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...
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