I know its been a while, and I apologize, but I made myself restrain from writing on my blog until I could finish writing an article for a magazine. It is hard for me to find time to write for both! I am excited to say that my first writing piece is complete and respectfully submitted to the publisher!
My mother made the comment the other day that she is "so glad that God is such a nag!" That is what God has been doing to me for the last week-nagging me, encouraging me and reminding me that there was an ever present May 1st deadline to submit to this particular magazine. I started on it about two weeks ago and then ran out of time. I started to think "Oh well, I'll try for another magazine maybe." But God said-"Oh no you don't!" Every time I would have a free moment, I would think, "Go work on that article!" I would wake up in the middle of night and debate on sneaking out to my living room (which was filled with silence) to work on it. God would wake me up at 5 am and tell me to get out of bed and go write. I am sad to say, I would usually roll over and say, "5 more minutes please!" and then wake up an hour and a half later! Oh the guilt!
I have learned a lot through this whole process. I will be shocked if my article is actually published, but I feel like God was trying to show me that I can do it. I can research the writing market, find a magazine, help determine their writing needs and then come up with an article for them, catered to their style. So...if you check here and see I haven't written in a while, send up a prayer for me because I could be fervently typing at my keyboard, trying to meet the next deadline! So-onto the next article....
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Watching and Waiting
This morning if you would have walked past my bedroom door you might have heard me muttering, "I can do all things through Him who gives me strength!" (Phil. 4:13). I wasn't solving the world's problems or coming up with the cure for cancer- Ha! I was standing on a chair, with a screw driver in my hand, hair in a scrunchy, trying to put up window blinds that had fallen about a year ago! Our bedroom windows have been covered by this bright, pink blanket for so long, I'd forgotten it was there. Don't ask me what motivated me, but one thing was for sure-I was going to quit putting it off or waiting for someone else to do it.
So there I am, screwdriver in hand, doing the best I could, but I could NOT get that screw to go in the hole! Suddenly that verse popped in my head and I could almost feel His smile as I repeated it over and over out loud, gritting my teeth to get that screw to go in, asking Him to help me with something as trivial as screwing something to a window!
My, how easy it is to forget that we can call out to Him whenever and where ever, no matter the circumstance, no matter the situation and He'll be there-ready to help. Don't ever think He's too busy for all the tiny details of your life. Our lives are made up of all those tiny things and He is just watching and waiting to see if you're going to invite Him into your day. We don't live our lives in church everyday or with heads bowed in silence. No, our lives are lived out in the grocery store lines, the stop lights, getting gas, picking up milk, making dinner, feeding pets and giving baths. We are surrounded by coworkers, non Christians, believers, and children. There are people we like and people we don't. We spend our lives driving in the car, listening to the radio, watching Braves games and taking kids to T-ball practice. We struggle to meet deadlines whether they are some big business proposal or our children's bedtimes. That's where we live our lives, are you crying out to Him through out your busy day?
Did you take the time to see Him trying to grab your attention? It could have been in the birds chirping as you got ready this morning. Maybe it was the aroma of coffee lingering down the hallway. It could have been in your spouses kiss goodbye or cuddling with your little ones. Did you notice that bunch of flowers that just popped up in your yard? Did you hear your favorite song on the radio? Maybe a good friend called after a long time or your children took a nap and allowed you to rest. Did you laugh at a good joke or share a silly story? Maybe you got a good parking spot, right up front. All of those tiny things are His way of saying ,"I love you!"
Don't miss your Heavenly Father today! And NEVER think something is too small a thing to tell Him. He's watching and waiting-for you!
So there I am, screwdriver in hand, doing the best I could, but I could NOT get that screw to go in the hole! Suddenly that verse popped in my head and I could almost feel His smile as I repeated it over and over out loud, gritting my teeth to get that screw to go in, asking Him to help me with something as trivial as screwing something to a window!
My, how easy it is to forget that we can call out to Him whenever and where ever, no matter the circumstance, no matter the situation and He'll be there-ready to help. Don't ever think He's too busy for all the tiny details of your life. Our lives are made up of all those tiny things and He is just watching and waiting to see if you're going to invite Him into your day. We don't live our lives in church everyday or with heads bowed in silence. No, our lives are lived out in the grocery store lines, the stop lights, getting gas, picking up milk, making dinner, feeding pets and giving baths. We are surrounded by coworkers, non Christians, believers, and children. There are people we like and people we don't. We spend our lives driving in the car, listening to the radio, watching Braves games and taking kids to T-ball practice. We struggle to meet deadlines whether they are some big business proposal or our children's bedtimes. That's where we live our lives, are you crying out to Him through out your busy day?
Did you take the time to see Him trying to grab your attention? It could have been in the birds chirping as you got ready this morning. Maybe it was the aroma of coffee lingering down the hallway. It could have been in your spouses kiss goodbye or cuddling with your little ones. Did you notice that bunch of flowers that just popped up in your yard? Did you hear your favorite song on the radio? Maybe a good friend called after a long time or your children took a nap and allowed you to rest. Did you laugh at a good joke or share a silly story? Maybe you got a good parking spot, right up front. All of those tiny things are His way of saying ,"I love you!"
Don't miss your Heavenly Father today! And NEVER think something is too small a thing to tell Him. He's watching and waiting-for you!
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
A Beautiful Thing
I think little by little I'm starting to "get it". Day by day, moment by moment, the Lord is showing me that all the things I think are "mine"-really aren't. My life is not my own. Everyday we make decisions and think they are ours to make. What to do with our money, what to do with our time, how to raise our children. Everything we have is a gift-without Him we'd have nothing and be nothing. God gave us our house, our car, our children, our pets. He gave us time by letting us wake up today! What are you doing with what He has given you? Have you managed your money well? Are you raising children up to bring glory to the Lord? Are you taking care of the possessions you have accumulated or are they suddenly taking over you?
On Sunday, we talked about a well known story of Mary, (Martha and Lazarus' sister), breaking an alabaster jar with very expensive perfume in it, all over Jesus' head and then cleaning His feet with her hair. The disciples chastised her, saying it was a waste for her to do that. It would have taken a whole years worth of income to purchase that one bottle and she just broke it like it was nothing! To the outside eye, it would be easy to say she "wasted"it.
But Jesus didn't. He knew it was everything to her, and she gave it to Him wholeheartedly. Jesus looked at them and said, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me." (Matt 26:10). Wow-a beautiful thing. He goes on to say that wherever the gospel is preached, this act will be talked about in memory of her. I have found myself the last two days, praying that God would show me a "beautiful thing" I can do for Him. What a privilege and an honor for Him to say something like that. Oh how my heart longs to be faithful and longs to live in His will, doing things His way. What a battle of the flesh it can be at times.
It makes me ask myself the question, would I break my most prized and expensive possession over Jesus? Would I bow down at His dusty, filthy feet and clean them with my hair? Would you do that today? What is it that is holding you back from being who He wants you to be? What do you need to give over to Him? It might be your heart, your patience, an impossible situation. It could be anger and grief or heartache. I pray you will let it go and break it over Jesus, allow Him to give you the peace you seek. What beautiful thing will you do for Him today?
On Sunday, we talked about a well known story of Mary, (Martha and Lazarus' sister), breaking an alabaster jar with very expensive perfume in it, all over Jesus' head and then cleaning His feet with her hair. The disciples chastised her, saying it was a waste for her to do that. It would have taken a whole years worth of income to purchase that one bottle and she just broke it like it was nothing! To the outside eye, it would be easy to say she "wasted"it.
But Jesus didn't. He knew it was everything to her, and she gave it to Him wholeheartedly. Jesus looked at them and said, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me." (Matt 26:10). Wow-a beautiful thing. He goes on to say that wherever the gospel is preached, this act will be talked about in memory of her. I have found myself the last two days, praying that God would show me a "beautiful thing" I can do for Him. What a privilege and an honor for Him to say something like that. Oh how my heart longs to be faithful and longs to live in His will, doing things His way. What a battle of the flesh it can be at times.
It makes me ask myself the question, would I break my most prized and expensive possession over Jesus? Would I bow down at His dusty, filthy feet and clean them with my hair? Would you do that today? What is it that is holding you back from being who He wants you to be? What do you need to give over to Him? It might be your heart, your patience, an impossible situation. It could be anger and grief or heartache. I pray you will let it go and break it over Jesus, allow Him to give you the peace you seek. What beautiful thing will you do for Him today?
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Joyce Meyer: Book Review
Last week I finished reading Joyce Meyer's new book, The Secret to True Happiness: Enjoy Today, Embrace Tomorrow. The foundation for her book is John 10:10, "The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they might have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance." So often we forget that Christ came and died not just so that we can live with Him one day, but so that we can enjoy life while we are separated from Him! The Christ-filled life is no easy life, but with Him, we can be truly joyful in all situations.My favorite thing about this book is everything she says is based on God's Word. This isn't one of those books that takes one short verse and then talks about it for a 100 pages. She really dives into how God wants us to live our lives with many, many scriptural references to back up everything she says. She opens up every chapter with a quote from many well known people and then a short story. Many of the stories were funny enough that I would literally laugh out loud! There are 28 short chapters, each roughly 8-10 pages long, each filled with practical wisdom for everyday life.
This book begs the question, how much of your life are you enjoying? Do you wake up everyday excited to be alive or do you dread starting another day? Jesus came and died for you, not so you could fall out of bed every morning and be miserable! He came so that you may enjoy life and have it in abundance. Meyer offers such practical tips and advice for doing that everyday, no matter what comes your way. It has really helped me keep life in perspective and enjoy my life, looking expectantly to tomorrow and what blessings it will bring!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
When it's All Said and Done
Yesterday afternoon I went to the funeral of a friends father. My sweet sister-in-law offered to watch my children so that I could go. After driving about 20 minutes outside of town to get to her house, it took me a little longer than I'd hoped to get the kids settled before I could leave. There was no way I was going to leave her with crying babies! On the way back into town, I was running late and trying to relax. I turned up the radio a little to see what was playing and what would you know-it was "I Can Only Imagine" by Mercy Me. How appropriate! I'm driving to a funeral, imagining what it's like in heaven, while this man doesn't have to imagine ever again!
I walked into a filled church moments before it started. It was such a beautiful service. Our old pastor who started our church over 50 years ago talked. He ended his speech by telling us that when he dies, he wants there to be a party. He said, "I can't wait! There are some people I want to speak to up there!" with such joy in his eyes. He started listing members of his family and friends that he had lost. His best friend had died in World War 2, his father had passed when he was only 10 years old and he "was a daddy's boy if there ever was one!" Before I knew it, tears were running down my face as I soaked up his joy. I could almost feel as though I'd caught a glimpse of heaven; to be surrounded by so much love and joy. He finished his list by saying, "And I really can't wait to get to see the face of Jesus; To thank Him for what He did for me and to just sit at his feet and talk to Him." I was taken back to that song on my drive into town, "I can only imagine, what it will be like when I walk by Your side. Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel? Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still? Will I stand in Your presence or to my knees will I fall? Will I sing Hallelujah? Will I be able to speak at all? I can only imagine!"
After my husband and I left the church, on our way back to pick up our children, we passed a wreck where a truck had flipped upside down. It didn't look like anyone was hurt, but it made me think about how short this life is and how much of it we waste. We get our priorities all out of whack; we work longer, stay focused the things of this world. We keep a mile long "to do" list that never gets done. We worry over whether it will rain or if it will be too hot. We lay awake at night losing sleep over countless, "what if" scenarios.
As the old saying goes, "The only two certainties in life are death and taxes!" We are all going to die one day, only God knows when it will be. There is no escaping death of this fleshly body. Have you ever thought about what people will say once your gone? What will you leave behind? Will there be a long line at your funeral of people you touched, like there was yesterday? Have you been living your life the way Christ wants you too?
"His Master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share in my happiness!'"
Matthew 25:21
I walked into a filled church moments before it started. It was such a beautiful service. Our old pastor who started our church over 50 years ago talked. He ended his speech by telling us that when he dies, he wants there to be a party. He said, "I can't wait! There are some people I want to speak to up there!" with such joy in his eyes. He started listing members of his family and friends that he had lost. His best friend had died in World War 2, his father had passed when he was only 10 years old and he "was a daddy's boy if there ever was one!" Before I knew it, tears were running down my face as I soaked up his joy. I could almost feel as though I'd caught a glimpse of heaven; to be surrounded by so much love and joy. He finished his list by saying, "And I really can't wait to get to see the face of Jesus; To thank Him for what He did for me and to just sit at his feet and talk to Him." I was taken back to that song on my drive into town, "I can only imagine, what it will be like when I walk by Your side. Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel? Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still? Will I stand in Your presence or to my knees will I fall? Will I sing Hallelujah? Will I be able to speak at all? I can only imagine!"
After my husband and I left the church, on our way back to pick up our children, we passed a wreck where a truck had flipped upside down. It didn't look like anyone was hurt, but it made me think about how short this life is and how much of it we waste. We get our priorities all out of whack; we work longer, stay focused the things of this world. We keep a mile long "to do" list that never gets done. We worry over whether it will rain or if it will be too hot. We lay awake at night losing sleep over countless, "what if" scenarios.
As the old saying goes, "The only two certainties in life are death and taxes!" We are all going to die one day, only God knows when it will be. There is no escaping death of this fleshly body. Have you ever thought about what people will say once your gone? What will you leave behind? Will there be a long line at your funeral of people you touched, like there was yesterday? Have you been living your life the way Christ wants you too?
If not, you have another chance, it is a new day today! You have the chance to make this world a better place and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind. You have another chance to make Him proud and store up your treasures in heaven, where moth and dust cannot destroy them. Those are the things we need to be focused on. For one day, you will stand at heavens gate and God's servant will look for your name in the Book of Life to see if you may enter and behold those golden streets that looks like transparent glass and walk through the 12 gates of heaven that were made from 12 single pearls (Revelation 21:21). If you are a child of God and you get to finally look your Savior in the face, will He say, "Well done my good and faithful servant?" Oh, my friend, the things of this world don't compare to that!
"His Master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share in my happiness!'"
Matthew 25:21
"Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is coming with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega,
the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."
Revelation 22:12-13
Monday, April 14, 2008
The Greatest Promise
On Saturday as I sat with my family at my mothers house, I received a phone call regarding another family. This family was all gathered together too, only they were now missing one for the first time. Their loved one had just left this world and traveled beyond their sight, beyond their comprehension, but never far from their hearts. I know without a doubt, the Lord smiled as He received His humble, servant Home. They will never be separated again by sin or by the things of this world. They will always be together, but his family has been left behind.
Two weeks ago, I was driving home from my ladies bible study and I felt the Spirit compelling me to just cry out for healing for their loved one. I was praying at the top of my lungs, my eyes were filled with tears and my heart was pounding as I begged God to give them the miracle they longed for. It was so powerful that I truly expected the phone to ring or to check my email and hear that their father was sitting up in bed with a huge smile on his face, watching his family sit at his feet. I expected that, just from feeling the Spirit in my car through prayer. As I talked about a few days go (see Do You Believe?) that we are to pray expecting an answer, pray believing that He will answer and I did.
Well, I never got that phone call or that email and he never sat up again to bathe in the presence of his loved ones, until that last moment. His family was all there gathered around him and as he stood in the twilight of this world filled with the flesh and the spiritual realms, I know he saw them and smiled that huge smile. I know that they were surrounded by angels in that room as he went Home.
I can remember my Gramma dying the same way. We were all there, gathered around her bed, rubbing on her arms and telling her just how precious she was. I really believe that she stood there in that room watching us, if just for a moment before she went on. I can only pray that when my time comes that I should be so lucky. What a blessing and a joy it must be, to be surrounded by those of this world who love you the most and by the angels of the Lord, all at the same time!
But, I must ask, why didn't God answer my prayer and the prayers of so many? Was He toying with us, making sport of us? I am telling you, I really believed this man would get well again, and he didn't. What does that mean? Was it even worth muttering those prayerful words if He wasn't going to answer?
My how earthly our perspective is, yet He's not on this earth or even of this world. He sees the whole picture, while we can only see the moment we are in. As God told Isaiah, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways." (55:8) I don't know why things turned out the way they did, but I do know that God does. He did fulfill a promise of healing on Saturday, though it was not in the way we would have chosen. He also fulfilled the greatest promise He ever made. Jesus promised that, "In My Father's house there are many rooms: if it were not so I wouldn't have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." (John 14:2-3)
Ahh, blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! I know He received His humble, servant and child Home to be with Him so that they may never be apart again.
As for that wonderful family who has been left behind, I believe Isaiah when He says that "He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young." (40:11) I pray they will feel His arms as He carries them with a heavenly strength that is not their own. And we will continue to wait in anticipation to see what wonders He will do in the midst of our humanly heartache.
Two weeks ago, I was driving home from my ladies bible study and I felt the Spirit compelling me to just cry out for healing for their loved one. I was praying at the top of my lungs, my eyes were filled with tears and my heart was pounding as I begged God to give them the miracle they longed for. It was so powerful that I truly expected the phone to ring or to check my email and hear that their father was sitting up in bed with a huge smile on his face, watching his family sit at his feet. I expected that, just from feeling the Spirit in my car through prayer. As I talked about a few days go (see Do You Believe?) that we are to pray expecting an answer, pray believing that He will answer and I did.
Well, I never got that phone call or that email and he never sat up again to bathe in the presence of his loved ones, until that last moment. His family was all there gathered around him and as he stood in the twilight of this world filled with the flesh and the spiritual realms, I know he saw them and smiled that huge smile. I know that they were surrounded by angels in that room as he went Home.
I can remember my Gramma dying the same way. We were all there, gathered around her bed, rubbing on her arms and telling her just how precious she was. I really believe that she stood there in that room watching us, if just for a moment before she went on. I can only pray that when my time comes that I should be so lucky. What a blessing and a joy it must be, to be surrounded by those of this world who love you the most and by the angels of the Lord, all at the same time!
But, I must ask, why didn't God answer my prayer and the prayers of so many? Was He toying with us, making sport of us? I am telling you, I really believed this man would get well again, and he didn't. What does that mean? Was it even worth muttering those prayerful words if He wasn't going to answer?
My how earthly our perspective is, yet He's not on this earth or even of this world. He sees the whole picture, while we can only see the moment we are in. As God told Isaiah, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways." (55:8) I don't know why things turned out the way they did, but I do know that God does. He did fulfill a promise of healing on Saturday, though it was not in the way we would have chosen. He also fulfilled the greatest promise He ever made. Jesus promised that, "In My Father's house there are many rooms: if it were not so I wouldn't have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." (John 14:2-3)
Ahh, blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! I know He received His humble, servant and child Home to be with Him so that they may never be apart again.
As for that wonderful family who has been left behind, I believe Isaiah when He says that "He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young." (40:11) I pray they will feel His arms as He carries them with a heavenly strength that is not their own. And we will continue to wait in anticipation to see what wonders He will do in the midst of our humanly heartache.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
A Piece of My Previous Life
"The Word of God is living 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."
Hebrews 4:12
A few weeks ago my daughter was playing in my parents garage and she came across a pile of books. Like any avid, curious reader, she picked up a flowery, pink book and started reading. A little while later she brought the book inside to show my mom. My mother could not remember having ever owned the book and had no idea where it came from. When Wesley and I came back from wherever we'd been, I saw the book sitting on the couch. A small flutter of a memory came. It started as a small tiny puff of a cloud and then turned into a full fledged rain storm of memories as I picked up the book and started flipping through it. I knew where this book had come from, it had been mine in a previous life. I say previous life because the woman that types here today is certainly not the same woman who owned that book.
That woman was lost, she was wandering in the desert without water and was living without hope. She was searching for meaning to her life. She happened to be watching Oprah one day. Oprah recommended a new book called Simple Abundance, A Daybook of Comfort and Joy. It was like a devotion that you would read everyday, only this was no devotion. It was all about the power of YOU, you can do anything, be anything, you don't need anyone or any god as long as your inner spirit is good. I don't remember how long I read that book or what I thought while I was reading it, but I know I never finished it.
Yesterday a friend forwarded me the following short video about Oprah. I encourage you to watch it and be informed of what you are watching on television. satan is no mind reader, but he is smart and conniving and he can twist anything-even God's Holy Word that is God breathed and that is living and active, and reduce it to just "a good book". He can take Jesus sacrifice of dying on the cross for our sins and reduce it to nothing. He knows God's Word better than you or I and he knows how to use it against us. This is all the more reason and encouragement to study God's Word and to memorize it and hide it in your heart. It is your sword- your only weapon against the powers of darkness, never forget that.
"Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me."
John 14:6
Monday, April 7, 2008
A Dose of Reality
A few days ago I had a temporary health scare. I say temporary because after worrying about something, it went away and I knew that I had nothing to be afraid of, but...for an afternoon, my mind was a whirl. I was reminded of a recent post on a blog my sister-in-law shared with me. (http://noahsteven.blogspot.com/) The author of this blog lost her baby boy at 7 months and 2 days old. She talked about how all of our days are numbered and written in the Book. He knows how much longer we have on this earth. Will I be here on earth for another day, another decade or many decades? There is no way for me to know, yet so often I live my life like I have all the time in the world. I will say, "I'll do that tomorrow" or "I'll call so and so tomorrow" but what if I don't have until tomorrow? What would I leave behind if I was gone?
Last week a web publicist from New York emailed me, asking if I would review the new Joyce Meyer book that is to come out this month. I have never read anything by Joyce Meyer, but I have seen her show on television before and I know she is highly respected in the christian community. It's also in my blood to never refuse a free book! Well, on that faithful day of me really putting my life in perspective, I got the book in the mail. It's called, The Secret to TRUE Happiness. I opened it and started reading the introduction. One of the quotes that jumped out was, "He does not want us simply to have life; He wants us to enjoy it and appreciate the gift of life that He has given us."
I don't find it a coincidence that these things happened on the same day. Simply put, I have been living, but not enjoying my days. I live, looking forward to the weekend when my husband is at home and I struggle through each home school day longing for the summer. I have felt guilt over things I put off and not prioritizing my time correctly. I am easily frustrated and at times feel like a failure when it comes to raising my children. I needed a good dose of reality, God's way. My life and my time is not my own-it's all His. All that I have and all that I am is His, but how easy it is to forget that!
Sunday our pastor encouraged us to memorize two verses this week. Galatians 2:20; "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
And Galatians 5:24, "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires."
Today as I waited for Wesley to come home for lunch I said the first verse over and over out loud. (My son thought this was hilarious!) I could really feel the impact of those words. I have been crucified in Him-the life I live is by faith and faith alone. In Sunday school we talked about faith as defined by Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." According to Galatians 2:20-that is how we are supposed to live our life. So ask yourself as I did, "Am I doing that? Am I really living by faith in the Son of God?"
Last week a web publicist from New York emailed me, asking if I would review the new Joyce Meyer book that is to come out this month. I have never read anything by Joyce Meyer, but I have seen her show on television before and I know she is highly respected in the christian community. It's also in my blood to never refuse a free book! Well, on that faithful day of me really putting my life in perspective, I got the book in the mail. It's called, The Secret to TRUE Happiness. I opened it and started reading the introduction. One of the quotes that jumped out was, "He does not want us simply to have life; He wants us to enjoy it and appreciate the gift of life that He has given us."
I don't find it a coincidence that these things happened on the same day. Simply put, I have been living, but not enjoying my days. I live, looking forward to the weekend when my husband is at home and I struggle through each home school day longing for the summer. I have felt guilt over things I put off and not prioritizing my time correctly. I am easily frustrated and at times feel like a failure when it comes to raising my children. I needed a good dose of reality, God's way. My life and my time is not my own-it's all His. All that I have and all that I am is His, but how easy it is to forget that!
Sunday our pastor encouraged us to memorize two verses this week. Galatians 2:20; "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
And Galatians 5:24, "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires."
Today as I waited for Wesley to come home for lunch I said the first verse over and over out loud. (My son thought this was hilarious!) I could really feel the impact of those words. I have been crucified in Him-the life I live is by faith and faith alone. In Sunday school we talked about faith as defined by Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." According to Galatians 2:20-that is how we are supposed to live our life. So ask yourself as I did, "Am I doing that? Am I really living by faith in the Son of God?"
Today is a new day, choose to live by faith!
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Just as I am
I had a dream this morning. I was somewhere in the land of sleep and my husband getting ready for work while I tried to pretend it was still the middle of the night and a new day had not yet begun. In this dream, I was at a Beth Moore conference, only it wasn't a typical "Beth Moore Conference" where there are thousands of women there. We were in a small room in a church with maybe 100 people. She came and sat down next to me and talked to me about many things going on in my life. She had read my blog-ha,ha! and she knew me! I felt like I was talking to an old friend, not some big-time prayer warrior that I look up to with awe.
Suddenly our conversation was interrupted when in mid sentence, Beth started crying an annoying baby cry! Before I knew it, my husband was standing there handing me our crying baby. I closed my eyes and said, "Lord, I want to go back to that dream where Beth and I are friends and where she knows my name!" I could almost hear God chuckle as He responded by saying, "Well, I am your friend and I call you by name!" That got me to sit up in bed!
He IS God of the universe, even the thunderbolts and waves go to Him for direction (Job 38:35). And HE KNOWS ME!!! I can talk to the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings whenever and where ever I want! I don't have to make an appointment or wait in some long line. I don't have to try to decide what things are most important to say because of limited time. I don't have to wait until my life is totally in order and I look just right.
He doesn't care! He wants me to come-just as I am, whether I'm sad or angry or being a worry wart or I just woke up in the morning with no makeup! Just as I am; that's all He wants-me!
Suddenly our conversation was interrupted when in mid sentence, Beth started crying an annoying baby cry! Before I knew it, my husband was standing there handing me our crying baby. I closed my eyes and said, "Lord, I want to go back to that dream where Beth and I are friends and where she knows my name!" I could almost hear God chuckle as He responded by saying, "Well, I am your friend and I call you by name!" That got me to sit up in bed!
He IS God of the universe, even the thunderbolts and waves go to Him for direction (Job 38:35). And HE KNOWS ME!!! I can talk to the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings whenever and where ever I want! I don't have to make an appointment or wait in some long line. I don't have to try to decide what things are most important to say because of limited time. I don't have to wait until my life is totally in order and I look just right.
He doesn't care! He wants me to come-just as I am, whether I'm sad or angry or being a worry wart or I just woke up in the morning with no makeup! Just as I am; that's all He wants-me!
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
What a Power Struggle
This morning I was asked a pretty deep question and I was challenged. Now I will ask you the same thing. I pray you will reflect and really think about it. I had to sit for a few minutes and allow my mind to wrap itself around it.
If you are like me, you may have more than one and some of them you may feel silly writing down.
Do you believe that God has the power to fix any situation, to heal any wound, to help you overcome whatever is boggling you down? I may say, "Absolutely, I believe!" but then you know what happens? I start to worry again, I start to try to "fix"it and I'm no longer letting God work His power. I'm no longer living by faith, but I start to live by sight. The things of this world become my focus instead of the things in the heavenly realms. Before you know it-it becomes all about me and no longer about Him.
I want you to do something for me. Get a pen and piece of paper. Physically write down whatever you thought of a minute ago.
Look at them, one by one.
Now out loud say, "Jesus, You have enough power." Don't be like me and try to say it "in your head"! Say it out loud, let your spouse think your talking to yourself, its OK! Proclaim His power over all of that stuff that you wrote down. I went through my list, one by one and said those words and the Holy Spirit flowed through my lips and I felt His power over all the things of this world.
So often we forget-He has the power!
This morning my bible study was about a favorite story of mine, from Luke 8; the woman who had so much faith that by touching the hem of Jesus cloak, she was healed from 12 years of hemorrhaging. I want you to picture what was going on. Jesus was being poked and prodded. He was surrounded by a large crowd of people wanting to see Him, touch Him and speak with Him. I picture in my mind the equivalent of some of these celebrities we see on TV who are surrounded by fans and paparazzi. They don't know who is touching them or following them, but Jesus did. All the woman did was touch a piece of His clothing, and she was healed. The really cool thing- Jesus was on His way to raise a small girl from the dead, which He later did after this incident. He had enough power to heal this women without ever touching her or talking to her, then He had more than enough power left to bring back the dead!
What is your deepest desire; Your greatest need and longing?
If you are like me, you may have more than one and some of them you may feel silly writing down.
Do you believe that God has the power to fix any situation, to heal any wound, to help you overcome whatever is boggling you down? I may say, "Absolutely, I believe!" but then you know what happens? I start to worry again, I start to try to "fix"it and I'm no longer letting God work His power. I'm no longer living by faith, but I start to live by sight. The things of this world become my focus instead of the things in the heavenly realms. Before you know it-it becomes all about me and no longer about Him.
I want you to do something for me. Get a pen and piece of paper. Physically write down whatever you thought of a minute ago.
Look at them, one by one.
Now out loud say, "Jesus, You have enough power." Don't be like me and try to say it "in your head"! Say it out loud, let your spouse think your talking to yourself, its OK! Proclaim His power over all of that stuff that you wrote down. I went through my list, one by one and said those words and the Holy Spirit flowed through my lips and I felt His power over all the things of this world.
So often we forget-He has the power!
This morning my bible study was about a favorite story of mine, from Luke 8; the woman who had so much faith that by touching the hem of Jesus cloak, she was healed from 12 years of hemorrhaging. I want you to picture what was going on. Jesus was being poked and prodded. He was surrounded by a large crowd of people wanting to see Him, touch Him and speak with Him. I picture in my mind the equivalent of some of these celebrities we see on TV who are surrounded by fans and paparazzi. They don't know who is touching them or following them, but Jesus did. All the woman did was touch a piece of His clothing, and she was healed. The really cool thing- Jesus was on His way to raise a small girl from the dead, which He later did after this incident. He had enough power to heal this women without ever touching her or talking to her, then He had more than enough power left to bring back the dead!
Now, look at your list again, say it with me and believe,
"Jesus, You have enough power!"
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