lobby for chocolate to be one of the four food groups.
4. Your husband doesn't want sex, and you're happy about that.
5. You called your best friend and strating chatting and she said, "Wo is this?"
6. The people you work with are asking when your next vacation is?
7. Your kids look forward to going to school?
8. Your idea of a good time is a coma.
9. You can't remember your last vacation.
10.You agreed to serve God, but only in anadvisory capacity.