Perspective and focus.

I think the two go hand in hand. Perspective is how you view things in your life, about your life, and about yourself and where you are headed. Focus is the view you choose.

Lately, God is changing my perspective because I have chosen to focus on Him. And because I have chosen to focus on Him, He is changing my perspective.
He is changing how I view others and how I view myself. He is changing how I view my relationships with others and with Him. 

He brings things into focus through His Word and through people. Lately, for me, it has been the basis of one verse....

" Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philippians 4:8

This is where I need to keep my focus and turn my perspective towards. It has moved me to think about the everyday things that I do and say and are they what He wants from me. Is all that I do truly praiseworthy? Am I being the light? Am I encouraging rather than complaining?
Needless to say, God has taken one verse (and has given me several more) that has changed my perspective and my focus. I am not the person I wish to be. That being said, I am becoming that person I wish to be. 

So instead of viewing things from my perspective....I am going to view things from the perspective of what God wants. No more complaining. (I am going to work on this one!) To encourage, to love, to build up. I will think upon what  is true, what is noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. I will think about excellence and praiseworthy from His perspective and make sure my focus is towards Him.
I will forgive. Not look back at the past. A friend told me something that has truly stuck with me; "when you are finally home in heaven, will what happened here matter?"  So no looking back at the past hurts and sorrows...in the end what matters is what I have done for Him. So I will forgive and keep my focus.

For me now, this is what I need to do. To be the light. To be an encourager. To be a warrior of prayer. To be a woman of God.

What are you willing to sacrifice for a friend?

Sacrifice....means giving more than is possible to give. 

I am finding that friendships call for much sacrifice. The problem is not everyone sees this. What they desire are friends, but only on a superficial level...a friend who doesn't require a lot of work; one who listens but not answer or give their own advice; a friend who will be a "yes man" kind of friend.
For me, a having a friend means that I have to sacrifice even when I don't feel like sacrificing at all. Having a friend means you do listen, but listen with an open and loving heart. Having a friend means you do listen but you also get to speak. Having a friend means that you are different and accepted for just who you are...even when you are not in agreement with your friend. Having a friend means you give. You give your time, your ear, and your heart. Having a friend means you are there for them, no matter the time or inconvenience, and that they are doing the same for you! There are going to be trials and problems....but friendship is work! But all those trials and problems crate a friendship that is strong and built to last...if all are honest and open and loving in the truth!
Friendship is a sacrifice! Don't take it for granted! Our greatest friend sacrificed His life for us! How much more should we sacrifice.....

My heart is truly heavy. I feel the pain and see the heartaches of each of my friends. I pray. No matter how much I am hurting personally....it isn't about me. It is about those whom I love...those who I will sacrifice for...those who I love and call friends. I pray they would turn their focus on Him...turn their eyes toward Him...nothing is greater than having Jesus as your friend,; your comforter; your guide through the troubles!

I don't want to give up on my friends. I want to keep giving, keep sacrificing for them.......I want to be a friend like Jesus! My goal for this year....to be an encouragement to my friends, to love them as He loves them, to pray for them without ceasing.....and to have the courage to walk away from them when it becomes necessary.....
I don't want to give up on my friends....am I willing to sacrifice for them?   Yes!!

So what are YOU willing to sacrifice for a friend?

Springtime....

a season of renewal. 

I have to remind myself what it means to be a child of God. I have to remind myself that I am not defined by others and what they think. I have to remind myself that I am being renewed each and every day that I awake and make Him my first and my only.   I am springtime each and every day....a season of renewal.

I have looked back at my past posts and there are moments that I know exactly who I am and what it means to be a follower of Christ. 
But....
I find there are so many more moments that I doubt; that there is unbelief; that there are more struggles than there are victories. I would love to scream and yell and say that I am not living this life to the fullest!; That I am being overwhelmed by the darkness!; That I have no faith!
Yet....
If I were to scream and yell all of those things....I fear I would be rejected; ridiculed for being foolish; ostracized for being negative, hypocritical; unloved for my doubts, my unbelief. I fear being alone.
Hope...
is the one thing that keeps me moving forward. Hope keeps me grounded in His Word and His promises. Hope is all I have. 

I wonder if I were truly honest with my feelings...how many of my "friends" would still be beside me. I have seen some pull away by a small portion of my honesty and transparency. It hurts. 
I think that is why I am not completely honest....I fear losing "friends". Sad really....when did I make my friendships so important that Jesus is not enough for me.
Not so with Jesus.....
He makes sure I know I am loved by Him, I am His child, I am redeemed, I am renewed....I don't have to be anything more...I am enough.
I am springtime. I am a season of renewal. He isn't finished with me. He is my hope.