I posted a while back about all of the "one another" verses in the Bible and putting them to practice in our relationships. Well, someone just posted the following in the online community I'm part of, and I can't stop thinking about it...
Answers in the Bible--here's something that may seem very obvious to you or others, or may not have occured, as it didn't to me for a long time.
When the Bible says how to treat others--our family are "others!" I used to look just for parenting advice, but when I started looking for how to treat others & applying it to family, wow!
Some big ones:
1 Corinthians 13:4-7. Love is patient--am I patient with my children? I spent a month praying just that. Love is kind. Is my tone, words, actions, kind? I spent a year praying through attributes one per month like this & God really worked in my heart.
Galatians 6:1-2--if someone is caught in a sin, restore him gently. Wow, there's a zinger for parents!
Matthew 7:3-5--take the plank out of your own eye so you can see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's (child's) eye.
All the "one another" verses. Love one another, be kind to one another, forgiving one another--how easy it is to discipline when angry, when inconvenienced, when embarrassed in front of others--instead of disciplining in love, with what's best for our child in mind, from a heart that has forgiven your child.
I think the same thing could easily be applied to marriage. It's like that saying about how many times we treat strangers on the street better than we treat our loved ones. Maybe I'm the only one who does that, but either way, I really think this is life changing. I have no idea how I could blindly read these verses and only apply them to "others" and not to my marriage or my children (well, except for 1 Corinthians 13 – at least I thought of that one in terms of my marriage, even if I haven't always applied it very well!)
Anyway, my goal is to read through ALL of these verses, applying them and praying through them! You gotta feel bad for the first children (no wonder we turn out so neurotic!), when parents are still learning even just the basics of how to parent! :P
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Holiness
Wow...well, I am almost finished my study on holiness, and I happened to glance ahead to day five of the study, because that is the day that you "make it personal", and the questions always, always make me stop and think. So, the activity for day five this week is this list of 65 character qualities that we're called to "put off" as Christians as well as 65 corresponding qualities we're called to put on. Each of the 130 total has a verse to read along with it, so I think this will probably take me days and days to go through.
BUT, as I was reading this list, I feel pretty convicted already. For example, number 42...ouch....procrastination versus diligence! Number 46 and 47...lack of moderation and gluttony versus temperance and discipline. And it continues...lack of rejoicing always, worry, fear, neglect of Bible study, inhospitable, temporal values, stinginess, worldy entertainment, wrong motives, complacency, discontentment, complaining, impatience, selfishness, pride. Eek! Sure there are some I can check off – like adultery – but not many! :S
I am definitely not "excited" about doing that part of the study, but I am truly looking forward to going through them one by one and allowing God to cull things from my life and replace them with godly character qualities. It will be a slow process, I'm sure, but I hope I will still know you all in 50, 60 or 70 years, and that the fruit of my labor may be evident by then! :P
BUT, as I was reading this list, I feel pretty convicted already. For example, number 42...ouch....procrastination versus diligence! Number 46 and 47...lack of moderation and gluttony versus temperance and discipline. And it continues...lack of rejoicing always, worry, fear, neglect of Bible study, inhospitable, temporal values, stinginess, worldy entertainment, wrong motives, complacency, discontentment, complaining, impatience, selfishness, pride. Eek! Sure there are some I can check off – like adultery – but not many! :S
I am definitely not "excited" about doing that part of the study, but I am truly looking forward to going through them one by one and allowing God to cull things from my life and replace them with godly character qualities. It will be a slow process, I'm sure, but I hope I will still know you all in 50, 60 or 70 years, and that the fruit of my labor may be evident by then! :P
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Immanuel
Isaiah 7:14 -> "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
Okay, I started my word search on this, knowing the definition I'd always been taught was "God with us." The word search confirms this, but it's set up a little strange - here and here for anyone interested in seeing it – and I'm not sure why the two Hebrew words, 'el and Immanuw'el, are listed seperately the way they are. So I'm waiting to hear back from someone on why they're listed that way, and then I'll finish that part of it.
In the meantime, the standard definition is pretty good all by itself, don't you think? It's so easy to get caught up in the habit of being a Christian and not really focus on the Truth or reality of it, which is awe-inspiring to say the least.
God with us.
God, in His infinite power, glory and majesty, with us.
God with us, even in our wretchedness and our sinfulness.
God with us.
I remember laying in bed once when I was in highschool, and all of the sudden I started meditating on God's desire to have a relationship with me. GOD desired ME! It got to the point where I was just marveling at the idea of GOD. Nothing else, just GOD.
If we truly understood that concept – GOD with us – would we continue to live our lives the way we do now?
Let me just personalize that for myself...If I truly understood the concept of GOD, in all of His infinite power, glory and majesty, with ME, in all of my wretchedness and sinfulness, would I continue to live the same life I'm living now?
Absolutely not.
I would not let one day go by without spending focused time with Him. I would not let one moment go by without telling my daughters about His desire for them. I would not let one single person walk by without tell them about Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. That's the truth...if I truly got it, my life would be drastically different. The fact that I don't do those things is a sad testimony to the fact that I don't get it.
Lord Jesus, I pray that this Christmas season and into 2007 that you would reveal Yourself to me in all of Your power and glory and majesty...or as much as my human mind can comprehend. Lord, please forgive me for not recognizing the awesomeness of Your name and Your presence on a daily basis. Please forgive me for not sharing the hope that is found in You with strangers that I meet on the street. Please, please forgive me for making other things a higher priority than spending time with You. Lord, I pray that today would mark a day of change in my life, that from this day forward, my life would reflect Your glory, that I would bring glory and honor to Your name and that people would be drawn to You because of me.
Lord, I pray as always that You would draw my girls to You. I pray that they would love and serve You each day of their lives with a childlike faith and a fervor and a zeal that makes other people want to know You as well. I pray that they would live lives of purity – not just physically, but in their thoughts and words and hearts. I pray that You would give them a love for Your Word, that they would love to praise and worship You and that You would give them a boldness and confidence in You to share the Gospel.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Okay, I started my word search on this, knowing the definition I'd always been taught was "God with us." The word search confirms this, but it's set up a little strange - here and here for anyone interested in seeing it – and I'm not sure why the two Hebrew words, 'el and Immanuw'el, are listed seperately the way they are. So I'm waiting to hear back from someone on why they're listed that way, and then I'll finish that part of it.
In the meantime, the standard definition is pretty good all by itself, don't you think? It's so easy to get caught up in the habit of being a Christian and not really focus on the Truth or reality of it, which is awe-inspiring to say the least.
God with us.
God, in His infinite power, glory and majesty, with us.
God with us, even in our wretchedness and our sinfulness.
God with us.
I remember laying in bed once when I was in highschool, and all of the sudden I started meditating on God's desire to have a relationship with me. GOD desired ME! It got to the point where I was just marveling at the idea of GOD. Nothing else, just GOD.
If we truly understood that concept – GOD with us – would we continue to live our lives the way we do now?
Let me just personalize that for myself...If I truly understood the concept of GOD, in all of His infinite power, glory and majesty, with ME, in all of my wretchedness and sinfulness, would I continue to live the same life I'm living now?
Absolutely not.
I would not let one day go by without spending focused time with Him. I would not let one moment go by without telling my daughters about His desire for them. I would not let one single person walk by without tell them about Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. That's the truth...if I truly got it, my life would be drastically different. The fact that I don't do those things is a sad testimony to the fact that I don't get it.
Lord Jesus, I pray that this Christmas season and into 2007 that you would reveal Yourself to me in all of Your power and glory and majesty...or as much as my human mind can comprehend. Lord, please forgive me for not recognizing the awesomeness of Your name and Your presence on a daily basis. Please forgive me for not sharing the hope that is found in You with strangers that I meet on the street. Please, please forgive me for making other things a higher priority than spending time with You. Lord, I pray that today would mark a day of change in my life, that from this day forward, my life would reflect Your glory, that I would bring glory and honor to Your name and that people would be drawn to You because of me.
Lord, I pray as always that You would draw my girls to You. I pray that they would love and serve You each day of their lives with a childlike faith and a fervor and a zeal that makes other people want to know You as well. I pray that they would live lives of purity – not just physically, but in their thoughts and words and hearts. I pray that You would give them a love for Your Word, that they would love to praise and worship You and that You would give them a boldness and confidence in You to share the Gospel.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Friday, December 15, 2006
God's grace
I read Psalm 86:1-7 in a new way this morning based on the question in my study book:
David was a man who was desperately aware if his need for God's grace and wasn't afraid to ask for it. Underline each phrase in this passage that refers to David asking God for help. Circle (I'm gonna bold them here) each phrase that indicates how God responds when His children call upon Him. (I'm also going to italicize David's description of his cry to God because I think so often we want something from God, but we forget to ask Him for us, like the parable of the woman who continually petitions the judge until he gives her what she's asking for – anyone know where that is???)
Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me.
for I am poor and needy.
Preserve my life, for I am godly;
Save your servant, who trusts in You – you are my God.
Be gracious to me, O Lord,
for to You do I cry all the day.
Gladden the soul of your servant,
for to You, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
For You, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon You.
Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;
listen to my plea for grace.
In the day of my trouble, I call upon you,
For You answer me.
David was a man who was desperately aware if his need for God's grace and wasn't afraid to ask for it. Underline each phrase in this passage that refers to David asking God for help. Circle (I'm gonna bold them here) each phrase that indicates how God responds when His children call upon Him. (I'm also going to italicize David's description of his cry to God because I think so often we want something from God, but we forget to ask Him for us, like the parable of the woman who continually petitions the judge until he gives her what she's asking for – anyone know where that is???)
Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me.
for I am poor and needy.
Preserve my life, for I am godly;
Save your servant, who trusts in You – you are my God.
Be gracious to me, O Lord,
for to You do I cry all the day.
Gladden the soul of your servant,
for to You, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
For You, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon You.
Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;
listen to my plea for grace.
In the day of my trouble, I call upon you,
For You answer me.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
A child
Ok, today I'm going to do a study about Jesus as "a child".
Isaiah 9:6, "For unto us a child is born..."
The Hebrew word is yeled, from the word yalad.
There's nothing really earth shattering here in the definition of the phrase:
1) child, son, boy, offspring, youth
a) child, son, boy
b) child, children
c) descendants
d) youth
e) apostate Israelites (fig.)
It's the same word used to describe Isaac and Ishmael and Jacob's children and Moses and so on and so on.
Wow, this one is a lot harder for me than Prince of Peace was. With that one, I was able to write "Mandi's Amplified Version" (which I lost) based on the definitions, and it really opened my eyes to a lot of aspects of that name that I hadn't seen before. For example – not to get off track too much – one of the definitions of peace as used there is reconciling us with God. I had always looked at Jesus as the Prince of Peace in reference to the indescribable Peace He gives us, i.e. the emotion or feeling of peace. But I think that while He delights in bringing us peace in our daily lives, the ultimate peace comes from that reconciliation with God.
Okay, back on track...the thought that keeps coming to me is that God did not use a special word to describe Jesus as a child/baby. He truly came in humbleness as the Son of man (and that's not to say He was not the Son of God because He was...it's just that He did not hold onto that "title", especially during His early days here on earth).
I know this analogy falls short on so many levels, but I am going to assume for the purpose of this analogy that everyone reading along falls somewhere in the working class to upper middle class range financially (everyone that I know reads this does, at least). Okay, so can you imagine choosing to give all of that up to go live on the streets of DC?
Now, I do know people who have given up everything to go be missionaries. I think even that would be a stretch for a lot of us – just being honest here! But, imagine that you are called to give everything up, go live on the streets of DC, and you just have to live as a common poor person for 30 years! We could say that even though Jesus didn't begin to actually minister until He was 30, He actually began His ministry much earlier, at - say - 12 when He stayed behind at the Temple after the feasts. Okay, so based on that, let's say you are called to give up everything, go live on the streets of DC as the poor do – and not as a person who's chosen to live there, but just as an "ordinary" poor person living in "ordinary" poverty – for 12 years without anyone knowing your purpose or giving you any respect at all.
Okay, obviously this analogy falls short because Jesus – GOD! – came from glory to a sinful world, was tempted by all sin common to man, and was crucified on the cross...even though He is GOD! But, even the above scenario is hard for my mind to conceive. I don't think I could do it, regardless of what the greater purpose after 12 or 30 years might be. In fact, to be honest, I'm not sure I could do it for a year...or six months...or less, even.
Wow.
You know, I've loved Christmas both years that I've had a baby because as I hold that baby and worship Christ, singing Christmas songs about Him coming as a baby, it truly hits home.
Our Lord came to this earth as a baby. While many people watched and waited – and still do – for Him to come as a triumphant king, He came as a baby – and a poor one at that – and lived a humble life. He died a humble death as a common criminal. And then...here's the triumphant part, which many have missed as they wait for Him to come in glory...He triumphed over sin and death. He ROSE from the grave and ascended into Heaven. He IS triumphant. He IS victorious. He IS deserving of all worship and honor and glory and majesty and praise.
Isaiah 9:6, "For unto us a child is born..."
The Hebrew word is yeled, from the word yalad.
There's nothing really earth shattering here in the definition of the phrase:
1) child, son, boy, offspring, youth
a) child, son, boy
b) child, children
c) descendants
d) youth
e) apostate Israelites (fig.)
It's the same word used to describe Isaac and Ishmael and Jacob's children and Moses and so on and so on.
Wow, this one is a lot harder for me than Prince of Peace was. With that one, I was able to write "Mandi's Amplified Version" (which I lost) based on the definitions, and it really opened my eyes to a lot of aspects of that name that I hadn't seen before. For example – not to get off track too much – one of the definitions of peace as used there is reconciling us with God. I had always looked at Jesus as the Prince of Peace in reference to the indescribable Peace He gives us, i.e. the emotion or feeling of peace. But I think that while He delights in bringing us peace in our daily lives, the ultimate peace comes from that reconciliation with God.
Okay, back on track...the thought that keeps coming to me is that God did not use a special word to describe Jesus as a child/baby. He truly came in humbleness as the Son of man (and that's not to say He was not the Son of God because He was...it's just that He did not hold onto that "title", especially during His early days here on earth).
I know this analogy falls short on so many levels, but I am going to assume for the purpose of this analogy that everyone reading along falls somewhere in the working class to upper middle class range financially (everyone that I know reads this does, at least). Okay, so can you imagine choosing to give all of that up to go live on the streets of DC?
Now, I do know people who have given up everything to go be missionaries. I think even that would be a stretch for a lot of us – just being honest here! But, imagine that you are called to give everything up, go live on the streets of DC, and you just have to live as a common poor person for 30 years! We could say that even though Jesus didn't begin to actually minister until He was 30, He actually began His ministry much earlier, at - say - 12 when He stayed behind at the Temple after the feasts. Okay, so based on that, let's say you are called to give up everything, go live on the streets of DC as the poor do – and not as a person who's chosen to live there, but just as an "ordinary" poor person living in "ordinary" poverty – for 12 years without anyone knowing your purpose or giving you any respect at all.
Okay, obviously this analogy falls short because Jesus – GOD! – came from glory to a sinful world, was tempted by all sin common to man, and was crucified on the cross...even though He is GOD! But, even the above scenario is hard for my mind to conceive. I don't think I could do it, regardless of what the greater purpose after 12 or 30 years might be. In fact, to be honest, I'm not sure I could do it for a year...or six months...or less, even.
Wow.
You know, I've loved Christmas both years that I've had a baby because as I hold that baby and worship Christ, singing Christmas songs about Him coming as a baby, it truly hits home.
Our Lord came to this earth as a baby. While many people watched and waited – and still do – for Him to come as a triumphant king, He came as a baby – and a poor one at that – and lived a humble life. He died a humble death as a common criminal. And then...here's the triumphant part, which many have missed as they wait for Him to come in glory...He triumphed over sin and death. He ROSE from the grave and ascended into Heaven. He IS triumphant. He IS victorious. He IS deserving of all worship and honor and glory and majesty and praise.
Grace!
This week, our small group Bible study is on grace! It's about time, as most of the other chapters in the book are very, very convicting!
I love these verses:
Hebrews 4:16 -> "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in the time of need."
Romans 5:15-17 -> "But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by one man's offense, many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.
"And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgement which came from the one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification.
"For if by one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ."
I love these verses:
Hebrews 4:16 -> "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in the time of need."
Romans 5:15-17 -> "But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by one man's offense, many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many.
"And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgement which came from the one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification.
"For if by one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ."
Failing in the commitment department
Okay, not doing so good here...I haven't done any more studies on the names of Jesus. Honestly, I forgot. And yesterday I didn't do my QT at all because I overslept and had to get some work done before small group.
Here's where I'd usually just give up – "Agh, I can't do it. Might as well not even try." But I'm not going to this time. I'm just going to keep plugging away. I want to live a life of devotion to my Lord. I want to honor Him and spend time with His each day. And – truthfully – I want to set a good example for my daughters so that as they get older, it will hopefully not be quite as big a struggle for them as it's been for me!
Here's where I'd usually just give up – "Agh, I can't do it. Might as well not even try." But I'm not going to this time. I'm just going to keep plugging away. I want to live a life of devotion to my Lord. I want to honor Him and spend time with His each day. And – truthfully – I want to set a good example for my daughters so that as they get older, it will hopefully not be quite as big a struggle for them as it's been for me!
Monday, December 11, 2006
Prince of Peace
Agh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just lost my post about Jesus being the Prince of Peace. It was a long and detailed word study, and I don't have time to redo it right now. :(
The names of Jesus
Our pastor gave us a meditation exercise to use this Christmas season, meditating each day on one of the names of Jesus. I admit I didn't start it last week like I should have, but I figured it's not too late to do it now and do one a day between now and Christmas – I have 11 here on my list, so if I find more, I'll keep going as long as those last. Then maybe I'll move on to names of God, but we'll see.
Anyway, the list of names taken from Isaiah 9, Luke 2 and Matthew 1 – which all talk about the birth of our Lord – is:
A child
A son
Wonderful Counselor
Mighty God
Everlasting Father
Prince of Peace
Savior
Christ
Lord
Jesus
Immanuel
I'm going to start with Prince of Peace because that name has a lot of significance for me. During both of my miscarriages, I have been so blessed to so intimately know Christ as the Prince of Peace that gives me the peace and strength to get through the emotions and the pain. I know there are women who struggle for years after a m/c, and I am thankful that Christ meets me where I'm at and fills my heart with joy and peace in the midst of my grief.
Anyway, I did want to add this little note about meditation from our pastor:
"The concept of meditation is neither new or Christian. What sets Christian meditation apart is that it seeks to fill the mind with thoughts and images of God versus a more secular practice that seeks to empty oneself."
Okay I'll start a new post with the name "Prince of Peace."
Anyway, the list of names taken from Isaiah 9, Luke 2 and Matthew 1 – which all talk about the birth of our Lord – is:
A child
A son
Wonderful Counselor
Mighty God
Everlasting Father
Prince of Peace
Savior
Christ
Lord
Jesus
Immanuel
I'm going to start with Prince of Peace because that name has a lot of significance for me. During both of my miscarriages, I have been so blessed to so intimately know Christ as the Prince of Peace that gives me the peace and strength to get through the emotions and the pain. I know there are women who struggle for years after a m/c, and I am thankful that Christ meets me where I'm at and fills my heart with joy and peace in the midst of my grief.
Anyway, I did want to add this little note about meditation from our pastor:
"The concept of meditation is neither new or Christian. What sets Christian meditation apart is that it seeks to fill the mind with thoughts and images of God versus a more secular practice that seeks to empty oneself."
Okay I'll start a new post with the name "Prince of Peace."
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Where have I been?
Ok, so maybe we need to add this blog to the abandoned blog list. I don't want to, but I'm really not sure how to keep up.
There's two issues:
1. Because I am doing my small group Bible study as the foundation of my quiet time, I am already writing out so much in my book that I'm not sure what's left to say here.
2. Because this Bible study is VERY deep and VERY convicting, a lot of what I have to say really can't be shared here – it's too personal (and you know that means it must be REALLY personal, because I'm pretty much an open book most of the time!)
But God is doing some awesome things in my life. So far we have studied Revival (an overview for the study), Humbleness, Honesty and this week is Repentance.
Let me just tell you, I didn't even put the effort I should have into those first studies. There was a huge area in my life that I had not turned over to Christ, and it was a stumbling block in my relationship with Him (as well as with Sean!).
So last week I was feeling VERY discouraged on Wednesday morning, having just lost our precious Taylor, and I did not want to go to Bible study. I'm sure no one would have blamed me had I not shown up, but I had to take LinZ to help with childcare for the study anyway, so I decided to just go.
Well, I am so glad that I did. The study – honesty with ourselves, others and God – was one of the most convicting, powerful studies I've ever been to. At the end, our group each confessed a sin/area we were struggling with and committed to praying for each other. We were all in tears, and yet the openness and honesty was amazing!
So anyway, with that burden lifted, it's as if I'm seeing the world through a whole new light, and I am excited to see what God has in store!
I am going to try to blog here some more, but no promises yet...
There's two issues:
1. Because I am doing my small group Bible study as the foundation of my quiet time, I am already writing out so much in my book that I'm not sure what's left to say here.
2. Because this Bible study is VERY deep and VERY convicting, a lot of what I have to say really can't be shared here – it's too personal (and you know that means it must be REALLY personal, because I'm pretty much an open book most of the time!)
But God is doing some awesome things in my life. So far we have studied Revival (an overview for the study), Humbleness, Honesty and this week is Repentance.
Let me just tell you, I didn't even put the effort I should have into those first studies. There was a huge area in my life that I had not turned over to Christ, and it was a stumbling block in my relationship with Him (as well as with Sean!).
So last week I was feeling VERY discouraged on Wednesday morning, having just lost our precious Taylor, and I did not want to go to Bible study. I'm sure no one would have blamed me had I not shown up, but I had to take LinZ to help with childcare for the study anyway, so I decided to just go.
Well, I am so glad that I did. The study – honesty with ourselves, others and God – was one of the most convicting, powerful studies I've ever been to. At the end, our group each confessed a sin/area we were struggling with and committed to praying for each other. We were all in tears, and yet the openness and honesty was amazing!
So anyway, with that burden lifted, it's as if I'm seeing the world through a whole new light, and I am excited to see what God has in store!
I am going to try to blog here some more, but no promises yet...
Saturday, October 14, 2006
I haven't disappeared
I'm still here, but things have been so hectic, and I didn't get a chance to journal last week. I started the Purity Challenge study with my little sis, and today I started Seeking Him: Experience the Joy of Personal Revival, which we're doing in our small group.
I have have been part of a small group (well, since highschool), and I am LOVING it! I am anxious and excited to do this book because it's definitely a call to personal and corporate revival and not at all wishy-washy.
Hosea 10:12 (NKJV)
"Break up your fallow ground,
For it is time to seek the Lord,
Till he comes and rains righteousness on you."
The first lesson had us read the following passages: 2 Kings 22:8-13, 18-20, Ezra 10:1-12, Jeremiah 3:19-4:4, James 4:4-10, each of which talks about God's people coming to Him broken and the revival He brought about in their lives.
Lord, I am ready for a revival. Lord, I want to be broken before You, acutely aware of any and all sin that seperates me from You, repentant and ready to follow You wherever You may call me. Holy Spirit, I pray that my heart would be soft and ripe to hear what you have to say to me. Lord, like King Josiah, I want to hear Your Word and fall on my knees before You. Thank You that You hear my cry and that You promise to lift my feet up and set me on a firm foundation. I pray, Lord, that you would bring about revival in the hearts of each women in our small group, that we would all seek after You in new, fresh, deeper ways, and that You would meet us where we're at. In Jesus name, Amen.
I have have been part of a small group (well, since highschool), and I am LOVING it! I am anxious and excited to do this book because it's definitely a call to personal and corporate revival and not at all wishy-washy.
Hosea 10:12 (NKJV)
"Break up your fallow ground,
For it is time to seek the Lord,
Till he comes and rains righteousness on you."
The first lesson had us read the following passages: 2 Kings 22:8-13, 18-20, Ezra 10:1-12, Jeremiah 3:19-4:4, James 4:4-10, each of which talks about God's people coming to Him broken and the revival He brought about in their lives.
Lord, I am ready for a revival. Lord, I want to be broken before You, acutely aware of any and all sin that seperates me from You, repentant and ready to follow You wherever You may call me. Holy Spirit, I pray that my heart would be soft and ripe to hear what you have to say to me. Lord, like King Josiah, I want to hear Your Word and fall on my knees before You. Thank You that You hear my cry and that You promise to lift my feet up and set me on a firm foundation. I pray, Lord, that you would bring about revival in the hearts of each women in our small group, that we would all seek after You in new, fresh, deeper ways, and that You would meet us where we're at. In Jesus name, Amen.
Friday, October 06, 2006
Have you ever gotten stuck thinking about one of those unfathomable questions...
...just going 'round and 'round in your mind trying to make sense of it?
This week I've been thinking a lot about our appointed time of death. Lovely subject, eh? It's not that I'm preoccupied on the death part of it, but more on the sovereignty of God part of it.
Here's how the whole thing got started...I happened to think of and mention to LinZ that I wanted to get some of those scissors made to cut through seatbelts because in an emergency, it would make it much easier to get the girls out of their carseats. Her response was that if it was their time to die, they would, and if it wasn't, they wouldn't.
That's where I get stuck...see, I *think* I believe that. I really do. BUT, doesn't God expect us to be reasonable? I mean, if you jump off the Empire State Building, chances are you're gonna die. Obviously, God has allowed that to happen, but I certainly don't think he caused it.
I think what it really boils down to is fear. Now, I'm really not that fearful. I do tend to overthing things, and I like to be prepared, but I don't fear the death of my children. My heart breaks at the thought of losing them...but that's my pure selfishness. In reality, if something were to happen to them, I am confident in the goodness of our God, and knowing they were with him in Heaven makes it bearable to even consider. (Uh, the caveat to that is I simply cannot bear the thought of them being kidnapped or taken - I beg God regularly to please not let that happen to them...again, it's not the death part but the rest of it...I seriously cannot even think about it.)
Okay, so it comes down to me choosing to believe that God is in control and not trying to figure out all the ins and outs of it, but I am SO analytical, that I really wanna know where that balance is - or if there is evan a balance.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) -
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.'"
2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) -
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."
Psalm 91:4-6 (NIV) -
"He (God) will cover you with His feathers,
and under His wings, you will find refuge;
His faithfullness will be your shield and your rampart.
You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday."
Isaiah 55:8-9 (NKJV) -
"'For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,' says the Lord.
'For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.'"
This week I've been thinking a lot about our appointed time of death. Lovely subject, eh? It's not that I'm preoccupied on the death part of it, but more on the sovereignty of God part of it.
Here's how the whole thing got started...I happened to think of and mention to LinZ that I wanted to get some of those scissors made to cut through seatbelts because in an emergency, it would make it much easier to get the girls out of their carseats. Her response was that if it was their time to die, they would, and if it wasn't, they wouldn't.
That's where I get stuck...see, I *think* I believe that. I really do. BUT, doesn't God expect us to be reasonable? I mean, if you jump off the Empire State Building, chances are you're gonna die. Obviously, God has allowed that to happen, but I certainly don't think he caused it.
I think what it really boils down to is fear. Now, I'm really not that fearful. I do tend to overthing things, and I like to be prepared, but I don't fear the death of my children. My heart breaks at the thought of losing them...but that's my pure selfishness. In reality, if something were to happen to them, I am confident in the goodness of our God, and knowing they were with him in Heaven makes it bearable to even consider. (Uh, the caveat to that is I simply cannot bear the thought of them being kidnapped or taken - I beg God regularly to please not let that happen to them...again, it's not the death part but the rest of it...I seriously cannot even think about it.)
Okay, so it comes down to me choosing to believe that God is in control and not trying to figure out all the ins and outs of it, but I am SO analytical, that I really wanna know where that balance is - or if there is evan a balance.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) -
"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.'"
2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) -
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."
Psalm 91:4-6 (NIV) -
"He (God) will cover you with His feathers,
and under His wings, you will find refuge;
His faithfullness will be your shield and your rampart.
You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday."
Isaiah 55:8-9 (NKJV) -
"'For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,' says the Lord.
'For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.'"
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Ok, so my thoughts...
You know, talking about community or "life together" might seem silly to some people, but this is really an area I struggle with! It's not that I don't enjoy or value people, but I'm really not very good at staying in touch with people or making new deep friendships. That is one reason I am super excited about our moms' playgroup/small group because it's an opportunity to get to know some women from our church and have both fun and times of serious talk. We all agreed that we didn't want a "fluffy" book to discuss, and the workbook we got looks REALLY good!
Some people have gobs and gobs of friends and they do it really well (Kim is the perfect example of this - she manages to make EACH friend feel like they're her favorite!). Not me! I seriously struggle with maintaining more than a few friendships. I'd say right now I have 5 friends that I talk to regularly, and that's about it for me. I don't know what will happen if/when I become close with the ladies in my small group, because I honestly don't know how to balance it!
I think the one thing I have been convicted about lately is birthdays and anniversaries. I am SO forgetful when it comes to these, and I promise all of you reading this, it's not just YOU! This morning, Sean came over especially to give me a kiss and a hug, and I responded, "What was that for???" (Just so I don't seem like a total jerk, he usually gets ready to go and then comes and gives me a hug and a kiss) He looked at me for a second and said, "Happy Anniversary!" UGH! I cannot believe I forgot...yesterday I knew it was today and kept reminding myself!
Anyway, I know that it probably hurts "your" feelings when I forget "your" birthdays and anniversaries, and even though it's really not about me forgetting YOU, it's still something I want to work on because I don't want "you" to feel bad!!!
As I've been thinking about it too, I really think that while Jesus may not have bought His disciples gifts while He was on the earth, He probably made each of them feel super special and made sure that they knew they were loved. I think that's the really important part!! Hopefully one day we will have the money to buy everyone gifts on their birthdays, but for now, I definitely need to work on just being more thoughtful!
Sorry, this is kind of a rambling post! See, I told you it would be like my journal!
Some people have gobs and gobs of friends and they do it really well (Kim is the perfect example of this - she manages to make EACH friend feel like they're her favorite!). Not me! I seriously struggle with maintaining more than a few friendships. I'd say right now I have 5 friends that I talk to regularly, and that's about it for me. I don't know what will happen if/when I become close with the ladies in my small group, because I honestly don't know how to balance it!
I think the one thing I have been convicted about lately is birthdays and anniversaries. I am SO forgetful when it comes to these, and I promise all of you reading this, it's not just YOU! This morning, Sean came over especially to give me a kiss and a hug, and I responded, "What was that for???" (Just so I don't seem like a total jerk, he usually gets ready to go and then comes and gives me a hug and a kiss) He looked at me for a second and said, "Happy Anniversary!" UGH! I cannot believe I forgot...yesterday I knew it was today and kept reminding myself!
Anyway, I know that it probably hurts "your" feelings when I forget "your" birthdays and anniversaries, and even though it's really not about me forgetting YOU, it's still something I want to work on because I don't want "you" to feel bad!!!
As I've been thinking about it too, I really think that while Jesus may not have bought His disciples gifts while He was on the earth, He probably made each of them feel super special and made sure that they knew they were loved. I think that's the really important part!! Hopefully one day we will have the money to buy everyone gifts on their birthdays, but for now, I definitely need to work on just being more thoughtful!
Sorry, this is kind of a rambling post! See, I told you it would be like my journal!
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Togetherness
Okay, let me see if I can get through the rest of these verses about "one another", the body of Christ, and "together". I love actually looking them up and typing them here because it's so easy to just skim over them otherwise...
Ephesians 4:2 (NKJV)
"...with lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love."
Ephesians 4:32 (NJKV)
"And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you."
Ephesians 5:21 (NKJV)
"...submitting to one another in the fear of God."
Colossians 3:12-17 (NLT) -> I love this passage of Scripture, so even though he cited two of the verses separately, I'm going to put the whole thing here...
"Since God chose you to be the holy people whom He loves, you must clothe yourself with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. And the most important piece of clothing you wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts and make you wise. Use His words to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, let it be as a respresentative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through Him to God the Father."
I Thessalonians 5:11 (NKJV)
"Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing."
Hebrews 10:24 (NKJV)
"And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works."
1 Peter 3:8 (NKJV)
"Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous."
1 Corinthians 12:12-26 (NKJV) -> Okay, I copied and pasted this one! ;)
"For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many.
If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. And if they were all one member, where would the body be? But now indeed there are many members, yet one body.
And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need.
But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it."
Ephesians 4:2 (NKJV)
"...with lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love."
Ephesians 4:32 (NJKV)
"And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you."
Ephesians 5:21 (NKJV)
"...submitting to one another in the fear of God."
Colossians 3:12-17 (NLT) -> I love this passage of Scripture, so even though he cited two of the verses separately, I'm going to put the whole thing here...
"Since God chose you to be the holy people whom He loves, you must clothe yourself with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. And the most important piece of clothing you wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts and make you wise. Use His words to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, let it be as a respresentative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through Him to God the Father."
I Thessalonians 5:11 (NKJV)
"Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing."
Hebrews 10:24 (NKJV)
"And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works."
1 Peter 3:8 (NKJV)
"Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous."
1 Corinthians 12:12-26 (NKJV) -> Okay, I copied and pasted this one! ;)
"For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many.
If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. And if they were all one member, where would the body be? But now indeed there are many members, yet one body.
And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need.
But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it."
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Community
Our church's current sermon series is called "Life Together." It's about the importance of community and developing community. We know this is true because we're told in Hebrews, "Let us not neglect meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other." (Hebrews 10:25, NLT). Actually, when I was searching for that verse, I searched "together," and it pulled up a LOT of verses about togetherness - how we should live together, why, etc.
Our pastor did a word search on "one another" and also put together a list of verses about how we should live as a community...
Romans 12:10 (NKJV) - "Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another."
Romans 12:16 (NKJV) - "Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion."
Romans 13:8 (NKJV) - "Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law."
Romans 15:7 (NKJV) - "Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God."
Galatians 5:13 (NKJV) - "For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."
Okay, there's more and then I actually have some thoughts about them, but I have to run get breakfast for the girls for now...
Our pastor did a word search on "one another" and also put together a list of verses about how we should live as a community...
Romans 12:10 (NKJV) - "Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another."
Romans 12:16 (NKJV) - "Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion."
Romans 13:8 (NKJV) - "Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law."
Romans 15:7 (NKJV) - "Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God."
Galatians 5:13 (NKJV) - "For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."
Okay, there's more and then I actually have some thoughts about them, but I have to run get breakfast for the girls for now...
The final beatitudes
I did the word study on the last two beatitudes on Sunday morning when I was up with Dylan, but I could not formulate an intelligent post at that time. So here are those plus the following verses...
Matthew 5:9-12 (NKJV)
"Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
So to start with the first...ugh! Let me just say that here is one more that I am not doing so well at. Some people are natural peacemakers, but honestly, I'm not. But I do want to be called a "son" (or daughter) of God.
The biblical usage definition of peacemaker given is...peacemaker. So I looked it up at Dictionary.com, and their definition is:
A person, group, or nation that tries to make peace, esp. by reconciling parties who disagree, quarrel, or fight.
It's not that I like to cause fights between people; I'm just not very proactive in trying to resolve them if they don't involve me. I'm not sure any person would fault me for that, but God obviously considers it important, so it's something I want to become!
Here's why. The definition of sons of God is:
c) of those whom God esteems as sons, whom he loves, protects and benefits above others
1) in the OT used of the Jews
2) in the NT of Christians
3) those whose character God, as a loving father, shapes by chastisements (Heb. 12:5-8)
d) those who revere God as their father, the pious worshippers of God, those who in character and life resemble God, those who are governed by the Spirit of God, repose the same calm and joyful trust in God which children do in their parents (Rom. 8:14, Gal. 3:26 ), and hereafter in the blessedness and glory of the life eternal will openly wear this dignity of the sons of God. Term used preeminently of Jesus Christ, as enjoying the supreme love of God, united to him in affectionate intimacy, privy to his saving councils, obedient to the Father's will in all his acts
The first bolded statement is how I want God to view me. I want to be pleasing in His sight. To be honestar, I know He loves me, but I'm not sure I'm doing anything especially pleasing to Him...
The second bolded statement is how I want to view God. My mom thinks (okay, knows) I have a, um, control problem. I like to be in control of the situation, especially where my family is involved. Sometimes I actually want to determine the outcome of a situation; most of the time, I just want to know what God has planned so that I can be prepared. But, you know, even when Peyton and Dylan don't know what's going on - in a new situation or something like that - they just hold on to my shoulder or hand, and TRUST me. It's amazing to me how clearly I can see a picture of my relationship with God when I look at my children...that is one that I want to emulate in my relationship with Him.
Okay, so on to the next beatitude...
persecute:
3) in any way whatever to harass, trouble, molest one
a) to persecute
b) to be mistreated, suffer persecution on account of something
righteousness:
a) the doctrine concerning the way in which man may attain a state approved of God
kingdom of heaven:
used in the N.T. to refer to the reign of the Messiah -and- the region above the sidereal heavens, the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings
I don't feel like I have ever been persecuted because I'm a Christian, so I don't really have anything to stay here. I do pray that if/when the time comes that it happens, that I stand with boldness and courage for my Lord. I think the last two verses go with this one as well, so I don't really have anything else to add.
Matthew 5:9-12 (NKJV)
"Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
So to start with the first...ugh! Let me just say that here is one more that I am not doing so well at. Some people are natural peacemakers, but honestly, I'm not. But I do want to be called a "son" (or daughter) of God.
The biblical usage definition of peacemaker given is...peacemaker. So I looked it up at Dictionary.com, and their definition is:
A person, group, or nation that tries to make peace, esp. by reconciling parties who disagree, quarrel, or fight.
It's not that I like to cause fights between people; I'm just not very proactive in trying to resolve them if they don't involve me. I'm not sure any person would fault me for that, but God obviously considers it important, so it's something I want to become!
Here's why. The definition of sons of God is:
c) of those whom God esteems as sons, whom he loves, protects and benefits above others
1) in the OT used of the Jews
2) in the NT of Christians
3) those whose character God, as a loving father, shapes by chastisements (Heb. 12:5-8)
d) those who revere God as their father, the pious worshippers of God, those who in character and life resemble God, those who are governed by the Spirit of God, repose the same calm and joyful trust in God which children do in their parents (Rom. 8:14, Gal. 3:26 ), and hereafter in the blessedness and glory of the life eternal will openly wear this dignity of the sons of God. Term used preeminently of Jesus Christ, as enjoying the supreme love of God, united to him in affectionate intimacy, privy to his saving councils, obedient to the Father's will in all his acts
The first bolded statement is how I want God to view me. I want to be pleasing in His sight. To be honestar, I know He loves me, but I'm not sure I'm doing anything especially pleasing to Him...
The second bolded statement is how I want to view God. My mom thinks (okay, knows) I have a, um, control problem. I like to be in control of the situation, especially where my family is involved. Sometimes I actually want to determine the outcome of a situation; most of the time, I just want to know what God has planned so that I can be prepared. But, you know, even when Peyton and Dylan don't know what's going on - in a new situation or something like that - they just hold on to my shoulder or hand, and TRUST me. It's amazing to me how clearly I can see a picture of my relationship with God when I look at my children...that is one that I want to emulate in my relationship with Him.
Okay, so on to the next beatitude...
persecute:
3) in any way whatever to harass, trouble, molest one
a) to persecute
b) to be mistreated, suffer persecution on account of something
righteousness:
a) the doctrine concerning the way in which man may attain a state approved of God
kingdom of heaven:
used in the N.T. to refer to the reign of the Messiah -and- the region above the sidereal heavens, the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings
I don't feel like I have ever been persecuted because I'm a Christian, so I don't really have anything to stay here. I do pray that if/when the time comes that it happens, that I stand with boldness and courage for my Lord. I think the last two verses go with this one as well, so I don't really have anything else to add.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Definitely a journey!
So something I learned about myself this week...I definitely cannot have any other plans for the morning or start anything before my quiet time, or it gets pushed to the side. You'd think I'd be able to do something for 30 minutes just to get it out of the way and then do my quiet time stress free, but it just doesn't work that way. That's what happened yesterday. :(
So now it is 4am, and here I sit, having been awake since 3am with a baby who keeps waking herself up with her coughing. After trying to get her to stay soundly asleep for what felt like forever, I decided just to sling her and get up!
So now it is 4am, and here I sit, having been awake since 3am with a baby who keeps waking herself up with her coughing. After trying to get her to stay soundly asleep for what felt like forever, I decided just to sling her and get up!
Friday, September 29, 2006
Two more beatitudes
Matthew 5:7-8 (NKJV)
"Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
"Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God."
Well, the "outline for biblical usage" for merciful is, um, merciful. Here's my understanding of it..."Grace is receiving that which we don't deserve; Mercy is not receiving that which we do deserve." There is no commentary in my Bible about this verse, so I'm assuming everyone pretty much agrees on that basic meaning.
In many ways, I think this relates back to being meek - at least the part of it that I struggle with - I don't hold my tongue as often as I should in customer service situations, etc, and I can see how in many cases, I am presented with opportunities to be merciful. I don't think we need to be doormats when it comes to receiving what we've paid for, etc, but I do think there's a way to take care of things while still being merciful. Gonna think on this one some more...
The definition of pure in heart...
1) pure
c) ethically
1) free from corrupt desire, from sin and guilt
2) free from every admixture of what is false, sincere genuine
3) blameless, innocent
4) unstained with the guilt of anything
2) heart
b) denotes the centre of all physical and spiritual life
2) the centre and seat of spiritual life
a) the soul or mind, as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, endeavours
b) of the understanding, the faculty and seat of the intelligence
c) of the will and character
d) of the soul so far as it is affected and stirred in a bad way or good, or of the soul as the seat of the sensibilities, affections, emotions, desires, appetites, passions
I read this verse as saying that those who turn from their sin and seek God sincerely with all of who they are (verses just intellectually) will see Him. Seems easy enough, and yet I know there are sins that I'm holding on to out of selfish desire (no, no, nothing scandolous, but sin nonetheless).
Dylan is up and poking at my computer, so I'm going to end there and just spend some time in prayer.
"Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
"Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God."
Well, the "outline for biblical usage" for merciful is, um, merciful. Here's my understanding of it..."Grace is receiving that which we don't deserve; Mercy is not receiving that which we do deserve." There is no commentary in my Bible about this verse, so I'm assuming everyone pretty much agrees on that basic meaning.
In many ways, I think this relates back to being meek - at least the part of it that I struggle with - I don't hold my tongue as often as I should in customer service situations, etc, and I can see how in many cases, I am presented with opportunities to be merciful. I don't think we need to be doormats when it comes to receiving what we've paid for, etc, but I do think there's a way to take care of things while still being merciful. Gonna think on this one some more...
The definition of pure in heart...
1) pure
c) ethically
1) free from corrupt desire, from sin and guilt
2) free from every admixture of what is false, sincere genuine
3) blameless, innocent
4) unstained with the guilt of anything
2) heart
b) denotes the centre of all physical and spiritual life
2) the centre and seat of spiritual life
a) the soul or mind, as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, endeavours
b) of the understanding, the faculty and seat of the intelligence
c) of the will and character
d) of the soul so far as it is affected and stirred in a bad way or good, or of the soul as the seat of the sensibilities, affections, emotions, desires, appetites, passions
I read this verse as saying that those who turn from their sin and seek God sincerely with all of who they are (verses just intellectually) will see Him. Seems easy enough, and yet I know there are sins that I'm holding on to out of selfish desire (no, no, nothing scandolous, but sin nonetheless).
Dylan is up and poking at my computer, so I'm going to end there and just spend some time in prayer.
Shane and Shane's Yearn
Kim asked if I had heard this song, because the post below about hungering and thirsting for God reminded her of it. I said no, but I have - I just didn't realize it. I couldn't find an online version of it (I only looked quickly because there's a lot going on today - we're celebrating PJ's birthday with my Mom, Mike and LinZ), but I did find the lyrics...
"Holy design
This place in time
That I might seek your face, my God
My God
Lord I want to yearn for You
I want to burn with passion
Over You, and only You
Lord I want to yearn for You
I want to burn with passion
Over You, and only You
Lord I want to yearn
Your joy is mine
Yet why am i fine
With all my singing and bringing grain
In light of Him
Oh You give life and breath
In You we live and move
That's why I sing
"Holy design
This place in time
That I might seek your face, my God
My God
Lord I want to yearn for You
I want to burn with passion
Over You, and only You
Lord I want to yearn for You
I want to burn with passion
Over You, and only You
Lord I want to yearn
Your joy is mine
Yet why am i fine
With all my singing and bringing grain
In light of Him
Oh You give life and breath
In You we live and move
That's why I sing
Thursday, September 28, 2006
More beatitudes
So I decided to just go ahead and look at the next two beatitudes...
Matthew 5:5-6 (NKJV)
"Blessed are the meek.
For they shall inherit the earth.
"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled."
The definition given for meek is...
1) mildness of disposition, gentleness of spirit, meekness
Meekness toward God is that disposition of spirit in which we accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting. In the OT, the meek are those wholly relying on God rather than their own strength to defend them against injustice. Thus, meekness toward evil people means knowing God is permitting the injuries they inflict, that He is using them to purify His elect, and that He will deliver His elect in His time. (Is. 41:17, Lu. 18:1-8) Gentleness or meekness is the opposite to self-assertiveness and self-interest. It stems from trust in God's goodness and control over the situation. The gentle person is not occupied with self at all. This is a work of the Holy Spirit, not of the human will. (Gal. 5:23)
Oh, boy. Let's just say that meekness does not come easy for me in any aspect of my life. I especially love the exhortation that meeknness "stems from trust in God's goodness and control over the situation." I wonder how often He sits up in Heaven and looks down at me just shaking His head because I can't leave a situation alone and trust that He'll take care of it??!!
The next one is one of my absolute favorite verses in all of the Bible: "Blessed are those that hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled."
I love the word picture of hungering and thirsting after God, and I've felt that hunger and thirst acutely in my spirit, but so often I fill it with something else. WHY? I have no idea. Sometimes when I'm bored in the afternoon or evening, and I think to myself that it would be a perfect time to dig into God's Word, and then I don't. Instead I veg in front of the TV or on the Internet. What is wrong with me? Why do I push down that hunger rather than fulfilling it????
The definitions...
1) to hunger, be hungry
a) to suffer want
b) to be needy
2) metaph. to crave ardently, to seek with eager desire
1) to suffer thirst, suffer from thirst
a) figuratively, those who are said to thirst who painfully feel their want of, and eagerly long for, those things by which the soul is refreshed, supported, strengthened
Some other related verses that I also love...
Psalm 42:1 (NKJV)
"As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So my soul pants for You, O God."
And the promise to be satisfied in Christ...
Revelation 7:16 - 17 (NKJV)
"They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will sheperd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away ever tear from their eyes."
And the same promise from Old Testament prophecy...
Isaiah 49:10 (NKJV)
"They shall neither hunger nor thirst,
Neither heat nor sun shall strike them;
For He who has mercy on them will lead them,
Even by the springs of water, He will guide them."
Lord Jesus, thank you for the gift of Your Word. I thank you, Lord, that it is living and breathing, relevant to my life and life-changing if I simply choose to open it up and dig into it. Lord, I thank You for the Holy Spirit that opens my eyes and heart to hear what You have to say to me.
Father, please put that hunger and thirst for You back into my spirit. Lord, I want to long for You, pant after You. I want to experience an insatiable hunger and thirst that can only be filled by You and Your Word. Lord, please forgive me for pushing those feelings down and for choosing other things over time with You. I pray that the Holy Spirit would continue to convict me when I make those choices that reflect my sinfulness. Lord, thank You for not leaving me in the mud and the mire, but for lifting me up and setting my feet on the rock!
Lord Jesus, I pray also that You would teach me to be meek. Lord, I look at your life and how You, as the Son of God, came to the earth in meekness and allowed Yourself to be crucified on the cross, and I realize how very presumptuous it is of me to think that I need to stand up for my own rights in the face of unfairness. Lord, please forgive me for the times that I've done so and ruined a chance to be a witness of Your love. I pray, Lord, that the Holy Spirit would remind me of Your call to be meek and that I would be able to hold my tongue and control my actions in situations where I might otherwise feel the need to take care of it myself.
In Jesus' name, amen.
Matthew 5:5-6 (NKJV)
"Blessed are the meek.
For they shall inherit the earth.
"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled."
The definition given for meek is...
1) mildness of disposition, gentleness of spirit, meekness
Meekness toward God is that disposition of spirit in which we accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting. In the OT, the meek are those wholly relying on God rather than their own strength to defend them against injustice. Thus, meekness toward evil people means knowing God is permitting the injuries they inflict, that He is using them to purify His elect, and that He will deliver His elect in His time. (Is. 41:17, Lu. 18:1-8) Gentleness or meekness is the opposite to self-assertiveness and self-interest. It stems from trust in God's goodness and control over the situation. The gentle person is not occupied with self at all. This is a work of the Holy Spirit, not of the human will. (Gal. 5:23)
Oh, boy. Let's just say that meekness does not come easy for me in any aspect of my life. I especially love the exhortation that meeknness "stems from trust in God's goodness and control over the situation." I wonder how often He sits up in Heaven and looks down at me just shaking His head because I can't leave a situation alone and trust that He'll take care of it??!!
The next one is one of my absolute favorite verses in all of the Bible: "Blessed are those that hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled."
I love the word picture of hungering and thirsting after God, and I've felt that hunger and thirst acutely in my spirit, but so often I fill it with something else. WHY? I have no idea. Sometimes when I'm bored in the afternoon or evening, and I think to myself that it would be a perfect time to dig into God's Word, and then I don't. Instead I veg in front of the TV or on the Internet. What is wrong with me? Why do I push down that hunger rather than fulfilling it????
The definitions...
1) to hunger, be hungry
a) to suffer want
b) to be needy
2) metaph. to crave ardently, to seek with eager desire
1) to suffer thirst, suffer from thirst
a) figuratively, those who are said to thirst who painfully feel their want of, and eagerly long for, those things by which the soul is refreshed, supported, strengthened
Some other related verses that I also love...
Psalm 42:1 (NKJV)
"As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So my soul pants for You, O God."
And the promise to be satisfied in Christ...
Revelation 7:16 - 17 (NKJV)
"They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will sheperd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away ever tear from their eyes."
And the same promise from Old Testament prophecy...
Isaiah 49:10 (NKJV)
"They shall neither hunger nor thirst,
Neither heat nor sun shall strike them;
For He who has mercy on them will lead them,
Even by the springs of water, He will guide them."
Lord Jesus, thank you for the gift of Your Word. I thank you, Lord, that it is living and breathing, relevant to my life and life-changing if I simply choose to open it up and dig into it. Lord, I thank You for the Holy Spirit that opens my eyes and heart to hear what You have to say to me.
Father, please put that hunger and thirst for You back into my spirit. Lord, I want to long for You, pant after You. I want to experience an insatiable hunger and thirst that can only be filled by You and Your Word. Lord, please forgive me for pushing those feelings down and for choosing other things over time with You. I pray that the Holy Spirit would continue to convict me when I make those choices that reflect my sinfulness. Lord, thank You for not leaving me in the mud and the mire, but for lifting me up and setting my feet on the rock!
Lord Jesus, I pray also that You would teach me to be meek. Lord, I look at your life and how You, as the Son of God, came to the earth in meekness and allowed Yourself to be crucified on the cross, and I realize how very presumptuous it is of me to think that I need to stand up for my own rights in the face of unfairness. Lord, please forgive me for the times that I've done so and ruined a chance to be a witness of Your love. I pray, Lord, that the Holy Spirit would remind me of Your call to be meek and that I would be able to hold my tongue and control my actions in situations where I might otherwise feel the need to take care of it myself.
In Jesus' name, amen.
It's so easy to get off track...
Well, I didn't really have a quiet time yesterday, and because I had made a commitment to do it, not doing so really affected my whole day. I have figured out that the problem stems from having work to do in the morning. I have two short 5-minute segments each morning yesterday through tomorrow this week, and I got wrapped up in those instead of my quiet time. Even though they don't take a long time, it was still enough to throw everything off. So I think I won't be taking on any more morning work for awhile!
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Psalm 39:4-6 (NKJV)
"'Lord, make me to know my end,
And what is the measure of my days,
That I may know how frail I am.
Indeed You have made my days as handbreadths,
And my age is as nothing before You;
Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor.
Surely every man walks about like a shadow;
Sureley they bust themselves in vain;
He heaps up riches,
And does not know who will gather them.'"
And what is the measure of my days,
That I may know how frail I am.
Indeed You have made my days as handbreadths,
And my age is as nothing before You;
Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor.
Surely every man walks about like a shadow;
Sureley they bust themselves in vain;
He heaps up riches,
And does not know who will gather them.'"
Psalm 38:17-18 (NKJV)
"For I am ready to fall,
And my sorrow is continually before me.
For I will declare my iniquity;
I will be in anguish over my sin."
And my sorrow is continually before me.
For I will declare my iniquity;
I will be in anguish over my sin."
Psalm 32:3-5 (NKJV)
"When I kept silent, my bones grew old
Through my groaning all the day long.
For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me;
My vitality was turned into the drought of summer.
I acknowledged my sin to You,
And my iniquity I have not hidden.
I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,'
And You forgave the iniquity of my sin."
Through my groaning all the day long.
For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me;
My vitality was turned into the drought of summer.
I acknowledged my sin to You,
And my iniquity I have not hidden.
I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,'
And You forgave the iniquity of my sin."
Hymns!
Wow, I am so excited this morning. I absolutely LOVE hymns. I have been meaning to get a hymnal for some time now, and I think I would like to start collecting them (you can get beautiful ones, 100 years old and older, off eBay). Anyway, this morning I realized that www.blueletterbible.org now has some hymns linked to certain verses. That got me thinking, and so I did a Google search, and there are tons of hymn sites on the web. I spent 20 minutes just now going through and singing some of the ones on this site. Okay, I didn't actually sing out loud because the music was coming through my headphones, and I didn't want to wake the dead. Yeah, while I love to sing, I'm one of those people the pastor is referring to when he says God doesn't care what you sound like! I'm slightly kidding in that I can carry a tune if I have music, but I just don't have a very pretty voice, especially at the key that most of these hymns were recorded at, and everybody else in my house is still sleeping!
Beatitudes
I have always loved the Beatitudes, and yesterday I transcribed a sermon focusing on the first two...
Matthew 5:3-4 ->
"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted."
The pastor, who did indeed sound as though he had reached a place of being poor in spirit and mournful compared with other sermons of his I have transcribed, talked about begging God to make him poor in spirit, or humble, and to cause him to mourn the sins in his life.
This morning, this is my prayer to God, that He would humble me before Him, that I would realize with a growing awareness how little I am in the sight of the Almighty God and yet be filled with awe that He would love me with perfect love and send His Son to die on the cross for me. It's not that I don't realize these things intellectually, but I wonder if I would struggle to get up for my quiet time if I truly, truly believed them in my heart. I wonder if I would let a single opportunity go by without sharing the love of Christ with someone if I had reached that place...
I also pray that the Holy Spirit would convict my heart of any and all sin in my life. It's so easy to look at myself and think, "Hey, I'm doing pretty good," when the reality is I am a wretched sinner in need of forgiveness every moment of every day. I am afraid that if He were to show me all of my sin at once, it would be an unbearable load, and yet I do want to be on my face, mourning before God, that I might realize my need for Him and repent.
Matthew 5:3-4 ->
"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
"Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted."
The pastor, who did indeed sound as though he had reached a place of being poor in spirit and mournful compared with other sermons of his I have transcribed, talked about begging God to make him poor in spirit, or humble, and to cause him to mourn the sins in his life.
This morning, this is my prayer to God, that He would humble me before Him, that I would realize with a growing awareness how little I am in the sight of the Almighty God and yet be filled with awe that He would love me with perfect love and send His Son to die on the cross for me. It's not that I don't realize these things intellectually, but I wonder if I would struggle to get up for my quiet time if I truly, truly believed them in my heart. I wonder if I would let a single opportunity go by without sharing the love of Christ with someone if I had reached that place...
I also pray that the Holy Spirit would convict my heart of any and all sin in my life. It's so easy to look at myself and think, "Hey, I'm doing pretty good," when the reality is I am a wretched sinner in need of forgiveness every moment of every day. I am afraid that if He were to show me all of my sin at once, it would be an unbearable load, and yet I do want to be on my face, mourning before God, that I might realize my need for Him and repent.
Monday, September 25, 2006
Psalm 16:1-2, 5-11 (NKJV)
"Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust.
O my soul, you have said to the Lord,
"You are my Lord,
My goodness is nothing apart from You."
O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
You maintain my lot.
The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;
Yes, I have a good inheritance.
I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel;
My heart also instructs me in the night seasons.
I have set the Lord aways before me;
Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will rest in hope.
For You will not leave me soul in Sheol,
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures evermore."
O my soul, you have said to the Lord,
"You are my Lord,
My goodness is nothing apart from You."
O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
You maintain my lot.
The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;
Yes, I have a good inheritance.
I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel;
My heart also instructs me in the night seasons.
I have set the Lord aways before me;
Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will rest in hope.
For You will not leave me soul in Sheol,
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures evermore."
Psalm 12:6-7 (NKJV)
"The words of the Lord are pure words,
Like silver tried in a furnace of earth,
Purified seven times.
You shall keep them, O Lord,
You shall preserve them from this generation."
Like silver tried in a furnace of earth,
Purified seven times.
You shall keep them, O Lord,
You shall preserve them from this generation."
Psalm 5:1-3, 7-8, 11-12 (NKJV)
"Give ear to my words, O Lord,
Consider my meditation.
Give heed to the voice of my cry,
My King and my God,
For to You will I pray.
My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord;
In the morning I will direct it to You,
And I will look up.
"But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy;
In fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple.
Lead me, O Lord, in Your rightesousness because of my enemies;
Make Your way straight before my face.
"But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;
Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them;
Let those also who love Your name
Be joyful in You.
For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous;
With favor You will surround him with a shield
Consider my meditation.
Give heed to the voice of my cry,
My King and my God,
For to You will I pray.
My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord;
In the morning I will direct it to You,
And I will look up.
"But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy;
In fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple.
Lead me, O Lord, in Your rightesousness because of my enemies;
Make Your way straight before my face.
"But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;
Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them;
Let those also who love Your name
Be joyful in You.
For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous;
With favor You will surround him with a shield
My right to sleep...
Well, this morning as I lay in bed contemplating getting up for my quiet time, I realized that I've taken sleep and made it an idol in my life. How can something I don't get be an idol??? :P I often set my alarm to get up for my quiet time and then when it goes off, I am simply too tired. God cannot possibly expect me to get up without getting enough sleep just to do my devotions...could He?
I would not even presume to say what He would have you do in a moments like this because one thing I have learned intimately over the last year is that He calls different people to do different things, and when we begin to judge others in their relationship with Christ, it is simply a reflection on our own sin and weakness. 1 Corinthians 8 talks about God convicting some people not to eat meat that had been offered to idols while others could look at it as just food and eat it without stumbling.
Anyway, for some reason, this is what God has convicted my heart, and I would be lying to say I was glad! Morning by morning, however, I am going to do my best to keep my priorities in proper order, which means getting up for my quiet time regardless of how tired I am. I'm sure I will fail, but I pray that He would love me more perfectly than I even love my two year old and patiently show me again and again.
So this morning I got up before my alarm. I did not want to, but I found myself anxious to begin what promises to be a trying day, as I definitely got very little sleep last night (Dylan has her first cold and was up with a stuffy nose all night). I was praying, "Lord, please show me how you would have me begin my day," as my Bible studies have not yet arrived. So I decided to start with some journaling to clear my thoughts.
Another thing God has been showing me is that the way I pray about sleep is ineffective because it is so me-centered. You see, on those nights when one or both girls is not sleeping well, I find myself begging God, "Please let her go back to sleep. Please, help her sleep. Please, Lord, make her sleep for just three hours." The Holy Spirit showed me quite clearly that what I need to be praying is, "Lord, please give me the strength to make it through this night. Please strengthen me as I face tomorrow. Give me peace. Help me to be the mother You've called me to be."
To tell the truth, although I have been praying this for the past few nights, I am scared to do so. Why, you ask...well, sometimes when you pray for such things (as in the case of patience), God answers the prayer not by magically providing the thing you're praying for but by providing you with a multitude of opportunities to practice it. EEK! So along with my prayer for strength, I have also been reminding God that He knows how much I can handle and promises not to give me any more than that!
Anyway, those are just some lessons I'm learning. I think what I will do now is read some Psalms and spend some time just in communion with my God!
I would not even presume to say what He would have you do in a moments like this because one thing I have learned intimately over the last year is that He calls different people to do different things, and when we begin to judge others in their relationship with Christ, it is simply a reflection on our own sin and weakness. 1 Corinthians 8 talks about God convicting some people not to eat meat that had been offered to idols while others could look at it as just food and eat it without stumbling.
Anyway, for some reason, this is what God has convicted my heart, and I would be lying to say I was glad! Morning by morning, however, I am going to do my best to keep my priorities in proper order, which means getting up for my quiet time regardless of how tired I am. I'm sure I will fail, but I pray that He would love me more perfectly than I even love my two year old and patiently show me again and again.
So this morning I got up before my alarm. I did not want to, but I found myself anxious to begin what promises to be a trying day, as I definitely got very little sleep last night (Dylan has her first cold and was up with a stuffy nose all night). I was praying, "Lord, please show me how you would have me begin my day," as my Bible studies have not yet arrived. So I decided to start with some journaling to clear my thoughts.
Another thing God has been showing me is that the way I pray about sleep is ineffective because it is so me-centered. You see, on those nights when one or both girls is not sleeping well, I find myself begging God, "Please let her go back to sleep. Please, help her sleep. Please, Lord, make her sleep for just three hours." The Holy Spirit showed me quite clearly that what I need to be praying is, "Lord, please give me the strength to make it through this night. Please strengthen me as I face tomorrow. Give me peace. Help me to be the mother You've called me to be."
To tell the truth, although I have been praying this for the past few nights, I am scared to do so. Why, you ask...well, sometimes when you pray for such things (as in the case of patience), God answers the prayer not by magically providing the thing you're praying for but by providing you with a multitude of opportunities to practice it. EEK! So along with my prayer for strength, I have also been reminding God that He knows how much I can handle and promises not to give me any more than that!
Anyway, those are just some lessons I'm learning. I think what I will do now is read some Psalms and spend some time just in communion with my God!
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Devotionals/Bible studies
Well, I have prayed and prayed that God would show me what to do in my quiet times. I have tried a bazillion different things, and none quite seem to hit the spot, and I never stick with anything for too long. So, He has provided more than enough fodder for Bible study and conversation with Him through several Bible studies.
I am currently committing to 30 days of prayer for Muslims during Ramadan as well as learning more about their culture and beliefs. My sister and I are doing this together, using this site.
LinZ and I are also doing this Bible study together: Purity Challenge, Training Youth in the Battle for Purity, from Setting Captives Free.
My play group/small group is also going to start a new Bible study as soon as our small group leader decides on a study and gets it okay'd with our pastor.
Finally, I would really like to do this study from Setting Captives Free as well: The Lord's Table. Now, I don't really have a weight issue, so this may seem like a funny study for me to be doing, but I have been convicted that food plays an entirely unhealthy role in my life, and I believe that God desires for me to go through this study. It will have to wait until the Ramadan study ends, though, because I don't think I can add any more to my plate!
I am currently committing to 30 days of prayer for Muslims during Ramadan as well as learning more about their culture and beliefs. My sister and I are doing this together, using this site.
LinZ and I are also doing this Bible study together: Purity Challenge, Training Youth in the Battle for Purity, from Setting Captives Free.
My play group/small group is also going to start a new Bible study as soon as our small group leader decides on a study and gets it okay'd with our pastor.
Finally, I would really like to do this study from Setting Captives Free as well: The Lord's Table. Now, I don't really have a weight issue, so this may seem like a funny study for me to be doing, but I have been convicted that food plays an entirely unhealthy role in my life, and I believe that God desires for me to go through this study. It will have to wait until the Ramadan study ends, though, because I don't think I can add any more to my plate!
Things to blog about...
These are some things I'd like to blog about in the coming days (weeks???)...these are all things that I've been thinking about but have not made the time to blog about on the other blog.
1. An evangelical rosary (how's that for an attention grabber?)
2. Christian narcissism (thanks, Pastor Mike, for this one!)
3. My purpose in life
4. Balance
5. Do I truly love Christ?
6. Purity
1. An evangelical rosary (how's that for an attention grabber?)
2. Christian narcissism (thanks, Pastor Mike, for this one!)
3. My purpose in life
4. Balance
5. Do I truly love Christ?
6. Purity
A new blog
Well, I've decided to start a new blog. Why, you ask?
1. We are currently going through a sermon series at church called Revolution. Today's message was about a revolution in us and being part of a revolution. I want to reflect Christ's love every single day to others, and I want others to see His work in me and be drawn to Him, not because of who I am but because of Him in me! As a work at home mom of two under two (for 9 more days!), the Internet is my best chance to connect with others on a regular basis!
2. In order to go to the next level with Christ, I know I need to have DAILY quiet times with Him. Oh, I try, but I fail more often than I succeed. It's not that He's not a part of my daily life, because He is. I am in constant communication with God my Father, Christ His Son, and the Holy Spirt on a daily basis through prayer. But I rarely find the time to sit down and just rest in His presence and listen to what He has to say to me. This is what I crave.
3. I plan to use this blog as a daily journal of sorts to share my struggles and victories and the lessons He's teaching me for several reasons:
1. We are currently going through a sermon series at church called Revolution. Today's message was about a revolution in us and being part of a revolution. I want to reflect Christ's love every single day to others, and I want others to see His work in me and be drawn to Him, not because of who I am but because of Him in me! As a work at home mom of two under two (for 9 more days!), the Internet is my best chance to connect with others on a regular basis!
2. In order to go to the next level with Christ, I know I need to have DAILY quiet times with Him. Oh, I try, but I fail more often than I succeed. It's not that He's not a part of my daily life, because He is. I am in constant communication with God my Father, Christ His Son, and the Holy Spirt on a daily basis through prayer. But I rarely find the time to sit down and just rest in His presence and listen to what He has to say to me. This is what I crave.
3. I plan to use this blog as a daily journal of sorts to share my struggles and victories and the lessons He's teaching me for several reasons:
- I want to be able to look back and see how far God has brought me over time. I want to see answers to prayers, victories in my life and the lessons I've learned.
- I believe that others might benefit from not only my struggles but Christ's work in me and the victories over those struggles.
- I hate writing in a journal by hand, but we all know I'm log winded and love to blog. I also think committing to blogging daily will provide me with some accountability.
4. Finally, I need to start a second blog so that I can start catching up with Sarah. (Just kidding....kinda!)
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