Inside Out or Outside In

 

My earthly father has spoken words throughout my life that have pointed me toward the heart of my heavenly Father. Although unknown to my earthly father, these words have encouraged, confirmed and guided me numerous times. Most recently my earthly father stated, "when you are here, it takes a day that is inside out and turns it outside in." It is important that you understand the back story to dad's statement.

Back in February, dad suffered a massive right-sided stroke. This means that the left side of his body has been affected by paralysis. Dad sleeps most of the time, but is able to wake up with verbal stimulation. Can you imagine being imprisoned inside your own body, completely dependent on others to meet you most basic needs? It is understandable that he would feel as though his known world up to this point would feel turned "inside out."

According to Merriam-Webster's online dictionary, inside out can be described as "in or into a confused or disorganized state"(Merriam-Webster,  2018). Everything my dad has known about the world around him, his physical body and the interactions between the two have now been thrown "into a confused or disorganized state" (Merriam-Webster,  2018).

Understandably, this confused and disorganized state could have a dramatic, negative influence on dad's soul impacting his emotional state. Yet dad says his inside out world can be positively influenced from the "outside in." 

Our heavenly Father has empowered us through His Spirit to positively influence others from the "outside in," but how do we prepare ourselves to be a conduit through which God's Spirit flows through us? We must recognize our need to be influenced by His Holy Spirit; we must cry out to God from our inside out. From the depths of our soul, we cry out for the Lord to influence us, so we can positively influence others.

We cannot allow our souls to reign freely in situations of confusion and disorganization. I am reminded of a Disney movie, Inside Out. This movie depicts a little girl's soul (Riley) as being controlled by various characters representing different emotions. Such a cute movie, but as Christians, we cannot allow "Joy" to be overtaken by "Sadness" as was the case in the movie. If we allow God's Holy Spirit to influence us, then Joy will moderate the other emotions. 

 

(Docter & Del Carmen, 2016)

Psalms 73:26 (KJV)

 

My flesh and my heart faileth: 

but God is the strength of my heart, 

and my portion for ever.

  

Nehemiah 8:10 (KJV) 

Then he said unto them, 

Go your way, eat the fat, 

and drink the sweet, 

and send portions unto them for whom 

nothing is prepared: 

for this day is holy unto our Lord: 

neither be ye sorry; 

for the joy of the Lord is your strength. 

The song, From the Inside Out speaks of a soul crying out to the Lord asking to be consumed by the Everlasting (God). It is in this way we are recharged emotionally and anointed to influence others from the outside in.

Whether we cry out using another person's song or whether we use our own words, a sincere cry to the Lord will prepare us to influence others for good, because He ALWAYS hears a sincere cry...ALWAYS!

 From the Inside Out by Joel Housten

References

Docter, P., & Del Carmen, R. (Directors). (2016). Inside Out [Video file]. Milano: Walt Disney studios home entertainment.

Housten, J. (2012, March 25). From The Inside Out - Hillsong United Miami Live 2012 (Lyrics/Subtitles) (Song to Jesus). Retrieved June 5, 2018, from https://www.youtube.com

/watch?v=9j7ZdKtGcSo&feature=youtu.be

Merriam-Webster, Inc. (2018). Inside Out. Retrieved June 3, 2018, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inside out

Mountain Removal: Following the Prince of Peace

Dear Friends,

The shell of necrotic tissue has fallen off, and the remaining tissue under it is pink and healthy! It reminds me of how in the purification process of gold, the dross or the (dead) worthless stuff comes to the surface of the gold to be skimmed. The necrotic tissue is the dross being skimmed off of my body to reveal the healthy tissue.

I continue to pray for the area, against infection. At this point the incision is still very nasty looking. In the physical, the scarring on the left will be much more significant than the right side, BUT my Jesus can take care of that too!!! I think it was Rick Joyner's book, The Call, where he describes the warriors who were scarred from the battle. In his vision/dream he watched God's glory pouring out like brilliant gold from those scars making them marks of honor!!!! My son, Christian, has a warrior spirit. He sets a fine example for me to follow, and he thinks the scars are cool, because of its warrior significance!!!

I saw the plastic surgeon on Wednesday, and he approved for me to return to work on "desk duty" and half shifts! Yay, Jesus!!! The doctor told me if I can tolerate the half shifts, I may increase to full shifts. The sticking point is still the incision on the left side. It definitely is healing, but still needs much more. The right side looks great! Praise, Praise, Praise!!!

Physically, I feel better in some ways than prior to the surgery, as I have begun an exercise program, which is no longer an option in my life. Ladies, do you know that,

"Studies show that exercise reduces breast cancer risk. The only question is how much exercise is needed. One study found that as little as 1 hour and 15 minutes to 2½ hours of brisk walking per week reduced the risk by 18%. Walking 10 hours a week reduced the risk a little more. The American Cancer Society suggests that you exercise for 45 to 60 minutes 5 or more days a week."

I also, am changing my eating habits. Definitely, more fruit and veggies, whole grains and less meat for this gal!!!

Emotionally, I am also doing very well. I had a mild teary episode earlier this week when Tony and I tried to make sense of all the bills pouring into our mailbox, but the Lord quickly soothed me reminding of the beautiful experience I had just about an hour earlier.

Every year a pair of doves nest somewhere near our deck, and that encourages me, because doves symbolize the Holy Spirit. Earlier that morning, I was in my kitchen, praying in the Spirit, prior to my teary episode, and thought I heard a coo. A little later, as I changed the left dressing, I sang..."If our God is for us, then who could stand against us." Loudly and distinctly, I heard three coos! Praise, My God, Who IS for (us) me!!!! God touched me first and then reminded me of that beautiful episode, when I needed it. Praise be to my God Who is the Best Encourager a person could have!!!

I am awaiting the oncotype dx test results, but already feel in my heart what to do next. I must follow peace, because Jesus is the Prince of Peace!!! Whatever treatments are recommended, my heart must be at peace, or I will not agree. So far it is not in my heart to take Tamoxifen, which the oncologist says I need. I have been praying for my Abba Father to make Himself absolutely clear about how to proceed, and I believe my earthly Daddy was his mouth piece when he said, *"Beautiful Grace, Jesus is in your heart. I'd follow my heart." I really Love both of my Daddies!!!! :)

Thank you all again for praying and caring!

With Much Love ALWAYS...

Beautiful Grace:)
 
PS *Dad used my real name, not my screen name.  :)

Mom Update: Blessed Assurance

Dear Faithful Prayers,

I just returned from two of Mom's doctor appointments. The first was her pacemaker checkup with the diagnosis of normally functioning pacemaker and normal heart rhythm. Yeah, God!!!

The second checkup was with the infectious disease doctor who "signed Mom off," meaning her leg looks so good that she no longer needs to be followed by them. Yeah, God!!!

Mom started drinking two Boost nutrient shakes a day, and although she still complains of being "peppless," she definitely is getting around much better than before. Yeah, God!!!

She has an appointment with the cardiologist tomorrow, and I am planning to ask to have her blood pressure medication, Norvasc discontinued, as her blood pressure has been running on the low normal side. This may contribute to her fatigue.

Thankfulness bubbles up inside me for not only my Dear, Sweet Mother, but for my awesome earthly Dad who has the gift of making any atmosphere light. I attempted to instruct him on the current style of dress in which an undershirt worn under a top shirt is meant to stick out.

"No way" my Dad replied. I need that shirt tucked in to keep my suspenders from rubbing my skin."

To which I replied, "Suspenders are out of date."

Dad immediately said, "They're (the suspenders) my blessed assurance," as he and mom began singing to the chorus of "Blessed Assurance."

"Blessed assurance, suspenders are mine. Holding my pants up all the day long!!!!"

I just love my parents!!!

Thank You, Jesus!!!! You are Wonderful!!!!

Thank you ALL for praying!!!

With Much Love...

Tribute to My Father Part Two "The Meal"

The Father's Day Meal consisted of :

New York Strip Steak (Grilled to perfection by Strongman)

Twice Baked Potato (One of Dad's favorites)

Rice Pilaf

Green Beans with REAL BUTTER (REAL BUTTER...an absolute necessity when feeding my Dad)

Range Rolls with Garlic and Chive Butter

For Dessert:

Apple Wrapper Pie (Served with French Vanilla Ice Cream and, of course, a mound of Whipped Cream...another necessity when feeding my Dad)

Coffee with Milk and Sugar

Tribute to My Father

Many will celebrate Father's Day tomorrow, which gives me the perfect opportunity to honor my Father in a special way. This post is dedicated to my Dad, “The Seven Trip Plumber,” aka, “The Singing Plumber.”

It was only a few years ago that I realized just how much my earthly Father mirrors my heavenly Father, and this revelation caused me to love my Dad more than ever.

When I was a little girl, my Dad would hold me and sing to me. I have beautiful memories of laying my ear on his chest (my cheek being tickled by his chest hair) as he sang, “She is Daddy’s Biggy Girl” and “Bye, Bye, My Biggy Girl.” Songs composed by a man who loves to sing, made me feel like I was the only one in his world during those precious minutes, and at that moment, I was. In my previous blog, “When Doves Coo,” I referred to Zephaniah 3:17 "The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a mighty One, a Savior (Who saves)! He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest (in silent satisfaction) and in His love He will be silent and make no mention (of past sins, or even recall them); He will exult over you with singing." Just as my Heavenly Father sings over me, so did my earthly Father.

Some memories, not so fond, but still mirroring my Heavenly Father in a profound way, were the way my Dad looked at me when I was misbehaving. I could see disapproval in his bushy, eyebrow-framed eyes, and most times would burst into tears just because of his gaze. My Dad was able to guide me with his eyes. God tells us, “I will give you knowledge, teaching you the way to go; My eye will be your guide.” Psalm 32:8

Memories of how I would respond to my Father’s love make me laugh. When my Dad would come home from work, he would whistle. I would run as fast as I could, take a flying leap through the air, and he would catch me up into his arms. As I grew, he stopped whistling, because I was getting to heavy to catch. :) “I'll whistle and they'll all come running. I've set them free--oh, how they'll flourish!” Zechariah 10:8

There were times my Father needed to pick up supplies for work. Sometimes, he would take me along with him for the long trek to Lewisburg. This was a special treat for me, because I knew he would buy me either candy or lunch, and most importantly, I was able to spend alone time with my Daddy. Just as I desired to spend time with my Dad, so Jesus instructs us to spend time alone with our Heavenly Father. "When you pray, go into a room alone and close the door. Pray to your Father in private. He knows what is done in private, and he will reward you." Matthew 6:6

Dad has five children, eleven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren and he sang to, gazed at, whistled for, and spent alone time with each one insuring that each one felt loved, special and like the only one in his world. "And Peter opened his mouth and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:..." Acts 10:34

Thank you, Dad!!! You’re awesome!!!!! I love you!!!!!!!!