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.
Saturday, October 14, 2006
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!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
