I'll be teaching through The Hobbit with one of my Crew again this year, so I am rereading it. Although he is not a major character in this book, Gollum plays a significant role through the Lord of the Rings trilogy. To me, Gollum is the most distasteful character. The book talks about him being a pitiable creature, and maybe I'm just hardhearted, but I don't pity him. He is twisted and small and entirely self-centered. Now, you might argue that the Ring is what corrupted him, but I would disagree. The Ring is not what made Gollum evil, it simply distilled the evil that
was already residing within him. He was selfish and greedy long before
he saw the Ring and killed his friend. And later, as long as Frodo was
friendly and sympathetic toward Gollum, Gollum served him. But as soon
as Gollum felt misused, he began to plot revenge. You even see it in the
arguments Gollum has with himself.
As I was typing this description of Gollum, I saw a picture of myself. I am small. And twisted. And far too self-centered. It is so much easier to look at my wrong behavior and blame it on my circumstances, or the other people in my life. But the Bible teaches that sin is actually who we are, manifested in what we do. It is our nature. Our biggest problem is not OUTSIDE of us. My biggest problem is that my heart is focused on me. But Christ came to save me from myself! He lived and died to draw my focus back where it belongs, loving God and loving others. And one day. One glorious day, I will finally be free of the focus on myself. Lord Jesus, come quickly!
The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD was sorry that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.
Genesis 6:5-6
And he said, "What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person."
Mark 7:20-23
For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Titus 3:3-7
Saturday, August 30, 2014
Friday, August 29, 2014
Bombarded
I DO NOT love working out. In fact, I don't even really LIKE working out. But I have become convinced that I need to work out in moderation as a matter of stewardship. So, I started a workout program this summer. However, at the end of a month of the program, I was so frustrated! Even though I was getting stronger (the main goal I had at the outset), I was dissatisfied. I dreaded hitting the play button. After a couple of busy weeks off, I realized that every workout was urging me to elevate "fitness" in my life. "Eat right. Include our health drink in your diet. Working out makes you a better person." etc.
I was pondering this some more this morning. Do you realize that we are CONSTANTLY being bombarded by our culture. You are a city under siege. And the Enemy would like nothing better than for you to fall under the temptations and demands you face. There is always one more thing to worry about. One more priority to work into your schedule. One more activity in which your child(ren) need to participate. It never ends! And if the external issues were not enough, our own sinful hearts sabotage us from within!
But I LOVE the Psalms. Again and again in Psalms. God is called "my rock", "my fortress", "my stronghold". I NEED that! I need a safe place to go and hide from all that life and culture throw at me! I need solid ground to stand on so that when I get whacked, I don't get buried. I need a strong hand to hold me up when my sin drags me down! I need my Savior!
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.
Psalms 18:2-3
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
Psalms 91:1-4
If the LORD had not been my help, my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence. When I thought, "My foot slips," your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.
Psalms 94:17-19
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah
Psalms 62:5-8
I was pondering this some more this morning. Do you realize that we are CONSTANTLY being bombarded by our culture. You are a city under siege. And the Enemy would like nothing better than for you to fall under the temptations and demands you face. There is always one more thing to worry about. One more priority to work into your schedule. One more activity in which your child(ren) need to participate. It never ends! And if the external issues were not enough, our own sinful hearts sabotage us from within!
But I LOVE the Psalms. Again and again in Psalms. God is called "my rock", "my fortress", "my stronghold". I NEED that! I need a safe place to go and hide from all that life and culture throw at me! I need solid ground to stand on so that when I get whacked, I don't get buried. I need a strong hand to hold me up when my sin drags me down! I need my Savior!
The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.
Psalms 18:2-3
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
Psalms 91:1-4
If the LORD had not been my help, my soul would soon have lived in the land of silence. When I thought, "My foot slips," your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.
Psalms 94:17-19
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah
Psalms 62:5-8
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
Projecting
We, as sinners, have a terrible time getting our focus off ourselves. We tend to see the actions of others through the lens of our own attitudes. We project our intentions onto others-- often incorrectly. Several years ago, Shorty and I were having a discussion-- or maybe an argument... He had started talking at me as though I was my mom-- or his... So I looked at him and said, "I am NOT my mother! I'm not yours either. But I am not my mother, so stop treating me like it!" That temporarily stopped the discussion.
I've been reading a lot in preparation for our upcoming school year. One of the books I read for the first time was the epic of Gilgamesh. In the story, the gods are much like people. They are fickle, selfish, and vindictive, but immensely powerful. If you are familiar with Greek and Roman mythology, you may have made the same observation about their gods. In fact, every other religion I know about has this in common.
Having this fresh on my mind, I was fascinated when we studied the story of Cain and Abel a few weeks ago in Sunday school. When God confronts Cain, he seems to be projecting his own sinful nature onto God. It's as though he simply cannot imagine God being good and just and holy. He had made God into his image, and therefore wasn't actually worshiping God. We do the same thing. We are still so focused on ourselves that we can't fathom who God really is. But He is gracious, and He patiently reveals Himself to us through His Word. And little, by little, by little, we begin to see and believe that He is who He says He is.
"'See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god beside me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand.
Deuteronomy 32:39
I am the LORD, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me, that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the LORD, and there is no other.
Isaiah 45:5-6
There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours.
Psalms 86:8
I've been reading a lot in preparation for our upcoming school year. One of the books I read for the first time was the epic of Gilgamesh. In the story, the gods are much like people. They are fickle, selfish, and vindictive, but immensely powerful. If you are familiar with Greek and Roman mythology, you may have made the same observation about their gods. In fact, every other religion I know about has this in common.
Having this fresh on my mind, I was fascinated when we studied the story of Cain and Abel a few weeks ago in Sunday school. When God confronts Cain, he seems to be projecting his own sinful nature onto God. It's as though he simply cannot imagine God being good and just and holy. He had made God into his image, and therefore wasn't actually worshiping God. We do the same thing. We are still so focused on ourselves that we can't fathom who God really is. But He is gracious, and He patiently reveals Himself to us through His Word. And little, by little, by little, we begin to see and believe that He is who He says He is.
"'See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god beside me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand.
Deuteronomy 32:39
I am the LORD, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me, that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the LORD, and there is no other.
Isaiah 45:5-6
There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours.
Psalms 86:8
Thursday, August 21, 2014
True AND Kind
Early this year Shorty and I read the Divergent trilogy. Since all good literature draws you in, we discussed which faction (group) we would have been part of based on our personalities. Without hesitation, Shorty declared that I would have TOTALLY been in Candor. If you are not familiar with the story, the Candor faction value the truth above all else. They say the nastiest things. Whatever comes to mind, follows immediately out of their mouths. I don't intend to be mean (at least part of the time), but it definitely comes across that way sometimes. Reading this story highlighted a weakness in my life and parenting.
Since finishing the books, I've been talking to my Crew about truth not being God's only requirement for our words. So this morning, when I confronted one of the girls for snapping at her brother, her immediate response was, "Well it's TRUE!" I had to remind her that God expects our words to be both true AND kind. This does not mean that the truth is always pleasant, but the motivation for our words should be love for God and others-- even if it hurts.
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 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 5:13-25
Since finishing the books, I've been talking to my Crew about truth not being God's only requirement for our words. So this morning, when I confronted one of the girls for snapping at her brother, her immediate response was, "Well it's TRUE!" I had to remind her that God expects our words to be both true AND kind. This does not mean that the truth is always pleasant, but the motivation for our words should be love for God and others-- even if it hurts.
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 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 5:13-25
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is
I've been thinking a lot about missions lately. Our local church has been praying frequently for the Christians in Iraq. I also get regular emails from Voice of the Martyrs, with information about persecuted brothers and sisters around the world. And we had a guest speaker from Gospel for Asia this past Sunday.
I enjoy message t-shirts. I bought one just recently that says, "Whoever said diamonds are a girl's best friend hasn't met my husband". This morning, I received an email from Voice of the Martyrs. They have started a t-shirt fundraiser to help the displaced Christians in Iraq. So as I was looking at this email, I thought that it would be fun to buy one for myself, my husband, and our oldest. And half of the proceeds go directly toward helping Iraqi Christians.
And then I was convicted. I have more t-shirts than I can wear in a week-- not including all the other shirts in my closet. And I have a nice sized house with air conditioning. I have enough food in my fridges (Yes, you read that right. Fridges, plural.) for more than a week. I have ABUNDANCE in material things. What a terrible indictment against me! I think of those Iraqis. I pray for them. But I didn't even think of giving toward their needs until someone offered me a shirt!
Dear Lord, soften my heart. Remind me that the funds at my disposal really belong to You, and have been entrusted to me for the advancement of YOUR kingdom.
Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints, for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them. But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be. Otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated--to say nothing of you--for being so confident. So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction. The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, "He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission flowing from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
2 Corinthians 9:1-15
If you want to get involved in helping our brothers and sisters in need, visit one of these ministry websites.
The Voice of the Martyrs
Gospel for Asia
I enjoy message t-shirts. I bought one just recently that says, "Whoever said diamonds are a girl's best friend hasn't met my husband". This morning, I received an email from Voice of the Martyrs. They have started a t-shirt fundraiser to help the displaced Christians in Iraq. So as I was looking at this email, I thought that it would be fun to buy one for myself, my husband, and our oldest. And half of the proceeds go directly toward helping Iraqi Christians.
And then I was convicted. I have more t-shirts than I can wear in a week-- not including all the other shirts in my closet. And I have a nice sized house with air conditioning. I have enough food in my fridges (Yes, you read that right. Fridges, plural.) for more than a week. I have ABUNDANCE in material things. What a terrible indictment against me! I think of those Iraqis. I pray for them. But I didn't even think of giving toward their needs until someone offered me a shirt!
Dear Lord, soften my heart. Remind me that the funds at my disposal really belong to You, and have been entrusted to me for the advancement of YOUR kingdom.
Now it is superfluous for me to write to you about the ministry for the saints, for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them. But I am sending the brothers so that our boasting about you may not prove empty in this matter, so that you may be ready, as I said you would be. Otherwise, if some Macedonians come with me and find that you are not ready, we would be humiliated--to say nothing of you--for being so confident. So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction. The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, "He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission flowing from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
2 Corinthians 9:1-15
If you want to get involved in helping our brothers and sisters in need, visit one of these ministry websites.
The Voice of the Martyrs
Gospel for Asia
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Lean Hard On Me
There are seasons in life that are just HARD. Like when winter drags into spring but the ice just won't melt. Or when spring rains continue too long and the flood waters rise. Or when the scorching heat of summer comes too early and stays for months and months. Or maybe your babies are struggling through some illness that just won't let go. Or maybe your kids are a little older, and they keep you running from early to late and beyond. Or maybe a close relative is dying from a slow and painful disease. Or maybe God is gently stripping one of your idols from your grasp, but it feels anything but gentle... And you are tired.
These are the moments when we need others to walk alongside us. We need them to point our gaze upward toward our gracious Savior. We need them to pray for us. I have sisters and brothers in the faith like this. And this is one of those seasons for me. I'm leaning hard because I can't keep going on my own. I can't grow in faithfulness on my own. And I know that this season will pass. I won't need to lean so hard for a while. I'll be ready for them to lean hard on me. And we'll all lean hard on our Savior!
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
Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
Hebrews 3:12-13
To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave. Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
Psalms 57:1-2
These are the moments when we need others to walk alongside us. We need them to point our gaze upward toward our gracious Savior. We need them to pray for us. I have sisters and brothers in the faith like this. And this is one of those seasons for me. I'm leaning hard because I can't keep going on my own. I can't grow in faithfulness on my own. And I know that this season will pass. I won't need to lean so hard for a while. I'll be ready for them to lean hard on me. And we'll all lean hard on our Savior!
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
Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
Hebrews 3:12-13
To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave. Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
Psalms 57:1-2
Monday, August 18, 2014
Stark Contrast
I've been working for over a year to memorize Psalm 37. You are probably quite familiar with verse four.
Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalms 37:4
But are you familiar with the verses that come before and after it? Verse three tells us to trust in the Lord, and verse five commands us to commit our way to Him. And while delighting in the Lord is wonderful, it's not so much the main point of the passage. Over and over and over in its forty verses the contrast is being drawn between the righteous and the wicked. The wicked may be prospering for a season, but they will be judged. The righteous are preserved by the Lord, in the passage both physically and spiritually. There is one particular couplet that keeps popping up as I go through my days.
The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand.
Psalms 37:23-24
This so encourages me, because the more I grow in Christ the more I see my sin. I see more and more how corrupt I am in every part. You may not think so, but you can't see my thoughts and my heart. (For which I am very thankful!) I really believe that even the "nice" things I do are radically tainted by sin. So I know I fall, but I love that this verse says the Lord upholds me. It's really interesting that this thought comes from David. This Psalm doesn't tell us when David wrote it, but if you know his story, you know he had a pretty major fall into adultery and murder. And David lived in a different part of redemptive history than us. In the Old Testament, God's Spirit didn't dwell in people like He does now. But in these verses, David is bearing witness to God's faithfulness, in spite of our sin! The difference between the righteous and the wicked is faith! And it is a gracious gift from the ever Faithful God!
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Hebrews 11:6
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 2:8-10
"For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?" "Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?" For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
Romans 11:34-36
Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalms 37:4
But are you familiar with the verses that come before and after it? Verse three tells us to trust in the Lord, and verse five commands us to commit our way to Him. And while delighting in the Lord is wonderful, it's not so much the main point of the passage. Over and over and over in its forty verses the contrast is being drawn between the righteous and the wicked. The wicked may be prospering for a season, but they will be judged. The righteous are preserved by the Lord, in the passage both physically and spiritually. There is one particular couplet that keeps popping up as I go through my days.
The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand.
Psalms 37:23-24
This so encourages me, because the more I grow in Christ the more I see my sin. I see more and more how corrupt I am in every part. You may not think so, but you can't see my thoughts and my heart. (For which I am very thankful!) I really believe that even the "nice" things I do are radically tainted by sin. So I know I fall, but I love that this verse says the Lord upholds me. It's really interesting that this thought comes from David. This Psalm doesn't tell us when David wrote it, but if you know his story, you know he had a pretty major fall into adultery and murder. And David lived in a different part of redemptive history than us. In the Old Testament, God's Spirit didn't dwell in people like He does now. But in these verses, David is bearing witness to God's faithfulness, in spite of our sin! The difference between the righteous and the wicked is faith! And it is a gracious gift from the ever Faithful God!
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Hebrews 11:6
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 2:8-10
"For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?" "Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?" For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
Romans 11:34-36
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Enter Their World
This week our church has been hosting a Vacation Bible School. My Crew LOVES all the costume contests, and have made me CRAZY with their schemes and shenanigans! Often I excuse myself from joining their plans by citing all my pressing matters. This week though, I've engaged and helped them pull of some pretty impressive costumes. (If I do say so myself! =))
I was thinking about this as I scrambled to help produce two camels and two horses by 5:00 pm. Nothing shouts "I love you!" quite like entering someone's world. Whether it's costumes or legos or tea parties or Candy Land or a particular book or film... And the greatest example of this was Jesus! God the Son left the glories of heaven to enter our world and save us!
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:1-14
I was thinking about this as I scrambled to help produce two camels and two horses by 5:00 pm. Nothing shouts "I love you!" quite like entering someone's world. Whether it's costumes or legos or tea parties or Candy Land or a particular book or film... And the greatest example of this was Jesus! God the Son left the glories of heaven to enter our world and save us!
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:1-14
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Fixated
My kids crack me up. They have little interest in a certain show or toy for months at a time, but then, for a season, they are absolutely fixated. For example, back in the spring, they watched the movie "Clue" on Netflix. They also got out our Clue boardgame, and would move the characters and weapons around the gameboard as the movie progressed. They did this a couple times a day for about two weeks. Then they got bored with Clue and moved on to the next fixation.
As I was chuckling to myself about this behavior, I was reminded that I tend to be the same way. These fixations are really worship. But the idols we worship soon lose their luster. The reason for this is that we were created to be fixated... just not on created things. We were created to worship our Creator. Like my children, I am VERY good at fixating on the wrong things. Maybe it's a good thing like a new book, some fix-up on my house, a little "down time", or maybe it's something sinful that I've justified to myself. Either way, it can't satisfy. Please don't hear me saying not to do fun things. Fun is a gift from God-- but it is a GIFT given to point to the Lord. So fixate on the eternal, immortal, omnipotent King of the universe! =)
"I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols. Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them."
Isaiah 42:6-9
Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered, O offspring of Abraham, his servant, children of Jacob, his chosen ones!
Psalms 105:1-6
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 13:20-21
As I was chuckling to myself about this behavior, I was reminded that I tend to be the same way. These fixations are really worship. But the idols we worship soon lose their luster. The reason for this is that we were created to be fixated... just not on created things. We were created to worship our Creator. Like my children, I am VERY good at fixating on the wrong things. Maybe it's a good thing like a new book, some fix-up on my house, a little "down time", or maybe it's something sinful that I've justified to myself. Either way, it can't satisfy. Please don't hear me saying not to do fun things. Fun is a gift from God-- but it is a GIFT given to point to the Lord. So fixate on the eternal, immortal, omnipotent King of the universe! =)
"I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols. Behold, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth I tell you of them."
Isaiah 42:6-9
Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered, O offspring of Abraham, his servant, children of Jacob, his chosen ones!
Psalms 105:1-6
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Hebrews 13:20-21
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Living and Active
I struggle a lot with motivation. (Maybe because I want to do more than I actually can... Maybe because I'm much better at time management games, than I am at time management in real life!) So I have this cycle of full-throttle activity, all-out laziness, repeat. I have been working on it, but I'm kind of in the summer slump. We've been busy, and our activities are over until school begins. But school will be starting sooner than I'd prefer. ;) So today I reread one of my early blogs, Motiviation.The first Scripture really encouraged me!
Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!
Psalms 90:16-17
I love that the verse begins with God. "Let YOUR work be shown to your servants." It is His work that sets the standard, His work that gives us our example, His work in which we get to participate! I was also struck but the link between the Lord's favor and the soundness of our work. This brought a couple other passages to mind.
A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.
Psalms 127:1-2
The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand.
Psalms 37:23-24
I think one of the best things I have done in the last two years has been to make Scripture memory a priority in my personal devotions. I don't practice every day (or even every week), but it has made my time in the Word so much richer! I see more of the big themes of Scripture threaded throughout. And the Spirit is faithful to pierce through my pretensions and deceptions to show me more about myself, and about Christ.
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!
Psalms 90:16-17
I love that the verse begins with God. "Let YOUR work be shown to your servants." It is His work that sets the standard, His work that gives us our example, His work in which we get to participate! I was also struck but the link between the Lord's favor and the soundness of our work. This brought a couple other passages to mind.
A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.
Psalms 127:1-2
The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand.
Psalms 37:23-24
I think one of the best things I have done in the last two years has been to make Scripture memory a priority in my personal devotions. I don't practice every day (or even every week), but it has made my time in the Word so much richer! I see more of the big themes of Scripture threaded throughout. And the Spirit is faithful to pierce through my pretensions and deceptions to show me more about myself, and about Christ.
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
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