Good morning, Lord. I am eager to get my day started. It is next to my last day of orientation this week. I have 3 days left next week before I am on the floor. I am thankful to You for this opportunity and am eager to begin.
More...
I received an email from Debra yesterday regarding healing. Healing begins even when we are still in our weakness. Thank You, Lord, for her and for her words of comfort. I realize that healing has begun and I have in faith that You will bring about good from all of this. Thank You, Lord. Amen.
The following comes from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
Trusting God to help you overcome your sins and shortcomings sounds so spiritual, doesn't it? Turning everything over to God, letting God handle your problems, giving your burdens to the Lord...Can't argue with the wisdom there.
But when it's just you and your bad temper, or your runaway sex drive, or your weakness for cherry cheesecake, where do you find the strength to say no?
You might not guess it to look at you, but you have available to you--right now--the same kind of power that God "demonstrated...in the Messiah by raising Him from the dead" (Ephesians 1:20). And as you begin facing even your toughest challenges with the weapons of prayer, Bible truth, worship, thanksgiving, accountability, and other specific strategies that you'll begin gaining through experience, you'll see sin's deception for what it is, you'll turn your back on habits that have had your number for yeas, and your heart for instant gratification will be changed into a heart that knows where its power lies.
Since old habits don't go away overnight and may continue to be a nagging source of frustration and (at times) failure for many years, where does the victory start coming in? it comes from not underestimating the struggle of Christian living--or the power that God has put in you.
"This is why, since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I never stop giving thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. (I pray) that the God f our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, would give you a spirit of wisdom and a revelation in the knowledge of Him. (I pray) that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the glorious riches o His inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power to us who believe, according to the working of His vast strength." Ephesians 1:15-19
Thank You, O Lord, and amen!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Humility
Thank You, Lord, for another beautiful day. Thank You for another safe night and for the awesome power of Your love and forgiveness. I am thankful to be alive and to have the opportunities presented to me.
More...
I miss TJ and my boys. I have felt lonely but not to the same degree as before. I know You are with me and I am comforted. I ask that You would help me to be patient and to live for You alone. Amen.
Today's passages are from Exodus 13:1-22 with the following prayer:
May I be strong and courageous and careful to obey Your word; may I not turn from it to the right or to the left, that I may act wisely wherever I go. (Joshua 1:7)
I ask You, Lord, for wisdom and for a greater skill in all areas of my life. My life is Yours, help me use my skills to glorify You, O Lord.
The following is from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
You wouldn't know him. He lived in a small town and preached in a small church, earning a salary so small that he had to take a job at a local clothing factory to provide for his wife and family. Even in stature he was small, not the kind of man who entered a room with an immediate presence. You could have passed him in the mall or waited behind him in line at the grocery store and not have paid him much attention.
But this man with the small life was a giant among men, backing up his Sunday morning words with a long, unassuming list of all week-long actions. Who knows how many times his neighbors had seen him at their door with a sackful of beans and tomatoes from his garden?-- or how many times an elderly widow had heard his mower starting up in her yard?--or how many strangers had literally received the shirt (and possibly even the coat) right off his back?
You wouldn't know. He'd never say.
It takes big people to be truly humble.
Humble people don't tend to attract a lot of attention--not because they feel inferior, but because they know the value of serving people where only God can see it. Want to feel good about your elf when you lie down at night? Think about others through the day.
"When it is in your power, don't withhold good from the one to whom it is due. Don't say to your neighbor, 'Go away! Come back later. I'll give it tomorrow'--when it is there with you. don't plan any harm against your neighbor, for he trusts you and lives near you. Don't accuse anyone without cause, when he has done you no harm. Don't envy a violent man or choose any of his ways; for the devious are detestable to the Lord, but He is a friend to the upright. The Lord's curse is on the household of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the righteous; He mocks those who mock, but gives grace to the humble. The wise will inherit honor, but He holds up fools to dishonor.'" Proverbs 3:27-35
Help me Lord to be humble. Amen.
More...
I miss TJ and my boys. I have felt lonely but not to the same degree as before. I know You are with me and I am comforted. I ask that You would help me to be patient and to live for You alone. Amen.
Today's passages are from Exodus 13:1-22 with the following prayer:
May I be strong and courageous and careful to obey Your word; may I not turn from it to the right or to the left, that I may act wisely wherever I go. (Joshua 1:7)
I ask You, Lord, for wisdom and for a greater skill in all areas of my life. My life is Yours, help me use my skills to glorify You, O Lord.
The following is from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
You wouldn't know him. He lived in a small town and preached in a small church, earning a salary so small that he had to take a job at a local clothing factory to provide for his wife and family. Even in stature he was small, not the kind of man who entered a room with an immediate presence. You could have passed him in the mall or waited behind him in line at the grocery store and not have paid him much attention.
But this man with the small life was a giant among men, backing up his Sunday morning words with a long, unassuming list of all week-long actions. Who knows how many times his neighbors had seen him at their door with a sackful of beans and tomatoes from his garden?-- or how many times an elderly widow had heard his mower starting up in her yard?--or how many strangers had literally received the shirt (and possibly even the coat) right off his back?
You wouldn't know. He'd never say.
It takes big people to be truly humble.
Humble people don't tend to attract a lot of attention--not because they feel inferior, but because they know the value of serving people where only God can see it. Want to feel good about your elf when you lie down at night? Think about others through the day.
"When it is in your power, don't withhold good from the one to whom it is due. Don't say to your neighbor, 'Go away! Come back later. I'll give it tomorrow'--when it is there with you. don't plan any harm against your neighbor, for he trusts you and lives near you. Don't accuse anyone without cause, when he has done you no harm. Don't envy a violent man or choose any of his ways; for the devious are detestable to the Lord, but He is a friend to the upright. The Lord's curse is on the household of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the righteous; He mocks those who mock, but gives grace to the humble. The wise will inherit honor, but He holds up fools to dishonor.'" Proverbs 3:27-35
Help me Lord to be humble. Amen.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Moving On
Good morning, Great and Merciful Lord. Thank You for another day, for a job, for warmth and for love... Thank You, Lord, for all things. I awakened this morning much earlier than I had hoped, but it's OK for You are with me.
More...
I am a bit nervous about this morning simply because it has been a while since I have worked. I am looking forward to it, but at the same time I am nervous. My prayers are that You, O Lord, be with me and help me to grow in godly character. Help me to be patient, kind, loving, forgiving, and merciful with all. Amen.
Today's message is from Exodus 11:1-12:51. The Israelites free from Egypt, amen. Thank You, Lord, for freedom. Help me to celebrate and live in a manner which is pleasing to You.
The NT reading is from Acts 14:1-20 with the following prayer:
"You, O Lord, desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of You more than burnt offerings. (Hosea 6:6)... Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. (Matthew 5:7)"
The following comes from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
Life looks different through the eyes of eternity.
The game can be played without your son getting to start. The dirty laundry won't kill anyone if it's not cleaned until tomorrow. The meeting you're in charge of today won't affect the fate of the nations.
You can relax.
The bedrooms aren't in quite as big a rush to be painted. You can go to bed without having to read the newspaper. You can be thankful your old car is at least good transportation.
You can wait.
The hours you spend listening to the goofballs on radio call-in shows will seem a waste. The urgency of telling people about Jesus will burn in your spirit. The people you haven't told lately how much you love them will be the next phone call you make or the next letter you write.
You can act.
You can be holy. You can be pure. You can be real.
You can live. Oh, boy, how you can live!
They can make you breathe the air down here. They can make you drink the water. But they can't make your heart feel at home anymore. You belong somewhere else. If people say you've got your head in the clouds, tell them not to knock it till they've been there.
"... and that I did not shrink back from proclaiming to you anything that was profitable, or from teaching it to you in public and from house to house. I testified to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus, 'And now I am on my way to Jerusalem, bound in my spirit, not knowing what I will encounter there, except that in town after town the Holy Spirit testifies to me that chains and afflictions are waiting for me. But I count my life of no value to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God's grace.'" Acts 20:22-24
"Our inheritance is as sure as morning. Why are we so reluctant to leave this dingy world? Things really are better further on." Calvin Miller
More...
I am a bit nervous about this morning simply because it has been a while since I have worked. I am looking forward to it, but at the same time I am nervous. My prayers are that You, O Lord, be with me and help me to grow in godly character. Help me to be patient, kind, loving, forgiving, and merciful with all. Amen.
Today's message is from Exodus 11:1-12:51. The Israelites free from Egypt, amen. Thank You, Lord, for freedom. Help me to celebrate and live in a manner which is pleasing to You.
The NT reading is from Acts 14:1-20 with the following prayer:
"You, O Lord, desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of You more than burnt offerings. (Hosea 6:6)... Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. (Matthew 5:7)"
The following comes from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
Life looks different through the eyes of eternity.
The game can be played without your son getting to start. The dirty laundry won't kill anyone if it's not cleaned until tomorrow. The meeting you're in charge of today won't affect the fate of the nations.
You can relax.
The bedrooms aren't in quite as big a rush to be painted. You can go to bed without having to read the newspaper. You can be thankful your old car is at least good transportation.
You can wait.
The hours you spend listening to the goofballs on radio call-in shows will seem a waste. The urgency of telling people about Jesus will burn in your spirit. The people you haven't told lately how much you love them will be the next phone call you make or the next letter you write.
You can act.
You can be holy. You can be pure. You can be real.
You can live. Oh, boy, how you can live!
They can make you breathe the air down here. They can make you drink the water. But they can't make your heart feel at home anymore. You belong somewhere else. If people say you've got your head in the clouds, tell them not to knock it till they've been there.
"... and that I did not shrink back from proclaiming to you anything that was profitable, or from teaching it to you in public and from house to house. I testified to both Jews and Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus, 'And now I am on my way to Jerusalem, bound in my spirit, not knowing what I will encounter there, except that in town after town the Holy Spirit testifies to me that chains and afflictions are waiting for me. But I count my life of no value to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God's grace.'" Acts 20:22-24
"Our inheritance is as sure as morning. Why are we so reluctant to leave this dingy world? Things really are better further on." Calvin Miller
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Thankfulness and Anticipation
Hello Lord. Here I am again. Words to a song, yes, I know. It was really great seeing TJ again yesterday. I wasn't expecting it, but it was nice. With just a look and a hug he can still make me feel all warm and toasty inside.
More...
He told me he misses me. I wasn't expecting that either. He hugged me and kissed me on the temple. It was a full, two-armed hug and it was great. It was delightful to be back in his arms again. Thank You, Lord, for all You have done and all You have given me. I have opportunities opening up for me which I don't know that I would have been courageous enough to pursue before. My life is changing for the better and I want to share it with him.
Today's Bible study was Exodus 10:1-29. The plague of locusts and of darkness. The things of the world like locusts trying to devour my soul, and the darkness... Oh, the darkness. The feeling of being smothered by blackness. Thank You, O Lord, for bringing me through it, for saving me out of it. Acts 13:13-29 was the NT reading with the following prayer.
"Have mercy on me, O god, have mercy on me, for in You my sou takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of Your wings until destruction passes by. I cry out to You, O God Most High, to You who fulfill Your purpose for me. (Psalm 57:1-2)...O Lord God, O Holy One of Israel, in repentance and rest is our salvation; in quietness and trust is our strength. (Isaiah 30:15)
Thank You, O God, for sending Your son, Jesus, to be my Savior so that I might have eternal life with You.
The following comes from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
Through no fault of our own, really, we've become so acclimated to this earth that at times the thought of Christ's return makes us wish He's hold off for a while. We want to see our children marry. We want to take our grandkids out for pizza. We want to see our business flourish, get a home in the country, finally work our way up to a marathon, see the tulips bubs bloom out in the spring, enjoy the only life that we know.
If we only knew.
Christ's coming to earth will be more glorious than anything we've ever experienced--more thrilling than Game Seven of a World Series, more exhilarating than the chill of a mountain spring in summertime, more beautiful than your wife's eyes behind her wedding veil. We will see Him--yes, Him!--Jesus, the Lamb of God, the Lord of glory, the Lover of our souls--face to face, eye to eye, as though He's just been breathless for the day to come when he could hold us in His arms, wrap us in His love, and take us safely home to the glorious place He's made for us. Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Jesus Christ is coming back to earth through a real sky on a real day to take real people to a real paradise. Wouldn't you really like to be here to see that? Just as surely as you believe He lay in a manger, He's going to peel back the sky and call us home.
"We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus. For we say this to you by a revelation from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord's coming will certainly have no advantage over those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel's voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words." 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
"Somewhere, somewhen, somehow, we who are worshiping God here will wake up to see Him as He is, face to face." John Bailie
The following passage caught my eye and spoke to me:
"Now we ask you, brothers, to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we exhort you brothers: warn those who are lazy, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.
Rejoice always!
Pray constantly.
Give thanks in everything, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Don't stifle the Spirit.
Don't despise prophecies, but test all things.
Hold on to what is good.
Stay away from every form of evil." 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22
In this passage, we see the three compartments of the human make-up: the spirit, the soul, and the body. And we see the three persons of the Godhead: the Holy Spirit "sanctifying us", encouraging us to obedience, the Son preparing for His near return, the Father faithfully keeping us ready."
More...
He told me he misses me. I wasn't expecting that either. He hugged me and kissed me on the temple. It was a full, two-armed hug and it was great. It was delightful to be back in his arms again. Thank You, Lord, for all You have done and all You have given me. I have opportunities opening up for me which I don't know that I would have been courageous enough to pursue before. My life is changing for the better and I want to share it with him.
Today's Bible study was Exodus 10:1-29. The plague of locusts and of darkness. The things of the world like locusts trying to devour my soul, and the darkness... Oh, the darkness. The feeling of being smothered by blackness. Thank You, O Lord, for bringing me through it, for saving me out of it. Acts 13:13-29 was the NT reading with the following prayer.
"Have mercy on me, O god, have mercy on me, for in You my sou takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of Your wings until destruction passes by. I cry out to You, O God Most High, to You who fulfill Your purpose for me. (Psalm 57:1-2)...O Lord God, O Holy One of Israel, in repentance and rest is our salvation; in quietness and trust is our strength. (Isaiah 30:15)
Thank You, O God, for sending Your son, Jesus, to be my Savior so that I might have eternal life with You.
The following comes from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
Through no fault of our own, really, we've become so acclimated to this earth that at times the thought of Christ's return makes us wish He's hold off for a while. We want to see our children marry. We want to take our grandkids out for pizza. We want to see our business flourish, get a home in the country, finally work our way up to a marathon, see the tulips bubs bloom out in the spring, enjoy the only life that we know.
If we only knew.
Christ's coming to earth will be more glorious than anything we've ever experienced--more thrilling than Game Seven of a World Series, more exhilarating than the chill of a mountain spring in summertime, more beautiful than your wife's eyes behind her wedding veil. We will see Him--yes, Him!--Jesus, the Lamb of God, the Lord of glory, the Lover of our souls--face to face, eye to eye, as though He's just been breathless for the day to come when he could hold us in His arms, wrap us in His love, and take us safely home to the glorious place He's made for us. Come quickly, Lord Jesus!
Jesus Christ is coming back to earth through a real sky on a real day to take real people to a real paradise. Wouldn't you really like to be here to see that? Just as surely as you believe He lay in a manger, He's going to peel back the sky and call us home.
"We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus. For we say this to you by a revelation from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord's coming will certainly have no advantage over those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel's voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words." 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
"Somewhere, somewhen, somehow, we who are worshiping God here will wake up to see Him as He is, face to face." John Bailie
The following passage caught my eye and spoke to me:
"Now we ask you, brothers, to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we exhort you brothers: warn those who are lazy, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.
Rejoice always!
Pray constantly.
Give thanks in everything, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Don't stifle the Spirit.
Don't despise prophecies, but test all things.
Hold on to what is good.
Stay away from every form of evil." 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22
In this passage, we see the three compartments of the human make-up: the spirit, the soul, and the body. And we see the three persons of the Godhead: the Holy Spirit "sanctifying us", encouraging us to obedience, the Son preparing for His near return, the Father faithfully keeping us ready."
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Going Home... Heaven
Good morning, Lord, and thank You for the rain. Today I make preparations for my first week at work. I will be traveling to NC today to meet with Lori and Terry as they will be keeping Brayden for me this coming week. Bad weather is forecast, so we meet today instead of tomorrow as planned. I will be staying a couple of nights with Peggy, so I can go to church on Sunday. I have missed it so very much. I am looking forward to being back to Worship You, O God!
More...
Last night I spoke with TJ... it was good to be able to just talk to him. I have missed that, very much. I feel, Lord, that I need to let TJ know that I do still love him and that I haven't given up on him... I haven't given up on You and Your ability, O Lord. Give me the grace to grow in godly character, use me as Your instrument. As Samuel says, "Speak Lord for Your servant is listening." I am Yours, thank You Lord.
The following comes from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers.
"You've got your Christian model and your non-Christian model. Those are the only two kinds we carry."
"Well, just looking on the outside, they appear to be pretty similar. What's the difference between the two?"
"You know, you're exactly right. They are very similar. Both have healthy bodies. Both have nice-looking families. Both come equipped with the usual house, car, paying job, microwave, etc."
"Yeah, I see that. But isn't there anything different about them?"
"Well, the Christian model claims to come with more peace of mind and a lot more power. But those who've tried the non-Christian model think it's all in their head. Of course, on the other hand, people have told us that the non-Christian model doesn't seem to hold up as well as the other one. And the warranty is a lot more vague and unreliable. So if I were you, I think I'd go with the other one."
Christians. Built to last.
Heaven is more real than the room you're sitting in. With that in your future, you can stand anything. So even when life scratches you hard enough to break the skin, you have a glorious hope--hope that no defeat is ever final. God's people last forever.
"Then he showed me the river of living water, sparkling like crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the broad street (of the city). On both sides of the river was the tree of life bearing 12 kinds of fruit, producing its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree are for healing the nations, and there will no longer be any curse. The throne of God and of he Lamb will be in the city, and His servants will serve Him. They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. Night will no longer exist, and people will not need lamplight or sunlight,because the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign forever and ever." Revelation 22:1-5
More...
Last night I spoke with TJ... it was good to be able to just talk to him. I have missed that, very much. I feel, Lord, that I need to let TJ know that I do still love him and that I haven't given up on him... I haven't given up on You and Your ability, O Lord. Give me the grace to grow in godly character, use me as Your instrument. As Samuel says, "Speak Lord for Your servant is listening." I am Yours, thank You Lord.
The following comes from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers.
"You've got your Christian model and your non-Christian model. Those are the only two kinds we carry."
"Well, just looking on the outside, they appear to be pretty similar. What's the difference between the two?"
"You know, you're exactly right. They are very similar. Both have healthy bodies. Both have nice-looking families. Both come equipped with the usual house, car, paying job, microwave, etc."
"Yeah, I see that. But isn't there anything different about them?"
"Well, the Christian model claims to come with more peace of mind and a lot more power. But those who've tried the non-Christian model think it's all in their head. Of course, on the other hand, people have told us that the non-Christian model doesn't seem to hold up as well as the other one. And the warranty is a lot more vague and unreliable. So if I were you, I think I'd go with the other one."
Christians. Built to last.
Heaven is more real than the room you're sitting in. With that in your future, you can stand anything. So even when life scratches you hard enough to break the skin, you have a glorious hope--hope that no defeat is ever final. God's people last forever.
"Then he showed me the river of living water, sparkling like crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the broad street (of the city). On both sides of the river was the tree of life bearing 12 kinds of fruit, producing its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree are for healing the nations, and there will no longer be any curse. The throne of God and of he Lamb will be in the city, and His servants will serve Him. They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. Night will no longer exist, and people will not need lamplight or sunlight,because the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign forever and ever." Revelation 22:1-5
Friday, February 27, 2009
Reflections and Grave Misgivings...Victory Over Death
Good morning, Lord. Thank You for another day, for safe passage through another night. Thank You for Your tender mercy.
More...
I have been reflecting on my attitudes toward others and I have been selfish. I need to focus more on the needs of others instead of myself. I ask for Your help, O Lord. Guide me this day, help me to grow into the person You want and created me to be. Amen.
Today's readings came from Psalms and Acts. The first is Psalm 13 and Psalm 14:
"How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? Look on me and answer, O Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, my enemy will say, 'I have overcome him,' and my foes will rejoice when I fall. but I trust in Your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for He has been good to me." Psalm 13
"The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.' They are corrupt, their deeds are vile, there is no one who does good. The Lord looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt, there is no one who does good, not even one. Will evildoers never learn--those who devour my people as men eat bread and who do not call on the Lord? There they are overwhelmed with dread, for God is present in the company of the righteous. You evildoers frustrate the plans f the poor, but the Lord is their refuge. Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the Lord restores the fortunes of His people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!" Psalm 14
The following is a prayer of thanksgiving:
"I will sing of Your mercies, Lord, forever; with my mouth I will make Your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that Your loving-kindness will be built up forever, that You will establish Your faithfulness in the heavens. And the heavens will praise Your wonders, O Lord. Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones For who in the heavens can be compared with You? who is like You among the children of the mighty? You are greatly feared in the council of the holy ones and more awesome than all who surround You. O Lord God of hosts, who is like You, O mighty Lord? Your faithfulness also surrounds You." Psalm 89:1-2, 5-8.
The New Testament passage is Acts 12:1-19a and the following is the prayer associated with it.
"Your loving-kindness, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains; Your judgements are like the great deep. O Lord, Your preserve people and beasts. How priceless is Your loving-kindness, O God! Both the high and low among people find refuge in the shadow of Your wings. For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light." Psalm 36:5-7, 9
The following comes from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
Michael was just eight. Barely tall enough to stretch to the top of the red stick that cleared him to ride the big roller coaster. We'd been pumping him all day: "You sure you want to go? It's really scary."
His words said yes. His eyes said he wasn't so sure.
He handed over his ball cap to Mom for safekeeping and took his place with Dad in the turnstiles. Inch by inch, they worked closer and closer, his laugh getting more nervous, his feet and hands a constant fidget.
Before long, the fear was all over his face. "We can go back, son. It's all right." But with a stiff shake of his head, they were locked into the air. his face was white. His knuckles clenched. Fro the longest 45 seconds of his young life, he clung somewhere between guts and glory--holding his breath through every dip, closing his eyes on the ratchety inclines, until it jerked to a halt back at the station, his odyssey complete...the fear gone. "That wasn't so bad. Thanks for taking me, Dad."
Death must be like that. It's not so bad. Thanks for taking us, Dad.
Of all the things you can be thankful to god for, what about the freedom of knowing that death is but a door, that your reward is waiting--just on the other side? The devil can scream and holler and stamp his feet all he want to. He can't have this little soul.
"'Then they will hand you over to persecution, and they will kill you. You will be hated by all nations because of My name. Then many will take offense, betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will multiply, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endure to the end, this one will be delivered. This good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed in all the world as a testimony to all nations. And then the end will come.'" Matthew 24:9-14
More...
I have been reflecting on my attitudes toward others and I have been selfish. I need to focus more on the needs of others instead of myself. I ask for Your help, O Lord. Guide me this day, help me to grow into the person You want and created me to be. Amen.
Today's readings came from Psalms and Acts. The first is Psalm 13 and Psalm 14:
"How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? Look on me and answer, O Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, my enemy will say, 'I have overcome him,' and my foes will rejoice when I fall. but I trust in Your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for He has been good to me." Psalm 13
"The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.' They are corrupt, their deeds are vile, there is no one who does good. The Lord looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt, there is no one who does good, not even one. Will evildoers never learn--those who devour my people as men eat bread and who do not call on the Lord? There they are overwhelmed with dread, for God is present in the company of the righteous. You evildoers frustrate the plans f the poor, but the Lord is their refuge. Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the Lord restores the fortunes of His people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!" Psalm 14
The following is a prayer of thanksgiving:
"I will sing of Your mercies, Lord, forever; with my mouth I will make Your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that Your loving-kindness will be built up forever, that You will establish Your faithfulness in the heavens. And the heavens will praise Your wonders, O Lord. Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones For who in the heavens can be compared with You? who is like You among the children of the mighty? You are greatly feared in the council of the holy ones and more awesome than all who surround You. O Lord God of hosts, who is like You, O mighty Lord? Your faithfulness also surrounds You." Psalm 89:1-2, 5-8.
The New Testament passage is Acts 12:1-19a and the following is the prayer associated with it.
"Your loving-kindness, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains; Your judgements are like the great deep. O Lord, Your preserve people and beasts. How priceless is Your loving-kindness, O God! Both the high and low among people find refuge in the shadow of Your wings. For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light." Psalm 36:5-7, 9
The following comes from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
Michael was just eight. Barely tall enough to stretch to the top of the red stick that cleared him to ride the big roller coaster. We'd been pumping him all day: "You sure you want to go? It's really scary."
His words said yes. His eyes said he wasn't so sure.
He handed over his ball cap to Mom for safekeeping and took his place with Dad in the turnstiles. Inch by inch, they worked closer and closer, his laugh getting more nervous, his feet and hands a constant fidget.
Before long, the fear was all over his face. "We can go back, son. It's all right." But with a stiff shake of his head, they were locked into the air. his face was white. His knuckles clenched. Fro the longest 45 seconds of his young life, he clung somewhere between guts and glory--holding his breath through every dip, closing his eyes on the ratchety inclines, until it jerked to a halt back at the station, his odyssey complete...the fear gone. "That wasn't so bad. Thanks for taking me, Dad."
Death must be like that. It's not so bad. Thanks for taking us, Dad.
Of all the things you can be thankful to god for, what about the freedom of knowing that death is but a door, that your reward is waiting--just on the other side? The devil can scream and holler and stamp his feet all he want to. He can't have this little soul.
"'Then they will hand you over to persecution, and they will kill you. You will be hated by all nations because of My name. Then many will take offense, betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will multiply, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endure to the end, this one will be delivered. This good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed in all the world as a testimony to all nations. And then the end will come.'" Matthew 24:9-14
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Amazed and Open Handed
Hello, Lord. I am blogging late as I made a trip to TN and back today. Thank You for the beautiful day and for the safe trip. I admired Your handiwork on the trip and was continually amazed. You are an awesome God!
More...
Today I did my Bible study prior to my appointment this afternoon. I did it in the van and was touched by the readings in the Daily Reading and Prayer Bible. The prayer following the Exodus passage regarding the plague of frogs. Here it is as a reminder: "I believe that it is through your Grace, Lord Jesus, that I am saved. (Acts 15:11)...Jesus, I trusted in You when I heard the word of truth, the gospel of salvation. Having believed, I was sealed in You with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is a deposit guaranteeing my inheritance until the redemption of those who are the Father's possession, to the praise of His glory. (Ephesians 1:13-14)"
Then the New Testament reading was Acts 11:1-30 with the prayer following about relationships with others. Here it is as a reminder: "A virtuous wife is the crown of her husband, but she who causes shame is like decay in his bones. (Proverbs 12:4)...Who can find a virtuous wife? She is worth far more than jewels. The hart of her husband trusts in her so that he has no lack of gain. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. (Proverbs 31:10-12) "
Lord, that is what I want, to be a good, virtuous wife to TJ. I know only You can reconcile our marriage and I ask You for that. Renew our love and devotion to each other, allow our marriage to be a living testament of the work You can do. It is in Your hands, O Lord.
The following comes from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
You haven't lived until you've looked into the impoverished eyes of a homeless person and offered him the sack lunch you'd made for yourself that morning. You haven't lived until you've sensed God stirring you to give one hundred dollars to a young couple in your church and heard them tell you how hard they'd been praying for that exact amount. You haven't lived until you've learned that giving is a privilege, giving is contagious.
Giving is fun.
Just take the 10 percent (the tithe) that God asks you to invest in your church. Most people feel good about tossing a five or a few ones in the offering plate--as though they were giving God a tip. But how can you feel satisfied tossing your Master a bone after all He's faithfully done for you--after He' been keeping you up in clothes, your breakfast cereal in the pantry, your heart beating like a drum sixty times a minute. It's not a chore to pour as much as possible back into His kingdom so that others can enjoy the same things you do. it's an honor. It's a joy. Try it. You'll see.
One of the most powerful lifestyles you can adopt is the freedom of letting God's blessings flow through you into the lives of others. When you hold on too tightly to what's yours, you miss the whole point of why God gave it to you.
"A slacker's craving will kill him because his hands refuse to work. He is filled with craving all day long, but the righteous give and don't hold back." Proverbs 21:25-26
More...
Today I did my Bible study prior to my appointment this afternoon. I did it in the van and was touched by the readings in the Daily Reading and Prayer Bible. The prayer following the Exodus passage regarding the plague of frogs. Here it is as a reminder: "I believe that it is through your Grace, Lord Jesus, that I am saved. (Acts 15:11)...Jesus, I trusted in You when I heard the word of truth, the gospel of salvation. Having believed, I was sealed in You with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is a deposit guaranteeing my inheritance until the redemption of those who are the Father's possession, to the praise of His glory. (Ephesians 1:13-14)"
Then the New Testament reading was Acts 11:1-30 with the prayer following about relationships with others. Here it is as a reminder: "A virtuous wife is the crown of her husband, but she who causes shame is like decay in his bones. (Proverbs 12:4)...Who can find a virtuous wife? She is worth far more than jewels. The hart of her husband trusts in her so that he has no lack of gain. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. (Proverbs 31:10-12) "
Lord, that is what I want, to be a good, virtuous wife to TJ. I know only You can reconcile our marriage and I ask You for that. Renew our love and devotion to each other, allow our marriage to be a living testament of the work You can do. It is in Your hands, O Lord.
The following comes from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
You haven't lived until you've looked into the impoverished eyes of a homeless person and offered him the sack lunch you'd made for yourself that morning. You haven't lived until you've sensed God stirring you to give one hundred dollars to a young couple in your church and heard them tell you how hard they'd been praying for that exact amount. You haven't lived until you've learned that giving is a privilege, giving is contagious.
Giving is fun.
Just take the 10 percent (the tithe) that God asks you to invest in your church. Most people feel good about tossing a five or a few ones in the offering plate--as though they were giving God a tip. But how can you feel satisfied tossing your Master a bone after all He's faithfully done for you--after He' been keeping you up in clothes, your breakfast cereal in the pantry, your heart beating like a drum sixty times a minute. It's not a chore to pour as much as possible back into His kingdom so that others can enjoy the same things you do. it's an honor. It's a joy. Try it. You'll see.
One of the most powerful lifestyles you can adopt is the freedom of letting God's blessings flow through you into the lives of others. When you hold on too tightly to what's yours, you miss the whole point of why God gave it to you.
"A slacker's craving will kill him because his hands refuse to work. He is filled with craving all day long, but the righteous give and don't hold back." Proverbs 21:25-26
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Passing the Torch
Good morning, Lord. I am thankful for the opportunity You have provided for me to return to work in an environment where I can have support from people who already know me.
More...
Tomorrow I drive up to TN for my physical and drug screen and picture ID. I am not looking forward to the picture since Monday the lady who cut my hair butchered me. However, it is only hair and it will grow back. I can always get a new one made later. I am still struggling with what is going on in my personal life. I want my marriage to work and it seems the more I want it the more evidence I get that TJ has completely given up and moved on. I don't know why I am surprised, he told me it wasn't working for him. I just believed it would work. I still haven't given up hope, although there are times when I get low and want to. Brayden is struggling in all of this, he said last night that he felt like he was pushed off a mountain and falling down, down, down into Hell. That thought scares me, that at such a young age he has so much anger built up inside him already. I pray for You to guide me on how best to deal with this. Physically I am feeling better, which is good. I still cough a lot and still have a lot of drainage, but I am on the mend, thank You, Lord. Last night Duncan and Connor called and that was sweet. Duncan was fussing at me about taking care of myself and Connor was telling me about a new book series he is reading. It is funny how sweet they both are and so alike and at the same time so very different. I miss them and would love to be back in their lives. I haven't spoken to TJ since Monday afternoon. He seems so very different, so distant. It is all in Your hands, O God.
The following is taken from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
You only get them for a few years. Ask someone who's already watched their kids grow up and leave the nest, and you'll find out in a hurry how fast time flies. They're eighteen, they're twenty-five, they've got children of their own, but in the mind's eye of a Mom or Dad, they should still need a phone book to sit up tall at the table.
So big. So fast. Kind of chokes you up just thinking about it.
So now's your chance to lay the groundwork for a child that God is depending on you to mold. No matter how busy you are with the rest of your life, no matter how unaccustomed you are to talking about spiritual things in front of your family, you're being counted on to model Christ to your little boy or girl, to be the picture they get of loving authority, to be the safe place they can turn to for an honest answer, to be the living evidence that all this church talk really does carry over into everyday life.
Help them learn to submit their will to yours today so that when they're out there on their own, they'll be able to submit to God's.
"If we abandon our vision for our children, we are left to wander aimlessly with no direction other than our own self-interest." Susan Card
Not every person in need of your Christian witness is at work or around the corner. The ones you'll have the est chance of reaching are the ones right in your own home. Let's never be so busy taking our message to the world that we forget the little ones right at our feet.
"My people , hear my instruction; listen to what I say. I will declare wise sayings; I will speak mysteries from the past--things we have heard and known and that our fathers have passed down to us. We must not hide them from their children, but must tell a future generation the praises of the Lord, His might, and the wonderful works He has performed. He established a testimony in Jacob and set up a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children so that a future generation--children yet to be born--might know. They were to rise and tell their children so that they might put their confidence in God and not forget God's works, but keep His commandments. Then they would not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not loyal and whose spirit was not faithful to God."
Psalm 78:1-8
More...
Tomorrow I drive up to TN for my physical and drug screen and picture ID. I am not looking forward to the picture since Monday the lady who cut my hair butchered me. However, it is only hair and it will grow back. I can always get a new one made later. I am still struggling with what is going on in my personal life. I want my marriage to work and it seems the more I want it the more evidence I get that TJ has completely given up and moved on. I don't know why I am surprised, he told me it wasn't working for him. I just believed it would work. I still haven't given up hope, although there are times when I get low and want to. Brayden is struggling in all of this, he said last night that he felt like he was pushed off a mountain and falling down, down, down into Hell. That thought scares me, that at such a young age he has so much anger built up inside him already. I pray for You to guide me on how best to deal with this. Physically I am feeling better, which is good. I still cough a lot and still have a lot of drainage, but I am on the mend, thank You, Lord. Last night Duncan and Connor called and that was sweet. Duncan was fussing at me about taking care of myself and Connor was telling me about a new book series he is reading. It is funny how sweet they both are and so alike and at the same time so very different. I miss them and would love to be back in their lives. I haven't spoken to TJ since Monday afternoon. He seems so very different, so distant. It is all in Your hands, O God.
The following is taken from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
You only get them for a few years. Ask someone who's already watched their kids grow up and leave the nest, and you'll find out in a hurry how fast time flies. They're eighteen, they're twenty-five, they've got children of their own, but in the mind's eye of a Mom or Dad, they should still need a phone book to sit up tall at the table.
So big. So fast. Kind of chokes you up just thinking about it.
So now's your chance to lay the groundwork for a child that God is depending on you to mold. No matter how busy you are with the rest of your life, no matter how unaccustomed you are to talking about spiritual things in front of your family, you're being counted on to model Christ to your little boy or girl, to be the picture they get of loving authority, to be the safe place they can turn to for an honest answer, to be the living evidence that all this church talk really does carry over into everyday life.
Help them learn to submit their will to yours today so that when they're out there on their own, they'll be able to submit to God's.
"If we abandon our vision for our children, we are left to wander aimlessly with no direction other than our own self-interest." Susan Card
Not every person in need of your Christian witness is at work or around the corner. The ones you'll have the est chance of reaching are the ones right in your own home. Let's never be so busy taking our message to the world that we forget the little ones right at our feet.
"My people , hear my instruction; listen to what I say. I will declare wise sayings; I will speak mysteries from the past--things we have heard and known and that our fathers have passed down to us. We must not hide them from their children, but must tell a future generation the praises of the Lord, His might, and the wonderful works He has performed. He established a testimony in Jacob and set up a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children so that a future generation--children yet to be born--might know. They were to rise and tell their children so that they might put their confidence in God and not forget God's works, but keep His commandments. Then they would not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not loyal and whose spirit was not faithful to God."
Psalm 78:1-8
Monday, February 23, 2009
Loved To Life
Today has been a good day. I was offered the job at Sycamore Shoals and accepted. Still I feel empty inside.
More...
I feel abandoned and so alone. I know that You are still there, Lord, yet I don't feel you. What am I doing wrong? What do You want from me?
The following comes from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
The hang-ups are so much more real today. Barely a person alive hasn't felt at least a glancing blow from abuse, abandonment, divorce, disillusionment. Even some people who appear to be coasting through life can be casualties of cynicism or victims drowning in the undertow of their own low self-esteem. They find it hard to accept why God is the way He is. And if He even is at all, what would make Him want to love people like them?
That's why even those who may be hungry for the things you've found aren't likely to believe everything you say. They need to see it in your life. They need to see it with your time. They need to see it when its not convenient or acceptable, but when it show how much you care about their needs and concerns.
It may take months. It may take years. It may not ever click at all. But are you willing to let God lead you to the ones He's wanting nearer? Are you wiling to invest yourself in the life of another person? Are you willing to go the extra mile to keep a friend from turning back?
No telling how many unsaved friends you have--people who are curious about your newfound faith, but not sure they're ready for it. Hang in there. Love them through it. The Lord may have waited on you for a pretty long time. How long are you willing to wait on your friends?
"Therefore, anyone of you who judges is without excuse. For when you judge another, you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things. We know that God's judgement on those who do such things is based on the truth. Do you really think--anyone of you ho judges those who do such things yet do the same--that you will escape God's judgement? Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?" Romans 2:1-4
"Our aim is not to force people to live like Christians, but to persuade them to consider Christ." John Fischer
Is that what I am doing? Am I judging? Am I thinking I am better? I think I am trying to live my life in a way so as to be an example, but am I? I don't know anymore. I feel so confused.
More...
I feel abandoned and so alone. I know that You are still there, Lord, yet I don't feel you. What am I doing wrong? What do You want from me?
The following comes from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
The hang-ups are so much more real today. Barely a person alive hasn't felt at least a glancing blow from abuse, abandonment, divorce, disillusionment. Even some people who appear to be coasting through life can be casualties of cynicism or victims drowning in the undertow of their own low self-esteem. They find it hard to accept why God is the way He is. And if He even is at all, what would make Him want to love people like them?
That's why even those who may be hungry for the things you've found aren't likely to believe everything you say. They need to see it in your life. They need to see it with your time. They need to see it when its not convenient or acceptable, but when it show how much you care about their needs and concerns.
It may take months. It may take years. It may not ever click at all. But are you willing to let God lead you to the ones He's wanting nearer? Are you wiling to invest yourself in the life of another person? Are you willing to go the extra mile to keep a friend from turning back?
No telling how many unsaved friends you have--people who are curious about your newfound faith, but not sure they're ready for it. Hang in there. Love them through it. The Lord may have waited on you for a pretty long time. How long are you willing to wait on your friends?
"Therefore, anyone of you who judges is without excuse. For when you judge another, you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things. We know that God's judgement on those who do such things is based on the truth. Do you really think--anyone of you ho judges those who do such things yet do the same--that you will escape God's judgement? Or do you despise the riches of His kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?" Romans 2:1-4
"Our aim is not to force people to live like Christians, but to persuade them to consider Christ." John Fischer
Is that what I am doing? Am I judging? Am I thinking I am better? I think I am trying to live my life in a way so as to be an example, but am I? I don't know anymore. I feel so confused.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Above The Fray Unity in Diversity
This is the first Sunday I have missed church in a long time. It is not something I want to repeat very often. It has been rough, but I know You are with me, Lord.
More...
I am struggling with being sick physically and feeling a bit confused about TJ. He had called Thursday and said he was hoping to talk to me. I called him back Thursday afternoon and he didn't really have anything to say. I'm not sure why he wanted to talk to me. He had already emailed and apologized for not forwarding the phones. It wasn't a big deal. Anyway, I also spoke with Peggy and Connor and Duncan Thursday afternoon. It has been a struggle for Peggy with Jordan being in Copestone. She has finally accepted that he needed to be where he could get some help. Jordan has been doing much better. I know You are here and working in our lives. Thank You, Lord.
The following comes from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers.
When you first come to Christ, it seems like a dream world. Everybody's so nice, so accepting, so quick to shake your hand and take an interest in your life. But the longer you hang around, and he more you discover about the people of God--even the ones who worship on the seat right next to you--you'll find that we have a lot of differences. Different backgrounds. Different callings. Different opinions and expectations. Getting all hose differences to mesh into one unified body can be a stretch on our relating skills.
Enter the Holy Spirit--whose powerful capacity to love can fill your heart with patience and grace, helping you give people the freedom to live within their own temperaments, to move at their own pace, to express their own reasons for holding their particular brand of beliefs.
C.S. Lewis wrote, "When all is said about the divisions of Christendom, there remains by Gods' mercy an enormous common ground."
And if you can learn to be happy with that, you'll be one happy person.
Don't be surprised if you can't see eye-to-eye with everybody at church or everybody who claims to know Christ.But surprise them by loving them anyway. You won't like every person you meet in this family, but with God's help, you can learn to get along.
"If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal. Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than ourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." Philippians 2:1-4
More...
I am struggling with being sick physically and feeling a bit confused about TJ. He had called Thursday and said he was hoping to talk to me. I called him back Thursday afternoon and he didn't really have anything to say. I'm not sure why he wanted to talk to me. He had already emailed and apologized for not forwarding the phones. It wasn't a big deal. Anyway, I also spoke with Peggy and Connor and Duncan Thursday afternoon. It has been a struggle for Peggy with Jordan being in Copestone. She has finally accepted that he needed to be where he could get some help. Jordan has been doing much better. I know You are here and working in our lives. Thank You, Lord.
The following comes from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers.
When you first come to Christ, it seems like a dream world. Everybody's so nice, so accepting, so quick to shake your hand and take an interest in your life. But the longer you hang around, and he more you discover about the people of God--even the ones who worship on the seat right next to you--you'll find that we have a lot of differences. Different backgrounds. Different callings. Different opinions and expectations. Getting all hose differences to mesh into one unified body can be a stretch on our relating skills.
Enter the Holy Spirit--whose powerful capacity to love can fill your heart with patience and grace, helping you give people the freedom to live within their own temperaments, to move at their own pace, to express their own reasons for holding their particular brand of beliefs.
C.S. Lewis wrote, "When all is said about the divisions of Christendom, there remains by Gods' mercy an enormous common ground."
And if you can learn to be happy with that, you'll be one happy person.
Don't be surprised if you can't see eye-to-eye with everybody at church or everybody who claims to know Christ.But surprise them by loving them anyway. You won't like every person you meet in this family, but with God's help, you can learn to get along.
"If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal. Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than ourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." Philippians 2:1-4
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Living On Purpose
Hello again, Lord. Yesterday and last night were really difficult. I broke down more than once. My heart and soul aches.
More...
I have several days now of feeling lost, alone, and abandoned. I received a phone call from my pastor, Debra. She talked with me some and I promised to return to church next weekend, not this one. This morning I felt better. I prayed before my Bible study and devotional time for You to guide me and reveal to me what it is that You want for me. Today's lesson was about Moses and God answering His people's prayers and groans to be released from their oppression. You, O Lord, will bring Your people from their misery. I thank You, Lord, that I am one of Your people.
Blessed are You, O Lord, for You have heard the voice of my prayers. You are my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in You and I am helped. My heart greatly rejoices, and I will give thanks to You in song.
Psalm 28:6-7
The following comes from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
Vision statements, core values, guiding principles. That's what you hear today's CEOs talking about in their board meetings and sales conferences--overarching themes that help workers evaluate their daily decisions in the light of well-thought-out criteria.
And it works--because when you can size up a situation based on something more than an immediate hunch, you can stay true to your goals and watch them take shape before your very eyes.
That's why every Christian needs to take the time to map out his personal priorities concerning faith, family, calling, careers and daily life. Prayerful priorities can help you manage your time more productively, weigh the costs of your promises and commitments, and thwart the world's attempts at keeping you trivially minded when God wants you dealing in much more important things.
Left to itself, your life will tend to deteriorate.But led by the Spirit, you can move through life on a mission--and stay on track all the way.
the issue is priorities--having a deliberate framework in place to help you make good decisions, avoid lazy distractions, and increase your inclination to obey. When you know who you are, and you where you're going, you can live for God like you mean it.
"Remind them of these things, charging them before God not to fight about words; this is in no way profitable and leads to the ruin of the hearers. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn't need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth. But avoid irreverent, empty speech, for this will produce an even grater measure of godlessness. 2 Timothy 2:14-16
"Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, is of infinite importance. The one thing it cannot be is moderately important." C.S. Lewis
"Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, having this inscription: The Lord knows those who are His, and Everyone who names the name of the Lord must turn away from unrighteousness." 2 Timothy 2:19
More...
I have several days now of feeling lost, alone, and abandoned. I received a phone call from my pastor, Debra. She talked with me some and I promised to return to church next weekend, not this one. This morning I felt better. I prayed before my Bible study and devotional time for You to guide me and reveal to me what it is that You want for me. Today's lesson was about Moses and God answering His people's prayers and groans to be released from their oppression. You, O Lord, will bring Your people from their misery. I thank You, Lord, that I am one of Your people.
Blessed are You, O Lord, for You have heard the voice of my prayers. You are my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in You and I am helped. My heart greatly rejoices, and I will give thanks to You in song.
Psalm 28:6-7
The following comes from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
Vision statements, core values, guiding principles. That's what you hear today's CEOs talking about in their board meetings and sales conferences--overarching themes that help workers evaluate their daily decisions in the light of well-thought-out criteria.
And it works--because when you can size up a situation based on something more than an immediate hunch, you can stay true to your goals and watch them take shape before your very eyes.
That's why every Christian needs to take the time to map out his personal priorities concerning faith, family, calling, careers and daily life. Prayerful priorities can help you manage your time more productively, weigh the costs of your promises and commitments, and thwart the world's attempts at keeping you trivially minded when God wants you dealing in much more important things.
Left to itself, your life will tend to deteriorate.But led by the Spirit, you can move through life on a mission--and stay on track all the way.
the issue is priorities--having a deliberate framework in place to help you make good decisions, avoid lazy distractions, and increase your inclination to obey. When you know who you are, and you where you're going, you can live for God like you mean it.
"Remind them of these things, charging them before God not to fight about words; this is in no way profitable and leads to the ruin of the hearers. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn't need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth. But avoid irreverent, empty speech, for this will produce an even grater measure of godlessness. 2 Timothy 2:14-16
"Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, is of infinite importance. The one thing it cannot be is moderately important." C.S. Lewis
"Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, having this inscription: The Lord knows those who are His, and Everyone who names the name of the Lord must turn away from unrighteousness." 2 Timothy 2:19
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Value Judgments... Choosing Wisely
I am still feeling sad, Lord, but after my readings this morning I am feeling better.
More...
The following is taken from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
You can avoid the pain of countless regrets, disappoint yourself (and others) much less frequently, and keep your daily schedule from running your life out of control by memorizing this simple response: "No."
There--you said it. Of course, it wasn't easy. It may have meant you had to pick the library over your Sunday School class picnic this Saturday, or stay up an extra two hours tonight to make time for your child's Little League game this afternoon, or finish up your small-group Bible study homework instead of watching the Cubs on TV. But those are the choices you will have to make it you want to be the person God's grooming you to be--the person you see in your mind's eye when a sermon hits home or a book speaks right to you.
Learning to say no to the good--and okay to the better--will move you light years ahead on your Christian journey, leaving you free to enjoy the ride. And to make sure you're traveling at God's steady pace.
Sometimes your choices are not between right and wrong but between good, better, and best. Then the only way to make the best decision is to determine what God would want you to do in that particular situation or with that certain amount of time.
"'People, I call out to you; my cry is to mankind. Learn to be shrewd, you who are inexperienced; develop common sense, you who are foolish. Listen, for I speak of noble things and what my lips say is right. For my mouth tells the truth, and wickedness is detestable to my lips. All the words of my mouth are righteous; none of them are deceptive or perverse. All of them are clear to the perceptive, and right to those who discover knowledge. Accept my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. For wisdom is better than precious stones and nothing desirable can compare with it.'" Proverbs 8:4-11
More...
The following is taken from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
You can avoid the pain of countless regrets, disappoint yourself (and others) much less frequently, and keep your daily schedule from running your life out of control by memorizing this simple response: "No."
There--you said it. Of course, it wasn't easy. It may have meant you had to pick the library over your Sunday School class picnic this Saturday, or stay up an extra two hours tonight to make time for your child's Little League game this afternoon, or finish up your small-group Bible study homework instead of watching the Cubs on TV. But those are the choices you will have to make it you want to be the person God's grooming you to be--the person you see in your mind's eye when a sermon hits home or a book speaks right to you.
Learning to say no to the good--and okay to the better--will move you light years ahead on your Christian journey, leaving you free to enjoy the ride. And to make sure you're traveling at God's steady pace.
Sometimes your choices are not between right and wrong but between good, better, and best. Then the only way to make the best decision is to determine what God would want you to do in that particular situation or with that certain amount of time.
"'People, I call out to you; my cry is to mankind. Learn to be shrewd, you who are inexperienced; develop common sense, you who are foolish. Listen, for I speak of noble things and what my lips say is right. For my mouth tells the truth, and wickedness is detestable to my lips. All the words of my mouth are righteous; none of them are deceptive or perverse. All of them are clear to the perceptive, and right to those who discover knowledge. Accept my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. For wisdom is better than precious stones and nothing desirable can compare with it.'" Proverbs 8:4-11
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Something Borrowed
Since the email apology from TJ with him saying he is sorry for making life difficult for everyone, I've heard nothing. And I am feeling lonely and discouraged.
More...
I am struggling with negative thoughts and doubts. I am afraid, Lord, and I need Your help.
The following is taken from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
In church vocabulary, stewardship can be a code for a fund drive. But it actually cheapens the principle of Christian stewardship to limit its scope to just money. As a committed disciple of Jesus Christ, you're in charge of mountains of blessings that are yours to use, share, and invest--but never to own.
Money is certainly one of them, but so is your time and your entire package of talents and abilities. Even the words you say and the health you enjoy are gifts from the hand of God that require careful attention, wise handling, and (at times) measured restraint.
As you prove your faithfulness in managing small portions of God's resources, don't be surprised to see Him commit even more into your care, knowing that He can trust you to manage His property and be a funnel for passing the blessing along to others--the same way He's passed it along to you.
Money can't go to your head when you have God's interests at heart.
Your house is His. Your car is His. Your money is His. Your family is His. Every single thing you have is His. You're just taking care of it for Him. Aren't you? God is awfully generous to let us borrow all these things. Are you willing to start giving them back?
"One person gives freely, yet gains more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor. A generous person will be enriched, and the one who gives a drink of water will receive water." Proverbs 11:24-25
More...
I am struggling with negative thoughts and doubts. I am afraid, Lord, and I need Your help.
The following is taken from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
In church vocabulary, stewardship can be a code for a fund drive. But it actually cheapens the principle of Christian stewardship to limit its scope to just money. As a committed disciple of Jesus Christ, you're in charge of mountains of blessings that are yours to use, share, and invest--but never to own.
Money is certainly one of them, but so is your time and your entire package of talents and abilities. Even the words you say and the health you enjoy are gifts from the hand of God that require careful attention, wise handling, and (at times) measured restraint.
As you prove your faithfulness in managing small portions of God's resources, don't be surprised to see Him commit even more into your care, knowing that He can trust you to manage His property and be a funnel for passing the blessing along to others--the same way He's passed it along to you.
Money can't go to your head when you have God's interests at heart.
Your house is His. Your car is His. Your money is His. Your family is His. Every single thing you have is His. You're just taking care of it for Him. Aren't you? God is awfully generous to let us borrow all these things. Are you willing to start giving them back?
"One person gives freely, yet gains more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor. A generous person will be enriched, and the one who gives a drink of water will receive water." Proverbs 11:24-25
Monday, February 16, 2009
I Needed That... God's Chastening
Last night, I watched TJ putting up messages on facebook... TJ Gill is waiting for a message from providence, giving up on providence, and getting a chill. I laughed. I thought it was amusing that he was trying to communicate with me in that manner.
More...
I awakened this morning with thoughts of TJ writing on facebook. TJ Gill is: expanding his views of God and then a later message being: TJ Gill is lonely. I ended up sending TJ a message and since he had asked where we go from here, I told him it was up to him. I wanted our marriage to work, but he wasn't interested, so it was his move.
The following is taken from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
Fathers are known for buying you ice cream and bubble gum, giving you rides on their shoulders, and teaching you how to tie a good square knot.
But fathers are also known for the belt, for the midnight questions about why you've been coming in so late, and for grounding you for a month to make sure it doesn't happen again.
Fathers who care are willing to watch you hurt, if temporary pain can save you from long-term disaster. Fathers who care are willing to watch you fall, if a sore spot on your pride can make you walk a little more carefully. Fathers who care are willing to interfere with your fun, if a word of warning can teach you that life's not a game.
And your Father cares--enough to let you face consequences of your sin, to let you feel the pain you've caused another person, to allow things in your life to overpower your inner reserves so that like a toddler in the deep end, you'll cry out for Daddy.
And learn that you can trust Him.
If you want to receive the blessings of God's continual presence, you'll also have to accept His right to offer correction and rebuke. It's for your own good. Honest. God will clip the wings on your freedom at times in order to help you learn what true freedom is.
"Until we accept the fact that your Father is willing to discipline us, we'll never be able to comprehend what He's doing in our lives." James Lucas
"Lord, happy is the man You discipline and teach from Your law to give him relief from troubled times until a pit is dug for the wicked. The Lord will not forsake His people or abandon His heritage, for justice will again be righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it." Psalm 94:12-15
O Lord, help me to see what it is that You want me to do in my life. I try so hard to understand and I get so confused. I need Your help, Lord. I can't do this alone. Amen.
More...
I awakened this morning with thoughts of TJ writing on facebook. TJ Gill is: expanding his views of God and then a later message being: TJ Gill is lonely. I ended up sending TJ a message and since he had asked where we go from here, I told him it was up to him. I wanted our marriage to work, but he wasn't interested, so it was his move.
The following is taken from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
Fathers are known for buying you ice cream and bubble gum, giving you rides on their shoulders, and teaching you how to tie a good square knot.
But fathers are also known for the belt, for the midnight questions about why you've been coming in so late, and for grounding you for a month to make sure it doesn't happen again.
Fathers who care are willing to watch you hurt, if temporary pain can save you from long-term disaster. Fathers who care are willing to watch you fall, if a sore spot on your pride can make you walk a little more carefully. Fathers who care are willing to interfere with your fun, if a word of warning can teach you that life's not a game.
And your Father cares--enough to let you face consequences of your sin, to let you feel the pain you've caused another person, to allow things in your life to overpower your inner reserves so that like a toddler in the deep end, you'll cry out for Daddy.
And learn that you can trust Him.
If you want to receive the blessings of God's continual presence, you'll also have to accept His right to offer correction and rebuke. It's for your own good. Honest. God will clip the wings on your freedom at times in order to help you learn what true freedom is.
"Until we accept the fact that your Father is willing to discipline us, we'll never be able to comprehend what He's doing in our lives." James Lucas
"Lord, happy is the man You discipline and teach from Your law to give him relief from troubled times until a pit is dug for the wicked. The Lord will not forsake His people or abandon His heritage, for justice will again be righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it." Psalm 94:12-15
O Lord, help me to see what it is that You want me to do in my life. I try so hard to understand and I get so confused. I need Your help, Lord. I can't do this alone. Amen.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Being Spirit-Filled... More and More
Hello, Lord. It's Sunday and it seems like Satan wants me out of church for some reason. It's OK, I'm not going to let him win.
More...
Last night we went to see "Fireproof". It was a good movie and I cried lots. I would love to do the love dare, but I'm not sure that is possible long distance. Anyway, TJ emailed me a couple of times today and Robin called to say church wasn't the same without me. I really hate hurting her, Lord, I hope she will forgive me. I am praying as to what I should say to TJ and I'll wait to answer his email for awhile.
The following is taken from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
Yes, there is a way to operate your car without the benefit of gas. You throw it in neutral, open the driver's side door, heave with all the isometric power you can generate from your knees and shoulders, and at least creep it to the side of the road to avoid being smashed by moving traffic. You won't go far. You won't go fast. And even if you're able to keep it rolling a little while, you'll eventually come to a steep enough incline to bring your hard work to a weary halt.
That's life in the slow lane--without the Holy Spirit's power animating your actions, injecting your mind with spiritual insights, driving you to acts of unselfish love and kindness, steering you toward people in need of God's tender touch.
If you don't want to stay stranded on the shoulder of the Christian road, offer the Spirit a clean car to drive. Let Him take you for a joy ride to your chosen destination, keeping your tank filled with supreme purpose, your steps in perfect balance and alignment, your engine running on all cylinders.
"The way to cultivate true graces of character is by submitting ourselves utterly to the Spirit to do His work and bear His fruit." R.A. Torrey
In order for you to be all that God wants you to become, you'll need much more than a sturdy resolve. you'll need the Holy Spirit of God. He has a way of empowering you that's better than anything you can come up with on your own.
"On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and cried out, 'If anyone is thirsty, he should come to Me and drink! The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, will have streams of living water flow from deep within him.' He said this about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were going to receive, for the Spirit had not yet been received, because Jesus had not yet been glorified." John 7:37-39
More...
Last night we went to see "Fireproof". It was a good movie and I cried lots. I would love to do the love dare, but I'm not sure that is possible long distance. Anyway, TJ emailed me a couple of times today and Robin called to say church wasn't the same without me. I really hate hurting her, Lord, I hope she will forgive me. I am praying as to what I should say to TJ and I'll wait to answer his email for awhile.
The following is taken from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
Yes, there is a way to operate your car without the benefit of gas. You throw it in neutral, open the driver's side door, heave with all the isometric power you can generate from your knees and shoulders, and at least creep it to the side of the road to avoid being smashed by moving traffic. You won't go far. You won't go fast. And even if you're able to keep it rolling a little while, you'll eventually come to a steep enough incline to bring your hard work to a weary halt.
That's life in the slow lane--without the Holy Spirit's power animating your actions, injecting your mind with spiritual insights, driving you to acts of unselfish love and kindness, steering you toward people in need of God's tender touch.
If you don't want to stay stranded on the shoulder of the Christian road, offer the Spirit a clean car to drive. Let Him take you for a joy ride to your chosen destination, keeping your tank filled with supreme purpose, your steps in perfect balance and alignment, your engine running on all cylinders.
"The way to cultivate true graces of character is by submitting ourselves utterly to the Spirit to do His work and bear His fruit." R.A. Torrey
In order for you to be all that God wants you to become, you'll need much more than a sturdy resolve. you'll need the Holy Spirit of God. He has a way of empowering you that's better than anything you can come up with on your own.
"On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and cried out, 'If anyone is thirsty, he should come to Me and drink! The one who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, will have streams of living water flow from deep within him.' He said this about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were going to receive, for the Spirit had not yet been received, because Jesus had not yet been glorified." John 7:37-39
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Bread of Life
Hello, Lord. Yesterday I received an email from TJ, well actually Thursday night, I just didn't get it until yesterday. Today I emailed him back.
More...
It seems like no matter what I try to say to him, he manages to twist it around and make it sound like he is feeling sorry for himself. I get so frustrated at the "sorry for being me" thing that I just want to scream. I have tried to talk to him about how I don't want him to be sorry for being him, just that if he has a problem with how he deals with things then to ask You for help and change it. I decided to stop going to my church for awhile and see if that helps him have the break he says he wants. I can't be near him and not tell him how I feel. I called Robin, Judy, and Debra to let them know. Robin is upset and thinks I am making a mistake, that my not being there will only make it easier for him to not go. I don't know, Lord, it is in Your hands. I am trying to learn to turn to You and trust in You, with not just my words, but with my actions also. I hate that I sometimes struggle with my pride and impatience. I know You are looking out for me and You know what is best, I just hurt so much right now.
The following is taken from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
On a crisp November noonday, a gray-haired gentleman in a navy blue vinyl windbreaker stands at solemn attention--one hand over his heart, the other brushing away a noble tear--just like every year at the Veteran's Day parade. Yet a block away, a frazzled young business man darts his car through alleys and side roads, barking his disbelief at why they would block off a main downtown street like this in the middle of lunch hour.
The only reason customs and traditions wither into meaningless ritual is because we forget or don't understand what they represent.
When we eat the bread and drink from the cup of Communion, we're joining with millions of fellow believers across centuries and time zones, affirming our common faith and remembering the price of our salvation. We're renewing our commitment to holy living and piling up or forgiven sins at the base of the cross. And we're getting just a taste of the celebration that's in store when we gather around heaven's table at the "marriage feast of the Lamb" (Revelation 19:9).
Come and dine.
One of the most holy moments in the entire Christian experience is the observance of Communion or the Lord's Supper. Don't miss its deeper messages. Every time you receive the bread and the wine, you're a witness to life's most incredible mystery.
"Then He took a cup, and after giving thanks He said, 'Take this and share it among yourselves. For I tell you, from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.' And He took bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to them, and said, 'This is My body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.' In the same way He also took the cup after supper and said, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.'" Luke 22:17-20
More...
It seems like no matter what I try to say to him, he manages to twist it around and make it sound like he is feeling sorry for himself. I get so frustrated at the "sorry for being me" thing that I just want to scream. I have tried to talk to him about how I don't want him to be sorry for being him, just that if he has a problem with how he deals with things then to ask You for help and change it. I decided to stop going to my church for awhile and see if that helps him have the break he says he wants. I can't be near him and not tell him how I feel. I called Robin, Judy, and Debra to let them know. Robin is upset and thinks I am making a mistake, that my not being there will only make it easier for him to not go. I don't know, Lord, it is in Your hands. I am trying to learn to turn to You and trust in You, with not just my words, but with my actions also. I hate that I sometimes struggle with my pride and impatience. I know You are looking out for me and You know what is best, I just hurt so much right now.
The following is taken from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
On a crisp November noonday, a gray-haired gentleman in a navy blue vinyl windbreaker stands at solemn attention--one hand over his heart, the other brushing away a noble tear--just like every year at the Veteran's Day parade. Yet a block away, a frazzled young business man darts his car through alleys and side roads, barking his disbelief at why they would block off a main downtown street like this in the middle of lunch hour.
The only reason customs and traditions wither into meaningless ritual is because we forget or don't understand what they represent.
When we eat the bread and drink from the cup of Communion, we're joining with millions of fellow believers across centuries and time zones, affirming our common faith and remembering the price of our salvation. We're renewing our commitment to holy living and piling up or forgiven sins at the base of the cross. And we're getting just a taste of the celebration that's in store when we gather around heaven's table at the "marriage feast of the Lamb" (Revelation 19:9).
Come and dine.
One of the most holy moments in the entire Christian experience is the observance of Communion or the Lord's Supper. Don't miss its deeper messages. Every time you receive the bread and the wine, you're a witness to life's most incredible mystery.
"Then He took a cup, and after giving thanks He said, 'Take this and share it among yourselves. For I tell you, from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.' And He took bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to them, and said, 'This is My body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.' In the same way He also took the cup after supper and said, 'This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.'" Luke 22:17-20
Friday, February 13, 2009
Forgiveness Under the Bridge
Lord, thank You for Your patience. It is Yours, I give up and turn it over to You. All I did was make a big mess of it all and I'm sorry. I know You can handle and only You can use it for Your purposes.
More...
"Shouldn't you also have mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?" Matthew 18:33
You know how much God loves to see you in church. He smiles the whole time you're tugging yourself out of bed on Sunday morning, splashing water on your face, grabbing a bagel or biscuit, and zooming down to soak up the fellowship, enter into praise, and hear the Word explained and experienced in the flow of worship. Throw in Sunday and Wednesday nights, and you're a long way toward getting your Cristian priorities in apple-pie order.
Knowing how important church attendance and involvement are in your overall spiritual health, it's worth listening carefully when Jesus says, "If you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there and in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift" (Matthew 5:23-24).
Your life will stay fairly empty and you'll strain to be free to worship and serve the Lord if you don't give forgiveness the chance to come first.
The following comes from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
"Our principal weapon in the crises we face in the world is love, and love operates only in a state of reconciliation and forgiveness." Pat Robertson
"'Shouldn't you also have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?' And his master got angry and handed him over to the jailers until he could pay everything that was owed. So My heavenly Father will also do to you if each of you does not forgive his brother from his heart." Matthew 18:32-35
We all know that love is the unifying force which turns our faithfulness into effectiveness. But trailing along at a close second is another key ingredient: forgiveness. You'll learn how to forgive, or you'll live a life of inadequate blessing and short-circuited ministry.
"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and i will give thanks to Him in song." Psalm 28:6-7
"O Lord, You have searched me and You know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue You know it completely, O Lord. You hem me in--behind and before; You have laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, 'Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,' even the darkness will not be dark to You; the night will shine lie the day, for darkness is as light to You. For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with You. If only You would slay the wicked, O God! Away from me, you bloodthirsty men! They speak of You with evil intent; You adversaries misuse Your name, Do I not hate those who hate You, O Lord, and abhor those who rise up against You? I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies. Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139
Pray for all things, even in anger. God knows what is meant and what is felt. We need God's help to forgive others.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6
Help me, O God.
More...
"Shouldn't you also have mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?" Matthew 18:33
You know how much God loves to see you in church. He smiles the whole time you're tugging yourself out of bed on Sunday morning, splashing water on your face, grabbing a bagel or biscuit, and zooming down to soak up the fellowship, enter into praise, and hear the Word explained and experienced in the flow of worship. Throw in Sunday and Wednesday nights, and you're a long way toward getting your Cristian priorities in apple-pie order.
Knowing how important church attendance and involvement are in your overall spiritual health, it's worth listening carefully when Jesus says, "If you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there and in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift" (Matthew 5:23-24).
Your life will stay fairly empty and you'll strain to be free to worship and serve the Lord if you don't give forgiveness the chance to come first.
The following comes from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
"Our principal weapon in the crises we face in the world is love, and love operates only in a state of reconciliation and forgiveness." Pat Robertson
"'Shouldn't you also have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?' And his master got angry and handed him over to the jailers until he could pay everything that was owed. So My heavenly Father will also do to you if each of you does not forgive his brother from his heart." Matthew 18:32-35
We all know that love is the unifying force which turns our faithfulness into effectiveness. But trailing along at a close second is another key ingredient: forgiveness. You'll learn how to forgive, or you'll live a life of inadequate blessing and short-circuited ministry.
"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and i will give thanks to Him in song." Psalm 28:6-7
"O Lord, You have searched me and You know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You discern my going out and my lying down; You are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue You know it completely, O Lord. You hem me in--behind and before; You have laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, 'Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,' even the darkness will not be dark to You; the night will shine lie the day, for darkness is as light to You. For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with You. If only You would slay the wicked, O God! Away from me, you bloodthirsty men! They speak of You with evil intent; You adversaries misuse Your name, Do I not hate those who hate You, O Lord, and abhor those who rise up against You? I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies. Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139
Pray for all things, even in anger. God knows what is meant and what is felt. We need God's help to forgive others.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6
Help me, O God.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Witnessing--Sharing the Wealth
Good morning, Lord. I come before You again today and say I am Your willing servant.
More... It is tough to try to make myself available to You, Lord. My spirit is willing but my flesh fails all too often. I am thankful that You are patient, kind, and forgiving. If only it were easy to be forgiving of myself. I have prayed about You using me and I still find myself trying to take over. I'm sorry, Lord.
"Be willing to enter their world to tell them about Christ, rather than bringing them into your world before you can talk." John Camp
Family and friends need to hear my story so they might learn more about You. I am Your instrument, use me, O Lord, to restore, to rebuild, and to renew my marriage. You have given me some insight into our problems and I wait for the opportunity to use what You have taught me.
So now the question comes to me that is that what You want, for me to wait? I am afraid of not hearing You when You tell me to speak and of not waiting when You tell me to wait. I want what You want me to do, I know I can not repair anything in my relationship, but I do know that You can use me as an instrument for You to repair it. Help me, O Lord.
The following comes from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
Share the Wealth: Witnessing
"How can they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe without hearing a preacher?" (Romans 10:14)
He's got a point there.
As logical as it sounds, you'll never have to look far to find an excuse for staying silent. You're in too big of a hurry. Or you don't know your Bible well enough. Or you're not a good enough Christian to be talking. And you're pretty sure they're not interested anyway. Besides, you've got milk spoiling in the trunk.
But if you're ever able to realize that God can use you right where you are, that you're not personally responsible for how people take your word of witness, and that you never know where the seed you plant today may sprout tomorrow, you can feel free bringing God up in conversation anywhere He says. And trusting Him to get through to the people closest to you.
If you're willing to open your mouth, God will give you the words to say--and an audience that He's already primed to hear what Jesus Christ has done for you. You have a story that'll speak volumes to someone, and a God who can put the two of you together.
"But you, be on your guard! They will hand you over to the sanhedrins, and you will be flogged in the synagogues. You will stand before governors and kings because of Me, as a witness to them. And the good news must first be proclaimed to all nations. So when they arrest you and hand you over, don't worry beforehand what you will say. On the contrary, whatever is given to you in that hour--say it. For it isn't you who are speaking, but the Holy Spirit." Mark 13:9-11
Am I missing the point? I believe God will give me the words to say at the right time. I am sometimes afraid of not hearing Him though. I am working and learning and am thankful that God is patient and forgiving.
Numbers 14:17-18: "Now may the Lord's strength be displayed, just as you have declared: 'The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet, He does not leave the guilty unpunished; He punishes the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.'"
Moses pleaded with God, asking Him to forgive his people. His plea reveals several characteristics of God: (1) God is immensely patient; (2) God's love is one promise we can always count on; (3) God forgives again and again; (4) God is merciful, listening to and answering our requests. God has not changed since Moses' day. Like Moses, we can rely on God's love, patience, forgiveness, and mercy.
"A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult." Proverbs 12:16
When someone annoys or insults you, it is natural to retaliate. But this solves nothing and only encourages trouble. Instead, answer slowly and quietly. Your positive response will achieve positive results. Proverbs 15:1 says "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."
Have you ever tried to argue in a whisper? It is equally hard to argue with someone who insists on speaking gently. On the other hand, a rising voice and harsh words almost always trigger an angry response. To turn way wrath and seek peace, choose gentle words.
"Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools." Ecclesiastes 7:9
More... It is tough to try to make myself available to You, Lord. My spirit is willing but my flesh fails all too often. I am thankful that You are patient, kind, and forgiving. If only it were easy to be forgiving of myself. I have prayed about You using me and I still find myself trying to take over. I'm sorry, Lord.
"Be willing to enter their world to tell them about Christ, rather than bringing them into your world before you can talk." John Camp
Family and friends need to hear my story so they might learn more about You. I am Your instrument, use me, O Lord, to restore, to rebuild, and to renew my marriage. You have given me some insight into our problems and I wait for the opportunity to use what You have taught me.
So now the question comes to me that is that what You want, for me to wait? I am afraid of not hearing You when You tell me to speak and of not waiting when You tell me to wait. I want what You want me to do, I know I can not repair anything in my relationship, but I do know that You can use me as an instrument for You to repair it. Help me, O Lord.
The following comes from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
Share the Wealth: Witnessing
"How can they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe without hearing a preacher?" (Romans 10:14)
He's got a point there.
As logical as it sounds, you'll never have to look far to find an excuse for staying silent. You're in too big of a hurry. Or you don't know your Bible well enough. Or you're not a good enough Christian to be talking. And you're pretty sure they're not interested anyway. Besides, you've got milk spoiling in the trunk.
But if you're ever able to realize that God can use you right where you are, that you're not personally responsible for how people take your word of witness, and that you never know where the seed you plant today may sprout tomorrow, you can feel free bringing God up in conversation anywhere He says. And trusting Him to get through to the people closest to you.
If you're willing to open your mouth, God will give you the words to say--and an audience that He's already primed to hear what Jesus Christ has done for you. You have a story that'll speak volumes to someone, and a God who can put the two of you together.
"But you, be on your guard! They will hand you over to the sanhedrins, and you will be flogged in the synagogues. You will stand before governors and kings because of Me, as a witness to them. And the good news must first be proclaimed to all nations. So when they arrest you and hand you over, don't worry beforehand what you will say. On the contrary, whatever is given to you in that hour--say it. For it isn't you who are speaking, but the Holy Spirit." Mark 13:9-11
Am I missing the point? I believe God will give me the words to say at the right time. I am sometimes afraid of not hearing Him though. I am working and learning and am thankful that God is patient and forgiving.
Numbers 14:17-18: "Now may the Lord's strength be displayed, just as you have declared: 'The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet, He does not leave the guilty unpunished; He punishes the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.'"
Moses pleaded with God, asking Him to forgive his people. His plea reveals several characteristics of God: (1) God is immensely patient; (2) God's love is one promise we can always count on; (3) God forgives again and again; (4) God is merciful, listening to and answering our requests. God has not changed since Moses' day. Like Moses, we can rely on God's love, patience, forgiveness, and mercy.
"A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult." Proverbs 12:16
When someone annoys or insults you, it is natural to retaliate. But this solves nothing and only encourages trouble. Instead, answer slowly and quietly. Your positive response will achieve positive results. Proverbs 15:1 says "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."
Have you ever tried to argue in a whisper? It is equally hard to argue with someone who insists on speaking gently. On the other hand, a rising voice and harsh words almost always trigger an angry response. To turn way wrath and seek peace, choose gentle words.
"Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools." Ecclesiastes 7:9
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Only Believe--Miracles
Hello, Lord.
I slept better last night although I awakened at 4am with More...
TJ on my mind. I went to sleep praying and woke up praying. I am praying that You, Lord, restore my marriage, use it as a living testament that Your will is good, acceptable and perfect. A miracle... I believe.
Today's lesson is on miracles and I didn't look ahead although I have been tempted at times. I am learning to be patient. I know that is difficult to believe, especially if you know me.
The following is taken from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
You probably don't have any problem believing that miracles still occur in our day. You may even have enough faith to believe He'll perform one for you. The biggest problem we have with miracles is understanding why He does one for this person while overlooking another. It seems so random. So arbitrary. Not at all like the deliberate God of order and justice we've discovered Him to be.
But God does perform His miracles for a purpose--the same reason Christ performed them by the thousands while He ministered here on earth: "so that you may believe Jesus is the Messiah, and by believing you will have life in His name" (John 20:31)
Healing cancer, saving lives, restoring relationships, providing cash flow, opening eyes, locating children, connecting people, salvaging ruin--these are not God's grand finales.They are merely entry points God uses to get through to people's hearts, to capture the attention of another skeptic to lift the faith of another doubter, to turn the eyes of the lost to their only answer in life.
Unless God was just buttering us up with wishful thinking, we have a right to trust Him for anything. But He has more in mind for His miracles than answering our wish lists. He uses His wonder-working power to make bold statements about who He really is.
"The same thing happened in Iconium; they entered the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up and poisoned the minds of the Gentiles against the brothers. So they stayed there for some time and spoke boldly, in reliance on the Lord, who testified to the message of His grace by granting that signs and wonders be performed through them." Acts 14:1-3
Today Eddie emailed TJ to try to establish a connection. Eddie told me that all he would tell me was whether or not TJ responded. I told Eddie I wouldn't ask for more. I firmly believe that TJ needs a friend whom he can trust. Our marriage is worth saving, our love is worth fighting for. It is not me, but God who is giving me patience, perseverance, and hope. God is first and our marriage is second only to God. My self has always been one to give up, move on, and run from problems. I always wanted to hide from the truth. Satan's greatest victory is us not believing in his existence. Our temptations we must fight, which is difficult, but through Jesus Christ can be overcome. We only have to ask for His help and believe. I want to have fun with TJ and to learn how to work our problems out together with the help of God. I want TJ to realize that friends (good Christian friends) can be our accountability partners. Balance is only possible with God's help.
I slept better last night although I awakened at 4am with More...
TJ on my mind. I went to sleep praying and woke up praying. I am praying that You, Lord, restore my marriage, use it as a living testament that Your will is good, acceptable and perfect. A miracle... I believe.
Today's lesson is on miracles and I didn't look ahead although I have been tempted at times. I am learning to be patient. I know that is difficult to believe, especially if you know me.
The following is taken from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
You probably don't have any problem believing that miracles still occur in our day. You may even have enough faith to believe He'll perform one for you. The biggest problem we have with miracles is understanding why He does one for this person while overlooking another. It seems so random. So arbitrary. Not at all like the deliberate God of order and justice we've discovered Him to be.
But God does perform His miracles for a purpose--the same reason Christ performed them by the thousands while He ministered here on earth: "so that you may believe Jesus is the Messiah, and by believing you will have life in His name" (John 20:31)
Healing cancer, saving lives, restoring relationships, providing cash flow, opening eyes, locating children, connecting people, salvaging ruin--these are not God's grand finales.They are merely entry points God uses to get through to people's hearts, to capture the attention of another skeptic to lift the faith of another doubter, to turn the eyes of the lost to their only answer in life.
Unless God was just buttering us up with wishful thinking, we have a right to trust Him for anything. But He has more in mind for His miracles than answering our wish lists. He uses His wonder-working power to make bold statements about who He really is.
"The same thing happened in Iconium; they entered the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up and poisoned the minds of the Gentiles against the brothers. So they stayed there for some time and spoke boldly, in reliance on the Lord, who testified to the message of His grace by granting that signs and wonders be performed through them." Acts 14:1-3
Today Eddie emailed TJ to try to establish a connection. Eddie told me that all he would tell me was whether or not TJ responded. I told Eddie I wouldn't ask for more. I firmly believe that TJ needs a friend whom he can trust. Our marriage is worth saving, our love is worth fighting for. It is not me, but God who is giving me patience, perseverance, and hope. God is first and our marriage is second only to God. My self has always been one to give up, move on, and run from problems. I always wanted to hide from the truth. Satan's greatest victory is us not believing in his existence. Our temptations we must fight, which is difficult, but through Jesus Christ can be overcome. We only have to ask for His help and believe. I want to have fun with TJ and to learn how to work our problems out together with the help of God. I want TJ to realize that friends (good Christian friends) can be our accountability partners. Balance is only possible with God's help.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Braced for Your Battle
Good morning, Lord.
Thank You for a new day, for a new beginning...
I didn't sleep well last night. More...
All night long I fought the urge to get up and go to church. A couple of times I was in the process of getting up out of bed before I awakened. The feeling to go to church was so strong. I'm sorry, Lord, if You were trying to speak to me, I didn't understand. I went to sleep praying and prayed off and on all night. I kept falling back to sleep but the feeling never left me that I needed to go to church. I realized it was only Monday night/Tuesday morning, so I kept falling back asleep. My spirit is willing, but my flesh is weak. I will try to listen better next time, please don't give up on me, Lord. I spoke with Sara and Eddie about this feeling and Eddie asked if it was a feeling to go to my church or just to church and whether or not I felt the urge to pray for anything or anyone in particular. Today's lesson in The Gift is about being braced for battle and this is something that Eddie mentioned this morning, about perhaps my urge to go to church may have been the angels needing more prayer support. I am here, Lord, use me as You see fit. I want to grow in my faith and in my walk with You, help me, O Lord.
The following is taken from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
Even as marvelous and beyond description as God has created our minds and bodies, He has built into us certain restrictions to keep us from overloading on outside sensations and information. For example, if we could truly grasp the staggering depths of human need around the world, our hearts literally could not contain the grief. If our ears could detect every sound wave in this very room, we would run screaming into the hills.
He knows that we can only withstand so much--which makes us wonder why He'd even mention the fact that we are being opposed this minute by "the world powers of darkness" and "the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens" (Ephesians 6:12). Seems like knowledge as horrific as that would fall under the "don't-need-to-know" category.
But God must have a reason for wanting us aware. He must want the devil to understand that we're wise to his schemes. He must want us to understand that we have nothing to fear. With Christ leading the charge, we mere mortals can handle anything.
You may not like to think about harmful spiritual forces having you in their cross hairs, but you'd be delighted to know that you've got them out manned. Go ahead and talk up where the devil can hear you, and remind him Who's fighting on your side.
"He said to them, 'I watched Satan fall from heaven like a lightning flash. Look, I have given you the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy; nothing will ever harm you. However, don't rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.'" Luke 10:18-20
"We don't have to fear being inadequate. Our God is adequate. He will provide everything we need to serve Him." Chip Ricks
Thank You for a new day, for a new beginning...
I didn't sleep well last night. More...
All night long I fought the urge to get up and go to church. A couple of times I was in the process of getting up out of bed before I awakened. The feeling to go to church was so strong. I'm sorry, Lord, if You were trying to speak to me, I didn't understand. I went to sleep praying and prayed off and on all night. I kept falling back to sleep but the feeling never left me that I needed to go to church. I realized it was only Monday night/Tuesday morning, so I kept falling back asleep. My spirit is willing, but my flesh is weak. I will try to listen better next time, please don't give up on me, Lord. I spoke with Sara and Eddie about this feeling and Eddie asked if it was a feeling to go to my church or just to church and whether or not I felt the urge to pray for anything or anyone in particular. Today's lesson in The Gift is about being braced for battle and this is something that Eddie mentioned this morning, about perhaps my urge to go to church may have been the angels needing more prayer support. I am here, Lord, use me as You see fit. I want to grow in my faith and in my walk with You, help me, O Lord.
The following is taken from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
Even as marvelous and beyond description as God has created our minds and bodies, He has built into us certain restrictions to keep us from overloading on outside sensations and information. For example, if we could truly grasp the staggering depths of human need around the world, our hearts literally could not contain the grief. If our ears could detect every sound wave in this very room, we would run screaming into the hills.
He knows that we can only withstand so much--which makes us wonder why He'd even mention the fact that we are being opposed this minute by "the world powers of darkness" and "the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens" (Ephesians 6:12). Seems like knowledge as horrific as that would fall under the "don't-need-to-know" category.
But God must have a reason for wanting us aware. He must want the devil to understand that we're wise to his schemes. He must want us to understand that we have nothing to fear. With Christ leading the charge, we mere mortals can handle anything.
You may not like to think about harmful spiritual forces having you in their cross hairs, but you'd be delighted to know that you've got them out manned. Go ahead and talk up where the devil can hear you, and remind him Who's fighting on your side.
"He said to them, 'I watched Satan fall from heaven like a lightning flash. Look, I have given you the authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy; nothing will ever harm you. However, don't rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.'" Luke 10:18-20
"We don't have to fear being inadequate. Our God is adequate. He will provide everything we need to serve Him." Chip Ricks
Monday, February 9, 2009
Breakfast of Champions
You may not think fasting is for you. After all, isn't that more of an advanced skill--something more suited to those who have enough holiness in reserve to survive on 40 days of tap water and beef broth?More...
Actually, fasting is for anyone who's ever felt squeezed by a pressing prayer concern, anyone who battles to keep his sinful self-will from calling the shots, anyone who's woken up in the morning with his head in a blur, unable to concentrate on one thought for two seconds without being bombarded by three more.
It's for everyone.
Try it for just one meal. Or one day. You can fast with lots of things besides just food, such as a certain food group you're struggling to avoid. Or the television. Or the Internet. Or the mall. Anything that's standing between you and pure, free-flowing fellowship with the Lord.
By starving the growling appetites of the flesh and devoting the time you save into quiet times of prayer, worship, and Bible reading, you'll find yourself renewed, refreshed, restored. Back in control.
The following is taken from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
Some people aren't all that high on the discipline of fasting, but the one protesting the loudest is that old flesh inside you that wants its way about everything. Once you've gotten yourself filled up at God's table, you won't be hungry for anything else.
"Then they said to Him, 'John's disciples fast often and say prayers, and those of the Pharisees do the same, but Yours eat and drink.' Jesus said to them, 'You can't make the wedding guests fast while the groom is with them, can you? But the days will come when the groom will be taken away from them--then they will fast in those days.'" Luke 5:33-35
I realize just how dependent I had gotten on the television. I missed it a little bit a first, but am discovering I don't really need it. Thank You, Lord, for all You have done.
I have struggled today, something just hasn't felt exactly right. I know You are in control, but sometimes my mind tries to take over. Forgive me, Lord, for being impatient. Thank You for Your gift of seeing the workings of Your spirit in my life as well as the lives of others. Amen.
I am realizing I prayed for help and that this is a opportunity for me to grow and search my heart and understand what I want, with all my heart. Thank You, Lord. Amen.
Actually, fasting is for anyone who's ever felt squeezed by a pressing prayer concern, anyone who battles to keep his sinful self-will from calling the shots, anyone who's woken up in the morning with his head in a blur, unable to concentrate on one thought for two seconds without being bombarded by three more.
It's for everyone.
Try it for just one meal. Or one day. You can fast with lots of things besides just food, such as a certain food group you're struggling to avoid. Or the television. Or the Internet. Or the mall. Anything that's standing between you and pure, free-flowing fellowship with the Lord.
By starving the growling appetites of the flesh and devoting the time you save into quiet times of prayer, worship, and Bible reading, you'll find yourself renewed, refreshed, restored. Back in control.
The following is taken from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
Some people aren't all that high on the discipline of fasting, but the one protesting the loudest is that old flesh inside you that wants its way about everything. Once you've gotten yourself filled up at God's table, you won't be hungry for anything else.
"Then they said to Him, 'John's disciples fast often and say prayers, and those of the Pharisees do the same, but Yours eat and drink.' Jesus said to them, 'You can't make the wedding guests fast while the groom is with them, can you? But the days will come when the groom will be taken away from them--then they will fast in those days.'" Luke 5:33-35
I realize just how dependent I had gotten on the television. I missed it a little bit a first, but am discovering I don't really need it. Thank You, Lord, for all You have done.
I have struggled today, something just hasn't felt exactly right. I know You are in control, but sometimes my mind tries to take over. Forgive me, Lord, for being impatient. Thank You for Your gift of seeing the workings of Your spirit in my life as well as the lives of others. Amen.
I am realizing I prayed for help and that this is a opportunity for me to grow and search my heart and understand what I want, with all my heart. Thank You, Lord. Amen.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Not All About Me
The drive up to NC was breathtaking. About the time I neared Traveler's Rest, I looked at the sky. More...
I could see the mountain tops above the clouds, I paused a moment and thanked God for the beauty of His awesome creation. In the clouds, I could see the mighty hand of God, white and touched with the palest of pinks across the tops, I was amazed. The worship service was awesome also, with the sermon on the power of love. I looked over at TJ at the end of the sermon right before prayer and saw tears in his eyes. I reached out to him and he took my hand and held on tight throughout the prayer. I believe he is approaching the time of needing someone to hold out a hand, I am willing, Lord, use me as Your instrument. Just last night Eddie was saying he didn't feel led to attempt to open a dialogue with TJ, yet You spoke to him in church today and he feels it is time. I am continually amazed at Your ways, Lord.
The following comes from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers.
My, my, my.
You don't have to look far to find plenty of personal matters you can pray to God about. Between the new clutch, that costs 500 dollars you don't have, the work that's due the day after tomorrow, the sins that overtake you in the day and the worries that keep you up at night, you can talk God's ear off from now till next weekend and never get past your own little world.
But as surely as God cares about the things that concern you most (and loves it when you turn to Him for help), He wants to begin transforming your prayer life the same way He's been changing you everywhere else--from inside out, from self to service, from me to my neighbor.
God is making you into a person who genuinely loves and cares about people other than yourself. As your heart for them begins spilling over into your prayer time, you'll find yourself continually pleading their case before a higher court, sharing the load of their sufferings, and taking their hope in Him to new heights.
We can hardly sleep sometimes from thinking about our own problems. Even when we're not praying about them, they never quite leave the back of our minds. But as you start praying for other people's problems you'll become a lot less frightened of your own.
"Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping. 'What?' He asked Peter. 'Couldn't you stay awake with Me one hour? Stay awake and pray, so that you won't enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.' " Matthew 26:40-41
O Lord, I pray You will continue to lead me in Your ways and help me to continue to grow. Amen.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Struggling and I Need a Heads Up
This morning the day dawned bright and beautiful... I did part of my Bible study outside, a gentle breeze blowing... my thoughts were bright and optimistic.
More...
It's funny how easy it is for our minds to take a nosedive. Doubt creeps in and before you know it, you're back down in a hole. I am finishing my Bible study late today because I got caught up in some things and before I knew it... the day was gone. I saw a flirtatious comment from TJ to one of his facebook friends and it stung. Right now I feel pretty hurt. If the woman truly looks anything like her facebook profile pic then she is beautiful. I am so confused right now. Am I supposed to feel angry, am I supposed to feel frustrated, am I supposed to feel hurt? I don't know what I am supposed to feel. I keep praying and praying and reading and trying not to feel anything but patience and kindness and understanding. But, God help me, I am hurt and angry and at times I am still tempted to run. I still cry, I still hurt, and yes, sometimes I even try to pretend I'm ok. If I were ok, then why does the slightest thing through me off balance?
The following is taken from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
A good man produces good out of the good storeroom of his heart. Luke 6:45
If you've ever wasted a whole evening trying to get the bonus level on a video game, then you know what it's like to close your eyes at bedtime and see hostile, cartoon enemies sailing across the blank screen of your eyelids. That's because the thoughts you dwell on don't just come to visit. They come to stay. And if they're not the good kind, they can get to be very annoying company before they're done.
The same way a head cold makes your whole body feel lousy the connection of your thought life affects your whole behavior. If you allow yourself to stew about the friend who mistreated you, you'll pass up lots of chances to mend you relationship. If you allow the movie screen to singe your ears with more rotten language than you already have to put up with at work or at school, you'll start hearing it come out of your own mouth as well. But if you fill your mind with things that you know God would like and if you'll plug your ears to the devil's pack of lies, your feet will walk a straight line to spiritual success. And that's worth thinking about.
Luke 6:43-45
You have ears, you have eyes, you have time and you have television--you have all kinds of ways to get all kinds of stuff into your head, but only one way to control it. The biggest battle you'll face as a Christian will take place every day--right between your ears.
"A good tree doesn't produce bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree produce good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs aren't gathered from thorn bushes, or grapes picked from a bramble bush. A good man produces good out of the good storeroom of his heart, and an evil man produces evil out of the evil storeroom. For his mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart." Luke 6:43-45
O Heavenly Father, forgive me for focusing on the negative and allowing my mind to dwell on things I can't control. You have my best interests in mind and I trust in You. Thank You, God, for your forgiveness. In the name of Your son, Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, I pray. Amen.
More...
It's funny how easy it is for our minds to take a nosedive. Doubt creeps in and before you know it, you're back down in a hole. I am finishing my Bible study late today because I got caught up in some things and before I knew it... the day was gone. I saw a flirtatious comment from TJ to one of his facebook friends and it stung. Right now I feel pretty hurt. If the woman truly looks anything like her facebook profile pic then she is beautiful. I am so confused right now. Am I supposed to feel angry, am I supposed to feel frustrated, am I supposed to feel hurt? I don't know what I am supposed to feel. I keep praying and praying and reading and trying not to feel anything but patience and kindness and understanding. But, God help me, I am hurt and angry and at times I am still tempted to run. I still cry, I still hurt, and yes, sometimes I even try to pretend I'm ok. If I were ok, then why does the slightest thing through me off balance?
The following is taken from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
A good man produces good out of the good storeroom of his heart. Luke 6:45
If you've ever wasted a whole evening trying to get the bonus level on a video game, then you know what it's like to close your eyes at bedtime and see hostile, cartoon enemies sailing across the blank screen of your eyelids. That's because the thoughts you dwell on don't just come to visit. They come to stay. And if they're not the good kind, they can get to be very annoying company before they're done.
The same way a head cold makes your whole body feel lousy the connection of your thought life affects your whole behavior. If you allow yourself to stew about the friend who mistreated you, you'll pass up lots of chances to mend you relationship. If you allow the movie screen to singe your ears with more rotten language than you already have to put up with at work or at school, you'll start hearing it come out of your own mouth as well. But if you fill your mind with things that you know God would like and if you'll plug your ears to the devil's pack of lies, your feet will walk a straight line to spiritual success. And that's worth thinking about.
Luke 6:43-45
You have ears, you have eyes, you have time and you have television--you have all kinds of ways to get all kinds of stuff into your head, but only one way to control it. The biggest battle you'll face as a Christian will take place every day--right between your ears.
"A good tree doesn't produce bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree produce good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs aren't gathered from thorn bushes, or grapes picked from a bramble bush. A good man produces good out of the good storeroom of his heart, and an evil man produces evil out of the evil storeroom. For his mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart." Luke 6:43-45
O Heavenly Father, forgive me for focusing on the negative and allowing my mind to dwell on things I can't control. You have my best interests in mind and I trust in You. Thank You, God, for your forgiveness. In the name of Your son, Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, I pray. Amen.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Building Bridges
Yesterday afternoon and this morning were a bit rough, especially yesterday. I had sent More...
TJ an email on Tuesday regarding my Bible study and devotion time and apparently he didn't care too much for it. The Bible passages in the email were 1 Thessalonians 2:3-8 and 1 Peter 5:8-9.
I found out yesterday that Connor and Aunt Alice were fussing over a mess Connor was making and it woke TJ up and he came upstairs and sent Connor downstairs. Well, Connor hit his hipbone on the door knob or frame as his Dad was trying to get him through the door. Well, Connor came around swinging and he ended up on the bed with his Dad holding him down to try to calm him according to TJ. Connor didn't give any great details to the episode. He doesn't like to share anything like that, well, anything personal and that was personal to him. Anyway, the email apparently arrived the same day as that episode. Then either the next day or yesterday, Peggy (TJ's Mom) called TJ aside and asked him if he had considered taking anger management classes. So needless to say he was ticked at the world. He started with me as I was trying to talk to him. I told him I missed him and he said "I know." Later he told me it felt like I was just waiting for him to pop himself on the forehead and say he was wrong what had he been thinking. Well, I do wish that would happen, but I am not necessarily waiting for it to happen. Anyway, my gut reaction was to tell him to take a hike off the nearest cliff and I would leave him alone. Thank God, I didn't. Instead I told him we would talk later. This morning he came in and apologized for taking his frustrations out on me. He said he had read the email a couple of times and got from it that I believed all he needed to do was confess his sins and he would get better and that his Mom felt like all he needed to do was take anger management classes and he would get better. I told him that we all need to confess our sins, that is how we obtain forgiveness for them. I also told him that the main message I intended for him to get was that he is not alone. We all have our struggles and don't have to suffer alone. Anyway, I was still praying and fighting my instinct to just leave him alone. I took the computer away from him and leaned over him and looked him in the eyes and told him I love you. I then kissed him on the forehead and then moved away. After leaving I kept telling myself I am not going to cry, well, I did. Not sobbing, but tears spilling down my cheeks. After getting back to SC, I was telling Sara and Eddie what had happened and Eddie stopped me in the middle to point out that TJ had admitted in a roundabout way that he needed to get better and that is the first step. I hadn't seen it until he said it, but it is true. Thank You, Lord, for Your loving kindness and Your strength and wisdom.
The following comes from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Collossians 4:5.
Every time you say hello to the ringing of the telephone, every time you open the door to dinner company, every time you plop your milk and bread up on the checkout conveyor, you get one more chance to have a godly influence on a buddy, a neighbor, a stranger. The way you react in situations like these--be they casual, corporate, or confrontational--can paint ann honest loving eyes on someone's personal picture of the Christ you serve.
It really is an awesome responsibility. If God put us here for any other reason than to love and worship Him, it was to love and honor His children, to be a warm-eyed smile in a sea of grunts and frowns, a two-hour phone call in a world of busy signals, a lunch invitation in the middle of a long, lonely day.
Christian disciples are committed to lifting their fiends a little higher, overlooking the faults of their enemies, and going out of their way to meet a need, to remember a kindness, to speak a word of encouragement. No one is insignificant to God or to the people who love Him.
Collosians 4:5-6 Life puts you in contact with a lot of different people. Some are fun to be around. Some are a challenge. But God has put them all into your life for a reason. Friend or foe, relevant or seemingly irrelevant, every person in your life is a ministry opportunity.
"Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person." Collosians 4:5-6
Thank You, Lord, for giving me the patience and control not to say hurtful things last night to TJ. I know he is hurting and I know You are working in his life. I pray You will continue to work in his life, bring him to You, O Lord, and use me as one of Your instruments. Amen.
TJ an email on Tuesday regarding my Bible study and devotion time and apparently he didn't care too much for it. The Bible passages in the email were 1 Thessalonians 2:3-8 and 1 Peter 5:8-9.
I found out yesterday that Connor and Aunt Alice were fussing over a mess Connor was making and it woke TJ up and he came upstairs and sent Connor downstairs. Well, Connor hit his hipbone on the door knob or frame as his Dad was trying to get him through the door. Well, Connor came around swinging and he ended up on the bed with his Dad holding him down to try to calm him according to TJ. Connor didn't give any great details to the episode. He doesn't like to share anything like that, well, anything personal and that was personal to him. Anyway, the email apparently arrived the same day as that episode. Then either the next day or yesterday, Peggy (TJ's Mom) called TJ aside and asked him if he had considered taking anger management classes. So needless to say he was ticked at the world. He started with me as I was trying to talk to him. I told him I missed him and he said "I know." Later he told me it felt like I was just waiting for him to pop himself on the forehead and say he was wrong what had he been thinking. Well, I do wish that would happen, but I am not necessarily waiting for it to happen. Anyway, my gut reaction was to tell him to take a hike off the nearest cliff and I would leave him alone. Thank God, I didn't. Instead I told him we would talk later. This morning he came in and apologized for taking his frustrations out on me. He said he had read the email a couple of times and got from it that I believed all he needed to do was confess his sins and he would get better and that his Mom felt like all he needed to do was take anger management classes and he would get better. I told him that we all need to confess our sins, that is how we obtain forgiveness for them. I also told him that the main message I intended for him to get was that he is not alone. We all have our struggles and don't have to suffer alone. Anyway, I was still praying and fighting my instinct to just leave him alone. I took the computer away from him and leaned over him and looked him in the eyes and told him I love you. I then kissed him on the forehead and then moved away. After leaving I kept telling myself I am not going to cry, well, I did. Not sobbing, but tears spilling down my cheeks. After getting back to SC, I was telling Sara and Eddie what had happened and Eddie stopped me in the middle to point out that TJ had admitted in a roundabout way that he needed to get better and that is the first step. I hadn't seen it until he said it, but it is true. Thank You, Lord, for Your loving kindness and Your strength and wisdom.
The following comes from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers:
Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Collossians 4:5.
Every time you say hello to the ringing of the telephone, every time you open the door to dinner company, every time you plop your milk and bread up on the checkout conveyor, you get one more chance to have a godly influence on a buddy, a neighbor, a stranger. The way you react in situations like these--be they casual, corporate, or confrontational--can paint ann honest loving eyes on someone's personal picture of the Christ you serve.
It really is an awesome responsibility. If God put us here for any other reason than to love and worship Him, it was to love and honor His children, to be a warm-eyed smile in a sea of grunts and frowns, a two-hour phone call in a world of busy signals, a lunch invitation in the middle of a long, lonely day.
Christian disciples are committed to lifting their fiends a little higher, overlooking the faults of their enemies, and going out of their way to meet a need, to remember a kindness, to speak a word of encouragement. No one is insignificant to God or to the people who love Him.
Collosians 4:5-6 Life puts you in contact with a lot of different people. Some are fun to be around. Some are a challenge. But God has put them all into your life for a reason. Friend or foe, relevant or seemingly irrelevant, every person in your life is a ministry opportunity.
"Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person." Collosians 4:5-6
Thank You, Lord, for giving me the patience and control not to say hurtful things last night to TJ. I know he is hurting and I know You are working in his life. I pray You will continue to work in his life, bring him to You, O Lord, and use me as one of Your instruments. Amen.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Your will, not mine, O God
Thank You, O God, for your forgiveness and Your patience.
"You, Lord my God, are gracious and compassionate, and You will not turn Your face from me if I return to You." 2 Chronicles 30:9More...
Even in those times when I fall short of putting You first in my life, O God, You are compassionate and forgiving when I confess and turn back to You. Thank You, O God for Your loving kindness.
I stand in awe and amazement of Your love, Your mercy, Your forgiveness, O God. You sent Your son, Jesus Christ, so that I might be saved. Thank You, O Lord, there is none like You.
"O God, our Father, You presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement through faith in His blood. You did this to demonstrate Your righteousness, because in Your mercy, You passed over the sins committed before Jesus died. You did it to demonstrate Your righteousness in the present time, that You might be just and the justifier of those who have faith in Jesus." Romans 3:25-26
O God, I pray that Your will not mine be done, for You know what is best for me and my family. I pray that if it be Your will that our marriage be saved. I want our marriage and family to be a living testament to You. I have peace in my heart that You will do what is best, and yet my heart aches for my husband and our children. I ask, in the name of Your precious and holy son, Jesus Christ, that if it be Your will, our marriage be saved. Change me and TJ and use us as You see fit, O God, we cannot save our marriage, only through Your perfect will can it be saved. I submit myself and my life to You and my heart rejoices. Amen.
The following is taken from The Gift the New Testament for New Believers.
One important aspect of the Christian worldview is understanding the need for Christian men and women to be on the job in all kinds of workplaces and arenas--to be the "salt of the earth" and the "light of the world" in the courtroom and the classroom, on the assembly line and in the executive office, in the public domain as well as the pulpit.
God has given each of us a calling in life. Some of those callings spill over very naturally into the kind of jobs we do. But in case you don't feel called to the work you're doing right now (yet you realize the necessity of it at this stage of your life), you can always remain in the will of God by striving for excellence in everything you do, caring genuinely for the people you serve and work alongside, looking for opportunities to offer Christian counsel and friendship, and maintaining integrity in all your relationships.
You may have never seen anything very spiritual in turning a wrench, pecking a keyboard, doing your history homework, or running another load of towels. But your faithful performance can speak volumes if you'll let it.
2 Thessalonians 3:6-10
One thing that should look a little different through Christian eyes is the place where you work, the people you work with, and the job that's expected of you. No longer is work or school just the necessary nightmare between you and a fun weekend.
2 Thessalonians 3:6-10
"Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from every brother who 'walks irresponsibly and not according to the tradition received from us. For you yourselves know how you must imitate us: we were not irresponsible among you; we did not eat anyone's bread free of charge; instead, we labored and toiled, working night and day, so that we would not be a burden to any of you. it is not that we don't have the right (to support), but we did it to make ourselves an example to you so that you would imitate us. In fact, when we were wit you, this is what we commanded you: "If anyone isn't willing to work, he should not eat."
"To follow Jesus means first and foremost to discover in our daily lives God's unique vocation for us." Henri Nouwen
O Lord, I have never experienced this in the workplace, and I want to. I want to allow You, O Lord, to use me wherever You desire. I am Yours, O God. Amen.
Last night I went to sleep thinking of TJ, yet I didn't call or text. I could feel him with me. I slept well, thank You, O Lord.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Needed at Home
O Lord, may your purpose be fulfilled in my life today-to love You completely, to love myself correctly, and to love others compassionately. Amen.More...
I awakened early this morning, about 3:30am, thinking of TJ. I texted him to make sure he was ok. He texted back and said he was fine, just dealing with bad roads and worse drivers. I prayed for God to watch over him. I am still having times of struggling with myself. I know this is to be expected and to try to be patient, I am hard on myself though.
Today's focus is on the family.
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, because this is right." Ephesians 6:1
The following is taken from The Gift the New Testament For New Believers.
Your family is your proving ground, where early morning moods and unsightly closets leave no place for Christian beliefs to hide behind, no words to sugarcoat the bald-faced lives we lead when the outside world is out of earshot...which can be a little scary.
But your family is also your training ground, where you can share life's most everyday challenges and experiences in the comfort of each other's company, where you can work through your shyness for bringing Sunday morning ideals into daily life by discovering how to pray as a family, how to use the Bible as a measuring stick, how o create a safe place for even the most childlike questions.
When Christ is given permission to make Himself at home at your house, you'll take pains to love your wife or husband more, to be more patient with others' mistakes, to be quicker to admit your own fault and to ask for forgiveness. You'll bite your tongue, you'll work for everyone's good, you'll give when you're tired and cranky. You'll grow. Together.
Ephesians 6:1-4
The process of discipleship can change the way you think, helping you start paying attention to the important things in life--like the most important people in the world, for example--the ones God has placed right in your living room.
Oh, how true this is. I took so much for granted. I lived a lie, I could be patient with most everyone else, but not my own family. I am ashamed to admit this, but it is true. I am beginning to see just how important my family is to me and to be truly thankful for the opportunity to have them in my life. God placed them in my life and I took them for granted. O Heavenly Father, I pray for forgiveness and look forward to the times when I can demonstrate just how important they are to me, for they are gifts from You, O God. Thank you, Lord, for this opportunity to come to understand my shortcomings and for the opportunity for You to change me. Amen.
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, because this is right. Honor your father and mother--which is the first commandment with a promise--that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life in the land. And fathers, don't stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." Ephesians 6:1-4
I awakened early this morning, about 3:30am, thinking of TJ. I texted him to make sure he was ok. He texted back and said he was fine, just dealing with bad roads and worse drivers. I prayed for God to watch over him. I am still having times of struggling with myself. I know this is to be expected and to try to be patient, I am hard on myself though.
Today's focus is on the family.
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, because this is right." Ephesians 6:1
The following is taken from The Gift the New Testament For New Believers.
Your family is your proving ground, where early morning moods and unsightly closets leave no place for Christian beliefs to hide behind, no words to sugarcoat the bald-faced lives we lead when the outside world is out of earshot...which can be a little scary.
But your family is also your training ground, where you can share life's most everyday challenges and experiences in the comfort of each other's company, where you can work through your shyness for bringing Sunday morning ideals into daily life by discovering how to pray as a family, how to use the Bible as a measuring stick, how o create a safe place for even the most childlike questions.
When Christ is given permission to make Himself at home at your house, you'll take pains to love your wife or husband more, to be more patient with others' mistakes, to be quicker to admit your own fault and to ask for forgiveness. You'll bite your tongue, you'll work for everyone's good, you'll give when you're tired and cranky. You'll grow. Together.
Ephesians 6:1-4
The process of discipleship can change the way you think, helping you start paying attention to the important things in life--like the most important people in the world, for example--the ones God has placed right in your living room.
Oh, how true this is. I took so much for granted. I lived a lie, I could be patient with most everyone else, but not my own family. I am ashamed to admit this, but it is true. I am beginning to see just how important my family is to me and to be truly thankful for the opportunity to have them in my life. God placed them in my life and I took them for granted. O Heavenly Father, I pray for forgiveness and look forward to the times when I can demonstrate just how important they are to me, for they are gifts from You, O God. Thank you, Lord, for this opportunity to come to understand my shortcomings and for the opportunity for You to change me. Amen.
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, because this is right. Honor your father and mother--which is the first commandment with a promise--that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life in the land. And fathers, don't stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." Ephesians 6:1-4
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Relationships
Thank you, O God, for all you have given me. I am truly blessed. You are with me through all times, both good and bad, and I thank you.More...
"I will tell of your loving kindness, Lord, and praise Your deeds, according to all You have done for us, and Your great goodness toward the house of Israel, which You have bestowed on them according to Your mercies, and according to the multitude of Your loving kindnesses." Isaiah 63:7
"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'" Isaiah 52:7
You reign O God! You are ruler of all, and I will proclaim your great news!
"Look, there on the mountains, the feet of the one who brings good news, who proclaims peace! Celebrate your festivals, O Judah, and fulfill your vows. No more will the wicked invade you; they will be completely destroyed." Nahum 1:15
O God, thank you for Your promise of peace.
"Come follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19
O Lord, I pray that You might use me as You see fit.
O Lord, my God, I submit my relationship with others to You. I know You have my best interests at heart. I ask that You bring peace, restoration, harmony, and hope to my marriage. I know that I can not do this and I submit myself to You. Use me as an instrument to restore my marriage that we might be a living testament to glorify You, O God. I ask that You break through our hardheadedness, our stubbornness and our pride... restore balance to what needs to be balanced, renew our love and devotion to You and to each other. I pray that Your will be done. All thanks and glory to You! Amen
O God, You are always with us. You tell us in Your word to be on the alert.
"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings." 1Peter 5:8-9
We are warned to be on the alert for Satan when we are suffering or being persecuted. When we are feeling alone, weak, helpless, and cut off from other believers, so focused on our own troubles that we forget to watch for danger, and we are most vulnerable to Satan's attacks. Satan knows our weaknesses and he will use them for his gain. We must stay on the alert and turn to other Christians for support. Keep our eyes on Christ and Satan will flee from us!
Boundaries--those self-imposed security zones which keep us alert to the areas where Satan is most likely to attack. Teaming up with accountability partners who help watch your back makes it doubly difficult for you to be defeated. These are our responsibilities, for salvation is work for us too.
I am thankful, O God, for the support of my friends and of my church family. I am reminded that You are working and it is my job to be patient. I sometimes struggle with this, as I have always been someone who couldn't get things done fast enough. I have always done things myself so I didn't have to wait on someone else. I am learning, Lord, thank You for Your patience. I have friends who can see my struggles and remind me to wait... to wait on You, Lord, for You know best.
I have been struggling the past few days with feelings of sadness and loneliness. I spoke with Eddie yesterday who reminded me this is not supposed to be easy. If I were having an easy time of it then the relationship would not be worth trying to save. Thank You, Lord, for using Eddie to remind me to be patient.
"I will tell of your loving kindness, Lord, and praise Your deeds, according to all You have done for us, and Your great goodness toward the house of Israel, which You have bestowed on them according to Your mercies, and according to the multitude of Your loving kindnesses." Isaiah 63:7
"How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!'" Isaiah 52:7
You reign O God! You are ruler of all, and I will proclaim your great news!
"Look, there on the mountains, the feet of the one who brings good news, who proclaims peace! Celebrate your festivals, O Judah, and fulfill your vows. No more will the wicked invade you; they will be completely destroyed." Nahum 1:15
O God, thank you for Your promise of peace.
"Come follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19
O Lord, I pray that You might use me as You see fit.
O Lord, my God, I submit my relationship with others to You. I know You have my best interests at heart. I ask that You bring peace, restoration, harmony, and hope to my marriage. I know that I can not do this and I submit myself to You. Use me as an instrument to restore my marriage that we might be a living testament to glorify You, O God. I ask that You break through our hardheadedness, our stubbornness and our pride... restore balance to what needs to be balanced, renew our love and devotion to You and to each other. I pray that Your will be done. All thanks and glory to You! Amen
O God, You are always with us. You tell us in Your word to be on the alert.
"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings." 1Peter 5:8-9
We are warned to be on the alert for Satan when we are suffering or being persecuted. When we are feeling alone, weak, helpless, and cut off from other believers, so focused on our own troubles that we forget to watch for danger, and we are most vulnerable to Satan's attacks. Satan knows our weaknesses and he will use them for his gain. We must stay on the alert and turn to other Christians for support. Keep our eyes on Christ and Satan will flee from us!
Boundaries--those self-imposed security zones which keep us alert to the areas where Satan is most likely to attack. Teaming up with accountability partners who help watch your back makes it doubly difficult for you to be defeated. These are our responsibilities, for salvation is work for us too.
I am thankful, O God, for the support of my friends and of my church family. I am reminded that You are working and it is my job to be patient. I sometimes struggle with this, as I have always been someone who couldn't get things done fast enough. I have always done things myself so I didn't have to wait on someone else. I am learning, Lord, thank You for Your patience. I have friends who can see my struggles and remind me to wait... to wait on You, Lord, for You know best.
I have been struggling the past few days with feelings of sadness and loneliness. I spoke with Eddie yesterday who reminded me this is not supposed to be easy. If I were having an easy time of it then the relationship would not be worth trying to save. Thank You, Lord, for using Eddie to remind me to be patient.
Monday, February 2, 2009
A brief synopsis
Well, I am new to this, but am going to give it my best shot. I suppose I should give a bit of background information. First, my name is Trish and I am married to TJ and between us we have 5 children, a dog, and a grandson. More...
Last September, TJ asked me for a divorce. I was devastated. I couldn't believe it. We had been having many disagreements over how best to discipline the children and the fact I didn't think he was being consistent enough in his parenting. I never suspected it had reached the point of him wanting a divorce though. Over the next couple of weeks I started working on getting my nursing license re-instated. TJ came home one morning from work and stated that it wouldn't be easy but if I were willing that he was willing to work on our marriage. I was so happy. I talked to our pastor, Debra, and she suggested that we work on trying to just spend some quality time together instead of what I wanted to do which was immediately create a list and spend time talking and trying to figure it all out. We had our first date night and it went well. We didn't discuss any of our problems and I planned a date night for the next Friday. Needless to say I pushed. About a week to ten days later I felt TJ withdraw again. After several attempts to try to talk, he would simply say that he felt I had gotten the wrong idea when he said he wanted to try to work it out. I told him that I had gotten the impression that we both had things we needed to work on separately as well as working on our marriage. He said that was basically what he had meant. Days and weeks passed and I kept trying to make a connection. It seemed the more I tried the more TJ withdrew. I ached inside because I could see he was really hurting. He seemed to think less and less of himself each day. Christmas approached and I wanted to make it special even though financially we weren't in the best place. I had never had a real Christmas tree and I found out that TJ preferred them, so we got a cut tree. It was fun working on ornaments with the boys. In fact the boys decorated the tree after TJ and I placed the lights and I decorated the hearth. It was beautiful. TJ kept saying he didn't like Christmas because of all the commercialism involved, so I tried really hard for that not to be a focus. The real reason for the season is the birth of Jesus and that's what I wanted to focus on. I was disappointed because it was to be a Christmas where I was travelling alone to Kentucky to be with my family. Well, I took the boys with me, but not my TJ. We came home on Saturday evening and then on that Sunday, TJ told me it wasn't working for him. I asked him to wait until we had celebrated Christmas with the boys so their Christmas wouldn't be spoiled. He agreed. We went to Peggy's the next Saturday to celebrate with them there. It was a difficult time for me because no one knew he had said he no longer wanted to work on things. Anyway, we celebrated Christmas with the boys and the next Saturday they were talking about pooling their money together and buying a Wii system. I asked TJ if he thought we should go ahead and tell the boys to keep them from getting their hopes up. He agreed. I went through to prepare breakfast and he came in to help. I was upset and trying to keep myself together, so he asked what was wrong. We ended up in an argument because he couldn't understand why I was so upset. He felt I should have already dealt with all the negative emotions earlier. I told him I wasn't happy, that I didn't agree that the marriage was over and that I wasn't going to let him say that he had honestly tried to make it work. I pointed out that he had come to me and said he wanted to try and he had lied to me. He hadn't tried. Anyway, he told them and I pretty much sat and cried. The boys tried to comfort me, love their hearts. I told TJ I needed some time and packed a suitcase. I went to Charleston, SC and spent the night. The next morning I went to walk on the beach at Folly Beach. I wanted so desperately to run and not look back. It took all my strength not to just walk out into the ocean, not because I wanted to die but because I didn't want to face what awaited me at home. I kept praying and called my friend, Sara, who told me I was more than welcome to come and stay with her and her family for as long as I needed. I told thank you, but I just didn't know. I kept praying. I left the beach and just rode around for a bit. My friend, Michelle, called and talked to me and I told her I just didn't know what I was going to do. I wanted to run and not look back. That had always been my "go to" in times of trouble. I kept praying and finally reached a point of feeling the peace of God. I knew I needed to get out of the situation I was in and that TJ needed some space. I called Sara back and told her I would be coming the next day to spend some time with her. She said anytime. I travelled back home and felt the most peace I had felt in ages. I knew it was the right thing to do. I got home and told TJ what I had discovered. He seemed upset and angry that I was going to move out. He asked if I would stay a couple of weeks longer and I told him I couldn't give him two weeks but I would stay a week longer. I called Sara back and told her and she said that actually would give them a bit more time to get things organized. I stayed that week and tried to take care of some business. I continued feeling at peace even though I was so very sad. I didn't want to leave my family. The next Monday arrived and Brayden and I left with the van loaded amidst tears and promises that I would see the boys again on Thursday. Getting into that van and driving off was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. Brayden and I got to South Carolina and started to get settled in. Sara and Eddie and Matthew were all so gracious and supportive. I felt very welcomed. Anyway, Fridays and Sundays have been the most difficult days. I had received an answer to my prayer for peace, yet I still felt so sad. I kept praying and asking for God to help me. The next items are a summary of the passages which have been given to me by God to help me. I will separate them and put the dates I first felt them speaking directly to me. After catching up from the past week I will try to post daily. Thank you for your patience. God bless you!
Saturday, January, 24, 2009:
TJ had his first weekend night alone with the boys last night. Peggy called and asked if I had heard from him and I said no although I had been having a feeling of something not being quite right all evening. I called and no answer at home so I tried his cell phone and he answered. He said he had put the boys to bed and was at Ingle's. I said ok, although my heart sank. I worried about what he might be up to out on a Friday night. I called Peggy back and she was upset because she didn't think the boys should be at home alone and didn't realize that TJ had planned on allowing the boys to stay there while he worked as long as they had an alternative way to reach someone if the phone went out. I talked with her for a bit and she said she would talk to TJ tomorrow about it all. I told her to do what she felt she needed to do but that TJ would be angry at me also. Anyway, I went to bed praying. I woke up this morning and did my Bible study and devotion time. The following passages came to me: Romans 8:28-29; Proverbs 3:5-6; Matthew 6:10; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18; Psalm 37:3-7. After reading these I felt God telling me to call and talk to Peggy. I called and shared these verses with her and after talking we had reached a place to where we knew God was in control of it all. He would work things out for the best.
Sunday, January 25, 2009:
Duncan and Brayden were sick. Duncan stayed at home and TJ kept Brayden with him at the back of the service. Today's sermon was on Samuel. Learning to listen to the Lord when he calls. Sometimes even in the middle of the night. I talked some to TJ after the service. I had stopped at CVS to pick up some medicine for Brayden and TJ had taken the boys on home. He had prepared a pot of coffee and we talked about Debra's sermon and I could see God working in him. I told him that God forgives and that it didn't have to be this way. I told him I love him. I felt like God wanted him to hear that sometimes we pray and cry out God help me when God keeps sending people to us to help us. I could see the pain inside TJ. I told him I couldn't fix it, but that I could help by being there for him and loving him, but he had to let me. TJ was thinking about Debra's sermon and I felt an increase in my faith that God was in control. Thank you, God, for allowing me a glimpse.
Monday, January 26, 2009:
The following passages brought me a sense of peace and hope: Romans 8:28-29; Proverbs 3:5-6; Matthew 6:10; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18; Psalm 37:3-7; John 20:24-29. I know the first five passages are the same as Saturday's. Some things I need re-enforced often.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009:
The following passages came to me today: 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; Romans 8:29; Galatians 4:19; Philippians 3:21; 1 John 3:2; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 Timothy 5:22; James 4:8. I have been talking and sharing with Peggy who is gaining a renewal in her faith through me sharing. I, in no way, am taking any credit for this. It is God working in my life and me sharing it which is helping her. I don't always know how to convey this adequately, so please be patient with me.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009:
The following passages: Matthew 21:21-22; Mark 4:33-34; Isaiah 40:31; 2 Timothy 3:7; 1 John 1:8-9. Again, I share with Peggy and we encourage each other in our growth and faith. Thank you, God.
Thursday, January 29, 2009:
The following passages: Psalm 28:6-7; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:1-2; Deuternomy 8: 12-14, 17; Proverbs 16:18; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Numbers 6:24-26; Job 34:21-23; Acts 4:13-20. Today, I went to NC and spent some time with the boys. The boys went to a movie with "Miss Vicki" and had a great time. She is not only an important part of my life but in the boys' lives as well. I spoke only a few moments with TJ today. He was in bed until after I left for choir. I miss him so much.
Friday, January 30, 2009:
The following passages: Ephesians 5:8; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Psalm 50:15; Psalm 18:2-3; and the following prayer.
"O Lord, may your purpose be fulfilled in my life today--to love You completely, to love myself correctly, and to love others compassionately." Amen.
Today, TJ was a bit distant. He hugged me but only with one arm. It is so difficult to know he loves me, but can't truly express himself. It is also difficult to see him in pain. I took the boys to Peggy's for the night and after visiting for a bit, Brayden and I headed back to South Carolina. It was a sad time.
Saturday, January 31, 2009:
The following passage: Psalm 143:8. I texted TJ to tell him goodnight and I love him. He texted back "me too." I get to see him tomorrow. I love him and can't find it in me to give up on him or our marriage.
Sunday, February 1, 2009:
Today, TJ beat me to church. He called to check on me because I was running late. I was happy to see him. I love him. Brayden went home with him while I went to Sunday school. When I got home, he seemed almost nervous to be around me. We talked a little bit but not much. The boys kept coming in and out of the room. Anyway, I told him I was sorry for all of this and he looked so sad and said you don't have anything to apologize for, this is my fault, remember. I kissed him on the cheek and told him I love you. This is breaking my heart. I am really struggling right now. I know God is in control and I am simply being impatient. God, help me please. I did my Bible study and devotion time late today because of travelling to NC. The following passages spoke to me: John 14:1; Psalm 28:7.
John 14:1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me."
Psalm 28:7 "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song."
Amen
Monday, February 2, 2009:
I went to sleep praying. I felt better this morning although I was having difficulty focusing on praying when I awakened. I did my Bible study and devotion time, the following was the focus.
You're not the only one who feels the way you do, who asks yourself questions or makes stupid mistakes. Try being honest with others about it. You'll waste a lot of opportunities to grow as a disciple if you pretend to be something you're not. This passage is found in The Gift: The New Testament for New Believers with Psalms and Proverbs. This pertains to the following passage: 1 Thessalonians 2:3-8.
"For our exhortation didn't come from error or impurity or an intent to deceive. Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please men, but rather God, who examines our hearts. For we never used flattering speech, as you know, or had greedy motives--God is our witness--and we didn't seek glory from people, either from you or from others. Although we could have been a burden as Christ's apostles, instead we were gentle among you, as a nursing mother nurtures her own children. We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us." 1 Thessalonians 2:3-8. This passage is followed by the following quotation from Jim Smoke: "Many times our human desire to be acceptable to everyone keeps us from being real in all but the most superficial ways."
Thank you for your patience and kindness. God bless you.
Last September, TJ asked me for a divorce. I was devastated. I couldn't believe it. We had been having many disagreements over how best to discipline the children and the fact I didn't think he was being consistent enough in his parenting. I never suspected it had reached the point of him wanting a divorce though. Over the next couple of weeks I started working on getting my nursing license re-instated. TJ came home one morning from work and stated that it wouldn't be easy but if I were willing that he was willing to work on our marriage. I was so happy. I talked to our pastor, Debra, and she suggested that we work on trying to just spend some quality time together instead of what I wanted to do which was immediately create a list and spend time talking and trying to figure it all out. We had our first date night and it went well. We didn't discuss any of our problems and I planned a date night for the next Friday. Needless to say I pushed. About a week to ten days later I felt TJ withdraw again. After several attempts to try to talk, he would simply say that he felt I had gotten the wrong idea when he said he wanted to try to work it out. I told him that I had gotten the impression that we both had things we needed to work on separately as well as working on our marriage. He said that was basically what he had meant. Days and weeks passed and I kept trying to make a connection. It seemed the more I tried the more TJ withdrew. I ached inside because I could see he was really hurting. He seemed to think less and less of himself each day. Christmas approached and I wanted to make it special even though financially we weren't in the best place. I had never had a real Christmas tree and I found out that TJ preferred them, so we got a cut tree. It was fun working on ornaments with the boys. In fact the boys decorated the tree after TJ and I placed the lights and I decorated the hearth. It was beautiful. TJ kept saying he didn't like Christmas because of all the commercialism involved, so I tried really hard for that not to be a focus. The real reason for the season is the birth of Jesus and that's what I wanted to focus on. I was disappointed because it was to be a Christmas where I was travelling alone to Kentucky to be with my family. Well, I took the boys with me, but not my TJ. We came home on Saturday evening and then on that Sunday, TJ told me it wasn't working for him. I asked him to wait until we had celebrated Christmas with the boys so their Christmas wouldn't be spoiled. He agreed. We went to Peggy's the next Saturday to celebrate with them there. It was a difficult time for me because no one knew he had said he no longer wanted to work on things. Anyway, we celebrated Christmas with the boys and the next Saturday they were talking about pooling their money together and buying a Wii system. I asked TJ if he thought we should go ahead and tell the boys to keep them from getting their hopes up. He agreed. I went through to prepare breakfast and he came in to help. I was upset and trying to keep myself together, so he asked what was wrong. We ended up in an argument because he couldn't understand why I was so upset. He felt I should have already dealt with all the negative emotions earlier. I told him I wasn't happy, that I didn't agree that the marriage was over and that I wasn't going to let him say that he had honestly tried to make it work. I pointed out that he had come to me and said he wanted to try and he had lied to me. He hadn't tried. Anyway, he told them and I pretty much sat and cried. The boys tried to comfort me, love their hearts. I told TJ I needed some time and packed a suitcase. I went to Charleston, SC and spent the night. The next morning I went to walk on the beach at Folly Beach. I wanted so desperately to run and not look back. It took all my strength not to just walk out into the ocean, not because I wanted to die but because I didn't want to face what awaited me at home. I kept praying and called my friend, Sara, who told me I was more than welcome to come and stay with her and her family for as long as I needed. I told thank you, but I just didn't know. I kept praying. I left the beach and just rode around for a bit. My friend, Michelle, called and talked to me and I told her I just didn't know what I was going to do. I wanted to run and not look back. That had always been my "go to" in times of trouble. I kept praying and finally reached a point of feeling the peace of God. I knew I needed to get out of the situation I was in and that TJ needed some space. I called Sara back and told her I would be coming the next day to spend some time with her. She said anytime. I travelled back home and felt the most peace I had felt in ages. I knew it was the right thing to do. I got home and told TJ what I had discovered. He seemed upset and angry that I was going to move out. He asked if I would stay a couple of weeks longer and I told him I couldn't give him two weeks but I would stay a week longer. I called Sara back and told her and she said that actually would give them a bit more time to get things organized. I stayed that week and tried to take care of some business. I continued feeling at peace even though I was so very sad. I didn't want to leave my family. The next Monday arrived and Brayden and I left with the van loaded amidst tears and promises that I would see the boys again on Thursday. Getting into that van and driving off was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. Brayden and I got to South Carolina and started to get settled in. Sara and Eddie and Matthew were all so gracious and supportive. I felt very welcomed. Anyway, Fridays and Sundays have been the most difficult days. I had received an answer to my prayer for peace, yet I still felt so sad. I kept praying and asking for God to help me. The next items are a summary of the passages which have been given to me by God to help me. I will separate them and put the dates I first felt them speaking directly to me. After catching up from the past week I will try to post daily. Thank you for your patience. God bless you!
Saturday, January, 24, 2009:
TJ had his first weekend night alone with the boys last night. Peggy called and asked if I had heard from him and I said no although I had been having a feeling of something not being quite right all evening. I called and no answer at home so I tried his cell phone and he answered. He said he had put the boys to bed and was at Ingle's. I said ok, although my heart sank. I worried about what he might be up to out on a Friday night. I called Peggy back and she was upset because she didn't think the boys should be at home alone and didn't realize that TJ had planned on allowing the boys to stay there while he worked as long as they had an alternative way to reach someone if the phone went out. I talked with her for a bit and she said she would talk to TJ tomorrow about it all. I told her to do what she felt she needed to do but that TJ would be angry at me also. Anyway, I went to bed praying. I woke up this morning and did my Bible study and devotion time. The following passages came to me: Romans 8:28-29; Proverbs 3:5-6; Matthew 6:10; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18; Psalm 37:3-7. After reading these I felt God telling me to call and talk to Peggy. I called and shared these verses with her and after talking we had reached a place to where we knew God was in control of it all. He would work things out for the best.
Sunday, January 25, 2009:
Duncan and Brayden were sick. Duncan stayed at home and TJ kept Brayden with him at the back of the service. Today's sermon was on Samuel. Learning to listen to the Lord when he calls. Sometimes even in the middle of the night. I talked some to TJ after the service. I had stopped at CVS to pick up some medicine for Brayden and TJ had taken the boys on home. He had prepared a pot of coffee and we talked about Debra's sermon and I could see God working in him. I told him that God forgives and that it didn't have to be this way. I told him I love him. I felt like God wanted him to hear that sometimes we pray and cry out God help me when God keeps sending people to us to help us. I could see the pain inside TJ. I told him I couldn't fix it, but that I could help by being there for him and loving him, but he had to let me. TJ was thinking about Debra's sermon and I felt an increase in my faith that God was in control. Thank you, God, for allowing me a glimpse.
Monday, January 26, 2009:
The following passages brought me a sense of peace and hope: Romans 8:28-29; Proverbs 3:5-6; Matthew 6:10; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18; Psalm 37:3-7; John 20:24-29. I know the first five passages are the same as Saturday's. Some things I need re-enforced often.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009:
The following passages came to me today: 2 Corinthians 3:17-18; Romans 8:29; Galatians 4:19; Philippians 3:21; 1 John 3:2; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 Timothy 5:22; James 4:8. I have been talking and sharing with Peggy who is gaining a renewal in her faith through me sharing. I, in no way, am taking any credit for this. It is God working in my life and me sharing it which is helping her. I don't always know how to convey this adequately, so please be patient with me.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009:
The following passages: Matthew 21:21-22; Mark 4:33-34; Isaiah 40:31; 2 Timothy 3:7; 1 John 1:8-9. Again, I share with Peggy and we encourage each other in our growth and faith. Thank you, God.
Thursday, January 29, 2009:
The following passages: Psalm 28:6-7; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:1-2; Deuternomy 8: 12-14, 17; Proverbs 16:18; 2 Peter 1:16-21; Numbers 6:24-26; Job 34:21-23; Acts 4:13-20. Today, I went to NC and spent some time with the boys. The boys went to a movie with "Miss Vicki" and had a great time. She is not only an important part of my life but in the boys' lives as well. I spoke only a few moments with TJ today. He was in bed until after I left for choir. I miss him so much.
Friday, January 30, 2009:
The following passages: Ephesians 5:8; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Psalm 50:15; Psalm 18:2-3; and the following prayer.
"O Lord, may your purpose be fulfilled in my life today--to love You completely, to love myself correctly, and to love others compassionately." Amen.
Today, TJ was a bit distant. He hugged me but only with one arm. It is so difficult to know he loves me, but can't truly express himself. It is also difficult to see him in pain. I took the boys to Peggy's for the night and after visiting for a bit, Brayden and I headed back to South Carolina. It was a sad time.
Saturday, January 31, 2009:
The following passage: Psalm 143:8. I texted TJ to tell him goodnight and I love him. He texted back "me too." I get to see him tomorrow. I love him and can't find it in me to give up on him or our marriage.
Sunday, February 1, 2009:
Today, TJ beat me to church. He called to check on me because I was running late. I was happy to see him. I love him. Brayden went home with him while I went to Sunday school. When I got home, he seemed almost nervous to be around me. We talked a little bit but not much. The boys kept coming in and out of the room. Anyway, I told him I was sorry for all of this and he looked so sad and said you don't have anything to apologize for, this is my fault, remember. I kissed him on the cheek and told him I love you. This is breaking my heart. I am really struggling right now. I know God is in control and I am simply being impatient. God, help me please. I did my Bible study and devotion time late today because of travelling to NC. The following passages spoke to me: John 14:1; Psalm 28:7.
John 14:1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me."
Psalm 28:7 "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song."
Amen
Monday, February 2, 2009:
I went to sleep praying. I felt better this morning although I was having difficulty focusing on praying when I awakened. I did my Bible study and devotion time, the following was the focus.
You're not the only one who feels the way you do, who asks yourself questions or makes stupid mistakes. Try being honest with others about it. You'll waste a lot of opportunities to grow as a disciple if you pretend to be something you're not. This passage is found in The Gift: The New Testament for New Believers with Psalms and Proverbs. This pertains to the following passage: 1 Thessalonians 2:3-8.
"For our exhortation didn't come from error or impurity or an intent to deceive. Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please men, but rather God, who examines our hearts. For we never used flattering speech, as you know, or had greedy motives--God is our witness--and we didn't seek glory from people, either from you or from others. Although we could have been a burden as Christ's apostles, instead we were gentle among you, as a nursing mother nurtures her own children. We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us." 1 Thessalonians 2:3-8. This passage is followed by the following quotation from Jim Smoke: "Many times our human desire to be acceptable to everyone keeps us from being real in all but the most superficial ways."
Thank you for your patience and kindness. God bless you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
