As I was running this morning I noticed a big puddle on the ground. It looked so pure and pristine reflecting the clouds and the sunshine, but then when I got closer and looked past the reflection I noticed it was just an ugly, ordinary, unimportant mud puddle. I'm a lot like that mud puddle. There is no good in me apart from Christ, and even the good that I do is motivated by ugly motives more often than I would care to admit. The mud puddle by itself is contaminated and unsightly, but it's transformed to heights of beauty and glory when it becomes a reflection. People shouldn't see me when they look at me; they should see Someone greater. I should be a reflection of the beauty of Christ the way the mud puddle was a reflection of the beauty of the sky.
"For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out."- Romans 7:18
"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven."- Matthew 5:16
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
I Don't Think This is For Me-Accountability
"When it comes to privacy and accountability, people always demand the former for themselves and the latter for everyone else."-David Brin
Accountability is necessary if a person is really serious about success. I always encouraged other people to do it, but just couldn't bring myself to give it a try. It was pride preventing me from doing something that was good for me once again. There was something I wanted to give up for a set amount of time. Without any accountability, I was able to go a week, maybe two. I knew I wasn't serious about succeeding if I kept myself from being accountable to someone. I knew it was the right thing to do, but I just couldn't force myself do it. I wanted to keep it to myself and do it on my own which repeatedly proved itself unsuccessful. I thought accountability would feel binding and oppressive, like someone was always looking over my shoulder and judging me. Unfortunately Christians can be very judgmental. If I hear Christians talking about others, (saved or unsaved) in a condescending way instead of showing them grace and love in their speech, I'm not going to open up to them about my personal struggles. I finally decided to humble myself and ask a friend to keep me accountable. Then I asked another friend in case the first friend forgot. Honestly, it was painful to admit to them that I struggled in this particular area, but it was liberating at the same time. I was finally being honest with myself, God and and two Christian friends. There is always a freedom that comes with truthfulness. So far it's been six weeks and I have six more to go to reach my goal. I'm actually finding it much easier this time because of the accountability. I never know when one of them is going to check in with me. This is actually an encouragement to me, not the burden I expected it to be. I have been surprised to find security and safety in accountability. Like many things I've done, I wonder why it took me so long to try it. If you are struggling and looking for someone to be accountable to, remember that everyone struggles with something. No one is as perfect as they seem. We should all live lives of integrity so others feel like they can come to us without being looked down upon.
"Accountability is a blanket of security. Without it we can more easily go astray."-Erwin Lutzer
Accountability is necessary if a person is really serious about success. I always encouraged other people to do it, but just couldn't bring myself to give it a try. It was pride preventing me from doing something that was good for me once again. There was something I wanted to give up for a set amount of time. Without any accountability, I was able to go a week, maybe two. I knew I wasn't serious about succeeding if I kept myself from being accountable to someone. I knew it was the right thing to do, but I just couldn't force myself do it. I wanted to keep it to myself and do it on my own which repeatedly proved itself unsuccessful. I thought accountability would feel binding and oppressive, like someone was always looking over my shoulder and judging me. Unfortunately Christians can be very judgmental. If I hear Christians talking about others, (saved or unsaved) in a condescending way instead of showing them grace and love in their speech, I'm not going to open up to them about my personal struggles. I finally decided to humble myself and ask a friend to keep me accountable. Then I asked another friend in case the first friend forgot. Honestly, it was painful to admit to them that I struggled in this particular area, but it was liberating at the same time. I was finally being honest with myself, God and and two Christian friends. There is always a freedom that comes with truthfulness. So far it's been six weeks and I have six more to go to reach my goal. I'm actually finding it much easier this time because of the accountability. I never know when one of them is going to check in with me. This is actually an encouragement to me, not the burden I expected it to be. I have been surprised to find security and safety in accountability. Like many things I've done, I wonder why it took me so long to try it. If you are struggling and looking for someone to be accountable to, remember that everyone struggles with something. No one is as perfect as they seem. We should all live lives of integrity so others feel like they can come to us without being looked down upon.
"Accountability is a blanket of security. Without it we can more easily go astray."-Erwin Lutzer
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Taking Care of Number One
Love your neighbor as yourself and do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I've been thinking about this over the last couple of weeks. It doesn't mean I have to like everything about everyone, because I don't like things about myself. It doesn't mean that I should constantly complement and agree with everyone just to make them feel good, because that's not love; that's insincere flattery. I had a friend in high school who often said, "Do you want me to make you feel good, or tell you the truth?" Of course, either way you chose you knew what the truth was. She was a good friend and still is. It doesn't mean that I should turn into a different person depending on who I'm with. I have a couple friends who are completely themselves around me and I love that! I wonder if some people are so afraid of offending the weaker brother that they come across as being very guarded and not genuine.
"A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself."
Love is to place others before myself. Putting their interest above my own. That doesn't mean to pretend to care about things that don't interest me. It means the other person's interests become important to me because they're important to them. That can mean turning off the TV to read a story to one of my kids. Or, it can mean doing the right thing in a difficult circumstance even if someone gets hurt. Sometimes people get angry when you protect them. My son gets angry with me when I slap his hand to keep his little fingers out of the electrical outlet. Sometimes we need to step out of our comfort zone for the good of others. I know quite a few foster families. Sometimes I take care of foster kids at work. What a hard situation, but such a good example of putting someone's needs before your own. Even though some of these kids are in bad environments, they still love their parents and their parents still love them. It would be very unloving to turn your head to abuse and look the other way.
If God can love people just the way they are, shouldn't I? Love is applying 1 Corinthians 13 to all the people in my life. Wow, that's a tough one. I need to be happy for people when blessings come into their lives and wish good things for them even it it's not fair and I don't think they deserve it. Love gives. I should give my time and money to meet my neighbor's needs (Although,make sure the need is a need. I learned that the hard way.) I should actively listen by capturing my thoughts and focusing my attention when someone speaks. We are never more like Christ when we are serving others. However, even Jesus withdrew from the multitudes. I think He completely understands why moms have to periodically lock themselves in the bathroom throughout the day. Rest is also a gift and a blessing. If everyone loved each other this way, everyone's needs would be met, and everyone would be happy, right? It's pretty unlikely to happen that way. Chances are someone will love and give and serve others with very little in return from the other person. Then what? We have two choices. We can focus on ourselves and become resentful. We can feel sorry for ourselves and think about how we deserve so much more. We can decide to take care of ourselves because if we don't, no one else will. After all, we have to protect ourselves from being taken advantage of and used. Other people are so ungrateful and not worth our time. Or we can focus on Christ. We can think about the Gospel. That always puts things into perspective. I don't think God expects us to give everything we have and live in poverty or to serve others to the point of exhaustion and neglect of our health and family. I don't think too many people struggle with that though. He does promise to give us wisdom.
"For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother."-1 John 4:20-21
"You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Matt. 22:39
"But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them." Luke 6:27-31
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." Philippians 2:3
I will never understand the depth of my sin, the love I have for myself, or the love God has for me.
"A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself."
Love is to place others before myself. Putting their interest above my own. That doesn't mean to pretend to care about things that don't interest me. It means the other person's interests become important to me because they're important to them. That can mean turning off the TV to read a story to one of my kids. Or, it can mean doing the right thing in a difficult circumstance even if someone gets hurt. Sometimes people get angry when you protect them. My son gets angry with me when I slap his hand to keep his little fingers out of the electrical outlet. Sometimes we need to step out of our comfort zone for the good of others. I know quite a few foster families. Sometimes I take care of foster kids at work. What a hard situation, but such a good example of putting someone's needs before your own. Even though some of these kids are in bad environments, they still love their parents and their parents still love them. It would be very unloving to turn your head to abuse and look the other way.
If God can love people just the way they are, shouldn't I? Love is applying 1 Corinthians 13 to all the people in my life. Wow, that's a tough one. I need to be happy for people when blessings come into their lives and wish good things for them even it it's not fair and I don't think they deserve it. Love gives. I should give my time and money to meet my neighbor's needs (Although,make sure the need is a need. I learned that the hard way.) I should actively listen by capturing my thoughts and focusing my attention when someone speaks. We are never more like Christ when we are serving others. However, even Jesus withdrew from the multitudes. I think He completely understands why moms have to periodically lock themselves in the bathroom throughout the day. Rest is also a gift and a blessing. If everyone loved each other this way, everyone's needs would be met, and everyone would be happy, right? It's pretty unlikely to happen that way. Chances are someone will love and give and serve others with very little in return from the other person. Then what? We have two choices. We can focus on ourselves and become resentful. We can feel sorry for ourselves and think about how we deserve so much more. We can decide to take care of ourselves because if we don't, no one else will. After all, we have to protect ourselves from being taken advantage of and used. Other people are so ungrateful and not worth our time. Or we can focus on Christ. We can think about the Gospel. That always puts things into perspective. I don't think God expects us to give everything we have and live in poverty or to serve others to the point of exhaustion and neglect of our health and family. I don't think too many people struggle with that though. He does promise to give us wisdom.
"For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother."-1 John 4:20-21
"You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Matt. 22:39
"But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them." Luke 6:27-31
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." Philippians 2:3
I will never understand the depth of my sin, the love I have for myself, or the love God has for me.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Made for a Another World
"If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world." C.S. Lewis - This is my favorite quote by Lewis, and I don't think I'll ever get tired of reading it and thinking about his words.
One desire this world can't satisfy is the desire to love and be loved. We want someone to choose to love us sacrificially, unconditionally and eternally. This perfect love can only be fulfilled in Christ. Each of us desires to be in a loving relationship that never ends, but love always ends. Death was not part of God's original plan, that's why it hurts so much. It goes against the nature of the world for which we were created.
Another desire this world can't satisfy is the desire to live life with meaning. I think that's why so many are searching for the meaning of life apart from Christ and can't find it. God didn't create us to find satisfaction in this world, because we were created for so much more. We live in a sin cursed world, as a result we experience great pain and disappointment. We have an inward desire to live a life with purpose. Life doesn't make sense if not viewed with an eternal perspective. If there is no eternity, there is no purpose in anything we do or suffer. Life is empty without Christ. Life becomes meaningless when we loose our heavenly perspective and fail to trust the sovereignty of God.
Some day God will come back and make everything right again. It's as if there is something in our souls that makes us long for Heaven, even though we've never been there. It's kind of like remembering something backwards, if that's even possible. We're homesick for a home to which we've never been.
"What profit has the worker from that in which he labors? I have seen the God-given task with which the sons of men are to be occupied. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from the beginning to end. I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor- it is the gift of God. " Ecc. 3:9-13
We won't find satisfaction in our jobs apart from God. When our job becomes just a way to make more money to buy more things, there is emptiness. Our jobs are fulfilling when we view them with a heavenly perspective. I love the phrase, "He has made everything beautiful in its time". It reminds me of creation when He stepped back, looked at His work and admired it's goodness. There is beauty in everything He made. "He has put eternity in their hearts", He created us for an eternal purpose. When we live for the temporary we go against our very nature. He doesn't intend for us to find complete satisfaction in these earthly things, but He does want us to enjoy them and consider them as His gifts to us. He is so gracious to us to give us joy even in our sinful state.
"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Then He who sat on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And He said to me, Write, for these words are true and faithful." Rev. 21:4-5
One desire this world can't satisfy is the desire to love and be loved. We want someone to choose to love us sacrificially, unconditionally and eternally. This perfect love can only be fulfilled in Christ. Each of us desires to be in a loving relationship that never ends, but love always ends. Death was not part of God's original plan, that's why it hurts so much. It goes against the nature of the world for which we were created.
Another desire this world can't satisfy is the desire to live life with meaning. I think that's why so many are searching for the meaning of life apart from Christ and can't find it. God didn't create us to find satisfaction in this world, because we were created for so much more. We live in a sin cursed world, as a result we experience great pain and disappointment. We have an inward desire to live a life with purpose. Life doesn't make sense if not viewed with an eternal perspective. If there is no eternity, there is no purpose in anything we do or suffer. Life is empty without Christ. Life becomes meaningless when we loose our heavenly perspective and fail to trust the sovereignty of God.
Some day God will come back and make everything right again. It's as if there is something in our souls that makes us long for Heaven, even though we've never been there. It's kind of like remembering something backwards, if that's even possible. We're homesick for a home to which we've never been.
"What profit has the worker from that in which he labors? I have seen the God-given task with which the sons of men are to be occupied. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from the beginning to end. I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor- it is the gift of God. " Ecc. 3:9-13
We won't find satisfaction in our jobs apart from God. When our job becomes just a way to make more money to buy more things, there is emptiness. Our jobs are fulfilling when we view them with a heavenly perspective. I love the phrase, "He has made everything beautiful in its time". It reminds me of creation when He stepped back, looked at His work and admired it's goodness. There is beauty in everything He made. "He has put eternity in their hearts", He created us for an eternal purpose. When we live for the temporary we go against our very nature. He doesn't intend for us to find complete satisfaction in these earthly things, but He does want us to enjoy them and consider them as His gifts to us. He is so gracious to us to give us joy even in our sinful state.
"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Then He who sat on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And He said to me, Write, for these words are true and faithful." Rev. 21:4-5
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
That Was Intentional
"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10
Genesis is one of my favorite books of the Bible for many reasons. One reason is the creation story. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." I like looking at the sky because it reminds me of God's unfathomable power. The sky makes me think about the dramatic moment He created the universe. Sometimes I look at something really simple and start thinking about how complex it is. God put so much thought and creativity into everything He made. He intentionally designed everything for a specific purpose. He put even more thought into creating me. He imagined me and then created me, like he did everything else, and He loves me more than I could ever understand. Sometimes I live as if I were created without purpose. I forget that I was created intentionally like the rest of creation. He gave me my personality, talents and abilities for a reason. The things I enjoy, my hobbies and interests even my oddities; all the things that make me, me were intentional. The things that I love; the way that I love were all part of His design. He put so much thought into each one of us to equip us to do the good works that He also prepared for us. He gave each of us us creativity to express in different ways. Isn't it amazing how He has a unique relationship with each of us? I love to think about how the all-powerful God who created the universe was the same God in human form who sat around with Mary, Martha and Lazarus talking and laughing in their home. Can you imagine knowing Him in that way! I wonder if they realized how special it was for them to be alive at that time, in that place. It humbles me to look up into the sky and think about the personal attention He gives me and the grace He shows me every day in the midst of my pride and selfishness. This is something I like to think about often and I hope I never get over it. I think when I finally see Him face to face there will be something so familiar about Him. It will be perfect love completely fulfilled.
"She knew she was formed by His hands, dreamed up in His heart, and placed in this world for a purpose."
Genesis is one of my favorite books of the Bible for many reasons. One reason is the creation story. "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." I like looking at the sky because it reminds me of God's unfathomable power. The sky makes me think about the dramatic moment He created the universe. Sometimes I look at something really simple and start thinking about how complex it is. God put so much thought and creativity into everything He made. He intentionally designed everything for a specific purpose. He put even more thought into creating me. He imagined me and then created me, like he did everything else, and He loves me more than I could ever understand. Sometimes I live as if I were created without purpose. I forget that I was created intentionally like the rest of creation. He gave me my personality, talents and abilities for a reason. The things I enjoy, my hobbies and interests even my oddities; all the things that make me, me were intentional. The things that I love; the way that I love were all part of His design. He put so much thought into each one of us to equip us to do the good works that He also prepared for us. He gave each of us us creativity to express in different ways. Isn't it amazing how He has a unique relationship with each of us? I love to think about how the all-powerful God who created the universe was the same God in human form who sat around with Mary, Martha and Lazarus talking and laughing in their home. Can you imagine knowing Him in that way! I wonder if they realized how special it was for them to be alive at that time, in that place. It humbles me to look up into the sky and think about the personal attention He gives me and the grace He shows me every day in the midst of my pride and selfishness. This is something I like to think about often and I hope I never get over it. I think when I finally see Him face to face there will be something so familiar about Him. It will be perfect love completely fulfilled.
"She knew she was formed by His hands, dreamed up in His heart, and placed in this world for a purpose."
Friday, November 4, 2011
How long, O Lord?
"How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?" Psalm 13:1
I'm going through a time of spiritual discouragement. I was expecting it, but since I don't know the source, I cant fight it. I asked someone to pray for me, which was actually a really difficult thing for me to do. Pride often keeps me from doing things that are good for me. I would much rather suffer in silence than ask for help. I'm the same way when I'm sick. I'll have a headache for days before I finally take something for it. I just feel like God is far away. I've lost my enthusiasm and my inspiration. I see evidence of Him all around me, but I've lost something in the closeness of my relationship with Him and I don't know how to get it back. I didn't know what else to do, so I asked someone to pray. I just have to push through it. Keep reading, keep praying. I don't feel like writing anymore and I don't have a desire to share the things on my heart.
"And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13
I feel closest to God when I'm running,so I ran. I ran for nearly two hours. I guess this was my way of wrestling with God. I ran and fought back the tears as He revealed the root of my problem to me and brought verses to my mind so I could fight the discouragement. The negative and apathetic attitudes of some Christians towards Christianity was getting to me. Some seem enthusiastic about everything except spiritual things. Some hold on to bitterness and are not loving or forgiving, always sarcastic and complaining. These are not fruits of the spirit. Aren't Christians suppose to be joyful, forgiving and loving toward others? Shouldn't they be happy that they are Christians? It almost seems that they are trying to hide it. I was allowing these seeds to be sown in my heart. It was quenching the spirit. It was starting to take away my joy. I was starting to feel ashamed of the Gospel. That was the first two miles of my run. Now that I knew the root of the problem I could start preaching the Gospel to myself.And that's what I did.
"Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10 and, "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full." John 15:11 ( I just love the book of John) My joy should not depend on the joy of other Christians; my joy comes from the Lord.
"For I am not be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to everyone who believes." Romans 1:16 How can I keep silent about all that God does for me! " Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34-35 I need to show others the grace that I have been shown. I need to love people that are really hard to love, after all, God loves even me. I don't want to quench the spirit in a fellow believer's life by having a negative attitude. I don't want to be someone who turns others off to Christianity or causes them to loose the joy of their salvation.
I was sitting in car line today listening to "You are God Alone" and watching the clouds move across the sky. I started thinking about how the God who created all things was also the God who came to die and the God who has a personal relationship with me and the God who is with me when I run. I was very moved by that thought in that moment. I don't know if other Christians have random thoughts like this, because, like discouragement, it's just not something we talk about. Why is that?
Psalm 9:1-2 "I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High."
Psalm 28:7 "The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him."
I'm going through a time of spiritual discouragement. I was expecting it, but since I don't know the source, I cant fight it. I asked someone to pray for me, which was actually a really difficult thing for me to do. Pride often keeps me from doing things that are good for me. I would much rather suffer in silence than ask for help. I'm the same way when I'm sick. I'll have a headache for days before I finally take something for it. I just feel like God is far away. I've lost my enthusiasm and my inspiration. I see evidence of Him all around me, but I've lost something in the closeness of my relationship with Him and I don't know how to get it back. I didn't know what else to do, so I asked someone to pray. I just have to push through it. Keep reading, keep praying. I don't feel like writing anymore and I don't have a desire to share the things on my heart.
"And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13
I feel closest to God when I'm running,so I ran. I ran for nearly two hours. I guess this was my way of wrestling with God. I ran and fought back the tears as He revealed the root of my problem to me and brought verses to my mind so I could fight the discouragement. The negative and apathetic attitudes of some Christians towards Christianity was getting to me. Some seem enthusiastic about everything except spiritual things. Some hold on to bitterness and are not loving or forgiving, always sarcastic and complaining. These are not fruits of the spirit. Aren't Christians suppose to be joyful, forgiving and loving toward others? Shouldn't they be happy that they are Christians? It almost seems that they are trying to hide it. I was allowing these seeds to be sown in my heart. It was quenching the spirit. It was starting to take away my joy. I was starting to feel ashamed of the Gospel. That was the first two miles of my run. Now that I knew the root of the problem I could start preaching the Gospel to myself.And that's what I did.
"Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10 and, "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full." John 15:11 ( I just love the book of John) My joy should not depend on the joy of other Christians; my joy comes from the Lord.
"For I am not be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to everyone who believes." Romans 1:16 How can I keep silent about all that God does for me! " Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34-35 I need to show others the grace that I have been shown. I need to love people that are really hard to love, after all, God loves even me. I don't want to quench the spirit in a fellow believer's life by having a negative attitude. I don't want to be someone who turns others off to Christianity or causes them to loose the joy of their salvation.
I was sitting in car line today listening to "You are God Alone" and watching the clouds move across the sky. I started thinking about how the God who created all things was also the God who came to die and the God who has a personal relationship with me and the God who is with me when I run. I was very moved by that thought in that moment. I don't know if other Christians have random thoughts like this, because, like discouragement, it's just not something we talk about. Why is that?
Psalm 9:1-2 "I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High."
Psalm 28:7 "The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him."
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