"Out The Box"

Reflections4Life March 29^th, 2015

“Out The Box”

“Then He looked at them and said, “What then is this that is written: ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone’?” Luke 20:17

Scripture Contemplation: Psalm 118; Matthew 13; Mark 11; Luke 4; John 12…

Happy Palm Sunday!

There is a certain freedom that comes when you walk in your truth, and stop living to please and placate others, but live your life as you will, with a desire to please God alone.

Certainly you would love for those who love you to always understand and accept you for who you truly are, and not for whom they think you are or should be. But people are people, and sometimes they just don't get it, nor do they see it. And sometimes, they will see what they want to see.

I pray today’s Reflections brings comfort and peace to your heart and mind. I decree it be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. As we celebrate this Palm Sunday, let us remember all that led to cost of our redemption. And hold in our hearts, that the price has already been paid, and there is no one left to charge us, when Jesus has handled the bill.

People have the tendency to put you in a box; see you through one lens when there are so many different components to who you are. I suppose, as we celebrate Palm Sunday, one may be able to identify with the life of Christ. Many saw Him as Rabbi, teacher, friend, and miracle worker. Some saw Him as a threat. But few saw Him as the Son of God or the Savior. For many, He was defined as the carpenter’s son. No one special. Nothing more or less. Having placed him in a box in their mind and hearts, they could not receive Him any other way or receive the blessing of His truth. For Christ, it hurt that they could not believe. Not for His sake, but for theirs. He knew who He was; even when others did not and would not accept it.

I cannot help but to be grateful for all that Jesus has done. For giving His life. For sticking to the plan and not being deterred by the opinions of those who only knew and could only see and accept Him as the son of a Carpenter, and not for the promised Savior that was prophesied.

How many of you have allowed people to place you in a box? How many have allowed the opinions and the need for another's acceptance to determine what you do and what you believe about yourself?

I thank God for the mother I had. She encouraged me to stand in my truth and discover all of me, and be comfortable in my skin. She knew I was more than what people saw or believed. She understood a box could never contain me. God created so much greatness in me, that it won't allow me to be defined by a few titles that some give me. No. I am a child of God with many different attributes. Walking in my greatness. And enjoying and discovering the many facets of me. I pray the same for you. Blessings.

My Beloveds, may the spirit of peace and prosperity find permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. Don’t allow the opinions and the short-sightedness of others to confine you to a box. To, make you limit yourself to one fact, so you may please and be accepted by others. God has created greatness in you. There is more inside you and about you than what meets the eye. More than where you come from or what you were born into. You are who God says you are, and who you believe yourself to be. No limits. Dare to live outside the box. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2015. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Live, Laugh, Love"

Reflections4Life March 22^nd, 2015

“Live, Laugh, Love”

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:2-4

Scripture Contemplation: Psalm 81; James 1…

Live, laugh, love. Three small yet powerful words. Words we sometimes forget. Sometimes take for granted. And sometimes have no clue as to how or where to begin.

For some of us, it's far easier said than done. For others, it's a facade they live behind to hide the truth from the world of what is truly going on. To hide the pain, hurt, and disappointment; and even shame.

I pray today’s Reflections brings comfort and peace to your heart and mind. I decree it be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Move forward through difficult times by clinging to the hand of God. Allow Holy Spirit to comfort you, and teach you how to live, laugh, and love through the most solemn and painful times of your life.

Many of us don't even know where to begin. Our lives have been a series of monumental let downs. To live? What for? To laugh? At what? To love? Who? They struggle to love themselves. And to love others seems like a risk with very few benefits, but a whole lot of potential for heartbreak.

Our life's journey will be filled with many different paths and opportunities that we must choose. Hopefully, we make the wise decision. However, we do have a pension for not doing so all the time. Yet, even the wise paths still have its tests and trials. We will be faced with some difficulties, situations and circumstances that will have us questioning ourselves, and the ability to live, laugh, and love.

What I come to know for certain is, that those three small yet powerful words are a choice. Our choice. No matter what we face in life. No matter how difficult and painful our life journey may get; to live, laugh, and love is a choice we make.

As children, people choose for us. As grow, and hopefully mature, we make our own decisions. And whether the outcome is favorable or not, we still have a choice. We have a choice to respond or react. We have the choice to give up or press on. We have the choice to keep living life, finding laughter where we can, and continuing to love—give love, receive love, show love—regardless to our experiences.

There will always be hard times. We will more than likely be disappointed in life at one time or another. Our tests and trials will seem insurmountable. And that's when we must choose to continue to live, laugh, and love in spite of it all, and any previous painful experiences. It is a choice to move forward, or stay and give up. As children of God, we must remember: greater is He in us than he that is in this world. We can make it. No matter what it looks like right now.

My Beloveds, may the spirit of peace and prosperity find permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. I choose to live, laugh, and love. Even when it is the most difficult thing to do. I learned that from my mother. And I pray that whatever is going on in your life, that in spite of it all, you will choose also to live, laugh, and love. You are blessed. Now go…and be a blessing!

©2015. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Acceptance"

Reflections4Life  March 15, 2015

"Acceptance"

     "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light..." 1 Peter 2:9
Scripture Contemplation: Isaiah 65; 2 Corinthians 5; Galatians 6; 1 Peter 2...

I sincerely pray for you, that today and each day that follows is filled with happiness, joy, peace, love and acceptance.

Why is it so hard for us to accept what God says about us, but readily believe what the enemy and his minions have to say concerning us?

I pray today’s Reflections brings comfort and peace to your heart and mind. I decree it be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Let your heart and mind be filled with the peace and love of God. Accept who the Father has called you to be. Rest in His truth and do not be deterred by the lies of the enemy.

We live in such a world that tearing one another down, pointing out one's flaws, and degrading someone is acceptable behavior. Well, it's not, Beloveds. That is not what God wants us to accept and believe about ourselves.

Even when we mess up, make mistakes, willfully sin, He still wants us to know, that we are better than that. Our past, our mistakes, and failures do not define who we are. Who God says we are; who He has declared us to be is, what truth is. Even if it takes us a while to get there.

We must learn to accept and believe what God says concerning who we are, and stop listening to the negativity and lies, and hurtful words of those who do not know our heart or the first thing about who God called us to be. Ignore them; even if it is your own family. You are your own person who God says there is greatness in, waiting to come forth. Accept it Beloved. Accept the truth. Accept yourself. Accept the greatness in you.

My Beloveds, may the spirit of peace and prosperity find permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. Let your heart dwell on the truth of who God says you are. Let your heart be filled with acceptance and abundant love for the person that you are, and God has decreed you to be. Evict the enemy from your thoughts and your heart. Allow God to bring healing as you walk in the greatness that is you. You are blessed. Now go and be a blessing.

©2015. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"Grace and Peace"

Reflections4Life  March 8, 2015

"Grace and Peace."

      "And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthians 12:9

Scripture Contemplation: Ephesians 2; Esther 2; Job 41; Psalm 84; Isaiah 12; 42; Philipians 4...

It is another new day, and surely it is because the blessing of God that we were not consumed by deeds of yesterday. The blessing of life, of a brand new day, should be celebrated. For we get another opportunity to get things right. To let our souls become intimately acquainted with the Lord.

I pray today’s Reflections brings comfort and peace to your heart and mind. I decree it be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Let your heart be filled with grace and peace of the Father. Allow the grace of God to cover you, as His peace envelops you.

This past Friday, my mother's life was celebrated, as we gathered for her home-going services. There were tears, but there was also laughter, praise, and shouting of the goodness of God. Just like my mom would have wanted.

My mother was not always saved. She had one hell of a past! As my brother stated to those gathered: "You all know Sister Pat, but I knew her well before that!" As my mother's relationship grew with the Lord, she would try and reach as many people as she could, for God. As she said: "If I can party and sin that hard with all my might, and get people to follow me, then surely I owe the Lord just as much, if not more, dedication considering the grace and peace He showed a sinner like me."

Each time someone would call, my mom's greeting was the same: Grace and Peace. Without fail, whether she felt well or not; or if she was half sleep, you'd hear, grace and peace. My niece asked her why she answered like that. My mother stated they are words of blessings being decreed over each caller’s life. And a reminder, that if it had not been for God's grace, she couldn't make it. And if she didn't have His peace, she would have lost her mind and life long ago. But because of God's grace and peace, she lived to tell her testimony and all the things that God did for her.

There are not enough words to describe the loss I feel in my soul because my mother's physical presence is not here. Yet, I feel her all around me. Her love, her lessons, her laughter—they are all a part of me. It brings me comfort to know that she is resting well. That, she is now praise dancing before our Lord.

My Beloveds, may the spirit of peace and prosperity find permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. Grace and peace. Two small but powerful words that can completely change our lives. May God's grace be sufficient for you; to keep you and carry you through all that you go through. And may the peace that surpasses all understanding, rest in your heart, mind, and soul. You are blessed. Now go...and be a blessing!

©2015. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.

"A Grateful Disposition"

Reflections4Life March 1, 2015

“A Grateful Disposition.”

“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Scripture Contemplations: Romans 14; Ephesians 5; Colossians 3; 1 Corinthians 2…

Nothing compares to a person with a grateful heart. A person that has taken a stance to have a grateful disposition regardless to what is happening in their lives or around them.

There is much that has happened in our lives, and much that will happen. It is the disposition of our hearts that will determine the kind of journey we encounter, and how long certain trials and tests last.

I pray today’s Reflections brings comfort and peace to your heart and mind. I decree it be a continued source of encouragement and inspiration for your heart, mind, and soul. Let your heart be filled with joy and the love of the Father. Allow Him to guard your heart and you navigate through the trials of this life. Let your heart be content with God, having the characteristic of gratitude, because you know and understand that no matter what happens in this life, God will always have your back.

As I navigate through the pain of my mother's transition, I cannot help but to be grateful for the years I was blessed to have with her in this earth. My mother was a woman of substance. A woman who understood matters of the heart and the importance of having a grateful disposition.

There are things that lie behind us, and things that lie before us. Many things that we have no control over. But the most powerful thing is that which lies within us. What we carry in our hearts holds the power to change lives, to affect the course of our life journey, and touch the lives of many.

A grateful disposition allows us to walk through difficulties and not give up. It allows us to maintain hope in a hopeless situation. It encourages us to believe when it seems impossible, and whispers that miracles still happen; just in ways we may not understand.

Things will not always go the way we desire. Life happens, and it is not always sweet, delightful, or to our liking. Pain and suffering will occur. Loss will be felt. However, there will also be joy and happiness. There will be good times, and moments when things do go our way. But whether things do or don’t (go our way), we must maintain a disposition of gratitude. We must hold a place in our hearts that will be grateful; even if it’s just having gratitude for one more breath of life.

My pain is palpable, at best. I feel like I am in a fog with my mother no longer here in the flesh to hold, kiss and hug. Yet, I am grateful for the time we had. For the lessons, she taught me, the life she gave and provided for me. Her laughter, her wisdom, her love…all living on within myself and my brothers and her grandchildren. Life goes on. And I take comfort in the fact that this is not a goodbye, but: “I’ll see you later," which allows me to smile through the pain.

My Beloveds, may the spirit of peace and prosperity find permanent rest in your lives. I decree that every good thing that God has ordained for your life will become evident to you. Let your disposition be one of gratitude. No matter the trials and the tests, let your heart be rooted in gratitude. For, it will lead you to a place of peace and understanding. You are blessed, now go and be a blessing.

©2015. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.