My family and I had the privilege of going away this past weekend, to Maine, our favorite place! We were blessed to spend time with friends, and just step "outside the box" from our routine and every day life. While we were there, it was the first time I've slept anywhere in a long time without noise from the outside world.. so of course, sleeping was hard.. lol. I know it sounds crazy, but it hurt my ears b/c it was so quiet! Though, what else do you do in the quietness, but listen?
So as my son and husband were in dream land, I lay there.. just listening. I realized how I personally, never do that. Sure I listen to people and listen to music.. but I never just lay there and try to hear. I continually pray for answers and guidance and for needs of others and myself... but I never listen, it's something I plan on doing a lot more. I don't believe God shouts.. He's so big, He shouldn't have to. If we're constantly asking Him for direction, or help.. how can we ever expect to get the answer if we don't stop and let Him speak?
Listening with my heart, is probably the longest learning process I've had in my personal walk with Christ. I tend to think, pray and search for His answers, instead of watch and listen for them. I think this is why the Lord talks to me a lot in my sleep, or wakes me during the night. It's the only time He has my undivided attention. Listening is essential in the process of hearing. We all need to take time to "be still and know" (Psalm 46:10), and hear that still small voice.
A Life Not My Of Own
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Loss for words.
I am so drained from the drama and so sickened by the deceit. But most of all.. I am bothered that growth has STOPPED. The church is sick, but it's not because of Pastors being called elsewhere. Think of it as a toe that caught a flesh-eating disease. I am not going to sit here and debate, or point fingers. I just wanted to share a few scriptures..
1 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.- 2 Peter 2:1
We are warned also in 2 Timothy 3.
1 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!
6 They are the kind who work their way into people’s homes and win the confidence of[a] vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires. 7 (Such women are forever following new teachings, but they are never able to understand the truth.) 8 These teachers oppose the truth just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses. They have depraved minds and a counterfeit faith. 9 But they won’t get away with this for long. Someday everyone will recognize what fools they are, just as with Jannes and Jambres.
I'm not made to judge, but just throwing out advice. Pray for wisdom and discernment; and remember no matter the outcome, God is still in control! Let's focus on that. We don't need the details on who and why; we need to seek Gods will in the steps He wants us to take. He will bring to light what needs to be known. God just have your way, so we can heal and CONTINUE with YOUR work. Amen.
1 But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.- 2 Peter 2:1
We are warned also in 2 Timothy 3.
1 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!
6 They are the kind who work their way into people’s homes and win the confidence of[a] vulnerable women who are burdened with the guilt of sin and controlled by various desires. 7 (Such women are forever following new teachings, but they are never able to understand the truth.) 8 These teachers oppose the truth just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses. They have depraved minds and a counterfeit faith. 9 But they won’t get away with this for long. Someday everyone will recognize what fools they are, just as with Jannes and Jambres.
I'm not made to judge, but just throwing out advice. Pray for wisdom and discernment; and remember no matter the outcome, God is still in control! Let's focus on that. We don't need the details on who and why; we need to seek Gods will in the steps He wants us to take. He will bring to light what needs to be known. God just have your way, so we can heal and CONTINUE with YOUR work. Amen.
Friday, February 11, 2011
What can we do FOR Him?
"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." - 1 John 5:14
I wonder how much would it change our lives to pray for His will and not ours? I know I can be impatient about things. I tend to give up if I don't see results right away. It's something God has been helping me with.. needless to say, I've been praying A LOT and He's been telling me to WAIT A LOT! lol. It's not that I'm impatient with everything, I am just a dreamer and tend to run away with ideas.
But I stop and think, if I got immediate results for everything, how much less time would I spend seeking Him? I kind of offended myself! I love God, I'd spend time with Him still. Then I thought about my prayer life, and how many times I talk to God throughout the day to ask Him for something. When do I ever take the time to THANK Him, or ask Him what I can do FOR Him? I noticed my prayer life was a little more about my needs, than asking what He needs from me. In most cases I'm praying for someone, but even in that I've changed the way I pray. Instead of asking for God to help Auntie Bucky with her depression, (no I don't have one, it's just an, odd and random name I made up) I ask God what I can do to encourage her. It allows us to put prayer in to action by letting God use us as a tool, as well as an intercessor.
Another thing I'm not so good at, is waiting. Waiting for an answer in HIS timing. But honestly, when I look at the big picture, it's like reading a really good book! You read it as often as you can, diligently trying to get to the end. If you just skipped to the ending, all the greatest details would be left out. God desires our heart and also our time. He wants us to have to rely on Him... God is so magnificent and intricate, and here I am trying to size His works, into a quick book of Cliff's notes. Our Father is an artist, He's all about the tiniest details as He illustrates His story for us!
I wonder how much would it change our lives to pray for His will and not ours? I know I can be impatient about things. I tend to give up if I don't see results right away. It's something God has been helping me with.. needless to say, I've been praying A LOT and He's been telling me to WAIT A LOT! lol. It's not that I'm impatient with everything, I am just a dreamer and tend to run away with ideas.
But I stop and think, if I got immediate results for everything, how much less time would I spend seeking Him? I kind of offended myself! I love God, I'd spend time with Him still. Then I thought about my prayer life, and how many times I talk to God throughout the day to ask Him for something. When do I ever take the time to THANK Him, or ask Him what I can do FOR Him? I noticed my prayer life was a little more about my needs, than asking what He needs from me. In most cases I'm praying for someone, but even in that I've changed the way I pray. Instead of asking for God to help Auntie Bucky with her depression, (no I don't have one, it's just an, odd and random name I made up) I ask God what I can do to encourage her. It allows us to put prayer in to action by letting God use us as a tool, as well as an intercessor.
Another thing I'm not so good at, is waiting. Waiting for an answer in HIS timing. But honestly, when I look at the big picture, it's like reading a really good book! You read it as often as you can, diligently trying to get to the end. If you just skipped to the ending, all the greatest details would be left out. God desires our heart and also our time. He wants us to have to rely on Him... God is so magnificent and intricate, and here I am trying to size His works, into a quick book of Cliff's notes. Our Father is an artist, He's all about the tiniest details as He illustrates His story for us!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
All in this together?
There's a lot I've been praying about lately. Certain things that are pressed upon my heart from the moment I wake up, till I rest my head. Sometimes I'm even being stirred from my sleep to pray. These are things God has been speaking to me about, I felt I should share. I feel like He is disgusted with us as a whole, and I can't blame Him. There's a few scriptures I keep thinking of and seeing pop up here and there over the past week or so.
One:
"11 Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. 12 God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor?"- James 4:11 & 12
If that's not direct, I don't know what is.. we ALL need to examine our hearts in humility before God. We are a BODY of Christ, not a democracy. How shameful for us, as a whole, to let politics and opinions, poison and hinder the work we should be doing. I don't see anywhere in scripture where Jesus says, "If you have a disagreement, grab your brothers who agree with you and with sword and shield, let us fight each other till the death. The ones who are left, are in the will of God." Why are we quarreling amongst ourselves?
Two:
"And blessed is He who shall not be offended in me."- Matthew 11:6
How can we grow and learn from God's word if it's always soft and makes us feel good? I don't know about you, but sometimes I need a good swift kick in the pants now and again. God has a way of doing that, to move us.. to remind us He is a jealous God and we need to fear Him. When we feel disturbed, or uncomfortable we need to ask ourselves why? Is it maybe that God is speaking to YOU? We should not be angered, but praise Him and thank Him when He calls us out. Why else would a father discipline His children, if not out of Love?
Three:
"12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."- Hebrews 4:12 & 13
There's is something we're all guilty of and that's being judgmental. We're always so ready to jump on someone else's flaws.. yet how many times are those flaws something we're guilty of ourselves? I am not perfect, and neither are you. It's time we take into account the things we've been harping on and lay it down at His feet. If we're to be examples of Christ, we need to stop stoning each other so to speak, and work together to further His kingdom. (I'm pretty positive that's not what Jesus meant when he said "child-like".) I understand there are circumstances where we need to take action, but NEVER without His counsel and never out of personal vendetta. We need to realize what's at stake.. these are peoples lives, not just an agenda. I plead with you, to pray specifically for HIS WILL and HEALING amongst ourselves. God will work out the rest in HIS timing. He knows the hearts of His people, He will move what needs to be moved.
With Love and Blessings.
One:
"11 Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. 12 God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor?"- James 4:11 & 12
If that's not direct, I don't know what is.. we ALL need to examine our hearts in humility before God. We are a BODY of Christ, not a democracy. How shameful for us, as a whole, to let politics and opinions, poison and hinder the work we should be doing. I don't see anywhere in scripture where Jesus says, "If you have a disagreement, grab your brothers who agree with you and with sword and shield, let us fight each other till the death. The ones who are left, are in the will of God." Why are we quarreling amongst ourselves?
Two:
"And blessed is He who shall not be offended in me."- Matthew 11:6
How can we grow and learn from God's word if it's always soft and makes us feel good? I don't know about you, but sometimes I need a good swift kick in the pants now and again. God has a way of doing that, to move us.. to remind us He is a jealous God and we need to fear Him. When we feel disturbed, or uncomfortable we need to ask ourselves why? Is it maybe that God is speaking to YOU? We should not be angered, but praise Him and thank Him when He calls us out. Why else would a father discipline His children, if not out of Love?
Three:
"12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."- Hebrews 4:12 & 13
There's is something we're all guilty of and that's being judgmental. We're always so ready to jump on someone else's flaws.. yet how many times are those flaws something we're guilty of ourselves? I am not perfect, and neither are you. It's time we take into account the things we've been harping on and lay it down at His feet. If we're to be examples of Christ, we need to stop stoning each other so to speak, and work together to further His kingdom. (I'm pretty positive that's not what Jesus meant when he said "child-like".) I understand there are circumstances where we need to take action, but NEVER without His counsel and never out of personal vendetta. We need to realize what's at stake.. these are peoples lives, not just an agenda. I plead with you, to pray specifically for HIS WILL and HEALING amongst ourselves. God will work out the rest in HIS timing. He knows the hearts of His people, He will move what needs to be moved.
With Love and Blessings.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Worship
There are times in life, sweet moments when there are no words. It's in those moments you can do nothing but be still, in those moments nobody else exists, it's just you and Him. It's these moments when Heaven meets the earth. In these tranquil moments we are yet again reminded of just how small we are in the realm of things. Our knees shake, our heart beats with the force of a thousand drums. This is where we meet with Him, in that secret place. This is our blessing, this is our treasure; this is worship.
I am so unworthy of His love, and His majesty and His acknowledgement. Thank you God for meeting with me today, I am lost for words.
3 I will give you hidden treasures,
riches stored in secret places,
so that you may know that I am the LORD,
the God of Israel, who summons you by name.- Isaiah 45:3 (NIV)
I am so unworthy of His love, and His majesty and His acknowledgement. Thank you God for meeting with me today, I am lost for words.
3 I will give you hidden treasures,
riches stored in secret places,
so that you may know that I am the LORD,
the God of Israel, who summons you by name.- Isaiah 45:3 (NIV)
Thursday, January 20, 2011
"What do we endure for Him?"
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. - Hebrews 12:1 & 2
Imagine being in His shoes. He had wronged no man, or God, yet He endured ridicule and the ultimate shame of crucifixion. I don't think in our day, we regard crucifixion in the same way people did in Jesus day. It was at the bottom of the pit as far as human consequence goes. We are so desensitized to shame or "sin", because now a days, it's everywhere. The crucifixion was the end of a process, which was a very shameful experience not only for the person, but any who associated with them.
So let's start with the process. If you look up the history of crucifixion, one of the first things you'll find is the criminal was first stripped of their clothes. Given little, or no coverings. Being it was a public event, could you imagine how humiliating that would be? To be stripped of everything in front of your mother, father, friends?
We turn away when someone offends us. This is what our Savior endured, for you and me.
Next, the bruising and beating. We're not talking about mere childish fist throwing, and kicking. It says Jesus was marred more than any man. (Isaiah 52:14- "But many were amazed when they saw him. His face was so disfigured he seemed hardly human, and from his appearance, one would scarcely know he was a man." NLT) His was so badly whipped and battered, that you could not recognize him. His flesh was ripped down to the bone.
And we cry about a paper cut? This is what our Savior endured, for you and me.
He was beaten not only physically, but emotionally too. He was pushed around, called a liar. They laughed at him as they made him a crown of thorns, and forced it onto his already wounded head. He was spit on, and mocked as he was forced to carry the cross and bleed openly through crowds of people.
We give up on something God asked us to do because it's "too hard". This is what our savior endured, for you and me.
Then came the nails, driven through his hands and feet, and set up on the cross, in public display. Naked, deformed, and alone. The weight of the sins of the WHOLE world, were placed upon him. So thick and so heavy that God himself, had to turn His face away. He died in pain... He died in disgrace.. He died alone.
We get upset when someone sits in our usual Sunday seats. This is what our savior endured for you and me.
How dare we even give ourselves the title of a "follower of Christ" and think ourselves worthy to be blessed by Him. What an incredible God we serve, one we're NOT worthy of serving. It is so humbling to think that He WANTS us to worship him... He ASKS us to follow Him. We didn't invite ourselves, He invited us. This living God who walked a road that we couldn't have, a road that He didn't deserve; all because He LOVES us. We complain, we disobey, we are impure in ways and thoughts. We are envious, we are revengeful, we are hurtful to each other. We break His heart over and over again; Yet He pleads for our life, our salvation. This is what our Savior endures for you and me.
We all struggle with pride, we all struggle with hurt and sin. But we are able to lay it all at His feet and worship and serve Him. He thinks us worthy to be His hands and feet, when we're the reason they were pierced.
His Love endures all this for you and me..... but what do we endure for Him?
Imagine being in His shoes. He had wronged no man, or God, yet He endured ridicule and the ultimate shame of crucifixion. I don't think in our day, we regard crucifixion in the same way people did in Jesus day. It was at the bottom of the pit as far as human consequence goes. We are so desensitized to shame or "sin", because now a days, it's everywhere. The crucifixion was the end of a process, which was a very shameful experience not only for the person, but any who associated with them.
So let's start with the process. If you look up the history of crucifixion, one of the first things you'll find is the criminal was first stripped of their clothes. Given little, or no coverings. Being it was a public event, could you imagine how humiliating that would be? To be stripped of everything in front of your mother, father, friends?
We turn away when someone offends us. This is what our Savior endured, for you and me.
Next, the bruising and beating. We're not talking about mere childish fist throwing, and kicking. It says Jesus was marred more than any man. (Isaiah 52:14- "But many were amazed when they saw him. His face was so disfigured he seemed hardly human, and from his appearance, one would scarcely know he was a man." NLT) His was so badly whipped and battered, that you could not recognize him. His flesh was ripped down to the bone.
And we cry about a paper cut? This is what our Savior endured, for you and me.
He was beaten not only physically, but emotionally too. He was pushed around, called a liar. They laughed at him as they made him a crown of thorns, and forced it onto his already wounded head. He was spit on, and mocked as he was forced to carry the cross and bleed openly through crowds of people.
We give up on something God asked us to do because it's "too hard". This is what our savior endured, for you and me.
Then came the nails, driven through his hands and feet, and set up on the cross, in public display. Naked, deformed, and alone. The weight of the sins of the WHOLE world, were placed upon him. So thick and so heavy that God himself, had to turn His face away. He died in pain... He died in disgrace.. He died alone.
We get upset when someone sits in our usual Sunday seats. This is what our savior endured for you and me.
How dare we even give ourselves the title of a "follower of Christ" and think ourselves worthy to be blessed by Him. What an incredible God we serve, one we're NOT worthy of serving. It is so humbling to think that He WANTS us to worship him... He ASKS us to follow Him. We didn't invite ourselves, He invited us. This living God who walked a road that we couldn't have, a road that He didn't deserve; all because He LOVES us. We complain, we disobey, we are impure in ways and thoughts. We are envious, we are revengeful, we are hurtful to each other. We break His heart over and over again; Yet He pleads for our life, our salvation. This is what our Savior endures for you and me.
We all struggle with pride, we all struggle with hurt and sin. But we are able to lay it all at His feet and worship and serve Him. He thinks us worthy to be His hands and feet, when we're the reason they were pierced.
His Love endures all this for you and me..... but what do we endure for Him?
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Proverbs 22:6
"good management doesn't mean perfect outcome. It didn't for God, and it doesn't for us" - John Piper
I read this in a blog today, a very strong and true statement! The truth is, we can either be brought up in the word or brought up in the world. Neither has a definite outcome. Being brought up in the world doesn't guarantee us an eternity apart from God. On the contrary, being brought up in the WORD doesn't guarantee us a sinless life.. Many times I have pondered the passage in Proverbs "Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it." (Proverbs 22:6 NLT) Nowhere in the passage does it claim they will perfectly walk the "straight and narrow". Nobody, I don't care who you are has walked a perfect path, we're all subject to sin. It's whether we choose to repent or not that is important.
As a parent, I sometimes get insecure about my sons' behavior, and his strong will, even at 3. I worry it reflects my parenting skills in some way, that I'm not doing something right. But looking at Proverbs 22:6, I understand more about bringing my child up and guiding him and teaching him about Gods' love. It doesn't dismiss the fact that he's 3, or that he has his own traits. It's doesn't mean when he gets older, that he won't veer to the left, or the right. We were ALL born with our own minds and will. I can only do my best as a parent to express the importance of walking with God, and pray for him to someday become the man God has designed him to be.
More than a few times, I myself have thought or have heard others blame someone's choices in life, on their parents. This is not always the case. I know I have my own views that differ from my parents, I do a lot of things differently. That's because I am an individual. We all are. We can preach to our children till the cows come home, and in the end they still make their own choices. Does that mean we throw in the towel and say "well whatever happens, happens"? Absolutely not. You continue to guide, listen and pray. Being a parent, especially in this sense doesn't end until you leave this earth. I know I will take my guidance from the Lord in raising my son with love, wisdom and discipline. In doing so, I will not pray for a "perfect outcome", but for a "perfect ending".
I read this in a blog today, a very strong and true statement! The truth is, we can either be brought up in the word or brought up in the world. Neither has a definite outcome. Being brought up in the world doesn't guarantee us an eternity apart from God. On the contrary, being brought up in the WORD doesn't guarantee us a sinless life.. Many times I have pondered the passage in Proverbs "Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it." (Proverbs 22:6 NLT) Nowhere in the passage does it claim they will perfectly walk the "straight and narrow". Nobody, I don't care who you are has walked a perfect path, we're all subject to sin. It's whether we choose to repent or not that is important.
As a parent, I sometimes get insecure about my sons' behavior, and his strong will, even at 3. I worry it reflects my parenting skills in some way, that I'm not doing something right. But looking at Proverbs 22:6, I understand more about bringing my child up and guiding him and teaching him about Gods' love. It doesn't dismiss the fact that he's 3, or that he has his own traits. It's doesn't mean when he gets older, that he won't veer to the left, or the right. We were ALL born with our own minds and will. I can only do my best as a parent to express the importance of walking with God, and pray for him to someday become the man God has designed him to be.
More than a few times, I myself have thought or have heard others blame someone's choices in life, on their parents. This is not always the case. I know I have my own views that differ from my parents, I do a lot of things differently. That's because I am an individual. We all are. We can preach to our children till the cows come home, and in the end they still make their own choices. Does that mean we throw in the towel and say "well whatever happens, happens"? Absolutely not. You continue to guide, listen and pray. Being a parent, especially in this sense doesn't end until you leave this earth. I know I will take my guidance from the Lord in raising my son with love, wisdom and discipline. In doing so, I will not pray for a "perfect outcome", but for a "perfect ending".
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