I've spent a lot of time the last couple of weeks listening to sermons online. I especially enjoyed hearing the women from the Gospel Coalition's Women's conference. I have also been feeling a little down because I do not often get the kind of riches out of a text in my own personal Bible study that these women presented. Now it could be that they were preparing in these passages for months in advance-- in fact, I'm sure that is the case. The thing that bothers me about myself is that I KNOW that I am a better wife, mom, friend- you name it- when I am FULL of the riches of God's Word. It changes me, and I WANT to be changed! Well, sometimes. *shrug* There are lots of times that I just don't want to put forth the effort to dig. And that's the rub. I just need to quit moaning and start digging!
In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word. Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word. Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.
Psalms 119:14-18
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Confession
Good Morning! Well-- you may not be reading this in the morning, but as I'm writing it is morning! =) I did not have a fantastic weekend. I was actually a little bluesy throughout the weekend, and as I began my prayer and Bible study time yesterday, I just felt dry... I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but I was having a difficult time concentrating. As I read my Bible, I was encouraged in John 14 by Christ's promise to return for His people, as well as His encouragement that we KNOW Him & how to follow Him. I was still feeling kind of down, though.
I haven't been blogging long, but I had heard from lots of people that if you do blog, you should do it every day. The day I set up my blog, I had like 4 different things I wanted to write about-- but that seemed like a bit of overkill. ;) The trouble was, that by the following day I had forgotten half of them-- and they were good ideas! At least, I thought so. ;) Later that week I found out that I could save posts in draft form until I want to publish them! Woo Hoo! So I wrote like 3 things that day & published the one I liked the best! =) So there's my confession: I write ahead. ;) Now, how does that connect to my first paragraph?
When I finished my time in the Word yesterday, I sat down to blog & had about 4 ideas running through my head again. So I began to write, and the most WONDERFUL thing happened. As I was writing about the things God has been working me through, my blues went away. Thinking on God's Greatness just drove away my yucky downer attitude-- at least for a while. I've told you before that generally when God feeds me well, it means He's going to "work me out" in the near future. Within just a couple of hours I was yelling at my kids & worrying, but very quickly He convicted me & reminded me to "Believe in [Him]." I cannot understand why He is so patient with me!
"Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:1-6
I haven't been blogging long, but I had heard from lots of people that if you do blog, you should do it every day. The day I set up my blog, I had like 4 different things I wanted to write about-- but that seemed like a bit of overkill. ;) The trouble was, that by the following day I had forgotten half of them-- and they were good ideas! At least, I thought so. ;) Later that week I found out that I could save posts in draft form until I want to publish them! Woo Hoo! So I wrote like 3 things that day & published the one I liked the best! =) So there's my confession: I write ahead. ;) Now, how does that connect to my first paragraph?
When I finished my time in the Word yesterday, I sat down to blog & had about 4 ideas running through my head again. So I began to write, and the most WONDERFUL thing happened. As I was writing about the things God has been working me through, my blues went away. Thinking on God's Greatness just drove away my yucky downer attitude-- at least for a while. I've told you before that generally when God feeds me well, it means He's going to "work me out" in the near future. Within just a couple of hours I was yelling at my kids & worrying, but very quickly He convicted me & reminded me to "Believe in [Him]." I cannot understand why He is so patient with me!
"Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:1-6
Monday, August 6, 2012
Growing Pains
Growing is HARD WORK! It starts way back at the beginning, too. Moms suffer "growing pains" during pregnancy. These are variable, starting as early as the first weeks and being as mild as fatigue, and ranging to extreme discomfort toward the end and even feeling like you are being bruised from the inside out! I would assume that the baby in the womb suffers at least a bit of discomfort as well when his or her "hotel" goes from "roomy" to "cramped". ;)
Then there is one of the first BIG milestones for a baby: teething. Just the sight of that word may make some of you mama's cringe. =) We've probably all cried as our babies whine and moan through the teething process. Then in just a few years, you have to pull those little boogers out! =P For some kids, there are also leg cramps as their little muscles try to keep up with whatever else is growing.
Obviously I'm working out an analogy here. God chooses to speak to us in His Word using experiences and pictures we can understand. Now I know that all analogies fall short, but they are given to us to HELP us understand. God delights to make Himself KNOWN to us! So, growing pains: We all know that growing up physically is, or at least can be, painful. We seem to forget that "growing up" spiritually can, and often is, much more painful because our sin nature is so "sticky"! =P Be encouraged! If you are a believer, pain--> growth. And when we grow to be more like Christ, He is glorified. And that was why we were created!
What is the chief end of man?
Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.
Then there is one of the first BIG milestones for a baby: teething. Just the sight of that word may make some of you mama's cringe. =) We've probably all cried as our babies whine and moan through the teething process. Then in just a few years, you have to pull those little boogers out! =P For some kids, there are also leg cramps as their little muscles try to keep up with whatever else is growing.
Obviously I'm working out an analogy here. God chooses to speak to us in His Word using experiences and pictures we can understand. Now I know that all analogies fall short, but they are given to us to HELP us understand. God delights to make Himself KNOWN to us! So, growing pains: We all know that growing up physically is, or at least can be, painful. We seem to forget that "growing up" spiritually can, and often is, much more painful because our sin nature is so "sticky"! =P Be encouraged! If you are a believer, pain--> growth. And when we grow to be more like Christ, He is glorified. And that was why we were created!
What is the chief end of man?
Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Not enough time...
Time is such a relative thing! Remember when we were kids & summer felt like it lasted forever? Or how it felt like years between each Christmas? Or how a 15 minute car trip seemed to go on FOREVER? Now that I'm an adult each year seems to fly by faster than the year before!
There are SO MANY things that I'd like to do! I've got dozens of projects waiting for me to get around to them. There are stacks of books that I'd like to read. I'd like to learn a couple more languages... You get the idea! =) I'm sure each of you has a list of "like to's" as well. But the plain & simple fact of the matter is that I have a limited amount of time. There are only 24 hours in every day, only 7 days in each week, and only 52 weeks for each of my 29 years.
It has been a big struggle for me since Shorty & I had our first child to accept the time that has been given to me. My problem is that I want to do what I WANT to do, but what NEEDS to be done keeps getting in the way. Recently I have been convicted that I need to be content with the time that the Lord DOES entrust to me, & make the most of it, rather than wishing for more time.
A Prayer of Moses, the man of God. Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You return man to dust and say, "Return, O children of man!" For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night. You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning: in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers. For we are brought to an end by your anger; by your wrath we are dismayed. You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. For all our days pass away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh. The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you? So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Return, O LORD! How long? Have pity on your servants! Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen evil. 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 90:1-17
There are SO MANY things that I'd like to do! I've got dozens of projects waiting for me to get around to them. There are stacks of books that I'd like to read. I'd like to learn a couple more languages... You get the idea! =) I'm sure each of you has a list of "like to's" as well. But the plain & simple fact of the matter is that I have a limited amount of time. There are only 24 hours in every day, only 7 days in each week, and only 52 weeks for each of my 29 years.
It has been a big struggle for me since Shorty & I had our first child to accept the time that has been given to me. My problem is that I want to do what I WANT to do, but what NEEDS to be done keeps getting in the way. Recently I have been convicted that I need to be content with the time that the Lord DOES entrust to me, & make the most of it, rather than wishing for more time.
A Prayer of Moses, the man of God. Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You return man to dust and say, "Return, O children of man!" For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, or as a watch in the night. You sweep them away as with a flood; they are like a dream, like grass that is renewed in the morning: in the morning it flourishes and is renewed; in the evening it fades and withers. For we are brought to an end by your anger; by your wrath we are dismayed. You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. For all our days pass away under your wrath; we bring our years to an end like a sigh. The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you? So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Return, O LORD! How long? Have pity on your servants! Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen evil. 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 90:1-17
Friday, August 3, 2012
Give No Offense...
I was reading in 1 Corinthians, & was struck anew by my responsibility to try NOT to offend. That can be a bit difficult, given my coffee flavored personality! It would be easier if I followed the advice, "Think twice, speak once." Sadly, my mouth often runs away before I've thought of how my comments may sound to my listener. =(
Our pastor said in a sermon recently that the message of Christianity can be offensive, but we should strive not to be offensive in our manner. That is a very fine line to walk! And being a sinner, I'm sure that even when I'm trying, I often fail. Praise be to God for His grace!!! Please, Christian brothers & sisters, remember that our own "little" sins are as horrific in the eyes of our God, as any "big" sins that we may prefer to harp on. Let's repent, & strive to bring the gospel to the lost with a spirit of love...
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.
1 Corinthians 10:31-33
Our pastor said in a sermon recently that the message of Christianity can be offensive, but we should strive not to be offensive in our manner. That is a very fine line to walk! And being a sinner, I'm sure that even when I'm trying, I often fail. Praise be to God for His grace!!! Please, Christian brothers & sisters, remember that our own "little" sins are as horrific in the eyes of our God, as any "big" sins that we may prefer to harp on. Let's repent, & strive to bring the gospel to the lost with a spirit of love...
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.
1 Corinthians 10:31-33
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Warts and All
The phrase "warts and all" has taken on a whole new meaning for me. I had never had a wart until about a year ago. Then all of a sudden I had a wart pop up on the middle finger of my right hand. It was really an "all of a sudden" kind of thing, too. One day it wasn't there, and the next day it was! =P
Here's the interesting thing. I've pondered how God is so faithful to show us the PEOPLE in the Bible "warts and all". We see them in their faithfulness, and also in their "near-stellar failures". ;) So here's the interesting thing about warts-- or mine, at least. When it first popped up, it hurt. It actually hurt a lot for a couple of weeks, but then it started to get calloused & it really didn't hurt most of the time-- unless my activity was pulling at the edges of it. But recently, Shorty & I ordered some green clay that is supposed to remove warts. I thought, "Great! No more bump on my middle finger!" =) I had no idea that it would actually HURT to have it removed! =P I mean, I knew that if I went to the doctor & had it burned off it would hurt, but I thought a little mud on it would be painless. When I put the green clay on the first night, it didn't hurt. It started to itch after a few minutes, but a little itch is easily ignored. By the following morning, though, my finger was very tender! The wart is going away, but it is a slow, and somewhat painful process.
And now I'm back to sanctification. God is just really working in me to make me aware of the sanctification process in my life, & I think trying to get through to me that it is painful because sin is SO MUCH a part of me! =P And as I ponder the depth of the sin that laces and taints EVERY part of my being, I AM AMAZED at God's patience with me! And amazed at the price He supplied through Christ to pay for my sin! =)
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
Here's the interesting thing. I've pondered how God is so faithful to show us the PEOPLE in the Bible "warts and all". We see them in their faithfulness, and also in their "near-stellar failures". ;) So here's the interesting thing about warts-- or mine, at least. When it first popped up, it hurt. It actually hurt a lot for a couple of weeks, but then it started to get calloused & it really didn't hurt most of the time-- unless my activity was pulling at the edges of it. But recently, Shorty & I ordered some green clay that is supposed to remove warts. I thought, "Great! No more bump on my middle finger!" =) I had no idea that it would actually HURT to have it removed! =P I mean, I knew that if I went to the doctor & had it burned off it would hurt, but I thought a little mud on it would be painless. When I put the green clay on the first night, it didn't hurt. It started to itch after a few minutes, but a little itch is easily ignored. By the following morning, though, my finger was very tender! The wart is going away, but it is a slow, and somewhat painful process.
And now I'm back to sanctification. God is just really working in me to make me aware of the sanctification process in my life, & I think trying to get through to me that it is painful because sin is SO MUCH a part of me! =P And as I ponder the depth of the sin that laces and taints EVERY part of my being, I AM AMAZED at God's patience with me! And amazed at the price He supplied through Christ to pay for my sin! =)
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
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Conspicuously Absent
If you've been reading my blog, you will have noticed that I am a thinker. I actually considered naming my blog "Thoughts Pondered". =) I have also mentioned that I get lots of time to think in the summer when I'm working on my many projects. Last week, I listened to many messages both from a recent women's conference that my pastor's wife attended, others by a pastor that a brother at church recommended, and also several sermons that I've missed at my home church in recent weeks.
A Scripture passage that seemed to be referenced often (it could just be that it was the one that stuck with me! ;)) was Romans 8:28-30:
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Romans 8:28-30
I was talking to Shorty about this, & I asked him what was missing from that verse. I told him that I always want to insert "sanctified" between "justified" and "glorified". So I had been pondering that for several days last week... I told Shorty that I think "sanctified" is conspicuously absent because it is a process. I've never met a Christian who doesn't believe in God's work of making his people more like Christ. As I was thinking about it, the "foreknew" is something that is just innate to God, you know, the whole "omniscient" thing. =) The "predestined" and "called" are kind of immediately flowing from the "foreknew". And the "justified" and "glorified"-- (even though we are not glorified YET, it is a DEFINITE eventuality!)-- are both instantaneous.
But sanctification is a rather LLLOOOOONNNGGG process! ;) I mentioned yesterday that I was nervous about what God had in store for me. The general pattern holds: I had a rich meal in the Word, and then He REALLY worked out my spiritual "muscles". By the time Shorty came in at lunch, I was frazzled and no longer fighting my sin. But God is so FAITHFUL! One of the first things that Shorty said to me was, "I really enjoyed your blog this morning." And I went, "OOPS! Like I said, near-stellar failure!" =P But that comment served to draw me back into the battle, & my attitude improved. =) God is so GRACIOUS! =) And just like being glorified is CERTAIN, so is the process of sanctification. =)
A Scripture passage that seemed to be referenced often (it could just be that it was the one that stuck with me! ;)) was Romans 8:28-30:
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Romans 8:28-30
I was talking to Shorty about this, & I asked him what was missing from that verse. I told him that I always want to insert "sanctified" between "justified" and "glorified". So I had been pondering that for several days last week... I told Shorty that I think "sanctified" is conspicuously absent because it is a process. I've never met a Christian who doesn't believe in God's work of making his people more like Christ. As I was thinking about it, the "foreknew" is something that is just innate to God, you know, the whole "omniscient" thing. =) The "predestined" and "called" are kind of immediately flowing from the "foreknew". And the "justified" and "glorified"-- (even though we are not glorified YET, it is a DEFINITE eventuality!)-- are both instantaneous.
But sanctification is a rather LLLOOOOONNNGGG process! ;) I mentioned yesterday that I was nervous about what God had in store for me. The general pattern holds: I had a rich meal in the Word, and then He REALLY worked out my spiritual "muscles". By the time Shorty came in at lunch, I was frazzled and no longer fighting my sin. But God is so FAITHFUL! One of the first things that Shorty said to me was, "I really enjoyed your blog this morning." And I went, "OOPS! Like I said, near-stellar failure!" =P But that comment served to draw me back into the battle, & my attitude improved. =) God is so GRACIOUS! =) And just like being glorified is CERTAIN, so is the process of sanctification. =)
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