The other morning I was laying in bed , thinking how I should get out of bed and go spend time with God, read the Bible, pray. You know, all the things that I know will bring me closer to God and make me more like Christ. All the things that will guide me on the path that He has prepared for me so that I may fulfill the purpose for which He created me.
So what do I do? Roll Over.
After dozing for another twenty minutes, the thought strikes me again: Get up, spend time with the Lord. It’s what you truly desire. So what do I do? Roll Over.
Ten minutes later, my cell phone rings. What do I do? Spring from the bed.
Now isn’t that sad. Why don’t I wake up in the morning with excitement and wonder for the Lord of our creation, why don’t my feet hit the floor ready to go for the Maker of the universe? Why does it take some cheesy cell phone ring to send me running when God himself is knocking at my door?
Because I’m selfish, and stubborn, and lazy. Because I live in a world of instant gratification. Because I put my desires before His. Sad isn't it.
I wonder how many opportunities to experience His undeniable love I've missed because of my selfishness, stubbornness, or laziness. I pray the Holy Spirit continues to work in me, continues to make me more like Christ. I pray I am able to remove myself long enough for that to happen.
I pray we choose to experience His love undeniable rather than feed our selfish desires.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Be like a duck
Today as I was standing in the Starbucks line to get my grande chai tea latte, the man in front of me ordered a venti soy latte. Apparently the Barista didn’t hear the SOY part so the cashier repeated “You got that SOY right?” The Barista responded…."Next time he needs to specify.” Before you know it, the customer loudly, and quite defensively, responded, “I said SOY with my order….I did specify.” It was quite bizarre really, and sad. The grown man customer sounded more like a whiny small child.
It made me wonder….what’s going on inside of him that the customer felt the need to so quickly respond and with such a defensive tone? How is it that something as innocent, and I think enjoyable, as getting a coffee can become a negative experience, and so early in the morning? Imagine the mood that set for his day. What about for the barista’s day? Already the barista was facing a long line of waiting customers and then this guy snaps at him. Granted the issue would have been avoided if the barista simply complied with the request and not responded. Of course the customer could have ignored the barista’s comment as well. Sadly, two opportunities to avoid the conflict were blatantly ignored.
While this may seem like a simple conflict, how often do we witness or even participate in simple conflicts that mount into bigger conflicts. Recently in my community, 9 people were injured and 1 killed in an altercation that ended with gunshots. I can't help but wonder if this wasn't caused by a build up of simple conflicts. How many opportunities to avoid the conflict were ignored?
So what lesson did I learn from this Starbucks experience? The need to be like a duck. Have you ever watched as a duck plays in water? The water simply rolls off the duck’s back. Perhaps we should strive to be more like that duck and just let rude comments, ungrateful responses, odd looks, unpleasant tones, and the like simply roll of our back. After all, is this not what the Bible calls us to do in Matthew 5:39 “But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” And again in Luke 6:29 “If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic.”
I pray each one of us may be diligent in allowing the troubles of the day, the negatives, and the frustrations to flow off our backs like water on a duck. Isn't this truly setting the example of Christ? Isn’t this sharing His love undeniable with those around us?
It made me wonder….what’s going on inside of him that the customer felt the need to so quickly respond and with such a defensive tone? How is it that something as innocent, and I think enjoyable, as getting a coffee can become a negative experience, and so early in the morning? Imagine the mood that set for his day. What about for the barista’s day? Already the barista was facing a long line of waiting customers and then this guy snaps at him. Granted the issue would have been avoided if the barista simply complied with the request and not responded. Of course the customer could have ignored the barista’s comment as well. Sadly, two opportunities to avoid the conflict were blatantly ignored.
While this may seem like a simple conflict, how often do we witness or even participate in simple conflicts that mount into bigger conflicts. Recently in my community, 9 people were injured and 1 killed in an altercation that ended with gunshots. I can't help but wonder if this wasn't caused by a build up of simple conflicts. How many opportunities to avoid the conflict were ignored?
So what lesson did I learn from this Starbucks experience? The need to be like a duck. Have you ever watched as a duck plays in water? The water simply rolls off the duck’s back. Perhaps we should strive to be more like that duck and just let rude comments, ungrateful responses, odd looks, unpleasant tones, and the like simply roll of our back. After all, is this not what the Bible calls us to do in Matthew 5:39 “But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” And again in Luke 6:29 “If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic.”
I pray each one of us may be diligent in allowing the troubles of the day, the negatives, and the frustrations to flow off our backs like water on a duck. Isn't this truly setting the example of Christ? Isn’t this sharing His love undeniable with those around us?
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Words to live by...
"Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret--it leads only to evil." Psalm 37:1-8 (NIV)
He will make the justice of my cause shine like the noonday sun. I love this verse....nothing shines brighter than the noonday sun. The justice of my cause is my passion, what God created me for, my purpose, and He will make it shine like the noonday sun....
IF.....I don't fret because of evil men...so as I see those not walking with the Lord achieve what the world considers success , I will stand firmly planted on my narrow path.
IF.....I trust in the Lord and do good. Notice it doesn't say 'do good when you feel like it'. If we are to be like Christ we must continuously put the needs of others before us.
IF.....I dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. God has given us everything we need for a rich and spiritually successful life through His Word. If we dwell in the narrow path and abide by His Word, we will enjoy safe pasture, which is not to say that we won't have hardships but as the Word promises, we can take heart for Christ has overcome the world.
IF.....I delight in the Lord. Our God is mighty to save, awesome in His works, and wondrous in His character. How often throughout the day do I take the time to truly thank Him? To delight in His beauty, His grace, His magnitude? The earth, the sky, the butterfly are all examples of His love for us. As I delight in Him, we will grant me the desires of my heart. What a loving Father!
IF....I commit my way to the Lord and trust in Him. Through all things may my life honor Him and bring Him glory. He knows the ultimate plan for my life since He created it therefore, I am free to trust in Him always.
IF....I am still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him. Stillness and waiting are two things this world does not encourage. We are constantly bombarded with information, constantly moving, constantly doing. God calls us to be still, to wait, and to allow Him to work.
IF....I refrain from anger and turn from wrath. We are responsible for our emotions. Fortunately, God knows how hard it is for us at times so He sent us a helper. We can rely on the Holy Spirit to ease our anger; we can turn our cares over to Him, seek His shelter and His comfort, and pray for peace.
Finally, three times the verses in Psalm 37 say 'do not fret'. Verse 37:8 says fretting leads to evil. Isn't that contradictory to what society tells us? Besides the 'Don't Worry Be Happy' guy, most of the world tells us we should worry, we should be in the mix of solving our own problems, but the Bible tells us differently. It says don't fret. Look at some of the definitions for 'fret' from dictionary.com:
1. to feel or express worry, annoyance, discontent, or the like
2. to cause corrosion; gnaw into something:
3. to make a way by gnawing, corrosion, wearing away, etc.
4. to become eaten, worn, or corroded
5. to move in agitation or commotion, as water
6. to torment; irritate, annoy, or vex
7. to wear away or consume by gnawing, friction, rust, corrosives, etc.
8. to form or make by wearing away a substance
9. to agitate (water)
None of these sound good. Fretting can have the same result as acid: corrosion, gnawing away. Worry in our lives can have the same affect. So lay your burdens down at the foot of the cross, trust in the Lord to carry them, and GO live the life God has called you to. Then, the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.
Won't you join me in following these words to live by. Won't you join me in experiencing His love undeniable.
He will make the justice of my cause shine like the noonday sun. I love this verse....nothing shines brighter than the noonday sun. The justice of my cause is my passion, what God created me for, my purpose, and He will make it shine like the noonday sun....
IF.....I don't fret because of evil men...so as I see those not walking with the Lord achieve what the world considers success , I will stand firmly planted on my narrow path.
IF.....I trust in the Lord and do good. Notice it doesn't say 'do good when you feel like it'. If we are to be like Christ we must continuously put the needs of others before us.
IF.....I dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. God has given us everything we need for a rich and spiritually successful life through His Word. If we dwell in the narrow path and abide by His Word, we will enjoy safe pasture, which is not to say that we won't have hardships but as the Word promises, we can take heart for Christ has overcome the world.
IF.....I delight in the Lord. Our God is mighty to save, awesome in His works, and wondrous in His character. How often throughout the day do I take the time to truly thank Him? To delight in His beauty, His grace, His magnitude? The earth, the sky, the butterfly are all examples of His love for us. As I delight in Him, we will grant me the desires of my heart. What a loving Father!
IF....I commit my way to the Lord and trust in Him. Through all things may my life honor Him and bring Him glory. He knows the ultimate plan for my life since He created it therefore, I am free to trust in Him always.
IF....I am still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him. Stillness and waiting are two things this world does not encourage. We are constantly bombarded with information, constantly moving, constantly doing. God calls us to be still, to wait, and to allow Him to work.
IF....I refrain from anger and turn from wrath. We are responsible for our emotions. Fortunately, God knows how hard it is for us at times so He sent us a helper. We can rely on the Holy Spirit to ease our anger; we can turn our cares over to Him, seek His shelter and His comfort, and pray for peace.
Finally, three times the verses in Psalm 37 say 'do not fret'. Verse 37:8 says fretting leads to evil. Isn't that contradictory to what society tells us? Besides the 'Don't Worry Be Happy' guy, most of the world tells us we should worry, we should be in the mix of solving our own problems, but the Bible tells us differently. It says don't fret. Look at some of the definitions for 'fret' from dictionary.com:
1. to feel or express worry, annoyance, discontent, or the like
2. to cause corrosion; gnaw into something:
3. to make a way by gnawing, corrosion, wearing away, etc.
4. to become eaten, worn, or corroded
5. to move in agitation or commotion, as water
6. to torment; irritate, annoy, or vex
7. to wear away or consume by gnawing, friction, rust, corrosives, etc.
8. to form or make by wearing away a substance
9. to agitate (water)
None of these sound good. Fretting can have the same result as acid: corrosion, gnawing away. Worry in our lives can have the same affect. So lay your burdens down at the foot of the cross, trust in the Lord to carry them, and GO live the life God has called you to. Then, the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.
Won't you join me in following these words to live by. Won't you join me in experiencing His love undeniable.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Running on Empty
How often in our lives do we slowly allow our 'tanks' to become empty? For me, I know it's far more often then I would hope. Although I know, without a shadow of doubt, that my only true source is Christ alone, I still so often find myself trying to fill my tank with other sources, things of this world that are only temporary and ultimately not fulfilling. Why do I do this?
In church today we focused on elevating ourselves to the next level of our Christian walk and how this can occur. Pastor David (CrossPointe Church) named three things found in 1 Peter 2:1-3:
"Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk. so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good."
1) We must remove sin from our lives. Yes, we've been washed clean by the blood of Christ but if we are to grow in our walk with the Lord, we are still called to remove deliberate acts of sin from our lives. Peter lists malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander (gossip) and calls on us to RID ourselves of ALL of it. For us to have even a chance of this occurring, we must rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance, wisdom, and strength. And we also must discipline ourselves: our mind and our bodies.
2) We must spend time in God's word. I know for me this is typically one of the first disciplines that I allow to slip when the things of this world begin to crowd in around me. God's word is so critical to us elevating ourselves in our Christian walk. His word is the Bread of Life, it is our Source. So even though I may be spending quite time with God and praying continuously, if I'm not storing up His Word in my heart, my tank will still be empty. I've come to realize, through experience, that it is His Word that I depend on when the things of the world crowd in around me. But, if I haven't spent DAILY time in His word, there's little to nothing there when I need the source the most.
Not only is God's Word a source for us to sustain ourselves in this world, it's also a source for our growth. So, when I find myself stagnant, and feel as if life is standing still it's normally because I have lapsed in studying His Word.
3) We must remember the good things God has done in our lives: By recalling and celebrating the blessings God has provided in our lives, we can stand firm and trust in Him that He will continue to provide. We have 'tasted that the Lord is good' and that taste is longer lasting than anything good that the world may have to offer. So, when we are tempted by the 'goodness' of the world, we must cling to the true goodness that God has shared with us in the past, and will share with us again.
Today's message was a wonderful reminder to me that my true source is God our Father. So when I'm feeling drained, overwhelmed, or apathetic I have most likely drifted from my source and am running on empty.
'Heavenly Father, Thank you for being willing to fill us up no matter how long it's been since we've come to you and honored you as our Source. Thank you for your unconditional love, mercy, and forgiveness. Father, please continue to reveal to us in new ways your majesty. May we seek You and only You as our source and turn to You only for strength and renewal. May we remember that the things of this world are temporal but You are everlasting. Father, please fill us up so that we in turn can pour into those around us. Amen.'
In church today we focused on elevating ourselves to the next level of our Christian walk and how this can occur. Pastor David (CrossPointe Church) named three things found in 1 Peter 2:1-3:
"Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk. so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good."
1) We must remove sin from our lives. Yes, we've been washed clean by the blood of Christ but if we are to grow in our walk with the Lord, we are still called to remove deliberate acts of sin from our lives. Peter lists malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander (gossip) and calls on us to RID ourselves of ALL of it. For us to have even a chance of this occurring, we must rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance, wisdom, and strength. And we also must discipline ourselves: our mind and our bodies.
2) We must spend time in God's word. I know for me this is typically one of the first disciplines that I allow to slip when the things of this world begin to crowd in around me. God's word is so critical to us elevating ourselves in our Christian walk. His word is the Bread of Life, it is our Source. So even though I may be spending quite time with God and praying continuously, if I'm not storing up His Word in my heart, my tank will still be empty. I've come to realize, through experience, that it is His Word that I depend on when the things of the world crowd in around me. But, if I haven't spent DAILY time in His word, there's little to nothing there when I need the source the most.
Not only is God's Word a source for us to sustain ourselves in this world, it's also a source for our growth. So, when I find myself stagnant, and feel as if life is standing still it's normally because I have lapsed in studying His Word.
3) We must remember the good things God has done in our lives: By recalling and celebrating the blessings God has provided in our lives, we can stand firm and trust in Him that He will continue to provide. We have 'tasted that the Lord is good' and that taste is longer lasting than anything good that the world may have to offer. So, when we are tempted by the 'goodness' of the world, we must cling to the true goodness that God has shared with us in the past, and will share with us again.
Today's message was a wonderful reminder to me that my true source is God our Father. So when I'm feeling drained, overwhelmed, or apathetic I have most likely drifted from my source and am running on empty.
'Heavenly Father, Thank you for being willing to fill us up no matter how long it's been since we've come to you and honored you as our Source. Thank you for your unconditional love, mercy, and forgiveness. Father, please continue to reveal to us in new ways your majesty. May we seek You and only You as our source and turn to You only for strength and renewal. May we remember that the things of this world are temporal but You are everlasting. Father, please fill us up so that we in turn can pour into those around us. Amen.'
Friday, April 17, 2009
The Awakening
I feel as though I've been in a fog. Not sure when it started, not sure where it came from. Unfortunately, I don't think I even realized I was in it, until I started to come out.
My heart is grateful. God's love is so undeniable, even in spite of my drifting from Him, He is there. Okay, let's be honest - at times it seems as though I'm running from Him, and yet He's still there. Waiting, loving, caring, forgiving. Thank you Father for your mercy and grace.
I'm so thankful that I know Him. I'm thankful that I know in my head that I know Him, so when I can't feel it in my heart I can still cling to the truth. Sometimes it seems this is all I have to cling to.
I'm thankful that Jesus came right out and said that in this world we would have tough times but that we could rest in Him for He has overcome this world:
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
Thank you Lord for never forsaking us, even when we are lost in a self-induced fog. Thank you for your Word Father that is a lamp unto my feet, guiding me out of the fog and into your loving arms.
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." (Psalm 119:105)
Thank you God for your love unconditional, unending, undeniable.
My heart is grateful. God's love is so undeniable, even in spite of my drifting from Him, He is there. Okay, let's be honest - at times it seems as though I'm running from Him, and yet He's still there. Waiting, loving, caring, forgiving. Thank you Father for your mercy and grace.
I'm so thankful that I know Him. I'm thankful that I know in my head that I know Him, so when I can't feel it in my heart I can still cling to the truth. Sometimes it seems this is all I have to cling to.
I'm thankful that Jesus came right out and said that in this world we would have tough times but that we could rest in Him for He has overcome this world:
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
Thank you Lord for never forsaking us, even when we are lost in a self-induced fog. Thank you for your Word Father that is a lamp unto my feet, guiding me out of the fog and into your loving arms.
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." (Psalm 119:105)
Thank you God for your love unconditional, unending, undeniable.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
I'm worshiping here, or am I?
Today Pastor David (CrossPointe Church) spoke about Living a Life of Worship.
Oh that someone would look at me and see Christ reflected in my eyes, my thoughts, my words, my deeds. Oh that someone would say that I truly live a life of worship. The Bible says that King David was a man after God's own heart. So often, I feel like a girl after my own heart, looking out for my own interests. My prayer is that God will circumcise my heart, change my heart, and make me more like Him. My prayer is that my life will be a life of worship of Him.
In Psalm 9:1-2 David wrote "I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will singe praise to your name, O Most High."
In this verse David shows us what it is to live a life of worship.
1) Give Thanks - A life of worship is a life of thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for, are we thankful in everything we say? Everything we do? Everything we think? Or do we choose to focus on the things we don't have? The negative? How is that worship? How does that honor God?
2) Proclaim God's Wonders - A life of worship shares what God is doing in our life. Worship is an outflow of what God is doing in our life, it's our response to God acting in our life.
3) Be Glad - A life of worship is a life of joy and gladness. So often, we allow our circumstances to drive us and determine our mood; we allow the devil to steal our joy. Each day we make the choice to focus on the positive or the negative. A life of worship will choose the positive.
4) Praise His Name - A life of worship praises the name of our Savior, our Father, our God. Every day is a new day to celebrate and praise Him. Every minute is a new minute to worship Him, to follow Him, to surrender to Him, to allow Him to be our true savior and Lord, and to follow Him for a life of worship.
Our lives are one of our best tools to share the Gospel and His love with those around us. But, if they only get to witness us leading humdrum lives, when we're supposed to be filled with the joy of the Lord, what type of mixed message are we sending?
I pray that each day we'll choose to live a life of worship, choose to give thanks, proclaim His wonders, be glad and rejoice, and praise His Holy Name. Through this our witness will shine and His love and joy will be revealed. Through this, we will cause those around us to wonder where our joy comes from and perhaps be a great influence and catalyst in their walk with Christ.
Oh that someone would look at me and see Christ reflected in my eyes, my thoughts, my words, my deeds. Oh that someone would say that I truly live a life of worship. The Bible says that King David was a man after God's own heart. So often, I feel like a girl after my own heart, looking out for my own interests. My prayer is that God will circumcise my heart, change my heart, and make me more like Him. My prayer is that my life will be a life of worship of Him.
In Psalm 9:1-2 David wrote "I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will singe praise to your name, O Most High."
In this verse David shows us what it is to live a life of worship.
1) Give Thanks - A life of worship is a life of thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for, are we thankful in everything we say? Everything we do? Everything we think? Or do we choose to focus on the things we don't have? The negative? How is that worship? How does that honor God?
2) Proclaim God's Wonders - A life of worship shares what God is doing in our life. Worship is an outflow of what God is doing in our life, it's our response to God acting in our life.
3) Be Glad - A life of worship is a life of joy and gladness. So often, we allow our circumstances to drive us and determine our mood; we allow the devil to steal our joy. Each day we make the choice to focus on the positive or the negative. A life of worship will choose the positive.
4) Praise His Name - A life of worship praises the name of our Savior, our Father, our God. Every day is a new day to celebrate and praise Him. Every minute is a new minute to worship Him, to follow Him, to surrender to Him, to allow Him to be our true savior and Lord, and to follow Him for a life of worship.
Our lives are one of our best tools to share the Gospel and His love with those around us. But, if they only get to witness us leading humdrum lives, when we're supposed to be filled with the joy of the Lord, what type of mixed message are we sending?
I pray that each day we'll choose to live a life of worship, choose to give thanks, proclaim His wonders, be glad and rejoice, and praise His Holy Name. Through this our witness will shine and His love and joy will be revealed. Through this, we will cause those around us to wonder where our joy comes from and perhaps be a great influence and catalyst in their walk with Christ.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Community
I think one of the clearest ways we can see and experience God's undeniable love is through community. God created us for fellowship. From the very beginning in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve He desired to fellowship with us and for us to fellowship with one another. There are so many forms of community. My church, my work, my friends, my Facebook Nation, while all very unique, these are all community. Recently I started another online community, a group of Christ followers dedicated to reading His word in one year. Several of those in the community I hardly know however we all have the common bond of desiring to know and serve a heavenly Father.
God places us in specific communities for a reason. My prayer for all of us is that we will take the time to seek Him and to follow Him so that we can fulfill those reasons. You never know the impact a word, or a glance may have on someone in your community. So be open, be ready, listen and you will hear His call.
God bless.
God places us in specific communities for a reason. My prayer for all of us is that we will take the time to seek Him and to follow Him so that we can fulfill those reasons. You never know the impact a word, or a glance may have on someone in your community. So be open, be ready, listen and you will hear His call.
God bless.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)