RELATIONSHIP(s) ... really, God?

In my last blog post on Christmas Day I noted near the end that I would be finishing off 2022 with the One Word: RELATIONSHIP(s) for this last week. 

So I opened up my YouVersion to the plans I still had saved related to RELATIONSHIPS and prepared to begin each one but first I began with my yearly reading plan I've been doing provided by Pastor Rick Warren (as some of you know I was signed out and it's quite a feat to try & continue a 365 day plan when you're on day 360 yet I finally ended up there even with GB for my English rather than US )and it was just what I needed to hear - more than any of the RELATIONSHIP plans I have in waiting ... since most of those plans speak about RELATIONSHIPS that are Christian or equally yoked RELATIONSHIPS, much of their content does not fit my life. But there was something written in the devotional by Pastor Rick that seemed to strike a cord (chord?). I really think that I could expand on each component of "Preparing Room ... Prepared My Heart" and do much better, however it's the end of the year so usually I summarize or complete my One Word. Clearly this is another One Word that I focused on in this year but it will need to be continued and worked on continually as I head into the New Year of 2023 and a new One Word.

For now, I would like to share today's devotional by Pastor Rick (day 360):

"Recharging Emotionally" "When your emotional tank is empty, you're unable to love others unselfishly. You just give up. You may have a sense of being overwhelmed and feeling inadequate. You may even get angry at the ones you love the most. You may try to avoid people or view them as problems. You have no desire to love. To love others you have to keep your emotional tank full. When it gets low, it's going to make a difference in your relationships.  The Bible has three suggestions for recharging emotionally: Solitude--You need time alone. Today's verse teaches us Jesus frequently withdrew from crowds when he needed to recharge himself emotionally. In this case there was so much hustle and bustle, Jesus says to the disciples, "Come apart for a while." (KJV) You either come apart or you will come apart.  Recreation--One of my favorite verses is, "Jesus came enjoying life." (Matthew 11:19 Phillips) He was the most intensive, ministry-oriented person who ever lived, but he enjoyed life. When you're giving to others, it costs and exhausts. You need play time. For you it may be hobbies, a sport, a craft, or games. Experiment and find out what it is that recharges you emotionally, then make time for it. Laughter - "Being cheerful keeps you healthy." (Proverbs 17:22 TEV) There are studies that prove that when you laugh it increases the number of T-cells - and that raises your immunity level. It produces endorphins in your brain. Laughter is a load lightener, an emotional recharger and a love rebuilder."~Pastor Rick Warren

also available as"To Love Well"Get Emotionally Charged

I'm going to list the other RELATIONSHIP plans that I've saved probably for most of the year as I continued in my book for the year on this topic:

["Change My Relationship" (and another one was "The Divine Romance") along with other reading plans completed and books]

but I'm not promising that I will have much to share from them on this One Word, so perhaps God has something else that He's speaking to me as I come to a close this week - we'll have to wait and see

"RELATIONSHIP Goals" "RELATIONSHIP Resonance" "Restoring RELATIONSHIPS" "RELATIONSHIPS Restored"

well ... you get the drift
Speaking of drifts, MN sure has alot of them from the wonderful winter chill and winds but I guess most of us are seeing so many weatherCHANGES
So stay warm and well as I weather through
RELATIONSHIP(s)
this last week
and
seriously
... Really God? ...
RELATIONSHIPS
in 2022 so
I just surrender to You
every
RELATIONSHIP
Have Your Way!

The only RELATIONSHIP that I am 
clinging to more & more
each day
is my
One
with
YOU!
Yet, it is clear that You intend for us all to be & 
have better earthly 
RELATIONSHIPS
so for right now
Let me learn to
LOVE WELL
and
Recharge Emotionally
~
because frankly God
I'm lost without
YOU
and
I see so many
RELATIONSHIPS
that are lost and
so in need of
YOU
~
Isn't this a lifetime endeavor?
{well, I've spent a lifetime}
RESTORE and REVEAL
LORD
I
really have tried to
LOVE WELL
but
Only YOU do!
Help me, help others
help us, Lord 
to
LOVE
like
You

WE
"BELIEVE

FOR IT"
by CeCe Winans

Preparing Room ... Prepared my Heart

There is so much to say as another Christmas Day & season comes to a close after a beautiful Advent time "Preparing ... My Heart" with Hope, Peace, Joy and Love, while "making space" and "preparing room" {2 other devotionals I completed and enjoyed} for the King of kings & the Lord of lords-I've delighted in reading to learn more about steps I can take to prepare room for Jesus: 

 

John 14:2-3 "My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."

... so I have decided to summarize by sharing from

"Preparing Room ..."

1. "Preparing Room for Jesus is what ultimately saves us." Genesis 3:15  2. "Preparing room allows us to show compassion to others." 3. "Preparing room allows us to be obedient to what God has planned for us." 4. "Preparing room gives us the space to see & appreciate the humor in life." 5. "Preparing room allows us to hold on to hope and to have faith even when ... all seems lost." 6. "Preparing room allows us to find the mentors in our lives and to mentor others, too." 7. "Preparing room allows us to love our neighbor as ourselves, even when that requires sacrifice." 8. "Preparing room allows us to love others, even when they're unlovable." 9. "Preparing room allows us to stop comparing our journey to anyone else's" 10. "Preparing room allows us to handle the feelings & the new beginnings of life." 11. "Preparing room allows us to reach down deep & make the right choices, even when it's hard." 12. "Preparing room allows God to get our attention." 13. "Preparing room allows us to lean on God's faithfulness." 14. "Preparing room allows Jesus to fill us with His Presence & strength." 15. "Preparing room allows us to see the light shining in the darkness."

I wish that I could claim that these came from me through my journey, however, I am not the author of these thoughts, the actual author has done exceptional in her Advent devotional book and is one I highly recommend, especially if you are like me & enjoy the classic "It's a Wonderful Life" - this is definitely "... An Advent Journey ..." that will warm your heart as you "make space" and "prepare room" for Jesus in your life. Those were just the first 15 and the rest follow below - I just couldn't choose to only include some. Each one is so good and so impactful, especially as you read the part from the classic the author adds in each wonderful devotion, ending with a prayer & scripture. To me this content makes for the perfect devotional! But I really needed a content page, so I created my own here {kinda like a table of contents for me to go back to specific ones as needed} because I highlighted each of them to reflect personally for my own life. and apply as needed. (lol)

I considered commenting on some of the 25 - my favorites (well, they all are) or the ones that God spoke to me; instead I chose to let each one stand as they are, in hopes that (1st) you'll get this devotional for next year and read it yourself then (2nd) to treasure, like Mary, "these things in my heart" as Jesus continues to prepare my heart and prepare me each day - to be used by God for His glory. So I will just ponder and reflect as I hope you might also in making room for Jesus by preparing your heart to prepare your life to be prepared for an eternity with Him.

[(3rd) I don't want to spoil the richness of this author's words & ruin all that has been written.]

16. "Preparing room allows us to connect with others - to help them & to let them help us." 17. "Preparing room allows us to understand that we will win the long game because we have Jesus." 18. "Preparing room allows God to heal our brokenness." 19. "Preparing room allows us to develop a new perspective." 20. "Preparing room allows us to treasure up the special moments." 21. "Preparing room allows us to receive the fullness of God's grace & the loving grace of the people in our lives." 22. "Preparing room allows us to find God's purpose(s) for our lives." 23. "Preparing room allows us to experience the joy only Jesus can provide." 24. "Preparing room allows us to find fellowship & friendship with others." 25. "Preparing room allows us to receive the best blessings of our lives."

I know as I started out this Advent, I was not at all ready and I questioned what direction I would go to make room this year as I proceeded through Advent and really wanted a purpose and not just a traditional path. I truly wanted to find out all I could to really, truly be ready for Jesus - whenever He may come for me (us) who believe with all our heart in our need for a Savior, Redeemer, Messiah & King!

This is our Jesus! I now can say that I am beginning to better know and realize that "preparing room" was always within me and that I just need to put into action all that I have gleaned in His Word, from His life; and much reading of plans and devotionals as a way to grow and substantiate my faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God & son of man (humans) Mary & Joseph.

 

1 Peter 1:13 "Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, set your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." NASB

Preparing room means preparing my heart and preparing my mind!
"CHRISTmas is about preparing room."
There is - was - and always will be
ROOM for JESUS
every.single.moment of every.single.day
in this INN
in this place, in the space
I give to Him in my
💓
Remember
every heart's a manger
{fresh in my mind from Max Lucado's "Because of Bethlehem"}

... “Because of Bethlehem, I have a Savior in heaven. Christmas begins what Easter celebrates. The child in the cradle became the King on the cross. And because He did, there are no marks on my record. Just grace. His offer has no fine print. He didn’t tell me, “Clean up before you come in.” He offered, “Come in and I’ll clean you up.” It’s not my grip on Him that matters but His grip on me. And His grip is sure.”― Max Lucado,   Because of Bethlehem "... Let “Silent Night” be sung! Every heart can be a manger. Every day can be a Christmas. The Christmas miracle—a yearlong celebration!"🎄{Amen!} 💓

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Now to finish off this year - this last week of 2022 with the One Word I was given:
RELATIONSHIP(s)

I hope that you've enjoyed a wonderful
CHRISTmas
and
perhaps like me
you have chosen to better
PREPARE
your heart and life
for more
JESUS
and
less
of
US
"Prepare Ye the way of the Lord"