What About Me?

It was an early Friday afternoon that Maria had agreed to meet me for lunch.  At that time she was my closest friend and happened to be a teacher.

Eager to talk to my friend about some problems I was sure to get to the restaurant early. By the time Maria arrived I was already nestled in a booth with a cup of tea.

We said our hellos and informal chit-chat while waiting for the waitress.  A few minutes later our order was placed.  Not wanting to waste time or beat around the bush I started sharing my plight to my colleague.  Maria seemed a bit impatient, but that was her nature, so I didn’t give it much thought. 

Just as I was really getting into my problem she leaned forward looking straight into my eyes, and with an open palm, firmly slammed her hand on the table and said, 

"Yeah, but what about me!

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What about you?  What about me!

Frankly I was flabbergasted and didn’t have a clue as to what she meant by her statement. 

Maria knew I had asked her to lunch to discuss a matter I needed to work out, but something more important to her was about to be handed to me on a platter.

For the next hour I sat there listening to her story and we never talked about my dilemma.   When she was done using me as a sounding board (and I’m OK with that), Maria popped out of her seat and said she had to go. 

To this day she never asked what I needed to talk about at that luncheon, and I didn’t tell her either.  As a matter of fact, that lunch changed my life and I’m glad I never finished what I set out to in my conversation with my teammate.

I was quite shy about speaking my peace back then … funny how time changes that.  There were several things I learned about myself that day.  The first thing is that “me” was the focus of my life and I didn’t realize it.

Another thing I learned is that our conversation stirred up a gift the Lord gave me that wasn’t cultivated.  It changed my career.

Our first Daffodil of the season!

During my study time throughout the week, I had to be extremely still to hear from the Lord.  I mean more so than usual, because I was a little restless.

Last week’s "Language" lesson should have included a step of silence I think, at least that’s what I learned.  I don’t know how things were with you, but spring fever is trying to bud in me and I don’t want to do anything else. 

 

My Words, My Mouth

In order for me to quiet my spirit I need to purposely divert my attention.  It’s easy for me to do this in teaching a class or with a client, but doing it myself takes work.

I heard someone on the radio make mention of the verse Psalm 19:14 and decided to look it up for myself.   When I read the Bible I ask God to give me revelation of what He wants me to know about Him through that scripture and how it applies to me.

After reading it, I knew it was God who directed me to that scripture.  He was trying to lead me into tying all the things we’ve been studying together.

It’s a wonderful passage that helped me gain knowledge and wisdom for the week.  Let me share it with you and see if you don’t feel the same way as I did.

“May the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” (from Psalm 19:14 NLT)

My Words, My Heart

We can see that God wants us to know Him and have a revelation of who He is through His Word.  It comes to life here. 

Do you realize that if God didn’t reveal Himself to us in some way we couldn’t know Him. (from 3/14/14 post)

That’s why we have all creation demonstrating His Divine Being, power and awesomeness.  We would be without hope if God never showed Himself in some way.

Focusing on God confirms how precious salvation is and the power of the cross.  It shows that God cares for us when He answers prayers, delivers His children and bestows favor for faithfulness.

His presence is always there, willing to help, save and set the captive free.  Oh how we need to praise God for all He is and will always be yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8 NKJV)

 

Getting to know Jesus requires that I make a decision to let the “me” part, move behind God.  When I do that, Jesus becomes larger and my problems become very small.  The greater part that is in me, Jesus, takes over and is able to work things out the way God intended.  Peace comes as I wait for the goodness of the Lord to prevail in my circumstance. (1 John 4:4 NKJV)  Read (Ephesians 2:4, but read 1-10)

“For I (God) know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV)

Sitting in that restaurant that day didn’t solve my problem, but when I left there I realized it wasn’t as big as I thought compared to all the stuff Maria was going through. 

She didn’t have the answers either, but looked to me for guidance in her time of need.  It wasn’t her intent to be rude or come across uncaring; she needed help right then and there.

Seriously, isn’t it about me? 

 
Have you ever heard the song, “It’s all about me, Jesus?” No, of course you haven't.  That’s not the way the song goes … "It's all about You, Jesus."

Our journey isn’t taking us to the cross, but beyond it – to the victory part of it.  Jesus had to go to the cross to conquer it, and He did … that’s what we need to remember. 

God allowed me to go through a type of Babylon so I could get to the Promised land.  Mediating on the Word of God gave me the strength to make the journey once I took my focus off of “me” and surrendered to His ways.

Getting rid of selfish thoughts and feelings kept me going round and round, casting down imaginations from my mind.  They weren’t all necessarily bad, but dwelling on “What about me?” interrupted my meditation on the Lord.

I know some of you have been dealing with the same thing and even as far as having awful nightmares and dreams.  Everything you are attempting to do in drawing close to God, satan is trying to undo.  We have to recognize this and not give in to those thoughts and lies that will sweep us off the pathway to purpose.

No one can have two thoughts at the same time, and trying to prepare for this week’s post would bring me through the testing field.  It always does if you really want to make changes in your life.  The main thing is to identify what they are early on so we don't get dragged into defeat by the devil.

Upside Down Thoughts

But I love my new pan!

In my writing I often do reviews of things such as recipes.  I make it a point to try them and formulate my own recipe.  There was one for pineapple upside down cake that I saw on Facebook and wanted to try.

To make a long story short, I made my recipe and all was going well … that is until I went to put the pan in the oven.  It didn’t fit.  The larger muffin tray was too big for my toaster oven. 

Now you may think it strange, but being a vegetarian doesn’t call for a lot of baking, so my oven is a large toaster oven.  I don’t think I’ve ever been without one actually.

The really ridiculous thing is that I measured my small toaster oven and knew it wouldn’t fit, but didn’t give the larger one a thought at all.  What was I going to do?

 

Choices

I'm not going to reveal the final product yet :)

We had a few choices:  Go ask the neighbors if we could use their oven, scrap the recipe (of course that wasn’t really an option) or go buy something else. 

My husband opted for the latter, but I told him we already had the largest one the store carried.

I could feel tension trying to mount and surprised myself on how I responded to the situation.  No big deal, it’s not going to cause me to focus on something else, like myself.  (Remember I’d been practicing what I was about to share with you.) You’d be surprised how quickly everything turns into a “you” or should I say “me” thing.

It might not seem like a big issue, but could have been if I let it and then that cake wouldn’t have been the only thing upside down.  I had a choice to make and it needed to be one that pleased God.

You see, the devil watches us get upset over the little things so when the big things come we’re already out of sorts.  He was waiting to see how I would react.

Although it took me a few extra hours, I started all over and made a new creation.  Actually, I think it was the better solution anyway and would make preparing this in the future a bit easier. (Don’t worry, I’ll get the recipe posted.)

Out of the first batch only two turned out looking nice, and we gave one of them away.  The messed up version became a tester’s recipe where my husband took it to work for all to try.  Come to think of it I never heard if they “liked it” as in “it was good” or they “loved it” meaning we want this again!  Hmm.

Say what? You need a lawyer!

Sure enough we came into a situation that stemmed back twenty plus years ago over a legal item for a deceased relative.  It was a mess, but instead of getting upset we prayed and believed God’s favor would shine on us to handle it. 

Throughout the night I prayed and reminded God of His Word, along with making a point that this was not our problem.

We were instructed to get a lawyer, but my husband insisted there was no need for one.  This was not a legal matter, but simple paperwork that had already gone through the courts. He went online and got information that satisfied everyone.  God’s Word prevailed as He changed the hearts of man to favor His child(ren).

What I’ve come to know is that “What about me?” isn’t always wrong, but focusing on “me” is where I can get off the path when it comes to following the Lord.

When we only think on self it keeps God’s favor from manifesting in our lives.  That is exactly the opposite of what we want or need, so how do we stop it from happening?

This Week’s Challenge:

Move from me to meditation.

Scripture points out that if we are to gain ground in anything we have to meditate on the Word of God to have success. (Joshua 1:1-9 NKJ) 

Our new approach (A.N.A.) is going to be, instead of indulging in self-pity, think on what God can do to change a situation.  That alone could keep us busy in wonder! Then see how you can apply that information.

 
Next, as soon as your mind tries to focus on destructive thoughts, think of a verse that will counteract it with a promise of God’s.  This is where your meditation comes into play.  Only you know what you are dealing with, so you are the one who has to do the research to meditate on good things and not the negative.

Last, stop living by your situation and live your revelation!  Read that again …

Stop living by your situation

and live your revelation! 

Mediation will bring revelation from the Lord in every area if you focus on God and not the problem.  In other words, He not me!

Remember, the larger you make Jesus, the smaller your problem seems to you. 

 

The greatest knowledge revelation I received this week was this (forgive the lack of correct grammar to make my point):

If I focus on “me” it will lead to a “mess.”

However, if I redirected the mess that “me” made into “meditation” of the Word, there is always a message at the end of the mess. 

That being, the mess – age will end. Isn’t that cool?

“May the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19:14 NLT)

When I meditate on the message, me is overtaken and becomes small – the least of these (only two little letters).  Then my heart is in the right place and it pleases the Lord.  That’s bound to bring results.

“What about me?” becomes “What about the message that I’ve meditated on” concerning the problem.  “Me” is still in there, but it’s a very small part of the Divine plan. 

That doesn't mean I'm not important, but that God's way will get me to where I want to be and that will certainly make "me" happy.

Message in the Mess

No matter what you may be experiencing, there is a message in the mess and the outcome will be to bring glory to the Lord. 

We can see what satan is doing by the mess, but Jesus is Rock over all the ages!

Don’t forget God is doing the invisible that will soon be manifested if you stay in faith. 

The Lord is allowing this brief “mess” so you may know and come to trust Him unconditionally. (Study Philippians chapter 3)

It’s all about Jesus and how much He loves you.  What about you? God knows all about you and is working things out for your good.  Meditate on that as you enjoy the goodness of His favor through His creation.

There’s a message in this mess and it’s not about me or you!

It’s all about You Jesus, the center of our focus and MEDITATION.

It's All About You (Jesus)

Until next time, there is favor beyond the mess.

 

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The Language Game

It was while we were on the beaches of Acapulco, Mexico where I had my first encounter of a real language barrier.

When we are on vacations or business trips it is our custom to try new things.  So we decided to go parasailing. 

Making our way to the beach we found the place where we could do this.  Both of us were so excited and then I was given the disheartening news … you cannot try this.

According to the instructor my arms weren’t long enough to reach back to pull the cord for the chute to open for landing.  My husband was going to back out, but I convinced him he should still go while I watched from the beach.  It didn’t take too much persuading to get him to agree.

Watching him being pulled out over water and then ascend was amazing.  In a few moments all I could see was this tiny bird like creature flying out of my sight.  Well, that’s all it took for the locals to see I was alone on the beach.

I remembered all the rules and instructions about keeping my valuables hidden, so I tucked them under the towel where I sat.  Before I knew it a band of women had surrounded me and pulled me to my feet.

As they were shuffling me off I grabbed my stuff and kept looking at the sky to see if my husband was anywhere in sight.  There he was off flying around waving bye and I was being kidnapped.

Welcome new friends this week from:

California!  People must be sharing the challenge and invited more friends to join us.  Thank you!

Keep our Christian friends in Russia and the Ukraine in prayer this week as you pray for all the followers of Daily Favor.

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There he was. I could see he was about to make a landing back on the beach as they escorted me into a hut like structure.  He quickly dropped his gear and ran to catch up with me.  It was too late.

By the time he found me inside I was covered from head to toe with layers of material that represented some type of garment.  My arms were extended out like they were fitting me for the costume ball. I must have looked ridiculous to him, however he didn’t say anything but began to rescue me from all the merchants. 

He unraveled me (literally) and took off one article at a time and handed them back to the sellers.  Each vendor shouted out a price and stated that I looked good in their garment.  Nothing shook him, but they backed off when he began to speak to them in their language.  Four years of Spanish paid off; thank you Mrs. Coulter. They took off the rest of the items from my person, but did manage to make one sale.

So what got me into so much trouble? It was playing their language game … I didn’t know the rules or speak their language.

 

Learning the Language

Understanding that language is essential in learning and without it we simply cannot co-exist, Melanie Hendrick set out to change the world.  With several degrees and high ranking positions she developed a program that would give people the opportunity to learn a language at an affordable price.



Melanie Hendrick

After teaching in several environments in Bilingual Education (ESL) Melanie began tutoring in the subjects of Math, Science and Language Arts, which would eventually turn into the massive traveling program called L.C. Language Complete.  Here she would bring the language worlds together.

Of course this works for people who are willing to learn a language for the sake of conversation and understanding.  I could have used Melanie’s method that day on the beach in Acapulco.

What about those who don’t want to interface with you … in other words, they really don’t care if you know their language?  Even worse, they intentionally put a road-block up when you try to get in on a conversation.  I know some people who do this, do you?

Learn more about Melanie’s program here: L.C. Language Complete or Language Complete Interview

 

Secret Language Game

It’s funny how language is the key to so many things, both good and bad.  Understanding language is what helps bring people and cultures together and without it you can only do so much.

Although I don’t have any children of my own, I am not unaware of the language games children play to keep adults in the dark to their conversations.  In high school my boyfriend (now my husband) and I made up all sorts of words to create our own secret language.  Nobody else knew what we were saying.  Eventually we stopped doing it because we didn’t want to be cussing in another language since we really didn’t know what the words meant, if anything.

Young kids on the other hand are more inventive and have created the most amazing secret languages with codes that most parents haven’t cracked.

The technical term(s) is that of ludling or argot oral speech, which is a way of manipulating words so that it cannot be comprehended or understood by the other person.  We may know them as speaking gibberish or pig Latin, but it is much more involved than just changing a few letters.

Do you know that I’ve found over 90 various forms of common secret languages games?  I wanted to give you a few examples of these if you spoke English, so you could see how complex they are to most of us.

If you spoke the secret language of Aigy Paigy (or Haigy Paigy) you would add the letters “aig or eig” making a word such as “hello” into “haigellaigo.”

If you wanted to say hello in Jaredian you simply reverse the word and replace letters and combinations.  It would look like “olleh”.

OK, want something a bit harder? For an English teacher this one really gets me.  “Anyone up for tennis?” in Inflationary English becomes (how they can say this is beyond me) “Anytwo up five elevennis?”  This version was actually used in a comedy routine of Victor Borge’s.

Probably one of the most fun secret languages to use would be the “izzy” form, where words like Merry Christmas become the coded “Mizzlery Christmaslizzes.” Keeping up language barriers is how many kids cope with reality and they usually outgrow it if it doesn’t involve a psychological reasoning behind it. (See Language Game Wikipedia)

Language in Code

In my studies on language barriers I discovered some fascinating things.  According to the latest findings there are approximately 7,000 coherent languages in the world, and most have been translated into part of the Bible.  That’s astonishing.

If you were interested in purchasing a book or product about language games you would have to thumb through 27, 597 listings to find the right item you wanted. 

Are you "game?" (I know I shouldn't have gone there, but it was too easy.)

Another product of the language games are books that want us to believe that the entire Bible is nothing more than codes in Hebrew or Greek to confuse the reader of its true meaning.

Michael Drosnin is one of those authors who wrote a book called The Bible Code, in 1997.  His research has convinced him that the Bible may indeed be true since many events did happen as it was told in the scriptures thousands of years after it was originally written.  Thus proven through letter codes.

Part of the language game that is said to have happened during the pre-Christ era, was due to the interpretation or conversion of words from various cultures that did not translate correctly.

 

 “A little plain talk never hurt anybody.”

Sheriff Andy Taylor

 

Language in Translation

If you were to be a fly on a wall of any church you could hear what all the buzzing is about over Bible translations.  I don’t want to get anyone upset, but if you knew the history of the Bibles and their translations you might end up changing how you feel concerning this topic.

Contrary to what you may believe, the King James Bible 1611 version is not the first version of the Bible and even if it were, it’s not a reason to have a war over language.

Author Gail Riplinger tried to prove the precision and power of the KJV making it the superior version of scriptures over all others in her book, The Language of the King James Bible.  Obviously, this isn't my main point either.

When I refer to the Language Game concerning our walk for this inward journey to Jesus, I’m not referring to one translation over another like stated in some books.  (The Language of the King James Bible: An Introduction - Professor Tim Connell)

Learn the New Language Game

So what’s the big fuss over all the language stuff?  What do language games have to do with our progression on this journey? 

We are at week 13 already (1/4th through the year) and should have seen some changes being made in our behavior, thinking and expectations as believers.

In prayer the Lord revealed to me that there was a major communications problem between Heaven and earth when it comes to having our requests being answered.  A language barrier is holding up prayers.

When we receive Christ as our Savior the Bible says that we have been made brand NEW creations, and the old creation is gone.  It’s easy being transformed in some areas, but for many changing the way we converse hasn’t changed very much. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

It's not just foul language or spouting off at the mouth because we get angry.  God is grieved when we speak things that are contrary to what His Word says.  Our relationship with God will not and cannot grow if we don't know or understand the language of Heaven or have a passion for it.

Sure we tell people we’re Christians and continue talking like the world does showing no signs of transformation as KING’s kids.  If all things are new, that should include our language and what comes out of our mouths.

Children of the King

In all my years of teaching there is one thing most former students always remember, and that is the weekly sayings.  Each week for extra credit I would write a quote, saying or something different on the chalkboard.

This saying along with their proper heading that included their name, subject, etc. had to be written on every paper they submitted to me. They were so intent on the sayings that sometimes they forgot to put their names.

At the end of the year they had finals in each subject.  I would attach a paper with forty lines (for the forty weeks of school) on it for them to write down as many sayings as they could remember.  Would you believe that one girl (Shannon) remembered over 30 of them!

Out of all my classes throughout the years one saying has remained on top in their memory:

Children of the KING should use the language of the Court.

What exactly does that mean?  For those who weren’t saved, it meant they needed to clean up their talk basically.  It was different for Christians, because there is a New Heavenly Language they needed to learn that Jesus spoke. 

Our earthly language should reflect KING Jesus' language that He uses in the Courts of Heaven.

 

This Week's Challenge:

Learn the Believer’s Language

Last week we were to find out something new about the character of Jesus.  In your private seeking you might have come across the way He talked to people, family and the Heavenly Father. 

This week we’re going to change how we view language on all levels of communication.

Put off thinking along the lines of different dialects, secret languages, codes, translations or name calling and focus only on KINGDOM Language.

Wrong court Sis!

First: Stop name calling.   I’m not suggesting that you are to become the dull person on the block, but be mindful of what you are saying.

"Let this mind – Christ’s mind, be in you which was also in Him." (Philippians 2:5 NKJV) 



If you have kids, don’t let them call one another names either. 

Second: Stop cussing. Take a Bible check on what exactly should you call the person who just took your parking space or cut you off in traffic.

Yes as God’s children we are to be more colorful than the world and bring light into it, but I’m pretty sure you won’t find some of the words you’ve been using as part of the OK list of things to say.  I'm still researching the phrase "Sucker Brat!"

Of course after making your "No Joy Suckers Allowed Here" sign from 2 weeks ago you aren't having any of these issues, right?

Third: Memorize that saying I've taught my kids. Speak what the Bible says about you or your situation.  It’s this simple.  One might say they are poor.  Scripture says you are rich.  If your body says you are weak, tell yourself, "I've got a new language dictionary called the Word of God that says I am strong."

Let God’s Word be our new life language that we declare daily. No matter what language game we’ve played over the years, it’s time to learn the language of KING Jesus and only speak what is spoken in His Courts.

Children of the KING should use the language of the Court.

  

We Are Children Of The King- Jeff Hamlin (Hosanna! Music)

Until next time, there is favor in the KING’s Court.

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Maybe you don’t know the Living God that I know, but would like to have this kind of favor in your life also.  Click on the above tab “Tell Me” for more information on becoming a child of the Savior.

Content and Image Copyright from Favored1. Do not copy. A.N.A. logo by J.C.Penney, Inc.

Scripture reference was taken from the New King James Bible Version provide by Bible Gateway.

Image credit: Google Images or Dreamstime Creative Common License if not specified.
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