I think I'm going to keep this short. I'm not feeling particularly insightful today but this topic is something that is based on a scriptural response I received at a difficult time in my life.
Scripture References
(I John 4:18) 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love.
(II Timothy 1:7) 7 For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.
My Random Thoughts on Faith vs. Fear
Faith is based on love.
Self-induced fear is a basic element in worry, fretting, anxiety.
If I am trying to make a decision and I am worrying or fretting about it or suffering the symptoms of anxiety I try to apply love to the situation. Usually that makes all the difference. With love, I see the truths and not the lies, I see hope and not despair and often I see the next step instead of closed doors.
When I see through the eyes of faith and love, I have no fear(self-induced).
As I said, not particularly insightful-I guess I will keep this as a placer blog and when I feel I can elaborate more on this, I will come back and give this a proper blogging.
Until, blessings and peace.
JulieDD
P.S. Someone sent me a live streaming feed of an eagle on a nest. It is from UStream. Two adult eagles are there now-I'm hoping to see the little ones soon.
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Something Cool to Share!
My son is pursuing a career in Graphics Design and with that in mind he has opened a store front on Zazzle to display some of his designs.
I enjoyed watching him create this design and offered a few suggestions but you know he is a teen. Thankfully, he is a respectful teen and while he listened to my suggestions ultimately he made his own decisions about the design. Personally, I think it turned out great! Of course, I am his mom.
The hardest part, ironically, of this whole process was coming up with a title for his storefront. I say ironically because I edit titles for an online writing site. It should have been easy but we went back and forth with ideas and checked the thesaurus several times in hopes of finding something just right. Sharp Edges was a good compromise and he found a themed image to fit, too.
Today's inspiration via this time with my son is about "process"-often the task I think should be the easiest to tackle is the hardest and I have to ask myself, "Why?" The answer I believe is that when the task is something I think I can manage I usually don't bring it to God or ask for help. Arrogance? Pride? Stupidity! These three bad little attributes have been the downfall of many of my supposedly easy tasks.
If only I had prayed first...if only I had infused the other three-faith, hope and love first...yes, I do believe those simple tasks would have been accomplished easier.
So I guess my questions of the day are:
Is there anything too small or too large to bring to God?
Do you pray first or pray in desperation when things go wrong?
If you don't believe in the power of prayer or in God, can you at least ask for help and/or accept help when it is offered?
Final Note to those who choose not to believe in God or the power of prayer; Faith begins with a tiny step of open trust and hope in God, therefore, if at some point you find yourself needing just a little guidance perhaps you could consider giving honest prayer a try.
Peace to all!
JulieDD
I enjoyed watching him create this design and offered a few suggestions but you know he is a teen. Thankfully, he is a respectful teen and while he listened to my suggestions ultimately he made his own decisions about the design. Personally, I think it turned out great! Of course, I am his mom.
The hardest part, ironically, of this whole process was coming up with a title for his storefront. I say ironically because I edit titles for an online writing site. It should have been easy but we went back and forth with ideas and checked the thesaurus several times in hopes of finding something just right. Sharp Edges was a good compromise and he found a themed image to fit, too.
Today's inspiration via this time with my son is about "process"-often the task I think should be the easiest to tackle is the hardest and I have to ask myself, "Why?" The answer I believe is that when the task is something I think I can manage I usually don't bring it to God or ask for help. Arrogance? Pride? Stupidity! These three bad little attributes have been the downfall of many of my supposedly easy tasks.
If only I had prayed first...if only I had infused the other three-faith, hope and love first...yes, I do believe those simple tasks would have been accomplished easier.
So I guess my questions of the day are:
Is there anything too small or too large to bring to God?
Do you pray first or pray in desperation when things go wrong?
If you don't believe in the power of prayer or in God, can you at least ask for help and/or accept help when it is offered?
Final Note to those who choose not to believe in God or the power of prayer; Faith begins with a tiny step of open trust and hope in God, therefore, if at some point you find yourself needing just a little guidance perhaps you could consider giving honest prayer a try.
Peace to all!
JulieDD
Friday, July 31, 2009
Part 2 ad majorem Dei gloriam—“for the greater glory of God.”
Since returning from the last mission trip, I have found it difficult to read any books other than ones that are spiritually based or the Bible. I love to read and this inability to read books I would normally read I find unusual but not disconcerting.
On a recent trip to the library I picked up 3 books I was excited about reading yet I have not been able to read beyond 1 page of any of these books. Even though I've renewed them once already in hopes that I will get to read them I know that I will be returning them soon unread.
One of my favorite books that I have been able to read, that I picked up on the mission trip is Dear Jesus: Seeking His Light in Your Life
. It has helped me immensely over the last couple of months. I have felt inspired or touched by God every time I have read it.
On my last blog I mentioned some connections and beyond listing them I can't explain their influence upon my decision for this blog.
While I will continue to add on occasion blogs similar to what I have already posted I have decided that I will use this blog primarily in a fashion similar to the movie premise of reading and blogging. I will most likely have to see this movie and blog about it, too.
However, I will not be using a cookbook for this blog instead I will be reading and blogging about books that will challenge me/us spiritually and I will blog about the book and how it influences my day or changes it.
At this point, I am not sure which book I will begin with but I have a couple, in particular, that I am seriously considering. However, I feel this decision can only be properly made with input from God. So I will be consulting Him and will be open to His suggestions and guidance.
Below I have listed the events that led me to making this decision. Don't feel you have to read through them but I put them there for those who are curious. Some of the connections I sense beyond the physical senses and to you or others they may not seem to be there or may appear inconsequential in nature. I can only say, it is a matter of faith of which I proceed in this endeavor. I hope to do it ad majorem Dei gloriam...for the greater glory of God.
May your life be filled with peace, love and joy.
JulieD
Primary Chronological events of August 31, 2009
1 a.m. considering visiting the Holy Land
Wake up:
Remember ads for Julia and Julie-my name, identity (considering releasing identities and strengthening connections-how long -a year)- connects to random thought- premise of movie a blog about working/blogging through a cookbook
Brandon Heath song Give Me Your Eyes lyrics-how can I do this Lord a constant prayer
Today's homeschool lesson-talk about careers and future and doing things all for the glory of God -use those exact words
Read Father Pat's meditation for the day-St.Ignatius during his convalescence read about the Life of Christ and about the lives of the saints.
Read Prayer of Day "Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam"-All for the Glory of God
Follow link to St Ignatius of Loyola (saint of the day)
learn about his conversion experience and about his taking a year long pilgrimage and turning to Christ-in this year he wrote-after which he finally achieved his purpose of going to the Holy Lands,
Decision made about blog.
Peace.
On a recent trip to the library I picked up 3 books I was excited about reading yet I have not been able to read beyond 1 page of any of these books. Even though I've renewed them once already in hopes that I will get to read them I know that I will be returning them soon unread.
One of my favorite books that I have been able to read, that I picked up on the mission trip is Dear Jesus: Seeking His Light in Your Life
. It has helped me immensely over the last couple of months. I have felt inspired or touched by God every time I have read it.On my last blog I mentioned some connections and beyond listing them I can't explain their influence upon my decision for this blog.
While I will continue to add on occasion blogs similar to what I have already posted I have decided that I will use this blog primarily in a fashion similar to the movie premise of reading and blogging. I will most likely have to see this movie and blog about it, too.
However, I will not be using a cookbook for this blog instead I will be reading and blogging about books that will challenge me/us spiritually and I will blog about the book and how it influences my day or changes it.
At this point, I am not sure which book I will begin with but I have a couple, in particular, that I am seriously considering. However, I feel this decision can only be properly made with input from God. So I will be consulting Him and will be open to His suggestions and guidance.
Below I have listed the events that led me to making this decision. Don't feel you have to read through them but I put them there for those who are curious. Some of the connections I sense beyond the physical senses and to you or others they may not seem to be there or may appear inconsequential in nature. I can only say, it is a matter of faith of which I proceed in this endeavor. I hope to do it ad majorem Dei gloriam...for the greater glory of God.
May your life be filled with peace, love and joy.
JulieD
Primary Chronological events of August 31, 2009
1 a.m. considering visiting the Holy Land
Wake up:
Remember ads for Julia and Julie-my name, identity (considering releasing identities and strengthening connections-how long -a year)- connects to random thought- premise of movie a blog about working/blogging through a cookbook
Brandon Heath song Give Me Your Eyes lyrics-how can I do this Lord a constant prayer
Today's homeschool lesson-talk about careers and future and doing things all for the glory of God -use those exact words
Read Father Pat's meditation for the day-St.Ignatius during his convalescence read about the Life of Christ and about the lives of the saints.
Read Prayer of Day "Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam"-All for the Glory of God
Follow link to St Ignatius of Loyola (saint of the day)
learn about his conversion experience and about his taking a year long pilgrimage and turning to Christ-in this year he wrote-after which he finally achieved his purpose of going to the Holy Lands,
Decision made about blog.
Peace.
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