As I drove to work today, I saw many familiar faces. The barista at the coffee shop. The man crossing the road to the University. The driver in the car next to me. The middle school crossing guard. I realized then that it is these faces that make my community. These and so many more. Not the town, not my job, not the organizations I'm involved in but the faces of those I know, those I surround myself with, those I love.
I experience God's undeniable love everyday through the people He has surrounded me with. People who laugh with me and cry with me. People who encourage me and support me, who challenge me to keep going when all I want is to run away. I realized this morning, along my all too familiar drive to work, that these faces are my community. And the greatest thing I can do for each of them is to share His undeniable love, His grace, His mercy. To forgive as He forgave and to give as He gave.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
A Doorknob, a Road Reflector, a Lego
At Toastmasters today, the Tabletopics were focused on what your life would be like if you were one of three inanimate objects: a doorknob, a road reflector, or a Lego. As each presenter described their life as this odd object, a began to think how each of those could symbolize my life as the daughter of a king; the precious child of an all-knowing, all-powerful, gracious, caring, and merciful father.
A Doorknob:
The presenter described a doorknob as a facilitator. Just as a doorknob facilitates the opening of a new opportunity, the love of Christ opens hundreds of doors and new opportunities. We, as believers, are able to facilitate spreading this love and help those around us experience these new opportunities, this new found love.
A Road Reflector:
Just as the road reflector reflects the lights of a car, we are called to reflect the light of Christ - We are called to reflect His love upon each person we come in contact with.
A Lego:
Christ is the foundation, the Church is the Body of Christ, so we too are part of that foundation. We are made for relationships, for connection. Just as the Lego is designed to connect to other Legos, we are designed to connect with other brothers and sisters in Christ. Together we can build something great.
It's truly amazing how we can find God in everything if only we look. No matter where we go, He is there. His love undeniable remains.
Dear most gracious and wonderful Father, thank you for the reminders throughout the day that you are real, that you are here, and that you love us. May we continue to see examples of your greatness each day, may our eyes be opened to your wonderful works. Amen.
A Doorknob:
The presenter described a doorknob as a facilitator. Just as a doorknob facilitates the opening of a new opportunity, the love of Christ opens hundreds of doors and new opportunities. We, as believers, are able to facilitate spreading this love and help those around us experience these new opportunities, this new found love.
A Road Reflector:
Just as the road reflector reflects the lights of a car, we are called to reflect the light of Christ - We are called to reflect His love upon each person we come in contact with.
A Lego:
Christ is the foundation, the Church is the Body of Christ, so we too are part of that foundation. We are made for relationships, for connection. Just as the Lego is designed to connect to other Legos, we are designed to connect with other brothers and sisters in Christ. Together we can build something great.
It's truly amazing how we can find God in everything if only we look. No matter where we go, He is there. His love undeniable remains.
Dear most gracious and wonderful Father, thank you for the reminders throughout the day that you are real, that you are here, and that you love us. May we continue to see examples of your greatness each day, may our eyes be opened to your wonderful works. Amen.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Laborers in His Harvest
This time of year, as we approach Thanksgiving, draws pictures of fields ready to be harvested. May we use this time to remember, that each one of us are also called to be laborers, laborers in HIS harvest.
"Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." (Matthew 9:37-38)
This harvest is all around us, no matter our circumstances nor our location. So often I find myself looking for a different harvest, I find myself trying to manipulate my circumstances into what I want them to be. I say, "Lord, I don't want to harvest this crop in this field, I want to harvest that crop in that field." I do this because I'm overwhelmed, or bored, or because the other 'harvest' looks more exciting, more rewarding, or easier.
And my Lord is good, He allows me to try. And He is just, He allows me to fail. And He is merciful, He allows me to come back to Him, committed once again to do things His way, the best way, the only way. God has created us as laborers for such a time as this, for such a harvest as this. May we seek His face, His glory, and His honor in all that we do as we continuously submit to His ways and His beautiful plan for our lives.
I love my Father, for His grace, His mercy, His joy, His beauty, and His love undeniable.
"Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." (Matthew 9:37-38)
This harvest is all around us, no matter our circumstances nor our location. So often I find myself looking for a different harvest, I find myself trying to manipulate my circumstances into what I want them to be. I say, "Lord, I don't want to harvest this crop in this field, I want to harvest that crop in that field." I do this because I'm overwhelmed, or bored, or because the other 'harvest' looks more exciting, more rewarding, or easier.
And my Lord is good, He allows me to try. And He is just, He allows me to fail. And He is merciful, He allows me to come back to Him, committed once again to do things His way, the best way, the only way. God has created us as laborers for such a time as this, for such a harvest as this. May we seek His face, His glory, and His honor in all that we do as we continuously submit to His ways and His beautiful plan for our lives.
I love my Father, for His grace, His mercy, His joy, His beauty, and His love undeniable.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
My Tongue is Killing My Witness
My actions affect my witness. My words affect my witness.
One shot. Sometimes that's all you get with someone. Just one chance to show them the love of Christ.
One shot. Sometimes that's all it takes to blow my witness. One word, one comment, one criticism and it's gone. My opportunity to share Christ's love, and goodness, and faithfulness is gone.
How often does this happen? For me quite often. Why does this happen. One word - my tongue. I am so quick to say things, so slow to think.
May God continue to grant me grace, may the Holy Spirit grant me strength, and may Jesus Christ grant me wisdom. May my witness never be tainted because of my tongue. I cannot in any way do this in my own strength; so I rely on Him, His strength, His patience, and His love undeniable.
"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." Ephesians 4:29
One shot. Sometimes that's all you get with someone. Just one chance to show them the love of Christ.
One shot. Sometimes that's all it takes to blow my witness. One word, one comment, one criticism and it's gone. My opportunity to share Christ's love, and goodness, and faithfulness is gone.
How often does this happen? For me quite often. Why does this happen. One word - my tongue. I am so quick to say things, so slow to think.
May God continue to grant me grace, may the Holy Spirit grant me strength, and may Jesus Christ grant me wisdom. May my witness never be tainted because of my tongue. I cannot in any way do this in my own strength; so I rely on Him, His strength, His patience, and His love undeniable.
"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." Ephesians 4:29
Thursday, October 16, 2008
My Roller Coaster
I often compare my life to a roller coaster. The kind where you're nervous, but excited, to get on....but then halfway through you want to get off, and you want to get off RIGHT NOW! But then, after a few small hills and dips that make your stomach do crazy flips, you find you're actually enjoying it. Until it starts again. This time you're serious - GET ME OFF!
But unlike real roller coasters, mine never stops. It just constantly ebbs and flows, up and down, over and under.
I've realized that I have a tendency to flee from things. I am a hard worker. I enjoy hard work. I actually get bored when things are easy. But, when things get really hard....I want to get away. Take work for example, since this consumes the majority of my life. For the most part, I truly enjoy my job. I see the benefit to my community. I believe I'm fairly good at my job.....but, over time, my job becomes hard. Really hard. Hard because I can't please everyone. Hard because there's not enough time. Hard because I want to be a better coach, a better mentor, a better boss. Hard because I want to do more but what I haven't done piles up. Hard because I'm stretching in to new territory and when I look around for a guide, there is often no one there.
So what do I do? I try to get away. I search the want ads. I day dream. I night dream. I plan. And eventually, I get away. Not permanently, just for a while. I've found that this is the best solution. Get off the roller coaster for a bit. Let my world stop spinning. Clear my head and look up. And what do I see? A beautiful roller coaster, my life, beckoning me aboard. And why do I see this? Because His love abounds. Because I trust that He has an amazing, wonderful plan for me. Because serving Him isn't always easy and doesn't always mean I'm going to be doing it where I want or how I want. In fact, it seldom means this. BUT - His love is still faithful, still undeniable. HE is my source, my strength, my stronghold.
So, when I momentarily step down from that roller coaster, it is Him that is my foundation. He is my rock, my love undeniable.
But unlike real roller coasters, mine never stops. It just constantly ebbs and flows, up and down, over and under.
I've realized that I have a tendency to flee from things. I am a hard worker. I enjoy hard work. I actually get bored when things are easy. But, when things get really hard....I want to get away. Take work for example, since this consumes the majority of my life. For the most part, I truly enjoy my job. I see the benefit to my community. I believe I'm fairly good at my job.....but, over time, my job becomes hard. Really hard. Hard because I can't please everyone. Hard because there's not enough time. Hard because I want to be a better coach, a better mentor, a better boss. Hard because I want to do more but what I haven't done piles up. Hard because I'm stretching in to new territory and when I look around for a guide, there is often no one there.
So what do I do? I try to get away. I search the want ads. I day dream. I night dream. I plan. And eventually, I get away. Not permanently, just for a while. I've found that this is the best solution. Get off the roller coaster for a bit. Let my world stop spinning. Clear my head and look up. And what do I see? A beautiful roller coaster, my life, beckoning me aboard. And why do I see this? Because His love abounds. Because I trust that He has an amazing, wonderful plan for me. Because serving Him isn't always easy and doesn't always mean I'm going to be doing it where I want or how I want. In fact, it seldom means this. BUT - His love is still faithful, still undeniable. HE is my source, my strength, my stronghold.
So, when I momentarily step down from that roller coaster, it is Him that is my foundation. He is my rock, my love undeniable.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Judgment
I had a great conversation with a friend of mine tonight in the Longhorn's parking lot. It was about judgment. I was honest, I told the truth. Yes, I judge people...most often based on ridiculous things and for ridiculous reasons. Do I like this about myself? No way. Sometimes I don't even realize I'm doing it. A lot of times it will just happen and then once again I'm beating myself up for being just as ridiculous as my judgments. Why do I do this? Competition? Self Esteem? Pride? Because the World tells me to?
Judgment is a sin. A sin is anything that separates me from God...anything, big or small. I believe the consequences here on Earth may vary depending on the sin but I believe the ultimate, eternal consequence - separation from God- is the same no matter. "...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:23-24) Praise be to God that we have redeeming grace through His Son, Jesus Christ!
My constant prayer is that the Holy Spirit will transform me, make me more like Christ. I know as long as I live on this fallen Earth I will never truly be like Him, but what better goal to have. My prayer is that I will spend more time pulling the plank out of my eye than poking the speck in my neighbor's. (Matthew 7:3-6)
"Dear God, thank you for being faithful to forgive when we fall short. Thank you for reminding us that we can be better and do better by the power of your Holy Spirit. Thank you for your love undeniable."
Judgment is a sin. A sin is anything that separates me from God...anything, big or small. I believe the consequences here on Earth may vary depending on the sin but I believe the ultimate, eternal consequence - separation from God- is the same no matter. "...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:23-24) Praise be to God that we have redeeming grace through His Son, Jesus Christ!
My constant prayer is that the Holy Spirit will transform me, make me more like Christ. I know as long as I live on this fallen Earth I will never truly be like Him, but what better goal to have. My prayer is that I will spend more time pulling the plank out of my eye than poking the speck in my neighbor's. (Matthew 7:3-6)
"Dear God, thank you for being faithful to forgive when we fall short. Thank you for reminding us that we can be better and do better by the power of your Holy Spirit. Thank you for your love undeniable."
The Place of Humiliation by Oswald Chambers
"After every time of exaltation, we are brought down with a sudden rush into things as they really are, where it is neither beautiful, poetic, nor thrilling. The height of the mountaintop is measured by the dismal drudgery of the valley, but it is in the valley that we have to live for the glory of God. We see His glory on the mountain, but we never live for His glory there. It is in the place of humiliation that we find our true worth to God - that is where our faithfulness is revealed. Most of us can do things if we are always at some heroic level of intensity, simply because of the natural selfishness of our own hearts. But God wants us to be at the drab everyday level, where we live in the valley according to our personal relationship with Him. Peter thought it would be a wonderful thing for them to remain on the mountain, but Jesus Christ took the disciples down from the mountain and into the valley, where the true meaning of the vision was explained (see Mark 9:5-6, 14-23)
It takes the valley of humiliation to remove the skepticism from us. Look back at your own experience and you will find that until you learned who Jesus really was, you were a skillful skeptic about His power. When you were on the mountaintop with God, you saw that all the power in heaven and on earth belonged to Jesus - will you be skeptical now, simply because you are in the valley of humiliation?
It takes the valley of humiliation to remove the skepticism from us. Look back at your own experience and you will find that until you learned who Jesus really was, you were a skillful skeptic about His power. When you were on the mountaintop with God, you saw that all the power in heaven and on earth belonged to Jesus - will you be skeptical now, simply because you are in the valley of humiliation?
Sunday, October 5, 2008
The Journey Begun
I've finally entered the blogging world. I know I'm late. After an hour of setting it up, I'm ready to go. Sad though - I really don't have much to say. My hopes for this blog are somewhat selfish...I wanted a place where I could join the dialogue, where I could partake in the discussion....where I could share my thoughts, for what they are worth.
So, here I go, on this journey. I want to use this space to share what I've learned about a love undeniable. So over the coming months I'll post my thoughts, my favorite books, favorite words, and whatever else I believe describes the amazing, undeniable, love of Christ.
So, here I go, on this journey. I want to use this space to share what I've learned about a love undeniable. So over the coming months I'll post my thoughts, my favorite books, favorite words, and whatever else I believe describes the amazing, undeniable, love of Christ.
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