Internet Cafe Devotion: Romans 8:28

Cafe Chat


And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

"What is one thing that happened in your life that initially may have been a bad or painful situation that you saw God work together for good? Please give details…"

Sometimes, when you're going through a situation, you just can't see what could possibly be good about it - at all! Much less, you don't see what can be used for God's glory, especially if you aren't in relationship with Him.

I mean, who really looks at a divorce and thinks "This is for God's glory"? Or, can you really look at a time in your life when you were so far away from even wanting to acknowledge God really loves you that you wanted to even think about the remote possibility of what was going on was for God's glory? What about the death of a loved one? But! Wait! There's is GLORY in EVERYTHING HE DOES!!!!!!!!!! Oh my goodness is there glory! GLORY!

I have such a testimony for God's glory. Have you been through something really bad? So have I! You know what God does? He has me use that experience to relate to you and show you what He can do. If all that I've been through makes a difference for just one person (although, I really wish it would be more, but that's just me, we know how heaven rejoices when even 1 sheep is found) to turn from a life without Christ to a life WITH HIM, holy SMOKES! I'm there!!

I know I'm not really saying anything about a specific time that God has used for His glory. Maybe it's because I can now see what He uses in my life (past and current) to relate to other folks and how He's able to show His greatness and His glory through those situations. I fall short all the time but His mercies and His grace are new every morning!!! Yippee!!!

Thank you, Lord, for loving me even when I didn't love myself. Thank you for continually knocking on my heart and softening me up to the point where I finally let you in. I thank you too for taking away the shame I felt over my past and my being able to use it to glorify You! Thank you for the wonderful people you have placed in my life that help me follow You and see You. You are a wonderfully gracious Father and I love you so much!



For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jer. 29:11

Hindsight

A couple of years ago, I took part in a challenge when I blogged at yahoo 360. My friend Mary at http://www.maryrsnyder.com/ just posted a blog about her younger self and it reminded me of this post from Sept. 2006:


Dear Cathy:
I know you don't like to listen to grown ups and what they have to offer, but I can only hope as I am you as a grown up, that you will listen to me. You're 14 right now and you have your whole world ahead of you. I know what life is going to be like when you're 38 and honey there are just some things you need to not do!
Keep God first. You're active in youth at Church right now. Don't lose it. You keep God first right now, and most of the things we're going to go through later on wouldn't have happened.
QUIT SMOKING. Ugh, you don't really smoke much right now and it won't be so hard. In a few more years, you'll be glad you did. Believe me when I tell you that it's really hard to quit when you've been doing it for so long.
Keep on saying no to drugs. You know it's the one thing I said actually said no to and I'm so glad I did. We'll drink some and sometimes to extremes, but drinking is never a problem for us.
When you start losing weight this year, work on keeping it off. Keep on exercising and make it part of your every day life.
On your 15th birthday, don't go to the golf course. Save your virginity for someone special.
That guy at Aladdin's Castle that you think is wonderful. He's going to be your first husband. I'm not sure if you should go down that path or not. As long as you'll wind up where I am right now, you shouldn't. But, I don't think it works that way. I'm sorry to say that when you're walking down the aisle, 3 days before your 19th birthday, you're going to regret it and wish you weren't. We don't stay married toooooooo long. Hey, on the bright side, we went to school and learned how to type. This will be important. Maybe you should take typing in high school and not worry about failing or passing the class. Just do it!
In your junior year of high school, there will be a Christmas party for the Color Guard at the teacher's house. GO TO THE PARTY. Do not, and I stress, DO NOT go with Mireille to see that guy. That guy is a jerk. Because of the events of that night, you will battle with many demons for many years. Eventually, you will ask God to forgive you, and He will (see, keep God first and this wouldn't even be part of the hindsight), but it's a long and hard battle that you aren't going to share with many folks. You'll regret the events of that night forever.
You're going to become guys' best friend. They will come to you to talk about their girlfriends. Just deal with it. It's not that you aren't good enough for any of them. It's that you're a good listener and you seem to know what to say. This won't really change through the years. Many times, you'll have more male friends than female friends.
When you and Tim break up, you're going to meet a guy named David. Now, listen very carefully, the two of you will get married. It's not a bad marriage, although ya'll don't communicate well. But, you will get divorced. The divorce will be painful. You will do everything you can to make it work but it's just not going to happen. But, here is why you have to marry this guy. You have two beautiful daughters who are your heart and soul. Oh, I just can't tell you how wonderful these girls are. They are so talented in many ways and they just bring joy to you. Oh yeah, sometimes you're going to feel like you're at your wits' end, but then one of them will do something so incredibly sweet, and it will melt you all over.
During this marriage, you will discover the Internet and chat rooms. Listen to me right now...any man you meet who knows you're married and still tries to sweet talk you isn't worth the time it takes to type hello. (If you keep God in that number 1 position, this will be moot.) If you would talk to your husband about these needs you have, you wouldn't have talked to this guy in the first place. That makes us examine the next point..
Learn to communicate your needs and emotions. Be able to tell people no and not feel like they are taking advantage of you, because you know what? THEY ARE! But, dear sweet young Cathy, you are allowing them to do so. Close that open wall up and build a beautiful door which only you can open. Oh you can be such a sucker...don't be a sucker Cathy.
You deserve better than having an affair with a married man. You are better than that. I know at 14 you think I'm insane even bringing this up, but trust me, it will become a huge issue. You deserve someone who will love you no matter where you are. You deserve someone who will hold your hand, call you and not hide the conversation, who will tell folks "Can I call you back? Cathy's on the phone." Cathy you are a wonderful person. All the good things you think you deserve? You do deserve them. (Hey look, again, if you keep God in that #1 position, this won't happen either.)
Sex. I've brought this up a lot, huh? You know what, it's not what's missing from you life. It's not what is going to make you happy. Oh yeah, it feels great, but it feels even better with the right person.
You know that little voice that you hear but then ignore? Learn to just listen to it. I can't tell you how many times that little voice is right. You're going to ignore her and be sorry. And you're going to hear her taunting you saying, "I TOLD YOU SO!!!!!!!"
Here's one thing I don't know if I should tell you or not. Your brother...you aren't going to believe this one....next year when he graduates from High School, the two of you are going to become best friends. I know it's shocking!!! He's still going to act like he's going to hit you and then really do it. For some reason, that never changes. Cherish him. Figure out how to save some of those long and crazy voice mail messages he leaves, because he won't be around to leave them when you're older. Oh Cathy you're going to miss him so much. Your whole world will change on March 28, 2002. It's going to be hard and at first you just won't believe you're going to make it. Just keep on taking it one day at a time. Actually at first, it's one breath at a time. You'll make it through. You have to because shortly after this your mom is going to get really sick. She has to have you be strong for her. You make it through that too. See, you're amazing really at all you can do. You don't think you are sometimes, but you are.
At some point in 2004, when you least expect it, you're going to fall in love with this man named James. DON'T RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!! You'll spend months trying to run from him because of all your past mistakes. But don't do it. He's not going to let you get away. And YOU DESERVE HIM!!! This man is everything you have ever wanted in a husband and soul mate. Neither of you think anything will ever come out of your relationship because you're just friends, but it will. I can't tell you how much you are going to love him. I can't even find the right words to express myself in today's world about him. How can I tell you?? I asked him one day how he put up with me and all my quirks (we have quite a few) and he said he didn't put up with me. He just loved me. Cathy, he's wonderful. He makes the other two marriages and all the heartbreaks in between worth it because he is the one you will go on with for the rest of your life.
You're going to have a bumpy road, Cathy, but if you'll keep this advice with you, you will be ok. All those little bumps and valleys and peaks make you who you are today. Keep seeing the beauty in everything and in everyone. Keep your wonderful sense of humor. Life is pretty funny, even when we don't think it is. You have a way of making people smile when they didn't think they could. You deserve all the good that happens in your life.
Above all, dear Cathy, keep God #1 in your life. I promise if you do this, many of the things I have told you about won't even be an issue. Even if you falter and slide away, He is going to open His arms for you to come running back into. Yippee!! He forgives you so much easier than you will forgive yourself. Good thing is that He is there to help you on your journeys.
Life is beautiful, Cathy, experience it! I love you, don't ever ever forget that!!
Cathy






For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jer. 29:11

Saturday...

I started out the day just knowing I was going to blog. I had a blog in mind; all I had to do was just write it. I've been on the computer 3/4 of today ~ I had the time. But, the blog I'm writing now is not the one I had in mind. It's been a weird day for me. Has it been for you too?

For some reason, it hit me today that I'm just lonely. And finally vocalizing that just made me really sad. Then, you gotta know what happened next...Oh, yes, pity and self-doubt. I'm sure I make a great target for satan. I just give him so much material to use.

Let's dig into the married/lonely part for a few. So, I'm married woman. I'm on my third marriage...for some reason, each husband has had to travel extensively for job/career. Is it me?? The schedule James is having to keep right now is making communication very difficult. Not only is finding time difficult, but I'm finding myself so darn insecure about us too. Being insecure makes me question everything and I can't stand that! UGH! When did I turn into THAT person? So I am NOT going to be that person!

How do I not be her, though? Well, most importantly I remember that God makes everything wonderful and He made me...that makes me wonderful. He knows the plans He's made for me. And as basic as this promise is - it's the best one I remembered - Jesus loves me! Yes, even me. Such a lowly and unworthy sinner who only by the perfect love of Jesus taking my sin on the cross - in His death and resurrection - am I able to claim the promises of my God as my own. All the seeds He keeps tossing at me, I keep watering with my tears. But, for HIS glory, and HIS glory alone, will those seeds flourish into something beautiful and fruitful.

In all that I do, I will do for my Lord - whether it's keeping a calm attitude when my almost 16 yo daughter is driving or driving in traffic; not having "what if" thoughts when I don't hear from James; using my time wisely at home and at work; trying to keep a house that is pleasing to God and won't embarrass me or anyone else; leading a bible study group; attending church and church activities; with all that I am and all that I have - I want to be pleasing to the Lord.

Colossians 3:17 says: "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." YES!

Earlier today when I was giving satan all sorts of ammunition to use, I should have listened to Voice of Truth from the Casting Crowns. It usually tears me up (in a positive way) and it would've been a good time tearing up today.

What I don't understand is why all these truths won't stick in my head and hide in my heart? Why does seem I have to relearn this every day?? His mercies are new every morning - does my mind think it has to renew every morning too?

Ok well the day didn't stay blecky. I had a Mommy / Kristen time. We went to eat at Moe's (WELCOME TO MOEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!), walked around Hobby Lobby and had alot of fun taking pictures with the props (errrr...inventory), and had a root beer float to support Juvenile Diabetes (Hope Floats it was called at Fresh Market).

I saw this hilariously funny video on Mercy Me's website (thank you Boomama!), and I can't help but think "Do they know they are famous?" Seriously, I didn't think famous folks acted as silly as they do on that video and you know what? I LOVE it! It helps me remember that although they are famous, they are still just peeps, just like I'm a peep. We're all God's peeps! I can't figure out how to get the video embedded in here - the codes just didn't want to work for me but I do have a link to their blog in my blog list thingy over to the right.

So that's been my day in a small nutshell. I'm glad I don't have a lot of days like today *shew*.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jer. 29:11

Weekend in and around Savannah, GA

My husband is in the Army, and he's stationed in Louisville, KY. When we met and married, he was a recruiter with the AL National Guard, and he wasn't supposed to be leaving. However, as is life, this ideal work scenario didn't work out. Hubby deployed to Kuwait and then became part of the active Army. Since January 2, he's been stationed in Texas and Kentucky. Since he's been stationed in KY, he's gone to Wisconsin, Mississippi, and Georgia! He's done more traveling than staying in KY, which is one of the reasons we aren't living together. Anyway, he's currently at Ft. Stewart, which is outside of Savannah, GA for the next 3 months.

Because of work schedule, he isn't going to be able to come home very often, plus he doesn't his car which will make it hard for him to get home…I don't have a lot going on right now *cough* and I thought it would be a good time to take a road trip! Friday, after the girls got off to school and I dropped Maggie off at the vet for the weekend, I headed on to Savannah. From Birmingham to Macon, I had all sorts of things to look out and signs to read. However, from Macon to the Base, there was NOTHING to keep me amused. It seemed to take longer for that part of the trip than the 5 hours it had taken to get to Macon! I did have a book on tape (Teacher Man by Frank McCourt – very good!), which helped pass the time.

I had good timing because hubby got done with work about the time I was passing through the Base! I picked him up and we headed to his temporary home quarters. Oh me oh my…his quarter is a tiny hotel room with 2 beds and mold on the ceiling! One of the chairs had so many stains on it, neither of us would sit in it. He's going to be in there until November and there is a chance he'll have a roommate! Holy smokes!! I certainly hope that doesn't happen. I mean, I love the man with all that I have and I wouldn't want to share that space with him for 3 months!!!

We went to Savannah last night and got a nice hotel room in South Savannah. Oh the bed and pillows were heavenly and everything was so clean! There was even a coffee pot J. We went to downtown Savannah and took a horse carriage tour around town. I've always wanted to do that – it looks so romantic. (You aren't really expecting the smells of the horse and those aren't romantic.) We took a private tour at a public tour price *score*! We saw where Forrest Gump sat waiting to take the bus to Jenny's house; the house from the book Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil; places Julia Roberts filmed "Something to Talk About". After the tour, we walked down to the waterfront and walked (and walked and walked and walked) around looking at all the shops and did some people watching. There's a City Market, so we walked down there too. Come to find out that on Saturday night it's more of a City Bar Scene. Oh we found Paula Deen's restaurant, but it was closed already.

I don't get out and do much physical activity (gotta work on that), so I wasn't quite ready for all of that walking. Luckily, I wore my "comfortable" flip flops...*cough* My dogs were barking loudly by the time we made it back to the hotel and the memory of the super hard bed from the night before was alive in my memory and my back. I was very happy that hubby remembered to pack the generic Advil®!

We enjoyed a little lunch and Starbuck's before I had to hit the road back to Birmingham. L I tried to get him to come with me, but you know his employer is a little funny about folks not showing up for work. They threaten soldiers with things like court, demotion and prison time if you don't show up! Can you imagine?

I had a nice time spending time with hubby. We really needed some alone time, without any interruptions or kids needing chauffeuring. It felt more like "old times" where things were comfortable and easy between us. Praise God for answered prayers. We have to keep on communicating, but this weekend was nice start. I don't know when we'll be able to do this again because the troops they are going to be training will be in GA soon, and he won't get much off time. Also, there's this whole need for me to be employed and not having free time. We're hoping he won't be working without time off, but we just don't know yet.

I didn't get back in time to get my Maggie from the vet, and my other dog (who is older and doesn't tear up things so he can be left unattended) was looking forward to her coming back. He was so excited to see me drive up and walk up the stairs, but he seemed quite disappointed that Maggie wasn't with me.

I'm looking really forward to Friday, when I'm in San Antonio and I get to meet fellow Siestas! Yahoooooooo-JAH!!! I have lofty plans for the week (like working out and cleaning) OH and fall bible study starts on Wednesday! (I'll have to see who has signed up and get the workbook so I'll know what I'm supposed to do.)

Ramblings

Monday night was the first small group leader meeting of the "new" class year. It's about the only time we have to come together and try to get to know each other, even in a small way. Oh, we see each other often, but it's passing in the hall on our way to our rooms.

We start the meeting with prayer and then song (soooo glad the Lord says "make a joyful noise"). I got excited because I saw that "Revelation Song" was cued up. It's my new favorite song after I heard it at the Beth Moore simulcast a couple of weeks ago. It was sang at church last Sunday and then *boom* there it was again. However, that wasn't the song we were singing. But, I was still excited to see it. (We sang Hosanna, in case you were wondering.)

We went through stuff and then Pastor Paul took over the meeting. In October, we'll be starting a new study on prayer by Jim Cymbala, and he (Pastor Paul, not Jim Cymbala) was talking to us about prayer. He lead us in a prayer time that was very unique to me. First, we separated into two groups: men/women. We quieted ourselves and asked God to speak to us and lay on our hearts what the person to our right needed prayer about. While we were still quieted, we were to pray for the needs God laid on our hearts for our neighbor. When the prayer time was over, we were then to share with the person what God laid on our hearts.

I shared with my right hand friend that God wanted her to know to let go of her son, who is going to college next week, and to let her know that He will finish the work He has started in her son. The lady to my left shared that she prayed for me to keep what I'm doing with my family, amidst all the struggles; I was doing what He wanted me to do! Now, my right hand friend is also my mentor and my friend, so it would be easy to rationalize how I knew what to pray for her. But, the lady to my left and I know each other, but I can't rationalize her knowing about my struggles other than it being a God thing! Most of the women were weeping a wee bit and so were some of the men! I thought this was the coolest things, ever. Maybe if I stilled myself more before God, I would hear Him speak.

Does anyone else just crack up at the new Swiffer commercials where the mop, broom or duster is trying to woo back the female who stopped using them? If I'm finding amusement from commercials, am I spending way too much time watching TV? (Oh, I can answer that. YES!) Oh, I'm cracking up just thinking about the broom peeking out from behind a tree and "Baby Come Back" playing. tee hee hee hee

Looking for a job is going really really slow. I can't even keep up with the number of applications I have put in and nothing. I don't think craigslist is the best place for me to look...unless, of course, I want to review and input ads. I would gladly do that; if it didn't cost money to start!

I can't believe the Siesta Fiesta is NEXT WEEK!!!!!!! I'm really excited to meet my fellow siestas and of course mama siesta!!!!!!!! I'm looking forward to a lot of laughter and giggles. I so need giggles and laughter.

I've been enjoying tooling around the various blogs that I have recently found. How have I not seen these incredible blogs before? So many talented and FUNNY and godly women out there. Yahoo-Jah!

Well, another episode of Law & Order is on (the original), so I guess I'll go watch it. Heaven knows I haven't watched enough TV today *cough*.

Thanks for reading the ramblings ;).



For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jer. 29:11

An Unearthly Love

Praise God for His unearthly love towards us.

An Unearthly Love by Max Lucado
Your goodness can’t win God’s love. Nor can your badness lose it. But you can resist it. We tend to do so honestly. Having been rejected so often, we fear God may reject us as well. Rejections have left us skittish and jumpy. Like my dog Salty. He sleeps next to me on the couch as I write. He’s a cranky cuss, but I like him. We’ve aged together over the last fifteen years, and he seems worse for the wear. He’s a wiry canine by nature; shave his salt-and-pepper mop, and he’d pass for a bulimic Chihuahua. He didn’t have much to start with; now the seasons have taken his energy, teeth, hearing, and all but eighteen inches’ worth of eyesight.

Toss him a dog treat, and he just stares at the floor through cloudy cataracts. (Or, in his case, dogaracts?) He’s nervous and edgy, quick to growl and slow to trust. As I reach out to pet him, he yanks back. Still, I pet the old coot. I know he can’t see, and I can only wonder how dark his world has become.

We are a lot like Salty. I have a feeling that most people who defy and deny God do so more out of fear than conviction. For all our chest pumping and braggadocio, we are anxious folk—can’t see a step into the future, can’t hear the one who owns us. No wonder we try to gum the hand that feeds us.

But God reaches and touches. He speaks through the immensity of the Russian plain and the density of the Amazon rain forest. Through a physician’s touch in Africa, a bowl of rice in India. Through a Japanese bow or a South American abraço. He’s even been known to touch people through paragraphs like the ones you are reading. If he is touching you, let him.

Mark it down: God loves you with an unearthly love. You can’t win it by being winsome. You can’t lose it by being a loser. But you can be blind enough to resist it.

Don’t. For heaven’s sake, don’t. For your sake, don’t.

“Take in with all Christians the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God” (Eph. 3:18–19 MSG).

From 3:16, The Numbers of Hope Copyright (W Publishing Group, 2007) Max Lucado