Just a thought by coppi

Just a thought by coppi – written in 2015

A light house does not blow fog horns but it only shines.  

When I read the above I thought of our walk as Christians.  Does our life reflect the light  of Jesus.  St Mark 4:21: and he said unto them, is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? And not to be set on a candlestick?  A candle beams its flickering light so we may find our way in the dark as does the Lighthouse.  As Christians we should let our light shine & walk in the light of Christ.  We need not blow fog horns but just shine & let the Holy Spirit beam through us.  Proverbs 20:27 The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord……i grew up in a very legalistic religion & if we did have a little light, it was totally blown out with dos & don’ts & lots of fear. 1 John 4:7: Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God….10: herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us & sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4 is filled with scriptures of love.  The pendulum swings both ways but should be in balance.  I guess my desire is not to be a fog horn but a flickering light for our Lord.

Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38

Wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts.  Ps 104:15

I have an amazing friend, who would put Martha Stewart in a wonder of humility.  Whatever she puts her mind to do comes out beautiful.  Not only is she a great artist, decorator, but she is a marvelous chef. My husband and I have been invited to several of her dinner parties and marveled at the way she displayed the table setting.  Years ago I was told that food tasted better if it had a “pretty face” to display the food.  Her table display indeed had a pretty face, but honestly the tasty food would have been great served on a “rock”.  Now, I have been talking about food, but she has the ability to create different kinds of soups that are to-die for. My husband I have been the recipient’s  of her soups many times.  I do not enjoying cooking period.  Last night after a grueling game of golf for me, I told my husband let’s get a pizza and have it for dinner. We had just finished playing in a couples tournament and I really just wanted to go home, forget golf, and crawl into bed. lol. I don’t know if she picked up on my sorrow, but she said “Coppi I have some soup if you want to drop by and pick it up”.  Did I ever!  We went by her home, picked up the soup, came home, and filled our tummies with life-giving soup.  Yes, indeed, the soup sustained our hearts. 

Just a thought by coppi

Just a thought by coppi

“There are six things the Lord hates— no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭6:16-19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Definition of haughty – blatantly and disdainfully proud : having or showing an attitude of superiority and contempt for people or things perceived to be inferior; haughty aristocrats haughty young beauty …or the word haughty is defined by Merriam-Webster as “blatantly and disdainfully proud.” The word is always used in the Bible in the evil sense of “arrogant, disdainful and setting oneself above others”; it is often set in contrast to being humble.

I have always detested people who had a superior attitude – thinking they were better than someone. The cast system in different countries irritates me too. I guess you would say I do not care for haughty people. But, I always try and go back into my past to see what happened and ask why I feel these intense feelings. I ask Jesus to help me sort out the why. Yes, through my childhood and adult life I have met people that have superior attitudes. I will mention one that really hurt. I was very close to a wealthy family from Mexico City. This was a time when I was married and living the good life. When that life ‘crashed’, they became haughty-like I was not good enough for them to be around anymore. Hurt yes, but I realized our friendship was based on what you have in lieu of who you are. Sad but true. Our Lord created us all equal. He loves all mankind – white, brown, or black. The swells and the not so swells. Haughty eyes are listed along with all the other sins – lying tongue, hands that kill innocent, heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, etc – it is among all those evil sins so I presume ‘haughty’ is evil too and hated by the Lord.

Just a thought by coppii

Tom and I were having breakfast with dear friends when the subject of religion came up. Religion and politics I usually stay away from because I have found they are usually a  conundrum, a confusing and difficult problem to discuss.  But he said something about the guilt he carried due to man’s teaching.  I related because I too grew up under a “do and don’t” religion.  I carried a lot of guilt because I did not know what sin was.  I carried it to the extent that if I went to a movie and choked on a piece of popcorn and died, I would burn in hell.  Later in my life, I had to find truth.  My question was to find that Jesus loved me and His grace would cover my weakness.  Yes, truthful repentance had to be in my heart.   I started a journey reading the Bible and asking Jesus to reveal His truth to me.  Following are some scripture’s I gleaned on grace:

2 Corinthians 12:9–10

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.  

(My grace is sufficient for you)

4. Hebrews 4:15–16

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Draw near to the throne of grace)

5. John 1:16–17

For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.  (Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ)

6. Acts 15:10–11

Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.   (Saved through the grace of Jesus Christ)

1. Colossians 1:5-6 
2. “the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace.” (Truly understood God’s Grace)

God’s Word says that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus and not by our own efforts or works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Grace Alone. Faith Alone. Grace alone means that God loves, forgives, and saves us not because of who we are or what we do, but because of the work of Christ.  (We are saved through by grace – not our works).

There are more scriptures on Grace in the Bible.  The above ones are my lights into the Grace and Love of Jesus Christ.  The Bible is our source of truth – it’s our guidance map.  I trust the Bible as my source of truth, and I have found it can be trusted.

Just a thought by coppi

“No book is a chapter, no chapter tells the whole story, no mistake defines who we are. Hope makes our lives page turners.” — Bob Goff

“Measure your success against others and you’ll be unhappy when they win—and less likely to receive help from them due to your jealousy. Measure your success against yourself and you can be happy when others win—and more likely to receive help from them thanks to your support.” – James Clear

Enough said.

Just a thought by coppi

Just a thought by coppi

If I can depend on my daughters’ love, why can’t I depend on God’s.
I got down on my knees telling God I would leave everything in His hands.

That little word surrender is the key to answered prayer. Many times in my life, I have sung the old gospel hymn I surrender- “here I am down on my knees again, surrendering all, surrendering all.” I love to read different stories on how God answers prayers when one finally turns lose of control. The lady in above paragraph was telling about how she & her husband were struggling in the depression. The only source of income was what her daughter could eke out of her small income. She thought of suicide when out of nowhere a thought popped into her mind….”if I can depend on my daughters’ love, why can’t I depend on God’s”. She dropped to her knees & surrendered everything to God. She felt peace & joy. The answer did not come immediately but the concern & worry left her being. Her husband got a temporary job that eventually became permanent & she went back to college & got her degree to teach.
Mt 11:28. come unto me, all ye that labour & are heavy laden, & I will give you rest…
I ask myself “why do you hang on to some problem – you believe, why does it take so long for you to realize it’s better in the hands of one that stilled the waters, Jesus…why, I don’t know – I guess I think he will not do it my way….anyway, I am working on “surrender”.

Following was sent to me after reading my “just a thought today”. I liked and related to it. Will send it on to you. Coppi

“Provoking Points to Ponder on Life and Growing Older@

By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio.

“To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I’ve ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1 Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.

2 When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3 Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4 Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5 Pay off your credit cards every month.

6 You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7 Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.

8 It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9 Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10 When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11 Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.

12 It’s OK to let your children see you cry.

13 Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14 If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.

15 Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks.

16 Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17 Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful, or joyful.

18 Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.

19 It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20 When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.

21 Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22 Over-prepare, then go with the flow.

23 Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.

24 The most important sex organ is the brain.

25 No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26 Frame every so-called disaster with these words ‘In five years, will this matter?’

27 Always choose life.

28 Forgive everyone everything.

29 What other people think of you is none of your business.

30 Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31 However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32 Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33 Believe in miracles.

34 God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.

35 Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36 Growing old beats the alternative — dying young.

37 Your children get only one childhood.

38 All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39 Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40 If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.

41 Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42 The best is yet to come…

43 No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.

44 Yield.

45 Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.”

Ephesians 3:20 in the New International Version says: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” Isaiah 55:8 in the New Living Translation says: “`My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,’ says the LORD.

My husband and I were watching the movie “I Can Only Imagine”tonight.  It was a true story of the life of Bart Millard.  He was with a Christian rock band MercyMe and was the lead singer.  The lyrics for  which Bart Millard wrote in just ten minutes.  Needless to say, but I cried many times during the movie.  Why?  Bart grew up in a very dysfunctional home. His father was very abusive to his mother and him.  His mother finally left for good after a very abusive night of fighting. Bart was left with a very angry man, who constantly abused him physically and verbally. I never was abused physically or verbally by my mother, but a mother trying to raise ten children by herself with very little income, I guess the dysfunction was from that situation and outside of the family unit.  We were fine when we reached the time of high school, but not so in our early schooling.  We went to country schools and were in the community of Germans. At that time, not being German (even though my father was German) and poor, we were mistreated by the other kids.  When you are young and vulnerable, it does make a hole in your soul.  I am a HSP (highly sensitive person) and being so was hurt by words or indifference.  To help me through all this stuff, I signed up for a course in “A Way Out”.  Through this teaching of ‘why the pain’ and being honest with a group of others who were there gave me understanding of ‘why the pain’. Anyway, then I had understanding so I was able to meander through the other difficulties I faced in life.  I have said this before in my “Just a thought by coppi”- and will reiterate again “If I didn’t have my faith and hope in Jesus, I do not think I would have climbed through the difficult times.  Watching this movie brought the vivid memories back and the tears flowed.  Tears:  Jesus gave us tears to wash away “uglies” in our life and He blocked them by putting forgiveness in our souls – I can only imagine how He did that, but He did. 

Just a thought by coppi

Just a thought by coppi

“it’s easier to relax today when we remember the greatness of the one who is working when we are not”………..”God loves us because He loves loves us. As a result, we can be people of grace, not grades. We can work because our father loves us – not so he will.” Dr. Jim Denison

“I plan to stare long at the trees – really taste my toast & coffee. Read my Bible not with a prescribed amount in mind, but letting a verse or two sink slowly into my heart until special meaning comes up like tiny bubbles to delight me”.

When I read the above this morning, immediately I was convicted by the words. I was labeled by a dear friend years ago as a hyper-thyroid grasshopper. She was right in her analysis, as being still was an impossible task for me. However, now in my golden years, I am better but I still have to convince myself I don’t have to be everywhere & everything in the universe. I can be “just” me.

        "I love the person I've become, because I fought to become her"

 I read this today. I have written about “ought and “ifs” before.  When I read this today by Henry Nouwen. I said to myself “try to ingrain this in your head.  lol

“The real enemies of our life are the “oughts” and the “ifs.” They pull us backward into the unalterable past and forward today into the unpredictable future. But real life takes place in the here and the now. God is a God of the present. God is always in the moment, be that moment hard or easy, joyful or painful. When Jesus spoke about God, he always spoke about God as being where and when you are. “When you see me, you see God. When you hear me, you hear God.” God is not someone who was or will be, but the One who is, and who is for me in the present moment. That’s why Jesus came to wipe away the burden of the past and the worries of the future. He wants us to discover God right where we are, here and now.”

Just a thought by coppi

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“ Let me see and hear what is really real, and let me have the courage to keep unmasking the endless unrealities, which disturb my life every day.”

One of my grateful prayers to Jesus is “Thank you for letting me live long enough to unmask my past experiences and allow me to untangle all the causes that crippled my joy then, so I could change my way 

today”.  I would label it “renewing my mind”.  I remember years ago attending a prayer group.  We had to draw scriptures out of the basket that the hostess put in a basket, and read the scripture out loud. The scripture we drew out of the basket was one which the hostess said was a directive for our lives.  Mine was Phiiipians 1:6 – “God’s not done with you.” That means that God has a purpose for me and my story is still being written. God is not done with me. My life is not over, and God sees and cares about all I am facing – even the hidden things. My story is not complete, so I should not give up when it’s only half written.  I wanted another scripture when I read it – something that uplifted me at that very moment.  I tucked the scripture in my heart and started my story that was not written. I look back at that scripture and its directive and cringe.  It was filled with deep valleys but also some mountain tops experiences.  In my now “young” life, I look back and am grateful for all my past experiences.  Jesus is still not finished with me.  My story is still being written, but my prayer is I have been a good student in unmasking the ending unrealties, which disturbed my life every day and hope the rest of my journey will be not as difficult.

Just a thought by coppi