Luke 5: 17-26 Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man
One day while Jesus was teaching, some Pharisees and teachers of religious law were sitting nearby. (It seemed that these men showed up from every village in all Galilee and Judea, as well as from Jerusalem.) And the Lord’s healing power was strongly with Jesus. Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. They tried to take him inside to Jesus, but they couldn’t reach him because of the crowd. So they went up to the roof and took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man,“Young man, your sins are forgiven.” But the Pharisees and teachers of religious law said to themselves, “Who does he think he is? That’s blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!” Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” And immediately, as everyone watched, the man jumped up, picked up his mat, and went home praising God. Everyone was gripped with great wonder and awe, and they praised God, exclaiming, “We have seen amazing things today!”
How It Feels To Carry A Friend
These were the verses for our Sunday Sermon, “Jesus Heals Us.” It was a discussion of divine healing – what it is and what it isn’t. However, like most things, I saw something different in these verses. I saw friends with the tenacity, heart and willingness to carry their friend to the only HOPE he had. Friends with enough faith to carry their friend to Jesus for forgiveness and healing when he couldn’t do it for himself. And I wondered, “when was the last time I carried a friend to Jesus with such audaciousness?” “When was the last time I tore down ceilings (or anything else) in order to bring my friends to their only HOPE?” Don’t get me wrong, I pray, I pray a lot…but as I reflect, I see a prayer life that needs more dependence and audaciousness…more of the Holy Spirit and less of Heidi.
When we pray, our prayers…my prayers, need to reflect the heart of God for those whom I am interceding – the ones I am carrying to Jesus. When Jesus saw the faith of this man’s FRIENDS, he declared the man’s sins forgiven. He healed the man’s lifelong affliction not only because of the faith of friends but also because of the cynicism of those too “religious” to trust Him. In the book of James, God says “the earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results” (James 5:16, NLT). That is a lot of pressure – I know my thoughts and life – it doesn’t live up to “righteous” most of the time. Our faith seems to be able to move mountains and overcome the doubt our spiritual enemies place before us.
Thankfully, God also gave us a way to exchange our unrighteousness and boost the power of our prayers. Colossians 1:22 (NLT) states – “Yet now He has reconciled you to Himself through the death of Christ in His physical body. As a result, He has brought you into His own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before Him without a single fault”. I am fully aware of my MANY faults, yet, as I pray for forgiveness, turn from those things in my life that do not line up with God’s word and holiness, He reconciles and exchanges my sins for His blamelessness and that MY friends is how OUR prayers produce wonderful results and have great power. He exchanges our heavy burdens and the burdens of our friends and family for His light and easy yoke. He broke through the walls of hell and death to reveal why He has the power to forgive and heal. His “light and easy” yoke was earned by Him suffering great loss, revealing great power and declaring great love for His children – an exchange any great parent would do. So He offers us the yoke of interceding, many times waiting and watching Holy Spirit do the work we can’t do for us or our friends. Like His death revealed, as we carry our friends to Him, He accepts His children with open arms.
So I pray first and foremost: Father God, forgive my sin of cynicism and restore to me Your faith and righteousness…not just for myself but for my loved ones – Your loved ones.
Matthew 11:30 (NLT)
For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Psalm 103:12 (NLT)
He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.
Monday, August 19, 2013
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Blessings
Luke 16:10 (NLT) If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.
This is a post and a prayer request…I know I am not alone in this and I will pray for you as well.
“It takes hard work to care for all the blessings God gives us. Be careful what you ask for…when God gives it to you, He expects you to take good care of it.” This sentence flew out of my mouth as I was talking with the kids about all the housework I was doing. Not out of the norm stuff...just the everyday for a mama of three. The three are just getting older and noticing the work it takes to run a household - often because I ask them to help.
Many days, I’m not sure I could handle more responsibilities. Ever get to the point when your blessings overwhelm you with the duty of them? There are many days I ask for wisdom to be the mama my children need. To be the friend my friends need. To be the wife my husband needs. To care for all my many blessings. I am not a great housekeeper…not in the least. But thankfully, the LORD looks at our hearts and not outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7)…and thankfully, my children and husband appreciate the work of life and not a life of work. We live our lives and live in our home – and care for it as it needs not as some of the world demands. I prefer to be responsible and faithful in the greater things and not let great things demand me.
I am enjoying and thankful to God that on some level He trusts me with the care of hearts not just worldly possessions. I am in awe that He would care for all the details of my life, know how my heart turns so quickly from Him and give me so much anyway. Who Am I Really?
My desire is to bless the LORD with all His blessings. I know I fall short (Romans 3:23) in my care of my blessings of life. Thankfully, God refines and trains me in the care He desires and how best to please Him with every stumble I make.
Deuteronomy 10:12 (NLT) [A Call to Love and Obedience] “And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the LORD your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul.
This is a post and a prayer request…I know I am not alone in this and I will pray for you as well.
“It takes hard work to care for all the blessings God gives us. Be careful what you ask for…when God gives it to you, He expects you to take good care of it.” This sentence flew out of my mouth as I was talking with the kids about all the housework I was doing. Not out of the norm stuff...just the everyday for a mama of three. The three are just getting older and noticing the work it takes to run a household - often because I ask them to help.
Many days, I’m not sure I could handle more responsibilities. Ever get to the point when your blessings overwhelm you with the duty of them? There are many days I ask for wisdom to be the mama my children need. To be the friend my friends need. To be the wife my husband needs. To care for all my many blessings. I am not a great housekeeper…not in the least. But thankfully, the LORD looks at our hearts and not outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7)…and thankfully, my children and husband appreciate the work of life and not a life of work. We live our lives and live in our home – and care for it as it needs not as some of the world demands. I prefer to be responsible and faithful in the greater things and not let great things demand me.
I am enjoying and thankful to God that on some level He trusts me with the care of hearts not just worldly possessions. I am in awe that He would care for all the details of my life, know how my heart turns so quickly from Him and give me so much anyway. Who Am I Really?
My desire is to bless the LORD with all His blessings. I know I fall short (Romans 3:23) in my care of my blessings of life. Thankfully, God refines and trains me in the care He desires and how best to please Him with every stumble I make.
Deuteronomy 10:12 (NLT) [A Call to Love and Obedience] “And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the LORD your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul.
Monday, July 29, 2013
Encouraging Scars
1 Peter 5:10 (NLT) In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.
I’m not sure how I missed posting last week…the week was over before I knew what happened. This post has been jumbling in my mind for two weeks now and I still don’t quite know how to articulate it. Even When It's Hard
This past weekend was uneasy, empowering and encouraging for me. I was able to travel to a place that used to mean fear, shame and anxiety. This is a literal place…not just an emotional one. There is a town that I have avoided for 18 years because of the emotional wounds that it brings to mind…and this weekend, out of spite, out of gumption, out of stubbornness – I decided that God has healed so many of my wounds that I was no longer going to let anything (i.e. fear, shame, anxiety) direct my feet but Him. I dug my heels in (with some tears and trembling before I left) and walked the path that led to redemption. My reward was new and fun memories to overshadow the dark memories. I Still Believe
There are places I have NOT visited and things I have NOT done because of the emotional bondage past abuse has had over me. I know there are many people out there like me that have allowed the past (or present) and it’s emotional wounds to dictate where they go and what they accomplish. Ghosts from their past…emotional and mental specters, hinder the work and life God has for them. On my drive this weekend, God spoke many things of peace, redemption and security IN HIM. One of the phrases that He spoke gave me great insight into the life He desires for me: He said, “the same power that took the sting of death away and set the moon and stars where they should be is the same power within you and for you. It is MY power that will take the sting of past hurts and wounds and set your feet firmly on the path that leads to life not death.” He was for me before, during and after the hurt of my past – He never left or intended for me to be a slave to the evil I endured. (Jeremiah 29:11) He always wanted me to seek Him and live the victory and freedom He suffered and died for on my behalf. All the suffering I have endured is nothing compared to what He endured for me. He alone has the power to give my feet strength to move when the fear tries to set me in concrete shoes…He makes my feet light so I can soar above and reveal His truth of how life was given and lived in the midst of this wrecked world. I can reveal my encouraging and strengthened scars to those around me to reveal the hope, encouragement and love that Christ has done in healing and closing the wounds they bring to mind. The scars will never leave – they may fade, but they are meant to remind me of the life and experiences that Christ has brought me through and strengthened me in. No More Hiding
Galatians 2:20 (NLT) My old self has been crucified with Christ.[a] It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
I’m not sure how I missed posting last week…the week was over before I knew what happened. This post has been jumbling in my mind for two weeks now and I still don’t quite know how to articulate it. Even When It's Hard
This past weekend was uneasy, empowering and encouraging for me. I was able to travel to a place that used to mean fear, shame and anxiety. This is a literal place…not just an emotional one. There is a town that I have avoided for 18 years because of the emotional wounds that it brings to mind…and this weekend, out of spite, out of gumption, out of stubbornness – I decided that God has healed so many of my wounds that I was no longer going to let anything (i.e. fear, shame, anxiety) direct my feet but Him. I dug my heels in (with some tears and trembling before I left) and walked the path that led to redemption. My reward was new and fun memories to overshadow the dark memories. I Still Believe
There are places I have NOT visited and things I have NOT done because of the emotional bondage past abuse has had over me. I know there are many people out there like me that have allowed the past (or present) and it’s emotional wounds to dictate where they go and what they accomplish. Ghosts from their past…emotional and mental specters, hinder the work and life God has for them. On my drive this weekend, God spoke many things of peace, redemption and security IN HIM. One of the phrases that He spoke gave me great insight into the life He desires for me: He said, “the same power that took the sting of death away and set the moon and stars where they should be is the same power within you and for you. It is MY power that will take the sting of past hurts and wounds and set your feet firmly on the path that leads to life not death.” He was for me before, during and after the hurt of my past – He never left or intended for me to be a slave to the evil I endured. (Jeremiah 29:11) He always wanted me to seek Him and live the victory and freedom He suffered and died for on my behalf. All the suffering I have endured is nothing compared to what He endured for me. He alone has the power to give my feet strength to move when the fear tries to set me in concrete shoes…He makes my feet light so I can soar above and reveal His truth of how life was given and lived in the midst of this wrecked world. I can reveal my encouraging and strengthened scars to those around me to reveal the hope, encouragement and love that Christ has done in healing and closing the wounds they bring to mind. The scars will never leave – they may fade, but they are meant to remind me of the life and experiences that Christ has brought me through and strengthened me in. No More Hiding
Galatians 2:20 (NLT) My old self has been crucified with Christ.[a] It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Covered and Equipped
Exodus 17:15 (NLT) Moses built an altar there and named it Yahweh-Nissi (which means “the LORD is my banner”).
Lately my emotions have been tugged between two of my everyday realities. I am feeling the pressure of being a shepherd and the longing for comfort and care of an orphan. An email from a friend put this into perspective for me…it connected these feelings and identities. “A shepherd and an orphan are among the many biblical characters with calm, assured dignity. They obtained their poise from God, not through their own efforts. When God’s got you, you don’t have to trust yourself or be concerned about what anyone else thinks.”
Biblically, I look to Moses as a person well acquainted with both identities as well. He was adopted and orphaned. His biological family had to give him up to save his life and his adopted family tried repeatedly to kill him when he was older. He shepherded animals in his exile and people in His submission to the life God had for him. Moses followed and walked intimately with the LORD in both his responsibility as a shepherd of God’s people and the longing for direction and care as the orphan he was.
The same day I received my friends' email mentioned above, I had prayed to God for strength and asked Holy Spirit to fulfill all my needs related to shepherding the beautiful sheep He has given me (both biological and spiritual sheep (children)) and comforting me in my aloneness and longing in wanting a parent to love and care for me in all the ways He has taught me to love and care for others.
Through many circumstances and experiences lately, I have been profoundly reminded of my “orphan” status. I have felt and grieved that no one (or least anyone biological) is “out there” looking out for me and wondering if “I’m o.k.” in a parental sort of way. I do not have a mother or father interested in me in a careful, loving way. You may feel the same way – even if your parents are alive…orphaned can be a mindset as well as a legal experience. (Psalm 27:10, NLT) I’m sure everyone is acquainted with a feeling of lonely hopelessness at times. Times when you want to hear a loving, guiding voice but don’t have or know who to call…who would understand? I can say the LORD always is available and always understands – and He is both of those things – but sometimes, in deep parts of a person, we (I) need “Jesus with skin on.” A “in-your-face” person who can be touched, heard and present in ways that only God can – He continues to show His grace and provision in these ways.
Exodus 33:14-18 (NLT) The LORD replied, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.” Then Moses said, “If you don’t personally go with us, don’t make us leave this place. How will anyone know that you look favorably on me—on me and on your people—if you don’t go with us? For your presence among us sets your people and me apart from all other people on the earth.” The LORD replied to Moses, “I will indeed do what you have asked, for I look favorably on you, and I know you by name.” Moses responded, “Then show me your glorious presence.” Show Me Your Glory What follows this intimate conversation is one of the most spectacular and comforting passages of scripture. The LORD covers Moses with His strong and gentle hand in the cleft of a rock and passes by him – declaring who He is and how He loves his children. This is particularly comforting for someone who desires being held and loved by a parent. I have experienced this sense of comfort from God many times – He never fails to provide when I call Him.
God did not give Moses everything he wanted here on earth, but He always provided everything he needed. For example, Moses never got to experience the Promised Land but He experienced and saw the face and presence of His LORD…intimately, closely and profoundly everyday. He was cared for all the days of his life even into His death – the LORD buried him (Deuteronomy 34:6)!! His days were ordered and directed by the LORD and Moses always knew it – even through insecurity and trembling sometimes (he argued with God about being His prophet because of a speech impediment and was insecure about confronting Pharoah – the Book of Exodus recounts most of Moses’ life with God). Through the loving care He gave to Moses, He equipped him to care for and shepherd His people in miraculous and supernatural ways.
When the LORD is my banner and covers me and my needs (Exodus 17:15), I no longer am called anything but HIS. I know I am able to accomplish and have everything I need and desire in Him alone. Even now, my littlest one has run to me with tears in her eyes, saying "I want my mama..." and I am so glad I am called that name too and am here to comfort. My Eternal Identity because of Him
Ephesians 3:20 (NLT) Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
1 Peter 5:7 (NLT) Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
Lately my emotions have been tugged between two of my everyday realities. I am feeling the pressure of being a shepherd and the longing for comfort and care of an orphan. An email from a friend put this into perspective for me…it connected these feelings and identities. “A shepherd and an orphan are among the many biblical characters with calm, assured dignity. They obtained their poise from God, not through their own efforts. When God’s got you, you don’t have to trust yourself or be concerned about what anyone else thinks.”
Biblically, I look to Moses as a person well acquainted with both identities as well. He was adopted and orphaned. His biological family had to give him up to save his life and his adopted family tried repeatedly to kill him when he was older. He shepherded animals in his exile and people in His submission to the life God had for him. Moses followed and walked intimately with the LORD in both his responsibility as a shepherd of God’s people and the longing for direction and care as the orphan he was.
The same day I received my friends' email mentioned above, I had prayed to God for strength and asked Holy Spirit to fulfill all my needs related to shepherding the beautiful sheep He has given me (both biological and spiritual sheep (children)) and comforting me in my aloneness and longing in wanting a parent to love and care for me in all the ways He has taught me to love and care for others.
Through many circumstances and experiences lately, I have been profoundly reminded of my “orphan” status. I have felt and grieved that no one (or least anyone biological) is “out there” looking out for me and wondering if “I’m o.k.” in a parental sort of way. I do not have a mother or father interested in me in a careful, loving way. You may feel the same way – even if your parents are alive…orphaned can be a mindset as well as a legal experience. (Psalm 27:10, NLT) I’m sure everyone is acquainted with a feeling of lonely hopelessness at times. Times when you want to hear a loving, guiding voice but don’t have or know who to call…who would understand? I can say the LORD always is available and always understands – and He is both of those things – but sometimes, in deep parts of a person, we (I) need “Jesus with skin on.” A “in-your-face” person who can be touched, heard and present in ways that only God can – He continues to show His grace and provision in these ways.
Exodus 33:14-18 (NLT) The LORD replied, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.” Then Moses said, “If you don’t personally go with us, don’t make us leave this place. How will anyone know that you look favorably on me—on me and on your people—if you don’t go with us? For your presence among us sets your people and me apart from all other people on the earth.” The LORD replied to Moses, “I will indeed do what you have asked, for I look favorably on you, and I know you by name.” Moses responded, “Then show me your glorious presence.” Show Me Your Glory What follows this intimate conversation is one of the most spectacular and comforting passages of scripture. The LORD covers Moses with His strong and gentle hand in the cleft of a rock and passes by him – declaring who He is and how He loves his children. This is particularly comforting for someone who desires being held and loved by a parent. I have experienced this sense of comfort from God many times – He never fails to provide when I call Him.
God did not give Moses everything he wanted here on earth, but He always provided everything he needed. For example, Moses never got to experience the Promised Land but He experienced and saw the face and presence of His LORD…intimately, closely and profoundly everyday. He was cared for all the days of his life even into His death – the LORD buried him (Deuteronomy 34:6)!! His days were ordered and directed by the LORD and Moses always knew it – even through insecurity and trembling sometimes (he argued with God about being His prophet because of a speech impediment and was insecure about confronting Pharoah – the Book of Exodus recounts most of Moses’ life with God). Through the loving care He gave to Moses, He equipped him to care for and shepherd His people in miraculous and supernatural ways.
When the LORD is my banner and covers me and my needs (Exodus 17:15), I no longer am called anything but HIS. I know I am able to accomplish and have everything I need and desire in Him alone. Even now, my littlest one has run to me with tears in her eyes, saying "I want my mama..." and I am so glad I am called that name too and am here to comfort. My Eternal Identity because of Him
Ephesians 3:20 (NLT) Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
1 Peter 5:7 (NLT) Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
Monday, July 8, 2013
Wait...what?
Deuteronomy 28:20 (NIV) The LORD will send on you curses, confusion and rebuke in everything you put your hand to, until you are destroyed and come to sudden ruin because of the evil you have done in forsaking him.
This week in Heidi-world (actually for quite awhile) has been especially confusing. While I don’t think this is the venue to share what my confusion is regarding, I do think a conversation of how to follow when God’s voice seems so far away and muffled is warranted. How to stay the course during life’s confusing seasons/moments. I’m not suggesting a 10 step way to overcome confusion & doubt…I’m learning while I write, learning how to trust God even in the confusion/trial. Trust is a BIG hurdle in this thing called life. While it is true God is not a God of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33), I do believe He allows freedom for His children to live the truths they have been equipped in and sometimes we stumble over His truth when the world throws it’s “truth” in our way…then, confusion happens. Do we trust God enough to follow His truths when they don’t match the worlds’? I am aware the truth of God will never match the worlds’ truth…just a way to open the doors and windows to my heart and see ways I’m mistaking lies for truth. My Need
The verse in Deuteronomy above is the second part of a dialogue the LORD had with His people…this is the “if you don’t follow and obey” part of the discussion (I highly recommend reading the whole chapter and put the verse in context so you don’t confuse God as a wrathful, vengeful for no good reason kinda God – it is not His plan for destruction or pain…like any GOOD parent knows, you don’t discipline because you hate your children, you discipline because you love them and you would rather they not have any pain but the temporary pain from discipline out of love can prevent a lifetime of pain from hate).
Even just a brief browse of the bible for the word ‘confusion’ gives a clear reason for why it exists: confusion is meant to defeat enemies of God and His people. Please don’t hear me saying that if you are confused it’s because you are an “enemy of God and His people.” However, I propose for myself and because of the experiences I’ve had with confusion, that confusion does point to a disconnect with God in some way. It takes discernment (one of those “christiany” words which means the process of determining God's desire in a situation or for one's life) to allow Holy Spirit to seek “any wrong way” within me and show me the straight path (Psalm 139: 23, 24; Proverbs 4:11, 26, 21: 13). Sometimes that means not moving at all for awhile…staying confused as I “discern” the “truth” coming at me and whether it is from the world or from God. So, that’s where I am…confused and listening – trying to discern God’s voice among the others trying to tell me “truth” for the situation I’m experiencing. Pray my ears are open to His voice and closed to all others. As always, I will be praying for you in similar ways as we seek God for wisdom Everyday. My Current Reminder
Exodus 34:6 (NLT) The LORD passed in front of Moses, calling out, “Yahweh! The LORD! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.
Exodus 14:14 (NLT) The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”
This week in Heidi-world (actually for quite awhile) has been especially confusing. While I don’t think this is the venue to share what my confusion is regarding, I do think a conversation of how to follow when God’s voice seems so far away and muffled is warranted. How to stay the course during life’s confusing seasons/moments. I’m not suggesting a 10 step way to overcome confusion & doubt…I’m learning while I write, learning how to trust God even in the confusion/trial. Trust is a BIG hurdle in this thing called life. While it is true God is not a God of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33), I do believe He allows freedom for His children to live the truths they have been equipped in and sometimes we stumble over His truth when the world throws it’s “truth” in our way…then, confusion happens. Do we trust God enough to follow His truths when they don’t match the worlds’? I am aware the truth of God will never match the worlds’ truth…just a way to open the doors and windows to my heart and see ways I’m mistaking lies for truth. My Need
The verse in Deuteronomy above is the second part of a dialogue the LORD had with His people…this is the “if you don’t follow and obey” part of the discussion (I highly recommend reading the whole chapter and put the verse in context so you don’t confuse God as a wrathful, vengeful for no good reason kinda God – it is not His plan for destruction or pain…like any GOOD parent knows, you don’t discipline because you hate your children, you discipline because you love them and you would rather they not have any pain but the temporary pain from discipline out of love can prevent a lifetime of pain from hate).
Even just a brief browse of the bible for the word ‘confusion’ gives a clear reason for why it exists: confusion is meant to defeat enemies of God and His people. Please don’t hear me saying that if you are confused it’s because you are an “enemy of God and His people.” However, I propose for myself and because of the experiences I’ve had with confusion, that confusion does point to a disconnect with God in some way. It takes discernment (one of those “christiany” words which means the process of determining God's desire in a situation or for one's life) to allow Holy Spirit to seek “any wrong way” within me and show me the straight path (Psalm 139: 23, 24; Proverbs 4:11, 26, 21: 13). Sometimes that means not moving at all for awhile…staying confused as I “discern” the “truth” coming at me and whether it is from the world or from God. So, that’s where I am…confused and listening – trying to discern God’s voice among the others trying to tell me “truth” for the situation I’m experiencing. Pray my ears are open to His voice and closed to all others. As always, I will be praying for you in similar ways as we seek God for wisdom Everyday. My Current Reminder
Exodus 34:6 (NLT) The LORD passed in front of Moses, calling out, “Yahweh! The LORD! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.
Exodus 14:14 (NLT) The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”
Monday, July 1, 2013
On The Inside
Romans 12:3 (NLT) Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.
“I just want to get away from myself.” Have you ever thought that? I know I have…still do sometimes. I know people the other extreme too; they overly love and admire everything they are. While away last week, I heard this quote in a song, “Don’t compare the worst in them with the best in You.” – Laleh, singer. I did have to take a closer look at how I interact with people. I judge myself pretty harshly sometimes, and I know I judge others the same way… I know I have judged others on their behavior/habits/sins/language…etc. Romans 3:23 is a good reminder that we all fall short of the Glory of God. Even the “best” in me is nothing compared to Jesus and His righteousness. The “worst” in me is no comparison to others either…I still have a “worst” and a “best” that is continually being shaped by God. A Difficult Step
If I’m honest with myself, I would not know what to “get away” from. I know, for the most part, which aspects of myself are God-centered and simply who God has made me to be (they are the parts that I wish I could get away from sometimes, the parts that are odd to the world around me but suit me and feel “natural.”)
On the inside, I’m learning who God is making me to be and I know who I am In Christ. I’m willing to be refined and rebuked to Godly change in those “worst” areas but I’m not willing to compromise the parts that are already completely His.
So, how and what do I get away from…
I wish I wasn’t so sensitive to others’ opinions
I wish I didn’t love and care so much for others who can’t reciprocate…either because they aren’t around anymore or because that’s not how God made them – they just don’t think of things the same way I do
I wish I could hide my feelings – no I don’t…I despise fake and dishonest above all else…I couldn’t be that way.
So – I’m stuck not being able to get away from myself because I’m not willing to actually change the things that make me different and show my humanness. I’m quirky, silly, contemplative and philosophical…I don’t make sense to anyone but me and God.
Jesus gave me a great example in how to be content with who God has made me. He knew who He was and whose He was (John 8:28, 29, 14:25-31). I won't be controlled by my worldly insecurities but I will choose to place myself upon the wings of God and soar like the eagles on the supernatural security of my God. Step Out On Faith Therefore, I will continue to think of others and care about them and for them as Holy Spirit leads – even if they are oblivious to me and/or my feelings. That is the example of Christ. He loved us while we were against Him. He showered us with grace and mercy while we rejected Him. He did the work God planned for Him and walked confidently close with God for His strength and encouragement…I continue to pray for the faith to do this as well. I will also pray for you to be able to walk confidently and do the good works God has prepared for you and through you (Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago).
Philippians 2:3 (NLT) Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.
“I just want to get away from myself.” Have you ever thought that? I know I have…still do sometimes. I know people the other extreme too; they overly love and admire everything they are. While away last week, I heard this quote in a song, “Don’t compare the worst in them with the best in You.” – Laleh, singer. I did have to take a closer look at how I interact with people. I judge myself pretty harshly sometimes, and I know I judge others the same way… I know I have judged others on their behavior/habits/sins/language…etc. Romans 3:23 is a good reminder that we all fall short of the Glory of God. Even the “best” in me is nothing compared to Jesus and His righteousness. The “worst” in me is no comparison to others either…I still have a “worst” and a “best” that is continually being shaped by God. A Difficult Step
If I’m honest with myself, I would not know what to “get away” from. I know, for the most part, which aspects of myself are God-centered and simply who God has made me to be (they are the parts that I wish I could get away from sometimes, the parts that are odd to the world around me but suit me and feel “natural.”)
On the inside, I’m learning who God is making me to be and I know who I am In Christ. I’m willing to be refined and rebuked to Godly change in those “worst” areas but I’m not willing to compromise the parts that are already completely His.
So, how and what do I get away from…
I wish I wasn’t so sensitive to others’ opinions
I wish I didn’t love and care so much for others who can’t reciprocate…either because they aren’t around anymore or because that’s not how God made them – they just don’t think of things the same way I do
I wish I could hide my feelings – no I don’t…I despise fake and dishonest above all else…I couldn’t be that way.
So – I’m stuck not being able to get away from myself because I’m not willing to actually change the things that make me different and show my humanness. I’m quirky, silly, contemplative and philosophical…I don’t make sense to anyone but me and God.
Jesus gave me a great example in how to be content with who God has made me. He knew who He was and whose He was (John 8:28, 29, 14:25-31). I won't be controlled by my worldly insecurities but I will choose to place myself upon the wings of God and soar like the eagles on the supernatural security of my God. Step Out On Faith Therefore, I will continue to think of others and care about them and for them as Holy Spirit leads – even if they are oblivious to me and/or my feelings. That is the example of Christ. He loved us while we were against Him. He showered us with grace and mercy while we rejected Him. He did the work God planned for Him and walked confidently close with God for His strength and encouragement…I continue to pray for the faith to do this as well. I will also pray for you to be able to walk confidently and do the good works God has prepared for you and through you (Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago).
Philippians 2:3 (NLT) Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.
Saturday, June 15, 2013
A Gaze and Sigh
Lamentations 3:22, 23 (NIV) ...His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."
I received this verse in a card...I think one of the ways I know love is through words. I keep almost every card I receive, the words (especially encouraging ones) of others give me hope and build me up and help me push on when life seems to be crashing...
This verse struck me as ironic and lovely at the same time. A verse in the book of "Lamentations" speaks of faithfulness, compassion and encouragement. It reminds me that even when I am "lamenting" the troubles of this life, God's compassion and mercy are new each day. I can be refreshed and loved by God always... He may not immediately (or ever) "fix" my trials, but He will strengthen and give me endurance to overcome my trials.
This is a great string of words too:
Romans 5:3-11 (NLT) We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.
I sigh deep, resting in my Abba's arms. Here is the picture of HOPE, I am no longer under His condemnation but in His arms; knowing that He is before me, behind me and holding me during each moment - whether blissful or crushing. I pray you know the weight of His embrace and sweetness in His gaze upon you as His dearly loved child. Where I Always Want To Be
Psalm 27:10 (NLT) Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close.
I received this verse in a card...I think one of the ways I know love is through words. I keep almost every card I receive, the words (especially encouraging ones) of others give me hope and build me up and help me push on when life seems to be crashing...
This verse struck me as ironic and lovely at the same time. A verse in the book of "Lamentations" speaks of faithfulness, compassion and encouragement. It reminds me that even when I am "lamenting" the troubles of this life, God's compassion and mercy are new each day. I can be refreshed and loved by God always... He may not immediately (or ever) "fix" my trials, but He will strengthen and give me endurance to overcome my trials.
This is a great string of words too:
Romans 5:3-11 (NLT) We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.
I sigh deep, resting in my Abba's arms. Here is the picture of HOPE, I am no longer under His condemnation but in His arms; knowing that He is before me, behind me and holding me during each moment - whether blissful or crushing. I pray you know the weight of His embrace and sweetness in His gaze upon you as His dearly loved child. Where I Always Want To Be
Psalm 27:10 (NLT) Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
No Accidents
Isaiah 43:19 (NIV) See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
No trial is an accident. No success is an accident. All is chosen to draw you nearer to God.
There are so many people that believe their life is random. An accident. Even if your mom and dad didn’t “plan” you (I know my parents did not plan me) – God did. I truly believe these statements. There is nothing that happens to us that is not intended to open our eyes to God and His kingdom. Every time you ask the question, “why?” about a situation you are seeking answers that only One person can answer…spoiler alert: it’s God.
Every morning I’m allowed to wake up, I know there is more to learn for me or for someone else – I know my life is not for me alone. I know things have happened to me for the benefit of someone else’s growth and redemption. Thankfully, God works those things for my good also. (Romans 8:28)
When we are in the wilderness and wastelands of our life…we can open our eyes to the “way” opening up, to “streams” of refreshment and life around us and to the “new” things God is doing for us and through us. (see Isaiah verse above).
My emotional high from last week is ebbing a bit. Not because I’m regressing or sad again…I’m just living my freedom. The highs of life can’t last forever, just like the lows won’t. Life continues…
This may not be “emotional” processing, but I am feeling free to grieve (when it wells up), free to express anger (when I’m triggered by a memory), free to sit and be still (when life is overwhelming)…I am “emotionally” appropriate, when appropriate – I like processing as I need to and not having to…that is a huge change for this journey of healing. Too many moments I have HAD to process and let it out…I’m not drowning or blindsided by the emotions. So far, I can cope and express as I need without feeling the frustration of confusion and numbness. It’s a peace and contentment the world could not reveal or grant…the world gave me the confusion and numbness. God redeemed the emotions and life the world tried to kill – He has restored and continues to restore my life and emotions to what He originally intended. This is why I exalt His name and proclaim His glory to those around me. I look forward to the next turn in the road. A song of surviving the wastelands and wilderness
Psalm 46:10 (NIV) He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
No trial is an accident. No success is an accident. All is chosen to draw you nearer to God.
There are so many people that believe their life is random. An accident. Even if your mom and dad didn’t “plan” you (I know my parents did not plan me) – God did. I truly believe these statements. There is nothing that happens to us that is not intended to open our eyes to God and His kingdom. Every time you ask the question, “why?” about a situation you are seeking answers that only One person can answer…spoiler alert: it’s God.
Every morning I’m allowed to wake up, I know there is more to learn for me or for someone else – I know my life is not for me alone. I know things have happened to me for the benefit of someone else’s growth and redemption. Thankfully, God works those things for my good also. (Romans 8:28)
When we are in the wilderness and wastelands of our life…we can open our eyes to the “way” opening up, to “streams” of refreshment and life around us and to the “new” things God is doing for us and through us. (see Isaiah verse above).
My emotional high from last week is ebbing a bit. Not because I’m regressing or sad again…I’m just living my freedom. The highs of life can’t last forever, just like the lows won’t. Life continues…
This may not be “emotional” processing, but I am feeling free to grieve (when it wells up), free to express anger (when I’m triggered by a memory), free to sit and be still (when life is overwhelming)…I am “emotionally” appropriate, when appropriate – I like processing as I need to and not having to…that is a huge change for this journey of healing. Too many moments I have HAD to process and let it out…I’m not drowning or blindsided by the emotions. So far, I can cope and express as I need without feeling the frustration of confusion and numbness. It’s a peace and contentment the world could not reveal or grant…the world gave me the confusion and numbness. God redeemed the emotions and life the world tried to kill – He has restored and continues to restore my life and emotions to what He originally intended. This is why I exalt His name and proclaim His glory to those around me. I look forward to the next turn in the road. A song of surviving the wastelands and wilderness
Psalm 46:10 (NIV) He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
What Feelings?
1 Peter 5:10 (NIV) And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
I have been reminded of how much of an “intellectual” processor I am (versus an “emotional” processor)…it was brought to my attention that this blog (and me) could benefit from some emotional processing…I will practice this. I desire to grow in every way to be more Christ-like. Christ was an intellectual AND emotional processor. I am willing to be stretched…
I sit here on an emotional high of sorts because of a recent marathon processing session with God. All night we talked about how I was going to process anger without heaping guilt and shame on me. I have never allowed anger from past abuse too far up…I feel weak, overwhelmed and out of control when it starts to bubble up. I immediately want to fight whoever or whatever triggers the anger to rise. I then immediately feel guilt over how my emotions control me, and the actions I want to do to another person who has maybe not intentionally hurt me but has hurt me nonetheless…so I over-control my emotions and go numb and feel empty and dead inside, especially in this area of my past.
As a progress report though, through the years, I have gained, by many other marathon sessions of conversation and tears with God, emotional freedom in most other areas of my life. I genuinely experience and express appropriate joy with my family, anger when things don’t quite go my way or during a current injustice, sorrow when a death or disappointment occurs…
My emotions with this part of my life will continue to seep out…I will have times of doubt, times when the anger, sorrow and grief will make me feel like I’m drowning. And like these verses remind me…God is continually at work all around me and for me. He will be with me during the suffering as well as with me during the healing and highs of each victory of this journey. For right now, I will rejoice with God that through a letter writing exercise, Forgiveness and a Letter I have let go of anger and forgiveness at the same time. I have not sinned in my anger (Ephesians 4:26). He has allowed me to be free at this point from the emotional prison I've allowed in my life…I trust Him in the healing and freedom from the rest. Your Worth to God
Job 23:9-11 (NIV) When he is at work in the north, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him. But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.
I have been reminded of how much of an “intellectual” processor I am (versus an “emotional” processor)…it was brought to my attention that this blog (and me) could benefit from some emotional processing…I will practice this. I desire to grow in every way to be more Christ-like. Christ was an intellectual AND emotional processor. I am willing to be stretched…
I sit here on an emotional high of sorts because of a recent marathon processing session with God. All night we talked about how I was going to process anger without heaping guilt and shame on me. I have never allowed anger from past abuse too far up…I feel weak, overwhelmed and out of control when it starts to bubble up. I immediately want to fight whoever or whatever triggers the anger to rise. I then immediately feel guilt over how my emotions control me, and the actions I want to do to another person who has maybe not intentionally hurt me but has hurt me nonetheless…so I over-control my emotions and go numb and feel empty and dead inside, especially in this area of my past.
As a progress report though, through the years, I have gained, by many other marathon sessions of conversation and tears with God, emotional freedom in most other areas of my life. I genuinely experience and express appropriate joy with my family, anger when things don’t quite go my way or during a current injustice, sorrow when a death or disappointment occurs…
My emotions with this part of my life will continue to seep out…I will have times of doubt, times when the anger, sorrow and grief will make me feel like I’m drowning. And like these verses remind me…God is continually at work all around me and for me. He will be with me during the suffering as well as with me during the healing and highs of each victory of this journey. For right now, I will rejoice with God that through a letter writing exercise, Forgiveness and a Letter I have let go of anger and forgiveness at the same time. I have not sinned in my anger (Ephesians 4:26). He has allowed me to be free at this point from the emotional prison I've allowed in my life…I trust Him in the healing and freedom from the rest. Your Worth to God
Job 23:9-11 (NIV) When he is at work in the north, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him. But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Calling All Women, Part 2
John 8:36 (NIV) So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
For four weeks now, I’ve discussed traits of a Godly man and woman from a book my husband and I are reading titled, “what’s the difference? Manhood and Womanhood Defined According to the Bible” by John Piper. This book, so far, is giving us a lot to consider and more importantly, a lot to reconsider. The gender differences Piper describes from the Bible are not based on tasks, skill level or intelligence. The differences have nothing to do with the stereotypes or lies the world will try to give you about the “church’s” degradation or misogynistic roles of men and women. It reveals that God has always intended men and women to be empowered uniquely and harmoniously – completing and encouraging one another in all ways.
I will once again share John Piper’s working definition of womanhood as well as insights I’ve gleaned and taken straight from his book – “At the heart of mature femininity is a freeing disposition to affirm, receive and nurture strength and leadership from worthy men in ways appropriate to a woman’s differing relationships.” Piper’s disclaimer: “…the definitions are not exhaustive. There is more to masculinity and femininity, but there is not less.”
5. “The disposition of mature femininity is experienced as freeing.” Did you catch that…IT’S SUPPOSED TO BE FREEING TO BE A WOMAN…I for one have not felt a whole lot of freedom in my womanhood – unhealthy body image, pressure to be things I’ve never felt comfortable in, pressure to express a “sexual revolution” that binds a woman to sinful practices and whims of perversion have skewed any “freedom” I was supposed to feel as a woman – I’ve had much more inclination to hide or undermine my femininity than to be free to express it. I pray for others like me, that Holy Spirit lifts your head and transforms your mind and body with the truths we are learning through our time together in this little corner of the blogoshere. Piper gives this illustration of the freedom Christ gives us, His daughters as we are conformed to His image in our “mature femininity” and aligned with His purpose of creating us women. “two women may jump from an airplane and experience the thrilling freedom of free-falling. But there is a difference: one is encumbered by a parachute on her back and the other is free from this burden. Which person is free? The one without the parachute feels free – even freer, since she does not feel the constraints of the parachute straps. But she is not truly free. She is in bondage to the force of gravity [the world] and to the deception that all is well because she feels unencumbered. This false sense of freedom is in fact bondage to calamity which is sure to happen after a fleeting moment of pleasure. … But the mature and wise woman does not seek this freedom by bending reality to fit her desires. … The greatest freedom is found in being so changed by God’s Spirit that you can do what you love to do and know that it conforms to the design of God and leads to life and glory (Romans 12:2). A More Beautiful You
6. “God does not intend for women to be squelched or cramped or frustrated. But neither does he intend for women to do whatever seems to remove those feelings without regard to the appropriateness of the action. Sometimes freedom comes from outward changes in circumstance. Sometimes it comes from inward changes of the heart and mind. … [T]rue freedom is not giving in to our every impulse. It is the sometimes painful and exhilarating discovery of God’s power to fight free from the bondage of our sinful selves.” (1 John 2:1-4).
7. “ ”Affirm” means that mature women advocate the kind of masculine-feminine complementarity that …gives the other the greatest scope for natural, pure, mature expression. But when a man does not possess mature masculinity the response of a mature woman is not to abandon her femininity. … there may be other occasions when women have no interaction with men and yet are still mature in their femininity. This is because femininity is a disposition to affirm the strength and leadership of worthy men, not just to experience it firsthand. …[T]here are [also] unique feminine strengths and insights that women embody even before they can be given to any man.”
8. “ “Receive” means that mature femininity feels natural and glad to accept the strength and leadership of worthy men. A mature woman is glad when a respectful, caring, upright man offers sensitive strength and provides a pattern of appropriate initiatives in their relationship. … She feels herself enhanced and honored and freed by his caring strength and servant-leadership.” Again, that word “freed” by strength and servant-leadership…if you are surrounded by men who lack a “caring strength and servant-leadership,” you may need to rethink who you let near.
9. “ “Nurture” means that a mature woman senses a responsibility not merely to receive, but to nurture and strengthen the resources of masculinity. She joins in the act of strength and shares in the process of leadership. She is, as Genesis 2:18 says, “a helper suitable for him. … [N]ot to imply…that women are merely recipients in relation to men. Mature women bring nurturing strengths and insights that make men stronger and wiser and that make the relationship richer.”
10. “Mature femininity does not express itself in the same way toward every man. A mature woman who is married, for example, does not welcome the same kind of strength and leadership from other men that she welcomes from her husband. But she will affirm and receive and nurture the strength and leadership of men in some form in all her relationships with men. This is true even though she may find herself in roles that put some men in a subordinate role to her. … There are ways for a woman to interact even with a male subordinate that signal to him and others her endorsement of his mature manhood in relationship to her as a woman. … [C]ulturally appropriate expressions of respect for his kind of strength, and glad acceptance of his gentlemanly courtesies.” There is some of this discourse in Piper’s book that I currently disagree with (I say currently because I don’t want to hinder my ability to change my mind or understand his position in way that I could agree with), however, he goes on with this point to say that a woman’s influence in personal relationships (and some professional) to be mostly non-directive…the way I am understanding his point at this time is that our influence as women needs to be indirect, without direct advice or opinion. I really hope this is not his intent. I am way to direct and do not believe in coded communication – I also think that when Christ says “make your no, no and your yes, yes”(Matthew 5:37) applied to women as well. **If you read this book and understand this part differently, please sharpen me and my understanding. Thanks in advance.**
Something I want to add before I end on one of Piper’s insights is this: there have been times in my past when I definitely didn’t “feel” like a woman (infertility comes to mind). I want to encourage anyone who doesn’t “feel” like a whole, complete woman for any reason that a relationship with Christ makes all our “holes” full…if you are not married, He makes you His bride. He becomes your love and provides for all your needs. He will be the lifter of your head and will hold you to Him. If you do not have children, He gives you children to love as you serve His kingdom – He will reveal little ones who desperately need the care and love of a godly woman. You may be the only godly, female influence in the life of a precious one whose home life is void of such comfort. Pray for those little ones around you, and Christ will give you a spiritual son or daughter to call your own – just like He gave a son a mother and a mother a son before He died on the cross (John 19:26). He does not desire any to be without family and love – You could be that loving, motherly presence to someone praying for you right now.
A final thought from Piper, “If it is true that manhood and womanhood are to complement rather than duplicate each other, and if it is true that the way God made us is good, then we should be very slow to gather a list of typical male weaknesses or a list of typical female weaknesses and draw a conclusion that either is of less value than the other. Men and women are of equal value and dignity in the eyes of God – both created in the image of God and utterly unique in the universe.”
For four weeks now, I’ve discussed traits of a Godly man and woman from a book my husband and I are reading titled, “what’s the difference? Manhood and Womanhood Defined According to the Bible” by John Piper. This book, so far, is giving us a lot to consider and more importantly, a lot to reconsider. The gender differences Piper describes from the Bible are not based on tasks, skill level or intelligence. The differences have nothing to do with the stereotypes or lies the world will try to give you about the “church’s” degradation or misogynistic roles of men and women. It reveals that God has always intended men and women to be empowered uniquely and harmoniously – completing and encouraging one another in all ways.
I will once again share John Piper’s working definition of womanhood as well as insights I’ve gleaned and taken straight from his book – “At the heart of mature femininity is a freeing disposition to affirm, receive and nurture strength and leadership from worthy men in ways appropriate to a woman’s differing relationships.” Piper’s disclaimer: “…the definitions are not exhaustive. There is more to masculinity and femininity, but there is not less.”
5. “The disposition of mature femininity is experienced as freeing.” Did you catch that…IT’S SUPPOSED TO BE FREEING TO BE A WOMAN…I for one have not felt a whole lot of freedom in my womanhood – unhealthy body image, pressure to be things I’ve never felt comfortable in, pressure to express a “sexual revolution” that binds a woman to sinful practices and whims of perversion have skewed any “freedom” I was supposed to feel as a woman – I’ve had much more inclination to hide or undermine my femininity than to be free to express it. I pray for others like me, that Holy Spirit lifts your head and transforms your mind and body with the truths we are learning through our time together in this little corner of the blogoshere. Piper gives this illustration of the freedom Christ gives us, His daughters as we are conformed to His image in our “mature femininity” and aligned with His purpose of creating us women. “two women may jump from an airplane and experience the thrilling freedom of free-falling. But there is a difference: one is encumbered by a parachute on her back and the other is free from this burden. Which person is free? The one without the parachute feels free – even freer, since she does not feel the constraints of the parachute straps. But she is not truly free. She is in bondage to the force of gravity [the world] and to the deception that all is well because she feels unencumbered. This false sense of freedom is in fact bondage to calamity which is sure to happen after a fleeting moment of pleasure. … But the mature and wise woman does not seek this freedom by bending reality to fit her desires. … The greatest freedom is found in being so changed by God’s Spirit that you can do what you love to do and know that it conforms to the design of God and leads to life and glory (Romans 12:2). A More Beautiful You
6. “God does not intend for women to be squelched or cramped or frustrated. But neither does he intend for women to do whatever seems to remove those feelings without regard to the appropriateness of the action. Sometimes freedom comes from outward changes in circumstance. Sometimes it comes from inward changes of the heart and mind. … [T]rue freedom is not giving in to our every impulse. It is the sometimes painful and exhilarating discovery of God’s power to fight free from the bondage of our sinful selves.” (1 John 2:1-4).
7. “ ”Affirm” means that mature women advocate the kind of masculine-feminine complementarity that …gives the other the greatest scope for natural, pure, mature expression. But when a man does not possess mature masculinity the response of a mature woman is not to abandon her femininity. … there may be other occasions when women have no interaction with men and yet are still mature in their femininity. This is because femininity is a disposition to affirm the strength and leadership of worthy men, not just to experience it firsthand. …[T]here are [also] unique feminine strengths and insights that women embody even before they can be given to any man.”
8. “ “Receive” means that mature femininity feels natural and glad to accept the strength and leadership of worthy men. A mature woman is glad when a respectful, caring, upright man offers sensitive strength and provides a pattern of appropriate initiatives in their relationship. … She feels herself enhanced and honored and freed by his caring strength and servant-leadership.” Again, that word “freed” by strength and servant-leadership…if you are surrounded by men who lack a “caring strength and servant-leadership,” you may need to rethink who you let near.
9. “ “Nurture” means that a mature woman senses a responsibility not merely to receive, but to nurture and strengthen the resources of masculinity. She joins in the act of strength and shares in the process of leadership. She is, as Genesis 2:18 says, “a helper suitable for him. … [N]ot to imply…that women are merely recipients in relation to men. Mature women bring nurturing strengths and insights that make men stronger and wiser and that make the relationship richer.”
10. “Mature femininity does not express itself in the same way toward every man. A mature woman who is married, for example, does not welcome the same kind of strength and leadership from other men that she welcomes from her husband. But she will affirm and receive and nurture the strength and leadership of men in some form in all her relationships with men. This is true even though she may find herself in roles that put some men in a subordinate role to her. … There are ways for a woman to interact even with a male subordinate that signal to him and others her endorsement of his mature manhood in relationship to her as a woman. … [C]ulturally appropriate expressions of respect for his kind of strength, and glad acceptance of his gentlemanly courtesies.” There is some of this discourse in Piper’s book that I currently disagree with (I say currently because I don’t want to hinder my ability to change my mind or understand his position in way that I could agree with), however, he goes on with this point to say that a woman’s influence in personal relationships (and some professional) to be mostly non-directive…the way I am understanding his point at this time is that our influence as women needs to be indirect, without direct advice or opinion. I really hope this is not his intent. I am way to direct and do not believe in coded communication – I also think that when Christ says “make your no, no and your yes, yes”(Matthew 5:37) applied to women as well. **If you read this book and understand this part differently, please sharpen me and my understanding. Thanks in advance.**
Something I want to add before I end on one of Piper’s insights is this: there have been times in my past when I definitely didn’t “feel” like a woman (infertility comes to mind). I want to encourage anyone who doesn’t “feel” like a whole, complete woman for any reason that a relationship with Christ makes all our “holes” full…if you are not married, He makes you His bride. He becomes your love and provides for all your needs. He will be the lifter of your head and will hold you to Him. If you do not have children, He gives you children to love as you serve His kingdom – He will reveal little ones who desperately need the care and love of a godly woman. You may be the only godly, female influence in the life of a precious one whose home life is void of such comfort. Pray for those little ones around you, and Christ will give you a spiritual son or daughter to call your own – just like He gave a son a mother and a mother a son before He died on the cross (John 19:26). He does not desire any to be without family and love – You could be that loving, motherly presence to someone praying for you right now.
A final thought from Piper, “If it is true that manhood and womanhood are to complement rather than duplicate each other, and if it is true that the way God made us is good, then we should be very slow to gather a list of typical male weaknesses or a list of typical female weaknesses and draw a conclusion that either is of less value than the other. Men and women are of equal value and dignity in the eyes of God – both created in the image of God and utterly unique in the universe.”
Monday, May 20, 2013
Calling All Women, Part 1
Calling all Women, Part 1
Proverbs 31:10-12 (NLT) A Wife of Noble Character: Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
The last two weeks, I’ve discussed traits of a Godly man from a book my husband and I are reading titled, “what’s the difference? Manhood and Womanhood Defined According to the Bible” by John Piper. We are enjoying this book so far; it’s stretching us and giving us a lot to consider. I continue to be amazed about the difference that manhood and womanhood is defined and intended by God (our Creator) and how the world seeks to redefine or mold us.
I will reiterate that the gender differences Piper describes from the Bible are not based on tasks, skill level or intelligence – it’s based on desires and intent or motives…it seems so far anyway, we haven’t finished it yet.
John Piper has a working definition of manhood and womanhood –these next two weeks I’ll share his biblical insights on womanhood.
“At the heart of mature femininity is a freeing disposition to affirm, receive and nurture strength and leadership from worthy men in ways appropriate to a woman’s differing relationships.” Piper’s disclaimer: “…the definitions are not exhaustive. There is more to masculinity and femininity, but there is not less.”
1. “Mature femininity refers not to what sin has made of womanhood or what popular opinion makes of it, but what God willed for it to be at its best. …False or immature stereotypes are sometimes identified as the essence of femininity.”
2. The following biblical examples draw us to strong, enduring Godly women and the traits God blesses within each of His daughters He has created: Ruth, Naomi, Sarah, Mary (Jesus’ mother and Magdalene) – I strongly recommend doing character studies of each woman. Just like reading biographies of great men and women, doing scripture character studies can encourage us to be more than we thought we could be.
3. Piper focuses on “mature femininity as a disposition rather than a set of behaviors or roles because mature femininity will express itself in so many different ways depending on the situation….and the specific acts that grow out of the disposition of womanhood vary considerably from relationship to relationship, not to mention from culture to culture.”
4. He does refer to the “s” word…you knew it was coming…SUBMISSION. It is “best if we define submission not in terms of specific behaviors, but as a disposition to yield to the husband’s authority and an inclination to follow his leadership. This [definition] is important because no submission of one human being to another is absolute. The husband does not replace Christ as the woman’s supreme authority. She must never follow her husband’s leadership into sin. She will not steal with him or get drunk with him or savor pornography with him or develop deceptive schemes with him. But even where a Christian wife may have to stand with Christ against the sinful will of her husband, she can still have a spirit of submission - a disposition to yield. She can show by her attitude and behavior that she does not like resisting his will and that she longs for him to forsake sin and lead in righteousness so that her disposition to honor him as head can again produce harmony.”
Like I said, many thoughts to consider and reexamine. I have been a long time “strong and intelligently bold woman” and I am glad to see that although Christ refine’s my strength and intelligence…He will not take them away or undermine those gifts in me. Many friends have thought the bible teaches that women must be weak both in mind and strength to follow Christ – I do hope we can see in this discussion that those lies are not in the bible or what God intends for His daughters. How He Is Always With Us
To be continued…
Proverbs 31:10-12 (NLT) A Wife of Noble Character: Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
The last two weeks, I’ve discussed traits of a Godly man from a book my husband and I are reading titled, “what’s the difference? Manhood and Womanhood Defined According to the Bible” by John Piper. We are enjoying this book so far; it’s stretching us and giving us a lot to consider. I continue to be amazed about the difference that manhood and womanhood is defined and intended by God (our Creator) and how the world seeks to redefine or mold us.
I will reiterate that the gender differences Piper describes from the Bible are not based on tasks, skill level or intelligence – it’s based on desires and intent or motives…it seems so far anyway, we haven’t finished it yet.
John Piper has a working definition of manhood and womanhood –these next two weeks I’ll share his biblical insights on womanhood.
“At the heart of mature femininity is a freeing disposition to affirm, receive and nurture strength and leadership from worthy men in ways appropriate to a woman’s differing relationships.” Piper’s disclaimer: “…the definitions are not exhaustive. There is more to masculinity and femininity, but there is not less.”
1. “Mature femininity refers not to what sin has made of womanhood or what popular opinion makes of it, but what God willed for it to be at its best. …False or immature stereotypes are sometimes identified as the essence of femininity.”
2. The following biblical examples draw us to strong, enduring Godly women and the traits God blesses within each of His daughters He has created: Ruth, Naomi, Sarah, Mary (Jesus’ mother and Magdalene) – I strongly recommend doing character studies of each woman. Just like reading biographies of great men and women, doing scripture character studies can encourage us to be more than we thought we could be.
3. Piper focuses on “mature femininity as a disposition rather than a set of behaviors or roles because mature femininity will express itself in so many different ways depending on the situation….and the specific acts that grow out of the disposition of womanhood vary considerably from relationship to relationship, not to mention from culture to culture.”
4. He does refer to the “s” word…you knew it was coming…SUBMISSION. It is “best if we define submission not in terms of specific behaviors, but as a disposition to yield to the husband’s authority and an inclination to follow his leadership. This [definition] is important because no submission of one human being to another is absolute. The husband does not replace Christ as the woman’s supreme authority. She must never follow her husband’s leadership into sin. She will not steal with him or get drunk with him or savor pornography with him or develop deceptive schemes with him. But even where a Christian wife may have to stand with Christ against the sinful will of her husband, she can still have a spirit of submission - a disposition to yield. She can show by her attitude and behavior that she does not like resisting his will and that she longs for him to forsake sin and lead in righteousness so that her disposition to honor him as head can again produce harmony.”
Like I said, many thoughts to consider and reexamine. I have been a long time “strong and intelligently bold woman” and I am glad to see that although Christ refine’s my strength and intelligence…He will not take them away or undermine those gifts in me. Many friends have thought the bible teaches that women must be weak both in mind and strength to follow Christ – I do hope we can see in this discussion that those lies are not in the bible or what God intends for His daughters. How He Is Always With Us
To be continued…
Monday, May 13, 2013
Calling All Men, Part 2
Ephesians 5:25 (NLT) For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her
Last week, I started a conversation about Biblical Manhood and Womanhood based on the book, “what’s the difference? Manhood and Womanhood Defined According to the Bible” by John Piper. I’m going “finish” the thoughts on biblical manhood this week and next week, pick up the discussion with biblical womanhood.
I’ll repeat Piper’s working definition of biblical Manhood: “At the heart of mature masculinity is a sense of benevolent responsibility to lead, provide for and protect women in ways appropriate to a man’s differing relationships.” Piper’s disclaimer: “…the definitions are not exhaustive. There is more to masculinity and femininity, but there is not less.” I listed the first 4 points last week – so if you need to review, you can check it out now…otherwise, we will just continue.
5. “Mature masculinity accepts the burden of the final say in disagreements between husband and wife, but does not presume to use it in every instance. …Unilateral decision-making is not usually a mark of good leadership. It generally comes from laziness or insecurity or inconsiderate disregard. …[A Christian husband] seeks input from his wife and often adopts her ideas. Implied in the love that governs the [marriage] relationship (Ephesians 5:25), in the equality of personhood implied in being created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), and in the status of being fellow-heirs of the grace of life (1 Peter 3:7).”
6. “Mature masculinity expresses its leadership in romantic sexual relations by communicating an aura of strong and tender pursuit. …Mature masculinity will not be reduced to raw desire in sexual relations. …It remains alert to the deeper personal needs of woman and mingles strength and tenderness to make her joy complete. …It is important to say that there is, of course, a feminine pursuit in sexual relations.” 1 Corinthians 7:3-4 (NLT) The husband should fulfill his wife’s sexual needs, and the wife should fulfill her husband’s needs. The wife gives authority over her body to her husband, and the husband gives authority over his body to his wife.
7. “Mature masculinity expresses itself in a family by taking the initiative in disciplining the children when both parents are present and a family standard has been broken. Mothers and fathers are both to be obeyed by their children (Ephesians 6:1). Mothers as well as fathers are esteemed teachers in the home (Proverbs 1:8; 6:20; 31:1). [Mothers] carry rights of authority and leadership toward their children as do [fathers]. They do not need to wait til Dad gets home from work to spank a disobedient child. …[However], few things will help children understand the meaning of responsible, loving masculinity better than watching who takes the responsibility to set them right when Mom and Dad are both present.”
8. “Mature masculinity is sensitive to cultural expressions of masculinity and adapts to them (where no sin is involved) in order to communicate to a woman that a man would like to relate not in any aggressive or perverted way, but with maturity and dignity as a man. It would mean learning manners and customs. …These things change from culture to culture and from era to era. The point is that masculine leadership will not scorn them or ignore them, but seek to use them to cultivate and communicate a healthy pattern of complementarity in the relationships between men and women. …Primarily it is the responsibility of mature manhood to establish a pattern of behaviors and attitudes – a kind of collegial choreography – that enable men and women to move with freedom and ease and moral security among each other.”
9. “Mature masculinity recognizes that the call to leadership is a call to repentance and humility and risk-taking. …Masculinity and femininity have been distorted by our sin. Taking up the responsibility to lead must therefore be a careful and humble task. We must admit as men that historically there have been grace abuses. In each of our lives we have ample cause for contrition at our passivity or our domination. …The call to leadership is a call to humble oneself and take the responsibility to be a servant-leader in ways that are appropriate to every different relationship to women.
Next Week…Calling all Mature Women. Love Does
Last week, I started a conversation about Biblical Manhood and Womanhood based on the book, “what’s the difference? Manhood and Womanhood Defined According to the Bible” by John Piper. I’m going “finish” the thoughts on biblical manhood this week and next week, pick up the discussion with biblical womanhood.
I’ll repeat Piper’s working definition of biblical Manhood: “At the heart of mature masculinity is a sense of benevolent responsibility to lead, provide for and protect women in ways appropriate to a man’s differing relationships.” Piper’s disclaimer: “…the definitions are not exhaustive. There is more to masculinity and femininity, but there is not less.” I listed the first 4 points last week – so if you need to review, you can check it out now…otherwise, we will just continue.
5. “Mature masculinity accepts the burden of the final say in disagreements between husband and wife, but does not presume to use it in every instance. …Unilateral decision-making is not usually a mark of good leadership. It generally comes from laziness or insecurity or inconsiderate disregard. …[A Christian husband] seeks input from his wife and often adopts her ideas. Implied in the love that governs the [marriage] relationship (Ephesians 5:25), in the equality of personhood implied in being created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), and in the status of being fellow-heirs of the grace of life (1 Peter 3:7).”
6. “Mature masculinity expresses its leadership in romantic sexual relations by communicating an aura of strong and tender pursuit. …Mature masculinity will not be reduced to raw desire in sexual relations. …It remains alert to the deeper personal needs of woman and mingles strength and tenderness to make her joy complete. …It is important to say that there is, of course, a feminine pursuit in sexual relations.” 1 Corinthians 7:3-4 (NLT) The husband should fulfill his wife’s sexual needs, and the wife should fulfill her husband’s needs. The wife gives authority over her body to her husband, and the husband gives authority over his body to his wife.
7. “Mature masculinity expresses itself in a family by taking the initiative in disciplining the children when both parents are present and a family standard has been broken. Mothers and fathers are both to be obeyed by their children (Ephesians 6:1). Mothers as well as fathers are esteemed teachers in the home (Proverbs 1:8; 6:20; 31:1). [Mothers] carry rights of authority and leadership toward their children as do [fathers]. They do not need to wait til Dad gets home from work to spank a disobedient child. …[However], few things will help children understand the meaning of responsible, loving masculinity better than watching who takes the responsibility to set them right when Mom and Dad are both present.”
8. “Mature masculinity is sensitive to cultural expressions of masculinity and adapts to them (where no sin is involved) in order to communicate to a woman that a man would like to relate not in any aggressive or perverted way, but with maturity and dignity as a man. It would mean learning manners and customs. …These things change from culture to culture and from era to era. The point is that masculine leadership will not scorn them or ignore them, but seek to use them to cultivate and communicate a healthy pattern of complementarity in the relationships between men and women. …Primarily it is the responsibility of mature manhood to establish a pattern of behaviors and attitudes – a kind of collegial choreography – that enable men and women to move with freedom and ease and moral security among each other.”
9. “Mature masculinity recognizes that the call to leadership is a call to repentance and humility and risk-taking. …Masculinity and femininity have been distorted by our sin. Taking up the responsibility to lead must therefore be a careful and humble task. We must admit as men that historically there have been grace abuses. In each of our lives we have ample cause for contrition at our passivity or our domination. …The call to leadership is a call to humble oneself and take the responsibility to be a servant-leader in ways that are appropriate to every different relationship to women.
Next Week…Calling all Mature Women. Love Does
Monday, May 6, 2013
Calling All Men, Part 1
Esther 10:3 (NLT) He was very great among the Jews, who held him in high esteem, because he continued to work for the good of his people and to speak up for the welfare of all their descendants.
My husband and I are reading a book titled, “what’s the difference? Manhood and Womanhood Defined According to the Bible” by John Piper. This book is very intriguing so far…to say the least. It’s amazing to me (us) how manhood and womanhood is defined and intended by God (our Creator) and how the world seeks to redefine or mold us differently. Also, how the world tries to lie about what God intended in the first place. For example, almost every commercial or sit-com represents the man/father as an incompetent oaf who is tolerated at best and openly mocked at worst.
The gender differences Piper describes from the Bible are not based on tasks, skill level or intelligence – it’s based on desires and intent or motives…it seems so far anyway, we haven’t finished it yet.
John Piper has a working definition of manhood and womanhood –this week and next I’ll share about manhood, after I’ll share his biblical insights on womanhood.
“At the heart of mature masculinity is a sense of benevolent responsibility to lead, provide for and protect women in ways appropriate to a man’s differing relationships.” Piper’s disclaimer: “…the definitions are not exhaustive. There is more to masculinity and femininity, but there is not less.”
1. “Mature masculinity expresses itself not in the demand to be served, but in the strength to serve and to sacrifice for the good of woman.” This means not only his wife and daughters but his mother, sisters, “sisters” in Christ and those women he may work with or have social interaction. Luke 22:26 (NLT) But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant.
2. “Mature masculinity does not assume the authority of Christ over woman, but advocates it. …that means leading his wife forward to depend not on him but on Christ. And practically, that rules out belittling supervision and fastidious oversight. It is meant to rule out all disdaining condescension adn any act that makes a mature woman feel patronized rather than honored and prized. 1 Peter 3:7 (NLT) In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.
3. “Mature masculinity does not presume superiority, but mobilizes the strengths of others. No human leader is infallible. Nor is any man superior to those he leads in every respect. In Ephesians 5:28-29 the wife is pictured as part of the man’s body as the church is part of Christ’s body….This rules out a leadership that treats a wife [or women in general] like a child. Moreover Christ does not lead the church as his daughter but as his wife. He is preparing her to be a “fellow-heir” (Romans 8:17), not a servant girl.”
4. “Mature masculinity does not have to initiate every action, but feels the responsibility to provide a general pattern of initiative. In a family the husband does not do all the thinking and planning. His leadership is to take responsibility in general to initiate and carry through the spiritual and moral planning for family life. …illustrated in Genesis 3:9 when God says to Adam first, “Where are you?” Eve had sinned first, but God does not seek her out first. Adam must give the first account to God for the moral life of the family in the garden of Eden. This does not mean the woman has no responsibility, as we will see. It simply means that man bears a unique and primary one.”
TO BE CONTINUED…Courageous
Monday, April 29, 2013
Driving Miss Angry
James 1:19, 20 (NIV) My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
Human anger is different from the anger of God…just like everything between God and man (Romans 11:33 (NLT), Isaiah 55:8 (NLT)) God’s anger always arose out of people disobeying and sinning against His children and turning from His love.
A friend once said, “anger is a motivation word – it drives you to do something to change a situation or behavior.” When we are angry, we can sin against others (in ways they have sinned against us) and perpetuate a hurtful and unhealthy cycle or we can express our anger in ways that results in a change for us and in us…regardless of what the other person changes. Anger can drive us toward a solution or drive us away. We can express Godly anger at sin (which will probably drive you to want to change something that isn’t right with the world or your life) or we can express human anger which, in my experience, only causes more pain and hurt for everyone. Followers and children of God get to choose if they will let God lead and be part of the solution or part of the problem.
In my humanity, I express anger in the following ways:
• hurtfully sarcastic remarks
• yelling
• slamming cabinets/doors
• cry (I HATE this reaction because it can be seen as manipulative or weak – when in reality, I am weak when I don’t depend on Holy Spirit to renew my mind and emotions back to His righteousness and what is best for me)
• throw things
• pace/walk quickly around with no real aim.
In Christ, I express anger in the following ways:
• Take an intentional walk to think and pray about the situation (sometimes stepping away for 30 minutes helps me put things in perspective and know how to change the situation for the good of everyone…or at least have the heart to try)
• Take deep breaths before I speak
• Share observable facts about why I’m angry instead of saying personal attacks (Ephesians 4:15 (NLT) Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.)
• Use “I” statements (e.g. I felt angry when you…, I felt )…talk about feeling more than thoughts. Feelings are good ways to start a conversation that moves a situation forward…I’ve learned I don’t have to stay in a feeling but expressing it honestly at least lets the other person say whether they intended me to feel that or if there was a misunderstanding. Also, I know how to take my feelings to scripture and seek God…He talks about healthy, beneficial ways to express EVERY feeling.
I saw this link today as I was getting ready to write this post. Author Paul David Tripp says that we get angry when good things become too important in our life. In this series, Paul shows you how to avoid sinning out of anger by leading you in an examination of your heart. Revive Our Hearts Radio Broadcast about Making things more important than People and How our human anger is a result
Human anger – anger not driven by God - makes wars, kills and destroys what is good and pure; Godly anger kills what is evil and hurtful to us and our well being…which anger will we let drive us and our life?
Ephesians 4:26, 27, 29-32 (NIV) In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Human anger is different from the anger of God…just like everything between God and man (Romans 11:33 (NLT), Isaiah 55:8 (NLT)) God’s anger always arose out of people disobeying and sinning against His children and turning from His love.
A friend once said, “anger is a motivation word – it drives you to do something to change a situation or behavior.” When we are angry, we can sin against others (in ways they have sinned against us) and perpetuate a hurtful and unhealthy cycle or we can express our anger in ways that results in a change for us and in us…regardless of what the other person changes. Anger can drive us toward a solution or drive us away. We can express Godly anger at sin (which will probably drive you to want to change something that isn’t right with the world or your life) or we can express human anger which, in my experience, only causes more pain and hurt for everyone. Followers and children of God get to choose if they will let God lead and be part of the solution or part of the problem.
In my humanity, I express anger in the following ways:
• hurtfully sarcastic remarks
• yelling
• slamming cabinets/doors
• cry (I HATE this reaction because it can be seen as manipulative or weak – when in reality, I am weak when I don’t depend on Holy Spirit to renew my mind and emotions back to His righteousness and what is best for me)
• throw things
• pace/walk quickly around with no real aim.
In Christ, I express anger in the following ways:
• Take an intentional walk to think and pray about the situation (sometimes stepping away for 30 minutes helps me put things in perspective and know how to change the situation for the good of everyone…or at least have the heart to try)
• Take deep breaths before I speak
• Share observable facts about why I’m angry instead of saying personal attacks (Ephesians 4:15 (NLT) Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.)
• Use “I” statements (e.g. I felt angry when you…, I felt )…talk about feeling more than thoughts. Feelings are good ways to start a conversation that moves a situation forward…I’ve learned I don’t have to stay in a feeling but expressing it honestly at least lets the other person say whether they intended me to feel that or if there was a misunderstanding. Also, I know how to take my feelings to scripture and seek God…He talks about healthy, beneficial ways to express EVERY feeling.
I saw this link today as I was getting ready to write this post. Author Paul David Tripp says that we get angry when good things become too important in our life. In this series, Paul shows you how to avoid sinning out of anger by leading you in an examination of your heart. Revive Our Hearts Radio Broadcast about Making things more important than People and How our human anger is a result
Human anger – anger not driven by God - makes wars, kills and destroys what is good and pure; Godly anger kills what is evil and hurtful to us and our well being…which anger will we let drive us and our life?
Ephesians 4:26, 27, 29-32 (NIV) In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Marriage of 3
Ephesians 5:25-33(NIV) Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
The only people who don’t have marriage issues are single people. I have said this many times throughout the years as friends and others have shared with me their hearts and sorrow when working to overcome marital concerns. a song that calls me to reconnect
Marriage takes time, commitment, patience, humor…tenacity. “Wait,” you might say, “you didn’t list love.” “Love, yeah, marriage definitely takes love, but, what do you believe love is,” I might reply. Is love a feeling that can be experienced and unexperienced – can you fall in and out of love? The dictionary defines love as both a noun and a verb. So a gut check question always is “how do I view love?”
Love is the only thing that endures (1 Corinthians 13). When everything in this world falls apart and ends…love will be the only thing left…what does it mean and look like then? In the thirteenth chapter of 1 Corinthians, love is defined as patient, kind, not envious, not boastful, not proud, not self-seeking, not easily angered, doesn’t keep a record of wrong, does not delight in evil but is joyful in truth, protective, trusting, hopeful, persevering, never failing (noun and verb together always). So, another gut question…what kind of “love” are we making and extending to others? If these are the definitions of love, I have fallen short…everyday. Not without a hope of another chance to get it right, but, in all honesty, I fall short in genuinely and completely loving those around me. 1 John 4:7-8 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. a song that reminds me what true love looks like
Back to marriage…the real topic of this particular post (although, “Love Making” sounds like a catchy blog post too – and I’m sure God will teach me some things to share).
While reading “Thriving Family” magazine (free I might add from Focus on the Family), there was an article about how to get “Closer to God and Each Other" by Dr. David Clarke. It reminded me of how I have described our marriage as “a marriage of 3.” (there are actually wall plaques and such with this sentiment too now) When Christians marry, they are representing Christ and His church. We represent the love, care and honor that Christ shows and His church is supposed to reciprocate. This article really clearly articulated ways to cherish, love and nurture a strong relationship with your spouse and God.
I’m simply going to paraphrase and share the wisdom:
1. Share Your Spiritual Lives: 30 minute couple talk times: share what God is doing in your life through His word, experiences with others, daily quiet times, etc. How you are applying scripture in your life – spiritual set-backs and victories.
2. Pray Together Regularly: jot down praises and prayers requests. List all kinds of things as you need: your marriage, children, friends, family, church, physical problems, job concerns, ministries/charities you love and want to support, finances, missionaries, people in your life who don’t know Jesus, neighbors – like other prayer times, list those things with which you want God to intercede, change and grow…all the while praising Him for the work He’s going to do and has done. (Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.) Prayer deepens conversation and leads you to a greater level of intimacy. It will be awkward and weird and difficult at first – like any new habit you are trying to make stick…this will be worth overcoming the awkwardness.
3. Depend on God in tough times: life is painful and overwhelming at times…isn’t that one of the reasons you got married, so you wouldn’t have to walk this journey of life alone? Ask God to show you what He is teaching you through these moments/experiences. I would add, don’t forget to write down important turning points in the journey with God during these difficult moments– this helps to give you confidence and build your faith in God and one another during the next difficult time you get to endure together.
As you depend on God in these tough times, the three of you (God, husband and wife) will be strengthened and encouraged for the highs of life too. You will be 3 individuals working together and united as ONE. the commitment, a song of unity
Ecclesiastes 4:12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
The only people who don’t have marriage issues are single people. I have said this many times throughout the years as friends and others have shared with me their hearts and sorrow when working to overcome marital concerns. a song that calls me to reconnect
Marriage takes time, commitment, patience, humor…tenacity. “Wait,” you might say, “you didn’t list love.” “Love, yeah, marriage definitely takes love, but, what do you believe love is,” I might reply. Is love a feeling that can be experienced and unexperienced – can you fall in and out of love? The dictionary defines love as both a noun and a verb. So a gut check question always is “how do I view love?”
Love is the only thing that endures (1 Corinthians 13). When everything in this world falls apart and ends…love will be the only thing left…what does it mean and look like then? In the thirteenth chapter of 1 Corinthians, love is defined as patient, kind, not envious, not boastful, not proud, not self-seeking, not easily angered, doesn’t keep a record of wrong, does not delight in evil but is joyful in truth, protective, trusting, hopeful, persevering, never failing (noun and verb together always). So, another gut question…what kind of “love” are we making and extending to others? If these are the definitions of love, I have fallen short…everyday. Not without a hope of another chance to get it right, but, in all honesty, I fall short in genuinely and completely loving those around me. 1 John 4:7-8 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. a song that reminds me what true love looks like
Back to marriage…the real topic of this particular post (although, “Love Making” sounds like a catchy blog post too – and I’m sure God will teach me some things to share).
While reading “Thriving Family” magazine (free I might add from Focus on the Family), there was an article about how to get “Closer to God and Each Other" by Dr. David Clarke. It reminded me of how I have described our marriage as “a marriage of 3.” (there are actually wall plaques and such with this sentiment too now) When Christians marry, they are representing Christ and His church. We represent the love, care and honor that Christ shows and His church is supposed to reciprocate. This article really clearly articulated ways to cherish, love and nurture a strong relationship with your spouse and God.
I’m simply going to paraphrase and share the wisdom:
1. Share Your Spiritual Lives: 30 minute couple talk times: share what God is doing in your life through His word, experiences with others, daily quiet times, etc. How you are applying scripture in your life – spiritual set-backs and victories.
2. Pray Together Regularly: jot down praises and prayers requests. List all kinds of things as you need: your marriage, children, friends, family, church, physical problems, job concerns, ministries/charities you love and want to support, finances, missionaries, people in your life who don’t know Jesus, neighbors – like other prayer times, list those things with which you want God to intercede, change and grow…all the while praising Him for the work He’s going to do and has done. (Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.) Prayer deepens conversation and leads you to a greater level of intimacy. It will be awkward and weird and difficult at first – like any new habit you are trying to make stick…this will be worth overcoming the awkwardness.
3. Depend on God in tough times: life is painful and overwhelming at times…isn’t that one of the reasons you got married, so you wouldn’t have to walk this journey of life alone? Ask God to show you what He is teaching you through these moments/experiences. I would add, don’t forget to write down important turning points in the journey with God during these difficult moments– this helps to give you confidence and build your faith in God and one another during the next difficult time you get to endure together.
As you depend on God in these tough times, the three of you (God, husband and wife) will be strengthened and encouraged for the highs of life too. You will be 3 individuals working together and united as ONE. the commitment, a song of unity
Ecclesiastes 4:12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Eternal Friendships
Galatians 5:22, 23 (NLT) But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. There is no law against these things!
These verses are used in a variety of ways. They pretty clearly spell out the heart and action attitude of every believer and follower of Jesus Christ. If our lives do not reflect these attributes, there is refining work to submit to!
I’m going to reflect on these verses in how our relationships with friends can glorify our overall Kingdom work.
First, a prayer for all of us: Heavenly Father, pour into us Your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Give each of us spiritual wisdom and understanding so we will grow in maturity, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ (Ephesians 4:13 (NLT). I pray our hearts will be flooded with light so we can understand the wonderful future You have promised us and the glorious inheritance You have called us to accept and pass on each day. Allow us to understand the great power, which raised Christ from the dead, that You have given each of us who believe You and Your son. Thank You for your authority over heaven and earth which You gave Your Son Jesus Christ for our benefit; that we as the whole Church body would pass on to benefit Your Kingdom. It is in Jesus’ name, who fills everything everywhere with His presence that we praise You. Amen.
When we keep to ourselves, we allow satan to gain a foothold to our lives. In godly friendships, we can safely bare our weaknesses, be strengthened and refined (Proverbs 27:17, NLT - As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend). Our primary Godly friendship is with God Himself – in that relationship, we are made complete and perfect while becoming perfected (Matthew 5:48, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Hebrews 10:14). He gives us all the equipping we need each time we meet and listen to Him.
After we are refreshed in our daily relationship with God, we can accurately reflect and share our Creator, Savior and Eternal Friend to our earthly friends both christian and non-christian. Proverbs 13:20 (NIV) states that if we walk with the wise we become wise but a companion of fools suffers harm. This does not mean that we cannot have friends who are unbelievers but our friends who have the most eternal potential and influence are people who strive to live and encourage us to live God’s way. We don’t need nor should we have friends who use us, wear us down, are jealous, talk disrespectfully or insult us or others, gossips about others or tries to get close to your spouse. If your friendship is godly, it will bear the fruit of Holy Spirit – He guides each of us to all truth (John 16:13-15).
Godly friends build you up, enrich your life and allow you to do the same for them. Trustworthy and faithful companions to talk to, pray with and offer help with small and big issues. Most importantly, a godly friendship will continually point you back to the standard of Christ and encourage you in ways to seek Him in all you do. The Power We Have As Friends, Friends Are Friends Forever - oldie but goodie
Galatians 6:2 (NIV) Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:10 (NIV) I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.
Ephesians 4:29 (NIV) Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
These verses are used in a variety of ways. They pretty clearly spell out the heart and action attitude of every believer and follower of Jesus Christ. If our lives do not reflect these attributes, there is refining work to submit to!
I’m going to reflect on these verses in how our relationships with friends can glorify our overall Kingdom work.
First, a prayer for all of us: Heavenly Father, pour into us Your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Give each of us spiritual wisdom and understanding so we will grow in maturity, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ (Ephesians 4:13 (NLT). I pray our hearts will be flooded with light so we can understand the wonderful future You have promised us and the glorious inheritance You have called us to accept and pass on each day. Allow us to understand the great power, which raised Christ from the dead, that You have given each of us who believe You and Your son. Thank You for your authority over heaven and earth which You gave Your Son Jesus Christ for our benefit; that we as the whole Church body would pass on to benefit Your Kingdom. It is in Jesus’ name, who fills everything everywhere with His presence that we praise You. Amen.
When we keep to ourselves, we allow satan to gain a foothold to our lives. In godly friendships, we can safely bare our weaknesses, be strengthened and refined (Proverbs 27:17, NLT - As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend). Our primary Godly friendship is with God Himself – in that relationship, we are made complete and perfect while becoming perfected (Matthew 5:48, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Hebrews 10:14). He gives us all the equipping we need each time we meet and listen to Him.
After we are refreshed in our daily relationship with God, we can accurately reflect and share our Creator, Savior and Eternal Friend to our earthly friends both christian and non-christian. Proverbs 13:20 (NIV) states that if we walk with the wise we become wise but a companion of fools suffers harm. This does not mean that we cannot have friends who are unbelievers but our friends who have the most eternal potential and influence are people who strive to live and encourage us to live God’s way. We don’t need nor should we have friends who use us, wear us down, are jealous, talk disrespectfully or insult us or others, gossips about others or tries to get close to your spouse. If your friendship is godly, it will bear the fruit of Holy Spirit – He guides each of us to all truth (John 16:13-15).
Godly friends build you up, enrich your life and allow you to do the same for them. Trustworthy and faithful companions to talk to, pray with and offer help with small and big issues. Most importantly, a godly friendship will continually point you back to the standard of Christ and encourage you in ways to seek Him in all you do. The Power We Have As Friends, Friends Are Friends Forever - oldie but goodie
Galatians 6:2 (NIV) Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:10 (NIV) I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.
Ephesians 4:29 (NIV) Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
My body, My choice
1 Corinthians 6:18-20, (NLT) Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
Every day, we have the choice to live for ourselves or live for Christ. "My body, My choice" and the ideas this phrase conveys is something I’m going back and forth on currently. I do believe that once you are a Christian – your life and body is no longer your own (and in truth, it never was). However, there are areas in this fallen world where it is necessary to have “ownership” of our bodies; to have the choice of what happens to us physically.
*I don’t know if it is so much back and forth as refining my conviction of the choices with which we really have control.
When this phrase is used to legitimize abortion, I have to admit, it doesn’t make sense to me. Anyone who has been pregnant can tell you that pregnancy – FROM THE BEGINNING – takes away your body being your own. Immediately, you do not feel yourself, your body is changing in chemical and physical ways to sustain the OTHER body within you and you are acutely aware that nothing about your body and life is for YOU ALONE for a long while (and in truth, will never be just about you ever again). This is not to undermine a girl's/woman's frustrations, fears and MANY other complications (compounded by the immediate surge of pregnancy hormones) that contribute to the whirlwind existence of an unplanned, unwanted pregnancy. I just don’t understand this phrase as a reason to take a life. If you have had an abortion, I am deeply sorry for your loss and everything you have lost that put you in the position to have to make such a wounding and life altering (yours and the baby’s) decision…this is not meant to heap more guilt or wound you further.
Flip it now…someone initiates touch and/or actions toward your body that are not wanted. Do you have a choice? Yes, you have a choice. As the caretaker of the temple of the Holy Spirit, you have the choice to keep your body safe, holy and set apart for God. I say safe – only as much as you have control over that. I know the wounding and shame of not being able to keep God’s temple “holy” and pure because of evil acts and sexual sins forced upon your/my body. I will repeat to you what I have to repeat to myself...it is not your fault that someone has abused you...just because you have the choice to say "no" does not mean you are to blame if someone doesn't listen or that you may have been too afraid to say "no" in the first place - evil does not get a pass just because you could not say "no" for any reason. However, that does not legitimize or rationalize any continued evil or impure acts I participate in by choice.
Further reflection, do we have choice over every day, healthy and normal touch? Again, I say yes. I say this because God created You (and me) wonderfully and fearfully in His image (Psalm 139:14 (NIV), Genesis 1:27 (NIV)) The bible says we are His handiwork and masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10, NIV & NLT). So again, I say, in ways our body is handled and cared for by ourselves and others is our CHOICE and we are given the privilege and responsibility to say (in some way) to others, “You may not touch me or treat me in ways that grieve the Holy Spirit or undermine God’s intention for my body and life.” We are also free to say, “I am not comfortable with what you are doing right now.” It is not “loving” to you or anyone else to allow your needs to be neglected or devalued. God’s temple – YOU and I – have the right to be cared for and loved in ways that God reveals is loving for us. Things may look normal for others but if you and I are uncomfortable, we can listen to God’s voice and share our feelings about what we want to happen to us. Anyone who loves you, will care about your feelings and help you heal from ways in which you might be uncomfortable with things that should be "healthy and normal."
No matter what ways that you (and I) have used or have been used that would grieve the Holy Spirit (and probably grieve you), Jesus has given a way of healing…a way back to the wholeness and purity He has always desired for every person He created. Jesus paid a great price to give us that privilege. He endured great evil (like many of us) in order to grant us power and choice over our bodies – so that they may be treated holy, special and be cherished, as the temple of our Creator.
Isaiah 53:5, (NLT) But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.
*editorial note: I am still in the midst of a struggle over many of the ideas in this post…I probably have not said everything exactly the way I desire. Feel free to refine any where I have misunderstood scripture or life in general…this post hits close to home for many reasons. Feel free also to message me if I can pray for you if this post hits you in the gut like it has me. Song of a Hero, Song of Reminder from God
Every day, we have the choice to live for ourselves or live for Christ. "My body, My choice" and the ideas this phrase conveys is something I’m going back and forth on currently. I do believe that once you are a Christian – your life and body is no longer your own (and in truth, it never was). However, there are areas in this fallen world where it is necessary to have “ownership” of our bodies; to have the choice of what happens to us physically.
*I don’t know if it is so much back and forth as refining my conviction of the choices with which we really have control.
When this phrase is used to legitimize abortion, I have to admit, it doesn’t make sense to me. Anyone who has been pregnant can tell you that pregnancy – FROM THE BEGINNING – takes away your body being your own. Immediately, you do not feel yourself, your body is changing in chemical and physical ways to sustain the OTHER body within you and you are acutely aware that nothing about your body and life is for YOU ALONE for a long while (and in truth, will never be just about you ever again). This is not to undermine a girl's/woman's frustrations, fears and MANY other complications (compounded by the immediate surge of pregnancy hormones) that contribute to the whirlwind existence of an unplanned, unwanted pregnancy. I just don’t understand this phrase as a reason to take a life. If you have had an abortion, I am deeply sorry for your loss and everything you have lost that put you in the position to have to make such a wounding and life altering (yours and the baby’s) decision…this is not meant to heap more guilt or wound you further.
Flip it now…someone initiates touch and/or actions toward your body that are not wanted. Do you have a choice? Yes, you have a choice. As the caretaker of the temple of the Holy Spirit, you have the choice to keep your body safe, holy and set apart for God. I say safe – only as much as you have control over that. I know the wounding and shame of not being able to keep God’s temple “holy” and pure because of evil acts and sexual sins forced upon your/my body. I will repeat to you what I have to repeat to myself...it is not your fault that someone has abused you...just because you have the choice to say "no" does not mean you are to blame if someone doesn't listen or that you may have been too afraid to say "no" in the first place - evil does not get a pass just because you could not say "no" for any reason. However, that does not legitimize or rationalize any continued evil or impure acts I participate in by choice.
Further reflection, do we have choice over every day, healthy and normal touch? Again, I say yes. I say this because God created You (and me) wonderfully and fearfully in His image (Psalm 139:14 (NIV), Genesis 1:27 (NIV)) The bible says we are His handiwork and masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10, NIV & NLT). So again, I say, in ways our body is handled and cared for by ourselves and others is our CHOICE and we are given the privilege and responsibility to say (in some way) to others, “You may not touch me or treat me in ways that grieve the Holy Spirit or undermine God’s intention for my body and life.” We are also free to say, “I am not comfortable with what you are doing right now.” It is not “loving” to you or anyone else to allow your needs to be neglected or devalued. God’s temple – YOU and I – have the right to be cared for and loved in ways that God reveals is loving for us. Things may look normal for others but if you and I are uncomfortable, we can listen to God’s voice and share our feelings about what we want to happen to us. Anyone who loves you, will care about your feelings and help you heal from ways in which you might be uncomfortable with things that should be "healthy and normal."
No matter what ways that you (and I) have used or have been used that would grieve the Holy Spirit (and probably grieve you), Jesus has given a way of healing…a way back to the wholeness and purity He has always desired for every person He created. Jesus paid a great price to give us that privilege. He endured great evil (like many of us) in order to grant us power and choice over our bodies – so that they may be treated holy, special and be cherished, as the temple of our Creator.
Isaiah 53:5, (NLT) But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.
*editorial note: I am still in the midst of a struggle over many of the ideas in this post…I probably have not said everything exactly the way I desire. Feel free to refine any where I have misunderstood scripture or life in general…this post hits close to home for many reasons. Feel free also to message me if I can pray for you if this post hits you in the gut like it has me. Song of a Hero, Song of Reminder from God
Monday, April 1, 2013
The Right Kind Of Sorrow
2 Corinthians 7:10 For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.
Worldly sorrow also lacks the knowledge of love that Godly sorrow knows how to experience.
We recently have read the book of Jonah with the girls (per request). We did not read a glossy, picture filled version (of which we have a couple I think), we read the 4 chapters straight from the old testament. I LOVE that the girls are requesting to read the stories they have heard about in Sunday School and VBS and the glossy picture books straight from the Bible – going to the source is such a better way to get your information. They definitely remember the pictures from the glossy children’s books and like to compare the story with the pictures they remember (so there is a definite benefit to them). But it is fun that they are at an age they no longer need them and we get to go deeper with the story of how God used all the things that happened to Jonah for not only Ninevah’s salvation but Jonah’s as well (and, Mia noted, the men on the boat with Jonah).
No discipline or training should come without the knowledge of love and how to repent and avoid sin and its consequences in the future. Because of Jonah’s disobedience to the take the news of salvation to the people of Ninevah, the Lord allowed him to experience the full consequence of his decision (along with a lesson in how God’s love, discipline and salvation really works). He brought Jonah near death then saved him. The experiences in our life that look like the darkest and worst are sometimes God’s way of saving us from complete death and separation from Him. He might even let us get right at death’s door, only to show us the way back and display His love and care for us. (Read Jonah’s Prayer in Chapter 2). Praise In The Storm
No matter how “Godly” we think we are, we are only as “godly” as we are humble. We must be fully aware of our total dependence on God to fulfill our purpose, work out our salvation (Philippians 2:12, NLT) and be fueled by His grace and redemption to keep us from the sorrow of the past. He allows us to walk in the new joy of our presence with Him – He reveals to us (probably something we already knew but weren’t living) that He alone is God and that He alone has the power over death and life.
Like Jonah, we blatantly disobey and decide to act in defiance of God’s good and wise instruction. Jonah’s job was a prophet and he had become so proud that he forgot he was a human who could still sin, disobey and fall short of the glory of God. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of the God’s glorious standard (Romans 3:23, NLT). While Jonah was judging Ninevah for their sin and disobedience, God humbled him and opened his eyes to his own sin, brought him to a deep sorrow and revealed his continued need for salvation and redemption. Then, because of the redemption and salvation he received, he joyously shared the grace of God with others (this is what our response could be too if we allow).
In opening our eyes to our sins, God allows us to experience a sorrow that lifts us and brings us out of the death of sin and into life – were His joy, love and patience reside. A Song of Declaration
1 Corinthians 11:32 (NLT) Yet when we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned along with the world.
Hebrews 12:8, 10b-13 (NLT) If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. …God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.
Worldly sorrow also lacks the knowledge of love that Godly sorrow knows how to experience.
We recently have read the book of Jonah with the girls (per request). We did not read a glossy, picture filled version (of which we have a couple I think), we read the 4 chapters straight from the old testament. I LOVE that the girls are requesting to read the stories they have heard about in Sunday School and VBS and the glossy picture books straight from the Bible – going to the source is such a better way to get your information. They definitely remember the pictures from the glossy children’s books and like to compare the story with the pictures they remember (so there is a definite benefit to them). But it is fun that they are at an age they no longer need them and we get to go deeper with the story of how God used all the things that happened to Jonah for not only Ninevah’s salvation but Jonah’s as well (and, Mia noted, the men on the boat with Jonah).
No discipline or training should come without the knowledge of love and how to repent and avoid sin and its consequences in the future. Because of Jonah’s disobedience to the take the news of salvation to the people of Ninevah, the Lord allowed him to experience the full consequence of his decision (along with a lesson in how God’s love, discipline and salvation really works). He brought Jonah near death then saved him. The experiences in our life that look like the darkest and worst are sometimes God’s way of saving us from complete death and separation from Him. He might even let us get right at death’s door, only to show us the way back and display His love and care for us. (Read Jonah’s Prayer in Chapter 2). Praise In The Storm
No matter how “Godly” we think we are, we are only as “godly” as we are humble. We must be fully aware of our total dependence on God to fulfill our purpose, work out our salvation (Philippians 2:12, NLT) and be fueled by His grace and redemption to keep us from the sorrow of the past. He allows us to walk in the new joy of our presence with Him – He reveals to us (probably something we already knew but weren’t living) that He alone is God and that He alone has the power over death and life.
Like Jonah, we blatantly disobey and decide to act in defiance of God’s good and wise instruction. Jonah’s job was a prophet and he had become so proud that he forgot he was a human who could still sin, disobey and fall short of the glory of God. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of the God’s glorious standard (Romans 3:23, NLT). While Jonah was judging Ninevah for their sin and disobedience, God humbled him and opened his eyes to his own sin, brought him to a deep sorrow and revealed his continued need for salvation and redemption. Then, because of the redemption and salvation he received, he joyously shared the grace of God with others (this is what our response could be too if we allow).
In opening our eyes to our sins, God allows us to experience a sorrow that lifts us and brings us out of the death of sin and into life – were His joy, love and patience reside. A Song of Declaration
1 Corinthians 11:32 (NLT) Yet when we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned along with the world.
Hebrews 12:8, 10b-13 (NLT) If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. …God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
In The Wait
“Dear
woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.”
(John 2:4, NLT)
Has life
ever felt like that for you? Have you felt like saying, “my time has not yet
come.” I know I have thought that more than once… I have had seasons when I
have felt like I was spinning my wheels, waiting for “my time” and the next
step in the path to be opened or taken. I also know I have wasted a lot of my
waiting time with self-pity and doubt that my desires would ever be fulfilled. A Song of a Submissive Heart
When Jesus
had finished saying all these things, he looked up to heaven and said, “Father,
the time has come. Glorify your Son, so he can give glory back to you.” (John
17:1 NLT)
I did not
intend for this post to be so perfectly timed with Holy Week…but here we are. Jesus’
life and ministry reached its peak between these two statements. He shows us
how to wait for our time to arrive, our prayers to be answered and our Godly
missions/tasks to be completed. In John’s
gospel (and many other places because the Bible is complete that way), we see
what can be done while waiting on the LORD:
·
take
the time to reveal the miraculous and extraordinary character of God in
seemingly ordinary ways (John 2 – The Wedding at Cana) *special note:
even though he had just said that it didn’t concern him, Jesus still helped in
a way that he could*
·
fight
for truth, redemption and justice of others while we wait for our own personal
truth and justice to arrive (John 2, 8 - Jesus Clears the Temple & Jesus
stands up for a woman caught in adultery)
·
connect
with someone and reveal God’s truth for their growth, salvation and encouragement,
even if we are tired and discouraged (John 3: 27, 30 (NLT) (John 3 & 4 – Jesus and
Nicodemus & The Samaritan Woman)
·
never
hesitate to stop and meet the tangible needs of people around you, regardless
of the tasks or schedule you or others around you think you should adhere to (John
5, 6, 9, 11- Jesus heals a lame man, Jesus feeds five thousand & Jesus
heals a man born blind & Jesus comforts the family of Lazarus and then
raises Lazarus from the dead)
·
reveal
the miraculous and supernatural character of God in any way that glorifies Him –
even if it seems ridiculous or unthinkable to those around you (John 11, 20 –
Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead & is Himself raised from the dead)
·
always
declare the truth of who you are in Christ and who God has truly made you to be
(John 5, 6, 8, 10, 14 – Jesus claims to be the son of God, the Bread of
Life, the Light of the World & the Good Shepherd & The Way, The Truth
and The Life)
Following
God rarely looks right to those who don’t understand Him but follow the call of
God anyway – the end result will be surprising to all (including You – not to imply
Jesus was surprised, just saying You (and I) will be surprised since You (and I)
are not Jesus), your obedience will benefit more than you can imagine and ultimately
reveal God’s long-term goals for you and His people rather than the short-term
(John 13:3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything
and that he had come from God and would return to God.) An Anthem for the Impatient
With all that God has for us to do while waiting for His reply to our prayers, desires and His movement in our lives, it seems that the wait could pass quickly. BUT, perhaps because I am usually looking at me and my circumstances more than listening for the voice and direction of God, the wait NEVER feels like it has passed quickly. So I am with you in prayer and in spirit and with great expectation for the waiting. I love the sentiment of Psalm 27:13 & 14 (NIV) – “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” These verses give me hope that I do not have to wait until I’m dead to see God’s goodness and that the God of the Universe will be my strength, confidence and peace IN THE WAIT. A Song of Reminder
John 3:27,
30 (NLT) God in heaven appoints each person’s work. He must become greater and
greater and I must become less and less.
Isaiah 43:19 (NLT) For I am about to do a brand-new thing. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness for my people to come home. I will create rivers for them in the desert!
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