Michael Jackson’s Earth Song

Did you see the tribute to Michael Jackson on the Grammy’s?  If so, did you see and hear the performance of The Earth Song?  It was amazing! The song and images from the video haven’t left my mind.  They’re haunting me in an inspiring and positive way.  

The Earth Song is a song Michael wrote expressing his concern for all the wrongs and injustices going on in the world today.  He addresses everything from the damage man is doing to the created things of this earth to social injustices against humanity itself.  It’s the most powerful song and video I’ve ever heard – literally.  I’ve never been moved by a song like this. 

Perhaps what moves and fascinates me most is the realization that Michael wrote this song to God.  Michael pours out his heart to God, much like David did in the Psalms of the Old Testament. Michael’s heart cries out from deep within  his soul when asking God about the killing of children.  He mentions God sending His only Son that we might have peace, and asks about the Holy Land and Abraham.  All the while, the song repeats, “What about us?”  He’s crying out to God about all the wrongs of the world, while also asking what it all means for us.  What will become of us?  What are we to do?  What can we do? 

Michael was a man of God, and seemingly a man to whom God gave a message to share – yes, like a modern day prophet.  What a shame he had to die before sharing his heart of faith with the world.  Did Satan win a battle and take Michael’s life before he could do God’s work?  Or did God feel that Michael’s message would be better served in his death than in his life?  Only God knows the answers to those questions.  Regardless, Michael Jackson left us with an amazing song that is having quite an impact on me. 

Two of Michael’s children accepted Michael’s achievement award from the Grammy’s.  His oldest child, Prince, began by thanking God for watching over them during the past seven months.  How wonderful it is that Michael’s being raised to know God, too.  May God continue to watch over them, and may they continue to look to God and give Him praise.

You can watch the Michael Jackson tribute and performance of the Earth Song by googling:  The Earth Song Grammys. 

After doing so, please take another few minutes to google:  The Earth Song with lyrics. 

It’s the orignal video, much more intense, but also more expressive, and more powerful when you can watch the video and read the lyrics at the same time.  I hope you’re inspired,  too!

Renee Was Bullied in School

She was on the Dr. Phil Show.  The caption below her pretty face said: 

Renee       Was Bullied in School

This got my attention because my name is Renee and I was bullied in school, too.   I was harassed, stalked and threatened by a group of girls (former friends) throughout all of our high school years.  They made my life miserable at times and kept me from truly enjoying high school.  I never knew why they treated me like they did.  Some of them admitted there wasn’t a specific reason.  Years later, when we (my husband, sons and I) moved from Indiana to North Carolina, I felt relief knowing I’d probably never run into them again and wouldn’t have to worry about my kids going to school with their kids.   I was surprised that I carried those thoughts into my adulthood, especially since those people were no longer part of my life.

The Renee who appeared on tv was bullied on the school bus with name calling.  The hurts and insults stayed with her into her adult life.   She asked Dr. Phil how to get rid of the hurt she still felt from the bullying that happened so many years ago.  Even though she had become a beautiful, successful woman and loving mother, and claimed that she forgave those who bullied her, she was still haunted by the hurtful words she heard in her head.

That’s where our stories differed.  The Renee on tv replayed the insults in her head, hearing them over and over, and internalized them.  I, on the other hand, didn’t allow myself to be defined by the girls who harassed and bullied me.  I knew I hadn’t done anything to them and I didn’t deserve their treatment. 

Friends, NO ONE deserves that kind of treatment!  I don’t care who you are, what you’ve done, who your parents are, what kind of  house you live in, what you look like, or what others think of you.  You don’t deserve bullish treatment from others!  You don’t deserve to be bullied, beaten or abused.  Before you were anything to anyone else, you were a child of God!  He created you as beautiful being.  Even when the world doesn’t see our beauty, God does.    As a child of God you are entitled to His love.  The rest of us are commanded by God to love you.  Jesus says we’re to love our neighbors as ourselves!  That’s how much God loves us - that He commands us through the teachings of Jesus to love each other! 

TRAITS BULLIED VICTIMS SHARE (Given by  Dr. Phil on show dated 2-2-10):

1. Experience doubt about their self-worth    

2. Internalize the ‘toxic messages’ of the bullies (name calling and insults)  

 3. Unwilling to test the ‘toxic messages’ against reality.   (Are you really what their names say you are?)  

4. Unwilling to generate an alternate reality-based dialogue.  (ex:  I am not ugly or stupid.  I don’t deserve this treatment.  I deserve better!)

DR. PHIL’S ADVICE TO OVERCOME THE ‘TOXIC MESSAGES’:

1.  Is the message true?

2. Does hearing this in my head serve my best interest?

3. Will hearing these toxic messages protect or prolong my health?

4.  Do these thoughts give me what I want?

I’ve learned that quite often what we want is justification and for those who have wronged us to experience consequences  for their actions.  We want them to admit fault and say they’re sorry for what they’ve done.  Sometimes these things aren’t going to happen, so we have to accept our past and move on.  Someone recently shared this definition of acceptance:

ACCEPTANCE:  Not waiting for a better past.

I love that!  The past won’t change, but YOU can!  

I accepted what happened and chose to move on.  Holding on to negative things in my heart wasn’t healthy. Experiencing God’s love in my life changed my heart and my perspectives.  I gave up waiting for the day when they’d apologize.  I forgave them anyway.  Now I hope I do see them again, and have reached out to some of them through Facebook.

Don’t let the bullies of your past beat up on you anymore!  Chase their toxic messages out of your head!  And when you do, replace them with loving and positive thoughts instead.

Here are a few good thoughts to get that process started: 

God  loves YOU no matter what!  He created you with His own plans and purposes for your life (Jeremiah 29:11-2).  You are fearfully and wonderfully made by Him, His hand of blessing is upon your head (Psalm 139), and He wants only the best for you! 

PREVENT BULLYING:

Talk to your kids about how harmful their words and actions can be.  Don’t allow your children to make fun of others, call them names, or insult others in any ways. 

WERE YOU A BULLY? 

If you were a bully – teased, insulted, harassed others, or put them down - please find a way to apologize to those you might have hurt.  This act of kindness will mean more than you’ll ever know. 

Dear God, I pray for those who have been bullied, that they’ll be able to overcome the hurts of their past so they can move forward in a healthy, positive way.  I pray for those who are being bullied now, that they won’t give in to the ‘toxic messages’ of others and that they’ll allow themselves to see the true beauty You see in them.  I pray we no longer allow ourselves to be defined by the negative treatment and insults of others, and that we allow You to soften our hearts and remove the hardened places inside us.  Help us to accept and forgive others; and most importantly, Lord, help us to care enough about ourselves that we won’t allow others to hurt us anymore.  Your banner over us is love (Song of Solomon 2:4).  May Your love comfort, heal and strengthen us.  To You my Heavenly Father I pray, with Jesus as my Lord and Savior, and in the love of the Holy Spirit.  Amen. 

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

~  Taken from the Beatitudes, Matthew 5:10   (Beatitudes is a Latin word for ‘blessings’.)

 

 

 

Forgiveness – How do you know when you’re forgiven?

“Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”   ~ Ephesians 4:32

We talked about forgiveness in Bible study this week.  The question was asked, “When/how do you know when God has forgiven you?”  We said that sometimes forgiveness seems immediate.  Other times we have to go through a process of thoughts, feelings, and consequences before we feel forgiven. 

I thought about times when I’ve gone to God seeking forgiveness.  There were times I prayed and felt forgiven at that time.  Other times it’s been days or weeks before I felt a feeling of forgiveness in my heart. 

The Bible says that Jesus gave of Himself as the sacrificial Lamb to pay for our sins.  Until that time, God’s people were required to make sacrifices at the altar to pay for their sins.  God accepted Jesus as the perfect sacrifice to cover our sins, so through the blood of  Jesus  we’re already forgiven.  We don’t have to ASK God for forgiveness.  We can CLAIM it.  Forgiveness is a truth and a promise from the Bible. 

We do ask for forgiveness from God, though, because our shame makes us feel like we need to.   Then we wait for the knowing in our heart that tells us we’re forgiven.  I went through this recently.  It took a few weeks before I felt God had forgiven me.  However, since God had already forgiven me, what I needed to do was CLAIM His forgiveness in the name of Jesus Christ.  Could it be that the feeling of ‘knowing I was forgiven’ came when I finally forgave myself?

We’re often asked if we’re harboring grudges against others, if there are people we need to forgive.  Maybe we need to also ask, “Is there anything for which I need to forgive myself?”   If so, please prayerfully give those things to God so you can forgive yourself and move on in a healthy and positive way.   “…just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”  – Ephesians 4:32

May the blessings of the Lord be upon you.   (Psalm 129:8)

Renee

Serving God in 2010

“…what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul…”   ~ Deuteronomy 10:12

We often hear that it’s the little things that matter…that the little things are the big things!  I believe this to be true in relationships, life, and also in our callings in life.  

I believe it was Mother Theresa who said, “If you can’t do great things, do small things in great ways.”  

I love that quote because it acknowledges that few among us are called to become world-recognizeed preachers, teachers, writers, or singers.  Not everyone is called to become a famed athlete, celebrity, Nobel prize winner, or a wealthy person who can donate millions to a worthycause.  Some people will be raised up to accomplish such things, but odds are that most of us will be called to do small things in great ways! 

As I begin 2010, my purpose isn’t to reach lofty goals and answer high callings that I’ve placed upon myself, but rather to make the most of the callings God puts before me.  Following are my greatest callings listed in order of importance:

1) Child of God & Follower and servant of Jesus Christ

2) Wife

3) Mother

4, 5, 6…) Family member,  friend, neighbor, member of community

Everything I do falls under one of those categories.  None of those stand out as being ‘great things’.  Nothing on that list indicates that I’ll rise to some great height of fame or recognition.  By most people’s standards my list is made up of ’small things’, but as I stated above, I believe the little things are the big things!  If God put those things before me to serve His purposes, then they are great things!   

  For 2010, in addition to becoming better organized and in better physical shape (still trying to figure out how to do that without giving up chocolate or increasing exercise – ha ha), my main goal is to answer the callings God puts before me.  I will follow Mother Theresa’s advice – if not called to do great things, I will strive to  do ’small’  things in great ways.  

I might not write a best-selling book today, but I might be able to send an email that makes a difference in someone’s life.  Someone did that for me last week and her message was a great encouragement to me. 

I might spend most of my day doing laundry, cooking and cleaning (how mundane and insignificant does that seem?), but my doing so enables my husband to focus on his work and my children to pursue their studies and activities while I manage these things to keep our lives running more smoothly.  I’m thankful that I CAN be home doing these things.   I’ve learned to take pride in trying to do these ’small things’ in great ways to benefit all of us.   (Don’t be misled here…I’m no superwoman.  If you read that carefully you’ll notice I said, “try” to do these things in great ways!  I fall way short of perfection everyday! )  These duties are part of my calling to be a wife and mother.     “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” ~ Colossians 3:23

My calling hasn’t been to go on mission trips, head up a church, or save the world.  Instead, I’ve been called to pray for those who do and enable them as I can – often in ways that seem small to me – but God can use  my efforts in great ways.   

“God wants us to serve Him with a willing spirit, one that would choose no other way. “  – Beth Moore      

According to the verse from Deuteronomy above, serving doesn’t require wealth and fame, just lots of heart and soul!     

Happy New Year!  Here’s to serving God by doing great things and small things, all in great ways for the glory of God.  Amen!

Keeping His Presence Among the Presents – The Gift of Giving

You hear people say it all the time…”It is better to give, than to receive.”   It truly is.  It’s fun to receive, but it’s such a blessing to give! 

In fact, a gift I’ll never forget was a gift from my husband last year.   On Christmas morning, after all the presents had been unwrapped and we were saying one more round of ‘thank yous’, he said he had one more gift for the family.  It was an envelope.  Inside was a handwritten letter stating his appreciation of the blessings God had given us, reminding us how fortunate we were, and how important it is share our blessings with others.  Along with the letter was a check that would go into a special account to be used to help others as needed throughout the year.  He gave us the gift of giving, and it’s the best gift I’ve ever received!

Not only have we been able to give to others, we’ve also been able to pass on to our children the gift of giving by involving them in the things we do – and always remembering that it’s good to help others as we can, but…

The greatest gift any of us can share is the love of Christ, and that doesn’t require special funds.  That’s a gift all of us can give from our hearts.    

Merry CHRISTmas!

Renee

Keeping His Presence Among the Presents – Be nice!

I’m getting ready to go out into the crowds and craziness of malls, shoppers, and rude drivers today.  Before I do, I must arm myself with extra supplies of patience, cheer, kindness and grace – or my behavior won’t be too Christ-like!   Here’s a few verses from the Bible that will help:

Remember the Golden Rule:   Do for others what you would like them to do for you.  ~ Matthew 7:12a   (NLT)

Be cheerful!   A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.   ~ Proverbs 15:30

And one of my personal favorites for good behavior: 

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior.   Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.    ~ Ephesians 4:31-32

I’m also stocked up with lots of candy canes to give away!   (See the preceding post for more about that!)

One more thing…here’s some Christmas advice I saw in a gift store:   Don’t let your tinsel get in a tangle!

CHRISTmas blessings!

Renee

Keeping His Presence Among the Presents – Become a Candy Cane Crusader for Christ

“Whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory.”    ~ 1 Corinthians 10:31

Several years ago I was apalled to learn some retail stores and restaurants were forbidding their employees to say, “Merry Christmas”.  Their ads and marketing were aimed at taking advantage of our Christmas spending, but to be p.c. they started taking Christ out of Christmas.  For example, stores started advertising ‘holiday’ trees instead of Christmas trees.  I was especially dismayed to hear the tree at the White House referred to as a ‘holiday’ tree. 

I thought, “Well, they can’t say Merry Christmas to me, but I can say it to them!”, and I started doing so by handing out candy canes and saying, “Merry Christmas!”   The candy cane symbolizes Jesus Christ, so when I share a candy cane, I’m sharing Jesus, too.  

For three years now I’ve been keeping a stash of mini candy canes in my purse.  Often I attached the poem about Jesus to them.  I give out as many as I can throughout the day to those I encounter. Want to put a smile on the face of a teenager at the drive-up window? Give him/her a candy cane and say, “Merry Christmas!”   Cheer up grumpy shoppers and fussy chidren, reward kids you catch being good, and hand them out to your new ‘friends’ as you wait in lines.  Once our outdoor Christmas decorations are up, we keep candy canes in our newspaper box with a note telling passers by to help themselves.  I make sure to attach the Candy Cane poem about Jesus on those. 

Last year our family gave out over 1,000 candy canes!  Most were given to With Love from Jesus run by Joy McGuire.  She goes around to homeless people and people in shelters on Christmas Eve to feed them cups of hot chili, give a gift, and share the Gospel with them.  Last year she handed out the candy canes, too!    Friends from church pitched in and we donated over 3,000 candy canes to her for her Christmas Eve ministries. 

C’mon and join us!  Become a Candy Cane Crusader for Christ and start giving out candy canes, too!  Remember, when you do you’re not just keeping Christ in Christmas, you’re sharing Christ, too! 

Here’s the Candy Cane Poem we attach to our candy canes.  I can also email you a page already typed with multiple copies of the poem on one page.  Just send me an email request, and I’ll respond with the Candy Cane poem attachment. 

Look at the Candy Cane,

What do you see?

Stripes that are red

Like the blood shed for me.

White is for my Savior,

Who is sinless and pure.

“J” is for Jesus, my Lord, that’s for sure!

Turn it around and a staff you will see,

Jesus my Shepherd was born for ME! 

Renee

Keeping His Presence Among the Presents – Make a Paper Prayer Chain

“Keeping His Presence Among the Presents” will be a series of posts about ways to keep Christ in Christmas.  I’d love to hear your ideas and traditions for keeping His presence among the presents, too!   You can respond at this site with a comment, or reach me by email at ReneeMyers@carolina.rr.com  

“Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere.”   ~ Ephesians 6:18

A wonderful way to keep Christ’s presence among the presents is to devote a few minutes to Him each day by making a paper prayer chain.  This is a wonderful familyactivity, and can be done individually, too. 

Paper Prayer Chain Supplies:

25 strips of paper (construction paper works well)  *  markers, crayons, or pens    *   stapler or tape   *  basket, container or envelope

Gather as a family and think of 25 loved ones, friends, neighbors, pastors, teachers,  etc.  Write each name/family/group  on one of the strips of paper.  Put the strips of paper in a basket, container or envelope and keep it near the Christmas tree or in another special place.

Beginning December 1st, gather your family together, draw one strip of paper, and pray for the person(s) whose name(s) is on that strip of paper.  Then connect the ends of the paper together with a stapler or tape to make a loop.  Continuing doing this each day, looping the strips of paper together to form a paper chain.  The paper chain can be used as a decoration for your Christmas tree, placed on a mantle, hung in a doorway, or however else you choose.   By Christmas Day, you’ll have a special paper prayer chain representing all the people you prayed for throughout the Christmas season.  

Presents won’t be the only thing piling up!  Prayers will, too!  

 Merry CHRISTmas!

Renee

Keeping His Presence Among the Presents – Be Thankful

“Keeping His Presence Among the Presents” will be a series of posts about ways to keep Christ in Christmas.  I’d love to hear your ideas and traditions for keeping His presence among the presents, too!   You can respond at this site with a comment, or reach me by email at ReneeMyers@carolina.rr.com  

“Be joyful always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances.”   – 1 Thessalonians 5:16

Too often we become so focused on the things we don’t have, we think we need, or strongly desire to have, that we lose sight of the things we do have!

This past Sunday our pastor reminded us to be thankful even when times are are tough.  These are tough times for many people.  In our church, neighborhood, and schools we’re aware of so many people who have been affected by unemployment.  Daily they face the uncertainties and fears of living with no paycheck, praying each day for a job prospect.  Others were able to hang on and eventually found employment again.  Amazingly, it was the people hardest hit in recent times who were knowingly nodding their heads when our pastor reminded us to be thankful even in the tough times.  Those who seemingly had the the least for which to be thankful, were the ones who seemed to feel the greatest thanks in their hearts.  They’ve come to know what really matters in life.  They’ve grown closer to God through their dependence upon Him, and through their experiences have come to know what true blessings really are.

A  few years ago I drove past a home that had been destroyed by fire during the night  just hours before.  The owners of the home were sitting in the yard and saw me drive by.  I couldn’t just drive by and not stop to offer help, so I turned around and went back to speak with them. 

It was a hot Charlotte morning, only 8:30 a.m., and already the thermometer was pushing 100 degrees.  The owners were waiting for their insurance rep to show up, doing their best to tolerate the heat and humidity.  Neighbors had provided them with chairs and a cooler of drinks, but sweat dripped from each of us as we talked.  The fire started while they were sleeping and spread quickly.  They barely escaped with their lives, having to climb through a window to do so.  I asked if there was anything I could do to help them, provisions I could gather, or calls I could make.  They refused those offeres so I asked if they’d like  me to contact our Pastor for them.  That’s when we discovered we were members of the same church!  In that momemt we were no longers strangers, but church family!  It was wonderful.  We embraced and prayed before I left. 

The very next Sunday they were in church.  They went to the altar to pray, and they were crying.  I knelt beside them prepared to offer them comfort, but to my surprise they were praising and crying tears of joy!  Despite the tragic loss of their home and belongings, they were thankful for what they did have! 

I often get so distracted by the things I want or think we need, that I fail to see God’s presence and blessings in the things He does provide for us!   So before I get carried away in the frenzy of shopping for presents, and before I make a list of presents I’d like to have, I’ll keep His presence among the presents by being thankful for the many wonderful gifts and blessings God has already bestowed upon my family, our church, and me.   In fact, with those things in mind, I don’t need to make a Christmas list.  I already have more than I need.  Thank You, Lord!!

Keeping His Presence Among the Presents – Pray

“Keeping His Presence Among the Presents” will be a series of posts about ways to keep Christ in Christmas.  I’d love to hear your ideas and traditions for keeping His presence among the presents, too!   You can respond at this site with a comment, or reach me by email at ReneeMyers@carolina.rr.com  

Well, it’s the Monday before Thanksgiving, and since the local schools are out on Wednesday, this just gives us two days to get ready for Thanksgiving and the start of the holiday season!  Let the busyness begin!  

With only two days and much to do, our weekly prayer group opted to pray at home on our own instead of gathering like we usually do on Monday mornings.  With schools out on Wednesday, our Bible study is canceled, too.  Already the busyness of the holidays is affecting our usual schedules and routines as we excitedly prepare for the holiday season to come.  And this is just the beginning!!

Sooooo…..Before we get too far into the holiday craziness, let’s stop for a moment to gather ourselves and put things in proper perspective by taking a moment to pray.  The first thing to do to keep Christ’s presence among the presents, is to seek His presence through prayer.  Before hurriedness overcomes helpfulness; cleanliness becomes more important than godliness; and we go from being people of grace to acting more like runners of a race –  let’s pause to pray. 

Slowly close your eyes – start taking slower, deeper breaths –  and allow yourself to push all distractions, worries, mental to-do lists, stresses and anxieties from your mind.  Let the thoughts of your heart take over the thoughts of your mind, and lift your heart to the Lord.  Years ago I was taught to pray by ACTS.  I’ll share that way of praying with you, too.

A:  Adore    Begin by giving adoration to God, exalting the Lord, praising Him!   “Dear God, You are so awesome!”

C: Confess    Confess your thoughts, worries, admissions of guilt or wrong-doing   “Lord, forgive me.  I try to do too much on my own (sometimes I simply try to do too much!), and put my will before Your will.   I get distracted and lose focus of what really matters.  I get frustrated and act more of my ’self” than of  ’the Spirit’.  I love my family, but find myself getting impatient and taking my frustrations out on them.”

T: Thanks     Give thanks to God for your blessings, His provisions, His presence in your life, for being a forgiving and loving God    “Thank You for being there for me.  Thank You for hearing my prayers, tending to my needs, helping me through my days, and most of all for being so merciful, gracious, loving and forgiving.  Thank You for Your provisions.  May we learn to be content knowing You give us just enough, and not strive for things that are beyond Your will for us to have or do.  Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Lord and Savior, that above all else we can be forgiven of our sins, and through Him be welcomed into a glorious eternity with You. 

S: Supplication    After humbling yourself before the Lord in adoration, confession, and thanksgiving – go before Him with your hopes, needs and desires, confident in knowing the Lord hears and answers our prayers, and confident in knowing you can put your trust in Him.   “Oh, Lord, You know I have a crazy day ahead of me with much that needs to be done.  Please be with me in all that I do.  Help me to follow Your lead, even when Your way takes me away from what I had planned.  Help me see the beauty in the blessings all around me and not get hung up on people and things that frustrate me. Help me to just let it go when drivers are rude and inconsiderate.  Help me make situations better when I can.  And please be with my family, loved ones, church family and friends.  Protect us from harm and evil.  Be with my husband in his tasks and my children in their schools and personal lives.  Help me to be a woman of grace; and please be with me that I might bless You by blessing others. In Jesus precious and holy name I pray.  Amen.”

 ”Amen” is not fancy prayer-speak for “the end”…like I used to think.  lol.   It means, “I agree” or “It should be so.”   It’s a way of verbally sealing the prayerful letter you just mentally penned to God. 

And speaking of prayer-speak…there is no such thing!  Just speak from your heart.  Some people are eloquent in their prayers, others are more ‘ordinary’.   Some people pray endlessly.  Others accomplish their prayers in brief, succint, to-the-point ways.  Some pray out loud.  Others are silent.  It doesn’t matter how.  There is no right or best way!  God just wants you to pray! 

An added note on that, though…if you find yourself praying while you drive, please pray with your eyes open!  

Whatever your situation, whatever your day, take care of first things first by taking time to pray.  – Renee  (hey, even my name rhymed!) 

And don’t let busyness be an excuse or distraction to keep you from prayer.  I think it was Martin Luther who said something like this:  When I am busy, then I pray two hours instead of one.   

God bless you! 

Love,

Renee