It has been a week since I have last written, in this blog or anywhere else. At first I did not write because I was finished with my "Lenten blog", then I just kind of got distracted by other things. Some of the things were good, and then some were just stupid distractions.
I had a conversation with a friend today, and she helped remind me that I cannot be distracted from the job God gives me to do. Foremost that is to keep Him first and my family second. If I can keep those two in order, then God will be in a position to give me wisdom to prioritize the rest.
I was struck by Deuteronomy 31:6 today, it says:
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
When I keep God first, I know that whatever happens is not a surprise to my Lord, and that He will clear my path of distractions, or things that He does not want me to deal with. When I run off ahead of Him though, I tend to think of the path and my direction more than the God who I am walking with. I may get distracted or I may take a wrong turn and come upon something that I was never intended to see or hear.
I praise God that He goes before me! And I pray He helps me to stay in my place, so I do not have to be afraid....
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Praise God from whom all blessings flow...
Tomorrow is Easter, and the end of my Lenten experiment. So for the last day of writing in this blog, I decided to go to the end of the Easter story. In Matthew 28:1-10 two women came to the tomb that morning, and found the stone rolled away. An angel spoke to them, and told them that Christ is risen from the dead. When they went to go and tell the disciples, Jesus Himself appeared to the women. They immediately fell at His feet and worshiped Him.
As a woman, I am thankful for this example in God's word. It was two women who first saw Jesus that resurrection morning. It reminds me that while the Bible is filled with great men of God, there were women that He used for His good purposes also.
It reminds me, that God can use this woman for His good purposes. "For nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1:37
As a woman, I am thankful for this example in God's word. It was two women who first saw Jesus that resurrection morning. It reminds me that while the Bible is filled with great men of God, there were women that He used for His good purposes also.
It reminds me, that God can use this woman for His good purposes. "For nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1:37
Friday, April 10, 2009
Through the refiners fire....
"Sorrow is better than laughter,
for sadness has a refining influence on us." Ecclesiastes 7:3
Life is short...only God knows the number of days we have on this earth. That thought was on my mind today, so I started looking in the Bible, because I knew God would have something to say about it. That is how I came to the verse in Ecclesiastes.
Yesterday, a young man was killed by a drunk driver. This man in the car happened to be a rookie with the Anaheim Angels baseball team. He was twenty-two years old, and had just pitched his first major league game the night before. They say that he pitched a fantastic game, there was a bright future waiting for this young man. It all ended in a moment. My heart goes out to all of the families involved, there were two other people in the car who also lost their lives. With one more seriously injured, who is now in the hospital.
With their loss, I am reminded that God does not promise us a certain number of days. With that thought, I wonder...am I using my days wisely? Fulfilling my role God has planned for me? Do I have time to sit back and let opportunities pass me by, because I think I will have another chance?
It scares me to think of chances that may have passed me by. That is my prayer for myself, and for all of us. That we take the opportunities that God presents to us and to not put off what we know is good.
for sadness has a refining influence on us." Ecclesiastes 7:3
Life is short...only God knows the number of days we have on this earth. That thought was on my mind today, so I started looking in the Bible, because I knew God would have something to say about it. That is how I came to the verse in Ecclesiastes.
Yesterday, a young man was killed by a drunk driver. This man in the car happened to be a rookie with the Anaheim Angels baseball team. He was twenty-two years old, and had just pitched his first major league game the night before. They say that he pitched a fantastic game, there was a bright future waiting for this young man. It all ended in a moment. My heart goes out to all of the families involved, there were two other people in the car who also lost their lives. With one more seriously injured, who is now in the hospital.
With their loss, I am reminded that God does not promise us a certain number of days. With that thought, I wonder...am I using my days wisely? Fulfilling my role God has planned for me? Do I have time to sit back and let opportunities pass me by, because I think I will have another chance?
It scares me to think of chances that may have passed me by. That is my prayer for myself, and for all of us. That we take the opportunities that God presents to us and to not put off what we know is good.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Assume the position.....
Today is Passover, and while I am a Christian I tend to think more of how God freed His people from bondage in Egypt than of the last supper. I love the story of the exodus. One of my favorite bible passages is the song of praise the people sing in Exodus 15, it ends "Sing to the Lord, for He is highly exalted; The horse and his rider He has hurled into the sea." Love it!!
So because I don't tend to spend much time with the last supper, I decided I had better read it again. I was interested to find that only the gospel of John relays the story of Jesus washing the disciples feet. Now we observe communion at various times of the year, and in some churches they do it every week. Why don't we observe the example of feet washing? I have actually participated in the tradition once. It was done tentatively, with a few giggles, but I do not really think it had the same spirit.
I am sure my feet were not spotless, but they did not have the dirt of dusty streets. I had the luxury of shower that morning, with hot water and soap. A much different scene than what would have met Jesus that day. When my feet were washed there was no scrubbing, someone just rinsed off my feet and dried them off.
I can see Jesus in my minds eye, down on His knees having to scrub so that the dirt from the many miles they traveled would come off. I can imagine the disciples not being comfortable at first, but then they start to relax as Jesus massages their feet as He dries them. Maybe they felt relaxed and a little humbled when He was done. Who doesn't feel relaxed after a good pedicure?
I think of those who do not have the luxury of hot water and soap. Those who live on the fringe of society, and do not have the simple ability to wash daily. How would it feel for them to have their feet gently scrubbed, with fragrant soap and massaged dry? Now for me the real question is, would I be willing to reach out and do that for them? Or even just shake their hand? Jesus said in John 13:14 ..."You also ought to wash one another's feet."
Would I be able to put aside any pre-conceived notions and reach out and touch someone in this circumstance? I would like to think yes, that I would be able to do it. While that may be true....Am I doing it?
It does not matter if I think I would do it or not, if I do not step out and put myself in the position where I would have the opportunity. That is the million dollar question....do I want to position myself to do good?
So because I don't tend to spend much time with the last supper, I decided I had better read it again. I was interested to find that only the gospel of John relays the story of Jesus washing the disciples feet. Now we observe communion at various times of the year, and in some churches they do it every week. Why don't we observe the example of feet washing? I have actually participated in the tradition once. It was done tentatively, with a few giggles, but I do not really think it had the same spirit.
I am sure my feet were not spotless, but they did not have the dirt of dusty streets. I had the luxury of shower that morning, with hot water and soap. A much different scene than what would have met Jesus that day. When my feet were washed there was no scrubbing, someone just rinsed off my feet and dried them off.
I can see Jesus in my minds eye, down on His knees having to scrub so that the dirt from the many miles they traveled would come off. I can imagine the disciples not being comfortable at first, but then they start to relax as Jesus massages their feet as He dries them. Maybe they felt relaxed and a little humbled when He was done. Who doesn't feel relaxed after a good pedicure?
I think of those who do not have the luxury of hot water and soap. Those who live on the fringe of society, and do not have the simple ability to wash daily. How would it feel for them to have their feet gently scrubbed, with fragrant soap and massaged dry? Now for me the real question is, would I be willing to reach out and do that for them? Or even just shake their hand? Jesus said in John 13:14 ..."You also ought to wash one another's feet."
Would I be able to put aside any pre-conceived notions and reach out and touch someone in this circumstance? I would like to think yes, that I would be able to do it. While that may be true....Am I doing it?
It does not matter if I think I would do it or not, if I do not step out and put myself in the position where I would have the opportunity. That is the million dollar question....do I want to position myself to do good?
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Am I willing?
"...Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame.... Hebrews 12:2...
So recently I have been living in a place of expectation. Feeling that good things are going to happen...at some point. I was feeling so good for while, that it hit me hard today when I started feeling frustrated. As I tried to shake the frustration, I received an email from a co-worker. I opened it and saw that is was a devotional, with Hebrews 12:1-4 as the scripture reference.
It was that part of the verse in Hebrews that jumped out at me. Now I am not saying that the frustration I was dealing with even comes close to the agony of the cross. What I was struck by, was that Jesus knew the joy that was coming, and decided that the joy was worth the price. So I ask myself the question; Is the joy worth the price?
Unlike Jesus I do not know what the joy or the price is going to be, but I know that there will be both involved. Am I really strong enough to say yes to the price, so that I may see the joy? I know the joy and even the price will bring glory to God, but am I patient enough? Or willing? I know that by myself the answer is no, but if I am willing to say yes to God....anything is possible.
So recently I have been living in a place of expectation. Feeling that good things are going to happen...at some point. I was feeling so good for while, that it hit me hard today when I started feeling frustrated. As I tried to shake the frustration, I received an email from a co-worker. I opened it and saw that is was a devotional, with Hebrews 12:1-4 as the scripture reference.
It was that part of the verse in Hebrews that jumped out at me. Now I am not saying that the frustration I was dealing with even comes close to the agony of the cross. What I was struck by, was that Jesus knew the joy that was coming, and decided that the joy was worth the price. So I ask myself the question; Is the joy worth the price?
Unlike Jesus I do not know what the joy or the price is going to be, but I know that there will be both involved. Am I really strong enough to say yes to the price, so that I may see the joy? I know the joy and even the price will bring glory to God, but am I patient enough? Or willing? I know that by myself the answer is no, but if I am willing to say yes to God....anything is possible.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Keep watch....
I am reading the gospel accounts of the last days of Jesus, since it is almost Easter. I have a verse underlined in the 3 gospel accounts where it happens. Jesus asks the disciples to pray with Him in the garden. While there, the disciples fall asleep, not once but twice. All the while, Jesus is praying fervently, seeking God's will and strength to face what is coming next.
If the disciples had known all that would happen, would they fallen asleep? Wouldn't they have been praying so that they would not "enter into temptation", as it says in Matthew 26:41. They were not praying though, they had probably snuggled down and found a comfortable position to start praying, and instead fell asleep.
I know that the future holds a combination of good and of the not so good. At times we will all face struggle, hardship,and mourning. There will also be times of joy, good fortune and peace. The problem comes as we face each new day, and are not sure if we are going to find the good, the bad or the ugly.
What is consistent though, is whatever kind of day we face, we must start it with prayer. Just like the disciples, without bringing ourselves close to our heavenly Father, and seeking His protection, we run the risk of walking smack dab into the middle of the thing that may hurt us most. I take Jesus at His word, if he says I can pray to "not" enter into temptation, I want to do that. Like the disciples though, I find that so many times I forget what should be first, and unfortunately make it last. Easter is coming, I don't want to be found sleeping on the job.
If the disciples had known all that would happen, would they fallen asleep? Wouldn't they have been praying so that they would not "enter into temptation", as it says in Matthew 26:41. They were not praying though, they had probably snuggled down and found a comfortable position to start praying, and instead fell asleep.
I know that the future holds a combination of good and of the not so good. At times we will all face struggle, hardship,and mourning. There will also be times of joy, good fortune and peace. The problem comes as we face each new day, and are not sure if we are going to find the good, the bad or the ugly.
What is consistent though, is whatever kind of day we face, we must start it with prayer. Just like the disciples, without bringing ourselves close to our heavenly Father, and seeking His protection, we run the risk of walking smack dab into the middle of the thing that may hurt us most. I take Jesus at His word, if he says I can pray to "not" enter into temptation, I want to do that. Like the disciples though, I find that so many times I forget what should be first, and unfortunately make it last. Easter is coming, I don't want to be found sleeping on the job.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Weary....
So I was stressed as I drove to pick up my son. It was getting late, my head hurt and my voice is still not back to normal. All I wanted to do was go to bed, not go home and write in my blog. God then gently reminded me that this blog is not mine. It is the task that He has set for me at this time. And as long as I let Him be the focus, I can take heart in Matthew 11:30..."For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Which immediately brought me to Matthew 11:28..."Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
To stay working at the task that God sets before me is the key to both this blog and to my rest.
To stay working at the task that God sets before me is the key to both this blog and to my rest.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Revolution....
God uses words to talk to me. So when I hear a word over and over I make sure I listen when it is used. One of the words God has put on my heart over the last year is revolution. So it has recently come back to my attention through different mediums. So much so that I looked up the definition in the dictionary. As I kind of remembered it speaks of abrupt and complete change, usually in the political spectrum. Now I can understand God using the word in the respect that maybe I need to make a radical change, but the violent nature that is associated with the word did not sound like God.
I continued reading the definitions, and saw one that I had forgotten. Revolution also refers to "a procedure or course, as if in a circuit, back to a starting point".
So a revolution is something going around a path and coming back to the starting point. That is the very simplified version. Like the earth's revolution around the sun.
So what does that mean? Maybe He is speaking to what my life is centered around? I hate to say it...but I believe that I let myself be the center of my life way too much. I should be following the path God has for me, with Him leading the way. Instead I spin around like the earth, making a revolution.
Every time I let "me" be the center of my life, God spins me right back to where I started. Giving me another opportunity to put Him first and follow Him through each stage of my life. I hate that I continue to spin in circles, but I thank God that He brings me back to the start. That is where He is, ready to be my center again, and point me back in the correct direction.
Viva La Revolution.....
I continued reading the definitions, and saw one that I had forgotten. Revolution also refers to "a procedure or course, as if in a circuit, back to a starting point".
So a revolution is something going around a path and coming back to the starting point. That is the very simplified version. Like the earth's revolution around the sun.
So what does that mean? Maybe He is speaking to what my life is centered around? I hate to say it...but I believe that I let myself be the center of my life way too much. I should be following the path God has for me, with Him leading the way. Instead I spin around like the earth, making a revolution.
Every time I let "me" be the center of my life, God spins me right back to where I started. Giving me another opportunity to put Him first and follow Him through each stage of my life. I hate that I continue to spin in circles, but I thank God that He brings me back to the start. That is where He is, ready to be my center again, and point me back in the correct direction.
Viva La Revolution.....
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Peace....
For me, the word peace usually means quiet. Right now, I have turned off the tv and everyone is in bed. Now, I love music...and I tend to like it loud, but when I am tired or sick, loud noise bothers me a lot. Usually though, it is not too big of a problem. I turn down the radio, tell the boys to be quiet, or ask my hubby to turn down the tv.
I am thankful for that.....the fact that when I am seeking peace it usually is in reference to sound...to a quiet place. I am not looking for the peace that people seek as they live through war. Nor do I cry out for peace because of the injustice being delivered to my family. I have been blessed to be born in the United States. Not a perfect country, but a place where I can worship, live and work in relative safety. As an American, I knew that was a gift that you receive when living in this country. What I really did not realize is that Americans comprise just a small percentage of the worlds population. Which means that so many more people live without peace, than those of us who do.
I praise God for the opportunity to live in freedom and peace.
I am thankful for that.....the fact that when I am seeking peace it usually is in reference to sound...to a quiet place. I am not looking for the peace that people seek as they live through war. Nor do I cry out for peace because of the injustice being delivered to my family. I have been blessed to be born in the United States. Not a perfect country, but a place where I can worship, live and work in relative safety. As an American, I knew that was a gift that you receive when living in this country. What I really did not realize is that Americans comprise just a small percentage of the worlds population. Which means that so many more people live without peace, than those of us who do.
I praise God for the opportunity to live in freedom and peace.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Anchored...
I heard an interesting quote today...It was on Good Morning America, an ice climber fell 72 feet and survived to tell about it. I was getting ready for work...and I was just kind of listening to the story, not really paying attention. Then clear as day I heard the climber say, "I was using the wrong material for my anchor." He used a nylon rope instead of a metal carabiner as an anchor. He made what seemed like a simple mistake, but it almost cost him his life.
I was immediately struck by how profound the statement was. If we anchor our lives to something that is not solid or is weak, we may be allowed to fall into trouble. Do we anchor ourselves to our job, family or money? Choosing God, is the only solid place to lay down our very lives. What about our anchor that "connects" us to our "rock"? Is it our church, pastor or ministry? Or is it one simple relationship....Jesus.
I was immediately struck by how profound the statement was. If we anchor our lives to something that is not solid or is weak, we may be allowed to fall into trouble. Do we anchor ourselves to our job, family or money? Choosing God, is the only solid place to lay down our very lives. What about our anchor that "connects" us to our "rock"? Is it our church, pastor or ministry? Or is it one simple relationship....Jesus.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Thanks babe....
I am a little frustrated tonight. I am trying to put more information on my Facebook page. I updated some of the information, but I neglected to save it before going to a new section. So it was all lost. It is so frustrating!!
The whole Facebook and blogging thing is very funny to me anyway, because I am not totally into computers. I use them a lot...at work and home, but I am not into becoming an expert on how to use it. I just want to be able to do what I want to do...and not have to worry about learning the rest.
My husband set up both my blog and Facebook page. He is trying to get me writing for adults. For the past few years I have only been writing for preschoolers. I am given curriculum, but I usually take the information and put it into words that I think my kids may relate to better. I keep the same verse, point and bible story, but I may rewrite something that I think may not make sense.
The problem for my husband is that when I study for these presentations, God usually teaches me other things, and I share them with him. I think he was getting tired of listening to me talk so much.... So now he just has to read it. I am sure it is much easier for him to read it than listen to me spout off...
So thank you honey....for encouraging me to do something so out of character. For believing that God has got something going on with me. I know we both don't totally understand, but I know you got my back anyway....
The whole Facebook and blogging thing is very funny to me anyway, because I am not totally into computers. I use them a lot...at work and home, but I am not into becoming an expert on how to use it. I just want to be able to do what I want to do...and not have to worry about learning the rest.
My husband set up both my blog and Facebook page. He is trying to get me writing for adults. For the past few years I have only been writing for preschoolers. I am given curriculum, but I usually take the information and put it into words that I think my kids may relate to better. I keep the same verse, point and bible story, but I may rewrite something that I think may not make sense.
The problem for my husband is that when I study for these presentations, God usually teaches me other things, and I share them with him. I think he was getting tired of listening to me talk so much.... So now he just has to read it. I am sure it is much easier for him to read it than listen to me spout off...
So thank you honey....for encouraging me to do something so out of character. For believing that God has got something going on with me. I know we both don't totally understand, but I know you got my back anyway....
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Finders keepers.....
So this morning I was reading going over the bible story for this Sunday's lesson. I was reading the story from Mark 4:35-41...of Jesus calming the storm. It is another story that I have taught at different times, but today it hit me in a new way. Jesus calms the waves and asks the disciples if they have faith. The disciples then go and start talking amongst themselves, asking each other who Jesus really is....
It really made me think of myself. When I started following Christ I only knew a shadow of Him. He continues to grow me the more I learn about Him. He speaks to me and I start, hopefully, to live how He wants me too. There are some things in the Bible that are cut and dried....and then there are things that God works out through your life. Some things that He may ask of you, and not necessarily of me, or vice versa. God has been speaking to me about this for a while, and this is what I see in this story.
These men who, although they walked daily with Jesus, they only had that shadow of understanding. We know they eventually came to full knowledge of Christ, and went on to spread His good news to a waiting world. I am thankful that their example is in God's word. I know that as long as I seek Jesus, He will be working out our relationship. That is so I may know Him in a more full way.
"You will seek me and find me whan you search for me with all your heart"....Jeremiah 29:13
It really made me think of myself. When I started following Christ I only knew a shadow of Him. He continues to grow me the more I learn about Him. He speaks to me and I start, hopefully, to live how He wants me too. There are some things in the Bible that are cut and dried....and then there are things that God works out through your life. Some things that He may ask of you, and not necessarily of me, or vice versa. God has been speaking to me about this for a while, and this is what I see in this story.
These men who, although they walked daily with Jesus, they only had that shadow of understanding. We know they eventually came to full knowledge of Christ, and went on to spread His good news to a waiting world. I am thankful that their example is in God's word. I know that as long as I seek Jesus, He will be working out our relationship. That is so I may know Him in a more full way.
"You will seek me and find me whan you search for me with all your heart"....Jeremiah 29:13
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