Announcement…Thank you!
Some of you have been with me for over two years and some only two weeks. THANK YOU! I am grateful for you. Thank you for inviting me to your Inbox, for trusting my words to bring hope, and for your encouragement.
Paris Renae – Living Braver
is brand new – click here: http://parisrenae.com
let me know what you think!
And may you have a most blessed celebration now and throughout the coming month! To Him be the glory forever & ever!
Goodness Grace
Thanks—giving. Maybe separating the words a little shows the heart of the celebration. Not Thanks-getting, but the giving of thanks.
Christmas is up in the stores before turkeys for the table are being shipped. We barely breathe in the aroma of our favorite foods before we hit the sales.
What would this year be like if we just slowed down a little? Long enough to remember what we are thankful for. The lists are long but we forget so easily.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with THANKSGIVING, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6 NIV, uppercase mine)
No anxious thoughts about missing a good sale, no worries about food coming out just right, no ill feelings about a party not invited to. In everything talk to God, but remember to always thank Him first and then rattle off all those concerns. There’s a reward: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7 NIV)
Peace of God – that sounds like a wonderful way to go into this celebration. Everyday is thanksgiving day – and when it truly is – then the special days are filled with peace. Regardless the chaos around us.
What is the peace? Goodness and grace – His goodness imparted to us by grace. Nothing to do to earn it, to keep it. Only an open hand to receive it. A hand that stays open so that the goodness and grace is given to another. The more you give it away the more you have. His abundance never runs out.
All this is so much easier said than done, but now, in this two short days before we sit with family or friends, before we rush into the holidays – this time is for you. In the offering up of the thanks the flowing down of peace can be ours. So let’s raise our eyes to the heavens and thank the One who loves us so much for the privilege of belonging to Him. In the quiet we will be transformed…
Made With Love By…
A corner of the closet is home to a box where special cards, crayon pictures, and glued together popsicle sticks are safely tucked away.
Treasures that someday will be found and the finder will wonder ‘what on earth’ – precious to the maker at the time and forever to the receiver.
I have a friend who sews – on each item she includes a little tag “Specially handmade by Marlene”. With care and dedication to her craft each stitch is made and a beautiful work is the outcome.
Another friend sent me a picture she and her granddaughter made together – the theme was to disguise your turkey so he won’t get gobbled up at Thanksgiving. A Turkerina (ballet turkey) was the outcome of creativity and a bond of love.
A yearning rests in each of us – the desire to give to another, out of love, something that is unique to us. Our very fabric is pieced together to be creative – made in the image of the Creator. “For You created my inmost being, You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:13-14 NIV)
Variety in creation is nothing short of astounding in: trees, fish, birds, animals, flowers, and on goes the list. To delight us and teach us and inspire us.
As we head into the busyness of the next several weeks let’s not neglect moments to notice – moments that make the memories. Slowing enough to relish in finger-paint masterpieces, to be touched by carefully selected cards, to find comfort in the still small voice of the Master Artist.
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10 NIV)
His workmanship, so carefully crafted that we are chosen to bear His image to a world that hurts, is lonely, confused, harassed. Tis the season of lights and those who are Light bearers wear the imprint ‘Made with love by… the Father’. Hear the sounds, smell the fragrances, taste the goodness, see souls in need, and feel the grace of One who wraps us in hope forever – and carry His eternal hope for all to see.
Life, Liberty…
Regardless of the outcome of today’s election in America, there is only One who is in control. As a people we are where we are mostly out of neglect. Neglecting to incline our hearts to a God who is sovereign over every nation.
“For by Him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by Him and for Him.” (Colossians 1:16 NIV)
A brief history of two hundred forty years boils down to: will we or won’t we acknowledge that ‘…all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights’? With rights come freedom – and responsibility. As of today those rights are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
The days, weeks, months, and years to come will reveal our decision. For as long as we await Jesus’ return we have a choice to spend those days pursuing Him and thus finding true life, real liberty, and sincere happiness. Or we may go the way every other nation has thus far – abandoning acknowledging God, pursuing more government, and losing freedom in the process.
But there is a mystery the world of unbelievers doesn’t grasp. Whatever restraints man tries to oppress his fellow man with be they prison, tyrannical government, or oppressive taxation – the one who knows his Creator is free forever. A freedom that transcends human boundaries and sets our souls to flight.
“You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature, rather, serve one another in love.” (Galatians 5:13 NIV)
Ahh, there is the freedom of any nation. Will people ‘serve one another in love’? When a nation’s government is more bent on selfish ambition than on the good of defenseless babies and the elderly – freedom is lost. When integrity takes a backseat to power – freedom is lost. When corruption at every level is the rule of the day rather than the exception – freedom is lost. For it is through these pursuits that we become slaves to our own selfishness.
God is an oh so forgiving Father. He longs for and desires that we are free in Him and that we, through the sacrifice of His Son, spend eternity in a freedom we can’t even begin to imagine. The great experiment of America is, and always has been, hearts soaring free towards a God whose love knows no bounds.
Wanted…
Ever feel unwanted – unneeded – unnecessary?
Breaking news: it’s universal. From the orphan on the streets in slum city, to the aged widow alone and love gone, to the overwhelmed mom trying to keep up. The one out to deceive blinds us to our worth, our sense of place, our gift. Instead we see — our neighbor with the new car or remodeled kitchen, our friend with the perfect children or marriage, or the model in the ad with flawless skin and tiny waist.
Losing sight of true life we begin to fall for the label ‘unwanted’.
I once knew someone who thought she was an ‘accident’. Even her name made her think she was unwanted. As an adult she shortened her middle name and moved far away from her beginnings. Labeled early she struggled to feel worth, to see how adored and loved she was. She fell for the lie. Late in life she accepted a new name: Christian. Now her name was written in the Book of Life for all time. And worth was based on whose she was not who she thought she was.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2Corinthians 5:17 NIV) and “To him overcomes…I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.” (Revelation 2:17 NIV)
We lose sight of just how valuable we are – more valuable than beauty, than intelligence, than power and bank accounts. For it is the ones who find their worth in the One who gave His life for theirs that find true life. They shed all labels except the one that says ‘I am His’
This is truth for when the feeling of less than creeps near… “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:28 NIV) Rest and know you are cherished, you are His shining light, you are called to be just where you are and there is purpose in whatever the circumstance. Safe in His hand forever…
Sure Thing…
These days uncertainty greets as our feet hit the floor.
Weather, work, politics, violence, money, health, loved ones – nothing is sure anymore.
Still, we are all looking for a sure thing – even as we reach out it seems to slip from our grasp. A friend recently said “Honestly, in the world we live in, I’m surprised we don’t all just stay in bed with the covers pulled over our heads!”
But then…dawn comes and peeping through puffy white clouds is blue. And I’m reminded the blue is always there – even when the clouds are solid. I sense the Father’s smile. Ripples on the water growing ever wider – unending circles – like His unending love. I can almost hear His reassuring voice. As sun warms my bare arms I am enveloped in golden rays – reminded I am never alone. Filled by His Holy Spirit, He is always with me.
“If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. (1John 4: 15-16 NIV)
Blessed Assurance Jesus Is Mine – old hymn, timeless truth.
For something to be certain, without doubt, unchanging – it has to have always been. Only God has always been. So our sure thing is the One who quiets our storms and our souls. The One who calls us to walk and leads the way.
“Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” (Psalm 90:2 ESV)
So when the weather brings floods or blizzard, work lays off half the staff, politicians lie for their own gain, violence happens on the corner as we drive by, money is scarce, health is compromised, loved ones struggle – remember His word is always true and He is ever faithful. “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV)
Promise 33
In a few days I will have been married to a man who said ‘I do’ and has meant it for 33 years.
These days it’s hard to find someone committed for 33 minutes let alone years. But this man has stuck by my side through the good, the bad, and the ugly.
It all began with a promise. We both made the decision to give our hearts to God first and He promised us:
To be with us always – to give us wisdom – to carry out His plans for us – to be our strength – to be our joy, to be our peace, to be our help…and to give us eternity.
We haven’t always cooperated perfectly with these promises. But even “if we are faithless, He will remain faithful” (2Timothy 2:13a) Two imperfect people plus one perfect God equals a marriage of a lifetime.
What if we looked on our wife/husband with eyes like the ones Jesus looks on us with? Eyes of compassion, of tender love, of mercy, of grace. I think we would see the inside of us – vulnerable, childlike, wanting approval, fearful, desperately desiring a love that isn’t based on our perfection but that totally accepts our imperfection – yet won’t let us stay there.
That is Christ’s love for us. So deep yet so knowing. Strong enough to take us as we are, wise enough to grow us beyond where we are.
The world we live in, satan in his conniving, and us in our selfish selves cannot be faithful – and we often don’t keep our promises. There is One who does: “But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.” (2Thessalonians 3:3 NIV)
This marriage of 33 anniversaries has been full – full of heartaches and crazy joy, full of uplifting words and sometimes cutting words, full of children and now full in the empty nest. With God’s help we will promise to make more memories together, to be so full of God that we can overflow to others, and to always be ready to be filled by a God whose bounty knows no limits.
May we til death us part always say that we will “hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23 NIV)
Aftermath…
Much of our world knows nothing of hurricanes – but for those living in their paths, be they in America or the Philippines or wherever – we know the aftermath. This time I’m calling it the After-Matth-ew.
South Florida, where I live, is no stranger to hurricanes – and lots of ‘fun’ tropical weather. Twelve years ago four hurricanes made landfall in Florida within six weeks. There was after-Charley, after-Frances, after-Ivan, and after-Jeanne. Frances and Jeanne made landfall right where I live.
Weather events, blizzards or cyclones – are memory points. Times we mark and say ‘before this’ or ‘after that’. But the storms of life do the same, ‘before Alzheimer’s’ or ‘after heart surgery’.
During these times we often feel helpless – because we are, in ourselves.
“When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36 NIV) That is as true of us today as it was 2,000 years ago when our Savior lovingly looked at the weary.
He sees you and me, He sees we are harassed and helpless. But we are not without a Shepherd. Because of bottomless compassion, limitless love, and ultimate power – Christ gave everything for us. So that as we are battered through the storms of life our reality is: “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” (Hebrews 6:19a NIV)
This is truth, and truth sets us free. No more guilt ridden thoughts of ‘if onlys’ – no sleepless nights of ‘could haves’. Freed to share our hope – secure in His everlasting arms.
So what do we do in the aftermath of life’s storms? How we answer that question determines where our help comes from. Will it be self? Or will we surrender day by day to the One who is our strength? “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1 NIV) Love this song… (here’s the link if the clip below doesn’t show up for you: https://youtu.be/-sx8wTnnfSc?list=RDwRJZQFRyZ6s )
Strong In…
A hurting world cries out ‘where is justice’ ‘where is relief’ ‘where is help’?
A son kills his father, policemen fear for their lives along with those they defend – and locked doors don’t protect. Rioters in the streets and rich young sports figures question what was once without question.
And weary citizens either tune out not wanting to hear one more tragedy or tune in wondering what will be next.
Who or what has the strength or ability to change any of it? The question rises because the askers have forgotten: “For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.” (1Corinithians 1:25 NIV)
Creation is our great teacher. The spider spins it’s web without a blueprint. This delicate looking masterpiece has a ratio of strength to density exceeding that of steel. In a strong wind, the initial stiffness of the silk helps a web survive – able to tolerate winds up to almost hurricane strength before tearing apart. The web’s ability to flex and stretch keep it intact when torn. Where did the spider learn to weave, where did the proteins needed to make the web originate?
So it is with us. In our weakness we sometimes stiffen to withstand life’s blows. Other times we are stretched to what seems cannot be bared. Only to find out we are stronger because of it. Where does our strength come from? “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1 NIV)
Challenging times lay ahead in all lives. From the poorest homeless to the richest tycoon. No one is exempt. And not just us as individuals. But a nation that was once touted as a “city upon a hill” is in danger of going dark. Those who left England in 1630 had a great vision. They hoped to be an example for the rest of the world. Future governor John Winthrop said this: “We shall be as a city upon a hill, the eyes of all people are upon us.”
Will those watching see us fight on our knees asking the only One who can right the wrongs to intervene? Or will they see us shake our fist in defiance springing from perceived self-sufficiency? I hope and pray this will be our anthem: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” (Ephesians 6:10 NIV)
All Things…
Thunder rumbles loud. Barely noticed by those beneath the grey sky.
Our noisy world hardly hears a siren, an explosion, a cry for help. Hearing only what is important at the moment. The phone call, the broken printer, the angry client.
But thunder rumbles for a reason, song birds call out for a reason, waves roar for a reason. The noise of creation calls attention to the Creator. The noise of the world calls attention to the seemingly urgent. Distraction from the important.
Wind rustles leaves, raindrops plop – and in the everyday their call is unnoticed. But a moment spent noticing calms the clenching of fists, the drumming of fingers – stress lessens.
As drops splatter and the bubbles form and pop, birds stop calling and tree limbs still. Creation is listening.
Yes, our world is demanding. But all things created need a silent break here and there. A remembering minute to breathe in and let go – to recall: “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:17 NIV)
When we think we’re falling apart, or the world is falling apart – remember He holds all things securely in His hands.
When it seems one more thing will do us in – remember our One thing. Jesus, our one desire. We may think we desire money, fame, popularity – or maybe just a good home, healthy kids, and enough to pay the bills. Those are things we chase after to fill a void. Only the void gets wider the more it is filled. But when earthly desire gives in to the Giver, the emptiness fills and our One thing becomes all we need.
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2Corinthians 9:8 NIV)
Skies lighten and phones ring. But in the dripping eaves is a message for the soul: quiet enough, long enough, to hear the voice of the One who can make a difference. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NIV)
His purpose is to see us to an eternity with Him. He’s calling in the stormy times and in the laughter, in the heartbreaks and the triumphs. Hear the echo of unfailing love.
parisrenae 