Neighbor to Neighbor Woman Presents: |
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 Sunday |
For Lent Only #2
Bible Verse Memorization Plan & Reflection.
Walks with you through the 40 days of Lent.
E-Mail arrives Thursdays and Sundays.
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Greetings!
We all desire for our hearts to be beautiful. I remember feeling so guilty after yelling at one of my children. I didn't intend to yell. I wanted to be a cool and calm and an absolutely loving Mom. I started out giving the correction they needed in a good way. But then, I just let it all out! My poor dear child. I also wanted to be a cool and lovely and kind, adoring wife. But then, I would find myself just letting it all out! My poor dear husband.
So, what did I let all out? What was already in my heart. Was it that I just couldn't handle spilt-milk over my newly washed and waxed floors? Was it the wrong time of the month? Was it that Bob said the wrong thing at the wrong time and was insensitive or just plain wrong and the children were selfish? Well, yes. And well, no. Why can't I have the peace of Christ in these situations? Won't I ever be patient or forbearing of other people's faults or mistakes? When will the people in my life change so that I can be the "nice" Sharon that I know I really could be if the circumstances were different?
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 | Psalm 51: vs.6-8, 10
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 "You desire truth in my inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart...Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Fill me with joy and gladness...; Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me." |
| Reflection I for Monday
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| | The good news is that God truly makes it possible for me to be that nice Sharon, in good times and bad. I don't have to do the 'perfecting' and my friends and enemies don't have to change one iota for Him to renew a right spirit within me. He is ready when I am ready... today, this moment, and tomorrow. I just have to find my quiet place (walk into a corner of the living room for a moment of quiet reflection, go to my prayer place in my office).
David, in the psalms, understands that God speaks to us in the quietness of our heart. Go to that place of quiet in your heart. Talk to Him about your 'goof up' and how much you want to have a heart like His. And He will talk to you about how He has been waiting for you to tell you how great His love is for you even in your present upsetness . He will speak words of wisdom to you that will help to change you into that person who begins to see the good in others, pours out mercy on those that seemingly don't deserve it, and forgive others in a way that seemed impossible a few minutes before. His love and forgiveness will set us free on the inside so that those on the outside can catch a glimpse of His love through us. And amazingly, our giving love comes back to us. 
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| Reflection II for Tuesday and Wednesday
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Maybe the joyfulness and gladness that David speaks about in Psalm 51 is the realization that in our imperfect state we have so much to look forward to. The heavenly possibilities are beyond our limited thinking. Reach for the stars this Lent so that we can let out whatever is in our hearts and have others blessed because of what they find there. We will still see glimpse of the "old woman", but we can smile when we see them, because we know where we are going with the "not so pretty stuff" - to the secret place in our heart where we meet the one who loves us in the way that we yearn to be loved. Prayer isn't something we "do", it is something that happens between God and us, and when that happens, we have had our beauty makeover. A little bit each day is a good way to start. Before you know it, people will think that we spent a lot of money on a Botox treatment!
Oh Happy Lent! 
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Look for the Next Scripture on Thursday.
Keep repeating Psalm 46 each day (Yes, it is Psalm 46, not Psalm 41...a typo gently pointed out to me by a good friend. The correction reminded me of what it feels like when you have lipstick on your teeth and a good friend lets you know! A small embarrassment, but well worth it to get it right! Thanks, Nancy!) And ADD Psalm 51: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me." The next Woman's Neighbor breakfast is on March 26th at the Morris' from 8:45 to 10am. Hot coffee ready at 8:30. All are welcome. RSVP to ntnwoman@gamil.com or call: 330-715-9613. |
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