This weekend my family had quite the scare when my sister had to get emergency surgery to get her appendix removed. I spent the night with her in the hospital and just kept thinking how I couldnt understand how such a useless part of the body could do so much harm. The appendix does nothing. Doctors have long debated what it does, or what it really is. The only thing they do agree on is that it does nothing now.
I began to think how the body of christ (the church) works, and I realized one thing: many churches have appendixes. These are people who don't do anything, and on top of that don't know what they were created for or are confused about their purpose. The thing many people don't know about appendicits is that if not treated, it can burst. If it bursts, you are in big danger. The infection turns the appendix into a poison for the rest of the organs that it comes in contact with, and if one doesn't get to the ER on time one could die.
Don't be an appendix. I refuse to be something that's useless, jusr taking up space. I refuse to let myself become so contaminated that I become poisonous to the body I belong to.
1 corinthians 12: 1-11 is titled unity through diversity. My favorite verses are 4-7:
There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:
I DON'T HAVE TO BE LIKE EVERYONE ELSE. I just have to be who God created me to be in the grace He has given me. If I never would have found out my purpose, the reason of my existence, then I would be no different than an appendix. If I never would have started to walk in the gifts God gave me, then I would have became poisonous in my bitterness, in my unhappiness, in my unworthyness.
Find your gifts. Develope your gifts. Don't be an appendix.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
The Greatest of These
We all know the 10 commandments. We learned them in cute little songs in Sunday school, where we got stickers that said "Jesus Loves YOU!" when we memorized all 10 of them. In Matthew 22, the Pharisees were so determined to catch Jesus off guard just to prove he was not the son of God. One of them, the bible says, was an expert in the law. He asked Jesus in verse 36 "Jesus, which is the greatest commandment in the law?" and the bible says:
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
If you know anything about me, or better yet, if you SHOULD know anything about me, it's that my favorite scripture in the bible is 1 Corinthians 13. It is the most thorough explaination of what love is, what it isn't, what it consists of, and how valuable it is. Love never fails. I began to think why love was so important that Jesus would say it was the greatest commandment to love the Lord your God and that the second would also be about love: to love your neighbor as yourself.
I kept thinking. Why Love?
Then it hit me.
John 3:16. For God so LOVED the world.
1 John 4:8 says:
"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. "
All of a sudden I had a different explaination for my favorite scripture in the bible. Replace the word love with God from verses 1-12. Paul then ends it by saying that out of hope, faith, and love the greatest is love.
Lets go back to John 3:16. God is love. And because he so LOVED the world, he gave us a second chance, a chance to redeem ourselves through the blood of his only son. Because God so loved the world, God is patient, God is kind, God never fails....because Love is God. God is Love.
God so loved the world, that He gave his one and only son. So it had to be through love, that Jesus hung on the cross for US. I am pretty sure He hung on that cross thinking "If my father loves them, then I have to do this" because love does not seek its own. Through Love, God keeps forgiving us because love keeps no record of wrong. Through love, the Holy Spirit was given to us to guide us because love always protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres.
It is with love that we experience the most crucial moments in our lives. Women, with love, give birth to their babies. It is with love that we are raised. It is with love that we join to another in marriage. It is with love that we are sexually intimate with our spouse (making love!).
With that same love, the greatest commandment is that we are to give our hearts, soul, and minds to God, because it was love that caused Him to give his only son for us. With that same love, we are to love our neighbors, because Jesus died for them too.
Because He so loved the world. We should too.
"Many waters cannot quench this love". It makes, to me, so much sense now.
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
If you know anything about me, or better yet, if you SHOULD know anything about me, it's that my favorite scripture in the bible is 1 Corinthians 13. It is the most thorough explaination of what love is, what it isn't, what it consists of, and how valuable it is. Love never fails. I began to think why love was so important that Jesus would say it was the greatest commandment to love the Lord your God and that the second would also be about love: to love your neighbor as yourself.
I kept thinking. Why Love?
Then it hit me.
John 3:16. For God so LOVED the world.
1 John 4:8 says:
"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. "
All of a sudden I had a different explaination for my favorite scripture in the bible. Replace the word love with God from verses 1-12. Paul then ends it by saying that out of hope, faith, and love the greatest is love.
Lets go back to John 3:16. God is love. And because he so LOVED the world, he gave us a second chance, a chance to redeem ourselves through the blood of his only son. Because God so loved the world, God is patient, God is kind, God never fails....because Love is God. God is Love.
God so loved the world, that He gave his one and only son. So it had to be through love, that Jesus hung on the cross for US. I am pretty sure He hung on that cross thinking "If my father loves them, then I have to do this" because love does not seek its own. Through Love, God keeps forgiving us because love keeps no record of wrong. Through love, the Holy Spirit was given to us to guide us because love always protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres.
It is with love that we experience the most crucial moments in our lives. Women, with love, give birth to their babies. It is with love that we are raised. It is with love that we join to another in marriage. It is with love that we are sexually intimate with our spouse (making love!).
With that same love, the greatest commandment is that we are to give our hearts, soul, and minds to God, because it was love that caused Him to give his only son for us. With that same love, we are to love our neighbors, because Jesus died for them too.
Because He so loved the world. We should too.
"Many waters cannot quench this love". It makes, to me, so much sense now.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Preparing
This year has been quite the frustrating one in the "significant other" department. It began to feel like everyone was falling in love, going on romantic dates while I was stuck at work or at home doing nothing. Although I am extremely happy for all it became hard to not feel left out. Not to mention, every guy that has come and gone in the last few years of my life have had something I wrote down on my list. One is a pastor. One is independent. One has family values. Another, a great love for kids. All were wrong.
I've recently began to ask God to give me a vision of what HE wants for me. No, it is not the greatest revelation, but to me it has been the hardest thing to do. I'm a planner. I cannot, for the life of me, do things day by day. I carry a planner with me so that I can visualize what the month is going to look like and I need to know what is going to happen every hour. Spontaneity= my worst enemy. I think I have mini panic attacks when I don't know whats going on. Gving up my sense of control has been an extreme process for me.
If you know me, I tend to do things the...not so traditional way. I have read and studied books on Ruth, Esther, Deborah, Abigail, Hannah, etc. I have read Proverbs 31 a million times! I have books on becoming the perfect wife. Yet, none have opened my eyes like Potiphar's wife, Delilah, Jezebel, Vashti, Sapphira, and the Samaritan woman.
All these woman were jacked up. They were driven by desire, greed, power, control. Who knows what they all went through to become so cold, so angry, so greedy. I refuse to become any of them. I never want to become so driven by desire that I would be willing to frame someone, I never want to be so money hungry that I would use a man to get what I want. I refuse to be a manipulator, driven by power and control that I would become so evil and cold hearted, that God himself would never have mercy on me. I would humble myself, and never embarrass my husband. I would correct my husband, and never allow myself to support a decision that could get him and I killed. I would never want to be so caught up in trying to find a man that fits "just right", that I would not understand what Jesus himself is trying to speak to me.
I have learned to focus less on what I want, and focus more on what I am supposed to be. The greatest man could be standing right in front of me and even if I could check off everything on my list, it would mean nothing if I don't become the woman who has everything he wants on his. God has showed me who I need to become, and although the path to get to where I need to be seems never ending, I remind myself that everything I do is for my future, and although I don't see the "benefits" now, God is just preparing me more along the way. He isn't preparing me so the I can receive my husband, but he is preparing me so that I can give EVERYTHING I become to a man who I will complete, compliment, and even benefit.
I had been taught that I am to sit and look pretty, pray and fast till I have no more strength, and to learn how to "wait".
I am NOT waiting. HE is. I am simply preparing myself. And when I am all set and done then God will be able to give one of his most precious jewels (me!!) to a man who will be blessed to have found me.
He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD. -
Proverbs 18:22
I've recently began to ask God to give me a vision of what HE wants for me. No, it is not the greatest revelation, but to me it has been the hardest thing to do. I'm a planner. I cannot, for the life of me, do things day by day. I carry a planner with me so that I can visualize what the month is going to look like and I need to know what is going to happen every hour. Spontaneity= my worst enemy. I think I have mini panic attacks when I don't know whats going on. Gving up my sense of control has been an extreme process for me.
If you know me, I tend to do things the...not so traditional way. I have read and studied books on Ruth, Esther, Deborah, Abigail, Hannah, etc. I have read Proverbs 31 a million times! I have books on becoming the perfect wife. Yet, none have opened my eyes like Potiphar's wife, Delilah, Jezebel, Vashti, Sapphira, and the Samaritan woman.
All these woman were jacked up. They were driven by desire, greed, power, control. Who knows what they all went through to become so cold, so angry, so greedy. I refuse to become any of them. I never want to become so driven by desire that I would be willing to frame someone, I never want to be so money hungry that I would use a man to get what I want. I refuse to be a manipulator, driven by power and control that I would become so evil and cold hearted, that God himself would never have mercy on me. I would humble myself, and never embarrass my husband. I would correct my husband, and never allow myself to support a decision that could get him and I killed. I would never want to be so caught up in trying to find a man that fits "just right", that I would not understand what Jesus himself is trying to speak to me.
I have learned to focus less on what I want, and focus more on what I am supposed to be. The greatest man could be standing right in front of me and even if I could check off everything on my list, it would mean nothing if I don't become the woman who has everything he wants on his. God has showed me who I need to become, and although the path to get to where I need to be seems never ending, I remind myself that everything I do is for my future, and although I don't see the "benefits" now, God is just preparing me more along the way. He isn't preparing me so the I can receive my husband, but he is preparing me so that I can give EVERYTHING I become to a man who I will complete, compliment, and even benefit.
I had been taught that I am to sit and look pretty, pray and fast till I have no more strength, and to learn how to "wait".
I am NOT waiting. HE is. I am simply preparing myself. And when I am all set and done then God will be able to give one of his most precious jewels (me!!) to a man who will be blessed to have found me.
He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD. -
Proverbs 18:22
Sunday, November 20, 2011
No one to impress
I had a conversation with a good friend today about where God has taken us out of and where life is now taking us. In the middle of that conversation I realized: I have no one to impress.
I had spent a good portion of my life going through the motions and always making sure I fit the standards of other people. I had to pray the right way, dress the part, talk the part, even my worship had to "fit the mold". Even with that mentality, I was never good enough. I never made the cut. God was still "working" on me. Someone was always better me. If I protested, it was because I was jealous.
Or so I was told.
I came home today and realized that the majority of my happiness, the glow, the reason I smile now is because I realize the woman I am, the one I have ALWAYS had the potential to be. You see, with others I never made the cut. I couldn’t change their mind no matter how high I jumped or what mountains I moved. This year I saw how strong I am, how extravagant my worship is, how powerful my words are, how I don't only make the cut but am worthy of being born for such a time as this, that God would create me with a purpose for my generation. I realized that when life stopped being about people pleasing and how it started being about making sure I was in the will God, I became the happiest I have ever been.
I have no regrets. I have no bitterness. Through all that unnecessary people pleasing, God had a purpose. My heart bursts with joy at the thought of all that I can become now, and I have my past to thank for that. I know who NOT to become.
There is no one to impress now, and that in itself has impressed more people than ever.
I had spent a good portion of my life going through the motions and always making sure I fit the standards of other people. I had to pray the right way, dress the part, talk the part, even my worship had to "fit the mold". Even with that mentality, I was never good enough. I never made the cut. God was still "working" on me. Someone was always better me. If I protested, it was because I was jealous.
Or so I was told.
I came home today and realized that the majority of my happiness, the glow, the reason I smile now is because I realize the woman I am, the one I have ALWAYS had the potential to be. You see, with others I never made the cut. I couldn’t change their mind no matter how high I jumped or what mountains I moved. This year I saw how strong I am, how extravagant my worship is, how powerful my words are, how I don't only make the cut but am worthy of being born for such a time as this, that God would create me with a purpose for my generation. I realized that when life stopped being about people pleasing and how it started being about making sure I was in the will God, I became the happiest I have ever been.
I have no regrets. I have no bitterness. Through all that unnecessary people pleasing, God had a purpose. My heart bursts with joy at the thought of all that I can become now, and I have my past to thank for that. I know who NOT to become.
There is no one to impress now, and that in itself has impressed more people than ever.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
My Furnace
In the book of Daniel, chapter 3, you will find a story about 3 young men by the names of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Their king had created an image of gold, a new "god" that everyone had to bow down to and worship. They of course, being god-fearing men, disobeyed and refused to worship the golden image. The king become infuriated, and ordered for them be bound and thrown into a furnance (that was also heated 7 times more than usual) and figured that they would be done with. He looked into the furnace and saw that they were still alive and there seemed to be another man in there with them, a man who was like a son of God. The king ordered the men out of the furnace and saw that nothing on them was burned. Not even a hair.
Thats where people become amazed by the story.
I recently read this story again in the bible, and something caught my eye this time that I never paid attention to. In The Message version, the bible says that they were bound hand and foot, giving them no ability to move around so that they did not try to escape. However, in verse 25 it tells us that they were walking around freely.
Let me stop there. The thing that most stood out to me this time, and that really impacted me was that they were not bound anymore! The fire burned only one thing on them: what bound them. The fire that was meant to kill them actually freed them! I cannot even begin to tell you how much this little bit of revelation has changed the way I see this whole year now. My furnace, my trials, my hardships, and my tests weren't meant for anything else other than to free me! I didn't quite understand everything that happened this year, the way that it happened. The furnace people threw me in was meant to kill me, and I'm sure that they figured I was dead. But...
look at me. I am free, and the son of God is with me.
:)
Thats where people become amazed by the story.
I recently read this story again in the bible, and something caught my eye this time that I never paid attention to. In The Message version, the bible says that they were bound hand and foot, giving them no ability to move around so that they did not try to escape. However, in verse 25 it tells us that they were walking around freely.
Let me stop there. The thing that most stood out to me this time, and that really impacted me was that they were not bound anymore! The fire burned only one thing on them: what bound them. The fire that was meant to kill them actually freed them! I cannot even begin to tell you how much this little bit of revelation has changed the way I see this whole year now. My furnace, my trials, my hardships, and my tests weren't meant for anything else other than to free me! I didn't quite understand everything that happened this year, the way that it happened. The furnace people threw me in was meant to kill me, and I'm sure that they figured I was dead. But...
look at me. I am free, and the son of God is with me.
:)
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Wounds,Scabs, Scars
"Don't pick at your scabs". It's a phrase I grew up hearing my mom say all the time. See, being the little stubborn girl that I was, I always picked at them. It was annoying to feel a scab anywhere, it was almost like it demanded that I pick at it. When I would then the whole process would start again. Wound. Scab. and then maybe the scar.
The scars on my body have a story behind them. Chicken pox, serious accidents, and some clumsy days. I could tell you why each one happened, where and why. But what about those that no one can see? The scars in our lives have a story to behind them as well. They are proof that there was once a wound.
See, in this life you will get wounds. These wounds will be cause by friends, family, people that you loved and respected. Sometimes these wounds will be caused even by yourself. The point is, life is not and never will be just a smooth ride; life will leave you with some scars. Our job is to make sure that these wounds actually turn into scars, and do not stay scabs forever.
Whatever difficult situation you may find yourself in, rejoice! It's an opportunity to make a collection of wonderful scars, victory scars. You don't want to go through life with scabs, because just as it is physically painful, it is emotionally painful as well.
Learn from your wounds. Determine what caused them, figure out how to prevent them next time, and let them heal. Don't pick at life's unfortunate happenings, but let bygones be bygones and move on to let these wounds heal. Life WILL be rough. Circumstances won't always be fair. Situations can't always be changed. It won't be easy. But remember, scars in life just prove how you were able to heal from wounds.
Thank You God for my scars.
The scars on my body have a story behind them. Chicken pox, serious accidents, and some clumsy days. I could tell you why each one happened, where and why. But what about those that no one can see? The scars in our lives have a story to behind them as well. They are proof that there was once a wound.
See, in this life you will get wounds. These wounds will be cause by friends, family, people that you loved and respected. Sometimes these wounds will be caused even by yourself. The point is, life is not and never will be just a smooth ride; life will leave you with some scars. Our job is to make sure that these wounds actually turn into scars, and do not stay scabs forever.
Whatever difficult situation you may find yourself in, rejoice! It's an opportunity to make a collection of wonderful scars, victory scars. You don't want to go through life with scabs, because just as it is physically painful, it is emotionally painful as well.
Learn from your wounds. Determine what caused them, figure out how to prevent them next time, and let them heal. Don't pick at life's unfortunate happenings, but let bygones be bygones and move on to let these wounds heal. Life WILL be rough. Circumstances won't always be fair. Situations can't always be changed. It won't be easy. But remember, scars in life just prove how you were able to heal from wounds.
Thank You God for my scars.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Swept off my feet
Today was honestly the first time in years that I could honestly say that I truly felt that I was in LOVE with my God. I don't think many could understand what I mean by this. See, sometimes life tends to get a little routine. You go to church 4 times throughout the week and you say your 10 "amen"s and 5 "that's right"s and you serve in every ministry you possibly could, but you sort of forget the picture of things. At least I know I did. These past few weeks, I have honestly came back to my first love. I never left Him, but I simply forgot to acknowledge what my purpose was in everything that I was doing- and that is simply glorifying Him. I exist for the sole purpose of exalting Him because He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. He has been such a gentleman with me in the sense that even though it took me a couple of years to feel this love again, He never left side. And I love Him so much more for that.
God swept me off my feet today. He waited for me to run to Him and he picked me up in His loving arms and loved me back today. This whole day I've been on a love high. I just feel him everywhere with me. I literally feel His presence...
I am so in love right now.
God swept me off my feet today. He waited for me to run to Him and he picked me up in His loving arms and loved me back today. This whole day I've been on a love high. I just feel him everywhere with me. I literally feel His presence...
I am so in love right now.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Learning to trust in Him daily
Its a little hard to wake up everyday and find yourself not doing what you imagined you would be at the moment...
Life can be so routine, and yet sometimes it can be so surprising. At my age, at this time, I imagine that I would be graduating with an associates. I pictured myself having the responsibilities of an adult and yet living life carelessly. Because of certain life situations I then found myself living in another state, finding out who I really was and learning the abilities I had in myself that I did not know. Still, there was peace in my heart that God had taken me out of a bad situation and had me under his wing. The process wasn't easy, yet it was re-assuring. When I thought I had it all together, other situations got in the way again. Coming back home was the hardest thing I had to do. Re-adjusting and getting back into the sync of things back at home was quite...painful. Yet again, I felt peace because I knew that God was guiding me.
I am now lost. Never in my life have I been so confused, so angry, so empty. Finding yourself not doing the things you imagined you would be and hating the things you love is scary. Not knowing the next step is scary. Finding that you are also changing as a person is the cherry on top of the scary-ness. Not that I don't trust in God, but for the first time in my life I simply don't know what to do. Learning to trust in God is, yes, wonderful, but at the same time quite...scary. He can change your world, turn it upside down and you'll yourself in a place you didn't think you would be in.
I can't really see where God can take me from here. I'm constantly wondering if the decisions I'm making are the right ones. But just like He's taken care of me through the good, He will take care of me through the bad. He hasn't forgotten my dreams, my desires, my heart, although I sometimes think He has. He simply has a plan for, and I need to understand that I don't need to know every detail of it yet. When I'm lost all I need to do is hold on to His hand and feel peace that wherever He is taking me, it is all part of his master plan. When I'm empty I need to hold on to the promises in his word, know that I am never alone, and he fills me with his love. When I'm angry I need to cast my burdens on him and let him be my avenger.
My life has been quite the journey. He has always come through for me. Although I may find myself in a place that I don't understand what is going on, I can learn to trust in Him daily.
Life can be so routine, and yet sometimes it can be so surprising. At my age, at this time, I imagine that I would be graduating with an associates. I pictured myself having the responsibilities of an adult and yet living life carelessly. Because of certain life situations I then found myself living in another state, finding out who I really was and learning the abilities I had in myself that I did not know. Still, there was peace in my heart that God had taken me out of a bad situation and had me under his wing. The process wasn't easy, yet it was re-assuring. When I thought I had it all together, other situations got in the way again. Coming back home was the hardest thing I had to do. Re-adjusting and getting back into the sync of things back at home was quite...painful. Yet again, I felt peace because I knew that God was guiding me.
I am now lost. Never in my life have I been so confused, so angry, so empty. Finding yourself not doing the things you imagined you would be and hating the things you love is scary. Not knowing the next step is scary. Finding that you are also changing as a person is the cherry on top of the scary-ness. Not that I don't trust in God, but for the first time in my life I simply don't know what to do. Learning to trust in God is, yes, wonderful, but at the same time quite...scary. He can change your world, turn it upside down and you'll yourself in a place you didn't think you would be in.
I can't really see where God can take me from here. I'm constantly wondering if the decisions I'm making are the right ones. But just like He's taken care of me through the good, He will take care of me through the bad. He hasn't forgotten my dreams, my desires, my heart, although I sometimes think He has. He simply has a plan for, and I need to understand that I don't need to know every detail of it yet. When I'm lost all I need to do is hold on to His hand and feel peace that wherever He is taking me, it is all part of his master plan. When I'm empty I need to hold on to the promises in his word, know that I am never alone, and he fills me with his love. When I'm angry I need to cast my burdens on him and let him be my avenger.
My life has been quite the journey. He has always come through for me. Although I may find myself in a place that I don't understand what is going on, I can learn to trust in Him daily.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Back on the shelf
Have you ever gone shopping, find an article of clothing you absolutely fall in love with and then put it back on because you didn't have shoes that went with it or maybe an occassion to wear it to? A couple weeks later you find yourself regretting the decision because you have nothing to wear and you say “I wish I would have bought it".
Many times we are like this with the ones we find to be in a relationship with. We have a list of a thousand qualities that we wish to find, and when God brings someone who has everything we ask for we decide that maybe they need to be "put on the shelf" due to "a lose button, a string thats out of place", or because its not something we are "used to wearing". We get so caught up in the what-ifs that we don't realize how God has answered our prayers. We have been blinded by society's fantasy scenarios in where the girl/boy of our dreams walks in the room, eyes lock, hearts connect, and its love at first sight. Some of the best relationships went through the worst of the worst before being who they are now. Some had the privilege of being best friends. Others had the difficulty of being enemies. Whatever the case is, all successful relationships have one thing in common: they made a decision to love without regrets.
Stop to think if God has answered your prayers...maybe its not in the form you thought it would be, but its still an answered prayer. Don't look for things that God has brought to you already. It's like winning the lottery and never turning in the ticket and you keep on buying tickets...stupid right?
Why do people search for things that they already had/have...
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Out with the old
Sometimes, you have to love those "what was I thinking?" moments. If you don't learn to love them, they end up regrets, and quite frankly, life is too short to live with regrets. I can't say that it isn't hard or tempting to want to blame situations, people, or experiences; but what I am saying is you got to pick yourself up, move on, and let go.
OUT WITH THE OLD. IN WITH THE NEW.
How simply said. Yet, hard to accomplish. As human beings, it is in our nature to want to hold grudges, because it is easier to be mad than to really look in the mirror and see the part we played to get into the situations we find ourselves in. As human beings, it is easier to blame someone than to admit we were in the wrong, simply because the idea that we had poor judgement is actually quite scary.
OUT WITH THE OLD. IN WITH THE NEW.
My heart felt...a relief when I saw this quote. I've heard it many times before but it never really hit me like it did today. Sometimes I forget what God has planned for my life and that He doesn't care about what others say or think about me. He only cares that I am willing and able. I forget that he isn't a tyrant. He IS my father. As many times as I fall, all he wants me to do is to tell him "Abba, I need your help" so that he can come to my rescue. OF COURSE, He will discipline me. He doesn't want me to become a spoiled brat and abuse his love and grace. He does, however, want to show me that although I may get a little scratch here, a little bruise there, that those wounds heal. He doesn't want me to contemplate on the fall, or be scared or getting up again. My God teaches me that its okay to brush off those wounds, and keep walking.
OUT WITH THE OLD. IN WITH THE NEW.
This week I've learned that life doesn't always go as you planned. People come and go. Circumstances don't always stay the same. Things fade away. It's okay to let things, and people, go. Even memories. God has a greater plan for our lives. If we could just grab hold of that promise in Jeremiah 1:5, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.", our lives might just seriously not seem so...hopeless.
OUT WITH THE OLD. IN WITH THE NEW.
Let God give you a clean slate. He's got greater things in store for you.
OUT WITH THE OLD. IN WITH THE NEW.
How simply said. Yet, hard to accomplish. As human beings, it is in our nature to want to hold grudges, because it is easier to be mad than to really look in the mirror and see the part we played to get into the situations we find ourselves in. As human beings, it is easier to blame someone than to admit we were in the wrong, simply because the idea that we had poor judgement is actually quite scary.
OUT WITH THE OLD. IN WITH THE NEW.
My heart felt...a relief when I saw this quote. I've heard it many times before but it never really hit me like it did today. Sometimes I forget what God has planned for my life and that He doesn't care about what others say or think about me. He only cares that I am willing and able. I forget that he isn't a tyrant. He IS my father. As many times as I fall, all he wants me to do is to tell him "Abba, I need your help" so that he can come to my rescue. OF COURSE, He will discipline me. He doesn't want me to become a spoiled brat and abuse his love and grace. He does, however, want to show me that although I may get a little scratch here, a little bruise there, that those wounds heal. He doesn't want me to contemplate on the fall, or be scared or getting up again. My God teaches me that its okay to brush off those wounds, and keep walking.
OUT WITH THE OLD. IN WITH THE NEW.
This week I've learned that life doesn't always go as you planned. People come and go. Circumstances don't always stay the same. Things fade away. It's okay to let things, and people, go. Even memories. God has a greater plan for our lives. If we could just grab hold of that promise in Jeremiah 1:5, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.", our lives might just seriously not seem so...hopeless.
OUT WITH THE OLD. IN WITH THE NEW.
Let God give you a clean slate. He's got greater things in store for you.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Sometimes you just need to write a new book
When I think about reading a book, I know two things for sure: a) I know it's about a particular story and b) that it will eventually have an ending. But can you imagine reading a book that never ends? It's almost like these english soaps that never finish and have been going on air for years! yet the drama, the plots, the point is always the same. Now even worse...can you imagine living a life with a story that never changes?
Sometimes you just need to write a new book in life. If you're tired of the same story in your life, close that book! It's the true meaning of starting fresh. Change the plot, the characters, and the setting. Lately, I've been asking God to write a new book of me. One that doesn't have to be hidden, or put in a section for no one to read. I want my new book to be one that people can read and learn from, one that might teach someone something to carry on in their lives. Life doesn't have to be the "same story, just different chapters". If you need some changes in life, I encourage you to start today, and write a different book.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Lead the way
"Lead the way". Ive told God many times that He has my heart, that He's got full control, and countless times I've said "in You I trust".
But I failed.
I didn't understand how to trust God FULLY without having to ruin his plan with my genius plans, or how to give up my control over situations and let Him fight my battles. That is until I ran into some pictures of when I was younger. I realized that in those pictures my world, my security, my superhero, my safety, was my father. I would never question why we didn't have a house. I never question why our christmas tree was extremely small. I never questioned why I didn't have my own room, or why we lived in a bad neighborhood. To me, I had everything in the world. I didn't lack anything, so I thought. I had everything I needed because I had a father who I thought gave me the World.
So why couldn't I feel like that with the God who created me? Why did I always feel the need to tell him "but God, I need..."? Why couldn't I let him lead the way without having to pull his arms and tell him "You're going the wrong way"? Simply because I didn't understand that He IS my father, and I am His daughter. As a daughter I need to trust him. I need to know that while God is "away working" he is actually putting my life together and all he wants me to do is focus on the moment in front of me, and not worry. He wants me to be anxious in nothing.
If you dont understand why certain things are happening or have happened...you don't need to! God just wants you to trust him. Enjoy the dance of life. Let him lead the way.
Fragrant
hn 12:3 NKJV
"Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, annointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil."
This, out of all the stories in the Bible, has always been my favorite story. It's only 8 verses long and yet, to me, was the most impacting. When I was little, I used to think how lucky Mary was to have the privilege of annointing Jesus' feet. Now I see the story from a whole new perspective. See, Mary wasn't your typical "Proverbs 31" woman. She came with a lot of history. She came with a lot of pain. She came with a almost "stay away sign" that most people had put on her. To her, Jesus was truly a savior. She longed to please Him- not to be seen, but show her gratitude. She could not find enough words to show him, so she used the one thing she could think of that would honor him. And she made history. Her act has inspired many songs, many poems, and hymns. But her act has more importantly, inspired me. At many times I find myself at that point where I'm surrounded with people who look on and doubt, where I'm too scared to even come to Him because I fear rejection. It's hard to ignore those comments. "Here we go again". "What happened now?". "Who does she think she is?". Walking towards Jesus was Mary's first step. She had to ignore the comments. She had to get past the faces. She had to focus on Jesus. Presenting the oil was the second step. Present your oil to God. In worship. In prayer. In offering. In poems. Whatever it is, don't let anyone put a "standard" to your fragrant offering. It's from your heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Third, she poured the oil on his feet. No one has to understand, because it's between you and God. Mary blocked out everyone who was in the room and poured out the most expensive thing she had. You don't need expensive oil to please God. But what you do with your time- offer it to Him. Spend hours in His presence and He will give you songs, poems, even ideas! Present it to Him as a fragrant offering.
Now comes my favorite part of verse 3. "And the whole house was filled with the fragrance of the oil". Jesus wasn't the only one who received the sweet aroma of her offering. Others did too. They smelled what Jesus smelled. When you present your fragrant offer to God, it impacts others, whether you realize it or not.
I want my offering to be fragrant. Not only to God, but to those who surround me. That I may impact others by my actions. That I may fill the house with "fragrance of my oil" in everything that I do. In every song I sing. In every poem I write. In every child I work with. In everything that I do. I want to be like Mary and not care who surrounds me, but focus on Him. My savior, redeemer, and King. My Jesus.
"Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, annointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil."
This, out of all the stories in the Bible, has always been my favorite story. It's only 8 verses long and yet, to me, was the most impacting. When I was little, I used to think how lucky Mary was to have the privilege of annointing Jesus' feet. Now I see the story from a whole new perspective. See, Mary wasn't your typical "Proverbs 31" woman. She came with a lot of history. She came with a lot of pain. She came with a almost "stay away sign" that most people had put on her. To her, Jesus was truly a savior. She longed to please Him- not to be seen, but show her gratitude. She could not find enough words to show him, so she used the one thing she could think of that would honor him. And she made history. Her act has inspired many songs, many poems, and hymns. But her act has more importantly, inspired me. At many times I find myself at that point where I'm surrounded with people who look on and doubt, where I'm too scared to even come to Him because I fear rejection. It's hard to ignore those comments. "Here we go again". "What happened now?". "Who does she think she is?". Walking towards Jesus was Mary's first step. She had to ignore the comments. She had to get past the faces. She had to focus on Jesus. Presenting the oil was the second step. Present your oil to God. In worship. In prayer. In offering. In poems. Whatever it is, don't let anyone put a "standard" to your fragrant offering. It's from your heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Third, she poured the oil on his feet. No one has to understand, because it's between you and God. Mary blocked out everyone who was in the room and poured out the most expensive thing she had. You don't need expensive oil to please God. But what you do with your time- offer it to Him. Spend hours in His presence and He will give you songs, poems, even ideas! Present it to Him as a fragrant offering.
Now comes my favorite part of verse 3. "And the whole house was filled with the fragrance of the oil". Jesus wasn't the only one who received the sweet aroma of her offering. Others did too. They smelled what Jesus smelled. When you present your fragrant offer to God, it impacts others, whether you realize it or not.
I want my offering to be fragrant. Not only to God, but to those who surround me. That I may impact others by my actions. That I may fill the house with "fragrance of my oil" in everything that I do. In every song I sing. In every poem I write. In every child I work with. In everything that I do. I want to be like Mary and not care who surrounds me, but focus on Him. My savior, redeemer, and King. My Jesus.
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