I am very close to those who have a broken heart.

 

 

Psalm 34:18

Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart,
and saves those who have a crushed spirit.

 

 

King David knew a thing or two about heartache. Whether it was being overlooked by his father when he was a shepherd boy, being chased down by a murderous father-in-law or publicly exposed for his deadly secret sins. In the midst of his own personal pain and suffering, David discovered that God was very close and was always ready to save those with a contrite spirit. If God is indeed close to those with a broken heart as David said He was, what does that mean for us today?

With all of the horror that goes on in the world, I can only imagine that our God and Father is walking alongside every broken-hearted person on the planet whether they are aware of His presence or not. I don't think this idea is too much of a stretch because in Acts 2:17 we read that at Pentecost God poured out His own Spirit on all people. So if that is indeed the reality, God is closer than we could possibly imagine.

In some Christian circles though, we are afraid to expose our own personal brokeness for fear of being judged. Yet it is David, called 'a man after God's own heart', who wrote Psalm 34. If you read David's life story, you will know that he was not speaking in a hypothetical context, but right out of his own life experiences. No matter what depth of despair you might be contending with in your own life today, may this promise encourage you that your heavenly Father is very near.

 

 

Greedy America

If we Americans are nothing more than hopelessly addicted consumers who think of ourselves as an exceptional people with special entitlements; if we see ourselves as God’s morally superior chosen people; if we are selfish and greedy beyond redemption—then we are complicit in all of the horrible crimes that government commits in our name.


My dear,


I don’t stop eating when I’m full. The meal is not over when I’m full. The meal is over when I hate myself.


And we’re all fine with this. Because this is America. Land of greed, avarice, and of having too much.

Who cares if we have more than enough, we make it enough; we take it all, and ask for more. Who cares that other countries are in dire need of even a morsal of what we have.

Oh, you do?

I don’t see you doing anything about it. Are you donating anything to those poorer than you? Nope. Are you going without something you want so a little baby girl somewhere out there can have what she needs? Nope.

Hell we even have a Thanksgiving, which is a holiday that reminds us to be thankful for what we have; but which was first celebrated right after we raped and stole the land of the Natives, and now celebrate right before Black Friday, the biggest shopping day of the year.

No, we won’t stop taking when we’re satisfied. Our greed isn’t over when we have more than enough. No, our greed is over when we hate ourselves.

Truly yours,
Louis Szekely

101 Things that make me happy… or give me joy

The older I become, the more I feel it’s important to enjoy the simple things in life, to experience each moment as fully as sensually as we can. So, I got to thinking about some of the things that bring a smile to my face and warm waves of gratitude inside.

So here goes nothing…

1. Falling asleep to the sound of rain outside.
2. Writing on my blog. Every.Single.Day.
3. Receiving a hug.
4. Giving a hug.
5. Inspiring someone through sharing Jesus
6. Really getting to know a new friend.
7. Daydreaming.
8. Knowing all of my bills are paid.
9. Going on a road trip.
10. Sleeping on freshly washed sheets.
11. Driving for hours
12. Cooking
13. Watching the little kid’s sing in church.
14. Finding a new favorite Bible verse.
15. Getting my way. {that might be a little selfish – but it’s my list.}
16. Balancing my checkbook.
17. Getting dressed up for a night out.
18. Listening to the pitter patter of rain on the windows.
19. Having a good cry.
20. Receiving comments on my blog.
21. Being given a compliment, particularly when I’m feeling down.
22. Going for a walk with no destination in mind.
23. Receiving money in the mail or my Paypal account unexpectedly.
24. Getting an email from a reader telling me how something I’ve written has helped them.
25. Being asked to guest-post on other sites. It makes me happy to be asked.
26. Going swimming and feeling the water all around me.
27. Going on a long bike ride.
28. Going camping for a long weekend.
29. Having a clean apartment.
30. Knowing that no matter what, I will figure things out.
31. Doing something that I thought I would never get the courage to do.
32. Giving what I can to other people who are less fortunate than I am.
33. Food-y smells like cinnamon, apple pie, baking bread, vanilla, berries…
34. Newborn babies and the way they smell, the way their fuzzy little heads feel
35. Bubble baths
36. Icy water with a slice of lemon or lime
37. Baby animals
38. Notebooks and journals and stationary in general
39. Peanut butter and raspberry jam
40. Christmas lights
41. Empty laundry hampers and empty trash bins
42. People who are down-to-earth, uninhibited and humorous
43. Being pampered with manicures, pedicures, hair treatments…
44. Pretty scarves
45. Fresh fruits
46. Doggy smiles
47. My iPod
48. Giving unexpected gifts
49. Being alone without feeling alone
50. Finding out something that makes me love a friend even more
51. Shirts that don't need to be ironed
52. History books
53. Blue jeans
54. The perfect cup of tea
55. Shopping for shoes
56. Full shelves and clean floors
57. Doing things to help others
58. Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about me
59. Sweet dreams
60. Happy endings
61. Dancing in the rain
62. Rechargable batteries
63. Nicknames
64. New socks
65. Base­ball games
66. Losing weight
67. Passion
68. Pearl necklaces
69. Slippers
70. Romantic endeavors
71. This blog right here makes me happy.
72. Girl talk
73. I love it when someone touch my feet, I must be crazy but it makes me happy!
74. Soft pillows and big beds
75. Walking the dogs
76. Hugging someone you've really missed
77. Knowing things are going to be okay
78. Recieving good news
79. Liking a song so much, you put it on repeat until you get sick of it
80. Baking something for someone else
81. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
82. Black and white movies
83. Swinging in a hammock
84. Seeing a rainbow
85. Hole-in-the-wall, neighborhood restaurants
86. Chipotle carnitas burritos
87. Thunderstorms and rain in general
88. That clean feeling after taking a long shower.
89. Seeing an elderly couple holding hands
90. Strangers who smile as we pass each other instead of avoiding eye contact.
91. Kisses on the neck
92. Being treated like a lady
93. Slow dancing
94. Things that sparkle
95. Tax Refunds
96. Stained glass windows
97. "It's a Wonderful Life"
98. Giving random acts of kindness
99. Candles and the ambiance they create
100. Looking into someone’s eyes and feeling safe
101. Dancing with the Holy Spirit.

The conclusion… I am blessed. I have great friends. I have a wonderful family. I am abundantly rich in experiences. And while I may want things to happen to me, I know that God has a plan for me… whatever that may be.