Expectations

What kind of expectations are we supposed to or, should I say, allowed to place on other humans? I struggle with having expectations about things and people, and being disappointed. I *think* we are supposed to have SOME form of expectations for people in our lives, aren't we?

When is it ok to Trust another human? I mean I KNOW that we are to put our trust in God.. but when is it ok to trust others...not for answers necessarily.. but to just trust someone?

I am searching through all of the references in the bible to the word TRUST, and so far, I haven't found anything that says we should trust others.. in fact i just found these verses:

Psalm 49:12-14 (Contemporary English Version)
12Our human glory disappears,
and, like animals, we die.
13Here is what happens to fools
and to those who trust
the words of fools:
14They are like sheep
with death as their shepherd,
leading them to the grave. [a] In the morning God's people
will walk all over them,
as their bodies lie rotting
in their home, the grave.

Psalm 118:8
(KJV) It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.

(AMP)It is better to trust and take refuge in the Lord than to put confidence in man.

(CEV) It is better to trust the LORD for protection than to trust anyone else,

(NLT) It is better to trust the LORD than to put confidence in people.

(MSG) Far better to take refuge in GOD than trust in people;

Psalm 146:3
(KJV)Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.

(AMP)Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no help.

Proverbs 20:6
(CEV)There are many who say, "You can trust me!" But can they be trusted?

Isaiah 2:22
(NLT)Stop putting your trust in mere humans. They are as frail as breath. How can they be of help to anyone?

________________________
But I also found these (which indicates to me that there is some trusting of humans):

Proverbs 3:29
(CEV)Don't try to be mean to neighbors who trust you.

Proverbs 10:32
(CEV)If you obey the Lord, you will always know the right thing to say. But no one will trust you if you tell lies.

Proverbs 25:13
(CEV)A messenger you can trust is just as refreshing as cool water in summer.

Proverbs 27:6
(CEV)You can trust a friend who corrects you, but kisses from an enemy are nothing but lies.

Proverbs 31:11
(NLT)Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.

Intoxicating Peace.

*disclaimer* i started a new blog to keep my thoughts from derailing breaking free's challenge. i'd normally keep something like this on my personal blog, but since it's pertinent to what was shared last night, i thought i'd share this with the community.
last night was a slap in the face for myself...this entire past week i've been begging for god to comfort my family, to reveal his love and peace to them, and to myself as we try to make sense of my sister's death. the lyrics to greg long's in the waiting have been rolling through my head and heart all week:
"I want a peace beyond my understanding
I want to feel it fall like rain
In the middle of my hurting
I want to feel Your arms as they surround me
And let me know that it's okay
To be here in this place
Resting in the peace that only comes
In the waiting"
it's been my heart's cry for the peace that passes all understanding, especially now....but have i been still long enough to experience it? no.
i've kept myself soo busy....not allowing myself to process or grieve. part of me was afraid of what would happen, and part of me felt guilty grieving for someone i didn't know as well as i should. slowly, dad has been breaking down my guard, and wednesday night, i finally allowed myself to break down and grieve and just be real. 'twas kinda refreshing, actually.
then thursday came. the silence i'd been deliberately avoiding was inevitable. coincidence? i think not.
at the end of the service, as the song was playing, i retreated to my corner, and curled up on the floor. Usually, my mind is racing with zillions of thoughts, and i have to struggle with quietting my distracting thoughts. last night i was just still. listening. waiting.
then it happened.
a peace washed over me like i hadn't felt in ages....saturated me down to the core. a peace that passed all understanding holding me. cradling me. comforting me. soothing me.
it was weird....like i was in a "peace coma", if you will.....almost unconscioius, yet still aware of the sounds in the room. quirky, no doubt.
i saw this raging sea, waves crashing all around, wind and rain ripping across the tides....yet this cradle of peace enveloping me, making the journey as smooth as a calm stream.
when i finally got up, i felt kinda drunk on peace.....like i indulged a lil too much....but i wonder....can one indulge too much in the sweet peace of being in Daddy's presence?

Christian One Liners

Ok so i already sent this to some of you.. but Ben suggested that I post them here too.. they are funny.. and some are VERY true..

• "Don't let your worries get the best of you, remember, Moses started out as a basket case
• "Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited - until you try to sit in their pews.
• Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisers
• It is easier to preach ten sermons than it is to live one.
• The good Lord didn't create anything without a purpose, but mosquitoes come close (Note from Heather.. and COCKROACHES!!).
• When you get to your wit's end, you'll find God lives there.
• People are funny; they want the front of the bus, the middle of the road, and the back of the church.
• Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door forever.
• Quit griping about your church; if it was perfect, you couldn't belong.
• If the church wants a better pastor, it only needs to pray for the one it has.
• God Himself does not propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should you?
• Some minds are like concrete, thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.
• Peace starts with a smile.
• I don't know why some people change churches; what difference does it make which one you stay home from?
• A lot of church members who are singing "Standing on the Promises" are just sitting on the premises.
• We were called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges
• Be ye fishers of men. You catch them - He'll clean them.
• Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous.
• Don't put a question mark where God put a period.
• Don't wait for 6 strong men to take you to church.
• Forbidden fruits create many jams.
• God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
• God grades on the cross, not the curve.
• God loves everyone, but probably prefers "fruits of the spirit" over "religious nuts!"
• God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.
• He who angers you, controls you!
• If God is your Copilot - swap seats!
• Prayer: Don't give God instructions -- just report for duty!
• The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us.
• The Will of God will never take you to where the Grace of God will not protect you.
• We don't change the message, the message changes us.
• You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to.........discourage him.
• The best mathematical equation I have ever seen: 1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given.

"Father, bless the person reading this in whatever it is that You know they need"

Hey Wake UP!

Ok.. it's Friday morning 10:04am.. and I see NO new posts or comments. What's going on, my friends???????????

I have a 3rd grade friend

Ok so I hang out with a 3rd grader. His name is Zach. He likes skateboarding too. He comes to my door asking me if I'll come out and skate with him. He tells me I'm doing tricks wrong. "your not flicking your foot enough" he says to me. He asks me if I have any wood to build ramps with. He dosen't understand why I can't buy a new skateboard every week even though I have a job. I'm remembering how it is to be a 3rd grader again. No cares, no worries, whats money again? and it's sort of refreshing. Everything is possible to him. A halfpipe in his yard, its possible, even though i see it as impossible. A skateboard company, he sees the possibility even though for me its harder to see. I think God sent this little kid to me to show me something. To see the world like I did in 3rd grade. Possibilities! Not monetary limitations. To view an hour as a whole HOUR! not just a piece of the day. Selah!

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Intercessory Prayers needed today please

Hi Gang,
I really would love it and NEED you all to pray for me today into this evening. Tonight I will be having a very important conversation with a friend. I just want the conversation to help BOTH of us.. and for God's will to be done. I am trying not to worry about it.. because worry doesn't help .. God is with me I know.. but I want to make sure I say the things he wants me to say etc... please pray that I am able to say the things that need to be said and that will help both of us. And that HONESTY and INTEGRITY are present.

Thanks,
Heather