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.

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 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”

Just a thought by coppi

“I hope the morning sun continues to remind you: you are worthy of new beginnings. It is okay to not know everything and know that you are still being guided right where you need to be.” – Morgan Harper Nichols

Everyone deserves the chance to be known for who they are, not who they appear to be. That’s the way God views people. (Janet Denison)

To be fully known for who we are and still be loved is the essence of acceptance of yourself.  But it is a risk.  You have to be vulnerable, and that is not easy to do.  The funny thing is, you have to take yourself everywhere you run.  That’s what my mother used to tell me when I wanted to run from pain.  Insecurity was a dark cloud that was/is a problem for me.  I built a wall around me that no one could penetrate – not even myself.  It wasn’t until I took a course titled ‘A way Out’, years ago, that I began knocking bricks off my wall.  I was in a class with many prominent people and I wondered why are they here, but when they took off their masks and let us see their hurts, insecurities, etc, they were just like me – ‘hurting’.  Being vulnerable, I am sure wasn’t easy for them, but being accepted, warts and all; they/me made a giant step into new beginnings.  It did for me.

“Can I give without wanting anything in return, love without putting any conditions on my love? Considering my immense need for human recognition and affection, I realize that it will be a lifelong struggle. But I am also convinced that each time I step over this need and act free of my concern for return, I can trust that my life can truly bear the fruits of God’s Spirit.” Henri Nouwen 

Oh yes, this is so true in my life.  I was talking to my friend regarding this very thing, and she too agreed with me.  She then told me of a time she was on a plane flying back home from Colorado.  She was sitting next to a Muslim of faith. She was reading a book “More Than A Carpenter” by Josh McDowell.  He became interested in the book she was reading and thus the conversation from Colorado to Tampa began. She told me from the position she had to turn her head to speak with him caused an incredible ache in her neck. She said when they arrived home and after her witnessing to him the entire time, she gave him the book by Josh McDowell.  Yes, she said, I have wondered what turn in his life did her conversation and book make in his life.  Last week I had an appointment with my Nephrologist who also is of the Muslim faith.  When he went over my results with me, he stopped and said “ what is your secret for staying so young and looking so good” – I was taken back for a minute but out of my mouth came “I am a God person”.  He said, “I like that but what do you mean”?  Well, I went into the “Why” and his response was once again “I like that”.  I have no idea why I said “I am a God person” – that certainly is never my response when I am asked that question.  I left his office wondering what was that all about.  I would like to know, but that is something I might never know, and as Henri so wisely says “I am also convinced that each time I step over this need and act free of my concern for return, I can trust that my life can truly bear the fruits of God’s Spirit”.  Throughout my life, (I do not push my belief on anyone) whenever God puts someone in my life that asks me about my faith, I tell them and leave whatever occurs in their life to the Holy Spirit. That does not say I wonder, because I do, but putting conditions on any thing – love, being one,  is truly not love!  

Just a thought by coppi

Just a thought by coppi

“The great acts of love are done by those who are habitually performing small acts of kindness.” — Victor Hugo

“Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for.”

• Zig Ziglar

In my reading today, it centers around the greatest commandment: Jesus says in Mark 12:30; “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” The Westminster Shorter Catechism says it this way: “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever”. And the second commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself.

I want to add a word to love – “kindness”. It’s just a small act of love but speaks volumes to the one receiving it. Example: yesterday my husband and I went to a restaurant for lunch. We made our way toward a booth to sit. Well, I missed the booth seat and the next thing I knew I was sitting on the floor next to the booth. My fall was quick but it did cause an eruption in the restaurant. Plus, I hit hard enough that my head hit the wall. Embarrassed, yes I was! But as I sit there a lady of color ran to me with words of kindness and concern. Her attention did something to my heart. It was just a tiny spark of kindness but spoke realms of love. (My hubby was happy I was not hurt and when he heard me say “I am okay” that satisfied his concern). When we finished our lunch, I stopped by her table, gave her a hug, and told her that I appreciated her concern. Her joy and smile expressed ‘kindness’.

Kindness and gratitude are healthy emotions – and, I hope to use them more.

Just a thought by coppi

2023

1. I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. 2. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. (‭‭‭Psalms‬ ‭40‬‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

Growing up in Fredericksburg, Tx, on a small farm there was lots of adventures opened to us. I guess you would label us tomboys and adventurous.  We wandered around the lands of our farm and our neighbors farms searching for things to do.  I remember a time when my twin sister and I were ready to deal with the new and unknown. We were out walking and came upon a landfill and of course we decided to search it out and before we knew what was happening, we found ourselves in quick-sand.  I could not pull her out nor she me, because we were in it together.  We began to sink – both of us scared to death.  However, one of my brothers, who was out wandering around as we were, saw us and came to our rescue.  It was a very frightening time in my life and today when I hear the word “quick-sand”, I tremble!  

As I read Psalms 40:1-2 this morning it reminded me of the time Joan and I were lifted out of the mighty mire, quick-sand, to safety.  Truly, it is an analogy of my life.  When I cried out to Him, Jesus, He heard my cry and answered me.  He lifted me to higher ground!  At church we sang “Higher Ground” – following is some of the lyrics:

“I’m pressing on the upward way,

New heights I’m gaining ev’ry day;

Still praying as I’m onward bound,

“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

Refrain:

Lord, lift me up, and let me stand

By faith, on heaven’s tableland;

A higher plane than I have found,

Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

In that little church we attended, Higher Ground was sung frequently, but after my encounter with quick-sand, I sung with Gusto  – great energy and enthusiasm.  My feet are/were now planted on higher ground. 

Just a thought by coppi

Quote of the Day: “Don’t measure the size of the mountain; talk to the One who can move it. Instead of carrying the world on your shoulders, talk to the One who holds the universe on his.” — Max Lucado

Just a thought by coppi

Corrie ten Boom said, “To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover the prisoner was you.” All of us will at some point in our lives face unforgivable sins against us or those that we love. We will all wrestle with whether or not we will forgive anyway or not. I have been there and you have likely been there, too.

So, how can you and I live our lives like Jesus? How can we better “rejoice with those who rejoice [and] weep with those who weep?” It all starts with encountering the heart of God ourselves. Only in seeing the incredible compassion and love God has for you will you be able to have his heart for others.

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me — watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” — Matthew 11:28–30 The Message Bible”.

Just a thought by coppi

“Jesus asked him, “Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” Then he said, “I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth. ””

‭‭John‬ ‭1:50-51‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I was reading the Gospel of John and the above paragraph spoke to my heart.  “Do you believe just because I saw you under a fig tree” – Jesus was speaking to Nathanael because he said “can any good come out of Nazareth when Philip told him  they found the very one Moses and the prophets wrote about!  His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.  When I read he is the stairway between heaven and earth, I pictured the cross as the stairway between heaven & earth.  I did a painting years ago which depicted God the father, as the Ark of the covenant in the Holy of Holies, Jesus on the cross as the perfect sacrifice, and the Holy Spirit reaching out in the world as a beacon of light of guidance, and direction back to the Father.  The painting was a depiction of The Tabernacle in the Wilderness.  I wanted to depict Jesus fulfilling the Levitical Law.  I lost the painting when I was going through a time in life that was very difficult for me.  I often wonder where it ended up.  However, wherever, and whatever, really doesn’t matter because at the time I was painting it, I was blessed by reading and studying about Jesus coming down from time to be our way back to God.  Moses and the prophets wrote about him….He is coming.  He came, just as the scriptures foretold he would.  

Just a thought by coppi

In a sermon, Charles Spurgeon observed, “The sacred promises, though in themselves most sure and precious, are of no avail for the comfort and sustenance of the soul unless you grasp them by faith, plead them in prayer, expect them by hope, and receive them with gratitude.”

Our Father God, we come before You today to ask for Your protection over our families. Let no trouble fall on them today. Keep them away from accidents. O Lord, allow no evil to influence their hearts.

My brother Bodo Carl Wisian, was the second in line of ten children born to Bodo and Ada Wisian. We called him Peaches.  Why?  He was born with reddish color of hair with dots of freckles across his nose.  I guess my mother and father thought he looked like a peach.  Peaches was a wonderful, kind, dear soul and brother.  When he reached the age of being drafted in the USA army during World War 11, he was snatched from our lives to serve in a horrible war.  My mother’s prayers rung through our home day in and day out for God to protect Peaches and all the young men fighting for our country.  There were times she did not hear from him for days that turned into months.  My mother kept her faith that he would return;  He did!Peaches did not stay at home very long because he  went to work in New York as a race-horse manager for a farm to maintain its facilities and grounds and care for horses. They are responsible for cleaning stalls, ordering supplies, feeding the horses and assisting with their medical treatments when needed.  He worked himself up to be a trainer in the world of racing.  During this time, he earned enough money to be able to have electricity wired into our home for the first time. He bought my mother an electric store, electric refrigerator, and whatever else she needed to make her and our lives better.  He would come home every year to see us and bless our lives with goodies.  My best memory of him was sitting with my mother and between them was a large basket full of pecans; they were-shelling, talking and enjoy their time together.  Peaches, as with most of my family siblings, are gone to be with Jesus and our mother; but he left beautiful memories for me that I treasure in my heart.  I love you Peaches for ever and ever. 🍊🍊🍊

2023

“One of the most notable characteristics of worrying is that it fragments our lives. The many things to do, to think about, to plan for, the many people to remember to visit, or to talk with, the many causes to attack or defend, all these pull us apart and make us lose our center. Worrying causes us to be “all over the place,” but seldom at home. One way to express the spiritual crisis of our time is to say that most of us have an address but cannot be found there.” Henri Nouwen

Above words from Henri Nouwen rings so true for me.  At times when I am reading the Bible or Meditations l will have to stop myself and say “you have read words, but they were words without meaning.”  I will stop myself and pray – Jesus if it’s only a word or phrase I need to hear, please still my mind so I can hear you.  “All over the place” – what will that mean in forty years or maybe even tomorrow.  Worrying and doing has always been a problem for me – worrying about something that might not happen or trying to be a doing person in lieu of “having an address and being there”.  

Philippians 4:6-7 NLT

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Just a thought by coppi