Dancing with Simplicity

Simple Living, Walking by Faith
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Church Online and a daily Bible Reading Plan

  • February 23, 2021 12:46 pm

Viewpoint Church:

https://www.viewpointchurch.org/

Author/pastor/speaker: Becky Tirabassi and husband Roger have a wonderful Sunday service which blesses me every Sunday morning. 10:00 Pacific time zone, or catch the archives. Enjoy the live chat, and grab your message outline before the service.

Read Through the Bible:

And Becky is right there with her daily Bible reading posts on Facebook and Instagram with her Change Your Life Daily Bible. You can join in her videos on social media and follow the reading plan by purchasing her Bible or using the PDF download plan on Viewpoint church’s page with your own Bible.

As the church physical buildings start to open, remember, there are always resources online for you to access. You may be ill, disabled, or have any number of reasons you cannot go to church, but you don’t have to look too far to find a church home on the web.

Tangles of Weeds: Can I Conquer Life’s Clutter?

  • January 25, 2020 9:47 am

Conquering Life’s Clutter

Tangles of Weeds: Can I Conquer Life’s Clutter?

Every year I say I am going to …de clutter my house, journal,
read more, bake, learn a new craft, and organize paper clutter in my office.
Sound familiar? You too? And every year it does not happen. Well, not most of
it anyway. It’s like the view from my kitchen window. Our window looks out on
our long, narrow yard. Our dogs have seen to it that no grass remains. Instead,
we have a lot of odd trees and weeds that like to keep coming back every year. A
tangled, hot mess. One year we finally paid to have the overgrowth removed. Everything
was pretty, though still not grassy. The yard cleaned up nicely. My view from
the kitchen window revealed a conquered yard! Despite the lack of much greenery,
it was something to behold… for a season. A very short season. Yard clutter.

So it is with our yearly, weekly, daily, goals, and plans. The
space is cleared. We make room in our homes, our schedules our lives, for all
sorts of things (including some me time.) Unfortunately, before we know it the
whole mess has grown back again. Weeds start filling the schedule, our
thoughts, our plans, choking out our attempts to dream some big
dreams. Bottom line, our attempts to simplify, declutter, get rid of the weeds,
are thwarted every time. Life clutter.

Now you might think this is a bad thing, but it really is no
surprise to God. He knows we have no good thing in us, and He knows our sin
entangles. A manicured yard doesn’t last long in a fallen world. The weeds will
come back. Cluttering tangled messes like anxiety, addictions, stress, depression,
pride, stubbornness, disobedience. Notice these are not all blatantly sinful things.
Sometimes, they are time robbers. Sometimes they simply drain you and zap your
energy. They grow in like those weeds, quickly, subtly, unnoticed. Just like in
my backyard. Creeping clutter.

Maybe, it’s time to
remember the weeds and clutter are simply going to be there. Instead of
being caught off guard, pluck them up and move on. If they grow back, tear them
down again. If it takes some repentance and confession, so be it Let
God’s presence fill up the overgrown messy weedy places. You may find
opposition coming back, and taking over. Opposition to your plans, dreams, and
choices comes in all sorts of forms. Though it is a battle you may deal with
every single day for the rest of your life, in the end He has conquered it all.
For now, try planting His Word in the barren yard. Do not let the yard take you
by surprise. Recognize it, expect it, and conquer it. Tear it down. Deal with
it when it grows and better yet, let Him be the gardener. Simplify your
life, by anticipating the opposition. Be prepared for it, and keep moving
forward. Behold the view from the window. He is making all things new.

II Cor 4:16 (MSG) So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the
outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside,
where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace.

Suggested Online Christmas Services

  • December 22, 2019 1:24 pm

If you have no plans or places to go for Christmas services, may I suggest:

https://www.viewpointchurch.org/

Viewpoint Church.  Author/pastor Becky Tirabassi’s church from Southern CA, USA. Becky has long been a  mentor. I have used her Change Your Life Daily Bible and other resources for years, and now she and husband Roger pastor a church. Visit her church site or find her on Facebook. More resources:  http://www.changeyourlifedaily.com/. Coming in January, read through the Bible in one year…with Becky on Instagram.

 

Saddleback Church, Pastor Rick Warren from CA.  https://saddleback.com/

I’m a member of the online community on Facebook, and serve on the online prayer team. You will find many online Christmas services and a new church-wide event begins in January 2020. Watch live, watch the archive or You Tube services. The Worship team has to be one of my favorites, from just anywhere!

Sprinkled Hearts

  • April 3, 2019 5:31 pm

I’m working on digital products. You can obtain this poem in a few ways. Here’s one link for some nice tea glasses.

Rejection: We’ve All Been There

  • July 10, 2016 11:51 pm

UNI_ss_6.27-03
“Rejection steals the best of who I am by reinforcing the worst of what’s been said to me.” @LysaTerKeurst #UninvitedBook

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“Relationships don’t come in packages of perfection; relationships come in packages of potential.”    @LysaTerKeurst  #UninvitedBook

 

Stay tuned for future reviews on the latest from one of my favorite authors, and pre-order your book today! Sign up now open for the next OBS (Online Bible Study) from Proverbs 31 Ministries. Details here!

Follow-up: There is an awful lot to take in with this latest book from Lysa TerKeurst.  I found myself looking at past rejections in light of who God says I am.  Her concept, He has set me apart while others may have set me aside, rings true to me.

The book is big on her life experiences, and as a writer you can just imagine the rejection she has endured.  You will find something to identify with, to improve on for yourself, or to share with others.  You will also find some quotes to remind yourself of her concepts, and that is something you may or may not like.

If you are a student of the Bible, the book is not short on Bible verses and stories from the lives of Bible characters are often used to demonstrate her points.  I would suggest further study of those stories, to get the full details.  I know her ideas are Biblical,  but for myself I need to dig deeper to gather the concepts out of the Bible that may back up some of these ideas on rejection.

The most you can do for yourself if you are experiencing the wounds of rejection, is to know that God has made a plan to accept you just the way you are.  His love is unending, His sacrifice on the Cross is undeniable.  Please visit the side bar if you are unsure of how to come to know Him.  He is the reason this blog is here, and He will not reject you.  Accept His love today.  Feel free to post any comments or questions…….

Romans 5:5-8 (NASB77)
5  and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
6  For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
7  For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die.
8  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

The Hope of Easter

  • April 4, 2015 10:44 pm

Matthew 28:1-9 (NLT)
1 Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.
2 Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it.
3 His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow.
4 The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.

5 Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.
6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying.
7 And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.”

8 The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message.
9 And as they went, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they ran to him, grasped his feet, and worshiped him.

It’s empty. He is risen. But not before dying an unimaginable death for you and for me. If you don’t know Him this Easter, if this is unclear or confusing or simply something you have never heard about please read the page on Steps to Knowing God. You’ll find it in the right sidebar. Don’t build your Easter on anything less than Christ the solid rock. This is serious business. The greatest sacrifice ever made for anyone, was made for you and me. As always, if you have any questions please post them. If you simply want to express how thankful you are to Him, please do. In this day of instability and world terrorism threats, #Brussels and beyond, we need the hope of that empty tomb.  We need to know, our Savior lives. And one day, He will return for us.  Again, if you need this hope, this security in your own life, remember the tomb is empty. Don’t live another day, another moment, without surrendering your life to the One who surrendered His life for you.

 Have a blessed Resurrection Day. He is risen indeed.

Are You Walking in Faith?

  • March 25, 2015 11:51 pm

Walking in faith. It’s the other half of this blog’s title, but last doesn’t make it least. It is the key. It’s the missing part of the equation. It’s the piece of the puzzle that you may struggle to place. When it is placed correctly though, you see the whole picture as it was meant to be.

Faith is inexplicable, but without it, it’s impossible to please God.

Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Faith requires you to step out. It requires you to walk forward when you cannot see exactly where you are going.

Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV)
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 

You may have faith that a chair is going to hold you up. Do you have faith that God is going to do the same? You may have faith in the love of a parent, friend, child, or spouse. Do you have that confidence in the one who died for you? Maybe your faith is in a weekly paycheck, your health, even your location.  What if those things crumble?

Hebrews 11:13-16 (NKJV)
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland.
15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return.
16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

If you need to know more, please visit my page Steps to Knowing God (click on the sidebar). Read Hebrews 11 for a glimpse into the heroes of the faith.

In addition, if you want some help on the journey, Proverbs 31 ministries is currently registering women for the next OBS (Online Bible Study).  All you need is a book, and your internet connection. You decide how many activities you want to participate in, and it’s all free of charge (except for the book.) Did you notice the title of the book?

Note: They have registration open now for the study’s conference call series (available for a small cost) and Facebook small groups.  The groups may be full, but they do keep a waiting list.  I’ll see you over there when the study begins.  Visit the OBS link for all the latest news and registration.  #WalkInFaith #P31OBS

 

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Keep walking in faith.  And as always, I welcome your questions and comments.

Quick note: It was a great study. There are archives available, all you need is a book to follow along. This quote from Lysa really moved me:

However distant your dreams may seem, God is working things out & today is an important part of that process.

Lesson Learned:  there is a place between now and my dreams. A place of growth. The waiting is often long, but the now moments need to be utilized, nurtured and not wasted. Between here and the dream there is much to do and accomplish.

 

 

 

What’s So Simple About Diabetes?

  • March 13, 2015 11:26 pm

When I started this blog, my theme was simple living, and living by faith. My desire was to get myself and others back to a more simple life. That life was to be centered on God, and the study of His Word. Along with that, my thoughts were toward family, crafts, cooking, and things that just felt less techno.

Of course, it was pointed out to me that blogging is technical, and so was owning anything like an iPad, Kindle etc. Social media was not simple.  Oh well. So I did not entirely make the transition to simple living. I’m still working on what that looks like.

One thing that isn’t so simple is my life with Type I diabetes. Diabetes is not simple or easy. After being diagnosed in 1970, I can honestly say that while technology has helped tremendously, it still has not been an easy journey. Where an insulin pump has made life a tad easier, it still requires patience and a life of constant adjustments. It gets in the way of some of those simple things I want to be doing. Diabetes presents a constant invasion of numbers, and musts and have to’s. It is not simple.  It marches in and over anything that requires my attention.  Activities and moments of real creativity and fun, end up trampled on at times.  Because diabetes is a real time snatcher, but that time is a necessary investment.

I hope if I toss this into my journey of faith, dancing with the simplicity of Christian living that you won’t pass by my blog. If you are a PWD (person with Diabetes) of any type, you know it isn’t simple.  You might shake your head, and walk away. Upset that such a topic might even make it into this kind of blog.  You might be angry with God, or with your circumstances. I for one believe that many people live in countries where diabetes care is less than perfect, and technology is not there to assist.  I don’t ever want to forget that.

I could not make the journey of faith without God, because I could not do the diabetes thing without God.

Psalm 119:114 (MSG) 114 You’re my place of quiet retreat; I wait for your Word to renew me.

My constant rock and source of strength through all that is diabetes, is God.

I can’t give you medical advice, but I can listen and share my own story. Yes, even in a blog about simple living by faith.  Diabetes can show its face, but it cannot win. It can build courage and determination, but it cannot take over.  It can cause your focus to shift to numbers, and meds, and carb counting and the like.  But your ultimate goal and focus can be built on faith in God and His call on your life.

We may live in different parts of the world, and our resources for dealing with diabetes may be quite different.  I hope to see you on the path of hope and faith.  He’s got your back through it all. Feel free to comment……..

Are You Being Transformed?

  • January 22, 2015 12:15 am

TMD-Wk3 IICorinthians 3:18 (HCSB)
18 We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Take Me Deeper online study. Week Three. Shine!

Visit His Kingdom Come for more information.

What Are You Seeking in 2015?

  • December 31, 2014 6:14 pm

Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

There is no greater goal, no greater resolution than to seek God more in 2015. The world is obviously a little bit stressed out lately. 2014 saw a whole bunch of chaos. No matter what your political views, there’s no denying the chaos was and is there even on this last day of the year.

You may have had a wonderful year, or one filled with struggles. In any event, the new year brings a new opportunity to set some goals and work toward some changes. Now you probably know from the past that most of these changes  just do not get done. It’s like decluttering your house.  How many times have you vowed to do it, and how many times have you failed? That’s what I thought…me too!

The only thing I can guarantee you and myself, is that seeking God first is the real solution for everything. Check out the following:

Matthew 6:25-34 (HCSB)
25 “This is why I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing?
26 Look at the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they?
27 Can any of you add a single cubit to his height
by worrying?
28 And why do you worry about clothes? Learn how the wildflowers of the field grow: they don’t labor or spin thread.
29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these!
30 If that’s how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, won’t He do much more for you—you of little faith?
31 So don’t worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’
32 For the idolaters
eagerly seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.
34 Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Notice how the seeking part, is buried in the worry and the stress? Matthew has it smack dab in the middle of the mess.  Why? Because it works. The emphasis though, is on what to seek first. In the middle of 2014 and 2015, lies the chance to do some serious seeking. One day at a time.  It may be a little late to recover the time from 2014, but tomorrow is just a few hours away.  Start now, seeking Him in prayer as you offer Him your new year.

If you don’t know how to seek Him, or what it means to have a true relationship with Him, visit the Knowing God page on this blog. Feel free to research and discuss what it means to seek both His kingdom and His righteousness.

If Christmas taught you anything, it’s that all the stuff you may have been seeking either didn’t show up under the tree, or it didn’t make you happy.  I write from reality and I can tell you you will always have struggles and chaos in the midst of peaceful days. Happiness is never lasting. The choice though, is to seek Him through every year you have on the earth.  There is no other way. Seek Him first. Not Facebook friends, not alcohol, not drugs, not money. Seek Him first. Not status, not the perfect career, not toys and the fastest greatest car. Him. First. Above all. Right now before you land in the middle of a new year. And for the record, can you believe another year has come and gone already? Start now!

Ephesians 3:20-21 (HCSB)
20 Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us—
21 to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.