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Time Will Tell

May 12, 2016 by pattiburris

time

 

Time Will Tell

Time

Will show the pain hidden in my heart.

Time

will be my friend even when we part.

Time

will stand by me til’ the end of my fight.

Time

will show me what is wrong from what I think is right.

Only time

will tell the secrets that I bravely hold.

The tragedies I’ve faced.

The stories that live untold.

Time

will forever be with me as the years pass swiftly by

and

when the days are rough

time

will swiftly fly.

Time

knows how I feel

and

how long the hurt will stay, but

time

will be my friend

time

won’t go away, because only

time

will tell…

*This is an original poem I wrote when I was 16 years old.

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You Are Worthy

May 1, 2016 by pattiburris

you are worthy

 

Ephesians 1:5

Having predestined us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 

There have been times in my life when I was called worthless, selfish, a drain on the family, lazy, inconsiderate, and many words that are to inappropriate to mention here. I will honestly admit that I am not perfect. I make mistakes, just like everyone else. I don’t deserve to be judged for every little mistake I make. I don’t deserve to be criticized for doing something differently than someone else. I don’t deserve to be spoken to like I’m stupid and unworthy. I have been called pathetic and a bad mother. I know that despite my flaws that I am none of those things.

Remember the old rhyme, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”? That is so not true! Words hurt! I know from experience how words can cut into the very core of your being. After awhile, you start to think that maybe you are that person. You start to question everything you do, every decision you make. Every negative word against you chips away at your heart, your spirit, until you are just a shell of who you were meant to be.

If you identify with anything written in this post, let me assure you, dear friend, that God NEVER wants you to feel unworthy or unloved. It was God’s will that we become His children. As long as you believe that Jesus died for your sins and paid the ultimate sacrifice, then you have been adopted by God. You are part of God’s family and He loves you! The Bible is full of truth about His feelings for us. Check it out and see for yourself that you are fearfully and wonderfully made(Psalm 139:14).

Before you let the negative words of someone else bury themselves in your heart, find the truth in the Bible. The truth of how God feels about you is there and His opinion is the only one that counts. Stay close to the one who loves you, my friend. Abide in Him and He will never depart from you.

 

 

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Love Mercy

April 17, 2016 by pattiburris

love mercy

 

Luke 13:10-13

10 On a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, 11 and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” 13 Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.

Pope Francis has proclaimed the time between December 8, 2015 – November 20, 2016 as the Year Of Mercy. This should be a time for us to step outside of our comfort zones to minister to those in need. This should be a time for us to open our eyes to those who are living lives of quiet desperation in our own spheres of influence and do something to help alleviate their suffering.

In Luke 13:10-13, Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, when He noticed a woman who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She could not straighten up at all. Jesus saw her. He noticed her need and did something to help her. He healed her. Jesus didn’t ignore her condition. He didn’t tell her to go away. He had mercy on her and healed her.

I am blessed to work at the Mother house of the Sisters of Providence. Over the 175 years that the Sisters of Providence have been here, they have founded and been a part of many ministries of mercy. Collectively, they have taught me the meaning of mercy in their humble service to those in need in our community.

In the Spring 2016 issue of Hope magazine (a magazine of the Sisters of Providence), there is an article about Father Dan Hopcus (Providence Associate and Priest Chaplain of the Sisters of Providence). Father Dan exemplifies kindness and mercy in his ministry to the elderly Sisters and the residents in Providence Healthcare. There is a quote in the article that really speaks to the heart of what mercy is,

“As Pope Francis has spoken so many times, at least the way I understand it, mercy is shown by reaching out to people where they are and not waiting for them to come to you. So in a way, it is to be alert to the needs of someone. The need to be loved, to be accepted, to be important. I think Pope Francis’ approach to a year of mercy has again called people to be more aware, more alert, to that.” Father Dan Hopcus.

Jesus gives us the example of reaching out to those in need. He never sat in one place and waited for the suffering to come to Him. He went to those in need. His eyes were open to the suffering around Him and He acted to help those in need.

We need to take a lesson from Jesus, Father Dan and the Sisters to go out and meet those who are hurting right where they are. We have numerous opportunities in our daily lives to minister to others and we don’t. We are either to busy, to tired, or have a million other excuses to keep us from showing mercy to someone else. I know life gets crazy. I’ve given those excuses myself. I’ve had a hard time making the sacrifice myself. But, if we are to be examples of Jesus to this world, we need to quit making excuses and start making sacrifices. We need to get off our rear ends and start loving people to Jesus. We need to start being examples of Jesus to the hurting of this world.

A Challenge: I challenge you to keep your eyes and heart open as you go about your daily tasks. I want you to step out and meet the need of one person a day for the next week. I challenge you to show mercy to those in your sphere of influence and love others to Jesus.

 

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Learning To Wait

April 13, 2016 by pattiburris

waiting for the Lord

 

Exodus 14:13-14

13 Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Psalms 46:10

10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,  I will be exalted in the earth.”

Psalm 37:7

7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.

I have always had this tendency to head for the hills as soon as life gets tough. I have always had a hard time with staying put and trusting God to work things out. I have always had a hard time trusting that God would fight for me. I try to control my own destiny when I think things aren’t going the way I think they should. Needless to say, my attempts to control my destiny usually end in disaster. It would be so much easier if I would just listen to God and obey His will for my life. Life gets messy. Sometimes we are surrounded by chaos and despair. Sometimes we are oppressed by our circumstances. That is life in a fallen world. How do we fight that urge to run when life gets tough?

  1. Pray– Pray that God will reveal what it is He wants you to do in your situation. Pray for patience and courage. Pray for deliverance. Prayer keeps us connected to God’s heart, which is essential when we are dealing with a difficult situation. Pour out your heart to God on a daily basis. Our heavenly Father is listening and He cares about what you are going through.
  2. Serve– Find a way to serve in your community while you wait for God to act. Serving in any capacity is a way to minister to someone else who may be dealing with their own difficulties. Instead of wallowing in our troubles, helping to alleviate the stress in someone else’s life will often bring us hope in our own lives.
  3. Community– Build a support system. Find other people who are going through a similar situation. Often times, simply knowing that we aren’t alone in our circumstances gives us comfort.
  4. Grow– Many times, God keeps us in the fire to teach us something we need to learn in order to move on in His will. Take this time to figure out what it is that God wants you to learn. Make the choice to grow despite the trials of life.

I know first hand how hard it is to sit and wait for God to act. We want things done NOW! Waiting for God can be painful. Trusting Him can be hard. Surrendering my life to Him has been the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. I still struggle to control circumstances in my life. I still find myself looking for greener pastures. I am learning to grow in my own messy circumstances. I am learning to serve from my own chaos. I am learning to find community in the midst of my despair. I am learning to pray and trust God to work in my life as He sees fit. I am learning to be still and let God fight for me. As I grow from my circumstances, I will keep you updated here. Through my mess, I am determined to become a willing vessel that God can use, right where I am.

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Daniel: Standing Firm

April 13, 2016 by pattiburris

standing firm

 

Daniel 6:6-12

6 So these administrators and satraps went as a group to the king and said: “May King Darius live forever! 7 The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. 8 Now, Your Majesty, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” 9 So King Darius put the decree in writing. 10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. 11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. 12 So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?” The king answered, “The decree stands—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”

 

Obedience to God is not always an easy thing. Standing firm in your faith can come with a price tag. Daniel didn’t waver in his faith in God. As soon as he heard that the decree had been published, he went home and prayed. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to God, just as he had always done. He didn’t quit praying when he heard about the decree. He obeyed God, regardless of the consequences. When the King’s men found Daniel praying, they took him to King Darius, who had no choice but to throw him in the lion’s den.

Daniel 6:19-23

19 At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den.20 When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?” 21 Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! 22 My God sent his angel,and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.” 23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

God sent His angel to shut the mouths of the lions, because Daniel had faith in God and obeyed God’s commands. Even today, we are faced with situations that cause us to disobey God. Society pressures us to do things that are against God and many times there are consequences for not having the faith to stand firm. Drinking, drugs, sex, hanging out with people who don’t share your values or belief in God, having a job that compromises your values or doesn’t allow you time to attend worship services on Sundays; these are only a few examples of situations in our lives that cause us to disobey God. Each one comes with it’s own set of consequences, but the biggest consequence is becoming separated from God. If Daniel had obeyed the King’s decree, he would have found himself separated from God. There is a deep agony in separation. There is despair and hopelessness that only communion with God can overcome. Daniel had that heart connection with God and he knew that life was not worth living without God. Daniel trusted God with his life and so he obeyed and prayed.

What situation are you facing today that is threatening to separate you from God? Are you willing to stand firm in your faith and trust God with the outcome? Are you willing to walk away from friends, a job, a relationship, to obey God? Are you willing to follow the example of Daniel, even when society is pressuring you to do something else? Are you willing to obey God to maintain that heart connection with Him?

Trusting God can be scary and downright terrifying at times. I encourage you to seek Him always. I encourage you to be like Daniel, who immediately went home to pray upon hearing of the decree. If you are facing a situation that is asking you to compromise your relationship with God, go to Him and ask Him to help you. God can and will shut the mouths of lions, even today. Don’t allow society to break that heart connection you have with God. The hopelessness of a life without God simply isn’t worth it.

 

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Poem of Praise

January 29, 2016 by pattiburris

praise the Lord

 

In the midst of my struggles,

I praise you.

As the sun rises above the horizon,

I praise you.

You are Lord above lords

And

King above kings,

You are my everything.

I humble myself

In gratitude,

For all that you have done.

My heart sings with joy,

I am your child.

I thank you for your

Protection

And

Provision,

Your love

And

Compassion.

I am not worthy.

I am in awe,

Because you choose to love

Me,

A sinner.

Thank you.

I will praise you

Forever.

I will sing

Heart songs to you,

Forever.

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Beacon Of Hope

January 29, 2016 by pattiburris

beacon of hope

 

I am tossed about on the seas of turmoil

Waves are crashing upon my head.

I am lost in the raging storm

Afraid that I may drown.

A light,

In the distance,

A ray of hope,

Deliverance.

You are my light, Jesus.

You are my hope.

When I’m drowning in the seas of life,

and can’t come up for air,

Jesus,

Jesus,

Your name is everything.

When I’m drowning in life’s struggles,

You are my beacon of hope.

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Steps Of Faith

January 29, 2016 by pattiburris

steps of faith

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

Hebrews 11:7

7 By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith. 

Hebrews 11:29-30

29 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days.

The scriptures above are found in the faith verses of Hebrews 11. They all have one thing in common: God performed a miracle when Noah, Moses and Joshua stepped out in faith and obeyed what God told them to do. They could not see the future, but they trusted God to protect them. In faith, they took physical action and the miracles happened.

The story of Noah can be found in Genesis 6-9. God told Noah to build an ark, because He was going to wipe out mankind. He was done with their sinful ways. Noah was a righteous man, so God told Noah to build an ark to house Noah’s family and the animals. Noah could have sat in disobedience, thinking God was crazy, but he didn’t. Noah took that step of faith, built the ark and God saved Noah’s life and the lives of his family members. Not only did God save their lives, He sent a rainbow as a covenant between Himself and Noah, that He would never wipe out all of mankind again. We wouldn’t have the miracle of a rainbow, if Noah had not taken that step of faith.

In Exodus 14, we see the Israelites running in fear from the Egyptians. God tells Moses to tell the Israelites to move on. I can almost see the confused looks on the faces of the Israelites as they look ahead at the impassable Red Sea and wonder if Moses has gone insane. God tells Moses to raise his staff and stretch out his hand over the sea. Moses obeys and God parts the Red Sea, so the Israelites cross on dry ground. As soon as the Israelites had crossed over, Moses again stretches out his hand and the sea goes back into place drowning the entire army of Pharaoh that had pursued them. Because Moses took that step of faith and raised his staff over the Red Sea, God performed a miracle in parting the sea and saving His children, the Israelites.

In Joshua 6, we see the Israelites marching around Jericho. When Joshua found out what God wanted him to do, he could have said, “God, these people will never do it. They will think I’ve lost my mind,” but he didn’t. Joshua takes that step of faith and the walls came tumbling down.

God wants us to partner with Him. He gives us a chance to be a part of His miracles, but we often miss the miracles, because we don’t take that step of faith. God is still in the miracle making business. We simply need to have the faith to take the physical action that God is telling us to take, before a miracle can happen.

What is the “ark” God is asking you to build to save you from the floods of life? What is the “Red Sea” in your life that God is asking you to stretch your arm over? What are the “walls” in your life that need circling before they will come tumbling down?

The Challenge:

No matter the circumstances in our lives, God can and will perform a miracle. Take the time, right now, to sit in prayer and ask God what action He wants you to take, so that He can perform a miracle in your life. Whether you are facing a flood, a “Red Sea” or a wall, God will bring you through it, just as He did with Noah, Moses and Joshua. What steps of faith is God asking you to take to deal with situations in your life?

If you need more inspiration, read the rest of the testimonies of faith found in Hebrews 11 and allow God to strengthen the faith muscle in you. Take that step of faith and watch your own walls come tumbling down.

 

 

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The Joy Of Understanding

January 29, 2016 by pattiburris

the joy of understanding

 

Nehemiah 8:12

Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.

One of the things that Christians struggle with, is reading the Bible. Some parts of the Bible are really hard to read and some are downright depressing. As we can see from this verse, we are not alone in our struggle. As Ezra read from the Book of the Law of Moses, the Israelites finally understood. They experienced their “A-HA” moment and they celebrated with great joy!

It takes time, patience and prayer to understand God’s Word, but don’t give up. The Bible is our guide to daily living a Godly life and without it, we will fail miserably. I have a few suggestions on understanding the Bible better:

  1. Church– Find a church that not only teaches the Bible but encourages a daily living out of the Scriptures. Start attending the Bible studies that are offered or start one of your own with a small group of like minded individuals.
  2. Internet– The internet is full of resources on Bible study. There are videos on probably every passage in the Bible, along with online commentaries, Bible study guides, read thru the Bible plans and a variety of other tools to understanding the Bible. I love to look up Biblical maps and guides to the background history of Biblical times to give me a broader understanding of what was going on.
  3. Bookstore or Library– Your local bookstore (christian bookstore) or library will have Bible study guides. The benefit of the library is that you can check it out and see if you like a particular book.
  4. Prayer– Regardless of what other study tools you use, praying for wisdom and enlightenment is something you need to do EVERY time you read the Bible. A christian giant, George Mueller, never used commentaries or study guides. He said that those guides were one person’s interpretation of the Bible. He simply prayed for wisdom and God opened the eyes of his heart. He only read the Bible and he understood because he prayed.

The Challenge:

Reading the Bible is one of the most important disciplines of a christian life. When we read the Bible, we get a glimpse into the heart of God. We start to build that relationship with our heavenly Father, as He draws us closer to Him. I am challenging you to choose a Bible reading plan that fits your lifestyle and start reading. Take the time to meditate on what you read and let God’s words sink into your heart. Find a quiet time when you can sit and reflect on what God is saying to YOU through His word. Make this the year that you get to know the heart of God. I guarantee that you will soon be celebrating the joy of understanding.

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Following Him

January 19, 2016 by pattiburris

path through pink trees

 

Exodus 15:13

In your unfailing love you will lead
    the people you have redeemed.
In your strength you will guide them
    to your holy dwelling.

In the midst of to-do lists, appointments, and shuttling kids here and there it is easy to forget that God will guide us, if we allow Him to.

Exodus 13:21-22

21 The LORD was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. 22 He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.

When God delivered the Israelites from Egypt, He guided them by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. He did not take away the cloud or the fire. He guided them from Egypt to the promised land. Even when the Israelites rebelled and grumbled against Him, God was faithful in guiding them.

Galatians 5:16

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Just as God guided the Israelites in the Old Testament, He still guides us today. He pours out the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide us and lead us in the right direction.

When we walk by the Spirit, we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in our decisions and our everyday lives. There are times when I feel disconnected and can’t seem to find my way, but when I find that quiet place, I find that the Spirit is still there waiting for me to allow Him to lead. Satan loves to keep us feeling confused and disconnected from God and he will do everything he can to keep us from following the Holy Spirit.

I know the Israelites had it easy. All they had to do was follow a cloud and fire. It is difficult to always know where the Spirit is guiding us. We have to be more intentional about finding the time to LISTEN to what the Holy Spirit is telling us. We have to make the time to sit quietly and simply listen to what the Spirit wants us to know. If you are facing a difficult decision, sit quietly and hear what the Holy Spirit tells you about your situation. If you are searching for your purpose, sit quietly and see where the Holy Spirit takes you.

God has not abandoned us. He has not left us to wander aimlessly about the Earth. He still loves us as much as ever and He still provides guidance to His children. The Israelites had to make the decision to follow the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire. We have to make the decision to listen and follow the Holy Spirit. Find that quiet spot, let the worries of the day slip away and open your heart to what the Spirit has to say. The answers you are seeking are already there, you just have to be open to receive them.

 

 

 

 

 

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