IT'S NOT ABOUT ME!

Any time I get to thinking too much, and realize that my focus might be more about myself than about others or about God and Jesus, I strive to keep this thought in my mind:  "It's not about ME, it's about HIM."  As I was driving down the road having that thought yesterday, it occurred to me that too often "I" am wanting to be in the spotlight of something.  I'm being selfish.  I'm concerned about my wants or my feelings.  Not that it is always bad to do so, but too much of it can lead to depression or negative thinking in a hurry.  I was thinking, "It's hard for my light to shine for HIM, if I'm too concerned about myself being in the spotlight."  I decided to make a little meme to share this thought with others, just in case they, too, had these selfish thoughts from time to time.

I suppose we all do, really.  It's easy to get caught up in ourselves, isn't it?  I blame mine on hormones, just to be honest, because I'm rarely "down" about anything. When I am it almost always equates to a hormonal issue that's out of whack for a short time.  (Oh, the joys of the mid-40's! NOT.) But it makes me think of those who might not ever "get out" of these thoughts....what about them?  And what if it wasn't a hormone thing?  What could I do to help get the negativity from my mind?

For me, what I've found has been found driving down a highway. When you live in a remote area as I do, you spend a lot of time driving on highways.  Often I listen to my favorite Pandora station, but I have a very favorite thing to do, and that is to put it on my iTunes "worship" playlist filled with acapella praise and worship songs from various groups, such as Hallal, The Zoe Group, Narrow Way, and a few others.  I LOVE IT!  It instantly "peps" me up and makes me feel better!

So now I think, WHY DO I NOT JUST START OUT EVERY DAY WITH THIS PLAYLIST?!  Well, I do listen to that playlist often and at random or scheduled times, but I haven't wanted to listen to it all of the time because I wanted it to be different.  I wanted that list to be "reserved" in a sense, but now I see that my thinking is WRONG.  I NEED those songs each and every day. I NEED to be uplifted every day! MAYBE if I listened to them ever day - at the beginning of every day - it would change the whole day...or at least change ME for the whole day.  Who knows? (God.)  

So today, I'm starting out with HIM even more so than usual Bible reading as soon as a I wake up and quick prayer before leaving the bed.  (I need to work on that part, too.)  And as I go through the day, I'll remind myself to keep ME out of the spotlight, to shine brightly for HIM, and strive to always remember that none of this is about me ever.

There's No God Like You!

There's just something about the sound of rain, isn't there?  It started early this morning and is still going...hopefully all day long! I've got the back door open, just to listen to it.  It's peaceful and calming.

I know that the Lord is great,

    that our Lord is greater than all gods.

The Lord does whatever pleases him,

    in the heavens and on the earth,

    in the seas and all their depths.

He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth;

    he sends lightning with the rain

    and brings out the wind from his storehouses.

Psalm 135:5-7

After several years of drought, we are thankful for the rains we've had. Praising God for the rain comes naturally, even to those who may not truly know Him.

Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain?

    Do the skies themselves send down showers?

No, it is you, Lord our God.

    Therefore our hope is in you,

    for you are the one who does all this.

Jeremiah 14:22

Our praise to Him should not waver.  He, alone, is God. No idol can bring rain.  He IS the ONE who does all this. Let's never forget to give Him praise.

Worked Up In a Tizzy!

Yesterday I could feel it coming on.  It was a big, full blown, TIZZY!  Do you know what a tizzy is?  It's a self-inflicted state of mass irritability and overwhelming state of mind.  And then it begins to turn to worry and stress.  The muscles in my neck begin to tighten. My head feels like it's going to explode.  And I get all spastic!

I don't often have tizzies, but when I do, I don't like them one bit!  I feel out of control, and I am.  In fact, though, it's because I'm trying to have all control, that I get into this tizzy!  So yesterday, while it seemed that everything that was on the calendar for the next few weeks had to be done THEN, I felt that overwhelming sense of doom, really!

Finally, I sat down, and wrote out this post for our "Parents After God's Own Heart" page.  I figured it was best to just confess the problem to God, but also thought I should say it to others...first, for their prayers, but also, just in case other mom's felt the same way.  Some said they did. Others just "liked" it in either agreement or support. And I made a prayer picture that said exactly how I felt.  I told God exactly what I was doing, knowing He was the One that should be in control.  Not me.

Here is the status.  The photo is below.

"This is straight from Lori to you moms. I don't do this often, but I have today. I've worked myself into a "tizzy", and I'm working on getting stressed. Too many up-coming things that I get excited about, but then start to worry about. There's uncertainty with plans, there's orders to place, and things to remember to do....and those things turn to worry and stress! And I don't like feeling stressed! And I know I shouldn't stress...and THAT brings stress! So, I need to calm down! I need to give it to God. He'll help me. He always does! So, why do I allow myself to get to this point?! This is my prayer. Maybe you need it today, too...and maybe you'll say one for me."

I felt much better after writing that and making the photo.  But then I turned on my music to Hallal and The Zoe Group.  This is my FAVORITE song.  I've probably posted it before, but will again. Click HERE for the link, but it probably plays on the playlist at the bottom of my blog homepage.  

Today, I am starting out with the prayer above and the worship songs.  He will calm and still me - even with many things to accomplish. HE will direct my paths, not me.  

Thank you, God, for giving me what I need.  YOU.  

In Jesus' name, 

Amen

The Chronicles of Biscuit: "Goin' Through the Motions"

Today I had to go to Oklahoma City, so didn't pick Biscuit up after school. On my way home, I called him. He was at the office with his dad.  It was an interesting conversation:

Me:  Hi, Biscuit! How was your day?

Biscuit:  Oh, good....you know....just goin' through the motions.

Me: Oh, really?  How do you just 'go through the motions' at school?

Biscuit: Well, you just go through the day, but you don't really know what's going on. You're just kind of 'there'.  

Well, that's interesting, isn't it???  Wonder if Biscuit just 'goes through the motions' often at school?  I'm guessing 'not' since we haven't gotten a call or text from the teachers or the PRINCIPAL!  Ha ha!!  (And Biscuit will be in BIG trouble if we DO get a call about it!!)

But Biscuit got me to thinking.....

How often do we just "go through the motions" as a Christian?  How many times do we worship Him, without really, really worshipping Him?  How many times do we sing praises to Him, yet not focus on the words? How many times do we partake of the Lord's Supper....a time of communion with Him, yet fail to focus on what He did for us.  Dying on a cross is pretty significant.  It was a huge gift that He willingly gave His life for ME and for YOU.

Maybe Biscuit's thoughts made me think just a little bit more about my worship.....and my praise.....and my communion with my Lord and Savior.  And just maybe it will make you think about yours, as well.

Praise Him, Praise Him!

It occurred to me that this week marked five years for this "Shine Like Stars" blog!  Five years!  It doesn't seem possible, but when I think back about things I know I've written and about events in our lives, I know it really has been that long.

As a celebration, I've decided to do a list of praises....things to be thankful for....specifically this week:

1.  The opportunity to reach out and connect with others through "Shine Like Stars" is definitely something to praise God for!  What a wonderful way to share God's Word, the good news about Jesus, and inspirational thoughts with all of you.

2.  Those who visit "Shine Like Stars".  I don't even know who all visits, but through direct feed, email, Google search, Facebook, and all kinds of other ways, hundreds of visitors visit each day (I know that because it keeps a daily/weekly/monthly count.).  Thank you!  I appreciate you stopping by and the comments via the blog, Facebook, email, and in person!

3.  This week I praise Him for healing our son, Jacob's arm! You may remember it was broken in a basketball game the Monday before Thanksgiving.  Last night he was able to play basketball after two casts and a brace!

4.  I'm also thankful to have recently begun teaching ladies' Bible class.  It's a great study about getting to know God better.  I first began this blog because I missed the study and preparation getting ready for teaching class.  I switched to teaching children's classes, which was also a blessing, but just not as deep of study.  The blog was selfishly begun for my own needs, but praise God it didn't stay a selfish desire!  It developed quickly into what it should have always been - a way to reach others.

5.  I am thankful for family.  My own immediate family and our extended family on both sides.  In the past few weeks a few family members have had health concerns.  One began chemo treatments yesterday.  The others are doing fine.  Daily we pray for God's healing hand on those who are having physical health concerns.  He can heal, and we believe that promise!

I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart;

 I will tell of all your wonders.

I will be glad and rejoice in you;   
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
Psalm 9:1-2

² 

I Will Praise You, O Lord!

This picture was taken by my daughter when she visited Washington, D.C. earlier this month.  So beautiful!  What a beautiful world God made!

¹ I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart;
    before the “gods” I will sing your praise.
² I will bow down toward your holy temple 
    and will praise your name 
    for your love and your faithfulness, 
for you have exalted above all things
    your name and your word. 
³ When I called, you answered me; 
    you made me bold and stouthearted.

⁴ May all the kings of the earth praise you, O Lord,
    when they hear the words of your mouth.
⁵ May they sing of the ways of the Lord,
    for the glory of the Lord is great.

⁶ Though the Lord is on high, he looks upon the lowly, 
    but the proud he knows from afar.
⁷ Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
    you preserve my life; 
you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, 
    with your right hand you save me. 
⁸ The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
    your love, O Lord, endures forever —
    do not abandon the works of your hands.

Psalm 138

PRAISE THE LORD!

Praise the LORD from the earth,

you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,

lightning and hail, snow and clouds,

stormy winds that do his bidding,

you mountains and all hills,

fruit trees and all cedars,

wild animals and all cattle,

small creatures and flying birds,

kings of the earth and all nations,

you princes and all rulers on earth,

young men and women,

old men and children.

Let them praise the name of the LORD,

for his name alone is exalted;

his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

PSALM 148:7-13

Photo Credits:
Some of these photos are from:  Me, several come from acobox.com. 
The "Lord Reigns Over All" photo is from Christian Clipart
and the last one, "Road to Heaven" comes from: Photo by John Watson lightproofbox.com/road-to-heaven