Last one

Well, this will be the last post on this site. I’ve learned a lot but it’s time for the final switch. Come on over and join me on the journey at susansage.com Love to see you there. God bless.

New Site

Well, it has finally happened. I have a new web page/blog site. I can now be found at susansage.com Come on over and check it out. I hope you decide to follow me on the new site. There is a place there for you to follow. See you there.

News, news, news

I am in the process of building a new website/blog. As soon as it is up and running I will let you know so you can join me and follow at the new site. Thanks for your patience. God bless

God’s Family-God’s Glory

Recently, I had the opportunity to sit with some people with “know how”. You know what I mean, the people that know the questions that should be asked and give you the answer before you know that’s the question you need to ask. These people are so much more knowledgeable than I when it comes to technical computer things. I sat in amazement as they did what was quite easy for them but a very challenging task for me.

Later a friend and I were having lunch and talking about the class we had just been a part of and the things that, especially I, had learned.

It became very apparent to once again that what we had experienced was the work of the body of Christ together. It truly was a beautiful thing.

When we each take what God has given us, whether you want to call it gifts or abilities or talents or strengths, or whatever, and use them to help and build up others in the body of Christ, then, we, as His body are operating in the exact way He designed us to operate.

That brings Him glory.

This dear sister who was helping everyone in the class was not having difficulty with the task at all. She was using her strengths and gifts to do what God gave her to do. That’s the body of Christ. That’s the blessing of being part of God’s family.

“Dear Father, Today may each of your children operate in the gifts and abilities You’ve given. May we each seek to build each other up as You intended.”

How about you? How have you been blessed by someone in God’s family using their gifts to help you or build you up?

I have to Do WHAT????

I am taking a class which will, in the long run, be very helpful in learning to develop and hone what I’m now doing. In this class, there is a lot of reading, which I don’t mind at all. There are assignments that I have to incorporate and put into use in what I’ve learned from reading. And then there is the greatest challenging assignment for me…

I have to set G-O-A-L-S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now, I am the type of person who doesn’t mind setting little, attainable goals. I’m fine with seeing a task that needs to be done and figuring out what I need to do in steps to accomplish that task. I LIKE lists…yes, I said it. I like lists. It gives me a feeling of accomplishment to make a list, work on the item, complete it and then check it off.

But, GOALS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They scare me to death.

I know the big picture “thing” way at the end of the road that I’m headed for.
I can see the end result if goals are met.

But, I get lost in the tiny details. I get frustrated in the “what are the ‘exact’ steps that I need to take to get there”. There is always this fear of missing an important step in the process and having to go back. What if I don’t know the step to take? I mean, it has been said, how do you know what question to ask if you don’t know what you don’t know.

Funny thing…
I was praying this morning about setting goals and about this fear that I have. Once again, God showed up.

He gave me the EXACT devotional thoughts that I needed. Don’t you love it when He does that!

He reminded me again what is in Isaiah 30:21, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it.’”

So, maybe goals are not such a bad thing with that verse in mind. Someone once said that each path begins with the first step.

“Dear Lord, Today please help me to keep my focus on You so that no matter which way I’m about to turn I will listen for Your voice of direction as I set goals.

How about you? What do you do to set goals and to keep going in the right direction to accomplish them?

picture used by Office Microsoft Images

A Tribute to My Father

I was talking to a friend recently about people and relationships and life in general.

We talked about how so many people are focused on showing others how much they are loved.  There seems to be a great deal of attention paid to making sure others feel accepted and cared for and, yes, loved.

The thing is, our love is not going to save them.  Our love may make them feel good.  Our love may help their self-esteem.  Our love may encourage them.  Our love will not save them.

Only God’s love can do that.  He may use us to show them love, but it’s got to be His love.

I’ve been thinking a great deal about my father lately, after all, Father’s Day is nearing.  I realized that this theme was steadfast in my father’s life.

As a young man he and my mother were called to serve God in a full time capacity with a life changing commitment to follow Him.  They picked up and moved to a “foreign” country (Canada) to the great frozen wasteland…at least that is where it was thought they were going…though it wasn’t quite so frozen or so much of a wasteland…just different.  But, especially at that time, it was a drastic move.

As I think back to memories of growing up and “picture-memories” of my father, there are several consistencies but one thing stands out in my heart and mind.  It is his constant dedication to speak the truth of God.  He pointed people to God through his life.  He guided people in their walk with Christ through his words.  He directed people by discipleship in many one-on-one relationships and in teaching others how to disciple.  He discipled before it was the “thing” to do.

I’ve heard people talk about how great my father is.  I’ve heard comments numerous times about the effect he had on their lives.  I’ve heard remarks about the strength of his preaching.  All of those things are true.  But, I know that my father would do and has done what he has always done, point those same people back to God.

I think that’s what truly being a father is.  It is pointing one’s children, birth children and spiritual children, back to the One who knows us best and loves us most.  It is pointing others to God, our heavenly Father and His great love, not our own.  Today, I thank my earthly father for his life of dedication to his heavenly Father.  Thanks, Dad.

“Dear heavenly Father, Please bless my father today.  Remind him once again of Your great love for him and envelope him in the memories of a life well lived for You.  Thank-You for the kind of father who loved You first and taught those coming behind him to do the same.  May all of his children and grandchildren and great grandchildren follow that love to You.”

My Life’s Dichotomies

I am…

a big sister and a little sister,…though at this age, it doesn’t matter so much anymore.

a daughter and a mother

an aunt and a niece

a student and a teacher

a rule follower and an undisciplined individual

a person of strength and a person of weakness

a deep friend and an acquaintance

one who enjoys the ocean and the mountains

a reader and a writer

and the list goes on.

But, most of all, I am a child of the Most High God.

There is no dichotomy there.  I may have many different roles to play out in life on this earth.  I may have many different interests and things that yearn for my attention.

But the place where I am at my most complete, the place where I find the most fulfillment and enjoyment, and the place where I am whole is in the center of my Father’s will.  When I am focused, purposeful, and deliberate concerning my relationship with God there is no dichotomy.  I am who He created me to be.  I will do what He created me to do.  I am His child and will purpose to live my life for His glory.

“Father God, Thank-You for seeing all aspects of me as complete.  May my life be lived in such a way as to bring glory and honor to Your name every day of the life You have given me.  Be the Lord of this day as I walk in You.”

 

God’s Promises

Do you have any idea how many promises of God there are in the Bible? I don’t, but I always mark in my Bible when I find another one. I have a lot of those markings throughout my Bible. I’ve been thinking on a couple of His promises.

We know that God is steadfast and faithful. That’s what Deuteronomy 7:9 says. I Corinthians 1:9 says that God is faithful and II Timothy 2:15 says, “if we are faithless, He will remain faithful, for He cannot disown Himself.”
Because we know He is faithful, we can stand on the promises He gives us. He cannot lie so He cannot break His promises which are His solid word.

I find a great deal of comfort in that when my world takes an unexpected turn.

When we look at it with Romans 8:35, we see it says, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” It goes on to say in verse 37-39 “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

I really believe when my health takes a nose dive again, when money runs short, when frustrations mount, when someone disappoints me, when the world has another catastrophe or the economy plummets again, He is there. He is with me. I don’t have to go through anything alone. Nothing can separate me from Him.

Either God is bigger than my problems and I go to Him with them or the problems are bigger than the God whom I serve and I crumble under the weight of them. I must stand on what He says is true. He is my rock and foundation. I need to remember that always. He promised He would be. He is as He said.

“Dear Lord God, Thank-You that You are more than enough and big enough to take care of any problem I have today. Thank-You that You are faithful to Your word and Your promises stand true.”

So, what do you do to keep yourself centered on the promises of God? What is your favorite of His promises?

Photo from Microsoft Word Office

Where Do I Belong?

I grew up a bit of a mixed-up kid.  I was born in Canada.  My parents were born in Texas.  That made me a “dual citizen.”  I was made fun of in the States for having a “Canadian” accent.  I was made fun of in Canada for having an “American” accent. 

Now, I knew what an “American” accent was.  After all, our family made a trek to Texas every year from wherever we lived.  Most of the kids in the family “picked up” that Southern drawl as soon as we hit the Texas/Oklahoma border!  But, I didn’t really know what a “Canadian” accent sounded like until I was older and could hear it more clearly.

I grew up learning the history of the United States and the history of Canada. 

I knew all 13 provinces and territories and most of the 50 states.  We drove across those states putting together state map puzzles many times.

I grew up learning French.  I also heard and learned words like “y’all” and “tard”- (translation: plural “you” and “very tired”!)  I knew that soda and pop were the same thing.  I knew that many Canadians drank hot tea while Texans drank iced tea.  I knew in which country to buy “Shreddies” and where to buy “Shredded Wheat”.  I knew where to get “Smarties” vs. “M & M’s”!  I knew what sticky muggy heat felt like and I knew what it felt like to get frost bite inside of my lungs!

I was mixed up though because I didn’t know to where I “belonged”.  Was I truly American or was I truly Canadian?  When I went to Canada I said I was Canadian but if I went to the States I said I was American.  Where did I belong?

I felt like an alien or foreigner no matter where I was.

There are several places in the Bible that talk about those of us who are believers being “aliens” or “foreigners” in this world.  The verses are found in Ephesians, Hebrews, and I Peter.  Ephesians discusses the fact that there was this division between the Jews and Gentiles but Christ did away with that and they became part of one family under God.  I like the verse in Hebrews and I Peter as well because they talk about the fact that though we live in this world, it is not our home.  There is another place far better waiting for us.

I don’t have to feel like I don’t belong.  I know I am a child of the King.  I know that I have an eternal home with Him.  I know that He wants me to spend the rest of my life here and in heaven with Him under the promise that I am His and I belong.

“Dear Father, Thank-You that because of Your great love and sacrifice I belong to You now and forever.  I am not out of place.  I do not have to be mixed up. I am Your child.  Thank-You for this priceless treasure.  May I never take it for granted.”  

 

Have you ever felt like you didn’t belong? Where do you find your sense of belonging?

The Traveling Weed

This is the third and last “discussion” on weeds…I hope.  I guess we’ll see if God has any other ideas next week!

I mentioned my friend’s yard a couple of weeks ago.  She and her husband have moved into a new home to be closer to their daughter and her family.  She decided to relocate some of her plants from the old house so she could have them at the new house. 

She was not familiar with one particular plant but thought it was pretty so brought it with her.  At the new place she found out that she had transplanted a rather healthy and lovely weed!  She had put it in a pot for travel.

 Oh the challenges of gardening for those of us who don’t really know our plants!

The day came when she knew it was time to uproot that weed.  It was a very pretty plant but who wants to keep a weed when you come to recognize that it’s a weed!

She and I had discussed the idea of weeds being a “good” visual of sin and how deceptive it can be.  This weed was a perfect example of that issue.  Sin can be pretty,  inviting and something we might like to hold on to.  But, deep down, there is nothing worth keeping when sin is the thing that will take the place of what is actually healthy and beautiful.

She pulled that plant expecting it to have deep roots.  When she pulled it she was surprised to find that it was quite easy to remove because the roots barely went below the surface of the dirt!  This “beautiful” plant was recognized in enough time that the roots didn’t have a chance to grasp onto anything and cause damage. 

How I wish that the sin that I think of as “beautiful” and “valuable” and worth keeping was as easy to get rid of as her “beautiful” weed.  Unfortunately, that is not always the case.  Sometimes I hold on to them long enough for the roots to get a firm grip on my heart.  I then am faced with a more difficult task of digging up the roots than if I had dealt with it, or allowed the Holy Spirit to deal with it early on.

“Dear Lord, Today, please help me to be willing to let go of the sin issues that I try to hold on to.  They really are not beautiful when they do not look anything like You. Help me be willing to let You uproot them before they have a chance to spread their roots deeply and become caustic to my relationship with You.  You are what makes life beautiful.  I love You, Lord.”