Whatever He Says

I’m studying a book I’ve had for years: Writing Life Stories, by Bill Roorbach, with Kirsten Keckler Ph.D. I am struck by Bill Roorbach’s endearing personality, which shines through every line. He is helpful, wry, funny, and compassionately understanding of the aspiring writer. His book is not only a pleasure to read but is packed with wisdom. So why did I never apply myself to reading it? Life! Life in all its busyness can rob us of the best that is always there waiting for us to choose it. But I realize more than ever that a choice for something of importance implies excluding much else that is mere filler and froth. How distracting is the foam on the sand of my life—the rabbit holes of Facebook and Google are so addictive. But I realize that I cannot waste precious time and that I need self-control to avoid these tempting trapdoors. If not, they will win the battle for my time and attention. God, I’ve seen mention of self-control in the Bible as a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:...

By Belinda "Aargh, I can't believe I did it again!" Have you ever found those words more frequent flyers on the airline of your life, than you wished? I know I have. I was thinking about that this morning and pretty much complaining to God about it. I mean, how often have I prayed, "Make me more like you?"  "When is he going to take me up on the offer?" I wondered to myself.  Then I realized that the weakness I was frustrated about at that moment, is not really a weakness at all; it's just part of who I am; in my DNA and neither bad nor good.  This morning it was my quick reactions that I was feeling hopeless about; but I also respond quickly in many ways that aren't negative. For instance if you enjoy watching movies in peace and quiet--do not watch them with me. And at concerts I am the first and last to applaud, and may be the first to jump to my feet in a standing ovation. I have conversations in my head all the time, about toning...

I love people and never get tired of sitting across from someone, looking into their eyes and listening to what they have to say. What I just wrote sounds as though I am a good listener, but all too often I am whirling around faster than--than a washer on the spin cycle! Anyone with a smidgen of interpersonal radar would not find that inviting. But, thank goodness that in spite of "me," I sometimes do see the one in front of me and just enjoy "what God has made" in that other person. And what he makes is delightful. The snippets of wisdom I glean from conversations, I take away to ponder later. Today someone told me that he had coached a girl's basketball team to win two championships. I had such fun listening to his coaching stories. His eyes sparkled as the stories came with laughter in his deep voice. Of the training, some girls would say, “I’m tired, I’m not doing it.” He would smile and say, “I know. Still, RUN.” He said they would complain as they ran, but...

I decided to check in with my life coach tonight--you know, those special assistants in living that only the trendiest people have. They are usually quite pricey, but mine is exceptionally reasonable. Besides I had already tried to write a blog post and inspiration was as scarce as yellow bananas at No Frills (they are usually all green, except for this evening after work, I have to say, when they were the perfect shade of yellow with just the tiniest tinge of green at the ends.) While out with my coach I decided to share a bit about me. You might think that I share a lot about me here, and I do, on a certain level, but there is sharing and sharing. Today at work I went to a new training in our agency on facilitating personal planning meetings for the people who are really our employers--and who happen to have disabilities. The training was to help us do a really great job of facilitating, "the meeting" at which they share their goals and dreams. I'm smiling at the though...

Isaiah 64:4 (New International Version) 4 Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. I've been thinking a lot about time this weekend. It all started on Saturday morning, listening to Fresh Air with Jeff Goodes on CBC radio as I got ready for the day. Jeff's guest that morning, Harold Taylor, said that people have it all wrong when they think about organizing their time. He said that we should really think about spending "life" not "time" because that's what we're really doing--spending our lives. "Spending life"--that does have a different feel to it than merely "spending time." It was a bit of a wake up call. I want to spend my life--every minute of it--in a way that leaves me with no regrets--but I struggle to understand how to do that and am thankful for any words of wisdom on the subject. I visited Harold's web site, http:/...

Matthew 26:33 (New International Version) 33 Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will." This morning it leapt off the page at me--Peter's fatal flaw-- self confidence. But how often do I go into the day confident in my own strength, common sense, wisdom, self control and knowledge? While I may have these qualities--in varying degrees on any given day--I am learning that there is a far better way to live. That way is in utter reliance, moment by moment, on God. The battles of self that I have faced most recently, were not won, and will not be won, by human strategy or resolve, but by acknowledging my utter weakness and dependence on God. Making my struggles a public thing has been helpful. Taking it out into the open, removes my tendency towards self reliance (maybe this book has the answer), rationalization (maybe it's not so bad) and procrastination (I'll start tomorrow). I can't say that I know the personal struggles of many of ...

2 Corinthians 4:10 (New International Version) 10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. Galatians 2:20 (New International Version) 20I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. More of You More of you, more of you I've had all but what I need Just more of you Of things I've had my fill And yet I hunger still Empty and bare, Lord hear my prayer For more of you I love the song, More of You , but I'm thinking that in the areas where I struggle in my life--it isn't about me having more of Jesus, but about Jesus having more of me. All of him--the boundless resources of his wisdom, power and strength are mine for the receiving according to 2 Peter 1:3 (New International Version). His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our kn...

Ephesians 4:22-24 (New International Version) 22You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. I was in the hairdressers--a much needed cut and colour was in process and two stylists and I were talking about our struggles with addictive eating. The funny thing is that no-one would guess by looking at us. The other two girls are much younger than me--both lovely--and they and I are not noticeably over-weight, but we had a bond of understanding. For us food isn't about physical hunger but something else--and we agreed that like any other addiction, it can only be beaten one day at a time. Just talking to one another about our struggle and encouraging each other, boosted our resolve. I left with a determination to make it through the evening--typically my weak time...