Good Morning Nancy--good question--I don't have a clue. Well--maybe I do--it is hopefully that 'spiritual garden' where Christ lives in my heart--and it needs daily care of putting in the glorious light, thoughts and music--and fighting the pests that try to steal away what is good.
You can take that question in a few directions. I was instantly reminded of something Bill Johnson wrote in his book, "Strengthening Yourself in the Lord." he said above all, "to jealously guard the Presence." that has stuck with me for months. Sometimes layers are good to protect the Presence of God in our lives. We can't give away all our oil or we won't survive.
Wow Nancy, who would think such a question would be so hard to answer. I think for me after this last few months, the Lord is continuing to prune me to take away the dead and parts that don't need to be there. He is pruning me so that this time next year I will be able to reflect His glory a little easier than I do now. He has shown me that I had allowed dead wood to stay in places that I was protecting from Him. After the last month, and His loving hand removing and training and molding. I can see that I had kept myself in a place I thought I was safe, but I was not growing, like the Master Vine dresser thought I should. He has always said this whole time, Do you Trust Me? I do but it still hurts to be pruned. Thanks Nancy, very thought provoking. I had to sit here and think and think. I hope it makes sense.
Nancy, I think that it's our true identity that we try so hard to protect. We all wear masks to hide behind because we are not totally free because we don't always accept ourselves the way we really are. I think that it's true for me. I try to appear better than I really am. I'm getting better at accepting my limitations because I know that God created me and that he made me unique and I belong to Him. I found a profound sense of self acceptance when I discovered how much God loves me from way back before I was born, in my ancestry and DNA. In a three day busy person retreat, I discovered that God sees me as a beautiful pink thornless rose with a dew drop on one of my petals. I don't know if this makes any sense to you. Sorry, my comment got so long. JB
I think we try to protect our heart. Unfortunately, it can often result in putting up layers that can also keep people out. I think it best to trust our hearts to the Lord. His protection is better than anything we can attempt on our own.
Profound question Nancy...I often use laughter to protect my heart, also silents which is not the best protection. Will have to visit your site more often...like these questions that cause me to think deeper then the surface. Blessings.
What a beautiful photo of this flower....and what a good word picture for your question Nancy! We can put on such beautiful attire and make-up and even fake smiles that can hide the true things that we don't want anyone to see....and we can become pretty good at living this way...but eventually it does catch up with us,and that is when, thankfully, God steps in and makes us truly beautiful in His special way. It is my desire that my inside match my outside. Lately, I've been going through some trials, and when that happens I often retreat inside and hide out...not at all what God wants. His word and spending time with HIM is what saves me and pulls me out of that isolation.
I am so thankful for you Nancy. You and your posts always seem to pull out something I need to hear. Thank you my friend for listening to His voice telling you HIS instructions on helping others. You truly are a blessing!!!♥
Just came across your blog! I, like the flower, have outer layers that are protecting my seeds so that they may become something for the future and carry on the cycle. My seeds are ideas, visions, hopes, dreams, my children. There was a time when my outer layers weren't protecting me. They became stressed and weak. Soon after, my ovary was removed, and I literally lost many seeds to my weakened state. It was a time for me to stop and see just how much I was losing and not just in the physical, but the spiritual. God was talking to me. Did I really want to lose more seeds? Sadly, it took such an extreme measure for me to treasure and nurture my outer layers as much as I should.
Such a great question! Which has me thinking of Scripture from the book of Proverbs. Heart in Proverbs refers to the center of one's inner life. It is a place that a person does all thinking, feeling and choosing. Taking words of wisdom into the heart is of the greatest importance. They are life. Out of the heart flow all the thoughts, words, and choices of a person's life. Proverbs 4:23 "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life." May you have a blessed, peace filled day and week ahead.
Hi Nancy, just stopping by to say how delightful your blog is. Thanks so much for sharing. I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris http://chelencarter-retiredandlovingit.blogspot.ca/
I haven't seen you around blogland in a while. I hope all is well and you are having a wonderful summer. Wendell was out in our first good rain, in a very long time, today. He was soaked and even looked like a different horse, as his coat was SO dark. I actually did a double take to see who the big, dark horse was out in my pasture. :) I hope you will visit Everyday Ruralty soon! Patrice
I just stopped by. I've been off the blog-o-sphere for quite some time. My summer semester is over on Monday (Have one final to take.) God enabledme to pass my ultrasound physics (SPI) Boards on Thurs. :) It's been a rough two semesters. But I will have a few weeks off then start the fall semester Aug 23. Two semesters are left to go. Hope you have enjoyed your summer. Mine's been the fastest summer, because of school and clinical 32 hours a week. Whew. . I need a Break! lol I posted a new song and video tribute to my sister who has been with the Lord for 15 years now. It's really a tribute to how God mended my once shattered heart and crushed spirit and from that He brought back the music. As only He can do. :) Sending hugs. P.S. Bryan's kidney surgery went well. the drs were able to save part of the kidney and got all the cancer! :) He went back to work June 4.
Good Morning Nancy--good question--I don't have a clue. Well--maybe I do--it is hopefully that 'spiritual garden' where Christ lives in my heart--and it needs daily care of putting in the glorious light, thoughts and music--and fighting the pests that try to steal away what is good.
ReplyDeleteA question to ponder. I do love the flower.
ReplyDeleteGreat question. I'll ponder it in my morning meditation tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteWoW nancy, gorgeous image, beautiful color.
ReplyDeletesomething to really think about!!
Good question...and one I have been working on a lot lately. My false coverings protecting the part that needs to be looked at...good thought
ReplyDeleteGorgeous flower and a thought provoking question, you have such insight. Happy weekend to you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a question to ponder. Such a beautiful flower.
ReplyDeleteYou can take that question in a few directions. I was instantly reminded of something Bill Johnson wrote in his book, "Strengthening Yourself in the Lord." he said above all, "to jealously guard the Presence." that has stuck with me for months. Sometimes layers are good to protect the Presence of God in our lives. We can't give away all our oil or we won't survive.
ReplyDeleteNancy, I love the way you pose questions that make us really ponder and analyze ourselves.
ReplyDeleteHugs and Happy Weekend!
Noreen
Wow Nancy, who would think such a question would be so hard to answer. I think for me after this last few months, the Lord is continuing to prune me to take away the dead and parts that don't need to be there. He is pruning me so that this time next year I will be able to reflect His glory a little easier than I do now. He has shown me that I had allowed dead wood to stay in places that I was protecting from Him. After the last month, and His loving hand removing and training and molding. I can see that I had kept myself in a place I thought I was safe, but I was not growing, like the Master Vine dresser thought I should. He has always said this whole time, Do you Trust Me? I do but it still hurts to be pruned.
ReplyDeleteThanks Nancy, very thought provoking. I had to sit here and think and think. I hope it makes sense.
Exactly! That is the 64K question. Sandie
ReplyDeleteDo you think we all hide under layers? I try peeling my layers on journal pages...
ReplyDeleteNancy, I think that it's our true identity that we try so hard to protect. We all wear masks to hide behind because we are not totally free because we don't always accept ourselves the way we really are. I think that it's true for me. I try to appear better than I really am.
ReplyDeleteI'm getting better at accepting my limitations because I know that God created me and that he made me unique and I belong to Him. I found a profound sense of self acceptance when I discovered how much God loves me from way back before I was born, in my ancestry and DNA. In a three day busy person retreat, I discovered that God sees me as a beautiful pink thornless rose with a dew drop on one of my petals. I don't know if this makes any sense to you.
Sorry, my comment got so long. JB
It is wise to protect pieces of one's privacy. Beautiful peony and thought-provoking question. :)
ReplyDeleteoh so beautiful,
ReplyDeletethis haunting question.
thank you dear wise woman:)
grateful and glad
for the beauty that is you,
Jennifer
I think we try to protect our heart. Unfortunately, it can often result in putting up layers that can also keep people out. I think it best to trust our hearts to the Lord. His protection is better than anything we can attempt on our own.
ReplyDeleteBlessings and love,
Debbie
Profound question Nancy...I often use laughter to protect my heart, also silents which is not the best protection. Will have to visit your site more often...like these questions that cause me to think deeper then the surface. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteOpportunity may knock only once, but temptation leans on the doorbell.Talk to a man about himself and he will listen for hours Teaching English
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful photo of this flower....and what a good word picture for your question Nancy! We can put on such beautiful attire and make-up and even fake smiles that can hide the true things that we don't want anyone to see....and we can become pretty good at living this way...but eventually it does catch up with us,and that is when, thankfully, God steps in and makes us truly beautiful in His special way. It is my desire that my inside match my outside. Lately, I've been going through some trials, and when that happens I often retreat inside and hide out...not at all what God wants. His word and spending time with HIM is what saves me and pulls me out of that isolation.
ReplyDeleteI am so thankful for you Nancy. You and your posts always seem to pull out something I need to hear. Thank you my friend for listening to His voice telling you HIS instructions on helping others. You truly are a blessing!!!♥
♥Lee Ann
Just came across your blog! I, like the flower, have outer layers that are protecting my seeds so that they may become something for the future and carry on the cycle. My seeds are ideas, visions, hopes, dreams, my children. There was a time when my outer layers weren't protecting me. They became stressed and weak. Soon after, my ovary was removed, and I literally lost many seeds to my weakened state. It was a time for me to stop and see just how much I was losing and not just in the physical, but the spiritual. God was talking to me. Did I really want to lose more seeds? Sadly, it took such an extreme measure for me to treasure and nurture my outer layers as much as I should.
ReplyDeleteI love this beautiful picture, and what an amazing God that we have!
ReplyDeleteFor me, the core is trusting God and forgiving...totally. That's what I'm working on. Lovely pic...you are so good at it!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great question! Which has me thinking of Scripture from the book of Proverbs. Heart in Proverbs refers to the center of one's inner life. It is a place that a person does all thinking, feeling and choosing. Taking words of wisdom into the heart is of the greatest importance. They are life. Out of the heart flow all the thoughts, words, and choices of a person's life. Proverbs 4:23 "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life." May you have a blessed, peace filled day and week ahead.
ReplyDeleteHi Nancy, just stopping by to say how delightful your blog is. Thanks so much for sharing. I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris
ReplyDeletehttp://chelencarter-retiredandlovingit.blogspot.ca/
nice post thanks for sharing looking for to visit more...blessings
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen you around blogland in a while. I hope all is well and you are having a wonderful summer. Wendell was out in our first good rain, in a very long time, today. He was soaked and even looked like a different horse, as his coat was SO dark. I actually did a double take to see who the big, dark horse was out in my pasture. :) I hope you will visit Everyday Ruralty soon! Patrice
ReplyDeleteI just stopped by. I've been off the blog-o-sphere for quite some time. My summer semester is over on Monday (Have one final to take.) God enabledme to pass my ultrasound physics (SPI) Boards on Thurs. :) It's been a rough two semesters. But I will have a few weeks off then start the fall semester Aug 23. Two semesters are left to go. Hope you have enjoyed your summer. Mine's been the fastest summer, because of school and clinical 32 hours a week. Whew. . I need a Break! lol
ReplyDeleteI posted a new song and video tribute to my sister who has been with the Lord for 15 years now. It's really a tribute to how God mended my once shattered heart and crushed spirit and from that He brought back the music. As only He can do. :) Sending hugs. P.S. Bryan's kidney surgery went well. the drs were able to save part of the kidney and got all the cancer! :) He went back to work June 4.