We can get so distracted in life.
We are kids and all we get focused on is becoming "grown ups", we get to be an adult and all we think about is getting married, we get married and have children and get sucked into the daily routines and demands and forget what the real point is.....what is the real point of all that anyway?
I was thinking about this and read something that really took life back a step for me. As a Christian, I get focused on being like Jesus. We are supposed to be continually sanctified after all (which basically means changed to be more like Him). This is a good and Biblical principal. However, we can become focused on being more like Jesus and I am not convinced that is the point of the Book.
In John 20:30-31, the subtitle in the NKJV is: The Purpose of this Book. Then, it goes on to explain that
(after telling the gospel story of Jesus' life and death and resurrection), there were many other things Jesus did that weren't written down in the Book. The purpose (or the MAIN POINT) was so that through what was written down, you would a) know that Jesus was the Christ, b) believe in Him, and c) have eternal life in His name!
So, the whole point of the Book can be summed up in those three points. However, the one that really stuck out to me this time is that there is nothing in there about us becoming more like Jesus.... I don't think He is up in heaven gauging as to how far we have come along in life...
I see from this that he is only concerned with three things. Do we know Him? Do we believe Him? Are we enjoying the eternal life he offers, which starts now? Being like Him will follow these three things but if we get our focus on trying so hard to be good (like Him), the enjoyment of eternal life gets lost...
Enjoy Him, know Him, and believe Him today!
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
The Golden Rule Revealed
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. - Matthew 7:12
A short post today about a continuing revelation I am having (over the period of four years now)...
I was in a funk. You know, that kind of mood where all you want is for somebody to see you. I mean really see you for your heart, your intentions, all the positive things you are trying to do and be...
I was getting ready in the bathroom alone (which rarely happens with four children), and was conversing with the Lord, and myself, about the situation. I was lamenting about the fact that I feel, to be blatantly honest, that I am an encourager and initiator with most people in my life and while I enjoy the beauty of being a tiny part of "wooing" them into the future that God has for them, I also feel very lonely and "forgotten" most of the time. Let's face it, people like to be encouraged but for many reasons, some of which I know and I am sure some of which I don't, they are pretty bad at encouraging.
As I continued, a new friend came to my mind but I barely paid attention because I wished someone would call me...(even writing that makes me realize how selfish I am!)
Then a tiny little glimmer of a thought floated through my brain..."pray for her or call her."
I almost didn't entertain it as it was me who needed the encouraging today, right? HA! But, I did what I wanted someone to do for me in that moment. I prayed a simple and short prayer for her. I prayed peace in her life and that she would be uplifted in His arms today. Then, I texted her that I was thinking about her and that she was loved and thought about.
About five minutes later, I got the text. Now, it does not always happen this way but the Lord must have known I needed it today.
She thanked me for sending the text and said it was just what she needed that day! Wow! My seemingly insignificant prayer for this woman was what she needed...all of the sudden, this was bigger than my need or her need. It was a God moment. I wanted someone to tell me how awesome I was. Just anyone didn't do that; HE did that! I blessed someone, and in return, He blessed me through confirming that 1) I hear His voice, 2) When I follow it, I get what I need (maybe not exactly what I want).
So, her text said that what I wrote blessed her and gave her what she needed to hear that day and she cried and then, when the Lord confirmed His love for me by reading her reply, so did I...
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. - Matthew 7:12
Friday, August 9, 2013
Un-doing....or not?
I have been un-doing for around two months now. It has been going pretty well, especially at first. But then again, when do things not go well at first? I was not saying yes to everything, I was trying to figure out a Sabbath rest day each week and keep it, I was eating well (yes, this does have a large impact on our ability to do...everything), and I was resting better...BUT
I heard a podcast that Joyce Meyer did the other day on Thinking Like God Thinks, and she told a story that hit me right between the eyes. She said she was in the passenger's seat of a car riding home. She had entered her subdivision already but wasn't quite home yet. She was thinking about what she was going to do as soon as she got home and apparently, she got so consumed with the thought of what she was going to do, she started to open the door of the car to get out! Woah!
The point is this: are you present where you are? Ironically, this is a Biblical concept, however I first learned of it in a Tai Chi class I took in college. To break it down for ya, I am saying that we have a problem being somewhere physically, but not mentally. What that really means is that when we engage in daydreaming, or even planning out what we are going or should do, we aren't really there at all, even if our physical bodies are present!
So, why is this important? I have an example for you: my husband and I both share the love language of quality time. This means we both feel loved when we get to spend time with the other. So, we try hard to spend a lot of time together. I feel "cheated" and un-loved though when we are sitting in the same room but doing something like watching a movie. Why? because we are both focused on the movie and not fully present with each other.
What does this mean in regards to my relationship with un-doing? Well, this is a very important concept when we look at being a New Testament believer. The Old Testament would have us stop and take a 24 hour period where we are not doing things like working in the field, washing clothes, cleaning, or fixing meals. That is all good stuff but the NT would have us take it a step further. It is now a heart/mind issue. Not only am I asked to not do some of the physical things that tend to wear me down during the week, but am asked to lay down my mind for a 24 hour period every week so I can avoid the mental things that drain me and be fully present with the One who fills me up! And take this a step beyond that and it translates into our lives in all areas. Why? Because when we are fully engaged an present (mind, body and spirit), we can be the most effective servants for the King!
Not only will this help us to be more effective, it will also, like Joyce Meyer's story, prevent us from making mistakes in whatever we get into each day! It actually makes us more productive.
I heard a podcast that Joyce Meyer did the other day on Thinking Like God Thinks, and she told a story that hit me right between the eyes. She said she was in the passenger's seat of a car riding home. She had entered her subdivision already but wasn't quite home yet. She was thinking about what she was going to do as soon as she got home and apparently, she got so consumed with the thought of what she was going to do, she started to open the door of the car to get out! Woah!
The point is this: are you present where you are? Ironically, this is a Biblical concept, however I first learned of it in a Tai Chi class I took in college. To break it down for ya, I am saying that we have a problem being somewhere physically, but not mentally. What that really means is that when we engage in daydreaming, or even planning out what we are going or should do, we aren't really there at all, even if our physical bodies are present!
So, why is this important? I have an example for you: my husband and I both share the love language of quality time. This means we both feel loved when we get to spend time with the other. So, we try hard to spend a lot of time together. I feel "cheated" and un-loved though when we are sitting in the same room but doing something like watching a movie. Why? because we are both focused on the movie and not fully present with each other.
What does this mean in regards to my relationship with un-doing? Well, this is a very important concept when we look at being a New Testament believer. The Old Testament would have us stop and take a 24 hour period where we are not doing things like working in the field, washing clothes, cleaning, or fixing meals. That is all good stuff but the NT would have us take it a step further. It is now a heart/mind issue. Not only am I asked to not do some of the physical things that tend to wear me down during the week, but am asked to lay down my mind for a 24 hour period every week so I can avoid the mental things that drain me and be fully present with the One who fills me up! And take this a step beyond that and it translates into our lives in all areas. Why? Because when we are fully engaged an present (mind, body and spirit), we can be the most effective servants for the King!
Not only will this help us to be more effective, it will also, like Joyce Meyer's story, prevent us from making mistakes in whatever we get into each day! It actually makes us more productive.
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Clean eating revolution
We have been off and on (mostly on) this clean eating regime now for 2 1/2 weeks. It is not being viewed as a diet, rather as a lifestyle which is why I think it has worked so well for us!
My husband had hit a plateau in his weight loss for almost a year now. In the last two weeks however, he has blown it out of the water, loosing another 6 lbs.! He weighs the lowest he has been since college!
I laugh though because he came in today and asked me if we could go out and buy him some new shorts since he can take his off now without unbuttoning them! :D Yay! And now he is putting on a belt to suffice until we can get to the store :) Oh, the life.....
My husband had hit a plateau in his weight loss for almost a year now. In the last two weeks however, he has blown it out of the water, loosing another 6 lbs.! He weighs the lowest he has been since college!
I laugh though because he came in today and asked me if we could go out and buy him some new shorts since he can take his off now without unbuttoning them! :D Yay! And now he is putting on a belt to suffice until we can get to the store :) Oh, the life.....
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Addicted to doing
So I have been struggling writing this one for some time now...
I was convicted (not condemned, you need to know the difference and that is a whole other blog, but ask if you want to know) of being addicted to doing.
What is addicted to doing?
Addiction is defined as: The condition of being habitually or compulsively occupied with or involved in something.
Doing is defined as: The performance of an act.- www.thefreedictionary.com
So, addicted to doing involves being habitually or compulsively occupied with or involved in performing an act; specific to Christianity, performing "good" and "righteous" acts that actually interfere with your ability to RELATE to Christ and the Father. Moreover, you will find that when you are addicted to doing, you will forsake time with Him so that you can accomplish more (even if it is accomplishing more "for the kingdom").
Why is it important that we understand this concept and renounce it?
Let me explain this with a parable.
Luke 10_38-42 Martha and Mary
How do we renounce and repent of this addiction?
Well, we do this by doing the same as we do when we are convicted of any other sin. God simply asks us to turn. This is the way we accept His gift. When we do, certain outcomes are promised. If we don't, or we "turn back", alternate outcomes are promised.- Acts 17:11 Bible Studies
Another part of disowning this addiction is to replace the addicted behavior with a God-given counter behavior. The more I learn about it, the more I am convinced that the counter to "doing" is "being". More practically, acknowledging the Sabbath.
Sabbath rest is something you can not get by sleeping eight hours every night. It is not playing video games or checking your brain out to a good book. To learn more about what it is, I will have to write another blog! Part of it is squashing the pride in you that says you can do more than what your physical imitations should allow. It is simply taking a 24 hour period once a week to rest, acknowledge His lordship in your life, and refresh for the coming week ahead.
So, with that said, I am going to go have a mini-Sabbath rest! I hope you all take the time to honor God in that way as well!
I was convicted (not condemned, you need to know the difference and that is a whole other blog, but ask if you want to know) of being addicted to doing.
What is addicted to doing?
Addiction is defined as: The condition of being habitually or compulsively occupied with or involved in something.
Doing is defined as: The performance of an act.- www.thefreedictionary.com
So, addicted to doing involves being habitually or compulsively occupied with or involved in performing an act; specific to Christianity, performing "good" and "righteous" acts that actually interfere with your ability to RELATE to Christ and the Father. Moreover, you will find that when you are addicted to doing, you will forsake time with Him so that you can accomplish more (even if it is accomplishing more "for the kingdom").
Why is it important that we understand this concept and renounce it?
Let me explain this with a parable.
Luke 10_38-42 Martha and Mary
38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
Even Martha was corrected for having the drive to do things (which were good and necessary) at a time when Jesus wanted to RELATE. We need to know the difference between "faith without works is dead" and not giving Jesus room to have a proper grace-filed relationship with us.How do we renounce and repent of this addiction?
Well, we do this by doing the same as we do when we are convicted of any other sin. God simply asks us to turn. This is the way we accept His gift. When we do, certain outcomes are promised. If we don't, or we "turn back", alternate outcomes are promised.- Acts 17:11 Bible Studies
Another part of disowning this addiction is to replace the addicted behavior with a God-given counter behavior. The more I learn about it, the more I am convinced that the counter to "doing" is "being". More practically, acknowledging the Sabbath.
Sabbath rest is something you can not get by sleeping eight hours every night. It is not playing video games or checking your brain out to a good book. To learn more about what it is, I will have to write another blog! Part of it is squashing the pride in you that says you can do more than what your physical imitations should allow. It is simply taking a 24 hour period once a week to rest, acknowledge His lordship in your life, and refresh for the coming week ahead.
So, with that said, I am going to go have a mini-Sabbath rest! I hope you all take the time to honor God in that way as well!
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Food Matters
Ugh.......
I have been really really struggling with a concept for a while and I need to get it out.
Growing up and especially in my early adult years, I heard from people and doctors, " wow, you are so skinny! You need to gain some weight." Among other issues, one of this things that did for me was cause me to try and gain weight. I ate and ate whatever, whenever I wanted. A bowl of Lucky Charms before bed, Oreos for breakfast, cake for lunch.....you get my drift. All this time, I never gained weight but I felt horrible! Looking back now, I laugh thinking if people really knew what I ate, they would cringe.... :-)
So fast forward to today....I have semi-horrible eating habits still which have only been improved because I don't want to be a bad example to my kids and my hubby doesn't like to have all that junk in the house because he gains weight easily. I have still been feeling like I am not operating at my best though. I started taking a multi-vitamin regularly but it only helped a little. Then I started learning about food. No, I mean real food, not the stuff you see in the middle of the store but the stuff we are made to survive on. I have been watching a couple of documentaries on it, reading material I have found, and praying a lot about it. Now, I am convinced to change my eating habits. I am doing this by starting to eat clean. But I am not happy about it yet....just another lesson in doing something you're asked to do and knowing that you are not controlled by your emotions, right?
So why? Just to feel better? NO! Did you know that vitamins can heal disease? Enough vitamin C cures cancer! High doses of vitamin B6 (niacin) blows clinical depression away! So, why don't we know about it? We can if we look. America just doesn't practice these cures for disease. I want a quality life while I am here so I can be effective for the Kingdom and I am now convinced that starts with food! Food matters!
So, I have some things I am hoping to see change. I will keep you updated as to whether or not they do and maybe you will be inspired too!
I have been really really struggling with a concept for a while and I need to get it out.
Growing up and especially in my early adult years, I heard from people and doctors, " wow, you are so skinny! You need to gain some weight." Among other issues, one of this things that did for me was cause me to try and gain weight. I ate and ate whatever, whenever I wanted. A bowl of Lucky Charms before bed, Oreos for breakfast, cake for lunch.....you get my drift. All this time, I never gained weight but I felt horrible! Looking back now, I laugh thinking if people really knew what I ate, they would cringe.... :-)
So fast forward to today....I have semi-horrible eating habits still which have only been improved because I don't want to be a bad example to my kids and my hubby doesn't like to have all that junk in the house because he gains weight easily. I have still been feeling like I am not operating at my best though. I started taking a multi-vitamin regularly but it only helped a little. Then I started learning about food. No, I mean real food, not the stuff you see in the middle of the store but the stuff we are made to survive on. I have been watching a couple of documentaries on it, reading material I have found, and praying a lot about it. Now, I am convinced to change my eating habits. I am doing this by starting to eat clean. But I am not happy about it yet....just another lesson in doing something you're asked to do and knowing that you are not controlled by your emotions, right?
So why? Just to feel better? NO! Did you know that vitamins can heal disease? Enough vitamin C cures cancer! High doses of vitamin B6 (niacin) blows clinical depression away! So, why don't we know about it? We can if we look. America just doesn't practice these cures for disease. I want a quality life while I am here so I can be effective for the Kingdom and I am now convinced that starts with food! Food matters!
So, I have some things I am hoping to see change. I will keep you updated as to whether or not they do and maybe you will be inspired too!
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Chicken Soup for the Spirit
"Oh satisfy us early with your mercy, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days!" Psalms 90:14
When I was a kid, my family liked the Chicken Soup for the Soul books. I remember, even as a grade-schooler, sitting on the couch for an hour or more, reading story after story in those books and I didn't even enjoy reading! I think I read them because something in me yearned for the hope that they gave. I wanted to believe that in life, with all its twists, turns, and bumpy roads, there was something glimmering in the distance that provided me with a reason to go on and think that things would ultimately be okay. But enough was never enough. I was left wanting something more.
Then, I became a follower of Christ. I believed in The Hope of salvation. I knew that whatever happened in this life, there was something to look forward to: eternity with my Daddy. I would picture the party that was going on up in heaven (some people dream about the streets paved with gold, some love to think on the questions they will get to ask the saints that have gone before and some are comforted by seeing their loved-ones)! I imagined a party where Jesus was doing the "Carlton" and Peter was walking so boldly up to the Father and giving him a high five (fist pumps weren't cool back then).
However, I still tried to cling to any hope on earth I could find. Don't get me wrong, I know the Bible is filled with hope for eternity and a future. In fact, it kind of drives me nuts when someone has a bad day and the verse about Him giving us a hope and a future gets used so flippantly because it goes so much deeper than that (but that is another story). I would even tell people that we have a hope in Jesus that he never leaves us nor forsakes us, but it is really the true test to see how we live.
I am not sure when it happened, but at some point in my adult life, I decided that I didn't want to live my life, getting beat up and plundered during the week only to come crawling through the doors of Church on Sunday morning begging for a morsel of "food" from Him. But I was left with a variety of questions...how do you not be that way? what acts as food in your spiritual life? Can you combat the attacks successfully? And if so, how?
Fast forward some years in my life and I am now a church planter, senior pastor, mom who is trying to teach my children, and general mentor to a few people. I was sitting in Starbucks with a re-kindled relationship God blessed me with. We were talking about preaching. God had asked her to share something that went against the status quo for Sundays. I encouraged her to do it because it sounded like the Lord to me. It was simple. It was filled with truth. It was the story of mercy. And, it went with my motto: it is always simple but it isn't always easy!
Then we spoke a few days later and something came out of my mouth that was totally the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit said to us, "You need to go and tell them what I have said because my people are hungry and this might be the only "food" they get all week." Wow! Even Peter in Acts preached the same thing over and over. What was it? The mercy message of the gospel. Could that be the food people are looking for? Could that one message alone be what satisfies my Spirit over and over again?
That single message is food for our Spirit. It says that there is a God, who is real. He has the power to speak things into existence. He also has the power to annihilate you with a word but He chose not to. He is your Daddy who, when humankind screwed everything up and made it impossible to be with Him, went to great lengths to get you back! He is the one who is the definition of what I sought for so long: He has the power (and the right) to punish you and still he chooses to give you grace and forgiveness. Hallelujah! He is the happy ending to your story! He is the Hope to your life! And He is the food for your Spirit....
When I was a kid, my family liked the Chicken Soup for the Soul books. I remember, even as a grade-schooler, sitting on the couch for an hour or more, reading story after story in those books and I didn't even enjoy reading! I think I read them because something in me yearned for the hope that they gave. I wanted to believe that in life, with all its twists, turns, and bumpy roads, there was something glimmering in the distance that provided me with a reason to go on and think that things would ultimately be okay. But enough was never enough. I was left wanting something more.
Then, I became a follower of Christ. I believed in The Hope of salvation. I knew that whatever happened in this life, there was something to look forward to: eternity with my Daddy. I would picture the party that was going on up in heaven (some people dream about the streets paved with gold, some love to think on the questions they will get to ask the saints that have gone before and some are comforted by seeing their loved-ones)! I imagined a party where Jesus was doing the "Carlton" and Peter was walking so boldly up to the Father and giving him a high five (fist pumps weren't cool back then).
However, I still tried to cling to any hope on earth I could find. Don't get me wrong, I know the Bible is filled with hope for eternity and a future. In fact, it kind of drives me nuts when someone has a bad day and the verse about Him giving us a hope and a future gets used so flippantly because it goes so much deeper than that (but that is another story). I would even tell people that we have a hope in Jesus that he never leaves us nor forsakes us, but it is really the true test to see how we live.
I am not sure when it happened, but at some point in my adult life, I decided that I didn't want to live my life, getting beat up and plundered during the week only to come crawling through the doors of Church on Sunday morning begging for a morsel of "food" from Him. But I was left with a variety of questions...how do you not be that way? what acts as food in your spiritual life? Can you combat the attacks successfully? And if so, how?
Fast forward some years in my life and I am now a church planter, senior pastor, mom who is trying to teach my children, and general mentor to a few people. I was sitting in Starbucks with a re-kindled relationship God blessed me with. We were talking about preaching. God had asked her to share something that went against the status quo for Sundays. I encouraged her to do it because it sounded like the Lord to me. It was simple. It was filled with truth. It was the story of mercy. And, it went with my motto: it is always simple but it isn't always easy!
Then we spoke a few days later and something came out of my mouth that was totally the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit said to us, "You need to go and tell them what I have said because my people are hungry and this might be the only "food" they get all week." Wow! Even Peter in Acts preached the same thing over and over. What was it? The mercy message of the gospel. Could that be the food people are looking for? Could that one message alone be what satisfies my Spirit over and over again?
That single message is food for our Spirit. It says that there is a God, who is real. He has the power to speak things into existence. He also has the power to annihilate you with a word but He chose not to. He is your Daddy who, when humankind screwed everything up and made it impossible to be with Him, went to great lengths to get you back! He is the one who is the definition of what I sought for so long: He has the power (and the right) to punish you and still he chooses to give you grace and forgiveness. Hallelujah! He is the happy ending to your story! He is the Hope to your life! And He is the food for your Spirit....
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