Looking Out From God Instead of at God

I am currently reading a book called "Immortal Diamond" by Richard Rohr. The book is deepening my faith and making me look at some things differently. Both are good. He says many eye opening thoughts that have left me gobsmacked. Be prepared for future posts on this book. :)

One of things he said was, "We must return to practice based spirituality where the vantage point switches from looking at God to looking out from God." I figuratively smacked my forehead! How simple and yet how profound. How would the world change if we practiced this? If we started looking at people, places, events, all things "from God's vantage point?" I'm thinking the world would change in ways we can't even imagine.

He also says, "Spirituality tends to be more about unlearning than learning." I believe this with all my heart. I've had it happen over and over. We learn, we grow, we learn some more that enhances or changes our previous way of thinking.  Every time I read the Bible I learn something new, something I didn't understand the first time through or didn't apply yet.

God continues to lead me in new directions to help me grow closer to Him. It's an exciting journey. I'll follow Him anywhere He leads.

Psalm 118:1
Give thanks to the Lord,
for He is good;
His love endures forever.

Gratitude List (prompts from aholyexperience.com)
3 Gifts Moving
1. My car
2. My journey
3. The clouds

Phil 1:4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.

Blessings, Deborah

The Gifts

     Go here and be truly blessed: http://www.aholyexperience.com/2011/12/3-gifts-you-really-need-to-open-right-now-love-comes-down-video/ 


     My favorite version of the Christmas story is in Luke 1 - 2:20, although I love all the Gospel accounts of His birth.
    
     I finished Ann's book, One Thousand Gifts last week. I have been walking in a joyous daze ever since. I can't seem to stop wondering how it would be on that road to Emmaus walking with Jesus, thinking He is a stranger to those parts and explaining the events of the past three days of His life to Him, inviting Him to stay with you because it late and then....He reveals Himself to you at supper...when He breaks the bread...gives thanks...and hands it to you. (Luke 24:13-31)  How would you feel if it happened to you today? That is what I keep pondering and my heart swells with joy and love for Him, because of all He has done for me and you.


     195)  The Breaking of Bread
     196)  Branches and leaves, frozen in time by crystal frost
     197)  Winter sun barely warming the day
     198)  This week leading to Christmas
     199)  My dogs, who remind me of God's unconditional love
     200)  Bibles on Kindle
     201)  More quilt tops finished
     202)  Another quilt started
     203)  Pastors who shepherd, so beautifully, the flock she has been given
     204)  Soup kitchens
     205)  The Carolers, who braved the crisp night to sing joyously at my door
     206)  Christmas music


     This joyous heart wishes you a very blessed week, Deborah

    

Faith in the Midst of Fears

     My brain MRI is tomorrow. I'm not afraid of the MRI or what the test might reveal.  I was, until I remembered I will not be alone in the machine and however the test turns out I will still be okay. Good or bad news. Positive or negative results. I will be okay, because God is in charge of my life.  As Ann reminds us in her book, One Thousand Gifts, All is Grace.
     Fear takes on a whole new meaning when you believe that about grace. At least, it has for me.  Thank you, Lord for All of Your gifts of grace. 

     122)  Machines that see inside us
     123)  Doctors who are specialists
     124)  All my doctors
     125)  His words He left to guide and comfort
     126)  Family and friends who care
     127)  His Grace
     128)  Being His and able to praise Him freely

     Wishing you blessings, Deborah

    

Gobsmacked

     Ann Voskamp's book, "One Thousand Gifts," came in the mail on Friday and I began reading. Somewhere between chapter 2 and 3, I was  gobsmacked right in the forehead. Seriously, it was like God smacked me upside the head saying, "Ah, now you get it." Talk about a major Epiphany!! Thank you for your guidance through Ann to my brain. ANN!! I got it, too. Give thanks in everything, everyday, ALL day long! I learned it in Sunday School, taught it in Sunday School and heard it a million times, but didn't really get it. Now I do. God likes it when we do. Thanking God daily for all His gifts balances out the bad in this world. I understand now! I'm not saying it the right way to inspire you. All I can say is read her book, start your list. I'm not getting paid to say this to you. She puts it so beautifully through her story, I just know you'll be gobsmacked, too.
     Now, my Monday gift list. 

      72)  Cats curled asleep on my bed
      73)  Choir voices singing with praises on a CD
      74)  Feathery clouds on an Autumn day
      75)  Thunderheads
      76)  A tiny moth on my bathroom mirror
      77)  Quilts to finish
      78)  Tomatoes to can
      79)  Warm Pear Crisp with oatmeal walnut topping
      80)  The glow of candle lit rooms
      81)  Bushy tailed Grey Squirrels
      82)  Knowing I have a best friend right next door
      83)  Puddles in the driveway
      84)  Birdbaths filled with rain water
      85)  Daffodil and Tulip bulbs to plant
      86)  Realizing I need a Church community
      87)  The scent of grass as I mow
      88)  Wind whipped Autumn leaves
      89)  Butter Popped Corn Rice Cakes with creamy Peanut Butter
      90)  Today's 4 1/2 hour power outage helping me see the "light" thru study
      91)  Chocolate anything

      Wishing you a very blessed day,  Deborah