Everyday I have a heavy burden for foreign missions. God placed on my heart many years ago, a desire and longing to be a part of world missions on some level.
Maybe it is because I long to be in a society that values people not the material things that they have. Maybe it is because I long to be a part of a world that is not distracted by itself. Or Maybe it is because I long to be a part of something pure and basic. Like sharing food, sharing water, sharing Christ.
Everyday we wake up for different purposes. Some of us get up to workout, some of us get up for our kids, some of us get up for our jobs, and some of us don't get up. No matter what your reason for rising with the sunshine, most of us will never have to experience a life without opportunity. Our children will not have to wake up and go to work instead of playing in the back yard. Most of us will never experience "true struggle". Where we are not sure where we will sleep, eat, or if we will live through the night. 57 Million people died last year because of starvation, 10.5 million of them were under the age of 5. It is estimated that 35,000 children are orphaned every day because of the HIV/Aids epidemic. 5,000 children a day are dying from diarrhea because they do not have access to adequate sanitation and clean water.
I don't state any of this to make anyone feel guilty. I guess I say it so that you can become empowered. So that you can wake up tomorrow and think differently, want to do more, or even act. Many people are being called to change the world by GOING, some are being called to change the world by ADOPTING, some are called to GIVE, while others are called to PRAY.
One of my favorite songs is called Share the Well. It makes me question what my "well" is. Is it my heart, my pocket book, my home, my family, my life?
God didn't call us to save the world, Jesus took care of that. But He did call us to change it.
Matthew 5:14-16
14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
The Blue Whale
Did you know that a blue whales heart is the size of a VW Bug? Yeah....me neither. I sat down today and wanted to blog....but....I have nothing. I love writing and blogging always scratches that itch for me,but somedays, my brain is just fried.
But what can you expect. I have watched Finding Nemo 2x today, done 6 loads of laundry, began to plan out homeschooling (which begins next week), mowed the lawn, used the weed eater, and tried to watch a movie during nap time (which ended up being a movie about Kabala and Hari Krishna's)(and no the title didn't give it away)). Not to mention I can't stop making lists for our upcoming trips that we will be taking.
So since I did not do any "deep thinking" today I figured that I would throw out a random fact.
The first thing that came to mind when I saw this fact about the blue whale, is how amazing God is.And then I began to think about just how big this whales heart truely is. I wonder if i had a heart that size would I be a nicer person, would I give more, would I love more? DUH! Of course not. Because it is not the size of my heart,but the size of my will. So maybe that is it. That is my challnge for today.
God please grow my will. Please make my "desire for you" never stop growing. Please help my human sized heart to beat in sync with yours so that I may love like you love.
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Sundays
It has been a little while since my last blog because things have been nuts around the house. I have been out of commission with an unexplained illness. It took me 3 1/2 days to finally get back to a functioning human being again. (Notice I didn't say back to normal. Because you and I know THAT will never happen.) I don't think that house would have survived had it not been for 2 ten year olds who really stepped it up and ran things for me. The first two days they did almost everything with the babies, while dad was at work. The last day dad was able to be at home with us and take over so I could stay in bed.
Now that things are back on track and I am feeling better, life is good. I have missed my walking, prayer time, and devotions over the past 4 days. It shines a new light on the phrase "getting up on the wrong side of the bed". Getting up on the right side for me, is spending it in prayer and quiet time. Being able to go outside and enjoy the morning air, all the new baby bunnies, and the new morning sun ( oh yeah, and when it is warm....the smell of chickens, nasty dirty, stankin' chickens) is a great way to start a day.
This morning has proven to be very challenging. #1 It is Sunday. #2 It is Sunday #3 (you guessed it) It is Sunday. Sundays are always a little rough because of our commitments at church. The rush to get everyone up and out. yadda yadda yadda. But one thing that normally happens is, the devil shows up. I always tell the kids that he works over time on Sundays just to discourage everyone. He knocks on our door almost every Sunday morning. Sometimes he waits on us to get to McDonalds, and sometimes he even waits on us to get all the way to church. But....believe you me, he is always waiting to pounce.
Well this morning was no different. This morning the devil decided to wake me up at 5:45. Now please don't get me wrong, I am not calling my beautiful, precious, darling 2 year old boy, THE DEVIL. I am simply saying the sometimes in our lives the devil can use us to negatively effect those around us. When your child opens their bedroom door at 5:45 and begins to scream about wanting to watch Barney, eating a waffle and drinking apple juice, while you are running down the hallway, half dressed, one eye open yelling (in a whisper) for him to HUSH!! THE DEVIL IS SOMEWHERE IN THAT HOUSE!
Funnies aside. I was discouraged this morning because fitting prayer time and devotion time into the craziness of the morning seemed like it wasn't going to happen. But quietly and calmly, my morning peace, woke up this morning in the form of a ten year old. My gently spirit B came down stairs and sat with her little brother and sister while I had 5-10 minutes on my porch. Most every Sunday I can name you the places that the devil showed up and tried to frustrate, discourage, aggravate,me or our family. But I can ALWAYS show you the places that God was too. He is just not so demanding and in your face. Sometimes He is in the willingness of my child, the kiss of my husband, or his quiet supportive smile when I needed it the most. Sometimes I find Him in a schedule that goes on without flaw, or a child that just needs a hug. But no matter where God chooses to reveal himself to me each day, I know that He is there. Waiting to hold me when I am discouraged, aggravated, or frustrated. Because it is through those tough times that I reach for Him the most, long to be picked up and held and renewed. Sunday's are tough. They always have been, but we appreciate Mondays because of Sundays. (Hmmm- Maybe hope really is born out of suffering.?!)
Remember to pray for your ministers and their families every Sunday. They need it!!! Pray that they find a strength that it supernatural. Pray that they feel God's Hand on their back pressing them on. Pray that they always remember in a way that rejuvenates them and gives them focus.
Now that things are back on track and I am feeling better, life is good. I have missed my walking, prayer time, and devotions over the past 4 days. It shines a new light on the phrase "getting up on the wrong side of the bed". Getting up on the right side for me, is spending it in prayer and quiet time. Being able to go outside and enjoy the morning air, all the new baby bunnies, and the new morning sun ( oh yeah, and when it is warm....the smell of chickens, nasty dirty, stankin' chickens) is a great way to start a day.
This morning has proven to be very challenging. #1 It is Sunday. #2 It is Sunday #3 (you guessed it) It is Sunday. Sundays are always a little rough because of our commitments at church. The rush to get everyone up and out. yadda yadda yadda. But one thing that normally happens is, the devil shows up. I always tell the kids that he works over time on Sundays just to discourage everyone. He knocks on our door almost every Sunday morning. Sometimes he waits on us to get to McDonalds, and sometimes he even waits on us to get all the way to church. But....believe you me, he is always waiting to pounce.
Well this morning was no different. This morning the devil decided to wake me up at 5:45. Now please don't get me wrong, I am not calling my beautiful, precious, darling 2 year old boy, THE DEVIL. I am simply saying the sometimes in our lives the devil can use us to negatively effect those around us. When your child opens their bedroom door at 5:45 and begins to scream about wanting to watch Barney, eating a waffle and drinking apple juice, while you are running down the hallway, half dressed, one eye open yelling (in a whisper) for him to HUSH!! THE DEVIL IS SOMEWHERE IN THAT HOUSE!
Funnies aside. I was discouraged this morning because fitting prayer time and devotion time into the craziness of the morning seemed like it wasn't going to happen. But quietly and calmly, my morning peace, woke up this morning in the form of a ten year old. My gently spirit B came down stairs and sat with her little brother and sister while I had 5-10 minutes on my porch. Most every Sunday I can name you the places that the devil showed up and tried to frustrate, discourage, aggravate,me or our family. But I can ALWAYS show you the places that God was too. He is just not so demanding and in your face. Sometimes He is in the willingness of my child, the kiss of my husband, or his quiet supportive smile when I needed it the most. Sometimes I find Him in a schedule that goes on without flaw, or a child that just needs a hug. But no matter where God chooses to reveal himself to me each day, I know that He is there. Waiting to hold me when I am discouraged, aggravated, or frustrated. Because it is through those tough times that I reach for Him the most, long to be picked up and held and renewed. Sunday's are tough. They always have been, but we appreciate Mondays because of Sundays. (Hmmm- Maybe hope really is born out of suffering.?!)
Remember to pray for your ministers and their families every Sunday. They need it!!! Pray that they find a strength that it supernatural. Pray that they feel God's Hand on their back pressing them on. Pray that they always remember in a way that rejuvenates them and gives them focus.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Word of God Speak
So.... after a rough evening last night God decided He would smack me around this morning.
I decided last night to rant and rave about how it is unfair that DH can go and do, whatever, whenever he wants. Now, mind you, this is not the first time we have had this conversation. I have talked to him before about how he can just get up and go to the bathroom without so much as a 2nd thought. But me, oh no..... I have to make sure that the kids are being watched, no one has a sharp object, or worse, crayons. All the while trying to sneak up the stairs without being noticed or heard, or everyone breaks down crying. AND THAT IS JUST TO GO PEEE! He can choose to sleep in without it effecting anyone. He can tune it all out and never hear the thunder herd of elephants running down the stairs and twinkle twinkle being sung at the top of their lungs. But for me, I hear the little feet when they first step out of bed. I suppose this is JUST LIFE. It is the difference between men and women. But in my eyes .... IT IS JUST NOT FAIR!!!!
Until this morning. I got up went walking (this is my prayer time , not exercise. I walk far to slow for it to be considered a workout.) I came home to do my devotion and God met me with this:
My friend Amy really made an impression on me by one simple little thing she did recently for her husband. She had scheduled a hair appointment on the day Mike was off work. She didn’t tell him about the appointment; she just knew that he loves to be with his little girls and that he’d agree to be home while she went to her appointment.The day before, however, Mike said he was planning to go golfing with a friend on his day off. Now here’s where she impressed me! She simply said, “Sounds great! Have fun!” She didn’t even mention the hair appointment! She could have responded in so many different ways. She could have begrudgingly responded, “I have a hair appointment, but I’ll reschedule.” She could have dug in her heels and said, “No way. I already have plans, and I need you to watch the girls.” She could have complained about her lack of freedom, as she’s the mother to two little girls and her husband travels frequently.But she didn’t. Instead she responded selflessly. With her gracious response to her husband, she lived out Philippians 2:3: “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves” (NAS).As Amy sows into her marriage godly principles such as selflessness instead of selfishness, she’s reaping the blessings of a unified, intimate, and joyful marriage. Let’s ask ourselves today: What attitudes and actions are we sowing into our own marriages? Here’s a few to consider: Respect or contempt? Thankfulness or complaining? Submission or rebellion? Gentleness or harshness? Patience or irritability? Forgiveness or unforgivness?If we’re experiencing strife or distance in our marriages, we need to ask God to show us if we might be reaping what we’re sowing. God will reveal to us any attitudes or actions which grieve Him. Then we can confess them and replace them with obedience to God’s principles for us as wives.
Can I just say one word? OUCH!!!! This devotion hit me square between the eyes. As much as I want to jump up and down yelling how it is unfair, that I have to put me behind everyone else, I can't! I want to be more than that, better than that. The bigger picture is a happy, unified family, and a joyful marriage. And that is so much bigger than getting to go pee by myself.
God definitely spoke to my heart today. I feel like each day He is showing me more and more about who I am called to be as a wife, mother, friend. Some days are easier to swallow than others. Putting others before ourselves is very hard. It is hard to not feel run over, over worked, under appreciated, used. So my prayer today is this: God give me a heart of giving. Allow me to give without consideration for myself. Help me to "do" because you did. Help me to serve because you called me to. God please guard my heart from Satan. Protect me from the selfishness that he tells me that I am entitled to. Thank you for Your word speaking to me.
I decided last night to rant and rave about how it is unfair that DH can go and do, whatever, whenever he wants. Now, mind you, this is not the first time we have had this conversation. I have talked to him before about how he can just get up and go to the bathroom without so much as a 2nd thought. But me, oh no..... I have to make sure that the kids are being watched, no one has a sharp object, or worse, crayons. All the while trying to sneak up the stairs without being noticed or heard, or everyone breaks down crying. AND THAT IS JUST TO GO PEEE! He can choose to sleep in without it effecting anyone. He can tune it all out and never hear the thunder herd of elephants running down the stairs and twinkle twinkle being sung at the top of their lungs. But for me, I hear the little feet when they first step out of bed. I suppose this is JUST LIFE. It is the difference between men and women. But in my eyes .... IT IS JUST NOT FAIR!!!!
Until this morning. I got up went walking (this is my prayer time , not exercise. I walk far to slow for it to be considered a workout.) I came home to do my devotion and God met me with this:
My friend Amy really made an impression on me by one simple little thing she did recently for her husband. She had scheduled a hair appointment on the day Mike was off work. She didn’t tell him about the appointment; she just knew that he loves to be with his little girls and that he’d agree to be home while she went to her appointment.The day before, however, Mike said he was planning to go golfing with a friend on his day off. Now here’s where she impressed me! She simply said, “Sounds great! Have fun!” She didn’t even mention the hair appointment! She could have responded in so many different ways. She could have begrudgingly responded, “I have a hair appointment, but I’ll reschedule.” She could have dug in her heels and said, “No way. I already have plans, and I need you to watch the girls.” She could have complained about her lack of freedom, as she’s the mother to two little girls and her husband travels frequently.But she didn’t. Instead she responded selflessly. With her gracious response to her husband, she lived out Philippians 2:3: “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves” (NAS).As Amy sows into her marriage godly principles such as selflessness instead of selfishness, she’s reaping the blessings of a unified, intimate, and joyful marriage. Let’s ask ourselves today: What attitudes and actions are we sowing into our own marriages? Here’s a few to consider: Respect or contempt? Thankfulness or complaining? Submission or rebellion? Gentleness or harshness? Patience or irritability? Forgiveness or unforgivness?If we’re experiencing strife or distance in our marriages, we need to ask God to show us if we might be reaping what we’re sowing. God will reveal to us any attitudes or actions which grieve Him. Then we can confess them and replace them with obedience to God’s principles for us as wives.
Can I just say one word? OUCH!!!! This devotion hit me square between the eyes. As much as I want to jump up and down yelling how it is unfair, that I have to put me behind everyone else, I can't! I want to be more than that, better than that. The bigger picture is a happy, unified family, and a joyful marriage. And that is so much bigger than getting to go pee by myself.
God definitely spoke to my heart today. I feel like each day He is showing me more and more about who I am called to be as a wife, mother, friend. Some days are easier to swallow than others. Putting others before ourselves is very hard. It is hard to not feel run over, over worked, under appreciated, used. So my prayer today is this: God give me a heart of giving. Allow me to give without consideration for myself. Help me to "do" because you did. Help me to serve because you called me to. God please guard my heart from Satan. Protect me from the selfishness that he tells me that I am entitled to. Thank you for Your word speaking to me.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
My Challenge for the year
Compassion Vs. Guilt ..... Why do we do what we do?
I believe that Compassion comes from your insides. It comes from the heart. I think some people were gifted with compassion while others have to work on it. I think that all Chirstians are called to be compassionate towards others.
BUT!!!!
I believe that guilt comes form the outside. From people/Satan making us feel bad for not doing something. I think that, like compassion, some people are gifted with it. Meaning, they have the gift of making everyone feel guilty. :-)
There have been a couple of situations recently that I have been very challenged with this concept. One is a mission trip and another is a person. I want to serve because God calls me to do so. I want to reach out and help because I can't imagine doing anything less. I want to be compelled to love without question, and to help without caution. I do not want to feel guilty if I don't help. I do not want to have my heart questioned because I didn't step up, again. I want to help because that is what God calls us to do.
So where is the line? How do you help, love, give, serve, without question, and not do it for the wrong reasons? Is there a wrong way to be helpful? I don't know.
God help me to always be compassionate. Help me to see with your eyes. Help me to love with you heart. Help me to always serve others, because I love you.
Great video
I believe that Compassion comes from your insides. It comes from the heart. I think some people were gifted with compassion while others have to work on it. I think that all Chirstians are called to be compassionate towards others.
BUT!!!!
I believe that guilt comes form the outside. From people/Satan making us feel bad for not doing something. I think that, like compassion, some people are gifted with it. Meaning, they have the gift of making everyone feel guilty. :-)
There have been a couple of situations recently that I have been very challenged with this concept. One is a mission trip and another is a person. I want to serve because God calls me to do so. I want to reach out and help because I can't imagine doing anything less. I want to be compelled to love without question, and to help without caution. I do not want to feel guilty if I don't help. I do not want to have my heart questioned because I didn't step up, again. I want to help because that is what God calls us to do.
So where is the line? How do you help, love, give, serve, without question, and not do it for the wrong reasons? Is there a wrong way to be helpful? I don't know.
God help me to always be compassionate. Help me to see with your eyes. Help me to love with you heart. Help me to always serve others, because I love you.
Great video
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Doing Well
Morning All!!
Well, I did good this morning. My alarm went off at 5:50 (so that I could hit the snooze a little bit) and I was up by 6:05. I was able to get out of the house go walking, dodge sprinklers as I prayed, then come back to read my bible and enjoy some peace and quiet. All before my life was bombarded with "Mommy hold you, peeeeze" and "Piggyback ride?? Peeeze".
I find that when my alarm goes off I start praying "God help me to be a Prov.31 woman?" (I know that sounds silly) But it has definitely gotten me further than "God please don't let that be the alarm I hear beeping again. Please, please, make the sun go back down." Anyway, it is definitely one morning at a time. I keep hoping that the "habit" thing will kick in and getting up earlier will be a breeze. I can count on one hand the number of soft drinks that I have had since I stopped drinking them. It is great!! I feel better, that is for sure. And when life catches up with me and I "need" a coke..... I feel like cow cookies later, and I regret ever drinking it. So I guess that is a good sign.
The kids are doing great. Peydle (New nick name the she has acquired) and Bear are sleeping in their "biggirlbed" (as both of them call them). We keep trying to tell Bear that he is sleeping in a Big BOY bed, but he just doesn't get it. It is good for a laugh. They are doing great. Once we got them to stop running back and forth jumping on each others beds, life got much better. Bear still likes to occasionally run over and tackle little Pey Pey, but that is a brother's job. Right?
The big girls are well. But bored. (as I am told ALOT) I think we are ready to begin school. We will begin the first of August. They aren't to happy with that but, I am sure they will adjust. At least we can still take off and go to the beach in the afternoons and things like that. Right now they are enjoying their friend down the street. She has an in ground pool and the girls love that. They wait anxiously for her to come home everyday. If they aren't swimming then they are all on the computer. We often refer to our neighbor as our 5th child. It is alot of fun.
Well I can't sign off without sharing what God has shown me today. I was reading Genesis 39:7 . My devotion was talking about guarding our eyes and our hearts. It was a nice warning about protecting our minds against lust. Oh be careful little eyes what you see.....
the scripture says:
Genesis 39:7 “And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, ‘Lie with me.’”
I think that we all to quickly forget about the battle we are in and who we are up against. The enemy is standing at the door of our lives waiting to pounce. Wanting to destroy our marriages, our families, and our lives. I heard someone say once, "What Satan can't destroy, he discourages." In this scripture it is the story of Potiphar's wife. I was very interested how it talked about her "casting her eyes upon Joseph". Meaning, she didn't just go jump his bones, she watched and lusted after him. Anyway,though this may not be something that I deal with now. One day Satan may try to knock on my door with the temptations of another man. So I commit today, just as I did on my wedding day, to honor my husband completely. To love him with my whole heart, leaving no room for Satan to try and fill it with someone else. I pray that God always protects our marriage, and by His grace we will always love each other, like He loves the church. Thank you God for a husband who loves me despite me short comings, my bad moods, and my "fat days" (which are all to often). Thank you God for giving him the heart to love me, and the faith to stand by me. Please always guard our marriage, and help us to be a Godly example to our children.
Well, I did good this morning. My alarm went off at 5:50 (so that I could hit the snooze a little bit) and I was up by 6:05. I was able to get out of the house go walking, dodge sprinklers as I prayed, then come back to read my bible and enjoy some peace and quiet. All before my life was bombarded with "Mommy hold you, peeeeze" and "Piggyback ride?? Peeeze".
I find that when my alarm goes off I start praying "God help me to be a Prov.31 woman?" (I know that sounds silly) But it has definitely gotten me further than "God please don't let that be the alarm I hear beeping again. Please, please, make the sun go back down." Anyway, it is definitely one morning at a time. I keep hoping that the "habit" thing will kick in and getting up earlier will be a breeze. I can count on one hand the number of soft drinks that I have had since I stopped drinking them. It is great!! I feel better, that is for sure. And when life catches up with me and I "need" a coke..... I feel like cow cookies later, and I regret ever drinking it. So I guess that is a good sign.
The kids are doing great. Peydle (New nick name the she has acquired) and Bear are sleeping in their "biggirlbed" (as both of them call them). We keep trying to tell Bear that he is sleeping in a Big BOY bed, but he just doesn't get it. It is good for a laugh. They are doing great. Once we got them to stop running back and forth jumping on each others beds, life got much better. Bear still likes to occasionally run over and tackle little Pey Pey, but that is a brother's job. Right?
The big girls are well. But bored. (as I am told ALOT) I think we are ready to begin school. We will begin the first of August. They aren't to happy with that but, I am sure they will adjust. At least we can still take off and go to the beach in the afternoons and things like that. Right now they are enjoying their friend down the street. She has an in ground pool and the girls love that. They wait anxiously for her to come home everyday. If they aren't swimming then they are all on the computer. We often refer to our neighbor as our 5th child. It is alot of fun.
Well I can't sign off without sharing what God has shown me today. I was reading Genesis 39:7 . My devotion was talking about guarding our eyes and our hearts. It was a nice warning about protecting our minds against lust. Oh be careful little eyes what you see.....
the scripture says:
Genesis 39:7 “And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, ‘Lie with me.’”
I think that we all to quickly forget about the battle we are in and who we are up against. The enemy is standing at the door of our lives waiting to pounce. Wanting to destroy our marriages, our families, and our lives. I heard someone say once, "What Satan can't destroy, he discourages." In this scripture it is the story of Potiphar's wife. I was very interested how it talked about her "casting her eyes upon Joseph". Meaning, she didn't just go jump his bones, she watched and lusted after him. Anyway,though this may not be something that I deal with now. One day Satan may try to knock on my door with the temptations of another man. So I commit today, just as I did on my wedding day, to honor my husband completely. To love him with my whole heart, leaving no room for Satan to try and fill it with someone else. I pray that God always protects our marriage, and by His grace we will always love each other, like He loves the church. Thank you God for a husband who loves me despite me short comings, my bad moods, and my "fat days" (which are all to often). Thank you God for giving him the heart to love me, and the faith to stand by me. Please always guard our marriage, and help us to be a Godly example to our children.
Monday, July 9, 2007
A little bored, but alot enlightened!!
Psalm 18:20-24
God made my life complete when I placed all the pieces before him. When I got my act together, He gave me a fresh start. Now I'm alert to God's ways; I don't take God for granted. Every day I review the ways he works; I try not to miss a trick. I feel put back together, and I'm watching my step. God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes.
When I was reading through Psalm 18 today I was slightly bored. Alot of it talks about saving me from my enemies. And well...... my enemies are being nice right now. :-) Joking aside, I think that we forget what God is willing to do for us (past what He already has done for us on the cross), when we are not in the heat of despair and turmoil. So reading through this was definitely a reminder of the lengths that God will go to in order to rescue us when we cry out to Him.
When I read scripture one of the things that I have started doing is reading it in different translations or paraphrases. I enjoy being able to see things in different lights and after all, my reading comprehension is cow cookies. So any help I can get I gladly will take it. I have found that Bible Gateway is a great resource to check different readings. I can change translations and bibles without ever getting off my chair. Look It Up
Anyway..... I was going back and forth from NIV and The Message and I loved what The Message said in Verses 20-24. I thought that I was a beautiful picture of God's love when we take our own road instead of the one He paved for us. But it definitely puts the ball in our court. "When I placed the pieces of my life before Him" "When I got my act together" "When I opened the book of my heart to His eyes". I really appreciated all of this since my Blog the other day was talking about how I went cliff jumping. I realize that God knows my heart, He knows my love, but I think he wants to see my willingness. It is then that He rewrites the text of my life. WOW!!! Isn't that a mental image to have. God dumping the old manuscript and rewriting a new one. Grace is a mighty big thing.
Thank you God for rewriting my life when I screwed it up. Thank you for pouring your grace over me new every single morning. Forgive me for wanting you to kick me off the cliff, when all you wanted was for me to jump.
God made my life complete when I placed all the pieces before him. When I got my act together, He gave me a fresh start. Now I'm alert to God's ways; I don't take God for granted. Every day I review the ways he works; I try not to miss a trick. I feel put back together, and I'm watching my step. God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes.
When I was reading through Psalm 18 today I was slightly bored. Alot of it talks about saving me from my enemies. And well...... my enemies are being nice right now. :-) Joking aside, I think that we forget what God is willing to do for us (past what He already has done for us on the cross), when we are not in the heat of despair and turmoil. So reading through this was definitely a reminder of the lengths that God will go to in order to rescue us when we cry out to Him.
When I read scripture one of the things that I have started doing is reading it in different translations or paraphrases. I enjoy being able to see things in different lights and after all, my reading comprehension is cow cookies. So any help I can get I gladly will take it. I have found that Bible Gateway is a great resource to check different readings. I can change translations and bibles without ever getting off my chair. Look It Up
Anyway..... I was going back and forth from NIV and The Message and I loved what The Message said in Verses 20-24. I thought that I was a beautiful picture of God's love when we take our own road instead of the one He paved for us. But it definitely puts the ball in our court. "When I placed the pieces of my life before Him" "When I got my act together" "When I opened the book of my heart to His eyes". I really appreciated all of this since my Blog the other day was talking about how I went cliff jumping. I realize that God knows my heart, He knows my love, but I think he wants to see my willingness. It is then that He rewrites the text of my life. WOW!!! Isn't that a mental image to have. God dumping the old manuscript and rewriting a new one. Grace is a mighty big thing.
Thank you God for rewriting my life when I screwed it up. Thank you for pouring your grace over me new every single morning. Forgive me for wanting you to kick me off the cliff, when all you wanted was for me to jump.
Friday, July 6, 2007
I went cliff jumping
As I struggle through trying to be who God calls me to be I am constantly asking God to kick me off the cliff. Meaning: I know where I am supposed to be spiritually but I just can't get there. So I need God to KICK me there. I pray this with fear, knowing that God can use some very drastic things to be catalyst in our lives.
Yesterday I went cliff jumping. (No not literally, I am not crazy) I have found that so many times when God calls us to minister to someone, He ends up ministering to us. I spent a good part of my day yesterday emailing a lady in our church. Funny thing is.... it was one email that took me 7 hours to write. My goal in writing this email, was to fill her with the word of God. I wanted God to speak to her through His word. But He end up speaking to me. I found that I do NOT read the bible enough. I found that I am just running blind through life pretending to be who God has called me to be. I find that I wake up every morning trying to do a job with zero motivation. I love my children, I love my home, I love my husband, I love our life in the ministry (in the fall I would add Homeschooling to the list). I know that all of those things are right and I am where God wants me to be...but....I have NO motivation to do it all. And that can be very defeating. Until yesterday. God really spoke to me through His word and many a blogs. I was so encouraged through these strong women who are living a Proverbs 31 life and loving it. They are motivated and purpose driven.
So this morning I woke up with a new breath. One of the devotions that I read this morning was about false advertisement (here it is) about faking it, instead of being authentic. Needless to say, I was smacked between the eyes. This blog described me all to well. So this morning I must jump off my cliff again.
I am constantly amazed at how God's love is always perfect. Not too much,not too little, but just right. I didn't need Him to kick me off the cliff, I needed to jump.
Please pray for me. I recognize that I must choose to jump every single day. And I can not do it alone. Pray that I am the mother, wife, teacher, God lover, that He calls me every day to be.
Prove your passion, shut up and live.
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