This morning I woke up with a new attitude and perspective about a situation that has been plaguing me which is a total answer to prayer. My prayer had been to change me or the situation. Well, God was gracious enough to change my view of the situation which is exactly what I needed. The situation remains the same but the Lord reminded me about taking every thought captive in my Jesus time today.
God directed me back to 2 Corinthians 10:5 in The Message which says "We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosphies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting EVERY LOOSE THOUGHT and EMOTION and IMPULSE into the structure of life shaped by Christ."
This right here is why I enjoy reading in both the NIV and Message Bibles because I am able to glean deeper truths and more practical applications. Okay, so NIV says to "take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ." But The Message takes it further and talks about those loose thoughts, emotions and impulses. If you are anything like me, you have a lot of those "loose" thoughts. I think these thoughts to which they are referring are those seemingly random, out of nowhere thoughts that the enemy likes to hurl at us when we least expect it. THESE thoughts are the ones that we are directed to take captive because they are the ones that influence our emotions which influence our impulses and attitudes. If we can control our thinking as we are directed here to do, we can control our emotions and our impulses which is HUGE! So, I challenge you this morning as the Lord has challenged me to think about what you are thinking about. Watch out for loose thoughts. Check your emotions and impulses and allow God to bring truth.
Lord, I thank you for changing me and my perspective on this situation in my life. I thank you for reminding me of the truth and of the importance of taking thoughts, emotions and impulses to you and making them obedient to Christ. Lord, give me greater levels of clarity and wisdom and help me to recognize the loose thoughts that don't line up with You and Your Word. Holy Spirit, lead me and guide me into all truth! Amen! :)
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
The First Game of Hide and Seek
This morning as I was in the place that God speaks to me, often the most clearly, the shower, God started speaking to me about "the first game of hide and seek". I knew immediately where He was going with this idea as He has been having me re-read the book Captivating By John and Stasi Eldredge. Much of the book refers to Adam and Eve, the consequences of their disobedience and then the provision of God to bring healing and restoration to us, their descendants. But even more than the reading of this book, God has been leading and showing me that I have been playing my own game of hide and seek with him. Before I get ahead of myself though, let me give you the Scriptures.
Genesis 2: But for Adam[f] no suitable helper was found. 21 So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs[g] and then closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib[h] he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
23 The man said,
“This is now bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called ‘woman,’
for she was taken out of man.”
24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.
25 Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.
The verse that stuck out to me was verse 25, Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.
But oh how the story transitions. Let's read Genesis 3.
1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”
4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?”
10 He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”
11 And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”
You have heard this story before, I know that. But what the Lord was reminding me of this morning as I re-read this story with fresh eyes is that since the first game of "Hide and Seek" we have never stopped playing the game! It literally has been the "game" that NEVER ENDS! We were shame free at the start of creation and in a few verses the story drastically changed and we have been condemned by our sin, walking in our shame, turning to "fig leaves" to cover us and "hiding" from the only One who can "find" us and SAVE us! Yes, we might be "saved" from hell but living in shame and condemnation (from the sins we have already confessed and He has forgiven) is not the path we have to continue walking in.
In some FACE TIME with the Lord yesterday, He gently showed me how continuing to walk in regret and shame is to not fully embrace the work that He completed on the cross. He knows that I am a wretched sinner, unable to do anything right on my own despite my many attempts but HE DIED FOR THAT SINNER! I have "known" that but I haven't KNOWN that until yesterday.
Yesterday, the Lord "looked" for me again and this time I allowed myself to be "found". As I laid face down, tears of shame streaming down my face as I repented yet again, the Lord graciously lifted my head and showed me His love. He showed me how much He cares and has always cared and He has brought me out of HIDING! The game of Hide and Seek CAN end. All it takes is the "hidden one" to come out of "hiding" and allow themselves to be "found".
Thank you Lord for never giving up the "search" for me! You knew where I was all the time and you had your eyes on me through it all but you are so gentle and gracious in that you waited for me to respond and to bring me out of hiding! Help me to stand up against the lies of the enemy that would try to bring shame around again and to walk in the truth that there really is NO condemnation in you! Thank you for calling out my name in the garden and for pursuing me! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Genesis 2: But for Adam[f] no suitable helper was found. 21 So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs[g] and then closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib[h] he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
23 The man said,
“This is now bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called ‘woman,’
for she was taken out of man.”
24 That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.
25 Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.
The verse that stuck out to me was verse 25, Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.
But oh how the story transitions. Let's read Genesis 3.
1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”
4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?”
10 He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”
11 And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”
You have heard this story before, I know that. But what the Lord was reminding me of this morning as I re-read this story with fresh eyes is that since the first game of "Hide and Seek" we have never stopped playing the game! It literally has been the "game" that NEVER ENDS! We were shame free at the start of creation and in a few verses the story drastically changed and we have been condemned by our sin, walking in our shame, turning to "fig leaves" to cover us and "hiding" from the only One who can "find" us and SAVE us! Yes, we might be "saved" from hell but living in shame and condemnation (from the sins we have already confessed and He has forgiven) is not the path we have to continue walking in.
In some FACE TIME with the Lord yesterday, He gently showed me how continuing to walk in regret and shame is to not fully embrace the work that He completed on the cross. He knows that I am a wretched sinner, unable to do anything right on my own despite my many attempts but HE DIED FOR THAT SINNER! I have "known" that but I haven't KNOWN that until yesterday.
Yesterday, the Lord "looked" for me again and this time I allowed myself to be "found". As I laid face down, tears of shame streaming down my face as I repented yet again, the Lord graciously lifted my head and showed me His love. He showed me how much He cares and has always cared and He has brought me out of HIDING! The game of Hide and Seek CAN end. All it takes is the "hidden one" to come out of "hiding" and allow themselves to be "found".
Thank you Lord for never giving up the "search" for me! You knew where I was all the time and you had your eyes on me through it all but you are so gentle and gracious in that you waited for me to respond and to bring me out of hiding! Help me to stand up against the lies of the enemy that would try to bring shame around again and to walk in the truth that there really is NO condemnation in you! Thank you for calling out my name in the garden and for pursuing me! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Love is an Act!
I wrote this poem almost a month ago in my quiet time with the Lord. I was processing a situation with a person in my life and He challenged me like always to see things differently. To see Him in her. To see Him as the perfect role model for relationships. As a result of this time with Him, the relationship has transformed and I always want to give Him the glory for His work! God is the God of reconcilliation and He cares more about relationships than anything else! That's why He sent Jesus so we could be in relationship with Him! The other part of that is so that we can be reconciled with each other! God is a relationship God!
Love is an Act!
I am no better than she
She is no better than me
Instead we are sisters in His family
She may have different gifts
Different quirks or perks
Or a different personality than me
But regardless of the facts
The truth remains
Love, it is an act
Ane when I serve her
I'm like Him
When I have compassion on her
I'm like Him
When I affirm her
I'm like Him
When I lay aside my needs or wants for her
I'm like Him
When I forgive her
I'm like Him
When I'm willing to listen to her
I'm like Him
When I hope for her best
I'm like Him
When I love her
I'm like Him
And He is love!
Love is an act!
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
BOUND BY SHAME AND REJECTION, FREED BY LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE
On Easter Sunday, our church had a non-traditional service in which we did cardboard testimonies and then a few of us were asked to share about the story on the cardboard. I was asked to share my story, well mine and God's story :) So, here it is. I pray that it would bless you and that you too would move into more healing and freedom as you recognize His love and acceptance!
BOUND BY SHAME AND REJECTION, FREED BY LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE
Natalie Landry
Imagine with me if you will, a couple in their mid 30’s, with three children, ages 14, 12 and 9. Life is going along as they know it when one day they find out some news: they are pregnant. Well, not they, just she but you catch the drift. J What would normally be an exciting event in the life of a couple is taken in with uncertainty, fear and rejection. You see, this family was already complete. Catholic school cost a pretty penny and they were just 9 years shy of having all kids out of the house or so they thought. But along came this news and in 9 months would come this child. The one hope for this child was that it would be a boy, Matthew, to even out the 2 to 1 sibling ratio. The 9 grueling months passed by and this family would finally get to welcome baby into the world, baby girl that is. Not Matthew but a girl. Me J I was born into this world, not what anyone expected or really even wanted and I knew it. I don’t know how but my earliest memory tells me that I was unwanted, rejected. Life went on for me and rejection was the theme. Starting at age 6, shame was added to the rejection mix as I was sexually abused by a neighborhood girl. She wanted to play doctors but took it to a whole different level. The shame and rejection escalated as I felt like I never fit in anywhere, in my family, at school. I sought my refuge in sports and in making others laugh, anything to hide my pain. I became a people pleaser to gain some level of acceptance from those around me, my teachers, my parents, my coaches. Of course, when I failed and couldn’t attain that perfection, the acceptance was taken away only furthering my roots in rejection. When it came to God, I only knew him as a huge dictator in heaven to be wary of because He knew all I had done and He wasn’t too pleased. I saw Him as a giant police officer ready to pull me over at the most minor of infraction. I had never heard of a relationship with Him only that I needed to follow these rules and be a good person and then I might be able to make it to heaven. But the problem I had was what was good? And how good is good enough? No one could answer that for me. I sought out counsel with my church and my questions only led me to being chastised for asking or I received answers such as “This is what we’ve always done”. But I was hungry. I needed answers and I needed to know that someone could love me unconditionally and accept me for who I was, mess and all. Little did I know that the God of the Universe not only saw me but knew me and wanted a love relationship with me. He pursued me with cookies. Chocolate chip ones at that! God knew I loved chocolate chip cookies. God knew that I would take a chocolate chip cookie even if it was from a stranger and that is precisely what happened. I was 18 and had just gotten to campus at Nicholls State University. I had moved into my dorm room the weekend before classes started and was quite upset that all my roommates wanted to do was drink and party and smoke. Those things were not “good” and definitely not something I, people pleaser, wanted to be a part of. That Sunday night, I called my sister in tears. My roommates had gone out and I had the room to myself. My sister’s words to me that night were, “You need to find a Christian group on campus.” I thought that sounded like a good plan. So the very next day as I walked through the student union, I noticed a massive bowl of chocolate chip cookies. A student offered me one and of course I gladly accepted. I asked why they were giving away free cookies and they said they were a Christian group called Chi Alpha and they just wanted to invite people to their welcome week activities. I was completely floored knowing the conversation I had the night before with my sister. I took the calendar of events and went to each one that week. That Thursday night was what was called Thursday Night Live. I likened that it would something similar to Saturday Night Live but boy, was I wrong. I entered the theater and took a seat near the middle just before the event began. This was no ordinary event, this was church. From the get-go, I was in tears and I remained that way the entire time. I cannot tell you exactly what went on in that theater but I can tell you I walked out changed, I walked out a Christian. I had given my life to Jesus and had asked for a relationship with the God of Creation. The next few months and even years was learning about this intimate partnership. To say that coming into a relationship with Christ granted me unconditional love and acceptance would be true however, sometimes we don’t access all that we are eligible for because we lack the knowledge, understanding and even freedom to walk in that truth. See, I just got a new phone as I was eligible for an upgrade. While I know the basics of how to make a call and how to text, I am completely unaware of all that my phone is capable of. I was just like this in my walk with Christ. I had gotten the upgrade, which we will call salvation. And I had learned the basic functions of Christianity but I was unaware of the freedom via his unconditional love and acceptance, i.e. all that was available to me. A few months ago, God put me in a place to have this revelation. I had grown into greater levels of healing and freedom over the years but even as a Christian, a shame cloud followed me around and I still felt enslaved to rejection. In an intense prayer time with some good friends, God performed major heart surgery. God took me back to the place where the rejection began, in the womb. And He literally walked me out of that place into the place of knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt His unconditional love and acceptance. It still feels weird at times to know that no matter what I do or could ever do, that He would love me anyway. God is not the big dictator or angry policeman that I once thought. He is a compassionate Father, an intimate lover who would do anything, who did everything, to bring us into relationship with himself. He loves me! He accepts me! And friend, He loves and accepts you too!
BOUND BY SHAME AND REJECTION, FREED BY LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE
Natalie Landry
Imagine with me if you will, a couple in their mid 30’s, with three children, ages 14, 12 and 9. Life is going along as they know it when one day they find out some news: they are pregnant. Well, not they, just she but you catch the drift. J What would normally be an exciting event in the life of a couple is taken in with uncertainty, fear and rejection. You see, this family was already complete. Catholic school cost a pretty penny and they were just 9 years shy of having all kids out of the house or so they thought. But along came this news and in 9 months would come this child. The one hope for this child was that it would be a boy, Matthew, to even out the 2 to 1 sibling ratio. The 9 grueling months passed by and this family would finally get to welcome baby into the world, baby girl that is. Not Matthew but a girl. Me J I was born into this world, not what anyone expected or really even wanted and I knew it. I don’t know how but my earliest memory tells me that I was unwanted, rejected. Life went on for me and rejection was the theme. Starting at age 6, shame was added to the rejection mix as I was sexually abused by a neighborhood girl. She wanted to play doctors but took it to a whole different level. The shame and rejection escalated as I felt like I never fit in anywhere, in my family, at school. I sought my refuge in sports and in making others laugh, anything to hide my pain. I became a people pleaser to gain some level of acceptance from those around me, my teachers, my parents, my coaches. Of course, when I failed and couldn’t attain that perfection, the acceptance was taken away only furthering my roots in rejection. When it came to God, I only knew him as a huge dictator in heaven to be wary of because He knew all I had done and He wasn’t too pleased. I saw Him as a giant police officer ready to pull me over at the most minor of infraction. I had never heard of a relationship with Him only that I needed to follow these rules and be a good person and then I might be able to make it to heaven. But the problem I had was what was good? And how good is good enough? No one could answer that for me. I sought out counsel with my church and my questions only led me to being chastised for asking or I received answers such as “This is what we’ve always done”. But I was hungry. I needed answers and I needed to know that someone could love me unconditionally and accept me for who I was, mess and all. Little did I know that the God of the Universe not only saw me but knew me and wanted a love relationship with me. He pursued me with cookies. Chocolate chip ones at that! God knew I loved chocolate chip cookies. God knew that I would take a chocolate chip cookie even if it was from a stranger and that is precisely what happened. I was 18 and had just gotten to campus at Nicholls State University. I had moved into my dorm room the weekend before classes started and was quite upset that all my roommates wanted to do was drink and party and smoke. Those things were not “good” and definitely not something I, people pleaser, wanted to be a part of. That Sunday night, I called my sister in tears. My roommates had gone out and I had the room to myself. My sister’s words to me that night were, “You need to find a Christian group on campus.” I thought that sounded like a good plan. So the very next day as I walked through the student union, I noticed a massive bowl of chocolate chip cookies. A student offered me one and of course I gladly accepted. I asked why they were giving away free cookies and they said they were a Christian group called Chi Alpha and they just wanted to invite people to their welcome week activities. I was completely floored knowing the conversation I had the night before with my sister. I took the calendar of events and went to each one that week. That Thursday night was what was called Thursday Night Live. I likened that it would something similar to Saturday Night Live but boy, was I wrong. I entered the theater and took a seat near the middle just before the event began. This was no ordinary event, this was church. From the get-go, I was in tears and I remained that way the entire time. I cannot tell you exactly what went on in that theater but I can tell you I walked out changed, I walked out a Christian. I had given my life to Jesus and had asked for a relationship with the God of Creation. The next few months and even years was learning about this intimate partnership. To say that coming into a relationship with Christ granted me unconditional love and acceptance would be true however, sometimes we don’t access all that we are eligible for because we lack the knowledge, understanding and even freedom to walk in that truth. See, I just got a new phone as I was eligible for an upgrade. While I know the basics of how to make a call and how to text, I am completely unaware of all that my phone is capable of. I was just like this in my walk with Christ. I had gotten the upgrade, which we will call salvation. And I had learned the basic functions of Christianity but I was unaware of the freedom via his unconditional love and acceptance, i.e. all that was available to me. A few months ago, God put me in a place to have this revelation. I had grown into greater levels of healing and freedom over the years but even as a Christian, a shame cloud followed me around and I still felt enslaved to rejection. In an intense prayer time with some good friends, God performed major heart surgery. God took me back to the place where the rejection began, in the womb. And He literally walked me out of that place into the place of knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt His unconditional love and acceptance. It still feels weird at times to know that no matter what I do or could ever do, that He would love me anyway. God is not the big dictator or angry policeman that I once thought. He is a compassionate Father, an intimate lover who would do anything, who did everything, to bring us into relationship with himself. He loves me! He accepts me! And friend, He loves and accepts you too!
Saturday, March 26, 2011
A Whole New World
A Whole New World
The other night I was driving home and was just in conversation with my Father. I was thanking Him for all He has been doing in my life and I felt Him say, "I am taking you to a whole new world!" Now, I grew up a Disney kid and one of my favorite characters was the Genie of the Lamp from Aladdin. So, immediately, my attention went to Aladdin, particularly when Aladdin sings the song A Whole New World. I started singing it that night, reminiscent of days of old and when talking with a friend later that night, I shared that God has been taking me to "A Whole New World" and testified of the things that He has been doing.
The other night I was driving home and was just in conversation with my Father. I was thanking Him for all He has been doing in my life and I felt Him say, "I am taking you to a whole new world!" Now, I grew up a Disney kid and one of my favorite characters was the Genie of the Lamp from Aladdin. So, immediately, my attention went to Aladdin, particularly when Aladdin sings the song A Whole New World. I started singing it that night, reminiscent of days of old and when talking with a friend later that night, I shared that God has been taking me to "A Whole New World" and testified of the things that He has been doing.
Now, fast forward to this morning. I was reading in Hebrews in my quiet time with Him and He once again reminded me of this idea of "A Whole New World." When God repeats Himself, I pay attention and so I stopped reading to look up the lyrics for the song. Here they are:
A Whole New World
I can show you the world
Shining, shimmering, splendid
Tell me, princess, now when did
You last let your heart decide?
I can open your eyes
Take you wonder by wonder
Over, sideways and under
On a magic carpet ride
Shining, shimmering, splendid
Tell me, princess, now when did
You last let your heart decide?
I can open your eyes
Take you wonder by wonder
Over, sideways and under
On a magic carpet ride
A whole new world
A new fantastic point of view
No one to tell us no
Or where to go
Or say we're only dreaming
A whole new world
A dazzling place I never knew
But when I'm way up here
It's crystal clear
That now I'm in a whole new world with you
Now I'm in a whole new world with you
Unbelievable sights
Indescribable feeling
Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling
Through an endless diamond sky
A whole new world
Don't you dare close your eyes
A hundred thousand things to see
Hold your breath - it gets better
Hold your breath - it gets better
I'm like a shooting star
I've come so far
I can't go back to where I used to be
A whole new world
I've come so far
I can't go back to where I used to be
A whole new world
Every turn a surprise
With new horizons to pursue
With new horizons to pursue
Every moment red-letter
I'll chase them anywhere
There's time to spare
Let me share this whole new world with you
A whole new world
That's where we'll be
A thrilling chase
A wondrous place
For you and me
I'll chase them anywhere
There's time to spare
Let me share this whole new world with you
A whole new world
That's where we'll be
A thrilling chase
A wondrous place
For you and me
Now, I took the liberty of higlighting in red the lyrics that Aladdin sings because this morning as I read them and listened to the song, I literally heard God singing them to me. He is perpetually pursuing me, wanting to take me to a whole new world with Him. And the amazing thing is that He is!
One thing I find interesting is that Jasmine sings "every moment red-letter". And immediately my mind goes to God's word where often the words that Jesus speaks are identified with red letters. Now consider that every moment of our lives are touched by God himself, by His red letters!
One thing I find interesting is that Jasmine sings "every moment red-letter". And immediately my mind goes to God's word where often the words that Jesus speaks are identified with red letters. Now consider that every moment of our lives are touched by God himself, by His red letters!
I pray that as you listen to Aladdin sing this song to Jasmine, that you will allow the God of the Universe to sing it to your heart! He is in passionate pursuit of you friend! Allow Him to chase you down and sing this over you!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
The Love Rule
The Love Rule
God woke me up this morning with this message to share today so I know this will hit home.
In Matthew 19, Jesus has been talking with the rich young ruler. The ruler is asking Jesus what "good thing" must I do to inherit eternal life.(vs.16) Jesus tells him that the only one good is God but to inherit eternal life, all the ruler has to do is obey God's commands. (vs. 17) "Obedience is God's love language." (Wisdom Hunters, 2/24/2011) I find it interesting that the ruler asks Jesus, "Which ones?" (vs. 18) How often do we do the same thing and pick and choose which of God's commands or rules we want to follow. Jesus replies to the ruler's question by saying this, " 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother' and 'love your neighbor as yourself.' " (vs .19) Basically, Jesus started telling the ruler specifics of not murdering, committing adultery but then He sums it up by saying, ultimately, what I want you to do is to 'love your neighbor as yourself.'
This idea has always intrigued me and more so now than ever. You see, I never really loved myself before. I tolerated myself, I liked certain parts about myself but I did not, in any way, shape or form, love myself. I couldn't, for one reason and for one reason alone, I didn't know the extent of the love of my Daddy God. I thought that God screwed up in creating me. I thought I was an accident. I thought I was unworthy of love. So, as I tried to follow the command of loving your neighbor as yourself, I would fail every time because I didn't love me and I couldn't comprehend God's love for me.
Recently, all of this has changed as my eyes have been opened to my Daddy's love. He created everything about me, just as He desired, before the foundation of the Earth! Not only did He create me but He loves me with an everlasting, unconditional love. He loves me so much that He sent Jesus as an atonement for my sins so that I would be able to be in perpetual communion with Him! He loves me sooo much! Understanding and recognizing His love has propelled me into a love for myself that I have never known before. And as a result, my love for Him is growing and my ability to love my neighbor as myself is actually real. Because I love Natalie, I can love you, my neighbor.
Let's look at this on an even more practical level and in looking at love in light of 1 Corinthians 13:3-8:
I am patient with myself and others because I knows God is patient with me. (2 Peter 3:9)
I am kind to myself and others because I know God is full of loving-kindness. (Ps 31:3)
I am not envious of others because I know God has designed and created me just as He wanted and He will give me those things He wants me to have. (Ps 139: 13-16)
I am not boastful because I know that in my flesh there is no good thing but instead I boast in the Lord. (1 Cor 1:31)
I am not proud because I know that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. (James 4:6)
I am not rude because I know that this life is not about me but serving Him and serving others. (Php 2:3-4)
I am not self-seeking because I am called to look after the interests of others. (Php 2:3-4)
I am not easily angered with myself or others because God is slow to get angry with me. (Ps 103:8)
I no longer keep records of wrongs done by myself and by others because God keeps no record of my sins. (Is 43:25)
I do not delight in evil but rather in truth of God's word. (1 Tim 2:4)
I always protect myself and others because I know God protects me. (Ps 32:7)
I always trust the Jesus in me and lead not on my own understanding. (Pr 3:5-6)
I always hope the best for myself and for others because I know my hope comes from God. (Ps 62:5)
I always persevere for myself and for others because I will receive what He has promised. (Heb 10:36)
I will try not to fail myself or others but I know that I am flesh and blood and am incapable of perfection. But instead of coming under condemnation, I will repent of my sins and failures and allow God's grace and love to cover over the multitude of my sins and the sins of others. (1 Peter 4:8)
Daddy, I am so thankful that you have loved me with a never-ending love. I am thankful that you have helped me to learn to love the unique creation that you have so rightly called Natalie. I am thankful that as an outpouring of my love for you and my love for self, I am truly able to love my neighbors as I love myself thus following the love rule. I pray for my friends that are in desperate need of knowing your love because only when we do, can we truly love ourselves. I pray that you would reveal Your love to them in tangible ways today and that the eyes of their hearts would be open to see and receive it all. I thank you for bringing this to pass! I love you Daddy!
God woke me up this morning with this message to share today so I know this will hit home.
In Matthew 19, Jesus has been talking with the rich young ruler. The ruler is asking Jesus what "good thing" must I do to inherit eternal life.(vs.16) Jesus tells him that the only one good is God but to inherit eternal life, all the ruler has to do is obey God's commands. (vs. 17) "Obedience is God's love language." (Wisdom Hunters, 2/24/2011) I find it interesting that the ruler asks Jesus, "Which ones?" (vs. 18) How often do we do the same thing and pick and choose which of God's commands or rules we want to follow. Jesus replies to the ruler's question by saying this, " 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother' and 'love your neighbor as yourself.' " (vs .19) Basically, Jesus started telling the ruler specifics of not murdering, committing adultery but then He sums it up by saying, ultimately, what I want you to do is to 'love your neighbor as yourself.'
This idea has always intrigued me and more so now than ever. You see, I never really loved myself before. I tolerated myself, I liked certain parts about myself but I did not, in any way, shape or form, love myself. I couldn't, for one reason and for one reason alone, I didn't know the extent of the love of my Daddy God. I thought that God screwed up in creating me. I thought I was an accident. I thought I was unworthy of love. So, as I tried to follow the command of loving your neighbor as yourself, I would fail every time because I didn't love me and I couldn't comprehend God's love for me.
Recently, all of this has changed as my eyes have been opened to my Daddy's love. He created everything about me, just as He desired, before the foundation of the Earth! Not only did He create me but He loves me with an everlasting, unconditional love. He loves me so much that He sent Jesus as an atonement for my sins so that I would be able to be in perpetual communion with Him! He loves me sooo much! Understanding and recognizing His love has propelled me into a love for myself that I have never known before. And as a result, my love for Him is growing and my ability to love my neighbor as myself is actually real. Because I love Natalie, I can love you, my neighbor.
Let's look at this on an even more practical level and in looking at love in light of 1 Corinthians 13:3-8:
I am patient with myself and others because I knows God is patient with me. (2 Peter 3:9)
I am kind to myself and others because I know God is full of loving-kindness. (Ps 31:3)
I am not envious of others because I know God has designed and created me just as He wanted and He will give me those things He wants me to have. (Ps 139: 13-16)
I am not boastful because I know that in my flesh there is no good thing but instead I boast in the Lord. (1 Cor 1:31)
I am not proud because I know that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. (James 4:6)
I am not rude because I know that this life is not about me but serving Him and serving others. (Php 2:3-4)
I am not self-seeking because I am called to look after the interests of others. (Php 2:3-4)
I am not easily angered with myself or others because God is slow to get angry with me. (Ps 103:8)
I no longer keep records of wrongs done by myself and by others because God keeps no record of my sins. (Is 43:25)
I do not delight in evil but rather in truth of God's word. (1 Tim 2:4)
I always protect myself and others because I know God protects me. (Ps 32:7)
I always trust the Jesus in me and lead not on my own understanding. (Pr 3:5-6)
I always hope the best for myself and for others because I know my hope comes from God. (Ps 62:5)
I always persevere for myself and for others because I will receive what He has promised. (Heb 10:36)
I will try not to fail myself or others but I know that I am flesh and blood and am incapable of perfection. But instead of coming under condemnation, I will repent of my sins and failures and allow God's grace and love to cover over the multitude of my sins and the sins of others. (1 Peter 4:8)
Daddy, I am so thankful that you have loved me with a never-ending love. I am thankful that you have helped me to learn to love the unique creation that you have so rightly called Natalie. I am thankful that as an outpouring of my love for you and my love for self, I am truly able to love my neighbors as I love myself thus following the love rule. I pray for my friends that are in desperate need of knowing your love because only when we do, can we truly love ourselves. I pray that you would reveal Your love to them in tangible ways today and that the eyes of their hearts would be open to see and receive it all. I thank you for bringing this to pass! I love you Daddy!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
What Compels You?
What compels you?
I started reading in 2 Corinthians this morning and came across this verse in Chapter 5:14-15, " For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who love should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again."
According to Merriam-Webster, the word COMPEL means:
1. to drive or urge forcefully or irresistibly
2. to cause to do or occur by overwhelming pressure
3. to drive together
When we look at these definitions in light of the previous verse, Christ's love should drive us or urge us forcefully and irresistibly to live for him and not for ourselves. Unfortunately, we allow other things to compel us rather than Christ's love.
Looking back to about a week and a half ago, I can tell you the very thing that compelled me and I think it may be the very thing that compels you. That thing that drove me and compelled me was: FEAR! Fear of what you may ask, well, here's the list:
fear of rejection
fear of failure
fear of shame
fear of success
fear of people's opinions
fear of self
fear of poverty
fear of authority
fear of loss
fear of punishment
I lived my life serving fear and allowing it to compel every action that I took. Now, some of those were subconscious but nonetheless, fear was what compelled me.
In my personal ministry session, that I mentioned in previous blogs, one of the many things we dealt with was the spirit of fear. Fear keeps us bound in so many ways, more than I have time to tell you about right now. But that Saturday, God broke that spirit of fear and that is no longer what compels me! 1 John 4:18 says,
"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." His perfect love has cast out, driven out, that fear that kept me bound. And now, I can say that Christ's love truly does compel me! He loved me first and I get to reciprocate that love by living my life for Him! I get to love on people every day as a representative of His love! His love compels me!
So, what compels you? Ask God to show you. And I pray that you would come to this place that God has so recently brought me, allowing Christ's love to compel you and nothing else!
I started reading in 2 Corinthians this morning and came across this verse in Chapter 5:14-15, " For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who love should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again."
According to Merriam-Webster, the word COMPEL means:
1. to drive or urge forcefully or irresistibly
2. to cause to do or occur by overwhelming pressure
3. to drive together
When we look at these definitions in light of the previous verse, Christ's love should drive us or urge us forcefully and irresistibly to live for him and not for ourselves. Unfortunately, we allow other things to compel us rather than Christ's love.
Looking back to about a week and a half ago, I can tell you the very thing that compelled me and I think it may be the very thing that compels you. That thing that drove me and compelled me was: FEAR! Fear of what you may ask, well, here's the list:
fear of rejection
fear of failure
fear of shame
fear of success
fear of people's opinions
fear of self
fear of poverty
fear of authority
fear of loss
fear of punishment
I lived my life serving fear and allowing it to compel every action that I took. Now, some of those were subconscious but nonetheless, fear was what compelled me.
In my personal ministry session, that I mentioned in previous blogs, one of the many things we dealt with was the spirit of fear. Fear keeps us bound in so many ways, more than I have time to tell you about right now. But that Saturday, God broke that spirit of fear and that is no longer what compels me! 1 John 4:18 says,
"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." His perfect love has cast out, driven out, that fear that kept me bound. And now, I can say that Christ's love truly does compel me! He loved me first and I get to reciprocate that love by living my life for Him! I get to love on people every day as a representative of His love! His love compels me!
So, what compels you? Ask God to show you. And I pray that you would come to this place that God has so recently brought me, allowing Christ's love to compel you and nothing else!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Wouldn't Change a Thing!
I am my Beloved's and HE IS MINE!!!
You know as well as I, that today, Valentine's Day is the day that all attention is focused on the ones we love or for some, the love that you don't feel exists. In times past, I saw Valentine's Day as Single's Awareness Day (SAD) and chalked the day up to just another commercialized holiday. But today, things are different.
I told you guys the other day about a ministry session that I was having on Saturday and that I was expecting Jesus to rock my socks off. And boy, did he show up! I am unable to fully express all that God did through the 9 hours of prayer on Saturday but I can say I AM CHANGED! I am walking in the peace that the Bible says "passes all understanding!" (Philippians 4:7) I am so completely and totally aware of my Father's love! I call His name and instantly I feel His presence! I am celebrating the life that He has given me, not the things but the breath, the soul, and the body that He has created! I am realizing how hidden in Christ I am and just how forgiven I am, completely! I am seeing His grace at work in my life and sensing His presence in such a way that I have never felt before! I know that He has accepted me, completely and totally because HE MADE ME!
This morning, I was listening to KLOVE and was tuned in for when Matthew West shared his new love song that he wrote specifically for a couple that had written in and shared their love story. I knew it was meant specifically for them but God spoke so clearly and loudly through the song titled Wouldn't Change a Thing. He spoke and told me that He wouldn't change a thing about me, that He loves me just like I am! Jesus is my Valentine! He's the best Valentine a girl could ask for (a guy too for that matter)! His love is far better than what anyone else can offer! So, if today, you are struggling with the fact that it's Valentine's Day or even if you just need to feel some love, know that YOU are dearly loved by the Creator of the Universe, the God of Heaven and Earth! HE LOVES YOU!!! Jesus was priceless and He died for you meaning that YOU are priceless too!!!
My prayer for us is the same thing that Paul prayed over the Ephesians:
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. -Ephesians 3:17-19
Remember, God Almighty Wouldn't Change a Thing About YOU!
To check out the Matthew West song, click here:
http://www.klove.com/promodetails.aspx?i=5531
You know as well as I, that today, Valentine's Day is the day that all attention is focused on the ones we love or for some, the love that you don't feel exists. In times past, I saw Valentine's Day as Single's Awareness Day (SAD) and chalked the day up to just another commercialized holiday. But today, things are different.
I told you guys the other day about a ministry session that I was having on Saturday and that I was expecting Jesus to rock my socks off. And boy, did he show up! I am unable to fully express all that God did through the 9 hours of prayer on Saturday but I can say I AM CHANGED! I am walking in the peace that the Bible says "passes all understanding!" (Philippians 4:7) I am so completely and totally aware of my Father's love! I call His name and instantly I feel His presence! I am celebrating the life that He has given me, not the things but the breath, the soul, and the body that He has created! I am realizing how hidden in Christ I am and just how forgiven I am, completely! I am seeing His grace at work in my life and sensing His presence in such a way that I have never felt before! I know that He has accepted me, completely and totally because HE MADE ME!
This morning, I was listening to KLOVE and was tuned in for when Matthew West shared his new love song that he wrote specifically for a couple that had written in and shared their love story. I knew it was meant specifically for them but God spoke so clearly and loudly through the song titled Wouldn't Change a Thing. He spoke and told me that He wouldn't change a thing about me, that He loves me just like I am! Jesus is my Valentine! He's the best Valentine a girl could ask for (a guy too for that matter)! His love is far better than what anyone else can offer! So, if today, you are struggling with the fact that it's Valentine's Day or even if you just need to feel some love, know that YOU are dearly loved by the Creator of the Universe, the God of Heaven and Earth! HE LOVES YOU!!! Jesus was priceless and He died for you meaning that YOU are priceless too!!!
My prayer for us is the same thing that Paul prayed over the Ephesians:
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. -Ephesians 3:17-19
Remember, God Almighty Wouldn't Change a Thing About YOU!
To check out the Matthew West song, click here:
http://www.klove.com/promodetails.aspx?i=5531
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Jesus and Socks!
Jesus is about to rock my socks off!!!!!
If you look back over my posts, you will notice some despair but also the hope of God showing up as He is doing this next level of healing work in my life. Well, that hope has continued to increase and grow to the point that I can hardly sleep at night from sheer excitement!!!
My facebook posts the last few day have been talking about the spirit of expectancy that I am consumed with these days. And today is a pivotal part of what I believe God wants to do in my life right now. I have a ministry session today in which I will receive prayer and God will be able to do the heart surgery that He is wanting to do to bring the healing and freedom that I am so desperately craving. I literally feel like a kid at Christmas waiting to open the present of today!
I have no idea what is actually going to happen today but I KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is going to showing up and that Jesus is GOING TO ROCK MY SOCKS OFF!! (For His glory, no doubt!)
I'll be sure to let you know what happens :) Enjoy this song that I am listening to in order to prepare my heart! :)
If you look back over my posts, you will notice some despair but also the hope of God showing up as He is doing this next level of healing work in my life. Well, that hope has continued to increase and grow to the point that I can hardly sleep at night from sheer excitement!!!
My facebook posts the last few day have been talking about the spirit of expectancy that I am consumed with these days. And today is a pivotal part of what I believe God wants to do in my life right now. I have a ministry session today in which I will receive prayer and God will be able to do the heart surgery that He is wanting to do to bring the healing and freedom that I am so desperately craving. I literally feel like a kid at Christmas waiting to open the present of today!
I have no idea what is actually going to happen today but I KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is going to showing up and that Jesus is GOING TO ROCK MY SOCKS OFF!! (For His glory, no doubt!)
I'll be sure to let you know what happens :) Enjoy this song that I am listening to in order to prepare my heart! :)
Sunday, February 6, 2011
You Are for Me
Sorry friends for the lack of posts this week. I have been sick and haven't felt much like writing but today I felt the need to process a little.
The past few weeks have been extremely difficult for me. God is doing a deep work in me and I find myself completely broken before Him. He has stirred up the recesses of my heart and brought things to light that I have yet to deal with or things that I have only dealt with on the surface. Sometimes, we chop down the weed but if we don't get it from the roots, we have to deal with it again. Other times, we get some of the roots, but not all. The weeds don't have to be sin issues, although they very well can be, it just depends.
Among those things that have been brought to light are my mistaken views of God. You may have heard it said that we view God in light of our earthly fathers. Sadly though, our earthly fathers are doing the best they can in this fallen world and can never truly reflect the love of our Heavenly Father. One of those things that I often forget is that God is for me, especially in my broken state as Psalm 34:18 says: The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. I still don't know that I have fully grasped this concept but I am working on it and God is slowly showing me His true nature and His true character. With that said, He and I are also having to tear down those false beliefs that I have grabbed a hold of for so long and that, too, is a difficult process. Thankfully though, I believe we will get there! In the meantime, I am allowing Kari Jobe to remind me that God is for me! Here's the song if you want to listen.
The past few weeks have been extremely difficult for me. God is doing a deep work in me and I find myself completely broken before Him. He has stirred up the recesses of my heart and brought things to light that I have yet to deal with or things that I have only dealt with on the surface. Sometimes, we chop down the weed but if we don't get it from the roots, we have to deal with it again. Other times, we get some of the roots, but not all. The weeds don't have to be sin issues, although they very well can be, it just depends.
Among those things that have been brought to light are my mistaken views of God. You may have heard it said that we view God in light of our earthly fathers. Sadly though, our earthly fathers are doing the best they can in this fallen world and can never truly reflect the love of our Heavenly Father. One of those things that I often forget is that God is for me, especially in my broken state as Psalm 34:18 says: The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. I still don't know that I have fully grasped this concept but I am working on it and God is slowly showing me His true nature and His true character. With that said, He and I are also having to tear down those false beliefs that I have grabbed a hold of for so long and that, too, is a difficult process. Thankfully though, I believe we will get there! In the meantime, I am allowing Kari Jobe to remind me that God is for me! Here's the song if you want to listen.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Every Captive Free
FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEDOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMM!!!!
This has been the cry of my heart for quite some time yet it has been amplified in the last couple of weeks as God is in the process of bringing even greater levels of freedom into my life. Healing and freedom go hand in hand to me. As we are healed, greater levels of freedom come.
I am currently reading a rather intense book that I don't know that I would recommend to everyone but here is such a powerful quote from it:
None of us are as free as Jesus intended for us to be. We may be as free as we know how to be at this hour. As we gain new freedom, we will then be able to look back and see how deeply in bondage we were all along.-Malone
Jesus has greater levels of freedom for me! And for you! The kicker is, we have to want it. Jesus is a gentleman and He will not force anything on us, from salvation, to the Holy Spirit, to healing and freedom. He desires it for us more than we could ever know but He won't force it. We have to want it!
I want it so bad I can taste it! It is literally something I am craving and I am working towards because I recognize two things: 1. I need it. 2. Those around me need it and until they see it manifest in my life, they won't recognize the need for it in their own life.
Yesterday, a friend posted on facebook "
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Fight For It!
Life is about relationships. God created us to be in relationship with Him first and foremost but He also created us to be in relationship with others. He saw all the way back in the garden of Eden that it was not good for man to be alone. (Genesis 2:18). Often we think of this only in relation to husbands and wives but looking broader, we see that ultimately, God, in His divine wisdom saw the need for us to be in relationships with others.
However, in case you haven't noticed, Satan tries to do everything in his power to destroy relationships. All Satan knows how to do is steal, kill and destroy, nothing more and nothing less. (John 10:10) He knows that he will forever be estranged from God and that the relationship he once had with the Creator of the Universe has been severed; thus his reason for attacking us so vehemently. Satan is jealous of our relationship with God Almighty and he will do everything in his limited power to keep us from Him. And again, the only way he knows how to do that is to steal, kill and destroy.
Additionally, Satan recognizes the power of united Christians; brothers and sisters that dwell together in unity in Christ (Psalm 133:1). He attempts to cause disunity, disorder, pain, hurt, rejection and communication breakdown in those relationships in hopes that we will turn on each other and ultimately turn away from God.
Over the past few months, one such relationship was under attack between myself and a friend of mine. Pain happened. Distance began. Communication stopped. Relationship nearly ended. BUT GOD! This past week, we were able to talk through the events and situations openly and honestly before one another. We both decided that this relationship, this God-ordained friendship was and is worth fighting for! And today, we spent the day together! And ya know what? We had the best communication than we have ever had and our relationship is stronger than it was before! There is such an awesome power in knowing that two people are fighting for a friendship and are determined to make it work! My God truly is a God of Reconciliation!
Maybe there's a relationship you need to fight for today. It could be a marriage, a relationship with a parent a friendship or whatever. Regardless of the who, my exhortation to you is to fight for it! It's so worth it! It's not always easy, this I know as I tearfully shared with my friend the night of our reconciliation but the good fruit that follows is of the sweetest kind!
What relationship are you willing to fight for?
However, in case you haven't noticed, Satan tries to do everything in his power to destroy relationships. All Satan knows how to do is steal, kill and destroy, nothing more and nothing less. (John 10:10) He knows that he will forever be estranged from God and that the relationship he once had with the Creator of the Universe has been severed; thus his reason for attacking us so vehemently. Satan is jealous of our relationship with God Almighty and he will do everything in his limited power to keep us from Him. And again, the only way he knows how to do that is to steal, kill and destroy.
Additionally, Satan recognizes the power of united Christians; brothers and sisters that dwell together in unity in Christ (Psalm 133:1). He attempts to cause disunity, disorder, pain, hurt, rejection and communication breakdown in those relationships in hopes that we will turn on each other and ultimately turn away from God.
Over the past few months, one such relationship was under attack between myself and a friend of mine. Pain happened. Distance began. Communication stopped. Relationship nearly ended. BUT GOD! This past week, we were able to talk through the events and situations openly and honestly before one another. We both decided that this relationship, this God-ordained friendship was and is worth fighting for! And today, we spent the day together! And ya know what? We had the best communication than we have ever had and our relationship is stronger than it was before! There is such an awesome power in knowing that two people are fighting for a friendship and are determined to make it work! My God truly is a God of Reconciliation!
Maybe there's a relationship you need to fight for today. It could be a marriage, a relationship with a parent a friendship or whatever. Regardless of the who, my exhortation to you is to fight for it! It's so worth it! It's not always easy, this I know as I tearfully shared with my friend the night of our reconciliation but the good fruit that follows is of the sweetest kind!
What relationship are you willing to fight for?
Thursday, January 27, 2011
You Are Mine
There are no words for me to say today. I am His. He is Mine.
Isaiah 43:1-7
But now, O Israel, the Lord who created you says: “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. 2 When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. 3 For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I gave Egypt, Ethiopia, and Seba as a ransom for your freedom. 4 Others died that you might live. I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you. 5 “Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will gather you and your children from east and west 6 and from north and south. I will bring my sons and daughters back to Israel from the distant corners of the earth. 7 All who claim me as their God will come, for I have made them for my glory. It was I who created them.”
But now, O Israel, the Lord who created you says: “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. 2 When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. 3 For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I gave Egypt, Ethiopia, and Seba as a ransom for your freedom. 4 Others died that you might live. I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to me. You are honored, and I love you. 5 “Do not be afraid, for I am with you. I will gather you and your children from east and west 6 and from north and south. I will bring my sons and daughters back to Israel from the distant corners of the earth. 7 All who claim me as their God will come, for I have made them for my glory. It was I who created them.”
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Concept Grasped, Execution Elusive
I have found so many insightful truths from the movie(s) Princess Diaries and Princess Diaries 2! Even though I could probably quote the movies verbatim, occasionally as I listen, some quotes stir me as if it's the first time I have heard them. Let me set up the scene from which this quote comes.
Princess Mia has been having a rough go of things. She is engaged to be married to a man (Andrew) she is clearly not in love with but is choosing to overlook that fact for the sake of the crown. However, she is being wooed by a man (Nicholas) that she does find attractive and is drawn to although he is trying to steal her crown. Mia has just had another interaction with Nicholas in which he kisses her causing much confusion and chaos that leaves the two of them soaking wet from falling in a fountain. Princess Mia shamefully heads back to the palace.
The next scene is Queen Clarice reprimanding Mia for her actions in essence asking Mia when will she grasp the concept that she is a princess, on the road to queen-dom. Mia responds by saying "The concept IS grasped. The execution is a little elusive!"
Quite often, I feel like Princess Mia. I can relate with her in so many ways and on so many levels. I understand the "concept" but sometimes the execution is a little elusive or a little out of reach. Paul talks about this idea in Romans 7:
14-16I can anticipate the response that is coming: "I know that all God's commands are spiritual, but I'm not. Isn't this also your experience?" Yes. I'm full of myself—after all, I've spent a long time in sin's prison. What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can't be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God's command is necessary.
17-20But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.
21-23It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.
Paul got the "concept" but the execution was elusive. Your "concept" may not be a sin issue as Paul was talking about. The "concept" for you might be that you "know" that you are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2) but executing that might be difficult or a little elusive for you. I don't know what it is you are struggling to execute in your life but God does and He has promised to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16).
Ultimately, by the end of the movie, Princess Mia not only grasped the concept, she was able to execute it and execute it well as Queen of Genovia. It may take us a little longer than an hour and a half movie to get there but we are well on our way!
Don't allow your goof-ups to slow you down today!
Princess Mia has been having a rough go of things. She is engaged to be married to a man (Andrew) she is clearly not in love with but is choosing to overlook that fact for the sake of the crown. However, she is being wooed by a man (Nicholas) that she does find attractive and is drawn to although he is trying to steal her crown. Mia has just had another interaction with Nicholas in which he kisses her causing much confusion and chaos that leaves the two of them soaking wet from falling in a fountain. Princess Mia shamefully heads back to the palace.
The next scene is Queen Clarice reprimanding Mia for her actions in essence asking Mia when will she grasp the concept that she is a princess, on the road to queen-dom. Mia responds by saying "The concept IS grasped. The execution is a little elusive!"
Quite often, I feel like Princess Mia. I can relate with her in so many ways and on so many levels. I understand the "concept" but sometimes the execution is a little elusive or a little out of reach. Paul talks about this idea in Romans 7:
14-16I can anticipate the response that is coming: "I know that all God's commands are spiritual, but I'm not. Isn't this also your experience?" Yes. I'm full of myself—after all, I've spent a long time in sin's prison. What I don't understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. So if I can't be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, it becomes obvious that God's command is necessary.
17-20But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.
21-23It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.
Paul got the "concept" but the execution was elusive. Your "concept" may not be a sin issue as Paul was talking about. The "concept" for you might be that you "know" that you are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2) but executing that might be difficult or a little elusive for you. I don't know what it is you are struggling to execute in your life but God does and He has promised to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16).
Ultimately, by the end of the movie, Princess Mia not only grasped the concept, she was able to execute it and execute it well as Queen of Genovia. It may take us a little longer than an hour and a half movie to get there but we are well on our way!
Don't allow your goof-ups to slow you down today!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
God Speaks Through a Donkey and a Wii
God speaks to his people, there's no mistake about that. We read in Numbers 22 how God used a donkey to speak to Balaam. Balaam was trying to obey God but He didn't recognize the angel of the Lord and when his donkey stopped, Balaam beat his donkey, not once, not twice but three times. But then the donkey, no relation to Mr. Ed, speaks via the Lord's power so Balaam could hear what God had to say. You can check out the story for yourself in Numbers. I just wanted you to be aware that sometimes God speaks in different ways :)
Yesterday, I was playing a Wii game called Sword Showdown. In the game you are a swordsman and you are taking on 100 different opponents by yourself. You have three lives and each time you are hit, you lose a life. I am on level 6 which I can’t seem to get past. I must have played that level about 35-40 times now and I can’t win. As I was playing with the children I babysit looking on, I could feel myself growing increasingly frustrated with this imaginary game. Why? Because that’s how I often feel in life…like I can’t win. I make progress and seem to be conquering but then I take a few hits and I am down for the count or lose. It doesn’t matter how angry I get or how hard I hit to take out the opponents, I can’t seem to get the victory...yet. And I am mad. Mad at the devil and his stupid lies. And I have a feeling you might be as well.
I was reminded last night about healing being a progressive work, something I remind others about often but occasionally need the reminder myself. We often think of healing and life on a timeline with point A being said issue, point B being another. We deal with said issue but if it comes up again we feel like we have failed and that we are starting over or at least taking two steps forward and one step back. However, we need to see our lives and our healing as a spiral (Alicia Chole illustration) or a mountain (Me and Miley Cyrus illustration). Yes, we deal with issue A to the best of our ability at the time and as we go around the mountain we may tackle issue B and C but then we may come upon issue A again. When we do so, it's not a sign of defeat or setback but rather the reality that we are going further in dealing with our issues as we go up the mountain.
Miley Cyrus sings the song called The Climb and in looking at the lyrics this morning these particular verses stood out:
The struggles I'm facing
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down
But no, I'm not breaking
I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I'm gonna remember most, yeah
Just gotta keep going
And I, I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on
All of that to say, I'm pushing on. And while, I may not have conquered level 6 of Sword Showdown and while I am working on conquering new levels in my life, I WILL CONQUER BOTH EVENTUALLY! As Romans 8:37 says: No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us!
We can conquer, friend. I choose to keep on fighting and I pray you will do the same!
Yesterday, I was playing a Wii game called Sword Showdown. In the game you are a swordsman and you are taking on 100 different opponents by yourself. You have three lives and each time you are hit, you lose a life. I am on level 6 which I can’t seem to get past. I must have played that level about 35-40 times now and I can’t win. As I was playing with the children I babysit looking on, I could feel myself growing increasingly frustrated with this imaginary game. Why? Because that’s how I often feel in life…like I can’t win. I make progress and seem to be conquering but then I take a few hits and I am down for the count or lose. It doesn’t matter how angry I get or how hard I hit to take out the opponents, I can’t seem to get the victory...yet. And I am mad. Mad at the devil and his stupid lies. And I have a feeling you might be as well.
I was reminded last night about healing being a progressive work, something I remind others about often but occasionally need the reminder myself. We often think of healing and life on a timeline with point A being said issue, point B being another. We deal with said issue but if it comes up again we feel like we have failed and that we are starting over or at least taking two steps forward and one step back. However, we need to see our lives and our healing as a spiral (Alicia Chole illustration) or a mountain (Me and Miley Cyrus illustration). Yes, we deal with issue A to the best of our ability at the time and as we go around the mountain we may tackle issue B and C but then we may come upon issue A again. When we do so, it's not a sign of defeat or setback but rather the reality that we are going further in dealing with our issues as we go up the mountain.
Miley Cyrus sings the song called The Climb and in looking at the lyrics this morning these particular verses stood out:
The struggles I'm facing
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down
But no, I'm not breaking
I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I'm gonna remember most, yeah
Just gotta keep going
And I, I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on
All of that to say, I'm pushing on. And while, I may not have conquered level 6 of Sword Showdown and while I am working on conquering new levels in my life, I WILL CONQUER BOTH EVENTUALLY! As Romans 8:37 says: No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us!
We can conquer, friend. I choose to keep on fighting and I pray you will do the same!
Monday, January 24, 2011
Healer
Over the last few days, I have been re-visiting this song that helped me through a difficult season and is helping me yet again.
Quite a bit of controversy surfaced over this song but more in regards to the person who wrote it. The lyricist, a broken individual, penned the words to this song while lying about the fact that he had cancer. While this is a sad ordeal, I think it was the cry of the author for true emotional healing, even through the deception. Many churches have stopped singing this song as a part of their worship set however, there is so much truth enveloped in these words. I have refused to allow the controversy to quench what God wants to do in and through me via this song. Below are the lyrics and the song sung by Hillsong, yes the original lyricist, as God can forgive him and heal him just as he desires.
I pray greater levels of healing for us all.
Healer
You hold my every moment
You calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire
And heal all my disease
I trust in you
I trust in you
I believe
You're my healer
I believe
You are all i need
I believe
You're my portion
I believe
You're more than enough for me
Jesus, you're all i need
Nothing is impossible for you
Nothing is impossible
Nothing is impossible for you
You hold my world in your hands
You calm my raging seas
You walk with me through fire
And heal all my disease
I trust in you
I trust in you
I believe
You're my healer
I believe
You are all i need
I believe
You're my portion
I believe
You're more than enough for me
Jesus, you're all i need
Nothing is impossible for you
Nothing is impossible
Nothing is impossible for you
You hold my world in your hands
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Remembering, I keep a grip on hope!
All I have to share today is the scripture I have been mulling over since I heard it on the radio last night. The Scripture is found in Lamentations 3. I know, Lamentations..sounds exciting, right? But these verses have already brought me hope and I pray they do the same for you! The italicized and underlined section is what was shared on the radio but it's all so good.
It's a Good Thing to Hope for Help from God
19-21I'll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness,
the taste of ashes, the poison I've swallowed.
I remember it all—oh, how well I remember—
the feeling of hitting the bottom.
But there's one other thing I remember,
and remembering, I keep a grip on hope:
the taste of ashes, the poison I've swallowed.
I remember it all—oh, how well I remember—
the feeling of hitting the bottom.
But there's one other thing I remember,
and remembering, I keep a grip on hope:
22-24God's loyal love couldn't have run out,
his merciful love couldn't have dried up.
They're created new every morning.
How great your faithfulness!
I'm sticking with God (I say it over and over).
He's all I've got left.
his merciful love couldn't have dried up.
They're created new every morning.
How great your faithfulness!
I'm sticking with God (I say it over and over).
He's all I've got left.
25-27God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits,
to the woman who diligently seeks.
It's a good thing to quietly hope,
quietly hope for help from God.
It's a good thing when you're young
to stick it out through the hard times.
to the woman who diligently seeks.
It's a good thing to quietly hope,
quietly hope for help from God.
It's a good thing when you're young
to stick it out through the hard times.
28-30When life is heavy and hard to take,
go off by yourself. Enter the silence.
Bow in prayer. Don't ask questions:
Wait for hope to appear.
Don't run from trouble. Take it full-face.
The "worst" is never the worst.
go off by yourself. Enter the silence.
Bow in prayer. Don't ask questions:
Wait for hope to appear.
Don't run from trouble. Take it full-face.
The "worst" is never the worst.
31-33Why? Because the Master won't ever
walk out and fail to return.
If he works severely, he also works tenderly.
His stockpiles of loyal love are immense.
He takes no pleasure in making life hard,
in throwing roadblocks in the way:
walk out and fail to return.
If he works severely, he also works tenderly.
His stockpiles of loyal love are immense.
He takes no pleasure in making life hard,
in throwing roadblocks in the way:
34-36Stomping down hard
on luckless prisoners,
Refusing justice to victims
in the court of High God,
Tampering with evidence—
the Master does not approve of such things.
on luckless prisoners,
Refusing justice to victims
in the court of High God,
Tampering with evidence—
the Master does not approve of such things.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Yearn
This is where is my heart is this morning.
YEARN
1: to long persistently, wistfully, or sadly <yearns to make a difference>
2: to feel tenderness or compassion
yearn
by shane barnard
holy design
this place in time
that i might seek and find my God
my God
Lord i want to yearn for You
i want to burn with passion
over You and only You
Lord i want to yearn
Your joy is mine
yet why am i fine
with all my singing and bringing grain
in light of Him
oh You give life and breath
through Him You give all things
in Him we live and move
that's why i sing
acts 17:25-28, hebrews 12:28-29
Friday, January 21, 2011
The Grasshopper Mentality
Since the month of January began, I have heard at least 4 sermons preached on Numbers 13 by different people! I think God may be trying to get a message across to me! So, let's look at it starting in verse 17:
17 When Moses sent them to explore Canaan, he said, “Go up through the Negev and on into the hill country. 18 See what the land is like and whether the people who live there are strong or weak, few or many. 19 What kind of land do they live in? Is it good or bad? What kind of towns do they live in? Are they unwalled or fortified? 20 How is the soil? Is it fertile or poor? Are there trees in it or not? Do your best to bring back some of the fruit of the land.” (It was the season for the first ripe grapes.)
21 So they went up and explored the land from the Desert of Zin as far as Rehob, toward Lebo Hamath. 22 They went up through the Negev and came to Hebron, where Ahiman, Sheshai and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, lived. (Hebron had been built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.) 23 When they reached the Valley of Eshkol,[a] they cut off a branch bearing a single cluster of grapes. Two of them carried it on a pole between them, along with some pomegranates and figs. 24 That place was called the Valley of Eshkol because of the cluster of grapes the Israelites cut off there. 25 At the end of forty days they returned from exploring the land.
30 Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.”
31 But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” 32 And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, “The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. 33 We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.”
Now, since I have heard this message repeatedly, I have a few thoughts that I will share from those that shared originally and then my processing.
This land, Canaan, was the land that in Numbers 13:1 God, tells Moses that he is GIVING or bestowing upon the Israelites as we see here:1 The LORD said to Moses, 2 “Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am GIVING to the Israelites. From each ancestral tribe send one of its leaders.” In other words, the land, the promised land, already belonged to the children of Israel but God was allowing them to inspect it and overtake it in order to inhabit it, if they would so choose.
The spies, 12 of them, go check out this Canaan land and recognize that it is a fortified city, which was truth. But the bad report that comes from 10 of the 12 is that "But the people who live there are powerful". This was a judgment that the 10 spies made rather than truth. They started comparing themselves to the people of the land and therein lied the bad report.
But Caleb and Joshua, saw things differently and we hear that when Caleb proclaims that they should go up and take possession of the land. Caleb was not hindered by his size but rather he remembered the size of his God that had rescued them from their slave masters in Egypt. He remembered how God had provided for them with gold and treasure from the slave masters themselves. He remembered what it felt like to walk on the dry ground of the Red Sea with walls of water on both sides. He remembered the manna that fell from heaven and the water that came from the rock. Caleb remembered God's past performance and knew that God could show up and help them defeat the Canaanites.
However, the other 10 spies, could only see their smallness as we see in verse 33: We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.” The spies had a "Grasshopper Mentality". They saw the circumstances that surrounded them with the same physical eyes that Caleb and Joshua had however they looked through natural eyes instead of eyes of faith. As a result, they thought of themselves as small as well as God. They had forgotten all that God had done in the past, how He had provided and led them. They forgot it all. They saw themselves as mere grasshoppers, able to be crushed with one step of a good shoe. They saw themselves as defeated before a battle even took place. They saw Canaan as a big boogie man, unable to be defeated. And as a result, it cost them.
We see in Numbers 14 the result of their lack of faith and their insistence on their smallness:20 The LORD replied, “I have forgiven them, as you asked. 21 Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the LORD fills the whole earth, 22 not one of those who saw my glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times— 23 not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their ancestors. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it. 24 But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.
Their "Grasshopper Mentality" cost them the promised land!! But Caleb, who had a "different spirit" was able to enter and dwell there. What made Caleb different? I think it was a few things. He saw through the eyes of faith and not through natural eyes. I think He also remembered what God had done for him as well as for His people. And, I know that Caleb knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that God was on His side and that He was bigger than the Canaanite boogie men.
Now, for my transparency, I have had a "Grasshopper Mentality" for far too long, thus 4 messages in a 3 week period! I see God as I see myself and I forget what He has done for me and for those I love. However, I refuse to stay there. I can't afford to stay there and neither can you! The promised land is at stake!
Lord, help me to break through this grasshopper mentality. Help me to see you as you really are. Help me to recognize your bigness and to walk in the authority you have given me to possess the land!
I know this was more of an intense blog and it needed to be however, I can't not leave you with a little bit of fun. So, as we are fighting off this grasshopper mentality, we can look to the great vegetables of our day that have proudly proclaimed, "God is bigger than the boogie man. He's bigger than Godzilla and the monsters on TV. Oh, God is bigger than the boogie man, And he's watching out for you and me." Thank you Veggie Tales for this reminder!
17 When Moses sent them to explore Canaan, he said, “Go up through the Negev and on into the hill country. 18 See what the land is like and whether the people who live there are strong or weak, few or many. 19 What kind of land do they live in? Is it good or bad? What kind of towns do they live in? Are they unwalled or fortified? 20 How is the soil? Is it fertile or poor? Are there trees in it or not? Do your best to bring back some of the fruit of the land.” (It was the season for the first ripe grapes.)
21 So they went up and explored the land from the Desert of Zin as far as Rehob, toward Lebo Hamath. 22 They went up through the Negev and came to Hebron, where Ahiman, Sheshai and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, lived. (Hebron had been built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.) 23 When they reached the Valley of Eshkol,[a] they cut off a branch bearing a single cluster of grapes. Two of them carried it on a pole between them, along with some pomegranates and figs. 24 That place was called the Valley of Eshkol because of the cluster of grapes the Israelites cut off there. 25 At the end of forty days they returned from exploring the land.
Report on the Exploration
26 They came back to Moses and Aaron and the whole Israelite community at Kadesh in the Desert of Paran. There they reported to them and to the whole assembly and showed them the fruit of the land. 27 They gave Moses this account: “We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. 28 But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there. 29 The Amalekites live in the Negev; the Hittites, Jebusites and Amorites live in the hill country; and the Canaanites live near the sea and along the Jordan.”30 Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.”
31 But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” 32 And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, “The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. 33 We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.”
Now, since I have heard this message repeatedly, I have a few thoughts that I will share from those that shared originally and then my processing.
This land, Canaan, was the land that in Numbers 13:1 God, tells Moses that he is GIVING or bestowing upon the Israelites as we see here:1 The LORD said to Moses, 2 “Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am GIVING to the Israelites. From each ancestral tribe send one of its leaders.” In other words, the land, the promised land, already belonged to the children of Israel but God was allowing them to inspect it and overtake it in order to inhabit it, if they would so choose.
The spies, 12 of them, go check out this Canaan land and recognize that it is a fortified city, which was truth. But the bad report that comes from 10 of the 12 is that "But the people who live there are powerful". This was a judgment that the 10 spies made rather than truth. They started comparing themselves to the people of the land and therein lied the bad report.
But Caleb and Joshua, saw things differently and we hear that when Caleb proclaims that they should go up and take possession of the land. Caleb was not hindered by his size but rather he remembered the size of his God that had rescued them from their slave masters in Egypt. He remembered how God had provided for them with gold and treasure from the slave masters themselves. He remembered what it felt like to walk on the dry ground of the Red Sea with walls of water on both sides. He remembered the manna that fell from heaven and the water that came from the rock. Caleb remembered God's past performance and knew that God could show up and help them defeat the Canaanites.
However, the other 10 spies, could only see their smallness as we see in verse 33: We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.” The spies had a "Grasshopper Mentality". They saw the circumstances that surrounded them with the same physical eyes that Caleb and Joshua had however they looked through natural eyes instead of eyes of faith. As a result, they thought of themselves as small as well as God. They had forgotten all that God had done in the past, how He had provided and led them. They forgot it all. They saw themselves as mere grasshoppers, able to be crushed with one step of a good shoe. They saw themselves as defeated before a battle even took place. They saw Canaan as a big boogie man, unable to be defeated. And as a result, it cost them.
We see in Numbers 14 the result of their lack of faith and their insistence on their smallness:20 The LORD replied, “I have forgiven them, as you asked. 21 Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the LORD fills the whole earth, 22 not one of those who saw my glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times— 23 not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their ancestors. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it. 24 But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it.
Their "Grasshopper Mentality" cost them the promised land!! But Caleb, who had a "different spirit" was able to enter and dwell there. What made Caleb different? I think it was a few things. He saw through the eyes of faith and not through natural eyes. I think He also remembered what God had done for him as well as for His people. And, I know that Caleb knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that God was on His side and that He was bigger than the Canaanite boogie men.
Now, for my transparency, I have had a "Grasshopper Mentality" for far too long, thus 4 messages in a 3 week period! I see God as I see myself and I forget what He has done for me and for those I love. However, I refuse to stay there. I can't afford to stay there and neither can you! The promised land is at stake!
Lord, help me to break through this grasshopper mentality. Help me to see you as you really are. Help me to recognize your bigness and to walk in the authority you have given me to possess the land!
I know this was more of an intense blog and it needed to be however, I can't not leave you with a little bit of fun. So, as we are fighting off this grasshopper mentality, we can look to the great vegetables of our day that have proudly proclaimed, "God is bigger than the boogie man. He's bigger than Godzilla and the monsters on TV. Oh, God is bigger than the boogie man, And he's watching out for you and me." Thank you Veggie Tales for this reminder!
Thursday, January 20, 2011
She Tackles, She Conquers
If you haven't noticed by now, God speaks to me in weird ways and not so weird ways too, I guess. Anyway, yesterday I was watching one of my all time favorite shows, Gilmore Girls (I have all 7 seasons and I watch them continuously). The things I love most about the show are their quick wit, humor and the fact that they talk fast too! This show also produces a lot of great one-liners which I also immsensly enjoy but I digress.
On the episode I watched yesterday, Rory, one of the main characters was put in charge of overseeing an event for the first time. Her grandmother was worried about how well she would do especially considering the fact that she was making all sorts of changes and doing things differently than had ever been done before. While, Rory's grandmother was expressing her concern to Rory's grandfather, he stops her mid-sentence and says, in regards to Rory, "Everything she tackles she conquers!" WOW!
As I heard that phrase last night my heart leaped at the amount of faith her grandfather had in her abilities. He wasn't worried a bit about her performance because he had true faith in her and his love of her was not based on her performance anyway! Not only that but what a thing for Rory to be known for, as a woman who conquers everything she tackles! Talk about a great label to have!
The awesome thing is that I have that label too! And so do you! Romans 8:37 says, "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Sadly, I often forget that this label is mine as well as my identity. On those days, all I can really conquer is a pint of Ben & Jerry's ice cream!! Even today, as I am frustrated by circumstances/situations and I don't feel like a conqueror that doesn't negate the fact that at my core, I am.
To wind down last night, I watched the first few minutes of Princess Diaries 2. The opening scenes of that movie point to the first movie in which Mia Thermopolis finds out that she is a princess. At first Mia doesn't believe that she is a princess. Then once she acknowledges that she comes from royal blood, she tells Joseph, her driver and protector that she doesn't want to BE a princess. Joseph tells her essentially that she can decline the throne but can never cease being what she truly is, a princess!
I can never cease being a conqueror. I can stop acting liking it but I can not stop being it because it is in my DNA in Christ. I may feel defeated by life and I may have a rough couple of days, but in time, my conquering spirit will come forth because I can't cease being what I truly am, a conqueror! And of course, the same goes for you!
Lord, help us to recognize, realize, and remember who we are in You! Thank you for making us more than conquerors in You!
On the episode I watched yesterday, Rory, one of the main characters was put in charge of overseeing an event for the first time. Her grandmother was worried about how well she would do especially considering the fact that she was making all sorts of changes and doing things differently than had ever been done before. While, Rory's grandmother was expressing her concern to Rory's grandfather, he stops her mid-sentence and says, in regards to Rory, "Everything she tackles she conquers!" WOW!
As I heard that phrase last night my heart leaped at the amount of faith her grandfather had in her abilities. He wasn't worried a bit about her performance because he had true faith in her and his love of her was not based on her performance anyway! Not only that but what a thing for Rory to be known for, as a woman who conquers everything she tackles! Talk about a great label to have!
The awesome thing is that I have that label too! And so do you! Romans 8:37 says, "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Sadly, I often forget that this label is mine as well as my identity. On those days, all I can really conquer is a pint of Ben & Jerry's ice cream!! Even today, as I am frustrated by circumstances/situations and I don't feel like a conqueror that doesn't negate the fact that at my core, I am.
To wind down last night, I watched the first few minutes of Princess Diaries 2. The opening scenes of that movie point to the first movie in which Mia Thermopolis finds out that she is a princess. At first Mia doesn't believe that she is a princess. Then once she acknowledges that she comes from royal blood, she tells Joseph, her driver and protector that she doesn't want to BE a princess. Joseph tells her essentially that she can decline the throne but can never cease being what she truly is, a princess!
I can never cease being a conqueror. I can stop acting liking it but I can not stop being it because it is in my DNA in Christ. I may feel defeated by life and I may have a rough couple of days, but in time, my conquering spirit will come forth because I can't cease being what I truly am, a conqueror! And of course, the same goes for you!
Lord, help us to recognize, realize, and remember who we are in You! Thank you for making us more than conquerors in You!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
The Weight of the Potter's Hand
Jeremiah 18:2 -6 "Arise and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause you to hear My words." Then I went down to the potter's house, and there he was, making something at the wheel. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make.
Not only do I write a daily blog/devo, I also get a few that I have subscribed to as well and the Scripture in one of them was this passage from Jeremiah 18. As I read it, I realized I am back on the potter's wheel and I'm starting to get dizzy! The verse that sticks out to me are "And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter;so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make.
A "mar" is a disfiguring mark; a blemish. "Marred" is to inflict damage, especially disfiguring damage on; to impair the soundness, perfection, or integrity of; spoil. Now, I am not a Bible scholar, so when some verse sticks out to me, I do the only thing I know to do and that is read it in several versions of the Bible. So, here we go!
4And the vessel that he was making from clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he made it over, reworking it into another vessel as it seemed good to the potter to make it. (Amplified Bible)
Not only do I write a daily blog/devo, I also get a few that I have subscribed to as well and the Scripture in one of them was this passage from Jeremiah 18. As I read it, I realized I am back on the potter's wheel and I'm starting to get dizzy! The verse that sticks out to me are "And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter;so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make.
A "mar" is a disfiguring mark; a blemish. "Marred" is to inflict damage, especially disfiguring damage on; to impair the soundness, perfection, or integrity of; spoil. Now, I am not a Bible scholar, so when some verse sticks out to me, I do the only thing I know to do and that is read it in several versions of the Bible. So, here we go!
4And the vessel that he was making from clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he made it over, reworking it into another vessel as it seemed good to the potter to make it. (Amplified Bible)
4 But the jar he was making did not turn out as he had hoped, so he crushed it into a lump of clay again and started over. (New Living Translation)
4 His hands were shaping a pot out of clay. But he saw that something was wrong with it. So he formed it into another pot. He shaped it in the way that seemed best to him. (New International Reader's Version)
Whenever the pot the potter was working on turned out badly, as sometimes happens when you are working with clay, the potter would simply start over and use the same clay to make another pot. (The Message)
Life causes "marring". Our choices cause "marring". And it would seem that God causes "marring" but it is "marring" with a purpose. When He sees those blemishes and imperfections in us, He chooses to not let them stay there but rather remove them by starting over. Theologically for me, it may not make a whole lot of sense but spiritually, I feel the weight of the potter's hand on my life, even as I type this, re-forming my life and my dreams and re-working my thoughts and my ideas. I'm not gonna lie, it's a painful process and everything within you wants to scream out in pain but graciously, the potter's hand never leaves the wheel! As we go round and round, as he molds and forms us, His hand never leaves the wheel!! That is good news friend!
Ultimately, the Potter will make me into the vessel that He wants me to be, blemish free in eternity. But on this side of heaven, I think me and the potter's wheel will become really good friends! I am feeling the weight of the potter's hands today and you may be as well. While it may be tough, His eyes are always on us and His hands are always near!
This is an awesome demo of clay being molded into something great and it has Darlene Zschech singing Potter's Hand as well! Enjoy!
Whenever the pot the potter was working on turned out badly, as sometimes happens when you are working with clay, the potter would simply start over and use the same clay to make another pot. (The Message)
Life causes "marring". Our choices cause "marring". And it would seem that God causes "marring" but it is "marring" with a purpose. When He sees those blemishes and imperfections in us, He chooses to not let them stay there but rather remove them by starting over. Theologically for me, it may not make a whole lot of sense but spiritually, I feel the weight of the potter's hand on my life, even as I type this, re-forming my life and my dreams and re-working my thoughts and my ideas. I'm not gonna lie, it's a painful process and everything within you wants to scream out in pain but graciously, the potter's hand never leaves the wheel! As we go round and round, as he molds and forms us, His hand never leaves the wheel!! That is good news friend!
Ultimately, the Potter will make me into the vessel that He wants me to be, blemish free in eternity. But on this side of heaven, I think me and the potter's wheel will become really good friends! I am feeling the weight of the potter's hands today and you may be as well. While it may be tough, His eyes are always on us and His hands are always near!
This is an awesome demo of clay being molded into something great and it has Darlene Zschech singing Potter's Hand as well! Enjoy!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
What Love Really Means
I love this song! I have been singing it repeatedly for quite some time. I think it describes so well what we all want. We want someone to love us for who we are, not for what we have done or what we will become. We long for this kind of love. We lust after this kind of love. We search everywhere for this kind of love. We attempt to change our behaviors to earn this kind of love. We go to great lengths to be loved.
But the only place we can locate this love is in the arms of God. He is the only one who can love us in this manner. The Bible says in John 3:16 "For God sooooo loved the world, that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him shall have everlasting life." (Emphasis on the "so" mine) He loved us when we were unlovable, unlovely, and in sin. He loved us when we could care less about Him and knowing Him. He loved us when we doubted and hated Him. The cool thing is that just as He LOVED us, He still LOVES us and He WILL forever LOVE us! Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8) and so that means His love remains the same!!
Even though I know these truths that I am sharing with you today, God is teaching me more about His love and what it means in my life. He's changing my thinking and revealing lies I have believed about Him in my heart and mind. He is showing me His love in fresh new ways and I pray He will do the same for you! This is my prayer over us, just as Paul prayed it over the Ephesians many moons ago, "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3:18-19)
Monday, January 17, 2011
Crazy Ol' Loon!
For those of you looking for posts over the weekend, sorry! I have decided that weekday posts will be a regular thing but I need some grace for weekends and so you may or may not have weekend posts, just fyi.
So, last night, after the crazy busy weekend I mentioned above, I curled up in bed and started watching Beauty and the Beast, the ultimate Disney classic. As I was laying there, drifting off to sleep, Gaston and Le Fou (Gaston's partner in crime) encounter Belle as she is heading home to her father, Maurice. Le Fou says in relation to Maurice, "That crazy ol' loon! He needs all the help he can get!" Just then an explosion happens in the distance and Belle runs off to check on her father.
When I heard that line, which I have heard a thousand times before, it resonated in such a clear way last night. I'm Maurice! I'm that crazy ol loon! For those of you that know me, I know you just said a loud "Amen!" But that's not really the part I want to focus in on. The piece of that line that stood out was "HE NEEDS ALL THE HELP HE CAN GET!" Yes, that's me!! I am realizing more and more that I can't do this thing called life alone. And honestly, I don't want to. Often times, I sway back and forth on this pendulum as I try to be self sufficient depending only on myself to take care of life and then to the other side where I really need to stay. Let's talk about the other side for a little.
The other side is the side in which I am completely dependent on the Lord to supply everything that I need, physically, emotionally, spiritually, relationally. He's promised he will do it in Phillipians 4:19: "But my God shall supply ALL your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus." It's amazing how often I see all but hear some or I know He says all but I think He only means some. In correlation to needing the Lord, we need each other as God has created us for relationships. So much of the Bible is written to us as to how to properly be in relationship with others, how to handle conflict, how to love, etc. We can't look at Scripture and think that we are to go this journey alone. We need help, all of us. When we deny this fact, we limit God, we limit our relationships and we limit ourselves.
I need all the help I can get! I will shout it from the rooftops! I am not ashamed to let people know that I need them. I may be humbled in the process to ask for help but that is only because asking for help is contrary to culture. We see those that ask for help as needy or less than. But why would God tell us to ask, seek and knock (Matthew 7:6-8)??
God, I am asking, seeking and knocking for your help! I need it! I need all of it! Yes, the world may call me crazy for relying on You and trusting You but I would rather be a crazy ol' loon any day!
So, last night, after the crazy busy weekend I mentioned above, I curled up in bed and started watching Beauty and the Beast, the ultimate Disney classic. As I was laying there, drifting off to sleep, Gaston and Le Fou (Gaston's partner in crime) encounter Belle as she is heading home to her father, Maurice. Le Fou says in relation to Maurice, "That crazy ol' loon! He needs all the help he can get!" Just then an explosion happens in the distance and Belle runs off to check on her father.
When I heard that line, which I have heard a thousand times before, it resonated in such a clear way last night. I'm Maurice! I'm that crazy ol loon! For those of you that know me, I know you just said a loud "Amen!" But that's not really the part I want to focus in on. The piece of that line that stood out was "HE NEEDS ALL THE HELP HE CAN GET!" Yes, that's me!! I am realizing more and more that I can't do this thing called life alone. And honestly, I don't want to. Often times, I sway back and forth on this pendulum as I try to be self sufficient depending only on myself to take care of life and then to the other side where I really need to stay. Let's talk about the other side for a little.
The other side is the side in which I am completely dependent on the Lord to supply everything that I need, physically, emotionally, spiritually, relationally. He's promised he will do it in Phillipians 4:19: "But my God shall supply ALL your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus." It's amazing how often I see all but hear some or I know He says all but I think He only means some. In correlation to needing the Lord, we need each other as God has created us for relationships. So much of the Bible is written to us as to how to properly be in relationship with others, how to handle conflict, how to love, etc. We can't look at Scripture and think that we are to go this journey alone. We need help, all of us. When we deny this fact, we limit God, we limit our relationships and we limit ourselves.
I need all the help I can get! I will shout it from the rooftops! I am not ashamed to let people know that I need them. I may be humbled in the process to ask for help but that is only because asking for help is contrary to culture. We see those that ask for help as needy or less than. But why would God tell us to ask, seek and knock (Matthew 7:6-8)??
God, I am asking, seeking and knocking for your help! I need it! I need all of it! Yes, the world may call me crazy for relying on You and trusting You but I would rather be a crazy ol' loon any day!
Friday, January 14, 2011
Just Call Me Israel
I am a facebook junkie as most of you know. I spend a lot of time on there as I am such a people person and it's pretty much the easiest way for me to keep up with my friends that are all over the state and country and even in other countries. Anyway, yesterday this is what I wrote on my facebook status:
26 The man said, "Let me go; it's daybreak."
Jacob said, "I'm not letting you go 'til you bless me."
27 The man said, "What's your name?"
He answered, "Jacob."
28 The man said, "But no longer. Your name is no longer Jacob. From now on it's Israel (God-Wrestler); you've wrestled with God and you've come through."
I love verse 28! God changes Jacob's name which meant "deceiver" to Israel which means "God wrestler". It is my experience with decievers that they themselevs are deceived or they deceive so much that they no longer know truth or remember truth. Right now, I can relate. Not that I have been deceiving others but that I have been deceived myself and I am fighting for truth. Fighting to find God in my circumstances and situations. Just like Jacob, I am wrestling with God, not in the physical sense but in the mental and spiritual recesses of my soul. While I am still in the throes of this match, I love the hope that I find at the end of verse 28: "you've wrestled with God and you've come through!" I will come through and I'll get a new name in the process!
What do you need to wrestle with God about? What have you wrestled with God about? What is God wrestling with you about? Keep fighting for truth friends as truth has the ability to set us free!!
26 The man said, "Let me go; it's daybreak."
Jacob said, "I'm not letting you go 'til you bless me."
27 The man said, "What's your name?"
He answered, "Jacob."
28 The man said, "But no longer. Your name is no longer Jacob. From now on it's Israel (God-Wrestler); you've wrestled with God and you've come through."
I love verse 28! God changes Jacob's name which meant "deceiver" to Israel which means "God wrestler". It is my experience with decievers that they themselevs are deceived or they deceive so much that they no longer know truth or remember truth. Right now, I can relate. Not that I have been deceiving others but that I have been deceived myself and I am fighting for truth. Fighting to find God in my circumstances and situations. Just like Jacob, I am wrestling with God, not in the physical sense but in the mental and spiritual recesses of my soul. While I am still in the throes of this match, I love the hope that I find at the end of verse 28: "you've wrestled with God and you've come through!" I will come through and I'll get a new name in the process!
What do you need to wrestle with God about? What have you wrestled with God about? What is God wrestling with you about? Keep fighting for truth friends as truth has the ability to set us free!!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Onion Healing: Level #432
Weird title. I know.
What in the world is onion healing?! Well, in my world, it's how I like to refer to another level of healing. I once heard emotional/spiritual healing referred to like an onion, from who, I don't remember but the illustration stuck! An onion has many layers, just how many depends on the onion. When we deal with healing we are very similar to this vegetable. The kicker is that just like an onion we have no idea how many layers we really have. Every time we deal with the issues in our lives and seek healing, we deal with another layer of our onion. This doesn't necessarily mean we have digressed or regressed but it's just another level or progress of healing on this journey we call life. With all of that said, I feel like I am somewhere on level #432! :) Really! I have done two stints of intense counseling so far and I am positive that we have at least gotten to level #431 so this would make level #432! (Besides, 432 IS my favorite number..so, go with it!)
Anyway, last night, I felt God directing me to re-read a book called Crucified by Christians by Gene Edwards. (Truth be told, I think we all have felt like that at some point in our lives.) I started reading it this morning since I was up with the chickens but had to stop and process, thus you hearing/reading about it now. When I wrote Converted by Cookies, Healed by Grace, I had already undergone healing for that chapter of my life and the book was able to be written in only a week and a half, aka "warp speed". However, as I am trying to write book #2, I am realizing just how much healing needs to come as the subject of book #2 is directly related to the book God is having me read right now.
All of that to say, another level of healing is taking place. It's just really started in the last couple of months so it could be awhile. But my hope is in the Lord! Psalm 147:3 says "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." I am so grateful that I love and serve the God of Restoration. The lyrics below are to a song that was sang at a conference that really got this healing process going. I tried to enclose the link for you to hear it as well but if that doesn't work you can look it up on using this link. http://youtu.be/7LcyQOLVS_U
I hope these lyrics minister to you as well! I hope you are ever willing to allow God to heal the broken and wounded places of your life. Healing is hard work but it's a work well worth it. Besides, you never know who your healing and testimony can help! Allow God to bring restoration today!
What in the world is onion healing?! Well, in my world, it's how I like to refer to another level of healing. I once heard emotional/spiritual healing referred to like an onion, from who, I don't remember but the illustration stuck! An onion has many layers, just how many depends on the onion. When we deal with healing we are very similar to this vegetable. The kicker is that just like an onion we have no idea how many layers we really have. Every time we deal with the issues in our lives and seek healing, we deal with another layer of our onion. This doesn't necessarily mean we have digressed or regressed but it's just another level or progress of healing on this journey we call life. With all of that said, I feel like I am somewhere on level #432! :) Really! I have done two stints of intense counseling so far and I am positive that we have at least gotten to level #431 so this would make level #432! (Besides, 432 IS my favorite number..so, go with it!)
Anyway, last night, I felt God directing me to re-read a book called Crucified by Christians by Gene Edwards. (Truth be told, I think we all have felt like that at some point in our lives.) I started reading it this morning since I was up with the chickens but had to stop and process, thus you hearing/reading about it now. When I wrote Converted by Cookies, Healed by Grace, I had already undergone healing for that chapter of my life and the book was able to be written in only a week and a half, aka "warp speed". However, as I am trying to write book #2, I am realizing just how much healing needs to come as the subject of book #2 is directly related to the book God is having me read right now.
All of that to say, another level of healing is taking place. It's just really started in the last couple of months so it could be awhile. But my hope is in the Lord! Psalm 147:3 says "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." I am so grateful that I love and serve the God of Restoration. The lyrics below are to a song that was sang at a conference that really got this healing process going. I tried to enclose the link for you to hear it as well but if that doesn't work you can look it up on using this link. http://youtu.be/7LcyQOLVS_U
Restoration-David Brymer
You bring restoration
You bring restoration
To my soul
You’ve taken my pain
You call me by a new name
You’ve taken my shame
And in its place
You give me joy
You take my mourning
Turn it into dancing
You take my weeping
Turn it into laughing
You take my mourning
Turn it into dancing
You take my sadness
Turn it into joy
You bring restoration
You bring restoration
You bring restoration
To my soul
I hope these lyrics minister to you as well! I hope you are ever willing to allow God to heal the broken and wounded places of your life. Healing is hard work but it's a work well worth it. Besides, you never know who your healing and testimony can help! Allow God to bring restoration today!
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