Worst Burglar Ever

Every time I watch this I laugh at how much this is like sin.

We get the hints that it's wrong, yet we trip over ourselves insisting we continue to follow those fleshly desires. Once we've fall into the full pattern- we're stuck. Good thing Jesus Christ came to set the captives free!

Enjoy :)

My Answered 9/11 Prayer

A heavy, heavy burden.

That's what I remember most about early in the morning on September 9, 2001.

I was desperate for my country to turn to the Lord and love Him for who He is, not for what He could do for them. I literally cried out for God to open their eyes whatever the cost. I prayed for Him to open my eyes to the love and devotion I should have for Him, and for how to share Him with a people who felt they could handle everything in their own power. I was so very new at trying to walk radically for Him, and had floundered so many times. Though I seldom get overly emotional in my prayers, it astonished me that I was weeping so hard for America to turn to God.
Please, God, give them the desire to turn to and lean on You!


As I left for work about half an hour later, I turned on the radio and heard what most Americans will never forget: A plane has just crashed into the Twin Towers...
Oh, God! Please help them!


Once again, in the mysterious way of our Sovereign Father, He used those who were against Him to draw others to Him. Did He cause it to happen? No. He allowed it to happen because of your and my free will. He is just, powerful, and compassionate enough to use what is meant to be against Him for His own good purpose.

The Old Testament is full of foreign kings and peoples who came against and conquered His people, the Israelites, when they had fallen away from Him in order to draw them back to Him. He allows this and uses them for our good. Is that easy to understand? No, it's not. But that's why He tells us through the prophet Isaiah, "⁸ "For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
    and your ways are not My ways."
          [This is] the LORD's declaration.
    ⁹ "For as heaven is higher than earth,
    so My ways are higher than your ways,
    and My thoughts than your thoughts."   
     Isaiah 55:8-9

We are called to trust in only Him; to lean only on Him. And I have heard many stories of people who have placed their trust in Him because of the horrific acts on 9/11/2001.

Lord, I can not understand so many things about that day. But thank You for Your work in so many peoples lives that day and beyond. May we praise You forever for the time you give us. May we, as a nation, be drawn to You today.

Hovering Blobs

A few years ago Pixar came out with the sweet and futuristic movie WALL-E. The main character, WALL-E, is a robot who was left on the garbage ravished earth to clean up while all humans took a luxury 5 year space cruise. The only problem is that it is now the 700th anniversary of that 5 year cruise, and although life has recently become sustainable again on the ground, the ship's main computer (the first mate) has top secret orders to never again return since life on earth appeared hopeless when they left.

Over time, the humans aboard the ship have all begun using the hover chairs originally designed for the elderly. All they do is sit there, drink all their meals - and multiple snacks - through straws, and find ways to entertain themselves. They basically have become bored, hovering blobs, only following the most basic of instincts. They are immature.

Hebrews 5:11-6:12

The Problem of Immaturity

 ¹¹ We have a great deal to say about this, and it's difficult to explain, since you have become slow to understand. ¹² For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of God's revelation. You need milk, not solid food. ¹³ Now everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced with the message about righteousness, because he is an infant. ¹⁴ But solid food is for the mature—for those whose senses have been trained to distinguish between good and evil. 

Warning against Regression

 ¹ Therefore, leaving the elementary message about the Messiah, let us go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, faith in God, ² teaching about ritual washings, laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. ³ And we will do this if God permits.    ⁴ For it is impossible to renew to repentance those who were once enlightened, who tasted the heavenly gift, became companions with the Holy Spirit, ⁵ tasted God's good word and the powers of the coming age, ⁶ and who have fallen away, because, to their own harm, they are recrucifying the Son of God and holding Him up to contempt. ⁷ For ground that has drunk the rain that has often fallen on it, and that produces vegetation useful to those it is cultivated for, receives a blessing from God. ⁸ But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is worthless and about to be cursed, and will be burned at the end.
    ⁹ Even though we are speaking this way, dear friends, in your case we are confident of the better things connected with salvation. ¹⁰ For God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you showed for His name when you served the saints—and you continue to serve them. ¹¹ Now we want each of you to demonstrate the same diligence for the final realization of your hope, ¹² so that you won't become lazy, but imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and perseverance.


Do you imitate faith and perseverance? Or are you re-crucifying Christ by reading everyone else's opinions and interpretations on the elementals of the Gospel while still trying to make up your mind. Have you stood up for the Bible? God's holy Word made flesh in the person of Jesus Christ? John 1:14 Trust me, there are plenty of opportunities to defend God's Word. So many books today try and twist the Scriptures to fit their purposes. The problem is, you can't know the Scripture's to confirm or refute these statements unless you have studies the Word itself.  No, not someone else's thoughts on the Word, but the Word.

Studies, commentaries, and topical books can be great tools when we need a little help, but never - I repeat... never - let them replace Scripture.

Here's a test: How much time have you spent in the last week reading only the Bible? Now, how much time have you spent reading other material about the Bible?

Whose "Word" are you leaning on?

Hardened Hearts

Sometimes, my heart breaks, and I weep at the hardness of the human heart.
Both lost and Christ follower alike...

In those moments, I begin to understand the briefest glimpse of what God's heart endures for our sake, and I cry even harder loving Him all the more.

Praise You Father for your unfathomable patience with us. Your love and compassion blow my mind. I am so in love with You.

Altered

Should you let your perceptions of Jesus Christ be altered?

Honestly, that depends. What are your perceptions of Him? Make a mental list. What do you believe about Jesus Christ?

Really when it comes down to it, there is very little about Jesus Christ that we must never allow to be changed, and most of it can be summed up in two verses. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 "³ For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,⁴ that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,"
There is a very important statement in there which is elemental: According to the Scriptures.

Whatever you may believe about Jesus Christ must be backed by the Scriptures. Otherwise you are placing Him in the small box of your limited expectations and are stifling His work in your life.

Take some time today to find one thing that you think you know about Him and search the Bible for proof. Allow yourself the time to be awed at His creativity, beauty, and majesty...then prepare for a wondrous work in your life!

My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.
Proverbs 23:26

Awake

Have you ever had a dream that made perfect sense to you only to wake and realize it was foolishness? No matter how real and logical it seemed only a few moments ago, when you wake up for real you are amazed at how silly it was.

Isaiah 29:5-8 

⁵ The multitude of your foes will be like fine dust,
    and the multitude of the ruthless, like blowing chaff.
    Then suddenly, in an instant,
    ⁶ you will be visited by the LORD of Hosts
    with thunder, earthquake, and loud noise,
    storm, tempest, and a flame of consuming fire.
    ⁷ The multitude of all the nations
    going out to battle against Ariel—
    all the attackers, the siege-works against her,
    and those who oppress her—
    will then be like a dream, a vision in the night.
    ⁸ It will be like a hungry one who dreams he is eating,
    then wakes and is still hungry;
    and like a thirsty one who dreams he is drinking,
    then wakes and is still thirsty, longing for water.
    So will be the multitude of all the nations
    who go to battle against Mount Zion.


There are going to be millions who wake up to the tragic reality that they had it all wrong. They all long for meaning, truth, and purpose thinking they found it in their own goals and ambitions. Only they are wrong. It can be found only in the person of Jesus Christ.

What of those who believe in God or Jesus, but deny Him the right to rule their lives absolutely?


Isaiah 29:13-16

¹³ The Lord said:
    Because these people approach Me with their mouths
    to honor Me with lip-service —
    yet their hearts are far from Me,
    and their worship [consists of] man-made rules
    learned [by rote]—
    ¹⁴ therefore I will again confound these people
    with wonder after wonder.
    The wisdom of their wise men will vanish,
    and the understanding of the perceptive will be hidden.
    ¹⁵ Woe to those who go to great lengths
    to hide their plans from the LORD.
    [They do] their works in darkness,
    and say, "Who sees us? Who knows us?"
    ¹⁶ You have turned things around,
    as if the potter were the same as the clay.
    How can what is made say about its maker,
    "He didn't make me"?
    How can what is formed
    say about the one who formed it,
    "He doesn't understand [what he's doing]"?


They - perhaps we - are warned as well. Do you serve God with all of you? Has He truly become Master and Lord of your life? Do you worship Him in Spirit and Truth?

John 4:23-24
²³ But an hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. Yes, the Father wants such people to worship Him. ²⁴ God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

Praise Him today if you do, and pray for those who will be waking up to the nightmare. Pray for a heart for the lost.
If you do not worship Him in this way, fall on your knees, confess Him as the devoted slave of your Master, and worship Him in true freedom.

What God Is Not

This skit is unfortunately what so many people believe God is like.... because it is what we are like at times.

So sit back, have a good laugh, and praise Him for His compassion, grace, and love!

One Question

Do not answer this for at least 10 minutes- hopefully longer. Take time to search deeply and hear the answer. Be honest.


Who does your life reveal you really trust more: Jesus Christ or yourself?

Remember This

Today I'm just going to post a verse which is on my heart... May God speak to you as He will.


 ⁶ Remember this: the person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. ⁷ Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not out of regret or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸ And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work. *Emphasis mine
2 Corinthians 9:6-8

Messed Up

Do you have it all together?

If you said "No", don't worry: You're not alone.
If you said "Yes", well, you might want to reconsider. Having it all together usually entails a little too much self pride and not so much leaning on God. The only time I can truly say "I've got it all together" is when I'm bundling it up to hand over to Him!

Here is the encouragement I feel I need to pass along today:
I am messed up. And guess what? So is everyone else around you.

No, the church is not perfect- it's still here on this sinful earth full of sinful people whose only hope is to rely on the sacrificial blood of Jesus Christ to cleanse and save them. We all struggle. We all have vices. We all make it one day, and sometimes even just one hour, at a time.

You are not alone.

And God didn't leave you alone down here either. He gave you brothers and sisters in Christ to walk with you. Be open and honest with one another. You may each be struggling with the same thing and can encourage and keep one another accountable. Be real. Do not try and hide- even from yourself.

Be encouraged, as I have, by Paul:

 ⁹ But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may reside in me. ¹⁰ So because of Christ, I am pleased in weaknesses, in insults, in catastrophes, in persecutions, and in pressures. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Revealed

Seldom do we share what God has revealed to us with one another. How unfortunate. For today I have discovered its importance...

This has been a difficult day for me both physically and emotionally. Many different factors are at play which have all cumulated in an overall icky day. I'm so grateful that it is Sunday and I have a church family and a worship service to lean upon!

As I was preparing to leave, one of the ladies from my weekday Bible study came up to me with the most excited look on her face. One of the things we were asked to do this week was pay attention to what God reveals to us- how He is speaking to us in every aspect of our lives. God had spoken to her revealing the answer to a question of her heart during the service today, and she wanted to share it with me.

Even though He had been working greatly in me all morning soothing and loving on me, I desperately needed to hear a word of encouragement in this way. If she had kept it to herself, I wouldn't have been as blessed and comforted. Sometimes we just need to know how He is working in others lives. Not only does it bring us closer together, but it reassures that we are all in this together.

Another aspect is that she was not the first person to come up to me sharing that God was working in them through this Bible study. Knowing that one person is growing in the Lord is wonderful- knowing that there are several who are excited enough to share outside of the routine is exhilarating!

Praise You Lord God for the way you work in each of our hearts and lives. And I can never thank You enough for those You have allowed to walk with me!

What No Dream Could Conceive

I'm a dreamer.

And it's not that I plan big and have lofty goals for life: I seldom get a good nights sleep without vivid dreams. At times they are so real I've almost told someone what happened "the other day" only to realize it was actually just a dream. The majority of them however are truly epic and exhausting. Often I wake up even more tired than when I went to bed. Last night, for example I escaped a flood with my children only to be stranded on a snowy, volcanic island which was about to erupt. Few of us survived the avalanche before the major eruption though...

The human mind amazes me. God made us so complex with the ability to imagine and dream such wondrous things. We compose soul stirring symphonies and great works of life-like sculpture and art. Our inventions build on one another till it seems we could accomplish anything. Yet God is incomprehensible. The mere presence of His angels drop us to our knees with awe, and no man could live who beheld His face.

My God is amazing.

That's why I like the daytime. I can control daydreams a lot better. It's also why I love to read Job 38:1 - 41:34. God describes Himself with the best terms we could understand - and even those are a bit confusing. I can't wait to ask Him which animals really are the Behemoth and Leviathan!

Take some time today to dream about God. I believe He created us this way for this purpose. For when I am daydreaming about Him, I discover I've begun to worship Him for who He is in His majesty and glory and not just for what He's done for me.

A Small Group

Are you studying your Bible with a small group that has discussion somewhere?
If not, you need to.

Why?

The Bible: Need I say more if you plan to model your life after Jesus Christ who is the Word made flesh?

A small group: In a group of fifty people, how likely is it that you will stand up and tell them of your daily struggles and ask them to keep you accountable while you do the same for them? Remember, that means there are another 49 people you are going to keep up with and keep tabs on. Everyone needs a small group they can bond closely with who will help  keep them from going astray.

Discussion: We were created to communicate. That mean talking back and forth- not just listening or just talking. I've discovered that the most profound things learned about myself and other issues have been while discussion/debating something. Some times I play the devils advocate in order to have a person stand up for and defend their beliefs. Other times, giving different views and opinions have sharpened or cut cut away previous assumptions and knowledge. Either way, the ability to "hash it out" solidifies our stance while helping to purify it as well.

Wherever you are in life and at whatever stage of Christian growth, you need to have a small group who you can lean upon in your walk with Jesus Christ. No, they won't be perfect, but they are needed. Even Jesus had the 12 He walked and talked with. Why would we think we could do it on our own if He didn't?

It's Finally Here!

Today is the day I start a Bible study group I have been waiting 3 years for!

Well, not for this particular study, but for the time frame. I've been blessed to have a Wednesday morning Bible study group for the last three years and I love those ladies with all my heart! However, because it's during the day, there are many who can not come because they work, and I've not been able to offer a class in the evenings since that's when my husband works and I have the kids at home. God has decided it's finally time!

Please pray for our very diverse and amazing group of ladies we will have both tonight and in the morning. I'm thinking we may have a total of 40-50 ladies in both groups combined! Pray for our amazing baby sitter who will be coming over to my house every Tuesday. The kids love her, so that shouldn't be a problem, but any time I leave them it's hard. I guess pray they don't drive her nuts and will listen!

What a blessing to see a prayer come to fruition! Thank You God for Your amazing mercy and perfect timing. Thank You for letting me be a part!

I Quit!

Do you ever have days you just want to quit? I do. To be quite honest, often I'm not even sure what it is I want to quit! All I want to do is yell, "I QUIT!", find a nice hole to crawl into and have a mute Hatian wipe my memory. (It's a Heroes thing. Sci-fi can be interesting.)

I've come to realize these are beneficial times for us. How? For one thing, we are forced to be honest with ourselves. If I run to God first and am candid with Him, I know that my heart has been in the right place recently. That, in and of itself, is a comfort. If I discover however, that I sit there bemoaning my situation while trying to cover it with food, television, a good book, or any number of other things, I begin to realize that a large part of the problem is I have fallen away from Him. That gives me something to do in order to fix the problem. No matter what it may be, I can draw closer to Him.

Another positive aspect of wanting to give up is realizing that we are not as all-powerful as we like to think we are. We can't control the world around us, we can't save ourselves nor the ones we love, and we couldn't take another breath without God. It causes us to call on Him.

I called to the LORD in my distress, and I cried to my God for help. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry to Him reached His ears.
Psalm 18:6
For You, Lord, are kind and ready to forgive, abundant in faithful love to all who call on You.
Psalm 86:5
The LORD is near all who call out to Him, all who call out to Him with integrity.
Psalm 145:18

There are 22 verses in the Psalms alone which speak to calling out to the Lord. We are created to lean upon Him, and to be quite honest with ourselves, how often do we do that when everything is going great?

So next time you want to quit, go right ahead.... that way you might let Him take control again.