Transformers: more than meets the eye

I was reading in Matthew today and God hit me with a few bricks. One of which is transformation. In Matthew 25 it talks about the sheep and goats. The sheep come before Jesus and are told that they will enter the kingdom because they fed, clothed, and accompanied Jesus. The part that I just got was this: the sheep didn't know that they were doing it. It just was a part of who they were and what they did.

You see, the sheep were transformed so much so, that they didn't think too much about it, it was just who they were. Could you imagine living your life so transformed that Jesus said that you took care of him and you say you had no idea? That means that you take care of everyone as if they were Jesus, and that your nature is so much in line with what God desires for you!

God doesn't ask you to perform works to get into heaven, that's not at all what this is about. What Jesus is saying here is that if you truly love him, you will be transformed so much that it is just your nature, and you can't behave any other way.

So many people I know believe that if they are just a good person they will get into heaven. Jesus is saying that is not the case. He knows, he separates the sheep from the goats. He knows those whose hearts have been transformed. He knows those who put on a show and those who really can't do anything but be good, because its to the core of who they are.

But all have sinned, all fall short of the glory of God, and only Jesus is truly good. However, if you allow Jesus into your heart, and allow Him to transform your life inside and out, He has already finished that work for you on the cross.

Romans 12:12 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

2 Corinthians 3:18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Philippians 3:20-21 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

What about you? When Jesus separates the sheep from the goats, where will you go? Are you allowing yourself to be transformed?

I am praying that I allow myself to be transformed more and more every day.

Storytime

I had a great Memorial Day weekend, very memorable.

We took Jeramy out to his grandparents, and relaxed with fishing, boating, and just plain hanging out. Jeramy loved it.

He insisted that he was NOT sleeping on the couch, so we invited him to sleep with us, despite the bed being a very small full size antique bed. So, Jeramy, Dave, myself, and the dog all cuddled into bed. It was fine until Jeramy moved in his sleep and the dog barked at him, waking us all up. Then he ended up upside down and kicked me in the head. He eventually moved out to the living room and slept on the floor. But it was nice, because we were all together as a family.

I have noticed Jeramy using the term family a lot more. When referring to us. I know he likes being a a part of a family. He also is enjoying church, and honestly the kid never wants to leave. Its almost easier to get him to the dentist (okay, not that hard, but still!)

I really wasn't expecting him to grow too close to me, so I backed off. There is so many reasons, but I won't go into that here.

Every night his dad reads him a story. Tonight I picked out the book (Gross stuff fact book) and the first subject was barf, I excused myself because I can't stand barf. Well, after that section, Jeramy invited me back in the room. He said they were done with barf and I could come in. So I laid at the foot of his twin mattress and listened to Dave read about snot, urine, feces, and farts. (Jeramy's favorite was farts, although it was the most boring chapter.) The three of us crammed on a little twin mattress reading about farts. This is awesome. Thanks God. He even rubbed my leg with his foot. Neat.

Well, he still didn't want to fall asleep so I suggested we pray, because when Dad and I need to calm down we pray together. So I led a prayer thanking God for all the awesome things and experiences we have had. We prayed for our family, including extended. I thanked God for Jeramy because he is so awesome and fun. I just can't stop thanking God. It was great, even if Jay hung his head over the edge of the bed the whole time.

Sure enough, that was good. I hugged and kissed him good night and he didn't even flinch like he used to (cuz I was a girl who had cooties, even though he was immune to cooties.) It means he is opening himself to my love, and actually really enjoying it.

I am so happy that he wanted to fart on me yesterday! Call me silly, but it means a lot. I love this little boy like my very own and it means the world to me that he wanted me there to share his storytime.

God, you are so good and faithful. Don't give up hope, when the time is right, God comes through.

Nagging feeling

Everyone knows what a nagging feeling is like. Did I lock the door? Should I call my sister? Things like that.

Recently I have been feeling things like you really should journal about that or why aren't you reading the Bible instead?

I think that God wants to speak to me.

He has a lot to say, and I think my heart is ready.

Now I just have to get my brain there and do it.

"Are you ready? I am going to blow your mind!" God always blows my mind.

Psalm 27, verse 8 My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”

And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”

We were made to walk on water

Matthew 14: ²²Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. ²³After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, ²⁴but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

²⁵During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. ²⁶When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.

²⁷But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."

²⁸"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."

²⁹"Come," he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"

³¹Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

³²And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. ³³Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

I often relate to Peter. This is one of my favorite passages from the Bible. How often is it that I ask God if I can walk on water, but then sink because I stop paying attention to him and notice the storm around me? Way too often. How often is it that I make a mistake and cry out to God for Him to save me? Way too often. How often is it that the Lord saves me? Every time. Every time I cry out to Him.

It was if all the miracles that Jesus performed before didn't mean anything, but walking on water, calming the sea, that made them worship Him.

Are you surrounded by miracles, but refuse to acknowledge that it is God? Do you have to make God walk on water and come to you? Do you ask God if you should follow, obey, then sink because you took your eyes off of him and put your eyes on the world?

Jesus came so we can walk on water. But he also came because he knows how hard it is for us to do so. He knows how we get overwhelmed by the storms of this world.

Are you overwhelmed? Have you lost your sight of God? Cry out to Jesus, he will save you!

Blessed beyond measure

I went to the zoo today with my sister, my husband, our son, and our "adopted" son Paul. The sun was out. It was not too hot, it was not too cold. I got to eat out, worship God, see great friends, get lots and lots of love. I got to help clean the hamster cage. I got to feel family.

I got to feel the blessings of God in full.

I am so honored.

Best EVER Mother's Day

First off, I have to say that my mom and I never really celebrated Mother's Day. I used to say I love my mom 364 other days of the year. See, it all started with expectations and having to do things I didn't like. Then once, I moved out on Mother's Day. Since then, we always did something around Mother's Day, but we always did do something special. My mom was very special to me, and I miss her. She came up today, and a song came on the radio to let me know that even though she is not here on Earth with me, she knows what is going on, and she is proud.

Today I was communicator in Kids' City. That means I stand up on stage in front of a bunch of 1st-5th graders and teach them a lesson about God. Don't worry, I have a script. It went well. Sometime after the first group Jeramy said, "wait, it's mother's day this weekend?" Yeah, don't you remember you made your mom a card in school and we put it in the mail? "Oh yeah. Happy Mother's Day." Thank you Jeramy.

I tried so hard not to cry.

Then, after second group, he gave me my present. Apparently he really wanted to get me a bracelet from the resource table. (They sell handmade jewelry and other stuff to support missions.) He came up with the idea himself. He said he knows I really like rocks (because I had just showed him my rock collection from when I was a child this morning.) I was soooo happy.

Dave said that Jeramy came up with the idea himself. All unprompted.

This kid has a generous heart.

Mine -- mooshed.

God is so good. He really has watched over Jeramy's heart. He really does answer prayers.

It is well with my soul.

Facing your Giants

Been doing this study based on a book by Max Lucado.

Its like I needed to be reminded how BIG my God is.

And if I don't keep him close, no matter how big he is, I can lose sight of him when all the little things start to clog my vision.

I have been re-evaluating my life, my priorities, my routine, and just when I am ready to make change.

BAM I get sick.

I get stuffy. I am tired. Physical illness is a giant to me. Not that I am that sick of a person, I know people with worse health problems. Its just that I spent so much of my childhood stuffed up and in a haze. I was the kid who always came to school sick. People asked me why I didn't stay home. If I had stayed home I would have missed sooooo much school.

I feel as if I miss out on life.

On the beautiful weather of the last two days, I have been in bed all day until I get in my car and go. And its not like I can enjoy it. My head is in the clouds.

God is in control. I give him that.

Now am I ready to face a Giant that I have been letting boss me around? Not on my own... not on my own.

difficulty sleeping

I know if you have difficulty breathing, its dyspnea. And if you have difficulty swallowing its dyspagia. This week I have had dysleepnia. And it appears that I am not the only one. Even Jeramy was up past midnight the other day.

Is it the weather? Is it the change in lifestyle? Is it the financial stress? My lack of exercise? All I know is that I have been a slacker recently.

Things at work are stressful. When the belt gets tightened, we all feel it. People are concerned about keeping their jobs. Hours are watched carefully. Every i must be dotted and every t crossed. My sleeping problem is not helping my timely factor at all.

I guess if I haven't been too fruity lately I need to look at my roots.

If you don't get that last sentence, its okay.

On a completely different note, my new name at work is Shirley. Or Sharyl. I have actually been able to have fun despite a difficult surgeon who shall remain nameless. I passed on a quote to a friend, and it always makes a difference with me.

You can't stop a bird from flying over your head, but you can keep it from building a nest in your hair. --Martin Luther

Now I need to build a nest in sleep's hair. See how it likes it.