I came across a question today that really floored me. What would your life look like if you really lived what you say you believe? The Hymn "In Christ Alone" begins 'In Christ alone my hope is found. He is my light, my strength, my song.' (Townend, Getty)
I began thinking. Do I really live what I say I believe? Would my neighbors say I am a believer? Would they even say I am a good person? Can others see Jesus in me? Is he the strength I rely on when in tough spots?
Oh, the questions!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
desires
We have all heard the verse quoted and misquoted that God will give us the desires of our hearts. The verse, Psalm 37:4, actually says "Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart." That phrase "delight yourself in the Lord" makes a big difference.
Anyone who knows me well, knows that I have desired a small dog of my own for a very very long time. I've looked in the paper, and the internet, I've talked with friends, I've prayed, I bugged Darren - all to no avail.
Well last friday, i tried something new. I sat down with God. I talked with him and thanked him that he took away my last desire (to have another baby) and I asked him to please remove from me this desire because it was moving my focus off of him. Now when I got up from praying, I still wanted my own puppy, but I did have a peace that God would work in my life.
I chose that day to delight myself in the Lord.
Saturday, my daughter-in-love brought home to me a 14 week old male Havanese puppy.
God won't give you the "desire" of your heart unless your "desire" is to delight in Him. Today, Oscar (Darren's dog) Ka-choo aka Chewy (my puppy) and i are delighting in God who loves his children enough to even give them puppies to play with.
Anyone who knows me well, knows that I have desired a small dog of my own for a very very long time. I've looked in the paper, and the internet, I've talked with friends, I've prayed, I bugged Darren - all to no avail.
Well last friday, i tried something new. I sat down with God. I talked with him and thanked him that he took away my last desire (to have another baby) and I asked him to please remove from me this desire because it was moving my focus off of him. Now when I got up from praying, I still wanted my own puppy, but I did have a peace that God would work in my life.
I chose that day to delight myself in the Lord.
Saturday, my daughter-in-love brought home to me a 14 week old male Havanese puppy.
God won't give you the "desire" of your heart unless your "desire" is to delight in Him. Today, Oscar (Darren's dog) Ka-choo aka Chewy (my puppy) and i are delighting in God who loves his children enough to even give them puppies to play with.
Monday, July 12, 2010
consequences
Everything we do has eteranl consequences. You've heard that before, do you agree?
My days are filled with preschoolers. They also contain dishes, laundry, mopping floors, veggietales, playtime, menus, blogging and facebook. How does any of that fit in to eternal consequences?
Okay, some of the things that fill my day are just plain chores that have to be done. On the surface they don't look important - but they make life livable and more peaceful (at least in my house.)
God is a God of order and not chaos. Order calms and creates peace. And we are called to live in peace. When I have to wash dishes before fixing a meal it causes tension, not just in me but in all those around me. How can my husband and I worship on a Sunday morning when he can't find a clean pair of briefs when he gets out of the shower? How can my children see the love of God when I spend more time reading romance novels than the Bible. Yes, some things it is easy to see eternal in - prayer, bible study, worship. But even in the mundain God is there.
Leap frog may be teaching the girls their letters and numbers, but veggietales is teaching them love and obedience. Blogging is my way of worshipping God and sharing with others.
Everything we do does have eteranl consequences, either for the good or for the bad. Stop and think about everything you choose to do today. How is it impacting those around you?
My days are filled with preschoolers. They also contain dishes, laundry, mopping floors, veggietales, playtime, menus, blogging and facebook. How does any of that fit in to eternal consequences?
Okay, some of the things that fill my day are just plain chores that have to be done. On the surface they don't look important - but they make life livable and more peaceful (at least in my house.)
God is a God of order and not chaos. Order calms and creates peace. And we are called to live in peace. When I have to wash dishes before fixing a meal it causes tension, not just in me but in all those around me. How can my husband and I worship on a Sunday morning when he can't find a clean pair of briefs when he gets out of the shower? How can my children see the love of God when I spend more time reading romance novels than the Bible. Yes, some things it is easy to see eternal in - prayer, bible study, worship. But even in the mundain God is there.
Leap frog may be teaching the girls their letters and numbers, but veggietales is teaching them love and obedience. Blogging is my way of worshipping God and sharing with others.
Everything we do does have eteranl consequences, either for the good or for the bad. Stop and think about everything you choose to do today. How is it impacting those around you?
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
What?
What do you believe in enough to die for? I was asked once if I thought home schooling was worth spending time in jail for. My answer then, and now, is yes. But would I die for the right to home school my children? I'm not sure.
But there are somethings worth dying for. Our founding fathers believed that freedom was worth their lives. They would rather die free than live in tyranny.
Christ believed I was worth dying for. He would rather he die so that I could spend eternity with him.
I know that all of us would die for our children and grandchildren. But what principles are worth dying for? Would you die for Christ?
Before you answer that take a reality check. How can you say that you would die for Christ when you won't even risk your comfort, your job, your friends to speak his name in public. You won't die for a cause when you won't even place a small "token" of that cause on your desk.
You won't die for love when you never tell your coworkers who it is you love. So again I ask what/ who do you believe in enought to die for?
But there are somethings worth dying for. Our founding fathers believed that freedom was worth their lives. They would rather die free than live in tyranny.
Christ believed I was worth dying for. He would rather he die so that I could spend eternity with him.
I know that all of us would die for our children and grandchildren. But what principles are worth dying for? Would you die for Christ?
Before you answer that take a reality check. How can you say that you would die for Christ when you won't even risk your comfort, your job, your friends to speak his name in public. You won't die for a cause when you won't even place a small "token" of that cause on your desk.
You won't die for love when you never tell your coworkers who it is you love. So again I ask what/ who do you believe in enought to die for?
Friday, July 2, 2010
Fellowship in Today's World
it would be very easy for me to live on a deserted island (as long as I have every thing I need to survive.) What I really mean to say is that I like being alone with my own company. Some people need lots of people around them, not me.
But God doesn't want his people to isolate themselves from the world. that's one of the reasons I'm glad I live in the facebook age.
The first church came together daily in each others homes to praise God and enjoy the favor of each other.
I can't always get together with Christian friends, some of my Christian friends live miles away. but I can get together with each of you through the medium of computer. For the next week stop before you post anything, send emails, text or skype. Is what you sending a praise to God, is it encouragement to others, is it a request for Christian support, or is it just shooting the breeze?
We can't always meet in each others homes physically, but we can today electronically. Make sure your fellowship is uplifting.
But God doesn't want his people to isolate themselves from the world. that's one of the reasons I'm glad I live in the facebook age.
The first church came together daily in each others homes to praise God and enjoy the favor of each other.
I can't always get together with Christian friends, some of my Christian friends live miles away. but I can get together with each of you through the medium of computer. For the next week stop before you post anything, send emails, text or skype. Is what you sending a praise to God, is it encouragement to others, is it a request for Christian support, or is it just shooting the breeze?
We can't always meet in each others homes physically, but we can today electronically. Make sure your fellowship is uplifting.
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