My house has been smelling funky for a while... =(
It is incredibly frustrating to be gone for a few hours, then walk into a relatively tidy house and be assaulted by stink! I've tried various things, and had pretty much decided that it was the carpet, but when I got a chance to pull out my carpet shampooer it was DEAD! Well, not DEAD dead-- it still had suction, but it wasn't spraying the water/cleaner solution. And that's not terribly useful given the circumstances... =P So today Shorty told me that I can buy a new one. WOO HOO!!!
I was pondering this situation as I was assembling my new carpet shampooer a few minutes ago. It seems to me that my life is a lot like my house. It may look pretty neat and clean on the outside, and even at a cursory glance it may seem pretty clean, but there is a lurking stink if you REALLY get to know me. But the good news is that God is at work "shampooing" my life! And if you have trusted in Jesus Christ as your Savior, He is at work in your life too! =)
as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." "Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive." "The venom of asps is under their lips." "Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness." "Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known." "There is no fear of God before their eyes."
Romans 3:10-18
For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
Hebrews 10:14
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Battle of the Idols
I've been pondering for the last few days about how, very often in my life, I make my decisions based on my idol of the day. I've had three, I think, battling for supremacy. I really want to be young and strong-- and, in my vanity, pretty-- forever. But the fact is that each day, I am getting a little older, it's getting a little harder to stay strong, and as for pretty... well, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder". ;) However, if you've known me for long, you know that I will give up A LOT to keep my ration of sugar! I ate very little pasta, bread, butter, and potatoes last year to keep my dessert. In fact, it used to be my goal to do whatever I had to do so I could, "eat whatever I want". Which works okay when you have a teenaged metabolism, but after a couple babies... not so much. =/ Then there is the idol of money. One reason that Weight Watchers worked so well for me when I finally decided to join, was because after I spent the fee to join, you'd better bet that I was going to follow the diet plan and lose weight! So there you have it, pride, pleasure, and money...
And I wish that pleasing my God by taking care of my body was more of a motivation than my own vanity... Or that I simply enjoyed dessert, rather than worshiping it in overindulgence... Or that I REALLY believed that money is simply a tool to build Christ's church and spread his gospel... But my sinful heart betrays me at every turn. So I am waiting, with eager anticipation, for the day when God will FINALLY free me from my idols. And in the meantime, I'll fight.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
Ephesians 6:10-20
What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.
Romans 6:1-18
And I wish that pleasing my God by taking care of my body was more of a motivation than my own vanity... Or that I simply enjoyed dessert, rather than worshiping it in overindulgence... Or that I REALLY believed that money is simply a tool to build Christ's church and spread his gospel... But my sinful heart betrays me at every turn. So I am waiting, with eager anticipation, for the day when God will FINALLY free me from my idols. And in the meantime, I'll fight.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
Ephesians 6:10-20
What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.
Romans 6:1-18
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Dependent
A couple years ago I got a Baker's cyst in my knee. I was shocked and irritated by how much I was then UNABLE to do because it required bending my knee. I am pretty strong physically, so I am accustomed to being able to do just about whatever I set my mind to. The most frustrating part for me was being dependent on my family for things that I normally did-- well I just didn't like the reminder that I am not self-sufficient. =P
We had a busy weekend, and as a result, the house is pretty much a mess. I had a bit of a headache yesterday, so we didn't do much in the way of cleaning. But I was prepared to kick it into high gear today and get the house clean. However, I must have slept with my neck in a funny position last night, because I woke up this morning pretty much unable to move my head. In fact, I can't even hold my head up except for short periods of time... And I am reminded again that I am DEPENDENT. And I don't like it any better this morning than I liked it a couple years ago. I don't always like the lessons-- or the timing of the lessons-- the Lord sends my way. But I can just imagine Him saying-- as I often tell my Crew, "I didn't ask you what you LIKE. I'm teaching you what you NEED."
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 16:18
Therefore David blessed the LORD in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: "Blessed are you, O LORD, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.
1 Chronicles 29:10-13
For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?
1 Corinthians 4:7
You will say in that day: "I will give thanks to you, O LORD, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, that you might comfort me. "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation." With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day: "Give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted. "Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth. Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel."
Isaiah 12:1-6
We had a busy weekend, and as a result, the house is pretty much a mess. I had a bit of a headache yesterday, so we didn't do much in the way of cleaning. But I was prepared to kick it into high gear today and get the house clean. However, I must have slept with my neck in a funny position last night, because I woke up this morning pretty much unable to move my head. In fact, I can't even hold my head up except for short periods of time... And I am reminded again that I am DEPENDENT. And I don't like it any better this morning than I liked it a couple years ago. I don't always like the lessons-- or the timing of the lessons-- the Lord sends my way. But I can just imagine Him saying-- as I often tell my Crew, "I didn't ask you what you LIKE. I'm teaching you what you NEED."
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 16:18
Therefore David blessed the LORD in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: "Blessed are you, O LORD, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.
1 Chronicles 29:10-13
For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?
1 Corinthians 4:7
You will say in that day: "I will give thanks to you, O LORD, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, that you might comfort me. "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation." With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day: "Give thanks to the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted. "Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth. Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel."
Isaiah 12:1-6
Monday, January 28, 2013
Window Shopping
When I was about ten, Mommy took me on an overnight trip for the "birds and bees" talk. I have so many vivid and pleasant memories of that trip. One of the MOST vivid was after we had breakfast on Saturday morning, when Mommy asked me what I wanted to do until lunch. I suggested window shopping since we had spent the night in a little tourist trap. Mommy replied that she didn't window shop because it tempted her to be discontent.
With the widespread availability of the internet, "window shopping" is easier than ever before! And I went peeking a couple weeks ago, not expecting to find anything in my budget. To my IMMENSE surprise, I found several of the item I was perusing in my price range! Sometimes options ARE NOT my friend... Shorty and I decided on the item that we thought we wanted-- and were really excited. But upon further investigation, we discovered that what we thought would be a great deal, in fact, was not. It was only when it had been removed from my reach that I realized that despite my prayers and intentions to not set my heart on this item, I had. I was beginning to worship this THING! =( But God is so gracious to show me my sin, and he forgives my sin. And I know that he will always provide what I NEED to serve Him well. =)
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
Deuteronomy 6:4-5
"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."
Matthew 22:36-40
Take care lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them;
Deuteronomy 11:16
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone, Satan! For it is written, "'You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.'"
Matthew 4:8-10
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:1-2
With the widespread availability of the internet, "window shopping" is easier than ever before! And I went peeking a couple weeks ago, not expecting to find anything in my budget. To my IMMENSE surprise, I found several of the item I was perusing in my price range! Sometimes options ARE NOT my friend... Shorty and I decided on the item that we thought we wanted-- and were really excited. But upon further investigation, we discovered that what we thought would be a great deal, in fact, was not. It was only when it had been removed from my reach that I realized that despite my prayers and intentions to not set my heart on this item, I had. I was beginning to worship this THING! =( But God is so gracious to show me my sin, and he forgives my sin. And I know that he will always provide what I NEED to serve Him well. =)
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
Deuteronomy 6:4-5
"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."
Matthew 22:36-40
Take care lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them;
Deuteronomy 11:16
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone, Satan! For it is written, "'You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.'"
Matthew 4:8-10
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:1-2
Friday, January 25, 2013
Worth the Work
Shorty has not been coming home during his lunch hour this school year. It is easier for both him and me because of our homeschooling routine. So I pack him a lunch-- usually leftovers-- and we don't see him until five most evenings. But I've been thinking the last week or so that I wanted to put a note or card in his lunch bag, so while I was at the store today I looked for one. I thought it was SO SAD though as I perused the shelf... Nearly half of the cards were labeled "Troubled Love". It just seems like there must be a pretty bad trend in marriages if card companies are marketing occasion cards for troubled love. =(
I started thinking about my own marriage. I love my Shorty more than any other person on the planet-- but we had some REALLY bumpy early days... We have both worked hard on different occasions to love one another, and adjust to life together. And I don't know many couples who say that marriage is not a lot of work. But it is WORTH THE WORK!!! =)
Here's a link to another amazing session from the Gospel Coalition's 2012 Women's conference:
Marriage in Gospel Focus
The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, "This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man." Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
Genesis 2:20-24
And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, "Is it lawful to divorce one's wife for any cause?" He answered, "Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, 'Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate."
Matthew 19:3-6
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh."
Ephesians 5:22-31
I started thinking about my own marriage. I love my Shorty more than any other person on the planet-- but we had some REALLY bumpy early days... We have both worked hard on different occasions to love one another, and adjust to life together. And I don't know many couples who say that marriage is not a lot of work. But it is WORTH THE WORK!!! =)
Here's a link to another amazing session from the Gospel Coalition's 2012 Women's conference:
Marriage in Gospel Focus
The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, "This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man." Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
Genesis 2:20-24
And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, "Is it lawful to divorce one's wife for any cause?" He answered, "Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, 'Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate."
Matthew 19:3-6
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh."
Ephesians 5:22-31
Thursday, January 24, 2013
La Paz
I'm AWAKE early this morning. As I was lying in bed trying to go back to sleep-- that didn't work. =( -- I started reminiscing about when my two oldest kiddos were babies. Well, not INFANT babies, but I had Reanna when Adara was three and Judah was 18 months. =) I have some of the CUTEST pictures of the two of them in their little pajamas with pacifiers in their mouths. But what mama doesn't think her kids are the cutest-- right? ;) Anyway, Adara used her pacifier A LOT! I mean, if she was sleeping, it was in her mouth. She also had it about half the time when she was awake, until she was over a year old. When she started crawling, Shorty and I would ask her where her "paci" was when it was naptime or bedtime. Then when she started talking, she called it "my paz". I thought that was absolutely GRAND because in Spanish, "paz" means "peace". Her "paz" meant a little bit of peace for all of us! =)
So this morning as I was remembering all those fun, and all too short, days-- a song came to mind. ;)
"Peace" from the album "To Be Like Jesus" by Sovereign Grace Music.
CHORUS
Peace, You give me peace
When the storms come and I’m afraid
Peace, You give me peace
When I trust in the words You say
You give me peace
VERSE 1
If You can calm the sea
Then You can comfort me
If winds obey Your voice
Why should I fear their noise
And though my eyes can’t see
I know You’re with me
VERSE 2
When someone starts to fight
And does things I don’t like
I hear Your gentle voice
Saying I have a choice
To make an enemy
Or to spread Your peace
© 2009 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI)
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:1
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
John 14:27
In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Psalms 4:8
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
Galatians 5:19-25
So this morning as I was remembering all those fun, and all too short, days-- a song came to mind. ;)
"Peace" from the album "To Be Like Jesus" by Sovereign Grace Music.
CHORUS
Peace, You give me peace
When the storms come and I’m afraid
Peace, You give me peace
When I trust in the words You say
You give me peace
VERSE 1
If You can calm the sea
Then You can comfort me
If winds obey Your voice
Why should I fear their noise
And though my eyes can’t see
I know You’re with me
VERSE 2
When someone starts to fight
And does things I don’t like
I hear Your gentle voice
Saying I have a choice
To make an enemy
Or to spread Your peace
© 2009 Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI)
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:1
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
John 14:27
In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Psalms 4:8
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
Galatians 5:19-25
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Song of the Day- 7
My Crew like to sing-- they are just a little bit like me! ;) But right now the girls all sing in this REALLY high pitched key, no matter what song they are singing-- and it drives Shorty crazy! Yesterday morning, I was more than a little bit stressed, and I started singing while I was making breakfast. In just a minute, Shorty asked me if I was singing. I said yes. He asked why I was singing in a high pitch-- then he asked if it was a Psalty song. I replied that, yes, it was. He said he guessed it was just on my mind because the kids have been listening to Psalty a lot recently. I responded that, no, it was not because we had been listening to Psalty a lot, but that it has been my top "default" stress song for as long as I can remember. So... Here's the link to listen: I Cast All My Cares Upon You
Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
Psalms 55:22
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:6-7
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Matthew 6:31-34
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:4-8
Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
Psalms 55:22
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:6-7
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Matthew 6:31-34
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:4-8
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Not My Job
Each of my children likes to tell the others what to do. Some are worse than others about trying to boss their siblings, but they all try it to some degree. Then I have to instruct them in their proper place in our family. So I often find myself saying, "That's NOT your job!"
I had a light bulb moment recently. I HATE to see someone I love in pain. When my kids are sick, I often wish that I could take the pain for them. When Shorty has had a sleepless night, I wish I could give him my portion of rest. When I see a sister struggling with something in her life, I wish that I could carry her struggle for her. And as I was pondering this, it hit me: THAT'S NOT MY JOB! Not only is it not my responsibility to take away someone else's pain, I am UNABLE. It frustrates me to be unable to fix things. And today as I am faced with yet another facet of the idol of pride in my life, I am also seeing the wonderful freedom of my inadequacy. I will still try to speak words of comfort and encouragement to ones I love when they are in pain, but hopefully with my eyes firmly fixed on the ONE who was and is ABLE to carry their sorrows-- and mine! =)
Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned--every one--to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.
Isaiah 53:1-11
He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
1 Peter 2:22-25
Behold Our God
CHORUS
Behold our God seated on His throne
Come let us adore Him
Behold our King nothing can compare
Come let us adore Him!
~Listen to Behold Our God on YouTube.
© 2011 Sovereigns Grace Worship (ASCAP)/Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI).
I had a light bulb moment recently. I HATE to see someone I love in pain. When my kids are sick, I often wish that I could take the pain for them. When Shorty has had a sleepless night, I wish I could give him my portion of rest. When I see a sister struggling with something in her life, I wish that I could carry her struggle for her. And as I was pondering this, it hit me: THAT'S NOT MY JOB! Not only is it not my responsibility to take away someone else's pain, I am UNABLE. It frustrates me to be unable to fix things. And today as I am faced with yet another facet of the idol of pride in my life, I am also seeing the wonderful freedom of my inadequacy. I will still try to speak words of comfort and encouragement to ones I love when they are in pain, but hopefully with my eyes firmly fixed on the ONE who was and is ABLE to carry their sorrows-- and mine! =)
Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned--every one--to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.
Isaiah 53:1-11
He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
1 Peter 2:22-25
Behold Our God
CHORUS
Behold our God seated on His throne
Come let us adore Him
Behold our King nothing can compare
Come let us adore Him!
~Listen to Behold Our God on YouTube.
© 2011 Sovereigns Grace Worship (ASCAP)/Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI).
Monday, January 21, 2013
Hope Revisited
Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.
2 Thessalonians 2:1-4
You may remember my post Hope. Can you imagine being in an area of persecution-- like China, or India, or Iran-- and the hope that drives you to share the gospel, even under threat of death, is in danger of being snatched away? That is what the Thessalonian believers seem to be experiencing. Apparently someone had told them that Jesus had already returned. They may have even received a letter written, it seemed, by Paul. And suddenly their hope was crumbling. Can you hear them asking one another, "If our Savior has returned, WHY are we still suffering???"
If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.
1 Corinthians 15:19-24
I've been thinking for quite a while that "suffering" is a pretty broad term. And it is kind of a pet peeve of mine when Christians compare "sufferings", as if some kinds of suffering are more spiritual than others. The fact of the matter is that sin brought ALL suffering into the world, and pain hurts, no matter it's source! Yes, there are varying degrees of pain-- but ALL PAIN HURTS!!! But our Great God uses pain and suffering to make us more like our Savior. And I am HOPING for the day when sin and suffering are finally defeated FOREVER! =)
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."
Revelation 21:1-5
2 Thessalonians 2:1-4
You may remember my post Hope. Can you imagine being in an area of persecution-- like China, or India, or Iran-- and the hope that drives you to share the gospel, even under threat of death, is in danger of being snatched away? That is what the Thessalonian believers seem to be experiencing. Apparently someone had told them that Jesus had already returned. They may have even received a letter written, it seemed, by Paul. And suddenly their hope was crumbling. Can you hear them asking one another, "If our Savior has returned, WHY are we still suffering???"
If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.
1 Corinthians 15:19-24
I've been thinking for quite a while that "suffering" is a pretty broad term. And it is kind of a pet peeve of mine when Christians compare "sufferings", as if some kinds of suffering are more spiritual than others. The fact of the matter is that sin brought ALL suffering into the world, and pain hurts, no matter it's source! Yes, there are varying degrees of pain-- but ALL PAIN HURTS!!! But our Great God uses pain and suffering to make us more like our Savior. And I am HOPING for the day when sin and suffering are finally defeated FOREVER! =)
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." And he who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."
Revelation 21:1-5
Friday, January 18, 2013
I Am My Mother
I've been told all my life that I look like/sound like/remind people of my Mommy. The older I get, (and my children get) the more I identify with what she said and did when I was growing up! ;) And there are SO MANY ways that I've always aspired to be like Mommy. As a little girl, I thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world-- and if I still look as good when I'm 50 as she looks now, I'll be pleased. =) I've always said that I learned to cook from the best! If you sit behind me at church, you will soon discover that I engage in sermons and Sunday school just like my Mommy! (I nod all the way through!) And having a couple of near-teens in the house now, I'm in AWE of some of the noise, and broken-record-syndrome, that Mommy was able to tolerate!!! W-O-W! One of the most formative things for me though, was that I could always tell that knowing the Lord was one of the highest priorities in her life. So there are absolutely ways that I want to be my mother. And then there are ways that I hope to build well on the good foundation that she gave me... =)
An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar. She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens. She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet. She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
Proverbs 31:10-31
An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar. She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens. She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet. She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
Proverbs 31:10-31
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Call Me a Fool
When did the idea become prevalent that if you have not been in nearly the EXACT situation I'm in, you cannot speak to my life/situation? As I was formulating the previous sentence, I was reminded of a time when that was MY mindset! And I am ashamed. I refused wisdom from precious sisters and mothers in the faith because of my arrogance! If we would just recognize that:
1. Children are children, no matter their spacing.
2. People are people, no matter their age.
3. And all people who have ever lived-- except One-- are sinners.
We need to listen to what others say to us, because sometimes, someone who HASN'T been in our type of situation can see more clearly than someone who HAS!
For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you."
1 Corinthians 12:14-21
Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.
Proverbs 19:20-21
1. Children are children, no matter their spacing.
2. People are people, no matter their age.
3. And all people who have ever lived-- except One-- are sinners.
We need to listen to what others say to us, because sometimes, someone who HASN'T been in our type of situation can see more clearly than someone who HAS!
For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you."
1 Corinthians 12:14-21
Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.
Proverbs 19:20-21
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
I've Got Your Back
Shorty and I were talking last night about how it frustrates us for children to get sassy with their parents. This led to an interesting realization for both of us. Shorty started by saying that that is probably the thing that he is most strict about with our children. And I had noticed recently that if one of our children begins to mouth off at me, Shorty jumps all over them. When he is home, he insists that our children treat me with respect. And I told him, that I tend to let that slide-- there are just so many other things that I have to address in shepherding that I don't focus on that one. But then Shorty commented that he's not hard on the kids being respectful to him, but I am. It is SO important to me that our children respect and honor Shorty as the head of our home. So we talk often about the things that Daddy likes, and how we can prepare for Daddy before he gets home. And ABSOLUTELY if one of our Crew gets sassy with Shorty, they will get a reprimand from me.
We are just so thankful for the balance that we have as a married couple in raising our children. And we are so thankful for our church family who model and encourage us in our parenting. Not only does Shorty "have my back" and I have his, but our church family has our collective "back" as well! =)
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him--a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him." Now out of the ground the LORD God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, "This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man." Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
Genesis 2:18-24
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17
For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you."
1 Corinthians 12:14-21
We are just so thankful for the balance that we have as a married couple in raising our children. And we are so thankful for our church family who model and encourage us in our parenting. Not only does Shorty "have my back" and I have his, but our church family has our collective "back" as well! =)
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him--a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him." Now out of the ground the LORD God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, "This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man." Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
Genesis 2:18-24
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17
For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you."
1 Corinthians 12:14-21
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Baby Fever
I've got a mildly fluctuating case of "baby fever". So many of my friends are pregnant right now-- well, so many that are childbearing age... ;) And there is a part of me that says, "I want to be pregnant again." It's so much fun to have that little person growing inside! Don't misunderstand me, I DEFINITELY had some of the unpleasant aspects of pregnancy, but I was so excited to be a mama! And as my friends are experiencing pregnancy again (none of them are first time mamas-to-be) I'm feeling a bit nostalgic.
And then reason kicks in, and I know that that means getting up in the middle of the night to feed an infant. (DON'T miss those times.) And knowing that I'd have to teach school around a baby's schedule. (Kudos to you mamas who manage homeschool AND a baby well!) And the fact that I would then be responsible for shepherding ANOTHER little heart. (After all, I've already got four little hearts running around my house-- and I don't always feel like I'm doing well with them!) Not to mention, I don't know how we'd squeeze another person into our home... ;) And the BIGGEST factor, my Shorty says that our Crew is complete. But children are such precious little gifts, and if God saw fit to send another my way, I know he'd provide all that we needed.
If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night," even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.
Psalms 139:11-18
Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
Psalms 127:3-5
And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
Mark 10:13-16
And then reason kicks in, and I know that that means getting up in the middle of the night to feed an infant. (DON'T miss those times.) And knowing that I'd have to teach school around a baby's schedule. (Kudos to you mamas who manage homeschool AND a baby well!) And the fact that I would then be responsible for shepherding ANOTHER little heart. (After all, I've already got four little hearts running around my house-- and I don't always feel like I'm doing well with them!) Not to mention, I don't know how we'd squeeze another person into our home... ;) And the BIGGEST factor, my Shorty says that our Crew is complete. But children are such precious little gifts, and if God saw fit to send another my way, I know he'd provide all that we needed.
If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night," even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.
Psalms 139:11-18
Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
Psalms 127:3-5
And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
Mark 10:13-16
Monday, January 14, 2013
Glorious Gospel
I mentioned in a recent post that the "GLORIOUS" gospel was a post for another day. So today is the day! =) I used to think that the gospel was something that you needed to get saved, and that was it-- kind of like a vaccine against measles. I have learned though, that the gospel is LIFE! And not just "eternal life", although that is included...
I don't want to assume that everyone who reads my blog will already be familiar with Christian jargon, or even that all Christians will understand what I mean when I say "the gospel". And since I have no idea who God, in His providence, may direct to my blog, it's definition time. Very simply put, the gospel is this:
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you--unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
1 Corinthians 15:1-5
So basic basics, Jesus died, was buried, and was raised from the dead. It is important to define Jesus as well. Jesus is God the Son, the second person of the Trinity. Trinity means we believe in one God in three persons. Jesus was born as a real and complete person-- not half-man, not just the appearance of a person-- but a real, flesh-and-blood-and-spirit man. And He lived a life of perfect obedience to God's moral standard. Because of who He is, He was an acceptable sacrifice for the sins of His people. This is evidenced by the fact that He rose from the dead!
Now that you understand how I'm using terms, we can continue. The gospel is LIFE!!! It means that in Christ I am forgiven.
"Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin."
Romans 4:7-8
And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
Colossians 2:13-14
I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name's sake.
1 John 2:12
More than that, in Christ I am adopted as a child of the King! And like it says in the above quote from Romans, I am BLESSED! And that "blessed" is so much richer than anything tangible that I could acquire.
When iniquities prevail against me, you atone for our transgressions. Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!
Psalms 65:3-4
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
1 Peter 4:12-14
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
Romans 8:31-32
It means that my sin is COMPLETELY paid for-- there is no wrath left for me, and so I can honestly face my sin. And I have a Helper in my ongoing battle against sin.
In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1 John 4:9-10
You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. Selah You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger.
Psalms 85:2-3
Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Hebrews 2:14-18
It means that, in Christ, even my halfhearted attempts at obedience are acceptable to God because He loves me.
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Romans 5:1-5
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
1 Peter 1:14-19
And it CERTAINLY means that I will have eternal life with my Savior and King one day!
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
Revelation 22:1-5
I know this is a lengthy post, so I will close by saying with the apostle John:
Come, Lord Jesus!
Revelation 22:20b
I don't want to assume that everyone who reads my blog will already be familiar with Christian jargon, or even that all Christians will understand what I mean when I say "the gospel". And since I have no idea who God, in His providence, may direct to my blog, it's definition time. Very simply put, the gospel is this:
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you--unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
1 Corinthians 15:1-5
So basic basics, Jesus died, was buried, and was raised from the dead. It is important to define Jesus as well. Jesus is God the Son, the second person of the Trinity. Trinity means we believe in one God in three persons. Jesus was born as a real and complete person-- not half-man, not just the appearance of a person-- but a real, flesh-and-blood-and-spirit man. And He lived a life of perfect obedience to God's moral standard. Because of who He is, He was an acceptable sacrifice for the sins of His people. This is evidenced by the fact that He rose from the dead!
Now that you understand how I'm using terms, we can continue. The gospel is LIFE!!! It means that in Christ I am forgiven.
"Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin."
Romans 4:7-8
And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
Colossians 2:13-14
I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name's sake.
1 John 2:12
More than that, in Christ I am adopted as a child of the King! And like it says in the above quote from Romans, I am BLESSED! And that "blessed" is so much richer than anything tangible that I could acquire.
When iniquities prevail against me, you atone for our transgressions. Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!
Psalms 65:3-4
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
1 Peter 4:12-14
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
Romans 8:31-32
It means that my sin is COMPLETELY paid for-- there is no wrath left for me, and so I can honestly face my sin. And I have a Helper in my ongoing battle against sin.
In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1 John 4:9-10
You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. Selah You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger.
Psalms 85:2-3
Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Hebrews 2:14-18
It means that, in Christ, even my halfhearted attempts at obedience are acceptable to God because He loves me.
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Romans 5:1-5
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
1 Peter 1:14-19
And it CERTAINLY means that I will have eternal life with my Savior and King one day!
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.
Revelation 22:1-5
I know this is a lengthy post, so I will close by saying with the apostle John:
Come, Lord Jesus!
Revelation 22:20b
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Quiet Moments
Kids don't seem to notice noise level. Shorty and I are CONSTANTLY having to remind our children to moderate their volume. I can remember instances from when I was a kid, that prove that I was much the same way. =) When I was a teenager, although I lived in a house full of other teenagers (we were all between the ages of 13-17) I had lots of times of quiet. I often had to drive somewhere by myself, or, if the noise was too much for me, I would hide myself away. Oh the freedom of youth! And then when Shorty and I were newlyweds, I thought our house was often TOO QUIET! Since having children, I have come to appreciate, even crave, the quiet moments. When I had just one child, there were LOTS of opportunities for quiet when I wasn't sleeping-- and I wasted them. When I had my second, the quiet moments were fewer. By my sweet third child, the only quiet moments I had were when I was up at night nursing her. And by my last baby, there was NOWHERE TO HIDE from the little people pulling at me with their seemingly constant needs!
This morning I woke up and my family are still asleep. It's not late, but it's not particularly early either. And so I tiptoed through the house, tidying a few things here and there. Now I am sitting on the couch SAVORING the quiet moments I have before my Crew are awake and needing me. These are my FAVORITE times to have devotions, but if I WAITED for moments like these to do my devotions, I would be STARVING! Mamas, find a place to grab a quiet moment with your loving King and Father today. And if you're not a mama, you still need to find a quiet moment with your loving King and Father! =)
"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"
Psalms 46:10
I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live. The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. Then I called on the name of the LORD: "O LORD, I pray, deliver my soul!" Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; our God is merciful. The LORD preserves the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me. Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you. For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling; I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
Psalms 116:1-9
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30
This morning I woke up and my family are still asleep. It's not late, but it's not particularly early either. And so I tiptoed through the house, tidying a few things here and there. Now I am sitting on the couch SAVORING the quiet moments I have before my Crew are awake and needing me. These are my FAVORITE times to have devotions, but if I WAITED for moments like these to do my devotions, I would be STARVING! Mamas, find a place to grab a quiet moment with your loving King and Father today. And if you're not a mama, you still need to find a quiet moment with your loving King and Father! =)
"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"
Psalms 46:10
I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live. The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. Then I called on the name of the LORD: "O LORD, I pray, deliver my soul!" Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; our God is merciful. The LORD preserves the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me. Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you. For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling; I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.
Psalms 116:1-9
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Fight the Grunge
I HATE cleaning the bathroom. It's the room where we get clean, but to me, it feels like the dirtiest room in the house! =P When I was perpetually pregnant, and all-day queasy, I kept the bathroom pretty clean-- because I hated throwing up into a dirty toilet. But since I haven't had a "bun in the oven" for nearly six years, it's kind of fallen down on the list of priorities. I get in there every few months and give it a good scrubbing, each time promising myself that it won't be such a long stretch before I clean again... and it ALWAYS IS! There is one thing though, that is proven to motivate me to clean the most stubborn parts of my house. Sickness. I hate spreading the germs that make my Crew-- or my Shorty & me-- sick. And since a second member of my Crew is now suffering from the flu, you guessed it, I started scrubbing the bathroom.
I think the Lord delights in talking to me when my hands are busy. When I am washing dishes, scrubbing the bathroom, polishing furniture, sewing, or some home improvement project I have lots of time to think. And often, I get illustrations of biblical concepts. So back to the bathroom. I have been thinking for over a month that I needed to scrub the tub. It was looking pretty dirty, but I put it off in favor of other pressing, and just plain fun, holiday activities. As I got down on my knees to begin cleaning, I realized just HOW DIRTY the tub REALLY was! There were about four different shades of tan and brown, and there are flecks of orange that I still haven't been able to get off or identify! =P
And as I was getting my arm workout in, I was thinking about how sin patterns creep into my life. If one of the kids had come in the day after I last cleaned the bathtub (whenever that was) and caked on the grime that I scrubbed off today, I would have recognized it and cleaned it again right away. But since the grunge built up over the course of months, I was kind of desensitized to it. And sin is like that, too. If it comes in bold, we recognize it. But if it takes us little bits, by little bits, we tend to rationalize it, or ignore it, or tolerate it... So ask the Lord to open your eyes to the sin patterns in your life, and then Fight the Grunge!
Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
James 1:13-15
If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:6-9
I think the Lord delights in talking to me when my hands are busy. When I am washing dishes, scrubbing the bathroom, polishing furniture, sewing, or some home improvement project I have lots of time to think. And often, I get illustrations of biblical concepts. So back to the bathroom. I have been thinking for over a month that I needed to scrub the tub. It was looking pretty dirty, but I put it off in favor of other pressing, and just plain fun, holiday activities. As I got down on my knees to begin cleaning, I realized just HOW DIRTY the tub REALLY was! There were about four different shades of tan and brown, and there are flecks of orange that I still haven't been able to get off or identify! =P
And as I was getting my arm workout in, I was thinking about how sin patterns creep into my life. If one of the kids had come in the day after I last cleaned the bathtub (whenever that was) and caked on the grime that I scrubbed off today, I would have recognized it and cleaned it again right away. But since the grunge built up over the course of months, I was kind of desensitized to it. And sin is like that, too. If it comes in bold, we recognize it. But if it takes us little bits, by little bits, we tend to rationalize it, or ignore it, or tolerate it... So ask the Lord to open your eyes to the sin patterns in your life, and then Fight the Grunge!
Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
James 1:13-15
If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:6-9
Friday, January 11, 2013
Focus
"Focus" is one of my favorite words at this particular point in my parenting. My Crew don't focus well. They get distracted faster than I can blink. And unless they're looking at me, I'm not sure that they're listening... sometimes even when the ARE looking! =?
Funny thing though, I'm a lot like my Crew. I can lose my focus on the things that are REALLY important faster than I can blink. And frequently I'm not listening even when I am hearing what the Lord is saying to me. Or I just forget...
So yesterday, when I didn't get my devotions in, and didn't bother to even TRY to listen to a sermon online, I ran to EVERY SINGLE THING that I try to substitute for my God. Food, computer games, books, spacing out in front of a screen... and by the end of the day, I was pouring out my sinful attitude on my Crew. NOT a high moment. =P And still in the midst of all that, God was gently and graciously drawing me back. What He has, he holds. =)
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid." And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
Matthew 14:22-33
This is one of my favorite stories in the Bible. It comes right after Jesus has fed the crowd of more than 5,000. Peter is one of my favorite characters-- maybe because I think I'm a lot like him! I love how he starts so strong, but then he usually follows up immediately with near-stellar failure. I love that when Peter takes his focus off Jesus, he "begins to sink". It wasn't an immediate SPLASH, but a slow thing, almost like quicksand or something. And I love how in this passage Jesus is RIGHT THERE to save him again!
I had an "AHA!" moment earlier this week. At the end of this passage when the disciples say, "Truly you are the Son of God." They are actually saying, "You are God."
By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness, O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas; the one who by his strength established the mountains, being girded with might; who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples, so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs. You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy.
Psalms 65:5-8
O LORD God of hosts, who is mighty as you are, O LORD, with your faithfulness all around you? You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, you still them.
Psalms 89:8-9
Funny thing though, I'm a lot like my Crew. I can lose my focus on the things that are REALLY important faster than I can blink. And frequently I'm not listening even when I am hearing what the Lord is saying to me. Or I just forget...
So yesterday, when I didn't get my devotions in, and didn't bother to even TRY to listen to a sermon online, I ran to EVERY SINGLE THING that I try to substitute for my God. Food, computer games, books, spacing out in front of a screen... and by the end of the day, I was pouring out my sinful attitude on my Crew. NOT a high moment. =P And still in the midst of all that, God was gently and graciously drawing me back. What He has, he holds. =)
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid." And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
Matthew 14:22-33
This is one of my favorite stories in the Bible. It comes right after Jesus has fed the crowd of more than 5,000. Peter is one of my favorite characters-- maybe because I think I'm a lot like him! I love how he starts so strong, but then he usually follows up immediately with near-stellar failure. I love that when Peter takes his focus off Jesus, he "begins to sink". It wasn't an immediate SPLASH, but a slow thing, almost like quicksand or something. And I love how in this passage Jesus is RIGHT THERE to save him again!
I had an "AHA!" moment earlier this week. At the end of this passage when the disciples say, "Truly you are the Son of God." They are actually saying, "You are God."
By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness, O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas; the one who by his strength established the mountains, being girded with might; who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples, so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs. You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy.
Psalms 65:5-8
O LORD God of hosts, who is mighty as you are, O LORD, with your faithfulness all around you? You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, you still them.
Psalms 89:8-9
Thursday, January 10, 2013
May Your Boxes Grow
I'm a fan of boxes and baskets-- particularly the square/rectangle kind (they are the most efficient use of space! ;)). I like containing my stuff in an-- at least quasi-- orderly way. But unfortunately, I tend to try to box things that shouldn't be boxed. Boxing the potential chaos in my life is helpful to the smooth running of my home, it lets me be in control. But I am guilty (and I would imagine that you are too) of "putting God in a box". I want to contain Him, even control Him-- by my estimation.
One of my favorite conversations in the Chronicles of Narnia is between Lucy and Aslan in Prince Caspian.
"'Welcome, child,' he said.
'Aslan,' said Lucy, 'you're bigger.'
'That is because you are older, little one,' answered he.
'Not because you are?'
'I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger.'"
I have thought for several years now, that a good measure to check for growth in your spiritual life is to ask yourself, "Does God seem bigger/greater/more powerful to me than He did last year/five years ago/etc.?" I know that is the case for me. As I think about what I believed-- REALLY believed-- about God five years ago, I'm amazed! I'm amazed that God is so patient with me! I'm amazed that He loves me! I am amazed at God's ability to work out His plan in His people!
So recently I was listening to a great message about despair, and how it often, if not always, flows out of our attempts to put God in a box. It is a lengthy message, but if you are able, I encourage you to listen. Here's the link:
When Despair Invades Gospel Work: Learning From Elijah
There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" He said, "I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away." And he said, "Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD." And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
1 Kings 19:9-13
So today my prayer for you is: "May your boxes grow!" or even better...
"May your boxes be BUSTED!!!"
One of my favorite conversations in the Chronicles of Narnia is between Lucy and Aslan in Prince Caspian.
"'Welcome, child,' he said.
'Aslan,' said Lucy, 'you're bigger.'
'That is because you are older, little one,' answered he.
'Not because you are?'
'I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger.'"
I have thought for several years now, that a good measure to check for growth in your spiritual life is to ask yourself, "Does God seem bigger/greater/more powerful to me than He did last year/five years ago/etc.?" I know that is the case for me. As I think about what I believed-- REALLY believed-- about God five years ago, I'm amazed! I'm amazed that God is so patient with me! I'm amazed that He loves me! I am amazed at God's ability to work out His plan in His people!
So recently I was listening to a great message about despair, and how it often, if not always, flows out of our attempts to put God in a box. It is a lengthy message, but if you are able, I encourage you to listen. Here's the link:
When Despair Invades Gospel Work: Learning From Elijah
There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" He said, "I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away." And he said, "Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD." And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
1 Kings 19:9-13
So today my prayer for you is: "May your boxes grow!" or even better...
"May your boxes be BUSTED!!!"
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Know Nothing
I feel like I should clarify a bit on yesterday's post. The point of that post was not nearly so much about trying to lose weight/get fit as it was an illustration of the painful effects of sin. I've been wary of writing about Shorty's & my weight loss, simply because it is such a HUGE FAD in our culture right now-- and I don't want to be known for a fad... ANY FAD!!! My constant prayer with regards to my blog is that God would be glorified and His church would be built because of the words I write. I am His filthy tool, for His use in building His GLORIOUS kingdom!
And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory.
1 Corinthians 2:1-7
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:1-14
And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory.
1 Corinthians 2:1-7
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
Ephesians 1:1-14
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Dead Weight
When Shorty and I got married, he weighed sixty pounds more than I did. Over the following 8 years, he and I both put on quite a few extra pounds. But two years ago, a couple of brothers from church pestered him until he began to work out with them. Over the course of the last two years, he has lost somewhere near 70 pounds and gained some really nice muscles! =) It took me quite a while to get on board because I DON'T LIKE working out! =P (Here come the excuses...) Besides, I'm busy... my kids need... it's hard... lol! So last fall, I coughed up the membership fee and joined Weight Watchers Online. It changed the way I look at food, and helped me to lose about 25 pounds.
So recently I've been thinking about how much harder it is to do simple things when I'm carrying around a bunch of extra fat. I HATED changing the sheets on the beds-- especially the bunk beds-- when I was 190 pounds. In fact, I was really afraid that one of them would break "one of these days"... And going shopping always made my feet/knees/hips/back hurt. Muscle weighs more than fat for the space it takes up, but our muscles do SO MUCH for our bodies, extra fat is just dead weight.
Which leads to the spiritual point of the day.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
Hebrews 12:1-3
This was actually the focal passage for my devotions today from a precious little book called Comforts from the Cross written by Elyse Fitzpatrick. In it she talks about how we hate and love our sin at the same time, but are powerless to overcome it. And how we are called to battle against our sin by focusing on our Savior! I'm only on day nine, but she paints the gospel as SO GLORIOUS! Which is a topic for another day... =)
So recently I've been thinking about how much harder it is to do simple things when I'm carrying around a bunch of extra fat. I HATED changing the sheets on the beds-- especially the bunk beds-- when I was 190 pounds. In fact, I was really afraid that one of them would break "one of these days"... And going shopping always made my feet/knees/hips/back hurt. Muscle weighs more than fat for the space it takes up, but our muscles do SO MUCH for our bodies, extra fat is just dead weight.
Which leads to the spiritual point of the day.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
Hebrews 12:1-3
This was actually the focal passage for my devotions today from a precious little book called Comforts from the Cross written by Elyse Fitzpatrick. In it she talks about how we hate and love our sin at the same time, but are powerless to overcome it. And how we are called to battle against our sin by focusing on our Savior! I'm only on day nine, but she paints the gospel as SO GLORIOUS! Which is a topic for another day... =)
Monday, January 7, 2013
Oblivious
I am a perpetual optimist. Most of the time, I look for the sunny side of things. =) This can be a good thing, but it tends to make me quite gullible-- and oblivious. My Shorty, on the other hand, has incredible insight in his people watching. He catches undertones that I COMPLETELY miss. He's a good balance for me. But I've been being confronted with my lack of insight for the past several months... and I'm still struggling with balance. I LIKE being oblivious. I LIKE not knowing yucky stuff and tension. But each time I want to excuse my rose-colored observation, I'm reminded of Jesus' admonition:
"Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
Matthew 10:16
The imagery in this verse is amazing! Sheep are stupid, basically helpless critters. And wolves-- well, there's a reason that they are the villains in so many fairy tales... Then there is the contrast of being wise and innocent. So I'm trying to still "look on the bright side", and when my half-full glass gets shattered, rest in the hope of Christ's effective work in His people. =)
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:1-6
And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 1:9-14
"Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
Matthew 10:16
The imagery in this verse is amazing! Sheep are stupid, basically helpless critters. And wolves-- well, there's a reason that they are the villains in so many fairy tales... Then there is the contrast of being wise and innocent. So I'm trying to still "look on the bright side", and when my half-full glass gets shattered, rest in the hope of Christ's effective work in His people. =)
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:1-6
And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 1:9-14
Sunday, January 6, 2013
That You May Know
I learned recently that one good tool in studying Scripture is to look for repeated terms. I'm a little over half way through the book of Ezekiel, and I have been noticing one of these repetitions. It showed up several time in the chapter I read this morning. The phrase "know that I am the Lord" appears in the book of Ezekiel 72 times. It seems that one of the main themes of Ezekiel is God making Himself known to people, specifically His people.
Thus says the Lord GOD: "Clap your hands and stamp your foot and say, Alas, because of all the evil abominations of the house of Israel, for they shall fall by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence. He who is far off shall die of pestilence, and he who is near shall fall by the sword, and he who is left and is preserved shall die of famine. Thus I will spend my fury upon them. And you shall know that I am the LORD, when their slain lie among their idols around their altars, on every high hill, on all the mountaintops, under every green tree, and under every leafy oak, wherever they offered pleasing aroma to all their idols. And I will stretch out my hand against them and make the land desolate and waste, in all their dwelling places, from the wilderness to Riblah. Then they will know that I am the LORD."
Ezekiel 6:11-14
Here Ezekiel is commanded to pronounce God's just judgement against faithless, idolatrous Israel. So that they may know that God is God, and He is faithful to fulfill His promise of wrath against sin.
You bear the penalty of your lewdness and your abominations, declares the LORD. "For thus says the Lord GOD: I will deal with you as you have done, you who have despised the oath in breaking the covenant, yet I will remember my covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish for you an everlasting covenant. Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed when you take your sisters, both your elder and your younger, and I give them to you as daughters, but not on account of the covenant with you. I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall know that I am the LORD, that you may remember and be confounded, and never open your mouth again because of your shame, when I atone for you for all that you have done, declares the Lord GOD."
Ezekiel 16:58-63
We have the grammar of grace in effect here. And we see that God's atonement and forgiveness are also so that His people may know that He is the Lord.
"And for the house of Israel there shall be no more a brier to prick or a thorn to hurt them among all their neighbors who have treated them with contempt. Then they will know that I am the Lord GOD. "Thus says the Lord GOD: When I gather the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered, and manifest my holiness in them in the sight of the nations, then they shall dwell in their own land that I gave to my servant Jacob. And they shall dwell securely in it, and they shall build houses and plant vineyards. They shall dwell securely, when I execute judgments upon all their neighbors who have treated them with contempt. Then they will know that I am the LORD their God."
Ezekiel 28:24-26
And finally, the promise of deliverance is so that we may know that the Lord is our God.
Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise. Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! And let all the people say, "Amen!" Praise the LORD!
Psalms 106:47-48
Thus says the Lord GOD: "Clap your hands and stamp your foot and say, Alas, because of all the evil abominations of the house of Israel, for they shall fall by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence. He who is far off shall die of pestilence, and he who is near shall fall by the sword, and he who is left and is preserved shall die of famine. Thus I will spend my fury upon them. And you shall know that I am the LORD, when their slain lie among their idols around their altars, on every high hill, on all the mountaintops, under every green tree, and under every leafy oak, wherever they offered pleasing aroma to all their idols. And I will stretch out my hand against them and make the land desolate and waste, in all their dwelling places, from the wilderness to Riblah. Then they will know that I am the LORD."
Ezekiel 6:11-14
Here Ezekiel is commanded to pronounce God's just judgement against faithless, idolatrous Israel. So that they may know that God is God, and He is faithful to fulfill His promise of wrath against sin.
You bear the penalty of your lewdness and your abominations, declares the LORD. "For thus says the Lord GOD: I will deal with you as you have done, you who have despised the oath in breaking the covenant, yet I will remember my covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish for you an everlasting covenant. Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed when you take your sisters, both your elder and your younger, and I give them to you as daughters, but not on account of the covenant with you. I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall know that I am the LORD, that you may remember and be confounded, and never open your mouth again because of your shame, when I atone for you for all that you have done, declares the Lord GOD."
Ezekiel 16:58-63
We have the grammar of grace in effect here. And we see that God's atonement and forgiveness are also so that His people may know that He is the Lord.
"And for the house of Israel there shall be no more a brier to prick or a thorn to hurt them among all their neighbors who have treated them with contempt. Then they will know that I am the Lord GOD. "Thus says the Lord GOD: When I gather the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered, and manifest my holiness in them in the sight of the nations, then they shall dwell in their own land that I gave to my servant Jacob. And they shall dwell securely in it, and they shall build houses and plant vineyards. They shall dwell securely, when I execute judgments upon all their neighbors who have treated them with contempt. Then they will know that I am the LORD their God."
Ezekiel 28:24-26
And finally, the promise of deliverance is so that we may know that the Lord is our God.
Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise. Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! And let all the people say, "Amen!" Praise the LORD!
Psalms 106:47-48
Saturday, January 5, 2013
More Movies
When Shorty takes time off from work, he and I usually watch more movies than normal. And when you add on top of that the fact that we have a sick member of the Crew, we watch even MORE movies! ;) So we were watching "The Avengers" again the other day, and I was contemplating a few of the lines. Shorty loves the line when Captain America says, "There's only one god ma'am. And I'm pretty sure he doesn't dress
like that." And again later after Hulk has thrown Loki around and left him moaning on the floor, he says, "Puny god!" But I actually love the speech Loki makes in Germany. As I was looking for the exact quote, I came across a blog that already beautifully articulated what I was thinking... so here's the link!
"You were made to be ruled."
Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.
Romans 6:16-18
"You were made to be ruled."
Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.
Romans 6:16-18
Friday, January 4, 2013
Vicarious
Shorty teases me sometimes saying, "Where's your sense of adventure?" Generally when I don't want to do whatever he's asking me to do! ;) One of my favorite answers is, "Se fue." That's Spanish for "gone". I used to answer the kids that way when they asked where Mama was. And Shorty began to joke that I was at "Safeway" a lot. =) As you can see, we are a silly, joking kind of family.
This morning Shorty asked me something and I said no. So we went through the, "Where's your sense of adventure?" etc... And I told him that I've realized that I like vicarious adventure best. He stopped and said, "I don't even know what that means." I explained that I like to experience adventure through books and movies-- personally and in the flesh, not so much. =)
It was funny though, as he left the room to get ready for work, I began thinking that I actually need vicarious righteousness! Because of the sin nature that I-- and everyone else-- inherited from Adam, I need someone to be good in my place. And not just that, I need someone to pay the penalty that my sin deserves... And God supplied that THROUGH CHRIST! =)
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts who has been gthrough the Holy Spiritiven to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person--though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die-- but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Romans 5:1-11
This morning Shorty asked me something and I said no. So we went through the, "Where's your sense of adventure?" etc... And I told him that I've realized that I like vicarious adventure best. He stopped and said, "I don't even know what that means." I explained that I like to experience adventure through books and movies-- personally and in the flesh, not so much. =)
It was funny though, as he left the room to get ready for work, I began thinking that I actually need vicarious righteousness! Because of the sin nature that I-- and everyone else-- inherited from Adam, I need someone to be good in my place. And not just that, I need someone to pay the penalty that my sin deserves... And God supplied that THROUGH CHRIST! =)
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts who has been gthrough the Holy Spiritiven to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person--though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die-- but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Romans 5:1-11
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Sicky, Sicky
I don't know which is worse, being sick myself, or having one or more of my Crew be sick. It's usually mild stuff, a little cough, a headache, upset stomach... but when they are REALLY sick-- stomach bug, or the flu-- and I've done all I can to ease their discomfort, that STINKS! Not to mention that my germophobe self kicks in & I want to scrub and bleach and Lysol EVERYTHING in sight! =?
It's harder to preach the gospel to myself when my Crew are the sad victims of this fallen world. I know they are sinful. I know they deserve the same wrath for their sin that I do for mine, but my mama heart wants better things for them. I guess that's kind of gospel after all. =)
What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
Luke 11:11-13
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience-- among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved-- and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:1-10
It's harder to preach the gospel to myself when my Crew are the sad victims of this fallen world. I know they are sinful. I know they deserve the same wrath for their sin that I do for mine, but my mama heart wants better things for them. I guess that's kind of gospel after all. =)
What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
Luke 11:11-13
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience-- among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved-- and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:1-10
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Scrumptious
My middle daughter is a word collector. We got her the most wonderful book for Christmas called The Boy Who Loved Words. One of my favorite things about this book is that there is a glossary at the back! =) One of the words that Reanna "collected" as we were reading was "scrumptious". And I told her that scrumptious is one of Nanny's favorite words. Anytime Nanny likes a food, it's scrumptious. =) I've been chuckling to myself for a couple days thinking about some of the things I've heard Nanny refer to as scrumptious-- things like blackstrap molasses, and sweet potatoes, and peas, along with things like chocolate, and steak, and donuts. I think that "scrumptious", like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder... I've also been chewing on our pastor's sermon from Sunday where he said that we as God's children don't often know what we need. It's easy to know what we like, but knowing what we need is an entirely different matter.
"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Matthew 6:24-33
"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Matthew 6:24-33
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Fun ---> Mess
Tomorrow life begins to lean back toward "normal chaos". We have had a fantastic week and a half. Thankfully we've had no real sickness this year. So we have partied (of the family friendly variety), and played. When we play hard, we generally have BIG messes. Colossal type messes! =) And after a day or four, I begin to go a little crazy, and we have a cleaning sprint. But two things have stood out to me this week. One, Mommy reminded me of something that her dad had said when she was a kid: "A house should be clean enough to be healthy, but dirty enough to be lived in." I know that balance varies from person to person, and house to house-- for us, it means not vacuuming every day... or every week... ;) And toys on the floor most days. The second, and bigger thing is that as my Crew are getting older, I'm realizing even more how brief their childhood is-- and I want to savor the moments I have with them in my home. =)
"O LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah
Psalms 39:4-5
O LORD, what is man that you regard him, or the son of man that you think of him? Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.
Psalms 144:3-4
As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.
Psalms 103:13-16
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
"O LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah
Psalms 39:4-5
O LORD, what is man that you regard him, or the son of man that you think of him? Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.
Psalms 144:3-4
As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.
Psalms 103:13-16
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)