The Chair — Crystal Olp

Jun 27

Jun 27 Psalm 119:18

The View From My Chair this morning - Psalm 119:18. I am learning the power of my spoken words. Anyone else learning this? I can think lots of crazy, wonderful, and intentional thoughts but truly they are like dormant seeds until I speak them outloud. Please don't get me wrong, my mind (and yours) is fertile soil and whatever thoughts we allow there get planted. However, something happens when I let a thought get into the vehicle of my mouth and it exits my being for the world to hear. I want the seeds that end up planted in my mind to come from the truth of His words. Can I confess?

Jun 26

Jun 26 Psalm 108:1

My view from "The Chair" this morning - Psalm 108:1. Okay, Time for some confession. Yes, I know ... I've been absent these last two months. Truth be told, it's been ten shades of rough. I don't know about you, but "sometimes" the battle is just rough both physically and spiritually. Wanna know a secret? I've been out doing battle on the Clear Creek Trail. No, not physically, but spiritually. Evidently, some of you locals have heard me. Here is how I've been battling. I've been declaring, through song, all the ways He surrounds me; goes before me; and fights my battles. (I've attached one of my favorite songs that I've been using.)

Apr 30

Apr 30 John 12:24

My View From "The Chair" this morning - John 12:24. Green houses are literally 50 shades of wonderful! If you've never been inside a backyard one, you should really put it on your bucket list. Greenhouses allow us to plant things when it is still below freezing and down right nasty out. Last summer my Mister toiled in the hot sun to put up our greenhouse. I have to admit, I was enamored with it and wanted to use it as my personal "Studio" for writing. He thought we should use it to grow plants. I found it simply deliciousful to be in there, all dry and protected from the elements and safely tucked away from people. The symphony of rain drumming against the roof along with the intermittent crescendos of howling gusts of wind could make any racing mind forget their troubles.

Apr 24

Apr 24 Proverbs 23:5

My View From "The Chair" The Morning - Proverbs 23:5. Have you ever had the chance to observe how fast an eagle flies? It is majestic and so incredibly quick. It seems like just a few flaps of it's wings and it's out of sight. As I stopped to ponder this verse this morning and the shortness of my life on this planet, I am convinced that all my I "wealth" and "stuff" is pointless if only used for my own pleasure. If I belong to God, that would also mean, all my "wealth" and resources are no longer mine. I now move from "Owner" to "Steward" of my earthly possessions and money. Guess what? That makes me free!!!!!!

Apr 20

Apr 20 Romans 10:15

My View From "The Chair" this morning - Romans 10:15. I think I'm going to start the a group called, "The Pink Shoe Brigade"! Anyone want to grab a pair and join me? I LOVE this verse and here's why - WE, yes...you and I, are the "Sent Ones"! We are called to go love outrageously; live generously; and demonstrate prolifically what it looks to lavishly pour out Jesus on this world. Who's in? This is going to be a wild ride. If you would like to join me on this adventure, post a picture of your feet with pink shoes (any shade and kind work) or just your bare feet and I will get back to you. Until We Chat Again, Crystal - The Plank-Eyed Girl

Exodus 14:13,14

Apr 19

Apr 19 Exodus 14:13,14

My View From "The Chair" - Exodus 14:13,14. Recently, okay two nights ago at 11:30 pm, I received a text from "The Precious One" saying that they were being told to slit their wrists and die. There was lots of intense drama going on where they were at. It felt like I was facing some super impossible circumstances. It felt like someone was going to loose it and murder the other one. I was starting to play the "What if" game in my head. Fear was knocking on the door of my mind and running around sticking it's ugly face in the windows of my heart. It would've been so easy to give in and allow the paralyzing fear and angst to wash over me.

Apr 17

Apr 17 Matthew 7:12

My view from "The Chair" this morning - Matthew 7:12. Easy words to read. Not always easy words to live by. I always want mercy, grace, love, and generosity extended to me, especially in times of need. However, I hate to admit it, but more often than I would like to admit to, I find myself wanting to judge; be upset; or even stingy when looking at others and the situations they find themselves in. This morning I am asking the Lord to help this verse be my first filter when looking at situations or people. These beautiful, hand knit socks were an unexpected gift of hope

Apr 16

Apr 16 Psalm 138:7,8

The view from "My Chair" this morning - Psalm 138:7,8. Have your thoughts every become hijacked and stuck on someone or something? Sometimes my thoughts feel like there is no "Off-Switch" when they wander over to certain people or things. I feel like a hummingbird circling my favorite flower. Friends, this is how God thinks about each one of us EVERY DAY! His loving thoughts about YOU are more numerous than all the grains of sand on this planet. Let that sink in for just a minute. This is difficult for my finite mind to truly grasp. because I reside on a planet where relationships are often "disposable" when they are no longer useful. He will NEVER dispose of us.

Ephesians 2:8,9

Apr 14

Apr 14 Ephesians 2:8,9

My view from "The Chair" this morning - Ephesians 2:8,9. Which do we really believe? God + Works = Salvation OR God + Nothing = Salvation . We live in a"work" equals "reward" world. These kind of "rewards" are based on a system of "earning" something for what we do. I haven't meant to, but sometimes I've let my thoughts slip into thinking of my salvation this same way. Do good things + Be nice + Follow all Christian rules = Salvation.

Matthew 6:26,27

Apr 12

Apr 12 Matthew 6:26,27

My View From "The Chair" this morning - Matthew 6:26,27. Look at this sweet little bird. He is looks well cared for. You know, they don't store up food. Everyday the Lord provides for them. He made them and He takes care of them. This is the same for us. He hand-crafted each of us. He knows every freckle, crease, and mole. He is intimately acquainted with our design and has comprehensive knowledge of all of our needs. It stands to reason that since He takes such fabulous care of the birds, He will also take amazing care of us since we are His workmanship, created by Him and for His pleasure. So, why spend your energy worrying about your needs?

Apr 11

Apr 11 Hebrews 4:16

The view from "My Chair" this morning - Hebrews 4:16. When I am comfortable with who I am to the person I am speaking to, I tend to communicate with ease, assurance, and open heartedness. When I am solid in my relationship with that person, I feel free to ask for what I need. This is true for all my human relationships, as well as my relationship with my Father. Because I know that I am His beloved daughter and He loves me far more that I could ever comprehend, I can be assured that when I am in need, He will always be right there full of His mercy and grace to help me. Ponder this with me today -

Copy of Hebrews 4:16

Apr 11

Apr 11 Copy of Hebrews 4:16

he view from "My Chair" this morning - Hebrews 4:16. When I am comfortable with who I am to the person I am speaking to, I tend to communicate with ease, assurance, and open heartedness. When I am solid in my relationship with that person, I feel free to ask for what I need. This is true for all my human relationships, as well as my relationship with my Father. Because I know that I am His beloved daughter and He loves me far more that I could ever comprehend, I can be assured that when I am in need, He will always be right there full of His mercy and grace to help me. Ponder this with me today -

Apr 11

Apr 11 Hebrews 4:16

he view from "My Chair" this morning - Hebrews 4:16. When I am comfortable with who I am to the person I am speaking to, I tend to communicate with ease, assurance, and open heartedness. When I am solid in my relationship with that person, I feel free to ask for what I need. This is true for all my human relationships, as well as my relationship with my Father. Because I know that I am His beloved daughter and He loves me far more that I could ever comprehend, I can be assured that when I am in need, He will always be right there full of His mercy and grace to help me. Ponder this with me today -

Apr 8

Apr 8 Ephesians 5:17

My view from "The Chair" this morning - Ephesians 5:17. This morning I had a major collision in my head! These often happen for me when something I've read in my Bible hijacks my thoughts and then collides with either something else I'm reading or what someone says to me in passing. It is then that I more clearly understand what He is asking me to do. I don't know how God gets through to you, but this certainly does the trick for me. I've been reading Joshua Becker's fabulous book, "The More of Less" and pondering where I should start trimming my belongs to make more room for what I LOVE doing.

Apr 7

Apr 7 Proverbs 4:23

My view from "The Chair" this morning - Proverbs 4:23. I have heard things that I should not have heard. I have seen things that I should not have seen. I have tasted things (both literally and figuratively) that I should've NEVER tasted and they have left my heart with an insatiable appetite for more! All these things have often left me spiraling and in a bad place emotionally and spiritually. When I trace the threads of how I've ended up at the bottom of the pitt, it always comes back to something that I never should've heard, seen or tasted.

Apr 5

Apr 5 James 3:17

My view from "The Chair" this morning - James 3:17. Pure Wisdom = peace loving + gentleness + yielding + merciful + good works + impartialness + sincerity. Think of becoming wise in terms of a recipe. If I want to be wise, I need equal parts of all of these ingredients. Wowzee! Does anyone else ever breeze over, oops.... I mean read, this type of verse and think, "Yeah, I'm good?" Yep, I usually do that too. But, as I've pulled this apart this morning, God has been whispering to my heart. I realize I have some work to do,

Apr 3

Apr 3 James 3:18

My View From "The Chair" this morning - James 3:18. Seeds are small and so underestimated. When I look at these sunflower seeds, I really don't think about the gigantic beautiful flowers they will produce. I forget what they really are and just see them as small and inconsequential seeds. However, inside them lives the potential to bring beauty and to reproduce themselves. I LOVE seeing these gigantic beauties in full bloom.

Apr 2

Apr 2 John 3:17

My view from "The Chair" this morning - John 3:17. Have you ever felt judged? I have. Sometimes it's by someone who's in authority over me. Sometimes it's by a stranger. Sometimes it's even by a friend. Often, I have imagined it's by God. Regardless, it always leaves me feeling like I'm not good enough. Anyone else with me on this?

Mar 29

Mar 29 Mark 2:27

My view from "The Chair" this morning - Mark 2:27. I can't tell you how many times I've breezed over this scripture and just really didn't give it a full thought. My "Coffee Table" theology, as well as my, lack of really reading the words had left me believing that a Sabbath was just another one of His "preferences" for me. How many times have you said, "I just need a break?" or "I just need a vacation?" or "I could really use a day to rest"? I know these words have left my mouth many, many times in my 50 plus years. Up until this morning, I hadn't connected the dots.

Mar 28

Mar 28 Proverbs 13:14

My view from "The Chair" this morning - Proverbs 13:14. In order to live, you MUST have water. It is the way God made us. No water = death. This is a simple physical equation. Funny thing is, this physical equation also works for our spiritual lives. No Wise Godly Instruction = Destruction and Death.