A Wise Choice

According to Merriam-Webster, the word FEAR is defined as follows:  to be afraid of (something or someone); to expect or worry about (something bad or unpleasant); to be afraid and worried.

According to the fabulous Merriam, the word INSECURE is defined as follows: not confident about yourself or your ability to do things well; nervous and uncomfortable; not certain to continue or be successful for a long time; not locked or well protected.

These are two words I often use to describe me when I'm challenged to do something new, to step out of my comfort zone.  But when I took a good long look at these words and their definitions, I felt they didn't describe me at all! They might describe how I may feel with the unfamiliar but they certainly don't define me. In that moment I realized a critical truth -- those words are poison.

Scripture says,

"Words kill, words give life;
    they’re either poison or fruit—you choose." (Pr 18:21 Msg)

Words which tear down don't have to be spoken and directed towards another human being to be lethal. Words you speak to yourself, whether a new habit or words you've heard since childhood, can be either life giving or life ending.

Want to know what words I'm savoring now?

CHOSEN: one who is the object of choice or of divine favor;  an elect person
FAVORED: given special advantages over others; preferred over others; considered most likely to win. 

As a woman who follows Jesus and trusts His Word, I believe what Scripture says when it reads I am CHOSEN, called out of darkness into light (1Peter2:9). I was selected, elected. I have divine favor. How? Through baptism in Christ, I chose to leave the old life behind and go the direction of new. I was given a spirit of power and love, not fear and timidity (2Tim 1:7).

I have chosen Jesus and believe what He accomplished with His death on the Cross was for me...and you. And because I believe in His Resurrection, I can confidently say nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37).  I believe when I choose to battle the chains of bondage of poisonous words, I am FAVORED to win.

You are too. Let us choose our words wisely.

Freedom - My lot in life

Life is full of comedy and tragedy.

Shall we cry, stomp our feet and mutter obscenities at every thorn, brier, and pebble in our shoe? I shall not. Yes, I do wince in pain when it comes. Yet I marvel and delight that I'm alive enough to feel it. I love and laugh and love some more and do not quibble over trivial things. Would I not rather have grace and forgiveness course my veins than bitterness and anger? Yes, I am cast off by others' boundries and selfish pride. But I'm empowered because I choose to be free of their judgmental glances and opinions of superiority. I walk where others see no light. I laugh where others see no joy. I dance where others hear no music. I live where others see no hope. I love where love has been forgotten. I forgive because I've been forgiven.

I am free not only because I've been set free but also because I've chosen to walk free.

Freedom is a choice. Freedom to weep and mourn a loss. Freedom to rejoice for new beginnings and opportunities. Freedom to laugh and dance. Freedom to love and forgive. This is my lot in life.

Are you holding someone prisoner by your unforgiveness? Will you not choose to set them free? Maybe you'll discover that prisoner is you.

Hold on to Truth

Just when I feel like letting go...

(photo courtesy - People of the Second Chance)

...He holds me a little tighter.

Inspired by silence

As you know and I hate to admit, I've had a very difficult time putting thoughts into words.  I'm not exactly sure why but I've noticed that many writters and other bloggers are having similar problems. It's frustrating because I have so many really cool [ninelittlewords] encounters that I want to share but I can't seem to them into words.

However, this isn't going to be a hum-drum, whoah-is-me post. I'm actually going to do what so many other bloggers are doing through their own writer's block. Posting anyway.

One of the purposes of naming this blog "...and other snapshots along my path", was to also share with you my visual experiences and how those moments inspire me...and maybe inspire you.

So out of my silence today, I will share a picture of a place that was teeming with life and reminded me of Psalm 1. 

"Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockers.

But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.

Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish." (Ps 1 NIV emphasis mine)

It is not the fear of being blown away like the chaff of wheat that motivates me.  It is the desire to feel myself "teeming with life" that brings me to a place of delight, where He is the first One I think of when I wake up and my last thought as I fall asleep.

As I meditate on His Word, I know my Lord watches over me and my family. I drink that truth every day and find peace in it, no matter what storm of life may rush over us.

Blessings for your day,


Tree by stream photo by Lisa Arnold with Canon PowerShot SX120 IS - Digital camera - compact - 10.0 Mpix - optical zoom: 10 x - supported memory: MMC, SD, SDHC, MMCplus - black