Saturday, September 21, 2013

How does your garden grow?

Planting

Planting good seeds is something often talked about. It's the works and words and impressions we leave on others that have an opportunity to grow something good in them.

What about the other seeds we plant? I have realized that intentional or not, we do plant bad seeds. I did this yesterday, several times. It was a rough day and words came out of my mouth that I had to apologize for. I have learned that I can't plant bad seeds and when I do, I have to pick them back up! That means making amends and that isn't always easy. 

There is one more lesson, the bad seeds planted into us by others. We can't go around trying to force other people to make amends when they have dropped something bad in our life.  This means we have to clean up that up ourselves. We can recognize the bad we need to clean out. It's usually grown into anger, resentments, bitterness, criticism and all that yucky stuff. When we recognize the root of those things in us, it's easier to pluck out. We don't do this for those that did or said harmful things but for us. It is called forgiveness and it's so our lives are a flowerbed of good things that can grow. 

Have you taken the time to look at what you might be planting in others, Have you taken the time to be mindful and cleanup what is planted in you? 

A Grateful Believer in Jesus Christ
~Johnna 

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Fully Awake


Often, when we are having a bad dream, a nightmare, we suddenly wake up. There is a shaky, panicky feeling followed by relief. It's relief knowing we are okay, all is well and we can catch a deep breath. 

Is heaven like this? Do we reach that place and become fully awake? Do we see that the nightmare of this sinful world is passed us? Do we feel relief as our feet are firmly planted on the streets of gold? Do we catch our breath as we approach our creators throne? Does the sadness drift away? Does the panic subside as we realize we have made it home and everything is finally and really and completely okay? 

It's been two weeks today since I lost my mother. I pray she is fully awake and at peace. 

A Grateful Believer in Jesus Christ
~Johnna 

Thursday, September 12, 2013

A Higher Standard

A Higher Standard 

So often, we look to other people to determine who we are and who we want to be. We take in other people's opinions, beliefs, and behaviors in an attempt to "fit in".  This is especially so for those in recovery searching for a new normal. This is very alarming and it won't work. 

It's like pianos.  You can't take two  pianos and attempt to tune them to one another. You will then have two pianos out of tune. A person must come in and use a tuning fork: a standard if you will and tune each piano. Then, the pianos will play in harmony. 

So it is with people. We can't fully rely on another person to be okay. Our faith has to be in God. He is our higher standard in which we can all be tuned. When we allow ourselves to be tuned into Him rather than conform to this world, life becomes a symphony. 
 
The tuning forks for this are bible, prayer, fasting, worship, and church. 

What are you allowing to set the tone of your life? People or a higher standard? 

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2 ESV)


A Grateful Believer in Jesus Christ, 
~Johnna