Thanksgiving is the day that millions around the US take time to think about what they are truly thankful for; nice sentiment but shouldn't we be thankful more than just one day a year? Well this November my church has challenged us to spend the entire month of November in a state of thankfulness. One month out of 12 still does not compare to living in a state of continual gratitude for what the Lord has done and continues to do for us daily but 30 days is better than 1.
For me, being thankful should mean more than just saying the words, it should be an attitude, a thoughtful reflection. So for my thankful month I have decided to make it much more personal; instead of simply saying I'm thankful for my family or my health, the Lord laid it on my heart to take it a step farther. For each and every single day this month I want to be thankful for something specific each day. I want my thankfulness to be genuine and real to me personally.
Although these prayers are personal, I thought I would share them with whoever happens to read this blog. Maybe it will give that person a chance to take a look at their own life and find those things they are grateful for and see the many blessings we are given each and every single day. Enjoy my list and if you would like to comment please do it, I'd love to hear what you are thankful for!
Nov. 1st: Today I am thankful for the amazing weather! I got to spend the day hanging out with friends outside enjoying Your wonderful creation. I need to take more time to marvel at the beautiful world you have given to us.
Nov. 2nd: I realized today have grateful I am that You have guarded my heart in each and every realtionship I've ever had. Break ups can be a mess and watching my friends go through them is heartbreaking but it made me take a step back and see that You've protected me from this devistation and I'm truly thankful.
Nov. 3rd: It was a little more difficult today to come up with something genuine to be thankful for...everyday-life feels like routine and nothing exciting going on but my thing I'm thankful for today is to not only have a job when most don't but that the job I have is so laid back I spend my days reading books I enjoy and I am being paid for it. I am so ready for a new job but at the moment I want to take time to see the blessing that I have right in front of me.
Nov. 4th: Tonight I was reminded of Your forgiveness. I taught a lesson for the junior high about not being a hypocrite, about living a life of integrity. (these lessons seem to speak more to me some nights than to the kids) I hate to admit it but I am a hypocrite some days and I don't always live with that integrity...thankfully I have Your forgiveness that is freely offered if I simply confession and change my ways. How awesome it is that we have the opportunity each and every day to turn over a new leaf which allows us to progress to a better, more Christ-like woman or man.
Nov. 5th: I take for granted the simple fact that I can go work out...today I am thankful for my health and the ability and desire (most of the time) to go workout. There are so many people who are dying because they don't take the time to take care of the vessel You have given them; thank you for the wake up calls You so politely give :)
Nov. 6th: I am truly blessed to have amazing friendships; the kind of friendships that are so valuable and authentic that I am able to be a shoulder for them to cry on and them in turn for me. That is such an unbeliveable gift that I never want to take for granted.
Nov. 7th: Today I went shopping...I am thankful for the things I got but more than that I am blessed to be so financially stable that I can go out and buy the things I want. There are so many who can not even afford the things they need and I am able to get new dresses and belts. I don't understand Your reasons but I do need to remind myself how truly blessed I am.
Nov. 8th: I am thankful for a full week of overcoming one of my temptations. I know there is nothing I can do on my own and I thank You for that perserverance and never giving up on me even when I don't have those awesome weeks.
Nov. 9th: I'm so grateful that You give us eyeopeners...those AHA moments when everything seems to come together. Everything in the world may not make sense but for that brief moment it feels like You are confiding something in us that no one else knows and that personal private realization is priceless.
Nov. 10th: Claire!!! I am so thankful to have Claire as a friend. She is an amazing, godly woman who encourages, challenges, and loves me. A simple voicemail from her brightens up my day and I don't know if she realizes how much her friendship means to me. I am blessed with such awesome friends and I need to take more time to tell them how grateful I am for them.
Nov. 11th: We are celebrating Veteran's Day today and while I'm thankful for the freedoms that these men and women have fought for and the men and women who fight on a daily bases to protect them, today my heart is burdened by the families of those brave soliders. I am grateful to these wives, children, parents, husbands, and siblings who have to say goodbye to these soliders and never know if its their last goodbye. I am thankful for their sacrifice. They are to be honored today along with their beloved soliders.
Nov. 12th:
November 11, 2009
September 16, 2009
My Girls
The saying “iron sharpens iron” never really spoke to me until recently. When you’re growing up you are surrounded by friends; you have friends you go to school with, friends that live on your street, friends at your church, and all the others you meet along the way. But as I approach adulthood (not sure what I consider an adult but I’m not there yet) I realize just how many real friends I don’t have.
Don’t get me wrong, I have tons of friends but those are more of acquaintances; the people we hang out with occasionally but they don’t really have much of a say in our day to day lives. The real friends I am referring to are the ones who we turn to when we need a shoulder to cry on after a broken heart, when we want to celebrate because we found a new job, when we just need someone to talk to; real friends are the ones we go through all of life’s ups and downs with and they still love us no matter what.
Finding the “real friends” is harder than we think and keeping those close friendships as the years pass is even more difficult. I can think of a few people who are standing the test of time with me and I cherish them more than they’ll ever really know. One has lived with me and still loves me, one I grow closer to on a daily bases, one relationship is growing and changing with time and maturity, one I met on a mission trip and we’ve stayed in touch ever since, and one I’m still trying to determine if the struggles of our friendship are worth the fight.
I’d never really reflected on the characteristics of my friends until an article I was reading this morning. I love the classifications but I see them more as traits that each person I consider my “friend” possesses. Each one takes turns being my intercessor, celebrator, encourager, teacher, and questioner; and without them all I’d be fumbling around this messed up world. God is ultimately all we need but isn’t it a relief that He gives us others to help carry the burden of this life! To all my friends, I could not be more grateful for you, I love each of you more than you’ll ever realize!
Don’t get me wrong, I have tons of friends but those are more of acquaintances; the people we hang out with occasionally but they don’t really have much of a say in our day to day lives. The real friends I am referring to are the ones who we turn to when we need a shoulder to cry on after a broken heart, when we want to celebrate because we found a new job, when we just need someone to talk to; real friends are the ones we go through all of life’s ups and downs with and they still love us no matter what.
Finding the “real friends” is harder than we think and keeping those close friendships as the years pass is even more difficult. I can think of a few people who are standing the test of time with me and I cherish them more than they’ll ever really know. One has lived with me and still loves me, one I grow closer to on a daily bases, one relationship is growing and changing with time and maturity, one I met on a mission trip and we’ve stayed in touch ever since, and one I’m still trying to determine if the struggles of our friendship are worth the fight.
I’d never really reflected on the characteristics of my friends until an article I was reading this morning. I love the classifications but I see them more as traits that each person I consider my “friend” possesses. Each one takes turns being my intercessor, celebrator, encourager, teacher, and questioner; and without them all I’d be fumbling around this messed up world. God is ultimately all we need but isn’t it a relief that He gives us others to help carry the burden of this life! To all my friends, I could not be more grateful for you, I love each of you more than you’ll ever realize!
June 14, 2009
Success vs Failure
As a recent college graduate I have been submitting my resume via the internet and patiently awaiting responses for about 2 months now. The anticipation of a possible new job venture is both exhilarating and terrifying; a new job means more money, new responsibilities, and new co-workers. When you’ve worked at the same place for over 3 years, a new job is a little daunting. Despite my above mentioned fears another that I had not anticipated crept up on me this morning as I was checking my emails.
In not so many words, it was the fear of rejection!
I sat staring at my inbox that held an obvious response to one of my resume submissions I felt my heart rate begin to intensify rather quickly. You know the feeling you get when you begin anticipating the worst. Well the worst for me would be that my potential employer thought me unworthy of the job.
While I sat waiting to draw up enough courage to face my perceived rejection, I realized how ridiculous I was acting. So what if I did not suit that particular company, there are plenty of others out there with just as promising opportunities that I had not even applied for yet. Basically I was finding my worth in whether or not someone found me hirable.
Why?
One of the scariest things in my life is dealing with the thought of failure. Growing up you hear what great things you can accomplish but when it comes time to achieve these goals, what do you do if you can’t figure out how to define success in your life? Sure there are some of us who are meant to be great things out in the world but what if some of us are meant to do great things for the world? Too many times we get caught up in our dreams, our goals, our lives and we forget that this life is not about us.
After getting frustrated with myself I remembered reading this amazing commencement from this blog I read on Bounless' Web site that had challenged my thinking just yesterday...I'm a slow learner obviously. In the Boundless article the author said “God cares about the kind of person you will be even more than about what kind of things you will do.”
How quick we forget that the measure of a man (or woman) is his character rather than his bank account! So if the God who created the universe and every possible job that I could ever do cares less about the details of my day to day tasks and more about me as a representation of Him, why do I put so much emphasis on a job? We get so distracted by the world’s idea of success and forget how the bible measures success…to be a successful Christian you need only go and tell. The greatest commandment Christ ever gave was to go and tell others about Him
Whether we’re meant to be a teacher, lawyer, mom or whatever else we can imagine, as long as we are lifting high the name of Christ, “there will be something about your motherhood, teaching, preaching, lawmaking or machinery-making that transcends and glorifies motherhood, teaching, preaching, law-making or machinery-making, because it speaks undeniably of Him.”
In not so many words, it was the fear of rejection!
I sat staring at my inbox that held an obvious response to one of my resume submissions I felt my heart rate begin to intensify rather quickly. You know the feeling you get when you begin anticipating the worst. Well the worst for me would be that my potential employer thought me unworthy of the job.
While I sat waiting to draw up enough courage to face my perceived rejection, I realized how ridiculous I was acting. So what if I did not suit that particular company, there are plenty of others out there with just as promising opportunities that I had not even applied for yet. Basically I was finding my worth in whether or not someone found me hirable.
Why?
One of the scariest things in my life is dealing with the thought of failure. Growing up you hear what great things you can accomplish but when it comes time to achieve these goals, what do you do if you can’t figure out how to define success in your life? Sure there are some of us who are meant to be great things out in the world but what if some of us are meant to do great things for the world? Too many times we get caught up in our dreams, our goals, our lives and we forget that this life is not about us.
After getting frustrated with myself I remembered reading this amazing commencement from this blog I read on Bounless' Web site that had challenged my thinking just yesterday...I'm a slow learner obviously. In the Boundless article the author said “God cares about the kind of person you will be even more than about what kind of things you will do.”
How quick we forget that the measure of a man (or woman) is his character rather than his bank account! So if the God who created the universe and every possible job that I could ever do cares less about the details of my day to day tasks and more about me as a representation of Him, why do I put so much emphasis on a job? We get so distracted by the world’s idea of success and forget how the bible measures success…to be a successful Christian you need only go and tell. The greatest commandment Christ ever gave was to go and tell others about Him
Whether we’re meant to be a teacher, lawyer, mom or whatever else we can imagine, as long as we are lifting high the name of Christ, “there will be something about your motherhood, teaching, preaching, lawmaking or machinery-making that transcends and glorifies motherhood, teaching, preaching, law-making or machinery-making, because it speaks undeniably of Him.”
October 29, 2008
Get Over Yourself!
It’s about time we all “got over ourselves;” why do we assume we are the center of the universe? I realize that no one ever will seriously say the world revolves around them because believe me I’m not about to do it either. HA if you think I’m getting up in front of a crowd and informing them that I’m the most important person in the room then you are sorely mistaken, but isn’t that how we are living our lives?
Maybe we don’t verbalize our great love for ourselves but we show it by our actions. We spend a ridiculous amount of money on clothes, food, and cars because we have to take care of ourselves. We pamper ourselves with a day at the spa or a round on the golf course. Don’t get me wrong I love doing these things, shopping is one of my favorite hobbies, but we get so caught up in ourselves that we forget who made us; we forget that the point of our existence is to bring God glory.
I’m reading a book called Crazy Love by Francis Chan, in it he talks about having an abandoned love for God that transcends anything we’ve ever imagined; a love that changes our very thought process so that we are no longer consumed with our lives and our small world but we are able to see who God really is so that we can get a glimpse of His bigger picture. If we, for one millisecond, are able to get a fraction of an idea of who God really is, and I don’t mean the God we have placed in a convenient box that we take out while we’re at church and occasionally in the comfort of our homes, I mean the God who made the world and everything in it; the God who sent His son to die on a tree for past, present, and future sins of the world; the God who gives us the best He has for us simply because He loves us. When we see this God, only then will we realize our smallness in comparison. Not until we’ve realized our nothingness can we ever take our focus off of ourselves and place it on the only One who matters.
By shifting our focus, our lives then begin to look like those patriarchs of the Bible, ones who did whatever it took to follow Christ’s call to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength…and love your neighbor as yourself.” Understanding the complexity of who God is helps remind us that our “one woman (or man) show” has no place in His ultimate plan. He allows us each to have a small role but we have to understand that His will is what will be accomplished; love the world like He loves the world.
As I thought about this I began asking myself the tough questions: how much would my bank statement change if I was truly loving those in need, what would my prayers sound like if my mind was on lost souls, would it really be a struggle to make it to church every Sunday morning, night and Wednesday night? I challenge you, whoever God has lead to read this, to question what impact you can have on the people around you. We all have people in our lives that need Jesus but how many times have we shied away from sharing…here’s our chance to show people that unconditional love God has for everyone and isn't that what we're all looking for?
Maybe we don’t verbalize our great love for ourselves but we show it by our actions. We spend a ridiculous amount of money on clothes, food, and cars because we have to take care of ourselves. We pamper ourselves with a day at the spa or a round on the golf course. Don’t get me wrong I love doing these things, shopping is one of my favorite hobbies, but we get so caught up in ourselves that we forget who made us; we forget that the point of our existence is to bring God glory.
I’m reading a book called Crazy Love by Francis Chan, in it he talks about having an abandoned love for God that transcends anything we’ve ever imagined; a love that changes our very thought process so that we are no longer consumed with our lives and our small world but we are able to see who God really is so that we can get a glimpse of His bigger picture. If we, for one millisecond, are able to get a fraction of an idea of who God really is, and I don’t mean the God we have placed in a convenient box that we take out while we’re at church and occasionally in the comfort of our homes, I mean the God who made the world and everything in it; the God who sent His son to die on a tree for past, present, and future sins of the world; the God who gives us the best He has for us simply because He loves us. When we see this God, only then will we realize our smallness in comparison. Not until we’ve realized our nothingness can we ever take our focus off of ourselves and place it on the only One who matters.
By shifting our focus, our lives then begin to look like those patriarchs of the Bible, ones who did whatever it took to follow Christ’s call to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength…and love your neighbor as yourself.” Understanding the complexity of who God is helps remind us that our “one woman (or man) show” has no place in His ultimate plan. He allows us each to have a small role but we have to understand that His will is what will be accomplished; love the world like He loves the world.
As I thought about this I began asking myself the tough questions: how much would my bank statement change if I was truly loving those in need, what would my prayers sound like if my mind was on lost souls, would it really be a struggle to make it to church every Sunday morning, night and Wednesday night? I challenge you, whoever God has lead to read this, to question what impact you can have on the people around you. We all have people in our lives that need Jesus but how many times have we shied away from sharing…here’s our chance to show people that unconditional love God has for everyone and isn't that what we're all looking for?
September 30, 2008
Paying Attention
Do you ever have that moment when you realize that God is totally paying attention to what’s going on in your life? I had one of those moments today. I’ve been a little frustrated lately with the way my life felt as if it were at a stand still. You feel even more pathetic when you see people around you and their lives seem to be right on track. I know it’s not their fault it's just harder for you to stay positive...know what I mean?!
One of my best friends just graduated from college, has an awesome job opportunity, not to mention a new boyfriend who she adores, and while I’m unbelievably happy for her I have been secretly envious; not jealous, because jealousy conveys an idea that I don’t want her to have all these awesome things when that isn’t the case at all, just envious that I can’t have the same blessings. Make sense?! Well anyways, I’ve been looking for the things I’m lacking like a boyfriend, job that uses my skills more, basically some sort of feeling that I have something good going for me.
While I know that I’m very blessed it gets hard to stay positive when it seems like you aren’t making progress and I’ve always been told if you aren’t moving forward you must be falling behind. To get to the point, there is this guy in one of my classes who is attractive and seems somewhat interested by his comments and the fact that I always notice him staring. He is definitely not my idea of boyfriend material but I’ve caught myself drifting toward the idea of seeing what would happen. Dumb idea, of course, but that’s the point that we can easily get to when we are looking to outside sources for contentment. Anyways, we understand the state that I am in at the moment and then today I get this email from an awesome Christian friend who informs me that a guy I’ve thought is “Mr. Perfect” is soon to be moving within 100 miles of here. Now I’m not saying that it was a sign from God that we are meant-to-be because I’m not that delusional, but it was a subtle reminder that I should never lower my standards just because I am lonely or unhappy. God has an amazingly awesome guy for me if I just wait patiently.
Well for those who would say that I’m being too quick to jump to another conclusion, let me just mention that that was not the only little hint from God that I’ve gotten today. As I was checking my email earlier I saw I had an email from the communication organization that I am a member of for school. I get way too many emails from them but I always feel like I have to at least open them, so I open this one and begin reading and this is what it said, “As much as I enjoy instant gratification, I know that sometimes it takes time to achieve the desired result. For instance, I learned to crawl before I walked, to walk before I ran. Therefore, I don't fight time; I recognize that it's on my side. All that needs to happen can happen quickly; it may also take time for the perfect result to appear. So I cooperate with God as the fulfillment of the perfect plan unfolds.” (no clue who wrote this or I'd give them credit)
I’m not sure how much clearer God has to be; I get it, thanks God! He has a perfect plan for my life like He said in Jeremiah 29:11, “I know the plans I have for you…plans to give you a hope and a future.” So why do I ever doubt His plan? I will never be happy if I do it all by myself just because I was impatient or thought God forgot. In order to be truly happy I know it has to be His timing, His way, but it is nice, every now and then, to be reminded that He hasn’t forgotten about me.
One of my best friends just graduated from college, has an awesome job opportunity, not to mention a new boyfriend who she adores, and while I’m unbelievably happy for her I have been secretly envious; not jealous, because jealousy conveys an idea that I don’t want her to have all these awesome things when that isn’t the case at all, just envious that I can’t have the same blessings. Make sense?! Well anyways, I’ve been looking for the things I’m lacking like a boyfriend, job that uses my skills more, basically some sort of feeling that I have something good going for me.
While I know that I’m very blessed it gets hard to stay positive when it seems like you aren’t making progress and I’ve always been told if you aren’t moving forward you must be falling behind. To get to the point, there is this guy in one of my classes who is attractive and seems somewhat interested by his comments and the fact that I always notice him staring. He is definitely not my idea of boyfriend material but I’ve caught myself drifting toward the idea of seeing what would happen. Dumb idea, of course, but that’s the point that we can easily get to when we are looking to outside sources for contentment. Anyways, we understand the state that I am in at the moment and then today I get this email from an awesome Christian friend who informs me that a guy I’ve thought is “Mr. Perfect” is soon to be moving within 100 miles of here. Now I’m not saying that it was a sign from God that we are meant-to-be because I’m not that delusional, but it was a subtle reminder that I should never lower my standards just because I am lonely or unhappy. God has an amazingly awesome guy for me if I just wait patiently.
Well for those who would say that I’m being too quick to jump to another conclusion, let me just mention that that was not the only little hint from God that I’ve gotten today. As I was checking my email earlier I saw I had an email from the communication organization that I am a member of for school. I get way too many emails from them but I always feel like I have to at least open them, so I open this one and begin reading and this is what it said, “As much as I enjoy instant gratification, I know that sometimes it takes time to achieve the desired result. For instance, I learned to crawl before I walked, to walk before I ran. Therefore, I don't fight time; I recognize that it's on my side. All that needs to happen can happen quickly; it may also take time for the perfect result to appear. So I cooperate with God as the fulfillment of the perfect plan unfolds.” (no clue who wrote this or I'd give them credit)
I’m not sure how much clearer God has to be; I get it, thanks God! He has a perfect plan for my life like He said in Jeremiah 29:11, “I know the plans I have for you…plans to give you a hope and a future.” So why do I ever doubt His plan? I will never be happy if I do it all by myself just because I was impatient or thought God forgot. In order to be truly happy I know it has to be His timing, His way, but it is nice, every now and then, to be reminded that He hasn’t forgotten about me.
September 9, 2008
What's He wanting from me?
I've been looking over "A Call to Die" by David Nasser again because it has such a great impact on me every time I read it. I have been feeling frustrated with my Christian walk because I feel at a stand still; it is as if God is asking more of me and I can't figure out what He wants and if I will be able to handle it. A Call To Die is a great book for those of us who need to deepen our walk because it helps you to understand sacrifice and what our response to His call should be.
When I was reading recently, God showed me one of the coolest/scariest things that we easily forget. “When we say that He is our treasure, He tests us by either giving us those things that compete with Him or He takes them away....either way, in success or failure, our true hearts are revealed and we can grow." This reality terrifies me because I always pray for growth and to draw closer to Him but do I honestly understand what I am asking? This book is all about understanding God's call of dying to our desires and our selfishness but do we ever really understand that? Nasser speaks about "marinating in God's word so that it is forever changing our very identity." When everything is stripped away the question that remains is; "is the cost to follow Jesus too great, do I have the faith that it takes?"
I’ve really been thinking about this question; I mean it’s easy to say “YES” I follow Him but our actions are what speak the loudest. Can I honestly say my response, if He took everything away from me, would be like Job? Would I be content in any circumstance like Paul? These are hard questions but the greatest encouragement I found is from the disciples. When Jesus asked them if they wanted to leave they responded "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God" John 6:68-69. They understood like Jim Elliot says "he is no fool to give what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." Jesus holds the keys to true contentment and joy, this world has nothing we need. The disciples didn't waste their time on earthly pursuits that mattered nothing to their eternal; as Nasser says, “these things simply are not important to us.” 1 John 2:17 says "the world is passing away and the lust thereof, but he who does the will of God abides forever." As long as we are living for the Lord and bringing Him glory nothing else matters. Honestly what could God ask of me that He hasn't already given for me? Plus whatever He asks for already belongs to Him anyways. If He wants my money, my time, my life, my family, my friends, etc...it doesn't matter He can have it because it is His!
So I guess my response to my hard questions will have to wait until I’m in the situations, but I can prepare myself to respond the right way by drawing closer to Him daily. I can't say that I've had this awesome revelation and I know what He's asking of me but I do understand that if my walk has depth to it then I won't care because I'm already trusting Him and that is enough for now.
When I was reading recently, God showed me one of the coolest/scariest things that we easily forget. “When we say that He is our treasure, He tests us by either giving us those things that compete with Him or He takes them away....either way, in success or failure, our true hearts are revealed and we can grow." This reality terrifies me because I always pray for growth and to draw closer to Him but do I honestly understand what I am asking? This book is all about understanding God's call of dying to our desires and our selfishness but do we ever really understand that? Nasser speaks about "marinating in God's word so that it is forever changing our very identity." When everything is stripped away the question that remains is; "is the cost to follow Jesus too great, do I have the faith that it takes?"
I’ve really been thinking about this question; I mean it’s easy to say “YES” I follow Him but our actions are what speak the loudest. Can I honestly say my response, if He took everything away from me, would be like Job? Would I be content in any circumstance like Paul? These are hard questions but the greatest encouragement I found is from the disciples. When Jesus asked them if they wanted to leave they responded "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God" John 6:68-69. They understood like Jim Elliot says "he is no fool to give what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." Jesus holds the keys to true contentment and joy, this world has nothing we need. The disciples didn't waste their time on earthly pursuits that mattered nothing to their eternal; as Nasser says, “these things simply are not important to us.” 1 John 2:17 says "the world is passing away and the lust thereof, but he who does the will of God abides forever." As long as we are living for the Lord and bringing Him glory nothing else matters. Honestly what could God ask of me that He hasn't already given for me? Plus whatever He asks for already belongs to Him anyways. If He wants my money, my time, my life, my family, my friends, etc...it doesn't matter He can have it because it is His!
So I guess my response to my hard questions will have to wait until I’m in the situations, but I can prepare myself to respond the right way by drawing closer to Him daily. I can't say that I've had this awesome revelation and I know what He's asking of me but I do understand that if my walk has depth to it then I won't care because I'm already trusting Him and that is enough for now.
August 26, 2008
Seeking Direction
So I am going to graduate soon and have no idea what is next for me. My newest issue is how we are supposed to know what is in store for our lives. If we could really see what God had in mind for us, how much would it scare us? I mean, just thinking about where I was when I graduated from high school and where I am now, it’s just so crazy how different I am!!
When I graduated I was not very social, and I was really insecure in myself. All I wanted was to go to college to have a good job. Well let me just say that it is not as easy as it sounds. I didn’t have any idea what I wanted to be or do with my life. After taking a year off of school and moving out of my parents’ house, I was no closer to figuring anything out. I wasn’t doing anything and of course I wasn't any happier doing nothing. Now I’m almost 5 years out of high school, back home with my parents, appreciating more who God made me, and I’m a year away from a degree in Communication (I found out I love talking imagine that). But I’m stuck wondering what I’m suppose to do with this new found self-concept. I mean it’s nice to know who you are and that you love something, but where does that leave you?
Well first, I have to remember that none of this changing was on my own, God’s brought me this far. I have changed a lot in 5 years and I probably have a lot more growing and changing to come. Then I have to remember that faith is all He asks for; I just have to have faith in His plan for my life. So that leaves me stepping out on this faith while praying that He reveals what’s next. But I guess that is the whole idea of the Christian life; take one step on faith toward God and He’ll reveal your next. There is this awesome illustration a pastor once said about the Christian life, he said, “the Christian life is like a game of checkers—you make one move and then God makes His.” If I’m making a move toward Him, He’s moving closer to me as well.
Isn’t that what Abraham did on a daily basis? Abraham looked up to God and took one step and God, in turn, revealed the next. He had no clue where God was taking him but he left his home just as God commanded. He was willing to sacrifice his son, even though God had promised to bless him through Isaac. Talk about FAITH! I think that’s the funniest thing about God; He knows that we’ll obey, but sometimes, until we make that big gesture of commitment, we don’t really know what our reaction will be. I know you’re thinking what is she talking about but hang on for a minute. You see, God doesn’t make our decisions but He knows them right—well if He knew that Abraham would obey Him then why make him suffer with the idea that he would have to kill his own son? One of God’s goals was to show Abraham that he would obey Him, no matter what the command. Abraham’s big gesture was his willingness to kill Isaac. God had no intention of making him go through with it, but how else would Abraham have known the true desire of his heart, which was to follow God no matter the cost. Sometimes we need to be reminded that given any circumstance, our desire to follow God will outweigh all others. Plus we know that God always provides aka the lamb for sacrifice instead of Isaac.
All of this to say, I’m left stepping out on faith keeping in mind that God always provides for His children. I don’t know where I’ll be 5 years from now, but it is comforting to know that He’s got it all planned out, all I have to do is trust that He’s going to reveal it all in His time.
When I graduated I was not very social, and I was really insecure in myself. All I wanted was to go to college to have a good job. Well let me just say that it is not as easy as it sounds. I didn’t have any idea what I wanted to be or do with my life. After taking a year off of school and moving out of my parents’ house, I was no closer to figuring anything out. I wasn’t doing anything and of course I wasn't any happier doing nothing. Now I’m almost 5 years out of high school, back home with my parents, appreciating more who God made me, and I’m a year away from a degree in Communication (I found out I love talking imagine that). But I’m stuck wondering what I’m suppose to do with this new found self-concept. I mean it’s nice to know who you are and that you love something, but where does that leave you?
Well first, I have to remember that none of this changing was on my own, God’s brought me this far. I have changed a lot in 5 years and I probably have a lot more growing and changing to come. Then I have to remember that faith is all He asks for; I just have to have faith in His plan for my life. So that leaves me stepping out on this faith while praying that He reveals what’s next. But I guess that is the whole idea of the Christian life; take one step on faith toward God and He’ll reveal your next. There is this awesome illustration a pastor once said about the Christian life, he said, “the Christian life is like a game of checkers—you make one move and then God makes His.” If I’m making a move toward Him, He’s moving closer to me as well.
Isn’t that what Abraham did on a daily basis? Abraham looked up to God and took one step and God, in turn, revealed the next. He had no clue where God was taking him but he left his home just as God commanded. He was willing to sacrifice his son, even though God had promised to bless him through Isaac. Talk about FAITH! I think that’s the funniest thing about God; He knows that we’ll obey, but sometimes, until we make that big gesture of commitment, we don’t really know what our reaction will be. I know you’re thinking what is she talking about but hang on for a minute. You see, God doesn’t make our decisions but He knows them right—well if He knew that Abraham would obey Him then why make him suffer with the idea that he would have to kill his own son? One of God’s goals was to show Abraham that he would obey Him, no matter what the command. Abraham’s big gesture was his willingness to kill Isaac. God had no intention of making him go through with it, but how else would Abraham have known the true desire of his heart, which was to follow God no matter the cost. Sometimes we need to be reminded that given any circumstance, our desire to follow God will outweigh all others. Plus we know that God always provides aka the lamb for sacrifice instead of Isaac.
All of this to say, I’m left stepping out on faith keeping in mind that God always provides for His children. I don’t know where I’ll be 5 years from now, but it is comforting to know that He’s got it all planned out, all I have to do is trust that He’s going to reveal it all in His time.
July 15, 2008
Jesus Freaks
I have this new question that I’ve been throwing around in my head for the last few weeks. It’s funny how God works, because I was thinking about this issue but I hadn’t really been discussing it with a lot of people, when a friend, without even knowing, brought up the topic a few days later and then the following morning at church I heard a message that was not on this issue but the pastor briefly mentioned his thoughts on it. I was sure at this point that God wanted me to really dig into this topic and figure out what I believed. So my big question is; how sold out are we called to be?
We are told to “acknowledge Him in all things,” but it’s hard to say if anyone really understands what that means. Some take it to mean that we give thanks in ever small way as often as possible. If this was our interpretation, that would mean we thank Him for that green light that we got on the way home or that discount at the grocery store. Ok, is that really such a bad thing? When I am so focused on praising God for all the good, no matter how small, He is doing in my life it is nearly impossible to be negative. That sounds like a pretty good way to live to me. But what about the ones who take this thankfulness to the extreme, is that ok too? These are the ones who turn others off to church and Christ because they seem crazy and over the top. Is that a good way to show Christ to non-believers? Actually, they aren’t showing Christ at all, because He wasn’t overbearing, instead he sat and ate with the sinners.
Now, like many other believers, I’m confused even more. I don’t think there are many of us who live like we are called to live but I’m not sure where to draw that line either. We are called to be set apart, but, at the same time, we are told to live in this world. We can’t be so radical if we are going to lead others to Christ, but they have to see Him in our lives at all times. So how are we to live? What is that middle ground? These are questions that there aren’t really answers for because it is so subjective. You’re reaction to Christ’s call is different than mine. Every person has to determine in their own lives what it means to “acknowledge Him in all things.” For some, it means listening to only Christian music, while others wear Christ on their clothes, and then there are those who sell everything they have and move to Africa to win as many as possible.
No one can ultimately say what is the right path or the wrong one, the one thing I can say is that we are called to love God and others. When my radical devotion is turning others away from God and His love, then I need to take a step back and really look at who I am glorifying. All our actions, whether great or small, should glorify God alone. If, in every word and deed, God is being lifted high, then I am living the calling and people’s opinions no longer matter.
We are told to “acknowledge Him in all things,” but it’s hard to say if anyone really understands what that means. Some take it to mean that we give thanks in ever small way as often as possible. If this was our interpretation, that would mean we thank Him for that green light that we got on the way home or that discount at the grocery store. Ok, is that really such a bad thing? When I am so focused on praising God for all the good, no matter how small, He is doing in my life it is nearly impossible to be negative. That sounds like a pretty good way to live to me. But what about the ones who take this thankfulness to the extreme, is that ok too? These are the ones who turn others off to church and Christ because they seem crazy and over the top. Is that a good way to show Christ to non-believers? Actually, they aren’t showing Christ at all, because He wasn’t overbearing, instead he sat and ate with the sinners.
Now, like many other believers, I’m confused even more. I don’t think there are many of us who live like we are called to live but I’m not sure where to draw that line either. We are called to be set apart, but, at the same time, we are told to live in this world. We can’t be so radical if we are going to lead others to Christ, but they have to see Him in our lives at all times. So how are we to live? What is that middle ground? These are questions that there aren’t really answers for because it is so subjective. You’re reaction to Christ’s call is different than mine. Every person has to determine in their own lives what it means to “acknowledge Him in all things.” For some, it means listening to only Christian music, while others wear Christ on their clothes, and then there are those who sell everything they have and move to Africa to win as many as possible.
No one can ultimately say what is the right path or the wrong one, the one thing I can say is that we are called to love God and others. When my radical devotion is turning others away from God and His love, then I need to take a step back and really look at who I am glorifying. All our actions, whether great or small, should glorify God alone. If, in every word and deed, God is being lifted high, then I am living the calling and people’s opinions no longer matter.
June 25, 2008
Making Decisions
This whole issue began after I was talking to my friend the other day about all the decisions in our lives and how much each one truly affects our lives. Well last night, as I was lying in bed having no luck trying to fall asleep, I had this awesome revelation. I was thinking about decisions and how if you make one bad one does that screw up God's entire plan for our life…
I mean, if I made one decision that wasn't exactly what God had in mind for my life, does that mean that I'll never get back on the right path? I don't really believe that's how God works, but then I don't know how I'm suppose to make these hard decisions. I know each choice brings us closer to or farther from God's ultimate goal for our lives, but I'm just wondering if maybe there are detours. Can I get to the original destination just with a few cutoffs and side roads? I believe God knows all our decisions before we make them, and the best illustration of this is in a book I read by C.S. Lewis. In his book, he describes how God views our lives and shows how life is like a parade, we are on the ground watching each float one at a time (aka the present) but God is up above it all, seeing what has already passed and what is to come all at the same time (aka past, present, and future). I love this description because it doesn't show God causing things to happen because we do all have decisions to make, it illustrates how He simply knows the decisions that we will make and what the outcomes will be for each one before we make them. So since He knows what I'm going to do, maybe He creates other opportunities for me to get to my destination, just not in the original design.
I can't even count how many times I have sat agonizing over a decision and never really believing I have an answer from God. It helps, in these times, to know that since I am truly searching for an answer from Him no matter what choice I make He will ultimately bless my life; whether through that good decision or another opportunity if it was the wrong one because I sought Him through it all. I know this makes no sense but in order to make decisions in my life, I'd like to think that each one isn't going to change the entire course of my life because that's way too much pressure! Scripture even shows us that no matter what decision we make as long as we are seeking God He's going to bless our lives. A verse that really seems to back up my theory is found in Proverbs 16:3, it says "Committ to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed."
For someone who is still trying to figure out what life has in store for them, it is so encouraging knowing that my life is going to be a success as long as I'm continually looking to Him!
I mean, if I made one decision that wasn't exactly what God had in mind for my life, does that mean that I'll never get back on the right path? I don't really believe that's how God works, but then I don't know how I'm suppose to make these hard decisions. I know each choice brings us closer to or farther from God's ultimate goal for our lives, but I'm just wondering if maybe there are detours. Can I get to the original destination just with a few cutoffs and side roads? I believe God knows all our decisions before we make them, and the best illustration of this is in a book I read by C.S. Lewis. In his book, he describes how God views our lives and shows how life is like a parade, we are on the ground watching each float one at a time (aka the present) but God is up above it all, seeing what has already passed and what is to come all at the same time (aka past, present, and future). I love this description because it doesn't show God causing things to happen because we do all have decisions to make, it illustrates how He simply knows the decisions that we will make and what the outcomes will be for each one before we make them. So since He knows what I'm going to do, maybe He creates other opportunities for me to get to my destination, just not in the original design.
I can't even count how many times I have sat agonizing over a decision and never really believing I have an answer from God. It helps, in these times, to know that since I am truly searching for an answer from Him no matter what choice I make He will ultimately bless my life; whether through that good decision or another opportunity if it was the wrong one because I sought Him through it all. I know this makes no sense but in order to make decisions in my life, I'd like to think that each one isn't going to change the entire course of my life because that's way too much pressure! Scripture even shows us that no matter what decision we make as long as we are seeking God He's going to bless our lives. A verse that really seems to back up my theory is found in Proverbs 16:3, it says "Committ to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed."
For someone who is still trying to figure out what life has in store for them, it is so encouraging knowing that my life is going to be a success as long as I'm continually looking to Him!
June 2, 2008
David's Year Away
I heard one of the coolest messages the other day, presenting an aspect of an old bible story I’d never heard. The speaker began the lesson talking about how David was one of the MVPs of the old testament but that he had his issues just like the rest of us; he was an adulterer and a murderer but he was the man after God’s own heart because he was also a humble man who knew who held the keys to his eternity.
Well of course, if you’ve been in church for more than a few years, you’ve heard this story before, but the part of it I don’t remember or never paid attention to, was the fact that David didn’t repent immediately. I guess before I thought that he had just messed up and realized it and then corrected it, but that’s not what happened at all, in fact he doesn’t confess his sin until after the baby is born. It takes 9 months for a baby to be born, so when you do the math you realize that it is almost a year in this sinful state! He lived in this state of distance from God for an entire year which blows me away! How a man so committed to God can get to a point of distance for that long is almost unreal. It was not until his friend Nathan brought it to his attention that he got right with God. I’m sure he knew that he had sinned but he was so caught up in these sins that he couldn’t hear God’s prodding.
Nathan, being the good friend he was, showed David the error of his ways and David then made things right again. Nathan was a true friend because calling someone out on something is one of the hardest things to do; you never know how they’ll react and it could mean losing that friendship. Nathan took that chance anyways because he knew it was what was best for David. But the coolest thing about this realization was that David came back from this distant state and was still referred to as a man after God’s own heart! It’s encouraging to know that no matter what I get myself into, or for how long I stay in that state of turmoil, God will always accept me back and love me just as before and in an even more intimate way because I realize more fully the depth of His love. It reminds me of a Barlow Girl song called Harder Than The First Time. Here are some of the lyrics that show how amazing it is to grow in our relationship with the Lord…
“Was I so blind; how did I not see you? Yet in all this time you never left my side, So for all my life, I will live to know you, So here I am; I’ll take your hand I didn’t see you, but God I want toYou’ve come alive, and I think I’ve fallen harder than the first time”
Well of course, if you’ve been in church for more than a few years, you’ve heard this story before, but the part of it I don’t remember or never paid attention to, was the fact that David didn’t repent immediately. I guess before I thought that he had just messed up and realized it and then corrected it, but that’s not what happened at all, in fact he doesn’t confess his sin until after the baby is born. It takes 9 months for a baby to be born, so when you do the math you realize that it is almost a year in this sinful state! He lived in this state of distance from God for an entire year which blows me away! How a man so committed to God can get to a point of distance for that long is almost unreal. It was not until his friend Nathan brought it to his attention that he got right with God. I’m sure he knew that he had sinned but he was so caught up in these sins that he couldn’t hear God’s prodding.
Nathan, being the good friend he was, showed David the error of his ways and David then made things right again. Nathan was a true friend because calling someone out on something is one of the hardest things to do; you never know how they’ll react and it could mean losing that friendship. Nathan took that chance anyways because he knew it was what was best for David. But the coolest thing about this realization was that David came back from this distant state and was still referred to as a man after God’s own heart! It’s encouraging to know that no matter what I get myself into, or for how long I stay in that state of turmoil, God will always accept me back and love me just as before and in an even more intimate way because I realize more fully the depth of His love. It reminds me of a Barlow Girl song called Harder Than The First Time. Here are some of the lyrics that show how amazing it is to grow in our relationship with the Lord…
“Was I so blind; how did I not see you? Yet in all this time you never left my side, So for all my life, I will live to know you, So here I am; I’ll take your hand I didn’t see you, but God I want toYou’ve come alive, and I think I’ve fallen harder than the first time”
May 15, 2008
Lukewarm
Lately I’ve been having a big issue with the standards that Christians are lacking, me especially. Why don’t we hate sin as much as we should? We are told to flee ALL appearances of evil yet we put ourselves in tempting situations daily! I guess we become so desensitized to it that we get to a state of indifference. So how do we stop ourselves from becoming desensitized?
Well I thought about this for a while and realized that we have to begin by relearning what it means to be a Christian before we’ll understand the importance of living this life the way God desires. So the first thing to think about is our definition of the Christian life. We do this by understanding the word standard. When I asked people around me, the consensus for a good definition was a reference or a compass for how things should be. Basically, it is what you choose to live your life by. So, for a Christian, the thing we use as our compass for life is the Bible. But what does that mean? Each person has their own convictions about the issues that the Bible raises, so it is hard to figure out what we use as our example.
Well, more than the Bible alone, our standard is Christ. Christian means little Christ, so every aspect of our lives should immolate Christ. Again we ask what that means, because it is easy to argue that He was perfect so there is no way to live up to His standard. But shouldn’t we, in all ways possible, strive for that mark however far it may seem? That old saying goes “if we are aiming for the sky and miss, at least we’ll be numbered among the stars.” So if we are trying our hardest to live as Christ would, then things will undoubtedly fall into place.
We become more and more like whoever we place ourselves around, so we will obviously become more like Christ; the things that He hates will eventually become detestable to us if we are seeking to be in His presence. For example, I used to hate drunkenness not solely because the Bible says it’s wrong, but because I hated how it changed the personality of the drinker. I would never allow myself to be around drinking and heaven forbid I ever had a drink myself! But it only takes a few times of letting your guard down enough until you finally get to a place of simply not caring. It wasn't like I decided one day to change my beliefs, I just got out of that close fellowship with Christ and my standards changed. I no longer loathed drunkenness like Christ does because I wasn't close enough to Him. I am not about to preach a sermon on drinking because there are not enough clear distinctions in the Bible, but it does say that we are to never let something become our master and alcohol has that ability without us realizing until it is too late. So if we allow something into our lives that the Bible clearly warns against, we are taking away from the example of Christ that we are called to live. How do I sin and immolate Christ? I don’t, that’s called hypocrisy!
So the answer to the question of how we keep ourselves from becoming callous to these detestable things is to draw so close to Christ that we take on His character. I should be sold out to Him because we are called to be set apart and it is as simple as just doing it! God works in awesome ways, because when I really started thinking about this topic, a friend showed me this song that illustrates the reactions I'll get when I'm truly living for Him and how that shouldn't matter because I'm completely devoted to Him. It is an amazing song that is so helpful for those days that are discouraging my Christlike desires…
“Am I foolishness to you, And is it laughable the things I do Can your callused minds see past yourselves to His divine Am I foolishness to you Can I sing about my Maker, And have you not role your eyes Can I weep about my Savior, And the way He died I know it don't make sense, To those who ride the fence But I'm sold out to Christ You call it loosening up, Loosening up I call it spiraling down, Only one thing's the same, Only one thing remains, Jesus Jesus Can I sing about my Maker, And have you not role your eyes Can I weep about my Savior, And the way He died I know it don't make sense, To those who ride the fence But I'm sold out to Christ You're all asleep, You're all asleep You're all asleep oh children But He's all you need, You don't see it no Can I sing about my Maker, And have you not role your eyes Can I weep about my Savior, And the way He died I know it don't make sense, To those who ride the fence But I'm sold out to Christ” Fence Riders by Jimmy Needham
Well I thought about this for a while and realized that we have to begin by relearning what it means to be a Christian before we’ll understand the importance of living this life the way God desires. So the first thing to think about is our definition of the Christian life. We do this by understanding the word standard. When I asked people around me, the consensus for a good definition was a reference or a compass for how things should be. Basically, it is what you choose to live your life by. So, for a Christian, the thing we use as our compass for life is the Bible. But what does that mean? Each person has their own convictions about the issues that the Bible raises, so it is hard to figure out what we use as our example.
Well, more than the Bible alone, our standard is Christ. Christian means little Christ, so every aspect of our lives should immolate Christ. Again we ask what that means, because it is easy to argue that He was perfect so there is no way to live up to His standard. But shouldn’t we, in all ways possible, strive for that mark however far it may seem? That old saying goes “if we are aiming for the sky and miss, at least we’ll be numbered among the stars.” So if we are trying our hardest to live as Christ would, then things will undoubtedly fall into place.
We become more and more like whoever we place ourselves around, so we will obviously become more like Christ; the things that He hates will eventually become detestable to us if we are seeking to be in His presence. For example, I used to hate drunkenness not solely because the Bible says it’s wrong, but because I hated how it changed the personality of the drinker. I would never allow myself to be around drinking and heaven forbid I ever had a drink myself! But it only takes a few times of letting your guard down enough until you finally get to a place of simply not caring. It wasn't like I decided one day to change my beliefs, I just got out of that close fellowship with Christ and my standards changed. I no longer loathed drunkenness like Christ does because I wasn't close enough to Him. I am not about to preach a sermon on drinking because there are not enough clear distinctions in the Bible, but it does say that we are to never let something become our master and alcohol has that ability without us realizing until it is too late. So if we allow something into our lives that the Bible clearly warns against, we are taking away from the example of Christ that we are called to live. How do I sin and immolate Christ? I don’t, that’s called hypocrisy!
So the answer to the question of how we keep ourselves from becoming callous to these detestable things is to draw so close to Christ that we take on His character. I should be sold out to Him because we are called to be set apart and it is as simple as just doing it! God works in awesome ways, because when I really started thinking about this topic, a friend showed me this song that illustrates the reactions I'll get when I'm truly living for Him and how that shouldn't matter because I'm completely devoted to Him. It is an amazing song that is so helpful for those days that are discouraging my Christlike desires…
“Am I foolishness to you, And is it laughable the things I do Can your callused minds see past yourselves to His divine Am I foolishness to you Can I sing about my Maker, And have you not role your eyes Can I weep about my Savior, And the way He died I know it don't make sense, To those who ride the fence But I'm sold out to Christ You call it loosening up, Loosening up I call it spiraling down, Only one thing's the same, Only one thing remains, Jesus Jesus Can I sing about my Maker, And have you not role your eyes Can I weep about my Savior, And the way He died I know it don't make sense, To those who ride the fence But I'm sold out to Christ You're all asleep, You're all asleep You're all asleep oh children But He's all you need, You don't see it no Can I sing about my Maker, And have you not role your eyes Can I weep about my Savior, And the way He died I know it don't make sense, To those who ride the fence But I'm sold out to Christ” Fence Riders by Jimmy Needham
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