The other day I was out walking on a nature trail, talking to God, telling Him how beautiful the birds and the trees and flowers are. Just inhaling the serenity of my surroundings.(This doesn't happen often so I was absorbing as much as I could.)
I glanced over to my right and a tree caught my eye. It just jumped out at me. The tree was straight at the trunk and about a fourth of the way up it begin to curve to the left then around to the right and straight up again. The tree was as tall as the others, it simply had a big curve near the bottom of it.
Have you ever seen a tree like that? One that has grown around power lines? Or one that was curved this way and that? I would like to think you had. If not then keep a look out because they appear everywhere. I digress.
When I spotted this tree on my walk, God spoke to me. (No I'm not crazy) He explained that a tree will grow straight up but sometimes there is an obstacle in its way or sometimes it gets trimmed back by outside forces (in the case of the power lines). Does the tree continue to grow in the direction of the obstacle or the direction? No. It grows around it towards the sun. And then He whispered, "That's what you must do. You must grow around your obstacles. It will not be easy and it may hurt but you will find your way and you will stand stronger than the short, growth stunted person that you were."
All I can say is WOW. Here I was just walking along, communing with God, and He throws this life changing message my way. Have you talked to God lately? Not a formal prayer but more like a phone conversation between two friends. Perhaps all you do is pray and you forget to wait quietly for the answer. Take a moment and listen. It just may change your life.
Showing posts with label speaking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label speaking. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Proverbs 17
Lord, lead me to you and away from my sin. Help me to be the woman I was meant to be and the mother I desire to be.
Proverbs 17:14 "The beginning of strife is like releasing water;Therefore stop contention before it starts."
I see this as when I get upset with my kids or when they begin to fight. If I were to prepare and head off the beginning of the fight then they wouldn't get into a physical altercation or I wouldn't say things that I shouldn't.
Proverbs 17:22 "A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones."
They say happy people live longer. That laughter is the best medicine. I believe that that is true and now the Bible confirms it. Isn't God good?
Proverbs 17:27-28 "He who has knowledge spares his words,And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. Even a fool is counted wise when holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive."
Do you ever notice that smart people don't have to prove they're smart? They don't boast and go on and on with how much they know. (at least REAL people with REAL wisdom don't do this.) The man who KNOWS he can win a fight is normally the one willing to walk away from a confrontation. See where I'm going with this? Smart people know they're smart and it doesn't matter what other people think.
The last verse reminds me of an old saying, "Better to remain silent and let people think you're stupid then to open your mouth and prove them right."
In other words, keeping your mouth closed could be the smarter thing to do.
Proverbs 17:14 "The beginning of strife is like releasing water;Therefore stop contention before it starts."
I see this as when I get upset with my kids or when they begin to fight. If I were to prepare and head off the beginning of the fight then they wouldn't get into a physical altercation or I wouldn't say things that I shouldn't.
Proverbs 17:22 "A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones."
They say happy people live longer. That laughter is the best medicine. I believe that that is true and now the Bible confirms it. Isn't God good?
Proverbs 17:27-28 "He who has knowledge spares his words,And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. Even a fool is counted wise when holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive."
Do you ever notice that smart people don't have to prove they're smart? They don't boast and go on and on with how much they know. (at least REAL people with REAL wisdom don't do this.) The man who KNOWS he can win a fight is normally the one willing to walk away from a confrontation. See where I'm going with this? Smart people know they're smart and it doesn't matter what other people think.
The last verse reminds me of an old saying, "Better to remain silent and let people think you're stupid then to open your mouth and prove them right."
In other words, keeping your mouth closed could be the smarter thing to do.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Proverbs 15
Lord, Help me to be the woman you want me to be. Teach me the way that I need to change. I open my heart, my mind, and my soul to you. I want to become moldable and teachable so that I may change and therefore create change in the life that I lead. In Your Name I Pray, Amen
Proverbs 15:1-2 "A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh tongue stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness."
My take: Speaking in soft tones (not yelling) and choosing your words(not just speaking in anger) will help to keep the situation calm and help us to effectively communicate with others. If we yell and scream and say whatever we feel like then the person or persons that we're yelling at will only become angry with us and nothing gets solved.
Proverbs 15:4 "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life. But perverseness in it breaks the spirit."
Proverbs 15:12-13 "A scoffer does not love one who corrects him, Nor will he go to the wise. A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness."
My take: If we speak with kindness, wisdom and a content heart then people will actually seek out our guidance. If we are rude, nasty and make judgemental or foolish comments then people will not want to be around us.
Proverbs 15:18 "A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger allays contention."
Proverbs 15:28 "The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil."
My take: Someone (like me right now) who gets angry easily and then starts yelling and screaming like a crazy person only creates more anger and confusion and resentment. But those who have patience (like I am striving for right now) and chooses their words carefully will not only live in a more peaceful atmosphere, but they will be a leader for those around them.
These scriptures have been speaking to me a great deal. One of my biggest obstacles is my anger and temper. Once I can control that, then other aspects of my life will be a great deal easier.
Proverbs 15:1-2 "A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh tongue stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness."
My take: Speaking in soft tones (not yelling) and choosing your words(not just speaking in anger) will help to keep the situation calm and help us to effectively communicate with others. If we yell and scream and say whatever we feel like then the person or persons that we're yelling at will only become angry with us and nothing gets solved.
Proverbs 15:4 "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life. But perverseness in it breaks the spirit."
Proverbs 15:12-13 "A scoffer does not love one who corrects him, Nor will he go to the wise. A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But the mouth of fools feeds on foolishness."
My take: If we speak with kindness, wisdom and a content heart then people will actually seek out our guidance. If we are rude, nasty and make judgemental or foolish comments then people will not want to be around us.
Proverbs 15:18 "A wrathful man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger allays contention."
Proverbs 15:28 "The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, But the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil."
My take: Someone (like me right now) who gets angry easily and then starts yelling and screaming like a crazy person only creates more anger and confusion and resentment. But those who have patience (like I am striving for right now) and chooses their words carefully will not only live in a more peaceful atmosphere, but they will be a leader for those around them.
These scriptures have been speaking to me a great deal. One of my biggest obstacles is my anger and temper. Once I can control that, then other aspects of my life will be a great deal easier.
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