Red Bird Thoughts

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Joidevivre

Joidevivre

Senior Member
Jul 15, 2014
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Controlled.jpg

We tend to think that there is always something that is controlling our life experiences.
Some point to fate - some point to self – some even point to the devil.

The Christian who surrenders completely into the purposes and plans of the Lord knows differently:

They look at a mountain and see God’s path over it.
They look at a wasteland and see the seeds hidden beneath.
They look at a crisis and see God’s opportunities to reveal himself.
They look at their needs and see sufficient provision.
They look at loss and see hidden things they have gained.

They feel safe under God’s control.
 
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View attachment Rooted.doc

We come to Jesus for many things – our eternal salvation – our healings – our provisions. We pray and acquire a need for his presence.
But that’s the easy part.
To be rooted in him takes cultivating.


It takes pulling out the weeds that would choke the roots.
It takes not moving from our faith that would shake up and weaken the roots.
It takes soaking in the Living waters of his love.

Know what you are rooted in. It is whatever you cannot move away from.
 
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What's wrong with this? It saved as a doc file, and when I opened it, it was a bunch of gibberish and numbers/symbols.. :(
 
Your OP made me think of this Scripture:

Romans 1:20) For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
 
trust.jpg

No – I won’t look behind me.
The ground is shaking, I hear rumbling and heavy breathing. My feathers are beginning to flutter. My little heart is racing.
But I WON’T look around. No, NO, NOOOO.
Must keep my eyes looking ahead. Keep focusing.

I TRUST in what God said he would do. That he would protect me and keep me safe.
I TRUST and somehow find that I’m walking into a calming presence.
I TRUST and the noise behind me is stilled.
 
Joidevivre said:
View attachment 148823

We tend to think that there is always something that is controlling our life experiences.
Some point to fate - some point to self – some even point to the devil.

The Christian who surrenders completely into the purposes and plans of the Lord knows differently:

They look at a mountain and see God’s path over it.
They look at a wasteland and see the seeds hidden beneath.
They look at a crisis and see God’s opportunities to reveal himself.
They look at their needs and see sufficient provision.
They look at loss and see hidden things they have gained.

They feel safe under God’s control.
Click to expand...

Oh, people try to take control, most definitely. Most decidedly, in many ways, MANY, in the modern world. It is because our faith runs counter to the false belief system of man.

I feel like the earth would have to rend apart and the heavens split, the seas evaporate before i give up my hope in the Almighty. He's just brought me to that point.

It's a blessing, that assurance, that we do not have to walk by what we see in the world around us, the cheapshots people pull, even when they seem to come from all directions, all the time. We have our roots in the Living God of all creation, and the truly faithful cannot be moved. Not because of any strength in us, but because of his provision.

What a wonderful God!
 
Joidevivre said:
View attachment 149075

We come to Jesus for many things – our eternal salvation – our healings – our provisions. We pray and acquire a need for his presence.
But that’s the easy part.
To be rooted in him takes cultivating.


It takes pulling out the weeds that would choke the roots.
It takes not moving from our faith that would shake up and weaken the roots.
It takes soaking in the Living waters of his love.

Know what you are rooted in. It is whatever you cannot move away from.
Click to expand...


Joi, do you have a picture to go with this? :)
 
travel.jpg

We travel all over the earth – so much to see. Now travel through the scriptures with the same preparation and anticipation.
Pack a bible and sit somewhere quiet. Pick a scene and let your imagination run wild. The child in you loves to do this.
Be out in that boat with the disciples when the waves are wild. Smell the dampness in the air –see the dark clouds gather and feel the first drops of rain. Experience the rocking of the boat as the waves hit hard against the wood – taste the drops of water spraying in your face – listen to the wood creak. Hear the fright in the voices of those around you. Feel your own fear as the boat lurches from side to side.
But then see Jesus walking on the water, telling the waves to be still. Not only the waves, but everyone in the boat is now hushed, knowing that they are in the presence of God, himself.


Keep traveling – story by story – there are so many places to stop and visit.
 
I'm such a Red Bird junkie. :o I made a folder for the Red Bird Thoughts pictures, AND a folder for the thoughts themselves, and saved them to my Wordpad documents.. lol :)
 
Walk.jpeg

We are making footprints everywhere we go – leaving a little part of ourselves behind. Sometimes someone comes along and gathers that little part and begins to walk in the same prints you left.
That’s what discipleship is all about.

When Jesus walked the earth, he left footprints behind. Some led to the sick. Some led to the ones who needed comforting. Some led to solitary places to speak with the Father. Some led to those who needed to know the truth. Some led to the feet of his disciples. And the last prints he left led to the giving of himself.

Are we following in his footprints?
 
Balance.jpg

The more we try to balance so many things in our life, they become like little stones underneath us. Eventually they pile up so that we lose our perspective, our strength and, most importantly, our steady calm.
Begin standing on only one thing – The Rock, himself.

Let him instruct you as to what rocks you need to add in order to keep your balance so that circumstances don’t begin to sway and topple you.
He will make sure that every time you add a new rock, it will fit perfectly into the one beneath it. There will be a groove for it. And you will be kept in balance.

How far out are you leaning?
 
Celebrat.jpg

There are many forms and ways to celebrate. It does not all have to be noisy. But the capacity to celebrate is a God given gift. Celebration can be a simple candle lit, or a party. It can be a letter written or it can be a dance.

The important thing is to keep your mind on exactly what you are celebrating Really celebrate that person, event, or accomplishment. It is to be in the moment with it.

The first act of celebration should be in a prayer to the Lord, expressing your joy. Let him join you in the feeling. It is so easy to go to him when hurting or in need, but all too often we turn to a friend to share that first moment of joy. Allowing the Lord to hear your voice only intensifies the feeling. You might even see him celebrating!

The first miracle Jesus performed was to add to the celebrations of a wedding. Whatever you decide to celebrate, in a way you are also turning the “water” into “wine”.

Celebrate when your prayers are answered.
Celebrate when God’s presence feels especially near.
Celebrate when another person has joy.
Celebrate the health you have.
Celebrate the birth of a baby.
Celebrate the Word of God.
Celebrate the beauty of nature.
Celebrate your life.
Celebrate anothers growth in Christ.
Celebrate every good gift that comes today.
 
content.jpg

Contentment comes in moments. Like napping to the sound of a purring cat in your lap, a stocked pantry, a hot shower on a cold day, soft, fluffy new towels after a bath, the content of drawers finally put in order, a clean bill of health, and knowing that for the moment, all is well. We all have our contentment moments.
Stay in those moments as long as you can. They are elusive.
Yet, without discontent that messy drawer would not be put right. That new and better job would not be sought after. A relationship would not be improved. We would not seek deeper after God. Or to give more of yourself to him.
Accept your discontent. It is only an invitation to act.
So that one more thing can be added to your contentment list.
 
Joidevivre said:
View attachment 149075

We come to Jesus for many things – our eternal salvation – our healings – our provisions. We pray and acquire a need for his presence.
But that’s the easy part.
To be rooted in him takes cultivating.


It takes pulling out the weeds that would choke the roots.
It takes not moving from our faith that would shake up and weaken the roots.
It takes soaking in the Living waters of his love.

Know what you are rooted in. It is whatever you cannot move away from.
Click to expand...
I like pulling out weeds from the roots... but i pray to the Lord that be true in my, and our lives too. Nice seeing u again here, joi.
 
march 2011 048.JPG


"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:19
 
Assurance.jpg

I always looked under my bed as a child to be assured that nothing was there. And felt a relief when I saw no “monsters”.

I eventually realized that they were not ever there – they only lived in my imagination. Yet it was difficult to “kick them out” of my mind. These monsters (in various forms and situations) still would pop up now and again.

Something stronger had to come along, and leave them no more room to scare.
That’s what faith did. It brought the assurance of the presence of God with me at all times No more monsters – no more looking around corners
I wonder now if I looked under my bed, would I see angels camping there?
 
help.jpg
Sometimes pictures are better at expressing what you are feeling.
No amount of Christian platitudes or helpful words reach that place. Even Scripture often puts a bandage over it, but the feeling still remains.

Drawing the bird trapped in this cage actually helped me once, and I think it was the little bit of humor in it (or a lot of the humor in it). It put my feelings in perspective – like they were really sort of small in the overall scheme of things.

And as I looked more carefully at the cage, I noticed the top was open. All the little bird had to do was look up and fly out.
It was just a choice.
 
Bloom.jpg

There are a few little secrets to “blooming” (as in bloom where you are planted).

First you must know that you are wonderfully unique and not try to be like others around you. You have your own shape, voice and personality.
Secondly, accept how you were created (and even how you are aging). Look at your wrinkles like they are petals. (I know - that is really reaching!) But humor is important to make a good bloom.

Thirdly, remember your fingerprint. God knew what he was doing when he gave those out. Only you can leave your imprint wherever you are. There are places where it is needed.

Now, go bloom.
 
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