I cried:
Tears of joy for my brothers and sisters on the Kimyal people.
...And tears of repentance that I struggle to even care enough to pick up His Word everyday to read for myself.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Books To Read
My husband and I are starting a course in which we will be mentored for the next 8+ months. We are very excited!
Besides for the Sonship material - which is the course itself - we have two required reading books:
From Fear to Freedom: Living as Sons and Daughters of God
and
Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters
Have you read one? What did you learn?
If you haven't, perhaps you can join us. This is what I will be doing for the next few weeks. Check them out!
Besides for the Sonship material - which is the course itself - we have two required reading books:
From Fear to Freedom: Living as Sons and Daughters of God
and
Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters
Have you read one? What did you learn?
If you haven't, perhaps you can join us. This is what I will be doing for the next few weeks. Check them out!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
The Body of Christ or a Cheesy Sci-Fi Plot?
This is not going to be a well written post.
I'm not going to sit back and think of the best way to say this, or research which Scripture would best fit to make it interesting and motivating. My thought process will not be well organized and you're lucky that spell check shows up in bright read- otherwise there would be a lot of those mistakes as well as the grammatical ones I'm sure you'll find. I'm merely going to write from the passion which is erupting from my heart right now...
Why do we, as Christians, not act as though we are one in Christ Jesus?
We have our own little groups (cliques) too much: Denominations, preferences, age groups, interest parties, factions, ethnic, social status, learning style, and minute theological idiosyncrasies. Because we try so desperately to group together with those "like" us as opposed to those in the body of Christ we have found the Christian church to be disabled. Instead of working together for God's greater glory and the spreading of joyous Good News, we are instead licking the wounds of our dis-formed bodies. We look rather like a B-rated sci-fi film: Attached heads rolling around, bodies made of nothing but legs, arms, eyes, and other singular pieces. If we are lucky there might be a body with arms and legs, but no head. One of Head, heart, and eyes, but no legs. We are incomplete. And we suffer for it.
Now don't get me wrong. I love the body of Christ. That is why I'm so distressed. I'm burdened heavily with her well being! I see groups hurting and longing for help that is right there for them- if only they would reach out beyond their "ritual". God is not going to leave you alone to suffer without encouragement and others to gather in prayer around you- But, you have to reach out to them!
Not all churches are completely broken either. There are many healthy ones all around. But many of them still have to struggle with the burden of those who should be helping, not requiring the same basic needs over and over. It makes me think of what Paul said to the Hebrew people in Hebrews 5:11-14 :
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.
Why do we portray to the world that we despise one another so?
When we refuse to get along, that is what the world sees. Jesus said that the world would know we are His disciples by the love we had for one another. John 13:35 So how does this work together? Does this mean we are not truly His disciples if we don't show love for all our fellow Christians? Not just those in our local body and those in another country we'll never have to meet face to face here on earth?
Are there churches that are Scripturally wrong? Yes. I'm not saying that we assume they love God with all their heart, soul, strength, and mind (Luke 10:27) just because they have Church tagged on to their organization, or happen to be in the same "denomination" as us. We have to actually take the time to listen to them, discern through the Spirit, and care. Then we will know. And this is on a very individual basis. But let me tell you, if many people you talk to from a particular church are very much in love with Jesus Christ and seek to follow Him, OR if they are full of... "...sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar, about which I tell you in advance—as I told you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." Galatians 5: 19-21
We need to care about one another. We need desperately to support, uplift, encourage, correct, and hold one another accountable. This needs to be done both to those you already love and to those around you. Reach out.
I'm not going to sit back and think of the best way to say this, or research which Scripture would best fit to make it interesting and motivating. My thought process will not be well organized and you're lucky that spell check shows up in bright read- otherwise there would be a lot of those mistakes as well as the grammatical ones I'm sure you'll find. I'm merely going to write from the passion which is erupting from my heart right now...
Why do we, as Christians, not act as though we are one in Christ Jesus?
We have our own little groups (cliques) too much: Denominations, preferences, age groups, interest parties, factions, ethnic, social status, learning style, and minute theological idiosyncrasies. Because we try so desperately to group together with those "like" us as opposed to those in the body of Christ we have found the Christian church to be disabled. Instead of working together for God's greater glory and the spreading of joyous Good News, we are instead licking the wounds of our dis-formed bodies. We look rather like a B-rated sci-fi film: Attached heads rolling around, bodies made of nothing but legs, arms, eyes, and other singular pieces. If we are lucky there might be a body with arms and legs, but no head. One of Head, heart, and eyes, but no legs. We are incomplete. And we suffer for it.
Now don't get me wrong. I love the body of Christ. That is why I'm so distressed. I'm burdened heavily with her well being! I see groups hurting and longing for help that is right there for them- if only they would reach out beyond their "ritual". God is not going to leave you alone to suffer without encouragement and others to gather in prayer around you- But, you have to reach out to them!
Not all churches are completely broken either. There are many healthy ones all around. But many of them still have to struggle with the burden of those who should be helping, not requiring the same basic needs over and over. It makes me think of what Paul said to the Hebrew people in Hebrews 5:11-14 :
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.
Why do we portray to the world that we despise one another so?
When we refuse to get along, that is what the world sees. Jesus said that the world would know we are His disciples by the love we had for one another. John 13:35 So how does this work together? Does this mean we are not truly His disciples if we don't show love for all our fellow Christians? Not just those in our local body and those in another country we'll never have to meet face to face here on earth?
Are there churches that are Scripturally wrong? Yes. I'm not saying that we assume they love God with all their heart, soul, strength, and mind (Luke 10:27) just because they have Church tagged on to their organization, or happen to be in the same "denomination" as us. We have to actually take the time to listen to them, discern through the Spirit, and care. Then we will know. And this is on a very individual basis. But let me tell you, if many people you talk to from a particular church are very much in love with Jesus Christ and seek to follow Him, OR if they are full of... "...sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar, about which I tell you in advance—as I told you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." Galatians 5: 19-21
We need to care about one another. We need desperately to support, uplift, encourage, correct, and hold one another accountable. This needs to be done both to those you already love and to those around you. Reach out.
7 Again, I saw futility under the sun: 8 There is a person without a companion, without even a son or brother, and though there is no end to all his struggles, his eyes are still not content with riches. "So who am I struggling for," [he asks,] "and depriving myself from good?" This too is futile and a miserable task.
9 Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. 10 For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm? 12 And if somebody overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:7-12
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Seeker Beware
The Bible is the only written source for God's Word to us.
One of the wonderful privileges of living in today's technological society is the plethora of information available to us. It is also one of the most dangerous aspects. There are so many great teachers, speakers, and writers, that it's hard to keep account of who is saying what and in which fashion. One of the difficulties is when those in these influential positions begins to go astray as well. They may start out with correct teachings only to wander off onto a dead end road of society's preferences over truth. We, as seekers and followers of Christ, must keep all outside teaching (anything not purely Scripture) in it's proper place. It is not Scripture. They are human- and they may fall.
Please take some time to read the following article. It brings to light a case of what can happen. I've seen much of this material in my local LifeWay as well as in other Christian stores. We must remember to take everything we read - no matter where we get it - with a grain of salt. Compare everything you hear and read again Scripture- solely.
Rob Bell: Universalist?
One of the wonderful privileges of living in today's technological society is the plethora of information available to us. It is also one of the most dangerous aspects. There are so many great teachers, speakers, and writers, that it's hard to keep account of who is saying what and in which fashion. One of the difficulties is when those in these influential positions begins to go astray as well. They may start out with correct teachings only to wander off onto a dead end road of society's preferences over truth. We, as seekers and followers of Christ, must keep all outside teaching (anything not purely Scripture) in it's proper place. It is not Scripture. They are human- and they may fall.
Please take some time to read the following article. It brings to light a case of what can happen. I've seen much of this material in my local LifeWay as well as in other Christian stores. We must remember to take everything we read - no matter where we get it - with a grain of salt. Compare everything you hear and read again Scripture- solely.
Rob Bell: Universalist?
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Prayer Proof
Occam's Razor
Occam's razor (or Ockham's razor[1]), often expressed in Latin as the lex parsimoniae, translating to law of parsimony, law of economy or law of succinctness, is a principle that generally recommends selecting the competing hypothesis that makes the fewest new assumptions, when the hypotheses are equal in other respects.[2] For instance, they must both sufficiently explain available data in the first place.
The principle is often incorrectly summarized as "the simplest explanation is most likely the correct one". This summary is misleading, however, since the principle is actually focused on shifting the burden of proof in discussions.[3] That is, the Razor is a principle that suggests we should tend towards simpler theories (see justifications section below) until we can trade some simplicity for increased explanatory power. Contrary to the popular summary, the simplest available theory is sometimes a less accurate explanation. Philosophers also add that the exact meaning of "simplest" can be nuanced in the first place.[4]
-Wikipedia
Isn't it interesting that no matter how you look at it - be it the simplest explanation as most likely, or the heaviest shifting to "proof" - whenever something bad happens to a person, they go to the closest Christian they know and ask for prayer or "good wishes/thoughts sent up". Why?
I believe that instinctually humans know there is a God and that when things get serious, He is the only one in charge and able to do something about it. Fear and lack of control, sends us to the root of the issue and forces a prioritization in our lives. And prayer to God tops.
Hmm.... Prayer proof?
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
What Does It Say.....? #1
What does it say about a Christian nation that has destitute people and Doggie Spa's in the same city?
Limiting God
Looking at the Jewish people of Jesus' time, we see a nationality of people who believed in Yahweh with every tithe and tittle. Yet as Jesus stretched their understanding, they held fast to what they knew of God, and not what He could actually do. They limited Him by not allowing Him to work outside of their box.
Isn't that what many of us tend to do even today? We view God through the confines of our past experience and religious denomination. We place Him in box of our expectations and understanding of how He works, and whenever that image or understanding begins to be stretched, we jump back and cry shenanigins.
I ask you just as I ask of myself today: Are you limiting God?
Isn't that what many of us tend to do even today? We view God through the confines of our past experience and religious denomination. We place Him in box of our expectations and understanding of how He works, and whenever that image or understanding begins to be stretched, we jump back and cry shenanigins.
I ask you just as I ask of myself today: Are you limiting God?
Saturday, February 19, 2011
This, Is A Test...
Judges 2:20-3:4
20 The LORD's anger burned against Israel, and He declared, "Because this nation has violated My covenant that I made with their fathers and disobeyed Me, 21 I will no longer drive out before them any of the nations Joshua left when he died. 22 [I did this] to test Israel and to see whether they would keep the LORD' s way by walking in it, as their fathers had." 23 The LORD left these nations and did not drive them out immediately. He did not hand them over to Joshua.
1 These are the nations the LORD left in order to test Israel, since none of these Israelites had fought in any of the wars with Canaan. 2 This was to teach the future generations of the Israelites [how to fight in] battle, especially those who had not fought before. 3 [These nations included:] the five rulers of the Philistines (C) and all of the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites who lived in the Lebanese mountains from Mount Baal-hermon as far as the entrance to Hamath. 4 The LORD left them to test Israel, to determine if they would keep the LORD's commands He had given their fathers through Moses.
*Have you ever thought that perhaps a difficulty in your life is a test from God to show your loyalty to Him? God is also able to use these tests to our future benefit as well just as He did for the Israelites. As random and unfair as life may seem, God always has a reason for allowing things to happen.
Are you passing the test?
Thursday, February 17, 2011
What Has Your Faith Cost You?
I heard something interesting on the radio the other day. The DJ was talking about how some people claim Christianity is a cop out - that believing in Jesus Christ and claiming to follow Him is a way to avoid doing anything unpleasant or against your own desires: Basically, to live in denial and la-la land. So he posed the question, "What has your faith personally cost you?"
I'll post mine later today in the comments, but I'd like to know about you. Think about it.
What has your faith in Jesus Christ cost you?
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Fundraising
My husband and I are praying about how to get to Ireland this fall. We know we need to go, and are saving as much of our tax refund as possible, but know we will need more. Well, I'd like your opinion. Should we send "support" letters to friends, family, and churches to raise the amount, or try a fundraising drive?
I recently found The Samaritan Card. It looks like a possibility, but have never heard of anyone using it before. I admit, part of me hates the idea of "selling" something to go, but I'm willing to do whatever the Lord requires. We'll continue to pray about it till we get an answer!
I'd love any feed back! Have you used it/sold it? Do you think this is a good idea? Check out the link and let me know.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Time For A Change
Busy, busy, busy. And, oh yea,.... BUSY!
God is doing a fresh work in my family's lives and that entails change. Now, the one thing I have learned about change is that it never involves "nothing". There is a constant push, pull , shift, and shove, which is necessary to form the change. You can't just sit back and continue in the same old way. Change after all is change.
One of the major changes is this blog. When God started me on the journey of putting my heart online, He was very strict in commitment. It was something I needed to do everyday- Thus the title: Everyday With God. There were certainly times where I was allowed to take off, but over the last two years - Yes, it really has almost been that long! - He burdened my heart with staying faithful to it. When I faltered or outright failed, He never let my heart forget that "Everyday" was what He had called me to do at that time and if I wanted to be committed to Him, I needed to show it through here.
As of late, God is changing what He requires of me for this blog. I will still continue to post, but the format will at times be different. When I have a burden or lesson He's teaching me, it will look much the same as it has before. However, posts may not come as frequently and will often contain just a quote, thought of the day, single Scripture, or question to ponder. I may even post passages that have touched me in books or studies I'm involved with, and I hope you will send me comments and suggestions of your own.
Any way you look at it, I pray you will be even more blessed an encouraged to grow in the Lord than you were before. After all, trying to live Everyday With God, is a journey we share.
God is doing a fresh work in my family's lives and that entails change. Now, the one thing I have learned about change is that it never involves "nothing". There is a constant push, pull , shift, and shove, which is necessary to form the change. You can't just sit back and continue in the same old way. Change after all is change.
One of the major changes is this blog. When God started me on the journey of putting my heart online, He was very strict in commitment. It was something I needed to do everyday- Thus the title: Everyday With God. There were certainly times where I was allowed to take off, but over the last two years - Yes, it really has almost been that long! - He burdened my heart with staying faithful to it. When I faltered or outright failed, He never let my heart forget that "Everyday" was what He had called me to do at that time and if I wanted to be committed to Him, I needed to show it through here.
As of late, God is changing what He requires of me for this blog. I will still continue to post, but the format will at times be different. When I have a burden or lesson He's teaching me, it will look much the same as it has before. However, posts may not come as frequently and will often contain just a quote, thought of the day, single Scripture, or question to ponder. I may even post passages that have touched me in books or studies I'm involved with, and I hope you will send me comments and suggestions of your own.
Any way you look at it, I pray you will be even more blessed an encouraged to grow in the Lord than you were before. After all, trying to live Everyday With God, is a journey we share.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Surprise!
I got quite the surprise today: My brother and his family showed up at my door!
Now, before you smile sweetly thinking, "Aw, isn't that nice!" let me tell you just how big this is. My brother has left the state of Florida twice in the last 20 years. Once to Vegas and once come to my Grandmother's funeral, but never made it all the way up. He had to turn around after crossing the GA border because of car trouble. Not only did he totally shock me today by making it this far, but I didn't even know he was coming till he was a half hour away. Surprise!
As he and his family sat around our table eating dinner, God reminded me of many lessons He's been teaching me:
Stay flexible. You never know what I'll bring to you.
Always be open. I will be putting people in your life you need to share Me with, but may feel a bit uncomfortable.
God will always make time. I thought I'd be busy today, but was amazed how I found time to just sit back and relax with the family.
Nothing is impossible. If God can have my brother and his family show up on my door step, He truly can do anything.
You may not be able to truly comprehend just how unusual - and wonderful - this was for us. But God knows. And let me assure you, He really can do all things!
Now, before you smile sweetly thinking, "Aw, isn't that nice!" let me tell you just how big this is. My brother has left the state of Florida twice in the last 20 years. Once to Vegas and once come to my Grandmother's funeral, but never made it all the way up. He had to turn around after crossing the GA border because of car trouble. Not only did he totally shock me today by making it this far, but I didn't even know he was coming till he was a half hour away. Surprise!
As he and his family sat around our table eating dinner, God reminded me of many lessons He's been teaching me:
Stay flexible. You never know what I'll bring to you.
Always be open. I will be putting people in your life you need to share Me with, but may feel a bit uncomfortable.
God will always make time. I thought I'd be busy today, but was amazed how I found time to just sit back and relax with the family.
Nothing is impossible. If God can have my brother and his family show up on my door step, He truly can do anything.
You may not be able to truly comprehend just how unusual - and wonderful - this was for us. But God knows. And let me assure you, He really can do all things!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
What Life Looks Like Today
I came to an interesting realization today: I'm getting comfortable being uncomfortable.
I think that I'm getting so use to the Lord taking me out of my comfort zone that for short periods of time when things seem to be going "normal" it seems.... well, uncomfortable!
What a blessing it is to rely on Him for everything, but often I balk at the process of balancing trust, faith, and personal heart and responsibility.
It does make everyday exciting in a "How does this mystery end" type of way. I look at it like living constantly in the last few chapters of a mystery novel. Everything starts to come together and you see connections and ties you never knew were there, but the final "mystery" hasn't been fully explained.
.....And the dull days are commercials well placed to build suspense!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Sunlight
This morning as my husband was reading his Bible I decided to take a shower. I love that our bathroom has at least a small window to bring in the sunlight even though it wasn't much on this cold, gray day, so I had the light turned on. After jumping into the warm water, I closed my eyes tightly to scrub my face and then rinsed off. When my eyes opened back up, I jumped- the shower was bright white! It took me a second to realize the sun was actually shining straight in the window and hitting our white shower curtains, illuminating them amazingly. Laughing, I realized just how dark it had been in there earlier, but had never noticed. Within a few moments, the sun was gone once again and we were back to a cloudy day. Funny how much darker it seemed to me, and that I didn't remembered how deeply I longed for it till I saw it shine...
After coming out of the shower, Kevin told me that while reading in the Psalms, a sudden beam of sunlight came just as he was reading a promise God had made to His people. He loved that God was backing that promise up and comforting him through the sunbeam which broke through at just the right moment.
Isn't our God amazing how He can use a ray of sunlight, which started over eight minutes before and traveled 93,000,000 miles to peak through a break in some thickly condensed evaporated water to comfort Kevin with a promise, and remind me how dark this life would be without His presence?
What promise is He comforting you with today through the glory of His creation?
After coming out of the shower, Kevin told me that while reading in the Psalms, a sudden beam of sunlight came just as he was reading a promise God had made to His people. He loved that God was backing that promise up and comforting him through the sunbeam which broke through at just the right moment.
Isn't our God amazing how He can use a ray of sunlight, which started over eight minutes before and traveled 93,000,000 miles to peak through a break in some thickly condensed evaporated water to comfort Kevin with a promise, and remind me how dark this life would be without His presence?
What promise is He comforting you with today through the glory of His creation?
From the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is,
His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood
through what He has made. As a result, people are without excuse.
Romans 1:20
Who can you share the light of Jesus Christ with today- Someone who has never realized just how "bright" He can be?When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said,
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Holy, Holy, .....Holy???
While this cute compilation may make us laugh, I wonder if we really do consider so many things "Holy", take holiness for granted?
Lord, who will not fear and glorify Your name? Because You alone are holy....
Revelation 15:4
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