Sunday Writings.......6/26/16

Good morning...

Today I had a so called restful day. I went to the gym and then to the grocery store. Then I worked on watering the poor listless plants who are suffering in the heat. I was suffering with the heat along with them. Sunday will find us going to a 50th anniversary where the affair will happen in a winery courtyard . More heat!!! I am still trying to decide on an outfit that will be cool.      

Hope your Sunday is a good one.

God bless from
Corinne


The Devotional component in the Sunday Writings of Women's Focus Ministries is titled, "SELFIES" written by Jan Andersen.  In it she describes how we sometimes try to put forth an outward image to cover up our inside issues.  But God helps transform us on the inside so we can reflect him on the outside. 

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  Today's Devotional   

"SELFIES"

written by

Jan Andersen

Selfies, photographs that people take of themselves, are usually taken in a flattering way, with a casual pose.  People often take those selfies and then post them on social networks to be shared with others, usually in hopes that others will then compliment them.  They can also be used to get opinions on an outfit or a hair style, or to remember someplace they have been and when, or to see a progression of themselves at different points in time.  

Many people are bemoaning that the craze of taking selfies is just an indication of how self-absorbed our culture has become.  There is also great concern about the various stages of undress that some women choose to share, especially the very young and vulnerable ones.  What has become of our society?  But this is actually nothing new.  There have been self portraits in photography since it began, as well as in paintings, drawings, etc.  And each generation seems to question the decline of morals in subsequent generations.

But a photo cannot reveal what we are truly like within nor change what is actually inside of us.  Sometimes we wear a "selfie" mask to cover up things about ourselves.  However, no matter how we dress up the outside, it cannot transform what is on the inside - that is an "inside job", a "heart transplant", an "attitude adjustment" - whatever we want to call it.  While a mask may fool some people for a while, we can't just put on a veil and expect to make a true internal conversion into something else.  Although "fake it till you make it" can sometimes help us make adjustments on the inside, it still takes work to truly change.  We all have issues, defects we would like to correct, character flaws we want to erase, or shortcomings we would like to develop into strengths.  But we can't do it fully on our own, nor can we ever be perfect at all things in all ways.

God is always there to help us make the needed refinements, transformations, or modifications to our internal selves.  He is also ever ready to forgive us when we stumble and to help us get up, brush ourselves off and move forward again. He helps us take off our fake "selfie" masks and do an about-face on our old sinful desires and ways.  Then he helps us put on a new self, one that reflects God.

Ephesians 4:22-23 (NIV)  You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. 

Dear Father God, thank you for creating me in your image.  Help me to continue to strive to be more like you, loving and forgiving to all.  Where I have failed and tried to cover up, help me instead to be transformed and to reflect your glory to others.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

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   Snippets of Spiritual Insights  from Beverley   

Over the past several years i've closed more than a few doors on relationships in my life. i felt it was best- for me. recently i allowed one of those doors to open. although it was opened quite cautiously on my part- it was opened. i felt it was best- for them. today i am thankful for a God who gives us the willingness- and courage- to try again.

All of my life i was told in verbal and nonverbal ways not to "talk about those things"- until I finally realized that i'd always had a need to talk. about "those things" and about everything else too. because that's who i am- a person who communicates strongly with others- about my life, my heart, my thoughts, my hopes, my dreams, my beliefs. it is what sets me free- writing, speaking, sharing- and when that "sharing" helps to set someone else "free" in their own life- well, it's like being able to live, for an amazing moment- in the very heart and purpose for which i was created- that purpose which allows the goodness, healing, blessings and love of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to shine forth His illuminating truth and light- not only against but through- the backdrop of my broken and hopeless heart- and the many senseless tragedies that it has been forced to endure in this place we call life- and right there- in that one sacred and amazing moment- to feel totally, wonderfully, completely, passionately, beautifully and breathtakingly - alive.

                                            written by Beverley A. Napier   (c)     

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   Today's Inspiring Graphic   

What a beautiful thought!

Glory of God rise upon us.

We welcome You!

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    Out of the Mouths of Babes   

A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds. After explaining the commandment to "honor" thy Father and thy Mother, she asked, "Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?" Without missing a beat one little boy (the oldest of a family) answered, "Thou shall not kill."

One day a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly noticed that her mother had several strands of white hair sticking out from her otherwise brown hair. She looked at her mother and inquisitively asked, "Why are some of your hairs white, Mom?" Her mother replied, "Well, every time that you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of  my hairs turns white." The little girl thought about this revelation for a moment, then said, "Momma, how come ALL of grandma's hairs are white?"

The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note, and posted on the apple tray: "Take only ONE. God is watching." Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies. A child had written a note, "Take all you want. God  is watching the apples."

A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales. The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though it was a very large mammal its throat was very small. The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale. Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human; it was physically impossible. The little girl said, "When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah." The teacher asked, "What if Jonah went to hell?" The little girl replied, "Then you ask him."

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Prayers are lifted up daily for 

you by the Devotional Writers 

and the Monthly Writing Staff

of Women's Focus Ministries.