Ever since I was in the 6th grade I have tried keeping a journal. Unfortunatley, I am very sporatic in my drive to do so. As I sat here today deciding and praying on what to write about, I began looking through some old entries I had written and forgotten about. When I came across this one, it just seemed right. It was written when I was part of a small home church, and I was feeling the call of the Lord to do more than I ever thought possible. I pray this blesses you in some way. Perhaps it is here just for you.
January 30, 2006
Mark 7:34 'Then, looking up into heaven, He sighed deeply and said to him. “Ephphatha!” (that is “Be opened!”)' As I read this and breathed deeply myself, the Holy Spirit came over me so powerfully. How beautiful it was (is)!
“Be opened!” He said to me.
“In what way?” I asked.
“Teach.” He replied.
“But I am a woman, My Lord.” I reasoned.
“But you are My woman!” He proclaimed.
Tears spill from my eyes at the beauty of His declaration; The joy of His Word to me. As I sit here there is a peace, but also a battle. I know what He is telling me, I have confidence in that, however, it will not be easy.
“Don't worry about it. Declare the truth and believe.”
Thank You my God;
Thank You my Master;
Thank You my Savior;
Thank You my Father;
Thank You my Friend.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
Happy Anniversary
Today is my 10 year wedding anniversary.!
It made me start thinking though. Why do we celebrate anniversaries? There are all kinds of celebrations too. Some are happy remembrances of a day, such as a wedding or a birth. Others are somber reflections of someone's life on the day of their death, or of a time gone by. No matter the emotion, we tend to remember things that happen on particular days.
I believe it boils down to the fact that God just created us that way. He tells us throughout His Word to remember. We are to remember what He has done, and is doing, for us. God tells Moses to remember the sabbath because it is holy.(Exodus 20:8) He also promises to remember His people and His promises to them.(Leviticus 26:42) Jesus tells His disciples at the last supper to continue to “Do this in remembrance of Me.” (Luke 22:19) We are made to remember.
As Kevin and I reflect today on the last 10 years, I know we will most be thinking about all the Lord has done for us as a married couple. It still blows us away. Won't you celebrate with us?
It made me start thinking though. Why do we celebrate anniversaries? There are all kinds of celebrations too. Some are happy remembrances of a day, such as a wedding or a birth. Others are somber reflections of someone's life on the day of their death, or of a time gone by. No matter the emotion, we tend to remember things that happen on particular days.
I believe it boils down to the fact that God just created us that way. He tells us throughout His Word to remember. We are to remember what He has done, and is doing, for us. God tells Moses to remember the sabbath because it is holy.(Exodus 20:8) He also promises to remember His people and His promises to them.(Leviticus 26:42) Jesus tells His disciples at the last supper to continue to “Do this in remembrance of Me.” (Luke 22:19) We are made to remember.
As Kevin and I reflect today on the last 10 years, I know we will most be thinking about all the Lord has done for us as a married couple. It still blows us away. Won't you celebrate with us?
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Shaving Knee Hairs
I have to admit that I'm a bit of a perfectionist. It really does annoy me at times, because I have the tendency to want to forget or give something up because I can't get it done just right. I'm constantly striving to get things perfect in an imperfect world, with a far from perfect body.
I was asking God the other day why I keep failing so miserably when I so desperately want to do things right for Him. I realize that none of us ever will reach perfection here on this earth, and that Jesus is the only one who has or will ever be able to do it. That is why He was the acceptable propitiation for our sins. I'm just tired of what seems to be a constant cycle of getting myself in the right spot and doing the right thing, only to find myself suddenly realizing some time later that I've been missing or forgetting some aspect.
I happened to be talking to God about this frustration of mine in the shower since that's the only quite, alone time a mom tends to get. At the same time, I was shaving my legs very carefully since we were having a pool party that afternoon. You ladies know what I mean. One doesn't want a big ol' patch of hairy leg when in a bathing suit in front of every one you go to church with. Later that afternoon while driving to the party I looked down at my knees. There were little hairs sticking out everywhere! It looked like I hadn't shaved that spot in a month or more. Why, of all times, did I now finally see them?
That's when God spoke to me. "It's because you have exposed them to the light of My sun and you were finally looking for them."
Oh. That made sense- For all those questions. That is why it is so important to keep bringing the things we are doing before God. Some hairs may have grown in. Now I had a choice. Did I ignore them, forget about them, or shave them? You have a choice too. Little things will keep popping up in this world. We don't need to give up or just ignore them. We need to constantly thank God He showed them to us and then shave them.
Perhaps I should keep a small razor next to the Bible in my purse...
I was asking God the other day why I keep failing so miserably when I so desperately want to do things right for Him. I realize that none of us ever will reach perfection here on this earth, and that Jesus is the only one who has or will ever be able to do it. That is why He was the acceptable propitiation for our sins. I'm just tired of what seems to be a constant cycle of getting myself in the right spot and doing the right thing, only to find myself suddenly realizing some time later that I've been missing or forgetting some aspect.
I happened to be talking to God about this frustration of mine in the shower since that's the only quite, alone time a mom tends to get. At the same time, I was shaving my legs very carefully since we were having a pool party that afternoon. You ladies know what I mean. One doesn't want a big ol' patch of hairy leg when in a bathing suit in front of every one you go to church with. Later that afternoon while driving to the party I looked down at my knees. There were little hairs sticking out everywhere! It looked like I hadn't shaved that spot in a month or more. Why, of all times, did I now finally see them?
That's when God spoke to me. "It's because you have exposed them to the light of My sun and you were finally looking for them."
Oh. That made sense- For all those questions. That is why it is so important to keep bringing the things we are doing before God. Some hairs may have grown in. Now I had a choice. Did I ignore them, forget about them, or shave them? You have a choice too. Little things will keep popping up in this world. We don't need to give up or just ignore them. We need to constantly thank God He showed them to us and then shave them.
Perhaps I should keep a small razor next to the Bible in my purse...
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
In Ten Years
This Friday is my tenth wedding anniversary. I can't believe it's been that long, but at the same time, it feels like so much longer since we've know each other since childhood. The funny thing is that several of our friends have also recently had their 10th anniversaries or will be very soon. A lot was going on 10 years ago! I've realized how much we've changed in the last 10 years: And believe me, it's for the better! Kevin and I have really grown in our relationship with God and thus with each other. We are amazed at how far He's brought us!
Last Saturday, we were blessed to be able to go to part of a Ted Dekker conference called The Gathering (I use the term, conference, loosely. It was hard to describe, but amazing!) Dekker is a fiction writer I love to read who is also a Christian. His writings all have Christian elements and allusions, but I wouldn't call him a Christian author really, and I was glad to see he felt the same way about his writing. As he was talking about the over 25 books he has published I realized that he was first published less that 10 years ago. Wow! What a ride he has been on!
Dekker then said something about how God will use the people in that very room over the next 10 years. That really hit me hard, because that is exactly what God has been talking to me about. What will be my reality in 10 years? Where will God lead Kevin and I? We just need to be willing to follow. I have to admit, we are really nervous and a little scared about it, but we trust that it will be the best for God's kingdom and that is what we are here for: To glorify Him. I don't think He'll mind if we have to close our eyes every once in a while and scream while He takes us on the roller coaster He built for us. At least we got on!
Think about where and who you were 10 years ago. How far has God brought you? Has He been speaking to you about where your going? Where do you think He'll have you in 10 years?
Last Saturday, we were blessed to be able to go to part of a Ted Dekker conference called The Gathering (I use the term, conference, loosely. It was hard to describe, but amazing!) Dekker is a fiction writer I love to read who is also a Christian. His writings all have Christian elements and allusions, but I wouldn't call him a Christian author really, and I was glad to see he felt the same way about his writing. As he was talking about the over 25 books he has published I realized that he was first published less that 10 years ago. Wow! What a ride he has been on!
Dekker then said something about how God will use the people in that very room over the next 10 years. That really hit me hard, because that is exactly what God has been talking to me about. What will be my reality in 10 years? Where will God lead Kevin and I? We just need to be willing to follow. I have to admit, we are really nervous and a little scared about it, but we trust that it will be the best for God's kingdom and that is what we are here for: To glorify Him. I don't think He'll mind if we have to close our eyes every once in a while and scream while He takes us on the roller coaster He built for us. At least we got on!
Think about where and who you were 10 years ago. How far has God brought you? Has He been speaking to you about where your going? Where do you think He'll have you in 10 years?
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Questions
Sometimes I just like to sit and ponder questions about how God works or things about heaven. There are no solid answers, they are just fun to think about. Here are a few I've thought of lately. Feel free to make comments about them, or post some questions of your own.
*Do you think angels yawn? And if so, do they catch them from us at times?
*Why did God create sleep, and will we still need to for eternity?
*When was God the most pleased / frustrated with me?
*When Adam and Eve realized they were naked in the Garden of Eden, I doubt God thought, “Oh man, now I have to go get my robe on!” So, had they ever asked God about His coverings before that time as they walked in the garden in the cool of the day? (Genesis 3:8)
*What's the 90% of our brains we supposedly don't use, really for?
*Was the original language before the tower of Babel Hebrew, or did He change them all?
*Why is Hallelujah an international word?
*Why were we created to love stories so much?
*Does all of God's creation ask questions? Or just humans, angels, and donkeys (Numbers 22:28-32)?
What do you ponder?
Monday, June 8, 2009
Due To Technical Difficulties...
I'm sorry there has not been a blog for the last two days. I have two things to say about this:
The other problem is my lack of PC savy. I've forgotten how to do everything I once knew how, but I did discover that really doesn't matter. They do it different now anyway! I spent over an hour of my precious Internet time the other day just trying to get one video to come up on this blog. I have no idea if it's something I'm doing wrong or if it's my laptop which has become quite snarky lately. Either way, I'm having technical difficulties.
This morning after having to close yet another program that was not responding and restart my computer, I realized something. I'm so very, very thankful to God that He allows me to “restart” when my “program” is not responding. Perhaps my focus is off kilter and I need to clear my head and focus on Christ alone again: RESTART! It could be that I've been going along with what God has told me, but have begun adding too much of me and not enough Him: RESTART! There have also been times when I have gone against the Word and grown “weary of doing good” (2 Thessalonians 3:13): RESTART!
Hey, I know that there will not be any memory chips added. I've got to run on whatever capacity the Good Lord has given me till He upgrades me to that new body. Oh, the possibilities! So until that day I will praise the Lord for the grace He has given me to RESTART.
- Yes, I know writing one everyday may seem a bit much at times for me to write and for you to read, but God has really been on my case for missing two days in a row. He's not allowed me a peace about it, so I'll try not to let it happen again.
- Technology and I are in a love/hate relationship.
The other problem is my lack of PC savy. I've forgotten how to do everything I once knew how, but I did discover that really doesn't matter. They do it different now anyway! I spent over an hour of my precious Internet time the other day just trying to get one video to come up on this blog. I have no idea if it's something I'm doing wrong or if it's my laptop which has become quite snarky lately. Either way, I'm having technical difficulties.
This morning after having to close yet another program that was not responding and restart my computer, I realized something. I'm so very, very thankful to God that He allows me to “restart” when my “program” is not responding. Perhaps my focus is off kilter and I need to clear my head and focus on Christ alone again: RESTART! It could be that I've been going along with what God has told me, but have begun adding too much of me and not enough Him: RESTART! There have also been times when I have gone against the Word and grown “weary of doing good” (2 Thessalonians 3:13): RESTART!
Hey, I know that there will not be any memory chips added. I've got to run on whatever capacity the Good Lord has given me till He upgrades me to that new body. Oh, the possibilities! So until that day I will praise the Lord for the grace He has given me to RESTART.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Vacation Bible School
I love VBS, though I think it's for different reasons than most people.
Today is the last day of it at our church this year, and I'm so sad that it's over. We do ours from 9-12 in the morning Monday – Friday, and being that it is during typical business hours, we have an amazing number of workers. Our church has been averaging a little over 200 kids each day and 100 workers. That's a lot of dedication, and that's what I love best.
I see VBS, not as just an outreach and learning time for the children, but a time where the church body shines as it should. We get to see each other everyday for nearly a week, and thus become closer. The people are happy and cheerful. Perhaps it's because we feel we can act more child-like and not put on the “church-y” demeanor we usually do. I love seeing the elderly serving snacks and refreshments, the passion of the teachers, the energy of the recreation leaders, the dedication of the music leaders, the willingness of the youth to help where needed, and the humility of our pastoral staff (I'll post some proof/blackmail later!).
I love it all- and it makes me long for more! My heart aches, and wistfully I am reminded of the young church in Acts 2:46-47. “And every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple complex, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to them those who were being saved.” That sounds like a really good VBS...
Vacation Bible School, to me, is tiny glimpse of what our heavenly worship with one another to our God will be. And by the way, the theme will be Paradise!
Today is the last day of it at our church this year, and I'm so sad that it's over. We do ours from 9-12 in the morning Monday – Friday, and being that it is during typical business hours, we have an amazing number of workers. Our church has been averaging a little over 200 kids each day and 100 workers. That's a lot of dedication, and that's what I love best.
I see VBS, not as just an outreach and learning time for the children, but a time where the church body shines as it should. We get to see each other everyday for nearly a week, and thus become closer. The people are happy and cheerful. Perhaps it's because we feel we can act more child-like and not put on the “church-y” demeanor we usually do. I love seeing the elderly serving snacks and refreshments, the passion of the teachers, the energy of the recreation leaders, the dedication of the music leaders, the willingness of the youth to help where needed, and the humility of our pastoral staff (I'll post some proof/blackmail later!).
I love it all- and it makes me long for more! My heart aches, and wistfully I am reminded of the young church in Acts 2:46-47. “And every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple complex, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to them those who were being saved.” That sounds like a really good VBS...
Vacation Bible School, to me, is tiny glimpse of what our heavenly worship with one another to our God will be. And by the way, the theme will be Paradise!
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Please Pray
Today is a very big day.
There are several very important things going on in my life today as well of some of my closest friends. A family member will find out what stage of cancer they are in, as well as if there are other factors or illnesses to deal with. I have a friend who is making some major changes in her life, and today is a key day. Another friend's one year old son is having surgery. Yet, another friend is hoping to hear if she got a job she interviewed for and really needs. And, I just found out some disturbing news last night about one of my children as well.
There is nothing better to do today than pray. Will you please join me? God knows the details better than I, so just lay it all before Him.
Here are a few verses on prayer. There is nothing like praying the Word, by the power and encouragement of the Word.
Psalm 18:6 “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 reached His ear.”
Matthew 18:19-20 “Again I assure you: If two of you on earth agree about any matter that you pray for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there among them.”
Luke 18:1 “He then told them a parable on the need for them to pray always and not become discouraged.”
2 Corinthians 1:11 “And you can join in helping with prayer for us, so that thanks may be given by many on our behalf for the gift that came to us through the prayers of many.”
James 5:16 “Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The intense prayer of the righteous is very powerful.”
Thank you all.
There are several very important things going on in my life today as well of some of my closest friends. A family member will find out what stage of cancer they are in, as well as if there are other factors or illnesses to deal with. I have a friend who is making some major changes in her life, and today is a key day. Another friend's one year old son is having surgery. Yet, another friend is hoping to hear if she got a job she interviewed for and really needs. And, I just found out some disturbing news last night about one of my children as well.
There is nothing better to do today than pray. Will you please join me? God knows the details better than I, so just lay it all before Him.
Here are a few verses on prayer. There is nothing like praying the Word, by the power and encouragement of the Word.
Psalm 18:6 “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 reached His ear.”
Matthew 18:19-20 “Again I assure you: If two of you on earth agree about any matter that you pray for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there among them.”
Luke 18:1 “He then told them a parable on the need for them to pray always and not become discouraged.”
2 Corinthians 1:11 “And you can join in helping with prayer for us, so that thanks may be given by many on our behalf for the gift that came to us through the prayers of many.”
James 5:16 “Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The intense prayer of the righteous is very powerful.”
Thank you all.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Dreaming
Why do we ask children what they want to be when they grow up? Because they are good at dreaming and making long term goals. Now, I know adults do as well, but there is something special about the way in which children do it. My friend and I were talking about the difference, and agreed that it was because children are not jaded by reality and "can not"s. They are free to dream. They have no preconceived notions about how the world works and what is acceptable or expected. They are invincible.
As a child, I use to dream of being a truck driver. Don't laugh. Well, not too much. To me, truck drivers were people who saw the world. They traveled everywhere. That desire and dream for me to travel is still there. I have the feeling that one day it will be fulfilled, though not in the way I first imagined it.
What do we as adults do though, when the dreams we had as a child have been fulfilled, perhaps even completed, and we are left wondering, “Now what?” Well, we know that God knows the plans He has for us (Jeremiah 29:11), and that His goal for us is not complete until we have breathed our last.
As I started thinking this over today, a few Scriptures came to mind.
“Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4
Perhaps when we have fulfilled the goals set before us by the Lord, and we are still alive, it is time to rest and delight in Him. The amazing thing is that as we are focused solely on God, He begins to fill our heart with the desires that please Him, and make them our own. We then begin to have new dreams and goals, I think, as God plants those new desires in our hearts. Remember, He wants to give us the desires of our heart, so He'll put them there if we leave it open to Him. This most likely won't happen very quickly, so keep delighting in Him. You'll wake up one day and know.
It's really hard to get over being an adult. We know too much, to be honest. We don't have the bliss of ignorance. Some of the other verses that came to mind were Matthew 18:2-5. This is the passage where Jesus takes a small child and says that we must become like children, and welcome children. I believe it is also good to think of this in reference to our dreams and goals too. Believe me, it takes a child-like faith to dream as big as we know God can bless and use us!
Think about your aspirations today. Do they match up with what God is doing in your life? Are you still waiting with a child-like faith, or have you seen them completed? Read Matthew 18:2-5 and Philippians 3:12-14, then go over your dreams, or being planning them, with God today.
As a child, I use to dream of being a truck driver. Don't laugh. Well, not too much. To me, truck drivers were people who saw the world. They traveled everywhere. That desire and dream for me to travel is still there. I have the feeling that one day it will be fulfilled, though not in the way I first imagined it.
What do we as adults do though, when the dreams we had as a child have been fulfilled, perhaps even completed, and we are left wondering, “Now what?” Well, we know that God knows the plans He has for us (Jeremiah 29:11), and that His goal for us is not complete until we have breathed our last.
As I started thinking this over today, a few Scriptures came to mind.
“Take delight in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4
Perhaps when we have fulfilled the goals set before us by the Lord, and we are still alive, it is time to rest and delight in Him. The amazing thing is that as we are focused solely on God, He begins to fill our heart with the desires that please Him, and make them our own. We then begin to have new dreams and goals, I think, as God plants those new desires in our hearts. Remember, He wants to give us the desires of our heart, so He'll put them there if we leave it open to Him. This most likely won't happen very quickly, so keep delighting in Him. You'll wake up one day and know.
It's really hard to get over being an adult. We know too much, to be honest. We don't have the bliss of ignorance. Some of the other verses that came to mind were Matthew 18:2-5. This is the passage where Jesus takes a small child and says that we must become like children, and welcome children. I believe it is also good to think of this in reference to our dreams and goals too. Believe me, it takes a child-like faith to dream as big as we know God can bless and use us!
Think about your aspirations today. Do they match up with what God is doing in your life? Are you still waiting with a child-like faith, or have you seen them completed? Read Matthew 18:2-5 and Philippians 3:12-14, then go over your dreams, or being planning them, with God today.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
No Shadow
James 1:17 has been stuck in my head the last few days. Particularly the last portion of the verse. “Every generous act and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning.”
With Him, the Father of lights, there is no variation or shadow cast by turning... What an interesting thing to say. So, God is the essence of light and things that are right. And, if so, then no matter which way He turns or directs things, they are still perfect and right. They are in full light, and light exposes things. Let's take a look at this in a larger context...
James 1:16-18
“Don't be deceived, my dearly loved brothers. Every generous act and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning. By His own choice, He gave us a new birth by the message of truth so that we would be firstfruits of His creation.”
I believe some of the heresies of their time were saying that God never meant for Jesus to be killed on the cross, but that He used it to His advantage. That's NOT the way God works. “By His own choice...” did He allow the death of His Son for His perfect plan. I wonder if the reason James said that there could never be any variation or shadow cast by turning, is because no matter in which light you try to turn the Gospel by, in order for it to fit what you want to believe, you can't find a shadow to support it. It is pure light, and that light will expose any impurities you are trying to place on it. There is no darkness in the plan of salvation. It may look dark at times to us. We can't understand how God could allow that to be done to His own Son, or why Jesus willingly endured what He did for us, but it is all pure. It was all right.
Have you ever looked at a very bright light for too long? Our eyes begin to develop a dark spot on it. We can't focus on pure light with our human eyes without seeing a shadow that really isn't there. That's the same way it is with God. His light does not have any darkness in it though we may see it that way at times. We must have faith in Him that He remains pure light. That's where the encouragement of others comes in. They may not have developed the same “dark” areas we have when looking at God and can help guide us through them. We are to strengthen and encourage one another. That means there are times when you need to be strengthened, so accept it. That also mean there are times when you need to be the one encouraging others. Don't shirk the responsibility. They need you.
Where are you today? Do you need to see past the spots in your eyes, or help others through theirs?
With Him, the Father of lights, there is no variation or shadow cast by turning... What an interesting thing to say. So, God is the essence of light and things that are right. And, if so, then no matter which way He turns or directs things, they are still perfect and right. They are in full light, and light exposes things. Let's take a look at this in a larger context...
James 1:16-18
“Don't be deceived, my dearly loved brothers. Every generous act and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning. By His own choice, He gave us a new birth by the message of truth so that we would be firstfruits of His creation.”
I believe some of the heresies of their time were saying that God never meant for Jesus to be killed on the cross, but that He used it to His advantage. That's NOT the way God works. “By His own choice...” did He allow the death of His Son for His perfect plan. I wonder if the reason James said that there could never be any variation or shadow cast by turning, is because no matter in which light you try to turn the Gospel by, in order for it to fit what you want to believe, you can't find a shadow to support it. It is pure light, and that light will expose any impurities you are trying to place on it. There is no darkness in the plan of salvation. It may look dark at times to us. We can't understand how God could allow that to be done to His own Son, or why Jesus willingly endured what He did for us, but it is all pure. It was all right.
Have you ever looked at a very bright light for too long? Our eyes begin to develop a dark spot on it. We can't focus on pure light with our human eyes without seeing a shadow that really isn't there. That's the same way it is with God. His light does not have any darkness in it though we may see it that way at times. We must have faith in Him that He remains pure light. That's where the encouragement of others comes in. They may not have developed the same “dark” areas we have when looking at God and can help guide us through them. We are to strengthen and encourage one another. That means there are times when you need to be strengthened, so accept it. That also mean there are times when you need to be the one encouraging others. Don't shirk the responsibility. They need you.
Where are you today? Do you need to see past the spots in your eyes, or help others through theirs?
Monday, June 1, 2009
Bed
Kevin laughs at me because every once in a while when we are going to bed, I stretch out and snuggle down while softly saying, “Mmm... Bed.” I love bed. It just feels so good. I thank God for my soft mattress, clean sheets, and warm blankets. When I'm tired nothing feels better.
The last few nights though, as I laid down, I wondered what took me so long to get there. I love the feeling of relaxing and going to sleep. So, why do I continue to stay up later and later doing nothing very important most of the time. I keep putting off going to bed until I'm too tired to enjoy it. Why?
Then I wondered why I also keep putting off my quiet time with God. Oh, I talk to Him everyday and study often, I just don't get the down time with Him that I long for. Why? No good reason. Just busyness.
So, today I'm cutting this short. I'm going to spend some alone time with God and then enjoy going to bed. Why don't you do the same?
The last few nights though, as I laid down, I wondered what took me so long to get there. I love the feeling of relaxing and going to sleep. So, why do I continue to stay up later and later doing nothing very important most of the time. I keep putting off going to bed until I'm too tired to enjoy it. Why?
Then I wondered why I also keep putting off my quiet time with God. Oh, I talk to Him everyday and study often, I just don't get the down time with Him that I long for. Why? No good reason. Just busyness.
So, today I'm cutting this short. I'm going to spend some alone time with God and then enjoy going to bed. Why don't you do the same?
Sunday, May 31, 2009
The Lost
Have you ever sobbed for the lost? I'm not talking about for those you love who have not accepted the gift of salvation that Jesus offers us. I'm talking about ALL the lost. Have you ever been in a crowd of people, or driving down the road, and been suddenly burdened for their lost-ness? Not a tear or two rolling down the cheek either. I mean chest-heaving, gut-wrenching sobbing. It hasn't happened to me often, but it was very memorable. And painful. I can't imagine how heart-breaking it must be for Jesus.
It makes me think of John 11:33, 35. “When Jesus saw her crying, and the Jews who had come with her crying, He was angry in His spirit and deeply moved.... Jesus wept.” It is believed that the reason Jesus wept here was not over the fact that just Lazarus had died, but over the sin's tyranny and death because of the strong meanings behind the word translated as angry. He was overcome with frustration, anger, and sadness from sins effects. That's what being lost is. Clinging to sin instead of Christ.
I want to challenge you today to ask, and allow, God to place that burden on your heart. It's so heavy that we can not live with it at all times and function I believe, but it is a very beneficial experience. It gave me a stronger drive and urgency to reach the lost. It helped me to love them as God would have me. It gave me a compassion for them I didn't know could exist.
It makes me think of John 11:33, 35. “When Jesus saw her crying, and the Jews who had come with her crying, He was angry in His spirit and deeply moved.... Jesus wept.” It is believed that the reason Jesus wept here was not over the fact that just Lazarus had died, but over the sin's tyranny and death because of the strong meanings behind the word translated as angry. He was overcome with frustration, anger, and sadness from sins effects. That's what being lost is. Clinging to sin instead of Christ.
I want to challenge you today to ask, and allow, God to place that burden on your heart. It's so heavy that we can not live with it at all times and function I believe, but it is a very beneficial experience. It gave me a stronger drive and urgency to reach the lost. It helped me to love them as God would have me. It gave me a compassion for them I didn't know could exist.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Thank Him
Sitting here in the dark this evening with new little contraptions for my computer, I feel very guilty. Not that I got much, just a little set that has a plug in light, a mouse (I had no idea how much I missed one till it came with this set...), and a few other little cables which are universal. My guilt is not from the purchase- I actually got them for free with a camera we bought that was missing its USB cable. The guilt is in how spoiled we as Americans are. Here we bemoan out poor, pitiful plight as millions around the world live in true desperation from many evils. I am so grateful to God that He has blessed us in so many ways.
Have you taken time lately to thank God for your current situation? Perhaps you don't feel thankful right now.
Do you have two sets of clothes? Clean water? Did you have more than one small meal today of the same thing you get every single day? Do you have more than a ragged blanket to keep warm with when its cold and fight bugs off at night when its hot?
Thank Him.
Do you have the option of visiting a doctor? Can you obtain medicine when you are sick? Were you allowed the privilege of a high school education? Can you look up information when you want? Can you even read?
Thank Him.
Did you have the option of reading your Bible today? Do you have a single copy of a book of the Bible, let alone a whole Bible? Did you have to weigh the possibility of violence, rape, or death for the joy of worshiping with other believers? Have you have to choose between your God and your family?
Thank Him.
Dear gracious Father in heaven. Your great Name is Holy. Thank you for the blessings you have heaped upon me. You have given me abundance and comfort in a land which flows with milk and honey. Help us, faithful God, not to loose sight of You and the precious gift You gave us in the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus, The Messiah. Help us to shine as bright lights in a dark world- do not let us grow dim. Help us to shine so bright, that others are blinded by Your Glory! Empower us with the strength to glorify Your Name, which is more than worthy. Grant us boldness to speak Your Gospel and wisdom from Your Spirit for how to reach those who are lost. I pray this in the power of the name of Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Have you taken time lately to thank God for your current situation? Perhaps you don't feel thankful right now.
Do you have two sets of clothes? Clean water? Did you have more than one small meal today of the same thing you get every single day? Do you have more than a ragged blanket to keep warm with when its cold and fight bugs off at night when its hot?
Thank Him.
Do you have the option of visiting a doctor? Can you obtain medicine when you are sick? Were you allowed the privilege of a high school education? Can you look up information when you want? Can you even read?
Thank Him.
Did you have the option of reading your Bible today? Do you have a single copy of a book of the Bible, let alone a whole Bible? Did you have to weigh the possibility of violence, rape, or death for the joy of worshiping with other believers? Have you have to choose between your God and your family?
Thank Him.
Dear gracious Father in heaven. Your great Name is Holy. Thank you for the blessings you have heaped upon me. You have given me abundance and comfort in a land which flows with milk and honey. Help us, faithful God, not to loose sight of You and the precious gift You gave us in the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus, The Messiah. Help us to shine as bright lights in a dark world- do not let us grow dim. Help us to shine so bright, that others are blinded by Your Glory! Empower us with the strength to glorify Your Name, which is more than worthy. Grant us boldness to speak Your Gospel and wisdom from Your Spirit for how to reach those who are lost. I pray this in the power of the name of Jesus Christ. AMEN.
Friday, May 29, 2009
It's All About Timing
I started thinking today about some of the people I went to junior high school with. Our school was 7th, 8th, and 9th grades, so by the time you got to 9th it was a big deal, because you had a title: Freshman.
There was one guy in many of my classes all three years. He was really sweet and we had a lot in common, so we became very good friends. By our freshman year we had both started to “like” each other and all of our other friends figured we should start “going out”. (I love these terms. They never meant much of anything, but we sure thought they did.) However, he was very shy so instead of him asking me out personally, we just mutually agreed to go steady.
It ruined everything. He was so afraid of me then that he avoided me during break and lunch time. After a week of having no idea were he was hiding, I asked if perhaps we should break-up. He agreed and soon after we were back to being the best of friends.
As the last day of school approached we became a bit sad. We were heading to rival high schools, and knew we wouldn't be seeing each other anymore. I didn't want to say much knowing how nervous he got talking about relationships, so I figured I would leave it up to him. As the last bell rang of our last class I wrote off any idea that he had really liked me much at all as a girlfriend. Walking away, I was suddenly grabbed by the arm. He wrapped me in a hug and gave me a big kiss on the lips. With that he walked away, having never said a single word as I stood there completely dazed. Talk about a junior high John Wayne riding-off-into-the-sunset moment.
I still remember it though ;-)
When I thought about it today, I realized, that is how we so often are as Christians. Yes, I know this is a bit of a stretch, but follow me here. Let's say that our lifetimes are like my 9th grade year, and God sets us up to do something specific for Him during this lifetime. We may tell Him OK, but when it comes down to actually doing it we become afraid and back off. Rather like the two of us “going out” for a while and then breaking up. The silly thing is that, we became friends again afterwards, doing the exact same things that we would have been doing even had we continued to go steady. It just didn't have that title. God will use us to accomplish some of the plans He wants of us whether we acknowledge it or not.
The final kiss as I was leaving is like us getting up the courage to accomplish the task as we have one foot in the grave. Yes, it can be checked off, but not with the faith we could have. Do you really want to say to God, “Yes, I know you wanted me to trust you fully and do “X” sooner, but, hey, at least I did it.” No thank you. I want to be able to live a life were I obey Him as soon as possible. Not when I feel comfortable doing it.
I'm not saying that God wanted that boy and I to “go out”. Far from it. I just thought it was an interesting analogy. Are you scared to do what God has asked of you, and are waiting for when your fear to subside? Don't. If God wants you to do something, HE will give you the strength to do it.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness...” 1 Corinthians 12:9
There was one guy in many of my classes all three years. He was really sweet and we had a lot in common, so we became very good friends. By our freshman year we had both started to “like” each other and all of our other friends figured we should start “going out”. (I love these terms. They never meant much of anything, but we sure thought they did.) However, he was very shy so instead of him asking me out personally, we just mutually agreed to go steady.
It ruined everything. He was so afraid of me then that he avoided me during break and lunch time. After a week of having no idea were he was hiding, I asked if perhaps we should break-up. He agreed and soon after we were back to being the best of friends.
As the last day of school approached we became a bit sad. We were heading to rival high schools, and knew we wouldn't be seeing each other anymore. I didn't want to say much knowing how nervous he got talking about relationships, so I figured I would leave it up to him. As the last bell rang of our last class I wrote off any idea that he had really liked me much at all as a girlfriend. Walking away, I was suddenly grabbed by the arm. He wrapped me in a hug and gave me a big kiss on the lips. With that he walked away, having never said a single word as I stood there completely dazed. Talk about a junior high John Wayne riding-off-into-the-sunset moment.
I still remember it though ;-)
When I thought about it today, I realized, that is how we so often are as Christians. Yes, I know this is a bit of a stretch, but follow me here. Let's say that our lifetimes are like my 9th grade year, and God sets us up to do something specific for Him during this lifetime. We may tell Him OK, but when it comes down to actually doing it we become afraid and back off. Rather like the two of us “going out” for a while and then breaking up. The silly thing is that, we became friends again afterwards, doing the exact same things that we would have been doing even had we continued to go steady. It just didn't have that title. God will use us to accomplish some of the plans He wants of us whether we acknowledge it or not.
The final kiss as I was leaving is like us getting up the courage to accomplish the task as we have one foot in the grave. Yes, it can be checked off, but not with the faith we could have. Do you really want to say to God, “Yes, I know you wanted me to trust you fully and do “X” sooner, but, hey, at least I did it.” No thank you. I want to be able to live a life were I obey Him as soon as possible. Not when I feel comfortable doing it.
I'm not saying that God wanted that boy and I to “go out”. Far from it. I just thought it was an interesting analogy. Are you scared to do what God has asked of you, and are waiting for when your fear to subside? Don't. If God wants you to do something, HE will give you the strength to do it.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness...” 1 Corinthians 12:9
Thursday, May 28, 2009
The Sheep Gate
I read something that caught my attention in Nehemiah the other day. This book of the Bible was written approximately 445 B.C. when the Jews were returning from Babylonian exile. The walls of Jerusalem had been destroyed and though some of the Jews had returned weren't being rebuilt. Nehemiah, who was the Persian king's cup bearer, received permission and supplies from the king to go and rebuild the wall. When Nehemiah arrived he had to encourage the people to begin this project, reminding them that Jerusalem was the Lord's city and they were His people. It was their right and responsibility.
The part that caught my interest though was Nehemiah 3:1. “Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests began rebuilding the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and installed its doors. After building the wall to the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel, they dedicated it.” This was the first section of wall mentioned being built for the protection of Jerusalem. Why, of all places, the Sheep Gate? I saw a note in my Bible that said this was the entrance for the sheep to be sacrificed to God, but that still didn't answer as to why this section was mentioned, and most likely built, first.
Then I thought of another Scripture. John 10:1-18 tells us that Jesus is the Good Shepherd, but it was verse 7 that stood out in my mind, “So Jesus said again, 'I assure you: I am the door of the sheep.'” That was it! The first, most important, and only way into God's Holy City is through Jesus Christ, our sheep gate. That is why it was built by the high priest. Because our great High Priest was going to built it for us. That is before anything else. That is most important.
Remember that as you go throughout your day. Without our Sheep Gate, we would be lost and devoured by the wolves. Everything else about Christianity is good, but without the sacrifice of Jesus, we are still outside the gate, no matter what land we are in or who we were born as; what church we go to or who our family is.
The part that caught my interest though was Nehemiah 3:1. “Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests began rebuilding the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and installed its doors. After building the wall to the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel, they dedicated it.” This was the first section of wall mentioned being built for the protection of Jerusalem. Why, of all places, the Sheep Gate? I saw a note in my Bible that said this was the entrance for the sheep to be sacrificed to God, but that still didn't answer as to why this section was mentioned, and most likely built, first.
Then I thought of another Scripture. John 10:1-18 tells us that Jesus is the Good Shepherd, but it was verse 7 that stood out in my mind, “So Jesus said again, 'I assure you: I am the door of the sheep.'” That was it! The first, most important, and only way into God's Holy City is through Jesus Christ, our sheep gate. That is why it was built by the high priest. Because our great High Priest was going to built it for us. That is before anything else. That is most important.
Remember that as you go throughout your day. Without our Sheep Gate, we would be lost and devoured by the wolves. Everything else about Christianity is good, but without the sacrifice of Jesus, we are still outside the gate, no matter what land we are in or who we were born as; what church we go to or who our family is.
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