Ashley Anderson sent a message to the members of Daily Devotions.
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Subject: Dec.17th—Seeing Yourself As God See’s You!
From The Word for You Today by Bobb Gass Ministries
“We have this treasure in earthen vessels.”
2 Corinthians 4:7
The Bible says God works through “clay pots…to prevent anyone from confusing God’s…power with us.” That way when people see good things in us, they know it’s God. Jesus pointed out that a clay pot containing a candle with a lid on it may be full of light, but people can’t see it. Only when the pot is cracked does the light shine out through the imperfections—in the same way God’s grace shines out through us (See Matt. 5:14-16). Nothing about you surprises God. He chooses “the foolish things…to shame the wise…the weak things…to shame the strong…so…no one may boast” (1 Cor. 1:27-29 NIV). The question then becomes, can you love and accept yourself as God’s does? By having a judgmental attitude towards yourself, you’re contradicting God’s Word and opening yourself to Satan’s attacks. Paul refused to sit in judgment of himself: “It matters very little…that you…investigate and question…me. I do not even put myself on trial and judge myself” (1 Cor. 4:3 AMP). Paul had learned to let go of his past and press on, but he didn’t think he’d “arrived” (See Php.3:12-14). He was aware of the areas he needed to work on, but he refused to keep beating himself up because of them. Never forget, God thought so highly of you that He sent His Son to save you from your fallen state and future state. He “gave Himself…that He might redeem us…and purify for Himself a people…eager and enthusiastic about [living a life that is good]” (Tit 2:14 AMP). Who perfects us? God! You’re a work in progress, so start seeing yourself as God see’s you.
Wow, I have nothing to say except WOW.
What I am thankful for today:
An awesome two days with Makenna
time with Jen
Getting to see Tanner's Christmas program this morning
Seeing Leon today
An awesome PartyLite Show!
my friends
shopping with my dad last night
our Christmas tree...thanks dad
Jamie, Jamie, Jamie!!!
Melinda, thanks for the chat yesterday!
Diane
Rachel
the message I received from Sue today (a girl I graduated with)
Makenna and my haircut tomorrow
8 more days until Christmas!
Gavin's good report card
hearing my pop-pop talk to me last night
Christmas cookies
Christmas music
holiday cheer
laughter
love
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
Revolation
I have lots going through my head today! Now, where to start. Have you ever woken up from your sleep as if a huge bright lightbulb had gone off in your head? It happened to me on Sunday morning. It was quiet in my house for a change and I actually had all these thoughts running through my head that I could concentrate on. Ya know, without hearing.."Mom, Mommy...or MEOW!!!!" LOL!
Was it God talking to me? Was it my angels? I really cannot be sure. In this process of transforming my life and learning who I really am, this is the first time that I put it all together. What is awesome is that I have learned who I am....on my own. Shutting out outside influences, other than God, I know who I am and I am not caring as much about what others think of who I am. Here is some of what I came up with:
I care...sometimes way too much since it makes me sensitive to all emotions, even those emotions that are brought on by others hurtful words or actions. If only I could not care as much as I do.
I am a caretaker.....I love taking care of others, including my pets.
I fall in love easily. I love people. I love learning about their lives and hearing their experiences. I love the things I can learn from each person I meet.
I can be stubborn when I believe in something to the fullest. But I try to keep an open mind and I do not push my beliefs and opinions on others.
Communication is something I am still learning and realize that I need to speak through God not through anger and frustration.
Little things make me happy. Simple things are all I need.
I can now appreciate and find the good in almost every situation. Even the situations in my own life that seemed horrible, I am able to see the lesson I was supposed to learn.
Although we may make choices that we look back on and think, "what was I thinking?" There is a reason for the choice we made. It may have hurt someone, it may have put us in a worse situation, it may have altered our lives in a bad way. Good thing is that it doesn't keep us in a bad situation forever. And, something good does come out of it. Can we explain why God wants us to learn certain lessons? Maybe not right away. Is it our intention to hurt people? Not for most of us. Some people are out to hurt us though. But, forgiveness is key. If we choose to hold on to anger, it becomes bitterness. If you chose to not forgive, stay untrusting, and place blame, the only person we are hurting is ourselves.
At times in the past I felt very alone. I was always searching for someone or something to fill me up. Like a drug addict looking for drugs or an alcoholic drinking their lives away, I became an addict for someone to love me. I could have over eaten and turned to food or become a compulsive buyer but I didn't. Obviously no addiction is a healthy one. Well, except being addicted to scrapbooking..LOL! Once I came to this revolation of myself, I was able to look back at my life and figure out all the reasons I chose what I did in my past. Do I look at them as mistakes....no. They are lessons. And, I know that all these lessons have brought me back to God.
Yvonne and I had a nice long conversation on the phone this morning while Makenna was at pre-school. She let me know that in the last few years of her knowing me, I have made a huge change in my life. She said she knew that I was getting ready to allow God back into my life. Would I have been ready to do this if I would not have learned from my lessons? Most likely no. Yvonne also told me of a quote she once heard....'When your face has hit the floor, the only way to look is up.' Sometimes it takes us to land on our face before we realize that God is there to help us and take care of things for us if we allow him to. Although people may judge and critize our decisions, we need to make them to learn the lessons that God wants us to learn. In heaven we will learn the truth to everything in life.
What I am thankful for today:
being able to let go of anger and frustration
Linda for making cookies with Makenna and I on Friday and for taking Makenna for the weekend. Also, I am thankful that she and the rest of her family still treats me like family.
my children
Linda and Bob eating dinner with us last night
my new customers
my classes
the simple things in life
a great night's sleep last night
Yvonne and her inspiring words, her kindness, and her friendship.
Time with Missy on Friday night and her friendship.
love
my customer Debbie and our awesome conversation on Sunday.
my friends
my family
laughter
creativity
God
the health of my loved ones and myself
The Secret
the ability change my life
Was it God talking to me? Was it my angels? I really cannot be sure. In this process of transforming my life and learning who I really am, this is the first time that I put it all together. What is awesome is that I have learned who I am....on my own. Shutting out outside influences, other than God, I know who I am and I am not caring as much about what others think of who I am. Here is some of what I came up with:
I care...sometimes way too much since it makes me sensitive to all emotions, even those emotions that are brought on by others hurtful words or actions. If only I could not care as much as I do.
I am a caretaker.....I love taking care of others, including my pets.
I fall in love easily. I love people. I love learning about their lives and hearing their experiences. I love the things I can learn from each person I meet.
I can be stubborn when I believe in something to the fullest. But I try to keep an open mind and I do not push my beliefs and opinions on others.
Communication is something I am still learning and realize that I need to speak through God not through anger and frustration.
Little things make me happy. Simple things are all I need.
I can now appreciate and find the good in almost every situation. Even the situations in my own life that seemed horrible, I am able to see the lesson I was supposed to learn.
Although we may make choices that we look back on and think, "what was I thinking?" There is a reason for the choice we made. It may have hurt someone, it may have put us in a worse situation, it may have altered our lives in a bad way. Good thing is that it doesn't keep us in a bad situation forever. And, something good does come out of it. Can we explain why God wants us to learn certain lessons? Maybe not right away. Is it our intention to hurt people? Not for most of us. Some people are out to hurt us though. But, forgiveness is key. If we choose to hold on to anger, it becomes bitterness. If you chose to not forgive, stay untrusting, and place blame, the only person we are hurting is ourselves.
At times in the past I felt very alone. I was always searching for someone or something to fill me up. Like a drug addict looking for drugs or an alcoholic drinking their lives away, I became an addict for someone to love me. I could have over eaten and turned to food or become a compulsive buyer but I didn't. Obviously no addiction is a healthy one. Well, except being addicted to scrapbooking..LOL! Once I came to this revolation of myself, I was able to look back at my life and figure out all the reasons I chose what I did in my past. Do I look at them as mistakes....no. They are lessons. And, I know that all these lessons have brought me back to God.
Yvonne and I had a nice long conversation on the phone this morning while Makenna was at pre-school. She let me know that in the last few years of her knowing me, I have made a huge change in my life. She said she knew that I was getting ready to allow God back into my life. Would I have been ready to do this if I would not have learned from my lessons? Most likely no. Yvonne also told me of a quote she once heard....'When your face has hit the floor, the only way to look is up.' Sometimes it takes us to land on our face before we realize that God is there to help us and take care of things for us if we allow him to. Although people may judge and critize our decisions, we need to make them to learn the lessons that God wants us to learn. In heaven we will learn the truth to everything in life.
What I am thankful for today:
being able to let go of anger and frustration
Linda for making cookies with Makenna and I on Friday and for taking Makenna for the weekend. Also, I am thankful that she and the rest of her family still treats me like family.
my children
Linda and Bob eating dinner with us last night
my new customers
my classes
the simple things in life
a great night's sleep last night
Yvonne and her inspiring words, her kindness, and her friendship.
Time with Missy on Friday night and her friendship.
love
my customer Debbie and our awesome conversation on Sunday.
my friends
my family
laughter
creativity
God
the health of my loved ones and myself
The Secret
the ability change my life
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Advent Wreath & Thankfulness
Standing at the school today waiting for Gavin, I was discussing with some of the parents how much time just flies. None of us can believe that it is already December. It is funny that when we were kids, Christmas could not come fast enough. As adults it comes way too fast. To help the kids 'wait' for Christmas Jeremy and I have been creating an advent wreath of helping hands and adding to it each day. It was a project we started at church during the Advent Adventure event. Every day Makenna does something to help us out around the house. We write what she did on a tracing of her hand and tape it to a paper plate. In the middle of the plate are the 4 votive cups we created using tissue paper. Makenna looks forward to doing her helping hand every day. Gavin feels that he is too old for this project, but he enjoys helping his sister create her wreath.
I have been continuing Makenna's thankful list with her. We talk about what we are thankful for every day. Today she was thankful for: the Jeep being fixed for Mommy to drive, doctors, animals, Mommy, Daddy, Gavin, buttered noodles, pre-school and her belt. LOL! Funny that not one single toy was mentioned. I am very grateful that she is thankful for so many unmaterialistic things. I am sure she will be thankful for her toys, but how awesome is it that they do not mean as much to her as all this other stuff? I am so proud of her.
What I am thankful for today:
getting to watch Melissa, Gavin, and Makenna play charades (very funny)
The Biggest Loser (cried the almost the entire 2 hours of the show last night) Very inspiring!
Makenna being so well behaved at my 2 1/2 hour doctors appointment today.
flannel sheets
Makenna lending a helping hand
salad
Gavin being such an awesome big brother to Makenna
a car to drive
time with Linda on Friday
lunch with Jen tomorrow (HAPPY BIRTHDAY!)
cheese and crackers
my warm coat
clean laundry
Jamie (my soul-sister)
Shawn
Diane
Jen
Rachel
my cousins Randy and Jennifer
my kids
laughter
smiles
hugs
compliments
appreciation
support
love
I have been continuing Makenna's thankful list with her. We talk about what we are thankful for every day. Today she was thankful for: the Jeep being fixed for Mommy to drive, doctors, animals, Mommy, Daddy, Gavin, buttered noodles, pre-school and her belt. LOL! Funny that not one single toy was mentioned. I am very grateful that she is thankful for so many unmaterialistic things. I am sure she will be thankful for her toys, but how awesome is it that they do not mean as much to her as all this other stuff? I am so proud of her.
What I am thankful for today:
getting to watch Melissa, Gavin, and Makenna play charades (very funny)
The Biggest Loser (cried the almost the entire 2 hours of the show last night) Very inspiring!
Makenna being so well behaved at my 2 1/2 hour doctors appointment today.
flannel sheets
Makenna lending a helping hand
salad
Gavin being such an awesome big brother to Makenna
a car to drive
time with Linda on Friday
lunch with Jen tomorrow (HAPPY BIRTHDAY!)
cheese and crackers
my warm coat
clean laundry
Jamie (my soul-sister)
Shawn
Diane
Jen
Rachel
my cousins Randy and Jennifer
my kids
laughter
smiles
hugs
compliments
appreciation
support
love
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