New

New embodies the concept of perfection. We expect that when receiving an order by mail. We expect it when purchasing any merchandise. Idealistically we expect it in a new relationship, job, move to another location, etc. Those are our expectations. When the new wears off, we see flaws in people, merchandise and relationships. Some move on to the next "new" experience. You see that in the movie The Perfect Man with Heather Lockyear, Hillary Duff and Chris Noth. The single mom is always packing and moving when things go sour. Finally she comes to a place of reality.

Yes, reality dictates that new things break and people are not perfect. There's a place of acceptance and unconditional love that holds on to relationships when the cracks and stresses appear.

Spiritually, the opposite happens in Christ. We come to Him admitting our faults and weaknesses, our independent spirit unyielding to His Perfect Direction and Will, and our full knowledge that we can't measure up no matter how hard we try. We place trust in those nail-scarred hands, and we are "new." We aren't perfect, it's true. In Lamentations 3:22-23 it says, "The Lord's loving kindnesses indeed never cease for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Here's a place where each "new" day, His love is new. We became new when we asked Him into our life. We keep "new" each time we repeat repentance(sorry for sin) and ask for cleansing. We are renewed every day.

Identity in Christ: We are a new creation. Each day we are new. Someday we will have a new body, a resurrected body, that will never wear out or decay. Wow!!! Quite the opposite of the way the natural world operates.

A Name

Our name is our identity, what people call us, how they view us and we view ourselves.
In ancient times names held the total meaning of the person. If the person changed, the name changed. Abram was changed to Abraham. Sarai was changed to Sarah. Saul was changed to Paul when his eyes were opened to truth and his life completely redirected.

The meaning of names can steer a person to great fulfillment or disaster. It is in seeing the meaning through God's eyes where true identity blossoms. One of my daughter's has a name with what seems to be a negative meaning. I know it is the name we were to give her. The meaning is "noose" which suggests bondage, and negativity. I have seen personalized items with her meaning being "devoted one." A bond can be good or bad. We can bond to Christ and be so devoted and committed that nothing can break the bond. The negative side can be in bondage to darkness and sin. Our name does not drive us. It is the choice to make the meaning into life and health.

Another daughter has a form of Mary as a middle name. The word "myrrh" comes from it. It is interpreted "bitter." Naomi said, "Don't call me Naomi, but Mara(bitter)" Myrrh was a spice used to preserve the dead. It is a very gloomy possibility. We see Mary at the foot of the cross beholding the Son she raised dying a cruel death. Any mother wants to fix things for their kids and make it better. Any mother would do all in her power to rescue and relieve pain. She stood helplessly agonizing in bitter grief. Bitter, deep pain can drive us to more bitter pain to a point where it seems irredeemable. Deep pain when embraced can "enlarge the heart." Ps 119:32. When we identify with Christ, with find identity with a Suffering Savior. In that place, we are comforted(which means "with strength") Rather than choosing to be a bitter person, the bitter pain can drive us to a deep place of identity with Christ.

Identity lesson 1

Identity is how you see yourself. Sometimes we think of ourselves more highly than we should. Other times we degrade ourselves and don't see clearly. Our identity finds real meaning when we find it in Christ. He values us so much, that he gave His life for us. Some people do give their lives for those they love, in protecting them or fighting for a cause to preserve the lives of those dear to them. Jesus, fully God, died a cruel death, so your identity and true being would be a child of God. As a child of God(our King), we are princesses and princes. We are valued beyond our comprehension.

As women, it is a deep need to be admired and looked on with pleasure. In Psalms 45 it says "The king delights in your beauty." That is what every women desires. If that is not satisfied by a human male know that your Heavenly Father "rejoices over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17 The next time you look in the mirror, see yourself as the daughter of the King.

For men, your Father is Mighty to save. See that also in Zephaniah 3:17. He wants you to "rest in His Love." He rejoices over you with singing in approval and acceptance of all you are and do. Do your best at all times. Know there is always a nod of approval, and a smile on His face. "Well done, my beloved".

Abandon

I wrote this poem when I couldn't find my daughter's she gave me years ago.

I'm using it on my blog with handlesandbangles.com for hobo bags, and the life of a hobo who leaves all behind for hope of a better life.

Abandon

The past holds one captive
To lies and mistakes
So conscious efforts fail
To create new escapes.

The future holds promise
Of relief and new life
But realizing the vision
Casts doubt in the night.

The leap of the present,
A look south and north
Involves full release of
Past clutches before.

Sweet abandon leaves all
To land squarely on board,
Empty hands freed, open
And ready to soar.

Western Roundup

In our fast-paced contemporary world, there's sometimes a yearning inside to step into a new dimension. Is that why we find pleasure in innovative country western style for a change? Possibly the country western world is at your back door. You step out and inhale the fresh scent of larkspurs and leather. For those who long for it, but cannot embrace that, we may express that with fashion or decorating. There's some adorable western handbags at handlesandbangles.com. Find them on the last page of products.
On a spiritual level, there's a reality that can be attained. I call it "eternity moments." For me, it is as though time stops and I enter a different world. Peace and awesome wholeness fill me in such a way that my spirit transports to the open spaces. This is available, because I have a relationship with the Creator of the open spaces. The relationship started when I was born into a spiritual family, and became the daughter of The Creator. That relationship did not only give me access to this "place," it started an intimate Daddy relationship that filled a deep void in my life. My father loved me, but was extremely busy in the formative years. Later it was awkward and difficult to be close.
For those skeptics out there I know what you are thinking. This person is delusional. Most people who don't have a close relationship with their father find it difficult to allow God to get near their soul and heart. I've studied psychology and know about the energy fields and probes where pain, hunger, sadness, joy can be evoked with an electrical impulse. It is not unreasonable at all to understand that God Who Is fully Person(Entity) & fully Energy can communicate and fill the void that He created in our psyche.
A handbag, accessory of beautiful landscaping & decor can give us an effect of tranquility and a release from stresses of life. However, only in the arms of my DADDY am I fulfilled. For questions email me at handlesandbangles@gmail.com

Handles and Bangles

For choices of purses and handbags check out handlesandbangles.com.

Treasures

When a young mother purchases a purse many times it is filled with an array of items which satisfy the needs of her children. For the time when delayed for lunch there's a snack. For those boring waits or meetings crayons and paper. Torn clothing could find a safety pin in Mom's purse. Torn hearts might find a Kleenex. Teachers brandish an ample supply of pens, pencils, highlighters, paper clips and note pads. The business woman holds important items for a quick restoring makeup finish before an important meeting, etc. Personality emerges from the pockets of a purse. Whatever style or person it carries your treasures...identification, debit cards, money, credit cards, license to drive a car, etc. Treasures deeper than material ones are carried in our hearts. "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. "(Holy Bible) The lasting treasure can be found in the parable of the man who bought a field, because he knew there was a ruby buried in it. The ruby is symbolic for a lasting, eternal, spiritual kingdom of God. To find that ruby simply admit you are not perfect(have sinned) and are in need of trusting Jesus, the fulfillment of God's plan for you to experience relationship with Him. Reach out and accept the ruby(treasure) of God's forgiveness and salvation. Your treasure chest will be full. Check out