The Reward for Surviving Rough Seas

The Reward for Surviving Rough Seas
We are all like sea shells tossed about in rough waters and being re-shaped in wondrous ways. But have you ever contemplated the notion that sea shells have to complete their journey through the rough waters before they get to rest on the shore? Yeah, we are ALL like sea shells and Heaven is The Great Shore.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

A Stand Alone Blog in a SEA of Blogdom

Greetings,
Admittedly I am new to the blogging world...but I find that it is addictive.  It seems that God has given me so many words, and so many thoughts, and that the more I write the more I WANT to write.  This blog is not written under the umbrella of a collection of other writers...it's just me pegging away...and writing as I feel the Lord Leads Me to Write.

This is indeed A Stand Alone Blog in a SEA of Blogdom.


If it is God's will that this blog catches on and that it blesses others, then to HIM be the Glory.
And if He Wills that it really never catch on, then HIS WILL BE DONE.

Meanwhile, I find that I am called more and more to this computer to write.

To wit...

When my daughter was a child, there was a phrase in vogue called "A Gratitude Attitude"
...and I really LIKE that phrase.

Mostly I like it because I think that it is an attitude that when sown properly is also "Harvestable".

                                                (Is that a word?..."Harvestable"???)

Well if it's not, it should be.
Perhaps the term "Harvestable" was coined here on the Grace Under Pressure blog? 


 Not certain, but am willing to pretend that it was. lol


OK...New Term just entered into the  G.U.P. Lexicon of Spiffy Words with Spiritual Applications
                                                                                fyi...G.U.P.= Grace Under Pressure


Harvestable:  
The ultimate outcome of a Faith-Based Way Of Thinking and Living

If I find that this definition is not sufficient, it can always be amended.

But for now,  yeah, I think it works!

Anyway...

We all know that if a crop is Harvestable, it serves a purpose for mankind in some fashion.
And in this case, when Gratitude is the crop that has been planted, the "Harvestable" crop that will serve mankind is a soul easing sense that we do nothing on our own accord, but that God in control and by His grace we live and breathe.

Americans tend to try to sow Autonomy instead of Submission to His Will...and then are shocked when we harvest Frustration.

We tend to sow Busy-ness in hopes of harvesting Personal Value and then we are surprised when the crop turns out to be a strong hybrid bunch of thistles called Failed Marriages, Floundering Children, and Disintegrating Families.

We need to sow some Quiet Reflection & Prayer in order to harvest Spiritual Discernment.
We need to sow some Scripture Reading in order to harvest an Strong Moral Compass.
We need to sow some Deep Discussions with our loved ones and friends if we want Spiritual Edification.

And yes, we need to sow a big ole crop of Holy Gratitude & Bone-deep Humility if we are to ever to find antidotes to our Arrogant Pride of Self-Reliance & our Pernicious Sense of Entitlement.

This is not just my opinion ya know...
The Bible speaks to us about the crops we need to sow and the ones we should avoid.

Galatians 6:7 " Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows."


Hosea 10:12 " Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you."


We have been told about the two very different types of "Harvestable" crops.

                             The first crop is called The Acts of the Flesh... which leads to Hell.
                             The second is called The Fruit of the Spirit... which leads to Heaven.

Galatians 5:19-22 " 19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

By God's Grace, we find comfort knowing that when we Sow the Fruit of the Spirit & Follow HIS Word, His gift to us...our Harvest...is a Heavenly Home.

And if that doesn't cause a person to have a Gratitude Attitude I don't know what will :)

In Him,
Grace

2 comments:

Betsy Brock said...

Yes, blogging IS addictive! But in a good way! I've met so many wonderful people that would not have been possible before. Welcome to blogging! I'm glad you found me!~

Grace said...

Awww ty Betsy...me too:)